Using Rank on Retirement
Rather like the SH pilot that used his degree in Geography to justify and insist on his placement of the gun pit on the edges of our campsite, even though we all knew it was in the wrong place and he was told to move it to where everyone thought it should have gone in the first place.
you could almost hear the gasps when he said this is where it needs to go and I should know, I’ve got a degree in geography.....
you could almost hear the gasps when he said this is where it needs to go and I should know, I’ve got a degree in geography.....On reflection, these characters should continue to use titles and post-nominals - a pre-labelled problem is more efficient to deal with!
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Term of endearment
Well, It's a long time since I left the ranks and nowadays I would rather refrain from making reference to my service life, but the bloke at the local motor factors will just not let it go. "There you go, Chief", he announces as he plonks my new brake discs on the counter. How does he know? Or is it not just me? 
TBF it's not just the Military - fortunes have been bet on a colleague of mine - "when will he work the fact he went to Cambridge into a conversation with someone new"
Some spoilsports have taken to introducing "This is X - he went to Cambridge don;t you know"
Some spoilsports have taken to introducing "This is X - he went to Cambridge don;t you know"
Below the Glidepath - not correcting
When I was the manager and Tug Master of the Black Mountains Gliding Club at Talgarth we had a steady stream of GSA, Navy and Army gliding expeditions, and also VSOs visiting our resident Air Commodore. No one ever used their rank, ever. It just wasn't done. The only thing the CFI and I cared about was "could they fly?" as Talgarth could be tricky, but always fun. They were invariably accomplished sailplane pilots, and relished the challenges. However, the bloke driving the radio at Shobdon liked to be called 'Commander' and could be 'difficult'. If I flew over in the Pawnee to tow home one of our gliders that hadn't quite managed to get back he never made it as easy as it should've been.
I am a retired RCN Reserve flag officer. The only time I use my rank with the postscript (ret), is when responding to official military correspondence, such as invitation to official events. I still start e-mails and letters to certain flag officers who I greatly respect with the the honorific "sir" and will continue to do so as a mark of my respect. A few officers who have worked for me do the same when addressing me. I tell them it is not necessary but most continue the practice. I would like to think that is because I have earned their respect and trust.
I never use my rank or even share the fact that I have served in the military with others unless directly asked the question. There is nothing, in my opinion, more annoying than retired officers who think they still matter.
I never use my rank or even share the fact that I have served in the military with others unless directly asked the question. There is nothing, in my opinion, more annoying than retired officers who think they still matter.
A couple of us used to attend meetings chaired by a civilian grade C1; his opening statement was he was a wg cdr equivalent, and often would remind us peasants. I met him again at a JP233 drop - 30 x SG357. There were some ux on the surface and evidence of failed secondaries sub surface, so quite an involved clearance task. We were having a team brief when himself turned up and casually announced that he would be accompanying the team onto the range. Afraid not says I. After a bit of to and fro out came "I am a wing commander equivalent and I say I am coming with you", so my objection to having an untrained civilian with us was overruled. It gave me almost child like pleasure to point out the line in the Range Orders that stated when the range was RED the EOD officer had sole authority and he would not be coming with us. And he didn't.
pudding” is the only acceptable word for those aspiring to be a member of the officer class
I know what you mean, but I always have a problem with that one. When I was a kid in Scotland, only those from the working class talked about pudding (pronounced "pudd'n"). Those who aspired to the higher classes were careful to talk about their "sweet". Then I moved South and actually became a member of said officer class and learned that the situation had to be reversed, and that the course at the end of the meal was known as "pudding".
Oh and don't get me started on "supper" (often pronounced "suppah"!)
Being the equivalent of a Wing Commander an then a Group Captain soon after I started flying commercially there were a few perks in the civil passenger role. My BALPA card had my Captain rank on it and this was ideal for upgrades, anywhere and anyone.
I was flying from Thiefrow to Shanghai with a Chinese carrier but the check-in staff weren't interested as they worked for a separate contractor. As I boarded I presented my Chinese licence to the CA welcoming me and just before taxi I was invited to the big seats in the front of the cabin.
There's no point in having power if you can't abuse it.
I was flying from Thiefrow to Shanghai with a Chinese carrier but the check-in staff weren't interested as they worked for a separate contractor. As I boarded I presented my Chinese licence to the CA welcoming me and just before taxi I was invited to the big seats in the front of the cabin.
There's no point in having power if you can't abuse it.
Being the equivalent of a Wing Commander an then a Group Captain soon after I started flying commercially there were a few perks in the civil passenger role. My BALPA card had my Captain rank on it and this was ideal for upgrades, anywhere and anyone.
I was flying from Thiefrow to Shanghai with a Chinese carrier but the check-in staff weren't interested as they worked for a separate contractor. As I boarded I presented my Chinese licence to the CA welcoming me and just before taxi I was invited to the big seats in the front of the cabin.
There's no point in having power if you can't abuse it.
I was flying from Thiefrow to Shanghai with a Chinese carrier but the check-in staff weren't interested as they worked for a separate contractor. As I boarded I presented my Chinese licence to the CA welcoming me and just before taxi I was invited to the big seats in the front of the cabin.
There's no point in having power if you can't abuse it.
Quite agree. When Mopardave junior qualified as a Doctor, I asked out of curiosity would she be changing her bank details, passport etc to reflect her new found "status". Her reply, "why would I want to do that dad?" But then she was brought up to treat everyone with equal respect.
You have done it, you know (honestly), if you have done it well ! Does it now matter in the present time if you have to use a title that :- a) probably very few people recognise, and b) is well out of date with today's Service? By all means keep your memories (and many, many honourable events) but remember that they are now history! You are the one who knows!
I understand it was a very common thing many years ago ( 150 or more) for the wealthy to buy a "commission" into the British military for a useless son. In later times I am told it was still possible to buy a title, I can't confirm this but maybe others can.
Anyway, the story goes that in the early 1980's a particular Cathay chap and his wife bought a title and referred to themselves as Lord and Lady Bracknell or some such. The yarn continues that one particular day at Heathrow's Cathay staff counter the ground staff were calling names, loudly as they did then, and handing out boarding passes in dribs and drabs. After a while in a very posh accent they were calling for Lady Bracknell, "I'm Lady Bracknell, I'm Lady Bracknell" came the equally posh reply only to be told "you're off" in an East London accent.
Anyway, the story goes that in the early 1980's a particular Cathay chap and his wife bought a title and referred to themselves as Lord and Lady Bracknell or some such. The yarn continues that one particular day at Heathrow's Cathay staff counter the ground staff were calling names, loudly as they did then, and handing out boarding passes in dribs and drabs. After a while in a very posh accent they were calling for Lady Bracknell, "I'm Lady Bracknell, I'm Lady Bracknell" came the equally posh reply only to be told "you're off" in an East London accent.
An acquantainces dad who has the rank, titles and the odd visit to the palace that could have been been added to his name never did.
During retirement in a Hampshire small town in the 90's he was known as "Dave" down the pub. A long bank holiday weekend when down there in his garden a daughter in law questioned about why he would not use his rank etc. It appears she wanted to boast of dad in law was xxxxx etc.
He thought about it for a second and said, 1st weekend I moved here I went to the pub, landlord asked my name and I said "David ............", I got asked David or Dave. I said "Dave" and that is what I have been known as ever since. They care whether I turn up to the pub for a quiz night and whether I help at the village fete.................. what I did before they know some of but I am still "Dave".
He had old money, quite a bit as well, but never gave the impression he had loads of it because he didn't believe in showing it. It was a virtue they instilled in the kids as well.
He would never condemn people using titles / rank but viewed it personally as I am "Dave / David or Mr", I don't need anything else because the people I am really important to already have titles for me "Husband / Dad / Uncle / Grandpa or Dave".
During retirement in a Hampshire small town in the 90's he was known as "Dave" down the pub. A long bank holiday weekend when down there in his garden a daughter in law questioned about why he would not use his rank etc. It appears she wanted to boast of dad in law was xxxxx etc.
He thought about it for a second and said, 1st weekend I moved here I went to the pub, landlord asked my name and I said "David ............", I got asked David or Dave. I said "Dave" and that is what I have been known as ever since. They care whether I turn up to the pub for a quiz night and whether I help at the village fete.................. what I did before they know some of but I am still "Dave".
He had old money, quite a bit as well, but never gave the impression he had loads of it because he didn't believe in showing it. It was a virtue they instilled in the kids as well.
He would never condemn people using titles / rank but viewed it personally as I am "Dave / David or Mr", I don't need anything else because the people I am really important to already have titles for me "Husband / Dad / Uncle / Grandpa or Dave".
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Sometimes it can be useful. Many years ago, my oppo and myself were in a pub in the Chilterns, having a quiet drink. We were interrupted by a short, but portly, man in a state of alcoholic refreshment. He was a retired Squadron Leader and obviously had picked up the fact that oppo and myself were currently serving.
The Sqn Ldr (Retd) then proceeded to bore the pants of us with his 'swing the lamp' stories. After 20 minutes of oppo and self mumbling "Really" and "Interesting" every so often, we were then further joined by a tall, grey haired but very distinguished gentleman. He apologised for the interruption and told the Sqn Ldr (Retd) that one of two of his stories were wrong. The Sqn Ldr (Retd) took umbrage at this and drawing himself up to his full 5ft 4" height, declared that he was Sqn Ldr so and so and what did the newcomer know about the Royal Air Force. "Well" replied the newcomer "I'm Air Chief Marshal Sir Christopher Foxley-Norris".
Exit the Sqn Ldr (Retd) , at a fair rate of knots, blustering about "Lunch" and "Mustn't be late etc". After he had gone, Sir Christopher again apologised for the interruption, offered to buy both of us a drink (which we declined) and announced his departure. On donning his overcoat, he turned to us and said "I cannot stand bores". He wished us well and left.
The Sqn Ldr (Retd) then proceeded to bore the pants of us with his 'swing the lamp' stories. After 20 minutes of oppo and self mumbling "Really" and "Interesting" every so often, we were then further joined by a tall, grey haired but very distinguished gentleman. He apologised for the interruption and told the Sqn Ldr (Retd) that one of two of his stories were wrong. The Sqn Ldr (Retd) took umbrage at this and drawing himself up to his full 5ft 4" height, declared that he was Sqn Ldr so and so and what did the newcomer know about the Royal Air Force. "Well" replied the newcomer "I'm Air Chief Marshal Sir Christopher Foxley-Norris".
Exit the Sqn Ldr (Retd) , at a fair rate of knots, blustering about "Lunch" and "Mustn't be late etc". After he had gone, Sir Christopher again apologised for the interruption, offered to buy both of us a drink (which we declined) and announced his departure. On donning his overcoat, he turned to us and said "I cannot stand bores". He wished us well and left.
Last edited by taxydual; 25th Jan 2021 at 07:10.
Buying titles
yes you could as my father had a mate from Canvey who collected a few, some had rights to grazing and other quaint medieval land rights.
I also had a flying school acquaintance who, 30 odd years ago, asked me about my frog coat of arms as he wanted to get an english one which, according to the press, he now has. His daughter and grand children have more substantial ones without the need to dream them up.
yes you could as my father had a mate from Canvey who collected a few, some had rights to grazing and other quaint medieval land rights.
I also had a flying school acquaintance who, 30 odd years ago, asked me about my frog coat of arms as he wanted to get an english one which, according to the press, he now has. His daughter and grand children have more substantial ones without the need to dream them up.
Last edited by blind pew; 25th Jan 2021 at 08:50.
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Join Date: Jan 2002
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Reminded that a colleague of mine bought a Lordship for a laugh - a real character in the office and sadly no longer with us, he died from diabetes complications only aged about 40.
Didn't that well-known Walt who has featured on here in the past, claims to have been in the Paras, etc, etc, buy himself an Irish title? I'm sure he was the guy who inveigled himself into a conversation about Tornados I was having with a friend in a Croydon pub a decade or so back.
Didn't that well-known Walt who has featured on here in the past, claims to have been in the Paras, etc, etc, buy himself an Irish title? I'm sure he was the guy who inveigled himself into a conversation about Tornados I was having with a friend in a Croydon pub a decade or so back.
Gentleman Aviator
Exit the Sqn Ldr (Retd) , at a fair rate of knots, blustering about "Lunch" and "Mustn't be late etc". After he had gone, Sir Christopher again apologised for the interruption, offered to buy both of us a drink (which we declined) and announced his departure. On donning his overcoat, he turned to us and said "I cannot stand bores". He wished us well and left.
Said officer (serving at the time) was having a quiet drink - and six or seven noisy ones - with his pilots in a Mess bar on detachment.
They were approached by a Self-Important Resident who told them to be quiet.
Abandoned Earl: F*** Off
Self Important One: I am Sqn Ldr Sir Algernon Bloggs DFC, and I'm telling you to be quiet!
Abandoned Earl: And I am Wg Cdr The Earl of Bandon DSO. Beat you on all three counts. Now f*** off!
Oh how I wish my ex-junior VSO "pal" could see this! He'd have a complete fit!!!!!
Last edited by Hot 'n' High; 25th Jan 2021 at 10:25. Reason: To remove a pointless add-on!!! ;-)