Armed Forces Day
Watching Richard 'The King' Petty thread a Plymouth Superbird up the hill at GW was worth the price of entry alone, the other 9 hours of joyous sights, sounds, and smells was icing on the cake.
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Some of us work to live, I pity those who's life is work. So yes, OMG, my
wife is more important to me than a bunch of frickin' aeroplanes.
Watching Richard 'The King' Petty thread a Plymouth
Superbird up the hill at GW was worth the price of entry alone, the other 9
hours of joyous sights, sounds, and smells was icing on the cake.
wife is more important to me than a bunch of frickin' aeroplanes.
Watching Richard 'The King' Petty thread a Plymouth
Superbird up the hill at GW was worth the price of entry alone, the other 9
hours of joyous sights, sounds, and smells was icing on the cake.
Back to AFD. My thanks to all currently serving
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I'm sorry, but my wife and family are far more important to me than some silly aeroplane, and all the crap that goes with it!
If your job is the most important thing in your life you really don't deserve a family.
If your job is the most important thing in your life you really don't deserve a family.
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I hate to introduce a sour note into this heartening story.
"The Telegraph, 27 June 2015" reports:
".....a former gunner who survived being shot at and almost starving to death during his long military career....."
but let us do some sums, he:
died 2015, aged 77, so d/b 1938
-joined army aged 21, so 1959
-reached age 40 1978
-served 30 years to 1989
Q. What foreign wars were we engaged in 59-89 ?....Google ?, result..."BBC History - British History", from which we extract:
"6 February 1971 (he is now 33 yrs of age)
-First British soldier is killed in Northern Ireland's 'Troubles' (1968-1998)"
"2 April-14 June 1982 (he is now 44 yrs of age)
-Argentina invades the British territory of the Falkland Islands"
1989 pensioned age 51.
Q. He would certainly have been "shot at" in NI (I doubt he would have been sent to the Falklands at his age). But, even so, when would he have been "almost starving to death" ? When was he captured, and by whom ? (I know Service rations are not always cordon bleu, but...)
I used to swear by the D.T. - but now am not so sure.
All honour to the good folk who answered the call and turned out (and I do like the "honour guard" - what had happened to the "loo-brush" on the chap's hat on the left ?)
Someone will explain it all to me,
Danny42C.
"The Telegraph, 27 June 2015" reports:
".....a former gunner who survived being shot at and almost starving to death during his long military career....."
but let us do some sums, he:
died 2015, aged 77, so d/b 1938
-joined army aged 21, so 1959
-reached age 40 1978
-served 30 years to 1989
Q. What foreign wars were we engaged in 59-89 ?....Google ?, result..."BBC History - British History", from which we extract:
"6 February 1971 (he is now 33 yrs of age)
-First British soldier is killed in Northern Ireland's 'Troubles' (1968-1998)"
"2 April-14 June 1982 (he is now 44 yrs of age)
-Argentina invades the British territory of the Falkland Islands"
1989 pensioned age 51.
Q. He would certainly have been "shot at" in NI (I doubt he would have been sent to the Falklands at his age). But, even so, when would he have been "almost starving to death" ? When was he captured, and by whom ? (I know Service rations are not always cordon bleu, but...)
I used to swear by the D.T. - but now am not so sure.
All honour to the good folk who answered the call and turned out (and I do like the "honour guard" - what had happened to the "loo-brush" on the chap's hat on the left ?)
Someone will explain it all to me,
Danny42C.
Armed Forces Day in Guildford
Guildford was this year's choice of town to be the focal point for Armed Forces Day, and as a veteran who marched (well, sort of) up the High Street and along to Stoke Park behind the bands, the military contingents and the cadets, I thought that it all worked out rather well.
Of special note was the endless enthusiasm shown by currently-serving military personnel from all the Services who manned the many 'sideshows' displaying equipment (helicopters, APCs, assault boats, etc) and recruiting stalls. The day was dry and fairly warm, yet the servicemen and women displayed bags of energy and seemingly didn't tire of welcoming mums, dads and eager offspring into their 'patch'. Most impressive!
On another note, I observed that there were many more service charities than I had realised existed, and I wonder just how difficult it will be to attract funding as the years roll on and the ever-dwindling numbers of service personnel result in a much lower profile in the eyes of the public. In the meantime, the needs of former members of the Royal Observer Corps, Falklands Veterans, Merchant Seamen, War Widows, etc and their families won't simply disappear and will continue to seek charitable support for a while yet.
This is where military presence at shows is so important, both to encourage recruitment and to raise the profile of military charities. Yesterday's displays of bands, motorcycles, horses, firepower, etc and the presence of high-profile individuals from the MoD plus, of course, two 'fly-bys' by the Red Arrows did much to impress the tens of thousands of those who attended. The Duke of York took the Review and DCDS provided a succinct but 'spot on' speech of welcome to start off the entertainment.
All in all, a very successful day.
Of special note was the endless enthusiasm shown by currently-serving military personnel from all the Services who manned the many 'sideshows' displaying equipment (helicopters, APCs, assault boats, etc) and recruiting stalls. The day was dry and fairly warm, yet the servicemen and women displayed bags of energy and seemingly didn't tire of welcoming mums, dads and eager offspring into their 'patch'. Most impressive!
On another note, I observed that there were many more service charities than I had realised existed, and I wonder just how difficult it will be to attract funding as the years roll on and the ever-dwindling numbers of service personnel result in a much lower profile in the eyes of the public. In the meantime, the needs of former members of the Royal Observer Corps, Falklands Veterans, Merchant Seamen, War Widows, etc and their families won't simply disappear and will continue to seek charitable support for a while yet.
This is where military presence at shows is so important, both to encourage recruitment and to raise the profile of military charities. Yesterday's displays of bands, motorcycles, horses, firepower, etc and the presence of high-profile individuals from the MoD plus, of course, two 'fly-bys' by the Red Arrows did much to impress the tens of thousands of those who attended. The Duke of York took the Review and DCDS provided a succinct but 'spot on' speech of welcome to start off the entertainment.
All in all, a very successful day.
Danny
Aden perhaps? I got "shot at" in Aden in 1966, if you count getting a grenade lobbed in my general direction in a cordon and search in Sheik Othman. Self and everybody else completely unhurt. A regiment chum of mine had his patrol fired on by three very unwise guys who opened up with rifles at long range and didn't take into the account that our chaps had a GPMG. They were disposed of in very quick time!
Some British troops were not so lucky - I believe there were in the region of 200 casualties (including some civilian) in the protectorate during the period 1960 - 67.
Aden perhaps? I got "shot at" in Aden in 1966, if you count getting a grenade lobbed in my general direction in a cordon and search in Sheik Othman. Self and everybody else completely unhurt. A regiment chum of mine had his patrol fired on by three very unwise guys who opened up with rifles at long range and didn't take into the account that our chaps had a GPMG. They were disposed of in very quick time!
Some British troops were not so lucky - I believe there were in the region of 200 casualties (including some civilian) in the protectorate during the period 1960 - 67.
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and seldom any aircraft of interest
My mate is upset about the Trislander departing his local airport for the final time today. Personally, that particular Type does nothing for me, but I do respect his interests.
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Q. What foreign wars were we engaged in 59-89 ?....Google ?, result..."BBC History - British History", from which we extract:
As well as Aden/N.I. there was the Indonesian Confrontation 1962 to 1966
British(UK)forces deaths= 178 total. 96 Army. 41 RN and Marines. 41 RAF.
Gurkhas serving with the British Army: 38 deaths.
Australian forces: 17 deaths.
New Zealand forces: 10 deaths.
Gurkhas serving with the British Army: 38 deaths.
Australian forces: 17 deaths.
New Zealand forces: 10 deaths.
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What foreign wars were we engaged in 59-89 ?....
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I hate to introduce a sour note into this heartening story.
Someone will explain it all to me,
Danny42C.
Someone will explain it all to me,
Danny42C.
Some interesting posts here gentlemen, but I for one can only see AFD as a political construct, created by the likes of the Ad man who currently occupies No10, attempting to associate himself with men and women who he could only dream of emulating. I thank all of my former comrades for their service and sacrifice for our country, I just wish it wasn't associated with the likes of CaMoron.
Smudge
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Sackcoth and Ashes.
Thank you all, Gentlemen, for putting me right (I bow my head in shame !).
Have been shot at myself once or twice in my time, so wouldn't dispute that, (and I suppose one bullet feels much like another when it hits you, whoever has fired it).
But still, as I said: "when would he have been "almost starving to death" ? When was he captured, and by whom ? (I know Service rations are not always cordon bleu, but...")..... Bit of D.T. hype ?
Changing the subject, now that we have a new Day to celebrate annually, it won't be long until before we're all sending each other "Happy Armed Forces Day" Cards !
Danny.
Have been shot at myself once or twice in my time, so wouldn't dispute that, (and I suppose one bullet feels much like another when it hits you, whoever has fired it).
But still, as I said: "when would he have been "almost starving to death" ? When was he captured, and by whom ? (I know Service rations are not always cordon bleu, but...")..... Bit of D.T. hype ?
Changing the subject, now that we have a new Day to celebrate annually, it won't be long until before we're all sending each other "Happy Armed Forces Day" Cards !
Danny.
I thank all of my former comrades for their service and sacrifice for our country, I just wish it wasn't associated with the likes of CaMoron.
