Army numbers

You are still a sprog in a way Jimsigs, the oldest person I speak to on line is 95 mind you I don.t know if he did any Army time, I will have to ask him next time we speak, see if he can remember his number

Talking about sprogs etc, which I suppose I am (an old sprong - how's that), reminds me of the statemens made to me in my Army career.

'Oh, you are too young for promotion etc, wait until you get some experience under your belt

THEN LATER

Sorry old chap, you are simply too old for this/that etc

SO

As Too old followed immediately after being too young, then just wasn't a space in between. You went from too young to too old overnight.

I know what you mean, fortunately I was in a very small unit but that didn't stop me getting an interview with the OC to ask about promotion, I think I had been serving all of 14 months

jimsigs1 wrote:

Talking about sprogs etc, which I suppose I am (an old sprong - how's that), reminds me of the statemens made to me in my Army career.

'Oh, you are too young for promotion etc, wait until you get some experience under your belt

THEN LATER

Sorry old chap, you are simply too old for this/that etc

SO

As Too old followed immediately after being too young, then just wasn't a space in between. You went from too young to too old overnight.

In my estimation you did very well Jim.

Thanks for that Brum. I did try all sorts of things to get on - courses, upgrading etc. Even tried for a commission, went to Barton Stacey for a short service commission and came away with a 'deferred watch' which meant to say, border line come back in six months. Never bothered as I was already a Sgt anyway and life was great. The recommendation came from the CO of the 7th Queen's Own Hussars whom I was attached to in Tidworth 1957-9.

Come on Jimsigs .. we were never 'Sprogs' .. surely we were Nig Nogs ...
and as for being too young, bin there, dun that ...

Len (Ciphers)

Perhaps not Ciphers. Anyway been there, done it etc. I'd join all over again. I often thought how the old boys volunteered in 1939 for the LDV later Home guard. Some fellas were retired Majors & Colonels with a row of medals etc. If the balloon were to go up again lets get our old uniforms on Ciphers.

May have posted this before .. my ode to the Home Guard ..

Len (Ciphers)
Dad's Army


Armed at first with broomsticks, or handle from a pick,
with cardboard tank, and milkman's horse, sometimes just a stick,
The Home Guard were the last resort should Germany invade,
And to the amusement of the village, each Sunday held parade.

They suffered much derision, often the butt of jokes,
But really, did they deserve it, for they were just plain folks.
Names such as Dad's Army, fell from peoples lips,
But they were ready to stand and fight, with Hitler, come to grips.

Local Defence Volunteers were recruited from each parish,
But local wags, soon changed this tag, to the Look, Duck and Vanish.
Teacher, banker, milkman, and some old soldiers too,
Dressed in khaki misfits, they presented a motley crew.

But remember the Territorial, who also faced derision,
Who at the outbreak of the war, filled the ranks of mock divisions.
So let us take our caps off, and remember with fond regard,
And raise a loud resounding cheer, Hurrah!, for the Home Guard.


Len Payne

Heer Heer to that Len, I had two brothers in the Home Guard

Great Ode to the Home Guard Ciphers.

Les, you must me the baby of the family, just about a post war baby at that, with two much older brothers in the Home Guard.

Nearly right, I am second youngest of twelve, eight brothers all except two have seen service
some RAF some Navy one all three

You've got your own army there. Bet the years of service collectively add up.

Yes I expect they do Jimsigs, never really thought about it, can't really check properly as have lost two and one in his 80s has dementure so may never know, my father lost a leg in the trenches during first war and worked for Vickers during the second, unfotunately died of cancer in 52

Quote :

'Oh, you are too young for promotion etc, wait until you get some experience under your belt

THEN LATER

Sorry old chap, you are simply too old for this/that etc

You should have been a tech Jim

L/Cpl.....18
Cpl........19
Sgt.......24
Civvy.....27
Mr,with various titles till date...

Quote :

If the balloon were to go up again lets get our old uniforms on Ciphers.

Let me know when this happens....I`ll leg it to the other side...

Gordon,

I did alright as a Radio Op

LCpl 18

Cpl 18 & 6 months

Sgt 19 & 10 months

Slowed down after that

jimsigs1 wrote:

You've got your own army there. Bet the years of service collectively add up.

Myself and my two Sons have 57 years between us.

Wow Jimsigs1 with a number that dated, you will remember the boats leaving the british Isles loaded with Roman Leagionares then. Wot a site that must've been. lol.

Before that Tony, I met the Roman Leagionares when they ARRIVED in the British Isles.

Must'v been rough on the feet back then, wearin those deerskin wraps with ammo studs in the sole. and 7.62 was a seven point serated spear just sixty two inches in length made of stone.

Very impressive Shelldrake, now that is a few years, unfortunately I think that the time most of my brothers served would have just been the statutory National Service, I think I would have served the longest and that was a mere 9yrs, although given the choice I would have stayed until buried lol

Tiny,

.303 not 7.62

Oh but of course my sincere appolagies Sir.

Shelldrake one was a Cpl of Horse what was the unit your other son serve in

fm promotion