Ripping Yarns : Strange But True
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I had a phone conversation with my father in the middle of the night.The phone actually rang (my wife heard it), I picked it up and he kept saying he was OK and not to worry. It then dawned on me in my groggy state that he had died a couple of months before, I said 'Dad aren't you supposed to be dead?' and the phone went to a dialling tone.
My best friend died a couple of years ago. The night he died I felt a distinct tug at my duvet cover when I was in bed and the toothbrush holder fell into the bath. He always used to get up first and switch his wife's curling tongs on and bring her a cup of coffee. For some time after he died she would wake up to find her curling tongs had been on and the kettle had boiled.
A friend of mine who is a BA captain also makes guitars. He made me one for helping him out at guitar shows. We hadn't spoken for a while and about four in the morning his guitar with the holder (I have a wall of guitars at home) came off the wall with a crash but without leaving a mark on the guitar. Fearing the worst and thinking he'd had an incident I thought I ought to ring him but before I had the chance my phone rang and it was Neil with 'alright mate, haven't heard for a while thought I would give you a bell'...
Weird stuff happens.
My best friend died a couple of years ago. The night he died I felt a distinct tug at my duvet cover when I was in bed and the toothbrush holder fell into the bath. He always used to get up first and switch his wife's curling tongs on and bring her a cup of coffee. For some time after he died she would wake up to find her curling tongs had been on and the kettle had boiled.
A friend of mine who is a BA captain also makes guitars. He made me one for helping him out at guitar shows. We hadn't spoken for a while and about four in the morning his guitar with the holder (I have a wall of guitars at home) came off the wall with a crash but without leaving a mark on the guitar. Fearing the worst and thinking he'd had an incident I thought I ought to ring him but before I had the chance my phone rang and it was Neil with 'alright mate, haven't heard for a while thought I would give you a bell'...
Weird stuff happens.
I only joined this forum this May and did not previously know of its existence.
I had not seen or heard from a very good friend (a Britannia Navigator and 10 Sqn Ops Officer) for many years, so I searched for his name/background.
My search brought me to this forum because of a post from another ex RAF colleague I had known over 20 years ago. I contacted him thru' this forum and asked how to find our mutual friend 'Joe'.
He responded "I'm sorry to tell you Joe died yesterday, his funeral is on Friday!"
I had not seen or heard from a very good friend (a Britannia Navigator and 10 Sqn Ops Officer) for many years, so I searched for his name/background.
My search brought me to this forum because of a post from another ex RAF colleague I had known over 20 years ago. I contacted him thru' this forum and asked how to find our mutual friend 'Joe'.
He responded "I'm sorry to tell you Joe died yesterday, his funeral is on Friday!"
Last edited by Davita; 15th Aug 2013 at 15:17.
AA.....you reckon the FBI et al are on to you?
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A chap on whose farm in Lusaka I was renting a house (and to whom Mrs DM is eternally grateful to, as he was instrumental in saving my pretty much dead bacon due to celebral malaria), it turned out that unbeknownst at that time to either of us, we had been in the same pub in South Wales, UK a few years earlier, celebrating NY Eve. Quite a famous family, at that time his youngest son was on the verge of his first Sprinbok cap, he later went on to captain them through the infamous days in the "Kamp Staaldraad" (Camp Steel Wire) and the humiliation at Twickers.
Last edited by Dak Man; 15th Aug 2013 at 15:23.
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Back in the early eighties, I took a friend to the RAF Museum. Dave had been ground crew on Liberators in India during WW11.Mid afternoon we decided it was time to leave. I suggested one last look around the shop.
Some minutes later I noticed an elderly gentleman with Dave. The gentleman was becoming quite agitated and kept saying he knew Dave.
Dave was adamant that he did not know the gentleman. To ease the situation I asked the chap if he had travelled far to the Museum.
The conversation went something like:
Gent - From Stratford on Avon
Me I live near there at Wellesbourne
Gent So do I
Me Whereabouts in Wellesbourne
Gent Mountford Close
Me So do I
Further questions brought out the fact that he was a retired Wg Cmdr who had been the manager of the Officers Mess at Gaydon. Dave ran the paper shop in the next village and used to deliver papers to the mess. The chap turned out to have had a most interesting service career, but that as they say, is another story.
Some minutes later I noticed an elderly gentleman with Dave. The gentleman was becoming quite agitated and kept saying he knew Dave.
Dave was adamant that he did not know the gentleman. To ease the situation I asked the chap if he had travelled far to the Museum.
The conversation went something like:
Gent - From Stratford on Avon
Me I live near there at Wellesbourne
Gent So do I
Me Whereabouts in Wellesbourne
Gent Mountford Close
Me So do I
Further questions brought out the fact that he was a retired Wg Cmdr who had been the manager of the Officers Mess at Gaydon. Dave ran the paper shop in the next village and used to deliver papers to the mess. The chap turned out to have had a most interesting service career, but that as they say, is another story.
Took son and his friend (both then about 10 or 11) to Duxford and we are in the Land warfare bit, and the Monty caravans. Showing on the closed loop is the D Day landing and the famous clip of the landing craft ramp going down opposite the single house on the shore near Ouistreham. Watching it are an elderly lady and gentleman. I apologised for the noisier of the two boys (young W, heavily into all things military). "Not to worry she said, just my husband was behind the camera man watching him film, but has never seen the film itself". I offered to remove young W, who by now was quizzing the elderly man. "No leave him" she said. " My husband will find it easier to talk to your son about his experience than to me." And the two talked earnestly for about half an hour. Young W still talks about the experience 14 years later.
I heard a story of a WW2 Japanese zero pilot, after the war, moved to a house in Honolulu. His American neighbor came to introduce himself and give a welcome to the neighborhood.
They both swapped war stories and the American said he was a tailgunner. The Japanese then bowed deeply and said "I want to congratulate you, Sir."
The American, slightly awed but proud, said "What for?'
"For being lousy shot!" replied the Oriental gent.
They both swapped war stories and the American said he was a tailgunner. The Japanese then bowed deeply and said "I want to congratulate you, Sir."
The American, slightly awed but proud, said "What for?'
"For being lousy shot!" replied the Oriental gent.
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I went to a boarding school in Twickenham back in the 60-70's and became good friends with one lad and our aviation interests started there due to the fact that Heathrow's departures stopping lessons at times when on easteries.
At the end of my final term I left but never got the chance to keep in touch.
Over 10 years later I'm walking towards the Sgt's mess at (then) RAF Wattisham when I hear a voice, "clicker, do you want a lift?" to find my old school mate who had been an armorer there for a couple of years.
At the end of my final term I left but never got the chance to keep in touch.
Over 10 years later I'm walking towards the Sgt's mess at (then) RAF Wattisham when I hear a voice, "clicker, do you want a lift?" to find my old school mate who had been an armorer there for a couple of years.
I leave the RAF and start teaching. The school was tiny and nowhere near anywhere I'd been based.
The chap allocated to be my teacher 'buddy' had a son who used to be in the RAF too (though that wasn't known to the guy who allocated him).
Turns out his son used to be one of my flying instructors on Hawks.
I take my first class. One of the girls has a surname I recognise. Turns out her dad used to fly one of the same aircraft types as me.
Turns out her dad used to be the flying instructor of the son who used to be my flying instructor.
Three weeks later, since she was a member of the RAF section of the cadet force and I'd been asked to run it, I took her flying.
Circle complete!
Oh, and one of the other teachers turned out to have played in the same football team as me, aged 10.
The chap allocated to be my teacher 'buddy' had a son who used to be in the RAF too (though that wasn't known to the guy who allocated him).
Turns out his son used to be one of my flying instructors on Hawks.
I take my first class. One of the girls has a surname I recognise. Turns out her dad used to fly one of the same aircraft types as me.
Turns out her dad used to be the flying instructor of the son who used to be my flying instructor.
Three weeks later, since she was a member of the RAF section of the cadet force and I'd been asked to run it, I took her flying.
Circle complete!
Oh, and one of the other teachers turned out to have played in the same football team as me, aged 10.
On my way home from work....was a Police Officer on a big City....lived in a small town nearby. As I pass through our High Street...I observe a heck of a commotion.....attended by two State Troopers. Me turns right and pulls up behind the two Police Cars....step out (Jeans, Tee, and Runners)...to assist.
Seems an Intoxicated one armed fellow had roared through a Driver License checkpoint doing about a 100MPH and a short pursuit followed. While doing the paperwork....said one armed guy got to squirming around....One Trooper got out of the back seat of the Trooper Car...opened the front passenger door to get the Perp out....Perp takes a slice at him with a knife....got some Shirt, Necktie, and Undershirt...but no skin. On the second slice...he got one arm of the Trooper...from Armpit to end of the thumb....but not deep.
He then gets knocked down...and kicked squarely in the chops.....at which point I arrive on the scene. Two Troops discussed how to handcuff the guy....and I saw things were under control and went on home for my Dinner and a beer or two.
37 Years later.....I buy a house four Counties away and discover the Trooper that got cut with the Knife is my next door neighbor....he retired as a Captain from the State Troopers.
Seems an Intoxicated one armed fellow had roared through a Driver License checkpoint doing about a 100MPH and a short pursuit followed. While doing the paperwork....said one armed guy got to squirming around....One Trooper got out of the back seat of the Trooper Car...opened the front passenger door to get the Perp out....Perp takes a slice at him with a knife....got some Shirt, Necktie, and Undershirt...but no skin. On the second slice...he got one arm of the Trooper...from Armpit to end of the thumb....but not deep.
He then gets knocked down...and kicked squarely in the chops.....at which point I arrive on the scene. Two Troops discussed how to handcuff the guy....and I saw things were under control and went on home for my Dinner and a beer or two.
37 Years later.....I buy a house four Counties away and discover the Trooper that got cut with the Knife is my next door neighbor....he retired as a Captain from the State Troopers.
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The Cameraman in question would have been Ronnie Noble who after the war, joined the BBC was heavily involved with Sports Department in the 1960's, having moved on from filming to producing. Prior to that he had reprised his Normandy exploits by filming the landings in North Korea and was something of a legend at Lime Grove. Alan
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Triangular Cranwell/Sandhurst/Dartmouth sports competition at Dartmouth in 1973. We in the Cranwell water polo team manage to hold the much-better Sandhurst team in check, 'possibly' with the assistance of some underwater 'tactical play' which led to some sending off for Sandhurst players. That evening, we gave one-to-one coaching to the Dartmouth team in the pool, and the following day they held Sandhurst to a draw! Much jubilation all round except the Sandhurst team who were very 'booters' and didn't even manage to attend the post-event tea!
Roll forward to 1979, I'm now a recruiter and giving talks at a huge comprehensive - over 2000 pupils and nearly 200 staff. I'm in the staff room having a cuppa, teachers milling around, fag smoke everywhere when a voice says "DS you bu**er!". Turns out it is the Dartmouth chap I'd 'coached', now out of the RN and teaching at said comprehensive.
Small world!
Roll forward to 1979, I'm now a recruiter and giving talks at a huge comprehensive - over 2000 pupils and nearly 200 staff. I'm in the staff room having a cuppa, teachers milling around, fag smoke everywhere when a voice says "DS you bu**er!". Turns out it is the Dartmouth chap I'd 'coached', now out of the RN and teaching at said comprehensive.
Small world!
I do believe that the film to which you refer was shot by a Canadian cameraman and the troops on board were North Shore Regiment.
D-Day Film of Juno Beach - YouTube
I could well be wrong and it really doesn't matter as it represents a lot of very brave men.
D-Day Film of Juno Beach - YouTube
I could well be wrong and it really doesn't matter as it represents a lot of very brave men.
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That picture of D-Day has just sent a shiver down my spine. My Dad was a 2nd Lt with the Royal Engineers who landed on Sword Beach a few moments before H Hour 6th June to clear mines ahead of the main landings ... He was awarded the MC for his D-Day bravery ... A copy of that very picture was in his papers when I dealt with his Estate a few years back.
Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 16th Aug 2013 at 11:36.
Back in the day when being Gay was a no no, and I was Cpl at a closet Wiltshire airfield..
Myself and a JT were out across the airfield servicing some Transmitters, it was a stinking hot day in a stinking hot building and despite the door and windows being open very uncomfortable - especially in your heavy number 2's.
Look B*** says I, I'm going to take my trousers and shoes off.. thinking about it a bit, B*** replies good idea, me too.
So we're stood in just working blue shirts, underpants and service socks black in this building in the middle of nowhere....when a fully clothed Flt Lt knocks on the door and steps inside. He stares at us, we stare at him...
It's a bit hot in here sir.... I break the silence.
That's alright Cpl, he responds, I'm looking for MTSS. - I walk to the door point towards the hangar (he'd already driven past) he jumps in his Metro and without another glance in our direction drives off.
Never heard another word of it.
Myself and a JT were out across the airfield servicing some Transmitters, it was a stinking hot day in a stinking hot building and despite the door and windows being open very uncomfortable - especially in your heavy number 2's.
Look B*** says I, I'm going to take my trousers and shoes off.. thinking about it a bit, B*** replies good idea, me too.
So we're stood in just working blue shirts, underpants and service socks black in this building in the middle of nowhere....when a fully clothed Flt Lt knocks on the door and steps inside. He stares at us, we stare at him...
It's a bit hot in here sir.... I break the silence.
That's alright Cpl, he responds, I'm looking for MTSS. - I walk to the door point towards the hangar (he'd already driven past) he jumps in his Metro and without another glance in our direction drives off.
Never heard another word of it.
The two Troops finally after quite a bit of discussion decided to use the one Wrist and the guys Belt.
I would have used the one Wrist and the opposing ankle pulled up behind the guy and chunked his sorry ass into the back of the Police Car....with enthusiasm.
In reality....if the perp had pulled such a stunt on me or one of my fellow city cops....we would not have arrested the guy.... we would have had to wait on the Coroner to clean up the street.
Bottom line....the Troopers did not properly search the guy before putting him into the Police Car....all that could have been avoided.
We would never accuse our State Troopers of being real clever fellows....but by God they sure look sharp and spiffy.
I would have used the one Wrist and the opposing ankle pulled up behind the guy and chunked his sorry ass into the back of the Police Car....with enthusiasm.
In reality....if the perp had pulled such a stunt on me or one of my fellow city cops....we would not have arrested the guy.... we would have had to wait on the Coroner to clean up the street.
Bottom line....the Troopers did not properly search the guy before putting him into the Police Car....all that could have been avoided.
We would never accuse our State Troopers of being real clever fellows....but by God they sure look sharp and spiffy.