Swift & Bold 2020

SWIFT

BOLD AND

The Journal of The Royal Green Jackets Association 2020

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Contents / Production Team

Swift and Bold 2020 Shedquarters & Factory

Contents

10 Greenhey Place Skelmersdale WN8 9SA

Editorial By Kevin Stevens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Tel: 01695 51442 Email: sales@solidsheds.com www.solidsheds.com

Royal Green Jackets Association Contacts List . . . . . . . . . . 4

Garden Rooms • Sheds • Potting Sheds • Summerhouses • Workshops

Foreword by Colonel Carron Snagge OBE DL Chairman . . . . . . 3 NIVA Service of Remembrance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Location of GJ and RGJ Battalions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 Characteristics of The Rifles Regiment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 General Sir Patrick Sanders KCB CBE DSO ADC Gen . . . . . . . . 9 Major General RTH Jones CBE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11

Central England Branch Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-23 London Branch Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-29 North West Branch Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30-31 Oxford Branch Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32-33

Avant Garden Centre

Wigan Road, Leyland PR25 5XW 01772 432 450

Byrkley Park Garden Centre

South East Kent Branch Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34-35 RGJ Veterans Reunion – Cancelled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

NE Factory/Branch

Winchester & District Branch Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38-39

Newbank Garden Centre

Burton upon Trent DE13 9RN 01283 899 899

174 Southworth Road, Newton-Le-Willows W12 0BS 01695 589 207

Factory Outlet

Planters Garden Centre

Country Florist, Lathom WN8 8UH 01696 731 627

Trinity Road, Freasley, Tamworth B78 2EY 01827 285 769

Gordale Garden Centre

Strikes Garden Centre

Chester High Road, Neston CH64 8TF 0151 318 1472

High Leigh Garden Centre

High Leigh, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 0QW 01695 589 211

Wiltshire Branch Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Lady Green Lane, Ince Blundell, Merseyside L38 1QB 01695 589 210 Limerick Road, Redcar TS10 5JU 07976 225 537

Darlington Road, Northallerton DL6 2PW 01609 618 718

Trowell Garden Centre

Stapleford Road, Trowell, Nottingham NG9 3TG 01695 589 205

Made by Green Jackets for Green Jackets

Mrs Janet Gleeson Mr Mark Adams

The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum . . . . . . . . . . 20-21

Newcastle Road, Congleton CW12 4RL 01260 548 758

Major Mike Gleeson MBE

Rules for the RGJ Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-16

RGJ Honours and Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-19

Lady Green Garden Centre

Major Michael Leeming

Mr Trevor Anderson

Queens New Year Honours List 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Sales

Mr Kevin Stevens

RGJ Management Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13 RGJ Membership Cessation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Astbury Meadow Garden Centre

Production Team

The Rifles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40-41 The Rearguard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42-47 The ‘In Memoriam’ Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 A Swan with 2 RGJ in the Bogside in 1972 . . . . . . . . . . 48-49 I shouldn’t have been in the Green Jackets . . . . . . . . . . 50-52 Colonel in Chief and an earlier Rifles connection . . . . . . . . . 53 From RGJ to Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54-55 Where are you now? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Service of Remembrance at the RGJ Memorial . . . . . . . . 56-57 The Chauffeur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58-59 1

Mr Roy Baillie Mr David Muir Mr Seamus P Lyons This publication contains official and personal contact information.

It should be treated therefore with discretion by the recipient.

The views expressed in the articles in this journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policy and views, official or otherwise, of the Royal Green Jackets Association or the Ministry of Defence.

No responsibility for the goods or services advertised in this journal can be accepted by the publishers, printers or the Royal Green Jackets Association.

Printed by The Print Guru

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Contents / Production Team

Swift and Bold 2020 Shedquarters & Factory

Contents

10 Greenhey Place Skelmersdale WN8 9SA

Editorial By Kevin Stevens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Tel: 01695 51442 Email: sales@solidsheds.com www.solidsheds.com

Royal Green Jackets Association Contacts List . . . . . . . . . . 4

Garden Rooms • Sheds • Potting Sheds • Summerhouses • Workshops

Foreword by Colonel Carron Snagge OBE DL Chairman . . . . . . 3 NIVA Service of Remembrance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Location of GJ and RGJ Battalions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 Characteristics of The Rifles Regiment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 General Sir Patrick Sanders KCB CBE DSO ADC Gen . . . . . . . . 9 Major General RTH Jones CBE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11

Central England Branch Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-23 London Branch Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-29 North West Branch Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30-31 Oxford Branch Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32-33

Avant Garden Centre

Wigan Road, Leyland PR25 5XW 01772 432 450

Byrkley Park Garden Centre

South East Kent Branch Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34-35 RGJ Veterans Reunion – Cancelled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

NE Factory/Branch

Winchester & District Branch Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38-39

Newbank Garden Centre

Burton upon Trent DE13 9RN 01283 899 899

174 Southworth Road, Newton-Le-Willows W12 0BS 01695 589 207

Factory Outlet

Planters Garden Centre

Country Florist, Lathom WN8 8UH 01696 731 627

Trinity Road, Freasley, Tamworth B78 2EY 01827 285 769

Gordale Garden Centre

Strikes Garden Centre

Chester High Road, Neston CH64 8TF 0151 318 1472

High Leigh Garden Centre

High Leigh, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 0QW 01695 589 211

Wiltshire Branch Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Lady Green Lane, Ince Blundell, Merseyside L38 1QB 01695 589 210 Limerick Road, Redcar TS10 5JU 07976 225 537

Darlington Road, Northallerton DL6 2PW 01609 618 718

Trowell Garden Centre

Stapleford Road, Trowell, Nottingham NG9 3TG 01695 589 205

Made by Green Jackets for Green Jackets

Mrs Janet Gleeson Mr Mark Adams

The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum . . . . . . . . . . 20-21

Newcastle Road, Congleton CW12 4RL 01260 548 758

Major Mike Gleeson MBE

Rules for the RGJ Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-16

RGJ Honours and Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-19

Lady Green Garden Centre

Major Michael Leeming

Mr Trevor Anderson

Queens New Year Honours List 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Sales

Mr Kevin Stevens

RGJ Management Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13 RGJ Membership Cessation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Astbury Meadow Garden Centre

Production Team

The Rifles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40-41 The Rearguard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42-47 The ‘In Memoriam’ Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 A Swan with 2 RGJ in the Bogside in 1972 . . . . . . . . . . 48-49 I shouldn’t have been in the Green Jackets . . . . . . . . . . 50-52 Colonel in Chief and an earlier Rifles connection . . . . . . . . . 53 From RGJ to Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54-55 Where are you now? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Service of Remembrance at the RGJ Memorial . . . . . . . . 56-57 The Chauffeur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58-59 1

Mr Roy Baillie Mr David Muir Mr Seamus P Lyons This publication contains official and personal contact information.

It should be treated therefore with discretion by the recipient.

The views expressed in the articles in this journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policy and views, official or otherwise, of the Royal Green Jackets Association or the Ministry of Defence.

No responsibility for the goods or services advertised in this journal can be accepted by the publishers, printers or the Royal Green Jackets Association.

Printed by The Print Guru

Contents / Editorial

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Swift and Bold 2020

Editorial

Contents ‘Back to the Future’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Old Friends Reunited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 The Bogside Tattoo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Green Jacket Close . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62-63 The Longest two year posting ever 1980 – 1986 . . . . . . . 64-67 SOFO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68-69 The real hero of the Cold War – Wolfgang . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 1A Iverna Gardns, Kensington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 A Scrubbing Brush and a Poppy! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72-73 French Leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Remembrance Sunday 8th November 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Lord Lieutenant’s Award for Major (Retd) Roy Stanger . . . 76-77 Who remembers Op Casement? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 The Bloody gun battle for the bakery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 The curious case of the 9mm automatic carrier bag . . . . . . . 79 Newry Road Bomb 77/78 Tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 What Makes a Hero? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80-82 One’s Final Parade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Simon Tonybee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84-85 Veterans Retreat Northern Spain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86-87 Major Ron Cassidy MBE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Drummuckavall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89-91 Riflemen in the far north . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92-93 Veterans’ Reunion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94-95 Italian in the Black Mafia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96-97 Lawrence of Arabia RGJ Style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Loan Service Oman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98-101 The Royal British Legion marks Centenary year . . . . . . 102-104 Battle Honours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Dhofar Voices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106-107 Book Reviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108-112

At the meeting in November when this edition was discussed I said that if I couldn’t make 48 pages I would do only a PDF version this time around, I also thought I might have to write most of it myself but, as I finalise S&B for this year, it is a few more pages than that! I would therefore like to thank all of you who have either contributed articles or have donated towards the costs of production itself either through corporate sponsorship or personal donations. I would also like to thank Nick Parker of the Print Guru, without whom I would never have got this completed by the end of March deadline.

Nick’s energy, enthusiasm and ideas can be clearly seen throughout.

Thank you to my proof readers Mike and Janet Gleeson and Trevor Anderson who have done a sterling job once more and given the size of S&B I also invited David Muir to join the team. I first met Dave when he joined the RGJ PDT as team Sgt. All that remains now is for me to wish you all a happier 2021 than that which we have all experienced so far and look forward to the next reunion either at the NIVA meeting, Greenstock or possibly the Oxford reunion in Abingdon in November.

One final thank you goes to the person who will remain anonymous for all the jokes etc. on WhatsApp that have kept me amused in the last 12 months. No names no pack drill but George Berry you know who you are...

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Forward

Foreword by

Colonel Carron Snagge OBE DL Chairman The Royal Green Jackets Association

There is not much I can say about the last year and our current situation that has not already been said. It has been an extraordinary year but there is now light at the end of the tunnel. Sadly it has been decided to cancel The Royal Green Jacket Association Reunion planned for July in Sir John Moore Barracks. But we are confident that the Northern Ireland Veterans’ Association Commemoration and Parade on 11 September 2021 at the National Memorial Arboretum will go ahead. It is great event with an afternoon reception nearby, hosted by the RGJA Central England Branch. The event usually attracts a good turnout of Riflemen, so please make the effort to attend. In the meantime, plans are afoot for an extra-special Reunion in July 2022 in Sir John Moore Barracks, so stand by for more detail in due course.

Usually this magazine includes articles from most Branches, reporting on their activities over the past year. Our editor has had to put his thinking cap on to find ways to make an interesting magazine in a year when there has been virtually no activity! This magazine is therefore a collection of articles written by or about Riflemen and we have been almost overwhelmed by the number of contributors. There is even a story from me! Swift and Bold this year has turned out to be a bumper edition, with something in it for everyone. As usual I also wrote to Association Members asking for financial contributions to help cover the magazine’s production costs. The response to my appeal has been better than ever, which all goes to show what a marvellous regiment we are.

On behalf of all members of the Royal Green Jacket Association I would like to acknowledge and thank all those who support, contribute, edit and produce this magazine. To all those in the Association’s Branch Committees, the RGJ Officers Club and the RGJ Council, who give up so much time and energy to make our Association as successful as it is – THANK YOU.

Swift and Bold

Kevin Stevens Editor

In Memoriam 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113-114 2

3

Contents / Editorial

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Swift and Bold 2020

Editorial

Contents ‘Back to the Future’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Old Friends Reunited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 The Bogside Tattoo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Green Jacket Close . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62-63 The Longest two year posting ever 1980 – 1986 . . . . . . . 64-67 SOFO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68-69 The real hero of the Cold War – Wolfgang . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 1A Iverna Gardns, Kensington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 A Scrubbing Brush and a Poppy! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72-73 French Leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Remembrance Sunday 8th November 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Lord Lieutenant’s Award for Major (Retd) Roy Stanger . . . 76-77 Who remembers Op Casement? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 The Bloody gun battle for the bakery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 The curious case of the 9mm automatic carrier bag . . . . . . . 79 Newry Road Bomb 77/78 Tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 What Makes a Hero? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80-82 One’s Final Parade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Simon Tonybee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84-85 Veterans Retreat Northern Spain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86-87 Major Ron Cassidy MBE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Drummuckavall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89-91 Riflemen in the far north . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92-93 Veterans’ Reunion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94-95 Italian in the Black Mafia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96-97 Lawrence of Arabia RGJ Style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Loan Service Oman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98-101 The Royal British Legion marks Centenary year . . . . . . 102-104 Battle Honours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Dhofar Voices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106-107 Book Reviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108-112

At the meeting in November when this edition was discussed I said that if I couldn’t make 48 pages I would do only a PDF version this time around, I also thought I might have to write most of it myself but, as I finalise S&B for this year, it is a few more pages than that! I would therefore like to thank all of you who have either contributed articles or have donated towards the costs of production itself either through corporate sponsorship or personal donations. I would also like to thank Nick Parker of the Print Guru, without whom I would never have got this completed by the end of March deadline.

Nick’s energy, enthusiasm and ideas can be clearly seen throughout.

Thank you to my proof readers Mike and Janet Gleeson and Trevor Anderson who have done a sterling job once more and given the size of S&B I also invited David Muir to join the team. I first met Dave when he joined the RGJ PDT as team Sgt. All that remains now is for me to wish you all a happier 2021 than that which we have all experienced so far and look forward to the next reunion either at the NIVA meeting, Greenstock or possibly the Oxford reunion in Abingdon in November.

One final thank you goes to the person who will remain anonymous for all the jokes etc. on WhatsApp that have kept me amused in the last 12 months. No names no pack drill but George Berry you know who you are...

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Forward

Foreword by

Colonel Carron Snagge OBE DL Chairman The Royal Green Jackets Association

There is not much I can say about the last year and our current situation that has not already been said. It has been an extraordinary year but there is now light at the end of the tunnel. Sadly it has been decided to cancel The Royal Green Jacket Association Reunion planned for July in Sir John Moore Barracks. But we are confident that the Northern Ireland Veterans’ Association Commemoration and Parade on 11 September 2021 at the National Memorial Arboretum will go ahead. It is great event with an afternoon reception nearby, hosted by the RGJA Central England Branch. The event usually attracts a good turnout of Riflemen, so please make the effort to attend. In the meantime, plans are afoot for an extra-special Reunion in July 2022 in Sir John Moore Barracks, so stand by for more detail in due course.

Usually this magazine includes articles from most Branches, reporting on their activities over the past year. Our editor has had to put his thinking cap on to find ways to make an interesting magazine in a year when there has been virtually no activity! This magazine is therefore a collection of articles written by or about Riflemen and we have been almost overwhelmed by the number of contributors. There is even a story from me! Swift and Bold this year has turned out to be a bumper edition, with something in it for everyone. As usual I also wrote to Association Members asking for financial contributions to help cover the magazine’s production costs. The response to my appeal has been better than ever, which all goes to show what a marvellous regiment we are.

On behalf of all members of the Royal Green Jacket Association I would like to acknowledge and thank all those who support, contribute, edit and produce this magazine. To all those in the Association’s Branch Committees, the RGJ Officers Club and the RGJ Council, who give up so much time and energy to make our Association as successful as it is – THANK YOU.

Swift and Bold

Kevin Stevens Editor

In Memoriam 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113-114 2

3

Contacts List

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

NIVA Service of Remembrance

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association Contacts List 2021 President

Maj Gen James Gordan CB CBE

01962 828524

admin@rgjassociation.info

Chairman

Col Carron Snagge OBE DL

01962 828524

admin@rgjassociation.info

Vice Chairman

Lt Simon Booth-Mason

01962 828524

admin@rgjassociation.info

Secretary

Lt Col Jan-Dirk von Merveldt

020 7492 4936

london@the-rifles.co.uk

Treasurer

Maj Michael Leeming

07803 341929

michaelleeming@hotmail.com

Membership Secretary

Mr Hugh Goudge

01924 849020

oldsweat@yahoo.co.uk

Webmaster

Capt William Shipton

01256 895719

bill.shipton@btinternet.com

Swift and Bold Editor

Mr Kevin Stevens

07954 594451

admin@rgjassociation.info

Photo History and Branch Sites

Mr Seamus Lyons

01279 723908

seamus.lyons@rgjassociation.info

Database Manager

Mr Roy Baillie

01928 717919

rgjadatabase@btinternet.com

Deputy Database Manager

Mr Tony Williamson

07891 367429

rgjadepdatabasemanaer@gmail.com

In Memoriam Board Manager

Mr Mark Adams

01442 380713

mark.adams@rgjassociation.info

Branch

President/Chairman

Secretary/Treasurer

Contact Details

Aylesbury

C - Mr Graham Liggins

T - Mr Keith Bateman

01296 426765

Buglers Association Lt Div & Rifles

P - Col Rex Stephenson CBE C - Stan Wilkinson

07885 477867 | col.rex@buglers.org.uk 07740 380459 | stan.wilkinson@buglers.org.uk

Central England

P - Maj Michael Leeming C - Mr Mark Picken

07971 511628 guymynett@icloud.com

East Midlands

C - Mr Leonard Dooley

S - Mr Martin Coates

01623 239299 martin-coates53@yahoo.co.uk

London

P - Col George Smythe OBE

S - Mr Gary Driscoll

01708 442662 rgjldn@ntlworld.com

North East

P - To be notified C - Mr Jake Cheetham

North West

S -Mr Jake Cheetham T- Mr John Kelly S - Mr Mark Lydiat T - Mr Ray Gerrard

on Saturday 11 September 2021 at 11:30hrs

07415092193 secretarybranchrgj@gmail.com

P - Brig Robin Draper CVO OBE S - Maj Andrew Bowes TD C - Maj Terry Roper MBE TD

07773 200085 rgja.oxford@gmail.com

South East Kent

P - Mr Fred Barrett C - Mr Glenn Ternent

S - Mr Robert Newman T - Mr Tony Killelay

01843 297069 geordie_t@btinternet.com

Wiltshire

P - Brig Vere Hayes CBE C - Mr Michael Walsh

S - Mr Gary Byrne T - Mr Bill Tyson

07545 966826 gasa102@gmail.com

Winchester & District

P - Brig Nicholas Prideaux C - Maj Roy Stanger

S - Capt John Fritz-Domeney 07801 386461 or 02380 465829 T - Mr Peter Andrews johnfd2@sky.com

Yorkshire

P - Capt Kit Dollard C - Mr Fred Williams

S - Mr Stuart Anderson T - Mr John Woods

4

at The National Memorial Arboretum Alrewas, Staffordshire DE13 7AR

07888024842 jakecheetham@btinternet.com

Oxfordshire

The Riflemen’s P - Capt James Ramsbotham CBE DL Association North East C - Mr David Nichol S - Darren Roberts

The Light Division and the Rifles at the NIVA Service of Remembrance

01757 618081 valerieandeson41@outlook.com

Followed afterwards by Drinks and Lunch at Lichfield Rugby Club Cooke Fields, Tamworth Road, Lichfield WS14 9JE

Swift and Bold (Covid Permitting)

0191 438 5432 davenichol@nicholassociates.co.uk 7 5

Contacts List

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

NIVA Service of Remembrance

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association Contacts List 2021 President

Maj Gen James Gordan CB CBE

01962 828524

admin@rgjassociation.info

Chairman

Col Carron Snagge OBE DL

01962 828524

admin@rgjassociation.info

Vice Chairman

Lt Simon Booth-Mason

01962 828524

admin@rgjassociation.info

Secretary

Lt Col Jan-Dirk von Merveldt

020 7492 4936

london@the-rifles.co.uk

Treasurer

Maj Michael Leeming

07803 341929

michaelleeming@hotmail.com

Membership Secretary

Mr Hugh Goudge

01924 849020

oldsweat@yahoo.co.uk

Webmaster

Capt William Shipton

01256 895719

bill.shipton@btinternet.com

Swift and Bold Editor

Mr Kevin Stevens

07954 594451

admin@rgjassociation.info

Photo History and Branch Sites

Mr Seamus Lyons

01279 723908

seamus.lyons@rgjassociation.info

Database Manager

Mr Roy Baillie

01928 717919

rgjadatabase@btinternet.com

Deputy Database Manager

Mr Tony Williamson

07891 367429

rgjadepdatabasemanaer@gmail.com

In Memoriam Board Manager

Mr Mark Adams

01442 380713

mark.adams@rgjassociation.info

Branch

President/Chairman

Secretary/Treasurer

Contact Details

Aylesbury

C - Mr Graham Liggins

T - Mr Keith Bateman

01296 426765

Buglers Association Lt Div & Rifles

P - Col Rex Stephenson CBE C - Stan Wilkinson

07885 477867 | col.rex@buglers.org.uk 07740 380459 | stan.wilkinson@buglers.org.uk

Central England

P - Maj Michael Leeming C - Mr Mark Picken

07971 511628 guymynett@icloud.com

East Midlands

C - Mr Leonard Dooley

S - Mr Martin Coates

01623 239299 martin-coates53@yahoo.co.uk

London

P - Col George Smythe OBE

S - Mr Gary Driscoll

01708 442662 rgjldn@ntlworld.com

North East

P - To be notified C - Mr Jake Cheetham

North West

S -Mr Jake Cheetham T- Mr John Kelly S - Mr Mark Lydiat T - Mr Ray Gerrard

on Saturday 11 September 2021 at 11:30hrs

07415092193 secretarybranchrgj@gmail.com

P - Brig Robin Draper CVO OBE S - Maj Andrew Bowes TD C - Maj Terry Roper MBE TD

07773 200085 rgja.oxford@gmail.com

South East Kent

P - Mr Fred Barrett C - Mr Glenn Ternent

S - Mr Robert Newman T - Mr Tony Killelay

01843 297069 geordie_t@btinternet.com

Wiltshire

P - Brig Vere Hayes CBE C - Mr Michael Walsh

S - Mr Gary Byrne T - Mr Bill Tyson

07545 966826 gasa102@gmail.com

Winchester & District

P - Brig Nicholas Prideaux C - Maj Roy Stanger

S - Capt John Fritz-Domeney 07801 386461 or 02380 465829 T - Mr Peter Andrews johnfd2@sky.com

Yorkshire

P - Capt Kit Dollard C - Mr Fred Williams

S - Mr Stuart Anderson T - Mr John Woods

4

at The National Memorial Arboretum Alrewas, Staffordshire DE13 7AR

07888024842 jakecheetham@btinternet.com

Oxfordshire

The Riflemen’s P - Capt James Ramsbotham CBE DL Association North East C - Mr David Nichol S - Darren Roberts

The Light Division and the Rifles at the NIVA Service of Remembrance

01757 618081 valerieandeson41@outlook.com

Followed afterwards by Drinks and Lunch at Lichfield Rugby Club Cooke Fields, Tamworth Road, Lichfield WS14 9JE

Swift and Bold (Covid Permitting)

0191 438 5432 davenichol@nicholassociates.co.uk 7 5

Location of GJ and RGJ Battalions

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Location of GJ and RGJ Battalions 1958-2007

Location of GJ and RGJ Battalions

1 RGJ

2 RGJ

3 RGJ

1982

Aldergrove N.I

Minden* (N.Ireland)

Oakington, Celle*

1983

Aldergrove N.I

Minden*

Celle*

1984

Tidworth, (Falklands)

Minden*

Celle*, (N.Ireland)

1985

Tidworth,

Minden* (N.Ireland)

Celle*, (N.Ireland)

1986

Tidworth, (N.Ireland)

Minden*, Warminster

Celle*

1GJ 43rd & 52nd

2GJ KRRC

3GJ RB

1958

Cyprus

Tripoli, Libya

Tidworth

1959

Cyprus

N.Ireland Ballykinler

Wuppertal Germany*

1960

Cyprus

N.Ireland Ballykinler

Wuppertal Germany*

1961

Warminster

Berlin

Cyprus

1987

Osnabruck*, (N.Ireland

Warminster

Celle*, Colchester, (Falklands)

1962

Warminster

Berlin

Cyprus

1988

Osnabruck*, (N.Ireland

Warminster, Dover

Colchester, (Falklands)

1963

Penang

Colchester

Cyprus

1989

Osnabruck*,

Dover, (N.Ireland

Colchester, Gibraltar

1964

Penang (Borneo)

Colchester

Felixstowe

1990

Osnabruck*,

Dover

Gibraltar

1965

Berlin

Penang (Borneo)

Hong Kong, Malaya, Borneo

1991

Osnabruck*

Dover, (N.Ireland)

Gibraltar, Dover, (N.Ireland)

1966

Berlin

Penang (Borneo)

Felixstowe

1992

Osnabruck

Omagh N.Ireland

Dover

1966

Renamed 1 RGJ

Renamed 2 RGJ

Renamed 3 RGJ

1992

Disbanded

Renumbered 1 RGJ

Renumbered 2 RGJ

1 RGJ

2 RGJ

3 RGJ

1966

Berlin

Penang

Felixstowe

1967

Berlin, (Cyprus), Tidworth

Munster* Germany

Iserlohn* Germany

1968

(Cyprus), Tidworth

Munster* Germany

Iserlohn* Germany

1969

Tidworth (N.Ireland)

Munster* Germany

Iserlohn*, Celle

1970

Celle*, (N.Ireland)

Munster* (Ballykelly) N I

Celle*, Tidworth (Cyprus)

1971

Celle*, (N.Ireland)

Ballykelly, N.Ireland

(Cyprus) Tidworth, R Coy N.Ireland

1972

Celle*, (N.Ireland)

Ballykelly, N.Ireland

Shoeburyness, (N.Ireland)

1973

Celle*, (N.Ireland)

Ballykelly, Catterick

Shoeburyness, (N.Ireland)

1974

Celle*, Dover (N.Ireland)

Catterick, (N.Ireland)

Shoeburyness, (N.Ireland)

1975

Dover

Catterick, Gibraltar

Shoeburyness, Berlin

1976

Dover, (Cyprus)

Gibraltar, Tidworth

Berlin

1977

Dover, (N.Ireland)

Tidworth, (N.Ireland)

Caterham, (N.Ireland)

1978

Hong Kong

Tidworth, (N.Ireland)

Caterham, Londonderry

1979

Hong Kong

Tidworth, (N.Ireland)

Londonderry, Oakington

1980

Hong Kong, Hounslow

Minden*

Oakington, (Cyprus) 1981

1981

Hounslow, (Aldergrove NI)

Minden* (N.Ireland)

Oakington

6

2 RGJ

3 RGJ

1993

Omagh, Cyprus

Dover

1994

Cyprus, (Falklands)

Dover

1995

Cyprus

Dover, Belfast

1996

Cyprus, Bulford, (Bosnia)

Belfast

1997

Bulford*

Belfast, Paderborn

1999

Bulford*

Paderborn*, (Bosnia)

2000

Bulford*, Belfast

Paderborn*, (Kosovo)

2001

Belfast

Paderborn*

2002

Belfast, Preston

Paderborn*, (Bosnia)

2003

Preston

Paderborn*, Warminster

2004

Preston, (Iraq)

Warminster

2005

Preston, (South Armagh)

Warminster, Ballykinler

2006

Preston, (Kosovo )

Ballykinler, Bulford

2007

Preston

Bulford

2007

Merged with the LI, DDLI and the RGBW to form The Rifles

Locations within brackets indicate emergency tours.

An * indicates mechanized role in either AFV432, Saxon or Warrior personnel carrier.

7

Location of GJ and RGJ Battalions

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Location of GJ and RGJ Battalions 1958-2007

Location of GJ and RGJ Battalions

1 RGJ

2 RGJ

3 RGJ

1982

Aldergrove N.I

Minden* (N.Ireland)

Oakington, Celle*

1983

Aldergrove N.I

Minden*

Celle*

1984

Tidworth, (Falklands)

Minden*

Celle*, (N.Ireland)

1985

Tidworth,

Minden* (N.Ireland)

Celle*, (N.Ireland)

1986

Tidworth, (N.Ireland)

Minden*, Warminster

Celle*

1GJ 43rd & 52nd

2GJ KRRC

3GJ RB

1958

Cyprus

Tripoli, Libya

Tidworth

1959

Cyprus

N.Ireland Ballykinler

Wuppertal Germany*

1960

Cyprus

N.Ireland Ballykinler

Wuppertal Germany*

1961

Warminster

Berlin

Cyprus

1987

Osnabruck*, (N.Ireland

Warminster

Celle*, Colchester, (Falklands)

1962

Warminster

Berlin

Cyprus

1988

Osnabruck*, (N.Ireland

Warminster, Dover

Colchester, (Falklands)

1963

Penang

Colchester

Cyprus

1989

Osnabruck*,

Dover, (N.Ireland

Colchester, Gibraltar

1964

Penang (Borneo)

Colchester

Felixstowe

1990

Osnabruck*,

Dover

Gibraltar

1965

Berlin

Penang (Borneo)

Hong Kong, Malaya, Borneo

1991

Osnabruck*

Dover, (N.Ireland)

Gibraltar, Dover, (N.Ireland)

1966

Berlin

Penang (Borneo)

Felixstowe

1992

Osnabruck

Omagh N.Ireland

Dover

1966

Renamed 1 RGJ

Renamed 2 RGJ

Renamed 3 RGJ

1992

Disbanded

Renumbered 1 RGJ

Renumbered 2 RGJ

1 RGJ

2 RGJ

3 RGJ

1966

Berlin

Penang

Felixstowe

1967

Berlin, (Cyprus), Tidworth

Munster* Germany

Iserlohn* Germany

1968

(Cyprus), Tidworth

Munster* Germany

Iserlohn* Germany

1969

Tidworth (N.Ireland)

Munster* Germany

Iserlohn*, Celle

1970

Celle*, (N.Ireland)

Munster* (Ballykelly) N I

Celle*, Tidworth (Cyprus)

1971

Celle*, (N.Ireland)

Ballykelly, N.Ireland

(Cyprus) Tidworth, R Coy N.Ireland

1972

Celle*, (N.Ireland)

Ballykelly, N.Ireland

Shoeburyness, (N.Ireland)

1973

Celle*, (N.Ireland)

Ballykelly, Catterick

Shoeburyness, (N.Ireland)

1974

Celle*, Dover (N.Ireland)

Catterick, (N.Ireland)

Shoeburyness, (N.Ireland)

1975

Dover

Catterick, Gibraltar

Shoeburyness, Berlin

1976

Dover, (Cyprus)

Gibraltar, Tidworth

Berlin

1977

Dover, (N.Ireland)

Tidworth, (N.Ireland)

Caterham, (N.Ireland)

1978

Hong Kong

Tidworth, (N.Ireland)

Caterham, Londonderry

1979

Hong Kong

Tidworth, (N.Ireland)

Londonderry, Oakington

1980

Hong Kong, Hounslow

Minden*

Oakington, (Cyprus) 1981

1981

Hounslow, (Aldergrove NI)

Minden* (N.Ireland)

Oakington

6

2 RGJ

3 RGJ

1993

Omagh, Cyprus

Dover

1994

Cyprus, (Falklands)

Dover

1995

Cyprus

Dover, Belfast

1996

Cyprus, Bulford, (Bosnia)

Belfast

1997

Bulford*

Belfast, Paderborn

1999

Bulford*

Paderborn*, (Bosnia)

2000

Bulford*, Belfast

Paderborn*, (Kosovo)

2001

Belfast

Paderborn*

2002

Belfast, Preston

Paderborn*, (Bosnia)

2003

Preston

Paderborn*, Warminster

2004

Preston, (Iraq)

Warminster

2005

Preston, (South Armagh)

Warminster, Ballykinler

2006

Preston, (Kosovo )

Ballykinler, Bulford

2007

Preston

Bulford

2007

Merged with the LI, DDLI and the RGBW to form The Rifles

Locations within brackets indicate emergency tours.

An * indicates mechanized role in either AFV432, Saxon or Warrior personnel carrier.

7

Characteristics of The Rifles Regiment

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

General Sir Patrick Sanders KCB CBE DSO ADC Gen

From: General Sir Patrick Sanders KCB CBE DSO ADC Gen, Colonel Commandant Regimental Headquarters The Rifles Peninsula Barracks Romsey Road WINCHESTER Hampshire SO23 8TS

Characteristics of The Rifles Regiment ‘To all those who step forward with The Rifles’

01962 828527 admin@the-rifles.co.uk

The Rifles has a long, proud and honourable history. We were built to reflect the British Army’s core values of courage, discipline, respect for others, integrity, loyalty and selfless commitment. But our characteristics are unique to our Regiment and define our fighting spirit. They are inspired by the example of General Sir John Moore, who formed the Corps of Light Infantry two centuries ago. We still live by these characteristics today.

26th March 2021

Riflemen,

WE ARE ALL RIFLEMEN

Riflemen have always been encouraged to think quickly, acting on their own initiative through service and in battle to seize those fleeting opportunities on which success or failure so often depend. This means we trust and respect each other completely, building confidence and humility. Everyone who serves in The Rifles is a Rifleman, regardless of rank, background or gender. It a point of pride to say: ‘I am a Rifleman.’

WE ARE ONE FAMILY

Our Regiment is built on 5 Pillars: Regulars, Reserves, Cadets, Associations and the Communities where we live and serve. This is our Regimental family. Each pillar needs the others, and they support Riflemen through the whole of their lives.

Many of you will have followed the announcement of the Government’s Integrated Review and the Defence Command Plan, that details the MOD’s part in it, and will now be wondering what this means for The Rifles. In my messages to you at Christmas and in The Bugle, I asked you to ensure that you were ready to embrace the changes that lay ahead; I am pleased to say the outcome for the Rifles is a positive one.

WE ARE CONNECTED

Your hard work and dedication since the formation of the Regiment in 2007 has proved the worth of large regiments. New threats and adversaries mean that we must now adapt to face these threats and the Future Soldier programme sets the path for the Army to do so.

WE ARE INNOVATORS

The detail of which unit will be in which role is yet to come; but new roles, platforms, career paths and opportunities will be open to our regiment. We will be in an almost unique position, where one capbadge can offer opportunity in the full suite of new roles.

WE ARE SKILLED

There will of course be change within the Regiment, not least as The 4th Battalion leads the way in the creation of the Ranger Regiment, but we must be true to our regimental ethos as innovators; embrace the change and seek advantage in it.

The Rifles is a national Regiment, drawn from every corner of the United Kingdom and beyond. But we never forget the towns, cities and counties that built us. These communities support and nurture us and we represent them in return.

The Rifles is a forward-looking Regiment that thinks and acts differently. Our ethos and training lead us to welcome new ideas, wherever they may come from. We are not afraid of change: We thrive on it. This means we are always ready and willing to meet the challenges of an unpredictable world.

Joining The Rifles means serving with some of the finest soldiers in the world. Our battle-worthiness, marksmanship and field-craft are second to none. We strive for excellence in everything we do.

WE UNLEASH POTENTIAL

Leadership in The Rifles is about creating opportunities and unleashing potential. Our commanders lead by serving: they must know their Riflemen, put them first and help them to become the best they can be. By joining The Rifles, we become part of one of the greatest stories in the British Army and add to its chapters.

My visits to the Battalions were highlights of 2020 and I look forward to visiting as many of you as I can in the coming months.

Swift and Bold.

WE ARE SWIFT AND BOLD

Our motto dates back to the 1750s, when the alertness and courage of the soldiers so impressed British general James Wolfe that he captured their conduct in the motto, Celer et Audax: in English, Swift and Bold.

It is a perfect description of The Rifles then and now: quick in our thinking and actions, brave and confident in every challenge.

WE ARE SWIFT AND BOLD WE ARE THE RIFLES

8

9

Characteristics of The Rifles Regiment

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

General Sir Patrick Sanders KCB CBE DSO ADC Gen

From: General Sir Patrick Sanders KCB CBE DSO ADC Gen, Colonel Commandant Regimental Headquarters The Rifles Peninsula Barracks Romsey Road WINCHESTER Hampshire SO23 8TS

Characteristics of The Rifles Regiment ‘To all those who step forward with The Rifles’

01962 828527 admin@the-rifles.co.uk

The Rifles has a long, proud and honourable history. We were built to reflect the British Army’s core values of courage, discipline, respect for others, integrity, loyalty and selfless commitment. But our characteristics are unique to our Regiment and define our fighting spirit. They are inspired by the example of General Sir John Moore, who formed the Corps of Light Infantry two centuries ago. We still live by these characteristics today.

26th March 2021

Riflemen,

WE ARE ALL RIFLEMEN

Riflemen have always been encouraged to think quickly, acting on their own initiative through service and in battle to seize those fleeting opportunities on which success or failure so often depend. This means we trust and respect each other completely, building confidence and humility. Everyone who serves in The Rifles is a Rifleman, regardless of rank, background or gender. It a point of pride to say: ‘I am a Rifleman.’

WE ARE ONE FAMILY

Our Regiment is built on 5 Pillars: Regulars, Reserves, Cadets, Associations and the Communities where we live and serve. This is our Regimental family. Each pillar needs the others, and they support Riflemen through the whole of their lives.

Many of you will have followed the announcement of the Government’s Integrated Review and the Defence Command Plan, that details the MOD’s part in it, and will now be wondering what this means for The Rifles. In my messages to you at Christmas and in The Bugle, I asked you to ensure that you were ready to embrace the changes that lay ahead; I am pleased to say the outcome for the Rifles is a positive one.

WE ARE CONNECTED

Your hard work and dedication since the formation of the Regiment in 2007 has proved the worth of large regiments. New threats and adversaries mean that we must now adapt to face these threats and the Future Soldier programme sets the path for the Army to do so.

WE ARE INNOVATORS

The detail of which unit will be in which role is yet to come; but new roles, platforms, career paths and opportunities will be open to our regiment. We will be in an almost unique position, where one capbadge can offer opportunity in the full suite of new roles.

WE ARE SKILLED

There will of course be change within the Regiment, not least as The 4th Battalion leads the way in the creation of the Ranger Regiment, but we must be true to our regimental ethos as innovators; embrace the change and seek advantage in it.

The Rifles is a national Regiment, drawn from every corner of the United Kingdom and beyond. But we never forget the towns, cities and counties that built us. These communities support and nurture us and we represent them in return.

The Rifles is a forward-looking Regiment that thinks and acts differently. Our ethos and training lead us to welcome new ideas, wherever they may come from. We are not afraid of change: We thrive on it. This means we are always ready and willing to meet the challenges of an unpredictable world.

Joining The Rifles means serving with some of the finest soldiers in the world. Our battle-worthiness, marksmanship and field-craft are second to none. We strive for excellence in everything we do.

WE UNLEASH POTENTIAL

Leadership in The Rifles is about creating opportunities and unleashing potential. Our commanders lead by serving: they must know their Riflemen, put them first and help them to become the best they can be. By joining The Rifles, we become part of one of the greatest stories in the British Army and add to its chapters.

My visits to the Battalions were highlights of 2020 and I look forward to visiting as many of you as I can in the coming months.

Swift and Bold.

WE ARE SWIFT AND BOLD

Our motto dates back to the 1750s, when the alertness and courage of the soldiers so impressed British general James Wolfe that he captured their conduct in the motto, Celer et Audax: in English, Swift and Bold.

It is a perfect description of The Rifles then and now: quick in our thinking and actions, brave and confident in every challenge.

WE ARE SWIFT AND BOLD WE ARE THE RIFLES

8

9

Major General RTH Jones CBE

The Royal Green Jackets Association

From: Major General RTH Jones CBE

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Major General RTH Jones CBE

I hope these brochures will help explain what we offer and allow you to participate in local debate. We have a compelling brand that is the envy of many. We consistently deliver:

Assistant Colonel Commandant (Home Command) c/o Standing Joint Force Commander

• Regular battalions at full strength without reliance on reinforcement from other cap badges or an over-reliance on Foreign and Commonwealth soldiers that some others depend upon.

Standing Joint Force Headquarters, Northwood Headquarters, Sandy Lane, Middlesex, HA6 3HP

• Best practice integration between our Regular and Reserve battalions, recently demonstrated by being the first Regiment to deliver fully Reserve units on operations.

Telephone: 01923 958600 Military: 9360 58600 Mobile: 07879 665640 Email: rupert.jones114@mod.gov.uk 19 January 2021 Dear Fellow Riflemen, As we approach the 14th anniversary of our formation on 1 February 2007, I write to you in your important capacity within The Rifles Association, Cadet or Community pillars. As you know, we in The Rifles cherish our strong bond to the local communities that sustain the Regiment and are proud to support the regions from which we come.

We never take this privileged relationship for granted and we know that we must continually nourish and invest in it. In this vein, we have prepared a series of County and City Brochures that capture a snapshot of the historical and contemporary connections between ‘our’ communities and ‘their’ local Infantry regiment. I hope you will find this helpful and that it inspires you about the fantastic things the Riflemen achieve in our name. This letter is for you, but please share the brochure widely with others who may be interested; the series of brochures can be found on our Association website.1 As you will know, in 2019 the Government initiated an Integrated Review of the UK’s security and defence approach, recognising that the security environment is significantly different to that envisaged by the 2015 SDSR. The outcome of the review is expected to be announced in the next couple of months setting the path to a major modernisation of Defence. This is an exciting once in a generation opportunity to ensure that the Armed Forces adapt for the challenges of the future. It is probable that the impact on the Army, as with the other Services, will be significant, including for the Infantry which will adapt to meet changing imperatives. We expect to see an increased role for the Army Reserve, greater specialisation, and an increase in the forward deployment of units overseas.

We should also not rule out changes that lead to debates around the size and structure of regiments.

• Top quality ‘Riflemen’ – a historic title that we cherish and whose number now proudly include a comparatively strong number of women.

• Best practice support to our affiliated cadets with about 20% of all Army cadets affiliated to The Rifles; a powerful reflection of our connection to the regions.

• Strong, deep rooted and cherished links through our famous antecedent and forming regiments to 20 counties and cities stretching from Durham to Cornwall.

We are incredibly proud and humbled by the achievements of The Rifles. Its success is borne on its original design to be a modern regiment, structured to adapt to changing requirements, and thriving on the strength between its five pillars: Regulars, Reserves, Cadets, Associations and Communities.

I know that you share this pride in your local Regiment and hope that these brochures will help you tell our story. It is a compelling story, devoid of sentimental anecdote, and wedded in achievement and potential. We need your support now and always to help explain locally why The Rifles model is so strong and perfectly suited to adapt to the challenges of the future, and to remind local communities of the deep roots, current and historic through the forming and antecedent regiments that we share – we are ‘their’ Regiment and we fight for them.

I thank you and your community for your continued support.

Innovation is central to The Rifles ethos and we will embrace the opportunities stemming from these changes. We must speak with a clear voice about the positive contribution and advantages we offer. As you will see from the brochures, our achievements since formation are hard to match, both on operations around the world and back at home. As a national regiment with deep roots into our local communities, we bring precisely the efficiencies of scale, strong recruiting, adaptability and excellence that will be vital in the future. It is particularly important that our deep historic connections to our counties and cities is felt.

1 www.theriflesnetwork.co.uk/page/local-ties

10

11

Major General RTH Jones CBE

The Royal Green Jackets Association

From: Major General RTH Jones CBE

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Major General RTH Jones CBE

I hope these brochures will help explain what we offer and allow you to participate in local debate. We have a compelling brand that is the envy of many. We consistently deliver:

Assistant Colonel Commandant (Home Command) c/o Standing Joint Force Commander

• Regular battalions at full strength without reliance on reinforcement from other cap badges or an over-reliance on Foreign and Commonwealth soldiers that some others depend upon.

Standing Joint Force Headquarters, Northwood Headquarters, Sandy Lane, Middlesex, HA6 3HP

• Best practice integration between our Regular and Reserve battalions, recently demonstrated by being the first Regiment to deliver fully Reserve units on operations.

Telephone: 01923 958600 Military: 9360 58600 Mobile: 07879 665640 Email: rupert.jones114@mod.gov.uk 19 January 2021 Dear Fellow Riflemen, As we approach the 14th anniversary of our formation on 1 February 2007, I write to you in your important capacity within The Rifles Association, Cadet or Community pillars. As you know, we in The Rifles cherish our strong bond to the local communities that sustain the Regiment and are proud to support the regions from which we come.

We never take this privileged relationship for granted and we know that we must continually nourish and invest in it. In this vein, we have prepared a series of County and City Brochures that capture a snapshot of the historical and contemporary connections between ‘our’ communities and ‘their’ local Infantry regiment. I hope you will find this helpful and that it inspires you about the fantastic things the Riflemen achieve in our name. This letter is for you, but please share the brochure widely with others who may be interested; the series of brochures can be found on our Association website.1 As you will know, in 2019 the Government initiated an Integrated Review of the UK’s security and defence approach, recognising that the security environment is significantly different to that envisaged by the 2015 SDSR. The outcome of the review is expected to be announced in the next couple of months setting the path to a major modernisation of Defence. This is an exciting once in a generation opportunity to ensure that the Armed Forces adapt for the challenges of the future. It is probable that the impact on the Army, as with the other Services, will be significant, including for the Infantry which will adapt to meet changing imperatives. We expect to see an increased role for the Army Reserve, greater specialisation, and an increase in the forward deployment of units overseas.

We should also not rule out changes that lead to debates around the size and structure of regiments.

• Top quality ‘Riflemen’ – a historic title that we cherish and whose number now proudly include a comparatively strong number of women.

• Best practice support to our affiliated cadets with about 20% of all Army cadets affiliated to The Rifles; a powerful reflection of our connection to the regions.

• Strong, deep rooted and cherished links through our famous antecedent and forming regiments to 20 counties and cities stretching from Durham to Cornwall.

We are incredibly proud and humbled by the achievements of The Rifles. Its success is borne on its original design to be a modern regiment, structured to adapt to changing requirements, and thriving on the strength between its five pillars: Regulars, Reserves, Cadets, Associations and Communities.

I know that you share this pride in your local Regiment and hope that these brochures will help you tell our story. It is a compelling story, devoid of sentimental anecdote, and wedded in achievement and potential. We need your support now and always to help explain locally why The Rifles model is so strong and perfectly suited to adapt to the challenges of the future, and to remind local communities of the deep roots, current and historic through the forming and antecedent regiments that we share – we are ‘their’ Regiment and we fight for them.

I thank you and your community for your continued support.

Innovation is central to The Rifles ethos and we will embrace the opportunities stemming from these changes. We must speak with a clear voice about the positive contribution and advantages we offer. As you will see from the brochures, our achievements since formation are hard to match, both on operations around the world and back at home. As a national regiment with deep roots into our local communities, we bring precisely the efficiencies of scale, strong recruiting, adaptability and excellence that will be vital in the future. It is particularly important that our deep historic connections to our counties and cities is felt.

1 www.theriflesnetwork.co.uk/page/local-ties

10

11

RGJ Management Plan

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association Management Plan 2020

At the formation of The Rifles in 2007, the Royal Green Jacket (RGJ) Colonel Commandants decided that a significant sum of money from the RGJ funds, which were transferred to The Rifles, should be ‘ringfenced’ to look after the interests of the Regiment and its Association in the long term. In due course, any remaining funds would be transferred to The Rifles on the demise of the Association.

Its purpose is to direct and support the activities of the RGJA, through its Association Committee, and support the Museum and other legacy and memorial elements of the Regiment, in order to safeguard the traditions, heritage and values of the RGJ, and foster comradeship between veteran fellow Riflemen.

In 2015, Royal Green Jacket Regimental Association (RGJRA) with its management committees was consolidated into the Royal Green Jacket Association (RGJA), with a Council and Association Committee as the means to run and administer the organisation, and to provide the necessary governance. The RGJ Museum remains an independent Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), but on Regimental Association matters reports to and is a member of the RGJA Council. The RGJ Ladies Guild was absorbed into The Rifles benevolence structure. A more detailed account is at Annex A.

• To encourage and sustain membership of the RGJA.

RGJA Council Objectives

• To provide communication for and between veterans through the Regimental website and annual journal/Ezine.

• To safeguard our regimental heritage, traditions and values, and as required, to provide input to Colonel Commandant The Rifles and RHQ The Rifles.

• To support the annual Veterans’ Reunion and Officers’ Club dinner and the annual NI Veterans event at the Nation al Memorial Arboretum (NMA).

Structure

• To help support the running costs of the RGJ (Rifles) Museum until the future of the Museum is clearly determined.

RGJA Council: The RGJA Council is the Association’s governing board to determine Regimental and Association policy issues, agree the drawdown of the RGJ Management Fund, and allocate grants annually as required to the RGJA Committee and the RGJ (Rifles) Museum.

It is chaired by the President of the RGJA and its membership is set out in the Rules for the RGJA.

• To maintain the Regimental Memorial at the NMA and the Garden of Remembrance at Winchester.

RGJA Association Committee: The RGJA Association Committee coordinates and controls, as required, the Association and Branch activities, and makes recommendations to the RGJA Council on both activities and funding. It is chaired by the Chairman of the RGJA and its membership is set out in the Rules of the RGJA; it is supported by the following sub committees: • Communications – Website/IT/Journal.

• Officers’ Club • Annual Reunion • Others as required • RGJA Council 12

RGJA Association Committee Objectives • To implement the objectives and policies set out by the RGJA Council.

• To bring to the notice of all persons who are serving or who have served with the Regiment, the existence of the RGJA and to encourage and sustain membership of the RGJA. • To provide an environment through which past members of the Regiment can get together and maintain contact with each other and the wider Regimental family. This is achieved through the establishment of Association Branches in all parts of the United Kingdom and abroad, where this is feasible, to foster a bond of comradeship between all who have served as Riflemen in the RGJ in any capacity whatsoever.

Funding Priorities Funding will be allocated annually by the RGJA Council based on the priorities below, but understanding that Association social events should have a self-funded element, and that financial benevolence is now the remit of The Rifles Benevolent Trust. Support to living veteran Riflemen in meeting the objectives above is the overriding priority:

• To encourage attendance at and organise social and commemorative events either centrally or through the Regional Branches.

• Maintain a regimental website and database.

• Support the publication of an annual RGJA journal/Ezine(s).

• To implement a Communications Plan for and between veterans through the RGJA website and by the publication of an annual journal/ Ezine(s).

• Measures to increase membership of the RGJA. • Subsidise the annual Veterans’ Reunion and Officers’ Dining Club dinner.

• To organise the Veterans’ Reunion, which will be held annually, normally on the second weekend in July, at a venue to be decided by the Association Committee; and the Officers’ Club dinner; and the NI Veterans event at the NMA.

• Contribute to RGJ Museum running costs until its future is clearly determined.

• Maintain the Regimental memorial at the NMA and Winchester Garden of Remembrance.

Support as required to other RGJA and Regimental events as appropriate, including: • Remembrance Day

• To support other RGJA and Regimental activities as the RGJA Council deems appropriate.

• Branch annual grants (tbc)

While the RGJ Management Fund is managed by the Trustees of The Rifles Regimental Trust for investment purposes, the income and capital are under the control of the RGJA Council to support the activities of veterans of the RGJ, through the RGJA, and the RGJ (Rifles) Museum. This control is to be based on an annual total return from a 50-year plan from 2015, which will be reviewed annually by the RGJA Council, based on the average valuation

RGJ Management Plan

over the previous three years. The intent is that a residual sum – £100k – will remain in the RGJ Management Fund to be transferred to The Rifles at an undetermined date in the future. This will be a decision taken by the RGJA Council, to merge the RGJA into The Rifles Association, in order to continue to support veteran RGJ Riflemen and their successors. Additional capital drawdown can only take place with the approval of the RGJA Council.

• To oversee the income and capital of the RGJ Management Fund, review the policy and priorities for spending, and annually allocate resources as required.

Funding Policy

• Executive Committee

The Royal Green Jackets Association

• To maintain the Regimental Memorial at the NMA and the Garden of Remembrance at Winchester.

• Senior Riflemen’s lunch

• Based on the priorities for spending, to bid to the RGJA Council annually for an allocation of resources to support the activities of the Association and its Branches.

• Officers’ Widows lunch • Support to other activities as appropriate

• To support other RGJA and Regimental activities as the RGJA Council deems appropriate.

Annual Budget A three-year funding allocation forecast is to be updated and approved annually by the RGJA Council.

20 November 2020

RGJA Association Committee Its purpose is to provide the means whereby Riflemen of all ranks who are serving, or have at anytime served in the Regiment can continue to be part of the “Green Jacket Family” through maintaining contact with the Regiment and friends.

13

RGJ Management Plan

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association Management Plan 2020

At the formation of The Rifles in 2007, the Royal Green Jacket (RGJ) Colonel Commandants decided that a significant sum of money from the RGJ funds, which were transferred to The Rifles, should be ‘ringfenced’ to look after the interests of the Regiment and its Association in the long term. In due course, any remaining funds would be transferred to The Rifles on the demise of the Association.

Its purpose is to direct and support the activities of the RGJA, through its Association Committee, and support the Museum and other legacy and memorial elements of the Regiment, in order to safeguard the traditions, heritage and values of the RGJ, and foster comradeship between veteran fellow Riflemen.

In 2015, Royal Green Jacket Regimental Association (RGJRA) with its management committees was consolidated into the Royal Green Jacket Association (RGJA), with a Council and Association Committee as the means to run and administer the organisation, and to provide the necessary governance. The RGJ Museum remains an independent Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), but on Regimental Association matters reports to and is a member of the RGJA Council. The RGJ Ladies Guild was absorbed into The Rifles benevolence structure. A more detailed account is at Annex A.

• To encourage and sustain membership of the RGJA.

RGJA Council Objectives

• To provide communication for and between veterans through the Regimental website and annual journal/Ezine.

• To safeguard our regimental heritage, traditions and values, and as required, to provide input to Colonel Commandant The Rifles and RHQ The Rifles.

• To support the annual Veterans’ Reunion and Officers’ Club dinner and the annual NI Veterans event at the Nation al Memorial Arboretum (NMA).

Structure

• To help support the running costs of the RGJ (Rifles) Museum until the future of the Museum is clearly determined.

RGJA Council: The RGJA Council is the Association’s governing board to determine Regimental and Association policy issues, agree the drawdown of the RGJ Management Fund, and allocate grants annually as required to the RGJA Committee and the RGJ (Rifles) Museum.

It is chaired by the President of the RGJA and its membership is set out in the Rules for the RGJA.

• To maintain the Regimental Memorial at the NMA and the Garden of Remembrance at Winchester.

RGJA Association Committee: The RGJA Association Committee coordinates and controls, as required, the Association and Branch activities, and makes recommendations to the RGJA Council on both activities and funding. It is chaired by the Chairman of the RGJA and its membership is set out in the Rules of the RGJA; it is supported by the following sub committees: • Communications – Website/IT/Journal.

• Officers’ Club • Annual Reunion • Others as required • RGJA Council 12

RGJA Association Committee Objectives • To implement the objectives and policies set out by the RGJA Council.

• To bring to the notice of all persons who are serving or who have served with the Regiment, the existence of the RGJA and to encourage and sustain membership of the RGJA. • To provide an environment through which past members of the Regiment can get together and maintain contact with each other and the wider Regimental family. This is achieved through the establishment of Association Branches in all parts of the United Kingdom and abroad, where this is feasible, to foster a bond of comradeship between all who have served as Riflemen in the RGJ in any capacity whatsoever.

Funding Priorities Funding will be allocated annually by the RGJA Council based on the priorities below, but understanding that Association social events should have a self-funded element, and that financial benevolence is now the remit of The Rifles Benevolent Trust. Support to living veteran Riflemen in meeting the objectives above is the overriding priority:

• To encourage attendance at and organise social and commemorative events either centrally or through the Regional Branches.

• Maintain a regimental website and database.

• Support the publication of an annual RGJA journal/Ezine(s).

• To implement a Communications Plan for and between veterans through the RGJA website and by the publication of an annual journal/ Ezine(s).

• Measures to increase membership of the RGJA. • Subsidise the annual Veterans’ Reunion and Officers’ Dining Club dinner.

• To organise the Veterans’ Reunion, which will be held annually, normally on the second weekend in July, at a venue to be decided by the Association Committee; and the Officers’ Club dinner; and the NI Veterans event at the NMA.

• Contribute to RGJ Museum running costs until its future is clearly determined.

• Maintain the Regimental memorial at the NMA and Winchester Garden of Remembrance.

Support as required to other RGJA and Regimental events as appropriate, including: • Remembrance Day

• To support other RGJA and Regimental activities as the RGJA Council deems appropriate.

• Branch annual grants (tbc)

While the RGJ Management Fund is managed by the Trustees of The Rifles Regimental Trust for investment purposes, the income and capital are under the control of the RGJA Council to support the activities of veterans of the RGJ, through the RGJA, and the RGJ (Rifles) Museum. This control is to be based on an annual total return from a 50-year plan from 2015, which will be reviewed annually by the RGJA Council, based on the average valuation

RGJ Management Plan

over the previous three years. The intent is that a residual sum – £100k – will remain in the RGJ Management Fund to be transferred to The Rifles at an undetermined date in the future. This will be a decision taken by the RGJA Council, to merge the RGJA into The Rifles Association, in order to continue to support veteran RGJ Riflemen and their successors. Additional capital drawdown can only take place with the approval of the RGJA Council.

• To oversee the income and capital of the RGJ Management Fund, review the policy and priorities for spending, and annually allocate resources as required.

Funding Policy

• Executive Committee

The Royal Green Jackets Association

• To maintain the Regimental Memorial at the NMA and the Garden of Remembrance at Winchester.

• Senior Riflemen’s lunch

• Based on the priorities for spending, to bid to the RGJA Council annually for an allocation of resources to support the activities of the Association and its Branches.

• Officers’ Widows lunch • Support to other activities as appropriate

• To support other RGJA and Regimental activities as the RGJA Council deems appropriate.

Annual Budget A three-year funding allocation forecast is to be updated and approved annually by the RGJA Council.

20 November 2020

RGJA Association Committee Its purpose is to provide the means whereby Riflemen of all ranks who are serving, or have at anytime served in the Regiment can continue to be part of the “Green Jacket Family” through maintaining contact with the Regiment and friends.

13

Rules for the RGJ Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Rules for The Royal Green Jackets Association (As at November 2020)

Composition The Committee, formed of members of the Association approved by the Council, six members of which are required to form a Quorum, shall consist of:

It shall consist of: • The Council • The Association Committee • The Regional Branches throughout the United Kingdom

• The Chairman

• The Overseas Branches made up of ex-serving members of the RGJ and Affiliated Regments.

The Officers’ Dining Club

• The Vice Chairman • The Secretary • The Treasurer

• The RGJ (Rifles) Museum

• The Membership Secretary

• Associate Members

• The Webmaster

• Honorary Members

• The Editor of Swift & Bold

The Council

• At least one representative from each of the Branches making up the Association. A representative from the RGJ (Rifles) Museum “in attendance”. Representatives from sub committees as required.

To act as the Association’s governing board to determine Regimental and Association policy issues. Its purpose and objectives are set out in the RGJA annual management plan, to: agree the drawdown of the RGJ Management Fund, and allocate grants annually as required to the RGJA Committee and the RGJ (Rifles) Museum to meet the objectives of the Council.

The Council and Association Committee Appointments The appointments of Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Association Website/Database Manager and members of the Committee are made in accordance with this rule:

Composition The Council, four members of which are required to form a Quorum, shall consist of: • The President of the Association as chairman

• The incoming President is a retired RGJ officer selected by the outgoing President and endorsed by the Council.

• The Chairman of the Association Committee • An elected representative of the Association’s Branches

• The Chairman and Vice Chairman are retired RGJ officers and are appointed by the Council.

Their terms of office shall be for a period normally not less than three years.

• The Chairman of the RGJ (Rifles) Museum • The Chairman of the RGJ Officers’ Club • The webmaster

• The Secretary should be a retired RGJ officer, preferably on the Regimental Headquarters staff.

• A representative of the former Regiments • The Secretary and not more than two other members of the RGJA Association Committee

• The Treasurer and Membership Secretary are not required to have served in the RGJ. He or she shall be paid an honorarium, agreed by the Council, for services rendered. This post could be merged, if circumstances require in the future, with the Secretary of the Association Committee.

The Association Committee To act as the Association’s managing board to manage its activities. Its purpose and objectives are set out in the RGJA annual management plan to: supervise and coordinate the work of the RGJA, with power to spend money within the limits authorised annually by the Council.

• The Webmaster is a member of the Association.

14

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Rules for the RGJ Association

• Branch Representatives are elected by the individual Branch membership.

and one church parade, or a parade to place a wreath on a war memorial.

• The Association Committee shall appoint new members of the Committee as required.

Annually each branch should hold its Annual General Meeting prior to the Association Committee Meeting in April at which accounts should be passed, at least one social evening or similar event, and one church parade, or a parade to place a wreath on a war memorial.

• The Association Committee will elect annually a branch representative to be a member of the Council.

Sub-Committees The Council and Association Committee may appoint sub-committees for special purposes when required. Membership of any such sub-committee shall be restricted to members of the Association, and will include:

Branch subscriptions are left to the discretion of the Branch. A balance sheet should be prepared annually and a copy of the account sent to the Association Treasurer.

Overseas Branches Overseas Branches may frame their own rules, provided that they are consistent with the good conduct of the undertaking.

• Executive Committee • Communications – Website/IT/Journal • Officers’ Club • Annual Reunion

Meetings The Council and Association Committee shall meet at least twice in each calendar year. The Council shall hold an Annual General Meeting, not later than 30 April in each year, to consider the audited accounts of the Association and at such other times, as it shall deem appropriate. Accounts shall be approved by the Council. Meetings may be held virtually, using the Association’s Zoom account.

• Others as required Branches Branches may be formed in any part of the United Kingdom, or abroad, where there exists sufficient numbers of persons who have served in the Regiment or in any Affiliated Regiment to warrant formation. As a general rule, a Branch should not be formed with an initial membership of less than 15 members. Branches will not be recognised until the Association Committee has approved their formation. Membership of Branches must be open to all persons who have served in the Regiment or in any Affiliated Regiment. Branches may also elect to invite non-Service members to join if it is in their interest to do so and they will be made either Honorary or Associate members (Rule 13).

Decisions Except as is provided in Rule 18 any matter requiring the decision of the Council or Association Committee shall be decided by a simple majority of members of those committees attending a meeting of which due notice shall have been given to all members of the Council or Association Committee and at which a quorum is present. The Chairmen shall on all questions on which a vote is taken, whether under this sub-rule or under Rule 18, have a second or casting vote.

General Rules for Branches A branch is responsible for framing its own rules, on which the following items should be included:

Postal Voting In relation to a matter requiring the decision of the Association Committee pursuant to Rule 18 a member of the Association Committee who is unable to attend the meeting of the Association Committee called to consider such matter may cast his vote in writing to the Secretary sent by recorded first class post not less than seven days before such meeting. Any vote so cast shall be deemed to have been cast at such meeting.

• Branch Members must be paid-up Members of the RGJA (currently under review).

• A President, Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Council should manage the affairs of the Branch, additional offices being added where required.

Annually each branch should hold its Annual General Meeting prior to the Association Committee Meeting in April at which accounts should be passed, at least one social evening or similar event, 15

Rules for the RGJ Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Rules for The Royal Green Jackets Association (As at November 2020)

Composition The Committee, formed of members of the Association approved by the Council, six members of which are required to form a Quorum, shall consist of:

It shall consist of: • The Council • The Association Committee • The Regional Branches throughout the United Kingdom

• The Chairman

• The Overseas Branches made up of ex-serving members of the RGJ and Affiliated Regments.

The Officers’ Dining Club

• The Vice Chairman • The Secretary • The Treasurer

• The RGJ (Rifles) Museum

• The Membership Secretary

• Associate Members

• The Webmaster

• Honorary Members

• The Editor of Swift & Bold

The Council

• At least one representative from each of the Branches making up the Association. A representative from the RGJ (Rifles) Museum “in attendance”. Representatives from sub committees as required.

To act as the Association’s governing board to determine Regimental and Association policy issues. Its purpose and objectives are set out in the RGJA annual management plan, to: agree the drawdown of the RGJ Management Fund, and allocate grants annually as required to the RGJA Committee and the RGJ (Rifles) Museum to meet the objectives of the Council.

The Council and Association Committee Appointments The appointments of Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Association Website/Database Manager and members of the Committee are made in accordance with this rule:

Composition The Council, four members of which are required to form a Quorum, shall consist of: • The President of the Association as chairman

• The incoming President is a retired RGJ officer selected by the outgoing President and endorsed by the Council.

• The Chairman of the Association Committee • An elected representative of the Association’s Branches

• The Chairman and Vice Chairman are retired RGJ officers and are appointed by the Council.

Their terms of office shall be for a period normally not less than three years.

• The Chairman of the RGJ (Rifles) Museum • The Chairman of the RGJ Officers’ Club • The webmaster

• The Secretary should be a retired RGJ officer, preferably on the Regimental Headquarters staff.

• A representative of the former Regiments • The Secretary and not more than two other members of the RGJA Association Committee

• The Treasurer and Membership Secretary are not required to have served in the RGJ. He or she shall be paid an honorarium, agreed by the Council, for services rendered. This post could be merged, if circumstances require in the future, with the Secretary of the Association Committee.

The Association Committee To act as the Association’s managing board to manage its activities. Its purpose and objectives are set out in the RGJA annual management plan to: supervise and coordinate the work of the RGJA, with power to spend money within the limits authorised annually by the Council.

• The Webmaster is a member of the Association.

14

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Rules for the RGJ Association

• Branch Representatives are elected by the individual Branch membership.

and one church parade, or a parade to place a wreath on a war memorial.

• The Association Committee shall appoint new members of the Committee as required.

Annually each branch should hold its Annual General Meeting prior to the Association Committee Meeting in April at which accounts should be passed, at least one social evening or similar event, and one church parade, or a parade to place a wreath on a war memorial.

• The Association Committee will elect annually a branch representative to be a member of the Council.

Sub-Committees The Council and Association Committee may appoint sub-committees for special purposes when required. Membership of any such sub-committee shall be restricted to members of the Association, and will include:

Branch subscriptions are left to the discretion of the Branch. A balance sheet should be prepared annually and a copy of the account sent to the Association Treasurer.

Overseas Branches Overseas Branches may frame their own rules, provided that they are consistent with the good conduct of the undertaking.

• Executive Committee • Communications – Website/IT/Journal • Officers’ Club • Annual Reunion

Meetings The Council and Association Committee shall meet at least twice in each calendar year. The Council shall hold an Annual General Meeting, not later than 30 April in each year, to consider the audited accounts of the Association and at such other times, as it shall deem appropriate. Accounts shall be approved by the Council. Meetings may be held virtually, using the Association’s Zoom account.

• Others as required Branches Branches may be formed in any part of the United Kingdom, or abroad, where there exists sufficient numbers of persons who have served in the Regiment or in any Affiliated Regiment to warrant formation. As a general rule, a Branch should not be formed with an initial membership of less than 15 members. Branches will not be recognised until the Association Committee has approved their formation. Membership of Branches must be open to all persons who have served in the Regiment or in any Affiliated Regiment. Branches may also elect to invite non-Service members to join if it is in their interest to do so and they will be made either Honorary or Associate members (Rule 13).

Decisions Except as is provided in Rule 18 any matter requiring the decision of the Council or Association Committee shall be decided by a simple majority of members of those committees attending a meeting of which due notice shall have been given to all members of the Council or Association Committee and at which a quorum is present. The Chairmen shall on all questions on which a vote is taken, whether under this sub-rule or under Rule 18, have a second or casting vote.

General Rules for Branches A branch is responsible for framing its own rules, on which the following items should be included:

Postal Voting In relation to a matter requiring the decision of the Association Committee pursuant to Rule 18 a member of the Association Committee who is unable to attend the meeting of the Association Committee called to consider such matter may cast his vote in writing to the Secretary sent by recorded first class post not less than seven days before such meeting. Any vote so cast shall be deemed to have been cast at such meeting.

• Branch Members must be paid-up Members of the RGJA (currently under review).

• A President, Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Council should manage the affairs of the Branch, additional offices being added where required.

Annually each branch should hold its Annual General Meeting prior to the Association Committee Meeting in April at which accounts should be passed, at least one social evening or similar event, 15

Rules for the RGJ Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Association Database

• ‘The Rules’ mean these rules as amended from time to time.

• ‘The Effective Date’ means the date of the adoption of these Rules.

• ‘The Regiment’ means the regiment formally known as The Royal Green Jackets.

• ‘Affiliated Regiment’ means a regiment or military organisation designated as an Affiliated Regiment of the former Royal Green Jackets.

• ‘The Association’ means the Royal Green Jackets Association (RGJA).

• ‘The Council’ means the Association governing committee establishe d by Rule 2.

• ‘The Association Committee’ means the Association managing committee established

by Rule 3.

• ‘The President’ means the person who is appointed President of the Association and chair man of the Council pursuant to Rule 4a.

• ‘The Chairman’ means the person who is appointed chairman of the Association Committee pursuant to Rule 4b.

• ‘The Secretary’ means the person appointed as Secretary of the Association Committee pursuant to Rule 4c.

• ‘The Treasurer’ means the person appointed as the accounting officer for the Association pursuant to Rule 4d.

• ‘The Webmaster’ means the person appointed to manage the Association’s on line presence and its database pursuant to Rule 4e.

• ‘The Membership Secretary’ mean the person responsible for managing the collation of the of the membership database and the collection of subscriptions pursuant to Rule 4d.

The Association’s Database is an integral part of its management. It is overseen by the Webmaster and the Membership Secretary who report directly to the Chairman.

Membership of the RGJA The Association consists of a President and various categories of members as detailed below: • Full Member (Life or Annual). All former (Regular and Territorial) members of the RGJ, regardless of rank, have absolute right of membership to the RGJA and its Branches provided they pay an annual membership subscription.

• Associate Member. Any member of another cap badge who served on the posted strength of a RGJ unit, Headquarters or Establishment, persons with ‘Riflemen’s interests at heart’, wives, widows, relatives or other Service personnel, may apply for Associate Membership. Associate Membership is approved by Branch Committees and confirmed by the Association Committee.

Associate members pay the annual membership subscription.

• Honorary Member. Honorary Members are those persons who by virtue of their position, title or rank can or do good for the Association.

Examples are Mayors, High Sheriffs, local businessmen, local dignitaries. Honorary membership is proposed by Branches and authorised by the Association Committee.

Honorary members do not pay an annual subscription.

Definitions Definitions used to describe the components that make up the Association are:

20 November 2020

Individual Donations: Anonymous • Nick Addyman • Robert Altham • Paul Ambrose • Crispian Beaty • Ray Bennett Mark Borrigdon • Thomas Bowring • Paul Bristow • Roy Brown • Peter Casson-Crook • Michael Chataway John Cohen • Marius Coulon • John Coleman • Patrick Dalby • Don Donaldson • Roger Downton • Ted Evelegh Alun Felix • Chris Gates • Charles Goodheart • Nick Haynes • Christopher Hill • Larry Hocking • Stephen Horsley Ian Jackson • Sidney H Jacobs • Toby Joll • Antony Karslake • Christopher Kemball • Michael Koe Rod le Couilliard • London Branch RGJA • Mac McDonald • Sean McEvoy • Gary Miller • John Penteath David C Pitman • Chris Pond • Alex Robert • Simons Price • Nicholas Prideaux • David Roberts MC • Bill Russell Mark Scrase Dickins • John Short • Harry Steel • Glen Sturman • Leslie Thacker • Robin Thorne Peter Trustrum-Eve • Hugh Vernon • Barney Vivian • Niall Warry • Bob Wright

Corporate Advertising: Andy Hayes – Solid Sheds Nick Haynes – Chosen Man Media Dee-Day White – Skinners Sheds 16

The Royal Green Jackets Association

RGJ Membership Cessation / Queens New Year Honours List 2021

Rules for The Royal Green Jackets Association Membership Cessation

Cessation

Once a year the Council shall decide on the allocation of funds for the following year, based on the funding priorities in the RGJA Management Plan, and the total return income figure it agrees annually. The Association Committee shall then have the power to make payment in respect of expenses incurred with-in these limits, subject to any direction, which may from time to time be given by the Council, but any proposed additional or unforeseen expenditure shall first be submitted to and approved by the Council.

Membership will cease by: • Resignation • Subscription falling in arrears • Expulsion A lapsed member may at any time apply for re-admission to membership.

Expulsion If at any time the Council shall decide that a member of the Association is no longer upholding the ethos and standards expected of the Regiment, it may determine that the member be expelled from the Association. Such action shall be decided by a two-thirds majority vote taken at a Council meeting at which a quorum is present.

The accounts of the Association shall be audited annually. Members of the Council and Association Committee will be entitled to receive copies of the full accounts but a copy of the annual audited accounts will be posted on the Association website together with the accounting officer’s report.

Termination of the Association or Individual Branches. If at any time the Council shall decide that the Association, or any individual Branch of the Association, is no longer capable of operating effectively in upholding the ethos or legacy of the RGJ, it may determine that the Association, or an individual Branch, be dissolved. Any funds remaining after providing for the cost of dissolution and any expenses incurred or likely to be incurred in connection therewith be paid or transferred to the successor Regiment (The Rifles) in the case of the Association, and to the RGJA in the case of a Branch. Any matter requiring the decision of the Council pursuant to this rule shall be decided by a two-thirds majority vote taken at a meeting at which a quorum is present.

Subscriptions Annual subscriptions will be paid to the Association Membership Secretary either individually or through group payment by Branches on joining and subsequently on the anniversary date of their joining the Association. Subscriptions will be decided by the Association Committee and paid as follows: • There will be no Membership Joining Fee. • The Annual Subscription for membership of the Association shall be such sum as shall from time to time be determined by the Association Committee and endorsed by the Council.

Association Funds The Association will be financed by annual subscriptions, donations received from outside sources and by an Annual Grant made by the RGJA Council.

Amendment of the Rules of the Association The Rules may be altered or added to by a twothirds majority vote of the Council taken at a meeting at which a quorum is present.

Queens New Year Honours List 2021 BEM

MBE

Hugh Maclean Vernon for services to the Eardisland (Herefordshire) community.

Tom Wood ex 2RGJ has been awarded an MBE in the Queens New Year Honours list for his work with the charity: help4homelessveterans 17

Rules for the RGJ Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Association Database

• ‘The Rules’ mean these rules as amended from time to time.

• ‘The Effective Date’ means the date of the adoption of these Rules.

• ‘The Regiment’ means the regiment formally known as The Royal Green Jackets.

• ‘Affiliated Regiment’ means a regiment or military organisation designated as an Affiliated Regiment of the former Royal Green Jackets.

• ‘The Association’ means the Royal Green Jackets Association (RGJA).

• ‘The Council’ means the Association governing committee establishe d by Rule 2.

• ‘The Association Committee’ means the Association managing committee established

by Rule 3.

• ‘The President’ means the person who is appointed President of the Association and chair man of the Council pursuant to Rule 4a.

• ‘The Chairman’ means the person who is appointed chairman of the Association Committee pursuant to Rule 4b.

• ‘The Secretary’ means the person appointed as Secretary of the Association Committee pursuant to Rule 4c.

• ‘The Treasurer’ means the person appointed as the accounting officer for the Association pursuant to Rule 4d.

• ‘The Webmaster’ means the person appointed to manage the Association’s on line presence and its database pursuant to Rule 4e.

• ‘The Membership Secretary’ mean the person responsible for managing the collation of the of the membership database and the collection of subscriptions pursuant to Rule 4d.

The Association’s Database is an integral part of its management. It is overseen by the Webmaster and the Membership Secretary who report directly to the Chairman.

Membership of the RGJA The Association consists of a President and various categories of members as detailed below: • Full Member (Life or Annual). All former (Regular and Territorial) members of the RGJ, regardless of rank, have absolute right of membership to the RGJA and its Branches provided they pay an annual membership subscription.

• Associate Member. Any member of another cap badge who served on the posted strength of a RGJ unit, Headquarters or Establishment, persons with ‘Riflemen’s interests at heart’, wives, widows, relatives or other Service personnel, may apply for Associate Membership. Associate Membership is approved by Branch Committees and confirmed by the Association Committee.

Associate members pay the annual membership subscription.

• Honorary Member. Honorary Members are those persons who by virtue of their position, title or rank can or do good for the Association.

Examples are Mayors, High Sheriffs, local businessmen, local dignitaries. Honorary membership is proposed by Branches and authorised by the Association Committee.

Honorary members do not pay an annual subscription.

Definitions Definitions used to describe the components that make up the Association are:

20 November 2020

Individual Donations: Anonymous • Nick Addyman • Robert Altham • Paul Ambrose • Crispian Beaty • Ray Bennett Mark Borrigdon • Thomas Bowring • Paul Bristow • Roy Brown • Peter Casson-Crook • Michael Chataway John Cohen • Marius Coulon • John Coleman • Patrick Dalby • Don Donaldson • Roger Downton • Ted Evelegh Alun Felix • Chris Gates • Charles Goodheart • Nick Haynes • Christopher Hill • Larry Hocking • Stephen Horsley Ian Jackson • Sidney H Jacobs • Toby Joll • Antony Karslake • Christopher Kemball • Michael Koe Rod le Couilliard • London Branch RGJA • Mac McDonald • Sean McEvoy • Gary Miller • John Penteath David C Pitman • Chris Pond • Alex Robert • Simons Price • Nicholas Prideaux • David Roberts MC • Bill Russell Mark Scrase Dickins • John Short • Harry Steel • Glen Sturman • Leslie Thacker • Robin Thorne Peter Trustrum-Eve • Hugh Vernon • Barney Vivian • Niall Warry • Bob Wright

Corporate Advertising: Andy Hayes – Solid Sheds Nick Haynes – Chosen Man Media Dee-Day White – Skinners Sheds 16

The Royal Green Jackets Association

RGJ Membership Cessation / Queens New Year Honours List 2021

Rules for The Royal Green Jackets Association Membership Cessation

Cessation

Once a year the Council shall decide on the allocation of funds for the following year, based on the funding priorities in the RGJA Management Plan, and the total return income figure it agrees annually. The Association Committee shall then have the power to make payment in respect of expenses incurred with-in these limits, subject to any direction, which may from time to time be given by the Council, but any proposed additional or unforeseen expenditure shall first be submitted to and approved by the Council.

Membership will cease by: • Resignation • Subscription falling in arrears • Expulsion A lapsed member may at any time apply for re-admission to membership.

Expulsion If at any time the Council shall decide that a member of the Association is no longer upholding the ethos and standards expected of the Regiment, it may determine that the member be expelled from the Association. Such action shall be decided by a two-thirds majority vote taken at a Council meeting at which a quorum is present.

The accounts of the Association shall be audited annually. Members of the Council and Association Committee will be entitled to receive copies of the full accounts but a copy of the annual audited accounts will be posted on the Association website together with the accounting officer’s report.

Termination of the Association or Individual Branches. If at any time the Council shall decide that the Association, or any individual Branch of the Association, is no longer capable of operating effectively in upholding the ethos or legacy of the RGJ, it may determine that the Association, or an individual Branch, be dissolved. Any funds remaining after providing for the cost of dissolution and any expenses incurred or likely to be incurred in connection therewith be paid or transferred to the successor Regiment (The Rifles) in the case of the Association, and to the RGJA in the case of a Branch. Any matter requiring the decision of the Council pursuant to this rule shall be decided by a two-thirds majority vote taken at a meeting at which a quorum is present.

Subscriptions Annual subscriptions will be paid to the Association Membership Secretary either individually or through group payment by Branches on joining and subsequently on the anniversary date of their joining the Association. Subscriptions will be decided by the Association Committee and paid as follows: • There will be no Membership Joining Fee. • The Annual Subscription for membership of the Association shall be such sum as shall from time to time be determined by the Association Committee and endorsed by the Council.

Association Funds The Association will be financed by annual subscriptions, donations received from outside sources and by an Annual Grant made by the RGJA Council.

Amendment of the Rules of the Association The Rules may be altered or added to by a twothirds majority vote of the Council taken at a meeting at which a quorum is present.

Queens New Year Honours List 2021 BEM

MBE

Hugh Maclean Vernon for services to the Eardisland (Herefordshire) community.

Tom Wood ex 2RGJ has been awarded an MBE in the Queens New Year Honours list for his work with the charity: help4homelessveterans 17

RGJ Honours and Awards

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Honours and Awards

The Royal Green Jackets Association The Royal Green Jackets Honours and Awards

1966 – 2007

1966 – 2007

Royal Green Jackets Honours and Awards 1966 - 2007 As a regiment our time in the order of battle was Our longest commitment was of course to Northern As a regiment our time in the order of battle was short but we certainly left our mark on history. During the years short but we certainly left our mark on history.

Ireland and this is reflected in the large number of 1966 - 2007 there were only 6 years when no operational awards were presented.

During the years 1966 – 2007 there were only six operational awards for the earlier part of Op Banner years when no operational awards were presented.

1969 to 1980 be seen in the Our longest commitment was of course to Northern Ireland and thisthrough is reflected in thewhich large can number of operational graph below. awards for the earlier part of Op Banner 1969 through to 1980 which can be seen in the graph below.

32

Represents those Represents those awards awards presented presented in inthe the Queen’s Birthday Queen’s Birthdayand andthe theNew NewYear’s Year’sHonours Lists Honours Lists

31 30

RGJ Honours and Awards

Royal Green Jackets Honours and Awards 1966 - 2007

The Royal Green Jackets were awarded the Op Banner, Oman, Brunei, South Atlantic, following during the years 1966 – 2007.

They are Op Granby, Former Republic of Yugoslavia, The Royal Green Jackets were awarded the following during the years 1966 - 2007, they are listed in order of seniority as listed in order of seniority as detailed in the London Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, Democratic Re-public detailed in the London Gazette published 11th January 2019. Numbers in brackets denote operational awards in Borneo, Op Gazette published 11th January 2019. Numbers in of Congo and Iraq.

Banner, Oman, Brunei, South Atlantic, Op Granby, Former Republic of Yugoslavia, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, Democratic Rebrackets denote operational awards in Borneo, public of Congo and Iraq.

Life Peerage

2

DCM

3

GCB

6

MC

10 (10)

KCB

17

MM

8

(8)

CB

16

QGM

3

(3)

KCVO

2

BEM

27

(3)

CVO

1

QVRM

1

GBE

2

MSM

3

KBE

3

TD

2

CBE

28 (11)

TA Efficiency Medal

4

DSO

4

MID

121 (121) (1 posthumously)

OBE

34 (14)

QCB

Est 1994 worn in the same manner as MID

4 (4) (1 posthumously)

MVO

1

QCVS

Est 1994 worn in the same manner as MID

16 (16)

MBE

69 (26)

(3)

29

Represents those Represents those awards awards presented presented as asaa result of operations undertaken by the result of operations undertaken by the Royal Royal Green Jackets Green Jackets during during the the years years1966 1966- 2007 – 2007

28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13

(4)

12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4

Sultan of Oman’s Distinguished Medal for Gallantry

1

Sultan of Muscat Commendation

1

Sultan of Muscat’s Distinguished Service Medal

1

Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal

1

The Order of Mahkota Brunei (3rd Class)

1

3 2 1 66

67

68

69

70

71

72

73

74

75

76

77

78

79

80

81

82

83

84

85

86

18

18

87

88

89

90

91

92

93

94

95

96

9 7

98

99

00

01

02

03

04

05

06

07

19

19

RGJ Honours and Awards

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Honours and Awards

The Royal Green Jackets Association The Royal Green Jackets Honours and Awards

1966 – 2007

1966 – 2007

Royal Green Jackets Honours and Awards 1966 - 2007 As a regiment our time in the order of battle was Our longest commitment was of course to Northern As a regiment our time in the order of battle was short but we certainly left our mark on history. During the years short but we certainly left our mark on history.

Ireland and this is reflected in the large number of 1966 - 2007 there were only 6 years when no operational awards were presented.

During the years 1966 – 2007 there were only six operational awards for the earlier part of Op Banner years when no operational awards were presented.

1969 to 1980 be seen in the Our longest commitment was of course to Northern Ireland and thisthrough is reflected in thewhich large can number of operational graph below. awards for the earlier part of Op Banner 1969 through to 1980 which can be seen in the graph below.

32

Represents those Represents those awards awards presented presented in inthe the Queen’s Birthday Queen’s Birthdayand andthe theNew NewYear’s Year’sHonours Lists Honours Lists

31 30

RGJ Honours and Awards

Royal Green Jackets Honours and Awards 1966 - 2007

The Royal Green Jackets were awarded the Op Banner, Oman, Brunei, South Atlantic, following during the years 1966 – 2007.

They are Op Granby, Former Republic of Yugoslavia, The Royal Green Jackets were awarded the following during the years 1966 - 2007, they are listed in order of seniority as listed in order of seniority as detailed in the London Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, Democratic Re-public detailed in the London Gazette published 11th January 2019. Numbers in brackets denote operational awards in Borneo, Op Gazette published 11th January 2019. Numbers in of Congo and Iraq.

Banner, Oman, Brunei, South Atlantic, Op Granby, Former Republic of Yugoslavia, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, Democratic Rebrackets denote operational awards in Borneo, public of Congo and Iraq.

Life Peerage

2

DCM

3

GCB

6

MC

10 (10)

KCB

17

MM

8

(8)

CB

16

QGM

3

(3)

KCVO

2

BEM

27

(3)

CVO

1

QVRM

1

GBE

2

MSM

3

KBE

3

TD

2

CBE

28 (11)

TA Efficiency Medal

4

DSO

4

MID

121 (121) (1 posthumously)

OBE

34 (14)

QCB

Est 1994 worn in the same manner as MID

4 (4) (1 posthumously)

MVO

1

QCVS

Est 1994 worn in the same manner as MID

16 (16)

MBE

69 (26)

(3)

29

Represents those Represents those awards awards presented presented as asaa result of operations undertaken by the result of operations undertaken by the Royal Royal Green Jackets Green Jackets during during the the years years1966 1966- 2007 – 2007

28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13

(4)

12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4

Sultan of Oman’s Distinguished Medal for Gallantry

1

Sultan of Muscat Commendation

1

Sultan of Muscat’s Distinguished Service Medal

1

Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal

1

The Order of Mahkota Brunei (3rd Class)

1

3 2 1 66

67

68

69

70

71

72

73

74

75

76

77

78

79

80

81

82

83

84

85

86

18

18

87

88

89

90

91

92

93

94

95

96

9 7

98

99

00

01

02

03

04

05

06

07

19

19

The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum Charles Cior.

Dugald Little Gilmour joined the Regiment as a major in 1805; he saw service in the Peninsula for which he was awarded the Gold Cross.

He commanded both the 2nd and 3rd Battalions during his lifetime. The reverse of the portrait has been decorated with locks of his hair formed into his initials. The miniature was purchased by the Museum Trustees with the aid of Grants from the Victoria and Albert Museum and the National Art-Collections Fund in 1981 for which we are most grateful.

When the Museum last updated the Association this time last year, few of us would have believed that 2020 would be such a challenging year.

The Museum was closed to the public due to the pandemic for a number of months and is unlikely to open again until May 2021. Whilst the loss of income has been concerning we have managed to cut back on administrative costs, on line shop sales have held up and our Zoom talks have proved increasingly popular generating valuable income.

At the beginning of last year Thoughout the lockdown we welcomed two groups Eslpeth, our Assistant of children to the Museum Curator, has been busy as part of the Arts Award working from home Scheme. In January St Bedes keeping our online followers School discovered different interested on Facebook, artforms on display during Twitter and Instagram with their visit, found out about the fascinating facts about the work of the artist Terrence Regiment, Museum artefacts Cuneo and then created Lieutenant-Colonel D L Gilmour, 95th and new items available paintings inspired by music

by Pierre Charles Cior from the online shop. The and designed medals. Their number of online followers has increased steadily work was displayed at the Museum in The Kincaid during this period and the online shop sales have Gallery for all visitors to see. In February White Bee held up throughout the year. One new addition Learning Home Educators joined us to repeat the to our collection is Riflebear Ned, a special first experience. We hope that later in 2021 we will be edition collectible bear. He is hosting more groups of budding young artists, exclusive to The Royal Green pandemic permitting.

Jackets (Rifles) Museum and is seen dressed in the Currently on display in The Kincaid Gallery is a uniform of the 95th Rifles. He collection of miniature portraits from the Museum’s has a swing tag telling the reserve collection. The artworks date from the early story of Sgt Edward (Ned) 1800’s and feature Riflemen and Light Infantrymen Costello – a well known from each of the antecedent regiments. One of Riflemen from the Peninsula the items on display is a miniature of LieutenantWar. Please visit the online Colonel D L Gilmour of the 95th which was painted shop to order. between 1815 and 1842 by the French artist Pierre 20

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum

In September last year we restarted our programme of talks at the museum using Zoom. This had the benefit of reaching out to Friends, Riflemen and members of the public that might not normally have made the trip to the museum. Our first online talk was given by Rupert Wielock who served with 2 RGJ in the early 80s. Peter Johnson from the National Army Museum presented on BAOR in November, and our own Brigadier Hugh Willing gave a fascinating and well attended talk on War in the Green Mountains of Oman – Jebel Akdar 1958-59 in January. Future talks in the programme include:

You can also help in other ways:

• Sign up on line as a Friend by using the Museum website – on the Home Page scroll down to ‘Information’ and ‘Supporting the Museum’; then scroll down to ‘Becoming a Friend’.

• Join one of the Talks.

• Buy from the online shop.

• Consider leaving a small sum to the Museum Trust Fund in your will.

Finally, once we are through the lockdown, do call in at the Museum if you are in Winchester. You will always get a warm welcome. We look forward to seeing you.

• 18 March: WW1 in Africa (Christopher Mellor-Hill)

• 20 May: In the Footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia

Brigadier (Retd) James Plastow CBE Chair RGJ (Rifles) Museum Trustees

(Charles Blackmore)

• 22 July: Iraq and Afghanistan – Lessons Learnt

Curator: Mrs Christine Pullen curator@rgjmuseum.co.uk | 01962 828549

(Brig Ben Barry)

The talks are free to join, but we are most grateful for any donations received for arranging the presentation. Full details are on the Museum website and if you wish to join a talk then please email the curator for the link: curator@rgjmuseum.co.uk During closure this year the staff have continued with the refurbishment of the displays on the first floor. Three more cases have now been refreshed, labelling updated and a new graphics board installed. Further refurbishment of the ground floor is planned in 2021 where we hope to improve the museum entrance with a display that champions the Rifleman and also to celebrate Field Marshal Lord Bramall’s immense contribution to the Regiment.

Finally, we were very sorry to hear that Dick Tennant had died. Dick was a Trustee of the Museum for many years retiring at the end of 2019. During that time he made a significant contribution to the financial aspects of the museum and we are all very grateful for his service and support.

This is your museum celebrating the extraordinary contribution that Royal Green Jackets and Former Regiments have made to the Nation and preserving it for future generations. We want it to remain one of the best regimental museums in the country and welcome contributions and help particularly from former Green Jackets. So do get in touch if you are interested in helping with research, our displays or front of house and have some time to spare.

For sale from the RGJ Museum

£80.00 The Royal Green Jackets cap badge statue made in bronze effect resin.

Size: approx 9 inches including base Please note: This item is sent directly from our supplier, so please allow up to 28 days for delivery.

21

The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum Charles Cior.

Dugald Little Gilmour joined the Regiment as a major in 1805; he saw service in the Peninsula for which he was awarded the Gold Cross.

He commanded both the 2nd and 3rd Battalions during his lifetime. The reverse of the portrait has been decorated with locks of his hair formed into his initials. The miniature was purchased by the Museum Trustees with the aid of Grants from the Victoria and Albert Museum and the National Art-Collections Fund in 1981 for which we are most grateful.

When the Museum last updated the Association this time last year, few of us would have believed that 2020 would be such a challenging year.

The Museum was closed to the public due to the pandemic for a number of months and is unlikely to open again until May 2021. Whilst the loss of income has been concerning we have managed to cut back on administrative costs, on line shop sales have held up and our Zoom talks have proved increasingly popular generating valuable income.

At the beginning of last year Thoughout the lockdown we welcomed two groups Eslpeth, our Assistant of children to the Museum Curator, has been busy as part of the Arts Award working from home Scheme. In January St Bedes keeping our online followers School discovered different interested on Facebook, artforms on display during Twitter and Instagram with their visit, found out about the fascinating facts about the work of the artist Terrence Regiment, Museum artefacts Cuneo and then created Lieutenant-Colonel D L Gilmour, 95th and new items available paintings inspired by music

by Pierre Charles Cior from the online shop. The and designed medals. Their number of online followers has increased steadily work was displayed at the Museum in The Kincaid during this period and the online shop sales have Gallery for all visitors to see. In February White Bee held up throughout the year. One new addition Learning Home Educators joined us to repeat the to our collection is Riflebear Ned, a special first experience. We hope that later in 2021 we will be edition collectible bear. He is hosting more groups of budding young artists, exclusive to The Royal Green pandemic permitting.

Jackets (Rifles) Museum and is seen dressed in the Currently on display in The Kincaid Gallery is a uniform of the 95th Rifles. He collection of miniature portraits from the Museum’s has a swing tag telling the reserve collection. The artworks date from the early story of Sgt Edward (Ned) 1800’s and feature Riflemen and Light Infantrymen Costello – a well known from each of the antecedent regiments. One of Riflemen from the Peninsula the items on display is a miniature of LieutenantWar. Please visit the online Colonel D L Gilmour of the 95th which was painted shop to order. between 1815 and 1842 by the French artist Pierre 20

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum

In September last year we restarted our programme of talks at the museum using Zoom. This had the benefit of reaching out to Friends, Riflemen and members of the public that might not normally have made the trip to the museum. Our first online talk was given by Rupert Wielock who served with 2 RGJ in the early 80s. Peter Johnson from the National Army Museum presented on BAOR in November, and our own Brigadier Hugh Willing gave a fascinating and well attended talk on War in the Green Mountains of Oman – Jebel Akdar 1958-59 in January. Future talks in the programme include:

You can also help in other ways:

• Sign up on line as a Friend by using the Museum website – on the Home Page scroll down to ‘Information’ and ‘Supporting the Museum’; then scroll down to ‘Becoming a Friend’.

• Join one of the Talks.

• Buy from the online shop.

• Consider leaving a small sum to the Museum Trust Fund in your will.

Finally, once we are through the lockdown, do call in at the Museum if you are in Winchester. You will always get a warm welcome. We look forward to seeing you.

• 18 March: WW1 in Africa (Christopher Mellor-Hill)

• 20 May: In the Footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia

Brigadier (Retd) James Plastow CBE Chair RGJ (Rifles) Museum Trustees

(Charles Blackmore)

• 22 July: Iraq and Afghanistan – Lessons Learnt

Curator: Mrs Christine Pullen curator@rgjmuseum.co.uk | 01962 828549

(Brig Ben Barry)

The talks are free to join, but we are most grateful for any donations received for arranging the presentation. Full details are on the Museum website and if you wish to join a talk then please email the curator for the link: curator@rgjmuseum.co.uk During closure this year the staff have continued with the refurbishment of the displays on the first floor. Three more cases have now been refreshed, labelling updated and a new graphics board installed. Further refurbishment of the ground floor is planned in 2021 where we hope to improve the museum entrance with a display that champions the Rifleman and also to celebrate Field Marshal Lord Bramall’s immense contribution to the Regiment.

Finally, we were very sorry to hear that Dick Tennant had died. Dick was a Trustee of the Museum for many years retiring at the end of 2019. During that time he made a significant contribution to the financial aspects of the museum and we are all very grateful for his service and support.

This is your museum celebrating the extraordinary contribution that Royal Green Jackets and Former Regiments have made to the Nation and preserving it for future generations. We want it to remain one of the best regimental museums in the country and welcome contributions and help particularly from former Green Jackets. So do get in touch if you are interested in helping with research, our displays or front of house and have some time to spare.

For sale from the RGJ Museum

£80.00 The Royal Green Jackets cap badge statue made in bronze effect resin.

Size: approx 9 inches including base Please note: This item is sent directly from our supplier, so please allow up to 28 days for delivery.

21

Central England Branch Report

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Central England Branch Report his head knowing there was some competitiveness that he had to try and quash! With four firers at a time hand guns and tommy guns were issued and as we progressed it was obvious that we were not going to hit a ‘barn door with a shotgun’ so decided to get a bit adventurous on the shooting!

With kneeling positions, Leaning on beer barrels for support, a bit of fire and manoeuvre and the screams of ‘GUN EMPTY’ ensued and eventually emerged that although the 3 RGJ Veterans individually were of good eyesight and score the 2 RGJ Veterans were the overall winners of this event (certain members will obviously dispute that fact!).

The last time we were together collectively was for our Annual Christmas function in 2019 so The Central England Branch timing was impeccable in that we gathered in a small number to enjoy an ‘outside event day’ before the second lockdown was upon us. Nine members descended onto an outdoor pursuit centre in the Midlands to conduct Quad Biking, Axe Throwing and a 0.22 ‘Peaky Blinder’ style weapon range.

A strange occasion and whilst social distancing we spent the next three hours getting wet and muddy but it was great to break up the monotonous but essential sitting at home on a Saturday scenario we are all encountering.

A great day and although we were missing our 1 RGJ/KRRC/Rifles Veterans and the remainder of the branch it was a very successful event in the circumstances. No Beer was drunk due to the obvious and we went away for a well-earned ‘old mans’ afternoon nap’!

The normal cleaning of hands, wearing of masks and being briefed on the event ensued. Split into groups for social distancing we went about our events. Group 1 attempted the Axe Throwing – although a slow start by 2 RGJ Veterans and much to the dismay of our 3 RGJ veterans overall it was acknowledged that the 2 RGJ veterans were of better aim with an axe, throwing knifes and large Sioux axes than the other Battalions. This was not well received by our ‘Cowboy friends’ but you can’t change the past can you – until next time!

Look Forward to 2021 (fingers crossed. We look ahead as a branch in 2021 to a few events pencilled in – Go Kart Racing, a summer social, Greenstock, The Reunion and our famous Christmas knees up.

As well as Greenstock the Branch are also the Association’s annual ‘lead’ on the Northern Ireland Veterans Parade held at the National Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire on Saturday 11 September 2021. All Branch Secretaries should have a copy of the flier and an invite to all with refreshments afterwards all being well.

Group 2 went about their Quad biking and on their return, you could tell it was a tad muddy to say the least! However, in Green Jacket style there was laughter and banter, embarrassing photos and in one individuals’ case couldn’t see the track in front of him as his glasses were steamed up so it was like driving ‘Miss Daisy’! I can’t say that 2 RGJ shone on this event due to the glasses scenario but there was always the shoot to go.

We all look forward to not only getting back to normal but to meeting up with old friends and spinning the tales. Until then stay safe and we all see you on the flip side!

In Memorandum to Branch Member: Rifleman Francis ‘Frank’ Hone 3 RGJ

We all came together to conduct a ‘Peaky Blinders’ shoot. The civvie instructor was briefing us on the weapon systems and at the same time was shaking

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Central England Branch Report

Veteran

Not quite as SWIFT But just as BOLD

CENTRAL ENGLAND BRANCH ROYAL GREEN JACKET ASSOCIATION THE RE-LAUNCH AN EXTENDED HAND TO ALL 'LIKE MINDED RIFLEMAN' TO REJOIN/JOIN THE BRANCH TO KEEP THE TORCH OF THIS FINE REGIMENT SHINING!

PAYING SUBS OF £10 PER YEAR ALLOWS US TO ADMINISTRATE THE BRANCH IN THE FORM OF STATIONERY, POSTAGE AND INSURANCE FOR EVENTS. WE INTEND TO RUN 4-6 EVENTS PER YEAR SUBSIDISED WHERE THE BRANCH CAN. THIS MINIMISES THE IMPACT IN YOUR POCKET! WE ARE OPEN TO IDEAS FROM BRANCH MEMBERS ON WHAT YOU WANT TO DO BUT IT MUST BE FOR THE GOOD AND BENEFIT OF ALL. OUR BRANCH IS FAMILY FRIENDLY AND WELCOMES WIVES AND PARTNERS TO ALL EVENTS AS WELL AS CHILDREN AT FAMILY EVENTS. CONTACT DETAILS FOR ANY INFO IS VIA MYSELF ON/AT Guy Mynett (Secretary CEB RGJA) Email - guymynett@icloud.com or Mobile 07971 511628 payment of £10 via paypal CentralEnglandBranch@hotmail.com or PM myself of Gaz Collins for bank details I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL ON OUR NEXT GATHERING. VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR FUTURE EVENTS

22

23

Central England Branch Report

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Central England Branch Report his head knowing there was some competitiveness that he had to try and quash! With four firers at a time hand guns and tommy guns were issued and as we progressed it was obvious that we were not going to hit a ‘barn door with a shotgun’ so decided to get a bit adventurous on the shooting!

With kneeling positions, Leaning on beer barrels for support, a bit of fire and manoeuvre and the screams of ‘GUN EMPTY’ ensued and eventually emerged that although the 3 RGJ Veterans individually were of good eyesight and score the 2 RGJ Veterans were the overall winners of this event (certain members will obviously dispute that fact!).

The last time we were together collectively was for our Annual Christmas function in 2019 so The Central England Branch timing was impeccable in that we gathered in a small number to enjoy an ‘outside event day’ before the second lockdown was upon us. Nine members descended onto an outdoor pursuit centre in the Midlands to conduct Quad Biking, Axe Throwing and a 0.22 ‘Peaky Blinder’ style weapon range.

A strange occasion and whilst social distancing we spent the next three hours getting wet and muddy but it was great to break up the monotonous but essential sitting at home on a Saturday scenario we are all encountering.

A great day and although we were missing our 1 RGJ/KRRC/Rifles Veterans and the remainder of the branch it was a very successful event in the circumstances. No Beer was drunk due to the obvious and we went away for a well-earned ‘old mans’ afternoon nap’!

The normal cleaning of hands, wearing of masks and being briefed on the event ensued. Split into groups for social distancing we went about our events. Group 1 attempted the Axe Throwing – although a slow start by 2 RGJ Veterans and much to the dismay of our 3 RGJ veterans overall it was acknowledged that the 2 RGJ veterans were of better aim with an axe, throwing knifes and large Sioux axes than the other Battalions. This was not well received by our ‘Cowboy friends’ but you can’t change the past can you – until next time!

Look Forward to 2021 (fingers crossed. We look ahead as a branch in 2021 to a few events pencilled in – Go Kart Racing, a summer social, Greenstock, The Reunion and our famous Christmas knees up.

As well as Greenstock the Branch are also the Association’s annual ‘lead’ on the Northern Ireland Veterans Parade held at the National Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire on Saturday 11 September 2021. All Branch Secretaries should have a copy of the flier and an invite to all with refreshments afterwards all being well.

Group 2 went about their Quad biking and on their return, you could tell it was a tad muddy to say the least! However, in Green Jacket style there was laughter and banter, embarrassing photos and in one individuals’ case couldn’t see the track in front of him as his glasses were steamed up so it was like driving ‘Miss Daisy’! I can’t say that 2 RGJ shone on this event due to the glasses scenario but there was always the shoot to go.

We all look forward to not only getting back to normal but to meeting up with old friends and spinning the tales. Until then stay safe and we all see you on the flip side!

In Memorandum to Branch Member: Rifleman Francis ‘Frank’ Hone 3 RGJ

We all came together to conduct a ‘Peaky Blinders’ shoot. The civvie instructor was briefing us on the weapon systems and at the same time was shaking

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Central England Branch Report

Veteran

Not quite as SWIFT But just as BOLD

CENTRAL ENGLAND BRANCH ROYAL GREEN JACKET ASSOCIATION THE RE-LAUNCH AN EXTENDED HAND TO ALL 'LIKE MINDED RIFLEMAN' TO REJOIN/JOIN THE BRANCH TO KEEP THE TORCH OF THIS FINE REGIMENT SHINING!

PAYING SUBS OF £10 PER YEAR ALLOWS US TO ADMINISTRATE THE BRANCH IN THE FORM OF STATIONERY, POSTAGE AND INSURANCE FOR EVENTS. WE INTEND TO RUN 4-6 EVENTS PER YEAR SUBSIDISED WHERE THE BRANCH CAN. THIS MINIMISES THE IMPACT IN YOUR POCKET! WE ARE OPEN TO IDEAS FROM BRANCH MEMBERS ON WHAT YOU WANT TO DO BUT IT MUST BE FOR THE GOOD AND BENEFIT OF ALL. OUR BRANCH IS FAMILY FRIENDLY AND WELCOMES WIVES AND PARTNERS TO ALL EVENTS AS WELL AS CHILDREN AT FAMILY EVENTS. CONTACT DETAILS FOR ANY INFO IS VIA MYSELF ON/AT Guy Mynett (Secretary CEB RGJA) Email - guymynett@icloud.com or Mobile 07971 511628 payment of £10 via paypal CentralEnglandBranch@hotmail.com or PM myself of Gaz Collins for bank details I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL ON OUR NEXT GATHERING. VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR FUTURE EVENTS

22

23

London Branch Report

The Royal Green Jackets Association

London Branch Report 25th Anniversary Year

The Committee Honorary President Secretary Treasurer

Colonel George Smythe OBE Gary Driscoll Maria Driscoll Norman Morrison

The London Branch of the Royal Green Jackets Association was founded in 1995. Its aim is to reunite ex-serving soldiers of the regiment who generally live or work within the Greater London area. The members are made up of ex Regular and Territorial/Reserve soldiers of all ranks.

The branch normally has a very busy annual forecast of events, which includes representing the Royal Green Jackets Association at many regimental services and parades. These include: the Memorial Service for Sir John Moore held at St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Queen Victoria’s Rifles/ Kings Royal Rifle Corps/Rifle Brigade Memorial Service in Calais, the Royal Green Jackets Band Memorial Service in Regents Park; the Field of Remembrance Parade at the gardens of Westminster Abbey, and the Remembrance Sunday Parade at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

London Branch Report

In the early days the London Branch relied mainly on the use of the facilities at both Davies Street, and Mile End Drill Halls to hold their meetings and social gatherings. The smaller bar rooms were more than adequate to accommodate the number of members and guests at that time. However, as the membership grew, then the larger halls were used.

These days the Victory Services Club, the Union Jack Club and the restaurant at 86 St James’s, are used.

2020, marked the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the London Branch. Back in 1995 a very small committee was first established and the two years that followed was taken up by building a large enough membership to start to organise a meeting and a social gathering. In the early years the membership was made up of a majority of 4 RGJ veterans, as at that time the ex reserves were much easier to contact and recruit by spreading the word around the four Drill Halls in London as most of the serving members at that time were still in touch with friends that had left or retired.

(Black Button Club), our annual Ladies Dinner Night, and at least one charitable fundraising event.

Eventually with the help of technology such as mobile phones, the Internet and the Association newsletter and website the secretary was able to promote the newly formed branch on a larger scale, reaching out to ex regulars in the Greater London area and encourage more veterans to join.

One of the first big events that the London Branch was involved with, was in 1999, when for the very first time in our history, the Royal Green Jackets Association took part in the Veterans march past at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday. The association have continued to play a big part in this event for the past 22 years, and to date is by far the largest Infantry contingent on parade.

From our fundraising events held in 2014 - 2015, the sum of £10,000 was raised This was donated to the RGJ Museum’s Waterloo Appeal Fund, which covered the total costs for the commissioning of a new painting to mark the Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo. This painting is on view at the Regimental Museum in Winchester.

The London Branch now has 210 members made up of ex regulars and ex Reserves from all the battalions of the regiment. The annual subscription for membership is £15, this fee helps towards the cost of postage and helps towards the deposits for venue hiring and booking battlefield tours etc. Veterans of the Rifles are also welcomed as members.

As the years went on the number of annual events increased. We held two annual Golf competitions and a Clay pigeon shoot. These were great days out, but as we were unable to book golf courses and Clay pigeon ranges on weekends but due to the fact that most of our members were still working full time we couldn’t get enough members to attend

In 2016 the sum of £3,000 was raised for the cost of a regimental paving stone containing the regimental cap badge. The paving stone represents our regiment on the Heroes Square memorial at the National Arboretum. Over the years regular donations have been given to the RGJ Association to help towards the distribution of the annual Swift & Bold Magazine, and various other charities such as the KRRC Cadets, Help for Heroes, Care for Casualties and Combat Stress. This brings the overall figure of £61,000 donated from the London Branch to military charities over the last 12 years.

The London branch also organises many other social events throughout the year such as our Veterans Lunch, Battlefield tours, mini reunions

Calais Memorial Service

Waterloo Painting by Jason Ash 24

Remembrance Day 2009 25

London Branch Report

The Royal Green Jackets Association

London Branch Report 25th Anniversary Year

The Committee Honorary President Secretary Treasurer

Colonel George Smythe OBE Gary Driscoll Maria Driscoll Norman Morrison

The London Branch of the Royal Green Jackets Association was founded in 1995. Its aim is to reunite ex-serving soldiers of the regiment who generally live or work within the Greater London area. The members are made up of ex Regular and Territorial/Reserve soldiers of all ranks.

The branch normally has a very busy annual forecast of events, which includes representing the Royal Green Jackets Association at many regimental services and parades. These include: the Memorial Service for Sir John Moore held at St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Queen Victoria’s Rifles/ Kings Royal Rifle Corps/Rifle Brigade Memorial Service in Calais, the Royal Green Jackets Band Memorial Service in Regents Park; the Field of Remembrance Parade at the gardens of Westminster Abbey, and the Remembrance Sunday Parade at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

London Branch Report

In the early days the London Branch relied mainly on the use of the facilities at both Davies Street, and Mile End Drill Halls to hold their meetings and social gatherings. The smaller bar rooms were more than adequate to accommodate the number of members and guests at that time. However, as the membership grew, then the larger halls were used.

These days the Victory Services Club, the Union Jack Club and the restaurant at 86 St James’s, are used.

2020, marked the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the London Branch. Back in 1995 a very small committee was first established and the two years that followed was taken up by building a large enough membership to start to organise a meeting and a social gathering. In the early years the membership was made up of a majority of 4 RGJ veterans, as at that time the ex reserves were much easier to contact and recruit by spreading the word around the four Drill Halls in London as most of the serving members at that time were still in touch with friends that had left or retired.

(Black Button Club), our annual Ladies Dinner Night, and at least one charitable fundraising event.

Eventually with the help of technology such as mobile phones, the Internet and the Association newsletter and website the secretary was able to promote the newly formed branch on a larger scale, reaching out to ex regulars in the Greater London area and encourage more veterans to join.

One of the first big events that the London Branch was involved with, was in 1999, when for the very first time in our history, the Royal Green Jackets Association took part in the Veterans march past at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday. The association have continued to play a big part in this event for the past 22 years, and to date is by far the largest Infantry contingent on parade.

From our fundraising events held in 2014 - 2015, the sum of £10,000 was raised This was donated to the RGJ Museum’s Waterloo Appeal Fund, which covered the total costs for the commissioning of a new painting to mark the Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo. This painting is on view at the Regimental Museum in Winchester.

The London Branch now has 210 members made up of ex regulars and ex Reserves from all the battalions of the regiment. The annual subscription for membership is £15, this fee helps towards the cost of postage and helps towards the deposits for venue hiring and booking battlefield tours etc. Veterans of the Rifles are also welcomed as members.

As the years went on the number of annual events increased. We held two annual Golf competitions and a Clay pigeon shoot. These were great days out, but as we were unable to book golf courses and Clay pigeon ranges on weekends but due to the fact that most of our members were still working full time we couldn’t get enough members to attend

In 2016 the sum of £3,000 was raised for the cost of a regimental paving stone containing the regimental cap badge. The paving stone represents our regiment on the Heroes Square memorial at the National Arboretum. Over the years regular donations have been given to the RGJ Association to help towards the distribution of the annual Swift & Bold Magazine, and various other charities such as the KRRC Cadets, Help for Heroes, Care for Casualties and Combat Stress. This brings the overall figure of £61,000 donated from the London Branch to military charities over the last 12 years.

The London branch also organises many other social events throughout the year such as our Veterans Lunch, Battlefield tours, mini reunions

Calais Memorial Service

Waterloo Painting by Jason Ash 24

Remembrance Day 2009 25

London Branch Report

The Royal Green Jackets Association

In May each year, our members regularly attend the QVR, KRRC and RB 2nd World War Memorial service in Calais.

during the week. It wasn’t feasible to continue for just a few members so we have decided to put these competitions on hold until we are all retired from work and have more time on our hands.

In June we hold our Veterans Day lunch, held at 86 St James’s, a very high-quality carvery restaurant which is situated in St James’s Street and very close to the St James’s Palace.

Every January members attend the memorial service for Sir John Moore which is held in St. Paul’s Cathedral, In March we hold The Ladies Dinner Night held at the Victory Services Club at Marble Arch. Although it’s called ‘Ladies Dinner Night,’ it’s not just for the ladies and is always very well attended. It is also a black-tie event, and very similar to a Officers/Sergeants mess ball.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

London Branch Report

In January, 25 members attended Sir John Moore’s Memorial Service in St Paul’s Cathedral. A regimental poppy wreath was laid by our secretary, on behalf of the RGJ Association. Members of the KRRC and Rifles were also present to lay wreaths.

In November, as mentioned earlier, the secretary organises the security passes for 200 members of the RGJ Association, to attend the Cenotaph Parade at Whitehall on Remembrance Day. This is followed by a mini reunion at the Theodore Bullfrog pub near Charing Cross Station.

In March just before the COVID restrictions, we managed to hold our annual Ladies Dinner Night at the Victory Services Club. As always it was a fantastic evening. The Carisbrooke hall is the perfect place for this event, the food and service is always top class. The KRRC Cadets assist us at the reception and are there to usher people to the cloak room and the reception room. We were also very privileged and grateful to have in attendance five buglers from the Buglers Association who not only provided us with the dinner calls, but they also entertained us with regimental marches and everyone’s favourite High on a Hill. After the formal dinner the ladies raffle draw took place where the only one prize, is a ladies silver regimental brooch. Then the party begins and everyone is up on the dance floor until the early hours of the morning.

In July everyone is encouraged to attend the regimental Association reunion at Winchester and on the nearest Sunday to the 20th July, the members are also encouraged to attend a wreath laying ceremony at the RGJ band memorial at Regents Park.

Every September a Battlefield Tour is organised, and over the past 20 years the following battlefields have been visited: The Somme, Ypres, Arras, Calais, Dunkirk, Normandy, Pegasus Bridge, Arnhem, Berlin, Colditz, Monte Cassino, The Battle of Waterloo, and Lisbon in Portugal.

Lisbon, Portugal 2007

Ladies Night 2020

Remembrance Sunday Reunion

In December a Christmas lunch is arranged for members and wives/partners. And this takes place at 86 St James’s restaurant. It’s always a great atmosphere and a perfect way to begin the festive season with close friends.

Unfortunately from April through to December the COVID restrictions did not allow us to attend the memorial service at Calais, the veteran’s lunch, the battlefield tour and the Christmas lunch. However we did manage to hold a very short wreath laying ceremony at the RGJ Bandstand at Regents Park in July. For Remembrance Sunday, a few of our members managed to attend their local memorials and laid regimental poppy wreaths on behalf of the Association.

Occasionally we hold what’s known as a Black Button Club, this is usually an informal social night, to catch up with others over a pint or two. These are usually held in the bar at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

Veterans Day Lunch 2012

2020 Newsletter (COVID Year)

For everyone 2020 was a very strange year, because due to COVID we only managed to get to organise three events.

Arnhem 2016 26

Ex RGJ Buglers Ladies Dinner 2020

Regents Park Band Memorial 2020 27

London Branch Report

The Royal Green Jackets Association

In May each year, our members regularly attend the QVR, KRRC and RB 2nd World War Memorial service in Calais.

during the week. It wasn’t feasible to continue for just a few members so we have decided to put these competitions on hold until we are all retired from work and have more time on our hands.

In June we hold our Veterans Day lunch, held at 86 St James’s, a very high-quality carvery restaurant which is situated in St James’s Street and very close to the St James’s Palace.

Every January members attend the memorial service for Sir John Moore which is held in St. Paul’s Cathedral, In March we hold The Ladies Dinner Night held at the Victory Services Club at Marble Arch. Although it’s called ‘Ladies Dinner Night,’ it’s not just for the ladies and is always very well attended. It is also a black-tie event, and very similar to a Officers/Sergeants mess ball.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

London Branch Report

In January, 25 members attended Sir John Moore’s Memorial Service in St Paul’s Cathedral. A regimental poppy wreath was laid by our secretary, on behalf of the RGJ Association. Members of the KRRC and Rifles were also present to lay wreaths.

In November, as mentioned earlier, the secretary organises the security passes for 200 members of the RGJ Association, to attend the Cenotaph Parade at Whitehall on Remembrance Day. This is followed by a mini reunion at the Theodore Bullfrog pub near Charing Cross Station.

In March just before the COVID restrictions, we managed to hold our annual Ladies Dinner Night at the Victory Services Club. As always it was a fantastic evening. The Carisbrooke hall is the perfect place for this event, the food and service is always top class. The KRRC Cadets assist us at the reception and are there to usher people to the cloak room and the reception room. We were also very privileged and grateful to have in attendance five buglers from the Buglers Association who not only provided us with the dinner calls, but they also entertained us with regimental marches and everyone’s favourite High on a Hill. After the formal dinner the ladies raffle draw took place where the only one prize, is a ladies silver regimental brooch. Then the party begins and everyone is up on the dance floor until the early hours of the morning.

In July everyone is encouraged to attend the regimental Association reunion at Winchester and on the nearest Sunday to the 20th July, the members are also encouraged to attend a wreath laying ceremony at the RGJ band memorial at Regents Park.

Every September a Battlefield Tour is organised, and over the past 20 years the following battlefields have been visited: The Somme, Ypres, Arras, Calais, Dunkirk, Normandy, Pegasus Bridge, Arnhem, Berlin, Colditz, Monte Cassino, The Battle of Waterloo, and Lisbon in Portugal.

Lisbon, Portugal 2007

Ladies Night 2020

Remembrance Sunday Reunion

In December a Christmas lunch is arranged for members and wives/partners. And this takes place at 86 St James’s restaurant. It’s always a great atmosphere and a perfect way to begin the festive season with close friends.

Unfortunately from April through to December the COVID restrictions did not allow us to attend the memorial service at Calais, the veteran’s lunch, the battlefield tour and the Christmas lunch. However we did manage to hold a very short wreath laying ceremony at the RGJ Bandstand at Regents Park in July. For Remembrance Sunday, a few of our members managed to attend their local memorials and laid regimental poppy wreaths on behalf of the Association.

Occasionally we hold what’s known as a Black Button Club, this is usually an informal social night, to catch up with others over a pint or two. These are usually held in the bar at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

Veterans Day Lunch 2012

2020 Newsletter (COVID Year)

For everyone 2020 was a very strange year, because due to COVID we only managed to get to organise three events.

Arnhem 2016 26

Ex RGJ Buglers Ladies Dinner 2020

Regents Park Band Memorial 2020 27

London Branch Report

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

London Branch Report

One good thing to happen in 2020 was the completion of our secretary’s bar in his garden. It is called Bramalls named after Field Marshal Lord Bramall.

By the time this article appears in this magazine, the nation will still be on some form of COVID restriction and already we have had to cancel the first three events on the 2021 forecast of events.

Let’s hope that by June/July we can all get together again.

John Coen OBE at the RBL VC GROVE Remembrance Sunday 2020

A future venue to hold Committee meetings.

Remembrance Day in Essex 2020

Michael Kenevane Remembrance Day in South London 2020

Remembrance Day in New Romney 2020

Brammall’s In Memoriam Sadly over the last 12 months, we have lost the following members of the London Branch:

• • • • • •

Fred Boomer-Hawkins Judith Shea (Partner of Micheal Kenevane) Bill-Jumbo-Hogan Martin Pike Johnny Boynes Steve Smith

Our thoughts are with their families and friends.

Remaining Forecast of Events 2021 (subject to Covid restrictions)

• • • • • •

Friday 25 June

Veterans Day Lunch, 86 St. James’s

Saturday 10 July

RGJ Association Reunion, Winchester

Sunday 18 July

RGJ Band Memorial Service, Regents Park

Thursday 23 - Sunday 26 September

Battlefield Tour, Normandy

Sunday 14 November

Remembrance Sunday, Cenotaph

Friday 17 December

Christmas Lunch, 86 St. James’s

Thank you to all of our members for their continued support throughout the last 25 year.

Gary Driscoll 28

29

London Branch Report

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

London Branch Report

One good thing to happen in 2020 was the completion of our secretary’s bar in his garden. It is called Bramalls named after Field Marshal Lord Bramall.

By the time this article appears in this magazine, the nation will still be on some form of COVID restriction and already we have had to cancel the first three events on the 2021 forecast of events.

Let’s hope that by June/July we can all get together again.

John Coen OBE at the RBL VC GROVE Remembrance Sunday 2020

A future venue to hold Committee meetings.

Remembrance Day in Essex 2020

Michael Kenevane Remembrance Day in South London 2020

Remembrance Day in New Romney 2020

Brammall’s In Memoriam Sadly over the last 12 months, we have lost the following members of the London Branch:

• • • • • •

Fred Boomer-Hawkins Judith Shea (Partner of Micheal Kenevane) Bill-Jumbo-Hogan Martin Pike Johnny Boynes Steve Smith

Our thoughts are with their families and friends.

Remaining Forecast of Events 2021 (subject to Covid restrictions)

• • • • • •

Friday 25 June

Veterans Day Lunch, 86 St. James’s

Saturday 10 July

RGJ Association Reunion, Winchester

Sunday 18 July

RGJ Band Memorial Service, Regents Park

Thursday 23 - Sunday 26 September

Battlefield Tour, Normandy

Sunday 14 November

Remembrance Sunday, Cenotaph

Friday 17 December

Christmas Lunch, 86 St. James’s

Thank you to all of our members for their continued support throughout the last 25 year.

Gary Driscoll 28

29

North West Branch Report

The Royal Green Jackets Association

North West Branch Report Virtual Service

supplied by regiments and associations across Liverpool and was accompanied by music from The Band of The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment.

The usual Liverpool remembrance service was cancelled due to the ongoing Covid pandemic 2020. It was therefore decided to hold a virtual Service of Remembrance which was prerecorded on 8th of October. Our president Sean McEvoy and our Chairman Dave Judge attended this event in October The online service was conducted with all covid-safe measures in place, and was officiated by The Rector of Liverpool, The Reverend Canon Dr Crispin Pailing.

The Service also reflected the city’s diverse communities and their contribution to Britain’s war effort, with a particular emphasis on black service personnel who served during World War One and their subsequent treatment when they returned to the UK and Liverpool.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

North West Branch Report

At 11am on Sunday, residents were asked to observe the two-minute silence at home or on their doorstep, in line with the wishes of the Royal British Legion.

Other activities that took place to support the remembrance commemorations saw key city buildings light up red from 8 -11 November – including Cunard Building, Liverpool Town Hall and St George’s Hall.

Our president laid a wreath for the Rifles, whilst our chairman laid a wreath for the RGJ.

St. John’s Gardens

which is our norm for Remembrance Sunday.

On Remembrance Sunday 2020 following all Covid restrictions in place at the time.

Sean laid our RGJ wreath and Dave laid a Rifles wreath. Our RGJ monument is a relatively small one in the shape of a book of remembrance.

Our president Sean McEvoy and our Rifles Link (communications member) Dave Crossley, attended our memorial at the rear of St George’s hall here in Liverpool. As we were unable to parade as a branch,

A big thanks to Dave Crossley who attended and cleaned up the area a day or two prior to the short wreath laying ceremony.

A specially commissioned spoken word piece by Liverpool poet, rapper, singer-songwriter and producer Daniel Sebuyange, known professionally as Blue Saint, was also performed and released in the run up to the service to express the deep significance of Remembrance Sunday, especially during the current health pandemic.

In attendance were civic dignitaries including the Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson and the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Anna Rothery. They were joined by a small number of key representatives from the military, ex-service organisations and faith leaders.

It included a virtual parade made up of footage

30

31

North West Branch Report

The Royal Green Jackets Association

North West Branch Report Virtual Service

supplied by regiments and associations across Liverpool and was accompanied by music from The Band of The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment.

The usual Liverpool remembrance service was cancelled due to the ongoing Covid pandemic 2020. It was therefore decided to hold a virtual Service of Remembrance which was prerecorded on 8th of October. Our president Sean McEvoy and our Chairman Dave Judge attended this event in October The online service was conducted with all covid-safe measures in place, and was officiated by The Rector of Liverpool, The Reverend Canon Dr Crispin Pailing.

The Service also reflected the city’s diverse communities and their contribution to Britain’s war effort, with a particular emphasis on black service personnel who served during World War One and their subsequent treatment when they returned to the UK and Liverpool.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

North West Branch Report

At 11am on Sunday, residents were asked to observe the two-minute silence at home or on their doorstep, in line with the wishes of the Royal British Legion.

Other activities that took place to support the remembrance commemorations saw key city buildings light up red from 8 -11 November – including Cunard Building, Liverpool Town Hall and St George’s Hall.

Our president laid a wreath for the Rifles, whilst our chairman laid a wreath for the RGJ.

St. John’s Gardens

which is our norm for Remembrance Sunday.

On Remembrance Sunday 2020 following all Covid restrictions in place at the time.

Sean laid our RGJ wreath and Dave laid a Rifles wreath. Our RGJ monument is a relatively small one in the shape of a book of remembrance.

Our president Sean McEvoy and our Rifles Link (communications member) Dave Crossley, attended our memorial at the rear of St George’s hall here in Liverpool. As we were unable to parade as a branch,

A big thanks to Dave Crossley who attended and cleaned up the area a day or two prior to the short wreath laying ceremony.

A specially commissioned spoken word piece by Liverpool poet, rapper, singer-songwriter and producer Daniel Sebuyange, known professionally as Blue Saint, was also performed and released in the run up to the service to express the deep significance of Remembrance Sunday, especially during the current health pandemic.

In attendance were civic dignitaries including the Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson and the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Anna Rothery. They were joined by a small number of key representatives from the military, ex-service organisations and faith leaders.

It included a virtual parade made up of footage

30

31

Oxford Branch Report

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Oxford Branch Report On VJ Day in August despite there being no formal events in Oxford about fifteen Branch members gathered at the War Memorial in St Giles, Oxford and held our own ceremony and were joined by the Lord Mayor of Oxford Cllr Craig Simmonds who assisted our Chairman to lay a wreath in memory of those from the Oxford & Bucks who fought in the Far East. Many members of the public who were passing by stopped to pay their respects and observed the Silence with us. It was also noticeable that cars and buses killed their engines as they passed us.

As I am sure as with all other branches since the last issue of ‘Swift & Bold’ it has been to say the least a difficult year. In late March 2020 all the forward planning for the year ahead was suddenly put-on hold. Our spring lunch in April was the first casualty, followed by the Band Concert in July.

Despite being optimistic the Reunion at Winchester was off, along with the Reunion that is held at Edward Brooks Barracks Abingdon by the Branch.

All was not doom and gloom though. We still managed our Annual pilgrimage on June 6th to the grave of Major John Howard observing the Covid rules, to remember the action at Pegasus Bridge in 1944. There was a service of sorts, conducted by the ‘Vicar of the Day’ our Chairman Terry Roper, thankfully no thunderbolts appeared. By chance Penny Bates the daughter of John Howard, and her family arrived to tend the grave as they were not able to make their annual pilgrimage to Normandy.

It was an honour that Penny agreed to lay our wreath along with her own. Afterward she chatted to members of the branch and expressed her gratitude for our Annual Pilgrimage and service.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Oxford Branch Report

No trip to Westminster Field of Remembrance this year for several of the branch, with a few ‘bevvies’ afterwards, but Terry Roper made the pilgrimage and planted crosses in memory of those who died in the Far East in the OBLI Plot.

Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery. The broken original was brought back by Robert Drummond – Hay and Ingram Murray in the boots of their cars and sat for a while on a pallet in Edward Brooks Barracks, Abingdon. It is hoped to have a dedication service as soon as we can.

On Remembrance Sunday we replicated our Ceremony of VJ Day, and we were joined by Col Mike Montagu – The Rifles County Colonel of Oxfordshire. On both occasions Bugle Major Phil King and his proteges Sounded Regimental calls, Last Post and Rouse.

As we hopefully look forward to getting back to normal and enjoying each other’s company again we should also remember those of the branch who have passed away in particular our WW2 Veterans.

They are getting less by the year and we should cherish their memory and enjoy listening to the stories that those still with us tell.

As I have mentioned last year, we managed to have a memorial to the old Cowley Barracks and an initiative by Phil a simple Act of Remembrance was held there at 3pm on the Sunday. This has received support and we now will include it in our calendar for subsequent years.

“WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”

We are also interacting with The Rifles but have no plans to join their Association soon, as with the Oxford & Bucks joining us it will be a natural progression over time.

We have however had Phil Evans as our liaison member with The Rifles at Edward Brooks Barracks.

We continue to make sure that the strong links of the Branch with the Oxford & Bucks are maintained and sanction physical reminders within the City. The small memorial plaque on the wall of the old Cowley Barracks, now a Student Campus, was enhanced to be more prominent thanks to the efforts of Clint Ross, who many of you will know. Clint also repaired, restored, and mounted the Cassel Memorial in the old Garrison Church in Beauchamp Lane, Cowley. This memorial was to the 4th Battalion Oxford & Bucks who took part in the defence of Dunkirk in 1940 to enable the evacuation of the BEF to take place. The memorial originally was by the North Gate below the Cassel WW1 memorial, but replaced because of weathering. The replacement is now in the Cassel 32

I will end by thanking our brilliant Branch Committee for keeping things going, Andy Bowes, Andrea Isham, John Hudson, Geoff Day, and our President Brigadier Robin Draper. Robin’s support for us and for maintaining the Turning of The Pages service as a Viral Service and is legendary.

I must also thank 7 Rifles for allowing us to use the facilities at Edward Brooks Barracks.

As Captain Tom said:

“Tomorrow will be a better day” Let us hope so – Terry 33

Oxford Branch Report

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Oxford Branch Report On VJ Day in August despite there being no formal events in Oxford about fifteen Branch members gathered at the War Memorial in St Giles, Oxford and held our own ceremony and were joined by the Lord Mayor of Oxford Cllr Craig Simmonds who assisted our Chairman to lay a wreath in memory of those from the Oxford & Bucks who fought in the Far East. Many members of the public who were passing by stopped to pay their respects and observed the Silence with us. It was also noticeable that cars and buses killed their engines as they passed us.

As I am sure as with all other branches since the last issue of ‘Swift & Bold’ it has been to say the least a difficult year. In late March 2020 all the forward planning for the year ahead was suddenly put-on hold. Our spring lunch in April was the first casualty, followed by the Band Concert in July.

Despite being optimistic the Reunion at Winchester was off, along with the Reunion that is held at Edward Brooks Barracks Abingdon by the Branch.

All was not doom and gloom though. We still managed our Annual pilgrimage on June 6th to the grave of Major John Howard observing the Covid rules, to remember the action at Pegasus Bridge in 1944. There was a service of sorts, conducted by the ‘Vicar of the Day’ our Chairman Terry Roper, thankfully no thunderbolts appeared. By chance Penny Bates the daughter of John Howard, and her family arrived to tend the grave as they were not able to make their annual pilgrimage to Normandy.

It was an honour that Penny agreed to lay our wreath along with her own. Afterward she chatted to members of the branch and expressed her gratitude for our Annual Pilgrimage and service.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Oxford Branch Report

No trip to Westminster Field of Remembrance this year for several of the branch, with a few ‘bevvies’ afterwards, but Terry Roper made the pilgrimage and planted crosses in memory of those who died in the Far East in the OBLI Plot.

Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery. The broken original was brought back by Robert Drummond – Hay and Ingram Murray in the boots of their cars and sat for a while on a pallet in Edward Brooks Barracks, Abingdon. It is hoped to have a dedication service as soon as we can.

On Remembrance Sunday we replicated our Ceremony of VJ Day, and we were joined by Col Mike Montagu – The Rifles County Colonel of Oxfordshire. On both occasions Bugle Major Phil King and his proteges Sounded Regimental calls, Last Post and Rouse.

As we hopefully look forward to getting back to normal and enjoying each other’s company again we should also remember those of the branch who have passed away in particular our WW2 Veterans.

They are getting less by the year and we should cherish their memory and enjoy listening to the stories that those still with us tell.

As I have mentioned last year, we managed to have a memorial to the old Cowley Barracks and an initiative by Phil a simple Act of Remembrance was held there at 3pm on the Sunday. This has received support and we now will include it in our calendar for subsequent years.

“WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”

We are also interacting with The Rifles but have no plans to join their Association soon, as with the Oxford & Bucks joining us it will be a natural progression over time.

We have however had Phil Evans as our liaison member with The Rifles at Edward Brooks Barracks.

We continue to make sure that the strong links of the Branch with the Oxford & Bucks are maintained and sanction physical reminders within the City. The small memorial plaque on the wall of the old Cowley Barracks, now a Student Campus, was enhanced to be more prominent thanks to the efforts of Clint Ross, who many of you will know. Clint also repaired, restored, and mounted the Cassel Memorial in the old Garrison Church in Beauchamp Lane, Cowley. This memorial was to the 4th Battalion Oxford & Bucks who took part in the defence of Dunkirk in 1940 to enable the evacuation of the BEF to take place. The memorial originally was by the North Gate below the Cassel WW1 memorial, but replaced because of weathering. The replacement is now in the Cassel 32

I will end by thanking our brilliant Branch Committee for keeping things going, Andy Bowes, Andrea Isham, John Hudson, Geoff Day, and our President Brigadier Robin Draper. Robin’s support for us and for maintaining the Turning of The Pages service as a Viral Service and is legendary.

I must also thank 7 Rifles for allowing us to use the facilities at Edward Brooks Barracks.

As Captain Tom said:

“Tomorrow will be a better day” Let us hope so – Terry 33

South East Kent Branch Report

The Royal Green Jackets Association

South East Kent Branch Report Golf Society Day 29 September 2020

The Branch has continued to try and make the best of the unfortunate situation not only this Country but the World is in with COVID. The Committee and Branch meeting for January was held in our Dover HQ (Dover Sea Angling Club) but the remainder of the scheduled meetings were cancelled for the year.

Despite the terrible weather four members braved it and decided to play at Etchinghill Golf Club.

Well we did play and after a couple of holes, where it rained, the rest of the day was fine. We had a good laugh and took the mickey out of each other.

Thanks to Steve Rose, Aran McGee, Reg Longhurst and Fred Barrett for coming.

Events Cancelled Throughout the Year The Branch’s Annual BBQ 13 June normally held at the Cricketers in River, Dover was cancelled this year. It was very sad having to make the decision to cancel this as it is very well attended, not only by Branch members and their families but also many fellow riflemen from throughout the country.

• BBQ – June • Wimbledon Tennis – July • River Thames Cruise – September • Christmas Party • All Branch Meetings except for one • All Committee Meetings except for one

Many thanks to Fred for providing the prizes. Reg won with 35 points. Aran came second with 33 and Steve did really well with 27.

Branch Church Service Dover Castle Twenty members of the Branch with their families joined the local congregation, attending the Church Service held in Dover Castle Church. Despite the current situation our own Padre, Sean Sheffield conducted the service. This has now become an annual event.

Committee Meeting 29 August and 9 October

Royal Green Jackets

A committee meeting was held on Saturday 29 August held in George Nash’s garden and Friday 9 October at the Phoenix Club.

Regimental Association South East Kent Branch

These meetings were to understand the current situation and the restrictions, thus allowing the Committee to vote and make numerous decisions regarding the Branch activities for the remainder of the year and to look at next year’s programme of events.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

South East Kent Branch Report

Remembrance Day Parades Dover District Council cancelled the formal parade in the Town Centre which the Branch normally attends. The Branch then took the decision to cancel the formal parade at 60th Rifles.

Despite the Branch cancelling the parade, many chose to head out on their own, some with their families. Not surprisingly a few had the same idea and a small cohort choose the KRRC Memorial as the place to remember. Adhering to social distancing guidance, the Chosen Men held an impromptu two minutes silence.

Forthcoming Events 2021 • 12 June BBQ at the Phoenix Club River, Dover • 10 July Winchester Reunion • TBC July Wimbledon Tennis • TBC July/August Greenstock • TBC September Thames River Cruise with Lunch • TBC September Branch Church Service in Dover Castle • 7 November Remembrance Service, Dover Town and 60th Rifle Monument • 27 November Christmas Party, at the Phoenix Club River, Dover

Next year’s BBQ planning is already underway.

The Phoenix Club in River, Dover has been booked.

Change in Committee On Sunday 8 November Glenn Ternent BEM and Bob Newman stepped down for Chairman and Secretary respectfully. Dave Ivatt took over as Chairman and Peter Thompson the Secretary role.

Farewell to Alan Stow

The Branch and I would like to say a big thank you to Glenn and Bob for all their hard work over the last eight years to the Branch ensuring we are in a strong position now, setting a good platform for the incoming Chairman and Secretary.

The funeral was held at Barham Crematorium on Monday 14 December 2020. Member of the branch acted as pallbearers.

It is with great sadness that Cpl Alan Stow passed away on 11 November 2020, he was a much loved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Rifleman and a Branch Member. He will be sadly missed by all.

Commemorative Service St Mary’s in the Castle

34

There was an excellent turnout of fellow Riflemen (in excess of 30) to say farewell finishing off with a toast with port to Alan and The Regiment.

35

South East Kent Branch Report

The Royal Green Jackets Association

South East Kent Branch Report Golf Society Day 29 September 2020

The Branch has continued to try and make the best of the unfortunate situation not only this Country but the World is in with COVID. The Committee and Branch meeting for January was held in our Dover HQ (Dover Sea Angling Club) but the remainder of the scheduled meetings were cancelled for the year.

Despite the terrible weather four members braved it and decided to play at Etchinghill Golf Club.

Well we did play and after a couple of holes, where it rained, the rest of the day was fine. We had a good laugh and took the mickey out of each other.

Thanks to Steve Rose, Aran McGee, Reg Longhurst and Fred Barrett for coming.

Events Cancelled Throughout the Year The Branch’s Annual BBQ 13 June normally held at the Cricketers in River, Dover was cancelled this year. It was very sad having to make the decision to cancel this as it is very well attended, not only by Branch members and their families but also many fellow riflemen from throughout the country.

• BBQ – June • Wimbledon Tennis – July • River Thames Cruise – September • Christmas Party • All Branch Meetings except for one • All Committee Meetings except for one

Many thanks to Fred for providing the prizes. Reg won with 35 points. Aran came second with 33 and Steve did really well with 27.

Branch Church Service Dover Castle Twenty members of the Branch with their families joined the local congregation, attending the Church Service held in Dover Castle Church. Despite the current situation our own Padre, Sean Sheffield conducted the service. This has now become an annual event.

Committee Meeting 29 August and 9 October

Royal Green Jackets

A committee meeting was held on Saturday 29 August held in George Nash’s garden and Friday 9 October at the Phoenix Club.

Regimental Association South East Kent Branch

These meetings were to understand the current situation and the restrictions, thus allowing the Committee to vote and make numerous decisions regarding the Branch activities for the remainder of the year and to look at next year’s programme of events.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

South East Kent Branch Report

Remembrance Day Parades Dover District Council cancelled the formal parade in the Town Centre which the Branch normally attends. The Branch then took the decision to cancel the formal parade at 60th Rifles.

Despite the Branch cancelling the parade, many chose to head out on their own, some with their families. Not surprisingly a few had the same idea and a small cohort choose the KRRC Memorial as the place to remember. Adhering to social distancing guidance, the Chosen Men held an impromptu two minutes silence.

Forthcoming Events 2021 • 12 June BBQ at the Phoenix Club River, Dover • 10 July Winchester Reunion • TBC July Wimbledon Tennis • TBC July/August Greenstock • TBC September Thames River Cruise with Lunch • TBC September Branch Church Service in Dover Castle • 7 November Remembrance Service, Dover Town and 60th Rifle Monument • 27 November Christmas Party, at the Phoenix Club River, Dover

Next year’s BBQ planning is already underway.

The Phoenix Club in River, Dover has been booked.

Change in Committee On Sunday 8 November Glenn Ternent BEM and Bob Newman stepped down for Chairman and Secretary respectfully. Dave Ivatt took over as Chairman and Peter Thompson the Secretary role.

Farewell to Alan Stow

The Branch and I would like to say a big thank you to Glenn and Bob for all their hard work over the last eight years to the Branch ensuring we are in a strong position now, setting a good platform for the incoming Chairman and Secretary.

The funeral was held at Barham Crematorium on Monday 14 December 2020. Member of the branch acted as pallbearers.

It is with great sadness that Cpl Alan Stow passed away on 11 November 2020, he was a much loved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Rifleman and a Branch Member. He will be sadly missed by all.

Commemorative Service St Mary’s in the Castle

34

There was an excellent turnout of fellow Riflemen (in excess of 30) to say farewell finishing off with a toast with port to Alan and The Regiment.

35

Wiltshire Branch Report

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

RGJ Veterans Reunion – Cancelled

Wiltshire Branch Report Remembrance Day in Warminster 2020

ROYAL GREEN JACKETS Veterans Reunion

A much muted affair this year due to the pandemic.

The Warminster Council that oversees the War Memorial allocated organisations a time slot in which to lay their wreaths and pay their respects.

Saturday 10th July from 1400hrs

(

D

SO22 6NQ

Continuous Buses from City Ctr to ATR

All Veterans, Families and Friends Welcome

CA NC

Let’s hope we can return to some semblance of normality in November.

Sir John Moore Barracks

LE

We the Wiltshire branch decided to lay our wreath on the 11th and on the day a number of members paraded and paid our respects to the fallen.

ATR Winchester

EL

COVID Permitting

They also restricted numbers able to attend and obviously we had to observe social distancing.

Two days were made available, either the Sunday closest to the 11th or the actual 11th which fell on a Wednesday.

Featuring: The Rifles Band & Bugles Buglers Association The Military Wives Choir The Bournemouth Carnival Band The Melodic Belles

Parking: As directed by Reunion Staff External Range Car Park Limited Blue Badge Parking Buggy Ferry available Camping: Assault Course Trg Area Access to site from 1400hrs on 9/7

36

37

Wiltshire Branch Report

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

RGJ Veterans Reunion – Cancelled

Wiltshire Branch Report Remembrance Day in Warminster 2020

ROYAL GREEN JACKETS Veterans Reunion

A much muted affair this year due to the pandemic.

The Warminster Council that oversees the War Memorial allocated organisations a time slot in which to lay their wreaths and pay their respects.

Saturday 10th July from 1400hrs

(

D

SO22 6NQ

Continuous Buses from City Ctr to ATR

All Veterans, Families and Friends Welcome

CA NC

Let’s hope we can return to some semblance of normality in November.

Sir John Moore Barracks

LE

We the Wiltshire branch decided to lay our wreath on the 11th and on the day a number of members paraded and paid our respects to the fallen.

ATR Winchester

EL

COVID Permitting

They also restricted numbers able to attend and obviously we had to observe social distancing.

Two days were made available, either the Sunday closest to the 11th or the actual 11th which fell on a Wednesday.

Featuring: The Rifles Band & Bugles Buglers Association The Military Wives Choir The Bournemouth Carnival Band The Melodic Belles

Parking: As directed by Reunion Staff External Range Car Park Limited Blue Badge Parking Buggy Ferry available Camping: Assault Course Trg Area Access to site from 1400hrs on 9/7

36

37

Winchester & District Branch Report

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Winchester & District Branch Report postponed until 2021.

On a wet and chilly But being the person evening in February he is and instead of 2020, 33 members twiddling his thumbs of the Winchester and doing nothing, & District branch and to keep himself happily met for its fit he volunteered to 33rd annual AGM, do the alternative completely unaware Virtual Frontline of course that in Challenge instead. a matter of weeks This was an ABF everything it had sponsored initiative planned to do as a which consisted of a branch for the ensuing 100km walk visiting year would have to whatever memorials be either suspended the participant or cancelled as the wished within the Covid-19 pandemic Christmas TOTP’s 2020 UK. In Lyndon’s spread, and a whole case it included the RB Memorial in London via the new way of living (and sadly dying) was thrust upon Unknown Warrior Plaque at Victoria Station and the world. finishing at the KRRC memorial in Winchester. For As the pandemic began to take hold and social his efforts Lyndon managed to raise an additional restrictions were applied and social inactivity and £400 to add to the £1,500 he had already raised for isolation became the norm, our most worrying the 2020 Frontline Challenge which he will do again concern was the very real possibility that the in 2021. Although the rest of us didn’t manage to branch would begin to experience ‘drift away’ of our do anything on that scale the branch still continued membership. Unfortunately, this is a fairly common to attend, support and be involved in the Turning and well-known occurrence in organisations such of the Pages Ceremonies in Winchester Cathedral as ours when regular contact is broken or extended whenever it was opened to the public. for whatever reason. To prevent or at least counter And finally, it would be remiss of me if I didn’t this, it was decided right from the outset that mention John Scott, John Harper and Derek Randell whatever the future held we would make every who as both branch and Honorary members of the effort to try and carry on as normal within whatever ATR WO’s & Sgts Mess, have continued to maintain rules were in place at the time, and crucially to and enhance our regimental connection with Sir maintain the links with our membership through John Moore Barracks. Where this year and despite a the issue of regular emailed updates and general total access ban by the Garrison Comd on all civilians notices of interest. At the time of writing this seems entering military establishments on Remembrance to be working fairly well as membership of our Day, they still managed to get themselves invited in branch continues to remain steady with everyone and to lay a wreath in the LD Memorial Garden on positively looking forward to the future – whatever behalf of the Regiment. A garden I remind everyone, it holds. which despite all weathers, restrictions and usage Despite the limitations and restrictions placed still gets incredibly well looked after by Pat and May on our lives the good old British bulldog spirit Low who are now both in their 80s! The Regiment remained as strong as ever with branch members has much to thank them for. participating in or supporting whatever limited On a less happier note we sadly lost Robert ‘Nobby’ activity they could. For example, Lyndon one of Clarke (ex KRRC) this year. Nobby had been one of our Associate members, and son of John Harper our founding members in 1985 and had been the had planned to do a 3-day 100km Frontline Walk branch secretary for a number of its early years.

Challenge (Somme to the Menin Gate) in October in Missed but never forgotten! support of ABF fundraising, but unfortunately and inevitably as the pandemic took hold this had to be 38

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Winchester & District Branch Report

And finally, it has become very obvious to me that this pandemic and its lockdowns can cause considerable and serious mental issues. Well it has for me anyway as I struggle with writing this article and the variation of grammatical tenses it has presented me with.

For example, I know this article will not be published until sometime in 2021, so do I write this now in the ‘past tense’? (which I think I sort of have). Or as we are still living through it right now, do I write it in the present tense? Or knowing it will carry on into 2021, do I write it in the future tense? For someone with only the academic level of ACE 1 this level of referencing time is really doing my head in, and as a consequence I think I have slightly lost touch with reality (no change there then). Mind you on the upside, this whole pandemic thing has also ensured it will stay in my memory for ever. Not least because of all the lovely new or refreshed words that have come back into our language such as Covid-19, hand gel, face masks, social distancing, furlough, and lockdown to name but a few. But the one thing I am sure we will remember most, will be the relatively new phenomenon of little square images pinging onto our computer screens, and within each tiny landscape a bemused, unshaven, and yet oddly familiar face staring back at us! Welcome to 2020 and the Zoom meeting!

John(s) Harper & Scott Wreath Laying 4 November 2020

John F-D

Remembrance Day Memorial Garden ATR (W) 39

Winchester & District Branch Report

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Winchester & District Branch Report postponed until 2021.

On a wet and chilly But being the person evening in February he is and instead of 2020, 33 members twiddling his thumbs of the Winchester and doing nothing, & District branch and to keep himself happily met for its fit he volunteered to 33rd annual AGM, do the alternative completely unaware Virtual Frontline of course that in Challenge instead. a matter of weeks This was an ABF everything it had sponsored initiative planned to do as a which consisted of a branch for the ensuing 100km walk visiting year would have to whatever memorials be either suspended the participant or cancelled as the wished within the Covid-19 pandemic Christmas TOTP’s 2020 UK. In Lyndon’s spread, and a whole case it included the RB Memorial in London via the new way of living (and sadly dying) was thrust upon Unknown Warrior Plaque at Victoria Station and the world. finishing at the KRRC memorial in Winchester. For As the pandemic began to take hold and social his efforts Lyndon managed to raise an additional restrictions were applied and social inactivity and £400 to add to the £1,500 he had already raised for isolation became the norm, our most worrying the 2020 Frontline Challenge which he will do again concern was the very real possibility that the in 2021. Although the rest of us didn’t manage to branch would begin to experience ‘drift away’ of our do anything on that scale the branch still continued membership. Unfortunately, this is a fairly common to attend, support and be involved in the Turning and well-known occurrence in organisations such of the Pages Ceremonies in Winchester Cathedral as ours when regular contact is broken or extended whenever it was opened to the public. for whatever reason. To prevent or at least counter And finally, it would be remiss of me if I didn’t this, it was decided right from the outset that mention John Scott, John Harper and Derek Randell whatever the future held we would make every who as both branch and Honorary members of the effort to try and carry on as normal within whatever ATR WO’s & Sgts Mess, have continued to maintain rules were in place at the time, and crucially to and enhance our regimental connection with Sir maintain the links with our membership through John Moore Barracks. Where this year and despite a the issue of regular emailed updates and general total access ban by the Garrison Comd on all civilians notices of interest. At the time of writing this seems entering military establishments on Remembrance to be working fairly well as membership of our Day, they still managed to get themselves invited in branch continues to remain steady with everyone and to lay a wreath in the LD Memorial Garden on positively looking forward to the future – whatever behalf of the Regiment. A garden I remind everyone, it holds. which despite all weathers, restrictions and usage Despite the limitations and restrictions placed still gets incredibly well looked after by Pat and May on our lives the good old British bulldog spirit Low who are now both in their 80s! The Regiment remained as strong as ever with branch members has much to thank them for. participating in or supporting whatever limited On a less happier note we sadly lost Robert ‘Nobby’ activity they could. For example, Lyndon one of Clarke (ex KRRC) this year. Nobby had been one of our Associate members, and son of John Harper our founding members in 1985 and had been the had planned to do a 3-day 100km Frontline Walk branch secretary for a number of its early years.

Challenge (Somme to the Menin Gate) in October in Missed but never forgotten! support of ABF fundraising, but unfortunately and inevitably as the pandemic took hold this had to be 38

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Winchester & District Branch Report

And finally, it has become very obvious to me that this pandemic and its lockdowns can cause considerable and serious mental issues. Well it has for me anyway as I struggle with writing this article and the variation of grammatical tenses it has presented me with.

For example, I know this article will not be published until sometime in 2021, so do I write this now in the ‘past tense’? (which I think I sort of have). Or as we are still living through it right now, do I write it in the present tense? Or knowing it will carry on into 2021, do I write it in the future tense? For someone with only the academic level of ACE 1 this level of referencing time is really doing my head in, and as a consequence I think I have slightly lost touch with reality (no change there then). Mind you on the upside, this whole pandemic thing has also ensured it will stay in my memory for ever. Not least because of all the lovely new or refreshed words that have come back into our language such as Covid-19, hand gel, face masks, social distancing, furlough, and lockdown to name but a few. But the one thing I am sure we will remember most, will be the relatively new phenomenon of little square images pinging onto our computer screens, and within each tiny landscape a bemused, unshaven, and yet oddly familiar face staring back at us! Welcome to 2020 and the Zoom meeting!

John(s) Harper & Scott Wreath Laying 4 November 2020

John F-D

Remembrance Day Memorial Garden ATR (W) 39

The Rifles

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Rifles Bugle Magazine and Fix Swords

Since the last edition of Swift & Bold, The Rifles has been undergoing a communications transformation. This has come about thanks to the vision of the Regimental Secretary, Lt Col (Retd) Peter Balls and supported by RHQ’s new Head of Engagement, Pete Corbin – both familiar with Swift and Bold. In addition, one of the Army Communications digital experts, Susannah Coombs has joined the team making an immediate impact on the regimental social media footprint.

In the media section of the website you can find assets that include a new monthly newsletter called Fix Swords! This gives a snapshot of what is going on across the battalions and regions with an RHQ update that fills in any wider initiatives.

Also featured is the Bugle magazine, which now comes out twice-yearly and in a different format from previous editions at only 80 pages long.

You can subscribe direct to Bugle (as one can for The Rifles Chronicle) through the Admin page on SWIFT for a hard copy, or alternatively read the online version through the site or via the app, which can be downloaded direct to your mobile phone.

The following update should bring you up to speed on the other changes taking place.

Swift – Regimental Association Website The website has been transformed in a short period of time and will continue to evolve throughout the year. The navigation, layout and functionality have been improved with a focus on relevancy and content that we hope many veteran Green Jackets will be interested in. Particular areas of interest include the Regions, Media, Events, People, Welfare and Memoriam pages and I encourage you to sign up at: www.theriflesnetwork.co.uk and be active on the site if you aren’t already.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Rifles

coming year the battalions have been tasked with producing a short video around each of the seven Characteristics and you will see these being dripped through into RIFLES social media channels, and on SWIFT throughout 2021. Please keep a beady eye out for them.

Regimental Update On the 1 February The Rifles recognised their 14th birthday by sending out a video message from the 8 battalions that was shared across our social media channels and the Regimental Association website, SWIFT. The cap badge might be different but the sense of identity and camaraderie amongst the Riflemen has not changed down the years and that shines through in the video.

In addition, you will see a new page on SWIFT called #ProudRfn. Within it you can access further information about the initiative, including the hashtags mentioned.

Rifles Foundations and Characteristics Naturally, over time any organisation will evolve, and The Rifles is no different. To recognise these changes our media team released an update called The Foundations and Characteristics of The Rifles that recognises what it means to be a 21st Century Rifleman.

Rifles County Brochures Everyone recognises that the success of The Rifles is built on the foundations of the antecedent and forming regiments and are rightly proud of its historical connections. To capitalise on that we decided 18 months ago to raise the awareness of our UK-wide footprint, and national regiment tag by creating County and City brochures that clearly stated where we had a vested interest and historical connection.

This update was born out of research by an all-ranks group of individuals from across the Regiment, who were asked what it meant to be a Rifleman in the modern day. Their findings constitute the groundwork of this important document which not only spells out what Riflemen stand for, but what it means to be in The Rifles, and identifies the key characteristics that make up their DNA and why they are so unique from other parts of the army. Many of these traits I know you will identify with as former Green Jackets.

These were sent out to key influencers across business, politics and wider community who are connected to the regiment and I can report they have been extremely well received. If you are a member of SWIFT you can see them under the Regions pages or, if not signed up yet, through the front end of the site under Local Ties. The historical importance we give to our heritage of such outstanding infantry regiments like The Royal Green Jackets is obvious.

The Characteristics of The Rifles were sent out with an accompanying letter from the Colonel Commandant, General Sir Patrick Sanders to Riflemen serving away from the Regiment on duty as well as to key individuals within the Cadet, Association and Communities pillars. Over the

RHQ is working on a new welfare section that will provide a host of new assets, videos and information to help our veterans and that includes those from forming and antecedent regiments.

Pete Corbin Rifles Head of Engagement

SWIFT should in no way detract from the RGJ website, but rather supplement and support it with information and events that I hope many of you can relate to and want to be involved in.

40

41

The Rifles

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Rifles Bugle Magazine and Fix Swords

Since the last edition of Swift & Bold, The Rifles has been undergoing a communications transformation. This has come about thanks to the vision of the Regimental Secretary, Lt Col (Retd) Peter Balls and supported by RHQ’s new Head of Engagement, Pete Corbin – both familiar with Swift and Bold. In addition, one of the Army Communications digital experts, Susannah Coombs has joined the team making an immediate impact on the regimental social media footprint.

In the media section of the website you can find assets that include a new monthly newsletter called Fix Swords! This gives a snapshot of what is going on across the battalions and regions with an RHQ update that fills in any wider initiatives.

Also featured is the Bugle magazine, which now comes out twice-yearly and in a different format from previous editions at only 80 pages long.

You can subscribe direct to Bugle (as one can for The Rifles Chronicle) through the Admin page on SWIFT for a hard copy, or alternatively read the online version through the site or via the app, which can be downloaded direct to your mobile phone.

The following update should bring you up to speed on the other changes taking place.

Swift – Regimental Association Website The website has been transformed in a short period of time and will continue to evolve throughout the year. The navigation, layout and functionality have been improved with a focus on relevancy and content that we hope many veteran Green Jackets will be interested in. Particular areas of interest include the Regions, Media, Events, People, Welfare and Memoriam pages and I encourage you to sign up at: www.theriflesnetwork.co.uk and be active on the site if you aren’t already.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Rifles

coming year the battalions have been tasked with producing a short video around each of the seven Characteristics and you will see these being dripped through into RIFLES social media channels, and on SWIFT throughout 2021. Please keep a beady eye out for them.

Regimental Update On the 1 February The Rifles recognised their 14th birthday by sending out a video message from the 8 battalions that was shared across our social media channels and the Regimental Association website, SWIFT. The cap badge might be different but the sense of identity and camaraderie amongst the Riflemen has not changed down the years and that shines through in the video.

In addition, you will see a new page on SWIFT called #ProudRfn. Within it you can access further information about the initiative, including the hashtags mentioned.

Rifles Foundations and Characteristics Naturally, over time any organisation will evolve, and The Rifles is no different. To recognise these changes our media team released an update called The Foundations and Characteristics of The Rifles that recognises what it means to be a 21st Century Rifleman.

Rifles County Brochures Everyone recognises that the success of The Rifles is built on the foundations of the antecedent and forming regiments and are rightly proud of its historical connections. To capitalise on that we decided 18 months ago to raise the awareness of our UK-wide footprint, and national regiment tag by creating County and City brochures that clearly stated where we had a vested interest and historical connection.

This update was born out of research by an all-ranks group of individuals from across the Regiment, who were asked what it meant to be a Rifleman in the modern day. Their findings constitute the groundwork of this important document which not only spells out what Riflemen stand for, but what it means to be in The Rifles, and identifies the key characteristics that make up their DNA and why they are so unique from other parts of the army. Many of these traits I know you will identify with as former Green Jackets.

These were sent out to key influencers across business, politics and wider community who are connected to the regiment and I can report they have been extremely well received. If you are a member of SWIFT you can see them under the Regions pages or, if not signed up yet, through the front end of the site under Local Ties. The historical importance we give to our heritage of such outstanding infantry regiments like The Royal Green Jackets is obvious.

The Characteristics of The Rifles were sent out with an accompanying letter from the Colonel Commandant, General Sir Patrick Sanders to Riflemen serving away from the Regiment on duty as well as to key individuals within the Cadet, Association and Communities pillars. Over the

RHQ is working on a new welfare section that will provide a host of new assets, videos and information to help our veterans and that includes those from forming and antecedent regiments.

Pete Corbin Rifles Head of Engagement

SWIFT should in no way detract from the RGJ website, but rather supplement and support it with information and events that I hope many of you can relate to and want to be involved in.

40

41

The Rearguard

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Rearguard

Nick Haynes and Ted Evelegh ‘Myths and Misconceptions’ about ‘The Rearguard’

RHA Inset from ‘The Rearguard’

J P Beadle’s ‘The Rearguard’

The C&GC’s narrative contains details which are inaccurate and misleading and so are being updated. ‘A’ (Hew Dalrymple Ross’s) Troop, RHA, now ‘A’ Battery (the Chestnuts) 1 RHA, has a wonderful bond and association with The Rifles via Craufurd’s Light Division, the 95th, the Rifle Brigade and the Royal Green Jackets.

But that dates from the formation of the Light Division in 1810. ‘A’ Troop did not take part in the Corunna Campaign.

They arrived in the Peninsula in June 1809 with the re-constituted Light Brigade under Craufurd. The only two RHA troops in

The Regiment, now The Rifles, is fortunate to possess one of the great images which goes to the heart of its culture – JP Beadle’s ‘The Rearguard’.

The mounted officer in the forefront is, of course, Brigadier General Robert ‘Black Bob’ Craufurd.

With him are a group of 2/95th with the 2/52nd behind them. The 1/43rd are not depicted. An image so fundamental to the Regiment’s ethos, requires explanation.

The title of this article arises as a result of the explanatory note beside the copy of the painting which hangs outside the Peninsular Room in the Cavalry & Guards Club (C&GC).

C&GC description of ‘The Rearguard’ 42

Nick: While musing about the updating of the C&GC description, I ran into Ted Evelegh, who served in the Regiment, as had his father, Colonel Robin, my first CO, before him. Ted had a particularly strong reason to be intrigued by the painting because Henry Evelegh was his great great great grandfather.

the Corunna Campaign were Captain Thomas Downman’s ‘B’ Troop and Captain Henry Evelegh’s ‘C’ Troop.

So, the four guns depicted by Beadle in his painting are from one of these two troops. We know they’re horse artillery as all horse gunners were mounted so they could keep up with the cavalry they were designed to support. Some of the gunners in the painting are on foot but this is no surprise as, like the marching men, the number and condition of the cavalry and artillery draught horses diminished rapidly as the Campaign went on.

No guns accompanied the two Light Brigades which went to Vigo.

More on that later and on another misconception that The Rifle Brigade commissioned the painting.

General Henry Evelegh 43

Ted: I had been told several times that the guns in the top left corner of the painting were ‘of your relative in the Chestnut Troop’. When I was in Celle in the 80s, the Chestnut Troop was based in Hohne. I asked our RHA FOO if he knew of my ancestor Henry but he replied it meant nothing. Nearly 40 years later, in 2019, I met Nick Haynes forming Henry’s Military up to march at the General Service Medal Winchester Reunion.

1848 with clasp for He set me right; Henry the cavalry action Evelegh was there and at Benevente on commanded ‘C’ Troop 29 December 1808

The Rearguard

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Rearguard

Nick Haynes and Ted Evelegh ‘Myths and Misconceptions’ about ‘The Rearguard’

RHA Inset from ‘The Rearguard’

J P Beadle’s ‘The Rearguard’

The C&GC’s narrative contains details which are inaccurate and misleading and so are being updated. ‘A’ (Hew Dalrymple Ross’s) Troop, RHA, now ‘A’ Battery (the Chestnuts) 1 RHA, has a wonderful bond and association with The Rifles via Craufurd’s Light Division, the 95th, the Rifle Brigade and the Royal Green Jackets.

But that dates from the formation of the Light Division in 1810. ‘A’ Troop did not take part in the Corunna Campaign.

They arrived in the Peninsula in June 1809 with the re-constituted Light Brigade under Craufurd. The only two RHA troops in

The Regiment, now The Rifles, is fortunate to possess one of the great images which goes to the heart of its culture – JP Beadle’s ‘The Rearguard’.

The mounted officer in the forefront is, of course, Brigadier General Robert ‘Black Bob’ Craufurd.

With him are a group of 2/95th with the 2/52nd behind them. The 1/43rd are not depicted. An image so fundamental to the Regiment’s ethos, requires explanation.

The title of this article arises as a result of the explanatory note beside the copy of the painting which hangs outside the Peninsular Room in the Cavalry & Guards Club (C&GC).

C&GC description of ‘The Rearguard’ 42

Nick: While musing about the updating of the C&GC description, I ran into Ted Evelegh, who served in the Regiment, as had his father, Colonel Robin, my first CO, before him. Ted had a particularly strong reason to be intrigued by the painting because Henry Evelegh was his great great great grandfather.

the Corunna Campaign were Captain Thomas Downman’s ‘B’ Troop and Captain Henry Evelegh’s ‘C’ Troop.

So, the four guns depicted by Beadle in his painting are from one of these two troops. We know they’re horse artillery as all horse gunners were mounted so they could keep up with the cavalry they were designed to support. Some of the gunners in the painting are on foot but this is no surprise as, like the marching men, the number and condition of the cavalry and artillery draught horses diminished rapidly as the Campaign went on.

No guns accompanied the two Light Brigades which went to Vigo.

More on that later and on another misconception that The Rifle Brigade commissioned the painting.

General Henry Evelegh 43

Ted: I had been told several times that the guns in the top left corner of the painting were ‘of your relative in the Chestnut Troop’. When I was in Celle in the 80s, the Chestnut Troop was based in Hohne. I asked our RHA FOO if he knew of my ancestor Henry but he replied it meant nothing. Nearly 40 years later, in 2019, I met Nick Haynes forming Henry’s Military up to march at the General Service Medal Winchester Reunion.

1848 with clasp for He set me right; Henry the cavalry action Evelegh was there and at Benevente on commanded ‘C’ Troop 29 December 1808

The Rearguard

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Rearguard

Description from the frame of the original of ‘The Rearguard’ in 2 Rifles Officers’ Mess in Lisburn

an artist to choose to paint such a major canvas, confident that it would sell. But who bought it? How the painting came into the possession of the Rifle Brigade is something of a mystery. It was given to the Regiment in 1935 by a Grenadier Guards officer, Captain Charles Michael Dillwyn-Venables-Llewelyn, later to become the 3rd Baronet Venables-Llewelyn.

Inset of the 95th from ‘The Rearguard’

RHA. So it was an even chance whether the guns depicted were my ancestor’s or from ‘B’ Troop.

staff turned him away saying “Mrs Evelegh doesn’t receive beggars”. Meanwhile ‘Mrs E’ herself heard her husband remonstrating loudly. She charged out of the front door into Henry’s arms. Henry rose to become Master General of the Ordnance. In later life he was said to like snuff, and his wife to chat: they were known as ‘snuffbox and chatterbox’!

He explained that Henry’s diary had been quoted in Nick Lipscombe’s ‘Wellington’s Guns’, published in 2013. So, I bought the book and finally, aged 57, read my great great great grandfather’s Corunna Campaign diary. It did not take long to read but had a profound effect. Two things struck me: the utterly abject and miserable conditions they had to endure which, of course, is well known, and that the Royal Horse Artillery was a relatively new arm (dating from 1793).

Nick: I was able to tell Ted that I thought the guns were more likely to be Henry’s, but more research was required. But let’s first deal with another potential misconception arising from the C&GC narrative. Craufurd’s Light Brigade withdrew to Vigo with the King’s German Legion Light Brigade and with both brigades under the command of the Hanoverian, Charles von Alten. No artillery accompanied the two brigades to Vigo – all artillery went with the main body to Corunna. It’s therefore a reasonable assumption that the painting depicts the last instance when Craufurd’s Light Brigade and

Many of those who embarked at Corunna died on the way back to England. Henry was himself in terrible health.

When he got to his home on the Isle of Wight, he was in such a dishevelled state that his own house 44

Why would a Guards officer give such a valuable painting to the officers of the Rifle Brigade? Sir Charles’s son, Sir John, cannot explain how his father acquired it, for his family has no connection with the Rifle Brigade. He told me that his father married in 1934 so may not have had space in his quarter for it. However, I remember being told that the Rifle Brigade officers provided financial support to what was then the Cavalry Club in the Great Depression, so becoming eligible to be members of the Club. I put this to the Secretary of the C&GC that the RB officers had bought it from the Cavalry Club and that Captain Charles had fronted for them. This didn’t ring any bells.

Hanoverian, Brigadier-General Charles von Alten

Back to the painting itself. The terrain is, according to Charles Blackmore, who walked the Retreat to Corunna route taken by 1/95th from Sahagun with a party of Riflemen in December 1983 and January 1984, more likely to be in the mountains well beyond Astorga. Von Alten and Craufurd’s brigades first separated from the rest of Moore’s rearguard (Edward Paget’s Reserve Division and Henry Paget’s cavalry) at Astorga and took the road through the mountains to Ponferrada via Foncebadon while the rest of the rearguard took the main highway via Bembibre. This suggests the scene depicted is at or around Astorga. The terrain may not be accurate, particularly if Beadle hadn’t visited Spain.

the remainder of Moore’s rearguard, Edward Paget’s Reserve Division, were together.

Beadle was generally meticulous and produced a number of well-annotated sketches from his visit to Spain in 1912 to produce further Peninsular War images. There may exist somewhere the sketches he made for ‘The Rearguard’ which he painted probably in 1909 for exhibition at the Royal Academy in 1910. Unfortunately, we don’t even know if he went to Spain to sketch for it. Another misconception in the C&GC narrative is that it was commissioned by the Rifle Brigade. If it had been, someone like Willoughby Verner, who wrote the history of the 95th in the Peninsula, published in 1912, would have spotted one of Beadle’s few mistakes – the brass cover to the cleaning kit compartment in the stocks of the 95th’s rifles is on the wrong side – (thank you George Caldwell).

At the time, Beadle was sufficiently established as

William Surtees, QM 2/95th, wrote as follows: “We continued our march from Astorga the same day [31 December] and reached at night the village of Fonceadon [Foncebadon], about 20 miles distant.....

Till now our brigade had formed the rear of the 45

The Rearguard

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Rearguard

Description from the frame of the original of ‘The Rearguard’ in 2 Rifles Officers’ Mess in Lisburn

an artist to choose to paint such a major canvas, confident that it would sell. But who bought it? How the painting came into the possession of the Rifle Brigade is something of a mystery. It was given to the Regiment in 1935 by a Grenadier Guards officer, Captain Charles Michael Dillwyn-Venables-Llewelyn, later to become the 3rd Baronet Venables-Llewelyn.

Inset of the 95th from ‘The Rearguard’

RHA. So it was an even chance whether the guns depicted were my ancestor’s or from ‘B’ Troop.

staff turned him away saying “Mrs Evelegh doesn’t receive beggars”. Meanwhile ‘Mrs E’ herself heard her husband remonstrating loudly. She charged out of the front door into Henry’s arms. Henry rose to become Master General of the Ordnance. In later life he was said to like snuff, and his wife to chat: they were known as ‘snuffbox and chatterbox’!

He explained that Henry’s diary had been quoted in Nick Lipscombe’s ‘Wellington’s Guns’, published in 2013. So, I bought the book and finally, aged 57, read my great great great grandfather’s Corunna Campaign diary. It did not take long to read but had a profound effect. Two things struck me: the utterly abject and miserable conditions they had to endure which, of course, is well known, and that the Royal Horse Artillery was a relatively new arm (dating from 1793).

Nick: I was able to tell Ted that I thought the guns were more likely to be Henry’s, but more research was required. But let’s first deal with another potential misconception arising from the C&GC narrative. Craufurd’s Light Brigade withdrew to Vigo with the King’s German Legion Light Brigade and with both brigades under the command of the Hanoverian, Charles von Alten. No artillery accompanied the two brigades to Vigo – all artillery went with the main body to Corunna. It’s therefore a reasonable assumption that the painting depicts the last instance when Craufurd’s Light Brigade and

Many of those who embarked at Corunna died on the way back to England. Henry was himself in terrible health.

When he got to his home on the Isle of Wight, he was in such a dishevelled state that his own house 44

Why would a Guards officer give such a valuable painting to the officers of the Rifle Brigade? Sir Charles’s son, Sir John, cannot explain how his father acquired it, for his family has no connection with the Rifle Brigade. He told me that his father married in 1934 so may not have had space in his quarter for it. However, I remember being told that the Rifle Brigade officers provided financial support to what was then the Cavalry Club in the Great Depression, so becoming eligible to be members of the Club. I put this to the Secretary of the C&GC that the RB officers had bought it from the Cavalry Club and that Captain Charles had fronted for them. This didn’t ring any bells.

Hanoverian, Brigadier-General Charles von Alten

Back to the painting itself. The terrain is, according to Charles Blackmore, who walked the Retreat to Corunna route taken by 1/95th from Sahagun with a party of Riflemen in December 1983 and January 1984, more likely to be in the mountains well beyond Astorga. Von Alten and Craufurd’s brigades first separated from the rest of Moore’s rearguard (Edward Paget’s Reserve Division and Henry Paget’s cavalry) at Astorga and took the road through the mountains to Ponferrada via Foncebadon while the rest of the rearguard took the main highway via Bembibre. This suggests the scene depicted is at or around Astorga. The terrain may not be accurate, particularly if Beadle hadn’t visited Spain.

the remainder of Moore’s rearguard, Edward Paget’s Reserve Division, were together.

Beadle was generally meticulous and produced a number of well-annotated sketches from his visit to Spain in 1912 to produce further Peninsular War images. There may exist somewhere the sketches he made for ‘The Rearguard’ which he painted probably in 1909 for exhibition at the Royal Academy in 1910. Unfortunately, we don’t even know if he went to Spain to sketch for it. Another misconception in the C&GC narrative is that it was commissioned by the Rifle Brigade. If it had been, someone like Willoughby Verner, who wrote the history of the 95th in the Peninsula, published in 1912, would have spotted one of Beadle’s few mistakes – the brass cover to the cleaning kit compartment in the stocks of the 95th’s rifles is on the wrong side – (thank you George Caldwell).

At the time, Beadle was sufficiently established as

William Surtees, QM 2/95th, wrote as follows: “We continued our march from Astorga the same day [31 December] and reached at night the village of Fonceadon [Foncebadon], about 20 miles distant.....

Till now our brigade had formed the rear of the 45

The Rearguard

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Rearguard / The ‘In Memoriam’ Board

Blackmore: One memory, if I may. We marched through the falling snow into the dark snow-lined streets of Astorga on New Year’s Eve 175 years to the hour nearly.

A passing car stopped and we were asked if we were ‘los chaquetas verdes reales’? (the RGJ). It was the 10th Marquis de la Romana and the direct descendant of the 3rd Marquis who led resistance against the French. We were invited inside his castle in the From his journal, we know centre of town. It was with that Henry Evelegh asked Downman, who’d been pride that our young Riflemen sent forward to Villafranca, stood by a roaring log fire at presumably with his guns, if midnight with large balloons he could spare any horses. He of fine brandy recalling their couldn’t. Furthermore, it was exploits marching the route Evelegh’s guns who supported since Sahagun seven days the actions at Cacabelos and ago. Answering the Marquis’s Highlander later at Constantino. So there’s questions as to how it was a strong presumption that the guns depicted in the being done, one Rifleman said: “We are recreating painting are Henry Evelegh’s. We also know that part the Retreat exactly as it took place to the day and of the Reserve Division, including the 1/95th, were the events; except for fighting the French, of course”. destroying stores in Astorga for much of the day To which the Marquis responded: “Well, please do (31 December 1808) when the Light Brigades were not rape my staff and burn down my castle as the marching to Foncebadon. So maybe the Reserve retreating British troops did on this night 175 years Division troops shown in the painting are from ago!” Much shared laughter and more brandy.

Disney’s brigade. This may be the most plausible interpretation of the retiring troops in the painting.

It would be super to hear from anyone who There’s much we don’t know nor may ever learn. But, might know more about ‘The Rearguard’ and what a fabulous painting! the scene depicted. Please contact us via: The last word in this tale must go to Charles nickhaynes51@gmail.com Jocks, the Reserve Division was all Rifles’ antecedents, making the painting even more relevant to The Rifles.

(For an excellent account of our forebears in the Corunna Campaign and especially their role in the bridge demolition guard at Castrogonzalo before the action at Benevente, do buy Volume 1 of The Light Division in The Peninsular War 18081811 by Tim Saunders and Rob Yuill).

Corunna Campaign Map (reproduced by kind permission of Christa Hook)

infantry, there being some cavalry in rear of us; but it was now determined that ours and the Light German Brigade under Brigadier-General Charles Alten, should strike off from the Great Road, and take the route for Orense and Vigo...

was decided that the main body of the army should retire by Lugo on Corunna and that our Bde. with the two Light Bns. K.G.L. [King’s German Legion] should fall back by the Vigo road to secure that Port and form a flanking column.” This was the last point that the two Light Brigades could have deviated from the route to Corunna. Consequently, the scene Beadle depicted could only have taken place near Astorga.

However, Ted has another theory about the scene being at Bonillos, just beyond Astorga, but the detail only came to light recently, so more about that another time!

I beg to notice here, that both Mr Gifford and Mr Moore (Sir John’s brother), have fallen into a trifling error respecting the period of our separation from the main body, they both making us be detached before our arrival at Astorga, whereas it was not till we had passed a day’s march beyond it that we were sent off...The next day, the 1st of January 1809, we marched by a most difficult road through the mountains to Ponferrada...”

Beadle depicts the separation of the Light Brigades from the Reserve Division and the guns. He depicts a Highlander at the rear of the retreating body who could be from the 91st (later the Argylls) which, with the 1/28th (later the North Gloucestershires), were in Disney’s brigade of the Reserve Division. In the other brigade, Anstruther’s, were the 20th (later East Devonshires), 1/52nd and 1/95th. So, apart from the

The routes from Astorga taken by the Light Brigades and Reserve Division converged at Cacabelos. The 2/95th’s Lieutenant John Cox is very clear in his journal entry for 1st January 1809 that “here [at Ponferrada, short of Cacabelos] it 46

Swift and Bold The ‘In Memoriam’ Board The RGJA website runs three message boards the most important being The ‘In Memoriam’ board.

This lists the names of those who have gone on to the FRV, it also gives those who wish an opportunity to share a memory of the person with others.

With the growth of social media, it has become noticeable that the board is not always used, instead notifications are being left on Facebook etc. Not everyone uses Facebook, however, therefore can I ask that if you are reporting the death of a comrade, you also post it to The ‘In Memoriam’ Board.

All that is required is name and date. Details such as number, rank, Bn(s) served are not necessary though helpful. Any problems please contact me on: admin@rgjassociation.info Thank you, Kevin Stevens (Editor) 47

The Rearguard

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Rearguard / The ‘In Memoriam’ Board

Blackmore: One memory, if I may. We marched through the falling snow into the dark snow-lined streets of Astorga on New Year’s Eve 175 years to the hour nearly.

A passing car stopped and we were asked if we were ‘los chaquetas verdes reales’? (the RGJ). It was the 10th Marquis de la Romana and the direct descendant of the 3rd Marquis who led resistance against the French. We were invited inside his castle in the From his journal, we know centre of town. It was with that Henry Evelegh asked Downman, who’d been pride that our young Riflemen sent forward to Villafranca, stood by a roaring log fire at presumably with his guns, if midnight with large balloons he could spare any horses. He of fine brandy recalling their couldn’t. Furthermore, it was exploits marching the route Evelegh’s guns who supported since Sahagun seven days the actions at Cacabelos and ago. Answering the Marquis’s Highlander later at Constantino. So there’s questions as to how it was a strong presumption that the guns depicted in the being done, one Rifleman said: “We are recreating painting are Henry Evelegh’s. We also know that part the Retreat exactly as it took place to the day and of the Reserve Division, including the 1/95th, were the events; except for fighting the French, of course”. destroying stores in Astorga for much of the day To which the Marquis responded: “Well, please do (31 December 1808) when the Light Brigades were not rape my staff and burn down my castle as the marching to Foncebadon. So maybe the Reserve retreating British troops did on this night 175 years Division troops shown in the painting are from ago!” Much shared laughter and more brandy.

Disney’s brigade. This may be the most plausible interpretation of the retiring troops in the painting.

It would be super to hear from anyone who There’s much we don’t know nor may ever learn. But, might know more about ‘The Rearguard’ and what a fabulous painting! the scene depicted. Please contact us via: The last word in this tale must go to Charles nickhaynes51@gmail.com Jocks, the Reserve Division was all Rifles’ antecedents, making the painting even more relevant to The Rifles.

(For an excellent account of our forebears in the Corunna Campaign and especially their role in the bridge demolition guard at Castrogonzalo before the action at Benevente, do buy Volume 1 of The Light Division in The Peninsular War 18081811 by Tim Saunders and Rob Yuill).

Corunna Campaign Map (reproduced by kind permission of Christa Hook)

infantry, there being some cavalry in rear of us; but it was now determined that ours and the Light German Brigade under Brigadier-General Charles Alten, should strike off from the Great Road, and take the route for Orense and Vigo...

was decided that the main body of the army should retire by Lugo on Corunna and that our Bde. with the two Light Bns. K.G.L. [King’s German Legion] should fall back by the Vigo road to secure that Port and form a flanking column.” This was the last point that the two Light Brigades could have deviated from the route to Corunna. Consequently, the scene Beadle depicted could only have taken place near Astorga.

However, Ted has another theory about the scene being at Bonillos, just beyond Astorga, but the detail only came to light recently, so more about that another time!

I beg to notice here, that both Mr Gifford and Mr Moore (Sir John’s brother), have fallen into a trifling error respecting the period of our separation from the main body, they both making us be detached before our arrival at Astorga, whereas it was not till we had passed a day’s march beyond it that we were sent off...The next day, the 1st of January 1809, we marched by a most difficult road through the mountains to Ponferrada...”

Beadle depicts the separation of the Light Brigades from the Reserve Division and the guns. He depicts a Highlander at the rear of the retreating body who could be from the 91st (later the Argylls) which, with the 1/28th (later the North Gloucestershires), were in Disney’s brigade of the Reserve Division. In the other brigade, Anstruther’s, were the 20th (later East Devonshires), 1/52nd and 1/95th. So, apart from the

The routes from Astorga taken by the Light Brigades and Reserve Division converged at Cacabelos. The 2/95th’s Lieutenant John Cox is very clear in his journal entry for 1st January 1809 that “here [at Ponferrada, short of Cacabelos] it 46

Swift and Bold The ‘In Memoriam’ Board The RGJA website runs three message boards the most important being The ‘In Memoriam’ board.

This lists the names of those who have gone on to the FRV, it also gives those who wish an opportunity to share a memory of the person with others.

With the growth of social media, it has become noticeable that the board is not always used, instead notifications are being left on Facebook etc. Not everyone uses Facebook, however, therefore can I ask that if you are reporting the death of a comrade, you also post it to The ‘In Memoriam’ Board.

All that is required is name and date. Details such as number, rank, Bn(s) served are not necessary though helpful. Any problems please contact me on: admin@rgjassociation.info Thank you, Kevin Stevens (Editor) 47

A Swan with 2 RGJ in the Bogside in 1972

The Royal Green Jackets Association

A Swan with 2 RGJ in the Bogside in 1972 Army patrols into the Bogside continued to challenge the ‘no go’ idea, often on foot and at night.

The patrol to which Henry was assigned was tasked to investigate 22 Stanleys Walk, a house on the edge of the Bogside, which had been reported to be a store for arms, ammunition and explosives and a lying up house for IRA gun-men.

The 72 hour truce ended at midnight on 13 March and was marked, at one minute past midnight, with five explosions in the City Centre. An hour later, at 1am on the 14th, the patrol set off as planned.

Stanleys Walk was a narrow street with two-storey terraced houses on one side and the 15ft perimeter wall of the City’s Gas Works on the other, some of the street lights were still working but many were not.

Major (later Colonel) Henry Hugh-Smith LVO Blues and Royals

Following Bloody Sunday in January 1972, Major Henry Hugh Smith (Blues and Royals) was accommodated in the 2 RGJ Officers’ Mess in Ballykelly. He was the Military Liaison Officer to Lord Widgery, who was leading the first investigation into Bloody Sunday. Henry had served in Northern Ireland in 1971 commanding his armoured reconnaissance squadron but he had no experience of patrolling on foot in Londonderry. So, as the tribunal concluded, he asked the Commanding Officer Lt Col Welch MC if he could accompany a foot patrol into the Bogside: “to get a feel for what it was like”. Unfortunately he picked a really bad night and in today’s peaceful existence it is extraordinary to look back at this time of extreme violence in this part of the United Kingdom.

As soon as the patrol entered the area, the alarm was raised by a team of vigilantes who dashed about on foot and in cars, monitoring the patrol’s progress.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

A Swan with 2 RGJ in the Bogside in 1972

became more sporadic, the task of removing the casualties became the priority. Two Riflemen, using the very sparse cover available in the street, attempted to keep the gunmen’s heads down, while another team of four riflemen, including Henry, exposed themselves to extract the casualties.

At this moment the gunmen, having moved their positions, opened fire again. Henry was hit in his lower right arm and moved into the shelter of a doorway, while the gunmen were re-engaged. Soon afterwards, having crashed through the barricades in their one ton armoured vehicles, the reserve platoon arrived, the gunmen were suppressed and the firing stopped. The casualties were extracted and taken to Altnagelvin Hospital and the rest of the patrol withdrew back to base. The casualty list included three soldiers seriously wounded, including Henry, whose right hand could not be saved. Two terrorists were confirmed killed and probably another three were wounded. The exchange of fire had lasted eight minutes, with more than 600 rounds exchanged. IRA propaganda described their two casualties, as “unarmed, out for a stroll, smoking cigarettes.”

Following the incident to commemorate his time with 2 RGJ, Henry presented the Officers’ Mess with a beautiful silver swan with a broken wing, mounted on an inscribed plinth.

To this day the presentation remains the property of the Officers’ Mess 2 Rifles and the inscription reads as follows: Presented toThe Officers 2nd Bn The Royal Green Jackets

by Major HO Hugh Smith The Blues & Royals Who was wounded whilst accompanying a patrol into The Bogside Londonderry on 14 March 1972

2nd Lieutenant SJ Young, who commanded the patrol, was subsequently awarded the Military Cross, Corporal Grant the Military Medal and two other riflemen; Cpl Jeffrey Seeney and Rfn John Ferrier were Mentioned in Dispatches. Rfn Geoff Bye and Rfn Mark Lydiat were the other two members of the patrol.

Colonel H O Hugh-Smith LVO died on 1 December 2016, at the age of 79, his memorial service was held in the Guards Chapel on 14 March 2017, exactly 45 years after the incident. The Swan was on display.

The random thoughts of a Rifleman

The patrol arrived at 22 Stanleys Walk to find the area around the address well-lit but the house itself derelict, bricked up and impossible to enter from the front. 2nd Lieutenant John Young, the patrol commander, sensing a ‘come on’ decided to withdraw. He sent half the patrol back to the junction of Lecky Road and Stanleys Walk, while the other half remained in position to cover their withdrawal. At this moment four gunmen opened fire with machine guns and rifles from the Cable Street end of Stanley’s Walk, which was in darkness.

The initial burst of fire hit one Rifleman in the thigh, a second Rifleman lost most of his nose from a ricochet off his rifle and a third Rifleman had a lucky escape when the stock of his rifle was shot away. Fire was returned immediately, not only by the patrol but also by a sniper team, prepositioned in overwatch on the city walls. As the shooting

In March 1972, bombing and incidents in Londonderry had increased significantly. On one day alone there were six separate bombings; two were defused and four exploded, including two very large car bombs, one of which destroyed the Post Office. Soon after this the IRA called a 72 hour truce, during which there were no major incidents but it did of course give the terrorists the opportunity to regroup and to resupply their petrol bombs, weapons, ammunition and explosives.

The Bogside had been declared by its residents as a ‘no go’ area for soldiers and police. Nevertheless, 48

49

A Swan with 2 RGJ in the Bogside in 1972

The Royal Green Jackets Association

A Swan with 2 RGJ in the Bogside in 1972 Army patrols into the Bogside continued to challenge the ‘no go’ idea, often on foot and at night.

The patrol to which Henry was assigned was tasked to investigate 22 Stanleys Walk, a house on the edge of the Bogside, which had been reported to be a store for arms, ammunition and explosives and a lying up house for IRA gun-men.

The 72 hour truce ended at midnight on 13 March and was marked, at one minute past midnight, with five explosions in the City Centre. An hour later, at 1am on the 14th, the patrol set off as planned.

Stanleys Walk was a narrow street with two-storey terraced houses on one side and the 15ft perimeter wall of the City’s Gas Works on the other, some of the street lights were still working but many were not.

Major (later Colonel) Henry Hugh-Smith LVO Blues and Royals

Following Bloody Sunday in January 1972, Major Henry Hugh Smith (Blues and Royals) was accommodated in the 2 RGJ Officers’ Mess in Ballykelly. He was the Military Liaison Officer to Lord Widgery, who was leading the first investigation into Bloody Sunday. Henry had served in Northern Ireland in 1971 commanding his armoured reconnaissance squadron but he had no experience of patrolling on foot in Londonderry. So, as the tribunal concluded, he asked the Commanding Officer Lt Col Welch MC if he could accompany a foot patrol into the Bogside: “to get a feel for what it was like”. Unfortunately he picked a really bad night and in today’s peaceful existence it is extraordinary to look back at this time of extreme violence in this part of the United Kingdom.

As soon as the patrol entered the area, the alarm was raised by a team of vigilantes who dashed about on foot and in cars, monitoring the patrol’s progress.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

A Swan with 2 RGJ in the Bogside in 1972

became more sporadic, the task of removing the casualties became the priority. Two Riflemen, using the very sparse cover available in the street, attempted to keep the gunmen’s heads down, while another team of four riflemen, including Henry, exposed themselves to extract the casualties.

At this moment the gunmen, having moved their positions, opened fire again. Henry was hit in his lower right arm and moved into the shelter of a doorway, while the gunmen were re-engaged. Soon afterwards, having crashed through the barricades in their one ton armoured vehicles, the reserve platoon arrived, the gunmen were suppressed and the firing stopped. The casualties were extracted and taken to Altnagelvin Hospital and the rest of the patrol withdrew back to base. The casualty list included three soldiers seriously wounded, including Henry, whose right hand could not be saved. Two terrorists were confirmed killed and probably another three were wounded. The exchange of fire had lasted eight minutes, with more than 600 rounds exchanged. IRA propaganda described their two casualties, as “unarmed, out for a stroll, smoking cigarettes.”

Following the incident to commemorate his time with 2 RGJ, Henry presented the Officers’ Mess with a beautiful silver swan with a broken wing, mounted on an inscribed plinth.

To this day the presentation remains the property of the Officers’ Mess 2 Rifles and the inscription reads as follows: Presented toThe Officers 2nd Bn The Royal Green Jackets

by Major HO Hugh Smith The Blues & Royals Who was wounded whilst accompanying a patrol into The Bogside Londonderry on 14 March 1972

2nd Lieutenant SJ Young, who commanded the patrol, was subsequently awarded the Military Cross, Corporal Grant the Military Medal and two other riflemen; Cpl Jeffrey Seeney and Rfn John Ferrier were Mentioned in Dispatches. Rfn Geoff Bye and Rfn Mark Lydiat were the other two members of the patrol.

Colonel H O Hugh-Smith LVO died on 1 December 2016, at the age of 79, his memorial service was held in the Guards Chapel on 14 March 2017, exactly 45 years after the incident. The Swan was on display.

The random thoughts of a Rifleman

The patrol arrived at 22 Stanleys Walk to find the area around the address well-lit but the house itself derelict, bricked up and impossible to enter from the front. 2nd Lieutenant John Young, the patrol commander, sensing a ‘come on’ decided to withdraw. He sent half the patrol back to the junction of Lecky Road and Stanleys Walk, while the other half remained in position to cover their withdrawal. At this moment four gunmen opened fire with machine guns and rifles from the Cable Street end of Stanley’s Walk, which was in darkness.

The initial burst of fire hit one Rifleman in the thigh, a second Rifleman lost most of his nose from a ricochet off his rifle and a third Rifleman had a lucky escape when the stock of his rifle was shot away. Fire was returned immediately, not only by the patrol but also by a sniper team, prepositioned in overwatch on the city walls. As the shooting

In March 1972, bombing and incidents in Londonderry had increased significantly. On one day alone there were six separate bombings; two were defused and four exploded, including two very large car bombs, one of which destroyed the Post Office. Soon after this the IRA called a 72 hour truce, during which there were no major incidents but it did of course give the terrorists the opportunity to regroup and to resupply their petrol bombs, weapons, ammunition and explosives.

The Bogside had been declared by its residents as a ‘no go’ area for soldiers and police. Nevertheless, 48

49

I shouldn’t have been in the Green Jackets

The Royal Green Jackets Association

I shouldn’t have been in the Green Jackets I shouldn’t have even joined the Green Jackets, I had left grammar school in December 1970 with both ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels and was set for a career in the RAF as a technician having passed all their tests and was waiting to report to RAF Swinderby although they had told me it could be 12 months or perhaps even longer as the RAF was a much more popular choice of career than the army at that time. No surprise there given the problems in Northern Ireland. I was therefore working as a trainee manager for a well known electrical outlet, Currys. I was bored to tears, so bored that one Monday morning I paid the extra bus fare and carried on into Oxford deciding to do something else and forget the RAF. My choice was simple.

I already wore the Green Jacket cap badge as a cadet CSgt in the ACF (I was also a cadet F/Sgt in the ATC as well but that’s another story). I wanted to be a LUMBERJACK! Actually I wanted to join the 17th/21st Lancers. Who else has the skull and crossbones for a cap badge? I was going to drive a tank!

I was told, I forgot this sound advice just the once and I can still remember his displeasure to this day!

Everyone in 2Pl respected JP for his no-nonsense firm but fair approach. He was also acting Pl Comd as Lt Neil Bunce was away doing something.

In July I remember being woken up sometime around dark O Clock and asked where Cpl Bob Chapman slept. This was the start of the very quick and busy build-up for a trip to Belfast. Getting on the aircraft to NI, I asked one of the the loadies if they would be kind enough to post a letter for me letting my mother know where I had gone. He looked at the address and went one better and hand delivered it the same evening as I came from Carterton the home of RAF Brize Norton and the base for the aircraft on which we were flying.

Much has been written about Op Motorman so I will skip over it except for a couple of things, if Roy Baillie, our database manager, had not been reading a copy of the Witney Gazette in the dinner queue in St. Teresa’s Parochial Hall, I would not have made a friend who I still insult to this today. He misplaced one of his legs a few years back and has still not gone diffy to the QMs for a new one! I recently asked him for his memories of that tour, I thought I might gain a useful insight into his thoughts and feelings for this article given he was older than me and already had two tours under his belt, some shift in the political situation he as a long serving Rifleman might have noticed, certainly something profound. His reply? “The toilets in St Teresa’s were too bloody small to sit on”.

The Recruiting Sgt happened to be a Green Jacket who during my interview asked if I had any relatives in the army, I mentioned my older brother a Sgt, also in the Green Jackets. I was asked to go away for an hour while he got my paperwork in order. In that time he located my brother who just happened to be on a KAPE tour locally in the Thames Valley with the RIT and to cut a long story short I ended up after training in 1 RGJ in Celle.

I was posted to 2 Pl, A Coy, our Pl Sjt at the time was John (JP) Perkis. If you wanted to maintain a head on your shoulders never call him Sarge.

This oil painting is of Fort Monagh as we who lived there might remember it 50

The painting shown here was originally hung in the Officers Mess of the Devon and Dorset regiment and was presented to the officers by Lieutenant Colonel Lucius Hamilton who had served with the regiment a number of years before. It was apparently sold for £85 during the merger of the DDLI, RGBW, LI and RGJ in 2007.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

I shouldn’t have been in the Green Jackets

I learnt how to carry, tune and use an A41 also a C42 and ‘radio speak’ all without the benefit of a signallers course such was the speed with which we deployed to Ulster. The reason I think I got lumbered with the A41 was because I probably stupidly volunteered and possibly because I was also the nig in C/S 12B. Patrolling was intense either on foot or in the back of a Pig but looking back on it I found the whole experience an err… experience.

Who can forget the night we went down to support the Blues & Royals in East Belfast and a factory was emptied of all its bottles when the rioters needed more ammunition. When I was in one of the Sangars in the newly built Fort Monagh when they took a pop at us from the area of Turf Lodge, or maybe the time Jimmy Pat’ bollocked me for not getting rounds off quick enough when we walked into a contact again from Turf Lodge. I wasn’t going to argue with Jimmy or mention my first priority was a contact report, he would probably have decked me! I actually greatly respected Jimmy.

Anyway have you actually tried to fire an SLR when in the prone position with an A41 on your back? No? It’s an interesting experience.

a heart attack during the follow up search.

To be honest I was by now losing a little bit of interest in proceedings although the pictures on the RGJ Photo website do show me calmly smoking a cigarette while the Coy Medic busied himself around me. Once Doc Brown arrived in his Saracen I got carted off to Musgrave Park Hospital.

There was a picture taken just before I received my second injury of the day when, after apparently refusing to lay down on the stretcher, I smacked the back of my head on the door frame of the Saracen!

Thus ended my first tour of NI. In April of 1973 I finally returned to the Bn to continue my recovery and was put on light duties and told to report to CSjt ‘Bob’ Roberts in the Officers Mess. He explained I would be sleeping in the attic in accommodation set aside for the staff, we would not be used at any time for regimental guard etc. (music to my ears!) but would be expected to work a shift system in the mess including weekends. He then asked me if I preferred to be a waiter or barman I immediately said that I had no experience as a waiter but had previously worked behind a bar, sorry Bob I lied about the bar work but there was no way I was going to be a waiter!

On 7th November my first tour came to a somewhat abrupt end just 100yds from Fort Monagh. I remember thinking to myself, “I’m not going over the bank there into cover, there’s nettles and I don’t want to be stung.” So I ran a couple of yards further on. I discovered I had developed a rather neat hole in the front of my upper arm and a much larger hole in the back. I also lost about 2 inches of bone and other bits and pieces inside which allowed my arm to swing quite freely on its own, the bone was replaced later by a lump of plastic apparently. All quite interesting really in a somewhat painful way.

I soon settled into the way of life of a barman. I was surprised to find that officers actually had a sense of humour! To be fair with the continual commitment to NI where life was a very serious business there wasn’t really much time for a sense of humour. I should however mention that in 1976 when I was by then in the Antitanks we had a young Oxford OUTC officer attached to us in Cyprus for a month or so who allegedly got himself a few extra duties for doing a ‘zulu warrier’ in the Rainbow bar just outside ESBA in Dhekelia egged on by Bob Munroe and a few others in Sp Coy. No names no pack drill etc. but M.R. you know who I am talking about. Incidentally in the Antitanks back-blast bags, foofoo valves and giggling pins don’t really exist Martin. They can however be found on the same shelf as multi-coloured paint and long weights.

I had actually called in to the Ops Room that a contact in the area was likely only 10 minutes earlier when I realised how quiet Turf Lodge had gone with even the dogs disappearing. As the contact progressed Lcpl Lionel Hitchcock led a section attack across the wasteland between Fort Monagh, the Granshas and Turf Lodge to take on the gunmen who had taken exception to our presence and were being quite beastly towards us. I decided to stay behind and bleed a little while keeping everyone up to date on my trusty A41 which I later found out had lost half its ariel to another round from those gunmen.

Back in 2 Pln and in July we were again off to Belfast this time to the Lower Falls scene of the ‘Leeson Street Patrol’ painting by Terrence Cuneo depicting members of R Coy 3 RGJ in Sept 71.

Three events stand out. The first when we as a patrol were returning to Mulhouse via the Grosvenor Road. We were running a few minutes early so set up a snap VCP. Almost immediately an Austin 1100 came towards us from the Falls Road junction.

A little while later the Ops room got around to asking for any injuries so I gave them my butt number and ask for an Elastoplast. Sadly there was a death that day, that of an elderly lady who died of 51

I shouldn’t have been in the Green Jackets

The Royal Green Jackets Association

I shouldn’t have been in the Green Jackets I shouldn’t have even joined the Green Jackets, I had left grammar school in December 1970 with both ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels and was set for a career in the RAF as a technician having passed all their tests and was waiting to report to RAF Swinderby although they had told me it could be 12 months or perhaps even longer as the RAF was a much more popular choice of career than the army at that time. No surprise there given the problems in Northern Ireland. I was therefore working as a trainee manager for a well known electrical outlet, Currys. I was bored to tears, so bored that one Monday morning I paid the extra bus fare and carried on into Oxford deciding to do something else and forget the RAF. My choice was simple.

I already wore the Green Jacket cap badge as a cadet CSgt in the ACF (I was also a cadet F/Sgt in the ATC as well but that’s another story). I wanted to be a LUMBERJACK! Actually I wanted to join the 17th/21st Lancers. Who else has the skull and crossbones for a cap badge? I was going to drive a tank!

I was told, I forgot this sound advice just the once and I can still remember his displeasure to this day!

Everyone in 2Pl respected JP for his no-nonsense firm but fair approach. He was also acting Pl Comd as Lt Neil Bunce was away doing something.

In July I remember being woken up sometime around dark O Clock and asked where Cpl Bob Chapman slept. This was the start of the very quick and busy build-up for a trip to Belfast. Getting on the aircraft to NI, I asked one of the the loadies if they would be kind enough to post a letter for me letting my mother know where I had gone. He looked at the address and went one better and hand delivered it the same evening as I came from Carterton the home of RAF Brize Norton and the base for the aircraft on which we were flying.

Much has been written about Op Motorman so I will skip over it except for a couple of things, if Roy Baillie, our database manager, had not been reading a copy of the Witney Gazette in the dinner queue in St. Teresa’s Parochial Hall, I would not have made a friend who I still insult to this today. He misplaced one of his legs a few years back and has still not gone diffy to the QMs for a new one! I recently asked him for his memories of that tour, I thought I might gain a useful insight into his thoughts and feelings for this article given he was older than me and already had two tours under his belt, some shift in the political situation he as a long serving Rifleman might have noticed, certainly something profound. His reply? “The toilets in St Teresa’s were too bloody small to sit on”.

The Recruiting Sgt happened to be a Green Jacket who during my interview asked if I had any relatives in the army, I mentioned my older brother a Sgt, also in the Green Jackets. I was asked to go away for an hour while he got my paperwork in order. In that time he located my brother who just happened to be on a KAPE tour locally in the Thames Valley with the RIT and to cut a long story short I ended up after training in 1 RGJ in Celle.

I was posted to 2 Pl, A Coy, our Pl Sjt at the time was John (JP) Perkis. If you wanted to maintain a head on your shoulders never call him Sarge.

This oil painting is of Fort Monagh as we who lived there might remember it 50

The painting shown here was originally hung in the Officers Mess of the Devon and Dorset regiment and was presented to the officers by Lieutenant Colonel Lucius Hamilton who had served with the regiment a number of years before. It was apparently sold for £85 during the merger of the DDLI, RGBW, LI and RGJ in 2007.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

I shouldn’t have been in the Green Jackets

I learnt how to carry, tune and use an A41 also a C42 and ‘radio speak’ all without the benefit of a signallers course such was the speed with which we deployed to Ulster. The reason I think I got lumbered with the A41 was because I probably stupidly volunteered and possibly because I was also the nig in C/S 12B. Patrolling was intense either on foot or in the back of a Pig but looking back on it I found the whole experience an err… experience.

Who can forget the night we went down to support the Blues & Royals in East Belfast and a factory was emptied of all its bottles when the rioters needed more ammunition. When I was in one of the Sangars in the newly built Fort Monagh when they took a pop at us from the area of Turf Lodge, or maybe the time Jimmy Pat’ bollocked me for not getting rounds off quick enough when we walked into a contact again from Turf Lodge. I wasn’t going to argue with Jimmy or mention my first priority was a contact report, he would probably have decked me! I actually greatly respected Jimmy.

Anyway have you actually tried to fire an SLR when in the prone position with an A41 on your back? No? It’s an interesting experience.

a heart attack during the follow up search.

To be honest I was by now losing a little bit of interest in proceedings although the pictures on the RGJ Photo website do show me calmly smoking a cigarette while the Coy Medic busied himself around me. Once Doc Brown arrived in his Saracen I got carted off to Musgrave Park Hospital.

There was a picture taken just before I received my second injury of the day when, after apparently refusing to lay down on the stretcher, I smacked the back of my head on the door frame of the Saracen!

Thus ended my first tour of NI. In April of 1973 I finally returned to the Bn to continue my recovery and was put on light duties and told to report to CSjt ‘Bob’ Roberts in the Officers Mess. He explained I would be sleeping in the attic in accommodation set aside for the staff, we would not be used at any time for regimental guard etc. (music to my ears!) but would be expected to work a shift system in the mess including weekends. He then asked me if I preferred to be a waiter or barman I immediately said that I had no experience as a waiter but had previously worked behind a bar, sorry Bob I lied about the bar work but there was no way I was going to be a waiter!

On 7th November my first tour came to a somewhat abrupt end just 100yds from Fort Monagh. I remember thinking to myself, “I’m not going over the bank there into cover, there’s nettles and I don’t want to be stung.” So I ran a couple of yards further on. I discovered I had developed a rather neat hole in the front of my upper arm and a much larger hole in the back. I also lost about 2 inches of bone and other bits and pieces inside which allowed my arm to swing quite freely on its own, the bone was replaced later by a lump of plastic apparently. All quite interesting really in a somewhat painful way.

I soon settled into the way of life of a barman. I was surprised to find that officers actually had a sense of humour! To be fair with the continual commitment to NI where life was a very serious business there wasn’t really much time for a sense of humour. I should however mention that in 1976 when I was by then in the Antitanks we had a young Oxford OUTC officer attached to us in Cyprus for a month or so who allegedly got himself a few extra duties for doing a ‘zulu warrier’ in the Rainbow bar just outside ESBA in Dhekelia egged on by Bob Munroe and a few others in Sp Coy. No names no pack drill etc. but M.R. you know who I am talking about. Incidentally in the Antitanks back-blast bags, foofoo valves and giggling pins don’t really exist Martin. They can however be found on the same shelf as multi-coloured paint and long weights.

I had actually called in to the Ops Room that a contact in the area was likely only 10 minutes earlier when I realised how quiet Turf Lodge had gone with even the dogs disappearing. As the contact progressed Lcpl Lionel Hitchcock led a section attack across the wasteland between Fort Monagh, the Granshas and Turf Lodge to take on the gunmen who had taken exception to our presence and were being quite beastly towards us. I decided to stay behind and bleed a little while keeping everyone up to date on my trusty A41 which I later found out had lost half its ariel to another round from those gunmen.

Back in 2 Pln and in July we were again off to Belfast this time to the Lower Falls scene of the ‘Leeson Street Patrol’ painting by Terrence Cuneo depicting members of R Coy 3 RGJ in Sept 71.

Three events stand out. The first when we as a patrol were returning to Mulhouse via the Grosvenor Road. We were running a few minutes early so set up a snap VCP. Almost immediately an Austin 1100 came towards us from the Falls Road junction.

A little while later the Ops room got around to asking for any injuries so I gave them my butt number and ask for an Elastoplast. Sadly there was a death that day, that of an elderly lady who died of 51

I shouldn’t have been in the Green Jackets

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Colonel in Chief and an earlier Rifles connection

Colonel in Chief and an earlier Rifles connection In her first ‘virtual’ address to The Rifles, as their new Colonel-inChief, The Duchess of Cornwall made mention of her father, Maj Bruce Shand 12th Lancers, who had escaped from Spangenberg Castle, a German POW camp, together with Lt Edward Rose of The Rifle Brigade, an antecedent regiment of The Rifles.

We stopped it to find a very nervous driver. Opening his door for him it was found the window would not wind down and the door appeared very heavy.

There was also a whiffy sort of smell. On further inspection by ATO it was found to be stuffed full of explosives. 1 RGJ 1 PIRA Nil… The second was when we were doing the Telex Guard and OP at the bottom of the Grosvenor Road. This OP gave us a really good view over to Divis flats and up into the lower falls.It was about 06:00hrs and I was watching up towards the bottom of the Falls and the Mayflower Bar, this was of course a staunchly republican bar. I watched as the dray pulled up and unloaded a few kegs off the back, and took a few photos using the long range lens. The lorry pulled off disappearing up towards the Falls road. A few second later I was surprised to see a large cloud of smoke and a few flames, this was followed by a rather large bang and the Mayflower bar had ceased to exist! The photos were passed up the chain of command but I never heard anything else regarding their usefulness or not. Finally one night I was doing front Sangar duty which looked up a short street called err... something on through a 10ft high metal fence made of wriggly tin and on to the Grosvenor Road itself with my Sangar partner Joe.

little higher – about four feet higher – we said he had an awfully long neck! I quickly replaced my tin pot but Joe was not so quick. JP now the CQMS came storming into the Sangar, he had heard the original shots and our reply and wanted to check we were okay. On seeing we were he congratulated us on our prompt return of fire and then nicked Joe for not being properly dressed. You had to love JP! So ended 1973.

In early 1974 I joined the Antitanks. This was in the days before fireworks on strings of course. Once again the platoon was filled with characters. Sadly both Brian Hesketh and Ken Hudson NCOs of that era died in January of this year. My older brother was one of the Pl Sjts The other Sjts were Dave Fairhurst and Tom Smith, Tom went on to become RSM 1RGJ and finally Major Tom MBE There is the makings of a song title there somewhere I think .

They were happy days and I can still recite the definition of Lead as well!

while the Duchess told him their unexpected connection showed it was a ‘small world’.

Edward Rose’s story is as follows: Rose and Shand met while escaping from Spangenberg as part of a 25-strong group, who had taken their chances while being marched out of the castle while the guard’s attention lapsed.

The Duchess of Cornwall meet war veteran Edward Rose on a visit to the Norman Hardie Winery in Southern Ontario, during a tour of Canada with the Prince of Wales in July 2017.

When Edward Rose was introduced to the Duchess of Cornwall he revealed an extraordinary connection, telling her he had escaped from a WWII POW camp with the help of her father.

The group, led by the Germanspeaking Terence Prittie, a fellow Rifle Brigade Officer journalist and author, spent a week in a barn, fending off locals to live on foraged food and eventually being rescued after spotting American tanks advancing in the distance.

Lt Edward Rose, The Rifle Brigade

Rose, who had been captured in France said he and Maj Shand had not been close while in the camp but escaped with mutual friends and were bound by the extraordinary experience of escape.

Lt Rose, then just 20, had embarked on a daring escape from Spangenberg POW camp along with Maj Bruce Shand, whom he described as ‘very handy’ in a tight spot.

“He was just a very nice guy,” Rose said of him.

“Very handy.”

Rose was introduced to the Duchess who said she was only sorry her late father was not there to be reunited, or to learn about their meeting. The Prince of Wales, noticing his distinctive dress, said it was “nice to see the green blazer” of the Rifles,

“When I read that the Prince of Wales was engaged to someone named Shand, I wondered if there was a connection.”

Shand, for his part, had been captured near Marsa Matruh, North Africa, in 1942, treated for wounds in hospital before being taken to an officers’ POW camp in Germany.

50 years later and life has gone full circle, after leaving the army I first drove buses then was manager of a bus garage before doing time in HMP Bullingdon – as a prison officer. On retiring from that early at 60yrs old following an accident outside of work I set out to relax and enjoy retirement. After three years and now recovered I was bored, so I returned to retail. I now work in retirement a few days a week for Argos in Abingdon and strangely enough quite enjoy it but do find that the young people I work with talk in a strange language where sick means good, sick to me always meant the end product of a good night out in Celle/Cyprus/Hong Kong etc. Apparently, something can also be bear or bare, I have no idea what that means!

We had removed our tin hats and were chatting away quietly while watching up the street. One minute it was quiet and the next some person had popped around the fence and fired a few rounds at us from a hand gun. We might have been chatting but our rifles were still in the shoulder, loaded, cocked and safety catch on. We returned fire with two rounds each. Your man had already disappeared and I doubt we hit him but he may have had to change his underwear quite soon afterwards though as three of the four shots were found to have punctured the fence at chest height roughly where he had been stood, the 4th was a

Kevin Stevens 52

He had served with the 12th Lancers, awarded the Military Cross in 1940 and again in 1942, and died in 2006.

“We were treated perfectly well,” said Rose of the prison camp. “The food was pretty awful, but we got parcels from Canada which saved our lives.”

Rose, a retired stockbroker who emigrated to Canada after marrying a Canadian girl, said: “I went in after D-Day in 1944 and was a prisoner for about six months.”

Edward Rose died on 13 Sept 2019 in Canada where he was living near his daughter.

Duchess of Cornwall met war veteran Edward Rose, 1 July 2017 53

I shouldn’t have been in the Green Jackets

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Colonel in Chief and an earlier Rifles connection

Colonel in Chief and an earlier Rifles connection In her first ‘virtual’ address to The Rifles, as their new Colonel-inChief, The Duchess of Cornwall made mention of her father, Maj Bruce Shand 12th Lancers, who had escaped from Spangenberg Castle, a German POW camp, together with Lt Edward Rose of The Rifle Brigade, an antecedent regiment of The Rifles.

We stopped it to find a very nervous driver. Opening his door for him it was found the window would not wind down and the door appeared very heavy.

There was also a whiffy sort of smell. On further inspection by ATO it was found to be stuffed full of explosives. 1 RGJ 1 PIRA Nil… The second was when we were doing the Telex Guard and OP at the bottom of the Grosvenor Road. This OP gave us a really good view over to Divis flats and up into the lower falls.It was about 06:00hrs and I was watching up towards the bottom of the Falls and the Mayflower Bar, this was of course a staunchly republican bar. I watched as the dray pulled up and unloaded a few kegs off the back, and took a few photos using the long range lens. The lorry pulled off disappearing up towards the Falls road. A few second later I was surprised to see a large cloud of smoke and a few flames, this was followed by a rather large bang and the Mayflower bar had ceased to exist! The photos were passed up the chain of command but I never heard anything else regarding their usefulness or not. Finally one night I was doing front Sangar duty which looked up a short street called err... something on through a 10ft high metal fence made of wriggly tin and on to the Grosvenor Road itself with my Sangar partner Joe.

little higher – about four feet higher – we said he had an awfully long neck! I quickly replaced my tin pot but Joe was not so quick. JP now the CQMS came storming into the Sangar, he had heard the original shots and our reply and wanted to check we were okay. On seeing we were he congratulated us on our prompt return of fire and then nicked Joe for not being properly dressed. You had to love JP! So ended 1973.

In early 1974 I joined the Antitanks. This was in the days before fireworks on strings of course. Once again the platoon was filled with characters. Sadly both Brian Hesketh and Ken Hudson NCOs of that era died in January of this year. My older brother was one of the Pl Sjts The other Sjts were Dave Fairhurst and Tom Smith, Tom went on to become RSM 1RGJ and finally Major Tom MBE There is the makings of a song title there somewhere I think .

They were happy days and I can still recite the definition of Lead as well!

while the Duchess told him their unexpected connection showed it was a ‘small world’.

Edward Rose’s story is as follows: Rose and Shand met while escaping from Spangenberg as part of a 25-strong group, who had taken their chances while being marched out of the castle while the guard’s attention lapsed.

The Duchess of Cornwall meet war veteran Edward Rose on a visit to the Norman Hardie Winery in Southern Ontario, during a tour of Canada with the Prince of Wales in July 2017.

When Edward Rose was introduced to the Duchess of Cornwall he revealed an extraordinary connection, telling her he had escaped from a WWII POW camp with the help of her father.

The group, led by the Germanspeaking Terence Prittie, a fellow Rifle Brigade Officer journalist and author, spent a week in a barn, fending off locals to live on foraged food and eventually being rescued after spotting American tanks advancing in the distance.

Lt Edward Rose, The Rifle Brigade

Rose, who had been captured in France said he and Maj Shand had not been close while in the camp but escaped with mutual friends and were bound by the extraordinary experience of escape.

Lt Rose, then just 20, had embarked on a daring escape from Spangenberg POW camp along with Maj Bruce Shand, whom he described as ‘very handy’ in a tight spot.

“He was just a very nice guy,” Rose said of him.

“Very handy.”

Rose was introduced to the Duchess who said she was only sorry her late father was not there to be reunited, or to learn about their meeting. The Prince of Wales, noticing his distinctive dress, said it was “nice to see the green blazer” of the Rifles,

“When I read that the Prince of Wales was engaged to someone named Shand, I wondered if there was a connection.”

Shand, for his part, had been captured near Marsa Matruh, North Africa, in 1942, treated for wounds in hospital before being taken to an officers’ POW camp in Germany.

50 years later and life has gone full circle, after leaving the army I first drove buses then was manager of a bus garage before doing time in HMP Bullingdon – as a prison officer. On retiring from that early at 60yrs old following an accident outside of work I set out to relax and enjoy retirement. After three years and now recovered I was bored, so I returned to retail. I now work in retirement a few days a week for Argos in Abingdon and strangely enough quite enjoy it but do find that the young people I work with talk in a strange language where sick means good, sick to me always meant the end product of a good night out in Celle/Cyprus/Hong Kong etc. Apparently, something can also be bear or bare, I have no idea what that means!

We had removed our tin hats and were chatting away quietly while watching up the street. One minute it was quiet and the next some person had popped around the fence and fired a few rounds at us from a hand gun. We might have been chatting but our rifles were still in the shoulder, loaded, cocked and safety catch on. We returned fire with two rounds each. Your man had already disappeared and I doubt we hit him but he may have had to change his underwear quite soon afterwards though as three of the four shots were found to have punctured the fence at chest height roughly where he had been stood, the 4th was a

Kevin Stevens 52

He had served with the 12th Lancers, awarded the Military Cross in 1940 and again in 1942, and died in 2006.

“We were treated perfectly well,” said Rose of the prison camp. “The food was pretty awful, but we got parcels from Canada which saved our lives.”

Rose, a retired stockbroker who emigrated to Canada after marrying a Canadian girl, said: “I went in after D-Day in 1944 and was a prisoner for about six months.”

Edward Rose died on 13 Sept 2019 in Canada where he was living near his daughter.

Duchess of Cornwall met war veteran Edward Rose, 1 July 2017 53

From RGJ to Police

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

From RGJ to Police / Where are you now?

From RGJ to Police

A lot of dog training is about what you are likely to come across and sometimes one wonders if what you are doing will be of use. One of these is property search where the dog searches for Articles and then indicates them.

called to a burglary in the village of Denmead. We were just up the road and as we neared the scene I saw three youths running across a field. I jumped out of the van with the dog and shouted for them to standstill. They were about 150 meters away.

Two stood still and one ran into the next field, he also came back when I threatened to send the dog but before he did I saw him bend down. All three were arrested and taken away. I then told Kimba to ‘search’ where the lad had bent down. I sent him off and he tracked the route the lad had taken.

Suddenly I saw him ‘knock’ a cowpat (the field was full of them). I kept my eye on that particular one and on joining Kimba I looked down but could see nothing. I kicked the cowpat and lo and behold out popped a Rolex watch. I was so chuffed and it showed me that the training worked. The rest of the jewellery was recovered as I had seen the other two drop it into a nearby stream – all in all a cracking result.

Shortly after the last job in Portsmouth we were

Mick Copp. Ex 2RGJ and police officer 1316.

by Mike Copp

use him in that manner. Kimba would have made a good Greenjacket.

Where are you now?

March/April 1972 training section After leaving the Regt in September 1977 I was lucky enough to join Hampshire Constabulary.

After training in Kent I returned to Portsmouth where I was a beat cop for 10yrs, also becoming a firearms officer. The instructor then was Gerry Robb who many will remember, sadly no longer with us ex-RB was also on the team and we looked after many high powered people.

wooden truncheon – no CS Spray or metal ASP. On our arrival the man suddenly appeared about 250m in front of us waving this large knife he was wearing a large greatcoat and appeared to have on his feet a pair of high leg boots he was also a big bloke. On seeing us he stopped and I could see he was having second thoughts, he had had his fun but it wasn’t funny any more and the police officer in me knew he was going to give up. However the Greenjacket in me decided he wasn’t getting off lightly after terrorising my colleagues so before he had the chance I shouted the normal challenge and sent Kimba who went off like an Exocet missile.

In 1987 I applied for the dog section and was very lucky to be selected there were probably 70, 80 applicants for the one job. The German shepherd I received was extremely sharp and 12 months old, however he was very mature and would probably had he not become a police dog been put down. We had many adventures and suffice to say the more heavily armed a criminal was the more pain was going to be inflicted by ‘Kimba’.

I almost felt sorry for the bloke he could see the dog coming but couldn’t do anything about it in the seconds before the dog arrived he threw the knife away and sat down just as Kimba piled in and began biting chunks out of his greatcoat. His bravado disappeared and he was then arrested, blubbering like a baby.

For those of you who think I was reckless in sending the dog I can assure you he was more than capable of looking after himself, however, my second dog a few years later was much softer and I would never

One night we were called to Portsmouth City where a man was running amock with a large knife he was chasing police officers who in those days only had a 54

55

From RGJ to Police

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

From RGJ to Police / Where are you now?

From RGJ to Police

A lot of dog training is about what you are likely to come across and sometimes one wonders if what you are doing will be of use. One of these is property search where the dog searches for Articles and then indicates them.

called to a burglary in the village of Denmead. We were just up the road and as we neared the scene I saw three youths running across a field. I jumped out of the van with the dog and shouted for them to standstill. They were about 150 meters away.

Two stood still and one ran into the next field, he also came back when I threatened to send the dog but before he did I saw him bend down. All three were arrested and taken away. I then told Kimba to ‘search’ where the lad had bent down. I sent him off and he tracked the route the lad had taken.

Suddenly I saw him ‘knock’ a cowpat (the field was full of them). I kept my eye on that particular one and on joining Kimba I looked down but could see nothing. I kicked the cowpat and lo and behold out popped a Rolex watch. I was so chuffed and it showed me that the training worked. The rest of the jewellery was recovered as I had seen the other two drop it into a nearby stream – all in all a cracking result.

Shortly after the last job in Portsmouth we were

Mick Copp. Ex 2RGJ and police officer 1316.

by Mike Copp

use him in that manner. Kimba would have made a good Greenjacket.

Where are you now?

March/April 1972 training section After leaving the Regt in September 1977 I was lucky enough to join Hampshire Constabulary.

After training in Kent I returned to Portsmouth where I was a beat cop for 10yrs, also becoming a firearms officer. The instructor then was Gerry Robb who many will remember, sadly no longer with us ex-RB was also on the team and we looked after many high powered people.

wooden truncheon – no CS Spray or metal ASP. On our arrival the man suddenly appeared about 250m in front of us waving this large knife he was wearing a large greatcoat and appeared to have on his feet a pair of high leg boots he was also a big bloke. On seeing us he stopped and I could see he was having second thoughts, he had had his fun but it wasn’t funny any more and the police officer in me knew he was going to give up. However the Greenjacket in me decided he wasn’t getting off lightly after terrorising my colleagues so before he had the chance I shouted the normal challenge and sent Kimba who went off like an Exocet missile.

In 1987 I applied for the dog section and was very lucky to be selected there were probably 70, 80 applicants for the one job. The German shepherd I received was extremely sharp and 12 months old, however he was very mature and would probably had he not become a police dog been put down. We had many adventures and suffice to say the more heavily armed a criminal was the more pain was going to be inflicted by ‘Kimba’.

I almost felt sorry for the bloke he could see the dog coming but couldn’t do anything about it in the seconds before the dog arrived he threw the knife away and sat down just as Kimba piled in and began biting chunks out of his greatcoat. His bravado disappeared and he was then arrested, blubbering like a baby.

For those of you who think I was reckless in sending the dog I can assure you he was more than capable of looking after himself, however, my second dog a few years later was much softer and I would never

One night we were called to Portsmouth City where a man was running amock with a large knife he was chasing police officers who in those days only had a 54

55

Service of Remembrance at the RGJ Memorial

The Royal Green Jackets Association

75th Anniversary of Victory Over Japan Saturday 15 August 2020

Service of Remembrance at the RGJ Memorial The Nation’s VJ 75 Act of Remembrance was held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. Her Majesty, The Queen was Represented by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, who attended Services of Remembrance at the XIV Army Memorial where a section of the infamous Burma Railway stands as a testament to those 16,000 British, Australian, American and Dutch POWs who died in the appalling conditions endured from September 1942 to October 1943 building ‘The Railway of Death’.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Service of Remembrance at the RGJ Memorial

In a private Service following on from the National Act of Remembrance, HRH The Royal Colonel in Chief of the RIFLES laid a wreath at the Royal Green Jackets’ Memorial in remembrance of the 6th Battalion the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, as well as the following 10 battalions of founding Regiments of the RIFLES which served in the Burma Campaign in the 2nd World War.

• 2nd and 7th Battalions the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

• 2nd Battalion the Durham Light Infantry • 2nd Battalion the Dorsetshire Regiment • 1st & 2nd Battalions the Royal Berkshire

RIFLES Colonel in Chief and Colonel Commandant at the NMA

Regiment

• • • •

Infantry Brigade, attached to the 25th Indian Army Division. 6 Ox and Bucks served on the Arakan Front during the advance down the west coast of Burma to Rangoon in 1944/45.

1st Battalion the Somerset Light Infantry 1s Battalion the Wiltshire Regiment 1s Battalion the Devonshire Regiment 10th Battalion the Gloucestershire Regiment

6th Battalion the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry was disbanded in December 1945.

6th Battalion the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry was raised in July 1940 and assigned to the 14th Infantry Group. In mid 1942 they were sent to India as part of the 74th Indian

With the first Covid lockdown fresh in everybody’s mind, the proceedings were attended by just a few, socially distancing, guests – with appropriate connections to the Forgotten Army.

RIFLES Colonel in Chief and RGJ Association President 56

HRH lays her wreath 57

Service of Remembrance at the RGJ Memorial

The Royal Green Jackets Association

75th Anniversary of Victory Over Japan Saturday 15 August 2020

Service of Remembrance at the RGJ Memorial The Nation’s VJ 75 Act of Remembrance was held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. Her Majesty, The Queen was Represented by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, who attended Services of Remembrance at the XIV Army Memorial where a section of the infamous Burma Railway stands as a testament to those 16,000 British, Australian, American and Dutch POWs who died in the appalling conditions endured from September 1942 to October 1943 building ‘The Railway of Death’.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Service of Remembrance at the RGJ Memorial

In a private Service following on from the National Act of Remembrance, HRH The Royal Colonel in Chief of the RIFLES laid a wreath at the Royal Green Jackets’ Memorial in remembrance of the 6th Battalion the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, as well as the following 10 battalions of founding Regiments of the RIFLES which served in the Burma Campaign in the 2nd World War.

• 2nd and 7th Battalions the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

• 2nd Battalion the Durham Light Infantry • 2nd Battalion the Dorsetshire Regiment • 1st & 2nd Battalions the Royal Berkshire

RIFLES Colonel in Chief and Colonel Commandant at the NMA

Regiment

• • • •

Infantry Brigade, attached to the 25th Indian Army Division. 6 Ox and Bucks served on the Arakan Front during the advance down the west coast of Burma to Rangoon in 1944/45.

1st Battalion the Somerset Light Infantry 1s Battalion the Wiltshire Regiment 1s Battalion the Devonshire Regiment 10th Battalion the Gloucestershire Regiment

6th Battalion the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry was disbanded in December 1945.

6th Battalion the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry was raised in July 1940 and assigned to the 14th Infantry Group. In mid 1942 they were sent to India as part of the 74th Indian

With the first Covid lockdown fresh in everybody’s mind, the proceedings were attended by just a few, socially distancing, guests – with appropriate connections to the Forgotten Army.

RIFLES Colonel in Chief and RGJ Association President 56

HRH lays her wreath 57

The Chauffeur

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Chauffeur 4½ hour journey to a grid reference in the rear end of nowhere in North Wales. Lucky I was never an officer otherwise I would never find it!

The roads are empty, so the drive is a dream, and keeping to the speed limits not! If the car had wings it would take off. I’m on the M40 with nothing on the road so briefly take it up to 155mph – and there’s still room for more, but then bottle went so it’s back down to 80, cruise control and sensible head on and we are away.

After 2½ hours it’s coffee break time so I pull into the services for a Starbucks. I know its rubbish coffee but needs must. I park the car well out of the way so other drivers don’t scratch it. With a coffee down my neck I stroll out to the car park to find there’s a naffin Micra and a Mini parked either side and I’m in need of a chuffing tin opener to get back inside again. I manage to heave and shimmy my not so slim body back into the driver’s seat, and as the engine roars and gurgles back into life a few heads turn to see where the sudden sound of a thunder storm is coming from but quickly turn to looks of envy as they realise its only me and my flash motor!

Is that my training Sergeant making all that noise?

Oh no, not another room inspection! Please oh please not the locker out the window again! As it disappeared out of the window from 3 floors up, it is immediately followed by the crashing sound of metal as it hits the ground – and I instantly wake up!

Phew thank goodness for that as I quickly realise it’s only a dream and not 1972, and the horrendous racket which woke me up was only my alarm clock hitting the wall at 3:45 in the morning!

Today I’m up early to drive to a place called Llandderfel in North Wales, but not in one of my cars. Today it’s in a clients’ Bentley Continental GTE Limited Edition and made to celebrate the 100 years of Bentley. Lots of wonga as you can imagine (see photo). To keep my client’s identity a secret in the photo the registration plate is not its real one. Although looking at it you might be led to believe it was previously owned by an ex member of the regiment who was a Geordie! Whey eye!

5 miles away from my delivery grid reference I fill the Bentley up and begin to wonder if the car had developed a leak as I watched the chuffin petrol pump clock up just shy of £100 – and that wasn’t even a complete fill from empty!

Sitting at the undisclosed destination and now waiting for my client, he sends me a text asking if I’m there. Within 2 minutes of confirming that I was I hear the distinctive sound of a helicopter getting closer. It lands and my client steps out to collect his car keys with a big smile on his face, “You made it on time then?” to which I reply: “Rifleman boss – always on time”.

It’s now 04:30 and dark and as I press the start button the car lights up like bloody Crystal Palace with headlights that are as bright as the ones on the Starship Enterprise! I’m off on my 250 mile and 58

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Chauffeur

So the question is now – how am I to get back home? Well I ain’t gonna tab it that’s for sure. So it’s into the chopper and quickly settle my backside in my clients recently vacated and still warm seat, strap on a pair of headphones and in seconds we’re airborne on route to Lasham airfield near Alton. As I found out from the pilot Lasham was built in 1942 and was an RAF station in WW2 from which flew Hurricanes, Spitfires and the wooden wonder known as the Mosquito.

the phone in a helicopter. I tell you it doesn’t work so I text her with the ETA of three minutes. Sure enough as we start our decent there she is with the car parked right where we need to land bless her – don’t we just love them to bits? After short car journey home my millionaires adventure for the day was brought back to earth with a lunch of tasty egg banjo’s – mmmm lovely!

Although the aircraft I am in doesn’t quite have the same pedigree as any of those mentioned, the good news is it works! And for a top of the range big blue thing with rotor blades more commonly known as an A Star Airbus H125 it bl***y well should!

Five days later I’m back at Lasham airfield to fly back up the sheep bothering country to collect the car. The pilot informed me that it’s now at a new grid reference close to a small town called Sennybridge and asked if I ever been there. Do bears S**t in the woods I replied and told him all about the wonders of that lovely (not) place.

Although quite a different ride from the canvas seated things I flew around the sky’s in years gone by, it still brought back happy memories of hanging out of a Puma and Wessex with a GPMG. Anyway, that’s another story.

Anyway, because our flight path is so close to the training area we have to obtain clearance to fly anywhere near it. No problem as my pilot tells air traffic control, he has an old soldier on board, and because there is no training happening that day we are given permission to overfly. Now I am not a religious man, but I pray that we don’t have a problem and have to land, and tab it out. Been there and done that too many times in a previous life and don’t fancy it anymore. We eventually land bang on time and my client is there with the car, and still a big smile on his face. I return his smile and think to myself that smile on his face won’t last long when he gets the bill for this job!

Just like my earlier fill-up in the car, this thing is just as thirsty, so we have to stop at Welshpool on route for fuel. I’m informed by the pilot it’s only 21p per litre for aviation fuel at the moment which made me suddenly think of transplanting aero engines into my cars! With both tanks full we are off again.

Flight time to Alton 45 minutes or so. On our route back we fly close to RAF Fairford, and their air traffic control informs us that a B52 bomber will be taking off and use a flight path close to us. Didn’t see it which was a bit of a shame. But even so as we fly close to Fairford where we can see 5 other UK based B52s lined up on the runway. FFS their wing-span is wider than a football pitch! They must have known a Rifleman was flying over and were scrambling to get ready just in case of a dust up!

Anyway, good to know their on our side.

I jump into the Bentley and he clambers into the helicopter. Me for the long but very comfortable drive back to his mansion in the New Forest and he in the helicopter to wherever millionaires go in their helicopters. All in a day’s work for a chauffeur who briefly lived the life of Jason Statham’s ‘The Mechanic’.

Half hour later my phone rings and it shows it’s the wife calling so I ask the pilot to TURN THE BLOODY FAN OFF as it’s the wife calling, and I can’t hear a thing. Honestly have you ever tried talking on

Tiny Adams Aka The Chauffeur 59

The Chauffeur

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Chauffeur 4½ hour journey to a grid reference in the rear end of nowhere in North Wales. Lucky I was never an officer otherwise I would never find it!

The roads are empty, so the drive is a dream, and keeping to the speed limits not! If the car had wings it would take off. I’m on the M40 with nothing on the road so briefly take it up to 155mph – and there’s still room for more, but then bottle went so it’s back down to 80, cruise control and sensible head on and we are away.

After 2½ hours it’s coffee break time so I pull into the services for a Starbucks. I know its rubbish coffee but needs must. I park the car well out of the way so other drivers don’t scratch it. With a coffee down my neck I stroll out to the car park to find there’s a naffin Micra and a Mini parked either side and I’m in need of a chuffing tin opener to get back inside again. I manage to heave and shimmy my not so slim body back into the driver’s seat, and as the engine roars and gurgles back into life a few heads turn to see where the sudden sound of a thunder storm is coming from but quickly turn to looks of envy as they realise its only me and my flash motor!

Is that my training Sergeant making all that noise?

Oh no, not another room inspection! Please oh please not the locker out the window again! As it disappeared out of the window from 3 floors up, it is immediately followed by the crashing sound of metal as it hits the ground – and I instantly wake up!

Phew thank goodness for that as I quickly realise it’s only a dream and not 1972, and the horrendous racket which woke me up was only my alarm clock hitting the wall at 3:45 in the morning!

Today I’m up early to drive to a place called Llandderfel in North Wales, but not in one of my cars. Today it’s in a clients’ Bentley Continental GTE Limited Edition and made to celebrate the 100 years of Bentley. Lots of wonga as you can imagine (see photo). To keep my client’s identity a secret in the photo the registration plate is not its real one. Although looking at it you might be led to believe it was previously owned by an ex member of the regiment who was a Geordie! Whey eye!

5 miles away from my delivery grid reference I fill the Bentley up and begin to wonder if the car had developed a leak as I watched the chuffin petrol pump clock up just shy of £100 – and that wasn’t even a complete fill from empty!

Sitting at the undisclosed destination and now waiting for my client, he sends me a text asking if I’m there. Within 2 minutes of confirming that I was I hear the distinctive sound of a helicopter getting closer. It lands and my client steps out to collect his car keys with a big smile on his face, “You made it on time then?” to which I reply: “Rifleman boss – always on time”.

It’s now 04:30 and dark and as I press the start button the car lights up like bloody Crystal Palace with headlights that are as bright as the ones on the Starship Enterprise! I’m off on my 250 mile and 58

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Chauffeur

So the question is now – how am I to get back home? Well I ain’t gonna tab it that’s for sure. So it’s into the chopper and quickly settle my backside in my clients recently vacated and still warm seat, strap on a pair of headphones and in seconds we’re airborne on route to Lasham airfield near Alton. As I found out from the pilot Lasham was built in 1942 and was an RAF station in WW2 from which flew Hurricanes, Spitfires and the wooden wonder known as the Mosquito.

the phone in a helicopter. I tell you it doesn’t work so I text her with the ETA of three minutes. Sure enough as we start our decent there she is with the car parked right where we need to land bless her – don’t we just love them to bits? After short car journey home my millionaires adventure for the day was brought back to earth with a lunch of tasty egg banjo’s – mmmm lovely!

Although the aircraft I am in doesn’t quite have the same pedigree as any of those mentioned, the good news is it works! And for a top of the range big blue thing with rotor blades more commonly known as an A Star Airbus H125 it bl***y well should!

Five days later I’m back at Lasham airfield to fly back up the sheep bothering country to collect the car. The pilot informed me that it’s now at a new grid reference close to a small town called Sennybridge and asked if I ever been there. Do bears S**t in the woods I replied and told him all about the wonders of that lovely (not) place.

Although quite a different ride from the canvas seated things I flew around the sky’s in years gone by, it still brought back happy memories of hanging out of a Puma and Wessex with a GPMG. Anyway, that’s another story.

Anyway, because our flight path is so close to the training area we have to obtain clearance to fly anywhere near it. No problem as my pilot tells air traffic control, he has an old soldier on board, and because there is no training happening that day we are given permission to overfly. Now I am not a religious man, but I pray that we don’t have a problem and have to land, and tab it out. Been there and done that too many times in a previous life and don’t fancy it anymore. We eventually land bang on time and my client is there with the car, and still a big smile on his face. I return his smile and think to myself that smile on his face won’t last long when he gets the bill for this job!

Just like my earlier fill-up in the car, this thing is just as thirsty, so we have to stop at Welshpool on route for fuel. I’m informed by the pilot it’s only 21p per litre for aviation fuel at the moment which made me suddenly think of transplanting aero engines into my cars! With both tanks full we are off again.

Flight time to Alton 45 minutes or so. On our route back we fly close to RAF Fairford, and their air traffic control informs us that a B52 bomber will be taking off and use a flight path close to us. Didn’t see it which was a bit of a shame. But even so as we fly close to Fairford where we can see 5 other UK based B52s lined up on the runway. FFS their wing-span is wider than a football pitch! They must have known a Rifleman was flying over and were scrambling to get ready just in case of a dust up!

Anyway, good to know their on our side.

I jump into the Bentley and he clambers into the helicopter. Me for the long but very comfortable drive back to his mansion in the New Forest and he in the helicopter to wherever millionaires go in their helicopters. All in a day’s work for a chauffeur who briefly lived the life of Jason Statham’s ‘The Mechanic’.

Half hour later my phone rings and it shows it’s the wife calling so I ask the pilot to TURN THE BLOODY FAN OFF as it’s the wife calling, and I can’t hear a thing. Honestly have you ever tried talking on

Tiny Adams Aka The Chauffeur 59

‘Back to the Future’

The Royal Green Jackets Association

‘Back To The Future’

– Road Trip to Normandy Barracks Felixstowe 2019

gate. We found this gate unlocked, although there was a fiercely worded notice threatening dire consequences for unauthorised entry. Being ‘Chosen Men’ we chose to ignore the notice and went in.

A trio of former Rifleman made a road-trip up the A12 with a view to seeing what if anything was left of Normandy Barracks.

The ‘Retro Riflemen’ on the trip were – Joe Constable ex B Coy, Mick Mizon ex C Coy and John Sabini ex B/ HQ Coys.

We spent about an hour plus and were able to locate a couple of company blocks (nothing else left) and take several photos. Having satisfied our nostalgia need and avoiding being arrested for trespass we made a tactical withdrawal via the same gate. Back to Felixstowe for a cup of char (no beer – shows we are getting old), then the drive back to London.

After a wander around Felixstowe to re-visit various ‘scene of crime’ locations (pubs – some sadly now closed down).

Then onwards to Normandy Barracks. We managed to find what would have been the main gate/guard room. This area now consist of a perimeter fence with a small pedestrian

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Old Friends Reunited / The Bogside Tattoo

Old Friends Reunited Belfast 1974. Tiny Adams and Jack Colbert on patrol in the Ballymurphy jiggers (back alleys). The black and white photograph was taken by the then Lt Phillip Schofield.

41 years after that photograph was taken and with a few less hairs, a bit of weight and a few more wrinkles, not only does colour enters the world of photography but an old friendship is reaffirmed when Tiny drops off a client at Liverpool Docks and his car number plate is recognised by no other than Jack who he had last seen in 1980. Fate is a funny old thing isn’t it?

The Bogside Tattoo

by Mick Copp

not to stall the vehicle and to make sure he kept the engine running. We arrived and parked up in line with the plan facing the crowd, there must have been several hundred of them, the lads were crouched behind their shields taking it all.

In 1971 I was in the Recce Pln 2 RGJ, and at this particular time we were based in Strand Road police station Derry. A Young officer came up to me one evening and said that the OC had had an idea and to go with him. Myself and a driver, I think it may have been ‘Gypo Hussey’ but I’ m not sure were taken to the rear of the police station. There in front of us sat a short wheelbase Landrover with the biggest searchlight I had ever seen, it was like something from a Second World War film. It had a huge mesh grill over the front of it.

Then the order came to turn the light on which I did. I don’t know who was more surprised us or the locals.This huge beam of light surged down the Bogside as far as the Brandywell. For about five seconds everything stopped and went quiet and then the world erupted, everything was now directed at us and the light, bricks bottles and the kitchen sink, it was horrendous. The driver was under the dashboard I was under my shield, but worse, the vehicle was slowly being demolished with us in it.

All I could taste was brick dust.

The plan, he said was to wait for the Bogsiders to turn up for the nightly riot near William Street, pull up next to whatever plan was there and await instructions. I looked at the driver and he looked at me and we both knew it wasn’t going to end well! Our only protection were flak jackets and a Makrolon shield each. Comms was the good old Storno radio.

After no more than 1 or 2 minutes, which seemed a lifetime, a message over the Storno told us to return to Strand Road.We returned with what was left of the Landrover and drove into the yard. The young officers face was a picture, I said something along the lines of: “What are you going to tell the QM about the vehicle.” There wasn’t one straight panel and every light was smashed. Needless to say the light disappeared never to be seen again.

As usual as it got dark the locals turned up for the party. The plans as usual were taking a hammering and sending back rubber bullets and the occasional gas canister. Everything was being thrown including the kitchen sink. I then received the message I was dreading, ie proceed to William Street and await instructions. l told the driver on pain of death 60

Mick Copp recce Pln 2 RGJ 61

‘Back to the Future’

The Royal Green Jackets Association

‘Back To The Future’

– Road Trip to Normandy Barracks Felixstowe 2019

gate. We found this gate unlocked, although there was a fiercely worded notice threatening dire consequences for unauthorised entry. Being ‘Chosen Men’ we chose to ignore the notice and went in.

A trio of former Rifleman made a road-trip up the A12 with a view to seeing what if anything was left of Normandy Barracks.

The ‘Retro Riflemen’ on the trip were – Joe Constable ex B Coy, Mick Mizon ex C Coy and John Sabini ex B/ HQ Coys.

We spent about an hour plus and were able to locate a couple of company blocks (nothing else left) and take several photos. Having satisfied our nostalgia need and avoiding being arrested for trespass we made a tactical withdrawal via the same gate. Back to Felixstowe for a cup of char (no beer – shows we are getting old), then the drive back to London.

After a wander around Felixstowe to re-visit various ‘scene of crime’ locations (pubs – some sadly now closed down).

Then onwards to Normandy Barracks. We managed to find what would have been the main gate/guard room. This area now consist of a perimeter fence with a small pedestrian

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Old Friends Reunited / The Bogside Tattoo

Old Friends Reunited Belfast 1974. Tiny Adams and Jack Colbert on patrol in the Ballymurphy jiggers (back alleys). The black and white photograph was taken by the then Lt Phillip Schofield.

41 years after that photograph was taken and with a few less hairs, a bit of weight and a few more wrinkles, not only does colour enters the world of photography but an old friendship is reaffirmed when Tiny drops off a client at Liverpool Docks and his car number plate is recognised by no other than Jack who he had last seen in 1980. Fate is a funny old thing isn’t it?

The Bogside Tattoo

by Mick Copp

not to stall the vehicle and to make sure he kept the engine running. We arrived and parked up in line with the plan facing the crowd, there must have been several hundred of them, the lads were crouched behind their shields taking it all.

In 1971 I was in the Recce Pln 2 RGJ, and at this particular time we were based in Strand Road police station Derry. A Young officer came up to me one evening and said that the OC had had an idea and to go with him. Myself and a driver, I think it may have been ‘Gypo Hussey’ but I’ m not sure were taken to the rear of the police station. There in front of us sat a short wheelbase Landrover with the biggest searchlight I had ever seen, it was like something from a Second World War film. It had a huge mesh grill over the front of it.

Then the order came to turn the light on which I did. I don’t know who was more surprised us or the locals.This huge beam of light surged down the Bogside as far as the Brandywell. For about five seconds everything stopped and went quiet and then the world erupted, everything was now directed at us and the light, bricks bottles and the kitchen sink, it was horrendous. The driver was under the dashboard I was under my shield, but worse, the vehicle was slowly being demolished with us in it.

All I could taste was brick dust.

The plan, he said was to wait for the Bogsiders to turn up for the nightly riot near William Street, pull up next to whatever plan was there and await instructions. I looked at the driver and he looked at me and we both knew it wasn’t going to end well! Our only protection were flak jackets and a Makrolon shield each. Comms was the good old Storno radio.

After no more than 1 or 2 minutes, which seemed a lifetime, a message over the Storno told us to return to Strand Road.We returned with what was left of the Landrover and drove into the yard. The young officers face was a picture, I said something along the lines of: “What are you going to tell the QM about the vehicle.” There wasn’t one straight panel and every light was smashed. Needless to say the light disappeared never to be seen again.

As usual as it got dark the locals turned up for the party. The plans as usual were taking a hammering and sending back rubber bullets and the occasional gas canister. Everything was being thrown including the kitchen sink. I then received the message I was dreading, ie proceed to William Street and await instructions. l told the driver on pain of death 60

Mick Copp recce Pln 2 RGJ 61

Green Jacket Close

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Green Jacket Close For those of you that are not aware, the Rifles own 21 properties in Winchester, which are available to ex-personnel of the Royal Green Jackets and Antecedent Regiments, as well as those who continue to serve with the Rifles.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Green Jacket Close

Rifle Brigade who had been killed in action or died of wounds or disease during the Boer War, a total of 44 Officers and 550 men. One of the Pairs of the 60th cottages was dedicated in memory of Prince Christian Victor and another pair of 95th cottages was given by the Duke of Connaught.

The money for the homes was raised by the Rifleman Aid Society, much of it by subscription from serving and former Officers, NCOs and men of the Regt but also included a number of large donations from individuals. The total cost was nearly £6,000.

The original cottages have been modernised and five of them have been converted into two one bedroom flats. In addition in 1966 four two bedroom houses, two two bedroom flats and two one bedroom flats were build on site with funds provided by the Rifleman’s Aid Society, increasing the total number of housing units available to 21, currently there are 26 residents including widows and widowers.

Some History on Green Jacket Close, who I proudly serve as the Estate Manager for all the Chosen men and Ladies that live there.

On 15 July 1904, the Cottage Homes for disabled Riflemen, as they were then known, were opened by Field Marshal HRH the Duke of Connaught, Colonel in Chief of the Rifle Brigade, and HRH the Princess Christian of Schleswig Holstein, whose son, Prince Christian Victor, had died in 1900 in South Africa, while serving with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps.

Upon formation of the The Rifles in 2007, Green Jacket close was absorbed into the Rifles Benevolent Trust and the occupation of the homes was opened up to all members of the Forming and Antecedent Regiments, as well as those who continue to serve with the Rifles.

The homes, which consisted of four pairs of semi detached cottages, were build as a memorial to the members of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps and the

Applications are considered based on eligibility and need. If you would like to apply to live in Green Jacket Close or would like to put your name on the current waiting list, please contact: Andy Spalding Email: gjc@the-rifles.co.uk

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Green Jacket Close

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Green Jacket Close For those of you that are not aware, the Rifles own 21 properties in Winchester, which are available to ex-personnel of the Royal Green Jackets and Antecedent Regiments, as well as those who continue to serve with the Rifles.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Green Jacket Close

Rifle Brigade who had been killed in action or died of wounds or disease during the Boer War, a total of 44 Officers and 550 men. One of the Pairs of the 60th cottages was dedicated in memory of Prince Christian Victor and another pair of 95th cottages was given by the Duke of Connaught.

The money for the homes was raised by the Rifleman Aid Society, much of it by subscription from serving and former Officers, NCOs and men of the Regt but also included a number of large donations from individuals. The total cost was nearly £6,000.

The original cottages have been modernised and five of them have been converted into two one bedroom flats. In addition in 1966 four two bedroom houses, two two bedroom flats and two one bedroom flats were build on site with funds provided by the Rifleman’s Aid Society, increasing the total number of housing units available to 21, currently there are 26 residents including widows and widowers.

Some History on Green Jacket Close, who I proudly serve as the Estate Manager for all the Chosen men and Ladies that live there.

On 15 July 1904, the Cottage Homes for disabled Riflemen, as they were then known, were opened by Field Marshal HRH the Duke of Connaught, Colonel in Chief of the Rifle Brigade, and HRH the Princess Christian of Schleswig Holstein, whose son, Prince Christian Victor, had died in 1900 in South Africa, while serving with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps.

Upon formation of the The Rifles in 2007, Green Jacket close was absorbed into the Rifles Benevolent Trust and the occupation of the homes was opened up to all members of the Forming and Antecedent Regiments, as well as those who continue to serve with the Rifles.

The homes, which consisted of four pairs of semi detached cottages, were build as a memorial to the members of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps and the

Applications are considered based on eligibility and need. If you would like to apply to live in Green Jacket Close or would like to put your name on the current waiting list, please contact: Andy Spalding Email: gjc@the-rifles.co.uk

62

63

The Longest two year posting ever 1980 – 1986

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Longest two year posting ever 1980 – 1986 for the PDT, and I became ground crew. Dougie’s claim to fame was that he had never had an RTC in his life but had seen plenty in his rear-view mirror – read into that what you will… Strangely, although we had both a car and a minibus as team vehicles supplied by our sponsors Radio Rentals, nobody ever wanted to travel in the car with Dougie more than once!

My first ever job with the PDT was to climb one of the football lighting stanchions at Birmingham City’s ground, to light the ground flare giving the jumpers an indication which way the wind was blowing.

Those things look pretty stable but in reality they sway quite a bit and I was quite glad to finally arrive back down on the ground again. I did meet Jaspar Carrott the comedian though. He was a director of BCFC. Of the celebrities I met over the years, my favourite was Grot Bags my least favourite being Jim Bowen.

1980 and 1 RGJ had returned from just over two years in Hong Kong and relocated to Cavalry Barracks in Hounslow, London. I had been stationed there before when we were fire-fighting in 1977 and it hadn’t improved since then. It was originally one of 40 barracks established around the country in the wake of the French Revolution to guard against the dual threats of foreign invasion and domestic sedition and the best way to describe it would be to call it a slum. I cannot think of one thing that it had going for it except the main gate out of the place.

I was at least fortunate to have married quarters inside the barracks – a tiny little two bedroom flat the size of a postage stamp but at least I could walk to work and go home for lunch. Those quartered in Windsor had to pay to travel in and out each day.

When Dougie was promoted to Sgt and posted off to a recruiting office somewhere, Major John Read who had now taken over as RIO suggested I might like to move to x-platoon and take over from Dougie as the RIT Clerk. It would extend my posting indefinitely but would mean that I would drop from the nominal roll of 1 RGJ which might later have a detrimental affect on any career I thought I might have. I took the plunge and took over as the RIT clerk.

1983 and I was single again and now had a small room in the old RIT offices down the slope by Short Block. I was still the depot photographer though.

The parachute team had changed quite a bit. Sgt Bob Dowling left in 1981 and for a period the team was led by Cpl Lionel Hitchcock who was my section commander in November 72. 1982 saw in Sgt Gary Douglas and also various team members who had been through Netheravon where they completed their freefall course and had joined the team, while others had returned there to train as instructors or returned to their respective Battalions. We were completing maybe 50-60 parachute displays a season and I was now the commentator. It was a real off the cuff commentary and apart from the basics of who they were etc. it was based on what I could see the jumpers were doing in the sky. It worked well and several letters of commendation arrived in the RIO’s post bag including one from a Lord. I know it sounds like I am blowing my own trumpet and yes I am – I had found my vocation! I would like to point out however I was never a display parachutist although for a short period after I left the

By now I was one of the clerks working in Battalion HQ under chief clerk WO2 Barrie Gilmore. He called me into his office one morning and asked me if I would like a posting for a couple of years as the Depot photographer. I was therefore promoted to Lcpl as I had passed my JNCOs cadre in Hong Kong.

I attended the Darkroom Technicians course at RAF Cosford before being posted to the Depot to join the Regimental Information Team (RIT) under Capt Mac Arnold. I remained a clerk and as such I worked as the assistant RIT clerk to Cpl Dougie Day doing the photography as and when required. Basic stuff like passing out parades, ID cards, six weeks skiing in Aviemore – that was awful honest Guv! And a couple of weeks in Brecon photographing one of the training platoons. However the bulk of my work was for the RIT, the Light Division Information Team and the Parachute Display Team (PDT). Life was pretty varied in a clerical sort of way.

Dougie Day, when not pushing a typewriter (do you remember them?), was also the driver/commentator 64

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Longest two year posting ever 1980 – 1986

army I did try parachuting in civvy street but found it really wasn’t for me. I did do a few jumps training under Cpl Dave Chadwick while with the team but purely so that I could have some sense of what it felt like to fall out an aircraft which I could put into my commentary. In reality I was no more than the driver/commentator/fixer of accommodation/talker to ATC/CAA and show organisers and maker of tea and coffee. Raymond Brookes-Ward probably the best known of the commentators on the horsey circuit alongside Tom Hudson and Mike Tucker all of whom I got to know really well would refer to me as the team Road Manager. Dogs-body I think would be a better expression.

After each display, if it was a Radio Rentals (RR) sponsored jump and we did about 20-25 of these each year, we would gather at the RR stand on the showground and give out badges and leaflets to the children while the RR staff tried to flog mum and dad a TV. We were asked some strange questions: “The parachutists we saw in the sky a few minutes ago, are they the same ones who landed in the arena?”

“Nope, those you saw landed elsewhere, these were in the back of the van”. There were several versions of this reply depending on who asked, with at least one involving a gruesome death and the grabbing of the grass to prevent bouncing.

double me back over to the RSMs office minus my beret! Well good luck with that it was never going to happen. Major Read arrived and verified that I had not been on the Plymouth job, something the RMP should have checked. They then moved on to the projector. He asked them if they knew I was the depot photographer and as such was entitled to use this equipment and film where and when needed?

That hadn’t been checked either. I will not go into the full details but leaving some disco, the team had collected up all their jackets as a bundle, chucked them in the back of the team mini-bus, and in doing so, had inadvertently also picked up this tatty old leather jacket as well. On arriving back in Winchester they had realized the mistake and set about putting it right by returning the jacket and the wallet therein to its owner with an apology written in green ink on green paper. The owner of the jacket obviously saw an opportunity to get a new jacket out of it so complained that the jacket had not been returned, only his wallet. It was soon all sorted out, the RMP went off in their mobile sty and a cheque for the “missing” jacket was sent to the complainant.

There was one display I didn’t do in the Plymouth area however, I think I might have been doing a course elsewhere but about a fortnight later I was called to the RSMs office to be told that two members of the RMP wished to speak with me regarding a stolen leather jacket. I hadn’t a clue what they were on about but the RSM had authorised a search of my room so off we went. Searching was going well, no leather jacket of course, not even that messy a search until they discovered some film and a slide projector, an army side projector. The older of the two stood back and let his apprentice, a very young Lcpl (he looked about 12yrs old) interrogate me. “Whose is this then son” he said. SON? I was at least six years older than him. This very young military Piglet now stepped up the pressure. Did I know it was an offence to have this in my room, theft of army property was a very serious offence etc. he was going to nick me for stealing it. What about the rolls of film? He was off on one big time.

Courts Martial and a firing squad here I come.

Up until this point I had tolerated the nonsense because they had at least told me that this jacket was stolen from Plymouth and I knew that I had not been on that gig – not that they gave me any time to tell them that! I refused to answer any more of their questions and requested the presence of an officer, Major Read. They actually wanted to

John Read was the most supportive boss any of us could have hoped to have. He had come up through the ranks which was no mean achievement and was nobodies fool. Sadly I attended his funeral last year together with two other former team members who had travelled a fair distance to pay their last respects. The messages on The ‘In Memoriam’ 65

The Longest two year posting ever 1980 – 1986

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Longest two year posting ever 1980 – 1986 for the PDT, and I became ground crew. Dougie’s claim to fame was that he had never had an RTC in his life but had seen plenty in his rear-view mirror – read into that what you will… Strangely, although we had both a car and a minibus as team vehicles supplied by our sponsors Radio Rentals, nobody ever wanted to travel in the car with Dougie more than once!

My first ever job with the PDT was to climb one of the football lighting stanchions at Birmingham City’s ground, to light the ground flare giving the jumpers an indication which way the wind was blowing.

Those things look pretty stable but in reality they sway quite a bit and I was quite glad to finally arrive back down on the ground again. I did meet Jaspar Carrott the comedian though. He was a director of BCFC. Of the celebrities I met over the years, my favourite was Grot Bags my least favourite being Jim Bowen.

1980 and 1 RGJ had returned from just over two years in Hong Kong and relocated to Cavalry Barracks in Hounslow, London. I had been stationed there before when we were fire-fighting in 1977 and it hadn’t improved since then. It was originally one of 40 barracks established around the country in the wake of the French Revolution to guard against the dual threats of foreign invasion and domestic sedition and the best way to describe it would be to call it a slum. I cannot think of one thing that it had going for it except the main gate out of the place.

I was at least fortunate to have married quarters inside the barracks – a tiny little two bedroom flat the size of a postage stamp but at least I could walk to work and go home for lunch. Those quartered in Windsor had to pay to travel in and out each day.

When Dougie was promoted to Sgt and posted off to a recruiting office somewhere, Major John Read who had now taken over as RIO suggested I might like to move to x-platoon and take over from Dougie as the RIT Clerk. It would extend my posting indefinitely but would mean that I would drop from the nominal roll of 1 RGJ which might later have a detrimental affect on any career I thought I might have. I took the plunge and took over as the RIT clerk.

1983 and I was single again and now had a small room in the old RIT offices down the slope by Short Block. I was still the depot photographer though.

The parachute team had changed quite a bit. Sgt Bob Dowling left in 1981 and for a period the team was led by Cpl Lionel Hitchcock who was my section commander in November 72. 1982 saw in Sgt Gary Douglas and also various team members who had been through Netheravon where they completed their freefall course and had joined the team, while others had returned there to train as instructors or returned to their respective Battalions. We were completing maybe 50-60 parachute displays a season and I was now the commentator. It was a real off the cuff commentary and apart from the basics of who they were etc. it was based on what I could see the jumpers were doing in the sky. It worked well and several letters of commendation arrived in the RIO’s post bag including one from a Lord. I know it sounds like I am blowing my own trumpet and yes I am – I had found my vocation! I would like to point out however I was never a display parachutist although for a short period after I left the

By now I was one of the clerks working in Battalion HQ under chief clerk WO2 Barrie Gilmore. He called me into his office one morning and asked me if I would like a posting for a couple of years as the Depot photographer. I was therefore promoted to Lcpl as I had passed my JNCOs cadre in Hong Kong.

I attended the Darkroom Technicians course at RAF Cosford before being posted to the Depot to join the Regimental Information Team (RIT) under Capt Mac Arnold. I remained a clerk and as such I worked as the assistant RIT clerk to Cpl Dougie Day doing the photography as and when required. Basic stuff like passing out parades, ID cards, six weeks skiing in Aviemore – that was awful honest Guv! And a couple of weeks in Brecon photographing one of the training platoons. However the bulk of my work was for the RIT, the Light Division Information Team and the Parachute Display Team (PDT). Life was pretty varied in a clerical sort of way.

Dougie Day, when not pushing a typewriter (do you remember them?), was also the driver/commentator 64

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Longest two year posting ever 1980 – 1986

army I did try parachuting in civvy street but found it really wasn’t for me. I did do a few jumps training under Cpl Dave Chadwick while with the team but purely so that I could have some sense of what it felt like to fall out an aircraft which I could put into my commentary. In reality I was no more than the driver/commentator/fixer of accommodation/talker to ATC/CAA and show organisers and maker of tea and coffee. Raymond Brookes-Ward probably the best known of the commentators on the horsey circuit alongside Tom Hudson and Mike Tucker all of whom I got to know really well would refer to me as the team Road Manager. Dogs-body I think would be a better expression.

After each display, if it was a Radio Rentals (RR) sponsored jump and we did about 20-25 of these each year, we would gather at the RR stand on the showground and give out badges and leaflets to the children while the RR staff tried to flog mum and dad a TV. We were asked some strange questions: “The parachutists we saw in the sky a few minutes ago, are they the same ones who landed in the arena?”

“Nope, those you saw landed elsewhere, these were in the back of the van”. There were several versions of this reply depending on who asked, with at least one involving a gruesome death and the grabbing of the grass to prevent bouncing.

double me back over to the RSMs office minus my beret! Well good luck with that it was never going to happen. Major Read arrived and verified that I had not been on the Plymouth job, something the RMP should have checked. They then moved on to the projector. He asked them if they knew I was the depot photographer and as such was entitled to use this equipment and film where and when needed?

That hadn’t been checked either. I will not go into the full details but leaving some disco, the team had collected up all their jackets as a bundle, chucked them in the back of the team mini-bus, and in doing so, had inadvertently also picked up this tatty old leather jacket as well. On arriving back in Winchester they had realized the mistake and set about putting it right by returning the jacket and the wallet therein to its owner with an apology written in green ink on green paper. The owner of the jacket obviously saw an opportunity to get a new jacket out of it so complained that the jacket had not been returned, only his wallet. It was soon all sorted out, the RMP went off in their mobile sty and a cheque for the “missing” jacket was sent to the complainant.

There was one display I didn’t do in the Plymouth area however, I think I might have been doing a course elsewhere but about a fortnight later I was called to the RSMs office to be told that two members of the RMP wished to speak with me regarding a stolen leather jacket. I hadn’t a clue what they were on about but the RSM had authorised a search of my room so off we went. Searching was going well, no leather jacket of course, not even that messy a search until they discovered some film and a slide projector, an army side projector. The older of the two stood back and let his apprentice, a very young Lcpl (he looked about 12yrs old) interrogate me. “Whose is this then son” he said. SON? I was at least six years older than him. This very young military Piglet now stepped up the pressure. Did I know it was an offence to have this in my room, theft of army property was a very serious offence etc. he was going to nick me for stealing it. What about the rolls of film? He was off on one big time.

Courts Martial and a firing squad here I come.

Up until this point I had tolerated the nonsense because they had at least told me that this jacket was stolen from Plymouth and I knew that I had not been on that gig – not that they gave me any time to tell them that! I refused to answer any more of their questions and requested the presence of an officer, Major Read. They actually wanted to

John Read was the most supportive boss any of us could have hoped to have. He had come up through the ranks which was no mean achievement and was nobodies fool. Sadly I attended his funeral last year together with two other former team members who had travelled a fair distance to pay their last respects. The messages on The ‘In Memoriam’ 65

The Longest two year posting ever 1980 – 1986

The Royal Green Jackets Association

board tell their own story. I never once heard him raise his voice yet he got everything done. If you had a problem you knew you could speak with him and he would listen, discuss and assist you in sorting it out. He wouldn’t do a commentary no matter how hard I tried to get him to. He said it was not the job of an officer… I pointed out that other display teams had an officer doing it but he replied: “Yes but they aren’t Green Jackets though.” I couldn’t think of an answer to that. He did do panels and flares for me a couple of times though. He was of course ably supported by Sue his wife who just about became an honorary team member. We even had a couple of little ‘do’s’ at his quarter down St Cross. This business of an officer doing the commentary was however brought home to me at a display we did in Brentwood. I was at the pre-show briefing on the showground together with the commentator of some military horse and motorcycle team, possibly RMP I cannot now remember. As we walked away he asked me when I had been at Sandhurst, I replied in 1983 when we did a display there. Had I not trained there then, perhaps Mons? “No” I said “I am not an officer.” He was taken aback he couldn’t understand how we as a regiment allowed anyone who wasn’t an officer to do the commentary. Telling him we were Green Jackets was probably not the most diplomatic way of replying maybe… I have to say that the majority of the teams we met on the display circuit were excellent, especially the White Helmets Motorcycle Display Team who did have an officer in charge who was pretty laid back. One team we never worked with stated in their contract that they were so good they didn’t need a supporting act.

Those in the team will know who I am talking about.

over Brighton beach where as part of some new TV show the contestants would have to guess if our jumper, in this case Keith Skelley, would land on this small raft tethered off the beach or land in the water. The whole display was a comedy of errors.

The message to Keith should have been land on the raft but somewhere along the line it changed and he got a dunking when I know he would have made the raft with ease. The rest of the team, for some reason, jumped out downwind of the landing zone instead of upwind which meant they struggled to get anywhere near the area and to top it off completely, Dave Chadwick’s main parachute failed and he had to jettison it and use his reserve. He landed on the top of a block of flats. None of it was my fault, well maybe just one tiny little part but I blame the TV personality I was working with for that.

We were asked to do a display in Brighton or rather

There are a few ‘memories’ worth mentioning,

In 1985 we were rebranded the Trail Blazers Parachute Display Team based in Winchester when we completed the merger with the tumbling trumpets from Shrewsbury. They were actually the LI PDT but to us the tumbling trumpets, and we were apparently the dustbin lids. In 1984 we had operated as two teams the Lt Div PDT (N) Shrewsbury (LI) and us as the LT Div (S) in Winchester (RGJ). With the merger complete Sgt Ray Ellis LI became team commander and Sgt Dave Muir RGJ already with us as 2ic. This also meant that we were often entertained by Dave singing the only song he knew ‘Flower of Scotland’. Now you don’t get many in the Green Jackets from Scotland but Dave had come to us via the AAC oddly enough where he had been my younger brother’s boss. Ray had come to us vis the Commandos and RE if memory serves me correctly.

66

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Longest two year posting ever 1980 – 1986

In no particular order Steve Wilson breaking his pelvis at the Royal Show when he came in too hot and too high, buried a toggle and span into the ground. I don’t know what it means either! He walked around for 24hrs before finally deciding there might be something amiss and was taken off to the local hospital. Scouse Lewis did something similar into water at Nottingham but didn’t break anything. Bernie Parker scoring four faults for taking out a jump at the Shrewsbury Flower show, a RR show that one. Geordie Best cutting away over the Lincoln Show and spending what seemed like hours hunting for his main. Scouse Lewis again opening really, and I mean really late at a show in Wales. We watched him disappearing behind a local hill. We basically just wrote him off and Dougie got on with the commentary, Melons (Melonie), an officer who jumped with the LI team landing on the roof of a stand at the Royal Bath and West show. Spectators couldn’t wait to speak with her, she was an instant heroine and finally my personal favourite. Having the minibus kicked by a horse at the Royal Welsh Show at Builth Wells making a rather nice dent in the side of the vehicle. It was fortunate that at the time there were also a couple of RR people in the minibus on break as otherwise it might have been a little difficult to explain.

how weird is that?

I will finish with one final memory. We take computers for granted nowadays but in the 80s they were still very new and expensive. I owned a Sinclair ZX Spectrum games console with an amazing 48k of memory. In the quiet months, November and March I would bring it in with my little black and white telly and play games on it at lunch time in the office. This sometimes extended into the afternoon if I had completed all my work for the day. The two months were always the quietest. Major Read came in one day to find me still playing. Rather than giving me a speaking to he asked if I could use it to do letters etc. in place of the typewriter, yes I could with the right printer so he then arranged for a proper dot matrix printer and the necessary software to be bought and the office became computerized – well ahead of the PAMPAS system the army were trialling. Fast forward to early 1986. By now we had purchased an Apricot PC which worked exclusively from floppy disks, no hard drives in those days. This particular morning I had been in the office since about 6am busy typing up the annual report for the RIT/Lt Div Team and the PDT which had been finalized the previous evening and was ready for typing. It was a report on the previous year and a summary of the expectations for the current year.

This report could run to 20 or 30 pages. I had been hammering away for about 3hrs when the cleaner came in. She promptly pulled out the plug in the wall and pushed in the one for her vacuum cleaner.

My screen went very dark and it was at that point I wondered if I had enabled auto-save. I soon realized I hadn’t. With 3hrs wasted there was only one thing to do. I picked up my beret, looked at Ray Ellis who said not a word and I walked out of the office. I returned an hour or so later, nothing was said again as I sat down behind my desk, fired up the pc and started over – this time enabling autosave every two minutes.

After John Read retired, we had a succession of officers, Capt (later Maj) Dave Nicholson who went on to lead 16CTT in Bicester and who I bumped into again in 1988 when I was an adult Csgt instructor with the ACF. Capt Tom Wright who went off to get married honeymooning in India and getting Delhi Belly, and finally (in my time) Maj Nigel Jackson who I previously served under in NI in 1977 and HK 1978 when I was his Coy Clk. In early Sept 1986 I was moved to the Families Office and in the October I PVRd. Strangely the first and last officer to command me in the army were both called Jackson but not related,

67

The Longest two year posting ever 1980 – 1986

The Royal Green Jackets Association

board tell their own story. I never once heard him raise his voice yet he got everything done. If you had a problem you knew you could speak with him and he would listen, discuss and assist you in sorting it out. He wouldn’t do a commentary no matter how hard I tried to get him to. He said it was not the job of an officer… I pointed out that other display teams had an officer doing it but he replied: “Yes but they aren’t Green Jackets though.” I couldn’t think of an answer to that. He did do panels and flares for me a couple of times though. He was of course ably supported by Sue his wife who just about became an honorary team member. We even had a couple of little ‘do’s’ at his quarter down St Cross. This business of an officer doing the commentary was however brought home to me at a display we did in Brentwood. I was at the pre-show briefing on the showground together with the commentator of some military horse and motorcycle team, possibly RMP I cannot now remember. As we walked away he asked me when I had been at Sandhurst, I replied in 1983 when we did a display there. Had I not trained there then, perhaps Mons? “No” I said “I am not an officer.” He was taken aback he couldn’t understand how we as a regiment allowed anyone who wasn’t an officer to do the commentary. Telling him we were Green Jackets was probably not the most diplomatic way of replying maybe… I have to say that the majority of the teams we met on the display circuit were excellent, especially the White Helmets Motorcycle Display Team who did have an officer in charge who was pretty laid back. One team we never worked with stated in their contract that they were so good they didn’t need a supporting act.

Those in the team will know who I am talking about.

over Brighton beach where as part of some new TV show the contestants would have to guess if our jumper, in this case Keith Skelley, would land on this small raft tethered off the beach or land in the water. The whole display was a comedy of errors.

The message to Keith should have been land on the raft but somewhere along the line it changed and he got a dunking when I know he would have made the raft with ease. The rest of the team, for some reason, jumped out downwind of the landing zone instead of upwind which meant they struggled to get anywhere near the area and to top it off completely, Dave Chadwick’s main parachute failed and he had to jettison it and use his reserve. He landed on the top of a block of flats. None of it was my fault, well maybe just one tiny little part but I blame the TV personality I was working with for that.

We were asked to do a display in Brighton or rather

There are a few ‘memories’ worth mentioning,

In 1985 we were rebranded the Trail Blazers Parachute Display Team based in Winchester when we completed the merger with the tumbling trumpets from Shrewsbury. They were actually the LI PDT but to us the tumbling trumpets, and we were apparently the dustbin lids. In 1984 we had operated as two teams the Lt Div PDT (N) Shrewsbury (LI) and us as the LT Div (S) in Winchester (RGJ). With the merger complete Sgt Ray Ellis LI became team commander and Sgt Dave Muir RGJ already with us as 2ic. This also meant that we were often entertained by Dave singing the only song he knew ‘Flower of Scotland’. Now you don’t get many in the Green Jackets from Scotland but Dave had come to us via the AAC oddly enough where he had been my younger brother’s boss. Ray had come to us vis the Commandos and RE if memory serves me correctly.

66

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Longest two year posting ever 1980 – 1986

In no particular order Steve Wilson breaking his pelvis at the Royal Show when he came in too hot and too high, buried a toggle and span into the ground. I don’t know what it means either! He walked around for 24hrs before finally deciding there might be something amiss and was taken off to the local hospital. Scouse Lewis did something similar into water at Nottingham but didn’t break anything. Bernie Parker scoring four faults for taking out a jump at the Shrewsbury Flower show, a RR show that one. Geordie Best cutting away over the Lincoln Show and spending what seemed like hours hunting for his main. Scouse Lewis again opening really, and I mean really late at a show in Wales. We watched him disappearing behind a local hill. We basically just wrote him off and Dougie got on with the commentary, Melons (Melonie), an officer who jumped with the LI team landing on the roof of a stand at the Royal Bath and West show. Spectators couldn’t wait to speak with her, she was an instant heroine and finally my personal favourite. Having the minibus kicked by a horse at the Royal Welsh Show at Builth Wells making a rather nice dent in the side of the vehicle. It was fortunate that at the time there were also a couple of RR people in the minibus on break as otherwise it might have been a little difficult to explain.

how weird is that?

I will finish with one final memory. We take computers for granted nowadays but in the 80s they were still very new and expensive. I owned a Sinclair ZX Spectrum games console with an amazing 48k of memory. In the quiet months, November and March I would bring it in with my little black and white telly and play games on it at lunch time in the office. This sometimes extended into the afternoon if I had completed all my work for the day. The two months were always the quietest. Major Read came in one day to find me still playing. Rather than giving me a speaking to he asked if I could use it to do letters etc. in place of the typewriter, yes I could with the right printer so he then arranged for a proper dot matrix printer and the necessary software to be bought and the office became computerized – well ahead of the PAMPAS system the army were trialling. Fast forward to early 1986. By now we had purchased an Apricot PC which worked exclusively from floppy disks, no hard drives in those days. This particular morning I had been in the office since about 6am busy typing up the annual report for the RIT/Lt Div Team and the PDT which had been finalized the previous evening and was ready for typing. It was a report on the previous year and a summary of the expectations for the current year.

This report could run to 20 or 30 pages. I had been hammering away for about 3hrs when the cleaner came in. She promptly pulled out the plug in the wall and pushed in the one for her vacuum cleaner.

My screen went very dark and it was at that point I wondered if I had enabled auto-save. I soon realized I hadn’t. With 3hrs wasted there was only one thing to do. I picked up my beret, looked at Ray Ellis who said not a word and I walked out of the office. I returned an hour or so later, nothing was said again as I sat down behind my desk, fired up the pc and started over – this time enabling autosave every two minutes.

After John Read retired, we had a succession of officers, Capt (later Maj) Dave Nicholson who went on to lead 16CTT in Bicester and who I bumped into again in 1988 when I was an adult Csgt instructor with the ACF. Capt Tom Wright who went off to get married honeymooning in India and getting Delhi Belly, and finally (in my time) Maj Nigel Jackson who I previously served under in NI in 1977 and HK 1978 when I was his Coy Clk. In early Sept 1986 I was moved to the Families Office and in the October I PVRd. Strangely the first and last officer to command me in the army were both called Jackson but not related,

67

SOFO

The Royal Green Jackets Association

SOFO

Hugh Babington Smith

Remembrance Day 1989 at the TA Centre, Headington. I said to Bob Pascoe that I would be happy to help with any regimental matter in the county if the task could be woven into my life. Six months later after I thought perhaps my escape was complete, he said that a new museum committee needed a secretary – little work, two meetings a year.

museum in Winchester which houses the Kings Royal Rifle Corps and Rifle Brigade collections, it was felt that the new regiment should also take on the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry material. However, the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry was different from the others in being a county regiment and so at least part of the collection remained in Oxfordshire housed in a re-roled arms kote in the TA barracks (later Slade Park Barracks, the home of 5 RGJ) in Headington. In the late 1980s it began to be realised that first of all the barracks would at some point revert to Oxford city council; secondly, that the army was increasingly reluctant to devote any assets at all to museums (i.e. ‘get lost, no accommodation, no money’); thirdly, that also in the barracks were the Oxfordshire Hussars and their fabulous uniforms and bits and pieces. In fact, it was when the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry sold a Hussars item at auction that the slightly ridiculous situation pertaining of two ‘related’ organisations ignoring each other became obvious. Colonel Tim May, an enormous and imposing Hussar with a stentorian (that’s deep and loud) voice, found himself thinking aloud during the opening of an exhibition about his regiment with the words: “There is only one solution, we must find a museum.”

My part lasted eleven years, at the end of which it was 3½ days a week employed service as ‘Project Manager.’ At the end of 2012 I was able to retire leaving a part-built museum with a professional museum director, Ursula Corcoran. She’s still there eight years on, so, have you heard of ‘SOFO’ or in full, the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum? Do you know where it is?

If you are a Green Jacket, then a part of your regimental history is in that museum. Situated in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, it is in a new, purpose-built building, using modern technology to allow proper preservation of the collections, to enable interesting and exciting exhibitions to be mounted and to enable volunteers and professional staff to provide the service.

It is much more than ‘just the regiment.’ To explain, the militaria and the archives of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry used to be in the barracks in Cowley. When the regiment became part of the Royal Green Jackets and the Royal Green Jackets were busily expanding their

Well, it is easy to have the aspiration and a committee was formed with representation from the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light 68

The Royal Green Jackets Association

SOFO

Infantry Trustees and the Oxfordshire Hussars under a neutral chairman. They commissioned a consultant to report on what they thought of as being great potential for a public museum only to hear that military museums are in general not selfsupporting. On this bad news the process of taking stock and making long-term plans started; this was the point at which I was drawn in.

To cut an 11- year story short the committee first of all obtained a National Lottery grant to create databases of the archives and objects in the collections. Second, they obtained an agreement with Oxfordshire County Council to lease a building plot within the bounds of the Oxfordshire County Museum in Woodstock. Third and perhaps most important they raised £4 million to build. Lastly, they recruited staff to run the museum and obtained long-term reserves to take it forward. During this time Slade Park Barracks was indeed returned to Oxford, the collections and a growing team of volunteers migrated first to a deserted RAF station then, when that was sold, to an empty office block in Woodstock before the new building became available in 2013. These teams cared for items, researched regimental history, put on exhibitions and developed the flavour of the museum as it is today.

The theme of the museum is ‘County and Conflict.’

Yes, the main collections are those of the county regiments but whilst most people have some concept of a county, most have no idea what a regiment is. Whilst the simply curious do visit museums, the trick of a successful museum is to provide ‘hooks’ to grab interest. The wider the scope, the more hooks, the greater the interest and number of visits. With the number of surviving members of both regiments dwindling every year it was obvious that there was no merit in relying on people to know what the (extinct) Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry were or what the 142 (Queen’s Own Oxfordshire Hussars) Vehicle Squadron, 165 Port & Maritime Regiment RLC might mean. It was clearly sensible to allow or encourage other stories to be told, about the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy, the arms and services and civilians.

Jump forward 8 years to now, The museum is of course closed to visitors during the current crisis, but if you visit the website: www.sofo.org.uk you will get a flavour of what is there and you will see who is still involved – for instance, the twinkling eyes of the first Commanding Officer of 5 RGJ will beam out of the website at you.

And when possible, do visit; all the details are on the website.

69

SOFO

The Royal Green Jackets Association

SOFO

Hugh Babington Smith

Remembrance Day 1989 at the TA Centre, Headington. I said to Bob Pascoe that I would be happy to help with any regimental matter in the county if the task could be woven into my life. Six months later after I thought perhaps my escape was complete, he said that a new museum committee needed a secretary – little work, two meetings a year.

museum in Winchester which houses the Kings Royal Rifle Corps and Rifle Brigade collections, it was felt that the new regiment should also take on the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry material. However, the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry was different from the others in being a county regiment and so at least part of the collection remained in Oxfordshire housed in a re-roled arms kote in the TA barracks (later Slade Park Barracks, the home of 5 RGJ) in Headington. In the late 1980s it began to be realised that first of all the barracks would at some point revert to Oxford city council; secondly, that the army was increasingly reluctant to devote any assets at all to museums (i.e. ‘get lost, no accommodation, no money’); thirdly, that also in the barracks were the Oxfordshire Hussars and their fabulous uniforms and bits and pieces. In fact, it was when the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry sold a Hussars item at auction that the slightly ridiculous situation pertaining of two ‘related’ organisations ignoring each other became obvious. Colonel Tim May, an enormous and imposing Hussar with a stentorian (that’s deep and loud) voice, found himself thinking aloud during the opening of an exhibition about his regiment with the words: “There is only one solution, we must find a museum.”

My part lasted eleven years, at the end of which it was 3½ days a week employed service as ‘Project Manager.’ At the end of 2012 I was able to retire leaving a part-built museum with a professional museum director, Ursula Corcoran. She’s still there eight years on, so, have you heard of ‘SOFO’ or in full, the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum? Do you know where it is?

If you are a Green Jacket, then a part of your regimental history is in that museum. Situated in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, it is in a new, purpose-built building, using modern technology to allow proper preservation of the collections, to enable interesting and exciting exhibitions to be mounted and to enable volunteers and professional staff to provide the service.

It is much more than ‘just the regiment.’ To explain, the militaria and the archives of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry used to be in the barracks in Cowley. When the regiment became part of the Royal Green Jackets and the Royal Green Jackets were busily expanding their

Well, it is easy to have the aspiration and a committee was formed with representation from the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light 68

The Royal Green Jackets Association

SOFO

Infantry Trustees and the Oxfordshire Hussars under a neutral chairman. They commissioned a consultant to report on what they thought of as being great potential for a public museum only to hear that military museums are in general not selfsupporting. On this bad news the process of taking stock and making long-term plans started; this was the point at which I was drawn in.

To cut an 11- year story short the committee first of all obtained a National Lottery grant to create databases of the archives and objects in the collections. Second, they obtained an agreement with Oxfordshire County Council to lease a building plot within the bounds of the Oxfordshire County Museum in Woodstock. Third and perhaps most important they raised £4 million to build. Lastly, they recruited staff to run the museum and obtained long-term reserves to take it forward. During this time Slade Park Barracks was indeed returned to Oxford, the collections and a growing team of volunteers migrated first to a deserted RAF station then, when that was sold, to an empty office block in Woodstock before the new building became available in 2013. These teams cared for items, researched regimental history, put on exhibitions and developed the flavour of the museum as it is today.

The theme of the museum is ‘County and Conflict.’

Yes, the main collections are those of the county regiments but whilst most people have some concept of a county, most have no idea what a regiment is. Whilst the simply curious do visit museums, the trick of a successful museum is to provide ‘hooks’ to grab interest. The wider the scope, the more hooks, the greater the interest and number of visits. With the number of surviving members of both regiments dwindling every year it was obvious that there was no merit in relying on people to know what the (extinct) Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry were or what the 142 (Queen’s Own Oxfordshire Hussars) Vehicle Squadron, 165 Port & Maritime Regiment RLC might mean. It was clearly sensible to allow or encourage other stories to be told, about the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy, the arms and services and civilians.

Jump forward 8 years to now, The museum is of course closed to visitors during the current crisis, but if you visit the website: www.sofo.org.uk you will get a flavour of what is there and you will see who is still involved – for instance, the twinkling eyes of the first Commanding Officer of 5 RGJ will beam out of the website at you.

And when possible, do visit; all the details are on the website.

69

The real hero of the Cold War – Wolfgang

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The real hero of the Cold War – Wolfgang

by Alasdair Ross

I saw a tweet the other day, with a picture of the mobile Schnellie wagon of Wolfgang.

vehicles as they raced to get to the front of the queue for Wolfgang.

Modern soldiers might wonder what we are all on about, however, I am sure certain Range Complexes in the UK still see an enterprising burger van turn up and you then see the resulting large black bin bag of quickly disposed of, half frozen pack lunches!

2. I was in the 3 RGJ Milan Platoon and we were dug in with A Company along a valley in Soltau, practicing setting up ‘Tank Killing Areas’ in case the Russians had ever attacked with their T72s and BMPs. As any soldier will tell you, stood around in a trench was never a soldiers favourite pastime but as the sun dimmed and we got ready for night routine. Wolfgang appeared in front of the trenches.

No one moved, we all waited then the first Rifleman jumped up from his trench and made for Wolfgang, soon followed by others all hoping to be served before the hierarchy noticed. We were not helped by Wolfgang blasting out what seemed his only record on his speakers, “Are you lonesome tonight” by Elvis.

However, never mind how good those burger vans are, they will never compare with the legendary Wolfgang! His Blue Schnellie Van (Schnellie, British Army slang from the German word for quick food shop – Schnell Imbiss) would roam the large Soltau Training area, in North east (West) Germany and It did not matter how good your camouflage was, he would find you and then any semblance of tactics would go out the window as soldiers rushed to him for Chips mit mayo, Bratwurst mit senf and a yellow handbag of beer.

3. I was again attached to A Company 3 RGJ and was travelling back from a brief in the back of the Company Commanders Landrover. In the back with me were two young Platoon Commanders who suddenly got very excited and before anyone else spotted him, one of the young officers had spotted Wolfgang.

Rumour had it that he had fitted in his blue van a Clansman 353 radio, a set of BATCO and sets of orders!

My three favourite Wolfgang stories that I actually witnessed are:

The OC then turned round and as quick as a flash, commented that it was a pity that the young officer was better at spotting Wolfgang from a distance than he was at spotting and recognising enemy armoured fighting vehicles. (This story would be of no surprise to those who know who the young officer was).

1. We were in Soltau with the whole 3 RGJ Battle Group on our final warm up exercise before departing for BATUS in Canada, and to show all of us how large the Battle Group was, we all leaguered up and then walked up a small hill where the CO addressed us. We all turned round and saw the A and R Company 432s, two Squadrons of Chieftain tanks and assorted other vehicles, a formidable sight but as the CO spoke, to the back of the mass of vehicles a late addition arrived – Wolfgang – blasting out music. The brief finished and then 600 soldiers poured back down the hill, past their

For those still guessing who the Officers mentioned were – the OC (later a General) was last seen working at St Pauls Cathedral and the young Officer reached the dizzy heights of Adjutant (in a warm place, close to Spain).

70

The Royal Green Jackets Association

1A Iverna Gardns, Kensington

1A Iverna Gardens, Kensington

BN HQ 7 Rifles and the London Office of the Rifles

A Potted History

It is now three years ago when on 23 January 2018 BN HQ 7 RIFLES and the London Office of The Rifles moved from 56 Davies Street in Mayfair, which had been the spiritual home in London of the Green Jackets, to 1a Iverna Gardens the original ancestral home of ‘The Kensington Rifles’ in Kensington.

of two examples left in the country of ‘Victorian Plank Work’. Mapping of the area circa 1850 shows a militia training area surrounded by green fields, a complete contrast to what is here today.

The Royal Navy took over the building in 1945 and used the premises as their recruiting centre for London as well as a base ‘The Kensington’s’, although for the Navy Provost Staff.

‘Rifles’ had no historical Up until the most recent connections with the Green £2.5million refurbishment Jackets or our antecedent the basement contained regiments, were raised in cells for detaining AWOL 1860 by Lord Truro. They sailors apprehended in became established in London. On completion of Kensington in 1885 at Adam the refurbishment in 2004 1a Iverna Gardens W8 Entrance and Eve Mews and Iverna the building was taken over Gardens, off High Street,

by B Det 256 (City of London) Field Hospital.

Kensington. The original subtitle, ‘West London Rifles’, was altered in 1905 to, ‘The Kensington Rifles’, when the Regiment was adopted by the Royal Borough of Kensington and granted permission for the cap badge to be made up of the Coat of Arms of the Royal Borough, mounted centrally upon an eight-pointed star. 13th London Regiment was the short title after the formation of the Territorials in 1908 and from October 1914, the title was 13th Princess Louise’s Kensington (PLK) Battalion, the London Regiment and is carried on today through 41 (PLK) Signal Sqn (V), located elsewhere in London. The Kensington’s war memorial bearing the names of the 1,324 officers and men who were killed in the First and Second World Wars is located in the library of the Kensington Town Hall.

At the time of writing, we and Bn HQ 7 RIFLES are currently co-located (rather tightly) with B Det 256 Fd Hospital, a detachment of RAF Air Trg Cadets, a detachment of Metropolitan Police Cadets and an Army Cadet Force detachment.

The funding for the Drill Hall came by subscriptions from the Kensington’s Officers in 1885. The building was designed by Fred J Hopkins and the commemorative stone was laid by Colonel Somers-Lewis and his wife and can be seen at the Adam and Eve Mews the back entrance to the ARC. The building has a unique roof which is one

Sadly, 1A Iverna Gardens does not have the room or social facilities we so enjoyed in Davies Street.

The front entrance of the ARC, in the tree lined Iverna Gardens, lies between two upmarket and expensive Victorian red brick Mansion blocks whilst the back entrance is at the southern end of the rather exclusive Adam and Eve Mews.

The nearest Tube Station is High Street Kensington on the Circle and District Line. It is then a 5-minute walk to 1A Iverna Gardens.

71

Adam and Eve Mews W8 entrance

The real hero of the Cold War – Wolfgang

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The real hero of the Cold War – Wolfgang

by Alasdair Ross

I saw a tweet the other day, with a picture of the mobile Schnellie wagon of Wolfgang.

vehicles as they raced to get to the front of the queue for Wolfgang.

Modern soldiers might wonder what we are all on about, however, I am sure certain Range Complexes in the UK still see an enterprising burger van turn up and you then see the resulting large black bin bag of quickly disposed of, half frozen pack lunches!

2. I was in the 3 RGJ Milan Platoon and we were dug in with A Company along a valley in Soltau, practicing setting up ‘Tank Killing Areas’ in case the Russians had ever attacked with their T72s and BMPs. As any soldier will tell you, stood around in a trench was never a soldiers favourite pastime but as the sun dimmed and we got ready for night routine. Wolfgang appeared in front of the trenches.

No one moved, we all waited then the first Rifleman jumped up from his trench and made for Wolfgang, soon followed by others all hoping to be served before the hierarchy noticed. We were not helped by Wolfgang blasting out what seemed his only record on his speakers, “Are you lonesome tonight” by Elvis.

However, never mind how good those burger vans are, they will never compare with the legendary Wolfgang! His Blue Schnellie Van (Schnellie, British Army slang from the German word for quick food shop – Schnell Imbiss) would roam the large Soltau Training area, in North east (West) Germany and It did not matter how good your camouflage was, he would find you and then any semblance of tactics would go out the window as soldiers rushed to him for Chips mit mayo, Bratwurst mit senf and a yellow handbag of beer.

3. I was again attached to A Company 3 RGJ and was travelling back from a brief in the back of the Company Commanders Landrover. In the back with me were two young Platoon Commanders who suddenly got very excited and before anyone else spotted him, one of the young officers had spotted Wolfgang.

Rumour had it that he had fitted in his blue van a Clansman 353 radio, a set of BATCO and sets of orders!

My three favourite Wolfgang stories that I actually witnessed are:

The OC then turned round and as quick as a flash, commented that it was a pity that the young officer was better at spotting Wolfgang from a distance than he was at spotting and recognising enemy armoured fighting vehicles. (This story would be of no surprise to those who know who the young officer was).

1. We were in Soltau with the whole 3 RGJ Battle Group on our final warm up exercise before departing for BATUS in Canada, and to show all of us how large the Battle Group was, we all leaguered up and then walked up a small hill where the CO addressed us. We all turned round and saw the A and R Company 432s, two Squadrons of Chieftain tanks and assorted other vehicles, a formidable sight but as the CO spoke, to the back of the mass of vehicles a late addition arrived – Wolfgang – blasting out music. The brief finished and then 600 soldiers poured back down the hill, past their

For those still guessing who the Officers mentioned were – the OC (later a General) was last seen working at St Pauls Cathedral and the young Officer reached the dizzy heights of Adjutant (in a warm place, close to Spain).

70

The Royal Green Jackets Association

1A Iverna Gardns, Kensington

1A Iverna Gardens, Kensington

BN HQ 7 Rifles and the London Office of the Rifles

A Potted History

It is now three years ago when on 23 January 2018 BN HQ 7 RIFLES and the London Office of The Rifles moved from 56 Davies Street in Mayfair, which had been the spiritual home in London of the Green Jackets, to 1a Iverna Gardens the original ancestral home of ‘The Kensington Rifles’ in Kensington.

of two examples left in the country of ‘Victorian Plank Work’. Mapping of the area circa 1850 shows a militia training area surrounded by green fields, a complete contrast to what is here today.

The Royal Navy took over the building in 1945 and used the premises as their recruiting centre for London as well as a base ‘The Kensington’s’, although for the Navy Provost Staff.

‘Rifles’ had no historical Up until the most recent connections with the Green £2.5million refurbishment Jackets or our antecedent the basement contained regiments, were raised in cells for detaining AWOL 1860 by Lord Truro. They sailors apprehended in became established in London. On completion of Kensington in 1885 at Adam the refurbishment in 2004 1a Iverna Gardens W8 Entrance and Eve Mews and Iverna the building was taken over Gardens, off High Street,

by B Det 256 (City of London) Field Hospital.

Kensington. The original subtitle, ‘West London Rifles’, was altered in 1905 to, ‘The Kensington Rifles’, when the Regiment was adopted by the Royal Borough of Kensington and granted permission for the cap badge to be made up of the Coat of Arms of the Royal Borough, mounted centrally upon an eight-pointed star. 13th London Regiment was the short title after the formation of the Territorials in 1908 and from October 1914, the title was 13th Princess Louise’s Kensington (PLK) Battalion, the London Regiment and is carried on today through 41 (PLK) Signal Sqn (V), located elsewhere in London. The Kensington’s war memorial bearing the names of the 1,324 officers and men who were killed in the First and Second World Wars is located in the library of the Kensington Town Hall.

At the time of writing, we and Bn HQ 7 RIFLES are currently co-located (rather tightly) with B Det 256 Fd Hospital, a detachment of RAF Air Trg Cadets, a detachment of Metropolitan Police Cadets and an Army Cadet Force detachment.

The funding for the Drill Hall came by subscriptions from the Kensington’s Officers in 1885. The building was designed by Fred J Hopkins and the commemorative stone was laid by Colonel Somers-Lewis and his wife and can be seen at the Adam and Eve Mews the back entrance to the ARC. The building has a unique roof which is one

Sadly, 1A Iverna Gardens does not have the room or social facilities we so enjoyed in Davies Street.

The front entrance of the ARC, in the tree lined Iverna Gardens, lies between two upmarket and expensive Victorian red brick Mansion blocks whilst the back entrance is at the southern end of the rather exclusive Adam and Eve Mews.

The nearest Tube Station is High Street Kensington on the Circle and District Line. It is then a 5-minute walk to 1A Iverna Gardens.

71

Adam and Eve Mews W8 entrance

A Scrubbing Brush and a Poppy!

The Royal Green Jackets Association

A Scrubbing Brush and a Poppy!

Being a bit of a travelling man and someone who can never sit still, it’s fair to say that lockdown for me has been a bit of a trial to say the least.

And for those who really know me also know that when I’m on my travels, be it work or vacation, I also tend to visit military cemeteries or indeed any cemetery that has military war graves in it. There I generally lay a poppy and pay my respects either on an individual grave or on the main cemetery memorial. So far, I have managed to carry out my little personal act of remembrance on a number of occasions with my wife Janette in a variety of military cemeteries in France, Belgium, Poland, and the USA.

his helicopter in which he was a passenger crashed whilst evading fire from the ground.

Lt Col Ian Douglas Cordon Lloyd OBE, MC Commanding Officer 2 RGJ

Closer to home in the UK we have military cemeteries and individual war graves in civilian cemeteries dotted all over Britain, most of which I have visited too. The largest being Brookwood which is maintained by the Commonwealth War Grave Commission (CWGC). In fact, if you look around almost any city, town or small village, more often than not a cemetery containing a war grave of some description can be found hidden away in some peaceful corner. Most are from WW1 and will be marked with the usual cross of Sacrifice or the standard military memorial tablet.

A man highly respected and known to a lot of us in 2 RGJ as The Boss and being a lowly Rifleman at the time and the battalion still being operational I along with many others who were not privy to his funeral and having now found his final resting place was like winning the lottery. I had never forgotten him. Also around his grave were similar headstones of other fallen Riflemen from our regiment.

Sadly, most appeared forgotten and neglected and needed a bit of elbow grease to make them stand as proud as they would have done when they had served.

Having made my mind up to try and sort them out and being mindful of how sensitive my intentions were, I couldn’t just start scrubbing away so I decided I would start off with The Boss and take it from there. Not an easy task when due to time and other factors contact with surviving family members is so difficult to make. Nevertheless, with the help of the Winchester Branch, the Regimental Association and Philip Schofield who had been a Captain in the helicopter and survived the crash I was soon put in touch with Ian’s wife Janie to whom I put my cleaning proposal. Not only did she readily agree but the next time I visited his grave some weeks later I found it had now been cleaned by a company arranged by Janie. She couldn’t believe that one of his Riflemen had still cared so many years after his passing and felt very touched by the gesture.

Even closer to our ancestral regimental home of Winchester, Magdalen Hill cemetery (also known as Morn Hill cemetery) on the Alresford road east of the city also has a large CWGC site in addition to numerous military graves spread throughout the whole cemetery. Including of course many from our own regiment. As you would expect the CWGC site is looked after very well. Just a short distance from the official site, are a number of headstones which look the same as those in the CWGC section but with different engraving. These are from a completely different conflict which was just as deadly – Northern Ireland.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

A Scrubbing Brush and a Poppy!

other. Mind you it didn’t get off to a good start when I was told by the paper shufflers in Winchester Council that a bugler couldn’t play in the cemetery!

So, what did I do? Easy, I gave the Mayor a call and reminded him that at the Freedom of Winchester Parade in 2017 he had publicly endorsed in front of the Civic Centre the close ties the regiment had with the city. “Mr Adams” he said: “you can have your bugler play wherever you like”. Whey hey! Job done!

to rest in this cemetery but I am determined to get to as many as I can in the future. One that caught my eye was on the war grave side of the cemetery and looking a bit uncared for was Rfn Venables late of the KRRC who died 22 February 1919 age 43. Although I think there is little chance of tracking his family down, he will still get the Tiny treatment regardless.

I’m often asked why do I do, what I do and the answer is a simple one – it’s because I want to and I can. Some thank me for what I’m doing and others say that if I do it for a few I should do it for them all.

Well despite still working and running a company I will endeavour to do what I can, and anyway what else am I going to do whilst in lockdown? Give it a go too – you might enjoy it.

On the day of the memorial service itself and despite only wanting it to be a small intimate affair for the family and Philip Schofield the word had obviously got out because a whole platoon of Riflemen turned up to pay their respects (even including one over from the USA).

Since that day I have been visiting the cemetery most weeks to keep an eye on our regimental headstones and to keep the old Boss as clean as I can along with a few others including Chris Watson (aged 20) who was killed in NI on the 19 July 1980.

I have the blessing of his brother Tony who lives in Cyprus so I keep him as clean as I can.

If you are ever wandering around some old cemetery somewhere near you and you see some old geezer dressed in a Green Jacket Hoodie and bent over a grave with a scrubbing brush in hand there is every possibility it will be me. Come and say hello but make sure you are armed with an egg banjo and a mug of steaming tea!

Another headstone is that of Major Tom Fowley, who with the help of a few old sweats who knew him I managed to get hold of his daughter’s email address so that I could obtain her permission to clean his headstone (this work is ongoing). Of course, there are many more of our ex-Riflemen laid

Thanks for your time.

Swift and Bold Going on Old! Tiny

Feeling slightly outdone on the cleaning front and still wanting to do ‘something’ to remember The Boss by, and with the 40th anniversary of his untimely death fast approaching on the 17th February 2018, I decided to try and get a few of his Riflemen together for a small service by the graveside with the Padre from ATR(W) together with a bugler. Just a small gathering I had hoped.

Strangely a few people told me it couldn’t be done and others said it shouldn’t be done. But Hey! I’m a Rifleman so it was going to happen one way or the

I stumbled across these headstones back in 2017 when I was looking for the grave of Lt Col Ian Douglas Cordon Lloyd OBE, MC Commanding Officer 2 RGJ who had died in NI in 1978 when 72

73

A Scrubbing Brush and a Poppy!

The Royal Green Jackets Association

A Scrubbing Brush and a Poppy!

Being a bit of a travelling man and someone who can never sit still, it’s fair to say that lockdown for me has been a bit of a trial to say the least.

And for those who really know me also know that when I’m on my travels, be it work or vacation, I also tend to visit military cemeteries or indeed any cemetery that has military war graves in it. There I generally lay a poppy and pay my respects either on an individual grave or on the main cemetery memorial. So far, I have managed to carry out my little personal act of remembrance on a number of occasions with my wife Janette in a variety of military cemeteries in France, Belgium, Poland, and the USA.

his helicopter in which he was a passenger crashed whilst evading fire from the ground.

Lt Col Ian Douglas Cordon Lloyd OBE, MC Commanding Officer 2 RGJ

Closer to home in the UK we have military cemeteries and individual war graves in civilian cemeteries dotted all over Britain, most of which I have visited too. The largest being Brookwood which is maintained by the Commonwealth War Grave Commission (CWGC). In fact, if you look around almost any city, town or small village, more often than not a cemetery containing a war grave of some description can be found hidden away in some peaceful corner. Most are from WW1 and will be marked with the usual cross of Sacrifice or the standard military memorial tablet.

A man highly respected and known to a lot of us in 2 RGJ as The Boss and being a lowly Rifleman at the time and the battalion still being operational I along with many others who were not privy to his funeral and having now found his final resting place was like winning the lottery. I had never forgotten him. Also around his grave were similar headstones of other fallen Riflemen from our regiment.

Sadly, most appeared forgotten and neglected and needed a bit of elbow grease to make them stand as proud as they would have done when they had served.

Having made my mind up to try and sort them out and being mindful of how sensitive my intentions were, I couldn’t just start scrubbing away so I decided I would start off with The Boss and take it from there. Not an easy task when due to time and other factors contact with surviving family members is so difficult to make. Nevertheless, with the help of the Winchester Branch, the Regimental Association and Philip Schofield who had been a Captain in the helicopter and survived the crash I was soon put in touch with Ian’s wife Janie to whom I put my cleaning proposal. Not only did she readily agree but the next time I visited his grave some weeks later I found it had now been cleaned by a company arranged by Janie. She couldn’t believe that one of his Riflemen had still cared so many years after his passing and felt very touched by the gesture.

Even closer to our ancestral regimental home of Winchester, Magdalen Hill cemetery (also known as Morn Hill cemetery) on the Alresford road east of the city also has a large CWGC site in addition to numerous military graves spread throughout the whole cemetery. Including of course many from our own regiment. As you would expect the CWGC site is looked after very well. Just a short distance from the official site, are a number of headstones which look the same as those in the CWGC section but with different engraving. These are from a completely different conflict which was just as deadly – Northern Ireland.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

A Scrubbing Brush and a Poppy!

other. Mind you it didn’t get off to a good start when I was told by the paper shufflers in Winchester Council that a bugler couldn’t play in the cemetery!

So, what did I do? Easy, I gave the Mayor a call and reminded him that at the Freedom of Winchester Parade in 2017 he had publicly endorsed in front of the Civic Centre the close ties the regiment had with the city. “Mr Adams” he said: “you can have your bugler play wherever you like”. Whey hey! Job done!

to rest in this cemetery but I am determined to get to as many as I can in the future. One that caught my eye was on the war grave side of the cemetery and looking a bit uncared for was Rfn Venables late of the KRRC who died 22 February 1919 age 43. Although I think there is little chance of tracking his family down, he will still get the Tiny treatment regardless.

I’m often asked why do I do, what I do and the answer is a simple one – it’s because I want to and I can. Some thank me for what I’m doing and others say that if I do it for a few I should do it for them all.

Well despite still working and running a company I will endeavour to do what I can, and anyway what else am I going to do whilst in lockdown? Give it a go too – you might enjoy it.

On the day of the memorial service itself and despite only wanting it to be a small intimate affair for the family and Philip Schofield the word had obviously got out because a whole platoon of Riflemen turned up to pay their respects (even including one over from the USA).

Since that day I have been visiting the cemetery most weeks to keep an eye on our regimental headstones and to keep the old Boss as clean as I can along with a few others including Chris Watson (aged 20) who was killed in NI on the 19 July 1980.

I have the blessing of his brother Tony who lives in Cyprus so I keep him as clean as I can.

If you are ever wandering around some old cemetery somewhere near you and you see some old geezer dressed in a Green Jacket Hoodie and bent over a grave with a scrubbing brush in hand there is every possibility it will be me. Come and say hello but make sure you are armed with an egg banjo and a mug of steaming tea!

Another headstone is that of Major Tom Fowley, who with the help of a few old sweats who knew him I managed to get hold of his daughter’s email address so that I could obtain her permission to clean his headstone (this work is ongoing). Of course, there are many more of our ex-Riflemen laid

Thanks for your time.

Swift and Bold Going on Old! Tiny

Feeling slightly outdone on the cleaning front and still wanting to do ‘something’ to remember The Boss by, and with the 40th anniversary of his untimely death fast approaching on the 17th February 2018, I decided to try and get a few of his Riflemen together for a small service by the graveside with the Padre from ATR(W) together with a bugler. Just a small gathering I had hoped.

Strangely a few people told me it couldn’t be done and others said it shouldn’t be done. But Hey! I’m a Rifleman so it was going to happen one way or the

I stumbled across these headstones back in 2017 when I was looking for the grave of Lt Col Ian Douglas Cordon Lloyd OBE, MC Commanding Officer 2 RGJ who had died in NI in 1978 when 72

73

French Leave

The Royal Green Jackets Association

French Leave how we were handling urban internal security. He had checked in with the French Consul and no restrictions were placed on his activities. Wandering the streets he had met some soldiers and been invited to visit their base and from there the dressing-up and photo were the obvious next step.

In January 1972 3 RGJ was reconstituted after just a few months’ suspended animation and by August was ready to deploy to the Upper Falls area of Belfast. I was appointed 2i/c to Robin Evelegh with battalion HQ in Springfield Road police station, A and R companies in an annex of the Royal Victoria Hospital and B company in North Howard Street Mill in the Clonard, which I described in my Chronicle account as ‘in the dark satanic style’.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Remembrance Sunday 8th November 2020

Remembrance Sunday 8th November 2020

The Rifle Brigade Memorial Grosvenor Garden, London

Before leaving Belfast he had to check out with the Consul and accepted the kind offer of a lift in a Landrover to his office. The Consul happened to see his arrival from the window and had a serious sense-of-humour failure at the thought of the possible consequences of a French military casualty from an IRA round.

The Chronicle record for 1972 does not need repeating here, but my time with 3 RGJ ended in early 1973 and I was then posted as a student to the Ecole Supérieure de Guerre in Paris for two years.

3 RGJ returned to the same patch of Belfast that year. Some time in the following year the Ecole de Guerre carried out an exercise from which foreign students were excluded, so to keep us busy we were attached as individuals to different regiments in the Paris area. My lot was to visit an armoured regiment at Rheims.

Because the French Foreign Office was involved and accused the Army of gross irresponsibility the row escalated up the military ranks until it reached the Army Chief of Staff. Presumably a national service officer cannot be cashiered, so the interview consisted of a lecture with no minced words about utterly stupid risk-taking, but ended with congratulations from the general for his initiative.

I was given a national service subaltern as a guide round the barracks and I was taken to a junior officers’ common room for a cup of coffee. On a notice board was pinned a photograph, instantly recognisable as North Howard Street Mill with a group of Riflemen round a Landrover and my French guide in combat dress, beret and RGJ cap-badge. Pasted below was a strip cut from a brown envelope with the printed words “ON HER MAJESTY’S SERVICE”.

There were no smart phones or effective photocopiers at that time and I had no camera with me, so there was no way to copy the photograph. I have never made much of this story beyond my own family until now and nearly 50 years later I almost wonder if I imagined it. The series of coincidences is almost unbelievable, so before writing this article in January 2021 I contacted Roger Ker who was commanding B Company at the time all this happened and I was relieved to hear that he clearly remembered his French visitor, but I have not been able to trace any other witnesses.

A ‘double-take’ is a mild description of my reaction.

When I had recovered enough to ask for the story he told me that he had gone to Belfast privately on leave in 1973 because he was interested in

74

Due to the Covid lockdown restrictions, it was very strange travelling from Maidstone to London Victoria on a virtually empty train. On arrival at Victoria the thing that struck me most was the absence of people. Normally on Remembrance Sunday this station is packed with uniformed service personnel and veterans wearing Regimental blazers, various berets and proudly wearing their medals, all making their way to whatever Remembrance Service they were attending within the City. I walked to The Rifle Brigade Monument at Grosvenor Gardens and there again found the area completely devoid of the normal trappings associated with our annual service. No Police controlling the traffic, no guard of honour, chairs or bugler, plus, no congregation. However, it was a beautiful sunny day.

Because there were no police, controlling the traffic, the noise from all the vehicles trundling past was deafening. We did just manage to hear the gun being fired by Kings Troop RHA, in Hyde Park, which was the signal that the 2-minute silence was completed. After a pause Brigadier John Taylor led the wreath laying ceremony by placing a wreath on behalf of the Officers Club at the base of the monument. I followed and laid a wreath on behalf of the Rifle Brigade Association. Then the Company Commander and Platoon Commander from ‘The Rifles’ laid their wreaths respectively. On completion of the wreath laying everyone remained at attention for approximately one minute and paid their own personal homage, then everyone had a chance to have a quick word with each other before departing.

As the Eleventh Hour drew nigh, personnel dressed in various Green Jackets apparel started to appear.

Strange how they just happened to be passing at that time. There were about 30 all told, including two Officers in uniform from ‘The Rifles’ We spread ourselves out around the immediate area of the monument and waited for the 11 o’clock strike from Big Ben. On hearing the eleventh chime we commenced the 2-minute silence.

Although this was very much an impromptu gathering. We did ensure that we had done our duty in paying homage to the fallen of the Rifle Brigade and Green Jackets on behalf of the Association members and all other personnel who would have normally attended this service in normal times.

Hopefully next year we will be able to conduct our Service of Remembrance as we have always done in the past.

75

French Leave

The Royal Green Jackets Association

French Leave how we were handling urban internal security. He had checked in with the French Consul and no restrictions were placed on his activities. Wandering the streets he had met some soldiers and been invited to visit their base and from there the dressing-up and photo were the obvious next step.

In January 1972 3 RGJ was reconstituted after just a few months’ suspended animation and by August was ready to deploy to the Upper Falls area of Belfast. I was appointed 2i/c to Robin Evelegh with battalion HQ in Springfield Road police station, A and R companies in an annex of the Royal Victoria Hospital and B company in North Howard Street Mill in the Clonard, which I described in my Chronicle account as ‘in the dark satanic style’.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Remembrance Sunday 8th November 2020

Remembrance Sunday 8th November 2020

The Rifle Brigade Memorial Grosvenor Garden, London

Before leaving Belfast he had to check out with the Consul and accepted the kind offer of a lift in a Landrover to his office. The Consul happened to see his arrival from the window and had a serious sense-of-humour failure at the thought of the possible consequences of a French military casualty from an IRA round.

The Chronicle record for 1972 does not need repeating here, but my time with 3 RGJ ended in early 1973 and I was then posted as a student to the Ecole Supérieure de Guerre in Paris for two years.

3 RGJ returned to the same patch of Belfast that year. Some time in the following year the Ecole de Guerre carried out an exercise from which foreign students were excluded, so to keep us busy we were attached as individuals to different regiments in the Paris area. My lot was to visit an armoured regiment at Rheims.

Because the French Foreign Office was involved and accused the Army of gross irresponsibility the row escalated up the military ranks until it reached the Army Chief of Staff. Presumably a national service officer cannot be cashiered, so the interview consisted of a lecture with no minced words about utterly stupid risk-taking, but ended with congratulations from the general for his initiative.

I was given a national service subaltern as a guide round the barracks and I was taken to a junior officers’ common room for a cup of coffee. On a notice board was pinned a photograph, instantly recognisable as North Howard Street Mill with a group of Riflemen round a Landrover and my French guide in combat dress, beret and RGJ cap-badge. Pasted below was a strip cut from a brown envelope with the printed words “ON HER MAJESTY’S SERVICE”.

There were no smart phones or effective photocopiers at that time and I had no camera with me, so there was no way to copy the photograph. I have never made much of this story beyond my own family until now and nearly 50 years later I almost wonder if I imagined it. The series of coincidences is almost unbelievable, so before writing this article in January 2021 I contacted Roger Ker who was commanding B Company at the time all this happened and I was relieved to hear that he clearly remembered his French visitor, but I have not been able to trace any other witnesses.

A ‘double-take’ is a mild description of my reaction.

When I had recovered enough to ask for the story he told me that he had gone to Belfast privately on leave in 1973 because he was interested in

74

Due to the Covid lockdown restrictions, it was very strange travelling from Maidstone to London Victoria on a virtually empty train. On arrival at Victoria the thing that struck me most was the absence of people. Normally on Remembrance Sunday this station is packed with uniformed service personnel and veterans wearing Regimental blazers, various berets and proudly wearing their medals, all making their way to whatever Remembrance Service they were attending within the City. I walked to The Rifle Brigade Monument at Grosvenor Gardens and there again found the area completely devoid of the normal trappings associated with our annual service. No Police controlling the traffic, no guard of honour, chairs or bugler, plus, no congregation. However, it was a beautiful sunny day.

Because there were no police, controlling the traffic, the noise from all the vehicles trundling past was deafening. We did just manage to hear the gun being fired by Kings Troop RHA, in Hyde Park, which was the signal that the 2-minute silence was completed. After a pause Brigadier John Taylor led the wreath laying ceremony by placing a wreath on behalf of the Officers Club at the base of the monument. I followed and laid a wreath on behalf of the Rifle Brigade Association. Then the Company Commander and Platoon Commander from ‘The Rifles’ laid their wreaths respectively. On completion of the wreath laying everyone remained at attention for approximately one minute and paid their own personal homage, then everyone had a chance to have a quick word with each other before departing.

As the Eleventh Hour drew nigh, personnel dressed in various Green Jackets apparel started to appear.

Strange how they just happened to be passing at that time. There were about 30 all told, including two Officers in uniform from ‘The Rifles’ We spread ourselves out around the immediate area of the monument and waited for the 11 o’clock strike from Big Ben. On hearing the eleventh chime we commenced the 2-minute silence.

Although this was very much an impromptu gathering. We did ensure that we had done our duty in paying homage to the fallen of the Rifle Brigade and Green Jackets on behalf of the Association members and all other personnel who would have normally attended this service in normal times.

Hopefully next year we will be able to conduct our Service of Remembrance as we have always done in the past.

75

Lord Lieutenants Award for Major (Retd) Roy Stanger

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Lord Lieutenant’s Award for

Major (Retd) Roy Stanger

Major (Retd) Roy Stanger

Lord Lieutenant for Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson Esq

Under his guidance the welfare department has established a multi-faceted and deliverable local engagement plan with neighbouring units from a cold start. This drive and engagement with the military community and local authorities in Winchester, has seen a marked increase in access to welfare facilities and support, particularly to those leaving the Armed Forces. He has also inspired those living within the military community to commit their time to local initiatives, such a mental health courses, seasonal events for military children and the formation of a Community Welfare Committee.

In Autumn, a Lord Lieutenant’s Award was presented to Roy Stanger. The award was presented (virtually) on 7 October 2020 by Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson Esq, who himself served six years as a Royal Green Jacket Officer.

The citation covers Roy’s achievements in his capacity as Winchester Garrison Welfare Officer, the organizer of the Royal Green Jackets Association Annual Reunion and Supporter of The South Winchester Golf Club.

Citation After 45 years of successful military service, Roy Stanger retired from the Army in 2004. Within three weeks of retiring he returned to public service by joining the Civil Service in the role of Garrison Welfare Officer of Winchester Garrison, delivering welfare and community support to 500+ military families across the Garrison. During his 15 years in this role, the improvement in the department’s output in terms of volume of support, quality of service and efficiency of resources has been striking; he has redefined the approach to complex problem sets, specifically in the management of housing allocation issues, delivery of community support and refurbishment of the Community Centre at Worthy Down. Roy has laid the foundations for significant improvements to the living experience for Serving personnel and their families in Winchester Garrison applying his tried and tested ability to deliver change and make things happen.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Lord Lieutenants Award for Major (Retd) Roy Stanger

The work involved is painstaking in its attention to detail and year on year, based on feedback, he has improved the facilities available and the cost effectiveness of the event. All of this has been tempered with Roy’s wonderful sense of humour and his unfailing, infectious enthusiasm. He has now retired from his Civil Service post at Worthy Down but has insisted that he will continue to run the Reunion. His dedication and inspired commitment to his comrades and his Regiment, over an extended period of time, has been quite inspirational and certainly worthy of formal recognition.

game and he has excelled at this. His ability to engage with the Juniors has been outstanding and has given them skills which they are unlikely to have learnt elsewhere and which has added significantly to their education. The second area has been the source of information and assistance that he has given to the organisers of the Club’s activities. All Past Captains would acknowledge that if they had a problem, they would turn to Roy Stanger. It is his combination of golfing knowledge and his military background that has made him an invaluable supporter of the Club and those people of all ages who use it. It is this quality which has earned him the annual “Clubman of the Year” award given to the person who has made the greatest contribution to the Club.

Roy Stanger’s impact on the South Winchester Golf Club for the last 15 years has been felt in two particular areas. The first and that for which he is best known is his management of the Junior Section of the Club. He has been responsible for organizing fixtures, selecting teams and planning each year’s diary. He has explained the spirit of the

In summary, it is considered that Roy Stanger is worthy of recognition by the Lord Lieutenant for his work for three very different organisations in Hampshire.

Roy Stanger’s legacy will endure well beyond his tenure to the undeniable benefit of the Garrison, the support it delivers to the community and the people who serve in it.

Since The Royal Green Jackets Association’s inception at the end of the Regiment’s time in the United Kingdom’s Order of Battle in 2007. Roy Stanger has been the organiser of the Association’s Annual Reunion in Winchester. This is a major national event with a turnover of in excess of £40K each year. He has lead a small team of volunteers who help mainly on the day but the responsibility and detailed planning for the whole event has been his alone. Without exception he has always ensured a well organised and popular event attended by between 500 and a 1,000 veterans and their families every year most of whom stay in hotels and accommodation in Winchester for the weekend thus adding significantly to the economy.

76

Who remembers Op Casement?

77

Lord Lieutenants Award for Major (Retd) Roy Stanger

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Lord Lieutenant’s Award for

Major (Retd) Roy Stanger

Major (Retd) Roy Stanger

Lord Lieutenant for Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson Esq

Under his guidance the welfare department has established a multi-faceted and deliverable local engagement plan with neighbouring units from a cold start. This drive and engagement with the military community and local authorities in Winchester, has seen a marked increase in access to welfare facilities and support, particularly to those leaving the Armed Forces. He has also inspired those living within the military community to commit their time to local initiatives, such a mental health courses, seasonal events for military children and the formation of a Community Welfare Committee.

In Autumn, a Lord Lieutenant’s Award was presented to Roy Stanger. The award was presented (virtually) on 7 October 2020 by Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson Esq, who himself served six years as a Royal Green Jacket Officer.

The citation covers Roy’s achievements in his capacity as Winchester Garrison Welfare Officer, the organizer of the Royal Green Jackets Association Annual Reunion and Supporter of The South Winchester Golf Club.

Citation After 45 years of successful military service, Roy Stanger retired from the Army in 2004. Within three weeks of retiring he returned to public service by joining the Civil Service in the role of Garrison Welfare Officer of Winchester Garrison, delivering welfare and community support to 500+ military families across the Garrison. During his 15 years in this role, the improvement in the department’s output in terms of volume of support, quality of service and efficiency of resources has been striking; he has redefined the approach to complex problem sets, specifically in the management of housing allocation issues, delivery of community support and refurbishment of the Community Centre at Worthy Down. Roy has laid the foundations for significant improvements to the living experience for Serving personnel and their families in Winchester Garrison applying his tried and tested ability to deliver change and make things happen.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Lord Lieutenants Award for Major (Retd) Roy Stanger

The work involved is painstaking in its attention to detail and year on year, based on feedback, he has improved the facilities available and the cost effectiveness of the event. All of this has been tempered with Roy’s wonderful sense of humour and his unfailing, infectious enthusiasm. He has now retired from his Civil Service post at Worthy Down but has insisted that he will continue to run the Reunion. His dedication and inspired commitment to his comrades and his Regiment, over an extended period of time, has been quite inspirational and certainly worthy of formal recognition.

game and he has excelled at this. His ability to engage with the Juniors has been outstanding and has given them skills which they are unlikely to have learnt elsewhere and which has added significantly to their education. The second area has been the source of information and assistance that he has given to the organisers of the Club’s activities. All Past Captains would acknowledge that if they had a problem, they would turn to Roy Stanger. It is his combination of golfing knowledge and his military background that has made him an invaluable supporter of the Club and those people of all ages who use it. It is this quality which has earned him the annual “Clubman of the Year” award given to the person who has made the greatest contribution to the Club.

Roy Stanger’s impact on the South Winchester Golf Club for the last 15 years has been felt in two particular areas. The first and that for which he is best known is his management of the Junior Section of the Club. He has been responsible for organizing fixtures, selecting teams and planning each year’s diary. He has explained the spirit of the

In summary, it is considered that Roy Stanger is worthy of recognition by the Lord Lieutenant for his work for three very different organisations in Hampshire.

Roy Stanger’s legacy will endure well beyond his tenure to the undeniable benefit of the Garrison, the support it delivers to the community and the people who serve in it.

Since The Royal Green Jackets Association’s inception at the end of the Regiment’s time in the United Kingdom’s Order of Battle in 2007. Roy Stanger has been the organiser of the Association’s Annual Reunion in Winchester. This is a major national event with a turnover of in excess of £40K each year. He has lead a small team of volunteers who help mainly on the day but the responsibility and detailed planning for the whole event has been his alone. Without exception he has always ensured a well organised and popular event attended by between 500 and a 1,000 veterans and their families every year most of whom stay in hotels and accommodation in Winchester for the weekend thus adding significantly to the economy.

76

Who remembers Op Casement?

77

The Bloody gun battle for the bakery

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Bloody gun battle for the bakery one gunman was killed near the barricades of Market Street and Eliza Court. By 05:15hrs the Riflemen had reached Bond Street. Two of the gang, one still armed, had been captured. But six terrorists were thought to be on the roof.

The Bloody gun battle for the bakery began in Belfast at 03:50 9 August 1971.

That was when B Coy 1RGJ moved in to ‘The Markets’ to flush out a gang of gunmen who had expelled the night shift at gun point.

Dawn was in the sky, but for the previous five hours Riflemen had already engaged snipers from the fringes of the catholic area near the City Centre. around the Inglis Bakery, the largest in Northern Ireland, terrorists were believed to be waiting and the Army Command were convinced that an ambush was being set up. The four platoons waited until dawn then they executed a ‘back door’ pincer movement, it was just as well, as Eliza Street, the main approach to the Bakery, was sprayed with automatic fire from both ends as the Riflemen began their approach. They encircled the narrow streets among the meanest of the City’s ghettos. From Lagan Street, Cromac Street and Stewart Street they gave covering fire while their main attack was spearheaded along McAuley Street.

At 05:45hrs The Riflemen were outside the Bakery, but the doors were locked. As they smashed through them they were met with a spray of bullets. Inside the building they were engaged in savage fighting with two terrorists believed to be fighting a rear guard action while the rest escaped. One is believed to have been hit. An Officer said: “The place was like a rabbit warren with hiding places everywhere.”

At 06:15hrs The last shots were fired and Riflemen began the hazardous operation of searching the three floors. Six people in the Bakery were handed to the police for questioning, five who were employees were later released.

By 08:00hrs the building had been combed and the Riflemen moved to the nearby houses. They had seen men running through back doors and out through the front and down the alleys between the streets during the battle. The search produced a 303 rifle from a drain and ammunition found on an outhouse roof.

The terrorist raked the streets with a Thompson sub-machine gun, 303 rifles and .22 small-arms fire, the fighting was savage with the Republican side being organised by Official IRA commander John McCann who had also it was believed organised the ambush that killed Cpl Bob Bankier 1RGJ the previous May. McCann was later shot dead in central Belfast in 1972.

At 09:00hrs The army began to bulldoze the barricades. Five men were in police custody. All that remained were streets littered with debris, a two foot pile of bread and a pool of blood in Eliza Street.

As the soldiers moved from doorway to doorway,

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The curious case of the 9mm... / Newry Road Bomb 77/78 Tour

The curious case of the 9mm automatic carrier bag There were other incidents but the funniest and probably the scariest came after I had come back from two days compassionate leave to sort my marriage out, it was coming up to my birthday and we were based at RUC Woodbourne a police station to the south of our area in the lenadoon.

Lisburn High Street, trying not to look like squaddies and trying to conceal the guns under our arm.

We went to Woolworths where I brought some music tapes then guess what? We ended up in a bar, bad move; I was fed up with my pistol digging in my side so I went to the toilet and took it out of the holster and placed it in the woolies bag!! and returned to my seat. To cut along story short we got more and more inebriated, we got a cab going to Belfast city centre where we ended up in a night club well leathered, I with a pistol in a carrier bag!

(Kev had his still in his holster). It was obvious we were Brits and probably more obvious we were squaddies because of our hair cuts (longish hair was fashionable then) how we didn’t end up dead I will never know. Eventually we got back to camp and an almighty bollocking.

Kev my mate asked our boss Lt Stileman if we could somehow go out for a bit in the safe protestant Lisbon area. Generally on four month tours apart from your four days R&R you weren’t allowed out because it was too dangerous, however the boss said we could go on certain conditions, one we were to be armed, carry a 9mm pistol, complete with shoulder holster and secondly don’t drink and don’t go to any dodgy areas (as if). The plan was for us to get changed into civies and when the RUC finished their shift, they were driven home to their safe area by police land rover, all we had to do was hitch a lift, which we did without incident and found ourselves in

Daren Branch

Newry Road Bomb 77/78 Tour We had been dropped by a Wessex helicopter and consolidated in the field awaiting the second drop to make up the multiple. After the Wessex departed, we got up and moved to the other side of the Newry road, one of five leading out of Crossmaglen (XMG).

As I approached the road, I saw a bit of red coated fine wire all scrunched up lying on the hedgerow. I picked it up and put it in my pocket and continued patrolling. On return to base many hours later we were being debriefed and I remembered the wire so I took it out and another member of the multiple (Rfn Templeton?) said he too had picked up some wire on the other side of the road and he showed it to me, It was the same type but green coated. I submitted my patrol report with the two bits of wire and after my egg banjo went to bed.

COP operating out of other locations frequently drove up and down there. It had been OOB for about 10 -14 days when the local RUC Sgt decided he wanted to go to Newry in his civilian car. He had done this on numerous occasions during the time he had been stationed in XMG but with no set pattern and his theory was that the speed he drove out of XMG was such that it was too fast for the PIRA to be able to react in time. On this fateful day he drove out of the station gate and entered the square and at speed drove down the Newry road.

He was passing the area where we had found the wires and was travelling fast when PIRA detonated the device. It exploded slightly after he had driven over it hurling his car further along the road towards Newry. Dazed and in shock he pulled himself from the wreckage and went up to a house and forced the occupants at gunpoint to let him in. Needless to say, they were unwilling to do this without the pistol as persuasion. He tried to call XMG but the explosion had brought down the telephone wires but luckily for him the lines to Newry were still working and he was able to call for assistance. I don’t remember ever seeing him at XMG after this so I can only assume he was offered a posting to another station. A lucky boy.

At about 02:00hrs I was rudely awakened and told to report to the ops room where I was asked where I had found the wire. I wanted to say: “Read my effin report it’s all in there.” But instead, I showed them on the map where it was found. BIS had examined the wire and declared it to be DuPont detonator wire. This meant that there was possibly a device somewhere along the Newry Road so it was immediately placed out of bounds. We as foot soldiers never used the road other than for short bursts or for crossing but covert vehicles and the

McAuley Street 78

Mike 79

The Bloody gun battle for the bakery

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Bloody gun battle for the bakery one gunman was killed near the barricades of Market Street and Eliza Court. By 05:15hrs the Riflemen had reached Bond Street. Two of the gang, one still armed, had been captured. But six terrorists were thought to be on the roof.

The Bloody gun battle for the bakery began in Belfast at 03:50 9 August 1971.

That was when B Coy 1RGJ moved in to ‘The Markets’ to flush out a gang of gunmen who had expelled the night shift at gun point.

Dawn was in the sky, but for the previous five hours Riflemen had already engaged snipers from the fringes of the catholic area near the City Centre. around the Inglis Bakery, the largest in Northern Ireland, terrorists were believed to be waiting and the Army Command were convinced that an ambush was being set up. The four platoons waited until dawn then they executed a ‘back door’ pincer movement, it was just as well, as Eliza Street, the main approach to the Bakery, was sprayed with automatic fire from both ends as the Riflemen began their approach. They encircled the narrow streets among the meanest of the City’s ghettos. From Lagan Street, Cromac Street and Stewart Street they gave covering fire while their main attack was spearheaded along McAuley Street.

At 05:45hrs The Riflemen were outside the Bakery, but the doors were locked. As they smashed through them they were met with a spray of bullets. Inside the building they were engaged in savage fighting with two terrorists believed to be fighting a rear guard action while the rest escaped. One is believed to have been hit. An Officer said: “The place was like a rabbit warren with hiding places everywhere.”

At 06:15hrs The last shots were fired and Riflemen began the hazardous operation of searching the three floors. Six people in the Bakery were handed to the police for questioning, five who were employees were later released.

By 08:00hrs the building had been combed and the Riflemen moved to the nearby houses. They had seen men running through back doors and out through the front and down the alleys between the streets during the battle. The search produced a 303 rifle from a drain and ammunition found on an outhouse roof.

The terrorist raked the streets with a Thompson sub-machine gun, 303 rifles and .22 small-arms fire, the fighting was savage with the Republican side being organised by Official IRA commander John McCann who had also it was believed organised the ambush that killed Cpl Bob Bankier 1RGJ the previous May. McCann was later shot dead in central Belfast in 1972.

At 09:00hrs The army began to bulldoze the barricades. Five men were in police custody. All that remained were streets littered with debris, a two foot pile of bread and a pool of blood in Eliza Street.

As the soldiers moved from doorway to doorway,

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The curious case of the 9mm... / Newry Road Bomb 77/78 Tour

The curious case of the 9mm automatic carrier bag There were other incidents but the funniest and probably the scariest came after I had come back from two days compassionate leave to sort my marriage out, it was coming up to my birthday and we were based at RUC Woodbourne a police station to the south of our area in the lenadoon.

Lisburn High Street, trying not to look like squaddies and trying to conceal the guns under our arm.

We went to Woolworths where I brought some music tapes then guess what? We ended up in a bar, bad move; I was fed up with my pistol digging in my side so I went to the toilet and took it out of the holster and placed it in the woolies bag!! and returned to my seat. To cut along story short we got more and more inebriated, we got a cab going to Belfast city centre where we ended up in a night club well leathered, I with a pistol in a carrier bag!

(Kev had his still in his holster). It was obvious we were Brits and probably more obvious we were squaddies because of our hair cuts (longish hair was fashionable then) how we didn’t end up dead I will never know. Eventually we got back to camp and an almighty bollocking.

Kev my mate asked our boss Lt Stileman if we could somehow go out for a bit in the safe protestant Lisbon area. Generally on four month tours apart from your four days R&R you weren’t allowed out because it was too dangerous, however the boss said we could go on certain conditions, one we were to be armed, carry a 9mm pistol, complete with shoulder holster and secondly don’t drink and don’t go to any dodgy areas (as if). The plan was for us to get changed into civies and when the RUC finished their shift, they were driven home to their safe area by police land rover, all we had to do was hitch a lift, which we did without incident and found ourselves in

Daren Branch

Newry Road Bomb 77/78 Tour We had been dropped by a Wessex helicopter and consolidated in the field awaiting the second drop to make up the multiple. After the Wessex departed, we got up and moved to the other side of the Newry road, one of five leading out of Crossmaglen (XMG).

As I approached the road, I saw a bit of red coated fine wire all scrunched up lying on the hedgerow. I picked it up and put it in my pocket and continued patrolling. On return to base many hours later we were being debriefed and I remembered the wire so I took it out and another member of the multiple (Rfn Templeton?) said he too had picked up some wire on the other side of the road and he showed it to me, It was the same type but green coated. I submitted my patrol report with the two bits of wire and after my egg banjo went to bed.

COP operating out of other locations frequently drove up and down there. It had been OOB for about 10 -14 days when the local RUC Sgt decided he wanted to go to Newry in his civilian car. He had done this on numerous occasions during the time he had been stationed in XMG but with no set pattern and his theory was that the speed he drove out of XMG was such that it was too fast for the PIRA to be able to react in time. On this fateful day he drove out of the station gate and entered the square and at speed drove down the Newry road.

He was passing the area where we had found the wires and was travelling fast when PIRA detonated the device. It exploded slightly after he had driven over it hurling his car further along the road towards Newry. Dazed and in shock he pulled himself from the wreckage and went up to a house and forced the occupants at gunpoint to let him in. Needless to say, they were unwilling to do this without the pistol as persuasion. He tried to call XMG but the explosion had brought down the telephone wires but luckily for him the lines to Newry were still working and he was able to call for assistance. I don’t remember ever seeing him at XMG after this so I can only assume he was offered a posting to another station. A lucky boy.

At about 02:00hrs I was rudely awakened and told to report to the ops room where I was asked where I had found the wire. I wanted to say: “Read my effin report it’s all in there.” But instead, I showed them on the map where it was found. BIS had examined the wire and declared it to be DuPont detonator wire. This meant that there was possibly a device somewhere along the Newry Road so it was immediately placed out of bounds. We as foot soldiers never used the road other than for short bursts or for crossing but covert vehicles and the

McAuley Street 78

Mike 79

What Makes a Hero?

The Royal Green Jackets Association

What Makes a Hero? in, and to the exact same standardised level of warfare regardless of cap badge and role. For my regiment the Royal Green Jackets this was music to its ears, as it and its former regiments had always been renowned for its forward thinking, innovation and trail blazing of infantry tactics.

Too often in recent times it seems the word ‘hero’ has been more than overly mis-used to describe various celebrities and stars of showbusiness and sport. You know the sort of thing ‘The Heroes of Coronation Street to Climb Kilimanjaro for Charadee’ or ‘The Heroes of England’s World Cup Squad Do It Again’ (but didn’t). And on and on it goes in a complete mish-mash of over usage and misnomer.

So, in 1972 a training unit called the School of Infantry was established to do just that by running a series of ten week rolling courses throughout the year for all Infantry Platoon Sgts and held at the Infantry Battle School in Brecon Powys. A separate but similar course was run for officers but in a different location. In later years an additional course was established for Corporal Section Commanders.

Unfortunately, as we now all know to our cost, it has taken a viral epidemic of epic and unprecedented proportions across the globe to at last recognise the true heroes of our society. I am of course referring to everyone who works either in the NHS or the essential supply and maintenance chains which keep us all going. Heroes all!

To try and give you an explanation of the content of this course would bore you to death if it’s something you have never experienced, and probably be a little too confusing for those readers who might be unfamiliar with the military world; Keeping it simple therefore it was to consist of all written and practical aspects of conventional warfare at all company command levels. However, what made it even tougher and more daunting was the physical side of it too. The only other similar course that springs to mind and requires the same physical and mental effort is SAS selection – but that’s another story for someone else to tell.

Right! Now I have climbed off my soap box, and if you are still interested and getting a little bored with staying indoors, I will tell you a story about someone in my life, to whom at the time I too probably mis-used and applied the word hero to – for all the right reasons at the time I quickly add, but I will let you decide.

Sit back – relax and I will begin.

I have to start my little trip down memory lane by recalling events, and possibly a new revolution in military thinking which sat astride the two decades of the 60s and 70s. The first of which was the ending of National Service in late 1960 through to the last national servicemen handing in their uniforms in 1963, and the creation and implementation of an ‘all volunteer’ military force across all three services. This I am led to believe was something which had never been seen or attempted before in either British and world military history, and was a very radical concept to achieve. Not least because of the practicalities of the task ahead and having no wish to belittle or dishonour anything that had gone before. However the thinking I understand was that a volunteer would probably be better motivated to provide the commitment and professionalism to take all three services into the modern world and its future.

Now I don’t know if any of you readers have ever been to the Brecon Beacons and its adjacent training area at Sennybridge, but let me tell you that underneath that scenic and calm exterior of mountains, moors, marshes and lush valleys lies a rip-roaring monster of micro climates that will freeze and boil you to death – and all in the same day too!

As for the Battle School itself – Hogwarts it wasn’t.

In fact, it was more like a demented Special Forces base on steroids! Deering Lines was its official name although I have to say there was nothing endearing about it at all.

Located on a hillside just off the main road leading into the town of Brecon the barracks themselves were typical of their time; in other word’s nothing more than a scattering of wooden ‘spider’ buildings used for accommodation and classrooms. They were given this rather odd name because each building consisted of a central oblong ablution block

One of the many ways in which this change came about in my particular arm of the services was the standardisation of training throughout the whole of the British Army. In other words, the thinking was that all Infantry Officers and NCO’s would be trained 80

The Royal Green Jackets Association

What Makes a Hero?

He began by explaining in detail that he thought all non-maroon bereted soldiers were lady boys and posing w**kers. He finally finished off by asking if anyone didn’t want to do the course? Bloody hell we thought ‘was the Pope a Catholic?’ Well of course at that point and after such a lovely welcome all 40 of us bl***y well didn’t! But there was only one who had the bravado to say so because from somewhere in our midst a strong voice with a heavy Scouse accent suddenly said: “I don’t la!” Looking around for the ‘dead man walking’ we could see the stocky figure of this ‘blasphemer’ who surprisingly had a calm if somewhat insane grin on his face given to what he had just admitted to.

with three barrack rooms jutting out from either side, like the body and legs of a spider when viewed from the air. I know spiders have eight legs but you get the general idea. Just inside the typical barriered main gate was a verandaed wooden Headquarters office – a place everyone would quickly get to know quite well within the first 12 hours of arrival!

Anyway, back to my story where on a cold and frosty January morning in the very early 70s, I together with another SNCO from the battalion promptly presented ourselves at the main gate of Deering Lines. There to greet us at the gate was a uniformed and unusually fit looking pen pusher who immediately dispatched us to our accommodation blocks to unload our equipment. He also informed us in no uncertain terms we were to parade outside the HQ building by the main gate at 9am on the dot where we would be briefed by the course Warrant Officer.

That was it – old chopping block face went completely puce and clearly struggling to maintain a bit of self-control he finally managed to ask in a threatening and dragged out tone “Whhyyyy?”

“Oh, quite simple” says our Scouse lad “I have no intention of being f**ked about by tw*ts like yoose and yer mates”.

Having unloaded our kit and still wearing our standard civilian outfit of sweatshirt, jeans and desert boots, we leisurely made our way back to the appointed meeting place where together with 38 similarly clad others shuffled into something resembling three ranks on the road outside the HQ building. The only foreboding and later to prove prophetical cloud on the horizon leading up to that point was the sight of heavily armed individuals and groups dressed in full combat gear running around like loons. Even those coming and going to the dining room would have given Usain Bolt a decent run for his money! Mind boggling and a little bit disconcerting to say the least.

For the sake of the faint hearted and having to use too many asterisks I won’t go into any more detail at this point other than to say the Scouse lad was roundly and loudly berated for having no guts, and that furthermore he would be RTU’d (Returned to Unit) later that day but only after we had all been given a short address from the Commanding Officer at 2pm. Phew!

• 2pm comes around and we are now in uniform in three smart multi badged ranks on the road in front of the HQ building. Standing on the veranda facing us and still in his civilian clothes and with his suitcase at his side was our Scouser, whilst old chopping block face stomped up and down in front of us while muttering to himself as only the insane can.

Anyway, still shuffling around and trying to get into some sort of order on the road our chatter was suddenly broken by a roaring scream which roughly translated as “Shut the f**k up!”. The owner of this said voice and standing on the veranda facing us was clearly the course Warrant Officer. There he stood – all 5'6" of him but built horizontally across the shoulders like a brick outhouse. It’s no exaggeration to say his screwed up face was like a butcher’s chopping block with little piggy eyes and a flattened nose spread across both cheeks. On top of his head and obviously worn with great pride sat a very bleached maroon Para beret. S**t! we all thought this doesn’t look too good – and then he began to prove us right!

• 2.05pm comes around – no sign of the CO. • 2.10pm still no sign of the CO – everyone now getting a bit fidgety.

• 2.15pm the sound of running rubber soled

boots is heard getting nearer. Suddenly in front of us and wearing a well-worn tam-o-shanter and other accoutrements of Scottish origin appears a seemingly young, obviously fit and wiry looking Lt Col – our CO at last.

“Gentlemen” says the CO “Please accept my apologies for my lateness, but as you probably know today we received notification of the Queens Honours and Awards for the military, and as a

Editor’s note: The following account of the briefing has been heavily censored by Mary Whitehouse – here is the revised and condensed version: 81

What Makes a Hero?

The Royal Green Jackets Association

What Makes a Hero? in, and to the exact same standardised level of warfare regardless of cap badge and role. For my regiment the Royal Green Jackets this was music to its ears, as it and its former regiments had always been renowned for its forward thinking, innovation and trail blazing of infantry tactics.

Too often in recent times it seems the word ‘hero’ has been more than overly mis-used to describe various celebrities and stars of showbusiness and sport. You know the sort of thing ‘The Heroes of Coronation Street to Climb Kilimanjaro for Charadee’ or ‘The Heroes of England’s World Cup Squad Do It Again’ (but didn’t). And on and on it goes in a complete mish-mash of over usage and misnomer.

So, in 1972 a training unit called the School of Infantry was established to do just that by running a series of ten week rolling courses throughout the year for all Infantry Platoon Sgts and held at the Infantry Battle School in Brecon Powys. A separate but similar course was run for officers but in a different location. In later years an additional course was established for Corporal Section Commanders.

Unfortunately, as we now all know to our cost, it has taken a viral epidemic of epic and unprecedented proportions across the globe to at last recognise the true heroes of our society. I am of course referring to everyone who works either in the NHS or the essential supply and maintenance chains which keep us all going. Heroes all!

To try and give you an explanation of the content of this course would bore you to death if it’s something you have never experienced, and probably be a little too confusing for those readers who might be unfamiliar with the military world; Keeping it simple therefore it was to consist of all written and practical aspects of conventional warfare at all company command levels. However, what made it even tougher and more daunting was the physical side of it too. The only other similar course that springs to mind and requires the same physical and mental effort is SAS selection – but that’s another story for someone else to tell.

Right! Now I have climbed off my soap box, and if you are still interested and getting a little bored with staying indoors, I will tell you a story about someone in my life, to whom at the time I too probably mis-used and applied the word hero to – for all the right reasons at the time I quickly add, but I will let you decide.

Sit back – relax and I will begin.

I have to start my little trip down memory lane by recalling events, and possibly a new revolution in military thinking which sat astride the two decades of the 60s and 70s. The first of which was the ending of National Service in late 1960 through to the last national servicemen handing in their uniforms in 1963, and the creation and implementation of an ‘all volunteer’ military force across all three services. This I am led to believe was something which had never been seen or attempted before in either British and world military history, and was a very radical concept to achieve. Not least because of the practicalities of the task ahead and having no wish to belittle or dishonour anything that had gone before. However the thinking I understand was that a volunteer would probably be better motivated to provide the commitment and professionalism to take all three services into the modern world and its future.

Now I don’t know if any of you readers have ever been to the Brecon Beacons and its adjacent training area at Sennybridge, but let me tell you that underneath that scenic and calm exterior of mountains, moors, marshes and lush valleys lies a rip-roaring monster of micro climates that will freeze and boil you to death – and all in the same day too!

As for the Battle School itself – Hogwarts it wasn’t.

In fact, it was more like a demented Special Forces base on steroids! Deering Lines was its official name although I have to say there was nothing endearing about it at all.

Located on a hillside just off the main road leading into the town of Brecon the barracks themselves were typical of their time; in other word’s nothing more than a scattering of wooden ‘spider’ buildings used for accommodation and classrooms. They were given this rather odd name because each building consisted of a central oblong ablution block

One of the many ways in which this change came about in my particular arm of the services was the standardisation of training throughout the whole of the British Army. In other words, the thinking was that all Infantry Officers and NCO’s would be trained 80

The Royal Green Jackets Association

What Makes a Hero?

He began by explaining in detail that he thought all non-maroon bereted soldiers were lady boys and posing w**kers. He finally finished off by asking if anyone didn’t want to do the course? Bloody hell we thought ‘was the Pope a Catholic?’ Well of course at that point and after such a lovely welcome all 40 of us bl***y well didn’t! But there was only one who had the bravado to say so because from somewhere in our midst a strong voice with a heavy Scouse accent suddenly said: “I don’t la!” Looking around for the ‘dead man walking’ we could see the stocky figure of this ‘blasphemer’ who surprisingly had a calm if somewhat insane grin on his face given to what he had just admitted to.

with three barrack rooms jutting out from either side, like the body and legs of a spider when viewed from the air. I know spiders have eight legs but you get the general idea. Just inside the typical barriered main gate was a verandaed wooden Headquarters office – a place everyone would quickly get to know quite well within the first 12 hours of arrival!

Anyway, back to my story where on a cold and frosty January morning in the very early 70s, I together with another SNCO from the battalion promptly presented ourselves at the main gate of Deering Lines. There to greet us at the gate was a uniformed and unusually fit looking pen pusher who immediately dispatched us to our accommodation blocks to unload our equipment. He also informed us in no uncertain terms we were to parade outside the HQ building by the main gate at 9am on the dot where we would be briefed by the course Warrant Officer.

That was it – old chopping block face went completely puce and clearly struggling to maintain a bit of self-control he finally managed to ask in a threatening and dragged out tone “Whhyyyy?”

“Oh, quite simple” says our Scouse lad “I have no intention of being f**ked about by tw*ts like yoose and yer mates”.

Having unloaded our kit and still wearing our standard civilian outfit of sweatshirt, jeans and desert boots, we leisurely made our way back to the appointed meeting place where together with 38 similarly clad others shuffled into something resembling three ranks on the road outside the HQ building. The only foreboding and later to prove prophetical cloud on the horizon leading up to that point was the sight of heavily armed individuals and groups dressed in full combat gear running around like loons. Even those coming and going to the dining room would have given Usain Bolt a decent run for his money! Mind boggling and a little bit disconcerting to say the least.

For the sake of the faint hearted and having to use too many asterisks I won’t go into any more detail at this point other than to say the Scouse lad was roundly and loudly berated for having no guts, and that furthermore he would be RTU’d (Returned to Unit) later that day but only after we had all been given a short address from the Commanding Officer at 2pm. Phew!

• 2pm comes around and we are now in uniform in three smart multi badged ranks on the road in front of the HQ building. Standing on the veranda facing us and still in his civilian clothes and with his suitcase at his side was our Scouser, whilst old chopping block face stomped up and down in front of us while muttering to himself as only the insane can.

Anyway, still shuffling around and trying to get into some sort of order on the road our chatter was suddenly broken by a roaring scream which roughly translated as “Shut the f**k up!”. The owner of this said voice and standing on the veranda facing us was clearly the course Warrant Officer. There he stood – all 5'6" of him but built horizontally across the shoulders like a brick outhouse. It’s no exaggeration to say his screwed up face was like a butcher’s chopping block with little piggy eyes and a flattened nose spread across both cheeks. On top of his head and obviously worn with great pride sat a very bleached maroon Para beret. S**t! we all thought this doesn’t look too good – and then he began to prove us right!

• 2.05pm comes around – no sign of the CO. • 2.10pm still no sign of the CO – everyone now getting a bit fidgety.

• 2.15pm the sound of running rubber soled

boots is heard getting nearer. Suddenly in front of us and wearing a well-worn tam-o-shanter and other accoutrements of Scottish origin appears a seemingly young, obviously fit and wiry looking Lt Col – our CO at last.

“Gentlemen” says the CO “Please accept my apologies for my lateness, but as you probably know today we received notification of the Queens Honours and Awards for the military, and as a

Editor’s note: The following account of the briefing has been heavily censored by Mary Whitehouse – here is the revised and condensed version: 81

What Makes a Hero?

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Kitbag was. When finally, and from the direction of the veranda came a clear Scouse voice “Yes Sah!”

number of you have received an award, and because you will be here for the next couple of months I thought I would ring your CO’s and ask if I could make a short statement to those here who have been honoured on their behalf”. Hmmm! We all thought this is going to be entertaining.

Two things happened at that moment that have stuck in my memory ever since. The first was the wide-open mouth and incredulous look on the mug of old chopping block face. What a smack in the teeth that was after calling the Scouse lad gutless earlier that morning. The second and in many ways the most impressive was the Colonel who on turning around to confront the voice from behind him, and quickly sussing out the situation said without the slightest hint of surprise in his tone “Oh I see you are not staying with us then!” As you can imagine this immediately prompted gales of raucous laughter and cheering from us louts.

Really getting into his stride he began by starting at what is generally accepted as the lower end of the awards scale by naming various individuals. All very good and worthy of course, and polite applause rippled through our ranks after each one was named.

Working his way upwards through the awards and accompanied by more enthusiastic applause he finally said: “Gentlemen, the best I have saved till last which is the award of the Military Medal* to someone here, but before I name the recipient let me first read out the citation which accompanies the award”.

After coming forward and shaking the Colonels hand the Scouse lad went back to the veranda, picked up his suitcase, and made his way to the gate to a typical accompaniment of whistles and good-humoured banter from us condemned idiots.

Stopping at the gate he turned around, paused, gave us all a long hard stare, and then executed the most meaningful one fingered salute to us all you have ever seen!

Well I won’t go into the charmless and characterless way such citations are usually written so again I will condense the essential bits as follows: Night time. South Armagh Northern Ireland 1972. two armed gunmen holed up in a derelict farmhouse. Unnamed soldier goes in on his own and takes both out with maximum violence. Job done! Excellent here’s a medal!

My hero!

The Royal Green Jackets Association

One’s Final Parade

One’s Final Parade

Honouring Our Departed Rifleman or

There are, inevitably, an increasing number of occasions when our members and their family and friends wish to honour the Regimental service of one of our departed veterans, by draping a Regimental flag or RGJ covering over their coffin.

Andy Spalding at the Rifles RHQ on mobile 07543 221733 for southern area requests.

The only requirement will be to return these items, within two weeks of the funeral, to Hugh or Andy in order that they are available for others to use.

As the RGJ National Association, we wish to support these requests and so have a number of Regimental flags and Regimental coffin covers available specifically for this.

Should you wish to borrow either a Regimental coffin cover or a Regimental flag for the funeral for one of our departed veterans, then Please contact either:

This is, of course, in addition to having a Bugler to sound the Last Post and Reveille, which for many of us is a long-held wish. Hence, a reminder that if you are looking for a Bugler to attend a funeral service then please contact: Andy Spalding on 07543 221733 or by email: gjc@the-rifles.co.uk

Hugh Goudge on 01924 849020 or email: oldsweat@yahoo.co.uk for requests from north of Birmingham

The only caveat is Andy needs to be given enough notice, to book a Bugler through the army system without any cost to the family.

Post notes:

• Sgt Kitbag eventually gained the top non-

As you can imagine this was received with rapturous applause and dare I say it? What seemed like a look of dark jealousy on the face of old chopping block.

commissioned rank of WO1 RSM in his regiment The Kings Regiment.

• The Military Medal (MM) was awarded to other

ranks for extreme bravery in battle on land. It was discontinued in 1993 and replaced with the Military Cross (MC) for all ranks.

“Therefore” continued the Colonel “I would like to congratulate Sgt Kitbag on his award of the MM”.

There followed a long tumbleweed moment during which everyone glanced around to see who Sgt

John F-D

Photograph courtesy of the family of the Late Sgt Ian Peek RGJ 82

83

What Makes a Hero?

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Kitbag was. When finally, and from the direction of the veranda came a clear Scouse voice “Yes Sah!”

number of you have received an award, and because you will be here for the next couple of months I thought I would ring your CO’s and ask if I could make a short statement to those here who have been honoured on their behalf”. Hmmm! We all thought this is going to be entertaining.

Two things happened at that moment that have stuck in my memory ever since. The first was the wide-open mouth and incredulous look on the mug of old chopping block face. What a smack in the teeth that was after calling the Scouse lad gutless earlier that morning. The second and in many ways the most impressive was the Colonel who on turning around to confront the voice from behind him, and quickly sussing out the situation said without the slightest hint of surprise in his tone “Oh I see you are not staying with us then!” As you can imagine this immediately prompted gales of raucous laughter and cheering from us louts.

Really getting into his stride he began by starting at what is generally accepted as the lower end of the awards scale by naming various individuals. All very good and worthy of course, and polite applause rippled through our ranks after each one was named.

Working his way upwards through the awards and accompanied by more enthusiastic applause he finally said: “Gentlemen, the best I have saved till last which is the award of the Military Medal* to someone here, but before I name the recipient let me first read out the citation which accompanies the award”.

After coming forward and shaking the Colonels hand the Scouse lad went back to the veranda, picked up his suitcase, and made his way to the gate to a typical accompaniment of whistles and good-humoured banter from us condemned idiots.

Stopping at the gate he turned around, paused, gave us all a long hard stare, and then executed the most meaningful one fingered salute to us all you have ever seen!

Well I won’t go into the charmless and characterless way such citations are usually written so again I will condense the essential bits as follows: Night time. South Armagh Northern Ireland 1972. two armed gunmen holed up in a derelict farmhouse. Unnamed soldier goes in on his own and takes both out with maximum violence. Job done! Excellent here’s a medal!

My hero!

The Royal Green Jackets Association

One’s Final Parade

One’s Final Parade

Honouring Our Departed Rifleman or

There are, inevitably, an increasing number of occasions when our members and their family and friends wish to honour the Regimental service of one of our departed veterans, by draping a Regimental flag or RGJ covering over their coffin.

Andy Spalding at the Rifles RHQ on mobile 07543 221733 for southern area requests.

The only requirement will be to return these items, within two weeks of the funeral, to Hugh or Andy in order that they are available for others to use.

As the RGJ National Association, we wish to support these requests and so have a number of Regimental flags and Regimental coffin covers available specifically for this.

Should you wish to borrow either a Regimental coffin cover or a Regimental flag for the funeral for one of our departed veterans, then Please contact either:

This is, of course, in addition to having a Bugler to sound the Last Post and Reveille, which for many of us is a long-held wish. Hence, a reminder that if you are looking for a Bugler to attend a funeral service then please contact: Andy Spalding on 07543 221733 or by email: gjc@the-rifles.co.uk

Hugh Goudge on 01924 849020 or email: oldsweat@yahoo.co.uk for requests from north of Birmingham

The only caveat is Andy needs to be given enough notice, to book a Bugler through the army system without any cost to the family.

Post notes:

• Sgt Kitbag eventually gained the top non-

As you can imagine this was received with rapturous applause and dare I say it? What seemed like a look of dark jealousy on the face of old chopping block.

commissioned rank of WO1 RSM in his regiment The Kings Regiment.

• The Military Medal (MM) was awarded to other

ranks for extreme bravery in battle on land. It was discontinued in 1993 and replaced with the Military Cross (MC) for all ranks.

“Therefore” continued the Colonel “I would like to congratulate Sgt Kitbag on his award of the MM”.

There followed a long tumbleweed moment during which everyone glanced around to see who Sgt

John F-D

Photograph courtesy of the family of the Late Sgt Ian Peek RGJ 82

83

Simon Tonybee

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Simon Tonybee

Simon Tonybee

Below are a few memories I have from my time in the regiment and away we were struck by lightning! Arrived at El Adem in Libya in the early morning. Problem how to get back to Cyprus Mk 2. On the runway was an Eagle Airlines Viscount, which then did some of the medium range trooping for the army. Met the pilot who said he was flying empty to Akrotiri that afternoon. I signalled Dhekelia requesting to be met. We were; we arrived at Alexander barracks to be met by Major (Later General Sir) Frank Kitson the battalion 2 i/c. Hoping to be congratulated for showing superb initiative for a junior officer not yet 20 in getting my little force back safely, all I received were three words: “What kept you?” The following day we all joined the battalion in Nicosia.

November 1963 – January 1964 A small group (10) of Riflemen went to Bahrain as guests of the Parachute Battalion and were attached to ‘B’ Company, which was commanded by a delightful 60th officer called Major Beak. They had a mascot, called Bravo, who was a huge Great Dane, who went everywhere with them, though I don’t think he jumped out of an aeroplane.

Sheed Raab – Cyprus 1964

Dr Harris

3GJ returned from Cyprus in 1964 to Felixstowe before moving again in 1965 on another unaccompanied tour this time to Borneo and Malaya via Hong Kong. During this time we carried out extensive patrolling in the jungle. We did have a CSA show brought to us to given us some light relief. The main star being Frankie Howerd.

Blackburn Beverley December 1963

We moved on to Oman where we climbed the Jebel Akhdar, 8½ thousand feet and patrolled amongst the various villages. It was very tough going with spectacular scenery, possibly lost on most of the Riflemen.

Oman December 1963

The RB chronicle for that year said: “Something must have gone wrong”.

contributed in a big way to cementing the hearts and minds campaign.

The patrol commander (me) knew nothing about delivering babies, but the headman of the village told us the mother was in a bad way. We summoned the doctor by helicopter and it all ended happily. I believe the baby, who looks as if it was a girl, was called Gordon.

One moment stands out for me when the the battalion doctor, the very charming Gordon Harris delivered this baby in a remote kampong (village).

This earned the patrolling platoon the undying admiration and thanks from the village, which

There were many memories and some of them are captured in photos, some of you may remember the people in the photos.

Nothing went wrong!

An Orders Group in the Pissouri training area, which was (I think) between Paphos and Episkopi. Due to the troubles, the training was somewhat farcical, as we were not allowed to fire blanks. Two of those in the group are sadly no longer with us. Jimmy Glover and Jeremy Clowes. Anthony Walker, twin son of the famous jungle General Sir Walter Walker, became an estate agent. Brian Nicholson went into the church and I was an investment manager.

Jeremy worked for Holland & Holland & Michael Richards, a tobacco company. Date 1964.

Company O Group

When we eventually came down, we flew to Aden, rather than Bahrain. Problem...how to get back to Cyprus. Solution visit the Group Captain at RAF Kormaskar. He had a DSO and a DFC and was very helpful. he diverted a Comet 4, which turned out to be a medical cas-evac plane. Once on board

L/R. Major (later General) Glover. 2/Lieuts Tony Walker, Brian Nicholson, Simon Toynbee, Capt.

Jeremy Clowes (Recce Pl). Sgt. Crawford (also Recce Pl). Captain Michael Richards (2 i/c B Co).

84

CSE Show Borneo 1965 85

Simon Tonybee

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Simon Tonybee

Simon Tonybee

Below are a few memories I have from my time in the regiment and away we were struck by lightning! Arrived at El Adem in Libya in the early morning. Problem how to get back to Cyprus Mk 2. On the runway was an Eagle Airlines Viscount, which then did some of the medium range trooping for the army. Met the pilot who said he was flying empty to Akrotiri that afternoon. I signalled Dhekelia requesting to be met. We were; we arrived at Alexander barracks to be met by Major (Later General Sir) Frank Kitson the battalion 2 i/c. Hoping to be congratulated for showing superb initiative for a junior officer not yet 20 in getting my little force back safely, all I received were three words: “What kept you?” The following day we all joined the battalion in Nicosia.

November 1963 – January 1964 A small group (10) of Riflemen went to Bahrain as guests of the Parachute Battalion and were attached to ‘B’ Company, which was commanded by a delightful 60th officer called Major Beak. They had a mascot, called Bravo, who was a huge Great Dane, who went everywhere with them, though I don’t think he jumped out of an aeroplane.

Sheed Raab – Cyprus 1964

Dr Harris

3GJ returned from Cyprus in 1964 to Felixstowe before moving again in 1965 on another unaccompanied tour this time to Borneo and Malaya via Hong Kong. During this time we carried out extensive patrolling in the jungle. We did have a CSA show brought to us to given us some light relief. The main star being Frankie Howerd.

Blackburn Beverley December 1963

We moved on to Oman where we climbed the Jebel Akhdar, 8½ thousand feet and patrolled amongst the various villages. It was very tough going with spectacular scenery, possibly lost on most of the Riflemen.

Oman December 1963

The RB chronicle for that year said: “Something must have gone wrong”.

contributed in a big way to cementing the hearts and minds campaign.

The patrol commander (me) knew nothing about delivering babies, but the headman of the village told us the mother was in a bad way. We summoned the doctor by helicopter and it all ended happily. I believe the baby, who looks as if it was a girl, was called Gordon.

One moment stands out for me when the the battalion doctor, the very charming Gordon Harris delivered this baby in a remote kampong (village).

This earned the patrolling platoon the undying admiration and thanks from the village, which

There were many memories and some of them are captured in photos, some of you may remember the people in the photos.

Nothing went wrong!

An Orders Group in the Pissouri training area, which was (I think) between Paphos and Episkopi. Due to the troubles, the training was somewhat farcical, as we were not allowed to fire blanks. Two of those in the group are sadly no longer with us. Jimmy Glover and Jeremy Clowes. Anthony Walker, twin son of the famous jungle General Sir Walter Walker, became an estate agent. Brian Nicholson went into the church and I was an investment manager.

Jeremy worked for Holland & Holland & Michael Richards, a tobacco company. Date 1964.

Company O Group

When we eventually came down, we flew to Aden, rather than Bahrain. Problem...how to get back to Cyprus. Solution visit the Group Captain at RAF Kormaskar. He had a DSO and a DFC and was very helpful. he diverted a Comet 4, which turned out to be a medical cas-evac plane. Once on board

L/R. Major (later General) Glover. 2/Lieuts Tony Walker, Brian Nicholson, Simon Toynbee, Capt.

Jeremy Clowes (Recce Pl). Sgt. Crawford (also Recce Pl). Captain Michael Richards (2 i/c B Co).

84

CSE Show Borneo 1965 85

Veterans Retreat Northern Spain

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Veterans Retreat Northern Spain camping arrangements. The plan it also to consider hiring a pick-up truck in Spain to add additional flexibility.

We will be camping collectively so we are considering buying two-man tents in Spain and battle partners can share the cost on arrival or send your tent in the van. We need to be travelling light.

In the bitter winter of 1808, a small British force found itself outnumbered and out manoeuvred by a French army led by Emperor Napoleon. Faced with a crushing defeat, the British, commanded by Sir John Moore, turned, and marched through the mountains of Northern Spain.

Friendship, blisters, wine, and song

Getting There

I have always wanted to walk in the footsteps of our forefathers and retrace their journey through the mountains of Northern Spain. In particular the region of Galicia which is still pretty much underdeveloped, and you can still get a good idea of what Spain looked like in the winter of 1808 -1809.

In 2016 I walked from St Jean Pied du Port in France along the Camino de Santiago de Compostela for approximately 500 miles. About 80 miles of it followed the route taken by Sir John Moore. Even today the landscape is incredibly beautiful but unforgiving.

Dickie Bird will be driving a large van to Spain so you can send camping equipment and baggage to him. Dickie lives in Upper Heyford Oxfordshire. Your baggage items will be there when you arrive and accompany us along the journey. Baggage will be then repacked and returned to the UK. Initially we considered a 17-seater minibus to transport people to Spain and back. Unfortunately, the distance, time of travel, admin and cost could be problematic.

The recommendation is to fly. Outward bound fly to Madrid then get a train to Astorga or share a hire car. On your return to the UK there are regular flights daily from Coruna and Santiago de Compostela.

So why not plan an adventure?

I, and other Royal Green Jacket and RIFLES veterans, are planning an adventure doing just that.

A group of mates with a common interest walking and camping across Spain. Minimal fuss and a keen sense of comradeship enjoying the experience and each other’s company. It will nice once again to sit down around a campfire with old mates and share a few beers away from the complexities of modern life.

Feeding

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Veterans Retreat Northern Spain

Backpack: 2 litres of drinking water, fleece, waterproof jacket, sun block, one pair spare socks, lunch.

Baggage held by Dicky Bird on vehicle: spare socks, spare evening clothing, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, washing, and shaving kit, towel, spare underwear, trainers.

offering support and flexibility. After walking across Spain in 2016 I strongly suggest that a boot with a waterproof lining is suicidal. In addition to boots I recommend something like a croc or walking sandal and a pair of trainers to wear of an evening.

My recommendation for long walks in a warm climate is the daily moistening of the feet with a petroleum jelly and quality socks rather than relying on hard feet.

Message for Direct Entry Officers (DE) There are no requirements for Dinner Jacket’s or Golf Clubs, horses are optional, but riders will be responsible for their own fodder.

Training Dutch Holland is hoping to scope a weekend in sunny Wales next year to help us prepare. Start tabbing now and get a decent pair of boots.

Summary This initial information is by no means comprehensive and more information will follow.

If you have anything to offer, please volunteer your connections and ideas. Between us we have a lot of contacts and access to finance and resources so let us share. Some are already coming in.

Finance All must be self-sufficient for those on a tight budget please speak to us directly there may be some funds available to help. There is no plan to collect money as this would be overly onerous.

Messing and camping costs will be paid when appropriate. Budget for about 30 euros a day.

Black and green the finest colours ever seen. Unless you were in the 43rd or 52nd then there was a hint of red. Unfortunately, the 60th did not take part in the retreat as they had previously upset Sir John Moore and had been sent back to Lisbon to guard the NAAFI.

Packing List Wearing: walking boots, quality socks, lightweight walking trousers or shorts, t-shirt, hat, and sunglasses. Personal items such as mobile phone, cash, passport, wallet.

Catering will be centralised and basic mainly biscuit, salted pork and rum. Some evening we will mess together others we will be in close proximity to restaurants’. At breakfast there will be tea/coffee making facilities, basic breakfast foods and the ability to make up a packed lunch. More details to follow. Dickie will run a canteen type set up from the van and will levy a small cost for breakfast and packed lunches. All participants are to supply their own mug and KFS. This can be sent by the admin vehicle or purchased locally.

Who Can Go? Anyone can go, invite your friends, wives, partners, and children. This adventure is inclusive to all so there will be a plan to get those not so mobile involved within reason. The only exception to this is if your mate’s a para!

Medical Plan

Distance approximately 200 miles the plan will be to walk about 18 miles a day.

Ensure you have an in-date European Health Insurance Card and sufficient funds to get yourself home. There will be a first aider with a comprehensive medical pack on the route. More serious medical emergencies will be dealt with by the nearest Spanish medical facility. If you are on prescription medication, ensure you have sufficient supplies.

Other Stuff

Preparation

When Proposed Date two weeks in September 2022 ‘warm but not too hot’.

How Far is it?

You should need to be able to walk up to 20 miles a day over undulating ground carrying up to 10kg.

My personnel recommendation for a walking boot is the Altberg Sneaker its lightweight construction

The adventure will have two support vehicles so we will be able to move personal belonging to Spain.

There will be a quad to support the walkers and Dickie will leapfrog ahead to set up the next nights 86

87

Veterans Retreat Northern Spain

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Veterans Retreat Northern Spain camping arrangements. The plan it also to consider hiring a pick-up truck in Spain to add additional flexibility.

We will be camping collectively so we are considering buying two-man tents in Spain and battle partners can share the cost on arrival or send your tent in the van. We need to be travelling light.

In the bitter winter of 1808, a small British force found itself outnumbered and out manoeuvred by a French army led by Emperor Napoleon. Faced with a crushing defeat, the British, commanded by Sir John Moore, turned, and marched through the mountains of Northern Spain.

Friendship, blisters, wine, and song

Getting There

I have always wanted to walk in the footsteps of our forefathers and retrace their journey through the mountains of Northern Spain. In particular the region of Galicia which is still pretty much underdeveloped, and you can still get a good idea of what Spain looked like in the winter of 1808 -1809.

In 2016 I walked from St Jean Pied du Port in France along the Camino de Santiago de Compostela for approximately 500 miles. About 80 miles of it followed the route taken by Sir John Moore. Even today the landscape is incredibly beautiful but unforgiving.

Dickie Bird will be driving a large van to Spain so you can send camping equipment and baggage to him. Dickie lives in Upper Heyford Oxfordshire. Your baggage items will be there when you arrive and accompany us along the journey. Baggage will be then repacked and returned to the UK. Initially we considered a 17-seater minibus to transport people to Spain and back. Unfortunately, the distance, time of travel, admin and cost could be problematic.

The recommendation is to fly. Outward bound fly to Madrid then get a train to Astorga or share a hire car. On your return to the UK there are regular flights daily from Coruna and Santiago de Compostela.

So why not plan an adventure?

I, and other Royal Green Jacket and RIFLES veterans, are planning an adventure doing just that.

A group of mates with a common interest walking and camping across Spain. Minimal fuss and a keen sense of comradeship enjoying the experience and each other’s company. It will nice once again to sit down around a campfire with old mates and share a few beers away from the complexities of modern life.

Feeding

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Veterans Retreat Northern Spain

Backpack: 2 litres of drinking water, fleece, waterproof jacket, sun block, one pair spare socks, lunch.

Baggage held by Dicky Bird on vehicle: spare socks, spare evening clothing, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, washing, and shaving kit, towel, spare underwear, trainers.

offering support and flexibility. After walking across Spain in 2016 I strongly suggest that a boot with a waterproof lining is suicidal. In addition to boots I recommend something like a croc or walking sandal and a pair of trainers to wear of an evening.

My recommendation for long walks in a warm climate is the daily moistening of the feet with a petroleum jelly and quality socks rather than relying on hard feet.

Message for Direct Entry Officers (DE) There are no requirements for Dinner Jacket’s or Golf Clubs, horses are optional, but riders will be responsible for their own fodder.

Training Dutch Holland is hoping to scope a weekend in sunny Wales next year to help us prepare. Start tabbing now and get a decent pair of boots.

Summary This initial information is by no means comprehensive and more information will follow.

If you have anything to offer, please volunteer your connections and ideas. Between us we have a lot of contacts and access to finance and resources so let us share. Some are already coming in.

Finance All must be self-sufficient for those on a tight budget please speak to us directly there may be some funds available to help. There is no plan to collect money as this would be overly onerous.

Messing and camping costs will be paid when appropriate. Budget for about 30 euros a day.

Black and green the finest colours ever seen. Unless you were in the 43rd or 52nd then there was a hint of red. Unfortunately, the 60th did not take part in the retreat as they had previously upset Sir John Moore and had been sent back to Lisbon to guard the NAAFI.

Packing List Wearing: walking boots, quality socks, lightweight walking trousers or shorts, t-shirt, hat, and sunglasses. Personal items such as mobile phone, cash, passport, wallet.

Catering will be centralised and basic mainly biscuit, salted pork and rum. Some evening we will mess together others we will be in close proximity to restaurants’. At breakfast there will be tea/coffee making facilities, basic breakfast foods and the ability to make up a packed lunch. More details to follow. Dickie will run a canteen type set up from the van and will levy a small cost for breakfast and packed lunches. All participants are to supply their own mug and KFS. This can be sent by the admin vehicle or purchased locally.

Who Can Go? Anyone can go, invite your friends, wives, partners, and children. This adventure is inclusive to all so there will be a plan to get those not so mobile involved within reason. The only exception to this is if your mate’s a para!

Medical Plan

Distance approximately 200 miles the plan will be to walk about 18 miles a day.

Ensure you have an in-date European Health Insurance Card and sufficient funds to get yourself home. There will be a first aider with a comprehensive medical pack on the route. More serious medical emergencies will be dealt with by the nearest Spanish medical facility. If you are on prescription medication, ensure you have sufficient supplies.

Other Stuff

Preparation

When Proposed Date two weeks in September 2022 ‘warm but not too hot’.

How Far is it?

You should need to be able to walk up to 20 miles a day over undulating ground carrying up to 10kg.

My personnel recommendation for a walking boot is the Altberg Sneaker its lightweight construction

The adventure will have two support vehicles so we will be able to move personal belonging to Spain.

There will be a quad to support the walkers and Dickie will leapfrog ahead to set up the next nights 86

87

Major Ron Cassidy MBE

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Major Ron Cassidy MBE

Csgt Ron Cassidy later Maj Ron Cassidy MBE Hasn’t changed a bit has he?

The PRINT Guru Please call or email Nick to discuss all your printing requirements.

From business cards to leaflets, newsletters to journals, posters, t-shirts, anything that involves print.

T: 01689 606116 M: 07522 757244 E: nick@theprintguru.co.uk

88

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Drummuckavall

Drummuckavall January 25th 1978

pattern and carrying The Bn was about out snap VCP’s. About three months into the 12:00hrs we patrolled South Armagh tour. B into a wooded area Coy was stationed in where we stopped Crossmaglen (XMG), and had lunch.

C Coy at Forkhill, A Coy at Newry, Sp Coy After lunch we carried at Newtownhamilton, on with the patrol and with the HQ and COP approached the area Pl at Bessbrook. So far of H27 which was the it had been pretty non border crossing into eventful, we had had the Republic. We had a few incidents but used the roads and nothing serious and no Drummuckavall border crossing the fields to patrol casualties. We were all and my brick would cover Ray as he moved forward kept busy in XMG with a pretty hard work schedule and then he would provide cover as we moved. that consisted of a weekly rotation of rural or town When we arrived at the high ground overlooking patrols followed by guard/QRF duties. the crossing my team was giving cover from the left side of the road along a hedgerow and we were On the morning of January 25th 5PL were on spread out in a line with Rfn Clarke on the far left rural patrols and C/S21M (Sgt Ray Bennett MM) with Rfn Zaple myself and O’G and Hammy and multiple was due out first. We departed by Wessex Wallbanger nearest to the road. at 09:00hrs and the task for the day was to patrol around the outer area of XMG to provide cover Rays patrol was by now on the road and started to for the town patrols and to carry out some int move down the forward slope towards the border. based tasks along the border from the area of the They were well spread out with Brad front right Moybane crossroads to the border crossing H27 at Begs front left followed by Ray on their right and Drummuckavall.

Jock on the left. Bringing up the rear was Tommo and Taff. As they started to move forward into the There had been reports that PIRA had been carrying dead ground, they passed a yellow Datsun parked out IVCP’s in the general area along the road leading on the road by a house and the boot was open with to the crossing and showing off their new “fast a man doing something in the boot. They checked it firing machine guns” which was believed to be the out and it was all clear.

American M60. These weapons had not been used in any incidents so far but int reports indicated that As they moved off Jock carried out a Vengeful plate they were in our area, so the task was to try and check back to Sax in the ops room at XMG. Being a flush them out. good signaller, he knew that if he continued forward, he might not hear the reply as he was going into We were dropped in the area of the Moybane dead ground, so he held back. This caused the crossroads and on departure of the helicopter we patrol to become more spaced out and Brad and moved off in two 6-man bricks one commanded by Begs moved on with Ray on the right whilst Jock Sgt Ray Bennet MM (Patrol Comd) and the other held back. This caused Tommo and Taff to hold by myself, Cpl Mike Walsh. Rays brick comprised back to avoid bunching up. Further down on the left of Cpl Brad Bradbury, Rfn Beggers Begley Rfn side of the road was a gate and as Ray drew level Jock Scannel (Radio Op) Rfn Tommo Thompson with it he paused to check his map and check his (GPMG) and Rfn Taff Dwyer. My brick comprised bearings. Jock had yet to reach the gate. myself Rfn O’Grady (Radio OP) Rfn Clark Rfn Zaple Rfn Jock Hammond (RIP) on the Bren gun and Rfn At 13:56hrs the boot lid of the yellow Datsun was “Wallbanger” Harvey. slammed shut, this was the signal for the bombers to initiate the device that was dug in the field using We patrolled around the area for most of the morning criss-crossing the roads to avoid setting a the gatepost as a marker. Ray took the main force 89

Major Ron Cassidy MBE

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Major Ron Cassidy MBE

Csgt Ron Cassidy later Maj Ron Cassidy MBE Hasn’t changed a bit has he?

The PRINT Guru Please call or email Nick to discuss all your printing requirements.

From business cards to leaflets, newsletters to journals, posters, t-shirts, anything that involves print.

T: 01689 606116 M: 07522 757244 E: nick@theprintguru.co.uk

88

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Drummuckavall

Drummuckavall January 25th 1978

pattern and carrying The Bn was about out snap VCP’s. About three months into the 12:00hrs we patrolled South Armagh tour. B into a wooded area Coy was stationed in where we stopped Crossmaglen (XMG), and had lunch.

C Coy at Forkhill, A Coy at Newry, Sp Coy After lunch we carried at Newtownhamilton, on with the patrol and with the HQ and COP approached the area Pl at Bessbrook. So far of H27 which was the it had been pretty non border crossing into eventful, we had had the Republic. We had a few incidents but used the roads and nothing serious and no Drummuckavall border crossing the fields to patrol casualties. We were all and my brick would cover Ray as he moved forward kept busy in XMG with a pretty hard work schedule and then he would provide cover as we moved. that consisted of a weekly rotation of rural or town When we arrived at the high ground overlooking patrols followed by guard/QRF duties. the crossing my team was giving cover from the left side of the road along a hedgerow and we were On the morning of January 25th 5PL were on spread out in a line with Rfn Clarke on the far left rural patrols and C/S21M (Sgt Ray Bennett MM) with Rfn Zaple myself and O’G and Hammy and multiple was due out first. We departed by Wessex Wallbanger nearest to the road. at 09:00hrs and the task for the day was to patrol around the outer area of XMG to provide cover Rays patrol was by now on the road and started to for the town patrols and to carry out some int move down the forward slope towards the border. based tasks along the border from the area of the They were well spread out with Brad front right Moybane crossroads to the border crossing H27 at Begs front left followed by Ray on their right and Drummuckavall.

Jock on the left. Bringing up the rear was Tommo and Taff. As they started to move forward into the There had been reports that PIRA had been carrying dead ground, they passed a yellow Datsun parked out IVCP’s in the general area along the road leading on the road by a house and the boot was open with to the crossing and showing off their new “fast a man doing something in the boot. They checked it firing machine guns” which was believed to be the out and it was all clear.

American M60. These weapons had not been used in any incidents so far but int reports indicated that As they moved off Jock carried out a Vengeful plate they were in our area, so the task was to try and check back to Sax in the ops room at XMG. Being a flush them out. good signaller, he knew that if he continued forward, he might not hear the reply as he was going into We were dropped in the area of the Moybane dead ground, so he held back. This caused the crossroads and on departure of the helicopter we patrol to become more spaced out and Brad and moved off in two 6-man bricks one commanded by Begs moved on with Ray on the right whilst Jock Sgt Ray Bennet MM (Patrol Comd) and the other held back. This caused Tommo and Taff to hold by myself, Cpl Mike Walsh. Rays brick comprised back to avoid bunching up. Further down on the left of Cpl Brad Bradbury, Rfn Beggers Begley Rfn side of the road was a gate and as Ray drew level Jock Scannel (Radio Op) Rfn Tommo Thompson with it he paused to check his map and check his (GPMG) and Rfn Taff Dwyer. My brick comprised bearings. Jock had yet to reach the gate. myself Rfn O’Grady (Radio OP) Rfn Clark Rfn Zaple Rfn Jock Hammond (RIP) on the Bren gun and Rfn At 13:56hrs the boot lid of the yellow Datsun was “Wallbanger” Harvey. slammed shut, this was the signal for the bombers to initiate the device that was dug in the field using We patrolled around the area for most of the morning criss-crossing the roads to avoid setting a the gatepost as a marker. Ray took the main force 89

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Drummuckavall

halt and a man got out. He had heard the shooting and bomb explosion as he drove down the road, got down behind the steering wheel and aimed the car down the road, he was very lucky he wasn’t killed.

The man was a vet and the milk churn turned out to contain a large sample of bull semen.

of the explosion and he suffered serious head injuries and one of his legs was broken in three places, Jock had a lucky escape as he should have been standing next to the gatepost. I was looking at the area at the time when the earth suddenly erupted and black smoke and rocks were hurled into the air followed immediately by a bloody loud bang and heavy fire from rifles and machine guns from concealed firing positions along the border. We all immediately returned fire at these firing positions and within seconds Jock had sent “Contact – wait out” on the net.

The helicopter was drawing fire each time it approached so we made the decision to move Ray in the car back over the hill to some dead ground and transfer him there. Beggers immediately attacked the rear window with his rifle butt so as to give covering fire from the back seat but it was too small to get Ray in. The pilot came in to try again and this time landed on top of the crater, as he landed, he jettisoned the left hand door abandoning it in the crater and this allowed us to get Ray in to the chopper and lay him flat on his back on the floor. I remember looking at the pilot who was staring at Taff who was about a metre from him giving him covering fire with the GPMG. When we got him in to the chopper Ray’s head was still overhanging on the outside so the co-pilot (who I believe was only an Air trooper) stood on the skids and leaning in held Rays head in his hands and the pilot lifted off.

The explosion and gunfire was heard in XMG so everyone was aware that something had happened.

After Jock had sent his contact report I got on the radio and asked if Sunray was ok to which Jock replied: “no he’s in a bad way over”. So I asked if Sunray minor (Brad) was able to continue, Jock replied: “no over”. Not knowing the full extent of the casualty list I asked 2 for a “big call sign” as I believed there were multiple casualties and then informed Jock that I was on my way over. Brad and Begs had been blown over by the blast but weren’t badly hurt and they initially opened fire but then went to the assistance of Ray who had been blown through the hedge.

Ray was flown to XMG where the doctor had already arrived from Bessbrook and ordered the cookhouse to be cleared, tables washed down and be ready to operate on Ray to stabilise him if needed before moving him on. On landing Sandy Bissett (RIP) the CSM and Pat Veasey the CQMS got Ray off the chopper and after a quick assessment by the doctor he was cleared to travel and immediately transferred to a waiting Puma and flown to Musgrave Park Hospital in Belfast.

As I ran across the field to join the lads in the blast area, I passed to the rear of Hammy who was giving it rapid fire on the bren at the enemy fire positions.

I remembered thinking that at this rate he would need someone to help him reload the mags very soon. I was just coming off the field onto the road and a gazelle that had landed in the field near the road was now departing low and fast and I thought “good, Ray will soon be in good hands” on arrival at the scene it was a bit chaotic. Ray was still on the ground being attended to by the lads and I could see that he was in a bad way. His injuries meant we were unable to give him morphine, however as he was carrying it in his webbing it was damaged and unusable anyway (he also had the M79 ammo around his waist and shrapnel from the bomb had damaged some of the rounds which were later taken away and destroyed by ATO).

Meanwhile back at the contact I waited for the gazelle to depart and then ran back up the road where Brad had set up the ICP. I saw two warrant officers with white badges of rank on their combats so I assumed they were ATO and RESA (how did they get here so quickly?) and next to them was a civilian. It transpired that the Bn Master Chef Harry Barlow based in Bessbrook was going to Castledillon with his opposite number from there on an admin run not expecting anything out of the ordinary. When XMG requested a chopper, Buzzard diverted the nearest aircraft which happened to be the gazelle. They were in the back totally unaware of what was going on when the pilot informed them that he was diverting to pick up a casualty on the border. When they arrived overhead the pilot pointed to an area about 100m behind the contact area and said he was dropping them off and they were to

There was a red Mazda car which had stopped in the area of the blast and in the back, there was a milk churn, so I asked Brad what it was doing there.

He told me that immediately after the blast this car had appeared over the rise from across the border and it appeared to be driven remotely as there was no driver at the wheel and there was a milk churn sticking up on the back seat. Brad and Beggers opened up on the car and eventually it came to a 90

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Drummuckavall January 25th 1978

Ray spent some time in hospital and recovered mainly due to his excellent level of fitness. The OC and myself flew up to see him in MPH a few days after and he was still in pain but looking better than when I had last seen him. He was medevaced back to the mainland soon after. We still meet up at reunions and chew the fat and we both realise how lucky he was but good teamwork on the day saved him.

make their way to the soldiers. The civilian was the driver of the car we had bashed up in an attempt to get Ray back to dead ground.

I was getting myself sorted out and re-organising the multiple and had just run back to the crater area when a gazelle landed and out jumped the CO, the late Lt Col Corden-Lloyd OBE MC. “Cpl Walsh you have nobody on the high ground off to the right” he shouted. “No sir” I said: “But the RAF are inbound and will land there soon.” “Who is that out in front?

Are they gunmen?” “No sir that’s the Garda.” ”Who is that over there.” “That’s the Irish army sir.” “OK” He said: “Where can I help? Well Rfn Hammy needs help filling his mags sir.” I said jokingly. More helicopters arrived bringing specialists, the OC Major Mike W/O MC arrived from XMG, ATO and RESA (the real ones) who then went about their job working out how big the device was and how it was initiated. Two plain clothes RUC men had also arrived and were talking to the Garda on their bulky Pye Westminster radio.

Some weeks later I was introduced to a visiting VIP who on hearing my name said: “Ah you’re the one that told the CO to shut up that he didn’t know what he was on about and until he did to go and fill some bren mags for the gunner.” “Er I don’t remember it being exactly those words sir.” I said rather sheepishly. Many years later I saw a cutting from a paper from over the border which Gaz C had saved and it gives a much shorter report of the action on the day. However, it did confirm the M60’s were in the area.

I would just like to say that I have written this as best as I can remember. Others may have different versions and had seen things that occurred away from my position that day. There were other bits and pieces that I heard happened as a result of the contact but as I’m unable to confirm them I have not mentioned them here. Others may wish to add their versions of events that happened on the day and on days afterwards. Nobody claimed any hits that day and all we hit apparently was the roof of some farmhouse across the border so I don’t see any claims under the Historical Enquiry Team or early morning raids on my address, but you never know. We were very lucky that day in that Ray was the only serious casualty, Jock was lucky that he held back and the others behind didn’t bunch up.

The bomb was designed to inflict the most damage to someone in the field and therefore it was lucky that the patrol had only recently switched from field to road otherwise casualties might have been worse. This was the same location that the Fusiliers had lost three dead and one wounded in November 1975 when their OP, commanded by a L/Cpl was compromised. They had no mutual support and it was because of this that the minimum strength of a patrol in the border area was to be a multiple commanded by at least a Sgt. You were also allowed to have “one up the spout” once you got to within I think 500m of the border. Soon after I left for my R&R and I was invited in to the Westgate in Winchester to brief friends of Ray on what had happened and how he was recovering. This was the first time I had ever been in there as it was only for training and permanent staff. Someone even bought me a pint.

At about 17:00hrs we were going to be choppered out back to XMG and the other Pl multiple under comd of Capt “Brodders” was going to secure the area overnight, the LI had also arrived earlier as ARF. Dusk was falling as the Puma made his approach when suddenly the sky is filled with green tracer that is floating across the sky and heading straight for the Puma. My multiple and the two RUC took cover behind walls and ditches and the pilot was still unaware of the green tracers zipping past him from the south. When he eventually did, he turned right and was gone.

We didn’t fire back as there were troops in front of us but that didn’t stop others from joining in and a few frustrations were expended in that short time (you know who you are) Normally the PIRA don’t hang around after a bomb attack but this time the Garda and an Irish army patrol were in the area and they (PIRA) had opened fire on them as they made their way back south. This delayed their escape so they were still working their way along the border when they decided to engage the helicopter. I thought that was it and I was going to be spending the night out here but the pilot found an area about 200m back in dead ground and told us to head for that where he landed and we got on for the short hop to XMG. On arrival we unloaded our weapons and went to the debriefing room where we carried out an ammo and kit check. There was a lot of form filling that night and subsequent days.

91

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Drummuckavall

halt and a man got out. He had heard the shooting and bomb explosion as he drove down the road, got down behind the steering wheel and aimed the car down the road, he was very lucky he wasn’t killed.

The man was a vet and the milk churn turned out to contain a large sample of bull semen.

of the explosion and he suffered serious head injuries and one of his legs was broken in three places, Jock had a lucky escape as he should have been standing next to the gatepost. I was looking at the area at the time when the earth suddenly erupted and black smoke and rocks were hurled into the air followed immediately by a bloody loud bang and heavy fire from rifles and machine guns from concealed firing positions along the border. We all immediately returned fire at these firing positions and within seconds Jock had sent “Contact – wait out” on the net.

The helicopter was drawing fire each time it approached so we made the decision to move Ray in the car back over the hill to some dead ground and transfer him there. Beggers immediately attacked the rear window with his rifle butt so as to give covering fire from the back seat but it was too small to get Ray in. The pilot came in to try again and this time landed on top of the crater, as he landed, he jettisoned the left hand door abandoning it in the crater and this allowed us to get Ray in to the chopper and lay him flat on his back on the floor. I remember looking at the pilot who was staring at Taff who was about a metre from him giving him covering fire with the GPMG. When we got him in to the chopper Ray’s head was still overhanging on the outside so the co-pilot (who I believe was only an Air trooper) stood on the skids and leaning in held Rays head in his hands and the pilot lifted off.

The explosion and gunfire was heard in XMG so everyone was aware that something had happened.

After Jock had sent his contact report I got on the radio and asked if Sunray was ok to which Jock replied: “no he’s in a bad way over”. So I asked if Sunray minor (Brad) was able to continue, Jock replied: “no over”. Not knowing the full extent of the casualty list I asked 2 for a “big call sign” as I believed there were multiple casualties and then informed Jock that I was on my way over. Brad and Begs had been blown over by the blast but weren’t badly hurt and they initially opened fire but then went to the assistance of Ray who had been blown through the hedge.

Ray was flown to XMG where the doctor had already arrived from Bessbrook and ordered the cookhouse to be cleared, tables washed down and be ready to operate on Ray to stabilise him if needed before moving him on. On landing Sandy Bissett (RIP) the CSM and Pat Veasey the CQMS got Ray off the chopper and after a quick assessment by the doctor he was cleared to travel and immediately transferred to a waiting Puma and flown to Musgrave Park Hospital in Belfast.

As I ran across the field to join the lads in the blast area, I passed to the rear of Hammy who was giving it rapid fire on the bren at the enemy fire positions.

I remembered thinking that at this rate he would need someone to help him reload the mags very soon. I was just coming off the field onto the road and a gazelle that had landed in the field near the road was now departing low and fast and I thought “good, Ray will soon be in good hands” on arrival at the scene it was a bit chaotic. Ray was still on the ground being attended to by the lads and I could see that he was in a bad way. His injuries meant we were unable to give him morphine, however as he was carrying it in his webbing it was damaged and unusable anyway (he also had the M79 ammo around his waist and shrapnel from the bomb had damaged some of the rounds which were later taken away and destroyed by ATO).

Meanwhile back at the contact I waited for the gazelle to depart and then ran back up the road where Brad had set up the ICP. I saw two warrant officers with white badges of rank on their combats so I assumed they were ATO and RESA (how did they get here so quickly?) and next to them was a civilian. It transpired that the Bn Master Chef Harry Barlow based in Bessbrook was going to Castledillon with his opposite number from there on an admin run not expecting anything out of the ordinary. When XMG requested a chopper, Buzzard diverted the nearest aircraft which happened to be the gazelle. They were in the back totally unaware of what was going on when the pilot informed them that he was diverting to pick up a casualty on the border. When they arrived overhead the pilot pointed to an area about 100m behind the contact area and said he was dropping them off and they were to

There was a red Mazda car which had stopped in the area of the blast and in the back, there was a milk churn, so I asked Brad what it was doing there.

He told me that immediately after the blast this car had appeared over the rise from across the border and it appeared to be driven remotely as there was no driver at the wheel and there was a milk churn sticking up on the back seat. Brad and Beggers opened up on the car and eventually it came to a 90

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Drummuckavall January 25th 1978

Ray spent some time in hospital and recovered mainly due to his excellent level of fitness. The OC and myself flew up to see him in MPH a few days after and he was still in pain but looking better than when I had last seen him. He was medevaced back to the mainland soon after. We still meet up at reunions and chew the fat and we both realise how lucky he was but good teamwork on the day saved him.

make their way to the soldiers. The civilian was the driver of the car we had bashed up in an attempt to get Ray back to dead ground.

I was getting myself sorted out and re-organising the multiple and had just run back to the crater area when a gazelle landed and out jumped the CO, the late Lt Col Corden-Lloyd OBE MC. “Cpl Walsh you have nobody on the high ground off to the right” he shouted. “No sir” I said: “But the RAF are inbound and will land there soon.” “Who is that out in front?

Are they gunmen?” “No sir that’s the Garda.” ”Who is that over there.” “That’s the Irish army sir.” “OK” He said: “Where can I help? Well Rfn Hammy needs help filling his mags sir.” I said jokingly. More helicopters arrived bringing specialists, the OC Major Mike W/O MC arrived from XMG, ATO and RESA (the real ones) who then went about their job working out how big the device was and how it was initiated. Two plain clothes RUC men had also arrived and were talking to the Garda on their bulky Pye Westminster radio.

Some weeks later I was introduced to a visiting VIP who on hearing my name said: “Ah you’re the one that told the CO to shut up that he didn’t know what he was on about and until he did to go and fill some bren mags for the gunner.” “Er I don’t remember it being exactly those words sir.” I said rather sheepishly. Many years later I saw a cutting from a paper from over the border which Gaz C had saved and it gives a much shorter report of the action on the day. However, it did confirm the M60’s were in the area.

I would just like to say that I have written this as best as I can remember. Others may have different versions and had seen things that occurred away from my position that day. There were other bits and pieces that I heard happened as a result of the contact but as I’m unable to confirm them I have not mentioned them here. Others may wish to add their versions of events that happened on the day and on days afterwards. Nobody claimed any hits that day and all we hit apparently was the roof of some farmhouse across the border so I don’t see any claims under the Historical Enquiry Team or early morning raids on my address, but you never know. We were very lucky that day in that Ray was the only serious casualty, Jock was lucky that he held back and the others behind didn’t bunch up.

The bomb was designed to inflict the most damage to someone in the field and therefore it was lucky that the patrol had only recently switched from field to road otherwise casualties might have been worse. This was the same location that the Fusiliers had lost three dead and one wounded in November 1975 when their OP, commanded by a L/Cpl was compromised. They had no mutual support and it was because of this that the minimum strength of a patrol in the border area was to be a multiple commanded by at least a Sgt. You were also allowed to have “one up the spout” once you got to within I think 500m of the border. Soon after I left for my R&R and I was invited in to the Westgate in Winchester to brief friends of Ray on what had happened and how he was recovering. This was the first time I had ever been in there as it was only for training and permanent staff. Someone even bought me a pint.

At about 17:00hrs we were going to be choppered out back to XMG and the other Pl multiple under comd of Capt “Brodders” was going to secure the area overnight, the LI had also arrived earlier as ARF. Dusk was falling as the Puma made his approach when suddenly the sky is filled with green tracer that is floating across the sky and heading straight for the Puma. My multiple and the two RUC took cover behind walls and ditches and the pilot was still unaware of the green tracers zipping past him from the south. When he eventually did, he turned right and was gone.

We didn’t fire back as there were troops in front of us but that didn’t stop others from joining in and a few frustrations were expended in that short time (you know who you are) Normally the PIRA don’t hang around after a bomb attack but this time the Garda and an Irish army patrol were in the area and they (PIRA) had opened fire on them as they made their way back south. This delayed their escape so they were still working their way along the border when they decided to engage the helicopter. I thought that was it and I was going to be spending the night out here but the pilot found an area about 200m back in dead ground and told us to head for that where he landed and we got on for the short hop to XMG. On arrival we unloaded our weapons and went to the debriefing room where we carried out an ammo and kit check. There was a lot of form filling that night and subsequent days.

91

Riflemen in the far north

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Riflemen in the far north

Riflemen in the far north

Lippiett (Retired), a fellow presenter to passengers, his subject matter being aspects of naval history including a lecture on The Arctic Convoys of World War Two. Suffice to say that in contrast to the wartime newsreel footage of the Arctic Convoys, mountainous seas and ice encrusted ships, the sea was as calm as a pond and there was almost 24 hours of bright sunshine! Indeed, I sent several messages home saying: “It’s midnight and I am wearing shades! Ridiculous!” As the ship left the White Sea a service to commemorate both those who had served on the convoys and those whose names appeared in the Archangel cemetery was planned. Thinking ahead I had packed my beret and regimental tie so could put in an appearance, pointing out to Admiral John that the RGJ cap badge incorporated a naval crown and that a number of the graves and memorials represented members of the RGJ antecedent regiments. For the service a wreath was created from flowers liberated from displays on board. Improvise, adapt, overcome! The main event took place inside the main bar area on the upper deck then everyone made their way outside where after a few more words of blessing the wreath was cast in the sea.

Myself and the ship’s captain delivered a salute on behalf of our respective services much to the appreciation of all present, many of whom had relatives who had served in the region years ago.

such sights as the Cossack horsemen and local sledges often pulled by bears!

Back in June 2016 (the day of the Brexit vote no less) I left England to join a cruise ship to deliver fitness lessons to passengers. The ship was to visit the White Sea area of Russia and then make its way back down the coast of Norway and dock back in Blighty at Portsmouth.

In common with all CWGCs, the site is immaculately kept, however the approach was through a pine forest and over wooden duckboards. Adjacent to the CWGC is another more modern military cemetery that commemorates Russian troops killed in Afghanistan.

The shore visits included a trip to the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery (CWGC) at Archangel which contains graves and memorials to British Service personnel who died in what was known as ‘The Intervention’ in the Russian Civil War of 1919 – 1922 following The Russian Revolution that had taken the country out of The First World War. The Intervention was to support White Russian forces fighting the communist Red Army: the initial declared reason to send an expeditionary force was to guard stores and ammunition. Amongst the memorials are a number dedicated to members of The Ox & Bucks Light Infantry.

The land area is an archipelago, made famous

by Alexander Solzhenitsyn whose books feature the prison camps or Gulags.

Thick pine forests but infested with fearsome midges highly resistant to most insect repellents are a feature of the area. Deep in the forest a church had been used as a prison from which visitors could now look out across the area. Remarkable for its views, however, back in the Soviet era the inhabitants were taken there for their views!

Transport here was in a Soviet era bus, lacking suspension and reminiscent of riding in the back of a 4 tonner.

On arrival, the troops were astonished at how cold the place was and the poverty of the peasants of the local population. They were also amazed by

After the service Admiral John thanked me for my contribution with the words: “Glad to see the Army bringing some military precision to this event.”

Dave Dee 4 RGJ/5 RGJ

Part 2: On board the ship was Rear Admiral John

92

93

Riflemen in the far north

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Riflemen in the far north

Riflemen in the far north

Lippiett (Retired), a fellow presenter to passengers, his subject matter being aspects of naval history including a lecture on The Arctic Convoys of World War Two. Suffice to say that in contrast to the wartime newsreel footage of the Arctic Convoys, mountainous seas and ice encrusted ships, the sea was as calm as a pond and there was almost 24 hours of bright sunshine! Indeed, I sent several messages home saying: “It’s midnight and I am wearing shades! Ridiculous!” As the ship left the White Sea a service to commemorate both those who had served on the convoys and those whose names appeared in the Archangel cemetery was planned. Thinking ahead I had packed my beret and regimental tie so could put in an appearance, pointing out to Admiral John that the RGJ cap badge incorporated a naval crown and that a number of the graves and memorials represented members of the RGJ antecedent regiments. For the service a wreath was created from flowers liberated from displays on board. Improvise, adapt, overcome! The main event took place inside the main bar area on the upper deck then everyone made their way outside where after a few more words of blessing the wreath was cast in the sea.

Myself and the ship’s captain delivered a salute on behalf of our respective services much to the appreciation of all present, many of whom had relatives who had served in the region years ago.

such sights as the Cossack horsemen and local sledges often pulled by bears!

Back in June 2016 (the day of the Brexit vote no less) I left England to join a cruise ship to deliver fitness lessons to passengers. The ship was to visit the White Sea area of Russia and then make its way back down the coast of Norway and dock back in Blighty at Portsmouth.

In common with all CWGCs, the site is immaculately kept, however the approach was through a pine forest and over wooden duckboards. Adjacent to the CWGC is another more modern military cemetery that commemorates Russian troops killed in Afghanistan.

The shore visits included a trip to the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery (CWGC) at Archangel which contains graves and memorials to British Service personnel who died in what was known as ‘The Intervention’ in the Russian Civil War of 1919 – 1922 following The Russian Revolution that had taken the country out of The First World War. The Intervention was to support White Russian forces fighting the communist Red Army: the initial declared reason to send an expeditionary force was to guard stores and ammunition. Amongst the memorials are a number dedicated to members of The Ox & Bucks Light Infantry.

The land area is an archipelago, made famous

by Alexander Solzhenitsyn whose books feature the prison camps or Gulags.

Thick pine forests but infested with fearsome midges highly resistant to most insect repellents are a feature of the area. Deep in the forest a church had been used as a prison from which visitors could now look out across the area. Remarkable for its views, however, back in the Soviet era the inhabitants were taken there for their views!

Transport here was in a Soviet era bus, lacking suspension and reminiscent of riding in the back of a 4 tonner.

On arrival, the troops were astonished at how cold the place was and the poverty of the peasants of the local population. They were also amazed by

After the service Admiral John thanked me for my contribution with the words: “Glad to see the Army bringing some military precision to this event.”

Dave Dee 4 RGJ/5 RGJ

Part 2: On board the ship was Rear Admiral John

92

93

Veterans’ Reunion

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Veterans’ Reunion

Veterans’ Reunion

A&E Dept in Sydney suggested then that in future we should play for a trophy and in 2018 while on a UK trip he went to Lords Cricket ground and bought a replica Ashes urn.

26th January 2020

Green Jackets lose the ashes ‘beer pong’ urn in Sydney

Being a highly fun and social occasion we decided to play in teams of three for the Ashes urn. So the RGJ team consisted of Peter, Kelvin and myself against Dr Greg, my nephew Robbi and Huseyin.

I did realise then that already the Aussies were up to their old tricks as Peter and Kelvin had not played this before which I did not know. So an ‘O’ Group was called for as evidenced by the photos.

To cut a long story short we went down fighting in this inaugural match, lost the urn, much to my disappointment but we had loads of fun inspite of the Rules for the day drawn up in my favour – see rule eight. I will have to return soon and attempt to win the Ashes urn back either on my own or with a different team? Maybe all of 1 RGJ, Kelvin? By 23:30hrs we were all fading after a wonderful day which was made all the better with Green Jacket presence. Thank you Peter and Kelvin and your lovely wives for joining the party.

some sunshine. It was really nice to have some past connections present and in all there were about 27 of us present.

We all know that sadly our annual July Reunion at Winchester this year had to be cancelled due to Covid-19.

A great shame for everyone but also especially to the hard working members of the Reunion Sub Committee for which many thanks as usual. However, their work was not entirely wasted as the arrangements will be carried over into our 2021 Reunion, I hope?

The day was hot with temperatures in the mid 30˚ degrees and due to excellent preparation by my sister and family all the food, drink and party decorations were all ready by H hour at 12:00hrs.

The theme for the party was cricket as can be seen from some of the photos. To make the Australians feel at home a cricket ball decoration with a piece of sandpaper attached welcomed them at the front door as Oz cricketers are familiar with this kind of behaviour! Drinks and food was in plentiful supply and everyone, including a great cricketing friend from SCG who was also the Mayor of the local district, mixed in well and we all had a great time.

Such fun. Thank you, sister, the food, the drink and decorations were outstanding. Amid all the drinking, eating and swimming we had decided to have some interaction with a game called beer pong in the afternoon.

Despite this, and not to disappoint you, there was a RGJ Reunion, of sorts and far away, in Sydney, Australia which I fully organised and without Roy Stanger too. So I thought it might be worth recording this in light of the fact that my usual Reunion article would need amending somewhat.

The occasion co-insided with my 70th birthday which I had decided to spend in Sydney visiting my sister and family for three weeks. Although my actual birthday was on Monday 27 January we decided to celebrate on the Sunday instead and to combine it with Australia Day which is a big occasion and public holiday in OZ. Past parties started at 12:00hrs and usually lasts for 10 -12 hours and this was no exception. My sister invited her usual friends and I invited two Green Jackets who were in Australia at the time – Peter Hall, who I served with in 1 RGJ way back in the late 1960’s and early 1970s, and Kelvin Crumplin ex 3 RGJ, who was our film director for our 50th Anniversary Reunion in 2016 and also never stopped ribbing us 1 RGJ boys about 3 RGJ!! Peter with his wife Pauline had travelled up from Melbourne 1,000 miles away by car the previous day or so and Kelvin and his wife Sue were out on an extended stay to absorb

On a more serious note, our SJMB 2021 Reunion is now well advanced in planning but we will be looking at the Government Covid guidelines around April/May 2021 in order to decide whether our Reunion can proceed or not. I sincerely hope it can and look forward to seeing you all on July 10, God willing.

Take care and enjoy Christmas.

Simon Booth-Mason Chairman RGJA Reunion Sub Committee.

Beer pong was a game I learnt out there in 2013 and it is basically a drinking game played over a table tennis table. Ten plastic beakers are arranged in a triangular pattern at each end of the table and one has to throw a ping pong ball full toss into the beaker which then has to be drunk immediately by the opposition. The side with no beakers left on the table loses. The game can be played either in a singles or doubles format. Not as easy as some might think. Anyway much to the Oz’s chagrin I was the single champion from four year’s previous when I visited and Dr Greg McDonald who runs the best 94

95

Veterans’ Reunion

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Veterans’ Reunion

Veterans’ Reunion

A&E Dept in Sydney suggested then that in future we should play for a trophy and in 2018 while on a UK trip he went to Lords Cricket ground and bought a replica Ashes urn.

26th January 2020

Green Jackets lose the ashes ‘beer pong’ urn in Sydney

Being a highly fun and social occasion we decided to play in teams of three for the Ashes urn. So the RGJ team consisted of Peter, Kelvin and myself against Dr Greg, my nephew Robbi and Huseyin.

I did realise then that already the Aussies were up to their old tricks as Peter and Kelvin had not played this before which I did not know. So an ‘O’ Group was called for as evidenced by the photos.

To cut a long story short we went down fighting in this inaugural match, lost the urn, much to my disappointment but we had loads of fun inspite of the Rules for the day drawn up in my favour – see rule eight. I will have to return soon and attempt to win the Ashes urn back either on my own or with a different team? Maybe all of 1 RGJ, Kelvin? By 23:30hrs we were all fading after a wonderful day which was made all the better with Green Jacket presence. Thank you Peter and Kelvin and your lovely wives for joining the party.

some sunshine. It was really nice to have some past connections present and in all there were about 27 of us present.

We all know that sadly our annual July Reunion at Winchester this year had to be cancelled due to Covid-19.

A great shame for everyone but also especially to the hard working members of the Reunion Sub Committee for which many thanks as usual. However, their work was not entirely wasted as the arrangements will be carried over into our 2021 Reunion, I hope?

The day was hot with temperatures in the mid 30˚ degrees and due to excellent preparation by my sister and family all the food, drink and party decorations were all ready by H hour at 12:00hrs.

The theme for the party was cricket as can be seen from some of the photos. To make the Australians feel at home a cricket ball decoration with a piece of sandpaper attached welcomed them at the front door as Oz cricketers are familiar with this kind of behaviour! Drinks and food was in plentiful supply and everyone, including a great cricketing friend from SCG who was also the Mayor of the local district, mixed in well and we all had a great time.

Such fun. Thank you, sister, the food, the drink and decorations were outstanding. Amid all the drinking, eating and swimming we had decided to have some interaction with a game called beer pong in the afternoon.

Despite this, and not to disappoint you, there was a RGJ Reunion, of sorts and far away, in Sydney, Australia which I fully organised and without Roy Stanger too. So I thought it might be worth recording this in light of the fact that my usual Reunion article would need amending somewhat.

The occasion co-insided with my 70th birthday which I had decided to spend in Sydney visiting my sister and family for three weeks. Although my actual birthday was on Monday 27 January we decided to celebrate on the Sunday instead and to combine it with Australia Day which is a big occasion and public holiday in OZ. Past parties started at 12:00hrs and usually lasts for 10 -12 hours and this was no exception. My sister invited her usual friends and I invited two Green Jackets who were in Australia at the time – Peter Hall, who I served with in 1 RGJ way back in the late 1960’s and early 1970s, and Kelvin Crumplin ex 3 RGJ, who was our film director for our 50th Anniversary Reunion in 2016 and also never stopped ribbing us 1 RGJ boys about 3 RGJ!! Peter with his wife Pauline had travelled up from Melbourne 1,000 miles away by car the previous day or so and Kelvin and his wife Sue were out on an extended stay to absorb

On a more serious note, our SJMB 2021 Reunion is now well advanced in planning but we will be looking at the Government Covid guidelines around April/May 2021 in order to decide whether our Reunion can proceed or not. I sincerely hope it can and look forward to seeing you all on July 10, God willing.

Take care and enjoy Christmas.

Simon Booth-Mason Chairman RGJA Reunion Sub Committee.

Beer pong was a game I learnt out there in 2013 and it is basically a drinking game played over a table tennis table. Ten plastic beakers are arranged in a triangular pattern at each end of the table and one has to throw a ping pong ball full toss into the beaker which then has to be drunk immediately by the opposition. The side with no beakers left on the table loses. The game can be played either in a singles or doubles format. Not as easy as some might think. Anyway much to the Oz’s chagrin I was the single champion from four year’s previous when I visited and Dr Greg McDonald who runs the best 94

95

Italian in the Black Mafia

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Italian in the Black Mafia massive building. As expected, I was ignored, it was mid afternoon, most people sitting around drinking Tiger beers. I spotted a very smartly turned out person, white jacket with red trim and cross belt, assumed he was a waiter and ordered a beer. It was in fact 2nd Lt Mick Yasa, duty officer of the day! We remain good friends to this day.

I was commissioned into the 60th Rifles (KRRC) in October 1965. I must confess it was a rather unusual entry, no MONS, no Sandhurst, just straight in from one day to the next it was a case of ‘arise 2nd Lieutenant Pampanini’!

It was unexpected as I was hoping for a short service commission having finished at Dublin University and then spent an uninspiring year working as a clerk at Barclays Bank. I was never meant to be a banker and one evening trudging back. In the rain along Oxford Street I spotted a poster in a shop window ‘JOIN THE ARMY AND SEE THE WORLD’. That was it, a letter to RHQ in Winchester and an interview arranged with Col Butler (RB). His first words were: “I see you have a degree, the army is looking for graduates and you can get a direct commission on 6 months probation, just get through RCB.” I rather liked the idea, into the Army without digging trenches on Salisbury plain and nobody shouting at me.

As you can see, it is not easy to convert from a civvy to a soldier in record time, one negotiates daily minefields. The saving grace was Colonel Dwin, not intimidating and a master at putting people at ease, not surprising that he became a Field Marshal and head of all British Armed Forces, what a man.

I joined C company under Major Peter Welsh, completed the Jungle Warfare course at Joohor Bahru and joined the Regiment. By then the 2nd Battalion RGJ in Sabah (North Borneo), at the start of a tour of operation against Indonesian forces who for several years had been trying to invade the former British colonies of Sarawak and Sabah, they were supported by communist East Germany.

“I assume you would like to join the Rifle Brigade, they are in Hong Kong at the moment.” I did not want to offend the colonel, a staunch RB, but I rather fancied the 60th, as my Mother was American and the regiment was originally the 60th Royal Americans.

C Company was based at a heavily fortified camp Serudong Laut on the banks of a fast flowing tidal river. I was with 10 platoon, Mick Yasa with 9 and Nick Chance with 11. And so began life in the jungle, frequent patrols to the Indonesian border, liaising with local Dyak militia, clearing new helipads and volleyball matches every evening of course.

And so on the 4 October I found myself striding to the Officers Mess Peninsula Barracks in my brand new uniform, I threw a very impressive salute to a smartly dressed soldier at the entrance of the mess thinking he must be at least a General, in fact he was the driver of a senior officer he had just dropped off for lunch, he was rather startled!

I was informed one day that 10 platoon would be going on a two day patrol to the border, my first in charge and rather daunting for me whose only military experience had been the CCF at school, but I was comforted by the fact that my Sgt Paddy Maher was very experienced. On the day I got to the platoon I was told that Sgt Maher was not well and would not be coming, I went rather pale but thankfully my tanned face hid my angst! We survived much to everyone’s relief.

A couple of weeks of sword drill and how to strip a Bren gun and I found myself on a plane to Singapore. What a start to my military career the exotic Orient, searing heat, the aroma of spices in the air, colour, sarongs, doe-y eyed Malays, Barclays Bank never stood a chance. As a graduate, the authorities assumed my brain was different, so straight onto a Malay language course at Nee Soon and here is a book on radio procedure, you’ll soon pick up the rest.

The war was beginning to subside, contact with the enemy was infrequent, mainly due to the British Army’s increasingly aggressive tactics of hitting Indonesian bases well over the border, these tactics were part of ‘Operation Claret’. Which had been officially sanctioned by the then Labour Government, not strictly legal by international law

The regiment was in Penang, Minden Barracks. I got there for Christmas, the Colonel was Dwin Bramall, the RSM WO1 Rimmer, very few officers were married, so the mess was full of people, it was a 96

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Italian in the Black Mafia / Lawrence of Arabia RGJ Style

but it certainly brought the conflict to an end by June 1966.

charge of our gun battery had volunteered to come on patrol with us, he grabbed my radio and using my call sign directed gunfire from our howitzer at base to a spot just ahead of the lead platoon. It was pinpoint accuracy and the battle was soon over. For a while it looked as if it was me directing the shells, the glory did not last long! That was just about the last of the excitement and so back to Penang on HMS Sir Galahad.

On one such patrol which combined 9 and 10 platoons (9 by then led by Vere Hayes), we did indeed ‘bump’ the enemy. 10 platoon was at the rear moving along with minds in neutral to be suddenly startled by a wave of gunfire, sounded a bit like Chinese New Year, ‘crack and thump’ for real, everyone diving for cover. Luckily the RA Captain in

Lawrence of Arabia RGJ Style

– a day in 1987 for 2 RGJ to remember

Major Richard Matters who died in September 2020 is responsible for one of the great Regimental moments when, as a Coy Comd in 2 RGJ in Warminster, his CO, Lt Col (later Brig) Vere Hayes, decided that ‘Field Officers should be mounted’ on a Battalion muster parade.

He failed to specify ‘on horses.’ The band struck up the theme tune from Lawrence of Arabia and Richard appeared on a camel (borrowed from Longleat) led by his Company 2ic, Capt Gillian Wright WRAC.

I asked Vere to explain the background to this event and what happened that day.

and with great dignity, reversed up the grassy slope behind me. Thank heavens it too did not gallop off, I was no horseman!”

The Battalion was always scattered around supporting the School of Infantry therefore we seldom saw everyone together. As CO it was therefore, for me, important that we took any opportunity there was to do something together as a battalion, and something the Riflemen would enjoy and remember. (Battalion Muster Parade – enjoy? Umm editor.) We did aerobics once led by Mrs Chapman who had been a dancer with ‘Hot Gossip’. Platoons could wear what they liked – the Milan platoon came in grass skirts – and all thought it would be a doddle, but she had everyone exhausted within minutes! Among other things we also did an ‘Exercise Turnaround’ when the chain of command handed over their positions to Riflemen; As the CO I handed over to was Rfn (as he was then) Pashby. It was good fun and many Riflemen learned that exercising command was not as simple as they thought!

John Pentreath was OC D Company at the time and a good horseman which was just as well as he had a lively horse that was spooked every time the Riflemen completed a drill movement behind him. When the camel appeared it really spooked the horse and John disappeared off parade at the gallop. He returned having got his steed under control – the Riflemen later presented him with a ‘Lone Ranger’ mask as he had done so well!

Footnote I am told the Riflemen much appreciated the anarchy and also temporary promotion to CO didn’t do Mark Pashby any harm either as he was later awarded the MBE in 2002. His own story is perhaps one for next year though – Editor.

Did you know Richard was going to do it?

“No, I had no idea. My mount was spooked by the camel as well and despite my best efforts slowly, 97

Italian in the Black Mafia

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Italian in the Black Mafia massive building. As expected, I was ignored, it was mid afternoon, most people sitting around drinking Tiger beers. I spotted a very smartly turned out person, white jacket with red trim and cross belt, assumed he was a waiter and ordered a beer. It was in fact 2nd Lt Mick Yasa, duty officer of the day! We remain good friends to this day.

I was commissioned into the 60th Rifles (KRRC) in October 1965. I must confess it was a rather unusual entry, no MONS, no Sandhurst, just straight in from one day to the next it was a case of ‘arise 2nd Lieutenant Pampanini’!

It was unexpected as I was hoping for a short service commission having finished at Dublin University and then spent an uninspiring year working as a clerk at Barclays Bank. I was never meant to be a banker and one evening trudging back. In the rain along Oxford Street I spotted a poster in a shop window ‘JOIN THE ARMY AND SEE THE WORLD’. That was it, a letter to RHQ in Winchester and an interview arranged with Col Butler (RB). His first words were: “I see you have a degree, the army is looking for graduates and you can get a direct commission on 6 months probation, just get through RCB.” I rather liked the idea, into the Army without digging trenches on Salisbury plain and nobody shouting at me.

As you can see, it is not easy to convert from a civvy to a soldier in record time, one negotiates daily minefields. The saving grace was Colonel Dwin, not intimidating and a master at putting people at ease, not surprising that he became a Field Marshal and head of all British Armed Forces, what a man.

I joined C company under Major Peter Welsh, completed the Jungle Warfare course at Joohor Bahru and joined the Regiment. By then the 2nd Battalion RGJ in Sabah (North Borneo), at the start of a tour of operation against Indonesian forces who for several years had been trying to invade the former British colonies of Sarawak and Sabah, they were supported by communist East Germany.

“I assume you would like to join the Rifle Brigade, they are in Hong Kong at the moment.” I did not want to offend the colonel, a staunch RB, but I rather fancied the 60th, as my Mother was American and the regiment was originally the 60th Royal Americans.

C Company was based at a heavily fortified camp Serudong Laut on the banks of a fast flowing tidal river. I was with 10 platoon, Mick Yasa with 9 and Nick Chance with 11. And so began life in the jungle, frequent patrols to the Indonesian border, liaising with local Dyak militia, clearing new helipads and volleyball matches every evening of course.

And so on the 4 October I found myself striding to the Officers Mess Peninsula Barracks in my brand new uniform, I threw a very impressive salute to a smartly dressed soldier at the entrance of the mess thinking he must be at least a General, in fact he was the driver of a senior officer he had just dropped off for lunch, he was rather startled!

I was informed one day that 10 platoon would be going on a two day patrol to the border, my first in charge and rather daunting for me whose only military experience had been the CCF at school, but I was comforted by the fact that my Sgt Paddy Maher was very experienced. On the day I got to the platoon I was told that Sgt Maher was not well and would not be coming, I went rather pale but thankfully my tanned face hid my angst! We survived much to everyone’s relief.

A couple of weeks of sword drill and how to strip a Bren gun and I found myself on a plane to Singapore. What a start to my military career the exotic Orient, searing heat, the aroma of spices in the air, colour, sarongs, doe-y eyed Malays, Barclays Bank never stood a chance. As a graduate, the authorities assumed my brain was different, so straight onto a Malay language course at Nee Soon and here is a book on radio procedure, you’ll soon pick up the rest.

The war was beginning to subside, contact with the enemy was infrequent, mainly due to the British Army’s increasingly aggressive tactics of hitting Indonesian bases well over the border, these tactics were part of ‘Operation Claret’. Which had been officially sanctioned by the then Labour Government, not strictly legal by international law

The regiment was in Penang, Minden Barracks. I got there for Christmas, the Colonel was Dwin Bramall, the RSM WO1 Rimmer, very few officers were married, so the mess was full of people, it was a 96

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Italian in the Black Mafia / Lawrence of Arabia RGJ Style

but it certainly brought the conflict to an end by June 1966.

charge of our gun battery had volunteered to come on patrol with us, he grabbed my radio and using my call sign directed gunfire from our howitzer at base to a spot just ahead of the lead platoon. It was pinpoint accuracy and the battle was soon over. For a while it looked as if it was me directing the shells, the glory did not last long! That was just about the last of the excitement and so back to Penang on HMS Sir Galahad.

On one such patrol which combined 9 and 10 platoons (9 by then led by Vere Hayes), we did indeed ‘bump’ the enemy. 10 platoon was at the rear moving along with minds in neutral to be suddenly startled by a wave of gunfire, sounded a bit like Chinese New Year, ‘crack and thump’ for real, everyone diving for cover. Luckily the RA Captain in

Lawrence of Arabia RGJ Style

– a day in 1987 for 2 RGJ to remember

Major Richard Matters who died in September 2020 is responsible for one of the great Regimental moments when, as a Coy Comd in 2 RGJ in Warminster, his CO, Lt Col (later Brig) Vere Hayes, decided that ‘Field Officers should be mounted’ on a Battalion muster parade.

He failed to specify ‘on horses.’ The band struck up the theme tune from Lawrence of Arabia and Richard appeared on a camel (borrowed from Longleat) led by his Company 2ic, Capt Gillian Wright WRAC.

I asked Vere to explain the background to this event and what happened that day.

and with great dignity, reversed up the grassy slope behind me. Thank heavens it too did not gallop off, I was no horseman!”

The Battalion was always scattered around supporting the School of Infantry therefore we seldom saw everyone together. As CO it was therefore, for me, important that we took any opportunity there was to do something together as a battalion, and something the Riflemen would enjoy and remember. (Battalion Muster Parade – enjoy? Umm editor.) We did aerobics once led by Mrs Chapman who had been a dancer with ‘Hot Gossip’. Platoons could wear what they liked – the Milan platoon came in grass skirts – and all thought it would be a doddle, but she had everyone exhausted within minutes! Among other things we also did an ‘Exercise Turnaround’ when the chain of command handed over their positions to Riflemen; As the CO I handed over to was Rfn (as he was then) Pashby. It was good fun and many Riflemen learned that exercising command was not as simple as they thought!

John Pentreath was OC D Company at the time and a good horseman which was just as well as he had a lively horse that was spooked every time the Riflemen completed a drill movement behind him. When the camel appeared it really spooked the horse and John disappeared off parade at the gallop. He returned having got his steed under control – the Riflemen later presented him with a ‘Lone Ranger’ mask as he had done so well!

Footnote I am told the Riflemen much appreciated the anarchy and also temporary promotion to CO didn’t do Mark Pashby any harm either as he was later awarded the MBE in 2002. His own story is perhaps one for next year though – Editor.

Did you know Richard was going to do it?

“No, I had no idea. My mount was spooked by the camel as well and despite my best efforts slowly, 97

Loan Service Oman

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Loan Service Oman

Loan Service Oman In May 1993 the adjutant, Harry Emck called me to his office and asked me whether I fancied a Loan Service tour in Oman at their Army equivalent of School of Infantry. It was not a difficult decision.

I was accepted for the role and awaited joining instructions to learn colloquial Arabic at the Defence School of Language in Beaconsfield.

In late August I set off to the camp of Aydim which was to be my home for the next 26 months. The camp of Aydim was based on the former British airbase of Manston which was used during the Dhofar campaign.

Stepping out of the vehicle in Aydim the first things that hit me were the heat and intense light.

The rocky landscape is very light in colour and the sunlight is intensified to such a degree that sunglasses are a must until your eyes adapt. It was here that I was to put my ten weeks of Arabic study into practice for the first time with one of the Omani soldiers. “Salaam alaykum, kayf halkum, aysh al akhbar” says I. The reaction I received was either he thought I was a complete muppet, or I had learnt the wrong language.

L-R Steve Hartley, Bill Logdon and Me

There were four other loan service C/Sgts who were responsible for the Section Commanders Battle Course, (Steve Hartley 1 RGJ) the Heavy Machine Gun course, and two who supervised the Mortar Course. In addition, there was a contractor who was a uniformed range Warrant Officer, and a civilian contractor who maintained all the portable electric targets.

My OC was a guy called Rex (Tex) Matthews who was part of G Sqn 22 SAS at the time of the Battle of Mirbat. The 2I/C of the school was Bill Logdon, ex RGJ who became a contractor and worked his way up to Lt Col in the Omani Army.

The first day was familiarising myself with everything. We went to the Sgt’s Mess, and I met the others in the Loan Service team. My job was to oversee the Platoon Sergeants Battle Course to ensure instruction was up to the required standard, and to supervise all live firing as the Safety Officer.

I went to the stores and collected my uniform and webbing which was all based on Brit Army desert

SNCO Training Team

DPM and 58 pattern webbing. All Omani regiments have distinctive berets usually of a quite bright colour. At the school we wore red berets.

exercises at section and platoon level. I was thrust into the first course after about a week or two. This gave me a chance to practice my Arabic. The Omani pamphlets are direct copied translations from the British. I had learned to read Arabic at Beaconsfield and so it was possible to learn key phrases such as ‘Section Battle Drills’ ‘Prepare for Battle’ etc. I was also helped by the resident translator who was Sudanese who taught me the correct pronunciation.

I changed into uniform and went to meet the Omani instructors. Oman is ethnically divided between northern Omanis who are generally fairly short squat people and southern Omanis who are generally taller and wiry having derived from different ethnic backgrounds. The southerners from Dhofar speak Arabic, but also have their own dialect known as Jebali (from the Arabic Jebel for mountains).

A large part of the role was range safety. One live firing exercise consisted of a single CQB lane with a live grenade throw at the end. Each student was supervised by one of the instructors with me following behind and operating the electric target by remote signal box. Of course, at some point there was going to be a grenade that fails to detonate, and who was the mug that has to go forward to detonate? Normally a relatively harmless task after waiting the 30-minute soak time. Considering that Jebalis are nomadic you would think that they would be very patient. Not Badr. He decided the easiest way to detonate the grenade was to put the rifle onto automatic and let rip a burst of fire.

Fortunately, he missed, and I managed to persuade him that my way was better.

The training team was made up of a Jebali WO2 who was IC of the course, two Jebali C/Sgts and two Omani C/Sgts. Also, there were two Baluchi J/ NCO’s who ran the admin. Only one of the J/NCO’s could understand English, so I was hoping my Arabic would improve.

I received a warm welcome from them all apart from one of the Jebali’s called Badr. Jebalis are naturally suspicious and he went out of the way to let me know what he thought of me. He used to gaze at me constantly tutting and pretending he couldn’t understand what I was saying. After a while my natural charm shone through and he became a very loyal friend.

My Arabic improved beyond my expectations and I was able to converse easily towards the end of the first course, and after a year there I was about as fluent as was possible. The Omanis did not like teaching certain lessons such as Trip Flare set up,

The SNCO’s Battle Course consisted of a mix of instruction, fitness, dry exercises and live firing 98

99

Loan Service Oman

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Loan Service Oman

Loan Service Oman In May 1993 the adjutant, Harry Emck called me to his office and asked me whether I fancied a Loan Service tour in Oman at their Army equivalent of School of Infantry. It was not a difficult decision.

I was accepted for the role and awaited joining instructions to learn colloquial Arabic at the Defence School of Language in Beaconsfield.

In late August I set off to the camp of Aydim which was to be my home for the next 26 months. The camp of Aydim was based on the former British airbase of Manston which was used during the Dhofar campaign.

Stepping out of the vehicle in Aydim the first things that hit me were the heat and intense light.

The rocky landscape is very light in colour and the sunlight is intensified to such a degree that sunglasses are a must until your eyes adapt. It was here that I was to put my ten weeks of Arabic study into practice for the first time with one of the Omani soldiers. “Salaam alaykum, kayf halkum, aysh al akhbar” says I. The reaction I received was either he thought I was a complete muppet, or I had learnt the wrong language.

L-R Steve Hartley, Bill Logdon and Me

There were four other loan service C/Sgts who were responsible for the Section Commanders Battle Course, (Steve Hartley 1 RGJ) the Heavy Machine Gun course, and two who supervised the Mortar Course. In addition, there was a contractor who was a uniformed range Warrant Officer, and a civilian contractor who maintained all the portable electric targets.

My OC was a guy called Rex (Tex) Matthews who was part of G Sqn 22 SAS at the time of the Battle of Mirbat. The 2I/C of the school was Bill Logdon, ex RGJ who became a contractor and worked his way up to Lt Col in the Omani Army.

The first day was familiarising myself with everything. We went to the Sgt’s Mess, and I met the others in the Loan Service team. My job was to oversee the Platoon Sergeants Battle Course to ensure instruction was up to the required standard, and to supervise all live firing as the Safety Officer.

I went to the stores and collected my uniform and webbing which was all based on Brit Army desert

SNCO Training Team

DPM and 58 pattern webbing. All Omani regiments have distinctive berets usually of a quite bright colour. At the school we wore red berets.

exercises at section and platoon level. I was thrust into the first course after about a week or two. This gave me a chance to practice my Arabic. The Omani pamphlets are direct copied translations from the British. I had learned to read Arabic at Beaconsfield and so it was possible to learn key phrases such as ‘Section Battle Drills’ ‘Prepare for Battle’ etc. I was also helped by the resident translator who was Sudanese who taught me the correct pronunciation.

I changed into uniform and went to meet the Omani instructors. Oman is ethnically divided between northern Omanis who are generally fairly short squat people and southern Omanis who are generally taller and wiry having derived from different ethnic backgrounds. The southerners from Dhofar speak Arabic, but also have their own dialect known as Jebali (from the Arabic Jebel for mountains).

A large part of the role was range safety. One live firing exercise consisted of a single CQB lane with a live grenade throw at the end. Each student was supervised by one of the instructors with me following behind and operating the electric target by remote signal box. Of course, at some point there was going to be a grenade that fails to detonate, and who was the mug that has to go forward to detonate? Normally a relatively harmless task after waiting the 30-minute soak time. Considering that Jebalis are nomadic you would think that they would be very patient. Not Badr. He decided the easiest way to detonate the grenade was to put the rifle onto automatic and let rip a burst of fire.

Fortunately, he missed, and I managed to persuade him that my way was better.

The training team was made up of a Jebali WO2 who was IC of the course, two Jebali C/Sgts and two Omani C/Sgts. Also, there were two Baluchi J/ NCO’s who ran the admin. Only one of the J/NCO’s could understand English, so I was hoping my Arabic would improve.

I received a warm welcome from them all apart from one of the Jebali’s called Badr. Jebalis are naturally suspicious and he went out of the way to let me know what he thought of me. He used to gaze at me constantly tutting and pretending he couldn’t understand what I was saying. After a while my natural charm shone through and he became a very loyal friend.

My Arabic improved beyond my expectations and I was able to converse easily towards the end of the first course, and after a year there I was about as fluent as was possible. The Omanis did not like teaching certain lessons such as Trip Flare set up,

The SNCO’s Battle Course consisted of a mix of instruction, fitness, dry exercises and live firing 98

99

Loan Service Oman

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Loan Service Oman

Range days started with us leaving camp at 6am for the 30-minute drive to the range complexes which were a mix of all types including a grenade range through to CQB right the way up to Stage 5 Field Firing. Breakfast was taken at about 9am and consisted of dahl and japatti sat around in a circle eating with our hands from a ‘Taffadal Tray’ (Taffadal roughly translating to be generous). Within minutes we were usually joined by a number of camels that wandered up from nowhere.The course consisted of some excellent range days/nights. Live pairs CQB, live section attacks and a night ambush complete with Claymore mines.

One of the courses ran through December, and the live ambush was on December 26. We left camp early afternoon to go through the orders and rehearsal procedures before going non-tac for a few hours while we waited for darkness. During this time, I went out and set up the trip flares and placed the claymores into position. The wind started blowing from the north (Shimall) and carried freezing icy wind from the empty quarter (Sahara).

It was freezing but fortunately I was dressed for it.

The Omanis were not, and when I got back to the main body, they were all huddled around each other trying to stay warm.

Me and Sayeed, one of the Jebali instructors

and even the basic grenade lesson. They came to me and asked if I could take the lesson with Ali the admin Corporal there to translate anything that I could not get across, or if I was asked a question that I did not fully understand. The reason they did not like teaching the grenade lesson was despite the fact that a drill grenade was used, if Allah wanted it to explode, it would explode.

After the evening meal we set off for the ambush position. Before the ambush was set, myself and the platoon commander went down to the trip flares and I removed the safety pins. Bearing in mind the troops are all loaded and made ready and it was pitch black, this was the part of the course I was always slightly nervous about.

I was surprised how good the Omani soldiers were.

On a couple of courses, we had Kuwaiti and UAE troops on exchange, and the contrast was very noticeable. During the course we had a morning live firing RPG7, and so I had a go. A surprisingly simple but effective weapon.

The final exercise ended with a live firing platoon dawn attack supported by mortars, heavy machine gun, and Batsims consisting of PE representing artillery fire, and diesel detonated to represent an air-strike. It was mine and Steve’s responsibility to set up the Batsims on the afternoon before. I then represented the recce platoon rep at about 3am and lead them into the FUP where they waited until just before first light.

Rest break on the jebel

There is a diverse wildlife population in southern Oman. While out on the jebel I saw Arabian wolves, Hyena, Gazelles and an enormous eagle sat by the side of a track. On a trip up the north of Oman I saw the legendary Oryx. Furthermore, Dhofar is one of the regions where Frankinsense trees grow. The locals burn the gum as a perfume, and some chew it like chewing gum. The gum flows from the tree when the bark is cut and dries in the air.

It was not all work, and in Salalah there was a large ex-pat community and several ex-pat bars. The weekends in Oman are Thursday and Friday, and so the weekend usually started with a five-aside football match on Wednesday afternoon in Salalah followed by a few beers. Thursday was usually sight seeing followed by a few beers.

The scenery is stunning, and that part of Oman is affected by the Khareef from June to September.

The Khareef is where warm, moist air comes in off the Indian Ocean, hits the mountainous coast, rises quickly and forms thick fog and rain. The landscape is transformed from lifeless desert to lush green rolling hills. Other weekends would see us load a landrover up and head off to a beach taking with us the mess manager Ashok, and mess chef Gomez.

Twice a year we would head off into the empty quarter in a convoy, set up camp and spend the night there.

My posting was initially for 20 months, but I asked for a six month extension which I was granted.

It was a great experience and before I left Badr gave me a gift of two Jebali camel milk bowls called Yinaars. These are made of platted reeds covered with camel skin. Loan Service was a great opportunity to work in a foreign country and I am so glad I was given the opportunity to experience it.

Terry Mason

I was about 50 yards behind the platoon, with my Shrike ready to detonate the Batsim on H Hour.

About ten minutes before H hour I could hear a lot of movement and so moved forward to investigate.

I found the entire platoon and instructors with webbing, boots and socks off, facing Mecca doing morning prayer. There is not a lot you can do about it apart from let them carry on.

On H Hour the detonation was set off and the dawn attack commenced.

On exercise. The green topped tree in the background is Frankinsense 100

101

Loan Service Oman

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Loan Service Oman

Range days started with us leaving camp at 6am for the 30-minute drive to the range complexes which were a mix of all types including a grenade range through to CQB right the way up to Stage 5 Field Firing. Breakfast was taken at about 9am and consisted of dahl and japatti sat around in a circle eating with our hands from a ‘Taffadal Tray’ (Taffadal roughly translating to be generous). Within minutes we were usually joined by a number of camels that wandered up from nowhere.The course consisted of some excellent range days/nights. Live pairs CQB, live section attacks and a night ambush complete with Claymore mines.

One of the courses ran through December, and the live ambush was on December 26. We left camp early afternoon to go through the orders and rehearsal procedures before going non-tac for a few hours while we waited for darkness. During this time, I went out and set up the trip flares and placed the claymores into position. The wind started blowing from the north (Shimall) and carried freezing icy wind from the empty quarter (Sahara).

It was freezing but fortunately I was dressed for it.

The Omanis were not, and when I got back to the main body, they were all huddled around each other trying to stay warm.

Me and Sayeed, one of the Jebali instructors

and even the basic grenade lesson. They came to me and asked if I could take the lesson with Ali the admin Corporal there to translate anything that I could not get across, or if I was asked a question that I did not fully understand. The reason they did not like teaching the grenade lesson was despite the fact that a drill grenade was used, if Allah wanted it to explode, it would explode.

After the evening meal we set off for the ambush position. Before the ambush was set, myself and the platoon commander went down to the trip flares and I removed the safety pins. Bearing in mind the troops are all loaded and made ready and it was pitch black, this was the part of the course I was always slightly nervous about.

I was surprised how good the Omani soldiers were.

On a couple of courses, we had Kuwaiti and UAE troops on exchange, and the contrast was very noticeable. During the course we had a morning live firing RPG7, and so I had a go. A surprisingly simple but effective weapon.

The final exercise ended with a live firing platoon dawn attack supported by mortars, heavy machine gun, and Batsims consisting of PE representing artillery fire, and diesel detonated to represent an air-strike. It was mine and Steve’s responsibility to set up the Batsims on the afternoon before. I then represented the recce platoon rep at about 3am and lead them into the FUP where they waited until just before first light.

Rest break on the jebel

There is a diverse wildlife population in southern Oman. While out on the jebel I saw Arabian wolves, Hyena, Gazelles and an enormous eagle sat by the side of a track. On a trip up the north of Oman I saw the legendary Oryx. Furthermore, Dhofar is one of the regions where Frankinsense trees grow. The locals burn the gum as a perfume, and some chew it like chewing gum. The gum flows from the tree when the bark is cut and dries in the air.

It was not all work, and in Salalah there was a large ex-pat community and several ex-pat bars. The weekends in Oman are Thursday and Friday, and so the weekend usually started with a five-aside football match on Wednesday afternoon in Salalah followed by a few beers. Thursday was usually sight seeing followed by a few beers.

The scenery is stunning, and that part of Oman is affected by the Khareef from June to September.

The Khareef is where warm, moist air comes in off the Indian Ocean, hits the mountainous coast, rises quickly and forms thick fog and rain. The landscape is transformed from lifeless desert to lush green rolling hills. Other weekends would see us load a landrover up and head off to a beach taking with us the mess manager Ashok, and mess chef Gomez.

Twice a year we would head off into the empty quarter in a convoy, set up camp and spend the night there.

My posting was initially for 20 months, but I asked for a six month extension which I was granted.

It was a great experience and before I left Badr gave me a gift of two Jebali camel milk bowls called Yinaars. These are made of platted reeds covered with camel skin. Loan Service was a great opportunity to work in a foreign country and I am so glad I was given the opportunity to experience it.

Terry Mason

I was about 50 yards behind the platoon, with my Shrike ready to detonate the Batsim on H Hour.

About ten minutes before H hour I could hear a lot of movement and so moved forward to investigate.

I found the entire platoon and instructors with webbing, boots and socks off, facing Mecca doing morning prayer. There is not a lot you can do about it apart from let them carry on.

On H Hour the detonation was set off and the dawn attack commenced.

On exercise. The green topped tree in the background is Frankinsense 100

101

The Royal British Legion

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal British Legion

Some of the RBL’s earliest interventions, services and initiatives did much to set the tone for the charity’s work today. Tuberculosis, rheumatism and arthritis were widespread among veterans of the First World War so, in an age before the NHS, the Legion created or took over a number of specialist treatment facilities. Ninety years later, when young men and women were being brutally maimed by Improvised Explosive Devices in the poppy fields of Helmand Province, the Legion stepped in again and funded the RBL Centre for Blast Injury Studies at Imperial College, London. The former became building blocks of the new National Health Service in 1948. The latter created a legacy of scientific understanding, equipment development, and treatments that are helping wounded veterans today and will go on to help those yet to join up; from armoured vehicle seating positions to stump skincare and advances in treating hearing loss.

two world wars’ to ‘all who have died in service to their country’ took the government six years to ratify but now defines a modern form of Remembrance.

Without it, servicemen and women killed in Korea, Northern Ireland, the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan might not receive the same recognition in the national consciousness.

The Royal British Legion Celebrates Centenary Year and in turn the community has played a vital role at the heart of the charity and its work.

In 2021 the Royal British Legion is celebrating its 100th Anniversary with a special programme of events throughout the year, leading up to a Centenary themed Poppy Appeal. The Nation’s largest military charity is calling on everyone in the Armed Forces community to get involved in the RBL 100 celebrations.

Alexander Owen, Army veteran and the RBL’s Head of Armed Forces Engagement, said: “The military community has built and shaped the RBL over the last 100 years into the charity it is today. The passion and dedication that serving personnel, ex-serving people and their families have shown in supporting the RBL is key to helping build legacies that provide better futures for the whole Armed Forces community.”

The RBL’s official birthday falls on 15 May. On this day in 1921, four men representing the national organisations of ex-Serviceman laid a wreath at the base of the Cenotaph in Whitehall. This symbolic act marked the moment the four organisations joined together to create the British Legion. The charity’s founding mission was to fight for the rights of those who had given so much and come back to so little after the First World War.

Since 1921 the Royal British Legion has created positive lasting legacies for the Armed Forces community as well as the wider national, and even international, community. These legacies come in many forms and continue to benefit us today; from ground-breaking government policy changes, to building comradeship in the community, innovative welfare services and pioneering scientific research. Indeed, national Remembrance – the form, the act and the sentiment – has been developed over one hundred years and woven into our national fabric by the RBL.

Between the two world wars, the RBL lobbied the government to provide for those who had been injured, disabled, widowed or orphaned as a result of active Service. As the nation's biggest Armed Forces charity, the RBL still has this role today, providing the same care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces past and present and their families.

There are many legacies continuing to shape the lives of living members of our community. Forged, as the Royal British Legion was, to campaign for the fair treatment of those risking their all for their country, the successes of these campaigns are written into law and legislation from the Second World War onwards. In 1944, with the Great War fresh in minds and huge numbers of servicemen suffering life changing injuries in the Second World War, the RBL was influential in achieving the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act. This was the first time in our nation’s history that the Government moved to support disabled people into work. It set the foundations for improving the lives of millions of people, including the wider general public, and will continue to do so in the future.

Some of those injured in service recently have found purpose and confidence by competing in the Invictus Games. The Royal British Legion became an early partner in these Games, supporting the families of competitors and including them in the recovery journey. But this was not a new initiative for RBL. In 1948 the Legion heavily supported the development of the Stoke Mandeville Games for wheelchair users at the nation’s foremost Spinal Injuries Unit. By 1960 these games had evolved into the Paralympic Games. Today ex-serving Paralympians represent their country at both summer and winter Games.

The power of the Legion, its membership and its supporters, has always been to ensure the voices of the Armed Forces community are heard. From the Tudor period an ‘unspoken pact’ existed between the state and its veterans, that they should never be failed by the nation they served. But in 2011 the RBL campaign ‘Honour the Covenant’ made sure it became a spoken pact; written into legislation and holding the Government to account. Ten years on the Armed Forces Covenant continues to benefit the community at all levels and is being reviewed this year as the 2021 Armed Forces Bill makes elements of it into law. The Royal British Legion turned rhetoric into action.

Perhaps the most far-reaching RBL legacy, however, is the contribution of ten decades of grant giving. The success of the annual Poppy Appeal has allowed the RBL to support thousands of individuals and organisations working locally to

The RBL has shaped Remembrance from the adoption of Madame Guérin’s red poppy in 1921, through to the move in the 1970s to make Remembrance more inclusive of all those who have served. The shift from remembering ‘dead of

In its centenary year, the RBL is celebrating the people and communities who have contributed so much to its proud history. The RBL has stood alongside the Armed Forces community for a century 102

103

The Royal British Legion

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal British Legion

Some of the RBL’s earliest interventions, services and initiatives did much to set the tone for the charity’s work today. Tuberculosis, rheumatism and arthritis were widespread among veterans of the First World War so, in an age before the NHS, the Legion created or took over a number of specialist treatment facilities. Ninety years later, when young men and women were being brutally maimed by Improvised Explosive Devices in the poppy fields of Helmand Province, the Legion stepped in again and funded the RBL Centre for Blast Injury Studies at Imperial College, London. The former became building blocks of the new National Health Service in 1948. The latter created a legacy of scientific understanding, equipment development, and treatments that are helping wounded veterans today and will go on to help those yet to join up; from armoured vehicle seating positions to stump skincare and advances in treating hearing loss.

two world wars’ to ‘all who have died in service to their country’ took the government six years to ratify but now defines a modern form of Remembrance.

Without it, servicemen and women killed in Korea, Northern Ireland, the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan might not receive the same recognition in the national consciousness.

The Royal British Legion Celebrates Centenary Year and in turn the community has played a vital role at the heart of the charity and its work.

In 2021 the Royal British Legion is celebrating its 100th Anniversary with a special programme of events throughout the year, leading up to a Centenary themed Poppy Appeal. The Nation’s largest military charity is calling on everyone in the Armed Forces community to get involved in the RBL 100 celebrations.

Alexander Owen, Army veteran and the RBL’s Head of Armed Forces Engagement, said: “The military community has built and shaped the RBL over the last 100 years into the charity it is today. The passion and dedication that serving personnel, ex-serving people and their families have shown in supporting the RBL is key to helping build legacies that provide better futures for the whole Armed Forces community.”

The RBL’s official birthday falls on 15 May. On this day in 1921, four men representing the national organisations of ex-Serviceman laid a wreath at the base of the Cenotaph in Whitehall. This symbolic act marked the moment the four organisations joined together to create the British Legion. The charity’s founding mission was to fight for the rights of those who had given so much and come back to so little after the First World War.

Since 1921 the Royal British Legion has created positive lasting legacies for the Armed Forces community as well as the wider national, and even international, community. These legacies come in many forms and continue to benefit us today; from ground-breaking government policy changes, to building comradeship in the community, innovative welfare services and pioneering scientific research. Indeed, national Remembrance – the form, the act and the sentiment – has been developed over one hundred years and woven into our national fabric by the RBL.

Between the two world wars, the RBL lobbied the government to provide for those who had been injured, disabled, widowed or orphaned as a result of active Service. As the nation's biggest Armed Forces charity, the RBL still has this role today, providing the same care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces past and present and their families.

There are many legacies continuing to shape the lives of living members of our community. Forged, as the Royal British Legion was, to campaign for the fair treatment of those risking their all for their country, the successes of these campaigns are written into law and legislation from the Second World War onwards. In 1944, with the Great War fresh in minds and huge numbers of servicemen suffering life changing injuries in the Second World War, the RBL was influential in achieving the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act. This was the first time in our nation’s history that the Government moved to support disabled people into work. It set the foundations for improving the lives of millions of people, including the wider general public, and will continue to do so in the future.

Some of those injured in service recently have found purpose and confidence by competing in the Invictus Games. The Royal British Legion became an early partner in these Games, supporting the families of competitors and including them in the recovery journey. But this was not a new initiative for RBL. In 1948 the Legion heavily supported the development of the Stoke Mandeville Games for wheelchair users at the nation’s foremost Spinal Injuries Unit. By 1960 these games had evolved into the Paralympic Games. Today ex-serving Paralympians represent their country at both summer and winter Games.

The power of the Legion, its membership and its supporters, has always been to ensure the voices of the Armed Forces community are heard. From the Tudor period an ‘unspoken pact’ existed between the state and its veterans, that they should never be failed by the nation they served. But in 2011 the RBL campaign ‘Honour the Covenant’ made sure it became a spoken pact; written into legislation and holding the Government to account. Ten years on the Armed Forces Covenant continues to benefit the community at all levels and is being reviewed this year as the 2021 Armed Forces Bill makes elements of it into law. The Royal British Legion turned rhetoric into action.

Perhaps the most far-reaching RBL legacy, however, is the contribution of ten decades of grant giving. The success of the annual Poppy Appeal has allowed the RBL to support thousands of individuals and organisations working locally to

The RBL has shaped Remembrance from the adoption of Madame Guérin’s red poppy in 1921, through to the move in the 1970s to make Remembrance more inclusive of all those who have served. The shift from remembering ‘dead of

In its centenary year, the RBL is celebrating the people and communities who have contributed so much to its proud history. The RBL has stood alongside the Armed Forces community for a century 102

103

The Royal British Legion

The Royal Green Jackets Association

There is also a growing collection of personal stories, memories and charitable work submitted by the public and bringing to life the past 100 years of the RBL. From silk poppies to the small acts of heroism, there are so many stories that celebrate the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces Community.

support their Armed Forces community. By 1950 the Legion had given some 4000 loans and grants to servicemen and women setting up businesses after the Second World War. In 2018 RBL provided a grant of £468,000 to X-Forces, a community interest company helping veterans start up their own business. X-Forces has gone on to help thousands of veteran entrepreneurs already. The following year, RBL awarded nearly £50,000 to Aberystwyth University’s legal faculty to provide free legal advice to the veteran community. Over the first 12-month funding period the grant was able to benefit, directly and indirectly, 376 members of the community. Today, RBL grant funding powers local charities, housing projects, employment initiatives, and community groups; enabling them to have an impact that lasts. This means that people have more access to support within their own community than ever before and will continue to for as long as they need it.

“Whether by shaking buckets at stations and on streets during the Poppy Appeal, taking on epic fundraising challenges or simply by wearing a Poppy, your valuable contribution makes us able to have an impact today. In this special year, we are enormously proud and grateful of the role our servicemen and women, past and present, continue to play. We hope, with your help, we can inspire a new generation of the community to step up and start building the legacies to support those who will need us tomorrow,” Alexander added.

About the Royal British Legion:

Alexander Owen from the RBL said: “We believe the RBL really is a powerful force for bringing people and communities together. The Legion can provide a connection between the Armed Forces and the public, it can also increasingly connect with other Service charities to provide better outcomes for all.”

The Armed Forces Community are being encouraged to visit the RBL online at www.rbl.org. uk and search ‘RBL100’ to find ways to get involved.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Battle Honours

Battle Honours The Royal Green Jackets as a regiment did not win any battle honours in their 41 years history however we inherited a large number of battle honours from our predecessor regiments beginning in 1759 with Louisburg, Quebec through to and ending with the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, the Kings Royal Rifle Corps and the Rifle Brigade. These are listed below by date order.

Louisburg, Quebec 1759

Aubers, Festubert 1915

Martinique 1762

Hooge 1915

Havannah, North America 1763–64

Loos, Mount Sorrel, Somme 1916, 18

Mysore, Hindoostan, Martinique 1794

Albert 1916, 18

Copenhagen, Monte Video, Rolica, Vimiera, Corunna, Martinique 1809

Bazentin, Delville Wood, Pozieres, Guillemont, Flers-Courcelette, Mortal, Le Transloy, Ancre Heights, Ancre 1916, 18

Talavera, Busaco, Barrosa, Fuentes d’Onor, Albuhera, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, Toulouse, Peninsula, Waterloo, South Africa 1846–47

Bapaume 1917, 18 Arras 1917, 18

Sidi Rezegh 1941

Vimy 1917

Chor es Sufan, Saunnu, Gazala, Bit Hacheim, Knightsbridge, Defence of Alamein Line, Ruweisat, Fuka Airfield, Alam el Halfa, El Alamein, Capture of Haifaya Pass, Nofilia, Tebaga Gap, Enfidaville, Medjez el Bab, Kasserine, Thala, Fondouk, Fondouk Pass, El Kourzia, Djebel Kournine, Argoub el Megas, Tunis, Hamman Lif, North Africa 1940–43

The Royal British Legion (RBL) is the UKs largest charity dedicated to supporting the needs of the Armed Forces community, past and present and their families. The RBL is the champion of Remembrance and safeguards the Armed Forces Covenant. It is well known for the annual Poppy Appeal and its emblem the red poppy. For further information visit: rbl.org.uk

Mooltan, Goojerat, Punjab, South Africa 1851–53 Alma, Inkerman, Sevastopol, Delhi 1857

Pilckem, Menin Road, Polygon Wood, Broodseinde, Poelcappelle, Passchendaele, Cambrai 1917, 18

Registered Charity Number: 219279

Afghanistan 1878–80

New Zealand, Ashantee 1873–74 Ali Masjid, South Africa 1879 Ahmed Khel, Kandahar 1880 Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt 1882–84 Buma 1885–87 Chitral, Khartoum, Defence of Ladysmith, Relief of Kinberley, Paardeberg, Relief of Ladysmith, South Africa 1899–1902

The Great War Mons, Le Gateau, Retreat from Mons, Marne 1914 Aisne 1914, 18 Armentieres 1914 Ypres 1914, 15, 17, 18 Langemarck 1914, 17 Gheluvelt, Nonne Boschen, Givenchy 1914 Neuve Chapelle, Gravenstafel, St. Julien, Frezenberg, Bellewaarde,

Egyptian Frontier 1940 Sidi Barrani, Beda Fomm, Mersa el Brega, Agedabia, Derna Aerodrome, Tobruk 1941

Scarpe 1917, 18

Lucknow, Taku Forts, Pekin 1860

Le Perier Ridge, Falaise, Antwerp, Hechtel, Nederrijn, Lower Maas, Roer, Ourthe, Rhineland, Reichswald, Cleve, Goch, Hockwald, Rhine, Ibbenburen, Dreirwalde, Leese, Aller, North-West Europe 1940, 44–45

Arleux, Messines 1917, 18

St. Quentin, Rosieres, Avre, Villers-Bretonneux, Lys, Hazebrouck, Bailleul, Kemmel, Bethune, Drocourt Queant, Hindenburg Line, Havrincourt, Epehy, Canal du Nord, St. Quentin Canal, Beaurevoir, Courtrai, Selle, Valenciennes, Sambre, France and Flanders 1914–18 Piave, Vittorio Veneto, Italy 1917–18 Doiran 1917, 18 Macedonia 1915–18 Kut al Amara 1915 Ctesiphon, Defence of Kut al Amara, Tigris 1916 Khan Baghdadi, Mesopotamia 1914–18

Sangro, Salerno, Santa Lucia, Salerno Hills, Cardito, Teano, Monte Camino, Garigliano Crossing, Damiano, Anzio, Cassino II, Liri Valley, Melfa Crossing, Monte Rotondo, Capture of Perugia, Monte Malbe, Arezzo, Advance to Florence, Gothic Line, Coriano, Gemmano Ridge, Lamone Crossing, Orsara, Tossignano, Argenta Gap, Fossa Cembalina, Italy 1943–45 Veve, Greece 1941, 44, 45

Archangel 1919

Crete, Middle East 1941

The Second World War

Arakan Beaches, Tamandu, Burma 1943–44

Defence of Escaut, Calais 1940 Cassel, Ypres-Comines Canal, Normandy Landing, Pegasus Bridge, Villers Bocage, Odon, Caen, Esquay, Bourguebus Ridge, Mont Pincon,

For further information on any of the above please contact the regimental museum.

Regimental Marches Quick March: Arrangements of ‘Huntsman’s Chorus’ and ‘Italian Song’ Double Past: The Road to The Isles 104

105

The Royal British Legion

The Royal Green Jackets Association

There is also a growing collection of personal stories, memories and charitable work submitted by the public and bringing to life the past 100 years of the RBL. From silk poppies to the small acts of heroism, there are so many stories that celebrate the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces Community.

support their Armed Forces community. By 1950 the Legion had given some 4000 loans and grants to servicemen and women setting up businesses after the Second World War. In 2018 RBL provided a grant of £468,000 to X-Forces, a community interest company helping veterans start up their own business. X-Forces has gone on to help thousands of veteran entrepreneurs already. The following year, RBL awarded nearly £50,000 to Aberystwyth University’s legal faculty to provide free legal advice to the veteran community. Over the first 12-month funding period the grant was able to benefit, directly and indirectly, 376 members of the community. Today, RBL grant funding powers local charities, housing projects, employment initiatives, and community groups; enabling them to have an impact that lasts. This means that people have more access to support within their own community than ever before and will continue to for as long as they need it.

“Whether by shaking buckets at stations and on streets during the Poppy Appeal, taking on epic fundraising challenges or simply by wearing a Poppy, your valuable contribution makes us able to have an impact today. In this special year, we are enormously proud and grateful of the role our servicemen and women, past and present, continue to play. We hope, with your help, we can inspire a new generation of the community to step up and start building the legacies to support those who will need us tomorrow,” Alexander added.

About the Royal British Legion:

Alexander Owen from the RBL said: “We believe the RBL really is a powerful force for bringing people and communities together. The Legion can provide a connection between the Armed Forces and the public, it can also increasingly connect with other Service charities to provide better outcomes for all.”

The Armed Forces Community are being encouraged to visit the RBL online at www.rbl.org. uk and search ‘RBL100’ to find ways to get involved.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Battle Honours

Battle Honours The Royal Green Jackets as a regiment did not win any battle honours in their 41 years history however we inherited a large number of battle honours from our predecessor regiments beginning in 1759 with Louisburg, Quebec through to and ending with the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, the Kings Royal Rifle Corps and the Rifle Brigade. These are listed below by date order.

Louisburg, Quebec 1759

Aubers, Festubert 1915

Martinique 1762

Hooge 1915

Havannah, North America 1763–64

Loos, Mount Sorrel, Somme 1916, 18

Mysore, Hindoostan, Martinique 1794

Albert 1916, 18

Copenhagen, Monte Video, Rolica, Vimiera, Corunna, Martinique 1809

Bazentin, Delville Wood, Pozieres, Guillemont, Flers-Courcelette, Mortal, Le Transloy, Ancre Heights, Ancre 1916, 18

Talavera, Busaco, Barrosa, Fuentes d’Onor, Albuhera, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, Toulouse, Peninsula, Waterloo, South Africa 1846–47

Bapaume 1917, 18 Arras 1917, 18

Sidi Rezegh 1941

Vimy 1917

Chor es Sufan, Saunnu, Gazala, Bit Hacheim, Knightsbridge, Defence of Alamein Line, Ruweisat, Fuka Airfield, Alam el Halfa, El Alamein, Capture of Haifaya Pass, Nofilia, Tebaga Gap, Enfidaville, Medjez el Bab, Kasserine, Thala, Fondouk, Fondouk Pass, El Kourzia, Djebel Kournine, Argoub el Megas, Tunis, Hamman Lif, North Africa 1940–43

The Royal British Legion (RBL) is the UKs largest charity dedicated to supporting the needs of the Armed Forces community, past and present and their families. The RBL is the champion of Remembrance and safeguards the Armed Forces Covenant. It is well known for the annual Poppy Appeal and its emblem the red poppy. For further information visit: rbl.org.uk

Mooltan, Goojerat, Punjab, South Africa 1851–53 Alma, Inkerman, Sevastopol, Delhi 1857

Pilckem, Menin Road, Polygon Wood, Broodseinde, Poelcappelle, Passchendaele, Cambrai 1917, 18

Registered Charity Number: 219279

Afghanistan 1878–80

New Zealand, Ashantee 1873–74 Ali Masjid, South Africa 1879 Ahmed Khel, Kandahar 1880 Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt 1882–84 Buma 1885–87 Chitral, Khartoum, Defence of Ladysmith, Relief of Kinberley, Paardeberg, Relief of Ladysmith, South Africa 1899–1902

The Great War Mons, Le Gateau, Retreat from Mons, Marne 1914 Aisne 1914, 18 Armentieres 1914 Ypres 1914, 15, 17, 18 Langemarck 1914, 17 Gheluvelt, Nonne Boschen, Givenchy 1914 Neuve Chapelle, Gravenstafel, St. Julien, Frezenberg, Bellewaarde,

Egyptian Frontier 1940 Sidi Barrani, Beda Fomm, Mersa el Brega, Agedabia, Derna Aerodrome, Tobruk 1941

Scarpe 1917, 18

Lucknow, Taku Forts, Pekin 1860

Le Perier Ridge, Falaise, Antwerp, Hechtel, Nederrijn, Lower Maas, Roer, Ourthe, Rhineland, Reichswald, Cleve, Goch, Hockwald, Rhine, Ibbenburen, Dreirwalde, Leese, Aller, North-West Europe 1940, 44–45

Arleux, Messines 1917, 18

St. Quentin, Rosieres, Avre, Villers-Bretonneux, Lys, Hazebrouck, Bailleul, Kemmel, Bethune, Drocourt Queant, Hindenburg Line, Havrincourt, Epehy, Canal du Nord, St. Quentin Canal, Beaurevoir, Courtrai, Selle, Valenciennes, Sambre, France and Flanders 1914–18 Piave, Vittorio Veneto, Italy 1917–18 Doiran 1917, 18 Macedonia 1915–18 Kut al Amara 1915 Ctesiphon, Defence of Kut al Amara, Tigris 1916 Khan Baghdadi, Mesopotamia 1914–18

Sangro, Salerno, Santa Lucia, Salerno Hills, Cardito, Teano, Monte Camino, Garigliano Crossing, Damiano, Anzio, Cassino II, Liri Valley, Melfa Crossing, Monte Rotondo, Capture of Perugia, Monte Malbe, Arezzo, Advance to Florence, Gothic Line, Coriano, Gemmano Ridge, Lamone Crossing, Orsara, Tossignano, Argenta Gap, Fossa Cembalina, Italy 1943–45 Veve, Greece 1941, 44, 45

Archangel 1919

Crete, Middle East 1941

The Second World War

Arakan Beaches, Tamandu, Burma 1943–44

Defence of Escaut, Calais 1940 Cassel, Ypres-Comines Canal, Normandy Landing, Pegasus Bridge, Villers Bocage, Odon, Caen, Esquay, Bourguebus Ridge, Mont Pincon,

For further information on any of the above please contact the regimental museum.

Regimental Marches Quick March: Arrangements of ‘Huntsman’s Chorus’ and ‘Italian Song’ Double Past: The Road to The Isles 104

105

Dhofar Voices

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Dhofar Voices by Stewart Wilson

Review by Major General Andrew Pringle cb cbe

Service with the Sultan’s Armed forces attracted ‘characters’, including an Australian VC, adventurers from all three Services and others seeking greater challenges than those provided by endless repetitive tours in Northern Ireland or the routine of cold war BAOR. It was an opportunity for serious ‘proper soldiering’. It was not without risk, both to life and limb and to reputation. Service in Oman could certainly be career enhancing but it could also be career ending.

Other Green Jacket veterans of the Dhofar campaign 1970 – 1979 with the Sultan’s Armed forces include Graham Mckinley (Sultan of Oman’s Distinguished Medal for Gallantry), Robin Montgomery (Sultan’s Commendation and Sultan of Oman’s Distinguished Service Medal), Charles Vyvyan, Mike Smith, Christopher Kemball (Sultan of Oman’s Distinguished Service Medal for Gallantry), Robin Hastie-Smith, John McTomney, Bill Logdon, Simon Blake, Andrew Kinnear, Greg Taylor, Jim Pevlin, Roger Luscombe, and Bill Foxton. Bill was awarded the Sultan of Oman’s Commendation for taking over piloting a troop carrying skyvan when the pilot passed out not once but twice. He was also awarded the MBE for his work with the SAF Welfare Department after he lost his hand in a mine explosion.

Many Green Jackets served in the Sultan’s Armed Forces and in the SAS serving with the BATT during this period. Don Nairn (1 RGJ) and Tim Taylor (1 RGJ) were killed, Don leading a company of Frontier Force in 1979, and whose story is told in the gripping account of the operation high on the slopes of Jebel Aram in 1979. Don was posthumously awarded the Sultan’s Bravery Medal (Oman’s second highest gallantry award). This marked the final clash with the Adoo, and effectively the end of active operations.

Several Green Jackets served in the SAS with the BATT including John Foley, Arish Turle (MC for operations in Oman), Simon Adams-Dale, Johny Pearson, Mark Whitcombe, Hughie Vernon and many others.

Riflemen continued to serve with the Sultan’s Armed Forces after the elimination of the last remnants of the Adoo in 1979, including Tom Wright, John Pentreath, Jolyon Jackson, Jeremy Russell, Johny Schute, Richard Thompson, Barry Melia, and Paul Luckhurst.

Tim Taylor was killed from a direct enemy ‘incomer’ whilst in command of a company of the Desert Regiment in the early days of the campaign in 1971.

Tim before he was killed had already been awarded the Sultan’s Commendation, equivalent to a Mention in Despatches, for his actions in a series of major operations in Dhofar shortly after he joined SAF in

Stewart Wilson served as the Operations Officer of the Frontier Force, 1977 -1979.

He is a recipient of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst War Studies Prize.

Front cover: Op Himaar.

Jonathan Salusbury-Trelawny's command group, Wadi Ashoq.

Back cover: Op Himaar.

B Coy picquet overlooking the Wadi Ashoq.

Author’s photo courtesy of David Goodkin, 2020 ©

Dhofar Voices can be obtained from: dhofarvoices@gmail.com

STEWART WILSON

106

1970. Shortly before his death he had personally commanded an ambush operation in which certainly eight, probably twelve, of the enemy were killed without loss to his men.

Firqat were led by the BATT, the British Army Training Team as the SAS was described and were used in support of operations being conducted by the Sultan’s Armed Forces. The relationship between the BATT and the Frontier Force makes for interesting reading in its own right. In time two further Baluch regiments were formed. For the British officers and contract officers who served at this time this was operations at the very sharp end, working with and leading soldiers of a different faith, a different outlook, a different culture, different sensitivities, and a different language. The ‘fog of war’ leaps out from every page. All of this is relevant in particular to today’s Specialised Infantry Battalions working with and training foreign forces in far away places, and for them in particular this book would serve as a reminder that we have done it before and there is much to learn from those that did.

DHOFAR VOICES FRONTIER FORCE, OMAN ITS LIFE AND TIMES 1970-1980

Dhofar Voices is an oral account of the conflict in Dhofar, Oman, during that country’s struggle against communist forces in the years 1970-1980. It is told through the ‘voices’ of over fifty participants in the events of those crucial years. The conflict is examined by way of the activities of a Baluch regiment, the Frontier Force. The story tells this regiment’s tale and of its interactions with all the other major units and support forces of the Sultan of Oman’s Armed Forces. It is a tale of triumphs and tragedies, successes and failures.

Above all it is a story of human endeavour against constantly challenging odds.

FRONTIER FORCE, OMAN ITS LIFE AND TIMES 1970-1980

This account is all the more relevant to today’s soldiery as it recounts the challenges, trials and tribulations of working embedded with a foreign army; in this case the army of Oman. The Sultan’s Armed Forces at the time were largely officered

by British Loan Service officers, and Contract Officers drawn mainly from ex-British Army or Commonwealth armies, with over time a small but increasing number of Baluch officers commissioned ‘in the field’ in the Baluch regiments and Omani officers in the Arab regiments.

Dhofar Voices

DHOFAR VOICES

Having first explained how Baluchistan and Oman had been intertwined for centuries, and how and why the Mekran province of Baluchistan became a fertile recruiting area for the Sultan’s Armed forces, he then moves on to describe the raising and formation of the Frontier Force. The incoming commanding officer’s directions were clear and simple: ‘Go to Baluchistan and recruit a regiment’s worth of soldiers’ with the implied task of setting up a system to provide incremental supplies of fresh recruits. And he did just that, returning to Oman initially with 350 Baluch recruits who he set about turning into an effective regiment of soldiers, initially expanding the small Baluch Guard but on expansion in 1973 becoming the Frontier Force, a regiment of over 1,000 men. The account of how this was done is fascinating in its own right. At first training was fairly rudimentary and the first hand accounts of early operations against the Adoo, a courageous, dogged, tenacious, well trained and resilient enemy operating in the Jebel from across the Yemen border, are reminders of what happens when insufficiently trained soldiers, for all their courage, are pitted against a stronger and better enemy.

Stewart Wilson quotes a fellow officer who sums it up nicely: ‘Amateurs who play in League Division One – away from home – tend to lose’. And lose they did on a number of occasions, suffering considerable casualties, with a rudimentary casevac system and a hard-pressed Field Surgical Team in support. One operation in early 1975 ended with 22 wounded and 13 killed from the Jebel Regiment (including Captain Nigel Loring of the Light Infantry), and in the Iranian force, in a parallel operation, 50 killed and 70 wounded. This was no picnic. The early days for the Frontier Force were not easy – constantly on operations, little time for training, and unlike the Omani Arab battalions no roulement to Muscat to rest, recover and retrain. But as time goes on and the training improves the Frontier Force develops into a formidable combat hardened and experienced regiment, well versed in combined arms operations, in coordinated mortar and artillery fire support, ground and air integration, air space management, mine clearance, helicopter operations and of course all the tactics, techniques and procedures necessary to take the fight to the enemy in the most inhospitable terrain of high Jebel and deep ravines.

This included working with the Firqat, who were drawn from the enemy ranks and persuaded to fight for the Sultan against their old tribal colleagues. The

Stewart Wilson, DHOFAR VOICES himself a veteran FRONTIER FORCE, OMAN 1980 1970S of the Dhofar ITS LIFE AND TIME campaign, has written a fascinating and informative account of the campaign covering the period 1970 to 1979 told mainly through the first-hand verbal accounts, notes, diaries STEWART WILSON and documents of many of the participants. As such it has an authenticity and realism about it which makes it all the more gripping.

It is meticulously researched and well supported by maps and air photographs, and detailed and illuminating footnotes. Stewart Wilson, having served with the regiment during the period covered by this account, has chosen to focus on the story of the Frontier Force, the first of three Baluch regiments of the Sultan’s Armed Forces, from its formation, through the official declaration of the end of the campaign, and on to the actual end of active operations in 1979.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

107

STEWART WILSON

£35.00

Dhofar Voices

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Dhofar Voices by Stewart Wilson

Review by Major General Andrew Pringle cb cbe

Service with the Sultan’s Armed forces attracted ‘characters’, including an Australian VC, adventurers from all three Services and others seeking greater challenges than those provided by endless repetitive tours in Northern Ireland or the routine of cold war BAOR. It was an opportunity for serious ‘proper soldiering’. It was not without risk, both to life and limb and to reputation. Service in Oman could certainly be career enhancing but it could also be career ending.

Other Green Jacket veterans of the Dhofar campaign 1970 – 1979 with the Sultan’s Armed forces include Graham Mckinley (Sultan of Oman’s Distinguished Medal for Gallantry), Robin Montgomery (Sultan’s Commendation and Sultan of Oman’s Distinguished Service Medal), Charles Vyvyan, Mike Smith, Christopher Kemball (Sultan of Oman’s Distinguished Service Medal for Gallantry), Robin Hastie-Smith, John McTomney, Bill Logdon, Simon Blake, Andrew Kinnear, Greg Taylor, Jim Pevlin, Roger Luscombe, and Bill Foxton. Bill was awarded the Sultan of Oman’s Commendation for taking over piloting a troop carrying skyvan when the pilot passed out not once but twice. He was also awarded the MBE for his work with the SAF Welfare Department after he lost his hand in a mine explosion.

Many Green Jackets served in the Sultan’s Armed Forces and in the SAS serving with the BATT during this period. Don Nairn (1 RGJ) and Tim Taylor (1 RGJ) were killed, Don leading a company of Frontier Force in 1979, and whose story is told in the gripping account of the operation high on the slopes of Jebel Aram in 1979. Don was posthumously awarded the Sultan’s Bravery Medal (Oman’s second highest gallantry award). This marked the final clash with the Adoo, and effectively the end of active operations.

Several Green Jackets served in the SAS with the BATT including John Foley, Arish Turle (MC for operations in Oman), Simon Adams-Dale, Johny Pearson, Mark Whitcombe, Hughie Vernon and many others.

Riflemen continued to serve with the Sultan’s Armed Forces after the elimination of the last remnants of the Adoo in 1979, including Tom Wright, John Pentreath, Jolyon Jackson, Jeremy Russell, Johny Schute, Richard Thompson, Barry Melia, and Paul Luckhurst.

Tim Taylor was killed from a direct enemy ‘incomer’ whilst in command of a company of the Desert Regiment in the early days of the campaign in 1971.

Tim before he was killed had already been awarded the Sultan’s Commendation, equivalent to a Mention in Despatches, for his actions in a series of major operations in Dhofar shortly after he joined SAF in

Stewart Wilson served as the Operations Officer of the Frontier Force, 1977 -1979.

He is a recipient of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst War Studies Prize.

Front cover: Op Himaar.

Jonathan Salusbury-Trelawny's command group, Wadi Ashoq.

Back cover: Op Himaar.

B Coy picquet overlooking the Wadi Ashoq.

Author’s photo courtesy of David Goodkin, 2020 ©

Dhofar Voices can be obtained from: dhofarvoices@gmail.com

STEWART WILSON

106

1970. Shortly before his death he had personally commanded an ambush operation in which certainly eight, probably twelve, of the enemy were killed without loss to his men.

Firqat were led by the BATT, the British Army Training Team as the SAS was described and were used in support of operations being conducted by the Sultan’s Armed Forces. The relationship between the BATT and the Frontier Force makes for interesting reading in its own right. In time two further Baluch regiments were formed. For the British officers and contract officers who served at this time this was operations at the very sharp end, working with and leading soldiers of a different faith, a different outlook, a different culture, different sensitivities, and a different language. The ‘fog of war’ leaps out from every page. All of this is relevant in particular to today’s Specialised Infantry Battalions working with and training foreign forces in far away places, and for them in particular this book would serve as a reminder that we have done it before and there is much to learn from those that did.

DHOFAR VOICES FRONTIER FORCE, OMAN ITS LIFE AND TIMES 1970-1980

Dhofar Voices is an oral account of the conflict in Dhofar, Oman, during that country’s struggle against communist forces in the years 1970-1980. It is told through the ‘voices’ of over fifty participants in the events of those crucial years. The conflict is examined by way of the activities of a Baluch regiment, the Frontier Force. The story tells this regiment’s tale and of its interactions with all the other major units and support forces of the Sultan of Oman’s Armed Forces. It is a tale of triumphs and tragedies, successes and failures.

Above all it is a story of human endeavour against constantly challenging odds.

FRONTIER FORCE, OMAN ITS LIFE AND TIMES 1970-1980

This account is all the more relevant to today’s soldiery as it recounts the challenges, trials and tribulations of working embedded with a foreign army; in this case the army of Oman. The Sultan’s Armed Forces at the time were largely officered

by British Loan Service officers, and Contract Officers drawn mainly from ex-British Army or Commonwealth armies, with over time a small but increasing number of Baluch officers commissioned ‘in the field’ in the Baluch regiments and Omani officers in the Arab regiments.

Dhofar Voices

DHOFAR VOICES

Having first explained how Baluchistan and Oman had been intertwined for centuries, and how and why the Mekran province of Baluchistan became a fertile recruiting area for the Sultan’s Armed forces, he then moves on to describe the raising and formation of the Frontier Force. The incoming commanding officer’s directions were clear and simple: ‘Go to Baluchistan and recruit a regiment’s worth of soldiers’ with the implied task of setting up a system to provide incremental supplies of fresh recruits. And he did just that, returning to Oman initially with 350 Baluch recruits who he set about turning into an effective regiment of soldiers, initially expanding the small Baluch Guard but on expansion in 1973 becoming the Frontier Force, a regiment of over 1,000 men. The account of how this was done is fascinating in its own right. At first training was fairly rudimentary and the first hand accounts of early operations against the Adoo, a courageous, dogged, tenacious, well trained and resilient enemy operating in the Jebel from across the Yemen border, are reminders of what happens when insufficiently trained soldiers, for all their courage, are pitted against a stronger and better enemy.

Stewart Wilson quotes a fellow officer who sums it up nicely: ‘Amateurs who play in League Division One – away from home – tend to lose’. And lose they did on a number of occasions, suffering considerable casualties, with a rudimentary casevac system and a hard-pressed Field Surgical Team in support. One operation in early 1975 ended with 22 wounded and 13 killed from the Jebel Regiment (including Captain Nigel Loring of the Light Infantry), and in the Iranian force, in a parallel operation, 50 killed and 70 wounded. This was no picnic. The early days for the Frontier Force were not easy – constantly on operations, little time for training, and unlike the Omani Arab battalions no roulement to Muscat to rest, recover and retrain. But as time goes on and the training improves the Frontier Force develops into a formidable combat hardened and experienced regiment, well versed in combined arms operations, in coordinated mortar and artillery fire support, ground and air integration, air space management, mine clearance, helicopter operations and of course all the tactics, techniques and procedures necessary to take the fight to the enemy in the most inhospitable terrain of high Jebel and deep ravines.

This included working with the Firqat, who were drawn from the enemy ranks and persuaded to fight for the Sultan against their old tribal colleagues. The

Stewart Wilson, DHOFAR VOICES himself a veteran FRONTIER FORCE, OMAN 1980 1970S of the Dhofar ITS LIFE AND TIME campaign, has written a fascinating and informative account of the campaign covering the period 1970 to 1979 told mainly through the first-hand verbal accounts, notes, diaries STEWART WILSON and documents of many of the participants. As such it has an authenticity and realism about it which makes it all the more gripping.

It is meticulously researched and well supported by maps and air photographs, and detailed and illuminating footnotes. Stewart Wilson, having served with the regiment during the period covered by this account, has chosen to focus on the story of the Frontier Force, the first of three Baluch regiments of the Sultan’s Armed Forces, from its formation, through the official declaration of the end of the campaign, and on to the actual end of active operations in 1979.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

107

STEWART WILSON

£35.00

Book Reviews

The Royal Green Jackets Association

‘Riflemen’ The History of the 5th Battalion, 60th (Royal American) Regiment 1797-1818

by Robert Griffith A worthy shelffellow to Mark Urban’s ‘Rifles’ and a hugely welcome addition as the early history and its contribution has been largely overshadowed by the 95th and the influence of Bernard Cornwell’s character, Richard Sharpe.

400 pages of pure quality, with Robert’s re-enactor’s insights and extensive research, beautifully illustrated with good maps, it’s as much about the blokes and what they got up to.

‘The Makings of a Rifles Officer’ The Life and Letters of Colonel George Miller, 95th and Rifle Brigade, 1768 -1843, by Elizabeth Laidlaw. Elizabeth inherited a collection of over 150 letters from George to his brother but died before the book was ready for publication. Her husband, James, completed the work, producing this beautiful, immensely classy book in her memory. Some very interesting insights into, for example, the training of young officers. He may have suffered from a degenerative mental disease in his later life as his last memoir writings were in sharp contrast to what he wrote in contemporary letters, so providing the best example of the value of genuinely contemporary source material compared to later often time-corrupted memoirs.

The Light Division in the Peninsular War, Volume I 1808 -1811, Volume II 1811-1814, by Tim Saunders and Rob Yuill.

Wellington’s Light Division in the Peninsular War Volume 1 1810

by Robert Burnham A worthy shelf-fellow to Mark Urban’s ‘Rifles’ and a hugely welcome addition as the early history and its Saunders and Yuill cover the history of the Light Division in two volumes; Burnham’s is the first volume covering just 1810. All three authors are former officers, Saunders and Yuill Lightinfantrymen, Burnham a former US Army intelligence officer. They all bring great qualities to their work with Rob Yuill’s knowledge from re-enacting as both a 68th Lightinfantryman and a 95th Rifleman giving great insights into how

it was done. Their Volume I devotes nearly half of its space to the early history with a particularly valuable account of the Corunna Campaign. Their knowledge of the ground shines through and their maps, illustrations and vignettes are excellent. A pity their publisher wouldn’t use colour and pay better attention to proof reading. Robert Burnham is the the most meticulous and exacting author I’ve worked with and the result is a superbly researched and well-constructed account of the first year of the Light Division. He has also made excellent use of previously unpublished primary source material which is very revealing and throws new light onto some of Craufurd’s more controversial actions such as that at Villar de Puerco on 11 July. A fabulous 400 pages! Beautifully illustrated although light on maps.

‘The Great Waterloo Controversy’ and ‘52nd Light Infantry Eyewitness Accounts of the Waterloo 108

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Book Reviews

Campaign’ by Gareth Glover. Many of you will have seen these books promoted last year and bought one or both of them. Gareth Glover has done a remarkable job, pulling together and evaluating a huge mass of source material, including much very valuable previously-unpublished contemporary material, to produce the definitive, authoritative, objective and balanced account of the 52nd in the Waterloo Campaign and particularly in their crucial role in the rout of that part of Napoleon’s Imperial Guard which assaulted the Mont St Jean Ridge.

There are also valuable insights into how much the 52nd contributed to the culture of the Regiment today.

‘All Will Be Well In Time’ The Letters, Diaries and Photographs of Ernest Thomas, OBLI in the Great War. A very poignant collection of the experiences of this young volunteer from Oxford who started as a stretcher-bearer aged 19 in 1915 winning an MM and returning as an officer in 1917 to be KIA leading his platoon at the Battle of Cambrai. Beautifully illustrated and produced.

The Making of a Rifles Officer, The Life and Letters of Colonel George Miller CB FRS (1786-1843) Edited by Elizabeth Laidlaw Letters and eyewitness accounts of officers and soldiers from the celebrated Light Division during the Napoleonic Wars are both plentiful and rich. Another set of letters from an officer in the 95th Rifles might be thought unlikely to evoke much excitement.

But George Miller’s collection of letters to his brother, from 1804 to 1828, are a hidden gem and undoubtedly one of the significant discoveries for decades.

the battle of Barrosa, then in 1813, after the Battle of Vitoria, to join Wellington’s magnificent army for the final stages of the war in Spain and southern France. Thence to Paris where Miller provides some unique insights into post-war France and the precariousness of the peace ruptured by the return of Napoleon following his escape from Elba in early 1815. At Waterloo he commanded the 2nd Battalion before being carried wounded from the field.

The final letters cover the period in the coalition army of occupation in northern France, his travels undertaking the Grand Tour in 1817 and, lastly, his posting to Ireland on peacekeeping duties.

A colourful canvas, even by the standards of his better-known comrades in arms from this extraordinary regiment (Ben Harris, Ed Costello, Will Surtees, Johnny Kincaid, George Simmons, Harry Smith, Will Green, Jonathan Leach, et.al.).

One could be forgiven for thinking that a new set of letters would add little, but George’s letters are clear, concise and full of rich, and in some cases, unique detail. They provide a sustained and intimate correspondence between these two brothers.

George is honest and direct in his assessment of his senior and brother officers, the men, the battles in which he fought, the support and ability of other armies and of the support received by the hostnations in which he found himself and/or fought.

Quite simply, these letters are an amazing discovery and an absolutely invaluable to anyone interested the 95th Rifles and in Britain’s crusade during this difficult and exciting time.

The book is edited by Elizabeth Laidlaw who inherited the letters from her cousin in 1972.

Tragically, Elizabeth died in 2016 leaving the topping and tailing of this work to her husband James. There are 162 letters covering Miller’s military career as a founding officer in the newly created 95th Rifles, covering his early service and experiences in the ill-fated operation to Buenos Aires in 1807, the unfortunate retreat to Corunna (Miller was with Edward Paget’s rearguard, and not with the Light brigades sent to Vigo), the disastrous 1809 expedition to Walcheren, a spell at the new Military Academy at High Wycombe (the forerunner to Sandhurst) before travelling to Gibraltar and Cadiz to provide military staff support to the Spanish Cortes, his arrival coinciding with

This book is only available from the publisher via email: burngrangepress@gmail.com 109

Book Reviews

The Royal Green Jackets Association

‘Riflemen’ The History of the 5th Battalion, 60th (Royal American) Regiment 1797-1818

by Robert Griffith A worthy shelffellow to Mark Urban’s ‘Rifles’ and a hugely welcome addition as the early history and its contribution has been largely overshadowed by the 95th and the influence of Bernard Cornwell’s character, Richard Sharpe.

400 pages of pure quality, with Robert’s re-enactor’s insights and extensive research, beautifully illustrated with good maps, it’s as much about the blokes and what they got up to.

‘The Makings of a Rifles Officer’ The Life and Letters of Colonel George Miller, 95th and Rifle Brigade, 1768 -1843, by Elizabeth Laidlaw. Elizabeth inherited a collection of over 150 letters from George to his brother but died before the book was ready for publication. Her husband, James, completed the work, producing this beautiful, immensely classy book in her memory. Some very interesting insights into, for example, the training of young officers. He may have suffered from a degenerative mental disease in his later life as his last memoir writings were in sharp contrast to what he wrote in contemporary letters, so providing the best example of the value of genuinely contemporary source material compared to later often time-corrupted memoirs.

The Light Division in the Peninsular War, Volume I 1808 -1811, Volume II 1811-1814, by Tim Saunders and Rob Yuill.

Wellington’s Light Division in the Peninsular War Volume 1 1810

by Robert Burnham A worthy shelf-fellow to Mark Urban’s ‘Rifles’ and a hugely welcome addition as the early history and its Saunders and Yuill cover the history of the Light Division in two volumes; Burnham’s is the first volume covering just 1810. All three authors are former officers, Saunders and Yuill Lightinfantrymen, Burnham a former US Army intelligence officer. They all bring great qualities to their work with Rob Yuill’s knowledge from re-enacting as both a 68th Lightinfantryman and a 95th Rifleman giving great insights into how

it was done. Their Volume I devotes nearly half of its space to the early history with a particularly valuable account of the Corunna Campaign. Their knowledge of the ground shines through and their maps, illustrations and vignettes are excellent. A pity their publisher wouldn’t use colour and pay better attention to proof reading. Robert Burnham is the the most meticulous and exacting author I’ve worked with and the result is a superbly researched and well-constructed account of the first year of the Light Division. He has also made excellent use of previously unpublished primary source material which is very revealing and throws new light onto some of Craufurd’s more controversial actions such as that at Villar de Puerco on 11 July. A fabulous 400 pages! Beautifully illustrated although light on maps.

‘The Great Waterloo Controversy’ and ‘52nd Light Infantry Eyewitness Accounts of the Waterloo 108

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Book Reviews

Campaign’ by Gareth Glover. Many of you will have seen these books promoted last year and bought one or both of them. Gareth Glover has done a remarkable job, pulling together and evaluating a huge mass of source material, including much very valuable previously-unpublished contemporary material, to produce the definitive, authoritative, objective and balanced account of the 52nd in the Waterloo Campaign and particularly in their crucial role in the rout of that part of Napoleon’s Imperial Guard which assaulted the Mont St Jean Ridge.

There are also valuable insights into how much the 52nd contributed to the culture of the Regiment today.

‘All Will Be Well In Time’ The Letters, Diaries and Photographs of Ernest Thomas, OBLI in the Great War. A very poignant collection of the experiences of this young volunteer from Oxford who started as a stretcher-bearer aged 19 in 1915 winning an MM and returning as an officer in 1917 to be KIA leading his platoon at the Battle of Cambrai. Beautifully illustrated and produced.

The Making of a Rifles Officer, The Life and Letters of Colonel George Miller CB FRS (1786-1843) Edited by Elizabeth Laidlaw Letters and eyewitness accounts of officers and soldiers from the celebrated Light Division during the Napoleonic Wars are both plentiful and rich. Another set of letters from an officer in the 95th Rifles might be thought unlikely to evoke much excitement.

But George Miller’s collection of letters to his brother, from 1804 to 1828, are a hidden gem and undoubtedly one of the significant discoveries for decades.

the battle of Barrosa, then in 1813, after the Battle of Vitoria, to join Wellington’s magnificent army for the final stages of the war in Spain and southern France. Thence to Paris where Miller provides some unique insights into post-war France and the precariousness of the peace ruptured by the return of Napoleon following his escape from Elba in early 1815. At Waterloo he commanded the 2nd Battalion before being carried wounded from the field.

The final letters cover the period in the coalition army of occupation in northern France, his travels undertaking the Grand Tour in 1817 and, lastly, his posting to Ireland on peacekeeping duties.

A colourful canvas, even by the standards of his better-known comrades in arms from this extraordinary regiment (Ben Harris, Ed Costello, Will Surtees, Johnny Kincaid, George Simmons, Harry Smith, Will Green, Jonathan Leach, et.al.).

One could be forgiven for thinking that a new set of letters would add little, but George’s letters are clear, concise and full of rich, and in some cases, unique detail. They provide a sustained and intimate correspondence between these two brothers.

George is honest and direct in his assessment of his senior and brother officers, the men, the battles in which he fought, the support and ability of other armies and of the support received by the hostnations in which he found himself and/or fought.

Quite simply, these letters are an amazing discovery and an absolutely invaluable to anyone interested the 95th Rifles and in Britain’s crusade during this difficult and exciting time.

The book is edited by Elizabeth Laidlaw who inherited the letters from her cousin in 1972.

Tragically, Elizabeth died in 2016 leaving the topping and tailing of this work to her husband James. There are 162 letters covering Miller’s military career as a founding officer in the newly created 95th Rifles, covering his early service and experiences in the ill-fated operation to Buenos Aires in 1807, the unfortunate retreat to Corunna (Miller was with Edward Paget’s rearguard, and not with the Light brigades sent to Vigo), the disastrous 1809 expedition to Walcheren, a spell at the new Military Academy at High Wycombe (the forerunner to Sandhurst) before travelling to Gibraltar and Cadiz to provide military staff support to the Spanish Cortes, his arrival coinciding with

This book is only available from the publisher via email: burngrangepress@gmail.com 109

Book Reviews

The Royal Green Jackets Association

‘Robert Craufurd, The Man & The Myth, The Life & Times of Wellington’s Wayward Martinet’

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Book Reviews

‘Over the Hills and Far Away’ The Adventures of Bugler George Milton

by Ian Fletcher This is Ian Fletcher’s long-awaited biography of ‘Black Bob’ Craufurd. It’s a magisterial 450 pages and likely to remain the definitive insight into this remarkable but deeply flawed and troubled leader who contributed so much to the ethos and standards of

the Light Division he commanded until his death at Ciudad Rodrigo in January 1812. I’ve only had sight of the manuscript and maps as well as the list of illustrations, so I hope the quality of production matches that of the narrative.

To be published on 30th April, pre-publication discount from Pen & Sword Books.

‘Life of a stray’

by Stephen Horsley Stephen Horsley borne out of wedlock, an unwanted child, who’s formative year spent in a small ‘private’ children’s home, in Ramsgate Kent, from within days of his birth in Chelsea on 1 March 1935.

At the age of four years, evacuated ‘privately’ to a Smallholding, near Stevenage, owned

by Mrs Moss, a mother and daughter.

of 17 years. 1952 a place of work and lodging were found for him, by Barnardo’s. Stephen having been institutionalised, found life out in in the wide world difficult. ‘National Service’ was a lifeline for him, spending 22 years in The Rifle Brigade and Royal Green Jackets, retiring as a WO2.

1976 Shephen spent 18 years as General Manager Under the ‘Centre Director’, as the administration team, of the first ‘out of Town’ Brent Cross Shopping Centre – North London. Retiring and taking up reasonability for the Romsey Royal British Legion Club Ltd, until 2015, to look after his wife, who suffered from ‘Dementia, needing 24/7 care.

Despite a difficult start, fatherless and with a mother who denied his very existence, he travelled the world, saw countries whose names are resigned to history books and experienced conflict and much love – not bad for a stray.

At the age of six, Stephen became too much of a handful! His mother was told to remove him. This resulted in Stephen being farmed out in and round London, with no fixed abode until April 1946, when placed in Dr Barnardo’s Homes, leaving at the age

The book is on sale in the Regimental Museum.

110

This is the story of how this book series came to be. So, you may ask, how come the Regiment found itself publishing a children’s book? You can also ask what do you mean by the Regiment?

Do we mean the Fifth Column of The Rifles, the Community of followers?

Most certainly, with the author, Stephen Petty, illustrator, Christa Hook, and co-financier and former RGJ(Rifles) Museum trustee, Dick Tennant joining me when this project had run into the sand after the death of Lt Gen Sir Christopher Wallace.

write them. Fortunately, Dick Tennant was witness to this and has provided this vital continuity as well as his financial support.

Stephen and I were both recruited by General Christopher to help with the Waterloo Exhibition and first met at a seminar in the Spring of 2015 which Christopher organised to debate the controversial Waterloo question of the role of the 52nd in the rout of that part of the Imperial Guard which assaulted the Mont St Jean Ridge in Napoleon’s last throw of the dice to achieve victory.

The story began with the RGJ (Rifles) Museum Waterloo Bicentenary Exhibition. General Christopher, terminally ill with an increasingly and massively debilitating condition, had moved mountains to ensure that the Exhibition would be outstanding. He wanted something for the young visitors to take away and further fire their enthusiasm for the period, its history and its relevance today for them. His meeting with Stephen Petty at a Wellington Conference was the catalyst for the book.

Most important, was the pact Christopher and Stephen made – from Christopher to Stephen, a commitment to publish his stories, from Stephen, the commitment to

The project fell into abeyance after Christopher’s death. I took on Christopher’s project and, like Stephen and Christopher, also saw its potential to encourage young people’s interest both in military history and the Napoleonic era’s part in shaping our and Europe’s history. Stephen and I believe in the power of history to help understand the present and that storytelling is a great medium for communicating the message in a fun and interesting way.

Stephen was born and brought up in Winchester and very soon came into contact with the Band and 111

Book Reviews

The Royal Green Jackets Association

‘Robert Craufurd, The Man & The Myth, The Life & Times of Wellington’s Wayward Martinet’

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Book Reviews

‘Over the Hills and Far Away’ The Adventures of Bugler George Milton

by Ian Fletcher This is Ian Fletcher’s long-awaited biography of ‘Black Bob’ Craufurd. It’s a magisterial 450 pages and likely to remain the definitive insight into this remarkable but deeply flawed and troubled leader who contributed so much to the ethos and standards of

the Light Division he commanded until his death at Ciudad Rodrigo in January 1812. I’ve only had sight of the manuscript and maps as well as the list of illustrations, so I hope the quality of production matches that of the narrative.

To be published on 30th April, pre-publication discount from Pen & Sword Books.

‘Life of a stray’

by Stephen Horsley Stephen Horsley borne out of wedlock, an unwanted child, who’s formative year spent in a small ‘private’ children’s home, in Ramsgate Kent, from within days of his birth in Chelsea on 1 March 1935.

At the age of four years, evacuated ‘privately’ to a Smallholding, near Stevenage, owned

by Mrs Moss, a mother and daughter.

of 17 years. 1952 a place of work and lodging were found for him, by Barnardo’s. Stephen having been institutionalised, found life out in in the wide world difficult. ‘National Service’ was a lifeline for him, spending 22 years in The Rifle Brigade and Royal Green Jackets, retiring as a WO2.

1976 Shephen spent 18 years as General Manager Under the ‘Centre Director’, as the administration team, of the first ‘out of Town’ Brent Cross Shopping Centre – North London. Retiring and taking up reasonability for the Romsey Royal British Legion Club Ltd, until 2015, to look after his wife, who suffered from ‘Dementia, needing 24/7 care.

Despite a difficult start, fatherless and with a mother who denied his very existence, he travelled the world, saw countries whose names are resigned to history books and experienced conflict and much love – not bad for a stray.

At the age of six, Stephen became too much of a handful! His mother was told to remove him. This resulted in Stephen being farmed out in and round London, with no fixed abode until April 1946, when placed in Dr Barnardo’s Homes, leaving at the age

The book is on sale in the Regimental Museum.

110

This is the story of how this book series came to be. So, you may ask, how come the Regiment found itself publishing a children’s book? You can also ask what do you mean by the Regiment?

Do we mean the Fifth Column of The Rifles, the Community of followers?

Most certainly, with the author, Stephen Petty, illustrator, Christa Hook, and co-financier and former RGJ(Rifles) Museum trustee, Dick Tennant joining me when this project had run into the sand after the death of Lt Gen Sir Christopher Wallace.

write them. Fortunately, Dick Tennant was witness to this and has provided this vital continuity as well as his financial support.

Stephen and I were both recruited by General Christopher to help with the Waterloo Exhibition and first met at a seminar in the Spring of 2015 which Christopher organised to debate the controversial Waterloo question of the role of the 52nd in the rout of that part of the Imperial Guard which assaulted the Mont St Jean Ridge in Napoleon’s last throw of the dice to achieve victory.

The story began with the RGJ (Rifles) Museum Waterloo Bicentenary Exhibition. General Christopher, terminally ill with an increasingly and massively debilitating condition, had moved mountains to ensure that the Exhibition would be outstanding. He wanted something for the young visitors to take away and further fire their enthusiasm for the period, its history and its relevance today for them. His meeting with Stephen Petty at a Wellington Conference was the catalyst for the book.

Most important, was the pact Christopher and Stephen made – from Christopher to Stephen, a commitment to publish his stories, from Stephen, the commitment to

The project fell into abeyance after Christopher’s death. I took on Christopher’s project and, like Stephen and Christopher, also saw its potential to encourage young people’s interest both in military history and the Napoleonic era’s part in shaping our and Europe’s history. Stephen and I believe in the power of history to help understand the present and that storytelling is a great medium for communicating the message in a fun and interesting way.

Stephen was born and brought up in Winchester and very soon came into contact with the Band and 111

Book Reviews

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Bugles of the Depot and musicians such as George Caldwell. His interest in the 95th was nurtured

by Colonel John Baker who mentored him in his academic research career. Stephen’s principal career was as a teacher and he finished up as Head of Humanities at Durlston Court Preparatory School in Hampshire as well as having taught brass playing. Having retired in 2009, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease which he vividly describes as: “A thieving disease that strips away pieces of you. I’ve gone from being active and independent to being dependent on others. Before a teaching colleague passed away with Parkinson’s, she gave me two pieces of advice, ‘You are a gifted storyteller, keep on telling your stories and, whatever you do, don’t stop writing or you will lose the skill.’

She was right. Parkinson’s does play havoc with short term memory. I often struggle to find the right word which is a huge frustration because I love the richness of the English language. My tremor prevents me from using any electronic device. I therefore write by hand and my dear wife types for me. It takes many days to write a chapter as I get so tired.”

Chosen Man Media to publish the book, progress the series and use it as a fundraising vehicle for various future activities with the aim of building an annuity-like income stream to help the Regimental Charities meet their expected but undefinable demands, particularly relating to mental health problems, a subject close to my heart.

Fortunately, I’d published and helped publish a couple of books so could put together a high-quality production team for this project. Our illustrator, Christa Hook, will be a familiar name to many of you. Printer Blackmore’s Neville Rolt may not be but, as a nephew of the Rifle Brigade’s Calais and Colditz veteran and Le Mans winner, Tony Rolt, he and his designer, Steve Hayes, easily understood what the project was all about and fitted us into their normal schedule of producing monumental coffee table art books. We are immensely fortunate to have their and Christa’s quality work in our first book. We’ve also had great support from Bernard Cornwell and The Rifles with both the Colonel-in-Chief and Colonel Commandant joining Bernard and Peter Snow, himself a Light Infantry veteran, in endorsing George’s Adventures.

Stephen was adamant that he was going to honour his commitment to General Christopher and wanted to make it a fundraising project for the Regimental Charities. Immediately, he re-affirmed his commitment to waive any royalties. I’d done a couple of fundraising projects for both the RGJ and Rifles charities so it made sense to establish

Stephen is well underway with Book Two, ‘Over the Hills to the Coa’, so please follow and share Bugler George’s adventures with your young readers throughout the rest of his experiences in the Peninsula and beyond.

CHOSEN MAN MEDIA Chosen Man Media have a clear focus on publishing books that will engage young people with the colourful and rich history of The Rifles. Our first edition of the chronicles of George Milton; 'Over the Hills and Far Away', has received fantastic reviews and is already delivering contributions to the Regimental Family charities.

historical detail and support. Our thanks also go to those that have bought the book - please spread the word and encourage further sales to raise more money for our charities.

Our thanks to senior figures in the Regiment who have endorsed the book, and to all those involved, for their dedication, attention to

We hope you will join George on the next exciting stage of his epic journey.

Stephen Petty's next book, 'Over the Hills to the Coa' will be published in October.

CHOSEN MAN MEDIA

For more information visit www.ChosenManMedia.com Contact Nick Haynes - 01295 710144

Many of you will know that Dick Tennant died in February after a protracted battle with pancreatic cancer. His was a remarkable rearguard action against such a virulent form of cancer. He provided vital finance to launch the Adventures of George Milton project and, thankfully, had the joy of seeing the first book published. We shall miss him, but not forget his contribution.

112

The Royal Green Jackets Association

In Memoriam 2020

In Memoriam 2020 For the Fallen “They shall grow not old, As we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn; At the going down of the sun and in the morning; We will remember them.”

Robert Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)

Brian Kennedy 3GJ Major John Read 2 RGJ Sjt Maurice Lynch RB/3GJ Band The Rev Tom Hiney MC RAChD Att 1 RGJ Paddy Kelly 1 RGJ/3 RGJ Kenneth Wareham KRRC/2GJ

Sgt Peter Jarvis 3GJ/3 RGJ Major Gordon Turner Ex Director of Music RGJ Sgt Terry Cook 1GJ/1 RGJ Norman Cridland RB Lt Col Charles Holroyd KRRC/GJ/RGJ

Tommy Suggitt 1 RGJ Anthony Herries 1 RGJ Cpl Alan Burbridge 3 RGJ Frank Morley 2GJ/2 RGJ Brian ‘Ginge’ West 3 RGJ/4(V)RGJ WO2 David Blakeley 1 RGJ Normandy Band David Rogers RB Clifford Tozer KRRC Rt. Hon James Ramsden KRRC & 8RB

Frederick Boomer Hawkins KRRC/GJ/RGJ/MSPC Royal Hospital Chelsea Eric Edwards RB Rfn Edward Prudames RB Cpl Anthony Herries 1 RGJ John Murphy 1KRRC Arthur ‘Archie’ Rayfield 1GJ/1 RGJ Phil Benson RGJ George Shergold RB

Robert ‘Nobby’ Clarke KRRC Brian (Dapper) Doolan 1 RGJ Peter “Pop" Riddick 2 RGJ Geoffrey Owen Ox & Bucks LI

Ted Whitticks KRRC Sjt Robert Williams 1 RGJ Band 113

5 January 15 January 16 January 16 January 21 January 30 January 5 February 2 February 11 February 25 February 27 February 2 March 10 March 12 March 16 March 19 March 25 March 28 March 28 March 29 March 1 April 3 April 3 April 10 April 12 April 18 April 24 April 25 April 2 May 11 May 20 May 26 May 5 June 6 June

Book Reviews

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Bugles of the Depot and musicians such as George Caldwell. His interest in the 95th was nurtured

by Colonel John Baker who mentored him in his academic research career. Stephen’s principal career was as a teacher and he finished up as Head of Humanities at Durlston Court Preparatory School in Hampshire as well as having taught brass playing. Having retired in 2009, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease which he vividly describes as: “A thieving disease that strips away pieces of you. I’ve gone from being active and independent to being dependent on others. Before a teaching colleague passed away with Parkinson’s, she gave me two pieces of advice, ‘You are a gifted storyteller, keep on telling your stories and, whatever you do, don’t stop writing or you will lose the skill.’

She was right. Parkinson’s does play havoc with short term memory. I often struggle to find the right word which is a huge frustration because I love the richness of the English language. My tremor prevents me from using any electronic device. I therefore write by hand and my dear wife types for me. It takes many days to write a chapter as I get so tired.”

Chosen Man Media to publish the book, progress the series and use it as a fundraising vehicle for various future activities with the aim of building an annuity-like income stream to help the Regimental Charities meet their expected but undefinable demands, particularly relating to mental health problems, a subject close to my heart.

Fortunately, I’d published and helped publish a couple of books so could put together a high-quality production team for this project. Our illustrator, Christa Hook, will be a familiar name to many of you. Printer Blackmore’s Neville Rolt may not be but, as a nephew of the Rifle Brigade’s Calais and Colditz veteran and Le Mans winner, Tony Rolt, he and his designer, Steve Hayes, easily understood what the project was all about and fitted us into their normal schedule of producing monumental coffee table art books. We are immensely fortunate to have their and Christa’s quality work in our first book. We’ve also had great support from Bernard Cornwell and The Rifles with both the Colonel-in-Chief and Colonel Commandant joining Bernard and Peter Snow, himself a Light Infantry veteran, in endorsing George’s Adventures.

Stephen was adamant that he was going to honour his commitment to General Christopher and wanted to make it a fundraising project for the Regimental Charities. Immediately, he re-affirmed his commitment to waive any royalties. I’d done a couple of fundraising projects for both the RGJ and Rifles charities so it made sense to establish

Stephen is well underway with Book Two, ‘Over the Hills to the Coa’, so please follow and share Bugler George’s adventures with your young readers throughout the rest of his experiences in the Peninsula and beyond.

CHOSEN MAN MEDIA Chosen Man Media have a clear focus on publishing books that will engage young people with the colourful and rich history of The Rifles. Our first edition of the chronicles of George Milton; 'Over the Hills and Far Away', has received fantastic reviews and is already delivering contributions to the Regimental Family charities.

historical detail and support. Our thanks also go to those that have bought the book - please spread the word and encourage further sales to raise more money for our charities.

Our thanks to senior figures in the Regiment who have endorsed the book, and to all those involved, for their dedication, attention to

We hope you will join George on the next exciting stage of his epic journey.

Stephen Petty's next book, 'Over the Hills to the Coa' will be published in October.

CHOSEN MAN MEDIA

For more information visit www.ChosenManMedia.com Contact Nick Haynes - 01295 710144

Many of you will know that Dick Tennant died in February after a protracted battle with pancreatic cancer. His was a remarkable rearguard action against such a virulent form of cancer. He provided vital finance to launch the Adventures of George Milton project and, thankfully, had the joy of seeing the first book published. We shall miss him, but not forget his contribution.

112

The Royal Green Jackets Association

In Memoriam 2020

In Memoriam 2020 For the Fallen “They shall grow not old, As we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn; At the going down of the sun and in the morning; We will remember them.”

Robert Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)

Brian Kennedy 3GJ Major John Read 2 RGJ Sjt Maurice Lynch RB/3GJ Band The Rev Tom Hiney MC RAChD Att 1 RGJ Paddy Kelly 1 RGJ/3 RGJ Kenneth Wareham KRRC/2GJ

Sgt Peter Jarvis 3GJ/3 RGJ Major Gordon Turner Ex Director of Music RGJ Sgt Terry Cook 1GJ/1 RGJ Norman Cridland RB Lt Col Charles Holroyd KRRC/GJ/RGJ

Tommy Suggitt 1 RGJ Anthony Herries 1 RGJ Cpl Alan Burbridge 3 RGJ Frank Morley 2GJ/2 RGJ Brian ‘Ginge’ West 3 RGJ/4(V)RGJ WO2 David Blakeley 1 RGJ Normandy Band David Rogers RB Clifford Tozer KRRC Rt. Hon James Ramsden KRRC & 8RB

Frederick Boomer Hawkins KRRC/GJ/RGJ/MSPC Royal Hospital Chelsea Eric Edwards RB Rfn Edward Prudames RB Cpl Anthony Herries 1 RGJ John Murphy 1KRRC Arthur ‘Archie’ Rayfield 1GJ/1 RGJ Phil Benson RGJ George Shergold RB

Robert ‘Nobby’ Clarke KRRC Brian (Dapper) Doolan 1 RGJ Peter “Pop" Riddick 2 RGJ Geoffrey Owen Ox & Bucks LI

Ted Whitticks KRRC Sjt Robert Williams 1 RGJ Band 113

5 January 15 January 16 January 16 January 21 January 30 January 5 February 2 February 11 February 25 February 27 February 2 March 10 March 12 March 16 March 19 March 25 March 28 March 28 March 29 March 1 April 3 April 3 April 10 April 12 April 18 April 24 April 25 April 2 May 11 May 20 May 26 May 5 June 6 June

In Memoriam 2020

The Royal Green Jackets Association

David Painter Ox & Bucks LI William Hogan 4(V)RGJ Erik Knussen KRRC Paul Raymond Abbott 1 RGJ

Alan Peacocke 1KRRC Alan Calveley 2 RGJ

Robert (Dobbin) McNeil 1 RGJ/RLC Stephen Gambrill 2KRRC Cpl Gary (Jack) Hawkins 1 RGJ WO1 TJ (Joe) Hider RGJ Maj Michael Dunning KRRC & RGJ Kenny Dorset 2GJ/2 RGJ Peter McClaren-Smith 2KKRC/2GJ/2 RGJ GBC Neill RB Sgt Bernard (Bernie) Hodgson 2 RGJ

WO2 Trevor Bristow KRRC/2GJ/2 RGJ Maj Richard Matters RGJ David Anderson 2 RGJ Joe Mills RB/3GJ/3 RGJ Maj Gerald Tisdall DCLI/SLI/4(V)RGJ

Cpl Gary Fredrick Cooper 1GJ Sir Peregrine Gerard Worsthorne Ox & Bucks LI Albert Edward Beard 2KRRC Rfn Alan Swann RB Capt Peter Thistlethwayte RB/2KRRC/2GJ Sjt Robert Hembrow Ox & Bucks LI Norman Victor Farr Royal Warwickshire Regiment/Ox & Bucks LI Percy ‘Peter’ Ashwell Ox & Bucks LI Capt Michael Toynbee RB

James Roland O’Callaghan Symington Ox & Bucks LI/King’s African Rifles Sir Philip Wroughton KCVO, DL KRRC/QVR Capt George Evans RB/3GJ/3 RGJ/LI Cpl Alan Stow 1RGJ Horace Hodgson 1RB WO2 Jeff Seeney KRRC/2GJ/2 RGJ Ray Aldridge 2 RGJ Capt Simon Dereham RB/3GJ

Keith Stanley (Dog) Hudson 1 RGJ John Cheetham 3 RGJ Sgt Martin Pike 4(V)RGJ Arthur Edward Beaver RB

6 June 12 June 25 June 26 June 7 July 23 July

& Log Cabins

2 October 3 October 4 October 7 October 8 October 10 October 22 October 23 October 26 October 7 November 7 November 8 November 11 November 18 November 27 November 29 November 29 November 1 December 5 December 23 December 27 December

197

9 - 2021

LOG CABINS, SUMMERHOUSES, SHEDS & MORE...

PRODUCTS

3 August 4 August 6 August 7 August 13 August 16 August 16 August 17 August 21 August 2 September 2 September 11 September 13 September 26 September

42 Years

ACCESSORIES LOG CABINS

FROM JUST

£1,450

GARDEN STORAGE PLAYHOUSES WOODEN SHEDS WORKSHOPS SUMMERHOUSES ANIMAL SHELTERS

APEX SHEDS FROM JUST

£449

GARAGES GARDEN ROOMS BEACH HUTS

FREE

FREE

PRESSURE TREATMENT

DELIVERY

FREE

INSTALLATION

LOG CABINS GREENHOUSES METAL SHEDS CUSTOM BUILDS

SERVICES BUILDING REMOVAL WORKSHOPS

PLAYHOUSES

ANIMAL SHELTERS

GARAGES

GARDEN ROOMS

INSTALLATION BASE LAYING CLADDING & INSULATION

The information listed above is from that posted to The ‘In Memoriam’ page of the Royal Green Jackets Association website. Where the actual date for the death of a person is not known the date that the information was posted to the forum has been used as a reference point.

Please note: it is not necessary to have a person’s number, rank or Bn(s) served to post a notification to The ‘In Memoriam’ forum although this information is useful. It is also not necessary to be a registered member of the website to post or add a comment to the forum. KS 114

ELECTRICS GREENHOUSES

GARDEN ROOMS

SUMMERHOUSES

METAL SHEDS

www.skinners-sheds.com 01424 716716

PRESSURE TREATMENT

In Memoriam 2020

The Royal Green Jackets Association

David Painter Ox & Bucks LI William Hogan 4(V)RGJ Erik Knussen KRRC Paul Raymond Abbott 1 RGJ

Alan Peacocke 1KRRC Alan Calveley 2 RGJ

Robert (Dobbin) McNeil 1 RGJ/RLC Stephen Gambrill 2KRRC Cpl Gary (Jack) Hawkins 1 RGJ WO1 TJ (Joe) Hider RGJ Maj Michael Dunning KRRC & RGJ Kenny Dorset 2GJ/2 RGJ Peter McClaren-Smith 2KKRC/2GJ/2 RGJ GBC Neill RB Sgt Bernard (Bernie) Hodgson 2 RGJ

WO2 Trevor Bristow KRRC/2GJ/2 RGJ Maj Richard Matters RGJ David Anderson 2 RGJ Joe Mills RB/3GJ/3 RGJ Maj Gerald Tisdall DCLI/SLI/4(V)RGJ

Cpl Gary Fredrick Cooper 1GJ Sir Peregrine Gerard Worsthorne Ox & Bucks LI Albert Edward Beard 2KRRC Rfn Alan Swann RB Capt Peter Thistlethwayte RB/2KRRC/2GJ Sjt Robert Hembrow Ox & Bucks LI Norman Victor Farr Royal Warwickshire Regiment/Ox & Bucks LI Percy ‘Peter’ Ashwell Ox & Bucks LI Capt Michael Toynbee RB

James Roland O’Callaghan Symington Ox & Bucks LI/King’s African Rifles Sir Philip Wroughton KCVO, DL KRRC/QVR Capt George Evans RB/3GJ/3 RGJ/LI Cpl Alan Stow 1RGJ Horace Hodgson 1RB WO2 Jeff Seeney KRRC/2GJ/2 RGJ Ray Aldridge 2 RGJ Capt Simon Dereham RB/3GJ

Keith Stanley (Dog) Hudson 1 RGJ John Cheetham 3 RGJ Sgt Martin Pike 4(V)RGJ Arthur Edward Beaver RB

6 June 12 June 25 June 26 June 7 July 23 July

& Log Cabins

2 October 3 October 4 October 7 October 8 October 10 October 22 October 23 October 26 October 7 November 7 November 8 November 11 November 18 November 27 November 29 November 29 November 1 December 5 December 23 December 27 December

197

9 - 2021

LOG CABINS, SUMMERHOUSES, SHEDS & MORE...

PRODUCTS

3 August 4 August 6 August 7 August 13 August 16 August 16 August 17 August 21 August 2 September 2 September 11 September 13 September 26 September

42 Years

ACCESSORIES LOG CABINS

FROM JUST

£1,450

GARDEN STORAGE PLAYHOUSES WOODEN SHEDS WORKSHOPS SUMMERHOUSES ANIMAL SHELTERS

APEX SHEDS FROM JUST

£449

GARAGES GARDEN ROOMS BEACH HUTS

FREE

FREE

PRESSURE TREATMENT

DELIVERY

FREE

INSTALLATION

LOG CABINS GREENHOUSES METAL SHEDS CUSTOM BUILDS

SERVICES BUILDING REMOVAL WORKSHOPS

PLAYHOUSES

ANIMAL SHELTERS

GARAGES

GARDEN ROOMS

INSTALLATION BASE LAYING CLADDING & INSULATION

The information listed above is from that posted to The ‘In Memoriam’ page of the Royal Green Jackets Association website. Where the actual date for the death of a person is not known the date that the information was posted to the forum has been used as a reference point.

Please note: it is not necessary to have a person’s number, rank or Bn(s) served to post a notification to The ‘In Memoriam’ forum although this information is useful. It is also not necessary to be a registered member of the website to post or add a comment to the forum. KS 114

ELECTRICS GREENHOUSES

GARDEN ROOMS

SUMMERHOUSES

METAL SHEDS

www.skinners-sheds.com 01424 716716

PRESSURE TREATMENT

The Regiment through the ages 1741 - 2007 Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (1741-1966) 1741 – Colonel Fowke’s Regiment of Foot 1741 – Colonel Graham’s Regiment of Foot 1746 – Colonel Kennedy’s Regiment of Foot 1747 – 54th Regiment of Foot 1751 – Renumbered 43rd Regiment of Foot 1782 – 43rd (Monmouthshire) Regiment of Foot 1803 – 43rd (Monmouthshire) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry) 1755 – 54th Regiment of Foot 1756 – Renumbered 52nd Regiment of Foot 1782 – 52nd (Oxfordshire) Regiment of Foot 1803 – 52nd (Oxfordshire) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry) 1881 – The Oxfordshire Light Infantry 1908 – Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 1958 – 1st Green Jackets, 43rd and 52n

The King’s Royal Rifle Corps (1755-1966) 1755 – 62nd (Royal American) Regiment of Foot 1756 – Renumbered 60th (Royal American) Regiment of Foot 1824 – 60th (The Duke of York’s Own Rifle Corps) 1830 – 60th (The King’s Royal Rifle Corps) 1881 – The King’s Royal Rifle Corps 1958 – 2nd Green Jackets, The King’s Royal Rifle Corps

The Rifle Brigade (1800-1966) 1800 – Experimental Corps of Riflemen 1800 – The Corps of Riflemen 1802 – 95th Regiment (Rifles) 1816 – The Rifle Brigade 1862 – The Prince Consort’s Own Rifle Brigade 1881 – The Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort’s Own) 1921 – The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own) 1958 – 3rd Green Jackets, The Rifle Brigade

The Royal Green Jackets (1966-2007)