June 1985

41

for his last few months of service before retirement. Apprentice College 1-0. They also won the junior
RQMS Bern ier moves to 6/7 QUEENS (V) on hockey and the junior downhill skiing at Aviemore.
appointment as RSM . Amongst those that have already
departed are W02 Ryan , Cpl Coffer and Cpl lrwin to the Our seven a side rugby team won the Eastern District,
1st Bn and to the 2nd Bn Lt D Nelson, Cpl Bashford , Cpl and are through to the Army Championship.
Brady, Cpl Sudden , Cpl McCabe, Cpl Payne, Cpl Thorn
The forecast of Regimental Events here includes the
and LCpl Gray. Grand Reunion, 14 July 1985, and the Past and Present
Dinn er, 12 October 1985. We hope to see many old and
Our junior soldiers have done particularly well on the new faces at these occasions.
sporting front during the winter months . They won the
Junior Army rugby, beating the Junior Guards Depot by Maj M D Maloney BEM
21-14. They then went on to beat the Pay Corps

THE INFANTRY JUNIOR LEADERS BATTALION

There are 28 Juniors badged QUEENS at IJLB at the evening, three hours on a Tuesday evening and the
time of going to press. Ten will pass out in June and the jump on the Wednesday. We practised loading onto the
plane, jumping out of the door and landing, particularly
remainder in August. landing as we did not want broken ankles. Jump day
arrived. We drove up to Headcorn in the Landrover with
This is the last year that IJLB will be known as IJLB .
Training has continued relentlessly , despite severe our chutes. Everyone was excited but also nervous . The
weather conditions in January which affected so many plane only held seven jumpers at a time. I was number 2
exercises. on the first flight. We took off from Headcorn and
climbed to 200 feet. The Jump Master indicated out of
Junior Leaders have been abroad to the battlefields of the door - '200 feet' so we could judge the height for
France and Belgium. They have also been to the ourselves. We reached the jump height - 2000 feet.
Pyrenees on a ca noe expedition, and done extremely The No 1 got into the door, the wind rushing past the
well in representing the battalion at sport with

distinction . noise was incredible. No 1 went - then it was my turn .

JLdr Knight was a member of the boxing team that My nerves gone, a pat on the shoulder and a shout 'go'

won the Junior Army Cup. He went on to win his bout and I was out.

as a Junior Army Individual finalist as well. I instinctively counted one thousand, two thousand,

JLdr Green was a member of the basketball team that three thousand and my chute opened. I was floating. lt
won the Junior Army Minor Units Cup. He has been an was very quiet. I looked around me and the rest of the
asset to the team as he is the tallest juni or at IJLB, flight was also in the air. lt was fantastic . I could see the
LZ below - a large white arrow. The man on the
" measuring a colossal 6 feet 10 inches! ground was telling me to adopt the landing position and
Lt Greenfield coached the Junior hockey team then I was on the ground.
through to the final of the Junior Army Hockey Cup and
After a debrief and cup of tea, the kit was packed
they won it for the second time since 1964-65!
away and we returned to IJ LB . I have since done a total
New arrivals to the permanent staff have been many of three jumps, and want to do many more.
recently. We welcome: Cpl Bishop from 3 QUEENS to
lt was a superb experience that I shall always
HQ Coy, Cpl McGuire from 1 QUEENS to the QM
Department, Pte Knight 3 QUEENS to Salamanca remember .

Company, Cpl M anns 3 QUEENS to take over from Cpl EXERCISE BLUE PADDLE

Collins, who returns to 3 QUEENS after two very

rewarding years at IJLB . Lt D J Greenfield by JCpl Davies

PARACHUTING The exercise began on 30 March. Our friends had
long gone home on the train . IJLB was now deserted , a
by JLdr Knight strange feeling, with no echoes from the drill square
every minute of the day!
I have always wanted to do parachuting but had
never had the opportunity to do so, until I joined the The expedition was a canoeing exercise in the
Army. Pyrenees . We were going to drive via Dover over the
Channel and then south through France to the
I had seen a film about an American free fall team on Pyrenees .
tour in China and thought 'that looks terrific ; I want to
do it too '. The expedition began on the night of 30 March with
an extremely rough crossing of the channel. All
Once I had the forms signed I began my parachute members of the expedition felt 'g reen about the gills'
training with the para chuting hobby on Tu esday even on a ferry - what was it going to be like in a ca noe
evenings. Jumping would take place at the Headcorn on a Pyrenean river! The journey was very boring and
on Wednesday afternoons. uncomfortable , south through France. The expedition

Training was very thorough , three hours on a Monday !continued on page 43)

42

REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS

Regimental Secretary's Notes The Biannual Regimental Committee Meeting

We have fortunately had a settled six month period As part of the recent exercise in seeking your views
with no staff changes, the first time since I became on the format and content of the Journal , it transpired
Secretary! that many would like to see promulgated in my notes
the decisions taken at the Regimental Committee
Guy Weymouth is in the process of painting a series Meetings . I am happy to do this. but there will be
of head and shoulders portraits of our Colonels. He has occasions when there will be a six month gap between
completed one of General Dick Craddock , our first decision and promulgation! For what they are now
Colonel, and is near completing one of General Fergus worth the decisions taken at the November 1984
Ling . His next task will be to paint General Rowley meeting were :
Mans .
Freedom Marches . Barnet would be top priority for
The major event of the first part of the year was the
sad death of Lt Gen Sir Brian Horrocks the last of our 1986.
great Second World War Commanders. His obituary
appears elsewhere in this issue so I will say no more . No 1 Dress Hats
except that the Service of Thanksgiving for his life was (a) Officers . The sharper No 3 peak would be
held in Westminster Abbey on 26 February . Many of adopted on a replacement basis. Gieves and Hawkes
you no doubt read the report of the Service and of the accepted as additional Regimental Hatters .
many distinguished people who attended . The Colonel
of The Regiment was present representing us . (b) Soldiers . A move to adopt the Guards pattern hat
was turned down by the Army Dress Committee.
The Regimental Dinner Club was well and truly
launched on the night of Friday 15 March at The Duke Uniform Jersey. The proposal for a Regimental
of York's Headquarters . 110 dined and from letters and Uniform Jersey was rejected.
comments it was obviously welcomed and enjoyed . We
have booked the Duke of York's again for next year , for Sports Jersey. it was agreed to adopt a white
Friday 21 March 1986, and will try in future years to go Regimental Sports Jersey as well as a lightweight
firm on the third Friday in March . blue pullover .

Horse Guards 1985 Track Suit. it was agreed to adopt a blue Regimental
Tra ck Suit.
it is with much regret that we were unable to provide
the finance necessary to bring The Albuhera Band over Officers ' Club Associate Membership. it was
for the display . The cost to the Regiment would have agreed that fee-paying Associate Membership of the
been some £7-8,000, and frankly for a regimantally Club should be offered to selected officers of other
shared occasion we did not feel the expense was regiments or co rps who have served with the Regi-
justified . However we did complete equipping both ment. Honorary membership would continue as a
Albuhera and Quebec Bands with their new helmets in very special privilege for a sma ll number of people .
good time for the event.
Book of Remembrance. it was agreed that there
should be a Regimental Book of Remembran ce
recording the names of those in the Regiment who
were killed or died whilst serving on the Active List.

Howe Barracks , Canterbury - the view from Regimental Headquarters as it was, and as it now is. " No co mment ."

43

RCO'S REPORT Col John Francis, the Regimental Secretary, presen-
ted the prizes . Once more the Cumberland Sword went
Regimental Information Team to Kent , won by CSgt A Welcome of St Mary' s Bay,
with Sgt W Rhodes of Seaford being the runner up. The
The Regimental Information Team , considering their Kirkes Cane was won by LCpl D E Davis of 72 Queen's
problems with transport, has had a very busy winter Cadet Company (Bermondsey) and the runner up Cpl M
period with nightly visits to Army Cadet Force Units, C Fay of Waking. The Team Cup was won by Kent with
most sections carrying out 15 to 20 training nights a 2969 points and SW / SE London Sector ACF came
month. The team has also assisted with weekend second with 2926 points.
training at the Depot for The Judd School CCF,
Kingston ACF and Caterham ACF . Day training has The weekend was a success and this was due
been carried out at lnvicta Park, Maidstone from Dulwich undoubtedly to the hard work of all the staff, be they
College, 72 Cadet Company London, 4th Cadet the volunteer cooks from 5 QUEENS, members of 7
Battalion Kent ACF , Sheerness ACF and East Church CTI, the team from St Johns Ambulance Brigade or the
ACF. They also ran a Field Training Weekend for RIT themselves . Thank you .
CCF I ACF Unit Commanders and a method of instruc-
tion cadre organised for The City of London School Recruiting
CCF. 10 members of the team were heavily involved
with the exhibition 'Careers of the 80' at the Soldier recruiting is proceeding at a fairly satisfactory
Horticultural Hall , London, where the display received level , apart from a shortage of Junior Leaders. There is
most favourable comment from many people. lt was a continuing shortfall of these and as the adult yearly
estimated that 30,000 children visited the exhibition over intake figures are geared to the full allocation being
four days. The display team also visited a number of attained on all categories it will take many months for
multi-purpose shopping centres in the South East and any alteration to be made . Another problem is that the
learnt much about both World Wars before the days of wastage rate of QUEEN'S badged soldiers, junior
sleeping bags and the SLR from some of the 'old and leaders and junior soldiers is higher than those of the
bold'! Never mind - it all adds up to good public other two regiments - if this wastage could be rectified
relations for the Regiment. the situation in the battalions would be improved.

Over the weekend 12-14 April , the Cumberland For the financial year 1984-85 eleven applicants for
Sword and Kirke's Cane Competition was held once commissions (including two for Short Service Limited
more at Crowborough Camp . lt was a rather damp Commissions) have been accepted for the Regiment
weekend and unfortunately the bashas had not been and there are another four still to be interviewed. The
erected when a rather heavy hail shower hit the number of applicants for this year is encouraging.
competitors, painfully so! 88 cadets from Kent, Surrey, However, there has been an increase of previously
Sussex and the London Army Cadet Forces competed accepted undergraduates in their final year deciding not
for the prizes which for the first time also included a to enter the Army, possibly as a result of the improve-
Team Cup . ment in the state of the economy.

VISITORS TO RHO Exercise Blue Paddle (continued from page 41)

Since the last issue of the Journal the following have finally reached the campsite, near the town of St John
signed the Visitors Book at RHO: Perche de Port, at 2100 hours on 31 March .

Ms Barbara lnwood Klutz and Mr William Haberman On April 1 the expedition looked around the town in
of Maryland USA, Lt Col Gordon Gray RTR , Col Crispin the morning and then took the canoes to the still waters
Champion , Canon Peter Brett, Maj Mike Jelf, Col Paddy of the Graude Nive river . Once afloat the current swept
Smith , W01 R F Poole, Lt Alan Blowes, Maj Nigel us towards and over our first set of rapids! There were
Harris, 2Lt Richard Owen , Lt Col Simon Boucher, Mr no serious mishaps less an unfortunate capsize from
Jim Downes, Maj Peter Hitchcock, Lt Col Jim Shephard , Arnhem Company who made a habit of capsizing over
Lt Patrick Crowley, Capt Ray Scott , Lt Col Mike Ball, rapids throughout the expedition. There was one
2Lt Richard Weyers , Lt Kim White RE , Lt John Powell , consolation at the end of each day - everyone was
2Lt Paul Beat , Lt John Fisher, Lt Col Paddy Panton , Maj both tired and hungry. Appetites were large and the
David Wake, Lt Col Giles Bateman , Brig Mike Thorne , expedition ate almost anything.
Mr Barry Reed , Mr PR Hayward , Lt Sean Duggan, Maj
John Ma cWilliam , Maj lan Lloyd , Maj and Mrs Peter A s the week progressed , the canoeing standard
Hill , Col Buck Bu chanan , W01 T S Davis, Lt Col Rod improved, the rapids got larger and claimed more
Arnold , Maj Ma x Maloney, M aj Tim Oyler, RSM Hamill , capsizes. The w eather also improved to a steady 80° F
Capt Johnnie Castle, Capt Mark Rayner, RSM J Taylor, which enabled everyone to wear shorts and try to
Mr Hugh Bennett , Lt Andre Ramsey, 2Lt Simon J ohns, devel op a suntan to show off in UK on our return!
Lt J onathan Wright , Lt Keith Gubbin 2Lt Brendan
Haynes, Maj Peter How e. The exercise was a great success , full of invaluable
ex periences and some fond memories . If the chance
arose again t o do something like this , I would go again ,
Superb ca noe1ng and a whole lot of fun .

44

REGIMENTAL BENEVOLENCE
by Major Alan Martin

The Income and Expenditure Accounts and Balance the two younger children and Mrs Vincent of SSAFA .
Sheet for the Benevolent Fund and Regimental Associa- The boy Clifford , pictured on the tricycle, has been
tion are published elsewhere in these pages and I doubt handicapped from birth and because he cannot use his
that journal readers will spare the sums more than a legs he has been very sad watching other children riding
passing glance. For the budding Price Waterhouses their bicycles. Thanks to the efforts of SSAFA, a
amongst you I will highlight one or two pomts from the concerted effort was made to obtain Clifford a special
figures. Firstly, Day's Pay Contributions coupled w1th (but unfortunately expensive) tricycle which is propelled
Tax Refunds on Deeds of Covenant totalled some from the handlebar. The picture is of Clifford getting the
£46 ,000, an impressive sum which reflects the tricycle in time for Christmas.
generosity of the vast majority of all Oueensmen.
Secondly, the Unit Accountants amongst you will ra1se This picture tells many stories. lt tells of caring
their eyebrows at the investment yield of £4,083, parents ; it tells of a boy refusing to accept disability; it
representing a percentage yield of only 1.42% of the tells of that wonderful organisation SSAFA who do so
market value of investments. Th1s IS part of a deliberate much work, mostly unsung and unpublicised, to
policy on the part of the Trustees who have directed the guarantee the welfare of service families; it tells of good
Investment Sub Committee to go for all-out growth 1n communications between Regular Battalions and Regi -
the portfolio whilst demands on the Fund for assistance mental Headquarters, and not least of all, it
are relatively small, in preparation for the years ahead demonstrates to us all the Regimental Benevolent Fund
when the numbers of Queensmen and their dependants putting YOUR money to good use in helping to give
will have increased along with the age of the Regiment . pleasure to one of our vast Regimental family .

A donation of £5,000 was given to the Army Bene- WE CARE - DO YOU?
volent Fund in recognition of the sympathetic assis-
tance so readily given, both in outright grants and by
resettlement loans to those non commissioned ranks in
the last 12 months of Colour Service. For 1985-86 the
Trustees have agreed to increase the donation to

£6,000.

The financing of the Grand Reunion is reflected in the
Regimental Association figures and those who turned
up and enjoyed themselves so much, both Oueensmen
and Old Comrades from our Founding Regiments, will I
am sure consider that the investment in the propagation
of the Regimental Spirit was a sound investment.

The Committee of the Regimental Association
requires me to bring to your notice in each edition of the
Journal examples of assistance given to members and ex
members of the Regiment without impugning the
confidentia lity of the case. For this edition I am going to
modify the Committee's instructions and g1ve you but
one P.xample. For once we don 't have to worry about
betraying confidences because the parents concerned
have given us permission to publish . So I w1ll and be
damned!

The picture is of Cpl Clifford Armstrong of the 3rd
Battalion , Mrs Armstrong , their teenage son Clifford,

For advertising rates apply to:
Combined Service Publications Limited
PO Box 4, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 7LR

45

THE QUEEN'S REGIMENT REGIMENTAL SHOP
BENEVOLENT FUND
Incom e and Expenditure A cco u nt

Inco m e and Expendi tu re Account Year ended 31s t D ecember 1984

1983 Year end e d 31 st D e c embe r 1984 6851 1983 Inco m e 22844
6807 27650 18500
22338 In come Sales 16773
1590 2308 13461 Less Stock at cost 1st 19923
92 12 Off1cers Day's Pay subscnpt1ons 11854 Januerv . 1984
9200 Sold•ers Day's Pay subscnpt.ons 11 000 19275
7210 Tax Refunds ; Investment d1v1dend 7070 Purchases
4083
41 58 Day's Pay subscripllOns 32736 36696
1126 Army Benevolent Fund loans 993 18039 18657
Army Benevolent Fund grants 400 16773 Less. Clos•ng stocks, 31st
32 1 Investment 1ncome
7 Depos1t account mterest 402 15963 December 1984
- Oonat•ons
Postage 72611 2537 Gross pro'•t 4187
NS B Investment account mterest
Expendit ure
6 1969 12
84 Rebate / Refund 45
4968 Ex penditure 7537 159 3 Packag1ng matenals
9200 11000 2378 45 Insurance 17
72 10 ASSIStance 7070 17 Artwork 31
871 4 Army Benevolent Fund loans 10350 2537 10 Carnage charges
Army Benevolent Fund grants 5000 105
- Grant, Day's Pay General Purposes Fund - Postal loss
4354 Grant, Assodat1ons General Purposes Fund ron - Adven1s1ng 4002
Dona tions 4187
190 Investment expenses 174 Surplus 1ncome over
169 Aud1t fees 231 expenditure !to Funded
Wrea ths and flowers Cha11t1esl
5 Presentation 23
Reference books 428
19 Office equ1pment 90
13 Pnn11ng
30 Travel expenses 47980
125 2463 1
-
7261 1
34997
26972 Surplus income over expend•ture

61969

GENERAL PURPOSES FUND

Incom e an d Ex p enditure A cco u nt BENEVOLENT FUND

Y e a r e n ded 31s t D e c ember 1984

1983 In come Ba la nc e Sh eet
20 es at 31 D ecember 1984
Deposll mterest
20 Grand Reumon 1984 5e8o9 1983 InvestmentS at cost per Schedule 186237
1422 150809 12122431 market value 1£2875721
Lunches 192 5000
Raffle - Current assets 14
NAAFI reba te 750 Nat1onal Savmgs Investment account
Grant !Day's Pay General 1611 20 1522
Purposes Fundi 3608 Cash 1n hand 13476
5000 Cash at bank - 2395
Grant !Benevolent Fund 19816 18039
General Purposes) 1351 Current account
Depos1t account 40446
6611 16n3 Sundry debtors
Shop stock at cost
Excess expenditure over

41568

1442 6611

147 Expenditure 55 Less . Current liabiliti es 225 25334
46 107 140 Aud1t fee 14887 211571
423 Audit Fees 72 11358 Sundry cred•tors
243 Wreaths and flowers 411 15112
AssociatiOn Newsletters 30070 11498
8 Presentations 241
575 Prmung 180079
Advert1smg 135
1442 Reg1mental Flags 152 137037 A ccu mul at ed Funds 178509
1442 Meetmg expenses 14500 General Fund 31 De~mber , 1983
Regt . 1nformat1on team 578 178509 26912 Add . Profit on Sole of Investments 5068
sports equipment 270 Surplus •ncome over expenditure 24631 2011208
Portraits/ photography
Bronze cast Reg1mental 136 3792 Reg1mental Assocl8tl0n General Purposes 2370 3363
badges 104 Fund 31st December, 1983 993 211571
Recru1t handouts 1538
Queen's D1v1S10n Reg1mental 2370 114221 Add: Surplus 1ncome over expenditure
Information Room 76
Funeral expenses 230 1~79
RecrUiting advert•smg 288
Grand Reumon 1984 156
366
Advert•s•ng
Portaloo 45
Transport 638
Electncs
Prmt1ng 1819
Insurance
Lunches 5618

Surplus 1ncome over 993
expendllure
6611

46

THE REGIMENTAL REGIMENTAL CRICKET CLUB

ASSOCIATION by M aj I R J ones

by M aj R Waite This year has seen the formation of the Regimental
Cricket Club . A number of people were involved in the
General idea of setting up the club and one prime mover
promptly scampered abroad at the crucial stage .
As I am sure you are all aware , our Charter has made Although the Regiment became ' large' in 1966 and since
it clear that all Oueensmen, once posted to their bat- the demise of the Old Depot ' Cricket Week' at
talions , are life members of the Association . Until Canterbury there have been no occasions for cricketers
recently it was considered that a life membership card from all battalions and ERE to play together - the
was not necessary. At the last Executive Meeting in Glorious First of June fixture has been generally staffed
October 1984 it was proposed and unanimously agreed by 1 QUEENS members, past or present. Also it was felt
that a card was required . To th is end a card has been that by forming such a club and playing some of the
produced , based on the size and quality of the Barclay- Schools in our Recru iting Area , there would be a natural
Card , showing the member' s number, initials and name. 'spin-off' of awareness of the Regiment .
The card has already been issued on a large scale.
Ret1red or past members who w ish to avail themselves With the uncertainty of our numbers and , more
of a card may do so by writing to me, here at importantly, of our standard , it was felt that there
Regimental Headquarters, enclosing 50p . Cards will also should be only a few fixtures this year and that these
be on sale at the Grand Reunion. should be against the School 2nd XI or a Masters Boys
side . The Colonel of The Regiment then wrote to the
Association events planned for 1985 are : Headmasters and the following fixtures were arranged :

Grand Reunion - Sunday 14 Ju ly 1985 Wellington College - 4 May
Eastbourne College - 25 May
(Bassing b ourn Barra cks) Dulwich College - 29 May
Tonbridge School - 6 Jt.ne
The following is our outl ine plan : Cranleigh School - 23 June

1100 Gates open . All the fixtures are in the afternoon at the School con -
1200 Drumhead Service (Old Comrades participating cerned. I know the team would be delighted if anyone
should arrive by 1130 hrs) followed by various living in the area cou ld come to spectate (although by
1230 static displays and events ; Band Concert by The the time the journal is published most of the fixtures will
1630 Queen's TA Band ; Sale of Reg imentalia . have been played ). There has been a very good
1700 Bars open ; Lunch boxes available on repayment, response from players and over 50 have volunteered
their services . If there is anyone else who is interested in
NAAFI refreshments on sale . playing for next year please contact the Secretary of
Beating of Retreat . the Club at Regimental Headquarters .
Dispersa l.
This year sees once more the annual match versus
WO's an d Sgts' Past and Prese nt Dinner HMS Ex cellent (we are still not sure of their future ) on
June 1st and the game will be hosted by 2 QUEENS at
Saturday 12 Octo ber 1985 Oakington Barracks, near Cambridge .

Tickets at £8.50 on application to Major M D Maloney CANTERBURY CRICKET WEEK
BEM , Depot The Queen 's Division, Bassingbourn Bar-
racks, Royston , Hertfordshire , SG8 5LX . Again the Queen's and Queen's Own Buffs Cricket
Week Tent will be open on the St Lawrence Ground and
The dinner is open to all serving and retired WOs and all officers from The Queen's Regiment and the former
Sgts of The Queen's Reg iment and the Founding Regiments are eligible as members.
Reg iments .
Details can be obtained from Maj H C L Tennent,
The Executive and Annual General M eeting, RHO The Queen 's Regiment, but the tent will be open
11 October 1985, Duke of York 's Hea dq uarters , for the following matches:
Chelsea, London
10, 12 and 13 August, County Championship, Kent v
1030 Execu tive Meeting . Sussex
1115 A nnual Genera l Meeting .
11 August - John Player League, Kent v Sussex
The Field of Remembrance, St. Margaret's
14, 15 and 16 August , County Championship, Kent v
(Westminster) , 7 November 1985 Warwickshire

1130 Planung of Poppy Crosses by The Queen' s A bar will be open every day, lunches (booked in
1200 Reg1ment A ssociation Secretary. advance) will be served on 10, 12, 13, 14 and 15 August
Opening of the Field of Remembrance by Her and teas will be served daily.
MaJesty, Queen Elizabeth The Queen M othe r.
We need even more support this year particularly
from serving officers.

THE REGIMENTA L GOLFING (pictures by Ma1 A Marttn )

SOCIETY

Annual Meet ing , 25 Ap ri l 1985

A total of 37 players attended the Annual Meeting on
Thursday 25 April which was held as usual at Canter-
bury Golf Club . lt was a cold but dry day which will
remain memorable not only for the number there , but
also as the meeting when Maj Rex Shearburn smashed
the w indscreen of a moving target with his golf ball !

Mrs John Davidson , the wife of our captain , presen-
ted the awards at the end of the day . These were the
' Scratch ' and 'Tiger' Cups to Col John Davidson , the
'Weekender' Cup to Capt John Clark , the ' Rabbits ' Cup
to Col Hugh Tarver , the Rose Bowl to Col Hugh Tarver
and Mr D W Tilley , the Battalion Cup to 6/7 QUEENS
(V ) (Maj Trevor Medcalf and Cpl Kelly) , the ' Hole in
Two' prize to Maj Tony Russell and Capt John Clark ,
and the President's Potter to Col John Francis and Lt
Col Giles Bateman.

After the presentations there was the customary
Annual General Meeting , during which Col John
Davidson was unanimously elected as Captain again for
1986 .

The Regimental Golf Matches to be played this year
are listed earlier in this Journal under ' Dates to
Remember' . The date of the Annual Meeting in 1986 is
Thursday, 22 May . Please record this in your diary,
now .

Top : Players at the 19th ho le.
Midd le: Col John Davidson , our Captain , receives his cup

from Mrs Jennifer Davidson.
Lower : Col John Franc is and Lt Col Giles Bateman ,
winners of the President 's Potter . Lt Col David Shephard

is in the background .

48

THE QUEEN'S REGIMENT

FREE FALL PARACHUTE

DISPLAY TEAM

The Queen's Regi ment Free Fall Para chute Display
Team plans to start performances in 1986. This year, ten
Queensmen are training at the Joint Services Parac hute
Centres in Netheravon, BAOR and Cyprus.

The Regiment is fortunate in having as Team Instruc-
tor, Sgt W J Sharp, the Army Free Fall Champion , who
transferred to us from the Parachute Regi ment. Sgt
Sharp has done over 2,600 jumps and has 14 yea rs
experience of parachuting. He is an Advanced Instructor
and an Accelerated Free Fall Instructor and Jumpmaster.

REPORT FROM LIPPSPRINGE Free Falling Queensman at Lippspringe. (Left to right)
Sgt Sharp, Pte Bryne, Pte Deal , Pte Odey, Pte Morphy.
by Sgt W J Sharp
experience and he is showing a lot of promise. lt
This year sees the beginning of The Queens Regiment won 't be long before he w ill be up w ith the rest .
Free Fall Team . lt was started with a lot of background
work being done by members of the Reg iment and the I advise these Queensman and to all of the future
result at this stage is that several soldiers from eac h of team at the other centres to stay with it ; everyone has
the three batta li ons are now serving at the three Joint problems at some stage. T o anyone who wishes to
Services Parachute Centres in UK, BAOR , and Cyprus . begin , there are courses run all year at the three JSPCs
They will come together later in the year to begin w hich provide a very good start to the spo rt and the
team w ill always be on the lookout for future display
working and training as a team . members .

The four serving in BAOR at the JSPC Lippspringe at Finally, anyone who has any parachuting experience
present are Ptes Byrne, Odey , Morphy and Deal. and is interested in jumping, could you please put pen to
paper and let the Free Fall Team know about yourself .
Contrary to a lot of people's thinking, working at a We hope to do a team training exercise early next year
and maybe we ca n arrange something.
parachute centre is not all about jumping all day and
REPORT FROM NETHERAVON
every day. The staff's individu al parachuting skills must
by CSgt I D Townsley
be developed at times when they are f ree from normal
January this year saw the arrival of Pte Cooper and
work commitments . This means also working most Pte Godden at the Joint Servi ces Parachute Centre ,
Netheravon , to undergo a year's training in freefa ll
wnoeremkaelndws~ekas-dthaeynjoobthsear npda rachutists are free from their parachuting in preparation for the Regimental Freefa ll
they wish to jump . Having Display Team. lt is expected that at the end of the year ,
t hey wi ll have co mpleted 200 descents each. At the t1me
said the above, alm ost anyone who is interested in of writing , Pte Godden has completed 24 jumps and Pte
Cooper 17 . Pte Cooper has also comp leted three
parachuting wou ld jump at the chance of working full descents which are part of an accelerated freefall
programme w hi ch he is now underta king .
time in the sport.
Parachuting takes up a small part of their life; as
At the time of writing, the standards of the membe rs of the Assistant Staff, they help with the
Queens men here are as follows : everyday running and maintenance of the Centre wh ich
sees nine military courses through the year for all three
- Pte Byrne, 1 QUEENS, has already done quite a bit Services, and 'o ne-jump' weekend co urses for military
dependants and civilians on a regular basis. In between
of parachuting and has 260 jumps and a ' D' licence at courses, the Centre run s several competiti ons and loca l
present. He is reasonably experienced in most f ields displays.
of the sport and will later this yea r be going for his
Potential Instructors Course , foll owed hopefully six Janu ary 1986 should see their return to the Depot
months later by his full Instructors rating. along with other members of the Regiment who have
undertaken similar training at other centres in Germany,
- Pte Odey , 3 QUEENS , has also done some jumping Cyprus and Hong Kong. Hopefull y, they wi ll form the
Regimental Freefall Display Tea m which will sta rt
before , 106 jumps in fact, but has had his log book operating in the sum mer of next yea r .
lost. So without positive proof of the above jumps he
is moving quickly through the progression system
again and is back to 30 second delays after 20 JUmps

this year.

- Pte Murphy, 3 QUEENS, has been here the longest

and although having had a lot of parascending skil ls
before he started with a few problems, but IS coming
on we1'1 now. He has done 46 jumps at present and is
on 15 second delays.

- Pte Deal, 3 QUEENS, started with no previous

49

OFFICERS' CLUB

Dinner Club

The first Dinner Club event was held at the Duke of
Yorks HO on Friday 15 March . The Colonel of the Regi-
ment presided and 110 Officers attended. Included in
this number were Major Generals Francis Piggott,
Fergus Ling , Rowley Mans and Mike Reynolds and eight
guests - Lt Andrew Brown who had been wounded in
N Ireland and seven officers who have recently retired
while serving at ERE and have not been dined out by the
Regiment elsewhere - Brig Peter Johnson, Lt Cols
Mike Dracopoli, John White and Peter Packham , Majs
Paul Gray and John MacWilliam and Capt Ken Beale.
Among the members present we were pleased to see
such a wide cross-section of serving and retired Regular
and TA officers and, not least, one of our sponsored
Officer Cadets from RMA Sandhurst. Everyone
agreed that the evening was a most enjoyable occasion.
The Dinner Club will hold its next dinner on Friday 21
March 1986, again in the Duke of Yorks HO. Please enter
this in your diary now, to avoid disappointment later!

Regimental Cocktail Party

The annual Cocktail Party will be held in the Haber-
dashers' Hall on Friday 11 October, starting at 6.30 p .m.
Detai ls will be sent to all members nearer to the event.

Associate Members The Officers' Dinner Club later in the
Top: A group of senior retired officers.
The following officers from other regiments or corps Lower : Three senior serving majors
who have served with a Queen's battalion have
accepted the invitation of the Colonel of the Regiment evening!
to become Associate Members of the Officers' Club:

Maj Stuart Cooper RAPC , Maj Peter Jones RAPC ,
Miss Annabel King (late WRAC) , Maj Jonathan Mum-
ford RAMC , Capt David Sinclair RAMC , Dr Jeff
Wictome (late RAMC).

Wedding Present

An appreciative letter has been received from Capt G
W Cross for the engraved silver salver presented to him
by members of the Officers' Club as a wedding present.

Financial Secretary celebrates latest FT Index figure 7

photo courtesy Dover Rotoract and M1ss Victoria Kelsall

50

Letter to the Regimental Secretary

from Lt Col J B Ray MBE

PO Box 18355
Salalah
Sultanate of Oman
26 December 1984

My dear John, and Defence, Sayyid Fa rh bin Taimour AI Said; the
uncle of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos .
Mary would be horrified if she knew I was writing to
you on the subject of an award made to her but, never- I feel that you will be interested to learn of this
theless that's exactly what I' m about to do! unusual honour. I was fortunate enough to be there
when the medal was presented and I enclose a photo-
When Mary was in Oman before - in 1972 to 1974 - graph of Mary taken immediately afterwards.
she was, of co urse, married to Ja ck Fletcher who was
seconded to command the Dhofar Brigade here . lt was Yours as ever,
the time of the Dhofar war , and Mary volunteered to
help as a nurse in the Military Hospital in Salalah . There Brian
were a lot of wounded during that time and so she was
kept very busy working long hours and, typically,
refusing any sort of payment.

In addition to nursing in the wards, Mary travelled by
helicopter, skyvan, or Beaver aircraft to open temporary
clinic sessions in remote Jebel , desert and coastal
areas; on more than one occasion she came under fire!

As a result of her contribution to the winning of the
war in the Southern Province, Mary was awa rded the
Sultan of Oman 's Commendation; this took the form of
a bronze palm leaf to be worn over the Dhofar Cam-
paign medal ribbon .

Mary and Jack left Oman in the middle of 1974. Since
that time and before her return three years ago a
Sultan 's Commendation Medal was struck to replace
the bronze palm leaf. All those originally awarded the
commendation were presented with the new medal,
which is attractively designed in gold, and has a royal
blue ribbon superimposed with a gold palm leaf . On
Mary's return to the cou ntry, therefore, the Chief of
Defence Staff, General Sir Timothy Creasey, told her
that a presentation of this new medal was to be made.

This was done on 10 December 1984 in Muscat by His
Royal Highness, the Deputy Prime Ministe r for Security

W THE REGIMENTAL REPRESENTATIVE
J\1 IN DENMARK
~
by Maj A C Dawson

My three and a half year tour as Regimental Colonel of the Regiment and all ranks . In late April and
Representative in Denmark, and as an exercise planner at early May Robin Christmas and I will complete our hand-
HQ Allied Forces Baltic Approaches comes to an end over (the non-NATO part of it) in Copenhagen dealing with
before the publication of this issue of the Journal . regimental matters. On 1 May we have been granted an
audience with HM Queen Margrethe, to be followed by
Throughout my time here I have been very conscious of lunch at Christiansborg Castle. My last act before leaving
the great interest shown in ou r regimental connection with Denmark will be to host a party for The Buffs Past and
Denmark . The interest comes not only from the more Present Association .
obvious quarters, but also from a variety of Danish
servicemen and civilians, many of whom are surprised and I will be sad to leave Denmark. The NATO part of the job
pleased to see that their country has another strong link has been fascinating and has given me a perspective on
with the United Kingdom . military affairs that I suppose only a NATO job can do . The
Regimental part of the job has been particu larly rewarding
On 22 April my successor, Maj Robin Christmas, and I and has led to the acquisition of a whole new range of
will be guests of The Queen's Life Regiment in Aalborg . friends. I think Robin and Verona will thoroughly enjoy
Before lunch I will present to the Regimental Commander, their tour here and I wish them all success .
Colonel J\')l'gensen , a regimental shield on behalf of the

51

News from our Affiliated Associations

The Queen's Royal
Surrey Regimental
Association of the
Queen's Regiment

Presentation to Salerno Company, RMA Sandhurst Reunion and Dinner
The following branches of the Association have had
On 25 February 1985 the President had the pleasure of
presenting to Salerno Company of the RMAS a copy of reunions and / or Dinners during the winter :
the painting of Salerno painted in 1948 by Charles
Cundall RA to mark the participation of the six 5th Queens Old Members Associations at Guildford
battalions of the Queen's Royal Regiment in the battle. 2/ 6th Battalion , The Queens Royal Regiment
The President was accompanied by Col J B H Kealy
who commanded the 2/ 6th Battalion at Salerno and The Queens (Southwark) Regimental Association
was awarded the DSO, and by the Secretary Lt Col Les 2/7th Battalion , The Queens Royal Regiment (39th
Wilson. Lt Col A H Le Q Clayton TD was also present, Reunion Dinner)
and it was sad that Brig M E M MacWilliam who won
the first of his three DSOs at Salerno was prevented The Warrant Officers and Sergeants Association at
from coming . Kingston upon Thames

After the presentation Maj R W K Ross-Hurst RGJ , The Officers of the East Surrey Regiment
the Company Commander, and his officers entertained
the Association representatives to lunch . Capt JP Riley, The East Surrey Regimental Association at
the Regimental Representative at Sandhurst, coordin- Wandsworth
ated the occasion

The Queens Royal Surrey Regiment Museum, The Queen 's Royal Surrey Regiment Officers Club

Clandon Park A well -known Regimental personality enJoyong the
Queen's Surrey Regiment Reunion at the Union Jack
Under the direction of Lt Col H R D Hill, work Club . 2 November 1984.
continued over the winter to improve the displays . As
the special exhibition for 1985 and 1986 Mrs Daphne Hill
has organised one to cover the action of the 1st and 2nd
Battalion in the Far East - there highlighting , in
particular Kohima , the Chindit Operations and the
Malayan campaign of 1941 -1942.

The major task of properly cataloguing and indexing
all the medals has now been completed by Lt Col B A
Hannaford . This remains a continuing task as new
acquisitions come. During the winter the Museum
acquired by purchase at auction , as a result of a
generous response to an appeal by the President, the
decorations and medals of Brig Gen M B Mathew-
Lannowe CMG , DSO , a very distinguished CO of the
2nd Queens and someone intimately concerned with the
formation and training of the Tank Corps in 1916-1919,
of Maj R Wynn DCM , whose DCM was the first
awarded to th Regiment in the 1939-45 war , and of
L Sgt W Osborn DCM, MM and bar who was a member
of 8th Surreys in 1916- 1918 : he was present at the
famed ' Football Attack' on tile Somme on 1st July 1916.

The Mu seum has a special Regimental Open Day on
Saturday 28th September.

52

The Queen's Own Buffs
Regimental Association

(The Queen's Regt)

Retirement of our President, Captain M J Smith July. To cut down on the amount of marching and
because of uncertainty about the future of the 'Old
Ca pt Michael Smith has been our President since Barracks' the Parad e will form up and be inspected in
1982 and prior to that our Chairman for some seven Brenchley Gardens. The Fall In will be sounded at 10.15
years. it is therefore very sad news that because of other a.m. After the ceremony at Brenchley gardens we will
com mitments and the travelling time involved between march past the Mayor at the Town Hall and then enter
Hampshi re and Kent, he finds it impossible to continue All Saints for the Service. The Revd Canon Peter Naylor
as President. will give the Address . The reunion will be held in the

All members of the Association appreciate the Agricultural Hall la short distance from the Church) .
tremendous support and tireless energy which Mike Tickets for lunches, price £1 .50 may be obtained from
Smit h has given on our behalf . The last ten years have Mr K G Parker, 25 Brenchley Road , Maidstone -
not been easy ones and to a very large part it has been cheques made payable to The Maidstone Branch.
his enthusiasm and leadership which has helped the
Association win through to remain a thriving and happy The Canterbury Reunion will be held on 4 August -
organisation . at long last the Cathedral has agreed for us to return to
the first Sunday in August. We are also delighted that
We have a lot to thank him for and alth ough he is CO 1 DERR has agreed that we may use Howe Barracks
stepping down from being President we hope he will still for the Reunion. it should be a day of memories
make the odd visit to Kent and remember his many particularly for many old Buffs who started their military
friend s in the Regimental Association . lives in Howe Barracks .

Visit by 141 Regiment RAC (7th Battalion The The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regimental
Buffs)
Museum
On 26 February a party of ex members of 7 Buffs
including Mr G T Allnut and Mr R P C Kessell visited Since the re-open ing last September the Museum has
Canterbury with t heir ladies. They attended the Turning continued to flourish and we are hoping that during the
of the Page Ceremony in the Warriors Chapel and one summer the number of public visitors will be greater
of their number Mr Fred May ca rried out the duty of than ever.
turning the page. The short se rvi ce was cond ucted by
the Revd Leonard Preston who was at one time Padre to We are sad to have lost the services of Graham
the 7th Batta lion. After a tour of the Cathedral followed Hunter the Curator of the Maidstone Museum who has
by lunch the party paid a visit to The Buffs Museum been a good friend to the Regiment but has now sadly
where they were greeted by Brig R F Parry MC , left.
Chairman of the Museum Trustees and severa l other
Trustees and members of the Committee of Manage- The Queen 's Own Museum Appeal moves on slowly
ment·. and has passed the £4,250 mark . Some ex members and
friends of the Regiment have been extremely generous
Mr G T Allnutt on behalf of 7 Buffs presented to Brig and to them we say a very big thank you. There are sti ll
Parry a video cassette which gives a vivid pictorial and a very large number of letters to which we have not had
spoken account of the battle for ' S-Hertogenbosch in a reply. If anyone wishes to subscribe please send a
Holland. This account of the battle was produced by the cheque or Postal Order made payable to The Queen 's
Dutch as part of their celebrations of their liberation. it Own Museum Appeal to Maj H CL Tennent, RHO The
will be a val uable addition to the Mu seum Archives Queen 's Regiment , Howe Barracks, Canterbury, Kent.
particu larl y as it is in English and has a running time of Both large and small donations would be very welcome .
90 minutes.
We now have a coloured postcard of the Medici
All in al l it was a nostalgic day for these ex Buffs who Society copy of the old Regimenta l Print showing three
in 1941 were converted into a unit with tanks and in 1944 officers of 1850 standing in front of a blasted oak tree
were equipped with crocod iles carrying a Bessa, 75 mm with a sentry and a mounted officer in the background.
and a flame gun. 141 Regiment RAC as it became This is now for sa le through the Museum at 10p per
played a unique part in the operation in North W estern ca rd .
Europe . (See Chapter XVI of the Historica l Records of
The Buffs 1919-1948). Finally throu gh the generosity of Lady Craddock w e
have been prese nted with the medals and miniatures of
Remembrance Services and Reunions in 1985 Sir Waiter Craddock together with his sc rapbook and
photog raph album . Sir Waiter was the father of
The Maidstone Reu nion will be held on Sunday 7 Lieutenant General Sir Ri chard Craddock and was a
disting uished member of t he 20th London Reg iment.

53

The Buffs Museum w ho co ntributed as well as to the Appeal Chairman
Colonel Sir Ronald Gardner-Thorpe who steered us so
Now that t he appea l is drawing to a close you will be well towards and past our target. Plans to improve the
pleased to hear that it has raised over £22,000. This display are being considered, little progress will be made
capita l sum has been invested and should provide the until the Autumn when the peak visiting season wi ll be
Mu seum with a regular income f or the future years . This · over and t he Curator's work load will allow him more
is a magnificent result and our thanks go to everyone
time to give to our Museum .

The Royal Sussex Regiment
Association

(Representing the Queen's Regt in Sussex)

The Regimental Committee The Royal Sussex Officers Reunion Party

The Royal Su ssex Regimental Committee held a This annual event was held on Friday 8 March 1985 at
meeting at Th e Royal Commonwealth Society on Friday the Royal Commonwea lth Society, Northumberland
8 March 1985, under the chairmanship of Colonel J Avenue , SW1 . There was a good attendance at which
Buckeridge, President of the Royal Sussex Regimental Colonel J Bu cke ridge presided.
Association . The following were present :
The Officers' Dinner Club
Colonel J Bu ckeridge, Colonel G J Langridge, TD ,
Colonel R R M cNish, Colonel N B Knocker, OBE, Lt Col The Dinner wi ll be held on 4 October 1985 at Arundel
J R G Stanton, MBE, DL, Lt Col J R Stephenson , OBE, Castle, when ladies and members ' guests wi ll be invited
Major J F Ainsworth, Lt Col G C M Bowser, M ajor V M to attend .
A Tailby, Lt Col E G Hollist (secretary).

Apologies for absence were received from Brigadier J
B Ashworth , CBE, DSO.

TREES FOR TOMORROW

An interesting little ce remo ny took place on Thursday
13 December 1984, when Colonel J Bu ckeridge,
President of the Royal Sussex Reg imental Association ,
planted a tree as part of one of three copses to be
planted around Arundel Castle Cricket Ground. The
Regimental Association has con tributed towards the
'Trees for Tomorrow' appea l w ith the object of
commemorating the Royal Sussex Reg iment. Arundel
Castle was chosen because of the late Duke Bernard's
long connection with t he Regiment.

The theme of cricket is reflectd in the sc heme, with a
group of 11 whitebeams representing a cri cket team ,
whi le othe r species include birch , oak , pine, maple and
cherry, in keeping with the parkland setting. Th e first
tree in the scheme was planted in June by Her Grace
Lavinia, Du chess of Norfolk when the West Indian
cricket team was playing at Arundel.

Guests at the ceremony included Mr Alex Sayer,
Chairman of the 'Trees for Tomorrow' appea l, on behalf
of the West Sussex County Council, Colonel and Mrs J
Buckeridge, Colonel and Mrs G J Langridge , Lt Col E G
Hollist, Major and Mrs V M A Tailby and a number of
represen tatives from Branches of the Reg imental
Association.

After the ce remony a plaque was planted which bears
the words 'These trees were planted to commemorate
the Royal Sussex Reg iment 1701 -1966.'

54

FIELD OF REMEMBRANCE those attending moved to St Stephens Tavern where
refreshments had been organised by Major ' Bruno'
The Annual Ceremony at the Field of Remembrance, Bryant , Chairman of the London Branch . The following
Westminster Abbey, was held on Thursday 8 November crosses were planted:
1984 under arrangements made by the London Branch
of the Association. Colonel J Buckeridge, President of Badge Cross, London Branch ; Badge Cross,
the Royal Sussex Regimental Association , read the Hastings Branch; Badge Cross, all ranks 9th Bn ; Badge
prayers after he, a number of officers and representa- Cross, Ea stbourn e Branch; Badge Cross, Brighton
tives of Branches had plantea their respective crosses. Branch ; Field Cross, Lt Col E G Hollist ; Badge Cross ,
Four trumpeters of the 7th (Chichester) Platoon of the President of the Regimenta l Association; Badge Cross,
Sussex ACF , looking very smart in their scarlet uniforms Chichester Branch; Badge Cross, Arundel & District
sounded ' last Post' and ' Reveille' . After the ceremony Branch ; Badge Cross, Midhurst Branch ; Field Cross,
Lewes Branch; Poppy Cross, Lt Col D E C Russell.

THE ROYAL SUSSEX
REGIMENT MUSEUM

The Royal Sussex Regiment Museum which forms the provision of a room at the Redoubt as a home base
part of the Sussex Combined Services Museum at the for the day are offered.
Redoubt Fortress, Royal Parade, Eastbourne is open
daily from Easter until the end of October . There is an At the West Sussex County Council Record Office in
entrance charge of 90p but this is waived for members Chichester, which has a Schools Liaison Officer on the
of the Royal Sussex Regimental Association and of Th e staff, the museum 's collection of papers is much used
Queen 's Regimental Association and their families on for research by senio r students. lt is hoped that this
production of the appropriate membership card . There involvement of schoo ls with th e museum and its records
is a cafe which is named 'The Orange Lily' in honour of will help to make young people aware of the history of
tne former Regiment . the former Regiment and perhaps help recruitment into
The Queen's Regiment.
This season a considerable increase in the number of
school visits to the museum is expected . Th e Retirement of lieut Colonel E G Hollist
Eastbourne Borough Counci l has attended promotional
conferences in London and Brighton in order to After 32 years as Secretary of the Royal Sussex
encourage whole day visits to Eastbourne by schools in Reg imental Association Lieut Col E G Hollist retired on 5
the South-East of England. Reduced entrance fees and May 1985. He was succeeded by Major V M A Tailby .

Regimental Association of
The Middlesex Regiment (DCO)

(Affiliated with The Queen's Regt)

lt IS usually a problem for us to supply news of our most distinguished member, Lieut General Sir Brian
Association activities for this issue of the Journal Horrocks, KCB, KBE , DSO, MC , who died on 4 January
because the Editor' s April deadline comes too early to this year , aged 89.
give an acco unt of Albuhera Day and the other main
events which occ ur in May. Th1s year , however, IS an (see Obituary on page 57J
exception as sadly w e have to report the dea th of our

55

HMS LEEDS CASTLE

by Lt Cdr J E V Madgwick RN

Recent Events Castle during World War Two.

Leeds Castle tries not to let the grass grow under her In addition to offshore patrol , the ship has helped
fe et , metaphorically speaking . During October / Novem- search for a Russian submarine, and has monitored
ber 1984, she underwent the first major 'servicing ' other Soviet units sai ling through her area; has joined in
period for a Castle-class offshore patrol vessel ; up to that Search and Rescue efforts for missing fishermen ; and
has participated in exercises with other naval units .
time, she had steamed 115,000 miles in just three years
- compared to the more normal 500,000 miles covered The Future
by the average frigate in 21 years!
Following another short break for leave, Leeds Castle
In December 1984, the ship completed a workup wi ll continue to patrol around the UK, with particular
period and an In spection by the Sea Training staff, after emphasis being placed on the North Sea, the Irish Sea,
which she went on patrol in the North Sea . Following a and the south west approaches. In July, she will pay a
short break for Christmas leave, Leeds Castle has since visit to Reykjavik in Iceland, which , without doubt, will
patrolled the coastal areas out to the 200-mile limit all prove to be both fascinating and informative. All things
around the United Kingdom - and in all weathers, from considered, the future programme looks busy and
ca lm seas in January, to heavy gales in April! She has interesting, and will certainly keep the ship and her
visited ports as far afield as Lerwick in the Shetland Company well occupied dealing with a variety of
Islands ; Liverpool ; Douglas, Isle of Man; Plymouth and challenging tasks.
Belfast ; and in March she led a five -ship informal visit to
Bruges in Belgium . Here she was host to the British We will keep you posted as to how it all really went in
Ambassador to B e lgiu ~. Sir Edward Jackson KCMG , our next instalment.
who appropriately enough, served in the first Leeds

. ~
our~The Regimental badge and the four badges of
As fourth 1n the senes depicting our forbear regt-

• ments, the card wtll feature a reproductton tn full colour Foundtng Regiments wtll be included 1nside the card •

of a spec tally commtssioned patnttng by Mr CC Stadden wtth the usual greettngs. •

of a Regtmental Ball of the 57th (West Middlesex) £1 T.7h5epecrosdt~zewn.hiclnhdtvtntdculuadl eosrdemrsatctohinRgQHenpvleealosepesButslk~
Regtment of Foot at Chnstmas 1847.
•

• orders w tll be called for separately. •

~~~ ~~ ~~

56

FORTHCOMING MARRIAGES

The engagement is announced between Lieut Julian Lt E C J Maccariello, 5th (Volunteer) Battalion The
Gibbs, The Queen's Regiment , younger son of Queen 's Regiment and Miss M Jackson of Ballina,
Professor and Mrs Norman Gibbs of Delwood , County Mayo . The marriage will take place on 22 June
Guildford , Surrey, and Penny, youngest daughter of 1985.
Commander and Mrs Charles Scott-Fox of Ayshford
House, Tiverton , Devon .

MARRIAGES

EMERY - DEVENNY - On 25 August 1984, Pte G R LEWIS - GALLAGHER - On 8 December 1984, Pte
Emery to Miss Pamela Devenny. J D Lewis to Miss Travey Ann Gallagher.

BRIERLEY - BEASSANT - On 22 September 1984, LOWE - STEVANS- On 8 December 1984, Pte C J
Pte V N Brierley to Miss Colette Beassant. Lowe to Miss Amanda Stevans.

GOATHAM - BRAND - On 10 October 1984, Pte K FLEMING - RANKIN - On 14 December 1984, Pte
Goatham to Miss Michaela Brand . C M Fleming to Miss Sonya Yvonne Rankin.

LAI - THOMPSON - On 12 October 1984, Pte N Lai COLE - MUIR - On 15 December 1984, Pte W L
to Miss Gwendoline Caroline Thompson. Cole to Miss Lynn Marian Muir.

RAY - REYNOLDS - On 26 October 1984, LCpl A SHARPE - COLLEN - On 15 December 1984, Pte D
W Ray to Miss Sinead Anne Reynolds. Sharpe to Miss Clare Pearl Collen.

BONE - McKNIGHT - On 27 October 1984, Pte P J CHUTER - PERRY - On 22 December 1984, Pte T
Bone, to Miss Ruth McKnight. Chuter to Miss Angela Pauline Perry.

HIBBERT - GARRATT- On 27 October 1984, Pte S ADAMS - ACKERLEY - On 24 December 1984, Pte
B Hibbert to Miss Travey Jane Garratt. M R Adams to Miss Sharon Ackerlay.

WIN FIELD - CARR - On 27 October 1984, LCpll W MAY - HOLMES - On 27 December 1984, Pte C
Winfield to Miss Sharon Carr. May to Miss Vanessa Ann Holmes.

McANDREWS - McCORMICK - On 3 November BARRY - HOUSTON - On 29 December 1984, Pte
1984, CSgt PC McAndrews to Miss Maureen Alexandra M Barry to Miss Catherine Jane Houston.
McCormick.
FOR REST - FARRELLY - On 29 December 1984,
EDWARDS - FERGUSON - On 3 November 1984, Pte R Forrest to Loraine Ann Farrelly .
Cpl J Edwards to Miss Susan Ann Ferguson .
LANGRIDGE - STEER - On 29 December 1984, Pte
CLEVELAND - BERRY - On 10 November 1984, M J Langridge to Miss Anne Verena Steer.
Pte B J Cleveland to Miss Gina Barbara Teresa Berry.
PINION - THOMPSON - On 29 December 1984,
BONNER - HACKETT - On 10 November 1984, Pte Pte M D Pinion to Miss Susan Thompson.
S A Banner to Miss Sarah Jane Hackett.
SKUSE - TRENHOLME- On 5 January 1985, Pte S
All - CRAWFORD - On 10 November 1984, Pte R J Skuse to Miss Sarah Susannah Trenholme.
M I Ali to Miss Diana Letitia Crawford.
COFFEY - EVANS - On 2 February 1985, Cpl P J
ROBIN SON - LYNCH - On 30 November 1984, Pte Coffey to Miss Peneolpe Ysolde Patience Evans .
J M Robinson to Miss Lynda Elaine Lynch.
WILLETT - BASHFORD - On 16 February 1985,
JARVIS - CRADDOCK - On 1 December 1984, Pte Pte P D Willett to Miss Angela Bashford.
S A H Jarvis to Miss Julie Patricia Craddock .
CUNLIFFE - HULLEY - On 2 March 1985 Pte S D
PATTENDEN - BUNTING - On 3 December 1984, Cunliffe to Miss Melanie Joan Hulley.
Pte S J Pattenden to Miss Julie Ann Bunting.
HILL - THARNE - On 5 March 1985, Pte S T Hill to
ROSE - NIGGEMANN - On 7 December 1984, Pte Miss Frances Maria Tharne.
V Rose to Miss Heike Niggemann .
PLATT - COPP - On 9 March 1985, LCpl R Platt to
GREEN - SEATON - On 8 December 1984, LCpl P Miss Heather Copp .
W Green to Miss Carolyn Anne Seaton .

DEATHS

DEWAR - On 21 December 1984, peacefully, Brig LODER - On 25 February 1985, peacefully in his
Michael Preston Douglas Dewar CB CBE, late The sleep whilst on a cruise, Brig Robert Eric Loder, CBE,
DL, formerly of The Royal Sussex Regiment.
Buffs.
SQUIRE - On 11 April 1985, suddenly in Cambridge,
HORROCKS - On 4 January 1985, peacefully, Lt Lt Col Stuart John Squire, MBE, formerly of The Buffs.
Gen Sir Brian Gwynne Horrocks KCB, KBE, DSO, MC
LLD(Hon), late The Middlesex Regiment.

57

.-------------OBITUARIES---------------.

LT GEN SIR BRIAN HORROCKS to prominence, first in the Western Desert as
KCB, KBE, DSC, MC. LLD(Hons) com mander 13 Corps at the battles of Alam Halfa and
Alamein and later successfully leading 30 Corps from
the Normandy bridgehead through Belgium and on to

the end of the war.

Sir Brian was certainly a man of action and great
charm, who had a full life . He caught the imagination of
his troops and was very much 'the soldier's General'. lt
was no surprise therefore that Westminster Abbey was
filled to capacity for his Service of Thanksgiving which
was held on 26 February. This Service was planned by
Lt Col Chattey but when the Army Board came to hear of
his intentions the Adjutant General personally con-
tacted Colonel Chattey to suggest, in view of the
popularity of Sir Brian throughout the Army and the
large numbers who would wish to attend the Service,
that the resources of his Directorate be made available
to handle the administration arrangements. HM The
Queen sent her representative and the Secretary of
State for Defence represented the Prime Minster.
Among the large congregation were two ambassadors,
four Field Marshals, seven generals and many distin-
guished personages from the Services and from civilian
life. The Dean of Westminster officiated, assisted by the
Precentor of the Abbey. Field Marshal Sir Edwin
Bramall , Chief of the Defence Staff, and Sir Denis
Hamilton, chairman of Reuter, read the lessons . The Rt
Rev V J Pike, formerly Chaplain General to the Forces,
gave the address, and Sir Huw Wheldon of the BBC
gave a special reading. The orders and decorations of
Sir Brian were borne to the Sacrarium by Brigadier B H
Marciandi and Colonel I R Burrows, both of the Middle-
sex Regiment . Over 300 members of the Regimental
Association attended this very moving and dignified
service and it is a matter of immense pride that Sir Brian
has been remembered by so many in such a distin-
guished manner.

Later Colonel Chattey received copies from the

Adjutant General of letters sent by the National

Chairman of the Belgium Federation Nationale des
lt Gen Sir Brian Horrocks died on 4 January 1985, aged Anciens Combattants and from the Minister for the
89. Brussels Region which underlined the warmth of the

Belgium feeling that remains as a result or our part in the

liberation of Belgium and the special place held in the
Details of Sir Brian's outstanding career as a corps hea rts of the Belgian people for General Horrocks as
commander during World War 11 , as Gentleman Usher commander of 30 Corps during the 1944 campaign and
of the Black Rod in the House of Lords, and later as a the liberation of their country.
prominent television personality are well known and

tributes were received from al l over the world. Full

obituaries appeared in every national newspaper,

including generous coverage in the New York .Times . He BRIG R E LODER, CBE. DL

was educated at Uppingham and Sandhurst and com-

missioned into the Middlesex Regiment in 1914. He Brigadier R E Loder CBE, DL, died suddenly on
went immediately to France but was badly wounded 25 February when returning from a cruise in the
and taken prisoner at Ypres. In captivity he learned West lndies. He was aged 73.
Russian and in 1919 was ordered to Silesia to help the
whites against the Bolsheviks . In 1924 he represented 'Bobby' Loder was educated at Lancing College
Great Britain in the modern pentathlon at the Paris and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and
was gazetted into the Royal Sussex Regiment in
Olympic Games, and later, after a period at the War
1931. Shortly afterwards he joined the 2nd
Office, he became an instructor at the Staff College

where his potential for higher command was quickly Battalion in India from where he returned in 1935 to

recog nised . when World War 11 broke out he comman - be Adjutant at the Regimental Depot at

ded 2nd Middlesex in France in 1940 and thereafter rose Ch ichester.

58

In 1938 he was appointed ADC to his cousin BRIG M P D DEWAR CB , CBE
Lord Wakehurst, who had served in the Royal
Sussex Regiment and had recently been appointed Brig Dewar died peacefully at Hildenborough on 21
Governor of New South Wales. December, 1984, aged 78. He was the son of Vice
Admiral Robert Dewar. After school at Winchester and
Sandhurst, he was commissioned in 1926 into The Buffs
and served with the 1st Battalion in Gibraltar, Bareilly,
Burma and Palestine. In 1935, during a tour of duty at
the Depot in Canterbury he married Winnifred, younger
daughter of Dr Charles Murphy of Canterbury.

He entered the Staff College in 1938 and thereafter
held numerous staff appointments finally becoming the
UK Military Representative at SHAPE from 1955-58.

He was made a CBE in 1955 and a CB in 1958 on
retirement , an award normally made only to Major
Generals.

In 1940 Brigadier Loder moved to France as a In his younger days, Brig Dewar played cricket and
Company Commander in the Royal Sussex tennis, but golf was his favourite game. He was a
Brigade, consisting of the 2nd, 4th , 5th Battalions memt..cr of Royal St George's, Sandwich for many
The Royal Sussex Regiment. He was captured by yea'" and when he retired in 1958 he joined Rye Golf
the Germans and remained a prisoner for the rest Club where he played regularly until ill-health overtook
of the war. him. He was captain of Rye Golf Club in 1973 and a
Trustee of the club for a number of years. He was also a
In 1950 he commanded the amalgamated 4th / - keen student of form on the turf and one cou ld count on
5th (Cinque Ports) Battalion the Royal Sussex meeting him at most race-meetings in the South East. In
Regiment (TAl and it was during his command that October 1984 he was hospitalised for treatment but died
the Regiment was granted the Freedom of East- just before Christmas 1984 and was buried beside his
bourne. On vacating this command he was posted
to the Staff of the British Commonwealth Forces in wife at Brede .
Japan. He returned a year later to take up an
appointment in the War Office and was then
posted as Commandant of the Royal Military
School of Music at Kneller Hall. He returned to
Korea after this appointment as head of the Com-
monwealth Mission to the United Nations and
became Military Attache in that country.

He returned to England and was appointed
Deputy Commander 43rd Division in 1964 which
appointment he held until 1965 when he was
awarded the CBE and retired.

In 1968 Brigadier Loder became Deputy Colonel
of the Queens Regiment and President of the Royal
Sussex Regimental Association and it was in this
year that Her Majesty Queen Juliana of the Nether-
lands invested him as a Commander of the Order of
the Hou se of Orange. He retired as President of the
Regimental Association in 1976 but continued to
take an active part in the affairs of the Regimental
Association.

ARTICLES 59
CANADIAN EXCHANGE OFFICERS TO THE REGIMENT

1960-1977 WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

by Maj A M F Jelf

My tour on the staff of M obil e Command Head quar- si lver pepper-mill that has always been known as 'The
ters ou tside Montrea l ca me to an end last Novem ber . Gowdy'. I was delighted to at last meet the presenter of
When away from the ' main stream' on exc han ge of this familiar and cherished piece of Regimental Silver
secondment many feel obliged to recount their when I had lun ch with Col David on my last visit to
adventure whilst earn ing th e Queen's Shilling abroad. I Ottawa . We talked about many of the characters that
felt ob liged, but not for long . Another idea struck me helped to make his time in Colchester with 1 Queens
that I hope will be far more interesting. Own Buffs so enjoyable - Brig Charles Millman , John
Strang , John Gerelli (inevitably), Phillip Critchley, Mike
There was an all too short a period of our recent Reg i- Clinch and Richard Tab lot, to name just a few. I had my
mental Hist ory w hen close contacts were maintained work cut out remembering what had happened to some
with ou r Affiliated Regiments in Canada. Regrettably the of them .
exchange tours with t he Qu ee ns Own Rifles of Canada
(QO R of C) and subseq uently the Princess Patricia's In January 1964 the Battalion , under Col 'Biick'
Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) came to end in 1977. Waring went off to ' BG' and David Gowdy was
Since then , many of us have lost co ntact w ith those transferred to his other sister regiment, 2 RGJ (Kings
Canadian office rs and their famili es w ho ca me to spend Royal Rifle Corps) which was also stationed in Col-
two years with us. They certainly made quite an chester. They in turn left, for Malaya , before the end of
impression, but Army life and the Atlantic make losing his exchange tour . While in Colchester David Gowdy
contact almost inevitable. The opportunity has pre- was married and the eldest of his four sons was born in
sented itself to bring the Regiment up to date on their the Garrison Hospital. He is now in his third year at
fortunes and to reco unt some of their more memorable Queens University, Kingston , Ontario .
moments.
' Upon my return to Canada I rejoined my old battalion
I was surprised to find that all eight exchange officers which had recently been bled dry to strengthen our first
are sti ll serving in the Canadian Forces, although two battalion. We were a unit of officers and NCOs with no
have cha ng ed their cap badg es. purpose! I suppose you might say t hat the sudden
transition from high purposefu l activity with 19 lnf Bd e
Colonel Greg Leitch , CD PPCLI (December 1960 to in Colchester to an empty battalion caused me to
December 1962) reassess my own purpose and role in the Infantry . lt was
during that time that I decided to strike out for a career
lt is 24 years since Greg Leitch arrived in Shorncliffe that I felt wou ld be more purposeful and satisfying , and
to join B Coy 1 Buffs as a pi comd . lt was an eventfu l thus I commenced my stud ies in Medicine at the Univer-
tour but with its disappointments. 1 Queens Own Buffs sity of Toronto in 1967. Five years later in 1972 I donned
(as the Battalion became in March 1961) went off to my uniform once aga in , but this time as a physician.'
Kenya for six months in summer 1961. Despite the
efforts of the CO, Lt Col Ri chard Dendy, who tried to Sin ce then his travels have included nine years in
have Greg smuggled aboard dressed as a Queen's Own Europe including three years at SHAPE. Recently Col
Buffs office r, the plan was uncovered and Lt Leitch was David has moved to the Surgeon General ' s Department
suitably chastised by COLS Lon don and obliged to sign in Ottawa , but being now in his 28th year of service, he
a promise not to leave the UK during the balance of his is seriously co ntemplating finally hanging up his
tour! lt was back to the Rea r Party. Greg Leitch did get uniforms and pursuing another aspect of his profession .
married, to Theresa Ribbins of Folkestone. Their son
and daughter are now at university in Canada . Lt Col Jack English , CD PPCLI (January 1965 to
February 1967)
Upon returning to 1 QOR of C in Hemer in late 1962,
Greg remained at RD until promoted to Maj and sent to Jack English arrived in Colchester in early 1965. He
Staff College in 1969. lt was then back to the 'Army of had originally been posted to 2 RGJ , but unbeknown
the West', as a coy comd with 2 PP CLI and as BM of 1 to the Canadian Army, that battalion had left tor
Combat Group in Calgary. On promotion to Lt Col in Borneo . He therefore stayed with the Sherwood
1975 he commanded 2 PP CLI in Victoria , BC , and was a Foresters until 1 Queens Own Buffs returned from
DS at the Toronto Staff College before further British Guyana.
promotion in 1978 and a Senior Staff appointment at
AFNORTH in Oslo. Co l Greg is now back in Ca lgary as ' I have extremely fond memories of serving with the
Deputy Commander 1st Canadian Brigade Group where Battalion in Meeanee Barra cks. I see m to remember
he expects to remain until August 1985, by which time, John Gerelli was senior subaltern then and we al l spent
he hopes to have negotiated another appointment in many a merry eve ning riding through Colchester on the
Eur o pe . hoods of Rolls Royces and various cab riolets. We also
had a splend id month long exercise in Denmark (four
Lt Col David Gowdy (December 1962 to January days packed into 30) and King Frederick visited us . As
1965) far as I can reca ll that was the time Cl ive St John Perry
had to sell his ca r in England to pay a hotel bill in
There is in th e Officers Mess of the 2nd Battalion a Copen hagen .'

60 when Cris and Dawn Champion looked after her while
Dora and I went to Nice in 1967. She wants to be an
Jack English left the Battalion in November 1965 since actress and will probably make it. She has expressed a
they were off to Hong Kong and Borneo . Col Bill desire to go motor racing; however, so far her mother
MacDonald did his best to take him, but the Canadian has presented an immovable obstacle.'
authorities probably recalled the incident with Greg
Leitch! Jack joined the Queens Royal Surrey Regt in Col Lew decided to stop racing on the streets (I' m
Roxelstrasse, Munster shortly afterwards and spent his told that will please Dickie Waite!) and took to the track
first few months in the Harz Mountains. a few years ago. He has been very successful and now
has a sponsor from Houston , Texas who pays the bills.
' Life with the Battalion was, as I recall, extremely Col Lew kindly asked me to help him this year during the
busy and filled with a lot of field time; it was also a most Canadian GP Meeting. Despite pre-race setbacks, all
pleasant, highly professional and hospitable battalion. I was going well until a minor shunt from behind
had a tremendous time serving as the Bn HQ ' Harbour relocated the exhaust system and forced an early
Master' with RSM (now Lt Col) Les Wilson and Maj retirem ent.
(now Col) John Davidson who was the adjutant. My
exchange was a highlight of my career and I nearly Dora lives in their home in Ottawa. 'S he will never
transferred!' forgive me for leaving her alone in that little village
outside Lemgo with the German speaking landlady, only
On return to the New World in February 1967 there two days after getting married, as Charles Tarver ,
followed the familiar tours at RD , staff and CFB ' Chippy' Wood and I disappeared on an FTX !'
Gagetown where he is currently drawing to the end of
another tour. He is off to Queens University, Kingston Col Lew has many happy memories of his time with
shortly as a Defence Fellow after which there is talk of the 3rd Battalion . 'The inter-company boxing;
being a DS at the Toronto Staff College. exercising against the Canadians; removing the spare
from the E type to make way for Kim's baby food ;
Col Jack has many fond memories. ' I can remember coming last in every race in the Div Regatta with that
John Gerellis's Dalmatian running after the Sherwood intrepid sailor Peter Broad bent ; trying to convince Dora
Foresters goat and breaking up an entire dress to marry me two days after arriving in Lemgo . However
rehearsal; the wild parties in the Kellar of the without a doubt the most memorable event was seeing
Roxelstrasse Mess and Phillip Critchley scaling some Rod Arnold take off at a full gallop into the Libyan
girls' university residence in Canterbury. I recall, he got desert when he discovered a camel spider parked on his
to an open window several stories up, whereupon , chest! '
being discovered by the lass studying within, he
announced himself most gentlemanly as, 'Hello, I'm Maj Peter Maclaren, CD (January 1969 to June
Phillip Critchley of The Buffs' . Following a short, 1971)
pleasant conversation over tea he said farewell and
returned whence he had come, for 'extras' I believe. Peter Maclaren joined the 2nd Battalion in Palace
Happy days . ' Barra cks, Holywood before 'The Troubles' disturbed
our peaceful coexistence . How can any of us who
Jack English is now married with a four year old served with Col Jack Fletcher in the last few months of
daughter, Shannon , and his wife, Valerie, was 1969 ever forget Peter striding purposefully up and
expecting another chi ld at the beginning of 1985. down the Falls in search of Intelligence, with his fiery
red hair, bristling moustache and the ever present
Col Lew Mackenzie , CD PPCLI (August 1967 to Alsatian to ward off the inquisitive. Sadly his tour with
August 1969) the 2nd Battalion ended abruptly and he beat a
diplomatic retreat to the Depot at Bassingbourn in
Lew Mackenzie, his wife Dora and daughter Kim December 1969, finally returning to Canada in mid 1971 .
returned to Canada and the Staff College in 1969 after
two delightful years with 3 QUEENS in Lemgo . Follow- Inspired by his experience as the 10 in Ulster or
ing promotion and command of a coy, the Forces deci- perhaps by the paucity of opportunities for active
ded it was best to keep Lew out of the country for an service with the Canadian Infantry or even 'by exposure
extended period . lt was off to Vietnam on the Inter- to John Hodges' (now RMP) , Peter rebadged into the
national Commission of Control and Supervision in 1974 lnt and Security Bran ch on the demise of the regular
and Cairo and UNEF 2 in 1975. Lew was back in W Ger- component of the OOR of C. He has worked on military
many in May 1975 as the EA to the Commander in Lah r policing and counter-intelligence ever since.
before becoming a Lt Col in 1977. That year he was
forced to endure that notoriously intensive course at the Marlene and Peter have a daugther (born in
NATO Defence College in Rome . Cambridge) and 'have replaced their dog with a son'. He
regrets that his motor racing career has been suspended
After Rome the 'fun really began , as you wi ll note for lack of funds and talent, but he sti ll has the big blue
that, so far , I had avoided working for a living' when Col V8 Morgan-back on blocks!
Lew took command of 1 PPCLI in Calgary. In 1979 it all
caught up with him when he was sent as DS at the Staff He is now at Staff College in Toronto as a 'mature
College in Toronto . However he still found time to win student' and has joined Hap Stutt .
the National Motor Racing Championship in 1981 in a
British right- hand drive car! Peter's letter related that 'his GSM (Northern Ireland)
arrived in Canada but went to ground in the ceremonia l
After a year at the US Army' s War College in Carlisle, directorate when procrastination offered the easiest
Pennsylvania, Col Lew was posted to his current job at solution to questions of diplomatic propriety. The long
DCOS Trg at Mobile Command HO near Montreal.

As for the family , Kim is now 17 and 'a bit larger than

61

Our Canadian Exchange
Officers 1960-n

1 Col Greg Leitch
2 Lt Col David Gowdy
3 Lt Col Jack English
4 Col Lew Mackenzie
5 Maj Peter Maclaren
6 Maj Ed Peterson
7 Maj Hap Stutt
8 Capt Bill Guscott

62

arm of The Queen 's Regiment intervened in the form of suggests it's time I found out where HQ Mobile Com-
an Army Advisor at the British High Commission whose mand is!
polite inquiry broke the jam and allowed me a rather
unique medal for a Canadian'. Could that officer have ' If one incident stands out from my tour with the 2nd
been Stuart Anderson? Battalion, it has to be the day I 'so rted out' RSM 'Tex'
Parnell for saying something suitably abusive about
Maj Ed Peterson, CD, PPCLI (1 July 1971 to August colonials on his parade sq uare . Before I' d finished with
1973) him, I had apologised for bothering him and had
promised him a pair of Canadian combat boots!
Ed and An ne Peterson with their two boys joined the
2nd Battalion in Albuhera Barracks , Werl in July 1971 . ' Please give my best to the Werl Vets and a big hello
They often reminisce about their two most enjoyable to the "C heese", wherever hs is. He shouldn't be hard to
yea rs with the Battalion. As some of us would expect
'one occasion readily comes to mind. The Battalion was find .'
off to Ulster at very short notice and Raymond Low's
wedding had to be brought forward. What an .excellent Capt Bill Guscott, PPCLI (August 1975 to August
party, but regrettably someone got a little out of 1977)
co ntrol! I am sure David Wake remembers portions of
that evening - best wishes , David !' Bill Guscott arrived in W erl shortly before the 2nd
Battalion returned to UK and Bulford . Rather than be
Service since Werl has followed the regimental and uprooted almost before he was settled , Bill remained to
instructional path including a tour as CO 2nd AB Cdo in serve for two years with the 1st Battalion. Bill
Petawawa, Ontario and curren tly Ed is on the staff in remembers this period of his ca rer with much affection
Winnipeg. and feels sad to realise that he was the last in the line of
exchange officers. Personalities in the Battalion that
Ed and his family are now preparing to depart for two have made a lasting impression are Col John Davidso n
years in Australia where he will be an instructor at the (then COl , Les Wilson (QM) , Alan Carter (21C A Coy),
Land Warfare Centre, Canungra . I expect John and W02 ' Lofty' Jamieson and Cpl Majury who was the B
Maur Huskisson will be amused to hear that and watch Coy Storeman . Regrettably Bill was unable to recount
out John and Ginny Russell! any tales from Werl - perhaps loyalty prevailed .

Maj Hap Stutt, CD PPCLI (August 1973 to August Bill Guscott returned to the Combat Training Centre
1975) at Gagetown NB where he spent three years on co urses
and the staff before returning , much to his relief, to the
I think the best way to bring you up to date on the 'Army of the West' and a junior staff appointment with
great Stutt is to quote you his letter verbatim. I could HQ 1 CBG in Calgary. Bill is now with the Regimental
not express his personality better. Headquarters of the PPCLI having finished a tour with 1
PPCLI as th e Ops Officer and as a Coy Comd . I know
'I served , as many of you bloody well ought to that he would be delighted to see anybody from the
remember, with 2 QUEENS in Werl. I returned to the Regiment if they wre visiting Calgary from either the
Combat Arms School in Gagetown , NB. From there I Medicine Man or Pond Jump West exercises.
went to the Canadian Army's bastion of sanity with 3
PPCLI in Victo ria , BC. I put in my third tour on the W ell there you have it - a resume of what has
Island of Love (Cyprus) and then went to the Bde HQ in happened to the eight Canadian Exc hange Officers that
Lahr for two years. lt was then back to Victoria. came to the Regiment and its forebears over 18 years.
Without exception, they have very fond memories and
' For the com ing year I'm an inmate at the Staff for all of us that had the privilege and pleasure to serve
College where incidenta lly I've met Peter Maclaren for with them, they were memorable years also. Is there
the first time. I' m starting a rumour that NATO needs really no chance of reviving the exchange?
me again and the ca reer mangler is starting one that
(For those wishing to renew old friendship s, RHO and
Mike Jelf have the necessary add resses in Canada .)

SWEDISH EXCHANGE

by Capt S P B Kilpatrick

I must confess that when first I heard that I had been (many thanks to B Company - he was most impres-
offered the chance to take part in an exchange visit to sed), Belsen, and the Inner German Border, and also
Sweden I was very pleasantly surprised, pa rticularly as I visited 2 RTR and 32 Armoured Engineer Regimen t
had entered no competition in The Sun and alth oug h w here he had a chance to see and use their equ ipment.
my fair hair might suggest some distant Swedish M ajor Grbnquist promised an eq ually interesting stay in
descent, my comprehension of the language was Sweden and as I boarded the plane for Stockholm I
limited to that which I had gleaned from the Muppet must confess t hat I felt someth ing of a holiday air. My
Show . However, as the only catch in the deal was that I luggage also got the true package tour treatment and
was to entertain Major Grbnquist of The Skaraborgs
Regemente for two weeks in return for a two week visit spent the night in Copenhagen.
to his own regiment , I decided that I had found a
The organisation of the Swed ish Army in peace is
bargain . based around a small number of regu lar soldiers who are
almost tota lly responsible for the initial training of
Major Grbnquist was treated to the delights of So ltau co nscripts and t heir subsequent refresher training. Eac h

63

young man must, at the age of 19, report for conscript vehicle is one not adopted by many countries and in
training which he will attend for around 15 months, spite of its limited armour, the IRv 91 is afforded
receiving an average something short of £4 ' pocket protection by its ability to move and manoeuvre very
money' each week . During this time he will undergo rapidly.
basic training which, in certain cases, is designed to fall
in line with his future civi lian employment. This is I was given the chance to drive and generally 'mess
particularly so in the case of the medical units and the about' in all these vehicles, and I am pleased to say that
Swedish equiva lent of our REME . In the arm oured and my mess bill remains intact. I also had the opportunity
mechanised battalions, however, which are organised to drive the Bv 206, the tracked 'articulated' vehicle
on simi lar lines to our own battle groups, a soldier may designed for use in arctic conditions. My visit was not
be trained in severa l tasks within his unit. On completion totally spent driving vehicles, however, and certain
of this basic training a conscript will return to his original aspects of the Swedish Army and its training will leave a
employment or go on to further education, and will not lasting impression . In particular there is a concentration
return for four years. Reserve officers return after two on realistic medical training at all levels, and live pigs are
years in order to update their 'theoretica l training'. (Can used in order to practise the field hospitals. Having
you imagine two solid weeks of TEWTS ?) After four witnessed a tracheotomy in a field hospital I watched an
years the reserve company reforms in order to carry out anaesthetised victim receive a gun shot wound to the
its refresher training and as the Swedish proudly claim, hind trotter from an Armalite and followed his rapid
goes through the procedure of complete mobilisation progress 'up the chain'. Sadly he was not to be a
before carrying out a live firing exercise. survivor and I made sure that we left well before dinner!

I was hosted by the Skaraborgs Regemente, an The same sort of realism is maintained in the Swedish
armoured regiment based at Skode ('Hwervda') in approach to live firing and, for better of for worse, they
Southern Sweden. The Regiment has three mechanised do not apply the same safety restrictions as we do. An
battalions, each of two APC companies and two Tank interesting point was that the cooks and bottle washers
companies, supported by arti llery and a tank destoyer form a fighting force in the company, commanded by
platoon. The Ptw 102 ,:_pc is similar to our own but the SQMS, and they carry out similar training to that of
somewhat younger and more spacious, mounting a our infantry platoon.
20mm gun and seating 13 troops. Each platoon in the
Company has three vehicles and each tank company I have illustrated here some of the more impressive
also has an integral platoon. Th e turretless Strv 103 tank points of the Swedish Army, although there were one or
(S-tank) perhaps characterises the Swedish approach to two characteristics - such as a peculiar peace-time
the defence of their homeland. The tank presents an rank structure and an abundance of officers - which
extremely low profile which can be altered by a system would be inappropriate to our own Army. I was perhaps
of hydraulics, and as the gun is fixed in position the most impressed by the generosity of the Swedish
whole tank must be aligned with its target. The whole people and their willingness to make one feel very
procedure is very simple although it tends to make one welcome. I have returned with many lessons from my
visit, and I can also vouch for the Volvo engine. But
seasick just to watch it! The idea of a tank destroyer Sweden is no place for a pig!

LETTER FROM THE FALKLAND ISLANDS

by Maj I M E Lloyd

All Queensmen in the photograph are on four month
tours, which are in fact nearer to five months UK to UK
because it takes 11 to 12 days travelling each way unless
one manages to get an Airbridge which only takes 24
hours . Four of us are in HQ British Forces Falkland
Islands Administrative Company (FIAC) and Cpl Hendry
is part of the independant AAC Sqn on the islands. For
all of us Lookout Camp represents home .

Pte Paxman who actually came to BFFI from the
Queens Division Depot is a member of the 18 strong GD
Section which is responsible for security at HQ BFFI and
at Lookout camp and many other administrative tasks to
keep the HQ and Lookout camp working. Sgt Golding
is the Officers Mess Sgt and Pte Smith (pronounced
Smiff) also works in the Officers' Mess where he is a
popular steward . Cpl Hendry is an Aircrewman with the
AAC Sqn and Maj lan Lloyd the author of this brief

Oueensmen in the Falklands . )Left to right) Pte Paxman,
Sgt Goulding . Pte Smith 40 and standing Cpl Hendry (652
Sqn AAC) and Maj Lloyd .

64

letter is OC or CO FIAC . The confusion exists as the of work are rather meaningless, we work when there is
post has been given powers of CO with effect from 1 work to be done which seems to be most of the t ime
January 1985 and we haven 't yet decided what I should although everyone usually gets one day off per week.
be called (politely) . Everyone is also supposed to get th ree or four days R &
R during their tour here and most manage to do some-
Life in BFFI is different! Some would say that is an thing of interest even if it only visiting a Penguin colony
understatement. The most obvious difference at the somewhere on the islands . Pte Smith has been to sea
moment is that we are basking in warm midsummer sun on board HMS Southampton on an exchange with a
but as can be guessed from the assorted dress in the Royal Navy steward who came to work ashore for ten
photograph the weather changes so rapidly that one days . Pte Paxman is off to stay with a Falkland Island
must be ready for almost anything from gale force family at Chartres Settlement on West Falkland for a
winds and lashing rain to bright summer sunshine . week at the beginning of February. I have had one day
There is so little atmospheric pollution down here that off wa lking along the coast in sea rch of wild life and
when the sun does shine most people get sunburnt and spent many happy hours observing and photographing
there are many red faces about. The other 'difference' is Gentoo and Magelan Peng uin and a King Cormorant
known as the ' Falkland Factor' the fact that very few nesting colony. I am hoping for a day on Sea Lion Island
servicemen or women stay here for more than four to the south of East Falkland where there are many
months so that there is no corporate memory and one colonies of Gentoo, Rock hopper and Magelan Penguins
becomes an expert almost overn ight for there is always as well as Elepha nt Seals. If I am lucky I might also get
someone who has arrived since one's own arrival. There on a Hercules flight to South Georgia to drop mail to the
is a feeling of impermanence about the place, Lookout Garrison there. Cpl Hend ry of course being an aircrew-
Camp consists entirely of Portakabins, associated man has seen more of the Falkland Islands than the rest
Portaloos and Packaway buildings , the roads are of of us put together, Sgt Golding has not got anything
rough, loose rock and gravel (as can be seen from the planned at the time of writing as he is the latest to arrive·
photograph) and amenities are very few . In fact it is like and it is difficult for him to get away from the Mess.
living on a building site . However I am su re he will manage a day or so off later.

The ' in ' word at the moment is normalisation , no One of the highlights of my job is responsibility for
proper accounting has been done on the islands for two conducting Battlefield Tours of the 3 Para Mount Long -
years but now everyone is getting to grips with proper don battle during which Sgt M cKay won his post-
accounting for stores and everything else . We all work a humous VC. lt is a fascinating study and I have
six day week with HQ and FIAC staff doing a ten hour conducted 13 parties over the battlefield to date with at
day except when on guard at the HO which is a 24 hour least another two to do before I finally handover to Maj
duty. We Oueensmen are all in jobs where normal hours Mike Donnelly from the Depot on 11 Febru ary 1985.

SERVING TWO MASTERS
THE FIRST 18 MONTHS AS A TA OFFICER

by 2Lt N A Strachan, 6 / 7 QUEENS (V)

I am responsible for the Recruit Platoon of HQ Therefore I feel I am gaining good experience and
Company based at Horsham . This task involves learning useful sk ills that cou ld be of use in my civi lian
organising the recruiting and training of prospective TA career , but how have my employers viewed the
soldiers until they complete a Recruit Cadre which is Territorial Army?
anything up to a year after joining . The skills I have had
to acquire to carry out this task include: leadership , Whilst training on the POs' course I was Assistant
preparation and giving of lectures , interviewing and Resident Engineer on a road construction scheme . This
being knowledgable on the Territorial Army's terms of was not a 9 to 5 job, being very demanding time-wise
servi ce, pay and commitment. In addition , I have com- especially in t he summer months, and TA and work
manded the Defence Platoon of HO Company, assisted continually clashed; leaving early for drill nights,
on battalion recruit weekends and attended battalion missing Saturday working and being over-tired on
exercises and company skills weekends . Mondays . Fortunately work colleagues stood in for
Saturdays, but my performance and output at work did
My training to become an offi cer in the Territorial suffer.
Army was undertaken with 6/7 QUEENS Potential
Officers course 1982-3 f ollowed by the two w eek In my next j ob in a Planning Department of a highway
Sa ndhurst course where the necessary leadership auth ority, where I was employed until March of this
qualities w ere tested . In th e following year and a half I year , I found devoting time to TA less of a problem , but
have found that not only powers of leadership are the job was less fulfi lling than my previous site work.
required to be a successful officer, but organisational
and administrative skills are ve ry necessa ry . The Whilst looking for new employment : fi lling in
organisation and preparati on that goes into a w eekend appli ca tion s and attending interviews , I f o und
bei ng one of its ma in ingredients to success . pr os pective employers varying attitudes to the

(continued on page 65)

/' / ' '/ '

'/

'SMILE RATHER
WIDER AND
MORE OFTEN'

Mac cartoon ', .. then when he stops lawghlng , you launch into your /oke about tile Irishman, the n11n and tt.e blancmange , ,
republished by kind permission
of the Daily Mail

Following the Colonel of the Regiment's Preface in " Neither this reg iment, nor the Army, wants dull

the December issue of the Journal , the Defence Corres- warrant officers, NCOs or junior ranks either -

pondent of the Daily Mail , Mr Harvey Elliott published professionals blessed with a sense of humour, yes".'

an article entitled ' Putting a Smile Back on the Face of 'The Army would be better if "we were to sm ile
the Army', extracts from which are reprinted below with rather wider and more often" .'
his permission :
' Brigadier Millman added last night:
'Senior Army officers believe there is too much gloom " There are not the kind of laughs we had when I first
in the ranks and now the order has gone out: Cheer up! ' joined 38 years ago ." The constant search for

'Today's professionals, the top brass agrees, are promotion, the ending of the traditional Wednesday
more committed to their demanding tasks; they are afternoon sports events and the fact that more and
busier and better-educated. But that is no reason to lose more soldiers now married young and had the cares of
the old regimental high spirits.' married life to co ntend with , were all to blame. " No
wonder they become so serious and caught up in the
' Chief of the Gen eral Staff General Sir John Stanier rat race ," he sa id . " We are often so wrapped up in
bega n the drive for more fun when he told Sandhurst ourselves, and take ourselves so seriously, that we lose
cadets to add sparkl e and humour to their profes- our sense of panache".'
sionalism. To be dull , he said, was a bitter accusation -
" never let t hat fing er be pointed at you ".' 'The drive to bring fun back into the Army will not
spread to the parade ground, however . Soldiers who

' Brigadier Charles Millman , Colonel of The Queen's sm ile at a sergeant major will still get the same response :

Reg iment, backed this in his regimental magazine : "You may fancy me laddie, but I don 't fan cy you ".'

TA Officer (continued from page 641 relation to your ca reer ?' The obviou s answer being that
the ca reer comes first . Looki ng to the plus side, I found
Territorial Army interesting . Obviously on eve ry that out of four jobs I was interviewed for, three I was
app licatio n form I stated my part-time job, and at the offered, and I do put certain aspects of this success
fou r interviews, I attended, it was always a subject down to my com mission in the TA , i.e. man -
brought up by t he interviewers. To a prospective management expe rience; increased co nfid ence in
employer t he immediate reaction tends to be 'how much dealing with people ; and having interviewed recruits I
time off you wi ll require ?' One civil engineering have an insight into interviewing techniqu e.
contractor who interviewed me was quite worried by
the possibi lity of my absence at weekends beca use of In conclusion , I have found in the past one and a half
supervision of works on a Saturday . I was ab le to yea rs that emp loyers know littl e about, and are unaware
counter this with my experience of man -ma nagement of the advantages of having TA Officers on their staff.
gained in the TA . However , I am well aware of t he adva ntages of my TA
training and experience and know it will prove an asset
Another question asked at interviews is 'what to my ca reer in the long term.
importance do you place on the Territoria l Army in

66

DEDICATION OF MEMORIAL TO SIR PHILIP SIDNEY

The Colonel of the Regiment was represented by the
Deputy Regimental Secretary, and LCpl Cooper and
LCpl Savage of the Corps of Drums 2 QUEENS were on
parade, at the Dedication Service of a memorial to Sir
Philip Sidney held on 17 April 1985 in St Paul 's
Cathedral in the presence of HM The Queen Mother .
Maj Gregory Blaxland and Maj Derek Poulsen, MBE also
attended . After the service, Maj Blaxland and Lt Col
John White were presented to the Queen Mother, who
also spoke to LCpl Savage. The following passage by
Maj Gregory Blaxland was included in the Service
Sheet .

THE FIRST COLONEL
OF THE BUFFS

Sir Philip Sidney was in November 1585 appointed
Governor of Flushing, the defence of which had been
entrusted to Queen Elizabeth under the terms of an
agreement. Privately commissioned bodies of English
troops had been giving aid to the Dutch in their revolt
against the Spaniards since 1572, and it was from a
company raised by Captain Thomas Morgan for the
relief of besieged Flushing that The Buffs (Royal East
Kent Regiment) claimed descent. However, there are
gaps in this line of inheritance . There is none in that

from Sidney .

Sir Philip was succeeded by his brother Robert, and

he remained the fighting Governor of Flu shing (for

which he was created Viscount Lisle and later Earl of

Lei cester until the Dutch resumed responsibility for it in

1616. They took his troops on their pay roll and

appointed his son Robert their Colonel, as the fourth

English reg iment fighting for their ca use. These regi-

ments remained as garrison troops when the Dutch at

last gained their independen ce in 1648.

r.wr,"Of all monumenh in S t ( i t ,,.a .. bu t a table t of \o\-OO<J )

With war brewing against England in 1665, the Dutch that of Su Pl·uhp Sidllf"\ '' the o1H' tlw Jo,, of '' hich I mo-.t
demanded an oath of allegiance from all their Engl ish tlee p l) tlep iOIC' 011g-ht 1t no t to lu• rl'plac•·d '"
soldiers . A third Robert Sidney was now the Colonel of
the reg iment founded by his great-uncle Philip, the H . 11 :-.1d rnan ( Dean of St Pau l' , I R4'l-6H)
eighth in succession . He led t he resistance of those w ho rd(' rnng- to the lo"' of thC' onginal ta blr t
bravely refused to take the oath (abo ut half) and 111 thf' GrC'a t F1 re.
without any assistance from London , they somehow
returned to England . On M ay 31, 1665 King Cha rles have come to honour their ancestor at this service , with
formed them into Our Holland Reg iment, appo inting the blessing of th eir Colonel, Brigadier H C Millman ,
Robert Sidney its Colonel. The title was changed to OBE . As centra l badge in their caps they w ear the Tudor
Prin ce George of Denmark's Regi ment in 1689, and Dragon, an inheritan ce from Queen Elizabeth .
following his death in 1708 to the 3rd Regiment or The
Buffs. (East Kent) was added in 1782, Roya l in 1935. Gregory 8/axland,
Historian of The Buffs
The axe made its first chop in 1961 , with the
amalgamation of the East and West Kents , and on
December 31 , 1966 The Queen 's Regiment was vo lun -
tarily formed , by the merging of the representatives of
six regiments of the Home Counties . two of its sold iers

67

THE TA COMMAND AND STAFF COURSE- PASSING THROUGH

bv Major C K Hurd TD, 6/ 7 QUEENS (V)

Number 9 Territorial Army Command and Staff ink' to a greater or lesser extent.
Course convened on Saturday 10 November 1984 from
all parts of Great Britain , Northern Ireland and, in one Organisation of the British Army; Organisation and
case, Hong Kong. Thirty-eight majors and one lieu - duties of the Staff; Intelligence work; watch-keeping;
tenant co lonel filled all but one of the 40 places offered written briefs; Defence Policy Studies; U K Base study;
annually to the TA, UDR and foreign equiva lent BAOR and TA matters were among the many topics
students . Maj Piers Storie-Pugh HO 2 Bde, Maj Alan crammed into the next 12 days. Discussion led by our
Chissel 5 QUEENS (V) and Majs Colin Hurd and Tony OS played a big part in delivering the course content .
Prior represented the Regiment . The aim of the course This was supported by presentations, some jointly with
was: 'To prepare TA officers for posts of increasing the Regular Course, and much private study and pre-
responsibility within the TA and to give them a general paration. The standard of presenters varied consider-
grounding in staff duties to enable them to fill Staff ably, ranging from the dreadful to the highly entertain-
appointments at District HQ and elsewhere'. ing. 'Wiring diagrams' were numerous and confusing
and the odd flash of naked female flesh was insufficient
Looking at the track record of those attending, the incentive for some regulars to stay awake or to look up
selection procedures seemed to have worked; although from their crosswords! Three and four star officers from
very much at the eleventh hour in the case of some the three services were in profusion but tact prevents
nominations and place confirmations. As one would further comment save to say that the CGS gave an
expect, a wide range of civi lian and military appoint- excellent and amusing talk for 30 minutes without
ments were represented . My syndicate, TA4, boasted notes . Their presence did not prevent, and may well
the course gynaecologist and course film director, have encouraged the crop of well-aimed questions from
whi lst TA2 and TA3 fielded a funeral director and the Territorials.
battlefield-tour operator, respectively. There is no prize
for listing the balance of occupations represented. To fill in the gaps, each syndicate prepared and
delivered to a senior officer, a 20 minute presentation
TA4 was ten strong with an average age of 36 and covering a contemporary TA topic. TA4 presented ' Fit to
average service of 13 years - very similar to the Regular Fight - Fact or Fiction ' an appraisal of whether TA
Army course. Our OS , Lt Col J W (Jim) Parker (capital soldiers can be effective and survive on the minimum
'P' - sma ll 'a rker') Ll , found this surprising as he had commitment. SSVC films covering the Ardennes and
expected us to be older and bolder. This was to be his Operation Goodwood offered diversions on two even-
first brush with the TA at close quarters and a test for ings for those that could stay awake.
the other pre-conceived ideas that he later admitted to.
He had 14 days to influence us and we him . Overall I found the course demanding and there is no
doubt that the syndicate became extremely close knit .
Action co mmenced with booking in and the issue of a We rated our OS very highly and his relaxed, yet author-
muscle straining pile of pamphlets and precis to add to itative style helped considerably in keeping things in
the inches-thick pre-course reading which had been perspective. His expectations of what could be achieved
despatched in October. Further information was to he in such a short time were pitched at exactly the right
received on an almost daily basis - placed in our course level. By and large some things were learned, others
boxes under cover of darkness by somebody who man- noted and some sessions merely provided exposure to a
aged to avoid detection and booby traps! Two synd i- particular topic. Rubbing shoulders with the Regular
cates were billeted at the Staff College but TA2 and TA4 Course was useful and it was plain to see how the
were condemned to the 'outer darkness and gnashing production line for 'young thrusters' achieves the
of teeth' at the Cambridge Hotel, 15 minutes walk away necessary brain washing. Incidentally, when Regular
across the A30 . After nine TA courses , the Staff College and Territorials got together, there were some
administrators have yet to solve the problem of accusations of wall to wall Oueensmen!
providing better overflow accommodation without the
penalty of a 20 mile drive each way. I was not too lt was not all plain sailing and my particular low
bothered about the rather spartan conditions and I points, reflecting my home defence background , were
became acclimatised to my room-mate's kilt wearing exercises involving logging, Soviet ground forces , and
activities . However, I was not impressed by the battle- map marking. However, I was quick to point out if
simulation of the resident disco! motor rifle units appeared on my map, NATO would
have failed!
An informal drinks party rounded off the first day
when name tags were used in anger for the first time . Scope for socia l activities was limited due to
Day Two saw the taking of the course photograph under insufficient time and lack of energy although one or two
braved the disco at the Cambridge hotel on a 'can't win
the supervision of the flamboyant and colourful RSM - then join them' basis. Drinks at the house of our OS
a further aid to identification and perhaps further
justification for rationalisi ng dress reg ulations; although was an enjoyable interlude and this was reciprocated in
I am bound to say that all four Oueensmen on the the second week when we dined Col and Mrs Parker in
course were uniformly attired! A minor SO exercise and made a presentation of an inscribed decanter as a
taxed a few minds and everyone suffered 'death by red token of our high regard. The course guest night went
well but I am not sure that the C in C UKLF was over

68

impressed w it h the piper imp orted fr om the London soldi ering and perh aps his most telling and unsoli cited
rema rk was a comment to t he effect that perhaps Ter-
Scottish! ri to rial off icers should command Territoria l soldiers and
Reg ular Office rs shou ld command reg ular soldiers. I
Finally, how did our OS view us? In summing up the offer this as a factu al report and possible topic f or
course , he was generous in his general assessment of debate rather th an an implied criticism of my own Com-
t he syndi cate using w ords such as mature, ambitious, manding Officer !
intelligent and talented . He was clearly t ouched by w hat
he regarded as the co mmon co urtesies shown to him . I w ill loo k back on TASC No 9 w ith so me affection
He kn ew that he could not do in 14 days w hat the and w ith the sure knowledge that I now know w hy the
Regular Army attempts in 15 months but I think he was Army w rite ' material' as ' materiel' and pu t a 'z' in
well satisfied w ith the overall results. He understood
more full y t he nature and problems of Territorial orga nisation.

MURDER IN GIBRALTAR

In December 1984, on leaving the Battalion , Maj M C 2nd Battalion, the East Surreys, in Jersey.
Willis presented the Mess with an old photograph,
taken in the latter half of the 19th century, of a military Lt Outfield , the Batta lion Weapon Training Officer,
hanging in Gibraltar. A handwritten legend on the back wa lked into Colonel Fitzgera ld's office and shot him
indicated that it was believed to be the last such twice . One of his two bullets was meant for the CO and
hanging on the Rock , of a ' Private of the Surrey the other for himself, but one of the Colonel's Sam
Regiment' (sic) who had been convicted of murdering Browne buckles reduced the letha lity of the first bullet,
his Commanding Officer. so the second had to be used for him as well .

lt was thought that this would make an excellent The Colonel called to the Adjutant for assistance by
project for the young officers to research as part of their shouting ' Dowling, he has shot me, place him under
education, and they were accordingly tasked under the arrest'. These were his last words before dying .
leadership of Lt P T Crowley . He quickly established
that the photograph was indeed of the last public The reason why Outfield carried out this dastardly
hanging on the Rock , and that it dated from 1862. lt was deed is still partially wrapped in mystery . He refused to
not, however, the execution of a Private in the Surreys say anything during his tria l and the defence plea of
but of one Fusilier George Shaw, of the 7th Foot - his insanity was not accepted by the jury which found him
crime is not known . At the same time the research did guilty, or the judge who sentenced him to death . From
nonetheless discover that a CO of the East Surreys was all the evidence given at the tria l it does become clear
indeed murdered in Gibraltar, but much more recently that Outfield was fiddling the Rifle Club account, for
- in 1927 - and moreover by one of his officers, one Lt which he was responsible and which was about to be
Outfield . audited, but surely this was hardly reason enough to kill

Naturally, the research was switched to the investiga- the CO?
tion of this event, and at the time of writing sti ll
continues. The following article by Lt Crowley sum- There was certain ly a combination of contributory
marises his findings to date . factors. Outfield sa id in a statement before the tria l :
' Since our arriva l in Gibraltar the CO has given up all
' DOWLING, HE HAS SHOT ME, PLACE HIM idea of soldiering and it is better that one man should die
UNDER ARREST' than that the whole of the Regiment be ruined'. The
impression is that there was a lot of animosity between
by Lt P T Crowley the two characters . Fitzgerald was an Irish Roman
Catholic while Outfield was an Irish Presbyterian . More-
lt is not every day that a subaltern walks into his CO's over, Outfield was known to be seeing a lot of the
office and shoots him dead but at 1030 on 7 April 1927 Colonel 's daughter - a fact which her father did not
Lt Outfield did just that . appreciate . On that fatefu l day Outfield released all his
pent-up hatred by murdering Fitzgera ld and the conse-
The 2nd Battalion of th e East Surrey Regiment had quent civil trial ensued .
arrived in Gibraltar from Jersey in January 1927 and was
to remain until May 1929 when it was due to move to The local civilian population reacted violently because
Catterick. The offi cial records for the period tell of how they felt that the sentence was too harsh and presented
during the Gibraltar tour HRH Prince Georg e was enter- to the Governor a petition for Outfield 's reprieve. The
tained in the Officers' M ess and how the Battalion Governor, Sir Charles Monro, commuted Outfield 's
provided a Guard of honour for the Duke and Du chess sentence to penal servitude for life and after having
of York, but t he incident of 7 April 1927 is very ra rely spent 59 days in the M oorish Castle he was shipped to
mentioned . prison in England aboard HMS M alaya . He was released
at the beginning of World W ar Two, moved to Ke nya
The ill-fated Commanding Offi cer was Lt Col J ames and joined th e King 's African Rifl es. After the w ar he
Stephen Fitzgerald , who served throughout the First became the editor of a Kenyan newspaper and as far as
W orld W ar on the W estern Front in the Royal Irish w e know died in A f ri ca of natural ca uses. (The auth or
Regi men t and had but recent ly take n command of the has no reason to believe, incidentally, that the CO of the
Kings Afri ca n Rifles suffered a similar fate to t hat of the
unfortunate Lt Col Fitzgerald. )

69

CONCERNING
HORTICULTURE

by Probitus

Canoon by W02 Paddy Ryan

Provided he is not BAOR or Northern Ireland based, in this herculean task we were assisted on the technical
the closing years of his service a chap will pass many side by a mid European of uncertain lineage whose tales
hours in the contemplation of the transition from service of assaults on the occupying German Army could have
to civilian life. What sort of job can he hope to get? left little time or inclination for studies at Agricultural
Where and in what will he live? What will prove a College. College or not, his transformation of seed and
sat isfactory substitute for the camarader ie and cutting was miraculous and prodigious. Unfortunately
bonhomie of the Mess? as the cu lmination of all this horticultural activity came
to fruition the Battalion got sent off on an emergency
In true Waiter Mitty style I too conjured up visions of tour and it was left to our successors to reap the
the future, which included an imposing ranch-style financial benefit.
bungalow, severa l acres of ground, a heated swimming
pool, an Audi Avant on the driveway and a Lotus in the My second involuntary brush with horticulture arose,
garage. would you believe, from yet another Commanding
Officer who decided to tidy up a rather seedy
Harsh economics have reduced my visions to the married quarters area with a gardening competition. Do
rea lities of a modest detached, a miniscule garden , a you ever wonder, dear reader , why as Company Com-
beaten up Honda 90 on the driveway and a third hand manders they expend boundless effort and initiative
Skoda in the garage awaiting its MOT. I sha ll not dwell protecting their soldiers from the outrageous schemes
on the dissipation of most of my dreams of the future , of newly-a ppointed Commanding Officers only to come
save only that of the biggest let down of all, namely the up with even more outrageous creations for the occupa-
retirement garden . tion of their soldiers when they themselves get com-
mand? I digress . I would have done my utmost to avoid
Let me hasten to point out that during my years of anything but the most insignificant of acknowledg-
uniformed service gardening was never one of my hot ments of the competition. Unfortunately I needed quite
pursuits. Indeed all my A 10s were endorsed boldly in red badly some complimentary remarks on my annual, so
' First Floor Flat for Preference'. Did not a ground floor biennials were the order of the day. Most of my effort
apartment run the risk of grass to be cut? In short, the sprang from the previous occupant's enthusiasm and
insertion of the fork and the snip of the pruning my efforts were undiminished by the sight of my next
secateurs were total anathema. Away from Wives Club door neighbour planting plastic daffodils. In the event I
appointments my spouse devoted her entire waking recovered an honourable mention and five shillings . The
hours attempting to pitchfork me into areas of bedding remarks on the hardy annua l came scarce up to
plants, begonias and liquid fertilizer, all to no avail. expectation but a warrior may not be judged by the
quality of his ca mpanulas .
Mind you , there were one or two narrow sq ueaks.
The first was during my short run as PRI when my You will have gathered, quite rightly, that my
Commanding Officer co nsidered that raising pigs for gardening instincts were somewhat under-developed,
bacon did not accord with the Battalion image and th at but my dreams most certainly were not . 'When I have
we should make a sma ll fortune by starti ng a nursery. In

70

my own place' I would pontificate over a pint of Kent's now, all too soon upon me . Of the Greco-Mytho stone
Best at the Mess, ' I shall have a garden that will be the figures there is never a sign . The sweeping lawns add up
envy of the neighbourhood.' to 15 sq uare metres which a heavy footed postman is
determined to reduce to ten. Fred, our devoted
M y visions included sweeping lawn s, immaculately mechanical mower, has become a middle class
groomed, interspersed with stone figures inspired by anachronism and in any event taking it to our lawn
Greek Mythology, with a backcloth of shrubs and plants would be compa rable to using a howitzer on a pigeon
of breathtaking artistry and colour. shoot. Shades of our affluent past, it now spends its
declining years in the green pastures of a large police
This vision of the future provided my escape. lt house, swapped in a weak moment not for five litres of
quietened my conscience when, of a Sunday morning I slug poison but for point seven of a litre of scotch.
occupied myself with the papers and colour supple- Following its many years of service as a faithful retainer ,
ments (studiously avoiding bargain gardening offers) it deserved a better end . Which brings me to that final
whilst my wife scattered Suttons Selected onto a rocky, dream , that riot of artistic colour picked out in flowering
reluctant terrain . shrubs, plants and flowers .

The one investment I was forced to make was in a You can 't accuse me of not trying . Once the 28 days
petrol driven mower. The Italian engine contained terminal leave, the Costalot and most of the terminal
therein would not have been out of place in the Formula grant were finished , I started to haunt nurseries; if it
I at Brands Hatch . lt happened when despite my howls rained I read gardening reference books. I have done my
of protestation we were given a quarter with acres of simple best but I have yet to achieve the perfection
ground where the grass ranged from the billiard table portrayed in the pages of the gardening guide . I do not
texture of the bowling green to the Esparto of South despair. This year it is the turn of the seed and seed box.
America . The mower issued for this horrendous task (to Recalling the expensive experiences of last year when a
be shared with ten neighbours) snapped at the chassis small fortune was spent on bedding plants to provide
in the first furrow of the rough. To the mockery of my easy sustenance for the local slug population , I have
friends I brought the monster home, fed it oil and petrol
and set it off with a throaty roar to digest our grass of decided , cough, to grow from seed.
many textures along with anything else that fell onto its
destructive path like peg bags and shirts hanging out to Four weeks on, with Building Society balance sorely
depleted funding seed , trays , compost , peat , sharp
dry . sand and not least calor gas to heat the shed following
arrival of unannounced and unwanted guests neces-
lt became a friend of the family and was christened sitating remo11al of seed boxes from the radiated
Fred . lt travelled well once I made a friend of the warmth of the spare bedroom, I am having second
Quartermaster. lt turned nasty only once (and I wish I thoughts. My total production to date compounds three
could claim the same score where my children are petunias, five marigolds , two asters and a trailing
concerned) when I was daft enough to hand it over to
number two son . He becoming quickly exhausted with Lobelia.
the ribaldry of elder brother (' Creep , sucking up to dad
again ' and the like) pointed the machine in the general I hear noises off from the kitchen concerning the
direction of the abuse and couldn 't pull up in time, unsavoury state of the back patio. I have it! I shall
reducing elder brother's Jeans turn-ups and leather emulate some distant relatives in darkest Dagenham by
shoe uppers to a fine mulch . Given time and research concreting all grassed and earthed areas. I shall leave
the resultant mixture in the grass box may have one small diamond from which will sprout the finest
overtaken ' Fioramaxima ' as the leading fertilizer ; alas in rose bush and which I shall dub ' Nil Desperandum '. Its
the dash to the nearest casualty unit I never spared it a presen ce will justify the continued use of a fairly
expensive automatic dispenser in correct proportion of
thought . water and plant foot which I was unable to resist on my
last visit to the garden centre ...
Now to my dreams of horticultural success which are

REGULAR FORCES EMPLOYMENT ASSOCIATION

As a member of the Regular Armed Forces you know medical grounds, the Association is at your service .

the value and satisfaction of doing a job well. At the end The Employment Officers , all ex- Reg ulars, are
of your engagement you will be seeking the best situated at branches throughout the United Kingdom
employment available to meet our qualifications and
ambitions . The RFEA exists to help you to find that and are in close contact with loca l emp l o y ers and
Jobcentres .
employment and to settle in civil life. You may use their
Branch address and telephone numbers can be found
services as often as you wish thereafter .

If you have served with good character in the non - from Unit Resettlement Officers and the Reg imenta l
commissioned ranks of the Forces for a minimum of Association . They are also in telephone directories .

three years, or less if you are being discharged on Th e A ssociation provides all its services free .

71

THE ROYAL MILITARY ACADEMY, SANDHURST

by Capt J P Riley

Over the past 12 years there has been considerable although it is often presented with different emphasis
change in the system of officer training at Sandhurst. A because of the greater age and experience of the
short resume of the present state of affairs may, students. The course also contains an academic content
therefore, be of some interest to those who have been so that officers passing out of Victory College on a
away from the Academy for some time . Short Service Commission need not attend the RCC if
they wish to convert to Regular Commission. At present
With the closure of Mons OTS and the WRAC Col- there are only two intakes a year to Victory College
lege, the RMA Sandhurst is now the sole officer training against three to new College. The spare capacity is used
establishment in the Army for both Regular and for short courses during the su mmer.
Volunteer Officers !except for the University OTCsl
whether male or female, short service or regular . The Regimental contingent at Sandhurst is at present
small. Capt J P Riley is a Company Instructor in new
Under the central control of Academy Headquarters College; W02 Saunders runs New College Stores ;
lie three Colleges: the Academy Chief Instructor's Staff CSgt Last runs the central armouries; CSgt Tidey is an
!Weapon Training Wing , PT Wing, Signals Wing and instructor in Rowallan Company and Sgt Nicol is an
Gurkha Demonstration Company); and the Director of instructor in the Signals Wing .
Studies Staff !War Studies and International Affairs ,
Military Technology and Political and Social Studies). it will be of further Regimental interest to know that
recently the Queen's Surreys Regimental Association .
Each of the three Colleges are responsible for a presented a copy of the Salerno painting to Salerno
different aspect of training. At present they are company to mark the 40th anniversary of the battle. At
co nstrained by a major rebuilding and renovation the presentation was Col J B U Healey DSO who was a
programme which has reduced available accommoda- Commanding Officer at Salerno
tion by half. This has been partially alleviated by the
building of a two-company temporary block, The Life at Sandhurst is always hectic, but all strive to
Redoubt, on top of Hospital Hill to take the overspill maintain high standards. A major aim of the Comman-
from New College. This constraint has been aggravated dant is to gain MOD permission for longer courses and
by very large recent intakes, and the movement of the thus reduce tempo while filling in some of the present
WRAC College to Sandhurst which have added to omissions in the syllabus . All will join in wishing him
pressure on resources . Political rather than pragmatic success in this.
reasons seem to have been responsible for the former
which would probably have been a great deal easier
after the rebuild.

Of the three colleges, Old College at present houses a
va riety of courses . The first of these is the Regular
Career Course, a three month course of academic
studies undertaken by senior lieutenants wishing to
convert from Short Service to Regular Commission.
Secondly there is Rowallan Company, which takes in
Cadets for a three month course of tough physical and
mental assessment. About half of each intake passes the
course and continues into the Academy proper . Old
College also houses the Winter Short Courses - SSLC ,
TA , CCF, Chaplains, MOs, Dentists, Vets, Legal Officers
and Posta l Officers; lastly it houses the WRAC Wing .

New College is respo nsible for running the seven
month long Standard Military Course for all non-
graduates. This is the largest intake of the Academy
throughout the year and it is this course to which the
greater eff ort of the Academy is directed . Were it not
for the rebuild programme, this cou rse might reasonably
be expected to occupy Old College, the more presti-
gious building. There are moves afoot to lengthen the
cou rse to a full year as there are at present major gaps in
non-graduate officers ed ucation which a short co urse
based on the old Mons syllabu s cannot hope to fill .

Victory College has grown steadily in size and impor-
tan ce in recent years and will shortly eq ual New College
1n prestige . The Colleg e runs a Standard Graduate
Cou rse for officers with degrees from civil universities .
The military co ntent is close to that of the SMC

72

ALBUHERA
REVISITED

by
2Lt R C Owen, 1 QUEENS

There can be little doubt that one of the more hours of darkness but at least in one piece .
pleasant aspects of being stationed in Gibraltar is that
we spend two weeks in every eight on Adventure Train- To be honest, I am not at all sure what I expected, but
ing. This is mostly done at the centre on Oueensway whatever it was it was not what we found. lt looked
which is run by the Battalion, but it is closed through exactly like the set of a spaghetti western, the on ly thing
the winter for maintenance and of course because of missing being Clint Ea stwood . The town itself appears
the weather . Now, Holland Company had an Adventure desperately poor, and it is surrounded by large open
Training fortnight scheduled before the Centre opened, barren fields. The principal roofing material seems to be
and the fact that the Border with Spain had just opened wrigg ly tin , of which I am sure there is more in Albuhera
inevitably led to consideration being given to taking than in the Battalion defence stores.
some sort of expedition la somewhat grandiose title,
perhaps!) into Spain. Perhaps even more inevitably, a Having soaked in these first impressions, we set off
trip to Albuhera seemed to be just the thing to do . lt is early the next morning to see what we could find. We
just as well that the trip was not a complicated started in the town itself, where we discovered a large
undertaking , for we left ourselves little time for planning arched monument in the main square. In the arch is a
and preparation , having but recently arrived in Gibraltar bust of the Spanish Genera l, Castanos. Under the bust
and being still firmly in the 'settling in and sorting is a worn and almost illegible stone plaque on which we
ourselves out' phase of the tour. Nonetheless, with a were able to decipher Beresford 's name. lt was some-
great deal of help from the OM 's Department and what startling to realise that this appeared to be the on ly
various other agencies , we were able to plan on six of us indication that the British were at the battle at all! We
driving from Gibraltar to Albuhera using one of the found that there was nothing else in the town of
welfare camper vans which are held and administered relevance to our quest, so we then moved on to the
countryside, the actual battlefield .
by 8 Surveillance Troop RA.
We started by moving first of al l onto Cole's position ,
The camper turned out to be a somewhat antiquated from which the Fusilier Brigade had marched. Their
land rather rusty) Sherpa, but we loaded up and set off route was indeed the obvious one to take , so we fol-
in good spirits on 1 March. We promptly had , even lowed it until we were up on the ridge. Whatever it may
before w e left Gibraltar, the first of a series of have been in 1811 , 'ridge' is an inaccurate description
breakdowns! Perhaps this was just as well because 8 today - it is little more than a bump. Here we found
Surveillan ce Troop thu s had the opportunity of giving another plain stone monument, but again this is
us some equ ipment which they had forgotten to give us eloquently silent on the details of the battle which it is
before, which belonged to the van . After this fal se start , there to commemorate . From the ridge , however, we
the old van showed its pleasure at being released from could clearly see the French route of advance . lt was
t he constri ctions of Gibraltar's roads, and w e motored quite easy to visualise, across that open plain , what a
along at a merry pace. fearsome sight the massed French cavalry charge -
parti cularly the notorious Polish Lancers - must have
Too merry, perhaps - after so me three hours, the made. Even more, just looking across at the now
fan belt w ent for the seco nd time. Thu s it w as that peaceful scene, I began to appreciate at what very close
armed only with the broken fan belt, oi ly hands and quarters the battles of those days were fought . The only
speaki ng not a word of Spanis h, I w ent on my sea rch cover could have been the fog of war provided by the
for a mechanic . By vi rtu e of a great dea l of sign gunpowder of the time, and w e were all struck by the
langu age !the Spanish obviously understood my arm - realisation of the very special kind of courag e which it
w aving ) and so me grunts and nods I was abl e to find mu st have taken for men - Infantrymen - to stand
one wh o co uld f ix our sick chariot . And so, so me 150 th eir ground on that ex posed countryside against
miles furt her on w e reached our destinati on, in the

73

cavalry and arti ll ery. We fancied that we could see the Major G L'Estrange's Gold Medal
spot where Lt Latham had defended the Colours against
the merciless enemy horsemen , and the ground made by Col J W Sewell
the duel between the 57th and the French column and
artillery become clearer . I had not real ly expected this , Unfortunately the Regiment was unable to secure
but it became an almost involuntary and certain ly easy Major G L'Estrange' s Gold Medal for Albuhera , but its
feat of imagination not so much to picture the scene as sa le in the Spink's Auction in December recalls the
to hear it - the explosions, screams and sho uts of exceptional services of the 31st Regiment at Albuhera .
anger or anguish, the sound of stee l and terrified In Major Gregory Blaxland's very excellent ' Guide to the
horses, and perhaps even the severely wounded Col Queen 's Regiment' full tribute is paid to the 2 / 31st,
lnglis's immortal cry to his men . commanded by Major L' Estrange, but their steadfast-
ness and valour is often overshadowed by the extra-
We moved on and now followed the French with- ordinary heroism of Lieutenant Latham in saving the
drawal over the river, but f ound that t he wood in which King's Colour of The Buffs, and then the 57th 's daunt-
the French Grenadiers fought their last sta nd no longer less steadfastness and valour, immortalized in their
exists . Not being willing to attempt a river crossi ng Colonel 's exhortation ' Die hard the 57th ', and later in
ourselves, we moved back along the river to the bridge Lady But ler's picture ' Steady, the Drums and Fifes'. lt
where the Pru ssian Light Infantry fought so gallantly . lt wou ld seem certain however that but for the 2 / 31st the
seemed a remarkably insignificant structure to have w hole right of the Allied Army under Lord Beresford
been contested so hotly . would have collapsed beyond retrieva l at the outset of
the Battle, and that Albuhera instead of being a famous
Unfortunately, but I suppose inevitably, the town has victory cou ld have been a ghastly disaster.
spread in places so that the original British and
Portuguese positions cannot be explored to their fullest The 2 / 31st, only 418 strong, were part of Colborne's
exte nt . Nonetheless, it is possible with the aid of battle Brigade, of the 2nd Division, which was ordered to sup-
maps to get a good impression of the areas where they port and restore the right of the line held by Spanish
stood and fought, and t he routes along which they Divisions who were being outflanked by the French.
moved . The Brigade led by The Buffs were carrying out their
task effectively, when in a violent hailstorm which cut
I will confess that after our visit it would have taken a visibility almost to nil, they were ridden into from the
great deal to make us stay in Albuhera any longer; the flank by a strong force of French cava lry. The 2/ 31 st
town itself is a most depressing place. My party made who were the rear batta lion of the Brigade just had time
no objection at all to ou r departure for pastures new. to form Square by an original manoeuvre of Major
Even so, I think that I wou ld like to return there if L' Estrange's own devising. The Battalion was able
possible on one 16 May, to drink the Silent Toast. I thereby to survive while the other three battalions of the
know that when I do so in the future , wherever I may brigade were cut to pieces - it then moved forward on
be, I wi ll picture in my mind that rather desolate place to the ridge to the front where it was in due course
where the event we are co mmemorating occurred. joined by Houghton's Brigade, which included the 57th,
who there won their immortal fame.
I must also co nfess to a feeling of some disap-
pointment that there is no British monument on the site. The conduct of the 2/ 31 st at the time received
Whether this is due to apathy or more modern po litics I universal praise, and in his History of The Peninsular
don 't know, but the Spanish and ourselves were Allies War Lord Londonderry names 'the 31st and the 57th as
then and are again today, and I cannot help but feel that equal in bravery in the action'. While in his subsequent
the men of the Peninsular Army who died there and Despatch Lord Wellington wrote :
who are presumably buried there (a lthough we found no
contemporary graves) deserve some sort of permanent 'There is one officer, Major L' Estrange of the Thirty-
marker over the last place they saw on Earth . Ultimately, first who I must recommend in the strongest manner for
perhaps a properly laid out battlefield tour could bring promotion in some way or other. After the other parts of
tourists (and some much needed income ?) to Albuhera, the same Brigade were swept off by the Cavalry his little
but in the short term I wou ld like to think that it would Battalion alone held its ground against all colonnes en
be possible to erect some sort of monument and
explanatory marker so that any strangers who happened masse.'
to pass by might be reminded of the men who fought
there - they do at least deserve that. Is it too impossibly Major L' Estrange was awarded his Brevet promotion ,
chau vinistic of me to hope perhaps that such a marker and eventua lly went on to become Lieutenant-General
might indeed remind the Spaniards who pass by that Sir Guy L' Estrange, KCB. Meanwhile his method of
there were Britons who fought and died here, alongside forming 'the Albuhera Square' contin ued to be prac-
Portuguese and Spanish troops , for the ca use of tised in the Reg iment until 1856.
Spanish freedom from oppression as well as that of their
own co untry ? I wonder what Wellington's men would lt is to be hoped that some time in the future General
have thought? L'Estrange's Gold Medal may come to the Regiment so
that through this , honour can be paid to him and his
gallant Battalion.

74

FRIGID WADERS!

by Capt J V Ashton. 1 QUEENS

' Rigid what?' Marines were ready for battle, full of confidence in their
massive experience and certain that they were ready to
' Rigid Raiders . You've got four days to become tackle anything up to and including a re-run of
proficient .' Operation Overlord . In the event most of the serials
went extremely well but inevitably there were moments
Thus began six wet and oily days for the members of of great humour and high dudgeon. The Recce Platoon
the Anti-tank and Recce Platoons as they worked in chose the diminutive Pte Gothard as their part time
their capacity as enemy forces for Exercise Calpe's Key depth gauge late on Friday night even though his 5ft 2in
11. The training was broken down into two day periods frame was not quite long enough for the job . He
and one at night for each platoon, and the exercise itself emerged from the task with such an enormous monk on
lasted some 36 hours with most of the action being that he was dubbed Friar Tu ck for the rest of the exer-
condensed into a hectic 24 hours. cise. Similarly, the Anti Tank Platoon discovered new,
cheap and exciting ways of giving Pte Palmer a speedy
But first, the training. lt all started with an haircut when his disembarkation drills were conducted
introduction to the boats ('This is a boat . . .') and the while the boat was still target bound.
various safety equipments and measures which are
mandatory when more than half a pint of water is Despite these and other close shaves the overall effort
involved. Some of the pre-briefing variations in how to was nonetheless deemed a great success. With on ly
wear a life jacket were interesting to say the least! The two days of training the so ldi er attempted and achieved
safety lecture was followed by a 'How To Capture The some difficult and dangerous tasks ; the Anti Tank abseil
Falklands Using Two Rigid Raiders and a Task Force' from the heights of Fortress HQ into a lone and
session in which the troops received valuable ' hands on' unsteady Rigid Raider was superb ly executed, those
experience from Capt Ken (I was there) Hames . The first waiting in the boat below being bombarded with rocks
afternoon was whizz round the harbour time and by Day and stones.
2 the platoons were ready for the serious stuff. Weapon
handling, beach landings and jumping in and out of In conclusion, then, an enjoyable and different
launches were all practised and by nightfall all were week's work for Hitchcock's M arines, in which the
confident of a successful dry run (in every sense) in services of the MCU and our very own Assault Pioneers
darkness . In the event it was an extremely wet run and were invaluable . Indeed, without Sgt Rice and his band
many problems were ironed out. Throughout the training the training would not have been possible. Aside from
period the RAF Marine Craft Unit (MCU) provided a the wet feet , a lasting memory will be the forlorn cries of
launch, the Sunderland and served both platoons a Royal Navy guard who , -whi lst being approached at 30
extremely well , on one occasion being so good as to knots by two Rigid Raiders with GPMGs blazing in the
illuminate with searchlights the beach the rigid raiders bows, was heard to call out: ' Halt! What goes there?'
should have landed on! Marvellous!

By Friday 8 March nearly 50 descendants of Villier's

OH, ISLAND IN THE SUN

by CSgt Beard

On a cold and wet day in early February, I received a members of the Force were very pleased with their new
telephone ca ll asking if I would be interested in a trip to equipment and other supplies, as some of their old
Montserrat, West lndies! Quite frankly I had never weapons etc had definitely outlived their usefu lness.
heard of the island and I was convinced that April Fools The handing over of stores and equipment went
smoothly. Instructions in the use of some supp lies was
Day had arrived . Out came the atlas to find its location . gratefully received by the Defence Force members on
My doubts were finally dispersed after a briefing at
MOD . I was handed my air tickets. lt must be for real. their weekly drill night.

My task was to hand over stores and equipment to Montserrat is a vo lcanic island , unspoilt by tourism -
the Montserrat Defence Force and to show them how to unlike other Caribbean islands. The beaches are black
use and account for their new equipment. sand, which seems rather odd at first. The roads are
excellent and I was able to travel the length and breadth
Those who know me in 1 QUEENS are aware that I of the island. The temperature hovered around the 80s
never travel light, but the prospect of endless sunshine and 90s F and not being accustomed to such heat it
and palm trees waving in a light breeze persuaded me to took a little while to acclimatize. In such heat and
leave at least two sets of combat gear at home. humidity the pace of life is quite sedate and not
conducive to frantic activities.
Wednesday 13 February arrived. After a flight of
approximately 16 hours, with a stop-over in Antigua, I The islanders are staunch ly British and, if I had
arrived in Montserrat. I was greeted by the Defence accepted every invitation, most of my stay would have
Force CQMS who took me to my hotel and then to the been spent in an alcoholi c haze . After a pleasant
Defen ce HQ. fortnight it was time to say goodbye with a promise to
return for a holiday one day.
The Defence Force consists of approximately 40 men
from all walks of life. What they lack in military know- I wish April Fool's Day, in that particular guise
how is made up by their undoubted enthusiasm. The anyway, would happen again!!

Two better looking members of 5 QUEENS (VI.

THE JUBILEE SAILING TRUST

by Lt J F Burke, 3 QUEENS

The Jubilee Sailing Trust's aim is to take the 21 January 1985 - The 'Quebec Band' held a spon-

handicapped and able bodied to sea for long cruises in sored ' Band Marathon' in the garrison gymnasium Fal-

order to build up confidence for everyday life. They take lingbostel commencing at 0900 hrs . The rules for the

blind, deaf, spastics, disabled in fact almost everyone marathon were obtained from the Guinness Book of

who is physically handicapped from all over the United Records - but no record is held or recorded by a

Kingdom. military band , only civilian. Adjudicators were appointed

The 3rd battalion has continued to support this worth- to enforce the rules and see fair play. The Band were
while cause by raising funds towards the cost of a sai l- only allowed five minu tes rest in every hour but rest
breaks were agreeable . The Band with blistered lips and
ing ship ca lled the Lord Nelson, which will be' launched fingers lasted until 1900 hrs 22 January 1985, a total of
32 hours and claim the military band record. They raised
in late 1985.

Since our last article the following events have taken the magnificent sum of DM2796 .12 for their efforts, a
place and monies raised:
fine achievement. '

1 September 1984 - another of our marathon run-
ners who participated in the Verden marathon raised the The Garrison Thrift Shop very generously donated
DM276-95 to the Trust from their quarterly profit .
sum of DM 310.00 in sponsorship .

9-10 September 1984 - The Corporals' Mess ran a 27 Collection Tin . A total of DM 115-32 was donated in a
hour ' Darts Marathon' trying to achieve a total sc ore of 'collection tin ' held in our unit post room .
1 million, for which players were sponsored. Regrettably

they fell just short of their target , but did achieve the The battalion has so far raised a total of DM 11346.17

amount of DM 1774.58 in sponsorship . for this very worthwhile cause .

76

COMRADE MAJOR BARRATSKI: MY PART IN HIS DOWNFALL p

by Spetznaz Group Leader Heathfieldski

We were alone and against the elements. Six men A screech of brakes and hooded men leapt from the
against a hostile world. That's what it felt like as I looked back of tucks. Our rivals quickly seized all the vodka.
across the mist-shrouded English countryside. Behind We were stripped, searched , and made to sign for kit in
me in the barn my five men slept, blissfully unaware of an instant. A short helicopter ride . and on to 4 ton
the harsh realities they had yet to face. trucks. Our truck stopped and our survival instincts took
over. We leapt from the back of the truck and ran ,
lt was only 24 hours since I awoke in my bed in stopping only to mug a young-looking boy (Lt Ph ipps)
Oakingtongrad Barracks, home of the special Spetznaz who just happened to have a sketch map of the area on
forces. We all had hope in our hearts - today was the him .
start of our master-plan to rule the world, the capita list
pigs would never know what hit them. We went for the We moved towards Bedford, and we were footsore
usual 25 mile run before breakfast, which was black and weary when we reached the outskirts. Suddenly
bread and water - a bonus, we didn't usually get blue flashing lights and we were surrounded by
water! Then to the briefings. hundreds of English policemen . I asked them the time,
hoping to escape in the confusion, but we were ca ught .
We all joined together in our six-man teams and We were taken to Bedford nick, but we were soon
rejoiced in our togetherness. I had Psycho Singski, my released because they forgot to read us our rights .
demolition expert and a real lunatic . Boris 'Martin 99' Thank Lenin for the British legal system!
Karloffski , a truly hideous creature but an expert of
unparalleled skill at sniping and small arms. Then came Now here we were in the barn. We needed sleep after
The Pair . They always worked together and would not the grilling those police had given us (bacon, sausages
be separated, Murphski and Overtonopov. These were and fried bread). So, as the mist cleared, I woke the
my stealth experts, they could slide off without anyone men . In seconds (40,000 to be precise), the men were
noticing at all. Last of all ca me the giant Bulgerofski , a alert and on their feet. We carried on, only to be chased
huge mongol from Siberia, his great strength had pulled by a policeman shouting, 'You have the right to remain
us out of a few scrapes. silent, you have the right to . .' Three of us escaped
only to be caught again and taken back to Bedford nick .
All the Spetznaz teams were called together for a
meeting with our glorious leader, Comrade Major Bar- We eventually made the first RV with the help of an
rattski . A tall lean men with piercing blue eyes which enemy driver who thought we were SAS, an easy mis-
were colder than the Siberian ice . We hailed our great take! We carried on our journey towards Peterborough ,
leader, and the plan was set in motion. My target was a only to be split up. I decided to carry the war to the
potato farm in East Anglia . What would the British do enemy, and in the next 36 hours I ate as many potatoes
without their chips? Major Barrattski finished , and even as possible to deny them to the enemy . This was a
as we celebrated, the British SAS. struck! hopeless tactic, and I eventually gave myself up, joined
the British Army and became a sen ior rank.

THE ROYAL STAR AND GARTER HOME

Among the many good causes deserving of su pport, Further information may be obtained from Rear
perhaps the one nearest to the Armed Forces is the Admiral J W D Cook, Appeals Director, The Roya l Star
Royal Star and Garter Home for Disabled Sailors, and Garter Home, Richmond, Surrey, TW10 6RR.
Soldiers and Airmen . This year the Home is try;ng to
raise £1 milli on for essential renewal projects and to Members of the Regiment now resident are:
meet the annual running costs. The Queen 's Royal Regiment - Mr R W Pinney: The

The Home's current Newsletter outlines a range of East Surrey Regiment - Mr W G Randell , Mr W j Jen -
fund raising activities, and appeals for our help. The kins , Mr G W Brown ; The Queen 's Own Royal West
Regiment already supports the Star and Garter by Kent Regiment - Mr A J J Hancock , Mr J E L Parry-
annual subscription, but there may be many of our Wingfield ; The Buffs - Mr R Goddard ; The Royal
readers who would like to be associated persona lly with Sussex Regiment - Mr H 0 Tupper , Mr W B Head, Mr
the comfort and treatment of ex-Servicemen disabled in J W M arshall ; The Middlesex Regiment - Mr F B
the service of their co untry. Blowers ; The Queen 's Regiment - Mr C P Wooten
(formerly 3 QUEENS) .

77

PASSAGE OF THE THIRD REGIMENT (BUFFS) THROUGH THE CITY

(Picture and article from The Illustrated London News of 17 October 1846, 'discovered' recently
by Lt Col Les Wilson MBEJ

On Monday and Tuesday, the 3rd Regiment (Buffs) denly towards the footpath by Chatham Place, where
left Portsmouth for Ireland . On this occasion, the gallant the soldiers were marching . Several of the men met the
Colonel, Sir James Dennis, KCB , availed himself of ox with their bayonets ; one stuck into the animal's
what is considered the exclusive privilege of this skull, and became bent; the other pierced one of his
celeb rated regiment, namely, to march through the City nostrils, from which the blood flowed profusely; and
of London with drums beating and colours flying ; and the beast became so enraged that he again charged the
we believe the Lord Mayor to have been appraised of military, broke their ranks, knocked down some of the
this intended exercise of the Regiment's right . men , and threw the arms of others to the ground. Pass-
ing the pavement, he threw down the deceased with
Accordingly, a division of the Regiment marched into great violence , her head coming in contact with the curb .
the City by Blackfriars Bridge ; and our artist has
eng raved this peculiar exercise of privilege . At the time , The poor girl , Sarah Kelly, aged nine years , lived in
a drove of bullocks from Smithfield Market was passing Du ke Street, Stamford Street, and was on her way to
towards the bridge ; and in Chatham Place, one of the see her mother, a nurse in St . Bartholomew's Hospital.
beasts, irritated by the noise of the drums and the glare She was promptly taken by the police constable to Mr .
of the red coats, dashed among the soldiers ; consider- Hutchinson's, surgeon , of Farringdon Street, where she
able confusion ensued, and a young girl was struck to shortly expired . Her face was covered with blood, which
the pavement by the infuriated animal , her skull flowed from a fracture of the skull , and injuries to the
dreadfully fractured , and she expired.
chest, which caused death . The Jury returned a verdict
On Tuesday, an inquest was held on the body, before of 'Accidental Death', accompanied by their urgent and
W . Payne, Esq. From the testimony of City poli ce unanimous recommendation to the proper authorities,
constable 398, and other witnesses , it appeared that that the dangerous practice of driving horned cattle
about half-past three o'c lock on Monday afternoon the through the public thoroughfares, to and from Smith-
3rd Regiment of Foot (Buffs) , having come from field, may be discontinued.
Portsmouth per rail , marched from the terminus at
Vauxhall, in the direction of the Euston station, en route Note. The Queen's Regiment has inherited from The
for Ireland, and, having arrived on the city side of Buffs the 'Privilege' of marching through the City of
Blackfriars Bridge, the colours were flying , and the band London with 'Colours flying , drums beating and
had stru ck up a lively air, when an ox, which was being bayonets fixed' . This ' Privilege', which was granted
driven along Bridge Street in a contrary directio n to the permanently to 3rd Foot in 1672, was originally held by
military, became alarmed by the music, and dashed sud- three regiments but more recently has been extended to
seven. - Editor.

REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION

GRAND REUNION

DEPOT THE QUEEN'S DIVISION, BASSINGBOURN
SUNDAY 14 JULY 1985

All past and present members of the Regiment welcome.

King Th1s famous hospital, ass1sted by a staff of Harley Street Consultants,
Edwarit VII'S prov1des the best possible treatment at the lowest possible cost for
off1cers, serv1ng or retired (including those who held temporary or
for= reserve comm1ss1ons), the1r wives, widows and dependant child ren
SISTER AGNES'S of not less than 4 years of age.

lt has one three-bedded ward and 69 s1ngle rooms (5 with bathrooms
en su1te). lt has 1ts own Pharmacy, X- Ray, Physiotherapy and
Pathology Departments. Med1cal check-ups can be arranged at a

moderate charae.

Serving officers are entitled to free nursing and maintenance in
a ward bed. Others and the1r dependants (unless insured for more)
are charged £49 a day for a pnvate room.Civilian pat1ents are charged
£1 12 a day. Consultants fees are a ma«er for personal arrangement
between the pat1ent and the consu ltant. Where necessary help can
be prov1ded from a generously adm1n1stered Benevolant Fund.

Subject to age, BUPA gives friends of the Hospital a 15%
reduction on their BUPACARE subscriptions, and PPP and
WESTERN PROVIDENT a 25% on their FAMILY MASTERPLAN
AND SUPERCOVER policies respectively, if payment is made

by direct debit.

The hosp1tal1s currently treating 2,200 1n-pat1ents and 1400 out-
patients a year. lt IS not part of the N.H.S. and IS dependant on
voluntary donat1ons for 1ts work for the Serv1ces.

Be2umont House, If you would l1ke to rece1ve more 1nformat1on or become a subscriber
Beaumont Street, London W 1 please wnte to the Appeals Secretary, ( Q R ). 6 Buckingham Place,
London SW1 E 6HR or phone 01-828 4454. Applications for adm1ss1on

should be made to the Matron on 01-486 4411 .

Patron Her Majesty the Queen

~L__ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~--------------------------~

THE ASSOCIATION OF SERVICE NEWSPAPERS ADVERTISEMENT PAGES .
PO BOX 4, FARNBOROUGH . HAMPSHIRE. GU14 7LR . TEL 0252 515891

Make more of your money...
open aNaafi budget account

Jfi!lf,y

NAVEl

Your Naafi shop manager
will be happy to explain
how simple it is for you to
open a budget account.

ASKAT YOUR LOCAL NAAFI SHOP

Use Naafi for Buy finance and
life assurance and I•nsure your car
house purchase through Naafi

When you 're planning your finan cial future We can arrange discounts on selected n ew cars for
remember that Naafi offers a wide variety of purchase in the UK or fo r export to BAOR and,
assuran ce policies which will help you to save acting on behalf of leading insurers, we can
and provide p rotection fo r your dependents. provide insuran ce cover in the UK or G erman y.

WHY NOT TAKE THE FIRST STEP For more details write to the car sales
TOWARDS A HOME OF YOUR OWN? manager at Naafi : College House, Upper
College St, Nottingham NG1 5EU England
Personal attention to
each mem ber of H.M .
Forces can make an
enquiry to our
insuran ce branch well
worthwhile as Naafi
offers regular
in vestment
opportunities. F or
more details write
to the M anager Naafi
Insurance Services at

Naafi: College House
Upper College Street
Nottingham, NGl 5EU, England

Printed in Great Brnain SUPPLEMENT No. 1- PA GE THR EE

THE ASSOCIATION OF SERVICE NEWSPAPERS ADVERTISEMENT PAGES .
PO BO X 4, FARNBOROUGH . HAMPSHIRE. GU 14 7LR . TEL 02 52 'S15891

~ 1----F_A_M_O_V_S__D R.----1N_K_S_I_N_ __,Y_O_V__R _M_E_S_S---jtl

y

~./r--11~J-otb ~
BLACK LABEL
For all bar CHAMPAGNE
supplies
contact your

nearest NAAFI.

SUPPLEMENT No. 1-PAGE FOUR Printed in Great Britain

FRIARS SCHOOL FOREST GRANGE

Great Chart, SCHOOL
Ashford, Kent, TN23 3DJ
Telephone Ashford (Kent) 0233 20493 *HORSHAM , WEST SUSSEX. Telephone: Faygate 219
An J.A.P.S. Preparatory School for 150 boys and girls
Pre-Preparatory 4'/. - 7 years (Day) and
Preparatory 7- 14 (Boarding and Day, * aged 8 to 13.
including weekly boarding). Boys on ly. Small classes prepared for Conunon Entrance and

Friars School is situated o n 10'/. acres. It is * Public School Scholarships.
with in easy reach of Heathrow, Gatwick, the Happy family atmosphere a llied to the necessary
Channel Ports and Chari ng Cross . C lasses are
small. There is a close-knit community with a * discipline.
friendly atmosphere. Every consideration is Set in beautiful 300 acre estate with excellent recrea-
given to the boarding needs of the boys. tional facilities.
Syllabus determined by Common Entrance
requirements. * Entrance by interview and test.

Soccer, rugby , hockey, cricket and athe letics * Special Terms for Service Families.
are major games . Numerous extra-curricu lar
activites . Free prospectus from the School Secretary.

Special reduction in fees for Service personnel.
Scholars hips available up to 50"7o of fees to
boys under 9

Apply, quoting ref. QR to the Headmaster,
Mr. J. M. Stevens, BA, Cert .Ed.

lill Bradley& Vaughan

CHARTERED SURVEYORS

Offices throughout Mid-Sussex

Sales of Residential, Commercial and Agricultural Properties Structural Surveys Compensation Claims
Full Management Department Valuations for Sale, Mortgage, Probate and Insurance
Architectural and Building Department
Monthly Sales of Antique Furniture, Fine Art, Silver and Jewellery

at our

Sussex Auction Galleries, 59 Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath
(jive Eurqpean offices)

Local Agents for Sussex County , Abbey National , Leeds Permanent and Gateway Building Societies

We shall be pleased to assist with any enqu1ries at any of our branches :

52 Perrymount Road , Haywards Heath (tel. 459961) 54 Church Road , Burgess Hill (tel. 2922/ 3)

Broo k House, High Street . He nfie1d (t el. 493622) 5 Orion Parade , Hassoc ks (tel. 3408)

99 London Road . East Grin stead (tel. 2 1142) 11 Brighton Road. C rawley (t el. 23456) .

YOUR NowletusheiPY-OU

SECOND ~wRoyal
CAREER
British l:egion
CAN BE AS
48 PALL MALL, LONOON SW1Y SJY
CHALLENGING

AS YOUR

FIRST

.. .for personal service...

...in COLOURS

MANY by official appointment to the
REGIMENTAL
Queen's
TIES Regiment
IN
CRIMPLENE MATT
STOCK TIE £5.00

SILK REPPE £11.00
Pos t 40p ext ra

LEWINEST. Phone :

nl' n Stn•rt1898 01·930 4291
.J••rm~

T . M . LEWIN & SON LTD ., 106 JERM YN STREET, SWIY 6EO
(Near Piccadilly Circus)

For Ford in Kent

The latest 1985 Fords are in
our showrooms now:
• FIESTA .ESCORT
.SIERRA .ORlON
• CAP RI • GRANADA

For full details of our tax free
Export Service, fill in the
coupon and return to us.

Your Key to a

Tax Free Ford

Lower Bridge Street, Canterbury Tel: 451777 INVICTA
Sturry Road, Canterbury Tel: 454921

Hallets, St. Dunstan's, Canterbury Tel: 462275 MOTORS
West Street, Faversham Tel: 532255
Boundary Road, Ramsgate Tel: Thanet 593784
Northdown Road, Cliftonville Tel: Thanet 26554

Return the coupon for free Information Pack to :

INVICTA MOTORS LTD., Boundary Road, Ramsgate, Kent. Thanet 597931 . Telex 96331

NAME ..... ................... ... ................. ........ ............ RANK ...... .... ... ...... ....... . Tick items of main interest

ADDRESS ... ........ ......... .... ....... .......... .. ....... ........................ ..................... 0 FIESTA 0 SIERRA

........ .. .............................................................................. ........................ 0 ESCORT 0 GRANADA

................................................................................................................ 0 CAPRI 0 ORlON

Civil, Military, Sporting and Ladies Bespoke Tailors.
16 Clifford Street, Savile Row, London WlX 2HS. Telephone:01-734 2248

services for ARMY families

Your Move Homepack Germany
Storage
Pickfords experienced &Beyond

managers know what is required For your long or short term Pickfords operate a special
(as well as the allowances). storage needs. Our Homepack guaranteed weekly service to
Stores will keep your home and from Germany. Ask our
Our reputation for care and safe and secure. manager for details.
service has been established
for many generations.

Move with the Professionals at a Competi!ive Price.
GUTERSLOH 16344

Lt Col Charles Heath cote , while in co mmand of the 35th Foot (1769-721. (A
portrait by J ose ph Wright of Derby so ld at Christies on 26 April 1985 for £380,000.)