tynesideirish

A nice shot of the regimental tracksuit being modeled by CSM W Coy.

Here's those dear old colours being escorted onto the square at Happy Valley, Cypus Geordies day 1987. Spud, Smiler and RSM Keating

I don't think it would have been agression, more the "Who the **** do you think you are?" type of thing. Lt Col Wilde was of course a trained Parachutist and had even compleated Pathfinder training in Canada, but the RSM WO1 Griffiths was very anti Para. Here's that badge.

This is the badge that Alderman Fitzgerald is wearing. Newcastle VTC. The Photo is from Bosley's but as I bought it from them I'm sure they'll not mind me using it. It may also be what the 4th Bn Northumberland VTC are wearing if not the Royal Arms?

It seems when it came down to Division thumb forward depending on which arm it was sewn on, was the way it was! That doesn't explain this beauty though! [My Irish library photo, original photographer unknown.]

Another Photo featuring Fusiliers attached to 4 PARA.

Another Photo featuring Fusiliers attached to 4 PARA.

Earlier in this thread I mentioned that I was one of the handful of Fusiliers who passed P-Coy in 1990 whilst 1RRF was in 5 Airborne Brigade. We where initially told we could wear Maroon berets and Para smocks as we'd earned them. This was quickly stopped as it would or could cause resentment with those not entitled to wear it. Instead just the parachutist wing was allowed. The full wing not the lightbulb as we where then serving in an Airborne Brigade. However this attitude seems to have changed. I was recently sent these 4 PARA training photo's listed below. Can anyone tell me which TA RRF Bn these Fusiliers belong too? I can't find anything via google!

Here's a TRF in use now.

Silly of me, I should have known I could just Google it!

Just an interesting aside; There is a good portrayal of a BFC member in the film JOY DIVISION.

Just an interesting aside; There is a good portrayal of a BFC member in the film JOY DIVISION.

Details please, Did you just find this on the web? lodge location? UK wide or area specific? Mike

Richard is spot on those books are great. The badges are correct authorized 8 April 1943. Parachute Training School Shilo. They are dark green melton cloth with white lettering. 2 varieties, one slightly shorter lettering. The Titles changed along with the location (Wiltshire, UK) the following year. A rare pair of titles (I presume without inspection to be genuine) on a rare BD but still $15,000! thats steep.

This has made me so angry. I can hardly write! What motivated this man to buy this grouping is beyond me. I can't see how he can even recoup the auction money by splitting. Everyone knows a known group is worth more than the sum of the parts. Nevermind how selfish this is mad . Wish I was rich, I'd buy them all and then send someone around for a word! Maybe he had a relative killed by Vol Tynan and this is his expensive last laugh? Nothing else , even greed makes sense.

Sorry I couldn't get the old snap any clearer!

This is Sgt Billy T 1RRF and his pioneers at Happy Valley Episkopi St.Georges Day 1987.

It's all imaterial really isn't it? I joined Z Coy in Minden in 1982 and they'd already been there for years. However it couldn't have been later unless your talking 92 onwards, 1RRF went from Minden in 1984-86 to Ballykelly and in 1986-88 went to WSBA Episkopi then 1988-91 to Howe Bks Canterbury with 5 Abn Brigade. Another Bn?

I've recently aquired this Irish Regimental publication and would like to know more. 'The Irish Group Chronicle' Vol. 1. No.1 Dec 1947 The Official Organ of the Irish Infantry Group Printed Tyrone Constitution Ltd. Omagh. I've never heard of this publication previously and wondered if anyone can help: Was this a 1 issue wonder? If not how many issues do I need to track down?

I think its more than likely another example of a bidder bidding a silly price (200 ?) hoping that with normal small incriment bidding their high price will make sure they win it. However that strategy messes up when another bidder has the same bright idea (205?).

Geoff, thats Jammy and a great little story.

Pat, These books are quite common. However added interest may be had from the fact it was published during the war, but that initself means the information may be restricted to things the germans already knew. In that they would have been aware obviously of attacks and raids, when, where but not necessarilly how. In the condition it's in with apparent waterstaining it may be worth $10.00 at most but only about $40.00 in VG condition with Dust jacket. The Patch is a better deal a real bargain worth roughly $80.00 if someone was willing to buy it. Well done mate! Mind... Just because the dedication looks dodgy doesn't mean its not genuine! The First signature may have been put there by a 20 odd year old in 1943 only to be handed to this Burton guy 40-50 years later as an old man, therefore the second bit of writing would certainly change. So I wouldn't dismiss it on the dedication alone.

Pat, All the publishing details of the book are present in your posting. So I'm presuming your interest is in the apparent dedication. This is probably just what it appears to be, someone trying to add value or interest to a previous owner inscription by adding ranks and suggesting it was a dedication gift from an Officer to his Very SNCO. It is crude and the Sanderson name was obviously there first and the Blue ink obviously written in a different hand. Non of my my large Commando book collection have mentions of, nor my knowledgable friends have heard of a Colonel or any other Officer rank 'John E. Sanderson' or indeed a WO1. (RSM) or (ASM) Burton with any connection with Combined Operations, or any other unit of WW2... That doesn't mean there wasn't any, they just arn't mentioned, which is not so strange in regards to the RSM but the Colonel should be mentioned somewhere. If he's not in the index of your book (which I haven't got) I'd dismiss it as a fabrication. Now the patch: This is an Army badge - a variation of the normal Combined Operations badge and worn during WW2. They were issued in pairs and this one worn on the right arm. (Eagle and MG facing to front when worn.) Regards Mike

Why is HM Queen Elizabeth happy for her Australian subjects to wear it but not her British subjects?