Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

Not the diet before being strapped into a Parachute Harness !!!

When I did my 1300ft Skydive for Charity,on my 80th Birthday,---I was very careful to adjust my harness, with great care.

The Instructors (Who knew I was an ex-Pra) had the giggles !

Two straps come up between the legs, and, if not properly adjusted, snap together as the main 'Chute opens.

"Amateurs" speak in a high-pitched voice for a few days !!

This did, not, of course, apply to the ladies present, but there were none in my day !!!

NEILL THE NOTORIOUS wrote:Not the diet before being strapped into a Parachute Harness !!!

When I did my 1300ft Skydive for Charity,on my 80th Birthday,---I was very careful to adjust my harness, with great care.

The Instructors (Who knew I was an ex-Pra) had the giggles !

Two straps come up between the legs, and, if not properly adjusted, snap together as the main 'Chute opens.

"Amateurs" speak in a high-pitched voice for a few days !!

This did, not, of course, apply to the ladies present, but there were none in my day !!!

Hmm. I'm not going to comment further.

Before I get mis-understood ----

There were ladies sky-diving with me ------- but not serving in the Paras !

I wonder if there are any female Paras now, or is it a "Last Bastion" ?

NEILL THE NOTORIOUS wrote:Before I get mis-understood ----

There were ladies sky-diving with me ------- but not serving in the Paras !

I wonder if there are any female Paras now, or is it a "Last Bastion" ?

One of the last bastions I think, like the Royal Marines and the submarine service. There has been one woman (just the one I think) by the name of Capt Philippa Tattersall who has passed the all arms commando course and was awarded her green beret back in 2002 or 2003. A Lt Jenny Hands RLC attempted P Company in 2005 but had to withdraw injured and I don't know whether she ever made another attempt. There are female paras in Guyana, Sri Lanka and Russia and of course a significant number of women in the SOE made operational parachute jumps during World War 2. One of these wonderful women lived in our village (Agent Rose - Mme Andree Peel) until moving to a home nearby a couple of years back. She still attends our Remembrance Day parade and takes the salute as (by far) the most decorated and distinguished Service person present.

A bit of Googling found female submariners in Norway and Denmark and this...

http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/69516

It wouldn't be my choice, but that's claustrophobia rather than anything else.

My son's best friend is a submariner, and son says he couldn't do it either.

englishangel wrote:A bit of Googling found female submariners in Norway and Denmark and this...

http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/69516

It wouldn't be my choice, but that's claustrophobia rather than anything else.

My son's best friend is a submariner, and son says he couldn't do it either.

Do submariners in our Navy still get extra pay ?

Paras used to get Qualification Pay (Qually Lolly) I seem to remember it was 5/- a day.

It was said that Paras joined for one of two reasons------- The Qually Lolly or the Wings to impress the Girls

I confess to the latter !!!

(Although as a 2/Lt -- the lolly was useful !)

I seem to remember that the Navy had a saying - probably aimed at the Marines - that only two things come out of the sky - bird sh*t and idiots!

The RAF always asked the inevitable question "Why do you jump out of perfectly servicable Aircraft ?"

And received the equally inevitable reply "Because we don't trust the Pilots !"

J.R. wrote:Do submariners in our Navy still get extra pay ?

Ask the Clerk, he was the Head of the "Silent Service".

Yes they do, about an extra 10%

I'm afraid that senility, prevents me from remembering the Play, in which one of the Characters remarks-----

"Ah the Navy -- the Silent Service !"

And another replies "Of course the Navy has a lot, about which to be silent ! "

Doubtless, others will remind us all !

NEILL THE NOTORIOUS wrote:I'm afraid that senility, prevents me from remembering the Play, in which one of the Characters remarks-----

"Ah the Navy -- the Silent Service !"

And another replies "Of course the Navy has a lot, about which to be silent ! "

Doubtless, others will remind us all !

'The Navy Lark' ?????????????

(That brings back sweet memories.)

NEILL THE NOTORIOUS wrote:I'm afraid that senility, prevents me from remembering the Play, in which one of the Characters remarks-----

"Ah the Navy -- the Silent Service !"

And another replies "Of course the Navy has a lot, about which to be silent ! "

Doubtless, others will remind us all !

That sounds like a Noel Coward quip, Neill, but I can't think where it comes from!

Must admit, at first glance. I thought it sounded very Noel Coward-ish as well.