closing tag is in template navbar
timefactors watches



TZ-UK Fundraiser
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 50 of 70

Thread: Finding out about TA service, have I uncovered a Walt?

  1. #1

    Finding out about TA service, have I uncovered a Walt?

    As this is a public forum I can't go into too many details but I had heard that a work colleague previously told one of the ladies he had been in the SAS. Yeah, right.

    Anyway, the same guy told me on Monday that he had been in the TA. Bear in mind he's quite a senior figure. Can't say anymore than that.

    Now, on the face of it, I wouldn't have thought it's so easy to be in the TA in education. Industry - yes - I have worked with colleagues in the TA in industry.

    Next, there's no iconography or symbology, old regimental memorabilia, mats, T shirts, etc, and there's been no involvement over the years in the Armistice Day events we've done. Nothing. Just out of the blue "when I was in the TA".

    £1 says he's lying. I'm thinking there must be some public record of TA service. Anyone got any links or websites I can investigate further?

  2. #2
    Master dice's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    London, UK
    Posts
    1,562
    Possibly meant "Teaching Assistants"?

    Doubtful he meant anything else other than the SAS we're assuming it is...unless he meant "slimy and sneaky".

  3. #3
    Master Christian's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    London
    Posts
    9,876
    I know “stolen valour” is taken very seriously in the US but as someone who has done 17 years in the military, I think I’d just be inclined to just ignore a fantasist.

  4. #4
    Master
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    ' EXEMPLO DUCEMUS '
    Posts
    5,770
    If these potential Walt had seen service in the Regiment he would generally speaking not tell / brag about it. I know guy's who have served and 9 / 10 time's they will always tell you what badge they initially signed up to serve with. There is an SAS page on Facebook, someone on there will be able to say whether or not this guy is legitimate.

    Hope that help's.

  5. #5
    Teachers Association maybe? I can imagine it might feel the same for someone with an active imagination.

    I have a few friends, and many work colleagues and associates over the years who have served - it's always a mix of who talks about a lot about their time and those that don't. A couple of people that I no longer work with were particularly vocal, but then they had each been discharged.
    It's just a matter of time...

  6. #6
    Yes it does, thanks. As he didn't tell me specifically he was in the SAS I'll take that as a funny anecdote but for a short while I taught at Blandford Camp, the Signals Regiment, and personally I think anyone who has served in the military (I haven't) should be treated with more respect than to pretend you've served as well. That's all.

    All your comments are well received though.

  7. #7

    Finding out about TA service, have I uncovered a Walt?

    Quote Originally Posted by catch21 View Post
    Yes it does, thanks. As he didn't tell me specifically he was in the SAS I'll take that as a funny anecdote but for a short while I taught at Blandford Camp, the Signals Regiment, and personally I think anyone who has served in the military (I haven't) should be treated with more respect than to pretend you've served as well. That's all.

    All your comments are well received though.
    What were you doing at Blandford, and when? I might know you

    Just ignore it, bit weird diving into if he’’’s not pacing around in a beret and chest-full of medals and it’’s causing probs.
    There are loads of walts about. If he references the TA again just ask him directly about it and if it starts to bleed into your working relationship, choose how awkward you want to make it by possibly finding out he’ a blagger.

    Forget the SAS thing, god forbid anyone overheard me trying to chat up someone...... Pinocchio would be put to shame. Am sure I’ve been my fair share of vulcanologist, pilot, astronaut or whatever!

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Last edited by notenoughwrists; 12th February 2020 at 13:51.

  8. #8
    Master
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    N. Ireland
    Posts
    1,158
    Out of the 32 SAS men involved in the Iranian embassy assault, only 473 still survive.

  9. #9
    Master
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Birmingham
    Posts
    3,126
    There is a TA SF recon component I believe (21st and 23rd SAS?) so the 2 things he says are not mutually exclusive but then he is probably full of crap since I would imagine anyone who has served in such a capacity doesn't go round gobbing off about it.
    Last edited by Padders; 12th February 2020 at 14:00.

  10. #10
    The TA are sometimes known as the SASS, the Saturday and Sunday Soldiers.

  11. #11
    Master
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    ' EXEMPLO DUCEMUS '
    Posts
    5,770
    Quote Originally Posted by Groundrush View Post
    The TA are sometimes known as the SASS, the Saturday and Sunday Soldiers.
    This guy could have said he was ex SWAT. S ome W eekends A nd T uesdays.

  12. #12
    Master petethegeek's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Worcestershire
    Posts
    2,922

  13. #13
    I was, what was known as, a Burnham Lecturer there 2001/2002 sort of time. Teaching construction of IT networks and Unix.

  14. #14
    I’m sure I remember reading/hearing that Bear Grylls was in the SAS TA, which stuck me as odd at the time, surely there’s no such thing? - and surely he can’t have been in either?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  15. #15
    Master
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Cheshire, UK
    Posts
    5,144
    Quote Originally Posted by Padders View Post
    There is a TA SF recon component I believe (21st and 23rd SAS?) so the 2 things he says are not mutually exclusive but then he is probably full of crap since I would imagine anyone who has served in such a capacity doesn't go round gobbing off about it.
    This is true; he could have been in 23 group - he would have had plenty of time off as part of his job as a teacher :-) Does he live around Brum ?


    B
    Last edited by Brian; 12th February 2020 at 16:59.

  16. #16
    Grand Master hogthrob's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Essex, UK
    Posts
    16,848
    Ask him what's the colour of the boathouse at Hereford?

  17. #17
    Grand Master wileeeeeey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    N/A
    Posts
    19,005
    Quote Originally Posted by hogthrob View Post
    Ask him what's the colour of the boathouse at Hereford?
    Watched that recently. Amazing how Sean Bean became a movie star. The whole movie he looked like he was in the wrong movie and train spotting was on the set next door.

  18. #18
    Grand Master hogthrob's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Essex, UK
    Posts
    16,848
    Quote Originally Posted by wileeeeeey View Post
    Watched that recently. Amazing how Sean Bean became a movie star. The whole movie he looked like he was in the wrong movie and train spotting was on the set next door.
    I thought he played the part really well :-) One the rare movies where he doesn't die.

  19. #19
    Grand Master wileeeeeey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    N/A
    Posts
    19,005
    Quote Originally Posted by hogthrob View Post
    I thought he played the part really well :-) One the rare movies where he doesn't die.
    He did play it well but I was mainly shocked how someone who looked like an absurd junkie got a part in a major movie. Just didn't "look" like a star. Very good as a 00 and in GoT. The football movie about Sheffield Wednesday was superb.

  20. #20
    Grand Master hogthrob's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Essex, UK
    Posts
    16,848
    OK, I see what you mean now. Fun fact, Golden Eye was released three years before Ronin.

  21. #21
    Grand Master wileeeeeey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    N/A
    Posts
    19,005
    Ha, I had no idea. That'll teach me. While watching Ronin (about 2 weeks ago) I wrongly assumed this must have been his break out film or at least one of the early ones.

  22. #22
    Cant you trip up the liars with questions about what brand of boots were they given, what calibre rifle rounds did they carry, how many rounds did they carry at one time. Just basic questions that you cant answer on the spot if you never went through it.

  23. #23
    Grand Master
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Surrey
    Posts
    19,769
    I was permanent staff at Kingstanding
    RIAC

  24. #24
    Master
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Aberdeenshire
    Posts
    3,028
    Quote Originally Posted by RobDad View Post
    I’m sure I remember reading/hearing that Bear Grylls was in the SAS TA, which stuck me as odd at the time, surely there’s no such thing? - and surely he can’t have been in either?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    There are definitely reservist UKSF units. When I was a QARANC Nurse in a TA Field Hospital, (most of the Army Field Hospitals were reservist rather than regular.) one of the medics tried selection, several hardcore training weekends later, he dropped out due to injury.

    While most of our unit were specialist background, Nurses, doctors etc. Our 2IC was an Accountant, so I suppose a Teacher could find a role in some sort of reservist unit. Albeit not related to their day job.

    Dave
    Last edited by dforgrieve; 12th February 2020 at 22:51.

  25. #25
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Location
    Edinburgh, UK
    Posts
    302
    Quote Originally Posted by wileeeeeey View Post
    Watched that recently. Amazing how Sean Bean became a movie star. The whole movie he looked like he was in the wrong movie and train spotting was on the set next door.
    I thought it was deliberate and inspired casting - he was meant to look like a nervous Walt, which in fairness he did.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  26. #26

  27. #27
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Plymouth Devon
    Posts
    538
    No reason why a teacher can’t serve in the TA - commitments are evenings, weekends and a week or two in the summer. In fact probably ideal....

  28. #28
    Master ditchvisitor's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Salisbury
    Posts
    2,500
    Blog Entries
    4
    Quote Originally Posted by 100thmonkey View Post
    I was permanent staff at Kingslanding
    Must have been a long old slog to work.....


  29. #29
    Master
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Aberdeenshire
    Posts
    3,028
    Quote Originally Posted by ditchvisitor View Post
    Must have been a long old slog to work.....

    😂

  30. #30
    Quote Originally Posted by CriticalMass View Post
    No reason why a teacher can’t serve in the TA - commitments are evenings, weekends and a week or two in the summer. In fact probably ideal....
    Ok thanks, well I'm happy to stand corrected on that one.

  31. #31
    Quote Originally Posted by RobDad View Post
    I’m sure I remember reading/hearing that Bear Grylls was in the SAS TA, which stuck me as odd at the time, surely there’s no such thing? - and surely he can’t have been in either?
    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artists_Rifles

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/23_S...ment_(Reserve)

    As for Mr Grylls involvement, I think that it might have stretched as far as attempting selection. I stand corrected. He was in the Artists Rifles for a bit: https://mpora.com/camping/bear-grylls-really-sas/
    Last edited by Bravo73; 13th February 2020 at 09:05.

  32. #32
    Grand Master
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Surrey
    Posts
    19,769
    Quote Originally Posted by ditchvisitor View Post
    Must have been a long old slog to work.....

    Your Typo not mine
    RIAC

  33. #33
    SAS (saturdays and sundays) and weekend warriors were pisstake names for the TA in my area - maybe he was just using it in that context.

  34. #34
    Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Glasgow
    Posts
    5,622
    Quote Originally Posted by pugster View Post
    SAS (saturdays and sundays) and weekend warriors were pisstake names for the TA in my area - maybe he was just using it in that context.
    Sounds v plausible.

    Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

  35. #35
    Quote Originally Posted by catch21 View Post
    As this is a public forum I can't go into too many details but I had heard that a work colleague previously told one of the ladies he had been in the SAS. Yeah, right.

    Anyway, the same guy told me on Monday that he had been in the TA. Bear in mind he's quite a senior figure. Can't say anymore than that.

    Now, on the face of it, I wouldn't have thought it's so easy to be in the TA in education. Industry - yes - I have worked with colleagues in the TA in industry.

    Next, there's no iconography or symbology, old regimental memorabilia, mats, T shirts, etc, and there's been no involvement over the years in the Armistice Day events we've done. Nothing. Just out of the blue "when I was in the TA".

    £1 says he's lying. I'm thinking there must be some public record of TA service. Anyone got any links or websites I can investigate further?
    Deadly if armed with a board rubber.

  36. #36
    Master Papa Hotel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Not Edinburgh
    Posts
    7,487
    I worked with a guy who was TA, either 21 or 23 SAS, can't remember which. He knew I was ex army, the guy wasn't bullshi**ing someone who wouldn't be able to spot it. Sometimes it's real. Personally I'd feel more of a tit trying to make the guy prove it.

  37. #37
    I think Chris Ryan went into 23 Rgt as a stab then transferred into 22 as a regular.



    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  38. #38
    Grand Master Velorum's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    .
    Posts
    14,132
    According to Wikipedia, Lewis Collins that guy who appeared in The Professionala was in the TA (a parachute battalion) in the late 70s and early 80s. He applied to join the 'Teritorial SAS' but was rejected due to his celebrity status.

    I read this a couple of months ago and was surprised at the TA - SAS reference. I didn't realise that such specialist services operated on a part time basis. I am guessing that you already need to be in one of the mainstream sections of the TA so its more of a transfer arrangement.

    When I worked in the NHS I was asked by a number of people whether I was in the TA. This was not due to my Alpha Male persona and combat readiness as demonstrated by some deft bandaging but by the fact I'd had a vasectomy. TA = shooting blanks. Sarky buggers.


    .

    Sent from my SM-G970F using TZ-UK mobile app

  39. #39
    Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Glasgow
    Posts
    5,622
    Quote Originally Posted by Velorum View Post
    According to Wikipedia, Lewis Collins that guy who appeared in The Professionala was in the TA (a parachute battalion) in the late 70s and early 80s. He applied to join the 'Teritorial SAS' but was rejected due to his celebrity status.
    Sent from my SM-G970F using TZ-UK mobile app
    I always thought he should've been Bond, replacing Moore after Moonraker. Having seen a few old professionals episodes recently, I'm even more convinced.

    Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

  40. #40
    Grand Master jwg663's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    21.5 km From Moscow
    Posts
    16,881
    Quote Originally Posted by Velorum View Post
    According to Wikipedia, Lewis Collins that guy who appeared in The Professionals was in the TA (a parachute battalion) in the late 70s and early 80s. He applied to join the 'Teritorial SAS' but was rejected due to his celebrity status...
    You're kidding me. I thought the film 'Who Dares Wins' was a documentary!
    ______

    ​Jim.

  41. #41
    Master
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    liverpool, uk
    Posts
    3,186
    21st SAS used to have a base in Manchester going back around 15-20 years ago now (maybe longer) that was reservist or TA I went to a party there with some friends who’d joined after leaving the regs not sure if it’s still there. So 100% there is a TA SAS also a reservist Royal Marines with an SBS attachment too or at least there used to be. He may well have served in TA many moons ago maybe when a student who knows I’m not sure what the issue is and I’d be very worried if you could just look up an ex serviceman history on google leaving them potential targets for ira or others.

  42. #42
    Craftsman brummie64's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Location
    Staffordshire. UK
    Posts
    381
    The TA SAS also had a training base in Birmingham back in the 80s.

    Sent from my MAR-LX1A using Tapatalk

  43. #43
    Master
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Birmingham
    Posts
    3,126
    Quote Originally Posted by brummie64 View Post
    The TA SAS also had a training base in Birmingham back in the 80s.

    Sent from my MAR-LX1A using Tapatalk
    They still do if Wiki is to be believed. 23rd SAS (R) hq is in Kingstanding hence the earlier comments about there. 21st SAS (R) hq is next to Regent's Park.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artists_Rifles

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/23_Spe...ment_(Reserve)
    Last edited by Padders; 13th February 2020 at 21:42.

  44. #44
    Craftsman brummie64's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Location
    Staffordshire. UK
    Posts
    381
    Quote Originally Posted by Padders View Post
    They still do if Wiki is to be believed. 23rd SAS (R) hq is in Kingstanding hence the earlier comments about there. 21st SAS (R) hq is next to Regent's Park.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artists_Rifles

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/23_Spe...ment_(Reserve)
    Missed that Padders apologies. My eyes are not as young as they were.

    I lived over in Kingstanding many moons ago and never understood what it was for many years.

  45. #45
    Journeyman
    Join Date
    Aug 2018
    Location
    midlands uk
    Posts
    183
    Was also common to refer to TA members as the SAS, standing for Saturday And Sunday, soldiers


    Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app

  46. #46
    Grand Master Velorum's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    .
    Posts
    14,132
    Quote Originally Posted by stefmcd View Post
    I always thought he should've been Bond, replacing Moore after Moonraker. Having seen a few old professionals episodes recently, I'm even more convinced.

    Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk
    I think that he auditioned for the part.

    I agree, he would have made a good 007.

    He was an interesting character. Aside from the macho stuff he was also a musician and liked art.


    .

    Sent from my SM-G970F using TZ-UK mobile app

  47. #47
    Master
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Bury, UK
    Posts
    2,332
    there was a column in the Guardian some years back of embarrassing dinner party moments that readers had had and one of the letters was about a dinner where the hostess recounted how before her marriage her husband was often away as he was in the SAS. One of the guests then started asking questions to the host about his time in the Regt - dates of service, certain people etc. Of course the questioner had in fact been in the Regiment and the dinner dissolved into an embarrassment that the host had clearly lied (and what had he been doing)?

  48. #48
    Grand Master Carlton-Browne's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Berlin, London and sometimes Dublin
    Posts
    14,907
    Speaking of walts...
    In the Sotadic Zone, apparently.

  49. #49
    Quote Originally Posted by Carlton-Browne View Post
    Speaking of walts...

    Surely that’s the latest “Company” car?
    It's just a matter of time...

  50. #50
    Grand Master Neil.C's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    SE England
    Posts
    27,035
    Quote Originally Posted by Velorum View Post
    I think that he auditioned for the part.

    I agree, he would have made a good 007.

    He was an interesting character. Aside from the macho stuff he was also a musician and liked art.
    He was in The Mojos in the '60's.
    Cheers,
    Neil.

    My Speedmaster website:

    http://www.freewebs.com/neil271052

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Do Not Sell My Personal Information