The Acorn 1990

Colonel-in-Chief: Her Majesty The Queen Colonel and Gold Stick: Major General Lord Michael Fitzalan Howard, GCVO CB CBE MC

FOREWORD

BY LIEUTENANT COLONEL J W M ELLERY

By the time you read this 1990 Acorn, your Regiment will be at Sennelager, West Germany and well into the transition from light to heavy armour. Or will we? Will the dramatic events of 1989 in Europe and the crumbling edifice of Communism cause us to move elsewhere? Probably not, but we must prepare ourselves for change. Not change for changes sake, but in response to changed requirements. This spirit was captured in our tour under command of 5 Airborne Brigade, where the skills of medium reconnaissance were kept sharp, while the additional disciplines of operating on light scales, parachuting with armoured cars and providing firepower were learned. We stand ready to meet the challenges of the future, in the confidence of a job well done in 5 Airborne Brigade and a well stocked ORBAT of both Officers and Men.

The notes which follow will give you the detail of what we have achieved in 1989, but in outline it is as follows. C Squadron conducted their second and The Regiment's 4th, emergency tour in the United Nations Force, Cyprus. This was successful and notable for the operational enhancements they introduced - and the fact that a troop of Grenadier Guardsmen were under command, having learned about Ferret Scout Cars at Windsor. The ability of The Household Division to cross post formed units or individuals, on a temporary basis, is not new, but is a great strength. 1n return for the 'Cyprus loan' we provided a Platoon Commander to 1st Battalion Scots Guards and a Non Commissioned Officer to 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, both in Northern Ireland. And we now have an Officer in the newly formed Pathfinder Platoon, which may be up to 50% Guardsmen. It has a similar role to the old Guards Independent Parachute Company. Meanwhile, The Regiment took part in the first of five airborne exercises, where a skeleton Regimental Headquarters and a complete Scorpion troop were dropped by parachute, before being joined by the remainder in tactical and follow-up airland operations. This significant enhancement completes the all arms parachuting capability of 5 Airborne Brigade, an organisation which may well be joined by others as the Out of Area role attracts more attention.

In the Spring, The Regiment took to Salisbury Plain for Troop Training, which was then rigorously tested in Otterburn under some fairly hostile weather conditions. The old maxim 'The worse the weather; the better the training' was heard on the lips of the testers if not the tested. No sooner was the mud washed from the vehicles than we embarked flat out on gunnery training for our last Annual Firing Period at Castlemartin for the time being. All passed the new standard test exercises with greater ease than in previous years and old Saladin buffs will be glad to hear that indirect and semi-direct techniques have been reintroduced for this Regiment alone. Our half Squadron in Belize under command 1st Battalion Irish Guards returned just in time to show us that they had learned a thing or two in their six month tour - not least winning the Brigade Skill at Arms Competition.

In July the entire Brigade conducted a very realistic short warning exercise. which unusually involved deploying from Barrackswithout the use of the usual transporters. Routes to exit airfield and ports were cleared and marked - and although the exercise was held in Britain, the weather was more akin to the Middle East. Before departing on Summer Leave, all our families joined us in Barracks for an Open Day, which demonstrated to the wives what their menfolk get up to in the weeks spent on exercise. We were blessed with outstanding weather, the Household Cavalry Regiment's Musical Ride, the Band and the presence of The Colonel of The Regiment - it was a splendid day and one we shall repeat in Sennelager.

Late Summer and Autumn saw another major Brigade exercise in Otterburn and Annual Firing for C Squadron in Lulworth, which put the seal on an excellent Gunnery Report for The Regiment from the RAC Gunnery School. I urged you all last year to put in a good word for LG to help with recruiting and this clearly worked. However, not wishing 10 lose momentum we visited many Northern cities jr\c1uding Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester on our return from Otterburn. Troops were well received - albeit one Scorpion received a parking ticket. None will forget the high speed convoy of A Squadron being escorted through the rush hour traffic of Manchester by what seemed to be most of that city's police motorcyclists and Range Rovers.

The Major General's Inspection lOok the form of a (slightly) reduced Birthday Parade. It was a very special day for us as the Major General is none other than Major General S C Cooper, our Commanding Officer of 1973-76. Splendid weather, the new rifle (SASO)

and many hours of practice, combined to produce a very good effect. The Band played splendidly, marched off the Drill Square and deployed directly to assist with the Ambulance Strike - we have not seen them since.

Two other major activities have been ongoing throughout the year: sports and conversion. Never has so much sport been played at Inter-Squadron level - and this will continue in Sennelager where the facilities are so good. With so many men away this year we have not entered into many competitions outside the The Regiment, but there have been some notable successes: the Modern Pentathlon Team came 2nd in the Army; Tug of War 1st in London District. and we have fielded individuals in the Army Rugby, Football and Squash Teams. And CoH Margan in the National Fencing Squad. Lt Mahoney has found time to win the Inter Services Modern Pentathlon outright, in spite of a tour in Cyprus and becoming a Challenger Gunnery Instructor.

The conversion programme has necessarily taken second place to further developing the skills of airborne soldiering, but an encouraging number of Officers and Non Commissioned Officers have become Schools graded instructors in both Challenger disciplines. As they became qualified. so the pace of conversion quickened and we made use of The Blues and Royals Challengers in Sennelager to convert a large number of Soldiers during the Block Leave period. We arrive in Sennelager with almost all crew stations occupied by trained men - the remainder, mostly commanders, will be trained in the initial two months before deploying on the first Troop Training Exercise.

1 have made little mention of The Mounted Squadron in Ihis Foreword. Deliberately so: they have their own notes and are considered very much part of the family. The interchange between liS is gaining pace at last and holds little fear at either end. Everv Officer and most NonCommissioned Officers have seen recenl in the Armoured Regiment and are on two year tours. The Riding Course and even the way new horses are trained, have been reviewed. Another first. although not one we welcome, was the cancellation of an Escort due to the train strike. Whatever next?

During the year we have had a mass of visitors. some recorded in the photographs which follow and all most welcome. The year closed with a wonderful visit by The Quecn. Airrnobility and other presentations were laid on at Smiths Lawn before Her Majesty was escorted by a Troop of armoured cars to the Barracks wherc she inspected a full Guard of honour. Many Soldiers and their wives were then presented to The Queen. It was a reminder of the privilegcd position we occupy - and also the constant need to embellish the reputation earned by you over generations.

Good luck to you all. serving or relircd. in 1990.

A Squadron The Life Guards

The old adage that work expands to fill the time available has been turned on its head. This year A Squadron has packed at least an extra hour into each day and an extra day into each week. With 2 Troop in Belize and C Squadron away in Cyprus, a leaner A Squadron picked up the 'tracked' bill for the first half of the year. We have been down to Salisbury Plain so often this year supplying a troop here or a squadron there, that we know all the best places and routes without looking at a map.

The beginning of the year saw the usual manning changes,out with the old, and in with the new 21C, SCM, Troop Leaders and CsoH. Trade training in January and February led into Troop Training and then Troop Tests. As last year, the tests were arranged very secretly and all the Troops knew was that they were off to Otterburn. An arduous 60 hour test was negotiated by the Troops and staff and in the end SCpl Fry's 4 Troop were narrowly beaten by 2 Troop B Squadron. The lessons were well learned and the Squadron approached the rest of the year with a firm base knowledge.

One of the new skills learned this year has been 'rigging'. The Airborne element of the Regiment has been growing steadily and the practice of inserting a troop with the Lead Parachute Battalion Group (LPBG) is now approved and in place. The constituent parts are 12 trained men, with parachutes and equipment, four Scorpions and four Medium Stress Platforms (MSPs). The Scorpions are driven onto the platforms, rigged and then loaded into Hercules aircraft ready for dropping. Rigging involves securing the Scorpion to the platform so that it does not shift, nor anything become dislodged, whilst in flight, so that the vehicle stays in place on the platform when it is jerked out of the aircraft on its parachute. The first triumph of the year was delivered by Lt Fircks, LCoH Kitching and LCpl Taylor when they won the 5 Airborne Brigade Rigging Competition. (They were only trained a

week before). A splendid silver trophy was presented and is now prominently placed in front of visitors to The Officers' House.

The emphasis at Windsor has shifted from reconnaissance to light armour. All training is geared to operating in support of 5 Airborne Brigade, which means that we must cope with long distances and delays for any supplies. We would not get most of our transport into the battle area until well after the fighting troops. This all means operating on light scales, so we have been trialling all sorts of new stowage plans for the vehicles and SQMC Ormiston's essential stores are all packed into two Land Rovers and trailers which are loaded to the gunwales.

Annual firing was the next major item on the programme. The Squadron went to CastJemartin complete with 2 Troop still glowing with Belizean health. Squadron gunnery had improved considerably due to CoH Jeram's hard work and all sections satisfied the gunnery standards laid down by Director Royal Armoured Corps. It was not difficult to tell that CoH Jeram enjoyed firing camp. Each time the red flag was run up showing the range open for firing, he shook both fists and started geeing up his gunner. LCoH Griffin is pleased to announce that Flimston Chapel is still unviolated. Enough said. Best gunner in the squadron was awarded to Tpr Davis. Well done. By the Way, if Tpr Clubley would like to come to my office I will give him back his credit cards. They have just been returned from Pembroke Dock. Surely they were not found in Gwendolyn's, that nightclub that was out of bounds?

LCpl Smith about to shoot SCM Whatley during Troop Tests on Otterburn.

SCpI Ormiston talking to an empty chair

The Director Royal Armoured Corps talks to LCpI Roberts

In September 3 Troop was transformed into the Airborne Troop. Prior to that time there had not been a concentration of airborne warriors, but following more parachute training passes it was possible to build on the presence of CoH Camp and LCoH Kitching. Now the seat of all airborne learning rests in the hands of Lt Fircks (Air Adjutant) and 3 Troop. The downside for 3 Troop is that they pick up most of the rigging and airborne display tasks. Any:-vay, they do look so much taller with their red berets on. Certainly the spirit shown by the Household Cavalry on Pre-Parachute selection (P Company) and our successful integration with 5 Airborne Brigade is testimony to the determination and quality of our soldiers. We have had the highest percentage success rate of all regiments and corps on 'P Company' and there aren't quite so many cracks about 'hats' as there used to be.

The major exercises of the year have been Ex Roaring Lion in July and Ex Northern Crusade in

<?ctober. for Ex Roaring Lion was exceptIonal and It remamed hot throughout. We had just been issued with the new sleeping system, a highly efficient and warm sleeping bag and waterproof outer, yet all that was needed was to lie on the Gore-tex bivvy-bag with only the stars above us. A very active exercise, we were 'flown' into the island of Safra (whose boundaries coincided exactly with the Salisbury Plain Training Area) and proceeded to root out the insurgents. During the exercise the Squadron supported all the battalions of the Brigade. They really appreciated our presence. Aside from fire support, most of them needed water, each infantryman being unable to carry enough for the hot weather.

Ex Northern Crusade was a field firing exercise at Otterburn in Northumberland. A Squadron supported 1 and 2 PARA in each of the first 24 hour battalion exercises. It was an opportunity to show them just how effective a squadron's firepower could be and how useful our vehicles are across country and as load carriers. We expect Christmas cards from all the battalions' support weapons platoons. The special joy of Otterburn was that it was almost virgin territory for cross country work and there were no interminable tank ruts to cross. Map reading was made easy as the ground really looked as the map suggested. On the other hand it was wet. And cold. We had about five cars bogged at one time or another and CoH Camp and LCoH Smith were most grateful to the Chinook crew that lifted their vehicles out of the bog like a cork from a bottle. Ex Northern Crusade was quite the of the year's exercises. The only person disappOinted was LCoH Coles whose aircraft door jammed and did not allow them to jump. Well, he said he was disappointed.

Celebrating victory in the Tug-of War Chain of Command Competition

The Squadron's sporting prowess has been keen, but not as successful in the Inter-Squadron Competition as

Tpr Allen and LCpI Young with Major General C J Airy

hoped. We won the Soccer and Cross-Country and had a lot of second places. Most notably we beat HQ Squadron's rugby team which brought a grin to CoH Jeram's and the SQMC's battered features. In the boxing ring, Croucher showed winning flare and Davis delivered the biggest punch of the evening to win his bout in the shortest time. CoH Godson put LCoH Grantham through his heavyweight paces but lost on points. As well as sport there has been a fair amount of adventure training this year. Capt Clark held the outpost at Fremington near Barnstaple and we got most people away on adventure training of some sort during the year. We are all looking forward to the opportunities in Germany for adventure training and skiing in particular.

With most of the trade training now done for Challenger and the new crew lists drawn up, by Christmas we will be nearly ready for Germany and Sennelager. Many personality changes are taking place. Major Scott hands over to Major Hewitt, Captain Clark moves sideways to command HQ Squadron and we leave our LAD and a few old hands behind. Many thanks to SSgt Orr and his crew for all their work and a special hand to two old A Squadron stagers LCoH Cox and Sprague as they change careers and step off. Our best wishes go with them and their families and to the other leavers.

In 1990 A Squadron will win the Inter-Squadron Sports Competition and we look forward to Hohne and Suffield and the new challenges of 33 Brigade.

B Squadron The Life Guards

'Big Match Temperament' has been the 'Name of the Game' this year. We had three troops in the first four places on Troop Tests during March. Our Cambrian Patrol Team - unique in The Regiment - led by the 4 Troop hierarchy 2lt Hanson, CoH Hunter and LCoH Flynn, beat 40 Commando, 9/12 Lancers, 1st Battalions Coldstream and Irish Guards, King's Own Royal Borderers, Royal Highland Fusiliers, Royal Fusiliers and the 3rd Battalion Royal Anglians. The 9/12 Lancers were trained by Sgt Wilsher APTC (late The Life Guards), who stopped them drinking for two months as part of their training! In the Inter Squadron Sports Competition we are the Champion Squadron, having won the Volleyball (LCoH Postance), Athletics (Capt Mahony), Swimming (LSgt Parratt REME), Cricket (2Lt Meynell), Hockey (Lt Farquhar) and the Military Skills (2Lt Hanson). In the last competition we fielded a 'Second Eleven' (our 'First Eleven' were on the Corporal's Course) and yet still came

A posed photograph of Capt Clark designed to show him climbing a brick wall with a sack over his head (he is, in fact, horizontal)

The B Squadron Tug of War Team

SSgt Elson, Sgt Worral, Lt Fircks, LCpl Addis (Coach), LSgt Richardson, the Squadron Leader, the SCM, Capt Dalgleish, LCoH Flynn

seventh out of the 39 teams in the 5 Airborne Brigade Competition. We won the Regimental Competition in a BIT against HQ Squadron. CoH Bellringer recorded his fastest time ever: 9 mins 18 secs!

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly - or "The Three Wise Men or Monkeys". The Squadron Leader, SCM and Second in Command

1989 has, despite what you have just read, not been dominated by sports. My priorities have been quite simple: fun, pay and leave! 'Train hard fight easy!' At the time of writing all members of the Squadron, except those new late arrivals who are trained only on MBT, have at least qualified as crewman: either as MBT, CVR, or as mounted dutymen. SCM Holbrook has performed a superb feat of man-management, because all who had to convert to at least one MBT trade by the time we move to BFPO 16, have done so AND received their full leave entitlement. I must pay tribute to those, especially married, personnel, who sacrificed leave with their families during August, in order to go to BAOR to pass their MBT trades. Their loyalty and that of the Squadron wives - those hitherto unsung heroines - will never be forgotten! I am also aware that several wives have put their husbands' careers before their own and selflessly given up their jobs in the UK. I hope The Blues and Royals will leave sufficient employment for our wives in Sennelager.

Judging by all this you might reasonably be mistaken in thinking that conversion courses and sport have been top priorities this past year. Yet all the regular events have also featured in our calendar. We have fired twice at Castlemartin, in November and May. Our Blue

CoH Williams, SCpI Gratton, CoH Fletcher and LCoH Knowles look as though they have heard it all before at Castlemartin

and Royal Gunnery Inspector, SCpl Baker, was most impressed by our RARDEN shooting on our last visit and all credit must go to our 'Gunnery Kings': SCpl Gratton, CsoH Williams, Windebank, Fletcher and LCoH Wills. On the two· Corporals' Courses this year, all our candidates proved their worth and confirmed their potential for promotion. We have deployed airport guards to Heathrow and Gatwick (by pure coincidence B Squadron have been the only troops used for the tasks by the Regiment this year). We enjoyed a week's troop training on Salisbury Plain in March, during which Lt Fircks demonstrated obstacle crossing to DRAC, followed by a triumph in Troop Tests for 3 Troop (Lt Goodchild, CoH Williams, LCsoH Newton and Reade) on a freezing Otterburn. We returned to the Plain for our last visit in July during the 5 Airborne Brigade ITX, via Aldershot and Gosport. This exercise was called 'Roaring Lion', but was nicknamed 'Yawning Pussy' by some as we moved at the pace of the slowest infantryman. Our return to the speed of mechanised warfare will keep everybody working fast!

Until July, 2 Troop (Lt Mahony, CoH Ingram, and LCoH Maksymiw) served with C Squadron wearing UN colours in Cyprus. They were joined there for the last three months by LCoH Bradley, who ran the bar and gained his 'Gong', but did not win the Tel Aviv Marathon! C Squadron's Belize Troop joined our 'Orbat' from April until August. We have sent people Adventure Training at Fremington in North Devon, sailing in the North Sea and Channel and skiing in the Alps. We have visited Alvis (memorably returning the compliment with some Venezuelans) Vickers,and GKN to see how our armoured cars and tanks are built. Predictably, Regular Army Assistance tasks have also taken their toll: four days with future Squadron Leaders on Salisbury Plain in April, two visits

to Sand hurst to demonstrate our night viewing devices, RAF Odiham and Windsor Fire Station Open Days, Eton Tattoo, the Sandhurst and Camberley Horse Shows and the Windsor Boys' School Parents Day.

Foxy B on the M23

Above all, it is obviously the members of B Squadron that have made this year such a success! They have achieved an incredible amount and more than risen to challenges which would have sunk lesser men. Needless to say, my admiration for the way that B Squadron has tackled everything it has been given to do during this year, which has been busier than any 1 can remember, knows no bounds. lnevitably there have been changes and reluctantly some of our superb talent has been lost. My advantage is that I was a B Squadron Troop Leader. Where possible NCOs have only been moved on promotion. The one exception has been the transfer of our parachute trained personnel to A Squadron's Airborne Troop: Lt Fircks, LCoH Wells and Tpr Hill (late RAMC and now RHG/ D), all of whom moved over in time for Exercise Northern Crusade in October. SQMC Ritchie is now the SCM of the Mounted Squadron. SQMC Robertson made the return trip. CsoH Hickman and Bellringer have also swapped Foxes for horses. LCoH Derbyshire is now a CoH at the Guards' Depot. CoH lngram has taken over the D & M Wing and CoH Fletcher will start Riding School in the New Year. Capt Griffin is recceing 'BATUS' for next year and Capt Dalgleish has passed selection for helicopter pilot training.

The saddest part of my job is saying farewell and thankyou. Tpr Ferris joined us in February and played a major part in Troop Tests, but then had to leave the Colours due to illness. LCoH Harrison, 'Harry The Rat', a B Squadron stalwart for as long as 1 can remember, is now gainfully employed in Slough. LCoH Harman, our

exemplary clerk, leaves for a suitably well-rewarded job in civilian life. Tpr Hurst has a considerable act to follow, but so far so good. Our worst loss this year is CoH Williams, who soon joins the Police. His Gunnery and his invaluable experience, which led to his troop becoming the champions, are qualities The Regiment can ill afford to lose. There is a rumour that Tpr Till will chauffeur LCoH Appleby out to Germany! Our few leavers must not be too proud to return to the colours. They will always be assured the warmest of welcomes. Ask LCpl Wibberley or Tpr Wood!

The LAD Section are to be congratulated for the outstanding support we have received from them during the past year. We wish Tiffy Elson and his team all the best with A Squadron The Blues and Royals.

As for the future, we have still to drop a Fox by a parachute like the old RAC Parachute Squadron, but the matter is 'In hand' and our Blue and Royal successors will no doubt prove this route. We have also to convince our military masters to give us Saxon APCs in exchange for our Spartans. This will make the whole of 'Foxy B' wheeled, and thus 'Politically acceptable', because civilians often mistakenly equate tracks with tanks! Our aim on our move back to 'Heavy Metal' next year is to go to BATUS, having won Troop Tests again and remain Champion Sportsmen!

Satisfied soldier - LeaH Reade

CoH Fletcher showing his friendlier side

C Squadron The Life Guards

The year began with our move to Cyprus for a six month UNFICYP tour. The Advance Party travelled to Stanstead Airport late one night for a flight in the early hours of the following morning. Our expectations of the forthcoming flight were not great; most of us have learnt from experience! What we found was an airport up and running at midnight with every amenity that one could want ... but for just 45 passengers! Some of us walked around the duty free shop vainly looking for something to buy but what do you buy when you are going to the land of duty free for six months? The charter aeroplane was almost empty and the service was excellent but, sadly, the company has since gone bankrupt! We flew home by Hercules.

By mid January the Squadron was complete in Cyprus and deployed along the buffer zone that separates the Greek and Turkish communities. The first few weeks were quiet and gave us an opportunity to settle into the new job. Our Grenadier Troop was the first to carry out patrols in the Old City of Nicosia and quickly became the experts on the shops and night life! The first of the many national days that we attended was Australia Day, an interesting event because it involved a boat race on dry land!

Tpr Swinburne in the Officers' Mess shortly after he had used his plaster to ward off a gang of Greeks in Nicosia.

The big event of our tour was the Women's Walk Home which took place in March. No one knew where they would strike, where their 'schferpunkt' would be. Their intelligence was surprisingly good and their ability to deploy points along the Buffer Zone was impressive. In the event, some 80 coaches packed with women, including

some women who had flown into Cyprus on a special peace package flight, set off from Nicosia with the aim of breaking into the Buffer Zone and confronting the Turkish Forces. Their main axis proved to be the small village of Lymbia where the Royal Canadian Dragoons suffered some unpleasant jabs from Turkish cattle prods! The Force Reserve was deployed to the secondary demonstration in the deserted village of Athna. We were given a Turkish escort through some restricted areas of the North and by the time we arrived at the village the convoy had over thirty vehicles in it. We deployed with Squadron Headquarters, two troops of Ferret, infantry platoons from the other contingents and a large Echelon consisting of everyone who would normally be left in Camp! We quickly managed to get between the demonstrators who consisted of some 500 Greek women and even more Turks. Emotions were running high and there were some tense moments. Slowly, however, the crowds dispersed, but not before the Turks arrested 20 Greek woman. It was an interesting experience.

The Major General pays his respects at the grave of a Life Guard

We received many visitors during our stay in Cyprus. Just a few days after our arrival we were visited by Lieutenant General Sir Peter Inge, Commander I British Corps, who will be Commander in Chief when we arrive in Germany next year. We were also visited by the current Commander in Chief BAOR, General Sir Brian Kenny, the Commander in Chief UKLF, General Sir

Charles Huxtable and the Permanent Under Secretary, Sir Michael Quinlan. More closely to home, we received visits from Major General C J Airy on his farewell visit as The Major General Commanding Household Division and also Major General S C Cooper who has now taken over as The Major General.

The Commanding Officer visited in April accompanied by the Adjutant and the Regimental Corporal Major. We were even visited by the Director of Infantry and managed to squeeze most of the Grenadiers into the Barrack Guard! Cyprus remains one of the most popular places for visitors and CoH Valentine became an expert at commanding the Guard.

The Commanding Officer on patrol

There were many opportunities for sport in Cyprus. We started with skiing in Troodos and did well in the UN competition which was inevitably won by the Austrians! In the British Forces competition Tpr Beech narrowly missed (by 200th of a second) being the individual champion. Together with LCpl Knight, he later qualified as a skiing instructor, so we are hopefully well established for Germany. The Squadron also entered three teams in a triathlon (showjumping, clay shooting and fly casting) at Episkopi) and managed to do quite well at least we beat SCpl Flaherty who runs the Episkopi Stables! Lieutenant Mahony came first in a UN cross country competition but sadly had not entered formally because he was worried about his knee injury. He later led a very successful team from 4 Troop to the Tel Aviv

Marathon. All six team members finished in under 3'12 hours.

We also had many opportunities for adventure training while in Cyprus. The ex-Chief Clerk, W02 McKenzie, ran a successful scuba diving course and we were able to send soldiers on numerous course from sailing to hang gliding. Tpr Hitchcock, or 'Icarus' as he became known, had the narrowest escape of the tour when he and his hang glider collided with a cliff and slid 200 feet down the rock face. He broke his jaw but retained enthusiasm for the new sport! Jet skiing was another popular sport which required rather less skill, but generated much humour when rider and machine became detached! Novices soon discovered that a flat calm was what was needed.

During the tour we said goodbye to the Squadron Corporal Major, W02 Gilbert who left us to go to Knightsbridge as RQMC. He was succeeded by W02 Carter. We also said hello and goodbye to Lieutenant Cox on several occasions as he flew home to parachute with the Airborne Troop. He began by appearing reluctant to leave Cyprus, but it soon became apparent that there were good reasons to go home He has since become engaged. The result was that he nearly didn't qualify for his UN Medal!

One of the special features of our Cyprus tour was the inclusion of a Grenadier Troop from the Second Battalion based at Caterham. Under their Troop Leader, Lieutenant Loder, they successfully rose to the challege of evoking the memory of the Guards Armoured Division and even wore tee shirts to prove the point! We thoroughly enjoyed having them in the Squadron and look forward to serving with them again in the future. We finally returned from Cyprus in early July having completed a most enjoyable and rewarding tour. Following three weeks leave and weather that was almost

LCpl Thomas and Major General Park - Director of Infantry

The glorious Tug-of- War team: Back Row L - R: Tprs McGuinness, DeJi/in, LCpl Buckingham, LSgt Fraser (Gren Gds) Front Row L - R: Tpr Ford, LCpl Scully (Gren Gds) , Gdsm Baron (Gren Gds) , Tpr Simpson

as hot as Cyprus, we returned to Windsor to carry out rear party duties and prepare for annual Firing at Lulworth. Our week's firing was a great success and all Troops managed to pass Exercise Juliet (the battle run), on their first attempt, despite less than perfect weather.

On return we prepared for the Military Skills Competition and, later, Exercise Northern Crusade. The latter was an interesting exercise in which the Squadron did considerable mileage, both by road and air! We started at Thetford with four days of troop training and then moved down to Canterbury to link up with 1RRF in preparation for a TALa and airland onto Carlisle Airport. All the Squadron flew by Hercules from RAF Manston and most of the vehicles accompanied us. We then moved by simulated helicopter (by road!) to Otterburn where we carried out a live firing exercise with the Fusiliers, a good preparation for BATUS next year.

Following the exercise the Squadron carried out a KAPE tour through Tyneside and Teeside. It was something that we have not done for many years and it was enjoyed by everyone and generated considerable interest in the towns that we visited. In Stockton Lieutenant Farr and LCoH Maksymiw set up next to the Salvation Army and borrowed a notice board from a travel agent to advertise the many places around the world that soldiers visited. In Bishop Auckland LCoH Goodwin delivered a bridegroom and best man tb the church. In Newcastle CoH Valentine took some Scorpions home to his parents! The tour was great fun and has hopefully given impetus to a more direct style of recruiting that will be so important in the future.

During the last month of 1989 we completed The Major General's Inspection and the PRE followed by an enjoyable Christmas. We all felt sorry for Trooper

McMillan who spent Christmas as an ambulance driver and thoroughly enjoyed it! He had two accidents, one in which he backed into a police car!

We are able to look more clearly towards Germany and an exciting new role in 1990. Throughout the latter part of 1989 course have been an important factor in our training for our move. They have caused considerable turbulence to the Orbat but most of the Squadron now have at least one Challenger trade and the gunner and driver mechanics will have been converted. Our main aim as a Squadron during the forthcoming year will be to ensure that we are one of the two Squadrons that will form The Life Guards Battlegroup for BATUS in Canada. 1990 promises to be challenging and interesting year.

General Sir Charles Huxtable talks to LCpI Hodder in the cookhouse

Headquarters Squadron

The first thing which springs to mind when the time comes to put pen to paper for the Acorn is "1989 was a busy year for HQ Squadron", but 1990 will probably be even more so.

Do you want to hear about who has left us and who has arrived? Do you want to know all the details of all the exercises we have supported and all our sporting victories all the courses attended? No you probably just want a flavour of what has happened in the last year. Apart from being a small historical record of HQ Squadron in 1989, we will try to make it readable.

1989 was both varied and fun, in spite of the pressure. The Squadron Leader was away in January and most of February on the parachute selection course, which he managed to pass successfully. This meant that he would also be away for half of April and May at Brize Norton, doing parachute training. Meanwhile in March the year commenced in earnest for the Sabre Squadrons with troop training on Salisbury Plain and Troop Tests at Otterburn. HQ Squadron was actively involved at Otterburn in that we produced and manned some very good stands. The weather was crisp and clear and on one particular night the Northern Lights could be seen; an event so unusual that it was mentioned on the National News.

On return from Easter leave, the Squadron entered April at break-neck speed; Departments were working full time preparing the Regiment for Annual Firing, at Castlemartin in Wales. Under Capt Kelly, the programme of firing in Wales was full. In addition to supporting the Sabre Squadrons, we managed to fire the APWT and a variety of support weapons.

The end of May and the whole of June was devoted to adventure training at Fremington in North Devon. The Squadron provided all the necessary administrative backing under the tight control of SQMC Clarke

BEM and for all those who managed to have 10 days adventurous training, it was a most enjoyable time. The hot weather made Devon look more like the South of France; the sun tans were evidence.

July was spent preparing for the forthcoming Brigrade Concentration - Ex Roaring Lion. This exercise scenario was set in a distant, hot and arid country. With the exception of the first adjective, Salisbury Plain produced unpleasantly realistic conditions, with temperatures on many days reaching the high 80s and low 90s. After notional sea and air moves to the 'country' (by road actually), HQ Squadron spent much of its time in the Brigade Admin Area (BAA) and from there supported operations further inland. Ex Roaring Lion was an ambitious and imaginative exercise; and many lessons were learnt.

Ending on a light note, the Squadron was able to take leave in August in the knowledge that the first half of the year had been a success.

Following the Corporals' Course in September, A and C Squadrons, supported by HQ Squadron, took part in Ex Northern Crusade in Otterburn. Capt Slater (QM) took command of the Squadron for this our last exercise with 5 Airborne Brigade, Maj Hewitt being away once again, this time on the All Arms Tactics Course at Warminster. After this exercise, we were all involved in a KAPE tour, which meant following the two Sabre Squadrons South and stopping at various places on a

Brigadier Richards visits the HQ Squadron [iring point at Castlemartin. LCpl Deans and W02 Stephenson

LCoH Lambert with Brigadier Richards in the D & M Wing

recruiting drive. RHQ provided the communications, ably supported by SHQ Troop, who in their inestimable way managed to be in contact with nearly everybody most of the time.

Ex Northern Crusade was our last big outing, but it seemed that the work had only just begun. On return from the KAPE tour, the Squadron had only a matter of days to rehearse for the Major General's Inspection; much practice being required on the drill square in order to master the SA80. It was also beginning to dawn on us that the time to prepare for the forthcoming handover to RHG /0 was dwindling fast. The vehicles became the centre of attention and a good result was achieved in the 100% REME PRE which ended on the 24th November.

The weeks after the PRE and leading up to Christmas leave were devoted to the preparation for the hand over. We were also lucky to have number of visits during this period; the first of these was on Tuesday the 21st November when Lt Gen Peter De La Billiere came for the morning. On Monday the 18th December, HM The Queen honoured us with a visit, during which she spent some time finding out all about the deployment of RHQ Troop 'in the field', when she saw two Sultans from the Troop set up at Smiths Lawn, Windsor Great Park. The following day Archie Hamilton was treated to the same display, this time in the lesser surroundings of HankJey Common, having seen the Commanding Officer and Squadron Leader amongst others, parachuting from a Chinook helicopter.

HQ Squadron rehearsing one of several heli handling demos.

Maj Hewitt, who had been with the Squadron for the past two years, handed over command to Maj Clark and then moved to A Squadron before going on Christmas leave.

You may recall that last year we won the InterSquadron Sports trophy; again this year the Squadron had a most successful time in this area, winning six of the 14 events. After the boxing, which was meant to be the final event, HQ Squadron was level with B Squadron, so to force a definitive result it was decided to hold a race to determine the winner of the trophy. This took the form of a BIT; it was a close run thing, but on the day, B Squadron proved to be the fitter and by only a few points, managed to clinch victory.

As the Squadron embarks for the forthcoming tour in Germany, it goes in the knowledge that the support is has given the rest of the Regiment during the past year has been second to none and is confident that it is in a position of strength from which to help the Regiment move into its new role.

Capt Slater explaining the concept of light scales to two interested individuals - Maj Hewitt and General Sir Ozarles Huxtable

During the course of 1989 there has been a large turnover of personnel in RHQ Troop, too many to mention individually, but to all those who have moved on we wish them all the best of luck for the future.

Possibly the busiest year in living memory began in February with Ex Badree, a Brigade CPX. This put us in the strange situation of having all the Brigade units with whom we would normally in contact, all in one room. The exercise was of immense value to the younger members of the Troop and we acquitted ourselves well. Also in February we took our turn on the Battle Group Trainer (BGT), Bovington. Again this was a situation new to the majority of the Troop, having under command supporting arms, who, like ourselves, normally come directly under command of Brigade. This was the first time both the Regiment and the BGT had incorporated Secure Orders Cards into their procedures, so many valuable lessons were learnt.

In March the Troop deployed to Salisbury Plain for Troop Training, immediately followed by the move North to Otterburn for Troop Tests. The main exercise of the year, Roaring Lion, is probably being given wide coverage throughout this publication, therefore I will not add to it further.

In October, The Life Guards, minus B Squadron, deployed to Otterburn on Ex Northern Crusade. This exercise was a series of live battle runs, with a Squadron in close support of a Battalion, in a typical 5 Brigade scenario. RHQ had only a minor role to play due to the fact that Squadrons were detached to under command of the Battalions. However, this exercise produced my 'Radio Quote' of the year. For the last three days of the exercise OC spent its time under the care of the LAD in Redesdale Camp. Every time the vehicle was declared fit something else went wrong. After 48 hours OC was asked for a sitrep; the conversation went like this:

0: "Hello OC this is 0, send sitrep, over"

OC: "OC, the engine has been run up and we are out of the hanger, roger so far, over"

0: "Roger, over"

OC: "However, the news is not good "

The Airborne Troop

The airborne role has kept 3 Tp A Squadron very busy with parachute and TALO exercises. Apart from exercises we have frequently rigged up Scorpions as a focus for demonstrating the very practice which lies at the centre of our existence as an airborne force, namely the parachuting of CYR(T) or CYR(W) into battle. It has been difficult to keep together a fully trained airborne

OC then went on to explain what else had gone wrong. I would like to thank LCoH Squires for lifting the morale of a very tired crew. The KAPE tour was a success for the Troop as it gave us an excellent opportunity to demonstrate our ability to maintain communications within the Regiment, over considerable distances, whilst mobile.

The remainder of the year was characteristically busy with The Major General's Inspection, followed by demonstrations for HM The Queen and Archie Hamilton, at Smiths Lawn and Hankley Common respectively. In summary, it has been a year of great change, with evolution taking place at a frenetic rate. The chances are that we will not escape the process of dramatic change after our move to Germany early next year. We might even be back sooner than we think.

RHQ Troopers looking unusually wary

troop for any two exercises, due to courses and the difficulty in matching the correctly qualified people to the correct jobs within the Troop. The Blues and Royals Airborne Troop will be able to avoid this problem by achieving a high number of 'P' Company qualified people at the start of their tour.

LCoH Colman towing the log on P Company as Maj Hewitt and Lt Fircks look on

On a typical airborne exercise we have been required to go down to the Forward Mounting Base (FMB, usually South Cerney), a day early, to rig up the Scorpions in preparation for an airdrop. There we await met checks and prepare our personal kit. We then move to RAF Lyneham, load into Hercules C130s, before being subjected to a few hours of low level flying. Finally we are inserted onto the drop zone.

We then move to the heavy drop zone to find and de-rig armoured cars, before being launched straight into the exercise. The latter tends to culminate in a 'hot extraction', rather than the normal loading into containers.

We have worked with 1 PARA and 2 PARA throughout the year on exercises Red Lanyard, Blue Lanyard, Roaring Lion and Northern Crusade. Exercise Roaring Lion kept us extremely busy for ten days carrying out all our conventional tasks of OPs, hides, firepower and recces for DZ sites. It was fought against a very realistic enemy in the form of 1 PARA and all in the unusual 'Out Of Area' heat of July. The realism of a parachute insertion, followed by a very fast moving exercise and then a hot extraction, made our role both exciting and enjoyable.

In May we experienced jumping out of a Chinook for The Major General's farewell visit and we would have done the same for The Queen's visit in December, were Windsor Great Park not on a Heathrow approach route. At the beginning of July we took part in the Airborne Forces Day demonstrations, for which the scenario required an insertion by undersIinging from Chinook. We then finished off the year with a short TALa exercise in Scotland.

Our role 'in 5 Brigade has developed a great deal in the time we have been at Windsor and we are now able to hand over a highly versatile organisation to The Blues and Royals. They will be in the very fortunate position of having at least one fully manned troop to take on our airborne commitment. We hope they enjoy it as much as we have. .

HM The Queen inspects the Airborne Troop

Regimental Orderly Room

Reading back over the last ten years of Acorns for some inspiration of what to write, it struck me that my predecessors had done the same thing. All the articles seem to start with, "This has been a very busy year for the Orderly Room" or "There have been considerable changes in the Orderly Room". On reflection, not original, but very true. Clerical turnovers - have been considerable and many friends lost to civilian life or other corps. Nonetheless I would like to think that we have as talented a team today as we had 10 years ago, albeit a lot smaller.

Now to the year at hand. "There have been considerable changes in the Orderly Room this year". ORSQMC Smith has returned to the fold after a two year tour with the Queens Own Yeomanry and a two year tour with HQ Household Cavalry. ORQMC McKenzie left us for H Cav & RAC Manning and Records in Chester and has purchased his first house in the wilds of North Wales. Anyone for a holiday? The Orderly Room Corporal of Horse, CoH O'Neill was posted to ATDU as Chief Clerk in mid July and was replaced by LCoH Price on promotion.

LCoH Price, LCpl West and Tpr Horne returned to the fold in July after C Squadron's tour of Cyprus with the UN. Asking the three clerks if anything of interest had happened during their tour, they all said no, but on reflection had a good time. A successful tour.

LCoH McSherry, who always liked to think of himself as the debonair batchelor about town, who would have to be carried screaming and kicking to the altar, finally surrendered to the charms of-a young lady from Sweden. He went to the altar without so much as a whimper. Hurdy Gurdy.

'Light Aid Detachment

Since last year's article was written we have seen change at the top when A S M Moogan left in April 89 on commissioning. Our congratulations and best wishes go to him, whilst at the same time we welcome AS M Wales who joined us in June 89. But to all those who have left and there are quite a few, good luck wherever you are and of course a big welcome to all those who have just joined us.

Yet again we are claiming that it has been a busy year. Not only have we had lots of our normal work to do (because we all know that vehicles have a nasty habit of breaking themselves even when they're parked up), but there have been quite a number of exercises, demonstrations and visits this year. In fact there have been so many

LCpls Paterson and Gollings both received well earned promotions to LCoH. LCoH Gollings's wife produced a baby daughter in time for our move to Germany; the Regimental Recruiting Team will have to wait till next time.

LCoH McAlpine has been touring the country with the Recruiting Team 2IC, looking for suitable recruits for the Regiment, but so far no clerks have been forthcoming. We await the results of this year's tour. We may recruit a few more 'Erics'.

I suppose the sporting achievements of the Orderly Room have fluctuated over the years and depend really on how much encrouragement or hindrance they receive from the Orderly Room Corporal Major. I must confess that sport has never been my forte, but the clerks have still managed to do well in all those sports in which they have participated. Yours truly even managed to get a runners up medal in the hockey, but it was a very painful experience and one which I do not intend to repeat. Tpr Horne seems to have taken on the mantle. of clerical marathon runner competing in this year's Cyprus Services Half Marathon. CoH Price and LCoH Gollings have decided to become budding Nick Faldo's, but as yet we have seen no silverware.

With LCoH Davis leaving us for civilian life in August, it. was decided to make all the changes for the BAOR Orbat early. September and October saw these changes taking place; there was little disruption and all seemed happy to be in their new jobs.

Finally as 1989 closes and we gear ourselves up for the move to Germans and a big increase in our workload, I would like to thank all the clerks who will not be joining us for all their hard work during the past year.

LSgt Smith prepares to get his hands dirty up on Mountain Pine Ridge. Belize

visits it is rumoured that 'brushes sweeping' are soon to be issued as part of our 1157.

In September 88 LSgts Smith and Reynolds and Cfn Dobbs had to be forced to go to Belize and then later had to be forced to come home again. It is still not clear whether their long hours were spent in the workshop or the bar. No one seems to be telling.

C Squadron meantime were extremely busy in Cyprus with SSgt Imrie and Sgt (now SSgt) Lunnon doing a healthy trade in the repairing/manufacturing of gokarts, while the rest of the fitter section managed to renovate the LAD accommodation completely and turn it into the most sort after 'Barby Joint' on the island.

It was not long after this that Ex Roaring Lion took us all by storm and the new Regimental war-cry of "Light scales, light scales" could be heard ringing from every corner of the camp. It was during this eye-opening exercise that the ASM, after brutally haranguing two young Craftsmen for working under an unsupported Fox radiator, promptly dropped said radiator on his arm and had to be taken off to the field hospital. Pretty realistic demo ASM. A little later LCpl Hosie was flown off in a chopper, 'just to assist' the TALO troop and wasn't seen again until we returned to Windsor a week later. His claims of being needed were OK, but why did he look so happy about it?

Back in Windsor, Horse-Carriage Repair Troop, otherwise known as A Squadron Fitter section, are ably looked after SSgt Orr, who is frantically trying to learn how to ride and can often be seen disappearing over the horizon to cries of "Oh my gawd. Slow down." Definitely a glutton for punishment. On the subject of punishment, SSgt Elson, that undersized gnome from B Squadron, along with the EME and LSgt Reynolds, took themselves off for a 200 mile trek in the California High Sierras during their leave, then had the nerve to ask for time off to recover. Guess what the answer was.

On the sporting front this year we have seen a couple of stars amongst us. ASM Moogan, LSgts Mattinson and Aspinall and Cfn Thorburn - all members of our Corps Rugby team. Cfn King - Corps Cricket team. Lsgt Parratt - Army Water Polo and lastly AQMS Neve who came 8th in the international Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race. All in all, quite an achievement.

The final major event of the year was the 100% PRE in November. Considering the short time we all had for preparation, it went extremely well and all involved should pat themselves on the back. All that is left now is the final handover to RHG/D and the start of a new phase to our lives when we drive off to SPTA for Regimental Training. Who says things never change?

C Squadron Fitter Section working overtime

Repairing Ferrets at Alpha 20 Outstation

The Mounted Squadron

1989 followed a more traditional pattern for The Mounted Squadron, as the previous year had seen considerable variety with a major home defence exercise as well as a state visit at Windsor, followed by an additional one in late November, all of which prevented Winter Camps from operating.

The main ceremonial season started with The Major General's Inspection on the 27th April. It was preceded as usual by many rehearsals, inspections and preparations. Once again the weather was very poor and the parade went ahead cloaked up in the rain. The Major General commended the Regiment on the bearing, dignity and style that was displayed in difficult conditions. The sports fields opposite barracks were used for the parade, which provided an excellent setting, although it was badly dug up by the horses and, after the canter past, resembled no mans land in the First World War trenches. Surprisingly, no horses fell, although a Bedford 4 ton did get bogged in earlier that day and had to be towed out. In fact the field looked as good as new after the spring growth of grass and it has even survived the damaged caused by the temporary parking of thousands of cars during the rail strikes later in the year.

The Colonel of the Regiment presenting the prize for the winning troop in the Inter Troop Competition during his visit to The Mounted Regiment

The demands of The Major General's Inspection the Squadron well for the State Visit of The President of Nigeria, which followed shortly afterwards on the 9th May. This was a Life Guard Escort with Maj Graham as Field Officer of The Sovereign's Escort, Capt Connolly as Escort Commander, Lts Madden and Thorneycroft as Divisional Commanders and SCM Ritchie as Standard Bearer, with SQMC McDermott as Standard Cover. The Escort went very well, in spite of a long delay due to the late arrival of The President's aircraft. It seems even he is not immune to the difficulties caused by the air traffic controllers, although it was rumoured that the difference

between British Summer Time had not been taken into consideration.

It was however a very warm day, which was the first taste of the hallmark of all remaining parades, in 1989 - the intense heat and discomfort in State Kit.

The Captain's Escort on the following day also went well and Lt Thorneycroft commanded the Division.

The Colonel of the Regiment made his visit to the Squadron on the 23rd May. This year we could not use Kensington Palace Fields as the ground was so bad, however the riding staff organised an excellent day using the riding school. The occasion was very successful and greatly enjoyed. As always, the showjumping was the scene of intense competition between the 'old faithfuls'. The final Junior Ranks results were: 1st - Tpr Dixon on Dettingen, 2nd - Tpr Hooper on Churchill and 3rd - Tpr Scarr on Macbeth. 2 Troop won the Section Jumping, an event which bore more resemblance to a battlefield than a dressage area; SHQ suitably won the Chain of Command race with the Squadron Leader, 2IC, SCM and SQMC forming the team.

The Queen's Birthday Parade, which is very much the highlight of the year, was commanded this year by The Life Guards contingent and so it placed a particular strain on our horse and personnel state. As always the soldiers should take due credit for rising to the occasion and on three successive very hot Saturdays produced a magnificent parade, culminating in the Queen's Birthday Parade on the 17th June. It was particularly gratifying to hear the complimentary remarks of experienced observers; HRH The Prince of Wales also made special comment on this year's parade.

The Field Officer and Escort Commander were Maj Graham and Capt Connolly respectively, whilst Lts Madden and Thorneycroft commanded the two· Life

The Commanding Officer on his own horse "Alness" in the Officers' Showjumping Competition on Summer Camp

Guard Divisions. The Standard Party consisted of SCM Ritchie, SQMC McDermott and Trumpeter Couling. SCM Ritchie did particularly well on Ivanhoe to keep hold of the Sovereign's Standard as it became caught up in the overhanging branches, which had grown since last year. The Commanding Officer, at short notice, stood in for Maj Graham on the second rehearsal, who had suffered a fall on the polo field. It was obviously most unusual for the C-Qmmanding Officer to command The Sovereign's Escort on the Queen's Birthday Parade and Lt Col Morrisey Paine did particularly well to remember all the many words of command and movements on this lengthy and intricate parade.

Capt Connolly and CoH Burns out for a morning ride on Thetford Training Area

As always the Garter Ceremony was on the following Monday at Windsor Castle. It also seems to be traditionally and unfortunately the hottest day of the year. This was no exception, although by now, soldiers, to their credit, seemed to have developed immense self discipline and endurance. No one fainted, although the reflected heat was intense and destroyed all traces of immaculate shine on the boots. All of the Squadron officers were present and Capt Connolly with Lt Thorneycroft commanded the Staircase Party.

With relief, many soldiers were then able to go on leave and some horses went to grass during this brief window of opportunity before the next State Visit, which was on the 18th July for the President of the United Arab Emirates. For once it was not the Squadron's turn to provide the Standard Party and sadly, in the even.t, the escort was cancelled due to the rail strike that was causing such disruption. However, the Captain's Escort went ahead on the 19th commanded by Capt Connelly, with Lt Maddan as the Divisional Commander. By this stage both horses and men needed a change and a chance to recover from the intense activity of the Summer, with so many two or three o'clock reveilles and late nights cleaning kit.

Us Thorneycroft and Fullerton

Fortunately we had Summer Camp to look forward to and many horses went out to grass.

Summer Camp at Stanford Training Area from the 14th August to the 5th September once again provided the perfect antidote and was a tremendous success. Many minor improvements had been achieved since last year, due to extensive debriefing efforts from 1988 and it was hard to fault any aspects of the three weeks away. The Cross Country training areas were extensive and were set up in the beautiful surroundings of the land recently acquired by the Ministry of Defence. The weather throughout was ideal and, whereas the hard ground was seriously curtailing riding activities in most parts of the country, we enjoyed excellent going due to the sandy soil. There were remarkably few injuries this year to horses or riders.

LCpI Futcher leading his pair across the sunken road on the Junior Ranks Handy Hunter during Summer Camp

A great deal was packed into the three weeks, ranging from military training to a variety of competitions. As always, the sports and mounted competitions were approached with enthusiasm and vigour. The main events were as follows:

Squadron Show Jumping; Tpr Boardman on Churchill came first, Tpr McMinn on Jerusalem came second and Tpr Rimmington on Heathcliffe came third. In the Regimental Senior Ranks, Maj Graham came second on Heathcliffe and Cpt Connolly third on Jerusalem. The SCM and Maj Graham were our only placed pair in the Regimental Cross Country. They came third. However CoH Darley on Nordic did complete the course in the fastest recorded time of the day. Lt Madden on Ivanhoe won a very exciting race in the Officers' Steeplechase. The Squadron did well in all the sports and in particular 3 Troop which won the Regimental Football Compeition.

The return to London on 4th September went without a hitch, although most of the Squadron would have been happy to stay in Norfolk and send a party to do the Queen's Life Guard from there.

Tpr John having won the Scurry Competition at Syon Park against a Range Rover

working wonders in the school and at Barrossa on Wednesday afternoons. Now that the ground is soft, we are also sending parties out hunting.

Winter Camp at Ardingly lived up to expectaTroop was able to get away for five days, in Whl.ch tIme all had a chance to go hunting and keep their hands In at Cross Country and Show Jumping. were quite a few changes in key appointments dUrIng 1989. The following have left:

Capt Faulkner is now on a world cruise with his wife. Lt Thorneycroft has left to go to JCSC, before rejoining the Life Guards as Intelligence Officer. Maj Graham exchanged jobs with The Staff Captain, Capt The Hon M R M Watson on 22nd January 1990. Capt Connolly has departed to go back to The Life Guards as A Squadron Second in Command. He is replaced by Capt P L Harris, who has just successfully completed JCSe.

A Subaltern of The Life Guards

. September and October provide the only tUOlty to ensure soldiers receive their leave entitlement although it is not ideal for married men as it is not over school holidays. However, this year, it was a fairly straightforward matter to arrange, compared to last year, when we played a major role in a Home Defence exercise.

The Squadron completed the ceremonial season with the Cenotaph Parade, The Lord Mayor's Show and The State Opening of Parliament. Also thrown into this busy time were the Commanding Officer's Horse Inspections, Accommodation and Stable Inspections, early morning rehearsals and sports when possible.

The Squadron has competed at Hunter Trials every weekend and has achieved some impressive results, particularly with the younger horses and men. LCoH Waygood, as the Squadron Chief Instructor, has been

SCM Ritchie took over from SCM Flory and SQMC McDermott from SQMC Whatley in early 1989. SCM Flory is now an Acting Captain instructing in Lesotholand. SCpl Whatley is now A Squadron SCM in Life Guards. During the course of the year we have said goodbye to CsoH Pickard, Bellringer, Stanworth and Keech and have welcomed CsoH Layzell, Pringle, Darley and Evans into their places.

MOUNTED REGIMENT OPEN DAY

The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment Open Day will be held in Bodney Camp, Thetford, on Sunday the 2nd September, commencing at 1100 hours. Any Life Guard, serving or retired, is most welcome to come along, with his family of course. There will be a wide variety of equestrian activities and other events of interest, catering for all tastes.

The Band

Yet another year gone! This one was very similar to the last, starting with the customary revision of weapon, NBC and medical training fitted around the pre-season inspections and engagements for January, February and March. At the end of March the Band travelled to Cyprus to visit C Squadron. The coach arrived at Windsor on time, but Maj McColl's Glaswegian heritage did nothing for his navigation in the vast uncharted reaches of the Cotswolds, which resulted in the Band arriving at RAF Lyneham over three hours late! Once aboard the Hercules, much to everyone's alarm, one of the engines went up in flames, forcing the Band to evacuate the plane in record time. At long last we arrived in Cyprus to undertake a full itinerary travelling the length and breadth of the island, giving concerts to locals and tourists alike. Somebody decided to test the Band's initiative and endurance at the Easter Sunday church service. This ordeal comprised a two and a half hour coach journey, followed by mountain climbing in red tunics (wearing boots and spurs), whilst carrying 90 Ibs of kit in 100 degrees fahrenheit. Despite all of this the service was appreciated by the congregation of a couple of hundred officer cadets from Sandhurst, although it was

The Life Guard element of The Musical Ride assisting Michael Caine with the filming of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" at Stratfield Saye.

Acclimatization, Cyprus style!

"Corporal Major, who s turn is it for the shade?"

difficult to gauge their reaction as their faces were covered in cam cream. The last concert was held on the Turkish side and prove<i to be our most successful performance; a fitting way to end the tour.

July saw us performing on the bandstands at Bournemouth, Jersey and Eastbourne. The exceptional Summer weather ensured that our concerts were all weJl attended; Jersey in particular was an enjoyable engagement with standing room only on most concerts. Naturally we all indulged in the delights of the island and sampled the local brew. One of the most successful evenings was organised by the now Constable Grieve, an ex member of the Band.

After an extremely busy Summer season, the Bank took some well-earned leave. After over five years service with The Life Guards, Maj Gerry McColl bowed out at the British Legion concert at Old Windsor, which

The Pay Office

Some people think that life in a Pay Office can be pretty dull; after alI it is atl book-work; how wrong they can be. Of course there is some routine 'bread and butter' work, but in a busy Regiment there is always something different; it is what they caU the unexpected.

The Pay Team's motto is 'work hard play hard'

was an extremely populai evening and a fitting finale to a long and distinguished career. We wish both him and his wife Irene aU the very best and a happy retirement in Bonnie Scotland.

October saw the arrival of Capt Colin Reeves from the Royal Artillery Alanbrooke Band in BAOR and, coincidentally, the beginning of the ambulance dispute. This meant a change in our role, which resulted in the Director seeing very little of his new command.

Goodbyes were said to BCM Harman, SQMC Mean, LCpl Collier, LCpl Bromley, Musns Rickard, Dry, and Chiverton, who have all departed to civilian Hfe. We wish them every success in their new careers and welcome in their places Musns Walsh, Semkin, Field, Wheeler and Corney.

disappeared to Cyprus with C Squadron for a six month UN tour. This left the rear party somewhat shon, but happily Pte Jordan, a supernumerary from training, came to the rescue during his absence. With hindsight, tMough, he should have stayed longer.

The Paymaster, Maj Stovell, abandoned his

Maj McOJIl, the Director of Music, with General Sir Charles Huxtable

Throughout the winter months, the team has taken part in the RAPC Bednall Cup Small Bore Shooting Competition. Maj Stovell and SSgt Lyons formed the A Team and SSgt Ackroyd and Sgt Cameron the B Team. Amazingly, despite their novice status and limited practice, the A Team won the competition and have a Gold Bar to prove it.

At the end of February the team moved to Otterburn to support Troop Tests in various capacities ranging from Directing Staff to General Dogsbody.

The Paymaster returned from a successful Corps SAAM to discover that he had been nominated as Sailing Officer and was mumbling something about Ex Heligoland Hop and how the Household Division Regatta would clash with Ascot this year. A further complication was the Services Offshore Race and preparation for Bisley.

The team paid a fruitful visit to CMRO in Exeter. SSgt Ackroyd proved Montgomery's famous quote "Time spent in reconnaissance is never wasted" and arranged a posting to RPO York in September. He has been replaced by W02 Grech who has been enjoying a cosmopolitan lifestyle in Hong Kong for the past two years. W02 Grech is no stranger to the Household Cavalry, having served with the Mounted Regiment in what he described as his formative years. When a posting order to Norway for Sgt Cameron arrived in September, it became clear that he too had made good use of the visit.

In November the Team paid a visit to Olympia to see the Money Show. This annual event is now firmly part of the year's programme and is extremely popular. The stands at the show are sponsored by major financial institutions who supplement the statistics by attractive representatives who could sell ice to the Eskimos. The visits are justified not only on their educational merit, but also as practice in Resistance to Interrogation.

On the sporting front LSgt Mullender, has played Corps and Regimental Rugby and SSgt Lyons retained his titles as Badminton Champion and Pools Champion, in both singles and doubles. The latter also captained the squadron cricket team and alonside Maj Stovell and Sgt Cameron, played hockey in the Inter-Squadron competition. Sadly though, he lost the Golf competition on handicap to an even greater 'bandit'.

The preparations for the move to Germany are well under way and by the time this article is printed the last year in Windsor will be but a memory; but it will be remembered as a full and undeniably enjoyable year.

Warrant Officers' and Non Commissioned Officers' Mess

1989 started fairly quietly giving Mess members time to recover after the Christmas and New Year festivities. C Squadron departed Windsor for Cyprus at the beginning of January and set up their own Mess in Prince William Camp, Nicosia. The RCM held a dinner night for some of the 'Old Comrades' on 28th January which proved extremely popular with both the Old Comrades and those of us who remember them. February's pace in the Mess was more upbeat with Italian and German evenings.

W01 (RCM) Belza took over the reins from W01 (RCM) Mead on 17th March and started off his tour with a Dining Out and a Cabaret evening. A joint Army and Police Medieval Night was held for the German Police from Goslar.

The Mess was well represerited at the Cavalry Memorial Parade in Hyde Park, with over 100 Mess Members present. The 1989 parade was allocated to the Regiment with HRH The Princess of Wales taking the salute. After the parade a curry luncheon was held in the

Back Row: Sgt Gay and LSgt Mullender Front Row: SSgt Lyons and W02 Grech

WOl (ReM) A J Belza

Mess. The Major General Commanding The Household Division, Major General Airey, visited the Mess to say farewell on 15th May before he retired at the end of June. On the 19th May W01 Lloyd was dined out and he and his father presented the Mess with a momento of their combined Service.

A really busy Summer started with a Families Picnic on 4th June and a Mess outing to Epsom Downs for Derby Day on 7th June.

A large turnout of serving and non serving members attended the Association Dinner, our last before our move to Germany. Sixteen members of the Mess attended the Dining Out of Major General Sir Christopher Airey, (at Wellington Barracks), on his relinquishing command of the Household Division.

During July and the beginning of August the Mess held Cafe Continental and Medieval Nights and supplied the refreshments for The Life Guards Open Day on 5th August. We finally managed to dine out Mr Mead on 10th August with 120 sitting down.

Recruiting Team

Following the return of our Leader from 'Down Under' (no claims allowed) in December 1988, the 1989 Recruiting Season appeared to start with recces taking place in January and February and the Recruiting Team coming together on 1st March. This phase was not without its moments of high drama with a snatch squad stood by on 28th February to get the Recruiting Trailer out of

The period of September and October was a fairly relaxed time as far as functions were concerned. The Mess was visited by Commander 5 Airborne Brigade, Brigadier N W F Richards OBE, on 6th October. The 2nd Household Cavalry Regiment held its Annual Dinner in the Mess with the 'Old and Bold' showing the youngsters that they still had plenty of stamina when it comes to enjoying themselves and having a good time.

November started, quite literally, with a bang. A Guy Fawkes Weekend was a great success with an Adults evening on the 4th and Families Day on the 5th. Remembrance Sunday was well attended both by serving and non serving members. After the ceremony at the Garrison Church everyone repaired to the Mess for Lunch. As usual Regimental Boxing was an exciting and close event with C Squadron eventually coming out as the winners. Hoarse throats were then soothed in the Mess. Visitors during November were The Lieutenant Colonel Commanding The Household Cavalry on 2nd November, Major General S C Cooper, The Major General Commanding the Household Division, who met many old friends from his tour as Commanding Officer of the Regiment and Lieutenant General Sir Peter de la Billiere, General Officer Commanding South East District.

December was upon us again with startling speed. Starting off the festivities were the wives with their Annual Wives Club Dinner. The year seemed to go by so quickly; the Christmas draw proving to be our main event of the year. It must be all the wonderful prizes which bring Mess members from far and wide.

The visit of the year was that of HM The Queen; she was able to speak to Mess members and their wives for approximately 30 minutes. The Minister of State for The Armed Forces visited the Mess on 19th December.

Happy Centenary. Brickhanging was the best attended for years; so many faces from the past and not so distant past made the effort to attend. It is hoped that as many can get to Sennelager next year.

Workshops (it had only been there five months). The 4 tonner, not having had an 'In' inspection, then failed its 'Out' inspection and the video broke down. All this augured well for the season on the road. This was due to start and did, on the 24th March at Poole.

Representing The Life Guards in the team this. year we have LCoH McAlpine, having been prised away

The 1989 line-up

from his word processor, our Airborne element in the form of LCoH Core (complete with maroon beret and Regimental Badge), apparently this assists you in descending when the Foden which carried the Scorpion breaks down on the motorway. From the Armoured Regiment we had with us Tpr Leafe (HQ Sqn) and LCpl Taylor (A Sqn), who was replaced by LCpl Curzons (A Sqn) and from the Mounted Regiment, Tpr Nesbitt, who was succeeded by Tpr Carhart midway through the season. With The Blues and Royals element and an RCT driver, this motley crew of 10 took to the road on 23rd March with probably one of the hardest employments there are these days - Recruiting. Good employment and a lack of numbers in the age groups we target, help to make this a very competitive market.

Our target this year has been 135 Adults, 100 Junior Troopers, 63 Junior Leaders and 6 Junior Musicians. To date we are doing extremely well, having met our first half year targets and now well into the second to the extent that a troop of 43 Adult Household Cavalry Recruits reported all at the same time to the Guards Depot in September. This must have been a record. Eight were undoubtedly due to the presence of The Recruiting Team in the Bournemouth area in early April and the hard work of CoH Ashby, the Recruiter in that area. The Team only returned to barracks between March and October for a total of 10 days during this period.

Despite the long hours and hard work, everyone has managed to retain a sense of humour; this .being particularly important when you are spraying the fifth 16 Tonne Foden (they seem to grow on trees in Aldershot). The CYR(T) in particular had a few testing moments. A Mounted Dutyman's kit box, cuirasses etc., is no match for a CYR(T) when the latter breaks its securing chains and hand brake cable on the back of the Foden and heads for the cab.

The team has carried out something in the region of 85 appearances, ranging from major shows to cadet evenings and we have met many Ex Household Cavalrymen in our travels and what a delight it is to see them. Last year we enclosed in the magazine an information sheet and details of the recruits we needed. This produced a magnificent response from Association Members, in Mr J E Simpson from Bramhall near Stockport 10 Cheshire and Mr P Woodford from Barry in South Glamorgan, have been outstanding in forwarding names and enquiries to this office. We will require this assistance for the foreseeable future and I do ask you all to keep in contact with our office and continue to act as Recruiters. Between the two Associations this gives us approximately 6,00.0 Recrui.ters throughout the United Kingdom. If you are 10 the WlOdsor Area then call in and see us. The offer of a brew still stands.

The Regimental Open Day

A very successful and busy season was concluded by The Life Guards in October on returning from a 5 Airborne Brigade Exercise in Otterburn. A and C Squadrons drove down routes through North East and North West Districts, stopping off to call at villages and towns on the way. This was a great success and it is hoped we will be seeing lots of Geordies and Scousers in the not too distant future.

In 1990 the Recruiting team will be in the following areas when we hope to see you and potential recruits then:

March

London District

April South West District

. May South West and North East District

June North West District

July North West District and Scotland

August Wales

September South East District

Target 1990

The Household Cavalry will have vacancies for the following Soldiers during 1990. Should you know anyone who is keen, interested and of the right calibre, please complete the loose insert and we will forward our recruiting brochures.

Adults/Young Soldiers Age 17-25 years 140

Junior Leaders Age 15 years 11 months-17 years 63

Junior Troopers Age 15 years 11 months-17 years 100

Junior Musicians Age 15 years 11 months-17 years 6

Adult Musicians are always required (subject to auditions).

Why Men Joined The Army in the 1840s

1. Indigent. - Embracing labourers and mechanics out of employ, who merely seek for support 80 in 120 ..............................pp

2. Indigent. - Respectable persons induced by misfortune or imprudence .. 2 in 120

3. Idle. - Who consider a soldier's life an easy one 16 in 120

4. Bad characters. - Who fall back upon the army as a last resort 8 in 120

5. Criminals. - Who seek to escape from the consequences of their offences 1 in 120

6. Perverse sons. - Who seek to grieve their parents 2 in 120

7. Discontented and restless. 1 in 120

8. Ambitious 1 in 120

9. Others 2 in 120 p P

From 'Camp and Barrack Room or The British Army as it is' by J. MacMullen, 1846.

The Guards Depot

The Household Cavalry Training Squadron has had another successful and varied year at the Guards Depot. Although the number of staff is small, in comparison with Foot Guard Regiments, we certainly make a big impression on life at the Depot.

Under the leadership of Maj Massey RHD/G, we continue to train recruits for the regiments of Household Cavalry. So few recruits are joining the Army these days, that we are always faced with the problem of passing out troopers of a certain standard; inevitably we end up

Recruit

R stands for RECRUIT, undergoing the ills

Of what are now termed elementary drills. From his looks we should argue, we hardly know why. A glorious future offame by-and-bye.

Pray observe the intelligent gleam of his eye! He is standing atease, but you mustn't suppose He can stand as he likes, stretch his legs, blow his nose,

Or otherwise yield to a state of repose.

Till he's told to stand easy-whate'er you may think, A true soldier knows that he daren't even wink.

playing the numbers game.

'Cavalry Troops' now run consecutively, being made up of the H Cav recruits from the junior and adult companies on completion of phase one training. They then carry out phase two training with a cavalry slant (including visits to Combermere and HCMR), before passing out to Catterick or Knightsbridge for continuation training.

In the field of sport the Squadron teams, made up from staff and recruits alike, have gained good results. At

athletics we came third in the team event (out of six), with LCpl Hoon winning the 100 and 200 metre sprints, making him the first Cavalry man to be awarded the Victor Ludorum Cup. The field contestants did well under the excellent assistance of W02 Byrne's son Jason (GB Junior Interna tiona I).

The Cross Country Team did very well coming in second place, being narrowly beaten by the Junior Parachute Company. The Squadron Volleyball Team won a 'Round Robin' event beating the hot favourites, 5 Company Irish Guards, into second place. The team included such handy players as CoH Derbyshire, LCoH Harlow and LCpl Hoon. The Squadron also gained commendable results in football and tug of war in spite of strong opposition.

There is one other 'sport' in which the Household Cavalry take part, though it is an entirely Foot Guard craft. Pace Sticking at the Guards Depot is a competition enabling the true 'Drillers' to battle out regimental supremacy. There are even World Championships held annually. The Squadron entered a senior and junior team who acquitted themselves well, gaining much praise from 'The Professionals'.

The stables continue to do good work schooling young horses at various events and giving tuition to the novices. The staff include LCpl Weller who gained good results and experience at the Royal Windsor, Staff College and RMAS Horse shows, as well as riding in the Sandhurst and Merist Agricultural College Hunter Trials. Visits have included The Queen Mother and the Lieutenant Colonel Commanding Household Cavalry.

The Sergeants Mess have now a permanent display known as Cavalry Corner, by kind permission of the Lieutenant Colonel Commanding on his visit in March.

The Squadron entered a team in the Inter Regimental Company Games Night, showing hidden talents at indoor sports. CoH Hearn had a perfect methods of carpet bowls that has to be seen to be believed, with cries of "ADD 200" and "TARGET", causing considerable confusion among the opposition. The Trivial Pursuits team (not named) lost to the Junior Parachute Company. The Team Captain was heard to remark that "Trivia is not prescribed reading for H Cav Junior NCOs."

We were glad to see W01 Belza for a short while at the beginning of the year as the Drill Corporal Major, much to the amazement of others. We have said goodbye to Lt Eden, who proved to be a very popular and well known character. Scarely a day went by without the name of 'Jack' being mentioned in conversation somewhere in the Depot. We wish him well at his micro lighting in civilian life. W02 Mills left us to be replaced by W02 Byrne as MTWO. We have also said goodbye to LCsoH Richards and O'Sullivan and Tpr Auld.

We welcome Capt Knowles as MTO, Lt Meade as 2IC Waterloo Company and Lt Farr as a Platoon Commander. Other members of the Regiment at the Depot include: Lt Davies and LCoH Harlow in Pirbright Company, CoH Derbyshire and LCpl Squires in Caterham Company, LCoH Shipton in Waterloo Company, CoH Roberts running the Signals Wing, LCpl Hoon on the PT staff and CoH McKay at HDCC, who instructs a few of the old faces that pass through on the Guards Dept Potential Instructors Course.

The staff work hard on feeding recruits to the Regiment, supporting any visiting members of the Regiments to the Depot and promoting the high standards of The Life Guards. We wish the Regiment a successful handover and look forward to seeing you all in Germany in 1990.

Sports

LCoH Co.les about to launch himself into the air for A Squadron

The triumphant B Squadron team

U Mahony puts the EME firmly in his place

Cfn King airborne for HQ Squadron

BOXING

The boxing season started in November with the Inter-Squadron Competition. There was no doubting that much hard work had gone in to each team's preparation. On the night we were given an excellent display of boxing with every individual entering the ring fit and ready to go. Each of the fights tended to go the full distance which says much for the courage and stamina of those competing. At the end of the evening the points for each team were added up to find that Band C Squadrons tied with each other, therefore the last bout became the decider. Tpr Daynes won the fight, pushing C Squadron into first position, with A and HQ Squadrons being tied for third place. The prizes were presented by Colonel ParkerBowles, who congratulated the contestants on their performances. The best loser's prize was awarded to LCpl Burn and the best boxer's was awarded to LCoH Grantham.

The success of the Inter-Squadron Competition was used as a firm base for continuation training in preparation for the Semi Finals of the London District Inter Unit Novice Boxing Competition against the Welsh Guards, due to be held at Windsor on the 11th December

Again the standard of boxing was extremely high with The Life Guards emerging victors by six bouts to three. Both the WOs' and Officers' Messes then e.ntertained their opposite numbers; judging by the sorry sight. of some faces the next day, it was certainly a good evemng. Our hard worked boxers managed some sort of break over Christmas, before returning to train for the Final of the Competition, which was to be held on 2nd February 1990 at Hounslow against the Scots Guards. The margin of victory on this occasion was even greater, with The Life Guards winning by seven bouts to two. The standard of competition was again extremely high.

Only three days after the fight we find ourselves out in Germany, no longer part of London District, so we snatched victory just in time. The future in BAOR looks promising, with a boxing competition being held in Berlin in February or March and with one or two of the Reg!mental boxers wishing to try their luck in the Army BOXIng Team. Capt Lawrence will be taking over the reins from now on and considering the level of enthusiasm he instilled in recruits at Pirbright, there is no doubt that the enormous commitment of our boxers to the sport will continue.

This article would not be complete without SSgt Easter back at Windsor for all his help and adVice. Most of the organisation stemmed from his capable hands. Thanks are also due to the Band, without whose support the right atmosphere would not have been created.

CRICKET

The 1989 Cricket Season for the Regiment has

had to be squeezed in around Regimental commitments, but those games we have played were extremely enjoyable, if not entirely successful.

The very first game for the Regimental Team pitted us against the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, who boasted the Army Cricket Captain and several of his cronies, all of whom had been in the nets since February. We were undaunted: did we not benefit from seasoned players of last (yester) year such as LCpl Leete and LCsoH Grantham, Gollings and Davies? And did we not also possess that cricketing colossus, Maj 'Melchett' Scott? Unfortunately our hopes were built on sand and despite a brilliant deception plan hatched by Maj Scott which involved his being out for a Golden Duck (as No 1 batsman), the Grenadiers refused to taken in and beat us by six wickets.

However, even if our Regimental matches were not too distinguished, the Inter-Squadron Cricket was hotly contested and great fun. Played the week before Block Leave, the competition was based on a knockout result between HQ, A, B and (just) C Squadrons. The first to play were HQ and A. Maj Scott played an exemplary captain's innings reminiscent of Geoff Boycott on a three-day Test and Capt Clark was remarkably active but the ?epth of talent in HQ eventually prevaIled, led by Ma] 'Trumpers' Hewitt. B Squadron took on C Squadron, only recently returned from their Cyprus tour. C Squadron's demise has been badly mistaken for bad luck, but in fact was due to overconfidence by certain members of their team, namely Mr Farr, SQMC Clarke and their LAD attached personnel. They were even reduced, as the game and lots of slipped through their suntanned fingers, to relyIng o.n CoH.Norcombe's insults thrown at B Squadron bowlers In a futIle attempt at putting them off.

. The final was very tense, very close and very hot, OWIng to the weather. B Squadron, realising that HQ were not in quite the same league as C Squadron, pulled out all the stops, even retrieving CoH Derbyshire from the Guards Depot and wisely leaving Maj 'Diego' Stibbe in the pavilion to provide the verbal support. To cut a long story short and extemporise on an epic struggle, B Squadron opened the batting, notching up a very respectable total with good scores coming from Lt Farquhar, LCpl Addis and LCoH Grantham, to name but a few. HQ replied in their usual steady way, but the co.mbi?ed firepower of B Squadron bowlers and Maj Stlbbe s bellowed exhortations of "BODYLINE!" and "BOUNCER! BOUNCER!" from the pavilion, cracked HQ after a very spirited resistance, especially from the batting of Maj Hewitt, Sgt Lyons and others, giving B the game and the competition.

The last cricket match of the season was the WOs' and NCOs Mess vs The Officers' Mess in September. Despite a very valiant stand by a depleted Officers' team, the WOs and NCOs won a comfortable victory, mainly

because they cheated horribly and included 99% of the Regimental cricketers in their side. No matter, the Officers shall have their revenge in 1990, except this time on German soil.

CROSS COUNTRY

EME

FENCING

CoH Margan has yet again spearheaded fencing as a sport in the Regiment. As well as encouraging and bringing on younger talent, he has produced some fine results of his own. A second place in the Army Championships was followed by a fourth place in the Inter-Service Championships, but his finest achievement

of the year was a place in the Dutch Military International Epee Tournament at Utrecht, a competition which also drew teams from Denmark, Luxembourg and Germany.

CoH Margan is now an England Selector and Team Manager for the England Epee Squad. He hopes to finish his competitive career after the 1990 Commonwealth Championships, having gained a team silver medal in the latter this year. The presentation of the Wokingham District Sports Personality of the Year award to CoH Margan was a fitting tribute to one man's contribution to a sport.

CoH Margan receives the Wokingham District Sports Personality of the Year Award

GOLF

It is an irony that, although surrounded by some of the finest golf courses in England (Wentworth, Sunningdale and the Berkshire), playing golf in Windsor is by no means easy and is very expensive.

Fortunately 10 members of the Regiment were offered the facilities of The Royal Household Golf Club, which, although only a nine hole course, did at least allow us to play some golf at a very reasonable price. However, it did mean that those other golfers of the Regiment not fortunate enough to be able to play on the Household Golf Club had to try to play elsewhere.,

Our first Regimental Competition was held at Farnham Park Golf Club and consisted of one round of stapleford and was won by SSgt Lyons, our Service Funds Accountant, with Major Scott second and LCoH Jones third. The Regimental Golf Officer had a bad day. There were several other competitions held at Farnham Park Golf Club under the guise of the Broom Farm Community Centre Golf Society. This society includes members of the Scots Guards as well as ourselves and gave the Regimental pl41yers the opportunity to play under competition

The mass start of the Regimental Cross Country Competition

The

romps home a clear winner

conditions. The Regimental players acquitted themselves very well with SSgt Lyons winning on a couple of occasions, Lt Hennessy- Walsh once, and other members of the Regiment being placed.

A Household Cavalry team, two of whom were Lt Hennessy-Walsh and LCoH Jones, reached the SemiFinals of the Colonel-in-Chief's Cup (a Household Division Competition) where they were beaten by the A Team of the Scots Guards.

This year we have also initiated a competition against the Ridgemount Artisans Golf Club in the form of a match to be played biannually between the residents of Combermere Barracks and the Artisans. They play at Sunningdale Ladies Golf Club and, although fairly short, it is a testing course. The first match was completely washed out and everyone had to walk in from the course under the most torrential rain. The second match was lost and the Falvey Shield is now held at Sunningdale. We hope that in 1990 the Blues and Royals will win it back.

The final Regimental competition of the season was held at the Royal Household Golf Club, who had kindly agreed that we could all use the course for the day. The morning competition was a straightforward medal which was won by LCoH Renshaw with a net 62 playing off a handicap of 28! Handicap to be reviewed before next season. SSgt Lyons and LCoH Gollings were second and third respectively. The afternoon round was a fun competition entitled '2/14 club stapJeford' in which the fewer clubs you take around with you the better your handicap becomes. This was won by SSgt Lyons who carried only three clubs, none of which was a putter!

The Royal Household provided lunch and dinner, together with bar facilities and the prizes were presented by their President, Colonel Sir John Johnson, to whom we are all very grateful for the day.

We now look forward to our move to Sennelager where the golf club is but a few minutes 'drive' away.

OFFSHORE SAILING

Offshore sailing has enjoyed a revival in the past year with a major exercise, Ex Heligoland Hop and a week's sail training. Ex So lent Run. Racing has also been supported with the Regiment entering a boat in the Household Division Regatta at Seaview and with Maj Stovell serving as part of the winning crew in the Services Offshore Race, which is regarded as the Grand Prix of Services Offshore sailing.

Offshore sailing is rightly regarded as one of the principle branches of adventurous training, in that it pits the skill and expertise of individuals against the unpredictability and danger of the sea. The qualities of leadership, fortitude and courage in what can be exacting conditions, are fully tested.

Sadly the Regiment can not calion many qualified skippers, so the emphasis is on encouraging interest by supporting expeditions and exercises. The aim of Ex

Solent Run was to introduce soldiers to offshore sailing. The Solent area, though sheltered, can be testing in adverse weather conditions. The exercise was conceived, administered and led by Sgt Anderson (Skipper) and crewed by SSgt Orr, LSgt Halcomb, LCpJ Diggins and Pte Jordan. With the exception of the skipper, the crew had no sailing experience of any kind.

The team assembled at Gosport on 21st May and after taking over 'Craftsman of REME', a 26ft Westerly yacht, began instruction in the basic crew skills, such as tieing bowline knots and coming alongside, more commonly known as mooring. The next day, after a lie-in until the shipping forecast at 0550 hours, the team sailed to Bembridge for lunch and Cowes for dinner, sped on by fresh breeze and a fair tide.

A visit to Cowes is not complete without a cruise up the Medina River to see the sights and landing at the jetty adjacent to the 'Folly Inn'. This set the pattern for the remainder of the week: Pleasant day sailing and as many visits to harbours and creeks as possible. However, the visit to the 'Jolly Sailor', of Howards Way fame, at Bursledon, was frustrated, not by a mistake in the tidal calculation, but by it being closed for renovation.

During the week the crew completed over 100 miles and navigated the Hamble and Beaulieu River as well as criss-crossing the Solent many times. All enjoyed a good week's sail and all are keen to do more.

The Household Division Regatta was held at Seaview once again. The yacht club is unique in that it owns a fleet of Seaview Mermaids, which race in a class all of their own, thus ensuring fair play. The Life Guards team was captained by Maj Stovell, ably assisted by SSgt Cheetham and Tpr Wade, both of whom had sailed dinghies competitively before. The Regatta was a very civilised affair and immense fun; even the weather

"Holding on " L-R: LCpI Diggins Pte Jordan. SSgt 011'

cooperated by being hot and breezy. Four races were contested each day, with a break for lunch in the Club which overlooks the Solent.

There were, it was refreshing to note, few 'gladiators' amongst the competitors, which meant that novice crews could give a good account of themselves. Another nice feature of the Regatta is that everyone gets a prize! Good luck to next year's crew and to the continued success of this enjoyable event.

The move to Germany in 1990 will bring new opportunities for sailing. The British Kiel Yacht Club is very active and the Baltic, teeming with small islands, offers some of the best sailing in the world.

PENTATHLON

The Winning Team. Capt Mitford-Slade, Capt The Hon M. Watson, Lt Mackenzie-Hill, Maj Hewitt

Again many officers were able to take advantage of the wonderful facilities available at Windsor and 10 of us played throughout the season, our last in England for six years.

The team for the Inter-Regimental competition consisted of Maj C H N Graham, Maj J L Hewitt, Capt The Hon M R M Watson and Lt R MacKenzie-Hili; a strong team, I think you will agree, on paper and indeed, the favourites to win the competition. It proved to be difficult at the start of the season to get everyone on the field to practice: Maj Hewitt and Lt MacKenzie-Hill were busy parachuting, whilst Maj Graham and Capt The Hon Watson were fully occupied at the beginning of the Cermonial Period.

The Life Guards Modern Pentathlon Team having won second place at the Army Championships. Tpr Bebbington, Lt Mahony (who also won the individual event), the Commanding Officer and Lt Hanson

POLO

Once in a decade we are lucky enough to experience such weather as we did during the Summer of 1989. It was indeed 'proper' weather for polo, cricket, croquet and many other Summer activities. The ground for much of the season was hard, but the ponies soon became used to it and more remained on the road than anybody could have hoped for, considering the concretelike going on most grounds. Much praise for this must go to the diligent and caring work of the grooms who spend many hours cold-hosing legs.

Prince William and The Major General look on as Maj Hewitt is presented with the Captains' and Subalterns' Cup by HRH The Princess of Wales

After a few dates had been postponed we eventually met the 13thl18th Hussars on Tuesday 27th June 1989 at Windsor. The previous week they had beaten The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, also at Windsor. They were well prepared and managed to beat us by a score of 4-3 in a hard fought battle. The 13thl18th Hussars were eventually beaten in the final by the Royal Navy.

On one of the hottest days of the year, Sunday 6th August 1989, at Tidworth, the final of the Captains and Subalterns Competition was contested, between us and the 13th/18th Hussars; the teams remained almost unchanged from the Inter-Regimental, except that Maj Graham had been replaced by Capt Mitford-Slade. By this time in the season we were very much keyed-up and ready to meet any challenge; we had won the cup for the last five years and if successful this time we would set a record unequalled in 92 years. The setting and the weather were conducive to a timely holiday atmosphere and many supporters came to picnic and cheer on their side. HRH The Princess of Wales and Prince William attended and made the occasion even more special. The Colonel of the Regiment, Lady Fitzalan-Howard and The Major-General also came to enjoy the sport. By the time battle commenced, the atmosphere was electric. I use the word battle, not onty to complete the phrase, but because the word seems truly appropriate to such competitions.

The match was hard from the outset and the determination on both sides must be commended. The Life Guards played superbly as a team, whilst the interaction between Lt MacKenzie-Hill and Maj Hewitt looked as though they had been playing high-goal polo together for years. The polo was fast and exciting and we remained on top throughout. Maj. Hewitt received a very bad knock to his left elbow, which needed medical attention, but after five minutes he returned to the ground even more determined. Capt The Hon Watson played an inspiring game at Back and Capt Mitford-Slade was supportive at 1. The final score of 8-3 to The Life Guards was evidence that all played above their handicap. Revenge is sweet. HRH The Princess of Wales graciously consented to present the prizes, which were kindly donated by Moet et Chandon. A very fine reception, also provided by the Sponsors Moet et Chandon, ended a most enjoyable and magnificent day.

Maj Hunter, that great administrator and entrepreneur of polo, has had a full season and is, at the time of writing, a member of a service touring side in Kenya.

Sadly for the Regiment and on a larger scale, the whole polo community, Maj Graham has had to retire from polo due to a nasty fall during a match in midseason.

When the Regiment moves to Germany it will be leaving behind many polo players, but it is hoped that they will continue to keep the Regiment's name in the forefront of English polo. Maj Forbes-Cockell returns to England from Cyprus and although our England based players will

be fairly scattered, it is hoped they can come together to meet on the polo ground.

Maj Hewitt, Maj Clark, Lt Dwerryhouse and Lt Uloth will be playing in Germany and so the tradition continues.

RUGBY

Out of the 10 matches in the 1988/89 season, the Rugby team won four and lost six. This is a successful result when one considers first the small size of the Regiment compared with our opponents and secondly the very limited time available in which to practice.

W02 Evans captained the side from a second row position, where he dominated play both in the line outs and the set scrums. In the Inter-Squadron competition HQ Squadron beat B Squadron to take the trophy in an extremely hard fought game. Capt Van der Lande captained the HQ side. His fast hooking won many of the scrums, while LCoH Whittaker's jumping won many of the line outs.

The Regiment entered a team for the Aldershot Sevens Competition, in which we reached the semi finals of the Plate which is awarded to the winners of all first round losers.

The team are pleased to welcome back CoH Jeram for the 1989/90 season to give the front row a wider and more menacing style and LCoH Richards, who has been playing for the Dorset County side. Our prospects for Germany are good. We will continue to enjoy the game and hope to build up a strong band of loyal followers who will participate vocally during the games and socially afterwards.

SKIING

Sadly, due to the Regiment's commitments in England in the form of Conversion Courses and the impending move to Germany, we did not send a team to this year's Army Skiing Competition. However two officers, Lt MacKenzie-Bill and Lt Dwerryhouse, went out as individuals, the former teaming up with three members of 5 Airborne Brigade in the Divisional Competition.

Europe seems to have an increasingly bad habit of failing to produce snow early on in the season and the 1989/90 season was no exception. For the entirety of both the training and the competitions, we only had one snowfall. Consequently the snow was always very warm and icy, with rocks causing frequent damage to skis. Needless to say though, it did not impair the enjoyment or indeed the quality of the training that the Verbier Ski School produced. The six weeks in Verbier culminated in a race week, sponsored by Regal Cigarettes, which gave each racer a number of seed points to take on to the Divisional Competition.

The next phase, the UKLF and 4 Armoured Division Championships, took place in Galtur, Austria, where again snow was a serious problem. Lack of snow often produced dangerous conditions, especially for the less experienced competitors, who spent more time dodging rocks than attacking slalom poles. Lt MacKenzieHill moved steadily up the seeding list, finishing in the top 40, which enabled him to go on to the Army Championships in Les Menuises, France.

Despite the snow conditions, it was the most excellent opportunity to improve one's skiing. Soldiers who had hardly skied at all, were, by the end of the six week training period, able to negotiate the courses in a competent fashion. As I write, three members of the Regiment are passing through Ex Snow Queen with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards; so by this time next year we will have a good pool of skiers to choose from. The six week training period is certainly worth going on, so budding skiers ensure you get down to Bavaria. If nothing else and you fail to gain any skiing prizes, you can go for the prize awarded to the person who spends more nights in Chalet girls' beds than in his own. This year's winner spent only two nights in his own bed. What a player.

SQUASH

The 1989 season has been more notable for individual, as opposed to team successes, as our participation in the league has been restricted by the move to Germany. 2Lt Wheeler has represented both Sandhurst and the RAC and this success has been rewarded by selection for the Combined Services Under 25 Team. SSgt Easter played for the APTC in the Corps Championship in which they finished second.

The Inter-Squadron Competition held on the 2nd March was of a very high standard; each of HQ, A and B Squadrons fielded players in seeded order with each seed playing his opposite number in the other squadrons. The HQ Squadron team, which included the Second in Command, SSgt Easter, Sgt Cameron and LCoH McSherry, was the overall winner with nine wins out of a possible ten. A Squadron were second and B Squadron third.

With all this evidence for the obvious presence of great talent in the Regiment, the prospects for 1990 in BAOR look good.

SUBAQUA

The Life Guards Sub Aqua Club continues to thrive as one of the most active Regimental clubs, albeit with a small membership. During 1989 members of the Regiment have dived in the United Kingdom, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Throughout this time the club has been able to rely on the support of the Diving Officer, CoH Wise, who sadly is not moving to Germany with us.

LeoH Cripps, in case you jailed to recognise him

The most exotic diving was seen whilst Squadrons and Troops were on tour abroad. In Cyprus, W02 MacKenzie and LCoH Cripps were able, through the assistance to JSATC Pergamos, to introduce many members of C Squadron to the underwater environment in a warm and colourful part of the world. Indeed it is anticipated that .LCoH Cripps will shortly go forward for his Supervisor's Course and, on its successful completion, he will take over as Diving Officer.

Diving of a similarly exotic nature was practised off the Belizean Cayes by members of the Independent Armoured Reconnaissance Troop. Whilst several novices were able to take advantage of the short courses in SCUBA (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) at St George's Caye, others, such as Tpr Gandar, joined the local club and dived widely along a reef which is the longest in the Northern Hemisphere. Certainly at one stage Capt Smyth-Osbourne was able to join an expedition to dive some of the least spoilt waters of the Caribbean, whilst based on Half Moon Caye. The latter area is most famous for Jacque Cousteau's experiments in the 'Blue Hole' which somewhat appropriately provided the sight for the final dive in that area. In this case, if in no other, we were certainly following in Cousteau's Flipperstrokes! The idea of diving in such exotic locations must be almost every divers dream. A sample from one logbook read:

"It was magnificent, akin to diving in an aquarium. The visibility was almost unlimited and the water temperature was not dissimilar to a warm bath. The marine life was abundant in the extreme and the colours quite breathtaking "

In view of the delights of such worldwide diving, it is easy to become complacent about the odd visit to Weymouth in the United Kingdom. However, there are many aspects to diving (some people have ambitions to dive under ice!) and throughout the next year in

Germany, training in the North Sea or Inland Lakes will enable The Life Guards Sub Aqua Club to enjoy the benefits of warmer waters.

SWIMMING AND WATERPOLO

The Inter-Squadron Swimming and Waterpolo Competitions proved to be the highlight of the Regimental aquatic year, as the unavailability of several key amphibians had meant that we were not able to put forward a team at District level.

The competitions were held at the Sand hurst pool in August, 'in the presence of the Commanding Officer. The individual, medley and relay events all produced close results, with the chain of command race providing a fitting end to an excellent competition. B Squadron took the final honours, with HQ in second place.

The preliminary rounds of the waterpolo competition had been completed during the previous week. The semi-finals and final all produced memorable matches, HQ Squadron succeeded in reversing their earlier defeat, pushing B Squadron into second place overall. The Commanding Officer awarded the prizes.

Finally, congratulations to LSgt Parrott (LAD) and Tpr Gardener who are both currently in the successful Household Division Waterpolo Team.

TUG OF WAR

The Regimental Tug of War Team made a very good start to the season by beating all comers in the Household Division Championships at the Guards Depot. With this excellent win behind us we went on to enter some civilian championships. The opposition was in fact world class, but a lot of experience was gained.

We continued our training with the Toucan Training League where many friends were made and a lot of club sessions enjoyed. We finished sixth in the League, which, considering we had the British and European Champions in the League, was no mean feat.

The team then went forward for the London District Championships; as no other unit entered the competition we held on to the cup we won last year.

The Inter-Squadron Tug of War took place on the 4th May. HQ Squadron secured both the 640 and 680 Kg weights, but A Squadron won the Chain of Command. This was a very good competition which was enjoyed by those who attended. After all the hard training, we were requested to enter a team in the Princess Royal's Championships on the 28th May. It was a tough competition with the Regimental Team putting up a good fight against the Army and Inter Services Champions.

The Regiment then went on to the UKLF Championships and entered the 560, 640 and 680 Kg weights. The Regiment beat some well established teams and was credited in coming 4th in the 640 Kg competition.

Winning the Household Division Shield

This was followed. by the Army Championships at Waterbeach, with the team entering the 640 and 680 Kg weight Plate Competition. The team came 3rd in the 680 Kg competition.

The Army Indoor Championships at Aldershot on the 6th December was our final competition of the year. Unfortunately, LCpl Thomas injured his back, forcing the team to compete with only seven men, with inevitable results.

In summary the team acquitted itself exceptionally well, especially when one considers the many Regimental commitments, which made it difficult to keep the team together for training. The team can now look forward to Germany and the many opportunities to visit not only military teams, but also civilian teams in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, to mention but a few.

The team members are:

HQ Squadron A Squadron

SCM Stephenson SQMC Ormiston

LCoH Whittaker LCpl O'Connor

LCoH Lindsay LCpl Stewart

LCpl Lowe Cfn Beaumont

LCpl Hosie

Tpr Toft

Cfn Rickard

B Squadron C Squadron

LCoH Reade

LCpl Thomas

LSgt Richardson LCpl Fisher

LCpl Higgins Tpr Hodge

LCpl Grey

Tpr Holloway

Tpr Marsh

VOLLEYBALL

The 1989 Volleyball season got off to a good start with the Regiment winning, for the second year running,

the London District Volleyball Championships. Team selection was made easy by staging the Inter-Squadron Volleyball Competition a fortnight beforehand. This was a keenly fought contest, with B Squadron eventually emerging as worthy winners.

Our next competition was the Army Championships, where, unfortunately, we did not perform as we should have. But, however, the experience gained by our younger players whilst competing in a high level tournament was very valuable.

In June we held a 24 hour Volleyball Marathon in aid of charity. The format of the Marathon was that the Regimental team stayed on court for 24 hours and played a number of teams, both military and civilian, in succession. The response for opposition was good and we played, among others, the local Fire Brigade, TA and an insurance firm. A special mention must be made of the Wives Club team, some of whom were volleyball widows, who filled in all the remaining gaps in the 24 hours period, totalling no less than five hours! In all a total of £521.07 was raised for Children in Need.

At the time of writing, details have just come in for the London District Championships to be played in January 1990. This will be the Regiment's last competition before moving to BAOR and we intend to keep the title for the third year.

WINDSURFING

The Regimental Windsurfing Club has sadly not been used to its full capacity this year; this can only be attributed to the numerous commitments with which the Regiment has been lumbered.

However during the Regimental Adventure Training period at Fremington in June, Windsurfing did feature as one of the activities, with LCoH Beaumont managing to teach a number of soldiers the basic skills. This is always difficult for beginners who are trying to stand on a narrow piece of plastic and balance whilst being constantly knocked off by large breakers.

Capt Smythe-Osbourne trying to make it look as if he knows what he is doing

Looking forward to next year in BAOR, we have acquired three' new boards and wet suits. The new equipment was purchased with a welfare grant from UKLF. This now gives the club a total of six boards. During last winter's non sailing period and with the help of the Metalsmiths' shop. Sgt Innes and Cfns King and Rickard successfully converted an old caravan sub frame into a trailer capable of carrying eight windsurfers. This constitutes a considerable improvement and gives greater flexibility in that we no longer have to rely on the use of a 4 tonner.

We look forward to our move to BAOR and the possibilities of sailing in and around Sennelager. There are excellent facilities not too far away at the Mohne reservoir, which is approximately 40 minutes from Athlone Barracks.

THE QUEEN'S VISIT

HM The Queen with Major and Mrs Anderson

HM The Queen flanked by Maj Scott, the Colonel of The Regiment and the Commanding Officer

CoH Bellringer still talking just as much as before, after his return from Knightsbridge Wonder what he's laughing at ?

We can't start until Mr Fircks finds the missing bits from the MSP furniture

I can assure you that the ground pressure of a Scorpion is so low that it won't damage your car! - well not much anyway.

LCoH Flynn and CoH Hunter in Germany - last time

· IN PICTURES

The Airborne Troop demonstrates its skills and capabilities

SCpl Lindsay imparts his knowledge to a creW of the Belize Troop during their gunnery camp

The Secolld ill Command with Lt Casanova, a French exchange Officer, after Cub Hunting with the Quom in October

The Smart, Incorrectly Dressed and The Disabled

The winning team in the British Forces Belize skill at Arms Competition

THE YEAR IN PICTURES

LCoH Thawley trying to persuade General Sir Charles Huxtable to offer his forearm

"Vicky" wearing the Household Cavalry Head-kit presented by Major Anderson at the Mullumbimby Agricultural Show in September 1988. The head-kit is offered each year as a perpetual trophy to the Show's Champion Hack. Major Anderson was serving as Assistant Defence and Military Adviser at the British High Commission in Canberra, before his appointment as Second in Command in Windsor.

Two Squadron Leaders taking life seriously

SOME VISITORS TO THE REGIMENT

Is this really the way to address Archie Hamilton?

The Major General talking to Tprs Squires and Royston. LCoH Dobson and Tpr Bradie on his inspection of the Heathrow Deployment Force

General Sir Gzarles Huxtable talks to LCpl Gray and others of B Squadron

Major General C J Aby on his farewell visit to the Regiment with the Commanding Officer and Adjutant

Brigadier Gooch visits the Regiment at Castelmartin. Lt Fircks, LCpI Addis and Tpr Moore

The Regimental Corporal Major

The Guard

HQ Squadron

CoH Barry

A Squadron

B Squadron

C Squadron

EXERCISE CALIFORNIAN TRIANG LE

It is difficult to do justice in a few hundred words to a trip which took six people to America for 33 days. During this time we had many adventures both in and out of the mountains. I propose therefore to cover in brief several aspects of the expedition rather than give the traditional and often lacklustre "got up at six and walked thirteen miles" account.

The John Muir Trail weaves its mountainous way from the Yosemite Valley in Northern California, 211 miles south to the summit of Mount Whitney, which at 14,495 ft is the highest peak in the 'lower 48' states of America. The trail was conceived by one Theodore S Solomons, a member of the Sierra Club, which the pioneering John Muir helped to found, and work on it began a year after Muir's death in 1914. Although the John Muir Trail has since become one of the most popular trails in America, overcrowding is offset by the rationing of wilderness permits and by the severity of the terrain" itself. Few attempt the whole trail and it is possible to find solitude in the wilderness even at the height of Summer.

The planning for Californian Triangle began late in 1988, the expedition aim being to walk the John Muir Trail. Despite two previous trips to the Sierras, this conquest had so far eluded me and herein lay my own incentive. On 7th August 1989 the expedition (with contributions in its collective pocket from The Household Division, London District, The Life Guards, The RAC Central Fund, REME Corps Funds and the team members themselves) flew to Washington DC from RAF Brize Norton. The team comprised Capt MacKenzie REME (leader), Lt Uloth LG, SSgt Elson REME (mechanic), LSgt Reynolds REME, Tpr Mansbridge (LG) (medic and photographer) and Pte Carr RAOe.

In order to cross America we rejected several safe options in favour of a high risk strategy: namely to buy a dilapidated old van. We found a less than reputable car dealer who sold us a 1976 Dodge van for $800 and in this we negotiated the 2,900 miles to Los Angeles in 64 hours, only a few more hours than the fastest Greyhound bus. Having bought the mountain rations and some miscellaneous items in LA, we spent a day at the Universal Studio City to rest after the long drive before heading North to Yosemite. This trip highlights the contrasts in the Californian scenery: from the beaches of the South, through LA, one of the biggest urban sprawls on the planet, then the arid Mojave desert and finally to the staggering beauty of the Sierras which seem to spring from the desert floor itself.

Our plan was to walk the trail in two legs: the first of 60 miles from Yosemite to Reds Meadow, where we would collect supplies for the second of 161 miles to Whitney Portal, the roadhead 10 miles beyond the summit of Mt Whitney. Having arranged for the van to be left at Reds Meadow, we began our first ascent on 14th August from an altitude of 4,000 ft beneath the great granite domes of Yosemite. The trail does not dip this low again and in fact rarely is it below 8,000 ft. We would soon come to expect the trail to oscillate daily between 8,000 and 12,000 ft. However, it reaches over 13,000 ft twice and runs for long stretches without falling below 10,000 ft. En route numerous peaks exceed 14,000 ft.

The van I

On our third night a bear made a mockery of our primitive bear-bagging precautions. Although we managed to chase it away, it had by then torn open a rucksack, which we had hung from a branch and had acquired several packets of dehydrated food. Thereafter our bearbagging, the technique of hanging food from a tree, became of necessity far more proficient. On Day 4, LSgt

At the start in Yosemite (Tpr Mansbridge took the picture)

Reynolds, suffering from weeping heel blisters, turned back for a road only a few miles away. He would hitch to Reds Meadow and await our arrival. The rest of the group were now settling into the rhythm of the mountains, attuning to the routine and adjusting to the rarefied air. In these early days we were getting up at six so that we would finish the day's walk before the anticipated deterioration in the afternoon weather. Such early starts, however, meant striking camp in sub-zero temperatures and later, as our confidence in the good weather grew, we would delay the start by an hour.

We reached Reds Meadow on Day 5 and used the following day to rest. On 20th August, packs laden with 12 days of food, the walking group set out on the second leg. That afternoon we were struck by a hailstorm. The decision not to offload our woollens and protective clothing at Reds Meadow had proved a prudent one. It is in its latter half that the trail tackles the most challenging terrain of the High Sierras. Seven high mountain passes must be negotiated and ultimately Mt Whitney itself. In the back country the trail is always several days walk from the nearest road. Typically the trail will ascend alongside a cascading mountain river (Muir described the pleasure of 'drinking this champagne water' but modern hikers are instructed to treat it against giardia amongst other nasties) through pine forest, emerging perhaps onto a mountain heath and finally reaching a barren granite landscape

dotted with freezing sapphire lakes. This starkly majestic scenery would not look out of place on a lunar landscape. Our campsites were always either on a lake shore or near a river, and often quite high in order to minimise the following day's climb. The atmosphere in these sites was relaxed and we often had time before sunset for a swim and to wash our clothes. On the tenth day out of Reds Meadow we made our camp at Guitar Lake, which at 11 ,500 ft is the last decent site below the towering bulk of Mt Whitney. On 30th August we climbed Whitney, battling against a strong wind, which kept the temperature below freezing. By late afternoon we had descended 10,000 ft to Lone Pine and had experience a temperature rise of about 30 degrees celsius.

We had then, in sixteen walking days, completed the John Muir Trail. At times it felt as if you were walking up a infinite staircase; indeed the Golden Staircase has literally been blasted out of the sheer rock face. At other times your were gasping for air or shocking your knees in a continuous three hour descent; the JMT is hardly ever flat. The team met up with LSgt Reynolds in Lone Pine and we then threaded our way back across America to catch a return flight on 8th September. Our route took us through: Death Valley, Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon, Chicago, the Great Lakes, Niagara Falls and New York City. Finally, on behalf of the team, I would like to thank all those whose sponsorship ted to the success of the expedition and without which it would not have been possible.

Campsite at the top of the Golden Staircase

Timberline Lake below Mount Whitney

THE GRAND MILITARY

2LT J D A Gaselee

An opportunity arose for me to ride a horse called 'The Duke of Milan' in the Grand Military. This racehorse was known as one of the most exciting of his day, so I felt very privileged to be given such a chance.

I was granted two mornings off work each week to ride, which enabled me to school and work the horse in preparation for The Grand Military. Troop Training put a stop to this, but I was released on the Thursday afternoon, the day before the race. The next morning I rode out just to get my eye in before the great event.

The race itself was very exciting. Unfortunately, I had a poor start. The horse, however, jumped brilliantly and we started to make ground, but on the second circuit his age began to tell and the leaders started to pull away. Sadly, at the third last, the Pond fence, the horse's tendon went and he broke down, forcing me to pull him up.

All in all, not the greatest success; I lost a few of the Regiment a little money, but it was a breathtaking and memorable experience.

On Sunday morning I was back on exercise!

THE PATHFINDER PLATOON

As a result of early airborne operations, such as the Bruneval raid and the earlier German assault on Crete, it was decided that a pathfinder force, dropping prior to the main assault in order to mark DZs for paratroopers and LZs for gliders, would greatly enhance an operation's chances of success.

In June 1942 Major John Lander was given the charter to establish the 21st Independent Company. As part of 1st Airborne Division, it served with distinction throughout the Second World War, until four years later when it was disbanded (along with 22nd Independent, its equivalent in 6th Division).

The Guards Independent Company, formed from the Guards Division in 1948, subsequently took over the task of pathfinding. As part of 16 Parachute Brigade, it continued to function until 1975, when the responsibility was taken over by the Patrols Platoons within the Parachute Battalions. This arrangement continued until the formation of 5 Airborne Brigade in 1983, when it was decided that a mOre effective capability could be achieved, were the pathfinding skills to be concentrated

Lt

R E Macknezie-Hill into one unit. The result was the formation of the Pathfinder Platoon, officially recognised in May 1985.

Today the Platoon consists of some 30 individuals

The Platoon's tasks are numerous and varied, from 5 Airborne Brigade, The Parachute Regiment and although the main responsibilities after an advance The Household Division. The Platoon is stationed in deployment include: DZ marking, reconnaissan ce, raids, Aldershot and is a permanent part of the Lead Parachute attacks, snatches and observation. Battalion Group, which is ready for operations worldwide Selection for the Platoon occurs once a year in at short notice. January, for a period of three weeks. The cadre is broken

2Lt Gaselee on "The Duke of Milan"

down into three phases with military skills, January

Selection Cadre endurance and tactics. The aim is to assess the 'trainability' February of candidates as Pathfinders, thus 'no previous knowledge March

USA - California required'.

April

In anyone year a Pathfinder can expect to spend approximately 50% of his time in barracks. Since the May

Continuation free-fall training Platoon can be called upon to carry out such a great

USA - North Carolina number of tasks, the in barracks time is spent pursuing a June (parachuting competition) busy internal training programme. Out of barracks time July Internal training includes a number of exercises, adventure training (including free-fall), sports and general fitness (home or August

Leave abroad).

September Internal training

October Leave

November Cyprus (subaqua expedition)

December Belize

January Austria (downhill racing - Sigs Sqn)

Before May 1990 the Platoon is due to visit the USA, Belize and Malaysia.

On the formation of the Platoon the original aim was for it to be manned 50% by the Household Division. At present there are only three serving Guardsmen (including myself). For such a thoroughly satisfying job, which is both demanding and enjoyable, this is a surprisingly small number. A growth in the numbers of Household Division candidates is therefore urgently required. .

Patrolling in Kenya

There is no typical year for a Pathfinder - but perhaps as an insight I give you an account of my own general movements this year:

Pathfinders take to the air

EX HELIGOLAND HOP- Leg III

Clear blue skies and light wind beckoned Gladeye as she cast off her 'Baltic Mooring' at the British Kiel

Gladeye, the Household Division's 44 ft Moody, Yacht Club for the last time and nosed her way up Kiel was on her way home at the start of the third leg of Ex Fjord to the Canal lock gates. Her crew, Maj Stovell Heligoland Hop, and adventurous sail training expedition (Skipper), SSgt Cheetham, Sgt Cooney (Bosun), LCoH to the Baltic and back. In front of her lay the inhospitable Hazlewood, LCpls Howie and Grey and Tpr Bebbington North Sea and busy English Channel so her crew were were a bit jaded after their combined 'welcome and well plied with sea sickness tablets. On the previous day, farewell' to Kiel the previous evening and the early rations had been procured, water and fuel tanks filled and morning flight from the UK the day before. rigging and hull checked. She was ready.

The first day was spent traversing the Kiel Canal which links the Baltic to the Elbe Estuary and in turn leads into the North Sea. The canal carries most of the shipping to the Baltic and, despite its mere 30 metre width, it accommodates some very large vessels which tower above the surrounding countryside rather like mobile office blocks. The wash one of these ships creates can provide some interesting moments for a small craft.

By evening we were clear of the Canal and under full sail, bound for Cuxhaven, with the wind freshening from the North West. Sadly, sailing boats refuse to sail directly into the wind, which is where our destination lay. Consequently a long process of tacking up the estuary began. Fortunately the tidal flow, which is particularly strong in the Elbe, was in our favour. The North Sea Pilot had warned of steep choppy seas when the wind blew over the tidal flow in the Elbe and Gladeye was obliged to buffet and punch her way to Cuxhaven. By 2030 hours on the 26th June Gladeye was safely tied up in Cuxhaven and her crew had developed a healthy respect for the sea. The last half hour of the passage had been hairy and the choppy sea so short that Gladeye's 17 tons had been virtually stopped by its confusion.

The following day was spent stormbound in Cuxhaven as the wind had increased to 45 knots and had stayed in the North West. On Sunday 28th the wind had dropped and veered to the South East so Gladeye cast off

and headed North West up the Elbe outer channel and into the North Sea. The winds remained light, though the sea had developed a significant swell which upset some stomachs. The following day saw Gladeye off the Dutch coast picking her way through the oil fields. Many of the well heads were just beneath the surface and careful navigation was required to avoid them. The sea had lost its sparkle here and was polluted by long slicks of brown sludge, which someone thought to be the residue of boring compound used in the drilling. That day we sailed 120 miles and in the evening, now well clear of Holland, swung South East towards Ramsgate.

The nights were surprisingly damp and cold, despite an absence of rain and that evening a freshening wind and forecast of gales sent the crew reaching once again for sea sickness pills. Sail was shortened and the main reefed as the gale developed. The sea picked up into an angry and confused state as Gladeye, with the wind directly over the stern, surfed her way down the backs of passing waves. Occasionally, a wave would appear from the side and send a bucketfull of cold water over the cockpit and occupants. A good watch routine of four hours on four hours off ensured that everyone kept well rested and fit. The duty cook each day ensured that the watches were fed - whatever the weather. The wind had increased to force 7-8 gusting 9 and Gladeye was making 6-7 knots over the ground.

In late afternoon on the 30th May land was sighted and four hours later and 320 miles since leaving Cuxhaven, Gladeye made her way into the Inner Yacht Basin of Ramsgate Harbour for supper ashore and a well earned rest.

The following day was spent cleaning the boat, inside and out and preparing the charts for the next stage. The back of the journey had been broken, but with another 10 or so days left it was decided to make for the Channel Islands and visit a number of less well known French harbours on the way. The first was to be Fecamp in the Baie de la Seine approximately 120 miles away. The tide through the Straits of Dover became favourable at midday on the 1st June, so, with re-charged water and fuel tanks, Gladeye left Ramsgate and headed South past the Goodwin Sands and through the Strait into the English Channel. The wind was light and variable and consequently the boat travelled less quickly. This provided an opportunity to fish for mackerel. Eventually, as we approached the Traffic Separation Zone, we were obliged to resort to the engine which became affectionately known as the 'Iron Spinnaker'.

Once clear of the Separation Zone, Gladeye's course took us within sight of the North coast of France. The distribution of lighthouses and navigational marks in the area eased the task of navigation, particularly since the Decca Navigator was prone to large errors, which at one point suggested that we were 10 miles inland. Fecamp's conspicuous signature of two flashes of light every ten seconds greeted us just before first light on the

The crew enjoying a bit of sun during one of the less hectic periods

2nd June. To the North of the harbour entrance lay Les Charpenters, a dangerous outcrop of rocks extending beyond the Fagnet. The harbour offered good shelter, except in Westerly and North Westerly winds, when a considerable surf runs off the entrance. The French have an uncomfortable habit of switching off their lights before daylight, so we were lucky to have sighted the jetty early on. Two hours later Gladeye was tied up in the Avant Port and a recce party was ashore in search of real French coffee, croissants and baguettes for breakfast. The remainder of the day was spent exploring the town, which prided itself on its Fruits de Mer. That evening the crew dined on Champagne, Huitres, Moules, Coq au Yin and Camembert; the entire meal prepared on two gas burners!

The next port of call, St Yaast Ie Hougue, lay across the Baie de la Seine on the East coast of the Cherbourg Peninsula approximately 80 miles away. The forecast was good and the tide in our favour at 0800 hrs. We left Fecamp after an early breakfast and disappeared into the morning haze, Gladeye's presence betrayed only by her wake on the still sea. The day's sail allowed plenty of time to study the approach to St Yaast's harbour; the entrance to which is shielded by a prominent island, Ile de Tatihou. The jetty is obscured for much of the approach up a narrow channel called Le Run. The Inner Harbour is maintained by lock gates which trap sufficient water behind them to accommodate up to 650 vessels.

The approach was made comfortably and Gladeye moored against a pontoon at 2200 hrs, just in time for a night cap.

Overnight the wind had freshened and veered to the North and by mid morning Gladeye had slipped her moorings. The crew, suitably attired in oilskins, were hoisting sail prior to an exhilarating sail 'close hauled' around Pte de Barfleur on the North East tip of the Cherbourg Peninsula. A combination of fresh winds, a strong spring tidal race and overfalls, gave rise to a short boiling sea with swirling steep waves. The decks and cockpit were washed down time and again as maverick waves slopped in over the quarter and Gladeye dipped her bows into an advancing trough. Everyone got wet but we were able to dry out after rounding the Point as the passage to Cherbourg became more comfortable. Cherbourg offers excellent value in Duty Free goods and the following day, after acquiring our full allowance, Gladeye left for the Channel Islands. The passage to St Peter Port in Guernsey led through the Alderney Race where the tide runs at up to seven knots. A favourable tide in the Channel Islands is critical to passage planning and an error can double the journey time. It took only five hours to travel the 45 miles to Guernsey despite light winds. The approach to St Peter Port between Herm Island and Guernsey is very picturesque. The Little Russel which separates the two islands is punctuated with towers and isolated rocks, which are over populated with cormorants, clinging to every ledge and defying the sea's attempts to knock them off.

Guernsey proved a popular destination and an extra day was spent 'soaking up the atmosphere' of the island.

Over the course of the next few days we visited Herm, Sark and Alderney, anchoring just off them and going ashore by dinghy. Everyone enjoyed exploring the many small bays and sandy beaches which characterise these islands, many of which are only accessible by sea. The last night in Alderney was spent on the beach enjoying a barbeque before leaving at midnight to cross the Channel to the Solent.

We arrived at the Needles in good time to catch enough mackerel to fill a freezer, before arriving safely at the Hamble River at lunchtime on Saturday the 10th July. Over the past 17 days we had sailed a little under 1,000 miles and had navigated through the Baltic Sea, across the North Sea and the length of the English Channel, including the Channel Islands. Heligoland Hop had been a thoroughly worthwhile and enjoyable expedition - an experience and an achievement not to be forgotten.

A precarious view 4 "Gladeye"

THE CHALLENGER CONVERSION COURSE ATSENNELAGER

ot a christian encounter course, but the first of a limited number of opportunities for the Regiment to train its already highly qualified men in old disciplines but new vehicles. Due to problems at Lulworth, what was a D & M course became a D & M and Gunnery course to be held at Athlone Barracks, Sennelager, home, at present, to The Blues and Royals.

There were two main aims of the Challenger Conversion course in Germany. These were first, for all the soldiers to pass the course and secondly, for them to enjoy their time there. The first was achieved, with the exception of two troopers who were unfortunate enough to have accidents, which prevented them from being tested. They were, however, up to the standard and arrangements are being made to have them tested at a later date.

The Gunnery Course was run by SCpl Gratton, ably assisted and eventually replaced by SCpl Jenkins, due to an overwhelming desire by SCpl Gratton to go on holiday. "Wasn't the Army one long holiday?" I and SCpl Jenkins argued to no avail. Other Gunnery Instructors included CoH Windebank, LCoH Blowey and LCoH Maksymiw.

The D & M side was controlled in a characteristically more mellow manner by CoH Ingram, who incidentally put in a lot of spade work to ensure that he receives a warm and comfortable welcome when he comes out on the Pre Pre Pre Advance Party. He was helped by CoH Hunter, LCoH Smith, LCoH Griffin and LCoH Flynn.

The second aim was achieved in the following manner: Revision and lesson preparation filled the evenings along with full use of the camp's sports facilities, so the only time for organising main events was the weekend.

The first weekend was allocated to settling in, so I laid on transport in the form of two Bedfords to take everyone to Paderborn on the Saturday. Transport was a problem throughout and so all local trips had to be made by 4 Tonner, two of which we signed out from MT at the beginning of the course.

On the Sunday (6th August) half the course went to the Water Ski Centre at Elsen and half went to the Water Centre at Bad Lippspringe. These two places proved to be very popular and so many trips were made to them throughout the following weeks. The Water Centre

consisted of thirteen pools, two saunas, whirlpools, jacuzzis and a large system of waterslides. Another reason for its popularity with all was the fact that most German women went completely textile free!

The second weekend was taken up with a trip to Koln and Phantasialand which is a large theme park with many different rides and amusements. As with most theme parks in Germany, all rides are free after initial payment has been made to get in.

Theme parks proved very popular with the soldiers and so the next weekenq I organised a trip to the Heide Park quite near Soltau.

We went to Belsen Concentration Camp first, something intended as an educational trip rather than entertainment. I used the opportunity to remind them why we were in Germany and also in the Army and a few interesting questions were aired, but to be honest the better part was going to Heide Park where the emphasis was on fun and fear, rather than just fear!

While doing a recce down in the Mosel Valley for a wine festival for the ·last weekend, I discovered that the main wine festival in Cochem was in fact on the 26-27th August and so arrangements were hurriedly made to transport a large number of soldiers down to spend a weekend in Cochem. The wine festival was the highlight of the course with fireworks, many other attractions and soldiers happily sharing a glass of wine with the locals.

A trip to the Safari Park was planned for the Bank Holiday Monday, but this had to be cancelled due to torrential rain and the soldiers' desire to recover from the weekend.

The restful option was the most desirable choice for the last weekend and so a shopping trip was laid on to Paderborn, where there was a celebration festival in progress. Once again the services of the Water Ski Centre and the Water Slide Centre were used and the weekend finished with a barbecue by the lake just near the camp. This was spent with everyone lying around enjoying a hot sunny evening, large barbecued steaks, a few cans of beer and the final attentions of some German girls with whom they had become acquainted.

The remainder of the week was spent on tests, administration and handing back equipment.

Finally our thanks must go to The Blues and Royals for being so helpful throughout such a busy time and also the most attractive travel agent, Tina, chief advisor to the Course Commandant.

Oxford University Officer Training Corps RAC Troop

The Oxford University Officer Training Corps, known to a select few for its outrageous parties, does also have a more serious face.

As sponsor for the RAC Troop (as well as providing the Troop PSI, W02 McBride), the Regiment has been heavily involved in helping to train the 70 Officers and Officer Cadets, both male and female, who man the eight Ferret Scout Cars and four Land Rovers.

Working for six to eight hours every Wednesday, the Troop maintains its vehicles and equipment, learns low level tactics, fieldcraft, map reading, signals and, of course, the essential skills of D & M and gunnery. The majority of the work is done either by, or at the behest of, W02 McBride, who tries to maintain a sense of humour while supervising someone, who knows little or nothing about the subject in hand, teaching people who know even less - the blind leading the blind.

The system is by no means foolproof, as is borne out by the array of trophies awarded each term to the people responsible for the most serious crash, deepest bogging, worst shooting, slowest BFT, most time spent on permanent send and the most spectacular map reading error. Competition is fierce. Having said that, their PRE Report showed only three crew jobs and they have had remarkable success at DAB (The District Assessment Board, which is responsible for TA commissions).

All the blood, sweat and tears culminates in an exercise; either one of the Troop Weekends held each term or a longer exercise, such as their annual camp -a fortnight in Scotland this year. Whatever the occasion, assistance of some form is required and CoH Windebank, LCOH Harrison and Cfn Beaumont have been our stalwarts in this area, actually volunteering to give up their free time to help out.

Exercises are not designed to be taken lightly. Lt Col Sayle, Welsh Guards, who commands the OTC, has,

in the past year, led them in such diverse areas as Kenya, Belize (where they were hosted by the Welsh Guards), Castlemartin (where they joined the Regiment during Annual Firing) and closer to home at Bordon and Thetford. The Oxford University OTC Battle Group also exercises at the Battle Group Trainer at Bovington! Exercise Valley of Death, in February of last year, was based on an all arms live firing exercise designed for regular regiments or batallions about to embark on an Out of Area tour, supported by a squadron of armoured recce and a battery of light guns - small wonder that most of the members of the OTC staff have a few grey hairs! An hour's recce by the safety staff on Friday afternoon was followed by a dry run through for all troops and a night replen. At 5 o'clock on Saturday morning the Troop was attacked in its hide and 'bugged out' to their alternative location, which was just short of the FUP for the attack. (They left their attached GPMG(SF) Section and the Troop Leader behind, which was a little unfortunate). The attack got under way at 1015 hrs with HE and Smoke on the objective as the infantry advanced up the centre and the'RAC Troop gave covering fire from the right flank. As with all live-firing, safety was very tight, but for all that the tactics were sound and fire power impressive. The enemy was overrun and their counter attack that night repulsed before moving to hides and repeating the exercise on the Sunday.

The RAC Troop is not part of the Regular Army nor has it an operational role, but the enthusiasm and commitment shown by its members is reflected in the results achieved in the field. Many in the Troop are destined for the Regular Forces, whilst others will remain in the TA. They have limited resources and rely on us for support, but if you ask anyone who has been out with them, I am sure they will agree that it is great fun and very rewarding - and who knows, you may even be invited to one of their parties!

TENT PEGGING IN DUBAI

In the early part of this year, I was given the opportunity to join the British Military Tent Pegging Team that was going to the Middle East to compete at the 7th International Dubai Horse Show. The show, the only one in the Middle East to run under FEI rules, was run over four days and consisted mainly of show jumping and dressage, with our event placed between show jumping classes.

The Team consisted of Lt Comd Courtney RNR, myself, Tp Sgt Maj Roberts RMP, SSgt Marshall Kings Troop RHA and Corporal Tuckett RMP.

There was much to be done before the team could gallop into the arena for the first time. There was obviously no way of taking our own horses with us, so we needed to hire some pegging horses out there. We were kindly lent five polo ponies from the Dubai Polo Club for the duration of our stay there. They seemed to be ideal for the job as they are small, fast and could easily adapt to having a lance or sword past their faces. They could also gallop in a straight line, which is of course essential for the rider. At first, our only real problem seemed to be one of stopping the ponies, after they had passed their objective.

It was one thing to be practising the sport on a polo field, where your runout could stretch from one Emirate State to the next, but we realised that performing the same stunt in an area as small as an arena would not be quite so easy. Furthermore, one of the ponies was a young stallion, and it took all the skills of Tp Sgt Maj Roberts to control him.

Besides getting used to the ponies, there was also a Jot of organising to be done, in the way of putting up a stable block, w'hich, would one believe, needed a roof, as it rained for the five days prior to the show. We had originally gone out to compete against foreign teams, but we discovered that those who were to challenge us had cried off, fearing the spread of 'North African horse sickness'. Therefore, the prospect of no challenge and the thought that we would simply be providing a display, were rather disappointing. Fortunately, we were then challenged by the Dubai Mounted Police. Initially, we believed we had the upper hand, but one look at their skills of vaulting on and off the horses at the gallop and their truly Arabic style of pegging, put paid to that.

So after laying on a display for the first day, it was off to challenge the foe. Each rider had two runs at the pegs, making a total of 20 runs. Points for the runs were as follows: 5 for a carry, 2 for a draw and 1 for a strike.

In a close run competition over three days, the Dubai Mounted Police came away with a 2-1 victory. Disappointing though the result was, the game was played with true gentlemanly spirits. Our congratulations to the winning side. Thanks must go to the Dubai Metropolitan Hotel, who sponsored the whole Horse Show and also to Alan Oliver and his ground staff, for preparing the arena and last but not least our Team Leader, Lt Comd Courtney, whose efforts made the trip possible.

Overthe Bridge and into the Garden

J B Brook 295499

10 September 1944. The 2nd Battalion Irish Guards with tanks and infantry storm and capture the bridge over the Escaut Canal at Lommel-Kolonie, Belgium. The bridge was later named 'Joe's Bridge' in honour of Colonel JOE Vandeleur who commanded the Battalion. You are now over the bridge.

11 September 1944. D Squadron, 2 HCR ordered to recce road North from the Irish Guards bridgehead. Recce carried out by two Daimler Scout Cars. This road is dead straight for 11 kms and crosses the River Dommel where it veers slightly, Volkenswaard is a further 2 kms. Just a kilometre North of the bridgehead is the Belgian/Dutch border. This takes you into the garden.

At that time it was operation Market Garden and the two episodes above were the first moves in the plan to liberate Holland. It was, however, another six days before the advance began and on this road the Irish Guards lost their leading nine Sherman tanks with 15 men killed and many wounded.

That was 45 years ago and the result of correspondence received from VIO (Volkenswaard in Wartime), by the museum and forwarded to me by Ted

Woodbridge, was a visit to Volkenswaard. In fact I had visited the town in September 1988 in order to assist VIO with their research into their liberation.

My return visit in September 1989, was as guest of honour and having previously sampled Dutch hospitality I was well prepared for the rather hectic programme which lay ahead. Accommodation had been offered by Adrian and Mike (Meek-ah) Moolenbroek; They had never met me before so there was obviously anticipation on both sides, but from the moment we met all was well (Mike is archivist for VIO).

The first official function was on Saturday 16th September and involved a visit to Stiphout, some 20 km distant. There, together with about 350 members of the Normandy Veterans Association, their wives and Dutch friends, a parade and church service was held. There is a memorial to the 11 th Armoured Division who liberated the town and this is tended by the children from the local school. After a buffet lunch at the school we were taken by coach to a little village called Mierlo where there is a British Military Cemetery. A service of remembrance was held in this tranquil wooded area, the silence being

I broken when three Dutch Air Force planes flew low overhead in salute. We then returned to Stiphout for a meal and social at the school.

We gathered at 0900 hrs at The British Military Cemetery on Sunday 17th for the highlight of Vol kenswaards' celebrations. After the wreath laying ceremony, Burgemeester Bartels invited me to escort him around the Cemetery. It is here that Corporal John Smith, the leading scout car commander, is buried. His car was hit by a bazooka just East of Volkenswaard on September 18th 1944. He died the next day. Whilst this had been goingon, there had arrived from Bourg Leopold (now Leopoldburg) a convoy of some 150 ex American Army vehicles, known as 'Keep 'em Rolling'; leading them, however, were two Daimler Scout Cars (shades of 1944), brought over specially for the occasion by some friends of mine. They were crewed by Bill Stupples (Ex Buffs), Brian Redsall, Andy King and Mike Newton. The cars were immaculate and I am sure Colonel Henry would have had no need for the Trumpeter, torch or ground sheet.

With some effort I climbed aboard the first scout car and, driven by Bill StuppIes, we led the convoy into Volkenswaard and, on arriving in the Market Place, we peeled off and halted outside the Town Hall, whilst the 'Keep 'em Rolling' team carried on along 'Club Route' to Arnhem. Again accompanied by the Burgemeester, we were entertained in the Town Hall and here I presented him with a Regimental wall plaque.

From my previous visit I knew that when 2 HCR arrived in Nijmegen, our MO, Captain Kynastan had 'set up shop' in the house next to where the Burgemeester lived with his parents; and he was able to tell me about a certain medical orderly named Mick Hilton. Small world, you might think, but everyone knew Mick!

After a few hours 'rest', spent with the scout car crews, 10 men of the 15th Scottish and six from the 43rd Wessex, we went along to the Cafe Lugano for a buffet supper, followed by a musical evening. The music was provided by The Dutch Drum and Pipe Band and a group

named Lik M'n Vestje (Don't take it seriously), who only play for friends and will not accept any money. They could fill any theatre with their music and antics. During the show VIO presented me with a commemorative medal, depicting Operation Market Garden and in return presented them with a Regimental wall plaque. It was 0400 hrs on Monday when I eventually sank into my bed and indulged in a short course of death. This was the end of official functions and on the Wednesday I returned home after an unforgettable week.

Volkenswaard, now with a population of some 30,000 (twice that of 1944) is famous for two things: Falconry and cigar manufacturing, but I think a third item should be added, that of unlimited hospitality, a view shared by all the veterans. Therefore, my grateful thanks go to all the thousands of people who made us more than welcome, but in particular to Adrian and Mike, Joop van der Linden and Mac Israel and the other members of VIO.

The Early Days of a Young Lancer, 1877

The life of a recruit in 1877 was a very different matter from what it is now. The system introduced in 1871-72 by Mr Cardwell - one of the greatest War Ministers the Country has ever had - under which men enlisted for twelve years' regular service, had not yet had time to get into full swing. Regiments were, therefore, still composed mainly of old soldiers who, although very admirable comrades in some respects and with a commendable code of honour of their own, were in many cases, not in all - addicted to rough behaviour, heavy

drinking, and hard swearing. They could not well be blamed for this. Year in and year out they went through the same routine were treated like machines - of an inferior kind - and having little prospect of finding decent employment on the expiration of their twenty-one years' engagement, they lived only for the present, the smgle bright spot in their existence bemg the receipt of a few shillings - perhaps not more than one - on the weekly payday. These rugged veterans exacted full def.erence from the recruit, who was assigned the worst bed ID the room,

L-R:

Bill Stupples. Mrs. Bartels Jack Brook, Burgemeester Bartels

given the smallest amount of food and the least palatable, had to 'lend' them articles of kit which they had lost or sold, 'fag' for them in a variety of ways, and, finally, was expected to share with them at the regimental canteen such cash as he might have in the purchase of beer sold at 3d a quart.

It so happened that I joined the regiment on payday, and accordingly the greater number of my newlyfound companions spent the evening at the canteen - then a mere drinking saloon - or at public-houses in the town. On return to quarters, if not before, old quarrels were revived or new ones were started, and some of them had to be settled by an appeal to fists. One of these encounters took place on and near the bed in which I was vainly trying to sleep, and which was itself of an unattractive and uncomfortable nature. Argument and turmoil continued far into the night, and I began to wonder whether I had made a wise decision after all. I continued to wonder for several nights afterwards, and would lie awake for hours meditating whether to see the matter through, or get of bed, put on my plain clothes (which I still had) and 'desert'. Fortunately for me another occupant of the room removed the temptation these clothes afforded, for, having none of his own, he one night appropriated mine, went off in them, and never came back.

Shortly before the period of which I write it has been the custom for a married soldier and his wife, with such children as they possessed, to live in one corner of the barrack-room, screened off with blankets, and in return for this accommodation and a share of the rations the wife kept the room clean, washed and mended the men's under-clothing, and attended to the preparation of their meals. This custom was not without it good points, as the women exercised a steadying influence over the men, while the latter seldom if ever forgot that a woman was in the room, and anyone who did forget was promptly brought to order by the others. Still, it could not be wholly without its undesirable side, and the transfer of all women to 'married quarters' was a distinct change for the better.

The barrack-room arrangements for sleeping and eating could not be classed as luxurious. The brown bed-

blankets were seldom or ever washed; clean sheets were issued once a month; and clean straw for the mattresses once every three months. Besides the beds, the only other furniture consisted of four benches and two deal tables. The men polished their boots on the former, and the latter were used for cleaning the remaining articles of kit as well as for dining tables. Tablecloths there were none, and plates and basins (paid for by the men) were the only crockery, the basin being used in turn as a coffee-cup, teacup, beer-mug, soup-plate, shaving-mug, and receptacle for pipe-clay with which to clean gloves and belts.

The food provided free consisted of one pound of bread and three-quarters of a pound of meat, and nothing more of any kind. Groceries, vegetables, and all other requirements were paid for by the men, who had a daily deduction of 3V2d made from their pay of 1s 2d for that purpose. The regulation meals were coffee and bread for breakfast; meat and potatoes for dinner, with soup or pudding once a week or twice a week; tea and bread for tea. If a man wished to have supper or something besides dry bread for breakfast and tea he had to purchase it from the barrack hawkers or canteen. Putting the cost of this at 4lf2d a day, he thus had to expend a total of eightpence a day on his food, besides which he was subjected to a further daily charge of a penny for washing. This left him five pence a day or about three-shillings a week, and even this was not all clear pocket-money, for after the first free issue he had to keep up the whole of his underclothing as well as many articles of uniform, and also supply himself with cleaning materials, such as polishing paste for brasses, oil for steel equipment, and soft soap for saddlery.

A beneficient regulation, recognising these drains on the unfortunate man's pay, laid down that in no case should he receive less than a penny a day! In my regiment the custom was never to give less than a shilling a week, but even this sum did not far to supplement the allowance of food, to say nothing of beer and tobacco.

From 'Private to Field Marshall' by Field Marshall Sir William Robertson Bt. 1921.

COMMANDING OFFICER'S ORDERS 1816 STYLE

Edited by Major (Ret'd) A W Kirsting

Proceedings of a Regimental Court Martial held by order of Lieut 'Gen' Barton Commanding the Second Regiment of Life Guards on Tuesday 16th April 1816 for the trial of such prisoners as may be brought before it.

President- Capt Upjohn

Members- Lieut Elliot, Lieut Evelyn, Lieut Marchington, Sub Lieut Chalcroft

Charge The Court being duly sworn, proceeded to the trial of Private William Moore of Major Tolson's Troop brought to trial by order of Lieut Gen Barton for being drunk at evening stable on the evening of 13th instant and for conduct unbecoming a soldier in speaking disrespectfully of the Regiment.

1st Evidence for the Prosecution Quarter Master Stott being duly sworn, informed the Court that on the evening of the 13th instant he observed the prisoner intoxicated in the stables and in consequences gave orders to Corporal Atkinson to put him in the Guard Room.

2nd Evidence Corporal Ralph Salkeld being duly sworn, states to the Court that in consequences of the prisoner making a great noise and disturbance, he, assisted by two men from the stables, took him to the Guard Room and that when at the Guard Room the prisoner used a great deal of improper language, DAMNING and B---ING and called them a set of cowardly BAS---DS.

3rd Evidence Quarter Master North being duly sworn, informed the Court that on the evening of the 13th instant hearing a disturbance in the Guard Room, he went in to enquire the cause, when he saw the prisoner was the cause and heard him use most disgraceful language accusing the Regiment of Cowardice and Roguery, calling them damned cowards, rogues and B-----ds, that being hurt at such language he (W North) withdrew.

4th Evidence Corporal Major Hodgson being duly sworn says that on the evening of the 13th instant, he heard the prisoner, who was in the Guard Room use very improper language calling the Regiment Cowards and Rogues and that the witness further stated that the prisoner was in a state of intoxication at the time.

Defence The prisoner being put on his defence says that having met with a friend, he had-drank too much, which he not being accustomed to do, it had taken so much effect on him, that he was unconscious of what he said, he says that has been five years in the Regiment and was never brought to a trial before, he throws himself on the mercy of the Court and calls upon Quarter Master Stott to speak to his character.

Character Quarter Master Stott says that the prisoner has been in the same Troop with him for four months, that he has observed him to be a very clean soldier and a man that takes remarkably good care of his horse, that he is a man very capable of doing his duty, that when sober he does his duty well, but when he drinks it has a very great effect upon him and appears to take from him the power of knowing what he is about.

Options and Sentence The Court having duly considered the evidence against the prisoner as well as what has been said in his defence is of the opinion that he is guilty of the crimes laid to his charge being a breach of the articles of war and therefore sentence him to receive TWO HUNDRED LASHES in the usual manner at such time and place as the Commanding Officer shall think fit to appoint.

ON REFLECTION. .1938

CoH Mansey of 3rd Troop C Squadron, giving "Eyes Right" to The Blues on their way to Windsor, 12th October 1938

C SQUADRON BLOCK COMBERMERE 1938

Horse lines during last maneouvres before the 1939 war .

Marching out of barracks for the 1938 church parade to lay up Standards at Holy Trinity Church, Windsor

Maj P H Drummond

Died 20 May 1989, aged 62 years

Served 7 October 1945 to 1 February 1958

294167 Tpr 0 J Cooper

Died 28 June 1989, aged 96 years

Served 10 October 1913 to 9 October 1921

294572 W01 W J Pocock

Died 17 October 1989, aged 84 years

Served 14 November 1923 to 5 August 1945

210855 CoH F W Farrow

Died 18 September 1988, aged 82 years

Served 9 June 1925 to 24 October 1932

294638 CoH J Dooley

Died 8 April 1989, aged 82 years

Served 12 January 1927 to 5 January 1946

294625 Tpr T G Stephens

Died 19 March 1989, aged 80 years

Served 20 May 1926 to 23 October 1831

294813 Tpr T Worsley

Died 28 August 1989, aged 77 years

Served 15 January 1930 to 28 February 1946

2028660 LCoH C B Blake RVM

Died 22 December 1989, aged 77 years

Served 15 May 1947 to 28 September 1972

OBITUARIES

295151 Tpr KRoss

Died 19 September 1988, aged 75 years

Served 22 September 1936 to 16 May 1939

329219 Cpl W A Musgrave

Died 29 November 1989, aged 73 years

Served 22 November 1940 to 2 May 1946

296657 SCpl R M H Hall

Died 29 December 1989, aged 62 years

Served 30 April 1945 to 6 August 1982

21000047 Cpl L W Parker

Died 4 September 1989, aged 59 years

Served 1 January 1947 to 1 January 1953

23679062 LCpl A B Fenna

Died 6 May 1989, aged 47 years

Served 18 January 1960 to 22 February 1966

24076468 LCoH D A Smith

Died 12 December 1989, aged 42 years

Served 10 December 1966 to 11 December 1978

24710396 Tpr M B Grieve

Died 18 April 1989, aged 19 years

Served 16 June 1986 to 18 April 1989

MEMORIAL WINDOW

A Memorial Window in honour of the late Field Marshal Lord Harding, Colonel of the Regiment from 1957 until 1964, is to be installed in the Chapel of the Royal Military Academy Sand hurst. The window will occupy the last available slot, so it is a great honour that this should be dedicated to a Life Guard. However, a proportion of the £3,000 required must come from the Regiment. If you feel able to contribute, please complete the tear off section of the loose Association stock proforma.

HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY MUSEUM

Staff'

Major A W Kersting (Ret'd) (Formerly RHG/D 1954-1986 Mr A E Woodbridge (Formerly 306573 RHG From 1944-1948)

The Museum is open to the public throughout the 6. Medals: year from Monday to Friday inclusive and on Regimental Open Days and Dinners. There continues to be a flow of Farrier SCpl Lovegrove RHG enquiries from relatives of those who served in the 1914 Star, War Medal, Victory Medal, LS & Gc. Household Cavalry and a steady request for information

Tpr Moore 2 LG from military historians, militaria collectors, model 1914 Star, War Medal, Victory Medal, LS & GC. makers, the press, writers and travel agencies. Visitors during the current year included His Grace The Duke of Major J English RIASC, ex Sgt 1st Royal Wellington, Lord Combermere, The Major General and Dragoons Russian and German Trade Delegations. Other visitors Mons Star, 1914-1918 War Medal, 1918 Victory included organised tours by the Tourist Board, Cadet Medal, Geo V Indian NW Frontier Medal, Geo units, Junior Leaders, military historians, individual VI Indian NW Frontier Medal, 1939-45 Star, members of the public and ex members of the Regiments Italy Star, Defence Medal, 1939-45 War Medal, and their families. LS & GC, Indian LS & Gc.

The following new additions were received during the current year:

1. Oil painting of Major Edward Kelly 1 LG, loaned by Mr Purnell.

2. Water colour painting 'Shaw at Waterloo', given by Miss Shaw.

3. Pencil sketches by Meade-King, given by Mrs Meade-King.

4. Horse Grenadier Sword, purchased by The Museum Committee.

5. War Diaries 1914-1918 written in the field of J B Bickersteth 1st Royal Dragoons. Given by E J Bickersteth.

The visit of HM The Queen to the Museum in December 1989

NOMINAL ROLLS

HEADQUARTERS

SQUADRON

RHQ

Lt Col J W M Ellery

Maj C S K Anderson

Capt C N Mitford-Slade

Capt H M Robertson

Capt ARW Spowers

Capt N D Garrett

Capt R R D Griffin

Lt R Hennessy-Walsh

W01 A J Belza

SCpl George

CoH Steed

CoH Margan

CoH Barry

LCoH Lindsay

LCoH Squires

LCoH Carter

LCpl Lowe

LCpl Byrne

LCpl Warren

LCpl Tovell

Tpr Carvell

Tpr Mattison

Tpr Rees 518

Tpr Waller

Tpr West

Tpr Greenhough

SQUADRON HQ

Maj J L Hewitt

W02 (SCMI R J H Stephenson

LCoH Whittaker

LCoH Paterson

Tpr Hoare

Tpr Moore

Tpr Pletruszko

QUARTERMASTERS DEPT

Capt (OM) C R Slater

W02 (ROMC) Lodge

SCpl Cavin

CoH O'FlahertY

LCoH Hardacre

LCoH Taft

LCoH Cross

LCoH Jones RHG/D

Tpr Ward

QUARTERMASTERS

EQUIPMENT DEPT

Capt (OM) I W Kelly

W02 (ROMC) Powell

SCpl Steele

CoH Wise

LCoH Hadden

LCoH O'Hare

LCoH Ford

LCpl Mundy

LCpl Stand lake

Tpr Chubb

ORDERl Y ROOM

SCpl (ORSOMC) Smith

CoH Price

LCoH McSherry

LCoH Harman

LCoH Gollings

LCoH Lugg

LCpl Parsons

LCpl Coker

Tpr Collier

PAY OFFICE

Maj R J Stovell

W02 (SOMS) F Grech

FITTER SECTION Tpr Burns MT

SCpl Collins

LCoH Cumming

LCoH Hazlewood

Tpr Rees 655

Tpr Jenkins

ECHELON

SCpl (SOMC) Jordan

SCpl Clarke, BEM

LCplToft

Tpr Hopkins

RECRUITING TEAM

LCoH McAlpine

Tpr Leafe

OFFICERS MESS

SCpl Lindsay

LCoH O'Connor

WO's& NCO's MESS

CoH Dangerfield

LCoH Rosborough

LCoH Willis

TRAINING WING

W02 D P Evans

SCpl Fry

CoH Ingram

LCpl West

MEDICAL CENTRE

Surg Col J P A Page (RHG/D)

SSgt Cheetham

LCoH Stanley

LCoH Thawley

LSgt Richards

lAD STAFF

Capt A C W MacKenzie

W01 (ASM) PWales

W02 (AOMS) N M Neve

SSgt Lunnon

Sgt Worrell

Sgt Imrie

Sgt Anderson

Sgt Lyons

Sgt Baines

Sgt McCallum

Sgt Jones

Sgt Reid

Sgt Innes

LSgt Fenn

LSgt Forster

LSgt Turner

LSgt Lock

Lcpl Wilson

LCpl Hosie

A SQUADRON

SHQ TROOP

Maj H S J Scott

Capt A M Clark

W02 (SCM) Whatley

LCoH Sprague

LCoH Stewart

LCpl Smith 777

LCpl Curson

Tpr Fitzmaurice

Tpr Usher

Tpr O'Hare

ONE TROOP

Lt .J D A Gaselee

CoH Jeram

LCoH Coles

LCoH Griffin

LCpl O'Connor

Tpr Hendereson

Tpr Mann

Tpr Ellison

Tpr Jones

Tpr Streeter

TWO TROOP

2Lt RAE Tarling

CoH Nicholson

LCpl Roberts

LCpl Mathews

Tpr Davis

Tpr Mather

Tpr Nuttall

Tpr Irwin

THREE TROOP

Lt J R Wheeler

CoH Camp

LCoH Smith

LCpl Parkinson

LCpl Taylor

LCpl Young

Tpr Hammond

Tpr Smith

Tpr Vost

Tpr Rudge

Tpr Gardner

FOUR TROOP

SCpl Pickard

CoH Godson

LCoH Heath

LCoH Kitching

Tpr Baker

Tpr Doyle

Tpr Jacobs

Tpr Pellett

SUPPORT TROOP

LCoH Coleman

SSgt Orr

Sgt Page

Sgt Hextall

LSgt Lindsell

LSgt Halcomb

Tpr Wood

Tpr Squires

Tpr Martin

SUPPORT TROOP

LSgt Smith CoH Williams

LCpl Humphreys CoH Fletcher

Cfn French Tpr Hadley

Cfn Beaumont Tpr Mahoney

Cfn Reed Tpr Gregson

ECHELON

Scpl (SOMC) Robertson

BSQUADRON

SHQ TROOP

LCoH Stillwell

LCpl Ablott

Tpr Few

Tpr Turnbull

Maj G G E Stibbe Tpr Clarke

Capt J D A Dalgleish

Capt D J G Mahony FITTER SECTION

W02 (SCM) Holbrook

Ssgt Elson

LCoH Bradley S91 Bennett

LCoH Postance

LCoH Thawley

LCpl Bartlett

Tpr Holloway

Tpr Marsh

Tpr McCullough

Tpr Butler

Tpr Goddard

Tpr Bradie

ONE TROOP

2Lt C C G Meynell

CoH Bellringer

LCoH Brown

LSgt Richardson

LSgt Pa rrott

LSgt Nicholls

LSgt Steel

LCpl Haselock

Lcpl Burn

LCpl Higgins

Cfn Thorburn

Cfn Etherington

Cfn Maighan

LCoH Lannahan CSQUADRON

LCpl Addis

LCpl Howie

LCpl Farrimond

Tpr Stephens

Tpr Rookyard

Tpr Ryan

Tpr Royston

Tpr Robertson

lWO TROOP

SHQ TROOP

Maj W S G DoughtY

Capt J DR Cox

W02 (SCM) Carter

CoH Valentine

LCoH Knowles

LCpl Benge

LCpl Fisher

LCpl Humpage

Lt E P H Farquhar Tpr Chubb

CoH Windebank Tpr Conway

LCpl Holden Tpr Davidson

LCpl Nunn

Tpr Dean

LCpl Stewart Tpr Horne

LCpl Stevens

Tpr McGregor ONE TROOP

Tpr Scott

Tpr McCartney

Tpr Close

Tpr Paternotte

Tpr Cox

THREE TROOP

Lt R W Uloth

CoH Kidd

LCoH Dobson

LCoH Risbridger

LCpl Chapman

LCpl Poynter

LCpl Tregartha Tpr Camp

LCpl Thwaites

LCpl King

LCpl Green

Cfn Rickard

Cfn Corry

Cfn Strang

Cfn Patrickson

LCoH Irving

LCoH Smithers

LCoH Wells

LCpl Gandar

LCpl Lloyd

LCpl Bebbington

LCpl Auld

Tpr Mullins

Lt E D J Goodchild Tpr Churms

CoH Newton Tpr Daynes

LCoH Grantham Tpr Hitchcock

LCoH Reade Tpr Hitchings

LCpl Gray Tpr Prest

LCpl Wibberly Tpr Wallis

Tpr Hayes

LCoH Bishop Tpr Canning

CATERING STAFF

Tpr Co mock

Tpr Carney

Tpr Wilson

lWO TROOP

Lt H J PFarr

Sgt Gowan

Sgt Loughrey

LSgt Briggs

LSgt Furmidge

LSgt Trollope

LCpl Slater

LCpl Dean

LCpl Sowden

SSgt Lyons Pte Chappel

Sgt Clay

LSgt Mullender

Cpl Watson

Tpr Clancy W02 (SOMS) R J Atkinson

Pte Marsden

Pte Thorne

Tpr Croucher

Tpr Exley

Tpr Fitzgerald

Tpr Hill

Tpr Howard

Tpr Bickerdike

Tpr Simpson

ECHELON

SCpl (SOMC) Ormiston

LCoH Cox

LCpl Hatcher

Tpr Clubley

Tpr Holmes

Tpr Cordwell

Tpr Bell

FOUR TROOP

Lt J M Hanson

CoH Hunter

CoH Norcombe

LCoH Dixon

LCpl Hodder

LCpl Knight

Tpr Beel

Tpr Devlin

Tpr Ford

LCoH Flynn Tpr French

LCoH Wills

Tpr Greenhough

Tpr Edisbury Tpr Hodge

Tpr Llewelyn Tpr McMillan

Tpr Hammond Tpr Whiteside

Tpr Bishop

THREE TROOP

Lt W M Dwerryhouse

CoH Lewis

LCoH Cripps

LCpl Beech

LCpl Buckley

LCpl Stevenson

Tpr Crawley

Tpr Galvin

Tpr George

Tpr Lace

Tpr North

Tpr Swinburne

Tpr Winter

FOUR TROOP

Lt E A Smyth-Osbourne

SCpl Gratton

CoH Hearn

LCoH Goodwin

LCpl Barratt

LCpl Kellett

Tpr Collins

Tpr Denker

Tpr Mansbridge

Tpr McLeish

Tpr Shaw

Tpr Vernon

ECHELON

SCpl (SOMC) Jones

LCoH O'Sullivan

LCpl Thomas

Tpr Chasney

Tpr Derbysh ire

Tpr Hood

Tpr McGuinness

Tpr Miller

Tpr Reid

Tpr Townsend

FITTER SECTION

SSgt Whittaker

LSgt Harvey

LSgt Reynolds

LCpl Buckingham

LCpl Lyons

Cfn Calder

Cfn Dalton

Cfn McDermott

Cfn Roberts

HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY MOUNTED REGIMENT

RHO

Lt Col R J Morrisey Paine

W02 Carrington

CoH 0 Daly

LCoH Hale

LCpl Redhead

OUARTERMASTERS DEPT.

W02 (ROMC) Gilbert

CoH Goodchild

CoH Tinkler

LCoH Hatcher

LCpl Hodgkins

LCplYoung

Tpr Nelson

OFFICERS MESS

CoH Meredith

LCpl Bandy

Tpr Scarr

Tpr Wall

WO'S & NCOs' MESS

ARCHIVES

Tpr Dadd

Tpr Winn

SCpl Kallaste

LCoH Lewis

MT

CoH Davies

LCoH Everett

LCpl Pitt

LCpl Smith Tpr Miller

SHO

CoH Hickman

LCoH Orchard

RIDING STAFF

Capt B J McKie

LCoH Avison

CoH Waygood

LCpl Jackson

LCpl Long

LCpl Weller

FORGE

F LCoH Jenkins

F LCoH Wright

Farr Bundy Far Bartlett Far Smith Farr Thomas

SADDLERS SHOP

SCpl Castelow

LCoH Mills

Tpr Plimmer

COACH TROOP

LCpl Skelton

TAILORS SHOP

LCoH Button

LCoH Evans

LCpl Watson

MEDICAL CENTRE

Capt C A J O'Kane

LCoH Tanner

BAI\lD

Capt C J Reeves

W02 Morris

SCpl Bourne

SCpl Hopkins

CoH Poland

CoH Allen

CoH Woodhouse

CoH Young

LCoH Graves

LCoH Bole

LCoH Pankhurst

LCoH COX

LCoH White

LCoH Gook

LCpl Dutton

LCpl Lazenbury

LCpl Carson

LCpl Pearson

Musn Maher

Musn Chiverton

Musn Allen

Musn Goodchild

Musn Wilman

Musn Hudson

Musn Stott

Musn Boistridge

Musn Walsh

Musn Meredith

Musn Field

Musn Rowe

Musn Wheeler

Musn Semkin

Tmtr Corney

PERSONNEL AT ERE

POSTS

GUAROS OEPOT

Capt J 0 Knowles

Lt G Davies

Lt HJP Farr

Lt A J Mead

W02 Byrne

CoH Derbyshire

CoH Roberts

LCoH Richards

LCoH Harlow

LCoH Shipton

LCoH Warren

LCplHoon

Tpr G reasley

GUARDS DEPOT (Held strength)

LCoH Mackay

LCpl Jacobi

LCpl Squire

HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY & RAC MRO

W02 McKenzie

RAC GUNNERY SCHOOL

W01 P Cusick

CoH Tate

5 C"ADET TRG TEAM

CoH Kelland

JLR BOVINGTON

LCoH Davidson

BATT LESOTHO

W02 Flory

RY

Capt J Leighton

W02 Reed

CoH Allen

CoH Shone

CoH Rigby

Tpr Barratt

WSBA CYPRUS

SCpl Flaherty

RAVC TRG CENTRE

W02 Jones

W02 Burns

CoH Hays

KUWAIT LIAISON TEAM

W02 Cruddace

0& M SCHOOL

CoH Wragg

CoH Pugh

RHKR (V) HONG KONG

W01 C P Bunyan

664 SON AAC

CoH Wilde

OMAN

RWx Y

W01 T Lowry

2 ADS

LCoH Smith

RMAS

Brig J B Emson

Capt MC Van Der Lande

2Lt R A Bramford

SCpl Gaunt

SCpl Harvey

HO H CAV

Maj PSW F Falkner

5 AB Bde

Lt R E Mackenzie-Hill

OXFORD UNIVERSITY

2Lt G W Howson

HO NI

Capt H 0 Dyson

STAFF COLLEGE

Col V A L Goodhew

RCB

Brig A BSH Gooch

RHG/D

Lt I Sanderson

HO LONDIST

Maj Gen S C Cooper

Maj The Hon N J Adderley

Maj LA Lumb

Maj P R L Hunter

Capt CI Ley

DLOY

Maj I S Forbes Cockell

1 Gp RAF

Maj 0 C Waterhouse

MOD

Col TJ Earl

Lt Col C S Harcourt-Smith

Maj J R Bayley

JCSC

Capt T E Thorneycroft

RAC SIGNALS SCHOOL

Capt J0 R Cox