C I i o.icf, Her M.,OIY Th. Queen
Col""'" """ Gold Slick: ,1bj<Y Go '.1 Lord Micluel Fiu.lVl How.rd, GCVO, CO. Cllt'. Me.
u, ;". Th< ConI..,., Colonel I. G. CO"' i,. "'_. L "' I.'. (_
[dilO,i.1
Regiment.1 He.dqua"cn
A Squadron
B Squadron
C Squadron
o Squadron
He.dquartor Squadron
Light Aid
Mounted
Th. El<ind
Il.'MrMlI Officers and Non·Commi,sioned OfiKenMeM
Th. ().J.drill ..
Ad¥enlu", Train;nl Ride
(i) 1M Yur in Pielure;;
(; ) D Squ;ulron in Nonhern ••dind
Th. MotJmcd Border Patrol ,
,
Reminiscence;; II) from Household c..valry
Exe"ist SuguU', U
5 , , Britcon - MFO Sinai '5 Wimp)'$ Travel' Property in omccl1 Mess " 50 Reminiscences (2) f,om The
The Ufo Guards A>5OCi.tion
" Rules Obituaries " Rcpon, Museum NOtes " Nolices Acoounl$ 35 Rolls Sh_ 1_ T._ II The 1IIl _ _ Top IIfdtt. A ScI ...,b ndn." """Ollo""" _ofThe We .. , Val. H
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Editorial
Thi, year's Acorn dosdy follows ,he formn of previous ye ". There is Ijnle ruson 10 it il5 the primary purpose of Regimetll"l mil\lliine is to reflect the lif, of" Regiment anll it'. memMn. The forlTlit\ [hit hH «alveI! hopefully uhiew:s ,hi. and ,,1100 d'l{ll.ys some of the individual aspects of Regimental Ii'•.
Being an edItor of a mag""ne, ;llbe;' on. edition. is bolh fl1i'>Irating MKl """' •• dinK; 'ruSU"'ing b«ausc invuiably do nol C"I finished at the righl lime ",nd ,'",uding be<:ausc CKcuion>.lIy .. hidden '" I.>.IOnl. II Ihould also u.id thai ry arlicl, thaI W<iS complete<! and wbmillcd '0 the Editor has published in Ih' mlog.ilinc.
The one major dep"nur. from p.eviO\r.i is ,he front cQver. This is ,"" fil"ll time in thr" years thaI ""ubi. subject for the front COvCr did not ;15.• If. It therefore '«med appropri"'e to h .. front thaI a number of of life. The EdilOf Qn no "Nil roo Ihe
FOREWORD
6y THE COMMANDING OFFICER.
As I ... rite this ... ord al Ch.i)lmu ... im 1982 dfllwing rapidly to a dose my thoughts, inevitably, du ... n (0110'0 t'agedies th" occurred during lhe yur. The b,utal and evil bombin!, in Pa,k of The Life Guard found by and shocked, M>d us. The Life Guards, pOUland their 'ympathics to the friends nd JO¥ed ones of those who were killed or injured in this lrigedy.
duth of Colonel Andre Hart;l'ln, hiln out hunting with G flon, came <I swifl and sudden blow and he will sadly miS6ed in The R"limenland by his numerOUJ friends for longtime to come.
1982 hu been .. nolher astonishingly busy yur beginning wilh a Ireland lour by a reinfort:td 0 Squadron. On their return mlny complimentary tdegt ms including those from the Secret:uy of Slale and Commander Und Forces Northern Ireland and the in Q,ief SAOR.
The gunnery has gone ... ell for all squadrons but A SQuadron in particular 10 be congrnulaled on Iheir 'A' grading al Hohne. By the t,me this i, published Wall Willis will have been awarded Ihe BEM in the New Vur's Honours for hi, outstanding contribution 10 here in BAOR. This is a
Iho,oughly well deserved for whIch we "'ill be very proud .
The big Divisional was the climax of our Irainin!lhi. ye and .. lthough rather disappointing <II 1f00fl evel of lack of movement too much lh .. final morning .... as one we sh.1I never forgel when lh ...... hole Regiment on the right of me Scots Dragoon Guuds carried OUI Brigade allack KrOSS 18km of lovely land. "&;lin, our maintenance rNord S«.ond to none and all our 621anks dro ..... onto the'r transport· '"
We h.ve much mOl" success this yur and 10 avoid individual articles I will only mention the highlights_ The polo team won both lhe Inter Regimental and Captains and Subalterns competitions. The blacks won o""r £.500 at the Rhine Army Summer Show .... on the SAaR Hunter Trial LCoII Treble won the A'my Free Fall Oumpionship represented Brilain at the Otampionships in
Captain Dyson on me Army Frecbll Otampionshlps and LeaH won the SAaR Epe.e Otampionships. At the lime of wriling the ruUer lum have won 9 gam ... running and look g<>od fo' nUl year.
Unfortunately, Mr Hend<'fsun was uOiIble to hang the btlek this yur was a grut honO<lJ for
""'" 1tI be imited to any OUI th;$ uremony. Owr O<-n on I-I<:>nt Guuds, on 19 Moy be;", lIle IniJn fony u_obtn of tIM YI'O$' " NCo!;' UIM tftnt. Wt (ontinue 'lIS aI'l irmClUrtd RtIi"",n[ in OUI from IQd by Mr M'd' W.r from Iht Gennuoy until fri>l'UMy 1984, when " mum 10 00dK.I. .'IIS ".-pkndid dfort, Windsoo" 10 rdieYt: TM 8IlltS and Royals. 10 IlAl" 10 IIld _ 'fOtfl' much ippI'eClUed
In July my tour 'lIS ComllWldin, Qfrooer wi)' by Rt!immt. (ort1C'S 10 aI'l Mot and I be lw1din, OWl" [0 Mojoi' 11 fiM. Tlw1k YOOl 1111, '01 1_ iAd hilf wry h'lppy 11K yur ihud lex>b busy, .,00 tIM of ""' sundiock by tin 11M:
THE fUTURE COMMANDING OffICER
MAJOR T.J. EARL
Regimental Headquarters
It ia I"'rhal"', I r mOre to "tnt<! an artid" on a year'. activit,· in IUlQ: not beeauN the,.., Ix'lln n" aclivity hut beuuee Ih",,.., "..., ",,,,,paral;,,,,ly f",w memlle ... "fRHQ and our ....,rlr. ia ... ;ntnftt \.0 the general ...,ader, 'I'here may e.-.,n bt one or two niJed eyeh,..,,,,,, from re.dQr;c who fHI r,It.o.t, as in I''''viou. yeara,IUlQ>lhouldn'l occupy apace in n.e Acorn at all. They may r 1 that ,..,ading Our outpu. throughout th'" year aufficient. n.e aMwer, Quit<: .imply, thia yta,r', Editor is fn,m RHQ h", decided to put the reconl
The y"'lIe wilh ""v"ral officer change>ov"''', The A<ijutant, Capt Falkner,lt:n to circumnavi· ga\.l! the Medil""",n,,,an in hi. yacht 'Elbow Room" an account of which appea", in later pail"" or til mlll:a'line. lie wa. rcpJaoo<! byC ...1. Holliday, who, barely.il: monthe lat<!r, had joined his f"r a month of a, li"i". 1"bot Sec<>nd in Command, !obj V'Oyly, len \.0 do the ame job with Tlte Bl""" and Royal., lie "'u fflpla<:t-od by Maj Morriaey,Paine f.-ll from th", dark corridor. of the MOO. Capt Wood hu joined u. fro'"
The Bluu and Royale In\.l!IJigenC<! omcer and havinll arriV9d with ""m" m'scivinga about Tlte Life Guards he now C(lnrodca we ......, 'alright, Capt Ooulhty arrivod from HCR ... Assiatant A<ijutanlbullatt<!rly as Opa Offioer and 'inilial filter',
There I ..., been num'-'TO\lll m the Orderly Room, I h"me of the ''''ai' work"".! CoH McX"""ie lion" to start a divinK" club at HCR and Leoll Carri"¥ton h ............. \.0 play 'Space on th., HOtll'ehold CMal., Ikcordl computer. Leon O'Ne'll has gone \.0 w"t<:h him while Leol [ Pre.!<»I h .... moved on to HQ S,l",.dron, Tpr Prif&, tilinll clerk hila now been Pl"Omot.ed and by 1'pr TInoJey,
ow" leLt<:r ""';te1". Coli Hale h"" arrived from London and. apan fro,,, hi.e Orde.rly Room i. now tu",nr the Oetmold Swimming ("am. LCpl 1Wbe". has mvv..:l on and h"" bcoen replKc..,J by LC:I1l R,dtidel who has hung up hia London ""it ror 1\ f" LC<>H E1h. "Wi arrived nd i.I rnnnlnj( oW" Movement.sd_ "nd CoH Smith has ret.urneol from oix m(WIIM holid.,. in the Sinai. Throughout the Chief Cl".k II oo"tinuoo to k " )' at hi" de5k __ the bil;ge6\ In-troy in Th" Reciment'
,... the RaUl" Group did nOlIl" 10 RAl'US lhi, y"". th" main exen:i5eiI "'e .... Soltau lnining in the Summer >ind Ex Qua"", in the Autumn. The highlight of Soli" lnIining WWi the of".., Nat.o M,lil>Lry CommitUO<! who came to watch a batUe group altad<. Thi. w,... carried otrw,lh panache and a oon .. irienU>le amount of l'yroled1nica. The", elln be Httle doubt lbat""rnc of the mOl"<! ocept;cal members of the CommIttee ... ""t awa,y with a ren......,.j <;<Intide" .. in the Antilh Army. In hi. introduction to th'" altack, The ComlILlmding Officer became 'Iuil", ""'oiled ,,00 woe<:! a f""" expletiv,," \.0 what he ;n",nded to d" to 1M
TM C_inf Offlctr - ""'><:ribmg rIw &tth CrcuP AU""."o lire NA TO Mili" y Commi"':t
Solt.a.u lraininll wu a """,lat;on to at leut two The Af,aiatant Adjutant, ". hOn tM ever, had to admit thai. he had neither been to &lltau bdore nor _n a tank_ II;" ""..- ......... furt .... r exer· cised by the cxpe.-i"",% of ""ting L'ellCltl"lt"t in the field and o;ee;nR hil M_ hill after th., addition 0( Oigney Added T The s.,."",d in Command found I whola exl"'rienooe far too expensive and turned to Dotmold within two daY5- W,,'re l<>uRh in RHQ!
1M 10 and Adiu'''''1 - _lend.", ffOIlo po.t
A SqlJadron
A SQUADRON 1982
The Squadron began the year by D Squadron prepare for their Northern Ireland tour by causing riots, fires and generally indulging in bad behaviour at Tin City. Great effort and enthusiasm by all went into this task and none more so than from LCoH Wragg in burning a life size effigy of the D Squadron Leader hanging from a rope. SCM Townsend was cleverly disguised as a militant man of the cloth but there are fears that he has been completley taken in by the role; he has since volunteered for Church House courses.
In January and February some 30 members of the Squadron went to the Snow Queen hut in Bavaria to ski while the less fortunate spent the days as part of a composite Squadron learning fieldcraft drills at Soltau. By the end of March the Squadron was complete back in Detmold and training for their Site Guard. This is never one of the more exciting tasks to carry out, particularly when it falls over the Easter period and the remainder of The Regiment are enjoying a long weekend but it was carried out with the good humour and professionalism that has become the Squadron's trademark.
May was spent preparing for pre- BATUS firing at Hahne. As the Squadron, with much the same team, had frred only 6 months previously and obtained a creditable B grading, even greater things were expected this time by the powers that be. They were not to be disappointed. Having been thoroughly trained and supervised by SCpl Cusick and LCoH
Sansom the Squadron spent the first two days on the ranges building up confidence for the battle runs to come.
The Troop shoots were of a very high standard with SHQ and 3 Troop led by Lt Kisielewski-Dunbar coming out on top. This was no mean feat considering how little the 3 Troop leader is seen around these days. Perhaps the most important influence on the Squadron's A grading was a spectacular night shoot when 42 targets were destroyed in very quick time with only 45 rounds having been fired.
3 weeks in June and July were spent training as part of The Royal Green Jackets Battle Group in preparation for Canada. The frrst week incorporated revision of basic battle drills and Troop tests which were won by SCpl Denton's 4 Troop. Capt Graham's 2 Troop can feel a little put out by the result having spent a very hot day in NBC suits hoping to pick up points for effort; it brought them 2nd place. The final 2 weeks were spent learning Combat team drills with D Company of The Royal Green Jackets with whom we formed an excellent working relationship, and also working battle group tactics with C Squadron and the remainder of The Green Jackets.
The climax to any Squadron's year whilst in Germany is the month spent in Canada where the restrictions on track mileage are unlimited and those on ammunition are minimal. The weather was excellent throughout the month and the tanks, to our surprise, performed extremely well due to tireless
maintenance by all the crews and particularly from SSgt GQodwin and his fitters section with the possible exception of Sgt Davies who spent his time filming other members of the squadron at work.
On returning to Detmold at the end of September the Squadron had one week to prepare the !aIlks for Exercise Quarter Final near Hannover. This proved to be very different from the excitements of Canada and much of this 2 week period was spent in wet woods for days at a time. When the final ::tartle eventually materialised it was a spectacular aFair with troops discharging large quantities of zmmunition that they had been unable to use pre-;iously. The Squadron returned to barracks and mortly afterwards bade farewell to SQMC Lawrence -d SCpl Denton who both went to Knightsbridge,
SCM Townsend who went to Lulworth and SCpl Cusick who was much looking forward to joining C Squadron as SQMC.
On the sporting front the Squadron proved extremely hard to beat in most events. The InterSquadron Rugby, Football, Swimming and Volleyball competitions were all handsomely won by our team athletes who destroyed all opposition. Tprs Le Han, Evans and Irving all won at their respective weights in the Inter-Squadron Boxing Competitions under the professional guidance of CoR anniston and now continue in the Regimental Team. Tpr White (228) has passed his canoeing instructor's course and "hideous" White is skiing for The Regiment.
BA TUS - The Sqn Ldr in reflective mood
1_.
LCoH Gratton, Tprs Carey and Key, on Soltau
The SCM preparing for his Church House Course
Spot the Difference Competition
The Willis brothers - Left: LCpJ 'Ian' Right: LCpl 'Alan',
B Squadron
A year spent only in BAOR might suggest to the naIve reader that B Squadron was going to enjoy a relaxed training session. Winter trade training was interrupted from 14-18 January by playing terrorists in Sennelager's Tin City as D Squadron prepared for their HMP Maze tour. Our latest recruits were introduced to Soltau in February by SCpl Cruddace, CoH Fury, LCoH Mansfield, and A Sqn. During March and April SHQ accompanied 1 RRF and RHQ to Sennelager's Battle Group Trainer, LCpl Lyne triumphed in the JNCO Cadre, 1 Troop showed troop fire control to DRAC, the whole Squadron passed their BFT and took part in the ARU, which was started by an ORT callout. 25% of the Squadron marched back from Stapel to Hobart Barracks under the SCM to classify; 25% reran their BFT; 25% went night orienteering with the Squadron Leader; and 25% staged a night shoot.
May started with the APWT, a short, sharp visit to Ludwig's Lair, SCpl Cozens beating the Red Hackle at their own game on the Black Watch march, SHQ, 3 and 4 Troops showing their skills to NATO defence chiefs on Stapel, and then we deployed on Soltau with 1 RRF for a fortnight's combat team training. Adventure training based on Sciber in the Harz mountains was hampered by persistent wet weather during June, but the Squadron spirit, needless to say, was not tampered, and much useful map reading practice was gained under the careful control of CsoH Jordan and Read.
For the first time since we returned to Detmold in 1980 the Squadron accompanied The Regiment to Soltau during July for battle group training, and performed under the eagle eye of RHQ. During the Brigade exercise the Squadron Leader took over temporarily as BG Commander and after T21 relished an
impromptu plunge in the Schwindebeck on a night march, the Second in Command coined the now immortal phrase when he confessed that we were briefly "geographically embarrassed". We also helped. to stage a series of spectacular combat team attacks for NATO visitors.
The Squadron abandoned the tank park early in August for a week's Site Guard. Subsequently a flattering letter was received by the Commanding Officer from his opposite number responsible for the site. All credit should go to the Troops for their painstaking achievement, and especially to the two "On Site" guard commanders CsoH Jordan and Wright. We returned. to Detmold to compete in the inter Squadron sports matches and considering the short time we had to train, running-up in most competitions was no mean feat. The boxers were particularly impressive anq their trainers CoH Jordan, LeoH Drennan and LCpls Mallon and Williams deserve special praise.
We dismounted for another week in mid September for Ex Vengeful Merlin playing enemy testing the 1 (BR) Corps gun positions. LCaH Dangerfield twice managed to penetrate their defence for prolonged visits! Did he prefer their company? We also gained a useful look at the country over which we deployed for the 4 Armoured Division Ex-Quarter Final a month later. Unfortunately, by then the landscape had changed from firm sunlit stubble fields to sodden plough, and so the going was difficult and damage inevitable. We were enemy for the 11 Brigade "Warm-up", and then successfully manned the frontline at the "sharp end" enticing Orange Forces into a "killing zone" for the rest of The Regiment to destroy. The last morning featured. a particularly memorable cross-country battle. The only curious note was struck by a Divisional Order to remove cap badges; the
"You jest Sir!"
CoH Jordan and Lt Stibbe
'Fag-ash Lif' - LCaH Sharples
moving troop rebadging ceremonies in the final Squadleaguer should have been witnessed by the Divisional Commander!
In early November we prepared for a fortnight's annual firing at Hohne. With SCpl Rennie as 3GI ably assisted by LCsoH Mansfield and Tierney, not forgetting to mention 5000 rounds, we had little problem in achieving a very good B grading.
The 21e wriggling "a la
We bid farewell to Maj Earl and wish him the best of luck as he leaves us to be Brigade Major in Belize. He is accompanied by Tpr Patterson. We welcome his replacement Maj Sullivan of 2 RTR. Other ORBA T changes include the departure of Capt Knipe for the commodity markets via the Gunnery wing. Lts Watson and Wordsworth and CoH Fury go to HCR, SCpl Cozens becomes Families NCO, SCpl Rennie becomes Gunnery WO, SCpl Read goes to DLOY, CoH Collins goes to the RACCEN D & M School, CoR Jerram goes to instruct gunnery at Lulworth, LeoH Jackson to BATUS, and LCoH Keyworth to ATDU. In their place we welcome Lt Stibbe, 2Lt Ingham-Clarke, CsoH Gilbert, Whatley and Jordan and LCsoH Fletcher and Kelland. Last but, certainly not least, we regret the transfer of our redoubtable Squadron Clerk LCpl McAlpine to MT.
C Squadron
It is unoriginal to the extreme to start an Acorn article with "C Squadron had a busy year". l.- nfortunately again it happens to be true and we ba,-e had almost no time for anything else other than p"!'eparing for, and going on, exercise. Hopefully next year we will have more time for expeditions, adventure ::raining and some of the side benefits the Army offers.
It all started in January with a composite &JUadron of recruits under Maj Bayley. Mr Eastwood priviliged to be chosen as C Squadron representa--=-.e under the caring, paternal eye of CoR Mayo. Most Lhose who participated suffer an attack of amnesia 70 en reminded of Soltau in January - but no doubt ':.-ey will be more qualified to cope with the rigours of :R;:;,gimental training in January 1983.
The ARU, best remembered for the original method of playing "round and round the mulberrybush" prior to the drive past for the Brigadier, was successfully completed before we went off to Hohne for Pre BATUS firing. It was hot, and therefore dusty but C Squadron have no problems with "mental approach" and we fought through the obscuration successfully, So, for that matter, did the wives. Mrs Eagles, Mrs Dickinson, Mrs Carter, and Mrs Anderson all fired in a relaxing interlude to what is always a tense week. Finally special mention should be made of LCoH Birkett's crew who had outstanding acquisition times and percentage of hits.
Pre BATUS training continued in July with three weeks on Soltau, initially in unceasing rain and
.. ',iammaries" Signals CoH Carson
Houdini"
then in choking dust. The first week was allocated for Troop training culminating in Troop tests. 4 Troop under SCpl Belza were the winners in a very close competition, where only 10 marks separated first from last. On the evening of Troop tests we were gently introduced to our colleagues for the test of the exercise and BATUS, (A Coy 2 RGJ) with a combined smoker. They proved easy and pleasant to work with, showing the proper respect for tanks and tank troops.
safest and most comfortable place in a leaguer. CoR Theakston joined us from the BATUS safety staff, and together with the ever ready advice from CoH Frape we quickly mastered the safety drills. We started the exercise with an excellent APDS shoot, LCoH Tinsley's crew getting full marks on both hard targets and pop ups. The culmination of the three weeks, Exercise Nonnandy, was hard work with little sleep but we came out with credit.
Most people either went to Kelwona or Calgary for their "rest and recuperation" period where they made up for lost time, indulging in those luxuries which are not available on exercise.
A month later we 'set off for Canada. Our arrival in Camp Crowfoot was made memorable by the RMP staff sergeant who gave us some pertinent advice on social acclimatization in a backward colony. Tpr Challenger took the advice too literally and nearly became a permanent member! Fortunately one of the 7 police forces apprehended him before he had totally reverted. We welcomed 2Lt Mitford-Slade, a university officer who temporarily took on the job as Squadron Leader's Landrover drjver. He spent much of the exercise under the Squadron Leader's table finding it the
LCoH Sadler and SCpJ PC'.vell
Six hardy volunteers (LCpl Pugh, Tpr Parrington, Tpr Squires, Tpr Cobb, Tpr Lambton, and Tpr Mattison) with Capt Hewitt in charge, stayed behind for 2 weeks adventure training. Skimountaineering, rock and ice climbing, walking, caving, rafting and canoeing were the main activities, together with swimming in the ice cold lakes, Everybody returned in one piece and can now claim to be fitter and tougher fighting men.
Full of confidence from Canada, a month later we set out for war in Germany once again, with great expectations - Exercise Quarter Final. We spent so much time static that it could only be disappointing. When given the opportunity to perform it was enjoyable, although we all got rather tired of the beech wood south of the village of Wallenstedt. Fortunately the final attack almost compensated for the previous weeks' lack of action. With the exception of CoR
LCpl Barry, LCpl Rogers, Tpi Taylor
Tpr Gilbert
SCpJ Belza
"I appreciate the situation, but it's a two-fold problem"
SQMC Lee and SCM Willis
o SqlJadron
The early part of 1982 was dominated for D Squadron by the tour of duty at the Maze Prison, and this 'entertaining' interlude is well documented where in the Magazine.
The Squadron returned from Northern Ireland at the end of April and immediately went on leave until 17th May. On return from leave Maj Ellery, who had been with the Squadron since it was formed, reluctantly handed over to Maj Goodhew, and work began to prepare the tanks for annual firing at Hohne. This in itself was a sharp jolt back to reality for the move to Hahne was planned for 4th June, leaving the bare minimwn of time to carry out gunnery training and, equally important, to "rebuild" our tanks which had been left to the tender mercies of the rest of The Regiment during our absence in Northern Ireland. It was a close run thing, but somehow or other we completed our preparations in time (which was much to the credit of CoH Evans, LCoH Lindsay and LeoH Worley our gunnery team) and we had an excellent gunnery period.
The weather was glorious throughout, but duced problems of obscuration which nevertheless
Frape's tank, which manoeuvred itself sideways into a ditch and ended up at an angle of 45°, the Squadron ended 100% on the road. Tribute must be paid to Sgt Eagles, his LAD section and all the drivers who so successfully maintained the tanks.
The Boxing Team performed with great panache, although defeated by the greater manpower HQ Squadron were able to muster. Traditionally we are not very good in the water - the Swimming Team showed a lot of courage ... perhaps next year? The Seven-a-Side Rugby Team under LeoH White were closely beaten by the eventual winners, D Squadron, after a hard and exhausting match.
We sadly said farewell to Lt Hoare in February and wish him well in his new job. Capt Hewitt goes on a posting and W02 Knowles left us for the administrative complexity ofHQ Squadron. SCpl Powell leaves us for a job with the TA, whilst our ever conscientious SQMC, SCpl Lee returns to Tech. We welcome W02 Willis, 2Lt Eastwood and Lt Sunnucks to the Squadron and look forward to a relaxed Christmas period.
were largely o,,-ercome. An innovation this year was that we lived on a bivi platz rather than taking over barrack accommodation, and this not only saved on track mileage but also gave us much more time to 'work on the tanks after firing (to the delight of SSgt Harris,
"Not another pack lift!" - 4 Troop
LCoH Keech, Lt Bell, Tpr Dixon and LCpl Pearson
CoH Lowry and the D & M kings). It did however produce some side effects, in that most nights we were visited by large numbers of wild pigs that foraged around looking for any goodies that were available and inevitably it was SQMC Stay and his team that took the brunt ofthese attacks. Another innovation was the visit of the wives to firing. The visit was timed to coincide with firing at the MATS A model aircraft targets with Commanders' machine guns, and all the girls had a go, and much to everyone's embarrassment did rather better than the regular commanders!
On completion of firing we had 2 days of dry training over the impact area which proved invaluable later in the year; at the same time it was a welcome change to be training on what was a new area to most of us.
On our return from Hohne some of the Squadron managed to get away on leave while the remainder prepared for battle group training at Soltau. Once again the training period was remarkable for the good
weather, and culminated in a mammoth display for the NATO Mili tary Commi ttee when there seemed to be an unlimited amount of battle simulation. This was so effective that it blew the tracks off one of the infantry's 432s. Needless to say the tanks were not effected by the efforts of the Sappers, but our allies apparently went away well pleased with what they had seen.
On return from Soltau our thoughts turned to the remaining Summer months when it looked as though we would be able to complete our APWT at Sennelager at our leisure and get most of the Squadron away on leave and adventure training. For once we were not disappointed, and most people did go away adventure training, and the lucky ones got some leave in as well. The degree of 'adventure' varied considerably between troops!
In August the Squadron entered the inter Squadron sports with a vengeance, winning the orienteering and the Rugby 7 -a-side Competitions and finishing runners up "in the Football. In the boxing we did not fare so well, but Tpr Gollings put up a great performance and came away with the cup for the best loser, while Tpr Howie won his bout in the Finals.
As these notes are written, we have just returned from Ex Quarter Final, the highnote of which was the attack put in by The Regiment when the Squadron found itself, quite rightly, right of the line with the remainder of the Brigade dressing on us! A fitting end to the 1982 training session.
So ends 1982. It has been a good year with the chance to retain some stability with few changes in the Troop ORBATs and plenty of opportunities for everyone to enjoy the summer months. During the start of the year we have seen the departure ofLts Bell and Fraser, and the arrival of Lt Hopkins, and 2Lts Cape and Oswald together with 10 new troopers.
"Stop playing arou'!d with that camera and get some food on" LCoH Ingram (2 Troop)
SSgt Harris and L Cpl Burgess of the LA D - A wake!
Home Cooking! - CoH Puddephatt and Tpr Lambert on Adventure Training
Headquarter Squadron
At first glance the forecast of events suggested a relaxed year, with A2 Echelon deploying only twice. Yet 2 sabre Squadrons attached to 2 Bn Royal Green Jackets ensured that Al Echelon and elements of The Quartermaster (E)'s Department enjoyed long periods in the field. As Headquarters Squadron is in continuous support ofthe whole Regiment it matters not ifit is in field, forest or barracks; the volume of work alters little.
A settled period affords the opportunity to engage in activities which are prohibited by a normal life style. This has allowed the Squadron to achieve good results in the sporting field. It was extremely pleasing to win the Inter-Squadron Boxing and is a great credit to the Team considering the relatively few young soldiers in the Squadron.
Adventurous training occupied the young and young at heart, making a welcome break from the normal routine. Exercise Snow Queen again provided good value, giving many soldiers in the Squadron an opportunity to sample the ski slopes well away from Northern Germany and the plains they know so well. Survival in the form of Exercise Ludwigs Lair again tested those taking part. The white rabbits, I am happy to report, are still maintaining a high survival rate. Remarkable considering only a selected few actually attend lectures and demonstrations!
The 9th of July finally arrived and A2 Echelon rolled through the gates to start the convoy drive to that famous training area at Soltau, which had enjoyed a week's warm weather in advance. The drive passed without incident although the Hamburg to Kassel Autobahn lived up to its reputation of being an extremely dangerous place at that time of year.
Throughout the entire period of battle group training the sun continued to make the complete area a huge dust bowl and ensured that all returned to Detmold with sun burnt faces and white foreheadsl There are now many individual skills which are mandatory, needing to be continuously refreshed and practised. So whilst combat team training was taking place on the area our harbour area was alive with soldiers engaged in all manner of activities from NBC training to survi val training.
Chickens were extremely rare this year which restricted survival practice but kept the area fairly free of feathers. Map reading is still an important part of training and to increase enjoyment and inject competition into training during the daytime map reading was organised on an orienteering line. Night na vigation was undertaken by patrols with live enemy in ambush positions. This creates great excitement if an ambush in sprung on a 'pork chop on the hoof. The wild boar is not renowned for its table manners in such situations.
As training progressed so did the call from The Battle Group for involvement in different roles. 2 sections of infantry were supplied as enemy for a full Battle Group attack on two separate positions; Strip Wood and the Tank Bridge. This involved digging in and just as well as the Sappers produced some awfully loud bangs and very close to our infantry positions. The Sappers' light mobile digger broke an hydraulic pipe on the second trench but that most reliable piece of equipment, the shovel, completed all the trenches in time for the infantry platoon to receive quite a shock when they debussed on the objectives.
During the first night of the Battle Group exercises, patrols were sent out to harass the Combat Teams and to attack Troop hides. Fortunately no contact was made with the infantry. Well, some of us are just beginning to lose that initial burst of speed. Al Echelon were detected in sparse cover, thanks to the lights on the radios and slight movement. Those designers must have put dimmers on the radio lights for a special purpose' Those who have never taken part in this type of hunting would be amazed at the difficulty in locating a well disciplined Troop hide. The armoured Combat Team was attacked in leaguer by both patrols simultaneously, more by luck than good judgement. The Quartermaster kept his patrol's morale high by jumping into the middle of the Schwindebeck and laying down for a rest. He has almost recovered now and is limping without a stick.
On returning to Detmold fair numbers of the Squadron, complete with families, left direct for the Northern shores of the Adriatic and Mediterranean later returning fit and brown. Obviously very few wore headdress as the white foreheads had disappeared as if by magic.
Capt Miles - King of his Castle.'
SQMC Milne and SCM Knowles stand guard
As Autumn approached, activity in barracks increased, alarmingly reaching fever pitch on the 8th October and the long awaited Exercise Quarter Final. We drove in convoy north of Minden to a small copse to form the first harbour. It was here we entertained our families to Sunday lunch. The vast majority enjoyed this experience and the 'compo'. The weather broke almost as they departed and it continued to in a disturbing nature for the whole of that week.
With work-up training almost behind us we moved further east and harboured in a brickyard on the banks of th,e Mittelland Canal. There are now many with ambitions to take to the waterways of Europe aboard those great barges. Obviously 'The Wind in the Willows' greatly affected them in childhood and the sight of those majestic vessels rekindled their desires.
Rain still lashed down and we were on the move again this time gaining refuge in a disused furniture factory. The depression is beginning to show
Light Aid Detachment
EXTRACTS FROM THE LAD DIARY
DECEMBER 1981
This saw a change in EMEs. Capt Davies took over from Capt MacPherson who departed for the sunny far off land of Zimbabwe where all communication is done by jungle drums.
itself in this part of Germany. Even the brickyard was closing down within the month. Still we were afforded the opportunity to sleep under cover and recover from the prolonged drenching.
The SCM, concerned about morale selected Rash Land's car park deep in a quarry for our last tactical harbour. Now Rash Land is a permanent fun fair with two objects. Firstly to entertain children and secondly to ensure parents return home penniless. Here we enjoyed the security of the quarry undisturbed by the roving patrols for the entire period. The Standto, of which there were many, was always strenuous as we scrambled up the almost vertical walls of the quarry to our defensive positions. This disadvantage aside, it proved its worth as we remained undetected.
.I
SCM Knowles - going nowhere!
With 'end-ex' we moved further east to rejoin The Regiment in leaguer, to rest up before the drive home. Once more the weather broke and with torrential rain we returned to Detmold. The route was littered with leaves, mud and a combat engineer tractor on its roof. Thankfully we all completed the journey safely.
Both Echelons are now all practised and ready for the next task ahead.
The ASM attended his recognition and maintenance course concerning a certain four legged animal. Unbeknown to him the HQ LAD ran a secret Sweepstake as to how many times he would fall off; SSgt Moore won!
Tprs Nelson, O'Hare and LCoH CroageJ:
Ex. 'Quarter Final'
FEBRUARY
The LAD started to get into top gear ready for the exercise season. The continuing saga of the fitter section heating, or should I say lack of it, prompted the introduction of winter warfare and survival training for the REME, therefore any excuse to get into the EME's warm office was taken and hence conferences became abundant. efn Loughran was heard to complain that his typing was suffering because of the amount of coffee he was making.
D Squadron fitter section traded in their very technical and highly sophisticated spanners for SLRs and riot equipment. Their task was to protect the Maze Prison. By all accounts they enjoyed it.
MARCH
This saw the ARU. It turned out to be a very busy 2 days; numerous tasks were set. The highlight for the LAD was the night navigation exercise which resulted in many impromptu meetings, bumps in the night and some very suspect map reading!!
JUNE - OCTOBER
A and e Squadrons prepared and worked hard in the build up to BATUS. By all accounts both Squadrons had a great time. Sgt Davies turned up everywhere with his portable Video Unit. This caused much concern amongst his fellow bluebells, who are now extremely worried that their wives will find out exactly what they got up to.
Whilst Band D Squadron were on Soltau, HQ Squadron decided to inject some realism into their training by giving lectures on interrogation; this frightened efn Loughran who had to hold efn Howard's hand for comfort. To coincide with this, a lecture on survival techniques was also taught which efn Johns took to heart; he now sleeps out under the stars at every opportunity! Several night patrols were sent out to
W07 (ASM) Williams super-glued to his horse
The ever alert Tiffy - SSgt Goodwin, B Sqn
Cfn johns - Commando or REME?
attack the Squadrons, armed to the teeth with 2 thunderflashes, 1 MG and 3 magazines. The patrol was plastered in cam cream and assorted head-dress. Cfn Johns took off his shirt and covered himself in cam cream, working on the misguided principle that he would become invisible in the dark.
LSgt Caveney and LCpl Williams demonstrating the correct
method of the halt. In the background, various other
methods are tried - note the Swerve.
(Are they being rude? Ed.)
SEPTEMBER
The highlight of this month was Sgt Pelz's spectacular jump into the washdown overflow tank. It amused onlookers who gave him low marks for his
performance. Unfair really since Sgt (I didn't think it was very deep) Pelz had not had any practice!
OCTOBER - NOVEMBER
Exercise Quarter Final was busy during the build up training, but towards the end of the exercise the Echelon Bluebells had some free time on their hands. This gave us ample opportunity to look around our location - the local amusement park!
SSgt Eagles is convinced that luck was not on his side since there were several occasions when he broke down, and it just happened to be in or next to a sewage farm; consequently no one spoke to him for a day or so!
Having returned from exercise, The Weser Vale Hunter Trials got into full swing, along with preparations for ORT, PRE, and B Sqn firing at Hohne.
Meanwhile W02 (AQMS) Doherty who had passed his word recognition course (joined up writing is only for WOls), succeeded in being selected for a commission. He left us in September so we offer him our congratulations.
This year has been a very busy one with the NI commitment, BATUS training and preparation for PRE. We are now all looking forward to the Christmas festivities.
The Mounted Squad ron
In spite of the lack of Royal Weddings in 1982 the Mounted Squadron has had a colourful and eventful year.
We rounded off 1981 with the brick being hung in the Warrant Officers' and Non Commissioned Officers' Mess by ex Squadron Corporal Major Gibbs. Capt Scott also arrived at Christmas to end a long line of Blues and Royals Adjutants.
In January we sent 10 members of the Squadron (and the RMO Lt Col Smith) down to Bavaria to join Capt Boldero and CoH Frape on Exercise Snow Queen. This was hugely popular. They also greatly enjoyed spending some days with The Life Guards en route back to England, during which The Adjutant organised a helicopter flight.
We arranged our own skiing expedition in February to Scotland. Each Troop sent 10 men to Kinrara lodge in Invernesshire where they skied in generally atrocious conditions at Aviemore. LCoH Court instructed, assisted by LCpl Shannon. Tpr Baker took too literally a sign on the ski slope reading "Danger - Slow Down" and collided with it, breaking a ski.
The Sultan of Oman's State Visit in March was marred by a suspicious car in The Mall; much to the surprise of The Queen we were diverted down Birdcage Walk on the way back from Victoria Station to Buckingham Palace.
The Colonel of The Life Guards visited the Regiment in March. He spoke to most of the Squadron
and watched a display of showjumping in the Riding School.
Also in March an Officers Race was held at Baggrave Park near Melton Mowbray. The race, over a 2 mile course was won by Lt The Hon M.R.M. 'Satson on Cobra. The ensuing lunch for 300 Quorn fa.'1I1ers was considerably more tiring and emotional.
Gold Stick presenting Senior Rank Show jumping Cup
:J t i1arlow- Thomas. Mr. Missenden (Ex Master Saddler)
:.' H rrods in the background.
Capt Gorman trained the Regimental team for :ie London District Rifle Association meeting again ::'E year. LCpl Allen and Tpr Jervis both got into the t-:;.{)C's 40 (i.e. best 40 shots in London District).
In 1981 we .livened up The Major General's £Pectionwith a canter past in Hyde Park. In 1982 we one better and advanced in review order at the - t.er. There was an audible sigh of relief from the ":"3p€cting team as we pulled up 10 yards from them.
Her Royal Highness Princess Anne visited Hyde Park Barracks in May. She spent most of the day with us, visiting the stables, dismissing The Queen's Life Guard and receiving a cheque on behalf of Riding for the Disabled presented by LCoH Norcombe.
The Queen's Birthday Parade in June was memorable because of the weather. The Regiment got drenched waiting outside Buckingham Palace, dried out in the sun on Horse Guards and got drenched again on returning to Buckingham Palace. Every tunic had to be rushed away for dry cleaning before being put on again for the Garter Service. Water sloshed around in every jackboot. The Garter Service, in Windsor Castle, was by contrast, a glittering occasion in bright sun shine.
On July 20th the summer morning tranquility of Hyde Park was shattered by an IRA car bomb which decimated the ongoing Blues and Royals Queen's Life Guard, leaving 4 men and 7 horses dead or dying. The response of the outraged public was immediate and overwhelming. Gifts for horses and men flowed in, and Maj De Ritter personally arranged replies to over 6,000 letters we received.
It was a relief in August to get out of London for our annual camp where horses and men enjoyed show jumping competitions, handy hunter and cross country courses, tent pegging and mounted skill at arms contests. Lt Marlow·Thomas won the Senior Ranks Show Jumping and the Squadron took 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in The Junior Ranks Show Jumping (Tpr Kearns, Waygood and Ablott). CoH Dobson and Tpr Allan won The Junior Ranks Handy Hunter pairs and the Squadron took 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the Mounted Skill at Arms (Tprs Allen, Waygood and Capt Gorman) and 1st, 2nd and 3rd 'in the Tent Pegging (LCpl MacCallum, SQMC Allen and Capt Gorman). We also completed our Annual Personal Weapons Test, with the SLR. Tpr Tanner, a shooting enthusiast from the Medical Centre, passed on his sixth attempt. The Subalterns, Warrant Officers and Non Commissioned Officers laid on a revue which was so libellous that the confidential reports of those performing have been recalled for rewriting. CoH Sutherland's impersonation of the Master Cook was masterful but unwisehe has been complaining of bromide in his tea ever since. The Fancy Dress Competition on Open Day produced some imaginative entries including the Galloping Gourmet and a mounted chapter of the Klu Klux Klan.
In September a bronzed Maj Falkner was finally persuaded to step ashore, after some months adrift in the Mediterranean, and take over command of the Squadron from Maj De Ritter who leaves us for Staff College. (Amongst his leaving presents was a photograph of The Band and an assortment of pins .... )
rinne with Maj de Ritter, Lt Col Parker-Bowles, -• hatley and Ritchie.
1 and 3 Troops have recently returned from their winter camps. 1 Troop spent their week at Towcester Racecourse alternately churning up and trampling in the turf and 3 Troop were unsuitably accommodated in a vicarage on Lord Cowdray's estate in Sussex.
We have 19 entries for the Army Hunter Trials at Larkhill in October and 13 nominations for a Regimental Cadre Course in November.
Sport has not been overlooked this year. Seventeen members of the Squadron have hurled themselves out of aircraft belonging to the Headcorn Parachuting Club (including LCpl Camp and Tpr Shipton whose first flight in an aircraft it was, and Tpr Jervis who expressed unbounded gratitude to the Club staff for the assistance they gave him in getting out of the aircraft).
Lt Wordsworth took 15 members of the Squadron to the Guards Adventure Training Wing at Fremington in Devon where they sailed, potholed and mountain climbed.
The hunters are getting fit for Melton and we are continuing to fill a 6 horse box each Wednesday with Camberley Staff College Drag Hunt enthusiasts.
LCoH Norcombe, LCpl Shannon and LCpl Thomas all completed the London Marathon in May. LCoH Norcombe completed the 26 miles in 3 hours 15 minutes and then could not find the bus so ran back to Knightsbridge.
This year we managed to put together a Life Guard polo team in England consisting of Capt Gorman,
Lt A.J. Watson, Lt The Hon M.R.M. Watson and LCpl Walton. (Capt Hunter was sadly hors de combat as a result of a dislocated shoulder). We successfully beat the 13/18 Hussars 5-1 in the Captains and Subalterns but lost in the Finals to the experienced QRIH team. In the Major General's Cup Tpr Allen and LCpl Walton played for the victorious Household Cavalry polo grooms team against the Foot Gaurds.
Finally, Lt Marlow-Thomas took groups sailing throughout Summer Camp at Hawley Lake.
The Squadron ORBAT has seen some changes; we have said goodbye to Lts Darley and Doughty and CsoH Whatley, Pace and O'Flaherty. We welcome Lts Wordsworth and Watson, CsoH Fury, Holbrook and Thornton.
At the time of going to press we are preparing for Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands' State Visit and the State Opening of Parliament.
SQMC Allan in the water jump - Summer Camp 7982
Household Cavalry Squadron
The Guards Depot
The new Pirbright Company - Spot the Life Guards!
The 15th of August 1982 will be a date long remembered by all those Household Cavalrymen who have served or trained at the Guards Depot. For, on the 15th August, the last Junior Intake from the Household Cavalry Squadron passed out, thus ending a short, but significant chapter in the history of The Guards Depot.
LCsoH Bellringer and Snowdon represented The Depot at Football. The Juniors, too, did extremely well in many sporting events. The Tug of War Team won the Inter-Company cup in April. Tpr Mills literally ran away with most of the sprinting medals at the Junior Athletics meeting. Tprs Core, Brookes and Carter spent 2 weeks skiing in Bavaria, and have therefore experienced life in Germany at first hand. The Junior Shooting Team again was mainly made up of Household Cavalrymen and proves that Household Cavalrymen can shoot with the SLR, with Tprs Bond, Bonner, Musgrove, Brooke and Clarke beating the Footguards at their own game.
At Fremington the Juniors were to turn their versatile hands to windsurfing under extreme encouragement from their troop leaders. Tprs Astbury and Yeomans seemed to find this a highly entertaining sport. Egypt 6 troop was fortunate to visit a movie studio where a television commercial was being filmed. The sight of so many female models in such flimsy attire affected the participants' blood pressure, and will no doubt help prepare them for life in Germany.
The parade was taken by Tpr Trevethan as JSCM who narrowly beat Tpr Hatcher also of The Life Guards for this honour.
We have had to say farewell to many of the staff of the old Squadron. Maj Weston RHG/D has taken over as Second in Command at Windsor. Lts Watson LG and Kisielewski-Dunbar RHG/D both go to Knightsbridge. W02 O'Halloran has followed Maj Weston to Windsor as is his wont (they have only been
apart for intermittent periods throughout their careers'.) SQMC McIvor has left the Army and is now somewhere in the Middle East. He is no doubt keeping the Arabs as amused as those on the staff within the Squadron. Capt Boles has gone to command The Guards Depot Battle Camp at Thetford, the first if not possibly the last Household Cavalryman to hold such a post. As reported in the latest Guards Magazine he has been seen to wear uniform in Thetford for more than a fortnight at a time. CoH Stevenson and LCsoH
The Band
The 1982 season started with the Band playing Sea Shanties at the Boat Show - the organisers were confused with the name Life Guards perhaps! The Band entertained the public again in January by doing their pre-BFT Training in Hyde Park. Probably not up to SAS standard but everyone managed to pass (even "Old Bill"!).
The first week in March found the Band once again in strange territory: the Guards Depot Ranges for weapon training. After three days our somewhat worried looking instructors declared that everyone had passed, including six marksmen! The NBC lectures will long be remembered but, as yet, no-one has overcome the problem of playing an instrument with a gas mask on. This was followed by the first Band Dinner for several years. Held in the was' and NCOs' Mess at Hyde Park Barracks with the kind permission of the RCM, everyone agreed that it was a very successful evening. Several veteran members turned up and many younger members were able to actually meet some of the legendary characters of whom they had heard many stories.
Bellringer and Stanworth have all returned to Germany; we hope that the pacesticking they learnt at The Depot will somehow be useful when they work on Chieftain tanks.
The Household Cavalry Squadron has now taken over No 1 Company and been renamed The Pirbright Company. Maj Simpson-Gee now has a large proportion of Footguard staff to help him train all Grenadier and Coldstream Juniors as well as the small intakes of Junior Household Cavalrymen to come.
The mounted season was fairly uneventful but it will be mainly remembered for the wettest Trooping ever. Her Majesty The Queen was treated to the sight of several members of the Band having to "bale out" their instruments before they could play for the final rank-past at the Palace!
A week at Royal Ascot found the Band playing for community singing at the end of each programme. It reached fever pitch as. the crowds, inspired by Falklands victories, made themselves hoarse with Rule Brittania and Land of Hope and Glory.
A Summer Social followed which took the form of a boat trip down the Thames; again a very enjoyable evening and thanks must go to the Band Corporal Major for organising both socials. A pleasant week at Bournemouth was followed by two weeks at Eastbourne. Unfortunately, on the first day, after having conducted the morning performance, the Director of Music was involved in a serious motor accident, breaking his collarbone which rendered him unable to conduct. The Band Corporal Major was
Members of The Band in 77th century costume "BCM - is that man on the left one of ours? "
The Band making use of the new Practice Room!
---'wn in at the deep end (so to speak) and did a very -ble job conducting twenty nine consecutive pro=-.&'TI es including a concert with Vince Hill. Several se filled, heart stopping moments occurred but, _ e LG Band tradition, the show went on! \
_=:: :0 Right: BCM Fletcher, SCpl Marsden} SCpl jolley. i ling the Army after a total of approx. 75 years "-':.> '.lith The Band and The Regiment
The Royal Tournament followed, the first week having been covered by the Band of The Blues and Royals. The Life Guards Band then took over without rehearsal. A section of the Band was dressed in 17th century costume and played the music of Purcell on serpents, shawms and, not least, a Jingling Johnny! (For those of you not familiar with these matters a Jingling Johnny is a percussion instrument!)
Having returned from several days in Jersey the Band found themselves scattered all over Greater London on standby for the TUC's "Day of Action" when the ambulance men went on strike. LCpls Bole and Morton were two of the few actually called out and were "instrumental" in saving the life of a heart attack victim in Mill Hill.
The Band have given a number of concerts recently including places such as Preston, Croydon and Wolverhampton. Collections have been made for the London Bomb Disaster Fund and our generous audiences have contributed over £2,000 to date.
We would like to welcome Musn Bougourd who has joined us recently. We were sorry to say goodbye to LCoH Watts. He was for many years a Queen's Life Guard Trumpeter and then the Director of Music's Orderly. He was a great Regimental character and was ever popular with concert audiences who were fascinated by his mastery of the English Language! We wish him every success in civilian life.
arrant Officers and
"Jon-Commissioned
It has been a busy and hectic year for the =-and NCOs' Mess. Again we have had Squadrons _ .- in Canada this year. At the beginning of the year ;:::. --' er Senior NCOs' Riding Course was held and was :=. grea success. This means that nearly all the SCpls above have completed a 3 week riding course. We -: -: -{} have another course in early 1983 for CsoH.
The Mess is now looking really nice, and ---'eral improvements have been made. We have in the garden to the rear for bar-b-ques, decorae small bar, and refurbished the cellar bar for use - summer months. The Entertainment Committee . e year have done us proud, ami special thanks -J W01 Keeys for organising a Summer Ball -. ",.i.ll be long remembered, including the 1000
Officers Mess
DM fine for excessive nOIse which ended up on the RCM's desk.
We are now preparing for the Christmas activities and Brickhanging. We have got 41 ex-members of the Mess coming over this year, and we look forward to seeing them. Mr E Henderson is unable to hang the Brick and this year the honour will be carried out by Lt Col Emson, The Commanding Officer. We had a visit from The Colonel of The Regiment, Major General Lord Michael Fitzalan Howard. We also had Brigadier Johnson, Commander 11 Brigade on his farewell visit and he was presented with a picture from the Mess, as now The Regiment leave 11 Brigade and comes under command of 20 Brigade. We also had RCMs Lawson and Patterson and W01 Cherrington visit The
Regiment for an RCMs' conference although I believe that it was only to collect duty free's for Christmas!
It was with great regret that we heard of Colonel A.J. Hartigan's death and our condolences go to his wife and family. Several Members of the Mess returned to England for the funeral and RCM Leighton had the honour of leading the bearer party.
We have said farewell to WOl Keeys, SCpls Denton and Lawrence, CsoH Powell and Gleddhill.
The Senior Members of the Mess are: RCM Leighton, ASM Williams, RQMC Whyte, RQMC(E) Knowles, SCMs Kelly, Lloyd, Knowles BEM, Townsend, Willis, AQMSs Lyon and Firth, SQMSs Ludwig (RAPC), W02 JL Collins (ACC) ORQMC Docherty, W02s Daysmith and Richards.
l"he Quadrille
Quadrille appearing in 'Blue Peter' September 7982
The Quadrille this year consisted of 8 men in Mounted Review Order, 8 men in 1890s stable dress, 4 Trumpeters, 2 Farriers and 1 Drum Horse, Coriolanus. We had a heavy Life Guard bias this season with Capt Gorman (Quadrille Officer) and CoH Pace (Quadrille NCO) assisting The Riding Master, Lt Col Jackson.
We got off to a rather grand start in May at the 3 day Royal Norfolk Show. The men were accommodated in the Ladies Wing of The Norfolk Agricultural College but their initial delight was tempered somewhat on meeting the Daughters of Norfolk who proceeded to outdrink and outswear us all. Major Bill Jones, who is recruiting in Norwich, arranged a charity reception for S.S.A.F.A. which was held in our tack tent.
Our next engagement was at Combermere Barracks for The Blues and Royals Open Day on 4 July. The salute was taken by The Colonel of The Blues and Royals, General Sir Desmond Fitzpatrick, GCB, DSO, MBE, MC.
The remainder of July was spent at Olympia for The Royal Tournament. This is always a rather gruelling engagement, especially this year as in addition to the actual Quadrille performance we also provided an opening fanfare (of drummers and trumpeters) and a Cossack Cavalry charge for the show's 1812 finale. We had intended to hold a party during the Tournament but The Queen's Life Guard bombing interceded. The party funds of £246 were contributed, instead, to the victims' fund. The Royal Tournament was not without its lighter moments however; Terry Wogan interviewed us from on top of Coriolanus and on the final night a box of white mice caused total pandemonium amongst the WRAC band during The King's Troop Musical Ride ....
We left Summer Camp directly after a performance on Open Day to get up to Walsall for a two day show there. Our first performance - in a downpour
Sports BOXING
It was decided to have the Inter Squadron Competition in August this year to enable early selection of the Regimental Boxing Squad and to allow time for preparation for the Divisional Championships. The Competition was spread over two days and the Finals produced the best evening's boxing The Regiment has seen for many years.
was slotted in between a goat judging competition and an RAF fly past (the RAF never appeared) but the audience was very enthusiastic and our WPC police escort proved very attractive.
The Dorchester Show, in contrast, was held in blazing sunshine in early September. Brigadier Simon Cooper arranged for us to be accommodated at Bovington and the Show broke all past attendance records. The Show President, Major Nigel Martin, is the late Silver Stick's brother-in-law and he made us very welcome. We opened the temporary stabling to the public and collected £800 for the South Atlantic Fund and our own bomb victims' fund.
Later in September we returned to HMS Vernon in Portsmouth for their Searchlight Tattoo. The horses were stabled in a Royal Marine drill hall and The Royal Navy arranged visits to warships and submarines. We were lucky enough to be there to welcome home Invincible on its return from the South Atlantic. The Royal Marines Free Fall Team preceded our performance and took great care to avoid our lances.
Our final engagement was the Horse of the Year Show in October. We were billed as a Kaleidescope of British Cavalry and were resplendent in 17th, 18th and 19th century cavalry uniforms. The ride was fast, colourful and exciting and was received with rapturous applause. The applause turned to cheering on the appearance of Sefton who was led around the arena by Tpr Pedersen at the conclusion of our performance. The show directors presented placques to each member of the ride and we held an end of season party - enlivened by assorted girl grooms - at Wembley.
The bookings for next year are flowing in already which is a flattering reflection on the success of the 1982 season. We are particularly looking forward to coming over for the Rhine Army Summer Show.
This is the first year that we have managed to produce Bantamweights with Tpr Jacobi beating Pte Curran ACC over 3 rounds. LCoH Prior has always gained a trophy in past years at Featherweight by a walkover because no one could make the weight but this year C Squadron produced a slimmed-down LCoH Pringle who over 3 rounds just beat LCoH Prior; a very entertaining bout.
Capt Darley fought his way through 2 preliminary fights to earn a place in the Final, only to have to withdraw due to an arm injury. Tpr Lodge one of the semi finalists, volunteered to fight again and was beaten over 3 rounds by a very strong hard punching Tpr Grantham.
The Commanding Officer presenting Cfn Johns with a Trophy Inter Squadron Competition
The Light Heavyweight contest between Tpr Sandor C Squadron and Tpr Golling's HQ Squadron was a really excellent contest. Sandor who normally fights at Middleweight went up a weight to see how hard the bigger boys could hit and had to work very hard to beat a very strong and brave Gollings, who on this performance won the Best Losers Cup. The final bout of the evening was the Welterweight 1st String where Tpr Irving closed the Competition with a bang by producing a wonderful punch which knocked out Tpr Squires of C Squadron. For the first time in years HQ Squadron, trained by SCpl Byrne, won the Competition. The prizes were presented by the Commanding Officer.
On the Regimental side at the beginning of the year the Team fought a combined team of 71 AACI Wksps and 4 Regt AAC, LG winning the evening on 9 bouts to 3. The Regimental Team will be in action again in Nov 82 when it fights 4 Armd Div HQ & Signal Regt in the first round of the 4 Armd Div Championships.
Apart from the Divisional Competition bouts have been arranged between the 2RGJ and the QOH.
LCoH Drennan entered for the UK Championships and lost the Heavyweight Final on points. He
Tprs Squires and Irving - Inter Squadron Competition later entered the BAOR Championships which were held in Berlin and again lost to the Army Champion but this was due to a clash of heads which resulted in LCoH Drennan having to retire in the 2nd round to have 5 stitches inserted in his forehead. This was very unfortunate as he looked quite capable of taking the contest. Let's hope this year he has a little more luck. (He did! He has now become Army Super Heavy Weight Champion - Ed)
FOOTBALL
The closing sentence of last years notes made mention of the military commitments having a direct influence on the footballing fortune of The Regiment; nothing has changed! We were, for the best part of the year, very much understrength on manpower and, even when the team were due to play, it coincided with the 'winter season' - that is to say we were snow bound. The weather is a real problem here in Detmold. The town is snugly situated at the foot of the Teutoburger Ridge and is subject to conditions normally found in the Cotswolds; average rainfall which turns to snow when there is a fall in temperature.
In the Cavalry Cup the team reached Quarter Final in the BAOR Zone competition, when, after a very hard and physical game, the Royal Hussars beat us 3-1. The last two goals scored by our opponents came in the final minutes of the game so we went out to the Cavalry Cup finalists of the year before.
The Inter Squadron league competition produced a lot of effort for one of the entries to become the Regimental Champions.
With much huffing and puffing, and that was only getting their boots on, a few old stars attempted to turn the clock back. The competition was exciting and
THE FOOTBALL TEAM - 7982
much to the organisers consternation, 3 teams produced the same final result. The goal difference was taken into account and A Squadron were declared the Inter Squadron Champions by the narrowest of margins. They were followed by D Squadron with HQ Squadron in 3rd position.
In closing, our readers may be interested to know that once again The Regimental Team "put it over" our Cavalry neighbours, the QOH. As leaders of the 4 Div league with 9 games played, with a goal average of 63 and only 9 against we looked to be on a hiding - they take their football seriously! I don't know who was the most surprised, us or them, when we beat them 5-1, I do know who was the most 'chuffed'.
We still have the same nucleus of players who form the backbone of the team. LCsoH Wragg and Fitzpatrick with LSgts Lock and Heap must be the hardest running back four in the league. LCsoH Ingram, Wilson and LCpl Godson try and control the mid field - not always at the same time! The opposite defence are confronted by LCpls Willis, McSherry, LCoH McCance, Tprs Lowe and Keitly. Sgt Johnson plays in goal and it is to his credit that he is a regular keeper in the Royal Army Pay Corps side here in BAOR.
We do have some talent emerging and the author would be delighted to be able to produce a trophy or two sometime in the near future.
HOCKEY
During the 1981/82 Hockey Season, The Regiment was able to find a team at least once a week, with a regular nucleus of about 7 players, and the remainder being keen to play whenever the BAOR exercise season permitted.
The Regiment entered the 4 Armoured Division Major Units League and Knockout Competitions. As a result the majority of matches, on average once a week, were part of the set competitions and there was little time for merely practice and friendly matches. However, a number of matches were against neighbouring units in the Garrison and were therefore always played in a very competitive atmosphere. The major aim of the Regimental Team was always achieved in that the arranged matches supplied a source of very enjoyable entertainment for those members of The Regiment willing to "have a go" in the Team.
In a total of 8 matches played in the League, the Team won 1 drew 1, and lost 6 all by only a small margin. In the Knockout Competition, the Team was unfortunately beaten by 3 RTR in the second round.
Maj Bayley and W02 Ludwig both earned their Regimental Hockey Colours during the Season, and with still a reasonable nucleus of players left from last year, the Regimental Hockey Team can look forward with confidence to another enjoyable Season during the winter.
FENCING
The regional Fencing Club continued to shine this year. During late March the BAOR Fencing Championships were held at Sennelager. The team consisted of RQMC Keeys BEM (Team Captain), LCoH Margan, LCpls Evans and Rowbottom, Tprs Standlake and Lodge, all of whom gave a good account of themselves in a high standard competition. We eventually came 5th in the team event. In the Epee event LCoH Margan came 2nd. With some intensive training before next year's Championships the team has every chance of winning - just shows that there is a wealth of talent waiting in the wings ready to emerge! Various members of the team attended Fencing Performance courses throughout the year at the school of P & RT Sennelager. This helped greatly to improve and encourage fencing in The Regiment. It is hoped to bring down to the Club a fully qualified fencing coach in the new year.
He also trains under a Polish coach at Warendorf with the West German National Pentathlon Squad and with hard work and dedication hopes to make the Olympic Fencing Squad in 1984 and has every chance of doing so despite the set back of a broken nose in AugustlSeptember, which he obtained whilst playing Inter-Squadron rugby!!
BISLEY
LCoH Margan has been fortunate to have had The Regiment's full backing this year and the hard work and dedication has paid off. His results this year include having made the final rounds of the Berlin, Zurich and Heidenheim Internationals, representing BAOR at the Holland (KOOS) and Luxemburg Military Internationals. He also represented the Army in the Inter-Service Fencing Championships at Portsmouth in June. He was a finalist at the Royal Tournament and was the only Army member of the combined Services V All England Epee team during the competition. LCoH Margan was 3rd in the Army Championships this year, also 3rd at the Norfolk Open Fencing Championships and finally 4th at a good quality competition at Minden, during April this year.
The reader would have to be an old soldier of some years, if he were to remember the last time The Regiment sent a team to Century Range. One would certainly have to go as far back as to the years prior to the Second World War to find any mention of the occurrence in the record books.
It has been known for some time that The Household Cavalry recruits make up a large proportion of The Guards Depot Junior shooting team which invariably wins the Army Junior title year after year. The decision to capitalize on this internal talent was taken and the first step was to qualify for Bisley by being selected at the 4 Div Championships. A team was hastily recruited and much to the QM's consternation a great many rounds were fired in order to achieve what was thought to be an acceptable standard. This standard must have been reached as the Team, much to their credit, were selected and so the real test was to come; the Regular Army Skill at Arms Meeting (RASAAM).
After many frantic phone calls, form filling and customs clearance, the Team consisting of Capt Knipe, LCsoH Guiney and Derbyshire who were A class shots; Tprs Henly, Bright, Reynolds 775, Barnes, Horner and Brooks, all B class shots, were finally dispatched to The Guards Depot, who had very kindly agreed to host our training period. Four of the team had not taken part in the 4 Div Championships and the new members had just 3 weeks to train for the hardest shooting competition in the shooting calendar.
It was here that Roupells, Whiteheads, Whittakers and SMG 100s and the many other matches took on a new significance. The ranges resounded to the sound of gunfire and if anyone is in any doubt as to the effort required to fire consistently day after day, let him volunteer for next year. The concentration during the day makes for a good sound sleep at night.
We were fortunate, or unfortunate depending on your viewpoint, to share the range space with many established teams who had been training for the event for many months. The Gurkhas, 1 Para and both the Grenadiers and Irish Guards teams had fired many thousands of rounds and the standard of shooting by these teams was extremely high. The individual
LeaH Margan being presented with the Medal by Rear Admiral Taylor RN following the Inter Squadron Triad Match.
shooters in the team rarely dropped more than one round in each match fired and we were made aware of the very high standard that Bisley produces.
However, thanks to DRAC and Capt Sampson we were given more ammunition and we kept at it. The Team, which had never fired as Adults in competition before, realized that the junior matches bore little relation to the senior matches. One or two heads began to drop when the effort did not produce the desired results.
The meeting commenced with The Henry Whitehead Cup and after the results were announced we thought we were in with a very good chance. We had beaten 42 major units, of these 21 were infantry battalions, which is no mean achievement when one considers the competitors have to qualify to take part and are the best in the Army.
Our SLR shooting continued to be good and we were well placed in the top third of all the SLR competition throughout.
This start was most heartening but in concentrating in the training on the SLRs, we were to find that we had neglected the SMG matches. Lulled into thinking that this weapon produced average results no matter who was firing, we soon found out that in the hands of an expert its accuracy was startling. Three inch groups at a 100 metres in all fire positions, snap included, by our competitors, left us way behind.
In consequence our gains on the SLR were erased completely on this weapon. In fact much ground was lost. The Team never really recovered from this setback and our LlI4G shooting produced only average results.
The Snapshooting Competition, (who would have thought the Cavalry would ever compete in such an Infantry orientated world), was a success and our Falling Plate Team produced the fastest time of the competition; 27.3 seconds, including the run down. Both the Snapshooting and the Falling Plate are predominantly SLR shoots and once again we were well to the fore, but not quite amongst the "big boys".
Many lessons have been learned and it is hoped that we can continue with the experience gained. We had 5 young soldiers out of our team of 8, all with less than 2 years service and this must produce results in the future. The 4 medals gained by individuals is hopefully only a start.
RUGBY
The Season ended with the Inter-Squadron Knock Out Cup with A Squadron v HQ Squadron in the final. The outcome, after a very hard game, was a win for A Squadron by 4pts to nil - this is the third time A Squadron have won the Cup. Can they do it
next Season?
RUGBY 1982/83 SEASON
The pre-season training and selection started with an inter Squadron 7-a-side competition in which each Sabre Squadron provided 2 teams and HQ Squadron provided 4 teams. The standard of play was very good. The eventual winners of the main competition were D Squadron 2nd who beat HQ Squadron 1st. 8-0pt in a very hard played final. The Plate competition was won by B Squadron 2nd Team who beat HQ Squadron 2nd Team 20-0pt. Congratulations to HQ Squadron for having a team in each final.
The XVs Season started with a depleted side due to three Squadrons being away. So the side was called a second XV and played sides of the same standard, winning two and losing one game before the Regimental side played.
The first game was the 1st round of the BAOR Inter-Unit competition which was played against 25 Fd Regt RA and The Regiment won 9-6. The second round was played against 4 Armd Div Signal Regt and The Regiment lost 10-8pt.
During the forthcoming Season and with kind weather we hope to play 43 games and the Club hopes to raise a 2nd side. Our next competitions are the 4th Armd Div Rugby Cup and The RAC Rugby Competition.
EX SNOW QUEEN
With Jack Ford forecasting a cold and miserable winter, a bunch (collective name for a group of soldiers) sharpened their edges, waxed their skis and toiled through the mountain of paperwork. At the end of the tunnel was Ex Snow Queen. By the beginning of December everything appeared organised - its amazing how appearances can fool!
At 0730 on a miserable wet morning the advance party set forth. This totalled 2 Bedford lorries, 2 private cars (one which was a blue BMW with stripes) and a landrover and trailer. The adventure had just begun.
Thejourney normally takes 8-9 hours, but with the terrible road conditions it took a good deal longer. First to arrive was the BMW - to find the place locked and empty, a problem thankfully solved with the minimum of fuss. The Landrover and trailer carne next with our gallant signallers (more of them later). Next to struggle through the snow storm were the Bedfords who carne "as one". One had broken down and had to be towed by the other for the last hour. But still no sign of the last car. Fairly soon we got bored of waiting and celebrated our arrival with a bottle (or was it two) of Apfel corn. Finally at about 0410 the Volvo arrived. It had got stuck in a snow drift, or so we were told.
Tpr Ditchburn
To return to our signallers. This year to save cost we had a direct radio link from Bavaria to Detmold (the wonders of modern science!) and it was W02 Allen and CoH Carson's mission to make it work. By -the end of the day the back of the hut looked like Mission Control, but we could actually talk to Detmold!!
At this stage I would like to break from the narrative and give the line up of permanent staff:
The Hut Commander
He is the one with the broad shoulders.
Admin NCO - CoH Sutherland Yes he drives a Volvo!
Ski Instructors:
2Lt K-Dunbar
I never did get to see their CoH Frape qualifications Sgt Watson
Cooks - Pte Torr
A fine effort. Pte Walsh
Drivers - LCpl Wilde
Never a day off the road for Tpr Strange the vehicles. Tpr Schubert
So with all the preparations complete we eagerly awaited the arrival of the first course on 22nd December.
There was certainly no shortage of snow, and in fact we were treated to some really excellent conditions for the whole season with the exception of one week when it rained almost non-stop. In February we had enough snow to introduce the 'students' to their first lessons in powder skiing - some could do it, and some quite definitely could not. The standard of skiing this year was noticeably higher and as a result the instructors were constantly kept on their toes.
Change being the spice of life, we persuaded the Household Cavalry Regiment to send over 10 students on each of the first 2 courses. This was most beneficial to all concerned with the exception of 1 young Trooper who went back with a broken bone in his hand. Thankfully, we had Surg Lt Col Smith on hand (sorry about the pun) to solve the problem.
This year we were treated to a host of visitors who included: The Commanding Officer and his family, Maj Earl and his family, Capt Cathcart, and even the Racing Team, also a number of officers were subjected to our slightly strange method of instruction. Overall about 140 students came down, indeed some people came down twice!
A new addition to the syllabus this year were the ski-bobs, (bicycles fitted with skis instead of wheels) and some people seemed to get on very well. In fact a lot of people were most surprised by their performance, particularly in their cornering ability!
I would like to thank all those in Detmold in the various departments that helped out. When you are 700 miles away the smallest problem seems so much bigger.
Next year we are not running our own hut. This is due to training commitments in January. I hope, however, that we will be offered any free places in other huts. For those that get a chance to go skiing remember our motto "Game for a laugh" and what could possibly go wrong.
DIVING CLUB
1982 has been a very good year for The Regimental Diving Club. A lot of diving has taken place in the various lakes here in Germany and we have also carried out 2 major expeditions, both a great success. As a result many members of the Club have gained recognised British Sub Aqua Club Qualifications. The German lakes, even to the most fanatical of divers, cannot be described favourably unless one is accustomed to submerging into cold brown soup! Each
Tpr Scorer praying for more snow
dive usually develops into a major underwater navigational problem and cries of "Where the @*"? are they" can be heard from the diving supervisor on the surface. Even though the conditions are sometimes very bad, club members still perservere knowing that better diving is to come later in the year. Indeed many of the more experienced Club members can be seen wistfully staring up to heaven thinking of lovely crystal clear sunny warm waters, whilst rain seeps slowly into their wet suits. However, once everyone is fully kitted up and paired off, the diving officer then has the task of getting people to actually enter the water. Usually after screaming and shouting divers slowly ease themselves into the water and one by one disappear into our equivalent of a "blue lagoon". Although the lakes do not appear at first to contain any life, once in a while small shoals of perch and the odd large pike can be seen. On one particular dive, LCoH Beck had the experience of a large pike swimming under his left arm, resulting in a great deal of rapid backward movement! (his pacemaker also took a pounding). The usual finale to a day's diving in Germany is that divers "burning rubber" in their haste to get out of their wet suits and into warm clothing.
The first of our expeditions this year was a 2 week trip to sunny Cyprus in April/May. 12 members of the club took part including one part time member from Household Cavalry Records. We flew "from Germany to England by way of Hercules landing at Lyneham. We then moved to RAF Brize Norton where after some delay caused by that little upset with the Argentinians, weJ1e,w onto Cyprus landing at Akrotiri in the early hOths of t1\€ morning.
Despite time of arrival, we were met and immediately given a landrover and Bedford truck which were to be ours for the duration of the expedition. We immediately set offfor Dhekelia to take over our accommodation courtesy of 2 Bn The Queen's Regiment in. Alexan'cfer Barracks. On our arrival in Dhekelia no time was wasted and diving commenced at midday.
Throughout the next 2 weeks, diving took place in crystal clear waters 2 or 3 times a day. A night dive took place in which all sorts of marine life were encountered ranging from octopus to a couple of moray eels which according to each successive dive team got bigger and bigger by the minute! The weather was wonderful throughout, warm sunny days followed by lovely clear evenings. Many dive sites were revisited by those ex-B Squadron members of the diving club. These included the famous "Looney Leap", an outcrop of rock 50 feet high, which with the exception of 2 clubmembers (who will remain nameless) the Club leapt off. Needless to say there were numerous "Geronimos" and a few screams of sheer terror all in the quest of fun.
One of the best dive sites to be visited in Cyprus is that of the sunken :\ITB. It is situated in exactly 100 feet of water and lies completely upside down. It rests on its super structure and is therefore too dangerous for divers to enter as someday it will collapse inwards. However, we did see much of the wreck as the water was so very clear. There are a number of exceptionally large grouper fish living inside the hull. These would come out of the gloom under the wreck, look at you, and then disappear quickly back inside The MTB itself has been down there since 1956 when apparently it was sunk by the Royal Navy while smuggling Jews into the then new state of Israel.
During this expedition, the club gained 4 new 3rd Class divers, these being LCoH Craister, LCpls Cripps, Willis 784 and Nicholson. All 4 are congratulated on becoming qualified divers. The club also gained 3 2nd class divers: CsoH Read, Wise and LCoH Elliott. These were the first batch of 2nd class divers to be trained solely by The Regimental Diving Club. They are especially congratulated on gaining this qualification as it is the highest that can be gained at club level. LCpl Rosborough who was our part-timer from Records gained his Snorkel Diver qualification, he also gained
Cyprus - LCpl Willis and LCoH Craister "Well Murphy, where are we?"
Cyprus - LCpl Nicholson looking for his 'Pot of Gold',
the nickname "The Goat" when commenting on how many wild Cypriot "Red Setters" there were running wild in the hills of Cyprus, when in fact he was looking at the local breed of common goat!
It was with a great deal of reluctance on our part, that after 16 days of fantastic enjoyment we said farewell to sunny Cyprus and climbed aboard a Hercules for a 7V2 hour flight back to a very wintery UK and eventually onto Germany.
During the following months diving continued in the German lakes. In August the club decided to mount another expedition, this time it was to be a 10 day trip to Norway. 10 club members took part in this, our second, expedition of the year.
Travel was by road, moving from Detmold to Flensburg on the German-Danish border and then onto the port of Hirtshals in Northern Denmark, a total distance of 506 miles. We then boarded a ferry for Kristiansand in Norway. On arrival in Kristiansand we moved directly to a civilian camp site which waS ideally suited for divers, 2 minutes from the sea. In fact most of the tents were pitched so close to the sea that life jackets had to be worn when asleep!
Once everything has been unloaded and set up, 10 days of exceptional diving took place. The fish life around the area we were diving in was amazing. l\ll team members experienced the thrill of swimming through large shoals of cod mackeral, dodging large jellyfish which were in abundance at all depths. One of the most favourite pastimes on a dive was to collect edibl: crabs for the eVlning meal, indeed on o.ne occaSIOn we collected enough crabs to feed the entIre diving team. The novice divers, LCoH Croager and Tprs Oliver and Brook were taken through various open water tests by the other qualified divers. This resulted in them being able to take part in a number of shallow dives. Tpr however seemed to be the exception and was allowed to complete a number of much deeper dives as he proved to be a natural diver. :\1ention has to be made of LCoH Croager ('Polaris' to his friends) who attempted to dive with a flooded mask at 30 feet and found that it was not to his liking. Instead of clearing the mask as he had been taught he decided to surface at a great rate. Other team members waiting on the shore now swear that when he surfaced , e was seen to momentarily "walk on water". Luckily . e was not injured by his rapid ascent and did at least remember to breath out when coming up. It also alabled his buddy diver at the time, LCpl Nicholson to ctice his emergency techniques for real, an experi_ ce we are sure he would not like to repeat.
An endurance dive was also carried out by all ::':-;'e team members. This involved swimming under for some 1300 metres at a depth of 60 feet. derwater navigation was tested to its full extent
and unlike 'Murphy' happened to be spot on. Indeed the term 'Murphy' was applied to members of the team whose underwater navigation left much to be desired, LCoH Beck and LCpl Willis being the main culprits. Another dive of great interest was a night dive. This was conducted by all team members and certainly proved to be great fun. Each diver was in possession of a torch, either one of the expensive underwater torches that the Club owns or an old army issue torch in a plastic bag! The teams of 3 entered the water from a jetty and immediately swam into some eels on the sea bed. Although off putting to say the least, they seemed to be mesmerised by the light from our torches. It is a very eerie experience swimming underwater at night not knowing what might be lurking beyond the beam of the torches, so much so that imaginations can become excessive. However, we had no real scares and 3 dives were completed. It is interesting to note that on the final dive the only torch still working was the army torch in its plastic bag!
As always, good things must come to an end. So after 10 days we packed up and began the long trip back to Germany. Norway is without doubt a fabulous place to dive and we are all hoping that we may be able to revisit the same area before our tour here in BAOR ends.
The reader might well be saying to himself "What will The Life Guards Sub Aqua Club be planning for 1983 after such a successful year"? Well, first priority goes to training new members of the club during the coming winter months; LCpl Rogers and Tpr Renton will commence their training both in the classroom and swimming pool. The qualified divers will continue to train for higher qualifications. As far as the actual diving is concerned, even as this article is being written a trip to Italy is being planned for April 1983. And no doubt, diving will continue in our blue lagoons here in Germany.
Finally, the club would like to say farewell to CoR McKenzie who, as Diving Officer for the past 3 years, has led the club on numerous expeditions and has trained many members to dive. We wish him well on his posting to The Household Cavalry Regiment. Rumour has it that there will shortly be a new diving club forming in London District. We also wish CoH Wise, the newly appointed club Diving Officer, good luck for the future; no doubt he will need it
PARACHUTING
Man Small - Why Fall?
Skies Call - That's All!
The Life Guards had a good year in the parachuting field. The Army Championships, both Senior and
Intermediate were won by Life Guards. The Regiment was also represented at the Cyprus, British National and World Championships. In addition 14 Life Guard Students successfully completed the 3 week basic Free Fall Course at JSPC (Lippspringe).
At the start of the year LCoH Treble, presently with the Guards Free Fall Team, was awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship. This allowed him to go to Reaford, North Carolina and train for the Army and British National Championships. LCoH Treble concentrated on the style and accuracy events, together known as The Classics.
Shortly after returning from the United States the Guards Team jumped in at the start of the London Marathon. LCoH Treble returned a time of 3hrs 56mins.
The Army team, comprising Sgt Milne (Para Regt) , Cpl Young (Para Regt) , LBdr Carrol (RA) and LCoH Treble, competed at SchafTon in Belgium on 12 May, in an Armed Forces competition. The Team was well placed with LCoH Treble finishing in 12th place overall.
- Army Champion and Capt Dyson
Champion (Army Championships, Vetheravon).
The British National Championships came next and were held at Bridlington, Yorkshire (5-13 June). The Army team entered this time as individuals
in senior style and accuracy. Capt DY50n entered the intermediate events, designed forumpers with less than 350 jumps. The purpose of this annual competition is to select a team to represent Great Britain at the World Championships (Classics I.
The Style event, for those 'I'.-ho are not familiar with sport parachuting, entaiL:: ,ea\ing he aircraft on a downwind run in at a height of 6.600 feet and falling for about 30 seconds. During this 'me the jumper is required to take an initial heading on a large orange cross laid out on the ground next to Le judges, who are equipped with telephoto video cameras and high power telemeters. After a period of some lO-E; seconds, having left the aircraft, the jumper commences a series of six manoeuvres and is timed from the ground. A typical 'serial' of manoeuvres would consist of a 360 0 left turn, right turn, back loop, right tc;.rn, left turn, back loop. That particular series "au d be known as a 'left cross set'. The event as a \\'hole consists of four jumps; a different set being executed on each jump. As a result it is not unusual for a confused jumper to turn the wrong way at some stage of the jump.
This is exactly what happened to Capt Dyson on his third jump of the intermediate style event. He was, however, lucky enough to be placed 3rd in the end. LCoH Treble did well and came 4th overall with an average score of 8.63 seconds in style and a total distance of 20 cms in the accuracy event. This year the accuracy was scored on a 5cm disc which was displayed as 0.00 on an electronic readout. A score of 0.02, for example, indicated that the jumper had struck the electronic pad 2 cms away from the edge of the central disc.
The Army Championships (20-30 June) followed on the heels of the Nationals. Over 100 competitors, 29 officials and 8 pilots decended on Netheravon DZ for the event. Bad weather and Artillery practices kept most people on the ground for a great deal of the 10 days allowed. However, very early starts paid off eventually and sufficient jumps were achieved to deter mine a fair result. Even still, jumping went on almost until prize giving.
The REME 'A' team won the 4 Man Sequential RW prize and the team accuracy was won by the Royal Artillery team. LCoH Treble came 3rd in accuracy and 5th in style and became the Army Individual Champion. Capt Dyson was placed in the intermediate events. The prizes were presented by Major General Mike Gray, the President of the Army Parachute Association.
The Regiment was next represented at the
LCoHTreble
-Intermediate
Rhine Army Championships held at Bad Lippspringe (234-30 July). Over 220 competitors attended from all over Europe; civilians as well as military jumpers. The weather and organisation were excellent; consequently all events were successfully completed. 22 SAS entered several teams, in great spirit, and kept the remainder continually amused with their "not so lightly" approach to landing! The United Arab Emirates mAE) entered strong teams and were well placed in the open events.
In this competition Relative Work (RW), Style and accuracy events were run. Prize giving was on 30 July. The open team accuracy was won by the Danish National Team and Open RW by the RAF Sport Parachute Assn Team. BAOR team accuracy was won by a composite Rhine Army Para Association team. The Open Overall Championship was won by Abul Rachman from the UAE and The BAOR Overall by Capt Dyson, though not many people competed in this class.
The Cyprus Combined Services Competition was next on the calendar in August 82. Capt Dyson was, by invitation, part of the RCT Freefall Team (The Silver Stars), due to a shortfall in their numbers. The Omani Police were kind enough to loan a 'Buffalo' aircraft for the duration. The Buffalo carries about 34 jumpers and has a very high rate of climb. 60 jumpers attended and an excellent time was had by all. The Cypriot August and inevitable midday gusts ensured early starts and finishes:,each day, allowing plenty of time in the afternoon for activities of a different
nature! Team accuracy and relative work were the main events with a water jump dropped in for good measure. The Rhine Army team walked away with the RW prize but the Silver Stars had better accuracy results and so took the overall prize. The high point of the competition was a 34 man demonstration from 1500 feet.
Meanwhile, LCoH Treble was competing in the World Championships. The British team came 5th overall out of the 28 nations competing. After a bad jump in the accuracy event LCoH Treble finished 49th out of 122 competitors.
Since then LCoH Treble has returned from another competition in Strasbourg and has completed, along with LCoH Tucker, several more demonstrations with the Guards Free Fall Team.
Closer to The Regiment, JSPC (L) has acquired a Britten-Norman Turbine Islander, which is more powerful, yet quieter, than the previous Piston Islander.
The new aircraft is now cleared to 15,000 feet with 10 jumpers. This gives about 70 seconds free fall time or about 15 minutes under canopy when doing Canopy Relative Work (CRW). The new aircraft is an improvement for students as well, on account of faster turn round times that can be achieved with it. The student jump rate has now been increased from 3 per day to 4.
For 1983 it is hoped that many more Life Guards will try the sport, which offers excellent adventure training benefits and is relatively inexpensive. Quite a few Life Guards have now parachuted at some stage and those who started this year (including Capts Waterhouse, Bolderoand Davis) are encouraged .to continue with the sport in pursuit of longer delays (not at the expense of too much height, though). Finally, mention must be made of the excellent safety record at JSPC (L); it is, however, considered extremely bad form to "go in" without having made an attempt to "pull".
POLO
Last year's Polo notes ended by saying that our 1982 team in BAOR "will be hard pressed to seat the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and 14/20th King's Hussars." One has to admit that, on their record alone in the last three years, both teams would present formidable opposition. In both 1979 and 1981 14/20th King's Hussars won the Inter-Regimental beating the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, while in 1980 the result
Capt Dyson free-falling in Cyprus
was reversed. In the Captains and Subalterns Tournament the 14/20th King's Hussars had won in the three years 1979-1981. In the 1982 Season both teams would have their respective "star" players Maj RCS Mahony (Scots DG) and Maj DJB Woodd (14/20H) with their own ponies, available to play. Handicapped at four and three respectively Maj RCS Mahony and Maj DJ Woodd were two of the highest handicapped players in Germany and experienced team captains, both, presumably, expecting similar successes in the 1982 Season as in the previous three Seasons.
Well aware of our two main rivals' record, the Life Guards Polo Team for' 1982 would undoutedly have a tough Season. A pre-Season team talk concentrated on reducing our rivals' advantages in as many areas as possible. The team selection for 1982 was to be the strongest available (and there were seven players to choose from) as opposed to a team designed to encourage the younger players. If possible, the team was to be .the same for beth the Inter-Regimental and the Captains' and Subalterns' Tournaments. The team was Capt Darley, handicap + 1, playing at No 1, Capt Graham, handicap +2, playing at No 2, Capt Forbes Cockell, handicap + 1, playing at No 3 (and also the team captain) and Capt Hewitt handicap + 1 at Back. Although we could not match the high individual handicap of Maj RCS Mahony and Maj DB Woodd, we at least had a balanced and competent team. Lt Hopkins, 2Lt Fraser and 2Lt Eastwood were available as substitutes should there be any injuries.
The other main area to reduce our rivals' advantages was that of ponies. "Pony power" can often win a match and with this in mind Capt Forbes Cockell and Capt Graham decided to bring their ponies (4 each) over to Germany for the Season. With eight privately owned ponies, The Life Guards' team would be in as strong a position as possible for the tournaments. Unfortunately, only Capt Forbes-Cockell's ponies were
able to make the journey as one of Capt Graham's ponies had caught a disease and his other three ponies were placed in quarantine for an indefinite period. Despite this setback, the team felt confident that it had done as much as possible to reduce it's rivals' advantages. All the team had to do was to play together and develop it's tactics as much as possible before the competitions.
Due to training commitments, three members of the team were away at Soltau for the three important weeks that preceeded the first round of the InterRegimental Tournament. The Life Guards were drawn against the 15/19th Hussars and the match was to be played at Bad Lippspringe on 4th July. That match was the first time the team had played together for four consecutive chukkas and after a slightly hesitant start won by 7-3. The next round (the semi-final) was against 14/20th King's Hussars on 9th July but Capts Darley, Graham and Hewitt had to return to the exercise on Soltau for the intervening four days. After a hard and at times very open game our team won 3-1. A lot of the credit for this win must go to Capt Darley, whose job it was to mark Maj Woodd the opposition's "star" player. He did it so effectively that Maj Woodd was unable to be as much of a threat as we had anticipated. The team's confidence was obviously boosted by reaching the Final and was further boosted when we watched the Queen's Own Hussars beat the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards in the other semi-final. The Queen's Own Hussars were another competent four man team and although on paper our team was stronger we could not afford to relax. The Final of the Inter-Regimental was played on 11th July in ideal conditions. It started as a close match with the Queen's Own Hussars scoring first - another slow Life Guard start? By the third chukka the team was definitely into its stride and dominating the game and when the bell went at the end of the fourth chukka we emerged as the winners 3-1. The prizes were four cut glass decanters with an engraved silver collar, generously donated by Nico Hubbard and presented to the team by the Corps Commander Lieut-Gen Sir Nigel Bagnall.
With the Inter-Regimental Tournament under it's belt, the team looked forward to the Captains' and Subalterns' Tournament. The possibility of the "double" was on, especially as our team would be the same and most of the other teams would have some changes to comply with the rules. Some more practice as a team would re-emphasise the good aspects of our team play and help keep our eyes in during the fortnight before our next match. However, Capt Forbes·Cockell had to attend Battle Group Training on Soltau 12-22 July which would leave only two days practice before the match on 28th July. We had been seeded through to the Semi-Final and after the weekend 24th/25th July we knew that we would play the Royal Hussars. Again, on paper we were the stronger team. Having had the
THE TEAM - Left to Right: Capt Darley, Capt Graham, Capt Forbes-Cocke!!, Capt Hewitt
odd worrying moment in the Inter-Regimental, through a combination of not being sharp enough from the start of the match and a touch of opportunism from the opposition, we were determined that this situation would not occur again. Accordingly we went hard right from the throw-in to the final bell and won 9-0, having dominated the game all the way through and having accomplished some good long fast runs down the entire length of the field. Every member of the team scored at least a couple of goals that day and we really felt that the game had gone well despite the fact that we had been the favourites to win the game.
The Final was to be played on 1st August against the Queen's Own Hussars who had beaten 14/20th King's Hussars 5-2 in the other Semi-Final. The weather was ideal and the team was feeling quietly confident although pre-match nerves did affect us slightly. At lunch before the match, all we really wanted to do was get out on the field and hit a ball around as if this was the solution to pre-match nerves. Rather like the semi-final match we went hard from the start and led 3-0 at the end of the first chukka, and 6-0 at half-time. Nervousness had disappeared and confidence had set in. We relaxed a little and enjoyed the rest of the match. The final score was 8-0 in our favour and we were obviously delighted to have won both tournaments. The prizes were, again, four cut glass decanters with engraved silver collars, donated by Nico Hubbard and presented by Mrs JWF Rucker.
The last match the Regimental Polo Team played was the United Services Cup. This match is between the winners of the Inter-Regimental Tournament in U;K and BAOR. It was played at Bad Lippspringe last year, so in 1982 it was to be played at The Guards' Polo Club, Windsor. Maj WV Loyd, who served with The Regiment until 1973, kindly arranged that the match was played on the No 1 Ground at Smith's Lawn, Winds'or. Our opponents were the Queen's Royal Irish Hussars, who had proved to be the stumbling block in the previous two Seasons Captains and Subalterns' competitions which we had played in England. They were a strong team and, on paper, of similar handicap to our team. They were quite well mounted, with Capt JJ Mains having some five ponies in his string - one of which had played in the International match three weeks previously. The match started in terrible rain and the game suffered as horses skidded and players discovered that "fast banking" turns were not going to work. Our team were on horses kindly lent by The Guards' Polo Club and one or two players - as there were not enough club ponies to mount the team completely. The game was hard, evenly matched and played in difficult conditions. At the end of the fourth chukka the score was 3-3. Sudden death in extra time was decided as the most sensible rule to apply (as horses were getting short)
In the end the Queen's Royal Irish Hussars managed to get away and score. It was a close match and really they just played better in the conditions on the day, on horses with which they were familiar. It was a slightly disappointing note for the team to finish on but, all in all, we have had a very good season. It was the first time that The Life Guards had won either of the tournaments in BAOR and has done much to shake up BAOR polo from the usual Royal Scots Dragon Guards and 14/20th King's Hussars monopoly. Prospects for 1983 are difficult to predict at the moment. Capt Darley will have left the Army by the time the competitions are played. Capt Graham and Capt Hewitt may be serving ERE and Capt Forbes Cockell may be away doing a Staff job. It could be that Capts Forbes Cockell, Graham and :Iewitt will be in BAOR in which case they will lIlake up three of the places in the team. The fourth place will be competed for by Capt Gorman, Lt Hopkins, Lt Fraser and 2Lt Eastwood. If however, none of this year's successful team are around next year, then it will be up to the four mentioned in the last sentence to uphold Regimental honour. Whoever the team is next year, this year's team wish them the best of luck and we are always available to give advice.
STABLES
The stables troop have had another busy year and once again the Blacks have proved their versatility in all spheres. These have included the usual BAOR Riding and Coaching Courses, and we have produced horses for other Regimental parades, the BAOR Pentathlon Championships and at the same time have managed to be well represented on the show
Capt Darley's Cups and Trophies 7982 L- R: Capt Darley, Tpr Bartlett and SCpl james
jumping and hunter trial circuits. It is greatly to the credit of all the Stables Staff, and particularly the stalwarts such as LCpl Norgrove, Tprs Smith and Bartlett that the year has gone so smoothly. CoH Hague is also to be thanked for all he did last year before leaving in August, including running fortnightly indoor show-jumping competitions throughout the winter.
During the year The Regiment ran two Beginners and one Intermediate courses, and in addition ran a 6 week BHS AI course. The latter was a great success, with all 12 students passing. The examination was carried out by a visiting team from The British Horse Society at Stoneleigh! The course instructors were CoH Hague and CoH Flaherty, who had been kindly loaned by The Mounted Regiment. Additional variety was given to the instructions by enlisting the help of BHS instructors from among BAOR dependents and we are grateful to them for their enthusiasm. It is to be hoped, that the students from the course will build on their knowledge and assist in saddle clubs throughout Germany. Next year we shall again be running a number of courses, but an Al will not be included.
Prior to the Stables Troop Summer Camp, which was held at Sennelager in June, all the Stables Staff took part in the Sennelager ride, which this year included one or two daunting fences. However, all completed the ride and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. It proved a useful introduction before the autumn hunter trials when most of the Stables Staff were able to compete at least once with varying degrees of success. LCpl Norgrove and Tpr Smith did particularly well.
Blacks acquitted themselves reasonably well. The principal results were as follows:
Prudential Open
Championships: 2nd Black Chief Maj VAL Goodhew
Gamblers
Stakes: 2nd Dinder Capt DC Darley
3rd Black Chief Maj VAL Goodhew
Continuing on the subject of competitions, the stables had a fair Rhine Army Summer Show when the
Regimental
Team Jumping: Winners Black Chief Maj VAL Goodhew
Dragoon CoH Hague
Zebedee Lcpl Burge
NATO Team Jumping: Equal win ners with Germany
Black Chief Maj VAL Goodhew
Dragoon CoH Hague
lnniskilling Lady Capt C Coldrey (5 Innis DG)
Earlier in the year both Capt Darley and CoH Hague had done well showjumping at Verden and elsewhere with Dinder and Dragoon respectively.
Capt Darley receiving BA OR Open Hunter Trial Cup from Mrs Brooking
Tpr Lucas and Gemma
FCoh Williams
The Autumn hunter trials have provided an opportunity to get the new arrivals from HCR out and both Falstaff (LCpl Norgrove) and Fandango (Maj Morrisey Paine/SCpl James) have shown considerable promise. The old favourites Yokel and Zebedee have been given the autumn off so that they start the hunting season fresh, whilst Black Chief (Maj VAL Goodhew) and Dinder (Capt DC Darley) have been left to carry the flag in the open competitions. This they have done successfully with both horses consistently in the money and with Dinder winning the BAOR Championships. (He was ridden in the early part of the season by SCpl James in the absence of Capt Darley training in Canada). Black Chief finished 3rd equal with Mrs Kingscote's Whiff of Spirit.
SCM Kelly has also done well throughout the season with Lossyn Bach, having upgraded him to Intermediate and finished 2nd in the pairs at the final event of the season (The Rhine Army Hunter Trials) paired with his old rival Mrs Dinah Smith on Millfield Rebecca.
At the time of writing we have just started the hunting season, and it would be wrong not to include a mention of the Weser Vale Hunter Trials in these notes. The course this year was a new one, and built from scratch on farmland in the most attractive valley at Reelsen. It included a number of beautifully made fences which drew favourable comments from the majority of the competitors who numbered over 90. Many painstaking hours of work went into building
the course which was constructed by LCoH Gynane, LCpl Hembling and Tpr Bartlett. They are all to be congratulated on the very high standard they achieved.
THE WESER VALE HUNT
Due to the flexible nature of army life the hunt continues to undergo its fair share of changes. Lt Bell hunted hounds for the first part of the 81/82 season and then disappeared off to Tin City to practice his "hardtargeting" prior to guarding the Maze Prison, passing his horn back to Capt Darley who had returned remarkably unscathed after learning how to ride at Knightsbridge. Despite this the comment made by an ex London Commanding Officer of noted equestrian ability "hands like nigger's feet and a seat like a hunt servant's" still apparently appears to apply! The exceptionally ferocious winter seemed to expend itself before Christmas and some memorable days were had, in particular at Schloss Holzhaussen, over the Buckeburg ditches, and over 4 very good lines at Reelsen. The season closed on 24th April when after meeting on Library Square, Sennelgaer hounds hunted 3 different quarries killing at Haustenbeck, Moosdorf, and finally at the Heimathof.
Priorities changed during the armoured training season, however the Masters found time to go down to Schwarzenstein - the German equivalent of Peterborough where Capt Charles Barclay was judging - and much intelligent liaison with the German hunting fraternity took place. Capt Darley attended the inaugural and hopefully-to-be-repeated Former Masters' Dinner at the Turf Club - an excellent evening organized by Capts Pratt and White-Spunner (RHGlD). After showing 12 couple hounds on all 3 days of a record breaking Rhine Army Summer Show, Capt Darley handed the horn to Lt Sunnucks, fresh from Oxford where he was a Master of the Drag.
Tpr Bart/ett and Dinder
The opening Meet of the 7982 Season
The autumn exercise took place rather later than usual, thereby putting the Hunter Trials and opening meet back. The .Hunter Trials, excellently designed and organized by Maj Goodhew, and built by LCoH Gynane and, LCpl Hembling, were held over prime Weser Vale hunting country at Reelsen and were one of the most successful in recent years. Mandrake Insurance Brokers, Target Life Insurance, O'Girkes's Travel Agen.cy, GB Traders and Wiese Department Store provi"ded extremely generous sponsorship for the event. Edward Bear ridden by Mrs Glover, a combination from Verden, won the Restricted Novice with LCoH Norgrove coming 5th on Falstaff. Bombadier Dorraine and Princess took the honours in the Novice class and Mrs Purbrick on Castle Blyth won the Intermediate. The winners" .bfthe Intermediate were pipped at the post' by "Capt Darley on Dinder in the Open, with Maj Goodhew and that well known old warrior Black Chief winning 5th place.
The season opened on 13th November on Library Square, Sennelager and hounds hunted their quarry up to the Haustenbeck tower and back. At present there is every hope for a first-rate season and hounds are in fine fettle. At the time of going to press Lt Col Emson remains as Hunt Chairman with Maj Morrisey Paine, Maj Goodhew and Capt Darley as Joint Masters. Lt Hopkins is turning hounds for Lt
Sunnucks and LCoH Gynane has been promoted to Kennelhuntsman. Maj Watts continues his good work as secretary.
It was with great sadness that we learnt, a little over a year ago, that Major Richard Wilkinson RHG/D had died. Maj Wilkinson was a founder member of the Weser Vale and helped greatly in making the Weser Vale the success it is today. He will be sadly missed.
The Bloodhounds at The Rhine Army Summer Show
Lt Bell, Capt Darley and LCoH Gynane
The Commanding Officer with the late Major Wilkinson and the late Colonel Hartigan
Adventure Training
D SQUADRON -A TROOP LEADER'S VIEW
It was all there in that catching smile, how deceiving, the Troop Leader's nightmare; adventure training. Planning took time, but a tremendously varied collection of ideas emerged before plans were finalised, and we all managed to escape the confines of barracks for a week during either August or September. All that is except for 3 Troop whose consciences would not permit them to leave the tank park unmolested! (perhaps they felt geographical embarassment might overtake them should they leave the gates!)
4 Troop were the first to depart on 14th August for one week on Exercise Long Pedal, the brainchild of Lt Bell. The exercise mission was "to explore the area between Koblenz and Trier using D Squadron's bicycles". With such beautiful weather and such scenic splendour one would have thought the Troop might return with saddle sores, but even Lt Bell admitted to the "delicious wine" of the area, which was as little as DM 2 a bottle for very reasonable plonk. Despite the occasional pit stop 4 Troop managed to cover more than 100km, even with that memorable 2 day stop in Cochem! Undoubtedly the bicycles have proved a valu able investment for the Squadron over the past 2 years.
In startling contrast, 2 Troop were subjected to a cold and wintry 5 days in the Harz mountains, on Exercise Harz Attack, the object being to instruct the Troop in the basic techniques of canoeing. They were unable to do very much, however, till the 4 tonne l' had been freed from its lakeside predicament afte LCoH Ingram's attempt to test its ability to float! Some canoeing was done, but canoeing is at the best of times a wet occupation without the weather contributing and without having to live under canvas. Capsize drills did not appeal! Not surprisingly the canoeing diet had to be supplemented! The toboggen slide at St Andreas burg was certainly a favourite, though Goslar's night life proved more appealing. Silence is, perhaps, the secret!
Silence is undoubtedly the word to be applied to 1 Troop's windsurfing expedition to the M6hne See on Exercise September Surfer between 2nd and 9th September. Suffi,ce thJ:\ttheir activities were varied. Unlike LCoH Criffin 6f2 Troop, LCoH Hick man's angling vigils gave the Troop a regular supply of fresh fish whilst Tprs Wilkinson and Barnes were game in their attempts to master the art of the windsurfboard. 2Lt Fraser had to contribute to the environmental noise level, and LCpl Nicholson to rural vandalism with his hill walk, whilst CoH Lowry well, he was just CoH Lowry.
SHQ Troop left for Oberstaufen in Bavaria on Exercise Baldeagles Revenge, under the enthusiastic direction of the Squadron Second in Command, Capt
Boldero, who would like to thank all of those that participated because, in his own words, "I would have looked rather silly trying to put up a 160lb tent on my own!" It was not for the first time that smart German campers were to be subjected to the rigours of camping, Army style. Of the 5 days on location, 4 were spent behaving like mountain goats and whilst the views were "staggering", even breath-taking, so apparently were the climbs! It was perhaps with some relief that the fifth day was set aside for windsurfing. Tpr Lambert should be congratulated on a magnificent 5lJ2 hour effort, covering the entire 2% miles of the lake and the 2 1/2 miles walk back! In Tpr Flynn's words "At least we did something different sir, .... the other Troops enjoyed themselves".
Undoubtedly, all benefited greatly from their short break away from the abnormality of Lothian Barracks and returned much refreshed. Similarly, all would agree, the break was all too short. Many people should be thanked for their help; The Master Chef, without whom we would have had, and some probably still did have, a purely liquid diet; the SCM, for not coming! and not least the Squadron Leader for his insistance on adventure training. Not only were these ventures enjoyable for those participating, but there also emerged some fairly creditable achievements. If nothing else some original and imaginative exercise names were concocted.
MEDICINE MAN 5 BATUS
Whilst most of the Battlegroup were winging their way back to Germany breathing a sigh of relief and maybe leaving behind broken hearts in Calgary, a small group of 14 soldiers and 2 officers were setting off on an 8 hour bus ride to a remote, but beautiful, part of the Rockies to embark on 3 weeks adventure training.
At the end of the journey the coach turned off the road and bumped its way through some trees until it arrived by the shore of Lake Abraham. Here we saw the base camp for the first time. It was merely a few tents but positioned in a beautiful setting amongst the brightly coloured and changing trees beside the lake. The water was not only very cold, but an almost unnaturally bright greeny blue, contrasting with the sheer snow clad cliffs of Mount Abraham ranging into the distance.
Little time was to be spent in the camp, as the three weeks were spent away doing a different activity
JCH
from Sunday to Friday and we only returned to change kit for the next week's pursuit. This changeover was quite lengthy due to the amount of kit that we required.
The first morning was spent doing a swimming test, which was not to see if people could swim, as it had been stipulated that there could be no nonswimmers, but to check that people could swim on and below the surface of freezing water.
There were 7 activities available of which most people got their first choices. The groups were divided up under an officer, as group leader, depending not on Regiment, but by chosen activities. Many of the activities were arduous to say the least, with skimountaineering being hardest and rock and ice climbing next. Thus, as a group leader, one had to try and weed out those who might drop out, as anyone collapsing half way up a glacier would become a serious and dangerous problem in such a remote area.
Another activity was canoeing, either Kayak or Canadian. The latter was a fascinating expedition of over 100 miles in 4 to 5 days with some rough water. Clothes had to be put into empty bottles to keep them dry. There was canoeing and rafting in an inflatable gemini craft in the roughest water in Canada. There was also trekking.
We had been warned of the danger of bears and at first we regarded these warnings as little more than a joke until we heard of 2 people being killed by bears.
We were even more concerned when we were told that these killings were quite frequent. We therefore care fully read our leaflets on what to do in bear country. This isn't a very helpful publication, however, as it advises trekkers to climb a tree to escape bears despite the fact that "bears can climb extremely well". It also advises that to avoid bears one should run down a hill very fast and then suddenly stop as bears find stopping rather difficult. As bears move much faster than humans it seems that whether one ran or stopped it would be undoubtedly too late. Finally the leaflet advises "lie down and play dead" as bears rarely do more than simply consume their prey and resistance is useless anyway!
Without exception our adventure training was enjoyed and was of great benefit. The area has a huge potential for training and there can be few army training areas in the world to compare. A permanent base camp with washing facilities would, however, be an improvement, not just for the students but for the permanent staff who spend 6 months there!
Finally it is not generally known that there are 12 seats on every Medicine Man flight available for worthwhile expeditions. these can be applied for as laid down in DCls - an application well worth the time and effort spent in planning.
THE WATERLOO RIDE
"A vancez!" croaked the General from the head
of the column as 49 interpreters rushed into action to
pass the translated woni to the mounted contingent.
And advance we did, as indeed we continued to do for
another 3 hours. The Waterloo ride had begun
This commemorative ride takes place every 2
years and regiments of cavalry and horse artillery that
fought at Waterloo are invited to follow the route
taken by Wellington fro.1Jl BrusSe.ls to. his chosen
battle-ground, a journey
An account
of this bizarre ceremonial event and why it took 3
hours to complete is dealt with in later paragraphs.
The Life Guards officers who attended were
Maj Anderson, Capt Darley and Capt Hewitt. LCsoH
Robertson and Cumming and Tpr Willis came along
too in their much appreciated capacities of groom, driver and photographer.
The weekend commenced with a drinks party
at the Dutch Ambassador's residence on the south
eastern suburbs of Brussels, progressed to a totally
Capt Hewitt, Maj Anderson and Capt Darley
English club called 'Ricks' for luncheon and moved on to a dinner at the Officers' Mess of the Belgian ler Regiment des Guides. In the meanwhile, the stage was being set for the following morning's equestrian extravaganza - the horsebox, much to our surprise and elation had arrived. We could find neither men nor horses in the stark and impersonal surroundings of the para-military riot-control barracks, but were respectively informed that all was well. We lacked the necessary security passes to confirm this, but considered it likely that Beaufort, Abigail and Crimea were lurking behind the serried ranks of water cannon.
Dawn broke on Sunday morning; it was hot and there was thunder in the air; the officers were tired and emotional from their evening duties in Brussels; the horses were restless and starting to twitch; it was the lull before the storm. It was as if the Duke of Richmond's Ball had been only yesterday.
The Dutch General suddenly lurched forward in the saddle; we thought he had met his Waterloo but his horse recognised the aid and galloped to the head of the column. He was to be flanked by a British, Belgian and a German officer, the latter having insisted upon being Prussian for the day and acting out Blucher's flamboyance. (Very tiresome!)
The journey began on the edge of the Foret de Soignes - more beautiful a spot hardly imaginable. The route was to take us through much more forest until we were to approach Waterloo from the south. It was clear from the start that not one of four nations represented had any intention of giving up it's place d'honneur in the front rank and so the fun began.
The journey with a gentle trot through the village of Abbaye de Beauval; at the first right hand bend it developed into a dangerous canter as the German tried to keep his dressing from the right despite the oncoming traffic in the narrow lanes. The 60 strong contingent then turned into thick forest again and penetrated the very depths until a plaintive cry from the Senior Riot Control Officer brought us to a halt "nous sommes absolument et totalement lost!" he uttered pathetically.
The British roared their appreciation while the Belgian officers mustered:.f!n<;l,set".9fffor all points of the compass in search of the way forward. The Prussian had long since disappeared presumably to lament the "damnable mauling" of his army at Lighy, and could not be found.
The General's Aide was summoned from the rear of the column and ordered to take the crucial decision; he impatiently listened to the conflicting reports of the 20 scouts, made his appreciation and informed his General that the way was clear.
And so we headed back to the main road and followed the signs south.
BRUSSELS
On approaching the Waterloo area, the village names and farm signs began to ring familiar; there was Papelotte and La Belle Alliance; we rode along Napoleon's original front line to the south of Waterloo and as far west as Hougoumont, that strategically positioned farm which commanded the valley before it and which was so bravely defended by detachments of the Scots and Coldstream Guards. We cantered past the famous Lion Hill built 6 years after the battle in memory of the then future King William II of the Netherlands and on to La Haye Sainte where all but 30 of the 360 Hannoverians were slaughtered by Marshall Ney's French infantry.
The ride into the village of Mont-St-Jean was a dramatic moment; the tourists were not expecting this and there was little room for manoeuvre; The Prussian had come back to earth, refound his place at the front of the column and in doing so swept aside mothers and prams, postcard stands and candyfloss salesmen. It was a moving experience. One could only straighten one's back, stiffen one's lip and subtly continue to ride him om
And so the ride ended as it had begun, in colourful disarray! To the onlooker it was undoubtedly an emotional spectacle, four nations as one riding to commemorate a most famous victory - the cessation of a French Europe; to the participant, it was a practical period of military history. The people were charming and the weekend spiced with gastronomic excellence.
CSKA
THE YEAR IN PICTURES
"I don't care if it's not 6 o'clock!"
The Second in Command and Admiral Sir Andrew Morton - Visit of The NA TO Military Committee
LCpl Coole and the NA TO Military Committee
Capt Wood
The RCM - eyes firmly closed on Ex. Quarter Final
Chastity - attempting a break for freedom.
Lt Pheby (RTR) and SCpl Land sailing in the Baltic.
The morning after the night before!
2Lt Faulkner and Capt Doughty in Amsterdam
"This is all they wi/fJet me Command" CoH Mayo
Capt Hewitt - where's his friend?
The Commanding Officer and Air Chief Marshal Sir David Evans during his visit to the Regiment at Soltau
The Adjutant's official publicity photograph.'
LCoH Smith two minutes after 'ENDEX'on Ex. Quarter Final
Above:
Capt Forbes Cockell
obtaining a little
legal aid.'
"Ah so.''' - LCoH O'Neill
Regimental Training, Soltau
A few faces from the distant past.'
,;,H
16 years in the Army and he still doesn't know how to wear his hat!
W02 (SCM) Kelly
Capt Cayzer and CoH Caison
Maj Goodhew, holding his hair on!
Capt Darley - "You want a fight?" Tpr Knight in the background
LCoH Rogan awaiting a VIP loadVisit of the NA TO Military Committee
SCpl Digney - putting a straw bale under a little pressure!
iD SQUADRON'S TOUR IN NORTHERN IRELAND 1982
'Russia and Ireland remain the two greatest World problems.' Gladstone 1885.
Northern Ireland tours, once a regular feature of Army life, have become something of a rarity for Armoured Regiments and for that reason, if for none other, D Squadron was keen to go in 1982.
In one way or another everyone in The Regiment contributed either by volunteering to make up our numbers (to 140) or by sharing the extra burden of duties in our absence.
It all started with a period of intensive training in riot control, shooting, rules for opening fire and first aid. The first month was in Lothian Barracks with every other day spent on Sennelager ranges and the final three weeks living at Normandy Barracks, Sennelager. We were helped greatly at this time by a small training team from the 1st Bn, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
For our task we formed 3 large Troops and a
Squadron Headquarters, Echelon, Intelligence Section and Light Aid Detachment of sufficient size to be self administering as the Prison Guard Force of Her Majesty's Prison the Maze under the direct command of 39 Infantry Brigade. Actually we would maintain that it was a Guards Brigade as the 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards were also in it and we were both commanded by Brigadier MF Hobbs, Grenadier Guards.
Our responsibilities included not only the Prison but also patrolling the hundred or so square miles surrounding it and the provision of an immediate reaction force for the Secretary of State's residence, Hillsborough Castle. Most of the Squadron also spent time patrolling from Springfield Road in Belfast with either The Coldstream Guards or The Green Jackets.
The Maze Prison, formerly Long Kesh Internment Camp, was built in 1971 on the site of a wartime Royal Air Force Base. It was run along the lines of a Prison of War Camp for terrorists either interned or imprisoned with Special Category Status. For these reasons and the motivation of the inmates it was not very secure and was twice destroyed by rioting and burning. In 1974 the Government decided that enough was enough and the H-blocks were built. These are practically escape-proof but the IRA retaliated with the blanket protest followed by the dirty campaign and finally a hunger strike during which 10 died in the prison and many more outside as a result of the increased level of terrorism.
With minor exceptions the 1300 or so prisoners now behave fairly normally but with the majority being convicted murderers or bombers they require a fairly astute guard and that was our principal job.
There were three basic duties: manning the guard towers and perimeter, patrolling the local area and providing an immediate reaction force. This latter task was made necessary by the peculiarly British inhibition of not being able to open fire on a prisoner in the act of escaping.
We were kept up to the mark by frequent visits of which there must have been one per day including by The Major General, The Secretary of State, The Lieutenant Colonel Commanding and The Commanding Officer.
7 Mr Prior, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland inspects Mr Bell's Troop in Northern Ireland
Fortunately the sports facilities were excellent due to a large aircraft hangar set aside for indoor football, basketball, squash and multigym. For those who did not like ball games, and for those that did(!) there was a 2% mile circuit around the wall. It must be the only Ireland tour from which one returns fitter than on arrival.
Keeping the camp clean kept us amused for hours! SCM Kelly does it the Knightsbridge way.
Having got almost to the end of the 10lf2 weeks duty without mishap a patrol reported a suspicious device on the prison perimeter which was described as a box with a timer, battery, wires and a substance leaking from it - it turned out to be the instrument which records barometric pressure from a weather balloon which had landed in the prison and did in fact contain all those things. This however was not discovered before the prison officers accommodation had
The Guard Group took under command 30 very savage dogs (and handlers!).
been evacuated and the area cordoned off for several hours.
For most of us it was a happy tour and for all an interesting and worthwhile experience to add to D Squadron's broken history.
JWME
,TKE-MOUNTED BORDER PATROL
Every year part of our commitment in BAOR involves patrolling a small sector ofthe Inner German Border. The normal method is to spend 2 days driving along the border in Land Rovers stopping periodically at organised observation posts. However, this year we decided to do it differently.
The patrol comprised of 2Lt Faulkner, Patrol Commander, SCpl Denton, A Sqn, as Second in Command and Tprs Retallick and Parrington of Band
C Squadrons. However the key men during our two days on the 1GB were our British Frontier Service Guides FSO III Tommy Jones and FSO III Reg Day. Neither men had ridden before and it was with a little apprehension that I watched Mr Jones being hoisted into the saddle. But by the end of a first day in the saddle I had to restrain him from jumping both fence and ditch into East Germany, such was his confidence. First sight of the border was at 0700 hrs on the
dear sharp morning of June 17th 1982. It is a sobering sight to those who have not seen it before. Automatic scatter guns, minefields, guard dogs kept in perpetual starvation, border guards in drab grey with orders to shoot, it stretches 1393 km with only 9 road crossing points from the Baltic to the Balkans.
We spent our first day patrolling from the edge of the Harz Mountains near Bad Harzburg towards Goslar covering about 15 km. The weather kept fine until late in the day and it was a very pleasant ride through beech woods winding along the course of the Border. Naturally the Border Guards were interested to say the least! We had a constant stream of visitors peering at us through the fence and some from this side of the fence as well, as the photo shows.
The following day \,e again patrolled Northwards along the Border benyeen Goslar and Helmstedt covering approximately 15 km this time with Mr Reg Day as our Guide.
My thanks go to 2 RTR at Wolfenbuttel for looking after us and the Blacks so well, to the British Frontier Service for being such excellent Guides and tremendous sports and to the Stables Staff led by LeoH Robertson for their administrative backup. I hope that The Mounted Border Patrol may now become a regular feature for us as it was such an interesting and worthwhile event.
REMINISCENCES OF. THE HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY SQUADRON
From a letter found in a recruit's locker in 1971:
From an Anonymous contributor - 7
'I arrived safely at the Depot and shall be here for I was second in Command of the Household Cavalry 'ourteen weeks or more training to be a Soldier. It's bad here: Squadron when the Squadron was first formed. I had been a : ey kick us; beat us and make us run round like dogs. They all Troop Leader at HCR just before going to the new appointment. ,hout and scream and use language like you've never heard I was asked to go to Pirbright for three months before going onto efore. That information officer was lying - it's just the same the RAC Centre.
ow as it was a hundred years ago. Nearly every week someone
It was with amused curiosity that I went to join the runs away - one of our Troop disappeared on Monday.' Squadron. On arrival the Squadron Leader at the time asked if I The locker was being searched after it's owner had would command the Household Cavalry Squadron for a reheargone absent! sal for the Major General's inspection. I asked the Squadron
Sepl Denton and 2Lt faulkner
Tpr Retallick on a long rein
Leader what the form was and he said 'Oh, just march on, about turn and march the Squadron passed the saluting base in slow and quick time not forgetting to salute as you pass'. 'OK' was the reply.
I marched out, about turned and waited until the nod was given for the Household Cavalry Squadron to start. The nod came and with it my mind blanked on the Footguard words of command.
No fuss, thought I, usual form, say something, get the timings right and there will be no problems. 'From the right form section, head left wheel - walk march'. As expected, the Squadron did just as was required and as I was marching to the front of the Squadron I thought to myself, thank goodness for the Household Cavalry using their intelligen'ce to a man. My confidence was back to its normal pitch. That confidence was soon to be dashed 'Household Cavalry Squadron as you were', came from not one voice but four from each corner of the square and bearing down towards the Squadron were the Drill Sgts finding extraordinary difficulty not to break into double quick
time to give their advice to a newly promoted Captain. It was quickly learnt that lapses of tradition were not tolerated by the Depot.
From an Anonymous contributor - 2
In the Adjutant's office is a book for the 'Captain of the Week' to give a full two pages of comments of his weekly inspection.
I was made Captain of the Week during my last week - not the best tactical plan for the smooth running of the Guards Depot.
I found dust at the top of a locker in the tenth room in block four and other minor lapses of housework. On my last day, Friday, I reported to the Adjutant and filled in the book. Across the page in bold letters was written 'UP TO THE USUAL GUARDS DEPOT STANDARD'.
I was recalled from Windsor to explain in great detail to the Commandant the standards of the Guards Depot.
EXERCISE SEAGULL'S REVENGE
BY MAJOR P S W F FALKNER
An attempt to describe a 6Vz month sailing expedition covering 14 countries, a further 31 islands, 85 harbours, 6,500 miles of sailing and involving more than 35 people in so short a space is nearly impossible. A few notes is all there is room for ....
The yacht "Elbow Room" left Poole on 3rd March at 0900 hours. At 0902 hours we ran aground, not an auspicious start. The following morning we arrived at Cherbourg which would have been all right if we had not been heading for Guernsey, but in fairness we had not been expecting a Force 9-10 wind from the South. Tpr Phillips was moved to ask at the height of the storm, if I considered this to be reasonable sailing weather. I shall refrain from quoting my reply. W02 Allen and
Room
Tpr Phillips and Tpr O'Hare approaching Gibraltar
SCpl Land were strong hands to have in this weather and I believe Tpr O'Hare enjoyed it once the sun came out. The bad weather left us once we arrived in Spain and we made our deadline at Gibraltar - just. Gibraltar to Ibiza was a single handed leg and LCoH O'Daly and LCpl Shannon joined for a quiet trip via Majorca and Minorca to Sardinia. Captain Bucknall, RHGID, his wife and Captain Hayward cruised vociferously to Malta via Tunisia and Sicily. Abdullah the Arab conducted us around the ruins of Carthage having displayed his Tunisian bus driver's licence with "Official Guide to Carthage" written over the words Bus Driver. Crete was an island of ouzo and Scandinavian girls who had forgotten to take their bikini tops. In Egypt we were arrested twice for sailing in prohibited
Elbow
areas, and as a punishment we were made to eat a fish dinner
with our captors - Captain Hayward is allergic to fish. Naviga
tion went wrong off the Nile Delta and we hit Israel in the Gaza
Strip while heading for Tel Aviv. Bethlehem, Jerusalem,
Galilee, Nazareth and the Golan Heights, then onto Cyprus,
narrowly avoiding the Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
Approaching Turkey a sextant sight was taken, but I
did not believe that we were 20 miles SW of Bombay. Captain
Holiday then lost confidence in the skipper. He was not the only
one. In one Greek island a cafe owner asked who the skipper
was. She then expressed the hope that the remainder were all
insured. After bouncing from one Aegean Island to another we
passsed through the Corinth Canal in a heat wave and seven
people on board. Mr Lodge QOH, became locked in the
lavatory when the door handle fell off. After two hours he was
released by an Italian who thought his yells through the porthole
were the rantings of a lunatic.
SoutHern Italy and Sicily were visited then Stromboli, a
volcanic island which obligingly erupted as we passed. Italy also
provided a watersport, many dolphins and the most frighteningly
spectacular electric storms. Elba and Monte Carlo came next
then the South of France where Elbow Room is spending the
winter I wish I was.
BRITCON
On 22 February 1982 the first British Contingent to the "Multi-national Force and Observers", gathered at South Cerney to prepare for a six month tour in the Sinai. For the 37 members of the contingent the weeks ahead were to be different, interesting and challenging. First, however, a little background.
On 26 March 1979, President Sadat and Prime Minister Begin signed the Egyptian/Israeli Peace Treaty - "The Camp David Agreement". the treaty provided for the withdrawal of the Israelis from the Sinai, occupied since the 1973 "Yom Kippur" War; the withdrawal being carried out in a series of phases over 3 years. The final phase of the withdrawal would take place on 25 April 1982, at which time a multinational force would be established, at the invitation of Egypt and Israel. Originally it was envisaged that the UN would take on this responsibility, but due to avetpcntheSIti::uri!y Council, this was not the case. As a result, with the backing of tne United States of America and following much political bargaining over national contributions, the MFO was born. It consists of eleven national contingents; Australia, Colombia, Fiji, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, USA and Uruguay, organised into a military force and a civilian observer unit.
Our short period at South Cerney was characterised by intense efforts to find out exactly what we had volunteered for. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the deployment of the MFO and its establishment in the desert was less than smooth. At the same time of our assembly we had no idea of what to expect in the Sinai, exactly when we were going, what our jobs would be, or where or what the Sinai was.
MFO SINAI
The United Kingdom was IO provide a Force HQ unit, which primarily consisted of the Camp Commandant, QM, clerical and driver support. the Force Commander's ADC and two Staff Officers. The can ingent was composed of volunteers drawn from throughout the Army and Royal Marines, boasting 29 cap badges, a fact that caused much interest amongst other nationalities. The Househc'ld Division and RAC were well· represented with well o\er two thirds of the 37 man team. In fact another Life Guard, Tpr Cook-Hannah, was from Knightsbridge and he was chosen in case \\'e were issued camels instead of motor transport!
So it was, following briefings, finalisation of administrative arrangements and a few days leave, we found ourselves en route for Tel Aviv. The advance party departing on 1 March and the main party on 6 We arrived at Tel Aviv at 2030 hrs on a warm Saturday evening and were met by US troops dressed, or so we thought. in pyjamas, but which turned out to be highly effective desert camouflage uniform. From Tel Aviv we were transported to the camp that was to be our home for the next 6 months. The camp is situated in the desert about 20 km from the Gaza Strip in NE Sinai. The camp was called Eitam, and for those movie buffs who watched "Raid on Entebbe.", this was from where the raid was launched. When we had recovered from the trip the next morning we had a look around our new home. Additional building was well underway although hampered by the fact that the Irsraelis were still occupying parts of the camp and in fact still technically controlled and owned it. There was no doubt in our minds that this was going to be a
LCoH O'Daly no LC;; 5,- on at Cagliari, Sardinia
superb camp. Equally there was no doubt that it was not going to be completed for a long time to come.
The first two months were really hard work for the undersized British contingent. We were the first contingent to arrive in any strength. In those early days there was a need to make, mend and improvise; we had virtually no office equipment - except mine, so there was a long queue of members of the other contingents wishing to buy me a drink if I would supply them. It is also the first and probably the last time in my Army career that I will see a British Lt Col washing dishes and scrubbing floors. The Fijian contingent of700, when they arrived on 17 March 1982, were stunned to find that it was British Officers and SNCOs who were serving their meal to them as the civilian workers had said they could not cope.
Because we had been placed in charge of the supervision of the security of the base those NCOs who had expected to be sitting in their air-conditioned offices actually found themselves doing vehicle patrols around the perimeter of the camp. This was about 25 km over undulating sand dunes. The patrols consisted of one British NCO and two privates from either Fiji or Colombia. As only nine of the 700 Colombians spoke English this was quite a problem. Our task was to keep the Bedouin and their herds of camels and goats outside the camp area. This proved an impossible task as the Israelis had taken most of the perimeter fence down to bWlel.J,lew C<l./bp, after their withdrawal. Anyway, it was fun doing -a round up ofanimals and people in jeeps.
To the world, the final handover of the Sinai on 25 April was an historic event. To us at Eitam camp (to be renamed el Gorah after 25 April) it heralded the beginning of many new problems most of which was administrative, associated with the change from one State's authority to another. Our supply of water and electricity suddenly became the responsibility of Egypt and yet still supplied by Israel. Our admin support which comes through Israel had to cross an international boundry and our labour force had to change from Israelis and Thais to Egyptian. The handing over ceremony did not go well at el Gorah. It had been planned meticulously by the Garrison Sergeant Major (Gren Gds) but the Egyptians could not get it
right (or Sinai wanted to stay Israeli). To top everything a sand storm blew up at the moment the Egyptians finally managed to get their flag to the top of the flag pole and this was ripped away by the fierce wind. Anyway, after all the handshaking and back slapping the GSM was seen to be venting his wrath on the two Egyptian flag raisers and muttering 'never again' to himself over his beer in the ANZAC Surf Club.
Lt Gen Bull-Hansen, who commands the MFO, had said on his first address to the British Contingent that he was looking to our contingent to lead the way becasuse we had the experience of this type of multinational situation. He then proceeded to confiscate from our OM one pair of British DMS boots and a pair of puttees (after that I don't think he ever took them off except when in civies). Tpr Cook-Hannah was seconded to get the correct "bull" on the boots for the General.
Our sports endeavours were not at all successful. After taking one look at the Fijians we decided that Rugby was out! Our football team managed to lose most of their games and our Softball, Volleyball and Badminton teams were just as soundly beaten. Surprisingly our runners and cricketeres were superb. Tpr Cook-Hannah came a respectable 15th in the marathon and our cricketers soundly beat the New Zealanders and Australians. Considering that we and the French were the smallest contingents we did very well indeed.
The social intercourse between contingents was superb. With parties at each other's clubs on most weekends until the end of July (when we were finally allowed to visit Israel) we made many friends amongst all nations. To quote one Israeli General from an article in the Jerusalem Post "General Bull Hansen will have more trouble keeping the British and French from each other's throats than he will have from the Israelis and Egyptians". This statement proved completely false. In fact there were more friendships made with the French than most of the contingents except the New Zealanders. This was surprising because none of us spoke French and only one or two Frenchmen spoke English
Area around EI f30rah North Base Camp
Household Division representatives - L-R: Capt Meredith IG, WOl (GSM) O'Donoghue GG, LCoH Smith LG and Tpr CookHannah LG (HCR).
Each contingent had a national day and what a day they proved to be for the lucky few that were invited to attend from each of the other contingents. Each nation tried to outdo the others with their national culinary efforts and entertainments. The winners by a mile in my humble opinion (I attended all such festivities) were the Fijians. They first put on a drill parade which would have done credit to The Queen's Birthday Parade on Horse Guards. Then there was a magnificent feast (the best meal eaten on the whole tour) of local Fijian food. To cap this memorable day they then presented local dances of a very energetic nature. Until I heard a Fijian male choir I had thought that the Welsh were the finest singers on earth; they are now relegated tonumber 2 position. After most of the guests had left the Fijian Commanding Officer asked myself and 4 New Zealanders to remain behind and drink Cava with him, his Officers and NCOs. We all sat in a half circle around the stage with the choir singing and the ceremony began. Cava is made from the root of the pepper plant, and water. The person serving the Cava dips the drinking cup in the Cava and takes it to the person of most importance (in the first case the CO) and kneels before him and offers the cup to him. The drinker takes the cup and downs the Cava in one, gives the cup back and claps his hands three times. This goes on until all have had one drink and then you start again. Cava, by the way, has many names and numbs the mouth for up to 12 hours. It is non alcoholic and is not a drug but I must admit it took me 30 minutes to walk 500 yards after the ceremony had finished.
The tour was coming to an end so I decided that I must
WIMPyJS
On being posted to Germany on The Regiment's first tour in Detmold I thought that instead of going to the UK for block leave I would explore or attempt to explore the continent of Europe. So after a few months hard saving I picked Italy as my first choice.
Italy 1973
After deciding to go to Italy there was a last minute hitch and it was touch and go until the day I left camp because of a cholera outbreak in the Naples area. I left Detmold on the night of Friday 28 September by train to Munich. I arrived in Munich in the early hours of the·SalJ.!rd,qy mdniiog and to my amazement the October Beer Festival was in full swing (in September) so I spent the remainder of Saturday and the following Sunday sampling the local ales (rather a lot of them!)
I left Munich on the Monday afternoon for Rome and then discovered that you must get in the right carriage of the train or you go to somewhere completely different. I ended up in Milan at 0600 hrs the following day thinking I was in Rome; realising to my surprise that I was some 250 miles north of my target, Milan being more of an industrial town than a tourist town. Having realised my deliberate mistake I got onto the Auto Strada and stuck out my thumb and arrived in Rome that evening. The City speaks for itself in its architecture (Pyramid of the Cats, The Vatican, the Pope must have had a day off, and all
get at least a day trip into Cairo. So it was with much trepidation that I took the daily flight to Cairo from the base on the last Tuesday before coming home. The reason for this was that most of the contingents that had been to Cairo had on return to camp gone down with the 'runs' in a bad way. After a 40 minute flight over the Sinai we landed at Cairo International Airport and were told to report back for 1530 that afternoon. After some slick bargaining with a taxi driver he agreed to take us to the Pyramids for $5.00, wait and return us to the centre of Cairo. On reaching the Pyramids we were surrounded by hawkers and youngsters trying to get us to ride on the camels and horses that were held in the car park by the hundreds. After pretending to be deaf we set out to walk around the Pyramids but after a disappointing hour we gave up and told our driver to take us to the bazaar in the centre of Cairo. Here was the strange Middle East with its smells, squaller, richness and laughter. We were treated very well by everyone we met and came away at the end of the day convinced we had taken the locals for a ride over our purchases.
I would ramble on further about our trips into Israel. The Israeli women soldiers in their tight mini skirts and their Uzi machine guns - but I will not. To finish, I would say that this has been the most rewarding posting I have had. To serve with soldiers from eleven different nations, many not speaking English, in a very difficult environment and come away with so many friends is reward in itself. Would be politicians should take note of this and perhaps lock themselves away in Sinai for six months.
LCoH D. Smith
TRAVELS
other aspects of the Roman Empire). I did find the Coliseum disappointing; it looked as old as it was and falling apart at the seams.
My next port of call was Florence (Michelangelo Country). After two days there I moved up to Pis a and to the Leaning Tower (just as fascinating as the crooked spire of Chesterfield). One can pick up a good chess set and board made of pure marble for around 15,000 lire (£10). After a brief day and a half visit to Genoa I headed across the country to Venice. Again it was very fascinating and possibly the most expensive city in the Country. As you all no doubt know there are no cars or buses there, the only form of transport being boats. Having seen the way they drive cars down there (through people's back gardens and out of their front doors) I was dreading their boatmen. I was not disappointed. Venice, like other cities I went to, was very absorbing especially St Marques Square. From there it was time to return to Detmold travelling through the Austrian Alps. It was snowing and the countryside was like Fairyland.
Greece and Turkey - 1974
When I first thought of making this trip a lot of people in The Regiment merely laughed. The one problem I anticipated was obtaining a visa for Yugoslavia but one was not required for just passing through. I did, however, have to obtain staff clearance from the MOD.
I set off from Detmold on the first Sunday in April on the long journey to Athens. The journey took about 3 days and despite the long distance I only had to make one change at Munich. Athens, like Rome, is a very ancient city, the Olympic Arena and the Akropolis being examples of the City's age. The latter is in better condition than the Coliseum in Rome.
Although it was early April the temperature was in the 80's and sunbathing was the order of the day. With only 2 weeks leave instead of the 3 weeks I had in Italy, I could not see as much of Greece as I would have liked to, so after a few days in Athens I again stuck out my thumb and set off North to Thessaloniki, arriving there one day later. On the way I did manage to see Mount Olympus but unfortunately it was pouring down with rain at the time.
From Thessaloniki I decided once again to try my luck at hitch hiking to Istanbul (Constantinople). I did about 80 miles in the day, including riding on the back of a Datsun pick up for about 30 miles in the rain. I cannot even remember the name of the village where I was dropped off, all I remember was it was not on the coast. With time now starting to run a little short I decided to carryon my journey to Instanbul by train. I decided to get my head down in the village so I started to look for a railway station. There wasn't one! Instead I slept in a clapped out bus or so I thought! So it was out with the sleeping bag and head down. When I came around the following morning I was in the coastal town of Kavala in the bus station. The 'Clapped Out' old bus had moved (how far I don't know). Whether the driver knew I was in the back or not I don't know and didn't really care.
At least there was life in Kavala and there was a train station there as well. I then continued on my journey to Instanbul arriving there at 10 o'clock the following day after about a 27 hour trip.
Canada Post Batus 1975
After battle group training in 1975 some of The Regiment went to Banfffor adventure training; some went down to the States, so I decided to head for Toronto some 2,500 miles away and in the opposite direction. At first I did not believe it was that far; I knew Canada was a big country but not that big! However, I was to be proved wrong. Once again I got on the road and stuck out my thumb and I reached Toronto on the 4th day. My aim was to see Niagara Falls either from the American or Canadian side. I was successful, from both sides, and managed to get another 2 stamps on my passport! I did not risk thumbing back and played it safe by catching a Greyhound back, overall a distance of 5,000 miles, 4,000 of them being on one road, the Trans Canada Highway.
Istanbul is the start of the East or so they say. The main attraction is the blue mosque, one of the few places of its type in the world that non Muslims are allowed to enter but photographs are forbidden. Turkey has much more to offer than I had time to appreciate but I did see the continental dividing line between Europe and Asia. They have a road in Turkey, the E6, which starts off somewhere in Norway!
In order not to get caught out I decided to allow 3 days to get back. All seemed to be going according to plan as I enquired at Instanbul Station and was told that it takes no more than 48 hours to get back. So I boarded the train and the ticket collector came around and checked <tIt the tickets as the train set off. It was then that the fu.rl ana garri6s started. There have been a lot of versions of what happened next but this is what actually happened. I had a ticket made out to Thessaloniki so I could continue back to Germany on the return ticket I'd bought in Munich. Alas, the ticket inspector then told me that the train I was on, and now moving, would go through Bulgaria and not Greece. I got off the train rather quickly because the border was the first stop! The following day I went to the consulate in Ins anbul and told them what had happened and they advised hat I go back via Greece and they would inform The Regiment. 's I did expecting to go to the place where you don't pass Go or llect £200. I arrived back in Detmold nearly 2 days late but 'he powers that be were very lenient.
USA
Having seen some of Canada the previous year I decided to return to North America the following year. I left Heathrow Airport: on 16th August bound for NFK, New York. I was fortunate when I arrived because I knew people who lived there so I did not have to worry about accommodation. I spent 3 days in New York taking in the UNO, the Empire State Building (all 112 floors of it) and the World Trade Building. I have never thought you could breathe in London but after 3 days in New York I still could. I then started to move south arriving in Washington late evening. All the government buildings and memorials are white. One of the locals told me that they had spent days on end cleaning them up for the Bicentinial celebrations. (Their top brass obviously had a few wombles before The Queen arrived).
After a couple of days in Washington I set off towards Florida travelling through West Virginia, North and South Carolina and Georgia before entering Florida (The Sunshine State). Shortly after crossing the State Line I stopped off for a quick snack. Twenty minutes later when I came out it was pouring down. I arrived in Orlando some 10 miles north of Disneyworld (Mickey Mouse Town as the locals call it), NOT to be confused with Disneyland in California. It took the best part of 3 days to absorb it all (Fantasialand in Germany would not even compare). I also visited Seaworld while in that area and spent a couple of days at Daytona Beach before starting to head west travelling via Tallahasse, New Orleans, Houston,
Niagara Falls
1976
Iberqerque before arriving at the Grand Canyon in Arizona. -hey call it the 8th Wonder of the World and I wouldn't have ::tissed it for the World. I managed to hike down the Canyon to :: e first plateau seeing a couple of rattlers on the way. Alas after me Grand Canyon time was beginning to run short so in order . t to get caught out again I started to head back towards New York to fly back to London.
CSA 1979
This time I stayed mainly in the North and avoided the ig towns where possible. I did however visit Chicago (The Gangster Town) although its not really like that now. The three :hings that stood out on this trip was Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City and the Golden Gate (all 6 miles of it) in San Francisco.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
South Africa 1979/80
Christmas in the sun, and it was rather strange seeing "intery posters in lo'burg when the temperatures were in the 100s, but it did make a very nice change. Going for a swim on Christmas morning was rather unique to me! The main purpose of the trip was to visit relatives I had not seen for some time so ouring was restricted. J. duLspend 5 days in the Kruger Park (an area that takes up about hall of the area of the United Kingdom). There was no shortage of wildlife, from monkeys to elephants and from mambas to crocodiles. You name chern they were there somewhere. You are confined to your 'ehicle for obvious reasons. The lion compound just outside . lo'burg was the only place I managed to visit. I intend to go again soon and visit the rest of the country.
CSSR 1980
This is probably one of the more different trips I've made but in its way it was very enjoyable. My first port of call was the city of Kiev, in the Ukraine (not Russia) and the third
largest city with a papule:: c get very annoyed if yo -:
i :.: million. The natives tend to :( :_=m as Russians. \':; proceeded to Poltova and
After leavine h:c': ce to the Kruger National r: ". South Africa
Kharkov by coach be-foTe :1; into Leningrad (formerly St Petersburg and Petrogr::c ::.:.':: :::: formerly the Capital), the second largest city with a:- :- of 4 million. Although very bare and lacking posters j.-e ';;':;s:ern Europe there were the odd 'Drink Coca Cola' signs. e< Erad. from a tourist's point of view, has a lot to offer. t: e = e-::1:i: ge being the main attraction. Of all the places in the wo: Lee :ngrad is the last place I thought I would see a portrait of ::: ke of Wellington and Queen Victoria. The Czar's Cra \11 .i "we's looked to be worth a few bob as well.
After Leningrad i: v,as on to Moscow, the Capital, with a population of 9 million. I \isited the Kremlin, Red Square, St Basil's Cathedral, Karl an Square, (his friends call him Charlie) and even saw 5 IT e Ballet at the Bolshoi Theatre in 'Down Town Moscow' (Swa Lake no less). The Moscow Metro (Underground) was also 'e I worth seeing. Each station has a memorial of some son made of pure marble. The Metro costs 5 Kopekas (about 3p) fla fare to travel anywhere. The Moscow Metro is probably one of he cleanest and most efficiently run Metros in the world.
Although I ha\'e 00 further plans to visit the USSR again I would recommend ro anyone to go and visit just once to have a look and judge for themselves how the other half Jives. I had an itineary in order to obtain staff clearance from MOD and a Visa from the Soviet Embassy, to which I had to stick rigidly. Having said that, out of all the five cities I went to never was I confined to an hotel or organised tours. I was free to go where I wanted and when I wanted. Kiev, Leningrad and Moscow were probably the cleanest cities I have seen to date. The streets are washed every six hours daily. They must have heard of the wombles there as well!
As I write I'm in the process of planning my next tripChristmas in New Zealand. I'll tell you about that when I come back!
LCpl McAlpine
- 'The Happy Wanderer'
PROPERTY IN THE OFFICER'S MESS
The purpose of this article is twofold: firstly to update Officers who have left on what has been done to refurbish and add to the property in the Officer's Mess. Secondly it is to say a few words which may be of general interest.
There are many Offic'ers' Messes which have far more property than The Life Guards although probably none which has such a valuable collection. The reason for the paucity is that The Life Guards, along with other Household Regiments, has a history of fighting in campaigns overseas but not until post war of regular overseas postings. The result of this was that the Officer's Mess was relatively unused as the Officers generally lived in their own homes. A contributory factor is that in the period immediately after the amalgamation of The 1st and The 2nd Life Guards much of the silver was either reclaimed by the families that had originally given it or sold to the NonCommissioned Officers' Mess; this must be quite unique! The quality is accounted for by the generosity and wealth of Officers who did contribute property.
However in spite of what can only be described as a shaky start we are now in a stable position as there is no danger of our parting with anything in the future and much effort and resources have been expended recently in bringing what we have up to standard. Specifically, all silver requiring repair has been so repaired anad every picture in need of cleaning has been cleaned. This has been a long and expensive process and to an extent it is a continuing requirment.
Picture frames still require regilding but this will have to wait until our return to England.
Our efforts in the last 2 years have been directed towards adding to the collection so that the future is assuredrather like planting trees while enjoying the ones which have already matured.
The major programme at this moment is the purchase of a complete set of Fiddle, Thread and Shell silver cutlery. There is sufficient cutlery already but it is becoming worn by daily use and whilst it is possible to replace it on a gradual scale now it would be very much more difficult to do so in, say, 10 years time when much of it had finally worn out. Furthermore provided we keep up the present rate of purchase of 50 pieces or so per year the original cutlery will still be usable and can be kept for dinner parties when a large number is required. To make this
buy possible, every Officer at Regimental duty in Germany is contributing monthly to a fund.
In addition to the cutlery programme, Officers on leaving now even after only a short period of service usually donate a silver ashtray or some other item and this has made an enormous difference.
A further requirement exists in the form of furniture as The Royal Air Force, the arbiters of bad taste in this respect are responsible for the furnishing of Officers' Mess. This has resulted in the old comfortable and practical leather armchairs being replaced by G-plan substitutes in billious colours. In order not to live with furniture which would be quite out of character with our paintings, and silver, a set of leather arm-chairs has been made in Oxford and delivered to Germany. This was paid for out of a very generous bequest by the late Colonel I B Baillie.
In summary, the Officers' Mess is looking as good as it ever has and presents which have been left over the years are greatly treasured and in daily use. Our programme of additions and replacements will assure that this boast can be made in 10, 20 and with luck even in a 100 years time.
THE LIFE GUARDS
SOME REMINISCENCES
25 YEARS AGO (1958)
(CONTRIBUTED BY THE HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY MUSEUM)
On board the H.T. Dilwara, somewhere off the coast of Portugal - 22nd August, 1958.
This report has been purposely delayed to cover the actual embarkation of The Life Guards for the Aden Protectorate. For most of the summer we have been preparing for 19th August, the day of embarkation. In fact the date of
departure has been the only constant factor throughout the planning stages. All other aspects of the move have changed from day to day.
Maj. F.R.B. Wordsworth, the 2 i/c, and Capt. D. Morrison, the E.M.E., flew out to Aden in May to make the outline plans for the arrival of the Regiment at the beginning of September.
Officers' Mess Sofa
JWME
Our Advance Party, commanded by Maj. D.L.S. Hodson (now 2 i/c in place of Maj. Wordsworth), disembarked from the H.T. Dunera at the beginning of August.
At 1600 hours on 19th August the H.T. Dilwara with RH.Q., "A," "D" and H.Q. Squadrons left Southampton Docks. The Regiment had left Combermere Barracks by coach for Windsor Riverside Station at 0600 hours. They arrived at Southampton Docks at 0929 hours and were soon on board the British India ship Dilwara. Movement Control, Southampton, could not have been more helpful over the whole move.
We were very honoured to have among the large numbers seeing us off: F-M. The Lord Harding of Petherton and Lady Harding, Major-Gen. Sir Richard Howard-Vyse, MajorGen. J.N.R. Moore, Major-General K.C. Cooper, Col. J.A. d'Avigdor-Goldsmid, from the War Office, AG. 17, and Col. :\1.F. Morley, from R.A.C. 1 of the War Office, Brig. Anthony and Lady Dorothea Head, Major-Gen. Claud Pert, and as usual more officers and N.C.Os. than were on the boat. The Life Guards' Band were instructed to play from 1400 hours until we sailed, and as usual performed magnificently. Much to the azement of our fellow travellers, pennies were thrown to Band by various "funny men"; perhaps they didn't undersand L.G. sense of humour.
The organization of the Regiment in the Middle East be as follows:
R.H.Q., Lieut.-Col. A. Meredith Hardy - Little Aden. H.Q., Maj. the Viscount Galway - Little Aden. "A" Squadron, Maj. I.B. Baillie - Little Aden. , "D" Squadron, Maj. K.w. Diacre - Area Persian Gulf.
The Air Portable Squadron (Maj. C.R. Philipson) relC= behind, together with the newly formed "B" Squadron H.D.A. Langley), at Windsor.
We regret that we have to announce the death of Tpr. W.J. Muirhead, "D" Squadron, who had a fatal ac : 'ent whilst riding his motor-bicycle on 10th June, 1958.
We say good-bye to the following: Majs. T.D. Llewellyn and J.M. Thomas, who have both left us for civilian life. We welcome 2/Lieut. R.J .E. Graves from Mons.
W.Os. and N.C.Os.' Mess
Due to embarkation leave and the necessity to pack Our Mess silver for the forthcoming move of the Regiment to the Arabian Peninsula, it was found necessary to hand over the N.C.Os.' Mess to the Household Cavalry Training Squadron in early June.
However, those ti;;;t ;edkS6fthe quarter proved quite hectic!
.quite a few Old Comrades whom we were very pleased to see Vlslted us at our "Ascot Tent," which proved to be a success in spite of the weather.
A farewell party was held for RCM E. Henderson, who has left us for civilian life. As the profession he has chosen to follow is close to Combermere Barracks and of great interest to many Mess members in their off-duty time he will quite certainly not loose contact with the Regiment.
We have also regretfully said farewell to RCM. J. Ratcliffe and wish him and RCM. Henderson good luck and
success in civiliai.
Our as held in Combermere Barracks on 4th July and Jy approximately 600 members and guests. We ::':'5: -= :::2sed that so many Old Comrades managed to :..-::.: :.: -:::e:p make the evening the success it proved to be.__ : again excelled himself with an excellent buffet" f_:::' :c.sidered his best to date.
We were e.. 9leased Col. W.H. Gerard Leigh was fit enough to ::::=-=: his injury on the polo field.
We also '.;'2::-:'::-':-':: the Mess for the first time Lady Harding, the wife _:' :. =-: :onel. Lady Harding spoke to most of the Mess mer. • ,,5. who found her to be a very gracious, -=:-=2.5ant person. It is hoped that she will visit us again CT. : _: :-;:Tn to the United Kingdom.
We :::.e following members on their promotions: RCM. .. Thomas. SCM. Dodson. We are pleased to we1co ,:-;': .0:"'::: lhe Mess ex-SQMC. "Fags" Wilson after an absence 0:' :e:" :. e2:'.
WINTER
Our last :-;:-.::- 25 written on board the H.T. Dilwara and covered our p to the time we left England. We have now been in _ :J: some three months and have had time to form Our about service in this part of the world.
For those -:' :._: ,eaders who are not actually serving at the moment. :. ;:e5ent organization of the Regiment must be briefly =:';':21:'.2 . as it is in many ways ,unique.
At =have firstly "B" Squadron, who are doing most valuable ',nrk 'or the Regiment in the preparation and training of dra:':"::,,,. secondly the Air Portable Squadron, who after aver:' .: :5' urbed six months should be together again as a Squadron .' t',e time this appears in print.
In Arabia :r,e:e are a further three squadrons. H.Q. Squadron is reaso ::: firmly established at Little Aden together with parr :.:' ".-\" Squadron, which operates in the western Aden Pro e:: :ate and may have detachments anywhere in this area.
Twelve hun -1 e miles away we have "D" Squadron, commanded by Maj Da ore, who are training with the Muscat' Forces which are com .1anded by Colonel David Smiley of the Blues.
We disembar.'ed from the Dilwara on 4th September after an extremely hot and consequently uncomfortable trip down the Red Sea and proceeded to our camp at Little Aden. The advance pany under Maj. Hodson had done a first-class job in trying to make ".JS as comfortable as possible considering the limited accommodalion available. "A" Squadron had to take over the operalional commitments from a Hussar Regiment immediately. and on the 5th complete troop detachments moved to An Nu'Am and Dhala. This was quite a formidable task, especially in the case of the first troop to do duty at An Nu'Am, owing to the climate, which was at its hottest and most humid.
During November we were joined by a detachment of Air Portable Squadron ccommanded by Capt. Bartlett. They were originally flown out in June and were used in the Western Aden Protectorate, working very closely with our predecessors the Hussars. After this they were moved to Bahrain, where
they remained for some three months before returning to Aden en route for England, where they should arrive in time for Christmas.
Lastly, we must sympathize with our Adjutant, Capt. R.I. Ferguson, who tore a cartilage while playing football, early in October - he eventually had to be evacuated to England to have an operation, which we are pleased to say has been successfully completed, and he should be back with us by the time that this appears in print.
W.Os. and Cs.-o-H. Mess
We arrived at Combermere Camp, Little Aden, on 4th September and were agreeably surprised by our reception, which was extremely well laid on by the Hussars and our ad van ce party.
The Mess was found to be a temporary one and proved to be a hot-house, with the temperature never less than 98 degrees F. After a few days of acclimatization the change from soft drinks to the harder variety was very noticeable.
We were visited in the Mess by the Governor of Aden, Sir William Luce, on 8th October, the Commander of the British Forces Arabian Peninsula, Air Vice-Marshal M.L. Heath, on 30th September, and by the Deputy Commander Land, Brig. W.M. Hutton, on 15th September.
"0" Squadron left us on 22nd September, and due to the deployment of "A" Squadron in the Western Aden Protectorate'it reduced our Mess strength to less than one and a half squadrons.
60 YEARS AGO (1923)
(The year after the Amalgamation of 1 & 2 LG
SPRING
The time draws near when we must "pack our grips and take a trip" to our dear old country home at Windsor. There have been hopes, great hopes, that we might have been spared this trial. Surely times have been hard enough without us having to bear this exile in addition. No longer shall Albany Street ring with our spurred heels; the vivid scarlet shall be replaced with the more sedate blue. On May 2nd the maidens of Windsor will shed salt tears over the departing "Blues" only to recover in time to beam at our oncoming squadrons. "Frailty, thy name is woman". Then on the 7th we hie us to the sandy wastes of Pirbright, there to vent our wrath upon harmless canvas and to amuse with our antics such high officers as see fit to visit .us·.·... ...", ."' .;:. .'
Our best thanks are due to Mi: Bassett, Member of Parliament for Richmond (or is itWimbledon) for amusing us with his anxious enquiries in the House regarding the comfort of the Life Guards' helmets. Why, after all these years, should a civilian, even an M.P., worry whether troops are comfortably clothed or no? Something must be sacrificed to smartness, and although we must confess that we have noticed a certain tightness round the forehead, in a helmet, perhaps this may be ue to the fact that there are not many of us that "have worn a helmet hundreds of times for four or five hours at a stretch". \\nat would Mr. Bassett suggest? Would he like to see the King's Life Guards ambling down The Mall in tweed caps, or "'.-auld he prefer bonnets trimmed with baby ribbon?
Helmets would appear to have been always worn in the best cuirassier circles at all times and in all countries and even our debonnair cavalier prototypes had their feathered felt hats lined with steel. Do please, Mr. Bassett, leave us in peace, for as we have said, "times is hard" and it would never do to add new and quite imaginary grievances to the long list of grievances over which the soldier has always deemed it his unalienable privilege to moan.
WINTER
During the month of October last a wave of the "stage-struck" fever surged through the Regiment -a wave which culminated in the production of a "New and Novel Revue" entitled "Wispers" at the Theatre Royal, Windsor, on October 31 st. For weeks before youthful aspirants to histrionic fame might have been seen studying mysterious·looking typescript parts in odd corners. Every afternoon was the dining-hall monopolized by budding stars. Piles of "props" were gathered in secret arsenals. Following the approved fashion of the best revues, things grew steadily more chaotic, until by the time the dress rehearsal came the whole affair appeared a hopeless muddle. Then came the change. From the moment the curtains swung apart to reveal the "Wispers" to a crowded houses success was assured success such as we had never dared hope for in our wildest dreams. From start to finish there was never a hitch, and it would be hard to say which were the more sorry when it was all over, audience or players.
The company was indebted to M. Andre Charlot for the loan of three of the "numbers". The success of the show was greatly assisted by the string band of the Regiment, under the able baton of Lieut. H. Eldridge, Director of Music.
The revue was performed in aid of the Organ Fund of Holy Trinity Church Windsor, which benefited to the extent of £80.
********
This can hardly be Claimed to be a successful season for the Regiment in the sports field. The Association team has been most fortunate so far, although we have reached the semi-final of the Windsor Mid-Week Cup. An entirely new team has had to be built up this year, and all members and exmembers of the Regiment will understand how difficult it must have been under Household Cavalry conditions.
The Rugby xv has only recently been formed, and it is early in the day to prophesy; but, in spite of reverses in friendly games, it survived the first round of the Prince of Wales's Cup, defeating the 2nd Bn. Coldstream Guards by 10 points to 3.
A True American Yarn
The scene was the yard at Horse Guards, the time was Sunday afternoon. The Corporal of the Relief, feeling most important, had changed the "boxmen" for the benefit of an admiring crowd. There advaJ).ced into the yard an American almost too true to type to exist off the stage, complete with tortoise-shell rims, cheroot, Maw and Sadie. He approached the corporal, and. sweeping his (own) hat from his head, addressed him thus:- "Say, sir, pardon me, but can ye tell me whereabouts around here your Charles One was decapitated?" The corporal keeping his risibilities under stern control, gave the information required. The Yank, with another sweep of the Stetson. said, "Sir, I sure I am obliged," and therewith made his exit.
REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS
Lt. Col. J.B. Emson
Maj. R.J. Morrisey Paine
Capt. N.B. Holliday
Capt. W.S.G. Doughty
Capt. A.A. Wood RHG/D
Capt. H.D. Dyson
W01 (RCM) J. Leighton
W02 Richards
SCpl Rennie
SCpl Land
SCpl Byrne
CoH Stephenson
LCoH Bagnall
LCoH McCance
LCoH George
LCoH Gaunt
LCoH Steed
LCpl Butler
LCpl Nicholson
LCpl Brettell
LCpl Rowbottom
LCpl Vince
LCpl Ditchburn
LCpl Kent
Tpr Beaumont
Tpr Bradley
Tpr Fenn
Tpr Howie
Tpr Peacock
Tpr Stand lake
Musn Tunkin
HEADQUARTERS SQUADRON
SHQ
Capt. J.H. Miles
W02 (SCM) Knowles BEM
SCpl (SOMC) Milne
LCoH Abel
LCoH Margan
LCoH Bryson RHG/D
LCoH Croager
LCoH Preston
LCp! Smith 365
Tpr Dean
Tpr Edgi ngton
Tpr Hale
Tpr Locke
Tpr Nelson
Tpr O'Hare
LCpl Fenn
ORDERLY ROOM
W02 (OROMC) Docherty
CoH Hale
CoH McKenzie
LcOh Beck
LCoH Smith
LCoH Ridsdel '
LCoH Ellis
Tpr Gollings
Tpr Price
Tpr Tinsley
Tpr Wells
QM's DEPT
Capt. B.P. Payne
W02 (ROMC) Whyte
SCpl Hugman
LCoH Stockwell
LCoH Taft
LCoH Underhay
LCpl Gummer
LCpl Prior
LCpl Rochford
NOMINAL ROLLS
LCpl Evans
LCpl Wilson
LCpl Mills
QM IE) DEPT
Capt. L.A. Lumb
W02 (TOMC) Knowles
W02 Daysmith
CoH Steele
LCoH Rodwell
LCoH Graister
LCpl Smith MGS
LCpl Smith C
LCpl Bannon
LCpl Page
LCpl Mundy
LCpl Snow
Tpr Lodge Tpr Lockett
Tpr Starr
PROVOST STAFF
W02 Stay
LCoH Parsley
LCpl Collett
LCpl Aitken
Tpr Davis
POST NCO
LCpl Hodge
FAMILIES OFFICE
Maj. J.L. Morris
SCpl .cozens
LCoH Berrisford
Rev. W. Robson
GYMNASIUM
SSgt (SSI) Goodwin APTC
MT TROOP
SCpl Mills
LCoH Robertson
LCoH Moore
LCoH Elliott
LCpl McAlpine
LCpl Coole
Tpr Barnes
Tpr Brown
Tpr Creagh
Tpr Gilby
Tpr JUdge
Tpr Jorgensen
Tpr Leggott
Tpr Lerwell
OFFICERS MESS
SCplDigney
LCoH O'Connor
Tpr Coller
Tpr Davies
WOs & NCOs MESS ROOM
CoH Boots
LCpl Seager
STABLES
SCpl James
FCoH Williams
LCoH Gynane
LCoH Cumming
LCpl Norgrove Tor Bartlett
Tpr Clipston
Tpr Lucas
Tpr Mallory
Tpr Rathbone
Tpr Smith AC
Tpr Winton
MEDICAL CENTRE
Capt. D. Stewart
LCoH Leak
ACC
W02 (SOMS) Collins
Sgt Tucker
LSgt Gibbs
LSgt Farnen
LSgtWilde
LCpl Garner
LCpl Gowers
LCpl Barker
LCpl Huntington
LCpl Evans
Pte Curran
Pte Torr
Pte Lamming
Pte Hughes
Pte Walsh
Pte Parker
Pte Harding
Pte Mcinnes
PAY OFFICE
Capt. P.G. Keating
W02 (SOMS) LUdwig
Sgt Stammer
LSgt Parsons
LCpl Walker
Pte Harris
Tpr Mann Tpr Rochford LAD
Tpr'Smith PW
Tpr Trevethan
Tpr Ward
STALWART TROOP
CoH Rigby
LCoH Rogan
LCpl Anscombe
LCpl Knowles
Tpr Bissett
Tpr Cairncross
Tpr Clarke
Tpr Hancock
Tpr Henley
Tpr Rose
Tpr Strange
Tpr Thomas
Capt. N.K.H. Davies
W01 (ASM) Williams
W02 (AOMS) Lyon
W02 (AOMS) Firth
SSgt Moore
SSgt Thompson
SSgt Wietecha
Sgt Crissall
Sgt Pelz
Sgt Jones
Sgt Ormston
Sgt Richardson
S91 Goodwin
LSgt Locke
LSgt Back
LSgt Farqhuar
LSgt Caveney
LSgt McGurk
LSgt Hughes
LSgt Winwright
LCpl Gittins
LCp! Nation
LCpl Richardson
LCpl Webster
LCpl Callingham
Cfn Dykes
Cfn Buckler
Cfn Burns
Cfn Baker
Cfn Haram
Cfn Howard
Cfn Johns
Cfn Walker
Cfn May
SHQ
Maj. J.R. Bayley
Capt. D.C. Waterhouse
W011 (SCM) Townsend
CoH Wise
LCoH Oldman
LCoH Sansom
LCoH Bray
LCpl Batchelor
LCpl Clarke
LCpl Willis
LCplCox
LCpl Burge
ALCpl Willis
Tpr Smithers
Tpr Richards
Tpr Douglas
Tpr Keilty
Tpr Reynolds
1 TROOP
Lt. S.C.J. Ellis
SCpl Cusick
CoH Douglas (RHG/D)
CoH Ormiston
LCoH Williams
LCoH Godley
Tpr White
Tpr Allen
Tpr Frood
Tpr Walker
Tpr Appleby
Tpr Leafe
Tpr Morris
Tpr Renton
Tpr Yeoman
2 TROOP
Capt. C.H.N. Graham
2Lt Lee
CoH Cavin
LCoH Corser
LCoH Roberts
LCpl Sprague
Tpr Waterworth
Tpr Warne
Tpr O'Sullivan
Tpr G reasley
Tpr Coles
Tpr Reynolds
Tpr Bussingham
Tpr Brooks
3 TROOP
2Lt. P.A. K-Dunbar
CoH McDermott
LCoH Derbyshire
LCpl Cross
Tpr Frost
Tpr Johnson
Tpr Coker
Tpr Le'Han
Tpr Irving
Tpr Hill
Tpr Benson
Tpr Dawson
4 TROOP
CoH Stever,son
LCoH Gratton
LCoH Evans
LCoH Bellringer
LCpl Godson
Tpr Key
Tpr Farrar
Tpr Stillwell
TprSmith AA
Tpr Carter
Tpr Lowe
Tpr Philp
Tpr Hatcher
ECHELON
CoH Robertson
LCoH Wragg
LCoH Stiff
LCpl Brooks
LCpl Farrel
LCpl Bing
Tpr Evans
Tpr Cummins
Tpr Moore
Tpr Steele
Tpr Ogier
LCplllr.arsden (Polo Stables)
LAD
88gt Goodwin
Sgt Loftus
Sgt Davies
LSgt Bale
LSgt Billington
LSgt Chambers
LCpl McLure
LCpl Mcllreavy
LCpl Crisp
Cfn Chapman
Cfn Rogers
Cfn Oldham
BSQUADRON
SHQ
Maj. T.J. Earl
MaJ'. R. Sullivan (WEF 4 Nov '82)
Capt. I.S. Forbes-Cockell
W02 (SCM) Lloyd. ,,' :'""
CoH Carson
LCoH Jackson
LCoH Dangerfield
LCoH Nicklin
LCpl Roberts
LCpl Tate
LCpl Layzell
LCpl Retallick
LCpl Thomas
LCpl Davison
Tpr Horner
Tpr Howgate
Tpr Willis
Tpr Wills
Tpr Fickling
Tpr Dickinson
Tpr Jacobi
Tpr Bond
1 TROOP
2nd Lt. T.J.K. Faulkner
CoH Gilbert
LCoH Yarrow
LCoH Liddell
LCoH Sharples
LCpl Kidd
Tpr Posta nee
Tpr Hepple
Tpr Parsons
Tpr Lindsay
Tpr Butterfield
Tpr Broomfield
Tpr Carvell
Tpr Orminston
Tpr Core
2 TROOP
CoH Frazer
LCoH Kelland
LCoH Mansfield
LCoH English
LCpl Taylor
LCpl Newton
Tpr Murphy
Tpr Redhead
Tpr Stanley
Tpr Bright
Tpr Wilsher
Tpr Nutt
Trp Trinder
3 TROOP
2nd Lt. H.A. Ingham Clark
CoH
CoH Whatley
LCoH Lewis
LCpl Harrison
Tpr Grantham
Tpr Evans
Tpr Doane
Tpr Bray
Tpr Laing
Tpr Weeks
Tpr Cooling
Tpr Phillips
Tpr Orr
4 TROOP
Lt. G.G.E. Stibbe
CoH Jordan
LCoH Tierney
LCoH Drennan
LCoH Fletcher
LCpl Lyne
LCpl Williams
LC IH te p un r
Tpr Bradie _: Round
Tpr-Brookes
Tpr Alsop
Tpr Power
Tpr Joy
Tpr Dodsworth
ECHELON
SCpl (SQMC) Cruddace
LCoH Frampton
LCpl Maksymiw
LCpl Mallon
Tpr Davison
Tpr Morris
Tpr Andrews
Tpr Dove
Tpr Hamill
Tpr Devonport
LAD
SSgt Marshall
Sgt Gilbert
Sgt Harris
Sgt Price
LSgt Rudd
LCpl Aymes
LCpl Silver
Cfn Barnett
Cfn Mayer
Cfn Relins
Cfn Rossiter
Cfn Watts
Cfn Jones
ON STRENGTH BUT DETACHED
LCpl Patterson - Belize
CSQUADRON
SHQ
Maj. C.S.K. Anderson
Capt. D.C. Darley
SCM Willis
CoH Jones
LCoH Sadler
LCoH Bingham
LCoH Murphy
LCpl Webster
LCpl Rogers
LCpl Price
LCoH Blowey
LCpl Ford
Tpr Taylor
Tpr Vaughan
Tpr Turnidge
Tpr Key
Tpr Nugent
Tpr Evans
1 TROOP
Lt. J L Sunnucks
CoH Clarke R
LCoH Tinsley
LCpl Walker
Tpr Miller
Tpr Reid
Tpr Cobb
Tpr Dodsworth
Tpr Brook
Tpr Underhay
Tpr McMullen
Tpr Smith 910
2 TROOP
CoH Carter
CoH Frape
LCoH White
LCpl Pugh
LCpl Jones
Tpr Harper
Tpr Squires
Tpr Allen
Tpr Johnson
Tpr Corner
Tpr Sandor
Tpr Parrington
3 TROOP
2 Lt. M F Eastwood
CoH Marshall
LCoH Cae
LCpl Cripps
Tpr Hackett
TprRowe
Tpr Lambton
Tpr Harvey
Tpr Gilbert
Tpr Fisher
Tpr Howie
Tpr Hayes
4 TROOP
CoH Coffey
CoH Swallow
LCoH Birkett
LCpl Barry
LCpl Shone
Tpr Walton
Tpr Cork
Tpr Mattison
Tpr Porter
Tpr Fraser
Tpr Challenger
Tpr Clitheroe
ECHELON
SQMC Cusick
LCoH Stanworth
LCoH Hardacre
LCoH Hawkins
LCoH Jones B
TprWillis
Tpr Arthur
Tpr Renshaw
Tpr Foster
Tpr Mortimer
Tpr Scorer
Tpr Mills
Tpr Edwards
Tpr Webb
Tpr Knight
LOB
Capt. J.L. Hewitt - Course
SCpl Lee - HQ Sqn
SCpl Belza -A Sqn
LCoH Theakston - RAC Gnry Sch.
LCoH Blunt - Course
LCoH Pringle - Guards Depot
LCpl Leach - Regular Release
LAD
SSgt Eagles
S9t Barrett
Sgt Ball
LSgt Ford
LSgt Duddy
LSgt Clark
LCpl Young
LCpl Brill
LCpl Kaye
Cfn McKenzie
Cfn Humphries
Cfn Sherriff
DSQUADRON
SHQ
Maj. Val Goodhew MBE
Capt. J.D. Boldero
W02 (SCM) Kelly
Co H Puddephatt
LCoH Worley
LCoH Valentine
LCoH Doyle
LCpl Greenhalgh
LCpl McSherry
LCplOliver
Tpr Lambert
Tpr Howgate
Tpr Taylor
Tpr Flynn
Tpr Risbridger
Tpr Kent
Tpr Phillpott
Tpr Jeckson
1 TROOP
CoH Lowry
CoH Harvey
LCoH Hickman
LCpl Smith 70
LCpl Bell
Tpr Barnes
Tpr Timms-Banham
Tpr Grey
Tpr Wilkinson
Tpr Cooper
Tpr Polly
Tpr Castle
SCpl (SOMC) Bishop
LCoH Davis
LCpl Leader
Tpr McNeill
Tpr Appleyard
Tpr Radford
Tpr Day
Tpr White
Tpr Grey
Tpr Brown 42
Tpr Hughes
Pte Lamming (ACC)
LAD
SSgt Harris
Sgt Watt
Sgt Tongs
LSgt Pickstock
LSgt Baines
LSgt Mansfield
LCpl Burgess
LCpl Brewis
LCpl Dale
LCpl Bateman
LCpl Phythian
Cfn Morrison
Cfn Hodgkinson
Cfn Thorne
HOUSEHOLD
2 TROOP CAVALRY
Lt. J.C. Hopkins REGIMENT
CoH Pace
LCoH Ingram
LCpl Thorpe
LCpl Griffin
LCpl Collins
Tpr Dennis
Tpr Knaggs
Tpr Byrne
Tpr Topham
Tpr Pillman
Tpr Castle
3 TROOP
2Lt. J.R. Cape
CoH Fry
LCo H Lindsay
LCoH Hearn
LCpl Nicholson
Tpr Hubble
Tpr Cummins
Tpr Bertram
Tpr Brown 97
Tpr Brook
Tpr Pillman
Tpr Castle
4 TROOP
2Lt. WAM Oswald
CoH Evans:,
LCoH Keech
LCoH O'Donnell
LCpl Smith 91
LCpl Pearson
Tpr White
Tpr Ramshaw
Tpr Dixon
Tpr West
Tpr Gelder
Tpr Bellfield
Tpr Short
HEADQUARTERS SQUADRON
RHO
Capt. H.S.J. Scott
SHQ
SCM Nicklin
LCoH Jones
QMs DEPT
CoH Potts
LCoH Tinkler
LCoH Shipway
LCoH Castelow
LCpl Hazelwood
LCpl Thornton
LCpl Stevens
LCpl Goodchild
LCpl Hadden
LCpl Lewis
Tpr Hartenfield
Tpr Hopewell
Tpr Laithwaite
ORDERLY ROOM
W02 (OROMCI Etches
CoH Kallaste
LCoH Coles
LCpl Davies
LCpl CO'ok-Hannah
LCpl Harman
OFFICERS MESS
CoH Sutherland
Tpr Kirkland
WOs & NCOs MESS
LCpl Huskisson
Tpr Ellis
Tpr Banks
Tpr Dugard
Tpr Terry
MT
CoH Howard
LCpl Slade
Tpr Cole
Tpr Holland
Tpr Wilson
Tpr Ritchie
REGIMENTAL PROVOST
CoH Davey
LCpl Meredith
LCpl Worrall
LCpl Corner
MEDICAL CENTRE
Lt. Col. R.J.O. Smith
CoH Wolczynski
LCpl Livings
Tpr Tanner
RIDING STAFF
Lt. Col. A. Jackson MBE
SCpl Burns
CoH Flaherty
LCpl Lewis
LCpl Thomas
LCpl Milton
LCplDunn
Tpr Renson
TRG WING
SCpl Flory
LCoH Norcombe
Tpr Creed
Tpr Curson
Tpr Lawson
Tpr Marsh
Tpr Matthews
Tpr Mitson
Tpr Osbourne
Tpr Rimmington
Tpr Astbury
Tpr Byers
Tpr Checklin
Tpr Hodgkins
Tpr Ryan
Tpr Taylor
THE LIFE GUARDS SQUADRON
SHQ
Maj. P.S.W.F. Falkner
Capt. P.J.D. Marlow-Thomas
W02 Lawrence
SCpl Denton
CoH Ritchie
LCoH O'Daly
FLCpl Lee
LCpl Lanahan
LCpl Butler
Farr Hayes
Tpr McGoldrick
Farr Phillips
1 TROOP
Lt. The Hon. M.R.M. Watson
CoH Holbrook
CoH Thornton
LCoH Darley
LCoH Bray
LCpl lies
LCpl Dodson
LCpl Birchall
Tpr Ablott
Tpr Alcock
Tpr Avison
Tpr Bandey
T pr Bartlett
Tpr Bishop
Tpr Bridges
Tpr Brown
Tpr Button
Tpr Carson
Tpr Cook
Tpr Cowley.
Tpr Halkett
Tpr Harlow
Tpr Hollins
Tpr Johns
Tpr Kane
Tpr Kearn
Tpr Lawes
Tpr Leete
Tpr Lugg
Tpr Mackay
Tpr Morris
Tpr Pratt
Tpr Robson
Tpr Shipton
Tpr Smith
Tpr Smith
Tpr Thomas
Tpr Tremain
Tpr Valentine
Tpr Wibberley
Tpr Yeates
2 TROOP
Lt. A.J. Watson
CoH Fury
CoH Dobson
LCoH Mills
LCoH Whiteland
LCoH MacCallum
LCpl Camp
LCpl Clarke
LCpl Phillips
Tpr Allen
Tpr Baker
Tpr Carvell
Tpr Clark
Tpr Conway
Tpr Cooke
Tpr Edgerton
Tpr Erskine
Tpr Franklin
Tpr Graver
Tpr Handley
Tpr Hatcher
Tpr Humpage
Tpr Jervis
Tpr Kitching
Tpr Langworthy
Tpr Maddocks
Tpr McClelland
Tpr McKenny
Tpr Pend Ie
Tpr Ridgeway
Tpr Sims
Tpr Waygood
Tpr Whitfield
Tpr Wilson
Tpr Wolf
Tpr Wrightson
3 TROOP
Lt. J. T. Wordsworth
CoH Hollman
CoH Wilson
LCoH Scott
TLCoH Orchard
LCoH Van Craeyenest
LCpl Shannon
LCpl Hughes
LCpl Preece
Tpr Archer
Tpr Ashman
Tpr Croucher
Tpr Edmunds
Tpr Everett
Tpr Fawkes
Tpr French
Tpr Green
Tpr Hegney
Tpr Howatson-Jones
Tpr Jenkins
Tpr Jervis
Tpr Johnson
Tpr Kozakiewicz
Tpr Lawes
Tpr Lee
Tpr Lloyd
Tpr Morris-Barker
Tpr Nicholas
Tpr Peers
Tpr Reade
Tpr Roberts
Tpr Saint
TPf Taylor
Tpr Watts
Tpr Weller
Tpr Woodward
Tpr Wright
Tpr Young
THE BAND
Maj. A.J. Richards
BCM Harman
SOMC Marsden
SCpl Jolley
TIM Close
Co H Robinson
CoH Whitworth
CoH Mean
CoH Lund
LCoH Morris
LCoH Bourne
LCoH Poland
LCoH Hopkins
LCoH Allen
LCpl Graves
LCpl Bole
LCpl Woodhouse
LCpl Redford
LCpl Grieve
LCpl Young
LCpl Morton
LCpl Pankhurst
Musn Bougours
*Musn Carson
Musn Clark
Musn Collier
Musn Cox
Musn Davies
Musn Dutton
*Musn Egerton
Musn Gook
Musn Jarvis
Musn Kidd
Musn Lazenbury
Musn Mayo
Musn Newnham
Musn Severn
Musn Shaw
Musn White
-At Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall
EXTRA REGIMENTALLY EMPLOYED
HQ HOUSEHOLD DIVISION
Maj. Gen. H.D.A. Langley MBE
REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS
HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY
W01 Cherrington
SCpl Walsh
CoH Dean
CoH Char lett
CoH Carrington
LCoH Loftus
LCoH O'Neill
LCpl Rosborough
LCpl Le Fondrs
Tpr Mitchell
JUNIOR DIVISION
STAFF COLLEGE
Col_ A.B.S.H. Gooch
RAC CENTRE
HQ ORAC
Capt. R.C.B. Sampson
HQ RAC CENTRE
Brig. S.C. Cooper
SCpl Jones
D & M SCHOOL
CoH Collins
CoH Davies
GUNNERY SCHOOL
Capt. A. Kelly
CoH Lodge
TACTICAL SCHOOL
W02 McGloughlin
ATDU
LCoH Keyworth
RAC SALES TEAM
CoH Jeram
RAC RANGES
CASTLEMARTIN
CoH Bartlett
REGT RAC
Lt. J.H. Perry-Warnes
CoH Windebank
CoH McBride
LCpl Frith
S Innis
LCpl Sutcliffe
1 RTR
LCpl Leszczar
RAC TRG REGT
CoH Jenkins
CoH Martell
ROYAL MILITARY
ACADEMY SANDHURST
W01 Slater
SCpl Bunyan
SCpl Johnston
LCpl Sands
ROYAL MILITARY COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
Maj. A.P. De Ritter
Capt. P.R.L. Huntsr
LCpl Farrar
PRINCESS MARINA COLLEGE
CoH Rymer
HQ LONDON DISTRICT
LCoH Otton
2REGTAAC
W01 Hutchings
MVEE (K)
Maj. (OM) D.A. York
Maj. C.J. Rodger
Capt. The Hon. N.J. Adderley
W01 Keeys
W02 Lawson
LCpl Clarke
HQ PADERBORN GARRISON
Maj. S.V. Gilbart-Denham
ROYAL SCHOOL OF ARTILLERY
Maj. C.S. Harcourt-Smith
DEFENCE ATTACHE
BR ITISH EMBASSY PAR IS
Maj. C.J. D'Oyly
HQ BRITISH FORCES BELIZE
Maj. T.J. Earl
HQ 1 ARMOURED DIVISION
Maj. J.W.M. Ellery
HQ BRITISH FORCES HONG KONG
Maj. N.J. D' Ambrumenil
HQ 1 INFANTRY BRIGADE
Maj. S.D.G. Vetch
Capt. D. Bentley
1st BN COLDSTREAM GUARDS
Capt. S,F. Hayward
RPO BRIGHTON
Maj. (aMI D. Charles
EXETER UNIVERSITY
2Lt. C.N. Mitford-Slade
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY
2Lt. M.C. Van der Lande
21 SAS (ARTISTS) (V)
W02 Henderson
RAVC TRG CENTRE
Capt. A.T. Varley
SCpl Sanderson
ARMY SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL TRANSPORT
LCoH Mullen
ROYAL YEOMANRY
W02 Allen
QUEENS OWN MERCIAN
YEOMANRY
SCpl Powell
DUKE OF LANCASTERS
OWN YEOMANRY
SCpl Read
HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY
HOSPITAL
SCpl Borthwick
5 CADET TRG TEAM
CoH Beck
22 SAS 2 x Soldiers
RECRUITERS
AC10 Manchester - CoH Gledhill
AC10 Surbiton - SCpl Redford
AC10 Newcastle - CoH Richardson
AC10 Nottingham - CoH Lea
AC10 Merthyr Tydfil - LCoH James
RECRUITING TEAM
LCpl Gawthorne
LCplHowe Tpr Ward Tpr Wrightson
SOLF (CAT OMAN)
W02 Mead
HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY
REGIMENT
HELD STRENGTH
W02 McKie - RAVC Trg Centre
W02 Williams - Recruiting Team
