The eagle royal dragoons magazines the eagle 1961

mm \

\\m9\

'flj'\\\\m|\\

THE JOURNAL OF

OGNS DRAG L ROYA THE SPECIAL TERCENTENARY EDITION 1661—1961 NUMBER 20

JUNE 1961

THE ASSOCIATION OF SERVICE NEWSPAPERS ADVERTISEMENT PAGES, 67/68 JERMYN STREET, ST. IAMES’S, S.W.I. TEL. WHITEHALL 2504

EXCUSED P.T. l GIVEN PREFERENTIAL FINANCIAL TREA TMENT !

LOOKED AFTER ALL AROUND THE WORLD! Every servmg man’s dream—0f a car!

If you are being posted abroad . . . or if you are stationed abroad and are returning to England for rc—posting overseas . . . then you will certainly be vitally interested in the special facilities for buying a new Vauxhall free of purchase tax. Your local Vauxhall dealer Will tell you all about the plan. Or you can write for full details to: VAUXl'IALL MOTORS LTD., OVERSEAS DELIVERY CENTRE, WARDOUR STREET, LONDON, WJ. Telephone: GERrard 4343 If you are stationed in Germany similar facilities are

available for buying a new Vauxhall exempt from German import duty and tax. Contact Adam Opel A.G. Filiale, Kettwiger Strasse 69, Dusseldorf.

The 1961 VA UXHALL range includes : Everyone

4—cylindcr VICTOR models, prices from )£510;

. . drl'ves better in a A

P;

I

IAI

I

.

6—cylinder VELOX & (IRESTA models, prices from £655.

(Free of P. T. to all eligible Serving men) A PRODUCT 0F VAUXHALL MOTORS LIMITED, LUTON, BEDFORDSHIRE. SERVICED INTERNATIONALLY

EY

VAUXIIALL AND GENERAL MOTORS DEALERS-

There’s more flavour in

Smedley’s ,

, :snsusus

m”

The wide range also includes—fish cakes, fish fingers, haddock fillets, kippcr fillets, garden peas and other fresh garden vegetables, poultry, sausages and fruit.

. . . because Smedley’s

freeze the flavour in for M

i A.

'

some“ WHISKY

SMEDLEY’S, WHYTELEAFE, 6/6l—I

Printed in Great Britain

SURREY SUPPLEMENT No. l—PAGE ONE

THE ASSOCIATION OF SERVICE NEWSPAPERS ADVERTISEMENT PAGES. 67/68 JERMYN STREET, ST. JAMES’S, S.W.I. TEL. WHITEHALL 2504

THE ASSOCIATION OF SERVICE NEWSPAPERS ADVERTISEMENT PAGES, 67/68 JERMYN STREET, ST. JAMES'S. S.W.I. TEL. WHITEHALL 2504

coffee-potfresh... u "mum-r to m mm" in mu 3“

SERVICE

and you can taste it!

IN

AFRICA How to make sure you have

Regular Army of Rhodesia & Nyasaland, expanding through the creation of new units, requires:—

A _\ Gonlon's inymrglass...

Medical Ofiicers

I

Signals Officers

I

Engineer Officer for

S.A.S. Duties

I Signals Technicians I Nursing Orderlies I

Cooks

This isa Young Country offering Excellent Prospects and Abundant Sport.

APPLY AT ONGE CALL OR WRITE SENIOR ARMY LIAISON OFFICER (Aj) Rhodesia House ° Strand London, W.C.2

A MESSAGE from the Chairman of HER lVIAJESTY’S FORCES

By Appoinxmm: to Her minty the Queen 2% Scotch Whisky oisunm. John Walker a Son: Ltd

SAVINGS COMMITTEE IF YOU HAVEN‘T ALREADY started saving. you

should try to develop the savings habit while

G O O D O LD

you are in the Services.

There are excellent facilities for saving in all Units of the Services in every part of the

ohnnie Walker

world—in fact the slogan of H.M. Forces

Savings Committee is “Wherever you serve, you can save."

We have an excellent series of leaflets (as illustrated above) which tell in simple language all about Forces Savings.

\ U

Why not write for a copy of the leaflet which applies to your Service? Write to me personally :—

THE SCOTCH OF SCOTCH v”

‘

96: em:

4

Johnnie Walker is the Scotch of Scotch. You’ll find it everywhere, in the friendly square bottle, smooth, mellow, great-hearted. Enjoy it everywhere, at home or away—-

*Throughout the world most people prefer Gordon’s Dry Gin because § it has such a. delicate § flavour. The term

\-

Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Saunders, GCB, RISE, MC, DI‘C, MM.

Good old Johnnie Walker.

‘Dry Gin' means the complete absence of

Chairman, H.M. Forces Savings Committee, any sweetening.

1, Princes Gate, London, S.W.7.

BORN 1820—still going strong [Hurt] by H..M. Fnrz'rv Savings (‘nmmiIIt-e

SUPPLEMENT No. I—PAGE TWO

Printed in Great Britain

6/61—2 Printed in Great Britain

SUPPLEMENT No. 2—PAGE ONE

THE ASSOCIATION OF SERVICE NEWSPAPERS ADVERTISEMENT PAGES 67/681ERMYN STREET ST. JAMES’S SW.'I TEL. WHITEHALL 2504

STEP

Imo ALLIEDg Dealers in: GIFTS : TOYS : GAMES : TOILET GOODS

Peter and Ann

COSTUME JEWELLERIES

buy the first

:

BOOKS

:

MAGAZINES

GREETING CARDS, Etc.

of many, many days in the country —WE ARE ALWAYS FIRST IN THE LATEST—

AlLlLlIlElD

BROTHERS

I32, BELFIELD STREET,

70 MAIN ROAD,

IPOH. Phone 3416

TAIPING. Phone [025

Once upon a time, dreaming would have been as near as Peter ever got to this new car ofhis. But not now. Not with UDT to help him.

UDT

Thanks to UDT, Peter is paying for his car over the months instead of all at once. UDT credit facilities are available to Servicemen of all ranks, at home or abroad, whatever make of car you choose.

helps people

If you’re stationed abroad, write for our special free booklet—“UDT CAR FINANCE FOR H.M. FORCES OVERSEAS’. In Germany, inquire at any branch of Kundcnkreditbank

to help

K.G.a.A. If you’re stationed in the UK, get in touch with your nearest UDT office (address in local phone book) or simply tell your dealer you want to buy your car on

RENAULT

Aerostable Gregoire Patent suspension

credit through UDT.

’ALONDON~EC3 UNITED DOMINIONS TRUSI’ LIMITED‘SI;I<VI(‘I:S DIEI’AR'I'MENT- UNITED DOMINIONS HOUSE‘EASTt‘HEAI

SUPPLEMENT No. 2—PAGE TWO

W

themselves

Printed in Great Britain

gee/fat UNIVERSAL CARS LTD. lpoh

'0 nsg‘vficsrv szrousm

"A" “5

I'IERBERT JOHNSON specialise in lmtsjbr every ocmsicu —_ (”III/{’55 Iml: maria In 511:? you personally, with the same dixrimliuv wrm'nmx Hm! is 017.»?er in m

(B O N D S T .)

LT D . .

the making qfnll mg/mmml headgear. Also ”mi/able are inum‘mblc arcz‘sson'c’s including rqqinmmal

RE G [M E N TA L CA PMA KERS To TH E

and club (int.

38 New Bond St., London \V‘ . l.

Mayfair 0784 \Vcckdnys 9 mm. ~ 5 pm.

(Thursdays 6.30 pm.)

Saturdays 9 mini a I pm.

403 London Rd. Cambcrley (\Vcdncsday afternoons onlv)

ROYA L

D RA G o o N s

Established

Dressing

C OLES

1878

LTD .

, >

9»

STALWART is the word I

Shirt and Pyjama Makers

,_

‘

’

.

147 KnightSbridge, London, S.W.l KEN. 8552

V

.

» ~

'

'

everything in its ride. Powered by B Series ‘

-

Rolls—Royce engines, the Stalwart is the latest

member of the world famous series of Alvis ”-601 Saladin armoured W

Gloves

: Go it rough, or go it smooth, come hill or high water, the Alvis Stalwart cargo carrier takes

»

Phone: KEN. 4798

for this cargo carrier. ..i

A

3

Hosiery

The vehicle Show; in this photograph has a prulatype cab and superstructure

'

Gowns

Pullovers

>

cross country wheeled vehicles.

REGIMENTAL SHIR TMA KERS

,0

'

;

THE ROYAL DRAGOONS

A LVI S cnoss counmv WHEELED VEHICLES ALVIS LIMITED ' COVENTRY ' ENGLAND

FEMS—Saracen armoured personnel carrier

'

m' APPOINTMENT To HFR MAIFSTY THE QuEEN GoLDsmTHS & CROWN II:\VI-.LI.F.RS, GARRARD & CO. LTD.

THE TANGIER HORSE 1661-1683 IN ACTION AT TANGIER I664

300 GLORIOUS YEARS

4'4? ”awe cgaz'ce

Parker; ofler t/yez'r congratulations to toe ofieery {mo’ of/oer rank; of T/Je Royal Dragoons oo t/Jz's wonderful record of service

THE BADGE OF YOUR REGIMENT

In gold and enamel or set with Precious stones, a badge brooch is a gilt of lasting charm. Here is a piece of jewellerv which is always appropriate and always ROYAL DRAGOONS

9 ct. gold and enamel Home £I3.0.0 Export £lI.I0.0

in perfect taste. \Vrite now for

details to our military department. §

THE PARKER GALLERY,

GARRARD & CO. LTD... Crown jewellers \\ ., Q

2 Albemarle Street.

Piccadilly. W.1

112 REGENT STREET - LONDON - W.l

Telephone .' Grosvenor 5906-7

Telephone: REGENT 3021 (I! lines)

For all your requirements

RELIABLE HOUSE OF QUALITY

GHULAM HASSAN

M. s. ALLY & co.

LEADING H.M. FORCES CONTRACTOR IN THE FAR EAST AND REGIMENTAL CONTRACTOR TO THE ROYAL DRAGOONS

in

Modern Kitchenware and Textiles

(Estd.l900)

l

128, BELFIELD STREET

l

Visit the favourite shopping centre

IPOH

‘

P. S. IAMNADASS & (0.

Dealers in; PROVISIONS. FROZEN l MEATS. VEGETABLES, TOBACCOS, j TOILET REQUISITES, Etc. Etc. ‘

DRAPERS, TAILORS &' OUTFITTERS CHINA & HARDWARE

STOCKISTS

l5 l7 MARKET STREET. IPOH Tel: IPOH 3687

GPO Box ISI

, Fresh High-Quality Stocks at. l very moderate prices and l Prompt Free Delivery Service . always available

1 Tel: IPOH 2686, 2687 GPO Box 7 l

Send congratulations to The Royal Dragoons on their 300th birthday WE HAVE SERVED H.M. FORCES IN MANY CAPACITIES INCLUDING PRISONERS OF WAR IN MALAYA DURING JAPANESE OCCUPATION PERIOD

WE OFFER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE, EXCELLENT & EFFICIENT SERVICE

Head Office: 1 Capitol Flats.

Shaws Building.

North Bridge Road.

SINGAPORE 6.

Tel. 28876

(iV)

Branches in: Federation of Malaya.

Bahrain.

Sharjah, (Persian Gulf).

KENT AND COUNTY 0F LGNDON YEOMANRY (SHARPSHOOTERS)

By Appointment toHis Late Majesty King George V.

ROGERS & CO.

A Reconnaissance Regiment of the Reserve Army Affiliated to The Royal Dragoons

(MILITARY

OUTFITTERS)

LTD.

Sporting and Mufti Tailors Hunting Kit and Breeches Makers

Ex—Regular and National Service Soldiers whose homes are in London

Regimental Outfitters to The Royal Dragoons

or the Home Counties, are invited to

33, BRUTON ST., MAYFAIR, LONDON, W.l

join the Yeomanry. Full pay of your rank while soldiering, with a tax free bounty of up to £20 a year.

Telephone: MAYfair 7303 London.

Mrs.

WHITE

Telegrams: Rogers, MAY. 7303 London.

G. THOMAS

WIRELESS :: DRIVING :: SHOOTING MOTOR CYCLING

(Hairdressers) Ltd

Colour Specialist Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s

Good Clubs TO THE

Court Hairdresser

Royal Dragoons

11 DUKE STREET, ST. JAMES

*

And at 19 HIGH STREET, ETON

Social Events

Dances

LONDON, S.W.1 Visit us or write to us at .'

HILL HOUSE, BROMLEY. KENT. TIES, SQUARES, HAND KNITTED SWEATERS, Etc.

EXPERT ENGLISH ASSISTANTS

ONLY

Squadrons at

Patronised mostly by Officers of H.M. Forces

“ ROYAL YACHT ”

* is a very exclusive Hairdressing

8, Burlington Gardens LONDON, WI.

RA Vensbourne 6571

“MY AMBROSIAL SHAVING CREAM”

ENTRE. ‘: ‘ ‘ £0)?ng ROACD. MAIDSTONE. KENT.

‘B‘ SQN: TA CENTRE, MITCHAM ROAD. CROYDON, SURREY.

Tel: Maids/one 4235.

Tel: CROydoII 2131.

And at SETx EETEFRKSELANE.

‘C' S Q N: TA CENTRE , ALBANY STREET.

is the Best for Easy Shaving

Established over a century

Officers of THE ROYAL DRAGOONS

TEL. REG. 0582

and their Families are cordially invited to the above addresses, where they will always find best attention given

CANTERBURY.

LONDON N,W.I.

TI'l' Canterbury 3457.

TM: EUSrun 3471.

THE EAGLE The Regimental Journal of

THE ROYAL DRAGOONS

CONTENTS Editorial The City of London and the Raising of The Royal Dragoons Visit of The Colonel of The Regiment

A \Vounded Soldier The Ashton Memorial Trophy “ Spud ” —— An Appreciation 300 Years of Travel Fazstern Your Safety Belts The Nleat Safe “ A ” Squadron Notes “B” Squadron Notes “C” Squadron Notes H.Q. Squadron Notes

L.A.D. Notes Band Notes Amateur Radio Lake Rudolf Safari ..

3rd /4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) Sergeants’ Mess Equitation

Cricket Football Regimental Association The Royal Dragoons Aid Society Births and Marriages

Obituaries Regimental Gazette

(viii)

MALAYA

1843

EDITORIAL

m" Z O O

0 <3 a: D

>«

O a: to E H

ON 21st October, 1661, a Troop of horses,

The story unfolds with the Regiment, less

one hundred strong with three officers, was

“ A” and “ C” Squadrons, under command of the newly-formed Headquarters Aden SubArea (Col C. Nixon, M.B.E., and later Col. J. H. Pallot) and situated in Kasr El Tangier Camp, a part of the BP Little Aden Refinery.

“A” Squadron at this time was in Sharjah under command for general purposes of the Trucial Oman Scouts (Col S. L. R. Carter, O.B.E., M.C.), and for special purposes (such as training marches in Muscat) of HQ Land Forces Persian Gulf (Brigadier E. H. Tinker). “B” Squadron was responsible to HQ Aden Protec— torate Levies (Brigadier D. B. Wormald, 0.3.0., MC.) for the “up—country” commitment—the permanent requirements being for troop dendr— ments at Ataq, Dhala and Lodar and the provision of escorts for regular convoys to Dhala and Lodar: special requirements were for various operations in one or other of the Proteotorattes.

Overall command was exercised by Cornmander-in-Chief British Forces Arabian Peninsula (Air Chief Marshal Sir Hubert Patch, K.C.B., (3.8.5, and later Air Marshal S. C. Elworthy, c.B., 013.12., D.s.o., M.v.o., D.F.c., A.F.C) through the Land Forces Commander (Major—General R. N. H. C. Bray, c.B., C.B.E., 0.3.0.).

“C” Squadron, who initially were responsible for finding part of the internal security force in Aden itself, took over the up-counrtry ootmniitment in April, thus freeing “B ” Squadron, who relieved “A” Squadron in Shariah in May. Afiter returning to Aden, “A” Squadron were fortunate to be asked to provide

raised by proclamation of Charles II to form part of the Garrison of Tangier. The horsemen were gathered together for formal mustering at what was then known as St. George’s Fields in the Borough of Southwark. With the Troop mustered on that day, The Royal Dragoons today can trace an unbroken continuity of con— nection, and this fact establishes the Regiment as the oldest Cavalry Regiment of the Line in the British Army.

1961 is therefore the three hundredth year of our history—the Regiment’s Tercentenary.

That the Regiment should be celebrating this signifiumt stage in our history so far from home is a sign of the times. We shall hope that the event will receive official recognition when the Regiment is next in the United Kingdom.

In a way “ Editorial ” is a misnomer for these notes. An Editorial is usually taken to mean a leading article in which the Editor is free to express his own views: such a description is to a certain extent inaccurate when applied to a Regimental Magazine in which free comment has often in the interests of “internal security ” to be stifled. The main aim of this Editoria— and it was the late Sir Ernest Makins who drew attention to the fact shortly before his dearth— should be to act as a record of the Regiment’s movements and activities over the year. In the absence of a War Diary and without recourse to War Office files which may not be readily to hand, it is the only record. This year therefore the reader will find—instead of the galaxy of witty comment to which he has become accus— tomed—a somewhat factual account of the Regiment’s activities from March, 1959, when last year’s edition went to press, until March, 1960.

two troops to train with 24 Brigade (Brigadier R. C. H. Miers, D.s.o., O.B.E.) in Kenya, which they did during June, flying there and back in Beverley aircraft.

THE

JOURNAL

OF

11th H-ussars advance party arrived on 14th October and had taken over all our tasks by I7n‘h November when the Nevasa arrived with their main body. The Regiment sailed on the same day and disembarked (less “A” Squadron who disembarked at Singapore two days later) at Penang on 27th November.

The year in Arabia had presented some-thing of a challenge: determination on the part of all was required to overcome the considerable difiiculties caused by acute accommodation problems, a particularly trying climate from March to November and considerable disper— sion even for an Armoured Car Regiment. It will be remembered in particular for our very close association with “C” Squadron, The Queen’s Own Hussars (Maj R. M. Carnegie.

M.B.E.), whose unenviable task it was to open up a new camp at Bir Fuqum, and whose NAAFI Club became known somewhat appropriately by the affectionate euphemism of Fuqum Hall. It is a pleasure to record their appreciation of what little help we were able to afford them: this took material form in the presentation by their ofiicers to the officers of the Regiment of a silver goblet—the first such goblet ever to be presented from outside the Regiment.

It is worth noting that the distance from the Shariah Squadron to RHQ was further than

from London to Gibraltar and that the troop at Ataq throughout the year could only be reached and supplied by air. Lt goes without saying therefore that our dependence on the Royal Air Force was in many cases absolute. It was refreshing to find—in the only RAF-Army Integrated Command—a mutual trust between soldiers and airmen without which life—at least for the soldier—would have been led at the point of exasperation.

A report on the year in Arabia would not be complete without reference to the BP Company.

Living as many of us were in the midst of the Little Aden Refinery, our dependence upon the goodwill of the General Manager and his staff

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

Party) or the Nevasa. This has ensured a very happy Ohristmas for us and has meant a retum to a more normal peacetime existence.

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL DRAGOONS

27 February, |96|

AIS these notes go [0 press, we have fresh in our minds the visit of the Colonel of the Regi— ment (which is reported separately) and that of nhe Director of the Royal Armoured Corps, Major-General G. C. Hopkinson, (3.8., D.s.0., 0.3.3., M.c. (26th—28th February).

Visitors to the Regiment from the War Office during our year in Aden included C.I.G.S., V.C.I.G.S., Director of Military Operations, Director of Medical Services, Director of Telecommunications, and Director of E.M.E. In March the Minister of Defence visited us, and in April the Chief of Defence Staff, accompanied

by Maior~General Desmond Fitzpatrick.

His Excellency The Governor, Sir William Luce, K.C.M.G., K.B.E., and his successor, Sir Charles Johnston, K.C.B., both spent a morning with the Regiment and lunohed in the Ofiicers’ Mess. The Commander~in~0hief (Sir Hubert Patch) drove the Saladin Armoured Car and fired the Secondary armament: his successor also saw much of the Regiment.

in time of need and the welcome that they extended to many of us in their homes is a very happy memory: we remain indebted to them for their generosity and kindness. rMIalaya has meant for many of us what Aden denied—reunion with our families. The housing situation in Ipoh and Singapore (“A” Squadron) is such that all families not already united in Aden were able to join their husbands either on the Oxfordshire (which carried our Advance

and G.O.C. (Major—General Bray), whose firm hand and never—failing support had meant so much to us, came aboard Nemsa to wish us God speed.

3

Visit of D.R.A.C. (Major General G. C. Hopkinson, C.B., D.S.O., O.B.E., M.C.)

We have inherited the dispositions of our pre— decessors, I3th/18th Royal Hussars (QMO), to whom we are in no small measure grateful for a pleasant and efficient handover: that is to say we have “A” Squadron on Singapore Island, primarily on internal security duties and under command 99 (Gurkha) Brigade (Brigadier A. E. C. Bredin, D.s.0., M.C.): this Squadron is stationed in Nee Soon Camp. The rest of the Regiment (under command I7 (Gurkha) Division—‘M‘aior—General J. A, R. Robertson, C.B., C.B.E., D.s.0.) is in Ipoh, with one Squadron in soupport of 28 Commonwealth Brigade (Brigadier F. G. Hassent, D.s.o., M.v.o., 0.13.15).

During the principal exercise of the year, the Senior Air Staff Officer, HQ B.F.A.P. (Air Oom— modore T. B. de la P. Beresford, D.S.O., D.F.C.) renewed his Western Desert memories of Army / Air cooperation, by spending twenty—four hours with RHQ in the Field.

was considerable. Their never-failing assistance

THE

On leaving Aden, the Commander—in—Chief

DRAC Inspects the Band.

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS THE

Tho City of London and the raising of The Royal Dragoons

BY D. W. KING, O.B.F.., F.L.A., Librarian of the War Office.

HE year 1661 marks the tercentenary of the raising in London of the Tangier Troop of Horse from which The Royal Dragoons descend. It was on 6th September, 1661, that Henry Mordaunt, Earl of Peterborough, received a commission from King Charles II to raise forces for the defence of the City of Tangiers, which had come to the English Crown as part of the dowry of Queen Catherine of Braganza. This commission appointed the Earl of Peter— borough Captain General of the Forces to be sent to Tangiers and authorised him: “ by beat of drum, proclamacons or otherwise in our name to raise, lift, arme, array, and put under command such and we many Voluntiers both of horse and foot Within this our Kingdome of England or anie other (of) our Kingdoms or Dominions as shall make up and compleate the numbers designed by us in the establishment for that service.”

The “ establishment of that service ” included but a single troop of horse. The Earl of Peter— borough had pressed for five but the Committee of the Privy Council concerned with the affairs of Tangiers would allow him only one as troops of horse were costly to maintain. The pay of a trooper was 2 /6d. a day while that of a private in a company of foot was only 9d. On 30th September, the Earl of Peterborough was directed to apply to the Duke of Albernarle, the Commander—in—Chief, for orders to send out drummers to recruit men for his forces. The order relating to the troop of horse was issued on 6th October. 1661. A copy of this order which has not hitherto been published has been preserved in the Sloane Manuscripts at the British Museum. The order clearly shows that the City of London and the parts adjacent were the tmop’s main recruiting ground: “ Whereas his MA’sie and counsill have given order to the right Hon’ble Henry Earle of Peterburgh for the raysing assembling and levying one hundred horse to be transported into Tanger in Affrica, these are to authorize the sayd Earle of Peterburgh, or such officers, as his Lordsp shall appointe to rayse the sayd one hundred horse, in and about the Cittie of London, or any other place and to quarter such of them as shall from time to time be raysed in the Parish of Lambeth, and the Constables of the sayd Parish are to take care of the equall quartering of them and the officers commanding them are to take care, that their quarters be payd for, and that the soldiers behave themselves orderly and civilly in their quarters, given under my hand and seale an the Cockpitt the sixth day of Oct. 1661.

ALBEMARIL" For the next few weeks recruiting for the Tangier forces went on busily. Francesea Giavarini, the Venetian Minister Resident in London, reported to his government on 14th October, 1661, that drummers were out daily beating for recruits in the City and suggested that despite the large number of disbanded Cromwellian soldiers in the streets the prospect of service at Tangiers was not proving popular. There was, however, no difficulty in securing men for the troop of horse and only three weeks after the issue of the order by the Duke of Albemarlc it was complete. On ZIst October it was mustered in St. George’s Fields in Southwark. The troop must have made a brave show for the “Mercurius Politicus,” the contemporary newspaper, speaks of the hundred well appointed men mustered that day.

The troop sailed with the other forces raised for service at Tangiers in January, 1662. It remained at Tangiers for twenty years and was engaged in almost constant warfare with the Moors until 1680. The battle honour “Tangier, 1662—1680 ” granted to The Royal Dragoons in 1910 commemorates its services. Three new troops were raised in July, 1680, and went out to join it at Tangiers in the same month. One of these three troops was raised in London.

The City Waiting Books record the presentation in July, 1685, of a recruiting warrant to the Lord Mayor, for his approval of its use within the City boundaries, by an officer who can be identified as Lewis Billingsley, the Captain Lieutenant of the senior of the new troops. (It was in the Waiting Books that all warrants relating to the recruiting of soldiers within the City by bat of drum were noted. Unfortunately, the Waiting Books covering the period when the original troop was recruited have not survived).

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

5

By July, 1683, it had become clear that King Charles II’s resources did not permit the further retention of Tangiers and a decision to evacuate the town was taken. It was decided that the four troops of horse in garrison there should be brought home and with two additional newly raised troops should be formed into a regiment of dragoons. Lord Churchill, later Duke of Marlborough, was given a commission as Colonel of this regiment, designated “Our Owne Royall Regiment of Dragoones,” on 19th November, 1683, and the two new troops were raised in the same month. The regiment was completed when the four troops from Tangiers returned home in February, 1684.

The warrants for the two new troops indicate that London was intended as a recruiting area for them as both warrants contain instructions that the Lord Mayor’s approval was to be sought before beating for recruits within the City: CHARLES

R.

“ These are to Authorise you by beat of Drum to raise for Our service fifty voluntiers with horses to serve as Soldiers in ............ Our own Regiment of Dragoones ............ But in case you beat your Drumms within Our Citty of London, or the libertyes you are first to show this Our Warrant for the same to Our trusty and welbeloved Our Mayor of Our said

Citty.”

King Charles II died in February, 1685, and was succeeded by his brother James. In June of the same year the Duke of Monmouth landed at Lyme Regis and raised the West Country against the new King. James took immediate steps to strengthen his forces. Five new troops were added to the regiment of dragoons and warrants similar to those of 1683 were issued to recruit men for them. All the new troops were required to rendezvous in the London area.

One at least was raised Within the City. Francis Russell who was commissioned as Captain of this troop on 10th June, 1685, presented his recruiting warrant to the Lord Mayor on 18th June. The entry in the Waiting Books reads thus: “ Die 7ovis, 18 die ?unii, 1685. This day Captaine Russell showed to His Lordship His Majesties warrant for raising a Troope of Dragoones to be employed in His Mafesties Service (in the regiment) whereof the Right Honble Lord Churchill is Colonell, dated 16th day of 7une, 1685.”

While the new troops were being raised the rest of the regiment was on the way to the West.

In July it fought at Sedgemoor the first of a long series of battles in which The Royals were to fight as dragoons.

Three hundred years aflter they were first raised as the Tangier Horse The Royal Dragoons still have London as a recruiting area. The City now recognises the regiment’s long associations with London by including The Royal Dragoons among the privileged regiments who may march through its streets in full martial array. It is singularly appropriate that this recognition should have come to the regiment in its tercentenary year.

.1 Torcentonary Honour S this Tercentenary Edition of The Eagle goes to press we are proud to hear that the City of London has been pleased to recognise The Royal Dragoons as a Privileged Regiment.

This signal honour accorded to The Regiment by the City of London marks a three hundred year association between us and the City, from within whose bounds The Regiment drew some of its earliest recruits.

It is to be hoped that in the not too distant future we may find ourselves stationed near to London to enable us to exercise our privileges and visit the City both formally and informally.

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

Visit of the Colonel of the Regiment February l96l THE Colonel of the Regiment arrived by air in Singapore on 17th February and after spending two nights at Flagstaff House flew on to Ipoh. On Monday, 20th February he inspected the Regiment on parade and took the salute at the march past of fifty men from each of “B,” “C” and HQ Squadrons and seven-t een Saladin Armoured Cars. The Band was Trooped during the parade and the Colonel express ed himself as fully satisfied with the turn— out and drill. Later that morning he visited the WO‘s’ and Sergeants’ Mess. On Tuesday he was shown HQ Squadron.

In the Corporals’ Mess he presented the Ashton Memorial Trophy to the 1960/61 winner, Cpl B. Hearn. In the evening he watched the semi-final of the Inter—Squadron Football Competition and later dined in the Officers’ Mess. On Wednesday “B” and “C” Squadron Leaders showed him round their respective Squadrons and in the evening he visited Headquarters “B” Squadron and one troop who were leaguering on the edge of the jungle. Here he was able to gauge the extent of jungle-worthiness that “B” Squadron assault troopers had recently acquired from men of the New Zealand Regiment.

By this time the Colonel had seen a comprehensive cross—s ection of the training and sport that occupy our lives in Malaya and had talked to a large number of the ninety—seven families that we have in Ipoh. In his Valedictory MeSSage he congratulated the Commanding Officer and All Ranks on his entirely satisfactory inspection and thanked everyone for making his visit such a happy one. He concluded:— “ I wish you all the best of luck during your tour of duty in Malaya.”

Tlhe Regiment was proud to have had the opportunity to entertain him in Malaya and was greatly encouraged by the obvious pleasure that he display ed at all that he saw.

On the Thursday morning we said farewell as he flew from Ipoh Airport to Kuala Lumpur.

It was with much regret that we heard that Brigadier Tony’s father had died on 24th February; this necessitated a premature return to Londo n and cancellation of his visit to “A” Squadron in Nee Soon Camp, which was to have taken place on 27th February. We offer our deepest sympathy and our grateful thanks that this sad news did not arrive until after the completion of his visit to Ipoh.

A Il’ounded Soldier C O

A BAD injury or a wound sustained in battle often turns the strongest stomach, despite the aids of modern medicine and surgery.

The following account of a severely wounded soldier of the Regiment of many years ago is therefore all the more interesting. How many of us would behave so calmly today? * * t “ I remained in Brussels three days, and had ample mans here, as in several other places, such as Salamanca, etc, for witnessing the cutting off of legs and arms.

The French I have ever found to be brave, yet I cannot say they will undergo a surgical operation with the cool, unflinching spirit of a British soldier. An incident which here came under my notice may in some measure show the difference of the two nations. An. English soldier belonging to, if I recollect rightly, the 1st Royal Dragoons, evidently an old weather—beaten warfarer, while undergoing the amputation of an arm below the elbow, held the injured limb with his other hand Without betraying the slightest emotion, save occasionally helping out his pain by spirting forth the proceeds of a large plug of tobacco, which he chewed most unmercifully while under the operation. Near to him was a Frenchman, bellong lustily, while a surgeon was probing for a ball near the shoulder. This seemed to annoy the Englishman more than anything else, so much so that as soon as his arm was amputated, he struck the Frenchman a smart blow across the breech with the severed limb, holding it at the wrist, saying, ‘ Here, take that, and stuff it down your throat, and stop that damned bellowing.’ ”

The Colonel of the Regiment inspects "B" Squadron Saladin crews (Sgt Brooks. Tpr Lynch and Tpr Barber).

Amery. Lt W. M. G. Black , Lt E. C. York. Lt A. P. G. Stanley-Smith, Lt D. W. Williams-Wynn. 2Lt. T. W. P. Connell, 2Lt J. H. Lloyd . 2Lt J. R. Chilton. 2Lt C. N. Haworth-Booth. 2Lt M. C. Hobhouse.

D.S.O.. Maj B. J. Hodgson. Maj D. J. S. Wilkinson,

Capt D. S. A. Boyd, Capt L. R. Burnside. Capt M. H.

Browne. Lt J. M. Loyd. Lt M. W. Hallaran. 2Lt M. J.

, Lt D. S. Harrington Kinsman, 2Lt. R. O. D. Windsor-Clive.

Capt A. W. McQueen, Capt W. S. H. Boucher, Capt D. M. Jacobs, Lt (Q.M.) A. S. Ayrton.

Bull, Capt D. Miller.

Maj M. B. Noble, Maj T. A. K. Watson, Lt Col P. B . Fielden. M.C., Brig A. H. Pepys, .

Capt (Q M.) E. L. Payne.

Not present : Ma] 0. J. Lewxs, Maj W. R. Wilson FitzGerald, Ca pt W. H. Yates, Capt C. B.

OFFICERS’ GROUP PHOTOGRAPH. IPOH. FEBRUARY. 1961.

THE

a: lG

3

-= e c

K hi

<£ ..

u—l

m“

9 St 5 .0

4

= o I:I4:

.2

a;

E E W. =

q: 8

E N

I

d .4

23

JOURNAL

OF

THE ROYAL DRAGOONS

The Ashton Memorial Trophy

lllll|IllIlIlll|l|ll|lllllIlllllIIlllllllllllllllllllllllIlllllllllllll

THIRD

AWARD

1960

Corporal B.HEARN “C”Squadron

3.5» .

lllllIllIIlllllIllllIll||llIIIllllIIIllIllIlllIlllIIlllIllllllllIlllllll

Cpl Heam receives the Ashton Memorial Trophy from the Colonel of the Regiment.

ORPOIRAL Heam won the third award of this trophy for the outstanding junior Regular soldier of the year. Coming from Hillingdon, Middlesex, he \attended Evelyns Secondary Modern School, leaving at 15 to join the Boys Squadron RAC (now the Junior Leaders Regiment). Here he proved himself to be a first class boy in every way: excelling on the games field, being one of the outstanding athletes of the Squadron. Married in 1956, he was then posted to the Regiment and later spent 2% years on the staff of the Gunnery School at Lulwonth. Here he passed an NCOs Gunnery Instructors Course before returning to the Regiment at Tidworth in 1959. He was promoted Corporal and posted to “C” Squadron, serving for a year in Aden before moving with the Regiment to Ipoh. He is now a Troop Corporal and Instructor on the Gunnery Wing, and is a member of the Regimental football team.

THE

IOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE ROYAL

DRAGOONS

“ Spud” — An Appreciation HEN the Nevasa sailed from Aden for Malaya on 17th November, 1960, “ Spud’s ” fare— well concluded a period of over 36 years’ uninterrupted service with the Regiment. It was

diflicult at the Lime for many of us to realise that his well—known figure would not be, as so often before, at the far end to meet us.

Major Christopher William John Lewis, M.B.E., enlisted at Newport (Mon) on 1st March, 1924, at the age of 18, three months before the present Sec‘ond—in—Command of the Regiment was born! He was promoted unpaid lance-corporal in “ B ” Squadron in March, 1925, corporal in December3 1927 (Cairo) and sergeant in June, 1930 (India). He was SQMS “A” Squadron in June, 1933, when he won the Regimental Tent Pegging Championship, and S.S.M. in April, 1935. In May, 1940, when the Regiment was in Palestine, he was promoted RS‘M, in which rank he saw the Regiment meohanised and in action in the Western Desert.

“Spud” was commissioned as Lieutenant and Quartermaster on 2nd September, 1942, and in this rank fought the Italian and North West Europe Campaigns. He was promoted Captain in September, 1945 (Denmark) and Major in July, 1952 (Fayid).

The records show that as early as 1937 the training of the Regimental Football team was in his care and in this year they won the Folkestone and District League. Since the war, under his management, the Regimental team have three times won the 7th Armoured Division Championsh.ps, three times won the Suez Canal League, twice been in the Final of B.A.O.R. Cup and once been in the final of the Cavalry Cup. He was also manager and trainer to Army (Egypt) XI (1951—4) and B.A.O.R. XI (1955-9).

It is somewhat difficult for one person to attempt to describe what “ Spud ” has been to the Regiment, because no single person has been with the Regiment long enough to cover more than a relatively short period of his service. The reader is asked therefore to forgive any in<ompleteness or presumption on the author’s parts This is no excuse however for not trying to do justice, in this brief appreciation, to what “Spud” has done for, and meant to, the Regiment: as the first Commanding Officer who, in the last 36 years, has had to do without “Spud” perhaps I am in a somewhat apt position from which to gauge his influence. It is a rare gift for a commissioned Warrant Officer to be able to achieve the same high degree of influence and respect in the Oflicers’ Mess as he previously enjoyed in the Sergeants’ Mess; not only did “ Spud ” do this, but he also retained throughout his commissioned service the same benevolent influence over the Sergeants’ Mess that he had held when he was RSM. He was thus able to perceive over a wide field any potential source of friction or unhappiness and advise the Commanding Officer accordingly.

In the same way, as Messing Officer, which appointment he held in addition to his other duties for the last five years of his service, he was in exceptionally close touch with the Rank and File of the Regiment and was in many, many ways, large and small, able actively to promote understanding and good relations throughout the whole Regiment.

In the later stages of his Regimental career, his unique experience of all matters concerning the Regiment, his apparently unlimited knowledge of administration, and his exceptional insight into all departments of the Regiment made him an invaluable source of wisdom to which a Commanding Officer was often able to turn with gratitude. “ Spud’s ” spirit of determination and resolution that the best alone was good enough—the very hallmark of his life—was never better exemplified than at the time of our final Soccer match in B.F.A.P. After a year in Aden—during which time he was one of the very few to forego any leave—and in the midst of hectic packing up and handing—over—he produced in the principal B.F.A.P. Competition, at Regimental football team to beat our old “enemies” the Royal Highland Fusiliers It was “ Spud’s ” spirit alone that won us that match, and there were those amongst us who recognised this fact with tears in our eyes, This spirit will remain, “ Spud,” because it is the spirit of the Regiment, but under your inspiration that spirit flamed most brightly and for this we shall always be grateful to you.

I speak for the whole Regiment and I am sure also for all Old Royals when I take this opportunity to wish you happiness and good fortune in your new job as Station Staff Officer, 151 Division, at Verden in Germany. We miss you, but as a last tribute may I thank you on behalf of the Regiment for training such an able successor to step into your shoes. Good luck, “Spud”! “ Quartermaster speaking.”

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE ROYAL

DRAGOONS

Thanks for Books presented to the Regiment HiE Commanding Officer is most grateful to Mr. W. C. Robinson, of 330, London Road, Islewomth, who has recently sent us the following books: 'Ilhe Royals in South Africa, 1899—1908

(:Makins).

A Short History of The Royal Dragoons

(Makins).

History of the 6th Cavalry Brigade, 1914—1918

(Biekersteth).

1661-1763 zlst Oct, 1661:

Dec, 1661:

First formed muster of a “-nroop of well-appointed horsemen” on St. George’s Fields, Soutthwatrk, London.

Embarkation in the Thames on board the Tobias, the ‘j‘ames and

Olive Branch.

1 9th / 29th Jan, 1662: 1662-1684: 1st Feb, 1684:

1684:

Expedition sailed for Tangier, Nonth Africa.

Pan of garrison of Tangier holding it against the Moors.

Landed in London, In Rickmanswonth and Berlehampstead: later in Slough and Maidenhead. In September concentrated at Souuhwark for “a great review” on Putney Heamh, then Berkshire.

Embarkavtion on the Charles.

25th OCTOBER, BALACLAVA, AT ACTION CAVALRY

AT [this stage in the Regiment’s history it is interesting to look over our shoulders to see where, over mhe last three hundred years, we have been stationed. If the soldier of today tihinks mha't post—war soldiering is made up of constant moves, he need only glance at (this article to see what his predecessors had to put up with. From :the [time the Regiment was raised in 1661 for service overseas up to the present day we can look back at constantly changing stations in all parts of the world to which we have been sent for many varied reasons.

The article is divided into three parts each covering roughly a century. It is illustrated with maps to enable the reader to follow the progress of the Regiment from Southwark, 1661. to Ipoh, 1961.

BRILLIANT

300 Years of Travel

THE

He writes: “Thirty odd years ago, I had a friend who was stationed at Hounslow and on leaving for overseas, asked me to mind some books relating to The Royal Dragoons’ history and as I have not heard from him since, thought perhaps the Regiment would like them.”

The books will remain in Regimental safe—keeping (unless, of course, the proper owner identifies himself).

1854

The Indian Mutiny, 1857.

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

II

Feb., 1685:

Troops art Brentford, Uxbridge, Colnbrook and Hounslow. In March four rroops encamped in Hyde Park. In April ruhe Regiment moved out into Hertfordtsrhire and Essex.

Apr., 1685 :

Two troops given urgem orders tto march to Carlisle, arrived there in May.

June,1685:

Marched to Chester. Returned rto London in September. Other troops rto Salisbury, mhen [to Bridport, Axminster and Chard.

Battle of Sedgemoor (Somerset). Troops to Salisbury, Wells and Taunton guarding prisoners, mhen r0 London for a review by rhe King.

July, 1685: Plov“ 1685:

Regiment makes up winter quarters in rhe West Country (Honiton, Barnstable, Bideford, Outcry St. Mary, South Molmon, Tiverton).

1686:

Training in Hampshire, tthen tto Hrounslow for summer camp. Then to Shropshire, Cheshire and Welsh border (RHQ, Shrewsbury).

1687:

Sounhwark and Lambeth prior to camp at Hounslow, then to Norwich escorting mails.

1688:

Suffolk and Essex. Then anti—smuggling duties in Kent (Canterbury, Aishford, Hytthe, Romney and Lydd), followed by a move to Rochester and The Isle of Grain. Four .troops rhen guarded :Uhe infant Prince of Wales air Richmond. The regiment rhen ordered tto Norwich, return— ing again mo London (Holborn and Gray’s Inn, rthen Sou-thwark and Larmbeith).

William III landed in .West Country and overrhrew James II).

Miarched to Portsmouth, moving on to Salisbury, Blandford, Dorc‘hester. Axminster.

Returned .to Salisbury, Portsmouth and NE Hampshire.

Party in :the Isle of Wight guarding prisoners: iihen whole regiment to Shrewsbury, marching latter to Newcastle-on-Tyne. Then on operations r0 Edinburgh, Stirling, Forfar and Aberdeen, then to Kirkcudbright for operations in Ireland, crossed in October to Carlingford, operating againsr forces still loyal rto James II.

1690/1691 :

Operating throughout Ireland until capture of Limerick.

1692/1693:

Returned to England, landing Cockermouth and Whitehaven.

Marched south to Leicestershire on duty escorting mails, then moved to south of England on anti-smuggling patrols.

May, 1694:

Embarked for lthe Continent for campaign against Louis XIV of France, Operating in Belgium against French.

Nov., 1697:

Returned ito England on signing of Peace Treaty.

1698/ 1699 :

Sita‘tioned in Yorkshire (Ripon, Richmond, Askrigg, Bedale, Barnard Castle, Skipton, Stockton, Durham). Then south to Leicestershire, concentrating at Nortingham for review in 1699.

To London for review on Hounslow Heamh. Then north again, troops going to Kingston-on—Hull, Wakefield, Selby, Penrith, Carlisle and Hexham and later to Doncaster and Mansfield.

Feb., 1702:

Move south :to Essex, embarking at Harwich for Flanders for campaign against Louis XIV of France. Operating in Belgium and Holland.

Winter. 1703/ 1704:

Regiment ordered home for posting to Portugal. Arrived Spithead, February, 1704, sailing March and arriving Lisbon 13th March.

1704/1705:

Operating in Pomugal and Spain against French.

I3

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

landed ugh Strans of (fituahar and Eknbarked lisbon, safled thro n), (Spai at Barcelona , ), near Valencia, Alicante, Almenara Operating in Catalonia (SE. Spain 1705/1712: ega.

Brihu and Saragossa troops at Posted to North Country with Return to England.

1712: ld. lesfie M-aoc eld, Shefli Manchester, ury, B-icester, Brackley. and quartered at Aylesbury, Banb July, 1714: Moved south k. Then marched north stoc Wood and ey Witn e, Tham Buckingham, to Yorkshire.

1715 Rebellion. e for operations in the Jacobite ()cto 1715: Ordered to Newcastl s Via Jedburgh and rebel ued purs then h, burg Marched on Edin Carlisle to Preston. d against par and St. Andrews) to guar 1719: Marched north to Fife (Cou and on anti— Engl to ned retur Then . further Jacobite operations smuggling patrols.

July, 1705 :

l66l~l763

w

new |589rl691 CARL!NG=0RD ' DURHAM HlTEHAVEN L‘MERICKI

m: CSHREW‘SaURY ‘760 t SUFFOLK

Es

.SEDGEMOOR

coummtsss SPlT

EADK

NORWlCH

,ARWlCH L‘ONDON

.EN

'BRE MEN

O

MJNSTER .MINDEN D T

' v5 TOLD

'

1722: 1723—1740:

ms or wHT ngthroo:

1 753

- Anauag .

EngGHENT wmt HERBOURG FLm NORTLi FONTENOY‘BRUSS LS ICOLOGNE ~—‘ LA A‘X - '16944 697 C UH}?

GERMANY 7024703 HAPELLE NKFURYWS OVI'ME .FRA tutor .' DETTlNGEN

1740:

ASCHAFFENBURG

1742 2 Aug, 1742: FRANCE

Feb, 1743:

I)urharn.

Hornby slow Heath, then going to Review by George II on Houn duty against coast on y nuall conti Detachments (Lancashire).

England. quartered in varying parts of smugglers, the Regiment being ore) to , Bromsgrove, Evesham, Persh From Worcestershire (Worcester .

Windsor, then Leicesters‘hire Devizes. rset moved to Newbury, then From winter quarters in Some up quarters at Ghent.

Embarked for Flanders. Took es, els, Louvain, Tirlemont, Tongr Bruss via e Rhin Matched to the Crossed the Rhine ne.

Colog of area the to Maastricht, Aix—la—Chapelle Frankfurt to Aschaflenburg. at Andernach, marched via

Battle of Dettingen. in Ghent.

Returned to winter quarters d Lille (Belgium). roun ch Fren st Operations again to return to England to deal Fontenoy, followed by orders 17451 Battle of arrived too late). they h whic (for g risin 'te with second Jacob Quartered in Southwark.

1746: duties.

England on anti—smuggling 1746—1748: Quantered in Southern Kent. a, Angli East hire, Yorks Stationed in Scotland, then 1750-17542 at St. Malo and ngs landi in part Took 1758: Light Troop formed.

Clherbourg.

Anglia.

Southern England, then East 17591 Regiment in landing at Bremen and d, esen Grav g rkin emba 1760: Ordered to Germany, old to Fritzlar for operations

June, 1743:

Oct./Nov., 1743: 1744:

9 SARAGOSSA

w SPAIN

BARCELONA

.705-E7l1 VALENCIA

gm.

ALICANTE

Detm marching south via Minden,

TF-NGIER

MEDITERRANEAN SEA

“61-1634

31st July, 1760:

1761:

MW 1762/1763:

against the French. temamp. west to Rhine. Battle of Clos Battle of Warburg. Marohed ter.

Muns near Return to winter quarters tions near to Paderborn. Further opera ning retur , Hesse in g atin Oper a move Then sen). nghau le of Velli Dortmund, Hamm, Werl (Batt Hamelin. Matched 175 near r Wese the ing cross east past Detmold, (on the coast).

Hornburg, East Friesland miles to Winter quarters at d Lie-benau roun Paderborn. Operations Concentrated at Brakel, near bruck. in Munster and Osna Frankfurt, winter quarters

and towards usion of war.

Returned to England on concl

JOURNAL

“lHL

OF

THE

ROYAL DRAGOONS

1 763-1861

1785:

1787—1789: 1790:

Station-ed in Scotland.

Worcestershire, Salisbury, Dorset (troops widely Dorchester, Axminster, Wareham and Weymou'th).

scattered

at

Colchester, Ipswich, Lincoln, Newark and York.

Rearmed to Scotland.

1791:

Marched south via Carlisle to Manchester and Liverpool.

1792:

To Coventry, suppressing mobs in Birmingham, then to Exeter on “Coast dulty.”

I793:

Dorset and Wiltshire, ordered to move to Flanders on outbreak of war against French. Two squadrons embarked at Blackwafll and landed at Ostend. Operations around Valenciennes and towards Cambrai. Then through Ypres to screen the seige of Dunkirk.

Further operations around Menin.

April, 1794:

May, 1794: 1794:

BULGARlA

1781-1784:

Stationed in turn in Scothand, North of England, Dorset. Surrey, Canterbury, Suffolk and York. Periodic revieWS in London.

PM {rum A

1763—1780:

Battle of Beaumont.

Battle of \Villlems (near Lille, Belgium).

Five troops left behind in England, stationed around Dorchester.

Among their duties was to guard King George III while bathing at Weymouth, in case “ one of the smugglers row—gallies, in the constant practice of running cargoes between St. Alban’s Head and Weymouth, may land and carry the King away at night.”

The two squadrons operating in Flanders withdrew with the rest of army east into Germany via Reine, Diepholz, the Weser and Bremen. Embarked for England and went to Epsom, later reJuniting with the other troops at Dorehester. In camp at Sutton, then \Veyrnoumh. Then to Canterbury.

1803-1805:

Dorchester and Weymouth, then Arundel and Chichester, with detachments on revenue duty at Bognor, Little‘hampton, Worthing, then to East Anglia.

1805:

North to York, then return to Suffolk.

1806:

Matched north to Edinburgh. (In three months the Regiment covered 600 miles).

1807:

Move to Ireland with RHQ at Dundadk and troops at Belturbet, Lisburn, Londonderry, Monaghan, Enni‘skil‘len and Sligo.

1808:

Concentrated at Dublin.

1809:

Moved to Cork awaiting embarkation.

Sailed in September for Lisbon for operations in Portugal and Spain against Napoleon’s French,

o m / MANLA

To West Country (riots at Trowbridge), then Exeter and Taunton, with coast duty in Cornwall.

VlTORlA-

1802:

.1L.\HOU‘>[

Then to Croydon and Epsom.

rxtttr‘, 9.;4

Sussex and Kent on coast duty.

eupx nAtt

Summer camp on Swinley Common.

1801:

common o

1800:

.WLHWMCHE

To \Varwickshire (Birmingham and Coventry, Bristol, Gloucester), then Dorchester and Weymouth, then Salisbury and Blandford with a detachment at Andover “escorting treasure—wagons.”

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

Operating under Wellington against the French. Withdrawing through Torres Vedras Lines and then advancing again as the French with— drew from Portugal.

1811:

Battle of Fuentes D‘Onoro.

1812:

March to Madrid followed by a retreat back into Portugal and to Alcantara.

May, 1813:

Advanced again into Spain to Salamanca. Battle of Vittoria, further advance taking the Regiment almost to the Pyrenees and the French frontier.

March, 1814:

Regiment entered France at St. Jean de Luz on the Bay of Biscay coast. Moved on through Toulouse to Villefranche. On abdication of Napoleon the Regiment marched across France to Calais, crossing to England. Marched via Sevenoaks and Richmond to the new Depot at Newbury, then troops to Bath, Trowbridge and Bristol, later concentrating at Bristol.

June/July, 1814:

1815:

RHQ and two squadrons at Exeter, squadrons at Taunton and Truro on “coast duty.”

Apr., 1815:

Immediate orders to move to Canterbury for embarkation at Dover and Ramsgate. Landed at Otstend, quartered in Ghent and later Ninove, for operations against Napoleon.

16th June, 1815:

Moved out via Grammont and Aim to Quatre Bras.

18th June, 1815:

Battle of Waterloo. Followed by march on Paris. Then marched to Rouen for occupation of France, later moving to Montivilliers, near Havre, then to Abbey-ille.

Jan, 1816:

Returned to England, going to Canterbury, then to the new Depot at Ipswich.

Aug, 1817 June, 1818: 1818:

Moved to Glasgow, Hamilton, Ayr, Dumfries, Stirling.

Sailed for Ireland.

1820—1822:

Returned from Ireland, first to Lancashire, then to Dorset to assist revenue ofl'lcers against still—active smugglers, then to Kent.

1823:

Took over King’s dnty in London, stationed at the Cavalry Barracks in Regent’s Park. Then marched north to York.

1824:

Moved to Edinburgh with detachments at Perth, Forfar and Cupar Angus.

1825-1829 :

Moved to Ireland (Dundalk), later going to Dublin, then Newbridge, Cork, Fermoy, Bandon and Ballincollig.

1829: 1830:

To Lancashire, picqueting riots among cotton mill workers. a‘st Anglia maintaining order among the farm workers.

1832—1834:

Mlarohed south to Canterbury, then to Dorchester (troops detached to Weymoudi, Christchurch and Winchester), then Brighton (one squadron Canterbury).

1835-1837:

Ireland: Newbridge, then Dublin, then to Cork and Ballincolig.

1838-1840:

Returned to England, going first to Shefl'leld, then to Glasgow and Hamilton.

Returned south to LeedsJ with detachments at Carlisle, Newcastle— on—Tyne and Bradford.

1841: 1842-1843:

To Manchester, then south again with RHQ at Birmingham and troops at Coventry, Dudley and Newcastle-under—Ly‘me.

1843-1848:

Sailed to Ireland, first Newbnidge, then Dublin, Dundalk, Cork and Ca‘hir.

A

TROOPER

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS,

1837

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

I7

Returned to England, going to York, Bradford, Halifax, Leeds and Newcarstle—on—Tyne.

Nottingham, Sheffield and Loughborough.

Barnet, then Brighton and Christchurch.

Birmingham and Coventry, then Manchester and Preston.

Outbreak of disembarked Re—embarked Violent storm

War against Russia.

Embarked Liverpool in May, at Varna, a Bulgarian port on the Black Sea. in September for the Crimea, landing Balaclava after a (in one ship 11 horses survived from 110).

25th Oct., 1854:

Battle of Balaclava. Then remaining in that area until embarking for Scutari, in Turkey, a year later.

May, 1856:

Re-embarked for England on troopship Himalaya, landing at Ports— mouth and going to Aldershot.

June, 1856:

Matched to Southampton, embarked for Dublin. at Newbridge.

1856—1861:

Joined the Depot

Staition‘ed in Ireland, mainly in Dublin and the Curragh.

1861-1961 1861-1865:

Returned to England, going first to Birmingham, Coventry and Sheffield. Followed by two years in Aldershot.

1865—1867:

Brighton and Shorncliife, then Manchester.

1867—1873:

Further service in Ireland.

Troops on detachment throughout Ireland concentrating at the Curragh in the summer for the drill

season.

1873-1875:

Moved to Edinburgh and Hamilton.

1875—1879:

Moved south to York, then to Norwich, Ipswich and Colchester, then to Aldershot. Returned to Colchester and Norwich.

1879:

Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham.

1880—1886:

Sailed to Ireland. RHQ att Longford, troops at Athlone, Ballinrobe, Castlebar and Gort on escort and patrol duties.

1884-1885:

Party of 44 picked men detached to the Sudan, taking part in the Battle of Abu Klea as part of the Camel Corps.

1886-1889:

Regiment returned to Aldershot.

1889—1893 :

Canterbury, Colchester, then Aldershot on manoeuvres, returning to Colchester and then marching north to York for two years.

1893—1897:

Sailed to Ireland (Dublin, the Curragh, then Dundalk).

1897:

Returned via Holyhead to Aldershot, then on manoeuvres in Sussex and to Hounslow with a squadron at Hampton Court and three troops at Woolwich.

1899:

To Aldershot for a review by Queen Victoria, then manoeuvres on Salisbury Plain, terminated by orders to return to Hounslow for preparing for service in South Africa. Embarked in October on 8.8. Manchester Port at Tilbury. Disembarked at Durban after calling at Capetown for orders. Entrained for Pietermaritzburg the same day. Continual operations against Boers.

Entered Ladysmith.

Newcastle.

Followed by patrolling in Northern Natal round

l'HE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

THE

1901 :

JOURNAL

01‘

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

19

Left Newcastle for Pretoria and the Eastern Transvaal, then in Orange

Free State, constantly operating against Boers.

1902:

Finished the war in the South Western Transvaal. Marched to Bloemfontein and embarked at Capetown for Southampton.

Nov, 1902:

S‘hornclitfe (inspected by the German Emperor), manoeuvres on Salisbury Plain.

June, 1904: 1904—1909:

Embarked Southampton for the first tour in India. Arrived Bombay and quartered in Lucknow. Remained there except for manoeuvres and a review at Agra.

1909—1911:

OLUCKNOW

Aug, 1914: I

SECUNDERABAD

9

1913:

AURA

HUT] RA.

omrtmn’

Nov, 1911:

Moved to Muttra.

Embarked at Bombay for South Africa, landing Durban and being stationed in Pretoria.

To Johannesburg to help quell riots.

Embarked at Capetown on outbreak of First World War. Dis— embarked Southampton, by train to Ludgershall. Ordered overseas. entrained at Amesbury for Southampton. Sailed for Ostend and Zeebrugge, billeted near Bruges. Then operating towards Ypres, Moorslede and Passchendaele against the Germans, mainly in trenches in dismounted role.

Further trench operations near Ypres, then Loos and Bethune, in the “ Hohenzollem” sector of the trenches.

Out of the line training on the coast.

Then to Amiens.

NATALK . Pl E IRMARtTi'I

DURBAN

1920—1922:

BlOlMlONlllN

FREE STATE "rrz 19H l9l-V

|899l901 ORANGE

SOUTH AFRI‘CA

TRANSVAAL 0 I'Rl 11mm I I JOHANNISHHRU

m,

’1...

H29 I060 ADI N “327491?

EGYPT

o AlAMHN (mm) \

1919: Aug, 1919:

1922:

CAM IOWN

lEF‘YIS

NAt.N/\

SYRIA )‘Ml

.AlH'l‘O

PALESTINE VANARAWEE I940 m-u

TUNISIA

0

>6 (010nm i a

N-

fil‘i OLLANQ‘ mu

2’ ,BELGIUM

l‘H‘v

IUNIJU

Continuous operations on the front, mainly in the Amiens area.

Moved north through Douai and Tournai, passing Fontenoy and Willems, being on the march to the northern sector when the Armistice was announced. Then marched to Namur, crossing the field of Waterloo and later moved near Liege.

To Cologne with Army of Occupation.

Returned to England, landing at Dover and going to Hounslow.

To Ireland, landing at Dublin, going to Ballinasloe. operations against I.R.A. Returned to the Curragh.

1923:

To Aldershot.

To Hounslow, preparing for foreign service.

Sep.: 1927:

To Egypt, going to Cairo (Abbassia).

Oct, 1929:'

To India, stationed in Secunderabad.

Oct., 1932:

To Meerut.

1935:

1936:

Sep., 1939: 1940:

Patrols and

Embarked at North Wall for Liverpool, going to Hounslow with a squadron to Hampton Court.

1926:

1938-1939:

IRELAND

scoTLANo 117545 JNMA

5 2‘ 1 o ‘2

('FASARLA

Manoeuvres out of the line. Then to Arras in action in the trenches opposite the German Hindenburg Line.

Embarked at Bombay for Egypt, disembarking at Suez, and going to Abbassia, near Cairo.

Sailed for England, being stationed at Shornclil’fe.

Embarked Southampton for Palestine. Stationed near Caesarea, then moving south of Jaffa on Internal Security duties.

Start of World War II. Marched inland to Jordan Valley. Camps at Acre and Tiberias, moving south of Jafia for mechanisation. The Regiment then moved

to the Royal Armoured Corps School at Abbassia, Cairo, for training.

JOURNAL

OF

THE ROYAL

DRAGOONS

Two squadrons moved out to the Libyan frontier for the Western Desert campaign, the third into Syria against the Vichy French. Then RHQ and one squadron were sent from the desert to join the squadron in Syria, which had operated to beyond Damascus. At end of fighting in Syria the two squadrons moved north to Aleppo to patrol the Turkish frontier, being rejoined by the third squadron from the Western Desert in October. The whole Regiment then ordered to join the 81h Army in the Western Desert. Took over the line near Bir Hachiem, operating beyond Mechili, being the first troops to enter Benghazi.

Operated as far as Agheila before withdrawing east to Meohi-li, Bir Hachiem, El Adem and back into Egypt. Then to the Delta to refit. Moved west to El Alainein for the battle. Passed through the enemy lines, then pursued enemy west through Msus, Antelat, Agedabia to Sirte.

Entered Tunisia and fought north towards Tunis. One squadron to Egypt to re-equip, sailing from Alexandria and landing in Sicily.

Fought throughout the campaign, then landed in Italy. Matched north to Bari. Remainder of Regiment moved into Tripolitania (Leptis Magna). Then sailed to Taranto (Italy), later moving north to join the squadron already in Italy.

Sailed from Taranto, arriving in the Clyde.

(Durham).

By train to Seaham

Then to Ashford in Kent. In July to East Ham to embark for N.W, Europe. Landed in Normandy. Advanced east across France into Belgium, through Menin and towards Ghent. Then into Holland, operating round Eindhovenj Nijmegen and the River Mans.

1945: 1946:

Moved into Belgium and Germany. Rhine crossing, followed by advance to Celle and Uelzen. Elbe crossing, Lubeck. War ended, Regiment entered Denmark. After six months returned to Germany,

concentrating at Eutin, then to Gifhorn, patrolling Russian Zone border, then to Dedelsdorf.

19472

One squadron to Berlin for six months.

1948:

Regiment to Wolfenbuttel.

1949-19502

One Squadron to Berlin for a year. Remainder on manoeuvres throughout North Germany each summer. Left for England, going to Chester (inspection by King George VI).

Sailed from Southampton to Egypt on Empire Ken. Arrived Port Said, going to Fanara in the Canal Zone.

Constant patrolling and 1.3. duties throughowt Canal Zone following Egypt’s abrogation of Treaty with England. Manoeuvres in Canal Zone and Sinai. Later one squadron detached at Ismailia.

Sailed in Empire Ken from Port Said for Southampton. Stationed in Tidworth, then sailed for Germany, going to Wesendorf. Regiment took part in continual manoeuvres throughout Northern Germany.

Moved to Herford.

Sailed for England, going to Tidwortli, then sailed for Aden. One squadron detached in Sihariah, on Persian Gulf. On constant patrol and escort duties.

Sailed for Malaya, disembarking at Penang and by train to Ipoh, except one squadron, which disembarked at Singapore.

-_—.——

THE ROYAL DRAGOONS IN REVIEW ORDER AT THII ALDERSHOT TATTOO C. r880

THE

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

“ Fasten your Safety Belts ’9 T was pointed out tome during the latter half of our tour in Aden that a record of aircraft . flights undertaken in the capacity of Commanding Officer might be of general interest. It is in no spirit of trumpet—blowing that the details listed below are published, {or I am known to be a timid airman—an anxious looker—outter at engines. In fact with the exception of three, all these journeys were on duty and necessitated in most cases leaving the cornfont of a spring mattress at an hour to which for many years now I have been unaccustomed. The following therefore is intended to show to what extent a Commanding Officer in Arabia may expect to entrust himself to the safekeeping of civil airways and the even safer-keeping of the Royal Air Force.

Twin Pioneer

1320 1350 70 70 170 170 180 1140 1140 1520 1520 1140 1140 3500

Viscount Argonaut Valetta Twin Pioneer Beverley Twin Pioneer

Dakota Canberra

Lyneham (UK)

N

mOUJHHth-‘twoxox x._.. MI .‘

Aircraft

H H 141..- M.‘ n;— .4- #0

Time

70 1 140 1 140 170 I70 1350 1350 90 9o 1140 930 1250

H

1 Aug 60 Aug 60 .1 Sep 60

Distance

N

Apr 60 Apr 60 May 60 May 60 May 60 May 60 May 60 , Jun 60 Jun 60 Jul 60 Jul ()0 Aug 60 Aug 60

Flight Dhala—Aden ... ... .., Aden—Sharjah ... ... ...

S‘harjah—Aden ... ... ...

Aden—Ataq ... ... ...

Ataq—Aden Aden—Bahrein ... ... ...

Bahrain—Aden Aden-Mukeiras Mukeiras—Aden ... ... ...

Aden- Shariah Sharjah-Muscat—Bahrain Bahroin-Kuwailt—Beyrouth .. .

Beyrouth-iKuwait—Qatar— Bahrein BahreimAden Aden—Dhala Dhala—Aden Aden-Ataq Ataq—Aden Aden-Lodar—Aden Aden— Sharjah Shariah—Aden Aden—Embakasi (Kenya) Embakasi—Aden ..

Aden—Shariah Sharjah—Aden Aden—Gan—Ghangi Singapore-Kuala Lumpur— Ipoh lpoh—MalaccaaSingapore Singapore»Gan—Aden Aden—El Adem—

o‘Noxviw

Date Nov Nov Nov Nov Dec

400 420 3500

Hastings Hastings Beverley Twin Pioneer Hastings Hastings

Dakota Dakota

Comet Twin Pioneer Brirtantia

Canberra Brittania Argonaut Hastings Hastings Comet Dakota Dakota Comet

3500

Comet

Lyneham—Tripoli—Aden Adon—Fastle-igh (Kenya)

3550 1520

Comet Hastings

Oct 60

Eastleigh-«Aden

1520

Oct 60

Aden—Bahrein Bahrein—Sharjah Shariah—Salala—Aden

Sep 60 Sep 60

Oct 60 Oct 60

Total number of miles Total number of flying hours

.

1350 200 1170

Hastings ,

Argonaut Twin Pioneer Dakota

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

The Meat Safe

BY COL A. D. WINTLE, LATE THE ROYAL DRAGOONS

OON after the Kaiser’s War, when I was at G.H.Q., Cologne, during the occupation of the Rhine, there was, working in the office next door to mine, a very important and pain-Sagiving oflicer whom I called “Lop—cared” Brown.

Day and night he strove in his sanctum, devising many papers and local regulations, all of which had as their object to send somebody out to see what the soldiers were doing and to tell them not to. On ruminating on the importance of this task and having regard to the awe-inspiring and secret nature of his task, he Came to the conclusion that he ought to have a safe in which to preserve his papers.

So he made out a requisition for a safe, sent it off through the usual channels and then applied himself with renewed vigour, like a giant refreshedl to his duties which had been interrupted by this consideration of safeguarding his documents. It is not difficult to realise that these duties were of such an absorbing nature that they took his mind off the safe and he forgot all about it.

He even applied for leave and notwithstanding the fact that he was practically irreplaceable, his leave was granted and he went away.

Meanwhile, the Usual Channels went thrOugh their usual form of digestion and presently produced a result. This was a gigantic safe of monumental proportions which was brought to G.H.Q. for “Lop-eared” Brown.

The first thing I knew about this safe was that a scuflling noise was heard in the passage outside. Hoping this might be some sort of fight or even just an ordinary rough—house in which we might join, Halford, better known as “ Father ” from his prematurely grey hair, and I went out :to investigate. In the passage we found a crew of German workmen busily levering and rolling down the passage the most majestic safe I have ever seen. “ Father” and I helped as best we could by shouting encouragements and contradictory instructions, and eventually we got the safe into “ Lop-cared ” Brown’s room.

Here we all paused, as well we might.

Then as soon as he had regained his breath, the man in charge asked me to sign a receipt for it. Although it was none of my business, I am always eager to sign anything, so I signed the receipt, the Pressgang withdrew and “Father” and I were left alone with the safe in all our glory.

It was indeed a magnificent contrivance.

In colour green and gold with a species of embossed coat of arms emblazoned on its front, it stood fully six feet high.

It had many handles, upon which were tied two keys.

I opened the door of the safe and looked inside. It was absolutely empty. Still, we both knew that “Lop—cared” Brown could be trusted to remedy this defect. We slammed the door of the safe and it closed with a gentle squish of compressed air. We did this several times, but never succeeded in getting a bang out of it.

Then “Father” and I spent quite a happy quarter of an hour swinging backwards and forwards on the door of the safe, until “Father” caught his finger in the door and we abandoned the sport.

On inspecting the inside of the safe, we noticed that the steel panel was held in position by eight large flat—headed screws. The notches in the heads of these screws looked as if they would fit a penny.

We tried, and they did.

So we unscrewed them and removed the steel plate, disclosing the inner workings of the

door, which was fully five inches thick.

We stood spellbound. Even “Father” forgot his sore finger.

The space in the thickness of the door was simply full of machinery; rods, pistons, levers, toothed wheels and ratchets.

And what is more, they all worked. Each time the key or the handle was turned, the whole lot came into action like some complicated but efficient spinning jenny. And they all

THE

JOURNAL OF

THE

ROYAL DRAGOONS

23

worked so smoothly. One turn, and they all slid, twisted and rolled one way. Another turn and they all went back again. “ Father ” and I, who both understood machinery, were entranced.

Nevertheless, we noticed there was one small cavity, neatly partitioned off, which contained absolutely no machinery Whatever; not even a connecting rod or sparking plug. This seemed somehow wrong to us, so I rushed downstairs to the Mess kitchen and brought back a pound of beef. This we put into the cavity, replaced the steel plate, screwed back the screws with the penny, and then went out to lunch with the sense of duty well done.

Three days later “Lop-cared” Brown returned from leave. I gave him the keys of his safe, which I had kept for safe custody. He took them and then applied himself to his work with ’ardour, for he had much leeaway to make up. During his absence, the soldiers had been getting out of hand, in fact they had been getting their legs over the bale and gave “Lopeared ” Brown a good deal of trouble to set it all right again.

Still he was back now and soon get the situation well in hand. He worked far into the night and then locked up his papers in the safe and went back home to a well-deserved rest.

Next day he was back fresh and early at his task, and so it went on.

There was one evening, however, when putting his papers back into the safe, he noticed a peculiar smell. It seemed to strike him most forcibly on first opening the door of the safe.

He attributed it, however, to the new paint, which as everybody knows is apt to give off a strong smell at first, and thought no more about it.

Yet, next morning when he opened his safe, the smell seemed if anything stronger. It was as if the smell of this paint having been imprisoned all night in the aintight safe had gathered volume and power in the interval. So he lefit the door of the safe wide open in order to allow the smell to disperse. This it did, albeit without abating, so much so that he was obliged to close the door of the safe and open the door and the wind of his office. And that evening when he came to put his papers away safely for the nigh,t the smell was very strong.

And the smell waxed in force and pungency as time went on. And far from wearing off, as “ Lopaeared ” Brown had explained to all those who came from time to time to ask him for the sanctuary of his safe for some particularly secret document, it seemed to grow with age. And the number of secret and important documents that seemed to fall into the hands of all and sundry, who not so fortunate as “ Lop-cared ” Brown had not got a safe of their own, seemed to be on the increase. There were great and weighty happenings on the Rhine in those days, and the game of “Lop—cared” Brown and his safe travelled all round G.H.Q. Perhaps the most impressive function in connection with it all was the opening ceremony in the morning first thing, when the depositors of secret documents of the previous evening came to collect their wares. “ Lop-cared ” Brown would take his key which he kept chained to himself and insert it in the lock. There was a whirring sound as of many pinions working together, a sharp click, “Lop—cared” Brown turned the handle and a terrific smell pervaded everything as if instead of a safe, he had opened up some major drain.

And next morning the unbelievers of the previous day were back again with their friends to be converted to this new faith. And the amazing thing is that “ Lop—cared ” Brovtm never guessed what was the matter although everybody at G.H.Q. knew all about it.

He even had the floor boards of his office taken up to see what had died there.

Then one day somebody told him what it was.

So “ Lop-cared ” Brown sat down at his desk and wrote me a minute asking me to remove the pound of beef, and sent it in to me in the next room by the hand of his clerk.

But I sent back my reply through the usual channels, and he never got it.

So he had perforce to give his clerk half—a—crown to remove the pound of beef, which by then nobody wanted.

But “Lop—cared” Brown and his meat safe were never forgotten.

(We are indebted to The Evening Standard for permission to publish this story, which first appeared in that paper).

‘A'

‘k

*

Colonel Wintle’s new book The Club was due for publication at the end of April.

Published by Cassels, this very funny book will appeal to all who have enjoyed Colonel Wintle’s articles appearing in the Evening Standard recently.

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

MALAYA Rail

Distances

from SINGAPORE

t Johore BahruilS miles Seremban,_,___ 200 miles Port Dickson, ,225 miles

KUALA LUWUR_2H6 miles Ipoh, V ,,, 7 376 Taipingwh .W 4429 Penang ,7493 Kota Bahrufi_u58

miles miles miles miles

”\‘mf‘lq

l

/(

HA. Al or St ar 2 l

q’1’

.

-

Kola 81hr u

,‘q' P ENANG)

.uttarworth . Trengganu

Penang Ferry

T , ‘ swing

SOUTH H, Klng George V

“ lPO‘H. ‘ ,

A

3 Cameron

‘0‘ .

Park

.‘

393.9,“.‘3nds §

CHINA

:. “mea«tionai

''

SE A

Lumut Kulntan \u Frazer:

.

",5 Mill

PKUALA Po rt

LUMPUR

Sue ttenham

0/0

Seremban

Port Dickson Malacca

4/

4z 40 5;, Jo or.

Ba ru

,

‘~

*"

To

HONG

KONG

(i500 miles)

S INGAPORE

Jungle patrol. Tpr Grice.

..

‘w'

Sgt MacKay, 2Lt Williams-Wynn, Tprs Barber, Gilmartin. Scarle, Lynch.

“B” SQN. TROOP LEAGUER.

4...

Ferret Scout Car covers “8" Squadron patrol along riverbed.

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

25

E arrived in Aden on 5th May after a most enjoyable six months in Stharjah. There were some very unpleasant moments, but these were offset by many amusing incidents, mostly at someone else’s expense. We all remember some four hundred Arabs dragging a Saracen and Scammel out of the mud at al Sohar; the Dawson Trucking Company always on time, having travelled for miles over the desert without maps; and Christmas with its donkey-polo, though that will only be remembered by the very few abstainees!

Our first major battle in Aden was “Egress” at the end of May where, against the combined might of R.H.Q. and the Q.O.Hl, we spent three blistering days advancing and retreating up the A1 to Perim. Our most notable achievement was the bombardment of the unfortunate Q.O.H. in a night raid by Major Banham’s “commandos ” with surplus tins of “Pornm.” Exercise “Knocker” which followed in July was a combination of futilities; the Royal Highland Fusiliers captured and ate the Marines’ rations, whilst almost the sole conversation on the air was bleatintgs for more matches. Troop Leaders to note!

Error in navigation!

7 ~

“ _ ;:

«refit?

“ B ” Sqn. Ferret Scout Car and Saracen on patrol outside Chinese rest-house.

“A” Squadron Landrover. Zingibar. 1960.

On 9th June, the Squadron Leader, now Maj Wilson FitzGerald, took Ist and 2nd Troops to Kenya for exercises with 1 King’s and the Coldstrearn Guards, and in three weeks they accomplished more than most travel agencies would dare to offer. Big game was something to be bored with when they arrived back on 3rd July; the Squadron Leader had got chased by a nhlino and 2Lt Connell and chl O’Dwyer had split a herd of elephants with their scout cars. However, it was not all sightseeing and some valuable training was accomplished, together with a thorough testing of the scout cars in altitudes up to Iopoo feet around Gilgil arid the continual hammering over some 1,800 miles of rough country and dirt track roads. The great hospitality of I King’s and the Coldstream Guards made the trip all the more pleasurable.

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS Mwwa

THE

is

— these cold

mornings.”

Maj Wilson

FilzGerald in

Perhaps the most interesting of our jobs in Aden was the “ riots.” On 15th August LEGCO (The Legislative Council) passed a bill that strikes would become illegal. The Squadron, who seemed to catch most things, were put on 24 hours’ notice, loaded with guns, ammunition and beer and eventually, after a trying week of uncertainty, moved into Aden.

One troop was stationed at H.‘M.S. Sheba, strategically placed near the Rex Bar and the Crescent Hotel, while the other troop positioned itself around the Shalimar—the Quags of Aden. For those of us who were prepared for howling masses of stone—throwing Arabs the come-down could hardly have been sharper. A band of sixty wandered aimlessly up and down Marine Drive and that was literally all. At 2000 hrs. we were stood down and went back to camp. It was a great disappointment all round especially after the long hours of standing by on the “big set " in Aden—mainly by the Squadron Leader, Sunray Minor and Sgt Bayne.

While in Aden we provided the escorts for the Commanders-in-Chief and Governors old and new when they came and left the Colony for new appointments. Our best wishes to them.

Sport was confined mainly to Football, Cricket and Water Polo. We came the Inter—Squadron football league, were well represented in the cricket captained the water polo team which included 5 Squadron members.

Lt Theobald, as captain and member respectively, took part in the East African

a close second in and Cpl Payne York and Tpr Rifle Meeting.

The Squadron arrived in Singapore on 28th November and we are still enjoying the bright lights and the advantages of a detached Squadron. After the hand—over from “ B ” Squadron 13th/18th Hussars we were equipped with new Saladins and new scout cars, and apart from being narrowly missed by a passing forest fire have so far had no real excittements.

During the past year we have welcomed many new faces to the Squadron and with regret have said good-bye to many others. Amongst those leaving us we would like to mention Maj Banham, who has gone to France and Sgt Wallace, an old and faithful who was sent home sick from Aden. Sgtt. Woods has gone to the Junior Leaders Regiment, and Sgts Leese and Cameron to Ipoh to run HQ Squadron. We wish them all the best of luck.

TH

Why not place an order for a copy of the Journal now ?

E EA GL E

Full detailgaévilljsae found in

“A" Sqn. Ferret Scout Car entering Beverley at Nairobi en route to Aden.

Kenya, 1960.

THE

“ B ” Sqn. Saladin (ZLt Williams-Wynn, Tpr Scarle).

‘6 B 9,

JOURNAL OF

THE ROYAL DRAGOONS

S Q UAD R O N

27

lllllllilrlllllllllllllllillllllllllllllllllIlll!llllllllllllilllilllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllIllllllllllllIllflliltlllllllllll‘ell

T the close of last years notes “ B” Squadron were looking forward to handing over to “C ” Squadron and flying to Sharjah to relieve “A” Squadron.

During our time in the Aden Protectorate each troop had had its share of detachment either at Dhala or Ataq and had thoroughly enjoyed being a “ private army” up country. 2nd Troop became film stars and may yet have their London premiere on the screen. 3rd Troop despite a determination to “ shoot anything that moves ” in the Ataq area failed to start the local war they longed for.

After a few practices at emplaning, deplaning, re-emplaning, etc., the Squadron eventually flew to Shariah just before Easter.

The six months we spent at Sharjah will be remembered clearly by all of us not so much because of the discomforts of the camp, its lack of amenity and an unpleasant climate, but for the exercises that took us to many parts of The Trucial States, Muscat and The Oman. It will be hard to forget the route south to Muscat—the laborious grind through the soft sand to the “ Coffee Shop,” the hot, monotonous gravel plain, the fresh water falaj near the Customs post between The Trucial States and Muscat, and then Buraimi oasis and on to Ibri, Bahlah, Nazwa, the Wadi Somail and the return trip up the Batinah Coast with gardens of dates and bananas all the way, Sohar, the Wadi Jizzi or the Wadi Quor and back across the “ sand sea " to S‘Iharjah.

As the aim of these exercises was largely to familiarise ourselves with the country and “ Show the Flag,” most days were spent motoring while a few were set aside for rest and vehicle maintenance; owing to the heat it became impossible, for the sake of men and vehicles (both of whom over—heated) to travel between ten o’clock in the morning and four in the after— noon. So during the heat of the day the Squadron would whenever possible rest near one of the cool, sparkling falajes that are one of the most delightful features of the country and whose water is as sweet as any English spring. These falajes were built hundreds of years ago and carry water from the hills for many miles, sometimes under the ground, to villages; there the water is channelled into gardens of date palms, bananas, mangoes, limes and maize. In contrast to the intense heat of the desert or dry rocky wadis where practically nothing grows the villages with their green and shady gardens are a most refreshing sight; there are few greater pleasures in that part of the world than to sit in the cool running water of a falaj in the shade of palm trees eating ripe mangoes.

Unfortunately such was not always the case and often the fitter section was caught in the heat of the day renewing a 3atonner spring or adjusting a Ferret gear box and by then progress in the Scammel, which would have been happier as a steam engine and defeated all attempts to stop it boiling over, was impossible. On other occasions there was no falai and the only shade was the canvas off the vehicles and six hours had to be spent sweating it out, waiting for it to get cooler while the slightest movement meant a great effort. We were fortunate in having only a few cases of heat exhaustion which on one occasion were flown from Ibri by a Twin Pioneer of the R.A.F.; on another occasion water was dropped from the air in inner tubes to the crew of a Landrover who were suffering from heat exhaustion. On all exercises we had at our disposal, normally every three days, an R.A.F. Twin Pioneer from Sharjazh which was invaluable in bringing us out spare parts, relief crews, mail, etc.

We also worked frequently with the Trucial Scouts and the Sultan of Muscat’s Armed Forces giving one or two “ fire power ” demonstrations to them, the object of which were to impress the local Sheikhs into loyalty to the Sultan; most of them probably found it worth their while to support the Sultan as well as carrying on a profitable sideline in mines. We were fortunate in having no vehicles blown up on mines though constantly imagined them lying in likely places on the tracks. We were always welcomed and looked after by the Northern Frontier

28

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

Regiment at Ibri and Nazwa and at Bait al Falaj, by the headquarters of The Sultan of Muscat’s Armed Forces and also by the Gendarmerie at Sohar. Mention must also be made of The Sultan’s Air Force whose pilots never lost an opportunity of “buzzing” us, somehow without ever removing any wireless aerials.

2nd Troop was stationed for several weeks at Bait al Falaj in order to escort convoys from Muscat to Nazwa. Whilst on training from Bait, chl Mus-toe was most sadly killed when his Ferret overturned; all of the Squadron, who were there during an exercise, attended his funeral service in the small cemetery above the camp where he is buried.

A recce to the Gobra Bowl, 21 natural amphitheatre in the hills, was made memorable by a shower of rain that lasted all of ten minutes. From there we went to Rostak where we shot our annual small arms classification, and troops patrolled up several rough and remote wadis into the hills towards the dominating form of the Jebel Ak‘hdar; these were fascinating wadis whose sides were in places terraced into gardens and in other places water fell down sheer sides to be channelled into falajes to irrigate the gardens. The inhabitants of these wadis cannot have seen armoured cars before though that did not prevent them being very friendly and giving us dates, grapes and limes. In one of these wadis we found a deep clear pool of fast running water, which, in its surroundings of palms and green bushes formed the most perfect swimming pool.

We may not have been actively soldiering in this country, though mines and ambutshes were a possibility, but the climate and the terrain provided as much of a challenge as a human enemy

bl: =

C Q:

E e: i

and we learned much from having to adapt ourselves to the conditions.

Invariably Sharjah seemed a better place on returning from an exercise—a feeling that alas did not last long. Life there was brightened by nightly film shows, a C.S.E. show, Battle of Britain week and Radio Sharjah provided a ready means of passing thinly veiled remarks of doubtful meaning with “record requests.” Waterloo Day was celebrated with a water polo tournament in the morning and a barbecue on the beach in the evening at which our cooks produced an excellent meal. The Squadron boat is now seldom spoken about although it did give some an incentive to learn to swim. We won the Shariah Football League and played several football and hockey matches against visiting teams from the Royal Navy. Perhaps the most active sport was Go-Karting and thanks largely to Capt Bradis-h—Ellames, who thought he was on the Nurburgring, we had some most exciting racing. This was not without hazard as one driver tried to take a short cut over the head of another, and another driver fell out of his Go—Kart on a sharp corner.

We are now in Mala-ya with a different role and different tasks to perform and ill is sad that so few of the Sharjah squadron are still with us; however we welcome many newcomers from the 9th/12th Lancers, the r3-th/ 18th Hussars and Training Regiments. We are very pleased to have with us Lt Connor and Sgt Lindsay both from the Royal Australian Armoured Corps; they are coping manfully with our “strange ” ways and appear to be very much at home. We shall be sorry to say good-bye to SSM Brennan but wish him good fortune with the Sharpshooters.

We have not as yet seen much of Malaya though each troop, and the squadron as a whole, has spmt a night out of camp and learned something of the ways of mosquitoes; we also discovered that Saladin-s can disappear into seemingly hard ground. However we hope that when next year’s notes are written we shall have seen much more of Malaya and the jungle.

A Telegram to The Regiment HE following signal was received from the Commander Land Forces Persian Gulf on 30th October: “ My staff and I join in wishing the Regiment Bon Voyage and an enjoyable tour in Malaya, and wish to record our thanks and appreciation of the excellent record of eficrency and helpful co—operation gained by both “A” and “B ” Squadrons during their stay in the Gulf. It has been both a privilege and a pleasure to have them under command,” *

The following reply was sent: “All ranks who served under your command pleased and proud to receive your signal.”

>3

:1 E ‘h

9

o 5.“ v :3 =

c

.

A >2 n M :1

g<N (I) v

I5‘.

La 4= 5

:2 V)

e a ‘l9 LE

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL DRAGOONS

29

53C 99

S QUADR O N

A

o \c a H

E. aU) U

5/ .E 1: E N

U)

.E on .E .— _ {h

'5 m H

“Troop Leader’s Operator.”

E_.a.

llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllHllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllHllllllllllllllllllllllllll‘lllltl t"llllllllllllll’lllllll‘

ARLIER and earlier every year comes the Editor’s “Why haven’t you done your Eagle notes yet?” What a lot of changes there have been since this time last year when we were in the throes of General Bray’s Administrative inspection. In September we said a sad good-bye to Maj Dimond, who has done so much for the squadron over the last three years. His intimate knowledge of every man in the squadron never failed to surprise—and occasionally embarrass—troop leaders, and we shall miss his voice on the a.ir:' “ Hullo three bravo hold your woman for figs 15 minutes . . . ” (to a range picquet at Res Imran; a far cry from Hohne!) We wish him good luck at the Wireless School, where Cpl Pickett and chl Strutdwick will soon be under his wing once more on courses.

We have also lost another tower of strength, SSiM Clark, and congratulate him on promotion to RQWMIS; SQM‘S Shone is not sure whether he is glad to have an ally in the QM department, or whether he is sorry the new RQMS knows him too well! We welcome SSM Kimble, from Tech, and hope Sgt Plumbly is not being found out in the mysteries of Squadron Technical department. We have had a succession of 2109 this year. Capt Boyd went off to RHQ in April and was succeeded by Capt Boucther, who obviously couldn’t stand the pace, as he quickly went off to Kenya on a fishing expedition and wasn’t seen again! Capt Hart-Dyke appeared for a month or two and helped us over the CIV before he too went away, back to UK. In September Capt Yates returned from Government House and went on the advance party and Capt Boyd returned to take over from Maj Dimond.

In April we started working with the APL and took over from “B” Squadron, Ataq (5th Troop), Lodar (3rd Troop) and Dhalla (2nd Troop), Ist Troop took over from 2nd Troop in August. Ist and 4th Troops ran the convoys or took part in various anti gun~running operations with the APL. W-e maintained wireless touch with all troops, perhaps the best message of the year came from 4th Troop Leader at Ahwar, some 150 miles east, “Please send some 0M 13, a traota joint oil seal, a film for my camera out of my room and a new scammel”!

Over all 2nd Troop enjoyed a large degree of independance from SHQ during its sojourn at Dhaia. It wasn’t Sgt Thorpe’s fault that his donkey was far too amorous to concern itself with such mundane matters as donkey polo, but it increased the odds against the British team beating the Arabs during the Ede tournament. The sides became even more uneven at the disappearance of the Troop Leader, Lt Loyd, whose donkey, in a desperate bid for freedom, fled

for the Yemen border shortly before half—time. Earlier that day a bullet from a “ feu de joie ” fired in a nearby village had bounced off a chair recently vacated by Tpr King, who remained convinced that the local populace were waging a personal vendetta against him.

Ist Troop spent four very pleasant months in Dhaka. Telegraphicaily (I refer to the Daily Telegraph) we were 150 miles North of Aden living among [the hills and rebels. In fact we lived very pleasantly only 90 miles from Aden, guards and the RSM. Although limited in good “ swans,” we nevertheless enjoyed our runs and since we were fired at only once, we prided ourselves on our obviously aggressive spirit which must have terrified any wouid-be dissident.

We played frequent games of hockey, cricket and football, not without success (though our defeat by Dhaia schoolboys we prefer to forget), 3rd Troop arrived at Lodar on 16th March. 1960, 4,200 feet up, having motored the 120 or so miles without incident.

Sgt Lloyd and Tpr Matthews became sufliciently friendly with the Sultan’s brother to be invited to go shooting and “ fuddling ” now and then. The whole troop moreover were invited to a fuddle to end all fuddles at Shuqra by the Sherif of Beihan, who must have appreciated his Ferret escort when passing through.

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

By and large we remained on reasonably friendly terms with the local Political Officer and the Naib, although the latter erected speed limit notices for our benefit. Of dramas we had but few; perhaps the most memorable one was the dreadful night in which two of the cars got caught out in the “ sale ” or flood. This involved the wretched crews having to abandon their cars and wade two miles to dry land. Only the united efforts of the whole of 4 Company 2 APL three days later succeeded in unbogging these vehicles which oddly enough seemed none the worse for wear.

All our troops were supplied by air and great credit is due to Cpl Pickett and chl Murray for the very long hours they put in on air despatoh. Our thanks are also due to $ng Williison, Cpl Oldharn and our fitters for all the hard work they did keeping us mobile.

With troops up country and leave to Mombasa time began to pass more quickly and the CIV and II H advance party were soon with us. All went very well and smoothly, though at one time we thought 3rd Troop would be left behind stranded on Operation “ Niggard,” having been manhandled up the Fidfidah pass and being unable to get down.

Our arrival here in Ipoh had been very well organised by our advance party, whose comments on Malaya had already whetted our appetite. “The country’s lovely and the hints are super.” We have now settled down in our new role of Training Squadron and reserve IS Squadron. Ist Troop runs the D and M Wing, 2nd Troop Gunnery, 3rd Troop Wireless and 4th and 5th Troops include assault troopers and produce a demonstration IS Troop.

We wish good luck to all who have left us this year and welcome the many newcomers, including Lt Gill, RAAC. We congratulate Maj and Mrs. Wilkinson on their recent marriage and welcome them to the Squadron.

HENRY, 10TH EARL OF PEMBROKE, AS COLONEL OF THE IST OR ROYAL REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS, I767

Armoured car troop on training in Perak State.

A

SERGEANT

OF

THE

REGIMENT

C.

1875 nu

S N

nu

m

1L

D

Mn

E

\1 nâ&#x20AC;&#x153; R

H

T

M

F nu

m

DA mu

N L

C.

1800

THE

0

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL DRAGOONS

S Q UADR O N

31

'jllllllllllllllllllllllll"llll!llilUlll[lllllllllilllllilUlllllllllillllllllllill[llElllllllllllllilllllllllllllllllllllllllll

ROM the office windows we now see the verdant jungle-covered hills of Malaya in place of (the bare rocks of Little Aden. Everyone has enjoyed their first impression of Ipoh, although some are beginning to yearn for Aden again.

In Aden the Squadron “ administered ” the Regiment, though all but a few were able to get out in the desert or up country for a night and in some cases much longer. Thirty spent August Bank Holiday discovering that the sea was too hot to lie in.

The nights the rains came are well remembered. The chief storm broke on the eve of Exercise “Egress ” and the camp received I.9ins. of rain when the annual rainfahl is usually 2.6 ins, The ground being so hard the water surged down and a great deal went through the Squadron Complex. Floors in other huts were covered up to 3ft. in water.

The next time it really rained was the Monday before the main party left on 17th November, when a smaller storm burst at dawn, but fortunately we had had warning the previous night and most heavy baggage was off the ground and channels for the surging water prepared around the area.

The Squadron Football team continued its success by winning an inter—Squadron League in August and provided several players for the Regimental side. Some of us were lucky enough to get to Kenya on leave which was a refreshing change. Those who didn’t spent a large part of their leisure hours in the sea.

SSM Waltorski left for “A” Squadron in March and was eventually replaced by SSiM Blackaller. RHQ Troop has been reborn in Malaya and the Band are with us once more, but otherwise the Squadron remains much the same.

By next year we should be nearly entirely Regular in content; however it is interesting to notice that of those 166 printed in last year’s Eagle in RHQ and HQ Squadron only 63 remain. At the «going to press HQ Squadron strength is 237 of which 158 are Regular.

In conclusion those who remain would like to wish all who return to civilian life the best of good luck and thanks for helping us on our way.

*

*

*

R.H.Q. Troop

HAWLEY

AS

COLONEL

OF

, DRAGOOINS

C‘

.

THE 1748

.

ROYAL

. ..

REGIMENT

..

OF

HE story of RHQ Troop in Aden is short by virtue of the fact that the commitments were small. The troop took part in only one exercise, that being Exercise “ Egress,” in which RHQ acted as an enemy to “A” Squadron who were working with the Coldstream Guards from Kenya. Unfortunately only a limited number had succeeded in finding an aircraft that worked.

To help us we had the Royal Highland Fusiliers and some Queen’s Own Hussar tanks; and the only incident worthy of note was the magnetic attraction apparently held by the enemy lines for “ C ” Squadron Leader and all our supplies. .Other than this, RHQ Troop kept the telephone exchange, the wireless link to Shariah and Radio Royals gotng With unparalleled eflictency. Sgt Tucker left us in June and was replaced

by Sgt Jubb from “C ” Squadron. In Malaya the troop has returned to its normal commit— ments and at the time of writing is quickly finding out where the deepest marshes in the Federation are. During the course of the last twelve months we have seen three Signals Officers, the present incumbent being Lt Hamilton—Russell.

32

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

THE JOURNAL or THE ROYAL DRAGOONS

Regimental Orderly Room YEAR ago saw us well settled, in very good air~conditioned offices, but rather away from “life” at Little Aden. This camp was certainly not “Mecca” but despite the heat. being on the coast made life tolerable. We were not completely surrounded by dreary coloured sand, so could gaze out to sea and watch civilisation, in the form of luxury liners and tankers, pass by.

From the work point of view the Aden tour of twelve months consisted of settling in, just about two months’ normal routine and then preparing for the move out. Capt S. E. M. Bradish~Ellames served as our Adjutant until March, 1960, when he left us to take over 21C of “ B ” Squadron in Sharjah. During his short tenure he “ drove hard at the wheel,” bringing out the best in all of us and also found time to visit the Hadhramaut and enjoy a few week—ends’ duck shooting. Apparently he also managed during this period to fit in another pastime and we all extend our congratulations and best wishes on his recent marriage.

Cpl Brandon returned to the staff on the return of “A” Squadron from Sharjah and we temporarily lost Cpl Wennell to “B ” Squadron. However, Cpl Wennell was to return later and ch1 Pain replaced him in Sharjah. Cpl Christmas had to leave the group at this time to settle in with “ A” Squadron, who were going direct to Singapore when the Regiment moved.

With Maj M, B. Noble in the “chair,” the move was soon upon us and everything went smoothly for both parties in Malaya. With Malaya in view, the re-uniting of some one hundred families and the thought of leaving Aden, the work was carried out with eagerness and high spirits.

Here in Ipoh the accommodation may not be so grand as in Aden with ceiling fans playing havoc with all loose papers, but there is much to compensate for this.

Unfortunately, we are to say goodbye, temporarily we hope, to Cpl Wennell, who is being returned to U.K. on medical down—grading. We would like to wish him all the very best for a speedy recovery and return to the Regiment. Both Cpl Christmas, now in Singapore, and Cpl Wennell have achieved high results in their work for the R.O.R. in the past year and are a credit to the Regiment.

We welcome, since our last notes, the new staff to the Kremlin, namely ch1 Dunlop, having re-enlisted, and Tprs Fox, Lee, Symonds, Roddis and Rante‘ll, who now make up a fully~Regular-soldier group.

*

1k

*

Q.M. Group T is a far cry from the coniferous jungles of Westphalia to the rubber plantations of Park but we eventually arrived here after a short recuperative holiday in the Garden of Aden (12 months). During the latter part of our stay in Aden many of the group developed guilty consciences with the easy way of life, feeling that they should return to civilian life and do something towards the national effort, and to all of these we wish the best of luck for the future.

Before embarking in Aden we had the very unpleasant task of saying goodbye to the “gaffer,” Maj C. W. J. Lewis, M.B.E., who had been the boss since September, 1942. We wish him the best of luck in his new appointment as Station Staff Officer at Verden, a very rugged job we believe. We must also wish his successor, Lt (QM) Ayrton, all the best and congratulate him on his promotion from RQMS. To all new members of the group who joined us in Aden and on the move over we wish every success, especially RQMS Clark and TQMS Fletcher.

Even when the heat was on in Aden we found time for week-end Exercises and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves (shades of Bir Odeib). Cpl Hildred ran the bar book under the eagle eye of Sgt Hall and it was noticeable that their bills were negligible compared to the rest of us; however, we put that down to experience.

33

We did have our ups and downs in Aden and it was fortunate that we had made our number with numerous BP officials. They proved most helpful on occasions when the airconditioning in RHQ and the Sergeants’ Mess went for a burton, and also the Ministry of Finance became the floating mint. We, however, found life bearable in the White House with its small (Io—ton) air-conditioning unit; it was a real hardship to stop work and go home.

A special word of thanks goes to chl Carr and his chippies who undertook all the jobs that came their way, including the yacht launching ramp for Capt “ Uffa Fox ” Burnside (Principles of Mercantile Law).

The take-over in Malaya went quite smoothly and we are well settled in at the time of writing. The grape vine has it that chl Hawley has entered for the Malayan T.T. on his locally acquired motor bike, Squadron Orderly Sergeant’s duties permitting.

The new Married Families Accommodation NCO tells me that his storeman has been nominated as “God’s gift to Sergeants ” and succeeds in axe-changing all the married quarters accommodation.

The char—wallah has been conveniently situated behind the immediate vicinity of Group HQ and for Q staff the char supply is endless.

To our Gentlemen in League friends the SQMS’S we wish you continued prosperity during the forthcoming period of Transactions, 'Dhe SQ‘MS of “C” Squadron continues to keep well ahead in the field and his pigeons are fed without aid of Q assistance, no doubt accounting for the large numbers on ration strength.

*

*

*

M.T. Troop VER half—a—million miles have been covered by Regimental M.T. Troop since this time last year with fortunately only one serious accident. I would not like to hazard a guess as to how many people or how many tons of stores have been carried hurt I would hope that those who have had reason to use the service we supply have been satisfied with our results.

In Aden we had many types of terrain to contend with and most drivers managed to experience the difficulties of driving through soft sand and over rocks during the frequent convoys to the hill stations and trips to coastal fishing villages.

Here in Malaya our daily life is very different. No longer do the families have to travel a hundred miles a day and no longer is there any fear of breaking a spring on some boulder miles from any water or habitation. But instead there are the monsoon rains and the police, both of which we have met.

Our first fortnight here was difficult, as two Regiments crying out for help in either packing or unpacking could never wait for transport for the numerous short journeys that had to be carried out. Somehow we got by and things are running more smoothly again and we realise that when someone wants some Amah moved it is not an old—fashioned uniform but a Nanny!

There have been several changes since leaving Aden. Cpl Bull has returned to England for a spell in hospital. We hope he is soon fully recovered and will be back with us before the end of the year. He has been very ably replaced by Tpr Pain as Detail Clerk. ch1 Christie has now taken over from Cpl Barton as Commanding Officer’s driver.

Our predecessors left us chl Marsh, Tprs Heron, Tumbull, May and Pollard, who have been most useful in showing us around Ipoh and telling us about Malaya.

Sgt Rochford with his ever-changing maintenance team manages to keep the wheels oiled and Lopl Marsh, together with “ Your Own S zoreman,” Tpr Moscrop, tries to ensure that the drivers do not have to pay too much too often for too many spanners.

There are many interesting and beautiful places in Malaya, so before this year is out I feel sure that M.T. Troop will have had many instructive Echelon Exercises around the country.

34

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAI.

DRAGOONS THE

jOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

Royal Signals

LAD Notes EW changes in the composition of the Troop have taken place since the last notes appeared. The voyage from Aden to Penang was uneventful except for the reluctance shown by a certain member of the advance party to leave the delights of Colombo!

Living and working conditions in Ipoh are a great improvement, and our detachment with the Singapore Squadron enables members of the Troop to get a change of scenery from

time to time.

Sgt Hiles, who is now with “A ” Squadron in Singapore, spent much of his own time running the film shows in Little Aden before we left—a job that was much appreciated by the members of the Regiment, who could be seen six evenings a week following the exploits of their favourite stars on the screen which was erected in the NAAFI Patio. Cpl Bell commanded the Royal Signals detachment in Sharjah until “B” Squadron rejoined the Regiment on the Nevasa.

Before leaving Aden, chls Strang, Middleton and Harden passed their X 11 trade test, and we are hoping to get all remaining Regular soldiers upgraded at the STC in Singapore.

At the time of writing, Breach and Speers are already there. Incidentally, these two did a month’s detachment with the Aden Protectorate Levies in August~SeptembeL We welcome ch1 Eustace and Sigs Benson, Pilkingjton and Turnbull, the last named having previously been in Ipoh with the 13th/18th Hussars. Our only other member with previous experience of this green unpleasant land is, of course, WOII Williams, who continues to run the Troop with his usual efliciency.

*

*

*

A.C.C. Troop HIS is probably the first—ever publication of A.C.C. Troop Notes, and we are happy to produce them.

Firstly we would like to congratulate WOII Smith on his promotion from Ssgt and also Ptes B>owyer and Thompson on their appointment as chls.

In Aden we had a representative with each of the detached Troops. The cooking facilities were very varied1 but everywhere we did our best to keep the Troop well fed and to produce a little Royals Cuisine! With the Wide deployment of the Regiment the cooks found themselves with a variety of postings, whether at Sharjah with “A” or “ B ” Squadrons, or with the Dhala and Ataq outposts.

We would like to send our best wishes to the following who have lefit the Regiment for the joys of civilian life, and we hope they do well. Cpl Davies, chls Dywer and Smith, Ptes Cook (the terrible twins), Horncastle, Rye, Tobin and Saunders. The latter also represented the Regiment at football and kept the Troop in the sports picture.

To the members of the Troop we left in Aden to carry on the job with the 11th Hussars (PAO) we also send our good wishes, namely Cpl Sheard, chls Ashcroft and Beaney and Pres Dally, Bryce, Bagulley, Gudgion, Bradley and Burke. We welcome to the Troop those who have joined the Regiment since our last months in Aden. They are Ptes Elkins, Airey, Anderson, Paul, Ingledew, Robson and Hye. We also wish our retired Messing Officer, Maj C. W. J, Lewis, M.B.E., all the best for the future and welcome the new Messing Officer, Lt A. S. Ayrton, to the pot!

Since our arrival in Malaya we have had a small number of postings, some however could not keep away and returned to the fold within 48 hours, namely Ptes O’Hagen and Saxby.

Welcome back!

We should have told you that night life in K.L. was expensive.

Advancing into this modern age we find that Self—Service in the Regimental Mess is going

down well and we hope to continue to produce only the best for the best. It is regretted that only Black Caviare is available here, although we have placed orders with Messrs. Krusohev and Co. for the red variety.

ATENESS in submitting LAD notes is becoming a habit, overwork or idleness—take your choice. My apologies as always, this time to the much overworked Acting Editor. This is the third time the present incumbent has written notes for The Eagle, and each time from a different location; Herford, Aden and now Ipoh, Malaya. The LAD Bookmakers have not yet opened the betting on the next location (or even the next 0C LAD), but no doubt will be able to give a price on each of the current rumours soon.

On leaving Aden our strength dropped by approximately IO men due to our allegedly reduced commitments here in FARELF. Such LAD notables as Cpl Allen, ch1 Harding, Cfn Duncan, Butler, Richardson, Cowley and Hirons now live in the luxury of an air conditioned Aden Wksp, repairing the much worn and desertaweary Ferrets; but this time the owners are our Aden reliefs, the 11th Hussars.

Cpl Robertson deserves more than a mention here, for the most excellent work he did during the hand-over, At extremely short notice he took over control of the entire AFG 1098 stores and successfully handed them over to the 11th Hussars, Richardson, the previous tenant of our stores and STIM bar, having been flown home on compassionate leave.

Leaving the sun-parched waste for Malaya meant the abandonment of our STIM bar, the best money—maker ever among the schemes we have conjured up in recent years.

Statistics show that sales from May until September were in the region of 28,500 bottles, which, in spite of expenditure on barbecues prior to departure gave us a nice nest egg to bring to Malaya with us. Christmas was all the more successfully celebrated as a result and a most enjoyable dinner was held in one of the local night spots. We have again opened up on a minor scale this time with frozen milk, squashes, etc, and it is going well.

There has been a continual cry within the LAD for the opening up of a Branch of the R.E.‘M.E. Association. After seeing the rather grand club rooms in Sharjah of the Trucial Oman Scouts R.E.M.E. Association Branch, this cry has been even louder. Clubrooms are now being made available3 by kind permission of the Commanding Officer, and a Royal Dragoon and Ipoh Branch will function soon. I should say here quickly, that quite a number of LAD chaps past and present are members of the Regimental Association and do turn up at the Annual Dinner of the Old Comrades.

It may seem surprising to many readers, in view of the preceding paragraphs, to find that we also repair the vehicles and equipment of the Regiment. This I think we still do quite successfully and left Aden and Sharjah with a clean sheet. We can but hope that our 72 per cent establishment here in Malaya will enable us to continue the same good service.

it

*

*

“Francis,” Tpr Hall,

Aden. 1960.

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

Band Notes HE author of these journalistic smatterings tries hard each edition to carve out a chunk of Band life and experiences for the pleasure of would—be readers, or, if not for pleasure, then at least for interest, My apologies for having to disappoint you on both accounts. However, a lot more has happened since the issue of the last magazine, so perhaps the task is made a little easier.

The engagement season last year was the best for many years and exceeded all expectations, offering an extensive variety, including Seaside engagements, Flower Sthows, County Shows, the launching of a new product of a well-known Chocolate firm (sorry, but definitely no advertising), T.A. camp, World Refugee and other charitable work.

A good sign of success in banding is the fact that a Band is asked to “ come again“ This we feel sure was the outcome of the high standard achieved by the Band everywhere a performance was given. The season’s work was culminated by the B.B.C. asking for the Band to give a live broadcast from the Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. during the weeks series of concerts.

Many friends were made at Slto-rnclifl‘e during our stay, both military and civilian. On the strength of this the Band President, Lt Col. Carroll, 013.13., G.S.O.I of Home Counties District Headquarters, offered the services of the Band to the Mayor of Folkestone to perform for any charitable cause. It was decided to invite the “Over 60” Clubs of Folkestone to a concert at the Leas Clifl Hall. To a very large and appreciative audience the Band gave one of its best performances. This was the final public performance in Folkestone.

The same evening the social side of the Band had its fling in the form of a farewell party at

the Seabrook Hotel, Folkestone.

The Mayor of Folkestone, officers and departmental staff of

Home Counties HQ kindly accepted our invitation to attend and a good night was had by all.

The General Officer Commanding H.C.D. formally said good-bye to the Band at a short parade, and we left to join the Regiment on 5th November, 1960. We were more than pleased at Southampton to find the “Chetrypickers ” Band ready to offer their musical farewell. This was more like a busman’s holiday, but we nevertheless encouraged them with one rousing cheer.

Being the only Band aboard the Nemsa, it was not long before a cettain RSiM’s voice came through the tannoy asking for the Bandmaster to attend an entertainments meeting. From then on we were going non—stop, but at the same time it was a pleasure to play to the nth Hussars who did appreciate the Band. Band performances on board ship were well executed by each member of the Band; perhaps this was because of the possibility of being thrown overboard instead of getting extra practice.

Having played the 11th Hussars off at Aden from early morning for about one and a half hours, a couple of hours welcome break was taken before preparing to play on the Regiment, who came aboard looking very swarthy after their stay in Aden. Members of the Band were reluctant to sun—bathe on board ship with such contrast of body colour all around themi (I am happy to say that they have since caught up and in some cases overtaken those people who were up the sharp end for so long. It is probably the well known Sun Tan cream that has helped things along).

During the second leg of the voyage, the same number of Band performances and Dances, etc, were repeated for the Regiment, it being quite obvious that most people were glad to hear the Band again and the Regimental March (which is not the Happy Wanderer).

Arriving at Ipoh we quickly settled in to the new premises appropriately named Kneller Hall.

For a short time we were able to have massed band rehearsals whilst the t3th/18th Hussars were still around, which is always a B/M’s delight, but the day came to play off the lath/18th Hussars from Ipoh station and so ended massed bands.

The officer commanding advance party had already taken some Band bookings so we were in action fairly soon, with both Military and Dance Bands. The highlights were an open air Carol Service on the Padang, Ipoh, and the Dance Band was well received at the Cameron Highlands Hotel playing for Dinner Dances on 24th and 25th December. The short period of air change was most acceptable and to sleep in normal English climatic conditions was more than appreciated.

t 3.

Band Practice !

Lepl Watts, Bdsm Pentecost, Meikle, Mitchell, Trumpet-Major

(‘oncert given for Folkestone “ Over Sixty “ Clubs.

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

37

The Commandenin—Chief, FA‘RlEALF) who has recently been appointed C.I.G.S., held a dinner party for the visit of the Secretary of State for War to Singapore, at which the Band was

invited to play. This pleased the Band very much, affording them the opportunity of seeing

All Ranks‘ New Year's Eve Ball.

Sgt and Mrs Stone, Ssgt and Mrs Pitcher, Cpl and Mrs Evison.

Singapore at public expense. The Band had to perform in the open air and this meant a lighting system being organised. Just before the Band was due to start playing, the lights failed, but a very able electrician who was always at hand, managed to fix things in time. Needless to say they continued to lighten our darkness for the rest of the evening. All at Flagstaff House seemed quite happy and pleased with the evening. There are occasions of course when lights fail and remain failed. In fact I can recall an occasion when the Band played at a Cocktail Party (with the lighting system having failed) using the headlights of three cars to supply the necessary lighting, but perhaps the less said about such an occasion the better.

Rehearsals at Ashby Road Camp are perhaps a little more interesting. A small audience gathers at “B ” Squadron Stores and from time to time the SQMS sends across requests in knowledgeable taste, then later gets engrossed in conversation with the Bandmaster on the merits or demerits of the works requested. There is also a danger of the nomenclature of an 1157 being changed to one reading entirely musical.

The usual turn—over of personnel has taken place and recent additions are: Bandsmen Bason, Batch, Furber, Jones, Hill, Riley, Underdown, Roberts and Maytum. It is hoped their stay will be a long and pleasant one and we wish them every success.

Bdsm Shearn is the only member on a pupils’ course at the R.M.S.M., Kneller Hall. We feel the will be a success on this course and should return a great asset to the Band. He impressed many people with his delightful trombone solos during the engagement season.

The marriage list for this year has exceeded the previous year by one. This is due to the marriage of chl Thorn, who made up his mind sixteen hours before we left for Southampton. This may be a record. He joined the marriage fraternity with Bdsm Newing, Mitchell and Berry. We wish them all much happiness and prosperity.

Band sport has taken on a new look with hockey predominating. The six-a—side hockey team has been successful in an Inter-Troop tournament, winning the tournament after a hardfought final against M.T. In the Inter-Squadron Hockey League we have played two matches, having won and lost a game. We are, however, still fighting and look forward to many more pleasant games.

Band families are still increasing and this time Bdsm and Mrs. Pentecost and Bdsm and Mrs. Berry are the happy couples. We congratulate them both.

The sudden death of Mr. Trythail, who was Bandmaster from 1946-1956 came as a shock and we take this opportunity of extending to Mrs. Trythall and family our deepest sympathy.

Maj Hodgson has again taken over as Band President, having held the reins for a short period at Shorncliffe, and we all look forward to an active, happy and prosperous stay at Ipoh.

DA CAPO During the time the Band was in England, the Commanding Officer received the

following letter, which we are glad to be able to publish: 25, NewSttreet Hill, Bromley, Kent.

Dear Colonel, During my short stay in Folkestone over the Easter holiday, I had the pleasure or attending a concert given by The Royal Dragoons at the Leas Cliff Hall on Sunday, 17th April, 1960.

May I say without hesitation, it was the best concert given by a Military Band that I have heard for many years, and I feel their Musical Director must be congratulated.

The Band had, I believe, several young musicians, which was gratifying. Their appearance anrl performance was altogether excellent.

Perhaps you would consider passing my comments on to those concerned.

Yours sincerely, ROBIN FRANCIS (MR).

All Ranks’ New Years” Eve Ball.

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

Amateur Radio

Lake Rudolf Safari

BY VSgADL SGT DEREK LEI-SSE, THE ROYAL DRAGOONS —‘ O ——

HAVE been asked to write a few notes on Amateur Radio and would like to start by giving a brief detailed description of what “ Ham Radio ” is.

Amateur Radio is a scientific hobby, a means of gaining personal skill in the arts of elec— tronics and an opportunity to communicate with fellow citizens throughout the world by private short wave radio. There are over 200,000 amateur radio operators.

My first interest in radio was in 1952 whilst the Regiment was stationed in Egypt. I was a “ pirate ” (unlicensed station) operating under the call SU I55. My interest deepened when I found that I could contact the U.K. and get all the latest news.

In I956 I first held an official licence, DL2BJ. I was then stationed at Wesendorf, in Germany, and later moved to Herford. It was from this station I made many friends in all parts of the world. One instance was a contact with G3LAS Ely, Cambridgeshire, when SQMS Joe Titmarsh made most of his wedding arrangements over the air.

However, in 1959 came another move and I found myself in the Trucial Oman licensed under the call sign MP4TAF. This being a very rare country for “Ham” Radio it was not long before I was known throughout the world. Letters were coming in from every part of the globe asking me to communicate with the senders. Amongst some of the countries were U.S.A., U.S.S.R., U.K., Germany, Vatican City, Burma and Canada. Altogether there were more than 90 different contacts.

One particular contact was with a fellow Ham GM3KRQ in Scotland. After we had exchanged greetings we found that he had the wife of Sgt Tom Wallace in the Radio Shack with him. It was a great surprise for old Tom to hear his wife and children talking to him from so far away. The contact with this station has been maintained every weekend since.

After six months in the Trucial States I moved to Aden and joined WOII John Williams.

The radio gear set up, it was not long before the far-distant stations came rolling in. Scotland once again, various other parts of the U.K., Malaya, Burma, New Zealand, USA. Singapore,

Japan, Australia, Denmark, Sweden and Laos.

The boat shown was later involved in an incident with a crocodile.

One particular contact was made with

EL/M/MM on board the ship Ocean Queen, which was on her maiden voyage around the

world. The operator informed us that he would be arriving in Aden on or around 18th May, and invited us on board to look over the new ship—not forgetting the refreshments afterwards.

To wind things up, I would like to say that anyone interested in radio could not possibly find a better hobby. If you hold an Amateur Radio Licence you have friends wherever you go.

gilllllllllllllllllllllIllllllllllllillllllIlilllllllllllllllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlilllllllllllIllllllIIIIIIIIIllllllllllllIllllIIIIIII||l||III"ll""llllllIIIllIIIIIIIIllllllllllllllllllll "V o GOING OUT?

Keep in touch with old friends and

old

times.

Order VOUI

Eagle from: The Secretary, The Regimental Association, 60, Carey Street, W.C.2.

Price 4/-.

o KEEP IN TOUCH.

When you finish your service keep in touch with the Regiment

as an Old Comrade.

We welcome and need your support.

Help by attending Reunions and buying the Eagle!

,1IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII|||||llllllll||lllllllllllIIlIllllllllllllllIlllllllllllllIlIIllIllIlIIIIIlllllllllIIII|ll||||IllllIlllllllllllllllllllllll|||llll|llIIllIII|Illlllllllllllllllllllllll=n

HE road was empty of traffic and no car had been seen for hours. The weather was cool and fine and night beginning to fall. All around was the wonderful panorama which Kenya so often presents, but spoiled for me because the Landrover would go no further and the nearest garage was 300 miles back down the road. Fortunately the problem was solved by the discovery that the car could be driven on front—wheel drive only, which allowed us to reach the tiny police post at Marsabit. Here we found a Landrover of the same type abandoned by a missionary who had gone on leave. With the aid of a hammer and the leg of a camp bed the missionary’s half shaft was removed and fitted to our own vehicle; using the police wireless set, spare parts were then ordered for the missionary. I am glad to say that his car was repaired before he returned from leave: meanwhile we were able to continue our journey. To Lt Col Digby Tatham-Warter, the well—known Kenya polo player, who was leading this expedition to the Northern Territory, the incident was nothing out of the ordinary, but to me, accustomed to the luxury of wireless sets, telephones and the Regimental Scammel coming along behind, it was one of many somewhat anxious incidents.

My aim was to find the best route to Lake Rudolf (which lies to the north of Isiolo game reserve) so as to guide a party to be sent out later by the Commanding Officer from Aden with The road the object of exploring uncharted and vitually unfished waters of the lake. presented a wonderful variety of scenery: giraffe and many varieties of buck were plentiful.

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

60 pounder coming to the gaff.

On one occasion a cheetah stepped gracefully on to the road and stood for a full two minutes to stare at us before loping off. At Marsabit, morning and evening, one could watch elephant moving down to the water and splashing in the mud, while families of baboons and a herd of buffalo shared the same water—hole. As the road goes further north so the countryside becomes more barren until one starts on the sixty mile crossing of the Chalbi Desert, a completely tree— less plain leading to the hills around Rudolf. Here lava rock and volcanic sand have been thrown up by past eruptions so that the shores of the lake are barren and inhospitable. The only other approach is the rough track from Maralal which ends in an escarpment so nearly impassable as to put the Lodar convoy road to shame. The sight of the great expanse of Lake Rudolf was very inviting after our long drive but unfortunately the taste of the lake water is

similar to Epsom Salts and the effects also are much nhe same. There is, however, an oasis on here we the east shore where a stream of hot water runs out of the rocks into the lake, and needed for an stopped for three days, after which I had learnt a small part about what is African Safari rewarding I was rapidly becoming convinced that Lake Rudolf could provide a most up were full journey for anyone coming out from the Regiment. The game parks on the road the giant Nile of wild animals and the lake itself offered exceptional opportunities for tackling a hippo could Perch. The water also teemed with Tiger fish and ‘lake salmon.’ Occasionally anthropologist the For crocodiles. great lay banks the on while water the in be seen snorting ways and so far un— the local natives offered a fascinating study of a people committed to tribal From the effects of the affected by all attempts to lead them to a more civilised way of life. was reduced to about fluorine in the lake water and their unvaried diet of fish, this likeable tribe efforts of the Kenya the of spite in altogether out died have soon forty souls and will probably to vary the diet: the government. In the past, cows, goats and sheep have been provided and returned to the lake tribe accepted them gratefully, ate them all at one tremendous party, and their ancient ways.

'lHlE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

The fish on the scales weighed 87 pounds.

The second expedition included Lt Dominic Harrington Browne, 2Lt John Lloyd, Mr. Robert Ball (Mr. David Fielden’s stepson) from Cambridge University and ch1 Jones from ‘ A ’ Squadron. The party assembled at Spring Hill, Subukia, the home of Mr. and Mrs. David Fielden, who equipped us and looked after us in splendid fashion. We set off on time on August 11th, and in spite of breakdowns which made it necessary to overload the two remain— ing Landrovers, we reached Rudolf by the same route in three days. Before unpacking any— thing we cast out into the lake and I was overjoyed to catch a 4olb. perch almost immediately.

This catch was soon beaten the next day by Barrington Browne and Ball who broke all records for the number and weight of fish landed by two rods within three days. We were using heavy spinning tackle for trolling from a boat and light fibre—glass rods for spinning from the shore, a variety of big English, Japanese and American reels with 181b, breaking strain nylon lines.

On one occasion three rods fishing from a small plywood boat had had a good catch and the boat was well laden when one of the party hooked a large fish: the battle looked like going on for a long time when suddenly the boat was rocked precariously and a large hole appeared in the bows. Looking down into the water, John Lloyd saw an enormous crocodile which had attacked the boat closing its jaws about the bow below the water line. Soldiers are seldom at their best in small boats and the subsequent confusion was most unnautical. The Nile Perch (later weighed in at 1021b.) was eventually gafied and got aboard, where its subsequent activities considerably endangered the buoyancy of our craft.

Meanwhile the crocodile con-

tinued to circle us. The boat with its valuable cargo finally drifted to the shore: the fishermen stepped anxiously into the water and managed to beach it without further incident.

The total catch by four rods between 15th and 19th July was 52 fish weighing 1,250lb.: of course a great many additional fish were lost due to our inexperience.

So ended our safari in the Northern Territory. Needless to say we had many troubles on the way back with the vehicles but our gratitude will always be boundless to those who made it possible for us to go and who showed us how to get there.

W.S.H.B.

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE ROYAL

DRAGOONS 'I'HE

JOURNAL OF

THE ROYAL

DRAGOONS

Sharpshooters’

Lt Col. I. R. Pemlanent Mackrill and Staff.

Maj D. J. S. Wilkinson.

3rd/4th CflUNTY 0F LON 001" YEfllVlANBY (SHARPSHOOTERS) N 1960, the wind of change, which had for some time been blowing strongly towards the Regular Army—though we were glad to see that its blasts could not affect our present Regiment—shifted sharply and has lately been howling round the reserve forces. The gale is now subsiding and the ground has become clear again: of this more anon.

1960

Since our last Eagle notes were published we have had a fairly radical change of management. In March Lt Col Pearce handed over to Lt Col Mackrill. In December Capt Bradish-Ellames took over from Maj Wilkinson as Adjutant and RSM Vowles succeeded RSM Bradley in August.

To those who have left us we would like to say thank you for all that they have done for us and hope they enjoyed the yeomanry half as much as we enjoyed having them with us.

To Capt and Mrs. B‘radish-Ellames and Mr. and Mrs, Vowles we give a very warm welcome.

The Adjutant and RSM have certainly been thrown in at the deep end of the yeomanry water.

But they are both strong swimmers and are breasting effortlessly, as was only to be expected, the swirling tide of paper and more paper, order and counter—order produced by reorganisatio n.

The Quartermaster alone provided a fixed point at RHQ, imperturbable among his enlarged empire and multiplicity of new equipment.

The annual Administrative and CIV Inspections were held in February. We got an “Excellent” grading for out “A” and “B” Vehicles and for our Weapons. This success reflects a lot of hard and successful work by the Quartermaster and all members of our permanent staff.

During the year we said good-bye to SSM Fletcher and Sgt Brooks. We have been very glad to have reinforcements to our permanent staff in the shape of SSM Phillips.

After normal summer training, annual camp was held at Castlemartin, Pembrokeshir e, in the second half of July.

It is a sound cavalry maxim that a bad billet is better than a good bivouac, but when the billet is a tent on a cliff top exposed to the Atlantic gales, it is not surprising that a comfortable bivouac in a squadron camp some miles inland was preferred by most members during the period when the Regiment was dispersed into squadron camps. We camped along-

side our old friends and rivals, the Inns of Court Regiment, and in the second week a joint Exercise was held. Exercise “Red Devil” gave both sides some very good practice in the basic techniques of reconnaissance. The enemy were a four squadron regiment, but although we were somewhat outnumbered, by dint of getting a move on and a little )udfilClO’UJS umpimng we were able to hold our own. One of the highlights of the Exercise was a night battle between the combined support troops of the two regiments on a lonely moorland hill top. Oddly enough, this operation was also much enjoyed by the few local inhabitants in the arm, one'of whom described the display of pyrotechnics as “Lovely.” We were very glad to have a Visit from the Band of The Royal Dragoons, under their Ba-ndma-ster, Mr. Evans. It must be rare that a cavalry Band in all its splendour has been seen playing at luncheon on an open hillSide in a remote Welsh valley, but the accompanying photograph proves that it has 'been done.

The occasion was the visit to the Regiment of our Divisional Commander, Major General P. Gleadell, C.B., c.B.E., D.S.O. The Band also played at an Officers’ MeSs Dinner night‘and a Band Concert for all ranks at the prize-giving at the end of camp made an event which all troops thoroughly enjoyed. Many of our young soldiers had never seen a cavalry Band before.

3rd Troop, “ C ” Squadron (Lt Goodwin, Sgt Keen), won the prize for the best reconnaissance troop at camp, while “ B ” Squadron’s Support Troop (Lt Farage, Sgt Green) took the prize awarded for the most efficient assault soldiers.

The Band at Camp,

July, 1960.

44

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

The remainder of the year was spent in troop and squadron training at the week—ends and trade training in the evenings. During this time the annual Rifle Meeting took place and also a rally and driving competition for junior NCOs. If some found a certain amount of difficulty in convincing the judges on the question of routes and mileage, the winners may well have equal difficulty in persuading their troop leaders to relieve them from the post of leading car commanders in forthcoming Exercises. The winners were Cpl Collett, Cpl Mary, Cpl Woodley and Tpr Capocci. Senior NCOs, under the direction of Mr. Vowles, provided the umpire staff. The Corporals are looking forward to fulfilling the same role‘ when the Officers and senior NCO’s rally takes place in April, 1961.

In October an Officers’ Dance was held in London. We were nobly supported by Royals Ofl‘icers serving in England and their wives, and the Royals’ Dance Band came to play for us.

Among the more notable recruits, if such a term can be applied to him, is Sgt Brown, of “C ” Squadron, lately SQMS Brown of “B” Squadron, The Royal Dragoons. May he be the forerunner of many more err—Royals, who would be invaluable in helping to train our young soldiers.

The Bond Cup for the best squadron throughout the year was won for the second year running by “ C ” Squadron (Major G. T. Livsey). A consistent performance, on which they are all to be congratulated, not least their PSI, SSM Ranson, who we congratulate also on his promotion to WOIII. During the year we received the following visitors to the Regiment. The Chief of Staff of the Iranian Army, Major-General Kusheshi, visited 1115 in March. He was given an explanation of ‘how a yeomanry regiment was run and afterwards visited “A” Squadron (Major T. R. Goodwin) during their drill night training. The Director of Military Training, Brigadier J. B. Ashworth, D.S.O., visited us during annual camp. Lt Col Fielden visited in September.

At the end of 1960, the final decisions were reached by the War Office on the 1961 reorganisation of the Territorial Army. It was decreed that each of the RAC Yeomanry Regiments in London was to amalgamate with a non-RAC Yeomanry Regiment in London or the Home Counties. Our partner was to be the Kent Yeomanry. If we must marry, there is no one whom we would rather have as a partner and they have been kind enough to say the same about us. Complete agreement has been achieved between the two regiments on the many matters that are affected by the amalgamation. We are thus able to present a united front to the War Office. We are glad to know that the reorganisation will in no way affect our affiliation with The Royal Dragoons.

An amalgamation, however well conducted, can never take place without saying good—bye to old and stalwart members, chief among whom in our case is RQMS C. A. Hill, M.B.E., who has served continuously in that post since 1953. There are other members, too, whose services we value and whom we shall be sad to lose.

The new regiment is already formed and in occupation of its new drill halls. All ranks to go forward have been selected and posted in. The Regimental area now stretches from London to Canterbury. In addition to centres in these places, we have, as our recruiting advertisement shows, drill halls at Brom-ley, Croydon and Maidstone. We have proposed as our new title “Kent and County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) ” and trust that in due course this wiil be endorsed by the powers that be.

There is still, of course, much to be done. The new squadrons have to shake down; the ex—Kent Yeomen have to be re-trained to be RAC NCOs and crewmen; PSIs have to move to new quarters; at the date of writing, RHQ has yet to be fully installed; Territorial Associations have to be invited or cajoled into providing more, or better, or different accommodation, paint, furniture, garages and all the other things with which our three associations of London, Kent and Surrey are doing their best to supply us; and last, but by no means least, paperwork gets no less. In a recent talk, The Director of the Territorial Army stated that the Territorial Army reorganisation had involved, among other things, the use of a quarter of a million sheets of paper. Quite a lot of those sheets seem to have come our way! The brunt of all this falls to a large extent on the junior members of our permanent staff, who are, needless to say, coping with it all magnificently. For them all it has involved turbulence whidh should normally be no part of a yeomanry tour of duty. SSM Ranson is already installed at Canterbury and initiating

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

45

his new squadron in the mysteries of reconnaissance work, Sgt Rourtley is bound for Maidstone with the same aim, While Sgt Remfry remains in London assisting Major Livsey with the newlyformed “ C ” Squadron.

Our affiliated cadet detachments are going strong. Two cx—cadets are at present at Boving— ton with the Boys Regiment and hope to join The Royals on passing out. We hope more will follow them both into The Royals and into the Yeomanry.

It has been said of old-time Territorials that they were artists at making bricks without straw. Although one can never have enough straw, we have got a little more out of the reorganisation and the first consignment, in the shape of a Ferret Scout Car, was presented to us by the Secretary of State for War himself. ch1 Pittman and Tpr Strecter Went to receive it on behalf of the Regiment and we hope others will follow in due course. In fact, the reorgan— isation has resulted in the regiment being equipped with one troop of Ferrets per squadron, the other troops being mounted in Landrovers. Some of these Landrovers—«the poor man’s AFV as some wit has already christened them—have already arrived, others are still to come. For years now, when we worked with Daimler Scout Cars, we were required to make up our numbers at annual camp with quarteraton vehicles. Now that the regiment is largely on a Landrover basis, we have just received instruotions that at camp this year we are to draw in lieu . . . no guesses allowed, it’s too easy! Plus ca change! Where do we go from here? With a strength of 350S all members are looking forward to the Spring and Summer training season culminating in annual camp at Lulworth in July. Being well up to strength enables training to be more realistic and also enables us to be highly selective in our choice of recruits.

We have the numbers, we have the enthusiasm, we have the skill and devotion of our

permanent staff and the support of our parent regiment. These assets coupled with the fine traditions of the two amalgamating regiments are the highest possible augury for the future of the new Regiment.

THE

EAGLE Maintain your SCI‘VICC

to

You can get a copy as follows:

(1)

Queen and country . . . . .

In

CIVlllaI’l

By making an annual subscription (see

Bankers Order page 61). Send your correct address to the Editor and you

l1fe

will get your publishers.

copy

direct

from

the

Join the British Legion (2)

As a Retired Other Rank by subscribing to the Regimental Association.

\(3)

As

* .

' , ,. . ., '_ The Ltglon to-opumes Hit/z .1 . 0111 . mg! mental association and speaks for all (’.Y-.S'€I‘I’f(‘(’ H7011

and women

a

Serving «v

Squadron.

from

vour .

(4) By writing to the Editor enclosing the appropriate sum.

BRITISH LEGION. 49 PALL MALL, S.W.I.

Soldier

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

Sergeants’ Mess Notes HESE notes open at the time when we were established in Little Aden and Christmas, 1959, was upon us. This day was celebrated traditionally with all the normal day-time activities and followed by a Mess dinner and a very traditional Royals’ Mess Night (Stag!

—there being only two families out at the time). What happened on Boxing Day is all rather hazy!

However, the beach party was enjoyed by all. This consisted of camping-out for the day on Bir Fuqum Beach, recuperating from the strains of the day before! These parties were very popular Sunday outings throughout the cool season, though at times liable to be expensive when Andy Mac’s boys had to do recovery of sand-bogged LRs. Did we ever pay?

Having practically no families in Aden until late February resulted in a full Mess attendance most evenings and thus a continued succession of good nights. The Mess had many friends from the B.P. staff, Ships Officers from passing tankers and even from R.A.F. Messes 25 miles away.

Normally finishing work at noon meant that some recreational activity had to be organised

to combat “Siesta.”

The first activity, by some of the more vigorous members, was to

conquer the surrounding hills. This rather exhausting, if not dangerous, pastime soon diminished and RSM Vowles introduced “Fishing.” Far more in keeping with the heat, and what a topic of conversation at the bar. Sammy and his first catch—an octopus, and Chailky swimming after his bite, which had taken hook, line and sinker!

We welcomed “C” Squadron Q.O.H. on 12th February, 1960, with Paddy Mac’s boys becoming very welcomed guests until they had their own camp at Bir anum. Having moved into their own “Home,” what fine neighbours they were.

Our next door neighbours, the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, left and 45 Cdo Royal Marines took their place. These quickly became solid friends and we hope to have the good fortune of their company again.

The main highlight of the Mess social life in Aden was the Waterloo Ball. Having the B.P. Community Hall, a very modern building, at our disposal we were able to give the

Sgt Leese— Isiolo, Kenya, 1960.

Aden Messes a taste of the Cavalry method in which this great day should be celebrated.

Well over 300 guests from Aden, 25 miles away, and from all three Services enjoyed a Ball to be long talked about. One must give credit to RSM Vowles for his personal touch and supervision which made this such a memorable night.

Looking back one must mention the attached members, of which we had personalities from six other Corps. “Doc” Worthington, who ministered so many times to our needs, “Buster” Crabb, R.A.O.C., and his stag night art studies in colour, “Old ” Jones and his Royals Charity Stores, Little Aden3 educated Eagle, so young but able to thump all the “ oldies ” out on the piano, and finally the RE. group who engineered so many improvements to the Mess amenities. They all became, if only temporary, true and loyal members of the Royals’ Mess.

The Aden tour ended with the prospect of re—uniting with our families, though also with a certain sadness. Maj C. W. J. Lewis was due to leave and RSM Vowles was to be exchanged with RSM Bradley who was with the Sharpshooters. In August, Ernie left and on embarking

for Mala-ya we waved farewell to Dixie, a soldier and Officer who had been a member or honorary member of the iMess for the past 30 years. The very best of fortune to Maj C. W. J. Lewis on his new appointment. We congratulate Lt Aynton on his appointment as Quarter-

master.

We left Little Aden in the very able hands of the “ Ohenry Pickers ” and we trust they are making the best of their time in a place which has many good memories for The Royals.

Now in Malaya the Mess is re-adjusting itself to a more normal existence. We still have one Squadron detached and no other Cavalry regiment in social contact, but we intend to make the best of it.

Many changes in the Mess have taken place over this period and we would like to take this opportunity of welcoming new members. We say farewell to SSVM Phillips who, atter a final tour in Shatjah, left to finish his service with the Sharpshooters. SS‘M Brennan Left in February after 23 years with the Regiment to replace Phil. The very best of good fortune to both of them.

Children‘s Christmas Party.

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS THE JOURNAL

OF

THE ROYAL DRAGOONS

Equitation ON leaving Aden we were proud to be able to hand over a going concern to 11th Hussars: the stable consisted of six polo ponies (Arab and ex—Keny a) of varying ability, two Somali children’s ponies, a donkey, a gazelle, a monkey and a syce.

I3th/I8th Hussars had with great consideration and kindness selected ten of their stable for handover to the Regiment when we reached Malaya.

These, in conjunction with five ponies that were purchased from Australia through the most helpful agency of Brigadier ‘ Bun ’ Cowey and arrived in Singapore on the same day as the Regime nt landed in Penang, enabled us to get away to an excellent start—at least in numbers.

The Singapore squadron kept two of the Australian ponies (Maj Wilson FitzGerald and 2Lt Lloyd), and the remainder came to Ipoh. They were all 5 or 6-year-olds, sound, and had been ridden: they have picked up amazingly quickly and should be playing slow chukkas be— fore these notes appear. The I3th/I8th horses included two Australian ponies and the remainder were horses that they had acquired cheaply—and for varying reasons—off the race—

course.

It is perhaps worth explaining at this stage that no horses are bred in Malaya: nor can any fodder be grown in Malaya apart from Napier (or elephant) grass which only constitutes a small proportion of the feed required. So all horses have to be imported—nearly always from England, Ireland or Australia—and practically all the fodder (oats and chaff—hay goes musty after a few days) from Australia. The vitamin deficiency in the feed results in abnormal bone weakness, which usually appears in the shape of gross enlargem ents of the fetlock bones and chronic un-soundness. The climate is such that the horses are sweating in their boxes from about 9 o’clock in the morning until 4 o’clock in the afternoon—unless you are lucky enough to have a horse in training in Singapore, where it may be stabled in one of the air-conditioned boxes at an additional cost of about £15 a month, It will be seen therefore the problems of horse— mastership in Malaya are considerable and are likely only to be tackled by that doughty band of

horseback enthusiasts to whom such problems and the effect of the climate on themselves will always be an irresistible challenge.

The year for these enthusiasts centres round the four main Polo Tournaments/Amateur Race Meetings, which take place at Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Ipoh. The normal sequence is that the polo tournament is staged over the first weekend and the race meeting takes place the following Saturday. The horses and riders are thus away for probably about a fortnight: the equestrian activities and correlating social engageme nts during such a period demand, it goes without saying, the acme of physical fitness on the part of all contestants.

Our Advance Party got ‘stuck in’ at Penang, where Capts Arkwright (2 winners) and Yates both had rides. As these notes go to press, We are preparing for the Singapore Meeting, where 2Lts Stanley-Smith, Williams-Wynn and Haworth—Booth will have their first rides in public.

Between these meetings we are taking advantage of the Royal Perak Polo Club ground, which is only I 5 minutes’ ride from the stables, on which to school our ponies, stick and ball, and gradually form the nucleus of a Regimental Polo Team, which in due course will undoubtedly show a clean pair of heels to the other principal teams—Singapore, Selangor, Pahang and Penang. The Perak Club is inspired by Mr. ‘ Sandy’ Renwick, who is also Chairman of the Malayan Amateur Racing Association: to his unlimited help and encouragem ent we are and shall remain indebted.

Finally I should like to pay tribute to that even more select band of enthusiasts —whose uncomplaining and conscientious care of our horses makes the continuance of our polo and racing possible—the grooms, We say “ thank you ” and mean it, to: Cpl Cooke, who forsook the fleshpots of Neuhaus to join us when we needed him, ch1 Parnwell, Tprs Simpson, Stocks, Hanratty and Smith.

The racing string led by Capt Yates on Arrieties

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE ROYAL DRAGOONS THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE ROYAL

DRAGOONS

Football Notes INCE our last notes football has still retained its place as the primary sport of the Regiment and we finished third in the Major Units League in Aden for the season 1959/60.

The Regiment also took part in the Inter Garrison League between Little Aden, Steamer Point, Khormaksar, Singapore Lines and Seederseer Lines, where we reached the final but were beaten at Steamer Point by the Steamer Point Garrison team.

Cpl Wood, Cpl Heath, ch1 Kemp and Pte Flood, R.A.rM.C., represented the Army versus the RAF. in two matches, first when the RAF. won 3-1 and the return match played at Steamer Point which resulted in no score. They also played for the Combined Services team against top level civilian clubs in Aden, and Cpl Hearn and Pte Flood represented the Combined Services on their tour of Kenya.

The Combined Services during their tour of Kenya played against R.A.F. Easmleigh, Kenya Police, Juventus XI and the Army, losing only the latter match when the Army team defeated

Brown Booty (Tpr Kicker-by)

*

*

at

Cricket MANY said we were mad to play but play we did for 30 overs each side. We stopped by Jagreement after I5 overs to allow the fielding side a drink and some shade for a few minutes. The wickets varied from black composition to matting on concrete or on top of indifferent hard sand. The outfield was fast in Aden but considerably slower in places on our home ground which BP kindly allowed us to use.

The afternoon temperature was such that alterations in field positions needed to be kept to the minimum. This suited most Royals, who are usually lazy, and it was noticeable that visiting sides who altered their fielding positions a lot generally lost.

We formed a league side with “C” Squadron Queen’s Own Hussars and Independent Troop R.E, from Bir Fuqum as the Sabre Squadrons and Troops were often away on detachment. Our opponents were R.A.F. sides, R.H.F. and Marines. Early on we were a bit weak and short of practice but towards the end we were one of the hardest sides to beat.

Between 3rd-roth August the side topped 160 three times, the highest being 163 in 30 overs ( then our opponents beat us with 166 in 25 overs!).

We were indebted to Cpl. Webb, Indep. Tp. RH for his bowling and batting and to a number of fine batting efforts by Pte Flood and Tpr Theed. Those who played for the Regiment and will be in Malaya included Maj Hodgson, Maj Wilson FitzGerald, Capt Bull, our doctor, Lt Arkwright, TQMS Fletcher. SQrMS S'hcne, Sgt Lloyd, ch1 Ellesmore, Tprs Theed, Sinclair, Turner and Taylor 389. ch1 Taylor scored keenly for the side and Mai Dimond and Sgt Tucker refused to give

us out.

Record: Played 24; Won 14; Lost to.

them I—nil.

The Little Aden Cavalry Football League took place on return from the tour and this was played in Little Aden between the Army Units in this area. The final positions in this league were as follows: — Team Played Won Drawn Lost Points HQ Squadron Royals 12 8 r 19 “A” Squadron Royals 12 2 18 “ C ” Squadron Royals 12 18 “C” Squadron (Q.O.H.) 12 14 Independent Troop R.E.(A.P.) 5 R.E.1M.'E. (Q.O.H.) 12 5 R.E.M.iE. (Royals) 12 2 I 9 5 A number of friendly matches were played with the BP Aden Ltd., who despite the average age of their team put up a really first class show and this formed the basis of a good sporting spirit.

Due to the move of the Regiment from Aden to Malaya, which interrupted the normal football season, we were unable to enter with a View to repeating our previous successes but agreed to enter to enable the relieving regiment, 11th Hussars (PAC), to carry on the fixtures.

The Major Units League came first, where we played against R.A.F. Steamer Point twice, beating them both times, and 131 M.U, to whom we lost one game, beating them on the return match. We also played the R.H.F. in the League but were beaten.

In the draw for the first round of the McEwan Cup, a knock-out competition, we were drawn against I R.H.F. Having just been beaten by this team in the League this presented a challenge indeed which would seriously affect our relieving regiment should we be beaten.

The Regiment played 1 R.H.F. on our ground on 12th November, 1960, and a thoroughly hard played game was witnessed when we beat the R.H.F. by 4 goals to r. This was our last game in Aden prior to our move to the Far East.

Since our arrival in Malaya we have played a number of local civilian teams, namely the Ramblers, who are one of the top amateur clubs in Ipoh. This match we lost 4-1, but it was a good game. Matches were also played with the Shaw Bros. XI, Perak Chinese Recreation Club and the Kinta Indians. The Regiment has also been entered for the Calbeck Challenge Cup, this being the main soccer competition of FARELF, and the Ipoh Division 1 League (Civilian).

At the time of going to press, the Inter Squadron League is in progress, with HQ Squadron in the lead, the results of which will have to wait for our next issue.

The Royal Armoured Corps Cricket Club R.A.C. Cricket Club plays some twelve matches a year in England and B.A.O.R. and is always looking for new players. Membership (there is no entrance fee andno annual subscription )is open to all past and present members of the R.A.C, of any rank; if you are the a keen cricketer, of Regimental standard or better, and would like to play, please wnte to who wrll Secretary, Lt Col Pl 1. Howard—Dobson, Q.O.H., Staff College, Camberley, Surrey, see that you get a fixture card. It is then up to you.

THE

JOURNAL

OF THE ROYAL

DRAGOONS THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

53

THE IIIDYAL DIIAGO0NS All! SflClETY Report 1959/60 -—.——

HE Committee of The Royal Dragoons Aid Society have pleasure in presenting their Report for the year ended 3lst March, 1960.

yak All Ranks’ New Year’s Eve Ball.

Regimental Association INCE the last publication of The Eagle, the main item of interest we have to report is lIhC Annual Reunion Dinner, 1960, held at the HQ. of the Inns of Court Regiment in Chancery Lane, London, W.C.2, and a rattling good Reunion it was. In fact, one of the best we have ever had. The attendance topped the “century ” and the feature of the evening was the presence of the Regimental Band. The Colonel of the Regiment, Brigadier A. H. Pepys, D.s.0., presided, and in his speech was entertaining and brief—a joyous combination on such occasions!

Whilst on the subject of the Reunion, we would like to take the opportunity of reminding ail “Royals” due to leave the Regiment, whart jolly affairs these Reunions are.

We ask them to contact Mr. W. Thomas, Hon. Secretary of the Regimental Association, at 60, Carey Street, London, W.C.2, who will keep them acquainted with all the activities of the Association.

The Regimental Association has long been fortunate in having a most able Secretary and a first—rate Committee, and it is with much regret that we have to report the retirement from the Committee of one of its most long serving and valued members—Charles Bowles, M.M. Charlie, having moved from Kent to Essex, found the journey to London for Committee

meetings a bit too far; we miss him very much.

We welcome Major Lewis, M.B.E., after his efforts on behalf of the Association within the Regiment for many years. We know he is going to continue helping us and we wish him every success in “Civvy Street.”

Another annual event for our members is the Combined Ex-Cavalryman’s Memorial Parade and Service in Hyde Park on the Sunday morning following the annual Reunion Dinner; although we always have a good muster, we should like to see more members turn up and make our numbers greater than any other Cavalry Regiment.

Lastly, we look forward to the Regiment’s “Home Coming,” when it is hoped many of our members will be at the Quayside to welcome them.

Finance During the year on the advice of the Society’s Stockbrokers the following changes were made: SOLD Trust Fund. £7,960 3’1, Savings Bonds, 1965/75, £1,400 322’, Savings Bonds, 1960/70, £1,129 439.2 Conversion Stock, proceeds reinvested in 5‘5, Treasury Stocks, 1986/89.

General Fund, SOLD £1,125 452i Conversion Stock, £779 3',‘.’. Savings Bonds, £316 35,35, War Loan and £856 4%”; British Gas, proceeds together with £500 from the Current Account invested in 5",; Treasury Stock, 1986/89.

Under the Will of the late Sir Ernest Makins, the Society received a legacy of £100 which in accordance with the terms of the Trust was invested in the Treasury Stock referred to above.

Income for the year from Subscriptions, Trust and General Fund Investments totalled £436 Is. 7d., the subscriptions showing an increase of £17 thanks to the generosity of the Serving Officers.

The claim to the Inland Revenue for Tax Recovery resulted in £51 55. 1d. received on Covenants and £56 45. 4d. on General Fund Investments.

The Accounts for the year show an Excess of Income over Expenditure of £162 155. 4d.

Cases During the year under review 33 applications for assistance were received of which 4 were refused, 5 otherwise assisted and 3 withdrawn.

Grants were given for coal, clothing, removal expenses, rent arrears, maintenance following sickness, Solicitor’s fees and surgical shoes.

The refusals were: Man and wife aged 28 and 30 respectively, no children, could work. made no effont.

Income of £17 173. 0d. per week.

Old case, refused by Committee previously.

4. Request for House Loan.

The amount spent on grants together with a number of Christmas gifts totalled £236 198. 9d.

National Association The National Association for the Employment of ex-Regulars placed 19 ex—members of the Regiment in situations, i.e., Postmen, Drivers, Storekeeper, Security Policeman, Messengers, Hotel Management, Steward, Salesman and Coiner at the Royal Mint.

The Committee wish to extend their grateful thanks to Capt. N. H. Morgan, the Office Visitor, to the representatives of S.S.A.F.A. and Forces Help Society for their very careful in— vestigations and to the R.A.C. \Var Memorial Benevolent Fund for their generous co—operation in certain cases.

Signed A. H. PEPYS, Brigadier, Chairman.

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

BIRTHS MARRIAGES Sgt Leese, D., a son, Alan Michael, born at Rochford, Essex, on the 28th January, 1960.

Tpr Chapman, W., a daughter, Tina, born at Willesden, Middlesex, on 17th February, 1960.

Cpl Bosher, J., a daughter, Ann Bernadette, born at Sunderland, on 8th May, 1960. / Tpr Maddocks, B., a son, born at Birken— head General Hospital, on 25th May, 1960.

Sgt Bayne, D., a daughter, Sharon Anne, born on 28th May, 1960.

SQMS Simpson, F., a daughter, Susan Deborah, born at Oldham General Hospital, on 22nd June, 1960.

Maj B. J. Hodgson married Julia Sandra Lewrs, at St.-Mairy—in-the—Castle, Dover. on 2nd April, 1960.

Cfn. Stone, B., married Inger Marie Knudsen at HOJDJCIg, Denmark, on 25th June. 1960.

Tpr Gilmartin married Elizabeth Betty McPhee at St. Margaret’s Church. Kinning, Glasgow, on 23rd July, 1960.

Tpr Shailes, L., married Shirley Rodger at Wishaw :Register Office on 9th August, 1960.

Cpl

Falvey,

D.,

married

Elizabeth

Joan

Hopkins at the Catholic Church. Lulworth, on 13th August, 1960.

.Tpr Ferguson, P., a son, Daniel, born at Aittthrey Castle Maternity Hospital, Stirling, Scotland, on 16th August, 1960.

Cfn Jackson, N. W., married Brigid Olive Allison at Croydon Register Office on 24th August, 1960.

Capt D. S. A. Boyd, a daughter, Juliet Anne Karen, born at R.A.F. Hospital, Steamer Point.

Aden, on 7th October, 1960.

Cpl Hoiles, R., married Margot Lina Pollkliesner at Southend—on-Sea Register Office on 10th September, 1960.

Tpr Taylor, J., a daughter, Carolyn Ann, born at General Hospital, Sunderland, on 8th December, 1960.

Lt. B. J. Lockhart married The Hon. Christine Campbell-Grey at St. Margaret’s, Westminster, on 4th October, 1960.

Cpl Coates, A., a son, Stephen, born at B.M.H,. Kamunting, Malaya, on 12th Decem— ber, 1960.

Capt S. E. M. Bradish—Ellames married Cynthia Patch at St. Clement Danes. London,

on 6th October, 1960.

Cpl Melia, P., manried Eileen Mary Terese Neill, at Liverpool on 29th October, 1960.

Maj B. J. Hodgson, a daughter, Katherine Sarah, born at Dover on the ISI January, 1961.

SSWI Titmarsh, C., a daughter, Kim, born at B.M.H., Kamunting, Malaya, on 15th January, 1961.

Sgt. Mackay, J., a daughter, Janette, born at B.M.H., Kamunting, Malaya, on 20th January, 1961.

QBhI’tuatp

ch1 Wood, B. E.. married Trinidad Olga Rolls at St. Mary’s Church, Middlesex, on 18th June, 1960.

Capt D. M. Jacobs married Elizabeth Anne Parsons-Smith at Holy Trinity, Brompton, on 14th December, 1960.

‘Maj D. J. S. Wilkinson married Jennifer Rachel Srhuttleworth Rendall at St. Peter’s.

Bramshaw, Hampshire, on 7th January, 1961.

Sgt Davis, F. G., married Ursula Killmanek at the Registry Office, Kinta, Ipoh, Malaya, on 21st January, 1961.

MAJOR

SIR

RALPH

GORE,

Bt.

It is with great regret that the Regiment has learnt of the dearth of Major Sir Ralph Gore, Bt., the Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron. He served in The Royal Dragoons from 1900—1904, seeing active service in the South Africa War. He also served in the County of London Yeomanry in the First World War.

BANDMASTER A. R. TRYTHALL The news of the death of Mr. Trythall was received with much regret by the Regiment in Aden.

He became Bandmaster in 1946, having previously served in the RA. Bands. Later that year he brought the Band to Dedelsdorf.

(Of that Band only Darling and Whellans are now present).

He identified himself as a Royal Dragoon from the start and entered fully into the life of the Regiment.

He remained with us throughout our stay at Wolfenbuttel, brought the Band to Chester, where they played at the parade taken by the late King George VI, then followed the Regi— ment to Egypt and finally left during our tour at Wcsendorf.

His cheerful personality made him much liked by all ranks. He built up a good band and in particular his production of pantomimcs at Christmas will be long remembered.

Our condolences go to Mrs. Trythall and her daughters, who are remaining in Canada, where they all moved on his retirement in 1956.

LANCE-CORPORAL R. A. MUSTOE Robert Anthony Mustoe joined The Royal Dragoons as a National Serviceman. He was soon marked as being a good soldier and the Regiment was glad to accept him when he decided to change to a Regular engagement.

With his enthusiasm and natural leadership combined with a pleasant and cheerful nature he had been promoted unusually early. After service in Germany and Aden he went with “ B” Squadron to S‘harjah. In was in Muscat that the accident occurred which caused his death, his Ferret scout car turning over on a narrow boulder—strewn road. Only those who were there at the time can realise the deep sense of loss felt by everyone not only in his own Troop and Squadron but in the whole of the Regiment scattered all over Arabia. chl Mustoe was buried in the Christian graveyard at Bait—el-F‘alaj with full military honours. The great distance from home made the loss still harder for his family and friends in England and our deepest sympathy go out to his mother and father and to his fiancee.

The following is an extract from a letter wrinten to the Commanding Officer by Lt Col C. C. Maxwell, Deputy Commander of the Sultan of Muscats Armed Forces: “ Sultan Said bin Tain has heard with great sorrow of the accidental death of Cpl Mustoe and he has commanded me to convey his condolences to Mustoe’s family and his Regiment. “ I have written to Mustoe’s father to convey our condolences and those of the Sultan. I have also said that so far as I can say I am likely to remain in Muscat and Oman for a good many more years and that I will take a personal interest in his son’s grave and ensure it is well tended and cared for.

“I am sure the burial service was just as you would have wished it.

The ceremony was moving and dignified.”

THE

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS JOURNAL

REGIMENTAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

DRAGOONS

GAZETTE ROYAL SIGNALS TROOP ch1 Taylor, D. G.

Sig Pilldngmn: W- E-

chl Middleton, J. A. chl Strang, H.

' Breach, E S. Sig

Sig Turnbull, D. W.

Capt A. W. McQueen 2Lt M. J. Kinsman

L'A‘D' ch1 Collins, S. J. chl Levitt, D. J.

REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS WOII Williams, J. V. Lt Col P. B. Fielden. M.C., Commanding Officer,

Lt J.

Mai B. J. Hodgson, Second—in-Command.

Capt L. R. Burnside. R.A.P.C., Paymaster.

G. Hamilton—Russell,

Signals

Oflicer,

Ma) NI. B. Noble, AdJIItant. ‘ Capt M. Bull, R.A.M.C., Medical Officer.

Capt D. M. Jacobs, Liaison Oflicer.

RSM J. D. Bradley, Regimental Sergeant—Major.

Lt A. E. Woodward, Assistant Adjutant and 1.0.

H.Q. SQUADRON

Sig McDonald, 13- N-

Tpr Mole. A. E.

Tpr May, T.

ASM Kmshott, M. F.

Cfn Albiston, D.

Tpr Shield. T. G.

Tpr Moserop, J. F.

EZJtlgtégfisién G.

Cl: B:O%?J. C.

TPY Tamer: T~ 1-

TM Murphy. .l-

Sgt Fordham, S.

Cfn Bryant, T. J.

Tpr Wiskow, M. A.

Tpr North, C. Tpr Pain. M. W.

Sgt Haipps J c 1 Clarke, G J

Cfn Collins R. G. Cfn Dochedty J

Cfn Finnegan, M. P. Cfn Hayward, M. E. Cfn Horsfall, A. D.

Maj T. A. K. Watson,

Squadron Leader

Cfn Head, C. B.

SQMS Cameron D. J. ch1 Evans, R. S

SERGEANTS’ MESS Tpr Harvey. T. P. \V.

Tpr Pollard, B. L. .

T TS: Tbb Tbm’firri,.h 3Fm ,H. w.

p Keenan’ D.' ‘F. Cpl ’ F. B. Cpl Robertson,

Cfn Dunn M.’ ' Cfn East, ’L. A.

Cfn Cfn Cfn Cfn Cfn Cfn

11:25}. @33ng Jaw H.

Tpr \Vaitits, J. W.

$3; @fi?§fll’de

Cpl Smith, D.

Cfn Elliot K.

Cfn Taylor, D.

EplnglonllaskTGA. w.

Cfn Farraht, T. M.

Cfn Thomson, R. D. K. Cfn Thompson, B.

Capt D. Miller, 21C

ADMINISTRATIVE TROOP

SSM Blaekallar, H. A. s.

LCPI Taylor: 1-

Tpr Wilson! G‘

Tpr Worrall, B.

Tpr Arthur, R. Tpr Boardman, J. A.

Q.M. GROUP Capt. 13- 14- Payne (QM TCCh)

Tpr Brown, R. J.

Lt A. S. M. Ayrton (QM)

Tpr Collins, R.

RQMS Clark, J. S. TQMS Fletcher, F. Sgt Hall, B.

Tpr Ferguson, P. Tpr Kinstrey, P. B.

Tpr Lee, D. H. Tpr Lester, J. K.

Tpr Trowell, B. K. Tpr Waddingham, D. M.

Tpr Yendell, W. P. R.H.Q. TROOP Sgt Jubb, J.

Sgt Louoh, J. E. Sgt Thorpe, N. H. Cpl Chambers, F. J. Cpl Hildred, R. S. Cpl Morley, K. Cpl Thorne, D. B. Cpl Williamson, E. S. chl Carr, M. A.

Cpl Matthew, J. A.

chl E‘llsmore, W. J.

chl Renkevic, A. Tpr Adams, J. D.

chl Godfrey. W. L. G. chl Hawley. R. A.

Tpr Adams, T. R.

ch1 Hunt, H.

Tpr Boston, J. M. Tpr Chapman, W. Tpr Forsyth, I.

ch1 Smith, R. I. Tpr Almond, R.

Tpr Baston, R.

ORDERLY ROOM Ssgt Leech, J. C. Cpl Brandon, S. chl Dunlop, D. J. T. E.

Tpr Burlace, S. C. Tpr Fox, J. G. Tpr Lee, P. A.

Tpr Rantell, A. P. Tpr Roddis, B. L.

“P

at , ~

'

WOII Smith, J. Cpl Barrett, R. E. Cpl Drury, R. H. J. chl Bowyer, J. A. ch1 Reid, J.

ch1 Thompson, N.

B‘M Evans, G. Ssgt Darling, R. Sgt Stone. H. G. TM Whellans, M. Cpl Everson, P.

Cpl Fisher, J.

“ A ” SQUADRON Maj W. R. Wilson FitzGerald Capt C. B. Amery

Lt T. W. P. Connell Lt E. C. York 2Lt J. R. Chilton

Tpr Bowditch, J. T.

ch1 Aitchinson. J. V. chl Atkins, J. R.

Tpr Bowen7 L. T.

Bdsm Newing, M.

chl Ayles, E. J.

Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr

Bdsm Oliver, R. A.

chl Bruns, L. chl Clayden, C. A. chl Dunn, C. W.

Tpr Theed, D. J.

Tpr Warwick, M. A.

Tpr Walton, K. J. Tpr Williams, E. Tpr Williams, M.

Tpr Young, A. TRANSPORT TROOP

Cpl McCormick, W. G. Cpl McGarrigle, G. chl Allsop, B. Tpr Kestle, R.

Tpr Simmons, S. W. OFFICERS’ MESS SQMS Weller, E. H. Tpr Cooper R. A. Tpr Jephson, E. Tpr Lyons, M.

Cole, M. J. B. Ellis, J. Flatt, D. J. Gough, P. J

Tpr Hawkins, W Tpr Heron, J. F.

Tpr Jones, D. G

O’Hagan, B. H. Paul, N. G. Peach, W. C. H. Robson, G. E.

BAND

Bdsm Mitchell, K.

Tpr Steele. R.

Tpr Medd, G. Tpr Proctor, T. Tpr Tatham, P.

Pte Hagan, W. Pte Ingledew, D.

Pte Pte Pte Pte

A.P.T.C.

Sgt Rochford, A. R. chl Chnistiie, P. C. chl Marsh, G.

Tpr Middleton, P. S.

Tpr McNaughton, I.

Pte Goldstraw, B.

Pte Moore, W. J. S.

SSI Dixon, F. W.

Lt D. Balrriington Browne

Tpr Lawson, D. E. Tpr Lomas, D.

Bonner, A. E. Greenway, A. Heads, J Henderson, J. Hunt, P. Jones, P. McCrae, E. Michie, B.

Pte Airey, B. Pte Anderson, W. M. Pte Elkins, P. J.

Tpr Sitraitford. B. T. Tpr Symonds, R.

Sgt Weston, J. J.

Trpr Jenkins, G. Tpr Jones, B.

Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr

Pte Baker, K. L.

A.C.C.

PROVOST

Green, H. Harris, R. Hall, B. Henry, R. J. M. Hunter, F. D.

R.A.P.C. Ssgt Ferrell, A.

Cpl Syms, D. R. chl Briggs, C. J. ch1 Craft, C. G. chl Jury, P. D. chl Thorn, P. W. ch1 Watts, A. D. chl Whitworth, R. S. Bdsm Atkinson, B. Bd sm Bason, W. Bdsm Bonry, R. V. Bdsm Burgess, P. R. Bdsm Craifit. D. A. Bdsm Eaitoh, K. R. Bdsm Fellows, H. Bdsm Furber, B. Bdsm Hill, A. Bdsm Jones, W. Bdsm Keys, A. L. Bdsm Maytum, R. C. Bdsm Meikle, J. .A. Bdsm Mexter, D. J.

Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr

Jordan, A. McDonald, 1. N. Parsons, N. B. Reeve, A. S. Shaw, R. W. Stockwell, W. R.

Bdsm Pentecost, E. T. A.

Bdsm Riley, R. N. Bdsm Bd sm Bdsm Bdsm

Roberts, A. V. Sheam (Knel‘lor Hall) Trachy, J. H. Und‘erdown. A. S.

2Lt C. N. Haworth—Booth 2Lt M. C. Hobhouse 2Dt J. H. Lloyd

SSM Watorski, W. L. SQMS Clarke, R. H.

chl chl chl ch1 chl

Newton, A. O’Dwyer, J. A. O’Reilly, B. T. Preston, S. J. Roberts, E.

chl Roberts, E. chl Sowerby, D; C. Tpr Adams, H Tpr Amos, M. J.

Tpr Dale, V. Tpr Deckey, R. E. G. Tpr Dowson, B. .

Tpr Ellard, J. T. Tpr England, M. G. E. Tpr Feery, T. Tpr Griffiths, R.

Tpr Griffiths, G. Tpr Harris, P. P.

Tpr Antrobus, K.

Tpr Harris, W. H. H.

Sgt Bayne, D. W. Sgt Corcoran, E.

Tpr Archbold, P. A.

Tpr Hart, D. R.

Tpr Ashford. B. E.

Sgt Cummings, A. S. R. Sgt Dawson, C.

Tpr Axtell, D. F. Tpr Batty. J. R.

Sgt Rooke, G. E. Sgt Thornton, D. R. Cpl Barker, R. E.

Tpr Beddingfield, J. Tpr Berry, H

Cpl Burge, D. A. S.

Tpr Bird, C. H. Tpr Bird, N. L.

Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr

Cpl Burrows, M. G. Cpl Christmas, C. D.

Cpl Evans, B. W. Cpl Hoiles, R. S. Cpl Howell, J.

Cpl Payne, R. Cpl Underwood, K.

Tpr Beames, C. W.

Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr

Black, I. Blaxland, G. W. Bliss. A. W. Boyd, C. Brown. D. J.

Haywood, J. Heath, A. Hennessey, W. Holmes, D. Hornblow, J. W. A. Horton, J. Inkles, J.

Tpr Irvine, E. G. Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr

Jardine, R. Johnson, E. F. Johnson, R. Jones, S. F. Jordan, H.

Tpr Brown, F. T.

Tpr Leigh, G.

Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr

Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr

Bruce, J. Bryant. E. M. Bull, R. W. Caine, J. Collins. R. J.-

chl Finn, A. P.

Tpr Clifford, J. Tpr Cluckie. W. R. MC.

ch1 Graham, A. W. ch1 Jones, B. E.

Tpr Condliffe, E Tpr Conneally, B. B.

chl Meacham, M. B.

Tpr Crossley, J. E.

Love, T. MacPherson, A. M. Massey, W. F. McClatferty. D. J. McIntosh. E. C. McQueen, M. A. Melbourne, D. W.

Tpr Morris, D. Tpr Mortimer, T. Tpr Newbold, D. J.

58

‘

Tpr Parker, R. G. Tpr Pearson, J. Tpr Read, R. Tpr Rodgers. P.

Tpr Savage. S. Tpr Scott. A. B. Tpr Sharp, W. J. Tpr Simc, D.

JOURNAL

OF

THE

ROYAL

Tpr Stephenson, C. P. Tpr Storey, J. \V. Tpr Taylor. N. G.

Tpr Thom, H. G. Tpr Tibbles. M. S. Ward, R. J. Ward, P. J. Watson, J.

DRAGOONS

THE

Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr

Tpr Tpr

Welford, F. Whitehead. O. Wilkins, D. J. Wilson, A. Winfield, P. G. Wood, T. A. Wort. E. J. Young, A, D

JOURNAL OF

THE

ROYAL SIGNALS chl Wright, P. L. J.

DRAGOONS

R.E.M.E. Ssgt Pitcher, H. H. W. Cpl Davis, J. C. chl Booth, H. M.

Cfn (Logan, J. Cfn Gandermon, K. R. Cfn Keenlyside, C.

ROYAL Cpl Bell, E. G.

Sgt Hiles. G. S. Lepl Harden, G. W.

ROYAL

Sig Spcers, J. A.

Cfn Spinks, C. A.

Cfn Warren, A.

SIGNALS chl Eustace, K. E.

R.A.I’.C.

Sig Benson, A. F.

Pte Morgan, P. J.

R.E.M.E. Ssgt Randles. D. C. Cpl Rogers, B. A.

chl Ashton. G. W. ch1 Clark, A. G. F.

chl Glister, R. S.

Perry, G. N.

chl Grundy, G. W’. chl Stone, B. W. Cfn Meachen, F. T.

Wood, B.

Mai D. J. S. Wilkinson

Capt W. H. Yates Lt W. M. Hallaran Lt J. M. Loyd.

2Lt A. P. G. Stanley—Smith

R.A.I’.C. ch1 Gibson, A. I. D.

Pte Ashforth, D.

Maj O. J. Lewis Capt W. S. H. Boucher Lt P. Amison-Newgass

Lt W. M. G. Black Lt C. S. A. Connor (RAAC) 2Lt D. W’. Williams-Wynn WOII Tinnersh, M.C. SQMS Simpson, F. A. Sgt Boakes, A. E. Sgt Brooks, F. J.

Sgt Crabb, C. C. F. Sgt Lindsay, M. R. (RAAC)

Sgt Mackay, J.

A.C.C. Pte High, R. C.

Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr

“ B "' SQUADRON Ash, E. A. Bailey, B. C. Barber, J. Bramwell, K.

Tpr Burley, K. Tpr Butler, J. Tpr Carpenter, C.

Tpr Cokayne, D. T. Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr

Coen, R. W. Cooper, J. W. Conway, J. F. G. Crabbe, J. W. Currie, J. J.

“C”

Saxby, D.

2Lt The Hon. R. O. D. Windsor—Clive Lt G. W. Gill (R.A.A.C.) SSM Kimble, F.

Maddocks, B. P.

SQMS Shone, E. Sgt Hales, B. Sgt Hayes, B. W. G. Sgt Heath, J. M.

Marshall, D. E.

Sgt Millett, J.

McBride, P.

Sgt Lloyd, C. K.

McCallum, G. McCaskill, M.

Sgt Plumbly, G. R.

McCutlloch, D. L. MCKeown, J. E.

Cpl Cpl Cpl Cpl Cpl

McNallly, J. McQueen, A. B. Miller, E. C. Murphy, H. J. A. Murphy, T. D . P.

Sgt Tucker, B.

Acton, G. R. Alexander, K. T. Clark, G. Cooke, E. D. Cox, W. G.

Rice, J. R.

chl Cairney, H. chl Gentile, A. K.

Campbell, B. Collingwood. F. G.

Davies, R. A. Harty. J. L. Laking, E. McBride, M.

McGinn, H. Pain, C. V. Pettit, J. B.

Tpr Golding, M. J. Tpr Grice, D.

Tpr Grooms, M. Tpr Hall, A. Tpr Harman, H. J. E.

Tpr Hart, R. T. Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr

Hastings, S. M. D. Hopwood. O. Ingram. P. Jefferson, A. Johnson, P. E. Joseph, D. King, A. Kingshott, S. E. Kingsland, B. A. M.

Searle, R. A. chl Taylor, J. P.

Tpr Mvibond, T. R.

chl White, P. H. J.

Tpr Lynch, P.

Tpr Lawrie, H.

ch1 Lee, W.

Swift, M. Thomas, M. W G. Thurston, D. R.. A. L. Titterington, L B.

White, T. P. Jf Wilson, I. M.

Tpr Parr, A. R.

Tpr Dennett, G. Tpr Dickinson, R. Tpr Dunkin, L. E. English, T. Enticknap, K. L. Farrnoombe, D. Gardner, P.

Tpr Hawes, A. R. Tpr Heal, B. W. Tpr Henderson, D.

chl Murray, M. chl Pamwell, R. H. chl Petts, M. J.

Tpr Henshaw, J. P.

chl Sitrudwick, J.

Tpr Hunt, J. H.

Tpr Norman, D. M. Tpr Percival, G. Tpr Price, J. Tpr Ratley, S. Tpr Rickerby, C. Tpr Sankey, W.

Tpr Higgins, A. M. Tpr Hill, B.

Tpr Senior, M. R. Tpr Simpson, E. E.

Tpr Speirs, G. C. Tpr Stocks, R. Tpr Stocks, R.

Tpr Sweeney, J. Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr

Taft, J. Tames, R. L. Thompson, J. G. Turner, B. D.

Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr

Walker, A. Weaver, A. Wellard, W. G. Williams, E. G.

Tpr Young, D. E.

R.E.M.E. (am)

Short, D. R. Smoker, M. F. Southall, R. Steven, G. B.

Tpr Cursley, C. G. Tpr Curtis, A.

Tpr Griffiths, R. E. Tpr Hanratty, J. Tpr Hansford, D. F. H.

chl Bridge, M. J.

Murtagh, M. J. Petterson, S. G. Rainger, P. D. Cpl S‘axton, B. Cpl Wood, N. L. P. Buckingham, D. J. Butcher, D. R.

Tpr McClair, C. Tpr McKenzie, W.

Tpr Smith, P. J.

Reece, R. J. Rigg, R. G.

Tpr Cook, K. W. Tpr Corker, P.

Tpr Goodchild, T. G. Tpr Gray, D. C.

Ramsbottom, E.

Robins, P. A. Robinson, D. Robson, J. J. Rowlands, A. Rushbrook, P. L. Russell, W. R. Sharp, J. M. Shaw, A. H.

Tpr Matthews, J.

Tpr McBride, W.

Cpl McGowan, E. Cpl Pickett, M. J.

Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr

Tpr Elliott, G.

Tpr Mason, J.

Tpr Conley, F. J.

Tpr Sinclair, A.

ch1 Bennett, D. R. ch1 Best, N. D.

Tpr Evans, T. W. Tpr Gadd, I. D. Tpr Gilmartin, J.

Tpr Chalm'érs, W. Tpr Chesterton, A. E. Tpr Clare, A.

Tpr King, J. H. Tpr Leaney, R. F. Tpr Lee, M. J. Tpr Leech, E.

Tpr Gillespie, W. J.

Pugh, W'. J.

Melia, P. B. McGill, ‘Y. H.

Barr, E. Bassford, M. B. Benn, T. F. Brady, J.

Cpl Ingham, J.

Tpr Davis, W. D. Davis, G. Davison, E. T. Dodman, B. T. W. Dufton, J.

Tpr Jones, S. Tpr Jordan, M.

Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr

Tpr Gilbert, R.

Barton, F. W.

Bell, P. G.

Tpr Atkinson, M.

Cpl Hearn, B.

Tpr Davies, P. A.

Edwards, J. A. Fennell, A. Kent, G. P. Kerr, G.

Tpr Hurd, A. W. Tpr Hutchinson, G. Tpr Jennings, R.

Cpl Falvey, D.

Rowland, C. L.

Tpr Davies, K. C.

chl Walden, A. K. ch1 Wilkinson, V. Tpr Allen, T. E.

Tpr Tpr Tpr Tpr

Myers, P. Panton, J. E. Payne, A. J.

Sgt Poulter, R. L.

SQUADRON

Thomas, J. D.

Ssgt Willison, N. H. Cpl Oldham, J. O.

ch1 Robins, A. H. Cfn Eboral, A. F.

chl Bartholomew, B. E.

ROYAL SIGNALS (am) chl Magin, J.

Young, T. L.

R.A.P.C. (011.)

chl Barker, D. T.

(In Jones, A. Cfn Pei-rs, C. J.

THE

OFFICERS

AND

JOURNAL

N.C.O.s

OF

THE

EXTRA

ROYAL

REGIMENTALLY

THE WAR OFFICE Lt Col D. N. Macdonald. M.C. Graham, M.C.

L’ECOLE SUI’ERIEURE DE GUERRE,

PARIS

THE ROYAL DRAGOONS REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION

EMPLOYED

' ARMY APPRENTICES SCHOOL, CHEPSTOW

Col. G. T. A. Armitage, M.B.E. Maj A.

DRAGOONS

BANKERS’ ORDER

Capt J. W. E. Hamner

To ......................................................... BANK LIMITED

__

HQ.) 17 GURKHA DIVISION

(Address) .....................................................................

Capt D. S. A. Boyd

Date .................. 1961

Mai C. A. Banham, M.C.

SULTAN OF IVIUSCAT ARMED FORCES Mai K. F. Timbrell, M.C. 8.8.0. VERDEN, B.A.O.R. Mai C. W. J. Lewis, M.B.E. (th.).

H.Q., WESTERN COMMAND Maj C. E. W’instanley Maj J. B. Evans H.Q., GIBRALTAR Maj P. D. Reid

3rd/4th COUNTY OF LONDON YEOMANRY (TA) (SHARPSHOOTERS) Capt S. E. M. Bradish-Ellames Capt (QM) B. W. Crockett RSM E. G. Vowles

Sgt Remfry, D. J.

QUEEN’S ROYAL IRISH HUSS‘ARS

' Cpl Beeforth, A. H.Q., LAND FORCES, PERSIAN GULF Cpl Dent, H. 15th/19th KING’S ROYAL HUSSARS

Please pay to Lloyds Bank Ltd., Cox’s & King’s Branch, 6 Pall Mall, London, S.W.1,.for the credit of The Royal Dragoons Regimental Association, the sum of One pound One shilling, the first payment to be made on the ................................................ 1961 and continue so to pay that amount on the ................................................ in every year to the debit of my account until receipt by you of further notice in writing from me.

Cpl Sarll. R. F.

£1

Sgt Greatrex, L.

Is.

RECRUITING SERGEANTS Sgt Ireland, F. Sgt Colyer, P.

0d.

Signature:

F.V.R.D.E.

Capt A. B. T. Davey R.M.C.S., SHRIVENHAM

SSM Ransom, P.

Sgt Routle'y, A. SSM Brennan, D. Cpl Betting, K.

R.A.C. CENTRE Maj J. A. Dimond, M.C. Capt D. M. Guthrie Ssgt Paul, J. A. Sgt Allport, F. M. Sgt Wight, E.

Capt T. P. Hart-Dyke

4zh/7th ROYAL DRAGOON GUARDS Lt P. T. Keightley

BANKERS’

KUWAIT

ORDER

Ssgt Bujko, H. PENANG GARRISON

Sgt Wallace, T. Sgt Warren, J.

Cpl Bosher, J.

Cpl WennelV D. J.

chl Messer, T. G.

To: The Manager, .............................. Bank

Sgrt Webster, D. A.

Sgt

Baillie-Hamilton

Cpl Ray, J

R.A.C. PUBLICITY

TEAM

.............................. Branch

Cpl Jackson, H. W. 2 ARMY DELIVERY:SQUADRON WOII Wood, W. R.

.................................... 1961 ‘ LONG COURSE AT SCHOOL OF TANK TECHNOLOGY

A.D.C. TO H.E. GOVERNOR, GIBRALTAR

Capt J. J. F. Scott

Capt P. W. F. Arkwright Lt B. J. Lockhart

Please pay to The Eagle Fund, The Royal Dragoons, c/o Lloyds Bank Ltd., Cox’s & King’s Branch, Gds. and Cavalry Section, 6, Pall Mall, London, S.W.1, the sum {0 125 od. ( .................. shillings) on 1st January, 1962, and annually thereafter on the same date.

i_—l 2d' Stamp

............ Signature

Name in Block Capitals ..........................................................................................

Address

By Appointment to Her Majzsty The Queen Silversmith: and jeweller:

Carrington & Co., Ltd. ESTD. I 7 8 o

ENGAGEMENT RINGS

REGIMENTAL JEWELLERS

and

SILVERSMITHS

BADGE BROOCHES

All diamond Eagle with ruby eyc. green :namel wreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;h.

130 REGENT STREET, W.1.

Yellow gold Eagle wikh ruby eye.green enamel wreath.

TEL.: REGENT 3727-8

THE REGIMENTAL

,r

Over a Century of Service. . .

GAMES TIE The

:

attention

of all past members of the as well as those serving away from the Regiment is drawn to this recent innovation .

ESTABLISHLD [N THE YEAR 1819

1853

Regiment.

0n the initiative of the Commanding Officer.

WINES,

i: 1:51: [it b“:20:35::d‘°“v;:";:f’c:n\:n:p‘::; ha; represented m: Regiment at my‘ activity.

- 961 .

CIGARS

,.-inc

.

.

The ue ma)

_

For over 120 years, our world-wide

price

£1.

:11:

inclusive of

Like the Services. we also have a long tradition

.

I

to uphold. at the same time, again like the Services, taking advantage of scientific progress in this age of nlCChiinlSfiiiOrl: yet maintaining.

.,

through a special department. a personal and '

,

' helpful link ‘ With ' , Edito Semen ' r‘. s wh om we are . . ,‘ ‘ . . d . ever Willing to advise and asSist in the pro uction

.

0f H.M FORCES

7

Regiment at any activity. This includes athletics, games and sports. equestrian sports, military competitions and the like.

new:

‘

\

.

‘ ~ servxce has supplied the reqUirem ents

be purchased and worn by an} .

past or present member who has represented the

P.R.I..

/

eag es. ’

go

IN PRINT

..

'_

A i

From several designs. the following was chosen:

“Niidnight‘biu: erIIIZmidered‘WiLh small.

.

SPIRITS

. &

9 ‘

1

. ~

513953125 sfitgigiflfln

‘

postage.

,

of their Journals.

F. J. PARSONS ' LTD

TRIP/”10""? REGENT 206' ,7

IVHY NOT {WRITE FOR YOURS

‘

Lennox House. Norfolk Street. W.C.2

BRANCHES and ASSOCIATED COMPANIES

TODAY

'

Temple Bar 659l

' ' "1 H himgs -' Works.. Observer BUIldm.s

Hit N mg 51157

Ihronglioul the world.

THE MAJESTIC PHOTO

60 UN TREAT YOURSELF WITH

.

‘ 1

SPORTS GOODS for

‘

GOOD

‘

SPORTS

SUPPLIERS ' »

130 BREWSTER ROAD,

'

IPOH, PERAK, MALAYA. Telephone Ala. 4314.

for all footwear requirements . ..

R'd'

JOdhpur' ChUKka or

‘ STOCkiStS 0f ”/IOI‘ld wide Famed 3 5/)0’ l S Goodts

...

, .

,

. .

centre in richy milk I chocolate

. ‘

" .,,

_ .

SCHOOLS — POLICE - MILITARY j and CLUBS

0

i

'

graphic requirements.

ed ateuse.

i

Well

‘ ‘

§ ‘

.

. .

‘‘ Leading Supplier of Sports Goods t0

,

eas U e0

136, Belfield Street, IPOH PHONE No. 3863

Golden hone comb

adeto

_

The best shop in town for your photo-

andaWide se'eCfiO” (”Shoe Styies

1

i IMPERIAL TRADING (on : Perak’s Oldest Sports Store ‘

‘

Boots

I mg

‘

‘

.

known

“lakes (I

Distributors for of

CaIIlEIaS

and

Appointed Official Photographers for all Military Units and Personnel.

_ . ..

’

$TUD|O

Every attention given to enquiries by post, from home or overseas.

4-

33‘ DOVER ST” LON ”1‘; #1, w.1.

.,

UPSTAIRS

" ' ' 11113001rtraits Party Outdoor. andand Isz'petlillgéstioltlfi 1C ' , H fro"; 8 1’0 2 m _ 9 p m

Bums 0m

.-

_

Tel: HYDE PARK

(xi)

OUR

NEWEST

-

.

CREATIONS 0F

Congratulations

ENGAGEMENT RINGS

‘

Set with Flawless Diamonds

5%

on Platinum and Gold are

0:

.Marvels of Technique (Indore

g;

well worth Your Inspection.

2%

’

/,

/

I

, / 5%

i

R0 ya]

Drag O O n S

On

thelr

E;

‘

Tercentenary

S. P. H. DE SILVA LTD. 45, High Street - SINGAPORE 6, Station Road - IPOH

Asso. Co., S.P.H. DE SILVA (H.K.) LTD_

, , '

f

//, H f BELFIELD blREE]

1P OH

HONG KONG TEL

3974‘

I

I P 0 H “130103 51m:- T D-

From the Energen Foods Co. Ltd., Willesden, N.W.l0.

The Kinta Radio Distributors 60., Ltd. 107-109 Belfield Street ' IPOH

Selling Agents and order your

m PERAK (MALAYA) '

'

STEREO—RADIOS

Latest Transistor Portables

RADIOGIIAMS

>

TAPE RECORDERS

FOR Jaguar E R V I C E

CARS

:JI'I:JPEWRITERS I

-

With A T I S F A C T I O N

REFRIGERATORS ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES and

INDIAN FILM RECORDS Ask for free demonstration of HOOVER WASHING MACHINES

THE ASSOCIATION OF SERVICE NEWSPA PERS ADVE E 67/68 JERMYN STREET. ST. JAMES’S, 5.W.l.

TELRui-IFII'EIEIILITAZGSEOSAI

You are welcome at No. 6 Pall Mall

BY APPOINTMENT TO HER MAIFSTY THE QUEEN GOLIAMITIIS & CRO\\'N JI'\\'[TLLIZRS, GARRARD Sr C(L LTD., LONDON

GARRARD OF REGENT STREET at Cox's and King's branch of Lloyds Bank, 6 Pall Mall, S.W.1 we

Along the graceful curve of Regent Street stands the House of Garrard, where the finest examples of modern and traditional jewellery,

' financial affairs of officers stationed at home or abroad.

We have departments specialising in

silverware and watches are to be found The tradition of Garrard has been built up over more than 200 years: our designers and craftsmen create exquisite pieces, simple or elaborate, according to your taste. For the discerning people who buy from Garrard, only

have been officially appointed Army Agents for over two hundred years and general and kit insurance, in income Agents to the Royal Air Force since tax, the purchase and sale of stocks and its inception. Of course you may bank shares and the safe custody ofvaluables. where you please but the reason why Thisfu/l banking service includes facili— so many officers open their personal ties for serving officers to cash their accounts with us is that we have un- ‘ cheques at any branch of the Bank rivalled experience in dealing with the ‘ without prior arrangement.

the best is selected.

Our military department specialises in making presentation plate, mess plate, cups and other trophies: these may be to your own design, from a picture or sketch. or we can produce designs to suit your requirements. We have also the badges of most corps and regiments, in miniature, beautifully fashioned in gold and

An officer’s banking transactions are confidential to him and his bank. Our position as Official Agents in no way affects this.

enamel or set with diamonds.

Catalogues are available under the following

LLOYDS BANK LIMITED

titles: “Silverware”, “Regent Plate”, “Mess Plate", “Watches” and “Gifts”. Tax free export price lists are also supplied upon request.

COX'S & KING'S BRANCH, 6 FALL MALL, S.W.1 Telephone WHltehall 7001

A recen/ silver slaruelte created by Garrard in exact derail from life

Official Agents to the Army and Royal Air Force llllilllillliiiillilllilllflil |l|.|l|‘l|l ill Illllllll ill lll.lililllilltllltlllllll lllfilll llltJlltllll‘llililt llllll‘ltn Hillttllillllilllillltlillllillllllilltllltltlitlll1ltllllilillilllllllllllilllllllllll[lliltllilll[lillilillllllillllillllllllllllllllHllllllllllllHlllllllllllllll|lllllllllllElll|liliilllllllll[llllllllllllillllillllill

GARRARD, & CO - LTD

tor the ELIIIUR " The F' 'e.‘ ' The Journal of ’Ihc Royal Drugtmn‘». by ('nnihinetl Service Publications. l.ul.. 07-68. Jc‘rmyn Norlnlk Street. lundon, W112.

Strut-ti St. Junlcs's. London. SW. , Printed Ill (ireut Britain .

by F. J. l’urwnn Itd,. [.cnnm House, , ‘ V and Hustings and Folkcstonu Advertisement Agents. Servxcc NC\\spupcr\‘. I.ILI.. (77-63. Jermyn Street. 5,“.1 (l’lmnc: \Vhilcltzill 2504).

Crown jewellers llZ

REGENT STREET LONDON VVJ.

Tu]: Regent 3021 (11 lines)

Printed in Great Britain

SUPPLEMENT No. 2—PAGE THREE

THE ASSOCIATION OF SERVICE NEWSPA PERS ADVERTISEMEN P 67/68 JERMYN STREET, ST. jAMES'S. S.W.l.

TEL. WHITEH‘ArLLAZGSEIii’

ay Arr Mme": Tn Her nmu, ni. Qutun M uh Mar-Manure" arym .& my de.

deep-shine your shoes "IE SAUCE nun ooss vou GOOD

W

With

K I w '

SWEETS Ask for a Brltlsh Product

7

good to eat»

TryBURMA SAUCE Every drop is of full flavour .

Ask forWhite—Cottell's Worcester Sauce

eat Refresh” u/Ier work, travel and war!

There are no {7--------BROWN

&

Huntley 8‘ Palmers

might's

you ever SIN/[Ck

KNIGHT LTD

9 Lower Marsh, Lambeth, S.E.I

on

.

PS

COAL TAR SOAP

BRITISH MADE by BRYANT & MAY

IDEAL FOR TOILET BATH AND NURSERY

THANK GOODNESS

4

‘

to equal

You get more

--- - -i SMITH’S “mam?”

Bargatts Sweets MADE IN WOOD GREEN LONDON

STARTIME ASSORTED CHOCOLATES REGAL FRUIT DROPS ’ '3'.

t

u. 1“ w...- M an mm.

.

.

"M = P Malice/3053mm GENUINE

MADRAS

CURRY POWDER ' Peacock

Brand

THE SECRET OF A GOOD CURRY

For Your Enloyment.

IULPITT. &

Callard 6t Bowser’s

BIRMINGHAM

SONS,

LTD.,

.

-

ENGLAND.

Celebrated “Thistle Brand"

-.

BUTTER-SCOTCH

mm"... mow...

Famous since 1831

SUPPLEMENT Na. 2—PAGE FOUR

ELECTRICAL

.

,

——

6— O

1/99: ' ,( 0|“

.

4

1——

TWENTY

ThePerfection ofTipped Cigarettes

APPLIANCIS

Printed in Great Britain

Printed in Great Britain SUPPLEMENT No. l—PAGE THREE

THE ASSOCIATION OF SERVICE NEWSPAPERS ADVERTISEMENT PAGES. 67/68 IERMYN STREET, ST. JAMES’S, S.W.'l.

TEL. WHITEHALL 2504

stir SERWC

Self Service for the Services

1921 -1961 Forty Years of Service to the Services

The conversion to self-service of hundreds of Naafi family shops at home and overseas has been a top—priority job.

The success of the first experimental conversions was the incentive for an all—out drive to provide Service families with modern, attractive, carefully designed shops when shopping could be done quickly. efficiently and in comfort.

Naafi prices are competitive too—with the extra incentive of a cash discount. You save when you pay at your Naafi shop. And now a whole new range of higher-priced goods‘

IMPERIAL COURT, KENNINGTON LANE,

gifts and domestic appliances is available for cash or on the

LONDON, S.E.11

exceptionally favourable terms of Naafi’s own instalment

HJM. Farces’ Ofiicial Trading Organisation

credit scheme. Ask your shop manager for details

Your very first sip of NesCAFé instant coffee

tells you...this is it!

This is how coffee was meant to taste. it’s all there...the flavour... the aroma...the feeling of well—being that only the very @ coffee can give...

NESCAFé. First taste tells!

ililES‘iCiiiilfiE Britain’s best-loved coffee .4; NESCAFE is a reg‘stcrcd trade mark L0 desnjnete Nestié’s instant coffee.

SUPPLEMENT No. l—PAQE FOUR

Printed in Great Britain