Today, after a few months, I went to the rifle range. Took my P14, since I had lots of commercial ammo. And also thought that it was the right day for a .303 shootout. I dedicated my first shot to Lilibeth… Quite a good one! RIP.
The second photo is the Princess Elizabeth on board a RN ship - on checking I see it is described as HMS Vanguard in 1947 on the way to South Africa for the Royal Tour.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
Look who is number one at the door this time round...............RAF Abingdon PARA Course 1978 our Colonel In Chief!!
Last edited by Gil Boyd; 09-11-2022 at 04:35 AM.
'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA
Third one along looks like a REME bloke. There was always a bit of chatter about him wearing the full wings but not doing the full course - which includes P Coy. Old and new smocks there too by the look of it
If I've already mentioned this, look away now! Tidworth, Autumn 1970 and selected for the mixed unit Quarter Guard for Price Phillips visit. Running a few minutes late and Phil was clearly anxious to get to the mess for a morning cup of Scotch. The weather was drizzly and if we were there for much longer, the whitening of our belts and rifle slings would start to run....., in fact, I think it had started to run a bit.
Anyway, Phil gets to me and presumably seeing that I had a medal showing his Liz's face stopped and said in his haughty lofty voice '.......and how long have you been in the rain...' Well, that's what I thought I heard him say. So I answered honestly, '....about 10 minutes Sir..'. I wanted to add '...and we're getting wetter and wetter..' but my inner will to live stopped me. Anyway
Alas, what he HAD said was '.......and how long have you been in the Brigade..'. After I had answered '....about 10 minutes Sir..' he looked puzzled and just replied '.....that's good....., VERY good...' Pete MacDonald and Dave Findlay stood in the rank behind me guffawed a stifled laugh.
By the time the Brigade Major and RSM had got level with me, they were livid - and I didn't know why. The RSM lifted his lip and snarled quietly so that everyone could hear '..I'll give you ten minutes laughing boy...... see me afterwards...'
We were given the remainder of the Friday off but the next week, it became the talk of the small garrison - or so I heard. But I never did go back to incur the wrath of Raging Bull, the RSM. Clearly Phil put in a good word for me because a few years later, his wife, our good Queen, Commissioned me
Last edited by Peter Laidler; 09-11-2022 at 07:37 AM.
Originally Posted by Gil Boyd
PM
