Bidspirit auction | Re-Designation of Junior infantrymens Battalion

Re-Designation of Junior infantrymens Battalion Signed Lt Col Commanding. 31 July 1974 BFPS 1458 Shorncliffe Camp Re-Designation of Junior infantrymens Battalion Special Postmark. Redesignation of Junior infantrymens Battalion to The Infantry Junior Leaders Battalion. Personally Signed by Lt Col. Commanding Junior infantrymen. s Battalion Shorncliffe. On 31st July 1974 The Junior Infantrymen's Battalion at Shorncliffe was redesignated ”The Infantry Junior Leaders Battalion”. In 1952 The Infantry Boys Battalion was formed and stationed at Tuxford. Once again Harrogate played a part as 'A' Company was permanently detached to Harrogate. The Infantry Boys Battalion was something different however. The success of training young apprentices was to be transferred to infantry training. The concept was simple. Recruit young men between the ages of 15 and 17 who had the potential to become Non Commissioned Officers and Warrant Officers. Give them top class educational training alongside leadership and infantry training to prepare them for Rank. The Battalion name was changed to The Infantry Junior Leaders Battalion in 1954 to reflect the status of the young people who were selected and the high quality training aimed at producing NCO's and Warrant Officers. The Battalion moved first to Plymouth when 'A' Company joined them from Harrogate and in 1960 it moved to Park Hall Camp Oswestry where it was to be stationed for the next 15 years. At this time under the auspices of Lt Colonel Coutts and Lt Colonel Barker (Later Brigadier General Barker) the syllabus was amended to reflect the Sandhurst training model. The first year was a mixture of Education and Military Training. Education was based upon a syllabus to enable the 'Junior Leader' to obtain Army Certificates of Education which would enable them to gain promotion in their service careers. Most were successful in obtaining ACE Senior or First Class levels in such subjects as Maths. English. Current Affairs. Map Reading etc. which meant that they were able to be promoted to Warrant Officer Level due to this achievement. The second Year was Military Training culminating in several strategic tests such as an escape and evade exercise and a March and Shoot alongside tactical and weapon training. Signalling was also covered to ensure a fully rounded professional soldier passed out. Those passing the entrance exam to become Junior Leaders at the recruiting office were from all walks of life and all parts of the country. The Infantry Junior Leaders Battalion became known as The NCO's Sandhurst as it successfully trained NCO's and warrant officers for The Guards and the 54 Regiments of the line. Oswestry continued to be the base for IJLB and many ex juniors were posted back as Permanent Staff Instructors as they were promoted through the ranks. This was extremely successful as their experience of being Junior Leaders was invaluable in passing on insights and motivating the junior soldiers. At this stage the lowest Permanent Staff training instructor was a Sergeant Instructor. Junior Leaders themselves were designated Junior NCO'S and Warrant Officers and were given the responsibility of section commanders. Platoon Sergeants. Company Sergeant Major or Regimental Sergeant Major with the corresponding responsibilities. The Junior Regimental Sergeant Major took the whole responsibility for the Battalion Passing Out Parade whilst other Junior NCO's and Warrant Officers took appropriate responsibilities for their rank. So successful was the concept that ex Junior Leaders became the backbone of The British Army for many years right into the new Millennium. In 1967 The Junior Infantrymen's Battalion was formed at Shorncliffe in Kent. In 1970 a Junior Infantryman's Wing was added to the Oswestry camp. These recruits were young people who were unable upon enlistment reach the desired level for joining IJLB. In 1973 The Infantry Junior Leaders Battalion was awarded The 'Freedom of Oswestry. in recognition of its association with the town an unusual accolade for a boys Battalion. In September 1972 and in preparation for the change in the school leaving age the last intake to complete the 7 terms (two years training) was taken in at Oswestry. Intakes in January 73 completed 6 terms. April 73 5 Terms and September 73 4 terms. New Intakes were not recruited after January 1974 all those at Oswestry passing out together in December 1974 when the camp closed. Single Vendor autograph collection. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99