Drill by numbers

"WanTupFreeWan" Fantastic word, Iv'e never forgotton hearing it the fist time. Are you listening Cpl Don Banham?.

I would love to know who it was that worked out the formula for "Sizing" a squad, was it a Professor of Mathematics, a member of the Brigade of Guards, or both?

Must've been the Woodentops mate, who else would bother ?

Yes I know, but it was brilliant, were we the first Army to do this? I remember "Sizing off" once, we did the "From the left, number", unfortunately the guy who was "66" had a speech impediment - "65" - "Thixty Thix", everyone collapsed laughing, this was repeated several times - "Thixty Thix" cue laughter. On the fourth occasion if was "Thixty f****** Thix". he was moved to "Thixty Five".

Now that's just plain thilly.

Quote :

From the left, number",

??????????????

Is this another quirky RA thingy...I always did it from the right..

Could have been either, Gordon. It all happened in a land long ago and far away.

Gordon. wrote:

Quote :

From the left, number",

??????????????

Is this another quirky RA thingy...I always did it from the right..

Maybe they about turned after numbering????

And there was the command "SQUAD! .........Squaddddddddd!..........wait for it wait for it...SHUN!" with half the men dancing about the place.

Shelldrake wrote:

I would love to know who it was that worked out the formula for "Sizing" a squad, was it a Professor of Mathematics, a member of the Brigade of Guards, or both?

I'm actually thinking of bringing a case against the MOD as it continually violated my human rights by pointing me out as being vertically challenged. The many times I was last man on the left have scarred me deeply and is probably the reason why I drink so much.

Well if failed asylum seekers who kill people can plead human rights, then why not?

You are British.....You don`t have any human rights.

Double around the Square Laddie wiv yer rifle above your head and I want to hear
you shouting "I must not fold my arms or I will get big tits" ! Often heard at Jtr Rhyl when anyone was seen with arms folded across chest
StU

"Take your hands out of your pockets - you'll go blind". "Hold your head up - it's f****** empty", were two of my favourites.

Teabag wrote:

Shelldrake wrote:

I would love to know who it was that worked out the formula for "Sizing" a squad, was it a Professor of Mathematics, a member of the Brigade of Guards, or both?

I'm actually thinking of bringing a case against the MOD as it continually violated my human rights by pointing me out as being vertically challenged. The many times I was last man on the left have scarred me deeply and is probably the reason why I drink so much.

Well if failed asylum seekers who kill people can plead human rights, then why not?

Being an average sort of bloke I allways envied my tall mate.
He was Right Marker every time . All he had to do was stand there while eveybody else had to fall in on him.
On the Eyes Right he didn't have to turn his head.
A right cushy number I thought.

Perhaps we can do the MOD for being Hightist, (Have I invented a new one ?)

brum wrote:

Teabag wrote:

Shelldrake wrote:

I would love to know who it was that worked out the formula for "Sizing" a squad, was it a Professor of Mathematics, a member of the Brigade of Guards, or both?

I'm actually thinking of bringing a case against the MOD as it continually violated my human rights by pointing me out as being vertically challenged. The many times I was last man on the left have scarred me deeply and is probably the reason why I drink so much.

Well if failed asylum seekers who kill people can plead human rights, then why not?

Being an average sort of bloke I allways envied my tall mate.
He was Right Marker every time . All he had to do was stand there while eveybody else had to fall in on him.
On the Eyes Right he didn't have to turn his head.
A right cushy number I thought.

Perhaps we can do the MOD for being Hightist, (Have I invented a new one ?)

No never envied those blokes. Stood out like the proverbial. Being a shortarse had its advantages when hiding in the middle ranks.

I'm changing my name to Abdul and then taking my case to the court of human rights. Think I stand a chance.

Quote :

'm changing my name to Abdul and then taking my case to the court of human rights. Think I stand a chance.

You are on a winner there.

Gordon. wrote:

Quote :

'm changing my name to Abdul and then taking my case to the court of human rights. Think I stand a chance.

You are on a winner there.

Quiet infidel! Now where was I? Housing benefit, check, family allowance, check, incapacity benefit, check, free prescriptions, check, dental treatment, check, clothing allowance for the wife (no you can't see her), check. Bigger council house, hmm do that on Monday. God is great.

That man there ! Any more of that kind of talk and I will . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Choose from a selection below)

Put you in the Pokey

Put you where the sun don't shine

Put you where the birds can't shit on you

Put you so far inside they'll have to pump air in to you

There are others of course !

brum wrote:

That man there ! Any more of that kind of talk and I will . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Choose from a selection below)

Put you in the Pokey

Put you where the sun don't shine

Put you where the birds can't shit on you

Put you so far inside they'll have to pump air in to you

There are others of course !

I don't care. Do I get my own rusty bucket and steel wool? Anyway you daren't put me inside because my name is Abdul and you will be discriminating against me.

Like most others I didn't like square bashing.

I was quite fond of rifle drill though, especially with the old .303, you could bash that about a bit.

How many among us remember "Sentry Go Drill" ?

i detested drill of any sort..The only time i handled a 303 was when called upon to do an airfield guard at Changi.It was reminicent of Cpl Jones in dad`s army.Just a little bit behind the erks...

How many among us remember "Sentry Go Drill" ?[/quote]


I vaguely remember Sentry Go - I seem to remember that it was a series of movements carried out after one initial word of command, the squad broke in two and marched in opposite directions.....13....14, about turn etc? Sad really that I should remember such things when there is so much trouble in the world!!

Never heard of that before Brum? but then I did very little drill once I'd fisnished with the CCF/ACF and then basic.

I think the drill originated from the Guards as the initial word of command was given to a sentry who was, theoretically in a sentry box.

An order like "To the right, present arms" was given. You had to come to attention, take a pace forward, (out of your sentry box), shoulder/slope arms, turn to the right, march 14 paces, present arms, then return to your box. No other orders were given.

Sheldrake remembering it makes wonder whether it was a Boys Regt thing.

Quote :

Sentry Go

That`s a new one on me..Methinks if i had received that order i would have legged it.
Seriously though. At AAS we were trained by guards WOs and S/NCOs and did some weird and wonderful drill movements ,but not that one..