b. 1971 | British Army
Ian Davies served in the British Army for 26 years, rising through the ranks to become an Officer and retiring as a Captain. Listen to Ian as he shares his own story through audio recording, photographs, art and poetry!
Ian Davies’ first mugshot during basic training in March 1990 and a photograph from his passing out parade six months later!
Summary
Ian Davies was born in Hong Kong in 1971 whilst his father was serving there with the British Army.
He spent his childhood, up to the age of 15, living in Hong Kong, Brunei, Germany and the South of England, moving back to Pontlliw in 1987 when his father retired.
In February 1990, after a short stint on the Youth Training Scheme (YTS) and in college, Ian joined the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME). He initially trained as a Vehicle Electrician, but switched to a clerical trade before going to his first unit in Germany in 1991.
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
According to the official website of the British Army, the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) exists to “keep the punch in the Army’s fist.”
As the Army’s professional engineers, they provide engineering support and are responsible for maintaining and repairing the service’s equipment. They will, therefore, be found wherever the Army is located – at home or overseas.
Source: British Army. “Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.” n.d. https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/corps-of-royal-electrical-and-mechanical-engineers-reme/
Ian served 15 years in Germany in Hameln (Hamlyn), Heidelberg, Bergen-Hohne, Bad Fallingbostel, Osnabruck and Gutersloh. In addition, he served in Belgium and across a number of units in both England and Scotland including an Air Despatch Squadron, Scottish and Welsh Cavalry Regiments, three different engineer units, a Lynx/Wildcat Helicopter unit and several national and NATO headquarters. During this time, he deployed on operations to Kosovo and Iraq.
Ian Davies, atop the Brecon Beacons on some weekend training, 1997
The triumphant REME Corps 4 x 100 Relay Team in 1992 – also the year Ian won his first individual title!
On a Class 3 Physical Training Instructor Course, Sennelager, May 1995
Headquarters Troop of 31 Armoured Engineer Squadron in 1999 – sadly Andy Jonah Jones (back row, 3rd from right) was killed in Afghanistan in 2010
Taking some R&R at the end of Exercise Lion Sun in Cyprus, September 2001
Ian and his father – a former soldier and inspiration – in 2004
Field Administration Office in Kosovo, 2000
On the ranges with Norwegian engineers, Kosovo, 2000
Ian during some downtime in the office in Kosovo. He always tried to take a guitar with him, wherever he went!
Ian acting as the squadron barber whilst stationed in Kosovo
– and why not!
Just about to zero weapons in Iraq, May 2006
In Iraq, waiting for the first detainee to be brought in, 2006
The Staff and Personnel Support Team for the Queen’s Dragoon Guards (QDG), Al Muthanna, June 2006
Ready to be best man for a friend, January 2007
Ready for a flight around Gutersloh in a Lynx before the end of Army flying
in Germany, August 2013
Some of Ian’s Staff and Personnel Support Team with 1 Regiment Army
Corps, August 2013
“Compulsory No. 10 [Downing Street] shot” whilst in London on a Warrant Officer Development Week
Five years of Inspection Teams at 49 East Brigade gathered to say farewell to Major Drew Dunford
who is still good friends with Ian to this day!
Ian served as a soldier for twenty years, rising to the rank of Warrant Officer Class One before commissioning in 2010, as a Captain. He served a further 6 years before having to retire on medical grounds, owing to a long-term illness that began whilst on tour in Iraq.
He now lives in the North of Scotland with his long-suffering wife Micky and their two dogs. He has one son, Liam, who is married and training to be a doctor.
Ian is also a keen guitarist, painter and poet in his spare time when energy allows.
Ian’s Paintings
Symbols of Hope
Out of the Darkness
Ian Davies in the Corps Mess at Worthy Down just after he was commissioned in May 2010, and standing ready for inspection as a newly minted Captain.
Ready for Remembrance 100, not long after Ian received the bar for his
Long Service Medal [far right]
