3Plt Bear

[TRAV 24]

Is the 3 plt bear mascot still doing the rounds being deployed with the boys must have done at least 30 years by now?

[ap1]

Huggy Bear:

Presented to the Platoon by ML Lloyd in 1976. I believe the bear was a gift from a QRANC nursing Sister based in the province. It was normally looked after by the platoon's senior single Fusilier. I had the honour in Warminster.

In 1984, a Hospital Matron was shown around the platoon accommodation, and noticed Huggy on my bedside shelf. It transpired she was the nurse who originally passed the bear to ML.

Rab Warren, may correct me, but I think the bear was one of the hostages in Gorazde 1995.

Sadly I think the bear is no more, certainly it was MIA in the late 90's.....shame

[Barry69]

Was not Huggy promoted to LCpl in Lemgo?

[ap1]

Correct, also busted at least once, he was a Sgt years later.

[TRAV 24]

I remember Ballykinler 87-88 upto when i was medevacd he used to be looked after by Don Hewer then myself then ??? It would be a shame if he is no longer around

[sox3044]

Yeh im sure he went MIA Trav I certainly didnt see him around in 97-2000 when i was a coy cqms, just hope he hasnt been renamed as Mohamed eh.

[DP43]

Try Dai Storey he had the bear last time I saw it. (Chepstow)

[Ianto 10]

Nice one!

[rab warren]

Yes Al you are correct the Bear was a hostage. At the time he was a CSGT. He was given a brand new set of combats on return and a set of minatures,NI,Bosnia and LSGC.I cant remember who took over as 3 Plt Sgt when i was posted to Lichfield, maybe he would know

[mikedonnelly]

I can confirm Al's story of the start of the bear i was a young Fusilier in 3pl during 76/77 tour Turf Lodge and the then Lt ML Lloyd would often disapear to Musgave park Hospital and eventually reapeared one day with the bear, dont know what he done to earn it but we spent a lot of time discussing possibilties, i know Den Morris was very found of it for a long time.


[
QUOTE=rab warren;17501]Yes Al you are correct the Bear was a hostage. At the time he was a CSGT. He was given a brand new set of combats on return and a set of minatures,NI,Bosnia and LSGC.I cant remember who took over as 3 Plt Sgt when i was posted to Lichfield, maybe he would know[/QUOTE]

[John Turner]

I heard it had moved to Sudan - under a new name.

[TRAV 24]

See 1980s photo galleries 3plt Op Cara Cara

[Barry69]

The next time I go to a village Fair I will think twice before I name the Bear!!!

1st prise 2 Weeks in Sudan ? Star Accom I think not!

Its shame we can not longer refer to our childhood stuffed friends as we use too? Thats Advancement 4 U

I have been informed that the Wives Club was changed to the Families Club! is that right who complained?

OOPs of in the 4x4 again going off track?

Long Live the Bear!

[Dai]

Sorry I know not of where the bear is......the plot thickens...I know that we all chipped in and got him his minitures when in Chepstow then some thieving barstewart robbed them.

[scorch]

i will look into the bear but to be honest i have not seen it for a while. i will speek to the plt sgt in question

[BennytheBall]

Remember "To Follow the Bear" (old Tv Ad)
BennytheBall 1

[Rob 33]

:biglaugh: May be Scouse could be the go between again, as i last heard the bear was wearing a boxing belt.

[scorch]

done a bit of asking around today ref the bear and apparently he disapeared when A Coy were in America so he must be AWOL? sat in some bar somewhere in Washington state living the dream.

[tom8204]

Sadly i can confirm that he is no longer in the ranks of A Coy.

[evans70]

I was platoon Sgt when we received the Bear from the Matron, sorry to hear it is not around.

[carts3674]

I can’t believe the Bear is AWOL, me and Jones 18 looked after the Bear in Chepstow Canada and BallyKelly.

[TRAV 24]

Sad to hear Huggy is no longer around cant believe he went AWOL

[ap1]

Very sad. Huggy was normally looked after by the senior living in Fusilier, I had that privilege for 2 years in Warminster.

Whoever was responsible for looking after him needs a sharp kick up the a**e. He was one of the Bosnia hostages, and managed to survive that, so a little bit of history has gone.

AWOL! He will be chilling in a trailer park in State Washington with the love of his life Mercedes - Chardonnay and her brood of kids........living the life...

[evans70]

I have found the photo of the Presentation of the Bear to 3 Platoon when we were in Beechmount
N.I.

[ap1]

Excellent. Any chance of you uploading it to the gallery please Colin

[rolli25]

Al Brian Ashton should be kept forever

Anyhow here is the ebay version of the current bear - does it offer any resemblence

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Royal-Welch-Fusiliers-Regi-Bear-RWF_W0QQitemZ270215199292QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item2 70215199292&_trksid=p3286.c81.m20.l1116