Welcome to the BB Harold hope you find your way around ok.just enjoy what you see mate. Harold is one of the old timers WOLFENBUTTEL 1948 l/cpl in B Sqn.will let him tell you more regards derek
Ah yes,Bunny was quite a lad,but dicipline was dicipline in those days,and I can imagine how Bobs first meeting with him went!Jock Plumbley used to roll us up with his imitations of Bunny! ------- Don
Also I had come from a Royal Signals training squadron where the COs greeting to new intakes was " the army has done its best to turn you into soldiers my job is to turn you into radio mechanics" . Having said that I enjoyed my time with Royals . Bob
Thanks lads, for all your welcoming messages! I was in B Sqn 1949/50. Bunny certainly was the SSM! Did my time (NS) at Wolfenbuttel. Was there when NS increased from 18months to 2 years, did 19 months. Some long faces! Field Marshall's baton eluded me, but I got a tape - extra 6d.a day! Harold
Ah,but that sixpence was worth something in those days,as I recall it bought you a snifter of any tot you could name!
I've got sixpence Jolly,jolly sixpence I've got sixpence To last me all my life I've got twopence to spend And twopence to lend And twopence to take home to my wife! ----- Don
Did you know Sgt."Champ" Harwood in HQ. Sqn? He taught me Morse Code to pass 2nd.Class Wireless OP. for another tanner a day! Nearly enough for a pint of beer in the NAAFI, or, being in B Sqn., a tin of Kiwi ! Harold.Alias Chiffchaff.
Harold, I can't remember a Sgt. 'Champ' Harwood but if you look back you'll see mention of a Cpl.'Champ' H on the site(Or was it on the other one? He was something of an artist.Maybe it's the same chap who got promoted but I've forgotten. Paddy
Don you got that right KEN DICK was a pal of mine he ended up as SGT not sure if he was promoted to SQMS.he left the army just has his promotion was due
Funny thing,all this talk on Ken Dick brought him back to mind and I can remember what he looked like.Maybe its all these great minds getting together that does it? -------- Don
Champ Harwood transferred to the Scots Greys, who were then, I think, at Luneberg. My Troop Sgt.was "Skip" Edwards who later became RSM. B Sqn.C.O. was Major Graham, then Major MacDonald. 2 I/C was Capt.Barker. some of the junior Officers were Bradish-Ellames, Wilkinson, Farrand, Hanmer and Bruce-Gardyne. the latter became M.P. for Knutsford, but is no longer with us. Harold.
Paddy, Delboy & Don, Nice to hear from you lads! Don, I don't remember the cream horns. The wife says that if I get Alzheimers she'll never know, "I told you that yesterday!" If anyone knows any of my old mates, please let me know - Eric Joule, Robert "Jock" Weir, Tom Robinson, Boxer Lewis, Geoff Phillips, Dave Evans55, Eric was the 5&7 man,
Ah,brings back the old days,but Harold,you MUST have had a cream horn in the NAAFI(I don't mean the type you got from looking at Tante Lena)I remember we used to be skint for NAAFI break by Wednesday,and hope you met Percy Partridge who always had spare cash in his BD. -------- Don
Now there's a thought Don. Percy Partridge. My recollections of him was that he was rather of big build but fat rather than muscular and there was a problem of gettng him through an OCTU in as much as in some quarters he was thought to be of officer material. To help his cause he was quickly promoted to A/Sgt and was Provost Sgt in Berlin. Am I right? Paddy
Theres a few old names come up. i remember most of them . Eric Joule was Signal Sgt in EGYPT he was posted to Bovington in 1953 and never returned to the REGT dont know about the others. Percy Partridge was the only soldier i knew who never did a GUARD he always got STICKMAN. very smart lad and as Paddy said promoted very quick to SGT.
Percy was in my Squad at 57 Tng Regt,and daddy used to visit him every weekend in the Rolls,very generous guy at NAAFI breaks when one was skint.I know the Regiment did everything to try and keep him,but in the end he left.He used to get a guy by the name of Morris to bull his kit,closely guarded secret how much he got.Morris had size 3 booties,never seen such "bulled" boots as those,and he and Percy never did a guard between them!There was some reason why he was not commisioned,but never found out why!I remember we had a guy who always took the mickey out of Percy,one day Percy saw red and floored him in one! ------- Don
Thanks for the "update" on Eric Joule. He was a Manchester lad, but whether he returned to this area after he finished his service remains a mystery. He was a very good ballroom dancer, and some years ago I saw his picture in a magazine gaining an award of some sort. Harold. .
I still don't remember the (edible) cream horns. I remember little Mimi in the Naafi, and Louise. Cpl. "Jungle Drums" Hamilton was very friendly with Louise. I don't remember Percy Partridge and it appears it was not wise to upset him! I had a certain Arms Storeman in my room, a jock, who was fond of a wee dram and was usually skint by Friday night.He would come in late, wake us all up and offer us all that remained of his worldly goods, and a battleship and demand them all back next morning, (except the Battleship!) Harold.
Harold i lost count on the number of times i was woke up and asked if i wanted to buy a Battleship. i have put up a couple of phot,s wonder if you remember any of the lads.will give you a clue Ken Dick is on them
Harold, Tante Lena was the big girl with the steamy lips,she tried hard for a husband from the Royals but had no takers!If you did not recall those (edible)cream horns,do you recall those custard slices with the icing on top,when I think what I once ate at NAAFI break(when I had the lolly)then I wonder how I kept my young,slim,looks(well,you know what I mean)And we used to have a guy in our room by the name of Appleby(old soldier)who loved the battleship wakeup,he used to come in at all hours(over the wire)and had the objectionable habit of widdling over someone in bed,opening the steel locker doors,and leaving his knuckle marks in the metal.As he did a regular 28days in the brig for associating with naughty gals anyone christened by him was at theP&C the next morning!Ah yes,memories are made of this! ---- Don
Don, I remember the Vanilla Slices, still a favourite from our local baker's. The Jock in question, when he was Arms Storeman, (a big mistake!) got kaylied on New Year's Eve, collected a .22 and ammo. and went round the quadrangle in nothing but his shirt in the snow and started taking potshots at any lighted windows! I think he got 28 days in Bielefeld. They dumped him in my room when he came out. He was very sociable when he'd had a few drinks, but otherwise he could be described as "dour"! Harold
Harold, Talking of ´22s reminded me,at Wolfenbüttel I acquired a Mauser ´22 rifle for 50 fags on the black market.I was very interested in small bore shooting and it was good fun especially with the 22 tracer training ammo.It was registered and kept in the arms store,come to think about it I never knew what happened to it after,own up you guys,whose got my Mauser? -------- Don
How long was he with b squadron i joined b squadron in egypt 1951.
ReplyDeleteWELCOME to the ROYALS BB hope you find some old mates
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the BB Harold
ReplyDeleteGreetings.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Harold,I was in HQ Sqn in 1948 - NINETEEN FORTY EIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!Takes some thinking back on,tell us about yourself!
ReplyDelete-------
Don
PS were you a NS man?
Hi! Harold. Another 'Oldie', Welcome. Was 'Bunny' Austin SSm 'B' Sqn. in your day?
ReplyDeletePaddy
welcome Harold,B squadron 1948 was my first introduction to the Royals. Paddy ,Bunny
ReplyDeleteAustin was SSM then . Never forget my first encounter.
Bob
Ah yes,Bunny was quite a lad,but dicipline was dicipline in those days,and I can imagine how Bobs first meeting with him went!Jock Plumbley used to roll us up with his imitations of Bunny!
ReplyDelete-------
Don
He was a disciplinarian !
ReplyDeleteAlso I had come from a Royal Signals training squadron where the COs greeting to new
ReplyDeleteintakes was " the army has done its best to turn you into soldiers my job is to turn you into
radio mechanics" . Having said that I enjoyed my time with Royals .
Bob
Thanks lads, for all your welcoming messages! I was in B Sqn 1949/50. Bunny certainly was the SSM! Did my time (NS) at Wolfenbuttel. Was there when NS increased from 18months to 2 years, did 19 months. Some long faces! Field Marshall's baton eluded me, but I got a tape - extra 6d.a day!
ReplyDeleteHarold
Ah,but that sixpence was worth something in those days,as I recall it bought you a snifter of any tot you could name!
ReplyDeleteI've got sixpence
Jolly,jolly sixpence
I've got sixpence
To last me all my life
I've got twopence to spend
And twopence to lend
And twopence to take home to my wife!
-----
Don
Did you know Sgt."Champ" Harwood in HQ. Sqn? He taught me Morse Code to pass 2nd.Class Wireless OP. for another tanner a day! Nearly enough for a pint of beer in the NAAFI, or, being in B Sqn., a tin of Kiwi !
ReplyDeleteHarold.Alias Chiffchaff.
Harold, I can't remember a Sgt. 'Champ' Harwood but if you look back you'll see mention of a Cpl.'Champ' H on the site(Or was it on the other one? He was something of an artist.Maybe it's the same chap who got promoted but I've forgotten.
ReplyDeletePaddy
he was a regular visitor to our attic workshop in C sqadron ,anybody remember cpl Dick another gppd
ReplyDeletewireless instructor.
bob
The name Harwood definately rings a bell,and did we not once have an SQMS Dick(first name won't come)
ReplyDelete---------
Don
Ah now,found that guy Dick,he was a L/Cpl in 1948,now recall him as Ken?.
ReplyDelete--------
Don
Don you got that right KEN DICK was a pal of mine he ended up as SGT not sure if he was promoted to SQMS.he left the army just has his promotion was due
ReplyDeleteI too remember Ken Dick. A slightly built chap.Paddy.
ReplyDeleteFunny thing,all this talk on Ken Dick brought him back to mind and I can remember what he looked like.Maybe its all these great minds getting together that does it?
ReplyDelete--------
Don
i have a photo of Ken Dick i will put it up when i dig it out
ReplyDeletei have a photo of Ken Dick i will put it up when i dig it out
ReplyDeleteChamp Harwood transferred to the Scots Greys, who were then, I think, at Luneberg. My Troop Sgt.was "Skip" Edwards who later became RSM. B Sqn.C.O. was Major Graham, then Major MacDonald. 2 I/C was Capt.Barker. some of the junior Officers were Bradish-Ellames, Wilkinson, Farrand, Hanmer and Bruce-Gardyne. the latter became M.P. for Knutsford, but is no longer with us.
ReplyDeleteHarold.
What a memory!.
ReplyDeletePaddy
Thought i had a good memory but im sure Harold beats me
ReplyDeleteHarold,
ReplyDeleteAll those names except the last I remember well,as Paddy says,what a memory,must have been those cream horns at NAAFI break!
-----
Don
Paddy, Delboy & Don,
ReplyDeleteNice to hear from you lads! Don, I don't remember the cream horns. The wife says that if I get Alzheimers she'll never know, "I told you that yesterday!" If anyone knows any of my old mates, please let me know - Eric Joule, Robert "Jock" Weir, Tom Robinson, Boxer Lewis, Geoff Phillips, Dave Evans55, Eric was the 5&7 man,
Harold.
Ah,brings back the old days,but Harold,you MUST have had a cream horn in the NAAFI(I don't mean the type you got from looking at Tante Lena)I remember we used to be skint for NAAFI break by Wednesday,and hope you met Percy Partridge who always had spare cash in his BD.
ReplyDelete--------
Don
Now there's a thought Don. Percy Partridge. My recollections of him was that he was rather of big build but fat rather than muscular and there was a problem of gettng him through an OCTU in as much as in some quarters he was thought to be of officer material. To help his cause he was quickly promoted to A/Sgt and was Provost Sgt in Berlin. Am I right?
ReplyDeletePaddy
Theres a few old names come up. i remember most of them .
ReplyDeleteEric Joule was Signal Sgt in EGYPT he was posted to Bovington in 1953 and never returned to the REGT
dont know about the others.
Percy Partridge was the only soldier i knew who never did a GUARD he always got STICKMAN.
very smart lad and as Paddy said promoted very quick to SGT.
Percy was in my Squad at 57 Tng Regt,and daddy used to visit him every weekend in the Rolls,very generous guy at NAAFI breaks when one was skint.I know the Regiment did everything to try and keep him,but in the end he left.He used to get a guy by the name of Morris to bull his kit,closely guarded secret how much he got.Morris had size 3 booties,never seen such "bulled" boots as those,and he and Percy never did a guard between them!There was some reason why he was not commisioned,but never found out why!I remember we had a guy who always took the mickey out of Percy,one day Percy saw red and floored him in one!
ReplyDelete-------
Don
Thanks for the "update" on Eric Joule. He was a Manchester lad, but whether he returned to this area after he finished his service remains a mystery. He was a very good ballroom dancer, and some years ago I saw his picture in a magazine gaining an award of some sort.
ReplyDeleteHarold.
.
I still don't remember the (edible) cream horns. I remember little Mimi in the Naafi, and Louise. Cpl. "Jungle Drums" Hamilton was very friendly with Louise. I don't remember Percy Partridge and it appears it was not wise to upset him! I had a certain Arms Storeman in my room, a jock, who was fond of a wee dram and was usually skint by Friday night.He would come in late, wake us all up and offer us all that remained of his worldly goods, and a battleship and demand them all back next morning, (except the Battleship!) Harold.
ReplyDeleteHarold i lost count on the number of times i was woke up and asked if i wanted to buy a Battleship.
ReplyDeletei have put up a couple of phot,s wonder if you remember any of the lads.will give you a clue Ken Dick is on them
Harold,
ReplyDeleteTante Lena was the big girl with the steamy lips,she tried hard for a husband from the Royals but had no takers!If you did not recall those (edible)cream horns,do you recall those custard slices with the icing on top,when I think what I once ate at NAAFI break(when I had the lolly)then I wonder how I kept my young,slim,looks(well,you know what I mean)And we used to have a guy in our room by the name of Appleby(old soldier)who loved the battleship wakeup,he used to come in at all hours(over the wire)and had the objectionable habit of widdling over someone in bed,opening the steel locker doors,and leaving his knuckle marks in the metal.As he did a regular 28days in the brig for associating with naughty gals anyone christened by him was at theP&C the next morning!Ah yes,memories are made of this!
----
Don
Don, I remember the Vanilla Slices, still a favourite from our local baker's. The Jock in question, when he was Arms Storeman, (a big mistake!) got kaylied on New Year's Eve, collected a .22 and ammo. and went round the quadrangle in nothing but his shirt in the snow and started taking potshots at any lighted windows! I think he got 28 days in Bielefeld. They dumped him in my room when he came out. He was very sociable when he'd had a few drinks, but otherwise he could be described as "dour"!
ReplyDeleteHarold
Harold,
ReplyDeleteTalking of ´22s reminded me,at Wolfenbüttel I acquired a Mauser ´22 rifle for 50 fags on the black market.I was very interested in small bore shooting and it was good fun especially with the 22 tracer training ammo.It was registered and kept in the arms store,come to think about it I never knew what happened to it after,own up you guys,whose got my Mauser?
--------
Don