THE JOURNAL OF THE FORCES PENSION SOCIETY

AUTUMN 2020 No 174

Owl Men of Salisbury Plain Encouraging our wildlife

Archaeology on the Plain Interviews: BFBS Chairman; Veterans’ Affairs Director A short history of statues Covid diary Royal Hospital: old soldiers keep busy

Forces Pension Society President Chairman Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier GCB CBE DFC Sir Gerry Berragan KBE CB Contents 54 Vice Presidents Council The journal of the Forces Pension Society Admiral of the Fleet the Lord Boyce KG GCB OBE DL Bill Mahon Lieutenant General Sir David Capewell KCB OBE David Marsh CBE Issue No 174 – November 2020 Air Marshal Sir Christopher Coville KCB Bill Moore CBE Marshal of the Royal Air Force the Lord Craig GCB OBE Nicky Murdoch MBE Admiral Sir Philip Jones GCB DL Paul Quinn OBE 6 Chief Executive’s foreword 38 Forces Pension Society AGM Vice Admiral Sir Michael Moore KBE LVO Lorna Swinyard-Jordan Report on this year’s virtual event Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford GCB CBE Jonny Westbrooke 7 Editorial General the Lord Ramsbotham GCB CBE Jonathan Wheeler OBE 39 Big Issues General the Lord Richards GCB CBE DSO DL Anna Wright 8 Royal Hospital Chelsea An update on the McCloud case Field Marshal the Lord Walker GCB CMG CBE DL Founded 1946 Old soldiers winning through General Sir Peter Wall GCB CBE DL Honorary Members 40 Mary Petley explains Kate Adie CBE DL Published for private circulation by 12 Covid Diary Family pension entitlements Jim Dooley Esq Forces Pension Society, 68 South Goth Cheerful takes you The Baroness Fookes of Plymouth DBE DL Lambeth Road, Vauxhall, London through the past six months 42 Armed Forces Bereavement SW8 1RL. Any non-member readers Scholarship Scheme Office Staff and Contact Details wishing to join should go to 16 Owl Men of Salisbury Plain Chief Executive: Major General Neil Marshall OBE www.forcespensionsociety.org A day out ringing barn owls 46 American Civil War Chief of Staff: Brigadier Matthew Lowe MBE 020 7840 6612 and follow the instructions. What’s it got to do with Head of Pensions: Captain Charlie King RN 020 7840 6619 19 DCDC looks to the future our pensions? Deputy Head of Pensions: Mr Mike Davis 020 7840 6615 The Society is not responsible for MOD thinktank the Development, Senior Pension Adviser: Mrs Wendy Bandeira 020 7840 6610 the opinions, advice and factual Concepts and Doctrine Centre 47 Forces MoneyPlan Pensions Adviser: Mr Terry Anderson 020 8017 9545 content of advertisements and Pro bono generic financial advice Pensions Adviser: Miss Charlotte Cooper 020 7350 0110 articles contributed by authors 22 Don’t forget Germany! Pensions Adviser: Mr Neil Knowles 020 8017 9544 other than the editorial staff, British Forces Germany is no 50 FPS Christmas cards Pensions Adviser: Mrs Alisa Lakeman-Ford 020 7840 6618 nor can the Society hold itself more, but it is still a fantastic Pensions Adviser: Mr Nick Moody 020 7840 6613 responsible for any transactions place to go on holiday 51 FPS merchandise Pensions Adviser: Mr Colin Thomas 020 8017 9548 resulting from advertisements Head of Membership: Commander Andy Straw 020 7840 6617 reproduced without permission 24 Archaeology on Salisbury Plain 54 From the archives Deputy Head of Membership: Mr Paddy Butler 020 8017 1581 in writing from the Editor. There’s more to digging than The wartime tale of Sgt Joss Membership Advisers: Miss Harsha Vadgama & Ms Ceri Ball 020 7840 6616 infantry trenches Head of Digital & Brand: Mrs Joanne Fitton-Bates 020 7840 6611 Front cover picture 56 Not the 2020 Olympics Roadshow Manager: Colonel David Roberts 07500 721 699 Owl and Raptor Group, Salisbury 28 The best place to be a veteran? We row back the years Pension Enquiries Email [email protected] Plain Training Area (East), July 2020 Pennant interviews David Society Website forcespensionsociety.org Photo: Hugo Fletcher Richmond, Director of the new 60 The Pennant Quiz Office for Veterans’ Affairs Test your knowledge and win £30 Editor Advisers and Consultants Col Hugo Fletcher OBE 30 A brief history of statues 64 Gardening in winter Investments: Forces Pension Society Investment Company Ltd, 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL 07786 831 355 Use, reuse, mistaken identity RHS expert Guy Barter on how to Auditors: Knox Cropper Chartered Accountants, 65 Leadenhall St, London EC3A 2AD [email protected] and neglect prepare now for next spring Marketing: MIS Consulting Limited, Barrowpoint, Warren Corner, Froxfield, Petersfield GU32 1BJ Armed Forces Pensions: Mrs Mary Petley MBE JP Published by Square7 Media 36 British Forces Broadcasting 66 Adaptive Grand Slam Account Director: Gaynor Garton An interview with BFBS Chair Disabled team on top of the world Editorial Manager: Kate Wheal Major General Chris Wilson Art and Design: Charlotte Russell 80 In praise of Italy The Objectives of the Society For advertising enquiries contact: The Monte San Martino Trust • To secure equitable pension conditions, in line with • The Society promotes these objectives in [email protected] om

modern good practice, for all ranks of all three Services co- operation with other Service and civilian c 84 Book in focus: Lord Haldane both serving and retired, their widows, widowers, organisations for all past, present and future k. Statesman and example to all partners, civil partners and dependants. members of the Armed Forces. • To advise and assist members of the Society on day-to- Printing 87 Book reviews day pension problems and related issues, so as to enable The Society is funded by its members and is a wholly YM Chantry Ltd, Wakefield, hutterstoc 30 them to make informed decisions on their future. independent not-for-profit limited company. West Yorkshire S-F / S 90 Book competition

4 Pennant AUTUMN 2020 AUTUMN 2020 Pennant 5 editorial Chief Executive’s Foreword E ditorial The Society has notched up several notable achievements Staying in touch with the lighter side

during a time of unprecedented change Neil Marshall as well as the serious issues Hugo Fletcher

n May’s Pennant, I observed that – furlough or otherwise – and our continuously improving website any years ago, whilst practical Dutchman, who we all knew we were “living in extraordinary demand for our services seems likely at www.forcespensionsociety.org serving on the NATO HQ silently fancied the foxy Rumanian Itimes” and although the world to increase, particularly in light of the or by joining our growing band of Mstaff in Sarajevo, I was doctor, seized his chance, fixed her Forces Pensions 2021 was heading into uncharted waters, McCloud case (see page 39). followers on Facebook, Twitter and involved in an important meeting to with a basilisk stare and said: “Shall I The September Consumer Price we were determined to maintain And our reputation remains strong, LinkedIn. determine the future shape and size compare thee to a summer’s day?” Index, used to calculate any increase “business as usual” as far as possible. evidenced by the BBC Radio 4 Money In campaigning terms, the issue of the NATO mission. “Blimey,” I thought. to Armed Forces pensions in payment I am hugely grateful for the plaudits Box seeking our contribution to their of the moment remains the ‘McCloud The meeting was chaired by a The clever and urbane Italian from the following April, is normally we received for May’s Pennant, live broadcast on 23 September on case’. On 7 October, I formally capable, charming and energetic Naval Captain merely smiled, leant published in Pennant. This year, it which, for many, provided a welcome financial support available to the submitted the Society’s response German Brigadier, one of the sanest across to me and said: “Villain what was not available as we printed – but dose of normality in an otherwise Armed Forces community. Our Senior to the Treasury-led public voices in the HQ, but he did both look hast thou done?” (which comes from it can be found on our website. surreal environment. Indeed, several Pension Adviser, Wendy Bandeira, consultation and we await the and speak like Herr Flick from ‘Allo, Titus Andronicus – I looked it up). heralded it as the “best ever” edition. gave a seven-minute barnstorming outcome. A decision is expected ‘Allo!, so that was his nickname. This was all very impressive, for Following that was always going performance, which remains available either later this or early next year. It had been a long day and when I considered what foreign right, but it didn’t stop us coming to a to be a challenge, but I trust that on BBC iPlayer! And, of course, all our deliberations discussion finally coalesced around writers I could quote, it came down to sensible decision. Hugo and the team have more In many respects, Covid-19 allowed with government are set against two potential courses of action, a bit of Clausewitz and some Henning I mention this because although than met my (not entirely helpful) us to accelerate initiatives that were the backdrop of the challenging Options 1a or 2b. Before coming to Wehn one-liners from Just a Minute. we are now living through a crisis, riding instructions of “higher, already under way, introducing more fiscal situation. As I reported at our a final decision, Herr Flick asked if I was sufficiently concerned about keeping a sense of proportion and further, faster, more!” flexible working and implementing AGM on 8 September, in all our anyone had any last points to make. my ignorance that I immediately indeed fun remains important. And in the spirit of continuous a webinar-based capability to engagements with the MOD and It was a cheap laugh, but worth it, asked my wife to send me a selection And that requires striking the right improvement I can report several supplement our Roadshows and government, assurances are provided I felt, after the long day, so I stood, of works from Molière, Schiller and balance, which is what I hope we notable achievements since Resettlement briefings. These have that public service including Armed mustered all my gravitas, and said: Dante. If coronavirus continues, I have done in this issue of Pennant. Easter, starting with highlighting proved a great success, though they Forces pensions in payment remain “2b or not 2b, that is the question.” might get round to reading them. We have tried to remain current, the positivity, adaptability and safe. However, that does not mean To my astonishment, this unleashed Once the Frenchman had finished while at the same time keeping to a steadfastness of the Vauxhall team. the government will not seek ways a simultaneous and impromptu his soliloquy, Herr Flick turned to me minimum things that you might A full working from home operating In July, we saw the second to reduce the future costs of public Shakespeare masterclass from all and said: “Colonel Fletcher, I sink you read elsewhere. model was ‘up and running’ by the highest ever number of service pensions. So we remain around me. The French Colonel, are a vey frivolous officer.” That’s There are certainly some serious time lockdown arrived and is likely to connected to the wider policy and eager to show that he was the most how he spoke. He was probably bits, which include the Development, remain for a while. joiners in a seven-day period pension community, highlighting cultured in the room, stood up and Concepts and Doctrine Centre piece, Much as we look forward to a the centrality of the Armed Forces started to deliver the whole Hamlet interviews with the Director of the return to Vauxhall (not least for the will never fully replace live ‘in place’ pension, both as part of the ‘offer’ soliloquy; the jolly Spaniard began on A lthough we are living Office for Veterans’ Affairs and the camaraderie, collaboration, and team presentations. and as a fundamental pillar, Falstaff’s speech in praise of sherry Chairman of BFBS, as well as the well-being), my priority remains And having reviewed our sustaining selfless commitment and from Henry IV, which I suppose was through a crisis, a sense of pensions and finance pages. There are my duty of care to the team and the communications efforts, we have operational effectiveness. apposite; and the rather serious and fun remains important some inspirational pieces – from the continued provision of an excellent settled on a blend of member Finally, I would like to thank those Royal Hospital Chelsea and Monte service to our members. communications that will provide of you who ‘tuned in’ to our AGM San Martino. There is some ‘green We are identifying practices to help access to the information you need, on 8 September (see page 38). This and pleasant land’ from Salisbury shape our future business model and when you need it. was not how we wanted to stage Plain; some history (of statues); a having overcome some inevitable Pennant will remain a bi-annual the AGM – but it worked. We trust touch of nostalgia from the Olympics frictions, we are operating efficiently digital and print magazine, published normality returns in 2021 for our 75th and Germany; and a look forward to and effectively. in May and November, supplemented anniversary, so place a marker in your where you might go this Christmas April and May brought a dip in by bi-annual e-newsletters in diaries for Wednesday 9 June in the if you are allowed to – and how you membership inflow, but concerted between. And following on the Queen Mary Undercroft, Old Royal might occupy yourself if you are efforts to boost brand awareness soon back of two member webinars in Naval College, Greenwich. We are not. There’s also a bit of unashamed bore fruit. Late July saw the second September and October, we now plan very grateful to the First Sea Lord for frivolity from Goth Cheerful’s diary. highest ever number of joiners in a regular webinars hosted by me and inviting the Society to host our 2021 I hope you enjoy it and have a very seven-day period. supported by a pension adviser to AGM in such grand surroundings, to Happy Christmas. We now sit on the cusp of 60,000 answer questions. set our course for the next 75 years! members, are running to budget, have And the latest news, updates and Please continue to let us know what LEFT: Green and pleasant land – the not sought any government assistance member offers are always available on you think – [email protected] Salisbury Plain Training Area

6 Pennant AUTUMN 2020 AUTUMN 2020 Pennant 7 chelsea pensioners

soldiers, all part of the family, proud to belong, and proud to represent the Hospital. R oyal Hospital Chelsea They very much missed Oakapple (Founder’s) Day, usually the heart The Royal Hospital has been looking after Chelsea Pensioners for more than 300 of the Hospital’s calendar and years. Pennant finds out how it has managed to navigate the current Covid crisis. elsewhere. But it hasn’t all been bad. Several pensioners felt the crisis had brought here is nothing quite like the them closer together, and made Royal Hospital at Chelsea. them more tolerant. Many admitted TAlthough Charles II cribbed the to reading more and enjoying it. idea from Louis XIV, who built Les All felt their experience as soldiers Invalides to look after old soldiers, had helped them get through the today the function of Les Invalides crisis – they had developed the self- has changed, unlike that of the disciplne to do so and “if you’re used Royal Hospital. It caters for some to spending months on end in the 300 pensioners, still housed in the middle of nowhere, you can certainly original, grand, Christopher Wren cope with Chelsea”, where the care is buildings – a statement of the nation’s second to none. commitment to its veterans. For that is another question we Originally intended for men, it asked: ‘How has the Royal Hospital opened to women in 2009 (although coped during the crisis?” Queen Anne allowed in ‘Mother Answers included “EXCELLENT” Ross’, who had served incognito in and “OUTSTANDING”, written in several of Marlborough’s campaigns). the local streets and hostelries; and own Desert Island Discs, with the facing page: The Hospital and Ranelagh Dave Godwin, a member of the emphatic capitals, to “The staff came The original entrance restriction – of course the annual Chelsea Flower pensioners interviewing each other. Gardens, a place to walk for miles Royal Hospital pace-stick team, is out tops”; “Gone above and beyond” TOP: Mick Kippin in front of the golden ‘unencumbered by a spouse’ – still Show was a grand event to look The greatest boon has perhaps been statue of founder Charles II; some of longing for the return of competitions, and “I could not have wished for applies, however. forward to. its grounds, the 66-acre Ranelagh Alan’s pots produced during lockdown; and but has found bulling his boots – a more than the treatment and respect I first visited in February, intending An ‘audience with the stars’ had Gardens. Elegant and beautifully reading, a staple Covid activity necessary adjunct to pace-sticking we have received during lockdown”. to write about the institution and its just taken place in the Hospital the maintained, pensioners could escape – a therapeutic form of relaxation. The Hospital has not emerged history, but Covid intervened. But this week before I visited, and a big outside, walk and enjoy the sun. (Me too, which explains why my unscathed from the virus; 10 autumn it seemed time to try again. Valentine’s Day bash was planned for And as spring emerged, so did the miles” round the gardens each day instructors made me spend so much pensioners have died. However, In February, I had been shown the pensioners two days later. flowers and wildlife – the catalyst for and took up Tai Chi, a Chinese martial extra time on them…) several of their comrades have said round by Mick Kippin, a pensioner All this changed on 16 March, a photographic competition. art, no doubt useful when the blokes And what did the pensioners miss? that, but for the care they received, it and tour guide. He was keen to with the sudden and total lockdown. In our questionnaire, we asked get too annoying. She also took great Family; not being able to visit the could have been much higher. stress that despite its name, this was Pensioners were not allowed to leave how else pensioners had amused pleasure in growing flowers and graves of loved ones; not being able Covid has put a big hole in the a home, not a hospital, using the the premises except for vital medical themselves. Roy Palmer had taken up vegetables in her raised beds. to mix in the café (although the Hospital’s funding. For although original meaning of hospital as a place appointments. A Covid testing poetry, which he shared with us; he Dewi Treharne caught the virus, but Covid Alehouse was set up as an much comes from the MOD, the of hospitality. Mick, a widower, had regime was established and several had used it to describe a new skill he on his recovery took up pace-sticking, outdoor drinking area); for many, proceeds from the Chelsea Flower been a pensioner for four years and cases identified. Those affected had acquired, or perhaps re-learnt: while Alan Rutter improved his not having ice cream or fish and Show and other events also play had “enjoyed every minute” in “the were isolated in their berths and the ‘The paintwork looks fresh, the corners impressive pottery skills. John Byrne chips; and for some, not having the a part. The Governor, Sir Adrian very best home for pensioners in the Pensioners Club closed completely. spick and span, honed his IT skills and sorted out the physical spiritual support of Bradshaw, had ambitious plans for a country”. So rather than focus on its Dining, normally a communal event Look up at the ceiling, I’ve even filing system on his computer so that attending church services. history festival and closer links with history, we decided to ask pensioners in the Great Hall, was strictly limited, cleaned the fan!’ “even a civvie could understand it”. But a huge gap in their lives was the National Army Museum, but how they had fared in recent months. with staggered mealtimes and no He also voiced his frustration at TV: He’s also buffed up on the history not being able to wear their ‘scarlets’ these must remain on ice. First, the The Royal Hospital comms team more than one person at each table. ‘I sit here reading and writing, and of the Royal Hospital, to help him outside and represent the Hospital virus must be conquered. agreed to distribute questionnaires Soon a new normal was established, watching telly too, in his job as a tour guide when (never, ever, call them reds – Mick Nevertheless, it is gratifying to and not fill them in themselves. But and ‘The Ministry of Fun’ emerged But on the television, pleeease show us circumstances once again allow. Kippin beat me up for that). For, make see that an institution that looks after first I asked about the impact of to help pensioners pass the time. something new!’ Brian Connor has been editor of no mistake, the pensioners are still our own has emerged with its colours Covid on the Royal Hospital. On my Crosswords, puzzles and music We know the feeling Roy – though the Hospital’s Tricorne magazine, flying high. February visit, I had been struck by its became staples, as did violin and some TV repeats were still firm which has kept him busy; he has also The Hospital, meanwhile, remains role in the community. The glorious piano recitals performed by staff from favourites with pensioners, notably taken up singing lessons on Zoom The pensioners’ experience open for eligible new entrants who chapel was open to all-comers; the the infirmary balcony. Dad’s Army and Friends. and become a keen photographer. wish to live out their years among pensioners thrived on giving guided The Chapel remained open for Monica Parrott, a pensioner since Brian also contracted Covid, which he as soldiers had helped them comrades. To find out more visit tours and were a familiar sight in pensioners and the Hospital ran its January 2017 walked for “miles and found extremely debilitating. get through the crisis www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk

8 Pennant AUTUMN 2020 AUTUMN 2020 Pennant 9

lockdown

APR Rang an old family friend 27 who is in her nineties and asked if she was OK. MAY Covid Diary “Course not,” she laughed. “I’m 95, had a hip replacement just before 10 In the Spring Pennant, Goth Cheerful provided tips on how to amuse lockdown, seem to be shrinking by the day, have broken my dentures yourself in lockdown. Here, he shares a few entries from his diary and can now only walk like a crab. over the past eight months, telling you what he really did. However, I’m now getting quite good at it. Just been planting out the potatoes. Hope you’ll come FEB Returned to UK after four APR I received a letter from APR A feature of lockdown over when you can.” 24 days in Rome, with ominous 5 NHS England telling me 24 has been some people’s Meanwhile, the same evening reports from the north about I was vulnerable and readiness to call out others I hear someone on the radio the spread of coronavirus. Worried should be shielding. I looked on the for bad behaviour, whilst thinking complaining that they have had about whether we would be allowed NHS website and discovered that their own is exempt. Today, one of their life ruined – when manifestly to leave. In the event, there were no I did not have any of the diseases my neighbours told me smugly that they haven’t. I once visited a soldier problems, although several large or vulnerabilities listed that would I had transgressed the Covid rules in Selly Oak who had lost both his groups of students at the airport were justify my inclusion. However, by walking for more than an hour legs and an arm. He told me he Bought a remote camera online to photograph wildlife. Tried it out at night all masked up – the shape of things to ignoring the letter was easier said from my home. Presumably he wanted to help others less fortunate on the compost bucket and caught a badger troughing the contents. The come perhaps. than done as the family had seen had timed me. than himself when he recovered. next night caught our cat and a fox ignoring each other on the lawn, I had

MAR it, didn’t believe my protestations “Let him that is without sin …” I I can’t help feeling that stiff upper no idea so much activity took place here at night. and were watching my every move replied. He unwisely asked what I lip has its merits. 7 because “we know what you’re like” meant, so I told him I had seen him JUN – whatever that means. furtively slip over his back fence with MAY In late March, we had I therefore sent an email to my GP a six-pack and go up the road for a Walked on Martin Down. 5 anticipated existing on a surgery, as invited to do in the letter, drink with his mate … but I wasn’t 1 Fabulous spring day. Turtle diet of lentils and pasta. In seeking clarification. a Stasi informer, so would let it pass. doves, skylarks and cuckoos all fact, we have eaten better than ever. I got a reply saying they didn’t do When we see each other in the village trying to outdo each other in song, Everything is available. The local consultations by email and giving shop, he now pretends I am not there. a carpet of cowslips in full bloom, businesses have risen to the occasion. Invited to attend the England me a number to ring. This told me to early purple orchids in one of the The bread shop now delivers (never v Wales game at Twickenham. select option 2 to find out more about APR Spent half a day down by copses, tortoiseshell and speckled done that before), the pub does fish My hosts had kindly asked if I shielding. I did this. I was then told 25 the stream that runs past wood butterflies on the wing. and chips to the door (and in the wanted to pull out because of to select option 4 to deal with specific the house, disguised as a Things are looking up. early days, having written off its the growing threat. I declined to issues. I did this and, after 40 minutes, fallen tree trunk (inside a bivvy bag) draft beer, was giving it away). The do so, but thought there was a was told to email my local GP. trying to photograph kingfishers RIGHT: Cowslips on Martin Down fish wholesaler up slight air of ‘stupid foreigners’ going to and from their nest. the road, which about the event; many people APR I was invited to join a It’s a lonely place amongst the hitherto only ostentatiously shaking hands, and 10 Zoom conference with blackthorn and no one ever goes MAY Walked along Latchmere MAY One of our neighbours rang catered for the monster corporate wine and several friends as a way of there. At least not normally. But today 7 Brook in the New Forest. 14 to tell me that our cat has hotels, now dine beforehand (1,000 people maintaining regular contact. It was a couple came to sit by the stream, Beautiful day and we were been hanging around her does click in the same room at eight-man a good idea, but I’m not sold. To get have a cuddle and perhaps a bit the only people there, except for a back door hoping for scraps. She told and collect, tables) went ahead as normal. things going, our host asked us what more. What to do: keep shtum and naked rambler we passed going in me she had read that you can catch as does the It seemed a really good we had all been doing, and we took hope not to be spotted? Or reveal the opposite direction. In fact, he the virus from cats, so asked me to catering butcher. opportunity to catch the virus, but it in turn to cap each other’s stories. myself? I opted for the wasn’t exactly naked, he wore a fine keep it in or disinfect it – however Meanwhile, most things seem to in the event all passed without It didn’t lend itself to relaxed social latter, pair of walking boots, a fetching you do that. I think she’s lost her be available on Amazon (including incident (and England won the discourse; more like being a guest on rising sun hat and a lizard tattoo below his marbles. The lockdown is clearly Marmite) and we have discovered the match, which was gratifying). the Graham Norton Show, complete up waving navel. Presumably he didn’t expect beginning to bite. Dutch Cheeseman (aged Gouda), the Several weeks later, I heard with appreciative laughter about my camera and offering to meet anyone. best stilton ever from the Fine Cheese from my friend Jack that he had what cards we all were. I shall revert a polite: “Hello, just We said good MAY Neighbours came round Co, fabulous wines courtesy of The become infected at Cheltenham to phone calls, or perhaps WhatsApp been photographing morning 15 for coffee (not the cat ones). Week and The Spectator, and artisan races and had subsequently given – though I’m tired of being shouted kingfishers.” cheerily and It reminded me of midnight olive oil from France – which arrived it to his wife. Thankfully, they at by my family for putting the phone I departed, feeling continued on feasts at school. We sat on the patio in two days. I am also acquiring a have both recovered and she is to my ear when I should be looking at slightly foolish, as did our way, thinking we were being very daring taste for natural wine, which I had still talking to him. the screen (“No one wants to see the they, thinking I know taking it in and wondering whether it was never even heard of before, on the inside of your ear, Dad”). not what. our stride. allowed or not. recommendation of my son.

12 Pennant AUTUMN 2020 AUTUMN 2020 Pennant 13 lockdown om c k.

OCT JUN Today my wife invited me JUL Received a reply to JUL It’s been a AUG My niece, who is a doctor in SEP I attended the FPS AGM to choose a mask from an my ancestry DNA test. good year for Salisbury, tells me that there today without getting out of 1

8 6 28 12 8 hutterstoc extensive range of patterns. Apparently I am 45% butterflies – or perhaps have been no Covid patients bed. O Brave New World! It “They’ve become quite the thing,” she English, 35% Scottish (which I knew I have simply been about more in the hospital there for several all worked spectacularly well. I could We have always been rather smug said hopefully. “There’s one to suit already), 10 % Scandy, which is to see them. Also good for figs weeks, which is encouraging. not fault the organisation, which was in the UK about how stable we all tastes.” But there wasn’t. Most of unsurprising given that my Scottish – getting about six a day off our extremely slick, or the agenda, which are in contrast with other places. them had flowers on, but I wanted rellies all live in the bits that were tree, more than we can eat. AUG It is gratifying to hear that dealt briskly with all issues. But despite its early dark days one with a rhino horn or boars’ tusks, once Norwegian, and 10% Finnish 16 some businesses are still However, the real business at such of infection, Italy seems to have which amazingly don’t seem to exist. and Eastern European. Didn’t know thriving. I spoke to one of meetings is done by chatting in the done rather well during the Covid DELBO ANDREA / S IMAGE: Not only would these have real style, that, but again perhaps not that JUL Having used the early my neighbours today who runs a margins, and there were no margins. crisis. They protected the poor but holes in the end of the horn or surprising. 30 days of lockdown to paint mixture of holiday lets and camping. I simply logged out and that was and vulnerable south and, during tusks would act as exhaust pipes and In the Autumn 2019 Pennant, my Swallows and Amazons She told me it promised to be her that. The jury remains out on whether lockdown, behaved with real prevent my glasses steaming up. For we reviewed Dan Jones’ book dinghy, I finally put it in the best year yet. Usually, even in the office is dead, but I suspect not. style; witness the arias performed the moment though, I’m sticking with about the Crusades, which water and sailed it, which high season, she has gaps in Productivity may be unimpaired from balconies daily. At the time the disposal blue paper jobs that fit I have just read myself. immediately took me back bookings during the week, by WFH in the short term, but of writing, Italy seemed to have easily into my pocket. It tells the story of the about 50 years. which get longer as winter I can’t help feeling something Covid more under control than Norwegian King Sigurd approaches. This year she’s is missing and will become ever many other countries and is JUN Gurus everywhere are Jerusalemfarer, who went AUG Went to the local booked right up until Christmas. more apparent as time goes by. starting to function normally again. 14 advising me how to stay fit to Palestine, swapped his 8 recycling centre, a Question: do countries function in in lockdown. Heard a useful longboats in Constantinople real treat these days AUG The ex-marine who lives up SEP It was announced today that spite of governments or because of tip on the radio about increasing one’s for horses and rode back over as you have to book. Initially, I 27 the road asked if we wanted 9 we are all to be subjected to them? Discuss. fitness gently by exercising a single land to Norway, presumably was left to get on with it without to go for a walk with him – ‘The Rule of Six’. I feel as part of my body each day. I start this collecting a few wives on the having my contribution inspected about 14 miles. I was excited and said if I’ve been co-opted into a Sherlock evening with my eyelids. way. Perhaps that’s what happened. for compliance – until I put the I’d plan it, retrieved my Bergen from Holmes story. Or does it mean the PM OCT I have just opened my remains of my Mexican chiminea in the loft, packed a bivvy bag, dubbined is now sharing power equally with 5 wallet for the first time in the rubble skip (it had dramatically my old marching boots, sorted out Dominic, Michael, Matt, Priti and many months to find £140 in JUN Back in April, the arrival of disintegrated one evening as we sat compo rations and unrolled a 1:25,000 Rishi? Who knows? notes, which I did not know I had. All 27 cherry blossom was a welcome round it). At this point, a supervisor map on the kitchen table. “What’s all shops I have visited have insisted on harbinger of spring. Now appeared to tell me that (a) I this?” my wife asked. I explained and SEP Today’s Times revealed cards and, on the odd occasion I have the cherries are ripe already and shouldn’t have done it as the rubble she looked bemused. “Oh. I thought 11 that the Chancellor has wanted cash (for ice creams, parking the blackbirds and thrushes are skip was closed and (b) rubble was we’d each take an iPhone, stop at the been urged to scrap the meters and to undo screws), I have frantically stripping the tree in our now chargeable waste so I must pay, pub for lunch and call a taxi if the state pension triple-lock for a year used shrapnel from the teapot. Has garden. How did that happen? We although there were no signs to tell weather closes in,” she replied. Which in favour of extending the furlough Covid led to the death of notes? If so, will get no cherries ourselves, but me either of these things. is exactly what we did. I felt slightly scheme. No surprise – such changes it will at least stop all the arguments that is nothing to the pleasure of I imagine this approach is what has crestfallen and have returned all my had been predicted in the Spring about who should appear on them. watching the birds at work. And as led to little piles of rubble appearing equipment to the loft. Pennant. Although maintaining the OCT Aesop’s fox remarked, they were on the verges around Hampshire. triple-lock was a manifesto pledge, We have a glut of apples. probably sour anyway… Meanwhile, up the road in Wiltshire, SEP I woke up to hear Mishal facts have changed and pensioners 14 Some we have eaten, some you can still dump it for free. 6 Husain on the Today for the most part are not the ones hit laid down, some juiced and programme asking Matt hardest financially by Covid. some made into cider. Sadly, no one JUL Tesco delivery arrived. Hancock if the government was will drink my cider – “too dry” (wife), 1 In addition to our own JUL Went fishing off the still following ‘a guacamole policy’ SEP “bit of an aftertaste” (daughter), healthy order of oranges, 24 Needles with my brother. against Covid. He said they were. Too 20 Several neighbours have “tractor mower might run on it” lettuces, radishes etc was a box of Caught nothing – perhaps true, I thought, we are all struggling been offering free apples (son). But I cannot waste it – a winter wonderful rogue items – including because we found ourselves in a in green slime. But it didn’t seem in baskets outside their houses, of pork chops in cider is in prospect. pork pies, chicken nuggets and sizeable pod of dolphins, happy much of a policy, so I asked my wife signed ‘Help yourself’. People chocolate eggs. We rang Tesco to after hoovering up all the fish what he meant. She called me a git can be surprisingly sniffy about OCT As the nearest thing to going say they had delivered someone before we arrived. Three dolphins and told me it was a ‘Whac-a-Mole’ accepting this largesse, so I was 20 abroad we will manage this else’s order as well as our own and in a row (see picture) could have strategy. I’m not much the wiser, pleased to see one customer with year, we have booked four were told to accept it as a freebie, been mistaken for a coil of the Loch except that it seems to involve force, no such inhibitions. days’ bird and creature watching on since Covid restrictions prevented Ness Monster – if we’d been on which I’m trained in, so maybe I can Lundy Island. We’re staying in a wing them taking it back. “What on the Caledonian Canal at dusk. The help. (Incidentally, I looked up ‘git’ of the old Marisco Castle, now let out earth are we going to do with all French call this time ‘entre chien before writing this: Wikipedia tells by the Landmark Trust, which has this stuff,” asked my wife? et loup’, but ‘between dolphin and me it’s ‘a distributed version-control been rated as providing best value for I have a few ideas. Nessie’ would also serve. system for tracking changes in source money holiday lets. I’ll let you know code during software development’.) how it was in the next issue.

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30 feet back from the track, with an Success! This time there are two baby FACING PAGE: Jon Pepper (seated right) owl box plainly visible about 20 feet Barn Owls inside. He invites me up and Nigel Lewis checking over the owls up. “First stop,” says Nigel as Jon to take a look, warning me to brace ABOVE: Gill’s special owl feather; and unstraps the ladders from the roof. myself for the smell. Jon climbs to an owl box where two owlets The Owl Men of play hide and seek “Are you going up?” I ask. “Don’t He is not joking. The stench of be daft,” Nigel says, smiling. “I’m 85. ammonia is overpowering, and the Jon does that bit.” reason is evident – six weeks of young relative age of the owlet in the brood. He then warns me again that we owls living amongst the pelleted Both owls are duly weighed and Salisbury Plain might find nothing and tells me that remains of mice and voles, together he expresses satisfaction: they are big usually at this time of year he has with their own excrement. and healthy and evidently getting A good deal happens on Salisbury Plain Training Area besides military training. In July, we already done a complete inspection of Despite this, the owls are absolutely sufficient food. I ask how old they both his kestrel and owl boxes. mesmerising. The two owls huddle are and he produces his Pocket Guide went out there with Nigel Lewis and Jon Pepper to learn about their owl conservation work. The Tawny Owls will already have in the corner with their eyes shut; it to Ageing Young Barn Owls, (which fledged, so he has no data on them reminds me of playing hide and seek I think should be an annex to the had long wanted to write an “Make sure you bring a proper would be anything for us to see. for this year. with our children when they were Platoon Commander’s Aide Memoire), article about the natural history four-wheel drive,” he added – Covid We head out onto the west side of Jon duly climbs to the box. He very small and appeared to think that from which I can see they are some Iof Salisbury Plain Training Area restrictions meant we could not travel the Plain to the sound of skylarks, has a set routine, blocking the if they closed their eyes and couldn’t 49 days old. (SPTA), so on 15 July I contacted in the same vehicle. down the bumpiest track in the entrance hole with a canvas bag see us, we couldn’t see them. I then ask if food is ever a problem my old RSM, Paul Scott, now So it was that I arrived with Gill, world, amidst a riot of wildflowers before opening the rear to see what’s and he explains that even in a good WO1 Training Safety Marshal at my wife, in a borrowed Toyota Hilux and butterflies. Owls or not, this is inside. It is empty, so it appears Bagging the owls vole year, owls are very weather Copehill Down Village, and asked at the appointed time on a glorious a magical place. I love the Plain and Nigel’s fears may be realised. I take a photograph and Jon embarks dependent. They cannot hunt when if he could help. summer morning. Nigel was there have seen it in all weathers. At -5ºC Nevertheless, there is a good deal on a well-versed routine; he carefully it’s raining because they need to see With characteristic efficiency, he with Jon, briskly checking over their in winter, with a biting east wind, the of debris in it, which he cleans out bags the owls, cleans the debris from or hear the quarry. Rain is noisy and furnished me with several contacts – vehicle, an old RAF mountain rescue magic can disappear, but today it is ready for next year. He also finds a the box and descends the ladder. limits visibility. but then said: “What you’d really like truck converted into a CVR(O) – at its very best. beautiful Barn Owl feather inside, By the time he gets back to the Protracted bad weather makes the is to go out with Nigel Lewis, our owl Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance which he brings down and gives to vehicle, Nigel is waiting for him owls vulnerable, especially when they man.” Nigel is retired and runs the (Owl) – and off we went. Captivated audience Gill. It now has pride of place in our sitting in one of two canvas folding are raising young. kestrel and owl-ringing project. Nigel explained that this was the Gill, who had not visited the training kitchen pen pot, a reminder of what chairs. Next to the other, a pair of This year has evidently not been a I rang him and he told me to be at first time he had been able to get area before, is enthralled. “Wow!” turned out to be an enthralling day. scales, ringing pliers and rings are problem. I ask if two young is normal. Westdown Camp at 08:00 on Saturday out this year and inspect his boxes she exclaimed. “I had no idea it was We move on to the next box, laid out ready. Nigel has his notebook Apparently, they will routinely raise morning, where I could join him and because of the pandemic restrictions. so fantastic! All those flowers. And another ash tree in a blackthorn to hand ready to take down details up to five, depending on the weather Jon Pepper, Paul’s deputy, as they Usually he would go earlier, he said, no people, and no noise.” thicket. Same routine. Jon goes up, of unfurled feather length of the and availability of prey, and indeed visited their owl boxes. so he could not guarantee that there We come to a lone ash tree some blocks the hole and opens the door. seventh wing primary, giving the the owls themselves. There was also

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Currently, Covid-19 limits the volunteers to Jon, although owl- ringing is not part of Jon’s job spec, he does it for love. The ringing itself is tightly controlled. Rings are purchased from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and can only be used by a trained, approved and licensed ringer. Nigel passes on all the data he collects to the BTO. Gill and I leave at about 3pm, but Nigel and Jon still have another three hours visiting ahead of them. Even when ringing is over, there will be work throughout the year, repairing, relocating and erecting new boxes. Salisbury Plain remains a haven for wildlife. There is an irony in that what was once the most densely populated part of the country in Iron Preparing for an addled egg in this nest that had Age times is now almost empty but not hatched. The owls are surprisingly for the Army, with whom the wildlife The owls are surprisingly placid; has reached an accommodation. they don’t seem to mind being placid; they don’t seem to SPTA boasts some of the country’s handled or indeed ringed. The mind being handled greatest populations of rare plants, Defence’s Future business is soon complete, they are butterflies like the Heath Fritillary each put back in their canvas bags and ring them and put them back. and birds such as the Stone Curlew, Brigadier Lenny Brown MBE Royal Marines is Head of Futures and Strategic Analysis at MOD and returned to the nest. We stop for a picnic lunch and I all helped by limited public access thinktank the DCDC. Here he looks to the future – and not a tea leaf or crystal ball in sight. We mount up and move on, passing ask Nigel how it all started. He tells and the absence of intensive farming. Scottie in his vehicle on the way; he me that he has had an interest in Nevertheless, even with an active he Development, Concepts of change that will shape future long-held assumptions and be better is out inspecting his domain. “On a raptors since he was a boy and he conservation programme, it is a and Doctrine Centre (DCDC) geostrategic developments, trends placed to operate more effectively in Saturday?” I say. “Can’t keep away,” started putting up kestrel boxes when struggle. Nigel recorded 51 breeding Thas published several editions and disruptions. a ‘future operating environment’. he replies. “I love it here.” he was posted to Colchester, some Barn Owl pairs last year; over the of Global Strategic Trends (GST) over This means that they are often This work is ever more important Shades of old times. It is really 40 years ago. To his astonishment, last 20 years the high point was 73 the past 20 years.1 the first to begin thinking deeply as a new Defence Force Development uplifting to be back amongst old one was used by a Barn Owl, which in 2003 and the nadir nine in 2013. DCDC is regularly asked how about the wide-ranging security model seeks to ensure that the comrades who are committed to and was unexpected. This year there were 44, but despite accurate its forecasting is and, whilst implications the UK could encounter MOD is ready for a seemingly driven by what they do. On being posted to Warminster the pendulum swings, the trend is we never seek to predict, the last in the years ahead. ever more dynamic, uncertain We visit more than a dozen boxes; shortly before he retired, he started downwards. edition of GST, published in 2018, The 1998 Strategic Defence Review and unstable world. each one has at least two young owls putting up owl boxes, and has been But without Nigel’s team we simply stated: “As the number of animals proved the catalyst for the GST DCDC’s Futures team continues in it, and one has five. doing it ever since. wouldn’t know, and there would be being farmed rises, the risk of animal programme. The review recognised to gain insight into the implications This last is a particular treat, for it At first, Nigel was a one-man fewer owls because there would be diseases mutating to infect people that the MOD needed to formulate of when, where, why and how UK is in an old disused observation post, band, helped only by his wife, but fewer places for them to breed. (as happened with bird flu and a future strategic context. The main Defence may need to operate in the and all five – with their parents – can these days volunteers, both male and On our way home, Gill says to swine flu) is also likely to increase. issue was a lack of evidence to future. This provides the foresight be seen sitting on a perch inside the female, support him, as does SPTA, me: “This has been the best day Advancements in health surveillance, underpin long-term plans, policies necessary to shape and inform policy, OP, seven owls in a row. which helps with grants for nest of lockdown. It’s been absolutely preparedness and medicine could, and choices about the equipment strategy and force development. Of course, I do not have my camera boxes, made by the Hawk and Owl wonderful.” I agree. And I take my however, mitigate the risk of programme. ready for what would have been Trust to his specification. hat off to Nigel, Jon and the team pandemics.” GST’s purpose is therefore to The power of diverse teams the most glorious photograph. And When SPTA started to hire its for all their hard work; it has been GST forms part of a wider provide an unbiased strategic DCDC is not a large organisation. by the time I do, the parents and vehicles commercially, it ceased inspiring to see. strategic analysis programme led context, improving foresight to It comprises 65 staff split equally the three oldest owlets have flown to lend him a vehicle as insurance by the DCDC Futures and Strategic inform strategic decision-making between military and civil servants. out to sit and watch us from the limitations precluded it. Nigel Nigel’s work is funded through the Analysis team. The team seek to across the department. Such a team could be prone to neighbouring OP. therefore purchased the CVR(O), Lewis Raptor Fund, administered by SPTA. identify and understand key drivers By doing so, MOD could challenge groupthink, were it not for diversity The two youngest, however, opt to which SPTA allows him to keep in If you would like to help fund this project, stay at home, so we carefully weigh Westdown Camp. please contact the Editor of Pennant. 1 Global Strategic Trends is available for all to read on the internet – search ‘Global Strategic Trends’, www.gov.uk/government/publications/global-strategic-trends

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of expertise and extensive links across produce wide-ranging foresight Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy government, academia and thinktanks analysis and short-notice responses to – both within the UK and beyond.2 emerging Defence policy questions. Much of the media’s focus on the advent also impact areas such as intelligence Uniquely, it has the Swedish The Futures and Strategic Analysis of artificial intelligence has been towards and command and control. Concepts and Doctrine Centre team is also Defence’s lead for ‘Red the implications of ‘killer robots’. Perhaps DCDC considers how such changes embedded, along with Dutch, Teaming’ – a practical response to more pressing for Defence policy is how affect all areas of Defence. Examples Australian, German, French and overcoming human biases, helping to autonomy will more widely change the include considering who would need Human Finnish exchange officers, which recognise them and correct analysis roles humans perform in the military and to be employed and how they could provide valuable and varied before faulty judgements risk across society. be trained. Early consideration means Augmentation perspectives. becoming cemented in the minds of While autonomy may offer that when policy choices need to be Human augmentation is the ability This blend of international officers, key decision-makers. opportunities for militaries looking to made, they will be supported by the best to enhance human performance civil servants and UK military reduce the number of people employed possible foresight, allowing sufficient beyond natural biological limits. personnel, plus an extensive global Futurology – study of the in ‘dull, dangerous and dirty’ roles, it will time to deliver the changes required. This is something militaries have network, reinforces the diversity of future sought throughout history – perspectives within the Futures and So how does the Futures team consider the use of binoculars or Strategic Analysis team. use futurology to explore changes broadening perspectives, as many threshold of war are increasingly ‘theory of winning’. Once concepts night vision goggles to gain an This ensures it is well placed to relevant to UK Defence? authors have been prophetic in their encountered, leading to a situation and ideas have been tested, they can advantage over enemies, or the Futurology, also referred to as analysis of futures and emerging described as ‘sub-threshold’ conflict be codified into doctrine, allowing the use of amphetamines by aircrew Futures, is the study of postulating technology. (also referred to as ‘hybrid’ or Armed Forces, cross-government and during World War 2. possible, probable and preferable There are numerous analytical ‘grey zones’). private sector partners and allies to DCDC has considered the ethical Making the futures. It seeks to understand models open to futurologists. For This is just one example of change operate effectively together. and practical policy implications that discernible patterns of change the seventh edition of Global Strategic that highlights the need for militaries In the nearer term, Defence plans may affect militaries choosing to use best possible known as ‘trends’, and to identify Trends, DCDC will use a systems to adapt. Successful adaptation in detail how it will deliver the human augmentation technologies decisions for the factors that could disrupt or change approach. allows militaries to develop forces changes required. of the future. Such technologies trends, leading to ‘shocks’ and Systems thinking is particularly ready to counter the threats and could offer significant improvements future, today ‘discontinuities’. useful for global assessments seize the opportunities of today Future and Defence in psychological, social and physical “ As the number Part of the discipline seeks as it accounts for the complex and tomorrow. Transformation – not just performance. of animals being a systematic, pattern-based interactions between key factors Effective force development about weapons These could boost the farmed rises, the understanding of past and present, to such as geopolitics, technology, requires a clear understanding of It is probably tempting to assume performance of existing personnel risk of animal determine the possibilities of future climate change, economics and the status of the current force (where that the Futures team is only or offer ways of recruiting or diseases mutating events and trends. This is sometimes society. Given the increase in global we are now) and a firm indication of interested in the weapon capabilities retaining personnel currently to infect people called foresight analysis. interconnectivity, it is hoped this where we need to be (understanding of future adversaries. ineligible for military employment. (as happened The Futures team looks out to a will produce more accurate foresight the future threats and opportunities). While such work does form part The implications of such with bird flu and 30-year horizon. Such a timeframe analysis of emerging threats. The main challenge is how the of the analysis, detailed attention is choices are wide-ranging and swine flu) is also presents significant uncertainty. In turn, this should more accurately pace of change, such as threats or also given to exploring the myriad varied – consider the challenges of likely to increase. Rather than resorting to the mystic influence the design of UK Defence. technology, can overtake the plan. of implications arising from changes peacekeeping if former combatants Advancements in health methods of tea leaves, chicken bones Consequently, an adaptable that will affect all of society in one were forced to have military surveillance, preparedness and or crystal balls, Futures employs D efence Force Development approach is required that provides form or other. grade enhancements medically medicine could, however, mitigate various scientific methods as well as a Model clear understanding of a direction Consider, for example, what it will removed as part of a disarmament, the risk of pandemics.” (DCDC, pinch of imagination. Global events indicate that the way for force development, but one able mean to have western populations demobilisation and reintegration Global Strategic Trends, 6th edition, At times, DCDC has engaged with some nations compete is changing. to respond to emerging challenges mostly consisting of older adults, (DDR) programme. 2018) science fiction writers to assist with Hostile activities that fall below the and opportunities with agility when combined with technologies that This 2018 quote by DCDC necessary. Effective analysis of the overcome some of the physical was not a prescient warning that future allows for proactive choices, limitations presented by ageing. minimise, the risks of our committing the Covid-19 global pandemic “The Future we face today is one that threatens our very existence at the right time. How could this affect Defence errors in prediction that are likely to was inevitable – there is never as a species. It threatens the comfortable urban lifestyles that many The UK’s Defence Force recruitment and retirement ages? have catastrophic consequences.” certainty when analysing the future. Development Model begins with How may climate change affect where Rest assured, the Futures Team Pandemics have been considered of us hold dear and the habitability of earth itself. The times we foresight analysis and horizon the Armed Forces will operate? How will be doing their very best to be by DCDC as a potential ‘strategic are in are critical, and the challenges we face as global citizens are scanning provided by DCDC and could artificial intelligence change the ‘right enough’! shock’ that could impact UK security complex, intractable and planetary. The impact of climate crisis alone others such as the Defence Science roles performed within the military? in various future circumstances. is pointing to frightening futures…” and Technology Laboratory (Dstl). No one can predict the future The DCDC insights gained from Jennifer M Gidley, The Future – a very short introduction (2017) This foresight allows Future with certainty. As Colin Gray points TOP LEFT: Automation of manual tasks analysing the future are then used Operating Environments to be out: “Prediction is perilous […] should mean that people can work for longer by MOD policymakers to make the considered. the pressing challenge is for us to ABOVE: Those who most effectively best possible decisions today. 2 Groupthink – a situation in which people strive for consensus within a group. In many cases they will These can then be used as a basis anticipate the future as best we are integrate humans and machines may derive a set aside their own personal beliefs or adopt the opinion of the rest of the group. for concepts or ideas to maintain our able, in ways that reduce, hopefully decisive advantage

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Germany. More rolling hills harbour tour boat trip than high peaks, 95% of this by day and indulge in national park is covered in BFG – not British the diverse nightlife trees, providing a wonderful through the night. getaway. Medieval red- roofed towns are dotted on Family time the outskirts of the forest for The majority of our strolls, markets and castle trips. Forces Germany but German holidays are now There are pictures of witches half-term child-friendly everywhere, the symbol of breaks. Responding to my the Harz, and if your trip spans the question about holidaying in last day in April, you will be treated Big Friendly Giant BFG, members of a BFG social to Walpurgis Night, when witches media group extolled the across Germany meet to dance. In 2010, the government announced that it would rebase the British virtues of taking a family there. Army from Germany by 2020. This is now complete. Sharon Green, who Cleanliness and good I ssues to consider holidayed there earlier this year, reminds us how much we are all missing. organisation aren’t just Germany does not have the high national stereotypes; they are temperatures of Spain or Greece and, demonstrated in the impeccable despite being well set up for tourism, n a steam train winding up are many reasons to head to the land Christkindlesmarkts, a visit to facilities on offer and the outside of the main attractions, you beautiful snowy tracks in of beer, sausages and lederhosen – Germany in November or early welcome given to children. may not find English translations. Othe Harz mountains in even if Oktoberfest has now passed. December will provide a greater treat Another reason to bring the Away from city centres, vegetarian February half-term, having seen no for the senses, and feel friendlier and kids here on holiday is that you options may be limited – a vegan other Brits for the entire week-long E vents more relaxed. Dortmund, Cologne can get beer and chips almost friend of mine’s pea soup came with trip, my mother-in-law asked: “Why According to the Office of National and Nuremberg hold vast events, anywhere; swimming pools, zoos, a huge sausage floating in it. don’t more British people come to Statistics, Germany is only the eighth but most cities and towns will have theme parks and even ornamental However, travel is easy. I have Germany on holiday?” most visited European holiday a market with all the traditional gardens will invariably have a rarely encountered an airport Perhaps she thought that having destination by Brits – far behind offerings. At a tiny one in Soest, en kiosk where you can feed the queue, roads are toll-free lived in British Forces Germany (BFG) Spain and France and even Ireland. route to the Möhne Reservoir of family and relax with a drink. and campervans well for seven years, I could provide some Of these trips, it is likely that a Dambusters fame, my parents and I Our favourite pool, complete accommodated, often with insight, but none sprang to mind. significant proportion of visitors go had a fine time drinking Glühwein with bar and separate spa, is H2O in free or cheap overnight Truly, there is no adequate answer. to take part in one of Germany’s two and listening to choirs. Herford, but good-value water parks parking. Public transport is Germany offers so much to those main events: Oktoberfest and the will be found almost anywhere. efficient and cycling is, for the seeking quality family time, outdoor Christmas markets. City breaks Southern Bavaria is a popular most part, off-road and safe for pursuits, historic monuments, city Attended by over six million people A German getaway with friends or a starting point for a family trip. all the family. getaways or boozy weekends. each year, the original and largest romantic city break needn’t focus on Neuschwanstein Castle, which Whether you have experience The first proper trip I made to Oktoberfest in Munich runs between an event. Berlin, Munich or Cologne featured in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, of BFG or not, after months Germany was to start a posting mid- September and early October. It provide rich culture, nightlife and is the most famous but not the only of lockdown, staycations and to Bielefeld in 2006. My VW Polo is a spectacle to behold. Interspersed interest all year round. dramatic, picturesque tourist sight tentative holiday plans, you may stacked with teabags (continental Despite my most recent visit to the set within the Bavarian Alps. And be considering a foreign jaunt – countries do not do tea correctly), German capital being bitingly cold safe too – the child-catcher has gone. so give Germany a go. And you I braved the no-speed-restriction Y ou can get beer and chips and involving navigational challenges Mountain and lowland walks, will be given a beery, meat-filled, Autobahns wondering all the way almost anywhere – pools, on the metro system, it was worth swimming lakes and attractions organised welcome wherever where Ausfahrt was! it for the cultural sights, well laid abound. Legoland Germany, a you choose to go. But I soon became hooked and zoos, theme parks, gardens out museums and a world-famous good value alternative to Windsor, One last point: regardless even now, living back in the UK, our graffitied wall. and the Playmobil fun park of your holiday plans, if family still holidays in Germany. between hundreds of tents, filled Other options include the Baltic are also in the area. you don’t want awkward The final rebasing to the UK of all with rows of singing drinkers, are coastal city of Hamburg, with The Black Forest, Mosel questions about your but a few Army logistics and training traditional bands, funfairs and stalls. its famed red-light district. The Valley, Baltic coast and previous life in BFG, don’t facilities this year means discovery It is worth a trip just to marvel at Reeperbahn will forever remind me of islands and Lüneburger take your mother-in-law. of this wonderful nation through an how many beer steins one dirndl-clad Donna, the best WAG from TV series Heide are some of the many Army posting is unlikely. BFG no woman can carry at once. Soldier, Soldier, who went to let her places we have visited. FROM TOP: Guarding the longer exists, replaced by the catchily The Christmas markets are more hair down in seedy surroundings. Lesser known (unless platz, Quedlingberg in the named British Enabling Office. sedate, but an equally essential In reality, this is a vibrant city you were once part of a Harz; cycling at Luneberg; Yet despite this dampening of the German experience. Despite that regularly features on trendy military ski team) are the high in the Hartz; bratties in current UK military connection, there many UK cities trying to replicate city-break lists. You can take a Harz mountains in north-east Soest Christmas Market

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FACING PAGE: One of many pots unearthed from Salisbury Plain Right: Rfn Rowan Kendrick excavating a sixth century drinking vessel from a grave at Barrow Clump BELOW: A condensed milk tin from the Perham Down trenches – which had been pierced by a bayonet

to avoid driving over them. out of this location, which had vessels and (on three occasions) Such palisading is one method become the residence of choice for bladed weapons; a seax or sword. used by the MOD to protect several badgers. As assessment of the remains, the monuments – 309 of which The excavation work, from 2003- examining the isotopic signatures of Archaeology are designated as ‘scheduled 04 and from 2012-19, revealed some the bones and teeth, illustrated that monuments’ by the government. sensational finds and stories about those buried here were local people, Around a tenth of the Stonehenge this area. More than 100 burials were with only a couple having moved to World Heritage Site lies within the located there and, although some had Wiltshire from further afield. training area. The sites of Salisbury been disturbed, others were intact. There is still work to be done, of the Plain Plain are checked regularly for their Around a third of the individuals however, and it remains to be seen condition and military damage is recovered had been provided with whether the woman with a Visigothic Richard Osgood tells of the treasures that lie buried within the Salisbury Plain Training Area. always negligible. By far the biggest objects in their graves – these tended brooch – the first such item to be threat – leading to some being to be gender-specific, with women found in a grave in Britain – came hose who have trained on the millennia and that traces of this exist military manoeuvres has been a deemed ‘at risk’ – is the burrowing of given jewellery and cosmetic items from continental Europe or simply open expanses of Salisbury all across the training area. blessing for archaeology. animals such as rabbits and badgers. and the men spears, shields, drinking had a taste for European fashions. TPlain in driving rain or bitter Thanks to military purchases A cursory examination of the A recent excavation at a site Much of the digging was done snow may be inclined to agree with of land from 1897, these traces landscape reveals the bumps and called Barrow Clump on the east by wounded service personnel and author Herman Melville in Moby have been preserved – with deep mounds of past societies; now often of the Plain has highlighted this. Much of the digging was military veterans as part of Operation Dick, when he referred to the area as ploughing, major road schemes and helpfully demarcated by white- The monument, more than 4,000 done by wounded personnel Nightingale – an MOD initiative to ‘desolate’. So it may come as some housing developments avoided. painted palisades and signs to troops years old, was also the site of a assist in their recovery. Several now surprise to discover that the Plain Counterintuitively perhaps, the to tell them to refrain from digging (a sixth century cemetery. Human bones and veterans as part of work for archaeological companies or has been a desirable area to live for presence of tanks, artillery and major popular pastime for the infantry) and and an iron spearhead were dug Operation Nightingale have degrees in the subject.

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LEFT: American Graffiti – a GI’s tree carving dating back to 1944 (Harvey Mills photography)

Operation Nightingale also looked at a set of practice trenches cut in 1915 in Perham Down to replicate German positions in, and provide training for, the Somme. These were vast in scale – complete with latrines, dugouts and dressing stations, and yielded the remnants of fired live rounds, grenade fragments and more prosaic, human elements such as condensed milk tins and sardine cans. The fact that these features were used by the Middlesex and Essex Regiments involved in bitter fighting on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916 made the work even more poignant. As summer closed, it was with relief that we managed to hold one socially distanced excavation – at Dunch Hill, close to the driver training area near Tidworth. The work was undertaken to examine the effects of recent Afghanistan and Iraq training on The Visigothic brooch was buried archaeology (there were discovered by one of these veterans. Thanks to military none) and also of ploughing in the Another was an astonishing purchases of land from area in the later 20th century. drinking bucket made of yew with The latter was revealed to be bands of decorated bronze. This is 1897, many traces have quite damaging, and showed why one of the most intact in Britain and been preserved the military presence and preclusion is now on display in the Wiltshire of such techniques over large areas Museum in Devizes, where all the area in times past: a double henge is so important. other objects will be collected. monument and Saxon cemetery at The dig uncovered large quantities The veterans have written a Tidworth; a Neolithic causewayed of later prehistoric pottery – 3,000 chapter about their experiences enclosure (contemporary with the years old, from the late Bronze Age. in a new book on the Barrow earliest phases at Stonehenge); Additionally, a delicate bronze pin Clump project. and a First World War training was found and a series of deep flint- Whilst the work at the Clump landscape, complete with tunnels packed postholes that would once was a long-term research and rescue and graffiti at Larkhill. have held timber uprights for small programme, other fieldwork has Such physical traces of bygone granaries, a fence and also a Bronze taken place ahead of housebuilding soldiers are not uncommon on the Age roundhouse. projects to accommodate Army Plain but generally go unnoticed, All these elements highlight the families coming back from Germany. be they tree carvings made by nature of farming here thousands of This has been extensive and American GIs in the Second World years ago – and illustrate that this has revealed a colossal amount of War or Australian Diggers of the land was as important and magical important information about the First World War. then as it is today.

26 Pennant AUTUMN 2020 OVA

moment. “We need to talk about the heart of government; coordinating the bold claim made for the OVA to make benefits and skills that veterans can functions of government to deliver the UK “the best place for veterans bring. These are not well understood. for veterans; and celebrating the anywhere in the world”. I ask how “And yet when the Armed Forces immense contribution veterans make we currently compare. The Office for deploy, they have the capability to to society after leaving service. “We’re not seeking to be top of a set up a functioning town with all the We turn now to the remaining league table, rather to import best associated infrastructure from scratch, two: collaborating with devolved practice from wherever we see it,” together with the expertise that this administrations, government and says David. “We talk a lot to the Five entails – butcher, baker, candlestick other organisations to help with the Eyes community in particular. It is Veterans’ Affairs maker, you name it. But we don’t transition to civilian life; and ensuring about being open to ideas and not talk about these things. We major on veterans and their families can access being afraid to follow the example of The Office for Veterans’ Affairs was launched on 16 October 2019. leadership, but our people can do government support if they need it. others when appropriate. In its own words: ‘We lead UK government efforts to make sure the United much, much more. There is a good David explains that veterans “The Canadian Research Centre of Kingdom is the best place to be a veteran anywhere in the world.’ Pennant spoke story to tell and we must tell it. Not matters are devolved, but that Excellence is a case in point, which just to blow our own trumpet, but for he has regular sessions with the has done tremendous work on PTSD. to Colonel (Retd) David Richmond CBE, its first Director, to find out more. the good of veterans themselves and devolved governments to ensure their “But we also beat ourselves up too the nation. If their skills are put to much. A lot of what we do in the UK avid Richmond left the Army and January, I had over 100 meetings David very much sees the current best use, everyone wins.” There is a good story to is already really good, much of the eight years ago, medically with organisations large and small, Covid crisis as an opportunity. Less Part of David’s job is ensuring these tell and we must tell it charity sector is very effective, many Ddischarged after being badly feeling the pulse and understanding money is flowing into the veterans skills are recognised and that veterans government initiatives have worked wounded in 2008 commanding their concerns for veterans.” sector than used to be the case, can get appropriate employment, for the good of veterans well, and there is a nationwide 5 SCOTS on operations near Musa I put it to him that some partly as a result of Covid and partly so he engages regularly with the themselves and the nation network of people who care deeply Qala in Afghanistan. organisations in the Services charity because the military is not in the private sector. Deloitte, for example, and give their all for our veterans. But Thereafter, he worked at Help for sector have famously sharp elbows, public eye as it was a few years ago. runs a veterans transition and talent respective efforts are complementary. there are certainly many areas where Heroes for six years as Recovery and coordination of effort has not A recalibration of effort and how it programme, and JP Morgan also has But this is a two-way street, he says. we can do better. Director, using his experience to always been a strong point. is applied is needed, and the current its own veterans programme. A centralised approach is not always “That is part of my job; pinpointing develop their vision. Having put He acknowledges this, but says his environment can provide the catalyst. the answer; it is necessary to maintain them, then coordinating effort and this in place, he felt it was time for job is not that of charity coordinator. I ask what sort of change is Government status dialogue with all interested parties so resources to make the necessary another person to move it forward. Nevertheless, those he has dealt with, required. He says we must focus on The OVA is part of the Cabinet Office, that the OVA can bring its weight to improvements.” For David, therefore, the he states, overwhelmingly have the the positive as well as the negative. and David works to Johnny Mercer, bear where necessary. It remains very early days for the establishment of the Office for welfare of veterans as their focus, Military personnel are all willing a joint MOD and Cabinet Office In this context, David highlights OVA, which finds itself coming of age Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) was a stroke even though they don’t always go volunteers and we must beware of Minister for his veterans portfolio. the financial help the OVA has in the most difficult of environments. of serendipity. He was approached about it in the same way. engaging in special pleading, which I wonder whether this is a help or provided to allow FPS to continue It has set itself three priorities and asked if he wanted to apply for would be the wrong thing to do. a hindrance. He is unequivocal. The to assist Veterans’ Gateway – the for the year: establishing itself the job of Director. “It was a role I R oom for diversity Service personnel and veterans arrangement gives him exactly what one-stop shop for veterans seeking within government; providing the knew I could do, and really wanted David feels there is room for this must be treated fairly and the OVA he needs. It is right, he feels, that he assistance. (FPS was originally asked government’s response and plan to to do. There was a lot of good to be diversity. What has come across will be central in ensuring the nation works to Johnny Mercer, himself an to support Veterans’ Gateway deliver against the 2018 Strategy for done,” he says. loud and clear in his meetings – not fulfils its lifelong duty to those who ex-soldier, who is passionate about at the request of a charity, and our Veterans consultation paper; Furthermore, because the OVA was just with charities but with private have served in the Armed Forces. veterans’ affairs – the motivating was funded accordingly. and ensuring the government’s new, there was a clean sheet, a rare and public sector actors too – is that But he adds: “We must make sure force that brought him into politics. Absent the continued various commitments to opportunity to bring his own ideas to people are pleased the OVA has been people are not disadvantaged by their “It is great to work for a motivated funding, the OVA veterans are met. bear. Two or three weeks after being established. It makes it easier to plug service, but we must resist treating Minister,” says David. has stepped in The mechanism of the asked, he took up his post. into government in a way that will be some of those who served as victims. On the other hand, David’s position to provide a first is now in place; how What did he have in the way of heard – David envisages developing “Some face the challenges of in the Cabinet Office sends a strong bridging solution well it works will become support? He laughs: “On day one, I a national vision that still allows for life-changing events, and we must signal across government: this is whilst a longer term apparent as it starts to was the office.” However, local solutions to problems. provide the help where necessary everybody’s business, not simply solution is found.) deliver against the second staff came quite quickly. I ask about the role of Cobseo – and the support they need. But we within the purview of the MOD, I ask if the and third. He now has 13 people the organisation that provides an must also celebrate the richness and Michael Gove as the Minister responsibilities set out on But two things are working for him, with interface between Armed Forces and diversity of service life and the responsible for the Cabinet Office, the website are the right already clear – the the team likely to grow charities and government. He tells me extraordinary range of skills and and for Veterans within Cabinet, is ones or need adjusting in establishment of the OVA is in the coming months. it remains one of his most important experiences those transitioning to there to provide the impetus to ensure the light of experience. Whilst both welcome and necessary. And how did he contacts. However, charities are civilian life take with them, and the message is acted upon. David does not rule out And in finding someone start? “By listening,” answerable to their trustees, not to promote a better understanding of it The OVA sets out its five making changes in the future, who brings deep experience, he says. “I did not want Cobseo, and they have their own amongst the rest of society.” responsibilities on its website. We he is quite clear that for the enthusiasm and vision to the to rush into things. expert insights and concerns, so the In short, David feels that a have touched on three of these: moment, they are correct. table, they have picked the right “Between October OVA must speak to them directly too. balancing narrative is missing at the championing veterans’ interests at the Finally, we move on to the person for the job.

AUTUMN 2020 Pennant 29 St atues

Another statue remodelling occurred when Sir Robert Holmes, a Restoration admiral and subsequent governor of the Isle of Wight, captured a French ship with a statue of Louis XIV on board, Ozymandias complete with sculptor. The statue’s head was incomplete – the LEFT: Sir Robert sculptor was on his way to France to finish it from life. Sir Robert Holmes – standing had his own head substituted instead. He died in 1692 and his Revisited in for Louis XIV statue stands in St James’ church in Yarmouth, above his tomb. Monuments in St Paul’s Richard Harris Barham, Victorian clergyman, Statues have been very much in the news this year. Pennant is emphatically not wit and best-selling author of The Ingoldsby Legends (1840) poked gentle entering the debate about whether particular statues should go or stay, but we fun at some of the memorials in St Paul’s Cathedral. In the poem did take a look back at the changing fortunes of a few with a colourful history. Cynotaph, he muses about where to bury his dog Tray:

Some have gone forever, some have gone and come back, some have gone and ‘I would not have him by surly Johnson be;-- come back as someone else, some have been forgotten, and some have stayed. Or that Queer-looking horse that is rolling on Ponsonby1;-- Or those ugly minxes The sister Sphynxes, Mix’d creatures, half lady, half lioness, ergo (Denon says) the emblems of Leo and Virgo; On one of the backs of which singular jumble, Sir Ralph Abercrombie is going to tumble, The statue of Charles I in London’s Trafalgar Square by French sculptor With a thump which alone were enough to despatch him, Hubert Le Sueur was commissioned in 1633 by the Duke of Portland. If that Scotchman in front shouldn’t happen to catch him. Following the king’s execution, Parliament ordered it to be sold and melted No! I’d not have him there, nor nearer the door,

down. It was bought by a Holborn foundryman, who established a good , ALAMY.COM Where the man and the angel have got Sir John Moore, om

sideline from selling bronze-handled cutlery ostensibly made from the statue. c And are quietly letting him down through the floor’ k. It was popular in both parliamentary and Royal circles; the former saw it 1 Major Gen Ponsonby, killed at Waterloo as a symbol of the ultimate humiliation of the king, the latter as a relic and RIGHT: Monuments in St Paul’s Cathedral to Sir Ralph Abercromby (top), who was

tterstoc mortally wounded in 1801 whilst leading the British Egyptian campaign, and to Sir John

symbol of loyalty. u Come the Restoration, the statue was produced intact and, in 1675, it was h Moore, killed at Corunna, 1809 re-erected in its present position.

If the Cenotaph were not in the way, Charles would be able to see Oliver S IMAGES: Cromwell, whose statue stands at the other end of Whitehall, outside ABOVE: Charles I in Trafalgar Square Westminster Hall. – ‘destroyed’ by order of Parliament The Eleanor Crosses When Eleanor reign of Elizabeth I. But things came to a of Castile, queen to Edward I of head in the years leading up to the civil England, died in Lincoln in 1290, he was war; more than one riot took place at distraught, for theirs had been a genuine Cheapside as opposing mobs sought to love match. To perpetuate her memory, destroy and defend the Cross. at each stopping place of her bier on its Both the Cheapside Cross and Charing journey to London, he had a stone cross Cross eventually met their end at the In 1675, a statue of Charles II trampling Oliver Cromwell was erected erected – 12 in all. Three of the originals hands of the Parliamentary Committee in Cornhill in the City of London, the gift of Sir Robert Vyner, a wealthy survive, at Geddington, Hardingstone for the Demolition of Monuments of Goldsmith and Lord Mayor of London, eager to demonstrate his loyalty. and Waltham Cross. Several others Superstition and Idolatry, led by Sir It had originally been commissioned by the Polish ambassador to England perished over time, but those in London, Robert Harley. as a statue of Polish king John Sobieski trampling a Turk. He was unable at Cheapside and Charing Cross, were Cheapside was demolished in 1643, to pay for it, so Vyner stepped in and had it remodelled. Nevertheless, the destroyed in a deliberate act of state- Charing Cross in 1647. The current original concept might explain why Cromwell is wearing a turban. sponsored iconoclasm. Charing Cross dates from 1865, The statue was moved in 1736 to make way for the Mansion House, and Post Reformation, the crosses came commissioned by the London South East now stands outside Newby Hall in Yorkshire. The only time Charles II to be identified as idolatrous and were Railway to adorn the entrance to their met Cromwell in battle was at Worcester in 1651, where he was decisively defaced on several occasions during the smart new railway station. defeated and only escaped by hiding in an oak tree. LEFT: The Eleanor Cross at Geddington, Northamptonshire, the best preserved of three survivors LEFT: Charles II and Cromwell – in a turban

30 Pennant AUTUMN 2020 AUTUMN 2020 Pennant 31 St atues

The Buddhas of Bamiyan The Buddhas dated from 6AD, stood 53m and Place Vendôme Column In 1806, in to acknowledge the new French After the suppression of the 35m high, and were carved out of the solid sandstone of the Bamiyan a spectacular act of self-glorification, government and set up its own Commune, the column was re- Valley, 80 miles north-west of Kabul. They were originally part of an ancient Napoleon ordered the building of the ‘Commune’. Inspired by the painter erected – once again with Napoleon monastery complex that included many caves and wall paintings. column in Place Vendôme to celebrate Gustave Courbet, the communards on the top – and Courbet was The two giant Buddhas of Bamiyan had been spared by Genghis Khan his victory at Austerlitz. The column dismantled the column, which he ordered to meet the costs. Unable and when he razed the area around Bamiyan, and survived several previous was covered with bronze plates made described as “a monument devoid unwilling to do so, he fled to exile in attempts to destroy them – notably in the 18th century, when the Mughal from captured cannon, and the whole of all artistic value, tending to Switzerland instead. emperor Aurangzeb broke off the legs of the larger Buddha with cannon fire. was topped with a statue of Napoleon perpetuate by its expression the The statue is still in the Place They finally disappeared in 2001, when the Taliban government of himself, dressed as a Roman god – ideas of war and conquest of the past Vendôme – the fourth image of Afghanistan, acting on orders from Mullah Omar, dynamited the two figures Mars the Peacemaker. imperial dynasty”. Napoleon to occupy the column. in an unprecedented act of cultural vandalism. The Taliban regarded the In 1816, the statue was toppled, statues as idolatrous. Their destruction was overseen by the Orwellian- although the column was left intact. named Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. Subsequently, King Louis Philippe, in There is currently disagreement about whether the Buddhas should be an attempt to curry favour with the reconstructed or the remains left as they are, as a monument to the Taliban’s Parisians, replaced the statue with one bad behaviour. of Napoleon in modern dress. This in turn was replaced by LEFT: Buddha-less niche at Bamiyan after the 2001 Taliban iconoclasm another classical statue of Napoleon when his nephew Louis Napoleon

became Emperor Napoleon III. om c In 1870, Napoleon III was forced k. into exile, following his defeat and capture in the Franco Prussian War. Remains of the Raj Coronation Park in Delhi was the site of the great Durbar tterstoc u

The following year, Paris refused h of 1877, when Queen Victoria was declared Empress of India. It also hosted / S the 1911 Durbar when George V became king-emperor, attending with Queen Mary and taking the opportunity to announce the transfer of the capital of RIGHT: Napoleon’s column in Place British India from Calcutta to Delhi, ancient seat of the Mughal emperors. Vendôme – breathtaking vanity icestylecg It therefore provides a fitting location for a monument to the end of British rule. For many years following independence, India was ambivalent about its Raj era statues, but from the 1960s there were increasing calls for their removal. The solution was to house them in Coronation Park on purpose-built plinths arranged around the central obelisk left by the British to commemorate The Manneken Pis remains one of the most famous sights in Brussels. The George’s coronation. statue design dates from 1619, although previous effigies existed back to the Towering above the others is that of George V himself – the largest statue 15th century. It is seen by the Bruxellois as representing their independence of him ever erected. Other luminaries of the empire are also there, but many of spirit. It has been stolen and damaged many times. In 1747, French are not, for there are more empty plinths than statues, several of which were Grenadiers out on the lash tried to remove it, precipitating a riot. Louis XV of apparently sold off illegally over the years. France mollified the local burghers by presenting the statue with a brocade Grand plans for refurbishing the park were drawn up in 2005, with the gown and the order of St Denis. In 1817, Antoine Licas was sentenced to aim of completing it by the 100th anniversary of the 1911 Durbar, but it never forced labour for life for its theft, demonstrating what a dim view the locals happened. took of such activities. Although plans to develop it as a tourist attraction remain extant, they too It was stolen twice in the 1950s, again in 1965 and finally in 1967, when it have yet to come to fruition.

om was recovered from the Charleroi Canal. Thereafter, the original was placed Apparently, the new park envisages the attraction ‘divesting the statues of c

k. in the Brussels City Museum. their power’. However, this is hardly needed; the confident inscription on the There are several stories about the origin of the statue, so take your pick: grand central obelisk commemorating the last Durbar, together with the air of a. A small boy thwarted enemies besieging the city by putting out the fuse to neglect and the empty plinths, set out the story clearly enough: tterstoc u

h the gunpowder that was about to blow a breach in the walls. ‘Here on the 12th Day of December 1911, His Imperial Majesty King George b. A small boy put out what threatened to become the Great Fire of Brussels V, Emperor of India accompanied by the Queen Empress in solemn Durbar S-F / S by his quick thinking. (I think I’ve done this myself; who knows what announced in person to the Governors, Princes and Peoples of India his ABOVE: The Manneken Pis – showing might become a great fire). Coronation celebrated in England on the 22nd day of June 1911 and received from ABOVE: George V at Coronation Park in independence of spirit c. It was originally erected in thanks for the recovery of a lost child. them their dutiful homage and allegiance.’ Delhi – pondering on what was

32 Pennant AUTUMN 2020 AUTUMN 2020 Pennant 33 St atues

Soviet relics Regime change is not generally kind to statues. On the break-up of the Soviet Union, many former satellite states were eager to dispose of their The statue of philosopher emperor Marcus Aurelius on the Soviet imagery, which had been consciously used to reinforce the role of the state Capitoline Hill, Rome, dates from 175AD and is one of the and to glorify the architects of Soviet communism. glories of Rome. It dominates the Michelangelo-designed square Estonia was quick to act, and many of its Soviet statues were unceremoniously where it has stood since 1538, when it was relocated by order of dumped behind the Estonian Museum of History in Tallinn. They remain there – Pope Paul III. not part of the museum exhibitions but nevertheless free to visit. The current statue is a replica; the original has been in the Ukraine has also been working hard to dispose of its Soviet statues and, Capitoline Museum, which adjoins the square, since 1981. in 2015, made them illegal under a law banning ‘symbols of communist and Many Roman statues were melted down in the Middle Ages national socialist totalitarian regimes’. In 1991, there were more than 5,000 because they were considered pagan. Marcus Aurelius survived statues of Lenin in Ukraine; nearly all are now thought to have been removed – because he was mistaken for Constantine, the first Christian with the exception of those remaining in the Chernobyl exclusion zone. emperor. He rides without stirrups, as they had not been invented when the statue was made. LEFT: Statue cemetery in Tallinn, Estonia – how are the mighty fallen LEFT: Marcus Aurelius in Capitoline Square, Rome – a case of mistaken identity

On relinquishing command of the of the sea, which he can now see.

Portsmouth Garrison, General Lord Wellington, meanwhile, has om Richard III statue Richard III still has a bit of explaining to do concerning his c FitzClarence gave the city two giant memorials elsewhere, the most k. seizing of the throne when he was supposed to be regent and the disappearance statues – one of Nelson, the other prominent of which is the massive of the princes in the Tower who were under his protection. But despite his of Wellington. Both were unveiled on victory arch at Hyde Park Corner. dodgy reputation, he has his admirers, and the discovery of his bones under a tterstoc u

Southsea Common with much pomp However, the giant equestrian h Leicester car park has led to a rehabilitation of sorts. / S

and ceremony on Waterloo Day 1850 statue of Wellington that once topped x The Richard III Society had donated a heroic statue of the king to the City of u in front of a crowd of 50,000 locals. it (weighing in at 40 tons and standing Leicester in 1980, which stood in Castle Gardens. In 2014, it was refurbished

The event turned into a general 30 feet tall – the largest such statue in olyne and re-erected in a more prominent position in Cathedral Gardens, outside the M

bacchanalia, but the statues were the country), was roundly ridiculed en new King Richard III Visitor Centre and in view of the site where his bones B never popular, with many in the as being completely out of proportion were discovered in 2012. Royal Navy community seeing a with the archway, which, in the slight in the fact that the unveiling words of the archway’s designer RIGHT: Richard III – making a comeback took place on Waterloo Day. Decimus Burton, turned it into “a The statues were also looking at mere pedestal”. Queen Victoria also each other across the common – considered it an eyesore. whereas Nelson, they felt, should Nevertheless, fear of offending have been looking out to sea rather the duke himself, whose house than having to review the troops on overlooked the edifice, prevented its the adjacent parade ground. removal. It finally departed in 1882, The statue of Michael Jackson, commissioned by Mohamed Al-Fayed, was om

However, it seemed that they were 36 years after its installation. The c originally destined for Harrods, but when Al-Fayed sold the department store, k. in fact too close to the sea, for in just duke was dead, the arch was the new owners politely declined it. Instead, in April 2011, it was erected a few years the salt air eroded them moved to improve traffic flow, and outside Fulham’s Craven Cottage football ground, which Al-Fayed then owned tterstoc

badly. One night, the statues vanished Wellington’s statue was sent to u – much to the bemusement of many of the fans, who struggled to understand h

never to be seen again, reputedly Aldershot where, in the words of the / S its relevance.

stolen by a party of sailors and Prince of Wales, “It will be highly all Al-Fayed sold Fulham FC in July 2013 and in September the statue was y pitched into the sea. appreciated by the Army”. R removed by the new owner – an act, according to Al-Fayed, that was

Nelson did come back, however. It is hardly the centrepiece of the Keith responsible for Fulham’s relegation from the Premier League at the end of that Today a bronze statue of him stands town – although anyone who has season. However, Fulham has twice been back in the Premier League since then in Southsea, near the spot from which served in Aldershot will be familiar TOP: Wellington – consigned to the – including promotion for the 2020-21 season – so presumably the Jackson hex he embarked on his final battle – with it, towering amongst the rhododendrons has been lifted. although this was moved in 2005 rhododendrons beyond the garrison ABOVE: Nelson – moved in 2005 as ABOVE: Michael Jackson statue at Craven The statue was taken to the National Football Museum in 2014 and removed because the funfair blocked his view sports pitches. the funfair blocked his view of the sea Cottage – a short stay from display in March 2019.

34 Pennant AUTUMN 2020 interview

R uling the airwaves British Forces Broadcasting has always provided a lifeline for those serving abroad, but its Chairman, Major General Chris Wilson, wants listeners to continue to tune in long after they finish serving.

ainstream broadcasters who Broadcasters relying on video chats We’re in there every day, working Wilson is determined to focus on have struggled with crackling run over home broadband and with the community, so it gives us what the audience wants. “Although Mcalls and interrupted mobile data networks have been less access that would otherwise be very we have to go digital, the bottom BFBS broadcasters on the job interviews during the Covid-19 successful. If medals were awarded difficult to obtain.” line is the radio,” he says. “For pandemic could learn a thing or two for continuing to broadcast during a Wilson says Forces communities those serving abroad, BFBS TV is programmes for mainstream channels activities are ploughed back into from the military. Major General crisis, BFBS might need a bigger chest have turned increasingly to BFBS also important to them, especially – Royals on the Frontline was shown the charity and ultimately the MOD Chris Wilson, chair of BFBS (formerly to pin them on. radio during lockdown. “Radio has sport, which they love. They are on Yesterday, part of the Dave group. benefits from the fact that we are British Forces Broadcasting), stands “We have never been more almost come of age again,” he says. always asking us to tweak our sports Wilson also points to BFBS’s enviable trying to expand commercially. The ready to help. “Broadcasting from necessary to the MOD and to our BFBS measures its reach and coverage to suit their needs.” archive of radio and TV broadcast profits are used for the benefit of the hostile environments is what we community,” explains Wilson. “A lot currently a staggering 84% of British Wilson has been humbled by footage from war zones. military,” says Wilson. do,” he says. “If you can broadcast of families in military communities forces servicing overseas, and their the letters that have come in, from And although the services offered through a lockdown in Camp are turning to BFBS to get their news. families, listen to BFBS radio. government ministers down through E xtended reach by BFBS have expanded, in many Bastion, you can broadcast through a “We not only broadcast the “We don’t only ask if they listen, the military ranks and from Forces That diversification has deliberately ways they have also contracted as lockdown in the UK.” headline news on the hour, every but what it means to them,” says families, thanking BFBS for how it has widened. “We teach and run courses. British Forces have pulled back from BFBS sells its technology hour, but we put out a lot of military- Wilson. “The main thing we hear adapted to lockdown. We train people, from government eastern Europe to almost wholly commercially, he says. “Because focused content that doesn’t appear is that it is the glue that binds the “There has been no diminution of ministers all the way down, in media within the UK. we operate in hostile, inhospitable elsewhere.” service. If anything, our service has skills. We also have a creative agency “When I was in Germany in the environments where access to the That includes events such as been enhanced,” Wilson says. where we principally assist military 1970s, we had radio stations up and internet can be very poor, if not non- Armed Forces Day, which might get W e have never been more He is full of praise for his troops audiences with their social media and down the British Army of the Rhine,” existent, we have had to develop a mention on mainstream news but necessary to the MOD and on the ground – BFBS employs online presence,” says Wilson. Wilson remembers. technology to deliver our services in which BFBS would broadcast live. to our community 250 people, some with a military “The ‘Join the RAF’ advertisements However, BFBS is on call if needed. those environments. BFBS also covers the annual RAF background but many civilians too. are produced by us and go out on “We stand ready to deploy alongside “That technology lends itself memorial service from Runnymede “Many start with us and then move commercial television. And we have our audience wherever required,” to others who operate in similar and the Mountbatten Festival of community together wherever that on to greater things. Others want to BFBS cinemas, which are operated on Wilson says. “The military know it environments. NGOs are a classic Music from the Albert Hall, usually community is. It’s the link to home slow down and come to us at the end a commercial basis. We can’t rely on and love it when they are abroad and example. And organisations like overlooked by other broadcasters. and that’s what they find important. of their career. We have many former the MOD alone,” he says. on operations. Border Force operating at sea can Wilson points to the service’s day- That’s what I found when serving in BBC and Sky journalists. Above all, The broadcaster is not guaranteed “When they retire, there are so benefit in the same way we provide to-day advantages. “Our reporters Afghanistan – that link home every they are totally dedicated to their the contract to provide its news and many other organisations they can our technology to the Royal Navy.” and presenters are well known to the day was comforting.” audience,” says Wilson. entertainment services to British turn to get their news and they drop BFBS has the technology to military and are trusted and respected “I’m amazed they get to understand Forces. In 2013, the MOD put the off our radar. We want to help keep keep broadcasting in war zones. within our community. They have R adio career the military as well as they do. We whole service out to tender and BFBS that memory alive.” the security clearance to work in that The son of a soldier, Wilson grew are a very curious organisation that faced a competitor bid, eventually BFBS is still supporting Britain’s community. up listening to BFBS. When his own often speaks in riddles – their ability winning a 10-year contract. Armed Forces 75 years since it was “If you’re the BBC or Sky or a 38-year career in the army ended with to sound authentic on the radio is It expects the renewal process to created. And Chris Wilson would love freelance journalist, you can’t just his retirement in 2010, he immediately unbelievable. They do such a good start during 2021, but that is if the it if retired Forces personnel tuned in walk into RAF Brize Norton, a major joined the trustees of BFBS. job and I feel immensely proud of MOD thinks it is worth providing the occasionally. RAF operating base, but we can. At the time, he worked for specialist working with them.” service in the future. construction firm Thales, where he There are many others Wilson BFBS is a charity but it doesn’t go You can watch Forces TV through any of the satellite TV providers and tune LEFT: Chris Wilson, as Deputy Commanding gained commercial experience – is proud of. BFBS has contracts out rattling tins; it gets its income General of the Combined Forces command Wilson agreed to chair BFBS only to deliver TV and radio services from the MOD contract, which is run into BFBS radio worldwide. Details of in Afghanistan, visits the UK reconstruction once he could dedicate the required commercially – to the Falkland on a not-for-profit basis. frequencies and what BFBS can offer can team at Mazar-i-Sharif in March 2006 time after retiring from work. Islands, for example. It makes TV “Profits from its commercial be found at www.bfbs.com

36 Pennant AUTUMN 2020 AUTUMN 2020 Pennant 37 agm pensions Forces Pension Society B ig Issues The Big Issues page updates readers on key pensions AGM 2020 and campaign issues facing the Armed Forces. Highlights from this year’s online Annual General Meeting. oday, the Big Issue he Society held its wider collaborations with Tremains the first AGM by video the Public Sector Pensioners McCloud case – Tconference on Tuesday Council and the British how to resolve the 8 September. A total of 72 Medical Association on issues discrimination people, including members, such as pension allowance caused by the MOD guests, the military taxation, the McCloud remedy introduction of charity sector and our and ensuring service personnel new public sector affinity partners, attended. were as well informed as pension schemes New President Sir Stephen possible. in 2015. Hillier, a former Chief of Finally, he looked forward This issue affects the Air Staff, introduced the to the Society’s 75th all those who were meeting. He spoke about the anniversary next year. still serving on Society’s shift in emphasis The Chairman of the Forces 1 April 2012 (the from an organisation Pension Society Charitable date from which whose main business was Fund, Robert Ward, spoke ages of those campaigning against injustice, to one reappointing accountants, the Chief briefly about the fund and its compulsorily whose main effort was providing Executive explained the 2019 accounts, relationship with the Society. transferred to the advice to support individual decision- which showed an income of £1.365m There were three questions. The first new scheme were making. He noted the complexity and an expenditure of £1.412m. This related to the affordability of public calculated) and of members having more than one operating deficit of £47,000 was offset sector pensions. The Chairman said 1 April 2015, the pension, reflected in the growth of the by investment and revaluations, that current pensions were safe; the date on which pensions advisory team. leaving an overall deficit for the year McCloud remedy would move those the new scheme Sir Stephen emphasised the of £14,900. This had to be seen in the affected onto AFPS 15 in April 2022; actually took importance of the Society being able light of two previous years of surplus, and Council was focusing on possible effect. to respond flexibly to the future and would be made good in 2020. adaptations to the 2015 scheme. Mc Cloud Forces pension landscape – including The Society still owned its Vauxhall The second question was on was covered in campaigning where appropriate. office and had additional funds held the accounting treatment of life the last issue Chairman Sir Gerry Berragan in investments and cash. subscriptions. The Chairman of Pennant, so welcomed the new structures in The accounts were adopted. explained that this form of we can do no the Society to improve governance membership was no longer offered, better now – a separate Chair for the Society’s Membership levels so was of dwindling significance. than reproduce investment company, a new Risk and The Chief Executive said there had The final question related to plans the Society’s Governance Committee, and a clearer been 6,700 new joiners in 2019, taking for Society investments in the event statement relationship with the Forces Pension the total to 59,000. Extra staff had of a no-deal Brexit. The Chair of the published in Society Charitable Fund. been recruited, and the Society’s Strategy and Finance Committee said this month’s He noted the Council’s focus technological capability improved. Society funds were in a balanced House Magazine, on strategy, the consolidation of The education programme remained portfolio, aiming for CPI + 3%. No the magazine investments with fund manager strong, and the Society’s new webinar change in investment strategy was felt for members of Waverton, and the upgrading of the capability supplemented the physical necessary at this stage. Parliament and Society’s IT, website and social media roadshow, reaching people as far away The Chairman concluded by Peers, which presence. He reported that the Society as Fiji and Nevada. announcing that the 2021 AGM appears in full now employed 17 staff, in whom he The Society continued to support would be held at the former Naval here. expressed the Council’s confidence. the Veterans’ Gateway and was its College, Greenwich, on 9 June, when After the routine electing/re- most used referral partner. The Chief the Society hoped to be able to offer electing of Society officials and Executive also noted the Society’s members lunch in person!

38 Pennant AUTUMN 2020 AUTUMN 2020 Pennant 39 PENSIONS

Children’s pensions

AFPS 75 rules require the child is payable beyond the age of 23 Mary Petley explains … to be: if the child is unable to undertake • Under the age of 17 gainful employment due to mental • Under the age of 23 and in or physical disability suffered full-time education or before the age of 23. What if the worst happens after I leave the Armed Forces? Will AFPS help vocational training. For AFPS 75, where there is Veterans UK will work out how my family? Whether you die with a pension in payment or with preserved or If the parents are unmarried, the an adult pension in payment, the much five years’ pension is worth, deferred benefits, your family will have clear-cut entitlements. Here’s a reminder child must be born during the remaining 50% of the member’s subtract the amount of pension and member’s service. If the parents are entitlement is available to be about understanding the pension entitlements of your family and the criteria lump sum that have been paid, and married, the child must be the child shared by the eligible children. pay any balance to the spouse, civil that apply – which may differ depending on the pension scheme. of a marriage that took place before For AFPS 05 and AFPS 15, partner, eligible partner or, if none, to the member left the service. 37.5% remains available for the the deceased’s estate. In the case of an unborn child, eligible children. In each scheme If the member dies with a et us look first at adult pension not yet in payment – the he or she must be born within nine where there is an adult pension preserved AFPS 05 pension, part benefits. It is pretty obvious Veterans UK will require spouse or civil partner entitlement months of the member’s death. in payment, no child can receive of the entitlement is a lump sum of Lthat Veterans UK will require a is 50% of the member’s pension AFPS 05 and AFPS 15 rules require more than 25% of the member’s three times the pension. death certificate if an Armed Forces documentation to prove a entitlement, so no STFP entitlement. the child to be: entitlement. This will be paid to the nominee pensioner dies, but what may be less marriage or civil partnership The member’s preserved benefits • Under the age of 18 In all three schemes where or, if there is no nomination, to the clear is that they will also require would include a lump sum of three • Under the age of 23 and in there is no adult pension in spouse, civil partner or eligible documentation to prove a marriage payment, AFPS 75 will pay a lump times the pension and it is paid, full-time education or payment, and the children are not partner. If there is nobody eligible to or civil partnership too. sum to the estate equal to three automatically, to the spouse or the vocational training. living with a parent or step-parent, receive the lump sum, it will be paid Dealing with a bereavement is very times the representative rate for the civil partner. There are no marriage criteria. To the whole pension is available to to the deceased’s estate. distressing and demanding and, as deceased’s rank, less the amount If there is no spouse or civil be entitled to a pension, an unborn be divided between the children, If the member dies with a deferred Forces Pension Society members, paid as a pension lump sum and any partner, the lump sum is paid to the child must be born within 12 months with no child receiving more than (this means the same as preserved) you will know that we recommend commutation lump sum taken. children. If there are none, it is paid of the member’s death. 33.33% of the member’s pension AFPS 15 pension, the nominee will a ‘just in case’ file, where important When the member dies with a into the deceased’s estate. For all schemes, a child’s pension entitlement. receive a lump sum of three times documents and contact details preserved AFPS 75 pension – a the pension. If there is no nominee, are kept. If you have such a file, AFPS 05 and AFPS 15 it will be paid to the person eligible make sure your marriage or civil These pay adult pensions to the of the member’s intention to make have changed – perhaps you have a to receive the adult pension or, if partnership documents are in it! member’s spouse, civil partner or financial provision for the partner. new unmarried partner or are just there is no eligible adult, to the eligible partner. The form is available on JPA. no longer with the old one – you deceased’s estate. AFPS 75 The eligible partner is an It only takes a minute or two to must review your nomination form, AFPS 75 pays pensions to the unmarried partner of either sex, complete BUT, if you are going to otherwise the wrong person may get Transferred pensions spouse or civil partner of the who lives with the member and can complete it, it is vital that you keep your lump sum. Finally, a word for those of you member. If you are not married or demonstrate financial dependence or it under review because Veterans AFPS 05 adult pensions are who were transferred from AFPS not in a civil partnership, your interdependence. UK will comply with the wishes normally 62.5% of the member’s 75 or AFPS 05 to AFPS 15 and have partner will not normally receive Examples of the sort of financial expressed on it. pension entitlement – for members preserved/deferred benefits in more anything from AFPS 75. evidence that Veterans UK will be Nominations do not lapse unless: with more than 37.33 years’ than one scheme. If the member dies with his or looking for could include: • The nominee dies before the reckonable service, the pension You will know that public sector her pension in payment, the family • A joint bank account member would be slightly less. schemes have been working hard pension is paid in two stages. First • A joint rent book • The nominee was the member’s AFPS 15 adult pension are always to remedy the discrimination that is the Short Term Family Pension • Evidence of bill sharing spouse or civil partner and the 62.5% of the member’s pension the Court ruled existed in the 2015 (STFP). This means the family • A will that names the unmarried relationship has been legally entitlement. Again, these pensions transitional rules. receives the member’s full pension partner as the beneficiary. dissolved (but the member can are payable for life. Should a member die before the in the immediate aftermath of the This list is not exhaustive and there re-nominate the ‘ex’ after the If the member dies within five remedy is finalised, the consultation member’s death for 91 days if there is something that the member can relationship has been dissolved) years of his or her AFPS 05 or document (which can be viewed are no eligible children, or 182 days if do to help Veterans UK make their • The member marries or enters AFPS 15 pension being in payment, online at bit.ly/32XmfwW) sets out there are. After the STFP, the spouse/ decision. into a civil partnership after proposals that assure us the schemes civil partner pension reduces to 50% Submitting an AFPS Form 2 1 December 2018 intend doing right by bereaved of the member’s entitlement and this nominating the partner as the • The nominee is convicted of the if you are going to complete Armed Forces families. pension is payable for life. recipient of any lump sums that murder or manslaughter of the If the member dies within 12 might be due in the event of the member. AFPS Form 2, it is vital that • This article was originally written by FPS months of retiring with a pension in member’s death provides evidence So, if your personal circumstances you keep it under review at the request of Pathfinder Magazine.

40 Pennant AUTUMN 2020 AUTUMN 2020 Pennant 41 PENSIONS Armed Forces Bereavement Scholarship Scheme

Veterans UK’s annual Armed Forces Pension Scheme Newsletter, which those of you in receipt of a pension will have received, draws attention to the Armed Forces Bereavement Scholarship Scheme (AFBSS). For eligible children, it offers a very significant leg up to help with the costs of further education. Mary Petley explains what it provides and how it works.

he AFBSS provides financial UK, the same rule applies about irrespective of whether the student still in compulsory education or maintenance element (£4,950) support for educational where the study takes place. lives in Scotland, Wales or Northern within three years from finishing It’s good to see there is remains the same wherever the Tpurposes to children with a Applicants who do not live in the Ireland. school education. For HE, he or study takes place. parent who has died both in service UK are not excluded from the scheme, If the study takes place in Scotland, she should be scheduled to start, or provision in place to help and because of their service in the but they must obtain a place at a UK Wales or Northern Ireland, the have started, the HE course within and support children Head start Armed Forces. The aim of the scheme institution before applying. maintenance element of the payment three years of finishing FE. If more The ‘head start’ is obvious. Many is to give these children a head start. If successful, support will be remains at £4,950. than three years, justification for the first undergraduate degree. Sue’s families struggle with the expense Young people in England have provided as if they were resident in But the tuition element varies delay may be required. undergraduate degree is longer than of growing children and £1,500 to stay in secondary education the UK. Travel and visa costs are not between £0 for a student living and Sam’s but, because it is all one course, per year per child for the final two until 18 these days, unless they covered by the scheme. studying at a Scottish university How it all works she is able to apply for support for years of secondary education could are going on to further education to £14,200 for a student living in Here’s an example. Sam and Sue are the duration. help lessen the strain, encouraging (FE) or a technical education (TE) Funding levels England, Wales or Northern Ireland twins. They are 18, live in England If they lived in Scotland and participation and achievement. apprenticeship, traineeship or a The sums involved are not means and studying in a Scottish university. and specialised in science subjects studied in Scotland (where there Most young people come out of combination of part-time education tested, are not to be sneezed at, and So, who is eligible for the scheme? at school, obtaining good results are no university tuition fees), the university with substantial debt. and work or volunteering. are not taxable. The following rules apply: and offers of university places. They scholarship would be limited to the The university scholarship removes Elsewhere in the UK, the school For FE, the rate is £1,500 pa for all • The child or his/her surviving started their studies at university this £4,950 maintenance element only. that burden from its recipients, leaving age is 16. students. For university scholarships/ parent must be in receipt of autumn, Sam to study engineering Let’s say they lived in Northern allowing them to embark on a career But, wherever the child lives, this HE, the amount that can be claimed attributable benefits. and Sue to study medicine. Their dad Ireland, but one of them studied without the worry of replaying the funding could make the difference varies depending upon where the • The child can be a natural child, an died six years ago as a result of his elsewhere in the UK, what then? student loan. between him or her being able child lives and the tuition costs in the adopted child or a step-child. Foster service in the Armed Forces and the If Sam studied at a university in No amount of money will make up to continue into FE, TE and/or a part of the UK the study takes place. children are not eligible. family is receiving AFPS 75 benefits Northern Ireland, his scholarship for the loss of a parent, but it’s good university degree comfortably or The maximum rate payable is • The child must be under the age and Survivors Guaranteed Income would amount to £8,415 per year to see that there is provision in place struggling financially. £14,200 pa (up to £9,250 for tuition of 24 – this age limitation does Payments from the Armed Forces and if Sue studied in Wales, her to help and support the children of Study must take place in the UK and £4,950 for maintenance) not apply if the child suffers from Compensation Scheme. scholarship amount would total Forces personnel who die as a result (which includes the Channel Islands physical or mental incapacity that For the past two years, the AFBSS £13,950 per year. of service of their country. and the Isle of Man) unless the course prevents gainful employment. has supported them through to the This example illustrates clearly requires a period of study outside the The sums involved are not • The child must be unmarried and age of 18 to a value of £1,500 per year how the university scholarship • AFBSS is administered by Veterans UK. UK – for example, a degree in French not in a civil partnership. each. For their university studies, amounts are set to take into account For more details about the scheme, and with time spent learning in France. means tested, not to be • For HE, the child must be due to AFBSS will support them to the the situation pertaining to tuition the application form, go to www.gov.uk/ If the applicant lives outside the sneezed at, and not taxable start or in FE/HE either while value of up to £14,200 pa for their fees across the UK. However, the government/publications/afbss-form-1

42 Pennant AUTUMN 2020 AUTUMN 2020 Pennant 43

PENSIONS forces moneyplan How Long Does Forces MoneyPlan: a Pension Last? Generic Financial Advice The last person to receive a US government pension from the American Civil War, which ended in 1865, died on 31 May this year. Pennant explains and for FPS Members assesses the relevance for modern pensioners. The FPS/Forces MoneyPlan initiative will have been running for two years at the end of November. This is a partnership between the Society and the Personal Finance Society (PFS), rene Triplett was 90 when she died and for his widow and his orphan, to 84 surviving American spouses and the professional body for the UK financial advisory profession. PFS promotes the highest this May in North Carolina, still in do all which may achieve and cherish a children receiving benefits tied to the standards of professionalism for technical knowledge, client service and ethical practice Ireceipt of $877.56 a year from the just and lasting peace among ourselves Spanish-American War, which was US Department of Veterans Affairs. and with all nations. fought in 1898. across the financial advice community. Through Forces MoneyPlan, it offers a pro bono Her father, Mose Triplett, This enlightened approach differed So what is the relevance to the UK? consultation to all Forces Pension Society members. Here is a reminder of what is on offer. distinguished himself by fighting for from that of the United Kingdom. Two things: both sides during the American Civil In 1890, Rudyard Kipling was still • First, the sheer longevity of War. As a boy of 16, he enlisted for berating the nation for its treatment of pensions is in large part the reason orces MoneyPlan offers a free, impact on the ability of many the Confederacy in the 53rd North the survivors of the Light Brigade: why governments and especially no obligation, confidential service personnel veterans and Carolina Infantry, but defected in O thirty million English that babble the Treasury tread so warily where Fsingle meeting with a financial families to work, maintain their 1863, ending up as a member of of England’s might pensions are concerned, for they adviser who has agreed to provide earnings, purchase property or claim Kirk’s Raiders, which carried out a Behold there are twenty heroes who must consider the long-term generic financial guidance to help appropriate state benefits. series of behind-the-lines attacks on lack their food tonight implications. This is part of the forces personnel understand their The pandemic is causing extra Confederate targets. Our children’s children are lisping to reason that the McCloud issue financial position, based on their money worries for many in the He applied for a Union pension “honour the charge they made-“ (see page 39) is taking so long to own circumstances. Armed Forces community and, for 20 years after the war. His daughter And we leave to the streets and the unpick – the implications of any It aims to help them make better some, its impact has been significant. Irene was born in 1930 when he was workhouse, the Charge of the Light solution will outlive this century, so informed decisions about their advice to understand the implications So it’s not surprising that during 83, from his second marriage in 1924 Brigade! taking the time to understand these, financial options, to show them how of different types of savings or the pandemic, Forces MoneyPlan to Elida Hall, some 50 years his junior. and getting a fair solution that will best to plan their finances and to raise investments, or how to build a has seen a corresponding increase This was apparently not unusual stick, is vital. awareness of financial scams and financial plan for the future – or in requests for guidance in respect during the Great Depression, For many, your pension • You may still consider yourself pitfalls. It does not offer or promote simply to have greater control over of a range of related topics. These especially in the South where will be the biggest thing immortal, but it will pass. For many, specific financial products. your routine finances (including debt) include debt management, state grinding poverty was commonplace. you ever own your pension will be the biggest These meetings can be held face – the Forces MoneyPlan offer may be benefit entitlement, balancing the Such marriages worked because thing you ever own. So understand to face or by telephone/Skype on a of use to you. books, deferral of retirement dates, they provided security for both How Lincoln’s words were it, not just for yourself but for your convenient day and time. If, however, you want regulated wills and powers of attorney, and parties; a guaranteed income on the interpreted depended on each state dependants as well. There will be The service is complementary to financial advice – someone to advise guidance in respect of eligibility for one hand and a carer on the other. – they drew up their own eligibility widows of First World War soldiers the Forces Pension Society’s own on a particular course of action or local authority care and NHS health Both Irene and her mother suffered rules – but the largesse spread wide still alive today, still drawing an pension advice service. to recommend or manage specific care for elderly relatives. from mental disabilities, which and many such pension entitlements Armed Forces Pension. Some of If you want to know anything investments, then you must go to a Managing your money is easier explains Irene’s continuing eligibility lasted for a very long time indeed. you serving today will draw your about your Armed Forces pension, regulated financial adviser. said than done, but rarely is there for a pension throughout her life. The last surviving Civil War veteran pension well into the next century, still ask FPS in the normal way. But The outbreak of Covid-19 anything more important in the In 1865, in his second inaugural and pensioner died in 1956 aged 109. and some of your spouses and if you would like generic financial (coronavirus) has had a direct longer term. presidential address, as the war was Gertrude Janeway, the last widow partners – who you do not even drawing to an end, Abraham Lincoln in receipt of a Civil War pension, know yet – may draw it for a good had set the tone for such generosity: married her husband in 1927 when deal longer. A comforting thought, With malice toward none, with charity she was 18 and he was 81. When I think, that your hard work may for all, with firmness in the right as she died in 2003, 70 years after her still be bearing dividends in the To secure a free consultation with a Forces MoneyPlan financial adviser or God gives us to see the right, let us husband’s death, she still received $80 reign of King George VIII, simply to find out more about the scheme go to: www.thepfs.org/about-us/ strive on to finish the work we are in, every other month – an entitlement 100 years hence. initiatives/forces-moeyplan/forces-pension-society or call Lyn New (the to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care that had spanned three centuries. scheme’s administrator) on 07900 226151. for him who shall have borne the battle In a recent count, there remained ABOVE: Abraham Lincoln visits Union troops

46 Pennant AUTUMN 2020 AUTUMN 2020 Pennant 47 48 Pennant AUTUMN 2020 AUTUMN 2020 Pennant 49 merchandise FPS Shop Welcome to the FPS Shop. Please only use this order form if you are unable to order via our website www.forcespensionsociety.org/shop/

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AUTUMN 2020 Pennant 51

from the archives

T he Story of It emerged that neither of the air-sea rescue crew Sergeant Joss could swim at all

This article originally appeared in the October 1951 edition of the now defunct ME 109; why else would it have RAF Quarterly. We felt it was worth a rerun. As the introduction to 1960s cop films used to turned and run? So he gave chase. say: “This story is true; only the names have been changed to protect the innocent …” But before he could get much closer, his quarry flew straight into the It was given to us by Gp Capt Christopher le Bas, son of the author, AVM Mike le Bas sea. Hackem-Downe was an honest man, but here was the easiest 109 he was ever going to claim, and to add would reach them ooking back, there is little doubt At the time, switch on their verisimilitude to his claim, he loosed before the petrol ran out that Sergeant Joss got off to a the squadron IFF. So at about off a few rounds of ammunition. and the aircraft drifted onto Lpoor start with his commanding was based on the the time the At that moment, a body popped the enemy shore. officer. On landing from his first Adriatic coast of weather recce out from under the wreckage. Long before the launch reached it, operation with a Spitfire squadron Italy near Ancona, should have been Moreover, it was wearing what the Walrus did run out of petrol. The in Italy, he displayed with doing a variety of approaching base looked suspiciously like an RAF Mae circling Spitfires anxiously watched considerable pride an ugly gash jobs, from armed on its return, no West and started to climb into what the launch struggling forward Spitfires also joined in. on the underside of one wing of reconnaissance to ABOVE: Walrus one was surprised was unmistakably an RAF dinghy. against heavy seas and the Walrus, in Meanwhile the master of his aircraft. This, he explained to a air defence. swimming in calm – and certainly It was Sgt Joss. A disappointed constant danger of capsizing, drifting the HSL shouted to Sgt Joss’s party sceptical CO, who had been on the The day usually started with conditions not Hackem- Hackem-Downe initiated air-sea closer to the enemy coast. to swim for it. But it emerged that same sortie, was the result of flak. a weather recce at first light by a Downe – when rescue procedure. Unfortunately, the Walrus had neither of the air-sea rescue crew “Heavy, intense, accurate flak at section of two aircraft. the readiness section was scrambled. The air-sea rescue Walrus that also run its batteries dry, so it was could swim at all. So Sgt Joss bad 8,000 feet,” he added emphatically. A further section remained at However, there was always the day was manned by two NCOs impossible to instruct the crew to them a sad farewell and swam out But his story lost some of its readiness on the airstrip, as the possibility this was a couple of real from Canada, neither of whom had take to the dinghy and await the to the boat alone, arriving safely, effect with the arrival of the local enemy had been in the habit of enemy, so Hackem-Downe and his ever undertaken a pickup before. arrival of the launch. So the inevitable blissfully unaware of the rifle fire RAF Regiment flight commander sending his own recces composed of other half leapt into the air with Nevertheless, they set off and because happened: the Walrus beached directed at him from the cliff-top. brandishing the bent barrel of a two ME 109s down to Ancona. enthusiasm and set course with all Sgt Joss was only three miles off the itself under a steep and slightly On hearing of the two left on the 20mm anti-aircraft gun. A gun, levers hard forward. enemy coast, they were given an overhanging cliff. beach, the master decided to swim to moreover, that had been minding its Weather recce Soon after, Hackem-Downe escort of Spitfires. the shore with a line. own business 10 yards from the edge On the day in question, Sgt Joss, who sighted two aircraft in the distance The dinghy was found without High-speed launch But at that point the enemy of the landing strip – until brought was enjoying one of his short periods at zero feet over the sea – these were incident, the Walrus landed alongside A short while later, the HSL arrived; brought a 20mm gun to bear. Rightly forcibly into contact with a Spitfire of flying duty in between the two Spitfires returning from the and took Sgt Joss aboard. the master courageously brought her deciding not to risk his craft further, executing its third bounce. protracted periods of being dawn recce. Unfortunately, the inexperienced in as close as he dared, standing off he set course for Ancona, thus ending grounded, set off with his But this pertinent fact was crew had omitted to take account of some 50 yards from the shore. the adventure – except that the section leader on the unknown to all concerned, and the wind speed or the sea state before But now another complication HSL hit the boom at the entrance to weather recce. Flying before the two sections were close alighting, and were now unable to arose. A platoon of German soldiers Ancona harbour. Officer Hackem- enough to identify each other as take off again in the choppy seas. arrived at the top of the cliff. That evening, Joss’s CO totted up Downe stayed behind friendly, Sgt Joss, for reasons he was There was nothing left to do but Luckily, they were armed with the cost of the operation: one Spitfire at readiness with his number 2. never subsequently able to explain point the Walrus hopefully in the nothing more than rifles, and as they lost, one Walrus lost, two aircrew Mobile radar of the type used in coherently, turned about and set off direction of the open sea, keep the were unable to get at the three hiding prisoners of war, one high-speed Italy in those days was never wholly from whence he had come. engines running and pray that the under the cliff face, they started launch damaged. reliable, a problem compounded by Naturally, Hackem-Downe high-speed launch (HSL) that had firing at the HSL, which replied But at least Sgt Joss was back with people like Sgt Joss forgetting to deduced that this must indeed be an been summoned from Ancona with its forward turret. The circling his squadron!

54 Pennant AUTUMN 2020 AUTUMN 2020 Pennant 55 blast from the past

T he accidental Olympian With the 2020 Olympics postponed and no events to cover, we asked FPS member and 1952 Helsinki Olympian John MacMillan to tell his story.

any present-day Olympians eligible, as I had won the event the Discovering that the dates fell in This was Tuesday. Our first race are full-time athletes, previous year, which disqualified the week after the May races and was on the following evening, so clashed, and we thought the race ABOVE: John MacMillan (stroke) and Peter Msupported by sponsorship me from entering again. He thought before serious training commenced we had time to rig the boat, have would be halted and restarted. While Brandt (bow) in training at Helsinki of one kind or another. Their it might be OK if I was in a different for Henley Royal Regatta, we bid a gentle outing on Tuesday we hesitated, the more experienced dedication, and the time they spend partnership, so he followed this up for a place. afternoon and a bit of a pipe crew rowed on, crossing the line a gaining a place in any nation’s team, and got clearance. For the next three weeks, we had opener on Wednesday morning couple of feet ahead of us. bomber for a wonderful adventure. is absolute and may span as much as to abandon all thought of sculling before our first race. However, Peter and I were 20 years at the top of their sport. Going for gold as the May races dominated our Unsurprisingly, we floundered at Second chance distinguished from the other It was different in the immediate It was important to have an entry as rowing lives. By this time, we had the start through lack of practice, but That, we thought, was the end of our British crews – we didn’t come post-war era. My own experience a pair from another college had been sculled together for about three managed to claw back the deficit and shortlived Olympic aspirations. But fourth in the finals and get slammed was perhaps a bit eccentric, even bragging about winning the Lowe, weeks, including the races. come home with a slight lead. we were wrong. One of the selectors by the press for dashing their in those days, but not altogether going on to the Olympic trials, and Serious training started after We had amazed ourselves by the knew how little we had trained forecasts of a great medal haul in different from others who were hopefully emulating Dickie Burnell the Saturday Bump Supper, the way the boat got up and flew when together and we were called back for their columns the day before. We had fighting to catch the eye of the and Bert Bushnell, who had highlight of the rowing year. We we abandoned all caution and gave it a second trial, which we managed to fallen at an earlier fence. selectors and hold down a won gold in London in both enjoyed this enormously – so all we had as we neared the finish. win quite convincingly. There were highlights that stick fairly demanding job at the 1948. We had to put much so that hangovers precluded Next day, in the semi-finals, we Now we had backing! We were in my memory: the reception at same time. them in their place. Sunday training. repeated our success, and so reached given the occasional use of a coach, Buckingham Palace before we I was in my Training But we were fit enough for a small the final that evening with a feeling and our 10-year-old boat was set off; the two pairs of Coopers second year at would fit in with party that night and for a gentle that we hadn’t done too badly so far. replaced by something slightly Y-Fronts that were the sponsorship Cambridge in 1952, preparations for the May outing on the Cam on Monday. There was a glimmer of hope, even younger. We were accommodated items for all British competitors; the and oblivious to the races in the college eight if We prepared the boat to travel to though our opposition included in London so that we could train sweltering, bumpy ride on the way fact that it was an we just added an extra hour Henley next day, arranging to meet Burnell, the 1948 gold medal winner, on rough water, as conditions in out; the great atmosphere in the mess Olympic year. or two to the time we spent his father at the boat house at 9am and his new partner Bradley. Helsinki could easily be much tent where all national teams mixed One day, my good rowing in the eight or coaching the next day to load the boat on the The race followed a predictable rougher than the Cam. for meals; and the shambolic bus friend Peter Brandt other crews. Up to seven hours roof of his car and take us to the pattern, with the two Bs establishing About a month later, we set off service to the rowing venue, where approached me with a on the river each day would still heart of British rowing. a substantial early lead, then crossing to Helsinki in a converted wartime a bus was only considered ready to rather desperate request that leave a few minutes to prepare to our side of the course to send the depart if the roof had its fair share of I should join him to train for for the exams. A ll-nighter turbulent water down to us. passengers, legs dangling through the Lowe Double Sculls, About a fortnight later, we Peter was there on time, but he was We gradually started to gain on We had amazed ourselves by the ventilators! the annual university race for sorted out the opposition and still in his tailcoat, having not gone them and the umpire told them the way the boat flew when It wasn’t the winning, but the such boats. decided to find out more to bed at all as he danced the night several times to get out of our water. taking part. Pierre de Coubertin I believed that I wouldn’t be about the Olympic trials. away at that year’s May Ball. We started to overtake, our oars we abandoned all caution would have been proud of us.

56 Pennant AUTUMN 2020 AUTUMN 2020 Pennant 57 58 Pennant AUTUMN 2020 QUIZ

Q14 Q21 om ck.c o t

Pennant 2020 Christmas Quiz s r The Christmas Quiz is a mixture of general knowledge and current affairs with a few pictures e utt thrown in so you can’t Google everything. We hope it will keep you amused in the long winter h rn / S

evenings. As an extra incentive, there’s a £30 Marks & Spencer token for the first all-correct ea y answer from a member drawn on 29 January 2021. Please submit your answers to: Pennant e dl Q38 Q44 a Christmas Quiz 2020, Forces Pension Society, 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL. Br St

QUOTATIONS oppresseth them and requires, circumspice” 9. Which Frenchman said: won by Supermarine. 24. In the Song of Solomon 32. W ho introduced 42. Which former party 1. In which film does Paul spoileth them without (Reader, if you seek “We look to Scotland for all The design was influential “thy navel” is compared Christmas trees to leadership candidate was Scofield say: “Why mercy: they cannot his memorial, look our ideas of civilization”? in developing which to what? England? elected as full-time leader Richard, it profit a man revenge their quarrel, around you)? famous aircraft? of his party in August nothing to sell his soul for nor help themselves. 10. “O powerful love! that 25. How did Zeus disguise 33. What does Beth give 2020 after standing in as the whole world, but for See unto them, see unto 7. The verse is by 11th in some respects, makes 17. W hich Royal Navy officer himself to seduce Danae? Marmee for Christmas? temporary leader? Wales”? them, for they are my century Chinese poet a beast a man, in some was the inspiration for charge. I charge you, Su Dong-Po. Supply the other, a man a beast”. Patrick O’Brian’s Jack 26. Who turned against 34. Melchior is traditionally 43. See picture. Who is it? 2. I n which film does Bob even as god has charged last two missing words: Which play? Aubrey, of Master and her husband after the identified as the King of Hope utter the immortal me.”’ Which British Families when a child Commander fame? sacrifice of their where? 44. See picture. Who is in lines: “Farfel farfel pipic”? monarch wrote these is born ARMA VIRUMQUE CANO daughter, and killed him the box? instructions to the judges Hope it will turn out 11. See picture. What is the 18. Which famous female pilot on his return from the 35. Which British monarch 3. “Y ou and me was ever of the realm? intelligent. thing like a sideways died after bailing out of her Trojan War? first gave a Christmas 45. See picture (facing page). friends. And when you’re I, through intelligence sunflower at the top of this aircraft over the Thames address to the nation? What is happening here? well enough to go out for 5. Which Anglo-Irish author Having wrecked my scene from the Bayeux estuary in 1941? 27. Which Victorian art critic a ride – what larks.” and clergyman wrote: “All whole life, Tapestry? was reputedly so shocked 36. What part does Daisy 46. Who apologised to seven Which book? government without the Only hope that the 19. T he Staffordshire Hoard by his wife’s pubic hair play in the nativity play former employees in July consent of the governed baby will prove 12. See picture. Whose tomb? discovered in 2009 is (so unlike the marble featured in the film at the High Court? 4. “Have a care over my is the very definition of Ignorant and stupid. the largest ever find of statues with which he was Love Actually? people. You have my slavery”? Then he’ll be happy 13. Which British ship Saxon gold. What does it more familiar) that he was 47. Which head of state people – do that which all his days launched in 1908 gave her principally consist of? unable to consummate 37. W hat is the defining died of coronavirus in I ought to do. They are 6. Whose epitaph is this: And grow into a name to a new class of their marriage? feature of the ‘Principal June 2020? my people. Every man “Lector, si monumentum c------m------. battleship? 20. Crippled by an arrow Boy’ in pantomime? wound in his youth, which 28. One of the all-time 48. Which traditional songs Q45 8. “Englishmen rarely 14. See picture. This was the 14th century warrior was Hollywood greats, he and 38. See picture. Televised were nearly not sung in cry, except under the first British V bomber to reputedly responsible for his wife remained happily carols from here are part September? pressure of the acutest enter service. Which one? the death of some 5% of married for 50 years until of the Christmas tradition. grief; whereas in some the world’s population? his death in 2008. Who? Where is it? 49. Who caught coronavirus parts of the Continent 15. Which Elizabethan was His tombstone described at his own tennis event? the men shed tears captain of the Revenge? him as the conqueror of 29. Who was the love of 39. Who sang carols to Mole much more readily the world. John Keats’ life, inspiring and Ratty? 50. From which trip did and freely.” Which 19th 16. The Schneider Trophy the poem (and the film) Robert Behnken and century English scientist for seaplanes was last LOVE AND ALL THAT Bright Star? 40. The Romans hung it Douglas Hurley return wrote these words? competed for in 1931 and 21. See picture. She lights a above doorways to in August? beacon for her lover to 30. Which famous US protect the household; swim to her – he never actor is married to it now forms part of our Q12 made it. Who was he? a British human Christmas tradition, rights lawyer? representing peace and om

22. Who was Iseult’s husband? harmony. What is it? om ck.c ck.c o CHRISTMAS t o s t r 23. See picture (right). A 31. W hich country CURRENT EVENTS s e r e

utt British late-flowering is the world’s 41. Who holidayed in Scotland utt h orchid is named for its biggest with his fiancée and son h / S / S ee

svo resemblance to female hair. producer of and set up his tent in the ri Q43 Fr Q11 What is it called? frankincense? wrong place? D jo

60 Pennant AUTUMN 2020 Q23 AUTUMN 2020 Pennant 61 Forces Pension Society Annual Subscriptions Increase

The FPS Council has decided that from 1 January 2021, the annual membership subscription fee for all members will rise by £1 from £40 to £41 per annum. The subscription fee for widowers and widows of former members will remain at £20 per annum. The monthly payer rate for those still on it will remain at £3.60.

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Pennant Spring Quiz Answers 1. Tay Bridge 20. John Graham of Claverhouse 39. Ash 2. Royal George 21. Katarina Johnson Thompson 40. Anubis 3. R 101 22. Geoff Hurst 41. Clemenceau 4. Russian 23. Four 42. Lady Caroline Lamb 5. Llewellyn 24. Surfing 43. Winston Churchill 6. Battle of Teutoberger Forest 25. Don Bradman 44. Salazar 7. General ‘Stonewall’ Jackson 26. Ossie Ardiles 45. King Zog 8. Eruption of Vesuvius 27. Fallon Sherrock 46. Simon Bolivar 9. Matterhorn 28. Strongman/Dinnie Stones 47. Margaret Bondfield 10. Pudding Lane 29. Shane Williams 48. Talleyrand 11. Harfleur 30. Mary Peters 49. Denmark 12. Trieste 31. Nightingale 50. Queen Victoria 13. Lord Edward Fitzgerald 32. Lark 14. Wat Tyler 33. Rome 15. Duke of Marlborough 34. Crows Spring 16. Being hung drawn and quartered 35. Thrush Quiz winner 17. Nemean Lion 36. Swallow Sqn Ldr AP Cattle 18. Laocoon 37. Cherry 19. Magellan 38. New York

62 Pennant AUTUMN 2020 gardening Winter Wonderland Guy Barter, Chief Horticulturist at the Royal Horticultural Society, says winter is no time to down tools. Here, he reminds us it’s a time to make changes and prepare for the bumper summer to come.

inter is the time to get tulips and hyacinths topped up can attract ahead in horticulture. Take in pots and borders. all sorts of birds into Wadvantage of any sunny You can plant up your garden. days to get out in your garden. your containers with Birds also need water, There’s lots to be done. bulbs – garden centres will be especially in frosty weather, The soil in November is often dry pleased to sell you attractive so keep a bird bath topped up enough to start planting trees and plants that will create pretty and clean it occasionally too. shrubs and fruit. Get on as fast as you winter containers. Pansies Pouring hot water on the bird can. Any tree, shrub, fruit or climber and violas are capable of flowering in bath to melt it in the frosty mornings that you can get hold of in the winter, mild spells, whereas others will stay will go down a storm with your local you can plant in the winter. And with green until spring, when they start feathered population. any luck, it will grow roots and need flowering. In winter, you do what you Wildlife gardens are very popular less watering the following summer. can with the few things that flower, these days. People will do a lot to contractors tend to be busy all spiking the ground and cutting back The soil is still warm. Soil doesn’t such as pansies and Christmas roses. encourage birds and other wildlife. summer, but their order books are any shade. That will keep your lawn really get cold until the new year, so But it’s nice to have loads of stuff fairly empty in the winter, so they can moss-free and save you the bother of the roots can still do a bit of growing – coming on for the spring – if you come along and give you a fair price having to rake all the lawn moss out especially the evergreen shrubs. plan it right, sometime in February, Wildlife gardens are very to do things you want done. in February and March. You can buy plants ready to plant depending on where you live in popular these days. People But although there are big tasks to And if your mower is starting to out. You can buy them in pots. You Britain, you’ll start getting pretty tackle if you feel up to it, there are also show its age after a busy summer, can buy them with the roots wrapped things coming up in the garden. will do a lot to encourage plenty of little things you can do just winter is the perfect opportunity to in wet straw – called bare roots. Or birds and other wildlife to keep the garden looking nice. take it to a local mower depot and you can buy them with the roots T rees and birds This is where the fun comes in. You get them to sharpen the blades and wrapped in sacking, which is called a Winter is also the time to prune fruit If you’re feeling energetic, winter is can potter around your garden with service it if you don’t do it yourself. root ball. They vary in prices. and trees, so it’s worth checking to see a good time to dig things up or start a your secateurs and a bucket – plants Make sure everything is ready for And even if you can’t plant them if anything needs pruning and get that garden makeover. that will look nice in the frost, you action when spring returns. out properly yet, you can do done now. You don’t want A lot of people plant things when can leave; plants that are a mess and Winter gardening is thoroughly what’s called ‘heeling in’, to find yourself in April, they are small and then they get too might be harbouring slugs, you can rewarding, and we can still enjoy a which is when you plant them with everything bursting big or they don’t really grow well gather up and put on the compost busy time in our gardens. If only the on an angle temporarily in into life, thinking: “I where they are. heap. Definitely don’t just leave it. days were longer. a sheltered spot until you wish I’d pruned that Winter is a good opportunity to If you fancy installing water butts can finish the job. earlier.” Do it now! dig up that tree that’s got too big or to take the pressure off the hosepipe Alternatively, One way to keep to move a tree or shrub to where it next year, winter is a good time to do you can keep the garden more will do better. There’s no shame in it. With luck, there will be enough rain plants in pots interesting admitting you planted something in to fill the butts over the winter, ready away from over the the wrong place. In winter you can do for summer. the worst winter something about it. excesses of months is If you hanker after a pond, a Lawn care winter until by feeding raised bed, laying a patio or path, or And don’t forget about your lawn. If you are the birds. installing a new shed, make the most the weather is dry enough, it’s a good ready. Putting up of the time you have left over from idea to spike the grass and let the In November, bird boxes other gardening tasks. winter rain soak in. You could put on there is still plenty and keeping Winter is also a good time to get an autumn lawn feed too. of time to plant the bird feeder in professional help. Landscape Also, treat moss problems by

64 Pennant AUTUMN 2020 AUTUMN 2020 Pennant 65 AGS

team as a physiotherapist, but was in the challenge – although Martin events. Every year, AGS members subsequently so badly injured in an has done so. Individuals usually deploy to Chamonix to conduct Alpine sledding accident that she had undertake specific challenges, and all glacier training in the Chamonix to learn to walk and talk again – she have to undergo a selection process Valley and Gran Paradiso National A daptive completed the Kilimanjaro expedition for each expedition. To date, the AGS Park in France. and trekked to Everest base camp. team has completed six of the nine Events also occur annually in Matt Nyman, the only American events, finally conquering Everest Cumbria and Yorkshire, and an on the team, lost his right leg when in April 2019 after an unsuccessful AGS team has also taken part in the thrown from a helicopter in Iraq; attempt in 2012. Marathon Des Sables, the six-day Grand Slam he completed the ascents of Denali, That leaves three more: climbing ultra marathon across the Sahara. Aconcagua and Elbrus. the Carstensz Pyramid (also known Martin’s aim in all these events is to Kelda Wood, originally a keen as Puncak Jaya) in Indonesian Papua, encourage participation of disabled The Explorers Grand Slam is the challenge of reaching the North and South Poles rider, suffered a serious leg injury the highest Mountain in Oceania; athletes at no cost. The able-bodied unsupported on foot and climbing the Seven Summits – the highest peaks on each of the seven that terminated her riding career. Mount Vinson in the Antarctic; and are also welcome – but at a price – continents. The Adaptive Grand Slam is the same – but for the disabled. Pennant spoke to its She climbed Aconcagua with AGS, the South Pole itself. which helps subsidise the free places. founder, Martin Hewitt, about the challenge and what it seeks to achieve. inspiring her to take on an even The original plan was to climb However, coronavirus has thrown greater challenge – she became Carstensz in October this year, but a spanner in the works for now. Not the first para rower to cross the that has been postponed as a result only did it lead to the postponement artin Hewitt was an officer in deliberately set a difficult challenge, If one has support, drive and Atlantic solo and unsupported. of both coronavirus and an extant of the attempt on Carstensz, but the Parachute Regiment for both to motivate those taking part determination, a debilitating Terry Byrne lost a leg and kidnap threat in what is an extremely this year’s Cumbria and Yorkshire Meight years. In 2007, he was and to inspire others, to show them injury needn’t stop you from finger in Afghanistan, but inaccessible area. challenges were also cancelled and shot in the chest and shoulder whilst what could be done. reaching your goals.” climbed Mt Elbrus and Mt Given these considerations, Martin the selection of the South Pole team leading his men on operations in The challenge would be unique, Meanwhile, Martin Kilimanjaro with the team, does not see this task being completed was delayed. Afghanistan. As a result, his right arm in that the AGS team would have to has gathered together a but had to withdraw from until a coronavirus vaccination Nevertheless, Martin remains was paralysed and he was invalided rely on alternative ways and means of community of wounded Everest because of an becomes available. sanguine. “These things don’t happen out of the Army. completing the challenges, given their ex-servicemen and injury to his stump. Meanwhile, plans for Antarctica instantly. After our unsuccessful During rehabilitation at Headley various disabilities. civilians – about 150 He has also become and Mt Vinson continue, with a attempt on Everest in 2012, it took Court, Martin and others became Martin set his sights high. The first in all – supported a successful GB selection process taking place this another seven years to reach the involved in helping service charities person to complete the Explorers by experts who para cyclist, year and the attempt on both taking summit, but we did it. with adaptive sports events. This Grand Slam, Sir David Hempleman- undertake the setting several place in late 2021 and early 2022. “I am confident we will also initially involved cycling, a local Adams, did so in 1998. Since then, challenges. world records. Martin reckons that crossing complete the remaining two sport that many of those undergoing only a handful have managed it – just People like Not everyone Antarctica to the Pole, which is challenges. When you’ve been treatment were keen to be involved how many depends on which peaks Samantha, is expected to close to 1,000 miles, is likely to be injured, things can take a little longer. in, and later moved on to skiing. you count and what qualifies as a who wanted participate in physically the hardest challenge yet. You get used to waiting. Perseverance Martin represented Great Britain in visit to the Poles. But by any view, to join the every event But it is not all about the headline is part of our make-up.” the Paralympic World Championships no more than 80 able-bodied people AGS has already cracked one world and captained the Combined Services have completed the full course. From top: Martin on record, becoming the first disabled Disabled Ski Team, before founding Undertaking any one of these top of Everest; Cumbria team to walk unsupported to the the Adaptive Grand Slam (AGS). events with disabilities creates a Challenge Team, January geographic North Pole. 2020; AGS team on He says he was inspired to do so whole new set of challenges – and By the time he has finished, Martin Aconcagua; and because his own experiences had often necessitates a whole new way Matt and Terry expects another three records to have demonstrated that a positive focus of doing things. Martin is unabashed. conduct stump been established: the first disabled during a challenging time after a life- “In a sense that is the whole point,” admin on The team to reach the geographic South changing injury helped to maximise he says. “I chose the Explorers Grand Mt Elbrus Seven Pole unsupported; the first to have rehabilitation, rediscover a sense of Slam to set a benchmark as something climbed the highest peak on every purpose and restore self-confidence. that nobody with a disability has Summits continent; and the first to have He also found he was being done before and very few able- The Explorers Grand Slam completed the Grand Slam. approached by people who were bodied people have ever done. involves climbing the We wish him and his team inspired by what he and others had “In doing so, I hoped to change following summits: every success in their inspirational been doing. They wanted to take perspectives within the disabled • Mount Everest (Asia) expeditions. part – and particularly to get back community and create a culture • Aconcagua (South America) outdoors – for this was a community where disability isn’t even • Kilimanjaro (Africa) • AGS is supported by the charities that before being injured had thrived mentioned. • Denali (McKinley), North America Blesma and Support our Paras. on adventure. “We have already • Elbrus (Europe, Russia) If you would like to help or The AGS was therefore conceived shown that we can still • Vinson (Antarctica) find out more about it, go to as a means of achieving these goals. It achieve great things. • Carstenz Pyramid (Indonesia/Australasia). www.adaptivegrandslam.com The challenge also involves walking unsupported to 66 Pennant AUTUMN 2020 the geographic North and South Poles. AUTUMN 2020 Pennant 67

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Full details of all these offers can be found on the Society website forcespensionsociety.org

72 Pennant AUTUMN 2020 AUTUMN 2020 Pennant 73 small ads and notices M embers’ Small Ads

This section is for FPS MEMBERS ONLY. Members are asked to provide the following: 1) The typed text of the advert if possible. The limit for the number of words is 80. 2) The heading of the section under which the advert should appear in Pennant. 3) Your membership number. Send to: The Head of Membership, FPS, 68 South Lambeth Road, Vauxhall, London SW8 1RL. He can be contacted on 020 7840 6617 and email should be sent to: [email protected] Ads must be re-confirmed in advance of each issue and all entries for the Autumn 2020 issue should be submitted to the Society no later than Friday 12 March 2021. Finally, the Society cannot hold itself responsible for any transactions resulting from these announcements. Professional advice should be sought where appropriate.

A ccommodation – United Kingdom A ccommodation – Other Countries

MALVERN HILLS: Charming mews cottage situated high on FRANCE: Menton. Holiday apartment to let. Beautiful beach the Hills in Malvern Wells. Minutes away from the 3 Counties apartment with terrace and side view to sea and beach in Showground so perfect for showgoers. Fully equipped for a Menton South of France, which is a medieval town on the coast. comfortable family holiday or friends get together, it sleeps 6 Sleeps 2 – 4 in one bedroom, and very comfortable sofa bed in in 3 bedrooms (1 with bunks). Kitchen, bathroom, living room/ living room. Plus 2 hidden single beds. Lift to 3rd floor, garage. dining room. It has Freesat, WiFi and myriad walking routes Siemens washing machine and dishwasher WiFi TV. outside the front door. Worcester, Hereford, Gloucester, For details email: [email protected] Cheltenham all in easy reach. Dog friendly. FPS 10% discount. Email: [email protected] MADEIRA: Flat to let. Top floor furnished 2 bedrooms, sitting room, 1 shower room, kitchen, laundry room, 14m WEST WALES: North Pembrokeshire Coastal Park. balcony with sea view, covered car park. Public transport near Comfortable family cottage in own 5 acres of moorland. the building to Funchal in 7 minutes. Cafes and restaurants Sleeps 2 - 8, 1 double room, 1 twin room and 1 bunk room nearby. Available for careful tenants with no children from sleeping 4. Absolute peace, beautiful beaches, lovely walks November 2020 to June 2021. and wildlife. Children and well behaved dogs welcome. Contact [email protected] Email: [email protected] or Tel: 01985 844363.

WEST DEVON: Lifton Tamar Valley AONB. Recently refurbished Leat Cottage is tucked away on leafy, quiet Devon lane. Just 5 minutes drive from A30; Dartmoor (15 mins); North Devon/Cornish beaches (25 mins). Ideal for walking, cycling, shooting, fly fishing, water sports or just getting away from it all. Village boasts 2 pubs; 2 hotels; award-winning farm shop (restaurant/coffee shop); all easy walking distance. Sleeps 5 (3 bedrooms, family bathroom). Dog friendly, no smoking, minimum three nights. www.leatcottage.co.uk Email Fiona: [email protected]

autumn 2020 Pennant 75 small ads and notices SMALL ADS continued

For Sale

LADIES LAMBSKIN LEATHER JACKET: New Ladies Bigardini designer Fashion lambskin Pecino leather lightweight reversible jacket size 18 mid brown with tie neck for sale. Cost £700, willing to sell at £500. Length from back of neck 32”. Will send photos to mobile if requested. Email: [email protected]

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NOTICES

FPS Shop and Christmas Cards

As a result of the recent Covid-19 situation, the FPS Shop was temporarily closed during lockdown. We are now happy to tell you that the shop has now reopened and is ready for orders. To order your 2021 diaries, ties, scarfs and pin badges, turn to page 51 and Christmas Cards are on page 50. You can also order online at forcespensionsociety.org/shop/

Royal Garden Parties 2021

We have been informed that if the Royal Garden Parties were to go ahead next year, anyone invited to attend in 2020 will be invited to attend a Royal Garden Party in 2021.

76 Pennant AUTUMN 2020 Charitable fund

Forces Pension Society Charitable Fund Supporting the FPS’s charitable work and veterans in need

ike me, I am sure that when The Charitable Fund is not the small number of much appreciated Pennant arrives, many of you ‘charitable wing’ of the Society, but donations and legacies. By their Lsimply recycle the marketing there remain close ties and much nature, legacies have become the leaflets without fully reading them. of the Fund’s work has been to the main source of income, but over the You may, therefore, not have noticed benefit of the Society. past few years the amount received a leaflet from the Forces Pension In recent years, the Fund has given has declined dramatically. Society Charitable Fund. grants to help towards the work of We have limited scope to fundraise Although similar in name, this is the Veterans’ Gateway, and it has amongst the general population – an entirely separate organisation. made grants to the three Single and with many charities facing huge Its work as a grant-making trust has Service and War Widows associations financial challenges, it would be supported the Forces Pension Society to support their excellent work. difficult for us to compete. (FPS) and those in financial need. The Charitable Fund receives a The work done by the FPS is The Charitable Fund was created unique – it holds the MOD to in 1972 and at that time was an account, and the Charitable Fund integral part of the Forces Pension helps it broaden its charitable work Society. It aimed to provide funds for in supporting the cause of pensions. those in need and particularly Service So, in this issue of Pennant, we widows who did not qualify for a are asking you: can you help us Service pension. support the work of the Society But in 2008, the decision was taken and the wider veterans’ community to separate the Charitable Fund from by donating to the Forces Pension the Society and broaden its charitable Society Charitable Fund? remit, following advice from the You can donate to the FPSCF Charities Commission. And so the via any of the following options or Forces Pension Society Charitable any combination of them: a one- Fund was born, with its own trustees. off donation, a regular donation, a This year has brought many new legacy or by purchasing through the challenges – especially for veterans Amazon Smile UK shopping portal. facing post-Covid issues and potential Please go to the donating page on financial difficulties. the Forces Pension Society website to Whilst the FPS’s prime source see how to set these up. of income is membership fees, this Our ambition is to have the ability, does not cover all of the Society’s long term, to continue to support charitable work – supporting and the charitable work of the Society educating about pension issues; the Can you help us by donating – with its increasing caseload of Veterans’ Gateway, which gives wide- inquiries – and especially in the face ranging advice to veterans in need; to the Forces Pension of ever more complex multi-scheme and advising veterans in custody. Society Charitable Fund? processes.

AUTUMN 2020 Pennant 79 Monte San martino trust In Praise of Italians: the Monte San Martino Trust Founded by Keith Killby, an escaped British POW who had been helped by the Italians, the Monte San Martino Trust seeks to foster closer links between Italy and the UK. Pennant tells its extraordinary story.

aving started on the wrong and sheltered a very great number of time work, Keith had the opportunity the Trust began to support activities many of those involved FROM LEFT: Indian POWs in side, the Italians have not Allied escapees, and guided many of to make the dream a reality. In 1989, in Italy to commemorate the sacrifices in the Trust are families Italy; Bugle Call to Freedom, Halways enjoyed a flattering them through enemy lines to safety. he founded the Monte San Martino made by their Italian hosts. These of escapees who published in September; and press in the UK about their part in the They did so at enormous personal Trust, named after a village near to the now take the form of ‘Freedom Walks’ benefited from the Italian Maria Levi, a big-hearted Second World War. However, there risk to themselves, despite being place he had first met Maria, “to give retracing the routes taken by escaping generosity of spirit. bearer of pasta is a largely untold story about the extremely poor and having very little something back” to the Italian people prisoners of war. Among the officials astonishing bravery of many Italians food for themselves. They acted from for their courage and sacrifice. The Trust also has an association and trustees of the charity, five academics and those researching the who helped others during the war, at an ancient and deep-rooted sense He also wanted to further the cause agreement with Italian historical are children of previous POWs held story of relatives, be they prisoners of great cost to themselves. of fellowship and the belief that of international understanding. The institutes aimed at promoting research in Italy, including Chairman Sir war, partisans or contadini. The Allied invasion of Sicily in travellers who came to their doors in idea received an enthusiastic response into the Allied presence in Italy during Nicholas Young, son of Major On 9 September, the Trust published July 1943 had been the catalyst for a need should be helped. in Britain from former prisoners of the war. It helps supporters research Leslie Young (whose exploits were Bugle Call to Freedom, a translation collapse of the Mussolini regime, and Some were shot in reprisal, war, several of whom helped him their ancestors’ escapes through its the subject of a talk in Jan 2020 at of L’Orizzonte del Campo by Marco in early September an Armistice was and some villages were burnt in establish the Trust. archive of books and POW memoirs. the National Army Museum), and Minardi. This is the first account signed with the Allies. This in turn punishment. Theirs is a story of The Trust took as its logo the image Keith encouraged veterans to write Christine English, daughter of Major in English of the mass escape at had led to a Nazi takeover of the parts humanity triumphing over adversity of St Martin, who cut his cloak in two up their memoirs and gradually Ian English (MC with two bars (!) Fontanellato from the perspectives of Italy not yet under Allied control – and wickedness. and shared it with a beggar, symbolic established a trove of accounts, and author of Home by Christmas?, a of the prisoners of war and the local the whole of north and central Italy. Keith Killby, who had become a of farmers’ acts of generosity in the basis for the Trust’s archive. collection of stories from Fontanellato population. The day the Armistice was signed, medic because he was a conscientious sharing what little they had. This archive, now available online, prison camp). Both of their fathers The Trust has also helped to the Italians had opened the gates objector and been captured during a provides an invaluable service to were escapees from Fontanellato. publicise the story of members of the of many prisoner of war camps, Special Forces raid in Sardinia, was a T rust bursaries family and academic researchers. Another trustee is a grandchild of a Indian Army who became prisoners sometimes as Nazi troops were beneficiary of such generosity. Having The initial idea was to raise money One of the impressive aspects of former POW and another the nephew of war in Italian camps. Professor arriving to take them over. escaped through a hole in the wall of in order to fund one-month study the Trust is how it has forged close of General Buccioni, a partisan who Annu Palakunnathu Matthew of The result was that some 50,000 the Servigliano prison camp, the first bursaries at language schools in links that have endured down the assisted the escapees. the University of Rhode Island Allied POWs found themselves on local to assist was Maria Levi, who England for Italians aged 18 to 25. By generations. After the war, many It is very much a family affair, has researched their experiences the run behind enemy lines, just waded barefoot across a river to him, the time of Keith’s death in 2018, aged of those who gave refuge to POWs and this is the great strength of the and written an article for the Trust, as winter was about to set in. They bearing a pot of pasta on her head. 102, some 600 students had benefited were awarded Alexander Certificates charity. An all-volunteer organisation, describing her findings. faced a difficult choice: go north Although he was eventually from such bursaries. (named after Field Marshal it is driven by the passion of those So, notwithstanding Covid, the towards neutral Switzerland or recaptured and ended the war The students frequently came Alexander) to acknowledge the involved. It can also be flexible in work of the Trust goes on. It is south towards the advancing in a prison camp in Bavaria, from the rural areas through help they had given. its activities; something that has expected that the bursary programme Allies. Either way, in the first Keith never forgot the which the escapees had travelled, Although not a condition of an been particularly important over the will resume next year. instance the safest thing to extraordinary generosity of Emilia-Romagna, the Marche and award, a good number of the students coronavirus crisis, which forced the do was head for the hills. those who had nothing but the Abruzzo. For many, a bursary who have received Trust bursaries postponement of bursaries this year. If you have a story to tell or are So it was that the Italian who gave their all, for him presented their first opportunity to have been descendants of families Meanwhile, the Trust has expanded interested in assisting or helping fund the country people of the and for others. He wanted travel outside Italy. awarded these certificates, or who its research activities. Its archive of work of the Trust – or simply want to see hillside villages – the to do something in return. In addition to awarding study otherwise assisted POWs. prisoner accounts is second to none the wealth of information it holds in its contadini – hid, clothed, fed When he retired from full- bursaries to young Italians in England, Similarly, in the United Kingdom, and it seeks to expand these to assist archives – visit msmtrust.org.uk

80 Pennant AUTUMN 2020 AUTUMN 2020 Pennant 81

book review om c T ribute to a . tterstock u h / S res

true statesman u

Pennant is asked to review many books – you can read hrispict C

more of these on pages 87-90 – but John Campbell’s new ABOVE: Haldane helped establish Imperial book about Lord Haldane is sufficiently timely, important College London, among other institutions and interesting for it to warrant its own pages. LEFT: Members of the British Expeditionary Force in Mons, Belgium, on 22 August 1914, the day before the battle

Haldane: The Forgotten it as a duty to bring his great intellect Haldane’s influence reached far and Royal Flying Corps, which would He was responsible for shaping Edward VII. But this is not simply Statesmen Who Shaped and abilities to the service of the wide. As War Secretary in Asquith’s eventually become the RAF and Fleet the constitution of Canada and in a list of names; they represent Modern Britain country and its people. Liberal government, he brought Air Arm. 1915 he was the first person to a diversity of opinion that was by John Campbell To describe him as the man who together the various disparate Notwithstanding these enormous articulate clearly the concept of the central to how Haldane went about C Hurst & Co in hardback “shaped modern Britain” is a big, and often privately raised units of achievements, Haldane was League of Nations. his business. A true philosopher ISBN 9781787383111 big claim, but Campbell sets out in the Reserve Forces – the militia, relentlessly attacked by elements of He was also a philosopher with statesman, he was a listener, a thinker, RRP £30.00 compelling terms why it is true. volunteers and Yeomanry into a single the press during the war years for a lifelong interest in education and a man who could reach across divides Campbell has never written a book coherent entity, the Territorial Army. being pro-German. He was a fluent making it more widely available to and learn from others. hose who served in the old before and confesses that he did not They were trained to a common German speaker, had spent time all. He was a moving force behind And this together with Haldane’s Territorial Army are probably have the expertise to write this one standard and capable of reinforcing at university in Gottingen, was a the establishment of both Imperial rare ability to merge idealism with Tfamiliar with Richard Burdon alone, so co-opted the scholar Richard the Regular Army in war, which it fervent admirer of Hegel and knew College London and the London practical problem-solving, his Haldane’s name. Even in the 1990s McLauchlan to assist him. The was soon called upon to do. the Kaiser. In the febrile political School of Economics. boundless energy and enormous he was still admired as the man result is thoroughly convincing, the atmosphere of 1915, supplemented by organisational capacity, are admired who had created the TA and put in research impeccable and supported Holding up the Kaiser the efforts of Lord Northcliffe (owner Political pedigree by the author – and by implication place a structure that protected its by 60 pages of notes. The book is also Haldane’s concept of a British of both the Daily Mail and Mirror), this Haldane was a visionary Lord identified as lacunae in the way the funding from the Regular Army. generously illustrated, with over 70 Expeditionary Force, with a Regular was enough to lose him his job and Chancellor, in both the pre-war nation is currently served. The Regular Army, too, knew that pages further illuminating the script Army core that could deploy to earn him public vilification. Asquith government and Ramsay This is an excellent and important he had effectively created the British and the times in which Haldane lived. France in 1914, provided the ‘old Remarkably, this was something McDonald’s first Labour government book which illuminates not just Expeditionary Force before the First The structure of the book is slightly contemptibles’ that held up the Kaiser Haldane was able to take in his stride of 1924. In 1918, his Haldane Report Haldane himself, but the times in World War. But beyond that, Haldane eccentric, in that it does not follow long enough for the Allies to establish and without rancour. advocated the establishment of a which he lived. It is a long overdue was a largely forgotten figure. a continuous chronology, but rather a defence that could be reinforced It fell to a soldier to acknowledge Supreme Court, some 90 years before reappraisal of a man who must not be This book puts that right. John discusses Haldane’s preparation for with the Territorials long before his true place in the war effort. it came into being. forgotten; one of the towering political Campbell has been a lifelong his subsequent political career and Kitchener’s citizen army was ready. Following the 1919 Victory Parade He was an intimate of prime figures of the early 20th century, who admirer of Haldane and sets out the then delivers what are, in effect, a In creating this, Haldane sowed in Whitehall, Earl Haig insisted on ministers from all three major parties forged many important institutions astonishing breadth of series of essays about the seeds of victory. Furthermore, visiting Haldane to offer his thanks – Balfour, Asquith and MacDonald that remain with us today and who his achievements. The his various and diverse he was also responsible for creating for his work “that had never properly – as well as such diverse figures as set an unparalleled example of what title is well chosen and achievements. the Imperial General Staff, able to or even partially been recognised”. Einstein, John Buchan, Edmund public service really means – someone the publication timely. Nevertheless, this deploy the Force in a timely manner Haig later described him as “the Gosse, Sidney and Beatrice Webb, we can all learn from. The word ‘statesman’ works, and in doing so – something he had learnt from the greatest Secretary of State for War” John Maynard Keynes and King It is a worthy complement to is not used lightly. There manages to be at once Germans and which had hitherto not the country had ever had. Haldane’s modest Blue Plaque at is a clear message that we learned, profound and been possible. But Haldane’s war achievements 28 Queen Anne’s Gate, and one which could do with a few more thought provoking. Yet Haldane was also largely were only part of the story. He was H aldane set an unparalleled will hopefully bring him back into the people like Haldane now; at the same time, it is a responsible for the creation of the a lawyer by profession and a very public consciousness. a polymath who thought book that can be dipped secret Intelligence services, what eminent barrister in his own right (the example of what public An absolute must for any Covid- for the long term and saw into at leisure. would become MI5 and MI6, and the youngest QC in 50 years). service really means restricted Christmas.

84 Pennant AUTUMN 2020 AUTUMN 2020 Pennant 85 Advertising feature BOOKS Navigating Exchange Book Reviews

T he Editor’s Policy Rate Volatility The Editor is always delighted to receive books for review and in doing so adopts the At Ease Forces Pension Society foreign exchange partner Moneycorp provides following policy: By Colonel Rob Campbell America and then, via a journey of background on what is currently moving exchange rates – and draws 1. Authors’ or publishers’ reviews Silver Tree Publishing, paperback self-discovery, finding – and living – attention to the currency tools available to mitigate the risk. are never published. ISBN 9781948238236 RRP £16.00 his real purpose: “to make a difference 2. B ooks sent to the FPS for With around 15,000 people leaving in the lives of others through optimistic review are assumed to have the British Armed Forces every year leadership”. are not unique. The current volatility popular among those planning a large been given to the Society. and entering a challenging civilian This he now achieves through is affecting the wealth and plans transfer are: The Society does not buy employment market, many would be writing, coaching, consulting and of those who are exposed to • Market order: You target a rate books for review. wise to reflect on the experiences, public speaking – and he is obviously international payments. of exchange and if the rate moves 3. The Editor can give no insights and tips from Colonel keen to help others to learn from to that level, you can buy the funds guarantee to publish reviews on (US Army retired) Rob Campbell in his experience. He espouses the What is behind the automatically, so you never miss an books submitted to the Society. this easy-to-read book full of personal benefits of a personal and business current volatility? opportunity. Using the same principle, From the books received he anecdotes, introspection and, most coach to help him find his way – in his The Covid-19 pandemic has hit global you can set up a limit order to protect selects a group of books for importantly, guidance for case, a Brit called Jim economies hard. The effects are still your transaction in case the rate falls review, covering topics likely to those leaving the Armed Hughes, ‘the Untamed ongoing and the full consequences below a certain level. be of most interest to members Forces, irrespective of Entrepreneur’. remain unclear. But coronavirus walks • Forward contract: This allows of the Society. These are passed military rank. Indeed, Hughes alongside other events, which could you to fix a rate of exchange up to to our reviewers, and from the What is clear is that has his own ‘Special further increase volatility. two years in advance of a payment. reviews the Editor selects a Campbell remains on his Contribution’ chapter The last months of Brexit This tool is very popular among number for publication. own ‘journey’ (or ‘encore towards the end of the negotiations and the possibility of a property buyers as it allows them to 4. Reviewers keep the books career’) and the book has book: ‘Reaching our no-deal are increasing the pressure fix the whole price of the transaction they review and all other genuine currency and Potential and Living in The case of James and Sarah on the pound. Sterling has remained ahead of completion, giving them books are given to Service relevance. A chapter a State of Fulfilment’. On 18 February, James and Sarah on a rollercoaster ever since the peace of mind and certainty over organisations or hospitals; they on the threats and Again, packed with useful celebrated finding their dream referendum of June 2016. the costs. It can also be a great way are not returned to authors or opportunities presented practical, self-help tips property in France, after searching for The US election may further to take advantage of a positive rate publishers. The Editor cannot by the Covid-19 for those grappling with two years. They had made an offer unsettle the markets. Elections movement, and for future mortgage enter into correspondence with pandemic, linking back the challenge of transition of €250,000 on a country house near often influence exchange rates payments (forward contracts may authors or publishers about to the themes he espouses throughout from military to civilian. Bergerac, which had been accepted. because they create uncertainty require a deposit). reviews or about books which the rest of the book, is a worthy and A former brigade commander in They had done their homework. The and potentially lead to changes in are not reviewed. valuable addition. 101st Airborne Division with combat GBP/EUR exchange rate at the time government policy. The forthcoming Particularly relevant for those tours in Iraq and Afghanistan under his was above 1.20, so the property was election is likely to be no exception, The FPS Bookmart considering self-employment or with belt, Campbell’s brigade was rated first going to cost them £208,000 – well as the markets try to best guess the Contact Members will no longer be able entrepreneurial aspirations, Campbell of 34 in personnel performance, soldier within their £225,000 budget. outcome and its impact. to order books from the FPS takes the reader through his clearly retention and promotion selection Completion was planned for two Moneycorp bookshop, but all books are vexed decision to leave the US Army at rates, and it is obvious why. months later, but then Covid-19 So where will the Moneycorp offers FPS members available direct from the Publisher, a critical career (and life) decision point, There are life lessons for everyone struck, delaying the signature of the currency go next? great rates, free expert guidance some with great discounts*, from launch himself into what he believed here. With plenty of plaudits across title deeds until 30 June. There is no crystal ball to provide an on how to transfer your money High Street bookshops and of to be the appropriate transition to an the US and recommendations that To their surprise, the exchange rate exact picture. However, specialist and no transfer fees on all course online from Amazon etc. executive/leadership role in corporate the book become ‘essential reading’ had fallen to 1.09, meaning the price companies such as Moneycorp do payments. To find out more, for those leaving the US military, it was now £229,000 – £21,000 above have access to the best information, visit www.moneycorp.com/fps or certainly translates across continents the initial offer and £4,000 more than both locally and globally, to enable contact our representative at Books marked with * after the price are subject to the following discounts: and will help those on a similar journey their total budget. However, Sarah you to make informed decisions [email protected] The History Press For a 20% discount on all History Press titles call here in the UK. managed to raise extra funds from a about exchanging your funds. 01256 302699 or email [email protected] quoting offer code LJ2 And in the current environment, relative, which saved the transaction, Moneycorp can also give you instant Pen & Sword For a 10% discount on all titles call 01226 734222 or visit the more diverse the sources of and the purchase went ahead. access to a variety of tools to help www.pen-and-sword.co.uk and quote PENN10 advice sought, the greater the Unfortunately, cases such as this you mitigate the risk. The two most likelihood of success.

86 Pennant AUTUMN 2020 AUTUMN 2020 Pennant 87 BOOKS

The Battle of Britain – A Day Like Today overly fond of Alastair the responsibility of the commentator and the BBC’s governors. His interview Hitler’s First B y John Humphrys Campbell), their role in the is to embarrass the interviewee into with Andrew Gilligan on the Today Bloody Nose Harper Collins, invasion of Iraq in 2003 and saying something they might regret, programme about Tony Blair’s ‘cobbled B y Ron Powell hardback Jimmy Savile. His insights or to ensure that the audience is together’ and ‘sexed-up’ dossier – the Published by the ISBN 9781471180460 are extremely thought- better informed because of the 45 minutes that it would take Iraq to author, paperback RRP £20.00 provoking, and he does dialogue. Perhaps this musing is deploy WMDs – was one such case. ISBN 9780957669260 Gurkha Odyssey John Humphrys’ not pull his punches. several years too late. Humphrys’ recollections are detailed RRP £5.00 B y Sir Peter Duffell book provides expert Humphrys grew up in Humphrys is not one to avoid and perceptive. The tragic fallout, This concise study of the Battle Pen & Sword, hardback commentary on some poverty-stricken post-war controversy and he explains how his the Hutton report and the Chilcot of Britain is well worth a read ISBN 9781526730572 RRP £20.00* of the key events and people that Cardiff and this, coupled with the own standpoint brought him into enquiry that overturned it, are also and certainly captures the sense The author will be well known and shaped today’s political world. For tragedy of Aberfan – on which he conflict with both the government documented. and importance of the battle. In respected by many FPS members. the most part, it is a great read, reported for the BBC – arguably shaped The book is enjoyable, well written, narrating the key events, it also His choice of the word ‘Odyssey’ providing a fascinating observation his views and stance as a broadcaster. hard hitting and certainly worth a read; brings real insight by the use to describe his own distinguished of the past 50 years. Among the He is well known for his combative style, Humphrys is not one to personally, I could have done without of superb vignettes, reflecting service in the Gurkhas, and the many issues covered are Watergate, and towards the end of the book, he some of the over-intellectualising, the lives of actual pilots who book’s subtitle, ‘Campaigning for Zimbabwe, South Africa, the Blair reflects on this and the role of a political avoid controversy ... and this but that is his style. He is very much a participated, such as Pilot Officer the Crown’, are well chosen. This administration (he does not appear broadcaster. He appears unsure whether brought him into conflict figure who divides opinion. Laurie Whitbread and Squadron book, however, is not only the Leader Geoffrey Wellum. autobiography of a retired general, The author offers key insights although he is the key figure in the into the vital roles played by ‘long wandering’, it is about the Soldier in the Sand The Score Takes Care of Itself ACM Dowding, AOC in C Fighter Gurkhas themselves. By Sir Simon Mayall Pen & Sword, hardback B y Bill Walsh, Steve Jamison & Craig Walsh Command and AVM Park, AOC Although there have been many ISBN 9781526777737 RRP £30.00* Portfolio, paperback ISBN 9781591843474 11 Gp. His observations on other books written about their inspiring This book should be in the library of everyone, military and civilian, RRP £10.50 Battle of Britain leaders, such as role in 200 years of British soldiering, who has any interest or involvement in the Middle East. It is the work Bill Walsh was one of the most successful coaches AVM Leigh Mallory and Group the author captures what being a of an exceptional historian, soldier and military diplomat, who knows in the history of the NFL – taking the San Francisco Captain Douglas Bader, are also Gurkha really means. It also reveals precisely what he is talking about. The epilogue is a brilliant tour 49ers from the worst franchise to legendary status in well judged. The section on the his deep understanding of the d’horizon of what we have learned and shared with him in his earlier terms of Superbowl wins – and yet this is not a book many sources of the gallant aircrew historical, geographical, cultural chapters, and contains projections into the immediate and near future about American football. It is about leadership and the is particularly informative. and spiritual dimension of these which we would do well to heed. way that Bill Walsh changed the culture and the ethos Powell makes his points well and loyal soldiers born and raised in the The preceding chapters illustrate where this sureness of touch of the 49ers. provides the clearest of evidence hills of Nepal. Whilst their bravery about the Middle East has been acquired. They describe his life Described as a ‘leaders’ book for leaders’, it charts the implementation and that this was indeed Hitler’s first in action throughout two World delightfully, from childhood in Aden, through university, Sandhurst, execution of Walsh’s Standard of Performance that governed the way in which bloody nose. At times, it is a very Wars, confrontation in Indonesia, regimental life, secondment to the Omani Army, his rapid rise the 49ers were run, on and off the field. moving account of the battle and the Falklands conflict, and most through command at all levels in hot and cold war, his international While I am not convinced that this method would be successful everywhere, ‘the pilots of Fighter Command recently in Afghanistan, is without appointments, his special relationships with the Americans and his the philosophy behind his ideas is sound. The book is well grounded, with who had to strap into their aircraft question, the book is a heart-warming repeated availability to advise and caution those who did not possess views on Walsh by his players and colleagues, and the foreword is written by and fight fatigue and fear to fly tribute to this unique element of his instinctive feel for the Middle East. Joe Montana, arguably the greatest quarterback of the modern era. day after day’. Little wonder that the British Army – which has taken There is a consistent thread of sadness throughout the second half of Walsh’s argument is that if you get the preparation and culture right, then Winston Churchill said: “… Upon its fair share of pain in recent years the book that our commercial failure as a nation, our decreasing wealth the score will take care of itself. Today’s effort becomes tomorrow’s result. In this Battle of Britain depends the due to cutbacks in manpower and and consequent reduction of international terms of planning, there is some resonance with David Brailsford’s marginal survival of Christian civilisation…. regimental disbanding. significance led successive British governments, gains in British cycling. If the British Empire and its That the Gurkhas continue to particularly Labour, to withdraw from East of Walsh maintains that to succeed you must first fail, and this was certainly the Commonwealth last for a thousand flourish and are still recruiting is in Suez sooner and faster than was wanted by case in his early tenure as head coach. It is a very honest book, made more so years, men will still say, this was no small part due to the tenacity many of the leaders of Middle Eastern countries, by the reflective chapters towards the end, when he lays out his faults, failures their Finest Hour.” and understanding displayed by or by our more perceptive allies. and demons, which are in stark contrast to his on-the-field successes. These This book and his others (two the author in the corridors of It is not surprising that since his retirement warning signals will resonate with any leader. non-fiction), which are all available Whitehall. There are also a series of from military service, Simon Mayall has been After the 49ers, Bill Walsh lectured about leadership at StanfordU niversity via Amazon, are commended to illustrations by distinguished Royal consulted ever more widely by governments and to corporate groups. You do not need to know anything about American all those who have an interest in Academician Ken Howard, which add and business. This is a remarkable book and I football to get much from this book. It is an easy read and produces terrific military aviation, written as they a further personal dimension to this commend it most heartily. insights that are relevant to leadership in all walks of life. are by a former and accomplished magnificent odyssey. RAF pilot.

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Other Recommended Titles and Books Written by Members A Winter in Belfast by David Ellis parallels gradually unfold. One is of a The Leak by Denis Redmand Published by the author, paperback, ISBN Second World War Spitfire ace whose Whisper Publishing, paperback, ISBN 9798662749870 RRP £6.99 flying career came to a premature end 9781916275201 RRP £9.99 This involves A frank diary transcript of a young officer’s when he was shot down and lost an eye, tragic deaths, the secret manufacture experiences in the Parachute Regiment the other is about his progeny, a second of a modified nerve agent and the often during a tour of duty in Belfast in the generation fighter pilot who rose to the conflicting efforts of the police, security winter of 1976-77. His hard-hitting account rank of air marshal. A beautifully crafted, services, a security company investigator captures the reality of the daily lives of 10 immensely readable account. and the press to uncover the truth. Platoon D Company 2 PARA – the sad, the funny, the boring and the ridiculous. From Shanghai to the Burma Railway To Defeat the Few by Douglas C Dildy by Rory Laird Pen & Sword, hardback, & Paul F Crickmore Osprey Publishing, Adventures in Aviation by Wg Cdr Roy ISBN 9781526771117 RRP £13.99* hardback, ISBN 9781472839183 RRP Gamblin AFC Pegasus, paperback, ISBN Richard Laird’s previously unpublished £30.00 Covering the events of the Battle 9781526784865 RRP £14.99 Roy Gamblin record of his wartime experience as a of Britain in the context of the Luftwaffe’s spent 40 years as a pilot, flying Hunters Japanese prisoner of war ranks among campaign and RAF Fighter Command’s in the Far East and Dhofar, fast jet the most graphic of this shocking and battles against it, this title is an innovative instructing at RAF Valley, flying F5s with deservedly popular genre. This is a history of the battle that kept alive the the Royal Norwegian Airforce and a final very moving memoir. Allies’ chances of defeating Nazi Germany. spell on Harriers. At British Aerospace, he was a training captain and examiner. Reasonable Doubt by Craig Lawrence Under Fire The History Press, hardback, His story is a far-reaching view from the The Ginger Pirate Press, paperback, ISBN 9780750994354. RRP £9.99* First- cockpit in the golden age of the jet. ISBN 9781838004507 RRP £6.00 hand testimonies tell the whole story of A brand new Gurkha action adventure Britain’s black community in the Second Fighters in the Blood by Air Marshal thriller. When investigative journalist World War. Among those remembered ‘Black’ Robertson Pen & Sword, Amélie Lagarde learns that her brother are men and women whose stories have hardback, ISBN 9781526784865 has been killed on a diving expedition, only recently come to light, making Under RRP £30.00* Moving back and forth she doesn’t share the police’s view that it Fire the definitive account of the bravery through time, two stories with fascinating was an accident. and sacrifices of black Britons in wartime. COMPETITION We are delighted to offer a signed copy of saving supplies. Over 10,000 of their aircraft John Nichol’s Lancaster, The Forging of a never returned. Of the 7,377 Lancasters built Very British Legend. during the conflict, more than half were lost From this Sunday Times bestselling to enemy action or training accidents. author of Spitfire comes a passionate and The human cost was staggering. Of profoundly moving tribute to the Lancaster the 125,000 men who served in Bomber bomber, its heroic crews and the men and Command, over 55,000 were killed and women who kept her airborne during the another 8,400 were wounded. Some 10,000 country’s greatest hour of need. survived being shot down, only to become ‘The Avro Lancaster is an aviation icon; prisoners of war. In simple, brutal terms, revered, romanticised, loved. Without her, and Harris’s aircrew had only a 40% chance of surviving the bravery of those who flew her, the freedom the war unscathed. An inspiring and moving story of we enjoy today would not exist.’ Sir Arthur Harris, this legendary aircraft that took the fight deep into the the controversial chief of Royal Air Force Bomber heart of Nazi Germany. Command, described the Lancaster as his “shining sword” and the “greatest single factor in winning the For a chance to win, just send your name and address war”. RAF bomber squadrons carried out offensive to BOOK COMPETITION, Forces Pension Society, operations from the first day of the Second World 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL, or email War until the very last, more than five and a half years [email protected]. The closing date is Friday 4 later. They flew nearly 300,000 sorties and dropped December and the draw will take place on Monday 7 around a million tons of explosives, as well as life- December. First out of the hat wins!

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