CCF STORIES/INSPECTIONS/CAMPS

[huntertitus]

Was it your wife......or "friendly fire" (!)

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

I suppose it is ok to reveal what I have written ,in reply to a PM --- If not, this will be deleted, by the Hon. Moderator !

My "Sam Browne" leather belt (With a cross strap -- for supporting sword) has a neat hole in the back of the belt.
I was inspecting targets on a .22 rifle range, when I received a bullet, through the belt, which lodged against my spine.

This was entirely my fault as, before proceeding to the targets I had NOT ensured that all the rifles had been "Cleared" and were lying on the Firing Point with the bolts OPEN.
A bullet can mis-fire and, remaining in the breech, build up enough pressure to fire eventually.
HENCE --- check the bolts are OPEN.
I went to the Medical Officer, who poked about in the wound -- and I fainted ! -- during which time he removed the bullet and showed it to me, with some pride -- that he had saved anaesthetic !
The same MO -- mad as a hatter --- won the George Medal for tending and removing Wounded, from an accident which distributed live greades and detonators from an area where they had been deposited from an overturned truck -- he was accompanied by a girl Nurse, who also got a GM (We were later an "Item" -- but not because of the GM -- she had far more important attributes !)

I have been wounded twice, the other one was in "Action" --- but since it occurred in my little Toe -------
I cannot boast about either !!!!

I believe that I have survived enemy fire --- due to the fact that the people who were shooting at me ---- has not been TRAINED by me !

[J.R.]

I suppose it is ok to reveal what I have written ,in reply to a PM --- If not, this will be deleted, by the Hon. Moderator !

My "Sam Browne" leather belt (With a cross strap -- for supporting sword) has a neat hole in the back of the belt.
I was inspecting targets on a .22 rifle range, when I received a bullet, through the belt, which lodged against my spine.

This was entirely my fault as, before proceeding to the targets I had NOT ensured that all the rifles had been "Cleared" and were lying on the Firing Point with the bolts OPEN.
A bullet can mis-fire and, remaining in the breech, build up enough pressure to fire eventually.
HENCE --- check the bolts are OPEN.
I went to the Medical Officer, who poked about in the wound -- and I fainted ! -- during which time he removed the bullet and showed it to me, with some pride -- that he had saved anaesthetic !
The same MO -- mad as a hatter --- won the George Medal for tending and removing Wounded, from an accident which distributed live greades and detonators from an area where they had been deposited from an overturned truck -- he was accompanied by a girl Nurse, who also got a GM (We were later an "Item" -- but not because of the GM -- she had far more important attributes !)

I have been wounded twice, the other one was in "Action" --- but since it occurred in my little Toe -------
I cannot boast about either !!!!

I believe that I have survived enemy fire --- due to the fact that the people who were shooting at me ---- has not been TRAINED by me !

Just think Neill !

If you'd been serving with the U.S. forces, that would have earnt you two Purple Hearts !

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

And I might have killed a lot more people --- mostly on our side !!!

[greg]

Field Day Inspection Summer 1990 (I think...) L-R: Dr Robin Mundill, David O'Meara, Andrew Gunning, unknown, Paula Haywood, not sure (possibly John Whitehouse?), & Ken Grimshaw.

Wow - what a flashback! I can remember seeing this exact line up in the flesh when I was at CH. I think I was either a third form or LE just itching to get into the CCF and observing the annual inspection from the cloisters. Your memory serves you correct, bar the 'unknown'. The line up was, L-R:

Robin Mundill (what did he teach? I am pretty sure he was the House Master of Col A); dear old DO'M who kept wearing his Royal Signals regalia; Andrew Gunning, who kept wearing his Queen's Regiment Regalia even though they no longer existed and was the greatest house master you could ever hope to have; your 'unknown' was Sean Mason who was my LE Physics teacher, and I think I am correct in saying who has just taken over as Head of the Science Department at CH - he was (and probably still is!) a great bloke; Paula Heywood - had forgotten all about her until I saw this photo, now have hazy recollections of an adolescent crush (let's move on); not sure if it was John Whitehouse - about right time frame and light blue serge uniform, but in my mind's eye he has less hair!; and of course who could forget Ken Grimshaw!

Thanks for posting this photo. Happy days!

[J.R.]

Nice to see you're still with us, Greg.

I bet your glad you're not out in Afghanistan !

Hows life in Oz ?

[englishangel]

Many moons ago (when Greg first joined the forum) I mentioned that my son wanted to join the Army and Greg offered advice. It turned out son couldn't join when he wanted to as he had Chronic Fatigue for several years and was given anti-depressant medication and was still on it. Had also missed loads of education and had no qualifications. So he immediately dropped the remaining pills down the toilet (no comeback) and signed up for evening classes to do English and Maths GCSE (aced them both), is now doing an Access Higher Education course and has had two offers to do War Studies at Kent and Hull. Well prepared to join the Army when he graduates.

[Requested Removal 18]

Greg, Dr Mundill taught history - I know, I tried skiving off his lessons enough times haha! As for you having the delights of a crush on Miss Haywood, consider this: Rick Slater's funeral was on my 18th birthday which coincided with the end of the Lent Term and everyone let off steam with a MASSIVE party in Lamb A (the sight of Bob Rae clutching a bottle of whiskey whilst slumped at the bottom of the stairs is one that will remain with me forever). All the boys decided to sing Happy Birthday very loudly and someone organised a "kissogram" from Miss Haywood. Naturally, being my 18th I wasn't particularly sober, but it was certainly an amusing experience!

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

Englishangel --- I hope ypur son gets into Sandhurst, it sounds as if he ought to (To which he ought )
I believe the Army are much more selective these days.
I served my last 3 years as Type 1 Diabetic -- on Insulin !

The fact that the Medical Board kept me on, may have had domething to do with the fact that I was playing 1st Clas Rugby and also Water Polo for Shrewsbury , in the North Midland League !!

I don't think I would get away with it today !

[J.R.]

I'd be very interested in Neill's views on the proposed merger of the armed forces into one unit, AND sharing our armed forces responsibilities with our European neighbours, (mainly France, allegedly !)

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

ALL PLEASE NOTE ---These obsevations are to be read in the manner in which they are meant ( )

Working with other Nations in the Armed forces, has the inevitable difficulty of Language ---- Consider the Welsh
who make dam' fine soldiers -- provided they have white Officers'
The Irish don't know what they want -- but are prepared to fight for it.
The Scots are ferocious in Battle against the Enemy -- which is usually England.
The English are Self Made Men -- which relieves the Almighty of a terrible responsibility.


To be serious --- we are no longer a World Power, and have not been for some time. We have influence in Europe, but no real influence elsewhere throughout the World --- hence -- Why do we maintain a Trident Nuclear Deterrent ?
If we swallow our pride, and agree to co-operate with other Nations, it will be purely because we cannot AFFORD to be a World Power.
The Navy --- here I know I am on dangerous ground ---although the second (?) largest in the World, seems, as with the US, lhe largest -- to be incapable of defending Shipping in the seas off Somalia, and elsewhere in the Indian Ocean.
The Royal Air Force has fighter planes which cost several million pounds EACH, and which will be used to fight other fighter planes --- from whom ?
NATO was a creation of the USA to look after its interests in Europe(But now extends to the rest of the World) and, in which we all have an equal part -- really ? Consider the numbers of NATO troops in Afghanistan from nations OTHER than the US and Britain .
Modern Infantry are entirely different from those of the last two Wars -- but they remain the PBI -- Poor B'dy Infantry because you can gain territory by Naval or Air or Artillery action --- but to HOLD it you must have Infantry.

End of Lecture ----- Sorry ! (But JR did ask !) ------I retire to my Bath Chair and Slippers !

[Foureyes]

Neil,

"The Navy --- here I know I am on dangerous ground ---"

"...in dangerous waters..." would be more appropriate in the navy's case, surely?

[J.R.]

Luv It !!

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

Neil,

"The Navy --- here I know I am on dangerous ground ---"

"...in dangerous waters..." would be more appropriate in the navy's case, surely?

Have you not heard of "Stone Frigates" ------- Shore based "Ships" ?

[Foureyes]

"Have you not heard of "Stone Frigates" ------- Shore based "Ships" ?

Yes, my father commanded one.