Met a Desert Rat yesterday

Sankari

Sankari

Sankari

Caporegime
Joined
29 Dec 2007
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Location
Adelaide, South Australia
Was coming home from a business trip to Swindon (!) yesterday, and saw a young Army lad in the opposite seat. Full camo fatigues; huge rucksack on the seat next to him. And... a Desert Rat insignia on the arm of his shirt!

Got chatting; turns out he's just come back from Iraq for 2 weeks' holiday (out of a 6-month tour). On his way home to his family in Wales. Only 25 years old; he looked about 18. Works in logistics around Basra, so plenty of chances to be nailed by a roadside bomb. He said that morale was good, but "Iraq is a mad country... a crazy country".

I shook his hand when I first introduced myself, and again when I was leaving the train at my stop. Such a young lad; 10 years younger than myself. Yet he's over there in Iraq, working hard in the best traditions of the British armed forces. Just blows my mind, really.

I come from a former military family; my maternal and paternal grandfathers both served in WWII (Royal Navy and British Army of the Rhine respectively), while my paternal great-grandfather and maternal great-great uncle served in WWI (Royal Navy and Army respectively). I am against the war on Iraq, but I take the view that the army is apolitical, so our troops should be supported and respected.

Hope that young lad stays safe.
 
Both of my grandfathers were desert rats. Both were shot in the ear but finished their service at the front.
 
When I saw 'Desert Rat' I immediately thought of WWII. Here's hoping this young lad makes it safely to the end of his tour of duty, and the next one, and the next, etc. I've got a sneaky suspicion that we're going to be in Iraq and especially Afghanistan for quite a while.

Both of my Grandfathers served in WWII with the Glasgow Highlanders ,albeit in different divisions, so I have a healthy respect for our lads. There's even a little white cross in Antwerp that bears the name of my Great-Uncle and it just so happens that I was named after him.
 
Fair play to the lad , close mate off mine worked as security over there a year or so ago ,stopped in ring of steel. Apprenlty no need for alarm clocks , when you heard the motar bombs hitting the fence it was time to get up!

He good and intersting items from over there ....
 
Is this a joke? I dont get it :/

If its serious, it sounds like his doing something he enjoys and I'm told army life is generally good fun if you dont mind being away from home and the danger.
 
jamoor said:
Why can't he just wear regular clothes for going on the train?
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The weird thing is, I'm pretty sure he has to on public transport. I might be wrong.

I remember meeting somebody from the Irish guard out once in full gear with hat and erm as far as I can remember he was told to get changed (and then of course come back for more beer).
 
Greenlizard0 said:
I remember meeting somebody from the Irish guard out once in full gear with hat and erm as far as I can remember he was told to get changed (and then of course come back for more beer).
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Drinking may be a little different to travelling :p

Gaijin said:
Both shot in the ear? Blimey - what are the chances of that?

Was it the same ear (side of the head)?
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Yeah I believe it was :)
 
Greenlizard0 said:
The weird thing is, I'm pretty sure he has to on public transport. I might be wrong.

I remember meeting somebody from the Irish guard out once in full gear with hat and erm as far as I can remember he was told to get changed (and then of course come back for more beer).
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Probbably to get military discount, or free travel.
 
Someone who my Dad works with has a son int eh army. He's a sniper, and, when he's home, him and some other snipers in his platoon(?) aren't allowed to travel in the same car.

Oh dear god, iBot is back.
 
jamoor said:
Probbably to get military discount, or free travel.
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Yeah they get paid to get to there front door. Thats why you see people walking around in camo even though its not Halloween and you dont live in a student town. Most get the train to there town and a taxi to there house. The army looks after there men really well.
 
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