50 years on from Paisley soldier’s death, his comrade Charlie reveals how one night changed the course of their lives forever
A soldier from Paisley who died 50 years ago under tragic circumstances has been honoured by one of his old comrades.
Charlie Steed, from Nottinghamshire, met John Gribben as youngsters in the 1960s when they were both at the Army Apprentice College, in Carlisle.
But John was to lose his life at the age of just 16 in a car accident during a trip out.
Charlie has never forgotten his friend, and is keen to honour his memory half a century after his death.
Charlie, 67, who joined up at the age of just 15, said: “It has been almost 50 years since I said goodbye to John Gribben, usually called Johnnie, but often referred to as ‘Bernie’ due to the similarity of his surname with Bernard Cribbins, the entertainer and actor of that time.
“John and I were in the army together at the Army Apprentice College on the Brampton Road, just outside Carlisle.
“I had joined in September 1965 on a three-year apprenticeship to train as a vehicle mechanic.
“Armourers, gun fitters and instrument technicians were also trained there.
“Two-year apprenticeships were introduced in September 1966 and John joined the second intake in January 1967 and became a room mate in ‘B’ company, where he soon settled in with the rest of the lads.”
Charlie remembers John as having a great sense of humour and a cheeky grin.
But he was always honest, polite and a great team member.
“He was always eager to help or share ideas when studying, revising or on military exercises,” Charlie recalled.
“Often there would be a small group of us, which nearly always included John, when we would socialise, playing darts, billiards or snooker or just have a natter about life in general, usually with a drink or two.
“Most weekends, if we had a 48hour pass, we would head into town to look round the record and clothes shops, grab a meal and a drink and usually end up in the King’s Hall disco to try our luck with the girls.
“It wasn’t long before John found himself a girlfriend and, with his charm and good looks, he built a steady relationship with her.”
John visited his girlfriend most weekends, usually for Sunday dinner with her parents, Charlie remembers.
“He would also try and see her once or twice during the week, if the opportunity arose,” he said.
“He would slip in and out, avoiding the attention of the guardroom.
“He seldom caught the bus and walked almost everywhere in his Army issue grey gabardine style mac and round-toed dress shoes.
“I believed his girlfriend lived three or four miles away across town, so he put a lot of mileage into those shoes.”
Towards the end of January 1968 everyone at the camp had returned from Christmas leave — but soon tragedy was to strike.
“I had been to stay with my family in Derbyshire and John had spent some time with his ‘Pa’ in Canada — he had previously told me his parents had separated,” Charlie said.
“He spoke of the great time he had over there, especially skating on the lakes, and was looking forward to returning sometime in the future.
“It was late afternoon on Sunday, January 28.
“John and I were in general conversation as he had returned from his girlfriend’s house to prepare his kit for Monday morning parade.
“We were chatting away, sitting on our bed when another roommate, Bob Styles, came in and shouted: ‘Does any of you fancy going skating tonight?’
“John and I both replied at the same time. I said ‘ Yeah”, he said ‘Aye’.
“It was then Bob explained that there was only room for one more in the car.
“Bob said he would be back in an hour, so sort it out between you who is going.
“John insisted I go as I explained to him I may not like it and I couldn’t even roller skate properly.
“So I suggested it would be better for him to go as he had already had some experience in Canada.
“Within the hour, he was ready as Bob returned and off they went to Annan ice rink.”
But then life changed forever for the young Charlie and his comrades.
“It was in the early hours of the morning when Bob woke us up to break the news that John had been killed in a road accident,” Charlie said. “I am not sure what happened. “I don’t know if there were any other vehicles involved or the roads, weather or speed was a factor, but apparently the car rolled over a few times.”
A military funeral was organised for John, with a short service taking place in the camp’s Roman Catholic church.
“B Company formed a guard of honour as they lined the road to the green corrugated tin church,” Charlie said.
“I had volunteered to be a pallbearer, along with other roommates.
“After the service, we were taken in an Army Austin J2 mini-bus to Richardson Road Cemetery on the far side of Carlisle while the rest of B company made their way on the camp’s Bedford bus.”
Charlie added: “It was a dark, damp winter’s day at the graveside which looked over open land toward Carlisle.
“I don’t recall seeing any civilians or family at the service or the burial as John was laid to rest.
“I have often wondered about his family, whether he had any brothers or sisters, had his girlfriend been notified and how his parents felt about loosing a son at such a young age.”
In September 2015, there was a 50th anniversary reunion for Charlie’s Army intake, which was held in Carlisle, and he and his wife attended.
“There were quite a few ‘Hadrian’s old boys’ in attendance, but, sadly, no-one from my platoon or’ company of that year. “All was not lost, however. “Having made previous inquiries, I had obtained location details of John’s grave, which I had promised myself I would revisit one day. “My wife and I found the grave. “It seemed strange to grasp how the best part of 50 years had passed since I stood in that place. Open ground was now a mass of graves surrounded by beautiful landscaped grounds with shrubs and tall trees.
“My wife and I left a small plant besides the weathered headstone as a mark of respect to this young Paisley lad before returning home to Nottinghamshire with a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye and the feeling of guilt, knowing that it could have been me that was lying there. “God bless you, mate. “Not all soldiers die in war.” If you are related to John Gribben or knew him, please call Paisley Daily Express on 0141 887 7911.