At the beginning of this week a boy in North Belfast set himself alight while committing arson in a derelict house. I don’t need to dwell on the misery of the parents nor the stupidity and blind ignorance of the child. This incident raises so many aspects of today’s living that I have decided to… Continue reading Random Thoughts N0 8, The Boy Who Set Himself Alight
Month: June 2007
Royal Navy, 1941 to ’46, in order, The Change to Naval Life in 1940
Prior to 1940 the Navy in today’s terms was a cross between a monk’s seminary and a football supporters club. Lower Deck life aboard ship was hard, totally masculine, and without any privacy. Shore leave was limited, often only a few hours and lived at strength 10. The sailors were proud of the Navy and… Continue reading Royal Navy, 1941 to ’46, in order, The Change to Naval Life in 1940
WW2, 1940 to 41, in order, Cluttons Part 3 of 3.
Following on from items Cluttons 1 and 2, I write this because it highlights the differences between business in the late Victorian era, my time there, and today Aspirations outstripped resources, with ideas beyond my station, like going to the theatre. In London, at lunch time I would rent a folding seat, at the entrance… Continue reading WW2, 1940 to 41, in order, Cluttons Part 3 of 3.
WW2, 1940 to ’41, in order,Cluttons, Part 2 of 3.
I apologise to those who remember the small part of this first paragraph I previously posted in an essay describing the marvellous institution of Cluttons of 1940. I believe it and what follows demonstrates, graphically, the changes wrought in business since then. I was articled as a Valuation Surveyor to Cluttons. – the most august… Continue reading WW2, 1940 to ’41, in order,Cluttons, Part 2 of 3.
WW2, 1940 to ’41, in order,The Guards, the H.G. and Buckingham Palace
Presumably, as a morale booster, a genius at Whitehall thought it would be a ‘terrific idea’ for the HG to mount guard at Buck H, unaware what the poor devils would suffer at the delicate hands of the Guards’ Drill Sergeants. An edict was read out at parades. I assumed it was an honour for… Continue reading WW2, 1940 to ’41, in order,The Guards, the H.G. and Buckingham Palace
WW2, 1940 to ’41, in order, The Grenadier Guards at Whitehall
In time we, in the Westminster Homeguard were chosen to man blockhouses in Whitehall. Crude, concrete structures, set across a road leading to Whitehall and with a gate making free access impossible. Our job was sentry duty outside the blockhouse on ‘X’ nights a week and at weekends. In the blockhouse it was like a… Continue reading WW2, 1940 to ’41, in order, The Grenadier Guards at Whitehall
Random Thoughts No 7, Suicide Pacts , a new phenomenon
Some of us feel that the Internet has been permitted the level of freedom which is beyond commonsense. When one can obtain details of how to make a bomb, how to form a suicide pact, how to obtain pornography of every sort, and that the hits on these types of programmes are probably of a… Continue reading Random Thoughts No 7, Suicide Pacts , a new phenomenon
Another warning, Coastal Paths.
Someone in the government is trying to put forward a Bill to allow paths to be constructed around our coasts, taking over land belonging to those it will pass through. I believe this has not been thoroughly thought through. When my children were young we used to go walking in the hills, forests and on… Continue reading Another warning, Coastal Paths.
WW2, 1940 to 41, in order, The Army, Home Guard an Nortover Projector
The Army and the Guards in particular need no recommendation from me, their records over eons speak for themselves, but the relationship between them and the Home Guard I found amusing and worth relating. Loosely attached to The King’s Royal Rifles, a swank regiment, with a history of valour, we wore a black cap badge… Continue reading WW2, 1940 to 41, in order, The Army, Home Guard an Nortover Projector
WW2, 1940 to ’41, in order, Clement Atlee and the Home Guard
Those of the Television Era would not appreciate the shock of misconception suffered when brought face to face with a politician whose appearance and mien have been conjured from only newspaper articles, radio interviews and radio comment, when there was no TV. Recently, all we see is the top few of our leaders and their… Continue reading WW2, 1940 to ’41, in order, Clement Atlee and the Home Guard