Army Service and Move To London
In 1961, Nilsen left school and joined the Army. He enlisted in the Army Catering Corps and became a cook in South Yemen, Cyprus, Berlin, Germany and the Shetland Islands. He served in the army for 11 years, earning a General Service Medal before being discharged, at his own request, in November 1972. In December 1972, he joined the Metropolitan Police, and was posted to Willesden, London in 1973. Nilsen served eight months as a policeman before resigning.
From 1974, Nilsen worked as a civil servant in a jobcentre in Denmark Street, in London. He was also active in the trade union movement, even going on other people's picket lines in solidarity. In November 1975, Nilsen moved into a flat at 195, Melrose Avenue, Cricklewood, London with office worker David Gallichan to whom he gave the pet-name 'Twinkle'. Their relationship did not last, however, and Gallichan moved out in the summer of 1977.
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