Thruppence Rev.
Thruppence Obv.
This is a threepence of George V 1920. It was regularly added to the Christmas Pudding mix and the person getting it in their portion on Christmas Day was deemed to be lucky (provided they didn't swallow it - when they'ld have to wait to see 'their luck'). Commonly called a "Thrupenny Dodger or Diddler" they represented a goodly amount of sweets once the shops opened again.
Tanner Rev.
Tanner Obv.
This is a Sixpence (or 'tanner') of Elizabeth II 1963 and was routinely put in the toe of the Christmas stocking hanging by the fire (to be followed by an apple, orange, sweets and a selection of nuts), again useful when the sweetshop reopened after the holidays.
I just thought someone would like to try and follow the tradition!
I've come up with a "guess the date" quiz, and the winner will get the thruppence and the next person will get the tanner. Here goes-
What month and year did I enlist in the Armed Forces? The only clues I'll give are -
I am 76 years old
I served for 32 years in the Royal Air Force. (you should be able to eliminate a large slice of time from that!
I'll close the competition at 1 p.m. (GMT) on Sunday 18th November (2006 of course )

July 1948 was when you enlisted in His Majesties Royal Air Force, and gees, think, you probably saw Spitfires, Lancasters not to mention Gloster Meteors. And then you retired duly ca. 1980.

March 1948

20'th June 1948. for RAF!

N0-one notice? Sunday is the 19th! So I'll close 1 p.m.Sunday 19th November 2006 (if I don't forget!!!!!!)

July 1949...the month of course is a wild guess.

August 1948

Oct 1948....

September 1948

On my mantle sits a photo of my uncle in his RAF uniform.

February 1949

january 1948 ;-)

During 5 years as aircrew I did fly in the Lancaster - and Lincolns, Wellingtons but mainly P2V5 and P2V7 "Neptunes". I don't think you aircraft historians out there would get much help from that bit of extra info!

I'm not going to give you any idea who is closest yet!!

May 1947

May 1949

nov 1948

September 1949.

March, 1948.

November 1947.

Did you know you've chosen the same date as BigAndyy? You maybe should change it?

Dates chosen so far:-
5/47,11/47,
1/48,3/48,6/48,7/48,8/48,9/48,10/48,11/48,
2/49,5/49,7/49,9/49
No-one near yet!!

If anyone hits the correct month/year I'll stop the contest (figures, if you think about it!)

Feb 1955



-Bobby

September, 1947

2/48

February 1951

March 1950

oh well i am gonna choose november 1950 or some were in 1950.

I realy thought this would be over by now! But, no!, still waiting! As my teacher used to say, "you must try harder"

March 1949

I'm gonna guess July of 1963

June 1950

june 1963

april 1955

no I guess.... 11/1957 that year sounds about right for your age

okok november 1958 or some were in 1958

july 1947

OK! Peeple!
Rotten Rodney wins the Thruppence
crzy3by comes second and gets the Tanner
Here follows a potted history. Those not interested switch forums now!
I volunteered for a Royal Airforce Apprenticeship on my 15th birthday 5th July 1945 (damn it I missed the war! )
I took the entrance examination in November of that year, with 500 others, and passed! (only just. Only 60 were accepted and I came 53rd)
I was called up 23rd April 1946, when I was attested and "took the King's shilling". No, not a real shilling, it was only a symbolic saying. Anyway, I'd have spent it the next day!
So The enlistment date was 23rd April 1946.
I think what threw most of you was the fact that UK forces accepted men from the age of 15 and a half years old. These special schemes were in place since 1918.
End of history.
If Rotten Rodney and crzy3by would PM me, I'll get the coins on the way.
I enjoyed this and hope you did too!

Coingratulations to the winners.

Cannot imagine being in the service at 15.5 years.

Congrats guys!


At 15.5 I was in 9th grade, I think I would have gone nuts in the military at that age, no discipline, long hair (which I still have), and a strong distrust/dislike of authority. Amazing how 8 years or so changes your attitude!

congrats
thanks for the contest geordie

Congrats to the winners!

Nice bite of history, geordie!

Deep down inside I just knew you were under 18 when you Enlisted. . . .

yeah, didnt even think that you might have join before you were of age Thanks for the interesting contest.

I think a lot of peple HAVEN'T changed?
I enjoyed teasing you people and may have another go at a later date!

WOW!
I WON!

Thanks for the great contest!;-)

Both coins despatched. Hope you all enjoyed the contest! I did

that was fun. . . . . Can't wait to do it again