Showing posts with label Daily Telegraph. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Daily Telegraph. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

You Couldn't Make This Up! Prince Roy of Sealand

Prince Roy of Sealand. Never heard of him?

Or Sealand?
English: Royal Standard of the Prince of Sealand.
English: Royal Standard of the Prince of Sealand. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)



Well neither had I until I read his obituary in the Daily Telegraph this week.


Prince Roy of Sealand, who has died aged 91, was plain Roy Bates until, on Christmas Eve 1966, he established his own micro-nation on an abandoned wartime sea fort off the Suffolk coast and declared himself head of state.   
The Telegraph continues;
 He claimed Sealand as the world’s smallest sovereign state, even though it was not recognised by the British government — which largely ignored it — or any foreign power. During the 1970s Bates created Sealand’s own constitution, flag (red and black with white diagonal stripe), passports, stamps, currency (the Sealand dollar, bearing his wife’s image), national anthem and motto: “E Mare Libertas” (“From the Sea, Freedom”)....
After being overthrown as Sealand's leader, Prince Roy, from 100ft above the sea,  rappelled down a rope to the tiny helipad below. His son, Michael, did likewise. The rebelling Germans later confessed to being taken aback on encountering, in combat gear, an Englishman they had only known to wear a natty Savile Row suit and bowler hat.  

I suggest you read Prince Roy's whole story over at The Telegraph, he sounds like an extraordinary character, even by British standards!




kthanxbai!

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Monday, March 22, 2010

I just don't get it

A coalition of countries are at war, where there are casualties on a daily basis.

A total of 276 British troops have died in the Afghan conflict since operations began in 2001.

The bodies of two soldiers killed in Afghanistan last week will be brought back to the UK on Tuesday.

L/Cpl Scott Hardy and Private James Grigg, both from the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, died last Tuesday north of Musa Qalah.
The cortege will pass through Wootton Bassett after arriving at RAF Lyneham.
10:49AM GMT 22 Mar 2010
 And the British government's response to all this?

March 22, 2010

Army to sack 500 soldiers because of troop 'cap'

 

British troops in Afghanistan

British troops in Afghanistan

Up to 500 soldiers will lose their jobs under a plan to reshape the Army to better meet the challenges of operations in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence announced today.


Unbelievably, 500 of the army's most learned and experienced NCOs are going to be getting the boot soon.


Can you explain why?

 kthanxbai!