Half a wannabe….
Here in Cape Town, recently I went to a Western Cape Canopy Club meeting. It's a monthly get together for all jump certified ex and current soldiers. There are many ex-soldiers from all over - Bats, Recce's, Americans, UK & Rhodesians. I wasn't in the Bats or jumped but did my time at 101Bn. I was invited because I let some of my buddies, who know that my Dad and a fellow soldier close friend of his, were going to be in Cape Town.
My father was a career soldier for 22 years and at one time the OC C-Squadron, Rhodesian SAS. He lives in the UK and was visiting.
As we walk in, he sees a guy with a beautifully embroidered gold and red SAS badge on his blazer. He's intrigued and walks straight over and good naturedly, with a bit of envy, points to the badge saying, "Hell, where'd you get that?" In less than a minute, the guy is blown out the water with a few questions. I was standing watching this. It was embarrassing.
Subsequently, it turns out the guy is a long-time member of the club and no-one had questioned his credentials. The reason he wasn't caught was that he did serve with the Rhodesian forces and then was a Parabat with the South African Defence Force. During his Rhodesian stint, he must have applied for SAS selection but didn’t pass and now chose to wander around with that badge on. He didn't need to, he'd got his spurs and served his time. Later, once he was outed, some guys said his story always got a bit vague at the SAS bit, but as he was legit and vouched for, for the rest, they let it lie.
Of all the places in the world where you’d think twice about doing this kind of stunt, this particular club would be the last place to rather not?
The Club Chair was given a quiet word. I don’t think he’ll be wearing that badge again soon.