Reunion invites for the Virgin Soldiers

Former members of the Royal Army Pay Corps meet for a milestone reunion in West Bromwich next week.

The soldiers were stationed at the Regimental Pay Office in Nee Soon, Singapore.

They are celebrating 25 years since they started meeting annually. The unit operated from 1947 to 1960 and was responsible for military accounts throughout the Far East and payments to soldiers' families. Organiser Terry Atkinson served as a corporal in the regular Army from 1956 to 1958 and is now 72.

"It all started when a group of former soldiers who had played in the regimental football team got together for a reunion," he said.

"It all just seemed to escalate from there.

"We have been known to have in excess of 120 but we are all getting on a bit now, so numbers have dwindled over the years.

"Last year, we had 90 but we are hoping for more than 100 this time because it is such an important anniversary.

Mr Atkinson, of Broad Lane, Pelsall, Walsall, said: "We all just enjoy reminiscing. It is heartening to know that friendships forged and the spirit of camaraderie still exists after so many years."

Author Leslie Thomas spent his national service with the pay corps from 1950 to 1952 and was involved in military action against communist rebels in Malaya.

His experiences inspired the novel The Virgin Soldiers, later made into a film starring Hywel Bennett.

Reunions were originally started by people who served in the unit from 1955 to 1958 but as word spread, soldiers from other eras became interested. Organisers have so far traced 800 and are keen to hear from more.

The Royal Army Pay Corps was disbanded in 1992 and absorbed in the Adjutant General Corps.

The reunion meal at the Park Inn Hotel, in Europa Avenue, West Bromwich, begins at 7.30pm on Saturday, March 28. For details, call 01922 685440.