The Vicar of Disbrey
@dizzernp.bsky.social
I just want to marry a beautiful city girl who will make me biscuits. Man of (touching) the cloth: Chelsea FC, Harlequins, history generally and especially the 11th Suffolks in WW1.
You've had a busy day and social media ain't what it used to be, but perhaps you could turn your thoughts to this chap, 15812 Pte HW Billy Disbrey of 11th 'Cambs' Battalion Suffolks, missing in action on the #Somme 1st July 1916. Missed this day and every day. Bugles still calling from sad shires...
July 1, 2025 at 6:23 PM
You've had a busy day and social media ain't what it used to be, but perhaps you could turn your thoughts to this chap, 15812 Pte HW Billy Disbrey of 11th 'Cambs' Battalion Suffolks, missing in action on the #Somme 1st July 1916. Missed this day and every day. Bugles still calling from sad shires...
Not expecting this to get much attention, but... today 80 years ago, a blurry photo captures a blonde haired toddler, my aunt, raising a chubby fist in a mock Nazi salute to ridicule a stuffed straw effigy of Hitler, destined to burn amid celebrations in her Cambs village that night! #VEDay80 #VEDay
May 8, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Not expecting this to get much attention, but... today 80 years ago, a blurry photo captures a blonde haired toddler, my aunt, raising a chubby fist in a mock Nazi salute to ridicule a stuffed straw effigy of Hitler, destined to burn amid celebrations in her Cambs village that night! #VEDay80 #VEDay
By special request of Mr @nickfshortbskysoci.bsky.social - at the first sign of spring sunshine, the MG emerges from its slumbers...
March 27, 2025 at 6:27 PM
By special request of Mr @nickfshortbskysoci.bsky.social - at the first sign of spring sunshine, the MG emerges from its slumbers...
'Lostalgia'.
Tit.
Tit.
February 25, 2025 at 1:53 PM
'Lostalgia'.
Tit.
Tit.
Same vehicle photographed (poorly) by me during school visit, about 1983. Obscured by the fence, bottom left, is an armour section with projectile penetrations highlighted (smallish calibre). I had no Francs left, so had to watch with envy as other kids hit the museum gift shop for cool model kits!
February 2, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Same vehicle photographed (poorly) by me during school visit, about 1983. Obscured by the fence, bottom left, is an armour section with projectile penetrations highlighted (smallish calibre). I had no Francs left, so had to watch with envy as other kids hit the museum gift shop for cool model kits!
Wishing a very merry Christmas to all the good folks on here! Image shows 'Christmas day behind the firing line', courtesy of the Salvation Army. My Great Grandad (9th East Surrey 'Journey's Enders'), always donated to the Sally Ann because, he said, they were the ones found nearest the front line.
December 24, 2024 at 6:28 PM
Wishing a very merry Christmas to all the good folks on here! Image shows 'Christmas day behind the firing line', courtesy of the Salvation Army. My Great Grandad (9th East Surrey 'Journey's Enders'), always donated to the Sally Ann because, he said, they were the ones found nearest the front line.
I'd be most grateful if, during the course of your busy day today, you would momentarily turn your thoughts to this chap - 15812 Pte HW Billy Disbrey of 11th Battalion 'Cambs' Suffolks, killed in action alongside many of his comrades, near LaBoisselle Somme on this day, 1st July 1916. 'Stabilis'.
July 1, 2024 at 1:12 PM
I'd be most grateful if, during the course of your busy day today, you would momentarily turn your thoughts to this chap - 15812 Pte HW Billy Disbrey of 11th Battalion 'Cambs' Suffolks, killed in action alongside many of his comrades, near LaBoisselle Somme on this day, 1st July 1916. 'Stabilis'.
service the tanks of the Guards Armoured but were, by the fateful unpredictability of a sad twist of fate, destined never to fulfil their promise, nor ever to see Normandy. (End)
June 24, 2024 at 2:28 PM
service the tanks of the Guards Armoured but were, by the fateful unpredictability of a sad twist of fate, destined never to fulfil their promise, nor ever to see Normandy. (End)
in a rural Kent setting and stopped to investigate. So 80 years on remember these REME lads (the youngest I know of was 20 the oldest 38) part of a small (244 men all told), tight-knit, highly trained and technically skilled unit, who were at a peak of readiness to head across the Channel to (9/10)
June 24, 2024 at 2:28 PM
in a rural Kent setting and stopped to investigate. So 80 years on remember these REME lads (the youngest I know of was 20 the oldest 38) part of a small (244 men all told), tight-knit, highly trained and technically skilled unit, who were at a peak of readiness to head across the Channel to (9/10)
plaque. The 1956 wartime official history of the Guards Armoured Division, though, makes no mention of this tragic incident. I first became aware as a local journalist (the Ashford area was my 'patch') when, driving past, I saw the CWGC memorial cross from the nearby main road, thought it... (8/10)
June 24, 2024 at 2:27 PM
plaque. The 1956 wartime official history of the Guards Armoured Division, though, makes no mention of this tragic incident. I first became aware as a local journalist (the Ashford area was my 'patch') when, driving past, I saw the CWGC memorial cross from the nearby main road, thought it... (8/10)
...a service of remembrance was held by survivors of the unit. Later a stone memorial was raised to replace the original wooden cross. In addition, memorial gates were placed at the entrance to Lenham Cemetery, with plaques attached recording the event. The local church also has a memorial... (7/10)
June 24, 2024 at 2:26 PM
...a service of remembrance was held by survivors of the unit. Later a stone memorial was raised to replace the original wooden cross. In addition, memorial gates were placed at the entrance to Lenham Cemetery, with plaques attached recording the event. The local church also has a memorial... (7/10)
Captain Cliff Gough recorded on a slip of paper the names and burial positions of all 46 REME dead. It was placed in a bottle, sealed and buried beneath the cross. A service was held the following day, with a special additional Jewish service on 26th June for Craftsman Lazarus. One year on... (6/10
June 24, 2024 at 2:25 PM
Captain Cliff Gough recorded on a slip of paper the names and burial positions of all 46 REME dead. It was placed in a bottle, sealed and buried beneath the cross. A service was held the following day, with a special additional Jewish service on 26th June for Craftsman Lazarus. One year on... (6/10
...Guardsmen stationed in the area. Each set of remains was wrapped in a grey army blanket. Those who could be positively identified had a label attached with personal details. A wooden cross had been made during the day and was used to mark the grave. Before it was positioned the unit's 2I/C (5/10)
June 24, 2024 at 2:25 PM
...Guardsmen stationed in the area. Each set of remains was wrapped in a grey army blanket. Those who could be positively identified had a label attached with personal details. A wooden cross had been made during the day and was used to mark the grave. Before it was positioned the unit's 2I/C (5/10)
and dying men sprawled across the ground in a vision from Dante. 46 had been killed. Some 30 more were wounded - six would subsequently die. Security dictated a rapid clean-up of mangled remains and a night 'active service' burial by lamplight. A massed grave had been dug during the day by... (4/10)
June 24, 2024 at 2:24 PM
and dying men sprawled across the ground in a vision from Dante. 46 had been killed. Some 30 more were wounded - six would subsequently die. Security dictated a rapid clean-up of mangled remains and a night 'active service' burial by lamplight. A massed grave had been dug during the day by... (4/10)
white light, heat and blast - the morning ripped apart. A doodlebug, chased by a Spitfire (likely flown by Flt Lt Ivor Watson of 165 Sqdn) had found a target in the 6th (Guards) Workshop. Smashing the corner of a barracks, it all but obliterated the camp, levelling seven Nissen huts. Dead... (3/10)
June 24, 2024 at 2:24 PM
white light, heat and blast - the morning ripped apart. A doodlebug, chased by a Spitfire (likely flown by Flt Lt Ivor Watson of 165 Sqdn) had found a target in the 6th (Guards) Workshop. Smashing the corner of a barracks, it all but obliterated the camp, levelling seven Nissen huts. Dead... (3/10)
Kent's summer skies with ominous regularity. And some - quite a few - were dropping short. At 6am on Saturday 24th June 1944 the early birds of 6th (Guards) Tank Workshop REME camp at Newlands Farm were wiping the sleep from their eyes when they were engulfed by an instantaneous cacophony of (2/10)
June 24, 2024 at 2:23 PM
Kent's summer skies with ominous regularity. And some - quite a few - were dropping short. At 6am on Saturday 24th June 1944 the early birds of 6th (Guards) Tank Workshop REME camp at Newlands Farm were wiping the sleep from their eyes when they were engulfed by an instantaneous cacophony of (2/10)
The fortunes of war can be fickle. Sometimes they weigh in your favour; sometimes not. 80 years ago today an incident near the tiny mid-Kent village of Charing brutally illustrated this. Hitler's V1 doodlebug campaign was in its early weeks. Buzz bombs aimed at London cut trails across (Thread 1/10)
June 24, 2024 at 2:23 PM
The fortunes of war can be fickle. Sometimes they weigh in your favour; sometimes not. 80 years ago today an incident near the tiny mid-Kent village of Charing brutally illustrated this. Hitler's V1 doodlebug campaign was in its early weeks. Buzz bombs aimed at London cut trails across (Thread 1/10)
In all the performative, 'look at me' D-Day 80th anniversary hoo-ha, a small reminder that not all the day's casualties lie in Normandy. These Royal Engineers rest, with a good few comrades, in CWGC St James's Cemetery, Dover. I wonder whether anyone gave them a thought today. Well, now *you* have.
June 6, 2024 at 5:08 PM
In all the performative, 'look at me' D-Day 80th anniversary hoo-ha, a small reminder that not all the day's casualties lie in Normandy. These Royal Engineers rest, with a good few comrades, in CWGC St James's Cemetery, Dover. I wonder whether anyone gave them a thought today. Well, now *you* have.
Minor hiccup encountered during spring lube, tweaking and run-up of Winnie (Jeep), after her winter slumber. A tad annoying and a tenner down the drain, since I don’t have a spare! :(
April 13, 2024 at 5:37 PM
Minor hiccup encountered during spring lube, tweaking and run-up of Winnie (Jeep), after her winter slumber. A tad annoying and a tenner down the drain, since I don’t have a spare! :(
A very happy Easter to all you lovely Blue Sky types - the pisanki are out in all their glory...!
March 31, 2024 at 12:22 PM
A very happy Easter to all you lovely Blue Sky types - the pisanki are out in all their glory...!
Haven't watched a single episode of Masters of the Air (my lowly vicar's stipend doesn't stretch to installing 'posh' telly in the vicarage) but for Mothers Day I thought I'd go with a little WW2 'MotA' theme for all the mums out there. Hope all mummies everywhere have a fabulous day!
March 10, 2024 at 1:23 PM
Haven't watched a single episode of Masters of the Air (my lowly vicar's stipend doesn't stretch to installing 'posh' telly in the vicarage) but for Mothers Day I thought I'd go with a little WW2 'MotA' theme for all the mums out there. Hope all mummies everywhere have a fabulous day!
The answer to this morning's 'Sunday Conundray'? It's a clinometer for using rifle grenades with the SMLE. In fact a 'Sight, pendulum, rifle grenade No1 MkII' (the MkI had an enamelled graduation plate). It clipped (as shown - more or less) to the rifle's backsight leaf. Thanks all who pitched-in.
March 3, 2024 at 8:24 PM
The answer to this morning's 'Sunday Conundray'? It's a clinometer for using rifle grenades with the SMLE. In fact a 'Sight, pendulum, rifle grenade No1 MkII' (the MkI had an enamelled graduation plate). It clipped (as shown - more or less) to the rifle's backsight leaf. Thanks all who pitched-in.
A little 'Sunday Conundray' for all you WW1 folks on here. I picked this up on a Somme field at the tender age of six on my first ever visit to the battlefields. I knew immediately it was 'something army' but I wasn't sure just *what*. Anyone care to take a guess...? (Answer later; ruler for scale).
March 3, 2024 at 11:33 AM
A little 'Sunday Conundray' for all you WW1 folks on here. I picked this up on a Somme field at the tender age of six on my first ever visit to the battlefields. I knew immediately it was 'something army' but I wasn't sure just *what*. Anyone care to take a guess...? (Answer later; ruler for scale).
Sad to hear about the death of David Soul. Everyone going on about 'Starsky & Hutch', but for me he was at his best confronting the Master in 'Salem's Lot' - first time I really understood him as a 'serious' actor; while simultaneously being scared silly, as a youngster!
January 5, 2024 at 4:41 PM
Sad to hear about the death of David Soul. Everyone going on about 'Starsky & Hutch', but for me he was at his best confronting the Master in 'Salem's Lot' - first time I really understood him as a 'serious' actor; while simultaneously being scared silly, as a youngster!
Well, 2023 wasn't an unmitigated tale of joy and success - at least, not for me - so here's hoping for better in 2024. A happy New Year to everyone - may your spirits stay high!
January 1, 2024 at 1:59 PM
Well, 2023 wasn't an unmitigated tale of joy and success - at least, not for me - so here's hoping for better in 2024. A happy New Year to everyone - may your spirits stay high!