Martin Tabony
Command Sergeant Major
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2009
- Messages
- 2,077
I can't take credit for this one. It was recited just about every year at the regimental review during summer camp. Any gaps are bits I can't remember!
To set the scene a Corporal of Horse would walk onto the makeshift stage, wearing a kit shirt, khaki breaches with braces, long puttes and boots. Then when all is quiet, this is how it goes.
The orderly officer was patroling his rounds one night with the guard corporal, when he discovered that the young trooper who was supposed to be on stable guard was missing. After searching through the troop lines for a while, they found him in the loose box at the far end of 3 troop. He was on the ground with a deck of cards layed out. The orderly officer, realising that the trooper was playing cards, rather than patroling the troops(to check on the safty of the horses during the night) said "Corporal charge this man". The corporal told the trooper that he would be on Squadron Leaders orders the following day and to expect a couple of days in the "nick".
So at 10.55 the following day, the trooper is standing at attention with the corporal on his right, out side the Squadron Leader's officer. The Squadron Corporal Major comes out of his office and at exactly 11 o'clock marches them in to see the Squadron Leader.
"Right turn, quick march". "yuft, dight, yuft dight, yuft""Mark time". "Halt. left turn" so that the trooper is now directly in front of the Squadron Leader.
The Squadron Leader looks at the young trooper and says "you were absent from your post when the Orderly Officer made his round. Not only that but you were found playing cards! Do you have anything to say before I pass sentence".
Yes said the trooper "I wasn't playing cards". "I had just patroled the horse lines and having seen that all was quiet, I took a few moments to get in some extra training".
"EXTRA TRAINING" exclaimed the Squadron Leader "you'd better explain your self before I lock you away".
Well sir, when I look at the 1, I remember the most important animal in the world, the horse.
When I look at the 2 it reminds me of the special bond between a trooper and his horse.
When I look at the 3 it reminds me of the the most important points of grooming. The eyes, nose and dock.
When I look at the 4 it reminds me that there are four men to a section.
When I look at the 5 it reminds me of the five paces in the chicks (sentry post at Horse Guards)
When I look at the 6, it reminds me of the gaps that are to be kept when fitting the head kit.
When I look at the 7
When I look at the 8
When I look at the 9
When I look at the 10 it reminds me that the Queen's Life Guard leaves at exactly 10.00 hours.
When I look at the Jack, it reminds me that a good trooper should be a jack of all trades.
When I look at the Queen, obviously it reminds me to pray for Her Majesty the Queen, our Colonel.
When I look at the King, I remember that the horse is the king of all animals, and should be tret as such.
The Squadron Leader looked over to the Squadron Corporal Major(who had a tear in his eye). The SCM said "I think you should let this charge drop sir". which is what happened.
I know this story is true, For I was that trooper!
Martin
To set the scene a Corporal of Horse would walk onto the makeshift stage, wearing a kit shirt, khaki breaches with braces, long puttes and boots. Then when all is quiet, this is how it goes.
The orderly officer was patroling his rounds one night with the guard corporal, when he discovered that the young trooper who was supposed to be on stable guard was missing. After searching through the troop lines for a while, they found him in the loose box at the far end of 3 troop. He was on the ground with a deck of cards layed out. The orderly officer, realising that the trooper was playing cards, rather than patroling the troops(to check on the safty of the horses during the night) said "Corporal charge this man". The corporal told the trooper that he would be on Squadron Leaders orders the following day and to expect a couple of days in the "nick".
So at 10.55 the following day, the trooper is standing at attention with the corporal on his right, out side the Squadron Leader's officer. The Squadron Corporal Major comes out of his office and at exactly 11 o'clock marches them in to see the Squadron Leader.
"Right turn, quick march". "yuft, dight, yuft dight, yuft""Mark time". "Halt. left turn" so that the trooper is now directly in front of the Squadron Leader.
The Squadron Leader looks at the young trooper and says "you were absent from your post when the Orderly Officer made his round. Not only that but you were found playing cards! Do you have anything to say before I pass sentence".
Yes said the trooper "I wasn't playing cards". "I had just patroled the horse lines and having seen that all was quiet, I took a few moments to get in some extra training".
"EXTRA TRAINING" exclaimed the Squadron Leader "you'd better explain your self before I lock you away".
Well sir, when I look at the 1, I remember the most important animal in the world, the horse.
When I look at the 2 it reminds me of the special bond between a trooper and his horse.
When I look at the 3 it reminds me of the the most important points of grooming. The eyes, nose and dock.
When I look at the 4 it reminds me that there are four men to a section.
When I look at the 5 it reminds me of the five paces in the chicks (sentry post at Horse Guards)
When I look at the 6, it reminds me of the gaps that are to be kept when fitting the head kit.
When I look at the 7
When I look at the 8
When I look at the 9
When I look at the 10 it reminds me that the Queen's Life Guard leaves at exactly 10.00 hours.
When I look at the Jack, it reminds me that a good trooper should be a jack of all trades.
When I look at the Queen, obviously it reminds me to pray for Her Majesty the Queen, our Colonel.
When I look at the King, I remember that the horse is the king of all animals, and should be tret as such.
The Squadron Leader looked over to the Squadron Corporal Major(who had a tear in his eye). The SCM said "I think you should let this charge drop sir". which is what happened.
I know this story is true, For I was that trooper!
Martin
