Thread: Oh how times have changed.

Originally Posted by stuarth44

in 72 i went through Heathrow with a folding .410 sticking outta my pack

How times have changed indeed, Digger has an amusing story about firearms and Heathrow, just after a terrorist attack.

Originally Posted by scarry

How times have changed.

Spot on Paul. Had you noticed when you were a kid how Xmas was a very distant occasion when if you were very lucky got a sackful of goodies ? Once we stopped believing, then it flashed past your eyeballs as quick as a blink.
The more senior one gets the faster it comes around, Again.


I thought I had it sorted being a, I dunno, a 10 year olde smart arse & thought I had rumbled Father Xmas,( or even a Job sharing imposter that it was his missus) & hid behind.the settee when other Bros hit the sack. Not sure if I was Disappointed or Victorious now the cat was out of the bag but a bit of each I think.

Smartarse kid 5/10

Father or Ma Xmas also 5/10

Originally Posted by Tins

In 72 I snuck my L1A1 SLR off base and home. Still scares me. Not the rifle, but what if I'd got caught? Army's not known for it's sense of humour.

No bolt though.

Waddya mean No Bolt? How in hell did you think you were going to wipe out the local population in a poor copy of a USA School Shoot out?
A bit late now to be grassed up. Soz, what did you say was your Address & Regt#?



BTW you must have been up to date with an SLR . Mine was a SMLE made in 1915 # 96627 You never forget that # do you?


Maybe it was issued for Gallipoli &/or France.

Originally Posted by 4bee

Waddya mean No Bolt? How in hell did you think you were going to wipe out the local population in a poor copy of a USA School Shoot out?
A bit late now to be grassed up. Soz, what did you say was your Address & Regt#?



BTW you must have been up to date with an LIAI Mine was a SMLE made in 1915 # 96627 You never forget that # do you?


Maybe it was issued for Gallipoli &/or France.

Had a SMLE in Cadets. Wound up owning one, de-wooded.

L1A1 is very old hat these days, but my son, who was a Fitter/Armourer in his second enlistment, reckons it's way better than the Steyr they carry now.

Army used to take the bolts away and lock 'em in a safe somewhere. Good thing we weren't invaded by the Yellow Peril. Course, the rounds were in a different safe somewhere else

in NZ we had military drill every wednesday, in real uniforms, with shorts
our school won THE DAUGHTERS OF THE EMPIRE CUP, every year in the late 50, 60,s
we had a range for .22
we had 700 lee enfield 303s and brens all with pins
My dad gave me the .410 age 11, i had to walk with it unloaded for a year, passing it under fences, broken unloaded, it was a single 28 inch barrel hammer,
I still have that gun
grew up, never wanted to shoot after age 20

Originally Posted by Tins

Had a SMLE in Cadets. Wound up owning one, de-wooded.

L1A1 is very old hat these days, but my son, who was a Fitter/Armourer in his second enlistment, reckons it's way better than the Steyr they carry now.

Army used to take the bolts away and lock 'em in a safe somewhere. Good thing we weren't invaded by the Yellow Peril. Course, the rounds were in a different safe somewhere else

OLDE Hat they may be today but I luvved 'em. I wonder which lucky 3rd world country got them by the container load?

A bit strange that the Federation Guard still use them for Ceremonial drill though..

There was a WRACC who I did a Service Call for years ago fronted up with a SMLE & I don't think it was a warning who I recalled was in the Canteen at Woodside. We did pass a pleasant hour discussing the olde days.
Apparently her Army Dad bought it for her, she said. It may have been a FOBOT job for all I know.

"SERVICE CALL" as in AC service you understand.

Originally Posted by 4bee

Spot on Paul. Had you noticed when you were a kid how Xmas was a very distant occasion when if you were very lucky got a sackful of goodies ?:

Sackful of goodies?

If I got one of those little matchbox toy cars I would be happy,and maybe some shoes for school would be a bonus.
Then I wouldn’t have to wear last years that were three quarters worn out and getting too small.
The brothers got those as hand downs.
That was about it.
I suppose we just got used to not getting much,unlike the kids today.

Originally Posted by scarry

Sackful of goodies?

If I got one of those little matchbox toy cars I would be happy,and maybe some shoes for school would be a bonus.
Then I wouldn’t have to wear last years that were three quarters worn out and getting too small.
The brothers got those as hand downs.
That was about it.
I suppose we just got used to not getting much,unlike the kids today.

Wot, you mean that big sack the old bloke carries around is full of hot air?

How are you off for shoes today, maybe I could send you some or would you prefer boots? Joking aside, I assume that time was just post world Depression? Tell me about it sheeeeeeeeeeeesh!