The Brigadier
The Brigadier’s name was Bill Barrett, a colourful, swash-bucking cavalryman who walked with a huge air of confidence and swaggered around the camp like he owned it. He had a booming powerful voice and spoke in a melodious accent – a real man who knows where he’s going and what he wants: “Get to the bar first and order a ball of malt”.
Bill was a good-looking man with a reddish, purple face, well built and was always meticulously dressed. The uniform looked like it had grown on him. He had a gruff manly manner and looked and acted the part. He had charisma in spades, and was a magnetic personality, and knew how to run the show. I liked him, as he was a real gentleman, very human and earthy, and much more sensitive than some would think - he’d always acknowledge your presence no matter how low or unimportant you were in the social order. He was a big man.
During this charade the Brigadier was accompanied by a large entourage of various ranks of officers and NCOs who trotted after him, as he swaggered through the camp. It was unlike many other inspections, as there was no sense of fear, and his subordinates were relaxed and happy, and enjoying the occasion of his presence. He was the main man.
He rushed his inspection, while his officers took notes of the various problems and changes needed, and kept to the motto of the cavalry ‘First in, last out’ or translated into Bill’s language ‘First into the bar and last out’.
After the inspection a brigade meeting was held with Bill’s announcement to his cavalry: ‘Jesus, I could murder for a drink’ and they’d all troop off to the bar in the officers mess looking forward to a good evening’s entertainment.
The Brigadier would take centre stage, holding forth on many subjects and telling humorous jokes and stories of times past, and present with his officers listening attentively to every word, and laughing loudly at his jokes. He was a great entertainer and was in his element, as he sipped his malt whisky.
Late evening the meeting would break up and Bill would depart in his staff car and head back home to Dublin.
Bill was a good-looking man with a reddish, purple face, well built and was always meticulously dressed. The uniform looked like it had grown on him. He had a gruff manly manner and looked and acted the part. He had charisma in spades, and was a magnetic personality, and knew how to run the show. I liked him, as he was a real gentleman, very human and earthy, and much more sensitive than some would think - he’d always acknowledge your presence no matter how low or unimportant you were in the social order. He was a big man.
During this charade the Brigadier was accompanied by a large entourage of various ranks of officers and NCOs who trotted after him, as he swaggered through the camp. It was unlike many other inspections, as there was no sense of fear, and his subordinates were relaxed and happy, and enjoying the occasion of his presence. He was the main man.
He rushed his inspection, while his officers took notes of the various problems and changes needed, and kept to the motto of the cavalry ‘First in, last out’ or translated into Bill’s language ‘First into the bar and last out’.
After the inspection a brigade meeting was held with Bill’s announcement to his cavalry: ‘Jesus, I could murder for a drink’ and they’d all troop off to the bar in the officers mess looking forward to a good evening’s entertainment.
The Brigadier would take centre stage, holding forth on many subjects and telling humorous jokes and stories of times past, and present with his officers listening attentively to every word, and laughing loudly at his jokes. He was a great entertainer and was in his element, as he sipped his malt whisky.
Late evening the meeting would break up and Bill would depart in his staff car and head back home to Dublin.
posted by Roger The Blogger | 11:34 pm
|
0 comments
