Many of the following photos have been sent in by other listners and viewers of the current program and I thank then for their time and effort. I have tried to group the images into some type of order but what that order is I'm not sure!

But first a bit of light refreshment! All those who know/knew Frankie Dunn also knew he had two hobbies. The first was his red RS2000 Escort that he drove around in and occationally rallied and the second were his cartoons. Regarding the first one he tried to get me as his co-driver cos he reckoned I knew which way was up on a map, but it seems it just wasn't to be.

Back to the cartoons. They generally manifested themselves during tours of N. Ireland and the like. I'm afraid I've only been able to unearth four of them and a couple are a little naff. However I've tried to make them a little clearer so apologies to Frankie if I've spoilt his art work!

I think the subject of this one needs no explanation other than it relates to Long Kesh, the batterys' 2nd tour of NI.

This next one leaves one wondering whether Frankie (a) had a death wish or (b) a questionable and dangerous sense of humour or (c) all three!

This one doesn't relate to N Bty but as we all know there was an unwritten code that said you had to have a go at t'other batterys it you got chance!

When a few of the governments 'guests' decided to book out of their 5 star accomodation rather earlier than expected Frankie was once again on the spot. Again, I hasten to add, nothing to do with us (see above!). However it did have something to do with the Padre as they were disguised as priests/vicars - I can't remember thier denomination!

I, like many others, left behind a significant other (in my case a wife) when we trotted off to Costa Del N. Ireland for our 4 month holidays. So there we were in N. Ireland up to our necks in mud and bullets not to mention the bricks and dogs whilst our loving wives et al were sat gazing out of the window. Their nails, on hands and feet, were down to the quick waiting for us to return out of the mist wiv kit bag on shoulder - you've all seen the films so you know what I mean.

As you may have guessed this is my wife Lizzie in a less than expectant pose cos I was on R&R. Now the image we may wish of our wives and significant others may be of the fretting partner, but the truth was usually the opposite - booze in one hand fag in the other. Lizzies excuse was that she was drinking to forget but the trouble was that she'd forgotton what she was forgetting - if you get my drift!

Most of this next lot are quite well known - largley to the police - but we can't help that!

So, this motley bunch on the left are, as most will know, the De'ath clan but we all have our problems! This not so great photo was taken in Larkihill when Steve had defected to the dark side (L (Nery) Bty). It was probably when the Regt. were about to move back to W. Germany. I've seen Steve and his long suffering wife Deb since then and neither of them look any different - the only cloud is that Jenny, their daughter, looks just like her mum. I know that's better than looking like her Dad but it is still a heavy cross for the poor child to bare!

The two ladies on this photo are Fiona, one of Lizzies friends, on the right and Sue Higgins on the left. Not a very flattering photo of either but never mind! I think this was taken in 1977 so Sue and Higgi would have been married by then. Since leaving the Army I've only seen them once - but you never know.

I'm sure I've mentioned ths before but as some of you may know I am rather camera shy and therefore it is unlikely that thou shalt see ones mush clutting up this site. However I am caught now and then - this is one of the 'then' times!

Lizzie and I are outside our first place of residence - more commonly called a hiring in Deilinghofen. It was a great place and Frau Busch, our landlady, would always ask us to get her something from the NAAFI, usually Bols or advocat. But she was great and a great seamstress. We kept in touch even when we left the Army until she sadly died. However living in Deilinghofen did have one draw back - their band. I had just come home on R & R and was awoken at 0530 by the afore mentioned band belting forth for all they were worth - I shall not tell you what I called 'em! But even this could be overlooked as we generally woke to the smell of fresh bread from the bakery close by - ah thems woz the days.

Whilst on the subject of Deilinghofen I found this image of the Gun-Park on the internet. I have a funny feeling that the barracks arn't occupied and come to think of it I think Pete Lawton told me he went there and the old barracks are now an industrial park - I wonder if anyone told the Americans! Anyway I'm sure those shutters were door when we were there - or am I thnking of Larkhill, or was it Dortmund? Anyway we had doors somewhere! And talking about Peninsual Barracks have a butchers at this little lot - not exactly N Battery or even 2nd Fd Regt but I'm sure it will stir a few memories and anyway the Canadians are still part of the Commonwealth!

This next image is one most of us saw most often - the view out of the Bty Bar door. The only fly in ointment is the glimps of the sqare in front of the Bty Offices. I think it was O Bty on the right (behind the 3 cars) and we were on the left. The block on the far right was where the yanks kept themselves to themselves. I must admit Peninsula Bks was the best barracks I frequented whilst Ubique in Dortmund must have been the worst.

To add to my romantic idea of Peninsula Bks as being the ideal home from home (ha), hows about this one for a bit of poetic nonesense in an Army Barracks. I think this was taken at dusk looking west over the accomodation blocks. Anyway I think its quite good even if I do say so myself!

This next lot put the England test team to shame - just look at the strip, designer or what! You'll have to bear with me as all thse are taken from slides; you've been warned.

As you may be able to see the pitch is as flat as an impact area and the grass makes Lords look like a meadow. I used to enjoy cricket cos I had a secret weapon - I bowled left-handed but batted right-handed. It was not only during cricket that I caused a few scratched heads because I also fired a rifle right-handed but used a pistol left-handed - I always was an awkwad sod, just ask me better half!

Not sure whether anyone will remember, but around 1980-81 (?) there was a huge NATO exercise in W. Germany (Crusader I think it was called) and some bright spark decided that the regiment would supply some Tactical Artillery Umpire Teams (TAUTs). At first I was given a cushie job with John Spencer however the gods decided not to be kind and I was called into the BSM's office to be told that one of the other Sgts couldn't hack it so could I! Now me being the prat that I was (and still am) said no bother and so I got lumbered with the BC - at least we were in different Land Rovers, I think Trev Janes was my driver but don't quote me on that!

Our job was to be the 'shells' of the Artillery fire and we went around throwing thunder flashes and blue smoke where we were told artillery fire was coming down. We would then assess casualities. It sounded great but it was really boring and they would insist on firing at bloody night so how the hell could you see if owt was there to be hit without giving the game away! I don't think great thought had been put into the planning!

Anyway as usual I had my camera with me and whilst some shots were complete crap others, more by luck than judgement, came out ok. I also took some cine film of the whole she bang but I think the file might be rather too large to bung on here but I shall see.

Now that I've got that off my chest does any one of my era remember the Felsenmeer close to the camp - actually to the right as you looked out of the Bty Bar in Dinglehoofen. Well, I did cos I'm more cultured than the normal rabble plus I couldn't drink as much. Anyway I went there a couple of times (owt to get out of camp for a while). The trouble is knowing what I know now re. geology etc I wish I'd gone there more often but was it ever thus. Anyway I took a number of slides and if you select the image you'll see the result. Not exactly Army I know but I probably would not have seen it otherwise.

One thing I enjoyed perhaps more than any other in the Army was Snow Queen when they bunged a load of us in some transport to Bavaria. I hadn't been in the regt. very long before I got the chance to go. So off we went with these green and black planks of wood the Army had the nerve to call skies for a couple of weeks terrorising the Bavarian populus. I never got on with the Army skies so I hired some shorter ones and it made life much easier. As usual my camera went with me and these are some of the results. I'm afraid some of the images are a little rough as there are from slides but beggers can't be chosers.

© Richard Fox