Sick Parades

Blimey Brum, I got that too but I was only seven. Remember hallucinating with it and thinking the bed was tipping on its side.

Got another version in 1968, must have been bad because it was Boxing day and I was dragged out to the pub but barely managed a third of a pint and went home.

I laugh when people say they have had the flu yet are still able to walk around.

I was told the test for flu was if you see a tenner lying on the floor and you can't be arsed to get up and get it, then you really have the flu.

I had just arrived at Harrogate begining of 59 when the flu struck..Beds were reversed alternate head to toe as a precaution.However one night i started to sway and put my name down for sick parade.The following morning at the MRS a medic stuck a thermometer in my mouth, said you are on a charge for malingering, report to your place of duty.. Two hours later i was stretchered into the MRS where i remained for 8 days.I don`t remember very much about it.
As Teabag says...The flu people complain about is nothing more than a heavy cold

I don't know if it was standard practice throughout the Army, we had a MO in Lippstadt in the early 60s, who had a novel way of reporting malingerers. He would prescribe Codeine and then complete the sick chit with the words M & D (Medicine and Duty), in red ink, this being the code for lazy bastard. One would then report back to the BSM with aforementioned sick chit and that was when the **** hit the fan.

It was best BD (pre No 2 Dress) and small pack, blancoed and brasses polished, shaving kit, PJ's, sewing kit(?), eating irons etc all clean and shiny. Parade at the guard room for inspection before marching to the MRS, where standard treatment was 2 aspirin, if really ill 2 aspirin and 2 days light duty. If at deaths door 2 aspirin and 1 week excused boots.
The only time I was ill was in Gibraltar, I had tonsillitis, I went sick on the Fri morning, By then as an NCO it was easier, You got to march the sick parade to the MO, after a cursory examination I got the 2 aspirin and the reassuring explanation that I should not shout so loud when doing drill parades. (I was a signals instructor and spent my time in the class room) As it happened I was Company orderly Sgt for the weekend and despite feeling like death carried out the duties on Sat and Sun morning until just before lunch doing rounds with the Orderly officer I almost passed out but, by all accounts, went white as a sheet despite my tan and began hallucinating. I was bundled into a LR and deposited at the RNH where I remained for 2 weeks with a severe throat infection and early stage septicaemia. The Naval bod i.c. the hospital, I learned later, personally had words with the CO regarding the competence of the MO who then got an almighty bollicking which would explain the fact that he seemed to hold a grudge against me from then on.
God it was tough in that hospital surrounded by QARANCs only too willing to pass the time of day and later engage in post hospital care. The down side was the huge hairy Matelot who 3 times a day would throw me face down on the bed a stick a bloody great needle in my rear end ( I think it was a needle) and pump in antibiotics. I couldn't sit straight for 3 months after that.

I remember going sick at Carlisle, I think you just reported to the MRS. maybe telling the company duty sgt while on the way. I got bedded down for a week in the MRS. I don’t remember ever going sick anywhere else !!! maybe the alcohol served as some sort of antibiotic !

If alcohol served as some sort of antibiotic I would never have had a day`s illness in my life

Quote from ciphers

Next morning woken by the farmers daughter who eyed me very suspiciously ... tried to get up and found my right arm would not work ... tried to shave could not hold the razor ... 'ummm, better go sick ... thats when they found I had damaged the radial nerve in my right arm by rolling over in my sleep and the sten's cocking piece jamming into the nerve.

At the turn of the nineteen hundreds this was commonly called Saturday night paralysis. The old man would come home drunk, fall asleep in the upright chair with his arm over the backrest. Next morning couldn’t use his arm.

Now here is a snippet from my book, telling you about the medic’s side of sick parade.

ANOTHER MOVE

In April 1965 I was posted to the Medical Reception Station at the Junior Leaders Regiment RCT at Norton Fitzwarren near Taunton. Before I left Tidworth, I proposed to Jan and we set the date of our wedding for the 9th of August 1965.

UNLESS YOU’RE DEAD, DON’T COME SICK.

On my first day I couldn’t believe the number of Junior Leaders waiting in the sick room. There were about fifty youngsters, all laughing and fooling around.
It turn out that the civilian nursing sister was a soft touch. The lads knew that they could skip the morning PT session, and the sister would cover for them.
I informed them that on tomorrow’s sick parade, as per regimental orders, they would have to attend with their small pack and all items listed as per Part One Orders. These items are the equipment they would need if they were to be hospitalized.
The following morning there were only fifteen on sick parade; I made them empty their small packs, and sent half of them back to the billets for their missing items. On the third morning, there was only two on the sick list; I knew that those two were generally sick and treated them with the respect they deserved.

Silky

Believe it or not aspirin is the best drug you can get, because it was given so widely, people thought it was just a soft pain killer. If you have a cold take two aspirin 4 times a day and you will feel much better, It reduces the temperature, takes away the stuffy ness and helps to relieve the head ache.

Here’s another snippet to tell you some of the magical powers that aspirin can have.

I was posted for six weeks to Suffield Park, Alberta, Canada, as medical cover with the 17/21st Lancers.

TAKE TWO ASPIRINS.

The following morning we set off back to the main camp, and we were next to the last to leave. REME is always last to leave in case a vehicle breaks down. Coming to the brow of one of the small hills, I spied a tank in the valley below. Stopping at its side, I inquired if anyone was injured. “No,” said the tank commander, “just a breakdown.” I jumped off the ambulance, and with a sticking plaster I stuck two aspirins to the side of the tank and said, “There, there, you’ll soon be better.” The driver pressed the starter and the tank roared into life.
What the cause was I don’t know, but I do believe it must have been electrical and that the short stop had allowed the engine to cool down and reconnect the electrical circuit. Or is it that we medics can cure anything?

Silky

In April 1965 I was posted to the Medical Reception Station at the Junior Leaders Regiment RCT at Norton Fitzwarren near Taunton. Before I left Tidworth, I proposed to Jan and we set the date of our wedding for the 9th of August 1965.

UNLESS YOU’RE DEAD, DON’T COME SICK.

On my first day I couldn’t believe the number of Junior Leaders waiting in the sick room. There were about fifty youngsters, all laughing and fooling around.
It turn out that the civilian nursing sister was a soft touch. The lads knew that they could skip the morning PT session, and the sister would cover for them.
I informed them that on tomorrow’s sick parade, as per regimental orders, they would have to attend with their small pack and all items listed as per Part One Orders. These items are the equipment they would need if they were to be hospitalized.
The following morning there were only fifteen on sick parade; I made them empty their small packs, and sent half of them back to the billets for their missing items. On the third morning, there was only two on the sick list; I knew that those two were generally sick and treated them with the respect they deserved.

Silky

You must have been the Medic when I was at Norton Manor . was it you who gave us hygiene lectures. Do you remember two lads being admitted to the MRS with hysterics as they said they saw a ghostly hand crawl along the wall and turn their billet lights out?

I was there from 1965 to 1969. Yes I gave hygiene lectures and the doctor was retired General Mullands who was also the ENT docter for the Royal family.

As for the two lads, I had so many lads passing through the place in that time span that I find it hard to place them.

Silky

codeine was the number one pill given to us. constipation for all , ginger

TDivers wrote:

So how much have sick parades changed through the years then. I know when i joined in 87 if we wanted to go sick we had to be in No2 dress carrying all our kit with us. Bit of a pain depending on what was wrong with you.

I know this was done to help discourage malingering but dam it was hard if you really were sick.

Nowadays its just a matter of popping in to the Sqn office getting chit and mincing along to med centre. The doctors we had were civvy doctors and the Medics were corps medics they could diagnose you before getting to see the doctor and also bed you down if they deemed necessary.

All a bit to easy if you asked me.

What was it like when you guys were in the 50's and 60's

Thanks Ian.

Just found this site today. regarding sick parade when I was in Hohne with the 4th Hussars 55 t0 58 I never went on one but when we were duty C/pl we had to march them down to the medical room. They hd to come back on thier own and we waited for the paper work. Always medicene and duty though.Waste of time realy

I remember the sick parades at harrogate (1949-52), seeing the fellas with that purple stuff on their feet to cure foot rot - frightening when told that we could lose our feet !!!!

First outing as Orderly Cpl at Pocklington, Royal Signals Depot Regt 1952, awaiting draft to BAOR. Taking the Sick Parade I was told to fill out Sick Form in duplicate for all persons going sick. That I did, until I went to the SSM and asked him where I could get more forms.
Silly boy .. enter them all on one form duplicated .. not a separate form in duplicate for every dogsbody on sick parade.

Len (Ciphers)

Hi there,
Must of been early 1981 in Hohne. Going sick was such a nightmare most of us didn't bother, well I was sick as a dog this one time I finaly cracked......spent that evening bulling my best shoes (Cavalry perk) ironing my barrack dress uniform etc. So get up at about 6am to be at the sqn office at 0630, inspected by duty nco, then sent to the guardroom, inspected by provost cpl. Then told to go to the Station MRS......a walk of about 1.5-2 miles !! (btw I'm sick). I was the only 1420H sick that day.......so off I walk towards the MRS on the main drag.......only to be stopped in my tracks by some officer yelling at me !! I had failed to salute the Brig. in his staff car........trembling I get to the MRS and get bedded down back in my own bed for 2 days.......so off I go back up the road and back to my sqn office to tell the SSM, when he informs me to report to the guardroom to see the Provost Ssgt. So off I go to the guardroom to be informed I got one hours extra drill for failing to salute the Brig. (splitter). So after my drill I finally get into bed (still sick as a dog) and I swore I would never go sick again in Hohne. I didn't.
atb
pinky
HUSSAR

Malingerer!!!Should have been two hours drill....

pinky wrote:

Hi there,
Must of been early 1981 in Hohne. Going sick was such a nightmare most of us didn't bother, well I was sick as a dog this one time I finaly cracked......spent that evening bulling my best shoes (Cavalry perk) ironing my barrack dress uniform etc. So get up at about 6am to be at the sqn office at 0630, inspected by duty nco, then sent to the guardroom, inspected by provost cpl. Then told to go to the Station MRS......a walk of about 1.5-2 miles !! (btw I'm sick). I was the only 1420H sick that day.......so off I walk towards the MRS on the main drag.......only to be stopped in my tracks by some officer yelling at me !! I had failed to salute the Brig. in his staff car........trembling I get to the MRS and get bedded down back in my own bed for 2 days.......so off I go back up the road and back to my sqn office to tell the SSM, when he informs me to report to the guardroom to see the Provost Ssgt. So off I go to the guardroom to be informed I got one hours extra drill for failing to salute the Brig. (splitter). So after my drill I finally get into bed (still sick as a dog) and I swore I would never go sick again in Hohne. I didn't.
atb
pinky
HUSSAR

Gunners would have worn Boots and been Marched to the MRS!!


(You don't get any sympathy on here BTW).

point number one....cavalry drill is done in one hour !! it's easy and we learn quick.
point number two....like I said I was the only sickie on the day.......one trooper has the brains of five gunners and we can march ourselves......
Wasn't after sympathy......just a sick chit.......lol
atb
pinky
HUSSAR

Drill & Duty Pinky. That's what we used have written on our chit.

How times change then eh ?
lol
HUSSAR

Pinky,

Well it was 1949 after all said and done. The world then was very basic. I suppose now, sick parades are no more. just a case of 'I'm off to see the Doc. - will be back ASP'. A cosy arrangement !!

Probably......
Kings Royal HUssars in 2000, stationed in Tidworth.
Every Wednesday afternoon was the C.O's Run.
All sick chit carrying soldiers were paraded outside RHQ and every single man was talked to by the CO and RSM..........ie: "what is your problem" etc. Quite humiliating IMO.
Bet they don't do that anymore !!
atb
pinky
HUSSAR

You didn't want to be going sick when Gen George S Patton was around. He wasn't too keen on the idea!

Pinky,

What barracks were you in in Tidworth? When I was with 7th Hussars we were in Candahar first then moved down to the barracks at the Bulford end of Tidworth - can't remember the name. Old age I think, it was 1958 - swing those lamps !!!

It was Aliwal bks.
HUSSAR