The day broke over
Aldershot, Lille Barracks on the morning of Wednesday 3rd
December 2003. The rain had held off, the birds were
singing, all looked like any other day in
Aldershot........WRONG!
It has been many a day since Aldershot has seen the
tradition of Hanging the Brick, an occasion upheld every
year no matter where we are (in some form), mess members of
the Sergeants' Mess were seen grabbing cardboard boxes out
of skips and turning them into a makeshift fancy dress
costume. The Junior Ranks of the Battalion were seen
visiting the cookhouse for rotten eggs, bags of flower and
other receptacles that would contain various liquids too
crude to mention!
At approx 11:30hrs that morning mess members of the
Sergeants' Mess began making there way into the mess, where
a few soft drinks were consumed before having our annual
photograph outside the mess. It should be noted that the
photographer was amazing in the way he was able to take
three separate photos of the mess members and piece them
together for a final photo. The powers of computers are
indeed amazing, although when he finally figures out that a
good 20% of the mess never moved and were on the first and
second image it should confuse him a little!!
WOII (Slinky) Adams was presented his gold watch from the
Regimental Sergeant Major, this must be the first time
someone has been presented his/her gold watch dressed as Ali
G!
Mess Members then left the Sergeants' Mess and marched round
the camp, and to the Guard Room, to collect the brick, this
was held by Sgt "Brian" Marshall. Escorts for the Brick were
provided by CSgt "Phil" Wetaherall & CSgt "Phil" Walton. It
was their over responsibility to protect the brick at all
costs from ANYONE who shouldn't be near it!
The Junior Ranks of the Battalion had other plans, ambushes
were sprung in various locations and the March was bombarded
with eggs, flower and fire hoses (amongst other things). The
march made it's way to the Officers' Mess to collect the
Officers of the Battalion, who joined on the rear of the
group.......keeping a wise distance!
The march then made it's way to Support Company's vehicle
sheds, where the occasion was to take place. The sheds had
been transformed into a make shift Hougoumnot Farm, and was
outstanding. The two sentries guarding the farm made the
challenge to the group, and once cleared made their way to
the "Farm" to allow the festivities to take part. The brick
was hung by Sgt "Brian" Marshall and the traditional scroll
read out to all.
The Corps of Drums took position and played throughout the
day, allowing various mess members to take part in playing
an instrument or two (proving that it's not as easy as it
looks!)
The day then unfolded into one of the best "Bricks" that the
Battalion has held. Some amazing costumes were shown, and
games were played that were very close to the knuckle (but
that's another story!).
Below are various images from the days occasion. A big
thankyou goes to EVERYONE who was involved in setting up and
running the brick.
|
Want
to see your advert "HERE"? ..... Send an e-mail to us via the contact page
below! 
