Editorial·' Staff

John French Len Rook Doug Howorth

News Journal oi the 2.nd Derbyshire Vol.t. No. 5 December 7th, 1945

.IESTIBBBfilGG.IE No. 5 SERGEANT ALBERT EDWARD BROWN to bring about the complete break­ the sides and the car was a way. up the attack. After a hundred yards or so the At St. Silvain Sgt. Brown did car was suddenly spattered with a day's spotting himself, and so bullets. There wasn't room to get numerous and accurate were his inside so Sgt. Brown's crew threw reports of enemy movement that themselves off and got down in when "B" Squadron attacked the a ditch, along which they crawled same night they were able to until they found a heaven-sent advance four miles. On the road slit trench. Then a muffled crash from Rouen to Vallee la Rose he announced that the troop leader·s led a recce a.t such a speed that car also had gone up. "I thought back at S.H.Q. they gave up trying I'd try to reach him," said Top­ ''ONECR OWDJljD HOUR to cross-check his position and per, "so I crawled through the 01!, GLORIOUS LIFE", wearily asked "Who is this man hedge into a farmyard. There I sang Omar Khayyaw, "is Patton?" abruptly abandoned the idea when worth an age without a mi.me." At Onder another enemy attack, I saw three Germans standing at The fiI1st twenty-two of Topper supported by S.P. guns, owed ils the far end of the ya.rd. Just be· Brown's twenty-four years could failurn largely to Topper's habit side me was a chicken-house, with hardly have been called crowded. of staying put. The attack, sup­ its door creaking in the wind. 1 He passed four quiet years in ported by heavy mortar fire, darted in and lay there, not eYen Castle Donington as a painter and forced 2 and 5 Troops to withdraw daring to close the door. Fortu­ decorator before joining the T. A. but Sgt. Brown stayed to observe nately the Boche appetites had in May, 1939, and becoming one of and direct an artillery stonk left no chickens to squawk." the select band of D. Y. originals which soon convinced the Boche The enemy began digging slit later that year. He served with he was on a loser. trenches in the yard, so all Topper It "A" Squadron throughout !he When his car hit a mine in lbe could do was wait nnd hope. African campaign. but there's was then that he began to feel Ardennes that flip of the cigarette pain and found his boot full ..,..~-­ nothing exciting about being was again Topper's only show of blood from a shrapnel wound. S.H.Q. troop sergeant. From Esco­ feeling. He sent back his blast­ ville to the Rhine, hov;ever, his Came dusk and the crucial blinded driver and led a patro question: would the Boche man "C" Squadron contemporaries re­ on foot into La Roche, returning call, no report seemed complete the newly-dug trenches? P erhaps with a couple of prisoners. He the unfortumate chickens again without mention of Topper Brown. had barely started the journey saved our hero, for the diggers For his share in the heavy back to S.H.Q. on a flat tyre when were called into the house, and fighting around Ca.en he was the car again hit a mine and he a few minutes later he made his awarded the Qroix de Guerre, the himself took the blast in the face escape. He collectect his two men citation indicating not one but a and was blinded. whole series of incidents, such from their trench and together as that, for instance, when A three weeks rest was they made their painful way lo "C" Squadron had its memorable sufficient to get him fit again, and where the Jocks' lines should field day at Herouvillette. After once more his name began to have been. 'rhey stood a go.1d a prolonged enemy barrage fol­ haunt the squadron diary. chance of getting shot at by ci!hcr lowed by a heavy engagement o For his part in the Zelderheide side, but it was Topper, of course. Troop were forced . to withdraw, incident, when 2 Troop ran into who advanced shouting "Friend"". leaving .2 Troop, with the an ambush, Sgt. Brown earned a Dim figures came forward armoured ca.rs of Sgt. Brown and mention in dispatches, and the babbling in a.n alien tongue - Sgt. Simpson in the lead, to hold story of that epic of courage, which happily turned out lo h~ the position. The enemy put in r esource and luck is worth Scottish. an attack with supported retelling. The scene was all too The damaged foot sent Sgt. by ten tanks, but were met by a familiar: one of those raised dyke Brown to hospital for two months; withering fire from the two cars. roads which made one feel so con. depots and R.H.U's accounted Sgt. Simpson was killed when his naked and wide open ..Sudden ly the for many morn, and life r everted car was knocked out, but Topper leading car brewed up, and Sgt. to the "age wilhout a name" sta­ merely rolled his eternal cigarette Brown went ahead past his troc tus, but Albert Edward Brown to the other corner of his mouth leader to takeup the front position. had lived his crowded hom to the and carried on alone. Before the About to turn into the welcome full, and we can quote his driver day was out his good work, plus protection of a farmho~se, his and operator as proof: "There accurate artillery fire brought own car was bit and he and lhe was never a dull mnment with down by the magnificent 0.P. crew baled out and raced to the Topper Brown." work of Capt. Richards, had helped troop leader's car. They clung to L. ROOK (Cpl.)

2 Education "Magriificent" Without Tears says the Mayor ~ Thur~day evening this HE decision to offer the freedom of the Borough of to the O week- a most interesting Derbyshire Yeomanry is a tribute to the magnificent work of couple of hours were spent T the in var ious campaigns, saicl the l\fayor of Derby, in Room 11 at Steinkirchen when Alderman 'fom Johnson, iu an interview with YEOl\IAN. teams from "A", "B" and "C" Squadrons and R.H.Q. met in a regimental "Question Time". Cun­ "This is something wo haYe REUNION DINNER ningly contrived by Capt. Macey, never done before", said the Education Officer. as a means of Jfayor, "but we do feel that we NEXT YEAR sugar-coating the education pill, would like to show our appre­ The first annual dinner dance the quiz was run as a knockout ciation of the Regiment's work of the Derbyshire Yeomanry Old competition, each team consisting and to offer the freedom is the Comrades' Association will be of five men. Capt. Clarke and highest honour held not later than November next Capt. Macey took turns as question­ we can confer." year. masters, whit.e Lt. Pilsbury and When the free­ This was decided upon at a the Padre, the Rev. H. C. Poston, dom ceremony Regimental Committee meeting at did good work as scorer and time­ will take place H.H.Q. on 27th Nov. when Lieut.­ kooper respectively. is still very Col. A. F. Langly Smith, M.C. much in doubt, proposed that the re-union should In the first round "A" Sqnadl'On beat R.H.Q. comfor tably by 13 for with the.1st take place whether or not either points to 4~ but "C" had to think line in Italy, and Regiment had returned from hard to beat "B" by 10-7*/,, and other units who Ald. Tom Johnson OYerseas. in the final the issue was very also are to re- It was decided also that those close indeed, "C" Squadron win­ ceive the honour scattered about who had been permanently ning by a short head with 121/t the world, it may be months before attached to the Regiment, irre­ points to "A"s 1011/i2. enough representatives can meet spective of arm of Ser vice, shou ld in England. be eligible for membership of the Teams were: - "A" Squadron: Sgt. Meanwhile, organisation of the Association. Bryon, Tpr. Loder, Tpr. D. Williams, Tpr. Scott and Tpr. Brown. "B''.: ~gt . event presents no small problem Ex-members of the Regiment Bayliff, Sgt. Faulkner, Cpl.. W1"!.~­ to the Chief Clerk of Derby, -Mr. are invited to get in touch with son L/c. Ball and Tpr. Wright. C : G. S. Frith. In the town the only Mr. J. H. Shaw, 233, Stenson Road, Sgt'. Powell, Cpl. Rook, L/c. Widdi­ Derby, secretary of the Associ­ son Tpr. Handley and Tpr. Banks. place to hold such a ceremony is lUf.Q.: Sgt. De St. Croix, Sgt. the Drill Hall and that is occupied ation. The Regimental Secretary Moody, Tpr. J enkins, Tpr. P owell and by the ·Anny. ie Capt. A. J. Jones,, :M.B.E. Tpr. Sutton. Civic heads of the Regiment's home county follow our activities with interest, said Mr. Frith. In the Mayor's Parlour still is kept the German flag captured at Gennep and taken to England by the "Derby Telegraph" war cor­ respondent after he visited the Regiment early this year.

Thank' You, Mr. Channon · "This is an · idea which I hope will commend itself to other local . Most Servicemen op­ pose the idea of an expensive and inanimate stone monument, but a Cathedral plaque meets admirably the need for some permanent record of those who paid the supreme sacrifice." - Howard J Channon, "Derby Evening Tele­ graph" columnist, commenting on the Old Comrades' Association Bowler Hattees Bill Hunt, George Dalton, Jobnny Leverton, Ron l\litcbell decision reported in "Yeoman" and other 21 Groupers had something to smile about last week. So would No. 2. we bave in their shoes.

3 Orders came through that there With Three Armies would be no move before Boxing Day and preparations were put in hand to make a good old English Christmas. In "A" Sqn. they in a Week started their festivities a little early and I remember some chaps HE fortnight of 1944 which began on the day of this issue having to do rather a lengthy started uneYentfully enough. ·we were still at Nijmegen and spell of "stag" that night. T there seemed no end to those depressing days. No move before Boxing Day indeed! Early on Christmas morn­ A recce party from 49 Div. nation en route - the leading ing R.H.Q. received the fatal Reece Regt. did arrive at the end ,·ehicle of "B" Sqn. met that of warning order: "The Division is of the first week in December but "A" Sqn. head-on in some obscure moving as early as possible lo that pro>ed to be a false alarm as Belgian 'ii!age! Next morning we were off area Liege; C.O. to report to 1st U.S. Army H.Q ....." Thus began again through Diest to Louvain where occurred a never-to-be­ our Christmas Day ·but this is not "Yeoman"s" Christmas number and forgotten traffic jam. Those masters of militarism, Movement we will leave our story there un­ til the next issue . . . far as our relief was concerned. Control, must have put in a T hen. the Boche flooded more of sudden appearance - lots of tho island, operation "Noah" was control but no movement for five F OR THOSE WITH SAND eYolved (lo be put into effect in hours. IN THEffi SHOES. the event of the island having to The Anti-tank Battery did an be vacated) and herds of half­ about turn in the centre of the drowned cattle streamed back town and set off by roads and 13th Nov. 1942. through our lines from the flooded tracks not marked on any map, Having harboured near El Adem areas of the North. Capt. Dob'son apparently navi­ we moved West along the escarp­ Shelling of the bridge increased gating by the sun. ment, just south of the coast road. in the third wook of December Finally, we all reached our po­ R .H.Q. somehow found them­ and one landed outside the "A" sitions, which were designed to selves in the lead and were fired Sqn. Admin troop house; fortu­ meet a possible threat to LOU\7 ain on through the dust clouds by an nately no bones were broken. from the South. enemy armoured car: One ca1' During lhe same week (on 15th "A" Sqn. were in Tourinnes-la­ commander in R.H.Q. though\ he Dec.) "Monty" held an investiture Grosse (the war diary says their had found the culprit and was a.t St. Michels Gestel when several village was Beauychain but Capt. only prevented in the nick of members of the regiment receh·ed Amos tells me they all write to time from engaging one of our awards. Tourinnes, so that must be cor­ tanks coming up to help. At last, on 19th December, came rect), "B" in Hamme Mille, "C" in After the situation ha.d been the news that 2nd Kensingtons of retben and R.H.Q. in a pigsly of cleaned up "A" Sqn. continued in 49 Div. would relieve its. We had n, place at Mille. (What was it the the lead and were told to try lo just previously been told that we C.O. said to the recce party?) get down on to the coast road. should spend Christmas at Nij­ By this time we had realised Their 4 tp. succeeded in doing megen, the intention presumably that the German offensive was no this down a precipice and at 111 • being that we should take pa.rt in minor affair. In Nethen fhe in­ bottom found a considerable body the Reichswald offensive then habitants were praotially in a of Boche with guns. Desperate planned for early in the New Year. state of panic, the previous unit appeals for ar tillery or tank gun It is history now that these plans having left in such a hurry that support went unheeded and the were to be delayed, for on 17th they hadn't time to finish their enemy made good their escape Dec. Rundste!lt had started Ger­ meals - or take their bicycles after dropping shells yery near many's last desperate offensive in with them. At Hamme Mille "B" the 4 tp. cars. World War Two, liis plan being found the same, a forestry unit A little later on, "A" Sqn's 5 tp. to drive through the bleak Arden­ having abandoned everything and also got down to the road farthE'r nes country and win the bridge beaten it to Brussels. to the West and did some good over the Meuse. In this area we were under 9th work smartening up the Boche, At 14.00 hours on 20th Dec. we U.S. Army and within four days until tl1e troop leader's car went left Kijmegen - most of us with we were to be in our third army up on a Teller. pleasure, though the Anti-lank within a week. Earlier in the day the Padre battery (who, incidentally, moved On 23rd December we relurned had been sent off on one of his as a Battery for a change) seemed to Holland, still under 9th U.S. many jaunts to buy goodies in io have enioyed their Nijmegen Army, for a brief spell to take up Cairo. He reached the coast road days. The dispersal point was positions just North West of near E l Adem and set off East­ Helchteren in Belgium after Aachen, with "A" Sqn. at Bengen­ wards only to drh·e into Boche pretty monumental choas due to rn.de, "B" at Simpelvolde aind "C" mo,-ing in the opposite direction. frequent changes in the desfi- at Ubachsberg. He passed them without incident!

4 Room11

OO~I S, with their associated FILL THE UNFORGIVING MINUTE WITH SIXTY numbers, often play leading R parts in the Ii ,-es of men. SECONDS' WORTH OF DISTANCE RUN. - Kiplif1g "Hoom Fh·e Hundred and Four·• brought in a pile of money for its lighted with the scope and quality and they offer a very wide choice, writer and composer; and every of the Regimental L ibrary r anging from banking to forestry thri lier addict apprechiles the which incidentally is shortly to and from brewing lo optics significance . of be doubled in quantity. (though some might say that the "Room 13". Where information is the Yisi­ latter pair are often closely related). There is noth­ lor's quest he should classify him­ ing sinister or self as either a "sooner" or a For the ·"later" there is a mine even sentimental "later". As one of the former class of information about how he can about Hoom 11 he will be interested mostly in make the best use of his lime until but a visit there demob. matters, and he will cer­ bis group number comes ttlong. might well have tainly find plenty of griff to help There are practical courses in a an important in­ him. On the \vall is a large map wide variety of trades at four fluence on your of the , diYided centres here in Germany which life. lt is the into dispersal zones, and each are arranged for his convenience regimenfs edu· zone has different coloured lines into elementary, intermediate and cation, informa­ pointing to its centre, which is advanced sections. Or if he desires tion and 1i brary the dispersal camp for that zone. individua l study in his own sweet centr e, and it is 'l'hus, by finding his home town, time there are no fewer than 350 situated at Stein­ the bowler hattee will know at a subjects in which he can lake a kirchen, on the glance just where he is going postal course. first fl oor of when he disembarks. There is also "The House un a sor t of strip car toon which to­ "They should educate the people" der the Flag·•. gether with· an Abca Cu rren~ is a phrase often heard in barrack "Reading maketh a full man", Affairs pamphlet (No. 5b) gives room debates. Well, from a glance Bacon reminds you on the thre­ the whole process of transition around Room 11 it is quite appa­ shold, and inside there is enough rent that "they" have done every­ to satisfy the emptiest of men. thing possible short of compul­ The eye is drawn at once to rhe sion, and for the rest it remains fine collection of books in the for you the people, to educate library - and to one especially yourselves and create for your­ which shows a welcome broaden· selves the world you want to ing of outlook irt the purlieus of live in. Whitehall - "How to Win the P eace", by Harry Pollitt. The Room 11 is open on Mondays, works of such an author would Wednesdays and Fridays, in the have had to be kept strictly sub­ morning, a fternoon and evening, paliasse in the 1914 barrack from beret to bowler minute by a nd on Saturday and Sunday rooms. T her e are books on practi­ minute. He can linger and dream mornings; and if you have any cally every subject, and if you over the detailed items comprising problem which a visit there can­ don't wqpt to be educated lhere·s the civilian outfit (sorry, no plus· not clarify ring or call on Capt. fiction in plenty too. F or the well­ fours) or scan the list of Army E. C. Macey, the Education Officer, dressed man .there's a German­ equipment he is allowed to keep, at H.H.Q., and he will put you English dictionary big enough wondering, perhaps if taking his right. Go ahead: the world is for a trouserpress, while "Se­ housewife home will land him on yours. crets of Other Men's Jobs" may a bigamy charge. Most important, L. ROOK (Cpl.) answer your queries about the perhaps, if he is at all uneasy Post Corporal. In the biography about his prospects in the labour section "Madame Curie" provides market, is a series of booklets an absorbing study of the great entitled "Careers for Men and - scientist who discovered radium Women". Each booklet deals with before Greer Garson, and "Tho a separate trade or profession, · Life of Queen Elizabeth" is en­ and details are· given of qua lifi-. _ thralling even without a glossary cations for entry, training, pay of beds slept in. and other relevant matter. I ssued Seriously, though, the inquiring by the Ministry of Labour, there reader will be amazed and de- are about 40 careers in the series

5 NEWS FROM

that a certain canteen assislanl many would-be table tennis stars ha,·e usually lets water burn wht>n •·mash• hung up their bats after the clash ing" . . . . that a certain sergt>alll between Bob Brown (7) and Joe Harry misread th t> date of tho start Woodhouse t5) the other night. of tho Family Allowance . . . . thar There is nothing in tho story that "A" Squadron werC' offered 4 barrels Jimmy James spent of beer and Boozer's Gloom for the a few days at tbe Beast of Nc uliaus . . . . that the fitters prior to Tech. Officer was annoyed wh<>n ht> leaving !or R.H.Q. 1 ead that he bad been found in hi::; ... His stand-in as office. He had not. aide to "Doc" Ball is "Ti<'h" Baker, who is already ~.-'.Rllltilr ·walking about the "B" area muttering: "Ileadacho, one as­ T has been a ll hails a.nd fare­ Taffy Williams pirin. Brohn leg, wells since our last edition. two aspirins. Rigor I • ew faces appear daily (it mo rt is, see Dor Tatton" and ")>o ! I ha,·en·t any" .... ·we are sorry seems) aud the ranks of' the old lo ht>ar that "Fat" H:m ·isou. in 94. Only Dot couhl interest those home­ timers are quickly thinning . . .. British General Hospital, Jfomburg, ward bound 21 Groupers last weok - "Taffy" \Villiams, long a kingpin is not progressing as well as w<> and she not for long. of tech. and transport section, left a would wish . . . . And that C.vril legacy or 413s to ~laxy Rosenblatt Freestone is in hospital again .... and was last seen hurrying home­ Fi no lly, to nc w fellows we offer a ward before the h<>nrty welcome and to returned "A" 'l'ech. Adj t. phoned check-pointers, our sympathy. again . . . . A stop in front or him K our last issue we welcomed was Dick Haines, some new faces. This time we who had handed "C" I w ish good-luck and the best 'his "baby" to Sicl wishes of the Squadron to 22 group, Dredge . .. Bowler­ hatters Ted Bur­ OD speed and besL wishes who departed for Civvy Street on bidge, pride of 5 were gh·en by the Squad­ Wednesday. To Johnny Little our tp., Ted Fox (6), G ron to Dick Trueman, Lofty sincere thanks for his untiring efforts Ted Fox Ron Mitchell (fit- Prestcd, Bill P lummer and Joe in supplying material !or "Yeoman" ters), B ernard and work for our entertainment in Ofrady (7), George Dalton, an old Morris on their transfer to Civvy the canteen and danocs. To F ra11k "B" man requisitioned by Echelon, Street. . . . . Barney Yates is \Vrightson for his "crosswords". To and Leslie Fell (oflicers' mess, late reported to be putting on '"airs·• since Dill Bradley and Bill Hall, who were 3 tp.) were abroad at half-light last ho has been selected to tickle the always at the i-eady with their week fretting in case there was yet drums for tho B ri­ brushes when a "flap" occurred. 'l'o another cancellation ... They did get gade Dance Orches­ Dingle Bell for keeping the "Snakes away, however ... So didJackieilrooks tra. . .. Great regret Parlour" from starving? (we hope) (6), really old sweat "Busty" I

6 ·'THE SQUADRONS order for Jimmy Judge, who won on points, and Lou Allison, who K.O'd ECHELON his opponent. It is now established tha t the latter has no water on the HETHER or no Govern­ brain. His head is solid oak . . . . . UCH comment has been Congratulations t.o Capt. Cedric caused by the magnificent ment financial policy will R.iclrnrds on his appointment as O.C. M · red light which has been W affect insurance circles "A" Sqn. He will be sadly missed. installed outside the Orderly is not yet definitely known, but A welcoming hand is outstr etched to discerning people will regard our new 2 i/c, Capt. H. Bailey. We Hoom. Lieut. Reg Bent is reported hope that he will be happy in tlie to have arranged the manufacture recent spare time activities by Squadron. Also to Lt. Lyn Collins with Mess.rs. L.A.D. of Horncburg. Captain Smart as being an im­ and Lt. Keu Sartin. Almost as many The price is variously reported as a. portant .Pcijnter. It is rarely that men on parade as Officers. thousand marks or four cigarettes - we are privileged to see men of such The Great Game. At Dollern on in any case there's little difference. eminence engaged upon tl1e erection Thursday last week the Germans wit­ Further commen t comes from Sgt. of stoves and their accessol'ies. nessed one of those Leslie Ricketts, who is incensed at The entry into P.R.I. circles of r are events which the unfortunate choice ot colour. He portly Cpl. Haine is viewed by the clown the ages ha vc says is the first occasion upon which authorities with some concern. It k ept a liv e the his morals have been open to "En­ seems that when Roy Mo on eats a bar legend of "the mad quiries". • of chocolate, the fact is obvious. English". It was vVc didn't Jose anyone from RH.Q. It l1as come to om· notice that the the football match when the transport staggered away same bright individual who wakened Sergeants v. 'l'he with the 22 Group people but, in Capt. (Q.M.) Jones by mistake has Rest, which the spite of this, interest in their pro­ added yet another triumph to his latter woi: comfor­ gress is no less keen. It is felt that if glorious r ecord. When asked by an tably by 6 goa.Js the Release Scheme continues to ' officer his r eason for enjoyin"' a to 1. Jimmy Judge function under the concentrated s moke in the petrol dump he indig­ After a charming nantly pointed out that ·he was little ceremony in which bouquets were weight of criticism from critics Hunt and L everton we 00 Group wallabs drawing oil and bad no intention of exchanged, the Sergeants kicked off drawing petrol. with the wind. For a time there was will have nothing to fear. Saying of. the week. "Twenty more Congratulations to Tprs Chell and not much to choose between the sides McKie upon promotion to higher fields. although Gordon and Eames, who shocking clays to Christmas" as the had not got the wind, were dangerous sergeant remarked before tackling his breakfast aspirin the other on the left wing. Alf Gral1am, how­ YEOllAN SALES ever, r emained solid until some muddy morning. play in front of goal gave Tyrrell the Then there was the lieutenant who were 661 for issue No. 2 first goal. The nondescripts fought thought a rifled barrel was the and 664 for No. 3. back and that sterling centre Sgt. Brussels beer when the men got to Nicol soon equalised. Eames put the it first. men ahead again, and when Brice scored the third the issue was beyond doubt. To a chorus of wild cheers and soldierly corilment Tyrrell missed an opon goal. The sergeants had ori­ ginally turned out as all-blacks, but colour distinction between the sides had long since vanfshed and pay books· were inspected before a pass was given or a tackle made. During the int.crYal a pair of pure white knees Jed to the . discovery that Jigger Jolmson had bc!'n playing for the s~rgeants , b ut the knees lost their ,}irginity early in the second half when in making a breakaway their owner · fell over a molehill. 'fbe M.M., complete with beret, R. A.C., oil-change, kept the game open, and Sgt. Leonard's dashing sprints down the r ight wing were spe.::tacular if unavailing. The men forged ahead when Gor1lon dribbled the ball, half a ton of mud and the goalkeeper into the net, and Brice added another to rub it in. Topper Brown, having had a preview of "Personality P arade", jammed bis top-hat hard down, left his goal to Providence and dribbled the ball to the half-way line, but the men hadn't had a preview and they sent Gordon through to take advan­ tage of the open goal. A good laugh In gay spirits, these 21 Groupers pass a moment at Mittelnkirchrn before was had by aJI. cm-bussing for Civvy Stre.et. 7 Mad' ti Happy

Me : B1T! Brr! and b1-r! It's cold down here, chief. "You can't always judge a girl by her French: Well, wodje1·expect. We got a stove but clothes-there may you drank the pm·affin. Now we've got some more be insufficient evi- you've smoked the wiclc. dl'uce." Me : Well, you know, · Y orkshfre b01·n and Y or/c­ shire bred, strong in th'a1·m, wick in t'pipe when t' Naafi's gone or whatever it is Cpl. Gill $Gys. French: W01·1c ! worm. * * * An opinion of "Yeoman·' By. a Roman: Insanus bonus est Or "That. by i\lad is best." * * * Our dachshund, Hauptman, was so pleased to get his name in "Yeoman" that he now refuses to beg. He will insist on giving a low, sweeping bow.

When I quit this ~orta l coil And reach the end of grief and toil Engraved on my heart will be l\I & v. . I .

The one defect of P. Macnaghlen Are the socks he's· fond of spaghten It wasn't bad back in 1\1rasses. - \Vhere everyone had coloured glasses But when we got amongst the French Many a Maquis man would blench And in Belgium there still rankles r The memory of gay socked ankles. L --- "· . 'l'hey even\. seemed to shake-fhe Dutch Whose taste in socks is nothing mutch . .At last those rainbow coloured hues, Those garish yellows, reds and blues, Our . cynical Romeo says: "Most girls will play Have caused the men of SquadTon "C" ball - when they're out to make a catch." To make this touching, hea.rtfelt plea : "Less like the golfer and moTe like the caddie :fl' * * '!.vVe demand a grey-socked Paddy!" "You know that dentif1·ice we got in the Naafi, * * * well can we use it for toothpaste?" Harry:. '"Ow d'yer spell fo1·t ?" * * * Charlie: "The fo1·t . you fighted 01· the fort_· you"-··" .. - , lives in?.~ \ . _ And our 60 Group wa ll ~h failed· his D.M. test Harry: "Nahl 'i.'he fort you;·finlc.'1 because he thought an inlet was a small pub. 8 riors shout to the heavens and the Great Ships sailed. Peace was in ~arrtur\1 Jltrjutctng the hearts of the Warriors as they. went in long caravans to the final strange machines. (Was not he resting place of their warrior known in many l"nds as the + + healer of machines that made fire 'rdthout wood?) it came to pass after 'i\Then they were gathered to­ the ·warriors had tar­ get.her, he commanded them say­ ried many moons in a ing "Disrobe" and they did cast strange cold clime that aside their raiment and did expuse the day of the arrival of the their flesh to his all-seeing eye. Demobber was at hand. And it came to pass that. !he Then did old men cast aside chariots of the Warriors did carry their sticks and were young them to the place where great· again. 1'hen did young men·s eyes ships awaited to return them to ''P.iucbed 11 bloke last week, drnnk .brighten and verily did they rub their native land. and half-dressed." their feet in the dust even as the But the Great Men did subject the ""'hat \d he get ?" turkey-cock, for they thought of Least Great Men to much tarry- "Court 11lartial, imper sonating an their fair ones in Angle-Land. officer ." I 0 ing while the Least Great Men And the Least Great Men did did wax exeeding wrath and did sigh with relief and forget their wonder amongst themselves. Even days and they made great encamp­ palsies and divers diseases, for did the Great Men cause great ments for the final reckonings and they were now beyond the reach winds to arise and the seas to be changing of raiment. .<>f the pestilences of Guard and exceeding wild so that the ships And to stone tables where sat Fatigue. might not sail. the scribes did the Warriors bring Then were they commanded to But the Least Great Men did sacks of great dimensions and present themselves before Lhe keep their spirits and say "Ma­ some even mules and asses to Great One whose nitme was Dok leesh" for they knew indeed that carry away their share of the -Or Tat, or both, a wielder of this was the "last fling" of the booty amassed in the great battles. strange weapons a,nd creator of Great Men. Ere long they did receive a -cunning devices, possessor of And when the strengt_h of the certain token the like of which wondrous · elixil's and many wind was spent then did the War- (Continued on page 10.)

1 l

9 send off with much embracing, , plenty to satisfy our inner needs Return to tlony and an earnest request to visit them again, someday. And that we sincerely hope to do. HEN "B" Squadron left the Ardennes village of Hon.y t~e F. R. ·Packbam (L/cpl.) inhabitants wrote to Field Marshal Montgomery askmg if W the Y:eoman could one day return. We have no record of the Field Marshal's replj. lc®a:rtior'n lR.ejniting. There were many reasons why change was the absence of Army came but once in a friendship should develop so uniform. Warrior's life and was. quickly between the people of The houses bear their marks of regarded with great. Hony and the members of "B" the near-miss V 1. with many wonder, and they did Squadron when we arrived at windows boarded up (glass is marvel that such a their village in 1944. very scarce) but the hole the token could release. Firstly, it was Christmas Day, culprit left has been filled in and them from tl~ei:r bondage. the one day of the year when the nature has healed the wound. Fanfare a nd songs did the­ '"·orld inclines to friendship. Sec­ I stayed for three days at my ondly, 've were the first British people make on the return of the. old billet with Monsieur and Ma­ Warriors, for they were over­ troops Hony people had seen in dame Dispas and Hony's girl the second world war, and our joyed (so were the Warrjors) and triplets, Simone, Monique and the wives and young maids did arrival coincided with the Ar­ Mariette, and with them had many dennes push and hel_ped them to cast their eyes on the new rai­ interesting experiences, jncluding ment of the Warriors and did. regain confidence. Thirdly, we a visit to Liege, where we looked had come to share with them the wonder. round the gay and well stocked So did the Warriors come home,. chances of the very numerous • bazaars, visited the fair, with all flying bombs. but alas! their troubles were not. the fun of the roundabouts, and a even yet at an end. For food was We did in fact give them such boxing booth and circus. confidence that· after a few days scarce in the land· and they must the majority ·of them shunned The Yanks at Liege were need stand in groups called Kews their cellars when "that noise" startled to see a British soldier and present to kens until their· and nearly passed out when asked was heard and the small light heads did reel: where a cup ·of tea could be seen coming across the skies. Yea! The ·warriors came home to. bought. The friendship that developed a strange land but in their heart~ . To Madame's house came many they were content and never was so great that I do not think people asking about the Dicks, it ever will be forgotten. We were longed for the days when they Harrys, and Bobs, of the Squadron were indeed Mighty Warriors, for­ taken in everywhere as members and it seemed that each one of the of the family with all sincerity they remembered the plagues of Squadron had a place in i;ome­ Guard and Fatigue, and the· and made as comfortable as in our body's mind. own homes. I shall never forget Lesser Great Men called S.S.M., Time to depart came all too the pot of tea alwaY.s ready at the R.S.M., and SGT. and were content. soon, but we were given a royal moment of coming off guard, even .....ll , . J. M. ("B")._ at three or four o'clock in the morning. Hony, in those days, in great contrast to the ugliness of war, was a gem set in the valley of the Ourthe and the countryside under a mantle of snow provided a scene of(, nature in perfection. bl ending with the warmth of the people's hearts. . The soul of Hony has not changed, I discovered when re­ visiting the village last week. There was the same warm and sincere greeting from • the vil­ lagers, for a mere ten months, or, 1 am sure, even years, would ne\rer affect the friendly link be­ tween Hony and "B" Squadron .. The cattle were in the fields and on the slopes. Tranquillity prevailed ove1; the village in place of the uncertainty of war, but perhaps to me the greatest "George! Why aren't you eating your dinner?"

10 Oranges & Outlaws

• ' A RMOURED car troops have been called out and have sur­ 'l'RANSMITTE RS. 'fhe 60,000 rounded J ewish settlements in the north of Palestine. There shortwave transmitters surren· have been more clashes between Arabs and Jews." dared by amateur operators in News item. 1939 will be returned by the Post­ master-General within the nex.t few weeks. Licences will be Palestine is a land of contrasts, and from the numerous cafes comes tho sound or Arab mus ic and the issued soon after frequencies -where East meets West and old smell of coffee. have been allotted. meets new. The centre of Jaffa is very pic­ The entry from the south is not turesque. A double road, divided by * * * impressive for the Egyptian end of aoout twenty yards of ground, planted with trees and brightly flowering LEAVE. Mr. Barnes stated that th~ country is wholly deser t, but as shrubs, is lined with Arab shops and lea,·e bottlenecks were caused by one travels north beyond the Sinai's extends for about three.quarters or a Continental' r·ail limitations and sandy vastness, the country slowly mile to the Arab market. Herc, for a .changes. First, an occasional palm iew pence by 1£nglish values, can be not by cross-Channel shipping . troo is seen. Then stunted bushes bought oranges, grapes and other More boats would be put on as appear and the countryside grows fruils, and, for as much as tho Arab more rail space became available. greener until one seems to be in the can get, fine <'xamples of Arab sih'er midst of eucalyp­ ware, mats and cloths. * * * t us trees, slightly In Jerusalem the Jewish part is MISSING. No pe1~mission has yet billy, grass cover­ comparable (o a "Western town and ed ground, with tho Arab quarter wholly Oriental in been granted by lhe Russian -orange groves design. Religion here has been well authorities to British search stretching into the exploited. Tho pieces of the "original tea.ms to look for 150 British pri­

  • 11 0 0 T

    This put more life into the 12& Game of altack 11nd they forced a number of corners, both their wing men Chances being ,·ery clever. From a fine­ ccntre from the right wing their E should have. beaten 150 ~ · ~ · A. Hegt. at ho~ie last Satlll'day centre forward gave Tristram no· (1st Dec.) without any difficulty. In the ftrst half we had chance with a good header. The W cha nces galore and might well have notched four or fi ve goals. As it was we lost by three goals to two. HORNEBURG LEAGUE Right from the start we con· player in the Derby Yeo team. The Horneburg League is near­ trolled the game in the first half We had our chances in this half, 0 ing completion, for 14. matcheS' and the opposing goal keeper was though not so many as earl ier in constitutes the full programme of constantly in action. He played the game, but our fonrnrds had fixtures for a team. The leading really well but had our forwards "a day off' and were opposed by positions on 4th Dec. were:- been up to normal form he must a skillful goalie. Oldham worked hard without any luck and was "A" LEAGUE the pick of a disappointing line. P. W D. L. P. ~IAT C H ES T O COME 'T'he ha! ves defended well enough 154 Bde. } I.Q. 14 12 2 24 Our next regimental match but \\'ere inclined to lie too far Derby Yeo "A" 14 9 2 3 2~ is ag~inst 5/7 Gordons away back. Chamberlain in particular Pioneers "A" 12 7 5 14 tomorrow (8th Dec.). We did some good work in defence. Derby Yeo "C" 13 7 6 14 play 1 Gordons at home on Team: Tpr. Tristram ("B"'); "B" LEAGUE l5th Dec. and 5 Seaforlhs Sgt. Pickering (H.Q.); Tpr. White­ Derby Yeo H.Q. 12 10 2 20 away on 22nd Dec. ley ("B''); Tpr. Chamberlain 2i86 Sqn. RAF. 14 9 1 4 19 ("C''); Cpl. Neal ("C"); S'Sgt. 525 RASC. "B" 12 8 4 16 Derby Yeo "B" 13 7 2 4 16 have been beaten se•eral limes. Gates (L.A.D.); S.S.l\I. Muggleton As it was, our only goal in the ("C"); Sgt. Betts ("A"); Tpr. first ha.If came when Oldham Oldham ("A"); Tpr. Jenkins Gunners continued to have more scored with a left-footed drive ("C"); Tpr. McBride ("B'"). of the game and from a break­ after half an hour. · away their centre-forward scored After t11e interval the L.A.A. LEAGUE' LEADERS with a grand drive from 30 yards. Betts went near with a header team showed up more and tested WIN EASILY Tristra.m several times. They and the Regiment put in some equalised early on in this half N 24th Nov. the Regiment hard work only to see a good from a penalty for bands and ten played the leaders of the effort by P erkins hit the post. 'l'he minutes later went ahead with a 0 Divisional League, 126 Gunners rallied and just before shot that gave the goalie no Field Regiment, at Vilsen. The half-t ime they scor ed again. chance. It '~as Tristram who was gunners had played twelve The second half saw the Gun­ kept busy now and he was in top· matches, won ele>en and drawn ners well on top and they regis­ class form. Our . forwards could one, and al though they beat us tered three more goals. Cham­ not get going together, though by six goals to one, we were not berlain played a good game and they did some good things indivi­ o>er-run. worked extremely hard. The Regi­ dially and McBride put us on level The game was even for the first ment did as well as they were J terms a. quarter of an hour from ten minutes with both sets of for­ allowed to, the opposition being time 'vhen be picked up a loose wards causing the defences to put certainly the best we have played ba 11 in the penalty area. in some hard work. Both goals this season. The winning goal came about had near misses and one felt that Team: Tpr. Tristram ("B"); five minutes from the end when a goal was bound to come very Sgt. Pickering (H.Q.); Tpr. White­ 'f r istram tried to punch over a shortly. Good work on the right ley ("B"'); Tpr. Chamberlain high shot from the right wing wing between Chambers and ("C") ; Cpl. Neal ("C"); S/Sgt. a nd was beaten by the pace. It Chamberlain brought the first Gates (L.A.D.); Sgt. Chambers was ironical that our ·keeper's goal, when after a bout of close ("A"'); Tpr. P erkins ("C"); Sgt. one mistake should have meant so passing Chamberlain shot from Betts ("A"); Dvr. Cameron (H.Q.); much, for he was the outstanding 25 yards to beat the goal-keeper. Tpr. Scr uby (H.Q.).

    12 B A L L

    H.Q. BEAT our centre forward, made no mistake from about 20 yards range. From the SERV ICE CORPS kick-off foJlo,ving that goal Ray "B" I N DULL DRAW LAY was fairly even in the first Perkins intercepted a bull and pushed HE "B" Sqn. match against 2786 P half of H.Q's game with 525 it forward to Muggleton who, with a Sqn. R.A.F. played at Dollern great turn ol speed, went straight T on 28th November was a scrappy, R.A.S.C. "B" at Horneburg on through and "plonked" another one 22nd Nov. Seruby came close with just where "C's" spectators wanted disappointing game re&ulting in a a shot across the goal following a to see it. one-one draw. break away. Ho tried again with a Then followed the most unusual in­ Arter a few minutes of undccisi,·e ·shot into the bot.tom righthand cornorr cident of the mat.ch. Tho R.A.F. play in mid-field McBri1le had n close The goal-keeper in attempting to referee, getling rather browned-off shot at goal from which "B" forced a -clear dropped the ball and Patrick with our opponents rebukC>s and nal­ corner. For ten minutes there ~as snapped it up and shot, b_ut the ~all terings, gave one long last blast of little exciting play but during a brief was safely cleal'(•d. A lllC<' passmg flare up Tristram made some good move ended in J ones heading in a saves and Dent stopped an almost 11erfoct centre by Owen _to give H:Q. certain goal with his body. tho !iri;t goal after 15 mmutes. While After 25 minutes play the R.A.F. -attempt i n~ to head the bnll Seruby FAROUK SHIELD opened the scoring when '.l'ristram bundled the goal-keeper and the ball failed lo hold a shot which rebounded into the net but the goal w·as di~ E understand that the from the post and was netted by the -allowed. R.A.S.C. equalised when the long-awaited F ootball opposing centre forward. Ins ide loft scored after 25 minutes. W Shield whicli King In the second half, with tho sun and wind behind them, "B" Sqn. im­ H.Q. were more on top in the second Farouk of Egy1>t is giving half and all the forwards were trying proved but were not good enough to hard to break through. They regained to the r egiment is now on beat the R.A.F. defence, while White­ the lead whrn Owen sent a terrific its way from Derby to us. ley, Dent and Wilson held the oppos­ drive into the top left-hand corner. The shield is to commemo­ ing forwards. Hunter worked hard, but unfortunately was sligblly in­ Then Cameron back-heeled to Patrick, rate the period late in 1943 who shot through a maze of players jured and was not at his best during to score the squadron's third goal. wh en the regiJnent guarded . the second half. IT.Q. were playing oetter defensive the Egy11ti11n king aftet· his There were few thrills until a i ootball in the second half. P icker ing injury in a motot· accident R.A.F. player touched the ball with was outstand)ng with good clear-cut near Quassasin. his hand and iUcBride made no mistake from the resulting penalty. play, while Davenport gave the . op- Thero arc, we gather, plans 11osing centre forward ver.r little -scope. afoot to ha,·e an inter­ A.F.A.P 's LATE W INNER squadron knock-o ut compe­ S.S.l\:l. I N. FORl\:l " B " SQN. won the toss in their tition arom1d Christmas to game with 424 A.F.A.P. at first' T Stade on 23rd ~ovcmbe r "C" decide the holders of Stade on 30th Novembrr and A Sqn. defeated 6 B.S.R.U. by 4 the trophy. in the first half had a strong goals to 1. The Squadron had cross-wind slightly in their favour. their, full team apart from Hall, who Play was scrappy at first, but after was still on the injured list (Reid se•en minutes a corner from Hughes -deputised), and Bill Wrig ht, who had tho whistle to stop the game, threw via Clark's head landed at Rudge's the whistle into the a ir and walked ofI feet and he made no mistake. only returnrd from leave that day, the pitch, muttering as he went "im­ Frank Robinson filling his position proper conduct" and something about '·B"' were pressing all the lime, in goal. a now referee. Bill Wright stepped Hender on having bad luck on se\•eral into the breach. occasions and Dent, who attempted a Scoring started after 15 minutes. shot from the left side of the fi eld, "Roy Christie, our right winger, put "C"' were unlucky not to score narrowly missed the upright. over a centre, which caused a agllin when Ron Widdison sent in a 1'ho A.F.A.P. team retaliated and ·scrnmble in front oi goal, and he sizzling shot which struck tho cross aft-er 20 minutes their outside left scored by lifting the ball over 1he bar. Our fourth aud last goal came went through to equalise. head of the left back who was block­ once again from J immie Muggleton, ing the goalkeeper's \' iew. /). lot or Two minutes after play began in thus making his hat-tri~k.. Our <0xciting moments fo llowed in front of the second hal! the A.F.A.P scored opponer.ts' goal was scored 5 mmutes again and after some sharp, fast play both goals but more often in tbe from time. RA.F"s half. Reid sa,·ed a certain "B" equalised. McBride tried playing to Baines, who was doing well and ,goa l by kicking the ball orr the op­ Tho whole team did well and per­ posing c0ntre fonrnrd's toe and half had several unsuccessful attempts. haps Charlie Neal should have special "B"' Sqn. improved and SheJlpard timo camr with the score still at mention for the way he completely 1--0 for "C"'. and Dent did some good \\"Ork in the bottled-up the R..!..F"s prolcssional defence, but a few seconds before the 'l'hr second half w11s only :five contro forward. Tich Kirk also s tood final whistle the A.F.A.P. scored minutes old ,,·hen S.S.M. Mugglcton, ·ou't for b is solid defensive play. ngain to run out winners at 3-2. 13 Wilson of "13" Sqn. damaged his hand and had to scratch from tho' semi-final. A pity, fo r he had showu. himself a Vlery strong i ighter with a vicious punch. In the ·welter sem i-finals Tpr. Judge of "C" receiYed a walk-over from Wilson and 'I'pr. Allison beat. Pto. J ones (7 A. & SJ!.) with ease. In tho final Judge was declared the winner on a disqualification for a low blow. Allison need not bo dis­ hear tened for such unintentional blow·s are to be cxpectccl in novices competitions. J udg e has a big reach and is a good u pstanding boxer with an appreciation of how valuable a weapon is the straight left. 'rhe 1st Black Watch had the Middle Weight fiirn l to themselves, our entry ('l'pr. Jones of H.Q. Sqn.) having b~n beaten in the. semi-finals after a good clean bout ·against Pte. George. In the fi nal'!' George was himsel[ beaten by Tpr. Galtress in a particu­ larly sporting cont!'st which was a (Above) Brig. J. A . delight to watch. Hopwoo1l D.S.0 . con­ Tpr. "Sam" Hollinson of "B" Sqn .. Derby Yeo Boxers gratulates Tpr. Sam won the Light-Heavy Weight prize. Rollinson, "B" Sqn. on Many were surpris!'d he received the Great his victory. verdict on~ r L/c Smith ol 1 B.W., bu t in Form RolJinson must havo built u p a suffi- lu the 154 Infantry B

    in. the top left-hand comer. Don't take the w1 ong path and a~'I'ive in the recruiting centre at bottom right. Anyone not taking the buts iu strict ·To make easier and quicker .your On disembarking (bottom left) draw :rotation, or leaving a hut area by passage to Civvy Street, RON COX pay at No. 1 hut, chocolate and· ciga­ the same path as he an;ived, or has drawn for you the lay-out of rettes at 1o. 2, civvy outfit at No. 3, crossing a. line, or c1;ossi11g or using a demob camp. and then make a bee-line for home, a. path already used, will be r.t.u. 16