BETFOR ASSOCIATION
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The Future
The following appeared recently:
"There are always imponderables but it looks as if we have to face up to probabilities. It seems clear that the days when members were keen to reminisce about their time in Trieste are over. Only one probability remains, that the l...
Views: 222 Replies: 5
Last Post: Nov 20, 2019 10:34am
by Paula Pakeman
by Paula Pakeman
Aqua Alta
Venice is having a torrid time with ultra high tides causing flooding. The mayor has appealed to cruise firms and some have diverted to Trieste. Il Piccolo has this picture of two parked by the maritime Station on the Riva.
Buses are parked nearby to ferry the...
Views: 52 Replies: 0
Last Post: Nov 17, 2019 3:05pm
by Harry Dixon
by Harry Dixon
There's No Such Thing......
….. as climate change !!!!
Il Piccolo carries pictures of Trieste and Venice under water.
Views: 50 Replies: 0
Last Post: Nov 13, 2019 7:45am
by Harry Dixon
by Harry Dixon
Regional Meetings
Suffolk Group Meetings.
Our next meeting will be the Christmas Lunch meeting on December 13th.
at the Rushbrooke Arms pub at Sicklesmere, Bury St. Edmunds at 12 o!clock.
Contact Charlie Dunnett. 01473 745693
Views: 34 Replies: 0
Last Post: Nov 10, 2019 2:23pm
by Charles Dunnett
by Charles Dunnett
Tom Carew
A remarkable man, formerly in SOE, parachuted behind enemy lines in Burma and twice in Belgium during the war - and having to contend with danger as well as political nonsense - to organise resistance.
He became OC of TSO and announced on arrival that he consi...
Views: 90 Replies: 2
Last Post: Nov 8, 2019 6:04pm
by Harry Dixon
by Harry Dixon
LAST POST - 858 - Gordon Wingfield
Sadly I have to report that Gordon Wingfield has passed away. He was 91 years old and served in 65 Coy RASC ( Sgt.) 1949-51. Geoff printed a page of Gordon's photos in Journal 56. He was a late comer to the Association, joining in 2016 but regularly attended our Regi...
Views: 74 Replies: 0
Last Post: Oct 28, 2019 11:59am
by Colin Russell
by Colin Russell
Southampton Group
We had our lunch meeting today but a smaller gathering than normal due to some ill health, distance and age no doubt!
We have booked our first lunch for 2020 so advanced warning.....
Thursday 13 February 2020 at 12 noon in Gusto lounge, Commercial Road Southamp...
Views: 47 Replies: 2
Last Post: Oct 26, 2019 12:59pm
by Paula Pakeman
by Paula Pakeman
Barcolana 2019
this week BT were showing an hours programme all about the TS 'big event' It is now reckoned to be the first or second largest regatta in the world and anyone can join in. Cannot be compared to the early 50's or indeed if it was then operating. The figure 51 was in t...
Views: 43 Replies: 0
Last Post: Oct 25, 2019 8:47am
by Roy Boyles
by Roy Boyles
The future.......?
There are always imponderables but it looks as if we have to face up to probabilities. It seems clear that the days when members were keen to reminisce about their time in Trieste are over. Only one probability remains, that the local gatherings will go on - and that...
Views: 117 Replies: 3
Last Post: Oct 20, 2019 2:34pm
by Harry Dixon
by Harry Dixon
Southampton Group
The Southampton group have their lunch meeting on Thursday 24th October 12 o’clock at our normal location of Gusto Lounge, Commercial Road in Southampton.
Any new visitors will be warmly welcomed as well as the regulars. It is a very informal meeting of vete...
Views: 64 Replies: 0
Last Post: Sep 27, 2019 11:22am
by Paula Pakeman
by Paula Pakeman
Statues in Trieste 2019
James Joyce now has a companion in the city. Last week Gabriele D'Annunzio was unveiled in Piazza della Borsa and you can read all about it in Il Picolo.
It is just a 100 years ago that GD and his companions took over Fiume, now called Rijeka on behalf of Italy. It...
Views: 81 Replies: 3
Last Post: Sep 19, 2019 12:55pm
by H Dixon
by H Dixon
Thank you both
Thank you Roland and Harry,it was nice to hear from you both regarding the message board,I hope other members will take the hint.Perhaps at our age our little grey cells dont work like they used to and all things are more of an effort.I enjoyed coming to the meetings...
Views: 76 Replies: 0
Last Post: Aug 27, 2019 3:49pm
by peter saunders
by peter saunders
no e.mails
have not had any messages on the message board since 8th august.as a ex member I still like to keep in touch, or is there a problem on the site.regards Peter.
Views: 83 Replies: 2
Last Post: Aug 26, 2019 8:21am
by Roland
by Roland
Andrea Camilleri
You were right Harry, he was in a critical state but no more. Like Larry I really enjoy the programmes. I had read that they will start filming 3 new programmes early next year. There was also another book out this year and his final book had been lodged with his age...
Views: 90 Replies: 3
Last Post: Jul 31, 2019 2:08pm
by H Dixon
by H Dixon
Visit to Trieste
Dear members that take time to read my adventures of our annual visit to Trieste we are reduced down to three David, Bill, and my self.It was decided we would visit the graves of the BETFOR members. From the records it was recorded to have thirty one graves.so we pur...
Views: 123 Replies: 3
Last Post: Jul 25, 2019 9:17am
by Colin Russell
by Colin Russell
That is the question.......
….and I think the answer is plain. The message "forum" is meant to be just that, a place where people meet to chat; Thank you Roy, Pauline and Roland who have been encouraging but the evidence is there; it has became almost a solo act.
Views: 88 Replies: 1
Last Post: Jul 18, 2019 4:02pm
by Paula
by Paula
Le Tour... It's that time again...
The grand depart is from Brussels and it finishes in Brussels - because it's a time trial.
Views: 106 Replies: 4
Last Post: Jul 12, 2019 3:24pm
by Harry Dixon
by Harry Dixon
"Pinafore"
"He polished up the handles of the big front door.
He polished up the handles so skilfully
The now he is the ruler of the Queen's navy."
Gilbert and Sullivan satirised the follies of the Victorian age and we sometimes smirk in the certainty that it couldn't happ...
Views: 64 Replies: 0
Last Post: Jul 4, 2019 1:14pm
by Harry Dixon
by Harry Dixon
A Sensible Solution......
...to the problem of taking cruise "ships" into Venice, avoiding crashing into the dock and polluting the lagoon with human turds:
A (smaller) cruise "ship" than this caused huge damage to itself and the dock and could easily have killed people. Il Piccolo has...
Views: 92 Replies: 2
Last Post: Jun 30, 2019 3:17pm
by H Dixon
by H Dixon
National Service
Bill Shortland was a very frequent contributor to the Betfor Journal; he was also a keen member of the Intelligence Corps Old Comrades Association and a regular visitor to the Corp's open day events. He was astounded to find that the depot's museum had no mention of...
Views: 92 Replies: 1
Last Post: Jun 29, 2019 1:05pm
by Harry Dixon
by Harry Dixon
Bloomsday in Trieste
Il Piccolo today has this photo and the paragraph which follows is a verbatim translation; you'll get the drift:
In short, to go around at night for Trieste you risk making strange encounters... especially in this month of June, all dedicated to the celebratio...
Views: 68 Replies: 0
Last Post: Jun 26, 2019 6:31pm
by H Dixon
by H Dixon
Ray Bannister
Good day to you all,
I have recently obtained my father's Army Service records and found that he served with BETFOR from 15/09/1947 and 31/08/1950. He was in the regular army with the REME (Royal Warwickshire Regiment). I would be more than happy to hear if anyone h...
Views: 69 Replies: 0
Last Post: Jun 15, 2019 9:19am
by Bill Bannister
by Bill Bannister
"Sentient beings..."
Senza parole.....
Views: 125 Replies: 3
Last Post: Jun 15, 2019 7:27am
by Harry Dixon
by Harry Dixon
BLOOMSDAY
Il Piccolo reports that there will be a festival over several days from 16th to 19th June to celebrate the famous "Dubliner".
"Bloomsday, match calcistico tra Unione Svevo e Joyce team e domenica tutti al Pedocin"....
…..is the headline but have a look. W...
Views: 72 Replies: 1
Last Post: Jun 13, 2019 1:25pm
by Harry Dixon
by Harry Dixon
Montalbano - etc - etc ...
There doesn't seem to be any pressure on space on this forum so...
1. Montalbano - Larry always enjoyed Montalbano on TV and it has always been one of our favourites. The author, Andrea Camilleri, has often written about his liberal sympathies and Montalbano has a...
Views: 100 Replies: 2
Last Post: Jun 12, 2019 7:06am
by Roland
by Roland
Sorry........
……..I'm not allowed say where this is:
This mountain stream has only a short way to go before it flows into a sea loch. In many visits we've only once met another person - and that's how we like it.
Views: 61 Replies: 0
Last Post: Jun 7, 2019 6:22pm
by H Dixon
by H Dixon
Montalbano is back
Just watched last night’s Montalbano. He is in Udine at the end and they are talking about Trieste station. Continuation next Saturday.
Views: 56 Replies: 0
Last Post: Jun 2, 2019 10:05pm
by Paula
by Paula
Larry Southgate
It is with great heartache and sadness that I am writing this to inform you that Larry Southgate (my dad) passed away yesterday afternoon (13.2.2019) following a battle with pneumonia, which sadly he lost.
Views: 287 Replies: 13
Last Post: May 31, 2019 2:29pm
by Micaela Iasnig
by Micaela Iasnig
WHY.......
…..oh why would anyone want to shoot one of these? Yet some tw..s in tweeds are willing to pay huge sums of money to do it.
Views: 53 Replies: 0
Last Post: May 30, 2019 2:54pm
by H Dixon
by H Dixon
Looking for any information about my father's service in Trieste, 1945
I hope this message forum is not completely redundant!
My father, Philip Henry Hawke, (known as Pip), served with 13 Corps Signals in and around Trieste in 1945-1946. I have photos of him and others at the Officers' Mess in Sistiana. He told me very little about h...
Views: 151 Replies: 7
Last Post: May 30, 2019 1:42pm
by H Dixon
by H Dixon
Girod'Italia.....
….starts tomorrow in Bologna. Here's our usual cycling photo;
Simon Yates, second last year, is said to have a good chance.
Views: 91 Replies: 5
Last Post: May 26, 2019 4:05pm
by roy boyles
by roy boyles
El Tram - running again but.......
...not for the public.Il Piccolo has this photo of a car waiting for the tram to pass; there is to be one each day but Joe public can't use it.
Views: 53 Replies: 0
Last Post: May 26, 2019 8:26am
by H Dixon
by H Dixon
Southampton Group Lunch
Just a reminder that the Southampton group will be meeting on Thursday 30 May starting by 12 at Gusto in Commercial Road. Anyone is welcome to join this lovely group to share memories, chat about experiences or just enjoy each other’s company over an Italian ba...
Views: 68 Replies: 0
Last Post: May 24, 2019 7:09am
by Paula
by Paula
Art Exhibition in Trieste
Il Piccolo had this on the website a few days ago. It's by Angelo Ingani, a 19th century artist. I doubt if the scene is a Trieste one but, when so much "art" these days looks like nothing you've ever seen, I think it's excellent.
Views: 54 Replies: 0
Last Post: May 22, 2019 1:29pm
by Harry Dixon
by Harry Dixon
TEATRO ROMANO
On Trieste's tourist trail, tucked in off the Corso, is the Roman theatre. Il Piccolo has an item about the archeological digs which are going on there at present. The picture shows a group of students listening to one of the archeologists explaining what is goin...
Views: 53 Replies: 0
Last Post: May 17, 2019 11:51am
by Harry Dixon
by Harry Dixon
El Tram
In my inbox this morning and leading the field was Il Piccolo telling me that the tram had been u/s for a thousand days since this happened:
Interesting - but hardly urgent.
Views: 63 Replies: 0
Last Post: May 14, 2019 7:36am
by Harry Dixon
by Harry Dixon
Missed it......
We usually mark the end of the war in Europe on 7 May - but we missed it. These young ladies were rehearsing for a parade to be held to celebrate:
No prizes for guessing where.
Views: 86 Replies: 0
Last Post: May 10, 2019 7:29am
by Harry Dixon
by Harry Dixon
Bunthorne's back.......
Reginald was the chap who started off this message board when the "interim" became censorious and was allied to the Filthistan trio - anyhow that's all ancient history and the message board is nearer to its end than its beginning. Bunthorne used to set a puzzle from...
Views: 75 Replies: 2
Last Post: May 8, 2019 6:28pm
by Harry Dixon
by Harry Dixon
Villa Necker
Il Piccolo's website has a photo of Villa Necker. There is an article outlining the building's military history, mentioning Napoleon but not the building's role during the time of the FTT and AMG. I never had any occasion to go there but I think it was used as HQ for...
Views: 68 Replies: 0
Last Post: May 6, 2019 10:59am
by Harry Dixon
by Harry Dixon
Al via i lavori di restauro del Museo ferroviario di Campo Marzio a Trieste
Work on retoring……...railway etc etc
My email from Il Piccolo this morning began with this "news of the day".
A group of railway enthusiasts have been working on this for some time. This is the station which used to serve as the Trieste termina...
Views: 71 Replies: 0
Last Post: May 5, 2019 12:32pm
by Harry Dixon
by Harry Dixon
PRIMA MAGIO.......
Il Piccolo has this photo at the head of its website. It reminds me of my first assignment when I joined Ops section in TSO.. It was customary to hold "manifestazioni" (demonstrations) on the First of May; May Day was celebrated here; now it's the Spring Bank Holiday...
Views: 87 Replies: 3
Last Post: May 4, 2019 7:27am
by Harry Dixon
by Harry Dixon
Promises, promises.....
The folks at Bravenet don't often email me - but when they do, I fear the worst. The most recent foretold of an exciting upgrade that is soon to infect our "hosting". I have to confess that I didn't understand anything about the delights that await us in a few weeks'...
Views: 84 Replies: 1
Last Post: Apr 29, 2019 11:29am
by Harry Dixon
by Harry Dixon
Incompetent National Serviceman, Perpatrated by James S Mcleish
(This is the beginning of Jim's reminiscences. When he sent it to me some years ago it was in meticulous typescript; I scanned it using OCR (don't ask) and it worked well but mistook some letters for others and sometimes started a new line where none was needed. Some...
Views: 217 Replies: 9
Last Post: Apr 28, 2019 12:43pm
by Harry Dixon
by Harry Dixon
YOU TUBE & TS
I am interested to know if any of our band of readers ever view the delights of You Tube with its millions and millions of videos. Just mention TS in the search box and off you go. I have just viewed the funeral procession of Franz Ferdinand in July 1914 and the firs...
Views: 77 Replies: 0
Last Post: Apr 24, 2019 8:24am
by roy boyles
by roy boyles
Trieste's Tourism is Booming
Il Piccolo reports that accommodation for tourists is "sold out". It is also to be the setting for two "Hollywood" films: one being filmed at Miramare is "The Hitman's Wife" the other, to be filmed in the Cavanna and Piazza Unita is to "star"
Trieste, Cavana p...
Views: 72 Replies: 0
Last Post: Apr 21, 2019 1:21pm
by Harry Dixon
by Harry Dixon
TRIESTE'S OLD PORT ........Porto Vecchio
"Noi Il Piccolo" was set up as a response to the digital age when fewer folk are buying paper newspapers. As with some of our papers, to get full access to all articles you need to join - and pay. I'm not quite sure what my status is; I did sign up and I get regular...
Views: 71 Replies: 1
Last Post: Apr 21, 2019 12:03pm
by Paula
by Paula
Last Post
This is a much belated notice of the sad passing of Jim McLeish. It's doubly sad because his passing has remained unknown to us since February 2017. I'm indebted to Gerald Cockroft for passing on the news. Jim, Gerald and I were in TSO together. Many of you will reme...
Views: 53 Replies: 0
Last Post: Apr 13, 2019 12:49pm
by Harry Dixon
by Harry Dixon
Foibe
The foibe were the deep pits in the limestone of the Carso which were the scene of vengeful punishments, when during the "40 days of terror" suspected pro-fascists and collaborators with the Germans were thrown alive down the shafts with hands and feet bound with...
Views: 75 Replies: 0
Last Post: Apr 12, 2019 1:43pm
by Harry Dixon
by Harry Dixon
