ARmy Rumour SErvice

A couple of tales from my time ;

1.Whilst at AAC Chepstow in 1976 I remember seeing the Razzman ( Scots Guards ) saluting a chap wearing a smart uniform with lots of braid on the hat and pips on his shoulder - it was a FIREMAN doing a fire inspection !. Typical woodentop though he would've even saluted the CO's dog when it was taking a dump given half a chance !

2. On Hohne ranges one year we were getting a visit from the " Iron Lady " herself, Prime Minister Maggie T.
We were briefed by the Sqn badge that if she ever deemed herself low enough to speak to us under NO circumstances was she to be saluted , she was a politician and not a member of the royal family says he, ok says us.
I was on the back of the Stally unloading ammo when she appeared in the staff car with all the hangers-on , Razzman sprints over , opens the door, stamps his feet in the mud and throws up a salute Ron Britton would have been proud of, I happened to look over to see Sqn badge shaking his head and muttering "merchant banker " or something similar under his breath, not long after Razzman picks up a BEM , coincidence ?

I was lurking behind the Police line at the State Opening of Parliament and as Her majesty's coach approached the senior officer gave the command 'Officers of the Metropolitan Police....Officers of the Metropolitan Police, shun!'

Unfortunately however, whilst at attention a number of them had to jump out of the way of the Household Calvary as the troopers wheeled their mounts in a very brisk manner.

Originally Posted by cloudbuster

I bet you do that little "Good morning, Mrs Magpie, how are you and Mr Magpie and all the little magpie chicks this morning?" chant as well, don't you.

I have an abbreviated version which I can use as long as I then tap five times on wood within a certain timescale. Seen the actors in Blackadder? That's me, that is when it comes to rituals

Originally Posted by jumpinjarhead

ah--what a blast from the past. I have fond memories of many good times at various Marine Houses around the world. Always a warm welcome and when I was a drinking man, never had to buy one there.

The only off-putting bit was the heaves to the bar competition, which naturally I misunderstood but was allowed to stay once I'd borrowed a mop & bucket

Originally Posted by jumpinjarhead

Thanks for the gesture. As I say, there is nothing wrong in my book in showing respect or solidarity among warriors.

I was taken to task later for paying compliments to foreigners, but later exonerated. What pleased me was that the Troop sprang to attention as commanded & asked questions later.

Originally Posted by Markintime

In the days when the AA still saluted there was no such thing as speed traps!

Actually, Captain Plume is correct. The Road Traffic Act 1930 introduced speed limits and the local constable would measure the speed of a car with a stop watch over a pre-ordained distance. An AA patrolman would stop his motorcycle ahead of the speed check and throw up a salute only to those cars approaching which displayed the bright yellow grille badge. This demonstration of respect towards members of the organisation was really just a convenient means of circumventing the suggestion that they were perverting the course of justice by advance warning motorists.

Edit: Note to self. Read whole thread before posting replies.

Surprised that the Chief Super didn't salute HRH. The usual rule is that only the senior officer present salutes royalty (I suppose the ACC or the Chief may have been present) - but other police officers are there to ensure her safety and maintain order, they're not on parade or being presented, so they shouldn't allow themselves to be distracted from that role when she's close - that's when they need to be most alert. Apart from the above, the only time we salute these days is, as mentioned earlier, a hearse.

Originally Posted by CaptainPlume

I once brought my Troop to attention & saluted a USMC Colour while waiting for a Remembrance Parade to get under way. Got a bit of a rifting, but I felt it was a courtesy (it was the November after the September 11th attacks) & the Americans seemed to appreciate it. Still not sure if I did the correct thing!

As a young “Subbie” I’d driven from Bootle - 238 Sqn RCT(V) - to Hull, with a section of 4-5 vehicles, that was going on one of the North Sea ferries. Just outside Hull, “fag-break”, parked-up on a dual carriageway, Drivers stretching their legs, I saw a hearse/cortège heading our way . . .

Thinking quickly, I said loudly . . . “listen-in . . stand easy”

I then ordered . . . “stand-at-EASE . . ‘ten - SHUN”

I was then confused, as I had 9-10 Drivers (and myself) all stood to attention, and facing every which way!!

I gave the cautionary warning “Squad will turn to face the road”

And, just in time for the hearse/cortège to reach us “To the road - TURN”, and I threw-up a salute!

Not sure if the last two commands were/are in any drill manual but, they were clear enough, understood, and achieved what I had hoped for

During the miners strike, I had the privilege to act as Adjutant at CVHQ RCT, Grantham. The place was infested with Police from all over the country - using the barracks as accommodation during the week - when they would attend picket lines etc., around the neighbouring Counties.

(How all the police would pile into their mini-buses on a Friday afternoon to return home, just as the first TA lads would appear for a weekends training, is another story).

One of the more senior police officers had the temerity to “grip” the RSM for not having paid him the courtesy of a salute . . . .

The RSM explained “politely”, that he paid compliments to the Queen’s Commission - not to those awarded by the local Council !!

Originally Posted by Markintime

The AA used to salute you if you were a member.

The RAC did.