alanys

Hi Lee, As they say it's a small world. Currently based in the Shetland Islands. All my photos are back home in Northern Ireland but I'll be back there this weekend and will pull a few out of the album. Do seem to recall that I have very few of my own Fox but loads of others. Have three full albums worth so there should be something there to interest you. Spent the most glorious time with D Sqn so seeing all this again has been quite overwhelming. Halcyon days they were. Even during the 'Troubles' we would venture out on exercise to Ballykinlar or around County Antrim in the vicinity of Ballymoney. Last I heard the NIH had their armour taken off them...sad times but such happy memories of the best of times. Don't remember any major problems with 09FD82 other than.....not pulling at a German road junction despite what gear was selected, an overheating wheel bearing during a day move, getting bogged down in a mossy bit of forest ground.....much more about this later save to say that the recovery vehicle which came to pull us out ended its days about an hour later following a major accident when the brakes failed and it was ditched. The resultant cutaway view that we had of the transfer box on the wrecker was like something you'd see in a technical college workshop! Remember that even though there was an armed guard placed on the site overnight the magpies came out. Great interest was shown at the board of inquiry in my photos which showed much more kit around than was collected the next morning when the sun came up. Will be in touch later when I've collected and scanned the photos for you. Alan

Hi, My name is Alan Jarden. Having rekindled an interest in things that go bang or brum and are military I accidentally fell over your great website. Was staggered to find a reference to my old CVR(W) Fox 09FD82 which I believe was the same one that served me faithfully (most of the time) during my time with 5th Troop, North Irish Horse, D Sqn RY based in Belfast. Fond memories have come flooding back and I wish that I could turn back the hands of time and relive that time all over again. Remember the first time I drove a Fox, or any army vehicle for that matter, when I took some Foxes down to the docks to be containered for the move to Germany for, I believe, Ex Lionheart in 1982. What a change from my Triumph Herald! I've lots of photos of my time with the NIH but as they are in NI and I'm presently residing in Shetland that part will have to wait for a while. Love your website. Regards to everyone who works hard to preserve our military heritage. Alan

Hi Lee, Would that be 09 FD 82 in the photo at Brands? If it is it looks like it is going as quick as it did when we took it back to the ferry at Stranraer from the range at Kircudbright so many years ago. 09 FD 82 was my own Fox for the time I was Troop Leader of 5th Troop D Sqn North Irish Horse based in Belfast. Always remembered the number 'cos it was Sept '82 when I took HM's shilling. Does your fox still have the 45 recognition number on the plate mounted at the rear of the turret? We never turned her over but had a few scary moments in a German forest that should only be discussed over a pint or three! Best regards, Alan Mine never fell over at Brand Hatch...