Roy Jones: a narrow escape from the army
In the second of four extracts from his new memoir, the Morning Star’s legendary former industrial reporter looks back at his life in the Royal Air Force in 1948
NATIONAL SERVICE was for “healthy” males aged 17 to 21 years old who were expected to serve for 18 months under the National Service Act 1948. This was extended later to two years.
In February of 1948, I received my papers and underwent a medical. I passed what seemed like a simple test for what I imagined to be such a serious responsibility.
Then I tore open a finger thus delaying my call-up to August. My mam said she had never seen me move so fast before I took a train to Padgate, Warrington where I became a raw RAF recruit.
More from this author
In the last of four extracts from his new memoir, the Star’s former industrial reporter recalls the opening shots — and at least one moment of glory — in what was to be a devastating decade for the union movement
In the third of four extracts from his new memoir, the Morning Star’s legendary former industrial reporter ROY JONES recounts standing for election for the CPGB — and booking Ewan MacColl, Peggy Seeger and The Beatles for gigs
In the first of four extracts from his new book, the man who would go on to be the Morning Star’s industrial reporter recounts his journey through postwar Britain’s labour struggles
Similar stories
TONY FOX uncovers the story of Herbert ‘Avie’ Riding, one of five International Brigade volunteers from Hartlepool who fought fascism in Spain, as part of an annual commemoration of Teesside’s anti-fascist legacy
In the first of four extracts from his new book, the man who would go on to be the Morning Star’s industrial reporter recounts his journey through postwar Britain’s labour struggles
In the first of two features, ex-miner PAUL KELLY shares his experiences as a 24-year-old striker in the miners’ strike against pit closures of 1984-5
CHRIS SEARLE speaks with clarinetist Sammy Rimington