Lt. Colonel Johnny Thompson of the Scots Guards and Handsome Men In Kilts **Appreciation Thread

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#1,801
La Rhumba said:
Mine too! Hence my Avatar. I literally spent hours swooning over those Max Mumby pics from Ascot, and you can see where the sun has caught his face wearing his top hat that really suited him! I love how he's wearing a RRS watchstrap and the pink rose in his lapel.
He's not posing here, just engrossed, watching the races, thinking, unaware he's even being photographed, and they're the best kind.
It was such a heatwave down South that week, and they had the Garter to attend followed by Ascot all week, so plenty of dressing up in that weather! Bless. :love:
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Wouldn't it be funny if we all recreated ourselves as a Jonny Avatar :yes:
 
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#1,802
La Rhumba gave us some really nice marching photos of Captain Jonny and it inspired me to sift through things and look for more. I do not know which march this is but, based on information RomeGirl gave us, I am guessing that it is from 4 Scots around 2008 or later and he has returned safely from his Middle East deployments as shown by his medals.

7 Scots 2012.png
 
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#1,803
I've watched all 3 episodes of the Sandhurst doc now, and wish the BBC would do a follow up, as I'd be interested in the outcomes of those we saw, especially as some were headed to Afghanistan. I was surprised to see such a wide variety of people, especially South Londoner Thompson who is now a Para. They weren't all well to do men with relatives in their chosen Regiments, and the women featured were very interesting and thoughtful too.

I was expecting the coarse language and humiliating tactics of the Colour Sergeant, though the Captain joined in, so it's a matter of getting used to it. I found the Regimental Board interviews fascinating, and the questions asked.
The physical tasks were gruelling beyond belief, and we were worried about Jonny marching for an hour behind the Queen's coffin! Really, that kind of physical and mental exhaustion during Sandhurst training would make or break you. And unsurprising that one chap left as he didn't feel able to kill or be maimed in a War he didn't believe in. Whereas others, the thought of going to Afghanistan inspired them.

Certainly Jonny has been to every part of the UK in his training, career and time as Equerry. Tomorrow they are off to France, Bon Voyage!
 
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#1,808
lizle said:
Three questions for our teacher!

So many members of the military carried their military unit's "Canes" and "Pace Sticks" during the many Processions after our late Queen's passing. Is there a reason why Jonny did not carry his Royal Regiment of Scotland "Regimental Cane"?

A Google search mentions they are carried "On Parade" or "On Duty". My search for more specific information has not been successful.

Does the Royal Regiment of Scotland have additional manuals, discussing the on duty/on parade use of special accoutrements such as the regimental cane, broad sword, when and when not to wear sword slings, etc., that is available for download so we can continue to learn some of the more detailed information?

We see our lovely Jonny with the Sgian Dubh but might there ever be a reason for him to carry the Regimental Dirk?

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During all of the official processions for the late QEII, Jonny was in No1A Dress - Ceremonial, for which the accoutrement is the Broadsword, with full basket and plated scabbard (not leather).

Swagger sticks (for Officers) have very much gone out of fashion since the 1980's but are still occasionally used (most often in the Guards). The RRS use them only when dressed in any form of 'Barracks Dress' (see the dress regs). In this pic Jonny is in his No15 Dress Blue Patrol where the Cane (swagger stick) is the official accoutrement.

A Pace stick is used by the CSM, and occasionally other SNCO. There are competitions between different regiments in use of the pace stick.

As far as I know there are no other 'official' manuals apart from the Dress Regs. If you look at the Dress Regs, each category of Uniform - No1s, No2s etc, you will see Accoutrements and Side Arms listed - for Officers, SNCO, and OR. This determines what they use for each occasion.
 
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#1,810
laurajones123 said:
Thanks for this, helps us understand him a bit more and appreciate him. Did the King know him in 2006, if he commissioned with Harry? I have seen pictures of him as officer of the guard at Birkhall when I think he was a captain, so presumably they have at least been aware of each other longer than his time as Equerry? Just curious, you don't need to answer it if it would give too much away.

On another note, went to my local Battle of Britain Parade today, it was great!

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I think, without betraying any private stuff, that you can safely assume the King (as the former PoW) had some knowledge of Jonny long before he became his Equerry.

What a treat to see your local Battle of Britain parade. They all looked very well turned out!
 
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#1,812
La Rhumba said:
Mine too! Hence my Avatar. I literally spent hours swooning over those Max Mumby pics from Ascot, and you can see where the sun has caught his face wearing his top hat that really suited him! I love how he's wearing a RRS watchstrap and the pink rose in his lapel.
He's not posing here, just engrossed, watching the races, thinking, unaware he's even being photographed, and they're the best kind.
It was such a heatwave down South that week, and they had the Garter to attend followed by Ascot all week, so plenty of dressing up in that weather! Bless. :love:
Click to expand...
Yes!! You can instantly tell when Jonny is feeling more relaxed, not feeling he has to watch every expression and move he makes. While he does take it all in good part, it becomes very wearying to know that every time he is in view of a lens he has to expect it will be viewed by thousands upon thousands and examined in minute detail.
 
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#1,813
La Rhumba said:
Another very interesting Sandhurst doc, before Jonny’s time in 1996. But this one actually shows alot more of the activities and even Mess Dinners and entertainment!

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Yep... That one is great. If I remember correctly, that shows that even with the really outdated equipment by today's standards that they had then, the Officers were all given training in 'speaking to camera'.

I can remember in the video of Jonny speaking at Stirling Castle, although he did very well, his nerves were evident to anyone who has heard him speaking in an ordinary social situation. When he is nervous he starts to use his 'posh' voice and starts 'g' dropping on 'ing' words!!! His normal speaking voice is a lot more casual!
 
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#1,814
La Rhumba said:
I've watched all 3 episodes of the Sandhurst doc now, and wish the BBC would do a follow up, as I'd be interested in the outcomes of those we saw, especially as some were headed to Afghanistan. I was surprised to see such a wide variety of people, especially South Londoner Thompson who is now a Para. They weren't all well to do men with relatives in their chosen Regiments, and the women featured were very interesting and thoughtful too.

I was expecting the coarse language and humiliating tactics of the Colour Sergeant, though the Captain joined in, so it's a matter of getting used to it. I found the Regimental Board interviews fascinating, and the questions asked.
The physical tasks were gruelling beyond belief, and we were worried about Jonny marching for an hour behind the Queen's coffin! Really, that kind of physical and mental exhaustion during Sandhurst training would make or break you. And unsurprising that one chap left as he didn't feel able to kill or be maimed in a War he didn't believe in. Whereas others, the thought of going to Afghanistan inspired them.

Certainly Jonny has been to every part of the UK in his training, career and time as Equerry. Tomorrow they are off to France, Bon Voyage!
Click to expand...
Glad a connoisseur like you enjoyed them!

All the soldiers and officers are trained to fight on very little sleep. For the officers the decisions they make when exhausted are crucial. Just one of the reasons the training is so exhaustive.

Also, one of the reasons the British Army is known as one of the best in the world.
 
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