Boys Squadron RAC 1952 to 1957

A piece well written which I am sure you would like to read


What is a Squaddie? A Squaddie is someone who joins the forces for many reasons be they financial, emotional or following family tradition. Once a Squaddie takes the Queen's shilling; he becomes a member of an elite group of people. A Squaddie will suffer hardship both physically and mentally so his fellow countrymen don’t have to. Make a Squaddie your friend and he will be a friend forever, make him your enemy and he will never forget. To the general public a Squaddie is a cold-hearted, loud-mouthed thug in a uniform, but a Squaddie is actually, quite intelligent and has feelings and emotions like everybody else. Ask a Squaddie a serious question and he will answer truthfully to the best of his ability. A Squaddie lives life to the full because at any time he could be touched by death. A Squaddie will take the mickey and make jokes about any other Squaddie, Regt or Corps he comes into contact with but, if these same Squaddies, Regt or Corps require his help he will give it a 110%. So to sum it up, a Squaddie is a loud-mouthed, arrogant, mickey taking, beer swilling, party loving fool but he is also a friend, mate, mucker, comrade and brother and I AM PROUD TO HAVE BEEN. A SQUADDIE!!!!

but do mellow as we grow older... we all know how we talked what did in the Sqn Bars on a weekend or are we just ashamed of it we weren`t hard supernatural heroes just a buch of blokes doing what we got paid for

Just received an update from Lawrence 'Wily' Wilson who has moved within the last few months. Details as follows: Lawrence-Wilson @ sky.com. He lives in the Gosport area

Charlie

For those of you who were Boys Squadron/JLR this info just received from Kevin in Ozz

I must sadly report that 512801 Major James Angus (Jim) LIVINGSTONE MBE, passed away earlier this morning (17 February 2012) in hospital in Perthshire, Scotland, aged 68 after suffering cancer of the neck.

Jim served with The Royal Dragoons and The Blues and Royals between 1960 and until August 1993. He was the Quartermaster at Windsor at the time of the Union of The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals in 1992.
(Comment from one of the lads who knew him)
Jim joined the Regt. In Ipoh. He came from the Junior Leaders Regt. RAC, Bovington.
The same time as Stu. Sibley. I remember him well during my time in the Royals.(C Sqn.)
Condolences to his Family & Friends. R.I.P. Jim.

To you all ex RAC have a look at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLBIRfHvcMs&feature=related

Charlie

Reproduction of a letter published on the JLR forum:

I delivered the petition to Number 10 on Saturday 12th Nov and included the following letter to the PM. If! I geta reply I'll post it on here.

Rt Hon David Cameron MP

Prime Minister

10 Downing Street
London,
SW1A 2AA

Dear Mr Cameron

Petition - Armed Forces Pensions

We are presenting the petition today because of your decision to alter the basis of assessment for the Armed Forces Pensions. We are concerned, not just for ourselves as retired veterans, but for those who have unfortunately become widows along with vulnerable young ex-service personnel who now suffer with poor health and disabilities having served their country. We believe they are not being treated fairly by the Government.



The change from RPI to CPI decreases the value of the pension year on year and does not take into account the cost of housing, which can be the single largest item of any household budget. Additionally, electricity and heating costs have risen this year by more than the rate of inflation. High fuel costs and VAT merely add to the misery. Many ex servicemen do not own their own house but have to rent their accommodation. Those facts alone support using RPI.


The pension loss arising from a switch to CPI is cumulative and will amount to several thousand pounds. By way of example, and using figures provided by the Forces Pension Society I quote just one example: A disabled double amputee 28 year old Corporal will lose £587,000 by age 70.


The most relevant point to note is that a service career often comes to an end after 22 years at the age of 40. Getting on the housing ladder then becomes an option that is taken much later in life for Armed Forces personnel rather than those in civilian life. This is one of the main reasons why it is so important to align service pensions with the RPI.

State Pension increases will also be linked to CPI, but, I believe, with a guaranteed minimum 2.5% increase, should the CPI be less than this. No such guarantee appears to have been given to military pensioners. Furthermore, to make this change after serving personnel have retired is most deplorable.


People taking a private sector pension can usually opt for a specific indexation (RPI, CPI, 3%, etc); moreover, they can ensure that their spouses continue to receive the full pension after they die. The military cannot do so. I am sure you are well aware that RPI has for many years been strongly linked to the Armed Forces Pension Scheme and is well documented as such.


The petition has mainly been signed by veterans, serving personnel and their families. It has been supported by a number of senior officers and decorated veterans, Admirals, Vice Admirals, Captains RN, Generals, Major Generals, Brigadiers, Wg Comdrs, Sqn Ldrs, as well as many other serving personnel.


We are therefore requesting you reconsider the change or modify your decision as you have done with the State Pension. We do understand these are difficult times but we believe the burden is not being shared equally. In your own words “We are all in this together” I would suggest you take a look at the war widow and the young man disabled while serving his country.


In three and a half years time perhaps your thoughts might alter, so why not put something in place now.


It would be most helpful to know your thoughts on this extremely important matter which will enable me to report back to the six thousand plus members of the petition. I look forward to hearing from you when convenient.


I did write to you in January and March of this year but unfortunately I did not receive a reply just an acknowledgment of my letter. I have attached a copy of one of my earlier letters along with other Coalition Statements with our thoughts, as set out in the attached Newsletter.


We eagerly await your response to this letter and the questions raised in the attached Newsletter, as do the other signatories of the petition.

Details of our new member Malcolm Andrews

Sorry, no idea what Troop I was in! In '55 (at 18) I was posted to the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards "Skins", Caterick, (they had just come back from Palestine and Korea, I believe. Reached L/Cpl and then attended an officer's selection test. I passed and in '58 joined RMA Sandhurst. I passed out end '58 and was posted to 113 Coy RASC in Düsseldorf.

I watched last night's programme about the RSDG. Had I been a former member of the 3rd Carabiniers I would have been more than annoyed. The programme was essentially a history of the Greys, no reference to the 3rd except a mention that they were amalgamated with the Greys in 1971. A very one dimensional programme.
Dick

OUR MILITARY PENSIONS
Have a look at this and sign up. This is being organized by an ex JLR.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/protect-our-military-pensions/

the tall fellow middle back row is my brother Bill Rands ( Trevor )sadly passed away aged 55

Charlie. Thank you for coming back to me (ME) =my names=Major Edward Needless to say I'm reluctant to use my first. I'm generally known as 'maj' Charlie I think I remember you. Were you quite fair as a boy? Re photos I'm afraid you'll have to be patient, for I'm a Techni-phobe & have only just started this 'caper' Kind Regards M.E.BOWEN(maj)