December 1979

sheltered Western slopes, overlooking the vast dockyard 45
facilities, are huddled the houses and shops of Gibraltar
town whose narrow, winding and malodorous streets are strong favourite with both companies was the Tunnel
typical of Spanish hilltowns, an impression heightened Tours, a conducted "grope" through a small portion of
by the voluble, olive-skinned Gibraltarians. Only a the 34 miles of World War !I tunnels which still
closer look reveals the fami liar blue uniforms of the honeycomb the Rock; also the t<Jur of Lower St.
policemen and the unmistakable red pillar boxes that Michael's Caves, a natural formation inaccessible to
remind us that the Rock has been a British possession tourists and featuring an eerie and impressive series of
since the Treaty of Utrecht in 171 3. underground pools, lakes and limestone formations .

The welcome from our 2nd Bn. was warm and Mention must also be made of the Royal Navy's
unstinted and indeed set the tone for the whole four inexhaustible and at times overwhelming co-operation.
weeks; with their characteristic efficiency and courtesy, Through them we were able to enjoy tours around the
they soon settled us into our new quarters in Lathbury Rock and across to Morocco in the fleet tender; to put a
Barracks where (as one soldier remarked) the view alone party aboard the frigate HMS Diomede for day trips into
across the barrack's Beau Geste-like courtyard to the the Med and, for eight fortunate soldiers, a 4-day never-
great mountains of Africa beyond was "worth a guinea a to-be-forgotten visit to Villefranche in the South of
minute". The routine of both companies was to be the France on the carrier HMS Hermes. In addition, the
same, i.e. that of the absent Regular company-a four- nuclear submarine HMS Superb docked for a brief visit
day cycle that put one platoon daily on Frontier Guard, and very kindly agreed to accept a party aboard. Not to
two on military training and the fourth with a day off. 2 be outdone in such hospitality, the nearby Dutch
QUEENS had developed a highly-efficient organisation submarine Tonjn immediately volunteered to take a
for exploiting the recreational opportunities on the Rock party to sea, an offer accepted with some enthusiasm .
as well as for maintaining strong links with the other Following the visit to HMS Superb and the Royal
Services: thanks to their good offices, everyone was able Navy's almost aggressive hospitality, ("Ma,Y I have a soft
to enjoy water ski-ing, sailing and rock climbing as well drink, please?" "Not in this ship you can t! "), we were
as the more conventional "sights". Undoubtedly a fortunate in witnessing what must be D Coy's most
unusual declaration yet "I have no live rounds, empty
cases, or parts of nuclear submarines in my possession,
Sir!"

Members of the 6th/7th (Volunteer) Battalion on
Convent Guard duty in Gibraltar

46 men: B Coy's CSM (WO!I Dennis Cadywould) and the
Commanding Officer of the 2nd Bn., Lt. Col. Peter
On military training, both Company Commanders Barrow: the fi rst, because it was his idea initially and he
were hard-pressed to devise stimulating and realistic was able to persuade everyone that " his lads" should,
training with the limited facilities available. By a dint of and could, do it; and the second because, having been
good planning and much hard work on the part of won over to the idea, took the responsibility and talked
platoon officers and NCOs, a worthwhile programme the idea past Fortress HQ. (Perhaps our performance on
was put together, testing basic fieldcraft, weapon Gate Guard gave everyone that extra confidence in our
handling and shooting . The Rock itself provided some ability).
unique opportunities for map-reading and fitn ess, to say
nothing of birdwatching for our attached personnel from After a week of intense preparation under the
the Royal Corps of Ornithologists (better known as C vigilant eye of the CSM and the PSI (C/Sgt. Laine), the
Coy. HQ!) Did Capt . Hurd really say he had seen a blue- two Guards were ready to take over from the regulars
throated rock warbler? and to everyone's relief and pride aquitted themselves
admirably . Perhaps the best comment on their
The most popular training fa cility was the ingenious performance and indeed an apposite summing up on the
urban CQB devised and built by the 2nd Bn. in a whole four weeks of "Marble Tor " came from the
deserted tunnel complex deep in the Rock; the deceptive Governor himself. As he watched the ceremony from the
half light and strange echoes of Beefsteak magazine balcony of the Convent and the Band and Drums
brilliantly complemented the imaginative array of snap marched away down Main Street leaving Sgt. Pigeon 's
targets and "incidents" that awaited the unwary patrol. No. I Guard firmly in command, he said to Lt. Col.
With this range it proved possible to teach and test Barrow, " I thought you said these lads were
snapshooting and minor tactics under extremely realistic Territorials; I can 't tell them from your chaps". "That,
conditions. Governor", said Col. Peter (perhaps he was thinking of
the One-Army Concept), "is the whole point"!
However, the real purpose of our presence on the
Rock was to guard the Frontier. Ever since the troubles THE BATTALlON SHOOTING TEAM
with the Franco regime ten years ago and the closure of The Team continues to show the flag and on the
the Spanish side of the border, it has been thought weekend of 19/20 May, they were on Ash Ranges for the
necessary to mount a daily guard over the narrow sandy joint South East and London Districts Skill at Arms
isthmus which joins Gibraltar to the Spanish mainland. Meetings. As the rules concerning the entry to the
Daily, for 365 days a year, a platoon from the Resident Annual T AVRA Meeting at Bisley in July have been
Battalion is deployed in the Four Corners guard-room altered to permit only those teams that come within the
and its three outlying sangars, partly to prevent any top 4 or 6 in their respective District Skill at Arms
Spanish infringment of our territory but mainly to Meeting to enter, there were more teams than ever
dissuade Gibraltarians rashly trying to cross to relatives striving for honours . The team seemed to enjoy these
on the mainland. (A 3-day snnt m Algecira's jail is not to extra pressures and the ability and skills developed over
be wished lightly on anyone!) the last 3 or 4 years shone through and the Battalion won
the Unit Championship in South East District in fine
Despite previous articles from TA units who have style.
stood Frontier Guard this is not a glamorous duty as any The first day of the Meeting turned out to be the
regular soldier will admit. There appears to be little hottest day of the year but the team put in their best
chance of a major incursion by Spanish troops, (cries of performance yet on the Roupell Cup with Cpl. Terry
Shame! Shame! from the rear of the squad), and after the Goss (a concrete technologist by profession) getting the
first two days of unfamiliar routine and the exciting highest score of the entire competition-140. Cpl.
presence of a full magazine beside each sentry, the hours Blockley, an aircraft technician and C/Sgt. Richard
at " Four Corners" and in the sangers dragged-even for Bicker, an Insurance Broker, both turned in scores of
the youngest and most enthusiastic trained soldier. 132. Lt. John Day and L/Cpl. Smith both scored well
" Constancy", said Napoleon "is the first quality and the team set the standard for both London and
required of a soldier; bravery only the second." After South East Districts since part of the unit championship
three days in those sangers we knew what he meant . is a total of the six highest scores in the Roupell in each
team and no other team, in either District, exceeded our
There was one bright side to Frontier Guard-the total.
ceremonial duties of flag raising and lowering . For those On the same hot day, the LMG pairs competition
who carried out the unfamiliar duties; for the CSMs and was fired; Lt. John Day and C/Sgt. Bicker had a fine run
PSI's who trained them, and for their comrades who and returned a score of 114 which secured them a third
simply watched, this proved an activity of considerable place in South East District (the winner scoring 117).
interest, and competition was high to secure a coveted Sunday 's weather was a complete contrast and all those
place on the Gate Guard . who had still to fire the Roupell were at a distinct
disadvantage; for instance, Cpl. Goss had to fire a tie
But perhaps the high spot of the visit was the shoot against W02 Meywell (from CVHQ RAOC) for
opportunity to mount Convent Guard, an honour the Individual Rifle Championship of th e
jealously guarded by the Regular battalions and rarely, if Meeting-W02 Meywell won this with a score of 124 to
ever, accorded to Territorial units. The ceremony of Cpl. Goss 's score of 112-both poor scores for these
mounting a guard on the Governor's residence goes back good shots. Later the same morning the action moved to
to the first occupation of Gibraltar by British troops and the Section Match competition where the targets at 600
has a continuous history-dating from 1728 when the
Convent was first requisitioned from Franciscan monks;
every Monday since then, the Guard has been changed
in what has become one of Gibraltar's most colourful
and popular ceremonies.

The credit for our unique participation goes to two

and 500 were invisible in the fog to many : the section 47
from 6/7 QUEENS fired with great competance for such
a young team and swept down the range to come second Springall and Pte. Brookes. The team had another good
in the entire Meeting. They lost only to CVHQ RAOC Meeting and came 11th overall, an improvement by 3
(who were firi~g within South East District) and it was a places on last years performance. Cpl. Goss came 2nd in
little hard havmg to m1ss out on the medals m South the Imperial Tobacco Trophy for class B shots which is
East District to see 4RGJ-who had returned a score of an amalgamation of the scores in the ETR and
half their's-line up for a cup and medal each for Converted Gallery; he was unlucky not to win as he was
winning the competition within London District-but counted back to second place having come 1st equal. Lt.
this is competition life! John Day, C/Sgt. Bicker, Cpl. Blockley and Cpl. Goss
came 6th overall in the Converted Gallery.
With the SMG Team of 4 doing their stuff as well,
the team won the Unit Championship within South East Altogether a just reward fo r the many weekends
spent practising in all sorts of weather conditions. The
District. Bn. 2IC, Maj . Richard Putnam and the RSM have
continued to drive the team from the rear, running all
In July the action moved to Bisley for the annual the administration and the ranges on practise weekends
Territorial Army Rifle Association Meeting when the (and they were not all that popular during the cold
Bn. was represented by Lt. John Day, C/Sgt. Bicker, winter months!) Our aim next year is to reach the top 5
Cpls. Blockley, Goss, and Martin, L/Cpls. Smith and or 6 and beat RRF and the Royal Anglians.

The Bn. Shooting Team with the SE District Trophy after the SE Dist. Small Arms Meeting

at Ash.

(L ro r): Cpl. Dunn, Pte. Thomas, L/Cpl. DSprirvienrg,aSllg, tC. pBlask. eBrl,ocLkt.leJyohanndDJaoy~eCs,pal.nGd oPsts~. LB/oCopkl~
Smith, C/Sgt. Bicker, Cpl. Martin, L/Cpl.

48 Maj. R. J. S. Morgan, MC

PROFILE- MAJ. R. J. S. MORGAN, MC and his first task was the Presentation of Colours by
Early in 1980, the Battalion will be saying farewell King Frederik IX of Denmark. remaining as Adjutant of
to an unique officer-Maj. Reggie Morgan. Reggie will 5 Buffs until disbandment (in '67) he went on in the
be hanging up his hat after 34 years service which, since same role to form 7 Queens (TA) at Broadstairs, Deal
1959, has involved him as an Administrative Officer in and Folkestone, only to face disbandment of that
the TA; he has, of course, been at Horsham since the TAVR(lll) Bn. in March '69. He then form ed 7
formation of 7 QUEENS (V) when he and our Queens (T) Cadre at Folkestone and on retirement was
Quartermaster, Ron Lucas, entered the Norfolk TA appointed Knight of Danebrog. '
Centre in Denne Road, Horsham, to start administering
a Battalion fro m scratch-a daunting task which together Reggie then returned to civili~o- e'meloyment but
they faced cheerfully. became Adjutant of the newly-formed 7 l.,1ueens (V) at
Reggie was born and educated in Ramsgate and was Horsham where he remained on the amalgamation of 6
destined for a career as a Local Government officer, first and 7 Queens (V). The statisticians amongst our readers
with Ramsgate Local Education Office and then as C hief will have realised that this remarkable history totalled 34
Clerk at Dover in 1939, when his ma jor task was the years service during which Reggie suffered almost every
evacuation of schoolchildren. Hitler put an end to that frustration and disappointment.
and Reggie enlisted in The Buffs; after service in the
ranks (mainly at Canterbury), he was posted from 166 During his time with 6 and 6/7 Queens, Reggie has
OCTO on the Isle of Man to I0 Buffs on commissioning been much respected by all-Commanding Officers and
in 1941. The Bn. was in Devon working on beach recruits alike; always the perfect gentleman and a
defences and Reggie had his first encounter with the complete master of his art, he has been the guardian of
Vickers gun; each PI area had these as well as other the Bn. and the saviour of many a troubled officer with
weapons including a vintage 6" mortar. With his Bn. he his incredible recall ofTA and TAVR Regulations and
moved between Slapton Sands, Torecross, Beesands, his manipulation of the many "Systems".
Fallapit House and Kingsbridge. (Reggie recalls that the
best platoon area was Burgh Island where the billets Reggie has been married to June for more years than
were in the hotel and the pub still had a supply of beer!) either cares to admit; she, in her own inimitable way, has
provided Reggie with the perfect support and home that
He was then posted to I Buffs arriving in the any man could wish for. They and their two married
Western Desert in March '42 at which time the Bn. was daughters, who are both Civil Servants, (in the Land
just reforming as a Mortar Bn. in 8 Armd. Bde. in Registry and Charting Establishment RE respectively)
Khatatha. Reggie commanded MMG Platoon taking have lived at Horsham for the last ten years and have
part in the July and August battles and later just moved to Poole in preparation for their retirement .
withdrawing for training under I0 Corps for the It is very difficult to thank a man who has given so much
forthcoming battle of Alamein. B Coy. were the first to to the Volunteers and who has so undoubtedly loved his
enter Mersa Matruh after breaching the minefield laid work and its cause; nevertheless, we salute h1m and are
by the 1st Bn. in 1939 and made quite a name for itself all proud to have served with him .
by the employment of MMGs, mortars and carriers to
shoot-up enemy 88mm anti-tank guns. Reggie was We wish Reggie and June God Speed and a long and
awarded the MC for action at Alamein whilst engaged happy ret irement and look forward to seeing them at
on this task in support of B Sqn. 3RTR under Maj . Bob some of our social functions.
Crisp VC, the South African cricketer; he remained with
the Bn. until wounded at Tarhuna in January '43,
knocked out at the same time as F.M . Lord Harding
(then commanding 7 Armd . Div.) who had come
torward to find out what the hold up was!

On recovering from his wounds, Reggie was posted
to Middle East Infantry Training Depot as
Administrative Officer and then to a similar post at a
Convalescent Depot at El Ballah on the Suez Canal; he
returned to the UK in '44 and, after a spell at 12
Infantry Training Centre, was appointed Staff Captain
(A) at HQ East Kent Sub-District and lived in The
Constable's Tower at Dover Castle. In '40 he then
became Staff Captain (A) at HQ British Troops Berlin,
remaining there until released .

Back in "civvy street" Reggie returned to pre-war
employment with the Kent Education Committee,
initially at Folkestone and subsequently at Thanet
Education Offices; he joined 4 Buffs (TA) and was
posted as a founder member of 5 Buffs (TA) on
formation in '56 where he commanded HQ Coy. at
Westwood TA Centre, Broadstairs.

The call was too great and he eventually left civilian
employment and was appointed Administrative Officer
5 Buffs (TA); he took over as full-time Adjutant in '59

49

ADC TO DVT&C VOLUNTEER FORCES OF THE ARMY-
LONG RANGE SMALL-BORE RIFLE
by Lt. S. A. Blausten CHAMPIONSHIPS 1979

It all started with a visit to B Coy. by the CO, way by Capt. S. J. Dafforn TD,
back in January. After evening training, a discussion
took place in the bar between myself, the CO and the TAVR Small-Bore Rifle Team Captain
OC, Maj. Mike Mercer: the subject-how I could most
usefully spend a week in the summer to gain further Compet111g 111 these champ10nsh1ps over two days
experience of the TA and the army in general. One on the Ash Ranges were three members of 6/7 QUEENS
suggestion was a visit to BAOR as an ADC; however it and two former members of 5 and 6/7 QUEENS; they
was only a passing reference and seemed too good to be were all shooting 111 the lndiv1dual Champ10nsh1ps and
true so I dismissed it from my mind . Imagine, therefore for a place 111 the TAVR Team to shoot 1n the Inter
my surprise when, some weeks later, I heard that Serv1ces Long Range Match 111 September.
arrangements had been made for me to accompany Maj.
Gen. J. H . Foster, Director Volunteers Territorials and Their scores out of a h1ghest poss1ble of 2200 and
Cadets, on a 5-day visit to BAOR as his ADC-a once· their positions were as follows:-
in-a-lifetime experience for a TA officer in a non·
NATO·committed General Reserve Infantry Battalion. 3rd Myself (formally A Coy) 2141
What exactly does an ADC do, I asked myself, having 2107
plenty of ideas but no confirmation; however, after some 9th Capt. T. C. R. Hunon (formally B Coy) 2087
helpful advice from Lt. David Lee and Capt. Nick 2081
Freeson (ADCs to GOC SEDIST) and several visits to 14th Pte . Brookes (B Coy) 2038
the MOD , I was prepared.
15th Cpl. Goss (B Coy)
The itinerary prepared by Capt. Jackie Smith
promised an eventful visit: Sunday, dep . Heathrow for 20th Lt. Day (A Coy)
Hanover; Monday, visit TA units on Ex. "Steel Trap"
south of Hanover; Tuesday, accompany the Under Although I was unavallablc for the Inter Serv1ces
Secretary of State for the Army (Mr. Barney Hehoe MP) Championships (shooting for England in Northern
on "Steel Trap" and stay overnight at HQ 2 Armd. Div . Ireland) Capt. Hutton represented the TA VR and Pte.
mess, Lubbecke; Wednesday, visit TA units on 2 Armd. Brookes and Cpl. Goss were asked to stand by as
Div. MEDEX and units in the Hameln-Gutersloh
area; Thursday, return to UK. "Steel Trap" was a I re serves.
Armd. Div. exercise involving 6 FD Force and of course
our 3rd Bn .a total of 16,000 men (including 4,000 TA HJHJHJHJHJHJHJHJHJHJHJHJHJHJHJHJHJHJHJHJHJHJHJJ:
soldiers), I ~0 tanks, 300 APCs, 45 SP guns, I,800 STABLE~
wheeled vehicles and 50 helicopters- including 12 RAF iFROM THE SAME
Pumas and 4 US Army Chinooks-were involved. =~
~
In my capacity as ADC I was able to attend briefings :r
at exercise control and Field force HQ and follow the :!:; Our popular 'Burghl~y · felt hat 1llu· '2-:
pattern of battle from the controlling end; then, while
flying over the battle area bY. Lynx, Scout and Gazelle, I :I::r slr:u(d 1s JUSt o ne of the well known ::r;
was able to relate some detail from the briefings to actual range of H J head wear from rh~
physical movement on the ground-a novel experience. ..., same stable as your servtcc caps.
As well as providing an insight into the tactical problems
of warfare in the European theatre and in particular the :r. Avatlablc from our Old Burhng10n
North German Plain, it gave me the opportunity to visit i~ ~~~~~~~~~~; ~ta~:·~.OC~~~~Yo~~d
a wide variety of different units, the majority of which ;.~~~~~~~a~~~~~~~t~~~ ;~~~~~1-y =§
the infantry soldier will rarely be able to observe
operating in the field; this was, perhaps, the highlight of I~/~@2~ ~-.:':::::...,..... 1=.~..,
the trip. X Stnd for dcta•ls of our full head- TInhCr' o'uB~Uh RfinG1HshLfEdYt ' .~. :r
wear range m 'The Complete Gu1de
Among units visited were 10 PARA, 4 RGJ, 144 to Hcadwear ' and fo r detailS of £11 75 + £1 25 pp :r:
(PARA) Fd . Amb, Ill Eugr. Regt. , 257 Gen. Hosp.,
251 Fd. Amb., 2 11 AMB Sqn. and 116 Provs. Coy.-all ~ ~ JJ::
TA units. There can be no doubt that visiting such a J(f", J:
wide variety of units was a very interesting, educational, :t 13 Old Burlinglon Street,
enjoyable and thought-provoking experience and such
opportunities, although rare, should be encouraged i London WIX ILA 01-4397.197/9
whenever possible. Xx ____________ iJ:

I o·li Please send me 'The Complett Guide to Headwear' §
i 1 •1i~
Please send me details of all shows visited 0• ~~

Please send me • 'Burghley' hat brown/ green size .. .
~ I::;r~."::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::I ~
~ I. .. ........... .... ......................... I~
~ ~C~,;,~i.;;~r-dtiti~~~~i~~d~~d~n~i~; ~h;q~~ ·.,.;ith.~rd;:.J ~

J:fHfHfHfHfHfHfHfHfHfHfHfHfHfHfHfHfHfHfHfHfHfHfH

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REGIMENTAl SECRETARY'S NOTES 51

General From Where do our Soldiers come?
My last Notes were wrinen at the very tail end of a
There has been, over the years, an understandable
long and seemingly never-ending winter, which had changing pattern in our recruiting. Before the Cardwell
cruelly encroached tnto spring. Now, once again, winter reforms of 1881, a very large number of the soldters of
is upon us; as far as the Journal is concerned I have come our former Regiments came from Ireland (probably to
to believe that these Notes and winter are synonymous! escape the hopeless poverty of their birth-place!); thts
panern continued well into the 20th century. With the
Howe Barracks advent of World War I, our County Regiments were, tn
The ftrst phase of the rebuild continues and despite general, nurtured, from within their own Counues, but
as the prosperity of South East England increased, so dtd
known shortcomings, all will hopefully be well for the the problems of recruiting. What of today? The
arrival of the 1st Bn. in April. The casual observer, on situation, as at the end of 1979, shows that some 25% of
entering by the main entrance, would find linle change our recruits come from outside South East England and
from the old Depot days, but look carefully: hidden of the remainder, nearly half (45%) come from the
away between the Officers' Mess and NAAFI Shop, a general area of Greater London. There are still some
new large office-cum-administration block has arisen on who have "pipe dreams" that it would be a viable
the site of the old Depot offices; then, when you leave proposition to revive our former Regiments, outside the
the barracks by Chaucer Road towards the old Chaucer concept of The Large Regi ment; statistics show that if
Barracks and the City, there, on the left, the new this were done, those one-battalion regiments without a
seemingly vast M T sheds and hard standings have taken London base, would be of a strength well below 200. Let
shape . For me, the laner has been the most significant us therefore more fully acknowledge the fact that we owe
development, not because it has altered the skyline and our present existence as a Regiment, not only to the
the scenic beauty, but because it has grown so quickly in Large Regiment concept but also to the Divisional
com parison to everything else; a veritable mushroom concept. Additionally we should do well to take note that
our ultimate survival as a three-battalion (regular)
syndrome! Regiment may well, at some future date, depend on our
own efforts to recruit more successfully.
The story_ of Howe Barracks is understandably not
an over-tllustnous one, for 1l has not had the opportunity Extracts from The Colonel of The Regiment's
to weather a long period of history, but before it is Diary
forgonen, the following facts need to be recorded and
should be of interest to all future occupants. During the period under review, The Colonel of
The .R egi~e nt has continued with his busy round of
The Barracks were completed just before the acuvmes m support of our Regimental affairs which
beginning of World War 11, a pan of the Hore-Belisha clearly illustrates his tireless enthusiasm. In June, he
(the then War Minister) rebuild programme for the atte nded two Queen's Surreys functions at Guildford . In
Army; they were first used by The Depot, The Buffs, July he was at Bulford to view the Army Dress
but after the outbreak of World War 11 they became an Committee's proposals for a new uniform in the 80's;
Infantry Training Centre (ITC) and housed both the attended a High Sherifl's Garden Party in Kent ;
depots of The Buffs and The East Surrey Regiment. presented a new Standard to the ACF at Gutldford;
During the arduous and exacting days of World War 11 chaired a regimental Recruiting Seminar at Canterbury,
the ITC was commanded by Lt. Col. Gerrard Randall and paid a visit to the 3rd Bn. at Dover.
Howe (The Buffs) and it was in recognition of his
exemplary service throughout the war that the Barracks Back at Dover on l Aug ., Gen. Rowley was present
at the installation of HM The Queen Mother as Lord
took its name. Warden of the Cinque Pons (where the 3rd Bn.
provided a Royal Guard of Honour) and during the
During World War II the C ity of Canterbury was following week visited two ACF Camps-SW London
the target for many bombing anacks from the Lufrwaffe. .ACF near Shrewsbury and Kent ACF at Okehampton.
On the night of 1 June 1942 the Barracks suffered Also during August , he watched cricket at Canterbury
extensive damage and ten soldiers we re killed. A night (hosted, in turn , by The President of KCCC and The
bombing anack on the night of 31 October/! November Queen 's Own Buffs Association); attended two
saw additional damage inflicted on the Barracks when a Regimental Golf Meetings (at Epsom and Aldershot},
further six soldiers were killed. and returned to Canterbury on the 25th for a Cocktail
Party and Beating Retreat by the 5th (V) Bn . and TAVR
After World War 11 the Barracks reverted to being Band. Another visit to the ACF (a detachment at
The Buffs Depot. In 1951 The Home Counties Brigade Walton-on-Thames) in September was followed by a
Depot was formed and its members occupied the " briefing " by the .6th/7th (V) Bn. at Ardingly for the
Barracks for the next 15 years until 1966, when it presentauon ofthe1r new Colours in 1981 ; and then back
became The Depot, The Queen's Regiment. In 1968 it to Canterbury for The Queen's Own Buffs Annual
finally closed when the recruits training commitment Servtce of Remembrance and Reunion on the 30t h.
was absorbed into the newly-formed Queen's Divisional
Depot at Bassingbourn in H ertfordshire. Now, after a October was comparatively quiet, although the
period of ll years of only partial use, the Barracks is to General travelled to London for an OCA Luncheon · a
be reoccupied. Nothing could be more ap~ropriate, for Trustees Meeting and the Officers' Club Reunion ' at
Canterbury is "The Home of The Queens Regiment" H aberdashers' Hall in the City; and on the next day he
and this fact is proudly proclaimed on the ent ry signs to attended the annual Regimental ACF Officers Weekend
the City. Canterbury wi ll therefore once again become a at Shorncliffe where he also chaired a Meeting of all the
Garrison City-a tradition stretching back over many
hundreds of years-and hopefu lly , the future will see a
succession of our Banalions in occupation of The

Barracks .

County and Sector Commandants who have cadets the image of The Regiment; they also have a direct
badged to our Regiment. bearing on Public Relations and recruiting in particular.

Note: (Not recorded in the last issue of The We have launched an Appeal to our "Freedom
journal). During May, General Rowley attended the Boroughs" who have most generously donated £7,350.
new Mayo r of Barnet's otlicial reception, and Col. We are currently in the process of appealing to all retired
George Langridge (President of The Royal Sussex Regt. officers who are members of our Officers' Club.
Association) represented The Colonel of The Regiment Battalions are contributing 25o/o of the total cost. It is
at Brighton for the opening of The Roya l Pavilion by hoped that by mid-1980, this project will have been
HM The Queen. successfully completed .

The Refurbishing ofThe Bands & Corps of Drums Renewal of a Buffs Connection
of The Regiment
In September my wife and I set out on what has
It is The Colonel of The Regiment's intention to become for us an annual holiday of 'island hopping' in
refu rbish all our Corps of Drums and Bands; this entails the Aegean; this year we visited Samos in the
the purchase of scarlet tunics and hel mets, items which Dodecanese Islands. While sipping my ouzo in a small
are not provided from public funds. We have carried out remote Greek taverna looking across the narrow straits
a detailed costing and provisioning exercise with the aim to Turkey and Asia Minor, I got into conversation with
of providing all our Corps of Drums and Bands with a small group of Danes; surprisingly they were well-
scarlet uniforms and additionallr, our drummers with acquainted with The Buffs connection with Denmark. I
helmets. There are some who wil consider that this is an told them that my Regiment had inherited the proud
unnecessary expense at the present time; but in answer traditions of The Buffs and that their Queen was our
to this criticism, if we do not refurbish now, then it is Allied Colonel-in-Chief. All of us there then refilled our
unlikely that we ever will. Our Bands and Drums play a glasses and drank toasts to Queen Margrethe, The
very important part in our Regimental life and enhance Queen's Regiment and The Buffs.

AN APPRECIATION OF
EARL MOUNTBATTEN OF BURMA

When it was suggested that I might write an R eprinted by kind permission of th e Imperial War
Appreciation of Lord Louis, as he was affectionately Mu seum
known to thousands of servicemen who served under his
command in South East Asia, I was hesitant to
undertake the task for I felt that I was unqualified . I then
changed my mind for I thought that this wou ld be a
good opportunity to pay tribute to him on behalf of all
those battalions of our former Regiments which served
under his comma nd, and also those of us who, like
myself, served in the various Regiments of the Indi an
Army . I vividly remember the day when Lord Louis
visited our forward positions in the Arakan Peninsula in
Burma; it was just before the beginning of the Second
Japanese Arakan offensive in Feb . 1944. He arrived by
jeep and drove into a small jungle clearing where British
and Indian troops were gathered in their ragged battle-
stained jungle green uniforms. We form ed a circle
arou nd his jeep and he, in immaculate white naval
uniform, spoke to us all informally. With the passing of
time I can not remember what he said, but the effect was
electric and we all were aware that we were in the
presence of a great leader; it was undoubtedly a turning
point in shaping our confidence for the battles ahead and
some of the young Indian sepoys in my Company asked
if he was not truly a King!

Months later, after the defeat of the Japanese in the
Arakan, my Battalion moved to Kohima and I became
directly involved in the closing stages of that epic battle.
The Japanese attacked this sma ll Indian hill station with
three divisiC'nS in order to seize what they proclaimed to
be the " Gateway to India". When I arrived, th e gallant
initial epic defence by the 4th Bn . of The Queen 's Own
Royal West Kent Regiment was ove r and I found myse lf
dug in alongside a company of the 1st Bn . The Queen 's

(continued from page 52) 53

Royal Regiment who had also sustained heavy casualties Regiment. The following extracts from a letter sent by
and fought most gallantly . After the battle was over, Lord Louis in October 1945 to General Giffard, then
Lord Louis visited us and held an Investiture Parade on Colonel of The Queen 's Royal Regiment, will surely be
a small scarred and hardly recognisable football field . of interest: " I was recently invited by The King ofS1am
Again, that electric magnetism of personality was felt by to pay an olhCial VISit to llangkok. I dec1ded to have a b1g
us all but this time I do remember what he said: lnter·Service Parade in order to raise British prestige
"Gentlemen, there wi ll be no monsoon this year"! The within Siam. I enclose a photograph showing the march
mesage was clear; despite the appalling conditions past of the Queen's guard of honour in columns of sixes
during the continuous and heavy rains to come, we were followed by the Queen's detachment in columns of
not to rest on our laurels but were to advance and threes . The photograph gives little idea of the
relentlessly continue the destruction of the Japanese tremendous impression which the bearing, turn·out,
drill and marching of the Queen's guard of honour made
forces . on all the local population. They received a special
ovation from the crowd and everyone commented on
It was in the summer of 1943 that Lord Louis was them. Their marching was head·and·shoulders above the
appointed Supreme Commander in South East Asia. rest of the parade. General Evans (Note: he was our
Here, faced with an enormous task, he conducted a Divisional Commander) further informs me that the
campaign which Sir Winston Churchill described as behaviour of your men on leave in the town has been
" the greatest collison which has yet taken place on land exemplary and has greatly raised the prestige of our
with Japan" . The front was second in length only to the Forces in Siam. I hope you, as their Colonel, wi ll accept
front in Russia, and the Japanese had in the space of a this small but sincere tribute from me".
few weeks, the previous year, moved across east Asia
irresistibly to threaten the very heart of the Indian In conclusion I cannot say too strongly that all of us
Empire. It was early in 1944 that the Japanese had who served under Lord Louis owe him an enormous
mounted their Arakan offensive and then later attacked debt of gratitude, not only for the successes that we
Kohima; by the end of the year we had halted their drive achieved but also for the privilege of serving under such
and were hitting back hard throughout the monsoon . a great Commander.

As the victorious Fourteenth Army advanced, more Note: I . The following Battalions of our former
than 100,000 Japanese were killed and many others were Regiments served in South East Asia under
starved out. Rangoon was freed in May 1945 and the Lord Louis Mountbatten of Burma:- Ist Bn.
Burma Road to China reopened . Japan surrendered in The Queen's Royal Regt., 2nd Bn . The
August 1945, after atomic bombs had been dropped on Queen's Royal Regt. , 2nd Bn. The Buffs
Hiroshima and Nagasaki and in September, Lord Louis (Royal East Kent Regt.), 9th Bn. The Royal
accepted the formal surrender of the Japanese Southern Sussex Regt., 4th Bn. The Queen's Own
Army. After the surrender of all Japanese forces, my Royal West Kent Regt.
Division was flown to Siam (Thailand) in order to accept
the surrender of the Japanese Army there and to 2. The area of operations covered the Arakan,
repatriate the thousands of our POWs who had been Kohima, The Chindits and the whole of the
working on the infamous Burma Railway. Once again I advance through Burma as far as the Sittang
found myself alongside 1st Bn . The Queen's Royal River and Rangoon .
J.N .S.

THE REGIMENTAL
GOLFING SOCIETY

Match v. RMAS 4 July '79 Lance Mans (1st Bn.), Majs . Peter Cook and Guy
Weymouth (who played for Q.O.B. G.S.), Brig . Michael
Seven members competed at the AGC Aldershot C larke, Col. John Shipster and Capt. Derek Bush.
against a similar number of Cadets and staff at the RMA
and we won by 5 to 2 (a reversal of last year's result). Q. 0 . Buffs G.S.
The team: Maj . Reg Ford (Capt.), Capt. Derek Bush, Maj . Maurice Dewar )Capt.), Pip Arnold, John
Brig. M ichael C larke, Maj. George Goring, Capt. Jack Waters, George Potter, Enc Hoggart, 'Duke' Reeves
Rayner, Col. John Shipster and Maj . Guy Weymouth . and Maj. Rex Shearburn.

Match v. Queen's Own Buffs G.S. 21 Aug. '79 ANNUAL MEETING, 24 AUG .
Thanks to Maj. George Simpson, Estate Manager of
Fourteen members of the Regimental Golfing
the RAC Cou ntry C lub at Epsom, a splendid day's golf Society, including our President, The Colonel of The
(Foursomes) in fine weather was enjoyed by eight Regiment, competed for the various trophies at the
members of each Society. It was the third meeting (in Army Golf Club, Farnborough on Friday 24 Aug · a
succession) of this annual fixture and although we lost fine day despite the weather forecast.
yet again, it was only by one match in the morning (the
afternoon's contest was halved). The Colonel of The For the record, the following were the winners,
Regiment played in the morning and the other prizes being presented by Mrs. Corrie Shipster, w1fe of
the Regimental Secretary:
contestants were:

Queen's G.S.
Col. Toby Sewell (Capt.), Lts . Rob Walker and

54 For the third time, therefore, only the Royal Anglians
and ourselves assembled to do battle with six a side.
Scratch Cup After the Morning's Greensomes, the Anglians were ten
S/Sgt. R. G. Allison (77) holes up and in the Afternoon's Singles, we were three
up: thus we lost by seven holes on the day. Though the
"Tiger" Cup (handicaps of 1 - 12) rain kept off before lunch, 1l fell pefSlstently all
S/Sgt. R. G. Allison (29) afternoon and the bedraggled contestants arrived at the
19th just before visibility faded.
"Weekenders" Cup (13- 17)
Lt. Rob Walker (29- on last nine holes) For the record:
AM (Greensomes)
"Rabbits" Cup (18- 24)
Capt. Amedee Mieville (30) QUEENS RANGLIAN
Foursomes
Maj. Mike Ball and Capt. Mieville (35) Perry + V. Taylor
Pal mer Moo re
The Battalion Cup
3rd Bn. (Capt. Duncan Palmer and S/Sgt. Mite hell Grouse
Allison- 27) Shephard + 2 V. Paul

The morning Sweepstake (£6.25) was shared by Shearburn V. Woodward 13
Capt. Mieville and S/Sgt. Allison, and the afternoon Shipster Cobbold +
"Swi ndle", by Maj. Ball, Capt. Mieville, Capt. Palmer
and S/Sgt. Allison (£3. 50). Since no-one succeeded m +3 + 13
achieving a "hole-in-two ", mne new balls w1 ll be earned
over to next year's kitty. PM (Singles)

The AGM QUEENS RANGLIAN
Col. Toby Sewell (in the absence of our Moo re
Mitchell + 1 V. Woodward
Captain -Lt. Col. Hugh Tarver-in N. Irela nd) chaired Shephard + 4 V. Grouse
the AGM; in brief, this covered:- Taylor
Perry + 2 V. Paul +
! . The Secretary's report on activities during the Palmer + 8 V. Cobbold +
year.
Shearburn V. + 4
2. Captain and Vice Captain for 1980 would be Weymouth V. 8
nominated after Commanding Officers had been
consu lted at the Regtl. Committee Meeting in Nov. '79. + 15 12

3. The President's closing address (including The Colonel of The Regiment and our old friend
thanks to the Secretary of the AGC and an exhortation Gen. Francis Piggon (with whom he had stayed the
to the regular battalions to give maximum support to the night) joined us for lunch.
meeting next year).
The 2nd Bn. very kindly put up four of our
Match v. R. ANGLIAN at Frinton-on-Sea GC, members in their Officers' Mess the previous night.
Wed., 10 Oct., '79

The divisional Challenge Cup was competed for on
this pleasant course but the RRF failed to enter a team.

R. C. 0 's Report

(by Maj. D. C. F. Gouda)

First of all I am happy to report that Maj. Dick Recruiting has shown the normal seasonal
Waite is alive and well, spending a reasonable fluctuations; over the past few months adult recruiting
proportion of his time behind his desk at RHQ. In June has improved and, although we still fall short of our
he took over as Assistant RCO and now deals with the target, great efforts recently by our Recruiters have
knotty subjects of Bands, ACF and provides continu ity; increased the number of committed recruits. Similar
in other words, those subjects which I deem too difficult efforts within Battalions combined with the effects of the
to handle. pay rise have improved the wastage figures. Junior
recruiting remains good and all the vacancies at I]LB
There have been many changes amongst the and JSB have been filled.
Recruiters but insufficient space to record them; we
must however, offer a warm welcome to C/Sgt. Gill who In the Officer Recruiting field, a steady stream of
has taken over as LSL Recruiter at Chichester. applicants have passed through RHQ but many have not
been up to the high standard we require. The failure rate
The RIT has had a particularly busy Summer at RCB is high and we have had some disappointing last-
Season and it would be nice to think their efforts have minute changes of mind by previously-committed
neither go:-~e unnoticed nor unapplauded by The applicants.
Regiment . So busy, that, Capt. George SimlJIOns (OC
RIT) has even been seen to wash his left hand dunng the
day to make space for more notes.

In July a very useful Recruiting Symposium for all 55
C RLSs, SLOs and ACOs in South East and London
Districts was held at Leros Barracks. This produced 1st due in April, there is a unique opportumty for all
some very helpful suggestions and an exchange of views members of The Regiment to actively assist In the
whilst we entertained our guests to lunch. recruiting effort . Pay a visit to your old schools and talk
to any boys considering a career In the Army; chat to
The annual ACF Officers' Weekend was held at St. anyone (of a suitable age) you may meet in pubs or discos
Martin 's Plain in October; undersubscribed but those and tell them about The Regiment-the good times (and
who came enjoyed themselves. We now have a useful the not-so-good), where you have been and what you
steer as to the content required for next year's session have been doing . In this way we can all help to Improve
which will again be held at St. M artin 's Plain Camp, on recruiting ; an d reme mb er wi th up-to-strength
4/5 October. Battalions, li fe will be that much more enjoyable for us
all.
With two Battalions now back in England and the
.On 16 Feb. , I shall be handing over the job of RCO
to Capt. M . P . (Malco lm) Lawson, recently CO, 8 C TT .

Cpl. Graham Watson of the RIT beside one of
the new City signboards erected on all main

routes into Canterbury
(A splendid bit of PR for which we have Maj .

Roddy Mellotte to thank)

56

REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION NOTES

by Maj . E. A. McCarthy

BENEVOLENCE Ex Pte. , living in sub-standard accommodation
with his wife and six children, could not pay the
I have heard, from several sources, that verv little is removal costs to a better home-granted £80 plus
known in the Regiment about how our ·Queen 's £100 from ABF.
Regimental Benevolent Fund works, how it obtains its
Income and, more important, where the money goes. I Ex Pte . with large electricity bill - granted £30
am therefore devoting most of our available space in this plus £30 from The Queen 's Surreys Assn.
issue to giving as much detail as possible .
Ex C pl. who, be cause of protracted
The Benevolent Fund came into being as a unemployment, had debts for electricty, rent and HP
registered Charity in January 1967, the income starting amountmg to £1 ,000-granted £77 and obtained
with £667 from the "Day's Pay" scheme subscribed by grant from ABF for a further £500.
soldiers. In 1968 a similar subscription was organized
from officers of The Regiment, who convenanted for Ex soldier, suffering from epilepsy and unable to
seven years a fixed sum, equivalent to a day's pay, per obtain regular employment, required a telephone to
annum. It was agreed at that time that 90o/o of the call for assistance in emergency but could not afford
income derived from both these sources would be paid installation costs-granted £50.
to the Benevolent Funds of our " Founding Regiments",
therefore the funds of our own Regiment, initially, did Senior NCO whose mother was ill and died
not grow very much at alL By the end of 1968 the Fund abroad had to pay almost £I ,000 in fares and funeral
had an accumulated total of £2000. This situation expenses-granted £50 and loaned £600 to be repaid
continued until 1973 and, during these five years, the over two years.
Fund had only increased by £6000.
Cpl. whose child died was involved in heavy
In 1974 it was decided that the grants to the financial commitments during period of illness and
Founding Regiments would cease and all monies
subscribed by our soldiers and officers should be death-granted £I 00.
retained by the Regimental Fund although it was made
quite clear that, should the need for financial assistance Parents of soldier killed in N. Ireland in
ever arise, we would always provide whatever was
required. In addition, a start was made on transferring financial, as well as emotional distress-granted
all officers on the Paymaster's deductions of a full day's
pay per annum. By the end of 1978 the value of the £100. Applied to ABF for grant and subsequently
Fund had increased to £45,500 with £35,500 invested after settling debts, paid to them £I, 500.
for the future . '

During the latter half of 1978 and this year, there The Regimental case-work does not end with
has been a steady changeover of the soldiers' financial assistance. We keep in touch with the families
subscriptions from non-convenanted to convenanted of any soldier killed, whether in N. Ireland or by
payments; this increases .the value of subscriptions by accident, and make regular visits to anybody with
approx. 40o/o when we cla1m back the tax already paid by problems and do our best to solve them, whether it be
the individuaL finding housing, looking for a job, or advising on legal or
other situations where help is required.
It will be seen from the figures above that thanks to
the generosity of all serving members of The Regiment It has been said on many occasions that a good
who contribute to the 'Day 's Pay" scheme, we are insurance policy might be cheaper and more worthwhile
always assured of a healthy mcome with which we can than giving a days pay to a Benevolent Scheme. The
assist an increasing number of our ex-members who are reply to this is that m the case of benevolence, the
in need of financial aid. premium is paid only whilst serving, but the benefits are
available for life to all soldiers and their families; not just
In the same way that our income has grown so has a single payment, but help whenever it is needed for
the requirement to use it increased. In 1968 the grants whatever the reason. We do not examine the "small
g1ven m a1d amounted to £140; in 1978 it was £1,500 print" before sending a "grudging cheque". The
and, so far th1s year (November), we have given grants Regiment runs its benevolent scheme with compassion
from Regimental funds totalling £I ,800 and have and comradeship.
obtained for our members major rehabilitation grants
from the ABFtotalling £9,000. These include grants to Regimental Association
sold1er casualties from N. Ireland or to the families of
soldiers killed there. The Major problem facing us as a Regiment is how
best to build up our own Queen's Association. It is
Examples of some of these cases are given below. regimental policy to build on the strong roots of the past
They are by no means a full catalogue but show the and we are currently endeavouring to do this with the
diversity of the case-work involved : help of the Regimental Associations of our former
Regiments. In this context, the following is an extract
Applied to ABF Bursary for education of ex. from a letter se nt by The Colonel of The Regiment to
Sgt's son ; this was approved and will ease the Presidents of our affiliated OCAs, earlier this year:
problems for the whole family .
"The Regiment has now been in existence for twelve
years and although our Association is well-founded
from the point of view of central control and work in
the field of benevolence, it still lacks a proper
geographical framework within the Regimental area

of SE England. Attempts have been made to organize 57
Queen's Regimental Reunions but these have not
Road). T hirdly, and perhaps more importantly, eve n
been supported. if the younger ex-soldier wishes to continue his links
with the Regiment either immediately or later when
The Founding Regiments have a strong system he might return to his home area, there is no easy
of branches in their old county areas; these were way of identifying his Regiment with those of the old
mostly formed in the aftermath of World War I and Regiments: QUEENS and MIDDLESEX , for
added to after World War 2. example, are not synonymous."

Dangers shared and friendships made during the RHQ makes every effort to put a soldier who leaves
rigors of war have been a strong motivation towards The Regiment in touch with the nearest Branch of an
the maintenance of reunions, indeed, the signs are OCA of one of our former Regi ments. We also
that attendances may be getting bigger at such encourage all those who leave The Regiment to
reunions as veterans get older and wish to meet old subscribe to the Regimental Journal.

friends again. It will be seen from the General's letter that the
problems are many but I am sure that they can be
The Associations of our former Regiments have overcome, and will be, if the majority of our soldiers and
kindly opened their doors to those leaving the officers, when leaving the Service, make a particular
Queen 's Regiment but the response has been effort to join a local Branch of the old Regiment OCA
disappointing, apart from a number of ex. TAVR and make a really worthwhile contribution to the
members ~ho, by their closer affinity to the activities of that Branch.
Associations in drill halls etc., know the members
As a beginning, why not put in your diaries, now,
personall y. your intention to attend the G rand Reunion here at
Canterbury-"The Home of The Regiment "-some
There are a number of reasons why the response time in August 1980, The aim of this Reunion is to
from ex-Regulars .has not been good: firstly, the arrange a day when past and present members of The
mobihty oflabour In the Country is considerable and Queen's Regiment and the OCAs of our founding
men leaving the Army very often do not return Regiments, together with their families , can meet and
immediately to their old home areas; secondly, the enjoy a full da y's programme of events. Further detai ls
age gap between members of the old Associations of this can be found elsewhere in this issue .
(now mostly 60 plus) and the ex-soldiers of today (late
20s and early 30s) is a wide one and largely precludes (See inside back cover)
any common factor of interest (there is little
anecdotal relationship between Cassino and the Falls **

** ex-Regulars, who may use its se rvices as often as they
w ish .
THE OFFICERS' ASSOCIAT ION
The Association has 42 Branches covering the
The Association relieves distress among ex-officers United Kingdom , a nd its Employment Officers-all ex-
Servicemen-are tn close touch with employers. It
or their widows and dependants, with fin ancial grants, provides all its services free . Addresses and telephone
help tn findtng places tn Residential Homes for the numbers of Branches can be obtained from Corps and
Regimental Associations- or from Post Offices
elderly, Nursing Hom ews iathndfeeCso. nIvt ahlaesscaeCntouHnotmryesHoarnnd~ Employme nt Offices or local telephone directories . '
if necessary, assistance
in South Devon for active elderly male ex-officers of

limited means, and a bungalow estate in H ertfordshire

for disabled ex-offi cers and thei r families. It gives help

and advice regardtng reti red pay and pensions and in the

preparation of appeals regarding Disability or War

Widows Pensions. It has a C lothing Store for ex-officers RESETTLEMENT- EXECUTIVE
In nee d . The Re sett lement and Employm e nt EMPLOYMENT

Department is part of the Regular Forces Resett lement

Service and helps any unemployed ex-officer to find In addition to the normal Army rese ttlement system

emp loyment . there is now an opportunity for those Sergeants and

If you hear of any ex-officers or officers' widows in above seeking executive empl oyment on reti reme nt to
distress, please tell them to write to The General '
Secretary, The Officers' Association, 28 Belgrave do so through a professional consu ltant.
Square, London SW IX 8QE. (01-235-8 112).-Ed.
Through TAVR connections it is now possible to

obtatn second career advice in the executive field at no
'
cost to the applicant by contacting :-

L. ] . Cramer Esq .,

REGULAR FORCES EMPLOYMENT Blue Arrow Executive Selection ,
ASSOCIATION
17 Park Place,
T his Association is part of the Forces Resettlement
Service. It ex ists to help the non-commissioned ranks of Stevenage, Herts.
the three Services to resettle in civilian life when they
leave the Forces, and in particu lar to help them to find Phone: Stevenage 53942.
SUitable employment. It also takes a long term interest in
Through their own and associated branches, " Blue
Arrow " are able to cover the Southern half of the United
Kingdom and ca n offer posts overseas depending on

qualifications.

THE QUEEN'S REGIMENT MUSEUM WE, THE LIMBLESS Help BLESMA , pl ease .
We need money desper-
Originally established as The Home Co• tnties LOOK TO YOU FOR ately. And, we promise
Brigade Museum in 1960, our Museum changed its title you , not a penny of it
on the formation of The Regiment in Dec. '66. Situated HELP will be wasted.
at the top of St. Martins Hill, Cante rbury (on the A257
road to Sandwich) at the entrance to Howe Barracks, it is We come from both Donations and informa-
readi ly accessible by car and omnibus and is open to the wor ld wars. We come tion : Major The Earl of
public from Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays), from Ke ny a, Malaya, An caster, KCVO, TD .,
from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m . Aden, Cyprus .. and from Midland Bank Limited , 60
Ul ster. From keeping the West Smithfield , Lond on
The Museum contains relics of all our found er peace no less than from ECIA 9DX.
regiments-The Queen 's Royal Regt. (West Surrey); war we limbl ess look to
The Buffs; T he East Surrey Regt ., The Royal Sussex you fo r help .
Regt ., The Queen 's Own Royal West Kent Regt. and And you can help , by
The Middlesex Regt . It is controlled by a Board of he lpin g our Association .
Trustees under the chairmanship of Col. F. D. C . Cobb, BLESMA (the British
TD and is a registered charity under the Army Limbless Ex - Serv ice
Museums Ogilby Trust. Men's Association) looks
after the lim bless fro m
Among recent acquisitions are a number of medals all the Services. lt helps.
of form er soldiers (mainly of The Queen's Roya l and wit h advice and encour-
East Surrey Regi ments; the Mess Dress epaulettes worn
by our first Co lonel-Lt. Gen. Sir Richard C raddock agement, to overcome
KBE, CB, DSO; an officer's sword (circa 1842) the shock of losi ng arms .
presented by The Queen's Royal Surrey Regt. Museum , or legs or an eye. lt sees
and a bronze representation on copper of the badge of that red -tape does not
The East Surrey Regt . stand in the way of the
right entitlement to pen-
sion. And, for the se-
verely handicapped and
the elderly, it provid es
Residential Hom es where
they can live in peace
and dign ity.

British Limbl·ess Ex-Service Men's Association

' GIVE TO THOSE WHO GAVE-PLEASE'

(

Depot The Queen's 59

Division are Sgt. Leach, Cpls., Vessey, Owens, M cCreadie and
Dale .
DEPOT HQ and HQ COY.
BCOY.
Maj. P. V. Cheesman arrived in the early summer to
become 2IC of the Depot and immediately there were The pace of life continues to be hectic whilst we
changes, particularly in the sporting field . Depot HQ battle on passing out recruits to the Infantry Battalions.
remains "Queens-heavy", with the 2IC, Adjr., RSM and In Coy. HQ we welcome our new Company
QM all from the Regiment. W02 King keeps a fatherly Commander, Maj . Bartlett; no sooner had he arrived,
eye on the Company which seldom numbers less than when our 2IC, Capt. Marston, disappeared for a six
200 at any one time. Since those recruits who are leaving week cruise in the Mediterranean with the Depot Band .
the Army now come to HQ Coy., and all new recruits
pass through Cpl. Beadles "Recruit Reception " Queensmen in the company include Sgts. Daley and
organisation, it is a constantly moving population. Sgt. Hewitt, Cpls. Turner, Barrell, Archer, Albrecht , Frazcr,
Dapprich maintains continuity in the Sergeants' Mess Vann and Cpl. Beaney who has spent th e last two years
and Sgt. T hayre has arrived from the 3rd Bn. to do the as our company clerk.
same in the Officers' Mess. With Cpl. Felton as current
PMC ofthe Corporals' Mess, the standards of the Depot We hear that Cpl. Vann (recently arrived from the
"socials" have reached an all-time high. Sgt. "Flash" 2nd Bn.) hopes to get married soon .
Graham is about to leave us for the ski-slopes of civvy
street; the EL Wing will be .a different place without Three platoons have recently passed out and though
him . In the PT Wing, Cpl. Hyde has continued to the Regiment was not among the prize winners, a total of
achieve great success at athletics, representing the Army 10 recruits went to the 1st Bn ., 13 to the 2nd and 6 to the
in the 1OOm. 3rd .

It would be nice to think that, by the time the next Lt. Harr has been playing rugby for the Depot this
issue comes out, the " Black Huts" wi ll have been season, whilst Maj. Bartlett and Sgt. Daley have played
replaced by something more habitable. No such luck! in the hockey team.
But at least our many visitors are not put under canvas
and we have been promised that the new NAAFI will After two happy years in the Company Cpl. Hassan
start being built next year. We live in hope. has left and been posted to 2 QUEENS at Colchester.

ACOY. CCOY.

A steady flow of recruits have been trained and sent In the last issue we mentioned that it would be easier
to the Battalions; from this Company, a total of 46 to find a new Coy. Commander than a clerk; we were
Queensmen have passed out-18 to the 1st Bn ., and 14 wrong! A new WRAC Clerk has at last arrived (fairly
each to the 2nd and 3rd. promptly for a girl) but our OC took longer. We said our
fond farewells to Maj . M.]. Jarratt on leaving the Army
Lt. Hiscock has now left us and taken up his new and presented him with a carriage clock; we wish him
appointment as 21C Salamanca Coy., IJLB, after a well in his new profession at Chester. Maj . A. H. Carter
period of preparation in Norway and on several took over on 17 Sep. from BAOR and is only just
improving courses. Lt . Harper has gone to the 2nd Bn. recovering from the withdrawal symptoms (withdrawal
(from RMAS) and other departures have been Sgt. of LOA and duty free liqueur).
Edwards and Cpl. Fidge.
The Band (unde r WO 1 Price), not satisfied with one
New arrivals include Lts . M orris and Rayner, Sgt. cruise to the Carribean, bluffed the sailo rs of HMS
Sturgeon and Cpl. Collins, the latter raking a day off to lm repid into raking them on another cruise, this time to
get married during his first week at the Depot. Sgt. the Med .: when we last heard, they we re on their way to
Grieve has also joined us from recruiting in Norbury At hens and the OC wanted to know how Capt. A. C. N.
and is the Coy. Admin. NCO. Marston managed to get on such a swan; and if the
Paymaster would pay up if he put in a 1771 fo r a return
Maj . Murphy continues as Company Commander, journey to Athens!
whilst Lt. Goulden has rejoined us from his RMAS
course. Cpl. Hannington has been busy on courses: Sgt. Ward continues to act as Drum Major and is
having completed the Skill at Arms course, he is now looking for someone to take the Corps of Drums on a
doing EPC. Other Queensmen on the permanent staff cruise too . (Only those with frigates and DUKWs need
apply!)
(Left): Lt . J. Barr on a Passing Out Parade
Our congratulations to Cpl. Miller who left us in
(Centre) : Maj. M. J. Jarratt being presented Aug. on promotion, and a big welcome to Cpl. Martin
with a carriage clock, on leaving the Anny from the 2nd Bn.

(Right): Cpl. Albrecht winning the 1500m. in Lt. Hook and Sgt. Daines took their platoon on
the Depot Sports Meeting another day trip to France; this time they went by coach
and were not mistaken for soccer hooligans!

W02 Davies has trained yet another platoon and at
the Passing Out Parade on 17 Aug. (taken by Maj. Gen.
M. ]. H . Walsh, DSO), a total of 6 Junior Soldiers
passed out viz . Ptes. Coleman and Simms ( 1 QUEENS),
H armat, Marriott and Hurrell (2 QUEENS), Bligh (3
QUEENS).



The IJLB THE QUEEN'S CADETS

by Maj. I. R. jones by Maj. J. H. East, JP

Life at Shorncliffe seems strangely quiet with the ACF Visit to Ypres, Belgium.
absence of Albuhera Company; relative sanity now The ACF has an interesting link with the town of
prevails . Currently serving tn Salamanca Coy. at IJLB
are: Ypres and each year cadets have the privilege of
sounding Last Post at the Menin Gate and of taking part
Maj . I. R. Jones; Capts. J. C. Dawson and J. J. B. in numerous other ceremonies both in Ypres and in the
Hiscock; W02 Jamieson; C/Sgt. Stent; Sgts. Davidson, surrounding area.
Ives and Pyman (Dvr. Trg .); Cpls. Blake (M! Centre)
and Boyd (Post) and L/Cpl. Foster (RP). This year the party of cadets from various parts of
the UK was led by the band of the Chichester
At present there are 33 Junior Leaders under Detachment of the Sussex ACF, who made a great
tr ai ning desti ned for th e Reg im ent , t wo of impression with the Belgians; their high standard of
whom- Barrett and Patrick-must be congratulated on marching and playing, together with their scarlet tunics,
winning their weight in the Bn. Novices Boxing. Last received applause wherever they performed. The band
August, 29 Junior Leaders passed out and are now was under the leadership of the Detachm ent
serving with their Bns. Commander, Ca pt. Len Butt and Bandmaster
Windebank . The visit took place over the Spring Bank
Obviously there is something about this place that Holiday week-end at the end of May.
draws people back: Maj. Robin Christmas, currently
immersed at Staff College; Capt. John Russell, a Presentation of Banner to 5th Cdt. Bn. The
mushroom in N I; Lt. Tim Hurley, with a Green Beret Queen's Regt. (Surrey ACF)
in N I; Lt . Tony Ray, a wind surfer, and ex-C/Sgt.
Kaye·Lesser. On 8 July, in glorious weather and amid the
beautiful and ancient surroundings of Farnham Castle,
The period under review has been full of activities the 5th Cadet Bn., The Queen's Regt. received their
with the Junior Leaders visiting our regular battalions at new Banner from the Colonel of the Regiment, Maj .
Werl, Gibraltar and Dover, as well as I RRF and 2 R Gen . R. S. N. Mans, CBE.
ANGLIAN . They also participated at the Installation of
HM The Queen Mother as Lord Warden of the Cinque Cadets from ten Detachments of the Bn ., supported
Ports and some were involved in the Armistice Parades by representatives from the Ist and 2nd Bns. and
in Hythe and Folkestone. members of 6/7 QUEENS marched on the parade,
headed by the Band of the 3rd Bn., The Queen's Regt.
. .=U>. <ll
The Banner was dedicated by The Bishop of
.. '0 Dorking, and the Old Banner, originally presented to
"~'.. .......:~.U:.".l'(clc.~.. :s C;.".l:;"l;-..a..-:,tl.";~',"' the Farnham Cadet Corps, was handed into the care and
... .§oS keeping of the Waverley District Council, after being
~:§ ii3 ...·::' 0 ·. D" trooped through the ranks of cadets.
.., ea;".--...<o.l~.~u<,::><r:o~:":·~;~::
3 ~::a~ ""il: -5 ~~<ll • -= After the ceremony, flanked by a mounted escort of
e:s >it If} -5!1: Royal Military Police and headed by the Band, the Bn .
~'>:;).~Cilt~ ··:;~; ....,jS::"'"":' marched through Farnham to its HQ at the TA Centre,
"!"I: _0e. ·;: the Colonel of the Regiment taking the salute in Castle
..,.~~6"' ... (l., t cc!I; CC Cl Street.
';:'-50 ~
~...,.~:o»>".<u' '0 ~0 ~"0 At the TA Ce ntre, the Banner was on view, and the
Cl ., members of the Battalion and visitors were entertained
..~~ ..l OllM Cl to refreshments; an open air concert was given by the
~..::: Cl N Band .
.g~-5 ·~a.i!:3
~»"~" ..:..s,c"c :s :§ -5 The Bn. is currently commanded by Maj. J. W.
.c.c.:=.~...~, ::cs .: "o.s Smith, and the Parade RSM was RSMI A. J. Miles, the
.. -g ""-=~01'0:s ~ il:"i Bn . RSM .
'0 :."0.'s-..":.::s.:' -..:a!o1: o!1:
<U Queen's ACF Officers' Week-end.
...l..;..~., ..,lCICI The now traditinal week-end for officers of the ACF

.'"0~··-!"1:=c6~• -~~ badged to the Regiment was held at St. Martin's Plain
~;?-a on 20/21 Oct. For various reasons, not least the fact that
::~e.., the convention had to be postponed at rather short
~~;i l:':g~t- notice, the attendance was not as good as in previous
years but those who did attend found it an interesting
.~:0:; U2"~" ..3..., and va luab le week-end. Particularly appreciated was the
presentation by 3 QUEENS on the present task of the
......; ...; M Army in Northern Ireland . All Present enjoyed a buffet
supper on the Satu rday evening at which the Band of the
3rd Bn. played. On the fo llowing morning the Colonel
of the Reg iment held a meeting of County Cadet
Commandants, Cadet Executive Officers and other Staff
Officers at which a number of matters affecting the
ACF, and the Regiment in particular, were discussed.

62

,I I

,I

The Colonel of The Regiment takes the Salute at Farnham as the New Banner of 5 Cdt. Bn. ,
The Queen's Regt. passes the dais. On his right is Col. David Harris, County Commandant,

Surrey ACF

THE ULSTER DEFENCE REGIMENT At present the fo llowing serving and ex·Queensmen
are serving with the UDR:
by Lt. Col. H. N. Tarver ·
Myself as CO 5 UDR (Londonderry); Lt. Col. Tony
Many readers may be unaware of this relatively (9 Ward, CO 10 UDR (Belfast); Maj. Andrew Cowing, 5
years old) new Regiment of Infantry and the pan played UDR; Maj . Paul Gray, 10 UDR; Maj. Ronnie Baker, 11
in its development by our Regiment. The UDR was UDR; Lt. Roy Barnes, 10 UDR; RSM Dave Moore, 5
formed in 1970 to provide volunteer support for the UDR; RSM C hristopher K ett, 10 UDR; W02 Mick
Police and the Army in Northern Ireland; trained and Rowney, 5 UDR; W02 !an Lawrence, 10 UDR; C/Sgt.
equipped as soldiers, rather than Policemen, there are Andy Anderson, 10 UDR and A/C/Sgt. Mick Dent, 5
now approximately 700 men and 7000 women in the UDR.
UDR which has become a very competent internal
security force. This has been recognised by giving the In addition we must mention Lt . Co l. Tim Trotman
eleven battalions a good deal of autonomous operational who was CO 10 UDR until he was taken seriously ill
responsibilily and it has only been achieved by the this summer. Now being treated in and out of BMH
professional and dedicated work of many regular officers Woolwich, he has the best wishes of all the UDR both
and senior NCOs who have been seconded to the for a complete recovery and in his next appointment as
Regiment from the Regular Army. AAG at HQ Queen's Div. It will be good for the UDR
to have such an influential "friend at court".

In this introductory article, I have concentrated on 63
who is serving with the UDR and have on ly room for a
brief descri ption of what they do . Suffice it to say that withd rawn from the the streets. This has enabled the
the UDR are very much in the front line of the war in pressure of unaccompanied tours to be reduced and, in
Northern Ireland today; they are no longer a " Dads this respect, the UDR has done a lot to improve the
Army" operating as " Renta-Companies". Instead they quality of life of the average Queensman.
have taken over complete responsibility for military
operations in the support of the RUC over more than Since 1978, the 5th and lOth Bns., with a combined
half the area of the Province. They are recognised as strength of almost 1900, have been affiliated to the
highly effective and efficient in those areas where the Queen's Division . Queen's Regiment batta!Jons on
improving situations allowed regular troops to be Northern Ireland tours will therefore find a particular
welcome in Belfast an d Londonderry and we hope they
** wi ll make the most of it.

Allied Regts. **

Royal New South Wales Regt. dinner at Government House is an annual event thanks
to the kindness of the Honorary Colonel. Each year
The following is extracted from a letter dated 25 Oct. since 1968 he has invited the Command ing Officers, and
f rom che R egimental Secrecary:- their wives, to dinner together with the Regimental
Colonel, Regimental Secretary and lately, since the
Regimental Week was most successful this year as appointment was made, the Com mander. I am lucky
we were blessed with good weather for the most pan . enough to be the only person apart from the Honorary
We have had the festivities washed out in the past. The Colonel who has attended every dinner-firstly as CO
and lately as Regimental Secretary.

The Military Spectacular held in the forecourt of the
Sydney Opera House was an outstanding success and

HE The Governor of NSW, Sir Rodney Cutler, (Stands ofColours ofthe seven battalions of the
VC, KCMG, KCVO, CBE, Hon. Colonel, Regiment in the background)
flanked by Officers of The Royal New South Picture by courtesy of
Wales Regt. at an Annual Dinner given by HE
at Government House, Sydney on 22 June '79 Lt. Col. Doug Aspina/1,
the R egimental Secretary

64 and one and a half hours later, questions were few as
pints were downed in quick relief-giving succession.
attracted a crowd of about I0 to 12,000 spectators. The They were very generous in their praise and, as they
first was to have been held in 1977 but was washed-out; presented me with a Regimental tie, I noticed a twinkle
last year was the first and a little rough but this was very
good on a magnificent day. Mxin the CO's eye-he was obviously out for revenge!
next visit was to the Annual Guest Night at
Other activities during the week included the Bellevllle of The Hastings and Prince Edward Regr. Lt .
proviSion of the cenotaph guard in Martin Place, Col. Campbell (the youngest CO I have ever met in
Sydney, on Thursday (normally provided by Regular either Militia or Regular forces) made me welcome and I
Army umts), a band recital in Martin Place and a had the honour of meeting two of the Regiment's former
Church Parade at the Garrison Church at Millers Point Second World War Commanding Officers-Lr. Col.
attended by the Honorary Colonel. All of these went Renison DSO and Lr. Gen. Howard Graham DSO.
well and the great effort put up by a lot of people was (The latter became the Canadian CGS). They have a
well worth while. The bands in particular performed very strange custom in the "Hasty Pees". After dinner
very well indeed, particularly the Pipes and Drums of 17 the CO is "attended to" by the subalterns: one shoe and
RNSWR. sock are removed; printing ink is liberally applied to the
bared sole and he is hoisted aloft by a very shaky
CANADIAN CAROUSEL pyramid of officers, whereupon his footprint is indelibly
stamped on the bar ceiling! The ordeal is not complete
by Maj. R. M . McGhie until the (terrified) man has signed his name to denote
Most Regimental visitors to Canada, who are ownership of the footprint. That particular night they
destined for delights of the Battle River mosquitoes in mcluded Lr. Col. Renison, as his foot had never before
Wamwnght or the Suffield rattlesnakes, do not realise signed the ceiling. Having survived WW 11, he found
that . a VISit to the Eastern provinces-and Ontario in this a hazardous experience when the pyramid gave way
particular-opens the door to a great deal of Regimental whilst he was suspended 8 fr. from the floor! Success
fun. As a dnnkmg member of the allied student body on came on the second attempt. I made a short reply to the
the 1979 Canadian Forces Command and Staff Course toast "The Queen's Regiment" and thanked them on
In Toronto, I was fortunate enough to experience the behalf of our Colonel. They presented me with a copy of
hospitality of our Allied. Canadian Regiments; but this their very famous Regimental History, "The Regiment"
story starts on the Heights of Abraham in historic wntten by Farley Mowat, who was their intelligence
Quebec City. officer in Italy and is now one of Canada's foremost
The visiting Allied Students and their wives had authors; it is a classic, well worth reading, tracing the
been well entertained at lunch by the Royal 22 ieme story of the "Hasty Pees" from the time the Prince
Regr. in the Citadel and, accompanied by the Courses Edward farmer boys rushed to the drill hall in Belleville
tame sapper, I jogged around the battlefield (not quite until their return at the end of the war. I have not read a
akin to the Camberley battlefield tour) in order to sober finer history which so clearly described the Regimental
up for the Lieutenant Governor's recept ion which was system and the men who gave it its lustre .
due an hour or so later. Unlike my pegasus-footed
friend, I was soon exhausted and had to lean for support . My final series of visits took me to the Queen 's Own
on a stone plinth-the one which commemorated the Rifles at the Moss Park Armoury in Toronto. I now
Regiment on the right of the English line, the 35th Foot. discovered the reason behind the twinkle in Lt . Col.
Opposite stood the Roussillon Regiment whose plume, Mathieson's eye as Lr. Col. Bill Wilson, whose last tour
at the end of the ten-minute battle for supremacy in as a regular officer was as an Exchange Officer at
Canada, was adopted by the 35th and now features in Warminster, invited me to give an after-dinner talk
our own collar badge. The amazing aspect was that the on-guess what?-Yes, !(BR) Corps! (I rather think that
opposing Generals stood only 250 paces apart from each The Queen's York Rangers executed their revenge on
others front line when they were mortally wounded. In both of us). However Colonel Bill was wise to get me to
MaJ. Gen. J . F. C. Fuller 's book "Generalship, its speak before dinner; consequently it lasted only 45
Diseases and their Cure", it is no wonder that he speaks minutes, much to the relief (no doubt) of the audience.
with awe of the Generals in history who fought their Among those present were me!!!bers of the St. George's
battles within range of the same fire as that withstood by Society of Canada mcludmg their Pres1deht, John Hare,
their troops, rather than their modern counterparts who who served in 1948 as a National Serviceman with the
"orchestrate the battle" from a command bunker some East Surreys. A week before. I left Canada (in June) I was
50 miles from the FEBA. mvlted back to a Dmner Night with The Queen's Own
Back in Toronto, I wrote to three of our Allied Rifles and enjoyed a superb evening in their company.
Regiments explaining that I would like to meet them and
although I am sure their Commanding Officers thought Two more items of interest in Toronto: in The
I was after a free meal, they very kindly invited me . The Queen's Own Rifles Museum in the Casa Lama-a
first visit was to the Queen's York Rangers (RCAC) at castle built by the Regiment 's most eccentric
Fort York Armoury in Toronto. Lr. Col. Mathieson Commanding Officer-there is a copy of the Cuneo
made sure that I would earn my supper by inviting me to painting of our Presentation of Colours in 1974; and in
give his officers an after-dinner talk on the the Royal Canadian Military Institute appears a copy of
reorganisation of l(BR) Corps! At 10.30 p.m ., suitably the picture of the Battle of Sobraon.
sober, I la,;nched into my carefully prepared monologue
on Task Forces, Immediate Replenishment Groups etc. To end I would like to say that our Canadian Allied
Their officers had tremendous bowel and eyelid control Regiments really do believe in hosting members of The
Queen 's Regiment and they all asked me to pass on an
open invitation to any officer who may have the good
fortune to visit Ontario.

HMS BRIGHTON 65

(A Newsleuer dated 8 Oct. '79 from our position by the sun and stars, to ensure that after
Le. Cdr. M. S. Newnes, RN) 22572 miles of open ocean we did not miss the small
island of Bermuda. During this time Weapon Training
Since our last news letter in April, HMS Brighton continued in order to maintain the standards achieved at
has steamed 22572 miles and visited 12 ports at home Portland and the endless task of ships maintenance and
and abroad. Undoubtedly the highlight of the past six husbandry progressed steadily, with Physical Training,
months was our 10 week deployment to the West Indies deck hockey and volleyball keeping us in shape in the
Station as hurricane relief ship and also with a special evenings.
interest shown in Belize.
Once alongside in Bermuda we transferred
We left you in April with the ship braced up and hurricane stores from HMS Gurkha and met for the first
ready in all respects to face a seven week work up at time the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Tanker Cherry/ea/ which
Portland. The aim of work up was to put the ship and was to be our personal petrol station for the next 8
her company through its paces with steadily increasing weeks; rather lavish we thought in this age of fuel
pressure being applied, the object being to test the restrictions and queues at the pumps.
effectiveness of the men, machinery, weapons and the
organisation of manpower in the ship; it further provides During our time on-station we visited Jamaica,
ideal facilities for AA shooting and anti-submarine Barbados, The Grand Bahamas and the United States.
training . This was a demanding period with the ship The highlight of the trip was to have been a seven day
rising to the challenge well, and the ship's company visit to New York during the 4th July celebrations.
forming into a fighting team . At the end of our time at However, we had been there just 24 hours when we
Portland we passed out with very "satisfactory" results were sailed in a hurry and proceeded with all haste back
and better equipped and wiser men for the experience. to the Windward Islands to cover an unsettled period in
one of the island's election campaigns. Not only did we
Prior to our deployment to the West Indies we spent lose our visit to New York but we spent the rest of July
a thoroughly enjoyable weekend being hosted by our butting at high speed into a large and uncomfortable
adopted town Brighton. A tremendous amount of effort swe ll.
had been put in on their part with a Banquet at the
Royal Pavilion, a Ship's Company Dance, sports against Belize provided us with an opportunity of meeting
local teams and free entry into a host of clubs, cinemas the Black Watch who were based just outside Belize
and swimming pools, ensuring that everyones tastes C ity . Sporting fixtures were arranged and our Internal
were catered for. During our stay at Brighton the new Security Platoon were given jungle survival aquaint; this
Marina was opened by HM the Queen and we played went down very well and provided the main topic of
our part in the celebrations with a waterborne exit and conversation onboard for the next few days . In the
uniformed sailors flanking the Presentation Dias. After Southern region of Belize we met the Irish Guards and
three days of wonderful hospitality we sadly bade this time, instead of going ashore, we took a number of
farewell to Brighton Town. With promise to return in them to sea for a day.
the not to distant future we weighed anchor, turned our
bows to the South West and headed off down the All too soon our tour of the Caribbean was over and
English Channel for the start of the West Indies HMS Fife arrived alongside in Port Canaveral to take
deployment. over; she subsequently went on to make quite a name for
herself for the excellent job of Hurricane relief carried
As the days passed the temperature rose and in no out in the Island of Dominica. In the meantime we had
time we were in tropical clothing with the Doe treating arrived back in Devonport on 10 Aug. and the ship 's
his first case of sunburn. Our first stop was at Ponta del company went off to enjoy summer leave . Ahead of us
Garda in the Azores for fuel, and then straight on out lies the Autumn with 6 weeks being spent in the
into the Atlantic for 10 days crossing to Bermuda . Mediterranean operating with the 6th Frigate Squadron.
During this time the hardest pressed department was the Sadly we will miss meeting up with your 2nd Bn. at
Navigator and his team of Junior Officers under Gibraltar as they will have left for Colchester.
training, as they grappled with the problems of fixing
In closing, the Commanding Officer, Officers and
members of the ship's company wish all your readers a
Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year and hope
we get the chance of meeting up in the next year.

Maj. C. M. (Charles) Hamilton

who retired in August is "Seen
Oft" the premises (NCOs Tac
Wing, School of lnf. Brecon) by
fellow Queensmen-Capt. Nigel
Armitage-Smith (Left) and Maj.

Peter Packham, MBE.

Picture by S/Sgc. J. D. Davidson

ANCIENT AND MODERN

41 " Hleh A pa ir of your own Regi - 41 " Hieh
(Incl. Bue) ment' s soldiers modelled (incl . Base )
by Chas . C. Stadden and
beautifully cast in the
highest Quality English
Pewter with the English
Pewter Craftsmen ' s
Association Make and
Certificate attached .

Price £ 14. 11 each or
£26 per pair (including
VAT and p & p) .

SPECIAL FOR THE
REGIMENT

Have your name/rank/
number engraved on the
base! Add 1 2 .5p per
letter/number and allow
14 days minimum for
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(Max . 30 letters/numbers)

OFFICER 1680 INTERNAL SECURITY DRESS-1974

To HAMILTON MARRIOTT, 8 HALE LANE, LONDON N .W.7.

rr• I enclose £ ........-................. plus L for engraving.

~SS;=CLA~R;- - - - - Nam e (as on c redit card )

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My ACCESS/BARCLAYCARD ' No. is

L •:::::DOD~O wO::_DnotD_:::icDa~DD_DD_ D_D Signature

67

The Queen's Surreys
Association

THE QUEEN'S ROYAL SURREY REGIMENT
GOLF SOCIETY

Future Events: See Forecast of Events 1980.

Results of Spring Meeting, 3rd May 1979
H eals Trophy-Stableford-Maj. H . G. Greatwood

(34 points); Dodgson Cu p-Medal-Cap!. J . A. C lark
(net 68); C hallenge Cup-Scratch-Lt. Col. J. G. W.
Davidson (77); Veterans Halo-Capt. J. A. Clark (39
points); Greensomes-Lt. Col. ]. G. W . Davidson and
F. T. A. Hole (41 points) .

Sweep winners:
(1) R . Randolph; (2) Maj . H. G. Greatwood; (3) Lt.

Col. P. G. Roupell.

Match v. Royal Marines G.S.
Played at Sudbrook Park, Richmond on 15 June.

AM-Singles Royal Marines 'h
1h Capt. M. Manning I
Queen's Surreys 0 Capt. R. King 1
Lt. Col. J. G. W. Davidson 0 Maj. D . Hunt 1
R . R. Davies, Esq . 0 Maj . Gen. Alexander 'h
M aj. W.j.F.Sutton 1h Maj . Gen . McGill I
Maj . Gen. G. A. White 0 Lt. Col. Carter 0
Maj. H . G . Greatwood I Lt. Col. Stewart 0
Col.j . W . Sewell I Lt. Col. Tweed
F. T. A. Hole, Esq. 0
Maj. B. A. Crutchfield 2

3 0

PM-Foursomes Capt. M. Manning &

Lt. Col. ] . G. W. Davidson & 2 Maj. D. Hunt
Maj. W. G. F . Sutton Capt. R. King &
Maj . Gen. G. A. White &
R . R. Davies, Esq. 0 Lt. Col. Stewart
Col. ]. W . Sewell & Maj. Gen. Alexander &
Maj. H . G. Greatwood
Maj . B. A. Crutchfield & Lt. Col. Carter
F. T. A. Hole, Esq . Maj. Gen. McGill &

2 Lt. Col. Tweed

Result: Match halved

THE FIRST AND LAST TIME King C harles the Second and his Consort, Catherine of
Braganza; it is usually referred to as " The Third
Displayed in the Officers' Mess of 1st Bn. The Colour". It is never seen uncased, on parade or
Queen's Regt., together with the Queen's Colour and anywhere other than in the Officers' Mess . " What",
the Regimental Colour, can be seen an olive green
Standard bearing the Double 'C' back·to-back Cipher of visitors often ask, "is it's origm and purpose?" Long

68 The wording follows, quite closely, a verse written
by Francis Quarles (1592-1644). Times have not
years ago the (then) Colonel presented the Colour to the changed much!
Queen's Royal Regiment; it was designated " The
Colonel's Colour". Permission was sought from the The Berlin Airlift
appropriate Authority to accept and retain the Colour. It may well be of interest, particularly to those
serving at the time, to learn that the activities of the
After considerable discussion it was finally decided Queen's Royal Regt. during the Berlin Airlift have not
that the Colour could be retained with the strict been forgotten. In addition to daily guards and fatigue
injunction that it must never appear, uncased, in the parties, the battalion was, at that time liable to be called
ranks of The Regiment. Meticulous care was exercised out in case of any sudden incursion by the Russians .
throughout the years to ensure that the order was strictly Col. East was commanding the 2nd Bn. at the beginning
adhered to; there was, however, one notable of the airlift; in fact, he accompanied the first part of the
infringement: In 1927, the 1st Bn. was s~ rving in Hong battalion up the autobahn to Berlin-the last convoy
Kong as part of the reinforcements for Shanghai before the road was closed at Helmstedt.
Defence Force and would be taking part in the big On May 25 this year, Col. East received the
Parade to be held, in honour of the King's Birthday, on following invitations:
the Race Course at Happy Valley on 3rd June. "From the Trustees of the R.A.F. Museum, to the
opening of an Exhibition at Hendon by the Governing
A few days before the parade was due to take place, Mayor of Berlin" . And "from The Ambassador to the
the Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. R. G. Clarke, CMG, Federal Republic of Germany, to a Reception at
DSO, announced that he was considering the idea of Belgrave Square". Both invitations were to mark the
including the "Third Colour" in the Colour Party for 30th Anniversary of the Airlift.
the occasion. His announcement gave rise to much
speculation in the Officers' Mess and the senior officers The Queen's Royal Surrey Regimental
in particualr, showed grave concern, even expressing the Association Annual Church Servtce-
fear that permission to retain the Colour might be Guildford Cathedral, 10 June 1979
withdrawn: the Captains were divided in their views
whilst the Subalterns kept their mouths shut! The Service was quite well attended though a few
regulars were absent (probably because of the petrol
The Commanding Officer made his decision: the situation at the time) and our President was prevented
Colour would be carried on the Parade. by illness from attending. The lesson was therefore read
by The Colonel of The Queen's Regt., Maj. Gen. R. S.
2/Lt. H. G. Duncombe was summoned to the N. Mans CBE, who also passed on greetings from the
Orderly Room and the Adjutant, Capt. G. A. Pilleau, 1st Bn. whom he had recently visited in Germany.
MC, said: "You are detailed to carry the Third Colour
on the Parade. " The Dean pointed out that he had preached at ten of
our Services and suggested that if he were given due
Duncombe became the target of much good-natured notice of the date, he would try to organise a change for
chaff in the Mess; someone even suggested that he next year. The Refectory was well patronised for light
would probably lose his commission". refreshment after the Service and was considered a
worthwhile innovation.
The great Day came: it was extremely hot-a typical
Hong Kong mid-summers day. If there was a prize for the longest journey, it would
surely have gone to Mr. Arthur Moulder who served
The Colour Party was made up as follows: with 217th Queens; he was on holiday from Australia.
King's Colour-2/Lt. E. ]. Foord; Regimental
Colour-2/Lt. ]. B. H. Kealy; Third Colour-2/Lt. H. THE QUEEN'S ROYAL SURREY REGIMENTAL
G. Duncombe; Escort-C/Sgt. Handscombe, Sgt. ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REUNION
Torkington and Sgt. Harris.
Detachments taking part in the Parade were from: The Reunion was held (for the second time) at the
The Royal Navy; The Royal Artillery; The Royal Union Jack Club, Waterloo Road, London on Friday 2
Engineers; Scots Guards; Queen's Royal Regt.; Nov. and, judging by the increased attendance on
Northamptonshire Regt.; King 's Own Scottish previous years and the opinions expressed by members
Borderers; Welch Regt. and The Hong Kong Volunteer present-for some of whom it was their first attendance
Corps. in thirty years-there is little doubt that the venue and
arrangements are popular with the customers!
As the troops marched on to the parade ground and
formed up in Review Order there came the inevitable 118 members warned in, though a few were unable
guestion from the spectators stand: "Why do The to attend at the last moment.
l.lueen 's have three Colours?" What answer (if any) was
given is not known. And so it was, that a Regulation, It was good to see our 1914/18 War veterans
adhered to rigidly for many years, had for once been supporting the Association Reunion in sprightly
broken. However, nobody seemed to mind and there manner, together with our friends from the Royal
was no Official repercussion. Hospital. Although the success of the evening was
mainly due to those who attended, tribute should also be
H .G .D . paid to the Staff of the Union Jack Club, who so
Prince Edward's Gate in Gibraltar cheerfully and willingly gave all the service they could to
make this a memorable occasion.
The following inscription, dated 1790, was found in
the sentry box built into the wall inside this gate and its
message still applies:

" God and the soldier all men adore
In time of trouble and no more,
For when war is over and all things righted
God is neglected and the old soldie! slighted."

69

The Queen's Own Buffs
Association

FROM FAR AND NEAR The 2/20th became part of 180 Inf. Bde., 60 Div.,
which, in December 1917, were 2/17th London Regt.
The 1979 Luncheon (Poplar & Stepney Rifles), 2/18th London Regt. ,
In view of falling attendances over the past few (London Irish Rifles) and 2/19th London Regt. (St.
Pancras).
years, it was decided that for 1979, the Annual Queen's
Own Buffs Luncheon should take place on Tuesday 14 During the afternoon of Friday 7 Dec. 1917, this
Aug. in Canterbury to coincide with Cricket Week. The Brigade marched to a concentration area in the region of
County Hotel was selected as the venue and the Kustal, not far from Jerusalem. At about midnight, it
luncheon proved to be most successful, some fifty moved to a position of deployment in the Wadi Surar
members of our former regiments attending. It is hoped and from here, at dawn on the following day, attacked
to hold the 1980 Luncheon Party in Maidstone, the the Turkish positions defending Jerusalem; the 2/18th
home of The Queen's Own. were on the left, 2/17th in the centre and 2/19th on the
right. 2/20th were in reserve . Fighting continued
Services of Remembrance and Reunions throughout the day and two companies of the 2/20th (B
The Maidstone Service of remembrance and and D) were committed. An assault on the final ridge
before Jerusalem was carried by a bayonet charge and
Reunion was held on Sunday 15 July. The parade the defeated Turks retreated into Jerusalem.
consisting of some !50 Old Comrades marched to All
Saints, behind the Queen's Regt. TAVR Band, stopping By nightfall, Bn. HQ and A and C Coys. had
briefly at the Cenotaph in Brenchley Gardens for the established themselves near Deir Yesin, which had been
wreath-laying ceremony; during the march past the captured during the day's fighting. Due to the extremely
Town Hall, the usual courtesy was paid to the Mayor. difficult terrain, the transport-with rations and
After a very impressive Service, everybody repaired to water-was not able to reach the Battalion during the
Oakwood College for drinks, luncheon and a fine night. The Headquarters and D Coy's Officers' M ess
performance by the Band, which played throughout the cooks (Ptes. H. E. Church and R. W. j . Andrews) set out
afternoon. The Canterbury Service of Remembrance to forage for water and, missing their direction, found
and Reunion was held on Sunday 30 Sept. when some themselves at one of the City gates where they were
200 old warriors headed by B Coy. 5 QUEENS, informed by a group of civiltans that the Turks were
marched behind the Corps of Drums of 5 QUEENS and evacuating the City as fast as they could , and that the
the TAVR Band to Canterbury Cathedral. After the Major of Jerusalem was seeking to deliver a letter of
Service (attended by about 800), the Reunion was held at surrender which had been given him by the departing
Leros TAVR Centre, HQ of 5 QUEENS. The Turkish Governor. These two cooks were the first
Association's guests were the Mayor and Mayoress of British troops to reach Jerusalem; moreover, they were
Canterbury, The Dean of Canterbury and The Co lonel the first invading soldiers to do so for some 400 years .
of The Queen's Regt., Maj. Gen. Rowley Mans, CBE. They found their way back to Bn . HQ where they
subsequently told their tale .
Canterbury Cricket Week, 11-17 Aug.
In due course, and in recognition of this exploit by
The Queen's Own Buffs Tent Club was again most the 2/20th, a set of the Keys to the City was presented to
conspicuous on the lovely St. Lawrence Ground. The the Regiment. These were displayed in the
weather was kind, the cricket "so-so", but it was good to Officers' Mess at Holly Hedge House, Blackheath until
see so many former members of our old regiments and the 1961 amalgamation of the Regiment and the closure
an exce llent sprinkling of present members of The of Holly H edge H ouse, when they were presented to
Queen's Regt. Sincere, though belated, congratulations The Queen's Own Musem at Maidstone for safe
to Col. Raymond Grace on being appointed President of
The Kent County Cricket Club for 1979. keeping.

The Keys of Jerusalem QUEEN'S OWN BUFFS GOLFING SOCIETY
Spring Meeting, 1979
Those who visit the Queen's Royal Own Royal
West Kent Regimental Museum in Maidstone will see , The 19th Spring meeting was held at the Royal St.
in a showcase devoted to 20th London Regt. items, a George's Golf Club, Sandwich on 21 April when the
pair of keys labelled " The Keys of Jerusalem", and may weather held fme for the 22 members of the Society who
wonde r at their history; this is it: took part .

During the 191 4- 18 War, the 20th London raised a The Bonham-Carter Cup (18 holes singles scratch
second line battalion which fought initia lly in France. It medal) was won by Pip Arnold with a score of 77. The
was transferred to the Salonika front where it fought the Reeves Cup (18 holes singles handicap) was won by
Bulgars and was then transferred to Egypt where it Edward Brice with a gross score of 83; playing off 9, he
formed part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. achieved a net score of 74 . Contemporaneously with the

70 successor, Owen Knox. The Committee of the Royal St.
George's Golf C lub has been asked whether the Society
2 medals, members played in one of 3 Stableford events. might hold its Annual Meeting on the links in April next
The Lynden-Bell Trophy (handicap 12 or less) was won year.
by David Montgomery (35 pts .); The Kenward Cup
(handicap 13 to 17) was won by Richard Daniel (35 pts .) Buffs Regimental Brooch, in gold and enamel for
and the "Coupe-des-Lapins" (handicap 18 or over) was sale. Further detai ls from Col. D. Hanson, OBE. (Tel:
won by Graham Turner (27 pts.) Well fed and watered, 0985-2 14000 Ext. 2408).
members took the fi eld again in the afternoon for the
Grace and Sinclair Tankards (Stableford foursomes) Where are you now? Mr. W. J. Davies of 24
which was won by Robin Berkeley (playing in ,_,is first
meeting) and !an Jackson with 35 pts. ; the runners-up Hasley St., Plymouth PL2 lDP (otherwise known as
were Richard Ravenhill (who appeared at the last minute " Ginger") 1st Bn. The Buffs Band 1928 to 1939, would
in place of Richard Lea) and Edward Brice . Richard was welcome a letter fro m anyone with whom he served.
stuck at. an airport in the Middle East!

The Society's 19th Annual Dinner and Annual
Meeting were held at the King 's Arms, Sandwich. After
making a report on the previous year's activities, the out-
going captain, Raymond Grace, nominated his

The Royal Sussex Association

THE ROYAL SUSSEX REGIMENT "New Glory for The 35th's Old Colours"
MUSEUM 'A moth-eaten rag on a worm-eaten pole,
It doesn't look likely to stir a man 's soul;
Museum Trust ' Tis the deeds that were done 'neath the moth-eaten rag,
When the pole was a staff and the rag was a flag.'
The museum was started in the Barracks at
Chichester in 1930 when M aj. G.] . B. E. Massy, MC, Gen. Sir Edward Bruce H am ley (1824-1893) was
was Depot Commander. It has been a Trust since 1960 referring to the Colours of the 43rd Monmouth Light
and the present Trustees, who hold two meetings a year, Infantry; he would certainly have been stirred by other
are Col. G. j . Langridge, TD, Brig. R. E. Loder, CBE, old Colours now on permanent display in Chichester
DL, Lt. Col. G. C. M. Bowser, Lt. Col. E. G. Hollist Museum.
and Maj . j . F . Ainsworth, Hon . Curator . Mr. C. E.
Smith, who is held on the strength of RHQ the Queen's These flags, which belong to the Royal Sussex
Regt. is Museum Attendant. Regt. , the old 35th, are relics of the age of the British
Redcoat. They were carried and jealously guarded in
Accessions campaigns that have become a part of the nation 's
history.
Thirty-eight accessions have been recorded this
year. A coloured silhouette by J. Buncombe of Gen. Sir And although time had taken its toll of these
George Berkeley, KCB, was purchased at Christies with Colours, something of their former glory has now been
the help of a generous grant from the Ogilby Trust; he is recaptured-thanks to modern technology.
shown as a Major c. 1820 with a high orange collar. A
grant was also received from the Trust towards the Experts at the Textile Conversion Centre, in
purchase of two important Sussex Rifle Volunteer Hampton Court Palace, have carried out vital
badges. restoration work with the help of generous grants from
the Area Museums Service and the Army Museums
Chichester District Museum Ogilby Trust.

The portrait of the late Duke of Norfolk by Maj. A. The operation involved careful washing of the
C. Davidson-Houston and a portrait of Gen. Henry fragile Colours, the application of protective silk
Fletcher, Col. of the Regt. 1764-1803, have been hung crepeline 'sandwiches ' and, in cases where the flag was
in the museum . Copies of seventy of Gen . Fletcher's fragmented, the use of Nylon net and polyvinyl acetate .
letters including one written from the battlefield of
Quebec have been obtained from the National Library in The Royal Sussex Colours are believed to be the
Edinburgh. A special exhibition of Regi mental first in Great Britain to get such treatment at the centre.
photographs taken between 1866 and 1966 was held in
the museum earlier in the year. The most important One stand of Colours dates from the 18th Century,
event of the year has been the fixing to the cei ling of two and the other two fl ags are from the period after the
stands of Colours . By kind · permission of Mr. John Regiment achieved its Royal title in 1832.
Kendall, Editor of the West Sussex Gazette and South of
England Advertiser, we reproduce his article of the 2 1st The earlier Colours were ca rried by the second line
June 1979 in which he describes the history and battalion of the 35th Foot from the battalion 's form ation
restoration of the Colours: in 1799 until it was reduced in 18 17. During this period

71

the battalion served in Holland, Malta and Egypt, and Canon Waiter Greenfield, Chaplain to the Association ,
was in reserve at the battle of Waterloo. In the Malta could not take the Service and the Reverend Savins very
campaign the first and second battalions played a kindly took his place at short notice . After the Service
prominent part in the capture of the island from the the parade reformed and marched back dunng which
French. Col. Langridge took the Salute accompanied by Maj. D.
Houghton, Chairman of the Hastings Branch. The
In I818 both the King's Colour and the Regimental parade dismissed at 4.30 p.m. when refreshments were
Colour were handed over to the senior battalion of the provided during which many old acquaintances were
Regiment by the Duchess of Richmond, wife of the renewed.
Colonel of the Regiment, at a parade in Brighton. They
continued to be carried until the Regiment was made Our thanks are due to Maj. H oughton, Messrs .
'Royal' by King William IV . Connor, Beale, Newenden, Hussey, and Neale for their
splendid organisation which made eve rything go with
The old Colours were then laid up in the chapel of such a swing. It was a pity that with such an excellent
Gordon Castle in Scotland, the home of the then band they did not play our own Regimental marches at
Dowager Duchess of Richmond . the saluting base. There was much adverse comment on
thi s.
In I922 they were moved to Chichester Cathedral
and hung in St. George's Chapel. Due to their fragile Editors Note: The "adverse comment" referred to,
condition, the Colours were removed from the cathedral will be taken up with the Bandmaster.
I7 years ago.
CRICKET
The old King's Colour was made earlier than 1799 .
It had been carried by the Sussex Militia, out of which Royal Sussex Regiment Invitation XI v_
the 2nd Bn. of the 35th Foot had been form ed. The Lavinia, Duchess of Norfolk's XI
Regimental Colour was probably made for the battalion
on its formation. The weather in M ay was awful and the rain poured
down the day before the match, so much so that the
The restored Colours in the other stand were the ground was under water that evening. However on
first to be carried after the Regiment had been made Sunday 27 M ay a decision was made for an early lunch
'Royal' in 1832. They were presented by Lady Vivien, to be taken and for play to start at 1. 15 p.m. In the event
wife of the C-in-C in Ireland, at a parade in Phoenix this decision was the right one, for the sun shone, the
Park, Dublin, in 1834. ground looked its idyllic best and a most enjoyable game
was played. For the record, the rain poured down again
It was these Colours that were carried by the the following day-how lucky we had been.
Regiment throughout the Indian Mutiny.
Having lost the toss, John Stephenson led the
During this affair the old 35th helped to disarm six Regimental side out to fi eld . In spite of some accurate
regiments of local infantry, and it was also involved in
various operations against Sepoy forces , including the and steady bowling, Farticularly by Jonathan Watt (4 for
clearance of the Jugdespore Jungle. 20), the Duchess o Norfolk's XI reached 168 for 6
before Adrian Ford made a sporting declaration .
It was after the 1857 mutiny that new Colours were
presented to the Regiment at Meerut by Lady Canning, Both opening batsmen, David Nicholson and
wife of the Governor General.
Richard Jackson, set about their task against two
The old Colours were laid up in Chichester experienced bowlers-'Butch' White (formerly
Cathedral in 1859. They were to remain there for the Hampshire and England) and Alan Wadey (formerly of
next I03 years. Sussex Second XI). However it took a change of bowling
to dismiss both batsmen in reasonably quick succession
Now all the Colours have been carefully pinned to and unfortunately Kerry M cLean was unsuccessful for
the museum ce iling under the direction of honorary his second successive appearance. Peter Pyemont, on
museum curator Maj. John Ainsworth . whom we have come to rely over the past yea rs, batted
with great consistency and determ ination, finishing the
They are the evidence of a regiment's proud past game with an unbeaten 60. He and Jonathan Watt
and of a skilled team's respect for that past. The brought victory into sight , but at close of play the
Hampton Court restorers have protected the Colours to Regimental side was st ill 10 runs short.
a degree that would be envied by those ensigns of long
ago who were prepared to fight and die for them" . Again we saw a high standard and enjoyable game of
cricket in a perfect setting, It was good to see a number
AUBERS RIDGE-DUNKIRK PARADE
of Regimental supporters and out thanks once again go
It was H astings Branch's turn to be host on Sunday, to Lavinia, Duchess of Norfolk and all the staff of the
13 May, when the weather was kind, The parade formed Friends of Arundel C ricket C lub for allowing us to play
up at the Carlisle car park under the command of Lt. the match and, in particular on this occasion, for getting
Col. G. C. M . Bowser, with the Queens Regt. TAVR
Band at the head, followed by the Standards of the Royal the ground fit for play .
Navy, the Royal Air Force, the Roya l Artillery, the
Roya l British Legion, and ten branches of the Roya l Match details:
Sussex Regimen t Association. Lavinia, Duchess of Norfolk's XI

The march took in Carlisle Parade, the Front and G. Wills et and b M cLea n 52
then by the High Street to St. C lement's Church. The 28
church bells could be heard tolling in rivalry with the A. R. Ford (Capt.) et. Lamb b Watt 13
band . Owing to the unfortunate mishap wi th his car 42
S. Ledlie et and b Watt
18
D. Semmence st Whittake r b Watt 0

N. Wisdom et Pyemont b Lamb

P. Hall b Watt

72

D. Walsh Not out 4 invitation of Maj . Gen . The Duke of Norfolk, CB, CBE,
!I MC, EM.
Did not bat: S. Ford , J . Hayward, D. W. White,
Col. Langridge presided and the guests included
and A. N. C. Wadey H .E. the Royal Netherlands Ambassador, Monsieur R.
Fack, Maj. Gen. the Duke of Norfolk, Col. M. F . E.
Extras Heestermans, the Royal Netherlands Attache, Lt.-Co!.
S. G . Edwards, Commandant the Royal Military Police
overs 168 Training Centre, Roussillon Barracks, and Maj. P. J.
Gybbon-Monypenny representing the Commanding
Royal Sussex Regiment Invitation XI Officer 3rd Bn. The Queen's Regt. Attendance was
slightly up on last year, some 63 serving and retired
J. D. Nicholson et. Ford b Hayward 18 officers being present.
29
R . M. Jackson et. White b Hayward ITEMS OF INTEREST
0
R. W. MeLean b Wadey 60 Who will return to Amiens? (From Mr. Dennis
17 Glover, Arundel and district Branch):
P. Pyemont Not out
lbw Semmence 8 I am trying to trace former members of the 7th Bn.
J. Watt The Royal Sussex formed in Brighton in 1939 from D
25 Coy. 5th Bn. based at Lewes.
J. Whittaker et. Wadey b White
Our HQ was in a former girls' school at the corner
N. A. of Dyke Road and Upper Shoreham Road, opposite
Brighton and Hove Grammar School.
Armitage-Smith Not out
We went to France on April 20, 1940 and on May
Did not bat: W. T. P. Harper, 20, we were decimated at Amiens by Rommel's
magnificent K Division.
J . R. Stephenson (Capt.),
R. H . C happell and S. T. Lamb We held him up for 21 hours and lost over 80"1o of
our strength, but were the only 'amatuer' battalion to
Extras win a battle honour in the war.

46 overs !58 I am trying to organise a reunion at Amiens on the
weekend of May 17, 1980, the 40th anniversary of our
Result: Match Draw n forlorn stand. Our Colonel has agreed to join the party
Next year's match will be played on Sunday, I June. as have half a dozen Worthing members.

GOODWOOD Anyone interested should get in couch with: Dennis
Glover, 56 Upper B1·ighcon R oad, Worthing. Tel: 204403.
There were only two Meetings at Goodwood this
year owing to the rebuilding of the grandstand, and after From Mr. W. R. Lawrence (6398606)
the July Meeting fixtures were transferred to Ascot, Late Ist Battalion
Sandown and Newbury. It is hoped that the new stand The Royal Sussex Regt.
will be ready for the July Meeting next year.
We recently had a visit from Mr. W. R . Lawrence
In spite of a generally dreary summer the weather who lives at: 4533 Knox vi lle Avenue, Lakewood,
was fine and sunny for both the May and July Meetings, California, USA.
when our Club had another record attendance. It was
particularly nice to welcome so many officers and their He gave us the following details of his service and
parties from some of the former Regiments, particularly asked that if any of his old colleagues remembered him,
Brig. Dennis Rendle (Middlesex), Col. Raymond Grace they would write to him:
(Buffs), Lt. Col. Maurice Ransome (Cheshires) and a fair
smattering of Gunners. Enlisted 8 Aug. 1934 at the Royal Sussex Depot,
and trai ned in 'South Africa' Squad. Posted to C Coy.
The Royal Sussex Stakes was run at Newbury on (Scruffy old 'C'), 1st Bn. commanded by Maj. P. E. M.
Monday, I October in glorious weather reminiscent of Le Gallais, Devonport 1935. Moved with the Battalion
'Glorious Goodwood' where the race should have been to Palestine 1936 and later to Jerusalem. In Ismaliah
run but for the rebuilding of the grandstand. There was 1936-39 and had service in the Western Desert where I
an excellent field of twelve runners which was won by was transferred to the Intellige nce Corps with whom I
Mr. C. T . OBey's 'Sa ndford Boy', trained by Capt. stayed until the end of the war.
Ryan Price. After the race Col. Langridge presented the
Royal Sussex Regiment's Challenge Cup and replica in I have always told my wife I have only done two
the unsaddling enclosure, and then invited Mr. and important things in my hfe : join ing the Royal Sussex
Mrs. Olley, their trainer and jockey to drinks in a room Regiment and getting married.
specia lly made available to us by Mr. J . Osgood,
manager of the New bury Racecourse; here he was joined Here's a health to all members of the Royal Sussex
by the Duke and Duchess of Richmond, Lord and Lady Regimenta l Association-long may it live and look
March, Gen. Sir Geoffrey Musson, and a large number after its old comrades in arms.
of members of the Club. We are most grateful to Mr.
Osgood and his staff for all the help they gave us during
the day so that we could entertain our guests as we do at
Goodwood.

OFFICERS' DINNER CLUB

The Officers' Dinner Club held their Annual
Dinner on Friday, 5 Oct. in Arundel Castle by kind

73

The Middlesex Association

MIDDLESEX REGIMENTAL GOLFING Mr. C. Holdford (Divot) 22
SOCIETY-AUTUMN MEETING 21
Mr. J. Rogers 21
This Meeting was held on Tuesday, October 2nd, at Brig. G. Lerwill 17
the North Hants Golf Club . The detailed results, each 17
decided over 18 holes, were as follows :- Mr. C. D . Matthews 12
Mr. H. C. Lohan NR
Stableford Singles Score Col. I. R. Burrows NR
Mr. E. Johnson

Mr. H . T. Duffie1d

Mr. H. C1ayden (Winner Horton Cup) 35 Sableford Foursomes Score

Maj. H . E. Couch (Runner Up) 29

Mr. A. Torrie 28 Capt. R . J . Tarrant and Mr. A. G. Torrie 31

Mr. N. Tay1or 28 (Winners Jay Cup) 28
Maj. H . E. Couch and Mrs. D. Couch
Capt. R . J . Tarrant 28 26
27 (Runners Up) 25
Lt.-Col. T . W . Chattey 27 Lt.-Col. C . N . Clayden and Maj . A. R . Bisset 24
27 Brig. G. Lerwill and Mr. M . R . T . Wa1den 20
Lt.-Col. C. N. Clayden 25 19
25 Mr. N . Tay1or and Mr. G. Tay1or 17
Mr. G. Tay1or 25 Mr. J. Rogers and Maj . P. D . H. Marshall 17
24 Mr. C . Ho1dford and Mr. M. West
Mr. M . R . T . Wa1den 24 Mr. E. Johnson and Mr. C. D . Matthews
23 Lt.-Col. H . M. Du V. Lohan and Mr. H. C. Lohan
Mrs. D . Couch

Mr. M . West

Lt.-Col. H . M. Du V. Lohan

Maj . A. R. Bissett

Capt. P. S. Ingham

Why does the

Army Benevolent

Fund still need help?

For most of us nawadays the memories we have of the
two World Wars have become dimmed by time. But for
those who were left disabled-and for the many bereaved
families- the tragic aftermath of war Is ever present.
Many are suffering great hardships. The Army has also
been In action In many parts of the world since the end
of World War II. Thus even In peace-time the problem continues.

The sole object of the Army Benevolent Fund Is to try to lessen this suffering. It does
this by making contributions to the Corps and Regimental Associations and National
Service charitable organisations which have been set up for this purpose. All the money,
which Is used In this really good cause Is given voluntarily, by means of donations and
bequests. You can help by giving as much as you possibly can yourself- and by recom-
mending others to do the same.

Donations and Legacies should be sent to:

THE ARMY BENEVOLENT FUND

Patron: Her Majesty The Queen

Duke of York's Headquarters, London, S.W.3. Telephone : 01 730 5388

(Registered under the War Charities Act. l!MO)
(This space donated by : W . NASH LTD., ST. PAUL'S CR.AT, Kent)

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FIELD MARSHAL SIR GERALD TEMPLER 75

K.G., G.C .B ., G.C.M.G ., K.B.E., D.S.O.

A tribute by Lt.·Col. Sir William 0/iver, GBE, KGB, It was inevitable that Gerald Templer would beco me
KCMG, DL Chief of The Impe rial General Staff, and m 1955, he return ed
to the War Office with all the frustration s which attended that
T he fi:-st time yo u met this remarkable man, you were high office . His three years in Whitehall were difficult ones; he
struck by the bright, almost fanatical look in his eyes; t hey did not fi nd it too easy to deal with politicians ~v_en though he
seemed to bore a hole right th rough you. A short, spare man held t hei r esteem and respect. The Suez cn s1s taxed h1m
wit h a '' lean and hungry" look, always immaculately tu rn ed terribly, but what caused him the greatest heartache was th e:
ou t, with a staccato, rat her brusque voice, he was like a coiled necessay to preside ove r the reduction of the Army-espectally
spring ready to unleash at any moment. You felt t here was an the Infantry of the Line to whi ch he was devoted. The last
im patience to get on with whatever was in hand-not just to three years of the Field Marshal 's life were full of
talk about it; he expected you either to know the answer to his honours- Knight of the Garte r, Colonel of The Life Guards,
question or to tell him if you didn 't and he showed no mercy Constable of the Tower, to mention a few .
for the incompetent waffier . Although full of nervous tension,
yet-in spi te of what some ~ eo ple thought-he could relax an d H e was a man of many parts. No mean athlete and
enj oy himself on those rare occasions that he allowed himself a horseman when young; extremely erudite; fond of beautiful
little time off. things; a member of the Natio nal Trust and a Trustee of the
National Portrait Gallery; and interested in all types of Youth
A Colonel at the begin ning of the War, he was a Corp s Movements. His life was always a full one, but his greatest
Commander when I first met him in 1941. Three yea rs later, ach ieve ment, from the Army's point of view, was in creating
when we met again in Cairo, he had just brought his Division The National Army Muse um, a permanent memorial to this
over from hal y for a "rest and refit ", hav ing stepped down in brilliant soldier.
rank at h is own request to gain ex perience in the field . The act
typified the man . In Gerald T empler's obituary, it was suggested that he had
a low opinion of human nature. I take issue with that.
His ca pacity for work was infectious, arousi ng great U nemot ional he was. Possessing intense physical and moral
loyalty from those who served under him and h is men lo ved cou rage, he demanded the h ighest standards from his
him. There is a story-probably apocryphal-that when he left subordinates but they all held him in awe and deep affection .
56 (London) Division, a se nior NCO said with great pride, He seldom ent hused ove r what was done because if it was done
"When he took ove r, we were the " Black cats}); now we 're the well, it was only what he ex pected of you .
"Scalded cats"!
However, dee p down, you could tell when you had h is
Later, in Italy, he was involved in a bad accident; a lorry co nfidence and that was enoug h for any of us who had the
just ah ead of his jeep blew up on a land mine and he was good fortune and the privilege of serving him.
severely injured. For a time the " iron might entered into his
soul "; howeve r, h e was neve r one to repine. By 1949 he was (An appreciation by Maj. Gen. D. L. L/oyd Owen,
V.C.l.G.S. C. B., D.S.O., O.B.E., MC.)

H e was GOC in C Eastern Command when we met again, There have been many glowing tributes to the remarkable
and to all of us there it was an exhilarating ex perience in spite career of this great soldier who died at the age of 8 1 on 25th
of the severe financial restrictions of that rather depressing October this yea r.
period. Thetford training area was his second home where
trai ning was hard and continuous (it was from Eastern I do not wa nt to reiterate the chronicle of h is many
Command that a British Brigade went to Korea and did appointments and achievements during two World Wars and
supremely we ll). H e made Thetford a place for rec reati on too : in the yea rs that followed; instead, I write as one who was
the small rive r that ran through it was cleaned and restocked privileged to serve under h im as his Military Assistant bot h
and he organised a command shoot. He also found time to edit when he was Vice C hi ef of the Imperial General Staff during
a small pamphlet on " Hints to Shooting"-issued to 1949 and 1950, and when he was the High Commissioner in
everxo ne-in which he wrote: Malaya in 195 2 and 1953.

'Taking a gun for a wa lk is ~ood for the body and
satisfyi ng for the so ul "; and he practtced what he preached.

The British High Commissioner in Malaya, Sir H en ry I know no ot her man imbued with such a deep sense of
Gurney, was murdered in October 195 I and at th e turn of that history and with such a burning passion for his Regiment , for
year, th e GOC in C slipped quietly away to Ottawa to see the the British Army and for his Sovereign . To each he gave
P .M . who was in Canada at the time. The Ge neral (as he was
then) was no ea rl y bird-as those of us in No . I Mess know unstinted loya lt y and much of his formidable ene rgy.
we ll--but he was m bed and asleep when he was told that Sir
Winston C hurchill wished to see him . The P .M . asked him if The National Army Museum in C helsea stands where it is
he would go to Malaya and, of course, he accepted. Within a today as a lasting memory to his dynamic vision and to the
month he was there-perhaps just in time, since, following Sir Service he loved. He worked selflessly for man y years to create
H enry's murder, morale had suffered. T o say that the
Ge neral 's arri val was like a breath of fresh ai r is an it.
understat ement; it was like a wh irlwi nd. By sheer personality,
cou ra~e and endurance, he unit ed the countrY. against To have served with h im during so me of his greatest
terronsm . H e involved eve ryone. It was not just a m1litary and tri umphs was a memorable expe rience . H is capacity for work
police operat ion : he aimed at, and won, the hea rt s and minds
of the Malaya n people, helped greatly by Lady T empler's was stagge rin g; his capacity for fun was no less excitin g. H is
wo rk in hospitals all round the country. He could cajole but he mar vello us grasp of detail was matched by h is unfailing ability
could also be ruthless. to delegate to those whom he trusted. H is obvious sincerity
endeared him to all who wo rked closely wit h him, and those
As High Co mmissio ner he would ente rt ain visit in ~
luminari es late into the night, including Americans "doing' who became his friends we re accepted as suc h for life.
Malaya in a forenoon . At craci<. of dawn next day, as
Commander in C hi ef, he would be away, esco rt ed by a small None ever dec ri ed h is qualities; maybe he had a reputation
armoured car, to vis it a chinese village, or by helicof'ter to
so me jungle fort deep in th e Ulu; return ing in the even mg, he for ruthl ess action but nobody ever suggested that it was
might we ll chair an Executive Council meeting . exercised to further his ow n personal aims . His greatness lay m
his humilit y and utt er dedication to the causes he
" H e fought a war against Commu nist insurgents and won es poused-little wonder there were many who we pt at his
it " said a leading article recentl y; he would have added-" and
so did the people of Malaya ". funeral in St. George's C hapel at Windsor Castle.

Gerald Templer gave much of his life for his Country and

for his Sovereign; and those who were fo rtun ate to know

somet hin g of the less fo rmal side of this most lovable

characte r, will remember him wit h gratitude as a firm ,

enchanting friend .

7 November 1979 D .L.O .

''Six
months
with

a
pack''

SIX MONTHS WITH 77

A PACK five different queues and not until the paper work had
been completed could the plane take off. Looking back,
by Maj. J. M. H. Johnson, MBE n was an hilarious pantomime in total contrast to
Columbo where we were greeted by a well-stocked duty
The overland route to Europe from Australia is free shop before pass1ng sw1ft ly through customs.
undertaken by many young tra vell ers, but sad ly the
comm itments of an older generation seldom allow time If you want to actually see Ind1a and have the ume,
off for such an adventure. As I was leaving the Army at don't ny but , unless you are really penniless, don't tra ve l
the end of a four-year tour in Canberra, first with the second class by Indi an railways either; first class rail
British High Commission, and then with the Australian passes are surprisingly cheap and for this pnvilege you
Joint Intelligence Organisation, Diana and I were well- get a grimy compartment with hard couchette seats
placed to return by a route that was to take us through wit hout bedding. On two occasions, a I0 rupee note
the loveliest parts of Indonesia, Thailand, India , Sri produced the height of luxury-our own two-berth
Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, Jordan and compartment,-a nd by then much-needed pnvacy
Turkey. Our hmmng factors were time and money: we (usually we found ourselves shari ng a four berther). Our
allowed ourselves six months on a budget of £5 a day most memorable rail journey was the single-track line
(worth co nsiderably more now) plus the cost of travel. from Udaipur to join the Bombay n1ght express at
Ahmedabad. The train moved so slowly, it was cooler to
As we had to carry on our backs what we needed for sta nd at the open door and gaze out at the arid but
six months, we bought lightweight fibre glass ruck-sacks beautiful cou ntryside. Each halt became a riot of colour
(which could be 'packed' rather than 'stuffed') without and noise as the crowded train disgorged the brightly
metal supports-a major hazard on overcrowded local dressed peasants. That night, however, we found to our
buses. By the time essentials were packed-duty-free dismay that our berths had not been reserved on the
Bombay express. An irate conductor refused to let us
1. On Samosir Island. The stone furniture bed down in the corridor and ordered us off the non-stop
belonging to a Batak King many centuries ago (and moving) train; he was about to have an apoplectic
02. Hat Karin, Phuket (Thailand) fit, when a soft-spoken Indian businessman rook him
3. aside and returned with the welcome news that the
4. Mount Kauchenjunga, Darjeeling conductor had 'found' two spare berths: " I told him you
Machhapuchhare (7059m) from Pokhara were writing an article on Indian Railways for the
5. English Guardian " he explained! So we caught our boat
6. Valley, Nepal to Goa, and our cabi n which we had booked some six
Chevaliers Crack, Syria months earlier was comfortable, clean and the food
Great Colonnade, Palmyra, Syria
good .
booze, large medical box, wash1ng kit, lavatory paper,
alarm clock, thermos nask, torch, cand les, film, books, For those who like wate r transport, the tourist trip
SW rad1o, maps, writing paper, Scrabble and the all round the fascmaung harbour at Cochin was as
important diary and pocket calculator, precious little appealing as the local river-bus service that winds
room remained for clothes. Although our life-style and through the exotic canals of Kerala. A local farmer
the climate dictated a minimum of lightweight clothing, punted us down the sleepy backwaters past riverside
we had to cater for the odd smart occasion, for which a villages (nying rival Soviet or Chinese Communist nags
safari jacket proved to be the right compromise between to show us h1s paddy fields), and fed us on curried egret
black tie and T -shirt. The problem of sleeping bags-not (or was 1t really stork, as he claimed?) More exciting
necessary 1n the trop1cs, where we used sheets, but perhaps, was an earlier five hour journey from Fang
essential later-was overcome with the help of the (where the borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos meet),
Defence Adviser in Kathmandu; I forwarded a couple of down the nver to Chiang Rai, in a rice barge shooting
really warm down-filled bags, plus some winter clothing the local rapids. The peaceful canals of Kerala are a
to h1s office and collected them en route . Possibly the tourist attraction not yet commercialised like the canals
only ongmal contnbut10n to our 'survival' kit , were the around Bangkok.
two soft children's pillows; they not only saved us from
six months of lumpy nights but proved to be a God-send We travelled many less leisurely miles by road. Seats
on local buses and trains. In retrospect, we should have can be reserved on long-distance buses in the East
earned the now popular foam mattress rather than an air although the drivers augment their meagre wages by
bed, but apart from that, we had the right balance. crammmg on three umes the official number of
passengers; by booking the two front seats, not only
Six months may sound a long time: even so, we had could we see the scenery, but were protected from the
to fly direct to Bali, rather then go via Papua, New inevitable overnow. Although the seats are somewhat
Gumea and Eastern Indonesia. To save time, we had narrow, frequ ent stops at tea houses break the journey
planned to island-hop by air, use trains round India, and up-as does the torrential rain which soon turns the road
coaches from there onwards but unfortunately we had to into a quagmire ; on such occasions the bus is abandoned
change our plans in Kabul and n y out. and pushed our of a rut or up a hill by a surprisingly
good humoured crowd. In the more arid areas of
Altogether we new on some 19 nights, meeting no northern India and Asia Minor the stench on a crowded
real problems until we got to India . The airports here bus can at times be . pretty over-powering-the close
are notoriously frustrating for the traveller , but the one prox1mny of a goat bcmg preferable to human hair oiled
at Trivandrum was chaotic; in 21;, hours, we stood in with rancid butter! But for seeing the countrys ide, the
roof rack beats the lot-as we found when we travelled
through the semi-autonomous tribal territory in
Pak1stan. Second best IS the slow swaying motion of a
bullock cart , for those with time on their hands; or

78

perhaps the eve n slower but more majestic journey on a become physically exhausted by quite unbelievable
tourist elephant as it plods its way up the stee p hill to the hassle at every level, the sullen crowds, the noise, dust
magnificent citadel at Amber. For pure nostalgia, and abject poverty. T o cross into Nepal, Sri Lanka and
however, we will never forget the experience of Pakistan was a refreshi ng experience, despite the fact
travelling up the Khyber Pass to the sound of bagpipes that each of these countries has si milar problems.
played over the cassette of our express coach. It
somehow recaptured the essence of Kipling's India, Back in England, and to the unaccustomed luxury of
highlighted by the freshly painted badges of the British British Rail, we can look back over our six months trek:
Regiments (including the Royal Sussex Regt .) carved A Balinese Christ mas dinner washed out by a tropical
into the rock-face overlooking the tribal territory that ts storm-seei ng in the New Year in the Toraja district of
as fiercely independent today as it was during the days of the Celebese sipping Napoleon Brandy from egg cups
the Raj. after dining on buffalo-gut soup-clambering over the
ruins of Borobudur in Ce ntral Java, the wonder of the
The travellers we met were in the mai :1 young ancient Buddhist world-the stones of Tuk Tuk in
Australi~ns and Americans; we met a few Europeans but Northern Sumatra until comparatively recently the
not that many British east of Kathmandu . As a group, scene of many a cannibal feast - the timeless silence of
they were delightful people-many academically and sunset from a tropical Phuket beach-the bitter cold of a
professionally well-qualified but determined to see as Dar- jeeling dawn, watching the sun rise over the
much of the world as they could on a very limited Himalayas-the lovely old garrison church in M adras, a
budget before settling down . There is a distinct haven of peace in a bustling city (among the plaques is
difference between the 'Traveller' and the ' Package one dedicated the the Middlesex Regt.)-our fishermen's
Tourist'. Unlike the tourist, who is sheltered by his village on the edge of a palm-fringed lagoon in Sri
courier, the traveller comes into contact with the realities Lanka- the heat of the teeming 'bangles' bazaar in
of day-to-day life; constantly on the move, faced with the Hyderabad-the freshness of the Nilgris Hills-the
daily hassles of petty offictaldom, long tiring journeys, spectacle of Everest from a dawn flight - the Taj Mahal
and often an indequate diet, the traveller needs to rest by moonlight-a fancy dress party in an old Jaipur
up. Kuta Beach on Bali, Tuk-Tuk on lake Toba in palace-kingfishers swooping down over the lotus
Northern Sumatra, Nai Han Beach at Phuket in flowers on Lake Dal in Kashmir-the back street
Southern Thailand, Goa, Phokara in Nepal, and the arsenals of Derra in Northern Pakistan-Soviet BRDMs
houseboats in Kashmir all meet the traveller's guarding the towering Tor Kahma Pass on the road to
needs-cheap accommodation and wholesome food; Jalalabad-a tiny tea shop in the old bazaars at Kabul, a
moreover, some are places of outstanding beauty. Our hotbed of conspiracy-the 125ft. tall Buddhas carved
accommodation was often a straw hut with pnmitive into the rock at Bamyan in the heart of inhospitable
washing facilities-cold shower, well or even the lake country north west of Kabul-camping out under the
itself-but at SOp or less per night, it was clean and had bright stars in the Syrian desert beside the Roman
the occasional fantastic view. We also indulged in the colonnades at Palmyra-a midnight bathe under the
odd splurge-three nights at the Lake Palace Hotel, cascading hot falls at Ma 'an near the Dead Sea-the first
Udaipur, for instance, but more often we stayed at the glimpse of the magnificent pink Treasury carved from
cheapest places we could find-some not too bad, but solid rock at Petra-sheltering from the mtdday heat in a
others really grotty . Rest houses in India were cave at Wadi Rum-a gusty rain-swept night camping in
inexpensive and usually good value . In Jordan, Syria and the lee of a crusader castle-the ruins of Troy, one of the
Turkey we camped in the grounds of tourist lodges or at many archaeological sites we visited.
a camp site.
For the older generations who served in India and
We received so much kindness from so many people for my own who were fortunat e enough to spend much
that at times we really looked for ward to the privacy of of thetr time overseas, these brief recollections may have
being on our own ; of the countries we visited however, recaptured nostalgic memories. For those now serving, I
Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Jordan hope some will be encouraged to apply for extended
made us feel particularly welcome. India, where we leave after a tour in Northern Ireland, to explore for
spent two of our six months, is an exhilarating but themselves more exotic parts of the world; an exercise
testing country for those on a tight budget. Without that would not only be tremendous fun, but ca n still be
exception, travellers tell the same story, and some done on the cheap and would fully test their initiative.

~~~ :J!)~appp '1Cbri.stma.s·anb ~
~ prosperous Jletu ~ear ~
~ to all our reaber.s ~
~~·~

REGIMENTAL SHOP 79

To: RHQ The Queen's Regiment ORDER FORM

Howe Barracks Date: ... ........ .. ....... ... .... .. ... .... .... .. .
Canterbury
Kent CTl lJY.

Please supply the following items for which I enclose cheque/PO made payable to
The Queen's Regiment A/c No. 0579577:

Articl e P r ice O rd er
(each) Qty. Cost
Ashtrays: Plain
Glass with Crest 70p
£4.50
Blazer Badges
£3.40
Bookmarkers
Cap Badges M etal 28p
95p
Woven 15p

Car Badges £2.50
Comb in Badged Case 70p

Framed Regimental Emblazon £4.65
Key Fobs Metal 30p
20p
Leather
LP Records: ''Queensman'' £2.50
£2.00
" The Queen's Parade" £2.50
" Jubilee" £2.50
Tribute to Werl
60p
Mirror in Badged Case
Regimental Ice Bucket Drums: £7.40

The Queen's Regiment (or any of our form er Regts.) 30p
95p
Regimental Badge Transfers Small
Large £3.00
35p each
Regimental Prints:
Colours Parade 20p

Set of seven (Uniforms of Former Regiments) SOp
Soldier of the 70s
£1.25
Tea Towel
£2 . 10
Tee Shirts
£3.75
Regimental Ties: Queens £4.15
£2.20
Stable Belts: Blue
White Courlene £8.95
Belt Plates £8 .95

Statuettes: N . Ireland Soldier (QU EENS) £5.40
Other Regiments (Period) £4.00

Wall Plaques Standard
Plast ic Badge on Wooden Shield

NOTES: All prices mc lude V.A.T ., but are subjec r to change as manufac rurers pn ces TOTAL £
in crease.
Postage ext ra for orde rs fr o m overseas; rates o n appli cati o n to RHQ .

Nam e wnh Rank and
initials IN BLOCK PLEASE ... .. ... ....................... ..... ....... .... ... .... ... Signed ............. ... ... ......... ....... .

Address ....... .. ... .. ... .. .. .. ... .... .. ... .. ........................... ..... ... ...... .. ..... .......... .. .......... ...... .. ...... ....... .... .......... .

WHITBREAD

Tro;ph~:.~,.
BITTER

The pint that thinks it~ a quart

SAIL HOME TO ENGLAND.
Every day a Prins Ferry sails fro m Harwich for either Hanaymobnur.g -~.•£~P~_~d·{~
or Bremerh ave n . Every day anoth er one leaves Ge rm ·
the retumtri p.Fortenmonth softheyear yo u and yo ur ~~.,;·,.;~ ~
famt!y can sat! w1th Pnns Fem es for almost SO'X. less ·' ..~~~~:.·.·~ . . ;
th an th e norm al fa re (on or offdu ty, smgle or return ) . -.~~,. .
. :. ·

Your cartravels cheaper, too. · ·;.r: ·

SAIL HOME TO GERMANY.

GRAND REUNION
1980

* On Sunday 3 Aug. (from 1200 to 1800 hrs.)
* At Howe Barracks, Canterbury
* For all Queensmen, past and present, old

comrades of our founding regiments, and their
families

* Bars and Refreshments

* Outline Programme

-DRUM HEAD SERVICE
-ARENA DISPLAY
-DISPLAY OF MODERN WEAPONS AND

EQUIPMENT
-BEATING OF RETREAT BY MASSED BANDS

AND DRUMS

NOTE THE DATE IN YOUR DIARY

Further details in June Journal and O.C.A. Newsletters

JOIN THE VOLUNTEERS

After serving with the regular army why not remain with the Queen's
Regiment and join a Volunteer Battalion? We can offer all the fun and
comradeship of soldiering and at the same time allow you to continue with
your job. We need men with your experience and knowledge .

5 QUEENS (V) 6/7 QUEENS (V)
BHQ Canterbury
HQ Coy. Canterbury BHQ Horsham
A Coy. Guildford
HQ Coy. Horsham
Kingston
Hounslow (Tuesday) A Coy. Farnham
B Coy. Broadstairs
Dover Camberley
Sand gate
C Coy. Hastings B Coy. Edgware (Tuesday)
Eastbourne
Seaford (Opens Oct. 1979) Hornsey (Tuesday)
E Coy . Tonbridge
Maidstone C Coy. Crawley
Sevenoaks
Haywards Heath

D Coy. Sutton (Tuesday)

Camberwell (Tuesday)

Come along any Drill Night and see for yourself.
Drill Nights are on Thursday (8-1 0 p.m.) unless otherwise indicated.
Details of service and full addresses of the various Drill Halls can be
obtained from the Orderly Rooms at Canterbury (Tel. 62769/61397) or
Horsham (Tel. 66111 ).

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Editor: R.H.Q., The Queen 's Regiment, Howe Barracks, Canterbury, Kent.
Printers: Kent County Printers, Canterbury, Herne Bay and Deal, Kent.