VOL r...1E XVII 1985 THE REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE OF THE LIFE GUARDS
Colonel-in-Chief: Her Majesty The Queen
Colonel and Gold Stick: Major General Lord Michael Fitzalan Howard, GCVO, CB, CBE, MC.
Lieutenant Colonel Commanding Household Cavalry: Colonel (G. Hamilton-Russell, MBE
Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Colonel T. J. Earl
By THE COMMANDING OFFICER Lt. Col
1984 has been a year of great change and a challenge to all members of the Regiment. Following our return from Detmold in January, we have had to physically convert from Chieftain to CVR and to mentally convert ourselves from the constraints of armoured tactics in BAOR, to the much more flexible and wide-ranging tasks required of us in England. As part of the 5th Airborne Brigade, we are expected to be able to provide light armoured and reconnaissance support to operations anywhere in the world outside NATO. In addition we have to be able to provide soldiers and vehicles in varying numbers for a multitude of Regular Army commitments, ranging from security at Heathrow Airport to the provision of a squadron to the United Nations in Cyprus. At the time of writing these notes the Regiment is spread far and wide, with C Squadron attached to the United Nations in Cyprus, 35 soldiers in Germany with The Blues and Royals, 30 soldiers in Belize with the Grenadier Guards and A Squadron on exercise on Salisbury Plain.
We are, of course, delighted to be' back in Windsor, which we all consider to be our Regimental home, and we were greatly honoured on 4 April by a welcome home visit from Her Majesty The Queen, our Colonel in Chief.
On return to Combermere Barracks in January, we immediately started our conversion training, which took us through to our first Brigade concentration with the 5th Airborne Brigade in May. This was on Salisbury Plain and in Wales, and gave us an ideal opportunity to prove our conversion training in the field, culminating in troop tests imaginatively organised by the Training Wing, and a Brigade exercise.
After conversion firing at Lulworth and Castlemartin ,in June,C- Squadron embarked for Cyprus and thefes( of >the Regiment prepared for our main exercise of the year - Exercise Lionheart. We were lucky enough to be enemy and had a fast moving exercise, with a wide range of tasks which were surprisingly relevant to likely tasks in our outof-area role. We enjoyed the exercise very much and it proved to be an ideal finishing point for all our conversion training. The latter end of the year has seen: the departure to Belize with 2nd Bn Grenadier Guards of A and B Squadrons assault troops for a 6 month attachment; a further period of gunnery at
Castle martin in November, when weather conditions were atrocious; a PRE and a host of Squadron exercises in support of a wide variety of Schools, Training Establishments and Infantry Battalions.
We were all greatly saddened by the death, on exercise, of Tpr Carter in June, and of LCpl Key in December whilst serving with C Squadron in Cyprus. We extend our sympathy to their families and friends , especially to both their brothers who are serving with the Regiment.
In the sporting field we have had considerable success with our shooting team, coming 7th overall at Bisley -a most commendable performance by the team in only our second year of entry. The Regimental team won the Captains and Subalterns Polo. Our running squad has done very well under the direction of the Paymaster, winning the London District and 5 AB Bde orienteering league and putting in very creditable performances in the cross country competitions. The Rugby team reached the BAOR final of the Cavalry Cup, but sadly lost. Lastly, we have three notable individual sportsmen in 2Lt Mahony and Tpr Gregory, who are national standard pentathletes, and LCoH Margan as an army fencer.
Regimental activities have included the laying up of the Sovereign's Standard at Arundel Castle, the family home of our Colonel -a notable ecumenical event which is reported in more detail elsewhere in this magazine - and the laying up of a Squadron Standard at Harrow School, where it now hangs in the War Memorial.
The coming year sees the return of C Squadron from Cyprus, a very full exercise year at Squadron level, a major Home Defence exercise at Regimental level and a considerable change of personalities in key appointments throughout the Regiment - the most noteworthy of which is the departure of Major Sullivan RTR on promotion. He will be missed by his many friends who wish him and his family well on their new posting to Zimbabwe after two years with the Regiment.
The end of our first year in England sees us totally integrated into 5 Airborne Brigade, where we have a reputation for professionalism and high standards.
This year has been highlighted by our bidding ."are\\ell to Germany and Chieftain, the return to \\"ndsor and Scorpion, preparation for an emergency tOur in Beirut, learning to work "vith 5 Airborne Brigade (still Hushed with success in the Falklands Campaign), and ending up with a return 10 GerInany for Exercise Lionheart.
Our last Exercise in BAOR was Eternal Triangle with the Squadron supplying umpire teams to the Royal Hussars. Everyone was very interested to see their Challenger for the first time.
We very nearly lost Lt Ellis when a very irate German Officer put a loaded pistol to his head and threatened to shoot him. Apparently some other soldier had narrowly missed running down the German Officer at a road block and CoH Ormiston and LCpl Stillwell, whilst lurking beside their LandrOHr had been the first British soldiers he had managed to catch up with. They escaped being shot by directing their would-be executioner to the other side of the vehicle where Lt Ellis was quietly examining his map. A great deal of bluff was called for to calm our NATO ally, and needless to say Lt Ellis's laundry bill was rather larger than normal that month.
With the handover PRE on Chieftain complete and conversion training well under way,' the Squadron returned early to Windsor to take <;)Ver from B Squadron RHG/D. We put the ScorpIOns straight into light preservation and then signed out 19 ferret scout cars to train for the tour in Beirut. :\11 ranks were greatly looking forward to the posting \"hen sadly the British Force was withdrawn, The disappointment would have been harder to handl,e if the Squadron Leader had not returned from hIS
Lt Ellis and 2Lt Clark in front of The Squadron Leader's helicopter "not in Beirut"
recce with lots of war stories - all starting with "Have you heard about my time in Beirut ..... " We all felt as if we had been there after all! The Ouartermaster accompanied him and they are now S-oth known respectively as "Bruce of Beirut" and "Lafayette of the Lebanon".
In May the Squadron found itself on Salisbury Plain with 5 Airborne Brigade. SCM AlIen trained everyone in NBC and took particular delight in gassing everyone, even to the point of having his Landrover converted into a mobile gas dispenser.
CoH Renton joined the Regiment from Hereford and gave excellent training to A and B Squadrons Assault Troops. They have now departed for Belize to help the 2nd Bn Grenadier Guards. On their work-up Exercise 2Lt Clark went as an umpire and much enjoyed seeing 2Lt Assheton struggle past his checkpoint on the patrol competition. . Training ended with troop assessments and despite appalling weather conditions and a lack of sleep, all ranks coped very well. The Brigade then held a sports day which was to have been a grand affair on an Olympic scale, but the only two events to survive the weather were the Tug-of-War and a 5-mile cross country run. The Life Guards excelled in the Tug-of-War by beating all the other Brigade teams - much to the annoyance of those Regiments who like to jump out of aeroplanes. C Squadron came first in the Tug-of-War with A and B Squadrons equal third. The run had some fifteen hundred entrants and we held our end up with Tpr Gregory coming 21st, LCpl Coles 75th- and Tprs Bentley and Wells coming 11 7th and 140th respectively. The officers exhausted themselves by carrying Maj Sullivan into dead ground in a sedan chair, doing a surreptitious loop and then finishing in time to come
in 61st. Most people thought it was quite funny, including the Ghurkas who were amazed by our eccentric behaviour. When the other two Squadrons returned worn out to Windsor, we carried on to Sennybridge to take part in a Brigade FTX. Despite a Brigade problem with Alpha and Zulu timings (solved only by everyone buying a second wrist watch) the Squadron equipped itself well, and as long as the logistics can keep pace we are now eager and ready to participate in any out-of-area operation.
June saw us at Castlemartin once. more, after a gap of some five years, for conversion firing. A low key tempo was set for the week's programme and the Squadron now has a firm foundation upon which to build future expertise. Many thanks to LCsoH Sansom and Williams for their hard work in preparing everyone during the pre-firing training programme.
Much of the rest of the year was spent preparing for Exercise Lionheart, with frequent interruptions to give Regular Army Assistance. We found ourselves on many different training areas, helping out many different organisations by lending varying numbers of men and Scorpions. Most enjoyed the variety.
Lionheart was the grand finale of the year, and once we actually fo4nd ourselves in Germany it proved to be most enjoyable and worthwhileespecially for the sabre troops. The move out can best be described as "interesting" with a train journey lasting 25 hours, 19 of which were without food or water. During one particularly long wait in a nondescript and previously undiscovered railway siding, there were gangs of Life Guards looking out for any member of the Belgian Railways. Luckily none was found.
The 'A' Team on Lionheart Tpr, johnson, Capt Hayward, Tpr White, LCpl Sprangue and LCoH Roberts
In situ we once again excelled when, acting as Orange Special Forces, we broke through the corps defence line largely undetected. At one point it was decided to sacrifice QC by sending it and its intrepid crev\' forward through enemy lines to set up the new SHQ position; so the Squadron 2ic and his crew boldly set off to go where no Li fe Guard had ever gone before and promptly got captured by German Blue Forces. They decided to wind up their captors somewhat and ended up having an hilarious fight, \\'ith Capt Hayward and Tpr J ohnson holding off a score of Germans from the open doors of the Sultan, \\'hilst LCoH Roberts and LCpl Sprague madly tried to wipe the map boards clean and change the radio frequencies. We are glad to report that all ended well with no secrets lost. The citation for four Military Medals was, you will all be sad to hear, turned down. The Exercise finished with a brief holiday in Paderborn hosted by 3 RTR; before thankfully, flying back to England. The Echelon had no such luxury and under SQMC Belza drove both ways.
On our return we were plunged into training for The Inspection on the 25th October. The drill parade and crews front \\'ent well although Tpr Morris excelled himself on the dress rehearsal. When asked the name of the :\lajor General he looked blank. "It's all around you" hinted the Squadron Leader. "Sky?" said \lorris. Enough said. The Squadron has as always contribu ted more than its fair share of members to the Regimental sports team with CoH Gratton and LCpls Moore, Willis and Burge playing rugby, and LCsoH Bellringer, Wragg, and Willis, LCpls Godson, Stillwell and Castle, and Tprs Smithers
and Irving playing football. Tpr Gregory has done especially well by being selected to train for the Army Pentathlon Team. We hope that Tpr Steele's leg injury will soon be put right as his football skills are missed.
We have participated in two adventurous training expeditions. Capt Hayward, LCpl Sprague and LCpl Appleby went to the Moroccan Sahara and CoH Wise took a team of scuba divers, including Tpr White 846 to Elba.
On the personality front, we have had several changes. We welcome back Capt Hayward who returns to the Squadron as 2ic after a gap of some three years, 2Lts Sunley and Marks fresh from the rigours of Sandhurst and SQMC Read, CsoH Renton, Holbrook and Jenkins who have returned to the Regiment from the far corners of the country. We bid farewell to Capt Cathcart who found time to get married in the summer and has gone to find more job satisfaction as Intelligence Officer; Lt Ellis who has traded any pretence of being a soldier for greener pastures in the city; Lt Ley who has found himself a job at the Guard's Depot; SQMC Belza who leaves for BAOR and last but not least, CoH Robertson who is returning to Knightsbridge.
CoH Holbrook and Tpr Watson
LCoH Norcombe and Tpr Taylor
The prospect was good -a return to Windsor after the four years of Lothian Barracks, but the forthcoming year looked daunting when the forecast of events was scrutinized, and it was soon realized that we were not in for a "lazy English summer".
The middle of February saw the Squadron complete in Windsor, ready to start (or rather continue) in the conversion role to Armoured Reconnaisance, and most people's MFO was arriving in one form or another. It looked then as though we would be the only Squadron left behind in Windsor. Still, we thought, somebody has to do the work. Conversion continued to plague us as we continued to expect Scorpion instead of Fox, bu t to date we will staunchly man our Fox.
The first major activity for the Squadron was the Brigade concentration on Salisbury Plain, where with a few teething problems and the blissful Salisbury Plain weather in May (!), the Squadron satisfactorily completed our conversion to Armoured Reconnarsance.
June saw the Squadron first exercised in the Out-of-Area Operations role, with a move to South Cerney via AbiQgElpnAitfield and a lot of country lanes around Wantage andCirencester, and after a 2Y2 hour lecture on loading our vehicles on to Hercules by the Air Movements Staff we were allowed to put them instead into containers and head for Castlemartin and conversion firing.
The weather was perfect and good for gunnery, as our conversion firing continued throughout the middle week of June, which happened to conflict with Ascot, but shooting was good and the Squadron returned to Windsor to fulfil our Regular Army commitment.
At the end of 'Lionheart' - LCoH Yanow, LCoH jackson CoH Whatley and SCpl Lodge
July gave us a slight break and an opportunity to send troops on adventure training. 2 Troop disappeared to Norfolk under the careful guidance of Lt Oswald, and 3 Troop walked the cliff paths of Cornwall, which was agreed by all to be good for the touris t industry. Support Troop disappeared back to South Wales, and the other two Troops to other parts of the country. All the Troops however took part in individual Troop Exercises, assisting the Household Division, and 1 and 2 Troops took part in a 1 Brigade FTX. It was during this exercise that Tpr Carter was regrettably killed when his Fox accidentally overturned. He was a most popular member of the Squadron and will be missed by all, with the Squadron losing a very capable and likeable soldier.
The Team that kept them going
The beginning of August brought us block lea\e as the Squadron dispersed to all four corners o' the country and the world, to reform for the beginning of Exercise Lionheart. The move is a story :1 itself, save to say that everybody arrived in time :"or the start of the Exercise, and the varied tasks that :he Squadron was asked to perform brought out the best in everybody, so to the Squadron it was a most re\\'arding exercise as our new role was so varied and dinrse. The vehicles performed magnificently, leaving REME looking a little too bright eyed and war::."e, SHQ originally had nothing to command but :hemselves, had, at one stage, anticipated commandfrom a schloss or two, ended the Exercise inside J. deserted ammunition compound producing a very .. Iisfying sound as CoH Whatley switched off the ·ers for the last time. The return to Windsor was more s 'aightforward, flying to Gatwick and bussing to \ 'indsor with the vehicles arriving by con tainer a couple of days later.
Squadron Headquarters "lurks" in the trees
The next 3 weeks was spent in preparation for the Major General's Parade as No 2 Dress and Best Boots appeared from the backs of lockers, with drill instructors becoming hoarse.
There have been too many changes in the Squadron to name individually, but the heirarchy have remained fairly unchanged. Major Adderley has been the Squadron Leader, Capt Marlow·Thomas (with a short spell from Capt Scott) the Second in Command, SCM Rennie the Squadron Corporal Major, and SQMC Cruddace. Fortunately the Troop Leaders have remained unchanged. There has been the formation of a Troop under Lt Assheton to go to Belize, where they are at the time of writing, and have renewed old acquaintances and formed new ones.
We now look forward to 1985.
On a particularly dull Detmold day the -quddron was told that it would be posted to Cyprus : r 6 months. Not surprisingly, the news was well recei\ed. Visions of all the ingredients for an idyllic :i e something to do with wine, women, song and Sl n) presented themselves in sharp contrast to life 'n Germany and the work that still had to be done "" the tanks before they were handed over to The and Royals. Over the next few months, as
we moved from Germany to Windsor and converted to Fox armoured cars, expectations grew higher and the Squadron grew larger, until by late June it had its full compliment of 118 men and embarked on a happy two week course under the slightly confusing title 'Cyprus Training'. The drivers, under the direction of CoH Marshall and a team of instructors, did a crash course on the driving and maintenance of ferrets, whilst the rest of the
Squadron threw themselves with enthusiasm into a new sport called 'acclimatisation' - made possible by the exceptionally hot English Summer. History lectures, driving lectures, first aid lectures and geography lectures introduced the Squadron to the eccentricities of Cyprus. (One soldier when tested on the geographical location of Cyprus still placed it on the West Coast of Africa.) The Mess Staff learned how to make brandy sours, the Squadron learned how to drink them and Cyprus training was complete.
The main party arrived at Akrotiri Airport on 12th July, the takeover from the 16th/ 15thL having been completed by all parties. From that day on the Squadron was fully operational and the strenuous process of earning a "United Nations" medal began.
The 'Ferret Scout Car Squadron' as it is called (National and Regimental identities are supposedly lost in a United Nations Force) is split in two parts: the 'Sabre' troops and the 'base rats'. Due to the nature of an independent Squadron the base rats or Support Element has more men than those who daily confront the vicissitudes and dangers of being on the front line. The base rats live in the
recently-named Prince William Camp on the deserted area of Nicosia International Airport and the six 'Sabre' troops are spread along the Buffer Zone, staying with four of the five foreign contingents (Danish, British, Swedish and Austrian) which make up the United Nations Force in Cyprus. FoUl Troops actually live out on the line independent ·and away from the restrictions which necessarily come from Squadron Headquarters, the fifth troop patrol from Prince William Camp and the sixth troop is away on United Nations leave. Every three weeks the troops rotate and move onto the next contingent.
Despite the strict 'notice to move' restrictions on troops, the operational commitment in Cyprus is not too demanding. The island has been at peace for 10 years and apart from a few rare but nonnally turgid incidents, there is little to disrupt routine. The once or sometimes twice daily patrolling of the sector is more to establish a United Nations presence than to deal with problems. It therefore becomes just as important to try and adhere to the Grand United Nations concept of international harmony by working and sometimes socialising with the respective contingents as it is to carry out, a military role. A patrol along the buffer zone
involves stops at the observation posts _ anned 24 hours a day), where coffee and some-imes food are liberally disposed to the 'ferret
Many people have their address books .:rammed with Austrian, Swedish and Danish names L'1d telephone numbers, in order to plan ambitious in their respective countries.
It is the considerable amount of time available for recreation which makes Cyprus a different and emiable posting. During the summer months Ayia .'\apa beach was the focus of most people's attention, \ ·:th the night life of Lamaca coming a close second. The north of the island (accessible to Uni ted Nations' es) became the favourite outlet from Nicosia :or the officers, with the regular dinners in the which skirt the beautiful Kyrenia harbour.
On the military side of life, the Squadron :-.:-::cipated in a number of competitions unique -r; C :prus - the most prestigious being the United '::<ons' Military Skills Competition. The team - Stewart, CoH Corser, LCoH Hawkins, Tpr - -:.!.c and Tpr Scorer) were confronted with the 'troop test' type of scenario and, as would - expected, they excelled. The endurance phase .. ,':.S5ault course followed by a 15km forced march :emperatures exceeding 100 0 ) was devised by
40 Commando The Royal Marines, and added a horror to a competition which required a standard of fitness more familiar to Marine Commandos than Life Guards. The Squadron came third out of a total of fourteen teams. Medal seekers and Yomp lovers attended the DANCON March, a 57km slog in the Troodos Mountains over a period of 2 days, for which the Danes awarded themselves and all participants a medal. CoH Corser, CoH Blunt, and LCoH Hawkins ended up as the Squadron sacrificial lambs in the Cyprus walkabout - another endurance march of 60km in the Episkopi area and achieved an honourable placing.
Medal Parades (important occasions on which contingents congratulate themselves on their work in Cyprus), big cocktail parties, Squadron parties, frequent troop barbecues, happy hours in the NCO's Mess, organised cricket, rugger and football, VIP visits and beach trips are the 'staff of life' in Cyprus. At the time of writing the Squadron are two thirds of the way through their tour, and with the exception of a few lonely married men we are in the unfamiliar position of having very little to complain about.
HEADQUARTERS SQUADRON- WINDSOR 7984
Soon after the arrival of the new Squadron eader, Major R C B Sampson, the Squadron prep red to hand over to The Blues and Royals and take over in Windsor. This meant all departments ·.-ere split from December to February. Capt Miles nd W02 Stay conducted the move of MFO and quartering, and it is thanks to t?em that. everyone in the Regiment moved all their belongmgs from Detmold to their new quarters in Windsor without any problems. During this period, SCpl Swallow was posted to The Life Guards Mounted Squadron as Q;"IC, LCoH Moore also went to Knightsbridge to :ake over as MT CoH, and W02 (SCM) Knowles {[ended the RQMC's course to his as RQ),IC to the British Army EqUipment ExhibItIOn.
The Squadron were all back in Windsor by mid February and after leave, conversion training work began. Capt Leighton had already taken (,vel' as the new QM(E), and Capt Miles, who was - have taken over as MTO, was posted to be uartermaster of The Household Cavalry Regiment. new SCM awaited the Squadron with W02 Saunders, -ho was D Squadron SQMC in Detmold. A new -raining cell was established un?er t?e control. of Land who became responsIble for conductmg , .. - e Regiment's internal and external trade trammg.
Her Majesty the Queen visited the Regiment .. -± April and met members of the Squadron from departments in the gymnasium. It was a wonder1 day - thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.
•. The Queen talking to the Quartermaster, Capt B.P.Payne, the gymnasium. RQMC Lloyd and SCpl Hugman are next in line
One of the Squadron's many and varied roles to -et up an Evacuation Handling Centre, either in
a building or under canvas. The purpose of this centre is to process evacuees back to this country should a state of emergency exist, for example, in a Third World State.
We were able to practice this on Exercise Fast Kestrel, by taking over some derelict buildings at RAF Watton in Norfolk for a week. Maj Sullivan was in command and the Squadron Leader ran the administration. The Master Chef, W02 Collins, provided excellent food for the eVaC\leeS (2 Para!) and CoB Smith ran the documentatIOn sIde. The evacuees, in spite of their strange background an.d behaviour were handled well - much to the credit of those took part.
In May, the Regiment joined the 5th Airborne Brigade concentration on Salisbury Plain. The Squadron took over Westdown Camp and administered the Regiment from there during Squadron and Regimental training periods. SCpl Byrne set up a very efficient Ops Room and converted everyone to the new voice procedure.
The Major General talking to members of the LAD watched by WO] (ASM) Forsythe (L-R) Sgts Brooks, AlIen, Gornall, Bondzio and LSgt Gan
During the summer, everyone managed to get leave prior to Exercise Lionheart, which involved enormous preparation and much documentation. For the first time this year, the whole Squadron deployed and administered A and B Squadrons and RHQ from the field. The Quartermaster's department
under RQMC Lloyd commanded B Echelon, which remained static throughout the exercise at Sennelager. A Echelon, due to the great distances involved, split into Al and A2 - A2 being commanded by the QM(E), Capt Leighton, and Al - to complete the chain was forward, commanded by the Squardon Leader. All the echelons worked well, providing a constant flow of supplies forward.
Sporting achievements during the year were numerous. LCoH Margan has fenced for the Army, Combined Services and England, and hopes to take palt in the next Commonwealth Games. The Squadron came second in the Regimental Boxing Competition. The team, who boxed very well, were LCpls Brettell, Rowbottom, Tprs Bradley, Barnes, Cairncross, Dean, Gollings and HO'.Nie. The Regimental Rugger Team were runners up in the RAC Cup and those representing the Regiment from the Squadron were: W02 Collins, SCpl Byrne, LCoH t ckwell, LCpls Mills, Paterson, Retalick and Rowbonom.
LCpl Mills was selected to play for the RAC and Army Basketball Team, and it is hoped he and LCpl Vince will be selected this coming season. Finally, LCpl Walton came third in the Army Freefall Championships.
The Major General's Inspection on 25 October was a great success for the Squadron. Two diYisions, each of 30 men, were on parade. The drill and turnout was excellent and afterwards the Major General toured the departments.
In comparison to last year, with all the prep· arations for the Standards Parade, the Squadron has " cl a relatively quieter time. The usual State Visit in October 1983 was cancelled and as the State Opening 1 Parliament had happened in June we had a good pportunity to get the Troops away early for winter camps. 1 and 3 Troops returned to the places they . ad been to last year (Towcester Race Course and Cm\dray Park) and 2 Troop went to the old RAF camp at Sopley in the New Forest. Once again we "ere amazed by the kindness of the local people ',10 helped us in e,very way. they 'could, and we Dk fOlward to returning to Cowdray and Sopley year.
At the end of February, having managed to se' :.he last remnants of our leave, we began preparing :0,' the Ceremonial Season. After the normal Troop :md Squadron drills, we moved, lock, stock and horses :'0 Combermere Barracks for the State Visit of the .-\roir of Bahrain to Windsor. This was our first to visit the Regiment since its return Germany and was the first time the complete , e 'mem and Mounted Squadron were colocated
together since 1955. The WOs' and NCOs' Mess especially made sure that this event passed off in memorable fashion, with much to eat and drink. The Escort itself, on a warm sunny morning, passed off without a hitch and the Escort ranked past the Queen in the quadrangle led by the Band of The Life Guards. Capt McColl was still struggling with the Riding School course, so precedent was set by the Band being led by The Blues and Royals' Director of Music.
On our return to London, we began preparing for the Major General's Inspection. After the normal first two rehearsals the horses remembered that it was not a race and the parade went very well. Unfortunately, Image decided to get rid of the Commanding Officer's trumpeter while he was blowing the Canter and to celebrate his new found freedom, he galloped around the parade ground for some minutes until he lost his nerve and decided that the place for him was in the centre of the band. He arrived there at full gallop, and the band must be congratulated on the fact that they all remained on their horses and managed to continue to play.
'The Team" - 7984
The Birthday Parade in June, with a Blues and Royals Standard, concluded the ceremonial season for us as the Garter Snvice did not take place this year. Nobody, except the RCM, seemed particularly upset about missing our annual dismounted visit to Windsor. However, all the drill fanatics will be delighted to know that it will take place next year as normal.
The rest of the summer was spent with most of the horses out at grass and we all tried to get some leave. Summer Camp did not start until the beginning of September, so we had plenty of time to get the horses fit. This year we went to Sopley in the New Forest, by way of a change from Stoney Castle. This was a great success, especially as the horses were stabled in loose boxes and the men in huts, so the cold and wet weather which we had for some of the time was not the problem it would have been at Pirbright. After two weeks in which the ability of both horses and riders greatly improved, we ran a Squadron hunter trial. The Colonel of the Regiment came to visit us for the day and, after lunch, presented the prizes. The pairs was won by Tprs Bertram and Cook on and 2 Troop won the Troop competition. TwO days later, the Squadron took most of the prizes in the Regimental competitions. CoH Dobson on Emperor won the senior ranks show jumping. Life Guards pairs took the first 5 places in the Senior Ranks Cross Country Event (won by RQMC Kelly and CoH Holbrook) and the first 3 in the Junior Ranks Event ( won by LCpl Norgrove and Tpr Hatcher). CoH Thomton won the Sword Lance and Revolver and 2 Troop won the Section Jumping.
London District had decided that no extra
fuel was to be allocated to the Regiment, in spite of the extra distance from Sopley to London - so, undaunted, we rode the 130 miles back to London over 4 days. Each horse was ridden on the first and last day and just one of the second and third. The first night was spent at Broadlands with the horses tied on picket lines. The second night we stopped at Moundsmere Manor, near Alton, by which time some of the horses had got 'escaping from the picket lines' down to a fine art. Dettingen surprised the SNCO's by putting his head through the door of their tent in the middle of the night, and Zahir, who was lost for the whole night, was found at first light - lying down, fast asleep, alongside the officers' mess tent.
The last night was spent at Stoney Castle \yhere we were well looked after by the Guards Depot, and the following day rode to London, by which time backsides were either thoroughly used to the saddle or quite the reverse!
On return the horses were detuned to prepare for the State Visit of President Mitten'and of France, Owing to the fact that he arrived 15 minutes late, Her Majesty decided to make up some time on the way back. The resulting pace set by the carriages broke all records, and there were some very warm horses and riders by the time we arrived at Buckingham Palace.
At the time of writing we were preparing for the State Opening of Parliament, which completes the main ceremonial events until the Spring.
1984 has proved to be an eventful year for the LAD. EMEs changed over just before the new year, and we welcome Capt B W McCall and give our best wishes to Capt S J Tetlow, who has departed to LE(A) Andover. Our biggest event occurred in February when The Life Guards arrived back from Detmold to take on the role of armoured recce. The LAD stood firm to a man, eager to soldier alongside the Regiment rather than depart to Germany!
We were all honoured by the visit of Her \lajesty The Queen on 4 April. This was the second time she had visited the LAD having been here only a few months previously to say goodbye to The Blues and Royals. ASMs chq.n.ged over in mid April. \\'01 (ASM) HoweUhas,retireu: and is now enjoying a successful second career in civvy street. WOl (ASM) Forsyth arrived from the Corps Troops Workshop in Bielefeld and he has made an impact on us all, what with his dry wit and humour. Alas, the conver· sion driver training during the early summer took a hea\"y toll on the LAD and we were seldom "standing sill' . Troop training took up most of May, and all -he LW were busy on SalisbUlY Plain - not least the \fetal mith section, who have dedicated themselves EO the art of barbecue stand manufacture. This pasthas now reached a high standard of excellence, , a,-in:s spent most of the firing camp at Castle martin
perfecting their skills. Rumour has it that Sgt Whelan, our metalsmith, has already secured himself a profitable career in civvy street with his latest barbecue patent.
July was an important month for the LAD with visits by Col J R Tinkler, Comd Maint SEDist and the Annual Technical Review. Both visits went very well with the LAD achieving an excellent report on the Technical Review. To a man, the cry went out: "What else do you expect from The Life Guards LAD!" We also lost 11 of our soldiers under the charge of SSgt Neal to Cyprus on a UN Tour with C Squadron. EME even managed to get out and visit them during his leave. SSgt Neal and his boys are all reported to be in good health - much to the envy of the 40 or so left back in Windsor.
September was devoted to Lionheart, and the Regiment moved back to Germany for participation as an orange recce force. Some had a hard time with a lot of repair work while others had a hard time with nothing to repair. After 3 weeks on Inkerman Dry Training Area, AQMS Duty is said to have developed the art of looking busy when really he had little to do.
A and B Squadron Fitter Sections had a very successful time under SSgt Williams and SSgt Bailey
respectively. Both achieved a very good standard of equipment reliability, helped also by improved driving techniques within the Regiment.
On all large exercises there are always quite a few humorous tales to relate - and Lionheart was no exception! One cannot help recall the sad fate of the Doctor's Landrover. This old, well tried and tested workhorse had survived many years and laboured through many miles. The pride of the Hospital, the Doctor was heard to say. However, on Lionheart, the strain began to tell. Sudden.lY, the Doctor's transport was eyed with envy by some of the RHQ Officers and gradually he started to collect some rather strange travelling companions, namely the Second in Command and the Adj. On one particular cold morning, RHQ were involved in a road move through the Hartz Mountains when suddenly the Landrover developed a fault. Symptoms were as follows: engine running away and accelerating
The EME reprimands Corporal Major AlIen for his driving when changing down gears. The Doctor did a quick examination and decided that it was outside of the 'ear, nose and throat' category. The Second in Commad summoned RHQ CosH and a wealth of D & M knowledge Meanwhile, the Adj continued in· silent slumb'er in the passenger side of the vehicle. CoH Ritchie scratched his head and said that the fault must lie in the ignition circuit and others offered helpful suggestions. For some reason, someone decided that they should check up on the Adj's health and, on looking into the front of the Landrover, they noticed that the hand throttle on the passenger bulkhead was fully open. Alas, the Adj had mistaken it for the heating control! There is a lesson to be learnt from every story and I believe that in future the Doctor will choose his travelling companions more carefully.
On return from Lionheart we went straight into the Major General's Inspection, which was a shock for some of our rank and file. However, on the day, all were well turned out and honoured to be parading with the Regiment.
Still to come is our second visit to Castlemartin and the PRE visit.
Finally, we have had quite a turnover of personnel this year, with too many to mention all the names, but SSgt Holmes and SSgt Williams do deserve a special mention. SSgt Holmes retired in October after 22 years' service, with over 6 of them in The Life Guards. We wish him well. SSgt Williams left in November for Hong Kong, so we wish him luck as he must have used all his up getting that posting!
This year has been one of 'change' in several respects. We have a new Director of Music, Capt J G McColl, and we have moved to Windsor after 4 years in the luxury of Knightsbridge. Our previous Director, Maj A J Richards, has left the Army to seek his fortune in sunnier climes, namely, The Oman, where he is running the Police Band and will eventually set up a School of Music for the Sultan's Armed Forces.
The first official engagement of the year was, therefore, to say "goodbye" to Maj Richanls and "hello" to Capt McColl. This took place in the Band practice room at Knightsbridge in January.
Our move to Windsor in February passed without any major drama. However, if anyone should find a box of comet solos on the M4, please return it to the Band Office.
The week following the move saw the Band on the desolate ranges of Pirbright, with about a third of its members achieving the dubious honour of "marksmen" during the annual weapons test.
Then followed our first musical engagement under the direction of Capt McColl: a brisk, early morning parade at the Guards Depot.
In March, the Band took up its annual residency at the Ideal, Homes Exhibition and also gave a concert at Stafford. Then, a little earlier than normal, the "silly season" was upon us. We had a mounted inspection at Knightsbridge and two gold coat inspections at Windsor. However, we managed to sandwich a "Friday Night is Music Night" broadcast in between.
The Band's first appearance at the Barbican took place in April, when we played the last 32 bars of the 1812 Overture (money for old rope!) We also fulfilled the first of six duties at Windsor Castle in April, on the windswept parapets of the East Terrace. Two days later we were again at the Castle, providing a Mounted Band on the occasion of the State Visit of the Amir of Bahrain. The remainder of April was taken up with another broadcast, this time "Marching and Waltzing".
At the beginrt;ihcg' we performed at Dudley, Wolverhampton with our old friends, the Penn Choral Society. We then had a local "gig" in the form of house band at the Windsor Horse Show. There followed a series of popular schools' concerts at the Wilde Theatre, Bracknell. These were popular in that the Band only had to 'set up' once on stage, and for the fact that the Director of Music succeeded in giving away eight copies qf "A Soldier's Chorus" at each concert. Later that' month we took part in the Laying Up of Standard's at the family chapel of the Colonel of the Regiment at Arundel Castle.
The first two weeks of June were taken up with Beating Retreat and the Queen's Birthday Parade. The Band collectively breathed a sigh of relief at about 1 o'clock on the 16th, thinking that they had finished with horses and jackboots for another year.
Ascot Week followed, with most of the Band losing their fees on the first race - no longer having Bill Marsden to give them the winner. We then went to Bournemouth, the first of our seaside "gigs". This was followed by the Royal Show at Stoneleigh, most of the time being spent carting music stands and instruments to various parts of the showground.
The month of July continued with a week at Eastbourne and three days at the East of England Show, concluding with another local engagement at Smith's Lawn playing for the Dunhill International Polo Match. After August leave, our final performance before Exercise Lionheart was for the Country Fair at, Chatsworth House, the most notable happening being the Band's comments on the Adjutant's choice of dress!
Then came Lionheart. For the exercise we were "twinned" with 30 General Hospital from Woolwich, and our task was to help in the setting up and running of a Rear Combat Zone Hospital based at BMH Iserlohn. The first week of September was spent at Woolwich being 'taught the finer points of lighting a Tilley Lamp, or rather "lamps, wickless, kerosene, for the use of!"
This gave the younger members of the Band the opportunity to strike up friendships which they
hoped would prove fruitful on the exercise. September 12 found us in full combat kit and webbing, looking every inch like fighting soldiersright down to our ID discs. (What did they say baffles brains?) After spending a night in a hanger at RAF Wildenrath (typical), our first days in Germany were employed again in practising, the highlight of the week being on Sunday afternoon when the Administration Officer, in his wisdom, held a "Potted Sports Competition". The team fielded by Reception (i.e. The Life Guards Band) were the outright winners of the coveted "Davis Trophy". This magnificent, galvanised bucket contained six bottles of the finest NAAFI plonk. Maybe there was a little incentive.
Then followed the Exercise proper, with everyone working 12 hours a day for a week, the Band's role being stretcher bearers for 30 General Hospital. Towards the end of the week most members of the Band could be heard singing their version of the latest Elton John record:- "Another casualty who wants to get on". The Director of Music in the meantime, was acting as one of the General Duty Officers working in the Command Post. His main task was to ensure that there was enough tea and coffee for all the 'workers', in addition to any other task that was either too technical or too dirty for the 'real' Doctors to bother with. This included the siting and connection of generators for all the wards as standbys in case of bombing. He also took a hand in putting together an internal telephone network, which almost worked. In fact, he spent most of the time as an interpreter, dealing with the German civil labour. The strangest thing was to see him, in combat kit with mess tins etc, looking like a Real Soldier. On the final Muster Parade, we were told to remain behind. A little extra praise from the Administration Officer, perhaps? No, we were informed that we were to go to Ostend to offload two hospital trains and then load the casualties on to Hercules aircraft. We dashed back to Iserlohn in time for the Endex Disco at which we all became generally anaesthetized.
On our return to the UK we had a whole day off. The following day was spent at the National Stud, Newmarket, preparing for a midnight Mounted Band display - another "first" for the Band. A series of Schools' Concerts followed with the Major General's Inspection at which we played music for our very own "Superman". We then played at Blackpool for the El Alamein Reunion, at which Herr Manfred Rommel and Viscount Montgomery were present.
During the past year the Orchestral Quartet has fulfilled many engagements, the most notable of which was an engagement for the Grenadier Guards' Association, which we managed to pilfer from the Band of the Grenadier Guards. Next year we may give it back to them!
The Trumpet Team has also been very busy: the Trumpet Major took a party to "work" in Cyprus whilst the remainder of the Band were "enjoying" themselves on exercise in BAOR. \
We welcome to the Band Musns Copson ahd Rickard who are at present getting a kick out of their Equitation, and we lose to civilian life LCpl Morton, one of the characters of the Band. No longer will we hear a concert performance of "Jesus Christ Superstar" at three o'clock in the morning with LCpl Morton singing all of the parts. Our loss is civvie street's gain!
East Terrace (Windsor Castle) Each Sunday from 31 March -5 May 1985 Concert Castle Hill 23 June Howard Davies Park, Jersey, Cl 21 - 28 July Eastbourne Bandstand 4 - 17 August
The past year's activities have kept the them both well in their new Corps. LCsoH Beck and Clerks in the Orderly Room extremely busy, not Preston were replaced by LCsoH O'Daly and Davies, the least of which was the move back to Windsor. both from the Mounted Regiment. CoH Hale has been replaced by CoH Carrington from Household The Orderly Room Staff has changed in Cavalry Records, and LCoH Tomkins has returned almost every department, starting with the transfer from 1 BR Corps. At the time of writing, LCoH to the RAOC of LCsoH Ellis and Ridsdel. We wish O'Neill is due to arrive from Household Cavalry
Records and this will agam give us 4 LCsoH in the Orderly Room.
LCoH Davies had not been with us long before finding himself earmarked to go with C Sqn to Cyprus, where he has assumed the appointment of "Chief Clerk". LCpl Lewis has also joined us recently from HCR.
The lead up to our return to Windsor was extremely hectic with LCoH O'Daly, the Movements Clerk, pulling his hair out with the multitude of problems involved in a Regimental Move. He is to be congratulated on the smooth running of the day.
O'Daly, LCpl Willis and Tpr Coker en route for Exercise Lionheart
Since our return, things have been a little less hectic, but busy enough, and the Staff have at least had the opportunity to take part in various events.
CoH Carrington returned from Exercise Lionheart to take part in the Cyprus Walkabout where the Regimental Team put up a very creditable
LCoH Davies managed a few games of cricket; where indifferent performances were put up. CoH Smith continues to ero on exciting holidays but we are still unable to fmd ajob for him at ERE!
The Blues and Royals kindly put a strong case forward for the installation of a word processor which we now have, and is the constant playmate of LCoH Roberts. To The Blues and Royals we say thank you.
Rene Cox who was still here when we got back, has finally left after many, many years of good service to this Barracks. She was briefly replaced, but the pressure pushed her out and we are still waiting, with baited breath, for our new typist.
We have just finished the ARU which involved a great deal of statistical wrangling. We await. the outcome.
The Orderly Room Staff is:
W02 (ORQMC) Walsh
CoH (ORCoH) Carrington
CoH Smith
LCoH Tomkins
LCoH O'Daly
LCoH Roberts
LCoH Davies
LCpl Lewis
Tpr Lawes, Tpr Bishop
Now that we are nearly at the end of our first year back in Windsor, the memories of Detmold have faded into the background. We slipped away from Germany in February very quietly and found that Windsor, in our absence, had not changed at all.
By the beginning of March we had made ourselves very comfortable in our new surroundings. The only similarity is that both Messes suffer from "ery leaky roofs. It can only be with great credit to all Mess members, that numerous Life' and Honorary Mess Members have passed comment on how well our furniture and property enhance the building.
Our Welcome Home Ball was a spectacular event, both in content and decor. RQMC John Lloyd and his committee, along with the Master Chef, produced a very successful evening which was attended by many Mess members from all over the country.
In April we were the hosts to the Household Cavalry Regiment, who were in station for a State Visit. A formal dinner was held in their honour and we look forward to a similar evening in 1985!
We were also honoured by a visit of Her Majesty The Queen who, after a formal photograph in the garden, returned to the Mess to speak to Mess members quite informally.
During the month of May the whole Regiment moved to Salisbury Plain where a Mess was set up in Westdown Camp. This was given maximum use when Squadrons were not under canvas. We were also joined by 10 Fd Wksps, 160 Pro Coy and 9 Para Sqn RE.
At the Derby we were the guests of the Household Cavalry at their tent on Epsom Downs. After a fantastic buffet lunch, Mess members and their ladies ventured towards the waiting line of bookmakers - strangly no-one admitted to losing his shirt.
Unfortunately the SNCO's cricket team came second again when they were beaten by an experienced Officer's side - our run of bad luck must change next year.
Mess members have enjoyed various social functions ranging from a Western Night, Punk Night, Cocktail evening, Ladies' formal dinner, a Guest Dinner with guest speaker and a Cafe Continental night. The Christmas Draw was a very successful evening - the PMC managed to find an entertainer called Billy J Kramer who was only remembered by W02 Land.
Mr Eric Lloyd returned to hang the brick and in doing so collected his first of no doubt many bars to his medal. This year our first brick hanging in England for 5 years, was very well attended by people at ERE.
The Mess has been visited by the following Senior Officers: Lt Gen Sir Geoffrey Howlet KBE, MC, Brig R J Rhoderick-Jones, Col J C HamiltonRussell MBE, Maj Gen S C Cooper and finally during his formal inspection of the Regiment The Major General Commanding Household Division Maj Gen J A C G Eyre CVO, CBE.
We have said farewell to several mess members including: WO 1 Docherty, W02s Mills, Knowles, Stay, Richards, Kelly, SCpls Swallow, Johnston, Bishop and Belza.
We have welcomed the following to the mess: W02s Mead, Saunders, SCpls Radford, Flory, Lodge and Read.
The Senior Mess Members are: RCM Slater, ASM Forsyth, RQMC Lloyd, RQMC (E) Daysmith, ORQMC Walsh, SCMs AlIen, Rennie and Saunders, W02s Willis, Land, Milne and Digney, AQMS Duty and W02 Collins ACC Master Chef.
The Quadrille this year has been designed for the first time by our new Riding Master Lt B J McKie. The display consists of a total of 23 Horses, 1 Drum Horse, 4 Trumpet Horses, 2 Farriers and 16 Troop Horses, and this year involves more speed and dash, with less dressage movements than in previous years. The single and double scissors movements are done at full gallop, are particularly hair raising, and have never before been attempted in this manner.
It has been an interesting and varied season with performances in such varied places as Slough, Paris, Derby, Builth Wells, St. Albans, Chalfont St Giles, RAF Sopley and Olympia. Paris was perhaps the most unusual venue. A large British contingent, including a company of Coldstream Guards was assembled in Paris for the Grand Opening of the new Stadium known as the "Palais" d'Omnisports' at Bercy. We left London as soon as possible after The
Queen's Birthday Parade and enjoyed a remarkably smooth crossing. The Channel was the last thing to run smoothly for the next 2Y2 weeks. We arrived in Paris to be greeted with the news that "Bercy est Tombe", the Stadium had apparently fallen down. This little problem, which took five days to sort out, turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it allowed the troops time to enjoy some of the delights of the town. It was also of comparatively minor importance compared to some of the administrative earthquakes which were to (ollow. Nevertheless, Household Cavalry ingenuity combined with much kind assistance from our equivalent French Regiment, the Cavalerie de la Garde Republicaine, overcame all obstacles.
The actual performances went extremely well, despite the arena being half our normal size. The only mishap occurred when a horse turned over
having put its foot in a mine crater, thoughtfully forgotten by the management. It just happened to be the day that the Commanding Officer and the French General Staff were watching. Still, no damage was done to horse or rider. The Quadrille even found time to c open a Hamburger Emporium which was well patronised by those Coldstream Guards and others stomachs had failed to adjust to French Army cUlsme.
Our other engagements have proved both successful and enjoyable. They have also proved to be extremely hard work for those involved, but nevertheless a most rewarding experience. It is hoped that 1985 will widen our horizons yet further, but details will remain, for good reasons, on a "need to know" basis for the time being.
The 1984 season has been characterised by the return or the team to Windsor and its sponsorship for the first time by European Leasing and Trading. The generous involvement of ELAT resulted from a chance meeting with their publicity agents, which led to Chairman Peter Cadbury agreeing to sponsor the team initially for one year. This has proved very successful·
The 1983 team in BAOR had lost Capt Darley (1) to civilian life and Capt Hewitt (2) "to the French Cavalry School at Saumur. The standard of 8 goal polo at \Vindsor is now so high that the nucleus of Maj Hunter (1) and Capts Graham (2) and ForbesCockell (2) were left lookmg for a good fourth player. He materialised in the form of Maj D J B Woodd 14/20 H, a 3 goal player studying at Camberley. This worked well until he contracted glandular fever midway which effectively knocked him out for the rest of the season.
The team competed in its smart new livery, either as The Life Guards or in some of the competitions as ELAT. Sponsored teams are still a relatively new idea but we beat the other team, Piaget, on the two occasions we met.
Her Majesty The Queen presents Capt Graham with his prize. Laurent Perrier Trophy 7984
Overall, the season was successful with our team winning over half the total matches played. At the start we won through two rounds of the low goal Combelmere Cup to reach the final. Unfortunately half the team then went on exercise and we lost the final. On our return from exercise an unpractised Regimental side met the Royal Navy in a disastrous
first round of the Inter-Regimental. Although favourites on paper, we lost 3--1 at Taunton to their long established team CMaj !rwin RM, Lt Cdr Guy, Capt MacGregor, Lt Mason)
Our team was:
1. Lt CT de
In the Captains and Subalterns we made no mistakes and beat the Grenadier Guards 8-0 and The Royal Green Jackets 15-0 in the first rounds. Lt M F Eastwood (-1), who had played in these matches, was on exercise at Thetford so the team which lined up at Tidworth in the final against the 16th/5th Queen's Royal Lancers on 5 August was as follows:
Capt Hewitt had returned from Saumur the previous week, not having played all season! However he played a spirited game and with a plethora of goals from the other three we ran ou t the winners 16-0. Peter Cadbury came to watch and we were very well looked after by our hosts.
Members of the Regiment played in two matches against the visiting Royal Jordanian Polo Club. In the first match at Windsor a Jordanian team
l'cl by their Crown Prince met a Windsor Park team compnsmg:
1. IvbJ PR L Hunter (1)
2. N Hadden 1'aton RHG/D (2)
3. HRI-I The Prince ofvVales (4)
4. Capt 1 S Forbes Cockell (2)
Our narrO\ defeat was compensated for by the presentation of magnificent prizes afterwards.
In a return Match at Tidworth on 28 July The Life Guards team with Capt Graham in place of The Prince of Wales beat the Jordanians by - 4-3Y2.
The the 1984 season was delayed due to the Regiment being fully committed to the handover in Detmold. However, after a short period of leave the team was very soon based at Pirbright where it joined the Guards Division teams for training.
The decision was taken that we would qualify 'nr RASAM 84 by competing in the London District - mpetition. A decision not without its trauma, as it 's generally recognised that this meet is only second tu the Hong Kong Competition in its difficulty.
Generous prizes (bridles) were given by Hydrop.:ol1c:. Laboratories.
The return of Capt Hewitt and .le availability or Capt The Hon M R M \\latson (-I) al:d Lt A J Wat50n (-1), who both played this year, meam that the team for 1985 should be even more successful. Finally, mention must be m'lde of LCpl Valentine and Tprs Morris-Barker, Terry and ,,'ard who helped with the ponies and did an excellent job. They all played in The Major General's Cup v,:here they narrowly lost to the Foot Guard Grooms.
Our delay in starting did give fIse to consternation for the team captain as it was obvious that the standard among our competitors the Footguard teams for qualification would be high. This state of affairs nol unnaturally produced the eHort to bring our shooting prowess equal to theirs in the shortest possible time. Shootin g with othe r teams can either produce higher results or just the Opposile. Our team, although very young, does have a fair amount of experience and they soon reacted favourably to the problem.
We made full use of the facilities offered by the Guards Depot and the shooting progressed favourably. So much so that Tprs Bright and Parrington were selected to represent the Army in the Target Rifle Tyro Inter Services Match. This award did much to li ft the team's morale just prior to the competition. Representing the Army in only their first season is a very commendable effort.
The 1st Bn Grenadier Guards were the favoUlites to top the London District meet. They had after all finished 5th at Bisley in '83 and so had the pedigree.
The Meet, which was superbly organised by Maj Aldred G3 (Trg), was fired during the very warm conditions. It was velY much a miniature Bisley; so much so that only the Association Cup was not fired; all other matches were. The term 'miniature' does not bear close examination, as in reality there were more firers than there are at Bisley, some 800 in total. Only organisation made the Meet the success that it was.
The Grenadiers eventually won but they had some anxious moments on the way. Just one mistake and The Life Guards would have created history by winning in a very infantry-dominated world. Our overall posi tion was second but we did have the satisfaction of winning most of the individual trophies. Our results were:
Team position
Roupel Cup (SLR) - 2nd
Henry Whitehead Cup (SLR) - 2nd
Moving Target Match - 1st
Section Match - 2nd Pistol Match - 1st Falling Plate Match (SLR) - 2nd
SMG Match - 2nd Pistol Tiles - 1st
The Individual Rifle Champion London District Tpr Bright.
GPMG Pairs A Class London District Champions LCpls Pugh and Homer.
GPMG Pairs B Class London District Champions Tprs Bright and ... ':,:'
Individual SMG Runners Up Metal - Tpr Reynolds. Individual Pistol Champion London District Sgt Brooks.
Individual Rifle Runner Up Class B - Tpr Reynolds. Young Soldiers Rifle Champion London District Tpr Brookes. 'Overall Team Position - 2nd.
Medals
Gold - 28, Silver - 13, Bronze - 1. Team Trophies - 15.
The main aim had been achieved; we had qualified and could now concentrate on Bisley. Our results in '83 had shown promise and our qualifying results had confirmed that we would imp rove on last year.
The training continued and we were now joined by the Welsh Guards, the cunent Army Champions, who were detennined to prove that the success of last year was not a 'one off' result. A lot of friendly bantering helped to pass the long hours involved in this sport and the standard of shooting steadily rose as a result of firing shoulder to shoulder with other teams. As the competition approached, Capt Lumb was found to have taken up smoking. Maybe next year he will take up buying cigarettes.
The Shooting Team "in training"
The first rounds of the competition were fired in very warm conditions indeed-conditions not ideal for competition shooting. A combination of heat and the nervous energy expended waiting for the shoot results in a degree of tiredness that only those that have experienced it will know. Those competitors who fire in the morning experience vastly different conditions from those who fire in the afternoon or evening. For the laymen, all the team members fire each match individually throughout the day and so no team fires the whole team through the same conditions-as fair a system as possible unless the team conditions change on a day-to-day basis. Wind and rain prevelant on one and not another could affect a teams final placing quite considerably.
The draw for our start was the worst on offer. We immediately had our rest period, a half day, and this was something of an anti-climax. Kicking our
heels ,,·hilst our competitors are hard into the shoot ·s not ideal. Our first shoot was also to he a bogie of p e\·ious years: the SMG. Much hard ""ark had been Jut into rectifying our failings with this weapon and I e training had produced good results. We had four memhers of the team who were quite capable of reaching the second stage of the competition but this "vas not to he. We did not disgrace ourselves howenr when we finished 27 places higher than last year in the match and 42 places higher in the other. h was a good team shoot and although we had no stars on this occasion, we also had no disasters. The result gave us the Royal Tank Regiment Cup and this rr.ade all the effort worthwhile. It does seem such a that shootists who should have realised their personal ambitions "viII have to wait another year to fulfjl them.
Our next competition was the Moving Target \latch and of course Tpr Reynolds was the reigning ::ampion. In training Reynolds had quietly concentrated on this match and he was determined to etain the title. He had fjred a maximum on more han one occasion and even managed to coincide \\·ith the Commanding Officer's visit. This feat did t go unnoticed by the other memb ers 0 f the team.
Reynolds fired first, but I think nerves played a part in him not having a good shoot, certainly not by his standards. He had a lot of pressure and both he and the team manager were relieved when the match was over. Now Reynolds could get 011 with the remainder of Bisley and, as events were to prove, \':ilh even more success. Whether this was as a result or his training or as a result of a very foolish het with Capt Lumh, only Tpr Reynolds could say. One thing is certain - 1 wouldn't bet on him not winning the moving targets next year!
The SLR shoots progressed well with all team members being well placed in the shoots. Our final position as a team was fifth in the British Army \,·hich was an outstanding achievement. This result had proved we had arrived in the shooting world, ,,·hich our potential had indicated.
The teams GPMG shooting had been of a \ery high standard .an.d ·much envied by our training companions. Perhaps we thought it would happen for us on the day but without the necessary concentration it never does. \-Ve relaxed and, although not a disaster by any means, we had anticipated a hi<Yher position than we achieved, or certainly our oraries thought so. Tprs Bright and Reynolds however won the Lindley Trophy and for :he second year were place second in the B Class.
All the team, LCpls Pugh and Homer, Tprs Bri ht, Reynolds, Brookes and Bond, reached the -c ond stage, which is an achievement in itself.
Bright and Bond received an ARA award for being placed in the top 15 and are to be congratulated on this achievement, especially as they were not ranked the Regiment's No I pair this year.
Conditions were very windy for the section shoot and only those teams with a vast amount of experience of Century Range were able to come to terms with it. The teams were disappointed at our result as we had produced much better, but as in all things it was an experience we have to learn from. It takes a hrave man to fire from 500 metres at a figure '11' with an aim off of 26 inches. It was in these conditions that we had to shoot. When you are 18 or so it takes same believing, but I'm sure for the future the circumstances have heen well and truly hoisted in. 1 wonder what our final result would have heen if we had fired to par - the mind boggles.
We improved on our Britannia Cup position of last year and even if we were on a down from our section match other teams must have faired even worse than we did. Conditions for this match were in complete contrast to the heginning of the meetthere was a continuous downpour more reminiscent of Malaya than England.
The final shoot - The Armv Hundred - was a fitting climax to our RASAlvI 84.' We had five team members firing which was a terrific achievement. Only the Welsh Guards had more firers, so for a Cavalry Regiment we had done remarkably well.
Going into the shoot Tpr Reynolds was well in with a chance to win the Manchester Cup for the Champion B Class of Bisley. Tprs Brookes and Bond were front runners in the Rif1e Brigade Cup which is awarded to the Champion Young Soldier. A tense morning's shoot, fired in very damp conditions, saw both Reynolds and Brookes outshoot the opposition and become Bisley Champions. Reynolds was finally placed 4th in all classes and Brookes was' outstanding to finish in 8th position. The Guards Division achieved three men in the top ten of which two were Life Guards.
RASAM 84 was a very successful year for the Regiment. The team realise that without support of the back-up administration we would find it very difficult to achieve these results. The Cambridge Shield is one way of thanking all those involved.
RASAM 84 results:
Trophies Won
Cambridge Shield
Royal Tank Regiment Cup
Lindley Cup
The Manchester Cup
The Rifle Brigade Cup
I ividual Champions
B'; ey Champion B Class - Tpr Reynolds
'5 ey Champion Young Soldier - Tpr Brookes
Oyerall Team Position SLR -5 th
0' erall Team Position - All Weapons - 7th
Hen .' \\'hitehead Cup (SLR) - 5th
Roupel (SLR) - 7th
.-\ 'sociation (SLR) - 7th
\ "h"ttaker (SLR) - 9th
Rj e :\latch - 5th
T get Rifle - 7th
's 01 - 15th
GP:\lG - 11 th
- ap Shooting (SMG) - 8th
IG - 15th
Medals Gained
6 Silver
39 Bronze
2 ARA
6 Iethuen Medals
A complete Life Guards Team represented the Royal Armoured Corps in the Methuen Cup, which is a special team service rine match. Our position of 12th, is a considerable improvement by RAC teams of prevIous years.
Top 100
Tpr Bright
Tpr Brookes - gained Army selection
Tpr Bond
Tpr Reynolds - gained Army selection
Tpr Appleby
It has been a busy and a successful year in \\·hich The Life Guards have made a significant Impression in the orienteering- world. A rather nervous team of press-ganged runners started the season by beating MOD and The Grenadier Guards to become London District champions. The cup was bigger than their surprise - and that was enormous. Maj Howarth RAPC received the cup on behalf of the team and this emotional scene was followed by individual plaques for all the runners and a separate "B Team" prize for LCoH Lewis.
Confirmed orienteers to a man, the team set forth for the UKLF Championships. These were a considerable challenge for our gallant lads and even their fairly comprehensive training programme did not prepare them for the tough first day's crosscountry of 22 points and a 350 metre climb. The Paymaster achieved a new record for hours wasted and sulked for days because the organisers had poured all the tea away by the time he returned. LCpl Snow achieved a credi table run and the rest of the team learned a lot.
5 Airborne Brigade then made a big mistakea challenge was laid down for an orienteering league. \,'ith the experience of two championships behind ,hem, the team rose to the bait. The first event was on 18 May and coincided with the Bde Sports day. The Life Guards did well, coming a close 2nd to :?nd Bn The Parachute Regiment. Good individual mns were completed by Maj Howarth, SSgt Bryan d LCpl Snow. Four events later and The Life Guards had ousted the Paras and were even leading rom 7 RHA, who had an excellent team. The final e\·ent was held just before Exercise Lionheart and a clear win by the Regiment cofirmed them as Brigade champions.
A casual remark whilst driving towards the UKLF championships led to Exercise Offa's Hike. The orienteers and mnners of the Regiment decided to raise some cash and have "fun" as well. Thev disappeared for 3 days in June and ran the offis Dyke Trail as a continuous relay, raising nearly £400 for team equipment in the process. The Offa's Dyke is 169 miles of rough and hilly terrain, crossing from the north to south of Wales' coastline.
The team of 8 travelled in pairs, at best speed, and finished the run after 28 hours. A rough calculation showed that each runner had climbed hills totalling 10,000 ft of rise, as well as running in excess of 30 miles.
Three orienteers (SSgt Bryan, CoH Carrington and LCoH Plumstead) are now competing in the Cyprus Walkabout. This gruelling 2 day event will carry them over 60 miles of mountainous terrain in the full heat of the day. Their orienteering skills and endurance will certainly be tested. Meanwhile, the rest of the team is looking forward to a full winter season of cross-country and orienteering events.
With the Regiment's move back to Windsor we found ourselves affiliated to the newly-formed 5 Airborne Brigade. This meant that parachuting took on a whole new meaning in our lives, as discussion about whether there should be an airportable Squadron or Troop raged among the powers
that be. As yet a decision has not been made. Meanwhile the Guards Freefall Parachute Team with CoH Tucker and LCoH Treble looking after The Life Guards' interests continues.
They have had a successful season, although at their first display CoH Tucker landed in Woking town centre. He will still not admit that it was not where he was aiming for. On another note the team completed 38 displays around the country, at which LCoH Treble narrowly avoided disaster when his parachute failed. He later went on to finish joint 5th in the British National Championships, and jumped in the World Championships as a member of the British team, who finished 5th overall.
There has been a continuation of interest in parachuting in the Regiment, and a growing interest is being shown as talk of the reformation of the Guards Para Platoon continues. Parachuting IS very much on the "up and up" at the moment!
The Life Guards Free Fall Parachute Team put on a dramatic display at the opening of New Ideal Development's Goldsworth Park Shopping Centre, Woking
On our return from BAOR the club found itself in a sorry state as regards equipment. Not only was it minus the faithful air compressor that had been on loan throughout our tour in Germany, but all the diving equipment required servicing. Arrangements were soon made to fully service all the air cylinders
_- the workshops at Aldershot, the remainder being "en"iced locally. The diving officer, CoH Wise, was responsible for these arrangements and all club ::lembers are grateful for his efforts.
Up until the return of our equipment, the club was unable to commence diving, although :ecture training nights were organised in the clubroom situated in HQ Squadron Block.
Diving finally got underway at Easter. This im"olved various members of the club taking part in diving expedition to Cornwall with RAF West Dray ton. It proved to be a success as the weather ""as exceptional, and the sea clear but not too cold ,:'or the time of year. It was on the first expedition ,hat CoH Beck was involved with since passing his Joint Service Diving Supervisors course, and cries of "where's the *!*!*!* 'A' flag" were heard throughout his stint as supervisor.
At the end of June, SCpl McKenzie of RHQ and LCpl Young of HCR, both managed to attach themselves to an RAF West Dray ton expedition to the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides for two \'"eeks. The diving was superb and many dives took place. LCpl Young even managed to fool the :nstructor and gain his 3rd Class Diver Qualification at the end of the expedition. Well done! Other members of HCR also went to the Isle of Lewis but as they were all Blues and Royals we will say no more - suffice to say we did bring 'em back alive!
The only other diving to take place this \ear "vas a 5-day expedition to Wyke Regis near \\"eymouth. This was again successful and numerous dives were completed including an exceptional drift di\e off Portland, which involved all team members drifting along the bottom in a 2 knot current. The e 'feet of this was exhilarating to say the least and gave the impression of flying. CoH Beck missed this expedition due to him skiving in Cyprus after having '\"olunteered' his diving services to the JSATC Pergamos.
As for the future, LCoH Willis, LCoH Craister and LCpl 'Crippo' Cripps will be preparing for an altempt at their 2nd Class Piver Qualification next year. There is also "a<trrp to":eJibraltar being planned for March/April 1985. SCpl Read is due shortly to re urn and will take up the appointment of training o ficer (although at the time of writing he does not ""' 0\\ it!). The future for the club looks good and have even managed to gain a major grant to D'rchase a new air" compressor which we hope will -ee the club for a long time to come. So, come on " I '"OU potential Cousteau 's let us teach you to dive the proper way!
The year's sailing has been rather like the recent shipping forecasts with varied activities throughout the summer but with periods of calm. The Regiment entered the RAC Seaview Regatta for the first time on record and came 5th out of 23 starters. The weather and sundry activities were delightful, and many thanks go to the 21C's father for hosting us and our echelons aboard "The Lady Adrian".
Exercise Winter's Tale, which will run throughout the winter, will involve 8 all-ranks sailing in the Mediterranean on a Nicholson 55.
"Gladeye" was chartered for the Fastnet Race and although they didn't win, valuable experience was gained - and who knows what they might achieve in the 1985 Fastnet!
C Squadron winning the Brigade Tug of War competition
The Regiment's Rugby team had a very good season last year - playing 28 games, winning 21, drawing 2-, and losing 5. The highlight of the season was getting through to the final of the Cavalry Cup for the first time since 1953. Although we lost the final to 3 RTR, the build-up to the final had the makings of a tour to be remembered and not to put too fine a point on it, all the Squad enjoyed it, including our famous Mr. Angry (CoH Davies).
With our move back to the UK in February the Team had to travel back to Germany to play the
Beach were frequently used, as well as evenmg sorties to some local tavernas.
The Team was drawn to leave in 61st position on the first day and set out at 6.31am on a course said by the veterans to be harder than previous years. After map reading at a trot/walk pace across valleys, canyons, ridges and other minor obstacles, through five checkpoints manned by 2 nd Bn Scots Guards and presenting some extremely hilly work (especially a near vertical climb up Troodos) the weary three arrived at the end of the first day in a time of 10 hours 18 minutes: A large meal was followed by a very early night and a 5.45am start the following day. A toboggan slide down
Troodos by Staff Bryan, and taken more gmge,:" by the others, set off the second part and \\irh prospect of no mountain climb and an easier runnel>' route, the tro.t down was accomplished in 8 hour; minutes giving a 22nd place out of the 80 t: .,started and 40 who dropped out, including m:ll1.' 'on-island' teams. The 1st Bn Argyll and Sutherla )(1 Highlanders (Princess Louise's) won in a time of hours or so. Injuries to The Life Guards were fe '. the obligatory b lis ters appearing and the occasion 1 turned ankle only slightly hampering progress. I was greatly enjoyed by the three participantseager to have another go and beat the record.
by
Capt P A J 0'0 Kiseilewski Dunbar
Umpiring any sport requires skill and a profound understanding of the game. The Life Guards team of umpires, including 2nd Lts Clark, Ley and myself, were well qualified to monitor Exercise Mayan Sword in the steamy secondary jungle of Belize.
A country the size of Wales, Belize has temperatures of 95 0 F, a 90% humidity level and two heavy rainstorms a day. These conditions might have proved a problem to less hardened men, but 2nd Lt Ley and myself showed a Royal Engineers' Squadron
and a Company of 3 Para that we were equal to the rigours of pedestrian exercises, while 2nd Lt Clark umpired the armoured recce troop in the style to which he is accustomed, by Landrover.
Exercises in Belize will always require umpires and it is an opportunity not to be missed. As a bonus one can spend the 36 hours R & R in the Cays which offer sun, sand, scuba trips on the reef and the odd European girl who can still be impressed by the Household Cavalry patter!
by
Capt G E Stibbe
As "Screen Busters" and Panzer .Grenadiers, the Regiment completed conversion from a BAOR tank Regiment tb' ari'Annoured· Recce Regiment supporting 5 Airborne Brigade during this exercise. This formation is unique in the Army, being the only Brigade allocated to a role outside NATO, and as such was available to join the Orange (enemy) force of Americans, Dutch and Germans. As the press correctly stated, this was the largest mobilisation and deployment of British troops since the Second World War. As far as the Regiment was concerned, it was an excellent opportunity to pu t the final tactical polish to our conversion withou t being under the critical scrutiny of the 1BR Corps RAC heirarchy.
We gathered with our Queen's Dragoon Guards umpires just north of Goslar, where The Life Guards reformed in 1945. The Commanding Officer, 2IC, Squadron Leaders and Paymaster almost missed their flight out when their coach broke down on the M1 short of Luton, and the train party were very nearly refused admission to Germany when they arrived at Aachen with no "paperwork" - thanks to the RCT movers - and we were held for eight hours. However, with RHQ located by W02 Digney's connoisseurship for these places in suitably palatial surroundings at a monastic schloss, the two Sabre Squadrons deployed less support troops, with A in the North and B to the South, along the line of
the autobahn, running parallel with the Western edge of the Harz Mountains - the exercise equivalent of the Iron Curtain - while HQ Sqn found they were the neighbours of a finishing school!
Against 6 Squadrons of Corps Recce, the Regiment deployed 32 vehicles on the first night of exercise play. By the following morning elements from both Squadrons had reached their destinations across the River Weser at least 24 hours early. There are several reasons for ou r success ful penetration 0 f the enemy lines, foremost being the fact that we knew the layout of the "Real Estate". The 13th/ 18thL ,'had lost a troop after interrogating a German General travelling incognito in their area of responsibility before starting the Exercise and were sent home. (The troop leader was placed in a civilian jail charged with ABH!) However, this chink in the armour of the 1BR Corps' screen could easily have been filled. The Colonel, in his interview on B FPS, had deliberately dropped broad hints as to when and where we might be expected to appear. Corps' screen tactics might dictate that the enemy recce should be let through in order to gain an idea of where the following armour might reasonably be expected to go!
Yet the fact is that very few of us were seen. B Squadron's wheels sped silently through the night along the southern routes; A Squadron'S noisier tracks crept stealthily across country to the north. Blue sentries failed to glimpse us during their nocturnal vigil. The poacher's subtle craft was exemplified as 9/12L and 13/18H had very little to report. Having withdrawn into hides during the day, we continued west the following night before regrouping in the woods near Detmold. At this point we were joined by a Company of German Panzer Grenadiers in an imp ressive array of eleven Marders and five Leopard 2 tanks. (The German flexibility in tactics and equipment is an ex,ample we should follow.) Their Marder shares the same chassis as the Leopard 1, Mortar and Air defence vehicles. Our equivalent of their new permanent Panzer Grenadiers Grouping is usually a hashly grouped Combat Team and a Brigade deception team of inflatable tanks!.T..his was the road party which was to link up·.wi.tha helibwne insertion into the Corps' rear area by a parachute group.
Needless to say, despite 2 Para initially forcing the Panzer Grenadiers to deploy off their line of march by engaging them, Exercise Thunderball succeeded in its object of forcing a German TA Brigade, responsible for the security of the area, to counter attack. Overnight, Mr Hoare - who had left .he commodity markets for his annual holiday with he Regiment - proved he had not lost the Midas ouch by capturing the Duke of Westminster, who
was 21C of the Cheshire Yeomanry Squadron. The Brigadier ordered "Forget his maps -I want his wallet!" The Colonel's previous quarter was left unscathed, and eventually the enemy conceded defeat by claiming we were too strong!
With these two feathers resplendent in our orange caps, and with the help of "Mojoes", who were supposed to be TA needing practice, we returned east to set up a line of defence with five TA battalions (2 from Scotland, 1 from Liverpool and 2 from Ulster - including the EME's old company of Irish Rangers) on the River Leine. For the next 3 days we were controlled enemy to 2 Infantry Division consisting of 7 Yeomanry Squadrons and 3 Infantry Brigades, so much resurrecting and relieving in line was the order of the day! Eventually when the TA pulled out, and the King's Own Borderers by-passed RHQ in a village, we formed up for our last stand in front of Exercise Iron Curtain. The 21C chose our latest battle honour while on stag one night, and ironically Brigade agreed with his inimitable selection that the splendid name of the village of Unter Pantshausen should close this illustrious chapter of Regimental history. Like most return journeys, the Regiment's was reasonably smooth. The A vehicles came home by container and their crews flew. It was only the hapless B vehicles who were confronted by the weary drive back across the Channel and to Marchwood - courtesy of the RCT.
The Regimental Corporal Major contemplates "something".
by Capt J L Hewitt
The Loire Valley, famous for its wines, Chateaux and beauty, has amongst its plains an attractive little city called Saumur, which sits on the banks of the Loire. It in turn is famous for its mushrooms and sparkling wine and is known nationally, and increasingly internationally, as the "City of the Horse" for this is the home of the Cadre Noir.
The Cadre Noir is an organisation which can trace its origins back to the 18th century. Anxious to have a skilful cavalry, Louis XV instituted several Regimental Riding Schools - the most important being in Saumur, L'Ecole de la Cavalerie. In 1814 Louis XVIII added an academic section to the school which rose to prominence when the Royal Cavalry School permanently settled at Saumur in 1825.
In order to be recognised by their uniform, as with the other well known military instructors sporting the blue uniform known as the "Cadre Blue", the equerries were given the black uniform to wear - and so were recognised as the "Cadre Noir".
In 1969, the Cadre Noir was separated from the Cavalry School to become the instructing body of the National Equestrian Institute which, in turn in 1972, became the National School of Equitation. Within this organisation dependent to the Minister for Youth and Sport, the Cadre Noir continues to assume its traditional responsibilities: to perpetuate the principles of French equitation through high quality instruction in all riding disciplines. However, while I was with the Cadre Noir, most of the time was spent eventing, show jumping or perfecting some form of dressage. We were also taught "Airs above the Ground" - movements used by Cavalrymen of the Middle Ages to extricate themselves from infantry assaults and for which the Cadre Noir and the Spanish Riding School are perhaps most famous, although the movements between the two schools differ slightly.
The Cadre Noir have now taken up residence with the National School of Equitation, just outside Saumur. The whole complex has stabling for about 700 horses, with 3 huge indoor schools and much land to ride over. If you ever have the chance to spend a year there as I did, take it - and if you can't it is well worth just a visit.
by Lt T Assheton
After a week's preparation at Stanford Training Area with the 2nd Bn Grenadier Guards, the combined support and B Squadrons emerged as The Life Guards Platoon. Already saturated by a week of torrential rain, most were missing B\' and Bivvi, but in the months to come such aspects in a Trooper's life would long be replaced by Hexamine and Hammocks.
Sunday 1 October saw The Life Guards off :rom Brize Norton in a VC10 which landed at Gander (:\ewfoundland) and Dulles (Washington DC) and :lnally Belize International Airport. Minutes after in Airport Camp, everyone found themselves herded into a landing craft for a 12-hour "boat trip"
to Punta Gorda in the south. The final leg of the journey, along a track of constantly diminishing quality, brought the platoon to their new home for the next six months.
Six weeks have now passed and most of the platoon have sampled the few luxuries and many discomforts on offer in this Eden for Insects.
CoH Windebank is all smiles and action, though quite unaware of the logistics problem posed by trying to keep him supplied with cigarettes. LCoH Drennan proves to be a most able bodyguard for the Platoon Commander, however his tasking at this stage has been strictly limited. LCoH Fletcher (the most
up-to-date expert on Infantry matters) has already used his yearly allocation of Cam-Cream and has recently disappeared into the capable hands of F Company (SAS) for a 2-week jungle warfare course.
On a couple of occasions we have been asked to produce sketches of various parts of the countryside and the draftsmanship skills of LCoH Nicklin, Evans and Schubert have made light work of them.
The day starts at 0615 hrs each morning with the Company PT - much to the horror of 95% of The Life Guards. LCpl Mallon, the remaining 5%" has a free rein to exercise his considerable skills in the area as a PT Instructor.
The programme at Camp Salamanca rotates every two weeks with training, OPs and patrols, and guards. Having covered the basic requirements for living and surviving in the jungle, we were required to man the treetop OPs and send out section patrols. It was these tasks which have proved the most enjoyable and instructive to date. While the Platoon Commander reeled around in agony with white tree sap in his
eye, Tprs Hubble and Cooper gave very professional first aid to the inhabitants of the villages. Due to the sometimes dubious quality of the compo, Tpr Hamil, on the express wishes of the Platoon Commander, prepared and cooked a local pig. It was only on our return that we discovered that higher formation disapproved of supplementing rations. The area has since been declared a pig-free zone.
The Armalite, as a weapon for patrolling, has been enthusiastically received by all and its uses have been most effectively demonstrated by Tpr Bright (previously of The Life Guards' Shooting Team) on the miniature range.
About once a month, on Saturdays and Sundays, the platoon drives down to Punta Gorda for a day out on Moho Caye. The sea and barrier reef provide a welcome change from the jungle with superb opportunities for snorkelling, sunbathing and swimming. The overall feeling ab ou t Belize is that it is a place to be enjoyed if the effort is made - and that is exactly what we are doing.
LCpl Willis 736
The MFO was formed as a result of the Camp David Accords, in which Presidents Carter and Sadat and Prime Minister Begin negotiated for peace in the long and bloody struggle between Egypt and Israel. The talks led to the Israeli Army withdrawing from the Sinai Peninsula and also laid down a limit on the forces Egypt could deploy in the area. The MFO was established on 23 April 1982 - the day Israel lowered its flag in the Peninsula and returned sovereignty to Egypt. Its mission - to monitor the strength of Egpyt's Garrison and to report to all powers concerning any breaches of the accords.
I was attached to the MFO for 6 months between aB.c1. February 1984, and in that time worked in the Military Personnel Branch, the Liaison Office in Cairo and the Visits and Press Branch.
I arrived in Tel Aviv after a pleasant flight, courtesy of British Airways, and as soon as I stepped down from the aircraft I knew the next few months would be a totally new experience.
After the relative order and tranquility of Europe, the Middle East had many customs and attitudes that at first seemed strange and often bewildering to visitors. Buying basic things like a
loaf of bread or a pair of sunglasses requires care and you can easily strike up a real bargain, as haggling is the most common way of trading: Everything except driving is carried out a leisurely pace, most probably due to the weather which can be intolerably hot - in fact, some areas such as Aswan in the deep south of Egypt see rain about as often as Barbados sees snow!
Most conversations are conducted with the aid of a cup of tea (black, very sweet and minty) and to refuse a cup is often taken as an insult. There are many other quirks which visitors encounter in everyday life, but are far too many to mention.
The MFO is a mixture of 11 nations, all working together in surprising harmony, and despite the problems of communication, the whole organisation runs like a well-oiled machine. The only incident of any consequence took place in Rome in January, when the Director General, Mr Leamon R Hunt, was assassinated in the belief that the MFO had links with the Lebanon!
The 11 nations involved are America, Australia, Great Britain, Fiji, Colombia, Uruguay, France, Italy, Norway, New Zealand and Holland. Our part in
the Force is to provide staff clerks and drivers, and to run the Quartermaster's Department. The Force Commander, Lt Gen F V Bull-Hansen,one of the four Norwegians on the Force, said of the British Contingent: "If they wanted to spy on the MFO they are in a perfect position to do so, having at least one man in every staff department."
Each department has a mixture of races. I worked with Americans, Fijians, Australians, New Zealanders, Colombians and Uruguayans, not forgetting the host nations, Egypt and Israel.
While I was with the Force, I had the opportunity to represent the Contingent in the Force Skills Competition. This was a test of skills needed in the MFO's role, and included recognition of ranks, vehicles and aircraft; compiling and sending various situation reports; mine clearance; first aid; a run in full kit followed by a range practice with Armalites; and vehicle maintenance. It also included questions on aspects of the Camp David Accords and the MFO. We were outsiders in the contest to say the least, being the only entrants not employed directly in the peace-keeping, and the team consisted entirely of clerks and drivers! However, the team came 5thbeaten only by the US entrants who had been practising hard for 3 weeks. We were justifiably well pleased.
On the recreational side of my tour, I spent 2 weeks on a tour of Egypt'S ancient monuments, some of which were enormous even by today's standards. They displayed very precise stonework and incredible carvings. The technology available and the lack of any machine more powerful than a horse left everyone in awe of the lengths the ancient civilisations went to in order to workship their kings and gods.
Other trips included a circumnavigation of the Sinai Desert, calling on the site of the Burning Bush and spending a night on the summit of Mount Sinai (where Moses was reputed to have received the Ten Commandments). The sunrise seen from the top of this peak was well worth the 3,OOOft climb in intense heat, and sub-zero temperatures after sundown.
Apart from the time spent in Cairo, I also visited Massada, the mountain top fortress and palace which survived a siege of 3 years. This ended when the occupants committed suicide rather than die at the hands of the Romans when they finally breached the walls by building an enormous ramp. Close by is the Dead Sea, so armed with a copy of "The Sun", I went for a dip.
I cannot conclude this account without mentioning the traffic in the Middle East. It bears no comparison whatsoever with the standards we are used to in Europe, and as far as I could establish the only rule of the road in Egypt is that you drive on the right. In Cairo, chaos rules. There are masses of cars and lorries, none of which are subject to any roadworthiness tests. It is not unusual to see (or not see as the case may be) vehicles on a desert road in the dead of night without a single light showing.
The police tried to introduce a 65 mph speed limit in Cairo, but were unable to enforce it. You cross a junction controlled by traffic lights at your peril as it seems that all Egyptians are colour blind!
In the short time I worked in Cairo I saw a large number of fatal accidents and was eventually involved in one myself when a pedestrian stepped out from behind a parked truck into my path. Within seconds there were hundreds of people crowded round, and I found out, first-hand, how the Egyptian police handle such situations.
I returned to El Gorah to complete my tour in the Visits and Press branch. I had made a lot of friends in the Sinai, and apart from the incident in Cairo I found it a rewarding and enjoyable tour.
by Capt S F Hayward
We arrived on the African Continent on 12 January 1984 with the aim of spending almost eight \veeks exploring one of its northen--most countries\10rocco. The original plan had been to travel much further south, as far as Zimbabwe, but it had to be severely curtailed for reasons that are made clear in another article in this magazine - 'Safari or Bust!'
We spent three most enjoyable days travelling across the continent in order to catch the ferry from Algeciras on the southern coast of Spain to Ceuta, one of two ports on the Moroccan mainland still held by the Spanish - which brings a smile considering their attitude to the continued British "occupation" of Gibraltar.
Our first problem was Moroccan Customs. To begin with it looked more like a busy market place than a customs post. There were women with enormous bundles on their heads, walking about selling things; there were men sitting about in the shade, gossipping to each other or just wandering abou t aimlessly; there were cars and vans parked everywhere, facing every direction and the constant noise of raised voices, whistles and blowing horns was earsplitting. Four hours after arrival, after being given dozens of contravening orders by dozens of different officials, after having waited in so many queues that we lost count, to complete so many forms and to collect so many stamps that our pens were dry and our passports full, we finally managed to pass through.
To the layman, Morocco might seem a strange place to visit with three Landrovers loaded to the gunwhales with enough equipment to make even the most seasoned explorer look on with envy. As we travelled along the tourist routes through famous places like Tangiers, Rabat, Meknes, Fez, Marakesh and Casablanca, we all thoroughly agreed that everyone felt rather self conscious as coach loads of holiday makers passed US'Qn goodtarmac roads. However, as little time as possible was spent in such places and we soon found ourselves off the highways and on to the dusty desert pistes instead. The contrasts were amazing. The beautiful city walls, royal palaces and bustling markets gave way to mud villages with no modern amenities, no running water, no electricty and no shops or hospitals. The green fields of the north, the snow-capped Atlas Mountains and the Scottish Highland-type Atlas Foothills gave way to large, seemingly endless Saharan plateaus and distant mountains not marked on the maps, and
which turned out to be huge sand dunes on closer inspection. This caused havoc with the map reading as the intrepid explorers spent an hour arguing that these 'mountains' must either be a mirage or somehow we had done an about-turn and were facing the Atlas once more.
Once in the desert, everyone felt happier. This was after all what we had come for - adventure at last, and we felt like proper "explorers". The tourist routes and the night life were behind us and we were finally on a par with such notables as Blashford-Snell and Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
The illusion was then suddenly and rudely shattered. Believing ourselves to be the only people in existence for miles, we came across a sign announcing "Cafe Dunes - 1 km', and sure enough in 1 kilometre a mud hut by a well appeared, boasting, of all things, Pepsi Cola signs. The owner rushed out to meet us and invited us in for warm drinks with great aplomb. "Very sorry", he said in broken English, "no ice". Whilst we all relaxed with our drinks in the shade, LCpl Srague, the team medic and comic - always eager to put his skills to the test - went in searc:h of a guinea pig, and found one. A terrified Arab, covered in the most horrendous sores, found himself seated in front of this great white medicine man. It was only after many different cures had been administered that the rest of us mu tually diagnosed the sores as advanced syphillis. The budding doctor blushed visibly, covered himself in undiluted disinfectant and refused, from that moment on, to even administer aspirin to anyone who did not look perfectly healthy.
Later on and much further sou th, we again found ourselves labouring under the misapprehension that no-one else in the world existed. This time a dust cloud turned out to be a nomad, hurtling along the piste on his moped. Where he came from or where he was going to was anybody's guess, bu t what was certain was that he had no spare petrol or water, no sand ladders, no tent and no map or sun compass. Again we were made to feel rather silly, except that not much further on we bogged in soft sand and without our equipment we would not have been able to extract ourselves.
Travel in the Moroccan Sahara is not easy; not so much because of the difficult ground but more because of the continuing fighting between Government Forces and Saharan Rebels. All areas south of Tan Tan are prohibited, and often soldiers would appear from nowhere, demand to see passports and then refuse to allow us to go any further. In the Atlas area, the story was much the same. Soldiers stopped us at a checkpoint in a remote village called Ait Hani and insisted that we report to the village Commandant, who in turn insisted that we take tea with him. He explained. that., road to the north was closed, but as wt too 'we"remilitary he would allow us to continue this time. But we wished he hadn't - the snow became deeper and deeper as the track climber higher, and the rest of the day and most of the following night were inevitably spent digging out hopelessly bogged vehicles in temperatures well below freezing. I don't believe many of us thought we would be using sand ladders in de,ep snow, thousands of feet up a Moroccan mountalO. Eventually we emerged to flOd that we were the only people to have used that path since the snows set in and that no local would believe we had used it! One
of the problems during t 1is '..id '::1 LIre' was coaxing the Landrover and tL del' ,.\.: __ :he snO\v, and even when the other t\I'O ,,"ehie es \\ ere lnding the going easier this combination STill had Sieat difficulty. It was only due to LCpl La"Lel " e:-..ce ent driving that we got as far as \Ie did' e'-o:"e e\entually getting stuck.
During any exercise .i ere \,ill always be memories that linger longer h'll others. We will find it difficult to forget Corpor31 \laJor \lilne with his piping-hot dinners heavily lac-cl \\ith curry powder (it did not seem to matter "hat 0 her ingredients were included) and his 'smiling' face as he ""oke the rest of us up with yet another early) 10 nin?" breakfast in bed. Another happy memon' \Ias the one major break-down which occurred in a sm3J1 town called Bengherir. A cylinder head gasket ThaT took 15 hours to repair, and as is nOll1ul in this pan of the world, we found ourselves surrounded \I'iThin minutes of stopping, by hoardes of enthu iasTic people, all eager to help. Cfn Sutton and Lepl Lanell eventually managed to diagnose and repair the fault, but it would have taken much less time if ,,"e had not had to listen politely to all the different ideas put forward by our new 'friends'. (The final solution was for LCpls Lyne and Hunter to talk ,\hile [he others worked). As you are aware, being congenial under such circumstances does not always come naturally to the British Soldier, but we managed to leave, eventually, with the local population feeling anything but animosity towards us. We had presented, if nothing else, a welcome break to their n011nal day-to-day routine.
Another reminiscence that 0 f Lt Oswald, managing to overturn the trailer for [he umpteenth
capturing an overturned trailer" (or just recovering their own trailer)
time and keeping everyone awake after a hard day's driving by searching about in the dark for his Arab blanket - which had been mysteriously secreted away by a mischievous fellow officer. And then there was LCpl Appleby, who broke both his front teeth while we were spending a week's R & R in Agadir. He claimed to have fallen into the engine compartment of a broken down car -a better excuse I challenge anyone else to offer!
Towards the end of February, the European Spring beckoned, and who were we to resist its especially when our return itinerary included breakfast with the King and Queen of Spain. So we left Morocco on a bright, sunny morning for the 5-day journey home, having seen more of the country in two months than the majority of its natural inhabitants see in their lifetime.
We arrived back in Windsor on a dark, drizzly
evenmg; no Regimental reception, no band playing and no "Well done - now take a week's leave!" Instead, all we got from the guard was a '''Bout time you lot got back!"
It only remains for me to thank the numerous people who helped us on our way - Albert Abela and John Sunley, without whose generosity nothing would have been possible; Liz Brewer, who never tired of trying to find sponsorship for the original Expedition and who was a great supporter when morale was low. It was perhaps an even greater disappointment to her that we never achieved total success. Thanks also too: Maj David Ellison, Maj David Wright, Roy Boulting, Ted Sharve11 and John Varley for all their help and advice, and finally to Heinz, Lucas, Addis, Matthew Gloag, Glen Morangie and Tilley for their generosity in donating equipment.
The Team
Detmold, October 1982
by
Maj R Sullivan, RTR Officer Commanding B Squadron
October 1982 - August 1983
Second in Command August 1983 - January 1985
I arrived at Lothian Barracks in the airport I dined alone that night, as the Regiment was bus, escorted by the Commanding Officer's Staff Car. on Exercise. The 5 courses of excellent quality gave A crash of boots on tarmac, a Pirbright salute, willing notice of the superb standard which I have enjoyed hands to take my suitcase to the mess and I was ever since in the Officer's Mess. I recall that the port aware for the first time (and this impression is still went round the empty table at impressive speed and with me over two years later) that there is something encouraged by LCoH O'Connor arrived at my right special about this Regiment. hand with monotonous regularity. I have but fleeting
memories of the nex t four days in the field: so many introductions to so many new faces and an overwhelming impression of being made to feel welcome. I couldn't understand the rank structure and I was aware that my hair was too long and my boots were lacking in polish. I met SCpl Digney for the first time but could not make out who this imposing figure could be, especially after he asked me how Sir Richard (GOC N Ireland) was. CoH Cars on reintroduced me to basic soldier humour and the Chieftain Tank and LCoH Dangerfield borrowed my new denims, smoked my cigarettes and lace-d my coffee. I was beginning to feel at home.
Hohne, November 1982.
I joined B Squadron for Annual Firing. Capt Forbes Cockell and SCM Lloyd pointed me in the right direction and made sure that I gave the impression that I knew what I was doing during the first few days - even if I did not. I got to know the Squadron on the firing point and in the Squadron Cellar Bar - LCoH Tierney made the most noise at both venues.
I liked what I saw. The Squadron produced a punchy, professional performance on the Ranges by day and showed a sense of fun and humour in the evenings. I introduced the Officers to the 9th/12L, with whom I had served for two years, ten years ago, and we enjoyed their hospitality far too much. We also visited an art gallery or two in Hamburg.
Soltau, January 1983.
I returned to Soltau after 15 years, where nothing had changed except the colour of my hair, the shape of my figure and my rank. The girlfriends in London - forerunners of today's Sloane Rangerswere by now a distant memory. I didn't notice the snow in my warm tent, complete with a real bed, sheets and a carpet. I wanted to rough it in the bivvy with my crew but my SCM told me that I was in The Life Guards so there was no need to do that. The Commanding Officer i!1viteq .me to dinner at RHQ. He had at last soldhis'-'hous"e" in. Windsor and therefore insisted that I stayed until 3 am to discuss the matter.
Riding School, March 1983.
The time had come for the serious business of my conversion from the tank to the horse. SCpl ] ames instructed the Junior Officers on a basic Equitation course, and the Padre's wife insisted that I wore her tights to stop my thighs from rubbing -I always wondered what they were for - and I limped into the stables. Lt Stibbe withdrew when he saw the
size of the opposition but I leapt bravely (with some assistance) on to Amos. We were as one, Amos and I. No stirrups - just man and beast moving together with perfect understanding, until he broke into a canter, without any encouragement from me. The scene was later described by one of my fellow students, as resembling El Cid riding through the gates for the last time. The course came to an abrupt, painful and premature end for me when attempting a backward flip, double somersault with pike and tuck from the Commander's seat, arriving on the ground before completing the movement and retiring with a damaged back and a ladder in my tights.
B Squadron joined The Royal Hussars Battle Group for Exercise Medicine Man 2 at BATUS. It was the most challenging, demanding and realistic training that I have ever done. The Squadron responded magnificently, and it was exhilarating to command them when we were all at our peak during the final exercise. Capt Hayward and I had refused to cheat by walking the course in too much detail during the recce phase and this meant that we could spend a few days skiing in Sunshine Valley, in the Rockies, before the main party arrived. I had never skied in late May before.
Our post-Exercise R & R included several days in Los Angeles, Mazatlan in Mexico and San Francisco. I behaved perfectly as usual and Capt Hayward tried to.
Cowes Week, August 1983.
I handed over B Squadron in August with >ome sadness. I was aware that it had been a privilege -0 command them in a busy year and that the balance bet"\veen doing our job to the utmost of our ability o 1d really enjoying ourselves at the same time had been the right one. It was with some reluctance that I \\oas persuaded by the new Commanding Officer that he would not need his new Second in Command at Hohne Ranges for Annual Firing, bu t wished me instead to represent the Regiment on an arduous raining course on the good yacht 'Gladeye' at Cowes 'reek. The stories about these ten days are now egend and not to be repeated in Regimental Magazines or the more serious yachting circles. Su ffice to say that we were better known ashore at Groves and Gutteridge than we were at sea. The skipper, Maj Falkner handled Gladeye magnificently on the outward leg of the Fastnet Race and the sharp turn around the rock almost caused us to collide with the Irish Republic. The return leg was long and dull, but we were greeted at the finish by one of our most ardent admirers, Euan Southby-Taylour, the Yachtsman of the Year.
There is little to say about the following four months: Exercise Eternal Triangle in an hotel on the Koterberg; conversion courses and packing. I recall that I had great difficulty keeping up when I was allowed to march through Detmold at the back of the Regiment to church for the Carol Service.
Windsor, 1984.
I have not found Windsor as militarily satisfying as Germany, probably because, as Second in Command, I no longer have command of anyone. However, this has been compensated by living near to London and the social and sporting events and activities, which are all close at hand. The Queen's visit in April, the RAC Regatta at Seaview, Royal Ascot, the Test Match at Lords, and The Queen's Birthday Parade are some of the memories which stand out in our first summer in England for 7 years.
My 40th birthday on 3 May was an occasion which I will never forget. The male voice choir of the Officers' Mess singing "40 Years On" as I entered the ante-room, causing me to blush furiously, was followed by a very senior lunch and then a children's tea party - complete with a 'Stripper-Gram' - whom I thought was Capt Stibbe's current girlfriend.
On the military side, the Brigade Concentration on Salisbury Plain in May and Exercise Lionheart in September have been two highlights. During the former, the officers, concerned about my health, insisted that I was carried round the Brigade Cross Country Course on a sedan chair during the Brigade Run and we came in well ahead of the Commanding Officer. The Regiment performed magnificently as enemy on Exercise Lionheart and it was not a fitting end to our endeavours to be annihilated at a battle around a German village with the unlikely name of Unterpantshausen. I was not entitled to march during the Major General's Inspection in October, but I was allowed to be air sentry and stood to attention for 1Y2 hours beside the saluting dias, which was fun.
My tour with The Life Guards is now nearly at an end and writing this article has given me the opportunity to look back and remember (often with amusement and often with pride) some of the more memorable moments. Above all I have become aware that the Regiment has a style all of its own, which is reflected not only in its supremely high standards of dress, drill and discipline, but also in the immense pride which members of the Regiment feel in belonging to it; a pride which I have had the privilege of sharing for the last two years.
Zimbabwe, January 1985.
I am now off to Zimbabwe with a small team to train their Armoured Regiments for 15 months. SCM Rennie is coming with me to make sure my hair remains neatly cut and my shoes remain highly polished!
by Capt S F Hayward
We were looking for a somewhat elusive pride ahead. He paused and lazily looked towards us. He of lions known to inhabit this district when the Game had obviously seen it all before and we were nothing Warden slowed the Landrover to a halt in order to new, but nonetheless we were given a 'keep your scan the ground more carefully. Suddenly there was distance' snarl. More movement to the right revealed movement and a huge, magnificent lion emerged from the rest of the pride -5 lionesses and numerous cubs the long grass to stroll nonchalantly across the track of different ages. They had just fed and were con
tentedly dozing in the shade, whilst the younger cubs frolicked about. Our path clear, we drove on and not far ahead passed two giraffe, who loftily sU1\leyed us before continuing to feed gracefully from nearby trees. Near them were herds of zebra, water buffalo, antelope and gazelle grazing contentedly, occasionally lifting nervous snouts to sniff the air. "Lookelephant!" and sure enough, two enonnous grey shapes ambled along to the left.
We were at last on safari. It had been a hard, uphill struggle all the way but we had finally made it. From an almost casually-made request to organis-e an African expedition, to actually seeing and photographing these animals had taken over 6 months of sometimes amusing but more often than not, extremely frustrating organisation. To mount an expedition was thought to be an easy task; fill out a few fOlms, write one or two letters to big companies for sponsorship, collect the necessary visas and we would be on our way.
So it was on 16 December 1983 that I was summoned to the Ministry of Defence Adventure Training Wing to be told that Exercise Trans-African Quadrant was dead. The Bureaucrats had won and the unenviable task of wrapping up all the loose ends was about to be faced, when help suddenly arrived in the form of Lt Col T C forris, MVO, RHG/D, the Defence Attache to the British Embassy in Rabat. He very kindly invited us to spend a couple of months exploring Morocco - an offer that was very gratefully and eagerly accepted.
How was it, then, that if Morocco was the only country visited that the expeditioners found themselves on a game drive - after all, there are no lions and elephants in Morocco. The other strange thing about this safari was that many of the animals did not seem to fit in with the African scenario! Indian tigers, for example, seemed out of place along side African lions. And what was all this wire and fencing doing on the Kenyan Mara, and here's a sign warning visitors not to feed the animals or leave their cars?
The answer is simple but fairly sensitive, so keep it to yourselves! We decided to take the risk and be damned, so early one morning, shortly after our return, we slipped out of Combermere Barracks and without political clearance, visas, or official permission, we drove the two miles to the Windsor Safari Park and there saw all we would have seen in Africa and more.
Nothing could have been from the tru th. The correct forms were completed - in triplicate - and most of the relevant visas were obtained, but the two big stumbling blocks p;foy.,ed ,t'd:be sponsorship and, even more difficult, political clearance for British soldiers to travel in Africa. The big companies replied regretting that in this instance they were unable to help, as did the vast majority of some 350 other organisations' approached. 10 obtain permission to visit one country is not easy, but to eighteen countries the task became insunnountable.
As the weeks turned into months and the files holding signals and letters grew thicker and more numerous, it became inevitable that the final outcome would be the cancellation of the whole project.
A safe passage through the den of lions
If you want to do likewise, my advice is, 'Hurry', because sooner or later they will make you plan a year in advance, fill out umpteem unnecessary fOlms and acquire senior bureaucratic approval before
:etting you visit this small part of Africa, nestling in notice and without a written word being necessary, . e Berkshire countryside. gave up some of their valuable time to give 12 Life Guards a personal guided tour of their Park. The moral of the story is, 'Why go to Africa when you can ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS see it all in Windsor', The Ministry of Defence and the Grateful thanks are offered to the manage Foreign and Commonwealth Office obviously agree! ment of the Windsor Safari Park who, with little
The following is the text of a letter received ay the Treasurer of the Associ,ition from a Mr E T Chinnery, who now lives in Essex and joined the 2nd Life Guards on 6 November 1914, at the age of 22 and served in the BEF during the First World War. This letter is published in case it might bring similar memories to other older members of the Association:
"I was very sad to read of the death ofCpl Maj Nockall in the Obituary List in the last Acorn. As Colli Nockall, he was in 3 Troop of D Sqd, 2 LG, which was a mixture of the 3rd and 4th Troops made up from both Troops, some reservists from the line Cavalry Regiments and some new personnel lately joined. Colli Nockall is in the seated row on the direct left of the officer - Mr Arthur. I am on the extreme left of the standing row at the back of the Officers. I was very lucky with the senior NCOs in both the 3rd and 4th Troop - Colli Tom King was the other senior NCO and he used to design our Christmas cards. Both he and Colli Nockall were an example to us 'young uns' by their behaviour in the line, especially during the three weeks we were in the Redoubt, facing the Fosse 8 held by the Germans. They. might have still been in Combermere Barracks except for the close proximity of the enemy and the mining and explosions that were the worst feature of the area. (The photograph was taken by Peronsee). We lost our horses soon after and Cpl Maj Horne, to make up for sending me up the line after getting back from leave, included me in the sad du ty of taking the horses down to near Beauvais and handing them over to the Veterinary Corps. I fell out with the lad who took my own horse and a remount because he started to hit mine with a broom, although I had warned him about standing in front of my horse. The personnellooked like stable lads and ipckeys.
The train beeri terrible and the road was packed and frozen like an ice rink and it was still snowing. When we got back to Etarps we were gathered in to form a unit out of anyone they could get their hands on. We paraded wgether with all the leave parties going to and from leave, and ad to lay ou t our cavalry kit and were given infantry web equipment. While we were waiting, the impossible happenedhere was the sound of a Band! I couldn't believe it, bu t it ,,'as the Regimental Band coming down to the Machine Gun School. I yelled: "Pick up your own kit and come on - it's the Regiment!" We fell in behind D Sqn who qUickly told (pi Maj Horn what had happened, because there were yells of rage coming from an Artist Rifle RSM who we were with.
Cpl Maj Horn told us to take no notice as we were on a special job and must report to the Commanding Officer anyway.
apologise for inflicting all this on you, especially as I have difficulty in writing legibly owing to arthritis in both hands and arms, but it sounds strange but I enjoyed my time with the Regiment no matter what, and I don't think 1 was happier in my life. The Squadron Captain was the Hon MaJcolm Bowes Lyon - he looked after his Squadron like a father, and he later gave me a lovely certificate of character which I needed to enable me to join the Auxiliary Air Force later. I was with the Balloons and got to be Flight Sgt, but there was nothing like there was in the Regiment.
(signed) Edward T Chinnery, No. 3158 ex Cpl, D Sqn, 2nd Life Guards
60 YEARS AGO
During 1984 the inhabitants of many towns in France, Belgium and Holland celebrated their liberation from the Nazi occupation of their country 40 years ago.
Former members of the 2nd Household Cavalry Regiment have been invited to participate in the celebrations in the following places and although this gave them an opportunity of spending a few days with old friends, they were astounded by the reception and hospitality they received from the - local people, many of whom vividly remembered the arrival of the 2nd Household Cavalry Regiment in 1944.
Cavalry Bridge over the River Souleuvre in France.
When Lt D B Powle's Troop captured the bridge over the river, 2 HCR were under the command of 11 Armoured Division, and in July 1984 their former Commander, Maj Gen G P B Roberts, CB, DSO, MC and Lt Col D B Powle, MC, were invited to visit the Bridge which has now been renamed as "The Bridge of the Bull". Lt Col Powle cut the tape when the bridge was re-opened and General Roberts unveiled a plaque on the bridge, which included the 11 th Armoured Division sign of the Bull.
Louvain
Eight members of D Sqn 2 HCR (Maj Thompson and Messrs Brook, Badrick, Connor, Houghton, Hyde, Parris and Strowbridge) joined a party of former Grenadier Guards on a visit to the town of Louvain from 30 August to 3 September 1984. The party travelled together by coach from London, when they were entertained and accommodated under arrangements made by the local "44 Club" which consists of members who were all born in 1944. Many local visits were arranged for the visitors during their stay and the higlight was the Tattoo, included displays by The Queen's Company GrenadIer Guards with their Regimental Band, the Pipers of The Scots Guards and the RAF Band stationed in BAOR.
Tessenderlo
The Mayor of Tessenderlo invited members off{ Sqn 2 HeR and their wives to participate in the Town's liberation ceremonies, and a total of 22 former members and their wives were met at Os tend on 7 September and were guests of the Town until 0 September 1984. The party consisted of Maj Wordsworth, Capts Machin and Evans, and Messrs Bennett, Brown, Court, Cutler, Fisher, France, Gittings, Goodacre, Howell, Moore, Neill, Oliver, Peacock, Quantrill, Rogers, Scambler, Trethowan and Wilson. Mr Brook joined the party after visiting Louvain. During their stay, several members visited the grave of CoH Wileman, RHG. The Mayor present
ed a Standard to the representatives of 2 HCR and this is now displayed in the Household Cavalry Museum. Each visitor also received a silver medallion with the Town's crest and the date of liberation.
A small detachment of The Life Guards, under the command of Lt J onathan Cape, who were on their way to take part in the BAOR exercises with the Regiment, also stayed in the Town and participated in the celebrations.
Brussels
Capt N Ford represented Col Sir Henry Abel Smith at the celebrations held in Brussels at the beginning of September.
Leeuwen (on the River Waal near Nijmegen)
Capt R M A Palm er and Lt Groeninx van Zoelen and 4 former members of B Sqn 2 HCR, were invited to visit the site where the barges were sunk by 2 HCR in the "Naval Action", on 21 September. Unfortunately, Mr Kenderick, who was CoH in the Troop involved and who was due to travel with the party, died two days before their departure from England.
Nijmegen
Celebrations took place in Nijmegen over the period 15-20 September and were attended by Maj Gen Tabor, Capt Buchanan Jardine, Maj Orde and Lt Hughes, who all stayed as the guests of Lt Groeninx van Zoelen.
Veghel
On 19 September, Maj Gen Tabor and three former officers of the 1 st Royal Dragoons, attended the celebrations held in Veghel to commemorate their liberation.
LOUVAIN 1984
Messrs. Brook, Connor, Hyde, Major Thompson and Messrs. Houghton and Strowbridge
Sunday 10 June was blazing hot and an ideal day for the Regiment's combined Fete and Charity Auction. A large number of families attended from all Units in the Windsor area, with many members of The Life Guards Association, The Ex-Services Club, Windsor Police Force and King Edward VII Hospital.
The events of the day had been put together by a huge and very willing organising committee which included Mrs Lloyd, Mrs Slater and the Paymaster. Their task was made more difficult, however, as the new ideas for fund raising were added daily to the original concept of the Auction. The final show included horse-drawn coach rides, stalls selling plants, toys, food, leather goods, jumble, etc.; pigeon racing, discotheque, trampoline and children's rides.
The organisers and the many helpers all heaved a sigh of relief as the money flowed in under the auctioneer's hammer of Capt Waterhouse and RCM Slater. The final profits for the day were £1097 and over £2400 passed over the cash desk as calculators raced to satisfy the demands of those who had provided items for sale.
The organisers and helpers should all feel satisfied with their work. It was evident that lot.s 0: families, and particularly the children, enjoyed : .0:: day which developed into something of a event. The target for fund-raising was easily exceedec. and the Regiment was able to make a significan: contribution to the well-being ofthe local Well done everybody!
The Commanding Officer kindly agreed to present the cheque to the charity, chosen largely fo!"" the sake of its local work. The Charitable Associatio . for Supplying Hospitals (CASH) sent two Trustees who gratefully accepted the cheque for nearly £1100 and assured the Regiment that every penny would go towards the planned purchase of mobile equipment for the emergency treatment of cardiac arrest. The equipment is destined for a local hospital.
On November 10 the last of The Life Guard Standards, which were marched off parade at The Presentation of New Standards in May 1983, was laid up in The War Memorial at Harrow School. This cemented a continuing link between the Regiment and the School to which the names on the Memorial bear witness.
The existence of similar links with the Regiment have been the criteria for deciding where the four Standards should be laid up. It was appropriate that the Household Cavalry Museum should receive one of the threeSqu<;J.dron< Standards, and that the Household CalvalrY"s11nk : with the Holy Trinity Church at Windsor should be recognised by the
laying up of a further Squadron Standard. It was, however, with the laying up of the Sovereign's Standard in the Fitzalan Chapel at Arundel Castle that the criteria was most fittingly met. For on 20 May 1984 Lord Michael Fitzalan Howard handed the Standard to the Priest for safe keeping in the Chapel. It now hangs beside the memorial to his ancestor Philip Howard, who served as an officer in The Life Guards and later rose to the rank of Cardinal in the Catholic Church. No more fitting example could be found than this to exemplify the thread of history that binds the traditions of the Regiment together.
Astor of Hever, Ca pt The Lord
Died 28 Jun 1984 aged 66 years
Served 4 Feb 1940 to 5 Apr 1946
Bradish Ellames, Major J.E.M.
Died 1984 aged 86 years
Served 15 Apr 1925 to 27 Jan 1926
299242 Tpr Barrow, T.T.
Died Jul 1984 aged 89 years
Served 5 Sep 1914 to 26 March 1920
296169 CoH Bone, M.A.
Died 6 Apr 1984 aged 59 years
Served 7 act 1943 to 8 Jun 1961
24540575 Tpr Carter, O.M.
Died 18 Jul 1984 aged 19 years as a result of an
294353 Tpr Jamieson, W.
Died Nov 1984 aged 90 years
Served 14 Mar 1916 to 13 May 1927
295351 SOMC Kendrick, J.
Died 15 Sep 1984 aged 63 years
Served 15 May 1939 to 18 Aug 1947
294600 Tpr Parfoot, A.W.H.
Died 11 Jun 1984 aged 78 years
Served 18 Jan 1925 to 14 Feb 1946
Powle, Lt Col O.B., M.C.
Died 28 act 1984 aged 61 years
Served 24 Dec 1942 to 17 Sep 1946
Portsmouth, Lt The Earl of
Died 28 Sep 1984 aged 86 years accident whilst training with the Regiment on
Salisbury Plain.
Served from 12 Aug 1981
2515 Tpr Goodall, W.A.
Died 24 Sep 1984 aged 98 years
Served 1 LG 19 Jan 1905 to 1 Mar 1919
22205784 CoH Hardcastle, R.
Died 21 Dec 1983 aged 49 years
Served 20 act 1951 to 21 act 1958
299361 LCpl Heal, H.
Died 20 Apr 1984 aged 86 years
Served 13 Nov 1915 to 20 Jun 1922
295288 Tpr Howard, R.
.
Died 5 May 1984 aged 60 years
Served 13 Jun1 to.,$.Jun 1946
299334 Tpr Hunter, J.
Died 8 act 1984 aged 90 yea rs
Served 15 Jan 1915 to 28 Aug 1922
Served 2 LG 19 Jan 1917 to 1 Mar 1919
4072 Tpr Sutton, G.B.
Died Sep 1983 aged 88 years
Served 1 LG 1 Nov 1915to 1 Feb 1919
2677 Tpr Salter, W.J.
Died 29 Mar 1984 aged 94 years
Served 2 LG 20 Apr 1909 to 19 Apr 1921
3103 Tpr Simon, G.P.
Di ed 18 Aug 1984 aged 90 years
Served 2 LG 21 act 1914 to 2 Jul 1920
Vivian, Capt R.C.G.
Died 4 May 1984 aged 86 years
Served 2 LG 18 Jul1916 to 28 Nov 1931
295304 Cpl Wood, P.M.
Died Dec 1983 aged 63 years
Served 12 Sep 1938 to 14 Sep 1946
LCpl David Key was tragically killed while serving with C Squadron during December 1984.
LCpl Key joined C Squadron The Life Guards in 1978 after training with Caterham Company at Pirbright. He served in Windsor as a CVR(T) driver and as a Chieftain driver in Detmold after the Regiment's move to Germany in 1979. He was a very able and well respected soldier and by the time the Regiment returned to England he was an experienced Driver Mech.
He was coming to the end of a very successful tour as a Scout Car commander with C Squadron in the United Nations Force in Cyprus when he met with his tragic accident, it ended a very promising career. He always made friends easily and had made many among the foreign contingents of the United Nations. He is particularly missed by all the men in his squadron.
The Regiment extends its deepest sympathy to his family, especially to Liz, his wife, and to Robert, his son.
The tragic death of Trooper Carter on Salisbury Plain in July was a shock to the whole Regiment. He was a very popular soldier with friends throughout the Regiment. He was a dedicated and professional soldier with a great future. It would be an understatement to say he was enthusiastic for adventure training; he had recently been to Buckingham Palace to receive his Gold Award in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
The Regiment's deepest sympathies goes to his family and his two brothers for their tragic loss.
SQUADRON
REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS
TROOP
Lt Col T. J. Earl
Maj R. Sullivan
Surg Maj D. Stewaart
Capt D. C. Waterhouse
Capt N. G. C. Cathcart
Capt G. G. E. Stibbe
Lt A. M. Cherrington
W01 (RCM) Slater
SCpl Byrne
CoH Ritchie
LCoH Gaunt
LCoH Steed
LCoH Hoskins
LCoH Doyle
LCoH Keech
LCpl Leszczar
LCpl Vince
LCpl Metallick
LCpl Paterson'
LCpl Walton
LCpl Appleby
LCpl Rowbottom
Tpr Barratt
Tpr Beaumont
Tpr Bradley
Tpr Cairncross
Tpr Gilbert
Tpr Leafe
Tpr Mundy
SQUADRON HEADQUARTERS
'aj R. C. B. Sampson
'02 (SCMI Saunders
LCoH Bingham
LCoH Shone
Tpr Bing
Tpr Bradie
Tpr Dean
Tpr Redhead
Tpr Toft
ECHELON
SCpl (SOMC) Flory Margan
Tpr Bell
Tpr Lodge
Tpr Ward
LCpl Judge Tpr Gollings
Lt J. D. Knowles
W02 (MTWO) Milne
CoH Davies
LCoH James
LCoH Keyworth
LCoH Murphy
LCpl Gawthorne
LCpl Hazlewood
Tpr Hale
Tpr Lerwell
Tpr Ormiston
Tpr Rochford
Tpr Rose
Tpr Starr
W02 (OROMC) Walsh
CoH (0 RCoH) Carrington
CoH Smith
LCoH O'Neill
LCoH Tomkins
LCoH O'Daly
LCoH Roberts
LCpl Lewis
Tpr Bishop
Tpr Lawes
Tpr Wells
Maj O. M. Price (Retd)
W02 Nicklin
CoH Pace
LCpl Rosborough
LCpl Smith 365
LCpl Flynn
Tpr Smith 910
REGIMENTAL PROVOST STAFF
CoH Carter
LCoH Parsley
TRAINING WING
W02 Land
SCpl Cusick
SCpl Lowry
OFFICERS'MESS
QUARTERMASTER (EQUIPMENT) W02 Digney
,.
•• 02( R OMCE)( E) Daysmlth
CoH Mayo
(AH Steele
lCoH Craister
:"CoH Davis
i..Cpl Smith 061
'-.Cpl Fenn
:"Cpl Willis 736
LCpl Bisset
Tpr Lockett
Tpr O'Hare
UARTERMASTER
Capt B. P. Payne
pt L. A. Lumb
• 02 (ROMC) L10yd
SCp! Cozens
SCpl Hugman
Robertson
_CoH Hardacre
_CoH Taft
H Plumstead
I Richards
I Evans
I Mills
LCoH O'Connor
LCoH Berrisford
WOs' & NCOs' MESS
CoH Sutherland
LCoH Stockwell
LCo H Fitzpatrick
Tpr Clipston
Tpr Terry
Tpr Wrightson
LAD
Capt B. W. McCall
W01 (ASM) Forsyth
W02 (AOMS) Duty
SSgt Bristow
Sgt Alien
Sgt Baker
Sgt Bondzio
Sgt Brooks
Sgt Gornall
Sgt Whelan
LSgt Gaw
LSgt Granville
LSgt Taylor
LCpl Willis
LCpl Burton
Cfn Chisnell
Cfn Coelho
Cfn Franklin
Cfn Morris
Cfn Reid
Cfn Wheeler
RAPC
Maj M. S. Howarth
SSgt Davies
SSgt Stammer
LSgt Asqu ith
LSgt Lamb
LSgt Webb
APTC
SSgt Bryan
ACC
W02 (SOMS) Collins
Sgt Pinkney
LSgt Brimicombe
Lsgt Carberry
LSgt Harris
LSgt Strachan
LCpl Lyness
LCpl Winder
LCpl McMurtrie
Pte Pettit
Pte Allsop
SQUADRON HEADQUARTERS
Maj P.R.L. Hunter
Ca pt S. F. Hayward
W02 (SCM) Alien
CoH Wise
LCoH Roberts
LCoH Willis
LCpl Sprague
Tpr Bentley
Tpr Hoon
Tpr Johnson
Tpr Morris
Tpr Reynolds (775)
Tpr Stanley
1 TROOP
2Lt E. J. Sunley
CoH Gratton
LCoh Williams
LCoH Bray
LCoH Meredith
LCpl Stillwell
Tpr Downes
Tpr Jorgenson
Tpr Philp
Tpr Renton
Tpr Stewart
Tpr Warren
Tpr Walker
Tpr White (846)
2 TROOP
CoH Holbrook
LCoH Wragg
LCoH Godley
LCoH Batchelor
LCpl Willis
LCpl Lambert
Tpr Dugard
Tpr Hollins
Tpr O'Sullivan
Tpr Pitt
Tpr Taylor
Tpr Watson
ECHELON TROOP
SCpl (SOMC) Read
CoH Renton
LCoH Tinkler
LCpl Moore
Tpr Frood
Tpr Goodwin
Tpr Leggott
Tpr Ogier
Tpr Smithers
3 TROOP
2Lt A. M. Clark
CoH Jenkins
CoH Darley
LCoH Stiff
LCoH Old man
LCpl Alien
LCpl Castle
Tpr Benson
Tpr Bonner
Tpr Dawson
Tpr Irving
Tpr Mc Kenny
Tpr White (228)
4 TROOP
CoH Stephenson
LCoH Bellringer
LCoH Clark
LCpl Brooks
LCpl Godson
LCpl Coles
Tpr Adams
Tpr Carter
Tpr Douglas
Tpr Key
Tpr Lowe
Tpr Wade
Tpr Wood
SUPPORT TROOP (BELIZE)
LCoH Evans
LCoH Norcombe
LCoH Schubert
LCpl Farrar
LCpl Smith
LCpl Corner
LCpl Pillman
Tpr Barrott
Tpr Byrne
Tpr Carey
Tpr Cooper
Tpr DaVidson
Tpr Frost
Tpr Reynolds (796)
Tpr Timms-Banham
Tpr Waterworth
LAD
Sgt Jellis
LSgt Symons
LSgt Lodge
LSgt Gill
LCpl Lee
Cfn Coates
Cfn Garner
Cfn Gwyn
SQUAORON HEADQUARTERS
Maj The Hon N. J. Adderley
Capt P.J.D. Marlow-Thomas
W02 (SCM) Rennie
CoH Whatley
LCoH Ormerod
LCoH Lindsay
LCoH Nicholson
LCoH Yarrow
:"Cpl Newton
_Cpl Lyne
Tpr Postance
Tpr Cornock
,pr Cooke
-:-pr Vaughan
;pr Radford
-:-pr Coker
1 TROOP
Gilbert
CoH Kidd
CoH Worley
Cpl Maksymiw
Cpl Hughes
Cpl Baker
pr Alsop
pr Lindsay
TprNutt
pr Broomfield
pr Core
pr Jacobi
Tpr Laing
2 TROOP
SCpl Lodge
CoH Bagnall
LCoH Jackson
CoH English
CoH Timson
Cpl Lodge
pr Parsons
Tpr Brown
pr Wilsher
pr Leete
TprWoodford
pr Power
pr Howie
Tpr Whittaker
ECHELON TROOP
SCpl (SOMC) Cruddace
CoH Dangerfield
CoH Rogan
Cpl Davison
pr Bond
lpr Brook
pr Wilkes
3 TROOP
t W. A. M. Oswald
CoH Lewis
CoH Burns
CoH Tinsley
Cpl Tate
lC pi H arrison
Lpr Bray
"pr Howgate
-:-pr Wills
;pr Trinder
-:-pr Knowles
pr Andrews
TROOP
t J. R. Cape
<:>H Jordan
CoH Croager
lCoH Kelland
Cpl Coo le
Cpl Hunter
Tpr Grantham
Tpr Richards
pr Mullins
Ipr Till
Tpr Weeks
Tpr Thawley
Tpr Prytherch
SUPPORT TROOP (BELIZE)
2 Lt T. Assheton
CoH Windebank
LCoH Drennan
LCoH Fletcher
LCoH Nicklin
LCpl Mallon
Tpr Bright
Tpr Fickling
Tpr Gray
Tpr Hamill
Tpr Hepple
Tpr Holden
Tpr Howatson-Jones
Tpr Hubble
TprJoy
Tpr Kaye
LAD
SSgt Bailey
Sgt James
Sgt Parsons
LSgt Day
LCpl Hewitt
LCpl Sharpe
LCpl Weed on (DET FI)
Cfn Harding
Cfn Lockyear
Cfn Still
Tpr Hayes
Tpr Parrington
ECHELON TROOP
SCpl Redford
LCoH Jones
LCpl Price
LCpl Thomas
Tpr Trevethan
Tpr Mattison
Tpr Lambton
Tpr Cummins
Tpr Brookes
3 TROOP
Lt J. T. Wordsworth
CoH McBride
LCoH Ingram
LCoH MacCullum
LCpl Collins
Tpr Evans
Tpr Kielty
Tpr Knight
Tpr Miller
Tpr Dixon
Tpr Dobson
Tpr Merrifield
4 TROOP
Lt J. W. Stewart
CoH Snowden
LCoH Smith
LCoH Pugh
LCpl Walker
LCpl Key
Tpr Cork
SQUADRON HEADQUARTERS Tpr Dodsworth
Maj S. D. G. Vetch
Capt J. H. Perry-Warnes
Capt J. L. Sunnucks
WD2(SCM) Mead
CoH George
LCoH Abel
LCoH Hearn
LCoH Birkett
LCpl Tinsley
LCpl Webster
LCpl Cripps
LCpl Willis
Tpr Squires
Tpr Fraser
Tpr Harper
Tpr Morris
1 TROOP
Lt M. F. Eastwood
CoH Corser
LCoH Tinsley
LCoH Gelder
LCpl Rogers
Tpr Brooke
Tpr Chapman
Tpr McLeish
Tpr<Htlwgate
'.'
Tpr Howie
Tpr Risbridger
Tpr Under hay
2 TROOP
2Lt R.R.D. Griffin
CoH Jeram
LCoH Stanworth
LCoH White
LCpl Renshaw
Tpr Alien
Tpr Ryan
Tpr Scorer
Tpr Corner
Tpr Curtis
Tpr M.ills
Tpr Fisher
Tpr Bellfield
Tpr Clitheroe
Tpr Franklin
6 TROOP
CoH Blunt
LCoH Valentine
LCoH Maunder
LCpl Taylor
Tpr Foster
Tpr Harvey
Tpr Knowles
Tpr Meggison
Tpr Phillips
TprRowe
Tpr Goodwin
Tpr Hopkins
Tpr Wilkinson
LAD
SSgt Neal
Sgt Harvey
LSgt McCabe
LSgt Watts
LSgt Young
LCpl Hoyes
LCpl Roberts
LCplOwen
Cfn Brailey
Cfn Pilbeam
Cfn Powell
RAPC
Sgt Derbyshire
ACC
LSgt Gilham
LCpl Crockett
Pte Curran
Pte Davies
Ca pt J. G. McColI
W02 (BCM) Harman
W02 (ABC ) lund
SCpl (SOMC) Robinson
SCpl Whit-.'iOnh
CoH Mean
CoH (T/M) Morris
Co H Bourne
CoH Poland
LCoH Hopkins
LCoH Alien
LCoH 'Ioodh se
LCoH Grieve
LCoH Youno
LCoH
LCoH Red rord
LCoH Pankhurs:
LCpl B cle
LCpl Cox
LCpl Collier'
LCplSha'
LCpl White
LCpl Bromle
Musn Ja is
Musn Mayo
Musn Gook
Musn Wade
Musn Dut<ao
Musn Clark
Musn Lazenb ry
Musn Egerton
Musn Carson
Musn Bougourd
Musn Bailey
Musn Pearson
Musn R ickard
Musn Copson
RHQ
Lt Col C. J. O'Oyl'
SHQ
W02(SCM) Dent n
Capt J. H. Miles
W02 (ROMC) ell
CoH Hollmar;
CoH Castelow
CoH Shipway
LCoH Thorntor'
LCoH Hadden
LCoH Goodchiid
LCpl Stevens
LCpl Young
Tpr Button
OR 0ERLY ROD
CoH Loftus
LCoH Cook·Hannah
LCoH McSherry
LCoH Harman
LCpl Langworthy
OFFICERS'MESS
SCpl Bartlett
LCpl Shipton
WOs' & NCOs' MESS
LCpl Dodson
Tpr Croucher
Tpr Ellis
MT
CoH Moore
Tpr Alcock
Tpr Laithwaite
Tpr Ritchie
Tpr Everett
Tpr Wibberley
Tpr Farrell
REGIMENTAL PROVOST
CoH Wilson
LCpl Huskisson
LCpl Brown
LCpl Robson
MEDICAL CENTRE
CoH Wolczynski
LCpl Tanner
RIDING STAFF
Lt B. J. McKie
SCpl Burns
LCoH Lewis
LCoH Dunn
LCpl Waygood
LCpl Lawes
LCpl Ablott
SCpl Potts
CoH O'Flaherty
CoH Flaherty
LCoH Ridgeway
LCoH Derbyshire
Tpr Coleman
Tpr Copson
Tpr Rickard
Tpr O'Connor
Tpr Walker
COACH TROOP
CoH Thornton
LCoH Robertson
LCoH Howe
Tpr Bartlett
Tpr Pendle
Tpr Checklin
MOUNTED SQUADRON
SHQ
Maj N. J. D'Ambrumenil
Capt J. L. Hewitt
W02 (SCM) Lawrence
SCpl (SOMC) Swallow
LCpl Butler
LCpl Price
Tpr Bandy
1 TROOP
Lt C. T. de M. Fraser
CoH Dobson
CoH Scott
LCoH O'Donnel1
LCoH Clarke
LCpl Smith
LCpl Kearns
LCpl Reid
LCpl Whitfield
LCpl MeClelland
LCpl Valentine
Tpr Astbury
Tpr Avison
Tpr Bertram
Tpr Bartlett
Ipr Carvell 973
Tpr Cook
Tpr Harlow
Tpr Hartenfeld
Tpr Hodder
Tpr Hood
Tpr Hodgkins
Tpr Hutchinson
Tpr Lugg
Tpr Maltory
Tpr Monis
Tpr Smith 614
Tptr Taylor
Tpr Thomas
Tpr Tremain
Tpr Yeates
Tpr Yeomans
Lt A. J. Watson
CoH Robertson
CoH Fury
LCoH Nicholson
LCoH Worrall
LCpl Phillips
LCpl Cole
Tpr Carvell 770
Tpr Conway
Tpr Cooling
Tpr Creed
Tpr Handley
Tpr Hatcher
Tpr Humpage
Tpr Jervis
Tptr Marsh
Tpr Matthews
Tpr Osbourne
Tpr Rimmington
Tpr Ryan
Tpr Sims
Tpr Smith 150
Tpr Stevenson
Tpr Taylor
Tpr Weller 958
3 TROOP
Capt J. C. Hopkins
CoH Martell
LCoH Mills
TLCoH Orchard
LCoH Cowling
LCoH lies
LCpl Lanahan
LCpl Preece
LCpl Round
LCpl French
LCpl Kitching
Tpr Arnold
Tpr Ashman
Tpr Byers
Tpr Curson
Tpr Deveonport
Tpr Doane
Tpr Edmonds
Tpr Fawkes
Tpr Green
Tpr Johnson
Tpr Johns
'"": :'F"
Tpr Le Hen
Tpr L10yd
Tpr Mitson
Tpr
Tpr Peers
Tpr Reade
Tpr Skelton
Tpr Watts
Tpr Weller 800
HQ BRITISH FORCES CYPRUS
Maj Gen Sir Desmond Langley, KCVO, MBE
Capt T.J.K. Faulkner
CoH Chant
LCpl Birchall
HQ DRAC
Maj Gen S. C. Cooper
WOl (SA) J. Docherty
JUNIOR DIVISION STAFF COLLEGE
Col A. B. S. H. Gooch
Tpr Redhead
BATU SUFFIElD
Col J. B. Emson
WOl (RCM) D. J. Whyte
HQ AFCENT
Lt Col C. S. Harcourt-Smith
STAFF COLLEGE
Lt Col V. A. L. Goodhew, MBE
Maj P. S. W. F. Faulkner - ASC No 18
RHQ HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY
Maj R. J. Morrisey Paine
W02 (OROMC) Etches
SCpl McKenzie
CoH Kallaste
CoH Beck
CoH Charlett
CoH Dean
LCoH Preston
LCpl Bridges
Tpr Carter
RARDE CHERTSEY
Maj C. J. Simpson Gee
WOl (RCM) R. A. McGloughlin
4 ARMD DIV
Maj S. V. Gilbart Denham
MOD DOAE/DOAO
Maj J. R. Bayley
HBM EMBASSY LISBON
Maj C. S. K. Anderson
1 ARMD DIV
Maj J. W. M. Ellery
SCpl Belza
MOD (MS)
Maj A. P. De Ritter
SE DISTRICT
Capt I. S. Forbes-Cockell
HQLF CYPRUS
Capt H. S. J. Scott
HQ NI
Capt W. S. G. DoughtY
P COMPANY DEPOT
AIRBORNE FORCES
Capt C.H.N. Graham
RAC CENTRE LAIC No 35
Capt H.D. Dyson
2SG
Capt P.A.J. O'D. Kisielewski-Dunbar
RYSC SUTTON COLOFIElD
Capt A. Kelly
RMAS - STUDENTS
2Lt M. C. van der Lande
2Lt C.N. Mitford-Slade
LONDON UNIVERSITY
2Lt D.J.G. Mahony
ST ANDREWS UNIVERSITY
2Lt E.A. Smyth-Osborne
THE BLUES AND ROYALS
SCpl Sanderson
CoH Leak
LCoH Brettell
LCoH Griffin
LCoH Mansfield
LCoH Sharples
LCpl Gynane
LCpl Prior
LCpl Seager
LCpl Smith
LCpl Thorpe
Tpr Butterfield
Tpr Clarke
Tpr Davis
Tpr Day
Tpr Ditchburn
Tpr Edgington
Tpr Evans
Tpr Greasley
Tpr Grey
Tpr Hughes
Tpr Jackson
Tpr Knaggs
Tpr Locke
Tpr McMullen
Tpr Nelson
Tpr Nuget
Tpr Polley
Tpr Porter
Tpr Sandor
Tpr Steel
Tpr Topham
Tpr Turnidge
O&M SCHOOL RAC CENTRE
SCpl Collins
SCpl Johnston
GUNNERY SCHOOL RAC CENTRE
CoH Theakston
CoH Tierney
JUNIOR LEADERS REGIMENTS
RAC
CoH Clarke
CoH McDermott
GUARDS DEPOT
Lt H. A. Ingham-Clark
2Lt C. I. Ley
CoH Fry
CoH Guiney
CoH Hickman
LCoH Camp
LCoH Cross
LCoH Cumming
LCoH Diggle
LCoH Hastie
LCoH Maxwell
LCoH Pringle
GUARDS DEPOT contd RMAS
lCoH Treble
lCoH Wilde
lCoH Williams
lCpl Hatcher
lCpl McAlpine
lCpl McNeil1
lCpl Smith
Tpr Bramford
Tpr Brown
Tpr Fell
Tpr Grassly
Tpr Robinson
Tpr Slingsby
Tpr Sykes
Tpr Turnbull
LSP OMAN
SCpl Coffey
CoH Wright
RAC TRAINING REGIMENT
CoH Cavin
CoH Ev'ans
RAC SALES TEAM
CoH Pickard
ARMY DOG UNIT
NORIRELAND RAVC
LCpl Sands
RARDE WAR GAMES
W02 Richards
SCpl Bunyan
SCpl Fraser
CoH Carson
CoH Jones
lCpl Atyeo
RAC RAN GE R CASTLEMARTIN
CoH Howard
RAC GUNNERY WING BAOR
W02 Townsend
ACIO BO URNEMOUT'H
SCpl Jones
ACtO STOKE·ON·TRENT
CoH Orminston
ACIO MANCHESTER
CoH Gledhill
ACIO NOTTING HAM
CoH lea
ACIO NEWCASTLE
CoH Rodwell
RMCS SHRIVEN HAM
LCpl Davison
RAC CENTRE
W02 Stay
SCpl Bishop
lCpl Cobb
21 SAS
SCpl (ORSQMC) Radford
TAYFDRTH UNIVERSITIES OTe
W02 Mills
RAVC TRAINING CENTRE
SCpl James
HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY HOSPITAL
SCpl Borthwick
5 CADET TRAINING TEAM
CoH Harvey
ARMOURED TRIALS AIIJD
DEVELOPMENT TEAM
lCpl Cox
QOMY
SCpl Powell
C SQN RY
CoH Reed
PRINCESS MARINA COLLEGE ROYAL YEOMANRY
CoH Puddephatt
W02 Alien
2nd ARMD DEL SON
lCoH Bannon
13/18 H
lCoH Thomas
MOD (AMD/HDS)
SCpl Hale
GUARDS FREE FALL TEAM
CoH Tucker
GUARDS POLO CLUB
lCoH Diamond
HQ LONDON DISTRICT
LCpl Sims
TROOP LEADERS COURSE BOVINGTON
2lt J,D.A. Dalgiesh
2lt N. D. Garrett
2lt S.J. Marks