Talk:Phil Ashby

I was the one who edited the page and asked for a source cited for Ashby's officer status at age 17. A source is still required, including in his book "Unscathed". I am in the British Army and I have never heard of anyone in the last 40 years who was an officer aged 17, be they Army, Royal Marines, RN or RAF. What it sounds like is that Ashby JOINED when he was 17. It is outrageous to suggest that as an untrained boy of 17 - legally not even allowed to participate on operations - he had any sort of actual command. Both myself and many others are eager for clarification on this.ArmouredTrooper 23:26, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

I'll check the book again and try to get verification from RM HQ --The internet is serious business 00:46, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

It is likely that he held a UCE - University Cadet Entrant with the RM. Hence the gap year reference and subsequent sponsorship from the RM at Cambridge. Although the scheme is no longer continued, UCEs were indeed considered commissioned (having undergone the same POC and AIB selection as all other RM YOs) although they would not have had command. They did however spend time in arduous conditions with the RM on deployment in order to gain exposure (at least two underwent the All Arms Commando Course whilst on holiday from university - Ashby was one) and after university were expected to undergo RM Young Officer training and complete a return of service. The scheme was enacted in order to attract graduates and compete with the best employers for the best people. 91.108.188.173 20:17, 21 August 2007 (UTC)


 * Phil held an SSLC with RM as of October/November 1987 which was prior to his 18th birthday. Unlike in the Army, all RM officers, including SSLCs, at least back in the 80s, received officer commissions on joining and not after completing training.  I know this because I was on the same course as Phil and attended his eighteenth birthday in Exeter.  We were not UCE entrants although Phil later went on to apply for and receive a university scholarship.  This means he is unusual in having taken the commando course twice, once in 1988 (AACC) and a second time after university.  Feel free to contact me for details.  Monadic (talk) 13:10, 30 June 2008 (UTC)

The article by the way is full of inacuracies...91.108.188.173 20:22, 21 August 2007 (UTC).

so would you care to discuss exactly how the article is "full of inacurcies" (sic) --The internet is serious business 10:36, 24 August 2007 (UTC)

Yes I would. First, if you are going to be smart and pick up my mistakes using sic then don't make mistakes of my original mistakes (and also use the correct parenthesis, ie these[]). 1. The article infers that the press followed the escape as it ocurred due to regular phone updates. This is not correct. Ashby called his wife who alerted the relevant military authorities. That's it. The other call he made to a UN HQ in Freetown was not answered. 2. There is no such recognised term as a 'gap year commission'. See my original comment above. 3. The Commando Medal is not 'awarded for leadership'. It is awarded to ranks under training on the Commando Course (YO, Rct or AACC) for displaying to a significant degree the commando qualities of: leadership, unselfishness, humour in adversity, courage and determination. 4. Ashby did not 'join the Mountain and Arctic Warfare Cadre' as it no longer existed by then and had not done so for a number of years. He underwent the ML2 (Mountain Leader 2nd Class) course and became an MLO (Mountain Leader Officer). 5. Ashby enjoys full movement in his legs again. 6. He is training to become a UIAGM Mountain Guide and is not just a motivational speaker. he also advises expeditions and has provided advice for TV productions operating in Arctic conditions (eg Serious Artcic).193.63.247.68 14:09, 13 September 2007 (UTC)

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