Phil Clifford

Retired Fleet Manager. Amateur historian with specific interest in Tunnellers of WW1 and UK mines rescue service. Book in progress - publisher @barnthorn

[Phil Clifford @thefleetman]

@BernardLewis8 @DrNeilStone To the best of my knowledge I am still alive but, not being medically qualified, I am happy to submit for second opinion if it helps 🤪

[Phil Clifford @thefleetman]

@HistoryPegg @Hudsonweather Bill is his muther's son 🤣🤣

[Phil Clifford @thefleetman]

@Mollyboots11 Shades of "The Ghost and the Darkness" #iykyk

[Phil Clifford @thefleetman]

@chesworth_ray We had the same in March with Long Tailed Tits and, more recently, by a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

[Phil Clifford @thefleetman]

@BElliottAuthor As good a reason as any!

[Phil Clifford @thefleetman]

@Heidi_Labour Its amazing what problems can be solved with a new livery

[Phil Clifford @thefleetman]

@VoicesofWW2 @cjayres11 There's a book, covering Lightoller in detail. Lightoller: Titanic to Dunkirk by James W. Bancroft | Barnthorn Publishing https://t.co/XIb0S5ruDm

[Phil Clifford @thefleetman]

@sf4d74 @MotoNutJob Ours went awol the other day. Got a tracker on him but tracking and catching are two different things. I walked 2.5 miles, the dog had done 5.5 miles before we caught him.

[Phil Clifford @thefleetman]

@DrHelenFry This one...

[Phil Clifford @thefleetman]

A confused Woodpecker!

[Taff Gillingham @Taff_Gillingham]

Three years ago we posted about a unique piece in the @GreatWarHuts Collection - a piece of headed paper, signed by Sir Douglas Haig on the first day of the Battle of Arras, to raise funds for a new Lord Kitchener Memorial holiday home (see attached).

The Lord Kitchener Memorial Holiday Centre still exists (https://t.co/1n7Ryx8bJp), doing a fabulous job, but its future is now in doubt as they are running out of funds.

They really do deserve some help. If you can donate to help them, please do.

[Andrew Fox @Mr_Andrew_Fox]

Today we pause to remember the extraordinary sacrifice of Sergeant Michael Willetts GC, whose brave actions on the evening of 25 May 1971 in Northern Ireland saved the lives of adults and children but tragically cost him his own. 

Sgt Willetts was serving with 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, in Belfast when a terrorist entered the Springfield Road Police Station in Belfast, dumped a suitcase containing a bomb and fled outside. 

Inside the room were two adults, two children and several police officers, who raised the alarm and began to organize the evacuation of the hall. 

Sgt Willetts was on duty in the inner hall. Hearing the alarm, he sent an NCO up to the first floor to warn those above and hastened to the door towards which a police officer was thrusting those in the reception hall and office. He held the door open while all passed safely through and then stood in the doorway, shielding those taking cover. 
In the next moment, the bomb exploded with terrible force and Sgt Willets was mortally wounded.

His duty did not require him to enter the threatened area; his post was elsewhere and he knew the peril of going towards a terrorist bomb, but he did not hesitate to do so. 

All those approaching the door from the far side agreed that if they had had to check to open the door they would have perished.  

For his act of the greatest gallantry and complete disregard for his own safety in striving to save others, Sgt Willetts was posthumously awarded the George Cross.

🟩

[Phil Clifford @thefleetman]

@dr_wendym_RN @NZAllison This is our 13 (ish) year old cat, Poppy. She has finally ventured out of the house we moved in to in February. Living the dream! 🐈

[Phil Clifford @thefleetman]

@agbdrilling Thanks for posting that Tony. I was the one asking the question and was sure there must have been an effect on plane handling whilst carrying the near 1/2 ton 'gyroscope'.

[Phil Clifford @thefleetman]

@denno_76 @RachelReevesMP It's not a 5p cut, it is 5p not being added. Haven't saved us anything at the pump. Wonder how much extra VAT that HMG have raked in following the exponential fuel price increases?

[Phil Clifford @thefleetman]

@Taff_Gillingham That looks great. I'll have a good at similar. Thx

[Phil Clifford @thefleetman]

There's been a murder! Clear evidence of a forced entry.
Who do we suspect?

[Phil Clifford @thefleetman]

@Taff_Gillingham That was our first thought given the damage to the wood!

[Phil Clifford @thefleetman]

@LizzieJHannay @BElliottAuthor @NCMME Thank you Lizzie 😊

[Phil Clifford @thefleetman]

Would dearly like to buy (or borrow) a copy of this book. Private publication so rare! Does anyone have a copy lurking on their shelves please? @NCMME @BElliottAuthor

[Phil Clifford @thefleetman]

@OMRS17995839