Its a small world (again)
Quote from Cliff_C on June 9, 2024, 10:13 pmJust spent the weekend at a very nice country house hotel in a “wee” place called Dulnain bridge, which is a few miles South of Grantown-on- Spey (Cairngorms). A little mansion which had been converted into a hotel and now a quiet country house! Everything about it was perfect, owned and run by a couple the same age as you lot!! Older than me. Their standards are high, the rooms and the way it is managed are just right, if you are ever in that neck of the woods then I can highly recommend it.
The story then
As I was coming down stairs for breakfast, on an antique table I noticed a light blue covered book but what really caught my eye was a picture of a one ton pig. I read the back leave then was reminded that it was breakfast time. After breakfast (which was perfect) I asked the owner about the book. He told me that the writer was his brother-in law. It was his autobiography from joining the army till just a few years ago. The writer’s wife had died and he was suffering from depression. One of the family had suggested writing his memoirs as a way to combat the depression. The writer had always told stories of when he was in the army then the police.
My wife then told the owner that I had served in the army, the conversation carried on and I asked which regiment the writer had been in, “Oh, a Scottish regiment, the Scots Guards I think”.
The books are on sale and any profit goes to a local charity.I bought one and have just finished a quarter of the story so far.
He was junior leader (1969) then was badged to the Grey’s, he covers a lot of JLR, amongs them are that during training he was taught to swim by Mr Stopher, also said the Stopher was an ex Royal Navy Petty Officer (I didn’t know that), mentions Renny Lentnley, Bickleigh rope course and many more. Happy memories, that’s what I am thinking now! He even mentions Pier Cellars, did anyone go there? I did.
Whilst in the Greys he was sent to Harewood barracks before the amalgamation and his troop sergeant was Paul Savage, am I right in thinking that it is the same…my old SSM in Berlin, if it is I can picture him now with his cigarette holder!
The writer is David Fraser and the book is a very comfortable read.
If you ever come across the book then I can vouch for it!
It certainly is a small world.
All the best
Cliff
Just spent the weekend at a very nice country house hotel in a “wee” place called Dulnain bridge, which is a few miles South of Grantown-on- Spey (Cairngorms). A little mansion which had been converted into a hotel and now a quiet country house! Everything about it was perfect, owned and run by a couple the same age as you lot!! Older than me. Their standards are high, the rooms and the way it is managed are just right, if you are ever in that neck of the woods then I can highly recommend it.
The story then
As I was coming down stairs for breakfast, on an antique table I noticed a light blue covered book but what really caught my eye was a picture of a one ton pig. I read the back leave then was reminded that it was breakfast time. After breakfast (which was perfect) I asked the owner about the book. He told me that the writer was his brother-in law. It was his autobiography from joining the army till just a few years ago. The writer’s wife had died and he was suffering from depression. One of the family had suggested writing his memoirs as a way to combat the depression. The writer had always told stories of when he was in the army then the police.
My wife then told the owner that I had served in the army, the conversation carried on and I asked which regiment the writer had been in, “Oh, a Scottish regiment, the Scots Guards I think”.
The books are on sale and any profit goes to a local charity.I bought one and have just finished a quarter of the story so far.
He was junior leader (1969) then was badged to the Grey’s, he covers a lot of JLR, amongs them are that during training he was taught to swim by Mr Stopher, also said the Stopher was an ex Royal Navy Petty Officer (I didn’t know that), mentions Renny Lentnley, Bickleigh rope course and many more. Happy memories, that’s what I am thinking now! He even mentions Pier Cellars, did anyone go there? I did.
Whilst in the Greys he was sent to Harewood barracks before the amalgamation and his troop sergeant was Paul Savage, am I right in thinking that it is the same…my old SSM in Berlin, if it is I can picture him now with his cigarette holder!
The writer is David Fraser and the book is a very comfortable read.
If you ever come across the book then I can vouch for it!
It certainly is a small world.
All the best
Cliff
Quote from DavidFullard on June 10, 2024, 5:36 pmIt is indeed a small world. My memory is ‘intermittent sometimes poor, other times bad. Now I was in Herford at that time. I recall a ‘Davy Fraser’. If I remember correctly a smart soldier, bright and fit. There is only one Paul (aka Beastie) Savage Cliff..LoL.
You never mentioned the book’s title.
It is indeed a small world. My memory is ‘intermittent sometimes poor, other times bad. Now I was in Herford at that time. I recall a ‘Davy Fraser’. If I remember correctly a smart soldier, bright and fit. There is only one Paul (aka Beastie) Savage Cliff..LoL.
You never mentioned the book’s title.
Quote from jkwebster06 on June 10, 2024, 9:10 pmI only went to Harewood Bks for a short time before attending Lulworth, which was after Amalgamation anyway - did Davy Fraser join SCOTS DG or transfer to another Regiment ? I can't recall any one of that name, but do remember Paul Savage (RIP) complete with cigarette holder !! I also remember the Bickleigh Rope Course, the camp of Nissan Huts called Letny & Renny (never knew the correct spelling for that place), although never heard of Piers Cellars. It sounds a great read Cliff, tell us the title I maybe able to source it online. The mention of JLR certainly brings back so many memories, plus during my 3 years there I never remember it ever raining, unlike the weather here now !! John (JKW)
I only went to Harewood Bks for a short time before attending Lulworth, which was after Amalgamation anyway - did Davy Fraser join SCOTS DG or transfer to another Regiment ? I can't recall any one of that name, but do remember Paul Savage (RIP) complete with cigarette holder !! I also remember the Bickleigh Rope Course, the camp of Nissan Huts called Letny & Renny (never knew the correct spelling for that place), although never heard of Piers Cellars. It sounds a great read Cliff, tell us the title I maybe able to source it online. The mention of JLR certainly brings back so many memories, plus during my 3 years there I never remember it ever raining, unlike the weather here now !! John (JKW)
Quote from Cliff_C on June 14, 2024, 3:43 pmThe book is called: "Sodjer - Lichtie - Polis"
A paperback, with a picture of a Saracen, lighthouse and a police car. Its about his army days then he became a lighthouse keeper then policeman. An enjoyable read. There is a good photograph of HQ troop outside Bessbrook police station 1972.
All the very best
Cliff
The book is called: "Sodjer - Lichtie - Polis"
A paperback, with a picture of a Saracen, lighthouse and a police car. Its about his army days then he became a lighthouse keeper then policeman. An enjoyable read. There is a good photograph of HQ troop outside Bessbrook police station 1972.
All the very best
Cliff
Quote from DavidFullard on June 14, 2024, 7:49 pmDefinitely the Davy Fraser I knew. Lighthouse keeper unlocked the memory bank.
Just seen his pic on line 100% who I thought. Sadly no eBook.
Definitely the Davy Fraser I knew. Lighthouse keeper unlocked the memory bank.
Just seen his pic on line 100% who I thought. Sadly no eBook.
Quote from Cliff_C on June 16, 2024, 2:41 pmPiers Cellars was a small ex Navy harbour which consisted of buildings for accommodation and a pier which had been dug out of the cliffs near Cawsands, directly across Plymouth sound from Renny Lentley. The harbour would dry out at low tide. There was a rope across the harbour which we had to climb across. Leading into the harbour was a fenced off tunnel which went deep into the cliff. We were told that the complex had original been used for minature submarines. By the size of the tunnel it could easily have housed something substantial. Not far from the harbour there was also Scraesdon Fort, I remember having to do an exercise there. It was huge, we spent two days in the underground fort, it was scary at times.
Cliff
Piers Cellars was a small ex Navy harbour which consisted of buildings for accommodation and a pier which had been dug out of the cliffs near Cawsands, directly across Plymouth sound from Renny Lentley. The harbour would dry out at low tide. There was a rope across the harbour which we had to climb across. Leading into the harbour was a fenced off tunnel which went deep into the cliff. We were told that the complex had original been used for minature submarines. By the size of the tunnel it could easily have housed something substantial. Not far from the harbour there was also Scraesdon Fort, I remember having to do an exercise there. It was huge, we spent two days in the underground fort, it was scary at times.
Cliff
Quote from jkwebster06 on June 19, 2024, 9:04 pmI remember, as Junior Leaders at camp in Letney & Renney, training as Cockleshell Heroes, complete with cap comforter headgear, canoeing amongst the mothballed fleet in Plymouth Sound, planting dummy mines against the hull of huge warships in the blackness of night. Although a training exercise, the nerves were jangling big style because it was set up for us very realistically by the staff - we ended the exercise really feeling like commandoes who could do the job for real! John (JKW)
I remember, as Junior Leaders at camp in Letney & Renney, training as Cockleshell Heroes, complete with cap comforter headgear, canoeing amongst the mothballed fleet in Plymouth Sound, planting dummy mines against the hull of huge warships in the blackness of night. Although a training exercise, the nerves were jangling big style because it was set up for us very realistically by the staff - we ended the exercise really feeling like commandoes who could do the job for real! John (JKW)