sentimental journey

[middlearth]

You are invited to join me on a sentimental journey back 60years today, when on Wednesday 3rd Feb 1943,I together with 39 other 17 year olds entered Chatham Barracks to become part of our great Corps.
Very quickly i became CH/X 112470 Mne S.F.Grayland, a member of H.O. 261 Sea Service Squad almost all of whom served on Landing Craft at Normandy, Walcheren and the Far East . 60 years has dimmed the memory slightly but parading in full marching order over greatcoats in the summer warmth and doubling around the parade ground whilst our wonderfull Band played "Do you Ken John Peel",will never be forgotten.
NOW, because you have read my story so far, i will sing you a little song that would have been sung by every young Marine who trained at Chatham during WW2. If you want to know the tune--Ask your father.

A woking man came home one night
and found his house without a light
then as he went upstairs to bed
a sudden thought came to his head.

He went into his daughters room
and found her hanging by a rope
and as he went to cut her down
pinned on her dress he found this note

Oh, God i wish my child was born
and all my troubles they were gone
so dig my grave and dig it deep
and place white lillies at my feet.

They dug her grave and dug it deep
and placed white lillies at her feet
and on her breast they placed a dove
to signify she died for love.

Now all you virgins bear in mind
a Bootneck's heart is hard to find
and if you find one that is true
Don't change the old one for the new

[harry hackedoff]

Happy Anniversary, mate.
Sixty years,that means you`re older than Owdun

I`ll take a tot with you, middlearth, and here`s to many more

Aye, Harry

[El Prez]

Middlearth, I first heard that sung as the 'Butchers Boy' in Dublin, when it was anathema to be with child out of wedlock. Rather as Harry finds himself, or he will if my gynaecological skills improve!

Many congratulations on your anniversary. Makes sprogs of the rest of us, but your 4 years sproggier than Podge and Len Chester, mind you they did a bit of girls time.

[sharky]

As its my birthday today I shall now have to have three tots, one for the b'day, one to celebrate, middlearth's anniversary and a celebratory one for making me (at 44) feel young agin

[El Prez]

Just checked, Podge joined HO 244 squad from the Drums & Bugles. Have a think about this; Podge and Len Chester parked on the grass outside what had been the Church at Eastney. It had been converted, as had all the other barracks into flats and townhouses. A lady enquired why they were parked on her lawn. Len explained they had come to refresh some memories, and were invited in to see what had changed. the glass was 'listed' and had to be retained.Len & Podge were in the church the day that war broke out in '39. Podge was a choirboy there in '36, confirmed in '37 and on the 24th Dec 1944 he was married. That must have been some sentimental journey.

[Artist]

Dear middlearth

I can hardly see you your so faint.

(old soldiers never die they only fade away)

Congrats.

Aye steve evans