Rotten And Despicable

They are just two of the words I have heard used about two crimes that have occurred very recently in our area.

Firstly a charity shop raising money for injured soldiers had money stolen from it and then a car was broken into and a large amount of stock used for raising money for the People's Dispensary For Sick Animals (PDSA) was stolen.

It is bad enough when people resort to thieving in the first place but when that thieving is done against charities then the words above are only two that should be used to describe both the acts and those that carry them out.

If you are offered any cheap Christmas Cards or other merchandise that have the PDSA logo on them, please do contact the police. They are well aware of this crime.

Is There Anything More Shameful?

As we move towards Armistice Day and Rememberance Sunday, can there be anything more shameful than people stealing memorials to fallen heroes from the Cenotaphs around this country of ours?

For a huge number of people the names placed on there "in memoriam" are the only thing that families have left of the fallen. No graves, nowhere else to go to pay their respects and remember.

Those involved in the criminal activity of removing metal names and plaques from the Cenotaphs to raise a few bob, whether they are the criminals that steal and sell them, or the criminals that are buying them, should have the book thrown at them and the key thrown away to the cells they should be locked in.

I didn't think that they could get any lower than desecrating our churches by stealing the lead off the roofs but they have proven me wrong.

For the Fallen

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children, England mourns for her dead across the sea. Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit, Fallen in the cause of the free. Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres. There is music in the midst of desolation And a glory that shines upon our tears. They went with songs to the battle, they were young, Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow. They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted, They fell with their faces to the foe. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. They mingle not with their laughing comrades again; They sit no more at familiar tables at home; They have no lot in our labour of the day-time; They sleep beyond England's foam. But where our desires are and our hopes profound, Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight, To the innermost heart of their own land they are known As the stars are known to the Night; As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust, Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain, As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness, To the end, to the end, they remain. Read that and weep and be utterly ashamed, those that are desecrating the sacred memorials!!!!! As you can probably see, I feel somewhat strongly on this one.

Author Commits Heinous Crime - Army Act 1955

Just been tidying up cupboards etc. and throwing away lots of stuff that make up my personal history. One of the things that I have found is a charge sheet relating to the only time I was ever caught doing something wrong during my 23 year service in the Royal Corps of Signals. Here are the details which took place at 13 Signal Regiment, Birgelen, West Germany (BFPO 40):

24925260 LCPl O'DARE SJ

Neglect to the prejudice of good order and military discipline contrary to Section 69 of the Army Act 1955, in that he at Mercury Barracks on (or about) 19 July 1977, lost his MOD Form 90 (ID Card for the uninitiated).

This was dealt with by way of a hearing in front of my Officer Commanding on the 29th July 1977.

The Finding was: GUILTY
I was fined £10.00p.

Oh the shame!!!!!!

I don't know how I managed to come by this document, I must have nicked it when nobody was looking. They didn't catch me for that though, did they? Great times.