SINCE 1993 I have been searching for any former members of the Royal Army Pay Corps of any rank and from any era or posting post.

This was 40 years on since I reported to our training centre at Devizes Wiltshire in July 1953 to commence my National Service Army training.

My army number was 22894329 and after training I was posted to Nottingham Pay Office for two months and then sent out to BAOR and Holland where I spent ten months at each posting.

During my service years I was nicknamed 'Rock' by my pals.

I have now listed just over 1600 men but I understand that there were 19,000 men trained at Devizes and I would like to invite any former members in your area to make contact with me.

Since 1996 an annual dinner has been organised each October in Birmingham when over 150 men attend and this years is presently being arranged.

Other weekends and lunches are also being organised by various groups during the years.

Some names of note who were former RAPC men and have been contacted are celebrity Michael Parkinson, Ralph Gold Director of Birmingham City FC and Leslie Thomas who wrote the 'Virgin Soldiers' book made into the film together with many other former professional footballers and sportsmen etc.

Please telephone me at the following number 01904 448575 or write to Low Well House, 16, Main Street, Wheldrake, York, YO19 6AF.

JOHN A HUDSON, Wheldrake, York.