I have just read(27 May 2010) an article in the Daily Mail about The Old Red Lion and in it there is a mention that this pub closed in 2008 due to the ill health of the Landlord , the late Tom O'Shea. An extract from the article reads.
''Tom O'Shea, who kept the Old Red Lion for 20 years, was himself late of the Irish Guards and the Catering Corps, and his pub was as close to the perfect pub as I have ever known''
Anybody who knew the man will know the reason behind the statement.
I will remember with great fondness our first meeting in 1966 ,me a 15 year old new arrival on my first day as an Apprentice, Paddy acting Platoon SGT of Gale Platoon,C COY ,JTR ACC.
As Paddy gripped the 15 year old bum fluff hanging from my chin between his fingernails, he ''QUIETLY'' informed me '' Can you feel that Laddie , well you b****y well should do ,I'm standing on it. Get a shave'' I will admit that had there been a strong wind that morning this incident may never occurred. By the time we parted company at the end of our basic training , Paddy was regarded as our substitute father and had he asked we would have descended into hell itself at his request. R.I.P. Paddy
Dave