A first reunion for me in 42 years

koneguitarist

Saturday, I am visiting old crew members from my Falklands ship HMS Glasgow, never bothered before. As I’ve never bothered, always been busy etc, but as we were bombed on the 12th of May every year members of the crew meet up for a beer etc and chat. As I was small ships flight I was never a fully fledged ship crew member as such as every time we came ashore I and rest of flight would fly back to Yeovilton or nearest airbase. 

The difference this year is our Captain is attending, he has to be 80 plus now, so if he is going I have to attend and pay my respects. My son is laughing saying I will resort straight back to calling him sir as if I’m still in Navy. Too bloody right I will, he will always be Sir to me as has earnt that respect during that time in 82. To me it’s sheer respect, what’s your thoughts? 

jonnyburgo

Have a great time mate, and plenty of booze I'm sure.

drofluf

With you on that, but I’m ex-R.A.F., albeit only for a short time, but that respect is ingrained. 

Enjoy the reunion!

Emp_Fab

Can I ask what your role was ?

koneguitarist

Emp_Fab said:

Can I ask what your role was ?

I was the mechanic on Lynx helicopter. 

sev112

No real probs, but why does having respect incur the need to call someone Sir, years after the actual authority has gone.
and he might appreciate being called Mike for a change
unkess his name is Dave of course

guitars4you

Enjoy the reunion - Sounds like something to be really proud of - Enjoy time the time that you'll spend with old buddies

Emp_Fab

koneguitarist said:

Emp_Fab said:

Can I ask what your role was ?

I was the mechanic on Lynx helicopter. 

Did they give you these or did you have better ones ? 

Deadman

Ex RAF (22 years) here and still work for them in a civilian capacity. No, I wouldn’t even call an Air Chief Marshall “Sir” nowadays but would afford them due courtesy.

Your circumstances are completely different though. If you feel the need, do it.

And thank you for your service. Been out there and visited many of your colleagues memorials. Enjoy the do.

DefaultM

When I joined a band with my high school music teacher I struggled not to call him sir.
Its made more confusing for me because my wife was in his class with me, and whenever I talk about him she insists I call him Sir because she doesn’t know him as anything else.

JezWynd

drofluf said:

With you on that, but I’m ex-R.A.F., albeit only for a short time, but that respect is ingrained. 

Enjoy the reunion!

Agree but it's more than that; if you feel respect, it's perfectly natural to vocalise it in that way.

Have a great time OP, you'll probably notice a few changes in your colleagues after forty two years. 

Paul_C

koneguitarist said:

 but as we were bombed on the 12th of May every year

Was there a reason for that, or just coincidence ?

stufisher

If you're not sure about form of address then just ask him how he prefers to be called ... you are 42 years older and in completely different stages of life.  The fact that you have the stones to ask shows consideration and respect ... could also be used as an icebreaker  

Enjoy your time with your crew ... it'll fly past for sure and you'll be buzzing at the end of the night.

SPECTRUM001

stufisher said:

it'll fly past for sure and you'll be buzzing at the end of the night.

There’s a Fly Past too ??

Sounds like a great get together- pretty sure it will mean may more to you than you first thought.

ps - respect is really cool.

koneguitarist

BEmp_Fab said:

koneguitarist said:

Emp_Fab said:

Can I ask what your role was ?

I was the mechanic on Lynx helicopter. 

Did they give you these or did you have better ones ? 

Far more detailed, and various books for various jobs. 

We were different in those days to RAF as they were split between Airframes and engines, while we were just mechanics and did everything. 

On a small ships flight it’s different to being on a squadron as you have to be able to cover all bases. 

My main role was mechanical servicing and inspection of 5he Lynx.

2nd role was Tool Control, 3rd was survival equipment as well. So not a lot of down time. 

Offset

I have several mates who are Falklands vets.  One had a very interesting job indeed

Super respect.

koneguitarist

It was interesting that’s for sure.

Deadman

koneguitarist said:

It was interesting that’s for sure.

I’d have been literally shitting myself, and have to say I was quite relieved not to have to go to Iraq around 2002 when all my mates were, instead being dicked for Op Fresco so fair play to you. 

Emp_Fab

koneguitarist said:

My main role was mechanical servicing and inspection of 5he Lynx.

2nd role was Tool Control....

Didn't they have any MPs on the ship?

Funkfingers

Offset said:

One had a very interesting job indeed  

koneguitarist said:

It was interesting, that’s for sure.

Was he a Snooker player?

Offset

Funkfingers said:

Offset said:

One had a very interesting job indeed  

koneguitarist said:

It was interesting, that’s for sure.

Was he a Snooker player?

Nah. A bit more interesting than that