It was Christmas 1970 and yours truly was mightily in his cups (Tiger beer will do that), so I decided to call and berate the Russian Embassy with a few choice Ukrainian swear words for their past wrongs in their dealings in the Ukraine.(Judging by present events things really do not change do they?). Mike having the most cool if not calm head on our collective shoulders at the time, quietly removed the handset and replaced it with another full can of Tiger beer without my noticing any difference. Later when we were a lot more sober (three days later perhaps) he told me that he fully expected a phalanx of Russian T-34 battle tanks overunning 75 A/C. Told me that it would be embarrassing to have 75 being the epicentre of WWIII.
Upon reflection that incident could be why I was transferred to JWS in Kota Tinggi Malaya. I met Mike there again when they had to replace something critically important on one of our Siouxs (don't ask me what I'm only a Greenie). The pilot had to auto rotate onto JWS' soccer field that the RSM kept in pristine condition. Needless to say the RSM was having kittens over the condition of the turf because Mike had driven his MSRD vehicles all over it and left rather deep ruts all over it. Choice words were exchanged between the said RSM and Mike, with Mike having had enough, handed a spanner over to a very red faced RSM with the words "You do it then ,with a pause. Sir". So whatever had gone wrong was unwronged and the Sioux happily flew back to our hanger to lots of hand-clapping and of course cases of Tiger Beer. A task that should have taken 2 days was stretched to seven. That was the last time we spoke in person, some interaction on this web site though.
I shall raise 2 fingers of 18 year old Glenffidich tonight and wish Mike God speed. I hope some of you will join, I shall miss him.
Fare thee well Mike.
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