GHK News - The View from the First Man Over the Top

The Bomber Will Always Get Through

‘Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.’
Henry Ford (1863 – 1947) Industrialist who occasionally dressed up as Santa Claus.

Men, beginning seven months ago, we started the congregation of a band of common souls in preparation for a long journey we would take together. Whilst a few weaker men have taken a knee along the way and more often than not our temperate climate has conspired to fragment our operations, we calmly carry on.

As the first man over the top I have seen and believe firmly that when our production output is in full swing the opposition of our land will not be able to live with us in our great game, Rugby Union.

But now the time element is of supreme importance. Every player, officer and wing commander who may circle the skies in support of the men on the ground, must spare no effort as we move on out. This is a common-sense strategy.

The great task of this day, the deep duty which rests upon us is to move from the sheltered trenches of OA to the battle lines of Midlothian with the unbreakable confidence of youth and camaraderie. Our tour this week will land us in the historic fields of the Flemish entrepreneur called De Leving. Make no mistake. His fortified tower may long since have gone but what remains will represent a noble foe.

We must have speed and effectiveness if we are to maintain our existing unity. We do not have and never will have the false unity of a people browbeaten by outside reports. Ours is a unity which is possible only among strong honest men who face our hurdles with flair and courage.

The urgency is now. A half-hearted effort on our part will lead to failure. This is no part-time job. Do not stop until the task is finished.
Today, at last, ours is not a partial effort. It is a total effort; and that is the only way to guarantee the victory.

Padre Dunlop is striking the Spalding Molitor and Assistant Adjutant General Shambilton is in full swing.

The Regiment for tomorrow’s game against Livingstone RFC at Almond Park, 12:00pm kick-off, is as follows:



15 D ‘Table is booked, bring your cue‘ Whyte

14 A ‘Forecourt Flowers’ McTavish

13 A ‘Thornton’ Fleming

12 D ‘Valentinstag’ Hoffman

11 R ‘Weekend of’ Love
10 J ‘Tu B'Av’ Shannon

9 A ‘Kissing behind the‘ Shedden

1 A ‘Cherub’ Forbes

2 G ‘Please be my Valentine’ Reid

3 C ‘Jiggering and Jolleying’ McLay

4 A ‘Wooden Spoon’ Drummond

5 H ‘Emperor Claudius’ Parker

6 A ‘Chaucer's love bird’ Cummings

7 M ‘Hallmark’ Borthwick
8 R ‘Goldfinch’ McCormack



16 A ‘Love Seat’ Gunning
17 T ‘M&S Meal Deal’ Horton

18 C ‘Wuthering Heights’ Birkmeier

19 M ‘Asparagus’ Aird

Genuine best wishes and a thick slice of Dundee cake to all Anniesland [and Scotland] teams this weekend.

Yours as always, running towards the gunfire in front row union, ball in hand and making ground, with a Samoan sidestep, handoff and correct presentation. Never beaten, its best Mizuno boot forward and onto the second phase. With thoughts of Ralgex jerseys and opportunities with armpit hair. Crouch. Touch. Pause. Engage. Heart in the fire. Head in the Icebox. Always look to the left in a photograph, mon frere. Take one for the columbarium-fanciers. Thames Rowing Club. Like the leader of a buffalo stampede. Never tippex your face. It’s on. More electrical tape needed.

Disco [Cpt.]


Supporting Note: Major Ken Cowan has a poncho lean-to erected.

This article was posted on 12-Feb-2010, 09:29 by Hugh Barrow.