How to humiliate yourself in front of a VC Holder

[Keith Burke]

I have had the honour and the pleasure of knowing two holders of the Victoria Cross.

Today I will tell you of my first meeting with one of them, Colonel Fred Tilston.
This was before my Reg Force Career. I was still in the militia at the time and had just recently transferred into the Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment. The occasion was the first formal parade I was to attend wearing my new Ceremonials (I will tell you about the other incident of that day regarding my kilt, my motorcycle, and a constable, another time).

During the parade I noticed that the Honourary Colonel was not wearing a kilt, as was everyone else in the regiment. He was wearing trews and for some reason this struck me as disrespectful. Everyone “else” was wearing a kilt and who was this old guy not to!
After the parade, in the Mess, I was presented to the Colonel as the new Master Corporal who had just transferred in. I had already decided that I didn’t like this officer who obviously was too good to wear the kilt of his own regiment, and used silent contempt while exchanging pleasantries with him. He seemed amused by this. Of course that started to get my goat so I became more rude and my contempt was no longer exactly silent. The worse I got, the more the Colonel seemed to be amused, and indeed to be enjoying himself.

After this went on for some minutes we were standing in silence and I did what many of us do in such situations, I checked out his rack. There was the usual. CD with a pile of bars, 39/45 Star, France and Germany Star etc. And then at the very end a single plain ribbon, with plain looking Maltese cross. It took me a moment to realize what it was, and then my brain, belatedly, kicked into high gear. As close as I can recreate the effect of the moment after all these years, my thought process was: That’s a VC! Tilston …Tilston…. Tilston… VC… .Tilston… OMG Major Fredrick Tilston, the Hochwald, lost both legs! THATS why the trews.

What my outside voice came out with was: Jesus <censored> <censored> THAT’S THE VICTORIA <censored> CROSS! And YOUR Fred Tilston, and you’ve got no legs!

His response was beyond classic. Barely able to contain his mirth as I turned various shades of purple and red he replied: Why YES MCpl, I AM!

What can one do from the depths of such humiliation and embarrassment? Right there in the Mess I snapped my heels together in the best Prussian manner stood at attention and said: Sir, can I buy you a drink? He affirmed this would be acceptable, and for the rest of the night he paid not for a single thing, with myself his self appointed batman. It was a long long time before I was able to live that one down.

He was a great man, and is missed by all know knew him. Colonel Tilston passed away in 1992.

[Garry Shipton (RIP)]

After the Wing Battle of Britain parade a few years ago,myself & a couple of other drummers from the pipe band,were whetting our whistles in the Wing mess.(Drummers always make sure they get there first) at a round table that seated ten.Along comes this elderly gentleman(a French Canadian)and his girlfriend in full air force blues,together with a rack above his left breat pocket,and a ribbon with what looked like a white maltese cross around his neck.So,after sittig down & complementing us on the outstanding job we did on parade,and how proud he was to see the Air Force tartan on parade,the conversation went flat,as we sipped our beer(he was drinking gin & tonic).So numbnuts here asks him if he was in the war!!Yes,he flew spits in the Battle of Britain.Oh,says I what is that 1st medal with the cross & blue diagonal lines on a white background.That is the Distinguished Flying Cross,says he as my facial color starts to turn.Ok,trying to cheer my buddies up,what is that cross around your neck for?This is thee OBE for being a nightfighter,defending London during the raids.How many did you shoot down.I think 18 says he.At this point I didn't notice my buddies evacuate the table.So,sheepishly,I shook his hand,got up,& stayed near the bar for the rest od the day nursing my ego.

[Darrell Zinck]

Not too too many years ago, I asked a MWO in dress uniform when he got his Queens Medal for Champion Shot.



He looked at my smiling face for a minute then a light seemed to go on and he said "It a Medal of Bravery, lad"



Exit me post-haste!!!

regards
D

[Jon Skagfeld]

Originally posted by Keith Burke
I have had the honour and the pleasure of knowing two holders of the Victoria Cross.
*snip*
He was a great man, and is missed by all know knew him. Colonel Tilston passed away in 1992.

Hello Keith Burke...interesting anecdote, and a lesson learned!

Hmmm...reference your signature line...

OSONS What CDO?
Pro Patria What Bn?
Semper Paratus QOR?
Fior go Bas 2 Bn, Sudbury?
ne Gah ne Tah Algonguin Regt?

[Keith Burke]

None....AMF
1st Bn
E&K Scot
2nd Irish
Alq R

[Darrell Zinck]

Wouldn't that be AMF(L)?

"Another Mother-F*ckin' Leg!!! (just kidding)

I had to think about mine:

Semper Fidelis
OSONS (SSF not CAR)
Regie Patrique Fidelis
Audax et Celer (non-official)
Perseverence
Officium Primum
Hodi Non Cras
and back to
Audax et Celer

regards
D

[Jon Skagfeld]

Just for info, mine were (are?):

Velox Versutus Vigilans

Honi Soit Qui Mal y Pense (Ich Dien)

Air Son Ar Duthchais

Feuilles d'Erables

[Bill Alexander]

Ne Kah Ne Tah unless you are choking on a beer.

[Keith Burke]

Originally posted by Bill Alexander
Ne Kah Ne Tah unless you are choking on a beer.

You are entirely correct, about both the spelling AND the choking on a beer. Especially when the old Chippewa Barracks still existed. (Also embarrased myself there by shaking Colonel Smiths artificial hand). I did manage to have General Cassidy sign a copy of Warpath for me, but also managed to have it stolen in Pet.

Cheers