How did you adjust to civilian life after your military service in the British Army?
Last Updated: 02.07.2025 06:58
I made a very good living running my own business with an office in YORK. I eventually sold the business to 2 of my fellow franchisees following a divorce. I was 62 then, in 2012. At this point I decided to give China a try and went there for what I thought would be a 3 month extended holiday.. To cut a long story short, I now live in Bali and have interests in 3 small businesses, a guesthouse, a business networking company and a podcast studio, as well as a part-time job with a visa agency. I have no intention of retiring voluntarily, anytime soon.
I then took a job with Barclays Bank as a financial adviser. I did well and progressed to Allied Dunbar as a Branch Manager and then achieved a coveted role as a franchisee with J Rothschild Associates (JRA). JRA became St. James's Place Partnership (SJP).
Inside a typical news agency for illustration only. photo credit Mirror Sydney
Hi I'm 75 now (Army service in RAOC: Jan 70 - Jul 88). I retired at age 38, at the time I had enjoyed my service but felt that I wanted to build my own life path outside of the Army. With a wife and family of 2 kids, I felt I was missing something as detachments, courses and deployments seemed to be increasing. My chosen path was to purchase a small business in NE England, a village shop selling Confectionary, Newspapers and Tobacco. A typical newsagents shop of the 80s. I modernised and developed the business and sold it a few years later at double what I paid.