General Mayhem

Here's a couple of sites to help you, you will find that these are a mix of military and non military, all very interesting nontheless. http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/venues/london/selection/61/Museums_Galleries_and_Tourist_Attractions http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/venues/london/selection/241 A very popular way to tour around is to take the Duck Tour, these are ex-military DUKW's used to take the troops ashore on the D-Day landings. http://www.londonducktours.co.uk/ Don't forget to soak up some of London's heritage, a day ticket on any of the open top bus tours allows you to hop on, hop off, all day. Great for getting the feel of where you would like to go when time and money permit.

We had a brilliant night at the Legion, thanks to all for their efforts in making it such a forties flavour. I took the laptop along to show some of the veterans, and anyone else, this website, and very impressed with it they were too. Special thanks to N.O.S. for replying to my previous entry. A lot of these old soldiers are just not interested in anything to do with the internet, but they were certainly interested last night. Today we attended the Memorial Service at Corpus Christi catholic church in Boscombe. There was some very nice touches, and thankyou to Father Hackett for sharing his wartime memories. Instead of an opening hymn, we held a two minute silence, the finale was the hymn, Abide with me. But it was the song that came midway through the service that surprised me. Rather than a religious hymn, we sang: It's a Long Way to Tipperary. As we sang I thought of all those brave young men that marched to their deaths with that song ringing in their ears. The emotion got too much and I felt my eyes welling up, a gentle dab with a hanky cleared them, but as I looked around, I saw others, who were engulfed in the emotion, so I just let the tears roll unashamedly down my face. Father Hackett recalled his days in the Fleet Air Arm, where he was the navigator/observer in those old string bags (his words) called The Fairy Swordfish. He was in such a plane when they attacked the Scharnhorst. His story of courage and terror, in equal measure was so graphic. And he also made a good point about how 'civilised' we are about shooting soldiers in a firing squad, even though they were shell shocked and unable to orientate. Good point Father. I hope you all had a day to remember. Lest we should forget. And at the going down of the sun, And in the morning, We shall remember them.

Update on Dorset, we are in Verwood, just looked in on my laptop via my mobile phone How sad is that? At a forties dance at The Royal British Legion, some serious money has gone into the pot tonight, grateful thanks to all. And the General has just been dragged onto the dancefloor, to this number if you don't mind, bloomin' cheek! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iufE9ReDbuY

The best scene, from the best film ever, war movie or otherwise: At one hundred yards, volley fire, present: Aim, Fire! (Zulu)Second best, this one just gets it: (Gettysberg)But only just: (Cross of Iron)

An update to give you cheer. I was talking to our village florist, whilst ordering some flowers, about the Haig Fund and the wearing of the poppy. She has come up with a brilliant compromise. On Remembrance Sunday I shall be wearing a buttonhole, made of three fresh poppy flowers, entwined with bay leaves and a little gyp. Thank you Grandad, who fell 17th June 1941, firefighting in The Blitz. Thank you Uncle Roy, pilot, bomber command, shot down, September 1942. I will never forget you.

You do realise that a gynecologist deals with trap two as well as trap one, don't you?

Your public spirit is a good example to us all. Keep a diary of your efforts, include everything, then at a later date, post a precis, you might just inspire others. I do hope that this link is of some little help. http://www.1914-1918.net/grandad/grandad.htm

Did any of you see the dedication of the new war memorial in today's newspapers? Very moving and poignant images. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=487278&in_page_id=1766&in_a_source=&ito=1490 For those of you who know of a relative who died serving our country there is an online memorial where you can leave your own tribute. http://www.gatesofremembrance.com/main/homepage/index.php A time to reflect, I will leave you to your thoughts.

Just go and get yourself one of those maga fishing umbrellas. The most original Landy there is. Only don't go and do a Mary Poppins.

I don't know why but this reminded me of a quip my wife came out with. The QE2 is being decommissioned next year, it's fortieth year at sea. I suggested to my wife that we go on one of her final cruises next May, to coincide with our fortieth wedding anniversary. Romantic or what? "I'm not getting on that old bath tub," she said. So it's a modern cruise liner, sailing out of Miami, around the Caribbean. Remember fellas, if romance means less wonga, they don't want to know. It happened waaaaaaay back when on our fifth anniversary, I sent her five boxed red roses. Do you know what she said? "Only FIVE?" And there I was trying to be romantic.

One of my clients tends to use the four letter word beginning with 'F' quite regularly, as in: "Any chance you could it for FREE?" A great helmet, a really good job, praise to you sir.

A British helmet would be easier because the shape is given to an easier release. That is a fantastic reprodution you have done there, I feel almost impertinent suggesting another way to make the Brit-lid. But, deep breath, here goes: As previously demonstated, strip the helmet down to just the shell, clean and repair any flaws, polish it to a smooth finish. Coat it heavily in release wax and leave to dry. While that's drying, mix up a quantity of modeller's plaster of paris. You will also have bought yourself a cycle tyre valve and bicycle pump. Tape the valve in an upright position on the helmet, then build up in stages layers of the plaster of paris, until it's about half an inch thick. Leave to dry until it's rock hard, do not try to speed the drying process with heat or the plaster could crack. To release the helmet from the plaster mould attach the bicycle pump and slowly inject air once the bond is freed it will come apart easily. You now have the 'female' mould. re-wax the mould and tape over the valve, taking care not to let the tape stick to tight to the end of the valve. Line the mould with gelcoat, it comes in many colours, choose whichever you want. A word of warning, the gelcoat goes off after it has been mixed with the catalyst, the secret to getting a good finish is to use the catalyst sparingly. The reason for this being the chemical reaction. The more catalyst you use the quicker it goes off and you then get the risk of shrinking. Or ripples in the finished product. Once the gelcoat has dried, line it completely with strips of fibreglass. You then brush the glass with GRP resin. This again is mixed with a catalyst. Use a stiff bristled brush and make stabbing stencil like brushes to remove any air bubbles. Leave to dry thoroughly. Time for the bicycle pump. If the pump doesn't work you can smash the plaster off. You now have the finished helmet. Make good any marks left by the valve, clean and finish the edges, then de-wax it thoroughly before spraying it. If you want to make a run of them, repeat the proces for making the 'female' mould only this time, do it in GRP. You can use this method of reproduction on almost anything that's hard to source. I hope you find this useful.

The odds are that you will never get to own your own icon of WW2, The Spitfire, but you may be interested to know that Haynes, are producing a manual for this wonderful aircraft. It will give a detailed insight as to what lies beneath the skin, and how to build or restore your own. It has been written by Dr. Alfred Price, an authority on the Spitfire, and Paul Blackah, an airframe specialist and leading Spitfire engineer. There are no price details quoted at the moment, but the manual will be out for sale on the 14th of October. Haynes' address is http://www.haynes.co.uk

The fuel increases always stimulate demand for alternatives, I would be very interested if anyone can answer the original query, and, can anyone put me wise to the legality of this:

This argument hits the nail right on the head. In my twenties, when money was so tight that we kept a book of all household expenses, so as not to go into debt, I did everything myself. At the time, my car, a Cortina, was just too expensive to have serviced and repaired in the garage. I learned, from night school maintenance classes and Haynes manuals, to do it myself. I did household maintenance, like plumbing, boiler repair and so on. Just like everyone else, I did painting and decorating, gardening, I even learned how to recover furniture, so that our beat up old suite had a new lease of life. The lack of funds sparked the motivation to do things. Today, I own a fleet of delivery vans, big and small, all the servicing is farmed out, I employ someone to do my garden, someone to do her ladyship's ironing, Haven't picked up a paintbrush in years, just get a quote and let them get on with it. Nothing would give me more pleasure than to find a dilapidated WW2 staff car and bring it up to concours finish. But the demands on my time are such that it will never happen, so is it wrong to call in the experts?

Dakman, respect to you, anytime now, surely Hollywood will come knocking. I once got into Sean Connery's taxi. Well according to the driver he was booked to pick up the famous silver screen star, but the extenuating circumstances as to why Mr James Bond didn't show were so soperific that I can't recall them. But it would seem that I was the next fare. Impressed huh!

I don't want to come over, all friends of the earth, but did the resulting hose down mean that the residue went down the storm sewers? Aren't you supposed to filter that sort of haz-chem?

Like I said on another thread: There are many kids today who think that Churchill is the puppet dog featured in an advertisement to sell insurance. Don't know your various ages, but I am surprised at the varying years covered in history by the postings. I went to a Grammar School in 1957. In the first and second year we did a precis of the rule of The Saxon Kings, then 1066, and a brief but succinct coverage of battles up to The War of the Roses. We then spent a good deal of time on Henry the Eighth. (It was a catholic school.) From the third year to our O levels we covered: Cromwell to the end of the nineteenth century, including European events like the French Revolution. Twentieth century history was taught to those who chose History as an A level subject. Slightly off the subject. Does anyone else agree that the television series of the history of our Islands by Simon Sharma, was a well researched, well presented and highly watchable programme?

Guillaume le Batard, by name and nature. The man who introduced feudalism into our Island. And it's still with us. He was succeeded by his son William Rufus, a name you see all around Hampshire and the New Forest. For a potted history on William, Duke of Normandy, go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_I_of_England

Joris, can I just add my good wishes, and hope that you will find well paid work soon. But if all else fails, have you ever thought about self-employment? Best move I ever made, the only drawback though is, if I want a holiday, I have to look in the dictionary to see what it means. :rofl:

Thankyou all very much for your replies. Your arguments were intellectually, far superior to mine. And thankyou too for not pillorying me, I did try very hard not to trample on peoples sensitivities with a pair of metaphoric hobnail boots nor did I expect a single ally. But we do agree with the treatment of Tommy Atkins, and, as I have said previously, I am probably generous to a fault with the poppy collecting tin. No immodesty meant by that. Perhaps I share Haig's pangs of conscience but in reverse. Tony B mentioned the Franco-Prussian war, he's is so right, and his recommendation: The Guns of August, I endorse. It was this conflict that paved the way for total world conflicts that engulfed the twentieth century. I have read and re-read Snapper's postings, so eloquently argued, but I am not moved on either Haig or the poppy. Montgomery knowingly sent many a soldier to a certain death, for the sake of the bigger picture. But he suffered agonising self recriminations over it, Haig did not. I agree Snapper, no evidence can be found that Haig enjoyed sending his troops to their death, but he repeatedly, despite very heavy losses, sent troops over the top, with a fixed bayonet against a machine gun, Monty and subsequent commanders learnt a lesson, if you are defeated in a battle and the death toll is great, re-think strategy, a lesson lost on Haig. And the lovely footnote of Snapper: Soldiers are the footnotes. That seems to me, Haig's view, but with a cavalier attitude. Haig is very much a product started by William Duke of Normandy, the feudal system. Haig really did think that the ruling classes ruled, and everyone else should jolly well know their place. I do agree that many others should stand alongside him in the Hall of Shame, just as I agree with John Carrol about the feeding of politician's egos, your comments, John, about Bush & Blair were spot on, and they are both in the league of snake oil salesmen that Lloyd George was in. You might find John Campell's book: If Love Were All, an interesting read, it's a potted biography of DLG, or you you can get a precis of the man at this link http://www.cartref.demon.co.uk/eng/stamps/dlgbio.htm where you will find an excellent bibliography for you to form your own opinion. Again, thank you all for your robust and intelligent responses.

Listen, R Cubed, I wouldn't worry about what goes where, I'd be more inclined to worry about when was the last time someome washed the thing. You can almost see Sam & Ella waiting to give you a touch of the vindaloos.

Hmmm! I can empathise with that. http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb48/savannahwitch/violin.gif[/img]

Ha! now that reminds me of the journalist who, on hearing that the Beckhams have his and her loos in their bathroom, replied, "Quite right, we have had to listen to her cr*p the last ten years, about time he did too!"