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

We are in the Trench

’You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one.’ James A. Froude (1818 – 20 October 1894) Controversial English historian

Many thanks to the VP for stepping in to special-ops for our previous engagement. At times a charge is all that is left, but be assured, normal service has resumed at the Front.

Men. Vigor of intellect is good, and bodily vigor is even better, but far above both is character. In the long run, known as the great battle of life, no brilliancy of intellect, no perfection of bodily development, will count when weighed in the balance against that assemblage of virtues, active and passive, of moral qualities, which we group together under the name of character. It is under the banner of these positive human qualities that we find ourselves at Old Anniesland bequeathed in the blue and green of GHK.

Alike for the all players and members to a man, the one indispensable requisite is character. Those who dare and do. All kinds of qualities go to make up character, for, emphatically, the term should include the positive no less than the negative virtues. If we say of a fellow Man, "He is of good character," we mean that he does not do a great many things that are wrong, and we also mean that he does do a great many things which imply much effort of will and readiness to face what is disagreeable. He must not miss tackles, he must not be intemperate, he must not step too far over the fine line held within the rules; he must not be cheap; he must not seek self-gain. He must be brave and energetic; he must be resolute and persevering. Perhaps there is no more important component of character than steadfast resolution. The player who is going to make a great man, or is going to count in the bar afterwards, must make up his mind not merely to overcome a thousand obstacles, but to win in spite of a thousand repulses or defeats whilst being able wrest success along the lines on which he originally started.

Men. Every player that takes the field tomorrow must constitute himself his sport's keeper by setting an example, which will prevent any false estimate of our great game Rugby Union. Example is the most potent of all things. If a man stumbles, it is a good thing to help him to his feet. Every one of us needs a helping hand now and then. But if a man lies down, it is a waste of time to try and carry him; and it is a very bad thing for every one if we make men feel that the same reward will come to those who shirk their work and those who do it.

Padre ‘Mike’ Dunlop has dropped anchor and is making no way through the water and Assistant Adjutant General ‘Papa’ Shambilton is in harbour. All persons should report on board, as the vessel is about to proceed to sea. The Prince is having trouble with his bra strap.

The Regiment for tomorrow’s game against Forrester RFC at O.A, 1:30pm kick-off, is as follows:

15 A ‘The White Tornado‘ Fleming
14 P ‘Spanky’ Boyer
13 D ‘Dolfo’ Hoffmann
12 S ‘Achmed‘ Robertson 

11 P ‘The Fighting Quaker’ Ritchie
10 R ‘Electric Brain’ Stewart
9 A ‘Mustapha‘ Shedden
1 A ‘Bad Hand’ Forbes
2 S ‘Gentleman Johnny’ Cameron
3 C ‘Leather-hard refers to the stage when the object is approximately 75-85% dry and made of’ McLay

4 A ‘Wrong Way’ Drummond
5 R ‘Dog's Body’ Fergus
6 7 S ‘Kipper’ Neilson
7 R ‘Guts and Garters’ Shedden
8 H ‘Old Gimlet Eye’ Parker

16 G ‘He-who-sees-in-the-dark’ Reid
17 D ‘Wizard of the Saddle’ Whyte
18 R ‘Pied Piper of Saipan’ Johnson

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. Ra. Chase that grubber.

Disco [Cpt.]


Supporting Note: Keep well clear. Major Ken ’Juliet’ Cowan is on fire and is leaking dangerous cargo.

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This article was posted on 15-Apr-2010, 20:45 by Hugh Barrow.