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Post by Joey Kelly on Jun 1, 2009 20:38:56 GMT
Hi All.
Reference AFCs question re the field dressing. This item carried in the inside pocket of the tunic (along with the usual amount of butts of fags), was a first aid dressing to be used on wounds in the event of a mishap, the centre piece was a large dressing supported by a bandage. Woe! betide you if you went on parade or on a duty without it. It was always the first item checked when Guard mounting or on the dreaded Kit inspection. PS it also made a great Chamois for bulling the boots.
Regards
Joey
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Post by Joey Kelly on Jun 1, 2009 20:55:48 GMT
Hi All Anybody remember the dreaded Lead swinger. A lump of lead weighing about a stone attached to a long handle on a pivot, beneath the lead, an old Army blanket, it was used to shine the highly polished lino in all the billets every thursday night before the COs inspection, after polishing the floor of the billet, each occupant took it in turns to swing this great lump of a yoke up and down the billet so that the floor gleamed like a mirror. It also got a run every morning before going on breakfast parade. After swinging the lead, all room occupants went around the room in their Grey Rabbits, referred to earlier.
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Post by afcmoore on Jun 1, 2009 23:11:55 GMT
Hi Joey. My memory of the billets was bare floorboards on the floors.The floors would be scrubbed with a deck-scrub and dryed with a mop and sometimes we would bleach the boards.I do remember the lead swinger in my time that was used in the Officers mess and the hospital. I used it a few times myself and it wasn't my favourite weapon a bit back breaking when did they start putting the lino in the billets because it wasn't used in Plunket while i was there . ??
Cheers Anthony
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Post by Matt McNamara on Jun 2, 2009 12:21:57 GMT
Hi Anthony Congratulations on making it to Company Sergeant. 150+ posts on the forum. Who said there was an embargo on promotions All the best Matt
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Post by Joey Kelly on Jun 2, 2009 21:56:06 GMT
Hi Anthony, I guess in January 1967 we mus have been pampered Recruits with lino in the G.T.D. Hence the Leadswinger. Or perhaps the BQ did not draw the lino for the billets.
Another hate from the Recruit days was the blanco, the most horrible invention ever, each piece of Webbing had to be done, and then all the brasses shone to a gleam, I even remember when the black boots came into the PDF, I had to dye the Red Boots black, you could never get a good bull up on those, thank God for the Combat type issue. Hope the young guns are not running for cover when they read all these flashbacks.
Regards
Joey
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Post by afcmoore on Jun 2, 2009 22:20:36 GMT
Hi Matt. Thanks chest expanded head swelled and got the old housewife out stitching on my new rank.Got an extra spring in my step tonight and the Grandchildren fell in marching in the sitting. Cheers Anthony.
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Post by afcmoore on Jun 2, 2009 22:48:45 GMT
Hi Joey. Just think all the hours i spent bulling my boots with military red polish and fingers worn to the bone.I had three of those little pimples on my boots started to turn black and i was in despair i must have spit to soon.The blanco great fun and then making sure not to stain the web belt with brasso.I remember using whiting on my web belt for a guard of honour. Cheers Anthony
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Post by Joey Kelly on Jun 3, 2009 22:51:49 GMT
Hi All, More memories of Recruit days. The 7 AM call for Parade and Breakfast Knife,Fork Sthingy Mug, the quarter loaf with the daub of butter, the burnt rasher and egg fried about 2 hours earlier, the mug of scald, tea leaves floating and an inch deep. The first morning inspection, the PT in the drill hall. Bayonet practice and sight setting and aiming on the plains, the task of runner with that all important message, "Going to advance send reinforcements" after a breathless run out to Donnelly's hollow and back with the message by then half forgotten, "Going to a Dance need three and fourpence". Dinner 1230, Knife, Fork Sthingy and Mug, Friday Kippers, Beans and Mash. Pay 2 o clock £5.30p, swimming/baths in the shower house, water freezing, O Beirne shouting and roaring, the Brad Cowley Platoon Sgt, laughing at the antics of the soap throwing. Thank God it's the week-end No fire Picquet, Duty or CB, looking foward to a pint in Nancy's and the Hop in the Wes Saturday night. Monday morning £1.00 left and into another dreary week.
Regards
Joe
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Post by afcmoore on Jun 5, 2009 0:14:07 GMT
Hi Joey. You mean you got over a £5 pound note it was only high ranking NCO that got one of them in my day.I joined 61 and got the princely sum of £2-1-6 and we were not allowed to wear civilian clothes till we passed out. When i got my clothes back and bit mouldy after been kept in the stores. I had to purchased new clobber from the famed Hal Conway on tick . Was Sergent Major Dillon still there when you trained and Jildy Colman?. Cheers Anthony
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Post by Joey Kelly on Jun 5, 2009 10:46:29 GMT
Hi Anthony, Yes I did get a fiver when I joined up 6 years after yourself, if you remember the Army got a big rise, or perhaps I was a really good Soldier!. Mus have been because for the 21 years I served to the day. The country was never invaded, and no war broke out, yeah! I must have been a great soldier. Sgt Major Dillon was still there along with Gildy Coleman, Rory O'Beirne, Tom Bolger, Joe Mallon, Brad Cowley, Paddy Clancy, Brad Cowley was my Platoon Sgt, Lt Dinny Parsons deceased (RIP) my platoon Officer, and Rory O Beirne Platoon Cpl. I was for some reason or other, the only person born in the Curragh in that platoon. Needless to say I hocked up getting the boots to a great level of gildiness for the parades, it could be said that I was the Technical advisor to the platoon.
Regards
Joey
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Post by jerry on Jun 5, 2009 19:30:31 GMT
Joey
I like it but I thought you said in a previous posting no more about boots.
Jerry
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Post by afcmoore on Jun 6, 2009 7:58:13 GMT
Hi Joey. We had a Paddy Clancy who Served in our platoon when we joined in 61.Paddy was from Offaly and nicknamed the Bull-moose a really nice lad. Back to the boots if you check mine out in galley 7 you will see a dent caused by someone taking the extra step back. He got a sharp punch in the ribs from behind all unseen by the NCO on the parade ground. The boots were the first think they checked on inspection and at the time a great pride was taken in their appearance. I'm sure Gildy Colmans would make a few quid if they ever came up for auction. Sorry Joey just had to give them another mention . Cheers Anthony.
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Post by kellquinn on Jun 8, 2009 21:58:17 GMT
Hi Anthony, I met Paddy Clancy last week, a true Gentleman and always good for a smile or laugh, even when we were not doing things right, likewise Jow Mallon and many more, unlike some who had no sense of humour and I am almost sure, that even hated themselves. Many a time I ran around the square at the highport just for laughing on parade or some other silly thing. Of course my wicked sense of humour always got me in trouble.
Regards
Joey
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Post by afcmoore on Jun 9, 2009 23:09:00 GMT
Hi Joey. Is Paddy Clancy still in the Curragh Camp ?If its the same gentleman who joined with me in 61he always had a smile and a good sense of humour. When you see him again ask him if he remembers the following names Tommy Behan Tony McGlynn Hairy Dog Burn And yours truly Tony Moore.
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Post by Joey Kelly on Jun 11, 2009 20:49:19 GMT
Hi Anthony.
Paddy Clancy actually lives in Newbridge now, we meet practically every day. I will relay your message next time we meet. Do you remember doing the Bayonet drill with the poles, a ring on one end and a battering base on the other. Left, Right, Parry, charge, kill!
It's well for Matt away there in sunny climes, I would love to have the auld times back again going over seas etc. Keep the head down and the runners handy.
Hope you are well
Regards Joey
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