THE stunning TV documentary Lads' Army, which took 30 game volunteers back to the tough regime of National Service life in the '50s, struck a memorable note with Fred Lunn.

The sergeant gunnery and ABC (that's atomic, biological and chemical welfare) instructor recalls the days when he was a trainer to future stars.

He says that although most of the recruits say how they enjoyed the life, many did not. A lot had just completed apprenticeships when they were called up, so instead of getting good money, they ended up on two bob (10p) a day.

Fred, of Beaumaris Close, Leigh, admits instructors had fun at the recruits' expense, but once the laugh was on him.

While marching a gun crew on parade at Watchet near Minehead in Somerset in 1955, he saw some guys playing football. One kicked the ball on to the parade ground. Fred caught the ball, halted the crew and told the lanky, fair-haired lad he'd never make a footballer, only to discover he was Brian Clough -- the Middlesborough and England player.

From 1950-59 Fred also instructed, to mention a few, Colin Cowdrey, Brian Harper (boxer Brian London), Kipper Lynch, Dick McTaggart, Crawford Fairbrother, Bill Sayer, top athletes Derek Ibbotson and Gordon Pirie, cricketer Dickie Bird and comedian Roy Hudd.

Wonder what memories they have of you Fred?

One question I have to ask after being enthralled by the enlightening programme is why the worst, loud mouthed, bullying NCOs are little short houses?