Chapter 1 - The early days

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  • Dedicated to Simon Riley
                                    

13th February 1996, Jimmy who is 22 years old has had enough of his job and wanted to 

join the army little did he know about it? He met up with his mates, Gary and John. At 

the local pub and told them. Jimmy told them he wanted to join the army. Gary was 

laughing but said, “If that is what you are going to do, I’m doing it with you" both 

Johns looked at each other and asked, “Are you sure about that?”. Jimmy and Gary 

looked at each other and answered, "Yep we’re sure" John said “I’m in the army, But 

I was moved to Task Force 141, And if you two are lucky, When you join the army you 

will hopefully be moved too, BUT, only if you are lucky”. After talking some more 

they all went home. When Gary got home he realized his key didn’t work. He then 

looked up and saw a note saying, “I’m sorry Gary but I found out about your affair and 

it’s over. All of your stuff is in the garage, from Katy P.S. the wedding is off”. 

Gary sat on the door step and cried for a moment. Then he went to see Jimmy who lived 

down the road. He knocked on the door but there was no answer. He knocked again and 

Jimmy answered, "what the fuck are you doing at my door at this time of night” 

Gary trying to reply without crying, "I've been dumped and kicked out of my house. Can 

I stay round yours?” Jimmy replies, "of course you can but you are going to have to 

sleep on the couch" Gary feeling a little happier replied, "Ok and I'm going to go in 

the army no matter what" Jimmy replies, “Same, but, in a week or so we will go for 

the interview". The next morning comes and Gary is gone. Jimmy thinks that Gary has 

started training for the army but deep down he thinks, “I’m going for the interview 

today”. Half an hour later, Jimmy comes home with a big smile on his face but Gary 

is puzzled. Jimmy tells Gary that he went for the interview and he is going to the 

army and that his training starts when Gary was going to go to the interview with 

Jimmy. But Gary is not happy that Jimmy went to the interview without him and Gary 

thought that he would join the next day. Next day comes and Gary is again gone but 

Jimmy knows where he went. Gary is waiting to be interviewed and the guy next to him 

tried to talk to him, but Gary didn’t pay attention to him. The lady at the desk said 

over the PA, "Can a Gary Sanderson please go to room 4, thank you". Gary gets up and 

walks to room 4, he opens the door and sits in the chair in the centre of the room. 

After 2 hours he is told he is not in. But can try again in a year’s time. Jimmy gets 

the bad news and says to Gary, "You will get in, you just need more training". Gary 

nods and heads to the pub. Later the next day Jimmy gets his name changed. After a 

while of paper work the woman behind the desk asks, “What is your new name then 

sir?” Jimmy replies, “Simon, Simon Riley”. The woman says “o...k.... and there you go 

Mr Simon Riley”. The woman hands over Simon’s new passport and driving licence. 

Simon takes his new passport and licence and leaves. He then decides to go to the 

pub called “The Lancer” and somehow meets Gary there. 4 minutes later john walks in 

and says, “Hey Jimmy, what’s been going on?” Simon then says, “I’m not Jimmy any 

more, my name is Simon Riley”.

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