Pocket Piece

[robbiegal]

yeah sorry
I was keeping in with the theme

although I'd knock back a few drinks if I was being made to go off to fight a war that I didn't want to be involved in

the F-I-L was cool about it though he didn't end up in combat and like many, feels guilty that he didn't ...

pretty cool being from a line of publicans as well
my mum was a book-keeper by profession and I spent many an afternoon after school within the inner confines of a hotel - back in the days when the publican lived on site with their family & when people had their kids with them at their workplace! hotels and a trucking depot were a couple that I remember with some fondness - the supermarket docks were boring

hum soggy sawdust - wouldn't have liked to be the cleaner at that bar!

[Goldseeker]

I was a nasho, sent to Vietnam three times.   Was not a boozer so didn't get in  the 6 o'clock swill or peed on the floor waiting in line.

I am retired/TPI now and still don't drink nor do I pee on the floor.

Great times the 60/70's.

Back on track now:   I never carried anything for luck in any my pockets but my dad always carried a small lump od coal in his pocket ever since he was a youngster, the same piece till he passed away 1979.   I still have that piece of coal somewhere tucked away at home here.

[robbiegal]

just googled!!

Coal was often a new Year gift of sorts
Scotland
Scottish New Year
The Scottish New Year is known as Hogmanay and both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day were also known as Daft Days.

"It's traditional in Scotland to go "first-footing" on Hogmanay, a wonderful excuse to go out visiting friends and partying all night, but certain things are essential to make your New Year go with a swing.
Lump of Coal
 In days of yore never mind the whisky, it was traditional for First Footers to carry a lump of coal with them. This was lovingly placed on the host's fire."
After welcoming the New Year, all the people of the household would wait to see who the first person to enter the house after midnight will be, as this person would indicate whether they would have good luck or bad luck for the coming year. The first person must be a dark haired male, young virile, good natured and prosperous. He should not be empty handed and was supposed to bring with him a small gift such as a piece of coal, bread, salt as they were symbols of life."

Perhaps your father was a 'firstfooter' in his younger days
I once met a man who remembered being the first footer (or rather his mother made him come home from the pub to be that!!

[Goldseeker]

Nope, my dad was none of that as far as I know.  

The piece came from Gurnsey where as a youngster, he grew up.

[robbiegal]

well, I now know more about Guernsey after your post Goldie
sounds like a smashing place to have grown up - British Crown dependency etc etc

my friend wikkie

[Goldseeker]

Guernsey, Jersey all part of the Channel Islands.

I personally have never been there but the TV show Coast went there and apparently they had a very hard time during the German occupation during WW11.

But that is another story.