Looking for a Colonials view

**Nervous Jock** · 24th January 09, 04:41 PM

I was interested to hear what you guys make of this, particularly is something similar happened to a US serviceman on a similar duty

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...cle2161655.ece

**Spartan** · 24th January 09, 05:16 PM

I can't speak as a serviceman, but I was surprised to see the Guard break his sentry and confront the little brat. He will have to face the music on that one, but I'm glad he did it. I have to say that I did laugh reading part of the account. But, it also brought a feeling of sadness.

I'm concerned about a growing lack of respect for authority. A similar duty in the U.S. might be those who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the National Cemetery. (I don't mean to compare St James' Palace to a cemetery. It's just that both have to do with respect and authority.) I would find someone doing a similar thing at the Tomb of the Unknown to be extremely offensive.

A part of me also raced in thought back to my great-great grandfather (Thomas Jermin (Jermyn)) who served honorably in the Guards during the reign of Queen Victoria. What this brat did is an affront to all who serve their nation honorably, past, present and future.

Maybe the guard felt the royals were being threatened.

**Skipper1** · 24th January 09, 05:20 PM

I wouldn't have stopped at the size 12 boot. Some young men need a few kicks in the butt to learn respect for people trying to do their job.

**JS Sanders** · 24th January 09, 05:20 PM

I wonder how much info he and the reporter left out of the article.

**xena** · 24th January 09, 05:35 PM

That's my feelings too. I suspect there's a lot left out of the report and video clip. For example, how long had he been mocking him? I get the feeling he'd be at it for a long time before the video camera got turned on.

I'm surprised, frankly, that this kind of disrespectful behaviour is effectively allowed.

This is what the Yanks do at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier do when someone crosses the barricade:

Don't cross the barricade!

Personally, I think there should have been other people there who should have dealt with this punk long before the Guardsman lost his cool.

By the way, I just read that he's not going to be officially disciplined for this. Ouch! I've been awarded unofficial discipline once or twice. It's generally worse than formal discipline.

**Howard Clark** · 24th January 09, 05:38 PM

Yes, I would wonder about the completeness of the account myself. In some trouble for losing his cool, no doubt. But the kid was being an ****. Maybe he won't be so often in the future ?

**Spartan** · 24th January 09, 05:47 PM

P.S. I'm glad the Guard did it!

I guess I already said that.

**Photoguy67** · 24th January 09, 06:48 PM

I can't say what trouble a U.S. service man would be in, but I am greatly surprised that the guard reacted at all to him. Aren't they trained to ignore such? But I still cheer for the guard and (personally) think the kid deserved ALLOT more than he got.
Photoguy67

**pdcorlis** · 24th January 09, 07:38 PM

I also have to wonder just what we don't know here - after watching the video I must say this kids actions, while juvenile, seem hardly enough to have the guardsman break his post and act out. It seems to go against all his training and discipline.

Now here's another story. Last year while in London I was shooting a photo of one of the Queen's Horse Guards on post when a little punk walked by and popped the horse on the nose. The Guardsman barely managed to keep his (and his horse's) composure - the small crowd booed loudly as the kid ran away. Frankly none of us would have minded if he had trotted down the road and taken his sword to the little bampot. I continue to have a deep respect for all the soldiers who stand guard - no matter where it is.

**Adam Pound** · 25th January 09, 03:36 AM

Originally Posted by Nervous Jock

I was interested to hear what you guys make of this, particularly is something similar happened to a US serviceman on a similar duty

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...cle2161655.ece

Now, having done sentry duty on Parliament Hill, we were always told to ignore anything done to us unless someone touched us or made a move for our weapon, in which case it was GAME ON against the bugger who dared to do anything like that. We once had an idiot stand right in front of us as we marched down the hill with his camera aimed at us. One of the RCMP guards told the guy to get out of the way, as we weren't going to stop for him, but did he listen....oh no. Did he get trampled and have his camera ruined? Oh yes. He complained very loudly to the RCMP officer, who just shrugged and said " Be glad they didn't back up!".
Some people just don't know when to leave off I guess.