EARLY DAYS AND OTHER THINGS BY TREVOR SMITH episode 2

PJIs in the RAF were all volunteers drawn from the Physical Training Branch, so for them acquiring the practical experience of parachuting, and the knowledge of associated equipment was all that was needed to qualify for the coveted brevet.  In our case a lot more was required, and those instructors to whom we were assigned did a splendid job in, not only imparting that special knowledge, instilling in us the instructional technique which was a foreign subject to our bunch of mixed trade personnel who wished to become PJIs.

We grew in confidence and slowly acquired the necessary polish by working with two TF para courses under their close scrutiny.  At the end of this phase, five brand new PJIs proudly displayed their new brevets after a small, low-key presentation parade in the PTS hangar.  In addition, in keeping with our new status, we four corporals were promoted to acting sergeants and were able to join our senior man, Bill Maitland, in the Sergeants’ Mess accommodation.  Unfortunately Algie had sustained an injury in the early stages and by the time he was pronounced fit to continue he decided to call it quits and had left the course and returned to Rhodesia.

To settle us in to our new role we were given the task of training Basic Course No 540.  We did this entirely on our own - no super-experienced PJI looking over the shoulder and breathing down the neck.  Thanks to the first class training that we had received we were all able to cope and it was a most rewarding feeling to know we had gained the confidence of these trainees and that we had drilled them correctly. To see each and every one complete the course and to be present on parade when they received their wings was a satisfying experience.

This was my first visit to England and we enjoyed a most unusual warm summer. I was delighted with the very long days and to be able to play tennis, usually with Derek, at 9.30 in the evening was a new experience. Derek and I would also often stroll into Abingdon where we befriended the manager of a boat hire outfit. Many pleasant hours were spent canoeing on the Thames and, in fact, the weather was so balmy that we often enjoyed a swim in what was then a clean and beautiful river.

On one of those excursions on the Thames we discovered that not all residents on the river bank were as friendly as the boat hire manager.  Whilst swimming I heard Derek shout in alarm and I became aware of a loud flapping noise behind me.  I turned in time to see a swan, half in flight, and slapping the water with its feet come hurtling directly towards me. I ducked under and saw it go past, but it turned, and came back, by which time I was swimming frantically to the bank.  One final pass and the swan settled in the water and watched as we got into the canoe and made our retreat.  Never in the African bush had I encountered any beast so intent on making me feel unwelcome.  British wildlife proved to be something to be respected.

Another of my sporting pastimes at Abingdon was sailing.  I met Flt Lt Latton who was looking for crew, so I volunteered to accompany him on his Firefly dinghy, which he sailed on an old flooded gravel pit in the outskirts of the town.  After sailing we would drop into a country inn where I was introduced to Merrydown’s vintage cider. The publican was a most obliging man and I was able to set up a deal with him to use the inn as a venue for a farewell gathering where we could entertain the many service friends who had been so supportive during our stay in England. Snacks and drinks were provided and not a penny changed hands - we reverted to a straight barter system.  During our stay we had, as foreigners, been allowed to purchase a substantial quantity of duty free booze.  Many bottles of fine South African brandy and some excellent whisky was more than enough to pay for what we were given. I think our guests also enjoyed the occasion where all ranks were able to mix without restriction.

We returned to Rhodesia in October 1961 and were joined there by Flying Officer Ron (Smudge) Smith, Flt Sgt Robbie Robertson and Sgt Terry Hagan, all from No1 PTS, RAF Abingdon. These men were seconded to the RRAF to assist and guide us in the setting up of our new Parachute Training School.

This school was to be located at RRAF New Sarum in Salisbury.  We were allocated one half of a hangar, and we arrived to find a near complete office block across the middle of the hangar.  The training area was littered with part complete equipment which had been made to RAF specs and was identical to that which we had used at Abingdon. Rigging had been started by ground equipment technicians but completion had been delayed until the new experts could offer advice and confirm the suitability of this strange, unknown gear.

So there we were - in April a motley collection of miscellaneous trades and now, six months later, "the experts".  A lot of work was required to get the school operational and this was the first time that we were able to shine above our RAF mentors.  Our different background and the various trades to which we had been exposed, coupled with the natural DIY make-a-plan attitude of the Rhodesian colonials, came to the fore. We got into the job - not just advising and supervising but actually getting right into the job.

There was fortunately no trade union attitude in Rhodesia so whoever could do whatever, just got on with it. Welding, sweging of cables, carpentry, glazing, painting and even electrical work was tackled with vigor. Good guys as they were, our RAF colleagues did not contribute much more than the appraisal and testing of the finished product. We completed the job in good time and that as much as anything else was the foundation of a strong team that was never intimidated by any task.

Our training at Abingdon had covered all types of aircraft in use at the time for paratrooping, and these were the Beverley and Hastings and of course the balloon.  In Rhodesia we would use the C47, otherwise known as Dakota or DC3.  WO1 Les Johnson, chief technician at No 3 Squadron undertook the necessary adjustments and modification of Dak 703 which became our main workhorse.  This fine old aircraft had done remarkable service and was still in first class condition.  Les was pleased to advise us that dear old 703 was no stranger to paratooping as she had flown during WW2 at Arnhem and this was testified in the 700 (aircraft logbook).

In November 1961 we started our real work - training of C Squadron "Rhodesia" SAS.  The history of Rhodesia SAS is another story but suffice it to say we can be proud of the part we played in bringing this elite unit back to life and meeting standards which were arguably the best in the world.

By February 1962 we were engaged in training No 5 Basic at which stage PTS had completed its 1000th descent.  Again I was lucky in the drawing of straws, and I had the honour of doing that jump.  Being a new arm of Rhodesia's defence force our parachuting was considered quite newsworthy so the press was out in strength.  Also in attendance was a representative from GQ Parachutes which was the company in UK making and supplying the "X" Type parachute which we were using at that time.  Our CO, Smudge Smith, received on our behalf a beautiful little silver statuette of a paratrooper kitted out with, of course, an "X" Type.

I was able to admire my photograph in the Rhodesia Herald the next day.  Despite being reported accurately, many people misread the article, and I was more than once embarrassed by being congratulated for having personally completed one thousand parachute descents.  That taught me not to believe everything that I read but more importantly to be sure that I was reading correctly and not jumping to conclusions.

At this time Rhodesia was part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland and the SAS was based in Ndola, Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia).  As well as basic training, continuation training and many exercises were carried out in Northern Rhodesia.  In keeping with C Squadron's role as part of the main British SAS, it was considered necessary to familiarize all troops with the Beverley so we built a mock-up for ground training and in due course a RAF Beverley arrived at New Sarum to provide practical experience for the Rhodesians.

C Squadron was scheduled to relieve A Squadron for duty in the Gulf of Aden so building the Beverley mock-up became urgent.  Whilst assisting in this project I received a severe injury to my left leg due entirely to my own careless swinging of a heavy hammer. This wound turned septic and the net result was that I, who had been detailed to accompany the Squadron on this deployment, had to miss out on a great experience.  Norman Suttie went to Aden in my place.

At about the same time New Sarum played host to a large group of US troops.  3 C130 aircraft with paratroopers and, what I think was a DC4, arrived with a rescue team.  All of this was in support of America's then space programme.  A manned 'Gemini' satellite was orbiting, and in those early days they were not over confident about the exact recovery and landing area.  To safeguard their interest, troops and rescue teams were stationed around the globe in strategic positions along the orbital path.  This particular satellite was passing directly over the Congo and, as that country was then in turmoil, they were positioned in Rhodesia as the closest friendly nation with suitable facilities to handle the ground force.

The common interest of parachuting naturally drew the rescue team to PTS.  We met the two US Air Force men who had attended to the recovery of John Glenn and his capsule on a previous mission. Their interest in our school, and their open approval and admiration for our training methods, was yet another big confidence booster for the RRAF PJIs.   Both of these men would dearly have loved to have made a 'training' descent from our DC3 and I'm sure it would have happened if we'd been equipped with the T10 parachute rather than the "X' Type.

This photograph shows the parachute training school staff celebrating the 1000th parachute jump which was carried out by Trevor  Smith early in 1962. On that day G.Q. Parachutes the manufacturer of the 28ft dia. X type parachute we were issued,with, presented the Royal Rhodesian Air Force with a silver statuette of a soldier wearing an X type  parachute. From L to R standing Sgt Ivor Thomas  G.Q. rep in Rhodesia  Flt/Lt R.T.D. Smith O.C. P.T.S., W.O. Bill Maitland Sgt Derek de Kock  Squatting L. to R. Sgt Terry Hagan  Sgt Mercer Thomson  Sgt Trevor Smith.