The Barfoot's have received permission to fly the American flag anytime they wish.

On June 15, 1919, Van T. Barfoot was born in Edinburg. Probably didn’t make much news.

Twenty-five years later, on May 23, 1944, near Carano, Italy, Van T. Barfoot, who had enlisted in the Army in 1940, set out to flank German machine gun positions from which fire was coming down on his fellow soldiers. He advanced through a minefield, took out three enemy machine gun positions and returned with 17 prisoners of war.

If that wasn’t enough for a day’s work, he later took on and destroyed three German tanks sent to retake the
machine gun positions.

That probably didn’t make much news either, given the scope of the war, but it did earn Van T. Barfoot, who retired as a colonel after also serving in Korea and Vietnam, a Congressional Medal of Honor.

What did make news last week was a neighborhood association’s quibble with how the 90-year-old veteran chose to fly the American flag outside his suburban Virginia home. Seems the rules said a flag could be flown on a house-mounted bracket, but, for decorum, items such as Barfoot’s 21-foot flagpole were unsuitable.

He had been denied a permit for the pole, erected it anyway and was facing court action if he didn’t take it down. Since the story made national TV, the neighborhood association has rethought its position and agreed to indulge this old hero who dwells among them.

“In the time I have left I plan to continue to fly the American flag without interference,” Barfoot told The Associated Press.

As well he should.

And if any of his neighbors still takes a notion to contest him, they might want to read his Medal of Honor citation.

This 1944 Medal of Honor citation, listed with the National Medal of Honor Society, is for Second Lieutenant Van T. Barfoot, 157th Infantry, 45th Infantry:
“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 23 May 1944, near Carano, Italy. With his platoon heavily engaged during an assault against forces well entrenched on commanding ground, 2d Lt. Barfoot moved off alone upon the enemy left flank. He crawled to the proximity of 1 machinegun nest and made a direct hit on it with a hand grenade, killing 2 and wounding 3 Germans. He continued along the German defense line to another machinegun emplacement, and with his tommygun killed 2 and captured 3 soldiers. Members of another enemy machinegun crew then abandoned their position and gave themselves up to Sgt. Barfoot. Leaving the prisoners for his support squad to pick up, he proceeded to mop up positions in the immediate area, capturing more prisoners and bringing his total count to 17. Later that day, after he had reorganized his men and consolidated the newly captured ground, the enemy launched a fierce armored counterattack directly at his platoon positions. Securing a bazooka, Sgt. Barfoot took up an exposed position directly in front of 3 advancing Mark VI tanks. From a distance of 75 yards his first shot destroyed the track of the leading tank, effectively disabling it, while the other 2 changed direction toward the flank. As the crew of the disabled tank dismounted, Sgt. Barfoot killed 3 of them with his tommygun. He continued onward into enemy terrain and destroyed a recently abandoned German fieldpiece with a demolition charge placed in the breech. While returning to his platoon position, Sgt. Barfoot, though greatly fatigued by his Herculean efforts, assisted 2 of his seriously wounded men 1,700 yards to a position of safety. Sgt. Barfoot’s extraordinary heroism, demonstration of magnificent valor, and aggressive determination in the face of point blank fire are a perpetual inspiration to his fellow soldiers.”

Thanx Rod

MoD threat to ruin Royal Marine hero who threw himself on Taliban grenade

Proud: Matthew Croucher with his George Cross at Buckingham Palace

The Ministry of Defence threatened to bankrupt a Royal Marine war hero by forcing him to pay back money earned from his memoirs.

Lance-Corporal Matthew Croucher - who was awarded the George Cross by the Queen after throwing himself on a Taliban grenade to save his comrades in Afghanistan - was facing months of investigation by senior military staff for telling his story.

And the part-time soldier, who volunteered to go to the war zone, was told by the MoD that he would have to pay back the money he earned from writing about his exploits - around £90,000.

Yet within hours of The Mail on Sunday first contacting the MoD, officials backtracked and said L/Cpl Croucher had been cleared and would face no further action.

The MoD originally claimed the book, Bulletproof, published in September, broke military regulations banning serving men from being paid for writing about their careers.

The ban was brought in after the publication of a series of controversial military memoirs, including books by former SAS soldier Andy McNab and General Sir Peter de la Billière, Britain's commander in the 1991 Gulf War.

The MoD launched an official investigation and forced L/Cpl Croucher, a Royal Marine Reserve who is paid by the military only when he is on active service or exercises, to give evidence to senior naval officers.

He was also warned he would face further questioning at another hearing in Whitehall and told that if the inquiry found against him, he would have to repay the money or face being dismissed from the Marines.

Sources close to the soldier said: 'Matt wrote this book on his own time. He was paid an advance and used that money to live and also set up his own business, a security company supplying ex-Royal Marines to act as consultants and bodyguards.

'He does not earn his living from the military. He is only paid by the MoD when he is called up for duty. When he was writing the book it was his job and his only source of income.

'By asking him to pay the money back, they left him fearing ruin. He is a loyal Marine. If they told him to pay back the money he would - even if they forced him into bankruptcy.'

Frontline memoir: The book was written in L/Cpl Croucher's own time

The source added: 'Matt got permission from his commanding officer. He sent the book to the MoD's D-Notice Committee to make sure he was not revealing any secrets. Then out of the blue - on the eve of publication - the bureaucrats in Whitehall put Matt under formal investigation.

'He has been devastated. He does not want to upset the military. He is a loyal soldier.'

L/Cpl Croucher, from Birmingham, served three tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. He is a member of 40 Commando, which is based at Taunton in Somerset, and serves in the Commando Reconnaissance Force.

He was recommended for the George Cross after his heroism two years ago when he threw himself on a booby-trapped Taliban grenade to save three comrades during a search of a suspected bomb-making compound.

Miraculously, he escaped with just a nosebleed – his rucksack and body armour took the force of the blast.

L/Cpl Croucher later said: 'All I could hear was a loud ringing and the faint sound of people shouting, "Are you OK? Are you OK?" Then I felt one of the lads giving me a top-to-toe check. Blood was streaming from my nose. It took 30 seconds before I realised I was definitely not dead.'

When The Mail on Sunday first contacted the MoD this weekend, a spokesman confirmed it was investigating L/Cpl Croucher over his book deal.

He said military regulations banned serving soldiers from being paid for writing about their exploits, adding that there were issues of copyright and questions about whether other soldiers featured in photographs in the book had given their permission.

He said: 'There is a question about whether military regulations were followed.'

But within hours the MoD said, 'Things have moved on,' and issued another statement saying L/Cpl Croucher had been cleared. It added: 'An investigation has concluded that Corporal Croucher had followed the correct procedure. No disciplinary action will be taken. Any suggestion that he must repay any money is false.'

But the MoD failed to respond to questions about when the decision had been taken.

Last night a spokesman for L/Cpl Croucher said he was still waiting to hear from the MoD and had not been told the investigation against him had concluded. The spokesman said: 'Matt is working with the MoD to resolve this matter.'

Thanx Rod

Striking Terror Into The Taliban

An RAF hero told how his squadron strikes terror into the Taliban - with fearsome Tornados.

Bravo Zulu AB K. Nesbitt

Ms Nesbitt is only the second woman in the Armed Forces to receive the MC, but said: “It doesn’t really make a difference. I was really overwhelmed that they trusted me to do the job and never doubted me at all, that’s what was important. I just did what I’m sure everyone else would have done for me.” Her citation said: “Under fire and under pressure her commitment and courage were inspirational and made the difference between life and death. She performed in the highest traditions of her service.” The 21-year-old, who stands 5ft tall, is now working in the Surgical Assessment Unit at the Military Hospital Unit Derriford.

She said: “In the UK we are receiving terrible injuries on a daily basis and it is a tough job but nothing compares to having to treat one of your colleagues that you have worked alongside for weeks.

Thanx Rod

Has the MOD gone mad?!?!?!?............................."These are the people we dont want in charge"

Walter Mitty Turned Up at Bedworth on 11th November 2009

A request from SAS Colleagues

40 CDO Colleague needs our Help

Summary

Direction

With the Chairman's permission we have today launched the Repatriation Appeal for Jim Rowan.  The Costa Blanca Branch will lead and will be assisted by the OAMAAM "click here" and The Central  Office of the RMA "click here" (Charlie Hobson). Monies raised by the OAMAAM website will be coordinated in the UK by Roy Sainsbury and the Central office will collect sterling cheques on our behalf. A case worker will also visit Penny to asses this case .
 
Mission
 
The Mission is to collect sufficient funds to repatriate Jim Rowan to the UK by Air Ambulance.  The Chairman will spèak more on this issue at the meeting on Tuesday the 24th.
 
UK and International RMAs are kindly asked to support this urgent appeal in any way possible , though we understand that monies are tight in these times , any help would be appreciated.
 
Kind Regards
 
Dave Lawton ( P032249 T )  : Coordinator for the Jim Rowan appeal   

Thanx Rod

War hero, 94, vows to hand back medals to Brown after being denied winter fuel allowance

A 94-year-old war hero today pledged to hand back his medals after the Government refused to give him his winter fuel allowance.

Bob McGowan was told he could not claim the £300 subsidy because he moved into his flat just one day too late to qualify.

Despite his age and the six years he spent fighting for his country across Europe, Asia and Africa, the Pension Service said it could not show flexibility.

Mr McGowan, of Portsmouth, has been waging a battle of principle with Whitehall ever since he was turned down for the fuel support in 2007.

He wants an apology from Gordon Brown and says if it is not forthcoming he will post his five medals to 10 Downing Street.

Mr McGowan, who won the Burma Star, the Africa Star, the War Medal 1939 to 1945, the 1939-1945 Star and the Defence Medal following 2,133 days on active duty overseas, said: ‘I think it’s disgusting.

‘It seems I’ve got to bow down over one solitary day, when I did six years overseas.

‘You’d think they would make allowances but they keep saying external factors won’t be considered under any circumstances.

‘What hurts me is I that did all that time overseas and they ignored it - they think more of one solitary day.

‘I’ll hold on to my medals if Gordon Brown will apologise, of course.

‘But if I don’t get satisfactory answers I will send them. I’d like this saga to end. It’s two years and I have had enough of it.

‘Residents of care homes are not entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment because heating costs are met by the local authority.’

The Royal British Legion today called for more understanding from the government over Mr McGowan’s case.

Roseanne Hanley, from the Welfare Department of the Hampshire Royal British Legion, said: ‘We believe discretion should be shown by the authorities when assessing slightly late benefit claims, especially from the very elderly.

‘Many very elderly members of the ex-Forces community are forced, through low income, to ration.

‘They”re forced to apply to these winter allowances because the income they have means they have to be thrifty, and the government should support them more.’

A spokesman from Help the Aged said: ‘We occasionally hear complaints from older people who have missed out on benefits because they were one day short from meeting a deadline or a particular requirement.

‘We know some people feel very strongly this is unfair, but the Department for Work and Pensions state they need to establish cut-off dates to make the administrative machinery work.

‘While we know Winter Fuel Payments are valued by those who receive them, ideally we want to see a system where people have adequate pension incomes and don’t need to rely on additional one-off payments in order to meet essential bills.’

Mr McGowan joined the Army in November 1939, aged 24, and was first posted to Egypt.

There he was tasked with ferrying troops and ammunition as a driver, before going to the Balkans on attachment to a field ambulance division.

But the British force was overwhelmed by the Nazis, and was forced back to Greece.

He was then taken to Crete on board Royal Navy cruiser HMS Orion.

Shortly afterwards the ship was bombed with the loss of around 300 lives.

He was shipped to Syria, and then sent to relieve Australian forces at Tobruk, Libya, where he spent three months surrounded by enemy forces.

He then went to Rangoon, but was called back after the city fell to the Japanese.

After around two months in Burma he went to India, where he spent the rest of the war.

He returned to Britain in July 1945, setting foot on home soil for the first time in nearly six years.

"Click Here for Original Story"

(your comments/views on this subject would be appreciated,
"Click Here"
to check out the story again and comment)

Caine Calls for a Return to National Service in Britain

Michael Caine is calling on the U.K.'s leaders to reinstate national service in an effort to clean up the streets.

After shooting his new Harry Brown, in London's most troubled neighbourhoods, Caine fears crime and drug use is out of control in his native Britain - and the government needs to do something drastic to stop youngsters from killing one another.

He says, "I'm very stodgy but I'm turning into a real conservative. What you actually need to do is bring back national service; not for two years like I did - where I went to the Korean War, but have six months to learn to defend your country. "You don't kill anybody; you just learn to defend your country in case somebody comes to kill you.

I think it's very important that these kids get the sense of being citizens and the pride that can come with that". But Caine admits his opinions about the youths who run riot on London'snotorious crime estates have changed now he's had the chance to sit and talk to them. Caine worked with gang members on the new film and reveals they weren't the mindless thugs he feared they'd be.

I shot a lot at night there with all the guys known as hoodies and I would talk to them and I changed my mind about them.

"I realised that 75 per cent of them are educateable (sic)

and

25 per cent of them are irredeemable and should be in psychiatric wards. It's such a sad thing. I was with guys who would scare the life out of you".

Asda Till Snub For Hope For Heroes Mum "Original Story Click Here"

Mum-of-three Beth Hoyle claims an Asda till worker refused to serve her because she was
wearing a wristband backing injured troops.

Beth says the checkout lad told her the band for Help for Heroes - aided by The Sun - meant she supported the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And when she complained to a supervisor, he BACKED the Asian youth, saying he was entitled to his view.

Beth, 40, who has two brothers in the services, said the checkout worker told her he didn't want to serve her because of "what she was wearing."

Shocked Beth, of Whitworth, Greater Manchester, said that at first she thought the youth at Asda's Rochdale store meant a cross round her neck.

"He pointed to my Help for Heroes wristband and accused me of supporting the war. I told him it was nothing to do with the war, but about supporting our injured troops.

"I immediately complained to a supervisor, but he said it was his right not to serve me. I was disgusted."

An Asda spokeswoman said they were "shocked" by the claims but had found no evidence that the incident happened in their store.

She added: "We are big supporters of the Help for Heroes campaign and we sell the pin badges and wristband in hundreds of our stores."

See all Updates and Post your Comments/Views on this Incident "Click Here"

Thanx Rod

Sheffield, Hallam Student is a Disgrace "Original Story Click Here"

T0: info@robertwinston.org
Cc: l.branton@shu.ac.uk

Dear Sir,

It is with a touch of sadness and a rather large amount of both disgust and anger that I feel I have to write this e-mail of complaint. I refer to the behaviour of a student of Sheffield Hallam, a "sports technology" student by the name of Philip Laing and his action of urinating on the War Memorial at Bakers Pool. Firstly, urinating in public is a criminal offence and disgraceful conduct for anyone. However, this was compounded with the totally unacceptable behaviour of  his relieving himself on not only the war memorial but amongst the family tributes to the dead servicemen.

As a former Royal Marine Commando, when I was this young man's age - like all my colleagues of our era - I was on active service in the name of this country. Last year I attended a reunion at the Commando Training Centre, Royal Marines and took time to watch young men (who were younger than this oafish lout) under training, exhausted, dirty, wet and cold but pushing themselves more and more to complete their training and tests knowing full well that within a couple of weeks of completion they would be with a Commando unit in Afghanistan and all that that entails. I saw some parents (and families) who had attended for a "pass out", their demeanour proud but apprehensive at the future possibilities for their sons. Our mood when toasting "absent friends" was that of quiet, calm contemplation of colleagues long gone before, quite a few of them around this student's age, along with those who since their service just ran out of time. Indeed, you only have to study the photographs of the dead and injured from this conflict or the footage that is shown from Wootton Bassett for the age of the casualties to strike home. War, after all, is a young man's "game". The manner of the ordinary townsfolk of Wootton Bassett ought to be a template for people such as this young man.

The heavy intake of alcohol ( what is "Sports Technology" that requires such an intake) is not an excuse and neither should it be. I realise that young men will be exactly that and there probably is a sense of freedom when attending university away from home, but this was well beyond the bounds of acceptable behaviour. Indeed, should any of those young servicemen have done this the military would have taken them severely to task, whether the constabulary had taken action or not. I trust some form of sanction can and will be made against Mr. Laing ?

 I would not want to see him lose his opportunity at tertiary education or obtaining his degree because of this shabby, obnoxious behaviour but a hefty dose of embarrassment ( especially in front of his peers) should concentrate his mind on the fact that whilst he is fortunate to enjoy the delights of Sheffield's nightlife others of his age are facing nights out of a different kind. This caused me to be angry; you can imagine the distress of the families who are still mourning their 19 year old "children" - the "children" who will always be 19, never 20. They will never know the love of a wife, the joys of bringing up children, the pride as their children go to University - and possibly mix with this kind of young man ! What irony. Perhaps a subtle suggestion - or not so subtle, if necessary - of undertaking some voluntary work. Scrubbing the Memorial clean would be a good start and perhaps a visit to the military side of Selly Oak Hospital to see the condition of the wounded who will live on with their disabilities from the wars that, so we are told by politicians, give this young man the freedom to be an obnoxious idiot.

With some Public Relations efforts on the part of Sheffield Hallam to go alongside it, the richly deserved opprobrium could be lessened and the young man come at at the other side as a better, more rounded, more understanding person. For some reason though, I suspect that - given the examples shown by our so called "betters" in Parliament - nothing will happen about it. That is the sadness of it.

David Hughes.

Westview
West Street
Misson
Doncaster DN10 6DX.

Reply (1) from Lord Winstons Office

From: "Ward, Rachel" <rachel.ward@imperial.ac.uk>

Date: 19 October 2009 13:13:28 BDT

To: David Hughes <gongdonkey@btinternet.com>

Subject: Re: Sheffield Hallam student.

Message from Professor Lord Winston:

Dear Mr Hughes

Thank you very much indeed for  drawing my attention to this incident which was recently reported , I understand, in the Daily Mail.

I am grateful for your comments and I can assure you that the University will be taking appropriate action.

Yours sincerely
Robert Winston

Reply (2) from Sheffield Hallam Office

From: "Branton, Lorna" <L.Branton@shu.ac.uk>

Date: 19 October 2009 09:38:04 BDT

To: 'David Hughes' <gongdonkey@btinternet.com>

Subject: RE: Sheffield Hallam student.

Dear Mr Hughes,

Thank you for your comments.

Whilst the University is not responsible for the actions of individual students, we do not condone this student's behaviour in any way.

The University has a rigorous disciplinary procedure in place. In cases where there are also criminal proceedings, we follow national guidelines and do not hold disciplinary hearings until the criminal case has been concluded.  However, we have started the disciplinary process for this student.

I would like to take this opportunity to assure you that the actions of this one student do not represent Hallam's 30,000 strong student community. We work closely with the Students' Union, City Council, police and other community organisations all year, in order to promote good community relations and safe drinking. 

Lorna Branton

Head of External Communications

Generals Attack BNP

Former military heavyweights have warned that the
Armed Forces are in danger of being hijacked by far right groups

The Times newspaper reported that former Army generals had written a letter warning that political extremists had no right to share the Armed Forces' proud reputation.

The letter, signed by former heads of the Army, General Sir Mike Jackson and General Sir Richard Richard Dannatt, amongst others, said far right groups were "fundamentally at odds" with the values of the British military, following the British National Party's tactic of using images of Winston Churchill and wartime insignia during recent European election campaigns.

The letter reads: "We call on all those who seek to hijack the good name of Britain's military for their own advantage to cease and desist.

"The values of these extremists - many of whom are essentially racist - are fundamentally at odds with the values of the modern British military, such as tolerance and fairness."

General Jackson specifically attacked the BNP for using the Army's image. He told the Times: "The BNP is claiming that it has a better relationship with the Armed Forces than other political parties. How dare they use the image of the Army, in particular, to promote their policies? These people are beyond the pale."

The move by the generals comes after the BBC rejected a call from Cabinet minister Peter Hain to drop BNP leader Nick Griffin from the panel on BBC1's Question Time this Thursday.

Mr Hain, a long-standing campaigner against Apartheid, has written to BBC director general Mark Thompson warning he could face legal action if he allows Mr Griffin to take part in the flagship political show.

The Welsh Secretary argued that the BNP was currently "an unlawful body" after the party told a court last week it would amend its whites-only membership rules to meet discrimination legislation. The Equality and Human Rights Commission had issued county court proceedings over concerns the membership criteria were restrictive to those within certain ethnic groups.

In a letter to Mr Hain, Mr Thompson responded: "According to the advice we have received, the British National Party is not prevented from continuing to operate on a day-to-day basis and its elected representatives continue to sit on councils and in the European Parliament. It remains the BBC's obligation to scrutinise and hold to account all elected representatives and to do so with due impartiality."

Forty Years After they Served in Asia

Thanx Rod

Memorial Wall to Fallen Royal Marines Unveiled

The new memorial wall at the Commando Training Centre

Yobs Abuse Bomb Blast Hero

A seriously wounded soldier who lost three limbs while serving his country in Afghanistan has been mocked
over his horrific injuries — on the streets of Britain.

Callous yobs abused brave Sapper Matthew Weston who lost both legs and his right arm as well as most of his hearing after he stepped on a bomb while on patrol in Helmland Province in June. Sick thugs directed vile jibes at 20-year-old Matthew during family outings into Birmingham while he was being treated at the city's Selly Oak hospital.

Outraged mum Rena said from her home in Taunton, Somerset: "When we took him out people said things like 'haven't you forgotten something? Oh yeah, your legs'.

"One shouted at him 'If you didn't want to be blown up don't go to war'. It's disgusting." Rena added: "If you don't like what you see please walk on by - don't hurl abuse at him. He's still Matthew.

"He wasn't expected to make it but he has. He's making really good progress but there's still a long way to go. "It has been devastating, totally emotionally draining and has changed all our lives."

Matthew was part of the bomb search unit in 33 Royal Engineers and has been classified as the most seriously injured soldier to survive. He is currently at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court in Surrey.

Matthew joined up at 17 and was on his first deployment to Afghanistan when he was blown up. He plans to return to the Army next year and hopes to make the Paralympics shooting team.

He will receive artificial legs next week.

"I hope the scumbags concerned in this are severly dealt with one way or another".......Foxnwolf

Thanx Rod

Richard Thurston commemorates HMS OCEAN (son of ex RM)

Well done Richard, your father would be Proud

Thanx ER

Ex Para held over theft of War Medals

Military honours for UK services

More than 100 personnel from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and the Army have been honoured in the armed forces' latest Operational Awards List.

While many of those recognised fought in Afghanistan earlier this year as part of 3 Commando Brigade task force, there are also honours for UK- and Iraq-based service men and women.

Below are details on some of the recipients.

Bomb Busters

British special forces have destroyed 500 roadside devices

Thanx Rod

Nick Clegg Calls for Forces Pay Increase

The most junior ranks of the armed forces should get a £6,000 pay rise to help boost morale, the Liberal Democrats have said.

Other privates and lance corporals should also get an average salary increase of at least £3,000, with an extra £1,000 for higher non-commissioned officer ranks, the party said.

"Nobody can put a price on the sacrifices our troops make on our behalf, but it is clear to everyone that pay levels are shamefully low for the lower ranks," he said. "We can't continue to reward the bravery of lions with peanuts. The Liberal Democrats will ensure that no soldier, sailor or airman goes into harm's way on less basic pay than a new recruit to the police or fire service."

The rises would see the average basic pay across the ranks of private and lance corporal rise to around £25,000. Mr Clegg said the move would cost between £300 and £400 million and should be funded from existing the Ministry of Defence budget by slashing the number of "desk jobs" by 10,000.

He said: "At the moment there is one MoD desk job for every two servicemen. We believe the ratio should be reduced, particularly as so many desk jobs in MoD are already done by serving officers. Other countries with similar sized militaries have a much smaller ratio."

British Army servicemen and women were awarded a 2.8% pay rise earlier this year after the Government accepted the recommendations of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body.

The rise - described as one of the best in the public sector by the MoD - meant the basic pay for a private on operations rose to between £16,681 and £25,887.

Memorial to Heroes Stolen

Callous thieves stole a set of brass plaques from a war memorial - to be sold on and melted down for SCRAP.

They tore off 16 plates bearing the names of hundreds of soldiers who died in battle in two world wars. Only two plaques remained amid the dust and rubble at Broomfield Park, North London.

Gardener Bob Booth, 42, discovered the theft on Friday. He said last night: "I was getting the garden ready for Battle of Britain Day next month.

"Then when I came in and saw what had happened I was shocked to the core.

"How sick do you have to be? We have young boys coming back from Afghanistan in coffins and there are people prepared to desecrate the memory of these brave men for profit."

The World War I plaques were put in place in 1929 and the World War II plates around 20 years later. Each one measures about 4ft high and 20 inches wide.

They surround a delicate alcove for wreaths above which reads in gold lettering: "At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them."

Bob posted a message about the theft on a website.

Within hours other users of the forum responded - branding the thefts "sickening" and "vile". Last night a police spokesman confirmed they were investigating.

The British Government to Cut Wounded Soldiers’ Awards

The British government will this week launch an attempt to deny soldiers crippled in battle full compensation for their injuries.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) will go to the Court of Appeal on Tuesday to try to slash the compensation awarded to two injured soldiers by up to 70%. If the government wins, it will fuel the mounting disquiet over the relatively paltry payments some soldiers are receiving for lifelong injuries.

The legal action comes as British troops are suffering their heaviest casualties since the beginning of the conflict in Afghanistan in 2001.

Yesterday a soldier from the 40th Regiment Royal Artillery became the 20th to die this month, and the 189th overall, when he was killed in an explosion in Lashkar Gah in Helmand province.

It also emerged this weekend that the new commander of a platoon that had lost five men in a Taliban bomb attack earlier this month has himself been badly wounded in an explosion. Second Lieutenant James Amoore, 2nd Battalion the Rifles, stepped on an improvised explosive device last Sunday.

The 24-year-old officer had just replaced his predecessor, who had been seriously wounded in a similar explosion that killed five soldiers. Both officers are receiving critical care at the Selly Oak hospital in Birmingham.

The rising number of casualties has attracted attention to deficiencies in the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, which was introduced in 2005. Last week Sir John Major, the former Conservative prime minister, said the nation was not meeting its “obligations” to injured servicemen.

Compensation payouts to soldiers are routinely dwarfed by those awarded in the civil courts. In one of the most high profile cases Ben Parkinson, 25, suffered 37 injuries, including brain damage and the loss of both legs. He initially received £152,000. After a campaign by his mother, this was raised to £546,000.

Lawyers believe that Parkinson would have received £3m in a civil trial.

In the landmark legal case this week Bob Ainsworth, the defence secretary, is appealing against a ruling that two soldiers should have their compensation increased.

In September 2005 Anthony Duncan, a soldier with the Light Dragoons, was on patrol in Iraq when he was shot in his left thigh. He needed 11 operations to clean and close the wound and had a pin inserted in his leg to help the bone heal.

He subsequently suffered calcification in his thigh muscle and constant pain in his leg. He struggled to walk without crutches while attempts to run left him “crippled” with pain, according to court documents.

The MoD initially gave him £9,250 in compensation, arguing that his injury was only a fracture. Duncan appealed and a tribunal awarded him a lump sum of £46,000 and a guaranteed weekly income payment for life.

Matthew McWilliams, a Royal Marine, suffered a fracture of his thigh bone during a training exercise. He was awarded £8,250, which was increased on appeal to £28,750 and a guaranteed weekly payment because of damage to his knee following surgery.

In June last year the MoD took both cases to a higher court, claiming it should have to compensate the men only for the initial injuries and not subsequent complications. The three judges ruled against the ministry, saying it was “absurd” to divorce the injury from treatment.

The MoD was so concerned by the ruling that earlier this year it suspended payouts for three months, barring the most serious injuries. If it loses at the Court of Appeal, wounded soldiers who suffered further complications after treatment will be entitled to higher payouts.

Carl Clowes, 23, from Bradford, is among those taking a keen interest in the case. In July 2007 he was in a Land Rover in Helmand when it drove over a mine. Both his legs were crushed. His left leg was amputated below the knee 10 months later and he still suffers pain in his right leg. He can walk only short distances without crutches.

Clowes was awarded £92,000 for his amputated left leg, but £8,000 for his damaged right leg. He will be medically discharged from the army this week but will only be able to do sedentary work.

He appealed against his payout and shortly afterwards was delighted to find £48,300 in his bank account, which he used to pay off his mortgage. A day later the MoD contacted him to tell him the money had been paid in error. He is now being forced to return it.

“I’m permanently disabled. The last thing I expected was for the MoD to quibble over compensation,” he said.

Colonel Tim Collins, who commanded the Royal Irish Regiment in Iraq in 2003, said: “It is not surprising (the MoD) is doing this because of its finely tuned budgets, but it is a reflection of the regard this government has for the services.”

Sue Freeth, director of welfare at the Royal British Legion, said: “People who are putting themselves in harm’s way for their country feel cheated. These injuries affect people for the rest of their lives, but for many the compensation system fails to address that.”

Repatriation Day

Repatriation
Of
Private Robert Laws
Lance corporal David Dennis
Lance Corporal Dane Elson
Capt Ben Babington-Browne
 And
Trooper Christopher Whiteside
On
Friday, 10th July, 2009 

Wootton Bassett 
On parade on the south side of the road – 
Eighteen Standards on parade all from a large number of different Associations. 
The Light Dragoons were represented by about 20 officers and a large number of other ranks. 
Other serving military personnel were also present together with an exceptionally large crowd of veterans. 
The reports I received stated that the turnout was the largest ever and impossible even to give an approximate head count, to such an extent that it was very difficult to move around the town centre. 

Police Station (A420) 
On parade – 
One Royal Marine Association - Standard 
One Royal Marine Association member
One Royal Air Force Association member 
Approximately seventy Police Officers and Civilian Staff from the Police Station
Twenty-five fire fighters and 4 Engines Very large crowd of civilians

United Kingdom Defence Academy (A420) 
Two Standards on parade – 
Royal Marine Association – Guildford Branch
Royal Marine Association – Poole Branch 
Plus – 
Major Hasting RM (Rtd) & Mrs Hasting
Eleven Royal Marine Association members 
An exceptionally large crowd of civilians and serving members of the Armed Forces turned out and joined us for the route lining. 

The serving members of the Armed Forces included – 
A Royal Navy Captain
Lieutenant Colonel – Royal Logistical Corps
Wing Commander RAF
Seven Majors from various Regiments               
Total number at this location and on the opposite side of the road totalled over one hundred persons. 
The Royal Marine veterans present made a ‘team’ decision and told the assembled officers that we would consider it an honour if one of their numbers would take the parade. 
Major Chris Sankers (Royal Engineers) was nominated and fulfilled that duty, and afterwards the RMA members expressed their thanks. 
            Afterwards, many retired to the ‘College Farm Pub’  
            Photograph attached of the ‘Poole Mafia’ with the Pub Manager. 

Folly Lay-by (A420 junction A417) 
The Union Flag was on display 
Two Standards on parade – 
Royal British Legion – Farringdon Branch
Royal British Legion – Shrivenham Branch 
Also on parade about 50 persons, including the Mrs Beth Fleming, the Vice Chair of Vale of White Horse District Council.

John Radcliffe Hospital 
Eleven Standards on parade – 
Together with the ‘Regimental Banner’ of the – 
Royal Dragoon Guards Association 
It was estimated that about 200 former service personnel and civilians were on parade.  
The Lord Mayor of Oxford Mary Clarkson and Police Superintendent Andy Murray were also in attendance. 
And guess what, the tea, coffee and soup was once again supplied by our stalwarts in the local Constabulary.  Thank you very much. 

RAF Operations (Lyneham) 
As usual the staff at RAF Lyneham came up trumps with Squadron Leader McGuiness with providing us with accurate timings, enabling efficient coverage along the route. 
This information also allowed us to monitor the passage of the cortege along the route and feed the information into a direct link in the UK Defence Academy, resulting in a large number of their staff and students joining us outside establishment on the A420                     
Thank you RAF 

Final Comment. 
Whilst travelling up to our parade point yesterday (outside the Defence Academy) we were listening on the car radio to discussions concerning the day’s events at Wootton Bassett.  Several people being interviewed expressed views that similar things should be done at other places.  The interviewers and interviewees had no idea what actually goes on along the A420 between Swindon and Oxford. 
Regards 
Derek ‘Blondie’ Boorn
42 Commando
Royal Marines 1956 – 1958. 
On behalf of the Royal Marines Association

Thanx Rod

MoD Spies on Heroes:

Wounded in Battle: Hundreds Seeking Compensation are Filmed Covertly to See if they're Lying

Shattered: Mortar bomb victim Warren Ward received a warning letter

Wounded soldiers seeking compensation for their injuries are being secretly filmed to check whether they are lying about their condition.

The Ministry of Defence has ordered its legal teams to make use of ‘Big Brother’ undercover spying powers originally drawn up to deal with counter-terrorism.

All injured servicemen and women claiming compensation from the MoD have been sent letters via their solicitors threatening them with ‘covert surveillance’. 

They are warned that their case will be ‘passed to the MoD police’ to consider prosecution if there is suspicion of fraud.

Yesterday the ministry confirmed that since 2000 it had carried out such surveillance on almost 300 injured personnel who sought damages through the civil courts.

The disclosure sparked astonishment and outrage.

Senior military commanders, MPs and campaigners said it was a ‘national disgrace’ and demanded to know why ministers had sanctioned such treatment of soldiers who risked their lives in wars, and paid a terrible price in physical and mental trauma. Wounded soldiers voiced disgust at what they saw as intimidatory tactics designed to frighten mentally traumatised claimants into dropping their cases.

One former soldier who was left physically and mentally shattered by a mortar bomb in Basra said his warning letter had left him feeling ‘like a benefits cheat’ instead of a once-proud soldier, and that he now struggled to gather the confidence to leave his home. Warren Ward insisted: ‘I’m not a scrounger. I did my duty as a soldier for my country.’

News that the Government is spying on war heroes to try to cut its compensation bill emerged as the MoD confirmed that another British soldier had been killed by an explosion while on foot patrol in Afghanistan - taking the UK death toll to 185.

He was named as Fiji-born Rifleman Aminiasi Toge from 2nd Battalion The Rifles.

The secret surveillance of claimants is being carried out under the controversial Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA), originally intended to help the police and MI5 monitor terrorists in the UK.

Recent revelations that local councils have used the same legal powers to spy on residents for trivial matters such as littering or flouting school catchment area rules have provoked a fierce public backlash.

Powers available include videoing suspects in secret, bugging conversations with them, scanning their telephone records and even recruiting neighbours or colleagues to act as ‘intelligence sources’.

The MoD’s lawyers have sent out letters this week to solicitors acting for thousands of servicemen and women seeking compensation.

They read: ‘Following a review of procedure, we have been instructed to inform all claimants of the MoD’s policy.’

Lord Guthrie, the former head of the armed forces (above), said: 'I have never heard of such tactics before'

‘Claims are investigated thoroughly and can involve an assessment of the claimant’s physical capability undertaken covertly by surveillance when necessary and proportionate.’

The letter concludes with a threat of prosecution, stating: ‘Any cases identified by the MoD, its claims handling contractors or solicitors where there is a reasonable suspicion of fraud are now routinely passed to the MoD police.’

Lord Guthrie, the former head of the armed forces, said: ‘I find this extraordinary, but sadly it is rather typical of the attitude in the Ministry of Defence and Whitehall.’

The retired Chief of the Defence Staff went on: ‘I have never heard of such tactics before, and I think it’s a terribly unfortunate thing for the MoD to decide to do.’

Solicitor Hilary Meredith, who acts for 200 clients seeking damages from the MoD, said she was astonished by the letters, adding: ‘This is a national disgrace and must be stopped with immediate effect.

‘Video surveillance is hugely expensive and for the MoD to use taxpayers’ money for this purpose is nothing short of outrageous.

‘British soldiers are risking their lives and suffering horrendous injuries around the world. Is this how they deserve to be treated when they return home?’

She added: ‘We act for people with amputations, burns, shrapnel wounds, paralysis. Some are young men who will need constant care for the rest of their lives.

‘Many have psychological problems which don’t show up on covert video footage. They are the most reluctant litigants you can imagine.

‘Instead of trying to penny-pinch and trip these people up, perhaps the MoD could spend the money on kitting them out properly and helping them?’

Diane Dernie, mother of injured paratrooper Ben Parkinson, who became the public face of a successful campaign to improve the treatment of injured veterans, said: ‘I can barely believe it.

‘We are talking about young men who are terribly maimed, or who see their friends killed and mangled and then have to clear up the remains.

‘I’ve seen these people make incredible efforts to get well again, yet the MoD is treating them as potential fraudsters - and for what?

‘To save a few quid on what must be a microscopic number of claims which are exaggerated.

‘I thought we had got the MoD to change its thinking, but it seems not.’

The MoD could not say how much it was spending on the spying operations but said 284 people had been subjected to covert surveillance in the past nine years.

A spokesman said: ‘The MoD, like the insurance industry, is at risk of fraudulent claims.

‘If, during the process of determining liability, evidence suggests that a claim has been exaggerated, surveillance may be used to verify details.

‘It is used in less than one per cent of cases and should be of no concern to individuals with a legitimate claim.’

She claimed the MoD had a legal obligation to warn all claimants that they could be spied on, but that claim was disputed by privacy campaigners.

Simon Davies, director of Privacy International, said: ‘These letters are outright intimidation.’

Thanx Alan

Pride and Anger for Dead Soldiers

The eight soldiers killed in the most deadly 24 hours of British operations in Afghanistan were repatriated yesterday amid emotional scenes before hundreds of onlookers in a Wiltshire market town.

The bodies were brought home in front of a guard of honour formed by colleagues and veterans as the government announced said 140 troops from the 2nd Battalion Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, currently based in Cyprus, would be deployed to Helmand province to join the Operation Panther's Claw offensive under way against the Taliban. A 700-strong battalion deployed to Afghanistan as reinforcements to bolster security before the presidential elections next month is also expected to remain there longer as part of the government's review of the British military presence in the country.

As the tenor bell of St Bartholomew's church tolled to mark their return, the assembled townspeople fell silent to witness the human cost of the recent hand-to-hand combat in Helmand, which the defence secretary, Bob Ainsworth, has said is unavoidable if the British military are to rout the Taliban.

The hearses passed one by one, each with a coffin tightly bound in a union flag. At one point, the silence was broken by the family of Corporal Jonathan Horne, 28, who was killed by a roadside bomb near Sangin as he tried to rescue his comrades from an earlier blast. Horne's brother, Andy Lowe, 25, ran out with members of his family and friends to the hearse. They threw red roses on top and one said: "Love you, man." "At the back of my mind, I always feared it could be JJ, but I didn't want to think about it," Lowe said. "All I was thinking about was when he was due to come home in a few weeks and going down town for a couple of drinks."

Flowers were tossed from rooftops and the roadside and a football shirt was thrown on to another hearse as a ripple of applause spread through the crowd. When the cortege moved on, the tears came. Group after group were huddled together, eyes filled with tears, saying very little, only to comfort the most grief stricken.

Eight families were grieving and many more friends too.

Rifleman James Backhouse, 18, had been due to return home on leave today to his family in West Yorkshire. The family of Rifleman William Aldridge, 18, who died in a roadside blast, sat beneath homemade bunting carrying his picture and the words "Our lad".

Rifleman Joseph Murphy, 18, was killed carrying Rifleman Daniel Simpson, 20, away from a blast. Corporal Lee Scott, 26, died in an explosion on the same day just north of Nad-e-Ali. Private John Brackpool, 27, was shot at Char-e-Anjir, near Lashkar Gah, while on sentry duty and Rifleman Daniel Hume, 22, was killed in an explosion while on foot patrol.

The day had begun at noon, when the C17 cargo plane bearing the coffins flew low over the cemetery of St Michael and the Angels at Lyneham, home of the RAF base, before banking to complete a flypast above Wiltshire and Oxfordshire, where country pubs flew flags at half-mast.

Waiting in the VIP area of the base were the families. There was time for a moment of private grief in the chapel of rest before a more public repatriation in Wootton Bassett.

The hearses that today crawled down the high street brought to 184 the number of British troops killed, more than the death toll in Iraq. Veterans, uniformed soldiers, leather-clad bikers and the general public were touched by anger and pride. There was anger at the age of the soldiers dying and the absence of a government minister to see them return, and pride at the servicemen's role in a war to tackle terrorism.

David Sinclair, 20, a shopworker from Maidenhead, came to see his schoolfriend, Rifleman Dan Hume, be repatriated.

"The age of the soldiers dying is sickening," he said. "This shouldn't be about money. They have not been given the proper equipment. We shouldn't be in this war in the first place, but now we are there, we have to sort out what we are doing."

"Gordon Brown has never met a coffin off a plane," said John Lawton, 42, a former corporal in the Royal Green Jackets.

"It is his lot that sent us there and he couldn't even be bothered to come to see them back. Bush has met coffins, Obama has met coffins, but this has become an embarrassment for the government."

Helena Tym, 48, the mother of Cyrus Thatcher, a 19-year-old rifleman who was killed by a roadside bomb in Helmand six weeks ago, said she felt pride as well as grief in her loss.

"This turnout shows it's not just us as families that feel that, but also the whole nation," she said.

"As soon as you hear that awful sentence on the TV news 'the family has been informed', you know how they feel. It just hurts all over again."

Thatcher's father, Robin, 49, said he believed in the war, but the increasing numbers of dead should force a rethink of tactics. "It may take these eight deaths for Gordon Brown to think something should be done," he said.

Five more UK dead in Afghanistan

Fifteen UK soldiers have lost their lives in Afghanistan in the last 10 days

The Ministry of Defence says five more British soldiers have died in Afghanistan, taking the total number of deaths announced on Friday to eight. The five, from the 2nd Battalion The Rifles, were killed near Sangin, Helmand province, on Friday morning. Next of kin have been informed.

Their deaths takes the number killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 184 - more than those killed in the Iraq war. UK forces are engaged in an offensive in Helmand with US and Afghan troops. The five soldiers were killed in two separate blasts while on the same patrol.

Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "While there are no words to ease their loss, our heartfelt sympathies go to their families, friends and fellow soldiers at this very difficult time: their deaths were not in vain."

Earlier on Friday (10th July 2009), it was confirmed a British soldier from the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment died near Nad Ali in Helmand. That news came hours after the deaths of another two soldiers, again in Helmand.

Fifteen soldiers have died in 10 days in southern Afghanistan.

Thanx Rod

PM welcomes creation of Elizabeth Cross

The Prime Minister has welcomed the creation of a new medal for the families of British Service personnel killed while serving their country.

Earlier today, the Queen announced the creation of the Elizabeth Cross, which will be granted to the next of kin of Armed Forces personnel killed on operations or as a result of terrorism.

Gordon Brown said the new medal would be a “special and fitting tribute” to those who lose their lives serving the country.
He said:

Thanx Alan Nicholson

Armed Forces Day: Hero Hour

The Royal Navy's retiring chief had issued a passionate call for the nation to support our war-weary troops - as Britain celebrated its first Armed Forces Day. Admiral Sir Jonathon Band told The Sun why the inaugural celebration meant so much to Our Boys and Girls. The tough-talking old sea dog chose the forces' No1 paper for his last interview before he retires next month.

Admiral Band declared: "Servicemen are pretty normal guys. They're not in it for a million pounds. They like the life, the teamwork and the professional satisfaction. "It's a calling, not a job. It's a service, not a trade. They don't want to be pitied and shouldn't be. But the one thing servicemen like is to be recognised." He added: "I hope that today, for a few moments, they realise this nation thanks them for what they have done."

Sir Jonathon, 59 - who has served 42 years in the Navy - won huge popularity among the ranks by standing up for sailors' pay and resources.

Like retiring Army boss General Sir Richard Dannatt, he was passed over for the military's top job, Chief of Defence Staff, when his outbursts angered PM Gordon Brown. He revealed his emotion at seeing Marines and Navy support staff in action in Afghanistan last winter, saying: "The proudest moment in my job was seeing sailors and marines step up to the mark. "They've been prepared to lay down their lives for this country. The bomb is indiscriminate in Helmand province.

"When they're on the front line, fighting piracy, in submarines or in Afghanistan, they are incredibly motivated. A decent wage packet, due recognition, a hot shower and a roof over their head is all they ask." Admiral Band - to be succeeded by Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope next month - conceded he was worried whether the forces take on too many tasks, with wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and other global missions causing "overstretch".

He praised The Sun and Help for Heroes, adding: "One thing that's seriously helped is your campaign. "It's one thing working jolly hard 24 hours a day but another if you're not getting recognised for it. "I talked to marines in Plymouth about this. They were wearing Help for Heroes wristbands and talking about what an enormous effect it has had. They all read The Sun."

He insisted that the world in the next 20 years will be more dangerous than it was in the last 20, adding: "The world is beset by a whole raft of new issues. "We have the emergence of China and India, the rise of energy-owning countries like Russia, Nigeria and Iran, the shift of the economic engine to the East, a shortage of energy.

"Then there are failing states and international terrorism. You need an insurance policy." Britain has 24 warships on six tasks around the world - but Sir Jonathon is calling for 25 and warned against plans to axe two aircraft carrier orders. He said: "There is no navy in the world that puts its ships to sea like us. But a ship can't be in two places at once."

Proud princes William and Harry joined Sir Jonathon in the tributes to troops. In a joint statement, RAF officer William, 27, and Army officer Harry, 24, said it was "humbling" to be part of our forces. It read: "Armed Forces Day is a celebration of our fighting men and women and the immeasurable contribution they make to our lives and the reputation of this country."

The Queen marked the occasion by sending a message of good wishes to the UK's service personnel, their families and military veterans. Thousands are expected to support events across Britain.

Staff at Birmingham's Selly Oak Hospital, which cares for military and civilian patients, displayed Armed Forces Day posters yesterday.

Page 3 Girl Peta celebrated by helping troops wash cars in Aldershot, Hants. The Sun paid tribute by turning the London Eye into a giant Help for Heroes wristband. At sunset last night, the giant wheel beamed the colours of the three military services over the River Thames. Red for the Army, dark blue for the Navy and light blue for the RAF make up the wounded troops charity's emblem.

London Eye bosses agreed to change the lighting to back our appeal, which has raised £23million in 21 months to improve facilities for troops.

Technicians tried out the new colours on Thursday.

45 Commando take part in Arbroath homecoming parade

Royal Marines who recently returned from Afghanistan have taken part in a homecoming parade in Arbroath.

The 700 men of 45 Commando have the Freedom of Angus, which allows them to march through the streets.

The unit, which is based at RM Condor in the town, was awarded the freedom in 2003 in recognition of its services and close links with the area.

The men spent six months in Helmand Province, during which time nine members of the unit were killed.

A further three men serving alongside them also died.

About 2,000 people lined the streets to welcome the unit home. The crowd cheered, applauded and waved Saltire and Union flags as the marines marched by.

They were led along their mile-long route by the Royal Marine Band of Scotland.

The unit returned to Scotland last month after its operation fighting the Taliban, destroying heroin and poppy crops and helping improve local infrastructure.

We pay great tribute to our marines who sadly made the ultimate sacrifice, or were wounded in battle Lt Col Jim Morris

Sarah Clarke, 29, attended the parade to see her husband, 22-year-old Marine Tom Clarke.

She said: "I think the best word for the way I feel is relieved - when he was out there they were the worst seven months of my life.

"I know the lads were all saying beforehand they didn't think anyone was going to bother today, so this will mean a lot to them."

Commanding officer, Lt Col Jim Morris said: "We're very proud of our links with the local community, so it's a tremendous honour to parade through our home town of Arbroath.

"It's an opportunity for us to say thank you to all those in the area who supported us. That support to the men and their families cannot be underestimated, and was very welcome.

Lt Col Morris said it was "a tough but successful" six months and he was proud of his marines' achievements.

"We made real progress in the region - delivering security and local governance to the Afghan people, allowing schools, shops, health clinics and offices to open in the region," he said.

"We also found and destroyed a number of Taliban weapons and opium. This success has come at a cost and we pay great tribute to our marines who sadly made the ultimate sacrifice, or were wounded in battle.

"Enduring and sustainable progress was certainly made, but it was gritty, slow and dangerous work."

Well done.......PMPT & SemperFi

Friendly Fire

American pilot, whose 'friendly fire' blunder killed British Royal Marine, will not give evidence at inquest because of Pentagon policy.

An American fighter pilot who killed a Royal Marine in a 'friendly fire' attack will not give evidence at his inquest, it emerged yesterday. Jonathan Wigley died soon after a U.S. F-18 rained cannon fire on a ditch where British troops were surrounded by the Taliban in Helmand, Afghanistan.

But the Pentagon's policy of not allowing American personnel to appear at British inquests means the coroner will be unable to question the pilot in open court. The Oxford inquest yesterday heard that on December 5, 2006, 21-year-old Marine Wigley was in 1 Troop, 45 Commando, pinned down by militants as they tried to advance into the town of Garmsir.

His unit, from Zulu Company, was told to clear an enemy area but was attacked with machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars, leading to a day-long battle. After the Taliban surrounded the Marines, a joint tactical air controller (JTAC) - trained to guide in airstrikes - used his radio to request help from American jets.

Major Andrew Plewes, who was commanding Zulu Company, recalled watching the F-18 fly in at tree-top height, saying: 'The aircraft made a couple of low passes and then conducted a strafing run. 'It was very apparent that the strafing run had fallen short of the target area and had gone through 1 Troop's location. The information came through very quickly that they had received casualties.'

He said there was a shortage of JTACs, adding: 'In an ideal world we would have had three but we were rationed so we had just one.'

An American F-18 fighter similar to the one flown by the US pilot in the 'friendly fire' incident that killed Marine Wigley

Their role is critical, as they are trained to talk to allied pilots, often while under fire, and give accurate data on enemy positions to prevent 'friendly fire' tragedies. Prince Harry was a JTAC in the same area a year after Marine Wigley's death.

Corporal James Cogan, Marine Wigley's section commander, described the moment the jet struck. He told the inquest: 'I thought we'd been fully outflanked and someone was stood above our heads, firing down, because of the physical force of the rounds and the way the dirt kicked up.' He told Marine Wigley's parents, Clive and Sharon, that their son opened his eyes briefly but 'did not suffer'.

Marine Wigley, of Hook, Hampshire, died while medics fought to save him in an armoured vehicle as the Marines withdrew under fire. Coroner Andrew Walker told the inquest: 'I can only just begin to understand the bravery and heroism of soldiers who fought that day.'

He has previously criticised the U.S. for not cooperating with British inquests. The hearing continues.

Corporal James Cogan, Marine Wigley's section commander, described the moment the jet struck. He told the inquest: 'I thought we'd been fully outflanked and someone was stood above our heads, firing down, because of the physical force of the rounds and the way the dirt kicked up.' He told Marine Wigley's parents, Clive and Sharon, that their son opened his eyes briefly but 'did not suffer'.

Marine Wigley, of Hook, Hampshire, died while medics fought to save him in an armoured vehicle as the Marines withdrew under fire. Coroner Andrew Walker told the inquest: 'I can only just begin to understand the bravery and heroism of soldiers who fought that day.'

He has previously criticised the U.S. for not cooperating with British inquests. The hearing continues.

Thanx Rod & (Matthew Hickley of Mail Online)

Hidden Heroes & Fighting for Answers

Thanx Rod

Apache over Ipswich

Two Apache helicopters flying over a 40 Commando Royal Marines flag, no not Afghanistan but over a former Marine's house in Ipswich. England!!

Thanx Rod, a great shot over your LZ

45cdo Arrive Home

The Marines were met by Family & Friends

Hugs & Tears for 600 Marines

SIX hundred Marines were given a heroes’ welcome home by families and friends yesterday as they returned from a gruelling tour of Afghanistan. The soldiers of 42 Commando lived up to their nickname of The Smiley Boys as they fell into the arms of their loved ones. Some wept tears of joy at seeing their little children again.

But there were also tears of another kind as the four members of the unit killed on the winter tour were remembered. During their stint, the Kandahar-based elite outfit sprang 14 daring air assaults on the Taliban. They included a final mission witnessed by The Sun two weeks ago, in which 130 foes were killed.

Proud

More than 150 relatives and pals were at Exeter airport, Devon, as the Marines landed in two jets. Still in desert fatigues, Corporal Jonathon Owen, 26, was hugged by wife Karen, stepson Daniel, 12, and daughter Natasha, three. The proud little girl planted a big kiss on her father and clutched a home-made flag reading: “My daddy is my hero.”

Cpl Owen, of York, said: “I’m so happy. It’s tough being away from your family so a welcome like this is even more special.”

Sgt Major Paul McArthur beamed as he was embraced by children Connor and Becky. Little Jade Cantrill, five, popped her major dad Richard’s helmet on her head.

Marine Michael Francis, 24, was given a belated Easter card with a bar of his favourite dark chocolate inside by his three-year-old daughter Marisa, known as Missy.

Other arrivals included brave sergeant Noel Connolly, 41. The Sun told yesterday how he saved the life of 30 comrades by rugby-tackling a Taliban suicide bomber.

Lt Col Charlie Strickland, CO of the Plymouth-based unit, paid tribute to the four killed heroes — Marines Tony Evans, 20, and Georgie Sparks, 19, L/Cpl Ben Whatley, 20, and Cpl Rob Dearing, 33.

He said: “We mourn our fallen and feel very comfortable stating that as honourable warriors, we have made a difference.”

Thanx Rod & Welcome Home 42cdo RM (Friday, April 17th, 2009)

2 Marines held off hundreds of Argentinians and disabled a Warship

Told fully for the first time, how a force of 22 brave Marines held invading Argentines at bay in the run-up to the Falklands War Grim determination etched on their faces, the Royal Marines pose for a final photograph in the frozen silence of South Georgia. Thousands of miles from home and facing an unstoppable Argentine invasion force, few expected to survive until nightfall.

Heroes: Section Commander George Thomsen (standing centre, with a moustache) has recalled how he and 21 other Royal Marines held off an Argentine invasion of the island of South Georgia. This picture was taken seconds before the 1982 day-long conflict began.

Moments after the photograph was taken on April 3, 1982, the peace was shattered as the first enemy helicopter arrived  -  and was promptly shot down by the Marines' rifle and machine gun fire. In the heroic defence that followed, the tiny garrison numbering just 22 men fought on ferociously for hours to inflict heavy casualties, even crippling a 260ft Argentine warship. Like their comrades defending the Falklands 800 miles away, the Commandos on South Georgia were eventually forced to surrender  -  but not before giving the invasion force a bloody nose.

Ferocious fighting: The corvette Guerrico was disabled by Thomsen

Thomsen's comrades, who also downed two helicopters

Described as a modern-day Rorke's Drift, the 1879 battle in which 139 British soldiers fought off 5,000 Zulu warriors, the full story of the struggle has been revealed in a book by one of the Marines involved, George Thomsen. In March 1982, Thomsen was days from returning home from the small Royal Marine Falklands garrison when he was ordered to take eight men to South Georgia to monitor a group of Argentinian scrap dealers who had landed illegally and raised the Argentine flag, the incident which was to lead to full-blown war in the Falklands.

The Falklands War began shortly after the Marines successfully guarded South Georgia. Here, British soldiers disembark at a jetty at San Carlos Bay in June 1982

Heroic: Royal Marine George Thomsen

Along with 12 other Marines under Lieutenant Keith Mills they arrived on the desolate island in mid-March. Two weeks later the crisis erupted when the Argentines invaded the Falklands. Section commander Thomsen and his comrades knew a large enemy force would descend on them within hours. With no hope of reinforcements, they set about doing everything possible to prepare. They boobytrapped the shore and fashioned an enormous bomb beneath the jetty, packed with nuts, bolts and harpoon heads.

Thomsen, who was 24 at the time, said: 'There wasn't a single one of us that wasn't prepared to fight it out to the last man. We weren't expected to come back. 'It was a one-way ticket for me. It was just 30 seconds after we had that photo taken that the helicopter came in.' Scurrying for cover they opened fire with rifles and machine guns and shot down the Puma gunship as it tried to land enemy troops.

'That was like a gift,' said Thomsen. 'That kicked off the battle, and we were 16-nil up from the start.' As the battle raged, another Argentine helicopter was put out of action, but the Marines could not hold back the tide as hundreds of enemy soldiers swarmed ashore. Still they kept up a fierce resistance, and when the Argentinian corvette the ARA Guerrico steamed into the bay, the Marines launched an audacious attack.

Aftermath: HMS Antelope sinks off Ajax Bay in May 1982. She sank after an unexploded Argentine bomb went off during an attempt to defuse it

George Thomsen today

'It was raking us with its 40mm anti-aircraft gun until we wiped out the gun crew,' said Thomsen. 'We then used a bazooka, but three out of five rounds didn't go off. 'If they had we'd have sunk it. But we put it out of action and it was listing at 30 degrees. 'We whacked out its Exocet launchers with rocket launchers and hit the 4in gun on the front and disabled it. We were putting sniper fire through the bridge so they didn't-know where they were going. It was the first time in history anything like that had been done.

'At the same time they were landing troops from two or three other ships and we were outnumbered 50-1, or 100-1 if you count everyone on their ships. 'It was like Rorke's Drift, except the enemy was well armed.' The fighting only ended when, in a 'brilliant bit of British bluff', Lieutenant Mills walked brazenly towards the Argentinians and warned his men would keep fighting unless they agreed to his terms  -  including safe passage off the island.

The Argentinians agreed  -  but were astonished to discover they had been facing just 22 Marines. The Marines were flown back to Britain. They later joined the British task force which liberated the Falklands. South Georgia was recaptured on April 25. Thomsen, 51, from Poole in Dorset, is married with two children and now runs a firm making hi-fi record turntables.

His book, Too Few Too Far, is published by Amberley.

Thanx Rod, BNPS, Reuters, PA and of course; "The 22"

Ben McBean's London Marathon 2009

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Thanx Rod

Jenny's crossed the Bar

“She died peacefully on 18 February 2009 at the age of 92”

Jenny`s Side Party
On arrival in Hong Kong Jenny's side party were permitted to attach themselves to HMS London. They came highly recommended by Belfast and a number of other ships in the Far Eastern Fleet. The girls were very popular and adept with a paint brush. Their pay consisted of spare food, bits of rope, tin, bottles, in fact anything that would usually have been jettisoned overboard.

With Mount Victoria in the background Jenny's girls supervise 'painting ship'

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Thanx Rod

HMS Intrepid is scrapped for recycling at a dry dock in Liverpool

A sad sight to see any ship broken up but sadder still when it's one I'm sure you are familiar with

Thanx Rod & Taff

Funeral of a Marine Killed on Duty

Mourners were told that Michael Laski was
"a true hero"

Hundreds of mourners have gathered in Liverpool for the funeral of a Royal Marine killed in Afghanistan.

Michael Laski, 21, a signaller, of 45 Commando's Yankee Company, died two days after being shot while on foot patrol in Helmand province last month. Family and friends celebrated his life at St Mary's Church in West Derby. His coffin, draped in a Union Jack, was carried into church by marine colleagues after a guard of honour was formed at the church gates.

Pensioners from Merseyside and Manchester's Royal Marines Associations were among those who attended.

During the service Major Rich Parvin, Yankee Company commanding officer, said Mr Laski was "a sharp-witted and thoughtful individual with an active mind". "His Scouse wit was always well-timed and he would often break the tension at moments of pressure with his dry sense of humour. "Brave in combat and always ready to assist others in any task, he was all that a Royal Marine should be.

"He was a professional in every sense and a commando in the very best of traditions; a thinking man's soldier. "His loss is a tragedy, but his life was a gift to all who knew him. "It was a privilege to serve alongside him. He is missed, but never forgotten."

Last post

The service was conducted by the Rev Mark Allsopp, of the Royal Navy, and local vicar the Rev Mark Coleman.

Prayers included Psalm 23 with a gospel reading from St Luke before the congregation sang the hymn Those At Sea. In a note read to the service, Mr Laski's father Michael Laski Snr, said he and the marine's brother Jonathan, were immensely proud. The coffin was taken to nearby Anfield Crematorium where The Royal Marines' Prayer was said.

A volley of gunfire cracked through the air and the Last Post sounded.

Lest we Forget

Dead British soldier George 'Sparky' Sparks relished his job – and his duty

For Queen and country: Marine George Sparks, right, with a colleague

Just over two weeks ago, a young Royal Marine sniper climbed silently but purposefully onto the mud roof of a deserted house in a bullet-pocked Afghani compound. Another marine followed and together they peered over a parapet trying to get an urgent fix on Taliban positions. Eyes darting, they looked for enemy movement. Suddenly, without warning, the lethal sound of an incoming rocket was followed by an ear-splitting explosion. When the smoke cleared both marines lay still – one dead, one mortally wounded.

I am at home, about to leave for the gym, when the phone rings. I really don’t have time for a telephone call, but I answer none the less.

“Hello,” I say.

“Chris,” replies a disembodied voice amid a deafening buzz of static and crackle. “…it’s Orlando…ringing from Afghanistan.”

“Orlando!” I shout delightedly. “How are you mate…?”

Orlando, a friend and Royal Marines officer, phones occasionally for a chat when he’s not on operations. I am eager to hear his news – bugger the gym!

Orlando’s voice comes and goes through the hissing interference, so I am only getting every few words.

“Mate… tell you… direct hit… Sparks…”

“Orlando, I’m not receiving you,” I shout. “Say again…” There is a pause as he moves position to get a better signal.

“Is that any better?” he asks.

“Bit faint – but I can just about hear you. What was that you said?”

“Mate, thought I should tell you. Georgie Sparks was killed today. Direct hit by an RPG [rocket propelled grenade.]”

I open my mouth but say nothing. The news stuns me into silence. This can’t be true. “Sparky?” I stammer eventually. “But he was only 19,” I hear myself saying, as if being 19 should have made him invulnerable to enemy explosives.

“I know mate, it’s f------ s---,” replies Orlando. We talk as best we can for a few minutes before the signal fails completely and we lose contact. I listen to the empty static in a trance of disbelief and tangled memories.

In my mind I can hear the sound of a distant train. It is the 9.28 from Exeter coming into the platform at the Commando Training Centre at Lympstone. The date is June 17, 2006 and I am waiting on the platform for the arrival of 49 new recruits about to start 32 weeks of training to become Royal Marines Commandos – the toughest basic military training in the world.

The young men about to get off the train will comprise 924 Training Troop and, although they don’t yet know it, I will be making a series of films for ITV about their progress as recruits. I swing my camera round as dozens of young men get off the train wearing civilian clothes and dragging heavy cases.

They are quick to line up in front of an impatient looking corporal with a clipboard who starts to check off their names. “Lee!” “Present, corporal!” “John!” “Present, corporal!” “Williams!” “Present, corporal!” “Sparks!” “Present, corporal!” George Sparks looks more like a boy than a young man. Small, fresh faced and ill at ease, he seems out of place alongside some of his more robust, muscular and confident fellow recruits. I make a mental note of George Sparks, partly because he looks so out of place and partly, I admit, because I don’t reckon he is going to make it through the first few weeks of training.

I am not alone in my misgivings about the 17-year-old from Essex. Lieutenant Orlando Rogers, the 924 Troop Commander, a man-mountain, is not convinced that George Sparks has made the right decision to come to Lympstone and is far from confident that his small frame and musculature will stand up to the very considerable physical challenges ahead.

Jon Stratford, the troop’s physical training instructor, is convinced the shy and awkward teenager will fall at a very early hurdle. There is one person, however, who has great belief in George Sparks and that he is made of the right stuff, not only to win the coveted green beret and become a Royal Marines Commando, but that he will become a very fine Royal Marines Commando. That person is George Sparks himself.

Over the following weeks and months, many of the original recruits in 924 Troop fall by the wayside. Some are injured as the rigours of training take their toll on bone, muscle and sinew. Otherwise, the constant demand for self-discipline and mental application defeat all but the most dedicated and able. By week 30, only six original recruits remain. One of those is George Sparks who, by stubborn single-mindedness, strength of mind and firmness of purpose has passed every test necessary and risen to every challenge. But he is not out of the woods yet – far from it. He, like all recruits, must run the famous “Commando Tests” – four final trials of strength and courage – that have to be passed to win the green beret and pass out as a commando. Once again, Sparky has to dig deep.

The first three tests – the seven-mile endurance run in full fighting order, the nine-mile speed march and the Tarzan assault course – are all a taste of hell but Sparky pulls through. There remains the final test – a 30-mile run over Dartmoor carrying 40lb. On paper, the “30 Miler” is a virtual impossibility. At the 20-mile stage everyone is convinced Sparky will collapse with exhaustion and plummeting blood sugar levels, but he summons inner strength and manages, with the help of six Mars bars, to keep his arms and legs pumping long enough to cross the line to claim his green beret. There is no drama, no bragging, no boasting, just a gentle smile and a determination to get on with the job.

We are all incredibly proud of Sparky, not least those that doubted him – people like Orlando Rogers, his troop commander, Jon Stratford, his PTI, and me, by now a friend.

A week later, Sparky’s parents, Wayne and Toni, and his sister Katie, are at Lympstone to see him awarded his green beret at the passing-out parade, as well as the Commando Medal awarded to the recruit who best exhibits the commando qualities of courage, determination, unselfishness and cheerfulness in the face of adversity – an award voted for by fellow recruits. Then, Wayne, Toni and Katie watch Sparky and the rest of 924 Troop receive their final orders at the Commando Training Centre – “Royal Marines to your duties, quick march!”

I was not with Sparky and his fellow marines when they deployed to Afghanistan in September, but I can well imagine how he felt. I have been alongside other Royal Marines fighting for their lives in that war-ravaged country and know how the adrenaline pumps through the veins when advancing into enemy territory. I know the smell of fear that fills the nostrils when the enemy attacks. But most of all I know the feeling of intense togetherness, of brotherhood, that binds marines when facing a common foe.

Back in 2006, as part of my filming, I joined a troop of Royal Marines at Kajaki – a place as desolate as it is remote. There, I ventured out with the troop as they took on the enemy in ferocious fire-fights. I saw Royal Marines Commandos in front-line action, doing their duty, exhibiting jaw-dropping bravery, killing – because that is their trade – and, inevitably, being killed.

Barely 20 months since passing out, Sparky is dead – killed, alongside fellow marine Tony Evans, north-west of Lashkar Gar in southern Afghanistan. They were the 127th and 128th British soldiers to die in this still escalating conflict.

So, was Sparky’s death in vain? And Tony’s, too? Are all the deaths and horrific injuries sustained by our troops in vain? Some would have it so. Sometimes, I confess, I think so myself. But I can tell you this. Sparky would not have thought so. In his understated and modest way he would have argued the toss with anyone who even hinted at such an idea.

It is not that he would have had any great opinions about the need to confront global terrorism or even the promotion of democracy in places like Afghanistan. Sparky was doing what he was trained to do, but more than anything else he was there to protect and defend his comrades. As a specialist sniper, he was watching out for other Royal Marines when he was killed. Protecting his mates. He would not have had it any other way. He relished his job just as he relished his duty but, above all, he valued the bond between marines. Knowing that any marine would die for him, he would not have questioned the need, if it arose, to die for them. That need did arise and Sparky answered the call. It’s not a hero thing. It’s just a soldier thing, a Royal Marine thing or, in this case, a Georgie Sparks thing.

924 Troop disbanded the day the recruits passed out, but now, as I write, it is reforming. I don’t mean in a physical way but an emotional way. Spiritual even. Former members, including some who never made it through training, are contacting each other: phoning, emailing, Facebooking – just to talk about Sparky. It is a way for everyone to keep his candle burning: by remembering him and celebrating the sort of bloke he was.

We will all be at his funeral tomorrow on what would have been his 20th birthday. And we will remind ourselves that Sparky will never grow old. He will always be nearly 20. Forever.

By; Chris Terrill (www.telegraph.co.uk)
On a man who embodied the spirit of the Royal Marines

Thanx Jan

Victory on the home front

"Click Here Full Story and Updates"

If the UK had its own Mount Rushmore commemorating "Wealdon District Council" it Would Look Like This

Thanx to my nephew Mike in Chicago

"They would never get away with this in Chicago or anywhere in the US, they wouldnt even try to"

This needs to make headline news...not some of the other junk that makes the news these days!!!

It's a tough, but heart warming story...with a picture of John Gebhardt in Iraq.

John Gebhardt's wife, Mindy, said that this little girl's entire family was executed. The insurgents intended to execute the little girl also, and shot her in the head...but they failed to kill her. She was cared for in John's hospital and is healing up, but continues to cry and moan. The nurses said John is the only one who seems to calm her down, so John has spent the last four nights holding her while they both slept in that chair. The girl is coming along with her healing.

You'll never see things like this in the news. The public needs to see pictures like this and needs to realize that we're making a difference. Even, if its just one little girl at a time. 

He is a real Star of the war, and represents what the Western worlds trying to do. This, my friends, is worth sharing with the WORLD!    Go for it!!

Thanx Rod

USS Independence

"More Pics"

Thanx Barry

Gotcha

Thanx Tony

Fleecing of America

Thanx Joe

Just been fishing Officer.......honest

"Full Story"

Thanx Rod

Operation Red Dagger

"Strikes killer blow in heart of enemy territory"  

Thanks Barry & Rod

Navy Petty Officer Mike Monsoor

"Full Story & Pictures"

Thanx Rod & George

Like Father, Like Son

Thanx Rod

Truth, Reality & Bravery. A Soldiers Story "What Happened Today"

An Email from "Mike Sierra"
Thanx to "John Doe"

"Further News"

Christmas Spirit in South Tyneside

"Snow joke ... Dot Glenn was shocked to have her Christmas lights branded offensive"
Thanx Rod & Ian  

Latest Virus

"Email of Obama Speech" 
Thanx Rod

Marine Rugby Tackles Suicide Bomber

"Brave Marine"
Thanx Rod

Definition of a Veteran

"Definition of a Veteran"
Thanx Rod

Daddys Poem

"Daddys Poem"
Thanx Baz

MOD Police reunite Marines with stolen medals 

"Click here for Full Story"

Thanx Rod

Marine Stole Comrades Medals

"Lower than snake shit in my opinion, let`s hope young Craig spends the rest of his life getting filled-in" 

"Craig (scumbag) Firth" (Guardian)

"Craig (scumbag) Firth" (The "Plymouth" Herald)
Thanx Rod

Interesting Story from WWII

Monopoly and Silk
Thanx Taff

Sea unearths secret Nazi bunkers that lay hidden for more than 50 years 

"Buried in the Sand"
Thanx Taff

The History of the Middle Finger

Thanx Rod

USS NEW YORK!

Thanx Rod

"To see Footage in Media Click Here"

Forts Proud History

Thanx Rod

Revocation of US Independence

1. Then look up aluminium, and check the pronunciation guide. You will be amazed at just how wrongly you have been pronouncing it.

2. The letter 'U' will be reinstated in words such as "colour", "favour", "labour" and "neighbour." Likewise, you will learn to spell "doughnut" without skipping half the letters, and the suffix '-ize' will be replaced by the suffix '-ise'. Generally, you will be expected to raise your vocabulary to acceptable levels. (look up "vocabulary").

3. Using the same twenty-seven words interspersed with filler noises such as "like" and "you know" is an unacceptable and inefficient form of communication. There is no such thing as US English. We will let M*crosoft know on your behalf. The M*crosoft spell-checker will be adjusted to take into account the reinstated letter "u" and the elimination of -ize.

4. July 4th will no longer be celebrated as a holiday.

5. You will learn to resolve personal issues without using guns, lawyers, or therapists. The fact that you need so many lawyers and therapists shows that you're not quite ready to be independent. Guns should only be used for shooting grouse. If you can't sort things out withoutsuing someone or speaking to a therapist then you're not ready to shoot grouse.

6. Therefore, you will no longer be allowed to own or carry anything more dangerous than a vegetable peeler. Although a permit will be required if you wish to carry a vegetable peeler in public.

7. All intersections will be replaced with roundabouts, and you will start driving on the left side with immediate effect. At the same time, you will go metric with immediate effect and without the benefit of conversion tables. Both roundabouts and metrication will help you understand the British sense of humour.

8. The former USA will adopt UK prices on petrol (which you have been calling gasoline) of roughly $10/US gallon. Get used to it.

9. You will learn to make real chips. Those things you call French fries are not real chips, and those things you insist on calling potato chips are properly called crisps. Real chips are thick cut, fried in animal fat, and dressed not with catsup but with vinegar.

10. The cold tasteless stuff you insist on calling beer is not actually beer at all. Henceforth, only proper British Bitter will be referred to as beer, and European brews of known and accepted provenance will be referred to as Lager. South African beer is also acceptable as they are pound for pound the greatest sporting nation on earth and it can only be due to the beer. They are also part of the British Commonwealth - see what it did for them. American brands will be referred to as Near-Frozen Gnat's Urine, so that all can be sold without risk of further confusion.

11. Hollywood will be required occasionally to cast English actors as good guys. Hollywood will also be required to cast English actors to play English characters. Watching Andie MacDowell attempt English dialogue in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" was an experience akin to having one's ears removed with a cheese grater.

12. You will cease playing American football. There is only one kind of proper football; you call it soccer. Those of you brave enough will, in time, be allowed to play rugby (which has some similarities to American football, but does not involve stopping for a rest every twenty seconds or wearing full kevlar body armour like a bunch of nancies). Don't try rugby - the South Africans and Kiwis will thrash you, like they regularly thrash us.

13. Further, you will stop playing baseball. It is not reasonable to host an event called the World Series for a game which is not played outside of America. Since only 2.1% of you are aware there is a world beyond your borders, your error is understandable. You will learn cricket, and we will let you face the South Africans first to take the sting out of their deliveries.

14. You must tell us who killed J FK . It's been driving us mad.

15. An internal revenue agent (i.e. tax collector) from Her Majesty's Government will be with you shortly to ensure the acquisition of all monies due (backdated to 1776).

16. Daily Tea Time begins promptly at 4 pm with proper cups, with saucers, and never mugs, with high quality biscuits (cookies) and cakes; plus strawberries (with cream) when in season.

God Save the Queen!

PS: Go ahead and share this with your friends in the USA (those with a good sense of humour and NOT humor.) 

Thanx Ed