A TOTAL of 26 members of Crediton Probus Club met at Downes Crediton Golf Club for their May meeting and to start Keith Beetlestone, acting president, asked John Wakefield to say grace.

John responded with a magnificent sung version of the prayer that was admired by everyone. We sat down to another lovely meal after which John Marshall gave the quote. John Haddleton won the draw and Brian Threlfall gave his report on sick members.

Brian Healey, introduced by the acting chairman, told us that he was one of three speakers for this session, all of whom were former members of British Armed Forces apprenticeship schemes.

Brian had been a naval apprentice, Mike Davis an army apprentice and Mick Wells had been an apprentice in the RAF.

Brian Healey first gave us a brief history of naval apprenticeships, saying that these had been introduced by Admiral Sir Jacky Fisher in 1903.

After the First World War the scheme had been refined with the introduction of ordnance apprenticeships in 1926 and by electrical apprenticeships eight years later.

Apprenticeships had originally been for four years but had been extended to five years.

Each of our three speakers then gave us a brief account of their own service histories. Each of them had been regular servicemen in the 1960’s and 70’s and there were many shared experiences, such as bullying during basic training by NCO’s.

Our three speakers were thanked by John Haddleton.

Ken Downes then announced our summer outing. This is to be to Quinces Honey Farm at South Molton on June 16. Lunch will be taken at the North Gate Inn, South Molton.

The meeting finished with the usual toast: “‘Til the next time”.

KB