Uniforms do not make all men equal

Uniforms do not make all men equal, originally uploaded by Kelteek.

Daddy Shortarse can rivet you to the spot (with boredom not fascination) when he goes on about the war. Gramps told tales of how he was given his new white uniform and thought he was off to somewhere hot (he hated the cold) – was it Africa, somewhere southern – no, he was off to Greenland!! He talked about the tricks played on other sailors and the way they cheated at cards to get extra rations. My Nan’s stories are about stockings and bubble gum, parties and how they made do and mend but had such fun! She talks of leaving Belfast and staying at Ballynahinch where they lived in a converted farm shed so my mother was born in a stable.

Jack likes to talk about death – how many died, where they died, who died. Why they died (general’s foolishness) and why they shouldn’t have died. He writes cards to his brother who died in WWII (and to his wife who died 15 years ago). It ain’t cheerful.

I found this picture in his collection and thought they might have been the first Goonie Regiment – what an odd bunch. They’re not Top Gun – in fact I’m not sure the lift goes to the top floor in most cases!? Some have only one eyebrow – the one with glasses in the front is a hoot (try looking at him without pissing yerself in the full sized photo on Flickr!). Perhaps they have packed their wits in the bags about their necks – all they need is a label saying “Please return to the circus if found”.

Jack’s squad are here and seem to be having a lot of fun in their outsize undies which should be labelled “dangerous when wet”. Jack is seated in the front wearing white shorts. Funny how he dwells on the negative when he obviously had such fun in Africa. Well, I would have fun with this bunch...