A Message From The Queen.

[macwilkin]

The story of the late King Hussein at Sandhurst reminded me of a story that John Masters told in Bugles and a Tiger about Prince Henry, the future Duke of Gloucester and third son of George V. Reportedly a sergeant said to him, "Mr. Prince Henry, if I was your father, I'd...", paused, and instead of saying the traditional "I'd shoot myself!", instead said:

"I'D HADBICATE -- SIR!"



T.

[xena]

The story of the late King Hussein at Sandhurst reminded me of a story that John Masters told in Bugles and a Tiger about Prince Henry, the future Duke of Gloucester and third son of George V. Reportedly a sergeant said to him, "Mr. Prince Henry, if I was your father, I'd...", paused, and instead of saying the traditional "I'd shoot myself!", instead said:

"I'D HADBICATE -- SIR!"



T.

Or a certain alleged quote from a Sergeant Major type instructing at Sandhurst:

"I don't care who your grandmother is, get in step, YOU HORRIBLE LITTLE MAN!"

[EHCAlum]

I understand that Prince William also preformed his first rescue as a SAR helio pilot for the RAF.

Is military service required of the Royal Family?

[Jock Scot]

I understand that Prince William also preformed his first rescue as a SAR helio pilot for the RAF.

Is military service required of the Royal Family?

No, but it helps if they do. Prince Edward was a Royal Marine for a while but he was not cut out for it and left. As they spend so much time at ceremonial duties it does help if they know how to salute and to be fair they realise only too well that to give orders they need to know how to receive them and the Services do give them a good grounding. Make no mistake, the members of the Royal family are more often than not, highly professional Officers and have on more than one occasion in the recent past served at the sharp end.

[Pleater]

My dad was groundcrew in the RAF during the war, and when assisting a pilot from a replacement aircraft which had just landed, came over all confused at finding he had - - just manhandled a very attractive blond lady.

Women with flying experience were recruited to deliver the smaller types of aircraft to the squadrons - the larger ones were considered beyond them as such planes as the Lancaster bomber required considerable upper body strength and endurance for long flights, plus the controls were arranged for people with a long reach, unlike the fighters where everything was more compact.

The planes were sent out unarmed, and if attacked could only try to outmanover or outfly the enemy.

On the subject of military rank, I don't know if it is still the case but there was what could be called a pecking order amongst the different services and in different circumstances, in that the Navy is the senior service, though whilst at sea one set of rules applies, and on land another.

An Army Captain is outranked by a Navy Commander in command of a vessel, for instance, though only aboard the vessel.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[ohiopiper]

I was going to say something profound and intellectual, but I'm tired. Suffice it to say that there is a reason she has been on the throne of England for decades and has yet to succumb to any of the hype and scandal that has rocked both American and British politics.

She has class.

[ohiopiper]

Our American politicians could learn a thing or two from her. I, for one, am growing weary of the sense of entitlement they seem to have.

She's not my queen either, but I sure have some respect for someone who comports themselves in such a way as to earn respect and admiration, not merely demand it.

God Save The Queen!

Does that make me a loyalist? Oops, wrong century.

[thescot]

This story demonstrates a very real sense of duty and integrity which is not admired these days. (I sound very old when I say things like that, but it is true.)

After watching a PBS special on the queen a few months back, I gained a new respect for her and did a bit of research. This story only confirms my opinions of her.

Thank you for posting that. She is not my queen, but I respect and admire her.

[Schiehallion]

I can remember a while back to when Her Royal Majesty visited to Canada when the French speaking people were talking about breaking with the crown as head of State. Queen Elizabeth II said at the Parliament." I am the Queen of ALL Canadians " which really said so much in so few words.

[rtc872]

And to think there is a reasonably strong republican push in Australia. I heard on the news not a week back from some big whig that the reason the last referendum failed was because we werent going to have an electable president and just keep the westminster system. Then he went on to say we should adopt the US system of govt.

No offence to our American brethren but after that story I do not see why we should switch.

I am proud that HM is my queen.