"Hiram J Potts"

[JR]

One for you Owdun,Can you remember 40th RM Commando Parade Lyemun barracks Hong Kong 1949(phew),when the whole Commando was on Parade Saturday Morning "date"???,when the order was given "Officers draw swords",all went well untill Hiram drew his sword,and there to the shock and horror of the CO,Hiram had only half a sword the blade had broken the previous evening during a sword fight on the balcony of the Officers Mess,the unit went into mass hysterics, I think Hiram was orderly officer for quite awhile. AYE JR

[owdun]

Remember it well,can't,however recall the reason for the parade.I do
recall a rumour, that the reason his sword broke was because it had
rusted into its scabbard,which,would go with his dislike of bullshit.I often
wonder if the Corps still attracts men like Hiram as officers,maybe the
younguns could tell us a tale or two.
Aye.Owdun

[JR]

Now I come to think of it the Parade was because some one had nicked all the Xmas Turkey's,and the CO "Bertie Lumsden" put us all on Bulley Beef for Xmas Dinner???.Aye JR

[barrybudden]

I remember being on a unit prade in RM Poole in 1991 I can't remember what it was for. Some of the SNCO's had a leaveing run the night before and a few had to be casevacked of the squaire. We were in Blues and the Adj charced on with his horse and called the prade to attention then the CO marched on. The Adj reported the prade to the CO and his horse s**t about 10 feet infront of him and charged off. So there he was in all his glory standing behind a big steaming mound of horse s**t.

[JR]

Going back a few years ,remember when pay day came around every fortnight,and on a blank week in Eastney barracks, you could stroll across the road to "Uncles" John full James pawn shop and pop the Medals for ten bob,all was well untill the RSM got word of it,and would call for a parade (best blues) and prior to the parade would stroll across to the pawn shop and make a note of who had popped the gongs?,there would be quite a few extra parades????? Aye JR

[owdun]

JR,remember the day's before we were allowed to wear civvies ashore,blue's white gear and swagger cane,the pain of fitting cap covers
in summer ,and a run down Union St to the Long-Bar,a punch-up with
Elmer if he happened to be in port.Plymouth Marines will remember the
row of civvy hats on the railings by the Sgt's mess,when they finally let
us ashore in civvies,on condition that we wore a hat,so that we could
properly pay compliments to any stray officers we happened to fall over.
Happy days.
Yours Aye Owdun

[JR]

Howdun,Union st and that mecca of all bootnecks the "Longbar" the Royal naval school of dancing??,missed the train back to Bickleigh,now thats a nice long walk when your'e seven sheets to the wind.that brings back some memories.I dont think I ever saw a Naval Patrol venture forth into Union St ,Never even saw a "Pongo" and as for Elmer Once got one P***ed and got him tattooed with "Rule Britania" on his chest,also known of one in Hong Kong who had the same.Aye JR.ps I was A Chatham Division Marine.