216 Parachute Signals Squadron Guestbook |
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216 Parachute Signal Squadron Old Comrades Association |
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| Vic Kelly | jokelly015~AT~gmail~DOT~com |
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Hi Fellas - Nice to read your comments. Here's wishing you a good Christmas - lockdown permitting for us oldies (I'm 86 now!). I was wondering about Harry Drennan also - we were crap hats together in N.I. District Signals Sqn - knew his family well. Regards to all - keep smiling! Vic
Tuesday 17 November2020 - Dorset
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| Noddy | tonymidge~AT~yahoo~DOT~com |
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In one of Pete's post he mentioned Maj Flynn. I was going by Land Rover from Salalah to Aydam an outpost in the desert. The other passenger was Maj Flynn, he was 2IC of one of the Omani Regiments and I was a Capt in The Sultans Special Force. He looked at me and said, don't I know you? I replied, you should, you demoted me from Cpl to Sig about 25 years previously. He said oh well you seem to have done OK for yourself, very little was said for remainder of journey, we said cheerio and went our separate ways.
Saturday 14 November2020 - Southport
Webmaster comments We can all make mistakes Noddy. |
| Bernard McDonough | mcdonoughbernard79~AT~gmail~DOT~com |
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Yep ,that's me Steve
Thursday 12 November2020 - Horsham
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| Ginge Whittick | stephenmyles~AT~btinternet~DOT~com |
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I was looking at the photographs of the2010 reunion today page 9,and I think the guy with Mick Waterworth in the bottom right picture to be Bernie McDonough
Thursday 12 November2020 - Farnham, Surrey
Webmaster comments I think Bernie is still out there and may well come back to you. |
| barry wilbor | barrywilbor~AT~hotmail~DOT~com |
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I don't remember any of them (too young) just Fergie getting me chucked out haha Thursday 12 November2020
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| Brian Earl | earlbrian933~AT~gmail~DOT~com |
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I remember the name of Last but cannot remember him being OC of the Squadron unless he became OC after I left in June 65
Wednesday 11 November2020 - Ryton. Tyne&Wear
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| peter pritchard | pritch087~AT~hotmail~DOT~com |
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Nice to hear from you Vic. Pleased to hear you and family are all keeping well
Monday 9 November2020 - dewsbury
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| Chris WHITE | chris~DOT~debs~AT~hotmail~DOT~co~DOT~uk |
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Very Sad.First Class man and OC of 216.
Sunday 8 November2020 - Llanelly Hill
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| Vic Kelly | jokelly015~AT~gmail~DOT~com |
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Hi especially to Pritch and Phil K. Good to read your comments. Yes, I was determined to get as many on upgrading courses as the Squadron would allow. Hope you guys and your families are keeping well.
Saturday 7 November2020 - Dorset
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| Terry Brown | terryvivbrown~AT~virginmedia~DOT~com |
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Chris Last got me playing hockey for the Sqn after I gave up football after my leg injuries. He was an Army hockey player as well. A good OC. R I P Chris. Friday 6 November2020 - Whitley Bay
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| Keith Weller | keith~AT~keithweller~DOT~plus~DOT~com |
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Sad News - Maj General Chris Last CB. OBE We understand that there are reports in the Telegraph this morning of the death of General Chris Last. I am sure many of us will remember him in our days in the Squadron in the mid 60's, a fine officer and OC. Chris was a founder member and Patron of the Old Comrade's Association. If you have any stories that could be included in his orbit please let us know. Friday 6 November2020 - Worcestershire
Webmaster comments R.I.P. Sir |
| Alan Hogg | alan~DOT~hogg2~AT~btinternet~DOT~com |
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I understand that there are reports in the Telegraph that General Chris Last has died. Remember him well in the Squadron, he promoted me to Sgt at the tender age of 21
Friday 6 November2020 - Pateley Bridge
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| p m pritchard | pritch087~AT~hotmail~DOT~com |
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When I joined---Troop Sgt Kelly.Yos.Elliot.Troop OC Flynn.Fos Harvey Sqn OC Peate. A great Sqn
Thursday 5 November2020 - dewsbury
Webmaster comments Thanks Pete, was that 1964 |
| Brian Earl | earlbrian933~AT~gmail~DOT~com |
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Same time as me Pete those were the days when we were young and daft!!!
Thursday 5 November2020 - Ryton. Tyne&Wear
Webmaster comments Hi Guys, just for the records how far can we go back in who was YOS/FOS, Comms Trp OC and Squadron OC. |
| p m pritchard | pritch087~AT~hotmail~DOT~com |
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Phil, I was in the squadron when Vic was the radio troop sgt and the yos was Elliot. Troop officer was Flynn.
Wednesday 4 November2020 - dewsbury
Webmaster comments A bit before our time Phil. |
| Phil Kirk | philkirk~AT~me~DOT~com |
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Hi Pete. You still living in Malta. Yes Paddy Boland was the YOS after Vic but Vic initially pressed for priority upgrades at Catterick. I trained speed typing in Aldaney for groups going on their A1. Vic did initiate the Upgrade and Paddy took over from Vic. You was there when Vic YOS
Tuesday 3 November2020
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| peter | pritch087~AT~hotmail~DOT~com |
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Sorry to disagree with you Phil but it was YOS Paddy Boland who ran a course to up grade A and B tradesmen to A1 and B 1. I was one who benefited from this. All the best Phil Pritch
Monday 2 November2020 - dewsbury
Webmaster comments Good to hear from you Peter - its been a long time. |
| Phil Kirk | philkirk~AT~me~DOT~com |
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Hi Vic. I remember you very well. In my opinion you were a good YOS. The things I did not realize at the time was the Squadron was always there to encourage soldiers to further their career. You did more than most to get Squadron member on course accelerating to A1 and B1 quickly. You did your best for me despite me doing all I could to wreck your efforts. I do remember on one exercise I packed the trailer for heavy drop and included a “Breakfast Kit” Eggs Bacon and the works. Then next morning after the drop I was cooking breakfast for the lads and the smell of bacon was wafting all over the site. You came running up for yours and Jinx was just cramming his egg in his mouth as your arrived. Sorry Vic. None Left. I am pleased to hear that you are still around and congratulation on your long marriage. (Im on my fourth but I have it right this time. Take Care Sunday 1 November2020 - Rustington
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| Alan Hogg | alan~DOT~hogg2~AT~btinternet~DOT~com |
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Talk about memories Nod, I saw Princess Anne on the tv yesterday, I remember when we did a heavy drop rigging demo for her, can't remember the whole crew though Alan Sefton, Maxi Williams were certainly with us, we were just about to drive the landrover off the MSP when we noticed we had left one chain on an axle, if we hadn't spotted it in time the rover might have spun off right on top of you know who!
Saturday 31 October2020 - Pateley Bridge
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| Alan Hogg | alan~DOT~hogg2~AT~btinternet~DOT~com |
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I was the only NCO so it was my duty to go along to try to make sure the boys didn't get into trouble. Forlorn hope. As ever Fergie was as mad as ever, not sure what became of him, understand he was commissioned into one of the Para battalions, not sure if Cathy is still putting up with him, did hear that his son got into a bit of bother.
Thursday 29 October2020 - Pateley Bridge
Webmaster comments Is that the best you can come up with !!! Think you may be right about Fergie although I thought it was the Staffords. |
| Noddy | tonymidge~AT~yahoo~DOT~com |
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Just a bit of trivia, does anyone remember way back circa 1961/2 when we had the dreaded Admin inspection. I think it's now called fit for role we had to desplay a tube of Signal toothpaste in our locker layout. The daft things that stick in your mind.
Thursday 29 October2020 - Southport.
Webmaster comments I guess you were using Semaphore in those days, would go well with Signal. |
| barry wilbor | barrywilbor~AT~hotmail~DOT~com |
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I'm still here lads,just nothing to add due to this bug,hopefully you'll all have a good 11th day, crawled home last year haha. take Care
Thursday 29 October2020
Webmaster comments Take Care |
| Brian Earl | earlbrian933~AT~gmail~DOT~com |
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If you went to the jungle you would need safety equipment,that was one mad place.
Wednesday 28 October2020 - Ryton. Tyne&Wear
Webmaster comments Personal experience ? |
| Terry Brown | terryvivbrown~AT~virginmedia~DOT~com |
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My home in Cornwall was Saltash, just across the Tamar from Devon. As for the Jungle in North Shields, that was on my patch and was basically a house of ill repure, a place where visiting ship crew members frequented. It no longer exist as a ‘club’.
Wednesday 28 October2020 - Whitley Bay
Webmaster comments I can't believe such "up standing" young men from the Squadron would frequent such a place. |
| Alan Hogg | alan~DOT~hogg2~AT~btinternet~DOT~com |
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I recall travelling over the water (the Tyne) with other fellow northerners finishing up in Whitley Bay, Bob Griff, Jackie Ferguson and Ralph Smith - we were to travel to the Lakes for Summer Camp but somehow 'got lost' (by design) and finished up spending time at the various parent's houses - spent one evening in the notorious Jungle in North Shields (in uniform of course). Happy days
Wednesday 28 October2020 - Pateley Bridge
Webmaster comments Perhaps you can tell us more about the Jungle - and what has happened to Jackie Ferguson. |
| Terry Brown | terryvivbrown~AT~virginmedia~DOT~com |
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Keith I remember it well. The fact is, it was my wife Vivs parents home. Remember, I'm a Cornishman although it has taken 50 odd years for me to talk with a very very slight Geordie accent but they all know I'm a forigner.
Tuesday 27 October2020 - Whitley Bay
Webmaster comments Sorry Terry, as you say it was 50 years ago but quite a memorable time for a young rookie to the Squadron. Where in Cornwall do you come from. Another memorable place for me as I met my wife down there, she was a nurse at Treliske - the Squadron has a lot to answer for !!! |
| Brian Earl | earlbrian933~AT~gmail~DOT~com |
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Still alive and kicking and going to the club on a regular basis.
Tuesday 27 October2020 - Ryton. Tyne&Wear
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| Pete bibby | Peter-pambibby~AT~hotmail~DOT~com |
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Hi Terry Brown I am still alive and kicking.Hope you are well. Regards.Pete Bibby
Monday 26 October2020 - Essex
Webmaster comments Well done Pete - any more out there? |
| Terry Brown | terryvivbrown~AT~virginmedia~DOT~com |
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Is everybody still alive, no post for ages?
Monday 26 October2020 - Whitley Bay
Webmaster comments Who remembers Terry Brown. Not sure if Terry remembers but he took us to his local park where we set up comms to Aldershot on a C11. In between times he took us to his parents house for the odd brew and sandwiches - the only problem I had was understand his mum - great times Terry. |
| Brian Earl | earlbrian933~AT~gmail~DOT~com |
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Does anyone have Jim Cambell's e mail address the one I used has bounced so I don't know if the one I have is wrong or he has changed it. Thanks
Sunday 4 October2020 - Ryton. Tyne&Wear
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| Paul Richardson | paul~DOT~richardson12~AT~btinternet~DOT~com |
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Memories. The Beverley - what a great beast that was. Sgt Vic Kelly my troop sergeant in '59 another great beast, or so he appeared to an 18 year old crap-hat on the induction course. Vic you were the only sergeant I actually got on with. But Clive sullivan what a guy, Vic new him. He and I bunked together in Elles. I remember him going up to Hull to play a game and he scored 3 trys and was signed on there and then. Great excitement on the Monday when he told us the news and that Hull FC had given him a thousand pounds signing on fee. That seems quite a lot for a rugby league club 1961? He played I think at least 3 seasons while in the squadron. He had a rotten car crash in '63 and was badly injured but was playing again within 3 months. He left the army in 1964 and continued playing for Hull FC and he also became captain of the Great Britain team. He died far too early in his forties. RIP Clive.
Saturday 3 October2020 - North Yorkshire
Webmaster comments Obviously lots of memories Paul, take care and hopefully see you next year. |
| Keith Weller | keith~AT~keithweller~DOT~plus~DOT~com |
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Squadron Plaque - As anyone got an old Squadron Plaque 60/70’s timescale they could take a picture of and send to me – just doing a little research. Many Thanks KW keith@keithweller.plus.com Wednesday 30 September2020 - Worcestershire
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| John Thompson | John~AT~airborneit~DOT~co~DOT~uk |
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Very sad to hear about the passing of yet another former sqn colleague. My thoughts go out to his family.
Wednesday 30 September2020 - Catterick Village
Webmaster comments Good to hear from you John but to who is your message directed. |
| Terry Brown | terryvivbrown~AT~virginmedia~DOT~com |
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Hello Harry, do you also remember the Hastings? Is Harry Drenan still around?
Saturday 26 September2020 - Whitley Bay
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| Harry Houston | harryhouston~AT~btinternet~DOT~com |
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I thought I would add my Beverley experience to the list. In the early sixties I was on a free fall course at RAF Abingdon. The procedure was that the course would sit in the boom while they dropped the static line trainees then go to whatever height was required. One morning we were joined by what I think was six RAF trainee stewards, who had to do one jump as part of their course. To make it easier for them they jumped from the boom. The first five managed successfully but the final one seemed to jump up in the air and landed still sitting in the plane with his feet dangling outside. By this time the lights had changed to red so we had to go round again when he managed to get out. It cheered us all up for the rest of the day.
Thursday 24 September2020 - Shifnal, Shropshire
Webmaster comments Good to hear from you Harry, its been a long time. |
| Jake Wade | robertwade16~AT~yahoo~DOT~com |
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Remember the Bev well. Its replacement the Argosy didn`t last long, did the Para trials on it in RAF experimental airfield(memory fails me as to its name) along with the type A and Tupe B chutes.
Thursday 24 September2020 - The Black Country
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| Alan Hogg | alan~DOT~hogg2~AT~btinternet~DOT~com |
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Everyone else probably knew it was the pilot's first solo Nod! I remember flying in a light aircraft from Nairobi to Nanuki with a Kenynan Air Force pilot in 1967, it was only when we landed that he told me it was his first solo and hadn't qualified yet.
Thursday 24 September2020 - Pateley Bridge
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| Brian Earl | earlbrian933~AT~gmail~DOT~com |
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Has anyone got any information about Sabu Hay (can't remember his first name) I know he was a jock and was a right nutter. A chap from 264 has got hold of his medals and is looking for info. on Sabu to compile a profile on him. I remember he was infamous for shooting a donkey when he was in Cyprus with 2 Para just before I went out to join them in 61.Does anyone know for certain if he served with the KOSB's before joining the Royal Signals?
Tuesday 22 September2020 - Ryton. Tyne&Wear
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| Brian Earl | earlbrian933~AT~gmail~DOT~com |
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Rex that Beverly was still there when we came back from holiday in India a few years ago we landed in Bahrain to refuel,and it was still a shithouse but had an excellent duty free.
Monday 21 September2020 - Ryton. Tyne&Wear
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| Rex Couch | rexcouch~AT~talktalk~DOT~net |
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Yes I too had made a few jumps from the Beverly and remember during the early sixties when in Bahrain a Beverlly had flown back from Kuwait and had parked on the runway about 300 yards from our tented camp then during the early hours of the morning it exploded. A bomb had been secreted on board in Kuwait. The remains of the aircraft was later used for exit training.
Sunday 20 September2020 - Birmingham
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| Terry Brown | terryvivbrown~AT~virginmedia~DOT~com |
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Remember it well. A good jump.
Tuesday 15 September2020 - Whitley Bay
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| Alan Hogg | alan~DOT~hogg2~AT~btinternet~DOT~com |
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Its use had been reduced in my early years but I remember it well, jumps from the boom were like sitting in an armchair. Very little lasts forever
Tuesday 15 September2020 - Pateley Bridge
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| Pete bibby | Peter-pambibby~AT~hotmail~DOT~com |
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Like Brian I remember jumping from the Beverly. Sad to see it go.
Monday 14 September2020 - Essex
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| Brian Earl | earlbrian933~AT~gmail~DOT~com |
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I jumped many times from the Beverly a great parachuting platform,always prefered the boom you just walked along until you dropped out of the hole. Be a shame to see it scrapped.
Monday 14 September2020 - Ryton. Tyne&Wear
Webmaster comments OK Brian, I wonder how many more... |
| Keith Weller | keith~AT~keithweller~DOT~plus~DOT~com |
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Airborne History - The last Blackburn Beverley is up for sale. See link below. Does anyone have memories jumping from this old lady. Should we save her..... https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/retro/call-buyer-save-last-1950s-raf-transport-aircraft-scrapheap-2967683 Just copy and paste. Sunday 13 September2020 - Worcrstershire
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| Vic Kelly | jokelly015~AT~gmail~DOT~com |
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Great to see all those who do remember me and recall past faces in this way. Noddy - I certainly do remember you very well and I must congratulate you on your long and successful marriage - just as well you didn't listen to me then! Sorry to hear about your dog.
Wednesday 9 September2020 - BH31 7DD
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| Chris White | chris~DOT~debs~AT~hotmail~DOT~co~DOT~uk |
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Last Thursday I traveled up to Stoke Trentham to play golf in the annual golf competition between the serving Squadron lads and the Veterans. Due to hospital appts Tom Moorhouse was unable to come. The event was organised by Kev Barrs at his local course and he held an after event party at his home. His wife and family booking into a local hotel for the night to give us free run of his home. It was a fantastic couple of days. Partnered with Jimmy Campbell I still managed to play crap which did not spoil the day. This event is normally part of the Caythorpe weekend which we know was restricted due to coved. Lets hope next year we can all meet again at our spiritual home at Caythorpe Monday 7 September2020 - Llanelly Hill
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| Terry Brown | terryvivbrown~AT~virginmedia~DOT~com |
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Sorry to hear of your loss Noddy I'm sure Freddy will rest in peace in dog heaven.
Sunday 6 September2020 - Whitley Bay
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| Alan Hogg | alan~DOT~hogg2~AT~btinternet~DOT~com |
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Sorry to here about your lad Bill, we have had 3 or 4 dogs at any one time for the last 40 years and losing never gets any easier. Our oldest Border Quincy aged 18 died a few months ago, shortly after our Chihuhua Ralph who died at age 10. Joe, our 10 year-old border has just survived a week in hospital with Cushing's disease and diabetes - we thought we had lost him but he is now doing reasonably well although Cushing's will shorten his life. So we just have two now, Joe and Lucy our 14 month old Cavalier King Charles. They have such short lives but the pleasure they bring to our lives almost makes up for the pain of losing them. The only good thing is that they can go to sleep painlessly instead of what many humans have to endure. So sorry mate
Sunday 6 September2020 - Pateley Bridge
Webmaster comments Hopefully we will all meet again |
| Noddy Irwin | tonymidge~AT~yahoo~DOT~com |
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Another sad day, my little dog named Freddy was put to sleep last night and I'm gutted. Rescued him in Spain when he was 4 months he was listed to be put down then so I just gave the girl 50 euro's and took him home. After 2 years we came home and I've had him since almost 14 years. The vet found heart problems and cancer so I had no choice but to let him go. I held him close to me while a sedative was given then the final injection. He was a lovely little lad and never hurt anyone. Love him to bits and we are both in pieces. 80 now so no more dogs couldn't go through this again.
Saturday 5 September2020 - Southport
Webmaster comments Know the feeling Noddy, we parted with ours a couple of years back - not easy. |
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