Somme respect

[CGS military figures]

This is a 100% true story. When I served in the Royal Marines I had done 7 years at Rosyth. I was due a draft and it came in for Portsmouth, as RM we are a little restricted.
I wanted to serve back in a Royal Marines barracks so I got a Knudge and a wink and luckily I got drafted to CTCRM. Well I still live in Exmouth but the point I am getting to is I used to go to a pub with my dear wife, we were in our 20s, but this old fella was former RN.
His dad had fought WW1 he had the helmet his dad had brought back. We used to drink with him, he had a little Westie which I am sure is why I love the, dogs and have one.
In about 2010 Mac passed away and I was in Edingurgh tattoo, his sister found our name and wrote to me that his estate was up for auction, including the helmet. It went through Bonams and I did get to own it, a 1900 guards pickelhaube. It's so tiny my wife can't fit it on her head, so this is an equal memory to the boys the other side

 

[CGS military figures]

 

[peedee]

It must hurt trying it on that way up Gra

Thst reminds me that when zi was knee high to a bren gun, my Dad, ending his time in the TA, put a picklehaub in his Regt. Museum on behalf of a neighbour of ours who I only knew as Mr Fenton.

A few years later, we both visited, and there was no sign of it on display . My dad asked where it was and 'the keeper of dusty boxes' said he just hadn't allocated space for it yet.

My dad then convinced himself the curator had sold it and trousered the cash, (the chap was a serious militaria fanatic).
"I would know it anywhere", he said over the years, "because of that particular mark on the helmet caused by Mr Fenton's Bayonet, and that nearly cost him his life in 1915".

Two years ago, part of the disbanded regimental collection went on show in the new city of Liverpool museum and on a visit with Housecarl ......there it was with the mark on the outside, just as described.

I was so pleased to see my Dad was wrong about the gentleman all along.

cheers mate.

Paul.

 

[Nap]

Hi Guys ,

Found this on FB ...very thought provoking as well

https://www.facebook.com/SimonMckeownArtist/posts/1008025475917774

Nap

 

[ellie]

Cheers Graham, yes my granddad is my avatar it's just a away to keep him in my thoughts.

Cheers

ian

www.elliesminiatures.com

 

[OldTaff]

Thanks for posting that, Nap, found it very moving .

Alan