About the Association

This website and its forum, which currently has around 250 members, is owned and operated by the Association and managed by an elected committee of volunteers (No-one is paid in any way) on a not for profit basis with the aim of reuniting ex members, including Permanent Staff and Civilian Instructors, of the following units, which it is doing very successfully.

Infantry Boys Battalion – Tuxford/Harrogate/Plymouth.
Infantry Junior Leaders Battalion – Plymouth/Oswestry/Shorncliffe.
Junior Infantry Wing – Oswestry.
Junior Infantry Battalion – Shorncliffe.

The Association

The Association was founded in the late 1990s by the late Charlie McGrogan, who laid down the structure and constitution on which the Association is based.

The Association as we know it today really took off when Bryan (Wobbly) Roberts started a small personal website dedicated to IJLB which included a forum allowing us to communicate with each other.

Membership

Our Membership includes boys from the very first IBB intake at Tuxford in 1952 up to the last IJLB passing out parade at Shorncliffe in 1985 when the unit was disbanded, we also have members up to 1991 when JIB was also disbanded, our members are spread world-wide including, America, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Bosnia and Spain to name but a few, with many travelling to Oswestry for the reunions.

The Association is very active socially with many events and get togethers every year.

Reunions

From small get togethers in a TA Centre in Milton Keynes we have progressed to having full on Reunions in Oswestry every two years on the odd numbered year, they are always very well attended so make sure you book early, we meet for lunch then in the afternoon there is time to meet and greet with a dinner in the evening, the next reunion will be 2013.

AGMs

Every year at our AGM we normally have lunch then the AGM with an informal dinner in the evening, all association members are welcome to what is also an extra unofficial reunion.

Remembrance Sunday

We always have a strong representation at Remembrance Sunday in Oswestry after which we retire to The Fox for lunch and drinks.

Golf

There is a very well supported informal Golf group who play on a regular basis all over the UK and sometimes the world.

Forum

We have a very active forum where you can join in the banter and read about the experiences of other members before, during and after boys service.

Photos

There is an extensive Gallery of thousands of photo’s, have a look there is bound to be someone you know in there.

Memorials

The Association has its own Memorial to the unit in CAE GLAS Park, Oswestry, we also have a memorial garden on the site of the old Park Hall Camp armoury.

The Memorial was constructed and dedicated in 2009 with some 300 + former Boys and Junior Leaders on parade in Oswestry, exercising our right, IJLB having been granted the Freedom of Oswestry, to march through the town.

The Memorial was funded completely by donations from members and regimental associations. A formal dinner was held in one of the former gyms at Park Hall on the Saturday prior to the parade on the Sunday morning, followed by a curry lunch. The entire proceedings being organized by a small three man Sub Committee of the Association.

Shortly after the Memorial Dedication Weekend we became aware of an ex JL, Neil Wilson, living and working in Oswestry who had obtained the use of a small patch of land at Park Hall where the Armoury had once stood and was busy creating a Memorial Garden to the unit, sadly Neil passed away from cancer before he could complete his project and so the Association stepped in to finish it. With generous donations from members and the hard work of former JLs based in the local area the Garden was completed in May 2010 and was formally opened by Neil’s widow.

With the sad demise of virtually all the Regiments we knew and loved, the Association offers the chance to meet up with those you served with as young boys.

We find that despite the fact that there may be no one from your era attending a particular event the commonality and shared experience of boys service was the same for everyone so there are no cliques and everyone from all eras mix freely.

The Association offers you the chance to catch up with pals from many, many years ago and also to make new friends, so why not become a member and revisit your youth.

If you were a member of any of the above units including Permanent Staff and Civilian Instructors you are eligible for membership and are very welcome to join us.