
20 minute read
Branch Updates
HUGE THANKS FROM SIMON TUSTIN – HADRIAN'S WALL (OR MOST OF IT!) IN 48 HOURS
Simon Tustin
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“I have been blown away by the kindness of so many tankies. Thank you very much for your donations”.
L–R. Simon Tustin, Harry Tustin, John Deverell, Charles Raven, Debbie Thompson (and Melody, the greyhound)
Together with an intrepid team of walkers and dog, Simon completed the Hadrian's Wall fundraising trek (48 hours, just over 67 miles as it turned out) from Newcastle to Carlisle, spurred on by many kind donations, finishing on Sunday 16 August.
Simon has been amazed by the generosity of RTR folk. Quite a number of donations were anonymous, such as the one that came with the message: "Ex 4th. Well done tankie! All the best on your walk!" Thanks to your donations, and those from family and friends, they raised £8,036 (including Gift Aid) for the charity, AID, which works in war-troubled South Sudan and some of the more difficult bits of Kenya (like Marsabit in the north, on the frontline of militant Islam). Amongst other things, your donations will help with medical training (especially midwives), agriculture projects (there is widespread famine in South Sudan), microfinance to help widows escape poverty by starting small businesses (e.g. market stalls) and emergency relief for conflict victims. The Just Giving webpage tells more about AID and the walk at www.justgiving.com/campaign/
hadrianswall
The team had almost perfect walking weather on the Friday and Saturday, completing 53 miles over those two days. The final leg felt a tad military, up at 2:15 in the morning, then trudging through the dark to get to Carlisle within the 48 hour deadline, finishing at 0900 on the Sunday morning, 16 August, with more than a few blisters!
MEMORIAL BENCH – SGT RONALD W. ESSEX – 50 RTR
Major Rob Moseley
Dave Larcombe & Tony Hart were made aware of a memorial bench near Moreton in Dorset by Col (retd) John Longman. The bench had been cleaned by Junior Leaders when Col Longman was CO JLR RAC in the 1980’s but has been left untouched for many years. The bench is in memory of 7917459 Sgt Ronald W. Essex. 50 RTR. A native of Dorset, he was killed when his Valentine Tank was hit near Kidney Ridge during the Battle of El Alamein in November 1942 by an armour piercing round fired from a German 88 Flak Cannon.

The memorial bench when it was discovered
After the memorial bench was cleaned, you can now read the message Age 30, he has no known grave, but is named on the El Alamein Memorial in Egypt.


The bench has now been cleaned up; it is much better, but it is not perfect. We are however determined to have it as near pristine condition as possible in time for the 80th anniversary of Sgt Essex’s death in November 2022.
Below is an extract of the 50 RTR war diary (courtesy of the Tank Museum, Bovington) There was no moon until the small hours of 2nd November and visibility on the approach march was almost nil because of the dust on the track on which we had to move. The tanks moved head to tail but even so the Commanders were losing sight of the vehicle immediately in front. Most of us switched our tail lights on to help the tank behind and quite often these were obscured by the blinding dust. During the advance behind the infantry the Colonel’s tank was fired on by an anti-tank gun which had, apparently, seen the MO’s tail light. The Col. was travelling behind the MO and the gun opened up when we had to do a right angle turn to get on to our route. At this time the moon was coming up and the tanks were silhouetted for some distance. The shots bounced just short of the Colonel’s tank. There was light enemy shelling during the advance but we suffered no casualties from it. Dawn was beginning to break on Monday 2nd November as we approached 5th Cameron’s objective, and C and B Sqns. had then fanned out into battle formation. Suddenly in the halflight an anti-tank gun screen to our immediate left and front opened fire. It was difficult to see in this light from what range they were firing, but a.p. shells and machine gun tracer were whistling all-round the tanks. We replied with our Besas and threw out smoke while we maneuvered for good firing positions. Unfortunately, the command tank of C Sqn was hit several times and an 88mm holed the turret just after Capt. Williams and his crew had bailed out. Capt Williams resumed command in another tank. Capt Jolley’s tank was knocked out and another B Sqn tank was holed, killing Sergeant Essex. The Headquarters tanks came under heavy fire which stopped after the Besas had opened up and the smoke laid.
OXFORD BRANCH ROYAL TANK REGIMENT ASSOCIATION – SITREP 2021
The Oxford Branch is slowly coming out of hibernation and hopes to gather once again for our Cambrai Lunch at the Foresters’ Bar, Kidlington on Saturday, 27 November, after a 2 year break due to the Covid pandemic.
Three of our ’Tankies’ are hors de combat as I write and, sadly, 2 of them are now permanently confined to barracks, so won’t be able to join us. We will, however, be in touch with them on the day. Our most active (Associate) Member, John Walker, 5DG, lives in Oxford and is a regular volunteer at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) cemetery in Botley, Oxford. There are 670 souls laid to rest here including Lieutenant Ward, Tank Corps, who died on 8 December 1918, aged 26; RIP. John Walker is also a founder member of ‘The Final Turn’ Parade (as named by John) where Veterans and members of the public gather to salute fallen service personnel as they complete their sad journey home at the turn in to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. The founding members also established a garden of remembrance on the verge bordering this turning, in which there is a daffodil planted for each of the fallen.

The Final Turn memorial plaque
The photograph shows a group of us marking the 3rd Anniversary of The Final Turn Garden of Remembrance on 10 April 2021. John Walker is 2nd from left and Bruce Duncan is 3rd from left.

THE GREEN FIELDS
As I was just about to email this Sitrep to HHQ, I received a telephone call informing me of the sad news thar Frank Marland (RTR) passed to The Green Fields at 1700 hours this evening, Thursday, 30 September 2021. May he Rest in Peace.
Bruce Duncan

THE LONDON BRANCH
London Branch had a surprisingly active year despite Covid restrictions. Although some of the more formal events and regular events were not held many events did go ahead.

Soldiers from BADGER Squadron at the London Branch Planting of the Crosses Parade With the Standard Bearers and a potential recruit

Branch meetings were held monthly during 2021 proving the value of the subscription to ZOOM. Members, who are based throughout the UK and abroad were able to attend the monthly meetings for the first time, albeit electronically. The formal component takes 3040 minutes and the remainder of time allotted gives the chance to catch up with familiar faces. The Committee are following the lead of Bournemouth, Poole and District Branch and plan to incorporate ZOOM into future physical meetings. Several social events took place throughout the year. Stalwart member Maureen Folgate organised two trips to Bournemouth in June and October, Allan Oliver recommenced the monthly lunches in different Central London pubs; and Peter (Tankie) Bennett hosted a fantastic lunch at the Crab and Winkle in Whitstable once restaurants were allowed to re-open. This was a chance to fund raise for 2ndhelpings and open to anyone with RTR connections. In addition, several members attended open air Not Forgotten drive-in concerts for Veterans and their families in Kent and Cornwall. Members took part in the RAC church service at Royal Hospital Chelsea and several attended Founders Day and the Governor’s Review also at RHC.
The newsletter, as in 2020, was increased in length and frequency to enable those who were confined to their homes to have continuing connections with the Branch and with Regiment generally. This was well received. It will return to two monthly in 2022. An analysis of Branch Membership, which has remained constant at around 140 showed that there are two members over 100; 17 nonagenarians; 41 in their eighties; 26 in their seventies; 25 in their sixties and 24 under sixty. Our youngest member is twenty-seven. We are proud to have all six RTR Chelsea Pensioners as members of the Branch. Interestingly a good number of our members belong to other branches as well. It was great sadness that we lost two of our long-term stalwart members who took with them much knowledge and history of London branch. We remember Ray Bebbington, Daphne Austin, Don Clough and Carl Neal who passed to the Green Fields in 2021. On the Saturday before Remembrance Day 2020 I was given permission to visit the Field of Remembrance alone and plant the Cross on behalf of London Branch on the RAC/RTR Plot. The Field was not open because of lockdown thus our usual service was not held. This was a very emotional moment. Standard Bearer Robert Swiniarski went to the Tank Memorial in Whitehall Place, also alone on Sunday 15 November 2020 to lay a wreath on behalf of the London Branch.
New contacts are being forged with the Regiment which is very gratifying. It is good for serving personnel to meet the Branches and members and to attend some of the solemn, commemorative events such as the Planting of the Crosses and our Cambrai lunch.
As a Branch we look forward to a return normality as we move into 2022.
Ian Tompsett, Branch Secretary, visited Westminster Abbey on Saturday 7 November with Carley Ansell and with special dispensation was able to plant the London Branch cross in the Field of Remembrance (bottom left). On Remembrance Day Branch Standards were paraded outside the front door of Branch Treasurer Alan Cooper’s house (bottom right) and Secretary Ian Tompsett’s house. Ian then attended Canadian Corner at Orpington All Saints Church (page 6). Peter Phelps visited the grave of James (Jay) Cartwright (Southern Iraq 2007) in Magdalen Cemetery Battersea to plant a cross (top left). Robert Swiniarski, Welfare Officer, attended a small Remembrance ceremony at Brockley and Ladywell Cemetery War Memorial, Tony (Bootsie) Harnett (Bottom right page 6) laid a cross at St George’s Church, Ramsgate War Memorial and found a Tank Regiment wreath already there.
PLANTING THE CROSS, REMEMBRANCE DAY, ARMISTICE DAY AND CAMBRAI 2020
Ian Tompsett
Despite the tighter restrictions of November 2020, London Branch members still commemorated Armistice Day, the Planting of the Cross and Cambrai 2020.


Peter Burton stood to attention in his front garden with his grandson, Henry (left). Derrick Rex (seen on page 5 featured in the Coventry Building Society Poppy Appeal Advertisement) laid a wreath on behalf of 8RTR at Coventry War Memorial while Alan Cooper laid a cross at the grave of Alan Spong 8RTR in Ealing. Bob Swiniarski (Man on a Mission – right) went to the Tank Memorial in Whitehall Place on Sunday 15 November to lay a wreath on behalf of the London Branch. I am sure many of you did similar things or attended other small events. Thank you all on behalf of the Branch.
We will remember them.






NEWS FROM BOURNEMOUTH & POOLE BRANCH

The only Army Association at Weymouth
2020 ended with a surprise event. An invitation from the Not Forgotten Association to attend a socially distanced festive Jingle Bell Rock concert in Southampton. 10 people in 5 cars attended from the branch.
It was apparently a very enjoyable event despite the restrictions. The main benefit was it gave us the chance to get some of our more elderly and less active members out of their homes and interact with branch members they have not seen for some months due to Covid-19. This was achieved by the generosity and selflessness of certain branch members who went out of their way to help those that needed assistance. The quiet hero types once again rose to the challenge.
With Covid-19 still in full swing, the monthly online Zoom meetings continued to be of vital importance. In March 2021 we even had our first guest speaker; Ian Daniels ex 1 RTR gave a fascinating talk on PTSD and how working with wildlife helped recovery. Lt Col (Retd) Vessey-Holt stepped up to the mark in May and gave a most interesting account of operations during the latter part of WWI. In June it was the turn of Lt Col (retd) Gareth Davies to educate the masses. July was the turn of Lt Col (retd) Dick Taylor who explained how he goes about preparing for and writing his military books. Despite the Covid-19 restrictions, an unofficial, scaled down and socially distanced, memorial and wreath laying service took place in Weymouth on 25th April 2021 (ANZAC Day) to remember the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps in WWI. There is an ANZAC memorial on Weymouth seafront because the town was a major ANZAC, rest, recuperation and transit centre following the Gallipoli Campaign. The sighting of the memorial opposite the Hotel Prince Regent was intentional, as the hotel was an ANZAC Military Hospital at the time. Still in Weymouth, the US Memorial Day commemorations on Bank Holiday Monday (31st May 2021) went ahead this year. The Bournemouth & Poole Branch were once again the only “Army” Association to be involved, a wreath was laid by Pete Dore one of our last surviving WWII veterans and the branch standard was carried by Dave Larcombe. This Memorial Day service commemorates the US Forces who embarked at Weymouth for Operation OVERLORD in June 1944. Closer to home, in June 2021, the branch was represented in Poole at both the D Day and Falklands War memorials. On 23rd June 2021, members of the branch took part in a graveside wreath laying ceremony in Lytchett Matravers, Dorset. They were remembering L/Cpl David Hopper, 2 RTR (serving at ATDU) who died following the crash of a Fox Armoured Car in 1976. This service
brought two RTR veterans together for the first time in 50 years. Tony Hart and Steve Bagshaw were both part of the C Squadron intake of September 1970 at JLR RAC. Steve moved up the road to Allenby Barracks and 2 RTR in 1971, whilst Tony went to 1 RTR at the end of 1972. 50 years on and it seemed like yesterday. The annual branch BBQ in August was a tremendous success, 44 people were in attendance, the weather was perfect, and it was just so good to abandon social distancing and face masks. Also in August, the branch was represented at the Far East memorial in Poole Park on 15th August to commemorate VJ day. On the same day, Poole celebrated its involvement in WWII with the delayed VE/ VJ 75 event on the Quay. Branch members were there in numbers and all wearing our distinctive polo shirts. The Branch HQ on this day appeared to be located at the outside tables adjacent to the Lord Nelson pub. Well, coincidences do happen!
In September 2021 we held our first physical branch meeting in 18 months. 17 people attended including five new members. One of the new members is a 95-year-old WWII veteran Reg Fox who discovered us on Poole Quay during the VE/VJ Day event. This meeting was different in that it also involved nine absent members who dialled in remotely using Zoom technology. It was confirmed that our guest speaker for November 2021 would be the Mayor of Bournemouth who is also the “Armed Forces Champion” for Bournemouth Christchurch Poole (BCP) Council. What does the Armed Forces Champion do? I don’t know, but by the time you are reading this we will know.


Poole Branch HQ on VE VJ day
UPDATE FROM THE PLYMOUTH BRANCH

I think that all the Branches of the Association will agree that 2020 and most of 2021 have been difficult with the Covid-19 outbreak. By now most would have had both jabs of the vaccine and will be aware that we all must remain cautious.
A small party which consisted of the Chairman Terry Hughes, Standard bearer Bert Hammond and Graham Burge and the Bugler John Fisher. A small number of branch members were also able to attend in 2020 and a Plymouth Branch wreath was laid. Last Post and Taps were played by John. Dean Small and his wife also attended and pleased that we made the effort during restrictions. The 2020 Annual Plymouth Branch Cambrai dinner was also cancelled. Restrictions would not allow the event to go ahead. The China Fleet country club was contacted by the event organiser Terry Hughes and through negotiations with the owners they agreed to move the event to November 2021 with no cancellation charges being levelled against the Branch.
Unfortunately, due to the national restrictions, the 2020 Annual Plymouth Branch Cambrai Dinner had to be cancelled. The China Fleet Country Club was contacted by the event organiser, Terry Hughes and they agreed to move the event to November 2021. However, the Chairman decided on behalf of members that this year would not have been safe to hold the dinner so the event was postponed to 2022. All deposits for accommodation have been moved and the Club graciously waived all cancellation fees. We therefore look forward to November 2022 to gather as friends and commemorate the 105th Battle of Cambrai. We hope as many members as possible can join us at the Club.
There was no Armed Forces Day for 2020 as there should have been a Mayflower 400 celebration which again was cancelled. No AFD for 2021 but we have been informed that it will go ahead on the 25th June 2022 and the Plymouth Branch will make their presence known. I have to say that for three years running before the lockdown we had been voted best display amongst all the exhibits by the organisers.
It was not possible to hold normal branch meetings due to lockdown and distancing regulations although some branches were able to use Zoom to keep in contact by online virtual meetings. This was not possible to arrange for the Plymouth branch due to having 189 members. The Chairman (Terry Hughes) has kept Branch members informed as best as possible with newsletters.
All branches would have found it difficult to raise funds and some would have been hit hard. Many of the normal events have had to be cancelled so fundraising has had to be forgotten or postponed. Our Chairman/Treasurer (Terry) again has been busy in finding ways in which to keep the wolves from the door by finding items that all members of the RTR worldwide would like to own. To start with he offered the chance to have metal tank key hangers and some 66 have been sold. Then resurrecting the RTR T shirt in Regimental colours with all four tank badges embossed on the front. 70 were sold and some even going abroad. Not satisfied with that, he started a Wednesday sweepstake where for a £1.00 stake you could win £25.00
if your number was drawn. This has brought in some more needed revenue.
Sadly, we have lost six members of the Plymouth branch who have gone to the Green fields. BOB HARWOOD, DENNIS FISHER, JAMES MORRISON, JEFF JAITAY, KENNETH JONES, and TERRY HENDY. So long old friends and we will meet again. Where possible the stand bearer (James Hammond) has been present or at least a Branch representative was in attendance.
On a more cheerful note, we have picked up 11 new members who have joined the Plymouth Branch.
What of the future? It is hoped to restart the monthly branch meetings when circumstances permit. Our Chairman Terry has been hard at work to confirm a new meeting premise, the Plymouth Hoe club and the RBL at Crownhill have been approached but he has also had a positive meeting with the Manadon Hall at Ernesettle. Their room with a bar is some four times the size of the old RAOB club so social distancing will not be a problem. Their Chairperson is currently away, however Terry has another meeting with them on 21st October for final confirmation. Terry will keep the Branch informed.
Dave Taylor will be leaving the job of Branch Secretary and will be handing over to Dave Lomax in September. Dave’s time will be as a trustee to the Association but will remain a Branch member.
There have been over 40 requests for the issue of the RTR Association membership cards which I am pleased to say have now all been delivered to members. Please do not get confused with the Plymouth Branch white membership card which the Treasurer issues each year. These are the blue cards that are issued by HHQ RTR and of which you agreed to pay 1 day’s pay when you were serving in the Regiment. If you never had one issued or have lost your blue card, please supply me with the following information; Regimental number, date served from & to and which RTR you served with initially. As a branch member the Chairman already has your postal address and contact details. The Association card does give you access to several locations. A new or replacement card will be sent to your home address.
There are many members that do not realise that the Chairman runs a small shop with the small profit going towards Branch funds. Many of the items are seen at events such as the Armed Forces Day on Plymouth Hoe in July or at the annual Cambrai dinner in November. There are several members that for whatever reason cannot attend and so do not know what we sell or what is on offer. He is at present putting together a photo album of all the stock items that are available for you to purchase. The details of which will not include postage. There would be additional cost if the item is required to be posted abroad. Please be aware that we only hold a limited amount of stock of each item but if we do not have it available at that time it can be obtained, so there will be a short delay. The branch is still here and still strong, hopefully we will soon be able to resume our normal activities.
If you have any questions please direct them to the Chairman, Terry Hughes.


