In this entertaining autobiographical account Brian (Harry) Clacy looks back on the 18+ eventful years he spent in the British Army, serving in a variety of capacities and locations including Northern Ireland, Germany and various military establishments in England.
His recollections begin with leaving home in 1974 to begin training as a Junior Driver in the Royal Corps of Transport and we soon learn how, during basic training, he came to be given the nickname 'Harry' by which he would be known for the rest of his military career.
Harry wanted to be a paratrooper and wear the famous red beret of the Airborne Regiments but failed to pass the dreaded 'beat up' aptitude test and was therefore doomed to be a 'Crap Hat' (a term used by the Paras to describe all other Army units) hence the title of this book.
In fact, he was to wear a number of different hats over the years ...
He completed two tours of duty in Northern Ireland in the 1970s. On his first he was stationed in Belfast, near the Falls Road where, as the driver of a 'Pig' armoured vehicle he experienced the daily tensions of patrolling the streets at the height of 'the troubles'. On his second tour, in South Armagh, his experiences included a farcical encounter, one rain lashed night on boarder patrol, with a van load of young Irish musicians and their foul mouthed spokesman - the future Sir Bob Geldof and the, then unknown, Boomtown Rats.
In spite of his failure to become a Para, he would later work alongside the Airborne forces, after changing trade to Regimental Medical Assistant (RMA) and being posted to Tidworth Garrison where 3 Para were also stationed. He made good friends among them and was greatly affected when some failed to return from the Falklands War.
Later he switched roles yet again and become a Dental Clerical Assistant (DCA) or 'Tooth Fairy' in the Royal Army Dental Corps (RADC) in which job he remained until leaving the Army.
Related in the forthright language with a mischievous sense of humour, Harry's reminiscences of Army life and the many colourful military characters he encountered over the years will appeal to any former soldier and to any reader who enjoys a good laugh and a well told story.
His recollections begin with leaving home in 1974 to begin training as a Junior Driver in the Royal Corps of Transport and we soon learn how, during basic training, he came to be given the nickname 'Harry' by which he would be known for the rest of his military career.
Harry wanted to be a paratrooper and wear the famous red beret of the Airborne Regiments but failed to pass the dreaded 'beat up' aptitude test and was therefore doomed to be a 'Crap Hat' (a term used by the Paras to describe all other Army units) hence the title of this book.
In fact, he was to wear a number of different hats over the years ...
He completed two tours of duty in Northern Ireland in the 1970s. On his first he was stationed in Belfast, near the Falls Road where, as the driver of a 'Pig' armoured vehicle he experienced the daily tensions of patrolling the streets at the height of 'the troubles'. On his second tour, in South Armagh, his experiences included a farcical encounter, one rain lashed night on boarder patrol, with a van load of young Irish musicians and their foul mouthed spokesman - the future Sir Bob Geldof and the, then unknown, Boomtown Rats.
In spite of his failure to become a Para, he would later work alongside the Airborne forces, after changing trade to Regimental Medical Assistant (RMA) and being posted to Tidworth Garrison where 3 Para were also stationed. He made good friends among them and was greatly affected when some failed to return from the Falklands War.
Later he switched roles yet again and become a Dental Clerical Assistant (DCA) or 'Tooth Fairy' in the Royal Army Dental Corps (RADC) in which job he remained until leaving the Army.
Related in the forthright language with a mischievous sense of humour, Harry's reminiscences of Army life and the many colourful military characters he encountered over the years will appeal to any former soldier and to any reader who enjoys a good laugh and a well told story.
