I joined the Welsh Guards as a drummer boy in 1958 and was sent to Pirbright Camp in Surrey.
I quickly realised I was never going to make it as a drummer boy, and applied to become a Guardsman so was then sent to Caterham Barracks for training. On finishing my training I was then sent back to Pirbright to continue training as a Guardsman.
It was here I became aware of The Guards Independent Parachute Company who were billeted just up the road in the spider huts, being a young seventeen and a half year old these Paras looked ten feet tall and just as broad, it was then I decided that's what I wanted to be.
In 1961 I joined the Guards Independent Parachute Company, and served with them until 1967 when I was de-mobbed. In 1971 I rejoined the Welsh Guards serving with the Guards Parachute Company reaching the rank of Serjeant.
In 1974 I went back to the Welsh Guards being discharged in 1984 as a Colour Serjeant.
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We last met some years ago at one of the reunions, I am the eldest son of Dave Montieth (Monty) the son who retired from the Foreign Legion Para Reg with the rank of WO2. My father following a number of strokes in April is now suffering from vascular dementia so will sadly no longer be able to attend any more reunions which he greatly loved. Greatest respects Chris Montieth
My father Desmond Devney joined the 1st Battalion of the Guards in 1958 and later moved to the 22nd Regiment SAS in 1959. I am his daughter and I am trying to piece together his military career but have no information about his service especially in the SAS. Did you know of him?
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