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| Author | Topic: Ballykinler Memories |
| Jim Brown |
posted 8/30/08 3:55 PM
Operation Motorman,boat patrols in the middle of the Irish Sea,sausage sarnies in Sandy's Home,"hangovers" on the assault course following a few warmers into bank after a night in the plastic pub.Julie Goodyear(Bet Lynch)visit on the HMS Maidstone,egg banjo mucker after a night patrol,gate duty in Belfast city centre "attached to a WRAC" for the body searches.Getting the V's going past Divies then getting a brew going up the Shankill.Bunking up in a barn in Bandit country then if your lucky a decent breakfast off the farmer!!Oh but a few take care Jim. |
| Des Grears |
posted 8/31/08 1:18 PM
Hi Jim, was in Belfast a couple of months ago went and had a look at the old camp in Ballykinler stood at the gate and did a bit of remembering and remenicing,also walked up to Divvies flats aint changed much brought a cold shiver down my back.Drove all over it still brings back bad and good memories.You take care mate if you want to give me a bell at any time my mobile number is 07917007465,so long for now. |
| john hobbin |
posted 8/31/08 2:29 PM
Hi des,talk about remenising,i often do it when i go past saighton camp,my lass would wait outside the main gate while i got changed,i left her in the rake and pikel once,sat on her own poor buger,she was only 15 at the time,and i was 19,i often sit in the back garden late at night when the stars are out and have a good old remenise.my favourite times are minden,strensall 76to78,and berlin,i am going before i start crying here.ttsobfn. |
| Jim Brown |
posted 8/31/08 6:31 PM
Hi Des good to here from you mate,bl--dy hell Des I bet that did bring some memories back visiting the old Ballykinler Camp and Divies and thanks for the number I'll definately give you a bell.Yo! John,Saighton Camp,had some good times in Chester especially the Red Lion pub and the Alpine club.Strensall,Minden and Berlin, again good times (on the p-ss)aswell finding time to do abit of soldiering.The Alpine club cost me my first "Dear John" letter and several extra guard duties over the weekend.Happy times take care lads Jim. |
| Tony |
posted 9/1/08 12:33 AM
Stretcher races over the sand dunes before breakfast, Seven peaks in the Mourne Mountains - where they sweep down to the sea :) Back from ops. Friday night; Disco and pissed Saturday night; back on Ops. Sunday night. Wendyhouse trucks and desert-cam Saracens; flack jackets and LMG mags on rifles. |
| john hobbin |
posted 9/1/08 6:49 PM
Hi chaps,does anybody remember a guy called paterson c coy chester,we were slating him because he was knocking of a 40 year old wench,he was telling us she had a right hairy minge,i would love to know what he is doing now,probably still picking hairs out of his teeth.ttfn. |
| Des Grears |
posted 9/2/08 6:58 AM
John by the sound of it he is likely to be buried in it you take care mate as with everyone,so long for now. |
| Tony |
posted 9/2/08 10:10 AM
Yes, John. He was 10 platoon. No idea what became of him. |
| Jim Brown |
posted 9/2/08 1:36 PM
I use to carry a "hairy Gonk" in my flack jacket as a good luck charm,never did understand why.Things you do when your young eh! I now carry the wife's shopping list in my jacket.Must find my "reall cool 70s shades" Take care all Jim. |
| Eddy Cars |
posted 9/2/08 8:25 PM
Jim thought there was a cure for the "hairy Gonk" stuff,did the old penicillian and umbrella down the front working parts not work then.? Ballykinlar, Two wonderful years of Province Reserve,travel round the place calm them down,stir up the mire then bugger of back in time for a Disco or a bacon banjo at sandies home,Priceless. Ian Revel,s disco,what more could we ask for ?. Stay Safe & Regards to all. Eddy Cars |
| Tommy Wallace |
posted 9/3/08 4:53 PM
Jim, as people have said the good old days. Days of patroling around Lisnaski and Derrylin, bloody freezing sitting in the turret of the sarrie can when your 2ic would not take his turn up top, thanks Des G. Days spent checking bridges and culvets, half of which you could not find most of the time. On more then one occision Des and I would be stood in the road looking for a culvet when in fact we were stood on it. Luckly they never went bang. Memories of Sparky walker setting fire to Colin A's sleeping bag trying to light a fire in an old farm house. On standby in the RUC station in Lisnaski and being crashed out but not able to get into our waggon as it was full of floor tiles that some one had wogged to exchange for Potchen (most likly spelt it wrong). Regards, stay safe Tommy |
| Des Grears |
posted 9/3/08 7:29 PM
Hello all, thanks for those memories Tom it was cold and at times hairy and scary but I am glad to have been there and got the T shirt how else would we have all met and be able to recall what happend.If I had the brain to be able to remember every thing and write it all down I bet we would all laugh and cry at it,its good to see all your comments and it brings back things we should not forget.Take care all,so long for now. |
| Jim Brown |
posted 9/4/08 11:02 AM
Great to here about the "good all days" Tommy and the fond memories,yeh! your right Des thats how we all met and what a great bunch of lads.Nice to here from you Eddy take care out there and stay safe.Jim |
| Henry Atkinson |
posted 9/4/08 11:15 AM
Great days,John Downes and Ken Christiansen trying the great escape to Cumbria by pinching a rowing boat from Dundrum,only to get stuck on a sandbank by the out going tide,and Geordie Pragnell walking around C Company lines with his air rifle taking pot shots at every body,and out in the cuds in the Dungannon area looking for a bomb in some culvert after a tip off to the RUC,we searched for about 2 miles of a strip of road, and 2 miles back,after a while and pissed wet through we found it a blue cable leading from the top of the hill to a culvert, on waving to no other than Skippy,who at that was directing operations from the top of his sarrie can and arrived at the scene, only to park on top of the culvert,and at this time a person next to me and Ginge Hunter cut the cable whilst Skippy was parked, wish full thinking, H. |
| Jim Brown |
posted 9/4/08 1:14 PM
Hi Henry well 2 old names from the past John & Ken,Bloody Hell the rowing boat saga I need to go for a p--s before I wet myself. |
| bopper |
posted 9/4/08 7:17 PM
mention of the boat antic,s reminded me of when some of us ass/lt pioneers, colin beck, benny benoiton, smudge smith, carl jackson and a officer who for the life of me can,t remember, decided that we would put in an operation by rowing across lough nee ( can,t remember how to spell it ) us blacked up, paddles covered in sand bag,s, almost bloody sinking, and making enough noise dragging the inflatable through the woods the other side to waken em up in belfast !!! oh memory,s |
| Jim Brown |
posted 9/4/08 7:33 PM
Burma Coy company photo parade delayed after CSM Smetherst spotted half off the guys on the front row wearing various multi coloured socks.Following a loud roar what the f---ing hell!! go and get them f---ing socks changed you bunch of faires (no offence HTM).Still can't find them cool 70s shades. |
| Tony |
posted 9/5/08 8:03 AM
As I recall, H, it was you that found the cable and it was on a second run. The Saracen had passed over the culvert on the first run. :) |
| Tommy Wallace |
posted 9/5/08 1:20 PM
Jim you are right a lot of names from the some would say 'The dark and dismal past@ I would have to disagree with them. In my time in Ballykinler I was in Recce and 11 Platoon, had some great times and a couple of times that I would reather forget. Talking of Geordie Prag who in C coy will remember Big Des Eddie walking round with a barbers strop wacking any poor unsuspecting soul across the backside and always leaving a mark on it. What about the time that Gargoyle got caught with the 2 lass's in the Op in Black Mountain School, Mandy M was not happy about that when he was on orders. Regards Tommy |
| Henry Atkinson |
posted 9/5/08 4:09 PM
Hi Tony,yes your right i did find it,can you remember Armagh Catheadral when 9 and 11plns were firing at something on the roof i think it was a gargoyle,and Pinkie wanted the street light shot out near us but the person i cant remember his name missed the light from a few feet,and the fun we had in the Murph with washing lines and the dogs being poisoned, H |
| Tony |
posted 9/10/08 12:30 AM
Yes, H. Budgie and I had to go in and clear the place in Armagh City. Rumour had it that there were Nuns in there and we hoped to find a few scantily clad ones. However, we didn't see a single one. Rumour had it tha a certain person was visiting the Bn to get his NI medal, and opened up on a supposed gunman on the rooftop, in order to say that he had fired his weapon in anger. :) |
| fozzie |
posted 9/10/08 4:55 PM
NAME AND SHAME THEN !!! |
| redcoat |
posted 9/10/08 6:49 PM
The highlight of the Ballykinlar tour for me had nothing to do with soldiering. It was the privilege of seeing the All Blacks (Captain Sid Going) with "Pine Tree" Meads, running out onto Ravenhill Park against Ulster in front of a full house. This was at a time when sporting teams were avoiding Ulster like the plague. A great gesture by the All Blacks and a great day. The day could have ended in disaster, when one of our small party called out " make way for the British Army" as we were trying to find our way to our seats. |
| Jim Brown |
posted 9/10/08 7:08 PM
Bloody hell redcoat there could have been a bigger scrum in the seats than on the park with the All Blacks!! |
| redcoat |
posted 9/10/08 8:58 PM
How right you are Jim. A couple of us were,as the expression goes,"tooled up" and the individual concerned,who shall remain nameless, was very lucky not to get a piece of lead between the ears. |
| Tony |
posted 9/11/08 11:29 AM
A good story Redcoat.:) Remember: the sun never sets on the Empire! |
| Henry Atkinson |
posted 9/11/08 12:44 AM
Op Motorman,the best kept secret op of all times,cant tell us where we were going but it was a 4 hour drive away. H |
| Jim Brown |
posted 9/13/08 8:06 AM
How true H,the OP was a really well kept secret and we still had the faces blacked up with cam cream later on in the morning,it looked abit like the "dog sh-t" we had thrown at us. |
| Tony |
posted 9/13/08 2:40 PM
So well kept that Harold Wilson went on TV to let the Provies no we were coming. :) |
| Clive Wilson |
posted 9/15/08 6:54 AM
Well said Tony. As I recall there was nobody there!! Clive |
| Des Grears |
posted 9/15/08 8:38 AM
Hi Clive as far as I remember they were all still in their beds we woke them running around.Take care buddy so long for now. |
| Tony King |
posted 10/25/08 9:45 AM
memories? shock to the system is what! I rtb'd from my extended sojourn in Cyprus, those who know me will know why, to be told I was going on anti gun running patrol on Carlingford Lough over xmas/new year, no gun runners, just poteen at new year, rocket fuel, full gale coming out of Lough, couldn't get into Kilkeel, had to go to Belfast, meeting my cousin Pete Bridson, RASC driver courtesy of John Berry, having a party in the dunes, went in Pete's Saracen, nobody can remember bringing it back to camp...happy days, or should that be hazy days? |
| Honkey Tonk Man |
posted 11/18/08 8:03 PM
darlings i am so sorry to intrude in your memories,and i bet you have a lot to share and rightly so,but a little bit of research is wanted by myself and the fairies,as we were sitting in the powder puff room which is our chill out room for drinks and dancing,was there ever tanks and cannons on the streets of belfast was a topic in our discussion of the troubles of ireland,bye for now darlings,@@@@@@@@ |
| pete broderick |
posted 11/20/08 6:43 PM
im a bit disappointed that meself and harry shaw and bob platts name wasnt mentioned in anybodys memories specially in the plastic pub and do i still owe £5 to john hobbin and is he still working out on his bullwark |
| john hobbin |
posted 11/20/08 7:35 PM
Bloody hell pete,how the hell are you,you scouse git,were are you living,i am in sunny chester,and have been since oct 85,call me tomorrow on my mobile 07861305019,and i will let you know all the lads that i am in touch with,goerge foreman is hoping to jack up a reunion soon.I do still work out,but not with a bullworker.ttfn. |
| blair[yogi]shutt |
posted 11/21/08 5:18 AM
is that the one and only pete i can remember you very well as i am sure a lot of the old boys can as well |
| Des Grears |
posted 11/21/08 6:55 AM
Hello Pete AB and me were talking about yourself and Bob when we were in London we were remembering some of the good times and laughes we had.Its great to hear from you and good to know your keeping well,are you still in touch with anyone else if so give them my best,you take care buddy so long for now. |
| Clive Wilson |
posted 11/21/08 10:37 AM
Hi Des Is AB Alan Brown from C Coy & in my platoon? Take care |
| Des Grears |
posted 11/21/08 6:01 PM
Hello Clive yes its the one and only Alan Brown,still as he was then no change except like meself carries a bit more round the belly,take care mate I will pass on your regards when I talk to him tomorrow so long for now. |
| Eddy Cars |
posted 11/23/08 7:53 PM
Jim I have just re-read this thread and was reminded of a guy I met in Baghdad a couple of months ago, he was from Straban and lived and grew up near the "hump" VCP. As we nattered about when we were there in 73 he told me how his grannie was in her bedroom one night and a round came through her window from the checkpoint, I soon realised that the young bugger that fired the round was me, when a car full of young brats ran the lights and almost ran Phil "YANYAN" Barbour over clipping him and making him spin like a top lol. I got charged with attempted manslaughter which at the intervention of then Major Bob Hodges was thrown out due to his interpretation of the yellow card on my behalf. I never told him it was me lol. I also can remember the late Ernie Brown, Eddy Bennett and Paul Speed laying out pennies to decide who had the biggest nudger, (never did know who won )Another memory from those days was Lisnaskee and the lady who made us all banana butties,her husband was UDR and I think Jhonny Tant was trying to get into her drawers,I know he used to send everyone out on "standing patrol" whilst he manned the radio from her house. Such a long time ago but what great days they were. Some things never change though,I have a son in law in the Marines (could not get a real job)and a daughter in the TA and they tell me stuff that they do and think that they are the first to do it,I sit and listen and just think yea it as all been done before and will always be done again, we were never the first but we were always the best.( I would never tell them that)The Kings Own Royal Border Regiment always set the standards for others to strive to achieve,without success. Stay Safe & Regards to all. Eddy & Patti |
| Clive Wilson |
posted 11/24/08 10:45 AM
Hi Des Thanks for that - Where are you living now? Take care |
| Honkey Tonk Man |
posted 11/24/08 4:15 PM
clive my darling,where ever des lives he brings a glow of warmth and sunshine to us all to help lighten up our hearts on these dark cold days,bye for now my darlings,@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ |
| Des Grears |
posted 11/24/08 6:58 PM
Hello Clive,I live in Bradford now AB lives in Warrington Billy Frackelton in Pontefract and Dave Rayner just about 5mins from me.HTM thanks for that buddy, so long for now,Clive I will be up in Whitehaven on the first of Feb the Bradford Bulls are playing Whitehaven will try and call on you for a bit of crack take care all so long for now. |
| Clive Wilson |
posted 11/25/08 6:51 AM
Thats great Des will arrange to meet & watch the game with you. Looking forward to it already - Haven to win??!!! Take care |
| Des Grears |
posted 11/25/08 7:09 AM
Clive I will get the first pint but if Haven win I will buy the bar,it would be great if they could beat the Bulls but a bit of a long shot maybe?,anyway buddy take care I will see you at the game I will post all the details nearer the time,so long for now. |
| Clive Wilson |
posted 11/25/08 7:58 AM
Cheers Des Take care |
| Henry Atkinson |
posted 11/25/08 11:21 AM
Des, no chance pal the Haven will take you by the horns and make burgers out of yeah,take mate and watch your health. H |
| Des Grears |
posted 11/25/08 9:38 PM
Hi H you may be right we did not have the best of seasons but hope this one will be better,how you keeping big lad hope alls well with you and your family im doing great at the min life is good you take care buddy so long for now by the way me brother Danny was asking after you. |
| Jim Brown |
posted 11/27/08 6:42 PM
Hi Eddy thanks for the memories and some more names from the past. Stay safe and take care. Jim |
| Des Grears |
posted 11/27/08 7:16 PM
Hello Jim hows life with you buddy well I hope,Im doing great at present hope it stays way for a long time,meself and AB were in London for Armastice day it was brilliant you should try and make it buddy then you could buy me that pint you owe me lol,anyhow buddy take care will give you a bell later on so long for now mate. |
| Henry Atkinson |
posted 11/28/08 11:11 AM
Well guys to put this thread to sleep lets just think,what great days and times we all had some hard and others easy, but we smiled and laughed at what was thrown at us and those that are not with us today will never be forgotten as we all march on together. H |
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