MilitaryForums.co.uk

El Presidente,that brought back some memories 'Big Eats' the Blue Label drinking competition stagger back to St Andrews via trying to climb the cable and wireless pylon at Paceville,or stand easy in Jessies Bar?.Aye JR

just like eating in a public convenience

Dunno, never tried, meself
Why is the national dish rabbit?
There are no rabbits on Malta.
Plenty of feril cats, though
Hmmm,
Aye,[/quote]

The 'big eats' establishment down the gut,nearly opposite the Gyppo Queen,was Ben Marls' resteraunt.It was always Steak(horse)egg and chips,no matter what you ordered.You were usually to p....d to remember what you ordered anyway.Aye Veloman

I can taste it now, and it makes me ravenous for my youth.................. where did I leave her?

There were some great BIG EATS establishments along Sliema front as I recall, not so far to crawl back from either.

Aye Owdun.

You want another bottle of Marsovin or Marsella with your big eats commando?

Aye - Andy.

Getting back to the puttie, we had them in the Para's during the mid 50's
and we never wore our gaiters, saved a hell of a lot of cleaning, loved the dam things. saves a lot of stuff getting into your boots as well.

The classiest joint in Silema was the "Bognor Regis Bar" right along the seafront. Never served in 41 but served on Fearless and used to spend up to 4 weeks at a stretch tied up so that the Middys could hone there sea faring skills.

A very cheap night could be had by bulking up on the cheap Booze in the Naafi in the dockyard then ashore to the delights of Malta.

"Why you kick my dog and call him F**koff when you know his name is Fido Royal?" Cisk beer was me favorite.

aye Artist

The 'big eats' place I remember the most was the 'Chez Vencai' (? spelling') just outside Valletta. If you could eat all of the 'T' Bone steak, chips and salad, the owner didn't charge you for it! The 'T' Bone alone was the size of a dinner plate, and an inch thick!

We had a huge Marine in Support Troop 45 Cdo, who starved himself for a week, and still couldn't finish the meal.

Ah - puttees !

If you did it right they obstructed the breast pocket of your underpants....

AND - if you really frequented the bar on the Gut which had a piano
you must have gone in there by accident - right ?

The Liberace piano player hurled most people through the window...

Floriana for the choosy - Straight street for the not so choosy..

'Aye

I can remember being at Lydd doing Civpop for 42 Commando and the wrens had to wear putties with their uniforms. As it was the first time we had worn these apart from the odd stint on the ranges, we never quite got the putty right. On one exercise when i was attached to the Marine Unit there was a simulated riot and we had to run from the rioters back towards the fort to inform the guard. Unfortunately for me my bloddy putty came undone and i went face first into the dirt, and sprained my ankle and wrist. But all was not lost, the most handsomest bootie swept me up in his arms and carried me to the fort and then promptly told me to put my arse back in stores!!!!! Who said romance was dead....

I just wondered if there any units in HM Forces today who still wear puttees.

If not, when did they finally die out.

The RAF Regiment had them when I got de-mobbed in 1977 but I have no idea when they stopped being issued.

Can recall being issued RMCHLB at 42 round about May 83 then wearing them on Ex Rough Diamond (if my memory is correct).

So in 42 at least, putees and DMS boots went out in mid(ish) 83!

Something that always made oi larff was DMS boots, size 12 and above.........they were longer than they were taller and looked like clowns boots!

RMCHLB........bastard to do the BFT in! All the unit racing snakes used to turn out in NI 'slippers!!