I remember watching this when I was a little girl, with my dad, God rest him. I'd forgotten about it lol. Now as an adult I get the humour. Thanks for the good memories.. 😄
I'm becoming pathetic, first I choke up a bit when Richardson offers to help Smifff write his letter then I choke up again when Smifff makes his excuses to go join in to help Lily out, either these guys are finding their first real friends or I'm hitting that age
I was only TA. Around 85. Of course it was nothing like the commitment of any fulltime servicemen, in any of the real services, lol, it's OK I am full aware of how you guys saw us. But even we saw some of the bullying of certain individuals, by certain higher ranking individuals. I'm afraid I can't split, but I lived near Cannock back then.
I came through Swinderby in ‘88 and I agree, very familiar, I’m sure many of us ran around the parade square to satisfy the tyrannical Corporal and were at the receiving end of group punishment. Wouldn’t have missed it for the world though.
It's 100% correct what he says about getting your boots to shine. Put several layers of polish on, then melt it with a zippo lighter or set light to it and after about 30 seconds blow it out, and viola, super smooth shiny toe caps. It's what we used to do.
I was surprised it was Lilley that stood up to the bullying Marsh. I thought it was very well done. A lot of depth to this story. Marsh is a seething bag of insecurity.
Who did the aspect ratio conversion? This show, made in 1975, was originally produced in the 4:3 TV aspect ratio, otherwise known as "Academy". These episodes have been successfully converted to the 16:9 wide-screen aspect ratio of modern TV standards. Thank you.
Yes , in the mid 1950’s they had started what was known as the Border Campaign. Their tactics were very different then when compared to the later ´Troubles’ that started in 1969. They were nearly fighting openly with identifying badges that met with the rules of the Geneva Conventions. Picked military targets and not random civilians etc. Worth a google. My Great Uncle was Royal Ulster Constabulary and was posted to the border from Belfast. Hope this helps a bit. Thanks.
See the Easter Rising, 1916 which eventually led to the formation of the Irish Republican Army in 1919 and the subsequent Irish war of independence January 1919 - July 1921. They've been around a lot longer.
Yes it is funny, it reminds me of all sorts of things and it was a "must watch" in it's day. However, something needs to come back and not the limp wristed suggestions recently made by the politicians.
It was compulsory unless you were exempt on medical grounds. Some guys who were studying when they were called up at 18 years old got a defer until they had finished studying. I knew a couple of guys who went in at 21.
Nothing like the RAF I joined in 1957 at Bridgnorth in Shropshire. We would not have dared to speak like that to an NCO. When an NCO entered the hut someone had to call out “NCO present” and everyone had to jump to attention. Similarly if an officer entered. Lilly could not turn right properly and would have been given extra drill practice if noticed. The standard of dress is far below what would have been accepted. Shoes were worn only with best blue uniform and boots with battledress. Shoes were not bulled. Boots were and toe-caps were bulled using spit and polish. Some people used a hot spoon handle to try and speed up the operation but it did not help and if the boot was damaged the perpetrator was put on a charge. There is a security problem with the rifles. Standard practice was to put all rifles together in a frame with a chain through the trigger guards and a padlock under the control of the drill corporal. No 48s were allowed during squarebashing. Christmas was the exception. There are so many other anomalies which make the programme a nonsense.
A tea spoon and a candle to smooth the cobblie -wobblies eh? I tried an iron first (on low of course) THEN and only then the candle and spoon. Let cool then bull. Worked like a charm.
I remember watching this when I was a little girl, with my dad, God rest him. I'd forgotten about it lol. Now as an adult I get the humour. Thanks for the good memories.. 😄
I'm becoming pathetic, first I choke up a bit when Richardson offers to help Smifff write his letter then I choke up again when Smifff makes his excuses to go join in to help Lily out, either these guys are finding their first real friends or I'm hitting that age
I was an RAF cadet when this was on to and I LOVED it!!!met a few Corporal Marshes officers etc!!
I went through basic in 1986. This is like a documentary. Group punishment, gas, drill, it all seems very familiar.
I was only TA. Around 85. Of course it was nothing like the commitment of any fulltime servicemen, in any of the real services, lol, it's OK I am full aware of how you guys saw us. But even we saw some of the bullying of certain individuals, by certain higher ranking individuals. I'm afraid I can't split, but I lived near Cannock back then.
I joined the army 1965 oh memories
I came through Swinderby in ‘88 and I agree, very familiar, I’m sure many of us ran around the parade square to satisfy the tyrannical Corporal and were at the receiving end of group punishment.
Wouldn’t have missed it for the world though.
My Basic was 85,thought it was a great time. Found Battalion life much worse though back then.
What a waste of time . We were never going to war after 1945. They come to their senses in 1963 when all the nonsense came to an end.
When you find out Lilley is the real hero.
Perfect telly.
Did the gas scene at RAF Swinderby 1971 ,,,laughed my head off ....memories came flooding back.......
Wolfie looks so young in this.. good actor, loved him in GBH!
nightingales i loved that
Marsh is a maniac. Great episode.
Owen Fitzgerald True why do you nail somebody’s boots on the floor With them in it
Hes a power mad bully.
Poor old Marsh! He was only trying to make a decent airman out of Lilley! lol
My dear old Dad told me to light the polish in the tin to melt it slightly, apply quickly and thickly then then buff in with spit!. 🤣
works
It's 100% correct what he says about getting your boots to shine. Put several layers of polish on, then melt it with a zippo lighter or set light to it and after about 30 seconds blow it out, and viola, super smooth shiny toe caps. It's what we used to do.
100% my friend 👍👍
My late father a former Guards officerused to always made a point of giving a lift to National Service lads in our elderly Bently.
Good fun
Anyone whose father owned a Bentley would surely know how to spell its name...
Cpl Marsh is a great character
My dad did his national service in the RAF regiment in Germany.
I was surprised it was Lilley that stood up to the bullying Marsh. I thought it was very well done. A lot of depth to this story. Marsh is a seething bag of insecurity.
Who did the aspect ratio conversion? This show, made in 1975, was originally produced in the 4:3 TV aspect ratio, otherwise known as "Academy". These episodes have been successfully converted to the 16:9 wide-screen aspect ratio of modern TV standards. Thank you.
I believe the DVD version of these episodes were professionally converted to 16:9.
Finding IRA terrorists out in the middle of the Libyan desert! You would have a few years after this was filmed thanks to Gaddafi!
Training camps existed!
I relate to Richardson most; smart , charismatic, loyal and a natural leader.
Met my old DI Cpl about 25 yrs afterwards (we were both the same rank then) - funny stuff
Oh dear....Cpl Marsh on the parade square with an undone button.......An undone button is an unhappy button.....GUARDROOM! GETAWAY!
But 637, did you enjoy it?
@@catpainblackudder01 Of course! :D
Brilliant.
Thame signature tune also meant......IT'S ..THE BENNY HILL SHOW !!!!
No. The Benny Hill tune was the classic Yakety Sax.
@@SpeccyMan wrong again. I clearly was referring to The Thames TV intro ident that preceded Thames TV Shoes.
I wasn't around in 1955, but were the IRA headline news (so to speak) then ?
Yes , in the mid 1950’s they had started what was known as the Border Campaign.
Their tactics were very different then when compared to the later ´Troubles’ that started in 1969. They were nearly fighting openly with identifying badges that met with the rules of the Geneva Conventions. Picked military targets and not random civilians etc. Worth a google.
My Great Uncle was Royal Ulster Constabulary and was posted to the border from Belfast.
Hope this helps a bit. Thanks.
@bugler75 I remember has a kid being so confused and scared to death of the IRA especially watching the bombings on TV. 😢😮😢😮
See the Easter Rising, 1916 which eventually led to the formation of the Irish Republican Army in 1919 and the subsequent Irish war of independence January 1919 - July 1921. They've been around a lot longer.
Never ever ever pull a trigger if you don't want to kill someone I can't even if I know 100% know it's empty remember Alec baldwin
Yes it is funny, it reminds me of all sorts of things and it was a "must watch" in it's day. However, something needs to come back and not the limp wristed suggestions recently made by the politicians.
Lift up your respirators name rank and number 😂😂😂 then eating and drinking drills 😮😮😮😮
Who was the shadow at 13.05 onwards !
Ghost?
@@swaldron5558 I see it's been edited out since Old Boy ! Probably Stage Staff !
i used to enjoy bulling my bashers boots !
Gav Tatu I hated drill and bull.... Much better out in the field, fucking shit up....
Was National Service compulsory??? Answer please.
Yes up until the start of the 1960s (which is how you got The Beatles lol they missed it by mere months)
Caroline Lynch yes it was sweet hart
@@diannepowley6131 What if you didn't want to do it?
@@carolinelynch2823 You had no choice but to go in and do it unless you failed the medical and were exempt.
It was compulsory unless you were exempt on medical grounds. Some guys who were studying when they were called up at 18 years old got a defer until they had finished studying. I knew a couple of guys who went in at 21.
👍💜👍💜
Nothing like the RAF I joined in 1957 at Bridgnorth in Shropshire. We would not have dared to speak like that to an NCO. When an NCO entered the hut someone had to call out “NCO present” and everyone had to jump to attention. Similarly if an officer entered. Lilly could not turn right properly and would have been given extra drill practice if noticed. The standard of dress is far below what would have been accepted. Shoes were worn only with best blue uniform and boots with battledress. Shoes were not bulled. Boots were and toe-caps were bulled using spit and polish. Some people used a hot spoon handle to try and speed up the operation but it did not help and if the boot was damaged the perpetrator was put on a charge. There is a security problem with the rifles. Standard practice was to put all rifles together in a frame with a chain through the trigger guards and a padlock under the control of the drill corporal. No 48s were allowed during squarebashing. Christmas was the exception.
There are so many other anomalies which make the programme a nonsense.
I think you are getting a factual programme mixed up with sit com. Its fictional, why is it meant to be accurate?
@@dave4728 As a sit com it was poor so what was the point.
@@dave4728 Whatever!
@@interdave999 I bet you're a bundle of fun Dave
A tea spoon and a candle to smooth the cobblie -wobblies eh? I tried an iron first (on low of course) THEN and only then the candle and spoon. Let cool then bull. Worked like a charm.
Jk