Message Board

Another member I miss.

delconnor — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:10:02 GMT

Asking the question about Mike Commerford, it also made me think I have not heard from Averyniceman for ages and he was not at Kineton this year, anyone know why?

Forum: General Interest

Network your computers using mains power line

PaddyQ — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:18:32 GMT

This article may be of interest.
I have been using this for a couple of years and have had no problems whatsoever.
http://www.computeractive.co.uk/computeractive/features/2252517/socket

Forum: Computer Help

John Greenhouse

m_pont — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:21:54 GMT

It is with great sadness that I have to report the death of Ex WO1 John Greenhouse. He passed away in Thetford, Norfolk at 10.00 on Thursday 5th November. His funeral will take place on Monday 16th of November in Thetford & at this time I have no other details. His wife, Enid, is to update me with with further information as soon as it is available. If any of his old colleagues wishes to attend please PM me & I will liaise with Enid first.

I first met John at CVD Marchington in 1960 and was further posted with him to CVD Ashchurch & 10 Vehicle Coy. El Adem Libya & we became really good buddies. Since my demob in 1969 we have kept in touch via letter,phone and infrequent visits.

May you rest in peace my very good friend.

Forum: Obituaries and In Memoriam

Some pictures of WW1 Survivors

Jim — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:40:53 GMT

This is good

LINK HERE

Forum: General Interest

Uniform group of Major Jock Campbell

Lez — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:20:54 GMT

Hiya Everyone, I know that some of you served with Jock at RAOC Chilwell and I know he was highly respected.

My husband Ade was Jock's neighbor and grew up knowing him. Ade has collected militaria all his life. After Jock passed away some years now, his widow presented his service dress jacket, swagger stick and Sam Brown belt to him.

The jacket dates from circa 1949 to 1953 going by the buttons and insignia. Sadly the medal ribbons have been removed.

He saw active service in WW2 in North Africa and Normandy. Post war he served in Egypt too.

Cheers, Lez.

Forum: General Interest

Football team reunion

TonyBushnall — Thur, 05 Nov 2009 19:30:38 GMT

Just to let people know the team from Biecester season 1974/1975 are getting together at Parsons Bks Donnington 27/28 November 2009. Any from that era are welcome but you must be quick. The team got to the Army Cup Major units final that year and I think we are the only team to boast that in the Corps history. (PM me if you are interested).

Forum: Reunions & Get-Together's

Firework youths shooting flames

Jim — Thur, 05 Nov 2009 11:42:06 GMT

Quote:

Police have warned of the dangers of fireworks after a group of youngsters were filmed using a firework to shoot balls of flame at each other.

Dear God, look at this.

LINK HERE

Forum: General Interest

Home Guard

mickg — Thur, 05 Nov 2009 10:46:47 GMT

My dad was in the Home Guard during WW2, is there anywhere I can find out any info on him, ie why didn't he serve in the regular army, he would have been in his mid 30's at the time.

mickg

Forum: General Interest

Northumberland's Border battlegrounds

Jim — Thur, 05 Nov 2009 09:52:49 GMT

Quote:

Once, says Brian Jackman, Northumberland was England's Afghanistan. Now it is the quietest county under the sun.

OK, it's a travelogue, but I found it a great read.

LINK HERE

Forum: General Interest

We Must have a referendum

Jim — Thur, 05 Nov 2009 09:04:10 GMT

Good article by Daniel Hannah.

LINK HERE

Forum: General Interest

12 ord reunion

daveyates1 — Thur, 05 Nov 2009 01:01:14 GMT

nick ollerenshaw is trying to organise a 12 ord reunion in june 2010 but doesn't know where to have it any suggestions and any help he says would be good

Forum: Reunions & Get-Together's

VS Reunion 2009

ChrisKeelor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:19:11 GMT

This years reunion was held 30th 31st Oct 1st Nov 2009 in the Prince of Wales Hotel Southport. Mike Jones is presently busy collating the photos which can be viewed on our web site soon. http://www.vehspec.co.uk
Regards
Chris

Forum: Reunions & Get-Together's

Is The Poppy still relevant?

Mike_2817 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:15:16 GMT

Well what do you think?

Is The Poppy Relevant To The Veterans Of Today?

http://www.hmforces.co.uk/news/articles/1421--is-the-poppy-relevant-to-the-veterans-of-today?utm_source=nlet&utm_content=_c2_20091104

Is the poppy relevant to the veterans of today?

Over the past few years the Royal British Legion has been at pains to dispel the belief that it only helps elderly veterans and remind the public that a new generation is coming home from war. For the first time this year the poster features an image of a coffin being repatriated from Afghanistan, in a hard-hitting campaign. Using the motto, For their sake, wear a poppy, the appeal urges people to support troops wounded in Helmand and the families of those killed in the conflict.

How much money does Poppy Appeal raise?

Last years poppy appeal raised almost 31m and it is hoping to exceed that figure this year. In 2008 the Royal British Legion raised 104.1m, almost half of which was from appeals, donations and legacies.

What is the role of the Royal British Legion?

The Legion, which currently has around 380,000 members, was founded in 1921 as a campaigning voice for the ex-Service community as a merger of four organisations: the Comrades of the Great War, the National Association of Discharged Sailors and Soldiers, the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers and The Officers Association. Earl Haig, commander of the Battle of the Somme and Passchendaele, was one of the founders of the Legion. It was granted a Royal Charter on 29 May 1971 to mark its 50th anniversary which gives the Legion the privilege of the prefix Royal.

Where does the money go?

The Legion currently spends more than 1m a week helping over 130,000 armed forces dependents, as well as veterans and those bereaved, and is hoping to extend that to 160,000 beneficiaries this year. In 2008, it spent a total of 101.2m; on care services 18.4m, community welfare services 41.6m, Remembrance and ceremonial 3.2m and funds generation 23.9m. The charity says that for every pound raised, 80p goes towards achieving objectives while 6.6p goes on support costs.

Who is eligible for help?

There are 9.5 million people eligible for help in Britain because they are serving or have served in the armed forces for at least seven days or are a dependant of someone who has. The charitys work varies from offering home help to elderly and disabled veterans to campaigning for higher compensation payments for the wounded.

While it continues to support veterans from previous conflicts, it also helps survivors and grieving families of those killed in Afghanistan such as Royal Marine Lance Corporal Peter Dunning, 24, who lost both his legs in Helmand last year, and Hester Wright, 22, whose husband Damian, of the 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment, died in a roadside explosion in Afghanistan in 2007. The legion has helped her pay off debts, buy household goods and a school uniform for her six-year-old son Josh.

What is the protocol about wearing a poppy?

Some purists object to public figures such as politicians sporting poppies too early. Politicians have been wearing them since the beginning of this week even though the poppy-wearing period is supposed to run only from runs from the launch day (19th of October) to Remembrance Sunday or Armistice Day (8th or 11th of November) Who makes poppies? The origins of the Poppy Factory go back to 1922 when Major George Howson MC, a young infantry officer and engineer, founded the Disabled Society to help ex-Service men and women. He suggested to the British Legion that members should make poppies, and the artificial flowers were designed so that someone who had lost the use of one hand could still assemble them. With a grant of just 2,000 from the Unity Relief Fund, he set up a small factory in south London with five ex-servicemen. In a letter to his parents, he said: I do not think it can be a great success, but it is worth trying. I consider the attempt ought to be made if only to give the disabled their chance. Today a team of 50 people most of them disabled and service connected work all year in a factory in Richmond in Surrey to make 38 million poppies, 5 million Remembrance petals, 900,000 crosses and 100,000 wreaths including those laid by the Queen and other members of the Royal Family.

Why is there also a white poppy? In 1933 the Womens Co-operative Guild introduced the White Poppy to remember the dead of all wars and to promote peace. The Peace Pledge Union took part in its distribution from 1934, and white poppy wreaths were laid from 1937. In 1986 prime minister Margaret Thatcher expressed her deep distaste for the symbol, and opponents argue that the traditional red poppy already encompasses the sentiments and the white one diverts funds for the Royal British Legion.

Is the power of the poppy diminishing?

Yes

* The symbolism relates to the First World War, a conflict from which there are now no veterans left

* The poppy is associated with elderly veterans while newer charities such as Help for Heroes resonate more with a younger generation

* Younger generations may prefer other ways to mark remembrance

* The need to help veterans of war and their families is as relevant today as it was 100 years ago

* War in Afghanistan and Iraq have generated huge public sympathy for servicemen and women

* The poppy is an enduring national symbol and an opportunity to express support for the services.

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.

http://www.poppy.org.uk/

Forum: General Interest

RAOC magazines

JimP — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:36:42 GMT

I am a hoarder of mostly junk. My attic is full of items I should have thrown out years ago. Amongst other things I have a pile of RAOC magazines (NOT junk) coving (but not complete) more or less the period I spent in the Corps and TA (1978/90). I am worried that they will get damp, and it would be a shame if they were of some use to another member of this site.

I live in Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear; and who ever would like to have them would have to arrange transportation. I wouldn't throw them out, so if there is no takers they will remain in my attic for years.....

Forum: Members Market

Soldiers off the street

cjrobbo — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:55:12 GMT

I would be grateful if everyone could sign the petition below, we are now looking to accommodate the homeless and are hoping that the MOD will allow us to use the old RAF base in Sealand, the link explains further.
Thank you in advance

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/soldiersoffthestreet/?e

Forum: General Interest