A RECENT feature on the Cheshire Regiment during the 1950s has jogged the memory of a former King’s School pupil living in Leicester.

Mike Batty keeps in touch with events in the city via his brother Anthony, who lives in Mollington. Anthony sent Mike a copy of our article of July 27 on Dettingen Platoon, The 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment.

Mike completed his National Service with what he describes as the “22nd of foot” from 1954 – 1956.

He said: “I had attended the Kings School in Chester and, during my latter years there, had been a successful runner. I was Northern Schools’ Mile Champion in 1954 and second in the English Schools’ Mile in both 1953 and 1954.

“For much of my National Service I was in Berlin and it enabled me to develop my athletic interests for the entire period of my service. It goes without saying that I was delighted to be able to train in the Berlin Olympic Games Complex for over eighteen months.

“I spent more time in a tracksuit than in any uniform and was thrilled to be part of the success of the regiment in those years. “Not only did the Cheshires’ athletic team defeat other regiments in BAOR (British Army of the Rhine), but it was team champion of the entire British Army in 1956.”

Also in 1956 Mike was selected to run for the Army in the annual cross-country race against the RAF and the Royal Navy.

He added: “Needless to say, I did not win as I was competing against such distinguished internationals as the ‘great’ Derek Ibbotson (at that time the World Record holder for the mile) and Basil Heatly (who subsequently came second in the Olympic marathon). But at least I was there!”

The Cheshires’ athletic team also competed successfully against such teams as the American Forces and the West German Police, and was only narrowly defeated by the German Olympisches Sports Club, Charlottenberg.

Mike went on: “A few of us, including myself, were invited to join the Sports Club Charlottenberg . I participated in a number of fascinating races such as the Potsdam to Berlin Road Relay, indoor races on wood, and others in the splendid forest courses of the Berlin area.

“The greatest of all though, was running for Sports Club Charlottenberg in the famous Olympic Stadium – a 4 x 800 metres relay for athletes aged under 23 years. Not only did we win that race, but I achieved my best time ever for 800 metres – and I still cherish the splendid medal that proves it!

“All these memories typify my two years with the Cheshires; lots of athletics, interspersed with the occasional military parade and guard duty!”