"Go Home British Soldiers, Go Home"

It seems like there has been more and more anti-soldier behavior occuring in Britain these days.  I have even more examples I could post.  With a husband in the Royal Marines, it's all personal (even though it should be personal to everyone).  The phone call from my husband last night made it all the more personal.

Royal had gone out on the town with three Marine buddies last night for a dinner and a drink.  These are good guys, I know one personally and respect the other two because of all Royal has told me.  Inviting Royal was especially sweet because they know he is alone and lonely there without me.  Had a nice time, a good meal at Wetherspoons.  They caught the last train out.  One 'got his head down' (slept) one had to make a phone call, and the last and Royal were enjoying conversation.  At least trying to.

There was a group of three teenagers who quickly caught on to the fact that Royal and his friends were 1. English and 2. Soldiers.  Their accents and the direction they were heading pretty much gave it away. These three decided to begin singing, literally at the top of their lungs

Go home British soldiers, go home
You ain't got no fucking home of your own

I'm not sure if they sang any more of it, that is just the part I was told.  Probably just repeated that over and over again. Many will recognize this as a song used in Ireland beginning in the late 1960s and on.  It's in support of the IRA and is anti-British government and obviously, British troops. 

Royal, again with self-control I do not have, leaned over and asked them politely to keep it down.  They said why?  He said because you're very loud and my mate's on the phone.  They said with who?  He said none of your business.  So they toned it down a bit.  There were another group of them further down who had also picked up singing.  Not so much a problem though, as they were not close. 

When the train came to the guys stop, they stood at the door and began cursing at the Marines, flipping the bird, and other rude gestures.  They also whispered to the other group of lads and pointing at Royal.  They got off the train and continued their swearing and bird-flipping.  Tapping on the windows and yelling. 
Royal got up out of his seat, went to the door, opened it and said (not so politely this time) that if they wanted to talk to come back on the train.  And he'd punch their lights out, all three of them.  Now, none of y'all have seen Royal, but he's a big guy with muscle.  Lots of 'em.  And the man is quick. 
The kids ran away.  Quick.

As soon as the train started again the second group of lads began the singing and thought it would be wise to stare menacingly at the Marines.  So they stared back.  The singing quieted down. 
At the next stop the guys went to get off and it was the same ol routine.  Right at the windows, yelling at the Marines.  This time when Royal got up, so did another Marine.  The language used was not intended for ladies.  Basically it was "if this wasn't the last train I would deal with you and it wouldn't be pretty". 
The kids ran away.  Royal sat back down, the kids came back.  They ignored them and the train pulled away. 

As if that wasn't enough, there's this.  A man came up to Royal on the train and said,
"Why didn't you just leave it alone?  Be the bigger man.  You're no better than they are.  Why didn't you leave them alone and let them get on? "

I have no clue what the kids were thinking.  I can't say if they were anti-war, like so many of the other disgusting anti-troop attackers. 
But they knew Royal was a soldier and they treated him like dirt.  Partly because he's English, partly because he's a Marine and partly because they can get away with anything they want to in Britain today.  Society, as proved by the man who approached Royal on the train after, will not stand up and take care of itself. 
They won't protect themselves and they certainly won't protect their soldiers.  It's too bad because they need more like Royal.  But he's leaving partly for those very reasons.  It breaks my heart. 

I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o' beer, The publican 'e up an' sez, "We serve no red-coats here." The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die, I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I: O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, go away"; But it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play, The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play, O it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play.

I went into a theatre as sober as could be, They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me; They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls, But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls! For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, wait outside"; But it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide, The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide, O it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide.

Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap; An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit. Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, 'ow's yer soul?" But it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll, The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll, O it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll.

We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too, But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you; An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints, Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints; While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind", But it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind, There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind, O it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind.

You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires, an' all: We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational. Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace. For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Chuck him out, the brute!" But it's "Saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot; An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please; An' Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool -- you bet that Tommy sees!

Rudyard Kipling's Tommy.


Update : Thank you Ace & Mudville, and the readers

Comments

[Pat]

I can't help wondering where this happened. In Warminster for instance where one of my sons live the army are looked on as there own and they grieve when they have casualties and rejoice when they come home.

[dagamore]

They sleep and live peacefully and ungratefully under the blanket of protection that the military of western countries give to the world. And then have the balls to not only complain about it, but to insult the ones that provided them with the freedom and protection that they have. I have never understood it, but hey at least the ‘dog and soldier keep off grass’ signs are gone from city parks.

[Goalie]

Perhaps Royal needs an "I AM A SNIPER" shirt to go with his menacing glare? I'm sitting here safely in the U.S., shaking my head at those kids. "You idiots...do you know what he's capable of?" Fear can be a useful motivator, aside from the concept of respecting one's elders and a uniform.

[British Patriot]

Did this happen in the Uk ? this is a Disgrace.

Please make sure the Troops know this is only a Minority.

Look at the Comments.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=410175&in_page_id=1770

[Kath]

Welcome Brit, It did happen in the UK and I agree it is absolutely a disgrace!
I will pass on to Royal what you've expressed and I encourage the British people to be loud and proud about their military men and women. Not once in the UK has my husband been thanked on the street for serving. Trust me, it means the world to those guys.

[Barry]

Be glad they were only kids, Had they been actual members. He and his mates would not have gotten off that train. But you have to understand one thing. Why has the british government fought so hard with the Irish over something that every person deserves. All they have ever wanted and fought to have was FREEDOM. Don't you think it's time your government understands this will never end. 800 hundred years, and will continue till Ireland is free. STAND FAST, NEVER BACKDOWN!

R. Barry

[Kath]

Hi Barry, you are entitled to your opinion and I to mine. We happen to disagree this time around, maybe it won't always be that way.

Besides that, I think you might have misunderstood what happened on the train. These kids were not Irish and what happened had nothing to do with your 800 years. They were punk kids trying to be macho (and probably close to drunk) and knowing that the Royal Marines were too mature and had too much self control to act. They protect, that's what they do, even if it's you.