photo's kindly sent to me by John Matthew
Saturday, 19 September 2009
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
R I P MAJ STANLEY N KENT -PAYNE
I am saddened to announce the passing of 376806 Major Stanley N Kent-Payne (89) who served with The 1st Royal Dragoons (The Royals) from December 1936 to December 1966. He died on 7 September 2009. His funeral service will be held on Friday, 18 September 2009 at 1230 hrs at Tidworth Garrison Church. Members of the Association are welcome to attend the service if they are able.
THE ROYAL DRAGOONS REGIMENTAL COLLECT
O God, in whose sight all creatures are manifest and to who eyes all things that are open, grant that the works Thou requirest of the 1st The Royal Dragoons may never be done to be seen of men, but always for Thy Glory, and that, waiting on Thee to renew our strength, we mount up with the wings as eagles at thy word, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(TOBIAS,1930)
PF Stretton
Major (Ret'd)
fr
Sunday, 13 September 2009
Wedding Anniversary
To Patrick and Shirley,
Wishing you both a very happy wedding anniversary tomorrow the 14th from the BB. admin
BIRTHDAY
Happy birthday tomorrow Monday 14th to Peter Strachen with best wishes and hope you have a good one.
Thursday, 10 September 2009
DAVID GREER
Welcome to the BB Dave sure hope you enjoy looking around.
please fill in ur profile.
also let us have your service details so members know who you are,
will talk later DAVE
regards DEREK
please fill in ur profile.
also let us have your service details so members know who you are,
will talk later DAVE
regards DEREK
Monday, 31 August 2009
cpl derick rose.
a few years ago whilst at a nieces wedding I met an ex royal an uncle of the groom his name is derrick rose he last served if I remember rightly at a TA unit under capt Bucknall he is now in his 80's and seems he is feeling his age. any one remember him he lives in bournemouth.he might even be online I' ll try and find out frank.c
Keith Shaw
Welcome Keith to the BB, Keith is a mate of Brian Ingrams. Keith joined the Royals in 1956 at Wesendorf, served as batman to Capt Bucknall until he left and then served rest of time with Major Fielden M.C we hope Keith that you find a few old pals on the BB.
Sunday, 30 August 2009
Friday, 28 August 2009
Thursday, 27 August 2009
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
Monday, 24 August 2009
WHY
BARACK OBAMA S --step mother was visiting BRITAIN from KENYA when she had kidney failure and spent TWO months being treated in a NHS hospital ,She said she was lucky it happened in BRITAIN.
Since then she has come to live here and has recieved TWO hip replacements ,
It would normally take years for someone born here.????
WHY DO WE LET THIS HAPPEN?
Since then she has come to live here and has recieved TWO hip replacements ,
It would normally take years for someone born here.????
WHY DO WE LET THIS HAPPEN?
Sunday, 23 August 2009
WELCOME STEVE SHAUGHNESSY
welcome to the BB STEVE HOPE YOU ENJOY IT AND FIND YOUR WAY AROUND STEVE was in B sqn 1966-1969 poor lad had me as his SSM
REGARDS DEREK
Birthday
Happy birthday to Stan Whitworth for Wednesday I have put it up today as I will be away next week so I hope you have a good one Stan with best wishes.
Johnie 68
Saturday, 22 August 2009
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
Birthday
Happy belated birthday to Terry Lyons, I hope that you have had a good one, I will have one for you later.
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Neil Michelagnoli
Welcome to the BB Neil, I see that you have found a few old comrades, if you have any problems with the site just shout up and we will help you out if it is possible.
Monday, 17 August 2009
King George's visit.
Last days with the Royals before posting to Aldershot as instructor to Mons OTC.The visit of King George to the sgt's Mess 5th December 1950 ....any survivors of that event?
......................................................N.Michelagnoli.
Thursday, 13 August 2009
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
FRANK CARTER
HI FRANK Welcome to the ROYALS BB.could you please fill in you profile so the members know who you are.i am sure youwill find some old mates
Thursday, 6 August 2009
Harry Patch
There is a recording that you can download off the net entitled Harry Patch (in memory of ) it cost £1, with profits going to the Royal British Legion, If you are interested put in to your bowser ( Radiohead) and you will be able to download it from there.
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
looking for help
sorry for not responding in the past to colleagues who left messages for me. I had given up on this internet business but I have decided to try again. One problem I have is to get photos on the site .when i try to upload them i can't.but i have got them into my part of multiply. any help would be greatly appreciated
Monday, 3 August 2009
Sunday, 2 August 2009
Thursday, 30 July 2009
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
The Union Jack Badge
Come sign the petition to allow the police to wear the Union Flag badge at Heathrow. Some nimby has taken offence at a policeman wearing the said badge. Proceeds from the sale of this badge goes towards helping wounded soldiers.
Sign the petion at:- http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/PoliceUniform/
Monday, 27 July 2009
Birthday
Many happy returns to Mike de Carteret for tomorrow 28th July, with all best wishes from the team here on the the 1st Royal Dragoons site. Have a good one.
Sunday, 26 July 2009
Harry Patch - The last fighting soldier of The Great War.
It was with great sadness that I heard of the passing of Harry Patch. He was of course the last British soldier of the Great War, wounded at Passchendaele, Ypres in 1917. I had the very great honour of meeting Harry at his care home in Wells, Somerset in August 2006. Harry signed a book for me and allowed me to take some pictures, which I would like to share with you all. Rest in Peace Harry.
Saturday, 25 July 2009
RAY LEANEY
Ray welcome to the bulletin board i hope you find your way around ok.any problems please email John Atkins
regards DEREK
Friday, 24 July 2009
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
A copy of a letter sent to John Matthew that I have received today from Paul Stretton owing to the original not being readable
On behalf of the Commander Household Cavalry, Colonel WT Browne LVO and all ranks of the Household Cavalry, thank you very much for your donation to The Household Cavalry Operational Casualties Fund of £70 collected at the recent 1st The Royal Dragoons Waterloo Reunion.
As you know the Household Cavalry Regiment - known for its ceremonial and State duties - also performs an active, and vital role in armoured reconnaissance.
However well-trained and disciplined its soldiers may be, modern warfare (especially against insurgencies) can and does sometimes lead to injury and death - all too often from a stray sniper, or a hidden roadside bomb.
The Household Cavalry Regiment, which has seen service in both Iraq and Afghanistan over recent years, has lost some of its soldiers this way, with others injured - some of them severely. Like any other extended family, the Regiment cares for those who are injured, and for the families of its soldiers who lose their lives in the service of Queen and country.
To this end, the Household Cavalry Operational Casualties Fund has been set up. It is centrally controlled and held within the Household Cavalry Central Charitable Fund (Charity No: 1013978), overseen by a board of trustees, and intended to help all those who are wounded in future deployments - or to help families of those killed.
The Household Cavalry Regiment is very grateful and thanks you for your donation and appreciates the continued loyalty and support that you show towards the Regiment; this does not go unrecognised by the serving officers and soldiers.
Yours sincerely
Maj (Ret’d) Paul Stretton
Regimental Secretary
As you know the Household Cavalry Regiment - known for its ceremonial and State duties - also performs an active, and vital role in armoured reconnaissance.
However well-trained and disciplined its soldiers may be, modern warfare (especially against insurgencies) can and does sometimes lead to injury and death - all too often from a stray sniper, or a hidden roadside bomb.
The Household Cavalry Regiment, which has seen service in both Iraq and Afghanistan over recent years, has lost some of its soldiers this way, with others injured - some of them severely. Like any other extended family, the Regiment cares for those who are injured, and for the families of its soldiers who lose their lives in the service of Queen and country.
To this end, the Household Cavalry Operational Casualties Fund has been set up. It is centrally controlled and held within the Household Cavalry Central Charitable Fund (Charity No: 1013978), overseen by a board of trustees, and intended to help all those who are wounded in future deployments - or to help families of those killed.
The Household Cavalry Regiment is very grateful and thanks you for your donation and appreciates the continued loyalty and support that you show towards the Regiment; this does not go unrecognised by the serving officers and soldiers.
Yours sincerely
Maj (Ret’d) Paul Stretton
Regimental Secretary
Monday, 20 July 2009
Saturday, 18 July 2009
Thursday, 16 July 2009
Royals Reunion
Here's the 1st part of my pic's collection, As you can see C Squadron & Recce Troop were well represented.
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Royal Dragoons postcards
Here is a small collection of postcards that I have to the Royal Dragoons. Most are from the Boer War - WW1 period. Thought I would put them here on the site for anyone to take a look.
John S
Sunday, 12 July 2009
TOM CAROLAN
Welcome to the BB Tom hope you find your way around.any problems im sure JOHN A will help you out
regards DEREK
Saturday, 11 July 2009
Mr Hamilton-Russell
I have phoned Mrs Hamilton- Russell this morning to find out how Col Hamilton Russell is doing now as we do not seem to have made enquiries for a long time, I was told that he is making good progress and has recently been on holiday to his daughters, and I was asked if I would send everyone his regards and that he appreciates that we are thinking of him.
John A
John A
Friday, 10 July 2009
mobile phones
Maybe you have heard about this but early next week all UK mobiles will be on a directory which will mean that anyone will be able to access the numbers. It is easy to unsubscribe but it must be done before the beginning of next week to make sure that you are ex directory. We have all unsubscribed and you may want to suggest it to all your friends and family who have UK mobiles or they could be swamped by unsolicited messages and calls. Removal is recommended by the BBC – see link below.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/working_lunch/8091621.stm
Just done this myself. Double checked it wasn’t a scam and it is actually on the BBC website recommending to do this.
The Directory of Mobile Phone numbers goes live next week.
All numbers including those belonging to children will be open to cold calling and the general abuse that less scrupulous
You will need your mobile as you will get a number sent to you that you put into your phone.
You can remove your number from this list, and tell all your friends - especially those with children who have mobile phones. I personally believe my mobile number is private and I should be able to chose who I give it to - none of us agreed to this when we signed our mobile phone contracts.
*********************************************************************************
http://www.118800.co.uk/removeme/remove-me.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/working_lunch/8091621.stm
Just done this myself. Double checked it wasn’t a scam and it is actually on the BBC website recommending to do this.
The Directory of Mobile Phone numbers goes live next week.
All numbers including those belonging to children will be open to cold calling and the general abuse that less scrupulous
You will need your mobile as you will get a number sent to you that you put into your phone.
You can remove your number from this list, and tell all your friends - especially those with children who have mobile phones. I personally believe my mobile number is private and I should be able to chose who I give it to - none of us agreed to this when we signed our mobile phone contracts.
*********************************************************************************
http://www.118800.co.uk/removeme/remove-me.html
Thursday, 9 July 2009
Ron, Frank and Me
Our visit to see Ron DARLING at the Chelsea Pensioners home in London on Tuesday 7 July 2009.
Saturday, 4 July 2009
Reunion2010
I have just received an Email from Jim Aitchison's wife with ref to the B&B that she and Jim used this year if anyone is interested, Barbara has informed me that it was a very nice place. and that the lady there was having some work done on the accommodation. This is only about 10 minutes by taxi to the Premier
the accommodation has :-
2 DOUBLE ROOMS}
1 TWIN } £55 pppn
1 SINGLE}
The Address:-
Mrs Sandra Ryder
Old Rectory
Mavesyn Ridware
Lichfield
WS15 0QE
Tele no 01543490792
the accommodation has :-
2 DOUBLE ROOMS}
1 TWIN } £55 pppn
1 SINGLE}
The Address:-
Mrs Sandra Ryder
Old Rectory
Mavesyn Ridware
Lichfield
WS15 0QE
Tele no 01543490792
Daimler armoured fighting vehicles
An interesting post from the NMBVA forum:
Use of Daimler armoured fighting vehicles by the forces in Malaya.
Dear Sirs
I am in the fortunate position of being the owner of a 1944 Daimler Dingo Scout car and also a 1942 Daimler Armoured car. Both vehicles have been restored to road worthy condition and are now used for military re-inacting and charity collecting through out the south east of England.
In September 09 they will be driven to Arnhem in commemoration of the 65th anniversary of Operation Market garden and have been appropriately marked with the insignia of the Household Cavalry and Guards Armoured Corps
The private owners of these rare vehicle have clubbed together and I am responsible for the research into the vehicle historic use.
I would be very great full therefore if any of your ex servicemen would like to share any stories or experiences of interest regarding these vehicles.
In addition we would especially be interested in seeing any photos’ of the cars in service. Photos can be used to check that we have accurately kitted out the cars as they would have been in the past. And also to sometimes to obtain a picture of surviving cars with there service unit.
Sadly the WD records were mostly destroyed when the cars left service
Thanks for you valuable assistance
Regards
Mr Stjohn Ager
singeager@hotmail.com
Kent. UK.
http://pub5.bravenet.com/forum/static/show.php?usernum=409356283&frmid=50&msgid=967007&cmd=show
Use of Daimler armoured fighting vehicles by the forces in Malaya.
Dear Sirs
I am in the fortunate position of being the owner of a 1944 Daimler Dingo Scout car and also a 1942 Daimler Armoured car. Both vehicles have been restored to road worthy condition and are now used for military re-inacting and charity collecting through out the south east of England.
In September 09 they will be driven to Arnhem in commemoration of the 65th anniversary of Operation Market garden and have been appropriately marked with the insignia of the Household Cavalry and Guards Armoured Corps
The private owners of these rare vehicle have clubbed together and I am responsible for the research into the vehicle historic use.
I would be very great full therefore if any of your ex servicemen would like to share any stories or experiences of interest regarding these vehicles.
In addition we would especially be interested in seeing any photos’ of the cars in service. Photos can be used to check that we have accurately kitted out the cars as they would have been in the past. And also to sometimes to obtain a picture of surviving cars with there service unit.
Sadly the WD records were mostly destroyed when the cars left service
Thanks for you valuable assistance
Regards
Mr Stjohn Ager
singeager@hotmail.com
Kent. UK.
http://pub5.bravenet.com/forum/static/show.php?usernum=409356283&frmid=50&msgid=967007&cmd=show
Friday, 3 July 2009
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
PREMIER INN
I was intouch with the INN this morning and they said they have only 6rooms left for the 19th june 2010..so be quick
Birthday
Happy Birthday to Dougie Best for tomorrow 2nd July, hoping you have a good day and don't have too much of the hard stuff, all the best to Mr Best.
Monday, 29 June 2009
Tony Boon
Tony, Welcome to the BB pleased to see that you have joined us again from Aus, any probs we are here to help.
John A
Sunday, 28 June 2009
Quiery posted by John Sullivan
Hi John, thanks for your message. No problem in the delay....you are clearly very busy indeed with planning for next years reunion, which I am hoping to get my dad to attend ( along with me if permitted? ). Sort of getting on with the site a bit better now but I will certainly ask for help as and when I get stuck.
Changing the subject, who would know about what happened to all the items that were on display at what was the Household Cavalry Museum at Combemere Barracks? Took my dad there a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. I went to the new museum at Horseguards recently and have to confess to being somewhat disappointed. Where have all the displays gone and can the items still be viewed somewhere?
Hope you can help. All the best for now,
John Sullivan
Changing the subject, who would know about what happened to all the items that were on display at what was the Household Cavalry Museum at Combemere Barracks? Took my dad there a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. I went to the new museum at Horseguards recently and have to confess to being somewhat disappointed. Where have all the displays gone and can the items still be viewed somewhere?
Hope you can help. All the best for now,
John Sullivan
Stan Whitworth
On behalf of the members I would like to thank Stan for coming to the Aboretum to carry the British Legion Standard at the service for old comrades on the HC site.
John A
John A
Bryn Furber
May I on behalf of the members that were at the Reunion service at the Arboretum thank Bryn for coming from Wiltshire and playing the trumpet for us, Once again many thanks Bryn it was I am sure very much appreciated by all that were in attendance.
John A
John A
Saturday, 27 June 2009
JOHN SULLIVAN
Welcome to JOHN SULLIVAN the son of FRANK who served from 1964/70 later years 68/70 in Bsqdn any of the sqdn remember him
Friday, 26 June 2009
2010 REUNION
| Start: | Jun 19, '10 2:00p |
| End: | Jun 20, '10 |
Premier Inn
Fine Lane
Fradley
lichfield
Staffordshire
WR13 8RD
Tele: 0870 990 6438
please book early as rooms are going quick.
Can members please Email john.richard67@blueyonder.co.uk when they have booked a room so that they can be put on our list.
Thursday, 25 June 2009
Welcome to Irene1000
Welcome Irene to the BB you are member 105 which is as all Royal Dragoons know is on the Eagle badge. hope you can find your way around the site ok. Irene is Ted Worts daughter.
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Monday, 22 June 2009
Reunion
Ladies and Gentlemen,
May I please as the Webmaster sincerely apologise to John Matthew during my presentation to Derek for not thanking him for all the work that he put in setting up the reunion, I am sure you will all like to join me in saying thank you to John at this late stage. May I now say that I hope that everyone there enjoyed the evening and met up with old friends, it was nice to see that we were joined also by friends from overseas that were able to attend, I will sometime soon put for a proposal for maybe doing the same next year.
John A
May I please as the Webmaster sincerely apologise to John Matthew during my presentation to Derek for not thanking him for all the work that he put in setting up the reunion, I am sure you will all like to join me in saying thank you to John at this late stage. May I now say that I hope that everyone there enjoyed the evening and met up with old friends, it was nice to see that we were joined also by friends from overseas that were able to attend, I will sometime soon put for a proposal for maybe doing the same next year.
John A
Sunday, 21 June 2009
Friday, 19 June 2009
Guard of Honour Sgt. Titmarsh's Wedding. Ely, Cambs. Circa 1959?
Front left, Stan. Right, Pat Burgess with Gerodie Nixon behind
Note: The Band always wore white plumes! This dates back to at least 1890 in the picture below. Only in the mid 1960's did it change to black.
Thursday, 18 June 2009
'C' Squadron Night - Herford - Christmas 1958
Names Please - and don't be shy!!!!!
TWO MORE PHOTOS ADDED - PETE & SGT PLUMB!
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Photo's problem.
Gentlemen there now seems to be a problem with loading photo's onto the site as it is putting them up in as Draft form, it also says that there is an error on the page, I have sent a message to multiply asking what the problem is and I will let you know when they get back to me.
Sunday, 14 June 2009
Welcome page
Gentlemen we seem to have a problem with the welcome page, you will notice that you have to scroll nearly all the way up, I have contacted Multiply to find out what the problem is and to see if they can rectify it so I ask you all to bear with me until I get a reply, I hope that this will not inconvenience you all too much.
John A
John A
Monday, 8 June 2009
Sunday, 7 June 2009
BOWLER HAT BRIGADE
Come on now you guys get your BOWLERS dusted i hope to see some of you all dressed to kill im GOING TO WEAR MINE on the service parade at the NMA
Saturday, 6 June 2009
Friday, 5 June 2009
LES HARTY
Les welcome to the BB hope you can find your way around it.please put ur service dates on here and im sure there will be members that remember you.regards DEREK
Thursday, 4 June 2009
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
Emails
Brian, Can you get your Emails sorted as we have been trying to get you but your yahoo keeps bouncing back.
Johnie 68
train guard 2
January 1, 2002
by Michael Crossling
Every month when I visit my local pharmacist to pick up a supply of prescription drugs I am obliged to either sit or stand next to the dispensing counter that features a large display of condoms. The display is usually stocked with 27 varieties of what used to come in one package only. The present-day packages of these Protection For The Use Ofs defy imagination and bear no resemblance to the plain packages that were made available to members of the British armed forces in Germany during the 1950s.
In the latter part of that decade, my unit, 1st The Royal Dragoons, was stationed approximately 100 kilometres southeast of Hamburg at a place called Wesendorf. I was a young lance-corporal at the time and whenever any of us in the unit wanted to leave camp or barracks on a pass–whether in uniform or civvies–we had to visit the guardroom for inspection and registration. At all times there was a large box of Protection For The Use Ofs located within easy and free reach. Those of a bragging and macho nature would take a double handful and wave them in the air for all to see. The shrinking violet types would take just one or two and then discreetly shove them into their pocket.
However, it needs to be stated that our use of the condom went well beyond the manufacturer’s intended use, and this partly explains why some guys walked away from the guardroom with pockets loaded.
One such practical use was tied to our use of armoured vehicles for training schemes and border patrols. Many of the vehicles were manned by inexperienced drivers who would get into some pretty bad accidents. For that and other reasons we kept an abundant supply of morphine tubes for use as painkillers.
The tubes–complete with needle and cap–were scattered in all kinds of places, especially in tool boxes, ammunition storage fittings and map cases. The problem was they got dirty fast and had to be thrown out because even an inexperienced young soldier knew it was not a good idea to jab a dirty needle into a buddy needing medical help. The answer was to drop the morphine tube into a Protection For The Use Of and then tie up the end. This was a simple step that kept the tube clean and greatly reduced the number of resupply requests to the medics.
The Protection For The Use Ofs were also used to protect our weapons from rain and dirt. Indeed, one pulled tightly over and down the muzzle of a rifle would reduce the time you’d normally spend cleaning the weapon. And if fitted correctly, a Protection For The Use Of would be hard to see at night by the ever-patrolling orderly officer. You could also use a condom to cover the muzzle and just about all the chambers of a revolver. This again would cut down on the cleaning time. If put on to a revolver after evening guard inspection, a Protection For The Use Of would remain unnoticed in your holster for the rest of guard duty.
It wasn’t until I did train guard duty from Helmstedt to Berlin that I got caught misusing a Protection For The Use Of. I remember it was a cold wintery night and the train was being stopped frequently by the Russians. This was really annoying because the Russians kept demanding to see everybody’s identification papers.
My job during these long delays was to stand at an open door and allow no one to pass. In my best bulled-up battledress, I stood at ease with a rifle, face to face with my Russian counterpart who would be standing outside the train on the station platform armed with a fully belt-loaded machine-gun. I was not to move a muscle or crack a smile on pain of court martial.
What the young Russian didn’t know was that my .303 rifle wasn’t loaded, and that the bandolier of ammunition across my shoulders was sealed and couldn’t be opened without direct orders from the train major who was many cars away.
As the long winter night grew stormier, snow blew in through the open door at every stop. Not wanting to get snow down my rifle barrel, I quietly slipped a Protection For The Use Of over the muzzle.
Many stops later–almost to Berlin–the train major arrived and while squeezing past me in the corridor, noticed the Protection For The Use Of over the muzzle. Without hesitation he gave me a good dressing down, and finished by saying every Allied soldier must do his part by showing the Russians that we were “smart, tough and prepared for them.”
The matter would have ended there if I hadn’t snapped back: “Yes sir, but I hear the Russians have women soldiers!” This, indeed, was a lesson in how not to influence an officer while winning extra guard duty.
Bookmark and share this article: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
FeaturesCanadian Military History in Perspective
Canada & the Victoria Cross
by Michael Crossling
Every month when I visit my local pharmacist to pick up a supply of prescription drugs I am obliged to either sit or stand next to the dispensing counter that features a large display of condoms. The display is usually stocked with 27 varieties of what used to come in one package only. The present-day packages of these Protection For The Use Ofs defy imagination and bear no resemblance to the plain packages that were made available to members of the British armed forces in Germany during the 1950s.
In the latter part of that decade, my unit, 1st The Royal Dragoons, was stationed approximately 100 kilometres southeast of Hamburg at a place called Wesendorf. I was a young lance-corporal at the time and whenever any of us in the unit wanted to leave camp or barracks on a pass–whether in uniform or civvies–we had to visit the guardroom for inspection and registration. At all times there was a large box of Protection For The Use Ofs located within easy and free reach. Those of a bragging and macho nature would take a double handful and wave them in the air for all to see. The shrinking violet types would take just one or two and then discreetly shove them into their pocket.
However, it needs to be stated that our use of the condom went well beyond the manufacturer’s intended use, and this partly explains why some guys walked away from the guardroom with pockets loaded.
One such practical use was tied to our use of armoured vehicles for training schemes and border patrols. Many of the vehicles were manned by inexperienced drivers who would get into some pretty bad accidents. For that and other reasons we kept an abundant supply of morphine tubes for use as painkillers.
The tubes–complete with needle and cap–were scattered in all kinds of places, especially in tool boxes, ammunition storage fittings and map cases. The problem was they got dirty fast and had to be thrown out because even an inexperienced young soldier knew it was not a good idea to jab a dirty needle into a buddy needing medical help. The answer was to drop the morphine tube into a Protection For The Use Of and then tie up the end. This was a simple step that kept the tube clean and greatly reduced the number of resupply requests to the medics.
The Protection For The Use Ofs were also used to protect our weapons from rain and dirt. Indeed, one pulled tightly over and down the muzzle of a rifle would reduce the time you’d normally spend cleaning the weapon. And if fitted correctly, a Protection For The Use Of would be hard to see at night by the ever-patrolling orderly officer. You could also use a condom to cover the muzzle and just about all the chambers of a revolver. This again would cut down on the cleaning time. If put on to a revolver after evening guard inspection, a Protection For The Use Of would remain unnoticed in your holster for the rest of guard duty.
It wasn’t until I did train guard duty from Helmstedt to Berlin that I got caught misusing a Protection For The Use Of. I remember it was a cold wintery night and the train was being stopped frequently by the Russians. This was really annoying because the Russians kept demanding to see everybody’s identification papers.
My job during these long delays was to stand at an open door and allow no one to pass. In my best bulled-up battledress, I stood at ease with a rifle, face to face with my Russian counterpart who would be standing outside the train on the station platform armed with a fully belt-loaded machine-gun. I was not to move a muscle or crack a smile on pain of court martial.
What the young Russian didn’t know was that my .303 rifle wasn’t loaded, and that the bandolier of ammunition across my shoulders was sealed and couldn’t be opened without direct orders from the train major who was many cars away.
As the long winter night grew stormier, snow blew in through the open door at every stop. Not wanting to get snow down my rifle barrel, I quietly slipped a Protection For The Use Of over the muzzle.
Many stops later–almost to Berlin–the train major arrived and while squeezing past me in the corridor, noticed the Protection For The Use Of over the muzzle. Without hesitation he gave me a good dressing down, and finished by saying every Allied soldier must do his part by showing the Russians that we were “smart, tough and prepared for them.”
The matter would have ended there if I hadn’t snapped back: “Yes sir, but I hear the Russians have women soldiers!” This, indeed, was a lesson in how not to influence an officer while winning extra guard duty.
Bookmark and share this article: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
FeaturesCanadian Military History in Perspective
Canada & the Victoria Cross
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