Xmas2008

kerby · Xmas2008

Hi All, I am sitting here going thru a bottle of malt and thinking what can I say. Well I have got to say what a grand set of guys Langeleben generated. I think this site says a lot for those that served at Langeleben and sincerely hope that we keep this site going so that us 'oldies' have something to remind us of those times of comradeship. One does not get that spirit these days, for one reason or another. I hope you understand what I mean. Good luck to all. Keith
PS Fred Sanderson, I see you'r an older soldier than I , my no. was 23010244. Very Happy

Tom Neal

I agree with your sentiments Kerby but I must say I was not too happy with the entries to our toast. It was a few more than last year but considering our membersihip not very good.
Having said that it proved that the spirit is still there and with that in mind I think that in the new year we should get together in Newcastle soon to toast the ones who did not contribute.
Look forward to your response.
Tom

ken vipond

Hi to every one,i must agree with Tom about the poor response to the Xmas toast,considering the number of members we have and the number who took the bother to post a message was pathetic,perhaps we should have a re-run on new years eve and maybe i will remember to log in and not come on as a guest (apologies)must have had one too many, best regards from Ken.

p.s. Tom im not too far from Newcastle and im sure my VISA is still in date.

Tom Neal

Ken has a point about a toast on New Years Eve and I am all for it. However at New Year I have an open house and at midnitght I am normaly either propsoing a toast or letting people through our front door.
Having said that I for one will come onto our site and toast all members and absent friends and perhaps we can beat the Toast Total
Tom

Bob Wells · Xmas 2008

Ken I also attempted to enter as a guest. Something I spent most of the day trying to do, it was not until almost closing time that I stumbled upon where I was going wrong. The only excuse I can offer is that computering and I have a problem understanding each other. I was so much happier with a pencil. Oh while I'm winning a Happy New Year

Bob

Tom Neal

Never mind Bob at least yoiu got through which is what the R Signals is all about.
Anyway practise and leave a message on either the 31st Dec or the 1st Jan.
Tom

David Thomas

Hi Guys, I must strike a note of caution on holding a second toast, the first Mrs Thomas allowed me a bottle of red for the 23rd, then when I told her that didn't work I was allowed another bottle for 24th, I explained about the ancient Langeleben tradition of always welcoming in Christmas day, and was allowed a third. If we’re going to have a session in Newcastle, and a further toast on New Years Eve, then someone is going to give me a letter to give to her inside.
While I can still type, on New Years Eve we always celebrated midnight UK time, then an hour later midnight Germany time. The locals always got into the spirit of the evening and happily toasted with us.
Enjoy what remains of Christmas Day, all the best. Dave.

kerby

Tom, I would be delighted to meet up in the new year, do you think we would be able to get the barrier lifted to allow Ken to come across the river. Will be in touch as I am going off to Shropshire for a few days. Keith

harold hirst · Christmas Toast

Happy new year to everyone. sorry abouy the Toast, I logged on but for some reason it wasnt accepted. Still got a neadacke from yesterday but thought I would have a look on the site only to find that my message hadnt been accepted. Hope this one gets through, will offer a toast in the New Year.
ALL THE BEST TO EVERYONE FOR A GOOD 2009
BERYL & HAROLD HIRST.

paul croxson

Its funny Keith, I always think of you as 'young Kerby' but having seen your number I must treat you with more respect being merely 23035134 myself. Bob is such an old soldier he only had seven digits in his number! Having seen him at work with a pencil and he reckons to be better with one than with a computer its a wonder he ever got through. Well done Bob for persevering.
In view of Tom's disappointment with the turnout its a good job that the 54-56 crowd responded since without them it would have been a total disaster. It's not everyone's cup of tea!

If anyone feels strong enough to hold a book of over 700 pages I cannot recommend strongly enough "The Hidden Hand" by Richard J. Aldrich. It is in some Public Libraries (Gordon tells me that he got it in York). It is 'the story of Britain, America and Cod War Secret Intelligence'. I had no idea how close to going to War with the USSR we were thanks to the USA, Churchill and the mad Montgomery. It is an absolutely wonderful book and Sigint gets a very big mention but not Langeleben.
You can also buy it on line at abebooks.com. ISBN 1-58567-274-2

Gordon

I recall that you’ve expressed your admiration for The Hidden Hand more than once in your posts, Paul, so I decided to make it my Christmas reading. As you say, it is a fascinating story; an important one too. It was a bit chilling to read that at a time when my horizon was filled with passing my O-Levels (or whatever the equivalent was in 1949) everybody who was anybody in the intelligence community thought that war with Russia would come within three months. Aldrich writes with such an obvious command of his material that he doesn’t need to hype it up. The facts are scary enough.

I loved the episode where Ernie Bevin, faced with strident demands from the Chiefs of Staff to take a more robust line with Moscow, side-stepped them by setting up a new committee to which they weren’t invited and didn’t even learn about until it was too late! Classic sleight of hand!

We took some stick from our American cousins as our empire slipped away from us. It will be interesting to see how they handle the shaking of their own hegemony.

Gordon

RonB

I missed the Christmas Toast so I would like to send everyone best wishes for the New Year. For those of us who are not too well at the moment - Keep on getting better.
Ron

paul croxson

Thanks Ron.
Indeed there is a great deal of sicknes around at the moment that certainly did its best to ruin Christmas for most of my family. So far Wife and I have escaped.
It's the Big Re-union this year and so we have to work on all those who are reluctant to get themselves organised and those who have not gone bofore to get there before it is too late

GerryK · Toast

Hi everone, just want to wish one and all a Very Happy New Year. Doing it now as I dont want to miss out. Have been a bit "crook" over the past couple of days, but getting there now. Must have been something I ate or drank !! Wish I could be in the area to call on Tom and Helens open house.
Good luck to all. Smile

harold hirst · New Years Toast

Hello to one and all.
I wtsh a happy and prosperous new year to everyone. I wont be able to visit the site later tonight, going out to welcome in the New year, but will think of everone whilst having a deink at Midnight.
Looking foreward to June.
Beryl and Harold.

harold hirst · New Years Eve

Sorry about the spelling, must have had too much to drink at lunch. will now go and have something to sober me up.

All the best Beryl nd Harold.

peter jones

Good evening everyone. Sorry I missed the xmas post. I would now like to wish all ex - spec ops & their families all good fortune for2009 & may it be a peaceful & happy year for you all. Can't wait for the reunion in Konigslutter. Roll on. AR SK

peter jones

Sorry everyone; I meant EVERYBODY who was at Langeleben, not just spec-ops !!!

David Thomas

Hi Guys, Oh woe is me, I told you we’d been overdoing this toasting business, TFMT has now gone and locked away all the red wine! So I’m reduced to a 2007 Chablis slightly corked, still chin up, Happy New Year one and all. Dave.

ken vipond

Hi every one,here,s wishing you all a happy new year,been out since early doors don,t think i can take much more, infact i don,t think i will see in the new year,so god bless you all,from Ken.

kerby

A Happy and Prosperous 2009 to All,

Keith Kerby

marleneandgypo

Happy New Year one and all from both of us.

Mr Brooks very happy with his brand new motor a Skoda Roomster2. He can't go down the shops and run enough errands for me at the mo.

Our youngest got his apartment just before Christmas so it's just me and him after 35 years of kids about. I got my old recipe books out and have been making his mum's old Lancashire recipes. Meat and tatty pie with coconut slice and lashings of custard.

Now he is nicely in front of the cable TV while I got on with more admin work on our newsletter. We now have 189 kosher e-mail addresses all tried and tested tonight with a Happy New Year from hardworking Ernie and I. We have a note of any rejected mail and they will be treated as if they have no internet access for the time being. If anyone reading this has changed their e-mail address and hasn't let us know, now would be a great time!

Next thing will be the exciting part of putting together your first copy. Articles needs to be shortish and sharp so we can get a good balance for all those members who have nevr seen what we take for granted.

What has been absolutely GREAT behind the scenes is old friends finding each other after many years and actually even meeting up. Feel a bit like Cilla Black, lol

And it's going to get even better once those non internet members have more contact and maybe even more faces at reunions.

I have to say it has been an absolute honour to be allowed to do this for all of you and I thank you for putting your trust in me, I'll do my best for you.

Marlene

Tom Neal

Hello everyone, sorry I am a bit late but have been looking after people dropping in etc.
A very Happy New Year to all of you and looking forward to seeing most of you at Königslutter later on in the year.
Best wishes,
Tom and Helen

Ernie Callaghan

Sorry, I am even later than Tom, It's a quarter to three and Sheila and I have just crept in so not to disturb the cats, I have done half a bottle of Gordons so excuse the literals. I wish you all a very happy and healthy new year and look forward to adding to the 66 people already booked for the June reunion so keep the orders coming in.

Tom Neal

Hope you all had a good evening. I have just seen off the last of our visitors so am now going to bed.
For Gerry, you missed a good do.
Tom

marleneandgypo

My goodness Tom! 5.30 am!!!!!

Happy New Year to you when you wake up after being on the night shift.

Marlene

paul croxson

I am relieved to say that people are finally beginning to believe me when I say that 'I don't want any presents'. I doubt if I could remember one present that I have received which I could honestly say that I really wanted.
I am very lucky that in a material sense I have everything I think I want or need - I seem to need so much less as I get older which is fortunate as my income certainly goes down very rapidly nowadays for one reason or another.
What I would love to have are more friends - someone who just knocks on the door and say "is the kettle on?" Is it just being down 'South' that stops this happening? I hope it isn't me!

ken vipond

Hi paul,happy new year too you and your family,must agree with you regarding personal needs as you get older,i mean one time i used to get prezzies every year of packs of undies and packs of socks,and it seems as though they last forever and you have,nt worn them out over the 12 months and then the next supply is in your stocking,i don,t know if the material they are using now is better or my active way of life has changed as one gets older,i know as for the socks that i don,t do as much walking as i used to and as for the undies well thats another story which i won,t go into,i wonder if any else has the same problem ??? and as for getting visitors calling at the house i think peoples attitudes have changed over the years,to busy and not enough time,i remember when my wife Eilleen was alive and i would be out doing the garden she would often say just concentrate on the front because there is more people goes past than comes in,so it seems that the problem of visitors is national and not just localised,best regards from Ken and looking forward to meeting up again.

paul croxson

You are absolutely right Ken.
I used to constantly have holes in the toes of my socks* and, owing to a hyper efficient ironing person (Wife) who used to iron the elastic on my underpants on the 'hot' setting they had to be replaced with monotonous frequency. At the last count, under pressure, I had 73 shirts with many still in the original wrappers. And ties, now that I am unemployed/retired I wear my I Corps tie at Corps functions and my Royal Naval Club ties for the more formal events. So, why have I got a drawer full of the damned things.
In my garage I have a sawblade setting tool. I haven't set a blade for 50 years probably! Anyway you can't reset modern disposable saws anyway. There are 2 shelves of nearly empty paint tins too just in case OI ever have to 'touch up' the odd patch. I actually did this a month ago only to find that the wall was 'natural calico' not 'timeless'. Why have I got 3 soldering irons but no solder?
*I've found a way of cutting my toenails at last

David Thomas

Hi Guys, Happy New Year and all that. Just a slight deviation from receiving a present.
“Bell’s” Whisky had a great advert in the run up to the festive season.
The caption read, “Trust me, he doesn’t need another pair of socks”.
I don’t drink whisky myself, but it did make me smile.
All the best. Dave.

paul croxson

Dave,
Proving my point I had a bottle of single malt as a present, something I haven't drunk for 25+ years and then with absolutely no pleasure, this year from my stepson. It doesn't even make decent gravy unlike red wine.

kerby

Paul, How can you say that about such a beautiful drink. Why would you wish to spoil it with food. Keith
PS Just read your items whilst at work as not a lot to do as most of my customers are on holiday. No wonder we are going to the dogs, no one likes working now.
Rolling Eyes

peter jones

Paul, I have to agree with Keith, that by putting a fine malt to such use, is in my opinion , sheer alcohol abuse. Cheers anyway!!

GerryK · xmas 2008

SHAAAME ON YOU Paul. Prosit.

kerby

Paul, Both Peter and myself are very disappointed that all the training we gave you in 1955, has all been forgotten. Keith
Peter, Great to hear from you.

paul croxson

Ah! Woe is me!
Those finely tuned drinking skills that you mention.
I THINK my best was 16 ticks around the beer mat on demob night. Do you remember that basin on the bog wall at the Deutsches Haus? What did we call it? "Vomitorium" or was it "Regurgitorium" it was certainly well used on a good night! How incredibly pointless but good fun. One thing that doesn't appear on my C.V is the fact that no one could drink a glass of beer faster than me. I could and did take on anyone and those steiners(?) the stiefel where you had to turn them at just the right moment to get the footful down your throat and not your neck.
No that training was not wasted Pete. My beer drinking went on for a good few years, I promise you. Prostate problems from 1992 till recently* brought it to an untimely end but spirits never filled the gap. Now red wine! That's a different subject. I hope you lot are all coming in June
* A brilliant surgeon and some radiation hopefully has put it and the cancer firmly behind me. By the way cutting back on drinking has resulted in losing 2 stone but still have the belly
Cheers

paul croxson

I've just had an idea. I'll bring it with me for you 'orrible lot to drink. I can't think of a better use for it!

GerryK

What a

BRILLIANT IDEA

paul croxson

I wasn't in the I Corps for my rugged good looks Gerry!

ken vipond

come on then Paul,if it was,nt your rugged good looks that got you into the I corps what did ?????

RonB

Paul, you gave me quite a fright when I read your 6.00 pm posts. Consecutive sentences read...."..I've still got the belly." and "I've just had a good idea, I'll bring it with me....".
Rather worrying 'til I read further.
All the best,
Ron

paul croxson

I would rather not bring the belly, Ron, but it is insisting on coming. In fact it is planning to get there first!
Ken, it was my irresistible charm. Why on earth did you need to ask?

ken vipond

Yes Paul,i should have known better,regards from Ken.

M1j6horn

[quote="ken vipond"] perhaps we should have a re-run on new years eve and maybe i will remember to log in and not come on as a guest (apologies)must have had one too many, best regards from Ken.

Can you have 'one too many' on Christmas Eve Ken? If you could get up on Christmas Day you must have been ok!

Happy New Year

Tom Allum

M1j6horn

David Thomas

Hi Tom, Good to here from you, you are of course correct, please put it down to being Christmas; I did mention that I was having difficulty typing. Perhaps you remember the Spike Milligan ditty, "I'm walking backwards to Christmas", thats my excuse and I'm sticking to it. All the best. Dave

shorep

Don't do it DT you will meet the christmas tree and do some cold turkey,leave it as 360 days to go to christmas!

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