Regimental Characters

#1 · November 16, 2023, 11:51 pm

Quote from DavidFullard on November 16, 2023, 11:51 pm
I was going to rant about The Met’s apparent legal inability to stop people climbing on war memorials until my in box pinged with an email from my hospital consultant at 2035 telling me my latest CT was clear of cancer. He told me it did however show a left side inguinal hernia which, if causing me discomfort, he would be happy to repair. Long story short he has arranged a telephone consultation for the 28th of this month to discuss my surgical options. And I said the NHS was broken!
That aside, I also noted a brief remark by Freddy in his ‘Contributions’ post encouraging other ‘lookers in’ to post, explaining they didn’t need to write about politics. The site of course isn’t a political forum and I recognise I do tend to submit the odd political post. I’m sure it wasn’t a dig at me though Lol.

So something entirely different. Regimental Characters. We’ve done this before but it IS a fun topic AND apolitical.
I kick off with Rattles. I recall him mainly in his days as Sgts Mess Barman in Sennelager. A sober Rattles was a sight to behold. Immaculate in his mess dress Rattles held sway behind the bar, confident that only his top half was visible to mess members et al and his black plimsoles, adorned with faux spurs made from silver paper, were not on public show. Rattles suffered with his bunions! Rattles knew a lot about Sgts Mess etiquette and traditions and he had some ‘interesting’ stories to tell himself. Unfailingly polite and helpful Rattles was a paradigm for regimental characters. A trustworthy, popular, hard working, loyal JNCO 95% of the time Rattles…like all regimental characters, had the odd ‘blip’. Like the time he went absent for a few days until he was found hiding in an MFO box…in his room. I recall he claimed he wasn’t technically absent, he just hadn’t turned in for work. I left RD in Sennelager circa 1988 and Rattles was still ‘in situ’ I recall, others might know how he fared after that time.

In my opinion every regiment should have a couple of regimental characters I wonder if there is any place at all for such folk in today’s army.
D.

I was going to rant about The Met’s apparent legal inability to stop people climbing on war memorials until my in box pinged with an email from my hospital consultant at 2035 telling me my latest CT was clear of cancer. He told me it did however show a left side inguinal hernia which, if causing me discomfort, he would be happy to repair. Long story short he has arranged a telephone consultation for the 28th of this month to discuss my surgical options. And I said the NHS was broken!
That aside, I also noted a brief remark by Freddy in his ‘Contributions’ post encouraging other ‘lookers in’ to post, explaining they didn’t need to write about politics. The site of course isn’t a political forum and I recognise I do tend to submit the odd political post. I’m sure it wasn’t a dig at me though Lol.

So something entirely different. Regimental Characters. We’ve done this before but it IS a fun topic AND apolitical.
I kick off with Rattles. I recall him mainly in his days as Sgts Mess Barman in Sennelager. A sober Rattles was a sight to behold. Immaculate in his mess dress Rattles held sway behind the bar, confident that only his top half was visible to mess members et al and his black plimsoles, adorned with faux spurs made from silver paper, were not on public show. Rattles suffered with his bunions! Rattles knew a lot about Sgts Mess etiquette and traditions and he had some ‘interesting’ stories to tell himself. Unfailingly polite and helpful Rattles was a paradigm for regimental characters. A trustworthy, popular, hard working, loyal JNCO 95% of the time Rattles…like all regimental characters, had the odd ‘blip’. Like the time he went absent for a few days until he was found hiding in an MFO box…in his room. I recall he claimed he wasn’t technically absent, he just hadn’t turned in for work. I left RD in Sennelager circa 1988 and Rattles was still ‘in situ’ I recall, others might know how he fared after that time.

In my opinion every regiment should have a couple of regimental characters I wonder if there is any place at all for such folk in today’s army.
D.

#2 · November 17, 2023, 5:22 pm

Good news about the CT scan David and long may your good health continue. No dig about your political musings of course merely a request for some additonal comments and you have started the ball rolling. Sadly a lot of ones contemporaries are no longer with us but we still remember them. My first driver was to be Tpr Cook known to all as cookie! When I went to seek him out I was directed to the guardroom. He had just finished a six month stint as a RP and the wild celebrations resulted in him being back in his previous place of work for 28 days! I am sure Sgt Duda was kind to him. Anyway we set off on Brilon '64 and I then discovered his favourite trick. As we drove through a village with the villagers on their doorsteps he would put his foot to the floor, flood the engine and the result was sheets of flame out of the exhausts and a loud bang. Result, not a soul to be seen! I had a lot to learn. Freddy

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#3 · November 17, 2023, 9:59 pm

Yes, THE BEST News re your CT Scan David, results I thought weren't being released until next Tuesday ( good to have inside knowledge & contacts, certainly helps lol!) . Back to "Rattles" - on my last day as RSM, unbeknown to me, a tank transporter had been loaded up outside the main gate, not with a Chieftain but a full size boxing ring ! I was "led" to the gate seated on a raised fork lift & climbed into the 'ring to see Rattles in the red corner , resplendent in his Mess Kit ( no stripe, he'd been "bust" yet again) and polished plimsolls, holding a freshly pulled pint of my favourite Tartan beer which he gave me - what a farewell that was, with the tank transporter bowling up the main road towards the MQ area, Rattles & I engulfed in the orange flares set off from each corner of the 'ring !! Fortunately the whole event was captured on film, by Graham Pierce, who gave me a copy as a memento - Rattles, once again was a star , & if ever a guy deserved the title of a Regimental Character it was he. REST IN PEACE Rattles, you did your duty and made us smile. John (JKW)

#4 · November 18, 2023, 12:17 am

Quote from DavidFullard on November 18, 2023, 12:17 am
The CT. It turned out my consultant’s OP clinic next Tuesday when my appointment was to be held, is now being run by his Registrar as he is teaching that day in Leeds. He wanted to tell me about the results himself and discuss the hernia. You can believe it or not but we were exchanging emails until past 10pm. All sorted now, Tuesday appt cancelled, tel.consultation re surgery 28th 1530….hoping for an early surgery date. Apropos ‘inside knowledge’ it is one of the main reasons I am still alive….no exaggeration!
Loved your story about Rattles. Sad I missed your farewell. I heard he had passed on; he really was the epitome of a Regimental Character as you say. The great thing about Rattles centred on the fact he was only occasionally in trouble, most of the time he was just a quirky, funny, very likeable man. After HQ Squadron won [your resurrected] Inter Squadron Drill Competition, Rattles always made sure the silver trophy for that event was placed directly in front of my seat at the dining table during mess dinners.
Your mention of Graham Pearce also evokes memories. Great guy one of my best mates over the years. Totally out of the blue some years ago he rang me. We hadn’t spoken since circa 1993 when I overnighted with him and Sandra in Fallingbostel on the occasion of my Mess Dining Out. Anyway, I think he mentioned he was a manager in St Johns’ Brigade somewhere near Liverpool when he rang. If my memory isn’t tricking me his brother was a police inspector?Long story short he and Sandra would love to visit us. We were of course delighted for that to happen but we were leaving for the USA to stay with my sister for a month that very week. I would call him on our return. No excuses but we had a lot going on when we got back and I didn’t ring right away. Then, one day, Aaron ( his son) rang and said he’d found my name in his dad’s diary with a note about calling and was ringing me to say his dad had died. Graham had made no mention of being ill when he called and twixt his call to me and Aaron’s later call was probably no more than 8-10 weeks. I never knew what he died of. Another great guy gone! Then Scriv called to ask for an anecdote to include in Graham’s eulogy. We never went to the funeral. We don’t do funerals: ergo my Pure Cremations Plan!
Graham was also a Regimental Character but mostly because of his talent at getting things done and his archetypal Scouse humour. He was a fantastic organiser, an entertaining raconteur and he could turn his hand to most things. He had a highly successful tour of duty in Lesotho as a Wo1. He rang me from there when I was A/Adjt in Tidworth from some ‘Bush Camp’ just to tell how he was and regale me with stories of life there.

I am not one to live with regrets but I wish I had rung him straight after we returned from the USA.
D.

The CT. It turned out my consultant’s OP clinic next Tuesday when my appointment was to be held, is now being run by his Registrar as he is teaching that day in Leeds. He wanted to tell me about the results himself and discuss the hernia. You can believe it or not but we were exchanging emails until past 10pm. All sorted now, Tuesday appt cancelled, tel.consultation re surgery 28th 1530….hoping for an early surgery date. Apropos ‘inside knowledge’ it is one of the main reasons I am still alive….no exaggeration!
Loved your story about Rattles. Sad I missed your farewell. I heard he had passed on; he really was the epitome of a Regimental Character as you say. The great thing about Rattles centred on the fact he was only occasionally in trouble, most of the time he was just a quirky, funny, very likeable man. After HQ Squadron won [your resurrected] Inter Squadron Drill Competition, Rattles always made sure the silver trophy for that event was placed directly in front of my seat at the dining table during mess dinners.
Your mention of Graham Pearce also evokes memories. Great guy one of my best mates over the years. Totally out of the blue some years ago he rang me. We hadn’t spoken since circa 1993 when I overnighted with him and Sandra in Fallingbostel on the occasion of my Mess Dining Out. Anyway, I think he mentioned he was a manager in St Johns’ Brigade somewhere near Liverpool when he rang. If my memory isn’t tricking me his brother was a police inspector?Long story short he and Sandra would love to visit us. We were of course delighted for that to happen but we were leaving for the USA to stay with my sister for a month that very week. I would call him on our return. No excuses but we had a lot going on when we got back and I didn’t ring right away. Then, one day, Aaron ( his son) rang and said he’d found my name in his dad’s diary with a note about calling and was ringing me to say his dad had died. Graham had made no mention of being ill when he called and twixt his call to me and Aaron’s later call was probably no more than 8-10 weeks. I never knew what he died of. Another great guy gone! Then Scriv called to ask for an anecdote to include in Graham’s eulogy. We never went to the funeral. We don’t do funerals: ergo my Pure Cremations Plan!
Graham was also a Regimental Character but mostly because of his talent at getting things done and his archetypal Scouse humour. He was a fantastic organiser, an entertaining raconteur and he could turn his hand to most things. He had a highly successful tour of duty in Lesotho as a Wo1. He rang me from there when I was A/Adjt in Tidworth from some ‘Bush Camp’ just to tell how he was and regale me with stories of life there.

I am not one to live with regrets but I wish I had rung him straight after we returned from the USA.
D.

#5 · November 18, 2023, 10:05 pm

Graham ("Scouse") Pierce, also a very good friend of mine - at "NAAFI" Break in the Mess one morning Graham was discussing Queen(the group), with someone remarking how alike he was to Freddy Mercury. Grinning like a Cheshire Cat, Graham was obviously proud of the fact his newly acquired moustache made him look like Freddy Mercury. When I mentioned that Freddy was gay , a mortified Graham immediately left the Mess to shave off his 'tache !! He later took over my old job (and Mk1 Ferret scout car!) as SSM "A" Sqn when I became RSM - on the trips to Canada for BATUS we R&R'd together ( with Bryn Evans) and had really great adventures, best not reported on here !

I last saw him when he visited HMP Liverpool in his role as Liaison Officer for the local Royal British Legion - he'd asked after me & was given an escort through the jail to where I was working . We spoke of the old times, and the 5 minute visit lasted nearly an hour !

I went to his funeral in Wallasey which was extremely well attended by officers and all ranks, including many of that "Club" he was a member of - he really was a popular guy and was sorely missed by all who knew him. RIP Graham, you did us proud. John (JKW)

#6 · November 19, 2023, 8:28 am

John “Scouse “ Deggsy Pierce sorry mate no way was He a Scouse,He was a WACK ,the name given people from The Wirral aka Birkenhead,New Brighton,Wallasey ,Morton etc ,I was pals with him for years then I went off on my travels and didn’t have the pleasure of His company.

#7 · November 19, 2023, 9:11 pm

Graham Pierce was universally known as "Scouse" by all who knew him in the Regiment both before & after Amalgamation - he never denied where he originated from & no doubt was "christened" Scouse by fellow recruits when they heard his accent, the name sticking in the fullness of time. I too, was born on The Wirral, never known as "Scouse" though, but like many of us who enlisted in the early '60's, when making initial conversation with fellow recruits, boasted we personally knew "all the Beatles, the Searchers and Gerry Marsden" !! Such boasts (lies) were great ice-breakers & led to many friendships thereafter, all started through a tenuous connection to Liverpool ! John (JKW)

#8 · November 21, 2023, 12:30 am

Quote from DavidFullard on November 21, 2023, 12:30 am
‘Scouse’ Pierce was a sobriquet bestowed upon Graham by others. From my earliest 3DG days I knew him as ‘Scouse’. To be fair his close friends almost always referred to him as Graham to his face but more often than not as Scouse when he was spoken of in his absence.
But I think Bob is saying the sobriquet Scouse belongs to a geographical area from whence Graham didn’t hail. And that’s often the point of a sobriquet, it’s a nickname chosen by others rather than the person in question…as John points out.
Apropos pretending to know the Beatles et al. In 1992 I hosted the annual Editors Abroad Scheme in HQ 1 BR Corps. This scheme was attended by 6-8 invited UK media editors who were given a 10 tour of BAOR, interviews with Commanders and soldiers, visits to various places of interest etc etc, The quid pro quo was they wrote ( hopefully) complimentary stories or produced programmes about BAOR on their return to the UK.
One of that year’s attendees was the editor of a quite important local newspaper. He and I quickly gelled. He was in his late 30s I guess and old school media. Myself, Gerd my German Press Officer, and the media group hit Bielefeld City Centre on their first night in BAOR. Gerd knew the right bars to visit. The 2 of us were also the group translators. Halfway into the evening after a LOT of beer the editor I mentioned was in deep conversation with an attractive German woman, and he asked me to interpret. The woman actually spoke quite good English and asked me in German if he really WAS Paul McCartney’s brother? He nudged me, he didn’t need a translator he needed a back up to his story. I explained he absolutely was, she was calling him Mike ( not his real name) I assumed at the time that was McCartney’s brother’s name and she was clearly besotted with him and fascinated by the thought of being in such illustrious company. We left the bar about an hour later ‘sans’ McCartney’s ‘brother’. Next evening he told me he had used that line for years and got away with it at least half the time. I might add he had an encyclopaedic knowledge of McCartney and Mike McGear or whatever his brother was called. Lily The Pink springs to mind!

‘Scouse’ Pierce was a sobriquet bestowed upon Graham by others. From my earliest 3DG days I knew him as ‘Scouse’. To be fair his close friends almost always referred to him as Graham to his face but more often than not as Scouse when he was spoken of in his absence.
But I think Bob is saying the sobriquet Scouse belongs to a geographical area from whence Graham didn’t hail. And that’s often the point of a sobriquet, it’s a nickname chosen by others rather than the person in question…as John points out.
Apropos pretending to know the Beatles et al. In 1992 I hosted the annual Editors Abroad Scheme in HQ 1 BR Corps. This scheme was attended by 6-8 invited UK media editors who were given a 10 tour of BAOR, interviews with Commanders and soldiers, visits to various places of interest etc etc, The quid pro quo was they wrote ( hopefully) complimentary stories or produced programmes about BAOR on their return to the UK.
One of that year’s attendees was the editor of a quite important local newspaper. He and I quickly gelled. He was in his late 30s I guess and old school media. Myself, Gerd my German Press Officer, and the media group hit Bielefeld City Centre on their first night in BAOR. Gerd knew the right bars to visit. The 2 of us were also the group translators. Halfway into the evening after a LOT of beer the editor I mentioned was in deep conversation with an attractive German woman, and he asked me to interpret. The woman actually spoke quite good English and asked me in German if he really WAS Paul McCartney’s brother? He nudged me, he didn’t need a translator he needed a back up to his story. I explained he absolutely was, she was calling him Mike ( not his real name) I assumed at the time that was McCartney’s brother’s name and she was clearly besotted with him and fascinated by the thought of being in such illustrious company. We left the bar about an hour later ‘sans’ McCartney’s ‘brother’. Next evening he told me he had used that line for years and got away with it at least half the time. I might add he had an encyclopaedic knowledge of McCartney and Mike McGear or whatever his brother was called. Lily The Pink springs to mind!

#9 · November 21, 2023, 11:34 am

John, please tell me that your ditty about !Rattles" was in reply to my answer to Freddy's appeal earlier for a few more reminiscences! or is it just a coincidence? and I apologise if it is a repeat......Yes I do remember scouse pierce and your not wrong about him being a character. My only recollection was the time he "Snatched" a chicken leg off my plate on an exercise - somewhere? not very exciting I know, but true non the less. Mick. (Mary just interjected with "YES it was lily the Pink) whatever that means . Probably in my recounting [out loud] of David's bit earlier?

#10 · November 21, 2023, 11:43 am

Where did "Scouse" Pierce get "Deggsy" from Bob?

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Regimental Characters