The Household Cavalry Journal 2019

THE HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY JOURNAL 2019

The Household Cavalry Journal

Incorporating The Acorn and The Blue and Royal

No. 28 2019

Editor: Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) R R D Griffin, The Life Guards

Colonel in Chief Her Majesty The Queen

Colonel of The Life Guards and Gold Stick: Lieutenant General Sir Edward Smyth-Osbourne KCVO, CBE

Colonel of The Blues and Royals and Gold Stick: HRH The Princess Royal KG KT GCVO QSO

Lieutenant Colonel Commanding and Silver Stick: Colonel C A Lockhart MBE ADC, The Blues and Royals

Commanding Officer Household Cavalry Regiment: Lieutenant Colonel M S P Berry, The Life Guards

Commanding Officer Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment: Lieutenant Colonel P J Williams MC, The Blues and Royals

The Life Guards Battle Honours

Dettingen

Peninsula

Waterloo

Tel el Kebir

Egypt (1882)

Relief of Kimberley

Paardeberg

South Africa (1899-1900)

Mons

Le Cateau

Retreat from Mons

Marne (1914)

Aisne (1914)

Armentières (1914)

Messines (1914)

Ypres (1914)

Langemarck (1914)

Gheluvelt

Nonne Bosschen

St Julien

Frezenberg

Ypres (1915)

Somme (1916)

Albert (1916)

Scarpe (1917) (1918)

Broodseinde Poelcappelle

Passchendaele

Bapaume (1918)

Arras (1917)

Ypres (1917)

Arras (1918)

Hindenburg Line

Epehy

St Quentin Canal

Beaurevoir

Cambrai (1918)

Selle

Somme (1918)

France and Flanders (1914-18)

The Blues and Royals Battle Honours

Tangier (1662-1680)

Dettingen

Warburg

Beaumont

Willems

Fuentes d’Onor

Peninsula

Waterloo

Balaklava

Sevastopol

Tel el Kebir

Egypt (1882)

Relief of Kimberley

Paardeberg

Relief of Ladysmith

South Africa (1899-1902)

Mons

Le Cateau

Retreat from Mons

Marne (1914)

Aisne (1914)

Messines (1914)

Armentières (1914)

Ypres (1914)

Langemarck (1914)

Gheluvelt

Nonne Bosschen

St Julien

Ypres (1915)

Frezenberg

Loos

Arras (1917)

Scarpe (1917)

Ypres (1917)

Broodseinde

Poelcappelle

Passchendaele

Somme (1918)

St Quentin

Avre

Amiens

Hindenburg Line

Beaurevoir

Cambrai (1918)

Sambre

Pursuit to Mons

France and Flanders (1914-1918)

Mont Pincon

Souleuvre

Noireau Crossing

Amiens (1944)

Brussels

Neerpelt

Nederrijn

Nijmegen

Lingen

Bentheim

North West Europe (1944-1945)

Baghdad (1941)

Iraq (1941)

Palmyra

Syria (1941)

El Alamein

North Africa (1942-1943)

Arezzo

Advance to Florence

Gothic Line

Italy (1944)

Gulf (1991)

Wadi al Batin

Iraq (2003)

Mont Pincon

Souleuvre

Noireau Crossing

Amiens (1944)

Brussels

Neerpelt

Nederrijn

Lingen

Veghel

Nijmegen

Rhine

Bentheim

North West Europe (1944-1945)

Baghdad (1941)

Iraq (1941) Palmyra

Syria (1941)

Msus

Gazala

Knightsbridge

Defence of Alamein Line

El Alamein

El Agheila

Advance on Tripoli

North Africa (1941-1943)

Sicily (1943)

Arezzo

Advance to Florence

Gothic Line

Italy (1943-1944)

Falkland Islands (1982)

Iraq (2003)

Crown Copyright: This publication contains official information. It should be treated with discretion by the recipient. The opinions expressed in the articles in this journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policy and views, official or otherwise, of the Household Cavalry or the Ministry of Defence. No responsibility for the goods or services advertised in this journal can be accepted by the Household Cavalry, publishers or printers and advertisements are including in good faith. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the permission of the Editor and Publisher.

The Journal was designed and published by Brian Smith Associates, 145 St Pancras, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 7SH. Tel: 01243 576279 Email: brian@briansmithassociates.co.uk

Household Cavalry Regiment Contents

Household Cavalry Sports Round-up

Preface

By Colonel C A Lockhart MBE ADC, The Blues and Royals Lieutenant Colonel Commanding Household Cavalry

It is a huge privilege to be writing the preface to The Household Cavalry Journal having taken over in March 2019 from Major General (now Lieutenant General) Sir Edward Smyth-Osbourne, who in turn took over as Colonel Life Guards from FM The Lord Guthrie. I will not try to put into words the huge amount of thanks that we owe to Colonel Charles and Lady Guthrie for their friendship, stewardship and loyalty which they have given to the Regiment over the last 20 years. Regimentally it was with a huge amount of pleasure to see that Her Majesty gave orders for Colonel Charles’ promotion in the Royal Victorian Order to be a Knight Grand Cross (GCVO) on his relinquishment as Gold Stick and Colonel Life Guards. We must also remember the huge debt that we owe Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Harry Scott who, after 10 years as Regimental Adjutant, has handed over to Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Ralph Griffin. If nothing else we must thank him for his tireless work on this Journal for the last nine iterations. It is symptomatic of his selflessness that he chose to be Editor of the 2018 version even though he had ‘handed over’.

Now to matters of the day. ‘If you don’t like the word “change”, you’ll like the word “irrelevance” even less’. This is a slightly misquoted, rather blunt but extremely apposite quote from General Eric Shinseki, a former Chief of Staff US Army. And so it is that 2019 yet again proved that the Household Cavalry continues to be as relevant now as it has been throughout its history. The Household Cavalry has once more ‘marched to the sound of the guns’,

moved barracks to ensure operational utility, is currently at the leading edge of capability development, taking first ownership of the Army’s cutting edge equipment programme and continues to deliver State Ceremonial and Public Duties to the highest of standards.

Prior to the move of the Service Regiment to Bulford it was a great honour for The Household Cavalry to be able to exercise its’ Freedom of Windsor with the Salute being taken by Colonel Blues and Royals. Combined with elements from the Mounted Regiment, led by the Band with strong representation from both Associations it was a truly memorable occasion, witnessed by many and completed with a family orientated Regimental BBQ back in Combermere Barracks. It was therefore fitting that one of the very first visits once the Regiment had moved to Bulford was made by Colonels of both Regiments where they were able to open Powle Lines. Despite the programme being dominated by the move, the Regiment has still enjoyed a hugely varied programme. They have continued to provide support to Operations, notably Ukraine and Bosnia but have also sent soldiers to Cyprus, Belize, Brunei and the Falkland Islands. Continued work on experimentation has been mutually beneficial when supporting higher level exercises with the former releasing any perceived tactical shackles and allowing the Regiment to excel tactically. Less tactically but just as relevant, C Sqn conducted a particularly unusual STRIKE ethos exercise in Marchencouraging initiative and daring, and resulting in soldiers borrowing Bentleys, skiing for the first time, and reaching as far as the Canary Islands to fulfil challenges and win points.

For The Mounted Regiment it has been a year requiring huge patience. Whilst the Regiment undertook the regular parades it was towards the end of the year when flexibility was required from all involved. Despite murmurings of a State Visit none took place, in its place a rather short notice State Opening of Parliament was announced. The timing meant that Summer leave had to be cut short with everyone returning in order to get the horses back from grass and ready for one of the longer Sovereign’s Escorts. A second Opening of Parliament was announced after the election with initial planning guidance requiring full Ceremonial. Whilst this was later much reduced it is testament to

all Household Cavalry soldiers that the initial plan was met with pragmatism and stoicism, despite the fact that this would have in effect curtailed any possibility of Christmas leave, itself much needed after the cancellation of Summer leave. Notwithstanding these planning challenges it is encouraging to see soldiers deploy to Op TOSCA (Cyprus) with the Scots Guards and to Belize. Defence Engagement provides great opportunity with reciprocal visits to the French Guard Républicaine and the Danish Guard Hussar Regiment. Further visits to the Swedish Life Guards have been maintained and most recently the Musical Ride undertook a most successful series of performances in Morocco. Most selflessly the Commanding Officer and Riding Master made it back from Morocco just in time to deploy to Trinidad and Tobago for 10 days for a Mounted Ceremonial advisory visit.

With the recent work on Military Music Optimisation coming to a close it is pleasing to note that there will be very little impact on the Band. Work is under way to endeavour to provide a much needed permanent Band Practice Room within Combermere, thus avoiding the need to constantly up sticks to Alma Road to practise. In the interim, the Welsh Guards have kindly found room (the old gunnery training wing) for the band to use. Members of the Band also continue to support Operational deployments with SCpl Heywood, CoH Sandford, LCoH Sandford and Musns Porter and Purveur spending Christmas in Afghanistan providing musical support to Op Toral, with the remainder supporting Public Duties in London and Windsor over the same period. Thanks must go to the Band who continue to provide support to The Foundation. June saw the release of their first album recorded since its formation in 2014. The album is titled ‘Shining Sword’ and proceeds from sales go to the Household Cavalry Foundation.

There are simply too many sporting achievements to mention. Some stand out accomplishments though include; LCpl Shaw who has proved to be a huge hit (excuse the pun) in the boxing arena, winning not only at Regimental level but also winning the heavy weight belt at The Royal Armoured Corps and Brigade boxing championships. From the Mounted Regiment, LCpl Nicholas (LG) won the Hungarian national gallop in Budapest this November. With

horse selection being drawn from a hat it really was a true test of her equine skills and to cap it off she then met the Hungarian ambassador at Olympia Horse Show to discuss the race. The band has been no less active. Musician Porter has been selected to play for the Army Under-23 rugby team in the Inter-Services Championships and four members of the band formed a team to take part in the world’s longest one-day road cycling event – Red Bull Timelaps. Finally, it is fantastic to hear that Corrie Mapp formally LG is leading the World Cup Para-bobsleigh standings after three victories and a second place after only four races. The second race also doubled as the European Championship which he won.

Turning finally to the Foundation, we

Editorial

Asyou read this Journal you will be only too aware that the whole way in which we live our lives has changed due to Corona Virus. Your Regiments have had their programmes torn up and have been tasked to support the Nation in a variety of roles. Full reports will be carried in next year’s Journal. I need say no more than, as you would expect, The Household Cavalry has shown fortitude, a nimbleness of mind and institutional

continue to be indebted to all those who work tirelessly for the Charity and of course for all those who have been so generous with their donations. The Foundation supports all members of the Household Cavalry Family, our serving soldiers, veterans and dependants as well as looking after our heritage and retired horses. Of particular note this year was The Castle Trek initiative, walking from Combermere to Edinburgh Castle, rather poignantly in the process paying respects to some of our fallen comrades such as LanceCorporal Ross Nicholls at Bletchley, Trooper James Munday at Coleshill and Lance-Corporal Sean Tansey at Sunderland. Well done and thank you to all those involved.

There you have it. Just as the previous

‘20s ushered in a new dawn, so too does the Household Cavalry enter a new era. The Mounted Regiment will continue to provide the building blocks for our most valuable asset, our people, the Service Regiment has now moved and continues to be at the forefront of Capability Development. The recent arrival of the training aids in Tidworth will now kickstart the conversion to AJAX in earnest and we have new living and technical accommodation nearing completion. This move will bring further change, specifically the need to think through the impact of the lengthened umbilical cord between the two Regiments, but I finish where I started ... with General Shinseki. We need to remain relevant and therefore embrace the challenge and opportunity that change brings.

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flexibility to achieve what has been asked of them. State Ceremonial and conversion to AJAX may be on hold, but be under no illusion that the Household Cavalry is fully committed in assisting this Nation in a variety of ways.

I must acknowledge the hard work and skill of my predecessor Lt Col Harry Scott as the Editor of this Journal. In these strange times I have assembled

this Journal without the benefit of either hard copy or an office. Therefore any omissions or errors are purely mine and I will endeavour to correct them in next year’s Journal

Lastly, I would implore all readers to monitor closely the Household Cavalry website as events and dates are subject to constant change.

‘A SUPPORTIVE GROUP OF PUPILS AND TEACHERS IN AN AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY’ GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE

"T he staff h ave don e more than we could h ave aske d and, at time s, than we might h ave done as pare n ts!"

Household Cavalry Regiment

Foreword

By Lieutenant Colonel M S P Berry, The Life Guards Commanding Officer, The Household Cavalry Regiment

There is no doubt that 2019 has been a landmark year for the Household Cavalry Regiment with some of the greatest changes the Regiment has seen for many decades, even centuries. Household Cavalry soldiers have delivered operations in Ukraine, moved from our home of 217 years, and reestablished ourselves in Bulford. We have begun to backload the loyal, but tired, CVR(T) fleet, and we are underway with conversion to the Army’s latest ground combat platform, the AJAX. With these momentous changes, the Regiment remains at the front of a dynamic and changing Army. Under the 1st Armoured Infantry Brigade, HCR is developing the concept of a new way of fighting, STRIKE, and new tactics for the AJAX.

Our new home, Powle Lines, places the Regiment in the heart of the Field Army in Bulford. We are co-located with our operational chain of command. We live alongside the regiments with which we will go to war. Crucially, the camp is on the edge of Salisbury Plain, allowing soldiers to march, run or drive out

of our barracks onto a fantastic training area. Our field training is already more regular; the Regiment’s skills and tactical abilities will improve as a result. The Regiment’s new home is named after a young Household Cavalry officer whose bold actions in WWII gave 11th Armoured Division a battle-winning advantage as it sought to break out of Normandy in 1944. Bold action lies at the centre of the Army’s new capability, STRIKE. As HCR leads STRIKE development, it seems entirely appropriate that we use a Household Cavalryman’s example to remind us of the spirit of our endeavours.

Powle Lines continues to be built around us. We occupy several new buildings already: most recently moving into the first of our high-tech vehicle hangars, whose heated floors and ventilation systems will protect the new vehicles properly and create effective, modern and safe working conditions for our soldiers. The remaining buildings will be complete in early 2020. The vast majority of our families are the first occupants of newly built homes, and many of the

Regiments’ spouses have successfully transferred careers from Berkshire to Wiltshire. The families’ support through the move has been essential to HCR’s success, and will continue to be so.

Of the many special moments in this landmark year for the Regiment, The Freedom of Windsor Parade in May was a particularly poignant event. An astonishing number of onlookers supported the Regiment as it paraded through Windsor with horses from HCMR and soldiers from both Regiments. Household Cavalrymen marched out of Combermere to fight at Waterloo: many generations of our forbears were firmly in mind as we marched out of Combermere Barracks. As the serving Regiment closes one chapter in the Household Cavalry’s history, it has the notable privilege of opening a new one.

Colonel The Blues and Royals, HRH The Princess Royal took the salute as we left Windsor, and kindly opened Powle Lines in Her first visit to the Regiment in Bulford. Since then, the Regiment has accelerated into life in Wiltshire. D Sqn

The Commanding Officer addresses the Regiment for the first time in Bulford

delivered a proof of concept exercise for the STRIKE Bde, C Sqn commenced conversion to AJAX; B Sqn has established a sniper troop and is now working on drones and other emerging technologies; and A Sqn conducted an arduous escape and evasion exercise in Scotland; an outstanding boxing match marked the first time we have fielded a boxing team for three years. We end the year with several adventure training exercises, with Household Cavalry soldiers skiing in Norway and France, and sail-

Diary of Events

The Regiment started a chilly January with RHQ supporting Ex SPECULAR. This was an excellent opportunity to work on our experimental planning cycles, which one day might help us to react more quickly within the Strike Bde. A Sqn was however considerably colder deploying to a -17C Rivne, Ukraine on Op ORBITAL as a Short-Term Training Team (STTT), the first of several that dominated Regiment activity for most of 2019.

This first deployment continued into February, while D Sqn busied themselves providing an OPFOR on Ex WESSEX STORM into March, alongside HQ Sqn completing a rotation of Sqn training weeks on the Plain. April saw the Regiment send its next ORBITAL team to Zhytomyr, working with some of the same Ukrainian instructors as they prepared their fighting Bdes for Europe’s Eastern front.

May saw the Regiment beginning the momentous work of packing up Combermere Barracks after 217 years of HCR occupation. This culminated with an

ing in the British Virgin Islands.

2019 closes with the first Brickhanging in the Warrant Officers’ splendid new mess in Bulford. It also marks final Brickhanging for WO1 (RCM) Tom Horton RHG/D, who retires at the end of the ceremony. His dedicated service to the Regiment across a 22 year career has been outstanding and has culminated in safely guiding the Household Cavalry from Windsor to its new home in Bulford. We wish him all the best in his

retirement, and in turn welcome WO1 (RCM) Simon Allwood to lead the Regiment through the next steps.

Finally, the support of serving and retired Household Cavalrymen has been hugely welcome this year. Their support will ensure the Regiment’s success and we hope to welcome to Powle Lines in the near future many of those at ERE and as many of our Association members as possible.

exceptional Freedom of Windsor Parade through the town, a poignant way to say goodbye to the community that have supported the Regiment for so long. This didn’t stop a small team escaping

excellent expedition was closely followed by a second in June up the less verdant but equally breathtaking Atlas

further afield, ski touring in the Alps.

This

D Sqn check the mud in Bulford is the same as that in Windsor Great Park

The memorial stone from Combermere is bedded in outside our new Trg Wing in Bulford

Mountains of Morocco. Comberemere was beginning to empty as trucks headed to Bulford full of Regimental property, all while both C and D Sqns deployed STTTs back to Ukraine, Dnipro and Rivne respectively.

By the end of July the Regiment was complete in its Bulford living Quarters, decorations going up in two fantastic new messes before a well earned summer leave.

Returning from leave in September, the Regiment jumped straight into prepara-

A Squadron

It has been an eventful year for A Squadron and the Regiment in a period dominated by change. The Squadron took the lead role for Op ORBITAL with much of the higher echelons deploying to Ukraine, backfilled by C and D Squadron, leaving a very junior cohort of officers and soldiers behind. This cohort was spread across the Regiment, backfilling other squadrons while fulfilling the unrelenting stream of tasks and TRAWLs from across the Field Army. Of note the Squadron provided OPFOR for 3 Scots (The Black Watch), entered a team into the Nijmegen Marches, deployed individuals to Belize, the Falklands and Bosnia. The Squadron then turned its attention to the gargantuan task of moving to Bulford. After the move and summer leave the Squadron backfilled D Sqn for Ex IRON STRIKE 3 and deployed on an escape and survive exercise in Kirkcudbright. The year ends with the Squadron beginning to feel as though we have officially landed in Bulford albeit with a significant amount for work ahead of us before we can call it home.

The Squadron’s main task for 2019 has been the commitment to Op ORBITAL. Op ORBITAL is a permanent training mission that supports the UK intent to assist Ukraine in maintaining its sovereignty in the face of Russian aggression through the training and development of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). The mission has been in place since March 2015 and delivers training through Short Term Training Teams (STTTs). As the lead for Op ORBITAL across the Regiment and Bde the Squadron took on the task of force generating and qualifying as many individuals as possible in order to generate 6 months of STTTs. Each STTT receives an outline of the training to be delivered and then generates courseware to deliver training to the AFU. This involved extensive reading and learning of new Ukrainian doctrine, which was in its infancy, there-

tion for B and D Sqn deployments back on Salisbury Plain for Ex Iron Strike 3, another round of in-depth Strike Experimentation. The exercise was a great success, paving the way for the restructuring of B Sqn in October; it now holds a Sniper and Drone Tp along with an Information Activities Cell.

The Sqns finished the year with low level training across the country; A, C and D Sqns in Scotland, Altcar and Dartmoor; they honed their navigation skills across the wildernesses of glen, moor and the Liverpool bar scene. The adventures

continued into Christmas, with further expeditions for the Nordic and Alpine Skiing teams, along with sailing in the British Virgin Islands.

A year of change ends in December with the reassuringly familiar Brick-hanging. The Household Cavalry should begin 2020 with the Regiment in an excellent position to continue not just its traditions, but also maintaining its position at the cutting edge of warfighting development.

fore almost as new to the AFU as us. SCM Eade deployed slightly unexpectedly in December 2018 to fill a post in a Rifles STTT, which gave us an invaluable insight into life in Ukraine.

The Squadron initially deployed to Rivne (Western Ukraine) in early January, which brought several challenges including bitter cold, testing driving, a tough audience, language barriers and the Orthodox Churches Christmas (somewhat later than our own). The team delivered some fantastic training while fighting the elements with temperature rarely above zero in our classrooms and a low of minus 22 out on the ranges. It’s safe to say anyone who took part will remember the cold.

Having had some post tour leave and some early Easter leave the Squadron returned to recock for the next ORBITAL deployment to Zhytomyr (central

Ukraine) and to force generate a further two STTTs from across the Regiment. This time deploying in a different role, mentoring AFU instructors within the 95th Air Assault Bde who had received Train the Trainer packages from previous STTTs. This again proved to be challenging and required some heavy-handed mentoring before we saw the fruits of ours and our Danish counterparts labour. The syllabus included Counter IED, Ranges, Communications and Map Reading, Urban Warfare and First Aid training. During the deployment members of the Squadron took part in the Kiev half marathon, visits to Chernobyl and some disused Soviet Military Sites, as well as, conducting a battlefield study. The study masterminded by Lt Josh Edwards, Lt Charlie Onslow and Lt Charlotte Lord-Sallenave covered the advance and subsequent retreat by the Wehrmacht’s Army Group South

A Sqn Instructors on the Ranges in Rivne, Western Ukraine

in 1941/43 across Ukraine and gave an insight into operations on a scale unimaginable by our generation though pertinent to our new role in STRIKE. 95th Bdes Battle Inoculation Training was a highlight and involved being rolled over by a T80 in a single man trench – not for the faint hearted.

The Squadron and Regiment’s involvement in Op ORBITAL has given those who deployed a chance to not only develop instructional abilities, but also gain broader knowledge from working with multinational allies and a range of cross governmental departments and NGOs. Furthermore, ORBITAL provides the opportunity to study lessons at close hand on how the Russian Federation is conducting operations by working hand in hand with those that have

fought on the frontline in the Donbas. A great deal of work goes into gathering lessons from Ukrainian soldiers with experience of fighting and feeding them back to the Land Warfare Centre in order to improve our understanding of a potential adversary.

On our return from Ukraine Lt Josh Edwards, Lt Charlotte Lord-Sallenave and CoH Richardson entered a Squadron team into the Nijmegen Marches with notable a result finishing 7th out of 66 UK teams after a short lead in time. The Squadron also sought to deploy as many individuals on interesting training and Operational opportunities. LCpl Barnes deployed to Brunei with the KRH. LCpl Flaherty and Tpr Krane deployed to Belize with the Grenadier Guards. LCpl Sonsowski, Tpr Spreckley

and Warner also deployed to the Falklands Falkland’s on Op FIRIC with the Welsh Guards and Lt George Lane-Fox, Tpr Barks and Collins deployed on Op ELGIN to Bosnia.

The lead into the summer gave way to the long awaited move and saw the Squadron as the first formed Household Cavalry Sub Unit in Bulford. It also saw the Squadron further disperse with Lt’s Onslow and Edwards moving to HCMR. Earlier in the year Ct (now Lt) Charlotte Lord Salanave and Ct (now Lt) George Lane-Fox join the Squadron. SHQ was joined by Capt Piers Flay as 2IC, with Capt Kit Lewis’s move to RHQ as Adjt. SCpl J Hart moved to Bovington, SCpl Wincott arrived to take on the role of SQMC and CoH Crudgington posted to Bovington on promotion to SCpl. LCoH Temang also promoted and posted to the Gunnery Wing at Lulworth. The Squadron welcomed CoH Bradbury back from HCMR.

On return from leave the Squadron prepared to support D Squadron on Ex IRON STRIKE 3, the first time we could see the genuine benefits of being able to roll straight out the gates and onto Salisbury Plain. In October the Squadron reformed and deployed to Kirkcudbright for a cohesion building exercise based around a SERE (Survive, Evade, Resist, Escape) training package to foster resilience and basic navigation skills integral to STRIKE. The Squadron completed a SERE training package delivered by two military and one civilian instructor. Once they had honed their skills in safe methods of cutting, making fire, shelter, finding water, skinning and cooking they deployed on a survival NAVEX covering a distance of 19 miles and over 750 meters climbed. Teams spent a night in primitive shelters with minimum scales, dining on slightly charred pheasant and partridge.

Capt Kit Lewis, Lt Col Bondar, Lt Col Polishchuk, Maj Simon Lukas and WO2 Christian Eade, Op ORBITAL, Rivne, Western Ukraine

A Sqn AT in Kirkcudbright, Scotland

Lt Josh Edwards displays his vehicle commanding prowess…

The 2IC masters the art of making fire (getting very sweaty…)

Luckily the weather was uncustomarily good for the time of year and all but two boots survived the night.

The Squadron finishes a busy year having established itself in Bulford and having achieved a great deal. We now look forward to Operational deployments, the arrival of AJAX and the subsequent conversion process while the Regiment forges our new role in STRIKE.

B Squadron

From January 2019, the small and select team within B Squadron have been busy, and reflection on 2019 highlights the diverse range of activity we have been involved in. The Squadron Leader, Maj Simon Deverell, filled the secondary role of OC ISTAR within BG HQ for the OpFor during Ex SPECULAR 19 in Warminster; not a traditional

exercise, but computer generated and executed against a live, free-thinking opposition. This time the opposition was the HCR, filling in for the Bde HQ which was otherwise engaged in urban STRIKE working groups. Under the direction of Commanding Officer HCR, devious and wonderful engineer defences were planned, and counter-attack

opportunities against 3(UK) Div, and their various Brigades, were enacted.

In the meantime, the 2iC, Capt Ned Comyn, had been trawled to Op ORBITAL, the SCM was doubling as the Training Warrant Officer, the SQMC was deployed to Belize, Lt Stewart was on the urban STRIKE working groups, and

STTT 95-19, Zhytomyr with a Ukrainian T80

LCpl Raats, LCoH Murphy, LCpl Gilbert, LCpl Singh, Tpr Carne at CP 3, Kirkcudbright

preparing for sniper training, boxing, as well as the up-coming Her Majesty’s Cavalry documentary. Having been trained as a UAS (Unmaned Aerial System) instructor, LCoH Hookham continued supporting 700X Naval Air Squadron, providing tri-service UAS training. For Maj Deverell, Ex SPECULAR was swiftly followed by a swansong deployment to Fort Hood, Texas, for the 3(UK) Div WARFIGHTER validation exercise, prior to a posting to the Joint Warfare Branch in Northwood. Capt Comyn’s move to become 2iC D Sqn meant that Lt Stewart became de facto Sniper Tp Ldr, Sqn 2iC and acting Sqn Ldr, inheriting the responsibility for the move to Bulford and keeping the B Sqn ship afloat until the September-arrival of the new Sqn Ldr, Maj Dan Marsh. By the middle of the year, a haze of vape smoke, and a lifetime subscription to

Monster, heralded the arrival of WO2 Eddie Bateman to assume the role of SCM. Two immediate dividends came with him in the form of: firstly, an HCRrun Sniper Course that produced five badged-snipers – LCpl Cuthbertson, LCpl Short, Tpr Jones, Tpr Edwards, and Tpr Caton-Hewings, and; secondly, tempering Lt Stewart’s spaniel-like enthusiasm with reality. Also present on the Sniper Cse were students from the Royal Army of Oman (RAO) who, unfortunately for them, experienced one of the wettest and coldest summers for a long time. All Tprs qualified on the Sniper Cse have since promoted to LCpl – even Tpr Caton-Hewings who, after a short wait for a vacancy, promoted and was able to shed the persona of Kevin the Teenager and withdraw his application for the Police Force. LCpl Cuthbertson also promoted to LCoH whilst away

on the Crew Commander Course.

The move to Ward Barracks, Bulford, where the Sqn have settled into barracklife, was quickly followed by deployment on Ex IRON STRIKE 3 (IS3); an opportunity for the Sniper Tp to have a first run-out in support of D Sqn, under Lt Stewart – or ‘Rogue One’, as he has become known. The Tp performed well and learnt some valuable lessons pertinent to the employment of Snipers in support of a Sabre Sqn, a battlegroup, and the STRIKE Bde. Concurrently LCoH Massey and Tpr Edwards competed in the Tri-Service Sniper Competition, where they achieved an admirable 4th place in the UK pecking order. Post-IS3, SCM Bateman has been occupied with running a Sniper Course on behalf of the QDG, which could see another three badged snipers in the Sqn – including Rogue One. LCoH Backhouse returned to HCR and B Sqn from HCMR and was almost immediately deployed in support of 20 Bde on Op CABRIT. Turnaround time from trawl to deployment was in the vicinity of two weeks, following which, despite failing his European Driver Matrix Test about 20 times, he flew to Estonia on 5 Nov for a four-month tour; we wish him well.

In the absence of an SCM, who was running QDG Sniper Cse, a Tp Comd, who was on the Sniper Cse, and a Sqn 2iC, Capt Tom Stewart who was donated to C Sqn, in the absence of their 2iC, until Christmas 2019, the Sqn Ldr and SQMC – Maj Marsh and CoH Sedgwick – have endeavoured to fulfil about five jobs between them. CoH Sedgewick has been the consummate professional, regularly acting as SQMC, Trg Officer / 2iC, and stand-in SCM in the absence of

Deployment of UAS (Drone?) during EX IRON STRIKE 3

LCoH Hookham sets up various UAS for the LADBible Techie video

SCM Bateman instructing during the HCR Sniper Course

others, allowing the Sqn Ldr to try and tame the anarcho-syndicalist sniper Tp. As the Sqn moves into 2020, it is wellpoised to develop. As well as the return of LCoH Hookham, the UAS Troop has received an uplift of personnel, allowing it to train and develop tactics in support of the Sabre Sqns and STRIKE, and we have started to experiment with Commercial of the Shelf (COTS) systems with thermal payloads. Experimentation during the Sniper Course has already demonstrated their value as an ISTAR asset. The Social Media (SocMed) / Information Activities (IA) Cell has gained LCpl McRitchie from HCMR – a

man for whom it is permanently Movember – and personnel to uplift it to a strength of four. Professionalisation of the capability will be achieved through training – both Defence and Civilian courses – as well as operationalising the skillset used for the Regiment’s SocMed outlets, into a deployable IA Cell. The Sniper Tp is well established; it should be at its full strength of 15 +1 by the end of 2020. Their focus for 2020 will be to develop their tactics, and experiment with vehicles – such as Viking – which offer the optimum blend of protection and mobility, allowing the Tp to insert with stealth, then dismount to deliver

effect. B Sqn’s future will see us create an upscaled Anti-Tank (ATk) Tp, doubling the ATk capability within the HCR to bring it in-line with an Infantry ATk Platoon. Furthermore, we will look at the creation of a Mortar Tp, cognisant of the fact that HCR lack any organic indirect fire (IDF) capability; this could be key to operating in a STRIKE context, where the HCR may be out of range of artillery support, in an air-denied environment. Of course, this is all predicated on suitable manning levels making this feasible, and is a long-term goal.

SCM Bateman and HCR Sniper cohort on-course at Aldershot

Sniper planning during Ex IS3

Tprs Jones and Caton-Hewings take a break during the filming of the LADBible Techie video at CDV

C Squadron

This has been another testing and productive year for the soldiers of C Squadron. The Squadron have been committed to numerous tasks; STRIKE experimentation exercises, deployment overseas, supporting the Regiment with the unit move to Bulford and AJAX conversion training. This has all been achieved with the determination and professionalism that have become synonymous with the soldiers of C Squadron.

In January and February, the Squadron completed two exercises in the simulated training environments of CATT (Combined Arms Tactical Trainer) in Warminster and Germany. The exercise was developed as part of the STRIKE Experimentation Group (SEG) to assist with the development of tactics and doctrine for the new AJAX reconnaissance vehicle. The lessons learnt from exercises such as these will shape the role of the STRIKE Regiments who will use AJAX in the future.

To test the ingenuity, resolve and outthe-box thinking of the soldiers within C Squadron, a STRIKE ethos exercise was planned in March. The exercise was shrouded in secrecy disguised as a mounted exercise on Salisbury Plain but with only SHQ knowing the full extent of the plan. On the morning of the exercise SHQ delivered orders to the Squadron that they were to be released in pairs to complete a series of challenges in the UK and if possible, overseas in line with the STRIKE ethos of being able to operate at reach. As expected, the soldiers did not disappoint with some daring and bold challenges completed in places as far as Grand Canaria and Switzerland.

One of the more impressive tasks completed was LCoH Gaze and LCpl Godsmark’s interpretation of ‘meeting a famous person’ who were granted a private meeting with the then Secretary of State for Defence Mr Gavin Williamson MP.

In June, the Squadron deployed for 7 weeks to the Ukraine as part of Op ORBITAL. The Squadron’s role was to provide Short Term Training Teams (STTTs) that would train Ukrainian Army Instructors on how to teach and instruct on courses as part of a ‘Train the Trainer’ package. The deployment was primarily an opportunity for the Squadron’s JNCOs and junior commanders to teach, coach, mentor and instruct their Ukrainian counterparts. It was a highly successful deployment and a brilliant opportunity for the junior members of the Squadron to experience an overseas deployment.

LCoH Gaze and LCpl Godsmark having tea with the Secretary of State for Defence

Simultaneously to the deployment to the Ukraine, CsoH Mulholland and Mckean and LCoH Davies deployed on the initial ARES T2 (Train the Trainer) Instructors Course in Bovington. The purpose of the course was to deliver ARES training to HCR instructors in order for them to cascade the training to the Squadron in preparation for the delivery of the new armoured vehicle. The course at times proved longer than expected but has enabled them to be the first instructors trained on the Army’s new variant.

In July, the Squadron welcomed Maj Erskine-Naylor SCOTS DG and SCM Ottaway RHG/D. Maj Erskine-Naylor arrived after two years as SO2 Plans in 38 (Irish) Bde in NI and SCM Ottaway as SSI in RATD. The change came at the same time of the Regiment’s move to Bulford heralding a new era for the Squadron in Bulford where C Squadron will be receiving the new AJAX vehicles to become the Army’s lead AJAX Squadron.

The Squadron has also been busy supporting exercises over the course of the year. In Aug, LCpls Diplacito, Foster and Smith deployed as part of an HCR/ HCMR combined recce section to Belize

2Lt Petit and LCpl Huxtable with their Ukrainian Syndicate

Tpr James getting to grips with the ARES Gunnery Matrix

LCpls Diplacito, Smith and Foster after 35 x days in the jungle

as part of 1GG BG. This proved to be a very challenging exercise in the jungle but was enjoyed by all. The Squadron also provided a troop to D Sqn on Ex IRON STRIKE as part of STRIKE Experimentation on Salisbury Plain.

In November, the Squadron began its conversion to ARES by training on the Desk Top Trainer (DTT) in Bovington. The DTT is a replica of the vehicle’s

gunnery systems but in a simulated environment. Under the stewardship of CoH McKean and LCoH Davies, the Squadron was taught how to use the various gunnery systems; electronic architecture, hand controls and weapon system. The system is very intuitive and impressive with the soldiers adapting to the new techniques incredibly quickly. This initial training has only further wetted the Squadron’s appetite to

continue with the conversion pipeline in the new year.

Sport and AT continues to be supported in the Squadron. Lt Felix Petit represented the army at Wake Boarding and the RAC at Squash. Capt BruceCrampton led an expedition to Morocco as part of Ex COCKNEY ATLAS. It was 10 x day expedition which culminated in the group climbing Mount Toubkal the tallest mountain in North Africa.

Finally, the Squadron said goodbye to Maj Woodward RL and SCM Cawley. Both men have worked tirelessly to improve and better the lives of the soldiers in C Squadron. Their enthusiasm and passion over the last two years was highly regarded amongst the Squadron and they will be solely missed. The Squadron also said goodbye to Capts Crostwaite-Eyre who has become the new Operations Officer and Capt BruceCrampton (HCMR). Lts Hugo Hunter posted to ATR (Pirbright) and Arthur Bryan (HCMR). The Squadron would like to welcome 2Lts Felix Petit, Tom Muir and Ct John Hutton who have recently arrived from their Troop Leaders’ course.

Capt Bruce-Crampton’s expedition to Morocco

Castle Trek by Martin Semple, formally The Blues and Royals

On 29th July 2019 a team of serving soldiers and veterans began a 10 day trek called CastleTrek. This was an endurance project to carry bagpipes (as the team’s baton) from Windsor Castle to Edinburgh Castle to raise vital funds and awareness for The Household Cavalry Foundation and The Royal British Legion. The Household Cavalry Foundation (HCF) split the HCF’s donation pot with the regimental Associations.

The Walking Team: Martin Semple, Lee Walker, Robert Procter, Jay Shaw, James Archer, James Jalili.

The Support Team: Adam BlackmoreHeal, James Fitzgerald, Jodie Solomon, Mike Tupling, Tariq Baksh.

Martin Semple, team leader of the project said ‘We are a team of serving soldiers, veterans and civilians that want to raise money for The Royal British Legion and The Household Cavalry Foundation,

Leader Martin Semple (ex LCoH

because we all have an emotional and personal connection with people that have been injured both physically, and mentally from their time serving in the Armed Forces. There are many soldiers, veterans and their families that need the support of these fantastic charities which is why we want to challenge ourselves with the arduous project to raise awareness and vital funds.’

The 480 mile trek took them just 10 days. The team stopped off in various towns throughout the UK for an engagement event each evening. The intrepid trek across the island took the team past castles and countryside, touching base with the most amazing communities and meeting the bereaved families of some of our fallen comrades. The Trek officially came to a close at the foot of Edinburgh Castle during the pre-show entertainment of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The support team were fundamental to keeping the team of

6 walkers on the road. With Mike the physio mainly treating battered and blistered feet, drivers providing food and water stations at checkpoints along the route, route planners to assist with route selection, media support to make the public aware of what the team were up to along the route and raising the vital awareness of the two charities and the support that they provide servicemen and their families.

The team would like to take this opportunity to once again thank everybody who supported them and donated throughout the trek. It was an incredible achievement of which all of us feel incredibly proud to have been part of. The team have raised a total of £25,181 for the two charities and Associations which will provide vital support for those in need and to support the welfare of those still serving.

Team

RHG/D) plays a lament at the Household Cavalry memorial garden at the National Memorial Arboretum

Brilliant support in Sunderland at the Stadium of Light and great to see Dave Ansell (ex CoH RHG/D) and Maj Taj Tate

CastleTrek team and the Regimental Engagement Team lay a wreath at the Household Division memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum

Fantastic support to meet the team at the end of Day 4 in Doncaster

D Squadron

It has been a busy, but disjointed year for the Squadron. On taking over command in May, after being gapped for a few months, the Squadron marched on the Freedom of Windsor parade and marked the end of our time in Windsor and the start of the new chapter of the Regiment’s history.

Capt Comyn, the Squadron 2iC was already out in Haisyn on Op ORBITAL in Ukraine with an STTT from the Regiment. Shortly after the Freedom of Windsor Parade, the SCM, Sqn Ldr and a number of the JNCOs from the Squadron deployed to Ukraine to mentor training delivery to the Ukrainian 10th Mountain Brigade in Rivne. It was a credit to the A Squadron team who had deployed to Rivne in January that the Ukrainian instructors were wellprepared and needed relatively little guidance from the module mentors. We re-established a great relationship with the exuberant Lt Col Roman Polischuk, with whom A Squadron had been swimming in the frozen lake in January as part of a traditional Ukrainian cere-

mony. Colonel Roman invited the STTT to a number of traditional Ukrainian socials culminating in a football and volleyball competition – at which we grace-

fully conceded defeat! Both STTTs were a great experience for the members of the Squadron who deployed, with cultural trips to Chernobyl and Lviv prov-

The team at the Stadium of Light

The team at Edinburgh Castle with the Governor of the Castle, Major General Alistair Bruce

The team at the start line set off by Nell McAndrew. Team left to right: Martin Semple, Tariq Baksh, James Jalili, Jodie Solomon, Lee Walker, RBL Standard Bearer, Jay Shaw, Nell McAndrew, James Archer, Mike Tupling, James Fitzgerald, Robert Procter

Fantastic support in Coleshill and brilliant to present Mrs Caroline Munday-Baker with Magpie’s horse shoes in memory of James ‘Magpie’ Munday

Lt Jalili and CoH Hendy conducting ‘Summer’ Mountain Foundation Training in Inverness in November

ing popular as well.

In the meantime, this left the rest of the Squadron back in camp to conduct the unit move to Bulford under the safe hands of the SQMC, SCpl Archer and CoH Darty. This was no small feat after 200 years in Windsor, but thanks to the D Squadron rear party, the move went smoothly. We are now established in the brand-new HQ building in Ward Barracks. The remainder of the technical infrastructure will follow shortly. A fiveweek leave period followed the move, allowing for relocation leave and trying to reduce high leave balances after Op TEMPERER and other commitments.

On return in September the Squadron was down on the temporary tank park with vehicle fleets –taking on the CVR(T) Mk 1 fleet in addition to the CVR(T) Mk 2 fleet in preparation for Ex IRON STRIKE 3, onto which the Squadron was deploying three weeks later. All of this was made more chal-

lenging by the working environment of the dustbowl – exposed to the elements with no overhead cover. The Squadron deployed on exercise in good order –and testament to the hard work of the Squadron and the fitter section (in terrible weather conditions), we maintained over 90% availability throughout. The exercise allowed troops to demonstrate some fantastic initiative and independence of action in line with the STRIKE concept. We were able to test the integration of UAVs and aviation down to Sub-Unit level and use other assets that we would not otherwise be supported by. The exercise construct of battle lanes was universally popular with the Squadron and generated a truly “safe-

to-experiment” atmosphere; the ability to repeat the serials trying different tactics allowed the Crew Commanders to feel confident in experimenting – even at the risk of failure. It was a really valuable exercise for the Squadron at all levels, in spite of the weather!

After the inevitable post-exercise handback of vehicles, in late October the Squadron deployed to Altcar Camp in Liverpool to conduct its annual MATTs training. The CBRN chamber, under CoH Hinchley, was a treat as ever and CoH Hendy and Lt Jalili organised some excellent navigational exercises. This was a great opportunity to get everyone away from camp (and the tank park) to

Members of the Squadron conduct battle lanes in Haisyn, Ukraine

The Squadron on Exercise IRON STRIKE 3 – our last deployment as a complete Squadron in CVR(T)

Members of the Squadron on STTTs conducting training in Rivne, Ukraine

Sqn Ldr and SCM on a Ukrainian T-72

conduct our training and socialise as a squadron. The inimitable SQMC, SCpl Archer, arranged a number of evening team-building activities for the Squadron, including a pumpkin carving competition. The Squadron particularly enjoyed the opportunity of a night out in Liverpool on Halloween (and payday!). On our return, the normal mill of courses and in-camp duties continued though Lt Jalili took a group from the Squadron up to Inverness to conduct their Summer Mountaineering Foundation Course in mid-November (the irony was not lost on most – as they summited hills covered in snow!).

In terms of other Adventurous Training and sporting activity, Capt Comyn took a crew from the Squadron to take part in the Household Division Regatta at Seaview in June and the Sqn Ldr took a large group from the Squadron sailing in the British Virgin Islands in December. LCpl Annetts completed the Dublin Marathon in 3h35 at the end of October,

raising £793 for the HCF. A number of other members of the Squadron will be getting away on skiing and ice sports over the winter.

The Squadron will be the last to convert to AJAX, as the experimentation squadron so this has given us the freedom to conduct low-level experimentation for the latter part of 2019 and will continue into 2020. We have taken on the Warrior Experimentation Fleet and will conduct low-level training on Salisbury Plain in Jan 2020 and Ex WESSEX STORM in February. One of the main advantages to our new barracks is the ability to drive straight out of the back gate onto the training area. We will also focus on our dismounted skills, navigation and shooting to further foster the Strike ethos within the Squadron – developing independent, thinking soldiers capable of operating at reach and range. An exciting year for the squadron lies ahead and we will look to make the most of the training opportunities presented to us.

Headquarters Squadron

by Warrant Officer Class 1 Quickfall, The Blues and Royals

2019 has seen much change for the Household Cavalry Regiment with the move to Bulford (Project Mayflower). During the Regiment’s move HQ Squadron were in key command positions with Major DJ Hitchings taking the role as project officer and Capt DH Robson, as QM, executing the physical aspects of the plan. During the preparations for the move HQ Squadron still had to take on much of the responsibilities of the Rear Operations Group (ROG) protecting Combermere Barracks

and keeping normal business running smoothly as HCR had no let-up in its wider commitments.

In February, WO2 Chris Douglass moved to Knightsbridge as take over as RQMC after completing two years as the Squadron Corporal Major and WO2 Simon (Todd) Martin stepping in. March saw HQ Squadron turn out a division for the Freedom of Windsor Parade where the Regiment marched through the streets of Windsor with

thousands of people turning up to wave at the Regiment for one final time. Many of the families and Association members turned up to support the serving soldiers, with people coming from as far away as South Africa.

The Squadron has also had many soldiers attached to the sabre squadrons and to other units. Deployments have been global, SCpl Rosendale and Tpr Wilson were deployed to assist in training the Ukrainian Army; LCpl

Squadron Day out in Datchet – LCpl Bridger modelling the comb-over with LCoH Hollman

Squadron STTT in Rivne, June 2019

Matthews was attached to 1RGR as an interpreter in Jordan; LCsoH Ward, Batikaikai and Tpr Chapman deployed to Bosnia on Op ELGIN as part of European Union Force (EUFOR); Tpr Jones and Pte Baker went to Cyprus on Op TOSCA with the Scots Guards; LCoH Roche to Estonia on Op CABRIT as part of NATOs enhanced force presence; LCoH Foran deployed on Op KIPION to Abu Dhabi; Cfns Modford and Brown went to BATUS supporting the troops in Canada with vital real-life support. On a different note, LCpl Palmer and LCpl Day (ARMCEN) took part in Op MARKET GARDEN 75, driving to Arnhem following the rout of 30 Corp in a restored Dingo, both soldiers wearing full World War Two uniforms for the duration of the event.

In July, the move was in full swing with the Quartermasters department taking over new infrastructure in Ward and Picton Barracks within Bulford and the handing over of Combermere Barracks to the Welsh Guards who were moving from Pirbright Elizabeth Barracks. This first buildings to be taken over in Bulford where the accommodation, armouries, messes and temporary offices until the new RHQ building was handed over later in September.

August meant that the Squadron and Regiment took a well-earned rest and families had the chance to move service family accommodation. HCR’s welfare team headed up by Capt Dove and CoH Broxholme earned their wages (for once?) in supporting the families in the transition to the new location. On returning from leave, September saw the naming of the new RHQ building by Colonel, Blues and Royals, during both Colonels initial visit to the Regiment in Bulford. The naming of Powle Lines is in honour of Lt Dickie Powle MC, the Troop Leader from 2 HCR who seized a vital bridge in Normandy in 1944. Once the Colonels had departed, the preparations started for the deployment of elements from HQ Squadron on IRON STRIKE 3 to support of D Squadron to our new back garden of Salisbury Plane Training Area (SPTA). Excitingly, the Regiment’s new vehicle for the future (ARES) turned up giving the Regiment the chance to see it for the first time in its new setting.

The Quartermaster Technical Department started to hand over the CVRT 2

Newly promoted LCpl Weaver, LCoH Harrison and LCoH Berry after regimental PT

The Regiment during the Freedom of Windsor Parade

Soldier and Officers from HQ Squadron during the Freedom of Windsor Parade

Both RQs on extra drill, WO2 (RQMC T) Allwood and WO2 (RQMC) Nicol

WO2 Martin, helpful as always

WO2 (RQMC) Nicol and LSgt Maloney oversee the Household Cavalry Memorial leaving Windsor

The Memorial Stone positioned in its new home in

fleet to help draw down the total numbers of A vehicles, in preparation for the arrival of the ARES vehicles. The Training Wing team headed up by Capt M Ireland would manage the Regiment in its transitional training onto these new vehicles. The infrastructure continues to be handed over to HQ Squadron including the refurbished gym in Picton Barracks. The vehicle hangers are also due to be completed before the Christmas leave period.

There have been many changes to the HQ Squadrons Orbat in 2019, to just to list a few; Capt Dingsdale departed HCR to 3 Div handing over Adjutant

Chaplaincy

by Reverend Captain Amy Walters

Whatmakes a house a home? This Autumn I once again accompanied the Regimental Associations on their trip to mark the 105th anniversary of Zanvoorde with a short service at the memorial. As part of the trip this year I suggested a visit to Talbot House, otherwise known as ‘Toc H’. It still stands in Poperinge, very much in the same condition as it was left at the end of the war with posters and artefacts showing how it was set up. Talbot House was established by British Army Chaplains to be a ‘Haven from Hell’ just behind the front lines where people could forget the war. It was an Everyman’s Club for both soldiers and officers and reminded people of the homes that they had left and that for which they fought. Home is something we long to return to, somewhere we feel settled and feel safe. This year

to Capt Lewis. Capt Murphy the Operations Officer is posted to Jordan on Op SHADER handing over to Capt Crosthwaite-Eyre. WO1 RCM Horton departs the army for civilian life after completing 22 years exemplary service, handing over to WO1 Allwood. WO1 Quickfall moved into the role of Motor Troop Officer coming from HCMR, WO2 Warren departs Command Troop as the RSWO to HCMR as the RQMC, handing over to SCpl Wilkinson. WO2 Stafford departs Motor Troop as the Motor Troop Warrant Officer heading to HCMR as the Life Guards Squadron Corporal Major. SSgt Wood of the RAMC received her LSGC medal for

completing 15 years of service.

2020 looks to be a busy year for HQ Squadron with the conversion onto AJAX and ARES. We are aware that all eyes of the Army will be looking at the Household Cavalry with interest on the progress and the implementation of the AJAX programme. HQ squadron will be key to the Household Cavalry’s success.

has been one of sadness at leaving the Regiment’s home in Windsor, uprooting and starting to make a new home in Bulford.

Before joining the Royal Army Chaplains’ Department, I looked after 5 churches in North Yorkshire. One of these - Aberford - became so small it had no choice but to close and for the building to be sold off. In the closure of church there is something akin to the Regiment’s move. There is deep sadness at the event, but it is also tinged with happy memories. When Aberford closed the preacher on that day drew a likeness to the monks of Iona, beset by Viking siege and Reformation. Their abbey was torn down and if they were not murdered, they were scattered to the winds. And yet today, more than

1000 years after the Vikings first tore that community apart, its traditions are well-known throughout British Christianity. I have no doubt that the Household Cavalry will continue to have an excellent reputation and make its values known wherever it is quartered and wherever it deploys. I am equally sure that in time the Regiment will start to feel that Bulford is its home, a place to where it wants to return time and again.

One of the consequences of the move to Bulford is that chaplaincy provision to HCMR will now be delivered by LONDIST Reserve Revd Capt Gary Scott (previously HCR Padre) and the HCR Padre will take on additional duties on Salisbury Plain.

Powle Lines

HRH The Princess Royal, Col RHG/D being introduced to the families by Capt Dove

LCpl Matthews on exercise in Jordan

The Light Aid Detachment

by Captain Adam Allchin, EME, HCR LAD

The Household Cavalry Regiment Light Aid Detachment (LAD) has faced a busy and varied year with responsibilities ranging from the delivery of support to exercises, the transition of the vehicle fleet and the move to the Regiment’s new home in Bulford.

The start of 2019 saw the Regiment deploy to SPTA on Ex WESSEX STORM, an arduous exercise in support of a 3 SCOTS battlegroup playing enemy on Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA). The LAD were able to maintain high levels of availability and the deployed Fitter Sections can be proud of their achievement. Following the exercise the Regiment took over a fleet of WARRIOR armoured vehicles for the first time. These vehicles will enable the Regiment to develop and test new Strike tactics ahead of the arrival of the AJAX vehicle. This has presented challenges to the LAD, but nothing that couldn’t be overcome with the tradesmen adapting quickly to the new platform.

Over the summer period the Regiment moved from Combermere Barracks to Ward Barracks in Bulford, with the LAD establishing itself in temporary working areas while awaiting the completion of our eagerly anticipated new workshop. This brand-new facility promises to offer significant improvements on the working areas in Windsor with purpose-built vehicle bays ready for the arrival of AJAX, new inspection facilities and veritable luxuries such as under floor heating to ensure our tradesmen can continue to deliver the highest standards of equipment support.

As the Regiment’s focus has shifted to the conversion to the AJAX platform the LAD has been looking forward as well, seeking to understand the new equipment that we will be working with. This has seen our tradesmen deploy on multiple visits to General Dynamics in Merthyr Tydfil, the manufacturers of AJAX. Here they have been able to see the two REME variants of the platform that we will be working with in the future. These are the APOLLO Armoured

Repair Vehicle and ATLAS Armoured Recovery Vehicle. Each platform is based on the same vehicle architecture as the AJAX and offers a step change in capability from the REME’s existing fleet of repair and recovery vehicles. The superior technology on board, including a remote weapon system, threat sensors and in-built vehicle diagnostics present a vast array of new technologies for the tradesmen to get to grips with.

This year has not only seen the LAD move to a new location but has also seen several senior figures move on to pastures new. Capt Onstenk has handed over as EME to Capt Allchin and moved on to a new role as Adjutant of 3 Armoured Close Support Battalion REME in Tidworth. We have also said farewell to SSgt Blackhall of HQ Fitter Section who has handed over to SSgt Shrimpton, and D Sqn has seen the departure of SSgt Foster, with SSgt White joining the LAD in his place.

These are exciting times for the Regiment and the LAD as we lead the implementation of the Army’s first new armoured vehicle in a generation. We relish and look forward to what the next year of AJAX conversion and experimentation have to offer.

LCpl Hall conducting a repair on a stricken CVR(T) on Ex IRON STRIKE 3

Members of the LAD receive a guided tour of the new ARES vehicle

Cfn Outen and Newby working to repair a WARRIOR pack

WO2 Brooks delivering survival training to A Sqn in Kirkcubright

A Sqn Fitter Section conducting repairs on Ex BADGERS HOLE

The Household Cavalry LAD Soapbox Challenge

by Captain Adam Allchin, EME, HCR LAD

Each year the REME mark the occasion of St Eligius Day, the Patron Saint of Craftsmen and the REME, with an engineering challenge. This year the HCR LAD hosted a Scrapheap Challenge inspired event, with teams from each fitter section competing with teams from HCR squadrons and 6REME, responsible for providing level 3 equipment support to the regiment. They were challenged to build a soap box racer capable of taking on a challenging obstacle course from nothing but scrap materials.

Through resourcefulness and initiative the two JNCOs leading the event were able to amass a huge pile of scrap for the teams to work with, ranging from gas pipes to children’s bicycles and wooden pallets. With 8 hours to build their carts the teams set to work at a fervent pace, with plans and designs changing by the minute and some truly creative ideas shining through. Supported by metalsmiths from 6REME eight spectacular carts were built with a clear whacky races feel the next morning on the start line.

Over two timed runs each team raced downhill before facing a jump, chicanes and rumble strips, seriously testing the integrity of their hand made carts. With only seconds separating the top teams over the 500m course, A Sqn emerged as winners with their slick, fast and robust tricycle.

The LAD are now looking forward to hosting next year’s event and regaining the title of St Eligius Challenge Champions.

Quartermaster’s Department

by Warrant Officer Class 2 RQMC(M) Nicol

This was to be the year that the Regiment would move from Combermere Barracks, it’s home for the past 217 years, to pastures new and cement the Regiment’s future leading the develop-

ment of the new AJAX platform firmly at the tip of the Army’s spear.

However, before we got to this monumental task, the Regiment needed to complete its Op TEMPERER commitment. This was wrapped around a busy period of exercises in January and February supporting the Crew Commanders’ course and Ex WESSEX STORM deployments. Against the backdrop of supporting D Sqn in preparing the CVR(T)2 Fleet used in Oman to deploy with 20 Brigade to Estonia on Op CABRIT, we also supported A Sqn in preparing its Short Term Training Teams (STTT) to deploy to Ukraine on Op ORBITAL.

Once the dust had begun to settle towards the end of February, the team was once again out the door supporting the B3 Gunnery range package in Lulworth. This also marked a change in stress levels and heart rates between the now outgoing RQMC(M) Slowey and the incoming RQMC(M) Nicol. The jubilant moonwalk, pirouette and skip out

of the office was a move not seen since Footloose. The department wish him all the best as he moves to ATDU on promotion to WO1 RSMI AJAX Gunnery.

This period also saw LCoH Batikaikai deploy to Bosnia on Op ELGIN at short notice as an ammunition storeman. This opportunity was also afforded to the newly qualified ammunition storeman LCoH Foran, who also at short notice deployed on Op KIPION to support UK Naval Support Facility, Bahrain. Both

A Sqn, who would go on to win the race, check the size of their cart

B Sqn line up on the start line ready to take on the challenging course

LCoH Foran supporting the Royal Navy in the Middle East

Both QMs punting down the river with the SF

soldiers did an outstanding job and proved to be exemplary ambassadors for the Regiment across the Services. LCoH Chaplin was promoted to CoH after going above and beyond in the last year and well deserved. Amongst all this, LCoH Woodward organised a Warrior fitness event supported by the various units within the Bde and Household Division. This saw VIP Paul Benton, 5th strongest man in the UK, attend as a judge and give an interesting insight into his training programme. The whole event was a great success and pushed forward the Regiment’s mental reliance mantra.

After months of planning and orders (with biscuits), the Regiment began its move towards the FUP. Preparations for the move had been in full swing throughout April and May as the skeletons were pulled from the closets. Thankfully due to some sterling work by LCoH Jordan, the regiment secured bulk rubbish disposal through the council. However, nearly 27 tonnes later they were glad when we left, as were the binmen, with thanks to an old friend Roger Swinburne (formally LG) for some

much needed extra runs.

As the Adv Party deployed to Bulford under the watchful eye of WO2 RQMC(T) Allwood, the line of departure was set. On 8th July, 0800, the first 16 ISO containers were loaded and commenced the journey to the Regiment’s new home, followed swiftly by A Sqn, eight A vehicles and three 40ft trucks. This cycle repeated for both C and D Sqn, with HQ and B Sqns slotting in between. The outcome meant the Regiment transitioned from Windsor to Bulford within three weeks in good order, under the watchful eye of the two QMs. The outstanding work ethic of both QMs accountants proved to be the key component in ensuring this was a smooth transition. This was a thankless task, which largely went unnoticed by the wider Regiment, but it was key to enabling the success of the department.

Now set in Bulford and after five weeks leave, it was back to enabling the Sqns to train. The focus was to be D Sqn with Ex Iron Strike 3 seeing Regiments CVR(T) s and Warrior fleet deploying on the ground. This was made possible by the efforts of the Tech team grinding out the hours. Whilst Main focussed on ensuring that the Trg Officer was happy with learning how the classroom dividers close and not to park his Scooter outside the new building illegally. New challenges in the new environment some might say. The time came to bid farewell to CoH Elder, a man who has been in the department since QM(M) was the RQ. One thing is for sure, it will certainly be a quieter department without him, however we wish him well in his new post at HCMR.

As we push forward into the remaining part of the year, the department is getting ready for the standard round of inspections, giving us the chance to shake out and embrace our new surroundings. However, with the ever increasing delays to infrastructure, it looks like the QMs and SQMCs will be embracing the community spirit of the ISO village into the new year, “all good things come to those that wait”. This period will also see WO2 Snoxell take over from WO2 RQ(T) Allwood as he moves to take over as RCM. We wish him all the best and thank him for his relentless hard work and guidance over his tenure.

We now look forward to the challenges that the new year presents. The Regiment’s conversion onto ARES adds to the standard matrix of exercises and we will continue to provide support to those that will be given the golden opportunities to deploy.

SSgt Vassell ready to hit Peckham Market

Boxes for boxes

The most nervous moment of Op MAYFLOWER

RQ(M) saving ducklings

The aftermath of the Officers’ Mess epic final party at Combermere

Roger Swinburne, formally LG, helping to clear some of the 27 tonnes of waste

The packing begins

Regimental Administrative Office

by Captain D J Prince-Wish

My arrival to the Regiment could not have been timed better, a fresh December morning in Windsor, office calls with the Adjutant, 2IC and Commanding Officer all of whom made me feel extremely welcome and were keen to ensure I was aware of the many planned social events in the remaining weeks before Christmas leave. I have long been aware that the Household Cavalry are famed for their hospitality, however to witness it at first hand was (and still is) one of the many joys of service in the Army.

Time with the Detachment in Windsor represented a microcosm of the forthcoming unit move and our transition as a Regiment. In the first six months of my tenure we waved farewell to many of the ‘Old Guard’, WO2 Slater, SSgt Walker (pre-selected WO2), Sgt Chipondene, Sgt Edwards and Sgt Owusu (all preselected SSgts), Cpl Obino, LCpl Asamoah, LCpl Hasan and last but by no means least Pte Harvey (who leaves us to begin RMP basic training). With the complexities of a G1 move complete the Detachment unpacked into Bulford and the surrounding Wiltshire veldt. We have welcomed our new RAO Capt Sarah Ison and new SNCO cohort: WO2 Daley, SSgt Roberts, Sgt Mweemba and Sgt McCafferty, all of whom have added immense value and considerable experience from the moment they arrived.

Noteworthy achievements for the Det this year have included the launch of the Army wide BAME Mentoring Network from Combermere Barracks. A justifiably proud WO2 Slater chaired the event which he had organised and driven as the BAME Network XO. The event marked the start of a strategic review of Army wide mentoring initiatives, in this case specifically for BAME officers and soldiers. As part of the ‘Army Belonging’ television advertis-

ing campaign LSgt Anton-Wilson represented both the SPS and HCR as one of the ‘heroes’ during filming in sunny Morocco and (less sunny) Otterburn. Teams from the detachment have deployed to alpine regions during Ex WHITE LION and Ex GOLDEN LION (winter and summer AT packages) and represented the Regiment and Corps in Football and Swimming disciplines at regional level. We were honoured to be invited to present our mentoring initiative methods at the Divisional Seminar in summer – many of which have been developed in tandem with HCR. During a particularly memorable (and hilarious) skit the unique method acting skills of LCpl Asamoah, LCpl Boyce and LSgt Anton-Wilson received a standing ovation from circa 600 attendees.

Freshly arrived in our new home in Bulford, we have been overwhelmed by the welcome from local SPS detachments, recently winning ‘Best Detachment’ during a day of mixed sports and command tasks we have promised to arrange the next event with a uniquely HCR theme. As the seasonal festivities approach again, it is extremely satisfy-

ing to reflect upon a year of considerable achievement (professional, physical and personal), principally the continued evolution in our intimate support to the Regiment. Central to this is the Regimental family spirit, of which we are all a part.

WO2 Slater (XO BAME Network) launches the pioneering BAME Network Mentoring Initiative at Combermere Barracks in July 2019, on behalf of Commanding Officer HCR

A Sense of Belonging: LSgt Anton-Wilson takes his first steps into celebrity stardom representing both the AGC SPS and HCR during filming in Morocco for the Army televised recruitment campaign

Debating the Inevitable: Sgt Chipondene provides a witty riposte to a panel of judges during one of many detachment debating competitions – In this case ‘Does the Army really understand mentoring?’

Leading by Example: Pte Lloyd graciously accepts the Best Detachment in Bulford award on behalf of HCR SPS Det at a recent pan-SPS competition

Regimental Aid Post (RAP) - An Outstanding Year

by Captain S Webster RAMC

Continuing the theme from last year, the Medical Wanderlust continues! The past year has seen the Household Cavalry Medics deployed all over the world, beginning with LCpl Mascall and Fitzgerald returning from Op SHADER, chests now sporting a shiny medal.

Onto slightly cooler climates, LSgt Herbert Fraser, LSgt Cooke and LCpl Goodfellow all deployed on Op ORBITAL, involved in delivering medical training to soldiers there, as well as dispelling rumours that tourniquets were to be used around the neck.

Moving to a new continent, next on the list is LCpl Relf who formed part of an STTT to Kenya with where she was working in a small team providing predeployment training to Kenyan personnel.

And when not deploying overseas or looking after the Regiment back at home they can be found skipping along to the tune of The Eye of the Tiger. This year we were thrilled to have both LCpl Fitzgerald and LSgt Cooke enter the Regimental boxing team. Both fought gallantly on the culmination of their training at the Regimental boxing evening. LSgt Cooke was victorious in her bout – the Surg Col was so carried away he had to restrain himself from giving her a hug when he presented her with her trophy. LCpl Fitzgerald was narrowly defeated in what was the hotly anticipated fight of the night against Lt Lord-Sallenave. Sport has not just been confined to dry land this year however and LSgt Peters took part in surfing in the South of France and LSgt Cooke has been struggling with the hardships of looking after the Regiment sailing in the British Virgin Islands.

As we are now firmly settled in to our new home in Bulford and the opportunities and challenges of working in a garrison medical centre we spare a thought for the Welsh Guards. The famous, almost historically listed, wall was knocked down at Combermere medical centre marking the end of an era. Saying goodbye to some civilian stalwarts, Jo McNamara, Mike Tupling and Roxy Cullinan was an emotional time for all: they are all much missed having been such an intimate part of the Regiment for so long. Together with Sgt Joel they were a key part to the medical centre being ranked as Outstanding at this year’s Care Quality Commission inspection, a feat not to be underestimated and looked on with envy of many other medical centres.

We wish good luck and goodbye to

LSgt Herbert Fraser in Ukraine

LCpl Fitzgerald (Blue) dishing out some medicine to Lt Lord-Sallenave (Red)

LCpl Cook in Ukraine

LCpl Mascal on Op Shader

LCpl Fitzgerald who has successfully been selected to the highly competitive paramedic programme following hotly in the footsteps of LCpl Boromand & LSgt Samuel who left us last year and are both now qualified. LSgt Herbert Fraser departs from whence she came back to

Abingdon, leaving addicts of her infamous rum punch in her wake. Sgt Walters finally hands over after an extended tour of duty, as does SSgt Wood with a well-deserved promotion – both have given the Regiment so much over the last few years. Finally, the Surg Colonel bows out after 16 years of Regimental duty at HCR, unusually fitting in another operational tour before heading back to HCMR: we look forward to our first RAMC RMO taking the helm at HCR next year!

Warrant Officers’ and Non-Commissioned Officers’ Mess by Warrant Officer Class 1 (RCM) T A Horton, The Blues and Royals

With the hangover still firmly fresh in our minds from the Christmas Ball and a glorious Brick Hanging the Mess retired to a well earnt Christmas Leave. New Year was welcomed in with the usual Windsor orphans as well as the waifs and strays whilst still within the comfort of the Windsor Mess

for the final time. Upon returning from leave, the Mess braced itself for the Unit move to sunny Wiltshire and we started to pack! With over 200 years’ worth of accumulation of property, this was no mean feat! Along with the usual discovery of damaged pieces of silver, strange photos and pictures there was a more

disturbing discovery! An odd smell was noticed whilst emptying the loft space above the Mess accommodation. The unholy smell was located to a pile of 1157 with name CoH Gaddes plastered all over it. This was immediately fumigated and taken to the Quarter Masters where a bill was rapidly raised. (Should

LCpl Relf on STTT in Kenya

Last Lunch in the Officers mess

WO1 (RCM) Horton watching his kingdom crumble before his eyes!

No matter what is happening we should all make time for Tea & Toast

WO1 (RCM) Horton and his disciples

anyone know of a CoH Gaddes and his whereabouts please contact the author).

The Mess continued to pack up whilst still maintaining its tradition of being the beating heart and the life and soul to the Regiment. The usual State of the Nation dinner was held with the Commanding Officer, Lt Col Berry, keeping bladders and the punters nerves on tender hooks whilst he relayed his thoughts, wishes and desires for the Regiment over the next twelve months.

Next up was a hugely successful Derby Day organised by SCpl’s Thomas and Archer and due to this booming success, the RCM agreed to continue running the event in the future in our new home.

The next big event in the Mess diary was Regiment exercising its rights to the Freedom of Windsor and not, against popular belief, the farewell to Windsor parade! Many a beer was drunk and hands shook with both serving and former members of the Regiment. Then

Our new home

The delivery over 300 years of worth silver to be re-homed too

Mess social. The QM(T) explaining to the ACMO where he went wrong by punching the info into his computer

SCpl Thomas with visions of grandeur!

at The Last Dinner Pint!

Behind every successful man… The RCM and Mrs Horton reflecting on a brilliant night and successful career

the Mess wiped away the tears of the Mess staff (Magda, Jadwiga, Dominika, Amrita, Mr Migghal and CoH Walker), said our goodbyes, loaded our

belongings into trucks cars and any transport we could commandeer and moved to Bulford.

The new Mess was an instant improvement to the single living-in members. With each room equipped with its own en-suite wet room replacing the hot and cold running urinals suffered for so long in Windsor. The purpose made mess initially felt like a new pair of under pants (warm but slightly uncomfortable). So, the living in Mess Members under the keen eye of WO2 (RQMC) Allwood set about making it feel like home. Pictures put up, laughs shared and one or two drinks spilt onto a freshly laid carpet. The decision was swiftly made to blood the new Mess by staging a Christmas

Ball in our new home. To which WO2 (SCM) Eade was kindly voluntold to organise. The night was an outstanding one, where memories and legendary statuses were created, and we vowed to continue to create more in our new home.

Senior Mess Members: WO1 (RCM) Horton, WO1 Quickfall, WO1 (ASM) Fitch, WO2 (RQMC) Slowey, WO2 (RQMC) Allwood, WO2 (RQMC) Nicol, WO2 (SCM) Douglass, WO2 (SCM) Allen, WO2 (SCM) Cawley, WO2 (SCM) Martin, WO2 (SCM) Eade, WO2 (SCM) Elliott, WO2 (SCM) Ottaway, WO2 (SCM) Bateman, WO2 (MTWO) Stafford, WO2 (RSWO) Warren, WO2 (RAWO) Daily, WO2 (AQMS) Brooks.

The Household Cavalry Recruiting Team (RET)

The Recruiting Team has had another very productive and busy year. The numbers continue to grow and interest is continually being generated by a dedicated Recruiting Team. The RET have conducted in excess of 80 events this year nationally, ranging from County Shows, International Air Displays, Sarangari Sikh Community Engagement and bespoke KAPE initiatives.

An example of this would be the National Army Museum Engagement Day/Meet the Stars. This was a fantastic event held at the National Army Museum, Chelsea. The event was supported by both sides of the Regiment. HCR providing the Armoured Fighting Capability and HCMR displayed the ceremonial side, this included a farriery demonstration, Mounted Dutymen on

horseback and a Drum Horse. A wonderful day was had by all and we were well received by the general public. The Stars of the Queens Cavalry Documentary were there to meet, greet and answer questions in a personal Q&A session.

Social Media is a growing medium that is used by most organisations, the Household Cavalry is no exception. The Queens Cavalry Documentary was supported by the RET, HCR and HCMR who exploited this with the full use of Social Media and with live feed question-and-answer-sessions as the documentary was being aired. Our social media profile continues to grow over our 3 main platforms, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Social media is a powerful tool in any industry in the modern

world and the Household Cavalry is no exception. This form of engagement has been tirelessly managed by LCpl McRitche, who monitors trends and uploads information and videos for the widest audiences.

The RET and HCMR supported an open day held at the Household Cavalry Museum in October. It was an outstanding day with over 350 members of public enjoying the different displays carried out by the specialist supporting trades that the Household Cavalry personnel master, including Farriers, Tailors and the RET with weapon systems that public could actually get their hands on. This was an ideal recruiting location and lots of interest was generated.

In Summary this has been a busy and

RET Display

very productive year for the RET and the Regiment. The shortfall in manning continues to close, but this is not something that will be achieved over night. The RET will continue to inspire the masses into bettering themselves and their lives by joining the Regiment. This, of course, is not possible without

the help from all departments of both sides of the regiment. The support that has been given to the RET has been amazing. A big thank you to all the departments who have helped facilitate all the amazing events this year from both HCR and HCMR, we couldn’t do it without you.

National Army Museum

HCav Museum

The team this year has been Capt M Jaworski,; SCpl Preston; LCpl McRitchie; LCpl Forrester; LCpl Holder; Cpl Scholes; Tpr Connolly; Tpr Turnor; Tpr Reynolds.

Guards Parachute Platoon and Operation TORAL

by Trooper Grinstead, The Blues

Aswe welcomed in the New Year, the Guards Parachute Platoon were nearing the half-way point of their deployment to Kabul on Operation TORAL 7. Working in the New Kabul Compound in the heart of the city, the platoon was responsible for the base defence of the multi-national coalition compound housing over 1,500 people, as well as local patrols to the Kabul National Military Hospital and Construction Property Management Development. Providing Advisor Force Protection, the platoon carried out dismounted patrols to these local sites to provide security for senior advisors who were helping to rebuild the Afghan public sector.

and Royals

Additionally, the platoon was working closely with the Mongolian Expeditionary Task Force (METF) and the Afghan Public Protection Force (APPF), in a unique and bespoke train, advise, and assist role. This was a particularly rewarding experience for the Troopers, who took the challenge of delivering instruction through an interpreter as an opportunity to prepare themselves for career courses on the return to the United Kingdom.

Deploying with 1 Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles (1 RGR), the Royal Anglians, Danish Viking Company, 1/158 Infantry Battalion ‘Bushmasters’ (US), as well as the Fallschirmjager and many other nationalities, provided unique and memorable experiences throughout the tour allowing the soldiers to interact with nations they wouldn’t normally get to work with. This allowed a great insight for future working relationships with other nations.

The Household Cavalry has integrated itself firmly within the roots of Guards Parachute Platoon. It has played part of a vital role whilst being deployed and allowed Troopers to gain operational experience previously unavail-

able whilst granting the opportunity to home in on infantry tactics whilst being deployed with 3 PARA.

Members of the Household Cavalry played a huge part within the platoon’s success whilst being many of the Troopers first deployment. Not only did they take the lead towards teaching the infantry members towards working with Foxhound Vehicles, but they helped with vehicle tactics and manoeuvres which proved beneficial whilst operating on the tight congested streets around Kabul. Household Cavalry members within the Platoon also took the lead when on ranges using the vehicle mounted GPMG with great accuracy. This proved vital towards the PreDeployment Training package.

All members of the Household Cavalry enjoyed the deployment and took part in many different physical activities such as a PARAS 10 Miler around

Guards Parachute Platoon prior to return to UK

Tprs Evans and Grinstead

Tprs Grinstead, Singh, Huxtable, Bunker and Evans

Tprs Singh and Huxtable

Tprs Grinstead and Evans

HKIA camp with other nations and over 250 different soldiers taking part. The Troopers also organised a cross fit games competition to keep everyone busy over Christmas Day and even took part in Strong Man competitions.

The platoon breaks now for some welldeserved Post Operational Tour Leave, but with one eye on the future, begins to return to the mind-set of conventional soldiering as they look forward to supporting 1 RGR once more as their

Lead Company Group for the Air Manoeuvres Battle Group. This will allow all members to brush up on their Low Level Parachute drills and continuation training that plays such an important role within the 3 PARA Battle Group.

75th Anniversary of Operation MARKET GARDEN

by Captain Piers Flay, The Blues and Royals

LCoHDay pushes the starter button, the 2.5L engine on the 80 year old scout car spins to life with a bit of white exhaust fumes, the gears producing a slight whine as they mesh on the preselect gear box as forward is selected. The belt is engaged, requiring a slight feathering of the throttle to match the revs, the hand break is released, and we embark on the final day of a long project that was first conceived on an A Sqn exercise on Salisbury plain three years prior.

In the 2017 Journal you will no doubt remember reading about the resurrection of the Household Cavalry’s Daimler ‘Dingo’ scout car. The project was the brain child of LCoH Day. Whist helping with the restoration I mused that it would be brilliant idea if we could redo the ‘30 Corp run’ crossing into the Netherlands from the Belgian boarder and linking the airborne elements of Operation Market Garden that were holding the key bridges.

This year was the 75th Anniversary of Operation Market Garden, which 2HCR played a major role. As anyone who was read General Barney’s book Horse Guards will know, chapter 20 is a very good place to refresh your memory on 2HCR’s part in the Second World War, and indeed the contribution the Dingo

had to the Regiment’s success.

250 British armoured vehicles took part in retracing the route this year. Including Sherman’s, halftracks and about 18 Dingos. Peter Storer, the regimental historian and I crewed the HCR dingo, with LCoH Day and LCpl Palmer in the other leant by Michael ‘Mac’ McNeill. This was his privately-owned Dingo purchased to commemorate his father who served as a COH in 2HCR and took part in Market Garden. Indeed he is in a famous image of the Regiment in Valkenswaard.

LCpl Palmer (LG) With his waxed moustache, curled at the ends, made the perfect companion to LCoH Day(LG), who also sports a moustache, although his is slightly more slug like. Both in immaculate WW2 Life Guard Battledress.

As we crossed all the bridges, it was hard not to have A Bridge Too Far soundtrack in our heads. The HCR crews were given the privilege of leading the column into Valkenswaard, where we leaguared up in the centre of town. A particular highlight was crossing Nijmegen bridge, as we did five Hercules C-130 (the mainstay of many western country’s airborne arsenal) flew over having dropped their modern paratroopers in the vicinity. It was remarkable to see streets lined with

locals, who had all come to see the parade, throwing flowers, waving flags and playing music.

The final days of the journey were spent close to Arnhem, where we chose to break away from the main convoy and follow the 2HCR route. As our small convoy rolled along the dyke to Driel which runs parallel to the Rhine it was only too obvious to see how exposed the crews would have been to danger; speed and surprise would have been their only ally in this situation. The Dingo being lightly armoured but very speedy could reach 55mph. The town of Driel was as far as 2 HCR could get in 1944, however this linked the airborne forces and 30 XXX, a significant achievement.

We were invited to take part in the celebrations in OoSterbeek and Arnhem. This involved driving from the Landing zones to Arnhem bridge, about 8 miles, in a convoy of around 300 Willis jeeps. Arnhem is hallowed ground for the Parachute Regiment, and rightly so, 10,000 men jumped into to Arnhem and only 2,000 returned to allied lines. It is remembered, uniquely as a military disaster and simultaneously as a battle exemplifying the spirit of the then newly formed British Airborne corp. That legacy and fighting spirit endures. The Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery,

LCoH Day, Capt Flay and LCpl Palmer at Nijmegen bridge

LCoH Day and LCpl Palmer in Valkenswaard

more commonly known as the Airborne Cemetery, is where the main memorial to the battle lies.

The Flower parade held during the Sunday service sees 1,000 school children lay flowers on the graves of the dead. It’s was an incredibly moving gesture of remembrance, this is repeated annually, the children research the names whom

they are remembering. The battle and what it meant to the Dutch people to be liberated cannot be understated. It is far too easily forgotten that the failure to secure the bridge at Arnhem essentially condemned the civilians on the northern side of bridge to a tortuous time in the final years of Nazi occupation, subsequent famine is referred to as ‘The Hunger Winter’. The Allied axis

of advance changed direction and the Netherlands was left divided. Despite this, the support for the allied troops by the locals is still remembered to this day with the people continuing to line the streets to celebrate and remember those who fought.

The new home for HCR in Bulford ‘Powle Lines’ is named after a troop leader whose troop action in the Normandy campaign played a pivotal role, enabling the allied advance across France. This action was conducted in Daimler Dingos and Daimler heavy vehicles. The Dingo is a at the heart of what most of the Regiment know to be recce and was the first major transition from horse to mechanised reconnaissance that we recognise and practice to this day. This vehicle represents the genesis of the modern Regiment, while HCMR continues to celebrate our ceremonial past. Keeping this vehicle in a working order is another way to commemorate both man and machine, from the Household Cavalry whose actions during the Second World War played such an important role. We are looking forward to the 80th anniversary.

Household Cavalry’s Exchange with the Royal Canadian Dragoons

by Lieutenant Jamie Bruce-Crampton, The Blues and Royals

The Exchange Programme LONG LOOK has been running annually since 1976 and involves members of the British Army working abroad with the New Zealand, Australian, American and Canadian Armed Forces. The purpose of these exchanges is to foster and maintain active relationships between militaries; where interoperability and capability development are paramount. In March, an exchange position between the Household Cavalry and the Royal Canadian Dragoons (RCD) was re-es-

tablished after many years. The Royal Canadian Dragoons are the Household Cavalry’s Canadian sister regiment who conduct Armoured Reconnaissance on the Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV).

Lt Bruce-Crampton, from C Squadron, was selected to join the RCD for a threemonth period where he would be able to reignite the relationship between the two regiments paving the way for future exchanges. As well as enjoying

all that Canada has to offer, Lt BruceCrampton was able to evaluate how the RCD would employ their new AFV, how they execute their armoured tactics on exercise and whether their TTP’s would be suitable for the British Army’s STRIKE doctrine.

The exchange was to officially begin at the start of September where the RCD would begin their ‘road to high readiness.’ Lt Bruce-Crampton seized this opportunity to use his summer leave to ex-

The convoy rolling along the dyke to Driel

LCoH Day and LCpl Palmer at the river

Capt Flay with Corgi

plore British Columbia before arriving in Petawawa Garrison. The first morning, Lt Bruce-Crampton was greeted by Capt. McNaughton who would be the host throughout the exchange and who took the opportunity to run around the Garrison pointing out the different units that formed the 2nd Canadian Mechanised Battle Group (2CMBG). Lt BruceCrampton soon realised how the rest of the British Army feel when they are trying to decipher the Household Cavalry’s NCO rank slides. It took Lt BruceCrampton a few days to stop confusing and insulting the NCO’s by addressing them by the wrong rank.

The first few days were spent supporting an event called IRON WARRIOR, which was open to the entirety of 2CMBG. The event involved setting off

at 0400, tabbing 32 km’s with a 40 lb Bergan. This was followed by portaging 5 km’s; this is carrying a canoe over one’s head; straight into canoeing 8 km’s to a beach head and tabbing the final 6 km’s to a well-deserved BBQ. It was clear from the off that the Canadians were not afraid of a little hard work with further sports days, Brigade Commanders runs and Squadron badging events to come.

The three months that Lt Bruce-Crampton spent with the RCD were extremely busy with multiple different exercises occurring back to back. The exercises began with Ex COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT, an annual exercise to attract private funding. The exercise ran in a fashion similar to Groundhog Day, where each day was to host a select group of guests. The day includes being kitted out as a

soldier; firing the weapon systems that the Canadian Military use; conducting a deliberate attack on both an urban environment including a beach landing from assault boats followed by a chinook helicopter extraction back in time for tea and medals, quite literally.

A week later, the RCD ran straight into Ex WALKING DRAGOON which encompasses all basic troop level training that is achieved in BCS. The exercise provided the ideal platform for Lt BruceCrampton to jump in with different troops and get to look at how the RCD execute their armoured reconnaissance tactics. Fortunately, being in October, the traditional cold Canadian weather had not yet set in. It became clear that the weekends would provide the perfect opportunity to see much of Ontario.

Presenting Lt Col Rob Marois (CO RCD) with an Officers’ Helmet crest on behalf of the Household Cavalry

Mess dinner celebrating Leliefontein

Woof

Ex COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT - Get to the chopper!!!

Lt Bruce-Crampton was able to explore Ottawa, Toronto and visit cottage country in Muskoka on many occasions.

Thanksgiving Provided a welcome treat of a long weekend participating in a traditional Canadian Thanksgiving by eating oneself to a standstill on turkey and pumpkin pie!

After the gluttony of such a holiday, it was back to work preparing the TAPV’s and Coyote’s for the RCD’s range package which ran over three weeks in the back area of the Petawawa Garrison. Amongst maintaining the gunner’s competency, the RCD were preparing for their annual Regimental celebration of Leliefontein. The battle of Leliefontein was an engagement between Brit-

ish/Canadian and Boer forces during the second Boer War. The RCD halted the initial Boer advance and three Victoria Crosses were awarded. The RCD hosted a mess dinner and a gala in between the parade to celebrate this battle honour.

The exchange culminated with a visit to the RCD’s Leopard 2 Squadron who operate out of Gagetown, New Brunswick. The Leopard 2’s were commencing a level 5 live range package which included mechanised infantry and engineers. It was certainly interesting to watch wheeled and tracked vehicles working together, providing an insight into what the STRIKE Brigade have in store for the future. Having returned

Exercise NIJMEGEN GUARDIAN

The Long Walk - Not Quite

by Captain Piers Flay, The Blues and Royals

Readers of the Journal who served at Combermere Barracks will be all too familiar with the Long Walk which intersects Windsor Great Park providing the setting for many an arduous PT session during the Regiments’ tenure in the town. However, not content with it being sufficiently long enough in July, 10 members of A Sqn took part in a significantly longer walk; the International Nijmegen Marches held in Nijmegen, Netherlands.

For those not acquainted with the event, the Nijmegen March is the largest multiple day tabbing event in the world which for over 100 years has served as a military test of endurance. To complete the march and earn the illustrious Nijmegen March medal, teams are required to tab 200 kilometres in military kit over four days, carrying a minimum of 10Kgs (not including water) at all times.

to Petawawa to join the RCD in their final exercise before the Christmas festivities, Ex CHARGING DRAGOON, Lt Bruce-Crampton had the opportunity to command one of their TAPV’s during the Squadron level raid to seize a high value target. On the last night in Petawawa, the Officers of the RCD held a ‘mug out’ for Lt Bruce-Crampton where he was able to present a gift on behalf of the Household Cavalry, a mounted crest from one of HCMR’s state helmets. The exchange was a great success having strengthened the relationship between the two regiments and paved the way for future exchanges where soldiers are able to learn from our counterparts across the Atlantic.

As You May Recall It…

Ex CHARGING DRAGOON – Joint exercise with the Americans Rehearsing for the Leliefontein parade

The finishers pictured alongside 16X REME

Sosnowski accepting his medal in a way that only a RHD/G could

The march was originally organised for the Dutch army following their mechanisation to allay concerns that the employment of vehicles would result in Dutch forces losing their ability to cover ground on foot. In the last 50 years however it has become as a means of promoting sport and exercise amongst civilian and military communities with c. 100,000 participants entering into the event each year. British military involvement totalled 500 entrants in 2019 all under the command of Colonel James Gaselee, formerly The Life Guards.

Following a comprehensive training programme which was constructed and delivered by LCpl Sosnowski the team deployed to the Netherlands and were well prepared for what would turn out to be a significant test of physical and mental determination. Daily temperatures reached close to 30 degrees and the support we received in each town, village or settlement that the route took us through made the blisters, sore feet and joints marginally more manageable. Such is the prominence of the event that on the last day an estimated 1,000,000

Ct Lord-Sallenave, LCpl Sosnowski, Lt Edwards and CoH Richardson sampling the delights of

civilians lined the streets to cheer competitors through Nijmegen in, what at times, felt like a liberation march.

The team’s preparation paid dividends and despite it not being a race they finished in an aggregated time of 40 hours and 46 minutes placing them seventh out of 66 British military teams. An outstanding achievement and for many their first medal despite it not being one which features on our uniform!

D Squadron’s Trip to Chernobyl on ORBITAL

by Captain Piers Flay, The Blues and Royals

Chernobyl

is a name that jumps from the page; instantly synonymous with disaster and suffering yet unequivocally fascinating. Whilst out on Op ORBITAL, D Sqn 2ic Captain Piers Flay had the task of organising a trip to experience the recently opened alienation and exclusion zones that surround the decommissioned nuclear power plant of Chernobyl. More specifically the excursion was to include the workers ghost town of Pripyat, the Over Horizon Duga listening station and the exceptionally eerie, ill-fated Reactor Number 4.

The trip began from our base in the Reikartz in Rivne 4 hours east of Kiev, by way of bus we travelled to the capital where we spent a pleasant evening moving amongst the thronging summer crowds and street performers, exploring the city and eating in some of the wonderful restaurants nestled there. First thing the following morning we traipsed back onto the bus to be met by our slightly abrasive and only partially Anglophonic tour guide. From the outset our chaperone kept up an almost unrelenting narrative, refusing to allow our interpreters to get a word

in edgeways, meanwhile lurching from topic to topic in his fractured English. As we trundled North on deteriorating roads towards the Belarussian border, we were treated to a commentary on a smorgasbord of issues with such political bias that it would have made a London cabbie blush. We heard how under Soviet rule in Ukraine everyone

had been provided with ‘enough’ and there had been no homelessness and no one had had to pay for education of any kind. Next, we covered the innumerable inaccuracies in the recent HBO series based on the events surrounding the nuclear disaster and how the series really didn’t do The Kremlin or any of the main players involved justice. A theme

LCpl

Tpr Crane carb loading at the end of day 3

LCpl Muirhead,

Nijmegen nightlife

The ill-fated now sarcophagus covered Reactor Number 4 taken from a bend in the Pripyat river

began to emerge. Most on the bus began attempting to zone out from our leaders’ political teachings and enjoy the increasingly forested surroundings as we continued towards the exclusion zone.

The initial signal we were getting close to our destination was the first of several barriers making us aware that we were entering the outer exclusion zone; 30km away from the epicentre of the disaster. As with all the subsequent barriers it was festooned with the all too familiar trefoil – the international and universally understood motif symbolising the presence of ionising radiation. The thick coniferous woods continued uninterrupted for another half an hour or so whence we came to our next checkpoint. This was totally different to how one’s mind’s eye would have pictured such a place. It felt like the entrance to a theme park with all manner of merchandise being sold, postcards with Geiger counters on, ‘I heart Chernobyl’ badges, aprons, branded hazmat suits, t-shirts

the lot. There was much ceremony given to handing us our radiation detecting medallions and a small amount of scaremongering that appeared to be included in the price of the tour. Back onto the bus and on we went into the heart of the exclusion zone.

Our first stop was to the gargantuan and derelict Over-horizon missile detection Duga listening station convivially nicknamed ‘The Woodpecker’. This was a nickname not derived from its appearance but due to the familiar sound that amateur radio enthusiasts (a fun bunch) were able to pick up emanating from it for thousands of kilometres. We arrived along a small road at an unassuming gate emblazoned with the tell-tale hammer and sickle, beside it was a dilapidated guard room. The structure itself was monolithic, like something from HG Wells. A rusting, twisted metal lattice 500 feet high and half a mile long rising from a forest that stretched to the horizon in all directions. There is a reason that it has been included in post-apocalyptic video games such as S.T.A.L.K.E.R. We were not alone, here in the wilderness there were the familiar selfie stick crowd and who could blame them; it was an arresting sight. Originally devised to detect nuclear missiles launched from the likes of submarines from as far away as The Pacific; it was highly erratic in its functionality and during one break down had soldiers positioned on top of it with binoculars to spot oncoming missiles turning its existence into something dangerously flirting with farce. Immensely impressive, powerful and complex with hugely advanced concepts at its core yet poorly devised and built by a committee paralysed by fear of failure: The Duga station like many Soviet structures both physical and ideological was fundamentally flawed and thus like Chernobyl itself a

powerful metaphor for the USSR in general. Once we had taken our own selfies and a suitable number of brooding potential profile pictures in front of some of the graffitied former maintenance buildings, we returned to the bus and moved on to the main event.

Back through the forest; the group already impressed and pleased with what they had seen, curiosity piqued and looking forward to the next installation. Another barrier and our guide providing a backing track to the animated chatter that filled the bus. He let us know that the radiation we would experience would be less than that a smoker was exposed to or an equivalent to eating a large number of bananas (they contain a radioactive isotope of potassium in small quantities). We rounded a corner the forest thinned and there they were: the half built cooling towers, the entirely man-made concrete channel of the Pripyat river (home to the infamous giant mutant catfish), the brutal soviet architecture and there the haunting silver arch of the most recent iteration of the sarcophagus over reactor 4. We stopped for photos on a bend in the river with the reactor in the back ground and then continued to the monument right in its shadow. Lots of the Squadron were struggling to work out just how to record the moment, as is the conundrum with ‘dark tourism’ should you take photos and how should you present in those photos. Certainly understandable to wish to capture the moment you visit a place about which there is so much mystery and that has been serialised in the news and in print to such a degree, but should you smile in the pictures? Its hard to hold back the interest and fascination that the day has brought but of course one wishes to remain respectful to the victims and the surroundings. If D Squadron managed to achieve this difficult balancing act many of the other tourists paid little heed to the necessity for restraint and took pictures as if they were at the Eiffel Tower or the Sagrada Familia with big beaming smiles. We continued to perhaps the most iconic part of the tour the, abandoned city of Pripyat.

You are dropped off in what feels like just another part of the forest and you walk down the narrow breaks in the trees along the asphalt, the forest rapidly colonising the narrow bands that used to be the major roads that ran through the settlement. You leave the roads and are into dense forest, trees sixty feet high, and then as if in a post-soviet Narnia, you come across a street lamp wreathed with creepers and then a turnstile, peering through the dense woodland you can see apartment blocks rising around you. A moment that was particularly

The Over-horizon Duga Listening Station

Abandoned Kindergarten, Pripyat

Incongruous lamp-post, Pripyat

reminiscent of the Will Smith Zombie film I Am Legend that has him as the only survivor in a post-pandemic New York was strolling through a patch of forest like any other and slowly seeing the stadium that surrounded you, it dawns that you are standing in the centre of a football pitch that has trees 2 feet in diameter growing in the centre of it. We were paraded across wide open squares that had trees and all manor of flora pushing through at the seams of the concrete, 1960’s utopic scenes gone to seed. Supermarkets still with the signs denoting the aisles hanging from above, shopping trollies upended some still with grocery bags in. Throughout although sternly reprimanded if we strayed too far there were no barriers or signs saying where we could and couldn’t walk. Such is the popularity of the site that without significant preservation and stricter rules much of it will be destroyed and a great many souvenir hunters will rob it of much of its character. Like a modern-day Pompeii, it must be looked after and kept safe from the looters, the likes of which have gutted Sutton Hoo or Angkor Wat. We were led through the famous parts, the abandoned dodgems and the corroding Ferris wheel, the group certainly feeling the melancholic aura they exude. Past the Banksy like street art and to the deeply creepy kindergartens with the tiny bed frames strewn with small gas masks and old dolls, their eyes lolling

back in their heads. Much of the arrangements have been set up afterwards for effect likely by those who escort us round, but it has worked and after almost a day wandering around the place the fascination dims and the ambience begins to weigh heavier on you.

Eventually when the awe has been almost entirely superseded by a cumbersome sadness it is time to go. It is increasingly difficult to hear more about the bridge of death or the red forest or the ill-fated babushkas who refused to leave when it was evacuated. It makes one wonder of the true cost visited upon those who were directly affected by it. Somewhat self-indulgently emotionally exhausted, we were loaded for a final time onto our bus and began the journey back to civilisation, no one now listening to the final throes of our guides endless infomercial and almost all deep in thought; re-running the images they had seen that day and many falling into an overwhelmed sleep. On our return to Kiev in early evening, few wanted to head out and explore the bright lights,

most opted for takeaway and a film, something mindless to help usher away some of the horrors of the day. A truly mesmerising day and not one to be soon forgotten.

An Insight to the Ukrainian Care System by a British Soldier

by Staff Corporal Sedgwick, The Blues and Royals

In October 2018 I was deployed to Ukraine to be an instructor on a development course for senior soldiers. In November 2018 I was then posted to Kyiv for a six-month tour, looking after the administration of all British troops in Ukraine (known as Op ORBITAL). During my time in Ukraine, I discovered there were a lot of orphanages here, with many children living without their parents, or in some cases, no family members at all.

Ukraine has a population of 43 million and has lived through many political, economic and social changes which has had a negative effect on the lives of families and children. Ten times as many children in Ukraine are in institutional care compared to England. Over 100 000 children in Ukraine live in orphanages. 9 percent of these children are full orphans, with no living parents and 91 percent are social orphans, with biological parents. In 2015, the number

The iconic rusting ferris wheel, Pripyat, with 2Lt Petit and Ct Camm

Left to Right Capt Freeland, SCpl Sedgwick and Col Evans enjoy a group photo with the children after a morning of fun filled activities

children

of children in orphanages rose by 8 percent. Every three days, 250 children are placed in orphanages and 1 child also dies. When children graduate from an orphanage they have little chance at succeeding due to their tough start in life; 40 per cent will end up in jail; 40 per cent will end up homeless; 10 per cent will commit suicide and 10 per cent will relatively succeed. Ukraine is providing what the help they can, but it’s just not enough to deal with the number of children being placed in orphanages.

This information was all new to me and I decided I wanted to get involved in an organisation which already existed and offer my spare time to help. I have six nephews and two nieces and come from a large family and I have always loved children. My wife and I would like to become foster parents in the future, so I began looking into orphanages

children discover SCpl Sedgewick makes a better climbing frame!

and care homes to see what help I could offer. On previous deployments I have helped in schools in Kenya, so I was hoping I could do something similar. I was introduced to a charity called Team detdom.info who were able to offer both me and the HQ training, help and advice on setting up a volunteer program. I was introduced to an orphanage called Kyiv Regional Centre for Social and Psychological Rehabilitation for Children. The orphanage’s main objectives are; provide care for children with complex conditions; restore and support the children’s physical and mental health; provide appropriate levels of education and provide every child with a safe environment

I put together a training programme for all members of HQ staff and then created a volunteer programme. Once everyone had completed the relevant training, two members of HQ ORBITAL visited the orphanage every two weeks overseen by me. During our visits we took part in activities such as football training, teaching English and teaching command tasks. Setting up this programme took time as I wanted to make

sure we received the best training, so we could fully utilize the time we had to offer. I also contacted a local university and was able to find two students who were willing to volunteer their time to help us out. I also asked my wife to send out craft packages for the children in the orphanage, so we could have a crafts afternoon during one of our visits.

I really enjoyed the time I got to spend with the children and was pleased I was able to offer help. I am also pleased I was able to create an awareness of the centre amongst the British Army and I hope the programme I created will continue once I return home to the UK. Given the short time I had left on Op ORBITAL, I was only able to invest a small amount into the orphanage, but I am happy I have been able to raise awareness amongst my peers of the number of orphanages and children in need in Ukraine. I am hoping what I have achieved here will have raised awareness for those on OP ORBITAL. It is my hope that this work will continue for years to come, giving the children and those British soldiers deployed here something to look forward to.

A Voice from the Cold: Short Term Training Team 01-19, A Squadron, The Household Cavalry Regiment, Operation ORBITAL

by Major Simon Lukas, The Blues and Royals

Short Term Training Teams (STTTs) are becoming piecemeal in a modernising Armed Forces not embroiled in large scale operations. Therefore, when the Household Cavalry Regiment (HCR) were given the opportunity to take on the lead role in Operation ORBITAL being the UK’s military training mission in Ukraine providing assistance in the face of continuing Russian aggression. Based around A Squadron HCR, with reinforcements from C and D Squadrons and 1 Mercians formed the initial deployment on STTT 01-19.

Once our orders from PJHQ and Army Headquarters where deciphered, the newly formed team met prior to Christmas leave. The task given to the training team was to deploy to 233 Training Centre, Rivne in western Ukraine to deliver a Train the Trainer package to up to 80 Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) personnel. A task that initially seemed fairly straight forward but, in reality, meant the team had to read and understand newly developed Ukrainian doctrine and design a Collective Training package that had not been delivered before.

The aim was to develop a bank of competent AFU Instructors with the technical ability to deliver their own training, while primarily improving their instructor skillset. In parallel to this, it was key that we took lessons away from the deployment to inform future UK doctrine and training.

Having arrived in theatre and settled into our modest, but comfortable, accommodation our first week was structured around initial meetings and recces with our Ukrainian counterparts

SCpl Sedgwick pushes the

on the swings

The

SCpl Sedgwick plays a game of crab football with the children

who were far less Soviet than we had been led to expect. The first recce of the training area was a rude awakening to the average temperature in January; the further we drove onto the training area the more the temperature plummeted, finally settling on about -14oC inside our vehicle with the heating working overtime. The training team, broken into their separate instructional groups, recced and polished their lesson plans with a fantastic posse of interpreters who we would have been lost without.

Following our opening address to a slightly frozen theatre of students, during which our breath condensed before our eyes, we started our training rotation. The student cohort proved to be

nothing short of eclectic, a mix of personalities covering a rank range from Cpl to Lt Col with ages to match, topped with a wealth of operational experience. It was clear this was going to be an experience for all ranks providing a unique opportunity to talk to and learn from people who have looked the Russian Federation in the face on the battlefield and survived.

As it turned out working with the AFU was both a challenge and hugely rewarding. Our students were all instructors in their own right with operational pedigrees and we had to approach our role with humility. At the same time, they did not necessarily meet the exacting standards that we expect of all our

soldiers, which required a deft touch. Working in sub-zero temperatures came with its own unique challenges and we quickly had to adapt our training programme to fit the environment; two hours on the ranges was just not going to work. Our programme revolved around delivering lessons in low level section drills including urban operations, observation posts, trench and bunker clearance, section attacks and troop leading procedure while focusing on instructor development. As training progressed it became acutely obvious that the Ukrainian soldiers we were working with were for want of better words ‘hard,’ hewn from the former Soviet Block and now united against their forefathers. Over the four weeks of training the team was

STTT 01-19 and the Armed Forces of Ukraine Students

CoH McWhirter with his interpreter monitors a section attack The author taking part in the Epiphany celebrations

Exercise STETSON GUARDIAN

Loc: Grafenwoehr, Germany

At the end of August, four members of HCR were invited by the US Army’s 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment (4/2 CR) to take part in their annual Spur Ride in Germany.

The tradition of having to ‘earn your spurs’ extends to the beginning of the US Cavalry, when new troopers had to prove they were professionally competent with their horse and sabre before being awarded their spurs. Today, this tradition is observed in the form of a Spur Ride, where all serving members of US cavalry units, regardless of rank, must complete a number of demanding events that test mental resolve, tactical proficiency and leadership ability.

Parading at 0500 on day one, we were separated and placed into eight-man US sections of mixed rank and role. Despite this, I was confident that the dedication already demonstrated by Tpr Wain, LCpl Huxtable and CoH Thomson who had been selected to attend and volunteered to do so during leave, would enable them to represent the Regiment proudly. Initially unsure of what to truly expect, the tone was quickly set as we, having been reduced to the simple status of ‘Candidates’, were ordered by the stetson-adorning ‘Spur Holders’ to perform a variety of physical exercises in cadence – or at least attempt to after some unsubtle side-glances and offtempo reps. Our British reserve was quickly challenged by the vocal-style of our American counter-parts, and we soon found ourselves mummering along (rather unconvincingly) to various US Army and Cavalry songs and creeds. The remainder of the day saw us complete a two-mile run, obstacle course, CBRN chamber, stress shoot and twelve-mile loaded march, with LCpl Huxtable coming an impressive second

place in the latter.

Bedded down in the Styker hangers for the night, we rose early to begin the second phase, the ‘Spur Lanes’; a series of ten tactical stands positioned along a thirty-mile circuit of undulating Bavarian terrain. We inserted in Chinooks to a valley from which we climbed to the village of Burgruine Leuchtenberg’s idyllic castle in to begin the twenty-four-hour patrols phase. The lanes tested different skills, ranging from BCD to establishing OPs to the crowd-favourite of mortar pit digging, each sharing the element of physical intensity, compounded by the now-inevitable synchronised exercises issued by the Spur Holders for the slightest infraction. The final hurdle was a Spur Board, conducted by the Regiments’ most senior members, who interrogated our knowledge of regimental history and what we had learned together as a team. It was also

an opportunity for members to elect a member whom they felt best deserved the ‘Golden Spur’ for being the best in the section, which LCpl Huxtable and Lt Lord-Sallenave, the writer, were very humbled to receive. By the end, we had come to know our sections incredibly well, and it was a priceless insight into how the unit operate. On our third descent into the valley where the patrols phase had begun only twenty-fourhours before, we looked forward to the proud moment of being presented with our Spurs by 4/2s Commanding Officer Lt Col Kaufmann, in front of our very own, Lt Col Mark Berry. The closing moments of the Spur Ride tradition captured the pride it summons in those who work so hard to enable and complete it, and it is such which arguably sets US cavalry regiments apart within an already highly proud US military.

The now idyllic backdrop of the castle

Lt Lord-Sallenave and her section face the Spur Board

The newest members of the Order of the Spur are presented their spurs

A team sets off on the ‘Spur Lanes’ patrol phase

on the hill that we had cursed under our breath only hours before had been transformed by relieved satisfaction and dangerously drinkable German beer, and afforded a good opportunity to reflect on the intent behind the harsh nature of a Spur Ride and bring home some key lessons. By levelling the ranks from the start, unit cohesion is encouraged amongst all members, as Officers and NCOs become immediately approachable to junior soldiers. This is enhanced further as sections face adversity not only in the tasks, but under the stone-faced and actively discouraging façade of the Spur Holders who run each lane. The output; robust teams and individual mental resilience in high-

pressure scenarios.

4/2 were delighted by our participation, and we thank them wholeheartedly for our warm welcome, rapid inclusion and the hospitality they demonstrated to the team and our Commanding Officer throughout our time with them. We were grateful to be able to return a small gesture in inviting members from their RHQ to our Regimental Boxing Night in November 19, and look forward to future opportunities where we can work together.

Spur Holders: Lt C Lord-Sallenave, CoH R Thomson, LCpl G Huxtable, LCpl (then Tpr) O Wain.

Exercise COCKNEY ATLAS 26th June – 8th July 2019

by Lieutenant Jamie Bruce-Crampton, The Blues and Royals

At the beginning of the year, an opportunity arose for the members of C Squadron to run an expedition in Morocco as part of the MoD’s engagement with the Moroccan Armed Forces (MAF). This would permit fourteen Household Cavalrymen to explore North Africa and, along with members of the Gendarmerie Royal and Moroccan Armed Forces, gain an appreciation for local customs and traditions. From the outset this expedition provided an experience where expedition members could gain foundation qualifications in mountaineering by undertaking the challenge of completing the Toubkal circuit in the High Atlas Mountains, culminating in summiting Jbel Toubkal; the highest mountain in North Africa at 4,167m.

The organisation of this expedition spanned a couple of months with the necessity to present a high risk and re-

mote presentation to a board of experts to ensure the correct measures had been put in place for extraction and medical care. The tasks of equipment collection, travel and accommodation arrangements were spread amongst the expedition team. The expedition dates were set in stone and in an extremely busy period for both the Regiment with the move to Bulford and the Squadron with the deployment on Op ORBITAL, but the team managed to have everything sorted the week before departing. As the team prepared to depart on the 26th June, all were looking forwards to a short period of respite from the madness back at Regimental Duty.

The day of reckoning was finally upon us as the team met bleary eyed at the crack of dawn on the parade square. We flew from Gatwick into Marrakech and after heavy questioning at immigration as to the purpose of our visit to

Morocco, met our contact outside the airport and enjoyed the scenic route through the High Atlas Mountains to Imlil. Our accommodation in Imlil was the Dar Adrar guesthouse, a beautiful villa a short walk up the mountain which overlooked the valley at 1,800m, higher than even Ben Nevis. Our host, Hamed, was at the door to meet us and welcomed us with a hot pot of mint tea on the roof terrace, a custom we would soon be contemplating bringing back to the UK for exercise. In the afternoon the team were free to wonder the streets and had their first experience of having to defend themselves against the overzealous street sellers who looked at us as fresh meat. The meals that were prepared for us at the guesthouse were superb as we sat down for a banquet style feast on the terrace that evening.

As the team prepared for our acclimatisation day the first morning, we were

Sections insert in Chinooks to commence the ‘Spur Lanes’

Marksmanship skills and pairs communication are tested during stress shoots

Teams fight it out for King of the Ring in between shoots on the range

greeted by the four gendarmes that would accompany us for the duration of the expedition. They resembled the mob squad from the 80’s with overly tight jeans, side arms and aviators, but were good fun and were able to converse with us despite a slight language barrier. Our two instructors led the team up a local mountain pass to a height of 2,400m where we encountered a lone stonebuilt shack serving freshly squeezed orange juice. Due to the early start we were able to capitalise on being near the small town of Imlil and the team went out for lunch, although nobody quite received what they had ordered but by this time everyone was so hungry that it hardly mattered.

The next morning, we met our counterparts from the Chausseurs de L’Atlas Regiment who are used to training in the mountains, the expedition party

now consisted of fourteen Household Cavalrymen, six from the Moroccan Armed Forces, four gendarmes, two guides, two cooks, six muleteers along with their six mules. After the initial introductions were made, the equipment was loaded onto the mules and the team left the village led by our lead guide, Ibraim, who would often be dressed in similar apparel to Lawrence of Arabia. Having appreciated the challenge of trekking at altitude the day before, we were able to respond accordingly and set a steady pace that would sustain us for the expedition. As we arrived at our designated lunch spot, Tizi n’Tamatert, our muleteers had overtaken us and set up a white Moroccan tent serving mint tea as we arrived and the waft of tagine lingering in the air. After a substantial lunch, the afternoon consisted of a relaxed 7km meander to Tachedirt where the team established camp for the night

and celebrated Morocco’s second victory in the African Cup huddled around a portable TV.

Day two was forecast to be arguably one of the toughest days of the expedition, as the team packed up their tents and were faced with an extremely steep vertical climb reminiscent of Tommy Caldwell’s climb of “the Dawn Wall”. The team left the campsite early to race against the sun which was making its way down from the summit. Midway up the 1,100m ascent we reached the sunlight and pushed on up the zig zagging track until the summit of Tizi Likemt (3,466m) where we came across another lone salesman selling nothing but Mars Bars, a welcome sweet treat after our climb. The descent to Azib Likemt flew by and the afternoon was spent washing in the river and enjoying the sunshine. One of the gendarmes had got chatting with a local farmer and then proceeded to bring over pales of Moroccan cow’s milk, a taste similar to Kkyr yoghurt to put it kindly.

The 18km trail between Azib Likemt and the Berber village, Amsouzerte, was an enjoyable steady amble which brought us back down into the valley

The expedition team on the summit of Jbel Toubkal

Household Cavalry on top. A Life Guard and Blue and Royal at the summit of Jbel Toubkal

Cooling off in Lake Ifni

Our first Moroccan banquet

and into a village Gite. The entire village was built from wattle and daub with no tourists, which made the team appreciate the isolation of many of these small communities dotted across the Atlas Mountains. The afternoon and acclimatisation day were spent in a café next to the river where we are able to send a SITREP to the Ops Officer and enjoy a few cold drinks watching Morocco in their third match in the African Cup. Feeling rested, the following day the expedition team stretched out their legs trekking to Lac d’Ifni; the only lake in the Toubkal region. We were able to set up camp in man-made caves dug into the side of the mountain and cool off from the heat in the cold water. In the evening Tpr Gurung and Tpr Lugg mucked in with the muleteers in a fearsome three-a-side football match providing much amusement for the rest of the party.

The expedition team had learnt its lesson from the ascent up Tizi Likemt to avoid climbing in the heat of the sun. Therefore, the team left the lake at 0500 and ascended the 1,289m climb over the saddle which pointed us in the direction of the basecamp for Jbel Toubkal. We arrived in ample time to rest for the final push the next day. Summit day was upon us as we had a hearty breakfast and set off at 0600. As the team gained altitude, the wind picked up to over 50mph leading to some parts of the trek being done on all fours. At the summit, those who had them, donned their Gilaba’s (Moroccan robes) for a few photographs at the top. As we came down from the summit and found some shelter from the wind, Tpr Maddocks used the sat phone to call the Commanding Officer to regale him of the expedition’s success in summiting Jbel Toubkal. As the team got back to the basecamp, some members enjoyed the showers in the refuge while Tpr Gurung, LCoH Webb and Capt Wright voyaged up the mountain and showered under the waterfall.

The final day of the trek followed the trail from the basecamp back to the Dar Adrar passing yet more Berber villages

including Chamharouch. Chamharouch features an enormous white boulder with a mausoleum underneath in the centre of the village that is named after Sidi (Saint) Chamharouch, who was the Sultan of the Jinns (King of devils). To this day, some Moroccans go on pilgrimages there with an illness or disease and slaughter an animal as an offering with the aim that the king will release the individual from their suffering. As the expedition arrived in Imlil we bid farewell to our Moroccan hosts and travelled back to Marrakech. The bustling streets of Marrakech were a dramatic change to the quiet serenity we had found in the mountains. Our accommodation was a stone’s throw from the Jemaa el-Fna square and therefore the bus could get nowhere near. Two men with trollies loaded all our kit and set off at a run as we were trying to establish a pick up point a few days later to the airport; the team ran after them in hot pursuit down winding alleyways until eventually the trollies arrived at the Riad Essaouira. It was a treat to finally have a hot shower and head out for a cold beer, a table was booked at 68 Bar a Vin for a celebratory end of expedition dinner which was delicious and set the conditions for a forgettable night.

The cultural day in Marrakech was largely left to the team members as it would be impossible to see all the sights in the time we had, therefore everyone paired off and explored the city. The highlights brought forwards from the team were the palaces in the south of the city, the gardens of Ives St Laurent, the tanneries and finally the winding souks which sold all manner of obscure objects. Having had our celebratory din-

ner, the night before the flight was spent having a quiet beer and reflecting on the expedition before flying back to London the next day.

All members of the expedition enjoyed themselves immensely as it provided an invaluable opportunity for junior soldiers to gain an understanding of Moroccan culture, test their physical fitness and gain their SMF qualification while maintaining the British Army’s defence engagement programme with the Moroccan Armed Forces. All members of this expedition owe a debt of gratitude to the Household Cavalry Foundation and the Berlin Infantry Brigade Memorial Trust Fund for their essential funding, without which the success of the expedition would have been put at jeopardy.

Some typical Moroccan architecture

The view from our luxurious cave near Ifni Lake

The Instructors resting up before a big ascent in the morning

Summer Mountain Foundation – ATFC

by Trooper D R Broughton, 3 Troop – D Squadron

This year D Squadron sent a group of ten keen mountain novices to the Baronial-style Cameron Barracks, in the Scottish Highlands, to complete the Summer Mountain Foundation course. This is an eleven-day introduction course to mountaineering in summer environmental conditions. The content includes navigation skills, clothing and equipment, access and conservation, mountain hazards, weather, and a three-day, two-night mountain expedition. The outcome is to be a competent member of a group in mountainous conditions, led by a qualified Summer Mountain Leader (SML).

Upon arrival, we were split into two smaller groups, with each group being assigned a SML. After the initial icebreaker introductions, it was time to be issued our clothing and equipment, surprisingly consisting of an ice axe, crampons, and an incredibly thick fleece. The question we were all thinking was, ‘Why a ‘Summer’ Mountain Foundation was being run in November and not a Winter course?’. Well, on a trial basis, this was the first time that the course had actually run this late in the year. All planning is done in respect of the weather, potential snow depth, and the amount of ice on the mountains; whilst keeping in mind that winter in the Northern Hemisphere is from December to March.

Both groups kicked off the first few days in separate locations in and around spectacular places like Dalmigavie, and Cairngorm mountain - reaching the snow-covered summit at 4084ft. In this time and in a relaxed setting we worked on some basic and advanced navigational skills, taking a 300m to 500m leg each, only using contours, bearings,

and pacing, as there are no other features. You learn very quickly in this sort of environment to trust your map and compass, and not your gut feeling or intuition; as some of us learnt, the former will always be right, the latter - when overruling the former – will always be wrong.

Our introduction to scrambling was in the north west of the highlands, just north of Ullapool, at Stac Pollaidh mountain. Scrambling is off trail routes, often on snow or rock, with a nontechnical, summit as a destination. The Stac Pollaidh climb up to the ridge is steep, and the western summit, at a little over 2011ft, requires a high level of scrambling, which ranks alongside the Cobbler as the most difficult mainland summit in Britain. Though we did attempt to summit with the sun on our back, we were held short by sheets of ice. However, a leisurely lunch on the ridge, overlooking Loch Lurgainn, just shy of 2000ft, allowed the energy levels

to recover before making our descent.

Over the next coming days, we would navigate and scramble over some of the toughest Scottish terrain, in places like Creag Dubh, and Fionn Bheinn. Each time we were rewarded with the picturesque views, and with an overwhelming sense of achievement. At the end of each day we would find a local village café, sit down over a brew, and discuss what we did that day, looking into how these skills are adapted to our military careers. The SML took this opportunity to also teach subjects like ‘Emergency Procedures in Remote Areas’, ‘Advanced Weather Forecasts’, and ‘Leadership Know-how’.

All these new mountaineering experiences, the development of key navigational skills, and lessons learnt over the last seven days, were now to be put into practice with an expedition phase. The expedition was the responsibility of each group and we were given free rein

Cairngorm Summit, with weather tower

Tpr Broughton, LCpl Annetts, LSgt Thomson, LCpl Fairburn, Cfn Scofield - Glen Nevis, with Ben Nevis

Buachaille Etive Mor - Stob Dearg

on where to go in the highlands, overlooked by the SML. Our group chose to take on a couple of iconic mountains, via a very famous Loch.

Day one we left Inverness and headed 67 miles South West towards Fort William. Along the A82 you cannot help but notice the mystical Loch for 36.3km – Loch Ness. Though we never did quite catch a sighting of the overgrown eel, we did take a quick stop for an opportunistic group photo. Once arriving in

Fort William, we see the setting of our next adventure, casting a shadow over anything near, with a flair of drama –Ben Nevis. The plan was never to summit Britain’s highest mountain, it was to do something different by scrambling in its Glen. Admittedly, it was never the most challenging, but arguably the most enjoyable.

After spending the night at ‘Steall Hut’ in Glen Nevis, where Prince Charles famously stopped for a cup of tea and a dram in the 1980s, we headed 50 minutes south to summit Stob Dearg at 3351ft. Stob Dearg is a celebrated pyramid peak, with several routes. We chose to use the most famous of these routes, ‘Curved Ridge, which starts from the waterslide slab, a huge rock slab lying low on the North West slopes. Curved Ridge has lots of exposure but is not technically difficult, nevertheless this was made more strenuous for the group due to the snow, forming ice, and we had a few fear zone moments. All being said, we all did summit and we were exhumed with elation.

Feeling exhausted, the final day was upon us, though we were also cold and damp, we were eager to finish what we had started. We packed away our tents and travelled a short distance to Beinn a’Chrulaiste. Often left unclimbed,

Beinn a’ Chrulaiste rises from the northern end of Rannoch Moor. Here we were to scramble in poor visibility and bring on our ability to Micro Nav. Micro navigation is the practice of reducing course deviation and the likelihood of getting lost in poor visibility and difficult terrain, by using a series of smaller legs and by using nearby features to constantly check your position.

Once back at Cameron Barracks, we prepared a final presentation which we delivered to a member of the permanent staff. As well as a photo presentation, we gave our own experiences of the 3 pillars of adventurous training, these are: Coping Strategies, Leadership, and Values & Standards. We selected the most appropriate examples of something we had done, or been apart of, that best highlighted each of the pillars. We also discussed how these will be of use to us in our future within the Army.

On completion of the course we all received our certificates, course report, and a personal experience logbook with the mountains we scaled, and space for future mountain accomplishments. Once we have completed 20 or so mountaineering days, we can then go on to the next phase which is the Summer Mountain Training course, which is the next step of becoming a SML.

Lt. Jalili, CoH Hendy, LCpl Flanagan, LCpl Thomson, Tpr Gregg ascending snowy Cairngorm

Lt Jalili battling the elements on a snowy Cairngorm

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Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment

Foreword

By Lieutenant Colonel P J Williams MC, The Blues and Royals Commanding Officer, Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment

Ayearago, I wrote on this page that the Fixed Term Parliament Act may well mean the absence of a State Opening of Parliament from the annual ceremonial calendar becoming the norm... however, we took part in two within three months this year! I also wrote about how the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex filled the gap where a Spring State Visit would otherwise have been in 2018, and in 2019 it was instead filled by the Freedom of Windsor Parade which marked a significant moment in Household Cavalry history.

One of my priorities this year has been to reduce the amount of time soldiers serve at Hyde Park Barracks before drafting to the Armoured Regiment to start their careers as a reconnaissance soldier. Where traditionally this has been at the two-year point, we have now reduced it to 18 months. While we have borne some short-term pain with manning levels in the Mounted Regiment it should mean that soldiers have the chance to start the career for which most joined the Army earlier, thereby improving on their ‘lived experience’. In

return those at Bulford have stood ready to fill any gaps on parade that may have resulted, and while that option has not been required yet the whole concept has resulted in the bond of friendship and cooperation between the two Regiments tightening despite the increased geographic distance between the two.

As always Defence Engagement has continued through the year, with wellestablished bonds between HCMR and the Swedish Life Guards maintained by the annual week-long exchange programme, and the presence of Danish Officers and Soldiers riding on our Major General’s Inspection. Short Term Training Teams deployed to the USA, Jordan, Nepal and Canada, and LCpl Nicholas (LG) won the military class in the Hungarian National Gallop in October. We have hosted Swedes, Danes, Latvians, Hungarians, Germans, Omanis, Americans and even New Zealanders in Hyde Park Barracks, ensuring the Household Cavalry’s reputation for mounted excellence is maintained worldwide.

The jewel in the Defence Engagement

crown this year must have been the Musical Ride’s excellent deployment to Morocco. The Salon du Cheval dwell Jadida is the country’s largest horse show, personally overseen by the Crown Prince and hosts top class international competitions. 37 soldiers and 32 military working horses travelled out and back by road through France and Spain and performed full and short routines over the course of the show in front of the Moroccan Royal Family. Given the strategic importance of Morocco to the UK and our allies the stakes were high for a group of young soldiers at the very start of their careers. A faultless deployment at the same time as the State Opening of Parliament (a combination that saw every man and woman who could ride a horse do so) stretched the Regiment, but demonstrated exactly how flexible, committed and resilient our soldiers can be.

It has not all been work without moments to relax and enjoy ourselves this year. Once again, a team of soldiers headed to Oregon, USA to experience two weeks as cowboys on a cattle ranch in August, and there were three different varieties of skiing on offer over the winter (Alpine, Nordic and Telemark). Winter Training Troop had a successful season with some high-profile guests throughout and Regimental Training allowed horses and men to relax with the cricket world cup offering only a fraction less of an atmosphere than the football world cup in 2018.

Once again, I want to reiterate my words from last year of admiration and gratitude for the soldiers that work at the Mounted Regiment. The work is still hard, unrelenting and repetitive, but still the results are spectacular. The golden thread in the fabric of this great Nation is still proudly being woven.

Commanding Officer Lt Col Paddy Williams MC RHGD inspecting Kit Ride Pass Off (by kind permission of Michael Patrick)

Diary of Events

by Captain J R G Faire, The Blues and Royals, Adjutant

Having written about the absence of old regulars such as the State Opening of Parliament on this page last year, we now seem to be flush with them - at the time of writing we are one down, one still to come and who knows how many more next year. The result is that life at HCMR is no less intense than it ever has been, particularly while we try and reduce the time Troopers spend at HCMR to no more than 18 months before drafting to HCR.

As always HCMR started the year with the Commanding Officer’s inspections of accommodation, uniforms and yards. The horses that had some grass over the winter were then returned, cleaned, clipped before they were all presented to the Commanding Officer and Riding Master for inspection and confirmation that the Regiment was in a suitable position to start preparing for the ceremonial season. Among all these inspections the Regiment once again hosted the RAC’s JNCO forum and it was a pleasure to welcome many young, aspirational soldiers from across the Corps and show them the otherwise unseen aspect of the Household Cavalry.

The Princess Elizabeth Cup was a very

fought contest in March. Guest judges this year included Lt Col Stone (Brigade Major), WO1 Paton (Army Sergeant Major), WO1 Parker (Home Command Corporal Major), and WO1 Horton (HCR RCM) and the standard absolutely astonished each of them. Trooper Rooke (1 Tp RHG/D Sqn) was

this year’s winner, and he was presented his trophy by Her Majesty the Queen at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in early May. In addition to the fine performances from the Musical Ride at Windsor this year the Regiment fielded a small team who took part in a recreation of the Charge of the Light Brigade each

tightly

Garter Service Staircase Party

The Adjutant, Capt Faire RHG/D going through the motions at the Form Up for the State Opening of Parliament

evening, and they were well received by the capacity crowd.

Where last year the Regiment had a Royal Wedding to prepare for before the Queen’s Birthday Parade, this year we returned to Windsor for a more nostalgic occasion. In May Standard Parties from each Squadron were invited to take part in the Freedom of Windsor Parade by HCR, to mark the end of the Household Cavalry’s occupation of Combermere Barracks. It was a spectacular day in front of Colonel Blues and Royals, HRH The Princess Royal, and a suitable way of marking this milestone in the combined Regiment’s history.

The Queen’s Birthday Parade this year saw the Life Guard Standard dipped in front of Her Majesty the Queen and was led my Major Tom Seccombe on a day where the Regiment stepped up, yet again, to shine on a truly international stage. Within the 14 days surrounding Saturday 08 June we not only had the usual commitments of the Parade itself, Beating Retreat, Investitures and the Garter Service, but also took part in a scaled back State Visit for the President of the United States, and a visit to Hyde Park Barracks by the US Ambassador (Mr Robert ‘Woody’ Johnson IV).

The end of June saw Queen’s Life Guard duties handed over to King’s Troop

Royal Horse Artillery and the Mounted Regiment deploy en masse to Bodney Camp in Norfolk. Despite some early casualties from unexpected areas of the Regiment (one each from RHQ, a SHQ and the Medical Centre) a huge amount of fun was head by all, both human and equine. Over the course of a few weeks a full programme of show jumping and cross-country competitions, beach rides, Squadron BBQs, games nights and of course the Open Day meant there was no time for boredom (although the sunbathing opportunities were taken at any opportunity). The highlight of Regimental Training 2019 was the visit of Colonel Blues and Royals HRH The Princess Royal. Her Royal Highness saw an RHG/D show jumping lesson and a LG cross-country lesson while riding around the training area on Oscar (3Tp, RHG/D), before commanding a Regimental feed away and having lunch in the Officers’ Mess.

On returning from Bodney the Regiment re-commenced Queen’s Life Guard and settled into the usual summer leave routine. This was interrupted at the very end of August with the announcement of the first prorogation or Parliament, and subsequent opening on 14 October. Given 70% of the horses were at grass in Melton Mowbray and the Riding Master and Commanding Officer realising we would need six weeks to prepare,

The Life Guards Squadron

by Major T L Seccombe

‘Expect the unexpected, remain flexible’. It has been a year of uncertainty and a unique year for The Life Guards Squadron. A posting to the Mounted Regiment usually involves very early starts and repetitive hard work. This is caveated by knowing when the harder parts are going to be, so precious time off with loved ones can be planned well

there was not a lot of time to spare- our start point was just three days after the Government’s announcement! Messages were sent out and the Regiment returned from Summer Leave a week early to begin its preparations.

This year was the first fully ceremonial State Opening of Parliament since 2016, a significant gap in which much of the unwritten knowledge that comes with annual large parades had the potential to be lost. Luckily, the Field Officer Maj Jack Barnes RHG/D was one of only a few men on parade to have actually done a State Opening of Parliament before, albeit about half a decade earlier! When this is coupled with the Musical Ride’s concurrent deployment to Morocco to perform in the Salon du Cheval d’El Jadida the Regiment had its work cut out. Every man and woman who could ride a horse was on Parade, and those who couldn’t were in the Staircase Party. After a slightly longer period of Divisional drills (which unarguably paid off) the parade was completed successfully and to the immaculate standard the Regiment prides itself on. The Musical Ride also achieved major diplomatic success for the UK in a strategically important country, demonstrating the value of the Mounted Regiment to MoD and the Foreign Office.

in advance. 2019 has been different and has given SHQ a unique challenge. As I write this article I do not know when the second Sate Opening of Parliament will fall. Christmas leave will have to wait – but this is what we do. As the fabric of the nation and the golden thread in State Ceremonial soldiering I have yet to hear one word of protest from anyone in the Squadron.

The Major General’s Inspection in April, instead of March, had us hoping for drier weather and less mud. Unfortunately, on the day, the parade happened in the midst of a thunderstorm with hail and rain soaking the horses. It was fascinating to see them face into the hail,

Musical Ride drills in the outdoor menage

Lt Leisham LG forming up for the State Opening of Parliament at Hyde Park Barracks on 14th October 2019

which resulted in the Regiment facing into a South Westerly direction instead of South. It really was very wet, but everyone stayed on and the Regiment was passed fully fit to start the ceremonial season in earnest.

There was no requirement for a Sovereign’s Escort for the Spring State Visit. President Trump was to arrive by Marine One and he landed on the Buck-

ingham Palace lawn. This allowed the Squadron to focus their efforts on winning the prestigious Princess Elizabeth Cup at the Royal Windsor Horseshow. A huge amount of time and effort went into preparing the kit and it was unlucky that the inspecting party was mostly RHG/D. Trooper Martins missed out on first place by a single point, with Trooper Wilson coming a close third. It was the same result for the second

year in a row and means the Life Guard Squadron are again the overall cleaner Squadron. Although disappointed to miss out on first place all of the finalists thoroughly enjoyed the presentation by Her Majesty the Queen - I am confident 2020 will be a Life Guard year.

Soon afterwards Lt Martin led the marching party on a sunny May morning for Cavalry Memorial Sunday. The

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Capt McAllister during LG Sqn Showjumping Competition

CoH Galuvakadua with Daniel Craig on set of the new Bond Film

salute this year was taken by The Prince of Wales. The Squadron was then into preparations for the Queen’s Birthday Parade - 2019 being the year for the Life Guards to lead the Sovereigns Escort with Corporal Major Snoxell carrying the Standard and the author commanding the Mounted Troops on parade. The weather was perfect, and together with the Grenadier Guards the parade was delivered to an immaculate standard. We then moved onto the final parade of the season, the Garter Service, which was also blessed with fantastic sunny weather and it also went without incident.

The Squadron soon departed for Summer Camp in Norfolk. This gave both the soldiers and horses some welcome respite from ceremonial uniform and London. Although shorter this year, the Squadron thoroughly enjoyed the beach ride, show jumping and crosscountry activities – including the Squadron Leader who ended up in the Royal Flight, also known as the East Anglian Air Ambulance, on the first morning of jumping. With the Commanding Officer, Doctor and LG Squadron Leader being the only serious casualties, the Squadron returned to London to prepare for the first State Opening of Parliament.

We bid a fond farewell to the Second in Command - Capt McAllister and to Capt Adcock and CoH Gorman. We welcomed Capt Pagden-Ratcliffe, Lt Leishman, CoH Hattingh and CoH Miah into the fold. As it was a RHG/D standard, the Squadron was only required to provide a Long Guard and two divisions for the State Opening of Parliament. This was delivered on a blustery day in Cloaks. The horses then had their shoes taken off and were given an early Christmas leave. We said a very sad farewell to SCM WO2 Snoxell who

LCpl Tego-Tagne LG at Remembrance Parade

LG SCM WO2 Snoxell returning swords during his last QLG 4 o’clock inspection

LG Sqn at Holkham

was clapped up the ramp and now moves on to RQ at the Armoured Regiment. WO2 Stafford now takes over as the SCM and he is looking forward to carrying the Standard in the spring for the Major General’s Inspection. Whilst it has been a turbulent year for the country, it is at times like this that State Ceremonial parades, such as the State Opening of Parliament, reassures the public that although we live in uncertain times the Sovereign and her loyal body guard are a constant who stand ready to do their duty.

LG Sqn Canter along Holkham Beach in Norfolk

LG Sqn Cavalry Charge along Holkham Beach in Norfolk

Life Guard greys in the team chase competition at Bodeny Camp Regimental Training in Norfolk

LG Sqn lead the dismounted Cenotaph Parade 2019

Queen’s Life Guards leaving Horse Guards Parade (by kind permission of Michael Patrick)

LG Trumpeter Tpr Smalley at the top of the Mall (by kind permission of Michael Patrick)

Queen’s Life Guards with CoH Lovelace

The Blues and Royals Squadron

by Captain Perera, The Blues and Royals

The Blues and Royals Squadron, like most years, has had a very full diary of events and several new faces joining the Sqn. The year began with the first event in the ceremonial calendar, the Major General’s Inspection. The build-up period of eight weeks prior to the event was a busy time for the Sqn with nearly 60 horses returning from a winter break in Melton Mowbray and requiring a good wash, clip and a trim as well as exercising back to fitness. The parade, which went very smoothly, was the last mounted parade for both Maj Jeremy Sudlow as Squadron Leader and WO2 Andy Preston as Squadron Corporal Major. The Major General Inspection also gives a good chance for the Sqn to ‘pass-off’ potential Chargers; if they can complete the build-up period before the parade and complete the parade itself, they are in line to become a Charger. This year Passchendaele and Sinnington became Chargers.

In May, the Sqn took part in the Freedom of Windsor parade alongside the Armoured Regiment. It was a proud day for all who took part as Combermere Barracks has been, at one point or another, home for nearly all those taking part in the parade. The Blues and Royals had six horses on parade as well as a Standard, which was escorted by Capt James Faire, SCpl Owen Morgan and WO2 David ‘Junior’ Salmon who had recently taken over as Squadron Corporal Major and was also taking part in his first parade for 19 years, having left Knightsbridge in 2000 as a Trooper.

The month of May also brought the

Royal Windsor Horse Show, which, as well as some fantastic performances from the Musical Ride, was the chance to discover who had won the coveted Princess Elizabeth Cup, colloquially known as the ‘Richmond’ Cup. This is a chance for six troopers from the Blues and six from the Life Guards to compete against each other to be judged as the best turned out trooper in the Regiment. It was an extremely close competition with only a few points separating the top troopers, however the overall winner was Trooper Callum Rooke, 1Tp The Blues and Royals, who was proudly presented the award by Her Majesty The Queen; thus once again thrusting the Squadron in front of our Life Guard counterparts.

This year’s Queen’s Birthday Parade was with a Life Guards Standard, however that didn’t mean that The Blues and Royals would have it easy. The Sqn delivered, as it always does, two immaculately turned out Divisions to escort Her Majesty The Queen. It was the first Queen’s Birthday Parade for a number of those from the Sqn, including the Divisional Commanders, Captain Rupert Hunt-Grubbe and Captain Philip Lye as well as the Serrefile

Captain, Captain Robert Perera. In June the Sqn also was involved in the Garter Service at Windsor Castle, which is another opportunity for the Regiment to jump off its horses and proudly march on foot around the castle grounds. Before June finished the Sqn was once again called into action for the

HRH The Princess Royal Col RHG/D chats with Tpr Stokes RHGD on a visit to Regimental Training at Bodney Camp in Norfolk

Her Majesty The Queen talking with Tpr Rooke, winner of The Princess Elizabeth Cup 2019

Tpr Friskey of The Blues and Royals

Armed Forces Day Parade where Capt William Charlesworth commanded four Blue and Royal and four Life Guard mounted dutymen through the streets of Salisbury.

Once the summer’s ceremonial calendar ended it was a chance to give the horses a well-earned break from London at Regimental Training in Bodney, Norfolk. This is a brilliant chance for members of the Sqn to improve their horsemanship through cross country and show jumping competitions. This year’s Regimental Team Chase competition was won by a team from 1Tp The Blues and Royals including Capt Charlesworth and Tprs Sandford, Hollingshead and Reece.

After a refreshing summer break the Sqn was once again in preparations for another major parade, this time the

Autumn State Opening of Parliament which would be a Blues and Royals Standard on parade. This was a timely event for in-coming Squadron Leader, Major Jack Barnes, who was only handed the reins to the Sqn by Maj Sudlow a few weeks prior to the parade. He would be taking part in his first parade for a few years, but thankfully the last parade he did do was conveniently a State Opening of Parliament which put him at an advantage since barely anyone else on the parade had done the same. Apart from the weather, the parade went without fault and continued to show the Sqn’s ability to deliver immaculate soldiers and horse on State Occasions. The Autumn also brought the Lord Major’s Show where the Blues and Royals provided a Division alongside the Band of the Household Cavalry.

Outside the daily duties and State

Occasions, the Sqn has been able to conduct some extracurricular activities; with visits to the Swedish Life Guards in Stockholm, working with Cowboys from Yainax ranch in Oregon, providing the Honour Guard for the International Horse Show in Canada, the Hungarian Gallop in Budapest and taking part in the Musical Ride’s adventure to Morocco.

Although the Sqn has had a busy, and sometimes, frantic year, it is heading in the right direction and already preparing well for 2020. Even though the Sqn will sadly miss its brilliant Second-InCommand (author of this article) who moves on at the end of this year, with a new Squadron Leader and Squadron Corporal Major, confidence is high as we head towards Christmas.

Tpr Johnson is one of the first Household Cavalrywomen

HCMR provided mounted Troops for HCR Freedom of Windsor Parade before the move to Bulford

WO2 Salmon steadfastly bearing The Blues and Royals Standard at the State Opening of Parliament

Headquarters Squadron

by Major S Fry MC, The Life Guards

If you were to take a cursory glance at the forecast of events for the New Year you would have been forgiven for forming the impression it was going to be a slow start. How wrong you would have been! Yet again the past 12 months have been incredibly busy for HQ Squadron. The delivery of logistical support to the Regiment was at the forefront of our battle rhythm throughout the year, combined with a busy State Ceremonial calendar.

The Squadron returned from the mandatory split Christmas leave period supporting the hard-pressed Sabre Sqns exercise their horses over the festive period, ensuring everyone enjoyed some downtime. The break was short lived as the return heralded the start of yet another new ceremonial season.

Post leave HQ rolled straight into the preparation for numerous inspections and appointment changes, ensuring the natural handover/takeovers were completed and embedded before Major Generals in April. The horses began returning from grass in Melton Mowbray at the end of January and behind the scenes HQ were busy supporting their return. MT under the command of CoH Bradbury with his side kick LCoH Orr made the continuous trips backwards and forwards delivering horses safely back to barracks. The routine G4 support from the QMs department was well under way, ensuring that all the neces-

sary kit and cleaning products were ready to return the horses to their recognisable shiny ceremonial condition. The saddlers were busy with needles and thread refitting and repairing the horses state kit and the farrier’s hammers against metal echoed across camp once again as FSCpl Petit and FCoH Jones and team breathed life back into the barracks re shoeing the 120 horses ready for the up and coming events.

HQ Sqn welcomed, at the start of February, Captain Pete Ireland who had just completed two years as CMO with HCR following a four-year gap from HCMR, taking over as Quartermaster. The happy outgoing QM, Sizzler Fry, said goodbye to the unforgiving G4 world and QMs department taking over as HQ leader from Major Spud Taylor. The Sqn wished him luck as he moved to pastures new on taking his new post as QM to the Scottish and Northern Ireland Yeomanry (SNiY) in Glasgow.

Once these major changes had been implemented the Regiment began conducting weeks of build-up riding and pre inspections. This also included many HQ mounted trained soldiers, keen to give up their desks and accounts to support the squadrons by filling the gaps in the divisions. For many from HQ this was the first time back in the saddle for many years, it didn’t take long before they realised sitting trot in full state kit isn’t much fun. “Never

volunteer” soon became the mantra of the month! A successful MGI’s was followed by a short break for Easter and in turn a lull in demand towards the end of April. This short respite gave the sqn the perfect opportunity to conduct the mandated MATTS training and ensured a few of the squadron were able to get away on overdue career courses as well as the RAO’s department fitting in some adventure training in Plymouth.

In May came yet more handovers, on this occasion to be completed in time to support HQs commitment to the Cavalry Memorial Parade. A new SCM returned to the fold in the form of WO2 Privett, fresh faced from 2 years drinking cocktails as CQMS in Cyprus replacing WO2 Boss Hogg moving on as an RQ at ERE. They were shortly followed by WO2 Dougie Douglas taking the G4 hot seat as RQ from WO2 George Sampson who promoted to WO1 as RCM.

With May nearly over and June fast approaching all the depts were feeling the pain of the ceremonial season. Readying their dismounted state kit to support the Regiment’s commitments to further ceremonial events, staircase parties, investitures across London and Windsor and in the side lines the continued commitments to green army trawls and taskings around the country.

HQ soldiers continued to plug holes in the divisions including the Master

Salute for US Secretary of defence Dr M T Esper at Horse Guards

Saddler SCpl Belasco, completing his mounted refresher so that he could venture out of his cave in saddlers’ shop to bounce some QLGs after 13 years! As the season began to gather speed for the Queen’s Birthday Parade and Garter service, it truly highlighted the adaptability of all the HQ soldiers. All our departments again produced the goods and continued to support both mounted Sqns in another successful parade. This was followed in quick succession by The Garter service with HQ being tasked to form the Staircase Party at St Georges Chapel. The drill instructors came into their own ensuring that HQ looked the part and kept up our high standards.

During July half of the squadron found itself on familiar ground with the annual trip to Norfolk for Regimental training. The advance party and fence builders deployed earlier to prepare and set camp up, all under the watchful eye of the new forage master CoH Solis as well

as CoH Barber and LCoH Wade running the PNCO course putting the potential NCOs through their paces. Back in London the other half of HQ carried out much needed refurbishment and infrastructure projects which included resurfacing the yards and ramps, repainting and new floors in the cleaning rooms. The QM utilised his opportunity of a nearly empty barracks, less the building site on the square, in order to meet a demanding deadline ensuring all works were to be completed before the Regiment returned in July. Overall a great camp which also included HQ being the overall winners of the Regimental sports day.

With the arrival of August and summer leave fast approaching we threw ourselves into routine G4 inspections, casting boards, armoury checks and the locking down of accounts and department stores before going on leave. After a well-deserved rest, HQ and horses re-

Quartermaster’s Department

by Captain Pete Ireland, The Blues and Royals

2019 has been a typical one of many changes throughout the department. The changeover of Quartermaster’s was completed successfully in March 19, thanks to Maj Shaun ‘Sizzler’ Fry for what was the most detailed of handovers. We have a new RQMC WO2 Warren who has finally handed over the reins of RSWO HCR, a new Master Chef SSgt Owusu has now settled in post ensuring only the highest of culinary standards for our officers and soldiers alike. We also welcome CoH Elder, who comes with a wealth of G4 accounting knowledge which will be vital to this as the busiest of departments. There has been a significant reshuffle, offices have

changed location, and each have had a good dig out of legacy paperwork and materials. It was great to unearth an old photograph of the legendary WO2 (RQMC) Les Atkinson!

With ‘Project ROSE’ almost a thing of the past we are starting to make serious inroads into improving the infrastructure around the barracks. After the longest of waits, the Officers’ Mess now has two new windows! Whilst the 4th floor in C block has been completely reinvigorated, with the aim of improving all floors in the block in the latter part of the next FY. The gymnasium and lobby have been given a makeover and it now

turned to begin the preparations for the hefty commitment to the State Opening of Parliament in October, with yet more of the HQ team in the saddle. Even Provost CoH Logan and Welfare SNCO CoH Baksh made an appearance back on top of a horse to support the parade.

In the later stages of the year and with Christmas leave in sight our attention was focused on supporting the Lord Mayors Show and commitment to manning for the Albert Hall for the Festival of Remembrance, which were the last major events of the year. November arrived and the horses were roughed off and sent for their well-earned Christmas break, leaving the HQ workforce to complete the final G4 Logistic Store Inspection (LSI). Without doubt 2019 has been an extremely busy year for HQ Sqn but the grit and determination shown to complete everyday demand, coupled with the team spirit shown in supporting the troops during the ceremonial season was testament to their commitment.

WO2 Privett commands a joint Guard for the US Secretary of Defence Dr M T Esper

Garter Service staircase party lead by Capt S Mansfield LG and Capt P Ireland RHGD

QM Capt Ireland shares (?) a curry lunch

houses more gym kit than the entire chain of David Lloyd gyms! The unused bar on the 5th floor, is now a much needed living out area. Each of the stable lines now have pressure washers which extend out to back ramps and onto the parade square, the Life Guard stables benefited from the annual resurfacing. The work will not stop, there is plenty more to do, with the clear aim of improving the lived experience for all.

The Regiment has benefitted from the closure of British Forces in Germany. Several store trips there have seen the regiment gain over £25,0000 worth of flooring, sewing machines, furniture, a fine 20-seater conference table, washing machines, gold band crockery and EPNS cutlery to name a few items. Thanks to SCpl Lacey and CoH Orr for their hard work in collecting these items. This dedicated hard work was recognised by LONDIST and both have received a commendation from the GOC.

The procurement of state ceremonial uniform and riding boots is an onerous task, and my department works tirelessly to remedy this, especially with the

influx of female soldiers who are often not the same shape and size as the male troopers! The relevant departments of Team LEIDOS have now visited the regiment for the first time, they have now

Catering Department

by MasterChef Staff Sergeant Owusu RLC

With no military chefs under my command, 2019 has been a very busy year for me and the civilian Aramark chefs, which has at times stretched the ‘catering platoon’ to the very limit.

There have been countless State Functions including the Queen’s Birthday Parade, annual Regimental Training deployments and exercises at Regiment level, Royal Logistic Corps commitments, LONDIST taskings and organis-

ing the LONDIST Christmas Cake competitions. Also, various Charity events in the local community and numerous Divisional level high profile functions, all across London, Bodney Camp, Ranges, Lulworth, Thetford, the Banqueting Hall and GOC private residences.

The State Opening of Parliament was the main effort for the catering department as our support kept the troops, rehearsals and actual parade on track with

seen with their own eyes the need for us to receive this equipment in good time. So, the dim light at the end of the tunnel is somewhat brighter and the QM Dept is dragging everyone ever closer to it!

hot food, tea and coffee under crown feeding at the right time and right place. This included breakfast buns at 0200hrs for 250 people three times in one week prepared solely by the MasterChef- the most demanding breakfast I have ever done within my 16 years as a chef! When not having to work in the silent hours, we have also provided chef support at Churches in Kingston in order to give hot soup to the homeless during the very cold period of winter.

QM Dept Christmas Drinks in NCOs Mess

HCMR Chefs on Regimental Coach at Bodney Regimental Training

Masterchef SSgt Owusu laying a wreath on Remembrance Sunday

Riding Staff

by Corporal of Horse H D Evans, The Blues and Royals

The Riding Staff has seen a number of changes starting at the top with the departure of Maj Chambers to HCTW and Capt Nicholls taking the position of Riding Master. WO2 Betts has been promoted to Captain and is now the Officer Commanding the Equitation Training Squadron at DATR, Melton Mowbray. Also seeing SCpl McGrath return from the DATR to take up his role has ESCpl HCTW. CoH Mancey is now teaching at the DATR after a very successful year riding Paarderburg and coming 4th at the Olympia Horse Show.

Along with talking about ‘the old’, we like to welcome the new. LCoH Drummond and LCpls Alison and Pinder joining the Riding Staff this year to start their teaching careers. Welcome to the Staff... now get on a remount! LCoH Harvey has handed over the Lisburn Saddle Club to LCoH Martin and CoH Evans has returned to Regimental Duty from Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, leaving CoH Glass to manage the stables at the academy.

This year was by far the busiest Christmas period that the Staff have seen in a while, with a total of 36 Remounts to train for the 2019 to start the new line of ‘T’ registration horses, managing to pass out 18 horses at the Major Generals

review in April. As well as the Riding Staff conducting its daily business, we have our regular and new engagements overseas too. This year LCOH Tate was tasked to ensure the success of the Regiment supporting Spruce Meadows Masters, of which this year is the 36th year that the Regiment has supported the event. Training ex show jumping horses to wear state kit is no mean feat, but as always was dealt with well to execute a flawless trip.

LCoH Drummond enjoyed his first deployment on the Riding Staff by going to Culver for two weeks. Reaping the benefits of teaching in America by enjoying fried alligator and got to try his hand at Polo without the rest of the Staff watching on. LCoH Harvey has adopted a dish-dash this year with 2 separate STTT deployments to Jordan. As part of an ongoing partnership with the Royal Guard increasing riding ability and stable management. After several successful excursions to Jordan, and them now having a yearly parade which greatly mirrors Trooping of the Colour, our work with our friends overseas is only going to thrive and continue.

The Riding Master, CoH Evans, LCoH Drummond and LCpl Alison, accompanied the Musical Ride to Morocco this year, which in itself, bought the longest road move achieved by the Household Cavalry in living memory. Driving through France and Spain to perform in El Jadida, Morocco, was testing to say the least, but well worth the effort due to the warm reception and effect the Musical Ride had on the UK Morocco relationships. All the horses travelled safely, and the men returned with many fond memories, and some unsettled stomachs.

We look forward to another challenging 2020, with many ceremonial events for us to exploit as training opportunities for our MWHs. The Riding Master has decided to increase the size and thus effectiveness of Kit Rides, to better simulate our state occasions and provides the staff with a more impressive and challenging instructor responsibilities. Consequently, the frequency of Kit Rides will decrease, allowing the Blue Mafia to compete and represent the Regiment more across the UK and the World too!

Household Division Stables

by Warrant Officer Class 2 Scholes, The Blues and Royals

Normally under HQ LONDIST management, this year HDiv Stables have been integrated into HCMR- HQ Squadron have become representative of all of the Household Division Regi-

ments with Foot Guards now posted to HCMR. They have had a very busy year with the Grenadier Guards Trooping their colour and the months of practice prior, the State Opening of Parliament

with LONDIST Higher Command and Welsh Guards, a State Visit with the Coldstream Guards which saw the return of the field Officer in Brigade Waiting of QBP18 for his final Parade. The

Riding Instructor LCoH Harvey on Jordan STTT

L/CoH Harvey takes it all in his stride (sitting down!!)

team enjoyed a good Summer Camp and were visited by the Princess Royal. Towards the end of the year, they started the training programme all over again for a new Major General Commanding, Chief of Staff and Aid de Camp. Work has already started in preparation for QBP 2020 with the Welsh Guards and the accompanying Royal and Regimental Colonels getting back into the saddle.

Household Division Stabled Horses steal the show at QBP 19

Winter Training Troop

by

Captain Piers Flay, The Blues and Royals

Melton Mowbray has an industrial past and while the assumption that every chimney chuffing out steam must be from a pork pie factory is unfounded, this is the view that greets Winter Training Troop each morning on watering order, from atop Asfordby Hill. This hunting season, unlike many before, was to have a difference, as OC

WTT, I had only learned to ride in the spring of 2017 through the Army, but, undaunted by my lack of experience and extremely excited for the season ahead, I assembled the Winter Training Troop and headed to Leicestershire in early September 2018.

The work that goes on behind the scenes

to get horses to the condition required for hunting shouldn’t be underestimated. I was reminded quite frequently by hunt regulars that traditionally if someone is not keen on jumping a fence, they will wait for a Cav Black to make a hole in the hedge or take a few bars out of a jump first. Clearly this is a reputation that I was keen to change, however I

Colonel RHGD HRH The Princess Royal meets Household Division Troop at Bodney Camp

The Household Division Stables WO2 Scholes double checks Infantry tacking up

Capt Barnes, Capt Flay, WO1 Samson and LCoH Leslie trying to keep their dressing with the Winter Training Troop Capt Flay and LCoH Leslie show MFH how it is done

could see that it would be quite a challenge. It was LCpl Lafferty’s task to get both riders and horses hunt respectable with their jumping ability. The idea being that by the end of Autumn hunting the horses would be in a state to stick with the field and not the back third bulldozers.

In order to build our confidence, the team entered the Cotswolds team chase in early October, which seemed like the perfect event to get in the much-needed jumping practice, but unsurprisingly the course was significantly more challenging than our usual set up at summer training in Norfolk. We walked the course as a group and came across a particularly nasty drop fence where I was strongly advised to sit back when it came to the race. Sadly, this advice entirely passed me by on the day as at the very same fence I found myself and Llamerai parting ways. On this occasion

I landed inconveniently on my head and whilst maintaining consciousness, looked up to see my other three team members circling me, so I crawled to all fours and shouted, “Just crack on!” In any event, a lesson to ‘sit back or die’, that saved me on several occasions this season, was learned but while it would be my first fall, it was sadly not my last.

The challenge of even finding a meet is a well-trodden path to experienced members of the hunt, however, it is easy to forget what’s it is like for newer members. Armed with modern technology and an OS map for backup, you’d think it would be simple, but it seems there is no school like the old school. The irony of there being two seldom seen farms in the same country and not being able to find either of them was not lost on us, when we arrived to be met with a collective eye roll and comments of ‘oh you went to the other one, that’s next

month’. Local knowledge is everything, as an encyclopaedic understanding of Leicestershire’s back roads is the key to finding second horses in particular. With polite smiles we soon realised the simplest way to find the spot, is to look for the horse droppings on the road and follow in the same direction.

Capts Bond, Penrose, LCoH Leslie and I took the opportunity to visit the Cattistock hunt in Dorset with the Belvoir. It’s quite normal for hunts to exchange and we hosted the Cattistock back in Belvoir country later in the season. The meet was at Aylesbury at the old Swannery, which led us onto Chesil beach with the wind blowing hard, making the scenery all the more dramatic. Towards the end of the day, the wind drove torrential rain over the field thus forcing every horse to put its back to the downpour, refusing to move. Completely soaked but in good spirits we chose to agree this definitely added to the adventure.

Col Cortés and Capt LeBlay from the

Capt Le Blay and Col Cortes mounted guests with Winter Training Troop

Capts Faire, Comyn and Cochrane-Dyet out with Winter Training Troop Tpr Dunbar navigating on the move

Tpr Dunbar and LCpl Lafferty give their mounts a break in the cold Leicestershire country

Winter Training Troop Guest Lt Col H Llewelyn-Usher CO 1WG

French Guard Republican, HCMR’s Parisian counterparts, visited Melton Mowbray for a long weekend in February. Col Cortés is one of the most polite and immaculately turned out officers I have ever encountered, dressed in copper cords, shirt, jacket and cravat on every possible occasion. He wore an ankle length hunting jacket, traditional clothing for visiting another hunt in France but not typical for a pint in the Black Horse! The Quorn hunt were extremely welcoming to our two visitors. Their final day coincided with the Melton hunt ride, a race of a stiff course of hedges and rails, and it if fair to say this made a serious impression on them. There are many aspects of the way the British do things that you take for granted until viewed with foreign companythey were both in awe of the courage it

takes to compete in an event like this.

Winter Training Troop played host to another expeditionary force, this time from the USA. Ex REDNECK RETURN saw the five cowboys from Oregon, USA come over to London to see the Regiment. Having never ridden in an English saddle before they required lessons at HCTW in Windsor. LCoH Martin did a superb job at getting all the cowboys up to scratch, a role reversal from his time in Oregon where the cowboys had put him through his paces. Craig Boyd, one of the senior cowboys was heard to say, ‘Had I known it was this difficult I wouldn’t have given these guys such a hard time on the ranch’. The week culminated in them coming up to Melton and having a day out with the Quorn, however not before a tour of the hunt

kennels and an afternoon at Dickinson and Morris learning to make pork pies.

Quorn Huntsman Peter Collins has been extremely helpful to us over the season, taking several groups on tours to the kennels which has been a highlight for many. It’s always a privilege to see behind the scenes. A special thanks must also go to Etta Maddocks-Wright, without whom I would be rather homeless. Representing the Regiment up in Melton Mowbray is one of the most exciting and fulfilling jobs one could likely ever have as a Captain. The Quorn, Belvoir and Cottesmore hunts have been incredibly supportive and that has made a huge difference to the WTT- hopefully we have repaid their generosity by bulldozing one or two less fences than previous years…

The Musical Ride: Le Salon du Cheval d’El Jadida

by Captain Freddie Howard-Keyes, The Life Guards

In June 2019, the Household Cavalry Musical Ride was invited to perform at the ‘Salon du Cheval d’El Jadida’ (SDC) 2019 by the Defence Attaché to Morocco who had offered the Musical Ride’s presence to the Moroccan Royal Family. This particular event was set up by the King of Morocco, King Mohammed VI in 2008, and has taken place every year in El Jadida since. The horse exhibition features events including international Arabian horse shows and championship competitions.

This year was the 12th edition of the SDC and teams from across the globe were invited to take part. Ranging from police units in Spain and Morocco, military units from the United Kingdom and France and other international display teams, the event prides itself on being the most important horse show on the African continent. VIPs included members of the Moroccan Royal Family such as Prince Moulay Rachid of Morocco. Household Cavalry personalities such as the Silverstick-In-Waiting Colonel C Lockhart RHG/D and the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment Commanding Officer Colonel P Williams MC RHG/D also attended.

To prepare for such an event, both soldiers and horses were put under pressure to perform and impress the chain of command to demonstrate they were ready to show themselves off in Morocco. Due to this being the first deployment for the Household Cavalry Musical Ride to Morocco, as well as the bulk of the Regiment being committed to the October State Opening of Parliament, this was going to be a difficult challenge to take on. However, in true Household

Cavalry fashion, we accepted it and immediately got to work.

As the HCMR RHQ began with the vast amount of administration required for 37 soldiers and 31 horses to move to Morocco for the SDC, the riding staff led by Capt Skip Nicholls and his Secondin-Command CoH Evans wasted no time in getting the soldiers accustomed to the drills and skills required to perform at the highest standard. Due to the nature of this show being broken down into a large arena for main performances at night and a smaller arena for shorter day performances, the riding staff were also tasked with coming up with a new performance altogether requiring both staff and soldiers to work extra hours each day prior to their deployment.

During the initial build-up to this deployment, Capt Faire RHG/D, HCMR Adjutant was the lead for the Musical Ride. However, due to the announcement of a State Opening of Parliament in October 2019, he decided to ‘delegate’ this task to me. At this stage, I was preparing to deploy to sunny and ‘somehow-delightfulto-some’ Brecon with the HCMR Cambrian Patrol team. As you can imagine, it came as a shock when I was told I would instead be going to Morocco and taking some members of my team

with me. As we put our webbing and bergens away and replaced them with ceremonial attire, a new test was set out in front of us: to be ready in time to perform in front of the Moroccan Royal Family, with less than three weeks to go…

After finally getting my head around the copious amounts of paperwork required to travel through Europe, we set off on 7th October at 2am with three horseboxes and one kit truck led by Jock

HCMR soldiers get close-up to the spectators during a short performance in El Jadida

Bisset’s excellent team and one coach filled with Household Cavalry soldiers. We were to travel by road to El Jadida via lairage stops in both Saint-Paul-LesDax in France and Sotogrande in Spain. The road move would take us over three days. Both stops in France and Spain were an opportunity for both the horses and men to relax and have a break but also for the Musical Ride members to bond over some tapas and other local delicacies. We arrived in the port of Tangier on 10th October and after a brief stop through customs, we were met by the Moroccan Police who provided us with an escort to El Jadida.

As we arrived in the early hours of Friday, 11th October, the main packet was

met by CoH Evans and the Admin Secondin-Command CoH Simkins at the SDC showground. Horses were bedded down and after a short trip back to the centre of El Jadida, so were the men and women of the Musical Ride. A couple of hours later, and suitably rested and refreshed, it was time to get our game faces on. Horses were exercised, and rehearsals began. As the Riding Master, CoH Simkins and myself endeavoured to ensure the lighting and displays for the show were up to scratch, Farriers, Saddlers, the Veterinarian Officer and the Musical Ride soldiers worked tirelessly to ensure both equipment and horses would be ready for the first main rehearsal on Sunday which would be overseen by a member of the Moroccan Royal Family. Enthusiasm and teamwork combined, the first rehearsal was a success and the word rapidly spread throughout SDC that the Household Cavalry had arrived.

Thenceforth, we would be performing

up to two times a day, short performances being in the day and long performances in the evening which would on certain days go on until 1 AM. On days without day performances, all were allowed to take the afternoon off to relax and enjoy the delights El Jadida had to offer which ranged from visiting the local markets, spending an afternoon in the sun by the swimming pool or simply catching up on some sleep. As the days went on, the performances gained in skill but also in popularity. We rapidly became the main attraction at SDC and had to rapidly adapt to the build-up from a lack of sleep and late performances whilst still putting on the best possible display. We continued to improve throughout and were praised repeatedly by members of the Moroccan Royal Family who continued to attend our performances.

With the high tempo of the SDC and the late nights beginning to add up, it was important for members of the Musical Ride to take their minds off the performances and enjoy the new country they were being hosted in. So, we found a spare day in the busy SDC schedule and took the whole team to Rabat, the capi-

LCoH Blake hard at work in high Moroccan temperatures preparing smart new shoes for the Musical Ride horses

Moroccan Furnace

Morocco Musical Ride Leadership

Soldiers from the Household Cavalry Musical Ride enjoying a few hours off in Morocco before another late evening performance

tal of Morocco. Kindly hosted by the Defence Attaché to Morocco, Colonel Alasdair Bryant, surfing was organised for those who wished to brave the waves, whereas others were given free time in and around the famous Royal Palaces and markets surrounding it. Surprised by the abundance of local textiles and artefacts, enjoyed by Maj Bullard (Vet) and CoH Evans in particular, suits were tailored, ‘magic boxes’ were purchased

(only to forget shortly afterwards how to open them) and local foods were enjoyed by all. The latter may have caused a few issues for some members of the team. The salads were lethal… I will say no more.

As the final performance approached, both the Commanding Officer Lt Col Paddy Williams MC RHG/D and the Silverstick-in-Waiting and Commander

Royal Armoured Corps Col Crispin Lockhart MBE ADC visited the troops to congratulate the Musical Ride. On the penultimate night, the team decided to celebrate a very successful journey by going into El Jadida one last time to enjoy a few drinks and a night of celebrations. On Sunday 20th October, the final performance took place, my horse decided to jog-trot across the arena, which I hope to the untrained eye looked like a strange form of dressage, but more importantly, the Musical Ride demonstrated what the best of Britain looked like. Upon the completion of our final display, we rapidly packed up, went back to our accommodation to have a quick two hours sleep before leaving at 3 am to make the noon ferry in Tangier.

Before we knew it, we were back on the coach and back into Spain in the same hotel we had stayed on the way down. This time, the team treated itself to some Indian cuisine at 1 AM on Monday 21st November (as one does) before making our way to France the next afternoon and again stopping briefly in Saint-PaulLes-Dax. We returned on Thursday 24th October in good time and completed all required admin by lunchtime. As the horses were bedded down, it was the first time I saw a whole yard of horses lie down and fall asleep whilst eating their feed. Although it had been an ex-

Household Cavalry, Spanish Mounted Police, Moroccan Mounted Guard and Guarde Républicaine in Morocco (by kind permission of Candela Gonzalez)

Musical Ride Evening Performance in Morocco (by kind permission of Candela Gonzalez)

Musical Ride celebrate their last performance in El

The Spruce Meadows Masters

by Captain W A J Charlesworth, The

Spruce Meadows, located on the outskirts of Calgary, is an equine centre set up by the Southern family. For the past 36 Years it has played host to the Spruce Meadows Masters, which is a show jumping competition and forms part of the Rolex Grand Slam. Continuing HCMR’s ceremonial support to Spruce Meadows six members of the Regiment deployed to Canada for two weeks in September. The team was made up of the top three troopers from The Princess Elizabeth Cup, a Riding instructor a Saddler and an Officer. The role consisted of providing mounted and dismounted ceremonial guards 4-5 times a day. When mounted the guard would flank the winners of the respective competitions for the prize giving and accompany them on their lap of honour in canter.

Spruce Meadows provide the team with horses for the duration of the tournament, which presents the challenge of preparing the horse to be ridden in

Blues and Royals

HCMR’s full state kit. The horses are all ex show jumping horses who quickly have to get used to both the kit and riding style of HCMR. Consequently, the team had to put in considerable work and effort to maintain continued high standards throughout, notably during the laps of honour in canter, something that most hoped they had left behind on completing their kit ride training.

Throughout the tournament the team were able to explore the Spruce Meadows grounds and enjoy the whole event. Notably we were hosted by the Cowboys that form part of the Spruce Meadows experience, they kindly treat-

hausting trip for both soldiers and horses, it had been a unique, exciting experience and an opportunity for all to show themselves off in an unfamiliar country in front of unfamiliar faces.

Next mission: Olympia 2019.

ed the team to a lesson of Cowboy skills. Living out childhood dreams, the team were able to impersonate John Wayne and attempt to lasso each other whilst riding on western saddles. On completion of the tournament the team were released to explore Alberta. For the last few days the team travelled west of Calgary into the heart of the Rocky Mountains to the Banff National Park. This was a perfect opportunity to relax after the hard work of the ceremonial tasks at Spruce Meadows.

For the majority of the team it was their first time in Canada, and they were able to truly immerse themselves into Ca-

Jadida, Morocco

LCoH Tate and Capt Charlesworth with the HCMR presentation to the Southern family and Spruce Meadows Mounted presentation party in the Spruce Meadows Masters International Ring

nadian culture. Exploring the awe-inspiring National Park took us up to the amazing Lake Louise and other glacial lakes in the area. On the second day the team had an early wake up to go white-

water rafting along the Kicking Horse River, a great experience that tested everyone in riding rapids and attempting to avoid the cold glacial waters. Some members naively thinking it would be

Spruce Meadows team White Water Rafting in the Rocky Mountains

Forge and Veterinary Department

by Majors Telfer and Bullard

With the new year, the forge also welcomed a new senior management team to take the reins from WO2

Christopher ‘Taff’ Thomas, who left HCMR after a full career, and experience of a number of departments, to return home to Wales and his beloved family. We wish him every success and happiness in his new endeavours. CoH

Hanson has also moved onto pastures new and we wish him all the best with the future. CsoH Jones and Pettit were both deservedly promoted to Staff Corporal having become Associate members of the Worshipful Company of Farriers. They now manage the department between them; SCpl Jones as Farrier Major and SCpl Pettit as Forge 2IC.

As ever for the HCMR forge, a combi-

a good idea to go for a dip at the end of the run but swiftly regretted their decision when realising that the wetsuits let in the initial glacial waters before becoming effective.

Returning to Calgary the team stopped off at the Winter Olympic Park where we had a few runs on the ‘summer luge’. Each member got their own gravity propelled go-kart to hurtle down the 1.8 km long track in the shadow of the 1988 Olympic bobsleigh run. The final night was spent in Calgary exploring the city and enjoying a team meal prior to our departure back to the UK.

The Spruce Meadows commitment remains a great opportunity for HCMR to show our ceremonial skills on an international equestrian stage. The challenges and experiences of the trip, along with the generosity of the Southern family and their Spruce Meadows team, make it a perfect reward for the efforts put into The Princess Elizabeth Cup competition by our troopers.

nation of the usual ceremonial commitments, farriery courses and military training ran alongside some more novel and challenging endeavours.

The forge’s diary began in earnest during January with the return of the grass horses, always a rough awakening from an all too short Christmas leave. In February a slither of space opened in the diary to allow for the annual forge

Farrier Major shaping a shoe

Farriers brushing off their hot shoes

selection. Another year of high calibre applicants found 3 extremely suitable new apprentices. LCoHs Jono Steer and Mike Hansford and LCpl Joshua Chew. Each with extensive experience of the ceremonial rigours of HCMR. Hansford and Chew are also qualified spur-men bringing a healthy cross pollination between the metal benders and the neck benders.

LCsoH Pete Forster and Christopher Murden-Wade enjoyed the rare sunshine the Regiment were treated to this year for the Major General’s Inspection with LCpl Allan Versoni and LCoH Nathan Healey-Potter representing the forge for the Queen’s Birthday Parade. The scale of the State Opening of Parliament meant that all members of the forge were in action. The Veterinary Aide Poste was manned as usual by a full clinical and large animal rescue team whilst a further six farriers took mounted roles.

In the spring, LCsoH Matthew Cooney and Nathan Healey-Potter deployed to

Kathmandu for a four-week Short Term Training Team (STTT) with the Nepalese Cavalry (NC). The unit was formed in 1849 as an operational unit but took a predominantly ceremonial role with duties much akin to HCMR’s from 1952. With 80 ceremonial horses, the NC have a smaller farriery team of nine personnel, all trained in house or by local civilian farriers. Although lacking training in some of the basics of anatomy and trimming; the team were extremely receptive and eager to learn. They made outstanding progress and it is hoped that a follow up visit will allow for ongoing training in the future. Veterinary Officer, Capt Imogen Walker and Veterinary Technician, LSgt Laura Perry also spent time with the NC, assisting the resident military veterinarians with updating their protocols and developing further skills in equine dentistry.

With only a few days’ notice, LCpl Rhys Crimmins also undertook a four-week STTT in Amman with the

Jordanian Cavalry. He found similar issues with the knowledge base of the Jordanian farriers however once again highlighted their incredible work ethic and commitment to improving. As in Nepal, one of the Jordanian’s greatest constraints was access to good quality tools, an issue quickly identified and addressed by LCpl Crimmins whilst deployed.

Not wanting to miss out on the exceptional trips abroad this year for the forge, the Farrier Major deployed to Oregon in the USA on Ex COCKNEY COWBOY. Embracing his love of riding once more he swapped skills with the local cowboys; teaching them how to safely shoe and care for their mounts’ feet and in return, learning to drive cattle across the plains.

In 2019 farriery competitions continued to provide an excellent opportunity for

HCMR Farriers were mounted on State Opening of Parliament as well as preparing the shoes for the Regiment’s horses

Strategic Farrier Defence Engagement

To me, tattoo...

the apprentice and qualified farriers alike to gain confidence, efficiency and skill in shoe making and fitting. Steadily growing in popularity, 2019 saw a new format of Cavalry Pairs to accommodate over 120 competitors with military personnel competing on the Friday and civilian entrants on the Saturday. A great success, we hope to see a similarly hotly fought contest this year. Congratulations to LCoH Murden-Wade for organising the competition and winning ‘best apprentice’; he promises it wasn’t a fix…

With the autumn came a further management change as Major Harriet Telfer handed over the Regimental Veterinary Officer role to Major Caroline Bullard.

Major Telfer has played a pivotal role over the last three years guiding the veterinary and farriery team through multiple success and she will be greatly missed. Major Bullard had barely walked through the door before deploying with SCpl Pettit, LCoH Blake and LCpl Chew with the Musical Ride to the Salon De Cheval International Show, El Jadidia, Morocco. The deployment was a huge success and consequently, friendships have been forged between the respective professions. It is hoped that the platform for an exchange program with the Moroccan Royal Guard has been laid for the future.

With the coming of the New Year there will be some sad farewells from the

Household Cavalry Training Wing

by Major R Chambers

Another busy year for the Household Cavalry Training Wing (HCTW) with over 69 personnel successfully completing the Class 3 Mounted Dutyman course. With a change in the Officer Commanding we bid farewell to Major B Rogers and welcome Major R Chambers to training wing. We also had a change of Corporal Major with WO2 P Holiday on completion of his Colour Service we saw WO2 G Bassett move into the role.

Throughout the ceremonial season the Class 3 Mounted Dutyman course continues to be disrupted, with the Regiment requiring all the horses back to London for the parades with the soldiers under training participating in staircase parties and generally supporting the squadrons at Hyde Park. However, the programme continues relentlessly and

with a bit of effort and flexibility the trained dutyman is still produced on time and to the same high standard.

In July, HCTW attended Regimental training in Bodney, Norfolk with 16 soldiers and delivered a display on the open day with soldiers from Poelcappelle and Op Herrick rides. Although a more relaxed training environment at Bodney Camp, the training objectives still had to be met. The Regiment was fortunate to have a visit whilst in Norfolk from Colonel Blues and Royals where Maj Chambers and CoH Saurara escorted HRH around the HCTW lines and introduced her to some of the soldiers in training. This was a highlight for them and something to tell their families. LCoH T Crossland joined HCTW as a ride NCO at regimental training adding to the already professional team in

Veterinary Team. Capt Imogen Walker, SO3 Vets LONDIST, is posted out to Cyprus as OC Cyprus MWD Regiment. Her time with the Regiment has been hugely appreciated and played a pivotal role in relieving the logistical strains of ‘London Vetting’. LSgt Laura Perry, veterinary technician, is also sadly leaving and there will be a noticeable loss of her encyclopaedic knowledge of all the horses. However, with every chapter closing, a new one opens, and we would like to welcome Capt Emma Peel as the new SO3 Vets LONDIST. 2020 looks to be an exciting year for both the veterinary and forge team. With new members and new challenges comes growth, development and comradeship.

post.

On return from Regimental training HCTW took some well-deserved leave before preparing for the State Opening of Parliament where Four rides (Poelcappelle, St Quentin, Relief of Ladysmith and Somme) all took part, whether they were on a staircase party or helping the squadrons turn their horses out. HCTW also hosted members of the Hungarian Army who came to visit and enjoyed a carriage ride around Great Windsor Park followed by lunch.

One of the biggest changes to hit HCTW has been the departure of HCR to Bulford and the arrival of the 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards as the resident occupants at Combermere Barracks. However, we continue to operate as normal and have already started to build a good relation-

CoH Saurara talking to Colonel RHGD during the Royal visit to Bodney

St Quentin Ride receive their Service Dress hats after a successful Khaki Ride Pass Off

ship with them, providing riding training for the Commanding Officer and Adjutant in support of their State Ceremonial Roles for both 2019 and looking forward to 2020 when they will Troop their Colour on The Queen’s Birthday Parade.

This year we have had to bid farewell to quite a few members of the training team; to civilian life we say goodbye to, FCoH Hansen and Tpr Fletcher. We also say goodbye and wish the very best of luck in their future to SCPL Liburd on posting and LCoH Balemakagai on his transfer to the RLC. New in post we have FLCoH Blake who has taken over as HCTW farrier and SCPL McGrath who has taken on the role of equitation SCPL on return from a posting at the Defence Animal Training Regiment in Melton Mowbray.

HCMR SPS Detachment by

Captain Sam Richardson

The HCMR SPS Detachment has had a busy year supporting regimental activity whilst further integrating into all the opportunities that serving in Knightsbridge has to offer. As well as this, personnel have enjoyed a real variety of experiences. This ranges from being deployed in support of numerous exercises, representing the AGC in eight sports (including three overseas tours) and most recently being on parade for various Remembrance commitments.

Throughout the year, much effort has gone into Detachment personnel learn-

ing to ride which has seen lots more time in the yards for the Detachment. Newer members of the Detachment have completed Horse handling lessons kindly provided by Cpl Major Scholes, whilst Cpl Whelby has regularly been riding out with The Household Division Stables and assisting ahead of major ceremonial events. Other members of the Detachment have also been sent on external Equine courses in an attempt to further integrate personnel.

Over the year personnel have represented the AGC at Skiing, Rugby, Cricket,

Tennis, Golf, Horse Riding, Cross Country and Volleyball. Of note, Pte Sutton has gone onto represent the UK Armed Forces at Women’s Golf having joined the Army with a handicap of 3. Also, LCpl Anason has toured South Africa with the Corps Volley Ball team and WO2 Moore has been an active organiser and player of Corps Golf (much to the amusement of Adjutant HCMR!)

In June, LCpl Cassandra enjoyed two weeks at the Wimbledon tennis championships working as a military steward, largely being located over the net

Tpr Bateman awarded best Khaki Ride student by Riding Master Maj Chambers

LCpl Anason joined a recent AGC Volleyball Tour to South Africa

SSgt Chipondene Cpl Manka & Pte Sutton at Wellington Barracks before Parading at the Cenotaph on centre court for much of the knockout stages. Since this she has joined the Corps Tennis Team. In July, Staff Sergeant Lawry organised a five-day Adventurous Training package involving 14 members of HQ Squadron. The group stayed at Gutter Tor, Dartmoor whilst participating in various activities

NSOCC-A LO

including the Damage Control Trainer at HMS Raleigh, Mountain Biking, Archery, Paddle Boarding and Kayaking.

Every member of the Detachment has now participated in a Remembrance event in the last two years. This year personnel were split across three lo-

by Captain Edd Holliday, The Life Guards

The NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan is a Combined Joint 2* HQ, led by US MG Donahue and comprised mostly of USSOF. Although a NATO SOF element, the forces that make it up the staff are from the wider international coalition. At the tactical level Special Operation Forces from across NATO are partnered with Afghan Special Security Forces (ASSF), supporting units from across the security pillars in every province in Afghanistan. The units’ roles vary from applying military pressure on the Taliban, to policing by Counter Narcotics, Counter Terrorism and kidnap resolution. The unifying purpose for operations is to deny Afghanistan as a Safe Haven for terrorists from which they may launch attacks, AKA “protecting the homeland”.

The challenges of working in a coalition, will be familiar to those who have served in one. Security caveats, language and integration of systems make intelligence and information difficult to share. Different Rules of Engagement and National Caveats cause constant disruption to operations.

cations, the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, The Festival of Remembrance at the Albert Hall and at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday itself. The department has managed to visit the Tower of London, Windsor Castle and Racecourse, Royal Chelsea Hospital and the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace.

SSgt Chipondene has recently moved on promotion from Regimental Accountant HCR to FSA at HCMR. As well as his efforts in work he has been busy studying for a master’s degree, which has involved a research trip to his home country Zimbabwe. We also like to say goodbye to SSgt Lawry, Sgt Veevers, Cpl Faux During, Cpl Lesmond and LCpl Cooke and wish them all the best in the future at their new assignments.

Overall it has been a busy year for the HCMR SPS Detachment. Recent additions have made an immediate impression with their professionalism and enthusiasm to be involved in HCMR Regimental Activity. It future, it is hoped this continues into 2020 with SPS personnel set to deploy as part of the Regimental Telemark Team and further into the year be part of the Regimental Rugby tour to La Manga before the annual fixture against Bodney at Summer Camp.

National biases and stereotypes fester unintended offence. Varied national contributions and strategic objectives lead to friction. All of which gets worked through or past but the most surprising

NSOCC-A HQ was the variety of how different nations approach risk.

There have been two major changes to the operational approach from NSOCC-

A since the author joined the organisation. Building a closer relationship with the Afghan Special Security Forces at all levels- this has been a development in the approach to the Train Advise Assist mission which looks more like to working towards integration of Coalition and ASSF. This has allowed better; intelligence sharing, co-ordination of operations and alignment of efforts. And importantly is a demonstration that the Coalition is a ‘Good Partner’. This was achieved by the creation of the Combined Situational Awareness Room, a Joint Coalition Forces (CF) and ASSF

Coach Troop

HQ inside NSSOC-A that conducts national level operations. The model is being replicated at regional levels with Regional Targeting Teams. The next step is to develop the concept of enabling operations to allow the ASSF units to command CF assets to support their operations, whilst those assets remain under the control of the CF. Secondly, the Development of the Multi Domain Operations concept, the ‘convergence of the physical, cognitive and cyber domains’. The doctrine has been mostly produced by staff at the HQ. The largest part of this concept has been the crea-

by Corporal of Horse Baker, The Life Guards

Coach Troop has had a busy and enjoyable year. The calendar was full of events and parades. From Royal Ascot, to the arrival of new horses, this year has also seen the arrival of new staff members. We bid farewell to LCpl Hansford off to the forge, and both Tpr Nice and Statham to new careers outside of the Army, we wish them the

best of luck. LCpl Strange has taken up the reins from LCpl Hansford, having moved from the riding staff, and is being taught all aspects of coaching, from tacking up to driving by CoH Baker. LCpl Strange then undertook the task of taking Coach Troop to Norfolk for regimental training where they were used for both training as well as carriage

tion of the Information Warfare Task Force that has employed and developed the idea of ‘cross domain fires’.

Although it is difficult to measure the effect of these changes, there has been a reduction of violence across Afghanistan and the number of Provinces and Districts held by the Taliban is at its lowest level in 10 years. As always it will be political decisions made outside of Afghanistan that will determine its future and, as always, we believe we are going in the right direction, this time.

rides on the area.

Back in Windsor, we had many eager and excited guests waiting for rides around Windsor and the Great Park giving them the opportunity to ride the route in which was used for the royal wedding. Both Coach Troop horses Neils and Norman have retired this year after full ceremonial careers, and we welcomed Erik and cheeky Vinnie (A Troop favourite due to his unique personality). Both of these horses have settled well into regimental life following some extra training from CoH Baker.

The biggest event of the year for Coach Troop was Royal Ascot. Rain or Shine, horses, men and carriages were all turned out to the highest standard, with many late evenings spent polishing leather and the Park Drag (Regimental Coach). The horses and the men were put through their paces, this being the first time they had been to such an event. All were shining as brightly as the kit.

Coach Tp OC CoH Baker with Masterchef SSgt Owusu

Coach Troop returning from Royal Ascot with a passengers view

Operation SHADER 8

by Captain Johan Kjellgren, The Life Guards

Our visas having emerged, with a few notable exceptions, in the nick of time from the labyrinthine Iraqi bureaucracy, we flew via Cyprus into Taji in the dead of night. Taji is a vast Iraqi military complex c.50km north of Baghdad. The base itself consists largely of HESCO blast walls, and hangars, intersected by roads of hardened mud that turn into mires after rainfall. We stepped off the plane into cold winter air that smelt faintly of burning plastic, as the local Iraqis burnt whatever they could to stay warm.

I deployed to Iraq as Intelligence Officer for the 3 RIFLES Battle Group (BG), which in theatre formed UK Training Teams Iraq (UKTTI). In addition to Taji, the BG initially deployed to two other locations, namely Iraqi Kurdistan and Besmaya. In Kurdistan the BG trained units from the Regional Guard Brigades, Kurdish soldiers theoretically non-aligned to either of the regions’ two most influential clans, the Talebani and the Barzani. Besmaya is the Iraqi Army’s answer to Bovington, and also hosts their bomb disposal school, training the almost suicidally brave Iraqi EOD and CIED teams.

From an intelligence perspective, it quickly became apparent that Shiite militias, rather than Daesh or ISIS, represented the greatest threat to coalition forces. This became particularly pro-

nounced towards the end of the tour when tensions between the US and Iran began ratcheting up. In addition to understanding the red picture, my team of intrepid COISTs also began compil-

Capt Kjellgren with TF GRIFFIN (SWE) S2

Range day with the USMC and Iraqi Federal Police

ing the ‘green forces guide’. This was a handbook on the Iraqi Army, intended to consolidate our corporate understanding of the host nation forces – the organisation, capabilities, and TTPs of the various arms of the Iraqi security forces.

Lacking our own ‘feeds’, building relationships with our coalition partners was crucial to gaining situational awareness of both red and green forces. Dayto-day tasks mostly involved close liaison with our brothers and sisters from the many nations of Op INHERENT RESOLVE, most obviously the Ameri-

cans (including the USMC), but also the ANZACs, Swedes, Czechs, Germans, and Spanish, to name but a few.

During the tour UKTTI was restructured to generate a number of mobile training teams (MTTs), so short-staffing in the HQ saw me travelling out to a number of locations around Iraq to recce possible locations for these MTTs. Of note we deployed to Al Taqqadum, built by the RAF in the 1940s and 50s and still the site of a Commonwealth War Grave where a number of Life Guards, Royal Horse Guards and Royal Dragoons are buried. It was a poignant reminder of

Exercise COCKNEY COWBOY

by Captain Philip Lye, The Blues and Royals

In August 2019, after a few wrangles for funding with various boring Army departments, an intrepid bunch of Household Cavalryman deployed on Ex COCKNEY COWBOY 2 (ExCC2) which was a mounted exercise for five participants hosted in Oregon by our honorary mess member Mr Ken LaGrande. The team consisted of SCpl Jones, CoH Glendenning, Tprs Smy, Skilton and the author - the magnificent 5.

We departed for the USA on the 15 Aug from LHR, taking the short 12 hour hop

on a less than salubrious Delta Airlines flight to San Francisco before a long and weary car journey to Ken’s house in Sacramento. There was no greater sight to arrive to but a BBQ full of steak and immaculate pool – a good start to any exercise!

The next day was spent meandering up to the family ranch outside of Sprague River, Oregon making the most of the chance to visit the family rice business and an infamous local diner for lunch, and of course the obligatory stop to pur-

our long history in the land between the two rivers.

Op SHADER 8 was a fantastic experience, and it goes to show that there are great opportunities out there for Household Cavalrypeople who are hungry to go on an operational tour. Learning an enormous amount and thoroughly enjoying the deployment, I would strongly encourage others to seek out and push for similar opportunities. Similarly, if you ever get the chance to work with 3 RIFLES they are, despite their obsession with Sean Bean, a great bunch. To strive, to seek, to find…

chase cowboy hats! Now we had arrived at the ranch amid stunning countryside, it was our task to submerge ourselves in the local environment and get to learn a little about cowboy culture prior to the 3-day exercise in the hills with the help of Ken’s father Mike and his incredibly talented Cowboys Brecx, Taylor and their father Derrick. In this two-day build-up we were lucky enough to find some time for a little R&R with Ken and his family at their lake house – a great way to condition ourselves for the long days in the saddle that lay ahead.

Ex COCKNEY COWBOY team with Mr Ken LeGrande

Household Cavalry Mounted

The weekend soon left us, and Monday was our first day of our ‘Final Ex’ joined by Ken’s two sons, Andrew and Max. Our tasking from Derrick and the cowboys was to drive the herd of cattle from a valley high up in the hills to a clearing, even higher up. A daunting task given our limited experience of both the task and our steeds. The day started early, the ground was arduous but once at the cattle it is hard to think of anything more exhilarating than chasing cows through the trees at a gallop! Luckily for us the horses were not London cavalry blacks and were in fact very well behaved and hardy cowponies, carrying

us through an incredible but tough first day. I was perhaps the only victim with saddle sore unmatched by any man before, my cycling shorts hadn’t come to the rescue and I now no longer just looked like John Wayne, but also walked like him.

As the exercise built, our drills were becoming slicker and suddenly, we felt like more of a help to the brothers and Derrick rather than a hindrance. Our minds failed to fathom how these ponies could be so agile, well behaved and hardy but somehow, they just were! Before we knew it, our three-day Ex was over and we returned to the ranch for the last time – one challenge remained, lassoing a cow. A task made to look

Hungarian National Gallop

by Lance Corporal Nicholas, The Life Guards

The Hungarian National Gallop, or ‘Nemzeti Vagta’ as it is known in Hungary is an exciting event celebrating Hungarian equestrianism. Months of preparation is carried out by Jockeys and trainers from across the country, with them competing in regional heats in the hope that they will reach the heat

stages and world famous final in front of thousands packed around Heroes Square, in Budapest. To win the National Gallop is a great honour, with huge cultural significance to the people of Hungary, not to mention a handsome financial reward and antique Hussars Sabre!

unbelievably easy by the Cowboys and one we were not quite so talented at. We were taught a method called healing, where one simply lassoos the rear legs of the cow, bringing it under control swiftly with no harm to the animal. After hours of patient teaching, we started to succeed in our aim and could consider ourselves ‘real cowboys’. at least in our opinions anyway! The next morning, we left early for a long slog back to San Francisco and our flight home. Ex COCKNEY COWBOY 2 was complete. I speak for us all when I extend our thanks and gratitude to Ken, Julie and Mike LaGrande for allowing this exercise to take place and providing the three most patient cowboy teachers one could hope to meet! It was a fantastic experience and one that will live long in the memory.

The event attracts amateur Jockeys from across Hungary, with a minimum age requirement of 17 years and no weight limit. The horses entered are predominantly noble Shagga – Arabians, a breed traceable back to a single Syrian stallion in 1810. The Stallion was bred in Bablona, approximately 100km outside of Bu-

Farrier Major SCpl Jones lends his hat to a new friend on Ex COCKNEY COWBOY 19

Ex COCKNEY COWBOY 2019

dapest the site of the now National Stud of Hungary.

Nemzeti Vagta is not just a celebration of equestrianism but of Hungarian history and culture, with particular attention paid to the gastronomy of Hungary’s provinces. Alongside the food and drink the crowds were treated to an array of music, dancing, children’s racing and stunt riders. I was lucky enough to be put forward to race in the International Gallop, an initiative brought in seven years ago and one designed to increase the events exposure and in so doing introduce more participation in this historic festival. 12 countries were invited to participate in the event with a couple of preliminary knockout rounds before the final just before the main race. All on horses we were lent by the Bablona National Stud.

After a few short practice rides in the days prior to the festival I could tell my steed was fiery and quick –a good start to our racing relationship. As we started our preliminary knock out race the nerves had clearly got to him, with nostrils flared and eyes full of fear we stepped out on to the track. Luckily, with fear came

speed and we flew through the knockout heats, with a solid 1st place performance. After some tactical guidance on my competition from the team leader Capt Lye RHG/D I felt I was in a good place as we approached the big race!

Before I knew it, I was racing again and in front as we reached the first turn. As the race progressed almost all the other competitors jostled for position, but none were able to get past my steed, despite a resurgent final few metres from the Czechoslovakian competitor on the winning horse from last year! We had made it, we had won! I was quickly whizzed off for my official presentation in front of the press and worlds media, before being brought back through a scrum of reporters. I spent the next few minutes in a haze of adrenaline as I was jostled from pillar to post meeting sponsors, and other enthusiastic members of the crowd. It was a fantastic experience and one that has potentially inspired new hobby... next stop the Gold Cup!

Overall, the trip was a great few days, Captain Lye and I were looked after so well and given a fascinating insight into Hungarian Culture. Four days of living the life of a semi-pro jockey in breathtaking surroundings was an extraordinary experience!

LCpl Nicholas LG on her Hungarian National Gallop racehorse

LCpl Nicholas LG parading for the Hungarian National Gallop

LCpl Nicholas LG takes 1st Prize in Hungarian National Gallop

The Band of the Household Cavalry

by Corporal of Horse Wootten

The Band of the Household Cavalry began 2019 with a series of public duties at Windsor Castle, which were interspersed with rehearsals for a very successful concert given by the band at the Guards Chapel in early February as part of the Household Division Concert Series. This concert included a premiere of an arrangement of Evening Hymn and Last Post arranged by Director of Music, Maj J Matthews, with the cavalry trumpet solo played by CoH Sandford.

In March, the band hosted the Director of the Corps of Army Music, Col V Reid, during an equine training session in Hyde Park. Col Reid is a keen and experienced rider, and rode alongside our Director of Music, gaining a valuable insight into the workings of a mounted band rehearsal.

By the beginning of April, the band was performing mounted for the Major General’s Inspection of the Mounted Regiment, marked this year by the presence of “trainee” drum horse currently nicknamed “Harry”, who also accompanied the band to Horse Guards Parade as we provided musical support to the Queen’s Life Guard.

The rain and mud at the Royal Windsor Horse Show didn’t dampen the spirit of the band in early May, and fortunately for everyone, the weather improved as the week progressed, allowing some performances to be uncloaked in state dress, bringing a splash of gold to the proceedings. After our final mounted

performance and a late night moving out of the showground, the band was on parade the next morning for the Combined Cavalry Comrades Association Memorial Sunday in Hyde Park. Later in May, a Buckingham Palace Garden Party gave the band a welcome opportunity to perform sat down, although a few days later we were marching again as we led the Household Cavalry Regiment’s Freedom Parade through Windsor.

Early June, was, as always, dominated by preparations for the Queen’s Birth-

day Parade, the Garter Ceremony and the Household Division Beating Retreat, although somehow, the band’s harpist, LCoH Sandford still managed to find the time to play with the Tri-Service Orchestra that performed in Portsmouth in front of 300 veterans, Her Majesty the Queen, the President of the USA and other world leaders for the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

In mid-June we were excited to announce the release of the first album recorded by the band since its formation in 2014. The album is titled ‘Shin-

The Band of the Household Cavalry at the Royal Windsor Horse Show

Maj J Matthews leads the mounted band through the puddles at the Royal Windsor Horse Show

ing Sword’ and proceeds from its sale go to the Household Cavalry Foundation. A celebration of British Music and Composers as part of the Household Division Music Festival was the theme of our concert on Chapel Square outside The Guards’ Chapel in late June which brought an extremely varied and busy month to an end.

Public duties at Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace formed the bulk of the band’s diary in July, although the Household Cavalry Big Band put on a show of a very different (and far jazzier) kind for the final Household Cavalry event at the Windsor Officers’ Mess.

On return from summer leave in midAugust the band was again carrying out regular public duties at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, although a week supporting musical training activities at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, provided a welcome change of scenery.

In late September, LCpl Lee formed part of a short-term training team working with the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF), tasked with preparing the JAF for their Great Arab Revolt Parade, which is the Jordanian equivalent of The Queen’s Birthday Parade. As a percussionist, LCpl Lee’s role was to work with ex-

perienced percussionists from the main band of the JAF as well as teaching new drummers at the JAF ‘Institute’.

A concert in aid of the Army Benevolent Fund in Leicester was something of a musical highlight in October, whilst the Lord Mayor’s Show in November, provided the last mounted engagement of the year.

The band is extremely pleased to announce that our very own Musn Porter has been selected to play for the Army Under-23 rugby team in the Inter-Services Championships. Musn Porter plays tuba with the band as well as playing rugby for Windsor Rugby Club.

We would also like to congratulate the four members of the band who formed a team to raise over £500 for the Household Cavalry Foundation by taking on the world’s longest one-day road cycling event – Red Bull Timelaps. CoH Sandford, LCoH Wrighton, LCpl Sherriff and Musn Seabright had ridden over 4000 km in preparation for the event and rode through the night in Windsor Great Park to complete the event. Congratulations are also due to SCpl Danckert who rode in this event as part of the Army Cycling Team, who came a very respectable ninth place overall despite punctures. SCpl Danckert received his Army Cycling Colours earlier in 2019 for his achievements in the 2018 season – notably going 10 miles in under 19 minutes, retaining the inter-services team title and winning his first open event.

On the academic front, CoH Sandford and LCsoH Crofts and Kitchen were awarded First Class Honours in their

LCpl Lee (third from right) with musicians from the Jordanian Armed Forces

Musn Porter in rugby kit

The Band’s University of West London Graduates (left to right) LCoH Kitchen, LCoH Crofts, CoH Sandford

BMus degrees by the University of West London, which they’ve been able to study for part-time whilst still performing their usual musical duties with the band.

Welcome and congratulations to the new members of the band who passed the equitation course this year – CoH

Ryall, LCoH Hubbard, Musns Robertson-Plain, Porter, Smith and Buswell. We also wish good luck to those new band members who arrived more recently and are currently still in khaki ride – SCpl Mason, LCpl Breeze and Musn Bennett.

As always, with new arrivals to the

SO3 Counter Poaching

by Captain Russell Bond, The Life Guards

It was my intent to remain inside the M25 to see out my Army ‘career’ but due to my inability to convert coffees into a civilian job, I had to look within the Army and away from London for a new role. Joking aside, I stumbled across a job I am truly passionate about, SO3 Counter Poaching.

Our generation are playing witness to an alarming rate of biodiversity loss from our planet. It is estimated we are losing species at over 1,000 times the natural extinction rate and it appears this is solely due to humankind. It is poaching and wildlife trafficking in conjunction with anthropogenic climate change, deforestation and habitat destruction which are some of the most prominent contributing factors to this occurrence.

Wildlife is bought and sold on a vast scale for food, pets, skins, medicine, trophies and ornaments. The financial reward for this trade has caused an increase in serious poaching incidents which are now more frequent, occur in increasingly remote areas and utilise more advanced weaponry. Sophis-

band, there must be some departures, and in 2019 we have been sorry to see LCoH Belham, LCpls Appleby and Travis, and Musns Lewis and Bramley leave us for pastures new. We wish them all the very best for the future and look forward to seeing them soon at one of our regular band association reunions.

ticated criminal actors have entered the market sourcing, transporting and selling wildlife products across state

boundaries on an industrial scale, causing global insecurity and destabilisation of both economies and ecosystems.

Captain Bond out on the Zambezi before attending the ‘Kuomboka’ ceremony

Craig Reid, Manager of Liwonde National Park, overseas the removal of the Black Rhino’s horn, in preparation for translocation Tea and toast in the Kafue National Park, Zambia

Working in the Defence Engagement stream, SO3 Counter Poaching exists to deal specifically with the growing demand for the Army’s offer to train Rangers and Wildlife Officers. Formally known as Op CORDED, it is a DEFRA funded Counter Illegal Wildlife Trade (C-IWT) capacity building task. 11 Infantry Brigade provide the thematic lead on all C-IWT tasks for Defence. It is the Brigade’s mission to select, train and deploy short term training teams to develop counter-poaching capabilities in partner nations in order to reduce IWT activity and disrupt the flow of illegal funds. It is my job to facilitate this mission, frequently on the ground mediating with partner nations.

Before I had even started the role, I helped facilitate a Counter Illegal Wildlife Trade Workshop in Freetown, for wildlife stakeholders from the Mano River Union (Liberia, New Guinea, Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone) to identify ways to improve international cooperation on issues such as legislation, border security and training. The workshop resulted in the signing of the Freetown Declaration, an international commitment from the Governments of the countries involved to put into action the findings of the workshop.

Then, having officially been in the job 6 days, I deployed to Zambia in July, double hatting as the Defence Liaison Officer and SO3 Counter Poaching. Based within the British High Commission, Lusaka this role combined various tasks including engaging with the Zambian Government in order to obtain ministerial approval for future operations. Overseeing the construction of bases in the Kafue National Park and Lower

Zambezi National Park. To provided support to 2RGR who were deployed to Liwonde National Park (LNP), Malawi, where I was fortunate enough to witness the largest translocation of Black Rhino from South Africa to LNP in a bid to boost numbers and the genetic diversity of this severely endangered species.

It hasn’t been all work in Zambia, I was invited to attend the Zambezi 5th International Regatta in Livingstone, watching Oxford, Cambridge and South African Alumni dodge hippos and crocs as they raced on the iconic Zambezi River. I was even fortunate enough to be invited by the ‘Lozi’ to attend their traditional ‘Kuomboka’ ceremony with the King of the Barotseland.

But, by far, one of the most rewarding

Warrant Officers’ and Non Commissioned Officers’ Mess

by RCM

Withthings I have done during my time in Zambia is to enter a team into the Elephant Charge. The Charge is a 4x4 cross country challenge to see which team can cross the finish line in the shortest distance. Many teams push the limits and do not finish, with cars strewn across the landscape. Some cars written off, some submerged at the bottom of rivers, wrapped around trees and everything in between. This is all done to raise awareness and funds for wildlife conservation. I am proud to say not only did the ‘Piccadilly Cowboys’ complete the Charge, but we managed to pick up a few prizes too. Shortest distance by a new team and, the coveted, shortest distance in the gauntlet. All this and we raised over £3,000 for conservation, most of it in seven days.

(Warrant Officer Class 1) C G Douglass, The Blues and Royals

a well-deserved break fully in the rear-view mirror, the Mess started to ramp up the tempo for arguably the busiest part of the year. The first event to start 2019 was a change of Regimental Corporal Major. WO1 Quickfall handed the mess over to WO1 Sampson before moving back to the HCR as the MTO. During his tenure as RCM the Mess was the central hub within camp and was fully evident on the handover.

Due to its location and history, the Mess is always at the forefront of people’s minds holding functions if time permits. This kicked off with the Royal Society of St George holding their an-

nual dinner in Hyde Park Barracks. In May HCMR was joined by the rest of the Cavalry regiments to remember our fallen on Cavalry Memorial Sunday in Hyde Park. This event ensured that the Mess bar was well stocked, ready for the thirsty parade attendees to have a drink or two before moving off in their hordes to conquer London. This was all organised by CCOCA with a helping hand from HCMR.

Following Cavalry Sunday, the attention of the entire Mess was firmly set on focusing on the ceremonial season, which left the Mess partially inactive with only a few functions under the

watchful eye of the Mess Manager, CoH Jones. June saw the unveiling of the newly commissioned Royal Wedding painting depicting the staircase party from the Mounted Regiment at the wedding of HRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, all organised by LG SCM WO2 Snoxell and CoH Jones. This unveiling was held at the Household Cavalry Museum which resulted in a late dinner in the Mess for all attendees. The Garter Service marked the final hurdle to the finish line, which resulted in the Mess being uprooted to Norfok on Regimental Training in good old Bodney Camp. July also saw the preparations for the annual Hyde Park Bombing memorial.

The Piccadilly Cowboys celebrate completing the Elephant Charge, raising £3000 for conservation in the process

Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment

This is a breath-taking and tear-jerking event, meeting the families of our fallen soldiers and those who survived this terrorist atrocity.

Regimental Training Summer Camp was again well received by all the Mess members as this allowed everyone to put their feet up, in a smart soldier like manner, relax and take in the country

air near the Mess bar. It saw a plethora of events including the infamous farriers’ games night ensuring throats were warmed with copious amounts of hot sauce during the ‘bushtucker trials’. Also, the birth of a new function “The Blue Nose Bastards’ Dinner” to build bridges with our brothers from across the pond and remember those who called Bodney Camp home during

the great war. The annual Open Day was taken by storm as this saw the deployed Mess being over-run by all the senior members and families whilst being entertained by equine prowess. The Regiment went straight on another welldeserved leave for the summer after the re-organisation from Camp.

HCR Trg Officer Capt Ireland RHG/D

Blue Nose Bastards Dinner at Bodney Camp named after the US Air Sqn that were stationed there during WW2

FLCoH (Bushtucker) Cooper

WOs & NCOs Mess Commission Royal Wedding Painting

held an Op HERRICK 11 reunion dinner in September that encompassed all members of the Regiment and attached arms who deployed. This, like all other reunions, was a well-attended function for a catch up with those still serving members as well as veterans. Due to this reunion’s success, London District Central Garrison, RQMC WO2 G Allen RHG/D organised and hosted an Op TELIC reunion, which was also a

masterpiece.

In the autumn the Mess set its attention on the preparation for the State Opening of Parliament and Lord Mayor’s Show. Once completed and put firmly to bed there was a huge sigh of relief by all before conducting the yearly traditional onslaught of Christmas.

Maintaining high spirits, but on a more

sombre note, the Senior Mess Members said farewell to RCM WO1 EG Sampson RHG/D who has taken a posting on Op ORBITAL in Ukraine. He handed over to WO1 CG Douglass, who in turn has handed his RQMC duties to WO2 G Warren. We also said farewell to HQ SCM WO2 Hogg to Chicksands and RHG/D SCM WO2 Preston to PJHQ. The mess then welcomed WO2s Privett, Salmon and Stafford.

RAC Israeli Battlefield Study 11th-15th November 2019

by Lieutenant Bruce Leishman,

Yom Kippur (The day of Atonement) is the holiest of days within the Jewish faith. It marks the culmination of Awe, a period of repentance following the Jewish New Year. In 1973 this holiday fell on the 6th October, and during the early hours of the morning, a joint invasion of Israel, by Egypt in the Sinai, and Syria in the Golan Heights began.

The result of this was an intensive 20day battle, mainly revolving around armoured warfare. The Israelis were vastly outnumbered, often as much

The Life Guards

as 13-1, but through incredible leadership, knowledge of the ground, highly skilled soldiers and the determination to survive, the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) managed to fight back on both fronts and lose no territory to either the Syrians or the Egyptians.

As Royal Armoured Corps soldiers, it is incredibly important to learn from the past and this conflict can teach so many lessons. The four-day tour of the Golan Heights in the most northern part of Israel was led by Col Eado Hess (now

a military historian following a full career as an Officer in a tank unit) and Lt Col Haim Danon who commanded the 679th armoured battalion throughout this war.

Both men spent much of the time passing on their knowledge of history, their personal experiences, and what they learnt about themselves and their ability to lead under high intensity conflict. This is incredibly useful, and quite different from many other battlefield tours. The norm, especially when studying ar-

A mixture of British, Israeli, American and captured enemy vehicles at the Israeli Tank Museum

Border security - this is a pre-prepared position on a piece of high-ground less than 2km away from the Syrian village of Kunatra

moured battles is to read about the major conflicts of the Second World War such as El Alamain. The issue with this is that there is almost no ability to ask questions of those involved, it depends on the written word and our ability to interpret it.

As well as learning about the geopolitics of the region and the battle of the

Yom Kippur War, the Royal Armoured Corps were able to get some down time. The Israeli Tank Museum is an absolute must for any armoured vehicle enthusiast, showing a monumental display of captured enemy vehicles over the last 60 years. The final hours of the trip were spent in the city of Jerusalem- the holiest site in the world for the world’s 3 major reli-

gions; Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Because of this cultural diversity there is an incredibly diverse population, along with fantastic food! Within the next 12 –24 months HCMR hopes to replicate this tour for its own soldiers.

The realities of War. Even to this day, Israel protects its border with a mixture of anti-tank and antipersonnel mines

The Royal Armoured Corps team at The Valley of Tears memorial site in the Golan Heights

Livgardet Cavalry Skills Competition

5th-7th November 2019

by Lieutenant Bruce Leishman, The Life Guards

The Livgardet (Life Guards, in Swedish) can trace their direct history as far back as 1521, being one of the oldest continuously operational units anywhere in the world. For many years they have held an annual competition that tests equestrian ability, navigation, team work and what they call ‘cavalryship skills’. In November 2019, The Life Guards Squadron at HCMR were invited to take part.

Three individuals deployed, and from the second they arrived in the Stockholm barracks, were immediately embedded within the unit and were paired up with a Swedish partner before mounting horses. Event preparation began by focussing on mapping and riding out onto the area, making the most of the quickly diminishing light.

Teams set off at 10-minute intervals into the cold, dark forest. Navigation at night is usually tough, especially on the move, but from the back of a horse is something different entirely. All of the normal aids such as timing and pacing go straight out of the window, so relying on a Swedish team mate was imperative.

Next came the surprises of the ‘cavalryship skills’ at the checkpoints which included firing five arrows with a bow at targets, air-rifle marksmanship, grenade and axe throwing…all from horseback! Two hours later, feeling cold, tired and

sufficiently tested, the teams began to arrive back at the barracks where all were greeted by a delicious cup of hot wine.

The high level of hospitality delivered by the Livgardet continued when all international competitors were invited into the Officers Mess for a celebratory

dinner consisting of local food, local beer and plenty of drinking songs. Although The (British) Life Guards may not have won, they had a fantastic time engaging with their Swedish counterparts and thoroughly look forward to taking part again next year.

Members of the Danish Mounted Cavalry Regiment, the Livgardet and the Life Guards taking a friendly photograph before the competition starts

Seconds before riding out into the cold. Head lamp, check. High-vis, check. Horses, check

The morning after. A beautiful ride into the southern side of the Stockholm Royal Park to loosen the legs and clear the heads

North Warwick Council name a road in memory of Tpr James Munday (LG) who killed in Afghanistan in 2008

The Regiment getting intimate with the Bulford assault course for Commanding Officers PT

Lt Charlotte Lord-Sallenave in action at the Regimental Boxing Night

AJAX, the Regiment’s new vehicle

CoH McClure, A Sqn, currently on secondment to The Red Devils

D Sqn on Ex IRON STRIKE 3

AJAX, the Regiment’s new vehicle and a CVR(T) Scimitar faceoff

The Regiment forms up for the Freedom of Windsor Parade

B Sqn Sniper selection

The Regimental Boxing Team (LCoH O’Carroll, Tpr Purcell, Tpr Muncer, Tpr Morrell) and Steve Collins (The Keltic Warrior) at the Irish Guards Boxing Night

The Commanding Officer lowers the Regimental flag for the last time at Combermere Barracks

Castle Trek Team are welcomed at Doncaster by the Royal British Legion

Lt Charlie Onslow working hard in the gym, again

The dining room in Bulford mid move

The ‘Kaiser’ prepares for his move to Bulford

Colonel The Blues and Royals HRH The Princess Royal and Colonel The Life Guards Lt Gen Sir Edward Smyth-Osbourne on their inaugural visit to Bulford

The New Officers’ Mess taking shape

The Officers’ Mess in preparation for the ‘Greatest Gatsby’ Ball

The last tea and toast, Combermere Barracks, Windsor

Household Cavalry Sports Round-up

British Army Warrior Fitness

by Lance Corporal of Horse Woodward, The Blues and Royals

On the 27th February 2019 the Household Cavalry Regiment hosted for the first time a Warrior type fitness event a at Combermere Barracks, Windsor. This was a high-quality fitness event that consisted of strength endurance and cardiovascular exercises. The event was also run in aid of The Household Cavalry Foundation. Teams from HCR, 26 Engineers, Welsh Guards, Coldstream Guards and 5th Regiment Royal Artillery took part. The special guest for the day was 2018 5th placed UK Strongest Man Paul Benton, organised by LCoH Woodward.

The day started off with a short speech by the Commanding Officer and a rundown of the day’s activities. The teams

then moved into the first event, the 100kg deadlift, in which the competitors had to lift and hold for a set time which was a good test of strength and grip. Next up was the endurance event which consisted of a 1km row, 2km WATT bike and finished off with a 400m run which all had to be completed within the pair. This was followed by the power event which all competitors found particularly gruelling. This included a 180m sled push with 40kg of weight at the front. Finally, if that’s wasn’t enough the last event was the chipper which was a relay event consisting of 20 reps each of burpees, air squats, 15kg plate ground to overhead and sit ups with a 400m run between each exercise for good measure. To round off the day Paul Benton

held a weightlifting workshop which showed technique on deadlift along with giving an insight into the training of a professional Strongman athlete. He then awarded prizes to the winning teams which were signed memorabilia from professional Strongmen.

In summary, the HCR Warrior event was a very successful day and was enjoyed by all. The events were planned just at the right level which gave all competitors no matter their ability a sporting chance to win, but at the same time everyone had to work very hard. It was certainly no walkover for any of the winners and all competitors gave it their all, which helped make the day such a success.

Household Cavalry on the Cresta Run - 2020

by Major P J R Chishick, The Life Guards

The Regiment sent a team out to St Moritz this year for the Inter-Regimental Cresta competition. We took the existing members of the Army Squad as well as focussing on developing riders. Due to the generous support of the regiment and the Foundation, we were able to bring out four novices this year, who performed extremely well, with three of the four making it to Top in their first season. These Household Cavalrymen were the only Army novices to make it to Top this year from all the other regiments participating – a tremendous achievement.

The Cresta Run is the oldest Ice Sport

in the world, having been in existence for over 130 years. It is a natural ice run, built from scratch every year by the hard working ‘Arbeiters’, running for threequarters of a mile, it winds its way down from St Moritz to the village of Celerina. By virtue of the fact that it is rebuilt annually, although similar, it is never entirely predictable, and it presents fresh challenges to riders each year. The most notorious challenge is the infamous Shuttlecock Corner, which had its usual high-turnover from Army riders over the course of the competition. There are two starting points, ‘Junction’ (where beginners start) and ‘Top’, for which riders have to qualify by achieving set

times to demonstrate their skill. Top is of a considerably steeper gradient and has an additional corner from which riders can fall, known as ‘Thoma’.

The team spent three weeks training on the run, introducing beginners to riding the Cresta as well as developing returning riders. Tpr Wraight, LCpl Burnett and 2Lts Kaye and Muir were the Household Cavalry novices this year, with LCoH Tonkin and LCpl Fairbairn returning. The Inter-Regimental race took place on Friday 24th January on a fairly cold and fast morning. The regimental pairs comprised Maj Chishick and Tpr Wraight for the Life Guards

Participants group photo with UK Strongest Man Paul Benton

The Commanding Officer inspects the snowflakes

A, 2Lts Kaye and Muir for Life Guards B, Maj Barnes and LCpl Fairbairn for RHG/D A team and LCoH Tonkin and LCpl Burnett for RHG/D B. The Regiment ended up with the Blues pairs coming first and second overall and the Life Guards pairs coming third and fifth, with Maj Barnes and LCpl Fairbairn winning the 17th/21st Lancers’ Cup. In the individual results, the four Household Cavalry novices came in the top four places in the Novice Open, with LCpl Burnett and Tpr Wraight in first and second and the two Second Lieutenants in third and fourth places.

In the Army Top Championships, The Scots Guards Cup, the Household Cav-

alry achieved a First, Third, Fifth and Seventh place, with the author regaining the Scots Guards Cup for the regiment after a gap of a couple of years. We were fortunate to receive a visit from the Commanding Officer and Regimental Corporal Major, with Lt Col Berry conducting beginners’ school on the day before the Inter-Services race, and earning the coveted Shuttlecock Tie for his fall at Shuttlecock on his second ride.

We now have five serving soldiers qualified for Top in the regiment – the only regiment to have soldiers riding from Top on the Cresta Run. All those who qualified for top this year are now converted to a Flat Top toboggan (the faster,

more modern variant). Our Household Cavalrymen have been outstanding ambassadors for the Regiment and I hope to see all of these out again next year.

Majors Chishick and Barnes and LCoH Tonkin competed for the Army in the Inter-Services competition where the Army were the clear winners over the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force by over 13 seconds. LCpl Fairbairn narrowly missed out on a place on the team, but won the Harland Trophy, the Top Handicap race with a solid performance. Next year we will have seven Household Cavalrymen competing for a place on the Army team. It was also excellent to see four retired Life Guards out on the run around Inter-Services week (Victor Law, David London, Mark Hanson and Simon Hayward) – some of whom competed in the Services’ Silver Spoon – the junction handicapped race for serving and retired officers.

The Regimental Team continues to go from strength to strength and form the backbone of the Army Team. Our Other Ranks have performed outstandingly, and we continue to look for new blood to bring through. We are hugely grateful to the Household Cavalry Foundation for their support – which is entirely focussed at the beginners and other ranks. I am keen to continue to bring out further novices and interested parties should contact 2Lt Kaye who will be heading up the Regimental Team for 2020/21.

Speed Fiends

HCMR Football

by HQ SCM WO2 Privett

CoHBarber RHG/D initiated managerial responsibilities of a newly reformed HCMR Football team for the 2019/20 season by ensuring the full registration of the team with the Army FA was complete. A busy 2019 forecast of events inculcated an agreement between all members of the HCMR football team not to enter the minor league this season and rather enter the Army Challenge Cup instead. This would allow our regular players to continue their full support at our primary role and other Regimental commitments and would allow us to continue to play a sport that we all hold close to our hearts when required.

Our first get together was on the 28th May 2019 under a new manager SCpl Pettit, allowing CoH Barber to take more of a Chairman and admin role thus allowing him the opportunity to continue to play as our solid centre back. We were kindly funded by the Royal British Legion to enter their Challenge Cup where 15 teams battled whilst playing on the home turf of Chelsea football club, Stamford Bridge. With SCpl Pettit winning the best dressed manager out of the 15 teams, HCMR found themselves leaving the competition in the semi-finals of the Plate Cup. An excellent event and opportunity for all which raised £100,000 for the Battle Back centre

for injured soldiers.

The team has had some new players and new management roles, with the return of WO2 Privett taking on the role as Assistant Manager, LCpl Collins as Kit manager and CoH Bishop as our team secretary, all forming just in time for our second round Cup fixture with a wellestablished 36 Engineer team, played in Maidstone, Kent. A hard-fought battle

unfortunately ended the run of HCMR in the Cup in until next season.

With an eye on the rest of the season and future fixtures, we anticipate playing friendlies and the possibility of playing against HM Prisons in the south of the UK. A tour to Cyprus is pencilled in to improve and develop the squad and play overseas units too.

Legion Cup Stamford Bridge

HCMR Football Team at Stamford Bridge

Regimental Football

This year has been a very successful year for the Regimental Football Team. The team reached the semi final of the Cavalry Cup. Won the major units southern League and the 1 Armoured Infantry Brigade Tournament held in Tidworth. In the Cavalry Cup, HCR travelled to Germany to play the QRH in a closely contested match which ended in a last minute 2-1 loss for the HCR. The game was played in a local stadium and the team was hosted afterwards in

the Cpl’s mess.The Team won the Major Units southern league which involved 5 Teams. With 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss. The football team managed to train and play matches with the same group of players even with the high tempo and regimental commitments. Competing in the 1 Armoured Infantry Brigade 6 – aside competition in Tidworth, HCR performed tremendously well and were at the top of their game and so won the competition. After the move from Wind-

Eagles Veterans Rugby

by Mr Neil Gaskell

The Eagles Veterans Rugby team again played at Yarnbury RUFC in Leeds this being our 17th year.

The weekend started on a sombre note with 12 members attending Carol Cailes funeral on Friday morning, most members at Darren’s request wore our Tour Blazers, after the wake we departed for the Friday night gathering at the Scarborough Taps hotel Leeds.

Unfortunately this year our Chairman, Mark Dyche, could not attend due to illness, we hope he is fit for next year as

sor to Bulford and with most of the team moving on to other commitments, the Regimental football team finds itself in transition. It has a brand new team, with committed individuals. We have played 4 Friendlies and an Army cup game vs the Grenadier Guards and have drawn the RTR in the Cavalry Cup scheduled next year. Next year there will be plenty of friendlies to prepare the team for the upcoming season next September.

I can’t take too many more 2 pint beer jugs on the chair, though it was the only race we won this year in the drinking games.

32 members got on the team bus on Saturday morning, several worse for wear, others joined us at the club.

On the playing front a mixed team of Eagles vets and Yarnbury vets played on a new Astro turf pitch in heavy rain

and a strong wind, Jay Naylor and Jason Lochrane both had good games, the whole team put in a very good performance against an opposition that plays every week only losing 17 points to 12.

Then to the bar which is I’m told the highlight of Yarnbury’s year with nu-

LCoH Lugg getting nutmegged in a match against the QRH

The team walking onto the pitch at the start of a match

merous drinking games, old style rugby songs and men dancing around in various orders of dress.

The Rick Buckle memorial trophy went to Matthew Norman for his excellent tackling performance throughout the game, Marty Elliot was put on the chair with the 2 pint pot for mistakes whilst leading the singing.

A special mention goes to Ian Binks who tirelessly photographs our every move and mistakes both on and off the pitch.

This year we had ex RHG/D, Life Guards, Royal Artillery and REME attending.

We welcome all serving and ex HCR members and members of other Regi-

ments/ Corps both spectators and players of any ability we have several sons of members also attending.

A donation of £170 was given to the Regimental Association.

Details for next year will appear on Facebook at Eagles Rugby when I receive the fixture.

2019 Household Cavalry Regiment Squash Team

by Second Lieutenant Felix Petit, The Life Guards

CoH Waisele

LCoH Murphy

LSgt Gwilym

Tpr Clarke

2LT Petit

The Household Cavalry and attached arms squash team; still embryonic but now into its third trimester, had as the trees dropped their leaves swollen its ranks and burst into action for the intra cavalry tournament held on 4th November in the Tidworth Garrison Sports Centre. An eclectic group brought together by a love of a warm double spotter. A rogue’s gallery transformed into a seething mass of energy the moment they passed through the translucent portal at the back of the court. All the cavalry regiments posted a team, some more formidable than others and assembled ready to do battle. The competition had a fearsome schedule which took the form of a round robin tournament; it doubled up as the selection for the RAC team a week later so each player was required to play a minimum of six matches which left everyone puce and gasping for respite.

Some epic struggles were had by the lot of us. LSgt Gwilym the anchor, chalking up numerous victories and Tpr Clarke entrenched in some passionate and

scrambled rallies; together making up the lower order and providing the foundations from which the rest of the team could build an attack. LCoH Murphy like quicksilver everywhere on the court chasing down all but the most scurrilous balls buried in the darkest corners and managing victories against the LDs and QRH to name a few. CoH Waisele only just back from injury performed fearlessly; producing many a muscular yet tactically astute performance, vanquishing the foes of the Lancers and the QDG with the bravery of a modern-day

Major Harry Boyt LG representing the RAC lunges for a ball during the inter-corps squash championships in Tidworth

Beowulf. 2Lt Petit with more enthusiasm than talent threw himself around like a fitting arthropod and left no one doubting his commitment to hunting down a drop shot but contributed little to the overall team standing in terms of victories.

The valiant efforts of these squash samurai led to a glorious 3rd place podium finish for the Household Cavalry in this year’s edition of The Hodson’s Horse squash tournament. With the newly revamped and reconditioned sports facilities in Picton Barracks and

as a result of this solid showing; many murmurings from numerous hitherto clandestine squash players around the Regiment have suggested that the team will go from strength to strength, and the depth and breadth of talent will continue to grow.

Household Cavalry Regiment Boxing Team 2019

by Captain M R Ireland, The Blues and Royals – Boxing Officer

INCEPTION

The Household Cavalry Regiment had not participated in any real form of competitive boxing since late 2015. However, 2019 has proved to be one of the most active and successful periods for the sport in recent history. We conducted our own regimental boxing event to select the team for the Royal Armoured Corps Championships & subsequent 1 STRIKE Brigade Championships with a great deal of success and a culture that will now endure way into the future of the regiment.

Household Cavalry Boxing Championships

14th November 2019

Our new home in Bulford was christened with our galvanising boxing night in November after our volunteers had been through a punishing 6 week training programme, the evening was a huge success with all fighters giving their all and for the first time ever we had our very own female competing, Lt Charlotte Lord-Sallenave, who was awarded the best boxer of the event. This acted as a great build up and development opportunity to take the selected boxers through to the Royal Armoured Corps Championships in late November and 1 STRIKE Brigade championships early

December, more importantly though it was an opportunity for the Regiment to stamp its arrival in our new home with an event that pulled the whole Regiment together in spirit and ethos, using live streaming across social media platforms for our veteran community and

soldiers elsewhere to be able to watch the evening.

RAC Boxing Championships

27th November 2019

The team deployed to Bovington with seven fighters and managed to get two

The Commanding Officer and RCM with Regimental Boxing Team prior to the Boxing Night

The Regiment’s inaugural Boxing Night in Bulford

HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY BOXING DINNER

Book Your Table Now

Thursday 25th March 2021

This action-packed evening will be the inaugural Household Cavalry Charity Boxing Dinner, exclusively featuring boxers from the British Army’s most senior regiments to raise funds and awareness for the Household Cavalry Foundation.

The Household Cavalry Foundation is the official charity for the Household Cavalry and its Soldiers, Operational Casualties, Veterans, Horses and Heritage.

Venue and Timing:

Leonardo Royal Hotel London St. Paul’s, 10 Godliman Street, London EC4V 5AJ 18:30 hrs - 23.30 hrs

Tables:

Ringside or Run-of-Room - each seating 10 people and including welcome drink, three-course dinner, wine, coffee and petits fours

Dress: Black Tie

LCoH Halstead stops CoH Bradbury in his tracks into the semi-finals and three into the final’s night at the tank museum. An amazing night was capped when Tpr Muncer & LCpl Shaw both became RAC Heavyweight and Super Heavyweight champions respectively by knocking both their opponents out in rapid fashion, however, Tpr Muncer did take a little longer than LCpl Shaw who knocked out his opponent in just over 30 seconds of the first round. The night proved to be a step too far for Tpr Dring in the Light Heavyweight contest who fought courageously but came up short on points but was awarded the most courageous boxer of the event. What the RAC championships provided was a good test and benchmark for the team moving forward to the 1 STRIKE Brigade championships in early December to help select our chosen fighters for the weight categories and the experience that only comes with competition and the bright lights of the boxing ring.

1 Strike Brigade Boxing 5th December 2019

As a team we moved onwards and upwards to the 1 STRIKE Brigade Championships in Tidworth in December, the competition was tougher and with more competitive preliminary bouts to make it to the finals. We gave a very good account of ourselves by sending 6 of our best boxers to the event, again, we had great success with four fighters getting to the semi-finals - LCoH Halstead Cruiserweight, Tpr’s Baker Middleweight & Dring Light Heavyweight, and Tpr Muncer Heavyweight. All fought outstanding and missed out on some very narrow and dubious decisions by the officials. However, we did

manage to get two fighters into the final’s night LCpl Weaver Welterweight and LCpl Shaw Super Heavyweight. Both fought outstandingly well in two hard-fought contests. LCpl Weaver unfortunately just came up just short in an excellent three bouts, narrowly loosing on points. Cpl Shaw showed his true form in a ‘Blue Red Blue’ grudge match (HCR vs Scots Gds) to become double Super Heavyweight Champion for the season.

Look Forward To 2020 And Thanks For 2019

As a team and regiment, we now look forward to 2020 and our own event taking place on September 24th 2020

in London as a Life Guards v Blues & Royals event for the Household Cavalry Foundation who the team must thank this year for its support. and we look forward to repaying that confidence in kind for the HCF in September 2020. We finish the year on a real high with 3 championship belts won over the season and a strong culture and team in development ready to compete at a higher level in the future. The last word must go to the coaches (LCoH O’Carroll, LCpl Shaw, LCpl Macauley and Tpr Morrell) who have worked tirelessly over the season have enabled and developed the team to achieve some notable results. Picture5. LCpl Weaver in action at the Brigade Boxing Finals.

LCpl Shaw, Tprs Dring and Tpr Muncer at RAC at finals

LCpl Weaver in action at the Brigade Boxing Finals

Polo

by Lieutenant Arthur Bryan, The Blues and Royals

The key focus of the 2019 season has been the encouragement and development of the only Other Ranks polo team in the British Army, of which we are immensely proud. The team has several players who, after learning to ride at HCMR, have been encouraged by their experiences to learn to play polo. We have managed to expand our number of playing members by over 20%, and our existing members have had as active season as ever through tournaments and lessons.

This year we played in four tournaments and 64 lessons, including high profile events with over 4,000 paying supporters such as the Sandbanks Beach Polo. Other highlights include the Household Division Tournament at Guards Polo Club, the 105 HAC

Tournament Prize Giving

LCoH Harvey at White Waltham Polo

LCoH Kitchin at the Sandbanks Beach Polo

LCoH Kitchin, LCpl Cannon Tpr Gregg and Carlitos Gonzalez (coach) at Sandbanks Polo

LCpl Jarman, Lt Bryan, Ct Lane-Fox and Maj Mackie play the Irish Guards in the Household Division Tournament at Guards Polo Club, Windsor

LCpl Jarman, Lt Bryan, LCoH Kitchin, Ct Lane-Fox and Maj Mackie at the Household Division Tournament Prize Giving

Invitation tournament at Ham Polo Club and a match against JP Morgan at White Waltham. The team has consequently had exposure both internally within the Army and externally to large civilian audiences.

Without the support of Capt (Retd) Cameron Bacon RHG/D and Mr Martin Young (formerly RHG/D) who have to-

gether generously supported the team, we would have been unable to pursue our subsidised lesson participation and tournament entry for team members, and for this and the support of APoloA, White Waltham Club and the HCF, we are very grateful. As previously mentioned, encouraging OR polo is the core focus of our club, in which we are leading the way in Army polo, and it is only

Household Cavalry Sailing

British Virgin Islands, December 2019

by Cornet Harry Sayer, The Blues and Royals

At the end of November a group of 12 soldiers and 4 officers from HCR flew out to the British Virgin Islands (BVI) via Antigua. Arriving quite late at night it was a taxi journey to pick up the boats, winding over the mountains to the yacht base at Nanny Cay.

After a taxing year for the regiment with the move to Bulford, and operational commitments a trip to the Caribbean provided much needed respite and an excellent opportunity for our soldiers to experience something different.

At Nanny Cay marina we found our two immaculately presented boats. One a 40ft monohull yacht Greenwave the other a 41 ft catamaran Precious Time. Needless to say everyone was awestruck by the generosity of Horizon Yacht Charters. We weren’t setting off until the next morning so that evening we explored the beach at Nanny Cay. Here we found a picture-postcard beach bar with a volleyball net! This was the first place we tasted ‘Carib’ the local lager; it was love at first sip. With the evening breeze and sandy toes it was a perfect introduction to the British Virgin Islands, making the 5am start from Bulford well worth it!

Waking up on the boats it was time to

prep. We stocked up on all provisions, topped up the water tanks. We were given an introduction to the yachts by Horizon and despite the wealth of sailing experience from our two skippers, Major Chishick and Lt Col Philp (Coldstream Guards), we still felt slightly confused by the Christmas light display

made affordable and therefore possible through our supporters.

With the season now over, the team have had to hang up their boots, but after being put to pasture for a few months I am confident the team will be chomping at the bit to get back into the swing of things for the next season.

of switches that had all manner of functions. Before we knew it we were releasing the bow and the stern lines and motoring our way out of Nanny Cay as sailing virgins.

In the first few days there were relatively light winds, which would pick

LCsoH Harvey and Tate, LCpl Jarman, Martin Young (late RHGD), Carlitos Gonzalez, Ct Lane Fox, LCpl Cannon and LCoH Kitchin

The crew on the bow by the Baths in Virgin Gorda

up towards the end of the first week. On day one we motored over to Norman island which would be our stop for the night. Both crews were settling into life on board and being taught the basic principles of sailing, with some not knowing the difference between a fender and a fondue! On arrival, what would soon become a running theme was Greenwave’s inability to pick up mooring buoys. As seen with Ct Camm jumping into the water to retrieve the much needed boat hook which had been dropped by LCpl Sutherland and was now bobbing in the crystal clear water. After much jeering from Precious Time, they were finally able to tie up the boat, after a few other attempts.

The lighter winds in the first few days of the trip paired nicely with the competency of the crews and allowed for good instruction from the skippers, whose wealth of experience was invaluable and deftly distributed. The first thing was how to get the sails up and to learn how to move under sail. While Precious Time had the luxury of an electric winch, Maj Chishick banned its use and the crew were forced to use elbow grease. We moored up in a different bay each night to enjoy the sunset, and the daily display of boat hooking from Greenwave

After the first few days of learning the

The crews on Sandy Cay

ropes, a slightly more complex sail was planned to Anegada Island, a very low island formed on a coral reef, setting off from Mosquito Island, neighbouring Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island. Half way there we could see an ominous cloud coming with the wind, the race was on! With Anegada in view we were hit by the eye of the storm, reduced vis-

ibility and winds gusting up to 35kts. Any doubt that this was adventurous training was rapidly dispelled, as the boats were heeling hard and having to reef sails in the middle of all kinds of rain! Eventually, as with all storms in the BVI, it blew over pretty quickly and we were able to continue safely to Anegada, which appeared like a mirage

Ct Sayer in heavy concentration

on the horizon. The island itself was no more than 3m above sea level at its highest point. Populated with many lobster bars and an ‘island’ pace of life, it was in many ways the iconic memory of the trip. The 40 or so mooring balls off the island were full of a host of interesting characters from the Americas, who were keen to make friends with us. Ashore, it would have been rude not to sample the local speciality, lobster. We were not disappointed as the ‘Wonky Dog’ restaurant served up a large 1/2 platter of freshly caught lobster each for 16 hungry sailors! Accompanied with a free Carib or two from our American friends at the bar who were grateful for our service.

As the expedition progressed, the wind had picked up and so had our competence. Having been rotating through helming and tacking drills throughout the trip, the skippers were brave enough to allow newly experienced Troopers the helm in stronger winds and high seas. However with the catamaran, as opposed to the monohull, sailing upwind was much more of a challenge. At times without Maj Chishick at the helm we found it hard to move forward. Greenwave would plough ahead, earning Precious Time the nickname of HMS Slowcoach!

The high seas and high winds not only brought out the best sailing from us, it also brought out a pungent smell from the starboard side of Greenwave. With the additional pressure the wind was putting the boat through it became apparent that one of the seacocks for the starboard stern heads had not been

opened to the sea. 8 lobster-fed sailors punching through the rudimentary pipes had clearly filled the holding tank. This lead to the two Officers onboard donning snorkels and masks and rectifying the blockage - leaving a rather murky wake behind the boat!

Each boat was equipped with a paddle board and a twoperson kayak which allowed for great exploration of the corals and coves. With visibility of up to 25m underwater, the chain of islands provides some of the best snorkelling in the world. We were able to see a variety of marine life including leatherback turtles and particularly big barracudas, which we tried to stay clear of! Given that the hurricane in 2017 caused substantial damage, the corals seemed to be teeming with marine life. We also took the opportunity to explore the many caves and natural rock formations ashore - such as the Baths at Virgin Gorda - a fantastic series of giant boulders on the edge of the sea that almost seem from another planet.

Another extra-curricular activity was fishing; both boats had moderate success and alternative ways of improvising a priest stick. Most notably Colonel Philp despatching his Trevally with an empty Gin bottle. The fish was filleted and eaten within 10 mins of being landed. Precious Time however had two South Africans on board who were slightly more experienced fishermen- despite one not eating fish! Fortunately, our menu plan was not entirely reliant on our fishing skills,

otherwise we would likely have had a mutiny. The South Africans’ barbequing skills proved to be a hit with the crews though, and each soldier took turns at cooking throughout the week in accordance with the skippers’ menu plan.

Whilst exploring bays and coves we found a floating pirate ship bar called the William Thornton, informally known as ‘Willy T’s’. The top deck allowed for wonderful displays of diving and painful belly flops! The soldiers were not only impressed by the uniqueness of the bar but also the liberal dress code undertaken by our sailing brethren!

With the Caribbean Christmas tunes in the background we knew the sun was about to set on our adventure to the BVI. Lastly we needed to hand the boats back and say thank you to Horizon. The last night was spent being hosted by the BVI rugby team in Mulligans bar, just down the road from the marina at Nanny Cay. It was also a fantastic opportunity to thank the staff of Horizon for their extremely kind generosity and enjoy one last Carib with them. Having greatly increased the enthusiasm for sailing among all ranks and a good time had by all. It’s safe to say we all lost our sailing virginity...

LSgt Cooke with her catch

LCoH Scheepers at the helm while Ct Sayer helps maintain the goosewing

Nordic Skiing

by Lieutenant Arthur Bryan, The Blues and Royals

Spanning three and a half months, consisting of twenty-three races in four different countries, and driving across eight, Ex NORDIC GUARDIAN was an expedition of Odyssean proportions. Despite being a largely novice team which lacked the experience of our competitors, we were able to lay critical groundwork in Norway to eventually succeed in the RAC, Divisional, and unexpectedly, the British National and Army Championships.

Training started in the mountains west of Lillehammer, Norway, where for four weeks the team, the majority of whom had never been on skis before, spent six days a week on snow. After the morning mobility runs at 0530, the team had to quickly grasp the two skiing disciplines, ‘skate’ and ‘classic’ by day, whilst in the evenings development of technical waxing skill was paired with .22 rifle shooting on the 50-lane range at Sjujoen: the schedule was full-on to say the very least.

The European Grand Tour continued in earnest as we drove home from Norway for Christmas followed in quick succession by the RAC competition in Hochfilzen, Austria, the Divisional championships in Serre-Chevalier, France before unexpectedly qualifying for the British National and Army Championships in Ruhpolding, Germany. Highlights include a tactical ski-and-shoot endurance

competition with L85s, with the soundtrack of the 1965 classic film ‘The Heroes of Telemark’ playing faintly in the background, traversing the stunning Alpine scenery and in Germany the startling experience of a European sauna.

Overall the team was successful both collectively and individually, with a rattling box of medals brought back. The team won two bronze medals in Austria, and later in Germany Trooper Bishton RHG/D came 1st in the Army in the

Junior Novice category, winning two golds, a silver and a bronze at various events whilst Lt Bryan RHG/D scraped 3rd in the Army in the Biathlon Novice category followed a whisker’s length behind by Lt Wood RHG/D. Ultimately, the team qualified for the National Championships and flew the flag for the Regiment and the Household Division, a satisfying achievement in itself which we hope has laid the foundational experience for even greater success in years to come.

Lt Bryan, LCpl Chapple, Tpr Bishton and Tpr Clarke before the Military Patrol Race

Novice Champion Tpr Bishton RHG/D at Ruhpolding Biathlon Stadium

Lt Bryan Nordic Ski racing at Serre Chevalier, France

Tprs Clarke, Brown, Calvert, Bishton, Lts Bryan and Wood, LCoH Mattikibau and LCpl Darlow Nordic Skiing in Norway

Foreword by Colonel Commandant Royal

Armoured Corps, Lieutenant General Sir Edward Smyth-Osbourne KCVO, CBE

The 80th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Armoured Corps is a time and an opportunity for us to reflect on our history, our traditions, our legacy and, with a little humility, our achievements as a Corps – whilst simultaneously looking to the future and what that might hold.

When I joined the Life Guards in 1983, there were 19 regular armoured regiments. The Cold War was at its height, and we were mostly stationed in Germany as part of the British Army of the Rhine. It would have been impossible to conceive of a US president describing NATO as obsolete, or equally his French counterpart describing it as ‘brain dead’. But those certainties have vanished: we have largely withdrawn from Germany and have only nine regular Royal Armoured Corps regiments. The complacent assumption that the fall of communism would mean that Russia would become a European nation, much like the others, has been shattered by its military resurgence and adventurism, in Georgia, Estonia and Ukraine, above all in the annexation of Crimea. China too has decided to assert herself to the degree that it is now also a concern for NATO.

Moreover, our recent operational experience on Operations TELIC and HERRICK saw us out of role, supporting rather than leading. Our training, equip-

ment and our very raison d’être suffered as a result. But we have started to regain the place at the heart of the Army that we last held at around the time of Operation GRANBY, the first Gulf War. And we should make every effort to do so, because although sage pundits regularly pronounce that the tank is dead, this continues not to be the case. Certainly not for either the Russians or the Chinese, who continue to invest heavily and on a large scale in armour, via the Armata programme and the medium mechanized brigades respectively. Hybrid warfare, despite modern taxonomy, is as old as the hills. You only have to look at Hezbollah in the Lebanon or the Boers in South Africa. It is about pitting strength against weakness. In Eastern Europe you need conventional capability to defend and, by that token, deter with resilient command and control, armour, Long Range Fires, Air Defence and the like alongside the ability to compete in an era of information, false news, cyber, subversion and sabotage. For both blue and red forces it is a case of ‘both-and’, not ‘either-or’. That conventional threat is the catalyst for us to consider our future.

Indeed, while Russia’s incursions into Ukraine popularized theories of hybrid warfare, it is often overlooked that the annexation was made possible by the direct threat, and eventual application, of firepower. Thus, we must avoid the mistake of prioritizing operations below the perceived threshold of armed conflict; we need balanced deterrence, and by that token defence, based on military capability for use throughout the spectrum of conflict.

So, given our 80th anniversary, and a ‘back to the future’ moment, albeit with a difference, where do we stand? It is good to note that Defence will spend £7bn in the next 10 years on equipment for the RAC – the equivalent of two new aircraft carriers. Ajax is entering service now with the HCR in Bulford. It has an impressive array of cuttingedge technology – though given its size and weight it brings with it a necessary re-thinking of our recce doctrine and tactics. Ajax represents a huge leap forward in capability and broadens our utility, but we need to be clear that it is not a Main Battle Tank.

Which brings me to Challenger 2. Compared to the threat it is almost certain that our heavy armour force is out sensed, out acquired, out reached and under protected. The Life Enhancement Program (LEP) is essential and must be enhanced given Russian and Chinese technical advances. LEP will not cover as many CR2 as we would like, but we shall continue to push for more heavy armour. At the other end of the spectrum, the Light Cavalry Regiments, equipped with Jackal, continued to prove their utility with operational demand stretching from the Baltics to the Maghreb, despite the absence of any policy provenance.

The Yeomanry, fully part of the RAC, provides our geographical footprint given the predominance of regular basing in the South. It is set to provide formed sub-units to deploy on operations and consistently proves its worth augmenting both Challenger 2 and Jackal-equipped regiments; Ajax as of yet being an unanswered but necessary question. We continue to provide excellence on State Ceremonial and Public Duties.

Ultimately however, it’s not about the kit – it’s about the man in the turret. And one thing that has not changed in my service with the Armoured Corps is the quality of its people. We are seen –rightly – as imaginative and innovative. We do better on courses and exercises and are to be found across the Army in demanding and high-performing posts. We have bags of interest at Sandhurst with about five officer cadets expressing an interest in the Household Cavalry and Royal Armoured Corps for every place on offer. Soldier recruiting is another story, but we outperform the rest of the Army and are reaping the dividends as Army-wide recruiting processes are sped up and streamlined, conscious that the proposition (of soldiering) is no longer well understood.

We face, then, a number of challenges as we enter the third decade of the 21st century – but also a great deal of opportunity. We are proud of our history and ready to live up to the standards set by those who have soldiered in the Royal Armoured Corps before us.

News From The Associations

The Life Guards Association

Annual Report 2019

Patron: Her Majesty The Queen

President

Field Marshal the Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank GCB LVO OBE DL

Chairman: Lieutenant Colonel M S P Berry

Honorary Secretary: Mr K W Robertson

Honorary Treasurer: Ms B Eves

Trustees of The Life Guards Charitable Trust

Lieutenant Colonel M S P Berry

Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) W R Lindsay OBE

Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) H S J Scott

Major (Retd) J S Holbrook

Captain B K Gibson

Captain (Retd) J S Trietline

WO2 (RQMC) A Slowey

Mr I M Fearnley

Mr P J Richards BEM

Mr P Lewis MBE

Mr P C Lanahan

Minutes of the 85th Annual General Meeting held at Combermere Barracks, Windsor on Saturday 11th May 2019

The Chairman, Lieutenant Colonel M S P Berry, opened the meeting at 1800hrs by welcoming everyone present and thanked them for their attendance.

Apologies were received from Captain (Retd) C J Trietline.

The Chairman then thanked WO1 (RCM) T Horton for the use of the WO’s and NCO’s mess.

The Minutes of the 84th Annual General Meeting are published in the current edition of the Household Cavalry Journal and the Chairman asked for them to be proposed and seconded as being a true record of the proceedings of that meeting.

Proposed by: Mr S M Goater

Seconded by: WO2 (RSWO) G S Warren

Honorary Treasurer’s Report 2018/2019

The accounts for the year ending 2019 are as published within the Journal There were no concerns raised during the annual audit carried out in May 2019, which was conducted by independent accountants.

The Life Guards Association Charitable Trust Account

• Donations totalling £ 5,474.30 were

received to the year ending date 31st March 2019. The sum of £847.47 was received from HM Revenue and Customs.

• The 1 Days Pay scheme received for this financial year totals £19,310.42. It should be noted that the Life Guards are collecting all funds and distributing between the two Associations.

• The majority of requests for financial assistance in 2018/19 were met to a total of £25,628.99. A total of 34 grants were paid in the financial year.

• The dividend from investments during the financial year was £37,229.04. A further £25,000 was transferred to the investment portfolio in May 2018. During the financial year Waverton continued to take their investment management fee.

• The cash at bank balance at 31st March 2019 was £59,174.59.

The Life Guards Association Charitable Trust Account No 2

• £4,793.44 was received in donations during the financial year ending 31st March 2019.

• A profit from the sale of Christmas cards of £2,456.06 was generated in the financial year. Charges for postage have now boosted profit.

• There were no journal costs in the period.

• There were no un-restricted grants for

the period of 2018-2019.

• The Annual Dinner was funded in the sum of £10,549.86, with income from tickets of £4,622.45, resulting in a deficit of £5,927.41.

• The net cost of postage in the financial year is £3,206.14.

• Funds for the Battlefield Tour for 2018 were received and administered through this account as they were last year.

• The cash at bank balance at 31st March 2019 was £39,120.40.

The Life Guards Association Account

• The account continues to be a conduit for standing order donations – the total received during the financial year being £2,287.00.

• There was no sum awarded from the Norman Hearson Fund during the financial year, nor any request to date leaving this Fund standing at £2,912.00.

• The sum of £4,284.00 was expended from this account to purchase cufflinks for the annual dinner.

• The cash at bank balance at 31st March 2018 was £3,633.81.

INVESTMENTS

• The investment portfolio stood at a Total Value of £1,503,283.94.

The Chairman and members of the Committee would like to thank all members of the Association for their generous donations.

Proposed by: Mr Paul Lewis MBE

Seconded by: Mr Ian Fearnley

Chairman’s Report

The following report was given by Lieutenant Colonel M S P Berry.

The Chairman thanked the Treasurer Ms Beverly J Eves for producing this years’ summary of accounts.

The Chairman stated that during the 2018/19 reporting period there have been 49 cases for assistance presented to the trustees of which 29 were assisted. The total spend during this period was £26,100.69 giving an average spend of £900.00 per case; the age ranges of those requiring benevolence had been between 28 and 84. The Chairman stated that the committee are seeing more debt alleviation but the majority of cases are still the white and brown goods. We have also contributed to wet rooms and mobility scooters and courses to improve employment opportunities over this reporting period. It is also notable that we are finding more people with debt problems. The Chairman stated that although alleviating debt is not in the Association’s Scheme we do try to help out in other ways and with the help of other military Charities.

The Chairman then stated that membership of The Life Guards Association is 2228 and we now have 1810 members who are on email which is our preferred method of communication. The Chairman then reminded Association members that if they know of any Old Comrades who do not receive the annual Journal that is usually a good indicator that they are not on the Association database , to that end could you please ask them to contact Home HQ so that they can be registered with the Association. The Chairman also highlighted that it is now easier to register with the Association using the online form on the Association website which will also ensure that the Association remain within the new GDPR rules.

The Chairman announced that since January 2019 unfortunately there have been 17 Old Comrades who have sadly passed away. Their names are all on the Association website.

The Chairman wished to thank the Regional Representatives for their hard work throughout the year and emphasised how much it is appreciated that they are there for the membership. If

you would like to become an Area Representative please contact the Honorary Secretary.

The Chairman thanked all Association members that had sent in donations throughout the year. He stressed how important these donations are to the Association. He assured all members that all monies donated are put to good use.

Freedom of Windsor Parade: The Chairman informed the AGM that Saturday 18th May was the Freedom of Windsor Parade and encouraged all Association members to march with the Regiment and to attend after party that was being held in Combermere Barracks after the parade. The Chairman explained that this will be a fantastic day but unfortunately during to various operational deployments the Regiment will not have as many soldiers on parade as he would have liked. The Chairman did note that there are approximately 150 Association members that have already signed up to march on the parade.

Zandvoorde Visit / Service: The Chairman confirmed that the second annual visit to Zandvoorde which is where the household Cavalry memorial is located and shall take place from the 29th–31st October. The Chairman confirmed that the Association shall pay for the travel to Ypres. Association members are required to book and pay for their own accommodation. The Chairman confirmed that the visit shall leave Combermere Barracks on Tuesday 29th October and that evening the Association shall take part in the Last Post ceremony at the Menin gate. Wednesday 30th October a battlefield tour will take place at the Household Cavalry memorial in Zandvoorde followed by a short service. The Association shall then leave Zandvoorde and return to Ypres where a church service shall be held in St George’s chapel. Thursday 31st October the Association shall leave Ypres for Combermere Barracks. The Chairman informed the AGM that if you would like to attend the event then please contact Home HQ.

Holiday Respite Care Accommodation: The Chairman introduced the idea of providing some form of holiday subsidies, holiday cottages or motor home. This service would be for both Association members and serving soldiers. The Chairman put the idea to the members at the AGM and a useful conversation ensued. It was very clear that this would be difficult to manage and who would qualify and under what circumstances. It was also pointed out that there are organisations already offering these services and this could be looked into

and promoted to the Association. The two organisations that were suggested by Mr Tony Prynne were The Royal British Legion (TRBL) and the Soldiers Sailors Air Force and Families Association (SSAFA). Although this could be a difficult topic to tackle it was felt that further investigation is worthwhile. The Honorary Secretary will look at further options.

The Life Guards Association dinner 2020: The Chairman introduced the idea of The Life Guards Association dinner in 2020 to be in the format of an Open/Families Day and with both Associations to be held in Bulford which will be the new home of the Household Cavalry Regiment. The format would still need to be confirmed but it would be a less formal affair than the annual dinner. A lengthy discussion took place which escalated to the idea of still having The Life Guards Association dinner in its original form and also an Open/ Families Day. The date of when future dinners should be held was discussed, no date was confirmed but when one is confirmed it will be announced to the Association. The outcome was that The Life Guards Association dinner will take place at either Hyde Park Barracks or Bulford Camp and the format is still to be confirmed but Bulford being the preferred option.

Any Other Business

Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) H R D Fullerton raised the question on the price of tickets and asked if there was any form of subsidies in place. It was explained that the cost of tickets is reviewed each year. This year Association members over the age of 65 did not pay for a ticket. The serving soldiers had a sliding scale which will again be reviewed next year, in that Troopers and Lance Corporals should pay the same.

There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 1853hrs.

The Life Guards Association Charitable Trust Accounts - Restricted & Unrestricted

Year 2018

£76,727.02

£17,846.98

£588.15

£14,462.00

£3,876.44

£10,729.92

£785.54

£4,040.00

£4,465.00

£0.00

£200.00

£689.00

£8,693.50

£0.00

£0.00

£136.45

£143,240.00

Income and Expenditure Account - 31st March 2019

Income Days Pay Scheme* Investments / Dividends Grants ABF etc* Donations* Postage Donations HMRC Christmas Cards Dinner Transport Poppies and Wreaths* Diaries Battlefield Tour GPF Transfer of Funds Merchandise Total

£4,921.26

£4,622.45

£0.00

£0.00

£1,030.45

£4,305.00

£58,806.82 £1,842.84 £17,577.77 £0.00 £0.00

£3,132.88

£2,663.51

£2,242.19

£7,455.65

£0.00

£0.00

£800.00

£13,079.71

£6,985.35

£0.00

£472.50

£0.00

£420.00

£13,000.00

£1,000.00

£129,479.22

Expenditure Days Pay Scheme* Wreaths & Poppies* Grants* Grants Postage* Misc Exp GPF Misc Exp* Christmas Cards Dinner Transport Journal Memorials Battlefield Tour Postage Donations Prints Transfer of Funds* AMF Honorarium* HCR Childrens Fund

£6,453.00

£0.00

£0.00

£0.00

£13,635.00

£3,384.00

£0.00

£249.00

£100,000.00

£3,500.00 £11,000.00 £2,000.00 £128,522.79 £15,046.62

Investments at Current Value

1. For ease of presentation the Life Guards Association Charitable Trust Account and The Life Guards Charitable Trust Account No 2 have been combined in accordance with Charity Commission guidelines governing the presentation of accounts. Payments and receipts from and to the Restricted account are marked with an asterisk.

2. A total of 34 grants have been paid out of the life Guards Association Charitable Trust No 1 Account to date. 3. Donations continue to be received into the Life Guards Association account. The Total of £12,554.74 for 2019 has been received to date. 4. The sum of 25k was transferred from the No 1 Account to the Investment Portfolio to increase dividends.

Beverley Eves Honorary Treasurer

Membership

The Life Guards Association Notices

All serving Life Guards and nonserving Life Guards are members of The Life Guards Association. All Association members are requested to introduce Association members who are not in communication with Home Headquarters (HHQ) to do so. If an Association member is not in communication with Home HHQ this does not mean that they forfeit any of the benefits of someone who is in communication with Home Headquarters.

To register with the Association the preferred method of registration is using the website please search The Life Guards Association Membership.

Communication Correspondences for the Association should be addressed to:

The Honorary Secretary

The Life Guards Association

Home Headquarters Combermere Barracks

Windsor Berkshire SL4 3DN

Telephone

Home Headquarters – 01753 755061

Honorary Secretary – 01753 755061

Email

homehq@householdcavalry.co.uk lg.regsec@householdcavalry.co.uk

Website https://householdcavalry.co.uk/

Change of contact details

All members are requested to inform HHQ of any changes to their contact details. This will also ensure that you shall receive your annual Journal

The 86th Annual General Meeting

The 86th Annual General Meeting of The Life Guards Association will take place on Saturday 3rd October 2020 commencing at 1800hrs and will be held in Picton Barracks Bulford Wiltshire.

Ordinary Business

• To receive the Annual Report by the Chairman

• To receive the Annual Report by the Treasurers.

• Any other business and closing remarks

The 85th Annual Dinner

The 85th Annual Dinner will be held in the WO’s and NCO’s Mess Picton Barracks Bulford Wiltshire on Saturday 3rd October 2020 commencing at 1900hrs. Dress lounge suits with Brigade tie no medals. The dinner application form is inserted within this Journal it can also be posted or emailed to you. upon request or downloaded from the Association website. Tickets are not available on the door. Personal guests will not be permitted unless authorised by the Honorary Secretary.

Annual Zandvoorde Battlefield Tour

The annual Zandvoorde battlefield tour will take place from the 29th October –31st October 2020. If you would like to attend this annual event please contact the Honorary Secretary.

GDPR Statement

Home Headquarters of the Household Cavalry (HHQ) retains personal information that you have provided to The Household Cavalry Association’s, this data is held and dealt with in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). The data is held on the Association database at Home Headquarters and is used in assisting in the maintenance of contact between members of the Association and the wider Household Cavalry family, by telephone, postal or email. We will retain your personal data whilst you are a member of the Association. Upon leaving the Association we will continue to hold your name and relevant details to support the Household Cavalry’s historical records. If you are unsure of any of the required information then please contact HHQ 01753 755297

Christmas Cards, Diaries and notebooks

Christmas cards, diaries and notebooks may be ordered using the order form that is inserted within the Journal. The order form may be emailed to you upon request.

Trustees and the Gold Stick, Annual Dinner 2019

The Life Guards Association Regional Representatives

Regional Representatives of The Life Guards Association are volunteers that have agreed to have their details published in the Household Cavalry Journal and on the website in order that they may be contacted by other Association members in their area. Initially, the Regional Representative will provide contact with Home Headquarters for those who have served but have lost touch with the Regiment. Additionally, they may be asked to represent the Association at funerals of departed comrades, visit former members of the regiment and circulate Regimental information to those in their area. If you would like to be considered as a Regional Representative for the Association, please contact Home Headquarters.

ENGLAND

Berkshire

Mr M Stay BRACKNELL mjstay@hotmail.co.uk 07772 438 630

Mr S O Farrar Bracknell Spike6511@talktalk.net 07967 412148

Bristol

Mr N S Hoon BRISTOL nickhoon712@hotmail.com 01454 416522 / 07941 254340

Buckinghamshire

Mr S R Carter

MILTON KEYNES

stephen.carter5@virginmedia.com 07722 135854

Cheshire

Mr S J Rochford ELLESMERE PORT steven.rochford@ntlworld.com 07977 834092

Cornwall

Mr R Barry WADEBRIDGE robertbarry5@btinternet.com 07915 812127

Mr R E Jewell FALMOUTH rejewell@hotmail.com 01326 312546

Derbyshire

Mr S Wass BELPER simonwass49@hotmail.com 07446 839054

County Durham

Mr D Flynn DARLINGTON p.flynn205@btinternet.com 07718 195212

Maj (Retd) A Tate WHEATLEY HILL artate@btopenworld.com 07783 586 900

Cumbria

Mr R Swinburne KENDAL roger.swinburne@googlemail.com

Devon

Mr D Murgatroyd CULLOMPTON davemurgs@hotmail.com 07512 729141

Dorset

Mr B T Erskine SWANAGE bterskine01@btinternet.com 07912 681349

Major (Retd) J T Lodge BROADSTONE jlodge76@hotmail.com

East Yorkshire

Mr G B Miller HORNSEA guygbm@aol.com 07715 522443

Essex

Mr J K Stanworth OLD HARWICH john.stanworth@rnib.org.uk 07830 173227

East Sussex

Mr Eric Reed HAILSHAM ericreed84@hotmail.com 07938 858896

Gloucestershire

Mr J McCauley FAIRFORD jaskel1993@talktalk.net 01285 713004

Greater Manchester

Mr A Lister RADCLIFFE alan-lister47@alanlister1.plus.com 0161 725 9851

Hampshire Mr L Cordwell GRAYSHOTT lee.cordwell@hotmail.co.uk 07769 694830

Kent Mr D H Underwood FARNINGHAM dubigd@aol.com 01322 866334

Mr J Dean AYLESFORD jezdean101@msn.com 07747 691699

Lancashire

Mr R L Mather

LANCASTER admin@fatchimp.co.uk

Leicestershire

Mr B J Dutton COUNTESTHORPE bdutton164@btinternet.com 07887 701007

Lincolnshire Mr I Wild MABLETHORPE ian_wild@hotmail.co.uk 01507 441293

Mr D I Savage SLEAFORD david.i.Savage@icloud.com 01529 488575

Norfolk Mr A J Gook NORWICH jimgook@btinternet.com 01603 484336

Mr A D Nichols WATTON cala4uk@gmail.com 07391 225665

North Yorkshire Mr H Stangroom SKIPTON harrystangroom@aol.co.uk 01756 709121

Mr J A Denton HARROGATE johny.denton@googlemail.com 01423 772999

Mr G M McInerny FYLINGTHORPE gm.mcinerny@btinternet.com 01947 880298

Nottinghamshire Mr I Sanderson MBE RETFORD janeandsandy@googlemail.com 07831 899918

Mr B W J Reece CLIPSTONE VILLAGE brianreece2@gmail.com 07795 842592

Oxfordshire Mr S English IPSDEN steve_english@btopenworld.com 07500 948176

Shropshire Mr Jack Shortman OSWESTRY jackshortman@outlook.com 01691 680537

South Yorkshire

Mr W A Loftus DINNINGTON loftusalive@aol.com 01909 518405 / 07956 478238

Somerset

Mr J J Judge YEOVIL johnjjudge@hotmail.com

Mr B R Kelland WELLINGTON brnkll@hotmail.co.uk 07882 969032

Suffolk

Mr S Smith HAVERHILL stevesmith0588@hotmail.com 07947 210658

Surrey

Mr T G W Carrington 01276 36384

Mr T Morgan-Jelpke WEYBRIDGE t.morgan897@ntlworld.com 01932 854935

Sussex

Mr K J Dry EASTBOURNE 07534 188889

West Yorkshire

Mr M P Goodyear HUDDERSFIELD mikegoodyear@live.co.uk 01484 605888

Wiltshire

Mr J Postance SALISBURY johnnyp38@hotmail.com 07769 906391

Mr J M Steel

ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT jon.steel@sema4tech.co.uk 07931 818513

Worcestershire

Mr M P G Southerton STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN 01299 823882

Yorkshire

Mr W H Graham YORK

harvey.graham1@googlemail.com 01904 766870

SCOTLAND

Angus Mr S Smith DUNDEE stu.smith@btinternet.com 01382 562554

Fife

Mr D Cumming KENNOWAY thebear89@gmx.com 07921 515150

WALES

Powys

Mr A T Prynne BUILTH WELLS at.mprynne@btinternet.com 01982 552296

ISLE OF MAN

Mr T Bougourd bougourd@manx.net 07624 453168

NORTHERN IRELAND & EIRE

Mr G S Armstrong g_arm_99@yahoo.co.uk 07801 939511

REST OF THE WORLD

AUSTRALIA

Mr G Coleman REYNELLA coleman839@gmail.com (0061) 8381 2074

Mr R Barnes TASMANIA rbarnes@tassie.net.au 00 6103 6429 1227

Mr D Moxom YASS coleman839@gmail.com

CANADA

Mr C Grant MEDICINE HAT crgrant@telus.net 403 527 2982

GERMANY

Mr A Cobb HERZBERG +49 5521 987 592 acobb30963@aol.com

NEW ZEALAND

Mr J Bell TORBAY 0064 021 619 514 jigjag@vodafone.co.nz

USA

Mr A D Richards CANTON New York andyrichards62@gmail.com 001-540-808-5752

Mr K J Frape COLUMBIA SOUTH CAROLINA frpkth@aol.com 001 (803) 787 1244

Mr R J G Kay PLATE CITY MISSOURI rjgkayusa@yahoo.com 001 816 872 6161

The Blues and Royals Association Annual Report 2018/19

President Chairman

Honorary Secretary

Honorary Treasurer

Mr E L Lane

Mr D A Chamberlain

Mr P Storer

Major (Retd) A M Harris

Mr N Hemming

Mr D Claridge

Aims and Object

HRH The Princess Royal KG KT GCVO QSO

Colonel (Retd) J P Eyre

Captain C J Elliott

Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) M A Harding

Committee Members

Mr S Gillingham

Mr P B Lawson

Maj (Retd) L Kibble

Mr I Thompson

Captain (Retd) C J Trinick

Mr W Foster

and all serving Warrant Officers of The Blues and Royals at Regimental Duty

During the past year the Association has continued to maintain its aims and objectives as laid down in the Constitution and Rules. Specifically, the sum of £15,112.33 has been distributed from funds to applications for assistance from a total of 39 cases dealt with by the committee. The Annual Dinner was held at Combermere Barracks 12th May 2018 with 348 members attending. The Annual General Meeting was held prior to the Dinner, and the minutes of this meeting are set out in the following pages together with the financial statement for the year ending 31st March 2019.

Summary of Financial assistance given during the year:

Applications received 39 Grants/Donations made 23 (incl 4 grants to In-Pens)

Applications referred to other funds 32

INCOME

One Days Pay

Dividends

Bank Interest

Subs and Donations

Annual Dinner

Christmas Cards

Grant Refunds

Adjustments/Refunds

Diaries

Postage received for Cards

Miscellaneous

TOTAL

CASH and BANK

Cash in Hand

Current and Deposit Accts

Total Cash and Bank

Debtors

Creditors

Reasons for assistance

The following is a summary of the main purposes for which grants / donations were made during the past year.

Income

Income and Expenditure was £69,749.39 of which £26,736.21 was either contributed by serving officers and soldiers under the ‘Days Pay Scheme’ or received from membership subscriptions and donations. Interest on bank deposits was £0.72. The decision was made last year for all dividends to be re-invested back into the investment portfolio thus negating the need to transfer monies be-

Financial Statement

2017-18

£22,933.74

£22,685.76

£3.29

£7,048.01

£5,715.00

£5,512.40

£852.05

£0.00

£401.00

£0.00

£22,226.01

£87,377.26

tween the accounts and reducing workload. We have found that this leaves us unsighted of movement within the investment portfolio so the committee has agreed that we will revert to the earlier practice of having our Dividends paid into our bank account on a quarterly basis.

Expenditure

Expenditure for the period totaled £67, 788.54

Miscellaneous costs were £21,560.41 however £13,511.99 was recovered. The Miscellaneous column includes the cost of Honorariums, transport and hotel costs for BFT and other various smaller events as well as such admin costs as IT Support, insurances, memorabilia and NMA Maintenance.

2018-19

£19,310.42

£0.00

£0.72

£7,425.79

£12,493.19

£6,495.88

£1,740.00

£0.00

£1,838.00

£516.27

£13,511.99

£63,332.26

EXPENDITURE

Grants in Aid

Wreaths/memorials

Postage incl Cards

Annual Dinner

Christmas Cards

Regt Journal

Misc (Admin, Honorariums, BFT, Tpt)

Transfer to Investments

TOTAL

Investment Portfolio

2017-18

£16,112.91

£2,767.57

£3,180.51

£10,254.83

£2,169.07

£0.00

£17,111.62

£0.00

£51,596.51

2018-19

£20,577.33

£3,373.98

£1,208.53

£18,297.49

£2,770.80

£0.00

£21,560.41

£0.00

£67,788.54

The total investment portfolio currently sits at £6,389,449.00. The RHG/D Association Investments make up 19.20% of this total thus making our share of the portfolio at £1,226,525.00.

2018-19

£0.00

£68,652.59

£68,652.59

£0.00

£0.00

£68,652.59

Total Funds 2017-18

£0.00

£69,749.39

£69,749.39

£0.00

£0.00

£69,749.39

Report of the Independent Examiner

I have examined the Balance Sheet and the Income and Expenditure accounts and report that, in my opinion, these accounts give a true and fair view of the Association’s affairs as at 31st March 2019 and the excess of income over expenditure for the year ended on that date.

Mr

F Hovell, Director

Perfect Accountancy Services Limited Westwind Management Solutions Limited

Aims and Objects

The Blues and Royals Oliver Montagu Fund Annual Report 2018-2019

During the past year the Association has continued to maintain its aims and objectives as laid down in the Constitution and Rules. There have been requests for assistance which have amounted to £7,470.00.

Income Dividends

Interest Grant Refunds Adjustments

Investment Portfolio

Income Income was £0.06 which came from Interest on bank deposits.

Expenditure

Expenditure for the period totalled £19,276.62.

Financial Statement

£20,275.94

£4.97

£0.00

£0.00

£20,280.91

Cash in Hand

Administration costs over the last 12 months were £11,806.62.

2017-2018

£0.00

£59,607.94

£100.25

£0.00

£0.00

£59,708.19 2017-2018

£3,474.99

£3,000.00

£0.00

£0.00

£6,974.99

The total investment portfolio currently sits at £6,389,449.00. The RHG/D Oliver Montague Fund Investments make up 18.08% of this total thus making our share of the portfolio at £1,154,952.00.00.

Report of the Independent Examiner

I have examined the Balance Sheet and the Income and Expenditure accounts and report that, in my opinion, these

Westwind Management Solutions Limited 2017-2018

2018-19

£0.00

£40,472.77

£10,075.62

£0.00

£0.00

£50,548.39

accounts give a true and fair view of the Association’s affairs as at 31st March 2019 and the excess of income over expenditure for the year ended on that date.

Mr F Hovell Director Perfect

Accountancy Services Limited

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of The Blues and Royals Association Committee held at Hyde Park Barracks, Combermere Barracks, Windsor on Friday 29th March 2019

The Chairman opened the meeting at 1800 hrs with 35 members present, he welcomed all in attendance especially with this being our 50th Dinner and particularly poignant as this will be our last Association Dinner in Combermere Barracks.

The Chairman conveyed his thanks to Lt Col Mark Berry Comd Offr HCR, who sadly cannot make the dinner as he and his RHQ are away at Fort Hood, United States on exercise. Thanks was also given to WO1 (RCM) T Horton for the use of the WOs’ and NCOs’ Mess.

The Chairman pointed out that we had 350 seating down to this year which is a fantastic turn out, we still have ladies attending which is only right and proper.

Minutes of the Last Meeting

Copies of the previous AGM minutes

were in the latest edition of the Household Cavalry Journal and are on the seats around the room.

After no points were raised the chairman asked for a proposer and for a second. It was Proposed by Mr Gillingham and Seconded by Capt (retd) Trinick.

Accounts

The Hon Treasure read out a statement of the accounts.

No points raised

The Combined Cavalry Parade

The Chairman reminded all in attendance that if they wished to gain entrance in HPB after the service they should have given their names to HHQ.

There will be a 53 seater coach on the Sq, leaving Combermere at 0900hrs

departing from Hyde Park at 1300hrs

The Chairman asked as many people as possible to attend the Bombing Memorial site for our annual service directly after the COCCA Service.

Ratification of New Committee Members

The Chairman explained that this year there are 3 vacancies in the Committee, due to the voluntary stepping down of Mr Eric Lane and Mr Chippy Chamberlain who have both carried out a sterling job over the 10 years they have been on the Committee. Also sadly with the passing of Mr Dougie Claridge last year who was a larger than life character on the Committee, which our condolences go to his family and friends.

The Chairman asked the 3 new individuals to stand up and introduce themselves. Mr G Jones, Mr J Naylor ,

Mr A Peat, as there were no objections the Chairman asked for the decision to be proposed. It was Proposed by Mr P Young and Seconded by Mr J Triggs.

Association Dinner 2020

The Chairman explained that Committee have been tasked to come up with alternatives venues for next year, these include Bulford and Hyde Park which has its limitations due to the size of our attendance and the H&S issue at Kingsbridge.

The cost of Association Dinners are rising even when using military establishments due to the Civilian Companies taking over all the catering contracts. The options of a hotel will be looked into.

There will be a clear decision made by the Committee on our next meeting, the

Hon Sec will inform you all of location and date which will more than likely revert back to May.

Mr P Young expressed his concerns with accommodation around the Bulford area especially for people who are travelling from overseas. The Chairman acknowledged his concerns.

Household Cavalry Farewell Parade 2019

The Chairman announced on the 18th May the Regiments will be holding a farewell to Windsor parade, after 215 years we will be moving to Bulford, Wiltshire. The Hon Sec will be sending out an instruction in due course to ask for Volunteers to form a Marching Party. The Association will slot into the parade as the Regiment arrive at the top of the Short Walk.

The Regimental Colonel HRH Princess

Royal will address the parade who will be halted in front of the Guild Hall.

The Chairman would like to ask as many Association Members to attend as possible to attend. There will be a small after party in Combermere Barracks following the parade where all Association Members are invited.

Any Other Business

Mr Paul Young , introduced himself and gave a brief warning order with regards to NI Op Banner 50th Anniversary.

Next AGM

The next AGM will be held in March 2020, location to be confirmed.

Close of Meeting

The meeting was closed at 1815 hrs

The Blues and Royals Association Regional Representatives 2019

Regional Representatives of The Blues and Royals Association are volunteers that have agreed to have their details published in the Household Cavalry Journal in order that they may be contacted by other Association members in their area. Initially, the Regional Representatives will provide contact with Home Headquarters for those who have served but have lost touch with the Regiment. Additionally, they may be asked to represent the Association at funerals of departed comrades, visit former members of the Regiment and circulate Regimental information to those in their area. If you would like to be considered as a Regional Representative for the Association, please contact the Honorary Secretary at the address shown within the Association information.

ENGLAND

Essex

Mr T J Young 01702 351 228 timkim.young@btinternet.com

Hampshire

Mr G Demmellweek-Pooley 07920 131 093 Tomdp3546@icloud.com

Kent

Mr A Gaddes 07842 624 724 Alexgaddes@aol.com

Mr N G Sargeant 01732 355 259 nevsargeant@gmail.com

Mr E Lane 07827 328 760 ericllane_@hotmail.com

Middlesex

Mr M Perry 07753 603 080 2444mp@gmail.co.uk

Northamptonshire

Mr P Smith 07897 656 825 p.smith@rockinghamcastle.com

South London/Surrey /Hamps

Mr J Dickens 07715 539 141 jpd3614@aol.com

Surrey

Mr N C Lewis-Baker 01372 456 025 ma2da@hotmail.co.uk

West Sussex

Mr M Bray 07738 565 830 mathewbray@yahoo.com

South West

Cornwall

Mr B H Coode 01726 882 488 bhcoode@btinternet.com

Devon

Mr D F Harris 07837 101 402 davidharris526@hotmail.co.uk

Wiltshire/Gloucestershire

Mr H F Jodrell 07909 887 711 henry@jodrell.or.uk

East Anglia

Norfolk

Mr S McCormack 07738 939 051 spencermccormack@hotmail.co.uk

Mr A Featherstone 07876 401 021 andrdeath@aol.com

Suffolk

Mr A Davies 07741 310459 andy635@me.com

Mr G Kingham 07766 001 919 big_gray@hotmail.com

Midlands

East Midlands

Mr S Davies 07791 585 144 studava42@mail.com

Hertfordshire

Mr C Seddon 07366 599 431 cjseds1@yahoo.co.uk

Leicestershire

Mr C Payne 07782 341 089 chasepayne@googlemail.com

Peterborough

Mr T Uglow 07775 639 876 tomuglow78@gmail.com

West Midlands/Staffs

Mr I M Smith 07525 128 475 ismith@firmin.co.uk

West Midlands/Walsall

Mr B J Pyke 01922 639 562 bjpyk@aol.com

Worcestershire

Mr J Ward 07753 295 152 Julian.ward@hotmail.co.uk

North West

Liverpool

Mr K Hancock 07809 573 956 kevinhancock2010@gmail.com

Mr Robert Spackman 07936 678 383 Robbiespackman5@gmail.com

North East

Newcastle

Mr D Horsefield 01912 665 440 Davidhorsefield52@gmail.com

Sheffield

Mr P Harding 07875 620 685 paul_harding@btinternet.com

Yorkshire

Mr A Mardon 07824 468 843 limerick123@aol.com

SCOTLAND

Renfrewshire

Mr S Newman 07983 533 436 stephennewman@hotmail.com

Dumfries & Galloway

Mr I Munro 07724 207 321 ianmunro443@hotmail.com

WALES

Merthyr Tydfil

Mr N Hardwidge 01685 841 335 rafafan@aol.com

NORTHERN IRELAND

Mr P Young 07710 616 766 dpaulyoung@hotmail.com

IRELAND

Mr Timmis 0035 (0) 861 767 387 ronaldtchrist@hotmail.co.uk

OVERSEAS

AMERICAS

Central USA

Mr P Scott 262 852 5205 scottphilip@att.net

EUROPE

Bulgaria Mr B Wall spectemuragendo.195@gmail.com

Canaries Mr S MacKay simon@abyssfurteventura.com

Cyprus Mr Duffy 00357 963 92341 dufftech@live.co.uk

Sweden Mr P Young young.paul.c@gmail.com

REST OF THE WORLD

Hong Kong

Mr J Dewe +85298 660 936 johndewe@outlook.com

Tanzania/Kenya

Mr J Corse +255 753 353 760 jamcorse@gmail.com

Household Cavalry Foundation by

The Household Cavalry Foundation (The HCF) is the Household Cavalry’s official charity.

“The HCF supports all members of the Household Cavalry ‘family’; our operational casualties, serving soldiers, veterans and their dependants. The HCF also supports our heritage and the welfare of our retired horses.”

www.hcavfoundation.org

Charity Commission Registration Number 1151869 Company Number 08236363

2019 saw genuine progress in helping our beneficiaries, namely operational casualties, serving soldiers, veterans and their dependents by securing more donors to support our regimental family of c.10,000.

There have been fantastic team and individual fundraising events such as CastleTrek, The Great Bus Pass Adventure and Marathon running, as well as a new educational initiative to support

Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Giles Stibbe OBE

Personal Learning Credits; these credits are helpfully flexible so they can be used by all serving personnel and veterans who are eligible. Several individuals have already successfully used them to complete MBAs; and a Warrant Officer has been commissioned into the Army’s Education Branch.

It is wonderful to be able to start this Report with superb news about one of our operational casualties, double-amputee Corie Mapp, who has become the first Briton to claim a European Para-Bobsleigh title. The overall bronze winner in the 2019 World Cup started this new 2019-20 season by spectacularly winning four Gold and a Silver Medal: ’… the culmination of an amazing year of sliding …’ Corie has also played sitting volleyball for Great Britain at the Invictus Games.

10th July was a memorable fundraising day for the HCF when The Duke of Cambridge and his brother hosted Angela Nicholls and her children Cameron and Erin. Also in attendance were Prince William’s former driver Scott

(‘Biscuits’) Brown, and Squadron Physical Training Instructor Corporal-Major Leigh Preston.

CastleTrek, (28th July to 7th August) was a team march between Windsor and Edinburgh Castles. This challenge exemplified All Ranks’ - serving and retired - generosity, commitment and team spirit. It raised funds for The Royal British Legion (TRBL - 50%), The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals’ Regimental Associations (12.5% each) and The HCF (25%). All credit goes to Martin Semple, whose vision inspired CastleTrek in memory of his sister; it’s poignant too that CastleTrek paid tribute en route to several of our fallen comrades: Lance-Corporal Ross Nicholls at Bletchley, Trooper James ‘Magpie’ Munday at Coleshill, and Lance-Corporal Sean Tansey at Sunderland. Another achievement is that CastleTrek may have added Piping to the Household Cavalry’s globally iconic musical talent!

Thanks are also due to Jaguar Land Rover, Troop Logos and all HCav ‘Family’ members and connections for their

wonderful support that enabled this unique feat. The motto of The Royal Dragoons Spectemur Agendo (‘Judge us by our Deeds’) seems most appropriate. It was also fitting that The Royal British Legion chose CastleTrek for a deservedly leading role at their annual Festival of Remembrance in The Royal Albert Hall on the eve of Remembrance Sunday.

Another very significant individual achievement was John Hadfield’s Great Bus Pass Adventure from Land’s End to John O’Groats; John very kindly raised money for both Combat Stress and The HCF.

Other notable individual Serving and Veteran fundraisers are our Marathon Runners: Dan D Hughes and Peter Osborne in London, Corporal Tom Annetts in Dublin, and Tom Maples across Les Sables. Moreover, Mel Barnes, a Household Cavalry wife and mother, has established a most impressive annual Marathon record; and Captain Wright’s Iron Man programme looks as awesome as any Marathon des Sables

Key new sponsorship is the endowment of a scholarship for The HCF by Ascot’s War Horse Memorial charity. The first recipient is our pilot Clifford O’Farrell who has now become an Ambassador for Ascot’s War Horse Memorial and mentor for the Power of Polo Charity. This charity was created after the founder saw what could be accomplished through Andrew Jelinek and Clifford playing polo.

The HCF is also most grateful to a famous City restaurant, Sweeting’s, which has pledged an equivalent scholarship to the Ascot War Memorial’s. Congratulations are due to a former of-

ficer who, with HCF support, recently passed his Military History MA with Distinction and was awarded the Mary Barker Memorial Prize for the best overall postgraduate performance in Politics & History. .

Readers will recall that our donor, sponsor and investment income enables support to our two leading recipient groups, namely our Operational Casualties, Veterans and their Dependants and our Serving Soldiers. Accordingly our Welfare Committee’s two key priorities remain:

1. To prepare for the emergence of latent Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). (Research by King’s College, London University claims 88/1,000

(9%) of deployed troops could suffer PTSD. For the Household Cavalry that means about 100 of our Old Comrades may gradually show PTSD symptoms).

2. To ensure the continual quality of prosthetics for our Wounded, Injured and Sick (WIS). To help achieve this, the HCF is linked to The Royal British Legion’s specialist department at Imperial College mainly thanks to Major Alex Owen ex-RHG/D. Moreover, we have continued access to the new Veterans’ Centre at King Edward Vll Hospital.

Our aim, whenever possible, is to help our Operational Casualty beneficiaries to ‘Do The Same Things Differently’ to quote the MoD’s Battle Back project motto.

Their achievements this year include:

• Retraining trades to avoid PTSD.

• Achieving a third top grade year teacher-training at the Open University.

• Palliative care for cancer, and other long-term illnesses.

• A wife using her Sandhurst degree to work for Blind Veterans UK.

Special thanks to our volunteer postcode-based Associations’ representatives who often provide the first front-line contact with potential beneficiaries that’s so often key at the proverbial ‘sharp end’. These SITREPs to Home HQ are often vital.

This process has proved invaluable for

Clifford O’Farrell Polo Player and Operational Casualty

John Hadfield - The Great Bus Pass Adventurer - arrives at John O’Groats on his birthday, 30th September 2019

Corporal Tom Annetts Dublin Marathon, 27th October 2019

both Serving Soldiers and Veterans as it uses ’tried and tested’ and trusted Chains-of-Command. A genuine bonus of this is integrating extant best practice including media links acknowledged as exemplary.

Serving soldiers are supported annually based on a per capita rate agreed with Commanding Officers by The HCF’s Trustees. Their aim is to enhance quality of life and so improve retention and recruiting. For example, to encourage competition and adventure, entry fees and equipment continue to be subsidised. The Journal contains articles showing how this support has underpinned events that very much contribute to providing challenges that make the Household Cavalry unique.

Serving soldiers are asked to apply to The HCF via their Chain-of-Command, and Veterans via their Regimental Associations at our Home Headquarters.

The HCF also continues to help to support Household Cavalry recruiting initiatives, especially new recruiting advertisements and films. The Household Cavalry Recruiting and Community Engagement Team has also now established regular successful support to The HCF each summer starting at the Royal Windsor Horse Show and culminating at HCMR’s Summer Camp Open Day.

A special first is The HCF’s support for Corporal of Horse Jake McClure, popular and disruption our Household Cavalry Red Devil in the British Army’s Parachute Display Team.

Our Band, supported on the same per capita rate as both regiments, has kindly donated the profits from sales of Shining Sword its first CD as a joint Band.

The Director continues to meet with and host potential and existing donors by providing 6-monthly visits to HCR and fortnightly visits to our Museum and HCMR. These are proving very popular, and disruption to Household Cavalrymen’s busy lives is minimal because extant visit templates are used.

Heritage.

2019’s priority was the first Unit Move since 1992’s ‘Union’; all property was safely moved from Windsor to Bulford and insured with a new company.

Repairs were also made to our Dingo in time for the Op Market Garden reunion; and HCMR’s Guard Van has returned to duty in ‘showroom condition’. Several of our new supporters’ groups such as veteran Cabbies, Crystal Palace and Fulham FC Academies and Beef-

steaks were suitably impressed.

Support was also given to ‘Best of both Worlds: Operational and Ceremonial’ photographs by globally iconic Ripley; these photos will be sold to support The HCF.

Horses.

Help was given to deserving cases identified by horse welfare charities, and, in 2020, we anticipate a first horsewhispering course specifically aimed at veterans.

The HCF’s Staff are: Lt Col (Retd) Giles Stibbe. Mary Edwards (our weekly book-keeper).

The HCF’s Trustees are:

Chair: Colonel Crispin Lockhart

Deputy Chair: Lieutenant Colonel Jim Eyre

Colonel James Gaselee

Lady Jane Grosvenor, mother, wife and descendant of Household Cavalrymen. Captain Edward Goodchild

Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Griffin (Secretary and Regimental Adjutant)

The HCF’s budget is roughly divided as follows: 3/7 to Operational Casualties and Veterans and their dependents; 2/7 to Serving Soldiers and their dependents; 2/7 on Heritage, Horses and support costs such as audit, legal, insurance, staff salaries and this annual Journal.

It must also be understood that Restricted Funds can only be used for purposes that their Trustees sanction.

The seven Restricted Funds in our Investment Portfolio of eight stakeholders are: Operational Casualties, The Blues & Royals’ Association, The Oliver Montagu Fund, HCR, HCMR, our Children’s Fund and the Serving Officers’ Trust.

So The HCF is the eighth and only Unrestricted Fund in our Investment Portfolio.

The majority of The One Day’s Pay Scheme (paid voluntarily by serving officers and soldiers) is paid to both Regimental Associations.

A few bullet points for your information:

• A mandatory Periodic Review of Fund Managers has started.

• The closest liaison on all matters is maintained with The Life Guards’

Association to guarantee pan-Household Cavalry coordination. Their Chair, Colonel James Gaselee, is also a HCF Trustee, as is the Chair of The Blues and Royals’ Regimental Association Lieutenant Colonel Jim Eyre.

• The HCF and The Life Guards’ and The Blues and Royals’ Regimental Associations all pay similar annual amounts on welfare.

• Two former officers have generously endowed Quick Reaction Welfare Funds.

• All retail activities remain focussed on our Household Cavalry Museum’s shop; the only exceptions being some specific uniform items supplied via Quartermasters, and cards and diaries from our Regimental Associations.

• Due diligence resulted in new in-year Contracts for Insurance and Accountants.

• Our Auditors, Buzzacott, are also used by the Household Cavalry Museum.

• Ex-Household Cavalryman Matt Pellet, who runs Troop Logos, is thanked for his outstanding support, such as giving us discounted rates for his top quality equipment and contributing to Regimental Charities. He is also congratulated on gaining hard-won and very rare MoD approval for his kit.

Gift Aid is claimed at every opportunity.

Please remember how user-friendly and easy the process is to fund-raise for The HCF and both our Regimental Associations. I challenge you to do so…

I would also like to remind you that a legacy in a Will is a most effective way to support your charity: The HCF. Advice is available from the Director.

Household Cavalry Foundation Accounts 2018-19

Charity Registration Number 1013978 Company Registration Number 08236363 (England and Wales)

Financial Years 2018 and 2019

Income and Expenditure

Income from:

Donations and legacies

Investments and interest receivable

Total income

Expenditure on:

Raising funds

Charitable activities

. Assisting service personnel and dependants

Total expenditure

Net (expenditure) income before investment gains

Net gains on investments

Net (expenditure) income for the year

Transfers between funds

Net movement in funds

Fund balances at 1st April 2018

Fund balances at 31st March 2019

assets

Cash at bank and in hand

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Net current liabilities

Total assets less current liabilities

Creditors: amounts falling due in more than one year Total net assets Represented by:

(14,085) 6,037 (8,048) (4,000) (12,048) 1,949,291 1,937,243

(2,451,024) 3,879,809 (15,000) 3,864,809 1,935,098 1,869,711

213,890 (2,608,699)

6,217,455 (2,394,809) 3,822,646 (15,000) 3,807,646 1,870,403 1,907,243 30,000 3,807,646

Household Cavalry Museum

At the beginning of the new Financial Year we were thrilled to report that Museum visitors numbers were up on the year prior despite a difficult trading environment. Though London, international city that it is, may have seemed constantly busy, our incredible location means we are at the mercy of both local and world events. Climate Change protestors Extinction Rebellion occupied London for 2 weeks at the beginning of April 2019 impacting the entire Easter holiday period, and in addition to regular Ceremonial Season rehearsals and events, the US State Visit added two extra days of lost business to the period. Overall, external factors negatively impacted the Museum on 26 business days spread over the first nine weeks of the Financial Year. To not only succeed in such a climate, but to improve on expectation during this time is wonderful. Huge thanks go to our hard working team of staff and volunteers and to all of you, our dedicated supporters. Thank you!

This year we’ve done our best to extend hospitality to our local, national and international military brethren and have

by Alice Pearson, Museum Director

been able to host visitors from Sweden, Kuwait and Germany; and ahead of the D-Day 75th anniversary we were most honoured to welcome an incredibly humble Omaha Beach veteran to the

Boarding at Benenden: Support for Service Families

In May we greatly enjoyed supporting the Regiment with a fundraising event to sustain the art collection of the

Museum.

WO&NCO’s Mess, Knightsbridge and were lucky enough to be able to display the Mess’s newest commission in return. The piece by Anthony Oakshett depicts the Staircase Party at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in May 2018, and is believed to be the first painting portraying three generations of future monarchs. It was a huge hit with our Museum visitors and we’d also like to extend our thanks to all those who attended our fundraiser - most especially the Civil Service Riding Club without whom such success would not have been possible. Prints of the original are now available for sale in the Museum shop.

Over the summer the documentary The Queen’s Cavalry which aired on ITV in July brought the Regiment and by extension our Museum to a wider UK audience than ever before. So we’d like to thank everyone who was involved in the project and encourage you to continue spreading the word.

Building on such public interest we had a most excellent first ever Half Term Open Day on Thursday 24th October

with Regimental representatives from the Engagement, Farrier, Saddler and Tailoring teams all on site to support us and wow the crowds. Doubling our expectation, over 330 visitors enjoyed demonstrations, talks and show-andtell from a vast array of specialist areas and were amused and horrified in equal measures by our Heads, Hooves and Horror Stories walking tour.

Schools wise, Remembrance was an incredibly busy period with our own school bookings and those linking with our Westminster City Archive partnership leading to 13 school visits in 8 days and hundreds of pupils freshly associated with the dedication and sacrifices made by soldiers and citizens over 100 years ago. We’ve already succeeded in an application for our next Remembrance project grant for 2020, and even added another string to our bow with an additional project in early 2020 teaching local children about the little talked about Cato Street Conspiracy.

Behind the scenes we have been beavering away reapplying for our Arts Council England Accreditation award; sub-

mitting over 350 pages of paperwork on collection care, access and outreach approaches, security and business and forward planning processes. A huge and never ending thank you to all the team members, volunteers and external helpers who supported this, and of course to those who steered the ship whilst we were neck deep in paperwork.

As ever, please do remind friends and family about us and let any new acquaintances, special interest groups, families and schools know we’re here and are open to all. Serving Household Cavalry personnel and their accompanying family members can enter the Museum free of charge as can Veteran Household Cavalry personnel. All other military personnel are offered a 50% discount. The Museum offers fantastic tours for all tastes and is an enchanting setting for Private Events; contact the team for more information now.

Social media streams to please follow: Website: www.householdcavalrymuseum.co.uk Facebook and Twitter: @hcavmuseum Instagram: @householdcavalrymuseum

Household Cavalry Museum (Archive)

2019 has proved to be a busy and slightly stressful one for we of the ‘HCR footprint’ remaining in Windsor although our new hosts, 1st Battalion The Welsh Guards, have been the soul of hospitality and from a purely practical point of view the move of the bulk of the regiment to Bulford, whatever the historical perspective, has made little difference to our day to day work. It is however fair to say that the reception,

by P Storer, Curator

recording and storage of a significant number of items which came to light during the ‘pre-move’ and ‘move’ period has been interesting to say the least.

Much of our work this year has been focussed on the recording, conservation and storage of the collection and rewriting the policies pertaining to this prior to re-accreditation which is due at the end of December 2019. Along with this an

ongoing programme of digitising some of our archive documents and scanning and recording a large and largely unsorted collection of photographs keeps us busy and gainfully employed on a day to day level.

We have kept our core group of 16-18 volunteers in being despite the disruption of the regimental move. They continue to put in a huge amount of work

Trevor Pears, museum volunteer, getting to grips with the photograph collection

in all areas of the archive and it would be invidious to single out individuals for special praise. Suffice it to say that without them we wouldn’t be able to continue to do what we do, they are a dedicated and enthusiastic group with many specialist skills and they all deserve our thanks.

The Museum staff and Volunteer team at present consist of the following individuals:

Pete Storer, ex RHG/D, Curator Sue Storer, Administrator

Nigel Lewis-Baker MBE, ex RHG and Queens Regiment

Sam Keyworth BEM, ex RHG and 3rd Carabiniers

Geoff Knowles BEM, ex LG

Bev Lawson, ex RHG and RHG/D

Don Johnson, ex LG

Ian Thompson, ex RHG and Guards Para

Jim Lees, ex Royals and RHG/D

Stuart Madden, Ex RAOC and RLC

Tony (Spider) Webb, ex RHG/D

Ivor Slade, ex RHG/D

Jerry Higham, ex RHG/D

Bill and Anne Wheeldon

Trevor Pears

Jonathan and Leslie Holl

Monica O’Donaghue

Fiona Robbin

Samantha Wyndham

We are, as can be seen, a little ‘Blue heavy’, at the moment so any enquiries from ex Life Guards wishing to assist would be most welcome.

The archive staff continues to carry out regular group guided tours of the barracks which are always well received despite the current lack of any interesting vehicles and an empty vehicle park and LAD since HCR moved out. Sadly a few white minibuses and the odd Land Rover can’t compete with CVR(T) and Panther for public interest. The tours will no doubt continue to be popular, and to raise revenue, for as long as the museum, the stables and the black horses are available to us. We’ve introduced a Welsh Guards element into the programme to fill some of the gaps left by the exit of HCR which has also been generally well received, not least by our hosts.

We continue to receive donated items and to make occasional purchases on behalf of the collection. Among these this year have been an excellent pair of mint copies of both the 1 and 2 HCR War Histories, which appear to have never been read, presented by a donor who found them while carrying out a house clearance, and an excellent medal group to Sgt Ted Owen MM of the 1st Royal Dragoons. Sgt Owen was a pre-war pro-

fessional soldier who won his Military Medal at Gazala in the Western Desert in 1941 and was sadly killed in action in Holland in October 1944. This MM group was purchased from a dealer in Australia and came with an interesting collection of paperwork, photographs and letters relating to the life and death of Sgt Owen.

Along with the day to day archive work we continue to provide battlefield tour expertise to the Regiment and the Regimental Associations. In April this year we carried out a very successful tour to Arnhem and followed the ‘Operation Market Garden’ route with particular reference to the actions involving 2 HCR between 17th and 21st September 1944. Having taken over the operational Daimler Dingo as a working exhibit we were also involved, together with Captain Piers Flay, LCoH Harry Day and L/Cpl Matthew Palmer HCR in taking the vehicle to Holland in September to follow the XXX Corps route on the 75th Anniversary of the action. Later in September we hosted the International Guild of Battlefield Guides to an accreditation day at the archive. Our annual visit to Zandvoorde from 29-31st October enabled us to continue to commemorate those Household Cavalrymen who fought and died there in October 1914 and finished off a busy year of battlefield visits.

A Household Cavalry Associations visit to Waterloo in April 2020 is in the planning stages as is a proposed battlefield tour to Normandy with the Household Cavalry Band in July 2020.

The Museum Dingo, Capt Piers Flay RHG/D in command, en route to Arnhem

Jerry Higham remembering how it used to be at Knightsbridge

Obituaries

The Life Guards

It is with much regret that the Honorary Secretary announces the death of the following Old Comrades announced in the last 12 months. The Life Guards Association offers their sincere condolences to all members of their families. May they Rest in Peace.

O Ever-living God, King of Kings, in whose service we put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation, grant we beseech thee that The Life Guards may be faithful unto death, and at last receive the crown of life from Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

296671 CoH G Whitworth LG

Served from June 1945 to May 1948

Died 24th April 2017, aged 89 years

22475505 Tpr Thomas Wilson LG

Served from 5th April 1951 to 20th April 1953

Died 7th July 2017, aged 84 years

23215638 Tpr R Waring LG

Served from Ef 1958 to December 1966

Died November 2019, aged 79 years

503704 Maj (DoM) James McColl LG

Served from 31st March 1977 to 4th December 1989

Died 27th December 2017, aged 80 years

22556792 Tpr G Read LG

Served from August 1954 to August 1957

Died 28th October 2018, aged 83 years

481133 Captain Ron Sheffield LG

Served from 1945 to 1971

Died 30th November 2018, aged 91 years

23068992 Tpr Ronald Smith LG

Served from 1st September 1954 to 1st September 1956

Died 3rd January 2019, aged 81 years

22556277 Tpr Len Weeks LG

Served from 1st March 1953 to 1st March 1956

Died 4th January 2019, aged 84 years

24884280 Tpr Andrew Creed LG

Served from 30th August 1989 to 9th December 1998

Died 11th January 2019, aged 46 years

21034285 Tpr Peter Edwards LG

Served from 1st January 1947 to 31st December 1949

Died 12th January 2019, aged 89 years

23865717 Tpr George Cuthbertson LG

Served from 13th February 1961 to 13th February 1967

Died 15th January 2019, aged 75 years

24021537 Tpr Derek Meakin LG

Served from 5th September 1965 to 4th September 1974

Died 4th February 2019, aged 75 years

23427540 Tpr William Elsmore LG

Served from 7th November 1957 to 29th November 1959

Died 8th February 2019, aged 82 years

22205198 LCpl Richard Foster LG

Served from 8th August 1948 to 9th October 1953

Died 11th February 2019, aged 87 years

Lt Bruno Schroder LG

Served from 1st January 1951 to 1st January 1953

Died 20th February 2019, aged 86 years

22556471 Tpr Barrie Jessup LG

Served from 14th September 1953 to 30th September 1956

Died 25th February 2019, aged 83 years

296365 Mr Lesley Elford LG

Served from 16th May 1944 to 4th April 1948

Died 13th March 2019, aged 92 years

24263272 Tpr Michael Ormiston LG

Served from 1973 to 1977

Died 20th March 2019, aged 61 years

22205913 Tpr Peter Hancock LG

Served from April 1952 to March 1954

Died 25th March 2019, aged 85

30123210 LCpl Joel Robinson LG

Served from September 2010 to March 2019

Died 25th March 2019, aged 24 years

25115530 Tpr Peter Wycherley LG

Served from 6th June 1999 to 5th July 2008

Died 28th March 2019, aged 39 years

23969251 Mr Malcom Manetta LG

Served from 24th August 1964 to 1st August 1973

Died 4th April 2019, aged 74 years

23879582 LCoH Norman Thoms LG

Served from 21st August 1962 to 1st June 1977

Died 17th April 2019, aged 75 years

23865195 Mr John Jennings LG

Served from 25th October 1966 to 26th October 1972

Died 19th April 2019, aged 74 years

22162990 Tpr A Powell LG

Served from May 1962 to June 1965

Died 7th May 2019, aged 88

23879516 Tpr J Staples LG

Served from May 1962 to June 1965

Died 21st May 2019, aged 77 years

24096614 Tpr Joe Gutteridge LG

Served from 15th July 1967 to 30th October 1973

Died 24th May 2019, aged 68 years

22556699 CoH LK Thomas LG

Served from 1st March 1954 to 1st March 1969

Died 24th May 2019, aged 84 years

22151400 Tpr George Marsh LG

Served from 1st July 1949 to 31st July 1951

Died 26th May 2019, aged 88 years

CoH Anthony Griffiths LG

Unknown service details

Died 4th June 2019, aged 70 years

24141789 LCpl Edward Kusnierski LG

Unknown service dates

Died 13th June 2019, aged 64 years

23215413 Mr John Pike LG

Served from 31st December 1957 to 30th December 1966

Died 28th June 2019, aged 80 years

21127713 Mr John James LG

Served from 21st October 1947 to 1st March 1962

Died 28th June 2019, aged 89 years

23028371 Tpr Derek Penney LG

Served from 6th May 1954 to 7th May 1956

Died 9th July 2019, aged 85 years

24571671 Mr Andrew Sandor LG

Served from 9th September 1980 to 31th November 1984

Died 11th July 2019, aged 57 years

30287387 Tpr Tristan Rodick LG

Served from 15th January 2018.

Died 16th July 2019, aged 23 years

23215430 Tpr Anthony Wolfe LG

Served from 1st January 1957 to 31st December 1958

Died 14th August 2019, aged 80 years

14916801 Mr Lawrence Kirk LG

Served from 15th March 1945 to 2nd February 1948

Died 16th August 2019, aged 92 years

22556162 WO1 Maurice Young LG

Served from 17th January 1952 to 5th December 1976

Died 27th August 2019, aged 84 years

296165 Cpl Alan Piggot LG

Served form 18th September 1943 to 15th January 1952

Died 29th August 2019, aged 92 years

484979 Lt Richard Atkinson LG

Served from 9th December 1966 to 6th July 1970

Died 1st September 2019, aged 72 years

357317 Capt David Palmer LG

Served form 1st September 1944 to 31st December 1949

Died 4th September 2019, aged 92 years

22501288 Tpr Harold Weddle LG

Served from 25th May 1951 to 30th June 1953

Died 18th September 2019, aged 86 years

14394208 LCpl Stewart Wilson LG

Served from 1st December 1943 to 1st April 1947

Died 18th September 2019, aged 96 years

23865880 Tpr Ray Peck LG

Served from 1st April 1962 to 31st May 1965

Died 12th October 2019, aged 75 years

491961 Maj James Morris LG

Served from 1st February 1949 to 1st September 1985

Died 15th October 2019, aged 88 years

22205528 Mr Geoffrey Greening LG Served from 22nd May 1950 to 21st May 1959

Died 17th October 2019, aged 86 years

295980 SCpl George Hitchman LG Served from 10th November 1942 to 9th November 1954

Died 26th October 2019, aged 94 years

22081483 Tpr Lionel Seymour LG Served from 1st January 1948 to 31st December 1958

Died 29th October 2019, aged 89 years

The Blues and Royals

22556792 Tpr George Read LG

Served from 12th August 1954 to 9th August 1957

Died 28th October 2019, aged 83 years

23215651 Tpr William Lewis LG Served from February 1958 to July 1959

Died 9th November 2019, aged 79 years

22953928 Cpl Bernard Mullen LG Served from May 1953 to May 1956

Died 20th December 2019, aged 84 years

23222263 LCpl Charles Buxton LG Served from 6th November 1956 to 12th March 1960

Died 23rd December 2019, aged 79 years

24125930 LCoH Ian McDonald LG

Served from 14th April 1970 to 14th May 1979

Died 27th December 2019, aged 68 years

24350041 LCpl Steve Pearson LG Served from 1976 to 1982

Died 28th December 2019, aged 59 years

It is with much regret that the Honorary Secretary announces the death of the following Old Comrades. The Blues and Royals Association offer their sincere condolences to all members of their families. May they Rest in Peace.

O Lord Jesus Christ who by the Holy Apostle has called us to put on the armour of God and to take the sword of the spirit, give thy grace we pray thee, to The Blues and Royals that we may fight manfully under thy banner against all evil, and waiting on thee to renew our strength, may mount up with wings as eagles, in thy name, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

22978848 Cpl R Edge 1RD

Served from January 1953 to December 1956

Unknown date of death

14437850 Tpr Bob Mead RHG

Served from July 1943 to June 1947

Unknown date of death

22205658 Cpl Terence Hegarty RHG

Served from 5th February 1951 to 1st January 1958

Unknown date of death

306830 Mr J Housego RHG

Served from 2nd October 1946 to 1st February 1952

Died 2nd March 2015, aged 85 years

22898246 LCpl Thomas Molyneux

Served from 1953 to 1955

Died 25th July 2017, aged 82 years

23747925 Tpr William Judson RHG

Served from 7th November 1960 to 15th December 1967

Died 9th November 2018, aged 75 years

24076497 LCpl Richard Malinowski RHG/D

Served from 1st February 1967 to 6th October 1972

Died 16th December 2018, aged 71 years

23215738 LCpl David Bradley RHG

Served from 17th March 1958 to 16th March 1964

Died 4th January 2019, aged 78 years

478614 Lord Normanton RHG

Served from 3rd April 1965 to 30th June 1972

Died 13th February 2019, aged 73 years

23138630 WO1 James Hunter RHG/D

Served from 12th April 1955 to 13th October 1977

Died 13th April 2019, aged 82 years

495440 Major Arthur LawsonCruttenden TD RHG/D

Served from 1st January 1973 to 30th September 1974

Died 17th April 2019, aged 64 years

502271 Major Paddy Kersting RHG/D

Served from 26th August 1954 to 13th October 1986

Died 21st April 2019, aged 84 years

22865588 Cpl Brian Gleed RHG

Served from 1st January 1953 to 1st January 1960

Died 10th May 2019, aged 84 years

30664 WO1 Douglas Godfrey-Cass RHG/D

Served from 16th November 1944 to 25th February 1982

Died 15th May 2019, aged 92 years

306870 LCpl John Alford RHG

Served from 17th February 1947 to 3rd December 1952

Died 1st June 2019, aged 90 years

306309 Tpr Roger Holder RHG

Served from 1st September 1943 to 1st July 1947

Died 30th June 2019, aged 94 years

22205040 SCpl Peter Truslove RHG

Served from 15th March 1948 to 1st February 1968

Died 8th July 2019, aged 89 years

306541 Tpr Patrick O’Brien RHG

Served from 6th July 1944 to 8th March 1948

Died 13th July 2019, aged 93 years

24263325 Tpr Trevor Haworth RHG/D

Served from 23rd August 1973 to 19th March 1978

Died 29th July 2019, aged 62 years

498248 The Duke of Roxburghe RHG/D

Served from 29th June 1974 to 26th June 1977

Died 29th August 2019, aged 64 years

23865876 Tpr Charles Spence RHG/D

Served from 20th February 1962 to 19th May 1974

Died 3rd September 2019, aged 77 years

22545238 Cpl Robert Feltham RHG

Served from 12th May 1952 to 15th April 1955

Died 8th September 2019, aged 85 years

Bruno Schroder

Late The Life Guards

23571256 Tpr Michael Jeffs RHG

Served from 1st August 1958 to 1st August 1960

Died 10th September 2019, aged 82 years

448932 Capt Simon Clarke RHG

Served from 1st January 1956 to 31st December 1962

Died 25th September 2019, aged 83 years

23215362 Musn Derek Blakeson RHG

Served form 17th September 1956 to 17th September 1959

Died 6th October 2019, aged 81 years

23215502 CoH Colin Jones RHG/D

Served from 22nd May 1957 to 21st May 1979

Died 10th October 2019, aged 81 years

306826 Tpr Leslie Brown RHG

Served from 1st October 1946 to 17th July 1952

Died 18th October 2019, aged 90 years

22556657 WO2 Matthew Jamieson RHG/D

Served from 16th March 1954 to 5th November 1995

Died 21st October 2019, aged 83 years

BrunoSchroder, who has died aged 86, was the senior member of the family which controls the highly successful Schroders plc, an international fund manager and investment bank with responsibility for overseeing assets worth £450 billion. With operations in 26 countries and 4000 employees, it is a world-class asset manager on behalf of private and institutional investors, including pension funds, and also boasts a strong private banking arm, which acquired the wealth management element of Cazenove in 2013.

Bruno was a non-executive director of the eponymous firm for 56 years and the longest serving board member of any company on London’s FTSE 100 Index.

He was also the guardian of the 18,000 acre Dunlossit Estate on the Scottish island of Islay, where he invested considerable time and resources in establishing it as a viable working estate, developing farming, forestry, quarrying and renewable energy schemes among other initiatives. Bruno played a sig-

23215512 Tpr Terence Nicholas

Served from 12th June 1957 to 11th June 1964

Died 27th October 2019, aged 81 years

24448369 Tpr Nigel Hancok RHG/D Served from 30th August 1978 to 2nd July 1985

Died 28th October 2019, aged 57 years

306265 LCpl William Markham RHG

Served from 1st August 1943 to 1st July 1947

Died 13th November 2019, aged 94 years

23835118 LCpl Daniel Cokayne RHG/D

Served from 1st January 1960 to 10th October 1969

Died 24th November 2019, aged 77 years

474620 Surg Col John Page RHG/D Served from 1st January 1964 to 1st January 1991

Died 9th December 2019, aged 82 years

22424245 Tpr John Stacey RHG

Served from 2nd July 1952 to 1st September 1952

Date of death unknown.

nificant and highly appreciated role in the island’s community life, supporting a wide range of activities, including helping to resuscitate the Bruichladdich whisky distillery and funding Islay’s lifeboat.

Heriot-Watt University awarded him the honorary degree of Doctorate of Letters in 2012 for ‘his contribution to Scottish whisky and other industries and to the preservation and development of the heritage, cultural life and economy of Scotland’.

Bruno’s great great grandfather, Johann Heinrich Schroder, founded the firm of J Henry Schroder and Co in 1804. Bruno joined the company in November 1960, initially working in the internal audit division, then in commercial banking before moving into the field of corporate finance, advising companies on takeovers and acquisitions. On 1st January 1963, he was appointed a non-executive director and continued in that capacity for the rest of his life.

He was a dedicated and meticulous pilot, having learned to fly in the 1970s, and flying remained a passion for the rest of his life. Having flown himself around the world in 1987, he was an enthusiastic member of The Royal Air Squadron

Bruno Lionel Schroder was born in London, where with his sister Charmaine he was brought up by parents Helmut and Margaret, the daughter of Colonel Sir Lionel Darell DSO, who had fought with the 1st Life Guards in the Great War. He was initially educated at Cothill House Preparatory School in rural Oxfordshire before attending Eton. National Service followed as a Lieutenant in The Life Guards. He never lost touch with The Life Guards and was a generous supporter of their charitable appeals, including playing a significant role in funding The Household Cavalry Museum. He enjoyed his seat on the Regimental Council where his wisdom and support was high-

ly valued by the Colonel of the Regiment.

After National Service he went to University College, Oxford to study politics, philosophy and economics, graduating with an Honours degree. He then obtained an MBA at Harvard before briefly working in Hamburg prior to returning to London in 1960.

In 1969 he married Patricia, known as ‘Piffa’, Holt, the daughter of an Irish soldier diplomat, and in 1974 they had a daughter, Leonie. The couple separated in the 1980s and later divorced. Bruno subsequently married Baroness Suzanne von Maltzahn. He is survived by Suzanne and Leonie.

Major Steward Vetch

Late The Life Guards

by Lt Col

Stewart

Donald

Granville Vetch died, aged 69, on 25th December 2019 at home in Kenya surrounded by his family.

Stewart grew up in Kenya on the family farm at Nyeri and at Molo in the Kenyan Highlands and later at Lake Baringo. It was an idyllic childhood giving him a deep knowledge of Kenyan wildlife which was a source of pleasure throughout his life. This idyll, facing down a rhinoceros, escaping from askaris whilst attempting to visit a girls’ dormitory in Limuru and numerous other escapades ended when he was sent to The Nautical College Pangbourne in England.

Stewart was popular at Pangbourne as he possessed an innate personal charm. While there he showed no apparent interest in joining the Army let alone the Navy but he did play the drum in the band appropriately clad in a leopard skin. From Pangbourne after brief dalliances in the City and at the Sorbonne, dalliances being the operative word in the latter case, Stewart was commissioned into The Life Guards in 1971 joining them in Germany. Stewart was not a man to bear a grudge but, having received an instruction to report to The Regiment whilst on holiday in America, he was greeted by the Adjutant saying that he was not expected for several weeks; he was a little irritated. Stewart had a full and varied army career encompassing Germany, Northern Ireland, mounted duty at Knightsbridge, Windsor and Cyprus before resigning his commission for civilian life in 1988.

Urbane and exceptionally good looking with great personal charm, Stewart was a hugely popular officer respected by all ranks. His languid air was deceptive as it concealed a tremendous work ethic.

Stewart’s time on the Westphalian plain was uncongenial to him but his generosity and thoughtfulness was ever present, on one occasion he provided champagne for a brother officer’s 21st birthday – an event that the officer himself had forgotten.

Typically, he once told a rather loud Field Officer, ‘You know, I don’t take kindly to being shouted at’.

His Service in Northern Ireland, firstly as a Troop Leader at Aldergrove for a relatively quiet tour followed by a second tour in Armagh as a Squadron Operations Officer which was much less so but during which he demonstrated his unflappability and coolness under pressure including a machine gun attack on one of the bases. Stewart’s professionalism attracted favourable comment from the Brigade Major (H Jones, later Goose Green fame). He did horrify the Brigade Commander, who was to attend The Royal College of Defence studies in Belgrave Square, by suggesting that a house near Belgrave Square would be a good idea much to the Brigadier’s consternation at the expense.

Stewart took to mounted duty like a duck to water; a long equitation course honed his skill as a natural horseman, and he took full advantage of the opportunity to hunt in Leicestershire. His house in Montpelier Walk was conveniently close to the Barracks.

A Cyprus tour commanding an independent Squadron as part of UNFICYP was very successful. He was exceptionally good at not only getting on with but charming all nationalities and he enjoyed establishing the highest sartorial and culinary standards in the officers’ mess, designing an exotic cummerbund for mess dress. Stewart enjoyed all that Cyprus had to offer, not least, surprising all with his skill at mono-skiing.

Stewart was an elegant Field Master of the Weser Vale Hounds back in Germany and demonstrated his skills as a horseman across country until he, in chasing a loose horse and coming back with it, calmly announced he thought he had broken his leg which indeed he had in five places. A spell in Rinteln Hospital followed where he, as always, charmed everyone.

Stewart commanded Caterham Company at the Guards depot and did two tours as a staff officer; as SO3 at 1 Infantry Brigade and as an SO2 (Ceremonial) at Headquarters London District under Lt Col Jonathan Seddon-Brown SG, who remarked on his charm , attention to detail, and his ability to get on with the police. From this appointment Stewart retired from the Army.

Stewart left the Army to return to Kenya but the family farm having gone post Kenyan Independence, he became involved in several ventures, initially as a safari guide and then a partner in a safari company where his deep knowledge of African wildlife proved invaluable. Other ventures included working in the security field for Armour Group with David de Stacpoole, a fellow Guardsman, where his knowledge of people and places in the region was a tremendous asset; and finally as secretary of Muthaiga Club in Nairobi. With over 6,000 members and 260 staff it was a demanding job. Stewart was an enormous success. He undertook a major building programme to enhance the facilities of the Club whilst also significantly improving the existing facilities. He was an immensely popular secretary and again his charm and ability to persuade rather than cajole reaped its reward. His focus was always on those who worked for him. On retiring from the Club he lived between Soysambu on the Delamere Estate and Somerset.

Stewart married June Ross, his childhood sweetheart, in June 1980 in the Guards Chapel. June and his two daughters Cynara and Liana were his life and it was a huge comfort that his final days after a long illness borne with courage and dignity were spent with his family at Soysambu.

From the many letters received after Stewart’s death all com-

RJ Morrisey-Paine, formally The Life Guards

mented on his generosity, calmness, sense of humour and total lack of side. Truly a gentle man.

David Vereker Palmer

Late The Life Guards

DavidPalmer died peacefully at his home, Burrow Farm, in Hambleden, on 4th September 2019, aged 92.

During his life and career, firstly in the British Army and then as an insurance broker, David was never one to shy away from a challenge. This mindset was encouraged by his mother Lena who, just two weeks after the outbreak of the War, when he was thirteen, took him from London to Stowe to sit three days of exams in the hope that he would obtain a scholarship. David met this, his first major challenge full on, and he won the top scholarship, making him and his family justly proud. This was also financially significant inasmuch as David’s father Bill [Brigadier J W Palmer] was not well-off; army pay in those days being negligible.

Sadly, David’s mother died a year later at the age of 37; but her determination was instilled within him and David, now 14, was spurred on to succeed no matter the odds against him. Whilst at Stowe, the War still being waged, he was witness to a demonstration by a troop of armoured cars from the Household Cavalry. He was enthralled and, further to a later interview, he was accepted by The Life Guards as a potential officer. Following his training he became a subaltern in the Regiment, and he was promoted to Captain by the age of 22. During this time he saw service in Palestine, Egypt and Germany.

David went on to become the Adjutant at the Mons Officer Cadet School, which was responsible for those who hoped for commission in either the artillery or cavalry. After a period of time he found himself not suitably challenged by his role, since as adjutant, he had little to do with training, except on the Drill Square. He decided to retire from the Army but there is little doubt that his military experiences shaped his future life.

David met Millie O’Neal in the summer of 1949 when they were 22 and 19 respectively. She was the eldest of four and had grown up in Alabama; but had moved to England three years previously. They were engaged within a matter of months and married 363 days later - in June 1950 - just after Millie’s 20th birthday. Fortuitously at this time David was offered a job by Lumley’s, a Lloyds broker, which earned him a very respectable £5/week. This [he noted in a later memoir] was when he promised himself to earn more than a Field Marshall by the time he turned 30. From April 1950 David spent 40 years as an insurance broker including a period of six years in America where he moved with Millie. [During these years the business he managed tripled its turnover]. He then moved to Willis Faber – another insurance broker - taking over their American

operation.

In December 1959, the family, now including daughters Melanie, born in 1951, and Alice, born in 1959, returned to England. Their third daughter Katie was born in 1962.

David’s career remained with Willis Faber for a further 30 years. He became a partner in 1969 and was chairman from 1982 to 1988 when he retired now 62. He went on to become Chairman of the British Insurance Brokers Association from 1988 to 1991. He was also a Founding Member of the Worshipful Company of Insurers, and he was a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute for 50 years.

He was always a keen supporter of numerous charities. He was Commissioner of the Royal Hospital, and he also supported St George’s Hospital in Windsor.

David and Millie moved to Burrow Farm, Hambleden, in 1979 and instantly were drawn to Hambleden valley life and all its goings-on, and also Buckinghamshire as a whole. David served as High Sheriff of the county in 1993, and recognising the special place where he had been educated, he held his gala party at Stowe. He was later appointed the county’s Deputy Lieutenant. He was also President of the Hambleden branch of the Royal British Legion and played an active part in all village events. He served as President of the Henley Show in 2006, now known as the Henley Farm & Country Show, and he has been a long-time sponsor.

Throughout his life David was known to love a good gathering. He also planned memorable family holidays for his children and grandchildren and friends, never stinting on hospitality.

On the sporting field, riding was a huge pleasure for him and he loved hunting. The opportunity to run a shoot at Burrow Farm thrilled him to bits. He was very proud of this, and particularly of the team who helped him manage it.

Millie died on 25th June, 2015, aged 85 leaving him utterly bereft. He is survived by his three children and 11 grandchildren.

A Service of Thanksgiving was held for David’s life at St Mary the Virgin Church, Hambleden, on 3rd October. Donations were made to the Hambleden Parochial Church Council and the Buckingham Foundation.

Trooper Joseph (Joe) Staples

Late The Life Guards

by Len Jones former Royal Marine C/Sgt

Joe was born in 1941 in Leamington Warwickshire. The family then moved to Basford Nottingham. On reaching the age of eighteen he enlisted into the Army and joined The life Guards, based in Hyde Park Barracks.

In 1964 I visited the barracks; Joe was courting my sister Barbara. The visit was very short; I had to fly out from London to join my unit in Aden.

In 1965 Joe and Barbara were married in Basford. Within months Joe requested his discharge from The Life Guards. [this was paid for by his father ]

In 1968 Barbara left Joe and returned to her mother who lived in the Wirral. In 1977 Barbara and Joe were divorced.

In the early 1980’s Joe moved to Bushey, North London. In 1985 he moved south to Harrow. It was here that he met Pam Galeozzie and her family. It was the start of a loving relationship. In 1988 Pam moved to Brushford near Dulverton to look after Betty her mother. Joe continued to commute to Brushford each weekend. In 1996 Joe finally moved to Brushford. He continued working as a builder and odd job man. Sadly, Pam passed away on the 30th September 2013.

On 15th November 2013 I was reunited with Joe after an absence of 49 years. I often went to visit Joe in Brushford. Sometimes for the day and at other times for a couple of days. He often spoke of his time in The Life Guards and of the close friendships he developed with other pals within his unit.

In 2016 Joe’s health deteriorated, he was in and out of Musgrove Hospital Taunton with various illness’s. Eventually he passed away on 21st May 2019.

He was fun to be with and always had a friendly word with all that he met. Always helped his friends and neighbours at a moment’s notice. He was in essence a good and kindly man. May he Rest in Peace.

Trooper Tristan Rodick

Late The Life Guards

Itis with great sadness that we announce the loss of Trooper Tristan Rodick following motorcycle accident on 4th August. Tristan Rodick enlisted into the Army on the 15th January 2018. Upon completion of phase 1 & 2 Training he joined the Life Guards and moved to the Household Cavalry Training Wing in Windsor where he learnt to ride. Trooper Rodick conducted his first Queens Life Guard on the 1st of March and went on to complete another five guards before he was selected to attend the Potential Officers’ Development Course at the end of April. He was complemented for his performance on the PODC, being seen as a ‘charming, gentle and endlessly positive young soldier with a wide array of talents’.

Trooper Tristan Rodick has been cruelly taken from his family, his friends and his Regiment. He was a bright and very

personable soldier who clearly enjoyed being in the Army and being a Life Guard. He had a huge amount of potential and we will sadly now only be able to speculate where his talents could have taken him. He was a fine soldier and the world and our Regiment are lesser places without him. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. He will be sorely missed. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember him.

The Duke of Roxburghe Late The Blues and Royals

with acknowledgement to The Daily Telegraph

The10th Duke of Roxburghe, who has died aged 64, was a Scottish Duke, responsible for looking after the ancestral seat, Floors Castle in Kelso, and making the Roxburghe estates commercially viable –a delicate balance between a family home and a business enterprise. Floors Castle had been built for the 1st Duke in 1721 and remodelled by William Playfair between 1837 and 1847. It stands in an imposing position, overlooking the River Tweed and the distant Cheviot Hills, the Roxburghe estates comprising 60,000 acres. Having succeeded his father in 1974 after the 9th Duke’s sudden and unexpected death, Guy Roxburghe was faced with safeguarding his inheritance against future death duties and steering the estate from an over-reliance on agriculture. The castle was in need of modernisation. Within three years the Duke had opened it to the public. He was keen to maximise its tourist potential and expand the operations of the estate, which consisted of 45 tenanted farms, extensive hill farming, two grouse moors, salmon fishing and 3,500 acres of woodland.

This made sound commercial sense, and by the time of his death, the estate was managed to a high professional degree, and had diversified to comprise areas such as tourism, commercial sport, forestry, bloodstock and renewable energy.

He opened the Roxburghe Hotel and, as an avid golfer, established the Roxburghe Championship Golf Course in the grounds in 1997. This became home to the Scottish Seniors Open for five years. Colin Montgomerie describing it as a perfect course for both professionals and amateurs.

Elsewhere on the estate, the Duke offered clay shooting, riding, cycling, guided walks and 4 x 4 driving. He explored the possibilities of corporate entertainment, with his celebrated chef, Alasdair Stewart, cooking the meals and the wines coming from his own cellar. He owned his own wine company, and property in Australia.

The Duke was keen on racing and ran a small stud farm (which his father had founded in 1947), he and the Duchess becoming the most successful Scottish breeders of their day. They achieved international prominence with Attraction, born in 2001 and such a successful filly that one trainer remarked that

“it looked like God had taken a day off when he created her”. Attraction was the first horse to win both the 1,000 Guineas and the Irish 1,000 Guineas. Furthermore, He was a Director of Kelso Races, a Steward of the Jockey Club, and chairman of the Disciplinary Panel of the British Horse Racing Authority.

The Duke did much to preserve the River Tweed and its fisheries, and was an accomplished fly fisherman, catching some 12 salmon on the same day in November 1994. He was also a noted community man, creating a fund which invested over £1 million in local community projects.

Following his first bout of cancer of the oesophagus in 2009, which he fought valiantly, he undertook a 190-mile walk with Henry Wyndham, Chairman of Sotheby’s, and they raised £1.3 million for cancer research.

Guy Roxburghe was a man who lived very much in the present, while respecting and aware of his heritage. He was the representative of two distinguished Scottish families –Ker and Innes. The Kers settled in the forest of Selkirk in the Lowlands in the 14th century, while an Innes was granted a barony by King Malcolm IV of Scotland in 1160. The families were united in 1812. The Kers became prominent in the 15th and 16th centuries by a series of advantageous marriages to heiresses, thus consolidating their estates. Sir Robert Ker, later 1st Earl of Roxburghe, was held in high favour by King James VI of Scotland and accompanied him on his journey south to ascend the English throne as James I. He was Lord Privy Seal under Charles I.

Guy David Innes-Ker was born on November 18 1954, the 9th Duke’s elder son by his second wife. He was educated at Eton and studied land economy at Magdalene College, Cambridge. He went to Sandhurst, where he was awarded the Sword of Honour. He became a Lieutenant in the Blues and Royals, serving in Ulster. He was followed into the Regiment by his brother Robin and son Charles Marquess of Bowmont.

He succeeded his father when he was only 19, while serving in Cyprus, also becoming a Baronet, and 30th feudal Baron of Innes. He was a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers and a Freeman of the City of London. In 1977 he married Lady Jane Grosvenor, younger daughter of 5th Duke of Westminster and sister of Leonora, Countess of Lichfield. This marriage was in the Roxburghe tradition, the Kers having consistently married a succession of heiresses. The union joined several families prominent in British society.

The Roxburghes had two sons and a daughter, but divorced in 1990. In 1992 the Duke remarried, his second wife being Virginia Wynn-Williams, daughter of David Wynn-Williams. Together they had a further son and daughter, Lord George and Lady Isabella Innes-Ker.

His cancer returned in 2019. The dukedom now passes to Charles, Marquess of Bowmont, born on 18th February 1981.

The 10th Duke of Roxburghe, born 18th November 1954, died 29th August 2019.

6th Earl of Normanton

Late The Blues and Royals

Shaun James Christian Welbore Ellis Agar, 6th Earl of Normanton, who died in February last year at the age of 73, had reached the rank of Captain whilst attached to The Life by Robert Fox

Guards, having served at Knightsbridge and having been commissioned into the Royal Horse Guards, when fate stepped in unexpectedly – twice. In 1970 he broke his back in a powerboat accident on the Seine.

The accident followed the untimely death of his father, the 5th Earl, at the age of 58; Shaun was 23 when he inherited the title. Both led to him leaving the Army to devote himself to the 7,000 acre estate at Somerley, with its 18th century house designed by Wyatt, the home where he and his brothers had spent an idyllic childhood. Somerley was to be his lifetime passion and achievement. Faced with mountainous taxes and dues, he had to ensure it survived, thrived, and remained in the family.

He achieved all this with aplomb, understated guile and charisma – qualities for which he was loved by those who lived and worked with him, his brother officers and troopers, and those who helped him develop Somerley’s fairs, fetes, and feasts – and, above all, his devoted family.

In the Blues he devised a special bit of kit for boiling water for shaving and a brew. While stationed at Herford he would head off for skiing weekends in the Alps, with parties from the regiment. His expertise on the slopes was acquired from studying at Aiglon in Switzerland, following Eton. As well as skiing, Aiglon gave him fluent French, with a characteristic English accent.

In 1970, to the chagrin of his commanding officer, he entered the 6-hour powerboat race on the Seine. His boat was caught by a rogue wave ricocheting off the walls of the embankment, and it flipped over. He suffered a broken back, and was saved by a brilliant neurosurgeon commissioned by his mother, who luckily was also in Paris. Miraculously he was walking again, just about, after six months. He had a limp for the rest of his life, but this didn’t stop him from playing tennis at Somerley, skiing, sailing and scuba diving in many exotic lands.

Power boats, working on the first commercial Cougar cat with his friend James Beard, and cars – especially his beloved Porsche 911, which he raced at Silverstone – remained a passion. He became chairman of the British Powerboat Racing Club till 2018.

He was also deeply attached to the regiment, and was president of the Household Cavalry Association Dorset Squadron for 18 years.

In 1970 he married Vickie, James Beard’s sister, and two years later they set about righting the fortunes of Somerley, which his mother had decided she could no longer manage.

Somerley was the stage for Shaun’s talents, elegant charm, and ingenuity. He arrived, after studying estate management at Cirencester, to tackle horrific Death Duties – no easy euphemism of ‘Inheritance Tax’ then, of 88%. First, he sold a number of Old Masters, the Titian masterpiece Venus and Adonis among them.

Next, he opened Somerley to a series of week-long residential courses on anything from wine tasting, gardening and art, all run by top professionals. Of course, his beloved sports were always there, from tennis to riding, car rallies and a nine-hole golf course. Americans would fly in for the ‘full English country house experience’ over a long weekend. The annual Ellingham show became a highpoint of the New Forest calendar –stall holders fondly remember how Shaun would call on each and every one to thank them.

Some of the projects didn’t go to plan, in particular a scheme for Somerley mineral water. The polo club didn’t quite take off – ‘not enough polo players round here,’ was his philosophical verdict. The big success was Somerley’s role in a number of film and television series – including a classic version of Agatha Christie’s The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side, and more recently The Crown from Netflix. He starred in an eight-part BBC documentary Country House in 2004, about his life on the estate.

He and his wife Vickie worked tirelessly, up at dawn and last to bed. But customer relations could be tricky. When a late night guest shouted ‘hey boy, get me a brandy!’ he replied wearily ‘I suggest you get it yourself.’

One of his favourite tales was when he was using his new toy, a brand new sit-on mower. Seeing a speeding delivery van cut up the verges, he politely remonstrated with the driver –to be told ‘mind your own business,’ or words to that effect, ‘get back to your job. Who do you think you are? Lord of the Manor.’

Greatest devotion was reserved for the family – the children, James, who inherited in 2007, Portia and Marisa, and the nine grandchildren. Marriage to Vickie ended in divorce in 2000. His second wife Ros Nott, a journalist and water speed record holder died in 2011. With Kate Hoey MP she arranged for 20 young Londoners from deprived backgrounds to spend a day of adventure annually at Somerley.

In 2016 he married Diana de Uphaugh, having been introduced to each other by their children, who were old school friends. She too was widowed.

During his last illness his charisma and charm held true to the end. His oncologist, who had become a firm friend fixed in record time that he should be allowed his last days in his beloved farmhouse at Somerley. He died on 13th February, surrounded by his wife and children.

Shaun James Christian Welbore Ellis Agar, 6th Earl of Normanton, born 21st August 1945, died 13th February 2019.

Colonel Edward York OBE TD DL Late The Blues and Royals

Colonel Edward York OBE TD DL, who has sadly died at the age of 80, was Vice Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire for 15 years from 1999, former President of Yorkshire Agricultural Society, Colonel Commandant Yeomanry from 1994-1999, Honorary Colonel Queen’s Own Yeomanry for five years from 1998 and formerly Commanding Officer QOY 1979-81.

Colonel Eddy also served at various times as Chairman of Thirsk Racecourse, Vice President of the Northern Association of Building Societies and Chairman of the Royal Armouries

Development Trust at Leeds. He was awarded the OBE in 2015 for services to charity and to the community in North Yorkshire.

Educated at Eton, he began his military career in 1957 joining A Squadron, The Royal Dragoons in 1958 where he went on to serve in BAOR, Little Aden, Sharjah, Singapore Island and Malaya until 1962. He returned to the UK and served at the Junior Leader’s Regiment at Bovington from 1963-4. On leaving the Army in 1964 he went back to Yorkshire and farmed the family estate. He joined the Queen’s Own Yorkshire Yeomanry in 1965, being the sixth generation of his family to serve. He later became Squadron Leader Yorkshire Squadron QOY from 1974-76. He commanded the regiment from 1979-1981. Col Eddy was followed into The Blues and Royals by his son Christy.

Surgeon-Colonel Anthony Page

Late The Blues and Royals

John Patrick Anthony Page, aged 82, died on 9th December 2019 at the Belvoir Vale Nursing Home.

The third in a successive line of doctors; his grandfather, father and Anthony were all educated at the same school, the same Cambridge college and the same London medical school; Bedford, Gonville & Caius and St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London. Born in Nottingham, where his father was a consultant paediatrician during the war, Anthony recalled the V1 ‘doodlebugs’ overhead and the fear they inspired when their engines cut out and you knew that they were dropping.

After Cambridge and qualifying at Barts, Anthony joined the RAMC as a Surgeon-Captain and shortly afterwards the Blues as their embedded Regimental Medical Officer in 1967. Anthony was rapidly nicknamed “The Healer” by Mark Darley, then commanding in Knightsbridge. Early on, Anthony signed off some subalterns with flu which allowed them to retire to their rooms and be excused their duties for the day, only for Anthony to be peremptorily summoned by the CO and told that “Flu is not an officer’s disease”. Whereupon shortly afterwards the CO himself contracted the disease, but he stubbornly, and on point of principle, insisted on carrying out his duties and was seen around the Knightsbridge mess wrapped in a great coat and sweating profusely.

While Anthony had beagled avidly, fly-fished (he was Secretary of the Fly Fishing Association for a time) and enjoyed horse racing, Anthony only learned to ride upon joining the regiment. Anthony took to horse sports with the passion of a convert. His timing was good. In Germany, the Blues and Royals formed the Weser Vale Bloodhounds in 1969, and Anthony was an active participant from the outset. He took in good part the joshing from junior officers on his equitation prowess, but he was a bold and determined rider, taking part in all of the hunter trials and rides the regiment and Rhine Army put on as well as the hunting. On a subsequent tour, he became a master and there was an infamous incident of the hounds, on exercise, pursuing a riderless horse at pace through Detmold town centre (a “Devil horse” according to the local paper’s report), owing in part to the good doctor’s immediate concern for the soldier who had unceremoniously dismounted and was lying prostrate on the ground, the Healer getting off to tend the wounded and then being unable to get back onto his own horse in order to control the hounds. On returning from Germany in 1971, Anthony and Bill Stringer established the Windsor Forest Bloodhounds, kennelled at Englefield Green. For a number of seasons, the pack showed good sport across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey and Hampshire before passing fully into civilian hands.

Between 1974–1978, Anthony left the Army but found GP life in Odiham, Hampshire less congenial and was lured back to the regiment by Andrew Parker-Bowles. Thereafter whenever stationed in the UK, Anthony enjoyed the winter training from Melton.

While there was always more to life than work, Anthony did apply himself professionally and conscientiously in his working life. He was a good listening and diagnostic doctor. He was good with the soldiers and with their families. Windsor, Knightsbridge and Detmold were all stations where he spent time as well as short tours of duty in Cyprus in the 1960s and Northern Ireland a number of times in the 1970s.

After a full Army career and a short spell in London District by which time he had been promoted to a full Colonelcy, Anthony worked on as a civilian doctor attached to military hospitals in Germany, and a short spell living and working in Saudi Arabia. He found time to return to beagling, was a master of the Aldershot Beagles and then Mr Clinkard’s when those two packs merged. Finally, his last “posting” was to Thurso, Caithness where not only a GP practice but excellent trout fishing beckoned, and where he subsequently retired.

Anthony leaves his wife, Alison (married in Windsor, 1981), seven children and thirteen grandchildren.

The Rt Rev Ronald Bowlby Late Royal Horse Guards

with gratitude to The Daily Telegraph

The Right Reverend Ronald Bowlby, who died aged 93 on 21 December 2019, was Bishop of Southwark from 1980 to 1991, and before that spent seven years as Bishop of Newcastle upon Tyne. It was noted that his gifts were primarily pastoral and administrative, though he had a special interest in social questions which he addressed from a position somewhat to the Left of the political centre. Although a cautious, pragmatic reformer of both society and church, he could be bold – standing up to government ministers in the House of Lords as well being a leading advocate of the ordination of women to the priesthood.

Bowlby’s involvement in the moves to get women into the

priesthood began early when he accepted the chairmanship of the long-established, but thinly supported, Anglican Group for the Ordination of Women. When, during the 1980s, the pressure for women priests became much stronger, he chaired a consultation that led to the formation of a more dynamic Movement for the Ordination of Women. In 1984 he proposed successfully in the General Synod that legislation should be prepared in readiness for the day when women would be ordained, though another eight years would pass before this was actually needed.

Ronald Oliver Bowlby, the son of a Harrow master, was born in Harrow on 16th August 1926. He went from Eton into the Army where he joined the Royal Horse Guards in late 1944 and served in the ranks before being commissioned in August 1945 and training at Windsor until December 1945. He served with RHG in armoured cars in the British Army of the Rhine until December 1947 before transferring to the Reserve. A report at the time records him as having ‘..the makings of a really good Troop Leader. Handles his Troop well, both in the field and in barracks. He is quick to make up his mind and has sound judgement. ‘ His Squadron Leader’s judgment seems to have been accurate and prescient.

During this time he was greatly influenced by another Old Etonian, Cuthbert Bardsley, then Bishop of Croydon and also to the Forces. As a result he decided to seek ordination, and on demobilisation went to Trinity College, Oxford, to read Modern History, then to Westcott House, Cambridge, for theological and ministerial training. During this time he worked for a year in a factory in Coventry and had contact with the Sheffield Industrial Mission. This stimulated his interest in the social and political implications of the Christian faith. It was now evident that Bowlby was destined for high office and the next step towards this came in 1966 with appointment as Vicar of Croydon. He became an Honorary Canon of Canterbury Cathedral in 1970. When the bishopric of Newcastle upon Tyne fell vacant in 1973 the Crown had some difficulty in finding a suitable successor and at first it was believed that Bowlby, then only 46, might be too young for this office.

The Prime Minister, Edward Heath, thought otherwise, however, and having recently appointed Dr John Habgood to Durham, asserted that the presence of two Old Etonians in neighbouring dioceses would at least ensure ecclesiastical harmony in the North East. The two bishops did in fact collaborate closely, and Bowlby proved to be very popular in Northumberland. He was a good listener, a man of prayer and diligent in caring for the parish clergy, some of whom ministered in remote rural areas extending to the Scottish border. He was appointed Bishop of Southwark in 1980. When a BBC interviewer asked his predecessor if his successor was likely to

take over his well-stocked cellar he replied, “No, Bowlby is a cocoa and Ovaltine man”. Further afield, he was chairman of the Hospital Chaplaincies Council (1975-82) and of the Social Policy Committee of the General Synod Board for Social Responsibility (1986-90). Membership of the Anglican Consultative Council (1977-85) took him to many different parts of the world and increased his concern for international affairs. Nearer home he was President of the National Federation of Housing Associations (1988-94). He became an Honorary Fellow of Trinity College, Oxford, in 1991.

His retirement years were spent in Shrewsbury where he was an Honorary Assistant Bishop in Lichfield diocese. He married, in 1956, Elizabeth Trevelyan Monro; she died in 2015. He is survived by their three sons and two daughters.

Captain Simon Clarke Late The Royal Horse Guards

With acknowledgement to The Daily Telegraph

Captain Simon Clarke, who has died aged 83, was recognised in the postwar years as one of the finest Masters of Foxhounds in a career spanning 32 years in five hunts.

He achieved his reputation as a consummate huntsman and hound breeder in widely varying country, ranging from the South West to Leicestershire and Scotland. His affable temperament, and willingness to mentor others, added to his popularity.

Clarke recalled that his worst ever hunt was as a schoolboy hunting the Eton Beagles. While exercising the pack at 6am on Agars Plough, the Eton College cricket ground, a hare suddenly got up and ran with the hounds in hot pursuit. They crossed the Eton-Slough main road and plunged into Cippenham Sewage Works where they lost the hare. Clarke had to wade into the sewage to recover hounds, then cycle at top speed back to school to take his O-level extra maths exam. The master invigilating, and fellow Etonians taking the exam, were not amused by the stink emanating from Clarke – but amazingly he got a much better grade than anyone expected.

His best hunt, he believed, was on Christmas Eve 1973 as Master of the Cottesmore pack in Rutland, when his hounds ran 14 miles in one hour and 55 minutes, making an eight mile point (the furthest distance from where the hunt started).

Clarke’s departure in 1976 from two-horse a day, hard-riding Leicestershire was much lamented, but he said he left for two reasons: cash and weight – ‘lack of the former, and gaining

in the other!’ Increasing girth did not, however, prevent him from hunting hounds with much success for a further 18 years.

Simon Thomas Clarke was born on June 9 l936, the only son of Major CM (Martin) Clarke and his wife Ferelith (née Fuller). Martin Clarke served in the 3rd Hussars, and was killed at the Battle of El Alamein in 1942. His widow settled in Gloucestershire with Simon and his younger sister, Susan.

In 1948 Ferelith married Major Gerald Gundry, one of the most notable personalities of the hunting field who served for 34 years as the Duke of Beaufort’s Joint Master and huntsman of the doghound pack. Simon’s vocation was sealed by a childhood hunting with the Beaufort, gaining immense knowledge of the science of hunting hounds from his stepfather whose somewhat stern mien cloaked an acute sense of humour and great kindliness.

After hunting the Eton Beagles in the 1953-54 season, Simon gathered further experience hunting the Sandhurst Beagles before joining, in 1956, the Royal Horse Guards (the Blues), where he attained the rank of Captain and saw active service in Cyprus. He was in the mounted squadron carrying out ceremonial duties in London, played inter-regimental polo, and hunted in Leicestershire.

In 1965 he married Frances (née Boylan), known as ‘Frankie’, who had a son, Nicholas, and daughter, Lucinda, from her previous marriage. Clarke’s first Foxhound Mastership was that of the South Dorset in 1962. Here he soon gained a reputation for producing exceptional sport in that country’s stiffly fenced vale and in its sweeping uplands and heath. His growing reputation in the field impressed the Cottesmore, which appointed him Master and huntsman from 1969, and the mounted field and hunt followers soon had every reason to rejoice in the decision. His ability to control hounds in the field was phenomenal, and ensured remarkable sport throughout his Mastership.

He departed in 1976 for a totally different experience: hunting the Duke of Buccleuch’s moorland and grass country above the Scottish border. Clarke remained for three seasons, but did not see a long-term future there, and returned to England to take the South and West Wilts Mastership for 11 seasons from 1979. His skills as a huntsman were well displayed in this country of grass vales, sweeping downlands and some large woodlands. He wrote that hunting in Wiltshire and adjoining counties was hampered in parts by increasing urbanisation, but ‘there are still some marvellous wild pockets where real good sport can be enjoyed.’

After a break of two years from 1990, Clarke became Joint Master and huntsman of the New Forest Foxhounds in the moorland and woodland country which has been a preserved hunting domain since William the Conqueror. Following his retirement from the New Forest Mastership after four seasons, Clarke strove to put back as much as possible into the sport. He had long been in demand as a superb Foxhound judge, serving for 41 years on Peterborough Royal Foxhound Society’s committee, half that period as vice-chairman.

Articulate, and a good organiser, he played a significant part in the battle to save hunting from being totally banned, working for the British Field Sports Society and later the Countryside Alliance. He took part in running the pro-hunting rally attended by 120,000 in Hyde Park in 1997.

Simon Clarke is survived by his wife, Frankie, and their daughter Clarissa.

Tim Lawson-Cruttenden 1955-2019

Late The Blues and Royals

Timwas born in London on the 23rd January 1955, first son of Arthur Roy Cruttenden and Phyllis Margaret, nee Watkins. He spent his early childhood and schooling in Gibraltar. His father was an Admiralty Civil Engineer who completed two tours of Gibraltar, (1958-62, 1966-69) constructing the NATO fuel tanks at the Kings Lines; tunnelling, and building the munitions jetty on the East Side. From this arose

Tim’s great affection for, and connection to, Gibraltar.

Tim was educated at Harrow where he was awarded an Exhibition to Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, where he read History and Law. His pre-university Short Service Commission as a Cornet with The Blues and Royals began in 1972. He would re-join the Regiment during his university holidays. Tim initially served in Cyprus as part of the UN Peace-keeping Force and also undertook voluntary emergency service in Ulster.

After leaving The Blues and Royals he joined the Kent and Sharpshooters Yeomanry and became Honorary Legal Advisor to The Blues and Royals. Tim retired from the Kent and Sharpshooters Yeomanry in 1995, having commanded a squadron and with the rank of Major.

Tim’s role as Honorary Legal Advisor to The Blues and Royals, and later also to The Life Guards, involved giving the soldiers pro-bona legal advice, often while riding out with them, and representing them at court martials. This role, which Tim undertook for almost his whole career, gave him great satisfaction and was particularly valued by those whose careers he saved!

As a pioneering Solicitor Advocate in London, Tim specialised in harassment and stalking, and co-authored two books: The Protection of Harassment Act 1997 and Harassment Law and Practice. He helped in the drafting of the Protection from Harassment Act, 1997. He instigated ground-breaking injunctions to curtail protests, these included acting for Huntingdon Life Sciences and Oxford University who were being harassed by animal rights groups. He also worked against anti-corporate groups, and in reputation management and privacy law. Tim was involved in many cases which established precedent. He was the first solicitor to win a case in the High Court and the first solicitor to have a case reported in the Times Law Report. He went on to have two further cases quoted in the Times Law Report on the same day. Tim also loved to write letters to the Times. In fact, so many of his letters were published that the Letters Editor said ‘Mr Lawson-Cruttenden, this is not your personal letters page’!

Early in his many-faceted career Tim represented Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols, the Clash, the Jags and the Blockheads. More recently he won a High Court case against author and

comedian David Walliams and model Lara Stone. For several years Tim was included in the list of the ‘top 100 most influential lawyers in England’ by the Law Society. He was Chairman of the Solicitors’ Association of Higher Court Advocates (20079) and the Old Harrovian Law Society (2007 to date).

Tim was a passionate Christian, having become a Christian whilst at Cambridge University. He became a member of Holy Trinity Brompton Church in 1982, shortly after getting married. Tim and his wife Lorna led many pastoral groups, Alpha groups and marriage preparation groups at HTB.

He visited Kenya and Tanzania on several occasions, where he taught advocacy to Kenyan and Tanzanian lawyers and worked with the Bible Society. Tim was an active fund-raiser for many charities. He ran fourteen marathons, raising thousands of pounds for various causes. He was a friend and Director of ‘Adventure Plus’.

Similarly, Tim’s support for the Friends of Gibraltar has been outstanding.

As an enthusiastic swimmer, he swam the Bosphorus Straits in 2013 and 2014 for Adventure Plus. Tim climbed Kilimanjaro in 2015, and earlier this year climbed Mt Toubkal in the Atlas range in Morocco. Tim remained passionate about squash and rugby and each year took his Harrow Football invitation XI to play the school.

Tim is survived by his wife Lorna and their two daughters Venetia and Imogen.

NOTICES

Information for members of both The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals Associations

Communication

Correspondence for both Associations should be addressed to:

The Honorary Secretary (LG or RHG/D Assn) Home Headquarters Household Cavalry Combermere Barracks Windsor, Berkshire SL4 3DN

General Office: 01753 755061

E-Mail for Home HQ is: homehq@householdcavalry.co.uk

E-Mail for Secretary LG Assn is: lg.regsec@householdcavalry.co.uk

E-Mail for Secretary RHG/D Assn is: rhg-d.regsec@householdcavalry.co.uk

Recruiting and Admission procedures for In-Pensioners Royal Hospital Chelsea

The Royal Hospital Chelsea are currently reviewing their recruiting and admission procedures as they now believe there may be some senior citizens with military experience who might be eligible to become InPensioners but who are not aware of the eligibility criteria or what being a Chelsea Pensioner means. To be eligible for admission as a Chelsea Pensioner, a candidate must be:

• Over 65 years of age

• Either a former non-commissioned officer or soldier of the British Army; or a former officer of the British Army who served for at least 12 years in the ranks before obtaining a commission; or have been awarded a disablement pension while serving in the ranks.

• Able to live independently in the sheltered accommodation (known as Long Wards). The Royal Hospital does not usually accept direct entries in to the Infirmary.

• Free of any financial obligation to support a spouse or family.

If you are in receipt of an Army Service Pension or War Disability Pension you will be required to surrender it upon entry to the Royal Hospital. Please note that if your Army Service

or War Disability Pension does not meet a minimum threshold you will be required to ‘top-up’ to that amount, providing it does not place you in financial difficulty.

If you have access to the internet more information can be found here: http://www.chelsea-pensioners. co.uk/eligibility-how-apply

Or you may ring for more information on 020 7881 5204

Data Protection

Changes to Data Protection laws require individuals to grant permission to Home HQ to store personal data. If you have yet done so, please call Home Headquarters so that they may guide you through the process.

Change of Home Address

Members are requested to inform us, through Home Headquarters Household Cavalry, of any change in your address. Every year both Associations lose touch with a number of members who have failed to notify us of those changes. Any correspondence returned will result in that member being placed in the non-effective part of the database.

Your E-Mail Addresses

Notification of changes to your E-mail address is as important as changes to your postal address. Please keep us informed of these also.

Regimental Items for Sale

PRI shops at Powle Lines, Picton Barracks, and at Hyde Park Barracks only hold stock for serving soldiers. Various items with Regimental Cyphers are available from the Museum at Horse Guards. It is recommended that enquiries are directed to the Household Cavalry Museum Shop at Horse Guards which may be contacted on 020 7930 3070 or you can visit their web site at: www.householdcavalrymuseum.org. uk. Should you be unable to find what you want, contact Home HQ for further information.

Websites

The MoD official Household Cavalry Website can be found at:

https://www.army.mod.uk/ who-we-are/corps-regiments-andunits/royal-armoured-corps /household-cavalry.

http://lg1660.proboards.com/ A web site for former members of The Life Guards. To register follow the link above.

http://www.theseniorcavalryclub. proboards.com/ A Bulletin Board for former Household Cavalrymen. To register follow the link.

The Household Cavalry Associations website is: https://householdcavalry.co.uk/

The Queen’s Birthday Parade and Reviews

The Queen’s Birthday Parade will not go ahead in its traditional form. A number of options are being considered, in line with the relevant Government guidelines.

Combined Cavalry Parade and Service

The 96th Combined Cavalry Old has been cancelled due to the COVID19 virus outbreak

Helpful Contacts

The following is a list of organisations which members may find useful for future reference.

Veterans-UK (0808 1914 2 18)

The Ministry of Defence’s Veterans UK helpline provides assistance on many issues including benefits, housing and welfare.

Veterans UK helpline

Veterans UK

Ministry of Defence Norcross Thornton Cleveleys FY5 3WP

Email: veterans-uk@mod.gov.uk

Freephone (UK only): 0808 1914 2 18 Telephone (overseas): +44 1253 866 043 Normal Service 8.00 am to 4.00 pm Monday to Friday

When the helpline is closed, callers in need of immediate emotional support will be given the option to be routed to

The Samaritans 24 hour helpline.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission

They have an excellent website which can be searched using basic details, for information about the final resting place of war dead at home and overseas. Their site can be found at www.cwgc.org

Officers’ Association (OA) and OA, Scotland

Helps ex-officers in financial distress, provides homes for disabled officers and families, and operates a residential home in Devon. It also assists ex-Officers to find suitable employment after leaving the Service. To make an Employment enquiry in England call 020 3761 6343 and a Welfare Enquiry call 020 7808 4175 alternatively visit their website at: http://www.officersassociation.org.uk in Scotland call 0131 550 575 or visit their website https://www.oascotland.org.uk/

The Royal British Legion (TRBL)

TRBL is the UK’s largest ex-service organisation with some 570,000 members. One of its objects is to promote the relief of need and to promote the education of all those who are eligible, their spouses, children and dependants. If you need help, you can contact the local TRBL branch near you (number in the local phone book), or the national Legion help line on 0808 802 8080 or visit their website at: www.britishlegion.org. uk/about-us/who-we-are/get-in-touch

SSAFA Forces Help

SSAFA-FH exists to help, according to need, all men and women serving, or who have served at any time, in the Armed Forces of the Crown, their families and dependants. Local branches of SSAFA Forces Help can be found in the local phone book or from the Citizens’ Advice Bureau or contact the Central Office at: 020 7463 9200 or visit their website at: www.ssafa.org.uk.

SSAFA Forces Help - Recruitment

SSAFA Forces Help need more volunteers from each Association to be Casework Supporters who are visitors, treasurers, administrators and fundraisers. SSAFA Forces Help volunteers are there to provide practical help, advice and friendship to all serving and ex-serving men, women and their families. More than 85,000 call on the

charity every year. Training is given (2 days), and out-of-pocket expenses are paid. Job satisfaction is guaranteed. If you can spare a little time for a ‘comrade’ please contact:

Branch Recruitment Office

4 St Dunstan’s Hill Billingsgate

London

EC3R 8AD

Email: volunteer.support@ssafa.org.uk

Tel: 020 7463 9200

Haig Homes

Haig Homes have some 1500 homes throughout the country for letting exclusively to ex-regulars and their families on assured tenancies. For details of where properties are located and application forms contact them at 020 8685 5777 or through www.haighomes.org.uk

The Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society (Combat Stress)

For nearly 80 years it has been the only organization specialising in the care of men and women of all ranks discharged from the Armed Services who suffer from injury of the mind. The Society has 3 short stay treatment centres that specialise in providing treatment for those who need help in coping with their psychological problems. For more information and full contact details for regional offices telephone the Head Office on 01372 841600 or visit their website at: www.combatstress.org.uk

The British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association (BLESMA)

The objects of the Association is to promote the welfare of all those who have lost a limb or limbs, or use of limbs, or one or both eyes as a result of their service in the Forces and to assist needy dependants of such Service limbless. It will also help those Ex-Servicemen who lose a leg after Service. For more details contact them on 020 8590 1124 or visit their website at: www.blesma.org.

Blind Veterans UK

Blind veterans UK, formerly St Dunstan’s, cares for Ex-Servicemen who have lost their sight for any reason (even after leaving the Service). For more information contact 020 7723 5021 or visit their website at www.blindveterans.org.uk.

Regular Forces Employment Association (RFEA) contact no is 0121 262 3058 or at www.rfea.org.uk

Veterans Aid

Previously known as the Ex-Service Fellowship Centres (EFC) whose aims are to relieve distress among ex-servicemen of all ranks and their widows or widowers who, at the time of application for assistance, are unemployed, homeless or for reasonable cause in need. They can be contacted at 020 7828 2468. Their website is at: www.veterans-aid.net

Ministry of Defence (MOD) Medal Office

There is now one Medal Office, which covers all three Services and they be contacted as follows:

The Ministry of Defence Medal Office Innsworth House, Imjin Barracks Innsworth, Gloucester Gloucester GL3 1HW

Email : dbs-medals@mod.gov.uk Fax: 0141 224 3586 Free Phone: 0808 1914 218 Overseas Civ: +44 (0) 141 224 3600

For additional information about medals visit: www.veterans-uk.info

Cyprus GSM Clasp – 1963-64

As a result of an Independent Medal review conducted by Lt Gen Sir John Holmes a General Service Medal is available for those qualifying between 21 Dec 63 and 26 Mar 64. This is relevant to some Household Cavalrymen.

Veterans Badges

Men and Women who enlisted in HM Armed Forces between 3 September 1945 to date are entitled to a Veterans Badge. There is no qualifying length of Service. You can download a form from the Veterans Agency Website at http://www.gov.uk/government/ armed-forces-veterans-badgeapplication-form

Army Personnel Records and Family Interest Enquiries - Historical Disclosures

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) keeps the records of former members of our Armed Forces for administrative use after their discharge. A Subject Access Requests (SAR) form needs to be completed in order to access records for

all ranks in the Army that served after 1920. The following address should be used for ex-soldiers wishing to access their personal records:

Army Personnel Centre, Disclosure 2, Mail Point 515, Kentigern House, 65 Brown Street, Glasgow, G2 8EX

Tel: 0845 600 9663

The following address should be used for family members wishing to access records of deceased soldiers:

Army Personnel Centre, Historical Disclosures, Mail Point 400, Kentigern House, 65 Brown Street, Glasgow, G2 8EX

The following personnel Service records have been transferred to the National Archive (formerly the Public Record Office) and are available for public access.

• Army Officers commissioned prior to 1920

• Army Other Ranks that enlisted prior to 1920

Service records which pre-date those held by the MOD have been transferred to the National Archive and are freely available for public access. However the National Archives is not resourced to carry out searches. Enquirers are instead welcome to visit, or hire an independent researcher - see the National Archive website for further details at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ militaryhistory/

The Veterans Oyster Photocard

You can travel free at any time using your Veterans Oyster photocard on:

Bus - Travel free at any time on buses within London Tube, tram, DLR and London Overground showing the TFL symbol

You can apply for a Veterans Oyster photocard if you are:

• Receiving ongoing payments under the War Pensions Scheme in your name (this includes widows, widowers and dependants)

• Or receiving Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme in your name (this includes widows, widowers and dependants)

Transport for London will not issue a Veterans Oyster photocard if you live in London and are eligible for the Freedom Pass. Visit - http://www.tfl.gov.uk/ tickets/14424.aspx or Oyster photocard team on 0845 331 9872 for further details and application.

Household Cavalry Charities

We are always extremely grateful if past and serving members of the Household Cavalry wish to make donations or leave legacies in their Wills to our principal charities.

To help you decide which of our charities you may wish to benefit, and how, please read the following summaries of the objects and payment details of the main Household Cavalry charities.

If you have any queries please ask the Secretary of your Regimental Association.

Household Cavalry Foundation (HCF) (Charity No 1151869)

www.hcavfoundation.org

HCF is now the umbrella organisation for all Household Cavalry charities and funds. The origin of the Foundation lies in the Household Cavalry Central Charitable Fund (Charity No 1013978), whose Declaration of Trust for this Fund was made on 10th February 1975. Its primary function then was to build up funds to deal with major regimental casualty incidents, and major events such as the Standards Parade. With the union of the two Regiments in 1992 the Declaration was re-issued on 6th August 1992.

Its primary source of income is from The Day’s Pay Scheme (formerly The One Day’s Pay Scheme) into which Household Cavalrymen voluntarily contribute (less musicians). A minimum of 51% of this income is passed to each Assn (LG and RHG/D) and that must be spent on the ‘welfare’ of retired members and their dependants who are in need. The HCF is here to support all the Household Cavalry family in times of need or distress with five noted pastoral care objectives:

1. Support for serving soldiers. The HCF aims to help serving Household Cavalry soldiers by providing funding for additional training, sporting activities, life-skills or educational opportunities with the assistance of the Regimental Welfare Officers external to those already provided by the Armed Forces. This will help to ensure that our troops

remain motivated and dedicated to their careers within the Regiment or assist them in the transition to civilian life.

2. Caring for our casualties. Building on the excellent work of the Operational Casualties Fund, Household Cavalry personnel who suffer either physical or mental injury during their service can rely upon the HCF to provide them with the best possible support. This help extends to families and dependants too, and can take many forms. Our core aim is to ensure that our personnel and their families are aware of and have full access to all possible existing welfare provision. Where these welfare systems are found to be insufficient, the HCF will provide funds and physical support to ensure that our casualties can confidently either return to their regimental duties or move into civilian life with the reassurance that they will be supported for as long as they may require it.

3. Welfare support for our Veterans. The HCF works closely with both The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals Associations, which both continue to conduct business in the usual way. We are extremely fortunate to benefit from the excellent communication networks and goodwill provided by the two Associations and thanks to this the HCF is able to increase the levels of help for former members of the Regiment in time of financial need or hardship. We look forward to continuing to liaise with Home Headquarters staff in ensuring that all of our veterans remain an integral and well supported part of our Regimental family.

4. Helping maintain our History and Heritage. The HCF is extremely proud of our Regimental history and ethos. The Household Cavalry Museum boasts locations at Horse Guards and Windsor, the latter acting as an educational source and additionally housing the unique archives, both of which will be of benefit to the HCF. The Charity will seek wherever possible to promote our Regiments’ unique heritage to a wider audience and help to maintain our physical artefacts and memorabilia for generations to come.

5. Horses remain at our heart. The Government does not provide funding for our horses in their retirement years. The HCF will help and work closely with external

charities and individuals who ensure the welfare of our horses post service. In addition the Charity will provide, when necessary, funding to provide training for soldiers to ensure the highest levels of equitation and horse welfare are maintained.

Household Cavalry Museum Trust Limited (Charity Reg No 1108039)

Objects: to educate members of the general public and Household Cavalrymen about the regimental history of all regiments that now constitute the Household Cavalry, to preserve regimental memorabilia, and to operate the Museum at Horse Guards and the Archive at Windsor. In addition there is a trading fund the Household Cavalry Museum Enterprises Limited (HCMEL) which handles the Horse Guards Museum trading as well as incorporating the stock for internet sales and in due course regimental PRIs. Items for military personnel would not be sold to non H Cav personnel. HCMEL is trading at a profit: profits from the Museum will go towards helping past and serving Household Cavalrymen and their dependants who are in financial hardship.

The Life Guards Association Charitable Trust (Charity No 229144) from 25th October 2010

This charity, established by a Scheme dated 25th October 2010, was formed from the previous three LG Association charities, namely the Helping Hand Fund, The Life Guards Charitable Trust and the Sir Roger Palmer Fund.

The objects of The Life Guards Association Charitable Trust are:

1. To relieve members or former members of The Life Guards (“the Regiment”) or their dependants who are in need by virtue of financial hardship, sickness, disability or the effects of old age by:

a. making grants of money to them, or

b. providing or paying for goods, services or facilities for them including education or training, or

c. making grants of money to other persons or bodies who provide goods, services or facilities to those in need.

2. To promote the efficiency of the Regiment in any charitable way as the trustees from time to time may

decide including, but not limited to:

a. maintaining and promoting contact between serving and former members of the Regiment and providing for social gatherings for them;

b. fostering esprit de corps, comradeship and the welfare of the Regiment and perpetuating its deeds and preserving its traditions;

c. providing and maintaining a memorial or memorials to those members of the Regiment who have died in the service of their country;

d. advancing the education of members of the Regiment;

e. promoting the advancement in life of members of the Regiment by the provision of assistance to enable such persons to prepare for or to assist their re-entry into civilian life.

The objects of the Association and the Charitable Trust are identical. They have separate legal identities for the purposes of clearer lines of responsibility, especially important for management of the Trust’s funds. The new Trust’s objects were expanded to include all the reasons most regiments have a regimental association, including now also the overall object of promoting the ‘efficiency’ of the Regiment which simply means that the Association can support the serving Regiment more closely if it ever wishes to. Hitherto, the Association’s charitable trusts had no legal power to support the Regiment. The priority for any cash grants by the new Trust remains to help members and former members who are in need because of hardship.

Also, although the new Charity rules allowed the three old charities to be merged, the existing funds in the three charities were ‘ring-fenced’ so that they can only ever be used for hardship cases. This means, for example, they can never be used to pay for a memorial or a social function: only new money received after the establishment of the new Trust can be used towards any of the new ‘efficiency’ objects.

The Blues and Royals Association (Charity No: 229144)

The Blues and Royals Association is itself a registered charity reformed in 1968 after the amalgamation. Its aims are very much similar to those of LG

Assn.

The Blues and Royals have two charities, The Blues and Royals Association (Charity No. 259191) and the Oliver Montagu Fund (Charity No. 256297) which have similar, but not identical, objects to The Life Guards Association Charitable Trust. The Oliver Montagu Fund has less restriction on how its funds may be spent. Also subsumed in RHG/D funds is The Rose Fund.

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President

Household Cavalry Association - Dorset

www.dorsetsquadron.co.uk

Email: Dorsetsquadron@aol.com

Facebook: Household Cavalry Association - Dorset

Lt Gen Sir Barney White-Spunner KCB CBE

Chairman

Lt Col (Retd) Stuart Sibley MBE

- formerly The Blue and Royals

Secretary and Treasurer

John Triggs BEM

- formerly The Blues and Royals

Assistant Secretary

Mrs Ruth Appleby

Committee

Martin Batchelor

- formerly The Blues and Royals

Fred Kemp

- formerly Royal Horse Guards

Veg Kingham

- formerly The Blues and Royals

Brian Murray

- formerly The Blues and Royals

Bill Stephenson

- formerly The Blues and Royals

Barry Woodley

- formerly The Life Guards

Our year started with a new President and we welcomed Lt Gen Sir Barney White-Spunner KCB CBE who succeeded The Earl of Normanton into association. Lord Normanton give us 18 years support, advice and encouragement and we thanked him for his dedication, sadly he died in February and we were invited to attend the memorial service in the Guards Chapel, London.

Our first event was the Spring Dinner and Dance at the Hotel Celebrity and this incorporated the Winter Warmer Draw. We agreed again to host two draws this year - the profit made from each is used to subsidise the Annual Dinner, thus making the event as affordable as possible to members. The weekend centred on Saturday 9th March and saw members and friends assemble from the Thursday night onwards. Friday night was the usual ‘meet n greet’ night where the lamps were swung, and family news updated and exchanged with 43 gathered and enjoyed dinner and a later disco. Come the next day and 59 members and friends gathered for the enjoyed informal dinner with good food and the most excellent of company. The Winter Warmer Draw drew some anticipation as the three prizes of short hotel breaks and dinner tickets were most attractive and raised over £720. A Friday night pub quiz saw £50 being raised for TRBL after much quality cheating, jok-

2019 Annual Dinner and Dance Top Table

Rear row left to right: Lt Col (Retd) D O’Halloran, Chairman Lt Col (Retd) S Sibley MBE, President Lt Gen Sir Barney White-Spunner KCB CBE, Regimental Adjutant Lt Col (Retd) R Griffin, Mr E Lane Front Row Mrs F O’Halloran, Mrs C Gillespie, Chairman’s daughter, and Mrs S Lane

ing and general merriment.

On Sunday 12th May Committee Member Barry Woodley again laid our wreath at the Memorial to the 1982 Fallen in Hyde Park after the CCOCA Annual Parade, the Sponsor Regt was the 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards, their Colonel being HRH The Prince of Wales KG KT GCB, took the salute being taken by regiment and many members assembled on the day to join the muster and the service of remembrance followed by refreshments in HCMR and many thanks for the privilege.

Summer lead us well into the annual dinner weekend in October, Friday night saw £70 raised by anther cheating but humorous pub quiz and SSAFA were the beneficiaries on this occasion. The AGM kicked off the formal event we were then invited to table and Grace uttered then dinner followed with many complimented on the fine quality of the meal. The President spoke briefly then proposed the Loyal Toast which was well joined by all. The Chairman introduced Lt Col (Retd) Ralph Griffin, Regimental Adjutant, who gave us an illuminating slant on the year’s activities, rounding off with a toast to the Household Cavalry. The Chairman then proposed a toast to The Ladies and fi-

nally a presentation was made to Steve Hyett on his retirement as the last Gentleman Trumpeter. It was with sadness and surprise that we learned on the day of the dinner, our late Chairman, Ray Peck, died in hospital. A well-attended funeral was held on 26th October to say farewell.

Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day saw members commemorate this year’s occasion in their own way around the world. Finally, members and friends celebrated the Annual Christmas Lunch with over 40 members, family and friends enjoying the tradition seasonal meal in excellent company; we were nobly entertained at the Hotel Celebrity again. After the raffle we held the 38th Annual Draw for three cash prizes totalling £600. Again, a huge vote of thanks to Tony Prynne who sold a staggering £1400’s worth of tickets – an outstanding effort very many thanks again Tony and well done – and well done for all who took part – thank you too!

As we move into 2020 as an Association, we are ever aware our numbers are declining due to age and the general shrinkage of the Household Cavalry over the recent years, but we will continue with pride, relish and comradeship and welcome new members.

Household Cavalry Association North Staffs Branch

President:

Lt Col (Retd) R R D Griffin

- formerly The Life Guards

Vice President:

Capt P V R Thellusson

- formerly 1st Royal Dragoons

Chairman:

Mr B A Lewis

- formerly The Royal Horse Guards

Secretary:

Mr I J Taylor

- formerly The Royal Horse Guards

Treasurer:

Mr R Adams

- formerly Royal Horse Guards

As we have reduced the frequency of our meetings but now have our wives/partners to join us and make an event of it, our first meeting was held in January to be pleased to see all members had made it through Christmas and New Year to face the coming year with whatever it holds for us. The meeting was brief before we sat down to an enjoyable meal in the Ostler restaurant at The Borough Arms Hotel.

The AGM was held in March, members were satisfied that the incumbent officers were worthy of another years service, and so were re elected! Branch accounts indicate that we can stay in business.

Later in March several members were able to attend the dinner at Combermere Barracks to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the amalgamation of The Blues and 1st The Royal Dragoons to form The Blues and Royals. A great time to meet up with old comrades and share some nostalgia.

The Branch Chairman and Secretary travelled to Windsor in May to attend the funeral of Major Paddy Kersting, a well known colleague who touched the lives of many of us.

Further meetings were held in July and September with talks on preparing for our Branch Christmas dinner in November.

Our September meeting coincided with the Golden wedding anniversary of our Treasurer Roger Adams and his wife Brenda, the restaurant was decked out and a huge cake was on parade.

The Christmas dinner was as well attended as recent years and we were

pleased to welcome again Chris Elliott and Ken Robertson and their wives as representatives of the Associations.

Our President Colonel Scott brought along as guest speaker Lt Col (Retd) Ralph Griffin, who gave us a short speech, and was then presented to us as our new President! Welcome Colonel Ralph.

The Regimental memorials at the National Memorial Arboretum are now well established after the major work carried out a couple of years ago. The Secretary and member Ken Healey have been down several times to ensure we are getting the right standard of maintenance to keep the memorials in top condition. On one visit, there were seen many young Nepalese men in smart suits, and they were Gurkha recruits

who were there on the 200th anniversary of The Gurkha service with the British Army. This is perhaps why we had a good turnout of Gurkhas for our local Remembrance Service.

During this last year there has been a major upheaval as our Regiments leave Windsor after two hundred years and move to Bulford on Salisbury Plain, as the new vehicles they will now be using are too big for Combermere. We wish them well in their new home and know they will adapt to their new vehicles and new surroundings as they have in the past.

For any serving or former member of The Household Cavalry wishing to know more about us, contact: ianandann.taylor@btinternet.com

Spectemur Agendo Waterloo 2019

Waterloo Day, 18th June, saw 45 old Dragoons, a dying breed, from Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and even London and places UK gathered at the Union Jack Club for the remembrance dinner. Paul Young advised he would oblige and attend remembrance of 2Lt John Spencer Dunville VC at Holywood,

NI on behalf of the dinner, to which all present were most grateful. The group photo was rather like trying to get frogs into a bottle but was eventually successful.

A most memorable night was enjoyed by all attending and we shall do it again

next year

Contact details for the 2020 dinner, email: old105boys@aol.com.

TOOT (The Old Oak Tree) Dinner – A Brief History

by Don McKenzie

The TOOT Dinner was first held in 2007. As many of you will know the whole idea of The Old Oak Tree originated with a chap called Pete Jordan who has since sadly passed away. He was assisted by John Lodge in setting up the actual website. At some stage it was decided to see if there would be any interest in holding an annual dinner for both the old and bold and serving members of The Life Guards whilst additionally being planned to raise funds for The Life Guards Association.

The first Dinner which was attended by around 35 individuals was actually held in Newcastle-Under-Lyne in Staffordshire. The original idea was to hold these Dinner’s up and down the country on an annual basis. The following Dinners then took place at various locations ranging from the Lake District, to Oxford, to Bournemouth, and to somewhere in Yorkshire? After this it was decided that in order to encourage more numbers to attend a more central location would have to be found. This is where I came onto the scene. Since 2011 the Dinner has been held in the Tillington Hall Hotel in Stafford and since then

the numbers have increased significantly. The most we have had sitting down was 143 which was some four years ago. I’m confident one of these years we will break the 150 mark soon as it has become a very popular occasion.

In many cases now, those attending make a weekend of it starting to arrive usually at around 2pm on the Friday and in the bar by 2.15pm! I book the entire hotel for both the Friday and Saturday night, all 91 rooms. It is not a formal evening, people sit where they like and with whom they like. Smart casual is worn, certainly no jacket and ties!! The format is looked at after every dinner but the normal proceedings on the night of the Dinner itself is a short welcome speech by me followed by the Dinner after which we hold a Raffle followed immediately by an Auction. All the items that we raffle/auction are all mostly brought by those attending with one or two donations being sent by those who cannot attend but wish to be involved. We do not have entertainment or a Disco after the Dinner as it enables everyone to continue to talk and catch up which seems to be most important

to all those who attend, it also keeps the costs down. We have our own dedicated Bar which operates at reduced rates which is always well supported as you can imagine. Wives/girlfriends/partners and family members are more than welcome. Since that first Dinner some 14 years ago, the TOOT Dinner has raised over £30.000 which has all gone to the Association.

The next Dinner has already been planned to take place again in Stafford on the 4th April 2020 so if any of you out there have not attended one of the Dinner’s please do give it a try, I can promise you a really great weekend, catching up with friends whom you may not have seen for many years, I myself met one chap at the last Dinner having not seen him for over 33 years which was marvellous, and as such made the event so much more pleasurable for me. Having lost many of our friends and comrades in more and more numbers it seems recently, this event is a perfect and relaxed way to meet up again and one that should not be missed. I do hope to see you there in the future.

Spectemur Agendo Waterloo Dinner 2019

Features

Fraternising with the Enemy?

by Sandra (Wilson) Chambers

Whenpeople talk of war, they usually speak of how it all ended. Thousands killed in action fighting for their country, innocent victims caught up in the turmoil and for many returning to home and starting completely different lives.

However, for some it is the start of a new life. This narrates the story of a Scottish boy and a German girl, and how the Second World War eventually bought them together.

Born in 1921, 2991561Tpr Robert (Jock) Wilson was still a teenager when he joined The Royal Horse Guards attached to Second Household Cavalry Regiment. He was soon on active service in Europe. As young as he was, he and many other soldiers were making their way through the Second World War, fighting in France, Belgium, Denmark, Holland and Germany.

Hedwig (Heidi) Kus was born in 1925 in Mechtal Kreis Beuthen, Upper Silesia. When the Russians advance into Germany got closer she was prompted to leave by her parents, sisters and brother. As a young girl of only 18, this was a daunting task. Clutching just a small case of her belongings, she joined a wagon train eager to reach the safety of the allies and avoid getting caught by the Soviets. The snow was very deep and being on her own she was very vulnerable as she trudged through the countryside. She often went hungry and was constantly cold but she was a survivor. With true

grit, and determination, she was determined to save herself.

For young Jock, who was at war, it was not easy either. He too was cold and hungry. One day he turned up at a farmhouse in Holland. He asked the farmer for eggs which the farmer gave him freely. Needless to say Jock had no money to pay for the eggs, but promised one day he would return.

Life went on for these two people in parallel worlds, and eventually the war ended. Jock did not return to his native Scotland but remained as part of the Army of Occupation in Germany.

For Hedwig, luck was certainly on her side when she met a Padre working for the British Army. He took her in and sheltered her. He found her a job working as a children’s nurse for an English family. Life became a little easier, although she never had word from her parents or family who remained in the East.

It was in Wesendorf that Jock’s eagle eye spotted the young fraulein and he tried to get to know her. She didn’t make it easy for him as he tried to court her, but in the end he won her over and they fell in love.

On 11th January 1950 this couple married in Gifhorn. She was 24 and he was 28. The new young wife went through a strict nationalisation process as she became a British citizen. Eventually they

moved to Windsor to enjoy their married life and bring up their two children. My father completed his 26 years service with the Household Calvary.

You may ask of Hedwig’s family - did they re-unite? It took 20 years before she met up with her parents who by that time were quite elderly. When we were posted to Herford in German my father gained special permission for Hedwig’s parents to come over from East German to the West. At that time the ‘Wall’ was still intact, dividing Germany and in East Germany food was still in short supply so my Grandfather had to queue at 4am in the morning for bread. There was no fresh fruit and vegetables were scarce.

Six weeks after returning home, having seen his daughter once more, my Grandfather died. It was said that it was his final wish to see his daughter one final time.

Many years after the war Jock returned to Holland taking his family with him. He searched for and eventually found that kind farmer who still remembered Jock. Good to his word, Jock repaid him for the eggs. Needless to say my father and the farmer became very firm friends.

The moral of this true story, I believe, is to have the courage of your convictions and be kind.

‘Walsall’s handsomest soldier’ 1054 Corporal of Horse James Clement Harris. Royal Horse Guards (The Blues) by

Every so often a story comes to light which illuminates, at least in part, an episode in Regimental history which we think we know well but which can still surprise us.

It had been thought for some time that only one man of the 131 from the 1st and 2nd Life Guards and The Blues who died at Zandvoorde on 30th October 1914 has a known grave, Lt Lord Worsley RHG who lies in the Ypres Town Cemetery extension.

Major Brian Rogers, The Life Guards

Much research has however been done recently both in the UK and by interested parties in Flanders on what actually happened that morning and the story of CoH James Harris allows us at least a glimpse of an event that has been shrouded in mystery for 105 years and will probably now never be completely satisfactorily explained.

In October 1914, the Household Cavalry had already provided a Composite Regiment for the British Expeditionary Force

which had been fighting in Belgium and Flanders since shortly after the start of the war in August. When it was decided that the rest of the 1st and 2nd Life Guards and the Royal Horse Guards would also join the BEF on active service as 7th (Household) Cavalry Brigade the three under strength regiments were made up to full war strength by posting in large numbers of line cavalry reservists who had been recalled to the colours in August 1914. The units that held the trenches at Zandvoorde on 30th October

1914 were therefore a mixture of serving and reserve Household Cavalry soldiers and recalled reservists from at least six line cavalry regiments, but all fought as badged Household Cavalrymen.

CoH James Clement Harris was a Royal Horse Guard and a pre-war professional soldier, having joined the Blues in 1903. CoH Harris was responsible for one of the two guns of The Blues Machine Gun section commanded by Lieutenant Charles Sackville Pelham, Lord Worsley. His friend and fellow mess member CoH Arthur George Thomas Few, RHG, looked after the other gun and the section comprised a total of 24 men.

James Harris was a midlander and in a newspaper story of the time it is said that ‘he always attracted a lot of attention by his smart military bearing and appearance. It is no flattery to say that he was Walsall’s handsomest soldier’. A hard man, who once served 2 months with hard labour in Reading gaol for assaulting a Police Constable at Windsor, James was obviously also something of a lothario which, in addition to two stays in hospital for sexually transmitted diseases before the war, also caused considerable pain to his family when after his death his personal effects, and later his medals, were sent as specified in his will to a lady named Grace Tigue, presumably a girlfriend, who lived in Paddington and who they knew nothing about!

On the morning of 30th October events transpired against The Blues MG Section. While the rest of the regiment had moved back into reserve, and been replaced in the trenches around Zandvoorde by 1st and 2nd Life guards Squadrons, problems with the Life

Guards’ machine guns dictated that Worsley and his Blues had to remain in position so they had already been in the trenches for over a week by 30th October.

On that morning the German 39th Infantry Division led by 3 Battalions of Jaegers (elite Light Infantry) part of the newly formed ‘Army Group Fabeck’ and supported by nearly 300 artillery pieces, attacked in the morning mist directly up the incline towards Zandvoorde village, and the last significant piece of high ground in Allied hands, in the direction of Ypres.

It rapidly became obvious that the hugely outnumbered cavalrymen would not be able to hold their badly sited, shallow and primitive trenches, many of which had already been blown in by the German artillery, and within an hour orders were given to fall back. The majority of

the Life Guards succeeded in disengaging and pulling back but, in the fog of war, the orders either never reached the men of C Squadron 1st Life Guards and C Squadron 2nd Life Guards, intimately supported by the Blues MG section, or they were too heavily committed by then to withdraw.

In the next 30 minutes of hand to hand fighting 131 Household Cavalrymen died including CsoH James Harris and Arthur Few and Lieutenant Lord Worsley. CoH Harris was last seen drawing his revolver as the Germans entered his position while ‘holding the locking bolt of his maxim in his bloody hands, denying his gun to the enemy’ The last thing heard by the few withdrawing survivors was one of the Blues maxims firing to the end....and then silence.

This was not an unusual action for late 1914 by any means and similar brave

Corporal of Horse James Clement Harris

Drawing from a German publication ‘Die Woche’ from November 1914 of the aftermath of the action at Zandvoorde

holding actions were being fought all along the front by stubborn and heavily outnumbered British units during what was to become known as the First Battle of Ypres. What made the Zandvoorde incident unusual was the fact that the Germans took no Household Cavalry prisoners of war that morning and no wounded British soldiers from the ridge were admitted to dressing stations or field hospitals on either side of the line. Two complete squadrons of The Life Guards and the Blues Machine Gun section had simply ceased to exist.

Fighting to the last man is a concept more honoured in the breach than the observance by Western Armies fighting Western opponents. The situation with ‘less civilized’ adversaries makes it more common. It would appear however that on this occasion that is what happened to the trapped Household Cavalrymen, unless of course this was a war crime on the part of the Germans who appear to have executed all their prisoners, including the wounded.

Recent research however suggests that the incident was in fact a classic ‘white flag’ situation. According to German accounts of the action white flags were appearing in the British positions but when Hauptman Georg Radtke, the Commanding Officer of 2nd Company, 10th Jaeger Battalion ordered his men to cease fire and went forward to take the surrender he was shot dead by a British soldier after which no mercy was given to the few survivors. This account is supported by a passage in the memoirs of World War Two General der Panzertruppen Herman Balck who was a young Jaeger officer at Zandvoorde and was wounded by British fire at about the same time as Radtke was killed. Sadly this type of incident is not uncommon and it is doubtful, in the confusion of battle, whether the soldier who shot Radtke was even aware that his colleagues had started to surrender when he opened fire.

There is no record of what happened to the bodies of the majority of the men who died at Zandvoorde, no doubt they were buried in mass graves by the victorious Germans, who were to hold the ground for the next four years and later re-buried in unnamed graves in the various cemeteries nearby as ‘Known unto God’. The majority of their names are commemorated on the first three panels on the Menin Gate in Ypres as having no known grave. Lord Worsley’s body was found lying in his trench under one of his wrecked guns, which he was last seen firing himself, by another Ger-

man officer named Oberst von Prankh (who himself was killed fairly soon afterwards) who identified him as being a ‘person of consequence’. As a result of this Lord Worsley was initially buried in a marked grave where he had fallen and where the Household Cavalry’s Zandvoorde memorial now stands. His body was later moved to Ypres Town Cemetery extension where it lies today.

Until recently Worsley was thought to be the only Zandvoorde man who had a known, marked grave but recently we have come across some others and one of these is the grave of CoH James Harris. It now appears that CoH Harris, although initially reported wounded and missing (which caused much heartbreak to his family as his death was not officially confirmed until March 1916) did indeed die with his friends on 30th October 1914 but that for some reason he was later buried separately by the Germans in De Voorstraat German Military

Cemetery close to where he fell. Here he lay for the next ten years along with 10 other British soldiers and 125 Germans. On 30th October 1924, exactly ten years after he was killed, his remains were exhumed and re-interred at Larch Wood (Railway Cutting) Cemetery: Plot III, Row F, Grave 11.

James Harris’s grieving parents John and Emma-Eliza Harris renamed their house ‘Combermere’ in remembrance of their only son and of the barracks where he had spent so much of his Army career.

We visited CoH Harris’s grave at Larch Wood on 30th October 2019 during the Household Cavalry Regimental Associations’ annual commemorative visit to Zandvoorde and he was remembered, with the others who died that day, when a wreath was laid in their memory the same evening at the Menin Gate in Ypres.

The attack of Army Group Fabeck 30th October 1914

Lord Uxbridge’s Leg and La Maison Tremblant, Waterloo

by Christopher Joll, Regimental Historian

Until the advent of counselling for every adverse occasion, there was no characteristic more admired by the British than the preservation of a stiff upper lip in the face of adversity. Consequently, one of the more memorable historical conversations, cherished by posterity for its very British sang froid, took place by La Haye Sainte farmhouse on the battlefield of Waterloo on Sunday 18th June 1815. It was a brief exchange between General Henry Paget, 2nd Earl of Uxbridge (later Field Marshal the 1st Marquess of Anglesey, 1768-1854), who commanded with considerable success the 13,000 strong Allied cavalry at the Battle of Waterloo, and the Allied Commander-in-Chief, Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington.

At around 8pm, as the battle was drawing to a close, a French canister shot narrowly missed the Iron Duke but struck the right knee of his cavalry commander, who was riding next to him:

‘By God, sir, I’ve lost my leg!’ exclaimed Uxbridge.

‘By God, sir, so you have!’ replied Wellington.

An alternative version, recorded by the diarist J W Croker, a friend of Wellington’s from whom he heard the story, states:

Uxbridge: ‘I have got it at last!’ Wellington: ‘No? Have you, by God?’

Either way, Uxbridge was clearly hors de combat. Initially supported in the saddle by Wellington, a short while later Uxbridge, still in situ on his horse, was led towards the rear by one of his Aides de Camp, Captain Seymour. It wasn’t long before the ADC spotted a party of six Hanoverian soldiers, whom he ordered to lift the cavalry commander

from off his charger and carry the wounded aristocrat back to his billet at La Maison Tremblant, 214 Chaussée de Bruxelles in the village of Waterloo, diametrically opposite Wellington’s own headquarters at No. 147.

Once back at the unfortunately named house, the imperturbable Earl was placed on a chair. After a brief discussion with the doctors, his leg was amputated above the knee without anaesthetic by Wellington’s personal surgeon, Dr John Hume, who had just removed one of Colonel Gordon’s lower limbs; Hume was assisted in the bloody task by Surgeons James Powell and James Callander. Uxbridge, who as well as having nerves of steel was also a notorious philanderer (he had enjoyed a long-running affair with, amongst many other married women, Wellington’s sister-in-law; in consequence, Uxbridge and Wellington were not on good terms) retained his calm during the gruesome operation, remarking to another of his Aides de Camp, Captain Thomas Wildman:

sate of Anglesey, appointed a Knight of the Garter and a full General. Later, in an unpopular move with the public, he supported the divorce proceedings against Queen Caroline. Later still, without public opposition, Anglesey was appointed to the Cabinet as Master General of the Ordnance, the political post of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and the prestigious, but honorary, Colonelcy of the Royal Horse Guards (The Blues).

‘I have had a pretty long run. I have been a beau these forty-seven years, and it would not be fair to cut the young men out any longer.’

Other accounts added that Uxbridge complained that the surgeon’s tools appeared to be rather blunt when the amputation saw got stuck midway through the General’s thigh bone. Once the operation was over, Uxbridge calmly asked one of his cavalry subordinates, Major General Sir Hussey Vivian (later Lieutenant General the 1st Baron Vivian), if the severed leg had in fact been serviceable. Vivian examined the shattered limb and was able to report back that it was ‘completely spoiled for work’ which satisfied its former owner. Serviceable or not, the severed leg soon took on a life of its own whilst its former owner commissioned a series of prosthetic replacements.

For his leadership at Waterloo (and, possibly, his bravery afterwards) Uxbridge was advanced to the Marques-

La Maison Temblant (at some point pretentiously re-designated as a ‘chateau’), was a small, plain fronted, stuccoed and white painted village house, adjacent to the church of the Chapelle Royale in the centre of Waterloo. It was owned by the fragrantly-named Monsieur Hyacinthe Paris, who was still in residence at the time of the battle. Once the amputation had been completed, Paris asked Uxbridge if he could bury the severed leg in the front garden of the house and was readily given consent. In due course, the butchered relic was placed in a ‘grave’ next to a willow tree and Monsieur Paris commissioned the local stonemason to carve a tombstone on which were engraved, in English and French, the following words:

HERE LIES THE LEG OF THE ILLUSTRIOUS AND VALIANT EARL OF UXBRIDGE, LIEUTENANT GENERAL OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ENGLISH, BELGIAN AND DUTCH CAVALRY, WOUNDED ON 18 JUNE 1815 AT THE MEMORABLE BATTLE OF WATERLOO, WHO, BY HIS HEROISM, ASSISTED IN THE TRIUMPH OF THE CAUSE OF MANKIND, GLORIOUSLY DECIDED BY THE RESOUNDING VICTORY OF

Lieutenant General the Earl of Uxbridge by Peter Stroehling, c.1812 © Royal Collections

Incident at Waterloo by Robert Hillingford

THE SAID DAY.

Doubtless keen to recover his costs, and knowing a good thing when he buried it, the wily Belgian turned his garden into a tourist attraction which was visited – on a paying basis over the next sixty or so years – by Kings, Princes, a fair sprinkling of the Almanac de Gotha and Debrett’s, and morbidly curious crowds of the great unwashed. In consequence, the buried leg provided a steady income for several generations of the Paris family, as well as occasioning reams of verse (by Prime Minister George Canning and others) and attracting some ribald graffiti that made reference to Uxbridge’s raunchy past:

Here lies the Marquis of Anglesey’s limb; The Devil will have the remainder of him.

However, in time all good things come to an end. In the case of the leg’s burial site in La Maison Tremblant’s garden, Nemesis arrived in 1878 in the shape of

the 2nd Marquess of Anglesey. Asking to view the tombstone, he was horrified to discover that his father’s leg had been disinterred and that the shattered bones were on display to the general public in the Paris’ front parlour.

In the days that followed, the leg bones became the centre of a major diplomatic incident. The British Ambassador to the Belgian Court, who had been tasked by the British government with establishing the facts and recovering the remains, reported that the leg had been exposed when a violent storm had uprooted the willow tree next to the tomb – and that the Paris family would be willing to repatriate the relic in return for a substantial payment. Before a second Battle at Waterloo could develop, the Belgian Minister of Justice intervened and ordered that the Earl’s severed appendage be reburied, an arrangement agreed to by the leg’s original owner’s heir.

That, however, was by no means the

Churchill’s Colonel:

end of the story. In 1934, the last Monsieur Paris died in Brussels. Whilst sorting through his effects, the widow Paris discovered in her late husband’s desk Uxbridge’s leg bones, along with documentation supporting their provenance. Petrified at the prospect of a scandal, she consigned the remains to a fiery end in her central heating furnace. Meanwhile, the leg’s tombstone found its way down the main street of Waterloo to Chaussée de Bruxelles 147, now the home of the Wellington Museum, where it leans against a wall in the back yard. Inside the museum is the bloodstained chair on which the leg was amputated and one of its prosthetic replacements. The surgeon’s leather glove, still covered in the Earl’s gore, and the saw that was used in the operation are to be found in the National Army Museum, London, and the other two surviving artificial limbs are on display at the Angleseys’ family home, Plas Newydd, and the Household Cavalry Museum.

The War Diaries of Lt Col Anthony Barne

Anthony Barne started his diary in August 1939 as a young, recentlymarried captain in the Royal Dragoons stationed in Palestine. He wrote an entry for every day of the war, “often with great difficulty, sometimes when dogtired or under fire, and sometimes when things looked black and desperate, but more often in sunshine and optimism, surrounded by good fellows who kept one cheerful and helped one through the sad and difficult times”.

His diary ends in July 1945, by which time he was commanding officer of the 4th Hussars, having recently visited Downing Street for lunch alone with the Churchills. The diaries have an enormous scope covering time in

Palestine and Egypt before he joins the Eighth Army, describing the retreat back to El Alamein, the battle and its aftermath. He ends the campaign commanding his regiment. He often graphically details the physical realities of war: the appalling conditions in the desert, the bombardments of the regiment from the air, the deaths and serious injuries of fellow soldiers. In 1943, he flies down to Rhodesia to see his wife and infant son before returning to Cairo to join Churchill’s regiment, the 4th Hussars. Arriving in Italy in 1944, he recounts the campaign as the Allies push north.

The tone of the diaries varies wildly: often witty, sometimes outrageous but

also poignant and philosophical. The voice and attitudes are entertainingly dated, but are delivered with warmth, a charming turn of phrase and a keen eye for the absurd.

Churchill’s Colonel: The War Diaries of Lt Col Anthony Barne is available at selected book shops, through the publishers, Pen & Sword, or on Amazon. All royalties are donated to Walking With The Wounded who support those who have served in the Armed Forces and their families, empowering them to regain their independence, thrive and contribute in our communities.

One of three patented artificial limbs in fruitwood and kangaroo tendon made for Lord Uxbridge by James Potts of Chelsea © Household Cavalry Museum

La Maison Tremblant, Waterloo