I refer to Guardsman Charanpreet Singh Lall of the Coldstream Guards who made a name for himself at the Trooping the Colour this year by being the first guardsman to parade wearing a Sikh turban. Good for him, I thought, and good for the Guards, too, because Sikhs have an exceedingly warlike reputation.
Alas, he was caught out in a surprise drug test which the army spring on the 'Toms' from time to time. Apparently he had been indulging in cocaine. Of course, his RSM (Regimental Sergeant Major) will no doubt have a few words to say, er, well, not 'say' exactly, more like bellow into his ear from very close quarters. My advice to Guardsman Lall is to keep his turban on to protect his ears! Mind you, what the RSM has to say will, I suspect, pale in significance to what his Mum, Dad and sister have to say when he gets home - especially Mum who looks like a lady one would not wish to cross!
It's all a great pity because he looks like a very smart soldier so I hope the Army give him a second chance because, of course, getting into trouble, in way or another, is what 'Toms' do so awfully well!
Y'all?
What're the shouldered arms y'alls pictured bearskin hatted fellows have hoisted? Manufacturer, model, caliber (calibre?) [alas, given the state of y'alls armed forces] country-of-origin?
I've "goodled" of course but've gotten variants.
Halloween's coming up and, as the Ladyship expresses to go "full English Queenship" I only think it appropriate, I go likewise.
And the thing is, "dressing up as soldiering" in Arkansas even for Halloween is best done prepared for every contingency.
(I do have a 'really-tricked-out-AR' but as I say, I wanna be likewise.)
Posted by: JK | Tuesday, 25 September 2018 at 23:42
Another tradition down the gurgler sacrificed on the altar of political correctness. If Mr Lall wanted to join the Brigade of Guards he should have been prepared to wear the Bearskin. If not prepared to do so he should have looked elsewhere.
And yes I am quite happy to be labelled a Dinosaur.
JK being an ex-pusser what would be wrong with a snappy little 4" quick firer [sith turret] on the lawn for Haloween?
Posted by: AussieD | Wednesday, 26 September 2018 at 00:40
"sith"? Bugger it that should have been "with".
Posted by: AussieD | Wednesday, 26 September 2018 at 00:41
Aye AussieD a lil' ol' 4er'd be my preference but, alas, her Ladyship insists going as an English queen.
I'll have to be "fleet of foot" I reckon. For the party at any rate.
(Now when it comes to whether my lawn might be tricked rather than treated while we're at the costume party ... Y'all 'Commonwealthers' know what "rolled web-wires" are? "Infrared triggered lawn sprinklers"? Directed compressed air cannon"?)
Posted by: JK | Wednesday, 26 September 2018 at 03:57
"rolled web-wires"
JK I am sure with your contacts you could wangle a few tastefully arranged "Claymores" on the lawn. Add a whole new dimension to Trick or Treat.
Posted by: AussieD | Wednesday, 26 September 2018 at 08:37
After a fashion AussieD, the compressed air cannon might be thought of as claymores. I've a few fruit trees scattered about the lawn, an' there's "neighborhood deer" which, as I live in the city limits, I can't just simply do as I might've just some few years past living more out in the boonies.
That was, enjoy deer sandwiches and peaches. Arkansas Game Wardens frown on deer sandwiches out-of-season hence, "perimeter defense" which, fairly spooks the deer away from the plants.
Human pests on the other hand - especially those who might passably be called "determined" as they tend to be on certain nights such as a Razorback win (which as our college football team this season's emulating English teams, aren't happening fortunately for the fruit trees) or, given the Razorback's aren't winning - Halloween looks likely to be a sure-bet this year for some hooliganism.
So what's a feller to do?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbnH5B-OECY
Mind. I do enjoy stayin' in my yard rather'n a prison yard so I've tweaked the Down Knobs down considerably.
But for this one upcoming evening ...
Posted by: JK | Wednesday, 26 September 2018 at 10:05
Sorry, JK, I can't help you with identifying the weaponry carried by the Guards. In my day, you had to ram a ball and some wadding down a long barrel and then carefully tip some powder into a little pan before pointing it in the general direction of the enemy. Hopefully, you would be able to fire at the same time as all your comrades lined up either side of you because that was the only way to achieve one or two hits!
I will leave it to SoD to tell you what the weaponry above is, he's slightly more up to date than me!
Posted by: David Duff | Wednesday, 26 September 2018 at 11:00
@JK - SA80. Getting elderly now but the way the Min of Def runs things, it'll probably still be in use in 2118.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SA80
Spent three happy months in Arkansas in late Eighties. Beautiful. Good people, too (mostly). Would have been in the days when a certain intern-bothering Governor was sitting in the Capitol building.
Posted by: MarkC | Wednesday, 26 September 2018 at 13:36
MarkC, just be exceeding glad that a certain Governor's wife did not take a fancy to your balls, as she was known to sue people for them and eat them for breakfast next morning, and God help the cook who did not prepare then to spec's.
Posted by: Michael F Adams | Wednesday, 26 September 2018 at 14:18
Now look here, Adams, where the hell have you been for the last few weeks? I didn't stamp your leave pass!
Posted by: David Duff | Wednesday, 26 September 2018 at 15:30
Thankee Kindly MarkC
My armorer's onit. Good fellow he, handy "cosmeticatizing" ARs.
Leaving of course, the funk-shun-alitee intact.
Posted by: JK | Wednesday, 26 September 2018 at 22:04