Odd things seen on the train
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The perils of wearing a uniform..
While I can't hope to compare with the travails of UK service people during "The Troubles", a couple of mates and I who'd just hopped off the train,
anticipating a couple of weeks' pleasant leave, were walking down a main street in the middle of Sydney, 1969, and were a little taken aback
to find ourselves abused and spat upon by a few long-haired and colourfully-clothed 'peace and love' types.
We didn't overly react - but effectively 'expressed our displeasure'.
I doubt those ones tried pulling that stunt again for a while.
.
While I can't hope to compare with the travails of UK service people during "The Troubles", a couple of mates and I who'd just hopped off the train,
anticipating a couple of weeks' pleasant leave, were walking down a main street in the middle of Sydney, 1969, and were a little taken aback
to find ourselves abused and spat upon by a few long-haired and colourfully-clothed 'peace and love' types.
We didn't overly react - but effectively 'expressed our displeasure'.
I doubt those ones tried pulling that stunt again for a while.
.
Last edited by Stanwell; 20th Oct 2016 at 10:26.
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In the late 80's saw a Colonel of the RVSN (the Russian missile boys) in full rig with a briefcase chained to his wrist on the tube platform at Piccadilly Circus.
IIRC the surface traffic was all snarled up and he must have had a seriosuly important meeting somewhere ...................
IIRC the surface traffic was all snarled up and he must have had a seriosuly important meeting somewhere ...................
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A 'balalaika' case?
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I think I've still got one that looks like that ... I used to use it for carrying a couple of pistols to the Range 
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"HH, I wonder did the Russians have a 'football' a la our American Allies????"
I'm sure they do.............
To be fair he acted as if it was something he did every day - eyes front, military bearing, everything polished & gleaming. The person I was with commented that you rarely saw British Officers on the tube ever...........
I'm sure they do.............
To be fair he acted as if it was something he did every day - eyes front, military bearing, everything polished & gleaming. The person I was with commented that you rarely saw British Officers on the tube ever...........
The person I was with commented that you rarely saw British Officers on the tube ever...........
I recall when a special train was chartered (late 50s) to take our CCF contingent to camp. All of us carried Lee Enfields, and some clown managed to discharge a live round, which was hushed up
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There was a daily (M-F) trooping flight from Luton to I guess Hannover (brain cells dimmed by cheap wine), flown by Britannia I think.
One of my ushers was booked on said flight ex Luton.
On check-in at the Britannia/Movements desk he was told he had a prisoner (19 y/o who'd gone AWOL from his unit) to escort back to the Fatherland.
Bob drew himself up to his 6'3" and said in his best voice (he was an actor in his day job). "We don't take prisoners in this regiment". The face of the Cpl on the desk was quite something.
One of my ushers was booked on said flight ex Luton.
On check-in at the Britannia/Movements desk he was told he had a prisoner (19 y/o who'd gone AWOL from his unit) to escort back to the Fatherland.
Bob drew himself up to his 6'3" and said in his best voice (he was an actor in his day job). "We don't take prisoners in this regiment". The face of the Cpl on the desk was quite something.
I know it's off thread but the mention of Britannia Airways flights to RAFG from Luton reminded me that they always played a Glenn Miller song as you taxied for take off.
and the Britannias did the troopers to Cyprus in 1961, "I'm flying backwards to Christmas ......". I think from Luton?
We lived near Luton. So, outbound by car to Hendon, by coach back to ...... Luton, where, as a civvy, "EMR F/O" I was nearly lumbered with the diplomatic bag. I was green in those days, but not that green.
We lived near Luton. So, outbound by car to Hendon, by coach back to ...... Luton, where, as a civvy, "EMR F/O" I was nearly lumbered with the diplomatic bag. I was green in those days, but not that green.
When I travelled on the Britannia Airways trooper flights to Germany in 1972-73 (to both Wildenrath and Dusseldorf) the Britannia London terminal was alongside St Pancras Station and after check-in were bussed up to Luton - does anyone have a photo of Britannia's London terminal from the early 1970's? - TIA
WT
WT
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British Eagle Britannia from Heathrow to Changi in 67. A long, tedious, uncomfortable trip ... only alleviated by sitting next to a rather pleasant young nurse
I spent a few months in Russia in 1992 (first year after the breakup of the Soviet Union). I noticed that military in uniform were everywhere, and not always as smart as the colonel referred to by Heathrow Harry. The worst example I saw was a junior officer strolling down the street in Yaroslavl, cap pushed back, tunic unbuttoned, can of coke in one hand and his other around his girfriend's shoulders!
A bit different in St Petersburg, there it was understandably naval officers in evidence. Saw quite a few admirals on Nevsky Prospekt, all plastered in medal ribbons of course and looking very smart and impressive.
A bit different in St Petersburg, there it was understandably naval officers in evidence. Saw quite a few admirals on Nevsky Prospekt, all plastered in medal ribbons of course and looking very smart and impressive.
[quote]I recall when a special train was chartered (late 50s) to take our CCF contingent to camp. All of us carried Lee Enfields, and some clown managed to discharge a live round,
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Ian16th, the Hastings had the full H2S9A same as the Mk 1 Vs.
TTN, navy again, I mentioned elsewhere the run ashore in Brest by ratings of Petr the Great, immaculate too.
TTN, navy again, I mentioned elsewhere the run ashore in Brest by ratings of Petr the Great, immaculate too.