To Revel in God's Sunshine
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To Revel in God’s Sunshine The Story of RSM J C Lord MVO MBE Compiled by Richard Alford and Colleagues of RSM J C Lord © R ALFORD 1981 First Edition Published in 1981 Second Edition Published Electronically in 2013 Cover Pictures Front - Regimental Sergeant Major J C Lord in front of the Grand Entrance to the Old Building, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Rear - Army Core Values To Revel in God’s Sunshine The Story of the Army Career of the late Academy Sergeant Major J.C. Lord MVO MBE As related by former Recruits, Cadets, Comrades and Friends Compiled by Richard Alford (2nd Edition - Edited by Maj P.E. Fensome R IRISH and Lt Col (Retd) A.M.F. Jelf) John Lord firmly believed the words of Emerson: “Trust men and they will be true to you. Treat them greatly and they will show themselves great.” Dedicated to SOLDIERS SOLDIERS WHO TRAIN SOLDIERS SOLDIERS WHO LEAD SOLDIERS The circumstances of many contributors to this book will have changed during the course of research and publication, and apologies are extended for any out of date information given in relation to rank and appointment. i John Lord when Regimental Sergeant Major The Parachute Regiment Infantry Training Centre ii CONTENTS 2ND EDITION Introduction General Sir Peter Wall KCB CBE ADC Gen – CGS v Foreword WO1 A.J. Stokes COLDM GDS – AcSM R M A Sandhurst vi Editor’s Note Major P.E Fensome R IRISH vii To Revel in God’s Sunshine Introduction The Royal British Legion Annual Parade at R.M.A Sandhurst viii Chapter 1 The Grenadier Guards, Brighton Police Force 1 Chapter 2 Royal Military College, Sandhurst. Airborne Forces 7 Chapter 3 The 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment in Tunisia 10 Chapter 4 Sicily – Italy – Return to Spalding 15 Chapter 5 Arnhem 20 Chapter 6 Capture and Aftermath 25 Chapter 7 Arrival at Stalag XIB. John Lord’s Recordings 27 Chapter 8 Establishment of a Regime 33 Chapter 9 Arrival of Corporal Ray Sheriff, and a journey by R.S.M. 38 W. Kibble to Lubeck Chapter 10 Events Leading to Liberation 42 Chapter 11 The Parachute Regiment Infantry Training Centre 47 Chapter 12 The Purpose Behind the Regime 54 Chapter 13 John Lord’s Arrival at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. 59 Major L C Drouet Remembers the Selection Course Chapter 14 The Pace Stick Competitions. RSM W L A Nash Stands in 63 Chapter 15 Capt. P. Horsfall Recalls the Techniques of Instruction 70 Chapter 16 BBC Programme “This is Your Life” 74 Chapter 17 Daniel Oxberry takes the Course with Intake 33 80 Chapter 18 The Course Completed 84 Chapter 19 A Lecture on ‘Discipline’ to the Staff College. Retirement 86 Chapter 20 John Lord’s Death in January 1968. Obituaries 92 Chapter 21 Details of Research 95 Chapter 22 Final Tributes 98 Appendix 1 Lecture (full text) on ‘Discipline’ to the Army Staff College 1963 100 Acknowledgements 104 Index 106 iii (Intentionally Blank) iv INTRODUCTION TO THE 2ND EDITION GENERAL SIR PETER WALL KCB CBE ADC GEN CHIEF OF THE GENERAL STAFF am indebted to Mr Richard Alford for bringing the story of WO1 John Clifford Lord MVO MBE to life. Although excerpts have been woven into various aspects of Army leadership training, this publication has I been all but lost since it was first published in 1981. It gives me great pleasure to see it re-issued as an Army publication. WO1 Lord’s career took him from basic training in 1933, to RSM in World War II and culminated as the Academy Sergeant Major of the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. Although he joined the Army nearly 80 years ago, those serving today will recognise aspects of the leadership challenges he faced and will have had recent similar experiences. This book is neither doctrine nor directive, policy or prescription, nor will it tell you how to lead soldiers. WO1 Lord’s story will show you why he came to be respected by NCOs, Officers, and even a King. This account will cause you to reflect on your own leadership style. There is much that we can learn from his example; in particular the values and character he demonstrated throughout his career. His is a story that has a resonance and relevance to those serving today. Chief of the General Staff, Army Headquarters 2013 v FOREWORD TO THE 2ND EDITION WO1 (ACSM) A J STOKES COLDM GDS am delighted to have the opportunity to add comment to such a great book. As the present Academy Sergeant Major (AcSM) I owe much of the reputation and kudos of the appointment to AcSM J C Lord. Forty-five I years after his death his presence is still felt around the Academy; still lurking in a hidden corner of the Academy Sergeant Majors office are extracts from his addresses and lectures to various branches of the Army. In Old College the nearest prestige room to the Grand Entrance is dedicated to the late JC Lord. In the Sergeants’ Mess the bar is called the Lord’s Bar, and the Warrant Officers Class 1, collectively (of which there are fifteen) in the Academy, are known as ‘The Lords’, so it is a real privilege for me to be asked to comment on this great man’s life. This book tracks the remarkable story of his life, and it is a must read for all aspiring Junior and Senior Non- Commissioned Officers. J C Lord dedicated himself to excellence by personal example in the desire to get the best from everyone he met. It highlights the leadership attributes that he displayed throughout his life, a life dedicated to duty. Quickly identified pre-war as a special talent he received a rapid rise to the Sergeants Mess. During the 2nd World War he was appointed the first Regimental Sergeant Major of the newly established Parachute Regiment (3rd Battalion) and immediately set about creating the standards expected, often higher than any anticipated by those who volunteered but soon embraced. It was these exacting standards that undoubtedly saved hundreds of lives in prisoner of war camp Stalag XIB. In the face of adversity and amongst broken men he designated himself as the leader and enforced standards and discipline where there were none. His example and presence ensured that the Nazi prison guards treated POWs with more respect and conditions improved. Within the prison camp he instigated military funerals and buried the dead with dignity and honour. He enforced daily routine, promoted self-respect, introduced and managed a chain of command; all this through his professionalism and self-discipline. Personally he demonstrated standards that only few could comprehend and even less could match. During his time post war (after a brief spell at the Parachute Training Battalion as the Sergeant-Major) he moved to the Royal Military Academy where he changed the lives of thousands of Officer Cadets; such was his reputation that he became a household name, even receiving acclaim on national television. His development and approach to training is still in evidence today and his genuine affection for those he trained is vibrantly reflected in the folklore of the Academy nowadays. His humorous stories are still being told. The book is difficult to put down, a story of selfless commitment, moral and physical courage, it moves the reader and encourages reflection and with that a desire to improve oneself. This book is an essential read for any leader. Academy Sergeant Major, RMA Sandhurst 2013 vi EDITOR’S NOTE MAJOR P E FENSOME R IRISH he catalyst for the project to bring “To Revel in God’s Sunshine” back into print was a desire to provide a source of inspiration for those who instruct our soldiers at Phase 1 (Basic) training establishments. It Tis especially pertinent as RSM Lord is the figurehead of the Army Recruit and Training Division Staff Leadership School (ASLS) through which all potential Phase 1, (and 2), instructors pass prior to assuming instructional duties. Whilst scoping the idea of republishing this book I had positive responses from RMA Sandhurst, ASLS, The School of Infantry and Initial Training Group so whilst not my original intention, it is hoped it will also provide example and inspiration regardless of the level at which leaders and instructors operate in training establishments and indeed the wider Army. I am indebted to Capt Adam Hindson AAC, the former Corps RSM, who introduced me to the author, and of course to Richard Alford himself for agreeing to allow the Army to republish this often quoted but little read classic on a non-profits basis. I would like to thank the current Chief of the General Staff , General Sir Peter Wall and Academy Sergeant Major Stokes for their support and contribution by way of their Introduction and Foreword respectively which provide a modern context and relevance. Working off an original copy in the absence of any digital format I would like to thank Mrs Eileen Geldard, my erstwhile G3 Clerk, of the 1st Army Training Regiment, for assisting me to retype the book, including the full text of RSM Lord’s inspirational presentation to the Staff College in 1963 as an appendix. I finally passed an electronic-version to Combat Publications at the Land Warfare Centre, Warminster where Lt Col (Retd) Mike Jelf prepared the manuscript for electronic publication. I am indebted to him for his passionate support of the project and extensive commitment of time and effort not only in reviewing the script in detail and resetting, but sourcing new imagery which provides further insight into J C Lord’s life.