What did officers eat for lunch?
Gentleman Aviator
Remember when Prinny Margaret visited a secret Hampshire helicopter base in 1970 (?). All the above about eating and smoking applied, she was also (obviously) half asleep. Later discovered that she had been at Frank Sinatra's farewell concert (well, one of them) at the RFH the previous night and had partied on until late o'clock.
The clever (sic) PMC had discovered that Marlboro was her tab of choice, so got some in for the bar. Problem was the minimum order was around 20 000 cigs, most of which were still there a couple of years later when I was posted back......
The clever (sic) PMC had discovered that Marlboro was her tab of choice, so got some in for the bar. Problem was the minimum order was around 20 000 cigs, most of which were still there a couple of years later when I was posted back......
When that woman visited RAF Scampton, the usual new carpets for the OM and repainting took place and a Royal Suite was created. We also teased the Orderly Officer by advising him that he would need to be 'on call' in case he was required to 'entertain' HRH.....
It was said in jest, but there again.....
It was said in jest, but there again.....
I am sure that the infamous Royal Visit immediately followed by TACEVAL at Gutersloh has been mentioned. Princess Royal? I was on evening duty. Her flight had barely left the ground. Straight from bullsh1t to bullets.
Digression Warning.
[Not complaining but why was it always me on duty when an EVENT eventuated?].
Earthquake Nicosia c. 1962. .
Gutersloh as above.
Invasion Czecho. Gutersloh.
Earthquake Cardiff [office 11 storeys up].
Michael Fish non-hurricane. Leeds.
Berlin Wall.
To counterbalance those, I am eternally grateful that no aircraft or crew were lost after enduring my briefing.
Digression Warning.
[Not complaining but why was it always me on duty when an EVENT eventuated?].
Earthquake Nicosia c. 1962. .
Gutersloh as above.
Invasion Czecho. Gutersloh.
Earthquake Cardiff [office 11 storeys up].
Michael Fish non-hurricane. Leeds.
Berlin Wall.
To counterbalance those, I am eternally grateful that no aircraft or crew were lost after enduring my briefing.
BART if I remember. A couple of former Gurkha soldiers now run a pub close to me. Their curries are delish, but not quite so hot as those in Belize.
I am sure that the infamous Royal Visit immediately followed by TACEVAL at Gutersloh has been mentioned. Princess Royal? I was on evening duty. Her flight had barely left the ground. Straight from bullsh1t to bullets.
Digression Warning.
[Not complaining but why was it always me on duty when an EVENT eventuated?].
Earthquake Nicosia c. 1962. .
Gutersloh as above.
Invasion Czecho. Gutersloh.
Earthquake Cardiff [office 11 storeys up].
Michael Fish non-hurricane. Leeds.
Berlin Wall.
To counterbalance those, I am eternally grateful that no aircraft or crew were lost after enduring my briefing.
Digression Warning.
[Not complaining but why was it always me on duty when an EVENT eventuated?].
Earthquake Nicosia c. 1962. .
Gutersloh as above.
Invasion Czecho. Gutersloh.
Earthquake Cardiff [office 11 storeys up].
Michael Fish non-hurricane. Leeds.
Berlin Wall.
To counterbalance those, I am eternally grateful that no aircraft or crew were lost after enduring my briefing.
All this talk of Princess Margaret got me rummaging in my album – why? Because whilst I was in S. Rhodesia (RAF Thornhill) in 1953 I took tea with Princess Margaret and the Queen Mum (at a distance). Margaret and the Queen Mum were in Rhodesia to open the Rhodes Centenary Exhibition in Bulawayo. During their tour of the colony they visited the town of Gwelo where RAF Thornhill was situated and had tea with the local dignities – we less dignified persons were served tea and cake whilst the royal party scoffed their lot behind the barrier.
Some memories: 23-year old Princess Margaret was vivacious, the tea and cake was delicious and I got up close to take my photos of Margaret and her mother.
See below.
The royal party at tea with civic dignities
Warmtoast with tea and cake!
Some memories: 23-year old Princess Margaret was vivacious, the tea and cake was delicious and I got up close to take my photos of Margaret and her mother.
See below.
The royal party at tea with civic dignities
Warmtoast with tea and cake!
When that woman visited RAF Scampton, the usual new carpets for the OM and repainting took place and a Royal Suite was created. We also teased the Orderly Officer by advising him that he would need to be 'on call' in case he was required to 'entertain' HRH.....
It was said in jest, but there again.....
It was said in jest, but there again.....
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Keeping on the thread drift of lunches with the Royals . My wife and I had the genuine pleasure of meeting Princess Anne, in the 1980s and 1990s. Both times she seemed genuinely interested in us both professionally and personally such as asking about our families and any difficulties with education due to moving counties or even countries every few years. Fist time everything went exactly to the timetable but during the second we had the OM mess manager and chef pulling their very sparse hair out. In the morning she went to look at a Riding for Disabled initiative run by the base then the primary school. Both close to her heart so she was asking so many questions and talking to so many of the children she was 45 mins late at lunch. She did apologise to all and almost back on track when time to leave alter on. I imagine the purists on here would say that the lateness was rude but she was genuinely interested and the pleasure the two groups she chatted to in the morning gained from the experience was I believe worth it.
Very mixed emotions
July the something 1969 Wattisham, the dreaded Princess M was coming to inspect and whatever.
I had drawn the short straw and selected to be on the guard of honour, we were dreading it.
Then in the midst of mayhem I was told to present myself to o/c admin? What, why, when, running through
my mind, ushered straight in to his office, sit down lad would you like a cigarette? Long story short, my father
had just died, presented with rail warrant and leave pass I ran, it's a long time ago now but I can honestly say
I was conflicted should I be sad or relieved, my only thought was quick, begone before someone cancelled it
July the something 1969 Wattisham, the dreaded Princess M was coming to inspect and whatever.
I had drawn the short straw and selected to be on the guard of honour, we were dreading it.
Then in the midst of mayhem I was told to present myself to o/c admin? What, why, when, running through
my mind, ushered straight in to his office, sit down lad would you like a cigarette? Long story short, my father
had just died, presented with rail warrant and leave pass I ran, it's a long time ago now but I can honestly say
I was conflicted should I be sad or relieved, my only thought was quick, begone before someone cancelled it
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Not so much a meal but had Breakfast in Brigade of Guards mess in late 70,s and was told no discussion after your choice of paper was placed on the paper rack in front of you, paper had to be Telegraph/ Times, I chose the Guardian which caused a few raised eyebrows among my fellow officers, but I was SSC as they said “ so not a gentleman yet” . How I got through my RCB I will never know 🙂
Meal was average British Breakfast although Kippers were available. The German mess I was allowed into as an exchange officer are called Casinos, but spelt with a K and were somewhat more relaxed, but had piano with someone playing during meals and classical pieces. The food was more typical German, but good. I never had to suffer Royal or Presidential visits so never got to enjoy the delightful Margret / Betty / Reagan or Schmidt or indeed the food provided there in.
Cheers
Mr Mac
Meal was average British Breakfast although Kippers were available. The German mess I was allowed into as an exchange officer are called Casinos, but spelt with a K and were somewhat more relaxed, but had piano with someone playing during meals and classical pieces. The food was more typical German, but good. I never had to suffer Royal or Presidential visits so never got to enjoy the delightful Margret / Betty / Reagan or Schmidt or indeed the food provided there in.
Cheers
Mr Mac
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Oh, HRH the Princess M stories abound. Her visit to RAF Leeming, God knows when (early 80's?). Pre luncheon drinkies in the Sergeants Mess. Steward proffers the obligatory silver salver, with the obligatory cut crystal glass, containg the obligatory Famous Grouse and water. HRH takes a sip, shudders, very nearly spits the whole lot out of her mouth, turns to the CMC and says "Could I possibly have a Whisky in this?".
That and the sight of the Station Warrant Officer following HRH around carrying her ashtray.
The woman was remarkable. How to piss the greatest number of people off, in the shortest time. HRH held the Guiness Book of Records award.
That and the sight of the Station Warrant Officer following HRH around carrying her ashtray.
The woman was remarkable. How to piss the greatest number of people off, in the shortest time. HRH held the Guiness Book of Records award.
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Ah, foreign Messes with strange sounding names.
FAF - Mont de Marsin. Lunch was unmemorable, apart from the carafes de Vin Rouge plonked [oh, a pun!] on the tables. I was advised my my FAF Escort, from Defence Sales, that it was not worth drinking. As he had occupied the adjacent office at 11 Gp in a previous existence, I allowed his advice.
RAAF - East Sale. Arrived at lunchtime after a 150 mile road trip from Melbourne. Hit the Bar and ordered a Beer. My escort was horrified ... "Er, mate, we don't drink at lunchtime". "Well, I do!". I have no memory of the food at all, but I guess I had some.
UK Army. Done a few Messes here and there, UK and HK. Totally uninspiring and starchy. Glad I joined the RAF!
Cultural differences are always interesting, and glad that HMQ sent me to assorted locations to experience them!
Mont de Marsan
Mont de Marsan
FAF - Mont de Marsin. Lunch was unmemorable, apart from the carafes de Vin Rouge plonked [oh, a pun!] on the tables. I was advised my my FAF Escort, from Defence Sales, that it was not worth drinking. As he had occupied the adjacent office at 11 Gp in a previous existence, I allowed his advice.
RAAF - East Sale. Arrived at lunchtime after a 150 mile road trip from Melbourne. Hit the Bar and ordered a Beer. My escort was horrified ... "Er, mate, we don't drink at lunchtime". "Well, I do!". I have no memory of the food at all, but I guess I had some.
UK Army. Done a few Messes here and there, UK and HK. Totally uninspiring and starchy. Glad I joined the RAF!
Cultural differences are always interesting, and glad that HMQ sent me to assorted locations to experience them!
Mont de Marsan
Mont de Marsan
Thought police antagonist
There was a well known story about her visit to Halton during which, during the obligatory walk up and down the lines of apprenti, she stopped and criticised the appearance of one unlucky apprentice...fate unknown thereafter.
I’ve spent 55 years of regretting what could have been if I hadn’t failed Biggin Hill twice especially what I perceived as posh cuisine on dining in nights as I once ate in the garden of the British Embassy in Tripoli pre Ghadaffi and the massive PX at the USAF base at Wheelas.
My first Athens rhs on the gripper in 1972 included the first class horses douvres and unknown (to me) delicacies of caviar (wiv little pancakes, cold jellied egg and onions to take the fishy taste away)..roll mop? Pickled fish, prawn cocktail and lots of other stuff that I never was able to identify. I skipped the orange duck and had some nice trifle followed by a Vinegar cigar…digestive biscuits with cream cheese with blue bits.
Champagne cocktail on landing followed by a room party in a 5 star hotel suite with the rest of the first class galley. We weren’t cheap neither as someone ordered ice from room service as I discovered that proper people add it to scotch to dull the taste of jock stream water..pete?
I won’t mention the ex ballerina 21 year old nor the mum of a future queen neiver.
If it was an afternoon med then we had to make do with fresh scones, Tiptree strawberry jam in a little pot and Devon clotted cream…
What happened to the stories of scallops, lobsters and smoked salmon being flown around the empire in bomb bays?..the former was part of a visit to the Scottish isles on a viscount jump seat.
So you souls existed on paying through the nose for others Yorkshire farmers nosh or is this thread just a wind up?
My first Athens rhs on the gripper in 1972 included the first class horses douvres and unknown (to me) delicacies of caviar (wiv little pancakes, cold jellied egg and onions to take the fishy taste away)..roll mop? Pickled fish, prawn cocktail and lots of other stuff that I never was able to identify. I skipped the orange duck and had some nice trifle followed by a Vinegar cigar…digestive biscuits with cream cheese with blue bits.
Champagne cocktail on landing followed by a room party in a 5 star hotel suite with the rest of the first class galley. We weren’t cheap neither as someone ordered ice from room service as I discovered that proper people add it to scotch to dull the taste of jock stream water..pete?
I won’t mention the ex ballerina 21 year old nor the mum of a future queen neiver.
If it was an afternoon med then we had to make do with fresh scones, Tiptree strawberry jam in a little pot and Devon clotted cream…
What happened to the stories of scallops, lobsters and smoked salmon being flown around the empire in bomb bays?..the former was part of a visit to the Scottish isles on a viscount jump seat.
So you souls existed on paying through the nose for others Yorkshire farmers nosh or is this thread just a wind up?
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Remember visit of Duke of Kent to Brampton in 1978 (I think). The day before I had to go over to the OM and was greeted by the sight of two airmen moving a medical screen along a passageway, stopping and listening, then moving the screen again.. Enquiring what was going on I was told that down the passage was the "Royal Retiring Area" and that an airman was dropping an apple into the pan. If a splash was heard - the screen was moved and the process repeated until no splash was heard. There was also the previous days rehearsal when the Officers were arranged in casual groups of RN, Army, RAF and civil servant. The mind boggles,
Mess steward in the Middle East to a Sgn Ldr Medic at breakfast on his way to the FE on a trial in the late 60's asked advice as to why his sex life was failing in the heat and asked for a solution . Looking at his meal the Medic sought inspiration and replied " Try Kippers!".
The law of sod being what it is the same confrontation occured on the Sqn Ldr''s return journey from the trial, again at breakfast where said steward complained that he had been eating dozens of same to no effect,,,
"Eating?, No rub them on man, rub them on!"
The law of sod being what it is the same confrontation occured on the Sqn Ldr''s return journey from the trial, again at breakfast where said steward complained that he had been eating dozens of same to no effect,,,
"Eating?, No rub them on man, rub them on!"
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Mr Mac,
You should have tried a German conscripts mess.... and an apt description mess was, no wonder they gave us all Sgts tapes for the detachment, Boy did I feel sorry for them having seen the fare they were being served up.
You should have tried a German conscripts mess.... and an apt description mess was, no wonder they gave us all Sgts tapes for the detachment, Boy did I feel sorry for them having seen the fare they were being served up.
