Rouges

I feel I must give a bit of a health warning with this little lot - may I suggest you lock up your daughters as the ensuing sights may turn their heads or even put them off blokes forever, hide the pets and put young children to bed!

Currently many of the photos are from three main sources Pete Lawton, Ian Sutton and Jimmy Rimmer and appear in no particular order - although that may come soon.

These two rejects from the Mr Universe contest are Higgi and Ian, Ian is the one on the floor (usual position post excursion to Bty bar). So from that I'm sure you can deduce that Higgi is t'other one.

As you can tell from the plush accommodation this was taken at the Costa Del Mosonic Car Park, Londonderry.

Next up is Ian again but this time he's lounging about with 'Crackers' Navackas - again the location is sunny Londonderry. They only got us there by saying there was free board and lodging. The Bogside was a lovely place full of lovely individuals who were misunderstood (ha - likely story). I didn't get out much cos I was doing another job but me being the burk that I was used to volunteer. Lets face it 4 months in the Masonic Car Park would have sent me batty so owt for a bit of light relief - but I did choose which sections I went with, I ain't that daft!!

This last one of Ian is on a much less happy note as we see him in a more reflective mood (reflective being the polite word for it) during a trip from our -5 star hotel in the Masonic Car Park. Ian was told he was off to a local football match but didn't realise he'd be heading bricks. The only trouble with his little bit of shelter is that it is the Rossville Flats - not the best place for a squadie to hang around so there's no wonder he looks a little, how shall I put it, pensive.

This next lot of misfits are courtesy of Jimmy Rimmer - he had something to do the guns I think - No1 or something unimportant like that!!!!

For those that might not know Jim, he's the one with his back to the camera (three stripes not the crown).

You can also see 'Fritz' Kauter (you'd never have guessed he was German would you) scowling in the background. When I come to think of it it was very rare to catch Fritz with a smile on his face.

Jim once again with some rabble of various sizes, but this time Moose Moore, right hand edge of photo, has got in on the act. I'd pity the poor bugger who tried to mug him! You can also see Dave Hamer getting in on the act (far left) - don't he look happy!

On last thought on the two photos above - spot the officer, I'll give you a hint he's the one without a flak jacket. By the way these were taken when the Bty were in Andersonstown, Belfast.

In this next one Jim is shown in all his glory - he's the one in the (off white!) tee shirt. Some of the rabble are - Big Spick (Alan Sutton, Ian's big brovver) is at the back with the glasses on, Jacko is front left with Dave Hamer (again not looking that happy) directly behind him whilst Pete Rouse is in front of Alan. The rest I know but their names escape me!

Jacko Again I think this is from the first tour of N.I (Andy Town) and it was obviously so rough they had to build their own kipping platz! As this is Jacko Jackson (a highly original nick name) who is wealding the trowl it, and the bricks and cement, were probably borrowed but on a rather permanent basis and probably from he whom is trying to brain Jacko from behind!!

With an ability like that to 'borrow' things you can see why he because our BQMS!

Now we zot back to N. Ireland and the Maze MkII and this was my last tour of the province. The only problem I have with this photo is that I'm not sure which Troop it is, other than either 4,5, or 6. Whichever it is it had Pete in it.

Getting ready for a night on the town, either that or coming back from or going to a tussle with some of the guests in Long Kesh what got me was that the food, accomodation and entertainment was free - who could ask for more? In the image to the right, middle row and third from the left is Gerrad - I think he's the only one I've seen (apart from Steve De'ath) who hasn't changed - hair's a little different though

Again this is from Pete. Next to him is another member of our Svy team, Mick Small. As you'll see later Mick, Pete and I went on our Adv. Svy course together at Hohne. Mick and I also got our first strip whilst on the course. When we moved to Dortmund Mick decided to join 29 Commando but after joining the regiment he was sadly killed in a road acident in Belize. It must have been a terrible blow to his wife, Sue, as I'm sure one of the reasons he moved regiments was to be nearer her in Plymouth.

And yet another one of Pete (on the left) - he's getting worse than Ian Sutton. Bloke next to him is Dave Rochford and again I think this is during one of the tours of N.Ireland, I think it's the Maze Prison but then again looking at the blocks it could be Peninsula Bks. I don't know who were the worse off in the Maze us or the 'guests'.

Getting away from N. Ireland for a while this was one of the few cups the Bty ever won - I think it was for cross country, as I was part of the team I tend to remember such things! I came second behind Chris King and I only managed that because I'd just come from Junior Leaders and had muscles in my spit!

Collecting the cup, from the CO's wife I think, is the shy and retiring Ian Sutton, I'm sure we've seen him before! Just peering from behind Ian's head is Jimmy Johnston - Steve De'ath'll remember him - and next to Jimmy is, I think, Alan Dale.

Guess what - there's Ian again. I know I know both of the lads with him but I can't for the life of me remember their names. You may notice that both gun and rabble look relatively clean and this leads me to believe that was during recruiting in Manchester. I was the pratt who had to show the grubby little kids FACE.

The main thing I remember about it was that I'd just past my driving test and I had to drive a long wheel base Land Rover and trailer from Larkhill to Manchester the trouble was I kept forgetting I'd got the blasted trailer on the back which caused great consternation for anything I managed to pass cos I nearly knocked their front ends off with the afore mentioned trailer!

But I must admit Recruiting was great because it was summer and it wasn't exactly hard work.

This, I'm afraid, is not a flattering photo of Pete Lawton with Bob Irvine in hot pursuit. Now we all KNOW what he's doing (opening a can of the Bty's favourite brew, Carlsberg) however we also know what it looks like he's doing.

The only thing wrong is that this particular trick was usually kept until leaving the bar and finding one self inconvenienced; if you get my drift.

Those battery bars in Dinglehoffen were the best thing ever invented and talk about cheap booze and fags, it was almost indecent but of course no one complained.

By the way you can see why Pete was bunged in a ferret in fact none of use were very tall.

With this next one I feel a little tear of nostalga running down my leg!!

Dinglehoffen Camp more commonly known as Peninsula Barracks in all its glory - the SKC was on the right with the Church on the left.

If seeing the motley crew from the Masonic Car Park wasn't enough how about this - the place where angles fears to tread, a squaddies room. Not only that but a room where the afore mentioned squddie hath no socks! Not only a fate worse that death but even worserer than that!

The three brave souls suffering Ronnie Rentons' (Rhino - but we won't go into that) feet are (L to R) Tara, Ronnie, Gerard and once again Bob.

Carrying on the 'Pete' theme we now get to an even more modern era.

Here we see Pete, on the left, with his better halp and then Doug McPetrie or Jock (you'd never guess he hailed from Scotland would you!) another reprobate from the Bty.

I'm sad to say that it is now time for me to raid my own piggy bank of photos, thankfully there ain't many of me (on t'other end of camera you see). But, I'm sad to say some other silly bugger took some that I managed to borrow from Steve De'ath which have me lurking in the background.

As those members of that era will recognise most of them are in the bty bar in Dinglehoffen and as you will also notice Steve De'ath is also in many of them but with drink in hand. As I think I've said before thems woz good days them woz.

This next one is Pete, Mick and myself on the Advanced Regimental Survey course in Hohne. Mick and I got our first stripe there, the Bty daren't give it to us face to face - either that or it was a bribe to pass to the course, if it was then it worked!.

It was an enjoyable course that one, I suppose being away from the regiment helped even if it was only Hohne. But I thnik it was being with Mick and Pete that helped the most. You are greatly honoured with this image because you are looking at three members of the best svy party in the Regt., we could do joined up writing (on a good day wiv a following wind) and as our great piece du resistance we could do maffs without the aid of calculator or safety net plus we didn't have to take us boots off!

As you will see this next one is me striking my bestest military pose. As this is from Canada I can only think that my usual sunny disposition has been wiped from my face by the order to move after we'd just brought survey in from God knows how many miles away. To say I do not look amused could be classed as an understatement!

Notice the strategic and well camoflaged CP on the brow of the hill - not the best place to bung one!

Talking of Canada Pete Lawton reminded me of an 'incident' that occurred with one of our officers - visit Sandbag to find out more!

Once the regt. moved back to the UK PADS (Position and Azimuth Determining System or the poor mans' GPS, bung that in your car and you'd bugger up the front suspention) came on the scene and as I was now a full screw I suppose they thought it was beneth me! So to get their moneys worth they bunged me in the CP and hence this last photo, me on the Advanced CPA course in Larkhill - as we were based in Larkhill it's a wonder they didn't send me to Hohne!

Well that's the last of me thank heavens but the honour of the last photo goes to Jock McPetrie and Pete Lawton. I had an email from Pete a while back because Jock was going to visit on his Harley and this is the result. I'm not sure which of the three is the rogue but after much thought I reckon it's the one in the middle!