# No. 17 FEBRUARY 1972 PRICE 6p

Editor: Col. F. W ALDEN, M .B.E., D.L., T. & A.V.R. Centre, Deansbrook Road, Edgware, M iddlesex.

Remembrance Day Ceremonies 1971

The Field of Remembrance Crosses were then planted by the civic dignitaries present, followed by members of the Association The annual ceremony at the Field of Remembrance and their relations. at Westminster Abbey took place on Saturday, In addition, a cross was planted by Major A. B. November 13. Cowing, now serving with the 2nd Battalion The As usual, a large number of ex-members of the Queen’s Regiment, in memory of Pte. P. S. Carter, Regiment were present, as well as civic dignitaries of the same battalion, who died from a gunshot headed by Lt.-General G. C. Bucknall, c b , m c , d l , wound in Belfast on September 14, 1971, and was Assistant Lieutenant of the Middlesex Area of the first active service casualty of The Queen’s Greater London, the High Sheriff of Greater London Regim ent. and the Vice-Chairman of the Greater London C ouncil. Regimental Service The various Boroughs, which lie within the old county of Middlesex, were all represented, except Remembrance Day on Sunday, November 14, Brent and Richmond-upon-Thames. was bright and sunny. After the usual short service at the Coupty The service in the Garrison Chapel, Inglis Memorial in the Middlesex Guildhall, conducted Barracks, Mill Hill, and the ceremony at the Regi­ b y Prebendary G . A. Lewis Lloyd, m b e , H onorary mental Memorial, both conducted by the Rev. Chaplain to 2nd/ioth Battalion The Middlesex John Webb, a c a , c f , were very well attended. Regiment (DCO) OCA, a procession headed by After the ceremony at the Regimental Memorial, RSM R. G. Roberts, m b e , the Parade RSM, and at which Ptes. Brown and Featherbee from Albuhera Mr. R. H. Ferguson carrying the Regimental Company, 4th Battalion The Queen’s Regiment, Association Standard, formed up and moved to the sounded Last Post and Reveille, wreaths were laid Regimental Plot. in the following order: On arrival at the plot Col. A. S. J. de S. Clayton, Regimental Association, by Col. A. S. J. de S. d l , Deputy Colonel (Middlesex) The Queen’s Clayton, d l . Regiment, after saying “ We plant these crosses today 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Battalions and Depot, by Col. in memory of our fallen comrades of the Middlesex I. R. Burrows, o b e . Regiment” planted the first cross. He then invited 5th and 6th (Militia) Battalions, by Mr. A. M. the Assistant Lieutenant of the Middlesex Area of M ason. Greater London to plant a cross. These were followed “D ” Company (Mx) 5th (V) Battalion The Queen’s by the Chaplain, and the following representatives of Regiment, by Major M. L. Muirhead. Battalions : “A” Company (Mx) 6th (V) Battalion The Queen’s 1st Battalion Col. I. R. Burrows, OBE Regiment, by Major M. J. Beaumont, t d . 2nd ,, Major P. Donovan, m b e Mill Hill Branch, The Die-Hards Club, by Major 3rd ,, Brigadier B. B. Rackham, c b e , m c , A. E. Peasley. I DL 9th Battalion Branch, The Die-Hards Club, by * ,ch „ Mr. C. Ashby Mr. Ted Lockyer. 7th ,, (TA) Lt.-Col. J. D. Gunnell, t d W.O.s and Sergeants Branch, The Die-Hards Club, •8th ,, ,, M r. A . E. G ale by Major L. J. Johnson. 9th ,, ,, M r. R. T . M eers At the march past which followed the laying of 10th ,, ,, Mr. A. D. Scudamore, o b e wreaths the salute was taken by Col. A. S. J. de S. 12th ,, (Service) Mr. J. Price Clayton, d l , who was accompanied by Col. J. W. 17th ,, ,, M r. E. C rook, d c m H olm es, r e , Commanding the Home Postal and

1 Courier Communications Depot, RE. ment were in evidence by the presence of a serving The parade over, those who had taken part, or N.C.O. and soldiers of Albuhera Company, 4th The Regimental Visit to Lille and Gondecourt had been spectators, went by coach or private car Battalion, The Queen’s Regiment, now stationed at to the TA\ R Centre, Edgware, where a reunion Shorncliffe, complete with a display stand of modern was held. weapons, and jealously guarding the Colours of the NOVEMBER 20-21, 1971 Regiment, soon to be laid up in St. Paul’s Cathedral. They were also guarding our prized painting, The following notes kindly compiled by Col. cattle behind the “A ” Company office— but he had to “Steady the Drums and Fifes” by Lady Elizabeth Clayton may be of general interest to members of our hurry away to change for “our parade” as he was a Butler, the painting itself now being at the School of Regimental Association and of more particular interest trumpeter in the Town Band. We also enquired after Infantry, Warminster. DIE-HARDS EXHIBITION AT MESSRS. to those of use who knew Michael Trotobas in 2 Mme. Carpentier who used to give French lessons to On display were weapons, uniforms and trophies Middlesex and who served in 2 Middlesex and 1/7 Major (then PSM) Cummins and several others— we AUSTIN REED LTD. from our earliest battle honour “Mysore” ^fcddlesex in the Gondecourt, Houplin, Seclin and heard she had died in Buchenwald. As time was machine gun captured in Korea, when the last honfl This exhibition was a personal history of The ^Rle area during the “phoney” war period from getting on we had to curtail our tour and hurry back of the Regiment was won. The uniform of a lieutenant Middlesex Regiment from 1755, "hen Colonel John September 1939 to May 1940. to Cherny with many unanswered questions in our of the Light Company as worn during the Peninsular Arabin was gazetted colonel, until the Regiment was Prior to this visit we knew that Capt. Michael minds. War was a much admired exhibit as was the collec­ absorbed into The Queen’s Regiment on December Trotobas had played an important part in the At around noon the coach load set forth for Gonde­ tion of eight of our eleven Victoria Crosses which were 31, 1966. It was open to the public from November 3 Resistance Movement in Northern France and that court Square where we were met by the Mayor, the on display with medals of every campaign in which to 24, after being officially opened by Lieutenant- he had been eventually killed by the Gestapo in 1943. Council, the Town Band and a multitude of towns­ the Regiment has fought. General Sir Brian Horrocks, k .c .b ., k . b .e ., d .s .o ., However, we knew very little of the details and, as a people. Our trumpeter friend hurried up to make his An eye-catcher, as one walked along Regent M .C ., l . l . d ., our most distinguished living Die-Hard, result of this visit, we have learned a very great deal own number with us once again. The Band played Street, was the large regimental flag, flying from the on Tuesday evening, November 2, 1971. The ex­ ^^more from his fellow members and friends of the “God save The Queen” , we fell in and then we all balcony of the exhibition centre, the flag which has^^^ hibition was held at the invitation of Major Barry ^^Reseau Action Sylvestre (code name for this par­ marched off to the cemetery. I laid a wreath at the only before flown from the mast on the top of the^^ Reed, M .C ., who, as a subaltern in the 1st Battalion, ticular branch of the Resistance). War Memorial and we then marched back to the Middlesex Guildhall, in Parliament Square, every had won his decoration during the Korean War. Through the good offices of Mr. Len Arlington (a Hotel de Ville for a Vin d’Honneur and several Albuhera Day. private in “A ” Company, 2 Middlesex in France in speeches which were followed by an excellent lun­ The vast amount of preparatory work necessarily 1939-40), our Regimental Association was invited to cheon provided by the Gondecourt Council. During undertaken by the Curator was made well worth send a party to participate in the 28th Anniversary luncheon I spoke to many people who remembered while by the many complimentary remarks and Ceremonies in memory of Capitaine Michel (his code our Regiment so well and who clearly had held us in letters received whilst the exhibition was open, and name was Michel) and those members of the Region very high regard. subsequently. Nord Resistance group who lost their lives in the last At 3 p.m. or thereabouts we had to embus and W orld W ar. leave— many of us were very sad that time did not Arrangements were made at speed and it eventu­ allow a visit to Houplin where 1/7 Middlesex had ally transpired that some 30 Old Comrades set forth been billeted. by coach from Edgware soon after 8 p.m. on Novem­ Our drive to Lille was most exhilarating since we FORTHCOMING EVENTS ber 19, 1971. We drove to Dover, crossed on the had two police outriders on their vast and powerful night ferry and arrived at Ostend at around 5.30 a.m. motor cycles and, as a result, we drove at high on November 20 (local time). We then set forth for speed through every red traffic light to the delight Date— 1972 Event Cherny, crossing the Franco-Belgian frontier around of us all and accompanied by whoops of encourage­ Friday, April 21 1/7th Battalion (1914-18) 7 a.m. (where we were met by the French Police and ment to our driver. OCA Dinner at TAVR guided to our destination) and arrived around On arrival at Lille we were shown the Monument Centre, Edgware. 8.30 a.m. at the home of M. and Mme. Faucomprez. to the Resistance and the Hotel de Ville— both most Saturday, A pril 22 9th Battalion Branch Dinner They kindly gave all of us a splendid breakfast of impressive. at Victory Ex-Service Club, bacon and eggs and we were able to wash, shave and At 5 p.m. we and many representatives of the Seymour Street, London get ourselves ready for the many ceremonies that lay Reseau Sylvestre formed up in front of the War W 2. ahead. Our hosts are the in-laws of Mr. Arlington Memorial and each party laid a wreath. Mr. Chacks- Saturday, A pril 29 1/7th Battalion (1939-45) who was sheltered by them throughout the war alter field sounded “Last Post” and “Reveille” at the Dinner at TAVR Centre,^ being cut off from 2 Middlesex in May 1940. His story special request of our French friends. Hornsey N8. ^ is fascinating but suffice it to say in this report that At about 5.30 p.m. we arrived at the offices of Friday, May 5 Spring Golf Meeting on course • he eventually became a member of Reseau Sylvestre. La Voix du Nord, the local newspaper which had of North Hants Golf Club, Capitaine Michel was careful never to meet him face played a most important part in the Resistance Fleet. to face since he was naturally anxious not to be movement, where we were greeted by a superb cham­ Friday, M ay 12 (1) Officers’ Club Cocktail identified, particularly by a fellow member of pagne reception and several speeches. One speech in Party at United Service 2 Middlesex as this would have proved awkward in particular was of outstanding interest, given by M. (Photo by Rodney Brewster) and Royal Aero Club, Pall the event of capture. Marcel Fertein, President of the “Compagnons du Lt.-Gen. Sir Brian Horrocks recalling hozv Major Mall, London SW i. As we had a few hours to while away before our Capitaine Michel” , as it explained what had taken Dick Smith, our Curator, “ conned” him for Hitler’s (2) 2/ioth Battalion Annual first official engagement our party broke up into place and the part that Michael Trotobas had played. telephone exchange, much to the amusement of Major Dinner at Victory Ex-Ser­ small groups and went on voyages of discovery. This speech is being translated and a resume will be Barry Reed. vice Club, Seymour Street, Major Bob Cummins and I walked over to Gonde­ sent to all members of our party. London W 2. court, about ib miles away, and browsed around At 6.45 p.m. we proceeded to the Caserne des Saturday, M ay 13 (1) Albuhera Service of Re­ those familiar streets. The factory where 2 Middlesex C.R.S. du Groupement No. 2 (the Police Barracks) The success of the exhibition can be judged by the membrance in St. Paul’s were billeted has gone, but Battalion HQ and the where we were to lay our weary heads many hours number of visitors— well over three thousand— who Cathedral at 2.30 p.m. k Company offices remain— as does Garage later. Here we were again greeted by another vast and viewed the exhibits during the three weeks it was (2) Annual Reunion at P<5 ^ issette which had housed the joint Officers Mess excellent reception and several more speeches. open. Letters and requests for information regarding Chester Hall, Queensway, fof “A” and “B” Companies. The former owners of M. Marcel Fertein invested me, as the senior repre­ the Regiment are still being received by the Curator L ondon W 2. this garage are dead and it is now run by their son sentative of the Regiment and in the name of the of the Regimental Museum, a pointer that although T uesday, M ay 16 ALBUHERA DAY. whom I met later in the day. We also met an old lady Regiment, with La Croix du Capitaine Michel and we cease to exist in the Army List, we are still very W ednesday, June 7 Derby outing. who came up to us— she asked after Major Brodie presented Le Diplome de Resistance. At the con­ much to the fore in the thoughts of the generations Saturday, June 24 Presentation of Colours Parade and Lt. Ian Campbell. An old. boy on his bicycle clusion of this reception we were all ushered into the of to-day. The successors of the Middlesex Regi­ at Tidworth. stopped and chatted— he used to feed the horses and Salle D ’Honneur and entertained to a veritable feast

2 3 at which over 8o sat down to dinner. had its own German guard so the risk must have In the early hours of November 21 most of us been tremendous. However, Michael Trotobas and retired to our downy couches and slept like logs until his team got into the factory one night with these soon after 7 a.m. However, Mr. Jack Johnson and his explosives, cleared out the night shift, blew it up and friend Mr. Levin decided to take a breath of air and a got away. Their signal to the Air Ministry of “ Opera­ walk before retiring— but some three inches of snow tion Completed” was not fully believed and photo­ had fallen and, alas, M r. Johnson “ went for a burton” graphs were demanded to prove it. Not deterred, on the icy steps outside the Police Mess. Most un­ Michael Trotobas, in the guise of insurance assessor, fortunately he fractured his ankle rather badly in went to the factory, said his firm would not pay up two places and, with the most helpful cooperation of without visible proof in the form of photographs and Regimental Visit to Lille and the Police, he was whipped off to hospital where he asked for the co-operation of the Germans. They \vas kept for the night. The remainder of our party were very helpful and even held the magnesium |^Bew nothing of this sad accident until breakfast flares so that he could take his photographs! He Gondecourt time. thanked them, left and sent the photos back to the At 9 a.m. on November 21 Major Cummins and I Air Ministry. What superb cheek and what guts! NOVEMBER 20-21, 1971 attended a special Mass in memory of Capitaine We then went on to our final reception and banquet Michel and those who fell, and rejoined the re­ lunch at the Palais de la Biere, Lille. After an excel­ mainder of our party at 10.30 a.m. at the Lille lent luncheon and some more speeches we had to Southern Cemetery. We and our friends formed up embus just before 4 p.m. and leave for Ostend to and proceeded to the Reseau Sylvestre Monument, catch our return ferry. on which is inscribed “ Le Reseau Sylvestre Farmer du Capitaine Michel— A ses Morts” . It is a most im­ At Ostend we were thankful to see the ambulance pressive monument where Michael Trotobas and carrying Messrs. Johnson and Levin but we were some 80 members of the Resistance are buried. Two horrified at the report that a Force 12 Gale was blowing. After several dramas— firstly that the ferry speeches were made, several wreaths were laid and Mr. Chacksfield again sounded “Last Post” and captain would not accept Mr. Johnson and his frac­ tured ankle and, secondly, the coach because of the “Reveille” . We then moved to the British cemetery where wreaths were again laid and then on to the storm— and much argument, all was well and we all plus coach, were able to embark. grave of Commandant Bavart where a further wreath was laid. After an extremely rough crossing we arrived at We then visited the house where Michael Trotobas Dover, got through Customs, found Mr. Johnson’s had lived in Lille and where he had been killed. There car, which awaited our arrival with a driver, put hm is a plaque on the wall in his memory. M. Julien on board, embussed ourselves and then set forth for Gerekens (code name Commandant Jacky) told me Edgware where we arrived around 4 a.m. on Novem­ the final story. At 11 p.m. one evening he had been ber 22, having been delayed by a leaky radiator en talking to Capitaine Michel in an alley near the house route. and they parted having agreed to meet in the house To sum up— this first visit of a Regimental Party next day. By 7 a.m. next day Capitaine Michel was has been an unqualified success, we have renewed dead. The house had been surrounded by the many old friendships and we have established firm Gestapo and then entered— however, Capitaine links between the Reseau Sylvestre and our Regi­ Michel killed four of them before he died himself. mental Association. The Gestapo closed the shutters on the windows, It was a most memorable and moving experience to locked the front door and sealed it with a piece of have been able to participate as we did in these white paper on which was the Gestapo stamp. They M . Marcel Fertein, Colonel Silbereyez and Colonel anniversary ceremonies and to have been received so then departed but not without leaving several am­ Clayton placing wreaths on the memorial. warmly and so kindly by our many French friends. bush parties spread around the house. Some 30 2 Colonel Clayton paying compliments to our French minutes later Commandant Jacky approached the We must endeavour to arrange in future years that comrades in arms at the memorial. ' house for his meeting but smelt a rat when he saw the this event becomes established in our Regimental • shutters were closed as the agreed signals were to Calendar. We must also make arrangements for the 3 The reception at the office o f L a Voix du Nord. enter if the windows were ajar but to keep away if the members of the Reseau Sylvestre to pay us a visit so windows were closed or wide open. So he proceeded that we can repay in a small way their most generous on his way and, as he passed the front door on the hospitality to us. corner (it is a corner house), he saw the ominous white strip of paper and therefore knew the worst— so he went on without slackening his step and got away. He told me that if the Gestapo had for once not carried out their routine sealing procedure they would have caught all the top men in the Reseau Sylvestre. This goes to prove that slavish adherence to standing orders does not always pay off. FREE NEWSLETTERS He then told me of another Trotobas story which is 4fcll worth recounting now. The RAF had tried to The Editor wishes to thank Mr. A. W. J. Brown, w m b, without any success, a particular factory situ­ Mr. R. J. Cubitt, Mr. F. C. W. Hammond, Mr. W. ated in a densely populated part of Lille and after K night, m b e , Major C. L. Lawrence, m c , M r. A . M . repeated failures Resau Sylvestre was asked to do the Mason, Mr. R. T. Meers, Mr. F. H. Nash, m b e , job. The explosives eventually arrived— brought in Major G. G. Parr-Head and Mr. B. A. Pritchard penny packets by lorries from hundreds of miles for their generosity in paying extra subscriptions away as local air drops were not on— these lorries so that free copies of The Die-Hards Newsletter were all carrying supplies for the Germans and each can be sent to deserving old comrades.

4 5 ALBUHERA DAY 1972

The Service of Remembrance this year will be Regimental Museum held in the North Transept Chapel (The Baptistry) U i H i n q i / £ < / . of St. Paul’s Cathedral at 2.30 p.m. on Saturday, M ay 13. Curator : Major R. W. J. Smith, MBE, TA & VR Centre, Deansbrook Rd., Edgware, Middx. Further details will be notified to all Die-Hards in due course. FLORISTS ANNUAL REUNION 1972 The following are recent acquisitions for the MEDALS OF THE LATE CPL. F. J. DUFFIELD l^ is e u m :— The group of medals consists of the 1914-15 Star, Arrangements have been made to hold the Ann^^ fo r ^J~ioweri, f^ ta n ti, etc. ^Medals and souvenirs of the late L/Cpl. C. British War Medal and Victory medal, awarded to Reunion this year at Porchester Hall on Saturday, Robinson T/F 2336 Cpl. Frederick John Duffield, one of a May 13, from 7 p.m. to 11.45 P m - family who have given trojan service to the 8th (TF) Charges for admission will be as follows: Christmas card 4th Battalion, 1920 Battalion and prior to this designation, to the 2nd Single tickets — — — 15P Medals of the late Cpl. F. J. Duffield MEMBERS o f INTERFLORA (Volunteer) Battalion of the Regiment. Double tickets — — — 25P Medals of the late Sgt. F. J. Hocking, d .c .m . Cpl. Duffield enrolled in the 2nd Volunteer (admitting lady and gentleman) Medals of the late 2/Lt. S. H. Leaver. t Battalion, The Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Further details will be issued in due course. Photograph albums, etc. of the late Capt. E. J. Blake Budden. Regiment) in 1900, being discharged in 1906. He en­ (F lo w ers by wire, | The last Middlesex Regt. bass drum rolled again in his old unit, now designated the 8th any time a n d an y­ (TF) Battalion in January, 1914, and was embodied where throughout PRESENTATION OF COLOURS on August 5, 1914. He served with the battalion in MEDALS AND SOUVENIRS OF THE LATE L,/CPL. C. the w orld) Gibraltar from September 1914 to February 1915, Units of the Queen’s Regiment are to be presented ROBINSON going to France on March 8, 1915. He was gassed at with new Colours on a parade to be held at Tidworth These relics consist of the group of medals consist­ the Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge May 24, 1915. After on Saturday, June 24. ing of the Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps, a spell in hospital, he returned to the Battalion in On this Parade the Colours of the 1st Battalion MILL HILL 1387 “Transvaal”, “Cape Colory” and “S. Africa 1902” March 1916. He was wounded at Leuze Wood— Phone: The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge’s the 1914 Star, British War Medal, the Victory Medal known to the army7 as “ Lousey Wood”— on Septem­ Own) (57th Foot) will be marched off prior to their and Defence Medal 1939-45. There is also the choco­ ber 15, 1916, during the Somme Battles. Invalided being laid up in the Regimental Chapel (The late box, given by H.R.H. Princess Mary7 to our home he w7as given a lower medical category and 145 BROADWAY, MILL HILL, N.W.7 Baptistry), in St. Paul’s Cathedral at a service to be Forces in December 1914, a briar pipe as presented marked unfit for the Infantry. He was then trans­ arranged with the Dean and Chapter. to a number of our soldiers serving in South Africa ferred to the Labour Corps and subsequently to the It is hoped that a large number of Die-Hards during the Boer War and a Boer pipe with a metal Royal Flying Corps until he was discharged in will attend the parade on June 24. perforated hinged lid to prevent red-hot ashes blow- January 1919. During the 1939-45 War he served Full details will be notified as soon as they are ing about and causing bush fires. with the Civil Defence as a member of the Ealing REGULAR FORCES EMPLOYMENT received from RHQ The Queen’s Regiment. Details of service of L/Cpl. Robinson will be Heavy Rescue Team which entitled him to the ASSOCIATION found in the obituary columns. Defence Medal. Frederick Duffield died on New Year’s Day, 1963, at the age of 83 years, bequeathing (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR EMPLOY­ Presented by his zuidozv, M rs. C. Robinson. his medals to his brother. MENT OF REGULAR SAILORS, SOLDIERS Presented by his brother, ex-CpI. E. S. Duffield DERBY SWEEPSTAKE AND AIRMEN) (TF/1799) late 8th Battalion CHRISTMAS CARD, 4TH BATTALION, 1920 This Association is part of the Forces Resettlement A sweepstake on this year’s Derby is being or­ This battalion Christmas card has the distinct 4th Service and its object is to find suitable employment ganised by the Middlesex Regimental Association in MEDALS OF THE LATE SERGEANT F. J. HOCKING, D.C.M. Battalion badge, or crest, on the front with “ D.C.O., for men and women when they leave the Services aid of the Regimental Charitable Fund. Middlesex Regt.” on the title scroll. It also had the This unique group of medals are those awarded to and in the years thereafter. It is registered as a Tickets, costing 3p each, or 15P for a book of five, ^ ^ B red and yellow ribbon, whereas from 1922 the maroon TF/1027 Lance-Sergeant Francis James Hocking, charity and draws its income from Public Funds will be available shortly. w7ho was the first member of the i.tyth Battalion to Applications for tickets should be made to Major replaced the red in our colouring. The illustration and from the Services Benevolent and Welfare win a decoration in the 1914-18 war and the first R. W . J. Sm ith, m b e , Regimental Headquarters showrs the battalion on parade, Trooping the Colour, Organisations. other rank to be decorated for gallantry7 in this (Middlesex Office), Deansbrook Road, Edgware, at Alameda, Gibraltar, on the occasion of H.M. THE ASSOCIATION GIVES ALL ITS SER­ proud Imperial Service Battalion’s history7. The group M iddlesex. King George’ Vs Birthday, June 3, 1920. The Colour VICES FREE. consists of the Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1914- The following prizes will be awarded: Ensign, carrying the King’s Colour on that occasion 15 Star, British War Medal and Victory7 Medal, all in Its services are available to all who have not 1st prize — 25% of net proceeds. was the donor, then 2/Lt. E. V. H. Hudson. Above mint condition. The citation for the award, reads taken commissioned rank in the Regular Forces 2nd prize — 15% of net proceeds. the seasonal greetings is a quotation from Ben Jonson, “ For gallant conduct and resource on the night of and who leave with character assessments of “ Good” 3rd prize — 10% of net proceeds. “True Happiness consists not in the multitude of May 7, 1915, when a party was covering important or better after more than three years’ service, or The result of the draw and the amount allocated to friends, but in their worth and choice” . Ben Jonson, new works between our own and the German lines. have been invalided from the Services before the Charitable Fund will be notified to all concerned who is buried in Westminster Abbey, with the epitaph The enemy stalked the party, and rushed on them completing three years. and published in The Die-Hards Newsletter in “ O Rare Ben Jonson” on his grave w7as a great char­ from flank and rear. Lance-Sergeant Hocking con­ The Association works in close co-opeartion acter and soldier. He served in Flanders under Sir August next. tinued to act with the greatest courage and coolness, with the Services, the Ministry of Defence and the Francis Vere, and at eighteen years of age, fought, although severely wounded, and gave a fine example Department of Employment, and operates through slaying a Spanish officer and depriving him of his to his men of steadiness and devotion to duty.” This 43 branches covering the United Kingdom, each of ^®iour in single combat. After leaving active service was a hand-to-hand fight, with Germans, who were which is run by an Employment Officer who has THE JOLLY DIE-HARDS he fought a duel with fellow-actor, Gabriel Spencer, experienced trench fighters, jumping in with clubbed been in the Service himself and is in close touch and killed his adversary. It was he who transcribed rifles and knives, on a Territorial unit new to warfare. with local employers. Just released is an ARGO record “Songs and from Philostratus “ Drink to me onlyw7ith thine eyes.” The officer i/c the 7th Battalion party7, Lt. Groser, The Association is at your service. The addresses Music of the Redcoats” , the same as the title of the When he died in 1637, he w7as much admired by grappled with an energetic knife-wielding German and telephone numbers of its branches can be book by Louis Winstock. On the record is “Paddy’s the wits and poets of the day. and after a rough-house killed him. The German obtained from Corps and Regimental Association, Resource” also the sung words of “The Jolly Die- Presented by Colonel E. V. H. Hudson. was found to be wearing the Iron Cross. Sgt. Hocking from Post Offices and from Employment Exchanges. H ards” . 7 6 and his small section held off twice the number of so distinguished at this date. (The other was our 7th PERSONAL JOTTINGS enemy, the casualties at the end of the scrap being Bn. (TF)). There are two letters— one in 1934 and seven dead and twenty wounded Germans and two the other in 1935— written by Burgomaster Max to killed and six wounded Die-Hards, one of whom Captain Budden. One message is of great interest, A staunch old Die-Hard who has been in touch In a letter received early in January', that staunch was Sergeant Frank Hocking who died of his wounds especially to our veterans who were serving in 1914. with us recently is A. Ballard (L/11612) who served member of the Regimental Association, S. C. eleven days later, on May 18, 1915. Lieutenant It is headed “ Headquarters, Aix-la-Chapelle, August in the 1 st Battalion in India before the 1914-18 war. Diamond, who lives up in Cheshire, sent his best Groser wrote of him, “He was a most valuable 19.” and is the order issued by the German Emperor. Although an octogenarian, he still takes a great wishes for the New Year to all Die-Hards. N.C.O. and was absolutely to be relied upon at any It reads “ It is my Royal and Imperial command that interest in what goes on in the Regiment. time we found ourselves in difficulties. He did not you concentrate your energies, for the immediate know when he was beaten, even when wounded and present, upon one single purpose, and that is that you It was a great pleasure to welcome to the New- all odds against him. He set a magnificent example address all your skill and all the valour of my The author of Edith Cavell Biography is trying to Year’s party arranged by the Mill Hill Branch on for all the rest of us who remain. He lived and died a soldiers to exterminate, first the treacherous Engli^t gtace information regarding ex-Pte. T. Bosley of the January 1, 1972, M. and Mme. Faucomprez from gentleman, we of the 7th will never forget him” . walk over General French’s contemptible li^P' P?h Battalion who, it is understood, fought at Mons Cherny, near Gondecourt, who were accompanied Purchased. army. . The answer to that was given on the morn­ on August 23/24, 1914, and subsequently escaped by their son-in-law, ex-Pte. Len Arlington, formerly ing of August 23, when the Die-Hards were given, at after being captured. of the 2nd Battalion. Apart from a recorded message of welcome from MEDALS OF THE LATE 2/LT. S. H. LEAVER Obourg, the command “ Fifteen rounds rapid— Fire!” If any reader can give information about him it the President of The Regimental Association, who Stanley Horace Leaver was commissioned into the Presented by his ividow, M rs. E. J . Blake Budden. would be much appreciated if he would get in touch regiment from the Artists Rifles, that splendid with the Editor. was unavoidably prevented from attending in person, officer-producing unit which supplied so many officers those members who had been so liberally entertained to us during the years 1914-18. Posted to the 5th THE LAST MIDDLESEX REGIMENT BASS DRUM That inveterate old Die-Hard, Major Geoffrey by them during the Regimental visit to Lille last November, subscribed to make a presentation of one (Special Reserve) Battalion at Chatham, he was soon This drum is the last to be carried whilst the nam e^ Bower, still looking young in his eighties, has at last of the recently-acquired Regimental ice buckets in drafted to the B.E.F., joining the 17th (First Foot­ “Middlesex was included in the regiment’s title. It^P finally retired as a solicitor and has moved to the shape of a fully emblazoned side drum. ball) Battalion in the Line. When this battalion was was still in use in the Battalion Corps of Drums, when Sawbridgeworth in Hertfordshire. He gave yeoman disbanded in February 1918, under the reorganisation 4th Battalion The Queen’s Regiment was absorbed service over many years to the 7th (TA) Battalion of the Expeditionary Force, he was transferred to the by the three remaining battalions of the Queen’s and was Adjutant when that Battalion went to Writing from South Africa before Christmas, 21 st (Islington) Battalion. During the German Regiment. The drum is the oldest of musical instru­ Gibraltar at the outbreak of the 1914-18 war. Later, Major David Fettes sent his kindest regards to his offensive in Flanders, the Battalion was with the ments and is prehistoric and an instrument always when the Battalion joined the BEF in France, he old friends and informs us that he is hoping to return 119th Reserve Brigade between Levantie and Fleur- associated with war. The skin is now vellum or parch­ distinguished himself in action and was awarded the to the U K this year for an extended visit. baix. On April 9, 1918, the enemy over-ran the ment but years ago the skin considered the best was M ilitary Cross. He was a former senior partner of the Portuguese Division during the early stages of the that of the ass. The human skin was not at all good firm of Bower Cotton and Bower. W e have recently received information that ex-Pte. Battle of Estaires, causing the 21st Battalion to be when used on drums. The bass, or Turkish, drum is Alfred Franklin (13005), who enlisted at the Depot called forward to plug the gap. The Battalion the largest of the family of drums, and was, if We recently received a letter from C. C. Bradish, in January 1910 and subsequently served in the 3rd suffered very heavy casualties and withdrew across possible, played by the tallest man in the Band or one of the first-class range-takers in the 2/8th and 4th Battalions, is now living in the Worthing the River Lys, the Quartermaster blowing up the Corps of Drums when the unit was on the march or (afterwards 1st) Battalion when it was a Divisional area. He states that he wras on parade at the funeral stores as two C.Q.M.S.s defended the withdrawal ceremonial parade. For many years the bass-drummer Support Battalion in Northern Ireland during the of King Edward VII and at the coronation of King with Lewis guns. During this battle 2/Lt. Leaver in the Band of the 2nd Battalion was Bandsman A. last war. G eorge V . was killed in action. His name appears in the 17th Walker who was 7ft. tall. The drum presented is em­ He is to be congratulated on the award of a blood Battalion Roll of Honour as do a number of others blazoned with all the battle honours borne as the donor’s badge which the Red Cross have made for That wanderer ex-Sgt. Paul Gillies (23460940), who were transferred at that time. He has no known Regiment’s Colours, thirty-nine in all, seventeen giving regular blood donations every six months late of the 1st Battalion, w'as home again for Christmas grave, due to the confused conditions at that stage of gained prior to 1914, ten of the ninety-three awarded since 1943. from Central Africa and was able to attend the New' the war, but his name is commemorated on the for 1914-19, ten of the forty-nine awarded for i 939~ He sends his best wishes to all Die-Hards. Year’s party organised by the Mill Hill Branch. He Ploegsteert Memorial— Plugstreet as the Tommy 45 and two of the seven awarded for the war in Korea. hopes to be home again in May when he will be in called the place— which is apt because he died when Col. Nick Carter, after relinquishing his appoint­ touch w'ith us once more. they plugged the gap. His medals, the British War Presented by Mr. A. Da Costa, the last R.S.M . of ment as Deputy Colonel, 39 Airportable Brigade in Medal, 1914-18, and the Victory Medal, 1914-19, 4th Bn. The Queen's Regiment. Northern Ireland, has been selected to be Colonel We send our heartiest congratulations to the are now on display in the Regimental Museum at (GS), BDLS, Canada. He is due to take up his new following on their promotion to the rank stated: Bruce Castle. appointment in July next. To M ajor Presented by D. W. Leaver, Esq., brother of z/Lt. Capt. G. Goring, with effect from June 30, 1971. Leaver. On completion of his tour of duty on the staff at the Ministry of Defence, Major Gordon Crumley has To Captain PHOTOGRAPH ALBUMS, ETC. OF *THE LATE CAPT. E. J. been posted to 3 Queen’s and he is due to take over Lt. R. J. Claydon, with effect from November 1, 1971. Lt. D. C. F. Gouda, with effect from December 17, BLAKE BUDDEN command of a Company after attending a Company 1971. Details of Capt. Budden’s service are given in the Commanders’ course at the School of Infantry, Lt. G. D. Cripps, with effect from January' 4, 1972. obituary column. Two albums show P.O.W. camp Contributions not appearing in this issue will be Warminster. scenes giving an excellent picture in prison camps acknowledged in the next Newsletter. On successfully completing his course at the Staff 1914-18. The Celle Schloss is well covered in the Quite recently we had news that ex-Pte. R. Davies College, Camberley, Major Peter Gybbon-Monv- albums, a number of photographs showing Adlophe (5718484), who was serving with the 1st Battalion penny has been posted as GSO 2 (Infantry) at the Max, great administrator and Burgomaster of when it formed a part of the Shanghai Defence Force REME Officers’ School, Arborfield, near Reading. Brussels in 1914. It is told that the German com­ in 1927, is now living in the Worthing area. mander in 1914 after the fall of Brussels opened an Our heartiest congratulations to Major Mike interview by laying his revolver on the desk, where­ The first visitor to RHQ at Edgware this year was Hayward on his promotion to Lt.-Colonel with effect upon Max placed beside it his only weapon— his ■ -Cpl. Johnny Day (19022627), who is most punc­ from December 31, 1971. fountain pen. Another photograph shows the 8th tilious in paying his annual subscriptions to the He has been selected to take over command of Battalion officers in camp in 1912, the majority wear­ Regimental Association and the Newsletter. i Queen’s later this year. ing the hooked-up collar and braid epaulette, with NEWSLETTER EXPENSES He served in Palestine with the 2nd Battalion and, badge of rank shown in the slash on the sleeves. since leaving the Service, has been a loyal member of In a letter received early in the New Year, that Some of the officers are wearing on the right breast The Editor gratefully acknowledges a donation the Association. He is now' manager of one of the staunch veteran of the 7th Battalion, ex-Sgt. Percy the “ Imperial Service” brooch first authorised to the from Major L. T. Honeybun towards the expenses districts in the West End of London of 3M (UK) Ltd, of producing The Die-Hards Newsletter. a big marketing company. Hutchins, who won the Military Medal in the 1914-18 battalion, one of the o n l y two T.F. battalions to be 9 war, sends his best wishes to all Die-Hards. Although interview the details which Mrs. “Topsy” Man gave “ put his feet up” in that delightful spot, Maidenhead Fanny Walden and Major Sam Weller, wrho went handicapped by failing eyesight he remains remark­ on the keep-fit classes she has organised in the Blair Thicket. H e states that it w'as 50 years ago on into hospital for operations last November, are now’ ably cheerful, and we hope that he will be able to Atholl area ended up as a prominent feature in the January 9 last that he was first commissioned in the back at duty again. join the party again this year for the pilgrimage to Courier and Advertiser. TA and posted to “B” Company, 8th Battalion, M ons. under the command of Capt. Dark. A well-known figure who will be missed in the When sending a remittance to cover his annual Ex-Sgt. Algy Alfred Jones (6189268), who was a Finchley area is ex-Sgt. R. K. (Monty) Lowe. He Ex-L/Cpl. Joseph Ullman (23278198), whom many subscription to the Regimental Association and the prominent middle-weight boxer in the 1st and 2nd retired on January 18, after giving 47 years of loyal will remember as a former Company clerk in the Newsletter last month, ex-Pte. S. J. Wallace (6196203) Battalions during the years following the 1914-18 war, service to the North Thames Gas Board. He finished 1 st Battalion, has now moved nearer to us at Edgw’are, enclosed a note w'ishing all Die-Hards the best of informs us that his health lately has not been good his career as Manager of the Board’s big showroom so we are hoping to see more of him in the near future. luck. and that he has had to spend many periods in at Finchley Central. Since leaving the Service he has been very busy, not hospital during the past two years. We earnestly He was a keen T A soldier and served for five years, ly in attending to his own jewellery business, but Major-General Sir John Willoughby, who has hope that his health will improve and that the sea air until 1932 in the 9th (TA) Battalion, when Caf^A o in raising a family of four young children. been head of the advisory committee to the new of Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, where he lives, will help him (now Lt.-General Sir Brian) Horrocks was Adjutant. # Union of Arab Emriates in the Persian Gulf, in this respect. During the 1939-45 war he re-enlisted in the T A and Ex-CSM Jock Ure (6199252), writing from officially concluded his duties on December 31 last. was on active service from 1941 onwards with the Newark-on-Trent, sends his very best wishes to all During the past two years Sir John has been i/7th Battalion. We were very sorry indeed to learn of the bad D ie-H ards. working to forge a common defence force for the motor accident in which Major Chris Lawrence’s Emirates in the Union— Bahrain, Dubai, Sharjah, We were very sorry to hear that Major Willoughby wife, Kay, had been involved towards the end of last We are pleased to be able to record that Col. A 1 Fujairah, Ajman, Um al Qaywrayn and Abu Dhabi. Newton was ill in hospital at the beginning of year on the Continent, and her many friends hope November. He is now at home and getting along well. that she is making a good and complete recovery. Ken Partridge, who was a WO2 in the 1st Battalion, # Col. Sammy Lohan, who resigned as secretary of has joined the reformed 6th (Vol) Battalion The the Government’s D-Notices Committee four years Queen’s Regiment and is now installed as CSM of ago, figured prominently in the Sunday Express last “A ” (Mx) Company at Edgware. month when ‘Town Talk’ was asking what had happened to him. Since the food column which he Major David Pike relinquished his appointment as wrote in the London Evening Standard ended in SO2 (Training) at Headquarters, Southern Com­ 1969 he has fully retired and is now living in Cornwall. mand on October 14, 1971. NEW YEAR HONOURS LIST We send our heartiest congratulations to the This photograph of Major-General and Mrs. A belated letter from Major John Pollard gives us following past and serving members of the former Christopher Man with the side drum presented to the news that he went to the U SA last September on Middlesex Regiment (DCO) who received the awards the General as the last Colonel of The Middlesex a two-year exchange posting and is acting as a G SO 2 stated in the recent New Year Honours List: (Training) with the 4th US Mechanised Infantry Division. He states that in the short time that he has OBE been there he has found American friends of Col. Lt-Col. M. F. Leonard, RMP. He left the Regiment John Ormiston, Col. Rex Waller and Major Chris on transfer to the RM P in December 1959, and has Mieville. Apart from his military duties he is ap­ recently moved from NATO to take over the parently doing a lot of rugby football refereeing and appointment of APM at HQ Scotland. recently did a 250-mile round trip to get to one Capt. J. H. Gerrard, m c . He served with distinction match. w'ith the 1st Battalion in N.W. Europe during the 1939-45 war and, since then, he has had a very When sending his greetings at Christmas time, successful career with the Metropolitan Police, Col. Jimmy Reid informed us that his son, James, attaining the rank of Deputy Assistant Commis­ who is in the American Armed Forces, is now a Lt.- sioner. Colonel and is Assistant Military Attaché in Buenos Aires. On completion of a course at the Staff School BEM this year he has been earmarked as Military Attaché, Peru. Ex-RSM R. G. Overy, a former RSM of the 1st Battalion, for his services with the cadets in It came to light recently that there is another Die- Somerset. Hard in the Star and Garter Home for disabled ex- servicemen. He is ex-Pte. Albert Horace Smithers (6192181) who, during the 1914-18 war, served with the Royal Sussex Regiment. Whilst with the Army of Occupation in Germany in 1919 he was trans­ ferred to the Middlesex Regiment and posted to the 3rd Battalion. He served with that Battalion until it w’as disbanded in 1922, when he took his discharge.

Our congratulations to Major Clive Summers Over a Century-old Partnership . . . his marriage last November to Mrs. E. Joan R ym e^ 1^ Like the Services, we have a tradition to uphold, at the same time taking ad­ a widow, and our best wishes for their future Parsons vantage of scientific progress in this age of mechanisation, yet maintaining, happiness. through a special department, a personal and helpful link with our customers, Regiment (DCO) and the first Deputy Colonel and whom we are ever willing to advise and assist in the production of their journals (Middlesex) The Queen’s Regiment was taken by a Col. Max Summers writes to tell us that he has at F I ninnnilA 1 Tn The Adelphi, John Adam St., London WC2N representative from the Dundee Courier and A dverti­ long last retired, given up his medical practice at . J. rAKoUNo LIU 6AY. Telephone 01-839 7151. Works at Has­ Printing tings, Folkestone, Bexhill and Lewes. ser during a recent interview. Resulting from this Burnham, and found a peaceful place where he can

1 0 11 I s h e r w o o d — In November 1971, ex-Sgt. Ernest Reserve in August 1908. He was again embodied Isherwood, d c m , aged 81. He enlisted on January 21, when war was declared in August 1914 and served OBITUARY 1915, in the Royal Field Artillery and, on joining with the 2nd Battalion in France until May 1917 the BEF in France, he was transferred to our when he was transferred to the Labour Corps. Regiment and posted to the 12th (Service) Battalion. He wras discharged on completion of his engage­ He took part in the Somme battles with this m ent on M arch 31, 1920. It is with much regret that we have to announce until 1933 when he returned to England from Battalion, including the Battle of Thiepval on S m i t h — On November 17, 1971, at King Edward’s that the following have died: Egypt on a Pay Duties appointment. He later September 26, 1916. He showed great gallantry during the Third Battle of the Scarpe on May 3, Hospital, Ealing, ex-Pte. William Smith. He B a c l e y — On November 17, 1971, Major George transferred to the RAPC as a Captain and Pay­ enlisted in “ F” Company of the 8th (TF) Battalion Oliver Turner Bagley, aged 83. He was commis­ master and remained with that Corps until he 1917, and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. He was wounded in action in March 1918 in 1912. On the outbreak of the 1914-18 war he sioned into the Regiment on August 29, 1906, and retired in 1949. posted to the 3rd Battalion. He served with that and was evacuated to this country. On recovering was embodied and served with the 8th Battalion in from his wounds he joined the 6th (Special Gibraltar and France until he was demobilised in Battalion in the Far East and India until M ay 1914 D e a n — On January 26, 1972, peacefully after a sh^^ 1919. He was a real old Die-Hard and a popular when he did a tour of duty with the West Africa illness, the Rev. Michael Dean, of St. Paul’s, Mill •Reserve) Battalion at Chatham and later he was member of the Ealing Branch, by whom he will Regiment in Sierra Leone. After a period of active Hill. During his incumbency of St. Paul’s he had posted to the 32nd (Reserve) T F Battalion, from service in the Cameroons he was invalided home in been officiating chaplain to the Middlesex Regi­ which unit he was demobilised on March 3, 1919. be much missed. February 1915 with blackwater fever. On his mental Depot at Inglis Barracks until it ceased to a n s d e l l W h i t b y — On November 23, 1971, ex-L/Cpl. Sidney recovers- he joined the 1st Battalion in France and function as such in February 1961. Subsequently L — On November 26, 1971, ex-Pte. Leslie James Whitby (6203938) aged 54. He enlisted into took part in all the actions fought by that Battalion he always kept in touch with RHQ at Edgware and Lansdell (6201452) aged 56. He was a member of the Regiment in October 1937 and, on completion except for the period when he was recovering from he gladly officiated on more than one occasion at “C ” Company, 1st Battalion, when the Japanese of his recruit training, he was posted to the 2nd wounds. In April and June 1916 he took over our services held in the Garrison Chapel at Inglis^^ attacked Hong Kong in December 1941 and was Battalion. Later he was drafted to the 1st Battalion temporary command of the Battalion and again in Barracks. ^ subsequently a PoW. He was also on the ill-fated 1918 during the Battle of Meteren. Throughout Lisbon Maru when that ship was torpedoed and and was a young NCO in “C” Company when the the war he was a veritable front-line soldier. After F i t z g e r a l d — On December 2, 1971, in Courtlands sunk in October 1942. After being rescued he was Japanese attacked Hong Kong in December 1941. hostilities ceased he resumed his substantive rank Hospital, Worthing, Thirza Ann, beloved wrife of interned in Kobe PoW camp. For the last ten After the fall of the fortress he was a PoW in No. 2 of Captain and remained with the 1st Battalion. Councillor William Fitzgerald, a former Warrant years of his life he lived in one of the Regimental Shinagawa, Tokio, until released at the surrender He served with that Battalion until 1922 when he Officer in our 9th Battalion (TA). Mrs. Fitzgerald Memorial Homes in Albuhera Close, Enfield. of the Japanese forces in August 1945. He was retired with the rank of major. He went to live in w-as a former Welfare Officer with the Ministry of finally discharged in 1946. California where he became renowned as a typical Defence and interested herself in many charitable R o b i n s o n — On September 27, 1971, ex-L/Cpl. English gentleman of the old school. He was a causes. Charles Robinson, aged 86. He enlisted in the 5th staunch Die-Hard to the end and, only a short time (Militia) Battalion on November 29, 1901, under F u r n i s — On December 1 2 , 1 9 7 1 , Alice Furnis, before he died, wrote “ It shows once more the the name of Clarke, and after training was embodied Obituaries of the following, whose deaths have aged 80. She was the widow of the late ex-RSM on January 6, 1902, for service in South Africa been announced, will be published in the May fact that all Die-Hards form a happy clan whose “ Shan” Furnis, 3rd Battalion, and made a point traditions and achievements cannot be surpassed” . where we were at war with the Boers. After eight issue of this Newsletter : of attending all regimental functions until a month months’ active service he was disembodied. On Capt. C. W. Bower, Mr. E. Fuller, Capt. R. D. before her sudden and unexpected death. She will its introduction he re-engaged in the Special Latham, Major A. E. Morris. B i d d e n — On November 1 5 , 1971, Capt. Eustace be sorely missed at the “ 3rd Battalion table” where James Blake Budden, aged 80. He enrolled into all the surviving members of that Battalion would the Territorial Forces on April 1, 1910, when he assemble for a drink after any ceremony organised was commissioned in our 8th (TF) Battalion. In by the Regimental Association. August 1914 he was in Germany studying for a science degree and, as a T F officer, w as imprisoned H a d l e y — On December 3, 1971, ex-Sgt. Robert two days before war was declared. He remained a William Hadley, aged 83. With the decease of Bob prisoner throughout the war and spent his time Hadley the Regiment, and particularly the old 3rd learning Russian, in which he became fluent. After Battalion, has lost a thoroughly dedicated Die- the war he went as a member of the staff- of the Hard. He enrolled with the 6th (Militia) Battalion special force to North Russia. For his services he in October 1907 and transferred to the Regular was mentioned in despatches and awarded the Army in January 1908, when he was posted to the^k Russian Order of St Stanislaus. He returned on 4th Battalion, then serving in Ireland. In 1910 he " leave to this country in September 1919 but two was posted to the 3rd Battalion, and saw service months later he again went to Russia, this time as in the Far East and India. He returned home with a staff officer writh General Holman’s mission to the Battalion on the outbreak of war in 1914, and South Russia. In June 1920 he joined the Army went with it to join the BEF in January 1915. He of Occupation in Constantinople as RTO and was was invalided home in 1916 and posted to the 6th demobilised in 1922. In 1939 he joined the (Special Reserve) Battalion at Chatham. He was Government Communications Bureau, remaining eventually discharged in September 1920. In 1923 there until 1947 when he was transferred to the he joined Section D of the Army Reserve and Foreign Office. He finally retired in 1954. served with it until 1927. At the outbreak of the 1939-45 war he became a member of the War C l o w e s — On October 30, 1971, Lt.-Col. John Henry Reserve Metropolitan Police and served in this Clowes, aged 73. On leaving the RM C, Sandhurst, force until June 1941 when he was accepted into he was commissioned into the Regiment on M ay 1, the Royal Corps of Signals. His ability and 1917, at the age of 18. By the end of that month experience were soon recognised and it was he was in France, having been posted to the 2nd long before he was promoted Sergeant and a^= Battalion. On July 31, 1917, exactly two months pointed Provost Sergeant. He was finally discharged after his arrival in the BEF, he w as wounded during in 1944. Until a short time before his death he was the Battle of Pilkem Ridge. He was eventually a regular visitor to RHQ at Edgware and always sent back to this country for treatment and later joined in whatever was going on. His family and joined the 1st Battalion on its re-formation after his many friends in the Regimental Association the war. He served with that Battalion continuously will miss him, but we shall never forget him.

1 2 13 ASSOCIATION NEWS from the area to take up residence in Westbury, Again, we have to record with sorrow the deaths Wilts. We hope the memento we gave him has found of three of our comrades— ex-Sgt. Sidney Tatt, who an ideal resting place— good luck Fred. But we hope died on November 23, 1971, H. V. Cousins on June Secretary’s Notes tion and their representative w ho attended the funeral to link up with them at any social function from time 22, 1971, and C. F. Verralman in October 1971. All of her father. We, as a Branch, join in these thanks. to time. these members served with the Battalion in 1914. Annual General Meeting Cheer-oh, Die-Hards, all the best for 1972. We had a Christmas get-together at the December The Committee hope that your shadow's have not A l b e r t W h i t e . meeting, only six attending, namely Peggy O’Neill, grown less and wish you the best of health. r . t . m . The Annual General Meeting of the Regimental Bert Hastie, Mr. and Mrs. NcNeill, Carol Charles Association will be held at the Porchester Hall, HOUNSLOW BRANCH and Ethel Deans, but the exchange of gifts we had W.O.’s AND SGTS.’ BRANCH Queenswav, London W2, on Saturday, May 13, arranged caused a bit of amusement, and everyone 1972, at 8 p.m. No doubt the other Branches of the Die-Hards enjoyed themselves. As w'e look forward to 1972 with hope in our hearts Association have been wondering if we are still in ^^Lofty was quite elated w'ith his trip overseas to the for good health, good fortune and success to the Benevolent Cases existence, owing to the lack of publicity in ^^^ichael Trotobas memorial, and was very impressed Branch, we can look back on 1971 with a certain News-letter. For this the writer of these few' not^r During the quarter ended December 31, 1971, w'ith the ceremony and arrangements. amount of satisfaction from our first meeting, despite must accept a certain amount of blame, but perhaps the sum of £706 66 was expended from the Charit­ We are now eagerly looking forward to the Annual the Postal strike which prevented us from keeping in in future we will remedy this shortcoming. able Fund in grants to 54 ex-members of the Regi­ Reunion and linking up with our old friends once contact with members, attendances wrere bigger, In fact we have been in the process of consolidating ment, or their dependants. again. more interest was shown and greater support was our relatively young Branch, and have now' firmly To our invalids— Les Honeybun and Jack Deans— given by members and their ladies than in previous established ourselves on the map in Hounslow. Donations— Charitable Fund we wish a speedy recovery. years. At the final meeting of the year in December, During the past year we have enjoyed some very Happy New Year to all our Branches. over 70 members and guests wrere present to enjoy The Secretary gratefully acknowledges donations successful socials and outings, notably the Military' the sing-song, Christmas draw and running buffet, to the Charitable Fund from Major P. G. V. Bellers, Music Pageant at Wembley, when unfortunately,^^ ^ R. M cN . the latter being organised by our very good friend, Major F. H. Blackburn, Mr. D. E. S. Cavill, Capt. we were part of a msssive traffic jam and missed part^ T Mrs. Ivy Clarke. Among the guests present w'ere W. H. Craydon, Major D. J. V. Fettes, Mr. R. H. of the show! Next time we will not be caught out. 9TH BATTALION BRANCH Brigadier and Mrs. B. B. Rackham, Col. and Mrs. F. Green, Mr. F. H. Nash, m b e , and Brigadier N. P. Our now annual visit to the ranges as guests of 5 Walden, Lt.-Col. and Mrs. J. D. Gunnell, Major Procter, c b e , m c . Queens was also greatly enjoyed, though one is left The most important function of the 9th’s is the and Mrs. A. E. Peasley, Major and Mrs. R. Cain and wondering by the results of our shooting if most Annual Dinner on April 22 at the Victory Ex- Major M. Beaumont, all of w'hom have written since, Church Service at The Royal Hospital, Chelsea members only go for the beer! We were also well Services Club, Seymour Street, W.2. saying how very much they enjoyed themselves and A party of about three dozen members and their represented at the service at St. Pauls. A very well When one realises that these dinners have been how delighted they were at meeting old friends, also families, headed by the Deputy Colonel and Mrs. attended Branch dinner at the “Sun” , Hounslow', held continuously since 1921, except for the war expressing their hopes that it will not be the last time Clayton, attended a church service at The Royal in October was followed by a social at the Drill Hall, years, well it is not for us to stop them yet. they are invited to a Branch function. Major Bert Hospital, Chelsea, on Sunday, October 31, 1971. and judging by the number of people trying to The Committee does earnestly ask all those who Peasley has now'joined the Branch and wre are looking Prior to the service our Old Comrades, under the acquire sleeping bags later speaks for itself, or perhaps have been connected with the Battalion, before and forward to seeing both him and Mrs. Peasley at our command of Major R. W. J. Smith, m b e , and with they did not fancy having to blow in the Bag on the after the amalgamation with the R.A., to turn up on monthly meetings. the Association Standard carried by Mr. R. H. journey home? that night if they are physically able to do so. I know- Ferguson, were inspected by the Deputy Governor, O f course one cannot go through the year without many who will not be able to make it but from their Major-General Sir Nigel Tapp, k b e , c b , d s o . some loss in a small club like ours and losses in­ letters their thoughts will be w-ith us. After the service a buffet lunch was provided in cluded “Drummy” Wales and “Ginger” Lee, who If you are on our mailing list, you w ill be informed the Pensioners’ Club. have moved out of the district. As Bill Wales w'as a of the details in March. If you are not, let us have F. W . prime mover in recreating the Hounslow Branch his your name, etc. please. soberly influence w’ill be sorely missed, and w'e wish The other social events w'hich are a must, are the Peter McRae EALING BRANCH him and his wife all the best for the future in their Albuhera Service at St. Pauls and the Association & COMPANY LIMITED new surroundings in the Marlow area. Laurie Lee, Reunion at Porchester Hall on May 13. The Ealing Borough Council has lost no time in another stalwart, moved to the more rural Trow- At the Armistice Day Service at Mill Hill we were carrying out their proposals for the old TA Head­ bridge, to open up another illicit still we have been very well represented, which the Committee noted Life Assurance Consultants quarters in the Drill Hall, Ealing. told! To him and his wife go our regards also. with pleasure. The old folks who have worked there under the Our Branch meets every Thursday and of course Among the Christmas greetings sent this year, in- Insurance and Mortgage Brokers guidance of the Welfare Committee have been moved we extend invitations to any ex-“ Die-Hard” if he is in eluded those from Capt. J. T. Kemp in Ankara, to other quarters and the premises have been taken our vicinity to pay us a visit, where he will be made Turkey; Major H. Sherw'ood, t . d . ; C/Sgt. C. King, over by the Youth Department as a Youth Centre. most welcome, our only proviso being that he must Royal Hospital, Chelsea; Percy Fice; Tiny Mellows; 14-16 West Street, East Grinstead, Official Leaders are there and when I looked in • bring his ow-n darts, or maybe it will excite the wrath T. G. Richards and Johnnie Johnson. Sussex recently there were about 60 young people taking of Mick Ward or Henry Rae, who it appears have A very enjoyable evening w'as spent at Austin part in various activities. Telephone: East Grinstead 25977 aspirations of becoming, perhaps, another Jim Pike, Reed Ltd., the gentlemen’s outfitters of Regent Everything appeared well organised and, apart despite the pleas of Tom Trindall, our able barman, Street on November 2, 1971. The Directors of the from the noise of the “Juke Box”, I was quite im­ to be allowed to show his skill on the board. firm invited some of us to a private view of an Exhibi­ pressed. Lots of work has to be done by the builders Did you know that besides protecting G o r d o n Y o u n g . tion called “The Die-Hards”, where a colourful but it should eventually be a very good centre. your family, life assurance can assist in display of uniforms, regalia and personal mementoes The Senior Youth Leader has invited the Ealing of the Middlesex Regiment through the ages was other fields, such as education, house Branch to visit the Centre once every quarter to have PORTSMOUTH AND GOSPORT BRANCH displayed. This was opened by Lt.-General Sir purchase, pension, and estate duty? We a chat in his office, for which we are very grateful, as Meetings have been held regularly each month Brian Horrocks, k . c . b ., k . b . e . , d . s . o ., m . c ., w ho gave otherwise we should be on the street. specialise in the needs of service person­ since the last issue although attendances have been us a brief history of the Regiment and he did not The Albuhera Bar, where so many old Die-Hards nel and would be pleased to advise. poor, but the few' faithfuls get together each month, forget the Ninth. Our salutations to the Directors have quenched their thirst, is being pulled down to and by doing so keep the Branch alive. a jolly good show. On December 6, 1971, two of We make no charges make way for “showers” and other conveniences so Even with the few we manage to have an enjo^^ /isited Worthing, Sussex, for the Cremation Ser­ the “ghosts” of the old Die-Hards will see “external” able evening, nattering over past and future events. t vice of Mrs. Thirza Fitzgerald, the wife of William D. instead of “ internal” liquids! If all the promises to attend from our ex-members we Fitzgerald, one of our oldest members. They had We also have departments specialising We wish them well and maybe some of the lads meec in the locality were kept, we could develop into been married 47 years and after living at Wembley in other forms of general insurances will end up in the “ Queen’s”. a strong, healthy Branch. for many years, returned to Worthing in 1964, but which are at your service I, as Secretary, had a letter from the daughter of Our numbers have been further depleted with the still Bill came to our functions. Our deepest sym­ the late Bill Smith, who wishes to thank the Associa­ departure of Mr. and Mrs. F. Wigg who have moved pathy goes to him in his bereavement. 14 15 The year though was not without its sadness and must be, I am sure, many more ex-members of the sorrow, for not only were we called upon to pay our W.O.s and Sgts. Mess who at some time or the other, last respects to Bill Lewis who passed away in think of the past and the friends they made. Well October and Bob Hadley who passed away in here’s the chance of renewing that friendship. The December, but also Jim Davis met with two acci­ atmosphere at our monthly meetings is the same as dents, the first in the early part of the year just after that which prevailed in the mess and with the ladies being discharged from hospital, severely injuring his present, it is given a happy family party spirit. Then back, and the second one in October injuring his again, being held in the W .O.s and Sgts. Mess, makes shoulder; Pat Maloney had a lung removed, Les one feel back home again. Honeybun met with an accident and was admitted to Now should anyone be interested either drop me hospital suffering from severe concussion and com­ a line for further particulars— my address is 78 Deans pound fracture of the leg, and myself once again Lane, Edgware, Middlesex— or better still come being admitted to hospital and having more of my along with your wife or friend to one of our meetin^H innards removed. All of us I am happy to say are which are held on the second Saturday each monffi making progress and look forward to a brighter 1972. at 7.30 p.m. in the W.O.s and Sgts. Mess, Deans- Now for 1972 as regards to health, happiness and brook Drill Hall at the corner of Deansbrook Road good fortune, they are in the hands of he who has the and High Street, Edgware, Middlesex. If I do not power to grant them, but as regards success to the happen to see you come in and if you do not know Branch, that is in the hands of its members. Given the me, just ask anyone for me and I will make myself support they received in 1971, the committee, I can known to you. I can assure you of a hearty welcome. promise, will do all they can to ensure that 1972 will To all “Die-Hards” we send greetings and best be an even more successful year. I should also like wishes for good health and prosperity and to all^k to look upon 1972 as a year of increased membership. branches success in this year of 1972. At the end of last year we had a membership of 52, but only 38 of these were paid-up members. There L e n J o h n s o n .

BRANCHES The following is an up-to-date list of branches, giving details of dates and places where meetings are held:

Branches Hon. Secretary Meetings Place E aling Mr. A. White, 2nd Thursday in the Leeland Youth Centre, 56 Warkworth Gardens, months of March, June, Churchfield Road, Isleworth, Middlesex. September and December. W. Ealing, W 13

H o n g K o n g Lt. D. Crowther, Annually, during RHKDF Volunteer c o Volunteer Officers Me 3rd week in January C entre, RH KDF, Beaconsfield Queen’s Road Central House, 2nd Floor, H ong K on g Queen's Road Central, H o n g K on g.

Hornsey and Mr. H. Thornton, Quarterly, usually TA Centre, E nfield 6 William House, on a Wednesday Priory Road, Orchard Place, Hornsey, N8 Lon d on N 1 7

Mr. G. Young, Monthly, on last T A C entre, 126 Lilliput Avenue, T hu rsday Han worth Road, Northolt, Middlesex Hounslow, Middlesex

Mr. H. L. Seldon, Monthly, on last T A C entre, 42 Bunns Lane, Saturday Deansbrook Road, Mill Hill, NW7 Edgware, Middlesex

Portsmouth Mr. R. McNeil, Monthly, on 2nd R A F A C lub , and Gosport 22 Whitworth Road, F riday Stoke Road, Gosport, Hants Gosport, Hants (near White Hart Hotel)

U xbrid ge M r. J. D ickie, Monthly on 3rd Battle of Britain Club, 139 Dane Road, F riday Hillingdon Road, Southall, Middlesex Uxbridge, Middlesex

2 '7th Battalion Major R. E. Robotham, M C, TD, Y e a r ly , on 1st Victory Ex-Services Club, 39 Cyprus Avenue, Friday in October. 73 Seymour Street, Finchley, N3 Dinner Club only Lon d on , W 2

9th Battalion Mr. R. T. Meers, Monthly, on last T A C entre, 87 Tudor Court South, T h u rsd ay Deansbrook Road, Wembley, Middlesex Edgware, Middlesex

W O's and Sergeants M r. L. R. Johnson, Monthly, on 2nd Sergeants Mess, 78 Deans Lane, Saturday T A C entre, Edgware, Middlesex Deansbrook Road, Edgware, Middlesex

All Die-Hards are cordially invited to attend any of the above branch meetings.

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