Rogue Gunner

TICK TOCK TICK TOCK

2012-01-23T07:30:00.000Z

MILBABE

2012-01-23T07:00:00.000Z

MISSING MY FEET

2012-01-22T07:30:00.000Z

MILBABE

2012-01-22T07:00:00.000Z

WAR HORSE

2012-01-21T15:19:00.001Z

HT/ and more fabulous art work here at Spud Jock Milne

Introducing Patrick Hollins, Coastal Command - WWII

2012-01-21T07:30:00.000Z

Patrick joined the RAF because his father had fought in the trenches in WWI and the idea of being up to his ankles in mud didn't appeal. In fact he may have had a rethink after being assigned to Coastal Command, 502 Squadron. As a gunnery officer he found himself flying on the Armstrong Whitley bomber, notoriously known as the “flying coffin”. In this interview, Patrick is keen to point out that the bomber floats very well: his plane ditched into the Atlantic in the dead of night. In this entertaining interview Patrick also talks about his experiences in two other Coastal Command squadrons and reflects on just how lucky he was to survive the war. Watch interview Here

Thank you for your service Patrick, I salute you Sir.

MILBABE

2012-01-21T07:00:00.000Z

I do not want Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner dead

2012-01-20T15:56:00.001Z

How do I feel now it’s the 30th anniversary of the Falklands War? Tired, and distant from others. Maybe surprisingly to some even to other Falklands veterans. For several months I had been a member of a a group on Face book called Falklands 30, on the face of it a great site with loads of photographs and stories about the War in 1982, I even posted a few of my own like the telegram I sent my Mother from Port Stanley after the cease fire to let her know I was still alive. I think anyone who has read my Blog over the years should be in no doubt about my thoughts on the Falklands War and why I thought it was the right thing to retake the Island from a bunch of Fascist thugs. But then surely as grown up men let alone veterans we should be able to have civilised debate especially in a `closed` group like Falklands30. Well I will give as good as I get when it comes to defending my points of view, but I will not open a bottle of champagne and celebrate a woman that has being diagnosed with cancer like Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner even if she is apposed to British rule in the Falklands. It makes me wonder how far some people would go in their Hatred, would they have been equally happy if her children had cancer? Because I thought it was wrong and posted a reasonable response to their hatred I was accused of not knowing what happening in 1982 and was made to feel like I was supporting the Argentineans so I left the group. How would they have felt if their wife’s had cancer and it was being celebrated on the internet? I must point out that this was a small minority but none the less I found it highly distasteful , perhaps I’m getting to sensitive in my old age, I would like to think that I may have PTSD but I have matured when it comes to schoolboy name calling and abuse. I suppose leaving a Face book group is the equivalent to walking away from a drunk in a pub. Anyway I was not going to mention it but then this is a Blog and I cant just post Mil babes all the time and War vids, well I’m sure some of you would prefer it? The truth is as gung ho as I may appear on these pages I do not want another War with Argentina for the obvious reasons and I’m sure neither do they, more would die and end up wounded and mentally impaired but have no doubt we would win again. So it seems Face book groups and me don’t work very well, it’s the same with our so called `friends` apart from a small amount do we really know any of them? Every now and then one of the `civvies` on your list pops up and has a moan cos she doesn’t get squaddy humour, well I suggest you don’t go around collecting ex squadies on FB and stick to your own kind. Rant Over!

The British Army Cadets

2012-01-20T07:30:00.002Z

For action and adventure, fun and friendship, the Army Cadet Force is hard to beat. With around 45,000 cadets (aged 12-18) and 8,500 adult volunteers in 1,700 locations in every corner of the United Kingdom, the ACF is one of the country’s largest voluntary youth organisations. It is also one of the oldest and celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2010.
We welcome boys and girls from the age of 12 (and in at least year eight at school), of all abilities and backgrounds, and through a broad range of exciting, challenging, educational and adventurous activities, help them develop physically, mentally and socially. Some of our activities have a military theme, others have more of a community focus. Combining military and community activities in this way enables us to offer our 45,000 young people a unique blend of personal development opportunities, all designed to promote fun and friendship while also helping them prepare for success in their chosen path in life, whatever that might turn out to be. Enter site Here

THIS IS WHERE IT ALL BEGAN FOR ME.

MILBABE

2012-01-20T07:00:00.000Z

Percy Radio Interview HMS Sheffield Falklands War

2012-01-19T17:08:00.000Z

Auschwitz Concentration Camp

2012-01-19T07:30:00.000Z

HT/ and more fabulous art work here at Spud Jock Milne

MILBABES

2012-01-19T07:00:00.000Z

David Cameron condemns Argentine 'colonialism' over Falkland Islands

2012-01-18T19:18:00.001Z

Argentina claiming the Falkland Islands is as absurd as the UK saying it wants America back!

WITH THE SAS AND OTHER ANIMALS

2012-01-18T07:30:00.000Z

I have just returned from my two weeks winter break and while I was away I read the book With the SAS and other animals, thoroughly enjoyable and well worth a read see my short review below.

Andy McNab meets James Herriot in the hostile hills of Dhofar. If you like books on the Special Forces and animals even more then this is for you. The author enthrallingly takes the reader on a journey to 1974 and the vital role of the R.A.V.C working alongside the secretive S.A.S. in the successful counter insurgency War `Operation Storm` six months in the harsh environment of the Arabian Gulf. With local livestock being worth their weight in gold the `Vet` is up there in importance with the Sultan himself. As for hearts and minds Andrew Higgins has an impressive personal tally.

MILBABES

2012-01-18T07:00:00.001Z

Falklands veteran meets Argentine 'enemy' 30 years on

2012-01-17T07:30:00.000Z

Neil Wilkinson has always been haunted by the memory of the pilot he shot down as a young gunner during the Falklands War.
He had always believed his enemy died in the wreckage of the crash.
But now the veteran has completed a remarkable journey to meet the Argentine airman he thought he had killed during the 1982 conflict.
Mr Wilkinson, from Leeds, came face to face with former enemy Mariano Velasco at his home in Argentina and was welcomed inside with open arms.
Mr Wilkinson said: "It's too massive to put into words.
"Part of it is closure really, but meeting him in the flesh I now know he is alive and we are friends." Read more Here

I wish both of these proud men well.

MILBABES

2012-01-17T07:00:00.000Z

12 REGT RA

2012-01-16T07:30:00.001Z

HT/ and more fabulous art work here at Spud Jock Milne

I am proud to have served with the Lancashire and Cumbrian Gunners with T air defence Battery.

MILBABE

2012-01-16T07:00:00.000Z

VINTAGE MIL BABE

2012-01-15T07:30:00.001Z

Paratroopers train Sierra Leone soldiers

2012-01-15T07:30:00.000Z

FROMELLES 19 JULY 1916

2012-01-14T07:30:00.000Z

HT/ and more fabulous art work here at Spud Jock Milne

MILBABES

2012-01-14T07:00:00.000Z

D DAY PATHFINDERS

2012-01-13T07:30:00.000Z

HT/ and more fabulous art work here at Spud Jock Milne