Blenheim Day Parade — Guests of honour, the Colonel of the Regiment and Mr Norman Fowler, MP. Trooping the Colour BEFORE moving to London­ derry, the 1st Battalion Trooped The Colour in the presence of De­ puty Colonel-in-Chief. Princess Margaret. This year it was the turn of 2nd and 3rd Battalions in Colchester and Minden. and full reports of these parades may be found in bat­ talion notes. The Poachers were honoured that Deputy Colonel-in-Chief. Princess Alice was present on 28 Jul. while Secretary of State Norman Fowler, who was with 1 Essex during Na­ tional Service, joined The Pom­ padours in Minden on 17 Aug. The three parades and the accom­ panying festivities were great Regi­ mental occasions attended by many former members of the bat­ talions and their founder Regi­ ments. and made fitting climaxes to battalion tercentenary celebra­ tions. Well done to the Poachers CONGRATULATIONS to The Poachers on coming 2nd in the Cambrian March Patrol Competi­ tion. To win in 1984 and come 2nd in 1985 is a fine achievement by Capt Dick Kemp and his team. The results were: 1st 1 Staffords; 2nd 2 R Anglian: 3rd 2/2 GR. On 14 Sep. Maj Ken Laight and his team won the Infantry Cricket Cup beating 1WFR in an exciting final at the Tidworth Oval. The team re­ The Poachers march past at Colchester before Deputy Colonel-in-Chief, Princess Alice. plied to 1WFR’s 156-7 by scoring 162-6 at close of play. Maj Guy Hip- kin made 51 and Capt David Napier Royal Anglian Freedoms Remembrance in Thailand 55 not out with Pte Harrison’s The highest civic honour that can cised the Freedoms of Ely and bowling figures as 1-22. be bestowed is that of the Freedom Bury St Edm unds and received the In reaching the final, the Poachers of the City or Borough. The Regi­ Freedom of Norwich, while the had beaten Depot The Queens Divi­ ment is proud to hold the Free­ Poachers and the 7th Battalion sion in the quarter-finals and doms of 27 civic authorities and. marched through the Lincolnshire 1PWO in the semi-finals. when regular battalions are towns of Boston. Cleethorpes. stationed at home, we lake the op­ Grantham. Grimsby and Lincoln. portunity to strengthen our links Freedoms granted to The Regiment by exercising the privilege of - Bedford, Boston, Bury St. Ed­ marching through these cities and munds, Cambridge. Chelmsford. towns with Colours flying. Drums Cleethorpes, Colchester, Dunsta­ beating and Bayonets fixed. ble, Ely, Grantham, Grimsby, Hertford. Hinkley, Ilford, Ipswich, Tercentenary year has seen nine such ceremonies, including the King’s Lynn, Lincoln. Lowestoft, grant of the Freedom of Wel­ Northampton, Norwich. Peter­ lingborough reported in the last borough, Romford. Southend, issue of Castle. Watford, Wellingborough. Wis­ Since then the Vikings have exer­ bech, Yarmouth, Regimental events 1986 IN 1986 the 1st Bn will be in Lon­ comrades, serving members and donderry. the 2nd Bn will leave families which we hope will set the Colchester for Omagh from Apr pattern for the future. Details will — Sep. and the 3rd Bn in Minden be published next year. Lt Gen Sir John Akehurst, Deputy Colonel, photographed after the Memorial Service at Kanchanaburi will start a short N orthern Ireland The Officers' Club are planning a Cemetery, Thailand, on 8 Nov at which he laid a wreath as representative of the three Services. The tour in November. reception at the D uke of Yorks, as General is photographed with those veterans and widows of soldiers who served with the Royal A forecast of Regimental events is well as the Regimental Dinner, on page 2. There will be no reunion while the popular WOs and Sgts' Anglians parent regiments. From left: Mr Arthur Brown (Royal Leicesters), Mr Bill Palmer (Suffolk), at Bassingbourn in 1986. but plans Past and Present Dinner will again Mrs Nancy Blumson (Harlow), Mrs Elsie French (Cambridge). Mrs Betty Ottowell (Swindon), Mrs Phyllis are being made for a 1987 midday. be held at Bassingbourn, provi­ Spencer-Tindall (Nuneaton), Mrs Phyllis Clarke (Kingsbridge. South Devon), Mrs Margaret Pickard reunion with activities to interest sionally on 18 Oct. (Cambridge), Mr Jack Catlin and Mr Evan Jasper (Cambridgeshire).

1 Mainly about people .

OBITUARIES DIARY DATES Pte M Patten 7 April 4/5 Essex dinner 5 April Hertford dinner IT is with great sorrow that we re­ 11 April Golf Spring meeting Flempton cord the death of Pte M artin Patten 23 April Suffolk Council meeting while serving in Londonderry with 25 April 3rd Bn Dinner Club cocktail party the 1st Battalion. Martin was killed 17 May Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire dinner by terrorists on the Limavady 6 — 7 Jun Norfolk Officers’ Club dinner lunch Road outside Clooney Base during 13 June Golf annual meeting Flempton the early hours of Sun. 22 Sep. 15 June Golf v Queens and RRF Gog Magog Martin was born on 28 Jun 67 in 20 June Royal Tigers weekend Cambridge, the second son of a 21 - 22 June Essex Reunion and Service of Remembrance family of 2 brothers and 3 sisters. 5 — 6 July Northamptonshire reunion He always wanted to join the Army 1 August 1st Bn Minden Ball and was an enthusiastic cadet at 2 — 3 August Suffolk dinner and Minden reunion school; indeed his headmaster 29 August Golf Autumn meeting Flempton strongly recommended him for a 30 August Golf v Flempton 20 September 4 Essex dinner military career. 21 — 22 September Lincolnshire reunion In Nov 83 Martin was selected to 27 September R Norfolk reunion dinner be a Junior Leader at Shorncliffe. 18 October Past & Present Dinner (TBC) During his training his bright en­ 6 November Field of Remembrance thusiasm and hard work earned 7 November Regimental Dinner him the friendship of his contem­ 16 November Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Remembrance poraries and the praise of his in­ Service structors. He did particularly well at his theoretical studies and was AT the time of going to press, the Maj Tony Downs now runs the always a welcome and sought-after Colonel of The Regiment, General Priory Lodge Hotel in Gorleston member of the sporting teams. Sir Timothy Creasey, is at home and writes that running a business With an excellent report, and recovering from a serious opera­ is worse than being a QM! showing great promise, Martin tion. We wish him a speedy recov­ Nevertheless Sylvia and Tony are Patten joined the 1st Battalion in ery and look forward to seeing him enjoying the experience and hope Jun. His life and short military on parade again soon. to see their friends. career were brought tragically to Brig Peter Barclay presents a framed Regimental Commendation to Jim Wright. Picture by Eastern Also in hospital is Lt Col Alan Congratulations to Lt Col(SQM) an end in what must be one of the Daily Press. Parry, late Essex and 3 E Anglian, most cold-blooded murders of the Mike Kinson on his promotion. who we hope will soon be out of Col Geoffrey Morgan has been ap­ terrorist campaign in Northern Ire­ the King Edward VII Hospital fol­ land. pointed a DL for Essex. Malayan exploits recognised lowing the amputation of a leg. Lt Peter Hogg has now left the In­ He was buried in his home town In 1942 Pte Jim Wright of the 6th the foot. He struggled on alone brave — "you're frightened some­ Congratulations to the following telligence Corps and is working for with full military honours on 30 Sep London/Stockbrokers Philips and 85; it was a very m oving cerem ony. Battalion The Royal Norfolk Regi­ until, helped by Chinese villagers, times, but when you join the army on being selected for command in ment was posted missing believed he joined a group of 26 British and you are told to try and escape, and 1986: 6th Bn Maj A C Taylor Apr. Drew. The deepest sympathies of the bat­ 86; 3rd Bn Maj A Behagg MBF Jun talion and the Regiment go to his killed when his battalion withdrew Australian stragglers. Only two of that is what I tried to do. I had lots Maj Mike Jones is Director of Ad­ from Malaya to Singapore. In fact, the 26 were to escape the clutches of luck and the help of the 86, Depot Lt Col M K (Goldschmidt 'father and mother, his brother Jul 86. ministration for the International serving with the battalion and his he became the only member of the of the Japanese and be evacuated Chinese." Immigration Institute. Kandy. Sri ill-fated 18th East Anglian Divi­ in May 45. When his exploits became known Congratulations also to Lt Richard Lanka and has written sending his sion to successfully evade capture Despite the ravages of disease and last y ear, his late CO, Lt Col Alan Clements on being awarded an Ad­ regards to all his friends. and return home in 1945. the horror of watching his friends Cubitt, put his name forward for a miralty Board Commendation for Lt Col M Shaw 2Lt Felicity Bowden This fact was not discovered by his die one by one, Jim Wright never Regimental Commendation and the outstanding part he played in of the 6th Bn Lt Col Mike Shaw MBE TD. a Regiment until Maj Robert gave up hope of his own survival on 28 Sep ex Pte Jim Wright re­ the rescue of Lt Cmd Waghorn who is on Op Raleigh writes from serving TA member of the Regi­ Hamond recently published his and fought on for three years. ceived belated recognition for his while taking part in the Joint Ser­ Chile that life is busy building an ment died suddenly at Cleethorpes book “A Fearful Freedom". Today he is rather taken aback to "exceptional conduct” when Brig vices Expedition to the Antarctic. outlook over the glacier on Lake on 12 Aug. Pte Wright was left on the Malayan have his exploits recognised after Peter Barclay presented him with We welcome 2Lt Simon Andrews San Safael, giving community aid mainland having been wounded in to locals and adventure training Mike Shaw left the 7th Battalion, 40 years and claims that he was not a framed Commendation. who joined The Poachers from climbing a volcano and a glacier, where he was second-in-command, Sandhurst in Aug 85 and congratu­ abseiling and being the signaller for to run the Eastern District Training late Lts Colin Hill and George her team. Team. In civilian life he worked MSM presented to a Pompadour Taylor on their commissions. for Grimsby Council and at the Brig Duchesne, Chief of Staff Maj Gen Sir David Thorne has Maj Douggie Riches has handed time of his death was closely in­ UNFICYP, presents the Meritori­ handed over command of 1Armd over as area secretary for Bedford­ volved in the planning for the 2nd ous Service Medal to W02 Barry Div and is living at home pending shire. Hertfordshire & Essex to Battalion Freedom marches in Sutcliff BEM at a ceremony in his appointment as Director of In­ Maj David Thorogood. Our thanks Grimsby and Cleethorpes. Nicosia on 11 Sep. W02 fantry in Feb. 86. go to Douggie Riches for returning The sympathy of his many friends Sutcliffe is assistant manager of We wish Maj ‘MAPS’ Amberton, from retirement to do a splendid in the Regiment goes to his family. the HQ UNFICYP Officers Mess. Capt Steven Langley and Lt Dun­ job filling a gap at Warley together can Gregory well on their retire­ with our best wishes for a happy ment and hope to continue to see second retirement. them at Regimental functions. Maj Thorogood retired early to take up the appointment and will We were pleased to see Lt Col Ber­ be warmly welcomed by his many nard Nehring who commands the old friends from The Bedfordshire Lincoln and Welland Regiment and Hertfordshire, 3rd East Ang­ when he visited England this year lian and Royal Anglian Regiments. for the tercentenary. He was pre­ sent at both the 2nd Battalion Horse Guards Parade 85 raised a Trooping the Colour and the 1st magnificent £12.000 for service Battalion march in Ely. charities. £5,000 went to the Army Col Richard Abbott, who transfer­ Benevolent Fund, £2,000 to the red to the Army Air Corps in 1970, Queens, RRF and Royal Anglian is now Commandant of the Army Benevolent Funds. £1.000 to the Corps Centre at Middle Wallop. UDR and £500 to Prince Philip's Congratulations to Pte Caesar, The Appeal for Commonwealth Vete­ Vikings on his success in the Army rans. individual athletics champion­ ships. Sgt Bodger of The Vikings represented the Army against Hampshire and the Army/Navy UK. The Pompadours came fourth in the Army swimming finals for the second year running, with Ptes Coyne and Tabram being selected Dinner club chairman retires to represent the Army. LCpls Paul THE WO and Sgts Mess Past and club chairman and was presented and Maynard of The Pompadours Present Dinner Club held its an­ with an inscribed crystal decanter also represented the Army in ath­ nual dinner at Bassingboum on 19 and six matching glasses. letics. while LCpl Paul broke the Oct when 233 members attended. The secretary of the club thanks BAOR 200m record and went on Brig M E Thorne presided and RSMs and their Messes of all six to become Combined Services once again our thanks go to the battalions for their kind donations 100m champion. Depot staff for the excellent meal towards this present. Capt Tommy Maj Mike Gunton who retired in and first class organisation. Bullock has succeeded Maj Warren Oct has taken on the running of Maj Tommy Warren retired as the as chairman. Lydd Ranges. 2 News from the Vikings

Ulster activity on the increase THE 1st Battalion approaches half time in their Londonderry tour with an increase in activity since the last edition, and the tragic m ur­ der of Pte Martin Patten. (Obituary Page 2) The end of July saw ‘A’ Coy, com­ manded by Maj David Phipps, and the Band and Drums departing for Thorpe Camp, Thetford for three Freedom parades to commemorate Vikings' Band heads the march through Bury St Edmunds. the tercentenary. A parade was held at Thorpe Camp At the same time two further teams On 30 Jul the party marched and Mrs Joan Fowler, widow of under Lt Dennis Vincent and CSgt through Ely. The salute was taken Maj (QM) Mick Fowler, presented Bob Grenfell were attacking the by the mayor, councillor A. Pope A Coy with their Northern Ireland Glencoe area. and Maj Gen Sir David Thorne. GSM's. At the end of the parade At the beginning of September the The Vikings were made extremely Mrs Fowler presented her hus­ captain of HMS Yarmouth. Com- welcome and the day, which ended band's service medals to the War­ mandor Robert Turner, visited the with Beating Retreat and a recep­ rant Officers' and Sergeants' Mess. battalion for two days and we hope tion in the Maltings, proved a re­ Maj Fowler was RSM of the battal­ to strengthen ties even more during sounding success. ion from 1965 — 67 and went on our Gibraltar tour. The following day we arrived at to QM. He is remembered with At the end of September the Norwich City Park, ready to exer­ great admiration and respect by all perimeter fence and a large cise the Freedom . The weather was battalion's of the Regiment. number of buildings were de­ fine and everyone felt good and The final Freedom march took stroyed when a 400 lb bomb was overconfident, being veterans of place on 3 Aug and was a carbon placed in a van next to the perime­ the day before. copy of Norwich. The experience ter. Fortunately there were no R However, it is not possible to pre­ of marching through the home Anglian casualties. pare yourself for an emotional towns must compare with the shock and the approach to the City Hall and the response of the crowds were brilliant. The salute Mayor of Bury St Edmunds, Coun­ sponse from the Rifle Companies, was taken by the Lord Mayor, cillor N. R. Whitwell. again accom­ and it is difficult to keep ones head Councillor B. E. E. Stevenson, ac­ panied by Maj Gen Sir David up during the Northern Ireland companied again by the Deputy Thorne. tour. However, the hockey XI are Colonel. Meanwhile, back in Londonderry, through to the semi-final of the N. In the evening there was an official having observed the response from Ireland branch of the Army Cup reception after Beating Retreat the Freedom marches, 16,000 pro- and if we can ever get the complete and then the long road home as testants attended the annual Ap­ team together we hope for great there was no march on the 1 Aug. prentice Boys March through the things. the senior members of the Band city centre. Sp Coy were kindly in­ The orienteering team under Capt and Drums took the opportunity vited to attend the following distur­ John Ross produced a tremendous to visit the Woolpack under the bances and riots. result in coming second in the inau­ command of ex Sgt Mitch Mitchell All efforts are made to live as nor­ gural Major Unit Infantry Orien­ and, at the stroke of midnight, a mal a life as possible and during teering Championships. The team well-controlled, peaceful and im­ September two teams under the was Capt Ross, Capt Lucas, Lt promptu re-union slipped grace­ watchfull eye of CSgt ‘Chico' Dun­ Thome, CSgt Shrubsall, Cpl Daw­ fully into Minden Day. Unfortu­ can found themselves adventure kins and Cpl Martin. We hope nately no photo's are available. training in the Mallaig area of Scot­ Capt Ross and Cpl Dawkins will Minden Day 1985, for operational land. They enjoyed themselves and be selected for the Army Team. Colour Party march past the Lord Mayor of Norwich. reasons, will not be remembered the quote of the trip goes to Pte By the next edition of the Castle as one of the special occasions of ‘Kid’ Curry when he claimed "CSgt the battalion will have celebrated the past, and once again the brunt my little legs just won't go up-hill the joys of their 5th Christmas on was borne by A Coy. anymore" and was proved wrong. Irish soil.

No. 1 Guard march past the Mayor of Ely.

3 News from the Vikings

Above: Yet another milestone in the history of Northern Ireland the arrival of the APVs.

Right: Drummers Lenton and Wildney practice the art of Mrs Joan Fowler presenting medals to A Company at Thorpe Camp. breaking and entering’.

W02 K C Jones receives the late Major Mick Fowler's medals on behalf of the Warrant Officer’s and Serjeant's Mess.

2nd Lt Frank de Planta Willdenberg hanging the newly commi sioned painting of the Colonel of the Regiment. 2Lt de Planta was Re Lemon, Support Company, bom on the day the General Creasey completed his tour at the Staff proving that in Northern Ireland College, Camberley. The painting is excellent and well worthy of it pays to be backward. 44 years plus service to Queen and Country. 4 News from The Poachers Regimental Day Success

Poachers on target The Poachers were selected by the Army Rifle Association as the unit team to be part of the British Army Rifle Team (BART) representing the British Army in the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association Championships. The Poachers set off on Ex Sharp Shooter on 19 Jul with Maj Domeisen and were based in Kingston, Ontario for five days. The Canadians fire a large number of matches on each weapon and therefore tend to con­ centrate on one or two weapons, whilst BART members fired up to five but at least three of the SLR, SMG, GPMG, Pistol and Sniper Rifle. Training was followed by two weeks of competition in Ot­ tawa. The team set a new record, winning twelve major trophies, the International Match and 83 Indi­ vidual/Team Gold Medals. Poacher results were; Rifle Indi­ vidual Events: Match 8 - Pte Mel­ ville 1st; Sir Arthur Currie Aggre­ gate Plate - Maj Domeisen 1st; In­ dividual Championship (HM Canadian Forces Queens Medal), On behalf of the Cpl s Mess the CO presents the Drum Major with Maj Domeisen - 1st (Not eligible his new sash. to win the HM Canadian Forces 1985 was another successful shoot­ Gamekeeper of the Poachers". Queens Medal), Pte Tec - 10th, ing year with the team coming The highlight of the Tercentenary’ Cpl Scarboro - 14th. Rifle Team seventh overall at Bisley, the sec­ Year was the Regimental Day on Events, BART A, Maj Domeisen, ond best result achieved by the 28 Jul Apart from the drill practices The Deputy Colonel-in-Chief with her tercentenary gift of a porcelain Poacher presented by Lt Gen Bordon Trophy, Sgt Anderson A r­ Poachers or any Royal Anglian for Trooping the Colour, stands Sir John Akehurst. thur Currie Team Aggregate: Cpl battalion, Cpl Scarboro came sixth had to be put up and the Battalion Scarboro, Wood Trophy; Pte Mel­ in the Army 100 and the team won Fair organised. On Fri 26 Jul the The crucial factor was the weather The rain eased for the Fair, but three weeks well-earned leave that ville. Gascoigne Trophy. SMG In­ the 14/20 Kings Hussars Cup. an dress rehearsal was taken by the and, as the battalion woke to grey promptly descended again in the followed. dividual Events, Match 35 - Pte SMG event and the first team event overcast skies, we remem bered the middle of the ”walkabout". This After leave we exercised the Free­ Melville 1st. GPMG Events, LCpl ever to be won by the Poachers. evening of 27 Jul. the Officers Mess down pour in May 83 when the R e­ failed to dampen spirits and Prin­ doms of Boston and Grantham on Havercroft Winner of Match 44 held a reunion dinner in the G arri­ giment paraded before their Col­ cess Alice met many families and 6 Sep. Lincoln on 7 Sep and and the University Cup; Pte Seven out of eight men in the Queens Division team, who came son Officers Club, which unfortu­ onel-in-Chief. visited the stalls which varied from Grimsby and Cleethorpes on 8 Wright, Machine Gun Aggregate. third in the Methuen cup. were nately coincided with the Colches­ The rain held off as 2,000 people highly dangerous "dunking" Sep. thus emphasising our ties with International Match Rifle, Winners ter carnival and the entree got assembled at Hyderabad Barracks machines to exhibitions of WWII Lincolnshire in the tercentenary of of the Challenge Shield were Poachers. The Poachers also shot well in the Nationals the following stuck in the procession! It was a but. just after the helicopter from memorabilia and the popular com­ 20 Jun 1685 when Maj Gen John BART No. 1 Team which included close-run thing but the food made the Queens flight landed, it started pany tents. W e were sad to see the Granville. Earl of Bath and Gover­ Maj Domeisen, Pte Tee and Cpl w eek, in preparation for represent­ it in time! It was good to see many to rain: some attributed this to the Princess depan. but grateful that nor of Plymouth, was commis­ Scarboro. ing the Army in Canada where they familiar faces together again. battalion not having a resident she had made the Day so memora­ sioned by Royal Warrant to raise Life was not all work and no play. set a record by winning 12 major trophies, the International Match The day itself consisted of Troop­ padre! Nevertheless the ceremony ble. a Regiment of “eleven companies The RAF played a blinder by de­ and 83 individual and team Gold ing the Regimental Colour before went very smoothly. On her arri­ The celebrations over, the battal­ of foot, each containing 100 private laying the return flight by five days. medals. (Separate report). our Deputy Colonel-in-Chief. val. Princess Alice was presented ion turned to the 19 Inf Bde Inter men". This Regiment sub­ Poachers who represented the HRH Princess Alice, followed by with a bouquet by Jessica Lynn, Section Competition in the last sequently became the 10th of Foot Army in Canada were: Maj A P In July Gen Sir John Stanier paid a Battalion Fair. Her Royal High­ daughter of Cpl and Mrs Lynn and. week before summer block leave. and the Royal Lincolnshire Regi­ Domeisen, Sgt V Anderson, Cpl his last visit to an Infantry Battal­ ness lunched in the Officers Mess, later in the ceremony, received the This incorporated a march of 25 m ent. N K Scarboro, L/Cpl M Haver­ ion as CGS and was much amused talked to families at the Fair and battalion's tercentenary gift to kms with various military skills For the parades the weather was croft, Ptes A Melville, P A Tee, P by a gift of a snare from the QM's took tea in the W Os. and Sgts Mess their Deputy Colonel-in-Chief — stands, culminating in an assault fine and the turnout by the public Wright, A Athroll, R Warrener. Department to the "Head before leaving by helicopter. a porcelain Poacher. course and shoot. The battalion good and appreciative. The battal- took 11 out of the first 14 places and recovered its breath during the Continued Page 6

The British Army team in Canada with their trophies.

5 News from The Poachers

The Feu-de-Joie on Regimental Day.

Members of the 10th of Foot in America with the Adjt and Sgt Brazier on Regimental Day. From Page 5 and an inter-platoon competition. larly testing march and shoot at the ion was well entertained and all the October brought the Cambrian end which became survival of the civic authorities made extremely March Patrol Competition when fittest. generous presentations. Grantham Capt Dick Kemp and his team pul­ On Remembrance Day the battal­ gave a cheque for £1.000 for the led off an extremely fine feat in ion paraded in Lincoln Cathedral refurbishment of the Lincoln silver coming second on one of the tough­ in the presence of HRH Princess drums, the Borough of Boston pre­ est courses and in the worst Alice, the Deputy Colonel-in- sented new banners for the fanfare weather on record. The team co­ Chief: a fitting and memorable trumpets, the Boroughs of Great vered 130 kms incorporating many conclusion to our Tercentenary Grimsby and Cleethorpes pre­ military skills tests, with a particu­ celebrations. sented new Colour Belts and while the battalion was in Cyprus, Lin­ coln presented £1.000 towards Band Banners. The ceremonies in Grimsby and Cleethorpes were part of the Royal Lincolnshire Re­ giment Association's Tercentenary celebrations and were attended by HRH Princess Alice. A mobile display team accom­ panied the battalion to show off to A Coy protect the helicopter landing zone. the public the more modern as­ pects of the Poachers life. In all the battalion enjoyed a most suc­ cessful and enjoyable tour. Ex Brave Defender in the follow­ ing week introduced a new and un­ accustomed role. Our TAOR in­ cluded our own recruiting area as well as Nottinghamshire and Der­ byshire. The battalion split for the first day between Derwent reser­ voir and Proteus, to be deployed on the second day to RAF North Luffenham. The novel part of the exercise was that transportation was by Kennings minibus! The end of September saw the bat­ talion deployed on Ex Autum Cir­ cuit. the 19 Inf Bde three-week concentration. The first week was a Bde exercise, the second was at Wathgill with a range package and FIBUA. while the final week con­ 2Lt Steve Taylor with 5PI on Ex Autumn Circuit. sisted of various concentrations

Looking cheerful on Ex Autumn Circuit.

The Cambrian March Patrol Competition team 1985. 6 News from The Pompadours Training periods in Canada and Germany IN the earlier part of the year, B from Camp Crowsfoot and The final push began with the Coy became almost ‘detached’ to Ralston, a village which contains whole battle group formed up on all intents and purposes to the 17/ the “Cannex” — equivalent of a long black ridge, wailing to attack 21 Lancers Battle Group in prep­ NAAFI. the final objective. It was taken, in aration for Ex Medicine Man 3 After a weekend of sampling Cana­ a cacophony of live firing from (1985), thus stealing a march on dian food and drink, the entire Bat­ weapons of all calibres. The exer­ the rest of us by about a year. tle Group departed from Camp cise ended at that point, among the After cramming in their SA A Crowsfoot with all their kit for the burning grass. Camp, they attended the Battle Suffield Prairie. Group Trainer with 17/21 Lancers The training period was now com­ and shortly afterwards went to Sol- The first week of work was special plete, and all that remained was tau with them. to arms training, and B Coy. hav­ putting out of the fire caused in the B Coy and D Sqn 17/21 L acted as ing check-zeroed their weapons, final attacks, the filling-in of all the a Sqn/Coy Group for the whole spent the week graduating from trenches and the repair and re­ working and training period, and section tactics through platoon op­ placement of the many bullet rid­ the two sub units got to know one erations to company group opera­ dled targets. another extremely well, and from tions in all phases of war. The next four days were spend en­ the top down. Lancer met Pom­ After this, and following a mainte­ suring that all the vehicles and padour and got to understand each nance day to allow the com pany to equipment were in a fit state for others problems, equipment, and pay some attention to their vehi­ Ex Medicine Man 4, and having what each could do for the other. cles, weapons and equipment, they done that. B Coy enjoyed several They flew to Canada in mid June, again met up with D Sqn and con­ days R & R, many attending the Blowing the bridge — B Coy at Batus. and by the 23rd the Company tinued training as a Sqn/Coy Gp. annual Calgary Stampede, others Group was installed in Camp The company then took its place visiting the nearby, (nearby being Crowsfoot. a well used collection in the Battle Group Orbat for the a relative term!) towns of Banff. of wooden huts, each capable of final two exercises, including Elkwater and Medicine Hat. and housing 100 men. bridge demolitions, minefield some being content merely to visit During the arrival period, the pre­ breaching, battle group attacks, the rugged scenery of the Rockies. advanced and advance parties, to­ hasty defence, withdrawal, and a The company returned to Minden gether with the early arrivals of the long advance to contact, culminat­ in mid July, to meet the rest of the main body were able to pay fleeting ing with the recapture of the bridge battalion returning from Sennel- visits to the local sights — Medicine that had been blown at the begin­ ager having completed three weeks Hat — small tow n, a taxi ride away ning of the exercise. field firing. While the remainder of the battal­ ion were engaged on Ex Treaty with the Americans and French in Sennelager this September, A Coy spent a successful and enjoyable fortnight with the 2nd Danish Life Regiment based on the Island of Zeeland in the town o f Vor- dingborg which, although small, made up for the lack of bright lights by the generous hospitality the in­ habitants extended to all ranks. The Danish Life Regiment differs in several ways from a British Army unit, not least in the fact that they actually have female members of rifle sections and female tank EX Quarter Final — W02 Peter Lund-Conlon commanding A Coy during the "Death" of Maj crew members. The Regiment is Tim Otter. His steel helmet is reversed as a mark of respect for the dead. organised on a two mech company, two tank squadron Orbat. and is equipped with Centurion tanks and M 113 A FC ’s. A Coy spent the first few days familiarising themselves with Danish procedures and equip­ ment. Early misgivings about the ability of the company to operate on the Danish Regimental voice net turned out to be unfounded thanks to an excellent liaison of­ ficer. and the Danish educational system that ensures that most Pte Holohan about to refuel LCpl Flack's motorbike — the three Danes speak excellent English. despatch riders from the provost staff averaged 9,500 km's over the five weeks of Exercise Quarter Final. Continued Page 8

On your marks — CPL Eddie Croft and Pte Roy Holohan sprint into action on Ex Quarter Final.

CSgt Tommy Carr and his crew taking on emergency provisions during Ex Quarter Final.

7 News from The Pompadours

From Page 7 Running replen. In this way, A1 Echelon refuelled the entire battlegroup in less than an hour during Towards the end of the first week, battlegroup training at Soltau. the Life Regiment organised a sports day consisting of a cross­ country race, and assault course competition and grenade throw­ ing. A Coy won overall, sweeping the board in the cross-country and coming second and third in the as­ sault course race. The day ended with a barbecue, A craftsman at work. Cpl FID’ Timms the metalsmith welding a considered to be a great success frame to an APC’s rear bins. judging by the number of British and Danish officers who took an unscheduled swim in the nearby lake. The second week was taken up with a major FTX, concentrating on mobile operations. Despite the age of our M k1 432's and their lack of pace compared with the M113's, the Danish commander was pleas­ antly surprised at how quickly A Coy was able to react to changing situations, often beating the Danes to the start line. At the end of the exercise, the com­ Battlegroup Training at Soltau - CSgt Keith Smith acting as enemy chief of staff explains how he pany (drawing on their experience intends to surround the battalion. of the Blenheim Day parade) fired a Feu de Joie for the Danes as a the day. We came in to work at Aug and began with a Beating of Guards, then, following on impre­ token of appreciation for the hospi­ 0645 hrs and stood down — where Retreat by the Band and Drums. ssive Advance in Review Order, tality extended to them. (he workload allowed — at 1400 After the dance, tentage continued the Guards fired a Feu de Joie with At that point, it was considered hrs. to be erected until the playing the precision of ripping silk. that the visit was all over bar the The first milestone to pass was the fields resembled a MASH. On the The guests of honour were Nor­ journey back to Minden. but the inter company drill competition, parade square rehearsals con­ man Fowler M P. late of the Essex weather took a hand, with winds held to decide which company tinued. officer's being allowed to Regiment, and the Colonel of the approaching 80 mph. All bridges would have the honour of provid­ take part, and blank ammunition Regiment, General Sir Timothy and ferries connecting Zeeland ing the Escort to the Colour for was issued for the Feu de Joie. Creasey. with the mainland were closed, and the trooping. The APC's were re­ hitherto mainly practiced with Festivities continued for the rest of A Coy was stranded for an extra moved from the square, and it was 'clicks' instead of ’bangs’. the afternoon, and in the evening two days. Finally, after a 50 hour swept daily. The CO finally declared himself the officers held their Summer Ball train journey, the company arrived CSM's spent hours perfecting the satisfied with the standard of drill at the Schloss Petershagen, a per­ back in Minden thoroughly tired, difficult forms, marching in line on the dress rehearsal on 14 Aug fect setting 10km north of Minden. but well pleased with the fortnights and the Feu de Joie. The compet­ but guards could still be seen prac­ After assembling at the Mess, the work, both military and social. ition was held on 2 Aug and was ticing on the square all hours of officers and their guests were taken 1985 is tercentenary year for the won, by a length, by B Coy. trained the day. to Petershagen in a luxury pleasure Regiment, and although the senior and led by CSM Ollie Dent. The day itself was a resounding steamer down the River Weser. Pompadour Regiment, the Bed­ Having decided the Escort to the success. The weather was perfect, One of the attractions held over fordshire Regiment, was not raised Colour, the battalion began train­ and at 1100 hrs the Pompadours from the afternoon's fete was the until 1688, the 3rd Battalion celeb­ ing for the event. Peripheral to all marched on. Acting as a backdrop mechanical rodeo bull, which was rated the Regiment’s three hun­ the drill, Maj Roland Thompson to the parade were two Chieftain transported to the schloss for the dredth anniversary by Trooping and his Blenheim Day committee, tanks, kindly loaned by our sup­ edification of officers. The ball fi­ the Regimental Colour on 17 Aug. headed by CSM Wally Cook, were porting Gunners 47 Fd Regt, and nally ended at 7am with the last of Having returned from three weeks busy organising tentage, food, two o f our own A PC’s and two Sci­ the revellers leaving the schloss at field firing at Sennelager, or in the beer, pop-groups and speciality mitars. the same time as the gallant case of B Coy from Ex Medicine acts and other sundry details for After Trooping the Colour, the ADC’s. Captain’s Alistair Wild Man in Canada, the battalion the all ranks dance and other parade marched past in line in slow and Kerrin Tansley who were on adopted Pompadour Summer Blenheim Day celebrations. and quick time, demonstrating drill their way to escort the guests of The CO tells the 2IC, Maj Julian Lacey to lead off on the left foot Time (PST) while we prepared for The all ranks dance was held on 10 that would have graced Horse honour to Hannover airport. in future.

During EX Quarter final, Capt Peter Morling prepares his scimitar for the Hannover motor show. News from The Pompadours S no w and Five weeks in sun on the field — but alpine exp ed itio n very little rain EXERCISE Purple Quadrant had FOR the five weeks from 27 Sept exercise which was held over the ended the last year when 2Lt R to 1 Nov the Pompadours were in same period, but the remainder Hoskins took a party of soldiers on the field. This year, the period al­ were free to carry out recces and a long and arduous walk on part located to us for battle group train­ check out the local hostelries for of the Alpine Pass Route in Swit­ ing at Soltau was from 27 Sep. to the next three days. zerland. 11 Oct. At 2300 hrs on 13 Oct. we deployed The APR is more than 200 miles We deployed by road and rail 50 km southwest to defensive pos­ long and starts in north east Swit­ straight into the field and began itions for the Brigade work-up zerland near the Swiss/Liechtens­ company work-up training includ­ exercise Ex Sharp Blade. Three tein border and finished at Mon- ing working with field engineers, days into the exercise we got out treaux on Lake Geneva. armoured engineers, tanks and chance to dem onstrate how well we This year it was decided that Exer­ support helicopters. Although ini­ had learned our river crossing cise Purple Quadrant 1985 would tially constrained to the 'Red drills, when the battalion provided cover the entire route with Lt An­ Areas' only, as the week progres­ the organisation for a Brigade river drew Wadman leading the expedi­ From Left: Pte Strudwick, 2Lt Blakeney-Edwards, Pte Howe, LCpl Robinson, Pte Mitchell and Pte sed greater distances began to be crossing over an M2 Bridge. tion. After much hard work Lts Tarrant. travelled. and daily replenishments We had been joined for the Exer­ Wadman and Tosh (AAC) Ptes of 3,500 litres of combat gas, for cise by the two Danish Regiments, Jolly, Thornton, Winkle, Oxby, each com pany becam e the norm in­ the 2nd Zeelland Life Regiment Catterson and Strudwick set off for stead of the exception. and the 1st Guard Hussars. Both Sargens on the Liechtenstein/Swiss being organised on a two mech coy. border where the expedition was Apart from some cobwebs that had two tank sqn Orbat, which greatly to start. to be dusted off, the companies enhanced both the infantry and The first three days were relatively were soon ready for the CO's exer­ tank strength of the Brigade, easy and a useful warm up. By day cise. The old APC's also, with a hitherto consisting of only ourse­ four the expedition was pushing few exceptions, responded well to lves and 3 RTR. deep into the Bemere Oberland, the call, and the vast majority of After crossing the Weser at Olle which means "lots of high moun­ the fleet behaved perfectly. at the site of a car ferry, the battal­ tains” and could expect to climb at Having practiced the more obvious ion advanced at the head of the least 7,000 - 10,000 ft a day. phases of war during the CO's Brigade on a two day advance to To make things more difficult the exercise, w e w ere all rather looking contact, culminating in several weather turned nasty with almost forward to the challenge of running baltlegroup sized deliberate at­ continual rain and some snow on a bridge crossing. Thanks to a good tacks. the passes. deal of research and foresight, the That weekend we again recovered As the expedition progressed so battalion arc now expert at provid­ to the area we had originally de­ the weather became worse, with ing assault groups, bank groups, fended and prepared for the Divi­ dense fog and blizzards causing al­ bridge security and traffic control. sional FTX. Ex Quarter Final. We most nil visibility: this made navi­ With the exception of the formal had been given the map coverage gation difficult and many stretches orders, now in the form of an SOL of the exercise, which was exten­ had to be done on compass bear­ the whole operation can be exe­ sive to say the least (47 sheets) and ings. cuted with a maximum of 5 we had been given a briefing by By day six after crossing the Suren- BATCO messages, or when things GOC 4 Armd Div which staled pass (9.700 ft) in knee deep snow. are really going our wav. nothing 'World War Three has started" the party reached Engelberg with at all! — other than that we had no idea clothing and equipment wet Once again, having "crossed the what to expect, so that weekend through. bridge", we were only limited in we conducted recces for several op­ At this stage the party returned to our operations by the size of the tions. Minden for Blenheim day and Lt training area, and the many and As it turned out. we deployed Andrew Wadman handed the varied constraints imposed on us 90km south to a defensive area, leadership of the second stage to by the demands of the local in­ and for once played a guard force Lt John Tosh AAC. With him With Pte Cooper added to the picture the party stands In the shadow of the north face of the Eiger. habitants — it will soon be easier battle in front of another Brigade. would go many notable battalion to exercise in Hyde Park than on Other than to say that for the rest adventurers including 2Lt spite our confidence, it was de­ warded with the most splendid al­ the language spoken by the locals Soltau training area! o f the exercise we were continually Blakeney Edwards, Ptes Strud­ cided there would have been too pine views, or in some cases, an and on the sign posts. We wound up the battalion train­ kept guessing as to what would wick, Cooper. Howe, Tarrant. little time in which to get to Mon- ice cold bottle of beer. Finally, after three days of rain, ing on 9 Oct. and recovered to happen next, and nearly all of us Mitchel, LCpl Robinson and the treaux. The weather stayed magnificent the sun shone again on the start of Rheinsehlen Camp. That night and w ere "killed o f f at some stage dur­ admin backup team of LCpl Moore The sun continued to shine and the until four days from Montreaux our final days walk to Montreaux. during the early hours of the next ing the next 11 days, we will not (REME) and Pte Salmon. mountain passes became steeper when the rains and snows returned, By this time the m ountains had be­ morning the APC's and Stalwarts go into the details further. The second phase saw a welcome and longer. However, at no time but this had little effect on team come lower and less majestic and were loaded onto trains for Stad- It must, however go on record that change in the weather and every­ were there any complaints (well spirit as we knew that our final de­ the climb to the final pass was toldensdorf. for the five weeks that we were liv­ body donned T-shirts and shorts. maybe one or two) despite assaults stination was near when we crossed somewhat of an anti-climax. But Those in the road party set off the ing out. it only rained three times The alpine scenery became quite on our feet by armies of blisters or from German-Switzerland into this was soon forgotten when on next morning to arrive at our stag­ — we really were extremely lucky. breath-taking with one of the most being passed by dozens of Japanese French-Switzerland. reaching the summit we were re­ ing area, w here we w ere to stay for On our return from Quarter Final, memorable sights being the village tourists making their way to the top This border is not marked on any warded with a superb view of Lake the weekend waiting for the it was calculated that those single of Grindelwald at the foot of the by cable car or mountain railway. maps but is regarded by all Swiss Geneva and Montreaux. Brigade work-up exercise to start. soldiers who enjoyed the full north face of the Eiger. Nevertheless, the feeling of self- as the Gos Table just outside Everyone agreed it was a fitting Heavy Weapons Coy were kept period would receive some £104 in At the time there was talk of an satisfaction was tremendous when Gstaad. Once you have crossed the place to finish the expedition. am used by providing a hunter force food and accommodation charges assault on the north face but, de- on reaching the top we were re­ pass there is a dramatic change in for 3 RTR's escape and evasion refunds!

Blenheim Day Fete — Pte Hazlewood encourages the youngsters Blenheim Day parade - the Pompadours prepare to advance in review order. to shoot up the officers Mess tent.

9 10

News from the 5th Battalion

Ptes Lenthall and Draice on Milan PI exercise on the Rock overlooking Europa Point.

Border duties and training on the Rock CON TIN U AL rain during cam p at resident battalion Milan platoon, Barry Buddon and the hill walking which gave them all a confidence near Balmoral proved to be ideal boost. practice for members of 7 PI from Mid October saw the Milan PI in Chelmsford who found Pen-Y-Fan O tterburn for the 2 Div C oncentra­ little different with thick mists they tion and their previous training was went there at the height of summer tested to the full during a live firing — June. excercise. The platoon also took Lt Neil Darlington found himself part in its first night shoot which dropped in a stream during a was exhilarating for those firing stretcher race but it was difficult to and very dramatic for those watch­ tell if he was wetter than the rest ing. They also had a chance to use of the team. Meanwhile. 8 PI has MIRA. been taking part in some glider The mortar platoon from Essex did training. their camp by attending the UKLF In September. CSM Mick Broyd Mortar Concentration at Otter- and Cpl David Croucher were pre­ bum which, apart from giving sented with their TEMs. This was realistic training, gave them the also the occasion when CSM Broyd chance to com pare themselves with said goodbye to 3(Essex) Coy and other platoons taking part. A djt. Capt Simon Bacon, was first major exercise as part of Brave handed over to CSM Alcock. The end of July gave the CO his dined out. Before the meal, Brig Defender. While the rest of the battalion was first opportunity to see the battal­ Taylor gave an interesting talk Following the Freedom of Wel­ recovering from camp. ion deploy on a FTX at Stamford about his time as a battalion com­ lingborough celebrations in April, 4(Hertford) Coy were preparing on a defensive exercise. mander during the Second World the Band and Drums returned at for Gibraltar, leaving on 27 Jul. Mid O ctober saw a military skills War. the end of September to perform thus conveniently missing a battal­ weekend at Colchester. For the 2 (N ortham ptonshire) Coy held an Beating Retreat, after which the ion FTX. This is the third time the first time this was run as a training open day in August to reactivate council hosted a reception. battalion has been to Gibraltar, al­ rather than a testing weekend and the platoon at Rushden. This was After some hard practice at camp, though arrangem ents were slightly numerous small cadres were excel­ successful and the platoon is now our GPMG (SE ), under the direc­ different wall the Spanish border lently organised and everyone fell well established w ith 20 members tion of WOII Alcock. came a very open. that the event had been well w orth­ under the command of CSgt Wil­ creditable third in the UKLF Alongside border duties some very while . cox. Match 83 competition. This proved useful training and range work was We were ably assisted by 73 Engr On 10 Sep a successful open even­ to be a good omen for our Bisley undertaken while a potential Regt who had helped us at camp ing for employers was held and the team, mainly from 4 Coy. whose NCOs cadre included some mem­ with our Assault Pioneer PI. prov­ Support W eapons PI attended. training by WOII Turner brought bers from other Coys. The Milan ing that co-operating is working Many of the visitors were amazed its usual share of success, especially PI from Hemel Hempstead carried well in 49 Bde. by the complexity of the equipment for WOII Binley from Peter­ out their own training on the Rock We were pleased to welcome Brig and it proved to be a worthwhile borough. in preparation for the 2 Div Milan Greenway. Comd 49 Bde. on the public relations exercise. The Finally. September saw Maj Alan Concentration, including man- Saturday and on Sunday GOC evening concluded with the Band Chissel take over command of 1 packing the Milan up the gentle Eastern District. Maj Gen Ram­ and Drums Beating Retreat under (Essex) Coy. after some years southern slopes. say. On the Saturday evening we floodlights. away from the battalion, from Maj They also achieved some integ­ were able to borrow the Poachers' Early September saw the newly- Douglas Inch who has moved over rated training with I Queens', the Mess for a dinner at which our formed 5 and 6 HSF Coys on their to the HSF.

The Drums PI at Wellingborough.

Capt Grant Peakall in Gibraltar. CSgt Batchelor and his wife on honeymoon in Gibraltar.

12 News from the 5th Battalion

Col Shervington, Deputy Honorary Colonel, Cambridgeshire and W01 Smith.

The battalion team for the Braintree half marathon.

Above: The battalion's recruit­ ing team at Expo 85. Picture by Peterborough Evening Tele­ graph.

Left: WOII Broyd presenting Maj Thomas with a bugle on his re­ tirement.

13 News from the 6th Battalion

Time of changing faces

WITH Ex Brave Defender all but a distant memory of bad dreams and lengthy post exercise reports, the battalion is settling down to in­ dividual training, the autumn cir­ cuit of range weekends, recruit selection and training. Battalion headquarters are cur­ rently engaged in a contest to see who can attend the most postings D Coy near the end of the Gaza Cup with their casualty LCpl Simmons. conferences. TAVRA meetings and annual meetings in one month. Target Match at TASAAM with a last year. is still on course to represent Great In the past six months the following Rev (CF3) David Lower on his 2nd Rd. HQ Coy beat A Coy 6 award of the Territorial Decora­ score of 49/50. Sgt Brunton-Doug- Following the TA Rugby Team Britain at the World Champion­ changes have taken place in the 10-0,C Coy beat B Coy 6 4-3. The third round matches (semi­ las A (Norfolk) Coy finished in the trial and first representative gamet ships in early 1986. The battalion orbat. The Adjutant is now Capt tion. Within the battalion there have final stage), were due to be played top 50 of the Rifle Championship. on 23 Oct the following 6 R Ang­ extends best wishes to her and is Roger Antolik vice Capt Ian Hall been too many promotions to men­ Overall, the battalion finished lian players have been selected to looking forward to seeing her on who has gone to 49 Inf Bde. on 17 Nov. Battalion interest is in TASAAM in 15th place out of 84 represent the TA in Northern Ire­ the "telly” after Christmas. At Norwich. A (Norfolk) Coy. we tion them all but congratulations the match C Coy v HQ Coy which to 2Lts Bob Keron (A Coy) and will guarantee a 6R Anglian place teams. Following their marvellous land in early December: Capt. I.R. 2 Lt Felicity Bowden is presently have said farewell and good luck Nick Snaith (B Coy) on being com­ in the final at Colchester on 8 Dec. indoor season last year when they Antolik. Cpl Branch. Ptes Eade. away in Chile on Operation to W 0 2 Bill Vessey who has re­ won first and second team places Stainer. Newman. Raliegh and is due back in January turned to the 1st Bn. In his stead missioned. The battalion shooting record con­ Recruiting has increased quite in the WRAC .22 Pistol Shooting W Pte Stephanie O'Malley B (B ed­ when we will be able to publish a we received C Sgt Mick Neve who tinues to be well maintained with dramatically as a result of the na­ our notable Bisley result being Cpl Match the WRAC platoon have fordshire) Coy is currently training full report on what must be argu­ is with us until Jun 86 when he goes started their defence of their title with the Great Britain Nordic Ski ably one of the best “swans” left to RMAS. In HO (Suffolk) Coy at tional advertising campaign and Sinclair H Q (Suffolk) Coy who was most of the companies are individual winner of the Moving with the teams little changed from Team somewhere in Norway and in the Army. Bury St. Edmunds there has been now near to full strength. More are still a change of M ortar PSI and Sgt needed though, especially young Employment Andy Thomas has returned to the officers and experienced NCOs Poachers with CSgt Eric Morley leaving the Regular Army or with coming in from the Pompadours assistance There have been changes too in Regular experience, On behalf of AS a member of the Regular

Bedford, where ( Sgt John Isom all three T.A Battalions may we ask armed forces you know the value comes in as PSI of B (Bedford­ that you please get in touch. and satisfaction of doing a job well. shire) Coy in place of CSgt Bob In the E D IST stage of the T A Soc­ At the end of your engagement you George who moves, on retirem ent, cer Cup our results were: 1st Rd. will be seeking the best employ­ as the NRPS CSgt of D (C am ­ C Coy beat 70 Signals Regt 7-1; B ment available to meet your qual­ bridgeshire) Coy at Cambridge. Coy beat 202 B ty 100 Fd Regt RA ifications and ambitions. The Congratulations to our Padre, the 4-2. RFEA exists to help you find that employment and to settle in civil life. You may use our services as often as you wish thereafter. If you have served with good character in the non-commissioned ranks of the Forces for a minimum of three years, or less if you are being discharged on medical grounds, the association is at your service. Our employment officers, all ex- Regulars, are situated at branches throughout the United Kingdom and are in close contact with local employers and Jobcentres. Branch addresses and telephone numbers can be found from unit resettlement officers; Regimental, Corps and Service associations; Jobcentres and local telephone di­ rectories. The association provides all its ser­ The RSM, WO Mick Flynn, counting sheep. vices free.

Guess who? Answers on a postcard to: 6 R Anglian, Blenheim Camp, Bury St. Edmunds, (Suffolk) IP33 3SW. (Open to all members/ ex-members of the Regiment, except CSgt Isom and TT Photo­ graphies). 14 News from the 7th Battalion

Lt K Slatter during the assault landing at Garlockhead. Variety of training in rugged Scotland Hey guys look what I just dug up — Cpl M P Hibbert of D (Northamptonshire) Coy finds something IF variety is the spice of life then ranges at Barry Budden in the east liberation Training Maj Peter Wil­ to laugh about on the defence exercise at Garelochead. the battalion is certainly experienc­ were first class and the quality of liam son cam e up w ith an ingenious ing a tasty existence. training helped everyone to forget and satisfactory cocktail that gave The focal point of 1984, Exercise the bleakness of the geography and everyone a fair share of everything. Lionheart. demanded that climate. The officers and the WO's and Sgts maximum attention be directed to On the other hand, a hundred Messes upheld tradition by each miles away the o th er camps nestled holding their annual Regimental in the grandeur of some of the most dinners on the middle Friday. Both however, the wheel turned and in­ picturesque countryside in the UK. Messes took the opportunity to en­ dividual skills became the order of Garelochhead situated close to the tertain a num ber of visitors and to the day. Inevitably, therefore, the submarine base at Faslane pro­ say thank you to the local range character of this year's Camp vided the venue for practising de­ staff for helping to make the camp would show many differences from fensive skills and for the rare op­ a success. Germany. portunity of launching platoon at­ Considering the distance from Scotland's rugged terrain was the tacks from assault boats. Kinloch- home base the list of visitors was setting for July, with the welcome leven was unashamedly adventure surprisingly long and the battalion promise of a more relaxed and per­ training. Not surprisingly its close­ was very grateful that so many sonalised camp training prog­ ness to Ben Nevis meant that rock friends were able to join us. ramme. The long road journey climbing and expeditions were a Sadly, long-serving Maj Ed Mar­ north to the three allotted areas at must. Canoeing was also thrown in shall (OC HO Coy), has decided Barry Budden. Garelochhead and for good measure. to take a sabbatical as the foot Kinlochleven. took our most How do you allocate the different which he injured on exercise nearly southern Coys as much as 11 weary elements of the battalion to such two years ago has forced him to hours to reach. widespread and diverse areas? Ob­ temporarily hang up his webbing. Cpl Matwizcuk 6 (Lincoln) PI B The three areas certainly offered a viously travelling must be Maj Ed has been with the battalion Coy demonstrates that it was variety of training with a mixture minimised, equally, however, since its formation, and is one of not all a hard climb at Kinloch of basic infantry skills. Field firing, everyone would benefit from the its most colourful characters, and Leven. adventure training and fun. The full tour. After many hours of de­ ______Continued Page 16

Cook Cpl Newland and Sgt Checkland drum up another masterpiece on an improvised (oil drum) barbecue for the Officers Mess at Barry Pte Bob Burrows on a rock face near Ben Nevis. Budden. 15 News from the 7th Battalion From Page 15

he will be missed by officers and soldiers alike. We all hope he will be back in action soon. Also leaving the battalion is Maj Bev Smalley who on 7 Oct relin­ quishes compand of B (Lincoln­ shire) Coy having been promoted in his civilian occupation and moved out of the battalion area. From 7 Oct HO (Leicestershire) Coy will be Commanded by Maj Lawrence Chell, previously the RSO. The new OC B Coy will be Maj Geoff Newmarch whom we congratulate on his promotion. Congratulations also to the follow­ ing NCO's who received Territo­ rial Efficiency Medals or Bars to TEM's already held from the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire and Rutland, Col St G Martin, at a ceremony in Leicester: WOII EW Freshwater (TEM), CSgt S Harro­ gate (Bar to TEM), Sgt ER Wel- bourne (2nd Bar to TEM), Cpl W Clarke (Bar to TEM). During September the battalion was pleased and honoured to be invited by the 2nd Battalion to play a part in their Freedom parades in Grantham, Boston, Lincoln, Cleethorpes and Grimsby. A guard of 66 and a Colour Party were provided by A and B Coys, whose detachments are located throughout the appropriate areas. The Battalion formed E (HSF) Coy, on 2 Jan. The new Coy has HO and 2 Pls in Leicester sharing accommodation with BHQ. and a third in Lincoln. Company Commander Maj A J J Pryce-Howells and PS AO Maj J Ashton launched a vigorous re­ cruiting campaign early in the year and set the company the target of CSgt Benner brushes up E Coys knowledge on trip flares in pre­ being prepared to take part in paration for their first major exercise Brave Defender. Other E Coy Exercise Brave Defender in Sep­ soldiers look on. tember. Both recruiting and train­ ing progressed well culminating in Visitors from US a final work out at the disused TRAINING in the United States It was most pleasing when at the range at Ashfordby near Melton is always an attractive proposition end of camp Sgt Rois kindly ex­ Mowbray. for the TA Soldier and the lucky pressed his first thoughts on the The task for E Coy on Brave De­ members of a composite company visit in the following short article. fender was to relieve 2 Queens in from the battalion who were due "After a quick poll of our experi­ the defence of a keypoint in Leices­ to spend camp in Ohio were no ences on this exercise with the 7th tershire. With the help of PI Com­ exception. Under the command of Royal Anglians, we have agreed mands Lts Tony Wood. Harry Maj David Williams the company that the "Royal" treatment af­ Cockburn and Mike Taylor. Maj had only begun its preparation for forded us by the officers. NCO's Pryce-Howells deployed his men this exchange visit with the Ohio and men has been our most re­ around the 1 1/2 km long perimeter Army National Guard when the warding experience. The accep­ fence. whole idea was abandoned. tance and friendship extended to Saturday and the early hours of us has been remarkable and will Sunday saw the action steadily Unusually, it was the US ex­ be remembered a lifetime. For this building. The enemy patrols de­ chequer exercising the sharp knife the four of us give you — three veloped from small crowds shout­ and. since the National Guard cheers. ing abuse to larger than section Company were not to experience strength fighting patrols. Through­ "On the lighter side, we were very the splendour of the Scottish High­ impressed with the training and the out the exercise the new company lands. Maj Williams had to unpack geographical sites of its location. performed above expectations and his stetson. were rewarded in the final stages This trip has allowed us the oppor­ when they managed to arrest three All was not completely lost, how­ tunity to see areas of Scotland that members of the special forces who ever, since the battalion was very any tourist would envy. The pro­ were using the distraction of a di­ pleased to be able to host four sol­ fessionalism of the NCO's was also versionary attack to try to gain ac­ diers from the Washington Army very apparent. Their dedication to cess to the KP. National Guard. The men. Sgts proper training of their men E Coy were pleased to receive vis­ Ron H Beck, Scott E Ferguson, showed through with increased its from 54 Bde Comd Brig Davey Harvey J Oyster and Steven D morale and enthusiasm. and GOC EDIST. Rois, with great enthusiasm and “I know that I speak for all of us their American humour quickly in saying that someday hopefully made themselves at home in the we can return the favour and hos­ battalion. pitality that has been shown to us.”

Left: Incognito in Germany from left: Capt Richard Hunt (Ops/Trg Offr), Maj Martin Mee (OC LDY Coy), Maj Fred Honnor (Bn 21C), Maj David Williams (OC D Coy), Maj Alistair Scott (BC 201 Bty) and Maj Peter Williamson (Trg Maj)

Above left: 7th Battalion Colour Party for the Freedom Parade in Lin­ coln, from left CSgt Venn, Lt Szabo, W01 (RSM) Halewood. W02 Freeman, Lt Stanley. Sgt Martin. 16 Depot and JIB S c h o o l of End of an era at M u s ic on Bassingbourn th e m o ve THE Depot at Bassingbourn will our first batch o f junior soldiers ALL those interested in military cease to be a Junior Soldier train­ from Shorncliffe. The loss of our bands will be saddened by the clo­ ing establishment on 19 Dec when band is a sad blow. They have been sure of The Junior School of Music the present Drums platoon passes an important part of the Depot’s in its own right and its incorpora­ out, and the Junior School of Music life and provided music for num er­ tion in the new Army Junior School moves to Bovington. ous parades and social func­ of Music at Bovington. Dorset In future junior soldiers for the tions. from Jan 86. Queen's Division will spend their This year the Regiment has insti­ Over the years the Junior School first 20 weeks of training at the tuted a shooting prize for the best of Music has served the Regiment, Junior Infantrymen's Battalion, Royal Anglian shot in each recruit the Division and the Depot ex­ Shorncliffe then move to the D epot intake. Competition for the hand­ tremely well performing on many for a further 12 weeks before join­ some prize, a pewter statuette, will engagements and prestigious ing their battalions. be fierce and this will foster interest events and. more importantly, by These changes have necessitated a in fullbore shooting amongst the constantly producing young men of fairly major reorganisation of the new recruits to the Regiment and excellent quality for our Regimen­ Depot but arc now complete and help to identify talent for the Bisley Pte Nunley, Falaise PI, receives the Regimental prize for the best shot in his Intake from the Divisional tal bands. we are looking forward to receiving squads of the future. Brigadier. W02 Ellingsford is his platoon commander. The final prize and open day was held on 27 Sep when the guest of JIB forms up honour was Maj T A J Kenny A RCM . psm RCT. Maj Kenny was the first Queen's Division Director at Shorncliffe of Music and was in no small way responsible for laying the founda­ THE Infantry Junior Leaders Bat­ nances allowing, a ski-ing trip to tions of the consistant high quality talion is dead, long live the Junior Andorra as part of the winter ad­ ever since. It was therefore fitting Infantry Battalion Shorncliffe. venture training package is plan­ that he should be the last guest of The change is rather more than ned. honour. cosmetic and in September Cassino Situated close to the ferry ports a Company (Queen's Division lot of Royal Anglians must pass All who were lucky enough to at­ Junior Soldiers) formed up with its close to JIB. A quick telephone call tend were treated to an informative first two platoons, a total of 80 and perhaps more people will come and enjoyable concert and a junior soldiers. They will spend 20 and find out for themselves how marching display, stunning in its weeks in training at Shorncliffe and the juniors of our Regiment are precision and quality. The new then move to the Depot for a trained. One or other of the com­ Army Junior School of Music has further 12 weeks. panies should be able to provide a a lot to live up to and we will all Salamanca Coy is the biggest com­ cup of coffee and the time to exp­ be watching its progress with great pany in the battalion with 181 lain what we do here. interest and a critical eye ( and e a r). Junior Leaders under training, of whom 54 are Royal Anglian. Once Cassino Coy has built up to full strength well over half of the Junior Infantry Battalion will be from the Division with the Regiment well

staff both with the training and HO Coys. Maj Perry fights off our re­ quests for kit from the OMs depart­ ment while Drum Major Hilton. CSgt Kennedy and Cpl Clayton all keep HQ Coy in business. Cpl Dickinson with a friend during Ex Brave Defender. Salamanca Coy have Lt Fell. W02 Thurston. Sgts Pascovitch and Dowling. Cpls Ralph. Hawkes. Sinar, Coleman. Gant. Wells and Oundle wins cadet SAAM LCpl Day. Cassino Coy have Maj Borthwick. Sgt Allen. Cpl Ibrahim and Cpl Dunthome looking after the first two junior soldier pla­ toons. The excellent facilities at Shorncliffe have been well used throughout the autumn. Sub aqua, sea canoeing, rock climbing, ab­ seiling and parachuting have all proved popular diversions. Fi- JLdr Robson tackling a Grade IV double “stopper ".

OUNDLE won the Eastern Dis­ Modern 230. 3rd Kimbolton 225. Cdt Sgt Postings of Oundle trict SAAM on 6 Oct, with CQMS 6th Brentwood 209. 7th Oakham School CCF receives the East­ Postings becoming the individual 206. 8th Kings Ely 197. 9th ern District Shield awarded to champion. The Falling Plate went Ratcliffe 190.10th Haileybury 184. the winners of the CCF/ACF to Wymondham while Cpl Burton 12th Perse 181. 16th Wymondham Open Team Match. CSgt Post­ from Kimbolton won the SMG. 171. 20th St Edmunds Ware 157. ings also received the medal for The results of our affiliated schools 21st Berkhamsted 155. 26th the winner of the Open indi­ were: 1st Oundle 287.2nd Bedford Langley 132. vidual competition. Junior Leaders prepare for parachuting.

17 News from the branches OUR 300th Anniversary celeb­ rations occupied all the summ- er months culminating in a wet Minden Day which presaged rice as a cash crop in Suffolk had the rain endured. The marking of our tercente­ nary was launched on 12 Apr with the Ipswich branch’s Ex RSM Joe Woodhouse de­ tracts former members of the dance. On 12 Jun the Mayor cided at the age of 84 years to 48th and 58th in addition to of Felixstowe held a reception see what life was like at The those of the old 5th Battalion. for Suffolk Regiment veterans Royal Hospital, Chelsea and We were honoured by the pre­ living in the area. The interest on 2 Sep Joe was admitted and sence of our Deputy Colonel, which this has re-aroused in taken on strength as an In-Pen­ Lt Gen Sir John Akehurst and Felixstowe is most gratifying. sioner. Maj Iain McKee, a wartime IO The Mayor of Sudbury hosted Joe is a very fit "old soldier” and Adjutant of the old 5th Bn, a w ell-attended dinner dance in whose carriage and bearing whose writings figure largely in the town hall on 28 Jun. The would do credit to any sentry the history of the 78th next mayor to do us proud was and he will clearly enhance the (Battleaxe) Division, “Algiers Lowestoft’s — on 26 Jul and reputation of Chelsea. Shortly to Austria”. Maj Richard Hill on the same day we were also after being admitted Joe visited presided and 130 comrades at­ honoured in Ipswich, with the Northampton where he re­ ten d ed . Suffolk Military Band playing ceived many admiring glances After reading the messages of as the guests arrived. and compliments. good wishes Major Hill prop­ Minden Day fell on Thursday He joins Ernie Denton and osed the toasts and introduced this year: it was marked by two Shandy Pell at Chelsea and Lt Gen Sir John Akehurst who events. Southwold presented a takes with him our very best said it was a quarter of a cen­ brief regimental history with a wishes for his future happiness. tury since he had arrived in "fashion" show of uniforms The 39th annual reunion din­ Peterborough to become the down the years followed by ner was held at the Town Band Adjutant of the old 5th Battal­ Beating Retreat and a recep­ Club, Kettering on 4 Oct. Maj ion — “in a little office just tion in the town hall. Peter Scopes presided and 91 down the corridor". He had On the same evening. Great comrades sat down to the ex­ thoroughly enjoyed his two Cornard and its neighbouring cellent dinner provided by Ex y ears as a T A A djutan t an d had villages gave a dance, attended Sgt Joe Cox. come to understand and ap­ by a goodly number of mem­ preciate what it is that moti­ bers from west Suffolk. Our guests for the evening vates young men to give up so T o all the councils w ho m arked were Maj Donald Baxter and much of their spare time to this anniversary for us with Mr C. Wilkinson presenting a Japanese flag to the chairman of the Suffolk Regiment Museum Trustees, ex CSM "Darkie" Goode. The serve in the TA. such generous and warm­ Lt Gen Sir Richard Goodwin. The flag was captured from the Japanese by members of 2 Suffolk in President thanked all those The Regimental Band of the hearted hospitality we offer Burma during the Second World War. whose combined efforts had 5th (V) Bn played during the our sincerest thanks. more detail but Mrs. Olga made this reunion so success­ dinner and Bandmaster. WOI ful. Our OCA area representatives Ironside-Wood’s pageant of A R Crossman. is congratu­ and branches made sure that the Regiment's history must be Next year's reunion to be lated on his excellent selection held at Clare Street, North­ the supp ort w as w ell placed. To SUFFOLK recorded. It was a triumph of o f m usic. them, too, we owe a debt of artistic flair and hard wo r k. ampton. Comrades are asked After dinner the Corps of to note the date — Friday 3 thanks. L essons were learned for the Drums gave an impeccable dis­ The Minden Weekend — for 400th Anniversary’s orga n ise rs Oct. — and make every effort play of marching. The com­ this year it had to be a whole but, perhaps it would be better to attend. Comrades were re­ ra d e s th e n got dow n to the seri­ weekend — was a memorable for them to work it out for minded that time is not on our o u s b u sin ess of th e reunion: old one. Saturday. 3 Aug was labours of their willing volun­ side and the committee are un­ mance by the Vikings' Band themselves, as we did. We wish experiences were resurrected; perhaps the 1st Battalion’s day and D rum s. teer workers in the th em w ell. able to pass on their duties to old battles re-fought and the younger men!! in Bury, exercising their Free­ The Athenaeum reception background. Space will not allow a list of all time passed all too quickly. dom, but the former Regi­ which followed was crowded Sunday 4 Aug dawned doubt­ those w ho did so m uch to m ake Comrades assembled at the T A This had been an absolutely ments, Suffolk in particular, Centre. Peterborough, on 19 with members of the Regiment fully. For much of the morning the weekend a success, but Maj first class reunion and how took a full opportunity to bask past and present and many of the weather was undecided but Tommy Warren, Mrs. Anstice Oct for the annual dinner of good it was to see all those Re­ in the reflected glory of this fes­ their friends and well-wishers. most of the record gathering in the Peterborough branch. A gimental and 78th Division ties Gilson-Taylor and ex-RSM popular event, this reunion at­ tive day. We were honoured to have the the ruined Gibraltar Barracks Jack Gingell were key people worn so proudly. Our part began, appropriately Duke of Norfolk with us for precincts were assembled be­ in the smooth arrangements of with a commemorative service the evening — and for Sun­ fore the rain began. Indeed, the event. in the Regimental Chapel. So day’s celebrations too. several hundred were able to “Our God and Soldiers we well was this attended that we Saturday's festivities were enjoy the D ru m h ead Service — alike adore over-flowed into and half-filled rounded off handsomely by a and the now-traditional PA When at the brink of ruin — the rest of St. Mary’s Church. Bury branch dinner/dance at system breakdown to welcome not before. As we gathered for Retreat to the TA Centre in Blenheim General Dick Goodwin’s ad­ After deliverance; both alike be beaten on Angel Hill after­ Camp and an Officers’ Dinner dress — before the dreaded req u ited . wards, we were treated to one C lub buffet at the A thenaeum . patter on the leaves overhead Our God forgotten and our of those spring evenings so nor­ All these events were faultlessly began. soldiers slighted" mal in this year's summer! The organised by our Committee Although it was a considerable Franie Quailes (d. 1645) clouds cleared and, with only members: we are grateful to nuisance, a simple downpour Quoted by Padre Tim an occasional drop of rain, we them for their hard work and lasting all afternoon could not Lawrence in his Minden Day applauded a masterly perfor­ for the largely unnoticed ruin the day. Space prevents address. We were very fortunate to have are: Officers weekend 26/27 our battalion stationed in Bri­ Apr. Reunion weekend 20/21 tain during this tercentenary LINCOLNSHIRE Sep. year and they were able to It appears that some of our re­ show the flag in the county as tired officers names have been part of the celebration of the deleted from our mailing list, raising of the 10th Foot in 1685. either inadvertently or by those The Marches went off well and concerned moving home and the residents of our Freedom lent dinner. We had planned Sir John Akehurst, Col Blyth. failing to notify the Lincoln of­ towns, Boston, Grantham, for the Band and Drums of the Lt C ol R aw lins and L t C ol H ar­ fice of the change of address. Lincoln, Grimsby and 2nd Battalion to Beat Retreat ris, for all of them it was a first We now ask the help of those Cleethorpes were impressed before dinner but this was can­ time and we all hope they will concerned to rectify this by with the smartness of those on celled due to the weather. The come and dine with us again. writing to the secretary at Lin­ parade. When the Poacher was Band therefore started our Our Divine Service was held in coln if they would like to be played during the march past evening off with a most enjoy­ St. Peter's Church. kept in the picture. at the saluting bases, you could able concert. This, and the ex­ Cleethorpes, on Sun 8 Sep. Since the last notes the follow­ see the straightening of the cellent display given by the Princess Alice. Duchess of ing have passed on:- Maj Gen backs of those who served in Corps of Drums, set the pat­ Gloucester, attended the ser­ C. L. Firbank. Mr. H. Brealey, the old regiment. tern for the rest of the evening. vice and a civic luncheon which Mr. H Brealey. (Brothers) In­ N early 400 people atten ded the We were delighted to have follow ed. pensioner S. Edwards and ex reunion and enjoyed an excel­ among our guests Lt General Our main functions next year CSM N. Nichols. 18 News from the branches of letters engraved in German and Hebrew to the memory of all those who perished in that notorious camp. ESSEX The most noticeable thing about the place was the lack of wildlife, in fact no one even saw or heard a bird fly or sing over the entire area, and as A PARTY of old soldiers from should they want something soon as you walked into the the Thurrock branch, including hot. camp itself, it turned bitterly members of the 4th Battalion The rooms were kept neat and cold. Comrades Association, visited tidy but gone are the days of Outside the cemetary there the 3rd Battalion in Minden, standing by your beds for was a building which showed from 18 to 11 M ar. morning inspection. Men were posters and photographs of the The party was met by 2Lt put on their honour to keep atrocities committed by the Etherington and WOII Danny their rooms clean and tidy and Nazis and the bodies being Bryant, together with Provost beds made up, but there were, buried after the British Army Sgt John Leaman, and taken however, periodic inspections had liberated the camp, It to our respective Messes. by the CO and RSM to satisfy showed flame throwers burn- Our programme started after themselves that the rooms ing down the buildings to stop lunch and we were welcomed were being kept clean. the spread of typhoid. in the Officers' Mess by Lt Col The men not on duty wore var­ On returning to the barracks Groves. After the welcome Cpl ious modes of dress, but most we were invited to the Corpor- Spencer presented him with a changed into track suits. als’ Mess and here again Cpl statuette of a Chelsea Pen­ And yet for all the absence of Spencer presented a statuette sioner, and a wall plaque. spit and polish, morale was to the oldest member of that An interesting lecture was then high and discipline good and Mess, LCpl Lou Gardiner. given by 2 Lt Etherington, on men on duty walked about in On the 2ist we visited the Ger- the Regiment’s activities over a smart and soldier-like man­ man border escorted by Lt the last 20 years. The Regimen­ ner. The thing which struck us Tony Miles, and around the tal silver, together with a talk most was when a soldier sa­ border areas by Tom Jones, the o n its h isto ry , w as d isp lay ed for luted an officer, he, in return, BFS Representative. W hat we us. This came from the Essex, saluted back calling him by saw brought stark reality of the Maj B D Chapman and Mr B R Fitt holding the Korean plaques which were presented by Mr W Gilchrist Bedfordshire and Hertford­ name and passing the time of to the Royal Norfolk Regimental Musuem. conditions that East Germans shire Regiments, also the silver day. have to live under — at least drums and Regimental Col­ Capt Simon Porter showed us we enjoy our freedom which ours. the mortars and the Milan, ON Sat 28 Sep about 200 mem­ we take for granted today. In the evening drinks were after which we fired the SLR. On our return we enjoyed a bers of the Regimental Associ­ NORFOLK served in the Sergeants’ Mess, a snipers rifle, the general pur­ ation including some former lunch at the Officers, W arrant organised by RSM Shaun pose belt fed machine gun and Officers and Sergeants East Anglian and Royal Ang­ Sweeney, and the PMC, WOII a Patchett type machine gun. lian soldiers, attended a reun­ NAAFI at Helmsted. The Danny Bryant. In attendance This was followed by a lecture walls in that restaurant were ion dinner at the TA Centre, were Maj QM Stan Bullock on booby traps and anti-per­ Aylsham Road, Norwich. covered with plaques from all and Maj Howard Esgate. A sonnel mines being used in Regiments that have s to p p ed Brie Peter Barclay. president Commendation to ex Pte Jim of ex RSM Bill Gilchrist, of statuette was presented to the Northern Ireland and on the there. In the evening we went of the association, in his after Wright, formerly of the 6th Queensland. Australia The RSM operational role of a signal pla­ dinner speech referred to the Battalion The Royal Norfolk to the BAOR boxing finals, The next day we visited with toon in the field. novices grade 2, which was activities of the association and Regiment, who came back president of South Korea, Maj Graham Duthoit and In the afternoon the band, commended the Regimental from the "dead" to receive a Chum Doo Hwan. and marked held in the gymnasium bet- WOII Ollie Dent. under the direction of WOI Pat ween the 3rd Battalion and 19 Benevolent Committee which unique bravery award. the services of the 1st Battalion The modern barrack room cer­ Byrne, entertained us in the had provided timely assistance Then Brig Barclay accepted, Royal Norfolk Regiment in the Fd R egt. tainly set the old soldiers back Sergeants' Mess with a selec­ The RA won by 5 bouts to 4 for 71 former members of the on behalf of the Regimental Korean war. on their heels. Gone are the tion of marches and popular Regiment who were in need. Museum a plaque in the shape Bill Gilchrist waged on a one- and became the BAOR days of folded blankets in a music followed by a look champions. The Pompadours He also said so far £37,000 had of the Korean peninsula from man campaign to salute his re­ neat square, equipment blan- through the Band's scrap book. been received towards the Maj Ben Chapman and ex giment’s fighting record in the were not disgraced, they put up coed. cupboards open for in­ On the 20th we were taken to a good show taking their defeat Royal Norfolk Military Herit­ RSM Bert Fitt. Korean war, spending months spection and the floors highly Belsen by 2Lt Etherington age Appeal target of £150,000. The plaque embossed with the in research and enlisting the as true sportsmen but vowing polished. Instead there was a where we saw 15 mounds with they would be back. At the end of his speech, he City Medal of Seoul, was the support of South Korea's pres­ two man room which had wall stone headstones showing the presented a special Regimental gift in our Tercentenary Year ident. The final day was spent with to wall carpeting, a television number of dead bodies shovel­ Capt A lasdair W ild, who gave set, video, music centre, all led into mass graves, ranging us a talk on chemical warfare TWENTY-one members and purchased at the PRI, with pic­ from 2,500 down to 1.000, to­ If he set out to scare the life friends spent an eight day holi­ tures of the soldiers choice all talling 35,000 from 1943 to right out of us, he certainly did day in Gibraltar where the 1st BEDFORDSHIRE & round the walls, easy chairs, a 1945. th at. settee, electric kettle for tea or There was a monument, an Battalion was one of the gari- HERTFORDSHIRE son units during 1943. coffee and a cooking ring obelisk, a huge cross and a wall More Branch News Page 20 Our visit coincided with the No. 4 Coy. (Hertfordshire) 5th Bn, undertaking border duties for two weeks and we were pleased to meet Maj Albany Moorish Castle still stands but cial ship repair yard. Land and other officers, WO', and the Barracks used by us have along the waterfront has been NCO's several times, with a been demolished and replaced released by the MOD, and the long session in the bar on our by multi-storey flats. Every Gibraltar government intends last evening. spare piece of ground has been to use these sites for tourist de­ In groups and separately, the built on, mainly high rise flats. velopm ent. rock sights were visited includ­ Our old hallowed Barracks Government House guard was ing St. Michael’s Cave. This Square at Casemates is now a being undertaken by the was certainly different to when car park and the barrack rooms Queen’s Regiment, and very I last visited it. Unfortunately, are occupied by Moroccan smart they were. I note that the musical pageant was to be workers brought over to work K.D. shorts are no longer held a week later. when the border was closed by worn! The ceremony of the A visit to the tunnels and gal­ Spain. keys is carried out four times leries where we laboured dur­ The old NAAFI has gone and a year — April, May. Sep­ ing 1943 was made. Only or­ is now a bank and parade of tember and October, so we ganised parties are allowed — shops. Main Street has hardly missed this well-remembered with some areas still out of changed, still being an Alla- parade. bounds. I entered near the din’s cave of gift shops. I visited the cemetery adjacent Rock Hotel and walked ap­ Following several postpone­ to the airfield and found Pte. proximately three miles, ments by Spain, the border was Jenners' grave but was unable emerging to the sunshine near opened again on 4 Feb. The to find Pte. Webb's. The milit­ Catalan Bay. During the Sec­ R N Dockyard closed in Dec. ary graves are scattered over ond World War, 30 miles of 84, although the naval base is the whole of the cemetery and tunnels were added to the operational. The dockyard has although very tidy, do not com­ R ock. been converted into a commer­ pare with those in Italy. Sport on camera

C Coy — winners of the Poachers' inter-Coy football competition.

The Viking team which came second in the Army Major Units competition. Shooting improves steadily THE 7th Battalion shooting team tackled the Humber marathon athletes have raised £250 for the continues to show a steady im­ under the leadership of Maj Alan Ethiopian appeal. provement and the first year under Hemmings. Orienteering is another sport that Lt Clive Mallett’s leadership ended is growing in popularity with S Sgt with some creditable performances D (Northampton) Coy also boasts Bonnett. PSI with LDY at Bisley. its share of athletes with Cpl Innes (Loughborough and Melton) Coy Particularly notable were the and W02 Stamps competing in leading the way. S Sgt Bonnett is achievements of Sgt K Large who events as far apart as Strathclyde a top class orienteer whose most won the ‘Stephens’ match in the and Paris and from Berlin to recent achievement was second in NRA meeting and Lt Mallett who Northampton, and of course Al­ the inaugural Infantry Orienteer­ finished 22nd in the 'Mullens' dershot. ing Championship. He is now trophy. working hard at building a battal­ It is difficult to see how the packed The Coy also has a triathalon team ion team to follow in his footsteps weekends of the TA soldier’s life of some note. Its members are Lt — as closely as possible. can provide room for marathon Slatter. W02 Harvey. Pte Oelrich. Perhaps slightly less energetic but training but the battalion now has Pte Monroe and Pte Monroe. The equally notable was QM Maj. D a long list of regular competitors. team has competed, this year, in Edwards achievement in repre­ One centre of talent is A Coy events at Milton Keynes. Barry. senting the Army in a fishing com­ (Headquarters at Scunthorpe) Peterborough and Mansfield. petition at Rutland Water — his where once more a contingent Through sponsorship these D Coy trout are to be recommended.

7th Bn D Coy triathlon team, medals and all. From left: Lt Slatte, Pte Monroe, W02 Harvey, Pte Oelrich and Cpl Innes. News from the branches

THE period following the Re­ due to the fact that Harry Sib- gimental Weekend has been a son and John Dean had a slot busy one while the long, hot on Radio Leicester and as well English summer appears to as talking about the battalion have come and gone without also gave som e publicity for the notice. Sixty members and reunion. their ladies spent a day with the We are most grateful to the 7th 2nd Battalion at Colchester on ROYAL TIGERS Battalion for their continued 28 Jul when the battalion support in allowing this reun­ trooped the Colour and held a held their annual dinner in ion to take place in the Drill summer fair. The weather was Leicester on 12 Oct. There was H all. not kind, but despite this the an excellent turnout and the There has been considerable day was a great success. evening a long and pleasant comment locally regarding a For many, the day of ceremo­ o n e. royal visit to a unit in Berlin nial drill in the rain was but a The annual reunion of the old who rejoice in the nickname of fond memory, but Colchester 1st (formerly 8th) Battalion The Tigers. All can be assured in July quickly made the the 40 was held at the TA Centre on that the original Tigers are still plus years seem like yesterday. 26 Oct. The numbers were up very much alive and well, as The 4/5th Officers Dining Club on previous years, probably September 1988 will prove. Pompadour boxing competition - Pte Andy Weir (HW Coy) on his way to winning the welterweight bout. 20 Sport on camera

Above: The experienced Vikings hockey team. Below: The Vikings cross country team.

21 Poachers triumph in Infantry Cup

LCpl Lawrence of the Vikings racing in Ballymena in the Inter Unit Cross Country Leagues. Editor: Colonel P. D Blylh CBE (retired). Printed by Miro Press, Western Way, Bury St. Edmunds Suffolk For advertising rates apply to Combined Service publications Lt . PO Box 4. Farnborough. Hants. The Poachers' victorious Infantry Cup cricket team. Pompadours’ swimmers cut_ Sappers’ winning margin HAVING won the 4 Armoured Division swimming champion­ ships. the Pompadour swimming team departed to Berlin, hoping to improve on last season's second place. Our main rivals were once again 21 Engineer Regiment, who this year had to do w ithout the services of their last year's star. Sapper Bark. Moreover, this year the Pompadour team was rated better than last year. After what proved to be an absorb­ ing and exiting afternoon's swim­ ming. the highlight of which was Private “Tab" Tabram of B Coy shattering the BAOR 100 metre freestyle record. Although at one time it looked as though we could win the BAOR championships, eventually we emerged runners- up. as last year, but with a smaller points margin. As the BAOR runners-up. we qualified for the Army finals, and CSgt Clive Baldwin, the team coach and chief torturer intensified his training programme, introduc­ ing new schedules and extra starts and turn practice to compensate for the strange dimensions of the Sandhurst Pool. It was reported that this year's final was the highest standard for 15 years. This was borne out by the number of army records that were broken. In one event all six finalists beat the previous record! BAOR runners up — Pompadour swimming team coach CSgt Clive At the end of the day. the Pom­ Baldwin receives the trophy in Berlin. padours were fourth, as last year, of LCpl Wally W atkins, now a vet­ Tabram won the 100 metres frees­ but improved the points tally yet eran. when most swimmers peak tyle and butterfly, and Coyne the again. between 19 and 20 years of age. 100 metres backstroke. In the Congratulations must go to Signal­ Wal is 30 and still going strong, Army finals Coyne was runner-up ler Oldcroft and Cpl Brain, our producing a personal best time in in the backstroke and Tabram. Corps attached swimmers, who the 100 metres breaststroke third in the 200 metres freestyle. both produced a “swim of the sea­ In the BAOR and Army individual Both went on to represent the son” exceeding their personal best championships Pte s Tabram and Army in the tri-service champion­ times. Mention must also be made Coyne were our stars. At Berlin. ships

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