saluting a Prime Minister
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
TTH, one was embarrassing the other could be pretending to be dashing hero.
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Well, it is Her Majesty’s Government, so ministers represent the Sovereign just as commissioned officers do. And rather higher up the food chain than most of us!
Is one correct in observing a degree of casualness in the salute returned by some very senior officers?
More of a 3/4 wave of acknowledgment. rather than the hand snapped right up...?
More of a 3/4 wave of acknowledgment. rather than the hand snapped right up...?
On commissioning I am convinced I was taught to salute (in uniform) or remove my hat (if worn in civilian clothes) when introduced to a lady irrespective of the ladies husbands rank.
I seem to remember that in the RN, one salutes when in uniform, raises one's headdress when in civilian clothes but salutes when in mufti but not wearing a titfer. Also works when boarding or leaving HM Ships as you are saluting the Quarterdeck where the effigy of the Virgin used to be displayed (pre reformation obviously!).
Mog
Mog
Here is Mr Obama in that scenario:
I wonder if the pilots quietly reminded POTUS.
and don't forget, even a Field Marshal salutes a VC or GC winner!
Don't recall it from my training - but I was only gutter entry after all (or maybe asleep in that lecture). TTN will know I'm sure.....
TTN may recall at Kai Tak we had a real live VC winner in Rambahadur Limbu of 1/10th GR, when things hotted up in 1967/8 and we gave a home to one of the roulement battalions (frequently GR but once 2 Para).
Drifting the Thread (as one does) one young GR officer on his first deployment to the border received very painful shrapnel wounds to his nether regions, which meant he rarely sat down and slept on his stomach for some weeks afterwards. However, he did go on to make full Colonel. However, one of his mates did get VC (I think that's what they said) during his stay in the colony. I guess it was a top secret, undercover operation in a girlie bar in Wanchai!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Old Duffer
Drifting the Thread (as one does) one young GR officer on his first deployment to the border received very painful shrapnel wounds to his nether regions, which meant he rarely sat down and slept on his stomach for some weeks afterwards. However, he did go on to make full Colonel. However, one of his mates did get VC (I think that's what they said) during his stay in the colony. I guess it was a top secret, undercover operation in a girlie bar in Wanchai!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Old Duffer
He gives a very belated truncated salute just as he enters the cabin. I guess he realized it was not really respectful and made amends. I don't think the pilots would have been able to see if he had returned the salute prior to boarding.
Gentleman Aviator
Exactly so O-D. (Remind me when I see you to tell you the tale of a Sgt crewman and a QA Captain in Hong Kong ....... there are some similarities!)
More recently I remember the privilege of meeting Johnson Beharry at Alrewas - although both in uniform, we were hatless in a tent so the "saluting" question didn't arise.
The meeting was enlivened (sic) by the then PM - D Cameron - repeately referring to him as "Sgt Johnson". Best sack that adviser/speechwriter Dave.......
More recently I remember the privilege of meeting Johnson Beharry at Alrewas - although both in uniform, we were hatless in a tent so the "saluting" question didn't arise.
The meeting was enlivened (sic) by the then PM - D Cameron - repeately referring to him as "Sgt Johnson". Best sack that adviser/speechwriter Dave.......
I didn't know that Rambahadur Limbu VC had been at Kai Tak O-D. I do remember one Ghurka commissioned officer (as opposed to QGO) who lived in the mess for a while. He had an incredibly posh Sandhurst accent and must have thought we grammar school boys were terrible oiks!
You've missed the point, Arfur. You're not saluting her, but her appointment, and by extension the monarch.
I would NEVER salute Diane Abbott - whatever the penalty.
Best I saw was early 70s in HQAFCENT. I was taking a German navy guy to do his arrival stuff and noticed him saluting often. I found out that at home they saluted everyone of a higher rank. As he was the equivalent of SAC (which I was), you can imagine where he came in the pecking order. There was an unwritten rule that you only saluted stars.
TTN,
Are you referring to Captain Maniprasad Rai by any chance? There was also Lt Gopal Bahadher Gurung and he and 'Mani' were Sandhurst trained. Mani's father had been the 'Gurkha Major' in the battalion sometime before.
O-D
Are you referring to Captain Maniprasad Rai by any chance? There was also Lt Gopal Bahadher Gurung and he and 'Mani' were Sandhurst trained. Mani's father had been the 'Gurkha Major' in the battalion sometime before.
O-D
I see your amazing memory for names has not yet deserted you O-D! In my case I regret I don't remember the chap's name, but he was certainly a product of Sandhurst.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
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I'm with you Arfur. I would ignore Diane Abbott, give two fingers to Theresa May and will never sing the National Anthem when Charlie and Chlamydia get their chance . . .
Never thought I would say that, but I find I'm surprised to realise I mean every word.