Autumn 1992

COVER PICTURES
Front:

The Colonel of the Regiment, Major General Mike Reynolds CB , escorted by the Commanding Officer,
Lieutenant Colonel Amedee Mieville, inspects the 1st Battalion on their Farewell Parade in Minden, 29 May
1992.

Back:
The 2nd Battalion team led by Corporal Ley which won the Army Fencing Championship, photographed at
the Inter Services Match held at the Royal Tournament.

CROWN COPYRIGHT
This Journal contains official information. lt should be treated with discretion
by the recipient. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not
necessarily reflect the policy and views, official or otherwise, of The Queen 's
Regiment or the Ministry of Defence. Advertisements are included in good
faith and no responsibility for the quality of goods or services can be

accepted by the publishers or printers.

The Journal of
THE QUEEN'S REGIMENT

No 72 FINAL EDITION Autumn 1992

BATTLE HONOURS Unconquered I Serve BATTLE HONOURS
ON THE REGIMENTAL COLOURS ON THE QUEEN 'S COLOURS

Tangier 1662-80, Namur 1695, Gibraltar Mons, Marne 1914-18, Aisne 1914, Ypres 1914-
1704-5, Blenheim , Ramilles, Malplaquet, 15-17-18, Hill60, Festubert 191 5, Somme 1916,
Dettingen, Louisburg , Guadeloupe 1759, 1918, Albert 1916 1918 Vimy 1917, Cambrai
Quebec 1759, Martinique 1762, St Lucia 1917-18, Hindenburg Line , Italy 1917-18,
1778, Seringapatam, Maida , Vimiera Macedonia 191 5- 18 Gallipoli 1915, Gaza ,
Corunna, Douro , Talavera, Albuhera , Alma- Jerusalem, Palestine 1917-18, Defence of Kut al
raz, Badajoz , Salamanca , Vittoria, Afghani- Amara, Mesopotamia 1915-18, NW Frontier India
stan 1839, Punniar, Moodkee , Sobraon , 19151916-17, Dunkirk 1940, Normandy Landing,
lnkerman, Sevastapol, Lucknow , Taku North West Europe 1940 1944-45 Abyssinia
Forts, New Zealand , South Africa 1879 , Nile 1941 , Omars, Alam el Halfa, El Alamein, Long-
1884-85, Burma 1885-87 Chitral , Relief of stop Hill 1943, North Africa 1940-43, Sicily 1943,
Ladysmith , Relief of Kimberl ey, South Africa Sangro, Salerno, Anzio, Cassino, Italy 1943-45,
Malaya 1941 -42, Malta 1940-42 Hong Kong
1899- 1902, Korea 1950-51
Defence of Kohima, Burma 1943-45

ALLIED COLONELS-IN-CHIEF

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS JULIANA of the Netherlands
HER MAJESTY QUEEN MARGRETHE 11 of Denmark

COLONEL OF THE REGIMENT

Major General M F RE YNOLDS, CB

DEPUTY COLONELS OF THE REGIMENT

Brigadier R W ACWORTH, CBE Brigadier M R I CONSTANTINE CBE
Colonel R H GRAHAM , MBE Colonel D A BEVERIDGE, MBE

HONORARY COLONELS OF TERRITORIAL ARMY BATTALIONS

Colonel The Rt Hon Robin LEIGH -PEMBERTON General Si r Edward BURGESS, KC B, OBE

(5th (Volunteer} Battalion} (6th/7th (Volunteer} Battalion}

Colonel Sir Greville SPRATT, GBE , TD , DL , Dlitt

(8th (Volunteer} Battalion The Queen 's Fusiliers (City of London}}

HONORARY REGIMENTAL APPOINTMENTS

Honorary Regimental Chaplain The Venerable P MALLETT, CB

Honorary Regimental Solicitor Lieutenant Colonel U H B ALEXANDER , MBE, DL, DCL

Honorary Reg imental Historian Major C J D HASWELL

CIVIC HONOURS

The 'Privilege' of the City of London (1666 ; permanently 1672) The Freedom of Arundel (1954), Ashford (1985 ; adopt1on
1961), Barnet (1955) , Belfast (196 1), Brighton (1944) , Canterbury (1948) , Chichester (1951) , Crowborough (1989),
Eastbourne (195 1), Folkestone (1961: adoption 1960) , Guildford (1944) , Hove (1958) , Kingston-upon-Thames (1944),
Lewes (1953) , Maidstone (1944) , Ramsgate (1959) , Reigate and Banstead (1963) , Tonbridge and Mailing (1985; adoption
1944). Worthing (1959)

ALLIANCES

The Canadian Armed Forces The New Zealand Army

The Queen's York Range rs (RCAC) 2nd Battalion (Canterbury, Nelson. Marlborough and West
The South Alberta Light Horse (RCAC) Coast) The Roya l New Zea land Infantry Regiment
The Queen's Own Rifl es of Canada 5th Battalion (Wellington , West Coast and Taranaki) , The
The Hastings and Prince Edwa rd Regiment Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment
1st Battalion the Royal New Brunswick Regiment
The Pakistan Army
(Carl eton & York)
The Essex and Kent Scottish 12th, 14th, 15th and 17th Battalions, The Punjab Regiment

The Australian Military Forces Hong Kong
The Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volu nteers)
The Royal New South Wales Regiment
The University of New South Wales Regiment
The Royal Western Australia Regiment

AFFILIATIONS

HMS Nelson, HMS Chatham The Royal Ang lian Regime nt
HMS Leeds Castle and HMS Kent The King's Own Scottish Borderers
The Royal Marines (A 'Bond of Friendship) No. 3 (F) Squadron Royal Air Force
The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers The Royal Danish Life Guards (an 'Unofficial Alliance)

The Worshipful Company of Haberdashers

AFFILIATED UNITS OF THE CADET FORCES

CCF School Contingents

Alleyn 's School ; Ardingly Col lege ; Brighton College; Caterham School ; Chichester High School ; Col lyer's VI Form College
(Horsham) ; Cranbrook School ; Cranleigh School ; Eastbourne College; Epsom College ; Haberdasher's Aske's School (Eistree) ;
Hampton Grammar School ; Highgate School ; Hurstpierpoint College ; Judd School (Tonbridge) ; King's School (Canterbury) ;
Kings ton Grammar School ; Lancing College ; Mill Hill School ; Reeds School; Reigate Grammar School ; Royal Grammar School
(Gui ldford) ; Sir Roger Manwood's School (Sandwich) ; St Edmund's School (Canterbury) ; St John's School (Leatherhead) ; St
Lawrence Col lege (Ramsgate) ; Skinners School (Tunbridge Wells) ; Sutton Valence School ; Tonbridge School ; Whitgitt School ;
Wi lsons Grammar School.

ACF Units/Sub-Units Cadet Companies Nos 25 and 26
Greater London : Cadet Companies Nos. 194,195, 205 , 21 1, 213, 216, 217

NE London Sector Cadet Companies No. 72
Middlesex and Cadet Detachments
NW London Sector Cadet Battalions Nos 133, 134, 136, 138, 141 , 143, 151 , 153, 155, 156, 158
SE London Sector Cadet Battalions 1st (Caterham) and 2nd (Farnham) The Queen 's Regiment (Surrey ACF)
SW London Sector 1st (Canterbury) , 2nd (Sandgate) , 3rd (Tunbridge Wells) and 4th
Surrey: Cadet Platoons (Maidstone) The Queen's Regiment (Kent AC F)
Kent: Nos 2 (Seaford), 3 (Hastings), 4 (Lewes), 5 (Haywards Heath) , 6 (Crawley) ,
7 (Chichester), 8 (Crowborough) , 9 (Worthing), 11 (Horsham) , 13 (Shore-
Sussex : ham), 14 (Bexh ill ), 16 (Hurstpierpoint) , 17 (Bognor) , 18 (Littlehampton) , 19
(Hai lsham) , 20 (Lewes OGS) , 22 (Steyning), 23 St Bedes

Frimley and Camberley Cadet Corps

2

ORGANISATION IN JULV 1992 PRIOR TO MOVES OF BATTALIONS
BEFORE AMALGAMATION

REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS

Howe Barrac ks Canterbury, Kent CT1 1JY (Telephone 0227 763434)

Regtmental Secretary Col J W Franc1s (ext 4295)
Deputy Regimental Secretary Lt Col J J White (ext 4250)

Finance, Chattels. QUEENS Assn Benevolence and R SUSSEX Liatson Mat A Martin, MBE (ext 4251 )
Chatrman Welfare and Benevolence Committee , Museum. Archtves and
QUEEN'S SURREYS Assn Affairs Lt Col L M Wlison , MBE (ext 4253)
QUEEN'S OWN BUFFS Assn Affairs Mat A P O'Gorman (ext 4252)
RHO Admin Asst RCO. Regtl Assn and MX Assn Liaison Maj W D Marshal! (ext 4254 )

Amalgamation Project Officer Maj M J Aylward MBE (ext 4254)
Regtmental Careers Officer Maj I R Jones (ext 4255 )
OC Regimental information Team
OC Regimental Free Fall Team 'The Flymg Dragons ' Capt A W Hewett (0622 671241 ext 292)
Capt T Mator (0763 249300 ext 4302)

REGULAR BATTALIONS TA BATTALIONS

1st Battalion 5th (V) Battalion
Clifton Barracks , Minden , BFPO 29 Leros TA Centre , Sturry Road , Canterbury. Kent CT1 1HR
(Telephone 01 0.49 .57 1.800 .312)
(Telephone 0227 462769)
CO: Lt Col A C Mievi lle
CO: Lt Col C L Argent
2nd Battalion
Howe Barracks, Canterbury, Kent CT 1 1JY 6thl7th (V) Battalion
Nortolk TA Centre , Denne Road , Horsham , Sussex
(Telephone 0227 763434)
(Telephone 0403 66 111 )
CO: Lt Col DJ Wake , MBE
CO: Lt Col P A D Storie-Pugh , MBE, TO
3rd Battalion
Salamanca Barracks, Episkopi , BFPO 53 8th (V) Battalion The Queen 's Fusiliers (City of London)
TA Centre , St John 's Hill , Clapham Junction, London SW11 1TT
(Telephone 010 35 7526)
Telephone 071 924 3122)
CO: Lt Col A A A Beattie
CO: Lt Col P D McLelland

REGIMENTAL REPRESENTATIVES

Depot The Queen's Division Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst

Bassingbourn Barracks, Royston . Herts. SG8 5LX RMA Sandhurst , Camberley, Surrey GU15 4PO
(Telephone 0763 242271) (Telephone 0276 63344)
Maj MS Quinn Maj R F Whithouse

Denmark Junior Infantry Battalion (Shorncliffe)

HO 1 (BR) Corps BFPO 39 Sir John Moore Barracks, ShornchHe . Kent CT20 3HE
Maj GC Brown (Telephone 0303 49541 )
Maj PR P Howe

3

Editor: c 0 nte nt s
Lt Col J J While
Reg1mentat Headquarters, Message from the last Colonel of the Regiment page
Howe Barracks, Editorial 5
Canterbury. Kent Mainly About People 6
Regimental Christmas Card 6
CT1 1JY 1st Battalion 8
2nd Battalion 9
Regimental Badge 3rd Battalion
5th (Volunteer) Battalion 14
Collar Badge 6th/7th (Volunteer) Battalion 20
London Regiment 27
Button Depot The Queen's Division 30
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst 33
Paper Regimental Bands 37
Kmdly donated by The Flying Dragons 37
MaJ J lA Fowler, TO Affiliated Cadet Units 39
The Last Days of The Queen's Regiment 40
Printers : Regimental Headquarters 42
Geerrngs ot Ashford Ltd Officers' Club 43
Marriages, Deaths and Obituaries 51
Cobbs Wood House Regimental Associations 51
Chart Road Alliances and Affiliations 52
Regimental Golfing Society 54
Ashford , Kent Regimental Cricket 60
Letters 65
Articles 68
68
69

4

A MESSAGE FROM
MAJOR GENERAL

M F REYNOLDS CB,

LAST COLONEL OF

THE QUEEN'S REGIMENT

The Colonel of the Regiment presents the Regimental
Secretary with a Medal of Merit at the Grand Reunion.

oosyWRRnponieliiluleltegystrhyiniosm1oednh8aweiadrwnnmhestthacrtoccohraendaoendthnmrhtibteesiupbpolptyeainaloesessgfudadtooodu-whfhanafiiTaamldlmhcsssiteugnauhtmrrhrQa'evTeapmeaulhtypltelealteoyehfrinuHnyniisensdi'ossdispthtfhoRaritwsoorhneytdsehdogeuoarilmoyfcatouTisenfhwrthngsahJpetopoi.trcmphQouHheeueruenndfeHoaaeheRfilidatsnhyoest'ooaffsguinruTinlyRmdlrhcy,elfeearumgrnieQdeigtymnecruisodedeoesranwnedhttonnasu'dn'nwmsevfddohibRoerrictecrweoephodgsmofstiwhmsgrooiaatrneleflandrnybteitittaoehts.yuue.mpSdrthWuevoenebem.mealriImayesoohchtrwehgoyheseirp.indaeeaBgMvvnnueemawedtmjxahiIentReindcvjyinuyolheeetsnasoyntwri,f,oc.iafyatsesMyonawouddcauiusorjnwiLhJnftdtihioecotlClionennbtoasko'dutltawhayfLobianneeulitddnelsrl.

Whilst thanking people it would be very remiss of me if I did not thank Lt Col John White for editing our Journal
for the past eight years . Editing any journal is a thankless task but we have been privileged to enjoy one of the best

in the Army .

QWSSiRnueeuatBsphgelesuteiemesetnm''xnews'senbhaRwteaRnorct'deyaR1ogamf9eMilm9getRhi2idemeef,dnrgoelt7feiumnm5wstt%uee.aTrxnisethot?.eiRswf BTtehQvhuheegeuternimeyi1senTem9neihn7tu'wtes2aschRRQ'rjneoeOeuegiggneUwuiieemmRl'adnReer'RssnnetoettgaRggaiinmseoindmytedlhaaen9eulyn0trn?otS%ucaiuSnhnrwoeodrfed1millIy9tehabf6iennRe6pddg?ee1gooa5APiplu4mlLler5oeLercfsntohoyeotuaour,nrruvnaiTtetpolthiloeryrseeisaagcIlQiiaisdvodrueueoioetsifnteigsTy'enet,ohmt'btstuehibunriOltngPfeukiwrmstliolnnesiittcskeBaatinssnnusosdyfuw-fspo'cnpTafuaeohfsWntwreetdtoae.rmPlriTet'arsshditlnlhe'espcaosrenRRneesrsooTsve9yyheotanaehsfltl

nothing less .

Please also support The Queen 's Association of The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment. Major Bill Marshal! ,
our Secretary, has written about The Association elsewhere in this Edition . Remembe r though that it is not just a

vehicle for meeting old friends . it's also there to help you if you are ever in serious need .

Finally I would like to wish you all , serving and retired . the very best of good fortune . health and happiness. lt
hwCRBaoaoesutlgotlaibdnmleeioehelnnanJsvto.aeahMgnlnarydesFttaohertudaaprnntrchkciviseosilmeacagorpneeuadrndtsoyuheei!bsineItofctyihnaoseenuonrLtomeoCtanaommdnloeyonannottefiRoRlyne-oHgnuyOiomo; u,sweotnaihtltlhdel oiabeuCnyrtdocntmahathnmomesbeaeeOnblfdgeufiiittcnvtiemegarnlyssOasaafpfngniecdrdeecirpamashtleeotarmhnnhaebdonecnkAraosslllulgsorRoftoahotfonausnkrmusfptyoooprDfobbeereotpauCIur'rmotRymloenCnagoeroitvmlloesoenlulfonerheutlsaissIl.
Associations. God bless you all .

MIKE REYNOLDS
5

EDITORIAL

lt has all happened- the Amalgamation of The Queen's Regiment with th e Roya l Hampshire Regimen t to form
the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen 's and Royal Hampshires) is over. Th e great reorganisation
began in earnest in July when the 3rd Battalion moved back from Cyprus. The 1st Battalion return ed from
Germany in August and by 9 September our three Regular battali ons and that of the Royal Hampshi res we re
completely merged into the two new battalions in Colchester and Canterbury. There was little ce lebration of such
an important event - that is postponed until after the battalions have shaken out with training overseas, when a
major parade next summer is planned .

Our TA battalions have also reorganised , in particular the 6th/7th which now sp reads into Hampshire and the
8th Queen 's Fusiliers which has become The London Regiment inco rporating PWRR , RAF , London Scottish and
London Irish rifle companies. Our aHi li ated company is titled 'B' (Queen 's Regiment ) Company' which will ensu re
that at least the Regimental name survives.

We have sadly said farewell to a number of senior oHicers, in particular the Colonel of the Regiment , General
Mike Reynolds , to whom we all owe an immense debt of gratitude for his resolute leadership during the most
turbulent years of the Regiment's history. We must also thank Col David Beveridge who retired as Deputy Colonel
and all three of our Regular Commanding OHicers, Lt Cols Amedee Mieville, David Wake and Anthony Beattie.

Thi s Journal therefore completes the story of The Queen 's Regiment as it existed from 1966 to 1992. lt is the
72nd edition published of which 55 were expertly edited by my predecessor, Maj Guy Weymouth , who establi shed
the popular style to which we have kept , in the main, since he retired in 1984. Every copy has contained a mass
of detail on regimental , battalion , sub-unit and individuals' activities in addition to most interesting articles on a
wide variety of subjects. lt is these valuable contributions for which I have , in my turn , been extremely grateful , that
have led to the compliments about the standard of our Journal.

Anyone glancing through our Journals will be impressed by all that The Queen's Regiment accomplished during
its short life. Formed as it was from four, and until1959 six, very diHerent regiments , each immensely proud of its
own history and traditions, The Queen's Regiment became increasingly impressive with a highly respected
operational capabi lity, wi nning Army Championships in several major sports and achieving high standards in all
it did. These achievements led to an ever more united Regiment which was demonstrated by the march to No 10
Downing Street by all our Regimental Associations in 1991 in support of the Regiment's case .

That, however, is now all in the past. A new Regiment has been born which has got oH to a flying start and its
serving members are very proud of it already. All who belonged to The Queen 's Regiment know how vital it is to
give our successors their wholehearted support. We are certain this will happen and that the Princess of Wales's
Roya l Regiment wi ll be a worthy successor to its famous forebears .

MAINLV ABOUT PEOPLE

Brig A F SLing OBE was appointed CBE in HM Th e Capt M G A Whelan , 5 QUEENS (V) , competed in
Queen 's Birthday Honours List. the Army Fencing Championship , was selected for the
Army Fencing Team in the Services Triangular
Lt Col A M F Jelf, and Sgt B ET Harris 1 QUEENS Tournament in June, and competed in the Inter
have been Mentioned in Despatches for service in N Services Fencing Championship held during the Roya l
Ireland . Tourn ament.

Maj J N Pratten 5 QUEENS(V) was awarded a Capt C G A McLeod MBE, on leaving the Army,
Certificate of Commendation for his work at the Joint became an EC Monitor in Croatia.
Command HQ on Operation s Granby, Haven and
Warden . Lt T R Farrow 1 QUEENS was awarded the MBE in
HM The Queen 's Birthday Honours List.

Maj K SHames , Capt C J Rugg , Lt SA Barker and Lt T R Farrow 1 QUEENS has been appointed Army
Qnsm Rogers , all 3 QUEENS , were awarded their Orienteering Team Manager.

Army Rugby Colours for the 199 1-92 season . Maj Lt C S Downes 6/7 QUEENS (V) won the Ladies
Hames captained the Army team . Infantry Orienteering Championships.

Capt Dyer and Capt Jones 3 QUEENS , Lt Shaun McGarr, 5 QUEENS(V) on ERE , has been
successfully passed the SST and are now eligible for appointed Adjutant of London Di strict Specialist
Training Team .
the ASSB .

6

Lt Richardson , W02 Stone, LCpl Greaux and Pte Mrs Lynne Thorpe , wife of Maj S C Thorpe 3
Diamond all 1 QUEENS represented 4th Armoured QUEENS , was awarded the GOC's Commendation by
Division at Athletics and received their Divisional
Colours. CBF Cyprus for her hard work in support of the
battalion 's voluntary organisations during the Cypru s
Lt A Smith 6/7 QUEENS(V) , went on the UK
Reserve Officer Exchange Programme to the 76th tour.
Training Division , Fort Jackson, Conneticut in August .
***
1 QUEENS orienteering team achieved victory in the
4th Armoured Division League with Lt Farrow the MEDAL OF MERIT
individual runner-up , W02 Cope winning the over 35
category and W02 Guilfoyle runner-up in the over The Regimental Awards Board sitting on 2 June
40s . 1992 se lected the following for the award of the
Regimental Medal of Merit:
2 QUEENS Fencing Team represented the Army at
the Royal Tournament in July 1992. Col J W Francis RHO
Maj J L A Fowler Retired
2 QUEENS won the Army Inter Unit Team Fencing Maj D Harwood 8 QF (V)
Championships, continuing a tradition of The Queens W02 D L Fisher 1 QUE EN S
Royal Regiment who were the winners in 1926, 1927 W02 R H Webb 6/7 QU EENS (V)
and 1930.

The Quebec Band raised C£467.00 for the Army
Benevolent Fund at its final band concert in June 1992
held in Epi skopi Cyprus .

6/7 QUEENS(V) won the TA units competition and
were 3rd in the Major Units championships at SD IST
SAAM .

6/7 QUEENS(V) team won the Infantry Orienteering
Championships .

W02 W G White 6/7 QUEENS(V) was awarded the
MBE in HM The Queen's Birthday Honours List.

W02 (RQMS) Layzell 1 QUEENS achieved an A
grade on the RQMS co urse.

***

JOURNAL OF THE
PRINCESS OF WALES'S

ROYAL REGIMENT

lt is hoped to include a report and pictu res of the
PWRR Review Day, planned for early next summer, in
the first edition of the new Regiment' s Journal. The first
edition should therefore be published in July. Further
information will be sent to subscribers, sub-editors and
contributors after certain decisions have been taken at
the Regimental Committee Meeting in November.
Sgt Walker 1 QUEENS was awarded his LS & GC
medal by the Colonel of the Regiment during his visit to
1 QUE EN S.
7

CSgt Maclaughlan formerly 3 QUEENS was Sgt Rudman 3 QUEENS has been awarded his
awarded a BEM for his work with 3 QUEENS Company Army Colours for Football and Athletics .
Group during its Falkl ands tour. June to November
1991. Sgt Smart, 5 QUEENS(V) raised money for the Life
for Laura appeal with a sponsored parachute jump .
CSgt Phillips, Sgt George and LCpl Brown 3
QUEENS, were awarded their LS&GC medals. Cpl A J Cocker 6/7 QUEENS(V) was se lected for
the Infantry Cricket Team.
CSgt Carter, Sgt Fry and Sgt Richards , 5
QUE EN S(V) supported the local Duke of Edinburgh 's Cpl P G Brookes 6/7 QUEENS(V) was Champion
Award Scheme . Shot in the Roberts Cup at the SDIST SAAM .

CSgt R Bicker 6/7 QUEENS(V) was Champion Rifle LCpl Salvage 3 QUEENS achieved an 'A' grading

Shot (Overal l) at the SD IST SAAM . on the Regimental Water Duties co urse.

Sgt Harris 1 QUEEN S was Mentioned in LCpl Arnold 3 QUEENS has been awarded his
Dispatches in the Northern Ireland Operational Awards Army Colours for Volleyball.
List.
Ptes Beckinsale and Hamer 1 QUEENS have
Sgt Nurse and Qnsm Lennon both 3 QUE EN S again been se lected for the Army Boxing Squad .
were awarded the GOC's Commendations by CB F
Cyprus , Sgt Nurse for his hard work as families SNCO Pte G J H Cheong-Leen 6/7 QUEENS(V) was
and Qnsm Lennon for his exce llent actions during a Outstanding Recruit at the TA Recruits Course in July.
fa tal road traffic accident in Cyprus.
Pte A M Banks 6/7 QUEENS(V) was Best Recruit at
Sgt Anderson 3 QUEENS has been awarded his the May Cadre at Depot The Queen 's Division.
Army Colours for Archery .

REGIMENTAL CHRISTMAS CARD 1992

Th e first Christmas Card for the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal
Hampshires) will carry a portrait photog raph in full colour of HRH The Princess of Wales , the
Colonel-in-Chief, by Lord Snowdon . Inside, the PWRR badge will be printed above the usual
Greetings, with , opposite , the badges of six forbear regiments , ie the Queen 's, the Royal
Hampshires and the four founding regim ents of The Queen 's.

Th e cards are wrapped with envelopes in packets of 10, price £2 .25 including VAT and P+P
per packet. Cheques shou ld be made payable to 'The Queen's Regim en t Funded Charities'
and sent with the form below to RHO PWRR .

To : RHO PWRR
Howe Barracks
Canterbury
Kent CT1 1JY

1. Please supply ...... packets of Christmas Cards at £2.25 per packet.

2. I enclose a cheque for £ ..... . payable to The Queen 's Regiment Funded Charities .

Date Signature ..... . . .
Name . .
Address .

BLOCK
LE TIERS

PLEASE

Post Code

8

1st BATTALION

The 1st Battalion Farewell Parade in Minden. The march past in line.

And so the end arrived. The final loads of kit and The Glorious First of June weekend started with the
equipment left camp and all that remained was our fleet battalion farewell parade held on Friday 29 May. The
of armoured vehicles which fittingly would be the last Inspecting Officer was the Colonel of the Regiment and
items to leave Clition Barracks. Many of our stores we were delighted to see both him and eight of our past
were re-allocated to units staying in Germany and we COs and officers of the battalion who braved a 'sit-up
played host to fleets of trucks arriving to take them and beg ' coach journey to Minden and back with their
away. This was not without a little sadness, as we wives. Their presence brought great depth to a most
watched some prized and hard-won treasures bitter-sweet occasion, and we were delighted to have
gathered over the years being given away. However, them with us as we said farewell to our battalion and
drawdown waiteth for no man and away they went. the one that they had helped create . With emotions
never far from the surface , the parade was a
Albuhera Day was ce lebrated in time-honoured style resounding success as the Adjutant relates .
with the Silent Toast being drunk in the WOs'
and Sergeants' Mess followed by dinner in the Officers' The Battalion Farewell Parade
Mess for the WOs. Fittingly on this night, we said by Capt J P S Wright
farewell to Maj Trevor Fisher- the last member of the
battalion to serve in 1 MX -who departed in a certain 'Despite the proximity of drawdown and
amount of style via an ante room window. amalgamation, and our already hectic QMs, the CO

The highlight of our last days in Minden were the decided that we should mark our going with a battalion
events surrounding the Glorious First of June
weekend . The Corporals' Mess Ball set an early high parade. The Colonel of the Regiment kindly agreed to
standard with a superbly arranged evening, with an take the salute and we were able to invite Maj Gen
outstanding buffet and an even more outstanding Dolly Oenison-Smith, the future Colonel of the Princess of
Parton look-alike who molested the CO and RSM with Wales 's Royal Regiment and our current GOC as the
her look-alikes. senior guest. The date was set for 29 May, at the start
of the celebrations surrounding the Glorious 1st of June

9

The battalion. led by the Band and Corps of Drums,
marched proudly onto the square in brilliant sunshine,
the Colonel of the Regiment took his place on the dais
and the CO asked his leave to march the Colonel's
Colour onto the square. The Colonel's Colour carried
by the QM, Capt Bernier, and escorted by W02
(TQMS) Meade and W02 Stone. was handed over to
the General with whom it remained on the dais for the
rest of the parade.

Following the Colonel of the Regiment's inspection ,
the representative of the Federal MOO,
Brigadegeneral Beenders, then made a short speech
about the battalion 's contribution to West Germany's
defence and its part in achieving peace in Europe
before presenting the Fahnenband to the CO. The
banner was then handed to CSM Kirke 's Company,
W02 Hall, who carried it for the rest of the parade. The
battalion marched past in slow and quick time before
advancing in review order.

The Colonel of the Regiment, in a speech charged
with emotion, congratulated the battalion on the parade
and on their good humour and bearing throughout the
difficult period following the announcement of the
impending amalgamation. By now, the realisation that
this was the final occasion on which the 1st Battalion

The Regimental Colour, carried by Lt Timothy
Richardson.

weekend. Rehearsals started immediately, with the
companies working on that part of the square not

occupied by dead 432s, and the officers practising

sword drill in the seclusion of the Officers ' Mess under
the expert eye of the Assistant Adjutant, Lt Farrow.

As soon as the date was finalized, time speeded up
and events seemed to conspire against us achieving
the required standard. A last minute hitch over the
Albuhera Band's staff clearance visibly aged the 21C,
whilst the German Federal Ministry of Defence
announced at the eleventh hour that they wished to
honour each unit leaving Germany with a

"Fahnenband", a banner commemorating their service
in Germany and a high honour. This ceremony was
hastily incorporated into the programme but the details
weren 't finalized until the GO's rehearsal.

The day of the parade dawned with a cloudless sky The CO receives the Fahrenband from Bdegen
and some 300 spectators, including many of our fo rmer Beenders.
officers, NCOs and soldiers, settled down to watch the
spectacle. The prize for the most travelled spectator

going to W02 Malam who came back from Hong Kong
to attend.

10

1st Battalion

Battalion Open Day
by Maj G F Bourne

" The battalion Open Day," said the CO, "1s to be the
culmination of the Glorious Flfst of June celebrations. it
is to involve all ranks and thelf fam1iles in a senes of
sporting and leisure activities." I nodded sagely, the
CO had clearly hit on a winner. He then said, "And
you 're to run itl'

Each company was tasked to run a sports event and
two sideshows, the only limits being ingenuity and
imagination; both were to flow freely. The scene was
set for a superb day and, blessed by weather and
Padre, the day got off to a great start.

The sports included 57-a-side football, tug-of-war.
volleyball and the killer of them all - the Iron Man
competition which required the physique of Geoff
Capes and a strong penchant for masochism.

The sideshows included the old favourites of golf,
.22 shooting and cricket along with a penalty shoot.

The Colonel of the Regiment addresses the 1st
Battalion Farewell Parade.

would be on parade had struck us all and it was with
great sadness that the CO requested permission to

march the battalion off for the last time.

As the battalion left, the Band and Drums struck up
'Soldiers of the Queen ' and the entire battalion sang as
it marched off. it was true that day, as it always has
been, that one could 'proudly point to evel)l one of

England's Soldiers of the Queen. '

On the nighl of Friday 29 May the WOs and Sgts' W02 Cope taking part in 'it 's a Knockout' competition .
Mess held their Farewell Ball to which they not only
generously invited the CO , his fie ld officers and their
wives, but also all our retired officers and the1r wives . lt
was a party which all who attended wi ll long remember
for its splendid atmosphere and comradeship .
Saturday was used for recuperation and recovery,
especially by the officers who attended a Beating
Retreat and their own Ball that night. The Albuhera
Band and the battalion 's Drums performed a matchless
Beating on a perfect summer's evening and there were
lumps in many throats as they marched off for the last
time . Th e Ball that followed was a resounding success
and perhaps velcro should form part of the
embellishment on a future mess kit if the enthusiasm
for bar-fly jumping is anything to go by! Sunday was the
day for our families and a chance for us all to re lax with

an Open Day, that is all of us except Maj Bourne who
was responsible for its organisation , as he now relates .

11

1st Battalion

Among the more adventurous were an archery
stand, bucking bronco and bar fly jumping , but the prize
for the funniest went to C Company's horizontal
bungee jumping, won in highly dubious circumstances
by the CSM, W02 Fisher. The children. with faces
heavily painted, spent a circular day on pony rides and
a roundabout, whilst wives ran various stalls.

The chefs as usual produced excellent food and we
all succumbed to their ice cream, garlic mushrooms
and bratties long before they produced a full BBQ,
assisted by the COMSs.

The day concluded with a series of "lt 's a Knockout '
competitions at which Maj Goulden did suspiciously
well. lt was later proved that he had been practising in
his garden at home. The finale was a splendid display
by the Band and Drums, which provided the icing on
the cake of a memorable and extremely successful
weekend.'

Although the Glorious 1st dominated our final
months, the drawdown of the barracks was the daily
task. The vast bulk of this less than sexy work fell on
our two QMs and their teams who have had to deal with
a barracks that has been filling up since 1945. Some
statistics give a feel for the scale of the job: one
hundred and thirty-nine 16 tonner loads of kit and
equipment drove out of the gates; along with thirty
skips containing wood, metals and paper and eighteen
10 ton tippers of scrap metal. We crushed twenty three
abandoned derelict cars , flattened over 100 steel
lockers and cut up nearly a mile of Dexion racking. The

The barbecue on Open Day. The Commanding Officer in contemplative mood
during the 1st Battalion Open Day.

task was made more onerous by Germany's stringent
pollution and recycling laws which required us to sort all
our waste. Despite the OM 's intention to make a last
ditch stand in the POL compound , it seems likely that
Clifton Barracks wi ll return to the Germans and their
refugees leaving few ripples on the pond of history.

Another event of note during our last months was the
very successful visit from Capt Derm Wilson and 2881
Scarborough Rifles of Canada. Maj Kilpatrick who
hosted them tells the story of their stay.
12

1st Battalion

Queen's Own Rifles in Minden rabbit from a hat by w1nn1ng the d1v1sional d1nghy
by Maj S P B Kilpatrick regatta , held on the Dummersee , hav1ng completed a
short but excellent course run by Ma1 Bourne. Pnde of
'For two weeks in May our CSMs faced competition place goes however to Lt Farrow and the onenteenng
from Master Warrant Officer Rebecca Newhook and team who were particularly successful - w1nnmg the
the 16 cadets from Toronto as the strains of "Queen 's divi sional league, coming third 1n the d1vis1onal
Own Rifles, Huhh! " became familiar at meal parades. championships and fifth in the Army champ1onsh1ps . A
very creditable performance indeed .
The visit reinforced our affiliation with the regiment
and it built on their trip to us in Tidworth, which five of Visits came thi ck and furious towards the end w1th
the party had attended including the three instructors, Brig Cantley the Comd 11 Armd Bde , Gen S1r Charles
Derm Wilson , Kim O'Leary and Mark Ramforth. The Guthrie C in C BAOR and Brig Groves the Bngad1er
eldest cadet was 18 whilst the youngest, Amanda Infantry following each other in close succession . They
Tracey, had her 13th birthday in Minden. were all shown drawdown at the sharp end before
being lunched out in the Officers' Mess. The f1nal days
The visit programme drew on the goodwill the before the Main Body left saw our fat1gue part1es
battalion has established in Germany and we visited putting the finishing touches to the barracks . All those
the tanks of 5 1NNIS DG, the plant of 18 Engr Regt, the who worked so hard at the myriad of menial tasks are
trucks of 4 Armd Div Tpt Regt and the Harrier GR7s of warmly congratulated for th eir enthusiasm and good
3 (Fighter) Sqn, whilst C Company hosted the visit with cheer, for without their willing cooperation drawdown
excellent support from all departments. Early morning would have been even more traumatic.
PT came as something of a shock to the young men,
who were frequently shown up by the young women! These notes close with the OM and his rear party,
the last Queensmen to serve in BAOR , completing the
Lessons on weapon handling and time on the range final preparation of the barracks whi lst our soldiers
culminated in a 2-mile 'Run and Shoot' competition enjoy a well-earned leave. We wish them and all
with an assault course phase. The cadets did very well members of the Regiment every success in the future
to complete this although the run dissolved into a 'drift!' in the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment.

The instructors attended the Silent Toast and dinner
on Albuhera Day. We hope the memory will remain with
them for a long time although 2Lt Rainforth 's memory
of mess rugby is probably impaired by his participation
in the spoon game!

The visit ended with a 24 hour exercise with C
Company. Despite warnings of no ammo, the QM
came up trumps and provided more than the cadets
could carry and they all enjoyed the demanding
exercise planned and executed by W02 Fisher. As a
perk after the exercise, the cadets were invited by EME
to crush car wrecks using a 432.

The visit provided enjoyment for visitors and hosts
alike and we hope another visit can take place next
year'.

Training during the final weeks had to play second J
fiddle to drawdown , nonetheless we completed the
Garrison military ski lls co mpetition , shot in the Gen Sir Charles Guthrie, c in c BAOR talking to
divisional skill-at-arms competition and put our heads
on the blocks of the Battle Group Trainer. Thi s visit saw members of the 1st Bat1alion on his last visit to them in
the second (or was it sixth?) XI put th rough its paces July.
which involved , inter alia, EME becoming 10 and Lt
Smith successfully tackling the echelon system . The
21C took the officers and warrant officers on a
battlefield tour studying operations near Verden in April
1945 and we also ran our inter-company swimming ,
athletics and orienteering meetings. These final
competitions were won by B, C and HQ companies
respective ly. Our athletics team went on to the 4 Armd
Div Championships where they came a very creditable
third with Lt Richardson , W02 Stone , LCpl Greaux and
Pte Diamond being se lected for the divisional team ,
and all four going on to gain their divisional colours.
Our dinghy sailors pu lled the nautical eq uivalent of a

13

2nd BATTALION

Since the last set of 2nd Battalion notes for the May also saw the 2nd Battalion final gathering based
Journal were published events have been gathering around the weekend 8-10 May. A party was held in the
momentum . We returned from our Northern Ireland Officers' Mess on th e 8th , complete with bouncy castle
deployment at the end of March having handed over and ve lcro wall which proved a great success. The
the patch to 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment . following evening was the all ranks party complete with
The results of this you may well have read abo ut in your
newspapers . Extracted safely from Cookstown , barbeque, disco and comed ian . The party was held in
Dungannon and Portadown the battalion worked an extremely large T-shaped marquee and those who
through post-tour administration in Canterbury in were late arrivals, or who stood up during the
double quick time and took some well -earned leave. performance , fell victim to the stand-up comedian and
everyone else's mirth . On Sunday a Drumhead Service
One of the costs of our deployment had been the was held at which the Colonel of the Regiment took the
sacrifice of the battalion cadre period which had been salute. (A photograph of this appeared on the cover of
due to run through February and March . These cadres the last Journal.) The extremely large turnout was not
were clearly a priority as was the preparation training just past and prese nt 2nd Battalion members but old
for our Falklands tour due to start in July. As a result of Buffs , Royal West Kents and Queen's Own Buffs as
these pressures the battalion was stood down from the well as Queensmen from other battalions. After the
Brigade FTX, Exercise Pegasus Fury, which ran Drumhead Service, lunch was laid on and numerous
through May. Instead , the battalion was able to side shows and displays opened . The day was closed
concentrate on internal matters. Lt Paul Tyson ran a with a free fall display by the Flying Dragons and a
successful PJNCOs cadre where , in particular, Pte Beating of Retreat. lt was truly, as was overheard at
Taylor did extremely well and was awarded best lunch , 'a sad but proud day for the sons of Kent'.
student. Capt Giles Clapp ran a Mortar cadre which Albuhera Day was celebrated in the traditional fashion ,
ended with live firing on Salisbury Plain . A Milan cadre although as with many of our other events it took on a
was run by Capt Jim Smith culminating in a live particular poignancy as the last that would be
exercise on Otterburn training area. Meanwhile the celebrated by the 2nd Battalion as The Queen's
battalion reformed into a Falklands and non -Falklands Regiment. Finally, to round the month off a
ORBAT. Sevastopol Company under Maj Neal commemorative battalion photograph was taken of all
Peckham formed up and began the work-up training ranks .
needed for the approaching tour. Although when these
notes are published the amalgamation will have taken In the second week of June the Commanding Officer
place, Sevastopol Company was in some ways a look took off with the Second in Command and
to the future with the ranks being made up from all The Quartermaster Technical on the recce for Exe rcise
Queen's Regiment battalions and a platoon from the Grand Prix to be held in Kenya in February and March
Royal Hampshire Regiment under Lt Steve Tucker. 1993. Fortunately, the Second in Command has
previous Kenya experience and so, as one can
imagine , the party were able to follow through the recce
programme from some of the most advantageous
angles .

During this same period the Rugby Officer, Capt Les
Baynham , took an invitation squad to the Hanover
Rugby 7s Competition . Teams for this competition
came from all over Europe. The squad was able to stay
in Minden and was extremely well looked after by the
1st Battalion . Since the squad was an invited one it
included players who have since moved on from the
2nd Battalion , such as Capt Alistair Holmes , ex Pte
Vince Turner, who now plays for Bedford and Cpl Pete
Ward then serving with the 1st Battalion . The team
played extremely well but sadly victory eluded them in
the finals . Victory instead went to a local Hanover side.
However, they did win 1000 OM and the runners-up

cup .

The 2nd Battalion Rugby 7s Team , Runners-up at Taking our new title of Airborne Infantry to heart, Maj
Hannover, led by Capt Les Baynham.
James Cameron took part in Tactical Airland
Operations (TALO) to seize airfields in Cornwall . The

company were supported by a troop from the Sloes and

Royals with their CVRT. Training for the operation was

carried out at RAF Mansion and , after several dry runs ,
the company flew in two Hercules at 250 feet along the

14

2nd Battalion

ARMY FENCING CHAMPIONS
The 2nd Battalion team which won the Army Inter Unit
Fencing Championships 1992. The trophy was previously
won by the Queen 's Royal Regiment in 1926, 1927 and
1930.

south coast to assault RAF Saint Mawgan in North Tournament, the battalion team beat the Royal Navy
Cornwall . The tactical flying was enjoyed by all the and finished as runners-up . LCpl Paul Hu'nt was fourth
troops , particularly when 2Lt David Sweeting found a in the intermediate sabre and LCpl Jason Wright was
new use for his front pouches! After the operation the second in the intermediate foil.
company were picked up again by the C130s and flew
to Boscombe Down piloted part of the way by Maj The battalion has been asked to run the live firing
James Cameron . After a forced march onto Salisbury phase of this autumn 's Brigade exercise , Exercise
Plain they then took part in a 48 hour FIBUA exercise . Winged Crusader, once again to be held at Otterburn in
During the exercise they were visited by the Chief of October. We will run four battalion groups through : 3
Staff of the Israeli Defence Force who commented PARA, 7 GR , and two foreign airborne units ie one
favourably on their fighting spirit. French and one American Ranger battalion . Based on
the experience gained in Canada last year and from
During the period of the first week in August , Howe last November's brigade exercise in which the battalion
Barracks seemed almost deserted . This may have had played a full part, it is certain that the Second in
something to do with the Regimental Tent at the St Command and Maj David Gouda between them will
Lawrence ground during Canterbury Cricket Week. come up with a challenging exercise. The battalion will
Life membership of the club has just been bought by also provide 150 men for another phase of the
the Officers' Mess in the names of Messrs Q 0 Buffs exercise. They will act as guerilla forces and will be
and R W Kent. trained by American Special Forces.

Spurred on purely by interest in the sport and the Further on and looking into the new year sees 2
ever keen and able leadership of Cpl Ley, the battalion PWRR deploying on Exercise Grand Prix to Kenya
Fencing Team went on to win the six man team event from 12 February to 28 March. On return from Kenya
in the Army Championships and to represent the Army the battalion can expect 5 Airborne Brigade and 3 (UK)
in the Combined Services Match . In the Combined Division exercises and then Northern Ireland training in
Services Match, held at Earls Court during the Royal the autumn .

15

2nd Battalion 'green' , with soldiers of four battalions having formed
into platoons. literally as they stepped aboard the
Cpl Hunt, 2 QUEENS at the Royal Tournament. plane . Luckily, everyone was prepared to work
together from the beginning and the platoons rapidly
gelled as the company ca me to grips with the five week
operationa l and training cycle (QR F - Live Firing
-Training- Guards Duties- Patrols) .

From the beginning we have mixed hard military
training with regu lar exchange and interest
programmes with the RAF and Royal Navy. So far we
have managed to send W/Cp l Clegg , AG Corps (Pay
NCO) , to sea in a nuclear submarine and into the skies
in a Nimrod, Cpl George has taken the controls of a
C130 for two hours on a maritime patrol , Pte Ashton
has spen t 10 days aboard HMS DUMBARTON
CASTLE on dog watch, painting duties and lookout,
and Pte Marshal! , and Pte Taylor are the lucky
individuals returning aboard HMS AMBUSCADE to UK
via Brazil and the West lndi es! We have had exce ll ent
support from HQ BFFI (Maj Beswick!) throughout, and
have utilised embarrassing amounts of ammunition .
The mortars , with four barrels, will have used the
equivalent of a battalion 's annua l allocation (1700

rounds) by the completion of the tour.

Both the South Georgia Garrison (SGG) and the
company marked the Amalgamation Day on-
9 September. An excellent dinner was organised by
W02 Hone in the WOs' & Sgts' Mess on Tuesday 8th .
On the 9th the acting CBFFI, Gp Capt H V Lather RAF ,
took the sal ute and presented each member of the
company with his new beret. This was followed by an
'its a knock out' swimming competition (won by 1 PI)
and a company lunch . In the evening the RIG 's own
blues band 'The Sounds of Summer' entertained in the
RIC bar. The Fl Fd Sqn RE graciously took over QRF
duties to allow all to enjoy the day.

SEVASTOPOL COMPANY IN THE
FALKLANDS

by Maj N M Peckham

As I write we are exactly three months into the tour
and thoughts are turning distinctly towards home .
Having just received a 'Biuey' from Maj Cameron with
news that the 'City Arms', in Canterbury is definitely the
place to be, one cannot help but begin to look forward
to a glass of foaming ale .

I am struck by the fact that , in some 12 years with the
Regiment , this is the first article I have submitted to the
Journal. Please read on , if only out of curiosity .

Sevastopol Company eventually arrived at Mount Gp Capt Lather, CBFFI , Maj Nicholas Beswick and Maj
Pleasant Airport (M PA) on a cold wintery day in early Trevor Finklaire salute as the old Regimental flags are
July, the weather having interrupted various journeys. lowered on 9 September.
(The Advance Party had a pleasant 30 hours in
Ascension!) . The company arrived almost totally

16

2nd Battalion

Lt Paul Tyson leads Sevastopol Company HQ past Gp
Cap! Lather, Maj Trevor Finklaire and Maj Neal Peckham
on the Amalgamation Day Parade in the Falkland Islands.

Despite the isolation of the SGG they have not been with the battalion. W02 Hone moves to a new post in
forgotten . During Cpl Morgan's recent patrol he was the new training depot at Ouston , as does Sgt Measor.
grateful to the SGG for rebroadcasting his grid which
he was having difficu lty in sending a mere 40 km to RIC My thanks to all the above for their dedication and effort
Ops . South Georgia is 800 miles from the Falkland s! and we all wish them good fortune in their new posts.

Currently we have the CO, the Padre and Capt RECCE PLATOON IN
Smith visiting . They have come to sample the delights
of Second Creek Range and the company Exercise SOUTH GEORGIA
Purple Strike 1. Having arrived in the middle of the
Theatre Exercise Cape Petrel to blizzards I am sure The Recce Platoon is back in South Georgia. lt
they are all looking forward to the rem ainder of their replaced that of 'The Woofers ' on 29 June . The tour will
be unique in many ways and could remain so for years
visit! to come . lt is the third time that the platoon has
deployed to the island since the end of the war in 1982
We return to Canterbury in Novem ber on completion -a first for any unit. Each of the three tours has been
of what , I believe , most will say has been an interesting, at a different time of year - this current winter tour
varied and enjoyable tour. On our return we will be achieving the set, having deployed as soldiers of one
saying a fond farewell to a number of personnel. Capt Regiment and returned home as soldiers in another, a
Denning RM departs for flying training having achieved new Regiment - Options for Change , South Georgia
a fine reputation as a Landrover breaker! His support style! The occasion , on 9 September 1992, will be the
as Company 21C and training officer has been more poignant for the platoon because there are . on
invaluable. Lt Tennant RM departs for duties with 42
Cdo after what we hope was an interesting year for him

17

2nd Battalion

LIFE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD
by Cpl A P Williamson and LCpl J R Walton

To gain an insight into South Georgia one has first to

delve into its history. The island was discovered in the

18th century by Captain James Cook. He did little to

encourage the tourist trade with his description of the

place, '. . . lands doomed by nature to perpetual
frigidness , never to feel the warmth of the sun 's rays ,
whose horrible and savage aspect I have not words to
describe'. After such publicity from the Whicker of his
world the island was , not surprisingly, left well alone .
However, when it was remembered that the waters

around South Georgia were host to an abundance of
seals, blessed with sleek fur to allow them to survive in
such an environment, man returned and skinned them
to the point of extinction. Having wrought havoc on the

Gp Capt Lather presents an emotional Cpl Croft with his seal population man stayed to create an ecological
new beret. holocaust. Whales , thought intelligent by some and
certainly the largest creatures that have ever lived,
were man's next target. He moved onto the island and

the island, no soldiers from the Royal Hampshire began an industry based on converting the large ,
ocean dwelling mammals into such vita l commodities
Regiment with whom we are to amalgamate. The as lipstick, perfume, corsets, glue and fertilizer. The
ceremony on South Georgia to mark the amalgamation period of the First World War was particularly
cou ld also be unique in recent British military history, hazardous for whales in South Georgia's waters . Most
given the remoteness of the soldi ers from either of the found themselves lubricating engines in the warships
two Regiments . Most wi ll return as soldiers of 'The of the British Empire or greasing the working parts of
Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment' to the new 2nd
Battalion in Canterbury. lt is anticipated that it will not Maxim machine guns on the Somme . The end result ,
take long for MOD to notice that there is a battalion that as with the seals, being virtual extinction. Perhaps it
they have never before been able to send South -we was nature's retribution that caused the current chapter
expect to be back! to open with man at war with himself over the scraps
that were left on the island? With the whales gone the

The Garrison, though , is more than just the Recce krill on which they fed abounds, so now that too is
Platoon . There is a detachment of Sappers who are 'harvested' ... What a pity we didn't listen to Captain

vita l to maintaining the fabric of the base and in Cook?

ensuring that critical support systems such as the Back for the third time since 1982, the Recce
electricity generators, the water supply and the heating Platoon have just completed a four week Mountain and
plant continue to function . They are also responsib le
for crewing the raiding craft and maintaining their
engines. The present detachment is provided by 50

Field Squadron RE based at Maidstone although , by

the time this is published , they will have been replaced
by 11 Field Squadron RE from Ripon . Th ere are, also ,

the often unsung heroes such as the three cooks from
what is now the AG Corps, working tirelessly in the

galley in far from ideal conditions . Others, too, are

attached to the Garrison for the tour. Advisers , from the

Royal Marines Mountain and Arctic Warfare Cadre and

the Landing Craft Branch are deployed with the Recce

Platoon to instruct in and to monitor those aspects of
operations on the island. Th en there is the link back to

the world- a Royal Signals detachment, four strong ,

manning the Signals Shack on the edge of the world

and vita l in ens uring that the FAMGRAMS get through!

Finally, there are the Boys from Brazil ; a doctor and a

combat medic, each drawn from a cast of thousands

and carefu lly selected for their innate ability to make
anyone think twice about going sick - let alone having

a tooth filled All these groups have to get on

together if the Garrison is to flourish - it is a location Gp Capt Lather CBFFI presents new berets to 3 Platoon,
on Amalgamation Day, assisted by Lt Sieve Tucker.
and situation without parallel in the Army today .

18

2nd Battalion

Arctic Warfare Cadre to prepare us for the 'hornble and CO 2 QU EENS appears in his new beret with the
savage ' awaiting us on patrol. Th e cadre was run by Reg imenta l Secretary and Deputy Regimental Secretary
the attached Royal Marines Mountain Leader, Sgt in support.
Forsdyke . The instruction 1n boat operations was by
another Roya l Marine . Sgt Phipps and based on Rigid Various members of the Garnson have found
Raiders manned by our attached Sappers from 50 Fd them se lves in new jobs on this tour. The Platoon
Sqn RE from Maidstone. Commander, Capt Jon Griggs is also the maths
teacher, the doctor, Maj Thomson is the French
As there is very little in the way of entertainment on teacher and DIY dentist, after a crash course on RFA
the island , the gym. under the watchful eye of LCpl Gold Rover. CSgt Keegan has clearly taken to h1s
Keep. is a firm favourite with everyone. There are also duties of Chief Constable of South Georgia with his
entertainment evenings on some Saturdays, the most stoat-like informer. Pte Hitchcock never far from his
memorable being the quiz night when the team from side. The soldiering , however. goes on and we are now
th e Senior Mess blatantly cheated , with the cu nning half way through the tour as this article goes to press .
help of the Chief of Police (South Georg ia's very own Time is flying past and with the main patrol phase yet to
Special Constable} . CSgt Keegan , who ruled th e come there is much to look forward to . Few if any will
proceedings with a rod of iron. have regrets at having served down here when we
finall y return to th e battalions.
Other highlights for the platoon include the airdrops
- bringing mail , newspapers and other such booty.
These are usually late due to mechanical problems,
weather or the flight crew simply not getting a shake!
'Bomber' Harris wou ld turn in hi s grave if he knew how
many times the RA F had delayed dropping their
payload on us . There is also a well stocked library
which caters for even the most avid train spotter,
philatelist or Mills & Boon fan .

At present we are just embarking on our main patrol
phase . This primarily entails resupplying th e many
Safe Huts with rat-proofed rations and fresh
ammunition. it should be a good opportunity for the
platoon to put into practice their new found knowledge
and ski lls and to so ldier in such a hostile environment.
Although this is the second tour within 13 months for
many of the platoon, the weather at this time of year is
so dramatically different from the last tour that , in a
way, it is sti ll new to all of us .

STOP PRESS

Maj Gen M F Reynolds CB, last Colonel of The REGIM ENTAL GRAND REUNION
Queen's Regiment , was prese nted by HRH Princess it is planned that the first ceremonial Review of Th e
Juliana of the Netherlands with the 'Grand Cross with Prin cess of Wales 's Royal Regiment (Queen 's and
Star of The House of Orange' on the occasion of hi s Royal Hampshires) should be in early June 1993. The
final Audience on Monday 12 October. date and details wi ll be published later. The Review w1ll
take the place of the Regim ental Grand Reunion which
Lt L J Manton , PWRR , ha s won th e 'TA will th erefore not be held as usual at Bassingbourn .
Photographer of the Year 1992 Competition', the first
important award to the new Regiment.

sn PWRR Team won a Gold Medal in the TA

Cambrian Patrol Competition and were one of only
three team s out of 24 who comp leted the course .

19

3rd BATTALION

Our final months in Cyprus have proved to be the As C Company returned from the parade A
busiest, most demanding and most varied of our tour. Company Group , under Maj Peter Jones, deployed to
In meeting our commitments we progressively Portugal for Exercise Forest Fox . A three week
combined companies up to the point where , for our programme including field firing , dry training up to
final six weeks , the battalion comprised one large rifle company level and an R & R package provided a
company and HQ Company . Throughout , HQ valuable and rewarding exercise. Having already
Company have provided a first class service and all disbanded B Company, it was understandably a hard
departments deserve high praise for their efforts . pill for A Company to swallow when , on return , they
Special mention is made in the accompanying notes by found that they too would be absorbed into the single
Maj Mark Rayner. composite company.

In May C Company Group under Maj Ken Hames In early July the battalion held its final formal parade .
flew to Italy to join elements of the USMC aboard USS We were fortunate that the Colonel of the Regiment
lnchon for Exercise Dragon Hammer. Cross training on could be present and, after inspecting and addressing
board ship , large scale helicopter operations and the battalion, he joined all ranks for a final family party.
beach landings ensured a busy and challenging Every man in the battalion was presented with a
commemorative tankard and each of the twelve
exercise that was enjoyed by all who deployed . On previous Commanding Officers were also sent one to
return , members of C Company traded combats for mark the period of the battalion 's existence .
best kit and , with elements of FSp Company, provided
two of the three Guards for the Queen 's Birthday Our final and perhaps most poignant event took
Parade. The parade was a resounding success and place on 17 July with a farewell cocktail party and
much credit must go to the RSM , W01 A R Shrubsall , Beating Retreat. For all Queensmen present this was
whose calm but firm approach throughout fourteen to be a very moving occasion , not only as a result of the
very hot rehearsals ensured a very highly polished programme of the Band and Drums which readily
finished product. The Parade Commander was Maj stirred emotions , but also because of the realisation
David Watson and the Colours were carried by Lt that this was , tru ly, our final event. Of the several
Jason Mason and 2Lt Dominic McCully. hundreds present, Queensmen and guests alike,
no-one was left untouched by the power and relevance
of the moment when the Band and Drums struck up
with 'Sussex by the Sea' and marched off for the last
time .

The tour in Cyprus has been an outstanding
success. As the 3rd Battalion leaves the Island and the

Army ORBAT it can be justifiably proud of all it has
achieved .

HEADQUARTERS COMPAN Y
by Maj M P Rayner

The Co lo ur Party, with Lt Gerard Lea hy and 2Lt Headquarters Company has changed size, shape
and personnel considerably during the battalion's, tour
Alasdair Browne as En signs, on the 3rd Battali on 's fi nal of duty in Cyprus . The company was the largest
parade. contributor to the reinforced group sent to the
Falklands yet still provided full support back in Cyprus
and has gone on administering , supporting , healing,
moving , feeding and locking up members of the
battalion all the way through the drawdown to the move
and amalgamation . Morale has seldom seemed higher
than at the company party held at the Curium Beach
Taverna on 7 July. Once the officers and SNCOs (and
some of their wives) had been ceremonially offered to
the Mediterranean there was no limit to the happy
atmosphere and enjoyment to mark the last social
gathering of the 'Great Empire'.

20

3rd Battalion

The Colonel of the Regiment inspects No 1 Guard on the
3rd Battalion's final parade, watched by Lt Col Anthony
Beattie and Maj Mark Rayner.

Capt Camille packed up his golf clubs in June to and LCpl Hobden underwater, LCpls Bull and Salvage
embark on a long 'par 5' to Colchester. The job centre with Qnsm Riley, Watkin and Wilson with the small
sent up an unemployed rifle company commander as a boats and the 'Spirit of Quebec ' 32' Contessa and
replacement for the last two months; Maj Rayner administered by Cpl Wombell . The 'Yellowshirts' have
returning to the chair he vacated in 1986! Continuity provided every member of the battalion with the
was provided by the CSM , W02 Churcher (off to Hong opportunity to sail . dive, canoe or waterski and assisted
Kong) , CQMS , CSgt Collins and LCpl Quigley who has many visiting units in their quest to enjoy the
learnt the art of improvisation now that hi s typewriter Mediterranean .
has been withdrawn for handover and his computer
sold . From sea waves to air waves , the Signal Platoon has
had a very busy period . Their year started w1th work up
The one department which has expanded in Cyprus training for the FTX and led into Exercise Pink
is the Military and Adventurous Training Wing . This is Flamingo itself. How odd in Cyprus to retneve line in
evidence of the battalion 's com mitm ent to train and two foot of snow. Despite the hilly terrain and
make the most of Cyprus despite the drawdown . Th e desperate conditions . good communications were
military side, run by W02 Cavaglieri and supported by maintained th roughout. The routine work throughout
Sgts Parker, Keys and Johnson , has run a sniper the year has included manning the Episkopi
course , upgrading and pre-Brecon courses for the Operations Centre and the SOS , and keeping
battalion as well as assisting company training and li ve permanent communications with the Troodos
firing packages . Outside units, including schools, cadet Mountain Site . Exercise Spring Victory brought seven
forces , HQ BFC and regular units have also been glad companies from RMAS to the local training areas and
to tap into our resources . Th e adventurous wing was the whole platoon was used either to maintain links or
run by W02 Ru ssell before he red iscovered uniform as driver operators . The highlight of the year for two
and A Company (not necessarily in that order) , ably detachments was undoubtably the trips to Sardinia and
assisted by CSgt Phillips in the speed boat, Cpl Hay Portugal.

21

3rd Battalion

a lot ot work for the St Joh n's Ambulance 1n the1r own
time .

lt may tempt providence to ment1 on the
Quartermasters before we have ach1eved a successful
handover but. with their track reco rd . we should have
little to worry about . They have lent overwhe lming
support to all the exercises . on and off the island , and
played a very large role in such extravaganzas as th e
Cyprus Walkabout (a few minutes walking) and HM
The Queen 's Bi rthd ay Parade (a few minute s
marching) . We were all delighted to see CSgt
Mclaughlan get the BEM for hi s whee ling an d dealing
in the Falklands.

( The vehicle fleet has been kept on the road by a lot
of hard wo rk and a fresh roll of sell otape . The MT
~ Section was reinforced with CSgt Watts and Sgt
Sigsworth but has been otherwi se unmolested . Along
The Colonel of the Regiment congratulates LCpl Brown, 3 with all the other duties Capt Daw, the MTO, has taken
QUEENS, on receiving his Long Service and Good ris first entrepreneurial steps into shipping to get all th e
Conduct Medal. duty free cars back to UK . He has obviously been
watching Cpl Quinnell , the Arthur Daley of the PR I, who
Somehow the Signals Platoon always makes me has ju st completed hi s first pre-release co urse in
think of the Provost Section . They have said goodbye market trading .
to Sgt Platt who took redundancy via the stables. Cpl
Wa lker has taken his place and with the assistance of With our departure imminent, both messes and
LCpls Piner, Webb , Poulter and Rund le the guardroom Catering Platoon have taken on farewell parties in
has remained open all hours for vis itors from all over addition to normal dinners and ball s and occasions
the island . which , in Cyprus , simply have to be done. Mess staff
have done the battalion proud in the way they have
organised entertainment for half the island , ranging
from CBF and British High Commissioner to the local
car salesmen (we're not silly!) . The Catering Platoon is
certain ly the best we have ever had and it is delightful
to see W02 Cooke (his real name) picked up for W01.
Like the caterers , the LAD wi ll stay on in Cyprus .
lucky, lucky fellows .

Th e Gymnasium staff have remained very busy right
up to the batta lion 's departure. We congratu late W02
(QMS I) Bryan on being selected for promotion and for
reaching number one with 'I'm too sexy for my body'.
Cpl Sharp held the fort admirably while the QMSI was
climb ing the Dolomites and LCpl McDermott went back
to Aldershot to check the wall bars whi le Qnsm Parker

and Osborne kept the compan ies on their toes.

The Families Office has faced the unenviable task of
seeing fami lies off the island whi lst looking for quarters
in Canterbury, Shorncliffe , Colchester, Tidworth ,
Catterick, Hounslow and anywhere else with a roof .
Co ngratu lations to Sgt Nurse on his CBF's
Commendation . Cpl Smith of the Medical Section must
also be congratu lated on a CB F's Commendation for
delivering a baby in the back of the ambulance on route
to hospital. He certai nly earned his RMA 3 there .

The section has maintained the routine of Garrison ..
MRS as well as providing cover for the many events
across the island and the OTXs and live firing Lt Stuart Barker leading his men on exercise in Cy prus
packages at Akamas . Cpl Sidley and LCpl Fern put in

22

Jrd Battalion

lt would seem the best place for promotion 1s the Pay
Section. Capt Joyce is saving up tor her crowns whi le
W02 Edwards and W02 Green were both promoted
thiS summer. So the great empire draws to a close .
Fort unately tor many th e la st memory wi ll be the
Company Party on Curium Beach.

EXERCISE DRAGON HAMMER
by Lt S Ll oyd- Davi s

Perhaps the rumours that I had heard were true , did Maj Ken Hames (Centre), W02 Greenhalgh and C Sgt
Goatham with friends from the United States Marine
·c· really stand for Commando Company? The idea Corps during Exercise Dragon Hammer

seemed more and more plausible as the instructions
came in for Exercise Dragon Hammer 92 . Th is is the
biennia l Amphibious NATO Exerci se which takes place
in the Mediterranean . C Company were very privileged
to be able to take part in the exercise from 7 to 20 May,
being incorporated as rifle company in 2/4 Marine
Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

Certainly tor myself, if not everyone, this was the first Due to the high number of air hours being clocked up
chance we had to serve at sea on an aircraft carrier. In on the exercise, the flight deck was closed during the
fact the USS lnchon is a Landing Platform Helicopter daytime and only open on a couple of evenings . As
with the capability to launch a massive heliborne soon as the 'all clear' was given , the flight deck
assault from its deck in one lift. resounded to the sound of scores of joggers pounding
around the perimeter.

Life below took some adjustment, with the company
crammed into a very small space stacked four high .
The oHicers had the penthouse suites (or 'state-rooms'
in Marine jargon) with only four in a room measuring
roughly the size of a large MFO box. lt was strange
having to abide by two different sets of rules , namely
the Marines' and the Navy's. The Marines were
exce llent hosts to us during our two weeks with them .
This ranged from simple politeness to allowing the
company to 'spearhead ' their battalion assault ,
something which we did with great gusto, and ended
up as the only unit to reach its final objective.

The cross training we did on board and in Sardinia
with the other countries was a real eye-opener for us
Infantrymen . We were able to 'play' with some really
exciting bits of equipment including the Legion 's H & K
MPS fitted with laser sights and the Marines' 50 calibre
sniper rifle (used against soft skinned vehicles) . We
were also allowed to drive, although swim would be
more appropriate , the American Amtraks , an amazing
bit of kit (what a cliche) , but extreme ly versatile .

As well as all that , one NCO managed to cram in a
tree-fall jump with the American Rangers , and a dozen
others managed to do some fast roping from one of the
CH 46 'Frog ' helicopters. Unfortunately, Capt Dwyer
was so keen to hit the ground in the fastest time that he
shattered one of his ankles .

Dmr Spendley prepares to play on board USS lnchon. On the night of the 16 May we , as Queensmen ,
celebrated Albuhera Day. Maj Ken Hames read out the
description of the battle to the company who were
formed up in three ranks , and Drummer Spendley
sounded the Last Post on his bugle . lt was an amazing
experience , as it brought the whole of the camp at

23

3rd Battalion

Capo Teulado to a complete standstill , quite an
achievement considering there were some 5,000
troops there .

I feel I was very fortunate to have been able to take
part in this exercise , which made a welcome break from
ordinary Infantry duties. I have learnt things about how
other armies operate, especially the United States
Marines, and although my opinion is rather biased, The
Queen 's Regiment comes out on top every time .

EXERCISE FOREST FOX
by Lt R J A Fowler

On 18 May 1992, a Company Group, based on A The 3rd Battalion 's champion karter, Cpl S Dowle of the
Company with 4 Platoon from B Company, arrived at Drums Platoon, with his trophies won in Cyprus
Lisbon International Airport direct from Akrotiri in
Cyprus . Prior to our departure from Cyprus there was
much work to do in preparation , including having
everyone 'jabbed up' with needles the size of hair pins!
Before the main body left, an advance party left for
Portugal via RAF Brize Norton, with two nights back in
the UK and reporting to London Heath row at a Sunday
lunch-time to be flown 'Club Class' to Lisbon with
British Airways . The arrival in Lisbon of the main body
was met by a high level of security and transported to
Santa Margarida Training Area in a military convoy-
provided by our hosts, flashing blue lights included .

We were accommodated in a self-contained camp of red wine , while our hosts sampled our range
within the barrack complex which is home to the 1st stew with as much tea as they could drink.
Rigada Mista lndependente (a complete independant
brigade) which is mainly manned by conscript troops . From 20 May until 3 June the main continuous field
exercise took place. This included patrols and anti
During the 19 May recces of the training area and armour ambushes against Portuguese M113 armoured
liaison with the Portuguese Mechanised Battalion took personnel carriers. The Portuguese enemy consisted
place. lt was at this point that we were informed by our of a large platoon strength force with four APCs and a
hosts that they carry out no 'live-firing' attacks in bush on four wheels! The various phases were geared
training and they were therefore very nervous about towards platoon strength operations building up to a
our activities. However their doubts about our plans final company attack on a well fortified hillside occupied
were no match for the 'salesmanship' of Maj Jones, by about 60 enthusiastic enemy troops . After the
who even arranged for demonstrations of our array of exercise the company had a chance to take a few days
pyrotechnics to calm them down a little . rest before returning to Cyprus. There was a choice
between going to stay in hotel apartments in Estoril
Once the company had settled into the camp and all outside Lisbon or staying in Santa Margarida and going
departments were up and running , our build up to the out locally which included a trip to a bull fight.
live firing package began with the zeroing of weapons
on a most interesting gallery range , consisting of a wall On return to Cyprus we discovered A Company no
of old motor tyres as a stop butt! longer existed and that we were all to go to Fire
Support Company, resuming IS duties once again.
From the 20 to 24 May the three platoons were able
to carry out a variety of live firing at section level, as In conclusion Exercise Forest Fox was beneficial to
well as brush up on ambush , harbour and patrolling both ourselves and the Portuguese, and it would be
dnlls. Due to the dryness of the training area we were , good to think training with the Portuguese will continue
however, limited on a day to day basis on the use of our for some time to come .
pyrotechnics and tracer ammunition .

Before the company deployed into the field on the CYPRUS WALKABOUT 1992
main seven day exercise with the Portuguese , an
inter-section March and Shoot competition was held by Lt G Leahy
consisting of a 13km march followed by an assault
To many the Cyprus Walkabout conjures up images
course and then finally a shoot. The following day an of a stroll through the pine forests of the Troodos
Exchange Day was organised for our hosts and us to Mountains. However, for those of us who have
show one-another our various pieces of equipment. competed in this event, certain other more painful
We were then treated to a Portuguese field kitchen images immediately spring to mind .
lunch which was washed down with copious amounts

24

---- - - -- -- -- -· .. --

3rd Battalion

All seven teams from the battalion that started on the
second day comp leted the event, wh1ch was a fine
performance as many of the company teams had been
on duties up until a week before the event and
demonstrated a great deal of determmation in f1n1shing
in good style. QMSI Bryan and hi s team mates Qnsm
Parker and Qnsm Osborne were the f1rst battalion team
home and also were the first placed 'on 1sland' team .

The Cyprus Walkabout was an excellent endurance
event that many from the new Regiment will hopefully
wish to compete in , in October 1993, when the next
event is being held. Certainly for those of us that
completed it this year the sati sfaction of standing on
the battalion square where we had started from the day
before and gazing up to Troodos from where we had
come that morning made everything seem worthwhile.

The RSM 3 QUEENS, W01 A R Shrubsa ll , watched by Lt " . .. FAST FAL LS THE EVENTIDE"
Col An thony Beatt ie, presents a commemorat ive ta n kard by Maj Rocky Hitchcock QUEENS
HQ British Forces Cyprus
to t he Colonel of the Regiment.

The annual walkabout competition is a race from " Sir, May I have yo ur leave to march the Quebec
Epi skopi (500 ft) to Troodos (6000 ft) and back to Band The Queen's Regiment and the Corps of Drums
Episkopi over two days . The distance as the crow flies of the Third Battalion, The Queen 's Regiment, off
is some 50 km but due to the location of the five Parade for the last time? Sir, please."
checkpoints that each team of three must find and visit
and the difficult nature of the terrain the reality turns out With these words Drum Major Paul Coskin , having
to be more than two marathons back to back over two received the assent from his Commanding Officer, Lt
days. The battalion squad began training hard soon Col Anthony Beattie , sa luted , turned about and with a
after the Christmas stand down period . What rapidly defiant toss of the mace, marched off into history after
became apparent was the need for not just the ability to the final Beating of the Retreat of The Queen 's
run for several hours , but also an accurate knowledge Regiment before amalgamation . The last piece of
of the myriad of tracks , paths and major valleys that bar music played was appropriately 'Sussex by the Sea',
the route , some of which are only passable at se lected the marching song to which the worthy successors of
crossing points . the 35th Foot , had sung their way round the globe at
the behest of their Sovereign . Th e Third Battalion of
After four months of training and injuries to vi rtually The Queen 's Reg iment, direct descendants of 'The
everybody, there were three battalion teams and five Orange Lil ies' - the reg iment raised in Belfast by the
company teams which began the event on 17 April. Not Earl of Donegal in 1701 -who had earned their Battle
surprisingly the weather was hot and copious water Honours the hard way : at Quebec under General
consumption was required en route and at each of the Wolfe , when they routed the Ro ya l Roussi lon
checkpoints . At the end of the first day two of the Regiment (and thereby gained the 'Lily'); at Malta in
company teams had been forced to combine as one 1800 when they were the first British troops to occupy
the members of the team had been injured , however all the island, and at El Alamein in 1942 - the list is long
the other six teams had completed the 'climb'. The first and hon ourable but they would play no more.
battalion team at this stage was led by W02 (QMSI )
Bryan and had comp leted the first leg in just over six With these words the fact that The Queen 's
hours . Regiment was fin all y no more, sa nk in to the
consciousness of the 600 spectators that flanked the
The overnight stay in Troodos was in the Training field in (oh , irony of ironies) Happy Valley, Episkopi .
and Leave Centre and after enormous amounts of food Gurkhas , Signallers, Airmen , all betrayed so me
were consumed at evening meal most people were in emotion . None felt it more , however, than the gathering
bed by 2100 hrs in preparation for the early start at of soldiers whose reg imental home was about to
0400 hrs the next morning . disappear. True , they all had new horizons to cross , bu t
those hori zo ns will not be with the comrades that they
On the second day the teams were started in reverse have fought with in the streets of Ulster; those horizons
from their finish position of the first day . The result of will not be with the mates with whom they have relied
this was a mad scramble to Checkpoint 1, which saw on to cover their backs; the mates they have drunk
about 10 teams arrive at the same time . The rest of the with ; the mates whose sisters they have married ; the
route was fairly strai ghtforward (as the experienced mates whom they would have died with , if their officers
'walkabouters' put it) and the first team was finished by and NCOs had got it wrong . These horizons wi ll now be
1100 hrs . crossed with other soldiers, similar to themselves .
Some who we re even in the same regiment , but a

25

3rd Battalion

different branch of that regiment, cousins - rather than The food in Cypriot restauran ts IS usually of a very
brothers - in arms. In add ition , the so ldiers of the South high standard , wi th a friend ly helpful serv1ce that emits
East, the soldiers whose forcing house was the streets a warm atmosphere and never fails to relax those
of Brighton , Sussex, Dartford , Kent, the East End of aching muscles after the days activities on the water.
London and the suburbs of Surrey, will now have to
assimilate the rural folk of Hampshire . lt was , truly, the Watersports , ah, a subject that cannot go amiss in
end of an era. The city slickers (whose Regimental this composition . Th ere is a wide range of watersports
march- 'Soldi ers of the Queen' - was orig in ally an old in Cyprus , from swimming to sub aqua to parascending
music hall song) are joining the country folk who 125 ft above the water. The list is end less , so if you
followed 'The Farmer's Boy'. Is it no wonder then , that want to fulfil a desire to become a water baby, then this
a feeling of desperate regret was felt by the participants is the place .
and the spectators?
Cyprus is well known for the intense heat during the
The marriage of convenience (not the wish of the summer months (April to October) and can reach
soldiers, but of 'Them '), between the two proud soa ring temperatures as high as 38 degrees . This is of
regiments will of course work. lt wi ll take time , it will course an ideal time to relax on the beach , soak up the
take fle xibility, it will take a considerable amou nt of g1ve
and take on both sides and it will also take the sun and sip a cocktai l or the ever famous Carlsberg ,
professionalism that both regiments have in a high affectionately known as 'Charlie'. For the sig htseer
degree to overcome the hurdles that will be set in their Cyprus has a wealth of historical monuments and sites.
path . These hurdles will not only be those set by the The Troodos Mountains offer spectacular views with
Army Board and its serva nts, who wi ll want, at a stroke vast areas of pine forest and vineyards. At a height of
of a pen , two fully manned battalions of the new 6000 ft , T roodos offers you a comp lete 360 degrees of
regiment , trained and ready for whatever warlike panoram ic bliss. Due to the heig ht of the mountains
adventure the Queen should require , but also those of you can ski in th e winte r month s on prepared runs
the Old and the Bold , who wi ll refu se to recognise the draping down the si des. Th ere are also places where
fact that the Queen's and the Royal Hampshire you can try your luck off piste, approachable but not
Regiments are Dead, Mort, and like the Monty Python easy to conq uer.
parrot - no longer.
Cyprus is the on ly place in the world where you can
Soldiers of the Third Battalion The Queen 's ski on brilliantly white snow in the morning and then ,
Regiment we salute you all. You may not have been a after a short drive down the mountain , you can soak up
'fancy ' Regiment , but you were exce ll en t some rays on the sandy, golden beaches of Curium .
representatives of a damned good County Regiment
and we have enjoyed your company . You have worked All in all , Cyprus is an amazing co untry that caters for
hard and you have played hard , not only here in all. lt has been enjoyed by everyone that has been
Cyprus , but over the last twenty six years of yo ur here, military and civilian alike . lt will never be forgotten
existence . You have acqui tted yourselves like Soldiers and will be dearly missed. Cyprus is truly an island of
of the Queen. We wish you Godspeed back to England ' Para di se ' .
and the greatest good fortune for the future in your new
regiment, The Princess of Wales 's Royal Regiment or
wherever you shou ld go. Our thoughts are with you.

ALL PROS - NO CONS
by Qnsm M J lsted

Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing? What did
I do last night? A reel of questions that everyone at
sometime or another have asked themselves during
their time in Cyprus (some more than others).

These questions usually follow a night down the CO 3 QUEENS hands over his responsibilities in
'st rip', a place that resembles a smaller vers ion of Cyprus to CO 1 R IRISH.
Piccadilly Circus, with brightly flashing neon lights
everywhere you look, an impressive sig ht. no matter
what the state of mind . Th e 'strip' is approximately 4
miles long with nightclubs and cocktail bars on one side
of the road and sandwich bars , burger places and
restaurants etc on the other. However, no matter how

long the strip may be, the main attractions are in the
centre. Crazy Parrots , Unicorn , Hollywoods,
Carribean, Cheers, Whispers, Images and of co urse
the infamous Hippodrome . All are nightclubs/cocktai l
bars that hold fond and crazy memories for everyone
that has been there .

26

5th (VOLUNTEER) BATTALION

lnfandum , regma. iubes renovare dolorem.
Virgi/70-19 B.C.

lt is pleasing to announce that the changes to the Equrpment. The only trouble berng that at the brrgade
battalion 's structure reported in the last edition of the camp at Vogelsang the battalron wrth all rts new krt , not
Journal have been effected with the minimum ol of course forgettrng the beret, wrlllook lrke a new rntake
heartache, which considering their scope, especially at at primary school.
B (Kohi ma) Company and HQ (Aibuhera) Company,
has to be seen as a success . Those affected may not PERSONALITIES
look upon them as such, but the battalion and more
importantly its soldiers, now have the ability to get on We welcome Maj Richard Long who jorns us as OC
wi th life wit hou t the worries associated with Training Company from the Royal Green Jackets, Capt
uncertainty. We are fortunate that in a year of such Mark Shaw as second in command at A (Anzro )
change the battalion has an overseas annual camp , Company from 3LI and 2Lt Gerrard Dennis as OC
althoug h it is sad but rea listic to assume that it may well Defence Platoon upon commissroning . On the PSI
be our last as we are soon to re-role as a National front we we lcome W02 Murphy and CSgt Grrggs to A
Defence unit. Another bonus this year has been the (Anzio) Company, CSgt Sherrat to B (Kohrma)
long awai ted issue of the new webbing, or to use the Company and Sgt Stokes to the Recce Platoon .
correct vernacu lar, Personal Load Carrying

Past and Present A Company Commanders, ie Messrs
Foster-Herd, Scripps, Wooles , Barlow, Lacey and
Robinson.

27

5th (Volunteer) Battalion

tests and TEWTS cu lminating in a tactical exercise and
live fire where, of the twe lve missiles fired, seven
achieved a complete " kill " against a moving target with
two mobility kills and two misfires. There was no UKLF

Mortar concentrat ion this year but the platoon entered
team s in the UKLF MFC concent ration and are to be
congratulated in comi ng second in the TA competition .
Summertime usually means adventure training and
1992 was to be no different with B (Kohima) Company

ably supported as usual by the Machine Gun platoon
competing once more with a team entered in the
Nijmegan marches whilst A (Anzio) Company on
Exercise Long Trek headed westwards, shunning the

gentle rolling co untryside of Holland for the ruggedness
of the Welsh mountains. C (Cinque Ports) , not to be
outdone headed for Scotland on Exercise Hi ghland
Surprise whilst to fini sh the " all points of the compass"

adventure training season HQ (Aibuhera) Company
"stole" a boat and were last seen heading for the
Mediterranean on Exercise Med Chase 20.

Cap! Lane , OC Milan Platoon , assists Sgt Staines during On the more tactical aspects of training , A (Anzio)
the Milan Concentration. Company has completed a platoon based Stage 5
Field Firing exercise on Salisbury Plain in conjunction
Our congratulations go to Capt Mark Whelan (Ops with the Mortar and Machine Gun Platoons whilst C
Offr) on earning his TD and our condolences to the (Cinque Ports) Company exercised with the Royal
Adjutant on his unsuccessful attempt to get free drink Navy Reserve's Coastal Protection Group landing
by publishing the award just 48 hours prior to the patrols from the Cambrian Patrol team on the coast of
Summer Ball. Kent during Exercise Rigid Raider.

MESS AND SOCIAL

TRAINING 1992 has been a year of firsts on the social side with
the W01 (RSM) Smith and HQ (Aibuhera) Company
The summer(!) months are not usually known for the organising a very successful Albuhera Families Open
intensity of training but , despite the need to restructure Day on the exact date and with superb weather to
companies and move locations, a wide variety of match . Events included a bouncy castle for the WOs'
training was undertaken with the emphasis on "training and Sergeants ' Mess whilst the children had to be
the trainer" thereby aiming to achieve a better standard content with a Tug-o-War and Treasure Hunt. The day
throughout the batta lion . Lessons that heretobefore was rounded off in fine style with a combined Mess
wou ld have been undertaken by the regular staff are barbecue where the Master Chef is to be
increasingly being planned and run by junior TA congratu lated.
commanders who benefit accordingly. This was never
more evident than on Exercise Street Fighter, a FIBUA Sgt Simnel! leads elements of the Milan Platoon.
package at Long moor, where NCOs down to LCpl were
responsible for running each stand advised where
necessary by a PSI. The facility which was utilised by
two companies at a time is an excellent and enjoyable
medium for training at all levels and , together with a
Testex at camp, wi ll provide a good basis for the FTX at
Copehill Down in December. At the same time as the
battalion was exercising at Longmoor, Maj John
Harcus, the Training Major and an elite team from HQ
Company were enjoying the first CPX of the season

playing an armoured battlegroup as part of 20 Armd
Bde's BBGT in Sennelager but, from what we hear, the
journey back was far from pleasurable with the RAF
doing their utmost to ensure that no-one got back to the
UK on time . The support platoon s were also busy with
the Milan Platoon participating in the UKLF Milan
concentration at Otterburn which involved a series of

28

5th (V o lu nteer ) Battal ion

EXTRA CURR ICULAR ACTIVITIES

lt is right that the TA should support the local
community and members of the battal1on have ass1sted
in many and varied local charities including Sgt Smart's
parachute jump for Life for Laura, ass1stance to the
Duke of Edinburgh 's award scheme and C (C1nque
Port) Company 's help to the Hastings Trust 1n
renovating the Barton Memorial Gardens.

The Colonel of the Regiment and Mrs Mike Reynolds
(centre) with Lt Col and Mrs Chris Argent at the 5t h
(Volunteer) Battalion Officers' Ball at Leeds Castle, 1
August 1992.

The annual Beating of the Retreat saw the second
"first" of the year with the best weather seen in years
and the combined Corps of Drums of the 2nd and 5th
Battalions and the Kohima Band putting on an
exce llent display. Many old friends attended and the
lamp was swung often . The last but no less important
"fi rst" , was the OHicers' Mess Summer Ball held at
Leeds Castle on 1 August with the Colonel of the
Reg iment and CO 2 QUEEN S as guests of honour.
Thi s hopefull y wi ll provide the basis for bigger and

more lavish functions for th e fu ture althoug h certa in
Sussex officers may not rece ive invitations in future .

The CO and OC C Company admiring the length of the
Training Major's finger at the Leeds Castle ball.

THE WAY WE WERE
(From the Argus 100 years ago in 1892)

A general view of the 5 QUEENS (V) Summer Ball in A daring robbery of jewellery valued at £80 or £90
Leeds Castle. has been perpetrated at Chichester Barracks. The
property which comprised several Scarf Pins , had been
forwarded on approval to Lt J C Leslie, an OHicer of the
Roya l Sussex Regiment , and at the time the theft was
committed, were lying on a dresser in the OHicers'
Mess Room packed up in readiness to be returned to
the firm in Regent Street, London . As soon as the
property was missed , careful inquiries were made
throug hout the Barracks , but without result. (Nothing
changes) .

29

6th/7th (VOLUNTEER) BATTALION

The Colour Guard, commanded by Maj Nick Clapham, The battalion transferred its B (Aibuhera) Company
at the Regimental Grand Reunion. to 8QF(V) and raised B (Somme) Company based on
Brighton and Worthing as part of the Phase 2 TA
enhancements. lt disbanded E (Home Service Force)
(Dunkirk) Company at the end of March 1992.

6/7 QUEENS (V) has exce lled in competition
shooting , orien teering , cross-country running and
cross-country driving . Many people earned citations for
exce llence in training . Many were honoured by HM The
Queen and in other ways .

Social events were legion in all Messes . But above
all , 6/7 QUEENS(V) was a family of individuals who , in
their own ways , worked hard and played hard and who
gave and received the benefits of friendship .

A part of each and everyone who has served in the
battalion has contributed to the spirit of the 6th/7th
(Volunteer) Battalion The Queens's Regiment, as
enshrined in the Colours, and which forms the
foundations on which the 6th/7th Battalion The
Princess of Wales's Roya l Regiment (Queen 's and
Royal Hampshires) wi ll be built. We hold many fond
memories but harbour no hard feelings . We pledge
ou rse lves to the new Regiment and wis h all those who
wi ll not be making the transition , and their families ,
every good wish for the futu re .

VISITORS

These are the valedictory notes of the 6th/7th Th e Honorary Colonel was dined in at Farringdon
(Volunteer) Battalion wh ich formed in April 1975 and House by the Officers' Mess in April. On 8 July he
ceased to exist on 8 September 1992.
visited HQ (Alamein) Company) whilst A (Salerno)
The battalion was created through the Company was pleased to see Comd 2 Bde, Brig John
amalgamation of the 6th and 7th (Volunteer) Battalions Holman on the same evenin g. The Colonel of the
(which were themselves on ly raised in 1971) and
elements of the 5th (Volunteer) Battalion . On 1 July
1992 the battalion took A (Duke of Conn aught)
Company, based at Portsmouth , and the Isle of Wight
Platoon of B (Hampshire) Company 2nd Battalion The
Wessex under command .

With an area coveri ng Surrey, West Sussex, the Maj Nick Clapham coaches the Sa lerno Company Tug
Greater Brig hton area of East Sussex and , latterly, of War team at the Battalion Sports Day.
Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight , the battalion has
done and achieved much over the last 17 and a bit
years . Annual Camp venues included Sennybridge ,
Otterburn , Warcop , Bodney and Wretham . Th e
battalion has seen its soldiers in Germany, Canada,
Gibraltar and the USA. lt has taken part in numerous
Lord Mayors' Shows and in Freedom Marches in
Arundel , Kingston and Worthing . 6/7 QUEENS(V)
provided a Guard of Honour at the Royal Tournament
in 1983 which commemorated 75 years of the
Territorial Army . lt laid up the Colours of vario us
forbear Terri toria l units received its own Colours in

1981 and celebrated the 1Oth anniversary of that event
just last year. 6/7 QUEENS(V) was the first Territorial
battali on to mount guard on the Convent, Gibraltar and
the first to undertake the Tynwald ceremony on the Isle

of Man .

30

6th/7th (Volunteer) Battalion

As ever the team was led by Capt John Day with the
other members being Lt Adrian Smith , Sgt Bishop ,
LCpls McCartney and Cox, and Ptes Cox , Thompson ,
Warner and Weddell .

Unfortunately, and despite a very sucessful shooting
camp at the end of June and in early July, the team d1d
not maintain the same level of sucess at Bisley. The
transition to SABO was clearly an important factor and
we expect to see form return next year.

CEREMONIAL
In addition to finding the guard for the last Grand
Reunion , 6/7 QUEENS (V) through the Duke of
Conn aught Company provided the Guard of Honour for
the Insta ll ation of the Governor of the Isle of W1ght.

Maj Colin Bunce (right) former OC E (HSF) Company FAMILIES DAY
receives a silver Armada Dish from Lt Simon Bird.
Th e famili es day held on 17 May in the grounds of
Christ's Hospital took place in fine weather and good
spirits. Dog agility demonstrations (by courtesy of Capt
Derek Dragonetti) , the East Grinstead Marchi ng Band ,
Welly throwing and The Flying Dragons were included
in a varied programme maste rminded by Majs Martin
Ashley Taylor and Ken Molyneux-Carter.

Regiment was kind enough to share Albuhera Day with
us and a strong contingent from the Worshipful
Company of Haberdashers visi ted B (Somme)
Company on 1 July.

BATTALION SPORTS DAY
The keen ly fought Batta li on Sports Day took place in
Augu st. A (Salerno) Company took first place overall ,
wi nning the assault cou rse and cross country outright
alth ough it only had a .02 second margin over Du ke of
Connaught Company. B (Somme) Company took the
5-a-side football , orienteering and volleyball ; whilst
Duke of Connaught Company took the tug-ofwar.

INFANTRY
ORIENTEERING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Maj Guthrie, Capt Strachan, Lt Downes (Ladies
Champion) , W02 Lawson , W02 Webb , Sgts Croft and
Harper, Cpl Croft, Cpl Wickh am, Pies Barrett , Atkinson
and McSharry formed the team which came 3rd in the
Major Units (Regul ar and TA) and 1st in the TA Units
events at the Infantry Orienteering Championships.

SHOOTING TEAM

The Battalion Shooting Team put in an outstanding C Sgt Bicker receives the Individual Champion Shot
performance at the Southern District SAAM winning Trophy from the GOC at the Southern District SAAM .
the Rifle Match, LMG Match and Combat Sharp Shoot
Match Team events. Cpl Brookes took the Champion
Shot Roberts Cup (Optic Sight) and CSgt Bicker was
Champion Rifle Shot (Overall)

31

At company level , Salerno Company used its July •,
weekend to put soldiers through a series of stands
covering prisoner of war handling, casua lty evacuation ,

fire team tactics and watermanship . Sgt Maj Guilfoyle's
lecture on survival was not for the squeam ishI Duke of
Connaught Company have been working on their
Cambrian Patrol team whose training has included

endurance activities and mountaineering in Corsica .
The reward for their initiative was an invitation (through

Maj Huw Edwards, left rear, and others relax at the
Families Day.

TRAINING

Despite the scant mention of matters training,
readers can be assured that 6/7 QUEENS(V) does find
time to get down to the serious stuff. Exercise Rousillon
Dragon held on Salisbury Plain over the weekend
19-21 June tested the battalion in a range of skills
including river crossing , FIBU A, night harbour drills and
avoiding being labelled "new age travellers" as th e
Hampshire Constabulary protected Stonehenge at the
Summer Solstice.

A few weeks earlier, an Officers' and SNCOs' study
day had covered these and other topics as well as
social liaison with the minesweeper crews of HMS
Sussex.

6f7 QUEENS (V) own Flying Dragon . Pte Markham who
went with the team to represent the UK in the World

Championships.

the GO's persistence) to take part in the Regu lar Army

Cambrian Patrol Competition. All compa ni es have
carried out the usua l mix of range work and Infantry dry
training .

Hawley Hard Heroes. Members of Salerno Company Th e main focus at present is our work-up training for
during the July company exercise.
Annual Camp as part of 2 Brigade 's Exercise Second

Strike along with our re-roling C (Quebec) Company
personnel to mortars and assault pioneers.

32

LONDON REGIMENT

NEW TITLE After two more months of uncertainty, it was only the
day before the battalion deployed to Annual Camp in
A degree of change to the normal pattern of things is early September that we heard that HM The Queen
something we all take for granted. Little did we realise had been graciously pleased to approve the granting of
however that having breathed a deep sigh of relief the name 'London Regiment' to the newly forming
when the outcome of 'Option ' was announced just how battalion in London . it could not have come at a better
far reaching its resu lts wou ld be on the Battalion . time . With some rather fa st footwork by the
Quartermaster we even had a new Regimental sign .
We were delighted when D (London Irish Rifles) and Now at least all ranks had a sense of purpose and
G (The London Scottish) Companies came under although there will still be a delay before the Royal
command in April as this at least pointed the way Warrant is granted , the name is assured. With the
forward to the new London Regiment . However what renaming of G (The London Scottish) Company to take
was not appreciated at the time was just how long the on the vacant A Company title on the middle weekend
machinery would take to establish the new name of camp , the final restructuring was complete .
beyond any shadow of doubt. Lt Col E Glover
commanding 4 ROYAL IRISH presented the Ken- TRAINING
sington and Chelsea Pipe Banner to the Commanding Despite the obvious distractions, training has
Officer at the Duke of York Headquarters in early May. continued at a fairly hectic pace. April saw the rifle
The amalgamation of A (Highwood) and HO (Gazala) companies scattered across the training areas of the
Companies to form the new HQ (Anzio) Company took South East. C Company patrolled at Stamford while B
place at the end of June which was one more positive Company went to Salisbury Plain , live firing . Whoever
step along the road. We had hoped that the name
might be granted in time for the Freedom of Wands-
worth in early July but unfortunately this was not to be.

..

Lt Col Peter Mclelland surrounded by all the different cap badges in Camp on Amalgamation Day.

33

was 1t JUSt 1n retrospect? At least next year should be ~,
easier and it looks as though it will be the Training
Major's swansong!

Having exercised the civilian world it was our turn to
be on the receiving end on Salisbury Plain in mid-June
on the Brigade Exercise. Black Cat . However a
combination of continuing good weather and
helicopters meant a good time was had by all . The only
long face being among the Recce Platoon who , for
once , actually had to dismount and hike into position!

Having seen a great deal of Pirbright it was a
we lcome change of venue to go to Longmoor in early
July for a FIBUA training weekend . All companies
dusted off the re levant skills and re learned the arts of
legal breaking and entering. August was taken up with
block leave and preparation for annual camp .

ANNUAL CAMP

Capt Jerry Gardner, the Adjutant in control during As already mentioned , the battalion deployed to
Exercise Executive Stretch. cam p in Yorkshi re , firm in the knowledge that the new
name had been granted. Wathgill , althoug h only ten
yea rs old , was found to be functional but tended to lack
a number of creature comforts. Camp was very much
an international affair. In all we had fourteen capbadges
at camp. We were pleased to we lcome a contingent
from the Toronto Scottish and officers from Denmark

and Germany. The first week was spent immersed in
the intricacies of company training and the ru nning of a
number of cadres. Having the ranges literally on the

doorstep gave ample opportunity to brush up on

carried out the recce of the battle run om itted to test the
depth of water on the final phase . What appeared as a
shallow pool turned out in reality to be four feet deep!

Great fun was had by all ... can the CSM rea lly walk on
water? A (Highwood) Company held an Open Day at
Flodden Road at the end of the month which was well

atte nd ed.

Early May saw the beginning of many trips to Pte Aldred and Fusilier Bright on the London Regiment's
Pi rbright. C and G Companies entered the London Standard 2 Signals Centre at Wathgill Camp.
District Rifle Meeting. Results were not outstanding but
honour was retrieved by W02 Carr winning the PSI's
cup. Management thoughts then started to focus very
firmly on the running of Exercise Executive Stretch
wh ich is to be our responsibility for the next two years
and it was with some foreboding that the recce was
carried out in pouring rain. The Battalion Skill at Arms
Meeting was held later in the month and unlike last
year, had the benefit of bright sunny weather. We were
pleased to welcome Mr Kind who presented the prizes
on behalf of the Master of the Merchant Taylors'
Company. C Company continued their winning streak
by carrying off the Merchant Taylor's Cup for the fourth
year running together with most of the other available

pots'

Two week later and we were involved in Exercie
Executive Stretch which not only taxed the cand idates
but battalion organisation just as severely. Luckily the

weather was kind and after the initial cu lture shock
most cand idates appeared to enjoy the experience , or

34

London Reg iment

VISITORS

Outside camp , we were pleased to welcome the
Colonel of the Queen 's Reg1ment , Ma1 Gen M1ke
Reynolds , who visited Hornsey on 25 August . This
marked his last v1s1t to the battalion and gave an
opportunity for all Queensmen to say farewell. General
Reynolds also presented the Middlesex Drum MaJor's
Sash to Drum Major Raper.

FREEDOM OF WANDSWORTH

The London Regiment was greatly honoured to be
awarded the Freedom of Wandsworth at a ceremony at
the Town Hall on 8 July 1992. Th e ceremony took place
in the Council Chamber and the scroll and casket were
received on behalf of the battalion by our Honorary
Colonel , Sir Greville Spratt. A guard was formed from
each of the four companies and the parade
com manded by Capt Alec Ferguson RRF(V) . After the

'What do we do next? ' HQ Company on FIBUA training at
Long moor.

weapon handling skills and all companies managed to

night shoot. A separate Assault Pioneer cadre was also
run at Halton in Lancashire for the entire fortnight. We
were extremely pleased to we lcome our Brigade
Commander, Brig Ross, during the first week who
combined hi s visit with a rebadging parade for the
Queensmen amongst us who exchanged their blue
beret for the new style of the Princess of Wales's Royal
Regiment. lt was interesting to note ju st how quickly

the new berets became exact replicas of the old !

The middle weekend saw a flurry of socia l activity
and the arrival of the majority of our camp visitors. We

we re pleased to welcome the Master of the Cutlers'
Company and the Deputy Lieutenants of Barnet and
Haringey, Mr Lawrence Bain s and Mrs Win Taylor, who
are always most supportive of B Company and the
battalion. The Officers held a Guest Night on the
middle Saturday when the Quartermaster, Maj Mike
Rowney was dined out. This was followed almost

immediately by the now traditiona l tug of war and
champagne breakfast to celebrate Quebec Day in the
WOs' and Sgts' Mess who held their Dinner Night the

next evening.

After one day of R & R, the second week was largely Drum Major Raper, wearing the restored Middlesex
taken up with the battalion exercise during which the Regiment sash , and Sgt Jelley.
rifle co mpanies compl eted a testing battle run from the
north to the south of the training area over some

gruelling co untryside. Certainly by the end of the
fortnight the four component parts of the new battalion
knew each other better and had discovered how easy

it was to re-establish their many historical links.

35

not been a larger movement of pe rsonalities. As 1t is, .
we say farewell to Maj Nigel Easton who relinquished
command of A (Highwood) Company on its merger with
HQ Company and moves to a staH job at Wilton . Our
Quartermaster, Maj Mike Rowney hands over shortly
and is to move to Bassingbourn to com mand HQ
Company. We wish them every good fortune in th eir
new posts and th ank them most wa rmly for all th eir
efforts on our behalf.

We have also had a change of RSM, W01 (RSM)
Parr QUEENS has left us to move to Chil we ll and we
welcome W0 1 (RSM) Meades RAF who is quickly
finding his feet in the TA . There have also been a
number of changes among th e SPSI. W02s An glin ,
Alb recht and Carr have all moved on and we we lcome
W02s Crowley, Debnam and Spence . Again , many
thanks are due to the leavers and we wish the new
faces a happy tour with the battalion.

On th e matrimonial side, Drum Major Raper and
Capt Al istair Nelso n have taken the plunge. We wis h
them both and their wives eve ry good fortun e in the
future .

Sir Greville Spratt, Honorary Colonel of the London
Regiment signs the Roll at the Freedom of Wandsworth
ceremony.

Mayo r had in spected th e parade , th e Coun cil
entertai ned all ra nks to an exce ll ent recepti on
enhanced by the generous provision of ale from th e
local brewer, Mr John Young with whom we shared the
granting of the Freedom.

PERSONALITIES

Given th e period of considerable change th at the
battalion is going through , it is surprising that there has

Maj Mike Rowney (left) presents the CO , Lt Col Peter
McLelland , with an inkstand on leaving the battalion for
the Depot.

THE FUTURE

Queensmen at the London Regiment Skill at Arms We are now eagerly looki ng forwa rd to the granting
Meeting. Capt Nelson and Majs Harwood, Usher and of the Royal Warra nt and the formal establishment of
the London Regiment. There is still much to do in the
Easton. merging of four distinct traditions within the new
Regiment but our success so far is a tribute to the good
will and enthu siasm of all conce rned . To carry th e
proud title of the London Regiment which was held in
such high esteem th roughout the First War and up to
1937 is a great honour and one not lost upon all ranks.
In the more immedi ate future it is almost time to think in
terms of th e 'marching season'. The Lord Mayor's
Show and Remembrance Sunday are not that far
ahea d .

36

-----·-- - - - --- - - -- --- --

DEPOT THE QUEEN 'S DIVISION

• • Special to Arm Train ing . In the case of Queen 's

Division , recruits ' Phase Two training (11 weeks) will
be conducted at Ouston Camp, Northumberland along
with recruits of the Scottish and Light Divisions .

On 9 September 1992, 11 officers and 67 oth er
ranks of th e QUEE NS and R HAM PS gathered on the
Main Square at the Depot to rebadge on the formation
of the new Regiment. Col Paddy Panton gave an
address and led a rousing "three cheers" for the
Colonel in Chief.

Over the last six months we have welcomed Capt
Mears (1 QUEENS) , Lt Combes (R HAM PS) , Lt Bell (2
QUEEN S) and W01 (RSM) McCreadie (2 QUEENS) to
th e Depot. We sa id farewe ll to Maj Mills, Capt
Bro mfield, Capt Bream , Capt Mcl eod , Sgt Avery and
Cpls Cornhi ll and Osborne.

Officers stationed at Bassingbourn assemble for the
rebadging parade.

Durin g the six months fro m Ap ri l to October 1992 a Queensmen and Royal Hampshires on the rebadging
total of 222 Qu een 's Division recruits arrived at the parade at Bassingham on 9 September.
Depot and , of thi s number, 44 were badged for the
Regim ent. Du ring the same period 31 Qu eensmen
compl eted rec ruit training and moved on to battalions.
Two trainin g com panies are currently runn ing (B and C)
with six and three rec ruit platoo ns respectively. C Coy
will di sband on 15 October 1992 when th eir last two
recruit platoo ns compl ete training .

Col Paddy Panton was the Inspecting Officer at the
Passing Out Parade of Albuhera and Qu ebec Platoons
on 30 July 1992, the music being provided by the Corps
of Drums 2 QUEEN S. Pte Joyce (2 QUEEN S) was
presented with the prize for Most Improved at Physical

Trai ning.

Depot Th e Queen's Divis ion will disband on 31
Dece mb er 1992 and A rmy Trai nin g Reg imen t
Bassingbourn wi ll form on 1 Janu ary 1993. ATR
Bassingbourn will be responsible for the Phase One

trai ning of rec rui ts of the Royal En gineers, Royal
Signals and the Queen's Division. After the initial 10
wee ks trai ning, recruits will move on to complete

ROYAL MILITARY ACADEMY, SANDHURST

by Maj A F Whithouse

'There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more The Commandant will no doubt take the credit for
the shape of the new commissioning course but we in
perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success. the Regiment know who was the power behind the
th rone. the tireless lobbyist and innovative thinker.
than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order Yes . it was .. . (ah , but he swore me to silence) . We
of things.· Niccolo Machiavelli . The Prince , 153 1.

37

wish you well Colonel Philip. As these notes are be1ng
written the new regime is rising like a phoenix and
spreading its wings. Movement is implicit in this
process and . not by chance, the only telephone
numbers to remain the same in the Academy are in the
Headquarters. This ensures a honeymoon period for
those people at the coa l face like Col David Beveridge

who has moved across from Victory to Old College to
look after the first intake of the new course .

2Lts Alistair Rogers , Leon Thompson, Richard Mott
and Nick Reid passed out last term having had their
final exercise in the South of France cance lled at th e
last moment. Th ey found themselves instead on the
Isle of Jura; famous tor its isolation, tranquillity, 100
different species of bird and 5,000 deer. The sort of
place where one is supposed to leave nothing behind
but footprints in the sand. In the event we nearly left
three LSWs, seven rifl es and one PR C 35 1 at the
bottom of Loch Tarbert when an assault boat was
swamped by waves but the RN and Queen 's Gurkha
Engineer diving teams came to our rescue. We brought
back Jots of ticks in unusual places and memories of
outstanding hospitality which incl uded dancing the
eightsome ree l to Status Quo at 4 o'clock in the

morning at th e Saturday Night Ceilidh (OS on ly}.

OCdts Francke, James, Clayton, Thomas , Peckham 0 Cdt Newall standing on the step, getting ready for some
and Hall have been accepted by the Regiment and are '!inning' practice.
now in their final term. OCdt James represented the
Academy at cricket last term and was promoted to Day One co nsisted mainly of theory and an
Cadet Cpl. introduction to the equipment we wou ld be usi ng . Th e
lessons were fast moving and the learning curve steep .
Turning to those cadets which the Regiment has That evening we were issued with all ou r ki t and, after
sponsored , OCdts Newall and Holman started training an amusing session trying it all on to make su re that it
at the beginning of last term and OCdts Constable, fitted , we packed it to r the trip to the swimming poo l the
Bradley, Vinyl , Crawley, Tayler and Farrant started this following morning .
te rm on the new comm issioning course . The latter are
still busy on the square but OCdt Newall has been Theory over, it was time tor hands on and we
selected as ce ntre tor the 1st XV. practised the underwater drill s and hand signals in the
pool which we had learned the previous day. Much
Last term we bid farewell to CSgt McAuley and tim e was spent on safety drills until we were all
we lcomed CSgt Singh who passed the Cadre Course proficient .
and is now the CQMS of Normandy Company tor a
term . Th e Regim ental hierarchy at RMAS now consists The weat her on the third day was so windy that we
of Col David Beveridge (Comma nder Old College) , were not able to dive in the harbour as planned .
Maj Dick Whithouse (C l SMC 922 and Divi sional Instead we used a loca l Navy dive training tank where
Representative) , Maj Rory Stephenson (C l SMC 92 1 the greater depth and poor visibility were difficult to
and Regimental Representative) . W02 Saunders cope with .
(RQM S Old College) and CSgt Singh .

DIVE TO LEAD Although the forecast wasn't good tor the fourth day
we were able to ca rry out our first open dive in the bay.
by OCdt Newall Having got to our dive spot we did our Jacques
Cousteau rolls off the side of the boats and with one
Having completed my first term at Sandhurst . I am instructo r between two students we roamed around the
ob liged to go tor a one week adventure training co urse bottom , avoiding kelp beds an d inves tiga ting
during the recess. While many were off to Ballahulish interesting wreckage . My instructor was very keen on
for hill walking , I and 15 others were lu cky enough to restocking hi s fish tank and we did manage to net him
get onto a sub-aqua diving course at Fort Bovisand in a trophy.
Devon . The cen tre otters diving courses all year round
for novices through to in st ructors and is run by a Lt Cdr Having finished all the diving and with on ly
and a team of Army and Navy instructors . administration to do on th e fifth morning we ate a hearty
supper and headed tor the Pl ymouth nightspots to do
some serious 'sharking'. All our previous !inning
practice paid off and after a good night it on ly remained
for us to pick up our novice diver certificates and head
off for leave.

38

----·- - - -- - -- -- ··- --

REGIMENTAL BANDS

'.
THE ALBUHERA BAND
by W01 I R Peaple

In order to ensure that a Regimental band is

acknowledged as being successful a number of
important factors are inherent in its constitution. Firstly,
the chemistry must be right. The individual components
of the band must be carefully balanced so as to create
the desired effect in all circumstances . it is imperative
that it has a strong , inbuilt determination to set and
maintain the highest possible standards. it needs
characters who can perform, platforms upon which it
can display its skills and a good public image. it
demands resolute and competent leadership and
above all, it requires the total and unwavering support
of the officers and soldiers to whom it is responsible.

<, In March 1984, at the time of its formation, The The Atbuhera Band under the baton of W01 (B/M) tan
Albuhera Band was serving in Northern Ire land under Peaple playing in Canterbury Cathedral at the Magna
the direction of W01 Phi lip Hills. For those interested in Carta Service, 14 June 1992.
personalities , he has since been commissioned and is
now Director of Music, Grenadier Guards . In 1985, he (Picture by Ben May)

took the Band to Gibraltar where it served with the 1st
Battalion and whilst there he was succeeded by
Bandmaster Terry Davis , now Capt Davis, Director of
Music, Royal Artillery, Woolwich . Gibraltar proved a established ourselves with the 2nd Battalion and set
highly successful and enjoyable tour. The prestige and about the task of promoting the Regiment's name
kudos of the posting did much to enhance the Band's throughout BAOR. Th e local community soon got used
reputation and the majority were sorry to leave. to having us around and despite their largely
unsuccessful but often comical attempts to pronounce
January 1987 led to the writing of the next chapter of 'Aibuhera', they went out of their way to make us feel
th e Band's memoirs. Th e move to Minden coincided we lcome. Performances in Cologne for Th e Prince and
with my appointment as Bandmaster and after a few Princess of Wales and Military Tattoos in Dusseldorf
-albe it not unexpected - teething troubles , we and Werl were among the highlights of the first of our

four scheduled years in Minden .

March 1988 saw the Band's first Kneller Hall
Inspection for which our endeavours were fully justified
by our grading of 'Excellent' . Despite an ensuing eight
month period of Rear Party duties , 1988 was musically,
a very rewarding year with a variety of tours , including
Italy, France and Bavaria. 1989 witnessed our first trip
to Berlin for HM The Queen 's Birthday Parade , an
International Tattoo in Holland and two tours of
Denmark including Beating Retreat for Queen
Margrethe. All this was in addition to countless
parades, Mess functions and community relations
activities in and around our own area. Events during
our final year in Germany comprised a visit to the 1st
Battalion in Tidworth and a series of performances in
Heligoland , a tiny dot in the ocean some three and a
half hours by boat north of Wilhelmshaven .

Bandmaster tan Peaple conducts a section of the Our return to Canterbury provided us with what will
Albuhera Band on a recent engagement. remain for me , the supreme highlight of my five and a
half years in the Regiment. The occasion was the
Sovereign's Parade at Sandhurst with the Band
performing for Her Majesty the Queen , HRH Prince
Philip and a glittering array of dignitaries and VIPs from
every country in the Commonwealth . For me to lead

39

THE QUEBEC BAND
by W01 J R Young

Bandmaster tan Peaple leads the Albuhera Band to the 1t is with mixed feelings of pride and sorrow that we
Regimental Tent during a lunch-break in Canterbury leave Cyprus and return to the UK. We are justifiably
Cricket Week. proud of what we have achieved and are naturally sad
to leave such a rewarding and enjoyable posting . But,
the Albuhera Band on that auspicious day was a the most saddening thing from a personal point of view
tremendous personal honour and I doubt it will ever be is that the team that has worked so hard over the recent
surpassed. few years will no longer be together when the two new
bands start work on 1 September. However, we have
In retrospect , I consider myself extremely fortunate lots of good things to look forward to with th e prospect
to have been responsible for such a marvellous of a joint concert in Canterbury on 17 October, as part
co llection of characters within a truly great Regiment. I of the Canterbury Festiva l, and a massed bands and
believe that the Band's chemistry was right and its corps of drums beating retreat in Portsmouth on 15
demise saddens me immensely. My thanks go to all October. Who knows, a new LP may be on offer to help
who participated in its management for their steadfast promote the Regimental image and 'bands'?
support and enthusiastic involvement. I will look back
with pride on all we achieved together and will follow The last six months saw a fren zy of activity as the 3rd
with eagerness the progress of the new Regiment , Battalion prepared to leave the island and the band
especially its music. performed at many a farewell cere mony, mos t
poignantly perhaps at the final beating of retreat for the
officers and their invited guests in Happy Valley on 10
July, the last occasion that the band and corps of
drums were to be seen on parade. The preceding
month saw two events of note , one being a joint co ncert
with 1 WFR at St John's School in a programme that
was interesting, varied and entertaining. The other was
HM The Queen 's Birthday Parade which was
performed with the usual style and panache .

We must say a couple of farewells before we close.
W02 Dougie Clarkson , the Band Sergeant Major
leaves the Regiment to take up his new post with 1
YORKS(V) in Pontefract, and to CSgt Gary Cook who
is now at the Royal Military School of Music as part of
the new training programme . Al so Bdsm Alan
Cunningham leaves us to undertake a teacher's
training course at the Huddersfield Music School.

THE QUEEN'S REGIMENT FREE FALL TEAM
THE FLYING DRAGONS

by Capt T Major

1t was fitting to mark the end of an era with our opened the Newmarket Races on Channel 4, delivered
busiest display season since form ation . Th e a cricket ball to the Prime Minister, landed on the beach
Regimental flag of The Queen 's Regiment descended at Worthing, left Scout helicopters over the Army Show
over 70 times into arenas nationwide of which at least at Warminster and Sea Kings over Lee-on-Solent and,
20 were in Kent , Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire and beneath Heathrow-bound jets, a 1500 foot descent
our faithful van has trekked over 30,000 miles to meet, over Battersea Park. Unfortunately we are dictated to
drop off, pick up and drop off parachutists to perform at by the somewhat unstable British weather and there
up to sometimes five shows in one weekend . This were the inevitable last minute cancellations such as a
summer the team has dived out of a Chinook over trip to the Channel Islands to jump onto the beach at St
SHAPE in Belgium to mark the Queen 's Birthday, have Helier, Jersey and line up to the Governor General and

40

----- . -. . -- .. - .. ·- ---

at home at the Canterbury Cricket Week where the
team was due to present themse lves to Brig Stuart
Anderson in front of the Regimental Tent.

lt was also fitting that The Queen 's Regiment should
be represented at the highest possible leve l in sport
parachuting . On 3 September just prior to
amalgamati on four members of the team left for the Far
East. destination China, as part of the British team in
the 1992 World Parachute Canopy Relat ive
Championships. At the time of writing they are mid-
competition with hopes of getting a high placing
alongs ide seasoned veterans of such competitions
such as the French, Americans and Australians , all of
whom are bl essed with stable weather cond itions in
which to achieve a continuity of training. The Flying
Dragons Competition Team has spent every avai lab le
opportunity training , often waiting 48 hours or more at
an ai rfi eld for the weather to clear just enoug h to allow
one lift to 7,000 feet befo re closi ng around the m for

another stint of poker dice.

De spite the outcome it is a huge success story for The Colonel of the Regiment presents W02 Bradley
the team to have even got th at far with only four years Reader, Team Leader of the Flying Dragons , with a Medal
com pet ition experience and credit must really go to Cpl of Merit.
Geordie Best whose expertise and patience has over
the last three years nurtured a once inexperienced W ith praise bestowed heavily upon the successfu l
bunch of hopefuls into a National Team . He leaves the four, the remainder of the team cannot be forgotten in
Army on return from China and will be replaced by a the hours and commitment they have given to achieve
very experienced and capable Cpllan Cash man who is such a volum e of displays. Then to boot, th ey threw in
returning to the team after almost three years. (Cpl a Bronze and Silver Medal at the Army Championships
Cashman provided val uable Jump Master assistance to add to the Gold the 'A' Team had taken there and at
to the team this summer whi lst the competition team the British National Championships.
trained .) Other members of the British team are the
Team Leader W02 Brad Reader, who co-ordinated all
the training in amongst the public displays , LCpl Robert
. Fahy and Pte lain Markham . Pte Markham from 6/7
QUEENS (V) was kind ly given permission to train with
the team by his Commanding Officer, both abroad and
at home in the long build up to the Championships ; hi s
dedication to training was exceptional with dozen s of
early mornings and late evenings and still managing to
complete a day's work as a British Telecom Engineer.

...

The team now continues to fly the flag for The
Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment and keeps the
name The Flying Dragons. As long as commercial
spon sorship continues to be forthcoming then the team
wil l continue to travel the country promoting the new
Regim ent. Both Cp l Best and Pte Thetford leave the
team , the latter to take up trade with the Royal
Engineers. Newly arrived from The Royal Hampshire
Regiment is Cpl Coleman and the team continues to
look out for high calibre recruits to follow where the

others have left off .

Flying Dragons at the British Army Championships. Pie Fin ally congratu lations must go to LCpl Brierley for
Rothon (second from left in front row) became Individual qualifying as a BPA Approved Instructor. He has been
Overall Intermediate Champion. an excellent ambassador for the Regiment whilst
instructing many student courses this summer,
including two for the Royal Militay Academy Sandhurst

in 'launching ' their new Edward Bear Mascot.

41

. -· ---- - ------- - - ---

CADET UNITS AFFILIATED TO THE REGIMENT

ARDINGLV COLLEGE CCF THE KING'S SCHOOL CANTERBURY CCF

by Capt J Pitt by Cdt Sgt P Dupuy

Ardingly College CCF had a very successful twc This year we started with one of the strongest groups
days competition shooting in the recent SE District of SNCOs the section has seen for a long time .Of
Cadet Ski ll at Arms Meeting held at Ash Ranges on the the six we have four who have been awarded Army
weekend of 26 and 27 September. Scholarships; two have attended Frimley Park Cadet
Leadership Course , and one who was fortunate to go
The expected competition was strong with teams on the UKLF Leadership Course . Membership of the
drawn from seven county ACFs and 29 CCFs. section is somewhat lower than usual , but that is made
However, the Ardingly 'A' Team set a high initial score up for by a great sense of drive and enthusiasm , which
of 470 ex 600 in the Gallery Match . On the second day, has been commended by several CTT staff.
1n the ETA Match , they extended their lead with an
excellent 340 ex 400. The final score of 81 0 ex 1000 In February we managed to persuade the school to
let us off for a three day exercise . The Canterbury ACF
gave a lead of 58 over their nearest rival. provided a very competitive enemy, and the weekend
spent in freezing Reinden Wood was judged a success
A summary of the team 's successes is as follows : by all who took part. Next year we have persuaded the
RN and RAF sections to come out with us. The rest of
1st CCF Rifle (gallery) Team Match the term was more normal with recruits going through
an 1ntens1ve course of f1rst a1d, weapon training and
1st Open Rifle (ETA) Team Match drill. Th e Major took some time off to contest a certain
general election , but we are happy to say he is still with
Best Overall CCF Team us . .

Best Overall Cadet Team Easter Camp marked our first return to Snowdonia
for ten years . lt was marvellous for those of us who did
1st Over 16 Champion Shot Cpl J.Eivins not know the area to discover the Glyders and the
Carnedds, and to make the Snowdon Horseshoe in
3rd Over 16 Champion Shot Cdt A. Sharp deep snow.

1st Champion Shot Match Cpl J.Elvins Back at school in the summer we were determined to
raise the profile of the CC F in the school's eyes. Weeks
3rd Champion Shot Match Cdt A. Sharp were spent preparing a Ceremonial Guard , which was
f1nally mounted in the Precincts in Kings Week , in June .
1st Open Rifle (ETA) Individual Cdt R.Sharp • Our new CCF Colour was paraded , and the well-
rehearsed drill , and the sight of the smart No 2 dress
Match brought large numbers out to watch and photograph .

2nd Open Rifle (ETA) Individual Cpl J.Eivins . Annual Camp was at Longmoor- not quite Cyprus ,
l1ke last year, but nevertheless very we ll run and very
Match worthwhile . Our congratulations to 2Lt Carol Saunders
who disappeared on day one, and reappeared at the
2nd CCF Rifle (Gallery) Individual Cpl J.Elvins end with an HGV licence.

Match We .look forward to an action-packed year and wish ,
espec1ally 1n th1s magazine, to thank our exce llent
·Highest Possible Score , the only one scored that RSM , ex-Queensman Alan (Dougie) Booth .
weekend .

Team Coaches: Capt J. Pitt, Capt D. Wolley

The Argingly College Shooting Team.

42









EASTBOURNE COLLEGE CCF

CAPT T G WATSON BEM

One of the longest serv1ng members of the Reg1ment
retires on 5 June 1992. Tony Watson started h1s
military career in the Home Guard in Margate 1n 1942
when he was 15112 years old . He has remained
attached to the military in one way or another ever
since . He was determined to join one of His Majesty's

Services before the war ended and the only one that
would take him was the Army . His third choice! He
joined for seven years colo ur service, with a further five

years on reserve . The first posting was to a Young
Soldiers Battalion (now Junior Leaders Battalion) .

Maj lan Jones presents the senior March and Shoot Tony was soon posted to The Buffs Depot at
Competition cup to the team captain from St Edmund 's Canterbury as a LCpl Instructor training Danish
personnel who were enlisted due to the close
School, James Rouse. connection between the Regiment and their country.
His ski lls as an instructo r were quickly recognised and
he was posted to Shorncliffe to train National
Servicemen. In his spare time he worked on his
neglected education , eventually achieving his First
Class Certificate , so that nothing would stand in the
way of his eventual promotion . Shortly afterwards he
joined the battalion in Hong Kong with the responsibility
of training the 'odd ' members of HO Company. He was
then promoted Sergeant and posted to the Hong Kong
Chinese Train1ng Unit at Lyeming . The next 23/• years
were spent training Chinese troops for which he had to
learn Cantonese in very quick order. His last post in
Hong Kong was as Orderly Room Sergeant respon-
sible for the pay of the small British staff. He finally left

the colony in the summer of 1951 .

ST EDMUND'S SCHOOL CCF Back in the UK , Tony found himself at the Depot in
Canterbury again where , after a short time in the
Teams from St Edmund 's School, Canterbury, won holding company, he became secretarial helper to the
both the Senior (over 16) and Junior (under 16) President of the Regimental Institute . His period of
sections of The Queen's Regiment March and Shoot Colour Service was now rapidly coming to an end , and
Competition held at Howe Barracks in Ju ly. about to marry a girl from Eastbourne , he applied for,
and was offered, the job as SSI at Eastbourne College .
Last year the school's senior team came first and the He intended the job to be a temporary one when he
junior team came fourth in their respective sections . started in January 1952. Now, forty years later, he
'Future cadets will have a very high standard to live up is wondering the true meaning of that word!
to', commented the school's Commanding Officer, Maj
Chris Barnard . His great skills as an instructor were given a free
rein , as all the boys at the Coll ege had to be in the
The competition consists of three parts, the march/ contingent for four years . He found that he had the
run , the assault course and shooting . Each team ability to write interesting and worthwhile training
consists of eight cadets and there were teams programmes. In those times, when everyone leaving
competing from schools in Kent , Surrey, Sussex and school had to do National Service, the training had a
London . The captain of the St Edmund 's senior team greater relevance than it seems to do today and there
was James Rouse and of the junior. team . Luke were a number of officers with Regular experience.
Alexander.
Today there are very few officers with an~
Cups and commemorative plaques were presented experience at all outside the CCF and an enormous
to the teams by Maj Ian Jones , the Regimental Careers amount depends on the SSI . Through all those years
Officer of The Queen's Regiment. the Eastbourne College CCF has relied on the care and
skills that Tony has brought to it which were recognised
by the award of the BEM in 1980, just before he took a
Commission .

I would like to fini sh by quoting him : 'Time has now
run out and younger blood is needed . I have enjoyed
my time at the College , despite having to deal with the
moans and groans of reluctant cadets and officers at

47

times. There is very much to be thankful for. I have
enjoyed the many camps and courses which have
come my way in many places of this globe of ours . I
wish the CCF much luck in the future .' We all would like
to wish Tony and his wife Eileen a long and happy
retirement and hope that he will be able to find the time
to visit us so that he can see that there really is life after
Watson!

AMD

(We apologise to Capt Tony Watson for including this
tribute to him in the wrong section of the last Journal
- Editor.)

Col Tim Connolly with the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award
expedition . This included Cadet CSM Hildrew and Cadet

Sgt Cronin both of 211 (QUEENS) Edgware Detachment.

The training area at Sennybridge is vast and
formidable with a large and most hair-raising assault
course. There are also many additional features wh ich
added much to the realism of training .

In addition to military training in camp, on the ranges
and training areas the following adventurous training
packages were arranged by the Training Officer, Maj
lan Denison .

Dare Valley Country Park, Aberdare

THE GANG OF FOUR AT SUTTON VALENCE SCHOOL On seven days, 5 cadets plus 3 adult instructors
were detached to a greenfield site in the country park.
They stayed for 24 hours and rotated through rock
climbi ng and abseiling , hill walking and orienteering,
and pony trekking . These proved to be very popular.

Dan-yr-Ogof Ski Centre

A few familiar faces ex 2nd Battalion now all working at Skiing instruction and practice on the dry ski slope
Sutton Valence School near Maidstone , Kent. was provided during the fortnight of camp and 250 boys
took part.
Left to right : Brian Miller (Domestic Manager), Dave
Moore (Clerk of Works), John Pratten (Director of Garwnant Forest
Development and Administration), Chris Parkinson
(Housemaster). Thi s was a wayfaring course which provides basic
instruction to orienteering , a visitor centre, and a safe
obstacle course. 250 cadets visited the forest.

MIDDLESEX AND NW LONDON SECTOR Llangorse Lake Adventure

Queen 's badged ca dets were amongst 440 cadets Canoeing was supervised by Sgt Tommy Hartley
from Middlesex & NW London ACF who arrived at from 4 Cadet Traini ng Team. This was very popular
Sennybridge for Annu al Camp on 2 August. and over a period of eight days 128 cadets had become
quite proficient.

48