Xmas Past

[JR]

'The ghost's of Christmas Past'

Its that time of the year when most of us reflect on Xmas in the Corps.
My first Xmas abroad was in Hong Kong Lye-Mun barracks 1949 as no doubt 'Owdun' remembers it well,Good mates/oppo's,home brew,Chinese rice wine and bad accomodation.

Xmas in Malaya active service on Troop location when the Troop officer's dished out mugs of 'Morning Gun-Fire' first thing in the morning,Xmas dinner plus tiger beer,pity the guard detail or those out on patrol,thats my reflection of Xmas abroad.

Good times bad times,but more good than bad.some brill Xmas runs ashore Far-Flung style.Aye JR

[El Prez]

My first Crimbo was married accompanied in Malta, 1971. I invited three of the lads, Chris Wigginton, Taff Mathoulin and George Harris up homers. they arrived 3 hours late, pissed as rats, ate their dinner, hoovered their beer and legged it up town...................................lucky bastards, left me to do all the explaining......"Yes, they/we/I am usually like that too"
...................."I want my Mum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

[Sticky Blue]

Always been at home (not always mine of course) for Crimbo. Had a close shave when Biggles couldn't land in Moscow because of the snow and was lead in by Ivan the 4 Ringed Loony Biggleski who showed ours how to do it, full throttle and off he went.
I am really jelous of you lot who had foriegners left right and chelsea. Jed is on a foriegner (Germany) and I know of the PTI at Quantico. Apart from that I think there is a draft to the Isle of Wight, once a week if you want to go and pay yourself to get there.

[Dave.Mil]

gone

[Artist]

My first Crimbo in the Mob was pretty mundane really. Was in training and spent Crimbo in Padstow with me Mum & Dad.

Artist

[Humphs]

First Chrimbo abroad was in Bougis Street with some Kites at their "Christmas Ball"

[sneaky beaky]

My first Christmas in the Corps was a nightmare!
I was posted to 40 Cdo. in Malta, on the 16th. of December 1959.! Bit cruel I thought.They could have let me go home and spend Christmas there.
Got to Malta. Not much happenning. Checked into St. Andrews Barracks, joining routine etc. By the time I got to B Troop it was very nearly Christmas. Me and the other guy who had been given the "Green Rub" - "Ginge" Sparks, were well up for a run ashore!
Xmas Eve - and we were up at Rosies bar, giving it the Marsovin and Coke ( also known as Screech!). After a few of those we made our way down to "The Gut" (also known as Straight St.).
To cut a long story short, I finished up in a Doss House, pissed out of my brains. We were wearing the old style battledress. I was sick all over it.
Next morning I eventually made my way back to St. Andrews, stinking like a skunk. I decided to wash my battledress in a Dettol Solution.!!
It stunk even worse for the next three months!!

Ah! Yes. The good old days!!
Sneaky