OBE Granted to Phil Conran

might be useful.” This was shortly after Colonel Nasser had nationalised the Suez Canal and it seemed likely that British and French forces could be deployed to take it back. However, next morning, we were told that only tank drivers were required and so many of us were stood down. About thirty, under the command of Capt P S Berry (OC Gunnery Wing), travelled to Devon to train on operating Buffaloes, tracked armoured personnel carriers with open tops, which were able to ‘swim’. They then moved to Malta to train with the Commandoes and then took part in an amphibious assault on Port Said in November. Sadly, a Sgt was killed by a sniper, but the remainder returned to Catterick in March 1957.

In August 1956, Lt Col F R Lindsay DSO MC took over as Commanding Officer. In November, the Regiment, less B Squadron, moved a mile down the road to Bourlon Barracks, which had modern 3-storey, centrally heated, “Sandhurst” blocks. However, the Gunnery Wing office and classrooms remained at Waitwith camp and so personnel had to be ferried backwards and forwards every day.

In 1957, a basic fitness test was introduced for permanent staff. This included a 5-mile ‘bash’, which we were all dreading. When I did this, we were marched out of the camp by Physical Training Instructors (PTIs) and down the main road and then turned off down a minor road. Before long, we were halted in a wood and fallen out for a smoke break. This lasted for a very long time and then we were marched back to the camp. Clearly the PTIs, also, didn’t want to march 5 miles!

The only tank exercise by the Squadron was held one weekend in May. Surprisingly, I was allowed to have a 48-hour pass for this weekend and so did not take part. I heard on my return that the exercise was not a success as all the tanks had broken down on their way to the moors! This was probably because, for over two years, the Centurions had only been moved around within the tank park.

The Queen visited the Regiment in July. Although I was not selected for the guard of honour, I was to be one of the markers around the edge of Catterick Stadium for her arrival. We had to wear our No. 1 dress uniforms (Blues) with black shoes and were issued with smart black leather belts with pouches.

In August, 7RTR was replaced as the training regiment by 5RTR, on its return from Libya, and 7RTR moved to Germany.

As I had only six months left to serve and had resisted all attempts to get me to sign on, I transferred to 5RTR, changing my shoulder strap colours from red and green to red and light blue.

Colonel Commandant’s Parade Summer 1957

Leading C Squadron (right to left): Maj Green (OC), 2Lt Volkers, Capt Field, Capt Berry, 2Lt Paine, Sgt Lane, SSM Millett and Sgt Barratt.