saluting a Prime Minister
Gentleman Aviator
Timelord, re your #2: Not just a cenotaph, any military grave or cemetery, was as we were taught in the 1960s.
Talk of the Privy Council reminds me of a good fit showing HM's sense of humour. At an early meeting (or possibly induction) of a number of Noo Labour Ministers, one of them - allegedly Clare Short - had a loud mobile 'phone go off in her handbag.
HM: "You'd better answer that Mrs Short - it might be someone important!"
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
TTH, I was with my colonel when a funeral cortège passed.* He snapped to attention and threw a smart salute.* This was not any particular cortège.
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One wonders, in these days of political correctness, (and the absorption of the WRAF into the RAF) whether a junior officer also has to salute the husband of his senior officer, or indeed whether a female officer has to salute the wife of a fellow officer...... it all gets a bit complicated.
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
Not really complicated. You are saluting the Commission, not the individual. Saluting wives/husbands etc is a compliment, like raising one's hat, and is an optional act of courtesy
Westminster Abbey
i was showing some Aussie relatives around Westminster Abbey this morning and we were treated to the sight of a guard of honour of cavalry troopers around the Grave of the Unknown Warrior and a ranks of three cavalry officers (by their uniforms) and a heavily-bemedalled Wing Commander. Then came in this short little chap with a stunning wife - it was HM King Abdullah and Queen Rania of Jordan. There was a brief service, with two senior Jordanian Air Force Officers carrying the wreath for HM the King.
There was lots of sword saluting from the troopers, but of course the officers were bare-headed in church. The Kling then went to Saint Georges Chapel for a meeting with the gaggle of officers and troopers, lots of vigourous handshaking and animated discussions. A bit of googling reveals he is the Colonel in Chief of the Light Dragoons, but does he have a particular affiliation with the RAF that would explain this rather elderly Wing Commander with a half brevet (presumably a Nav) chatting and smiling with the King?
There was lots of sword saluting from the troopers, but of course the officers were bare-headed in church. The Kling then went to Saint Georges Chapel for a meeting with the gaggle of officers and troopers, lots of vigourous handshaking and animated discussions. A bit of googling reveals he is the Colonel in Chief of the Light Dragoons, but does he have a particular affiliation with the RAF that would explain this rather elderly Wing Commander with a half brevet (presumably a Nav) chatting and smiling with the King?
Salute the cenotaph?
I use it as a convenient crossing point when dashing across Whitehall almost daily. Seeing as it is so close to Main Building a lot of military types do the same, both in and out of uniform. Never seen one salute it. Indeed that would look rather odd.
I use it as a convenient crossing point when dashing across Whitehall almost daily. Seeing as it is so close to Main Building a lot of military types do the same, both in and out of uniform. Never seen one salute it. Indeed that would look rather odd.
Watch all the VIPs in uniform, including the Royal Family, arrive for the Remembrance Sunday event. They all salute the Cenotaph. And on the march past all the contingents give an eyes left. No doubt that is a bit inconvenient on an average Whitehall day, but I believe it is strictly correct.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
The same applies at all the war memorials on Remembrance parades and not just The Remembrance Day.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
I always remember Cockshell Heroes, Trevor Howard on the beach turns away after talking with Victor Madern. Madern salutes the departing Captain who, sight unseen, returns the salute knowing that the Sgt would have saluted him. Pure theatre of course.
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I seem to remember Jack Hawkins in The Cruel Sea welcoming two new Sub Lts. On entering his office they both saluted and he said "Don´t salute me as I´m not wearing a hat and cannot return it.
BTW: As one who never made it past Junior Technician Melchetts comment re Cpls and Sgts went down really well.
BTW: As one who never made it past Junior Technician Melchetts comment re Cpls and Sgts went down really well.
I seem to remember Jack Hawkins in The Cruel Sea welcoming two new Sub Lts. On entering his office they both saluted and he said "Don´t salute me as I´m not wearing a hat and cannot return it.
BTW: As one who never made it past Junior Technician Melchetts comment re Cpls and Sgts went down really well.
BTW: As one who never made it past Junior Technician Melchetts comment re Cpls and Sgts went down really well.
Salute the cenotaph?
I use it as a convenient crossing point when dashing across Whitehall almost daily. Seeing as it is so close to Main Building a lot of military types do the same, both in and out of uniform. Never seen one salute it. Indeed that would look rather odd.
I use it as a convenient crossing point when dashing across Whitehall almost daily. Seeing as it is so close to Main Building a lot of military types do the same, both in and out of uniform. Never seen one salute it. Indeed that would look rather odd.
I certainly would not expect any Whitehall warrior to salute the Cenotaph in civilian clothes but in uniform they certainly should - what Officer would walk past any Colour without saluting it. I personally have never walked passed our National Memorial without a thought or a bow of the head, if it isnt considered a Colour then it should be.
Sadly the old saying ”Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it”.
In 1965 I was walking along Whitehall in civvies (no hat). In front of me was a man with hat (on head). From a building emerged a Guards warrant officer in 'full fig' with pace stick who came between us. We three, in our little column were approaching the cenotaph, when I heard this bellow from ahead: "Your hat Sir". Said man in front quickly whipped off his hat and the Guards WO, threw up the most immaculate salute I had seen. We carried on before breaking off to our own business - never forgotten it though.
Old Duffer
Old Duffer
Avoid imitations
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I always had my suspicions about you, CG, based on the fact that you usually stuck your tongue out at me..... 
CG
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Once, driving by Ulceby Cross we spotted a memorial in the corner of the field. I spotted my sqn crest on the plinth. We stopped to look and pay respects. As it happens the was another car also there. As we approached the memorial we realised the men in the party are using it as a urinal with their girlfriends in the field on the other side.
They were very embarrassed when Mrs & me pitched up.
They were very embarrassed when Mrs & me pitched up.
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Originally posted by Melchett01
My first posting after BEs was directly to a squadron. My tech boss, O/C E&I section had a "thing" about Boy Entrants, he thought it unfair they should be promoted to SAC automatically six months after graduating.
When I later applied for my J/T course he rejected it whilst authorising a Direct Entrant colleague quite recently arrived on the station. I eventually completed the course and returned with a credit pass. He called me to his office and congratulated me on "proving him wrong" which I thought quite good of him. My opinion of the man was lowered to previous levels when he later refused to let me take my CPL. Tech exam. Nearly made me as bitter as him.
End of moan, feeling much better.
Shack, unfortunately I can’t change reality and I spent a good proportion of a couple of tours clearing up after former cpls - Army and RAF - who had somehow made it to C1 in the civil service and failed to manage let alone lead their teams. Usually it revolved around not wanting / being able to write appraisals, other instances were along the lines of ‘your FS can’t talk to me like that I’m a Wing Commander equivalent and outrank him’. One individual was put on formal warning for repeated failure to perform. My J/SNCOs were, however, pretty damn good; the ones who left to join the CS were those who were 22 year cpls going nowhere fast and saw the CS as an easy option.
When I later applied for my J/T course he rejected it whilst authorising a Direct Entrant colleague quite recently arrived on the station. I eventually completed the course and returned with a credit pass. He called me to his office and congratulated me on "proving him wrong" which I thought quite good of him. My opinion of the man was lowered to previous levels when he later refused to let me take my CPL. Tech exam. Nearly made me as bitter as him.
End of moan, feeling much better.
