Since 1927 ANZAC Day has been Australia's official military remembrance day. But much like Armistice Day came to be a remembrance for all wars, ANZAC Day remembers the fallen in all wars. As the 100th anniversary fast approaches the conflicts in France as slowly getting the recognition they deserve.
Lest We Forget.
Showing posts with label War. Show all posts
Showing posts with label War. Show all posts
Saturday, 25 April 2009
Thursday, 19 March 2009
Caledon's Navy to relaunch
Relaunch? Resurface? The puns could go on.
After some time in the doldrums the Guvnah is keen to resurrect Caledon's Imperial Navy. He's appointed a new Admiral (a vague secret), appointed a uniform designer (yours truly) and a shipwright (Miss Kandace Commons).
The first of the launched ships new to the I.N.C. is the Collingwood class. Based on the HMS Collingwood.
Moored in Pride of place at the Guvnah's Mansion
Armourments
Undergoing testing in New Babbage
The promise of more to come
After some time in the doldrums the Guvnah is keen to resurrect Caledon's Imperial Navy. He's appointed a new Admiral (a vague secret), appointed a uniform designer (yours truly) and a shipwright (Miss Kandace Commons).
The first of the launched ships new to the I.N.C. is the Collingwood class. Based on the HMS Collingwood.
Moored in Pride of place at the Guvnah's Mansion
Armourments
Undergoing testing in New Babbage
The promise of more to come
Tuesday, 11 November 2008
Lest we forget
Today marks the 90th Anniversary of the end of the "War to end all Wars".
On this day in 1918 the Armistice was declared. In more recent years Armistice Day has become Remembrance Day.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
-- From Laurence Binyon's "For the Fallen", 1914
On this day in 1918 the Armistice was declared. In more recent years Armistice Day has become Remembrance Day.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
-- From Laurence Binyon's "For the Fallen", 1914
Friday, 25 April 2008
ANZAC Day
This year marks the 90th Anniversary of the end of the "War to end all Wars".
Sadly it didn't.
On April 25th 1915, as part of the Allied soldiers from the Allied forces of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed at the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey, in what was to become one of the more memorable military disasters from the First World War.
The end result being during the eight month stalemate, over 8,000 Australian and 2,700 New Zealand soldiers died, with the losses of some 21,000 British, 10,000 French, and nearly 85,000 Turkish troops.
News of the landing at Gallipoli made a profound impact on Australians and New Zealanders at home and the 25th April quickly became the day on which they remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in war.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
Sadly it didn't.
On April 25th 1915, as part of the Allied soldiers from the Allied forces of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed at the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey, in what was to become one of the more memorable military disasters from the First World War.
The end result being during the eight month stalemate, over 8,000 Australian and 2,700 New Zealand soldiers died, with the losses of some 21,000 British, 10,000 French, and nearly 85,000 Turkish troops.
News of the landing at Gallipoli made a profound impact on Australians and New Zealanders at home and the 25th April quickly became the day on which they remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in war.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
Tuesday, 19 February 2008
"Eccentric" doesn't cover the half of it
Recently I discovered the existence of a gentleman by the name of Jack Churchill. Or more properly Lieutenant-Colonel Jack Malcolm Thorpe Flemington Churchill, DSO and Bar, MC and Bar. Also known as "Fighting Jack Churchill" or "Mad Jack Churchill" depending on the source.
Never heard of him?
Born in Hong Kong of English parents, he graduated from the Sandhurst Military Academy in 1926 and joined the Manchester Regiment. Serving in Burma, he picked up a few notable habits that would become his trademarks. One was a love of motorcycles. He took a course in signals in Poona while stationed in Rangoon. The 1,500 mile trip from Calcutta to Poona (after having caught a ship from Rangoon to Calcutta) was part of the adventure. On the same bike he travelled the 500 miles from Maymyo to Rangoon, a trip harder by the absence of roads. In Maymyo he picked up another trademark: he learnt the bagpipes from the pipe major of the Cameron Highlanders. Not something normally associated with Englishmen.
Churchill served through the Burma Rebellion of 1930-1932 before returning to England. Peacetime service seemed to grate on him as he found various ways to annoy his fellow officers. Piping the orderly officer to the Guard Room at 3:00 AM, or at one point turning up on parade carrying an umbrella. When the battalion adjutant asked him to explain himself, Churchill's reply of "because it’s raining, sir," did not endear him to his superior.
Inevitably Churchill resigned his commission after 10 years of service and went on to pursue a variety of things. He continued his piping and in 1938 placed second in the officers' class of the Piping Championships at Aldershot. Not bad since he was the only Englishman out of the seventy or so competitors. Also at this time Churchill took up archery. His eventual skill with the bow got him work with Sabu on The Thief of Baghdad as well as The Drum, and A Yank at Oxford. He became so good that he represented Britain at the world championships in Oslo in 1939.
Then in 1939 Poland was invaded and "Mad Jack" re-enlisted. The war-diary of 4th Infantry Brigade, to which Churchill's battalion belonged, commented on this extraordinary figure. "One of the most reassuring sights of the embarkation [from Dunkirk] was the sight of Captain Churchill passing down the beach with his bows and arrows. His high example and his great work ... were a great help to the 4th Infantry Brigade."
In addition to his Robin Hood weaponry, Churchill also carried a basket-hilted claymore. Later on, asked by a general who awarded him a decoration why he carried a sword in action, Churchill is said to have answered: "In my opinion, sir, any officer who goes into action without his sword is improperly dressed."
He won his first Military Cross during the retreat to the Channel, when he hitched six trucks together to salvage a disabled British tank; although in the end he could not save the tank, he did rescue a wounded British officer.
After Dunkirk, Churchill returned to England and promptly signed up as a member of a new organisation known as the Commandos. Whatever a commando was, he would be one. It was here he also met the woman he would marry.
Training was completed, he took part in the assault on the German base in Vaagso, Norway. While the two companies he commanded advanced on their target, Churchill stood in the lead craft, and played on his pipes "The March of the Cameron Men". His report at mission's end was simply: Maaloy battery and island captured. Casualties slight. Demolitions in progress. Churchill.
For his actions at Dunkirk and Vaasgo, Churchill received the Military Cross and Bar. He received the Distinguished Service Order in 1943 for capturing the battery at Salerno, while commanding Number 2 Commando. Leading from the front, Churchill infiltrated the town with only a corporal in support. He kidnapped a sentry and forced him to make his comrades surrender. Churchill and the riflemen walked out of town with 42 prisoners and a mortar squad.
1944 saw Churchill and his Commandos in Yugoslavia, where they supported the efforts of Tito's partisans. The commandos raided the German-held island of Brač and assaulted hill 622. Only Churchill and six others managed to reach the objective. A mortar shell killed or wounded everyone but Churchill, who played "Will Ye No Come Back Again?" on his pipes as the Germans advanced. He was knocked unconscious by grenades and was flown to Berlin for interrogation after being captured. He was placed in Sachsenhausen concentration camp.
In September 1944, he and an RAF officer crawled under the wire through an abandoned drain and set out to walk to the Baltic coast, only to be recaptured near the coastal city of Rostock, only a few miles from the sea. In time, they were moved to a camp at Niederdorf, Austria. Churchill escaped from Niederdorf in April 1945 and walked 150 miles to Verona, Italy where he met an American armoured column.
The Pacific war was still going and Churchill was sent to Burma, where the largest land battles against Japan were still raging, but by the time he reached India, Hiroshima and Nagasaki had been bombed, and the war was effectively over. "You know," he said to a friend only half joking, "if it hadn't been for those damned Yanks we could have kept the war going for another 10 years."
However, Churchill wasn't finished yet. At 40 he qualified as a paratrooper, completing jump school. His movie buddy Robert Taylor asked if he could appear in Ivanhoe as an archer on top of Warwick Castle.
He went on to serve in Palestine, where he earned fame for defending a Jewish medical convoy from an Arab ambush - radioing for backup and providing small-arms fire while wearing his full military dress uniform. Another time he and twelve other men evacuated a hospital full of Israeli medical personnel when they came under attack by Arab rockets.
After Palestine, Churchill went on to serve as an instructor at a land-air warfare school in Australia and become a hardcore surfer. He even designed and built his own surfboards. He retired from the army in 1959, recipient of two awards for bravery.
Later in life, passengers on a London commuter train were often startled by seeing an older male passenger rise, open a window, and hurl his briefcase out into the night. The passenger would then leave the car and wait by the train’s door until it stopped at the next station. It was Churchill, of course, enjoying his little gesture and reasonably sure that his fellow passengers could not know he had thrown the case into the garden of his house. It saved him carrying it home from the station.
Churchill passed away at his home in Surrey in 1996. Sounds like he would have been an interesting chap.
Never heard of him?
Born in Hong Kong of English parents, he graduated from the Sandhurst Military Academy in 1926 and joined the Manchester Regiment. Serving in Burma, he picked up a few notable habits that would become his trademarks. One was a love of motorcycles. He took a course in signals in Poona while stationed in Rangoon. The 1,500 mile trip from Calcutta to Poona (after having caught a ship from Rangoon to Calcutta) was part of the adventure. On the same bike he travelled the 500 miles from Maymyo to Rangoon, a trip harder by the absence of roads. In Maymyo he picked up another trademark: he learnt the bagpipes from the pipe major of the Cameron Highlanders. Not something normally associated with Englishmen.
Churchill served through the Burma Rebellion of 1930-1932 before returning to England. Peacetime service seemed to grate on him as he found various ways to annoy his fellow officers. Piping the orderly officer to the Guard Room at 3:00 AM, or at one point turning up on parade carrying an umbrella. When the battalion adjutant asked him to explain himself, Churchill's reply of "because it’s raining, sir," did not endear him to his superior.
Inevitably Churchill resigned his commission after 10 years of service and went on to pursue a variety of things. He continued his piping and in 1938 placed second in the officers' class of the Piping Championships at Aldershot. Not bad since he was the only Englishman out of the seventy or so competitors. Also at this time Churchill took up archery. His eventual skill with the bow got him work with Sabu on The Thief of Baghdad as well as The Drum, and A Yank at Oxford. He became so good that he represented Britain at the world championships in Oslo in 1939.
Then in 1939 Poland was invaded and "Mad Jack" re-enlisted. The war-diary of 4th Infantry Brigade, to which Churchill's battalion belonged, commented on this extraordinary figure. "One of the most reassuring sights of the embarkation [from Dunkirk] was the sight of Captain Churchill passing down the beach with his bows and arrows. His high example and his great work ... were a great help to the 4th Infantry Brigade."
In addition to his Robin Hood weaponry, Churchill also carried a basket-hilted claymore. Later on, asked by a general who awarded him a decoration why he carried a sword in action, Churchill is said to have answered: "In my opinion, sir, any officer who goes into action without his sword is improperly dressed."
He won his first Military Cross during the retreat to the Channel, when he hitched six trucks together to salvage a disabled British tank; although in the end he could not save the tank, he did rescue a wounded British officer.
After Dunkirk, Churchill returned to England and promptly signed up as a member of a new organisation known as the Commandos. Whatever a commando was, he would be one. It was here he also met the woman he would marry.
Training was completed, he took part in the assault on the German base in Vaagso, Norway. While the two companies he commanded advanced on their target, Churchill stood in the lead craft, and played on his pipes "The March of the Cameron Men". His report at mission's end was simply: Maaloy battery and island captured. Casualties slight. Demolitions in progress. Churchill.
For his actions at Dunkirk and Vaasgo, Churchill received the Military Cross and Bar. He received the Distinguished Service Order in 1943 for capturing the battery at Salerno, while commanding Number 2 Commando. Leading from the front, Churchill infiltrated the town with only a corporal in support. He kidnapped a sentry and forced him to make his comrades surrender. Churchill and the riflemen walked out of town with 42 prisoners and a mortar squad.
1944 saw Churchill and his Commandos in Yugoslavia, where they supported the efforts of Tito's partisans. The commandos raided the German-held island of Brač and assaulted hill 622. Only Churchill and six others managed to reach the objective. A mortar shell killed or wounded everyone but Churchill, who played "Will Ye No Come Back Again?" on his pipes as the Germans advanced. He was knocked unconscious by grenades and was flown to Berlin for interrogation after being captured. He was placed in Sachsenhausen concentration camp.
In September 1944, he and an RAF officer crawled under the wire through an abandoned drain and set out to walk to the Baltic coast, only to be recaptured near the coastal city of Rostock, only a few miles from the sea. In time, they were moved to a camp at Niederdorf, Austria. Churchill escaped from Niederdorf in April 1945 and walked 150 miles to Verona, Italy where he met an American armoured column.
The Pacific war was still going and Churchill was sent to Burma, where the largest land battles against Japan were still raging, but by the time he reached India, Hiroshima and Nagasaki had been bombed, and the war was effectively over. "You know," he said to a friend only half joking, "if it hadn't been for those damned Yanks we could have kept the war going for another 10 years."
However, Churchill wasn't finished yet. At 40 he qualified as a paratrooper, completing jump school. His movie buddy Robert Taylor asked if he could appear in Ivanhoe as an archer on top of Warwick Castle.
He went on to serve in Palestine, where he earned fame for defending a Jewish medical convoy from an Arab ambush - radioing for backup and providing small-arms fire while wearing his full military dress uniform. Another time he and twelve other men evacuated a hospital full of Israeli medical personnel when they came under attack by Arab rockets.
After Palestine, Churchill went on to serve as an instructor at a land-air warfare school in Australia and become a hardcore surfer. He even designed and built his own surfboards. He retired from the army in 1959, recipient of two awards for bravery.
Later in life, passengers on a London commuter train were often startled by seeing an older male passenger rise, open a window, and hurl his briefcase out into the night. The passenger would then leave the car and wait by the train’s door until it stopped at the next station. It was Churchill, of course, enjoying his little gesture and reasonably sure that his fellow passengers could not know he had thrown the case into the garden of his house. It saved him carrying it home from the station.
Churchill passed away at his home in Surrey in 1996. Sounds like he would have been an interesting chap.
Tuesday, 20 November 2007
Salute to the Troops and a Pre-Thanksgiving Ball
Steelhead's Salute to the Troops started out well. Sadly the morning activities were outside of my timezone but the afternoon activities went well.
The infantry parade consisting of Elizabethan, American Civil War, and Highland regiments. With myself and Maklin Deckard representing the Caledon Highland Regiment.
The troops lined up for inspection.
The Caledon Highland Regiment was awarded second place.
Later in the day the cavalry regiments paraded through the street.
The Caledon Lancers. (Picture courtesy of Loch Avie)
(Picture courtesy of Loch Avie) I had initially ridden through with the Lancers but in a cheeky move I rode back round and changed uniforms to the Carntaigh Cuirassiers, with Mr. Deckard again joining me. I seem to have had a few enquiries about the Cuirassiers this week. I may have to organise a group and start scheduling some events.
Back in Steelhead that evening was the Salute to the Troops Ball. Sadly on arrival my composure was rather taken aback. Rather than the advertised "Veterans Appreciation Event *Honoring Gettysburg, WWI Armistice Day, and All Soldiers From All Eras!" I was greeted me was a plethora of red, white and blue bunting with flags from all branches of the United States Military (including one for an MIA group that I'd never heard of) but NOT ONE SINGLE FLAG FROM ANY COUNTRY FROM ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD! Now I know that there are Americans who only know of the existence of other countries because the illegal immigrants obviously come from somewhere else. However if you're going to promote your event as something from "all troops from all eras", then a casual dismissal of "I thought it was for US Veterans' Day" does not suffice. Nor does telling me I'm welcome to put out flags if I want. I realise that the owners of Old Glory were major organisers for the event (and I'm not going to get into the spectre of "American Civil War" vs. "Civil War" again just at the moment) but really people, you need to remember that SL is an international area.
Deciding not to say anything further and thereby keeping my temper I headed to Loch Avie to join the Caledonians for the Social Season's Pre-Thanksgiving Ball.
Here I danced and calmed down somewhat. Her Grace of Loch Avie has collected a far better sampling of pictures than I had the heart for on the night.
I am missing my dear Christine all the more at times like this. Thankfully her travels will bring her back to me this week.
The infantry parade consisting of Elizabethan, American Civil War, and Highland regiments. With myself and Maklin Deckard representing the Caledon Highland Regiment.
The troops lined up for inspection.
The Caledon Highland Regiment was awarded second place.
Later in the day the cavalry regiments paraded through the street.
The Caledon Lancers. (Picture courtesy of Loch Avie)
(Picture courtesy of Loch Avie) I had initially ridden through with the Lancers but in a cheeky move I rode back round and changed uniforms to the Carntaigh Cuirassiers, with Mr. Deckard again joining me. I seem to have had a few enquiries about the Cuirassiers this week. I may have to organise a group and start scheduling some events.
Back in Steelhead that evening was the Salute to the Troops Ball. Sadly on arrival my composure was rather taken aback. Rather than the advertised "Veterans Appreciation Event *Honoring Gettysburg, WWI Armistice Day, and All Soldiers From All Eras!" I was greeted me was a plethora of red, white and blue bunting with flags from all branches of the United States Military (including one for an MIA group that I'd never heard of) but NOT ONE SINGLE FLAG FROM ANY COUNTRY FROM ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD! Now I know that there are Americans who only know of the existence of other countries because the illegal immigrants obviously come from somewhere else. However if you're going to promote your event as something from "all troops from all eras", then a casual dismissal of "I thought it was for US Veterans' Day" does not suffice. Nor does telling me I'm welcome to put out flags if I want. I realise that the owners of Old Glory were major organisers for the event (and I'm not going to get into the spectre of "American Civil War" vs. "Civil War" again just at the moment) but really people, you need to remember that SL is an international area.
Deciding not to say anything further and thereby keeping my temper I headed to Loch Avie to join the Caledonians for the Social Season's Pre-Thanksgiving Ball.
Here I danced and calmed down somewhat. Her Grace of Loch Avie has collected a far better sampling of pictures than I had the heart for on the night.
I am missing my dear Christine all the more at times like this. Thankfully her travels will bring her back to me this week.
Saturday, 14 July 2007
Uuuulllaaaaa!
Disturbing reports reached me even before I had been able to arrive inworld: large meteors had apparent crashed into several places over Caledon. Large metal machines had climbed from their remains and started upon a war of destruction against the populous.
The crash site at Loch Avie.
Two of the aliens hover over Victoria City.
After having destroyed the encampment of the Blue Team in Tanglewood, the aliens were back for more destruction this time attacking the Guvnah's Mansion.
Myself, Major Vollmar, and Lady Amber repelling an attack.
Seeing them off from our beloved capitol they seemed to have discovered our teleport system and I received urgent reports that Eyre was under attack!
Colonel Somme and myself take up rooftop positions above the carriage house in Eyre. I found the chicken canon to be more effective that the rifle. I'm not sure how effective Colonel Somme's gun was but it looked impressive.
Lt. Colonel O'Toole managed to join us and sported his new steam-powered skyboard.
The hideous beastie flies at us to attack.
During this time several people were injured by what we can only assume was a heat ray or laser of some sort from the aliens. We repelled the attack and shifted the injured into hospital, only to receive fresh reports they had been sighted in Tamrannock.
Here I took to the skies trying to tackle them head on.
Not long after this I was brought low by a heat ray to the ornithopter. Thankfully my left arm withstood much of the damage and I only suffered burns to my leg.
Thankfully the Militia and other Caledonians were able to see off this invading menace. I believe we have the wreckage on on of the alien's crafts. We'll have to see what we can make of it.
The crash site at Loch Avie.
Two of the aliens hover over Victoria City.
After having destroyed the encampment of the Blue Team in Tanglewood, the aliens were back for more destruction this time attacking the Guvnah's Mansion.
Myself, Major Vollmar, and Lady Amber repelling an attack.
Seeing them off from our beloved capitol they seemed to have discovered our teleport system and I received urgent reports that Eyre was under attack!
Colonel Somme and myself take up rooftop positions above the carriage house in Eyre. I found the chicken canon to be more effective that the rifle. I'm not sure how effective Colonel Somme's gun was but it looked impressive.
Lt. Colonel O'Toole managed to join us and sported his new steam-powered skyboard.
The hideous beastie flies at us to attack.
During this time several people were injured by what we can only assume was a heat ray or laser of some sort from the aliens. We repelled the attack and shifted the injured into hospital, only to receive fresh reports they had been sighted in Tamrannock.
Here I took to the skies trying to tackle them head on.
Not long after this I was brought low by a heat ray to the ornithopter. Thankfully my left arm withstood much of the damage and I only suffered burns to my leg.
Thankfully the Militia and other Caledonians were able to see off this invading menace. I believe we have the wreckage on on of the alien's crafts. We'll have to see what we can make of it.
Tuesday, 5 June 2007
Radios, dancing, and Evil Alts
Friday night saw the official launch of Radio Riel a new SL broadcasting service of which I am proud to be a DJ.
The first few hours saw a respectable turnout with some great and interesting music being played.
Towards the end of my set in the third hour Our Beloved Guvnah arrives saying he want to test the sim's capacity for some Sooper Sekrit Event. So people started to arrive. As I handed over to Miss Figaro I think the sim had 50 people in it. We joked that she was going to continue the tradition of RR DJ's first performances crashing the sim. But about halfway through her set the sim had hit 100 people and those who crashed couldn't get back in. Best of all: NO SIM CRASH!
From there Christine and I head over to Steelhead for their weekly dance. This week's theme was come as your Evil Twin.
What could possibly be more removed from me?
Yup
Trailer Trash Eddie
And yes the FF cup blinged, blonde and bimboed next to me is my beloved Christine
And of course her dear [sister] Lunar
Evil Emilly
Fawkes as some sort of demonic abomination
Fuzzball Ortega and the Fuzzettes
The Evil Katt (I don't see what's so evil...)
I take a break from my hard work watching the game toyell at ask my Hunnies to git me a beah.
The vampiric neko evil Lumi
And since Tensai is *normally* evil she came as the image of sweetness and nicety. All she was missing was the Di$ney bag.
Saturday morning saw some more filming on what was hoped to be the last day of the Neualtenburg war. Sadly lag had other ideas.
It did however give us some amazing images of the Caledon fleet looming over the skyline.
Saturday night saw the birthday of Steelhead's very own Lupine Sheriff, Fuzzball Ortega. Theme for the night was TV & Movies and Fuzz's sister Angelica provided the music.
Fuzz as Cap'n Tightpants
Bring it on Addison
Ghostbuster Pearse, Dancin' Elda, Emilly Addams and a Spectral Christine
Schpooky
In the movies when the character slows down so they don't appear to move it's really cool, in SL it's called Lag.
The first few hours saw a respectable turnout with some great and interesting music being played.
Towards the end of my set in the third hour Our Beloved Guvnah arrives saying he want to test the sim's capacity for some Sooper Sekrit Event. So people started to arrive. As I handed over to Miss Figaro I think the sim had 50 people in it. We joked that she was going to continue the tradition of RR DJ's first performances crashing the sim. But about halfway through her set the sim had hit 100 people and those who crashed couldn't get back in. Best of all: NO SIM CRASH!
From there Christine and I head over to Steelhead for their weekly dance. This week's theme was come as your Evil Twin.
What could possibly be more removed from me?
Yup
Trailer Trash Eddie
And yes the FF cup blinged, blonde and bimboed next to me is my beloved Christine
And of course her dear [sister] Lunar
Evil Emilly
Fawkes as some sort of demonic abomination
Fuzzball Ortega and the Fuzzettes
The Evil Katt (I don't see what's so evil...)
I take a break from my hard work watching the game to
The vampiric neko evil Lumi
And since Tensai is *normally* evil she came as the image of sweetness and nicety. All she was missing was the Di$ney bag.
Saturday morning saw some more filming on what was hoped to be the last day of the Neualtenburg war. Sadly lag had other ideas.
It did however give us some amazing images of the Caledon fleet looming over the skyline.
Saturday night saw the birthday of Steelhead's very own Lupine Sheriff, Fuzzball Ortega. Theme for the night was TV & Movies and Fuzz's sister Angelica provided the music.
Fuzz as Cap'n Tightpants
Bring it on Addison
Ghostbuster Pearse, Dancin' Elda, Emilly Addams and a Spectral Christine
Schpooky
In the movies when the character slows down so they don't appear to move it's really cool, in SL it's called Lag.
Some notes on Military etiquette
Etiquette for the uninitiated, part II
The issue of organising something approaching military etiquette for a fictional country in an unspecified Victorian time period is something of a challenge. The Victorian era saw a large number of conflicts: the Boer Wars, the Mexican-American War, the Crimean War, the American Civil War, the Franco-Prussian War, the Schleswig Wars, the Zulu wars, the Maori Wars, the Sepoy Rebellion, the Fenian Raids, and the list goes on. British Intelligence Office Arthur Conolly is credited with describing the pan-European struggle for supremacy as The Great Game. From the time he first used it in 1829 to the vast destruction of the War To End All Wars uniforms, tactics and even countries has changed dramatically.
My notes in this piece are based on a time period around the mid 1870s and are heavily influenced by British military traditions. Since Caledon is the old name for Scotland that’s always been my starting point, but there is plenty of scope for diversity.
The basic structure for military units is as follows:
Private/Trooper
Corporal Usually in charge of a Section or approximately 8 soldiers
Sergeant Usually in 2nd in charge of a Platoon or approximately 10 soldiers
Sergeant-Major
Colour Sergeant
Lieutenant Usually in charge of a Platoon or approximately 10 soldiers
Captain
Major Usually in charge of a Company or approximately 100-200 soldiers
Colonel Usually in charge of a Regiment or approximately 2-3 thousand soldiers
Brigadier Usually in charge of a Brigade or approximately 3-5 thousand soldiers
Major-General
Lieutenant General
Field Marshall
Colour Sergeants were originally responsible for protecting Ensigns (which was a rank) who were in turn charged with carrying the Ensign (the Battle Flag, which gave its name to the rank). The flag was also known as the regiment’s Colours, hence the title of Colour Sergeant.
Uniforms
Originally rank insignia were worn on the collar. The newly created rank of Second Lieutenant, replacing the rank of Ensign that was abolished in 1871, originally had no rank marking. Lieutenants had a single star (or “pip”) and Captains had two.
In 1880 the British army changed its system and insignia were now worn on shoulder boards. In 1902 another raft of changes went through the services moving rank insignia from the shoulders to the cuffs and giving 2nd Lieutenants a single star. Both Lieutenants and Captains were given an additional star at this time increasing theirs to 2 and 3 respectively.
Purchasing a commission
The purchase of a commission varied depending on both the rank and the prestige of the regiment being sought. The more prestigious ranks commanding higher premiums. Being cashiered was considered a grave punishment, as the officer would lose the right to resell the commission he held. Officers’ ranks could be purchased up to the rank of Colonel. Promotion to ranks above Colonel needed a service history and favour from within. The purchasing of commissions was abolished in 1871.
Addressing a superior
As a matter of military courtesy, when speaking to a superior there are two differing forms of address, based on whether the superior is a non-commissioned or a commissioned officer. When addressing a non-commissioned officer, a positive response to a command from a Sergeant Major would be "Yes, Sergeant Major!" The proper positive response to the same command from a Lieutenant would be "Yes, sir!" or "Yes sir, Lieutenant!" The supposed difference between a non-commissioned officer and an officer is that of education, which is equated with social status as well as working class. When a non-commissioned officer receives the response "Yes, sir!" to a command, he is more apt than not to remind the soldier that he, the non-commissioned officer, is a "working man, not an officer.”
Saluting
While there are numerous theories about the development of the salute, the modern one appears to have started in the 18th century as noted by this extract from the Royal Scots Standing Orders of 1762: ‘as nothing disfigures the hats or dirties the lace worn more than taking off the hats, the men for the future are only to raise the back of their hands to them (hats) with a brisk motion when they pass an officer’.
Saluting should be undertaken intelligently and only when headdress is worn. Salutes should not be attempted in places where the presence of crowds or where the distance from the officer makes it impracticable to salute. All soldiers should salute with the right hand unless physically unable to do so, in which case they are to salute with the left hand. The junior member is to salute first and the senior member is to return the compliment.
Saluting ladies
All too often, the courtesy that should be extended to ladies is neglected. Proper military etiquette would dictate that any soldier or officer encountering a lady should touch the brim of his hat in the manner of a salute, or remove his cover in her presence. It is not necessary to exchange greetings or comments with the lady, but acknowledgement of the presence of those of the fairer sex to whom respect and admiration are due, without regard to their station in life. There is some dispute as to whether it is appropriate to greet ladies unknown to one, as it is improper for ladies to greet those strange to the lady unless requiring aid of some sort from anyone at hand. Of course many of the more Adventuress types of ladies will often introduce themselves directly without waiting for a mutual acquaintance.
The listing of ranks with titles
Should you be in the position to require to show a full formal rank and title it should be done in the following manner:
Your rank, Name (inclusive of title if applicable), and any post-nominals.
For example:
Colonel, George Featherington, Marquess of Vulgaria, NFI, WTF
or
Major, Dame Cybil Cruft, OMG
Remember that post-nominals are different to academic abbreviations. Post-nominals are always capitalized and written without full stops between the letters and should never be used in conjunction with Academic titles and degrees.
A Post Script to the first post.
It’s been brought to my attention that there may be some confusion as to what a Governor might be. To an American a Governor is a head of an individual State. To those brought up within the Commonwealth countries a Governor is a representative of the Monarch, while the head of an individual State or Province is a Premier. A Governor General (Similar in position to a Viceroy or a Lord Lieutenant) is one where a number of States have joined together to form a larger body, such as modern day Canada or Australia, though individual States will still retain own Governors.
The issue of organising something approaching military etiquette for a fictional country in an unspecified Victorian time period is something of a challenge. The Victorian era saw a large number of conflicts: the Boer Wars, the Mexican-American War, the Crimean War, the American Civil War, the Franco-Prussian War, the Schleswig Wars, the Zulu wars, the Maori Wars, the Sepoy Rebellion, the Fenian Raids, and the list goes on. British Intelligence Office Arthur Conolly is credited with describing the pan-European struggle for supremacy as The Great Game. From the time he first used it in 1829 to the vast destruction of the War To End All Wars uniforms, tactics and even countries has changed dramatically.
My notes in this piece are based on a time period around the mid 1870s and are heavily influenced by British military traditions. Since Caledon is the old name for Scotland that’s always been my starting point, but there is plenty of scope for diversity.
The basic structure for military units is as follows:
Private/Trooper
Corporal Usually in charge of a Section or approximately 8 soldiers
Sergeant Usually in 2nd in charge of a Platoon or approximately 10 soldiers
Sergeant-Major
Colour Sergeant
Lieutenant Usually in charge of a Platoon or approximately 10 soldiers
Captain
Major Usually in charge of a Company or approximately 100-200 soldiers
Colonel Usually in charge of a Regiment or approximately 2-3 thousand soldiers
Brigadier Usually in charge of a Brigade or approximately 3-5 thousand soldiers
Major-General
Lieutenant General
Field Marshall
Colour Sergeants were originally responsible for protecting Ensigns (which was a rank) who were in turn charged with carrying the Ensign (the Battle Flag, which gave its name to the rank). The flag was also known as the regiment’s Colours, hence the title of Colour Sergeant.
Uniforms
Originally rank insignia were worn on the collar. The newly created rank of Second Lieutenant, replacing the rank of Ensign that was abolished in 1871, originally had no rank marking. Lieutenants had a single star (or “pip”) and Captains had two.
In 1880 the British army changed its system and insignia were now worn on shoulder boards. In 1902 another raft of changes went through the services moving rank insignia from the shoulders to the cuffs and giving 2nd Lieutenants a single star. Both Lieutenants and Captains were given an additional star at this time increasing theirs to 2 and 3 respectively.
Purchasing a commission
The purchase of a commission varied depending on both the rank and the prestige of the regiment being sought. The more prestigious ranks commanding higher premiums. Being cashiered was considered a grave punishment, as the officer would lose the right to resell the commission he held. Officers’ ranks could be purchased up to the rank of Colonel. Promotion to ranks above Colonel needed a service history and favour from within. The purchasing of commissions was abolished in 1871.
Addressing a superior
As a matter of military courtesy, when speaking to a superior there are two differing forms of address, based on whether the superior is a non-commissioned or a commissioned officer. When addressing a non-commissioned officer, a positive response to a command from a Sergeant Major would be "Yes, Sergeant Major!" The proper positive response to the same command from a Lieutenant would be "Yes, sir!" or "Yes sir, Lieutenant!" The supposed difference between a non-commissioned officer and an officer is that of education, which is equated with social status as well as working class. When a non-commissioned officer receives the response "Yes, sir!" to a command, he is more apt than not to remind the soldier that he, the non-commissioned officer, is a "working man, not an officer.”
Saluting
While there are numerous theories about the development of the salute, the modern one appears to have started in the 18th century as noted by this extract from the Royal Scots Standing Orders of 1762: ‘as nothing disfigures the hats or dirties the lace worn more than taking off the hats, the men for the future are only to raise the back of their hands to them (hats) with a brisk motion when they pass an officer’.
Saluting should be undertaken intelligently and only when headdress is worn. Salutes should not be attempted in places where the presence of crowds or where the distance from the officer makes it impracticable to salute. All soldiers should salute with the right hand unless physically unable to do so, in which case they are to salute with the left hand. The junior member is to salute first and the senior member is to return the compliment.
Saluting ladies
All too often, the courtesy that should be extended to ladies is neglected. Proper military etiquette would dictate that any soldier or officer encountering a lady should touch the brim of his hat in the manner of a salute, or remove his cover in her presence. It is not necessary to exchange greetings or comments with the lady, but acknowledgement of the presence of those of the fairer sex to whom respect and admiration are due, without regard to their station in life. There is some dispute as to whether it is appropriate to greet ladies unknown to one, as it is improper for ladies to greet those strange to the lady unless requiring aid of some sort from anyone at hand. Of course many of the more Adventuress types of ladies will often introduce themselves directly without waiting for a mutual acquaintance.
The listing of ranks with titles
Should you be in the position to require to show a full formal rank and title it should be done in the following manner:
Your rank, Name (inclusive of title if applicable), and any post-nominals.
For example:
Colonel, George Featherington, Marquess of Vulgaria, NFI, WTF
or
Major, Dame Cybil Cruft, OMG
Remember that post-nominals are different to academic abbreviations. Post-nominals are always capitalized and written without full stops between the letters and should never be used in conjunction with Academic titles and degrees.
A Post Script to the first post.
It’s been brought to my attention that there may be some confusion as to what a Governor might be. To an American a Governor is a head of an individual State. To those brought up within the Commonwealth countries a Governor is a representative of the Monarch, while the head of an individual State or Province is a Premier. A Governor General (Similar in position to a Viceroy or a Lord Lieutenant) is one where a number of States have joined together to form a larger body, such as modern day Canada or Australia, though individual States will still retain own Governors.
Tuesday, 22 May 2007
Update of sorts
I've been so busy procrastinating it's a wonder I've had time to do anything.
While out and about earlier in the week I had bumped into a rather diminutive Professor Avalanche who seemed to have forgotten the rules about putting natural fibres into hot water.
Shrank in the wash
Friday saw The Duchess of Loch Avie hosting a Tournament in conjunction with the Torvaldland sim.
There had been a kissing booth set up as a further part of the ubiquitous RFL charity. While Miss Paris's ability to raise L$40,000 for a single kiss was impressive, Professor Avalanche's efforts with Mr. Margulis were the funniest.
Alfonso and Erasmus snog
Later that evening the Torvaldlanders put on an arena combat display.
Seated Guests. (photo by Gabrielle Riel)
The Tournament begins (photo by Gabrielle Riel)
There was supposed to be an open entry for the Battle Royale finale, but sadly axes for the non-Torvaldlanders had been forgotten.
From there Miss McAllister and I headed off to the Steelhead dance where they were having a Monty Python theme. It's still funny no matter how often you hear it :-)
Saturday morning the Militia was in attendance for the briefing on the invasion of Neualtenburg
Briefing the Troops
The cunning strategy revealed
The Caledon Air Corps get their orders
Saturday saw the final Caledon Ball for the season. And it had been almost a month since the last one had been cut so tragically short.
Dressed for the Ball
This night was the SL DJ debut of Red Caliber who did an excellent job. He ended up confirming what has now been decided as a requirement for Radio Riel DJs by having the sim crash. We're looking at working out how to crash the sim for Miss Figaro's debut :-)
Sunday I managed to get Miss Tombola aside and we took some pictures of our Girl Genius inspired AVs.
Agatha Heterodyne: Girl Genius
Krosp I, Emperor of Cats
Krosp and his Loyal Subject Agatha (well she feeds him)
I was quite happy with the photos. Well have to get a few more people to do AVs and do a whole cast shot. Lord Bardhaven would make a great stand in for Klaus :-)
And lastly I'd like to mention the work by Madcow Cosmos. I first encountered this talented gentleman over a month ago and since then we've discussed Avatar building on a couple of occasions.
Giant mechanical dragon.
Steampunk Godzilla thing
Bone dragon AV
While out and about earlier in the week I had bumped into a rather diminutive Professor Avalanche who seemed to have forgotten the rules about putting natural fibres into hot water.
Shrank in the wash
Friday saw The Duchess of Loch Avie hosting a Tournament in conjunction with the Torvaldland sim.
There had been a kissing booth set up as a further part of the ubiquitous RFL charity. While Miss Paris's ability to raise L$40,000 for a single kiss was impressive, Professor Avalanche's efforts with Mr. Margulis were the funniest.
Alfonso and Erasmus snog
Later that evening the Torvaldlanders put on an arena combat display.
Seated Guests. (photo by Gabrielle Riel)
The Tournament begins (photo by Gabrielle Riel)
There was supposed to be an open entry for the Battle Royale finale, but sadly axes for the non-Torvaldlanders had been forgotten.
From there Miss McAllister and I headed off to the Steelhead dance where they were having a Monty Python theme. It's still funny no matter how often you hear it :-)
Saturday morning the Militia was in attendance for the briefing on the invasion of Neualtenburg
Briefing the Troops
The cunning strategy revealed
The Caledon Air Corps get their orders
Saturday saw the final Caledon Ball for the season. And it had been almost a month since the last one had been cut so tragically short.
Dressed for the Ball
This night was the SL DJ debut of Red Caliber who did an excellent job. He ended up confirming what has now been decided as a requirement for Radio Riel DJs by having the sim crash. We're looking at working out how to crash the sim for Miss Figaro's debut :-)
Sunday I managed to get Miss Tombola aside and we took some pictures of our Girl Genius inspired AVs.
Agatha Heterodyne: Girl Genius
Krosp I, Emperor of Cats
Krosp and his Loyal Subject Agatha (well she feeds him)
I was quite happy with the photos. Well have to get a few more people to do AVs and do a whole cast shot. Lord Bardhaven would make a great stand in for Klaus :-)
And lastly I'd like to mention the work by Madcow Cosmos. I first encountered this talented gentleman over a month ago and since then we've discussed Avatar building on a couple of occasions.
Giant mechanical dragon.
Steampunk Godzilla thing
Bone dragon AV
Friday, 18 May 2007
The Battle of Victoria City
Further to the heartwrenching pictures here about the vicious attack on Victoria City, special intelligence have obtained footage of the attack.
Tuesday, 15 May 2007
Assassination attempt on the Guvnah!
Thankfully the Caledon Militia tinies (or the GunBunnies) are vigilant in their watch.
Monday, 7 May 2007
Sunday, 6 May 2007
War on our Doorstep!
It finally happened!
Unable to stand the loss of their Kaiserin no longer, and having been led to believe that she was kidnapped in the name of the Guvnah himself, Neualtenburg invaded Caledon!
The Guvnah and one of the members of the Tiny Company (known as the gun bunnies) assigned as his bodyguard.
Myself and Colour Sergeant Smashcan discuss the defence capabilities of the newly opened Steam Sky City with the Guvnah. Sadly recent events have rendered my left arm requiring a clockwork replacment.
Flying high overhead the SMS Brunhilde rained devastation on the Guvnah's Mansion.
Miss Tombola's impressive acrobatic skills.
The Caledon Air Corp respond to the menace.
From bad to worse: the Neualtenburg Hussar regiment follow up.
The Caledon Militia arrive to defend the Mansion.
And open fire at the enemy.
The chaos of battle
The Guvnah is ushered away from the battle.
But is followed relentlessly by the horrible sausage eaters (this one about to have his ankles savaged by one of the gun bunnies)
The Guvnah protests his innocence in the involvement with the Kaiserin's arrest.
Miss Garmes is grievously wounded in the fray, throwing herself in front of a bullet aimed at the Guvnah
Colour Sergeant Smashcan has the wind knocked out of his sails.
So what did they achieve? The Pointy Helmeted Goblins have besmirched the honour of Caledon, invading our sovereign territory and causing injury and destruction to her people and her Guvnah.
We can not let this go unanswered! Anyone could see that the Guvnah was not behind the kidnap. The ransom demand for lindens and chilled red wine was enough to prove that. But still Neualtenburg invades. If every little mouse of a country tries to invade Caledon where will that leave us? They must be taught a lesson!
Unable to stand the loss of their Kaiserin no longer, and having been led to believe that she was kidnapped in the name of the Guvnah himself, Neualtenburg invaded Caledon!
The Guvnah and one of the members of the Tiny Company (known as the gun bunnies) assigned as his bodyguard.
Myself and Colour Sergeant Smashcan discuss the defence capabilities of the newly opened Steam Sky City with the Guvnah. Sadly recent events have rendered my left arm requiring a clockwork replacment.
Flying high overhead the SMS Brunhilde rained devastation on the Guvnah's Mansion.
Miss Tombola's impressive acrobatic skills.
The Caledon Air Corp respond to the menace.
From bad to worse: the Neualtenburg Hussar regiment follow up.
The Caledon Militia arrive to defend the Mansion.
And open fire at the enemy.
The chaos of battle
The Guvnah is ushered away from the battle.
But is followed relentlessly by the horrible sausage eaters (this one about to have his ankles savaged by one of the gun bunnies)
The Guvnah protests his innocence in the involvement with the Kaiserin's arrest.
Miss Garmes is grievously wounded in the fray, throwing herself in front of a bullet aimed at the Guvnah
Colour Sergeant Smashcan has the wind knocked out of his sails.
So what did they achieve? The Pointy Helmeted Goblins have besmirched the honour of Caledon, invading our sovereign territory and causing injury and destruction to her people and her Guvnah.
We can not let this go unanswered! Anyone could see that the Guvnah was not behind the kidnap. The ransom demand for lindens and chilled red wine was enough to prove that. But still Neualtenburg invades. If every little mouse of a country tries to invade Caledon where will that leave us? They must be taught a lesson!
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