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

Do Not Be Distracted By Peacocks

‘Fame is the perfume of heroic deeds’ Socrates (469 BC–399 BC) Classical Greek Philosopher who's ideas were not his own.

Men, since I last presented to you the Regiment has been engaged in the most testing of operations. This has been a remarkable record of service and I should commend the loyal support amid the uncertainties of recent times. All of this speaks well of the Regiment and the safekeeping of its illustrious reputation. You have the greatest cause to be proud of your achievements.

However, this must be tempered, make no mistake; the tide of our future together is not like the tide of the sea - regular and inevitable. This tide of the future, must be faced up to and if so can be ours if we continue to show ourselves worthy of our culture and of our heritage. Worthy of the man on your right.

Today let me pose a question. What constitutes a true rugby player? Certainly not the pedigree of his family nor the place of his birth. Nor the coincidence of his boot colour. Not his social status nor his bank account. Not his trade nor his profession. A true rugby player is one who loves the game and believes in the dignity of its possibilities. A rugby player is one who will fight to make every challenge and be on his neighbours shoulder for support. A rugby player is one who will sacrifice comfort, ease and security in order that he and his teammate may retain nobility. A true rugby player is one in whose heart is engraved on the pitch and played out in the bar with the opposition. He does not disappear after the hard labours of his afternoon, he is the last man standing, top off, drinking Rum with a beaming smile on his battle-beaten face.

If we are to retain this honor, we must do everything within our power to aid the man on our right during the eighty minutes of play. He may only be an acquaintance that we see only for two short periods during the week. We may not know his brother or father. But Men, as I have said before, this does not matter. Make no assumptions about this Man. Simply do all you can to help him realise his ambitions for during that eighty minutes they are the same as yours. Make his tackle, lift him higher at the lineout, give an extra press in the scrum, ruthlessly execute the game plan. This means the backs too.

Such ambition is within us all but even Officers need a simple word of encouragement sometimes. This is the sort of enlightened selfishness that makes the wheels of history go around. It is the sort of enlightened selfishness that achieves victories. We cannot play Rugby Union alone, without friends and without allies. There is no place for Sawdust Caesars. Let the man on your right know that you are there. Work constantly with him to organize and tighten your ranks. With each other gird spiritually for the match. The league is in its crucial stages. We must give the badge everything we have. And by everything, I mean everything needed to take victory from our foes.

Post these words in your stockings as a reminder, to us all, of the gallantry of the past, and as an inspiration for the future, whatever it may hold. One thing is certain: the Men who rally will continue to collectively uphold the steadfast values of our great game, Rugby Union.

Padre Dunlop has not been on email and Assistant Adjutant General Shambilton is less than mobile. The Prince has paid a commandeering visit to Balbirs.

The Regiment for tomorrow’s game against Allan Glen’s RFC at O.A. 3:00pm kick-off, is as follows: 



15 D ‘Meg Ryan‘ Whyte
14 R ‘Lou Ferrigno ‘ Johnston
13 A ‘ Zac Efron‘ Shedden
12 S ‘Fred Gwynne‘ Robertson
11 A ‘Alasdair Darling ’ Fleming
10 J ‘ Raymond Babbitt’ Shannon
9 M ‘Mckenzie Crook’ Aird
1 A ‘Pat Butcher’ Forbes
2 G ‘John Rhys-Davies‘ Reid
3 C McClay ‘down your McArms'

4 A ‘Porn Star‘ Drummond
5 E ‘Fred Dibnah‘ Thow

6 A ‘Hugh Grant’ Cummings

7 R ‘Chris Martin‘ Shedden
8 R ‘Brendan Fraser’ McCormack

16 S ‘Fozzie Bear‘ Cameron [The Great 202]
17 S ‘Susan Boyle ‘ Neilson
18 R ‘Bruce Forsyth‘ Stewart

Genuine best wishes and a thick slice of Dundee cake to all Anniesland 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. Three times round. One phase is not a phase. A parapet is to be hurdled. Pa. Ma. Ra. Ra. Ra.

Disco [Cpt.]


Supporting Note: Major Ken Cowan has posted his name on the list. Good times ahead.
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This article was posted on 25-Mar-2010, 22:32 by Hugh Barrow.