Blue ensign dick'ed
- Thread starter oldbilbo
- Start date
john_morris_uk
Well-known member
I agree - the RN were tasked with doing different things. But so what?
In the contemporary MOD, there are ships in the RN, RFA and Army.
I never heard too much chuntering (or any at all) in the RN about the Army having ships. In fact they run some ships very similar to the LPD's the RN ruins as part of amphibious capability of the UK. Its a bizarre twist of accounting to persuade the bean counters in London to pay for the amphibious capability that we are signed up to NATO to provide but they are very reluctant to pay for.
awol
Well-known member
Are you sure you meant "ruins"?
Blue Sunray
Well-known member
I think you imagined that one unless you're going back to the '70s when the (old) LSLs were transferred to the RFA.
jac
Well-known member
Do they do a 'Fast Track' option
Fast Track Online Knob.
After much training you can work up from Competent Knob all the way to Knobmaster.
Quandary
Well-known member
Now look at what has happened, a thread which was a model of its kind and probably surpassing any of the many previous threads here on the same subject, running to over 300 fascinating posts encompassing national pride, social science and military history all in good humour with only the occasional bit of banter essential to sustain it over such a long run, has now descended into childish name calling; shame on you for destroying what was threatening to become a literary triumph.
I suspect there may be too many words in that sentence, apologies?
I suspect there may be too many words in that sentence, apologies?
Resolution
Well-known member
Also a lack of apostrophe's and split infinitive's, to gently rebuke you for an otherwise correct judgement.:encouragement:
john_morris_uk
Well-known member
As I was on one a couple of years ago, I don't think I was imagining it... actually I think they are technically RFA's with some Army manning from the RLC so my apologies for my confusion.
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Mariner69
New member
Is that what they mean by the phrase "STUFT that for a game of soldiers"?
john_morris_uk
Well-known member
Table top exercise without actually going anywhere?
Or sometimes even driving or yomping round without the troops being involved.
Known by the acronym for "Practical Exercise Not Involving Soldiers."
Blue Sunray
Well-known member
That would most likely be the Bay Class, they are indeed RFAs, firmly part of the Naval Service, the RLC are there to man the mexefloats and sometimes do a bit of stevedoring, not to run the ship. The the Army still have a few workboats and CSB but all the old RCLs have gone, certainly nothing one might call a ship is left.
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capnsensible
Well-known member
https://www.army.mod.uk/logistic/regiments/24915.aspx
17 Port and Maritime Regiment.
There used to be a logistics depot just outside Helensburgh where the Army vessels used to get alongside. The Sergeants mess was very welcoming in a liquidy way!
17 Port and Maritime Regiment.
There used to be a logistics depot just outside Helensburgh where the Army vessels used to get alongside. The Sergeants mess was very welcoming in a liquidy way!
Blue Sunray
Well-known member
Also known as 17 Sport and Pastime, also used to have the Army's last Railway Squadron under command. All in all a little bit different and none the worse for it.
Edited to add there is a small memorial to the Army's shipping at Gunwharf Quays - their old home.
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BelleSerene
Active member
The thread started by labelling wearers of blue ensigns 'd*** heads' - and you talk of it descending into childish name calling?
PhilipH
Member
I really cannot relate to the people who get so wound up about boats wearing a blue ensign - many Royal clubs and their members are quite down-to-earth and very nice people as well as very competent sailors ... No need for amateur psychology on this but not difficult to attribute motivations and attitudes. Quite sad.
Sandyman
Well-known member
That was when it was HMS Vernon. Remember it well.
Quandary
Well-known member
The irony by pass operation has worked out well for you then?
[163233]
...
A specific wearer, who was said to be chastised with the 5 short pips that fall across our ears as sharply as any cane can fall upon buttocks.
Actually we haven't established that Ocean was showing the appropriate day shapes in a sufficiently visible position.
john_morris_uk
Well-known member
I'll wager a lot of money that she was! (I used to skulk on the signal deck and signal locker sometimes when entering or leaving harbour. I could chat to the bunting tossers and have a good look at where we were going. (Otherwise, "all hands out the rig of the day keep off the upper deck...")
duncan99210
Well-known member
Landing Ships Logistic (the Knights of the Round Table class e.g. Sit Galahad) were RFAs with, if required, an embarked RCT/RLC detachment to run the Ship to Shore Mexefloats. Similar situation now with the Bay class replacements.
The RCT/RLC run Ramped Craft Logistic which are slightly larger versions of the RM landing craft. Their purpose is shifting combat stores ashore although they can be used to support the RM in an assault landing.
Finally, the LSLs used to be 'owned' by the Army and had a principle peacetime role in support of the British Army On the Rhine. They were tasked by Director Movements (Army) who also oversaw all ship chartering for stores and personnel movement. The reason I came over all pedantic is that I was the staff officer doing the job for three years in the 1980s.
Oh, and the RFA blue ensign is disfigured by an anchor. Source is here http://www.flyingcolours.org/product/royal-navy-flags/royal-fleet-auxiliary-ensign.html.