David Gell 🇺🇦
@ex_major
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Proud grandfather, British Army, flying, football, mental health, food & drink, to name but a few. All views very definitely my own.
Wiltshire
Joined January 2013
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I didn’t really know the difference at the time, but because of academic results was advised to join the
@BritishArmy
as an officer. I failed selection, but joined as a Private & achieved a 39 year career; becoming a pilot & an officer & wouldn’t change a minute of it
@LMG12237
24
7
462
@VeteranIrish
I think
@HCav1660
ought to get CO HCMR to find this Blues Tpr and give him a commendation.
An inspiration and just the sort of lad that promotes the best of the
@BritishArmy
. I’d have him in my recruiting team tomorrow. 🐴🚁
7
22
438
What a sad day. Entered service with
@BritishArmy
in 1973. I started flying them in 1985. Is it time for me to retire or just change the pictures in my office? 3500hrs (or 145 days) flying you. RIP Gazelle. 🚁😢
30
22
327
@NFFC
What a great result - making
@LUFC
look very ordinary. Difficult to understand how they’re still in second place; offering so little.
#chokedonthebigoccasion
188
91
301
Photos clear out and discovered this. 16 years into my 39 years in uniform. Halcyon days in Cyprus. 🚁
17
6
286
My current job takes me to
@RMASandhurst
weekly & it looked resplendent today. Having failed “RCB” in 1980, I joined as a soldier & as an LE officer I didn’t train there. Annoyingly my 98yr old Mum teases me each time I call & says “well done, got there in the end”. Great 🙄
11
8
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13 Jan 91 preparations now well underway in Al Jubail - even got my washing dry! Queued for 2.5hrs for a phone in Camp 4 to ring UK to find out if the baby had arrived. He had - 8lbs 9oz. He was to be over 2 months old by the time I saw him. Happy Birthday Edward.
#DesertStorm30
10
7
238
Welcomed this happy little chap (and my second grandchild) to the family at 0015hrs this morning.
#proudgranddad
#futureAHpilot
😍👶
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1
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A glass of wine and starting to do some polishing ready for tomorrow.
7
5
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Love my Kurdish barbers.
“Would you like me to do your nose Sir?”
“Errrrrr I don’t know, what is it? Oh go on then”
All I could think of was “WIBBLE”.
#BlackAdder
@pitchblacksteed
@BlackadderQtes
25
3
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OK - so here’s one for a Sunday evening - what spurred you on to take up your profession? In my case Mum bought me this
@ladybirdbooks
book of The Soldier (which cost 2’6 in the 60s) and that resulted in almost 39 years in uniform.
26
8
162
@ST0NEHENGE
Surprised these days, you’ve not installed some sort of mechanical device to save this faff twice a year. Something like a train turntable would do the trick.
2
5
160
In the words of TS Eliot “this is the way the world ends, not with a bang but a whimper”. Big emotional day for me today as I hang my boots up. Last day in uniform as I turn 60 at 0001hrs after a 38yr 11mths Army career
#1WFR
@Army2MERCIAN
#AAC
@ArmyAirCorps
Loved every minute.
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15
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Never mind the depressing announcement that pubs are now closing at 2200hrs, here’s some better news (for me at least!) Grandad for the second time - next April. 😍
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2
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44 years ago today I joined the
@BritishArmy
and even after all this time (including 39 years in uniform), I haven’t fallen very far from the tree as a
@DefenceHQ
@UKCivilService
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9
139
Today was the day to move mine &
@helenhbristol
Mum from very nearly 101 years in
#Nottingham
(it’s her birthday on Tuesday) to be closer. The most precious cargo I’ve had driving back South. It’ll be fantastic to see much more of you though Nottm will always be considered “home”
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3
134
#MilTwitter
are all probably fed up of the C130 farewell flypast, but here’s one of them low-level over SPTA talking to Salisbury Ops. Spent a lot of my career in one and not every day you say this, but the
#Gozomemebirds
were spot on time. 🦀✈️👋
20
12
133
Unless I’m having a senior moment, I don’t recall seeing this painting before. Spotted yesterday at Wallop. How could I have missed it? Need to find a print of it, but for now it is elevated to my Twitter profile.
#OpGranby
#Mightevenbeme
🚁
12
4
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A great day at
@RMASandhurst
and even though I see our Apache AH every day at work, I’m still in awe. The flip side is that it makes me realise how much I miss flying. 🚁
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13
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@KeyserSosse
@skidders67
Another tragic and sad death from those dark days. Worth reading his Company Commander’s words. Sleep well Paul.
6
19
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Is it just me, or do any other old soldiers still cover one eye to protect your night-vision? A lesson learnt in 1980 and never forgotten.
#oldhabitsdiehard
25
1
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Well that’s the end of my
#OpGranby
diary journey, but don’t worry - I’ve got my big boy pants on. Thanks for sticking with me. See in you in 10 years for the 40th if I’m still around, or an anniversary of another
#OpTour
Thanks to
@JohnNicholRAF
for starting
#DesertStorm30
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2
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Spookily it was 19 years & 1 day since I last flew. Fantastic to have the opportunity today. Not too rusty either. Thank heavens for muscle memory.
11
3
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Where did the years go? My little baby got married yesterday. Amazing day in a stunning location - Carlowrie Castle
#Edinburgh
🏴🥂
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I kept a diary and I’ve just checked. 30 years ago I was on DDD Range practising JAAT missions - as an FAC I probably even spoke to
@JohnNicholRAF
that day. We then ended up in 3R at 2345hrs when the sirens sounded. I wrote “war seems inevitable”.
#DesertStorm30
5
2
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62 years young today. A very different birthday on the cusp of
#lockdown
. Some lovely messages but not able to see my daughter or granddaughter due to
#COVID19
but what an amazing present from my clever sister
@helenhbristol
. I might even loan them to
@armyflying
&
@DanBall2019
33
6
101
Ready for an early start tomorrow.
@ArmyAirCorps
#RegimentalSelectionBoard
for those in the
#IntermediateTerm
@RMASandhurst
looking to commission as a Pilot or Aviation Support Officer. Good luck to all 16 being interviewed.
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40 years ago today, I joined the Army. Pushed through to almost 34 years in the
#Regular
Army and 5 as a
#Reservist
. I had an amazing time wouldn’t change a second of it.
#1WFR
@Army2MERCIAN
@ArmyAirCorps
@BritishArmy
#confidence
12
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FOR SALE
Patio furniture
Trampolines
Footballs
Wheelie Bins
Various prices, but keep checking as new stock is arriving every 5 minutes.
4
11
100
Working
@RMASandhurst
today. Going to be a sticky one in the suit.
#noaircon
#shortsandflipflopsyesterday
17
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Anyone else have a box of old badges still lurking in their sewing kits? Didn’t quite realise the extent of my hoarding! Not much call for them now 😬
25
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Early start today for
@RMASandhurst
Sovereign’s Parade. It’s going to be a scorcher. Good luck to the Officer Cadets of Commissioning Course 213 who march up those famous Old College steps.
4
1
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Just turfing out the last box of uniform stuff & found this. I’m sure the QM (or Her Majesty) won’t want it back, so I’ve donated it to a beater on the local shoot. Clearly the badges came off - at 63 I might need them again…….. 😬
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Salisbury Plain this morning. “Cumulonimbus” - Paula Fisch. Channel 9 weather.
@TheFastShow1
(Still miss Caroline 😕)
5
1
92
42 years ago today I walked through the gates of Whittington Barracks aka Depot Lichfield to start my
@BritishArmy
career. Over 38 years in uniform & still doing my bit to support now as a Civil Servant. I think it was inevitable as there had been so many influences
11
1
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10 Mar 91 - took part in a 33 a/c “victory” flypast. No-one appreciated it. Flew my aircraft back to Al Jubayl past Iraqi defensive positions & burning oil fields. Got told my date for going back - 15th on a C130 to Gütersloh.
#DesertStorm30
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@DominicFarrell
@RoyalFamily
@scobie
He’s the only person ever blocked me Dom after I called him out with his inaccurate blunders when the Queen passed away. He’s no loss to me, but I wish more would highlight his inadequacies so that he disappears like the C-lister he is.
5
7
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Thanks
@wiltscouncil
for sending 3 vans to make repairs to some of our potholes. The men didn’t seem to want me to take photographs, but I thought it would be helpful feedback that I monitor them for you (FOC) & provide updates to show the £26m grant is being spent efficiently.
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16
82
I was privileged to attend the closing of 674 Sqn AAC at RAF Barkston Heath after 18 years, marking the end of elementary flying training on FW aircraft for
@ArmyAirCorps
pilots. Guests all received mementos of the day. One of them (courtesy of
@ZestBrewery
) particularly appeals!
6
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81
This was WhatsApped to me, so it’s not original. But I find it very moving, can’t stop looking at it & wanted to share.
5
3
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Well if ever I needed an example of juxtaposition, then the next eight days will provide that. Abject sadness at my sister’s funeral today and then sheer delight at my daughter’s wedding next week. Life can be a rollercoaster of emotion.
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06 Feb 91 reveille 0500hrs. Quick egg banjo & depart at 0615hrs. Waited 1.5hrs at the RV for BALO-he didn’t turn up. Spent the pm ferrying spares for the Lynx. One of our aircraft parked 1km away as they couldn’t get in on NVG (maybe reflected in our inexperience)
#DesertStorm30
8
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Those who have served in green kit are encouraged to join a very easy challenge of posting a picture of your time in Service, no description. Copy this text to your timeline and put up a pic! Simples 👊🏻
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4
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Dad would have been 100 today. (Sadly he died 8 yrs ago). He was my role model & his stories of his time in the Northamptonshire Regt in WW2 were no doubt one of the reasons I joined the
@BritishArmy
41 years ago. I hope I made him proud. Miss you Dad.
@helenhbristol
@RAnglians
5
0
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@itisEyelaClaire
So institutionalised am I with the 5:3:3 that if if someone reads it back in a different format, I get confused and have to read it back again in 5:3:3.
7
1
75
Although I transferred to the
@ArmyAirCorps
in the ‘80s when I started flying, I never forget my
#Inf
roots with 1WFR. They’ve now been amalgamated into
@Army2MERCIAN
and I bought their tie - am I allowed to wear it? (My 1WFR tie was presented as Bn “colours” for football in’82).
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1
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Every time I pop across to
@armyflying
I take a minute to reflect on this. On
#OpGranby
#GulfWar1
this beast was our biggest threat. The ZSU 23-4 self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicle was capable of around 4000 rounds per minute from the 4 x 23mm cannons. Still a threat today!
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2
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My adorable grandson George was 6 months old yesterday. He already realises how competitive I am and I just know he was thinking - “bet you can’t do this Granddad” 👶👴🏻
8
0
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What a difference almost four months to the day makes.
#SovereignsParade
@RMASandhurst
tomorrow. Forecast is +1 degree so I’m going with boots, thick socks, thermals, coat, hat and topped off with my
@MinistryTartan
scarf.
8
2
68
Lovely to get up to
#Nottingham
to see Mum & celebrate a belated 99th birthday with
@helenhbristol
First time in over a year for both of us. Needless to say it included a trip to
@TheCodsScallops
(Mum’s favourite place to eat) oh and a drop of
@CRBrewery
Harvest Pale.
7
5
66
Not sure if this was a joke
@AndoverAd
but aircraft have been flying out of Middle Wallop since 1940. Since 1950 these aircraft have been helicopters and since 1957, these have been
@ArmyAirCorps
helicopters. If you came 7 miles to the
@armyflying
you could see lots of hovering.
11
7
63
#StormCiaraUk
visited our gate guardian........ Mind you, still slightly better than some of my landings!
#flyarmy
🚁
7
4
60
Love my job. Last night gave me the opportunity to catch up with Lachlan & Jack (now Officer Cadets on Commissioning Course 223
@RMASandhurst
) & present them with their certificates for being the best student on their respective Army Flying Grading courses. Good luck to both. 🚁
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0
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16 Feb 91 - never been one for sleeping, but last night was a cold desert night. New radios didn’t work, so back to 71 Ac Wksp again. Watched Raquel having her baby in “Only Fools & Horses”. Made me reflect (& sad) about Edward - the month old son I’d never seen.
#DesertStorm30
1
3
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@HRH_William_
Clearly I’m biased and the
@BritishArmy
were perfect as always, but I was blown away by the wonderful men and women of the
@RoyalNavy
on the carriage. My abiding memory of a sad but special and proud day.
0
0
60
22 Jan 91 - Lots of air raid warnings for more Scuds. Finished duty at Flash. Nice lunch there - pizza & chips!!! (My taste buds hadn’t matured). “Dessies” arrived - trousers are a bit tight but no doubt I’ll lose weight in the desert.
#DesertStorm30
2
2
59
OK - a year out - so this is 21 and not 20. A bit of “Charlie G” action (clearly with that wall, not on the ranges!)
#tankaction
#carlgustaf84
#puttees
#1WFR
@Army2MERCIAN
#meattwenty
7
1
53
Our lovely & amazing Mum is 98 today. A trip to Nottingham for a party was not an option; but thanks to her warden;
@helenhbristol
& I had the chance to WhatsApp video call her - first time we have “seen” her since before
#lockdown
. She looked very pleased with her knitted cake!
14
4
52
So……THE reason for coming home to
#Nottingham
this weekend was for
@helenhbristol
and my wonderful Mum reaching the amazing age of 100. Lovely party for her and the chance to catch up with family (including my rapidly growing fantastic grandchildren).
#telegramfromtheQueen
👑💯
9
3
53
A bit more sorting & found this. 39 yrs old. Daily tests in Bks & on NITAT Trg at Sennelager before our (1WFR) tour of West Belfast.
“If you are heading N on *** Rd & turn left, what’s the 2nd St on the right?”
Remembering the three brilliant soldiers we didn’t bring home. ☹️
12
5
53
02 Feb 91 - Day 17 of the war. Bombing campaign continues. It was a Saturday (a bit like
#lockdown
the days didn’t seem to matter). I didn’t fly, but worked in the Ops tent cutting and “fabloning” maps. Lecture on CASEVAC. A real sense of calm before the storm
#DesertStorm30
4
2
53
My lovely granddaughter Ava is 2 today. Where on earth did those years go? 😍
6
1
54
Collected my daughter & son-in-law to take them to Heathrow v. early this morning. Had to pull in at the
@armyflying
gates to get this photo over the hangars & tower.
@ArmyAirCorps
#nofilter
5
2
53
10 Feb 91. Supposed day off but managed to get a CP stag. Another INT brief in the afternoon and started painting “Invasion” stripes on the aircraft - to help with identification. Rumours of 12 containers of mail - I got 2 Blueys! 🙄
#DesertStorm30
1
2
52
Fantastic
#BurnsNight
at Wallop last night. Rolled out the wonderful
@MinistryTartan
for the evening. Hope it inspired others to look up your amazing regimental tartans. 🥃🕺
5
3
51
11 Feb 91 - 5th to fly but my aircraft needed some work. A visit by 1 US Div. - what great aircraft - though I’m sure they were impressed with the
#Gazelle
......... Our Lynx practised night CASEVACs - all well & good until they wrecked our tent (The Swamp)
#DesertStorm30
1
4
51
18 Jan 91 Gas alert at 0520hrs. In & out of respirators all a.m. Big discussions on tactics in the p.m. (our tactics were still Cold War focused). On stag tonight to fly aircraft out of Flash if attacked. Int suggests KKMC and East coast towns will be hit tonight
#DesertStorm30
5
1
50
After this fantastic spell of weather the forecast for the early part of the next period of lockdown is rubbish. Just glad I managed to capture this stunning sunset
@ST0NEHENGE
@EH_Stonehenge
this evening.
#StayHomeSaveLives
2
7
49
Cutting my daughter’s lawn with helpful hints from my lovely grandchildren who appear to be gardening experts. 🙄🙄
#thisaintmyfirstrodeo
5
0
51
Nearly time to return to posting photos of sunrises, sunsets, cute dogs, bottles of gin or what I’ve cooked, but there’s still bits of mementos around my house. Needless to say - all 🇺🇸 & from PX’s.
#DesertStorm30
6
3
49
On a sailing holiday on Croatia and randomly came across this FANTASTIC condition Fuego on the side of our mooring in the marine. Brought back so many memories of tax-free cars in
@Posted_to_BAOR
. Views
@Only9built
?
6
0
48
07 Feb 91 - not sure if C130 story is true (someone on here will confirm/deny). Got uniform washed & had full strip wash. Had FAC lecture from someone called “Gus” (presumably BALO). Whinge from REME - aircrew didn’t do stags - ended up in the gun trench for 2hrs
#DesertStorm30
3
2
49
01 Mar 91 - 1st to fly. Led a pair of Gazelles to support
@32RegtRA
in mapping positions in Obj. TUNGSTEN. Unbelievable Infantry trench positions & dug in vehicles/artillery pieces as far as the eye could see.
#DesertStorm30
2
4
47
So…… today I thought I need a clear out of boxes I’ve not looked on for years. I was issued this stuff in Jan 1980 & have been out for almost 3 years so I hope the QM is doing an amnesty 😬
@Posted_to_BAOR
13
0
47
Granddad duties after golf though George didn’t seem particularly impressed on my tale of the birdie on the 9th. 👴🏻🏌🏻♂️⛳️👶
6
0
47
Though this is war, all normal flying processes (auths, signing out aircraft, flying hours etc) were maintained. We were issued a separate log-book. Mine doubled as a photo album & scrapbook (inc dodgy loo paper!) Had to transfer hours to my regular log book later.
#DesertStorm30
3
0
48
If you need your loo and shower shifted, then just ask your colleagues in Lynx Flight to help. (Fortunately I’d just finished my ablutions!)
#NoJobTooTough
#DesertStorm30
7
6
48
Not to be too outshone by the
@NAM_London
our very own Lynx Mk9 “gate guardian” has been popped into place outside our new HQ AAC.
@ArmyAirCorps
@Proud_Sappers
@Official_REME
#armyaviation
#flyarmy
🚁
1
5
47
Next door neighbour is having some work done on his roof.
I’m always in awe of the master thatcher and their trade.
3
2
46
@planetjedward
Some days I wonder why I’m on Twitter when I read such insensitive, offensive comments such as this. For the vast majority of the time I scroll right past, but then every so often get incensed by immature nobodies.
3
0
43
Someone tried to tell me that www. stands for World Wide Web. And there’s me thinking it’s Wednesday Wiltshire Wobbly.
#ifyouknowyouknow
6
2
46
24 Jan 91. Air raid shelter filled in. Wont miss it, nor the alarms. Visited a nearby US unit & swapped a JHW for a computer-generated camo parka & trousers (still got them somewhere). Phoned wife for the last time heard my 3 yr old cry “Daddy” in the background.
#DesertStorm30
4
1
45
Sadly my
@MilitaryBanter
mug didn’t arrive. So I might treat myself to this from
@armyflying
for 🎄. Donations gratefully received.
5
3
45