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

 

Signing Off. Over and Out.

 

 “The discipline and reliance on one another which it teaches is so valuable.  I think’, went on the Master ‘it ought to be such an unselfish game.  It merges the individual in the eleven; he doesn't play that he may win, but that his side may’

Tom Brown’s Schooldays

 

Men. It is with admiration and a tinge of jealousy that I have watched the Regiment perform this year. To see my position filled with little fuss, the exciting champagne brand of our great game Rugby Union continue and the Jim Donald Bar continue to swell has accosted me with the mortality of the pleasure.

 

To many ears this may be too shrill, yet indeed it is true for I have seen it for myself, but there is life outwith the black fence of O.A. on a Saturday afternoon. People hurry not to the ruck but to see family, share a drink down The Ashton Lane or spend time with paramours. The unhappiest of souls I have seen in the shopping malls of the Second City and not something I would wish on the most unsavoury back I have tackled. The Regiment is for the lucky ones for we run, tackle and scrummage with wanton delight weekly with only enjoyment of our beautiful ranks.

 

At 4:30pm tomorrow the summer recess will be forced upon us, but Men, this is not the end. Drench your worn faces in the Colorado sun and take time for the bodily niggles and disillusioned hearts to again swell. A battle is not the war. Looking out, I will be 33 years old this October with my own War Office and even this Officer knows that he will not be able to continue to be the First Over the Top for as long as is behind him. Take the allotted time you have been commanded and each member of the Regiment should look to return to the ranks fresh, well prepared and ready to join with the new recruits [and possible some old dogs looking for a fresh challenge] to once again garner in front of Percy’s new walking stick to happen on that old lady Victory.

 

God be with The Regiment and bless GHK!


Adjutant General Shambilton is to be commended and The Prince has borrowed his mothers car.

 

The Regiment for this seasons final match against Hawick Linden RFC at O.A., 3:00pm kick-off, is as follows: 


 

15.T. ‘Drucker’ Herron 


14. R. ‘Edison‘ Johnstone

13. A. ‘Gates’ McLay

12. D. ‘Franklin’ Hoffman
[c]

11. R. ‘Guiliani’ Love

10. A. ‘Gerber’ Shedden

09. M. ‘Leno’ Aird

01. F. ‘Kennedy’ Leggat

02. A. ‘Lovins’ Johnstone

03. C. ‘Madino’ McLay

04. A. ‘Martin’ Drummond

05. H. ‘Omidyar’ Parker

06. M. ‘Sanders’ Borthwick

07. G. ‘Stern’ Woolard

08. A. ‘Stewart‘ Tilston

 

16. J. ‘Rockefeller’ Lahoar

17. R. ‘Zuckerberg’ Murphy

18. F. ‘Trump’ Carmichael

 

Yours as always, running towards the gunfire. 11am Flying Scotsman. Pulling armpit hairs. Never wearing white boots. The need to pee at five to three. Forwards should always hunt in packs. Grasp the waistband. Never face the grass and never put your hands on backwards. Challenge your twilight hours.

Teamtalks in the showers are the German way. Altos Band. Pate Pies. Cammy Little’s novel. One Name. Mine. The temptation of the comeback. The back seat of the bus. The front seat of the bus. Percy’s Tipple. Friebe’s impeccable attendance. Well trousered President Kerr.

 

Disco

 

Supporting Note: Ken Cowan is rumoured to be outside Westminster Abbey, second row from the front as he always is for these occasions.

This article was posted on 29-Apr-2011, 09:00 by Hugh Barrow.