The Guards and Caterham

More please Owen!

 

Reminds me of one of George MacDonald Fraser's stories about MacAuslan the scruffiest soldier in the British Army - classic short stories many with a distinct ring of truth or should that be legend?

 

D had been in SG for 9 years got out, but after a year or so rejoined. I was a drill and weapons instructor at the depot when a voice I recognized called, D you old rogue - well that is the greeting I can print here. He had to complete the depot march and shoot before rejoining the 2nd Bn. D always a comical beggar. I was chatting to one of the Superintending Sergeants standing on the hill just before the cookhouse - the crows marching to scoff, D advancing towards us left arm left leg in unison, as he drew level The SI shouted you lad, come here, D shuffled forward a ham fisted attempt at a halt, 'what week lad' Z week Sergeant! Z week was the induction week, the Grenadier Sergeant said go on lad double away! Later in the week mounting the barrack guard, the crows had to mount in No2 dress and change after mounting. The Sergeant - yep it was, stopped in front of D who was with GSM and a UN medal ribbon up, I do not know to this day how I kept from laughing, the Sgt asked D about his service and said I am sure we have met before! D started rattling off tour dates, to much shaking of heads. The strict discipline of Guards units survived because of the just on the safe side of the line humour, ask any Guardsman. After Pete had completed the march and shoot he was retained at the depot as a trained soldier for a few months as the Bn was overseas. This was a bet and he won it, the depot was rehearsing for a passing out parade. Pete with millboard, tape measure and piece of chalk marches onto the square and starts laying out the tape marking pacing , two three and making another mark. we were hiding behind a hut in hysterics as the parade carried on! That evening in the mess there was much talk - of the new markings for the square. Everyone knew about it of course! The higher the rank the longer they had known about the new markings!








Tallest on the right - shortest on the left!

 

Good morning,
This is my first time on this forum and I'm not sure if I'm sending this message in the right section...
Does anyone know anything about The Guards Depots at Caterham being hit on 1 September 1940?
I have information that "Drill Shed No.1 was destroyed and “A”. Block Married Quarters and the Sergeants’ Mess damaged by enemy action on the 1st September."
One of my relatives 2663069 Stanley Albert Lisher of the Coldstream Guards, and six other young recruits were killed in this incident. They had only enlisted a few weeks previously. Stanley was 20 years old.
Thank you for any information you are able to offer.


see
6 young Guardsmen recruits killed 1 Sep 1940

 

It's a BEARSKIN ! Busby are small hats worn by Kings troop RHA and the RAF band.