* MONDAY AUGUST 8, 1994 19 NEWS OBITUARIES Lt-Col Lionel'Bunny' Trueman LIEUTENANT.COLONEL LIONEL geant Major (Riding Instructor).on the who has died formation of the Army Equitation "BUNNY" TRUEMAN, was 99, joined the Army at the age-of School at Weedon. When the 20th aged amalgamated with the 14th, to make 17, claiming he was a year older: the joined mistake was not rectified throughout the 14th/20th Hussars, Trueman his Army career. the new regiment. In the spring of 1918 Trueman, then The 14th brought with them their serving with the 20th Hussars, was nickname, "The Emperor's Chamber for his con- Nlaids". When Napoleon's brotber awarded the Military Medal a raPid exit from duct in a valiant counter-attack. Joseph was making On March 21. the Germans had the Eattlefield at Vittoria in 1813, he the abandoned his coach. This was caP- launched a massive offensive on found to Western Front using 6,000 guns as tured by the 14th Hussars, and gas pushed Allies- contain a handsome silver chamberpot- well as and had the it was back 40 miles- within a week. Once thoroughly cleansed Hussars dis- employed in the officers' mess as a ma- On March 31, the 20th popular drink in mounted and counter-attacked through zerToichampagne a the cavalry, in which- it was custQmary "Rifle Wood", west of Domart'sur- tops Luce. The Hussars had to cross a to open bottles by smashing off the stream, negotiate a sunken lane tak- with swords. ing many iasualties and then- rush In 192? Trueman lvas ChamPion.Man objective, a process- involving at Arms at the Royal Tournament, and their won numerous competitions and tro- hand-to-hand fighting. They suffered Ttsueman: cavaLa charges was com' phies throughout the country. In 1951 severe losses, but the attack in Egypt pletely successful, and won the admira- he was back with the regiment iion of General Rawlinson, the 4th Turks at full galloP, sending them and two years later went with them to Army Commander, who described it as sorawling or cutting them down. After Risalpur in the North-West Frontier ridine thiougb the enemy the 20th ral- province. "a brilliant achievement. " - commis- "I fear they suffered heavily," he said lied, ieformed and charged again. By In 1937 he received a regular "but victory has that time the Turks were in full retreat. sion and was posted to the 20th Lanc' of the Hussars, their In 1942 been invaluable at this critical stage. " Lionel Edgar Trueman was born at ers. an Indian iavalry regiment. When the German offensive had been Marlborough on Feb 28 1895 and spent he was appointed DAQMG of a brigade from the his early years at the Manton Raclng in Burma but enemy action prevented held. the 20th was withdrawn position. line io reform and retrain for their own stables in Wiltshire, where his father him taking up the by the influ' worked. Instead-he was promoted major and offensive. Though ravaged Corps enza epidemic sweeping both the Ger' In 19i2. he enlisted in the Rifle Bri- oosted to the Indian Armoured man and Allied Armies, the Hussars gade at Andover and the next Year iraining centre at Babina. In 1946, as a playing various iransferred to the 20th Hussars. The lieutenant colonel, he was posted as amused themselves Armoured sports, and staged an inter-troop boxing regiment went to France in 1914, but chief instructor to the Indian offi' Trireman was retained at Colchester as Corps Training Centre at Ahmednagar, contest in which the bouts between years later. cers were noted as being "particularly an equitation instructor for new from which he retired tw'o bloodthirsty". recrui-ts. In 1917, he joined the regi- He was appointed MBE in 1946. 1951 he took uP a retired officer's In July, 1920, having being Posted to ment in France, , In -Trueman part the award of his MM he was appointment as camp commandant at Turkey, took in the last After five charge made by a British Army cavalry sent back to England to attend a course Blicon Camp, Colchester, and cavalrY prior to being commissioned, but the vears later retired to Merseyside. regiment (there were a few - uP charses during the Second lVorld lVar iourse was cancelled after the Armi- At the age of 62, Trueman took stice of Nov 11 1918, and Trueman did archery, foimed three clubs, and taught but n"ot on a regimental scale). handi- After learning thp harsh conditions of not receive his commission till 30 years archery to beginners and to the Treaty of Sevres the Turks had later. capped patients at a local hospital. the lzmid He rejoined the 20th at Tel-el-Keb.ir, Bunnv Trueman was cheerful and risen in r-evolt and cut off a first- peninsula. capturing Gebize and blow- Egypt, and in 1920 went to Turkey- w-ith friendU. His attitude made him iegiment as part of "The Black Sea class instructor; he was always particu- ing up the bridge: the 20th were thi- pupils and col' inslruited to restore the link with the Armvn. The next Year he returned to larly concerned that the Army of Occupatio-n. Britain to attend a cavalry cours-e .at leagues were at their ease. rest of British - 1919, Lillian The Hussars' trumpeters sounclect Netheravon, where he was awarded the He married first, in certificate and kept on Young; they had a daughter. I':Ie mar- the trot at 1,000 yards, then the canter "Distinguished" -secondly, 1956, Marcia and then the charge. With their swords as an instructor. ried in fully extended, the 20th struck the In 1922 he was apPointed Staff Ser' Humphrys.