Wedding protocol
Hellbound
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Shouldn't be any issues with a mixture of dark and light blue. The swords are different, which is a bit of a faff meaning you can't just hire a bootful from Innsworth.
Out of interest, does anyone actually own their own sword? Why?
Out of interest, does anyone actually own their own sword? Why?
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: England
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Sword - why?
I have one - was given it many moons ago - and used to display it proudly above the fireplace. Frequent moves and a process of demilitarising my life has relegated it to 'storage'. I did consider selling I but was worried that some spotty wannabee would get some sad vicarious thrill from owning it. One day my son might enjoy owning it along with the attendance medals that I accumulated - both Imperialistic hangovers. Sadly I lost the belt and hangers at RAF Leeming ('borrowed') in the early 1990s. Replacement set is about £400, apparently.
Oh, also wore it for my wedding.
CC
Oh, also wore it for my wedding.
CC
Last edited by Cambridge Crash; 5th Apr 2006 at 17:06.
Red On, Green On
Join Date: May 2004
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My father was given his (which I also used, and now have) by his father, I think, on passing out of BRNC. I found a Midshipman's dirk when I went through his stuff, which I'd never seen. By the time I found the dirk it was too late to ask where it came from 
Join Date: Jul 2005
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The original question
I can't believe I'm reading this. It's a military uniform, not bloody fancy dress. With all due respect to your FS buddy, why don't you give him some gold braid and a VC for the day as well, why stop at just the sword?
Saddened and amazed.
Saddened and amazed.
Join Date: Apr 2002
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Riley Dove
Don't be a Prat lad
Of course they are - they're made by Wilkinson, who also donate the annual "Sword of Peace" and make razor blades which the majority of HM forces don't use - However, could be worth a peerage?
Don't be a Prat lad
Of course they are - they're made by Wilkinson, who also donate the annual "Sword of Peace" and make razor blades which the majority of HM forces don't use - However, could be worth a peerage?
Join Date: Jan 2001
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Swords or not, don't forget what Stradling's Customs of the Services has to say in Chapter 5 entitled 'Relationship between Officers and Men'. It makes entertaining reading in the 3rd Millennium:
'[Officers] must learn to be friendly with their men without loss of dignity or respect, always realising that 'undue familiarity breeds contempt'.
'However charming they may be, you must make no attempt to know your men or their families 'socially', that is by visiting their houses as a guest or other form of social liaison.
'...officers are forbidden to drink with their non-commissioned officers and men. Never remain in a public bar if other ranks are present or enter. You may achieve cheap popularity by drinking in in a pub with your men, but you will lose respect .... when drink loosens tongues.'
Customs of the Services was first published in 1939 and was amended a few times after the War. My edition was published in 1962 (cost 10/6, or 11/- by post) but I would say that much of it was out of date by the time I got hold of it in 1966. When I was in MOD in the early 80s attempts were being made to update it properly to take account of the general shift in social attitudes but I don't know if anything came of it.
Back to swords, and I have my father's Army sword with both leather and polished steel scabards. During the War my father 'relieved' a Japanese officer of his very fine samurai-style sword, which he then swopped with a Yank for his Remington .45, which he then swopped for a truncheon, which he then threw away for fear of being 'done' by the police for possession of an offensive weapon. Ironic, that.
'[Officers] must learn to be friendly with their men without loss of dignity or respect, always realising that 'undue familiarity breeds contempt'.
'However charming they may be, you must make no attempt to know your men or their families 'socially', that is by visiting their houses as a guest or other form of social liaison.
'...officers are forbidden to drink with their non-commissioned officers and men. Never remain in a public bar if other ranks are present or enter. You may achieve cheap popularity by drinking in in a pub with your men, but you will lose respect .... when drink loosens tongues.'
Customs of the Services was first published in 1939 and was amended a few times after the War. My edition was published in 1962 (cost 10/6, or 11/- by post) but I would say that much of it was out of date by the time I got hold of it in 1966. When I was in MOD in the early 80s attempts were being made to update it properly to take account of the general shift in social attitudes but I don't know if anything came of it.
Back to swords, and I have my father's Army sword with both leather and polished steel scabards. During the War my father 'relieved' a Japanese officer of his very fine samurai-style sword, which he then swopped with a Yank for his Remington .45, which he then swopped for a truncheon, which he then threw away for fear of being 'done' by the police for possession of an offensive weapon. Ironic, that.
Join Date: Dec 2003
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Thanks for clearing that one up Buoy15 - I was hoping to inject a degree of humour into a subject that some obviously take too seriously! I suppose a guard of honour with some SA80's wouldnt quite cut the mustard?
Frankly don't see the problem, after all - this rank business doesn't have any place in todays Military does it? I mean, it was all very well in the old days but we're all equals now aren't we and frankly the rules and regulations aren't worth the paper they're written on any more. If we all work together, why can't we all live and socialise together?
I think that the FS should have every right to take his place in the Guard just as we should have every right to wander into his mess whenever we want and put an arm round him and call him "my old mucker".
I think that the FS should have every right to take his place in the Guard just as we should have every right to wander into his mess whenever we want and put an arm round him and call him "my old mucker".
Join Date: Nov 2001
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Retired guest?
If one's worried about affending anyone and there's a retired officer on the guest list then it states in QR's that a retired officer may don his old uniform for weddings and funerals........if he/she still fits it!
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Drill & Ceremonial - Easy Solution
Ask the SWO - he is after all the Guardian of all things ceremonial. If he says yes, then do it. If he says no, then don't. I mean you have to ask his permission (and OC RAFP) at the end of the day to wear uniform for a wedding whether you're the one getting married or attending. Good luck for the day and best of luck for the future. Hope the sun shines hot and the wine pours cold 
Join Date: Aug 2000
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Endplay - sorry, despite all that's been said, Royal Air Force Flight Sergeants are not entitled or permitted to carry swords for any reason. Nothing to stop him standing in the guard of honour.
BOF
BOF