Sitting in the canteen one Friday with my fellow Maritime technology group I noticed a number of plain clothes heavies trying to be unobtrusive. They should get training for this, in the early 70's it did not work, at least with those of us from a military zone (N.Ireland). Pointed them out to my mates and commented that there must be affa imp person coming to visit. Never thought any more about it.
Next morning, in a partial alcoholic stupor, realized I had left some important notes in class. Quick brekkie, jumped in Landrover, down North road, screeched into King Edward V avenue. Braked, jumped out of car and ran across the lawn to doors of Maritime Department. Halfway across lawn suddenly found myself decked on grass with a very heavy person on top of me. At this stage of my career I was 12 stone of bronzed whipcord and a karate expert so this was rather embarassing rather than frightening.
Made the mistake of opening my trap and shouting (in a heavy Belfast accent), "what the F..k do you think you are doing!? Immediately assailed by three other gentlemen and handcuffed and taken inside the department building. Three hours later and only after we found my notes and compared hand writing was I allowed to leave. No explanation, no sorry for your trouble tax paying student. Made a few descrete inquiries with the uni management on Monday and found it was a visit by the boy wonder Prince Charles, only a month older than yours truly. Never did find out which branch they were from, probably 5 or special branch, given that their spoken english was quite good, which would rule plods and soldiers.
Reflecting on this these years later I have come to admire the professional expertise of our military and security classes. However, keep the old head below the parapet, you don't want these birds to be taking an interest in you. Vandals and muggers and even ter....s (do the security programs pick up partially spelt red flag words, comments please) fade in comparision to these gentlemen. God bless them all, really I mean that. We all need licenced thugs and gunmen to keep us safe these days and ours are the best in the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment