RIAT Colours Parade - echos of the Great Escape
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Out there somewhere
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Is it not possable to claim on your House/kit Insurance if you are expected to pay. No cover 
My view is that your kit should be replaced FOC mine always was but then I PVR'd a number of years ago.
Cornerstone
My view is that your kit should be replaced FOC mine always was but then I PVR'd a number of years ago.
Cornerstone
Ah, that familiar 'wet dog' smell!
Some years ago, long before the dung-eaters got their grubby hands on Wattisham, I was volunteered to 'command' a freedom march through Ipswich. There would be the RAF, some RAFA, ATC etc all following my sword-toting stroll through the streets.
Come the day and the weather-guesser said that there might be the odd spot of slight drizzle, but nothing worse. So, Plan A was to get out of the bus at the drop-off point, meet the old timers and cadets, then march down to the god-shop. Plan B (if pissing down) was to take the bus to the god-shop.
The 'slight drizzle' began to look a little more than 'slight'; in fact distinct raindrops could be seen on the road. But nothing short of a cloudburst or nuclear war was going to persuade the old buggers of RAFA to take the bus. So off we all went....and at about PNR the heavens opened!
We arrived at the god-shop pretty well soaked, then steam came off our uniforms as we did the stand up and pretend to sing, kneel down and mumble, daydream through the god-botherer's sermon routine, then fall in outside looking rather less than pristine in crumpled No.1s which by then smelled of wet labrador.
Off we squelched, with a copper on a motorbike keeping our path clear. Only one minor idiot, some peacenik on a pushbike, tried to obstruct us. "Tell him to piss off or I shall stick this sword through his spokes, then up his arse", I hissed to the motor-plod. "Move along now, sir" was what he actually said to the bloke.
We finally made it to the RAFA building bordering on hypothermia. But the old boys had loved it, they'd marched through the town with medals clinking and were as proud as Punch. So they pressed copious libations on us until we finally poured ourselves back on the bus and made our way back to the station!
Met men - aren't they truly wunnerful!
Some years ago, long before the dung-eaters got their grubby hands on Wattisham, I was volunteered to 'command' a freedom march through Ipswich. There would be the RAF, some RAFA, ATC etc all following my sword-toting stroll through the streets.
Come the day and the weather-guesser said that there might be the odd spot of slight drizzle, but nothing worse. So, Plan A was to get out of the bus at the drop-off point, meet the old timers and cadets, then march down to the god-shop. Plan B (if pissing down) was to take the bus to the god-shop.
The 'slight drizzle' began to look a little more than 'slight'; in fact distinct raindrops could be seen on the road. But nothing short of a cloudburst or nuclear war was going to persuade the old buggers of RAFA to take the bus. So off we all went....and at about PNR the heavens opened!
We arrived at the god-shop pretty well soaked, then steam came off our uniforms as we did the stand up and pretend to sing, kneel down and mumble, daydream through the god-botherer's sermon routine, then fall in outside looking rather less than pristine in crumpled No.1s which by then smelled of wet labrador.
Off we squelched, with a copper on a motorbike keeping our path clear. Only one minor idiot, some peacenik on a pushbike, tried to obstruct us. "Tell him to piss off or I shall stick this sword through his spokes, then up his arse", I hissed to the motor-plod. "Move along now, sir" was what he actually said to the bloke.
We finally made it to the RAFA building bordering on hypothermia. But the old boys had loved it, they'd marched through the town with medals clinking and were as proud as Punch. So they pressed copious libations on us until we finally poured ourselves back on the bus and made our way back to the station!
Met men - aren't they truly wunnerful!
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: SH-UK
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F***ed No1's
I think we are all having the same problems with our 1's.
I take it everyone is aware they can be dry-cleaned free of charge. Clothing / Barrack stores are usually the drop off point - takes about a week.
Well done to all on the parade ! Like all my military activities, always seems alot better after the event !!
I take it everyone is aware they can be dry-cleaned free of charge. Clothing / Barrack stores are usually the drop off point - takes about a week.
Well done to all on the parade ! Like all my military activities, always seems alot better after the event !!
I'm sure that some of you will remember the 75th parade at Marham in 1993 and that the weather was remarkably similar. Although the parade itself was held in a hangar, many on duty that day got absolutely soaked and their uniforms were fit only for the bin. ISTR that our OC Supply applied his discretion and authorised free replacement for uniforms that were beyond repair/dry cleaning. Have a word with your friendly, neighbourhood chief stacker and see if he/she will do the same.
Join Date: Apr 2005
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My uniform is also trashed, though it is at the station dry cleaners at the moment, I will have to see if it still fits me when I get it back. The shoes have been completely destroyed, they are back to leather now as the polish all crazed and had chunks lift out. Must be the way I do them.
Top marks to the DOB staff, especially the cooks.
I am disapointed by the tv coverage and the amount of photos on the RAF website, lots of regiment, but lacking anything about the support squadrons, especially as I was one of the guides, so should be easy to spot on the pictures.
Overall it was an honour
Top marks to the DOB staff, especially the cooks.
I am disapointed by the tv coverage and the amount of photos on the RAF website, lots of regiment, but lacking anything about the support squadrons, especially as I was one of the guides, so should be easy to spot on the pictures.
Overall it was an honour
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Wherever I lay My Hat (that's my home)
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I feel very proud to have been part of the event too.
My No1's aren't bad (unlike some of the guys here) and I had to wear mine again yesterday (we did a lining party for the President of Nigeria at Heathrow).
My No1 shoes are still soaked and they'll need taking right back to the leather and starting over again, so I've made my No2's into No1's and my No1's will be come my No2's when they finally dry out.
I have to aggree with RigPig about the DOB staff. They did a brilliant job setting Innsworth up for us and looking after us while we were there.
I got to know a few of them during our time there as I ended up working the bar 4 times in the 2 weeks.
My No1's aren't bad (unlike some of the guys here) and I had to wear mine again yesterday (we did a lining party for the President of Nigeria at Heathrow).
My No1 shoes are still soaked and they'll need taking right back to the leather and starting over again, so I've made my No2's into No1's and my No1's will be come my No2's when they finally dry out.
I have to aggree with RigPig about the DOB staff. They did a brilliant job setting Innsworth up for us and looking after us while we were there.
I got to know a few of them during our time there as I ended up working the bar 4 times in the 2 weeks.
