Ortona Dinner
 

My Carrier and I are off to the Ortona Dinner at the Seaforths tonite as guests.
Will try to get some shots
Regards
Jeff

Another shot
 

Carrier at back of parade square.

There is no finer use or tribute an MV can do than be a guest at an event like this. My carrier attended the officer and senior NCO annual dinner for the Princess of Wales Own Regiment in Kingston some years ago. The 'highlight' of the night was when the junior officers suggested we take the carrier for a spin about town. This was well after diner and after dinner drinks. I looked to the CO for salvation knowing he would never allow such nonsense. No, quite the opposite, he gave a simple nod and the carrier was soon overflowing with a dozen officers in their scarlet mess dress each with a charged sherry glass. Out the wooden front doors of the armoury we went, along Montreal Street and over to Princess Street where I made a 180 skid turn in the middle of the intersection, blackout lights giving as much illumination as possible to oncoming motorists. To this day I'm still finding shards of those sherry glasses when I do work on the old beast.

Many years ago I took one of my carriers to my units officers mess summer ball. At the end of the evening the col asked he could have a ride. So the carrier was soon full of ladies in ball dresses, officers in mess dress and the col in the gunners position , sword drawn and leaning forward over the front armour shouting charge at the top of his voice ( I think the drink had well and truly kicked in for him ) . We ran around the grounds of the stately home for about 20 mins . For months I was full bits of lace out of the back of the carrier , carriers and ball dresses don't mix .

Good fun all in all !

I had a request to bring my carrier out to the Westie 150th Anniversary gala ball this past November, to serve as a photo backdrop. I pointed out that the old wooden armoury floor supports probably wouldn't support the weight, and the floor has just been recovered, so track marks would be no no. However, old anecdotes around the regiment indicate that officers' sports cars made appearances and even did laps across armoury in those good old days.

Showing Carrier Colours!
 

Here, here!
I applaud Jeff, Bruce and Shaun for taking their carriers out of the "typical" parade comfort zone and for having some very memorable and unique "fun" at special events. I'm sure that each of the participants will have fond memories of the evening.
That being said, we all have to remember that there are people out there that will jump all over us if there were to be an "incident" with one our carriers at a special event. They wouldn't want us on the roads or at any remembrance occasions, they would want special escorts, licences and insurances, they would want the vehicles to be "static" and "safe" verses functional and actual.
So, let's be careful and respectful while demonstrating our machines. The restoration effort is a whole lot sweeter when you get the chance to drive them out in public.

Westies Carrier
 

Hey Hans the regiment used to park their Carriers on the parade square .
I believe the floor is 2x10 on edge with Tarmac put over it in ww2
Jeff

Don't be fooled into thinking these events aren't done without a 100% commitment to safety and courtesy. I 'commandeer' four privates to spot on all four sides of me for show and whether I think I need it or not. I insist on the most proficient military member I can find as a ground guide and won't move without eye contact. I ask them for a drip pan before they offer one even thought the carrier doesn't leak. When I fill the carrier with those wanting a ride they get a safety briefing. Even so, when it's military event, and assuming it's not cadets or recruits, I usually get a feeling they know their way around military vehicles and rarely give me cause for concern in that regard.