Drill by numbers

The idea by marching by numbers is, in my opinion, very much like painting by numbers. Even a total moron can get it right....

However, if the greater moron in charge giving the orders is out of time or cannot remember that there are certain little differences, we may call the subtle differences, when carrying out certain drill moves chaos ensues.

I loved drill, learning drill moves by numbers and realising that without the aid of the calming sound of a drill pig barking out "Def Digh Def Digh" marking time would eventually sound like a runaway train at 450 paces per minute - Light Brigade, eat yer heart out.

Even now I find myself marchi..... walking along the high street calling out the time to my inner ear hoping that there are no Arthur C Clarke's out there capable of reading my mind AND digging by numbers is good for the Mafiosi in us, also known as the gardener!

If I notice my posture in shop windows I straighten my back and see a new world. Also still carry parcels in my left hand. Amazing what 23 years of foolishness can do to one. (Still I appreciate the pension)

Hardrations wrote:

If I notice my posture in shop windows I straighten my back and see a new world. Also still carry parcels in my left hand. Amazing what 23 years of foolishness can do to one. (Still I appreciate the pension)

Well, you never know, you might have to "throw one up".
I saluted an Air Training Corps squadroon leader on Remembrance Day and the poor bugger was so surprised he nearly walked into a tree.

Quote :

I saluted an Air Training Corps squadroon leader

WHY?

Do you have some perverse notion to be back in uniform

Gordon. wrote:

Quote :

I saluted an Air Training Corps squadroon leader

WHY?

Do you have some perverse notion to be back in uniform

24 font Gordon ?

Should've gone to Specsavers mate !

Perverse, hmmm, drill in thigh length leather jackboots and a rain mac is pervers, saluting an RAF Officer - madness....

Drill by numbers .. Phil Gould, a nuttier bugger than I am, was drilling a bunch of returning time expired Korean theatre lads at JRBD, in Kure, Japan in 1955. They just could't care less about Drill and Discipline and Phil was of the same inclination. He was a guy who had a catch phrase for everything, on this particular occasion he came out with a gem ... 'Taking your time from the Guildhall clock, quick, January, February, March you bastards March'. He reckoned it was worth the two extra guards.

He also had another I heard one day, in a take of of Richard Murdoch (and that's dating me)
he was taking another drill squad when he came out with, ---- 'squad will retire --- ABOUT ---- six weeks ago I had the pleasure of being shown round a large steel works', ---- poor sods were caught some about face, some with a foot in the air and the remainder just looking dazed.
I wonder where Phil is today.

Len (Ciphers)

Quote :

saluting an RAF Officer - madness....

Saluting any officer at Brum`s time of life is madness.They should be saluting him...

These three come to mind

"MOVE to the Right, in a column Of SH* TE.

"Jumping on the spot Beee-gin", "who told you to come down"

Changing sex whilst on the March "Change Step Left WIGHT left( with a Mince)

jerry wrote:

These three come to mind

"MOVE to the Right, in a column Of SH* TE.

"Jumping on the spot Beee-gin", "who told you to come down"

Changing sex whilst on the March "Change Step Left WIGHT left( with a Mince)

Form up in banana formation (Little bunches).

Didn`t catch the cap badge Teabag...Was it RAOC or REME??

The Battery will advance in a column of smoke!

We used to get things like "Fall in, bundles of three" or "The squad will move to the right in a cloud of dust".

We used to have a Sgt who used to goad the RSM on Regimental parades by coming to attention, taking one pace forward, farting loudly and falling back in again.

(Brave man but I think he and Tara were old wartime buddies.)

The Fijian police band tend to have lots of parades through Suva for almost no reason at all. as soon as i hear them i cant help but march. they even played Lillibalero the other week.

Hah, I'm not the only one who goes left right, left right in his mind then.

I put my car in for service recently, an early morning appointment, not many people about and the mall's were not open so the car park was empty. As I took a short cut across the parking lot there were a bunch of people waiting for the bus to Reno (regular gambling run from where I live) .. as I approached them they were all looking at me and grinning .. one of them said, 'OK buddy, what regiment were you in' .. just can't get the 'eff, 'ite out of my system after all these years.

Len (Ciphers)

LOL, I can just picture it Len.

How does one go 'eff, 'ite with a zimmer frame.Is it eff it push?

LOL

Well it ain't 'effing' easy ..

Len (Ciphers)

brum wrote:

Hardrations wrote:

If I notice my posture in shop windows I straighten my back and see a new world. Also still carry parcels in my left hand. Amazing what 23 years of foolishness can do to one. (Still I appreciate the pension)

Well, you never know, you might have to "throw one up".
I saluted an Air Training Corps squadroon leader on Remembrance Day and the poor bugger was so surprised he nearly walked into a tree.

62 I was posted to Currie Barracks in Calgary which also shared the area with Alexander Park RCAF. It was in the winter time and a RCAF airman was coming up the road from the main gate of Currie Barracks dressed in RCAF uniform, hat peaked, great coat and brown gloves. Coming towards him was the RSM of the Queens Own Rifles of Canada Depot. I was about 10 feet behind the airman. I could see the RSM checking the lad out, spotted the brown gloves and automatically assumed officer. He immediately started to place his pace stick under his left arm pit (I'm trying to signal no, no. The Staff Sgt accompanying the RSM is staring at me wondering just what dumb thing this Signalman is doing.The RSM (ex British Army, veteran of Monty's army in Egypt)fires of a tremendous RSM salute and gives a mighty," mornin SAR". The Airman is completely startled, the RSM realizes his mistake, raises his pace stick and runs after the Airman who is doing a 1 minute mile into the RCAF Base. Me I quickly turned left and skinned into our barrack block. Never mentioned that little incident until I was posted out.









s

ciphers wrote:

I put my car in for service recently, an early morning appointment, not many people about and the mall's were not open so the car park was empty. As I took a short cut across the parking lot there were a bunch of people waiting for the bus to Reno (regular gambling run from where I live) .. as I approached them they were all looking at me and grinning .. one of them said, 'OK buddy, what regiment were you in' .. just can't get the 'eff, 'ite out of my system after all these years.

Len (Ciphers)

A subconcious (Scaley?) reaction Len. For "empty car park" read "Regimental Square".

Ha, LOL hardrations, that's happened to me before now as well, especially as a PTE Staff Clerk,

1. Wearing a chip bag and not a beret,
2. Wearing a maroon officers pullover.
3. Wearing a cotton shirt and tie instead of that hairy blanket one.

Why a maroon jumper? I remember the chip hats well and always wished I could wear one (whilst RAOC). Got very close when posted to the MT and employed as C.O.s driver....