Boy Paratroopers (1961)

Farnborough, Hampshire.
L/S of an army camp, male and female soldiers are stood behind a long table giving out uniforms to young boys who are lining up. M/S of a young boy being given a pair of boots. The narrator explains this is the headquarters of the Junior Parachute Company and the boys are all aged between 15 and 17 and a half, they want to become paratroopers when they reach their 18th birthdays. The boy moves along and is given more kit. C/U of the jackets in a pile. M/S as a paratrooper puts a helmet on the head of a young boy, C/U of two boys waiting in line. C/U of two officers. L/S of the boys walking across the camp carrying their kit, they walk past a sign saying 'Junior Parachute Company Depot The Parachute Regiment'. C/U of one boy in khaki uniform wearing a red beret, he starts smearing his face with mud for camouflage. M/S of various boys putting camouflage on. C/U of a boy with a knife, he places it in his jacket. M/S of two officers talking, one of them shouts "advance!" L/S as the boys walk forward with their rifles, they all throw themselves on the floor and roll over a couple of times. C/U of one boy crawling through the grass with rifle poised, C/U of two other boys doing the same.
L/S of a boy on an assault course, he swings across on a rope and onto some netting which he climbs and goes over the top. Various shots of other activities on the assault course. L/S as the boys climb up a big scaffolding tower and across the top. L/S of the boys in uniform wearing red berets, an officer is fitting parachute packs to them. C/U of two boys talking and watching, C/U of the instructor showing them the parachute. C/U as it is unfurled, L/S of a boy running with it. M/S of the instructor with the parachute. Various shots of the troops boarding the aeroplane. L/S of the aeroplane flying through the sky and the paratroopers jumping out. C/U of the boys looking up as the paratroopers come down. M/S of the paratroopers dropping to earth. M/S from inside the aeroplane as they jump out. The camera moves from the boys on the ground to the paratroopers coming down. The boys watch as the paratroopers land. M/S as they hit the ground.
FILM ID:163.25
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[@scousefly1]

Did most of this back in 1953 with the 13 Para cadets, Liverpool. Sometimes we’d get to play the bad guys against the TA. The TA was made up of a lot of vets who did their bit at Arnhem, Rhine crossing and more for some. Always good to us cadets with advice and humour. We Paraded with the 13 Para TA on Lime St when Monty invested them with new colours. Our CO asked and received permission for us cadets to wear the “Red Beret” Dead chuffed we were. :) After the parade most of us went to see the movie “Red Beret” premiering in Liverpool staring Alan Ladd. I spent 10 years with the Paras after that. 75 ? Well this year I’ll be 85!

[@louisrhode289]

I wish I had this in my country when I was fifteen.

[@jahnstedman9766]

Oh Boy, it brought back such memories, My first aircraft jump after balloon training was from a Beverly transport, port door.

[@liamoneill1042]

One of those lads probably ended up as the RSM of 2 or 3 para during the falklands

[@frownland_archive]

Brilliant!! Love to see many variations of Denison smock worn here, and also the windproof smock.

[@georgemorley1029]

2:34 “Although the lads go up *thinking* they won’t be allowed to jump, they get parachutes fitted once they’re up and thrown out mid air by the paras to see which can really make the grade”.

[@davenewman4596]

Absolutely superb

[@tomsoki5738]

I would like to note that the British army still does this, in fact you can do similar stuff in the CCF at 13!

[@Renegade_monkey_man]

The CCF is hated amongst the cadet branches, also it’s not as good as this

[@CancerGaming56]

I have to admit the CCF doesn't do this. Joining the ACF and then going into the British Army's Foundation College into the Parachute Regiment is the closest thing you can do to this these days.

[@barneystorer1092]

ACF! ACF! ACF! ACF!

[@tomwotton9]

The only scary thing is that these boys must now be in there 60s! Where the hell has the time gone?!

[@derekrichardson6515]

Try around 75.👍

[@skylessadim]

Reminds me of that one show I’ve seen on British television. I forgot the name but they essentially get a bunch of troubled adults and put them through 1950s army training. I wish I could remember the name because it was a pretty fun watch.

[@mh53j]

2:00 that looks just a bit scary, even for "real" para training.

[@grahamjones7371]

They had the same high up assault course 20yrs later,called the confidence test as its set up to look even harder than it is with optical illusions so once youve done it once its less intimidating,Bet they have wire and safety nets now,thats if theyre allowed to do it!

[@jamesmccann355]

This is what should be brought back for young boys.

[@jahnstedman9766]

The aircraft in the film !

[@sford1701]

Just wanna say my father was 1 Para RIP couldn't of been proud of him

[@craigbrown5730]

I wish the uk still done this i want to join the para’s

[@20thcenturysurplus]

I believe they still do

[@allannorman2359]

Brilliant where are the locations now..

[@cathoderay305]

It's a pity that they did away with this unit in 1993.

[@WW2_X2]

What me and the boys think we are doing at a sleepover in reality we just with nutf guns

[@user-co4rs7ob1t]

Мальчики играли в ,войну,....

[@ItsOnlyRyan]

Waho Muhammad

[@simposayerman]

15-17 years old too young to join the army

[@20thcenturysurplus]

You can join the British army at 16

[@leehotspur9679]

Thousands joined the RN at 15 Júnior service