Edinburgh Tattoo 2013

The picture left was taken at the Edinburgh Tattoo on Thursday 22nd August 2013. This was the latest venue for the OCA reunion as we constantly look to make them enjoyable for all our members and their partners. Salisbury, Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Ubon, Mukdahan and Lichfield don't list all the places we've been to as an Association but it does show the imagination and commitment of the people who've worked to bring these gatherings about. This time it was Agnes and George Smart who gave their time and effort, to provide a reunion up there with the best.

George and Agnes chose the Motel One Edinburgh-Royal for our stay. Situated only a few minutes from the railway station and newly refurbished, it proved an excellent venue for us. It is also in the heart of the Old Quarter it's just a cock stride from New Town where lots of the Fringe attractions were happening, including book signing's and street market's. The picture right shows a fire engine on an early morning call out with the hotel guests milling around patiently waiting to return inside. More of this later in this article.

 

The sights and sounds of Edinburgh with the Fringe Festival lay ahead, as we booked into the hotel and then set out for a meal on the first night of Tuesday 20th. After an excellent meal at Jimmy Chung's Bar and Chinese Buffet, where an all you can eat spread was laid out, it was back to the hotel for a drink and chat with our fellow participants then bed for a well earned rest. Next morning and into the luxurious shower when I heard a tinny alarm going off, I thought it was something to do with all the gadgetry and after a short while it ceased. Thinking no more of it, we went down to breakfast where we encountered Gordon King and Alan Myers in a sparsley populated dining room. "Didn't you hear the fire alarm" asked Alan. "So that's what it was" we countered.

Well, it transpired that Gordon had encountered difficulty with the toaster and set it on fire. An automatic alarm connected directly to the Fire Station had triggered but by the time the firemen arrived, a waitress had resolved the situation and the toaster was, after a fashion, working again. When asked for an explanation, Gordon remarked on his lack of expertise with modern machinery. "I also have trouble with the washing machine" he said "I can get the stuff in the washer, but every time I pull the chain, the clothes disappear"!!

The reunion was attended by some newly found Operation Crown veterans and their partners. The pix on the right shows L-R, Bryan Shields-Probett, Dave Redhead and George Smart, who served together with 59 Fd Sqn on the tarmac phase of the airfield build. This get together was the first time they had been in each others company, as a trio, since 1966, so you can imagine the delight all six of them shared, throughout the four days together. Dave was unsure about attending his first reunion, but it's understood we're going to be seeing more of him from now on.

As usual whenever possible we take our unofficial talisman, in the guise of Yakker's doppelganger, along with us to any gathering. There was an ulterior motive to his presence this time, as one of our newly contacted members was about to meet his old adversary for the first time in forty eight years although he was unaware of it. Malcolm 'Mac' MacMillan and wife Kitty were attending their first OCA reunion (they will be back for more) and the opportunity to get a picture of him standing next to the man that regularly marched him into the 59 O/C's office, was too good to miss.

One particularly memorable 'high jinks' incident, was when Mac, Harry 'Geordie' Sutcliffe and John 'Zombie' Bancroft, decided to take Yakker at his word and get a 'proper' haircut. Off they went to the Temple in the next village of Kho Kut Khan and cajoled the Monks into giving them a head shave. 59's SSM was apoplectic at this blatant tongue-in-cheek affront of his authority and they all ended up inside Crown's well used glasshouse. It brings a smile to my face even now, as I picture them doubling in line under escort, on the way to the cookhouse, with their bald domes reflecting the Sun's rays.

Another first timer was Phil Horn and his wife. Cpl Phil also served with 59 keeping the lights on in the power station. 2nd Lt. Bob Barlow again accompanied by his wife came to his first reunion although he'd attended the AGM at Cosford in March. The picture left shows the bow and bridge of the RY Britannia, now a tourist attraction at Leith, it proved a popular attraction for a number of our party. Wednesday and Thursday saw everyone taking in Edinburgh's attractions including of course the Fringe Festival. The food was of a high standard too.

Thursday Evening came round all too soon and we walked the few yards from the hotel to The Doric Bar and Restaurant. Again with great foresight Agnes and George had ensured we didn't have too far to walk to partake of our reunion meal. We enjoyed excellent cuisine and each others company before our unofficial association Town Cryer was called into action. Alan Myers, our go to loudspeaker, was asked to sort out some meal choice mix-ups, to ensure everyone had their food, so we all ate in unison. Thanks Alan, for making sure no-one dozed off during the meal!

In fact Alan was so enthusiastic with his announcements he actually caused a fellow non association diner to drop her fork halfway from plate to mouth. The poor woman obviously had no previous experience, of a man at the next table suddenly standing up, banging on it and loudly asking for attention! This prompted our Chairman Mike Stanbridge, into realising he was enjoying himself far too much and that he had work to do. Mike spoke to us amongst other things, about the medal situation and then offered praise and thanks to Agnes and George for a job well done.

Our time at the restaurant came to an abrupt end as we had to make our way to the Castle for the Tattoo. We joined a throng of people winding their way up the Lawnmarket and Castlehill to enjoy the show. To try to cover the Tattoo would take far more webspace than we have available, so I can only say that it was a fabulous experience and I can't recommend it highly enough. Two highlights for me, were the Master of Ceremonies when doing his introductions, announcing the presence of the Operation Crown Association which raised a loud cheer from all of us.

The performance of the night for me, amongst many excellent one's, was by The New Zealand Army Band, although I know other members have their own favourite's. I include a link HERE to the Tattoo website for the reader to see for themselves. All too soon the show was over and we made our way back into Edinburgh to spend what was left of our last night. The next morning the majority of us said our goodbye's at breakfast with the affirmation by everyone, of a really memorable time and to the next reunion wherever that may be.

At precisely 0600 hrs on the last morning we were rudely awaked by the shrill sound of an alarm going off. The urgency of the situation soon became obvious as the sound of raised voices and banging doors dispelled any thoughts of a false alarm. As we hurried outside we saw the fire appliance parked as the picture right shows. After some twenty minutes or so, we were allowed back in to resume our preparations for breakfast and then our journey home. Sitting at the breakfast table for the last time our talk was dominated by the alarm incident.

We had been informed by the hotel staff, that someone had walked into the hotel by the fire doors at the side of the hotel, broken the glass and set off the alarm. An act of vandalism. I have only one thing to say to the anti-social so and so who did it?
"Thanks for the early call"
PS Sadly, three of our party had to cry off at the last minute due to illness. John and Babs Knowles left it until the final morning before informing George they wouldn't be coming. John had undergone a long awaited operation and was hoping to be well enough to attend. To their dismay they couldn't make it. The good news is that John's surgery was a success and he's back to good form. They'll both be in Kanchanaburi on November 11th to attend the Remembrance Ceremony, something to which they have a strong emotional attachment. Our other absentee was Mick Allen. Mick doesn't have much luck at attending our events, again due to ill health. Mick too, has undergone a procedure successfully, so with fair winds we'll be seeing more of him in the future.
PPS Six members of our party tranquilly snoozed right through the alarm, not hearing a thing, they slept the sleep of the guilty. They were guilty of having such a good time with their friends they didn't climb into bed until the early hours and at their age too! Should be ashamed of themselves. Not! Finally, I have to echo, on behalf of all who attended the reunion, our Chairman's words of thanks to Agnes and George Smart. The event went off like clockwork and the choice of venue for our stay and meal were spot on. The icing on the cake for us, was the Tattoo announcer introducing our party and telling a little of our connection to Thailand. A nice touch George!