Thank you AWS for the article featuring Guyana (British Guiana as was). Funny how things come around. Some of my fondest memories are of Guyana. 3 Para were sent there in August 1964 to boost security leading up to Independence. There had been many years of unrest and violence between the two major race based political parties.
The indigenous Amerindians were in a minority (c.5%) with East Indian (c.49%), African (c.31%), Mixed(c.12%) with some Chinese and Portuguese.
Companies were spread throughout the country with the Battalion Headquarters based in Georgetown, the Capital.
Our HQ Sergeant’s Mess was a large wooden house overlooking a shanty town.
Crime was a problem and a local tactic was known as ‘choke and rob.’ One man held a knife to the throat while the other frisked you. We were given strict orders not to be out alone – nevertheless the Battalion Adjutant was robbed while he was out and about and there were many transgressors of the order (me included) as we investigated the delights of Georgetown.
One morning I came back from early morning (5.30.a.m.) physical training to find a man in my room holding my radio. I threw a fire extinguisher at him and he leapt from the first floor window and escaped, without the radio.
I have to admit that the role of duty sergeant was mainly a question of clearing the ladies out of the men’s accommodation blocks before lights out.!
Nevertheless it is a great place and I would love to go back there – to live even if the choice were available. Good climate, colourful, full of hustle and bustle and mostly very engaging people.
Loved the reggae music, Prince Buster ‘If I had the wings of a dove and ‘Shame and Scandal’ often come to mind and I sing a note or two.
Our musicians formed a steel band and we brought over a local man – ‘Dan the Pan’ to continue the training and for years they were an attraction in the messes in Aldershot and surrounds with quite a few paid engagements.
Happy days.
I noted down a couple of sayings :
‘If you don’t know your destination any road will take you there.’
‘get on board or get out of the way.’
The second is from Andrew Torba the founder of Gab. Knew nothing of him so looked him up – hit on the ADL Site which was splenetic in it’s hate for his right wing views and other dreadful crimes against wokery. Sounds like my kind of guy!
Watched the Rupert Lowe interview with slimy Gove. I think we are all aware of his capability but he has no power base at present. There has been quite a lot of talk of NF lately but I have not been following the ins and outs. I think it bad news that he supports the moslem woman for London Mayor as well as the other foreigner holding a prominent place in Reform. A week is a long time in politics and there are years to go before a GE is likely. I am becoming more and more dispirited, but something may turn up…….. We can but hope!
Nowadays when writing I sometimes have trouble spelling even commonplace words, suppose it is to be expected but it is a bit of a bind.
© Gillygangle 2026
