For this week’s nostalgia in the Bracknell News, we are going back to April 1975 when numerous men from a Christian background decided sign up for the army, despite being told that they were not being deployed.

Based in Sandhurst, men from all over the country visited Berkshire to take part in a four-weekend introduction where they learnt the ways of being in the forces.

The eight-day course that took place over a one-month period gave participants an understanding of what it was like to be in the army, even though they were told it would be incredibly unlikely that they would ever be deployed in combat.

Bracknell News: Captain Major Rossy led the drills (BBC)Captain Major Rossy led the drills (BBC) (Image: Captain Major Rossy led the drills (BBC))

Paul Dunford, who was a vicar of the church in Kendall within the Lake District, decided to be under command and told the BBC crew at the time: “I enjoy drill, I think it’s terrific.

“I think it brings out an element of belonging to a team as you work as a team.

“If everyone is not giving their best then it’s poor but if everyone does give their best then it’s tremendous.”

Bracknell News: Paul Dunford, was a vicar of a church in Kendall within the Lake District (BBC)Paul Dunford, was a vicar of a church in Kendall within the Lake District (BBC) (Image: Paul Dunford, was a vicar of a church in Kendall within the Lake District (BBC))

The course saw military doctors, dentists, veterinarians, and lawyers, along with five newly appointed army chaplains take part, with some of the members formerly being vicars from all over the UK.

Bracknell News: People from all over the country visited Sandhurst (BBC)People from all over the country visited Sandhurst (BBC) (Image: People from all over the country visited Sandhurst (BBC))

One of the former vicars had left their post in a Badminton, Gloucestershire, to learn the ropes of being in the army.

The course had at its peak 200 members which included 38 Catholics that had been administrated by their own church, 40 free church men with the rest being Anglicans.

Captain Major Rossy led the drills in the segment, where he was seen screaming orders and his team.

To watch the full clip, visit www.bbcrewind.co.uk and search for Bracknell.

In all, there are more than 30,000 clips on the website which range from news topics all across the country from decades gone by.