Recent content by paul stacey

I wonder how many "Old Sweats", know that there is no NAAFI, any more as we would remember it, my son is a Para, and said all food eaten on site now is run by private contractors, very expensive and not good quality and there are no longer any Clubs on camp, Winston Churchill must be doing press...

Just seen this, if you are still about Astonvilla50, I left Ilmo in 1962

#14, The 3 high rise flats mentioned were at Welches Farm, Quinton, they were built by WATES, construction , 1962/63, my Dad was site Clerk on that job, I went there many times. Paul

my Uncle was a Horace Manton, married to my moms sister, he was a master craftsman, tool maker and turner, I saw the other day a ref to the Manton brothers 18th C, who were gun smiths, I wonder if they ere the same family. Paul

HI Derek, I am 73 now and left Weoley Castle in 1962, so don't remember too much, I remember the other butcher, but not well I am afraid, I hear the Raven has gone now, I did visit Ilmington back in the early 90's but it was a hole in the ground , only the front railings remained, I suppose it...

Good Photo's, My sisters went to Princethorpe Road, I went to Our Lady of St Rose Gregory Avenue, we are younger than you. My first job at "Fatty's", on a Saturday Morning after putting out the meat was to take a note to the "Offie", which was at the bottom of the Square facing John Favours...

I recognised the Gym immediately, I worked for "Fatty Barnfield" the butcher at the top of the square when 14 years old. thanks for posting. Paul

I remember seeing them in Ireland, Police and some army units had them, pretty useless, as I remember, no good in the Divis Flats, or any high rise, or mountain area's. Paul Ref#249

my Nan used to say"stop all that "Ballyhoo", and Dad used to say, (stop that Hub bub), when we kids were making a noise. Paul

I must say Maurice I have visited Crete on many occasions and it has NEVER rained, loved the mountains though. Paul

Talking about "Bull", (The Guards Brigade were very hot on this), I think the funnest thing I heard in Basic, was a RHM, a tall lad from Yorkshire called Grey, the morning after a heavy night of Bulling Boots, they paraded , RHM was called he smartly came to and marched to the center of the...

I would hazard a guess at the 30's or 40's. Paul

mine too , sold mine for £25, when I left, many. many , hours of honing and layering, of Cherry blossom, to achieve, double tap sole, and years of re studding.

Sounds like a "Doddle", Maurice, but you had no option, I was a regular, with family connections with the Guards, so I kind of knew what might happen, still a culture shock though. Paul

We used to run 10 miles down that canal every morning Maurice, I remember those locks to. Paul