First camp in my life

 

Did you ever spend the night under a canvas? it is a different experience. We have so many items in our room but in a camping environment, you required very few essential things for the day-to-day.  It is a unique opportunity if you are in National Cadet Corps (NCC) may be Army, Navy, or Air Wing. Apart from weekly training, you will get a chance to join Annual Training Camp, maybe for ten days.Subash Kantha Roy was a student of a school in central Kolkata, his NCC troop number was 13, Army Wing Junior Division. He had regular weekly training at the Brigade Parade Ground, it was difficult during the rainy times, there was no shed to cover from the rain 

The training area is about 3 km from his residence, the uniform was issued to him from NCC which he had regular washing and pressing by him only. He had to cover the distance by walking. His unit was located inside Fort William and it is still there. He got an opportunity to see the visitor book of the unit during the last year, it is surprising to see all the entries from 1960 till 2020 are there. 

The NCC Club House, another attraction is there to visit regularly.

He got a chance to attain his first NCC Camp at Adra, Purulia in West Bengal. He was then a student of class VII standard. They went to Adra by train from Howrah Junction, Their  Authorise NCC Officer also joined with them the train left late at night and reached early next  morning 

Adra is mainly a Railway Colony, a camping area is there near to the station where the cadets had reached with their luggage by a route march.

The tents were pitched by the cadets about 10 to 12 cadets were sharing in a tent which was termed as 180 lbs, it has 3 standing and 1 ridge poles are there to pitch it.

We had to dig paths for rainwater to pass, and snake trenches all around the tents area. The depth of the snake trench has a depth of 4 ft and a width of 2 and 1/2 inches. Each tent had a snake bite kit in case of snakebite immediate first aid arrangement is provided. The cadets were sleeping on the ground using a groundsheet and blankets were used. 

Recreation activities like indoor games and information were arranged in these bigger tents. 

Rousing call The first rousing call is to get up from the bed, get the belonging in a systematic manner which is called line dressing, regular inspection and marks are allotted for the final  competition 

There are different tunes of the bugle for joining the parade, dismissal, lunch, dinner, etc. 

Personal time for preparation such as toilet and brushing the tooth

Bed tea may be at 5.30 am 

PT     6 am.

Breakfast 7 am to 7.30 am Bread, Boiled egg, Banana and tea

Fall in       8 am

Drill 

Weapon training .22 bore rifle 

Map reading 

Tactics 

Break 12.30 pm. 

Community bathing, lunch, and rest 

Endurance test: Route march to Jaichandi Hill 

Games 5 pm 

Competition on PT,  drill, weapon training, and map reading 

Recreation and campfire 

Bed tea

Breakfast: Bread, Banana, Egg, and Tea

Evening tea with snack

Lunch and Dinner: Rice and Roti, Dal, Vegetables, Meat/Egg (as per the menu, not all the days), Papad

Barakhana ( Special Food)  is for the last day 

Cookhouse, in those days the coal and kerosine were the main fuel source for cooking. Cadets are engaged to help cook for the cooking and serving. The campers bring their plate and mug for their own food.

Daily Menu of each day 

Ration scale is there

Service at the kitchen 

Serving the campers

Sanitation & latrine 

Waterpoint is secured for any contamination and wastage of water.

Security 

Fire safety

Fire drill

Health and hygiene 

Special assignment Commanding Officer's orderly, he is detailed for each day, it is a unique opportunity to serve the commanding officer at his Office, maybe in tentage arrangement.

Quater Guard duty 

It is manned 7x24 hours, Cadets turn out should be best with smart saluting to the visiting officials. Any Official visiting the camp should first visit the Quater Guard, Guard Commander call for sentries to line up and offer a Salute to the visiting official.

Line sentry during day and night password is issued for each night and it is the system to check the identity of the individual.

Firing Range 

Firing Officer: He or She is responsible for conduct of firing, Range standing order to be followed. Safety is the paramount importance. 

Firing positions laying, sitting kneeling, and standing 

Butt group 

Target at 25 yds distance from the firing point. Record each firer scoring and then repair the target for next use.

Ammunition distribution  with record 

Empty case collection

Cleaning of weapons, cleansing materials

Sentries to be briefed regarding signaling system by whistling 

Roll call during the evening after the game, the counting of each campier is done, the report is given to who was conducting the parade.

Fire fighting 

The fire point is maintained with buckets of sand and water, a fire beater and fire hook, portable fire extinguishers The use of this equipment is briefed and the same is practiced may be at an odd time of the day or night. Each camper has to rush to the accident point

Route march to Jaicahandi Hill 

Route to Jaichandi Hill from Adra Rly Station

It is about 12 km for both ways, I was not allowed to take part, due to my constant interest I was allowed to hike but not allowed to go on the top of the hill. This was my first view to watch

The washing and traveling allowances for attending the parade each day. It was paid after several months.

In 1964 there was proficiency test A Part I & II now it is only part A. 

We took part Republic day parade on Red Road Kolkata our Junior division had a separate contingent.

It is a different experience from daily school classes, you can make friendship with other schools. Taltala High School had a good rapport with Ballygyung Government High School. 

The details of past Commanding Officer of the Battalion 

Major B Kedar AEC, 27/07/1962 to 23/01/1963

Major rabi Ghosh Arty 31/05/1963 to 31/12/1964