Tanks, Planes, Boats, Military Stuff

[Fireman]

Speaking of recovering old aircraft the Kee Bird was found on Greenland (I think) and a crew went out to recover the WWII era B-29. They had it all up and running and when they taxiied for take off a fuel container for the auxiliary power unit came loose and started a fire. They lost the aircraft. During the recovery phase one of the mechanics died of internal issues. That is dedication!!

I think it was a episode of Nova that chronicled this event.

[NWoBHM]

We used to live a few hundred yards from Knightwick Chapel, in one of the old Farm Workers Cottages which used to house the tenant farmers for Knightwick Manor.

Knightwick Manor has an illustrious history of wealth, privilege and power around these parts, and the generations whom have lived there go down through history. Not surprisingly a lot of them are interred at the Chapel - One of whom I wrote about on this site ages ago, Flying Officer Edward (Teddy) Lawson, KIA flying a Blenheim Bomber over Norway in WW2.

But I knew I had seen a Royal Navy Admiral also buried there, and although I knew I had seen his gravestone, many times I have been back, (we live about a mile away now from the Chapel), but on each occasion I have been unable to find the plot.

Today I was successful (well I didn’t find the plot), but I met one of the descendants from the Manor, who was tending the Chapel. She found a file with all the Graves meticulously recorded, and there was my Admiral, one Admiral Robert Stevenson Dalton Cuming, DSO, CBE.

I was curious about this bloke, as where we are, you probably couldn’t be further from the sea in the UK in any direction, so wondered why an RN Admiral would be buried here, and what his career looked like.

Well, I have searched and found the "Gazetting" of his career and promotions, but absolutely no sign whatsoever of a distinguished military career, (despite the DSO) - So maybe he was lucky, married well, or whatever - anyway, some photos for you etc -

Knightwick Chapel - looking West towards Wales



Knightwick Manor



I havn`t been able to find an image of the bloke, but if I do will update later.

[knitterbookbinder]

Lovely story, NWo, and gorgeous photos. That manor house is quite charming, and the view of the chapel and surrounding countryside makes me wish I was heading to your side of the pond instead of to YYZ this week.

Calgary also couldn't be thought of as a hotspot for naval operations either, although there is an HMCS Calgary as well as a very active naval reserve community, and we are home to the Naval Museum of Alberta, which is larger than a telephone call box.

[NWoBHM]

Hi KBB, Yes this is "UK Old Money" going back to probably nicking it from some far flung place, and then investing it in farming.

I do like that shot of the Chapel - next stop Wales, then under Ireland and then over to you guys, from the direction the camera is pointed.

If you ever make it to Blighty - please do (if you have time) take a trip to Knightwick, the local pub (as old as the Manor, and I think once part of the estate), has it`s own micro brewary and lots of lovely old Scotch too..Would be a pleasure to share a drink with you there...

[knitterbookbinder]

ROFL -- I can see it now: the six-month NWoBHM-KBB tour of microbreweries and pubs, followed by a wee jaunt up to visit my friends and family in Scotland for the distillery visits.

Think we could get sponsorship by someone in Cornwall making traditional pasties and then blogging about the adventure?

And when we regain consciousness, what happens?

But I'll give the family credit: even if they are ripping off some other country, at least they are bringing it back to the UK and not sequestering themselves (and the ca$h) in a tax haven somewhere, says she with tax-refugee relatives.

[NWoBHM]

Quote:But I'll give the family credit: even if they are ripping off some other country, at least they are bringing it back to the UK

Hahaha That was then, is this was now, it would be in Cayman, British Virgin Islands, Isle of Man, Jersey, Switzerland etc, all off-shored, un taxable, sitting pretty.

Yep I up for some Pie and Beer when (or if) you make it to this fair shore.

PS you could PM Brutus, I think he will have a spare seat on his GS next year for a pillion. Mind you - I expect those Westside Beemer Boyz probably have some Wild Hogg road rules, like A**, Grass or Gas, no-one rides for free!!

[knitterbookbinder]

Quote:That was then, is this was now, it would be in Cayman, British Virgin Islands, Isle of Man, Jersey, Switzerland etc, all off-shored, un taxable, sitting pretty.

I'd definitely take the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, especially Sark. Close enough to all the excitement when that's wanted or needed, far enough away to be quiet. Have a lovely tshirt from the Manx Pub in Ottawa, but that's the closest I've come to visiting: I guess watching the races on the TT course doesn't count?

Quote:Yep I up for some Pie and Beer when (or if) you make it to this fair shore.

Definitely when, mate!

Quote:PS you could PM Brutus, I think he will have a spare seat on his GS next year for a pillion. Mind you - I expect those Westside Beemer Boyz probably have some Wild Hogg road rules, like A**, Grass or Gas, no-one rides for free!!

Well, petrol is probably cheaper than Macallan 18, even over there.

[NWoBHM]

Quote:Channel Islands, especially Sark

Went there when the girls were about 8 and 6, and on the first day where saying why did the Germans bother invading....but later adjusted to the rhythm of the place and loved it.......I would love to go back, and were I to sell 1 million copies of the album, it would be on my list to live there.........

[NWoBHM]

Blimey - Forgot to mention, but last Saturday, talking to a mate outside my place, when a throaty roaring plane hoved into view and then banked left showing its beautiful eliptical wings, a mighty Spitfire. Probably on its way to an air show or coming home from one.

It must have been something to live in Kent and see a squadron zoom past.

[smoker guy]

(08-19-2012 07:42 AM)NWoBHM Wrote:  Blimey - Forgot to mention, but last Saturday, talking to a mate outside my place, when a throaty roaring plane hoved into view and then banked left showing its beautiful eliptical wings, a mighty Spitfire. Probably on its way to an air show or coming home from one.

It must have been something to live in Kent and see a squadron zoom past.

Lucky sight, Nwo. I'd love to see a Spirfire fly. They look fast just parked.