Arborfield Old Boys Association
AOBA
Arborfield Life
Sgt Fred Silver...
With special thanks to George Millie
Many boys who served at the School during the Fifties will remember the Provost Sergeant, Fiery Fred Silvers, he of the bristling moustache and a temper to match, although not too many will recall any of his personal details. John Maddox (44B) had actually met him at Winchester around 19, when Fred was still a Corporal, but didn't realise until years later that Fred had subsequently been posted to Arborfield.
Eggy Egleton of 52B recalls that when he arrived at the School, Fred was on sick leave, having suffered a stabbing by another member of the Provost staff! This story is supported by Jim Baker of 46B, who recalls that his last meeting with Fred was in Cambridge Military Hospital, Aldershot, in the summer of 1950, where Fred was being treated for his wounds. Sounds like a long sick leave.
Joe Kinson, however, was on the Schools permanent staff from 1954 to 1957, and is
thus able to cast a little more light on Fred's background details. Fred was a member
of the Kings Royal Rifle Company KRRC (60th Foot). His three Sergeants chevrons were
black on a red background, of a larger size than those worn by the apprentice NCOs,
and his uniform always sported a black lanyard, black buttons and a black cap-
Joe was to meet up with Fred again around 11,
on route to join BAOR Germany and, despite his Regiment having suffered from enforced
amalgamation, Fred was still proudly wearing his KRRC cap-
Another PS member who got to know
Fred fairly well was Brian Conway, an ex-
Fred was well known for taking Fire Picket, but never seemed to understand
why he often used to get his uniform soaking wet when taking those infamous sessions!
George Fleet Fleetwood (56B) recalls one occasion of such a duty when Fred sent one
lad off to get some rag, as the brass fittings of the hoses and standpipes required
polishing. The unfortunate lad returned empty-
Fleet himself became part of the Fred legend, soon before his departure
from the School in 1959. At the rear of the fire station was a small patch of garden
that Fred had nurtured, on the backs of his janker wallahs and free manure from the
adjacent stables. Fleet and another boy had been instructed to scratch out a number
of small furrows and then sow some seeds along them in the time-
Another memory of Fred is recalled by Gerry Hinck's, also of 56B Fred doing
an apparent war dance on his beret, in frustration at seeing his beloved greenhouse
virtually destroyed by a severe hailstorm.
One of Fred's more insidious duties was
that of inspecting the boys, prior to their being allowed out into the world at large.
Once the senior boys had gone past the School Mufti stage of blazer and flannels,
standard civilian clothes were then permissible. Now, it hadn't been too many years
since the first teddy boys had made their presence felt, with their drape suits,
drainpipe trousers with fluorescent socks, and slim jim ties. So it was only natural
that Arborfield boys, wishing to look their best for the young ladies of the outlying
towns and villages, would endeavour to try and emulate the latest fashions.
Fred, of course, saw it all differently, and would be there at the Guardroom, ruler
to the fore, ensuring that trouser bottoms were at least 16 wide. There was also
a custom in those days that Arborfield boys would wear a slim bright red tie, it
helped when attempting to come to the aid of ones mates should any fracas occur.
Fred must have thought it was a symbol of being a Communist, the way he would rage
against any boy actually wearing such a tie on his way out, so they were usually
rolled up in one s pocket until the bus had been boarded!
George Vince of 57A recalls
one occasion when Fred came a right cropper and had to be extricated, along with
his bicycle, from A Company's flowerbeds, by members of his own Regimental Police
staff! Riding back from the Sergeants Mess, where no doubt a certain amount of over-
Mick Ould's acquaintance
with the dreaded Fred began before he'd even crossed the threshold of the School
to join intake 57B. Upon arrival at Wokingham railway station, a dwarf with a large
black moustache greeted him. Mick's great expectations of a romantic start to his
Army life were shattered by Fred's words, "If yer for Arborfield, sonny, get yer
arse into that lorry, quick!" Mick is another who remembers the usual battle to get
out of camp in anything but the standard garb. His usual trick was to cover it all
up with a beige-
Fred didn't
make many friends, that's for sure! He certainly came off worst on one occasion,
as recalled by Eddie Cooper of 52A. Eddies mate Bob Condon had an uncle, who had
not only served in Fred's regiment, but had also been its RSM. Arriving as a visitor
to the School one weekend, Bob's uncle was immediately recognised by Fred, who must
have thought he was being checked up on. Fred was hopping about all over the place,
"Yes Sir, no Sir, three bags full Sir", completely subservient much to the amusement
of all the boys present at the time, happy to see Fred squirm for a change!
Photos of Fred are in short supply and we are grateful to Bill Weedon for sending
the one at the top and to Trevor Stubberfield for this one of Fred and his brother
Moni:-
if anyone has any photos of Sgt Fred please send them to me
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Arborfield Old Boys Association 1999 -
