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The Journal of
THE QUEEN'S REGIMENT
UNCONQUERED I SERVE
Vol. 13, No. 2 December, 1979
Battle Honours borne on The Colours
The R egimental Colour:
"Tangier, 1662-80," "Namur, 1695," "Gibraltar, 1704-5," "Blenheim," "Ramillies," "Malplaquet,"
''Dettingen,'' ''Louisburg,'' ''Guadeloupe, 1759,'' ''Quebec, 1759,'' ''Martinique, 1762,'' ''St. Lucia,
1778," ''Seringapatam," ''Maida," ''Vimiera," "Corunna," "Douro,'' ''Talavera,'' "Albuhera,''
"Aimaraz," "Badajoz," "Salamanca," "Vittoria," "Afghanistan, 1839," "Punniar," "Moodkee,"
"Sobraon," "Inkerman," "Sevastopol," "Lucknow," "Taku Forts," "New Zealand," "South Africa,
1879," "Nile, 1884-85," "Burma, 1885-87," "Chitral," "Relief of Ladysmith," "Relief of Kimberley,"
"South Africa, 1899-1902," "Korea, 1950-51."
The Queen 's Colour:
"Mons," "Marne, 1914-18," "Aisne, 1914," "Ypres, 1914-15-16-17-18," "Hill 60," "Festubert, 1915,"
"Somme, 1916, 18," "Albert, 1916, 18," "Vimy, 1917," "Cambrai, 1917, 18," "Hindenburg Line," "Italy,
1917-18," "Macedonia, 1915-18," "Gallipoli, 1915," "Gaza," "Jerusalem," "Palestine, 1917-18,"
"Defence ofKut al Amara," "Mesopotamia, 1915-18," "N.W. Frontier India, 1915, 1916-17," "Dunkirk,
1940," "Normandy Landing," "North West Europe, 1940, 44-45," "Abyssinia, 1941," "Omars," "Alam
el Halfa," "El Alamein," "Longstop Hill, 1943," "North Africa, 1940-43," "Sicily, 1943," "Sangro,"
"Salerno," "Anzio," "Cassino," "Italy, 1943~45," "Malta, 1940-42," "Malaya, 1941-42," "Hong Kong,"
"Defence of Kohima," "Burma, 1943-45. "
Allied Colonels-in-Chief
HER MAJESTY QUEEN JULIANA, Queen of the Netherlands
HER MAJESTY QUEEN MARGRETHE 11 of Denmark
Colonel of The Regimen/: M aj.-General R. S. N. MANS , C BE
Depury Colonel of The Regimell/: Brigadier H . C. MILLMAN , OBE
2
ALLIANCES
The Canadian Amzed Forces-
The Queen's York Rangers (RCAC)
The South Alberta Light Horse (RCAC)
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment
1st Battalion The Royal New Brunswick Regiment (Carleton & York)
The Essex and Kent Scottish
The Australian Military Forces-
The Royal New South Wales Regiment
The University of New South Wales Regiment
The Royal Western Australia Regiment
The New Zea land Army-
2nd Battalion (Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast)
The Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment
5th Battalion (Wellington West Coast and Taranaki) The Royal New
Zealand Infantry Regiment
The Pakistan Army-
12th, 14th 15th and 17th Battalions, The Punjab Regiment
AFFILIATIONS HongKong-
The Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers)
HMS Excellent, HMS K ent and HMS Brighton
The Royal M arines (A "Bond of Friendship ")
The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
The Royal Anglian Regiment
The King 's Own Scottish Borderers
3rd (Harrier Sqn.) RAF
The Royal Danish Life Guards (Unofficial Alliance)
AFFILIATED UNITS OF THE CADET FORCE
C.C.F. School Comingents
Ardingly College; St. Aloysius College; Brighton College; Chichester High School, (Horsham); Collyer's VI Form
College; Cranbrook School; Cranleigh School; Dulwich College; Eastbourne College; Haberdashers' Aske's School
(Elstree); Hampton Grammar School; Highgate School; Hurst pierpoint College; The Judd School; The King's School,
Canterbury; Kingston Grammar School; Lancing College; Mill Hill School; Ottershaw School; Reeds School; Reigate
Grammar School; Royal Grammar School (Guildford); Sir Roger Manwood's School (Sandwich); St. Edmund's School
(Canterbury); St. John 's School (Leatherhead); St. Lawrence College (Ramsgate); The Skinners School (Tunbridge
Wells); Tonbridge School; Whitgift School; William Ellis School; Wilsons Grammar School.
A. C. F. Units/Sub- Units Cadet Coys. Nos. 25 and 26.
Greater London: Nos. 194 (Hounslow), 195 (Staines), 205 (Willesden), 211 (Edgware), 225
Cadet Coys. (Tottenham), 226 (Hornsey).
N.E. London Sector Nos . 133,141 , 143, 151 , 152, 153, 155, 161 to 165 , 167
Cadet Coys. l st, 2nd and 5th Cadet Bns., T he Queen 's Regiment (Surrey A.C. F .).
N .W. London Sector Cadet Bns. l st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Cadet Bns., The Queen 's Regiment (Kent A.C .F.).
Cadet Bns. Nos . 2 (Seaford), 3 (Hast ings), 4 (Lewes), 6 (Crawley), 7 (Chichester), 8
S.W. London Sector Cadet Pis. (Crowborough), 10 (Eastbourne), 11 (Horsham), 13 (Shoreham), 14
(Bexhill), 15 (Brighton), 16 (Hurstpierpoint), 17 (Bognor), 18
Surrey: (Littlehampton), 20 (Lewes OGS), 22 (Tilgate), M ayfi eld College.
Kent:
Sussex:
3
REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS
Howe Barracks, Canterbury, Kent (Tel.: 65281 )
R egimental Secretary: Col. ]. N. Shipster, CBE, DSO (Ext. I)
Assistant R egimental Secretary: Maj. G. U. Weymouth, MBE (Ext . 3)
Financial Secretary & Sussex Affairs: Maj. E. A. McCarthy (Ext. 2)
A rchives & S urrey Affairs: Maj. F.]. R eed (Ext. 12)
Association and Kent Affairs: Maj. G. T. Faulkner (Ext. 9)
R ecruiting, Admin. and Middx. Affairs: Maj. R . Waite (Ext . 21)
R egimental Careers Officer: Maj. D. C. F. Gouda (Ext. 22)
OC RIT: Capt. G. Simmons (Maidstone Mil Ext. 292)
1st Battalion REGULAR BATTALIONS
Albuhera Barracks CO: Lt. Col.] . C. Holman (Lt.-Col. D . ] . C. Dickens in March '80)
Werl, BFPO 106. CO: Lt. Col. P. deS. Barrow
CO: Lt. Col. G. Bulloch, MBE
2nd Battalion
Hyderabad Barracks
Colchester, Essex C02 7NZ
3rd Battalion
Connaught Barracks
Dover, Kent
5th (V) Battalion TAVR BATTALIONS
Leros T &AVR Centre
Sturry Road CO: Lt . Col. S. M. Boucher
Canterbury, Kent. Hon. Col: Col. H . H . Prince
Georg of Denmark, KCVO
6th/7th (V) Battalion
Norfolk TA Centre CO: Lt. Col. M . ] . Dudding
Denne Road Hon . Col: Col. D. A. H .
Horsham, Sussex. Sime, OBE, MC, TD
QUEEN'S DIVISION DEPOT Reg. Rep: Maj. R. P. Murphy
Bassingbourn Barracks
Royston, Herts SG8 SLX
4
To mark the300th anniversary ofthe first-everaward
The
Battle Honours
of Britain's
Fighting
Regiments
1680-1980
1~ o mark th e 300th anniversary of the British a nniversary tribute whi ch will be so ught all over
Army 's first battle honour - at Tangier in 1680 the world. But to underline its importance, a nd to
- the Naval & Military Ga llery announces emphasise its value, each battle print in the collec-
publication of a re markable and hi storic military tion is be ing restricted to only 500 numbered copies
fine-art print collection : The Battle Honours of the worldwide.
British Army 1680-1980. Each limited edi tion print can be bo ught si ngly,
Th e compl e te collection - the first of its kind o r in combina tion ; sets can be built up to cam-
a nywhere in the world - wi ll comprise o ne memo ra te the honou rs of an individual regiment ,
hundred fin e-art military prints, r'---A- n_ h_i_s-to_r_i_c---. or of a particular campaign . And , for
covering every war and campaign ,
th e very few , th ere is the complete
and representing every regiment of collection of one collection itself: one hundred great
hundred fine-art
the British Army . a re the g rea t battle honours- in a co llecti on w hi ch
Here, of co urse, will be recogni sed as an outstanding
v icto ri es which are ever familiar prints. And a acquisition .
Blenheim and Balaclava , Quebec, tribute to the
Khartoum , Wate rloo and a score of The price of each print is most
others. Here, of course are the two
proud traditions reasonable - from just £35 for a single
print, to £28 for se ts of prints taken
great wo rld wars from the Retreat at of your regiment . from the complete collection . With
Mons in 1914 to the advance into
production scheduled to take up to
Hitler's Germany in 1945. But he re, also , are all two years , the Battle Honours of the British Army
those " little wars " which once maintained and represents a rare opportunity to build , ste p by ste p ,
ex pa nded the British Empire. In Indi a and Africa, a personal regimental collection of exceptional
in China and Ru ssia.
and wide-ranging interest, or a definitive complete
Together, this long roll of battle honours rep- collection of a kind otherwise unobtainable . And
resents the proud traditions of almos t a hundred all at a comparatively modest cost.
cavalry a nd infantry regim ents - names which in so Adva11ce reserva tio11s are 110w bei11g accepted -subject to
ma n y cases have now sad ly passed into hi story .
tile limits of 500 011/y per pri11t . For de tails a11d a full
The Battle Hon o urs o f th e British Army is a 300th descriptive brochu re, please write or telepilo11e riOW.
T11e Naval & Mli1tary Gallery. 16 Alber111arle St reet, London W.1 . Telephone: 01-493 3264
5
~~~1
:i_i~_· ~ QCbristmas ;ffflessage i~_
I~ From the Ca/one/ of the Regiment I~
-~~-i~_- "Friendship is a sheltering tree" (W. S. Coleridge) ;_ ~.·
Many of you know that whenever I speak and write about The Regiment, I stress that
we are all part of"One Family". It is, I know, a very large Family, but I believe that is all ~
~ the more reason why each and everyone of us, old comrade to young serving soldier, must
i~ ~~-
do all in his power to ensure that we are as closely knit as possible; only by so doing will ~~~
~-:
~flj\. we ensure that the great traditions that Queensmen have inherited from our founding
regiments are carried forward into the future.
--~~ However, it is all very well to write and speak on these matters; more important, in
my view, is the need to give them a practical reality. With this in mind we propose to
~ organise an "At Home" day at Canterbury next summer. This will be a wonderful
-~-- opportunity for everyone to come together to demonstrate the spirit of our Regimental ~-- ,
unity, as was evident when we foregathered in London, in May 1974, for the presentation
of new Colours to four of our battalions.
~ I know that many of the Association branches of our former regiments go out of their
~, . way to welcome both Past and Present Queensmen; indeed there are some Branches
~- ,-- where Queensmen are already holding office . This merging of the past with the present, ,·
will not only ensure the continuity of our proud heritage but will provide the basis for the
~-·!·.
sort of future that we want.
To make certain that the officers, NCOs and soldiers leaving the regiment are ~~~
encouraged to visit and join Branches of the Associations, every man now receives details
~.'·.
~ from RHQ of the location of his nearest Branch with an invitation to go along and make
himself known there. '\)
~, For myself, I find it particularly encouraging when I go to reunions and visit
-~~.: Branches to hear how interested Old Comrades are in the activities of our battalions; this ~~~- ~~:-
is a spur to me and to our RHQ staff to seek continually new ways by which our famil y
ties can be strengthened . ~
' I live in the New Forest where there are many splendid and ancient trees and,
~-~- outstanding among these, is the great "Knightswood Oak"; reputedly planted in the mid- ~
17th Century, it is now a living embodiment of great strength and durability. Its trunk is
.~-, ~·.
deeply rooted in the history of our nation and yet it has continually thrown ofT strong new
-~ branches rich in sap and vitality, thus enhancing the health of the whole . To me, our ~
-~- Regiment has much in common with this great tree; like an age-old oak, The Regiment is ~-._
a noble edifice under which comradeship and friendship can flourish.
To all of you in our Regimental family-whether Regular, TA, Cadet or an old ~~
soldier of The Queens or one of its founder Regiments-A Happy Christmas and a very ~-- ~._
~ good New Year. ~
:~. Rowley Mans I
I~~ Major General
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
6
Editor: c 0 nt e nt s
Major G. U. Weymouth.
llf.B .E. (Ret'd. )
Regimental Headquarters,
Howe Barracks,
Canterbury, Kent.
Cap Badge Page
CoUar Badge
The Colonel of The Regiment's Christmas Message 5
Button
Editorial 7
Forecast of Events 8
The Ist Battalion 11
The 2nd Battalion 15
The 3rd Battalion 23
Senior NCOs Location List 29
Odds and Ends ... ... ... 32
Marriages, Deaths and Obituary 34
The 5th (Volunteer Battalion) 36
The 6th/7th (Volunteer) Battalion 43
Regimental Secretary's Notes 51
Earl Mountbatten ofBurma-An Appreciation 52
The Regimental Golfing Society 53
RCOs Report 54
The Regimental Association 56
The Regimental Museum 58
Depot The Queen's Division 59
The I]LB 61
The Queen's Cadets 61
The Ulster Defence Regiment 62
Alliances and Affiliations 63 /65
The County Associations 67/73
Field Marshall Sir Gerald Templer-Two Appreciations 75
"Six months with a Pack" 77
The Regimental Shop 79
Grand Reunion 1980 Back Cover
Printers : COVER PICTURE
Kent County Printers Members of the 6th/7th (Volunteer) Battalions on
Canu-rbury, Htrne Bay and Convent Guard duty in Gibraltar
Dui . Kent
7
EDITORIAL
Christmas is a time to take stock; it is also a time to look forward, with hope to the
year ahead.
As a Nation we face seemingly unending and insoluable problems-the continual
battle for supremacy between management and worker (during which everyone suffers);
the problem in Northern Ireland; an acceptable solution in Rhodesia, and growing-pains
in the Common Market-to name a few. However, we are not alone in this; many other
communities face similar tribulations but without the wealth of experience which a long
history of diplomacy, statesmanship, reasonable stability and ingenuity should have given
us.
Even today, one has only to read between the dramatic headlines of the media to
discover such 'incidental' news as the Nobel Prize-winning doctor who invented a body
scanner which revolutionises prognosis for cancer sufferers; and the other day we heard
that a new foundry-the largest in the world-would soon be producing cheap steel. No,
although there is ample evidence of an "English malaise", and this will surely remain so
long as a rigidly doctrinaire posture of "them" and "us" persists-there is a lot of roar
still left in the Old Lion, if only we could regain our pride in him and the symbol of
supremacy which he represents.
We congratulate the 1st Bn. on winning the BAOR Boxing Championships for the
third year in succession when they beat 10 RCT by six bouts to five on 22 Nov. They now
meet 2LI at Aldershot on 12 Dec. for the Army Final-see page 14 for the "Stop Press"
results.
A warm welcome to the 2nd Bn. now at Colchester until they go to N . Ireland in
April. The 3rd Bn. returned from South Armagh in July having won great acclaim for a
job well done and on 1 Aug. they mounted a Guard of Honour at Dover for Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother when she was installed as Lord Warden of the
Cinque Ports. And our two TAVR Battalions have been as busy as ever, as will be seen in
their notes.
Some highlights in the new year are:
Massed Bands and Drums. At Twickenham, on 16 Feb., for the England v. Wales
rugby match; at Wembley 15 Mar., for the Football League Cup Final; and at Wembley
again, on 7 June, for the Schoolboys Soccer International-England v. Scotland (the last
two Band engagements have yet to be confirmed).
HMS Excellent's 150th Anniversary. Celebrations are to take place between 9 and 15
June at Whale Island, in which The Regiment is to participate.
Aldershot Army Display (23-29 June). The regiment will be represented by its
massed Bands and Drums; it will also provide an arena display.
Grand Reunion. To be held at Canterbury on Sunday 3 August, when it is hoped that
Old Comrades and their families will turn up in strength for an enjoyable day at the
Home of The Regiment. (See inside back cover).
Finally, my sincere thanks to all those who support the Journal, whether as
subscribers, contributors, printers or advertisers. To all, including my loyal and hard-
working clerical staff, may I take this opportunity of wishing you a very happy Christmas .
In the New Year, let us hope that, through more enlightened and determined leadership
coupled with collective effort, our Nation will begin to re-establish a commanding
position in the face of intense competition and the likelihood of continuing world
recesswn.
8
Forecast of Events
February 29 (to 2
Aug.) R . Sussex Assn. Main G oodwood Race
10 Sobraon Day-1st Bn.
16 Ru~by Match, England v. Wales at Meeting.
Tw1ckenham (Massed Bands and Drums of August
The Regt.) 2-8 Canterbury C ricket Week.
29 Managing Trustees Meeting, London . 5 Qu ee n's O wn Buffs O ffi cers' Luncheo n,
March Maidstone (provisional).
29 Regtl. G.S . Annual Golf Meeting, AGC
7 R. Sussex Assn . Commillee M eeting, London.
R. Sussex Officers ' Club Cocktail Party, Aldershot (P rovisional).
L o nd o n .
September
22 R . Sussex OCA Executive M eeting, C hichester. 5 Officers' Club Dinner, Claridges.
29/30 ACF Cumberland Sword Competition. 8 Sevastopol Day-2nd Bn.
9 Salerno Day-1st Bn.
April 2 QUEENS "Op. Banner" (to 3 Aug.). Quebec Day-3rd Bn.
3
1 QUEENS move to Howe Barracks, October
mid . Canterbury. 1 QUEENS to Belize (to Mar. '8 1).
Ap ril HM Queen Margrethe's birthday.
Conference, Regimental Recruiters, 3 R . Su ssex O fficers' Club Dinner, Arundel
16 Canterbury. C astl e.
16 R . Sussex Assn . St. G eorges D ay Service and Queen 's Surreys O ffi cers' C lub D inner,
Reception, C hichester. London.
23 Queen 's Own Buffs Assn . AGM and Inter·
Branch D arts Competition . 4/5 ACF Officers Weekend, Shorncliffe.
26 R . Sussex OCA AG M & Reunion Dinner, 7 M iddlesex Regt. G.S.-Autumn M eeti ng.
Lewes. 16-1 7 Queen's Surreys G.S. Autumn M eeting and
26 HM Queen Juliana's birthday .
AGM , Richmond .
30 17 Managing Trustees Meeting, London.
17 Officers' Club Cocktail Pa r t y ,
May Q ueen 's Surrey's G.S. Spri ng M ee ting,
2 Richmond . Haberdashers' Hall, London.
6 M iddlesex Regt. G .S.-Spring Meeting. November
8 Queen's Surreys Assn . Annual C hurch Service, 7 Queen 's Surreys Assn . Annual Reu nion, U nion
10-1 6 G uildford Cathedral (1 1.1 5 hrs.).
Army Golfmg Society Spring Meeting, Jack Club, London.
11 Scotland . 8 The Lord Mayor's Show.
16 R. Sussex Assn . Au bers Ridge Parade, Middlesex Assn . Cere mony at Field of
16 Eastbourne. Remembra nce-Mx G u ildhall and West minster
17 ALBUHERA DAY. Abbey.
9 Queen 's Surreys Assn. Remembrance D ay
29 M iddlesex O ffice rs' C lub Dinner-Cavalry & Parade, G uildfo rd and Ki ngsto n.
G uards Club . 9 Middlesex Assn . Remembrance D ay Service,
30 Mill Hill, followed by Reunion at T A Centre,
Mi ddl esex Ass n .- Al b uh er a Se r v ice of E d gwa re.
Remembrance, St. Pauls Cat hedral. mid
Queen's Own Royal West K ent Regt. Officers' Nov . 2 QUEENS KAPE Tour (to mid . D ec.).
Reception & Cocktail Party, Arm y & Navy
C lub. Acknowledgements
Regtl. G.S. match v. Surrey ABF, The Ediror acknowledges, wirh grariwde, rhe following
Aldershot (provisional). publicarions: -
L egion (Canada) M ay to ~ov: '79;
June Glorious First of june-lst. Bn. R . B. L. ] .-Jun. to Nov. 79,
1 R . Sussex Assn. Cricket Match v. L avi nia, " The Roussillon Plume ", Vol. 2;
D uchess of Norfo lk's X I, Arundel Castle . G lobe & Laurel;
9- 15 HMS Excellent-150th Anniversary T he Fusilier, Jun. '79;
Celebrations (incl. traditional "G lorious SSAFA News, Summer and Autumn '79;
23-29 F irst" C ricket Match). Journal of T he Devonshire & Dorset Regt.;
Aldershot Army D1splay. " Blessmag", July & Oct. ' 79;
27 The Cadet Journal and Gazelle, Aug. '79;
Queen 's Surreys G.S. M atch v. Roya l Marines, T he Die- H ards Newsleller, Jun . '79;
Effin gham . T he Army Rugby U nion Newslel!e r No. 8 ('78/'79
July season);
2 Army Benevolent Fund Concert, G uildford . T he Queen 's D ivision Newsleller, Oct. '79.
6 Queen's Own Bu ffs Ass n .-Service of T he Queen 's Su rreys Assn . Newsleller, Nov. '79.
T he Si lver Bugle, Aut umn '79.
Remembrance and Reunion-Maidstone.
16 Recruiting Seminar, Canterbury.
Mainly About People 9
Lt. Gen. Sir Timothy Creasey, KCB, OBE, Lt . Col. J. M . Hewson MC, was appointed
Colonel Commandant The Queen's Division and GCO
N. Ireland is to be C in C UKLF in Jan. '80 in the rank AAG/CRLS, HQ West Midland Dist. on 28 Aug .
of General. Lt.-Col. J. C. Holman, CO l st Bn., ts to be
We understand that Brig. M. F . Reynolds (DAG GSO l. Battlegroup Training Centre, BAO R, in Mar.
at HQ BAOR) is to be promoted Maj.-Gen. in June '80 '80.
and designated to Command Ace Mobtle Force (AMF)
whose HQ is at Heidelburg. Maj. P. V. Cheesem an, 2IC Div. Depot, is to be
GSO 1 (DS & LO) at the German Staff College,
Command J. C. Dickins is to co mmand 1 QUEENS Hamburg, in Mar. '8 1.
Maj. D.
2/Lt. S. T . D . Dugga n , (2nd Bn .) passed out
on 7 Mar. '80. second in the Order of Merit at RMAS (RCC 19) and
was. awarded The Director of Studies Prize.
Maj. R. C. B. Dixon TD, 2IC 5 QUEENS is to
Brig. Maurice Atherton , Commander
command that Battalion in Oct. '80. Dover/Shorncliffe Ga rrison was granted the local rank of
Brig. on 4 Jun. '7 9.
Maj. P . F. Packham MBE , is to command 2
QUEENS in March '8 1. In June '80 he is to attend a Lt. Col. T . R. M . Pulverman RE, son of Col.
course at the JSSC, Canberra with the acting rank of ' Bosun' and Mrs. Violet Pulverman , was promoted
Col. on 28 Aug . '79 on appointment to Col. Q, RE .
Lt. -Col.
We congratulate Col. Raymond Grace, OBE,
Promotions J. W. Francis has been selected for TD, DL on a very successful tour as President of The
Lt. Col. Kent County Cricket Club.
promotion to substantive Colonel in 1980. Shooting
A team from 6/7 QUEENS won the S.E. Dist.
Majs. P . V. Cheeseman, R . H . Graham, M . D.
Legg, P . F. Packham MBE, P. V. Panton, A. C. TAVR inter-unit Championship at Ash ranges on 20
May '79 .
Ward and M . J. Williams have been selected for
Course Reports
promotion to Lt . Col. in 1980. Cpl. M. Weavers (2nd Bn ) obtamed an 'A'
Note: Lt. Cols. Ward and Williams have already grading on Inf. Asslt. Pioneer Class 1 course, Mar . '79.
been promoted; the former, in Sept. to command 10
UD R and the latter, in Oct., was appointed GSOl (W) Cpl. R. N. Malam (l st Bn.) received a
" Distinction" on Inf. NCOs SAA Instructors course,
ADP Co-ord (A). Jan. '79.
Lt. Col. (QM) P. J. Collman MBE, was Capt. T . N. McDermott who retired on 3 1 Aug .
'79 began a 2-year course at Bristol Polytechnic in Sept.
promoted to Lt . Col. on 1 Apr . '79 and is with the IJLB . '79. (He intends to join 5 QUEENS when he moves to
Tunbridge Wells in Jun . '81.
Maj. (local Lt. Col.)J. D . W. Reid is S02 MDS
at the RMCS. University Degrees, 1979
Lt. S. J. Parker, Oxford , reading PPE- BA 3rd Cl.
Lt. M . Donnelly QGM, formerly a Regimental
Sergeant Major, was commissioned in July and is now Hon s.
with the 2nd Bn. Lt. (Actg. Capt.) J . P. Riley, London , reading
WOl R. V. Hare (RSM Div. Depot) and W02 C. Geography- HA 2/2 Hons.
T . Bromfield (RQMS l st -Bn.) are to be commissioned Lt. N . M. Packham, UC of Wales, reading Forest ry
early next year.
and Applied Zoo logy- BSc. 2/2 Hons.
Majs. C . M. joint and R . T . W. Mellotte ("our
man in Denmark") were granted an Audience with HM VISITORS TO BHQ
Queen Margrethe on 10 July '79 when the former took
his company (1st Bn.) to Denmark on training . Among those who signed our Visirors Book since the
last number of The J ournal were (in order of visitini!):-
Lt. Col. M. R . M. Newall assumed Command of
Troops Belize in Dec. '79. Maj. J. W. Smith, Maj . Peter Hubert, Maj. Hugh
Tennent, Lt. Col. George Hodgkinson (Bursar
Lt. Col. T. L. Trotman is to be AAG, HQ DYRMS), Maj. Richard Graham, Lt. Col. Peter Barros,
2/Lt. Guy Wood, Lt. Col. Paul Courtenay, Ma j.
Queen's Div. (vice Lt. Col. J. S. B. Pollard MBE) in Richard Putnam, Maj. Peter Swanson, 2/Lt. John
Collingridge, 2/Lt. Jeremy Maltman, Maj . Derek
Mar. '80, aft er recovering from a recent illness. Norris, Lt. Lance Mans, Lt. Howard Beeston, Maj.
Stephen Dowse, Capt. Alan Chissel, Lt. Alex Cooper,
Lt.·Col. J. S . B. Pollard, MBE has been Lt. Kenneth Hames, Maj . John Norton, Maj . Charles
Wilmott, Brig . Charles Millman, Brig. Maurice
seriously ill since Sept. and is in the RAF Hospital, Atherton, Lt. Clive Newel!, Capt. Roy Scott, Kennet h
Halton . All his many fri ends wish him a speedy Read, Maj. Gen. Dennis Talbot , Col. T ony Elcomb,
recove ry. Maj. Peter Bellers, Lt. James Aycliffe (Univ. of NS\X'
Regt.), Maj. !an Jones and Lt. Justin Hiscock (both
Maj. P. A. Gwilliam is the Queen's Div. and IJLB) and Lt.-Col. Peter Whitamore (Comdt. FH\X'S
Regimental representative at the Junior Soldiers Bn. SE Kent) .
l.t. Col. M. E. C. Rixon is to be GSO 1 Sy 3 (A)
MOD on 19 Jan. '80.
Maj. M. R . (Michael) Butler (formerly Queen's
and now Q.O. Hussars), is an instructor at the Tacucal
School, RAC Centre, Bovington.
WERL
1979
11
The 1st Battalion
Editorial with the LS and GC, and Pte. Golding and Pte Lewis
with their Combined Services Boxing Colours.
poR anyone trying to follo w the activities of the
Elsewhere in these notes is a ribald view of ou r
Battalion this last six months, it must have Battle G roup's visit to Canada; other events include ou r
seemed like a member of the Flying Squad trailing fi rst entry at Bisley for some years and, despite the
a gang of crooks (not that our motives were novelty, the team was placed 51st. W02 R)la n was 2nd
anything but entirely impeccable!) We have had a in the Sniper Competition, with W02 Htlls 3rd; and
very hectic summer; the autumn and winter, Pte. Toulouse was 75th in the SMG out of 720 entr ies.
which we thought would be a time for drawing
breath, looks equally daunting. T he travel agency in Bn. HQ seems to have had a
busy season: in add ition to the 400 who went to Canada,
The Glorious First ofJune it organised tours for a platoon to Caen; a platoon (under
Following our return from Se nnelager, the Lt. M ark Cowan-Aston) to the French Command o
School in T riers, and the Corps of Drums to Orange, in
demonstration to the Staff College and the Divisional France. A luxury tour in Denmark was arranged for C
Skill at Arms M eeting (which we won), we put away our Coy. Lt. Lance Mans was gi ven twelve air tickets for a
combat kit disguise and donned No . 2 Dress and/or small unit expedition to Norway where they found Lt.
cricket gear to prepare for " The G lorious First ofJune;" Ken H ames nearing the end of his third (or was it his
this was preceded by a parade in Werl at which we were fourth) month . T he Rugby team fou nd compelling
granted the Freedom of the town. The G lorious First reasons to return fo r a short tour of the H ome Counties
week-end was full of superlatives : in perfect weather, we and the Band , as usual, found good reasons to be
Trooped our Colour, carried by Lt. H oward Beeston, everyw here except on our own parade sq uare (except for
and the salute was taken by the British Ambassador to The G lorious First, when they put in a brief
Boon, HE Sir Oliver Wright, GCVO, KCMG, DSC. A ap pea rance).
most welcome party from HMS Excel/em were also there
to play in the annual cricket match and join in the As these notes go to press we will be setting out on
festivities . On the evening of the parade, the Officers' our. last FTX leaving behind our Boxi ng team to carry
Mess held a very successful d inner-dance in the nearby on their train ing, ready for yet another round in our
C lub Bayart . On the next day (2nd) we opened our seemingly annual confrontation with 10 Regt . RCT .
Barracks to the public, allow ing the Germans to Despite expectations, the team wi ll be without any of the
participate in the usual non-profit-making stalls or to talented boxers from the other Battalions we had hoped
watch the cricket. The latter was a text-book example of would join our squad for the season .
a result with the winning run being scored by the last
ball of the last over and nine wickets down[ In such SUFFIELD, 1979
circumstances we did not begrudge HMS Excel/em their
well-earned victory. By a most unlikely " Birdman"-Capt. J. P. Riley
That evening .the Sergeants' M ess hosted the Better know n as the theat re of the Mechanised
offi cers and their ladies at their Summer Ball-a n Exe rcise " M edicine M an" , Suffi eld was chosen as this
evening to re member. After a Curry Lunch on the year's venue fo r the Kirke's Bird-Watching competition ;
Sunday we fin ally put the Nava l party on the coach fo r four major teams represented the Battalion wit hin 1
their journey home; though they we re our guests, the QUEENS Battle Group, plus a number of frin ge (a nd
Royal Navy had done much to make the weekend a special interest) groups .
memorable one for us all. As a fi nale, the Colonel of the
Regiment presented twelve Warrant Officers and NCOs B Coy 's team , led by Maj. Paddy Panton , Capt. Bill
M arshall and CSM Tay lor scored maximum points ove r
TROOPING THE COLOUR PARADE, JUN. '79 all other Battle groups this season and we re especiall y
1. A Coy. under scrutiny commended for their wo rk on burrowing species-such
2. The Ambassador talks to Sgt. Taylor as the Disrupted Pattern Ski rmisher.
(Bandmaster Hills, centre) Lt. Nick Keyes and 6 PI. we re notably zea lous tn the
3. Lt. Beeston receiving the Colour from the pursuit of nocturnal flappers, spending the whole of one
night rambling around the bog-fog defensive hide.
RSM
4. Sgt. Greengrass receives his LS and GC A special ment ion must be made of B Coy's Assault
Pioneer Sectio n: the Royal Engineers found , to thei r
medal fom The Colonel of The Regiment su rprise, that they had keen competition from them .
FREEDOM OF WERL T he Echelon T eam featured old campaigners Capt.
5. The Commanding Officer accepts the Werl (QM ) T ed Parker, Maj . Jimmy j onklaas, CSM H ill and
RQMS (" Roge r so fa r" ) Bromfield , whose mobtle
Standard campsites-distinctively cove red with netting in order to
discourage ag rarious species- were a we lcome sight for
THE BN. SAAM
6. W02 Ryan is presented with the trophy by the
Commanding Officer
12 The independent "Zero Charlie Syndicate" was
concerned not so much with bird-watching as with
hungry or fu el-less bird-watchers. Is RSM Jamieson an organising shoots. Ty pical bags for the day included a
anti-bloodsports man ? Certainly he was reported as brace of Prontos (non-answe ring variety) and one
placing himself between guns, beaters and prey during wa rbling Kiwi; Seagulls and German birds also featured
one of the Colonel's " partridge drives" . prominentl y.
Bn. HQ contained some of the most dedicated Background study during the expedition was
enthusiasts; they manned nets in order to catch species undertaken by Maj . Steve Dowse's team working on the
often too shy or migratorr to show themselves and the nesting habits of the Eaga n whilst Capt. Piers Storie-
cry " Sunray Minor-Bird ' was, for example, seldom Pugh will be well-remembered for his outstanding
heard aft er dark . The Kestrel (or German House project on mass-migration .
M artin) is a frequent visitor to the area.
At the close of the competition, Adjudicator Barren
An unsuccessful attempt was made by the team to placed B Coy . first, with a tie for second place. The
introduce a foreign species, kindly loaned by the competition will therefore be restaged when the Unit
Canterbury Aviary; this very T erritorial bird (known Enplanning Officer has caught his flight home.
locally as "Chisse ls Monk " ) did not adapt well to local
co ndition s.
" -
A party from B Coy. near the top of the Rockies
EX. "ODIN BUFF" The aim of the visit was to find out what life was like
in a part-conscript army, as well as carrying out some
By Maj. C. M. Joint company training. The first and most striking thing
about Aalborg and the Danes was how friendly everyone
Late on 9 July, 136 men and 25 armoured vehicles ,was; nearly all spoke English, so there was little trouble
boarded a train at Werl for a slow journey to Aalborg in in training, or socialising in town .
Jutland on the start of Ex. " Odin Bull": Sobraon Coy.
was off on an exchange visit to 2nd Company 1st Our activities with IDLR ranged far and wide,
Dronningens Livregiment (Queens Life Regiment) of interspersed at every opportunity with schnapps and
the Royal Danish Army. beer! The first week was basically spent " getting to
know you and your equipment ". On the Tuesday, aft er
introductory lectures on both sides, our two regiments 13
competed in such activities as volley-ball, relay races and
hand-grenade throwing. 106 men on each side took part the gamesmanship from the opposition-suitably attired
and, though the Danes won the day, friendships were caddies to put them on edge. The match ended in a
already made. Whilst the fever of sport was on, I had the victory to the Sgts ' Mess by 13 holes.
honour of an Audience with HM Queen Margrethe,
when I was able to convey greetings and good wishes to The Battalion T eam entered into the competition
Her Majesty on behalf of all ranks of Her Regiment. field this year with some very good resu lts: on 8
June, we won the 3 Div. Major Unns Golf Shield from a
On Thursday morning (a beautifully hot day), the field of six. This put us on the "golfing map" and
Companies went to some lield firing ranges on the subsequently secured placings for three team members
marvellous beaches at Trawom and the afternoon was in representing the Infantry during the BA OR Inter-
spent swimming, stalwart 'video' at sea, helicopter Corps Match, held in Sennelagcr on 18/ 19 July. Pte.
familiarization and anti-aircraft shoot out to sea. The day Bruce Manners, Cpl. Bob Donnelly and this scribe
ended with a company "smoker" and by the end of the represented the Battalion (In fant ry Team) and we nt
evening, uniforms had been exchanged and the company through to the finals to finish runners-up to REME-an
excellent result considering the Infantry Team were
fund was richer by a £I ,000 turn-over in the bar! The considered to be the outsiders.
sight next morning was unbelievable-people asleep The Battalion entered the BAOR In ter Units
where they fell and a mountain of empty beer cans! Trophy in June and worked their way through to the
finals, held once again at Sennelager on 2/3 Aug. The
Over the weekend our members dispersed to such team qualified (on the first day's play) and went through
places as Copenhagen, Skagen or the local beaches and to the se mi-finals, losing to 12 AD Regt. in a very tight
pools to admire the truly marvellous talent. The most match . The play-off for 3rd/4th place was also very close
fortunate were the three Sergeants who, courtesy of the and we lost by I hole to 2 Fd Regt. I QUEENS ended
Gazelle helicopter which accompanied us, were dropped up in 4th place overall (out of a field of 28), which was a
on the small island of Lassoe- the first British troops very good effort considering we we re the only Infantry
ever to visit the Island . Here they were treated like team m the finals and that it was our fir st entry into the
royalty and were only sorry that the wind, on Sunday, competitive field . The team: Pte. Bruce Manners, S/Sgt.
was not blowing another 5 knots harder to prevent their Eric Moralee, Cpl. Bob Donnelly, Lt. Rob Walker,
W02 Alan Knight and myself.
pi ck-up.
To end on an individual note, Pte. Bruce M an ners
On Sunday evening, all were back in the fold (just!) of B Coy. has represented BAOR and the Inter-Services
and after frantic preparations we were away by 0730 hrs. T eam twice this year and has become a very useful
on Monday for the 80 mile_run to Findrup training area, member of both teams. Needless to say, he also wins
to start a 3-day exerCise wtth the Danes. It was blazing many competitions sponsored by the Werl C lu b.
hot throughout but even so, in three days, nearly every
operation of war was covered except the river crossing Overall , golf in the Battalion has been both
(only because we couldn 't find a suitab le river') competitive and a lot of fun and we look forward to
" playing the field" when we arrive in Canterbury.
Early to bed on the Wednesday,we were ready for a
final free day to shop for souvenirs or say farewell to our THE BAND AND CORPS OF DRUMS
newly-acquired friends; then it was back on board the
slow train for the 24 hour journey to Werl. by Band Sergeant Major W02 Willis
and Drum Major W02 C. R. Smith
Memories?-Far too much schnapps and beer; too
many beautiful women; awful food , and a tremendous First and foremost it is with deep regret that we
friendship forged with the Royal Danish Army. report the tragic death of Bdsm . Gordon Bryden, who
was killed in a traffic accident whilst on leave in
GOLF England . His parents have kindly donated Gordon 's
tenor saxophone to the Band which has now been
by W02 C. T. Bromfield engraved as a memorial to him .
1979 has been a good year for our golfers when it We welcome S/Sgt. T emple, our new solo clarinet;
has become clear that our built-in Golf Course has Cpl. Winkworth , solo cornet, and Bdsm. Perryman and
sparked off a keen interest within the Battalion. To date Auffet from boys service, Bassingbourn. Cpls. Cleeve
there have been three meetings and the keen interest and Pilgrim , both of whom have se rved us well, have
displayed has increased membership of the golf Club. A left.
mmtmum of 28 members played in each meeting and
many pnzes were won. On the lighter side (during the LP Record
Summer Meeting) we asked our Padre (Padre Peter
Mosley) to pray for good weather-and it worked. Our latest release entitled "Tribute to Werl" is now
Unfortunately, this had an adverse effect on his own available; sales are Presro and Furioso so bulk orders
play;_ to say he had a " hole in one" was true enough but should be placed without delay. We think we sound very
he dtd not expect hts first shot to land in a rabbit hole! good but if you don 't believe it, buy a copy and listen for
He went down on his knees but we assume this was to yourse lf.
offer a few carrots so he could play his second shot.
By the time this is in print, we will have participated
On 19 June, the Officers'/Sgts'. Messes played for in the 1979 Berlin T attoo during which the Bandmaster
the " Braganza Driver" and this was a tremendous intends to visit museums and " places of culture" to be
occasion. Teams were selected and met at the club house found in Charlottenberg!
where the Officers' team became a little unsettled due to
" Woc h ~ n ende der Jade"-Those words heralded a
14 In Civilian Life
lot of hard work; the " Jade" is a vast waterway system in Enjoy
Wilhelmshavcn on the NW coast of Germany and the Service and
"Wochen Ende" was in fact a British Week sponsored
by the city ofWilhelmshaven. We arrived at the German ~omrad es hip
Naval Establishmem at about 1730 hrs. and after a few
phone calls, our hostess from the local tourist office m
arrived and conducted us to our accommodation. Ingrid
Monnich (our hostess) stayed with us throughout the THE ROYAL
week to ensure that we all arrived at the right place at the BRITISH LEGION
right time. Her English, although quite good, produced
one "classic": " Will you all be sleeping together this Your service to Queen and Country
afternoon?''! needn't stop when you leave the Forces.
The Royal British Legion has much interest
Our first engagement was a massed bands display in and responsibility for young ex-servicemen
under the direction of Friggatenkapiccan Golbeck of the and women of today as it has for those of
German Navy Band. On parade was a total of six British two world wars and looks to them for its
Military Bands, the German Nordsee Band and a leaders of the future.
Scottish Pipe Band from Dunfermline. Then followed
three days of relative ease-just two concerts each day at THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
different locations in and around Wilhelmshaven . The 49 PALL MALL SW l Y SJY
Corps of Drums added spectacle to the concerts by their
faultless performance of " Fantasia on Drums ".
There was also a very good social side to the visit:
after the first nights performance, the Director of Music
invited selected people to his home for a reception and
on the next afternoon, there was an official rece ption in
the Scadchalle at which the Burgermeister welcomed all
participants. We were also treated to a display of country
dancing by a very nice group from Chichester and our
hostess invited all the senior ranks to a party in her home
which wem on until the early hours .
All too soon the week came to an end and it was time
to play our last concert; all in all it was a most successful
week which will be long-remembered by all who took
part .
STOP PRESS!!
"Thrice in a Row" Army Champions!!!
1 QUEEN'S BOXERS DO IT AGAIN WITH
A CONVINCING WIN AGAINST 2 LI
AT ALDERSHOT ON 12 DECEMBER
BY 9 BOUTS TO 2.
15
The 2nd Battalion
Editorial Cocktail Party and, later in the evening, by an excellent
Barbeque/Dance in the Caves behind the Officers' Mess.
T HE last few months of the Battalion's tour in
Gibraltar were, to say the least, eventful; to It was with great honou r that we received a visit, on
record everything here in detail would be much 20 June from HRH Princess Alexandra and The Hon.
more than time and space would allow, especially Mr. Angus Ogi lvy. The Royal couple met a cross secuon
when the compiling of these notes is already of the Battalion in the Officers' Mess over coffee and
impinging on the writers disembarkation leave! then walked to the Gymnasium down Windmill Road
which was lined with schoolchildren from the local
Exercises " Rock Sand" (the movement of our service schools, their teachers and mothers . Needless to
companies to Salisbury Plain for training) and " Marble say we were all captivated by the vivacious and charming
Tor" (the replacement of Rock Sand companies in Princess who showed great interest in the Regiment; she
Gibraltar by TAVR companies) ended in June. We were was also very interested to see our two portraits of her
very pleased to see two companies of 6/7 QUEENS mother. When speaking of her, Princess Alexandra sa id
during this period and proud to see how well they " M y mother loved the Regiment-it was the only one
acquitted themselves during their stay: it is also worthy she had you know". The Battalio n has marked the visit
of note that they were the only T AYR unit to be allowed by presenting HRH Princess Alexandra with a framed
by HE the Governor to carry out the ceremonial Guard colour photograph of our portrait of her mother.
Mount at the Convent; indeed, we believe that no other
TAVR unit has had this honour . (see piccure on page 16)
Just before Albuhera Day, we had another visit from On 29 June, both the Sgts' and Cpls' M esses held
HMS K ent. Once again, a full programme of sport and extremely successful Summer Balls. In July, the
entertainment involving all levels of the Ship and the Officers' M ess, hosted a large farewell Cocktail Party
Battalion was entered into, further cementing the very which was followed by a charity Concert by the Band
excellent, genuine, and close affiliation between us. and Drums together with the Gibraltar C horal Society
Plans for further contact between the Ship and the and the Gibraltar Sea Scout Bands in St. Michaels
Battalion are well in hand and we were particularly Caves; the latter, a tremendous success, raised over
pleased to hear that the threat of the axe, previously £2000 for the Gibraltar Red C ross and the League of
looming over the ship, has been lifted. Unfortunately, Friends.
HMS K ent was unable to be with us on Albuhera Day;
despite every effort, they were unable to delay their Despite our ve ry full social and ceremonial
sailing date. Amongst other greetings on our Regimental calendar, training (albeit within the limitations of
Day, we received the following welcome signal from Gibraltar) has continued apace: three 24 hr. Class I
HMS K em: Upgrading Boards; the lnvicta Drill and First Aid
competitions; a Battalion Skill at Arms meeting; a series
"Best Wishes for the !68th Anniversary of of Driving and Line Laying cadres, and a Signals
Albuhera. Your Peninsula campaign against us has been standard 2 cadre were all held during the period .
waged with equal success and only our tactical
withdrawal saved us from annihilation by entertainment. Each of A, B, C and D Coys. provided a strong
We look forward to a renewed campaign on the section for an interesting and demanding weeks' training
mainland." with I Ro yal Marine Raiding Squadron and a number of
submarines. Amongst the many who returned to U K for
Albuhera Day itself was heralded by the almost courses were 20 officers and men who atte nded a very
traditional series of impromptu concerts by the Band worthwhile Survival Course, specially organised by the
and Drums, aided and abetted by various other members Royal Navy Survival Equipment School in Devon. Our
of the Battalion, some enthusiastic and some in good ARU Inspection took place on the 19 July with few
spirit, if a trifle unwilling. This was followed later in the surprises.
morning by the Battalions own version of " It's a
Knockout ", which was much enjoyed by participants Adventure Training continued to receive emphasis
and spectators alike. The traditional "Silent Toast " when the Battalion-run Army Watermanship Centre
ceremony was held in the WOs' and Sgts' Mess in the organised a series of Dingy Sailing, Canoe and Water
evening, followed by Dinner Nights in the respective Skiing courses throughout the summer; parties visited
Morocco, Portugal and Spain; off-shore sailing crews
Messes . were provided for various yachts, including one to
Greece and one to England; and some visited such exotic
T his year, the Queens Birthday Parade was a joint places as Ville le France, Lagos and Rio de Janeiro, by
affair with the Gibraltar Regt., the Battalion providing courtesy of the Royal Navy.
two guards based on A and B Coys. and the Band and
Drums, (C Coy. being on Salisbury Plain for Ex. "Rock Sport has continued to play an important part in our
Sand"). Like all our public ceremonial occasions in daily life . HQ Coy. retained the lnvicta Swimming
Gibraltar, the event was very well attended by an Shield and C clinched the Invicta Banner by winning a
appreciative and very large crowd of locals and tourists . close and hotly disputed Athletics meeting .
The Parade was followed by a Cocktail Party in the Sgts'
Mess, a joint 2 QUEENS/Gibraltar Regt . Officers ' Mess
16 SAILING TRIP TO ATHENS
After the frenzied last few months in Gibraltar, it by
was almost with a sigh of relief that the Advance Party Pte. B. Wilson
moved to Colchester in August to take over Hyderabad
Barracks from I STAFFORDS. The Main Body's move On 22 June, Pte . Andy Mayers and myself began a
between 2 and I0 Sept. went smoothly with surprisingly journey which would take us across Greece, Yugoslavia,
few delays. Italy, France, and eventually home to England and this
is a short account of that journey.
On 13 Sept., after a short Sevastopol Day
celebration, the Battalion departed on block leave until 8 It all began when the Bn. 2IC asked Lt. Wright if he
Oct. could supply him with two crew men to help sail a yacht
(the Ethon) from Gibraltar to Greece where it was to
Strikes permitting, we intend to have another block remain for the winter. Mr. Wright put the question to
leave over Christmas, but this is to be preceded by an the Company and immediately had 48 names to pick
extremely intensive period of training designed to shake from; Mayers and I were chosen.
the dust of Gibraltar from our feet and direct our
attention to our new role with 7 Field Force. Having had Lt. Wright arranged for a cash advance of £100 for
two years in Gibraltar with its severe training each of us and at 1600hrs. that night we got our first
limitations, it is necessary for us to concentrate on look at the Ethon. She was a Laurent Giles designed
basics, but at the same time to look to our future roles, sloop-rigged, 20 ton auxilary yacht, 44ft. long and 13ft:
for 1980 is to be an extremely busy year encompassing wide drawing 6ft. 2ins. She had capacity for ISO galls of
both a Northern Ireland tour and a major BAOR water and 130 galls of diesel; 9 berths, fitted fridge,
exercise, with only two weeks to convert from one role to calor-gas cooker, a hot water chlorifier and 50 hp
the other.
HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA'S VISIT
\
\
Accompanied by the
Commanding Officer,
HRH meets our families
engines. We were introduced to the skipper, Col. Hugh 17
Straker, and our other crew member, a young lady
named Jill, who immediately confirmed our suspicions tnto drachma but unfortunately, whilst we were at sea,
on the characteristics of the yacht. the Banks had gone on strike throughout Greece and so
the only place we could change our money was in the
Having never been at sea before, we were slightly local shops and ba rs; here we normally spent more than
worried when the skipper asked for our qualifications we exchanged and often made our way back to the yacht
but by using the old soldiers stand by- "the waffiing slightly unsteady on our feet (more fun than going to the
bluff" -we were under way 2 hours later. Bank anyway!)
We headed into the straits of Gibraltar and then into Zante would be a story in itself but there are two
the Alberon sea without incident; here we had a couple worthwhile excurs ions-one to the wide-sweeping bay of
of good days and nights getting our sea legs (they were Laganos and the other to the mysterious and poetical
kept in a locker downstairs and had to be signed out on a beach Tsillivi. We managed neither, as the "Sea-Shell
1033) and familiarizing ourselves with the yacht. Bar" was en route and for some reason we always got
Everything was going according to plan until about side tracked!
midnight on the 26th when, just before I was due to take
over the wheel from the skipper, disaster struck; the After a couple of unforgettable days we headed for
mainsail ripped about 213 of the way up . After some quick Lapanto, about 5 hours sail away and upon entering the
acrobatics had been performed and a few nautical terms tiny harbour area, which was very beauuful, very
were exchanged, we had the sails down, the engine on, picturesque, and very fu ll, we decided against mooring
and the situation under control except that we were now there and dropped anchor instead about I00 yards off
motoring into a head-wind . After battling through some the beach.
pretty rough seas for about four hours and not making
much progress, the skipper thought it best to change Going ashore, the first people we met were a couple
course, head for Majorca and try to ftnd a sailmaker but from England, M artin and Linda Hunter who, after
after motoring along for part of the following da y on our giving us the names of some good contacts in Piraeus
new course, the skipper decided to have a go at mending (reference getting ourselves back to England) also gave
the sail himself; this, with great difficulty, he did and by us vast amounts of German beer. A few more days
nightfall we were back on course for Greece. baking in the sun at Lapanto and then it was time to
move on to a tiny little place named Galixidi; after
This took us almost parallel to the Algerian coast mooring the yacht, we hired a taxi to take us up the
and into a very busy shipping lane, as we were to find mountains to Dephi where we wandered around the
out a couple of nights later when, after what was ruins of the Greek civilization which was absolutely
probably our worst storm whilst at sea, Andy and I took breathtaking and a " must" for anyone visiting Greece.
over the wheel from the skipper at about OIOOhrs. We
were treated to one of the most spectacular electrical Our next port of call was a tiny little hamlet called
storms on the horizon and we were so occupied with it Korfus, hidden away in the curves of the coastline where
that we paid little attention to anything else. Imagine our we spent an uneventful night catching up on much-
surprise when a spotlight flooded the night sky lighting needed sleep.
up our yacht like a christmas tree! As we both whirled
around to starboard to see what was happening, bearing The next day we set off for Methena, our last port of
down on us was a huge oil tanker, a few hundred yards call before we split crew and Andy and I began to make
away! Fortunately the skipper appeared on the deck in a our own way back to England .
matter of seconds and steered us to safety.
We arrived here at about 1600hrs. and to our
We then sailed on, our course taking us between a surprise found that it has an extremely modern yachting
small island (Isle-de-Galite) and the coast of Tunisia manna, whtch we took full advantage of, i.e ., washing
(Sardinia being about 18 hours to our North) and then the yacht down, taking showers etc.
through the Skorki channel into the Scicilian channel.
The weather now was absolutely perfect with warm The four of us spent the last night in a little taverna
sunshine and very clear seas and, for days on end, we by the harbour reminising on some of the funnier
were kept company by a school of dolphms. aspects of the voyage, thinking of all the people we had
met and the indescribable things we had drunk .
Our course now brought us into the adventure bank Morning came round all to soon and we said a regretfull
and heading along the coast of Scicily with Malta one goodbye to Echon and her remaining crew.
days sail away and slightly S.W. of us. We kept to the
coastline until the skipper noticed two small tears in the Andy and I took the ferry for the huge and busy port
mainsail; fearing another big problem, he decided to sew of Piraeus and from there a taxi to Athens, where the
them up before they enlarged. So we downed sails and second leg of our journey home began.
entered the Malta channel under power. Having mde
good the repairs we up-sails and continued round the To continue on in detail would take me too long to
point of Scicily (Cape Passero) to enter the last stretch of complete and is another story in itself; however we
our voyage across the Ionian sea; this we crosssed with eventually made our way safely home to England across
no problem and arrived at Zante, our port of entry into Greece, Yugoslavia, Italy and France and rejoined our
Greece, after completing 13 days at sea. Battalion in Gibraltar some eight days later.
Zante we found to be a very large Island where the TRIP ON HMS KENT
customs people were helpful although the passport
control officer took over 36 hours to stamp our by L/Cpl. Hayes
passports. We headed for the Bank to change our Stirling
There I was packed up ready to go on UK training
on 3 March when, on the previous day the Drum Major
asked me if! would like to go on HMS Kent, as a bugler:
without any hesitation I said "yes".
I joined the ship on 8 March (the day they changed
18 times. Anyway, I was able to laugh at everybody else
when it came to their turn .
Captains, or drivers as some people put it) and on the
following day the Admiral came aboard, as HMS K ent Arriving in Rio on 6 April, I went along (on the
was the Flag Ship for that deployment; on the next day IOth) to the Brazi lian M arine Academy with our own
we satled. I was a bit worried about this as I did not Mannes, an hour's drive from the ship which gave some
know what effect the sea would have on me; the furthest
I had travelled by sea was from Gibraltar to Tangier on of the blokes time to sober up . As soon as we got there
the ferry and I didn't know much about that due to we took ~ur shins off and went on a six mile run-(a ru~
alcohol in the system. Anyway, we left harbour, I got and walk for some of us!) Then they showed us how they
changed out of my ceremonial dress and made my way to do their water crossing and we showed them how tt
the quarter deck where I met the men that I would be should be done, without talking . After lunch we
working with on the trip. I also did watch on deck, demonstrated our weapons and they seemed quite
which consisted of either lookout on the bridge wing at impressed, especialy with the 84mm and the GPMG .
ni~ht, lifebouy sentry (look-out for men overboard), or
gotng mto the wheelhouse to steer the ship, which I did Rio was a great place, with its reputation for
quite a few times without accident. Now will the DIM
trust me on a driving cadre! pickpockets and generally seeing people off-Jack being
After a week at sea and nearing our first port of call seen off for every penny he had, and me following close
(Lagos), and still no sea sickness, there was only one behind. -
thing of interest during that week-" RAS" -which
involves revictualling from a RFA whilst going along. One incident I found hilarious; CPO Greig went
We arrived in Lagos on 20 March and anchored in with one of his mates to the famous Copacobana beach
the middle of a river. Now this causes problems, having
to get a boat from and to the ship (especially the latter), for a swim; " look after the kit while I go for a swim" he
after six bottles of the dreaded star beer. On the first day
I volunteered to play tennis for the ship against the Ikoyi said to his mate, but when he came out ofcltohtehewsategr~neh!e
Club, where they were either British of Americans. We found his mate asleep and all his
lost the match but they invited us to a cocktail party
afterwards and really put themselves out to give us a Result-CPO Gneg returns to the dockyard with a towel
good time. On the following day a party of us had a look
around the Nigerian Naval base; they took us ro their wrapped around his waisr,-an experience, I don 't think
canteen and started handing the beer out. After a few
hours and speeches from nearly every Nigerian there, he will ever live down.
they took us back to the ship-slightly worse for wear!
We left Rio on 16 April to do an exercise with the
On the last night in Lagos some of us went ashore Brazilian n~vy, returning on the 21st for the weekend,
where we met a bloke from Brighton (he is a Crystal and left agatn two days later for Recife, another port in
Palace fan so isn 't all bad!) As he was giving us a lift back Braztl, where we arnved on the 27th. This turned out to
to the ship, we had a crash. A car pulled up and our be better than Rio due to the fact that it was a lot
Jumped a Colonel ]ones (the Defence Attache in Lagos); cheaper. One night, four of us went for a quiet walk, got
I explatned what had happened and he said: "This is no lost, so did the only sensible thing-we found a bar.
problem " and promptly took charge as the police did not After a couple of beers we got a taxi to the ship where it
seem to be doing much. We were taken back to the ship all started again.
by the Shore Patrol so never did find out what the
outcome was. On 2 May, w_e were on our way back to Gibraltar,
We sailed again on 24 March and on the next dar, the crosstng taktng ten days with the roughest weather
(Sunday) we were to have the "Crossing of the Line '
ceremony (when we crossed the Equator) but this was we had experienced throughout the trip. (Well, I
ca ncelled so that we could photograph some Russian
Ships-one being their new impressive-looking aircraft thought that it was rough anyway). As much as I had
carrier Minsk.
enjoyed myself, it was good to see Gib. again, with our
On 27 March we arrived at the Ascension Islands, a
really small place where the population is 1,000 (500 Band and Drums on the jetty to greet us . After we
locals, 250 Amencan Troops and 250 British who work
for the BB C and Cable and Wireless). H ere we lost docked, I was taken down to No . 5 Mess where they
another tennis match but were shown around the
Island -a very quiet and peacefu l place. wouldn't let me leave until I was drunk· the Drum
Major was also there but he had a good excu~e to leave in
From Ascension we went on to Rio de Janerio and
on the way had the crossing of the line ceremony: a load a sober state as he was on Beating Retreat that evening.
of matalots dressed up, one as King Neptune, and I led
them onto the flight deck with a Flute march; here I I would like to thank the CO, my OC, the Adjutant
disposed of my flut e rather rapidly as I knew that I and the D/M for making it possible for me to go on a
would be one of the first to take the dip. Summoned to very worthwhile and enjoyable trip.
face King Neptune, I was charged with passing wind
and found guilty; then I sat on a chair and was covered 1. Students on the Naval Land Survival
with blancmange. They then pretended to shave me and Course
while thi s was going on, the chair was ripped back and I
found myself in a pool of water being ducked about eight 2.
and
3. Albuhera Day "Funnies"
4. Gibraltar Dog Trials, June '79; CO
commends L/Cpl. Morris who
commanded the Dog Section for two years
in Gib.
5. Ex. "Rock Sand"; Sgt. Sturgeon and Cpl.
Vann of A Coy. air their views on
someone's Gap-Crossing technique
6. More of A Coy. on Ex. "Rock Sand"
3
..
>
20 We finally set up camp in a well-used part of the
New Forest; this was to ensure that there was no
SURVIVING WITH THE NAVY possibility of catching anything in our traps and snares.
It was here that we had time to tend to our sore and
by blistered feet and to reflect upon the sense of humour of
Lt. W. R. Harber whoever had sent us on the course. Although our
scenario consisted of bein~ chased around the
In early June, sixteen volunteers from the Battalion countryside by "Fred the Red' , some of us were not so
broke new ground when they attended a 2-week Land sure that he was the enemy. Our friendly agent-"The
Survival Course at the Royal Naval Survival Equipment Blond Nymphomaniac, with a car, whose father owned a
School in Hampshire . The course is specifically brewery"-sure had a lot to answer for in those few
designed for Fleet Air Arm Pilots who have recently days. It was obvious she was a friend of the Navy as, yet
gained their "wings" and no military personnel had again, we ended up soaked, this time in a river race.
previously been enrolled. Involving some rather crude sabotage, we soon found
the advantage of having the weight of L/Cpl. Schooling
The three officers, one senior NCO and 12 junior on our side.
NCOs chosen to represent the Battalion came from all
five companies and when we arrived at Seafield park, For some it was too much: L/Cpl. Brennan longed
none of us had any real idea of what lay ahead; most saw for something to cure his stomach problems; Cpl.
it as some sort of Boy Scout Summer Camp and not at all Curley momentarily lost his concentration and ended up
a difficult task for any seasoned, trench-d1ggmg in the local hospital having his hand stitched, but even
infantryman. What could the Navy possibly teach us the nurses wouldn't give him food.
about surviving on land?
However, all "good things" come to an end and on
The course was divided into two parts: four days of the sixth day we were driven back, dirty, unshaven and
classroom instruction on the various aspects of survival, tired to the welcoming comforts of HMS Daedalus. We
followed by a further six in the field, as a confirmatory, had all learnt a lot about ourselves; to be starved for a
practical survival phase. The instructional phase week is never enjoyable but we all agreed it was a
inevitably contained the "death-by-vufoil" technique worthwhile and rewarding course.
and those among us who had opted for a liquid lunch,
wondered if they could survive even this part of the Our thanks to our instructors, Lts. George
course! Parallels were drawn as some familiar topics Armstrong, and Roger Good at the Survival School and
arose. We were told of the physiological needs of food we hope that more members of the Battalion may gain
and water (camping); the effects of cold on the body from their experience in the future.
(exercises in Wales); types of traps and snares (an
exercise with poor administration); the Geneva FETE DE LA JEUNESSE- TANGIER
Convention; escape and evasion; and interrogation (did
they mean war?') The prospect of six days confirmation by
of this type of instruction suddenly became more Bdsm. P. Packwood
daunting.
This summer, the Band was asked again to play in
In the afternoon of the fourth day we were all issued the annual parade in Tangier to celebrate the King of
with makeshift rucksacks, parachutes and flying suits. Morocco's birthday. Although pleased at the
However, as we were only allowed to take 4p for opportunity to leave "the Rock" for a few days, there
emergency telephone calls and eight ounces of sweets (or was some degree of reticence due to memories of last
forty cigarettes), some were selected to prove their year's food supplies! The next week or so was spent
honesty by taking off their rucksacks, flying suits and rehearsing marches and brushing up on the marching
the rest of their clothing for complete body search. One display.
result of this was that L/Cpl. Sheret delighted in keeping
us all guessing as to exactly where he had successfully On 8 July, we duly set out for the Man's Calpe,
hidden his£! note! As the survival phase began, we soon locally known as a "Cru1se Liner", but more on the lines
discovered that all questions as to what was going to of the Isle of Wight ferry. Unhappily, we had to leave
happen were answered in the same way. The phrase Bandsman Nigel Searle behind, as his passport failed to
'You Never Know in a Survival Situation" became arrive in time but most of us assembled in the usual
loathed by everyone. (We also wondered if our refreshment area and awaited sailing time when "it"
instructors actually knew what was going to happen to opened. Dmr. Patrick found himself guarding the
us!) instruments against inquisitive Moroccans and, after a
leisurely trip, we arrived in Tangier around lunch time.
In true Naval fashion our first night out was spent
playing around on the water-this time in life rafts-but This year we were split into two groups-one in
the problem was getting at them. With a strange gleam Hotel Tariq, and the other in Hotel Malabata-of five-
in their eyes, our instructors just pointed to the water star rating! After lunch (with free wine) the rest of the
and said "swim"! This soggy introduction to Naval day was spent settling in and exploring the immediate
humour was followed by an apparent concern for our surroundings; it was soon discovered that the beach
welfare: so that we should not all catch pneumonia (and behind the hotel had its particular attractions and certain
so get away from their clutches), we were to do "a little members could be found, on most hours of the day,
walking" to keep the circulation going. Three or four observing the very attractive topless ladies reclining
days later we stopped walking! We began to realise what there!
they meant by survival and, after a few days without
having washed or showered, we found it easier to beg, The evening meal was excellent and, though the
rather than try and buy food. New Forest campers, local menu needed translating, some of us were quite
residents and parties of schoolchildren all gave food surprised by what turned up on our plates (most of it,
willingly just to get rid of us as quickly as possible'
21
however, was edible!) During the evening there was a group of trumpets, bugles and drums which formed up
disco as well as music in the bar but most amusement next to us. They were not conducted but directed by a
was derived from an impromptu cabaret by Bdsm. trumpet player whose instrument appeared to have been
Moseley, who went swimming in the pool, fully clothed! fashioned from a bit of scrap conduit piping! At last the
parade was over and, dripping in the heat, we were
The next day was spent generally relaxing in the driven back to the hotel for our evening meal; the rest of
sun, observing the pool games organised by the hotel for the evening was spent slaking our thirst and this was
the residents and getting ready for the evening parade . when Dmr. Patrick discovered how friendly the loca ls
Two short concerts in the two hotels were very well
received and served as a warm-up for the parade itself. can be after a few beers.
We arrived in the town centre in good time to watch Late the next morning, all appeared for a few hours
the parade assembling with representatives from all re laxation by the pool- or spotting wild life on the
walks of life in the area. Much amusement was derived beach-before assembling in the foyer ready for leavi ng .
from listening to the Moroccans marching bands; I don't This was where one unfortunate resident discovered he
think they had ever heard of tuning up and, as Moroccan had lost his very expensive suit; it had been left near our
music is devoid of harmony as such, this was very kit and, in the move to the coach, it was mistaken as
evident . The local home-made instruments were very belonging to one of us. It was only discovered when
interesting but their persistent drumming and clanging loading kit onto the Mons Calpe and the bus driver was
was a little harsh to Western ears! For us, the most entrusted to return it to the hotel. No more was thought
interesting part of the parade was immediately behind a about it until the Bandmaster, in the middle of a
group of scantily clothed young ladies whose purpose in rehearsal, had an irate 'phone call from the hotel
the parade was obscu re, but of whom ou r photographer manager asking if we had seen the suit, to which he
replied: "You had better look out for a very well dressed
avidly took pictures.
bus driver! "
After what seemed an interminable wait, we set off
down the main street of Tangier; the parade moved very The return trip was uneventful and with mixed
slowly, whtch meant that the Band had to keep halting fee lings, we watched The Rock loom up on the skyline.
and restarting but this simple manouvre seemed to It had been a good trip and a welcome break for us all;
impress the locals. The roads were packed with people, the only worry concerned Cpl. " Daisy" May, who
from the poorest to the n chest, all clamouring to see the wondered whether he had been ousted from his leading
year's most impressive event. As we neared the Royal position in the Gib fishing club competition'
Stand,. the parade again halted and we performed our
figure m front of the dignitaries. After this we were glad Everyone dispersed clutching some memento of the
of the opportunity to move out of the parade and watch trip, or bags of cheap fruit and veg. for the next week.
the remainder go by, assailed by discordant music by a Now that we have left, it is trips like this which will
provide happy memories of our tour in Gib .
Pll.ijfill Bradley& Vaughan
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23
The 3rd Battalion
Editorial Impenetrable to all forms of armoured vehicle. On
return to barracks, we entered a prolonged period of
WHEN the last edition of the Journal was battalion individual and collective training and have
already conducted our annual 2-week shooting camp;
published, we had just returned to Dover moreover some 200 soldiers are currently on courses or
cadres, a further 30 are on education and the remainder
from South Armagh. It is an interesting aspect of are doing their annual fitness tests. At Christmas, the
Battalion wi ll be on "Spearhead" and in the New Year B
Army life that one chapter so dominates the unit & C Coys will be going for a month to Cyprus (each with
a Support platoon) while A, with the Combat Engineers
and the individual until quite suddenly-as in this Sec., is to join HMS Intrepid (an assault ship) in the
West Indies for a trip to the Virgin Islands. C:::all that
instance when we boarded the LSL for nothing?!
Liverpool-it is totally switched off. South ROYAl GUARD OF HONOUR
Armagh was, without doubt, a significant by Maj. M. J. Ball
experience for everyone and gave the Battalion as a On I Aug., HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen
Mother was installed as Lord Warden of the Cinque
whole a noticeable uplift; it is also true to say that Ports and her first official duty, at Dover Castle, was to
inspect a Royal Guard of H onour found by the
we were all relieved that the tour was over and Battalion; 99 men provided the escort to the Queens
Colour which was carried by Lt. Mark Rayner.
hardly glanced at the distant Mountains of
Preparations for the Installation Ceremony had been
Mourne as we glided down Belfast Lough. Why is going on for some time but we came onto the scene very
late due to our tour in South Armagh and plans were
it that the Irish Sea is always so rough when one is shelved until our return to Dover. Even then, rural
patrols in N . Ireland were slightly adjusted to allow for
Westbound and so calm coming back again? clothing inspections, sizing, selection and other minor
details.
On its return the Battalion worked a 3-week period
before taking post-Northern Ireland leave, during which Those earmarked for the Parade returned to Dover
we were privileged (on 1 August) to provide a Royal on the Advance party for alterations to their uniforms
Guard of Honour when HM the Queen Mother was and, though most were extremely fit, regular visits to the
installed as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. During "Golly" shop (plus chips with everything for four
those three weeks almost everyone was in station and, months) had done nothing for some otherwise athletic
while most of us were preparing for the Royal parade, figures!
there was also time to enjoy summer sports and hold
functions . We had a Regimental "fun" day to replace On return from South Armagh, eve ryone was
Albuhera Day (when we were in Ulster) and Quebec measured and correctly fitted before going on a weeks
Day, when we would be on exercise in BAOR; we also leave after which Connaught Barracks reve rberated to
held a Thanksgiving Service for our safe return from N. the sound of sizing parades, stamping boots, clear crisp
Ireland taken by the Chaplain General and attended by orders from the Sergeant Majors and croaks from the
the Colonel of The Regiment and the Commander of 6 Guard Commander's over-taxed voice; gradually order
Field Force when a memorial plaque was dedicated to emerged fro m disorder and counter-order and the Guard
Pte. Peter Woolmore, killed during a mortar attack on of Honour took shape.
Newtownhamilton on 19 March .
On Dress Rehearsal day, all the dignitaries were
We were fortunate, this year, to have 3 weeks block played by members of the Battalion (the TQMS still
leave during August; we then returned to face our role in seems to think he is the Home Secretary bringing back
6 Field Force and pick up all those threads of life which Capital Pu nishment!) All that went well, even the
have to be discarded during an Op Banner tour. timings and, contrary to popular belief, our Guard of
Honour going up Dover Hill did not in fact meet the
The most immediate requirements were to Life Guards Sovereign 's Escort coming down!
reorganise our order of battle and prepare for Ex . "Steel
Trap", the UKMF priority-one role exercise in BAOR. On the day, Dover weather was at its worst wit h
D Coy reverted to the title of Suport Coy and now torrential rain and with the wind hell bent on removing
comprises the new Milan, the Old Mortar PI. and the hats and making the Colour impossible to contro l;
Old Assault Pioneers under their new title of "Combat however chin straps were fas tened and the Guard
Engineer Section". We are now fully organised on the marched to Dover Castle.
'650' Battalion order of battle except that the Support
platoons are still in the fourth company: this means that The Queen Mother arrived, was greeted by a
the Reconnaissance PI. (or Close Observation PI. as it trumpet fa nfare from a mist-shrouded Keep and, after
was in Northern Ireland) is no longer in being, a high the National Anthem, HM spurned the elements and
proportion of its soldiers having transferred to Milan PI. inspected the Guard. Im peccably briefed, she talked to a
The latter is the new version of the Anti-Tank PI. which
has replaced its Wombats with the Milan Guided (continued on page 25)
Weapon and expanded its little empire accordingly (a
separate article describing its rebirth , appears
elsew here) .
Ex. "Steel Trap" is covered in a separate article .
Large formation exercises in BAOR appear to be
becoming less comfortable and more tortuous to run as
the german farmers fill their barns with modern
machinery and their fields with crops which are
(continued from page 23) 25
number of soldiers about their experiences in Northern
Ireland and home life in Dover and commiserated over dreaded subject of AFV recognition (somethmg m the
the weather. region of 57 vehicles). The cu lmination of thiS will be at
Otterburn and since one practice m1ssile costs m the
And so, three weeks of rehearsals and hard work region of £4,500, something like the value of 16 Ford
came to an end as The Queen Mother, having paid Cortinas will be going down the drain targeted at a
compliments to our turnout and steadiness on parade, moving scree n'
left the parade ground. It had all gone by too quickly but
we were all left with the impression that she is a great The birth of Milan, though costly and comphcated
Lady and we would do it again if we had the chance. at first, has produced a new fully-effective limb of the
Battalion; with more schooling " Milaneers", the new
MILAN IS BORN elite, wi ll grow to full matu rity.
by Capt. R . J. Knight SPECIAL EXPEDITION-BOBC NORW AY
by Lt. C. G. Lambert
It was confirmed by the hierarchy that we would be
giving birth to Milan in July (a difficult pregnancy as "Sir I've been rubber-d _ _ _ ed aga1n!" said
most of it was spent in Northern Ireland though the Pte. Bakewell of A Coy. as he struggled into his
equipment was at Dover). swimming trunks.
At the end of that troubled period, the birth " I thought this was going to be a holiday Sir!" said
produced 44 men and something in the region of Pte. Westmoreland, already in his trunks as he sta red
£3,500,000 worth of equipment. out of the changing room window towards the icy, mist-
wreathed waters of " Isefjoerfjorden". H owever, the
Three sections were formed from members of A, B, short, painful and unex pected swimming test was
C Coys as well as volunteers from the C lose O bservation completed and the unfortunate BOB C inst ructor medil
PI. and the old Anti-Tanks . was forced only once to plunge into the water, fully
clothed to rescue a case of cramp.
Schooling started immediately: the only weapons
that some had used before were the SLR and GPMG The remainder of Day I at BOBC Norway was
and now they were handed a firing post and SMG, as spent preparing for phase I of the expedition- a 70km.,
well as brand new Clansmen radio equipment. 5-day canoeing trip in double canoes. This was largely
uneventful, though extremely enjoyable and relaxi ng
After 2112 weeks, the platoon slowly began to digest with freque nt stops to admire the sce nery (and to bale
such terms as "Goniometer", (!Latching Plunger", out Ptes. Walker 's and Bakewell's canoe!) Nights were
"O bj ecti ve L ens Cover" , " Mal e and Female spent at the numerous camp sites on the fjiord Otri, now
Connection " and " Localizer", and at the end everyone deserted by summer holidaymakers.
was keen and determined to master the new equipment.
On Day 5 we arrived at the tiny vi llage of
On Ex " Steel Trap" sections were deployed with Riaerfossen where, with stiff and aching arms, we gladly
companies and everyone waited with baited breath to see handed over our canoeing kit to the waiting UDR course
Milan in action. The training (and night time activities ·and prepa red for the much-dreaded 5-day walk across
at the local inns at Dover) had paid off. With C lansman the Norwegian mountains.
equipment, our seco nd a ry role was soon
discovered-radio operators in buth platoon and " Whoever built these !!**11!*! mountains shou ld be
company positions (B Coy please note). !** ' !'* *' shot!" said Pte. Robi nson as we struggled and
grunted up mount Krakefjel : fi ve days later, 13 tired ,
After the exercise, the platoon made use of the time unshaven, footsore but extremely fit soldiers arri ved at
available to continue its " night training" with patrols to the fini shing point having b raved marshes, mountains ,
the loca l villages-and of course Hamburg (a pity that wind, free zing rain and 24-hr. ration packs. All in all,
alco holic poisoning and stomach pumps-for however, it was a ve ry enjoyable and hard wo rking
some- marked the end of our visit to Germany!) course and we are grateful to the staff at BOB C Norway.
We have embarked on our second period of EXERCISE "STEEL TRAP"
schooling, this time concentrating on tactics and that
by Maj. M. R. I. Constantine
1. The CO, OC A Coy . and affiliated
Gunner officers during Ex. "Display This yea rs' NATO Autumn exe rcise, co llectively
Determination" in Italy called "Autumn Forge" began with a mult i-national
parade at the German Air Force base in Wunsdorf; the
2. (L to r) : Sgt. Page, Pte. Brittain and sa lute was taken by SACEU R himse lf wi th a supporting
L/Cpl. Taylor sightseeing in Venice cast of all the four-star co mm anders in the Central
Regio n. A Coy played the star role , being spectacu larly
3. Capt. Grant (left) trying to organize and sma rtly delivered by an RAF VC 10 to form the
some R & R transport, using a mixture third side of an impressive square. Meanwhile, ever
of sign Ian~uage and French to two loyal B Coy cou ld be seen lurking behind the aircraft
puzzled ltahan Officers! (Sgt. Page on hangers; they were the back-up cont ingent in case the
right) RAF had failed to make it on time but in the event, were
not required!
4. (L to r): Sgts. Page and McCormick,
Cpl. Russell, Pte. Brittain, Cpl. Taylor, The Battalion was part of 6 Field Force,
L/Cpl. Wells, Cpl. Banks and Pte. participating in 1 Armoured Division 's Ex. "S teel
Edwards, await the train to Venice Trap" set in the area to the sout h and east of H anover.
The first phase began with feverish digging of a so lid
26 st
defensive position greatly strengthened by massive J
notional minefields to our front. B Coy were entrenched
around the local jogging circuit and treated to some
spectacular sights-both male and female.
Ours was the opening move in the exercise, with an
adventurous advance from our main position to secure a
bridge over the Mittlland Kanal. B Coy was cast in the
star role (the heliborne force) operating on the enemy
side of the objective, with A and C in the less attractive
but equally important lorry-borne role, attacking the
bridge from the friendly forces side. After what appeared
to be much indecision, the more ambitious heliborne
assault was called off and A and C Coys made their way
to the objective by 4-ton truck. As C Coy debussed, they
were caught in a Battle-Group-sized ambush and forced
to withdraw gracefully, 2/Lt. !an Raynes having broken
his leg in the melee of the battle. Back in our defensive
positions, we eagerly awaited the enemy attack which
was spearheaded by the Danish Lifeguards; the latter
were not prepared to play the game by our rules and we
found ourselves attacked from outside the exercise area
by a determined enemy who ignored our notional
minefields! They also (through ignorance or design)
refused to bow to the claimed hits of our newly-acquired
Milan firing posts and the battle drew to a close with our
position being over-run. Silence was maintained to
persuade the enemy that we had already withdrawn but
a troop of enemy Scimitars which refused to be hit,
broke through 6PI. and made their way to Tac HQ
which was also over-run. So intense was the battle
around Tac HQ that the CO was engaged in hand-to-
hand combat with the enemy commander in true
mediaeval style.
The Exerise followed a now-familiar routine with
the Battalion withdrawing to construct successive
defensive positions from which we were umpired out of
before being able to give a good account of ourselves.
However, as if to humour the Field Force, the planning
staff allowed us to spend the final 24 hours in an advance
to contact (quite out of context with the rest of the
exercise) and our subsequent attacks were good for
morale.
We were very lucky with the weather throughout
the exercise but spirits took a further knock when the
promised USAF Chi nooks stopped flying before the
Battalion had been lifted to the concentration area in
Rheinsehlen Camp.
Our last few days in Germany were based on this
camp where 7000 men and 2000 vehicles of 6 Field
Force made an impressive sight. The enthusiasm,
determination and effort put into the exercise can best be
characterised by the shining example of Capt. Rogerson
and CSM O'Su llivan (21C and CSM of B Coy), who
walked 18km. to get a drink from Rheinsehlen
Camp-only to find, in the sober light of day, that the
actual distance was just short of 6km!
EX. "STEEL TRAP"
(Top): Lt. Nick Sharples of A Coy. with the
''enemy''
(Centre): Pte. Beadell leads the way on the
Advance to Contact
(Lower): Pte Holmes and friend on their way to
Berlin; they never made it!
ISAAC 27
by Maj. R. H. Graham event IS very much an away fixture for us. The w1de,
flat , yielding shingle pitch which takes a long stud, and
C lose by the Army ranges at H yt he stands a the gales, which kinfe in horizonta lly off the Channel,
slaughterhouse: I have long thought thei r close both take a bit of getti ng used to and are generally
proximity entirely appropriate. I mi ssed this year 's reckoned to gi ·;e the home team a clear two to three kills
ISAAC, (Indiscnminate Slaughter of Animals and pre-match advantage . We of cou rse are trained on hard
Associated C reatures), being on exercise in Ita ly at the Dover chalk and, perched at the top of Dover H 1ll, are
time, so this report, although essentially truthful , is more used to feeling the wind up our barrack dress
written from secondhand information and may have lost trouser legs rather than full in the face.
some accuracy in the telling .
Still , to balance this disadvantage, the French ban
Carnage on The Shingle on imported English lamb carcasses was, without a
doubt, a shattering blow to the morale of the
The rivalry between ourselves and the abattoir at slaughterhouse team and gave us a kind of half chance
H ythe came to its customary annual climax this year in we were determined to exploi t.
the first two weeks of October when the Battalion
deployed to H ythe ranges for the 1979 ISAAC. We spent the first fi ve days in a sort of drawn-out
pre-match kick-in, honing up individual shooting skllls
The meeting started under not entirely propitious until 97% of the Battalion had passed its Annual
signs; the slaughterhouse overlooks the ranges and so the
(continued on next page)
.
J
The ISSAC "£ SI.UXIL/) }11111£ JTR'I£P I.I I TI'( '1011 ft/IISH£115 ' 1.1£ DtDAJr t;£T TH/5
(Top): C/Sgt. Hilton and his winning Falling Cartoons by John R usse/1
Plate team receive their prizes from Mrs.
Bulloch
(Lower) : Lt. Jermy Maltman (3 PI.) receives the
Champion Platoon Trophy for Shooting
28 discharges in Crossmaglen on such diverse weapons as
the M79, .50 Browning and LMG, and the regular
Personal and Alternative Weapons Tests. Individual target practice with live dogs which they enjoyed there.
champions such as L/Cpl. Reddick, A Coy (SLR) Pte. True to form , 3 PI emerged as suitably sadistic winners
Milligan, C Coy (GPMG) and Ptes . Powell (B) and with an impressive score of one stray cow, two racing
Cheatham (Sp) (Champion Young Potential Killers) had pigeons, a passenger on a cross-Channel steamer, one
established themselves and were positively frothing at range safety officer and two customers in the Prince of
the mouth over the prospect of a further four days of Wales pub.
competitive bloodletting. T he Battalion 2IC's claim that
he could shoot the wings off a mosquito at 20 paces with T he Inter-Platoon Fall ing Crabs competition
an SMG had not been enti rely substantiated and he proved a suitable climax to the meeting. Some difficu lty
re luctantly conceded first place to L/Cpl. Russell HQ was experienced at first in persuading the crabs to
Coy. B had distinguished themselves during the check remain still until struck, but although some spectators
zero phase by accounting for two seagulls, one je llyfish thought the use of six inch nails to be a crude solution, it
and a severe fright to the fema le d river of the mobile certain ly did the trick.
NAAFI wagon; thus we were able to choose our
Company teams for the coming week's competitions An exciting fina l saw C/Sgt. H ilton's team from I
with some confidence and having tasted a bit of blood. PI. (A Coy) just pip the Corps of Drums under Cpl.
Crohon.
C Coy made a good start when 9 PI won the March
and Shot Competition, cl inching their victory with a W hen all the scores were totted up at the end of the
bonus of 50 points awarded for a near miss on the second week, it was fou nd that we had trounced the
Brigadier Infantry; poetic justice this, for it was C Coy's slaughterhouse team and that 3 PI of A Coy had proved
CSM who had been quite severely 'buttonholed' ea rl ier themselves the overa ll champions; they were deserving
in the year on the same ground by the same referee. winners and the memory of their jugular shot on a
lobster fisherman at 400 metres will long stay with all
A Coy were always the favourites for the Multi those who were privileged to witness it.
Weapon Competition, largely as a result of the
impressive accuracy and variety of their recent negligent
1Aenti~h ~azttft
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29
SENIOR NCO's LOCATION LIST
(As at 1 Nov. ' 79)
REGULARS
Warrant Officers Class I Colour Sergeants
M J Aylward, MBE RSM 2 QUEEN~ IJ 11 Allaway Op~ I rg J Ql'H.S\
Cambndgc Umv C>Tt. M D Andcrson
I· N Uoync RSM 6/7 QU l:.E NS 10 l'DR
RSM S QliFFNS K E Arey Ops. ·1rg J Ql'f-F.N\
1 A C. Burr Bandmast er } QUEENS Drum M.!iOT} Ql'Ei·S\
J H Cau RSM 3 QUeENS R 1 Baker 'i Ql' F-FN \
Bandmaster 2 QllEENS CQMS I Ql'Ff,.;S
T S Dav•s B \l.: Barrctt CQAIS 2 Ql'FE,.;~
Sch ol 1nl
r s h sher 8 D Bcckmgham Fa m~ NCO 2 Ql' l·l;_ss
R J FranCLS T rg Wmg I Ql'FE~S
M G-Bermcr
R V llare RSt\\ Depot D A Boden CQMS 2 Ql 'EF'<'>
Bandmaster I Ql'EENS B \'f Breach, Bl:.M M T I Ql'EESS
p llills RSM S L' DR S R Bream, QGM
IS CTT M A Bnnon, QGM I RRf-
D H Moorc: RSM RBMR Rand l R Anghan
Bandmaster Depot 1 Brown CQMS I Ql ' H .NS
J Oakley A\ 1 Brown CQM S J Ql'EENS
M J l':nerson Rmd J Ql'FFNS
C: Bruton
D E Puce Trg 2 Ql'EENS
B CamJilc CQMS 2 Ql'EENS
Warrant Officers Class 11 8 C. C harman CQMS I QL'EENS
1 C hester 8 ;md 3 RRI·
P J Amhony, QGM CSM 2 QUEENS D T Cooper 7 R Anghan
T M Dav. Trg 2 Ql'EENS
8 F Archu ~~~~s~l6:0~e~5m Asslt Pnr .2 QUEENS
P G Dobson CQMS 2 QUEENS
I Barnacle PI. Comd Depot 3 QUEeNS
R F Hartle Band WO AA C oli Harrogate N \l.:' Farley Asslt Pnr 3 QUEENS
RAC Ccn!rc 1 P Flanagan Trg 'X'1ng I QUEENS
H M . Ueeson Trg. WO 2 QUEENS G . T France PI Comd 3 QUEENS
PSI C Coy . S QUEENS R. D. Furlouc CQMS 3 QUEE.NS
M Blackburn Asslt. Pnr . I QUEENS M E. Gaun1lcn I QUEENS
j . D Blanchette M T G1ll R & L Staff HQ Lond1st
RQMS I QUEENS CQMS I QUEENS
A. 0 Booth Inf. Demo. Bn H 1 Green, BEM CQMS 2 QL'EENS
PSI I QUEENS J Hedges Jnr Sold1ers Bn
8 M Brazu:r CSM I QUEENS PSI 5 Ql'FENS
C. T Bromficld MT 3 QUEENS B D . H1l10n Offn' M ess I Ql'FENS
ORS Sch of lnf B J Horncr A \'ehs I Ql'EENS
E. Brown A P Howard
K H. Brown CSM 2 QUEENS B F Hunt I'S I 617 Ql'l:.ENS
PI Comd Depot CQMS 3 QL'Ef'<S
J Hudgen lnf Demo Bn T G Jsaan Accn NCO 2 QL'EE:-\S
3 R. Anghan Jnr Soldu~ 1 5 Bn
P j . Bull 7 Regt AAC c. A }3\'IS CQMS I Ql'EENS
N F Cockmg TQMS 2 QUEfNS PS I 617 Ql'EENS
M M jones M1lan PI . J QL' EENS
R R Cormck ORS Depot Band ') Q l ' FENS
G E. Davu:s RAEC Centre S \\' Joncs RMA Sandhurst
CSM 2 QUEENS M or PI 3 Ql'E ENS
J T Doran, BEM CSM 3 QUEENS A K1am•l O RS I R Ang\1an
D H Knk CO PI 2 QLT FEN S
\' D Ebbens LSP Hong Kong lnt Sgt 2 QUFENS
2 RRF G D Lame CQMS 3 QncNS
C J Elkmgton PSI I QUEENS MT 1'1 2 Ql'FENS
J Fensom CSM I QUEENS R J l.ambcn !'SI 6/7 QVEENS
Band I RRF CQMS I Ql' EENS
M M Forester I]LB K S Last PSI 617 QL'EFNS
CSM 3 QUEENS 22 ~AS
8 I' Fox j J 1\-\anuel MT I Ql'FEN~
S1gs . I QUEENS P Maye P!>l I Ql'EENS
J A host , BEM DJ M cCa 1g t•s l o.'7 QL'El-.S~
c_ \'(' Ganon, HEM I Mclcod Depot
~ugs I QL'EEN~
J I' HamLII F J M cManus Ac~.n I QL'FFI'S
ljl B
G Harmcn P R 1\kars y I .ISI
I'S I 'i Ql' J--1-- N ~
R J Haylcy R A Mdham
R D Mdhgan llRS 2 Ql'EENS
A HLII S•~s l QL'EEI'S
B \\'Miller l ' FO } Ql'FEN5!
M G jamcs
N j amu~son L.J Moat orrn· Mess 2 Ql'l:ENS
G B Moss
R 0 Jcnkmson 8 C. Older \1g PI 2 Ql'FFNS
lQMS l Ql'EENS
R J joncs D . P:ucrson Hand 2 Ql'F I·.NS
PSI 'i Ql'F l·NS
I' A Kearsc CSM I QUEENS G Pamc RMA Sandhurst
N T Kmg CSM Depot 22 St\S
CSM I QUEENS R I P1pcr 'i Ql'I· I N)
A 8 Km ght 10 UDR B \\ Pu ~-. hfo nh
London Un1., OTC OR\ l R Anghan
I Lawrance J H Pypcr
Drum Ma1or 2 Ql' EENS
E. Lawrence Band LS P Brunei G D RlLkt:rb\
B F L•vcly, BEM Accn. 3 QUEENS
S C. ,\hclntyl!' PSIS QUEENS 0 J Robcrts
Trg_2 QUEENS
J E ,\>\cEntry Opsi frg 3 QUEENS J E. Smuh
Band 2 QL'EENS
R L. ,\>\e:ad 7CTT M D Smnh
CSM 2 QUEENS E H Stcnmng
\'(I R Munda y S UDR
CSM I QUEENS J R Stent
J O'Sulhvan CSM 3 QUEfNS
A J P1nkenon I RR F P 1 Stewart
B J Rawhngs S QUEENS
M J Reardon RQMS 2 Armd D1v HQ B l Street
J F Tomblmg
M R Rowney CSM 2 QUEENS I' A l urner
P I' Ryan, MM HQ I (Br ) Corps \\' P \'cnncr
T \'(' Saunde rs
Drum Ma1or I QUEENS J H \'<'alters
K F Scaddon CSM I QUEENS R J \l.:"dd
TQMS I QUEEN~
0 A Screenc: CSM J Ql1EENS D E \\'illmon
R j Shav~: AIRSO 3 Ql'EENS
CSM l QUEENS A J Wdson
I' T Slater
A S. Sm1th CSM J Ql'EENS M N \\' dson
C. Smuh Band I Ql'EF.NS
) Taylor CSM 2 Ql1EENS 8 \l.:' \X'mter
ORQMS RBMR R P \'1:'1sdcn
N R T1ckncr R Wort h y, BEM
(i R \'andall-\\'ng ht
J Thompson
D S Tonks
R M \''\'~:bb
D N Whallc\•
1 S \X ' IIIIS
R P \X'ood
B M \'fnght
30 Sergeants A B Mason Ammo I Ql1EENS
R \X' Maxlov. Band 3 Q L1 El:.N~
F M Alfrcd MT I Ql1FENS R C. M cAndrcws 2 QL'FENS
A Amtx:r I QU"ENS 5 QUEENS
C. \'(' Anghn t\ffk I Ql'EFNS K J McCicave Arfk I QUEENS
MT 3 QUEENS A J Mclvor
J Ash(! Fams I QUEFNS 7LTT
J R B.H.k ORC Sch of lnf J> j. Mead 3 QUEENS
Mor_ PI 2 QUFFNS R. E. Mtlbarrow 2 QUEENS
D. ~ Bad e~ 8 Mtllcr QM Store 2 QUEENS
(j. Barlov. RAC Cenuc 8 R Mornson 2 RRF
A A B a~ham Mor . PI l QUEFNS MorI QUEENS
P ~ - Bea rd PI. Sgt. 3 QUEENS B 1 Mulkndcr Q M SIOTC 2 QUE ENS
M P Bcnnctt ORC I QUFENS Accn J QUEENS
I' M Berry 5 QUEENS C. H Noe-l FAMTO I QUEENS
PI. Sgt. 2 Ql/EFNS PI. Sgt Depot
A J Hookcs PI. Sgt. 3 QUEENS R. J Norman AC IO Fmchlc-y
MT I QUEENS J R. Norton PS I 5 QUEENS
P Bradky R & L Staff H Q LOND IST Accn J QUEENS
A G Branch Provost 2 QUEENS N G Nugcm ORC 3 QUEENS
j\\ C. Broad Ops. Trg 3 Q UEENS Band 2 QUEENS
3 QUEENS J M O llver PSI 5 QUEENS
r S Buckle AC IO Edgware J J O'Shc-a 3 QUEENS
J Burr Provost 3 QUEENS Mor. I QUEENS
G W. Page Famto Sgt 3 QUEENS
M F Butchcs Band 2 QUEENS T A Page- 2 Armd Dtv & Stg. Regt.
\':' Bulltr ORC HQ QUEENS On• }. G. Palmer PI. Sg1 3 QUEENS
8 F. C:urns RMSt\·\ PI Sgt . I QUEENS
\\' L Ca ldwcll PI. Sg1. 2 QUEENS M. J Palmer
D S Campany 3 QUEENS P C. Parker 5PIcSng1· 2 QUEENS
Fams I QUEENS R. G. Pauerso n
J A U ru~ r PI. Sg1. 3 QUEENS G Perkms MT I QUEENS
M T I QUEENS C. J. Ptper IJLB
D B C:m Med. 3 QUEENS Offrs. Mess Steward 3 QUEENS
A ,,_ Clark Eqpt. I QUEENS D T . Petty Ra11ons 3 QUEENS
Sgts. Mess Caterers 2 Q U EENS R. T . Polhngton Band 2 QUEENS
B Cla rkc 2 QUEENS M . T Potts PI. Sg1 I QUEENS
M j Clokc PI Sgt Depot R. Pragnell PI. Sgt. 3 QUEENS
S H Cochranc PI. Sgt . De:pot R. A. Pre-ston lnf. D emo. Bn .
N \'('_ Colhns Sgts. Mess Dl•pot T . Pnce PI. Sgt. I QUEENS
IJLB j . j . Pyman Sch of lnf
J I' Costan PI Sgt. Depot Drum Maror I QUEENS
QM Store 2 QUEENS J. R . R ~:a d 22 SAS
T A. Crawford PI Sgt 2 QUEENS W . J Re1d PI. Sgt. 2 QUEENS
5 UDR Affk. PI. I QUEENS
J Cro)s,m Sch of lnf R. M. Rtchards 1,1 Sgt Depot
J P_Culhn:mc AC IO Fmchley T . Robmson QM Stores I QUEENS
Depot 5 QUEENS
PT Dames Clothmg Store 3 QUEENS C. J Rodz1ewtcz Band I QUEENS
V P Oaly I QUEENS M . J Rookley Provost I QUEENS
,\\or PI 3 QUEENS O ffrs. Mess C at erer Depot
J Dappnck B A. Rylands 2 QUEENS
Sch. of Inf. 3 R. ANGLIAN
D A Da v1dson PI Sg1. 3 QL'EENS M J Smden RIT M atdstone
R Dav1c~ 2 QUEENS 22 SAS
QM Store 2 QUEENS R. A. Smuh PI. Sgt Depot
.> T Davit'S Band I QUEENS IJL B
Rats I QUEENS J. R. Sptcer Drum lnstr . Depot
R G Denny PI. Sgt 2 QUEENS 2 QUEENS
lnr 3 QUEENS S. Sull MT PI. 2 QUEENS
J M Dcm Gl098 Stores 3 QUEENS P. L Stone
D e pm R. Sturgeon SCTT
F \'( Du:on M ed Sgt. I QUEENS E. Tackley
b . G Drew Depot A R. Talman AA Coli. Arborflc-ld
R. & L. Stafl HQ SEDIST PI. Sgt 2 QU EENS
L J Duffidd ORC I QUEENS A. J Taylor Jn r Soldters Bn .
PI. Sgt. I QUEENS Stgs. 1'1. 2 QUEENS
V D Dunn L. F. Taylor 12 lnt. & Sy Coy
I C. Dunmng Band 3 QUEENS P. E. Thayre Band 3 QUEENS
5 Ql'EENS P. R. Thomas Depot
1 A Edwards R & L. Stall HQ SEDIST G A. Thorne I QUEENS
PI Sgt 2 QUEENS T A. Took
) E. Fagg PI Sgt I QUEENS I. D . Townsley TAVR PERSONNEL
T R F arrow Band I QUEENS M . j . Venmore
E. Fc:non F. R. Wakeman Warrant Officer Class I
} B f- oster S1gs I Ql'EENS R. W . Ward
F D hanc•s PI Sg1. Depot P H Wauon Bandmaste-r
R \'( 1-rcC"man C. V. W heeler
MD Gtlcs lnt I Ql'EENS G G. Whuall
A R Guungs Mor PI 3 QUEENS K. Whuc-
0 /'. \ Goodacre PI Sgt 3 QL1EFNS p R. \'(/ hHc
J G raham .\1or PI. I QUEENS R. S. Wiles
R Grccngrass MT l QL'FENS D . \l1tlson
J A ( rncvc PI Sgt 2 Q L' EENS B. F . Wmdcr
Sgts M ess I QL' EENS C. L WtHcn
J Gn nham PI . Sgt I Q l ' FF NS M . W Woodward
IJLB M . A Yoa
C. P Gurr ACJO Canterbury
(.M Houl PI . Sgt I Ql'EENS 5 QUEENS
O RC 2 Q UbENS
P S H all F T Clark, MBF
A \1:' ll am•hon PI Sg t I Q ll fEN~
0 ] ll .:nbtnson PJ. Sgt I Ql'FFNS R Arthur Warrant Officers Class 11
A ll assan R & I StaiT HQ I OND IST (, A Btgwood
B I' I L;avw:ud Rau 2 QL1 EEN~ A Cau lkclt B Co}
D J ll caphy RAC Ce ntre Mor PI
l. T l-l emh.1v. PS I 5 Ql'I: ENS J B Cavanagh A Coy
A \\" Hcwc n
M D H•gg•ns PI . Sgt Depot A Croxford RQM~
D J Hmds 5 Ql'EENS
S (, l-l1mon M or PI I Q l'EF.N~ ( i hmfax Band
O RL I Ql'FFNS \X' E (!Jwlcr
,\\ J ll olland Drums 2 Ql' I~FN~ M ti Ho lder A Coy
PI Sgt 1 Ql' l--F N~ A / RSO
l- jllollov.av A J Ktff 1/ Q Coy
L (, llok C Cov
{ I' Sharp I· Co}•
1 I; Hope
(, R Andcnon Colour Sergeants
S ll owt~k K ,\\ Hell
II Q Cov
P J I n:~ <:h1cl (:Jerk
D j ohnson
I R j ohnston
I r j Mcl:m
P A Jure!
B Kdhng
A K ~:nm:cl\'
() I' Knot!
J R Kn ov.lc~
\' 11 IJkcr
K I l .coll h
:-. : <• I m~a,
D J l.ovcl!'
S M•n11
B {, M.u~hdll
I) J .\\JrshJII
31
K M Dye E Coy R \1 U1rd 6/7 QUEENS
0 F Gardnc:r B Coy
A S !-l oad Atk. PI n H Bowen Warrant Officers Class 11
0 J jamcs B.md D Cadywould < Coy
A Coy A E Dale
l:. . C . Rawlmgs Drum Mator Dl.oy
c Coy I t . E\'C: U:tl R <;m
s]> SCIIIC)' P Russcll HQ Coy
Sergeants \\ ' S \~ ' hue
D F rylcr RQMS
II Q Coy R J Bu.kcr llQCov
11 B Aldous HQ Coy 1 Cootc A Cov
A Coy
J R Alkn F Coy A. L Co~o~.• lard Colour Sergeants
E Coy \'(' T Dov.ncs
I S Ba •lc:y HQ Coy A Co)
I A Bates A Coy J A L:.nglcy ORQMS
JI Q Coy R Coy
J P Bnght 8 Coy G D Peel Ch1dClerk
II Q Coy D. R Rc:ndc:\1 HQCo)
D C. Byrom Band (.Coy
I E. Chatficld Band J Rolfe Orfrs Mess
B F Easu:r HQ Coy 8 Coy
A A Franklyn E Coy J E. Bakrr
T Fry 8 Coy Sergeants
E. C. Fulkcs, HEM E Coy D. E. Debnam
G W Healcy S M Dunkky L Coy
F Hill C Coy. K G Dunnmg D Coy
B A Hoad B Coy \\:' T Ftsher D Coy
A R. Joncs 8 Coy A R hau~r A Coy
G W Kc:mp HQ Coy C. Fn~nd A Coy
Band R. W G1vcns H Coy
B L. Lane C Coy L Coy
HQ Coy J Lash more C Coy
A J Longley A Coy J L~ndrum
E J Lunn HQ Coy J R Mc l.ucas B Coy
E Coy C. Coy
C . W 0\dacre Band T L. P1dgcon
R Porter E Coy R Thornton n Co\·
M D Randall A Coy G. P Truran
C Coy. S. P Va 11 anc~ B Coy
R J Rankm A Coy 8 S \X'1\h3ms HQ Coy
Band L Coy
P L. RoaSI D Coy
R C. Saundcrs B Coy
R 1- Skmner
G Snowdon
P J T won
M. J Ward, BEM
R S. W:n ers
H 1 \X' clford
J W Wood
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32 EL ALAMEIN FOREST OF TREES
Odds & Ends In our last issue (June '79) we inserted a leaflet
entitled "Tree of Life" in which Lt . Gen. Sir Brian
ERRATA Horrocks invited readers and Institutions to plant, or
sponsor a commemorative tree, group of trees or a grove
I. I hope the officers concerned wi ll accept my at El Alamein.
apologies for the following mista kes on page 8 of the last
(June '79) issue: We have now been told by the Execu tive Committee
of this proj ect that the file containing the order forms
a. Under " Reg Commission" (Cap!. A. N. received before 10 Sep. '79 has been mislaid, which
Armitage-Smith) delete all detai l and su bstitute "from means that rhe organizers lack of the necessary details
SSC. To be 2/Lr. 18 May '72 with seniority 29 Ocr. '69. for comr.Ienng the Roll of Honour and for sending out
To be Lr. 18 May '72 with seniority 10 Aug. '7 1. " the certificates.
b. · Under "For Staff Training", the following Anyone who ordered trees before 10 Sep. '79,
should be included: Cap!. ] . C. Acwo rth . therefore, should send the following particulars:-
c. Under "Staff College" (nominations for Staff !. Their name and address.
training in 1980), delete Maj . R. M . McGhie and add 2. The name/s of those whom they wished
Maj . ] . A. B. Salmon and Capts. ]. G. MacWilliam and
P. M . H . M cG ill . to commemorate.
3. Whether or not they asked for
2. My apologies also to:-
a. 5 and 6/7 QUEENS for the molltage of 5th Bn. certificate,
pictures opposite page 40 of the ]une number being to : Mrs. Fiona Fraser,
inserted, in error, in the 6th /7th Bn 's section .
b. TAVR officers who were not included in the 15 Draycott Place,
location statement on page 12 of that issue. In future London SW3.
li sts , their names wi ll be recorded as well as those
actua lly serv ing in the two TA Bns.-Ed. INTER-SERVICE RUGBY , 1980
OFFICERS' CLUB Rugby enthusiasts should make a note in their
diaries of the following matches to be played at
App reciative letters were received at RHQ from the
followin g who had received wedding gifts (inscnbed Twickenham i·n 1980:
si lver salvers) from their fellow officers:
Army v. Royal Air Force: Sat. 23 Feb.
Capt. Robert Knight; Lt. Michael Cooper.
Army v. Royal Navy: Sat. 8 March.
Approximate ly 250 members and their ladies
attended the Annual Reun ion held this year, for th e first Tickets (for West Stand)
umc, at the Haberdashers' Hall, Staining Lane, London From the Secretary ARU,
EC2 , on Friday 19 Oct. (Lt . Col. P . E. Y. Dawson)
Army Sports Control Board,
Regimental G uests included Col. H . H . Prince ' M ' Block, C layton Barracks,
Gcorg of Denmark, Hon . Colonel of the 5th (V) Bn. and Thornhill Road, Aldershot, GU 11 2BG
D efe nce Attache, Danis h Emba ssy; Co l. and (or at the Turnstiles, Twickenham).
Mme.Heestermans, Military Attache, Netherlands
Embassy; Maj. Gen. Sir .John Bates (Master of Price: £I. 75 (reserved);
Haberdashers' Company); and Col. and Mrs. David £I. 00 remainder.
Si me, Hon . Col. of the 6th/7th (V) Bn.
BISLEY 1979
M embers of 6/7 QUEENS catering staff prepared
the buffet and a sparkling white wine was se rved . During the Regular Army Ski ll at Arms (RASAM)
and National Skill at Arms M ee tings held at Bisley this
WO's MESS KIT year, the Regiment's participation was as follows :
j acket, waistcoat and lightweight trousers , all in Major Unit Championships (RASM) : 1st Bn .
very good condition. (Si st)
Sizes: Chest 38"; Waist 34" ; inside-leg 29" . TAVR 60: Lt. Day 6/7th (V) Bn. (34th)
Any \X'O or Sgr. interested should write to: TAVR Unit Championship: 6/7t h (V) Bn. ( IIth)
D . T. \X'i lson, (IIth)
28 Barrow Close, JSSAM Results: Lr. D. R. Marchant I]LB (2nd
Dorchester, Dorset DT I 2HG . Bn .)-1 1th in the 1st Junior XXX SLR and wi nner of
Note: Mr. Wilson, now retired, was WOJ the Ju nior SMG C hampionships.
(Superintending Clerk) with the 2nd Bn.
A COTTAGE TO LET NEAR
CANTERBURY
A Mr. and Mrs. Humphreys (he is a Barrister and
they live, mainly, in London) have a 3-bedroom
furnished cottage in Barham (Nr . Canterbury) which
they would be happy to let for three months early in 33
1980 to an officer of The Queen's Regt.
The following is an extract from a feller to the Colonel
Any such officer who is interested, should contact of The Regiment dated 30 Aug. '79 from Col. K. ]. (Nick)
the Humphreys direct at: Carter, who retired in August:
I Sudeley Street, "We have decided to remain here (Australia) for the
next few years but are likely to return to UK from lime
London N. I. to time.
(Tel: 01-857-9905) during the week or at
Barham 564 at weekends. We are in the process of building a house m NSW,
25 miles north of Canberra and hope to have it ready by
SCOTS-WHA' HEY'! Christmas .
Radio C lyde broadcasts a weekly families I would like to send my best wishes for the future to
programme (on Sundays) entitled " World Wide" everyone in the Queen's Regiment. "
featuring greetings and messages for famili es and
From: Capt. T . H . Parnacott ,
fri ends in the west of Scotland. Ca rl yon,
12 Scon s Lane,
Any se rving Scots who wou ld like to avail Short lands,
themselves of this facility should write direct to: Brornley, Kent BR2 OLH .
5 July '79.
Radio C lyde Ltd. ,
To: RHQ
Ranke n House, Blythswood Court,
Anderston Cross Centre, Glasgow G27 LB . Dear Sirs,
Tel: 041-204-2555). The Queen's Regiment Journal (June Edition) is
Letters most interesting.
It is of course very possible to enjoy civilian life
From: Mr. R . C. A. Riley (Ex W02),
32 The Meadows, together with that of the Army because of the very
West Rainton, pleasant altitude of the regular soldiers to those who
Nr. Houghton-le-Spring, were lucky enough to have had the very great privi lege
Tyne and Wear. of serving in their found er Regts . Maj .-Gen . Rowley
6 July 79 . Mans, The Colonel of our Regiment mentions the ' hum-
drum of Civi lian Life '; there are of course
To: The Editor compensations that include the pursuit of the actual
realisations of one's remotest dreams.
Dear Sir,
I read with great interest Maj . P . G. E . Hill 's letter I congratulate our boxers ... The action picture on
the front cover is emphasised by the previous edition's
in the latest copy of the Regimenta l Journal. equally fine photographs of Prince C harles.
M y father who served in 2 Middx ., used all the Yours Sincerely,
words, quoted by Maj . Hill , and many more besides; so T . H . Parnacott
by the time I went into the same Regt. , as a National (formerly I RWK)
Serviceman in 1948, I was familiar with many of these
Soldier express ions. Editor's Note
If, as a reader, you would like to
In 1950 I engaged as a Regular Soldier in The
Queen 's Roya l Regt. serving until 197 1, finishing with enliven our "Letters" feature with points
the 3rd Bn . The Queen's Regt. in Northern Ireland . At of controversy which may interest other
present I am working with the MOD Police and, of readers, please let me hear from you . I
course, still use slang as most of my comrades are ex- cannot, of course, promise that all such
servicemen . I still book out the Laundry Vans with letters will be published.
·" GUNGE DHOBI " instead of"D IRTY LAUNDRY ".
Certainly in 1971, the words quoted were in use in the
Army.
Another word that springs instantly to mind is
" ARMS-KOTE " which I can imagine is still in regular
use; it certainly was on my Company Detail in 1971.
Yours sincere ly ,
R . C. A. RILEY
34 STAFFORD-SMITH . On 16 June, '79, at Tunbridge
Wells, Pte. G. M. Stafford to Miss Carole Smith.
Marriages and Deaths
FRY-WYNVELDT. On 23 June '79, at Eastbourne
MARRIAGES Pte. P. F. T. Fry to Miss Janet Ann Wynveldt . '
SALTER- HURD . On 16th Dec. '78, at Kingsbury, HISCOCK- HAMMI CK. On 30 June '79, at Sitting-
Pte. B. R. Salter to Miss Joanne Hurd. bourne, Cpl. J. C. Hiscock to Miss Jennifer
Hammick.
HURT- POOLE. On 23 Dec. '78, at Lincoln, Pte.
C. J. Hurt to Melanie Ann Poole. NICHOLSON-GEAR. On 7 July '79, at Dover, Pte.
M. A. N1cholson to Kathleen Rosemary Gear.
TAPP-YOUNG . On 20 Jan. '79, at Brighton, L/Cpl.
M . J. Tapp to Miss Juliett Ann Young. HOBBS-LEVER. On 14 July '79, at Gibraltar, Bdsm.
P. Hobbs to Miss Jane Yvonne Lever .
DUFFIELD-TINSLEY. On 17 Feb. '79, at Gibraltar,
Pte. B. Duffield to Miss Karen Ann Tinsley. HODGKINSON-ELLIS. On 14 July '79 at Rossen-
dale, L/Cpl. J . Hodgkinson to Christine Ellis .
SHARMAN-YUSIFREDO. On 17 Feb. '79, at
Gibraltar, Pte. M. L. Sharman to Miss Carmen INGRAM-MEASEY. On 14 July '79, at Dover, Pte.
Yusifredo. S. A. Ingram to Miss Jacqueline Stepheney Measey.
CLARKE-BATLETT. On 24 Feb. '79, at Deal, Pte. WHITTAKE.R-WILLIAMS-BREMAN . On 20 July
C. Clarke to Miss Doris Batlett. '79, at G1braltar, Pte. W. G . Whittaker-Williams
to Miss Olga Breman.
McNICOLL-MERCER. On 24 Feb. '79, at Dover,
Pte. E. C. McNicoll to Miss Carol Ann Mercer. DAVIS-DALMEDO. On 21 July '79 at Gibraltar
Bdsm. F. J. Davis to Miss Patricia Dalmedo. '
KENNY-MOIR. On 17 Mar. '79, at Gibraltar, Pte.
P. Kenny to Miss Jane Christina Moir. KNIGHT-HINTON. On 21 July '79, at Bexley,
A/Capt. Kmght to Catherine Siobhain Gargan
BOXELL-DOWSETT. On 31 Mar. '79, at Barking, Hinton.
Cpl. J. Boxell to Miss Margaret Joan Dowsett.
BROWN-BURT. On 28 July '79, at Darlington, Cpl.
WARNER-JONES. On 20 Apr. '79, at Gibraltar, F. E. Brown to Miss Linda Christine Burt.
Pte. M. A. Warner to Miss Shirley Ann Jones.
ST. JOHN PERRY- JAY. On 2 August '79, at
COOPER- PEREZ. On 25 Apr. '79, at Gibraltar, Pte. Gibraltar, Maj. St. John Perry to Christine Lyn
S. J. Cooper to Miss Josefa Tomas Perez. Jay .
HAMILTON-TURNER. On 27 Apr. '79, at Dover, CROSBY-BEATSON . On 4 Aug. '79, at Dover,
Pte. J. P. Hamilton to Miss Sharon Jane Turner. L/Cpl. T. J. Crosby to Miss Lindsey Beatson.
CROSSLAND-PAGE-CROSSLAND. On 28 Apr. WRIGHT-AYLING. On 4 Aug. '79, at Folkestone,
'79, at Wakefield, Pte. K. I. Crossland-Page to Miss Pte. S. Wright to Miss Doris Marie Jenneane
_loan Alice Crossland. Ay ling .
DELARA-McCARTNEY. On 28 Apr. '79, at Arma- MUMFORD-HOPE . On 4 Aug . '79, at Chatham,
dale (Scotland), L/Cpl. P. Delara to Pte. (Miss) L/Cpl. R. Mumford to Miss Carol Ann Hope.
Georgma McCartney.
CAVAGLIERI-KEMBER. On 11 Aug. '79, at Dover,
TIDEY-ANNINE. On 5 May '79, at Ramsgate, Pte. L/Cpl. Cavaglieri to Sally Ann Kember.
C. Tidey to Miss Debra Jayne Annine .
DALEY-MARTELL. On 11 Aug. '79, at Reigate, Pte.
COPE-WEBER. On 19 May '79, at Dover L/Cpl. ]. R. Daley to Miss Sonia Ann Martell.
M . Cope to Miss Susanne Weber.
DAY-RICE. On 11 Aug. '79, at Croydon, Pte.
PALMER-SPICER. On 26 May '79 at Kingston A. Day to Miss Sally Ann Rice.
upon Thames, Pte. R. F. Palmer to Miss Christine
Margaret Spicer. KING-GAUGHRAN. On 11 Aug . '79, at Dover, Pte.
P. King to Theresa Doreen Gaughran .
THOMAS-WHEELER. On 26 May '79, at Ashton
under Lyne, L/Cpl. R. Thomas to Miss Gillian SUTTON-STILLWELL. On !I Aug. '79, at Hangle-
Wh ee ler . ton, Sussex, Pte. S. J. Sutton to Miss Diane
Elizabeth Stillwell .
LOCKWOOD-BAGLIETTO. On 2 June '79, at
Gibraltar, Pte. V. R. Lockwood to Miss Pollyanna WALLER-GREEN. On 11 Aug. ' 79, at Birmingham,
Baglietto. Pte. A. P. Wailer to Susan Green .
STONEMAN-PEPPER. On 2 June '79 at Hitchin, NASH-HEATHCOTE. On 18 Aug. '79, at Dover,
Pte. D. J . Stoneman to Miss Deborah Pepper. L/Cpl. C. A. Nash to Miss Carol Ann H eathcote.
MUSGROVE- TOSSO. On 3 June '79, at Gibraltar, PRIOR-HOLLOWAY . On 18 Aug. '79, at Maidstone,
Pte. S. J. Musgrove to Miss Immaculada Conception Pte. J . A. Prior to Miss Ann Holloway.
Tosso.
LOBLACK-FREGISTE. On 22 Aug. '79 at Waltham
JAMES- RI SSO. On 4 June '79, at Gibraltar, Pte. D. Forest, Pte. L. Loblack to Miss Clarisse Fregiste.
James to Miss Joselyn Ann Risso.
BETTESWORTH-APPLETON. On 25 Aug. '79 at
FLYNN-CRIDDLE. On 9 June '79, at Kingston, Pte. Gravesend, Pte. S. Bettesworth to Miss Helen
A. Flynn to Miss Patrice Criddle. Margaret Appleton.
CREIG HTON-ARTESANI. On 16 June '79, at DEAN-COX. On 25 Aug. ' 79, at Birkenhead, Pte.
Gibraltar, Pte. T. C. Creighton to Miss Carmen M. Dean to Miss Susan Linda Cox.
Artesani.
35
KENT-HARRIS. On 25 Aug. '79, at Grinsbury, Maj. R. M. Arnold and Miss R. P. Farbridge
Kent, Pte. A. J. Kent to Miss Vonne Elisabeth The engagement is announced between Roderick,
Harris.
son of the late Mr. T . B. Arnold and Mrs. C. M .
NOY-WILLIAMS. On 25 Aug. '79, at Chatham, Pte. Arnold, of Antibes, and Ruth, daugh!er of Mr. and Mrs .
D. ]. Noy to Miss Tina Louise Williams. T . J. Farbridge, of Quadrille Court, Lymmgton ,
Hampshire.
HADFIELD-HALL. On I Sept. '79, at Islington, Pte.
J. Hadfield to Miss Angela Toni Hall. DEATHS
WATERS-GLOWALLA. On 8 Sept. '79, at Morden, GARDNER-On I May '79, daughter ofLICpl. R. and
Pte. S. Waters to Miss Birgit Gurtrud G lowalla. Mrs . Gardner at Werl .
BROWN-SMITHSON-BIRCH. On 15 Sept. '79, at ROBERTS-On I July '79, Maj . Arthur Neil Steward
Canterbury, Pte. V. G. Brown to Melanie Jane Roberts, OBE aged 95. Served in The Queen 's
Smithson-Birch. Royal Regiment from 1908-1931 and again from
1939-1945, he was originally commissioned in
PRICE-McNALLY. On 20 Oct. '79, at Ashford Pte. The West India Regiment in 1903 (see Obituary).
T . R. Price to Linda McNally.
MORTIM ER-On 2 July '79, as result of road accident
OLIVER-T U RI ER . On 3 Oct. '79, at Maidstone, Pte. in Werl, Pte. B. Mortimer of I QUEENS.
P. Oliver to Helen Turier.
ELLWOOD-On 4 July '79, maj . K. S. Ellwood TD,
BEAGLES-MURRAY. On 6 Oct. '79 at Dover, Pte. formerly RWK and RMP and a member of the
M. J. Beagles to Joy Murray. Officers' Club.
HOWLETT -CREESE. On 8 Oct. '79, at Haverford- GRAY-On 4 July '79, Kirk David Gray, son of Pte.
west, Pte. M. K . Howlett to Tania Creese. G. and Mrs. Gray at BMH Iserlohn.
FORTHCOMING MARRIAGES LOHAN-On 14 July '79, Col. "Sammy" Lohan, MBE
(extracts from The Daily Telegraph) TD, of Devoran, Cornwall.
Mr. S. G. Fisher and Miss K. C. Harper
The engagement is announced between Stephen, BRYDEN-On 29 July '79, Pte. G. Bryden.
son of Lt.-Col. and Mrs. R. D. Fisher, of West Berlin
BFPO 45, and Kim, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. WILLIS-On 30 July '79, Maj . C. F. Willis MBE
Harper of Winsley, Wiltshire. TD, formerly RWK and a member of The Officers '
C lub .
HEYGATE-On 14 August '79, Lt. Col. E. S. Heygate
MC formerly RWK and a member of The Officers'
Club.
Capt. P . R. Hitchcock and Miss J. F. England RIDDELL-On lOth October '79, in Fleet Hospital,
Maj. Gen. R. A. Riddell CBE, fo rmerly RWK .
The engagement is announced between Peter, only
son of the late Mr. T . S. Hitchcock, of Horsall, Surrey N ICHOLSON-On 21 Oct. '79, at home in Crow-
and Mrs . S. M. Hitchcock of Dublin, Ireland, and borough, Brig. J. G. Nicholson CMG CBE DL,
Jayne, youngest daughter of Mr. M. R. England and the late The Buffs.
late Mrs. I. R. England, formerly ofEldoret, Kenya, and
step daughter of Mrs. Margaret England. KNOCKER-On 27 Oct. '79 at T he Queen Elizabeth
Military Hospital Woolwich, Catriona, wife of
Maj . G. M. H. Polly and Miss D . Montgomery Col. N. B. Knocker OBE.
The engagement is announced between George
RAVENHILL-On 22 Nov. '79, Maj. R. A. C.
Pelly, son of the late Maj. H . P. N. Pelly and of Mrs. M . Ravenhill, late The Buffs.
V. Pelly, of Upper Woodford, Wiltshire, and Diana,
elder daughter of Maj. and Mrs. D. Montgomery, of SWANSON-On 2 Dec., in hospital at Shrewsbury,
Wotton, Surrey. Maj. P. R. Swanson, late Queen's Regt. , formerly
Queen's Royal Regt.
,-----OBITUARY-------------,
Maj. A. N. S. ROBERTS , OBE Attie Roberts was a " parfait knight " -generous in
his praise of others and never revealing a semblance of
At the time of his death on I July, Maj. Attie any resentment that some of his contemporaries had
Roberts was, as far as we know, our oldest surviving gamed higher rank in the Army; although those who
Regular Officer. served in his Company have told me that he would have
been an outstanding Commanding Officer.
I wrote of my first meeting with Attie in the May
1978 Newsletter (Queen's Surreys). I visited him again Just before his death, Attie made a characteristic
last Christmas and was once more fascinated by his gesture and donated his sword to The Queen's Regt.
remarkable memory; on this occasion, he told me of a May the spirit, strengt h and humility of a true officer
memorable journey to New York he had made in the and gentleman be passed on to those who have the
early 1900s and, as he spoke, I realised from the TV honour to carry this sword in the future .
series then taking place, that we were going back to the
time that Lily Langtry was acting in New York. This Our heartfelt condolences go out to Attie 's widow
was the fasci nation of talking with Attie; he coUld make Grace, who at the age of 97, is a truly remarkable and
modern history come alive as he reminisced on active lady.
regimental life and travel of 70 years ago.
RSNM
36
The 5th (Volunteer) Battalion
General PERSONALITIES
T HE period under review has bee n an extremely We welcome, on commissioning, 2/Lts. Chris
active one for the battalion. Of course the Argent, Tim Oyler and Graham G ibson; other rece nt
PSI arrivals include W02s Brown and M ead, C/Sgts.
Summer months represent prime training time for Street and Wilson, and Sgts. Talman and Laker. Sgt.
the TA and invariably include the camp period; Mullender has also joined for his last six months in the
this year was no exception. The major event was Army.
camp at Okehampton in June; a detailed report
appears elsewhere but suffice it to say that 1t was We congratulate C/Sgt. Ricke rby on the award of
considered to be a great success. the Long Service and Good Conduct M edal, and C/Sgt.
Rawling and L/Cpl. Wright on their awards of the
Since then the battalion has been engaged in Territorial Efficiency M edal.
conso lidating lessons learned and concentrating on other
specialist skills, in preparation for .rhe Battalion exerCise Sadly we have had to say goodbye to Capt. Nick
in September and the test exercise m November. To th•s K elly, Lt. Robin Cordell (on joi ning the RAMC), W02s
end all the rifle compan ies and specwhst platoons were Dickens and Screene, C/Sgt. Worthy and Sgt. Lmdsay
engaged on training programmes, includmg the finng of (all leaving the Army); and C/Sgt. Bream and Sgts.
support weapons . Incidentally the Anti-Tank PI now has Butcher and Piper who returned to the regular
a splendid mixture of Mobats and Wombats (by kmd battalions.
permission of the 3rd Bn). The speCia list platoons now
include the fl edgling Assault Pioneer PI (resurrected by We have recent ly recruited a number of ex-JNCOs
Sgt. Rankin) who have been lay mg, erewng and from regular Battalions, notably Cpl. Davey (ex. 1
demolishing like fury! QUEENS) and C pls. Dove, T anner and Bradford (from
2 QUEENS). We are always keen to r ecruit such
We have had our share of vis itors and parades, experienced ex-Regulars and would be mterested m
notab ly the visi t, in July, of the Under Secretary of State hearing from anyone leaving the Army who IS
(Army), Mr. Barney Hayhoe MP, to the Hounslow considering service wi th the TA.
Platoon . B and C Coys and the Band, were on parade for
the Install ation of HM The Queen M other as Lord ANNUALCAMP,OKEHAMPTON
Warden of the Ci nque Ports, and performed well despite
the lack of rehearsal time. The Drums PI not only played The move to Devon was an interesting one,
through the City of Canterbury for the "Tu rning of the involving a special train which wound its way through
Page" Ceremony at the Cathedral but also participated Kent and Surrey, picking up Volunteers en route. T he
in the British Military Tattoo in Berlin where, as part of much-maligned BR, in an almost unprecedented display
the Massed Co rps of Drums of The Queen's Division, of efficiency, co ntrived to get us to Okehampton , not on
they were a monumental success. M ea nwhile the Band time, but some 30 minutes ea rl y!
had to be content with Seaford in Sussex, where a new C
Coy Drill Hall was opened. In addition, the Band and Camp itself quickl y gathered momentum and the
Corps of Drums Beat Retreat at Canterbury, as the rifle companies were soon engaged m a welter of
culminat ion of a very enjoya ble Cocktail Parry. patrolling and ambush exercises, range days and field
firing; in addition, a 70-strong recruit cadre and S1gnals
Two teams, led by Lts . Paul Ward and Martin and HGV cadres were organtsed. The Mortar PI went to
Mortimer, took part in the Nijmegen and C hichester Larkhill for field firing , whilst the Anti-Tank PI d1d
RMP M arches respective ly and both were considered to their firing at Okehampton .
be success ful by all concerned .
During the second week, a Battalion Skill-at-Arms
We have also se nt small parties away on attachment meeting was skilfully run by B Coy and the honours
to unas of the German Army and a report on one such carr ied by C Coy. A Coy redressed the balance m the
visit appears elsewhere . March and Shoot Competition, its platoon making a
clean sweep of the first three places. It was arduous and a
A parry of eig ht including the CO, Adjutant, 10 and good test of military skills, and all who participated in it
RSM, w'e nt to NE It a ly on Ex. " Di s play are to be co ngrat ulated, part icu larly the recruits, who by
D etcr min ati on''-a n "i nt eresti ng expe ri e nce'', this time had rejoined thei r platoons.
particularly the R and R spent in the Dolomites and
Venice. An articl e on this whole saga also appears m The middl e Saturday was a we ll-earned rest day and
these notes . coach trips into Plymou th were organised. The Officers'
and Sergeants' M esses held dinner nights on success ive
As we write, we are preparing for a T est Exercise at evenings and a Disco night plus a Stag night were
Stanford, set by the Brigad ier Infa ntry at UKLF, which organ ised in the Junior Ranks Club .
shou ld also prove to be an "i nte res ting ex perience";
thereafter the main event to look forward to is At the end of camp, a group of Volunteers remained
Christmas! behind as enemy in an exe rcise for I0 Para (V) when
useful train ing was gained from the exclusive use of four
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1'2 79 Prin ted in Grea t Britain SUPPLEMENT No. 2- PAGE ONE
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nolhingto declare onyour tax form.lnvest in £10 uniiS up toa maximum of
£ 1,500 (ISOuniiS) per person.At banks or postoffices everywhere.
~INational Savings Certificates!
18th Issue.
SUPPLEMENT No. 2-PAG E TWO Printe d in Great Britain
(continued f rom page 36) (Top): Visit by the Under Secretary of State
(Army)-Mr. Barney Hayhoe-to Hounslow
German U HID H elicopters. All were fl vwn back to PI. (I to r): L/Cpls. Chandler and Habbard and
RAF Odiham in German C H 53 Helicopters, making
short work of the distance involved. Maj . Holmes
Camp proved lO be a demand ing one and everyone (Centre): Maj. Chris Parkinson (OC C Coy.)
agreed that thoug h it was hard, it was also enj oyable; it briefs the Hastings PI.
certainly gave us the chance to get back to basics and
should serve us in good stead fo r the future. (Lower): C Coy's Nijmegen march team, after
the event
A SUMMER STROLL
by Lt. Martin Mortimer
The Royal Military Police may not be the most
popular Corps but they have always been respected,
(preferably from a distance) and the march, organised to
celebrate their centenary in 1977, was well an ended and
very successful. 18 PI entered a small ream for that
march (one of whom was in his first TA weekend) and
despite what he said then, Alan Dawson (now a Lance
Corporal) decided 10 organise another 18 PI entry for the
march held this year which is celebrating nothing exce pt
the success of earlier marches.
Despite having lO leave Sevenoaks at 0530 hours on
a Sunday (no joke when you 've been "allowed out " on a
Saturday), our entire rea m set off in good spirits and
more or less on time. There were twelve of us from
Sevenoaks and two from Coy HQ at Tonbridge-C/Sgr.
Karl Dye and C pl. Br ian Ambrose-both of whom
either enjoy marching or our exce llent company!
The march was strenuous but stimulating and we
completed the 40km . in just over fi ve hours, including a
stop for a pint at lunch-time. At journey's end, a
beautiful bunny girl posed with us for the ream photo
rhus reviving our flagging spirits.
But what really made the day so enjoyable was not
the actual march but several ingredients which made the
effort worthwhile: there was the wonderful Sussex
countr ys id e- th e do w ns around C h ic hes t e r-
complemented by fin e weather, but most important was
the relaxed and informal atmosphere. We marched with
several civilians, many over here from Europe who were
all pleased 10 chat; we exchanged abuse and insult in
good-humoured badinage with troops from both Regular
and other TA units; and, most interesting of all to us, we
met troops from Canada, the USA and other European
States. We eve n met a Brigadier who was most
complimentary-about our singing!
Free from direct competition and therefore relaxed
and friendly , marches like this achieved their object by
bringing all participants rogerher for a day and are
becoming very popular both with civilian and military
organisations in Europe and the U K. Although my feet
may object , I'm going on a few marches nex t summer
(and so, he assures me, is L/C pl. Dawso n!)
5 QUEENS (V) PANZERS
by Capt. R. T. Turner, RAPC
Panzer Bde. 20 roared towards the Weser while we
twiddled our thumbs at Hanover Airport! Let me
ex plain:
I took a small parry from the Ban alion on 24 Sept.
for a 12-da y anachment to Panzer Grenadier Ban alion
201 in West German y; they were 2/Lt. Rumsey, L/Cp l.
Gallop and Pres. Deeprose and Sexton from C Coy.,
together with C/Sgr. Dye from E. We were joined at
38 Companies, four equ ipped with Marders and one with l
Mortars mounted on M 11 3s. I Kompanie is
Luton by 0/Cdt. Mounsey from 5 QLR (V) and met at commanded by a M ajor and the rest by Ca ptains and
Hanover by our Host 's SI Officer, OberLeutnant there are only two other officers in each Company
Depenbrock (hereinafter known as " The Adjutant"). senior NCOs undertake all other duties. The second
The Battalion's barracks are in Hemer but, followin g officer commands the Ist platoon in each Company and
NATO exercise " Harten Faust' ', they were spending each platoon has 3 M arders plus one for the Company
two weeks in the Bergen·Hohne Training Area and we Commander and one reserve. The Marder is an
therefore found ourselves on the way to the training armoured, tracked Fighting Vehicle ca rrying 9 men and
camp at Ostenholz. During the journey the structure armed witha 20mm Cannon, M achine Gun (MG 3) and
and the role of Panzer units were explained to us . Milan. Inside, a further MG 3 is carried with the
PanzerFaust (Light Anti-Tank weapon), six Machine
Although the area we were visiting held a Panze r Pistols (SMGs) and the soldiers' SLRs.
Division, we were to be concerned on ly with Panzer
Bde. 20; our own Host Unit (201), the Panzer Grenadier The morning's training consisted of a live-firing,
Bn. of this Brigade, was equ ipped with Marders whilst 40-minute circuit by the Marder in its various roles and
202 and 203 had Leopard tanks. The Brigade was by the Section when debussed for normal Infantry work.
completed by a Battalion of Artillery and the usual A Section is six men, the remaining three (usually the
supporting companies of Anti Tank (JagdPanzers), Commander, Driver and the Gunner) staying with the
Engineers, Supply, Medical etc.-all mechanised. Marder. Contact is maintained with the Section, the
Marder and the OC by radio.
Our hosts we re thus the 1st Bn. of 20 Bde. and its
Guard Battalion . Ostenholz Lager was new, well laid out 4 Kompanie provided a second Marder for us, so
and well equipped-quite a contrast to Okehampton! that we could follow the action, the result of which was
to make us even more determined to participate. Moving
On arrival we were asked what we would like to do. on to th~ ne.xt range we were introduced to the Leopard
We had already decided that we wanted to become Ta!lk with ItS IOSmm gun. Next came JagdPanzers in
German soldiers for the period, and not tourists and in action With their 95mms and on to the Reconnaissance
endeavouring to convey our wishes, I found a fluent unit with Hotchkiss and Luchs. (Most German vehicles
German speaker in our midst (C/Sgt. Dye) and his are named after animals and the Luchs (or Lynx) was a
proficiency did, in fact, enable us to tram with the formidable creature-one of the few Panzer vehicles
Germans and to participate fully in their exercises. with wheels; it is enormous although quiet and well
armed .
After a meal, we saw how well-appointed and clean
the buildings and areas were; I saw no litter during the . Next we saw a Luftwaffe unit firing 20mm cannons
whole of our stay. We then met the CO, Oberst Lt. m an Airfield defence role and then on to the Field
Ranck, and presented our own Colonel 's compliments, Workshops where the BergerPanzers (Recovery) were
together with a 5th Bn, shield. Col. Ranck's warm and based. Here a wide range of vehicles was on display and
friendly welcome heralded 12 days of hospitality and we witnessed a Leopard Power Pack (I call them
friendship which none of us will forget. engines) being changed in quick time.
The next morning, after a breakfast of unlimited . At .the end of the first day I had three strong
proportions and endless coffee (all ranks receive identical Impresswns: firstly, the German Army possessed a
meals), we were taken by the Adjutant on a tour of the wealth and variety of vehicles; secondly, that the
whole training area, reputed to be the largest in Western fnendhness of everyone (German that is) was unlikely to
Europe. Our first stop was to meet the men and Marders
of 4 Kompanie, but perhaps I should explain the
formation of a PzG ren battalion: there are fiv e
(Left): The visit to 201 Pz . Grenadier Bn.-(1 to r): 2/Lt. Rumsey, L/Cpl. Gallop, 0/Cdt.
Mounsey (5 QLR), Ptes. Sexton and Deeprose, and C/Sgt. Dyer
(Right): The 5 QUEENS Marder Section in repose
39
be matched elsewhere; and finally, there was no shortage quick ex its and we fo und that British steel helmets and
of ammunition. webbing are not su itable for such work; from then on we
worked in combat caps.
At every stop, a welcome was made and handshake
from the Unit Commander was followed by a full The follo wing morning, somethmg else new to most
description of the role of his unit and an examination of of us-live firin g of the M ilan. After demonstrating the
its equipment. C/Sgt. Dye applied for translation pay. equipment, we watched 16 fi rings of this tank killer.
The Adjutant then issued us with German helmets and
We soon learned to eat a good breakfast as the we were off to see an Assault Pioneer demonstrauon .
G erman soldier has only a small cup of soup and a bread
roll at midday . Evening brought the start of a 24-hour exerctse with
our Marders and the Leopards of 202. Another German
That evening we were introduced to the Brigade crew member was ejected from the 5 QUEENS (V)
Commander, Oberst Clauss, for yet another warm and Marder and I took his place. Later, when su pportmg the
friendly welcome; indeed, it soon became obvious that a tanks in atta.:k, we were caught in the open by Phantoms
very good relationship existed between the officers and of the Luftwaffe when I was reminded, a little painfu ll y,
the soldiers in 20 I; discipline was good but very relaxed. that the Marder reacts violently and swiftly on such
In Ostenholz the Companies were lodged in single occasions; from then I found it prudent to respond to
buildings and, in each, one room was set aside as a German commands and not wait fo r a translauon. T he
canteen for the two officers and the senior ranks which Luftwaffe strike was designed to give the gunners
served as a social meeting point as well as a Briefing practice with their 20mms in an A.A. role.
Room.
During a break, our M arder was camouflaged fi rst,
On Wednesday morning we joined 3 Kompanie to thanks to L/Cpl. Gallop and his K uk ri.
watch their Marder (Marten) crews in training, and were
introduced to the twin Panzer philosophies of " Speed" Later we watched the recovery of two Leopards
and " Technic". The Marder is a complete vehicle with which had sunk in the marsh much to the disgust of the
much equipment and all its crew are expected to cope Tank Battalion commander.
with all problems; e.g., when a round jams in the We were then introduced to the Panzer CO who,
cannon, they sort it out quickly without yelling for an after the familiar warm welcome, removed a crew
armourer. Most of the young soldiers are conscripts on member from seven of his tanks and installed one of us
15 months service so their technical training is fairly in each . The afternoon was then spent attacking a river
intensive and time cannot be spared for such luxuries as position which was then secured and bridged. M y own
drill and parades; it doesn't allow much time for the Leopard was one of the section cove ring our rear and
basic skills of the foot-soldier either and-alas-no time also guarding the bridge-carrying Panzers unt il the river
at all for singing! was secured . This duty entailed scurrying back and forth
j Now the moment we had hoped for arrived: Hpt. like sheep-dogs and, like the M arder, the Leopard reacts
Wischnewski provided a Marder and a crew of three . and moves at speed-an experience similar to a bad day
We were seven in number, so with me in the Command on Hoverlloyd! Our section had not slept the previous
Marder, we had a high-powered section of six night but all were as lively a ever; Pte. Sexton even
commanded by 2/Lt. Rumsey. C/Sgt. Dye took the radio wanted to be a tank commander and had to be pri sed out
and his ability to translate orders rapidly (together with of his Leopard when the exercise was over.
his sense of humour) was largely responsible for our
being able to perform most creditably and also in On Saturday we travelled to Uelzen with I
Kompanie to visit the HQ ofGrenzSchutzGruppe Nord
establishing an early rapport with our hosts; the {Border Police). In a spacious lecture-room, the
expression "British Guests' was soon to be replaced by
lormation and duties of this Para-Military force were
Britischer Kameraden. explained; the room also held models of the border with
Although we were able to impress our hosts with East Germany and its fortifications , as well as uniforms
our skill and exthusiasm as a team, individuals began to of the DDR guards. There is a large buffer zone in front
assert themselves: our shooting was very good with Pts. of the border into which the German Army is not
Deeprose excelling with the Machine Gun, to which he allowed; thus the Border Police bear the initial impact of
became very attached; and with L/Cpl. Gallop down any border violation. The internal terrorist threat has
with a bad case of Panzerfausc, I began to wonder if we added to their problems as they are now responsible for
were going to have trouble clearing Customs on the way guarding all government buildings and airports .
home! The evening we spent with Lt. Heinrichs of 3 After lunch in a clean and comfortable canteen, we
Kompanie and his recruits; then Marder work before left for the border. Accompanied by police guards we
joining the recruits in defence of their position in their were able to look into East G ermany from an
first small exercise. observation platform which provided a good view of the
As I lay in the bushes that night , clutching my fortifications; the only sign of life was one East G erman
Israeli SMG and waiting for the " enemy", the guard who popped out from a hedge and took our
realisation came that this was not only a training area but photographs. I recalled my trip to Gibraltar with the 6/7
also the fighting area if the nearby frontier is ever Bn. and thought how comparatively civili sed we are in
violated; night-ftring on the various ranges added quite a the West ; parted Spanish familie s are permitted to call to
lot of realistic background. each other across " no-mans land " from behind the wi re.
We finished the day with the Marders night-firing When we left the border, the moment I had been
with their various aids; with a 4 a.m. Reveille, it had dreading had arrived : we were invited to the Battalion's
been a long day but a most interesting one and we had Kam eradschaftAbwd. All ranks are forbtdden to touch
certainly fallen in love with the Marder, impressed by its alcohol during the working day, including meal umes.
power and accuracy. They are not, however, built for The " Evening" was to start at 3.30 and go on "qune
40 the army at the outbreak of war on ly to be killed at
Warsaw; he is held in high esteem by the Bundeswehr
late". The idea of a K-Abend is to let officers and senior and we found the scene in the forest very moving.
NCOs relax socially and safeguard their working M eanwhile, back at camj), the others were helping to
relationships. We were informed that there wou ld be reduce beer stocks and mdulgmg 111 an orgy of kit
free drinks and food for us plus games and that the swapping . (One desperate German CSM had to parade
Panzer kerword for the evening was not "Speed" or his men to check deficiences!) We all arrived home
" T echnic' , but "Survival " ! (The Germans play as hard however, with (more or less) what we had come ou;
as they work} I don 't drink beer and as I was wit h .
representing the Colonel of The Regiment, I am glad to
say that it was not me who had to be helped onto the bus T hat evening, 20 Bde. received orders to "stand by"
at midnight! The games turned out to be competitions for a move to the Weser which was to be recced, secured
(including shooti ng); the food was barbecued steak and by Assault Boats and a Bridgehead established; the
the beer never ending. The programme was interlaced vehicles of the Brigade were then to wade and swim
with promotions and presentations including, sadly, one across and travel back to their barracks in Hemer.
to the CO (OberstLt Ranck) who had built up the
battalion and was leaving on promotion to the Offi cer Thus when we woke on the morning of our last day,
School in Cologne; his kindness and interest in us wi ll PzGrenBn . 201 had gone) their Adjutant being asked to
be long remembered . The Colonel presented us with a hire a civi lian coach to return us to Hanover airport.
shield which had been made especially for us; it could be Before he left to rejoin his unit, we presented him with a
the first and last of its kind, for 20 I is to be renumbered Queen 's Ice-Bucket as a personal gift, to thank him for
in the new year. arranging our programme and for accompanying us on
the many tours and visits. We had been able to show our
Sunday at 11 .30 found our party at the open air hosts that out Infantry training was as good as that of
Service conducted by the Divisional chaplain, and in the our Regular colleagues and that we possessed boundless
afternoon we went to Hamburg to see the docks, by enthusiasm . I am very pleased to say that the members
courtesy of 2 Kompanie. Whilst looking at the ships I of our TA Section did an excellent PR job, bringing
lost contact wit h the rest of my party but am happy to credit to themselves and to The Regiment; in return,we
say they all returned to the coach at the right time-all received the warmest of hospitality, and an unique
wearing very smart tee shirts advertising the "Eros opportunity to train side-by-side with our NATO Allies.
Centre" (the Hamburg equivalent of Piccadilly C ircus).
On Monday, we were back with our friends of 3 RIPPING YARNS, EPISODE ONE
Kompanie and while our section trained with an Assault (or Exercise "Display Determaination")
Boat, I made three underwater crossings in a Marder.
After the soup break and life-j acket and survival drill, we . by Lt. T. Benson
took part in a river assault with boats, M arders and This exercise was a UKMF CPX held in Northern
Leopa rds. Italy in October in which we fielded a party of eight
representing Bn. HQ: they were the CO, Capt. David
Asked if we would like to fire Anti-Tank weapons, Wake, WO! John Can, Sgt. Tony Booker and L!Cpl.
we told I Kompanie that we would; so, in the morning, Bill Dolling- representing the regular element, and Lt.
we fired the Pan zerFaust and the Karl Gustav 84mm, Trevor Benson,Sgt. Clive O!dacre and Cpl. Ron Marsh
both practice and HEAT rounds and with good representing the volunteers.
results-2/Lt. Rumsey and Pte. Sexton looking The escapade started rasonably enough with a signal
particularly smug! The party then went on to the instructing us to travel to Dunkirk via Southampton on
r renade range with phosphorous-most useful for wood the luxury cruise liner Sir Belvedere. We thus arrived at
and house clearing-and while all this violence was Dunkirk, having taken two days to end up a mere 20
••ving on, I went wi th the Adjutant to vis it Jagd Panzers miles from Canterbury! We then bolted, glued, chained
:1d Leopards on a live-firing exercise. and nailed our landrovers to the frieght train and asked a
young "mover" L/Cpl. what time the train left. " Have
Another early start on Wednesday with 3 no fear", he stated confidently, "we have it all in hand"
Kompanie, devoted to the 20mm Ca nnon, we all fired and thirteen hours alter, the train arrived; accompanied
but modesty forbids me from saying who came top; it by the crack of whips, wielded by military policemen,
d1d, howeve r, stop further comme nt about providing we were herded onto the trai n.
Marders with camera slots for the Paymaster! At Dijon, certain Commanding Officers attempted to
buy bread and cheese in a local shop(s}, having
In the afternoon, we visited Celle for some shopping successfully evaded the prison guard; one adjutant
though financial problems forced us into Trenchard (widely believed to be a repository of all military virtues)
Barracks; here a friendly R Anglian officer and the Pay managed to swallow a few mouthfuls of water when the
Office sw iftly attended to our needs. train stopped in Mondane, but the alsation dogs drove
Our last day with 20 1 was spent with 2 Kompanie on the him back aboard . However, all was not bad; one night
rifle-range, followed (with 4 Kompanie) by firing the the cooks threw tins of corned beef and loaves of bread
20mm Can non . The afternoon provided our last training into the carriages'
with 3 Kompanie-firstly with Panzerfaust (good results On arrival at Aviano, having given our parole (that
again) and then into the marders for further M achine we would return) we we re allowed our freedom .We then
Gun and Can non work. To Pt e. Deeprose fell the conducted a very thorough recce of the exercise area to
honour of sendi ng the last shot down the range for 20 1 find a suitable site for BHQ, eventually finding one just
Battalion for 1979. outside a village which happened to have a very good
restaurant (quite accidental of course) for, as every RSO
That evening Mike Rumsey and I were invited to
join the offi cers from the Pan zer Division at a wreath-
laying and Remembrance ceremony by torchlight for
Freiherr von Fritsch, who fell foul of H itler but rejoined
knows when siting BHQ, you must ensure you can 41
communicate. rail party element got caught up in a French rail strike,
finally arriving at Dover 24 hours late .
On the exercise itself, the battle raged on the radio
for three days (and sometimes, nights); we defended, To fini sh on a serious note: we learned a lot about
withdrew, attacked (mainly the DISTAFF) and, after a the Italian Army, the terrain and, true to the exercise
surprise intervention by an armoured regiment (on R & title, displayed determination in assisting an ally m umes
R in Venice at the time), eventually halted the orange of crisis.
hordes.
Ca rtoon by Le. Peter M cCardle
The Brigadier said "cement Anglo-ltalian relations "
and we, ever faithful, sallied forth; we drove along
valleys, over passes, through vilages-probably where no
army land rover had ventured before-and finally arrived
at Cortina D'Ampezzo, where we stayed the night. (For
further detailsf of this night, send a plain brown SAE to .
. .!)
The following day we drove into the heart of the
Dolomites, stopping on the way for a ride in a cable
car-a fascinating experience; having prised Cpl.
Marsh's and · Sgt. Oldacre's fingers free from the
handrail, we got out and walked up to the snow line. On
the way back, we stopped for a meal at a hotel full of
Australians, Americans, Canadians and Italian Alpini
Engineers, all having a quiet litre and, bearing in mind
the Commander's instructions, stayed a while to cement
relations with all our NATO allies.
The final day was spent in Venice, playing the
tourist and looking at the Doge's Palace and San Marco
Square; searching for the famous Golden Horses, we
discovered that some inconsiderate swine had sent them
to England!
We returned by air without incident although the
lnsp. Richard Baker . M.A ..
Recruiting Officer,
Kent Police Headquarters,
Sutton Road,
Maidstone,
Kent ME15 9BZ.
43
The 6th/7th (Volunteer) Battalion
Mainly about People recruits from the 5th Bn. T wo platoons were fo rmed
Maj. F. Webb (see profile in June edition) has been under Lt. John Day and 0 /Cdt. Alderman assisted by
transferred to TARO after 37 years of unbroken service. Sgts. Baker and Parker and camp routine followed its
Awards usual pattern with early calls and bed boxes preced ing
breakfast and inspections. Training was concentrated on
• Maj. R. A. Hall has been awarded the Territorial Drill, Fieldcraft, Wpn. Trg. on SLR and LM G ,
Decoration; Phy$ical Fitness and Section Battle Craft and Tactics; 1n
W02 D. Bowen the Efficiency Medal (TAVR) 1st this Lt. Anthony Leonard was ably assisted by Lt. D .
Class; Harwood (enjoying his first camp after commissioning)
S/Sgt. Doubleday the Efficiency Medal (TAVR); whilst the Trg . Maj . (Ewen Christian) and the RSM ,
Cpl. Lightowlers the Efficiency Medal CtAVR) 2nd
WOI JAC Burr, cast watchful eyes on the training and
Class; and drill respectively. During the second week the recruits
C/Sgt. Paterson, PSI D Coy., the Long Service and enjoyed two days firing on the Ranges at Hythe,
Good Conduct Medal. followed by a strenuous 36 hours exercise . The fortnight
ended with what has become our customary passing out
Editorial Parade uplifted by the presence of The Drums of 1414
In the last six months, there have been two notable (Crowborough) Sqn. Air Training Corps. Following the
highlights-the first, inspirational and the second, inspection, the Commanding Officer gave a closing
enjoyable. The first was the announcement by the address and presented prizes and awards to the
Secretary of State, Mr. Francis Pym (on 7 Aug.) that in following: Best Recruit Overall-Pte. Hinton (5
future we would again be known as The Territorial Queens); Best Shot SLR-Pte. Taylor; Best Shot
Army (few outside the organisation knew what the title LMG-Pte. Stanley; Best Shot GPMG-Pte . Cotterell
T & AVR meant and we were becoming very bored (5 Queens); Best Drill and Turnout-Pte. Hughes (5
when explaining its meaning). Over recent years the Queens); Best Section-Cpl. Lockwood ; Best
public in general thought that the TA had been
Platoon-0/Cdt. Alderman and Sgt. Baker.
"wrapped up years ago"; however, the announcement A number of visitors during the fortnight were
has jolted the public into realising that there still is, headed by a local resident, Lt.-General Sir William
always has been and, of course, always will be a TA .
Oliver, who lives about a mile from the camp; the
The Secretary of State's announcement was made General kindly entertained a number of officers at his
during a visit to the 3rd Bn. Yorkshire Volunteers at home and was invited to the joint Messes Dinner Night.
Lydd and coincided with the release of the Shapland Other visitors were Col. D . Strong, ADC, TD, TA
Report; he also announced that the level of annual Colonel SE District and Lt. Col. Colin Cole, Garter
bounties was to be increased with a single tax-free King of Arms, whose two days at Crowborough were
Training Bounty which means that a Volunteer will much appreciated . The Orderly Room was most ably
receive £100 in his first year, £200 in his second year and run by Sgt. Trower, WRAC who coped with the usual
£300 in his third and subsequent years. Altogether, flow of paper, whilst Cpl. McClung, one of our faithful
heart-lifting news and we wait to see whether it will help team of RPs went speedily round camp with tins of paint
recruiting and at the same time stop the appalling and a pair of shears preparing the Drill Square for the
turnover rate of 30o/o. RSM .
The second highlight was our Annual Camp; this is During the year, much progress has been made for
always the peak of any TA battalion's year but never our Presentation of Colours Parade in 1981 ; all the
more so for us with two composite Coys.- each 130 admin and parade instructions have been drafted and
strong- going to Gibraltar in June . A detailed account The Colonel of the Regiment and Maj . Guy Weymouth
appears elsewhere but we thank Lt. Col. P. de S. came to Ardingly on 22 Sept. for a briefing and the first
Barrow, together with the officers and men of the 2nd of what will surely be a number of meetings . At the time
Bn. for their most generous hospitality and assistance. of writing, the Bn. is preparing for the annual Drill
Competition when Coys. will be striving to gain the
Battalion Camp, albeit on a much smaller scale than coveted place as Escort Guard for the Parade.
usual due to 260 being in Gibraltar on Ex . " Marble Tor
6 &7", was held at Crowborough Camp from 1-15 Sept. The last six months has seen the usual crop of social
when about 120, under Lt. Anthony Leonard, ran a events including a dinner held by the Bn. Cooks for
Recruits Training Course which was joined by about 28 Maj. Gerry Webb at Hornsey in August. As QM(2),
Gerry had taken all responsibility for the organisation
ON THE ROCK and training of our cooks over recent years-a
1. A Terrier on Night Guard at North Front particularly thankless task but one sign of his success
was the fine dinner given in his honour. Two weeks later
2. Members of A Coy on a fitness test Gerry was fetched back by B Coy for a full parade at
which he took the salute; this was followed by a dinner
3. Sgt. Fisher (A Coy) on Convent Guard in the Officers ' Mess when the Coy. officers and senior
NCOs dined him out and made him a number of
4. A stint on Border Guard at North Front presentations. The Corporals' held their second dinner
of the year in Sept.; the excuse was to " dine in the
5. Members ofB Coy. from Edgware
44 So each year, between April and July, General
Reserve battalions of the TA take it in turns to send a
RSM" though he has been With us almost a year! rifle company to Gibraltar for their two-week Annual
Congratulations to C pl. Young, the PMC, for Camp, thus giving the Territorials the chance of a rare
organising the evening. overseas posting and enabling a corresponding company
of the Regular unit to escape briefly "on parole" to the
The Officers Dinner C lub held a "fi rst" at Sutton fleshpots and larger training areas of the UK .
on 2 1 Sep. when they entertained Gen. Sir Hugh Beach,
The Master General of Ordnance who, following This year, either because we share the same cap
dinner, sat on the "bum warmer" and gave an badge as the then Resident Battalion (2 QUEENS), or
interesting and stimulating talk. Three weeks later the because someone "up there" likes our blue eyes, 617
Annual Regimental Ball went with a swing, thanks QUEENS got a double crack at "Marble Tor", enabling
largely to two very fine bands. With our own cocktail over 250 to sample the Gib. posting. The big problem
party in Haberdashers' Hall in Nov. and the Christmas was deciding who should go: the promise of all that sun
scene fast approaching, we look forward to clearing our and sea and cheap booze (to say nothing of the under-age
heads in January. girls), all at the tax-payers expense, proved a substantial
lure and the attendance at drill-halls in the months prior
All Coys. have had a busy summer and autumn on to Annual Camp improved dramatically .
training with some excellent weekend exercises in areas
stretching from Salisbury Plain to Hythe. For B Coy's Fortunately it was possible to send the majority of
exercise on Salisbury Plain, they managed to obtain trained ~oldiers, leaving only a small {'arty to staff the
helicopters for two days on the ranges-no mean feat. Recrmts camp at C rowborough. It s true that this
Most rifle Coys. spent a number of days in August-and, solution caused some dismay amongst those not selected
keeping ur with our tradition, have been busy on the but eventually the disgruntled minority were placated by
ceremonia front: D Coy. mounted a Guard of Honour rash (and, as yet, unsubstantiated) promises of Annual
for the Worshipful Company of Paviors on 27 Sep. and Camp 1980 in the USA .
on 21 Oct., the London Borough of Barnet adopted a
number ofTA units in a ceremony at Copthall Stadium, Those selected were organised into two rifle
Hendon. Lt. Col. Mike Dudding commanded the companies: the first 90, due at the end of May (replacing
Parade of 163 Officers and men and the RCT Staff Band a company of Kings Own Borderers (V)), was to be
were in attendance. The units adopted were our own B commanded by Maj. Ashley Wilkin, a 28 year old
Coy. based in the TA Centre in Edgware, 3 Coy. 10 solicitor from Alton, with personnel from A Coy. at
Para, and 240 Sqn. RCT(V). Farnham and Camberwell and B Coy . at Edgware and
Hornsey, leavened with a back-up staff from HQ Coy.
A particularly pleasing note to end the year is that The second company, relieving them in mid-June and
we were selected by London District to represent the incidentally completing the " Marble Tor " stint for
TA at the Remembrance Day Parade at The Cenotaph 1979, was to consist of elements of C & D Coys., our
in Whitehall: B Coy., under Maj . Mike Mercer, South London and W. Sussex sub-units, with the
represented the Bn. and it is hoped to have some balance of HQ Coy . all commanded by Maj. Richard
phoiographs of the occasion in our next report . Hopper, a bank manager from Woking.
Next year we shall be having a comparatively early When No . I Coy. eventually set foot on the Rock,
camp in Apr ./May at Sennybridge, and in June, we shall their first impression was a pretty jaundiced one; four
be sending a lucky 120 volunteers to America on Ex. and a half hours in a Crab-Air H ere on top of six spent in
••volunteer Warrior ''. drill hall, coach and airport reception lounge had
reduced them to gummy-eyed automata, heartily sick of
Bn. HQ is (at last) about to have elbow room; the the silly hammock seats, the plastic food, the wax
new garage block is almost completed and work on the flavoured orange juice, to say nothing of the deafening
new QM 's block is well under way. Ron Lucas inspects noise. By the time the plane lumbered over Ceuta, their
the work daily and hopes to take occupation early in the mouths had all the aseptic sweetness of aboriginis'
new year. armpits and the term "Old Sweat" was rapidly taking on
a meaning all of its own. On top of it all they were
Annual Camp-Ex. "Marble Tor 6 & treated to one of those Gibraltar-style landings that so
7" enliven the workaday routine of the RAF ground staff at
North Front and which draw whistles of admiration
by Maj . R. A. Hall, TD from passing seagulls. "You tax payers paid for the
whole runway," said the pilot disarmingly, " so we
"Marble Tor" epitomises the One Army concept might as well use the whole runway." The first close
and is a shining example of MOD 's infinite capacity to look at the Rock revealed a great craggy chunk of porous
make a vmue out of necessity . G1b., as we all know, is limestone, 1300 ft. at its highest point, some 3 miles long
not the British Army's favourite posting . Once a bastion and nowhere more than three-quarters of a mile wide. Its
of Britain's far-flung Empire, now that the frontier to precipitous eastern face is as seamed and as lined as the
Spain has been closed (these last ten years), the Rock is Quarter Master's, conveying the self-same impression of
left with all the social amenities and, more importantly, immemorial antiquity . Its upper slopes are devoid of all
all the training facilities of a (small) Open Prison . but the scantiest vegetation, whilst blades of grass are
Gibraltarians thrive on the confined space, but for rarer than copies of the Manual of Map Reading. From
British servicemen, despite the sun and sea of deepest the Spanish coast the rise and fall of this huge mass has
blue (and the beautiful, if mostly under-age, girls of the outline of a corpse and Spaniards call the Rock, " La
Eastern Beach and Rosia Bay), the sense of Muerta" -the Dead Woman. On the accessible and
claustrophobia is overwhelming. Once the novelty of the
first six months has worn off the problem is one of
survival for the remaining year and a half of the tour;
obviously, anything that gets the resident Battalion off
the Rock, albeit temporarily, must be a good thing .
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