Would be nice if people/members who were serving members of the Regiment could put either their Army Nr (nobody ever forgets it) - or just the first 4 numbers. This would give a little indication of the period they served.
Mine are 2404----.
Why? Well because people change in 40-50 or more years, and I don't recognize any bu---r from the few photos shown by members!
I won't be there for the reunion, it's a long way from Larzac, South of France where I live (close to) now!
iwmpop@gmail.com
I agree get the Whip out
ReplyDeletei have also had a look to see if i can find out who you are.as you have not filled in ur profile i have not clue who you are.regards derek
ReplyDeleteGood idea mine was 24072334.
ReplyDeleteMine is 22386701 I served in the REME, from 1950 to 1953.
ReplyDeleteHi, I remember Larzac well. Went down with the regiment in 1966 just before the world cup finals, exercising with the French Para's. Spent the first six days in Detmold Banhof , only going back to Hobart Barracks to stock up on more beer( main party had left only hours before there was a rail strike) . Remember a bar outside Larzac camp which had a european style toilet (not like the camps stand up and aim ones), the toilet seat was red hot when ever you managed to find it free. Have been back twice to Millau (driving through on the way to Cap D'adge) second time over the Millau Viaduct. Mine was 23675272 REME A Sqn
ReplyDeletemy army number was 22473484 i served in the royals from 1951 till 1953 in egypt
ReplyDeleteMy army number was an unusual number I joined the Royals as a boy in 1945
ReplyDeletenumber 7961661
24041404 Royals 1964 - 1967 Detmold, Spandau,Larzac,London amongst others!
ReplyDeleteNow old GERMAN pensioner (since I lived and worked as a civilian in ALL the places I had served in the Army, the Germans gave me a Pension!) My wife KATHLEEN (deceased in 1993 unfortunately) also worked for 6 months or so in the "Sally Bash" outside of Hobart before starting her SRN Nursing course at Guy's Hospital, London in 1966. She was with me working as civilians in Detmold, Berlin, Wertach (Sonthofen) -Ex "Snow Queen" remember...? I worked as as a ski instructor for foreign groups over 9 years long in winter, and a Chef in a French Hotel in Summer. My wife remained a Nurse.
I recall "ZACK" - mad drummer of the Band, but I don't recognize anyone else from the photos - and Zack's photo I can't find!
I take a trip up to Larzac once a year, when I haven't got the hassle of Brit & German Tourists - It's all changed of course. Otherwise - a nice quiet life in Southern France!
Ian just checked ur profile and its great good photo,s and sure would not like to meet you in the dark.the only thing i find missing is ur SURNAME.
ReplyDeleteREGARDS DEREK LEESE
23891315 Royals 62-68. I remember the train journey from Detmold-Millau and back. Good training as a sardine in a can in an oven. I recall that the catering department (snigger snigger) had the rear carriage and were cooking non-stop and passing the grub up the train. As we were towards the front (where else could Recce Troop possibly be!) we got a lukewarm can of armoured pigs and beans for breakfast about 9.30 PM! Good times in Larzac though. Will try to dig out some photos.
ReplyDeletehi mine was 23991463
ReplyDeleteSurname = MITCHELL.
ReplyDeleteAlso known as "iwmpop" - "mrlemarquis" - "lemarquisdugalipot"
(Call sign on Google Talk - iwmpop) (on "voipbuster" iwmpop or mrlemarquis - but I don't use it often)
Try a Google search on "iwmpop" - I don't want to make unseemly publicity for my sites here...!
For "plummy105" - They call it "cassoulet" down here, and it costs a few bob! Mind you it is served hot!
Larzac bar wine prices (as I remember 1FFranc a liter if you brought your own bottle, 2FF if you didn't) Toilets called "slap, bang, wallops" and you got your feet washed for free if you pulled the chain..! The old lady who ran the "Larzac Hotel" (!!!!!) always pulled out her old photos of what she called "mes tommies" (my tommies) and was proud of her relationship with "her" Brit. Regiments including the Royals!
She finally died about 10 years ago, at the ripe age of 98!
Talking about older ladies - anyone remember "mamma" in Detmold?
The town of St. Affrique where the Band gave a concert, and the town ran out of booze - ZACK's fault!
I remember travelling down to Larzac in a convoy. I was driving a 3/4 Ton Landrover. The back was sheeted out with new bed sheets. We went to every bakers and bought as much bread as possible. We did this on each day.
ReplyDeleteWe had a regiments worth of Centurions which we had to break in for the Israeli army.They were later used in the six day war against the Egyptians. The thing was that there were lots of tools for Mono trailers and the gun was a 17 pounder. The best thing about Larzac was the beach the french army took us too. We had to pass through a nudist camp to get to it. Low and behold there were nudist beaches either side. Of course we complained.
As for numbers 23905302
Almost forgot Dave Bramble
ReplyDeleteThat was the "Cap d'Agde" and it's now the biggest "naturist" area in Europe! I recall the only indications were wooden signposts hammered into the sand with "Plage Militaire" on one side, and "No entry" on the other.
ReplyDeleteBritish soldiers tended only to be sighted FACE DOWNWARDS on either side of the posts!
I had forgotten the name Larzac but not the time there. As I was due to go on leave (to Spain) at the end of the exercise I was given permission to take my car with me providing I had at least one other to accompany me.I obviously wasn't to be trusted on my own. My passenger was a Cpl. R.Sigs. whose name I can't recall and I had to monitor the Eschelon convoy en route. I remember 'The Mad Mayor of Millau' a very anti-Brit.
ReplyDeleteWhen the exercise finished I took off on leave to Spain and passed through the French border control without incident .However the Spanish wouldn't let me into their country without a passport. I don't know why I didn't have one. Anyway I was sent back to the French border where I was also refused entry. Flap! Flap!.I had read about a bloke in similiar circumstances who spent years in a no-mans land surviving on the hand-outs of passers-by. It took a lot of persuading the French Border control that I had actually just come from there.
By the way my No. was 19038492
Ian 2404-/ nice one My No 23891486 like you sead never forgotten 1961-1970.Tpr Fairey ( Keith).
ReplyDeleteYes I do Remember CAMP du LARZAC, IT WAS BALLY HOT and the Hole in the floor in the Loo!! Flushed once a Day. I have some grate snaps of the Lads on the beach with (nudist-beach).some of the sun bathers No not lades.mores the pit-ty.Name dropping SSMSimpsom Lt Hewson Cap Connell + others.I will bring the snaps in June All being well ,that it for know Keith F.
Mine"s 24118404 looking above I am the SPROG here 67/69 C Sqn, then onto RHG/D until 76.
ReplyDeleteThere are quite a few lads on here that I know who I served with, and even more from the reunions,
If any of you not been back to a reunion I would urge you to do so, you be supprised who you bump into
and certainly dont miss the ROYALS ONE, it will be a good un.
-------------------------------------
2411 M Henchion (Paddy H)
IAN could you please say what .sqdn you were in and department as we can not find you in the 1965 EAGLE thank you
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see the photos from "kjfairey" - can you get them scanned and post them..? Not for the naked ladies of course, but just to see the squaddies facedown - there may be one or two on the photos, there were enough of them on that beach!
ReplyDeleteIncidentally - I've just sent a message about another Website where people may also find "old cronies" (I've got nothing to do with this site, I'm just a memeber, but I think we are/were all members of the same Army....?
http://1sttheroyaldragoons.multiply.com/notes/item/32
I was in almost all Squadrons!
ReplyDelete1. HQ (QM Tech) 2. A Sqn (Squadron Clerk) 3. B Sqn (Sqn Clerk) 4. HQ Sqn (Sqn Clerk) and finally and longest 5. HQ Sqn (QM) - with the (at the time Capt. then Maj. AYRTON)
Hope I pass your Security Test.......!
23567302 in each of the regiments I served.
ReplyDeleteRoyals from 1961 to now 23891804 HQ and C Sqdns
ReplyDeleteThe thing that always made me laugh was the French Police patroling the beach just a Sam Browne Belt and a Hat, but it was hot
Hi all I am going to be a kill joy, your have to Waite till june 20/21.to see the photos Mag Amery-Cap Ayrton -Cap Williams -SQMS Hays,Lt Brooks. Mick Golding- Nobby Clark- Danny Cokan- Roger Berrek Least but not least
ReplyDelete"CHARLY" + WEG. Thats just a bit of info from my scrap book you can see it all at the Re Unian, all the best for Know. Keith F.
Hey KJ!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait - I'll probably have "faded away" by then! Come on - get to your Bank and get another credit for a new Scanner!
Seriously though - I, for one, will look forward to seeing those photos. Nobby Clark (RSM?) You haven't got anything with Sgt "paddy" OWEN (mainly Provost/RP Sergeant) have you-had about 20 kids as I recall, and only 1 wife - poor lass!
Certainly sounds as though we were roughly the same or similar times.
"Snowqueen" at Wertach - anybody recall the Bandsman who fell over so slowly and gracefully - breaking his leg in 3 places - A question for mad drums "ZACK" maybe....?
My number was 22803929. Allocated in 1957 when I enlisted into the TA. Joined Royals in November 1960. I remember Larzac well, I was on the advance party as Rations NCO (the Bridge Layer didn't go). The camp, when we eventually moved in, wasn't particularly clean or hygeinic
ReplyDeletebut the QM Maj.Kent Smith or was that Smith Kent??? soon put his stamp on it. The Loos were something else!!!!
I remember the beach at CapdeAgde, only went once, very hot - got sunburnt....worth the pain - say no more !!! :)
Thanks iwmpop for the quick reply, It thaks me back a bit. Sorry No photos of Paddy,I got one of wally McGagill the COOK!!!. + the Band Marching down Threadneedle St ,The side of the Bank of England in the city of London. As one or two may remember I wos drafted in to make up the Numbers for that March past,Three weeks lerning the snear drum the day before the parade I coped a clronet, My Mum & DAD ware amazed to see me blowing my way on the stick in my Gob Thatwas Majick.!!!. for get the spell check I like it that Way!!. K F,
ReplyDeleteAnother recall I have when Larzac Is mentioned concerns England winning the World Cup. I can't honestly remember that we had anything like the modern-day obsession with the event. Subsequent to my little adventure that I had on the French/Spanish border I travelled along the French coast stopping and camping as the mood took me. One day I set up my tent in a camp-site just outside the town of Frejus and was struck by the absence of people, though there were plenty of tents and caravans.I was sittng at my small table outside my tent when I saw a large number of people emerging fromthe Cafe area. When they reached my position I recognised their language as been German.Some of the crowd stopped and spoke to me. With their Little English and my little German It turned out that they had recognised my car number as that of BOAR.and asked if I was English. I answered in the affirmative
ReplyDelete, as I usualy did on such occassions,to keep things simple and so they wondered why I wasn't celebrating . I had no idea what they were on about until they told me that they had just been watching England win The World Cup.I then admitted that I was not English.They seemed happier at that and the incident developed into a super party.Perhaps they were drowning their sorrows. Among the party was this young wom....No. Forgot I mentioned that.
Paddy
And I remember watching the final in Detmold-waiting to go to Smuts Barracks at Spandau in Berlin! I watched the final in one of the pubs/gastehauses in the town, I don't recall the name, surrounded by Germans, but I don't think there was a TV available in the Camp at Hobart - must have been somewhere, but I think you're right - it wasn't such a big deal as now! I don't even remember what the atmosphere was like squashed in among the Germans!
ReplyDelete24056701 Bandsman Paul Graver 65-69 69-72 RHG/D band purchased discharge due to insufficient funds to support my family.Did the Larzac trip,remembering( not with affection),the fat lady who kept taking a little girl to the toilet and alsmost crushing us as she tried to get past. Straw filled bedding,sharing accomodation with rats.Concerts in the villages,marching in a catholic procession up and down a mountain in 30 deg heat in Blues,boots and spurs.Travelling down the mountain in a 3 tonner with inches to spare. Joe Fisher driving and Jim Meikle spewing up as he looked over the side at the steep drop. Zoot never felt a thing re being uncomfortable as he was pissed most of the time. He also played his best while under the influence.I have photos somewhere of him.
ReplyDeleteWhen the cup final was on some of the band were in a pub in town and you could feel the tension amongs the locals as we got towards the last five minutes so we got as close to the door as possible and when England scored Bill Baines stuck his fingers up at the Krauts and 10 of us sqeezed through the doors and did a runner.
ReplyDeleteAh yes-the joys of Larzac! Be honest - it WAS an experience, and by God, the bread was good (I eat it everyday now) - Not sure whether it was Bandsman Paul who tried chatting ujp the young lady, Kathleen (Kate) from the "Sally Bash" Detmold, who later became my wife for 24 years! She always menaced me with him!
ReplyDeleteCould be,I was always there helping in the kitchen or clearing tables.I used to have Sunday dinners with the Salvation Army people who ran it.Do you have a picture of Kate.? my e mail is pgra4658@bigpond.net.au
ReplyDeleteregards.
Having seen a picture of Kate on your site Ian,I cant say that I remember her.It could have been Paul Martin who was also in the band or Paul (Taff) Williams. My belated Condolences to you.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
ReplyDeleteYes I can't recall 100% what the name was! A bandsman - that's for sure - but he didn't win anyway!
What was the attraction for all these bandsmen at the Sally Bash anyway - the good cooking....?
Something that always puzzled me,8 choices of menu in the Dining Hall in camp,and the guys in the Sally PAYING for the privilage of eating beans on toast for lunch!Odd 'eh!!!
ReplyDelete----
Don
No-I never understood it either. Independence or something. Mind you, they didn't risk having their fingers hacked off by a raging Wally Magill for pinching an extra slice of bacon! The only time I used the Sally was on exercise, they seemed to be the only ones able to get hot tea and coffee together with rolls and things out onto the plains of Soltau, for Naafi break at 1000hrs!
ReplyDeleteActually, I've never tasted anything quite as bad as those sausages that seemed to have no skin from the Sally - once was enough for me! On the other hand - if I could only lay my hands on a few tins of that "compo" pudding - Appled or Apricot in a sort of suet dumpling - I loved the stuff, hot or cold, but it doesn't seem to exist in "Civvy Street".
Ah - McGill,great Regtl cook when sober though,and in the Echelon could produce some great "in the field"meals.Seemed to spend a lot of time either taking off or sewing on a stripe of maybe two?I remember those skinless sausages too,think they made 'em from Spam?
ReplyDelete----
Don
spam...? It's made from PEOPLE isn't it?
ReplyDeleteMcGill, an unforgetable character
ReplyDeletePaddy
the member "kjfairey" tells us he has a photo of Wally" and he'll be posting it later in the year.
ReplyDelete