Misfits, Dad's Army Types et al...
Discussion
I believe I've mentioned it before but we used to get issued the orange powder for a 'cooling' beverage in the RN - it was gritty but passable and we got through a fair bit of it up until the day someone spilled some onto the perpetually greasy upper level deck plates in the engine room - it stripped them back to as-new condition. We still ordered the stuff after that but no one drank much - we just used it for cleaning up for weekly rounds.
Oh, and the fruit cake (xmas pud) in a tin was damn good as were the dead fly biscuits - the biscuits brown could be left in steaming hot tea for about a minute and be barely softened - grim things.
Oh, and the fruit cake (xmas pud) in a tin was damn good as were the dead fly biscuits - the biscuits brown could be left in steaming hot tea for about a minute and be barely softened - grim things.
McGee_22 said:
I believe I've mentioned it before but we used to get issued the orange powder for a 'cooling' beverage in the RN - it was gritty but passable and we got through a fair bit of it up until the day someone spilled some onto the perpetually greasy upper level deck plates in the engine room - it stripped them back to as-new condition. We still ordered the stuff after that but no one drank much - we just used it for cleaning up for weekly rounds.
Oh, and the fruit cake (xmas pud) in a tin was damn good as were the dead fly biscuits - the biscuits brown could be left in steaming hot tea for about a minute and be barely softened - grim things.
You think that's bad? Reading Town Museum has a gallery dedicated to the Huntley And Palmer biscuit company which had a factory in town. They have a number of exhibits dating from the First World War, army ration biscuits still in apparently perfect condition (visually at least) and some used by soldiers as postcards to write home, and carved into picture frames among other things. Some examples in this BBC article... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-25879184Oh, and the fruit cake (xmas pud) in a tin was damn good as were the dead fly biscuits - the biscuits brown could be left in steaming hot tea for about a minute and be barely softened - grim things.
I've eaten one too, not an original of course, but a reproduction by a living history group. Not as bad as I expected them to be if I'm honest. I used to collect the rejected packets of Biscuits, Brown from others in my section after an exercise and I liked to take them home, and then eat them with butter and jam with a bit of cheese (but not the processed/possessed stuff in the tins). I didn't think they were as bad as most people made out.
McGee_22 said:
I believe I've mentioned it before but we used to get issued the orange powder for a 'cooling' beverage in the RN - it was gritty but passable and we got through a fair bit of it up until the day someone spilled some onto the perpetually greasy upper level deck plates in the engine room - it stripped them back to as-new condition. We still ordered the stuff after that but no one drank much - we just used it for cleaning up for weekly rounds.
Oh, and the fruit cake (xmas pud) in a tin was damn good as were the dead fly biscuits - the biscuits brown could be left in steaming hot tea for about a minute and be barely softened - grim things.
I've heard stories of the Biscuits Brown being used in a game called 'soggy biscuit', but the less said about that game the better.Oh, and the fruit cake (xmas pud) in a tin was damn good as were the dead fly biscuits - the biscuits brown could be left in steaming hot tea for about a minute and be barely softened - grim things.
dudleybloke said:
The tinned bacon grill in the 10 man ration packs was delicious.
I don't remember big tins, but we'd get smaller ones that were revolting. Only good for making a mess of foxholes by putting them unopened on a hex stove and retreating to a safe distance.This was in the cadets in the 80s, so rat packs from the 70s...
Red9zero said:
Spare tyre said:
There is a bus stop outside our house, A level bus pickup point
There are about 30 nippers, but about 3 or 4 of them always wear their college ID around their necks on a lanyard
Future Walts I’m sure
I am guilty of wearing my company id and lanyard outside work, but only to go to the chemist. I have a payment exemption card (due to lifelong conditions) and I don't want anyone to think it's because I'm on benefits There are about 30 nippers, but about 3 or 4 of them always wear their college ID around their necks on a lanyard
Future Walts I’m sure
kowalski655 said:
Don1 said:
Happy memories of CCF exercises in Wales. That was quite enough pratting around for me...
On Air Cadet exercises, we slept in barracks and ate in the canteen... Obviously upholding the proud tradition of the RAF 
t hole.
Not sure if the link will work as I'm not sure about access to the page. Anyway, village page where I grew up, low lying road across a water meadow, gets flooded very easily and then that freezes. Chaos ensues. Well known about, lots of poor maintenance from the council and if you have any sense you avoid it in the sort of conditions we have currently. So, this morning the inevitable happens. Fair enough. But hang on till the end of the short video for the Clio waltmobile providing an essential service.
https://fb.watch/i6git6JKPO/
https://fb.watch/i6git6JKPO/
downthepub said:
Local rag has been encouraging the "4x4 response" mob in NE Scotland. Pity there's a paywall, plenty knackered Discovery content for those who venture to the P&J website.
Could make quite a good series.Chapter 1:
Martin's eyes strained as he peered into the darkness through the windscreen of his 1997 Land Rover Discovery "Special Edition". The heater was on full blast to keep the windows clear, probably the most basic of rules to follow to ensure he was tactically aware and able to keep eyes on target. Rain was lashing down and the buffeting from the wind was amplified due to the 6 inch lift kit he'd specced out his vehicle with. But Martin had no regrets, the kit had more than paid off during Operation Summer Thunder, when the village fete was hit by a heavy but un-forecasted burst of rain. He'd rescued 2 civilians that day. One a standard field recovery (or "FieldRec") where an out of towner had parked their Astra at the bottom of a slope and needed a tow back up the hill. Simple enough job and after a few words of advice about off-roading and vehicle suitability he was on his way. But the 2nd civilian rescue was one Martin was particularly proud of. This one was a medivac.
The casualty had tripped and sprained their ankle. Kevin on the gate sparked up on the comms that the St John Ambulance crew were getting ready to deploy, but looking at the conditions that day Martin knew they weren’t going to make it. His trusty Discovery was up to the task and he was on scene within minutes. He gave the casualty fluids (lemon squash – he couldn’t offer a hot beverage due to insurance issues - the incident with Jimmy and the WI cake sale had put paid to that), and a rich tea biscuit. Just as he started planning his exit route to extract the casualty the St John’s crew turned up (on foot) and offered to take over. Sadly for them, Martin couldn’t remain on site to coordinate the rescue, Kevin was back on comms mumbling something about some MOP’s not staying within the designated walkways near the entrance, and needed assistance. But even so, Martin was proud. He’d made a difference that day. Even if he’d received a strongly worded email from Base Operations (Margaret) the next day, saying someone had complained about the grass on the village green being churned up. He’d let that one go, sometimes in the heat of the moment, when potentially lives are at stake, you just have to make the call and hope you can live with the consequences.
As a veteran 25 year member of COTAG, Martin had a sixth sense for when things were going to get rough. Tonight was one of those nights. He’d been deployed to sector 4, one of the toughest area’s in COTAG’s area of operations. It covered the retail park, bypass and local hospital. MacDonalds was categorised a red zone – after 7pm it became a no-go area for lone patrols like Martin due to the risk of hostile contact with the local Tango’s. Martin checked the clock on the dashboard – 18:40 zulu – just enough time for a supply run through the drive-thru before Maccy D’s went dark.
Just before he reached the drive-thru entrance he glanced out the corner of his eye and saw a battered old people carrier with hazard lights flashing, badly parked down a small side road. “You’ve still got it” Martin told himself, as he allowed a wry smile to form across his face. Fumbling for the switch to activate the orange beacons attached to the roof and front grill, he bumped up on to the kerb and swung the Discovery round, pulling a U-turn, narrowly avoiding an RTC with a vehicle coming the other way. “Bloody civilians”, mumbled Martin and he turned down the side street, bumping up on the kerb behind the people carrier, and hit the switch for the light bar he’d recently installed on the roof. Grabbing the radio he messaged back to base.
“COTAG 1 reporting, I have a possible recovery situation, over”.
“Martin, is that you?”
“Margaret, keep to callsigns only, this is an unsecured channel, over”
“Martin, you’re breaking up. I can’t hear you”
“Margaret! This is COTAG 1, do you read? Over”
No response came back over the radio, just static. Martin made a mental note to raise the comms issues during the next Ops Briefing. Just then he saw movement inside the target vehicle, someone was getting out. Martin grabbed his lanyard and stepped out the Discovery into the driving rain. Fastening up his triple layered hi-viz tactical jacket he approached the civilian, holding his lanyard aloft.
“COTAG 4x4 Reponse, I’m COTAG 1 here to assist. You can call me Martin”
“You what” replied the civilian
“I clocked your hazards flashing from the main road as I was passing, I’m out on patrol and could see you needed assistance”, replied Martin.
“Uh. No mate, I’m alright. I’m just delivering parcels for Evri”
After a few seconds hesitation, Martin composes himself. “Ok mate, but be aware you’re blocking access for pedestrians by parking on the pavement”.
“Alright mate, I’ll only be a minute. Anyway, you’re blocking the pavement too, yeah”
Martin couldn’t help let a small sigh out as he pointed once again to his lanyard. “4x4 response mate, this gives me the authority in emergency situations”.
“Ok mate, whatever”, as the driver then got back into their car and drove off, leaving Martin standing in the rain shaking his head, illuminated by the 500W light bar and flashing ambers, the reflections bouncing off the puddles in the street.
Getting back into the Disco, Martin pulled another U-turn and headed back towards Maccy-D’s. 18:55 zulu, just enough time before zero hour if there isn’t a queue at the Drive-Thru, thought Martin. Turning into the entrance, Martin heard the reassuring metallic scrape of his 6 foot antenna’s bending as he passed under the height barrier. As always, he counted them off in turn… 1, 2, 3, 4, and again couldn’t help but smile wryly. No one else in COTAG had 4 aerials. He made a mental note to connect that 4th one up at some point.
Pulling up at the intercom, a voice from the box welcomed him to MacDonalds and asked for his order.
“I’ll have 2 big Macs meals, a Quarter Pounder with Cheese, 20 chicken nuggets and 2 large fries”
“Any drinks with that?” replied the intercom.
“No thanks love, I’m on duty tonight. But can I get a McFlurry as well”
“No problem, drive up to the window to collect your order”
Martin drove round to the window, again hearing the scrape of his aerials against awning above the drive thru kiosk, and wound down his window. The young girl serving told him how much and held out the card machine. Martin flashed a smile at her and held up his lanyard. “4x4 Response, I probably get a discount, don’t I?” following up with a cheeky wink to get her on side.
“Um, I dunno, whats that then?” the girl replied.
“You know”, replied Martin. “ We work with the emergency services, that sort of stuff. You never know who might need rescuing. Or maybe needing a lift home after work when the weather’s bad, if you know what I mean”. Followed by another wink.
“um, yeah, okay then, well I have to check with my manager”.
Just then the radio sparked up again. “Martin? Martin! It’s 7 o clock, don’t you be hanging around MacDonalds again. You know what happened last time someone caught you there trying to chat up their girlfriend”.
Grabbing for the volume control, Martin sheepishly smiled at the girl and told her not to worry about the discount. Quickly paying and taking his food, Martin drove off, aerials scraping on the underside of the height barrier again on his way out. 1, 2, 3… s
t, where was the 4th? Pulling over Martin jumped out and looked at the roof of his trusty Disco - only 3 aerials. Martin rushed back towards the drive-thru kiosk and sure enough, there was one lying on the ground just outside the kiosk window. Avoiding all eye contact with the girl at the counter, Martin rushed across and picked up the aerial and threw it into the back of the Disco. Damnit, he thought as he drove back on to the main road, heading towards the hospital. I’ll need to get that fixed before the next meet.
Pulling into the hospital car park, he saw his usual parking spot was unoccupied. “Bonus” he said to himself, as he pulled into the yellow hatched space, bumping 2 wheels up on to the pavement to take full advantage of the lift kit. Grabbing the first of his burgers he sat back in his seat with “eyes on” the hospital entrance.
Soon enough, a small group of nurses gathered by the main entrance, milling around as if waiting for a lift. Firing up the 2.5 litre diesel, Martin slowly eased out of his spot and drove towards the entrance. As he pulled up alongside he hit the flashing ambers, wound down his window and held his lanyard high. “COTAG 4x4 Response. Any of you lovely ladies need a lift home?”
They looked back at him with confused looks on their faces, eventually one of them replied “no thanks, my husband’s picking me up”. Undeterred, Martin looked eagerly at the other 2, and an awkward silence fell for about 30 seconds until eventually one of them mumbled a quick “no” at him and all 3 walked back inside. Martin stared longingly after them, until the automatic doors slid shut after them and they disappeared from sight.
Letting out a big sigh, Martin selected 1st gear and slowly pulled away from the entrance, the glare from the florescent lights in the car park illuminating the rear of the Disco, and the fading “One Life, Live It”, and “Not all heroes wear capes” stickers on the rear…
To be continued...
I'm guessing this chap is already in the thread somewhere.
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/s...
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/s...
Cabinet Enforcer said:
I'm guessing this chap is already in the thread somewhere.
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/s...
Jesus H. Christ... I mean there's being a walt and then there's just being fhttps://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/s...
king predator 
BossHogg said:
You have got far too much time on your hands! Have you ever considered 4x4 response, or is that you Martin typing out your memoires!
Honestly I'm not Martin 
Just sat in the office waiting for a load of reports to run, so yes too much time on my hands today. Living the dream
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