Tricorne Magazine - December 2018 (Issue 69) by Royal Hospital Chelsea

THE GATES OF HELL The day was clear and bright and hot While I was standing in Tyne Cot. I felt great sadness and a pride, To think for me these men had died. I’d seen the battlefields all around, Now so quiet with barely a sound. Just a bird sings a lament, Wings outspread, head bent. Roses by the headstones grow As I wander to and fro.

Three men stagger through the grime Of the sticky, fetid slime, Rags blowing red in the squall. The middle one sinks to his knees and falls. For a moment to lie there, then he sank To lie for ever in the cold and dank. And all the while the rain poured down To fill the craters and hide the drowned.

As I watched in horror at that sight, The sun came out and all was bright. Suddenly all has changed. My thoughts and senses all deranged! Roses shone and all was well, And I knew I’d looked through the gates I’m in a dreadful scene in rain. of hell! All is mud, all is pain.

IP Simon de Buisseret

uccess is not final: ailure is not fatal: t is the courage to continue that Counts. Winston Churchill

3 4 5 6-7 8 9 10-11 12 13 13 13 14-16 17 18 19 20-21 22 23 24 25 26-27 28 28 29 30-31 32-33 33 34 35 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42-43 44 44 45 46 47 47 48 48 49

IN THIS ISSUE Their Name Liveth Forever Commissioners Meet The Commissioners Interview With The Governor Moving Forward On Strong Foundations No 1 Co. Visit To Army Cadet Force & Lifeboat No 2 Co. Travelling Far And Wide No 3 Co. Represented In Many Countries No 4 Co High Level Of Spirit And Humour Maj. Frankie Howell; New Captain Of Invalids What Is It Like? Estates And Facilities Management Celebrating Our Volunteers Extensive Programme For Chaplaincy Team A Spitfire Girl Architect Of His Time Comparable To Wren Pensioners Join Workshop At Royal Hospital Battlefields To Butterflies This Is The Problem- So What Is The Solution? Fear Fuels Imagination/Imagination Fuels Fear The Angel And The Fallen Hitler’s Diaries Armed Forces Day, Spain Then And Now Project Habakkuk - The Ice Ship Old Soldiers Come Across Old Friends Woodbine Willy The Case Which Ended Flogging David The Airline Pilot So God Sent Me Power Of A Simple Wooden Cross We Will Remember Them The Cavell Van - Special Railway History Step Short Remembers Remembering Folkstone’s Role in Wartime History A Ceremony No Words Can Describe Conquest Of The Blue Nile Frank’s Impressive Big Bang Military Proverbs Meet The Team - Chelsea Pensioners Club Surviving Nature In The Neolithic Era Freddie Makes It Special 1914 - 18 War Focus My Sons Regiment Code Books And The Problem Of Passwords The Destruction Of 1988

50 50 51 52-53 54 54 55 56-57 58-59 60 60

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo How It All Began The Man Who Loved Horses Nurturing Our Creative Friendships Belfast International Tattoo Fired in Anger & Maybe A Life Saved!! Why? Honouring Chelsea’s Victoria Cross Recipients Christmas Island - Operation Dominic A Prisoner Stalemate Freemasonry Walks The Line And Presents Cheque To Royal Hospital 61 Parade To Mark Freedom Of Chelsea 62-63 Freddy’s Letter Home - 1945 63 So What’s New 64 In Remembrance 64 Soldiering On Awards 65 Founding Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps 65 Unexpected Dog Show Prize Presentation. 66 A Cranky Old Man 66 Kicking Off The Baseball Season 67 Military Monopoly - Royal Engineers 68 Alan’s Week On The Cut 68 The Triangular Vernaid Bandage 69 2018 World Conker Championships 69 The Perils Of Computer Dating 70 New Master For Worshipful Company Of Plumbers 71 Aden Emergency And Radfan 71 Freemasons Armistice Ceremony 72 Meet The Protocol Team 72 Poppy Ball Swindon 72 Chelsea Pensioners Memorial 73 Brian Represents The RHC In Portugal 74 Harry And Marjorie Meet Just Jane 75 Jim’s Book Signing 75 Gunfire 76 Many Benefited From Co-Operation With RATPC 76 Photo Taken 60 Years Ago Wins Royal Approval 77 Homecoming Of Chelsea Pensioner Medal 77 Are You A Pilot - Can You Fly? 78 78 79 80

Remembrance At The Bridge Combat Stress Cutting The Cheese, Stirring The Pudding Pensioner Gazette 2018

Front cover: In Pensioners at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey. Photo by Paul Grover

main relevant as we are still erecting memorials to mark so many events. Ancient civilisations created grand monuments for the deceased, while modern memorials may be smaller, or even completely virtual: as on the internet. Memorials can help share a heritage, THEIR NAME LIVETH however big or small, for decades to FOR EVERMORE come. Consider the personality of the person that you want to remember. As you go through your favourite memories, consider reaching out to friends and family for extra memories: It would seem appropriate, on this, the 100th anniversary year never let that person’s memory die. You may be surprised by of the end of World War one, to highlight the contribution made what inspiration you find when you meet and combine minds. by the man who, more than others, gave us the memorials which The desire to be remembered lives within our genetic makeup. have helped us to focus on remembrance of that terrible event. It is the age-old reason why people carve their initials in trees, I refer to Sir Edwin Lutyens, an internationally acclaimed Eng- place their hands in wet cement, and chalk their names on rocks. lish architect who created 44 war memorials in the UK and de- They want to leave their mark! They want to be remembered! signed 137 cemeteries, many in countries around the world. But, for the living, the real marks are the ones the dead leave on It is difficult to state that any one memorial is more important us. Sometimes just a hug; a smile or a timely word of advice. than another as they all represent the same thing. Not necessari- We want to remember those we have loved and lost, not only ly to an individual person but of collective remembrance. They for their memory also, more importantly, for ourselves, to mend, help focus our thoughts on the many, the horrors they endured. and to heal our lives, but never ever to forget. Also not forgetting those left behind, and the anguish of their Past events influence the present and contribute to the shape lives torn apart of the future. Our personal understanding, misunderstandings or From Lutyens most acclaimed UK memorial The Cenotaph distortion of past events can influence in Whitehall, to Thiepval, near Picardy the course of action we take. This in France, where the 45 m high meOn the idle hill of summer, applies to human and international morial, of soaring arches, displays the relationships where misunderstandSleepy with the flow of streams, names of 72,337 British and Comings can have tragic consequences. In Far I hear the steady drummer monwealth soldiers who fell in the Drumming like a noise in dreams. many ways events of the First World Battle of the Somme. War influence our lives to this day. Although he had non-military backAnd while you are investigating the ground, Lutyens had tremendous Far and near and low and louder legacy of a loved one, you might want empathy with the service ethos and On the roads of earth go by, to take the time to think about the legreally understood the meaning of indi- Dear to friends and food for powder, acy you may leave for your family vidual, and collective, remembrance. and friends. What motivates you in Soldiers marching, all to die. He left his mark, not just in the physlife? What lessons do you hope to ical design, but in the principle behind onto the next generation? How East and west on fields forgotten pass remembrance. He realised that there many times have I wished I had asked needed to be a focal point for rememBleach the bones of comrades slain, my Mum or Dad a certain question! brance at each cemetery. He introduced Lovely lads and dead and rotten; Consider having the talk of a lifethe Stone of Remembrance on which time with those close to you, so they None that go return again. are inscribed the words “Their Name have positive memories of you in the Liveth Forever” taken from the Wisfuture, when they remember you. Far the calling bugles hollo, dom of Sirach; perhaps better known I never met my Uncle David, but High the screaming fife replies, as Ecclesiasticus 44:14 his name was mentioned in family While it is true that memorials repreGay the files of scarlet follow: discussions. He was shot by a sniper sent a life lost, they also represent the Woman bore me, I will rise. on 16 August 1917 at Langemark, importance of that individual to the A E Houseman Ypres. Just 19! Was he one of the unliving. Memorials highlight the bonds identified? When I stood at 03.00 hr, as part of a midnight vigil that tied a particular person to society, and cemented that per- by the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey, son’s place in history during their lifetime. on July 1st 2016, so many thoughts raced through my mind. Though many memorials were created generations ago, they re- Unknown to me - but known to me. Was it my Uncle David?* Editor: Chelsea Pensioner Ray Pearson. Assistant Editor Chelsea Pensioner John Gallagher

THE TRICORNE TEAM Supervising Officer: Major Frankie Howell

Printer: The Magazine Printing Company Proof Reader Chelsea Pensioner John Denton

The Tricorne is the magazine of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Its contents are by pensioners, staff and contributors. While efforts have been made to secure permission for copyright of material used, if any has been inadvertently used, future issues will carry an acknowledgment. Contributors opinions are not necessarily those of the Royal Hospital. Reproduction of some images may not be up to the normal standard. This is because they may have been taken in challenging conditions by pensioners on a mobile phone or similar device. The Royal Hospital reserves the right to grant permission for reproduction of any material within the publication and any reasonable request will be positively considered. Contact the Editor, Ray Pearson ray.pearson@chelsea-pensioners.org.uk moblie 07813648702

The Tricorne By, and for, the pensioners and staff of the Royal Hospital Chelsea EX OFFICIO COMMISSIONERS OF THE ROYAL HOSPITAL CHELSEA Her Majestyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Paymaster General: The Rt Hon Mel Stride MP

Minister for Defence, People & Veterans: The Rt Hon Tobias Ellwood MP

Minister of State for the Armed Forces: The Rt Hon Mark Lancaster TD VR MP

Assistant Chief of General Staff: Major General Rupert Jones CBE

Director Resources & Command Secretary (Army): Mr David Stephens CBE

GOVERNOR OF THE ROYAL HOSPITAL CHELSEA: General Sir Adrian John Bradshaw, KCB, OBE

SPECIALLY APPOINTED COMMISSIONERS

Left to Right - Gary Lashko, David Stephens, Charles Lewington, Richard Clark, Mrs Angela Gillibrand, General Sir Adrian Bradshaw, Dame Barbara Monroe, Lt Col Paul Foster, Brigadier Tim Hodgetts, Professor Charles Mackworth-Young, Dominic Fisher. Absent: Mr Mark Gallagher and Ms Jo Cleary.

THE EXECUTIVE BOARD Chief Executive Officer Mr Gary Lashko Finance Director: Mr Nick Cattermole

Director of Health & Wellbeing: Professor Deborah Sturdy OBE

Director of Estates and Facilities: Director of Public Engagement: Reverend Martin Field Lt. Col. Nicky Mott MBE

Human Resources Director: Mr Mark Taylor Secretary to the Executive Board: Amanda Skouse

CAPTAINS OF INVALIDS No. 1 Company: Captain George Cochlan No. 3 Company: Major Frankie Howell

No. 2 Company: Major Philip Shannon MBE No. 4 Company: Lt Colonel Jonny Lowe MBE

Meet the Commissioners of the Royal Hospital Chelsea

Commissioners are appointed by the Under Letters Patent powers the Board of Sovereign from members of the Government, Commissioners is responsible for maintaining the buildings of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, and serving or retired military officers, civil servants or other distinguished individuals from the feeding, accommodating, clothing and care of public or private sectors the In Pensioners. Mr Mark Gallagher Mr Charles Lewington OBE EX OFFICIO COMMISSIONERS Having worked for BritFollowing a high profile ish private sector com- Director Resources & Command Secretary (Army): career in Downing Street, Mr David Stephens CBE panies his entire career, and senior management As Senior Finance Officer, he is responsible for advice positions on a number of Mark served on the board on: the integrity of Land Forces financial systems; the of ITN (the news producnational newspapers he regularity and propriety of expenditure; the achievement founded Hanover in 1999, er), ITV (the broadcaster) of efficiency and value for money; effective corporate and Camelot (the National to provides strategic coungovernance; and functional leadership of finance staff Lottery operator). He lives sel to CEOs and senior across Land Forces TLB. and works in London durcommunications execuAssistant Chief of the General Staff – ing the week and with his tives for clients. Under Major General Rupert Jones CBE two children in Suffolk at his direction, Hanover has Youngest Major General in the British Army he was the weekend. Mark gradugrown from a staff of one ated from Oxford Univer- appointed Assistant Chief of the General Staff to repre- to a team of 60 consultsity and has a keen interest sent the Chief of the General Staff in Whitehall. From 3 ants, based in London and September 2018, he will assist in communicating army in politics and the media. Brussels. statements across defence internally and externally. His family own and manProfessor Charles Brigadier Tim Hodgetts CBE age a rest home in Dorset. Mackworth-Young Joining the RAMC in 1983. He holds fellowships with Mrs Angela Gillibrand A consultant physician in Angela Gillibrand a fi- many medical professional bodies, with a PhD in Public rheumatology and general nance and corporate gov- Health (‘A revolutionary approach to improving combat medicine he is a Profescasualty care’). A Professor of Emergency Medicine he ernance expert educated graduated from Joint Command & Staff College in 2011 sor of Practice at Imperial at Oxford. A Finance DiCollege and has been an and the Royal College of Defence Studies in 2018. rector she was also a non Honorary Physician to the Col Paul Foster executive director on the Mr Dominic Fisher OBE A Chartered Surveyor and Royal Hospital since 2001. boards of the Rural PayHis research has focused Served in what is now the CIArb Accredited Mediments Agency, housing on connective tissue disLight Dragoon during the ator, with over 35 years’ entities and healthcare eases and osteoarthritis 1980s. Awarded the OBE in experience in asset manbodies including that of and he has held national 2015 for his charitable work agement and capital proNHS Foundation Trust leadership roles in rheufor armed forces personnel, gramme delivery, Paul is covering acute and commatology education and having been Chairman of the CEO of a built asset and famunity services. Angela training. Other areas of inOfficers’ Association for 10 cilities management adviwas a member of RPA’s terest have included mediyears. Currently a mentor for sory business. Starting his Audit and Risk Assurance “Supporting Wounded Veter- military career as a Private cal ethics and peer review. Committee until 2017. ans” he is a founder member with 5 R Anglian in 1982 Mr Richard Clark Dame Barbara of the Value Investors Special he is now also Non-Exec- Having spent most of his Monroe DBE Interest Group of the Char- utive Chairman of RIBA working life as a practicChief Executive of St tered Financial Analysts. Enterprises Limited, pro- ing lawyer Richard was a Christopher’s Hospice in Ms Jo Cleary viding BIM data solutions leading Dispute ResoluLondon until 2014 Dame tion lawyer with an interBarbara is an Honorary With experience in cen- and the NBS standard con- national practice. A CEDR Professor at Lancaster tral and local government, struction specifications. Accredited Mediator, and University. A well known health and social care, as Dr Roger Bowdler a member of the Chartered speaker and lecturer she a strategic commissioner, Doctor Roger Bowdler Institute of Arbitrators he is has delivered training pro- provider and regulator, Jo was with English Herit- Chairman of a theatre, film grammes worldwide. She has been a Director in three age & Historic England and TV production compasits on a variety of nation- Councils, a senior civil for 29 years, he is now ny; a Director of a family al committees supporting servant in the Department pursuing his own thing - company with interests in the development of end of Health and NHS Direc- researching tombstones, the Leisure and Hospitaliof life care. Vice Chair tor. A former Director of teaching students about ty sectors and an Honorary of the Commission on the Adult Social Services she architectural and art Fellow of Harris Manchesfuture of hospice care she has a record of improve- history, and setting up ter College, Oxford. Outwas Chair of the National ment and innovation in a as a consultant to offer side work, he enjoys the Childhood Bereavement number of councils, as well advice on heritage sig- visual and performing arts, as a in workforce and leadNetwork for eight years nificance. art history, and walking. ership development.

INTERVIEW WITH THE GOVERNOR Ever since the first Governor, Brigadier General Thomas Stanwix, took up his post at the Royal Hospital, in 1714, there has always been an interest among In Pensioners regarding thoughts of the Governor on major matters affecting his tenure. Everyone of the 35 previous Governors has left his mark. So the Editor put a few pertinent questions to General Sir Adrian Bradshaw KCB OBE on is appointment as the 36th Governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

How are you finding it here sir? I am enjoying it very much. It’s a new challenge and although there is a certain amount of continuity to oversee, which is great, there are also some new challenges which I am enjoying getting to grips with. What do you think of the military ethos of the hospital. Do you think it needs strengthening or do you have any other ideas? Clearly the Royal Hospital has a strong military ethos. You sense it all the time as you walk around. There are the Battle Honours in the Great Hall, the Eagles seized from French regiments, and the In-Pensioners and Captains of Invalids (and the Governor) wear highly recognisable uniforms. As you see today I am wearing uniform, and aim do so from time to time around the hospital, to remind people that I continue to serve, both in this role, as Colonel of two Regiments and in the Reserves. There are constant reminders here of our shared heritage with the British Army and that is incredibly important. I will certainly ensure the strong and obvious links with our roots in the Army, and our recognisable military ethos are not undermined. I note the titles of one or two officers here have changed during my predecessor’s time, and by and

large I think the changes in job specifications are serving us well. The Captains of Invalids and the Royal Hospital Sergeant Major, who have themselves had long and distinguished military careers, provide a system of oversight, and the maintenance of Ethos and Standards is a special responsibility for all of them, the latter particularly for the Sergeant Major. I know there is with some a lingering regret over the loss of the title of Adjutant but my impression is that the military duties that he undertook are well covered by others in the chain of command. The non-military aspects of his job have been necessarily expanded to cater for the realities of the current regulatory environment, something the regular Army has also had to come to terms with. The bottom line is I am determined that our military ethos will remain strong and healthy under my tenure and that our links with the Army will grow. What was it, in particular, that made you interested in the position of Governor here at the Royal Hospital? I joined the Army initially for only three years and found myself staying on for nearly 4 decades because I loved it. This appointment offers me the opportunity to continue working with soldiers and to enjoy a life that has a high degree of fa-

miliarity It also gives me an opportunity to work in an area which is of considerable interest to me, that is, in the care of military veterans who have done their service and now deserve some payback from the nation. As you know one of my other jobs is Chairman of BLESMA, which the charity for limbless ex-Service personnel. I am particularly keen to support BLESMA as, together with mental injuries, limb loss has been particularly prevalent during our recent campaigns. There is much to bring to this job from that one, and vice versa. What was the process of your appointment? The appointment process involves the Governor and Commissioners identifying the potential candidates, and there are usually a number who qualify for the job. Candidates are asked to state why they are interested in being considered and what they would aim to bring to the job. This is followed by candidates meeting with a group of In-Pensioner’s, who provide feedback to the Nominations Committee, and a formal interview with the Commissioners. Their choice of candidate then goes to the Secretary of State for Defence and finally to Her Majesty to be approved. While it does not involve an interview with Her Majesty, from time to time one is fortunate enough to have the honour to meet Her Majes-

ty The Queen, in line with one’s duties, and of course that is one of the wonderful privileges of the job. We have had a long line of Governors and I wondered what are your thoughts on taking up this very historic appointment? It was a huge honour to be appointed by Her Majesty as Governor, and also a great privilege to live and work in such beautiful surroundings in the company of like-minded people who share a common background and ethos. How do you see the changes in Government Legislation affecting the Royal Hospital? It is worth remembering that the legislation is, by and large, designed to protect people and prevent things going wrong. I think people would be surprised at the degree to which the Regular Army has had to adapt to comply with modern legislation. It’s true that legislation can be embraced in a slightly naive way to begin with. For example the health and safety culture went slightly over the top until people really understood what it was all about. It is not about preventing us doing things. It is about understanding where the risks are, identifying them carefully, and doing things in a considered way without taking careless or unnecessary risk. Similarly, regarding regulations that

have come into play in the medical and care environments, we aim to ensure that everyone involved understands how they apply to us, and apply them sensibly and responsibly to the benefit of all. Do you think the military ethos here is strong or needs strengthening? As I have indicated in a previous answer, I think the military ethos is strong. When I arrived I felt I was on familiar turf. Everybody understands where our heritage lies and we clearly understand the very strong connection between this place and the Regular Army. On the other hand I think we sensibly allow people to live, to a degree, in a slightly more relaxed way, bearing in mind that most of us are no longer active, serving soldiers. I think it is important that standards of dress, standards of behaviour and respect are maintained, mainly on the basis of a degree of self-discipline. I think In-Pensioners take pride being here and wearing the Scarlet. We look smart in uniform because we want to and not because somebody is chasing us constantly about standards of dress. Is there anything here that pensioners can do to help you? I think communication is incredibly important. Just as it is important for me and the executive team to keep In-Pensioners informed of what is happening to care for and improve our home, I think communication the other way is also hugely important. It is of enormous assistance to those of us who are overseeing the running of the Royal Hospital to be kept fully informed of what In-Pensioners need and want and how they feel about current and future

developments. That helps us to maintain this place for the purpose for which, over three centuries ago, it was built. How far will we be going with civilianisation, especially since the disappearance of the Adjutant? I think I can put people minds at rest as far as that is concerned. The structure has gone far enough in that direction. I am satisfied that the posts that are now military posts will remain military posts. I feel that we have got the right degree of specialist expertise here to cover the requirements of the new legislative environment. Having a properly qualified and experienced Director of Health and Well-being, for example, is entirely appropriate for an institution which is about caring for people, some of whom are to some degree infirm and some of whom require fulltime care. That side of our business has to be done absolutely right. I am satisfied that we also have the right balance of military understanding and experience to keep our military ethos strong. We have the right number of military personnel to cover the bases, but we also have the right experts in care and medical provision and in the regulatory environment that surrounds an institution like this. We have a lot of expertise in the pensioners which is not utilised. Why bring in others when we have pensioners here who have the skills. Perhaps we should maintain a register of skills. I agree that we should not keep farming stuff out to consultants and outside assistance if we have the expertise in-house. There are times, however, when

we simply have to go outside because what we are seeking requires qualified, current expertise which we might not have here. I support the idea that we should be more imaginative in how we use the energy and expertise of the In-Pensioners, and that we should be better aware of the expertise and experience held within the In-Pensioner body. We should indeed hold a register of In-Pensioners skills in order to know who might be able to assist in certain areas of hospital life and we will look at how this might be achieved. Sir Redmond Watt had a big task when he took on renovating the berths. Do you have a similar big project which has long term implications? Yes I do. Absolutely. We have to renovate the Soane Stable Block and, for me, that potentially provides the nucleus of an ambitious project. This would see a new and improved Visitor Centre, with additional facilities to encourage visitors to come to see us as we work, in conjunction with the National Army Museum. It would also provide the potential for us to offer some Out-Pensioner facilities for veteran pensioners living in the Greater London area and possibly further afield. I am very keen to see us as a community doing more to help those from the Army veteran family who live outside the Royal Hospital. I think In-Pensioners would get great satisfaction contributing to that effort. We can leverage the name and reputation of this place to gain funding for Out-Pensioner facilities which could of course benefit In-Pensioners as well. In our scoping of this project we will look at health clinics of various kinds and activities to promote health

and wellbeing. We will be talking to the NHS as to how we might cooperate with them to provide such benefits for In-Pensioners, other veterans and the local community. I think there is considerable potential and we are right at the early stages of examining how we might do it. We have outline planning permission to build another building, which could be part of the longer-term project. The whole business of outreach, from here to a wider veteran-pensioner community, is very much on my mind as I start my tour of duty here. It is something which the Commissioners are enthusiastic about, although our first duty remains to look after the In-Pensioners and this historic institution. I want to build on the links with the Regular Army, in co-operation with the National Army Museum, and to encourage the Regular Army to come and see what we do here, to see a bit of their heritage and to spend some time with us. This would allow In-Pensioners to spend more time with Regular Army personnel. We can help to build continuity into the life of the wider Army, family from the beginning of Service through and into life as a Chelsea Pensioner. One of the things we have looked at since my arrival has been the charging regime for the serving Army to come and enjoy the facilities of the Royal Hospital. We have adjusted the charges to allow for more events for groups from the Army. I hope as a result we will see a little more of the Army coming to enjoy the facilities and to meet In-Pensioners, while also getting a greater understanding of what we do. It is certainly my intention to reinvigorate the link with the serving Army and we have already started to make progress with this.*

General Sir Adrian Bradshaw KCB OBE started, as our new Governor, on 3 September 2018. He retired from his post as NATO’s Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe last summer, and was Commander Land Forces among other things. He is also Chairman of BLESMA a charity for limbless veterans. Two stalwarts of the Board of Commissioners also left us in September: David Rosier and the Rt Hon The Lord Kakkar. David, having spent 5 years in the Army, has a distinguished career in financial services and has steered the Royal Hospital’s investments into a very strong position. Lord Kakkar is both a distinguished surgeon and Chairman of the Judicial Appointment Committee. He has given us good advice and guidance on medical and care services as well as corporate governance. Without such expertise, the Royal Hospital would not be able to maintain its excellent services and reputation. So now the Commissioners have selected two candidates to replace them. We we await approval of these appointments from HM The Queen. SEVEN VERY PRODUCTIVE YEARS General Sir Redmond Watt KCB, KCVO, CBE, DL retired on 1 September after seven very productive years of important modernisation of the Royal Hospital. He would be reticent to ‘blow his own trumpet’ about what he has achieved, so I would like to take this opportunity to do so on his behalf. He has instigated, driven forward, and overseen the successful changes in The Royal Hospital to: • The site and buildings: In-Pensioner Long Ward berths; Chelsea Pensioner Club, and restoration of our heritage assets, South Grounds restoration, roof renewals, and lastly the heating system. • Our governance structure: bringing our Boards and Committees in line with current best practice, and the creation of a CEO post. • Our management: creating the Executive Board and strengthening its operational management role. • Our welfare, care and support services: introducing a Health and Well-being department, and whole site safeguarding policy. • Our Estates, Facilities, and Quartermaster services: which have been streamlined and (after a period of major capital projects) refocussed on services to In-Pensioners, health and safety and site security. • Strengthening our finances: additional commercial major events such as Longines show jumping; the Live@ Chelsea concerts and more private events. All without disturbing our peace and quiet too much. Also the disposal of a long lease on Gordon House which has funded many of the buildings improvements and will continue to do more. Finally investing our funds wisely to im-

prove our reserves. • Consolidating our links with the wider Army family and the MoD, especially building an active and fruitful relationship with London District. But the best thing he has done is to work always for the benefit of the Chelsea Pensioners and their marvellous home as well as maintained a programme of regular visits to the wards where he met and listened to In-Pensioner views. We thank him and wish him and Lady Watt well in their life beyond the Royal Hospital. STAFF DELIVER OUTSTANDING CARE SERVICE Our staff and their skills, ingenuity, and commitment are what makes it possible to deliver an outstanding care service To send so many In-Pensioners out to represent us around the world. Maintain the grounds and buildings so well, and provide all the other services enjoyed by In-Pensioners. Added to this is running a magnificent Chapel and choir, hosting private and military tours of the hospital, operating a shop, post office and café. All of this (and more) at the same time as hosting the best flower show in the world, the best art and antiques fair in Europe, and one of the world’s premier horse jumping events. We constantly need to replenish our staff as people retire, or take another step in their career. Some people, who had a leading role on the staff, working closely with the In-Pensioner community, have recently left: Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Lucas, Captain of Invalids, and Lieutenant Colonel Andy Hickling our Quartermaster. New staff additions include: Lieutenant Colonel Jonny Lowe, Major George Cochlan and Captain Ross Martin, Major Frankie Howell; all Captains of Invalids; as well as Lieutenant Colonel Nicky Mott the new Director Estates and Facilities and Quartermaster. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE In 2018-19, we shall be emphasising the following work: • Streamlining and improving facilities and estates where possible. • Planning for a major reworking of the Margaret Thatcher Infirmary. • Creating a detailed estate usage plan. • Reaching out to veterans in the community. • Increased schools and heritage work. In addition we aim to introduce new whole site systems for reporting and recording incidents; plan a quality assurance system; introduce health and safety assurance inspections; and carry out an internal communications audit, among many other things. We shall also create every opportunity we can to build on our strong, functional relationship with London District and the wider Army. CEO Gary Lashko

VISIT TO ARMY CADET FORCE AND LIFEBOAT The last six months have flown by with only four changes in personalities within Number One Company. IP Brian Smith reverted to Out Pensioner in September and we wish him well for the future in his new home. In November IPs Joe Herman and Frank Winfield both moved to Paget Ward and we wish them all much happiness in their new Berths. In addition, we welcomed one new arrival to No 1 Company, on Long Ward 4; IP Ben Corbett. This now brings our total Company strength to 75 IPs with four vacant berths.

CSM Alan Collins LW 1 Ray Adams, Terry Wiltshire LW 2 Michael Paling, Dewi Treharne LW 3 Alan Goddard, Yorkie Layton LW 4 Terry Conlon, Mike Smith

the company visited HQ CPTA at Lydd and Hydd Ranges. As part of the visit, we were hosted by the Staffordshire & West Midlands Army Cadet Force. JUNIOR CADETS

During our visit we met some of the Junior Cadets and Staff who had just completed a night in the field. Considering, for many, it had been the first time they had slept under canvas they were in extremely high spirits. This came across in discussion with In Pensioners, who all commented on how well-mannered and engaging the cadets were.

SOCIAL EVENTS

Thank you to everyone who supported No 1 Company coffee mornings and happy hours during the past six months. These occasions are greatly appreciated by all members of the company. But these events would not be possible if it were not for our volunteers who produce a huge selection of home-made cakes and biscuits; lay it out and clear it all away at the end of the event. Plus thank you to Dewi Treharne, Mike Paling and Alan Collins for making the happy hours such a successful event, it is hugely popular with all members of the company and long may they continue.

As before they had no problem engaging the In Pensioners in conversation and were asking lots of questions of these gentlemen in the Scarlet Coats as to how they got to be Chelsea Pensioners. TARGET PRACTICE

The last part of the morning was a visit to the Ranges, which was probably the best part of the day as the In Pensioners were given the opportunity to have a bit of target practice to see if they still had it in them. Our scores ranged from a 4 inch grouping to infinity and beyond. But the smiles on the In Pensioner’s faces were priceless. IMPRESSIVE LIFEBOAT

During the next part of our visit the pensioners were shown the Adventure Training stands where the Cadets were climbing, mountain biking and kayaking. These Cadets were very confident and thoroughly enjoying the activities and the excellent weather.

After a well-earned lunch in the Officers’ Mess at HQ CPTA we then set off for a visit to the Dungeness Lifeboat Station. During the visit we were given a guided tour of a Shannon Class Lifeboat “The Morrel”, which was very impressive indeed. The wonders of modern technology, and its ability to self-right itself, was impressive which must be very comforting to its crew members when they have to launch the boat in rough weather.

RHC ACTIVITIES

Since the 1st of July there have been 56 IPs from No 1 Company involved in 130 activities spread over the UK, Europe and beyond. A sample of the countries visited include France, Australia, Bahrain, Eire, and Belgium. In August 10 members of

Captain of Invalids Capt. George Cochlan We were also shown videos of how lifeboats were launched in the past and how the local women played a major part in helping the lifeboat to launch safely. It brought the meaning of “Team Work” to life. GREAT SUCCESS

Overall the day was a great success and the In Pensioners had a fantastic time. They are already planning next year’s visit with an overnight stay and a BBQ on the Ranges. On behalf of No 1 Company I would like to wish all of our fellow In Pensioners and Staff a Happy New Year.

TRAVELLING FAR AND WIDE

CSM Brian Cumming MBE LW 5 IP’s Carl Hayhurst, John Riley, LW 6 IP’s Leo Tighe BEM, John Hellewell, LW 7 IP’s Tony Hunter, Jim Wimbridge

Invitations for In-Pensioners to visit military units and attend commemorative events continue to arrive thick and fast, with No 2 Co members heading as far afield as France, Ireland, Portugal, Bahrain and Australia.

100 DAYS OFFENSIVE

The 100th anniversary of the 1918 battle marking the start of the decisive Allied ‘Hundred Days Offensive’ was commemorated at Amiens Cathedral, France, on 8th August. The Duke of Cambridge and the Prime Minister attended the service and the British

Captain of Invalids Major P D Shannon MBE contingent was warmly welcomed especially by the local townsfolk.

In July, Kenny Macdonald took the lead at the head of his contingent in Aldershot for Armed Forces Day. After marching on Founder’s Day, he reckoned it was a breeze! TAOISEACH INVITATION

LAST NIGHT PROMS

Leo Tighe BEM enjoyed a trip to his home city of Dublin following an invitation from the Taoiseach to attend the 100th anniversary commemorations for all Irishmen killed in conflict.

Rarely are In-Pensioners invited to attend the Last Night of the Proms. But this year, Jim Little BEM was one of the lucky ones. He thoroughly enjoyed the friendly revelry, as well as the music at this annual event.

The 65th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Agreement was commemorated at the Korean War memorial on the Victoria Embankment. Bill Houston BEM and John Riley were present for the service followed by lunch in a nearby hotel.

As the long hot summer drew to a close, Barbara Whilds was proud of her bumper fruit crops. Now an expert in growing appetising grapes. Perhaps next year she will begin to produce her own specialist variety of RHC wine!

A special edition of BBC ‘Songs of Praise’ was hosted by long-time fan of The Royal Hospital, Katherine Jenkins. Tony Hunter was interviewed by her and chose one of his favourite hymns.

MIKE PLAYED THE REMEMBRANCE LAMENT

Having returned from supporting his son Danny at the Invictus Games in Australia the day before 11th November, Mike Shanahan still managed to rise before dawn to play a lament at 06.00hr supported by IP’s below Throughout the country, pipers paid tribute to the millions of people who lost their lives, or returned home dreadfully wounded from The Great War. Mike’s playing was recorded by the BBC and played on subsequent radio news bulletins. SCARLET TO THE FORE AT BELFAST TATTOO

In September, Belfast was the destination for 12 In-Pensioners who attended the city’s Tattoo. They included John Riley, Bill Houston BEM, Steve Lovelock and Kenny Macdonald. PORTUGAL INVITATION ends of Boxing event, CSM Brian Cumming where he met WBO Middleweight MBE accepted an invi- World tation to represent The champion Steve Collins Royal Hospital in Portu- (The Celtic Warrior) and gal, where he met up with the WBC Heavyweight Carol Mason, the former Campion of the World Bruno MBE. Royal Hospital archivist. Frank WREATH LAYING Needless to say, he was In-Pensioners represent- on his best behaviour ed The Royal Hospital as throughout the evening! CHANGING COMPANIES usual at the Cenotaph but I am shortly due to some managed to travel further afield to towns swap duties with Lt Col outside London such Jonny Lowe MBE in the as Buxton, where John Infirmary. Both he and Wiseman laid a wreath at Elizabeth wish to thank all those who have loyalhis local war memorial. LEGENDS OF BOXING ly supported them for the Tony Hunter had the op- past seven years in No. 2 portunity to attend a Leg- Company. Conchita Fernandez bid everyone a fond farewell having looked after hundreds of In-Pensioners in the Long Wards for 17 years. She will be missed for her relentless work ethic, diligent attention to detail, good humour and of course – her singing!

A high profile event for Hugh Craig, David Jordan, Don Avery, Carl Hayhurst, William Fraser BEM, Tony Hunter and Bill Houston BEM took place when they visited No.10 Downing St. The tour commenced in the Cabinet Room and then took them through many of the reception rooms, including Margaret Thatcher’s former office.

REPRESENTED IN MANY COUNTRIES

Wow, here we are again. Another manic few months. The triumph of Founders Day is a distant memory. The pensioners continued to support the many events internal and external, scattering a few across the waters to France, Bahrain, Guernsey and Jersey. RSM APPOINTMENT

I took up the appointment of Regimental Sergeant Major in September and No 3 Company now have a new Captain of Invalids, Major Frankie Howell who took command from November. We wish RSM Pearse Lally and his family the very best in their new location and employment. No 3 Company have received five new members to our ranks and all

Above Maj. Frankie Howell leading the Cenotaph contingent 2018

CSM – IP Alan Rutter LW 8 – IP Simon de Buisseret; Asst – IP Jim Hawtree (TBC) LW 23 / 24 – IP Derek Higby/ IP Tony Hunt

seem to be well settled: IP Peter Stead – RAOC IP Bob Piper – Cold stream Gds IP David Wright - RE IP Alan King – RAOC The company remains focussed on promoting the hospital and ensuring our purpose remains relevant and in the face of all who visit. US AMBASSADOR’S RESIDENCE

Captains of Invalids – Capt. Ross Martin, now RSM and Maj. Frankie Howell

Right shows the team visiting the US Ambassador’s residence, just one of our friends and supporters. Also you may see Nick Knowles chatting away to IP John Denton while IP Ray Pearson is busy spreading the word.

Below In-pensioners at the Festival of Remembrance 2018

Above. A kind presentation given to the hospital from a young sea-cadet of a wooden Tommy made by hand. Below. In Pensioners enjoying their annual lunch at Gordon Ramsey’s

operational deployment during which they suffered casualties. He provided one to one support to soldiers, and their families during the stress of injury and bereavement. He has an understanding of the needs of others, particularly soldiers and veterans, and is fully committed to supporting all In-Pensioners in any way he can.

HIGH LEVEL OF SPIRIT AND HUMOUR

This is my last contribution as CoI No 4 Company as I am swapping companies with Maj Phil Shannon MBE early in 2019 as part of the DHW policy of rotating Captains around the companies on a regular basis. This makes perfect sense as it mirrors the practise in the Regular Army where regimental officer’s appointments are exchanged every couple of years and it will also allow us to get to know more of the residents of the RHC as we take responsibility for different cohorts of IPs. A PRIVILEGE

It has been a privilege to look after the IPs in the MTI most of whom I have got to know very well. A different vibe prevails in the MTI Long Wards and while some of the resident IPs have mobility issues and require a higher level of care, their spirit and humour remain as lively as ever. I shall probably miss them more than they miss me. Alas but inevitably some IPs from No 4 Company have passed away since the last edition, including, Gordon Lyons in September, Bill Wood in October, Charles Shrimpton in November and John Callander in December; all sadly missed and may they RIP. On a jollier note we celebrated Arthur Ellis’ 100th birthday on 17th September and he is our oldest In Pensioner and still going strong.

OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Captain of Invalids: Lt Col Jonny Lowe MBE

MAJOR FRANKIE HOWELL NEW CAPTAIN OF INVALIDS

Major Frankie Howell took over as Captain of invalids of 3 Coy from Captain Ross Martin on 5 November 18 2018. He enlisted into The Irish Guards on 6 June 1984 at the age of 16. He progressed through the ranks from Guardsman to Major and retired from the army on 2 November 2018. Among his varied career he spent a lot of his time training soldiers and young Officers. His postings have included: The Guards Depot Pirbright, The Infantry Training Centre Catterick and The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. SANDHURST

He served at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst on four occasions as directing staff that include; Colour Sergeant, Company Sergeant Major, College Regimental Sergeant Major and an Assistant Chief Instructor in the rank of Captain after commissioning from the ranks in 2008. WELFARE OFFICER

As a Welfare Officer he led a Regimental Welfare Department in a period of

His operational experiences include: GSM 62 Clasp, Northern Ireland, The Iraq Medal with Clasp, Operational Service Medal for Service in Afghanistan, United Nations (Cyprus) and Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Army) with bar. He is married to Lynda

and they have 2 children, Jenny (21) and Paddy (19). The other 2 additions to the family are the 2 Border collie dogs, Rosie and Mac who are both 10 years old.

WHAT IS IT LIKE?

Felt like joinin’ up again. Not too sure of mesel. Changin me life at my age? What the B….y ..l “I ain’t too …’ appy”, I said to me kin ..Abaht this Chelsea business?’ I don’t fink I’m goin in! Apprehensive? Nah, that doan do it. I went fur a four- day stay . I fouwt they wuz all a bit Christmas! (Crackers) I couldn’t wait to get away Then I got a nice letter, sorta gentle and profound. It said “you’ve been accepted, but we need your pension pound” Me kin said ”go on, give it a go. Nuffink ventured? Go the mile!” So I said, “Oh awlright” an set off wiv a smile. That four day stay ‘ad bin forgot . Puzzled and bemused – I done the rounds with glassy eyes and all were quite amused. Slighted and hurt, I soldiered on and therein lay the key. Behind their eyes I recognised they’d all been there before me. Some time has passed; I’m looking back… Great events have come and gone; Helping the new guy settle in, is a hand I’m proud to give. ‘Cause, on his day,(his four- day stay ?), He has a right to live!

ESTATES & FACILITIES MANAGEMENT HERITAGE

The Heritage team has had a change of reporting lines, in so much as we now have both an Asset Management line to the Director of Estates & Facilities and a second to what used to be Fundraising and Communications. This now covers all aspects of outreach including Tours, Education, Museum and Library under the banner of Public Engagement. This year has seen a new high level group established to look after Heritage as a distinct component of the Estates Committee of the Board of Commissioners. HISTORIC COLLECTIONS

Comprising two Commissioners, the CEO, QM and Heritage Manager it now has oversight of all matters that affect the heritage infrastructure and components that make up the Royal Hospital’s historic collections, with a significant focus upon conservation. In the Asset Management role the main focus is the decennial update of the RHC Conservation Plan. This is a root and branch

review of all the buildings plus an area on site to ensure that what makes it historically significant is preserved and, where necessary, investigated further for the edification of staff, In Pensioners and public. Forming the fundamental basis for understanding our built environment this document sets the direction for the future development of the site. It is being reviewed by Donald Insall Associates who authored the original versions.

A FULL SURVEY

Conservation is a key focus of the works conducted on the tangible assets in the collection or those that form part of the fabric of the Hospital. We have had a continuing programme of care and conservation of paintings which this year has seen ‘Little Peter and the Pensioners’ - below - which is in the West wing relined and cleaned. A full survey of the various busts and assorted statuary on site has thrown up a programme of works that has commenced with the Wellesley Memorial (actually the model for the real one by Baron Carlo Marochetti. that is in St

Paul’s Cathedral) on the Colonnade getting a well overdue retouch and coat of wax, so it is now looking splendid!

memorial tablets to late Governors along the East wall the first to General Sir Brian Kenny (19931999) and the most recent

Also along the Colonnade this year there have been two additions to the

to General Sir Robert Ford (1981-1987).

The catering department has revamped the 30 day menu cycle and invited IP’s to indicate their likes and dislikes. Following the IP’s comments most of the changes were introduced on the breakfast and lunch menus. The Tea Meal menu had an additional compound salad choice. These changes were implemented from the 1st of December.

mendation by the Chief Inspector of the Metropolitan Police Service Operational Command Unit for the outstanding professionalism and excellent service provided to the Metropolitan Police Officers during the critical time in 2017. The staff had demonstrated high levels of discipline and hard work during the period of heightened security situation across the country by providing service to all additional police officers who were working during the Chelsea Flower Show.

CATERING, INCLUDING TRICORNE

CPC PRICING

The pricing structure at The Chelsea Pensioners Club was reviewed and a new pricing was introduced. This is very well received by all pensioners and staff. We have now reduced the prices for most drinks for the pensioners and staff which is expected to bring more foot fall into the club making it more popular and welcoming to the RHC pensioners. CHIEF INSPECTOR’S POLICE COMMENDATION

In May the Head Chef, and the Great Hall Stewards, were given a Com-

TRICORNE EVENTS

As Christmas approaches Tricorne will cater for several events which includes dinners, carols and other traditional functions across the site. The highlights will be the Cheese Ceremony and the Cake Ceremony which will be attended by both Pensioners, Staff and other guests. Tricorne will also cater for the Army Benevolent Fund carol service which will be attended by around 400 guests.

GROUNDS DEPARTMENT The Royal Hospital has a plot of almost one acre at Brompton Cemetery with 2,625 in-pensioners buried there. At its North end there is a splendid memorial dedicated to the pensioners which had sadly become damaged and very soiled with algae growth, together with pollution grime, over many years. FUNDING SECURED

After several meetings with the Royal Parks, who control the cemetery, funding was secured within the Royal Hospital, to repair and clean the neglected memorial. Also to also formulate a maintenance policy, with the Brompton authority, to improve the grass and trees within the plot. This was divided into two areas. The memorial works of repair and cleaning, along with improvements to a very rough and ugly tarmac path surrounding the memorial,

and that of the horticultural and tree works. Cleaning, repairing the monument included replacing several missing metal ornamental cannon balls which had to be newly forged. The offending path was replaced with one of York stone. Donated by the Royal Parks, which was salvaged from the London cycle route project of the last few years. CBRE, the RHC works contractor arranged, managed and part funded the laying of the path. This is a great improvement as I am sure visitors will agree. Two Lutyens style three person benches were re-located from the hospital and placed upon stone settings to the right and left of the memorial. ENJOY AND REFLECT

This gives the visitor a comfortable resting place in order to enjoy and reflect upon the writings upon the memorial. Also to rest a while within the peaceful and tranquil surroundings of the cemetery. Removal of a poor specimen Turkey Oak tree has improved light levels to the grass, however still more work is required to lift low branches of other species. Permission from the relevant authorities to do so is still being sought. Working with the Royal Parks Guild, who have been involved in many World War 1 commemorative projects throughout the year, presented an ideal opportunity to use ideas from the Hampton Court flower show’s ‘Battlefields to Butterflies’ exhibit during July. WILD FLOWERS

Many were incorporated as a long term legacy in the shape of sowing much of the plot with wild

flowers including poppy, cornflower and perennial species, creating a wild flower meadow, which will be maintained in liaison with the Brompton grounds staff. This will produce a long lasting floral feature throughout the summer months for visitors to enjoy, it is hoped that a later addition of spring flowering bulbs will lengthen the season of horticultural interest and enjoyment. Many of the species used would have been the first plant species to invade ‘no man’s land’ on the battlefields of the First World War, giving us a poignant reminder of all those souls who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

SUPPLY & CONTRACTS

We have issued the new clothing tender foe Scarlets and have a number of interested parties. The new design (currently in development) will incorporate a new lighter weight material. The Invitation To Tender Documents are scheduled to be released week commencing Monday 3rd December 2018. More details will be released later with a full update before the Christmas break .

EVENTS

November has been a busy month for events with lunches, meetings, dinners, receptions, awards and a wedding. Coming up we have events every night in the Chapel and Great Hall from the 3rd December until the 14th. These are carol services and receptions for Charities, corporate companies and The RHC Friends. In addition to these we have the wonderful Cake and Cheese Events taking place which we are extremely excited about.

BURTON COURT

There are currently 479 active memberships of Burton Court who continue to enjoy access to many of the facilities that Burton Court has to offer, including the tennis courts, and a safe space to walk dogs. SCHOOLS

Both Garden House School and Knightsbridge School continue to use the football pitch at Burton Court for their curricular sporting activities.

SITE OPERATIONS

The RQMS, as the Fire Safety Officer for the RHC, in conjunction with Learning and Development Adviser and the Projects Manager/H&S adviser, have a new online e-learning package which has been accepted for fire training.

PARKING POLICY

The QM, RQMS and RSM have updated the Parking Policy for the RHC. New signage has been fitted and the Policy itself will be in place once an agreed policy concerning RHC mobility scooter parking has been agreed with the various stakeholders.

SECURITY

The QM and RQMS have walked the site and will be implementing a new route for guests to the RHC with extra signage to ensure visitors are not allowed entry to certain areas. We now have the signage and await the visitors map. The public are now directed to the London Gate and the North Front has been closed. Wilson James is now guarding the Bullring Gate. The RQMS will place a security hut in this location for the VSO to monitor the public ingress/ egress. CBRE has constructed the base by the gate and the hut has been placed in position.

CBRE MANAGED SERVICES

A bespoke handmade medal case has been made from reclaimed 200 year old oak by our onsite Heritage Carpenter.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

Hand crafted statue donated to the Royal Hospital by Caroline Deer. This was mounted and installed by CBRE in readiness for Remembrance Sunday.

GARDEN PARTY

Staff and In Pensioners Summer Garden Party and BBQ 16th August. Laser Clay Shooting sponsored by CBRE. PAVING WORKS

CBRE V RHC ANNUAL CRICKET MATCH

Paving works to the RHC War Memorial now complete. Special thanks to Prelude Stone who took on the majority of the works along with CBRE. The Royal Hospital Chelsea now plans to visit this Memorial regularly to remember those lost.

After rain stopped play in late August, the annual cricket match was re arranged for September with the Hospital team winning a very close fought match. The sum of ÂŁ2,340 was raised and donated to the RHC to be used to purchase a new TV for the CPC Library which will have all the latest technology! The TV currently in the Library will then be used in the MTI. Many thanks go to CBRE sub-contractors who donated many great prizes for the raffle. Plans have already started for 2019.

CELEBRATING OUR VOLUNTEERS

The NHS has launched a nationwide appeal for volunteers and has been overwhelmed by the response from the public. Volunteering has always been a big part of British society and plays an important part in supporting groups and communities, often in times of crisis.

People who give their time, skills and expertise freely to support and benefit others are often the quiet unseen heroes of communities. Those who seek to give with selfless motivation, often without recognition. We are fortunate that we have so many active and vibrant volunteers at the Royal Hospital. Currently we have 74 registered volunteers. VARIETY OF ROLES

They help across various departments, taking on a variety of roles to support the Royal Hospital Chelsea community in many ways. Those who come in for befriending create friendships with In Pensioners across the site, often providing extra time and support to those who need it the most. This is invaluable and we are very lucky to have so many volunteers who are such great befrienders.

The MTI Trolley shop is a lifeline, selling small items to those less able to get to the shops which gives each Pensioner choice in purchasing their own things and goes a long way to ensuring that dignity is maintained for all. GROUP ACTIVITIES

A great many of our regular group activities are volunteer-led: seated exercise with Alice, the weekly quiz with Richard, puzzles with Henrietta, and the ever-popular singing with Elaine, who now not only runs the weekly singing group but – increasingly - manages the many demands for public engagements the group now receive! I could go on. We have a very dedicated team of volunteers who work closely with our Dementia Specialist Activity Worker, Harriet, aiding her and the staff on Campbell Ward throughout the week: the Friday afternoon tea run by Elizabeth and Brenda, reminiscence sessions with Vivienne, weekly piano playing from Prue.... FIRM FAVOURITES

These are all firm favourites in the weekly programme, not just with the Pensioners on Campbell Ward but increasingly with many other Pensioners from across the site. Our volunteers are frequently seen in the onsite coffee shop with Pensioners, having regular catch ups and often forging new connections with other Pensioners,

which creates a very special sense of community and connection. This can be a real lifeline for some who perhaps don’t have families and friends to visit very often. We are very fortunate to have facilities like the coffee shop and the club here, and we encourage our volunteers to use them with the Pensioners as much as possible. HIGHLY VALUED

Befriending Pensioners on the Long Wards, who are less able to get out and mix in the community, is an important role and one which is valued highly by those who benefit. Many members of the volunteering team also help us to better support the numerous visits and trips organised by the Activity Team.

Throughout the year the team coordinates outings to museums, theatres, concerts and days at the seaside, to name just a few. Without the volunteers helping at these events, we would quite simply not be able to plan and undertake so many outings to so many places.

FRONT LINE HELP

Our volunteers not only help by assisting the Pensioners on the ‘front line’, but also by assisting our staff in other departments. The heritage team uses volunteers to help Heritage Manager, John Rochester, with cataloguing and maintaining the many items in the Royal Hospital Archives. In the fundraising department, volunteer Paulette

and her dedicated group are invaluable throughout the year, helping with events, large mail-outs, and other hands-on support in a very busy department. Our community is made up of many people who have one main focus: Pensioners. The volunteers are a valued and important part of that community, and we could not do all we do here without them. MOTIVATING FORCE

Their energy is boundless, their enthusiasm a motivating force for us all. They bring life into our community in a different way, and they enable us and those who live here to connect to the world outside. In 2019 we will be looking at how we can further bring together their talents and skills of the cherished team we already have, and how we can expand the team further. On behalf of the Hospital I would like to say a big “thank you” to all the volunteering team. You really do make a difference. Deborah Sturdy OBE DHOW

AN EXTENSIVE PROGRAMME FOR THE CHAPLAINCY TEAM The Wren Chapel is open every day for In Pensioners and staff to pray, to light a candle or to find some peace and quiet. Throughout the week, for most of the year, In Pensioner tour guides bring in groups, military and civilian from all over the country. On Sundays two congregations gather there; at 0830 there is Holy Communion. Following the Governor’s parade there is an 1100 service. At this later service our Choir sings and in addition to In Pensioners and the regular congregation we always have visitors from around the UK and overseas. ASSOCIATIONS WELCOMED

During 2018 we welcomed the following Regimental or Corps associations. They came to the Parade, attended Church and then repaired to the CPC for drinks and lunch. Queen Alexandra’s Royal Nursing Corps, Commando Regiment, Gunners Royal Green Jacket, Parachute Regiment, Army Cadets, RAVC, REME, FANY, Royal Signals, RLC, Royal Anglian, Officer Cadets Sandhurst, Royal Hampshire, Royal Armoured Corps, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. We also welcome former service men and women who do bike tours for the wounded. Northcote Lodge lead us in Choral evensong during the year with a full Chapel of In Pensioners, Parents and Grandparents. The Oratory School also visited.

Dean of HM Chapels Royal, Lord Chartres preached. This service was then broadcast at 0810 on Remembrance Sunday itself. CHAPEL PACKED

On that day we held our own act of Remembrance in the Chapel, with the Right Rev James Jones KBE, Former Bishop of Liverpool. So many people came to Chapel that it was packed to capacity and a number had to stand outside in the Octagon. Others were re directed to the civil service held in Sloane Square. ARRANGE A VISIT

There are 21 carol services and Christmas events being held in the Hospital this year at which the Chaplaincy plays a part. If anyone reading this would like to consider arranging a Regimental, Corps or Association visit we would welcome your enquiry.

DRUMHEAD SERVICE

A drumhead service was held on the Friday before the Remembrance in Figure Court with the largest attendance that anyone could recall. Six local schools attended bringing hundreds of children to join in with our acts of Remembrance. At Remembrance 2018 we commemorated the Centenary of the 1918 ending of World War One. BBC Radio 4 came to the Chapel in October and recorded a service for Remembrance Sunday. To a full Chapel the

It was such a privilege to have the Royal Hospital Chelsea as our wedding venue. We had the most amazing day with our friends and family, and the Chelsea Pensioners who joined us for the ceremony made it all the more special. We will treasure the lovely pictures we have of the day, especially this one. Best wishes from Jo & Joel

The RSM coordinates military visits on Sundays for the Governor’s parade while the Chaplaincy team liaise with him over an appropriate Sunday for visitors to be with us. Please do be in touch if we can assist you. Telephone number 0207 881 5214. Finally we did enjoy celebrating the marriage of Joel and Jo in the summer, Jo is a member of staff and a guard of honour was formed by In Pensioners as the bride and groom left the Chapel. The Padre

flying hours of the Air Movement Flight were 17,059, of which 8,570 were on domestic flights and 8,489 on overseas flights. About 883 tons of freight were carried and 3,430 passengers were transported without any casualties. Nevertheless 174 pilots, women as well as men, were killed flying for the ATA in the wartime years. Total taxi hours amounted to 179,325, excluding Air Movements. DISMAYED CREW

After delivering a Wellington bomber, which typically had a crew of 5, the ground crew were dismayed that she had flown it. They actually searched the plane for the pilot. Born, in 1917 in Leafield, Oxfordshire, to a farming family Mary Ellis developed a fascination for flying from her childhood as she lived near the RAF base. This love of flying was strengthened when, at 11 years of age her father paid for her to have a joy ride in a biplane at Sir Alan Cobham’s flying circus. At 16 her father paid for her to have lessons at a flying club in Whitney where she gained a private pilot’s licence enabling her to fly for pleasure. CIVILIAN FLYING BANNED

In 1939, at the start of World War II, civilian flying was banned. So to continue flying she joined the Air Transport Auxiliary, (ATA) being posted to a pool of women flyers based in Hamble in Hampshire. Although the ATA would carry personnel, mail and medical supplies, the pilots became more famous for transporting aircraft. By 1 May 1940 the ATA transported all military aircraft from factories to maintenance units to have guns and accessories installed. On 1 August 1941 the ATA took over all ferrying tasks. This freed the much-needed pilots for combat duty.

To initially comply with the Geneva Convention, as many of the ferry pilots were nominally civilians, aircraft were ferried with guns, or other armament, unloaded. Added to this ATA pilots could not use communication equipment, as the airwaves were kept clear for the Royal Air Force. UNABLE TO FIGHT BACK

However, after encounters with German aircraft, in which the ferried aircraft were unable to fight back, RAF aircraft were ferried with guns fully armed. Mary flew over 1,000 British and American planes of 76 different types, including Harvards, Hurricanes, P-15 Mustangs, Wellington bombers and 400 Spitfires.

DELIVERING AIRCRAFT

During the war the ATA planes flew 415,000 hours delivering more than 309,000 aircraft of 147 types, including Spitfires, Hawker Hurricanes, Mosquitoes, Mustangs, Lancasters, Halifaxes, Fairey Swordfish, Fairey Barracudas and Fortresses. The average aircraft strength of the ATA training schools was 78. A total of 133,247 hours were flown by school aircraft and 6,013 conversion courses were put through. The total

Some flights were to relocate planes from Royal Air Force airfields to the front line, or to ferry new planes from factories to airfields. “When I went to collect my first Spitfire she told Forces News “the man helping me with my parachute asked, ‘how many of these have you flown before?’ I said, ‘None, this is the first one and he nearly died of shock and he fell off the aeroplane.” Even, after the war, when the ATA was disbanded, Mary Ellis was seconded to the Royal Air Force and continued to ferry aircraft. FLEW GLOSTER METEOR

She was one of the first women to fly Britain’s first jet plane, the Gloster Meteor. Later moving to the Isle of Wight, in 1950, she became the manager of Sandown Airport, becoming Europe’s first female air commandant. She managed Sandown Airport for twenty years, during which time she also founded the Isle of Wight Aero Club. In 1961 she married fellow pilot Don Ellis, and they had a house next to the runway at Sandown. Don Ellis died in 2009 In 2016, Mary published her autobiography and in 2018, she was granted the Freedom of the Isle of Wight ALWAYS KNEW SHE WOULD FLY.

“I am passionate for anything fast and furious,” she wrote in ‘A Spitfire Girl’, with Melody Foreman “I always have been since the age of three and I always knew I would fly. The day I stepped into a Spitfire was a complete joy and it was the most natural thing in the world for me.” Mary was one of the last surviving British women pilots from World War II. She also enjoyed car rallying, and continued to drive cars past 100 years.* Title - book cover Melody Foreman

ARCHITECT OF HIS TIME: COMPARABLE TO WREN? When researching this article on Sir Edwin Lutyens, right, the first thing that stood out was the wide range of his work. From country houses, churches and memorials and even his international work. It was stated that, “In his lifetime he was widely held to be our greatest architect since Wren if not, as many maintained, his superior”. But what is interesting is all his UK memorials have been upgraded and now declared a “national collection” .

There was so much variation in the design of Lutyens war memorials. They were not all grand structures, making a dramatic statement. Each one was well thought out in terms of what the memorial represented, and its function juxtaposed against its visual design. SIMPLICITY OF DESIGN

We are all familiar with the simplicity of The Cenotaph in Whitehall when compared to his design for the majestic structure of Thiepval. Both responding to their specific environment and utilisation. Perhaps his most tranquil is Spalding War Memorial at Ayscoughfee Hall, below. It consists of a brick pavilion at the head of a long reflecting pool, and incorporates a Stone of Remembrance, which one could say became his signature!

At the other end of the scale, in the UK, is the Arch of Remembrance in Victoria Park Leicester, below. Only three of Lutyens designs were based on the idea of a triumphal arch - Thiepval and the India Gate Memorial in New Dehli. The only one in Britain being in Leicester. While Thiepval is more intricate one can see the basic design relationship between this and Leicester. In terms of the number of

war memorials in the UK the charity, The War Memorials Trust, preserves and cares for 100,000

memorials. Also there are over 900 cemeteries along the Western Front from the French border with Switzerland to the North Sea. After the First World War, many commissions for the design of war memorials went to established practitioners and architects like Sir Edwin Lutyens, Sir Reginald Blomfield, and sculptors like William Reid Dick, Sir George Frampton and Albert Toft. This huge public art project, of memorials, remains a unique place in our history.

The Stone of Remembrance, on which is carved the inscription THEIR NAME LIVETH FOREVER, from Ecclesiasticus 44:14 was chosen by Lutyens, as a focal point. Its intention was to commemorate those of all faiths and those of none. As Lutyens wrote, in May 1917, to Ware, the founder and head of the Imperial War Graves Commission, “On platforms made of not less than three steps... place one great stone of fine proportion 12 feet long and finely wrot – without undue ornament and tricky and elaborate carvings – and inscribe thereon one thought in clear letters so that all men for all times may read and know the reason why these stones are placed throughout France – facing the West and facing the men who lie looking ever eastward towards the enemy”. GIVE DUE DIGNITY

Lutyens further wrote, “On platforms made of not less than 3 steps the upper and the lower steps of a width twice that of the centre step: to give due dignity: place one great stone of fine proportion 12 feet long.” The Cross of Sacrifice, designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield is the most duplicated, and has been used around the world.

Lutyens trade mark of shallow steps is reflected in the war memorial, below, in Norwich. It was one of his last eight cenotaphs in England. The result of several abandoned attempts the cenotaph design, on top of a low screen wall, from which a Stone of Remembrance protrudes.

Lutyens war memorial in York, above, commemorates the men of the North Eastern Railway. “In abiding remembrance of the 2236 men of the North Eastern Railway who gave their lives for their country in the Great War the company places this monument.” A further 551 names were added after World War II. Below is a simple memorial at Abinger, Surrey with a short armed cross high, on a tapering shaft, on a plinth of three stone square blocks mounted on a shallow circular base.

A slightly different design, but still very simple is the memorial in Lower Swell in Gloucestershire, below. It is a sculpture of a flaming, bulbous urn, on a square pedestal with a base of three shallow steps.

Philip Halling

Possibly one of the most imposing is the Australian National Memorial, to Australian military personnel killed on the Western Front during World War I. The location was chosen to commemorate the role played by Australian soldiers in the Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux. Every year on 25 April, an Anzac Day Dawn Service is conducted at the memorial by the Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Above, right, the India Gate which is a memorial to soldiers killed in a number of campaigns. Within the arch a black marble plinth was placed called the Flame of the Immortal Soldier. This has served as the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.

Originally called the Rand Regiments Memorial the triumphal arch at the Anglo-Boer War Memorial, below, is dedicated to the men of the Witwatersrand who joined as British soldiers and who had lost their lives during the Second Boer War. It is situated in 40 acres in the Sachsenwald Plantation next to the South African National Museum of Military History.

The least looking memorial, part designed by Lutyens, is the Tower Hill Merchant Marine War Memorial dedicated in 1928. A section the Merchant Seaman’s Memorial, by Sir Edward Maufe, was added in 1955.*

By Harry Mitchell - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://com mons. wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=45693265

A group of professionals and apprentices met at the Royal Hospital as part of the ‘Battlefields to Butterflies’ intergenerational workshop which is linked to the Royal Parks Guild/Royal Parks project “The Royal Parks and their role in the First World War”. The workshop is also delivering on The ‘Commemorative WWI Feature, Brompton Cemetery’ This memorial feature is being planned for installation in Brompton Cemetery and will remember all those parks, gardens, and grounds staff, including those from the Royal Parks, who lost their lives in WWI. 2,650 PENSIONERS BURIED

A series of commemorative installations will feed into the creation of the permanent memorial at Brompton Cemetery where over 2,650 Chelsea Pensioners are buried. This intergenerational workshop involved 23 apprentices from 7 organisations including The Royal Parks, The Historic Royal Palaces, the Royal Household, English Heritage, Ventnor Botanic Garden, Grosvenor Estates and the Worshipful Company of Gardeners. Working with the apprentices were 10 volunteer facilitators including Chairman of The Royal Parks Guild, Mike Fitt, landscape architect, Richard Flenley and Ron Willmore, Grounds Manager, at the Royal Hospital Chelsea hosting the day. JOINED BY CHELSEA PENSIONERS

For part of the day attendees were joined by Chelsea Pensioners who divide themselves amongst the teams and contributed to lively discussion. Initial introductions by Ron Willmore and Mike Fitt set the context for the day and explained the ambitions that this, and subsequent workshops, would contribute to the programme - including raising plants at the RHC nurseries - for Hampton Court and the Battlefield to Butterflies project

as well as for the poppy fields project at the Brompton Cemetery. Dave Ivison explained activities being undertaken through the project and how research has led on to tracing the 24 “Band of Brothers” who went from The Royal Parks to the war and did not return. This has now been commemorated in the publication “The Royal Parks in the Great War”. It has also become the inspiration for delivering the commemorative garden at the Hampton Court Flower Show and subsequently at Brompton Cemetery. Our workshop then developed sketch design/ideas for a commemorative plaque or similar feature, as well as exploring ideas for creating a meadow in the “Pensioners Plot”, in Brompton Cemetery. This has a memorial obelisk commemorating some 2,650 pensioners buried there. Working with their respective Pensioner prompters the teams explored ideas and reported back with a short presentation from each team . ENCOURAGING WORKSHOP

Overall verdict - positive and creative - some very good ideas expressed in notes, sketches, post-it notes and animated explanation. Following lunch, Ron Willmore led a walk to the RHC nursery grounds, where it is hoped future workshops can prepare and grow on plant stock with the help of the pensioners. Overall, this was a really encouraging workshop with much enthusiasm and understanding from all sides and for all participants . We are particularly grateful for the enthusiastic support and use of the facilities at the Royal Hospital. Comments by some of the apprentices are interesting. One said, “!I would just like to thank you for the wonderful opportunity to be involved in the Battlefields to Butterflies project. I think the centenary of

the end of the war is particularly significant, and hope I can make some small contribution to remembering the people involved and creating a lasting monument to them. I had never been to the Royal Chelsea Hospital before. Meeting the Chelsea Pensioners and hearing their stories was fantastic”. A Royal Parks apprentice added, ”Thank you for today, it was great! I would love to get involved with any further workshops, and to be involved with the memorial meadow”. Another Royal Parks apprentice commented, “I had a great day with like-minded individuals and have learnt a number of avenues for my future. It was also a pleasure spending the day with the pensioners who had both enthusiasm and great input to the design process”. A Historic Royal Palaces apprentice said “Thank you so much for arranging such a fantastic day yesterday! I really enjoyed being a part of the project and look forward to following its progress. It would be great to stay in touch and keep involved”. An apprentice from Grosvenor Estates just wanted to say “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to attend the Battlefield to Butterflies workshop. It was brilliant and full of insight on the First World War and the Royal Hospital. I am delighted to see that the horticulturists who fought in the First World War are being commemorated. I have taken all the ideas back to the Grosvenor landscape team who are equally as enthusiastic to create a memorial display to be sited in one of our Belgravia gardens. I also would like to add that it was an absolute privilege to meet the Chelsea pensioners who were a complete joy to meet and full of interesting information. It gave me an even greater appreciation for our ex-soldiers.*

BATTLEFIELDS

BUTTERFLIES

In 2014 a project was started to find out the role the Royal Parks played in World War 1. As an addition to discover if any of their employees had died in the conflict. My wife, Claire, and I undertook research into archived files, period newspapers and genealogy records to bring to light those events that had been forgotten, and to commemorate those who died during the war.

MASSIVE DETAIL

Almost immediately we realised that the amount of information we discovered was more than we could have imagined. Our chairman, Mike Fitt, suggested we use several methods of dissemination. First, to publish a book for members of the Guild and the parks staff. Second, to partner The Royal Parks in a Heritage Lottery Fund sponsored project to hold a series of WW1 themed events in the Royal Parks. TO COMMEMORATE

Third, to set up separate “Battlefields to Butterflies” events, led by the Guild, with several partners to commemorate the Royal Parks employees and other parks, gardens and grounds staff who died during the war. From the beginning the Royal Hospital has been an important partner with the Guild on the “Battlefields to Butterflies” project.

The theme of the project, highlights the power of nature to restore broken landscapes, such as the devastation caused by the ravages of war. This was inspired by the paintings, and writings, of Major Sir William Orpen when he described how the battlefields of the Somme quickly became covered in wild flowers and how clouds of butterflies arose when walking through the vegetation. Our “flagship” event in the project was the creation of a feature garden, made possible with the generous support of Historic Royal Palaces, at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Hampton Court Flower Show in July 2018. FLOWER MEADOW

Designed by Todd Langstaffe-Gowan, the display recreated a World War 1 trench gently rising to a pathway meandering through an undulating wild flower meadow. At the end was a stone memorial, provided with help from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, commemorating the 24 men of The Royal Parks, and other parks, gardens and grounds staff who died in the war. In planning for the garden, the Royal Hospital Chelsea provided facilities for several training events. Chelsea Pensioners joined together with apprentices, from as far away as

Gloucester and the Isle of Wight, studying horticulture, in a series of landscape design workshops. They also assisted in the erection of a vertical structure of plants on the wall in Cadogan Court as well as potting up of poppy plants in the greenhouse. Chelsea Pensioners, working with apprentices from Hampton Court, contributed further to the exhibit by producing ceramic replicas of a shell case, ammunition pouch, helmet, boot etc, as below right LARGEST PLOT

Work on the garden, was started on site at Hampton Court in mid-April by Historic Royal Palaces’ estates team on the largest plot in the show. The workforce was supplemented at the beginning of June by volunteers organised by The Royal Parks Guild. All was finished for the preview day of the show on 2nd July where the press came along to capture the event. To bring the exhibit to life for the photographers, members of the 10th Essex Living History Group wearing their World War 1 military uniforms, posed in the trench together with Chelsea Pensioners, Ray Pearson and Rick Graham, and a Yeoman Warder from the Tower of London. Afterwards the memorial stone, placed at the end

of the “journey” through the trench, was dedicated by Canon Anthony Howe, Chaplain to the Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace. On the first RHS members’ day Chelsea Pensioners visited the exhibit to walk through the trench and join pupils from Sandown Bay CofE Primary School’s Community Kids Group. They had made the trip from the Isle of Wight after being involved in a previous Battlefields to Butterflies event at Osborne House. Together they placed white crosses and planted poppies around the memorial and sang rousing wartime songs to the gathered public. Throughout the show week it is estimated that well over 25,000 people walked through the feature garden and many emerged thoughtful and emotional. FEATURED ON BBC

The exhibit featured on the BBC’s RHS Hampton Court Flower Show programme where presenter Joe Swift thought it was “beautifully done. A really immersive experience”. His colleague Arit Anderson described it as “such a touching tribute to the fallen of WWI. I really, really thought it was amazing”. Our thanks go to the Royal Hospital Chelsea for their generous help in the project. David Ivison, Vice Chairman, The Royal Parks Guild

THIS IS THE PROBLEM

It is often said we can learn from history. So it would be useful to know how the Egyptians of 3,500 years ago intended to remove and stand this obelisk vertical! Regardless of our technology and brain power we have no idea. GREAT ADVANCES?

We think that today, with our technology, we have made great advances. But have we? Not when you look at the problem above which, to the Ancient Egyptians, with the number of obelisks they had already raised, was simple. How is it we cannot achieve many of the feats of stone masons of the ancient Egyptians? This obelisk was one third larger than any previous obelisk and, if completed, would have been the worlds tallest. Called the unfinished obelisk at Aswan it possibly dates from the reign of Queen Hapshepsut â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 18th Dynasty - 1507 to 1458 BC. Still lying attached to the bedrock, from which it was carved, as the picture above shows, this granite block was intended to be

SO WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?

transported many miles and raised as a 120ft / 36m tall obelisk at a temple. It is estimated that this obelisk would easily weigh more than a 1,000 tons. Although some geologists have suggested a figure in the region of 1100 tons â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1150 tons. Unfortunately, it was never finished as, during the carving process cracks began to appear. It is still attached to the bedrock Therefore it was abandoned. ABANDONED

What a decision - how many man-hours were wasted in getting the unfinished obelisk to the state at which it was abandoned But just looking at it, and comparing its size with the people walking on it, makes one wonder about the technology the Egyptians had at their disposal. This obelisk is granite and the archaeologist say that the material round the obelisk was removed by the use of dolerite pounding balls, (dolerite a stone harder than granite). Archaeologists also claim that the obelisk would be

detached from the base bedrock by cutting a string of holes, as in the picture below, then driving in sun dried wooden wedges. These wooden wedges

would be kept wet and as they expanded would split the stone. This was a common technique, especially on sandstone. But no archaeologist has ever explained how one cuts a succession of such small deep rectangular slots with pounding balls as in the picture left!! While, today, there are cranes, able to lift several thousand tons, the major problem would be access to the project, closely followed by the slinging method to stop it breaking.*

A SIMPLE EXPLANATION OF HOW POLITICS WORK I told my son, "You will marry the girl I choose." He said, "No." I told him, "She is Bill Gates' daughter." He said, "Yes." I called Bill Gates and said, "I want your daughter to marry my son." Bill Gates said, "No." I told Bill Gates, "My son is the CEO of the world bank." Bill gates said, "Ok." I called the President of World Bank and asked him to make my son the CEO. He said, "No." I told him, "My son is Bill Gates' son-in-law." He said, "Ok." And that is exactly how politics works.

FEAR FUELS IMAGINATION IMAGINATION FUELS FEAR I was an 18 year old National Serviceman, in Malaya, in 1955, when the war with the Chinese Communist terrorists was still in progress when I was travelling, by train, from northern Malaysia to Singapore, a journey of about 24 hours. The train was full of both civilian and military personnel. On the civilian side they were mainly Chinese, Malays and Indians. On the military side there were soldiers from Britain and the Commonwealth. Gurkhas, Fijians, Australians, Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s African rifles, Northern Rhodesian rifles as well as most British regiments. TERRORIST ACTION

A delay of 24 hours had been caused by the terrorists blowing up the earlier train so we had to wait for the track to be repaired. As we passed the site where the explosion, killing several people had occurred. The debris of the train lay on both sides of the track, the noise and chat on our train subsided. It continued for some time after we passed the wrecked train. MUCH ACTIVITY

We arrived in Kuala Lumpur where there was a lot of activity with people leaving and joining the train. The 24 hr delay had incurred some expense for me and I was therefore

short of money to the extent that I had to choose between buying something to drink or buying something to eat. Heat and humidity dictated the need to drink so I was resigned to being hungry for the 12 hours to go before reaching Singapore.

SAYING THE ROSARY

ONLY SOLDIER

After a while I became aware that, since the comings and goings at Kuala Lumpur, I was the only soldier left in my carriage. I felt uncomfortable and decided to change carriages to find some friendly company. Although I searched the carriages in both directions, apart from first-class, where there were some British officers but out of bounds to a simple private, there were no other troops on the train. Returning to my original seat, which was at the end of the carriage, I felt thankful that I had my back to the carriage wall. This gave me some comfort. When I studied the faces in the carriage everyone seemed to be looking at me. Inscrutable Chinese; each one looked like a terrorist sympathiser - if not actually a terrorist.

he turned and placed the sandwiches in front of me telling me, in broken English, that the lady wanted me to have them. Naturally I thanked her profusely to which she smiled a slightly, embarrassed smile.

took the ammunition from my pouch making a great show of loading the rifle, leaving the rest of the carriage in no doubt that I would go down fighting. I felt that the atmosphere of the carriage was menacing. KEEPING AWAKE

Some time later, as I was fighting to stay awake in the heat, a Chinese steward walked through the carriage. A Chinese lady, in the seat across the aisle, said something to him in Chinese and he went away. Shortly after, he returned with a large plate of sandwiches which he placed in front of her. Shaking her head she said something to him to which

SULLEN FACES

The Malays did not look much better, their sullen faces surely indicated that they resented the British being there. Had I not read somewhere that the Indians sympathised with the Malaysians? When travelling in Malaysia, Army Standing Orders stipulated that arms must be carried, including ammunition. So I had a .303 rifle with 10 rounds of ammunition. Slowly and deliberately I

Shortly after giving me the sandwiches I noticed that she had taken out some rosary beads and was saying the rosary. I reached into my pocket and took out my own rosary beads. When she saw them her face lit up with joy. Even though she spoke no English and I spoke less Chinese there was suddenly a bond between us. Almost immediately I became aware that the atmosphere in the carriage had changed. Chat and laughter had replaced that menacing atmosphere which had disappeared. Had it had existed only in my imagination. Quietly and unobtrusively I unloaded my rifle and put the ammunition away. Sometimes, when I reflect on this incident, I say a prayer for the Chinese lady. I hope she prays for me occasionally because God knows, I surely need her prayers. I doubt she needed mine. IP John Henesy

I could see through my classroom window a framework being erected around the lower spire. Then men appeared making their way up from where the platform finished. Sometimes swinging away from the spire as on threads as the necessary repairs were carried out. LIKE SPIDERS

These workmen were like spiders running up and down their web. They formed another framework that surrounded the top. This painstaking work went on for a long time before it was completed. It must have been done well because this inspiring spire still remains soaring above its tranquil surroundings. It has a massively respectful aura as sweet as a treble voiced choir boy. In my childhood days I grew up in Salisbury and the Cathedral was, at that young age, an awesome feature rising above the roof line of all the other buildings. From my classroom window I would gaze onto this sight of the Cathedral, with its soaring spire piercing the clouds. I asked how high is this finger that points to God in his heaven? I was told it was 412 feet and was the tallest building in Europe.

Avon, was built on a raft of hazel branches placed over marshy ground. But that was not the problem. The spire was hollow and only had a wooden framework to support the stone skin which meant that the spire would sway or oscillate in windy conditions. It was an urgent situation to carry out repair work.

SPIRE CURVING OVER

However there was a problem because the top of the spire was curving over. I remember being taken into the Cathedral and there were marks on the floor that showed the centre of the spire, and other points that showed the position of the tip of the spire-the amount it was bending over. It would eventually topple down if not corrected. The interesting thing, that I learned, was this amazing building, near the river

STUNNING EXPERIENCE

I would sing at events in the Cathedral. It was a stunning experience. I marvelled at the way this buildings spoke back to me and felt my flesh tingle at the sound. I was to experience being confirmed in the Cathedral and clearly remember the event although only 11 years of age at the time. The Bishop of Salisbury led the service of confirma-

tion which is ended by the laying on of hands by the Bishop in final blessing. My mother told me that I said to her I am sure the hand of God touched me. GOTHIC BRILLIANCE

Later on in life, when I was studying to be an architect, I came to understand the brilliance of the Gothic style of this building to bring a tangible expression of how the building form can be felt and provide lift to the spirit of worship in the individual, where man is united with the power and the peace of God. Salisbury Cathedral has an established place in my heart as a place where peace can be found So, when out of the blue an approach was made by a great friend, John and his wife Tiggy, to get together four In Pensioners to take part in a British Legion event, he was organising titled the Angel and the Fallen, which was to take place in Salisbury Cathedral, I could not wait to be there! On arrival at the Cathedral it was buzzing with people. Members of the British Legion in their respective groups their resplendent flags identifying them. COLOURFUL FLAGS

The colourful flags bringing colourful light into the vastness of the space within the Cathedral. There was a quiet air of expectation within the groups. We needed to know how the four Pensioners were to fit in and make their contribution to the event. John, on the left, led us down the nave further into the Cathedral and, as we did, there was a subconscious need in me to look up. There, suspended above us, in the space over the central aisle, was this amazing sculpture of hundreds of white doves, in spiralling flight,

making twisting and turning forms as they flew towards the high altar. Wow! There could be no doubt that this spectacular display was spreading the message “we are the white doves of peace”. To me it was an instant message; peace was present in this place. We stopped in our tracks, and gazed up to take in this spectacular scene. John had to give us a nudge to move us on. Ahead of us I could see the font and, in its glass like water, the flight of doves perfectly reflected. We positioned at each end to the side of the font. FOLLOW LEGION

From this point it was intended that, when the Legion procession had passed, we would fall in following them down the aisle towards the high altar, as far as possible, then peel off left and right to our allotted front seats. It was very moving to be standing alongside this magnificent font. What a testimony to modern craftsmanship and skill. Made in a large x shape and laid to a perfect level so that the water ran out in a continuous and unbroken flow from the small corner gargoyle like features at the ends of each cross. ABSOLUTE STILLNESS

The absolute stillness of the water picked up and perfectly reflected images of its surrounds, as in the photograph below. The vaulted ceiling above, the tall stone granite columns,

radiant shafts of living colour and light projected through the stained glass windows.

WINGED WHITE DOVES

At each glance the dynamics of this scene: The winged white doves swirling flight above and people and flags mixed into the reflections. Overwhelmingly my thoughts were that if it was possible to create a visual portrayal of peace it would be the delightful fusion of this silent drama on show in this amazing place of God inspired architecture. Silence fell over the gathering as the procession quietly formed with standards raised aloft. The silence was sufficient to allow the sound of water falling from the gargoyles onto the floor by our feet. It completed, for me, that the concept of peace had settled over the congregation and opened the door for all that was to follow. SCOTS GUARDS BAND

Music commenced and the programme was underway to the sound of the Band of the Scots Guards . But it was not yet our time for action. Then the time came for parade of the standards of the Royal British Legion Wiltshire County leading the procession marching to emotional music. The standards held aloft passed us by; brilliantly colourful. The atmosphere became sombre. After the main procession had passed we were still in

Wiltshire ACF detachment

position, to attention, at the font. Then that familiar sound and we stepped off to our own “Boys the Old Brigade” and became the centre of attention. HAIRS ON THE NECK

People stood up and sang the words. Above us were the white doves. Somehow it became one of those ‘hairs standing up on the back of the neck’ moments. The ambience of the Cathedral so uplifting in providing perfect reverence to this gathering to celebrate and remember those Fallen Heroes; indeed “Angels”. At the high altar we divided left and right into our allotted seats, so well placed for us to experience every aspect of the performance. But then, in addition; a lovely surprise when we were joined by Georgie our favourite young lady… our very special legionnaire.

TOTAL SENSITIVITY

Alastair Stewart, below right, led the audience through the programme, making detailed and interesting links and comments that enhanced the aims of the programme. It was soon clear that it had been put together so sensitively in sound, word and action. Throughout the band of the Scots Guards, conducted by Major Ian Johnson, played sensitively chosen music, the elegant artist soprano Laura Wright was superb; the massed Choir’s, St John’s singers,

Salisbury Cathedral Youth and Junior Choir; all so good. The music performed so uplifting by each artist- all aspiring to give that extra something - to their performance such as Silent Night sounding so poignant in this amazing setting. But then it was all like this with the drama; the ballet performed in grace and style. Also wonderful visual display to tell, and show scenes of those Fallen Angels. MOVED TO TEARS.

I was moved to tears. How wonderfully woven together each artist aspiring to that extra something that came from the heart. I was emotionally unstable as the performance came to its end. Then the standards were raised to be processed away. Everyone marched out in quiet respect for those Fallen Angels. I took a last backward glance at the white doves of peace and inwardly reflected that, after all the good intentions, our society has yet to achieve the peace for which the ultimate sacrifice has been made by so many. IP John Denton

In retrospect, what was remarkable, was the way in which, when forensically examining the diaries,the experts missed the most obvious clue - staring them in the face. The initials FH (top row) which Kujau mistakenly used on the diary covers, instead of AH (bottom row). Both sets of initials are in Engravers Old English font.

Hitler’s Diaries, a set of sixty, were possibly the fake of the century, in that not only were they initially confirmed as authentic but the master forger/ conspirators, Konrad Kujau and Gerd Heidemann, received 9.3 million marks £2,330,000 (£7,474,634 today). It was also the bungle of the century. Both went to prison.

Then there were the signatures! The one on the left was Hitler’s. The one on the right nothing like it. A forgery! BUNGLED EXAMINATION

But that was just the beginning of what could be described as a bungled examination. For instance the forensic experts were not given an entire diary, but supplied with one page which had been removed. Then, for comparison purposes, they also provided the experts with other samples of Hitler’s writing. This just happened to be another

ARMED FORCES DAY – ORIHUELA, SPAIN

Four Chelsea Pensioners travelled to Spain to attend this event organised by the Royal British Legion (Spain, North) with a 45 minute service in the 13th Century Orihuela Cathedral. Escorted by IP’s Dennis Morgan and Arthur ‘Skippy’ Teasdale and Joe Shortall who pushed Wayne Campbell as they marched into the cathedral to the tune of’ The Boys of the Old Brigade’ played by the newly formed band of the RBL Spain. Readings and Hymns were said or

sung in Spanish and English, and a solo performance by opera singer Paul Michael received great applause. The Mayor of the City expressed his delight that the RBL were able to hold the service in such magnificent surrounds, and said how moved he had been during parts of a very moving and emotional ceremony. Following the service a reception was held for almost 200 guests in the cathedral cloisters.

Konrad Kujau forgery - a handwritten draft for a telegram: this from Heidemann’s own collection which had also been forged by Kujau. Within days further documents were provided for comparison—all Kujau forgeries. In the USA, Ordway Hilton, a forensic expert was commissioned. Not only not an expert in Nazi documentation; he could not read German! Stern’s management were so bound up in a secretive approach that they would not provide the experts with a complete diary. This could have led to a more thorough examination of wider material. The result was, from the samples provided, the experts concluded that the handwriting was genuine. Hilton subsequently reported that “there was just no question” that both documents he had were written by the same person, whom he assumed to be Hitler. SYNDICATION TO PAPERS

So Stern purchased the 35 volumes. To ensure wide readership and to maximise their returns, Stern issued a prospectus to potentially interested parties, Newsweek, Time, Paris Match and a syndicate of papers owned by Murdoch. Stern rented a large vault in a Swiss Bank and filled the space with Nazi memorabilia and various letters and manuscripts. The day prior to the press conference in Hamburg,Trevor-Roper asked questions regarding the authenticy and was accused by Stern executives of “Acting like an officer of the British Army”. At the press conference Trevor Roper challenged the authenticity of the documents. David Irving also raised questions. Kujau was released from prison in 1987 and opened a gallery in Stuttgart selling signed “forgeries” of Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró. While he prospered, he was arrested for forging driving licences; he died of cancer in 2000.*

THEN & NOW

Colonel Blood

GODFREY YOUNG PAT Mc GIRK

JIM FELLOWS

DOUGLAS ALLEN

DAVID WRIGHT

COLIN THACKERY

WALTER SWAN

PROJECT HABAKKUK THE A seemingly mad idea but it actually saw resources pumped into it. Not only that it created a new material which was plentiful and answered all the requirements. Well almost - except melting! Nevertheless the invention of a new material Pycrete by an eccentric scientist, Geoffrey Pyke created such a stir that the proposal was to build ships from it. So Canada,the USA and the UK put their heads together.

In 1942 the Battle of the Atlantic intensified as German U-boats picked off merchant ships at an alarming rate. From January 13 to February 6, Hitler’s wolfpacks sent 157,000 tonnes of Allied shipping to the bottom of the ocean; without a single loss. In October, 56 ships were sunk in the area between Greenland and Iceland. For the UK the mid-Atlantic was inaccessible to anti submarine aircraft. It was a desperate situation that called for a radical solution. In April 1942, Geoffrey Pyke, working for the British Combined Operations Headquarters, was presented with the problem of how to prevent the icing of ships in Arctic waters. NATURAL PHENOMENA

He took the problem to Max Perutz at the Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge. Pyke knew that Perutz had previously worked on the physical properties of snow. Perutz soon proposed a solution and in a footnote his memorandum noted that: “It is not only this country but the whole world which, as compared with knowledge of other natural phenomena, lacks knowledge of snow and ice. This is fortunate, for whoever gets there first may get a great advantage” At the end of September 1942, Pyke sent a 232 page memorandum to Mountbatten detailing his ideas. A memorandum in which he suggested a number of

uses for ice and for super cooled water – water that has been cooled below its freezing point while remaining liquid. Most famously, he suggested the construction of gigantic aircraft carriers from ice that were either frozen naturally or artificially. Whereas conventional aircraft carriers were restricted to relatively small, specialised aircraft, these giants could launch and land conventional fighters and bombers. AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULTS

As such, they could provide air cover for convoys in mid-Atlantic, staging posts for long flights over seas or as launch pads for amphibious assaults on France or Japan. He envisioned a giant

aircraft-carrying vessel over a mile long with a solid hull made of ice. It would feature a long landing platform along the top and central void running its length below. This empty space would be able to shelter aircraft beneath the main landing surface. LARGEST ‘MACHINE’

It was designed to be the largest ‘machine’ ever built on land or water. Its sheer size (and the ability to repair it with water) would make it effectively unsinkable — the ultimate top-secret weapon. With its surface levelled, it would serve as a landing platform. Also if it were possible to hollow it out it would be an ideal place to shelter aircraft. Somehow, Pyke managed

Section through the Habakkuk

to sell the idea to Lord Mountbatten, who was able to convince Winston Churchill who gave the go-ahead and the project was codenamed “Project Habakkuk”, a reference to a verse from the biblical book of Habakkuk: ... ..’be utterly amazed, for I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” (Habakkuk 1:5, NIV) PROTOTYPE BUILT

A 60 ft long 1,000 ton prototype was built on Patricia Lake in the Canadian Rockies with a 1 hp refrigeration system which kept the ‘ship’ cool throughout the summer months. This identified a number of problems. While the ice was brittle a

Geoffrey Nathaniel Joseph Pyke (1893 to 1948) an inventor whose clever, but unorthodox, ideas could be difficult to implement. Son of a Jewish lawyer he escaped from WWI interment in Germany.

major problem was that ice deforms under pressure and a ship of the size envisaged would sag under its own weight. DEAD IN THE WATER

At this point, due to all the problems the project was a non starter. It would have been dead in the water except for two researchers at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, New York. They discovered that adding 14 per cent sawdust to water, and freezing it, resulted in a material stronger than regular ice, and tougher than concrete. Also the addition of wood resulted in better buoyancy. Experiments showed that this new material was highly resistant to compression, chipping, and even explosives and bullets. CUT, CAST & MACHINED

Pycrete can be machined like wood and cast into shapes like metal and, when immersed in water, it forms an insulating shell of wet wood pulp on its surface protecting its interior from further melting. It also has a relatively

slow melting rate (due to low thermal conductivity), and its vastly improved strength and toughness over pure ice, actually closer to concrete, while still being able to float on water. Pykrete is slightly harder to form than concrete, as it expands while freezing, but can be repaired and maintained from the sea’s most abundant raw material. This material was named Pykrete, in honour of Pyke. SMITHFIELD MARKET

Some of the experiments on the viability of Pykrete, and its optimum composition, took place, in a refrigerated meat locker behind a protective screen of frozen animal carcasses at a secret location underneath Smithfield Meat Market in the City of London. According to commentators of the day it is said that an excited Lord Mountbatten barged into Churchill’s bathroom, when he was in the bath, and dropped a chunk of Pykrete into the tub. The two watched in amazement as the ice ‘refused’ to melt in the warm water. ENTHUSIASM

A related anecdote, involving Lord Mountbatten’s enthusiasm, occurred

Photo; Parks Canada. A diver at the remains of the experimental ice ship in Patricia Lake in the Canadian Rockies.

during the Quebec Conference in 1943. Lord Mountbatten brought two blocks, one made of ice and the other of Pykrete. Without warning, he pulled out his pistol and fired at the block of ice, shattering it to pieces. But when he fired at the Pycrete the bullet ricocheted off the block and grazed the trouser leg of Admiral Ernest King, ending up embedded in the wall. MIRACULOUS MATERIAL

A seemingly miraculous material which was exactly what Geoffrey Pyke needed for the success of Project Habakkuk. Designs and plans for construction of the aircraft carrier were rushed ahead. Its armament would have included 40 dual-barrelled 4.5” DP (dual-purpose) turrets and numerous light anti-aircraft guns. Also it would have housed an airstrip and up to 150 twin-engined bombers or fighters. ASTRONOMIC COST

Designs revealed that every Habakkuk ship, would require 300,000 tons of wood pulp, 25,000 tons of fibreboard insulation, 35,000 tons of timber and 10,000 tons of steel. The original cost was pegged at £700,000 (£31,541,166 today) But as design progressed, it became obvious that more steel reinforcement

would be required. Also more effective insulation. This meant the cost estimate soared to £2.5 million (£111,979,166 today). Steering also raised problems. A ship so massive would have limited manoeuvrability and a top speed of 6 knots, which the Navy said was too slow. But the biggest problem was raw material itself. Like steel, wood was in short supply, and building even one Habakkuk would have seriously affected paper production. Add to that the complexity of building, insulating, and refrigerating such a large structure would have required time and manpower that none of the Allies could afford. PROJECT SCRAPPED

Eventually, Project Habakkuk was scrapped. More practical steps were taken such as setting up airfields in the Azores to facilitate hunting of U-boats in the Atlantic. Also adding larger fuel tanks to British aircraft extended patrol time over the Atlantic. STILL HAS MANY USES

Nevertheless, over the years, Pycrete has had many uses. In 2014 a team used Pycrete to build the world’s largest ice dome. Used to build ice structures, and bullet resistant barriers, and yes - even bullets!!*

OLD SOLDIERS COME ACROSS MANY OLD FRIENDS IN THE TWILIGHT OF THEIR YEARS As we get older we all try to track down old friends from such associations as school , army service, long remembered holidays, or the odd adventurous escape from routine life. In our twilight years the web seems better able to recall distant associations and detail, than those of yesteryear. Having worked with an Arctic expedition way back in 1961, it was memories of activities with the people from that year that I could really remember. KEPT IN TOUCH

I had kept in touch with a lot of them over the past years, mostly by email of course. But there was always the one name that everyone always mentions, with the question “Have your ever heard anything of Clive Nicol on your travels?” The answer always was”No”. Not a single person could offer a clue as to where he had disappeared. Well one day recently, with nothing better to do, I logged on to my computer and started to search for details, or biographies of anyone with the name Clive Nicol. If you have ever tried that on Facebook you will immediately know that you get a long list of people with the similar search-name from all over the world. Nic taking Met observation reading on Devon Island

Without much hope of success I searched through the various bits of ‘bio’ that came with the name. However, the search was in vain. None seemed to be the Clive Nicol I was seeking. I gave up the search and the name disappeared from my mind for several months. Then, one day, I was searching through a list of books available on Kindle and I came across one ‘From the Roof of Africa’ by C. W. Nicol, with a small ‘bio’ about the author. It was not much to go on but it mentioned that he had worked in the Arctic for a short period and had used the money, saved from his Arctic endeavour, to travel to Japan for the purpose of studying Karate. TRIGGERED MEMORY

That last bit triggered a locked up fact of my memory and I remember seeing Nic, doing barbell exercises with the back-axle of a snowmobile, on Devon Island in the Arctic. By way of explanation, during an exercise break, he confided in me that he intended to bank all his salary so that he could travel to Japan and fund his dream to study Karate there. From then on I tried every trick in the book to try and get a surface, or email address, for the author C.W.Nicol. PROTECTED PRIVACY

But the publishers protected his privacy. In the end they gave me a surface mail address in Japan. If you compared it to an address in England, it included the house name, Town, County, Country. No surprise then to find that the letter, I sent, never reached him as I found out much later because Japa-

nese addresses were much more complicated. So once again I gave up the search and then out of the blue an email arrived and it was Nic! He had seen my photo in an overseas edition of the New York Times of me ,in scarlet, talking to Angelina Jolie. Using his influence with the paper’s local reporter he obtained my email address and, as I was to find out later, he was extremely well known throughout Japan and, in turn, knew the right people. BROUGHT UP TO DATE

In that first email Nic started to bring me up to date. He had left the Devon Island expedition in 1962 and travelled to Japan, spending most of his time sweating it out in Japanese Dojos to progress to efficiency levels in Karate. In between time he taught English to pay his living expenses. Also he found time for romance and met and married a young Japanese girl. After four or five years at Karate, he felt the urge to move on to to some other adventurous undertaking. SEMIAN GAME PARK

So in 1967 he accepted a two year contract from the Ethiopian Government to establish a National Game Reserve in the Semian Mountains, a game park area 10,000 feet above sea level with steep mountain slopes in every direction that one looked. While he had a team of game wardens to protect the animals and drive off poachers, he continually found himself being obstructed by local war-lords and politicians. So when he had completed his

contract, he questioned just how much he had achieved. While his wife was with him, for some of his stay in Ethiopia, she was not willing to extend that stay. This meant settling back to life in Japan where he filled in his time between teaching English with writing a book about his experiences in Ethiopia ‘From the Roof of Africa’. After this he wound up his affairs in Japan and moved back to Canada taking up employment with the Canadian Fisheries Research Board. WHALING SHIP

Initially this involved working on regular fish stocks and later working aboard Japanese whaling ships in Canadian waters, as a marine mammal research technician. During this period he spent time writing several books on Karate as well a historical book about whaling, based on his recent experiences, under the English title of ‘Harpoon’. It soon became apparent that his income from writing books was beginning to overtake his salary from the Fisheries Research Board. This led to his decision to return to Japan to take up permanent residence there. This produced conflict between himself and his wife. He did not like cities as a place to live permanently. She, on the other

hand, was from Kyoto and was a city girl and, no way, was she going to give up what she had and live out in woodlands of Japan. Their marriage ended. His wife opted to stay in Vancouver Canada and Nic, now aged 40 went back to Japan alone. He was very much an environmentalist and worked tirelessly to get the Japanese to restore all their vast woodland forests. SECOND WIFE

As one might expect Nic was hard at it, trying to re-establish a life in Japan. Nevertheless he made time to meet and marry Mikado his second wife, who was well known, in her own right, as an accomplished artist and composer. With his own effort and finance he created the Afan woodland restoration area and made it his home working tirelessly to restore the area to its former glory. Along the way he created the Afan Woodland Trust to help finance the project and travelled extensively throughout Japan and elsewhere lecturing on reforestation and related environmental subjects. BOOKS AND TRAVEL

Alongside all this activity he was travelling round the world filming wildlife for Japanese television and still writing books in both Japanese and English. All this activity made the name Clive Nicol extreme-

ly well known in Japan and elsewhere, so much so that Prince Charles paid a visit to the Ifan Woodland Trust and presented him with an MBE. Later the Emperor of Japan and his wife also visited the Ifan Woodland Trust and were escorted around by Nic, pointing out all that had been achieved. He was later invited to the Emperor’s Palace and shown around the gardens. In 1980 Nic won the Japanese Broadcasting Co’s prize for a play for Televison written in Japanese. In 1992 he was granted Japanese Citizenship. He is renowned in Japan as an author, singer and songwriter. Now at the age of 78 years he lives a relatively quiet life with Mikado, his wife of 38 years, at their home in the Ifan Woodland Trust. PATHS OF LIFE

Well when you follow old friends, through the tortuous paths their life has followed, and compare theirs with our own, in most cases they are all very similar. But I guess it was to be somewhat different when the path for Nic was plotted. I would never have credited that all this could have happened to the Nic I first met on Devon Island, an uninhabited land mass only 900 miles from the North Pole. IP James Fellows

An advertising man’s dream to promote his product without any financial involvement. Many used the phrase of Woodbine Willy. But who was he?

During the early part of the 1900’s Woodbine cigarettes, in their paper packages, of 5, 10 and 20’s were cheap and popular with the military and working classes. ACCEPTED PASTIME

Smoking was an accepted pastime and cigarettes were commonly used to relieve stress. It was normal to see injured soldiers given a cigarette. Therefore for Geoffrey Anketell Studdert Kennedy, an Anglican priest and Chaplain on the Western Front it was a simple way of communicating with the injured. Little did he realise that this one simple action would put his name on so many peoples lips with the nickname ‘Woodbine Willie’ for giving Woodbine cigarettes, along with spiritual solace, to injured and dying soldiers.

Born in Leeds in 1883, he was the seventh of nine children to Jeanette Anketell and William Studdert Kennedy, Vicar of St Mary’s, Quarry Hill in Leeds. He was awarded the Military Cross at Messines Ridge for running into no man’s land to rescue wounded during an attack. He also supported the British military effort and was attached to a bayonet-training service. He toured with boxers and wrestlers to give morale-boosting speeches about the usefulness of the bayonet. A CELEBRATED QUOTE

“If finding God in our churches leads to us losing Him in our factories, then better we tear down those churches for God must hate the sight of them”. Below is one of his many poems*

WOODBINE WILLY

by Geoffrey Kennedy They gave me this name like their nature, Compacted of laughter and tears, A sweet that was born of the bitter, A joke that was torn from the years Of their travail and torture, Christ’s fools, Atoning my sins with their blood, Who grinned in their agony sharing The glorious madness of God. Their name! Let me hear it -- the symbol Of unpaid -- unpayable debt, For the men to whom I owed God’s Peace, I put off with a cigarette.

THE CASE WHICH ENDED FLOGGING In the Summer of 1846, 27 year old 689 John White, a Private in the 7th Queens Own Hussars, based at Hounslow Barracks, was found guilty of striking his Sergeant with a metal bar, during a drunken fight. This was a time when it was felt that the maintenance of discipline was the threat of the cat-o’-ninetails. Men were routinely flogged with 500, 800, and 1,000 lashes was not uncommon with some dying under this punishment. FLOGGING - 150 LASHES

At a drumhead court-martial on June 15th 1846 he was sentenced to a flogging of 150 lashes. This was undertaken by the strongest men; the regimental farriers, in the presence of 300 soldiers, their Commanding Officer, Colonel Whyte and the surgeon Dr James Warren. White was stripped to the waist and tied to a ladder rather than the usual triangle of halberds. The farriers, began the flogging in relays of 25 lashes each. SIMILAR PUNISHMENT

After John White had been taken down Colonel Whyte addressed the regiment, calling White ‘a brutish fellow’. He threatening similar punishment ‘on every occasion that reports of insubordination were made’. White was taken to the hospital, and he was treated, discharged and went back on duty on 6th July. He later complained of a pain around his heart, in his back and shoulder blade. Dr Warren did all that he could but paralysis of the lower extremities was discovered and the unfortunate White died on July 11th. His death certificate stated

that he had died from natural causes. An application for burial was made to Rev Henry Trimmer, the Vicar of Heston, to bury White in Heston churchyard. CARTRIDGES REMOVED

White’s death so enraged his comrades that their cartridges were taken away in case they resorted to violence against their officers. Rev Trimmer was dissatisfied with the statement on the death certificate and refused to issue a burial order until an inquest had been held. Having completely exonerated the regimental doctor, and even had some twelve square inches of skin taken from White’s back, to remove evidence of the flogging, this was the last thing that the War Office wanted. OPPONENT OF FLOGGING

The local coroner, the redoubtable Thomas Wakley, a firm opponent of military flogging, was not going to be deterred by the War Office protestation. The inquest was opened in August 1846 at the George IV Inn in Hounslow. Wakley immediately made an order for the exhumation of the body. Such was the interest that The Illustrated London News of July 25, 1846 carried an article headed

“The alleged death of a soldier from flogging, at Hounslow.” It read “On Wednesday morning the body was exhumed, pursuant to the coroner’s warrant, and examined by Mr. Horatio G. Day, of Isleworth, and Mr. Erasmus Wilson, lecturer on Anatomy at University College, who had been appointed by Mr. Wakley to make the examination in conjunction with Mr. Day.

WAR OFFICE OPPOSED

The War Office was strenuously opposed and, to prevent Wakley proceeding, they sent two military surgeons to Heston to obstruct the Court’s officers. Wakley, who had foreseen the possibility of this happening, banned them from the churchyard and, following the post-mortem the Hounslow jury, instructed by Wakley, brought in the verdict that Private White had died ‘from the mortal effects of a severe and cruel flogging of 150 lashes’! They also added this rider. ’In returning this verdict the jury cannot refrain from expressing their horror and disgust at the existence of any law among the statutes or the regulations of this realm which permits the revolting punishment of flogging to be inflicted upon British soldiers; and at the same time the jury implore every man in this Kingdom to give hand and heart in forwarding petitions to the legislature, praying in the most urgent terms for the abolition of every law, order and regulation which permits the disgraceful practice of flogging to remain one moment longer a slur upon the humanity and fair name of the people of this country’. Encouraged by a series of letters in ‘The Times’, detailing many similar and often fatal lashings, in bar-

racks, penal colonies and aboard ships, the public swiftly responded.

END OF FLOGGING

A petition demanding the end of flogging was presented to the House of Lords on August 14th 1846 obliging the government to devote a whole day’s debate to the subject of military floggings. As a concession, following the advice of the Duke of Wellington, the War Office altered its regulations, making 50 lashes the maximum punishment, to soothe public opinion.. Further attempts to abolish flogging in the Army were unsuccessfully made in 1876 and 1877. But in 1879 flogging was reduced by the Army Discipline Act and rendered commutable to imprisonment. While the total abolition of this form of punishment in the Army did not take place until 1881 it was only officially abolished in the Navy in 1939! After the inquest in Hounslow 689 Private Frederick John White was re-interred under the trees in Heston churchyard underneath a stone, paid for by the officers and men of the Queens Own 7th Hussars, it says... FITTING EPITAPH

‘This stone is erected by his comrades as a testimony of their sympathy for his fate and their respect for his memory’. Such was the anger and directed towards Colonel Whytethat that he was unable to go outside the barracks. He was eventually moved to command a native cavalry regiment in India. Private White however, will always be remembered as the man whose cruel death resulted in the eventual abolition of a merciless law. Les Morgan

DAVID THE AIRLINE PILOT David, who has been at the Royal Hospital for almost 12 years, is an unusual In Pensioner as he is presently the only exArmy Air Corps pilot. In in the RHC. In all this time no one has realised that he has a very interesting story to tell, until now that is.

Joining the Royal Armoured Corps as a boy soldier in 1952 David’s trade qualifications were as a signaller/gunner/driver of Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFV). DEPLOYED MALAYA

His first posting in 1955 was to the 15/19 Hussars being deployed to Malaya and then returning to Middle Wallop in 1958.

This was followed by a posting to Bengazi in Libya, then onto Nicosia in Cyprus, as part of the UN Peace Keeping Force. In 1960 he returned to Middle Wallop and transferred into the Army Air Corps (AAC) joining 6 Flight AAC. Promoted to sergeant in

1960/61 he successfully trained as a pilot flying Beaver and Auster aircraft on general liaison flights. DISILLUSIONED

he received the necessary 3 month training to gain his Civil Aviation Authority certification at Oxford Air Training School. Now as a fully fledged pilot his first flight was a DC4, which was similar to a Dakota. After a further 3 years he qualified to fly Viscount aircraft and flew passengers all over Europe. FLEW EXECUTIVE JETS

He also flew Vanguard, DC9 jet aircraft and Executive jets all over the World, even as far as Australia. In all he flew over 16 different types of aircraft. He maintains that the only difference between prop and jet aircraft was that you had to think a bit quicker. I think the reader will agree that David has had an interesting, unusual and varied life. It was a pleasure to interview this modest gentleman. IP David Jackson,

But by 1967 however, he became somewhat disillusioned with the lack of promotion and decided to take his flying skills into the civilian market. David was given permission to fly to various airfields looking for work, and finally ended up at Manston in Kent, where

An incident he remembers was a Beaver aircraft crash landed by an Army pilot, with damage only to the tyres. An RAF helicopter was tasked to airlift the aircraft for repair however it flew too fast causing the suspended Beaver to sway dangerously. So it was dropped resulting in the Beaver being completely destroyed - right - Blue jobs!!

interviewed by IP John Gallagher

SO GOD SENT ME

One day the college professor shocked the class when he came in. He looked to the ceiling and stated, “God, if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform... I’ll give you exactly 5 minutes.” The lecture room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop. Four minutes went by and the professor proclaimed, “Here I am God, I’m still waiting.” It got down to the last couple of seconds when a veteran, who had just got home from Afghanistan, got out of his chair, went up to the professor, and cold-cocked him; knocking him off the platform. The professor was out cold. The veteran went back to his seat and sat there, in silence. The other students were shocked and stunned. . The professor eventually came to, noticeably shaken, looked at the soldier and asked, “What in the world is the matter with you? Why did you do that?” The soldier calmly replied, “God was too busy today protecting our soldiers who are currently protecting your right to say stupid stuff and act like an idiot. So He sent me.”*

POWER OF A SIMPLE WOODEN CROSS It was a simple wooden cross in memory of an unknown soldier that prompted Reverend David Railton, a Captain, who had served on the Western Front as a Minister to the soldiers stationed there, that gave him the idea for a memorial to the dead of World War One. One evening during the war he had just returned from conducting a service for a fallen friend in France when he passed a small garden in the corner of which was a grave marked by a makeshift cross. It bore the sad words: “An Unknown British Soldier Of The Black Watch.”

CONTACTED THE KING

MOVED BY WORDS

Those words moved him deeply and he later wrote: “How that grave caused me to think. But who was he and who were his parents? “What can I do to ease the pain of father, mother, brother, sister, sweetheart, wife and friend?” SPECIAL RECOGNITION Quietly and gradually the idea Simultaneously, at a similar ceremony a came to him ‘Let this body – French unknown soldier was interred at the Arc this symbol of him – be carried de Triomphe, making both graves the first to honreverently over the sea to his our the unknown dead of the First World War. native land’.” BRITISH COMMEMORATION

Rev. Railton believed that, even if there was a procedure in place to commemorate all the dead, known or not, in war graves in France and Belgium, it was only right and proper that those, who had no known grave, should be commemorated in Britain, As far as he was concerned families had the right to have a place to grieve, on home soil, and that it was beholden on the government of the time to have a place in Britain itself where people could come to pay their respects. He was also aware that many families of the dead had financial issues to contend with and, that a visit to a war grave in France or Belgium was beyond the means of many.

However, a commemorative visit to London was more of a possibility. At the end of the War he wrote to the Commander of the British forces, Sir Douglas Haig, suggesting that an anonymous soldier be buried in the Abbey. It would, he said,be a symbol and bring some solace to those in grief with no grave to visit.

In October 1921, the unknown warrior was awarded the United States' Medal of Honor. It hangs on a pillar close to the tomb. In November 1921, the American Unknown Soldier was reciprocally awarded the Victoria Cross. When Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon married King George VI she laid her bouquet at the Tomb in tribute to her brother Fergus who had died at the Battle of Loos in 1915. Every since Royal brides have their bouquets laid on the tomb. Before she died in 2002, The Queen Mother (the same Elizabeth who first laid her wedding bouquet at the tomb) expressed the wish for her wreath to be placed on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. Her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, laid the wreath the day after the funeral. 1,000 war widows and mothers of fallen men attended the service at Westminster Abbey and the aisle was lined by 100 VC recipients.

Although he received no reply but encouraged by his wife, Railton then contacted Rt Rev Herbert Ryle Dean of Westminster, who was so enthusiastic about the idea that he contacted George V, the King and the prime minister David Lloyd George. Rev Railton, now back in charge of a parish, had suggested that the grave in the Abbey be called “The Tomb of the Unknown Comrade”. But with the Russian Revolution of 1917 being very recent history and the term “comrade” was considered too Bolshevik so it became Unknown Warrior. On November 8th, the coffin started its journey to London and at Boulogne, it was placed inside another coffin made of oak from Hampton Court. This oak coffin bore a plate that read: “A British Warrior who fell in the Great War 1914-1918 for King and Country”. A Crusaders sword from George V’s private collection was fixed on the top. IN THE CAVELL VAN

HMS Verdun then transported the coffin to Dover from where it was taken to Victoria Station by train. It was conveyed in what has become known as the Cavell Van. So named as it was a prototype luggage van used to convey the body of Nurse Edith Cavell. It resides at Bodiam Station. By the end of November 11 nearly a quarter of a million people had filed past the tomb. The King noted in his diary: “Got home at 12. Everything was most beautifully arranged and carried out. The Unknown Warrior had come home”.*

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM In 1920 the battlefields in France and Flanders were still littered with the graves of those buried where they had fallen. Thousands more had no grave – their bodies long since lost in the mud. War cemeteries were being established and the long, slow task of collecting the war dead from their makeshift graves for proper burial alongside their comrades was proceeding steadily. The arrangements for the selection of The Unknown Warrior were carried out under the command of Brigadier General L J Wyatt, the GOC Commanding troops in France and Flanders in 1920 and the director of the War Graves Commission. Because conflicting accounts of how it was done had been circulating, in November 1939 Brigadier Wyatt revealed what had happened in a letter to the Daily Telegraph. He wrote that on the 7th November 1920, he had given orders for four bodies to be exhumed from each of the four battle areas: The Aisne; The Somme; Arras and Ypres. Those tasked with bringing in the bodies had to choose one from a grave marked ‘Unknown British Soldier’ They also had to make sure that the soldier had died during the

early years of the war, to ensure it could not be recognised, and had to be wearing a British uniform. Each body of the 4 bodies were exhumed and taken to the Chapel at St Pol in northern France. Brigadier Wyatt wrote in his letter, ‘reporting to my HQ office at St Pol, at midnight on the 7th November, Colonel Gell, one of my staff, announced that the bodies were in the chapel, and the men who had brought them had gone. With Colonel Gell I entered the chapel: The four bodies lay on stretchers, each covered with a Union Jack. In front of the altar was the shell of a coffin which had been sent from England to receive the remains. I selected one of the bodies and with the assistance of Colonel Gell placed it in the shell and immediately screwed down the lid. The other bodies were removed and reburied in the military cemetery outside my Headquarters at St Pol.’ He continued ‘I had no idea even of the area from which the body I selected had come, and no one else could have known it’. Thus, an ordinary soldier was chosen for burial among the greatest in the land. Author & copyright:

James Wilkinson for Westminster Abbey.

Reprised for ‘Armistice Centenary’ by David Griffin: Royal Hospital Chelsea

Coffin in the centre contains the body of the Unknown Warrior prior to interment in Westminster Abbey.*

THE CAVELL VAN A SPECIAL PIECE OF RAILWAY HISTORY It was one of those unplanned, out of the blue, situations which lead to four pensioners, as below, standing in the Cavell Van, at an exhibition in Folkstone, around a replica of the coffin of the Unknown Warrior, which was interred in Westminster Abbey on 11 November 1920. Pam Keeling had seen the picture, on the front cover, which had been reproduced in the Daily Mail. Her detective work resulted in Pam Keeling and Ann Berry, the Mayor of Folkstone, visiting the Royal Hospital and eventually led to the same four pensioners being invited to Folkstone and visiting the Step Short Charity. FAMOUS ICON

The now historic Cavell Van, became a famous icon when, in 1919, it was used for the transport of the body of Edith Cavell from Folkstone to London.

It was designed by Richard Maunsell, and built to Diagram 960, by the South Eastern and Chatham Railway at Ashford Works in 1919. Van 132 was a pro-

totype parcels and miscellaneous van. NURSE EDITH CAVELL

Nurse Edith Cavell who was born in Swardeston, Norfolk in 1865 became involved in undercover resistance playing an important part in organising the escape network, especially after early 1915, when the Germans took over the Saint-Gilles hospital and

brought in their own nursing staff. During 1914–15, she helped over 200 allied POWs escape before being arrested and subsequently executed. Her body was repatriated from Belgium for a service in Westminster Abbey and interment in Norwich Cathedral. CHARLES FRYATT

Born in Southampton, in 1872 Charles Fryatt was a merchant seaman who commanded the SS Brussels and was ordered to stop by U-33. Instead Fryatt attempted to ram U-33, which crash dived.

Several months later Fryatt’s ship was captured by the Germans and Fryatt was Court Martialled and executed. His body was repatriated in July 1919, to his funeral at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London.

TRANSPORTING THE KNOWN WARRIOR

On the morning of 10 November 1920, the coffin of the Unknown Warrior was covered with a soiled and torn Union Jack, used by an Army chaplain, and escorted through the streets of Boulogne, by French troops, as above. It was then transported to Folkstone aboard the destroyer H.M.S. “Verdun” which set off to a nineteen-gun salute. Following transport, in the Cavell Van, the coffin was brought into Westminster Abbey, to be laid with all reverence in the traditional resting place of kings. Over 40,000 people visited to pay their respects on the first day. In the days that followed, up to November 25th over 1.5 million would make the pilgrimage to Westminster Abbey and the tomb of the Unknown Warrior*

STEP SHORT REMEMBERS

While many, who were transported by ship to The charity took its name, Short Step, from the orFrance in WW1 will refer to the white cliffs of Dover ders always issued when men were marching down as their last sight of England, over 10 million Slope Road , now renamed the Road of embarked Remembrance which leads down to the from The Mole in Folkstone. On the other Mole and the harbour. At the out side many also arrived in Folkstone break of war the Southampton as refugees. If one disregards the to Le Havre crossing was used. preparatory time since Folkstone’s But this longer crossing expoShort Step Charity was launchsed the ships to greater ed in 2014 and one of the most potential attack. Therevisible references is the Arch fore, as the Folkstone at the top of the road of Re crossing time was membrance, unveiled by shorter, it was decidPrince Harry in August ed to use Folkstone. 2014, they achieved and Slope Road , leading created a lasting legacy, to the harbour has in such a short time. been renamed the Part of this legacy is Road of Rememthe Mole cafe set up brance. Cleared by sisters, Margaret by volunteers and Flora Jeffrey it has been rewhere many of the planted with thousands in unirosemary in form were given memory of a free cup of tea the many and cake. soldiers One interestwho ining legacy is nocently the 43,500 marched signatures, down it , in 8 books, some of those never to passing return, through. To fight Military in the leaders, War to Prime end all Ministers Wars.* and politicians. Standing over a central stone compass, seaside town into a hive After the which features the names of many the counof activity to support the war the tries from which the troops came, the arch is British war machine. sisters were awarded the made of duplex stainless steel. Standing an It is claimed that noOBE, the French medal of imposing 46 ft high, it has a span of 39 ft and where was the eviGratitude and the Belgian weighs nearly 19 tons. The inner surface feadence of the great soQueen Elisabeth Medal. tures 100 Cubic Zirconias backlit with LED’s. cial change in the role OUTDOOR CLASS ROOM Each one represents 100.000 soldiers and of women more evident The arch, and the area others who passed through Folkstone. than in Folkstone. around it has been conceived as an ‘outdoor class- recruitment centre for many of those soldiers WOMEN VOLUNTEERS Local women volunroom’ to help visitors and those wishing to join the sailed from Folkstone. teered to help the war Perhaps the most unexschool children understand Belgian Army. effort, especially in FIRST CONTINGENT pected were the Chinese Folkstone’s contribution in the hospitals, as the The first contingent of recruited into the ChiWorld War One. wounded were repatriCanadians set sail for nese Labour Corps. Folkstone was also a destiny point for refugees with Britain in 1914 and even- All this activity saw ated while the Women’s tens of thousands of Bel- tually went to France via Folkstone’s population Army Auxiliary Corps double during the peri- prepared the 7,000 gians arriving soon after Folkstone. Following America’s enod of the war turning the WAACS for overseas war was declared. This try into the war in 1917 town from a well-to-do service.* made Folkestone a key

REMEMBERING FOLKSTONE’S ROLE IN WARTIME HISTORY It is very difficult to know what may that it was the church of the Rev Da-

happen when you put on your scarlet. As a result of an early morning photo shoot, by Westminster Abbey’s Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in which four pensioners appeared in a national newspaper we finished up in Folkstone. The picture was seen by Mrs Ann Berry, the Mayor of Folkstone, which resulted in her friend Pam Keeling contacting IP Ray Pearson. Following a visit to the Royal Hospital where, over lunch and coffee, the Mayor explained about the Charity Step Short, and the commemoration of Folkestone’s role in World War I. It was agreed that the four IP’s in the photograph, Dave Griffin, Fred Rooke, John Denton and Ray Pearson, would accept the Mayors invitation to visit Folkstone. WARTIME ROLE

None of us had given much thought in relation to Folkstone’s role in the movement of troops and people. Probably even less when it came to the background of the Unknown Warrior. We arrived at Pam’s house and over a welcome cup of tea and cake the days programme was outlined. The first item was to visit the Step Short Arch on Leas cliff top location where an area of garden, with immaculate flowerbed borders, had been designed to include seats of remembrance. Among the homeless, seated there were several service veterans. A peculiar metaphor in the circumstances, on a day with a teasing chill factor ST MARY AND ST EANSWYTHE.

Leaving the Leas we visited the church of St Mary and St Eanswythe. A wonderful building dating back to a Christian community in 630 A.D. This means that the current church shows many developments of architectural style. Also it may well have been the last place that many servicemen visited before embarking to France. But of greater significance was

vid Railton who was the inspiration behind the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. An idea which came to him when, in France, and seeing first hand the suffering and degradation of death on the battlefield. The church had a feeling of peace which seemed to be built into the very stones of the building. This must have been such a blessing to those veterans in that great War period before walking into the unknown!! We walked into the town centre with its narrow streets, and steep inclines, lined with shops of character.. The sort of place we all could recall from childhood holidays. The Mayor then led us to the Town Hall to show us a display about Walter Toll the first mixed heritage commissioned officer in a British Army infantry Regiment. He served with distinction and was recommended to receive a military Cross. There was also an exhibition showing the early involvement of nursing in

Basket, a new restaurant she had opened. It can be imagined that this came as a hardship!! We were made so welcome by the owner and staff and a healthy banter developed with the Mayor leading the fun. Driving down the Road of Remem-

brance it was easy to gauge the steep angle of the road slope and, hence, the command to marching men to “Step Short”. A perfect command from which the Charity took its name. Arriving on the quay gave us a close encounter with the sea and views of the harbour. It was a short stroll to the Cavell Van that had transported the coffin of the Unknown Warrior to Westminster Abbey. It looked very utility but, in its time, it was a prototype for better things. The interior was laid out, with a replica coffin and barrels of French soiul. What a fitting conclusion to Reverend Railton’s inspiration to honour the dead. FAMOUS MOLE CAFE

the military and how this developed both in France and at home following the repatriation of seriously injured men. It was easy to see how medical treatment for today’s injured servicemen has been transformed when one reflects on how many military personnel there are with multiple amputations Now all given a chance to regain a good life style.

STEP SHORT CHARITY

We were then invited into the Mayor’s Parlour to learn more about the Mayor’s involvement with the Step Short Charity project and how us pensioners, being in Folkstone, made a fitting closure to it. Since its inception 10 years ago thousands of hours of voluntary work had been contributed by small community groups. The Mayor then announced that we were to be lunched at the Fish

From the van we were taken by cycle rickshaw to the famous mole cafe where many thousands of service personnel had waited out time before being shipped over to France, were comforted by a warm ‘cuppa’ a piece of cake and a friendly smile. The cafe is built against a sea wall, on one side, and a glass conservatory construction facing the harbour open sea and the headland beyond. Ever busy Ann and Pam were amongst it all. Serving tea and cakes, introducing us to other volunteers, and involving us with the public. It is impossible to remember all who one meets on such an occasion but the warmth and genuine hospitality is not forgotten. We would like to say thank you Ann and Pam for looking us up and coming to visit us at the Royal Hospital. That you prepared such a great visit to Folkstone full of interest and humour and not forgetting the spanking cod and chips, and tea in the café. If we helped your cause, for us, that is a bonus. IP John Denton

A CEREMONY NO WORDS CAN DESCRIBE

Escorted by Captain of Invalids, Captain Ross Martin, nine Chelsea In Pensioners had the privilege of attending Garter Day 2018. I felt that it was an honour to attend this wonderful ceremony, especially as this was the first time. For me no words can fully describe the marvellous colour and pageantry of the occasion.

our those who have held public office, who have contributed in a particular way to national life or who have served the Sovereign personally. These have included Marshal of the RAF, Lord Stirrup, and former Prime Ministers Sir John Major and Sir Winston Churchill.

MEDIEVAL TIMES

Dating back to medieval times, when King Edward III was so inspired by tales of King Arthur and the chivalry of the Knights of the Round Table, he set up his own group of honourable knights, called the Order of the Garter. Now, nearly 700 years later, the Order is the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain. The Knights, now both male and female, the latter admitted as full members in 1987, used to be limited to aristocracy, but today they are chosen from a variety of backgrounds, in recognition of their public service Patron saint of the Order is St George (patron saint of soldiers and also of England). All appointments to the Order, are announced on St George's Day (23 April).

The Order of the Garter is regarded as the most prestigious British order of chivalry; though in precedence inferior to the military Victoria Cross and George Cross, in England and the United Kingdom. It is dedicated to the image and arms of Saint George, England’s patron saint.

ORIGIN OF THE ORDER.

Queen, who is Sovereign of the Garter, several senior Members of the Royal Family, and twenty-four knights chosen in recognition of their work. Knights of the Garter are chosen personally by the Sovereign to hon-

SPIRITUAL HOME

The spiritual home of the Order is St George's Chapel, Windsor. Every knight is required to display a banner of his arms in the Chapel, together with a helmet, crest and sword including an enamelled stallplate. These 'achievements' are taken down on the knight's death and the insignia is returned to the Sovereign. Only the stallplate remains as a memorial and these now form one of the finest collections of heraldry in the world. Today, the Order includes the

Various legends abound for the origin of the Order. The most popular involves the “Countess of Salisbury”, whose garter is said to have slipped from her leg while she was dancing at a court ball at Calais. When the surrounding courtiers sniggered, the king picked up the garter and returned it to her, exclaiming, “Honi soit qui mal y pense!” (“Shame on him who thinks ill of it!”). That phrase has become the motto of the Order. IP Steve Lovelock

CONQUEST OF THE BLUE NILE

Much has been said about the expedition ‘Conquest of the Blue Nile’, which took place some 50 years ago, and was lead by Lt Col. John Blashford Snell. Royal Engineers in the form of books, film and television. As part of a team of 70, all experts in their own field, I was in the engineer support group of 12 sappers, all selected for their various skills. Our unit, 50 Field Sqn RE, had just returned from a one year tour on the Dala road in Aden. We took up residence at Invicta Barracks, Maidstone where the Squadron was busy, on courses, with promotions and leave. As a Staff Sgt I took on what was left to Chatendean as Support Squadron. CELEBRATIONS

Our SSM was Alec Murray, who took up his WO1 appointment as RSM, RSME. and we all returned to the Sgt Mess at Maidstone to celebrate. At dinner I was seated opposite a diner who re-

lated that a young officer had used his office to interview candidates for an expedition to Ethiopia and he had decided to sign up. He then said “and I Volunteered YOU”. I said “You must be joking” and promptly forgot all about it. RESEARCHING ETHIOPIA

Though I must admit that I became curious to know more about Ethiopia. So I did a bit of research and soon realised I knew very little about it apart from it is in Africa and that the Great Abbai is fed from a vast catchment area in the highlands of Ethiopia. Collecting in Lake Tana they cascade over the Tissisat falls (photo above) into a number of deep gorges and white water rapids. It then joins the White Nile at Khartoum and becomes the river Nile as we know it, providing a big percentage of the water coursing through Egypt to the sea. As Addis Ababa, the cap-

ital, was our entry point,I spent some time collecting equipment via customs and soon realised how much money talks in Africa. The only road north out of Addis crossed the Nile via the Shafartak Bridge over a deep spectacular gorge to our base camp at Dedra Marcos. This was ideally situated to support both groups on the assault on the lower and upper reaches of the Great Abbai with the aim of being the only successful expedition to navigate all of the Great Abbai. This we achieved on the 24th September 1968. UPPER REACHES

Our white water team negotiated the upper reaches from lake Tana to the start point the Shafartak Bridge from where the assault craft team handled the lower reaches. One morning at breakfast, some months later, after exercising night building heavy girder bridging at Wyke Regis, I found my place dominated by the Squadron flag with a note from the CC with my posting order. An appointment as a PSI at Glasgow and Strathclyde Universities OTC and my WO2 Appointment. NOT TOO PLEASED

I had been hopeful for a Fld Sqn after 4 years with 50 so I was not too pleased. Especially as RE Records saved the university posting until I returned from Ethiopia. So here we are, no glory, just supporting roll work. A/QM, MTO,Chief Mechanic and general dogs body to the Blue Nile Expedition, I suppose someone had to do it and I did it as well as anyone could. Nevertheless my moment of glory came with the formation of J group. An assault boat powered by 40 hp outboards and

armed with heavy weapons and supplies. With a crew of four the purpose was to provide some protection against crocodiles and armed bandits, who attacked the party twice. LIGHTLY ARMED

Lightly armed, we were using inflatable’s and travelling down stream from the upper reaches of the Great Abbi, the local name for the Blue Nile. It was here the inflatable group lost a member of its team by drowning (my friend Ian Macleod. SAS.) He was one of the most popular and outstanding members of the expedition and his death was deeply felt by everyone. I was nominated by John to visit Ian’s family offering the teams condolences on my arrival back in Glasgow. J Group launched at the Shaferak bridge and moved rapidly up stream with the commander, Capt John Wilsey, urging more speed. This resulted in blowing one cylinder and the loss of one outboard airdrop which had to be resupplied with another by helicopter. We finally met on the third day, and while happy that our work was almost done, we were saddened by the loss of Ian With a couple of days to reorganise, carry out repairs and do a little crocodile shooting we were ready to cruise back down stream to Shaferak. FLAGS FLYING

With John Blashford Snell aboard his flagship, and the flags of Ethiopia and Britain flying, the assault boat, like a mother hen, shepherded the inflatable’s to the finish thus completing the only complete navigation of the Blue Nine on the 24th September 1968 A small group greeted us, the Beaver aircraft, flew low and the alcohol

flowed. An American lady was overheard to say to her husband “Did those guys come all the way in those little boats, they must be mad”! Her husband replied “No dear, they are not mad they, are British”. HAILE SELASSIE

On completion of the expedition members were received by His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I (above). John Blashford Snell went on to form the Scientific Exploration Society which is still very active. Alex Murray WO 1 RE was admitted as a Chelsea In Pensioner on 12 Dec. 2011 and died on 30th Oct.

2016. RIP Alex. DARIEN GAP.

When I returned to the UK I took up my appointment at the Glasgow and Stratclyde Universities OTC as a WO2 representing the Royal Engineers and was proud to do so for three years, My next appointment was SSM 35 Engineer Park Long Marsdon when I was approached to take part in the next great adventure, The British Trans-America Expedition to the Darien Gap.

Society where the overall story will be retold in graphic detail. This is my account of my

50TH ANNIVERSARY

On October 2nd 2018 the Blue Nile Expedition celebrates its 50th anniversary at the Royal Geographical

part, no light shade swinging or tall stories just honest facts of “I was there”. IP David Wright

FRANK’S IMPRESSIVE BIG BANG On the 23rd February 1949 I was posted to No 10 Bomb Disposal Squadron RE. My duties were varied to say the least: To inspect and maintain all the mechanical equipment held in readiness for use on unexploded bomb sites and, with the assistance of another sapper, to open the canteen and store selling cigarettes, chocolate and sundry items to our troops and German ex-POWs who had not wanted to be repatriated. I also had to man the Company telephone exchange evenings and weekends for emergency calls from the Police relating to any unexploded items or similar. OFFICER UNAVAILABLE

One Sunday morning in June 1949, such an occasion occurred. I tried to inform the duty officer, but he was unavailable, so I made the decision to inspect the problem for myself. I was met and escorted to Brighton beach – a duty driver and vehicle were always available for such incidents. On arrival, I was met at the beach from where I was able to discern, from a distance, that the object was an ‘Anti Floating Mine Paravane’. This was a torpedo shaped hollow shell, towed, on steel hawsers of some 200 yards in length, by a motor torpedo boat to drag a mine to the surface to be safely detonated by rifle fire. Although the local police had attempted to clear spectators from the area, as they were holiday makers, they were more interested in what was happening and had proved difficult to move.

Returning to the police inspector I overheard my driver saying ‘That man down there is putting his life on the line for you, nobody will insure him and his widow will only get a small pension. So come on dig deep’ as he was walking amongst the crowd shaking his beret for donations. I asked the inspector to warn the crowd to cover their ears when they saw me do so. Then I went back to the paravane, waited until I had complete silence, and lit the fuse. As I knew that the fuse burnt at one foot a minute, I slowly walked back up the beach and after 2 minutes covered my ears and dropped to my knees. The ‘bang’ was impressive with some flying shingle, which fell short of any spectators. Everyone applauded my efforts for which I took a deep bow. Thanking us the inspector remarked that he was in the wrong job as nothing exciting ever happened to him. I did not offer to swap. SAPPER ‘SLASH’ HAWKINS

My driver, on this occasion, was a national service man, Sapper ‘slash’ Hawkins. He had a scar running down the full length of his left cheek apparently earned in a gang fight. His home was at the ‘Angel’, Islington and he was a barrow boy by

MEMORY TO TAKE HOME

I told the police inspector present that I intended to render the paravane safe and to give the onlookers a memory to take home. While this would be impressive it was entirely unnecessary! I collected a gun cotton swab, primer and 3 feet of safety fuse. I walked down the shingle beach and prepared the charge, ensuring the explosion would face towards the sea and no one would thus be harmed, except from the noise.

trade selling crockery and ‘acquired items in local street markets. Having the gift of the gab he was always good company and he had the patter ‘I ain’t ‘ere to be laughed at, or ‘coffed’ at, or thrown dog dirt at, I’m ‘ere to flog you this small item! Nah come on! Git your ‘ands aht of your pockets or ‘and’ bags! CANARY AND ROBIN

Shortly after returning from leave on Waterloo station he was stopped by the Military Police. They asked why he was wearing yellow socks, he replied ‘I’m a ‘effing canary! Wot are you a robin?’ MPs were always disliked and known as ‘red caps’ as their caps had a red crown. As they say ‘his feet did not touch the ground’ and he was escorted back to barracks and charged. He was awarded 56 days in the military prison at Shepton Mallet in Somerset. I had to escort him there and his last words to me were ‘I shall be out of here before the week is out’. He was, and I do believe they never did find him. IP Frank Mouque

MILITARY PROVERBS

The best armour is staying out of gun-shot. -Italian proverb When you are the anvil, be patient. When you are the hammer, strike.” – Arabian Proverb “The enemy is but weeds to be moved” – Aztec Proverb “Tomorrow’s battle is won during today’s practice.” – Samurai maxim

MEET THE TEAM

CHELSEA PENSIONERS CLUB

The Chelsea Pensioners Club (CPC) is popular with all Pensioners and staff. Games of whist, bridge, bingo, pool, darts and board games can be played; there is live entertainment most weeks. The highlight of the last Friday of each month is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Curry Fridayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; which is usually followed by singing or a disco. The CPC staff work extremely hard to keep the club well maintained and open between 11.00am and 10.30pm daily.

Lidia from Poland, has been here over seven years as House Supervisor

Ewelina from Poland has been food and beverages assistant for over a year Nataliia from Ukraine has been food and beverage assistant for one year

Mady is from Ethiopia and is part time food and beverage assistant.

Ondrej from Czech Republic is Food and Beverage Manager

Sheena is from the Philippines and has been house assistant for four years

SURVIVING NATURE IN THE NEOLITHIC ERA It is easy to think of ‘Cave Men’ as lumbering idiots wandering around the earth waiting for it to evolve. But this misnomer is not the case. By the Neolithic era (10,000 BC) humans already had the beginnings of farming, domesticated animals together with a strong understanding of crafts and tools.

Hand Crafted hunting bow. Photo Charlie Brunskill

One thing that set humans aside from other mammals, in terms of tools, was their imagination. Otters will dive down to retrieve a stone to use as a hammer to crack open clams. Some monkeys will use a thin twig to catch ants. The upper hand that we have is the foresight to craft a tool with a future use in mind. BOWS LAST A LIFETIME

Humble in its beginnings, the oldest known bows are thought to be from the Mesolithic era. They were crafted from knotty pieces of Elm, a good specie selection but a poor piece of wood. It is the knots that are the weak points which means the bow is much more likely to snap when drawn. By the Neolithic era this had been realised and therefore strong bows were fashioned which would generally last a lifetime, built by the owner for the owner. Cordage for the drawstring would be processed down from the inner bark of the Lyme tree. A process which is not done by accident. A series of stripping, soaking and twisting is required to create the proper strength and elasticity. Tips of the arrows were knapped from flint or obsidian. A craft very few people in the UK have mastered.

Then fixed onto the end of the arrow with a binding, most likely made from nettle fibres or grass then finished off with a pitch pine resin for extra strength. All the individual parts of a bow, and arrow set, required an in-depth knowledge of each process, of which plant or tree to find and utilise. MORE BOUNTIFUL HARVEST

Neolithic humans were still nomadic even though they knew their agriculture. They would sow their crops for the year in one spot and reap them that autumn. Having survived the winter, they would then move on, in the spring, to pastures new. They understood that over farmed areas yielded less crops and that sowing their seeds in new fields increased the chances of a more bountiful harvest that year. In turn they knew this would better their chances of survival. Ötzi, the man discovered frozen in ice in the Ötztal Alps near Hauslabjoch, on the border between Austria and Italy, was found with an incredible array of tools on his person. He had attached on his person a small dagger made from flint with an Ash shaft (we use Ash today for tool handles for its impressive inherent strength) a Yew bow, and a small

On a visit to RE Minley Partners Day Charlie Brunskil was demonstrating survival in the wild. Not with ration packs and other support but true survival living off the land.

a harsher and much wilder Europe. What I find most impressive of the Neolithic people was, I believe, that they were the last of the humans to really and truly respect nature. They survived harmoniously with the wild, taking what they needed but never anymore. As an era they found the pinnacle point of a comfortable living (agriculture, stone tools) which was entirely sustainable and renewable. They were born and would craft items from nature to help them through their life. Then die with their tools and belongings on them. LITTLE RECORD LEFT

As their bodies returned to the earth so would their possessions and after some 100 years or so there would be little record of them, except the memories on a cave wall painting. No lasting imprint on the earth. Cavemen didn’t survive in these prehistoric times they thrived. They had to have, otherwise we would not be here today!

The author, Charlie Brunskill is serving with the Royal Engineers. He has travelled much of the world, learning skills and practices from many different cultures. Currently residing in Hampshire he spends his free time researching how we used to live. A keen environmentalist and lover of all nature, follow him via Instagram at Charlie_Brunskill.

Birch Polypore being used as a bandage. Photo – Charlie Brunskill

fire lighting kit. He was also found with Birch Polypore threaded with hide on his wrist, Birch Polypore has antimicrobial properties and can be cut into strips and used as plasters. Ötzi was a lumbering caveman, but clearly knew how to survive in

Keep ‘yer ‘ed still or I must just cut ‘yer ear off!

FREDDIE MAKES IT SPECIAL

I moved with the Regiment (in B Squadron) from Gallwitz barracks Itzehoe to Gremmendorf barracks Munster in 1946. Then in the summer of 1948 the family moved to Barker barracks Paderborn. I was now the Regimental MT Sergeant in HQ Squadron. About this time, and entirely due to the influx of posting married families into BAOR, the MOD ruled that the private use of MT vehicles (subject to availability) could be hired at cost by serving personnel within the unit. PALATIAL FIVE STAR MESS

Our palatial five star Mess had a large games room upstairs with a goldfish pond feature in one corner. During a New Years function one of the SSM’s wives slipped and fell in! The RSM was not pleased at all. Some of the VIP’s were still present! In autumn 1949 I was introduced to an Irish girl, Mary Tuttle, by Major John and June Ward Harrison and soon after, in the spring of 1950, the Commanding Officer, Lt Col Carr, gave his kind permission for a full dress regimental wedding for us in Paderborn Cathedral. We had the regimental coach, band, trumpeters, guard of honour and the CO’s staff car for the bride. Sgt Taffy Wright was driving the car and

ripped off the nearside front door that morning by reversing it into the hangar with the door open. By this time I was now troop leader of third Troop C Squadron and when we returned from our honeymoon in Austria the Sabre squadrons were already deployed at Vogelsange near Cologne. The 3rd Troop 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards was in good hands (Sgt Stafford, Cpls Cowling, Strahan and Santry) for target range firing and battle tactics demonstration watched by Nato Generals. SETTING UP NEW TA SQUADRON

I do not know why but instead of joining them I was posted immediately to the Cheshire Yeomanry Chester as a permanent staff instructor (PSI) with the task of setting up a new TA Squadron in Stockport. It was over four years before I eventually got back to the Regiment again, joining them in Catterick in 1955. For a short spell in 1958 I was SSM Berlin Duty Squadron, in 1961 NATO HQ, Rheindahlen, 1963 Army Air Corps, 1964 Army Air Corps Arabia, Radfan, Aden. Finally 1966 H/Q 20 Trials Unit Missiles Kirkcudbright. In September 1966, I applied for and purchased my discharge for £250.00. In 1966 I was admitted to Teacher Training College and graduated in 1968. No leave. No resettlement. No travel expenses etc etc . Run out date 1971. Pay ceased on day of departure in plain clothes Re-printed from the 5th Royal Inniskillings Dragoon Guards Silver Horse Newsletter No 32 Feb. 2012. This anonymous article appeared in the magazine with no attribution to an author but, whoever it was, obviously knew my wife and me very well. I was admitted to the RHC in the summer of 2002. With minor corrections and additions by IP Freddie Andrews.

1914-18

war facts

After 4 years service on the Western Front 40 year old Private George Edwin Ellison would go down in history as the last British solider to die in the First World War. He was killed at 09.30 hr, Nov 11 despite the armistice being signed at 05.00 hr. Disease accounted for a third of deaths during the war. Duck boards helped ease cases of trench foot, an infection caused by damp and cold. But with semi--sanctioned brothels being set up behind the frontline a massive 150,000 British soldiers came down with venereal infections. As well as taking up thousands of male jobs at home some 9,000 women served in France as part of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps working in such roles as cooks and drivers. Lord Kitchener famed for the war recruitment poster Your Country Needs You was killed when his ship struck a German mine in 1916. One of the wars biggest blasts was when a million pounds of explosives was detonated under the Germans at Messines Ridge, in Belgian. The resulting explosion was heard 150 miles away in London. By 1918 Britain was spending £6million (£324,120,603 now)a day on the war. The total cost has been estimated at £9,000million (£486,180,904,522 now) Births increased by 45 per cent between 1918 and 1920. But the 1918 influenza pandemic killed more people worldwide than the war. The first tank, in 1915, was called Little Willie. They were split into males (armed with cannons) and females (with machine guns). In 1917 food shortages meant the government banned the use of rice at weddings and feeding pigeons. There were also 80,000 recorded cases of shell shock.*

CODEBOOK AND THE PROBLEM OF PASSWORDS

MY SON’S REGIMENT This painting, which until 1951 when his daugh-

hangs in the Royal Hospital Museum, is by the distinguished Italian artist Commendatore* Cesare Formilli (1860 – 1942) and is believed to have been painted in 1903. It was among a number of his paintings which had been exhibited at the Royal Academy in London. PENSIONERS

It depicts a number of Chelsea Pensioners looking at an announcement of a victory involving the Royal Irish Fusiliers, with the principal character pointing at it exclaiming “My son’s Regiment!” Formilli had moved from Italy to London in 1894 where he established a studio. For the purposes of this painting a number of pensioners attended his studio as models. The painting remained with his family in storage

ter Miss E.D. Formilli asked whether the Royal Hosptal would like to accept it as a gift, on account of its connection with the Hospital. EXHIBITION

The then Governor, General Sir Cameron Nicholson, confirmed that the Hospital would be delighted, so the picture arrived here. For a few years it was kept at the RHC’s post-war infirmary outpost at Leatherhead. When that closed it was returned to Chelsea for permanent exhibition. CHRISTMAS CARD

In 1958 Field Marshal Sir Gerald Templer (ex-Royal Irish Fusiliers) admired it very much and was given a photographic print of it for use as the cover for the regimental Christmas card. * ( Italian title of honour) IP David Lyall,

Today we are told we have massive problems with security as though the problem was new. Yes, the parameters may have changed. While it may have made it easier this captured WWI codebook illustrates an issue that we still face today Ciaran Martin, CEO of the National Cyber Security Centre, said on BBC Radio 4 that current practice in password management was like asking everybody to learn a new 600 digit number every month. But the problem is that most people cannot remember their passwords, so they write them down. During the First World War, the German Army, on the Western Front, had a similar problem, as this captured codebook below, shows. TRENCH WARFARE,

During the static trench warfare, which characterised the Western Front for most of the time, the duel between codemakers and codebreakers meant that changes had to be made regularly to tactical encryption systems. Given the different addressees to whom encrypted messages might need to be sent, a German Brigade Signals Office would have had a range of different codes. The contents list for this

codebook, which was created for the German Army’s 109th Infantry Division, shows this: I. Morse and phonetic alphabet II. Brevity codes a. General procedure code b. Flying Service 1. general 2. codes for artillery sup 3. infantry support III. Numerical brevity codes (place names) a. Military and place names b. Contact procedures c. Numerical letter and syllable codes d. Numerical numbers and times e. Alphabetical word list ADDITIONS ADDED

But as well as this, the codebook includes examples of lots more ad hoc additions added to the main list: cover terms, numerical substitution tables, and even shapes to make on the ground which could be read by aircraft overflying the divisional area of responsibility. There is far too much for anyone to remember. In a static environment this might not have been important, but this codebook was being used by 174th Infantry Brigade during the Second Battle of the Somme in August 1918 when it was captured. As a result, the Division’s entire tactical encryption system was revealed.*

THE DESTRUCTION OF 1988 Fusion is a useful state, It provides the home with power. It’s deadly strength so very great That all mankind should cower. But when the system’s tested By those who don’t really know, The whole thing gets congested And in the end, will blow! This happened at Chernobyl With many left for dead. The deadly rays leaked out Until the area was “Code Red” Radiation spread from land to land Leaving evil dust. No antidote was there to hand So in the Lord they trust. A thousand years, a thousand more Contamination all around. Towns and villages now deserted, Just weeds now cover the ground. Wild animals still go about, Their features quite distorted. A child’s swing, a roundabout, Where children once cavorted. Blocks of houses, windows open like sightless eyes a-staring. Curtains blowing in the evil air but no one’s there a-caring We try to help the people in the villages around, Sending out essentials and saving every pound. We try to give them hope in conditions so profound while they just scratch survival in contaminated ground. Some children come to Wales where the air is clean. We try to get them to forget conditions so obscene. They get here pale, frightened and oh so very quiet But soon, when asked, “Where’s Masha?” They all shout “in the toilet!” They stay with families while they are here. Kind people open their homes. The children are so well behaved, Like lovely little gnomes! They see the medics, get some clothes. For a month they have a ball Though some are clearly very sick, My God, I love them all! IP Simon de Buisseret

THE ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO

A spectacle, second to none, pipes, drums,dancing and singing by forces personnel from across the world. American, Mexican,Australian,Czech, Sultanate of Oman, Swiss and many more countries. Then add to that mixture the colour, sound, amazing precision and timing and of course us; The Scarlet Line! Travelling First Class train service, with marvellous two night accommodation at the Erskin Recovery Home. Here we had fantastic treatment by the most welcoming and helpful staff. The weather, though threatening stayed dry but chilly. GOT IT RIGHT

Transported to the venue we practiced our parade and eventually got it right. While the photographer was very persistent he took many photographs in the middle of the Tattoo parade area. A lot of the audience joined in of course with many people from all over the world who were thrilled to meet and have their photographs taken with us.

We had seats in a box at he opposite end of the parade ground, facing the castle from where we could see the brilliant show. When we were called up to do our part we lined up then marched out to the tune of the Boys of the Old Brigade and came to attention for the Anthem and song of Scotland played by a lone piper on one of the castle towers. INEVITABLE PHOTOS

Then back for the reception followed by our bus and to then bed - it had been a long day. The next day, after breakfast, we met with residents of the home for coffee and the inevitable photos while the rest of the day was free for us to walk around Edinburgh. As it was festival time there were groups and individuals performing their ‘Fringe shows’ everywhere. Loads of flyers were being handed out for shows at many different locations. HAPPY EXPERIENCE

All very exciting in the bustling atmosphere which necessitated many rest stops. While there was a huge amount to see we had to eventually return to bed and next day back to London by train. A very happy experience. IP John West

HOW IT ALL BEGAN Historically the word ‘tattoo’ comes from the closing-time cry in the inns in the Low Countries during the 17th and 18th centuries - ‘Doe den tap toe’ (‘Turn off the taps’). Edinburgh Tattoo first took place in 1950 with just eight items in the programme and an audience of 6,000. Not a single performance of the Tattoo has ever been cancelled. TATTOO DOCUMENTARY

In that year Mike Todd, the Hollywood movie producer and husband of Elizabeth Taylor, made a documentary programme on the Tattoo. In 1952 the Band of the Royal Netherlands Grenadiers were the first overseas regiment to participate along with performers from Canada and France. Now 48 countries from across six continents have been represented at the Tattoo. In 1961 the first commercial stereo LP record of the Tattoo was released and the event was first seen in colour on TV in 1968. LONE PIPER

One of the highlights is the lone piper. Pipe Major George Stoddart played in every performance for the first eleven years to be followed by his son, Major Gavin Stoddart. Playing the lone piper for 12 years he eventually became Di-

rector of Army Bagpipe Music for 12 years. More than 14 million people have attended the Tattoo since it began with an annual audience around 220,000. Now such a popular spectacle the Tattoo has sold out for eighteen consecutive years. Added to this around 100 million people watch the Tattoo each year on international television. Approximately 70 per cent of each audience are from outside Scotland half of these are from the UK. NEW STANDS

Because of technology each annual performance requires about 35 miles of cabling. While the Tattoo has always been staged at Edinburgh Castle rehearsals take place at Redford Barracks in Edinburgh. For the summer of 2011 new £16 million spectator stands and hospitality facilities were put in place at the Castle Esplanade. This replaced the 37 year old, award winning stands which were based on the pioneering Mero system used for Germany’s 1972 Munich Olympics. CHARITABLE PURPOSES

Established and run for charitable purposes the Tattoo has, over the years, gifted £8 million to service and civilian organisations. Added to this, at the last official independent count, visitors to Edinburgh for the Tattoo contributed an estimated £77 million to the Scottish economy.* Lance Bombardier Megan Beveridge the first female Lone Piper at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.The 21-year-old is also the youngest person – and only woman – to pass the Army Pipe Major’s course.

THE MAN WHO

My father, John, was born on the 21st April 1911 at Sulby Grange on the borders of Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. As a young child I remember his birthdays as he told me how important he was which was why all public buildings flew The Union flag for his birthday, every year. I later found out that HM The Queen also shares his birthday! The son of an unmarried domestic servant, he was quickly adopted within the family. A brother-in-law of his mother Mary, Charles Timson, had a brother Albert, married to Annie without children, and they became his new parents. NEVER TO RETURN

As a young child in Lutterworth, he may have watched his uncle Charles, as a member of The Cheshire Regiment, depart for war, never to return and now recorded, with so many on the famous Menim Gate at Ypres. In 1916 Albert also left home as a soldier, with The Royal Garrison Artillery, but was one of the fortunate who returned. Perhaps this background is why, on the 21st March 1928 my father decided to join the Army. He was not, of course, old enough, but recording his date of birth as 19th March 1910. He joined The Sherwood Foresters, a regiment recruiting in the Coalville area. All official documents

LOVED HORSES

recorded his name as John Arthur Teear, until 1965 when he formally recorded his surname as Timson, for the purpose of obtaining his first passport. But in the army, he was John Arthur Timson and a year older! I never did find out when they started paying him his pension! NO.6 COMMANDOS

Serving in many parts of the world, until the second World War, he volunteered to join No.6 Commandos. He spoke very little of his war military service. Although he stated he was taken a PoW twice. His comment of these events was simple, “I didn’t like it, so I left.” The reality was more complex, resulting in a “Mention in Dispatches”. Other than the fact of the award I can find no other details. As a Commando and an escaped PoW the consequences of recapture would have been severe. He told me that while returning to the front line was not compulsory, he returned to Normandy on the 5th June 1944 in preparation for D Day. It is unclear when or where he developed his love for horses, other than that it was during his military service. He was always “at home” with horses, be they racing, show jumping, work horses, hunting or any other kind, however his main passion was for the high class dressage horse.

At the end of the war he was part of the occupation force in Vienna, and always enjoyed returning to The Spanish Riding School which he considered the world’s finest. On his discharge he took up a post with his old Colonel looking after his horses. He had many similar jobs and eventually moved back to Leicestershire, where in the early 1980’s, he broke and schooled a young foal, Lando, teaching the horse and rider the finer details of dressage. In 1985 he proudly became a Chelsea Pensioner, known to many as “Tim.” London offered many opportunities to continue his time with horses. When our family would make their frequent visits he proudly took us to many “horse” establishments. These ranged from military and police stables to The Royal Mews, where he was always greeted on first name terms by the humans, and with a polo mint for his four legged friends. LIPIZZANER STALLIONS

He was involved in arranging a group trip from The Royal Hospital when The Spanish Riding School visited London with their famous white Lipizzaner stallions. He returned each daily to join the various occupants of The Royal Box, proudly wearing his scarlet. Sadly, his health slowly deteriorated, and he spent more of his latter years in The Infirmary. What wonderful care he received, although he would be proud to see the newer replacement building that now graces the spot. In 1991, for his 80th birthday, his favourite horse, Lando, was brought from Leicester to London, by arrangement with The Royal Hospital, where they were once again reunited. On meeting Lando’s ears

went forward and it was clear that Lando recognised him. Although now wheelchair bound, there was still a polo mint, or two for his friend. The meeting was recorded on film, with later shots showing him proudly riding around the internal courtyard of the old infirmary, positively encouraged by the nursing staff and his friends, who between them, had lifted him from the wheelchair on to his horse, as in the photo with old infirmary in the background. GET OFF THAT HORSE

I can not think of a better gift for my father on his 80th birthday. But then a voice from a window on high was heard, “Get that man off that horse!” Matron had spoken! In June that year, for Founders Day, the Royal Hospital was graced by HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. As always, she spoke warmly of her beloved Chelsea Pensioners. Learning that one of her pensioners had been seen riding around the grounds on horseback, she later spoke to him. Sadly my father took his final posting in November 1992. The Leicester Mercury printed an obituary entitled “The man who loved horse.” That was true, but to me, he was the important man they flew the flags for. John Timson (Jnr)

terflies at Hampton Court Flower Show. This garden paid tribute to the 24 men of the Royal Parks and Palace gardens who lost their lives in the First World War and were then later represented at a Remembrance service at Brompton Cemetery in November to unveil a stone plaque.

NURTURING OUR CREATIVE FRIENDSHIPS This year the potters have not only expanded on their pottery skills but also the creative community that their clay work brings. TO GOOD TO EAT

We kicked off the year getting very hungry with the creation of our very own ‘Good enough to eat Diner’. A collection of ceramic dishes based on everyone’s favourite food. It was quite a challenge to adapt ceramic techniques to mimic different food. Nevertheless they were such fun to make and proved great reminiscence objects for talking about family occasions, food abroad, cravings and family recipes. We made a full selection of breakfast, lunch and dinner options on the menu including a boiled egg with toast soldiers, sushi, fish and chips and an ice cream cone! We even had a Cornish pasty made by John Riley’s granddaughter which was sent down in the post!

to visit somewhere each year to seek new inspiration. This year we enjoyed a guided tour of the ceramics galleries at the V&A. But with the cabinets packed full of so many objects we could have spent a whole week there! We were grateful for the kind hospitality of the museum staff and volunteers and for providing tea and coffee after the tour.

WORKING TOGETHER

the exhibition at the Tate Modern. This came about after the success of the potters Pimlico show last year (Many Old Hands Make Great Work), where they exhibited alongside three other care homes that I work with. REGENERATION AT TATE

In April we took part in the RHC Care Home Open Day and joined the events alfresco on a beautifully sunny day - although for the pensioners sake - and the clay! - we chose to stay in the shade! The potters were joined by St Joseph’s primary school and other members of the public for some fun printing leaves into clay.

We were invited by an organisation called Flourishing Lives to be part of their event Re:Generation at Tate, a week long celebration of creative ageing in all its forms from music, dance, poetry, film and art. The Pensioners exhibited their food art and also helped me run workshops to get the public involved in making clay tiles later to be used to create four legacy mosaics. It was a fantastic week to showcase the talents of all artists involved and I felt very proud to be able to promote their work at such a prestigious venue.

The exhibition began its tour in the MTI reception and then went to the Great Hall and finished up as a display at the Tate Modern!! More on that later! As a group we always like

show. Together with school children we attended on a blistering hot day, to view the work in place and walk through the trench garden. Some In Pensioners planted poppies and had a walk around the rest of the show - not that we got very far, the public do like a photo or two!

OUR POTTERY WHEEL

LOTS ROAD AUCTION

It was a busy time in May as we were involved in two external events. We contributed to the Chelsea Academy’s postcard auction, submitting 10 ceramics artworks. We then attended the Lots Road Auction House event where the pensioners postcards sold for a total of £250! But our big event was

Apprentices from the Royal Parks Guild came for a workshop at RHC and, together with the In Pensioners made objects including a mess tin, a boot, an army helmet and ammunition pouch. These were then used as planters in the garden at the flower

Another project we were part of was for the Royal Parks commemorative garden Battlefields to But-

July marked a very special moment for the pottery group with the arrival of the pottery wheel which the group purchased with money raised form sales over the last few years. IP Ray Pearson, and John Denton, made the gallant trip down to The Clay Cellar near Tunbridge Wells to collect it. It is now been housed,

and contain the mess! The pensioners have now been trained up and, I must say despite all the pupils I have taught so far, never before have I seen such a disciplined bunch creating pretty perfect pots for their first go! We shall see how progress continues and if anyone else is interested in having a go do come and see me on a Tuesday! POTTERY WEDDING

I was very honoured in August to have the pottery group present me with a beautiful wedding gift organised by our volunteers Kitty and Margaret and for some of the group to attend my wedding which was just so special. In September In Pension-

ers Ray and John and I were invited to attend the American residence in Regent’s Park for a Walking with the Wounded charity event. This was after Ray 12 drummers drumming, one of the 12 Days of Christmas had made the charity’s items which featured members of the pottery group logo as a stylish ceramic had been made at the Tate activity and how important plaque and had presented it Modern workshops in it is for wellbeing and soto Prince Harry at an event May. The afternoon was cial inclusion. so lovely, lots of coffee, And so on to Christmas previously in the year. cake and chatting with artand it’s alway a fun time of In October the In Penists from the other groups year with various sales for sioners attended a celewho also exhibited. The us to get ready for and also bration event at Nightinmosaics have now been a festive display. This year gale House to unveil the presented to each home for we chose the 12 Days of four legacy mosaics that display, the RHC mosaic Christmas with each potter marked their involvement location TBC! choosing a day to then dein the Tate project. They, NURTURE INTEREST pict in clay. Each piece is had been created using We continue to nurture an artwork in itself but tothe hundreds of tiles that new pensioners interest gether they looked fantaswith many in the group tic! And the whole display encouraging others from was presented at our first their wards to come and ever live exhibition with join. It’s lovely to know a little help from the penthat new connections can sioners choir as they sang be made through crea- the carol while we danced tivity and that the class’s with our artworks! strength lie as much in the As always we welcome social side as the creative. anyone to join us on a And indeed with Theresa Tuesday so do come along May launching the first and see for yourself just strategy on loneliness this how diverse working with year there is great evi- clay can be. Emily Hall dence in the value of group

Our pottery stall at the Friends Carol service where we sold nearly £500’s worth in less than 1 hour!!

Following our visit, in 2016, to celebrate the Queen’s 90th Birthday, a group of 12 In Pensioners, plus Captain of Invalids Major Phil Shannon MBE, were invited to take part in this year’s Belfast Tattoo at the SSE Arena (Odyssey) on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th of September. Leaving Heathrow we travelled by Aer Lingus to Belfast City Airport where our first port of call was to our hotel for lunch. In the afternoon we practiced a walk through in the arena which was followed by an evening performance and a matinee and final show on the Saturday. VISITED BY A NUMBER OF DIGNITARIES

Although we were not involved until the second part of the show, we were able to relax in a private box where we were visited by a number of dignitaries throughout the event. Featuring an international line-up of over 600 performers the show built up to the Grand Finale of the Massed Pipe And Drums. Our task, then, was for us to march on last, through the assembled ranks of the 600 performers so that we finished up at the head of the parade, as can be seen in the picture above, in front of the lovely Canadian Ladies Scottish dancers. Attracting thousands of visitors to Northern Ireland each year, the show is a celebration of marching bands, song and dance, highlighting a national and international line up of both military and community-related performances. FAMOUS GERMAN FLYING GRANDPAS

Among the many performers were The Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pipes and Drums, The Band of the Irish Guards, South African Irish Regiment Pipes and Drums, The Band of the Gurkha Rifles, brass band Amigo Leiden from Holland and Switzerland’s lively Lucerne Marching Band. The event also featured other performances including The Flag Team of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the famous Flying Grandpas – a group of 13 comedic trampolining, policemen-cum-gymnasts from Germany! Gurjit Singh Sidhu and the VIP Dholies and Dancers also added a Bollywood flavour to this year’s event, which saw its most diverse line up yet! Before leaving Belfast on the Sunday morning, we visit-

ed the dry dock of Harland and Woolf, where the Titanic was built. The locals said it sank because work was carried out also on Sundays. NO MAJOR HICCUPS JUST A JOHN PROBLEM

The finale, directed by Commanding Officer Household Band, Lt. Col DL Wolfendale, was indeed grand and delivered a powerful ending to a momentous show. Particularly poignant was unannounced appearance by us, the iconic veterans the Chelsea Pensioners, who received a standing ovation from the audience. Overall it was a marvellous trip, but we all felt that it would have been nice if we had a little more time for sightseeing. While there were no major hiccups we did have a problem at the check out with ‘Champion John’ IP Steve Lovelock

FIRED IN ANGER? MAYBE A LIFE SAVED!!

It is claimed that these two bullets were found, embedded in each other, after the Battle of Gallipoli which started in 1915 and ended in 1916 during WWI. Take a closer look at the picture. Yes, one round collided with another. But the round on the left does not have any rifling on it, whereas the round on the right does. No question they collided but the round on the left probably was not an actual speeding bullet. Possibly it was one in a clip on an ANZAC soldiers web- gear as he was in an attack, or some other bizarre reason. But experts claim this most certainly was not the intersection of two trajectories between the lines.*

WHY? Why did it have to be like that? One greedy race to rule the world? I went out there with spirits high Now I sit at home and cry! Men on horses to charge a gun We on foot not allowed to run! With bayonet gleaming, no round up the spout. With a bayonet fixed, that’s ruled out! We walked on for the enemy line. They’d said “Only 100 yards, that’s fine” Then we went down like corn to the scythe, Into mud and craters wide. I was lucky, I’d made it through. Or was I? Was it really true? My pals are dead and out of it While I, alone and immobile sit. I dread each night, when it all comes back. The smell of blood and the machine guns crack. Why did it have to be like that? A length of rope and that could be that .... IP Simon be Buisseret

HONOURING CHELSEA’S VICTORIA CROSS RECIPIENTS

FIELD COMMISSION

Receiving a commission in the field, he later returned to France as battery commander of A. Battery, 119th Brigade RFA in the 38th (Welsh) Division. He was awarded his VC for continuing to serve a gun until all the ammunition was expended after all officers were killed or wounded. This was in spite of concentrated fire from guns and machine guns at a range of 600 yards, at Nery, on 1st September. Leaving the Army in 1921, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, he served with the Home Guard during World War II. At ninety years old George Dorrell died at Stoke D’Abernon, Surrey in 1971. He was given a regimental funeral with his coffin carried on a gun carriage. It was escorted by King’s Troop RHA to the cemetery at Leatherhead where he was laid to rest as trumpeters played the Last Post.

Fifteen year old Humphrey Firman joined the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1901 rising to Sub-Lieutenant. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1908. Because, at 29, he was unmarried he took part in an action which was calculated to be near impossible. MISSION IMPOSSIBLE

George Thomas Dorrell VC

George, like many teenagers, signed on in 1895 stating he was 19 years old. Following service in the Second Boer War, he was a Sergeant in the Royal Horse Artillery (RHA) by 1905, in Lucknow, India. He was promoted to Battery Sergeant Major, when he left for France in August 1914 with L. Battery Royal Horse Artillery.

Humphrey Firman VC

In 2013 a nationwide campaign, to honour Victoria Cross recipients from the First World War, was announced. To mark the centenary, of the action for which the VC was awarded, a ceremony was held at the War Memorial in Sloane Square where a commemorative stone was unveiled and dedicated. These are the VC recipients who resided within the borough.

RECIPIENT George Dorrell Richard Bell-Davies Humphrey Firman Julian Gribble Victor Crutchley Rowland Bourke George Cartwright

Richard Bell-Davies VC

DATE VC AWARDED 1 September 1914 19 November 1915 24 April 1916 23 March 1918 9 May 1918 9 May 1918 31 August 1918

There were two recipients of the Victoria cross regarding an air attack on Ferrijik Junction. Squadron-Commander Richard Bell Davies and his fellow pilot Flight Sub-Lieutenant G.F. Smylie. . With Bulgarian troops moving in to capture Smylie, who had been shot down, Bell-Davies landed and picked him up. Smylie

squeezed between the engine and the cockpit and the heavily laden aircraft took off, under fire, in the first rescue of a downed pilot behind enemy lines. Earlier in the same year he had been awarded the DSO. He was mentioned in Dispatches after the Gallipoli Campaign and awarded the AFC and the Croix de Guerre with Palm. He became a Vice Admiral and in the interwar years continued work on the development of naval flying. During World War II he was Captain of the escort carrier HMS Dasher and the trials carrier HMS Pretoria Castle. He died 26th February 1966, in the Royal Naval Hospital Haslar, Gosport, Hampshire.

To resupply the Army, that was under siege in the town of Kut in Mesopotamia, the only way to reach them was by ship along the River Tigris. Intelligence confirmed that enemy troops were positioned along both banks of the river. Lieutenant Firman, commanding S.S. Julnar, with two other officers and 12 ratings, set off with 270 tons of supplies. As the moon was due to rise at 01.15hr they calculated that the five hours of darkness, to cover the 20 miles against the current all the way would be ok. STEEL HAWSERS

Unfortunately the enemy were aware of the mission and Julnar was attacked by Turkish machine guns and heavy artillery. Also at Magasis, steel hawsers had been stretched across the river. Firing at pointblank range Lt Firman and crew members were killed The remainder were captured and executed

Victor Crutchley VC

Julian Royds Gribble VC In 1915 18 year old Julian Royd Gribble was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. One year later he was ordered to France during the Battle of the Somme. In October he was sent home for three months with “trench fever”. But he reported back after one month and was promoted to Captain serving with the 10th Battalion. They dug in on Hermies Ridge with orders to hold to the last man. But by 12.30 hr the second day of the offensive just D Company was left holding the top of the ridge. As the last officer standing he kept six with him and told the rest to retreat. He went down as he emptied his revolver into the final German assault. While his body was robbed and left for dead, it was later discovered he was alive. Taken prisoner he made a good recovery in hospital in Germany. Arriving at the officers’ prison at Mainz Castle, like everyone, he suffered six weeks of starvation before arrival of the first Red Cross parcels. In May Julian heard that he had been awarded the VC for his stand on Hermies Ridge. But eight days before the Armistice Julian died. His last words were to his nurse; “Go away gnadiger Frau” (gracious lady).

Born at Lennox Gardens Chelsea in 1893. Victor Alexander Charles Crutchley’s mother was a maid of honour to Queen Victoria. He attended naval college and joined his first ship, Indomitable, as a Midshipman in 1911. At the outbreak of WWI Victor Crutchley was promoted to Sub-Lieutenant then Lieutenant in1915. He was selected for the Zeebrugge Raid of 22nd23rd April 1918 and assigned as First Lieutenant to Commander Alfred E. Godsal, on the obsolete cruiser Brilliant. The plan was for Brilliant and Sirius to be sunk as blockships at Ostend. But as the Germans had moved a navigation buoy, they were beached in the wrong place, under heavy fire. For his efforts Crutchley was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Nevertheless he volun-

Rowland Bourke VC

Born in London in1885 and emigrating to Canada working as a miner in the Klondike and a fruit grower in British Columbia. He returned and volunteered for the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in 1916. Initially rejected from participating in the raid to blockade the Belgian Zeebrugger-Ostend harbour due to his eyesight, Bourke persisted. Commanding Motor Launch 276 he went into the harbour to check that no

George Cartwright VC

teered for the Second Ostend Raid on 9th May, and was posted to the cruiser Vindictive, again commanded by Godsal. Crutchley took command. when Godsal was killed and the navigating officer incapacitated. When a propeller became damaged preventing the vessel fully closing the canal, he ordered its scuttling. Transferring to a badly damaged motor launch he oversaw bailing operations until rescued. Having been knighted he died aged 92 in 1986 one was left behind when he heard cries for help. Turning back he found an officer and two seamen clinging to an up-turned boat, and rescued them. During this time the motor launch was under very heavy fire and was hit 55 times, once by a 6-inch shell, which killed two of her crew, and did considerable damage. However, Lieutenant Bourke, took the boat into open sea, and was taken in tow. He was instrumental in organising a Fishermen’s Reserve, to patrol the west coast of Canada and served as a recruiting officer for a period of time. In 1941 he returned to sea, with the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve as a Commander in the Royal Canadian Navy. He died in 1958 and was buried in the Royal Oak Burial Park in British Coliumbia

A British-born Australian George Cartwright enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on his 21st birthday in 1915. He was deployed to 33rd Battalion—an infantry battalion raised in New South Wales the Western Front in November 1916, serving through the Battle of Messines where he was wounded in June 1917. Later, in April 1918, he was wounded again when attacked with gas while holding a position around Villers-Bretonneux. Briefly hospitalised he returned to duty in June. In August, the Allies launched the Hundred Days Offensive around Amiens, which resulted in a series of advances as the Allies sought to break through the Hindenburg Line.

On 31 August 1918, at Road Wood, south-west of Bouchavesnes, near Peronne, France, two companies were held up by machine gun fire. Cartwright attacked the gun alone under intense fire shooting three of the crew, and bombed the post, captured the gun and nine enemy soldiers. He was called up and promoted to Captain in 1940 serving in a training role in Australia. After the war, he returned to Australia working as an assistant cashier in Sydney. He died in 1978, aged 83.*

christmas island

OPERATIONfirstDOMINIC successful hydrogen

Britain’s nuclear testing, was originally conducted at the Montebello Islands off Australia’s northern coast. Then at the Woomera test ranges. But as the displacement of the people native to the land caused a national outcry, a new testing site had to be found. Easily supplied, remote, secure, away from prying eyes and with no indigenous people problems. The solution proved to be Christmas Island, in the Pacific, claimed, in the name of the Crown, by Capt James Cook on Christmas Eve 1777. Easily supplied by air it was administered by a New Zealand born colonial administrator and the islanders were engaged mainly in the copra trade. CORAL ISLAND

The world’s largest coral island, with the population living at one end, it has 150 sq. mile of land area and a lagoon of roughly the same size. Its highest point is 43 feet above sea level!! Due to its occupation, by the allies in World War II, an airstrip had been constructed, to deter its use by the Japanese, and the disruption of the Hawaiian to Australia supply route, Its use, as a nuclear test site, began in 1956/57 when units of the Royal Engineers constructed permanent facilities in preparation for scientists, who would eventually carry out the tests. With Christmas Island used as the operational main base, Malden Island was the site of the UK’s

bomb test on 15th of May 1957. On November 8th 1957, given the codename grapple, the first test, of an H bomb, on the island, took place over the southern tip. There were subsequent tests in 1958. Completion of the UK test program saw a substantial reduction in personnel numbers resulting in the facilities being mothballed and service personnel reduced to a level of minimum holding state. ADMIN SERVICES

Administrative services, cooks and air support were provided by the RAF while the The Royal Navy established a hydro-graphic unit and operated the marine facilities. This left Sappers, in the form of 73 Christmas Island Squadron, providing essential works services and maintenance. In August 1961, I relinquished my post as hospital engineer of the British Military Hospital in Paris and proceeded to Christmas Island to assume responsibility of running and maintaining all the essential services. PARTY OF TEN

When I duly presented myself at North terminal Heathrow for the flight on a BOAC Boeing 707 I found myself in charge of a party of 10 sappers, covering many trades, who were also joining me. After a very long and tiring flight we arrived in Honolulu International airport, which still bore wartime battle scars, for our flight

aboard an RAF Hermes to our destination .. Christmas Island. It did not take long to settle in at Port Camp which had been the main freight dock when the island was built up and was now the main living area. In Port Camp there were the two 120 kVA power stations and another four at the airfield. The cold stores were ex-wartime prefabricated units each capable of storing 50 tonnes of meat etc. WATER SUPPLY

Our fresh water supply, rose and fell with the tide, as it came from a trench excavated in the Coral. It appeared that the Coral removed the salt from the underlying seawater. Sewage disposal was a networked septic tank system, that pumped the resulting effluent into one of the tidal lagoons from which it was effectively dispersed. Other routine works included the maintenance and repair of DHW equipment and cooking facilities, looking after the electrical distribution system and making sure the buildings were maintained. So, once I had settled down, life became rather routine and recreational pursuits were all important. The 2i/c of the squadron was Julian Jardine, an Olympic sailor, and everyone wanted to beat him in a regular dinghy sailing contests… No one ever did!! Other popular activities were water skiiing, in an artificial lake created in the coral rock, and fishing. Everyone had two rods. One for catching bone fish and the other for sharks. ISLAND PARADISE

If I have painted a picture of a small band of servicemen enjoying themselves on a tropical island paradise then it is not by

accident. Life was very relaxed and, apart from keeping ourselves alive and the essential services functioning, there was not much else to do. However, all this was to change and dramatically so. One day there was a rumour that we were about to be visited by a senior officer. This was proved accurate when an RAF comet arrived bearing an Air Vice Marshal, as well as a couple of WAAF air hostesses. These were deemed, by those whose only recent exposure to the female form were the rather large and unattractive islanders, to be of greater interest. Addressing us, in our open air cinema the AVM stated that the Americans were coming! UN NUCLEAR TREATY

A United Nations, soon to be signed treaty, banning the testing of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere meant that the US wanted to get some tests in beforehand. Since Bikini Atoll, the former test site was unusable, the British government had agreed to their use of Christmas Island. Their arrival, he said was imminent and off he went…. Air hostesses and all. The Group Captain commanding the island inform-

ed us that we were in for a period of very intense and sustained activity as time was the essence, and so it proved. Within a few days the first 50 US contractors arrived to assess the facilities and very quickly decided that these needed to be substantially upgraded. So the water skiing, etc etc was kicked into the long grass and the serious task of readying the island for the influx of a complete US nuclear test task force began. FIRST PRIORITY

The first priority was to reactivate the main camp and all of its facilities to provide accommodation for several thousand US personnel due on the island. This involved getting the main power station, comprising four very large English Electric 45 50kVa (1.8Mw) diesel generators back up and running. Starting these up again, after being out of service for so long, was nerve wracking to say the least. A major problem surfaced in short order and this was the fundamental difference between US equipment supply voltages and frequencies and the UK electricity supply. Improvisation was the order of the day. PROBLEM SOLVED

The problem was solved by some pretty ingenious conversion equipment be-

ing used. The condition of the accommodation and services to them was good due to the climate of the island so few problems were accounted with these. The water supply was a different matter though. While the waterhole had proved adequate for the needs of a small garrison it was totally unable to service the requirements of a few thousand Americans. Therefore the answer was distillation plants and several were shipped in by the naval task force that appeared off the island about 10 days after the first arrivals. It was quite something to see, what seemed to us Brits to be the entire US Pacific Fleet anchored offshore. The Americans upgrade of the airfield enabled them to undertake weather reconnaissance flights prior to weapons testing, as well as scientific flights during the test. All this on top of around-the-clock care convoys flying between Honolulu and the island. AIRFIELD UPGRADE

In true US style, the airfield upgrade was undertaken by simply flying in Sappers, from the RE plant, roads and airfield school at Chatham, Up rating the airfield power station, by installing our two reserve national generating sets, left us with no

Sappers erecting accommodation units

backup in the event of major failures. In which case a preventative maintenance programme became even more important. The increased flying activity, necessitated major upgrade of aviation fuel availability and storage. Shipping in personnel and equipment the US Engineer Corps constructed a floating off shore oil terminal, and a floating pipeline and a distribution facility. Eventually the boffins arrived and we had to get used to the site of American automobiles driving on a single track roads. TESTS WERE IMMINENT

We knew the test were imminent when the wartime flying Fortress, equipped for weather reconnaissance to high altitude arrived. In sealed cockpits, to prevent exposure to radioactive dust, the physicists, suited up like astronauts, flew at very high altitudes, through the mushroom cloud, collecting samples for analysis. Eventually the day dawned when the test started and Operation Dominic, as the Americans designated it, went live. By this time there was a full complement of US personnel on the island and the British population had been increased by the arrival of nuclear scientists from Aldermaston who were to witness the tests. RANGE OF TESTS

A total of 31 tests were conducted during Operation Dominic, commencing on 25th of April 1962 and ending on 30th of October 1962. Of the 24 tests conducted at the island, two were launched by submarine from the Pacific proving grounds off the coast of California and five were conducted over Johnson island. Weapons assembly was undertaken at Albuquerque

USAF plane flying toward mushroom cloud

New Mexico and delivery for most of the test was made by B 52 supersonic bomber from there, using a combination of free airdrop and parachute, remain to either submarine launches or near space testing using for rocket launches from nearby Johnson Island. The largest detonation at the island itself was 7.7 megatons. A strong bond developed between the British and American service personnel, to the extent that some wild parties were held, mainly in the British messes simply because the Americas ran a dry ship HOMEWARD BOUND

In August 1962 just before the end of operation Dominic my time on the Island was up and I boarded the trusted Hermes for my flight to Honolulu to catch the BOAC speed bird home. I was looking forward to being reunited with my wife but I was also a little sad to be leaving a place that become very significant in my life and also very rewarding in terms of my engineering career. Operation Dominic was the last ever nuclear test programme involving the detonation of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere and indeed, in near space. It has had a lasting effect on my approach to life in general and caused me to better appreciate what life has to offer. Christmas Island is now a sport fishing haven for American tourists and I sincerely hope that it now rests easy. IP James Little

A Prisoner stalemate

Born in London on 11 October 1918 Arthur Ronald Ellis when, at 21 working as a mechanic in a London garage, he received his ‘call up’ papers. Reporting to the Artillery Training Regiment, in Oswestry, Gunner Ellis was told he was to be a Signaller. But, after the ‘powers that be’ became aware of his vehicle mechanic experience, he became a mechanic and was was posted to 324 Bty, 81st Field Regiment RA where he served throughout World War 2. NORMANDY INVASION

Initially he served in Northern Ireland and then in Kent, preparing for the Normandy Invasion eventually landing at M Green Beach Courselles on 23rd June 1944. As part of the Advance Party Bombardier Arthur Ellis drove the Forward Observation Officer’s (FOO) Bren Gun Carrier as the regular driver had been wounded. He saw service as a mechanic throughout the Allied Advance from Normandy through France, Belgium, Holland and into Germany where his unit reached Hamburg on Cease Fire Day. Arthur recounts that he would often be dispatched by motorcycle to a breakdown. In one incident, towards the end of WW2 Arthur encountered a lone German Infantryman who shot at Arthur but hit his motorcycle. Nevertheless Arthur injured his leg in the subsequent crash.

and rebadged to REME as a SSgt Artificer (Vehicles). Serving in North Africa he was promoted to WO2 (AQMS) in 1954 and posted to 2 Command Workshop and the University of London Officer Training Company (ULOTC). Further promotion in 1961 to WO1 (ASM) and serving with the Ghurkha Engineers in Malaya, 4 Armoured Workshop REME and 607 MCTG in Germany. VEHICLE MECHANICS

In 1969, aged 51 Arthur retired from REME after 30 years of service. He then completed a short spell at the Army Scales Branch in Woolwich before lecturing vehicle mechanics at Woolwich Technical College

and Exeter Technical College for 14 years. In 1983, now 65 Arthur retired from teaching and moved to Exmouth, South Devon to spend a happy 29 years of retirement with his wife Megan. LEGION D’HONNEUR

In 2012 Megan sadly passed away and at 94 Arthur was accepted into the Royal Hospital Chelsea as a Chelsea Pensioner. Arthur plans to spend his 100th Birthday surrounded by his family and fellow pensioners and the awesome staff at Chelsea. Arthur was awarded the Legion D’Honneur for his part in the Normandy Landings and the subsequent liberation of France. Arthur would like to especially mention the Staff on Paget Ward and Campbell Ward who have been so patient and kind. Arthur encourages one and all members of the Corps of REME to Pursue their dreams; Hone their technical skills throughout their career; and, to Impart their technical knowledge to the next generation of REME technicians. Arte et Marte, IP Arthur Graham Ellis

FREEMASONRY WALKS THE LINES AND PRESENTS A CHEQUE TO RHC

YOU ARE MY PRISONER

The German advanced on Arthur and shouted ‘You are my prisoner’, to which Arthur replied ‘No, You are my prisoner’. An argument ensued about which nationality controlled the location until a lorry full of British Infantry came along and took the German Infantryman into custody! After WW2, Arthur was promoted to Sergeant and posted as an Instructor to 7th Training Brigade in Lippstadt. Then in 1949 he was posted to the Royal Artillery Depot in Woolwich. In 1950 Arthur married Megan Violet (nee Holmes). After the wedding he was posted to 56th HAA Regt RA in South Wales and in 1951 was posted to SEME on Artificer Training

During his time as Worshipful Master of the Masonic Lodge of Innocence and Morality no 9587, Bob Bletchley invited Lodge members and friends to join him in ‘walking the line’ that made up the London Underground Railway, to raise money for two charities selected by the Lodge, the Salisbury Hospital Stars premature baby appeal. The other the Royal Hospital Chelsea. So between February 2017 and February 2018 they walked the 11 lines plus the Docklands Light Railway, Emerates airline, TFL rail and London trams, were all walked station by station. This resulted in raising £5600.

PARADE TO MARK RECEIVING THE FREEDOM OF CHELSEA

The marching contingent for the Freedom of Chelsea was comprised of 50 pensioners, while a number of other pensioners were involved in the various activities in the Burton Court. Following the march past a drumhead service was held in Figure Court at the Royal Hospital. We were assembled on the East Road at precisely 09.40 hr on the first Saturday in September to prepare for the Grand Freedom of Chelsea Parade which would, in part, involve marching down the Kings Road. THE WATCHFUL EYE OF CAPTAIN OF INVALIDS

Under the watchful eye of 3 company, Captain of Invalids Ross Martin, who marched the men in ranks of three abreast, we were assembled ready to march to the Kings road. Headed by the Mace Party we marched, via Duke of York Square, where we were joined by the governor, Gen Sir Redmond Watt KCB KCVO CBE DL. It was his last parade as Governor of the Royal Hos-

pital because he was about to retire having spent seven very important and productive years. While we waited for the Police to site the bollards in the Kings Road, to ensure that all traffic was halted giving us a clear and unobstructed road in which to march, the governor moved through the assembled ranks of pensioners chatting and shaking hands with the men. Eventually he came to the Mace Party; Ted Roberts, Mace Bearer, and the Halberdiers, Mike Smith and myself and thanked us personally for the years of service with him, as Governor, on all his Founders Day duties. He went on to say that of all the photographs, taken on his last founder’s Day parade, he chose one -as below - of the Mace party which he said “Is now framed. Just think gentleman I will see you three everyday” he said laughingly A STIRRING AND VERY MOVING OCCASION.

Headed by the Governor we marched along Kings Road. Crowds of spectators lined both sides applauding and cheering loudly. The band of the Queens Yeomanry playing that grand March, Col Bogey, kept us all in step. The whole occasion was quite stirring and in fact a very moving occasion. As we turned left out of Kings Road into Royal Avenue to march back through Burton Court the Governor went ahead of the parade to take up his position on the podium ready to take the march past salute. In conclusion, a great day, a great occasion a little saddened perhaps that, not only would it be the Governor’s last parade but also that of our most respected and very popular RSM, Pearse Lally. We all wish them both well in whatever they aspire to do in the future. I P John Morris

FREDDIES LETTER HOME - 1945 @@

IP Freddie Andrews

Not: all communications are subject to censorship

SO WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEW?

You think something new is unique? Nothing invented is unique as it is not the only one. There are many more manufactured like it. But one of these photographs is unique while the other two are the beginning of technical advancement. In the past century was have moved forward but one wonders how far this may extend in the next 100 years.*

Taking a selfie in 1920

Charging an electric car in 1920

November 2018 is an important month of the year for anyone connected to the military. Falling 100 years after the Armistice that ended the First World War, it saw a host of particularly meaningful commemorative events. At the Royal Hospital Chelsea, the feeling was particularly strong as there are few places, central to the nation’s perception of what the armed forces represent as the Royal Hospital. BATTLE OF SEDGEMOOR.

Founded in 1682 by King Charles II its first Chelsea Pensioners in 1692, was among some who were injured at the Battle of Sedgemoor. Since I joined the Royal Hospital Chelsea in 2012 I have found it fascinating to get to know many of the pensioners. I have a military connection in my family: my Great-Great-Uncle, Bernard Vann, was awarded the Victoria Cross, the only combatant Chaplain to ever receive that honour. But of course no soldier of the Great War is alive today. Yet we still have strong connections at the Royal Hospital to more recent conflicts: there are Chelsea Pensioners who fought on the beaches at the D-Day landings and in a whole host of campaigns since.

ternoon to sing, coached by one of our brilliant volunteers, Elaine Hillier, so we had the opportunity to join our two choirs together and create something really special. Mary Guidera, who served with the Royal Corps of Signals, joined the Royal Hospital as a Chelsea Pensioner in 2017. She was lucky that at the age of fourteen, in her home town of Armagh, as she said “a lady from the next street set up a choir for local girls. They used to sing all our favourite tunes, like The Beautiful Blue Danube and Belle nuit. Mary always enjoyed singing “in groups…never on my own” and so the Chelsea Pensioners’ Choir has proved to be the perfect fit. TEMPLE CHURCH

Then at the Temple Church, in January this year, the Chelsea Pensioners’ Choir and the Chapel Choir came together to record three great hymns: O Valiant Hearts, with a tune by the otherwise unknown Rev. Dr. Charles Harris; Jerusalem, as set by Hubert Parry; and I vow to thee my country, to Holst’s ever-famous tune Thaxted, a melody he self-plagiarised from Jupiter. As Chelsea Pensioner Steve Allen

said “this is the first proper singing I’ve done in my life – if you don’t count singing in the bath! Singing your favourite songs in good company is much better than sitting in your room.” PERFECT ACCOMPANIMENT

Being under the Heathrow flight path, the Royal Hospital’s stunning Christopher Wren chapel is not the ideal recording venue, so we were grateful to the Temple Church for hosting us for this recording. The Temple’s magnificent Harrison & Harrison organ was the perfect accompaniment to a disc that included world première recordings of arrangements by Iain Farrington of the Requiem by Gabriel Fauré and Holst’s Ode to Death, his searingly beautiful 1918 setting of a text by Walt Whitman. For Chelsea Pensioner John Denton, recording at the Temple Church was a hugely enjoyable experience: “the atmosphere was inspiring and the acoustics were perfect. Before joining the Royal Hospital I hadn’t sung since I was a boy, so I’ve been thrilled to take part in this important recording.” In Remembrance is released by SOMM Recordings. William Vann,

SOLDIERING ON AWARDS 2018

Held at the Park Plaza hotel The Soldiering On Awards recognise the outstanding achievements, of those who have served their country, and the diverse people and groups who work together in support of the Armed Forces Community. The Charity’s aim is to encourage support by celebrating the achievements of the people, teams and businesses. Hosted by Jeremy Vine and Vicki Michelle MBE the evening was also a special tribute to RAF 100. Both IP’s John Denton and Ray Pearson were present at the event.*

PROFESSIONAL CHURCH CHOIR

We are lucky, at the Royal Hospital, to have one of the finest professional church choirs in the UK. When I was putting together our 2018 disc In Remembrance, I did not want to produce yet another “choral favourites” CD. Our 2016 Christmas CD, Carols from Chelsea, Chelsea Pensioner George Hatton gave us a beautiful bass rendition of White Christmas. I knew that a group of Chelsea Pensioners meets every Monday af-

CELEBRATING CENTENARY OF FOUNDING OF WOMEN’S ARMY AUXILIARY CORPS

groups in the arena. As we marched down the step the well known singer Melanie C sang ‘You raise me up’. This was followed by a 97 year old ex women’s naval services wireless operator who gave a short reading. After three practices we were deemed good enough for the full dress rehearsal on Saturday morning. ALL SERVICE MUSTER

Last year, 2017, saw the centenary of the founding of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps which, in 1918, received the Queen’s Warrant to become Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary Corps. This Corps has seen two other name changes. First to the Auxiliary Territorial Service and, in 1949, the Women’s Royal Army Corps, which was sadly disbanded in 1992. SPECIAL MUSTER

To also commemorate the centenary of the Women’s Air Force, and Women’s Naval Service, a special muster of one hundred ex service women was organised to take part in the Royal British Legion Festival of remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Sat 11 Nov. 2017 Following a request from the BBC, for two female pensioners, Barbara Whild and I had the honour of representing the Royal Hospital at the ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall. THE FIRST REHEARSAL

Neither Barbara or I had any idea of the part we were expected to play until the Friday afternoon when, all service personnel and others taking part in the programme, attended the first rehearsal. We Joined 98 other ex-service ladies to be briefed, and to practice, what we would be doing. We were

split into two groups, each lined up at the top of the stairs, on opposite sides on the arena. IN SINGLE FILE

Then, in single file, we slowly marched down the steps and lined up in two

After each rehearsal, Barbara and I, had to dash, as quick as possible, from the arena to join RSM Pearse Lally and the rest of the Chelsea pensioners to rehearse our part in the muster of all services. This is where representatives of the British Legion, and civilian organisations, in-

UNEXPECTED DOG SHOW PRIZE PRESENTATION

At the last minute, I was invited to accompany a dear friend of mine to the Village show at West End. Was I going to say No? Of course not, after all, what better than a village show in the summertime? All the ladies in their finery, gentlemen resplendent in their rowing or university sports jackets that would do well as distress flags in the heat of battle -perhaps that’s why they are so colourful. Does this eccentric practice stem from times of yore when we went into battle flying or wearing our colours ie. surcoats, banners and bunting? Whatever I think I outshone one or two in my Scarlet. TEA AND CAKES

Tea and cakes on the lawn, next to a recently filled village pond; due to the downpour the day before, which I had a feeling the Village Vicar might have had something to do with as it had been dry all summer. My friend’s wife was displaying cake decorations

dividually march down the stairs across the arena and up onto the platform from where we could watch the remainder of the programme. FULL DRESS REHEARSAL

Saturday was a busy day as, after the full dress rehearsal, there were full performances at 14.00 hr and 19.30 hr. The second performance was attended by all the Royal Family plus the Prime Minister and leaders of other political parties. Standing in the middle of the arena, with 98 other ladies, I know that both Barbara and I felt tremendous pride in commemorating 100 years of women in the army. IP Marjorie Cole

in one of the tents. Now, thinking about it, I am certain Ron asked me along so he could have an excuse to sample the local ales. Wow! if ever you are down in the shires you must try some. DOG SHOW

While taking in all the sights and fun of a typical village fête, I was attracted to the dog show. I ask you, where else, other than the beer tent, would any self-respecting retired RAVC chap go. So it was off to the dog show with tails wagging and me dressed in the Scarlet I stood and watched all the competitors doing their very best. There were dogs more interested in sniffing other dogs. Something that only dogs want to do for some reason. Also there were dogs looking bewildered by all the attention and other dogs who thought every person passing had a tit-bit. And most did. Little children being taken for a walk by their charges, small dogs resplendent in

pink ribbons and or blue bandana’s, dogs with diamonds (well not actually diamonds, even though they might have been in West End). Also, of course, dogs with studded collars, which I didn’t expect to find in the middle of Surrey. LADY IN CHARGE

The very nice lady who seemed to be in charge of all matters doggy asked if I would be kind enough to present the prizes to various doge chosen by the Judge, which I was only too pleased to do. The end to a wonderful day came too quickly as the show closed and I had to return to my Kennel (oops sorry got carried away,, Berth) in Chelsea. IP Barrie Davey

KICKING OFF THE BASEBALL SEASON

A CRANKY OLD MAN?? When an elderly man died, in an Australian nursing home it was believed that he had nothing of any value. Later nurses found this poem among his meagre possessions. It so impressed the staff that copies were distributed to every nurse in the hospital. The old man’s sole bequests to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas editions of magazines around the country especially for mental health. With seemingly nothing left to give to the world, he is now the author of this poem.

What do nurses see?.... What do you see? What are you thinking?…. When you’re looking at me? A cranky old man,….. Not very wise, Uncertain of habit….. With faraway eyes? Who dribbles his food….. And makes no reply. When you say in a loud voice….. ‘I do wish you’d try! Who seems not to notice….. The things that you do And for ever is losing…… A sock or a shoe? Who, resisting or not… Let you do as you will, With bathing and feeding…. The long day to fill? Is that what you’re thinking?.. Is that what you see? Then open your eyes, nurse. ….You’re not looking at me.. I’ll tell you who I am….. As I sit here so still, As I do your bidding….. As I eat at your will I am a small child of ten….. With the father and mother, Brothers and sisters….. Who love one another A young boy of sixteen…. With wings on his feet Dreaming that soon now….A lover he’ll meet. A groom soon at 20…. My heart gives a leap. Remembering the vows…. That I promised to keep at 25 now…… I have young of my own Who needs media guide….. And a secure happy home. A man of 30…. My young now grown fast Bound to each other….. With ties that should last At 40 my young sons….. Have grown and are gone But my woman is beside me…. To say I don’t mourn At 50 once more….. Babies play round my knee Again we know children….. My loved one and me Dark days are upon me…. My wife is now dead I look at the future…. I shudder with dread For my young are all rearing….. Young of their own I think of the years…. And the love that I’ve known I am an old man…. And nature is cruel It’s just to make old age…. Look like a fall The body it crumbles… Grace and vigour depart There is now a stone…. Where once I had a heart But inside this old carcass…. A young man still dwells And now and again…. My battered heart swells I remember the joys I remember the pain And I’m loving and living… Life over again I think of the years, all too few…. Gone too fast And accept the stark fact….. That nothing can last So open your eyes, people…. Open and see Not a cranky old man ...Look closer….. See…… Me!! Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within. We will all, one day, be there as well. Remember too, the best and most beautiful things of this world can not be seen or touched. They must be felt by the heart! Submitted by IP Frank Mouqué

The Royal Hospital was the venue chosen this year for a party to set off the UK American Baseball season, attended by many Americans and to which 20 pensioners were invited. With half of America following the game it is a very big occasion in their sporting calendar and a party with crayfish is all part of

the scene. In fact Americans like crayfish so much the consumed over 90,000 tons last year!! For the uninitiated it is like a small lobster, but, when cooked, is delicious - once through the shell body! Added to this were plates full of southern style chick-

en and big slices of melon. Held in the North front of the Hospital the entertainment included a real Ladies Mexican Band in full national dress. The weather was hot but Camdem Brewery had their Beer on Wheels van and the ice bulls head, above, went some way into cooling things down. IP John West

N O PO

EE RS

M IL IT A

O M

While researching ideas for military memorabilia I stumbled across an idea for a bespoke game of Monopoly, so the my first step was to contact the owner of Monopoly; Hasbro to find out if this was possible. After confirming it was they put me in touch with Winning Moves, licensed to create bespoke games. Following a discussion, and obtaining a quote, I took the idea to the board of Directors of The Sapper Shop, who all agreed this could be a great project for us. We formed a design team consisting of The Sapper Shop Board of Directors, staff and a selection of other senior Soldiers and Officers from across the Corps. Our first action was to choose the six playing pieces, as below. It was

Once the all-important certificate of authenticity had taken shape the designs were submitted to the MOD, and Hasbro, for clearance to proceed. It was a monumental day for The Sapper Shop when we were given clearance to go into production. LIMITED EDITION COPIES

An order tor 5004 limited edition copies of The Corps of Royal Engineers Monopoly made their way to Brompton Barracks, from the Hasbro factory, in Southern Ireland in April 2018. Certain numbers were protected to be entered into a blind bid auction. This included Regiment and Squadron numbers, both current day and disbanded. This gave people the chance to own a particular certificate number in the collection of 5000. The auction was run for a week prior to pre-order launch day. Yes it was a long night in the shop but I managed to finish the auctions and collate the winners by 02.00 hr! This made for a very sleepy Stephanie come pre-order launch day. The shop was the busiest it has ever been with people queuing outside. CERTIFICATE NUMBERS

Remaining certificate number are allocated on a first come first serve basis with customers keen to snap up the last three or four, from their service number, or a particular number or date they held dear. Added to this our shop website was put through its paces as record orders poured in from across the globe making it a monumental task for the small team here at The Sapper Shop. Nevertheless one we have thor-

oughly enjoyed having shipped the game across the planet from Peru to New Zealand and almost everywhere in-between. We have seen it framed and hung on walls, played amongst families along with many being put in the loft with the family heirlooms to be treasured and passed down through generations. With the print run being 5004 it was decided that the final 4 games would be gifted with bespoke certificates of authenticity to military places of residence where they could be played and enjoyed. ROYAL HOSPITAL CHELSEA

The Royal Hospital Chelsea where we currently have more than 30 Sappers in residence, The Royal British Legion Village in Aylesford, Combat Stress Tyrwhitt House and The DNRC at Stanford Hall. Certificate number 10 made its way to Downing Street so that future Prime Ministers can enjoy the Corpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rich history and gain some understanding of what we do. Finally box 1952 will be presented by the Chief Royal Engineer to Her Majesty the Queen to mark the year of her coronation. It has been a great achievement for both the Corps and the Sapper Shop to have such a fantastic item of memorabilia to be enjoyed by all members of the Corps along with friends and family past and present. The question now is how many people have found the mouse hiding on the board? Steps Harper, Sapper Shop Manager Photos Courtesy of Chris Lawson

Steps Harper presents the Royal Hospital copy

then decided to use Sapper Barracks, in the UK and Germany, to populate the street names around the board. Having ironed out these aspects we got to work on the chance and community chest cards, renaming them as NAAFI break and Part One Orders. Our next move was the design of the box and background of the board. With thousands of photos to choose from it was no easy task as shape and layout was essential plus the copyright of all images had to be obtained. Design of these two aspects were certainly the most labour intensive changing fourteen times before the final design was chosen.

well, two of us worked the first lock, and one went to set the next lock, as long as no boat was coming up, as we were going down. By Monday evening we had stopped 2 two locks before Stratford Bancroft basin. Each evening we had a meal in an interesting country pub and by 08.00 Tuesday morning we were moored for two nights in Stratford Bancroft basin. Some time last year my daughter rang me and said “Do you fancy a few days trip , back on the canals.” As I had spent most of my life messing about in boats, and had loved it, of course I said yes. So this September, a 70ft narrow boat was hired for 6 of our family and friends. Elaine, my daughter, Ian my son, Leaf my daughter in law and Christine and Colin our friends. We collected the boat up at Alvechurch near Redditch. The girls, all in their sixties, but still girls to me, wanted to get to Stratford upon Avon and back. 110 LOCKS & MUCH LEGWORK

While the boys moved our kit from the cars to the boat, the girls and I sorted out the paperwork, and obtaining instructions from the hire fleet lady. She said to the girls, looking at me, “To get to Stratford and back means going through 110 locks and much legwork in a week.” We thanked her and left the mooring on Saturday afternoon. After about an hour, Ian noticed the fresh water pump was running continuously, and we had a list to one side. Also the toilet foot pedal had jammed open and was pumping water, which had filled the effluent tank and started to flood the floor. RETURN FOR PUMP OUT

We contacted the hire people and the engineer said that we needed to go back to the boat yard for a pump out and a refill of the water tank. When we told him where we were, he said we would not be able to turn around until we had gone a lot further on as we had just passed a turning place. Ian commented “I think I saw a spot a short way back that we could try” By use of the engine in reverse, and steering with ropes from the towpath, we got he boat back, to where

we could put the bow into a little inlet and pulled the stern around with ropes, to face the other way. Shortly after, the hire company engineer arrived and said “I didn’t think you would be able to do that”. WOKE TO ENGINE NOISE

We went back to the boat yard to get pumped out, sorted out the pedal switch, spent the night and set off early Sunday morning as I woke to the noise of the engine and saw we were on the move. It rained nearly all of the morning, but at least, there were no locks, so only the person steering got wet. By lunch time the rain had stopped and the first lock was coming up. We all had jobs. Elaine and the boys did the locks, Leaf and Chris, food and drinks, and I had the easy job on the helm. It all worked very

WALL TO WALL SUNSHINE

By now we were getting wall to wall sunshine which continued for the rest of the week. Tuesday was spent soaking up a bit of Shakespeare culture, on a bus trip. Colin said “£3 to see his grave was a bit much.” On Wednesday we set off to climb back up the locks. After the locks, at Kingswood Junction we changed direction, heading towards Birmingham and the Cadbury chocolate factory to top up for those with a sweet tooth. By Friday evening we had found a nice pub to finish up a short distance from Alvechurch, to get back by 09.00 on the Saturday. Already the family are talking about another trip in a different area next year. “Are you up for it dad?” As my mother in Law used to say “If I’m spared” IP Alan Brunger with the help of Elaine

THE TRIANGULAR VERNAID BANDAGE This triangular bandage was originally invented in Switzerland, but was popularised during the Franco-Prussian war by Friederich von Esmarch, Surgeon General of the German Army. He found that the triangular fabric could cover almost any type of injury. The bandage was later adopted by the Red Cross and other first aid organisations in the early 20th century, who produced an illustrated version containing basic first aid instructions. This example was used during World War One and was endorsed by Sir James Cantlie (1851– 1926), an authority on the training of ambulance services and first aid for civilians.

Sir James Cantlie KBE FRCS became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and Surgeon at Charing Cross hospital. In 1888 he took up a position as Dean of the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese. His work included investigations into leprosy and various tropical diseases. In 1897 he returned to London, where he was involved in the setting up of the Journal of Tropical Medicine and of the London School of Tropical Medicine. During the First World War his work centred on the provision and training of ambulance services. He died in 1926.*

2018 WORLD CONKER CHAMPIONSHIPS There is only one John Riley, our very own Royal Hospital Chelsea 2017 World Conkering Champion but, is it possible he could repeat his antics in this year’s tournament. Our John has boasted and bragged for a whole year, how he is the best conker basher, in the world and how upset the world would be, to see him unseated (we are hoping ?) if only to shut him up. On the 13th October an intrepid team of 10 withered, arthritic pensioners of dubious fame, including John, complete with wellies, left the hustle and bustle of Chelsea for the Wild and Windy Northern climes of Southwick, in the Beautiful County of Northamptonshire.

HEAVENS OPENED UP

Three vehicles left Chelsea and had an uneventful trip. However, on arrival, the heavens opened up but after running on the spot for hours, and many rub downs, it was decided by the powers that be, the Championship would continue. No bailing out by our hard and woollie locals. After booking in, and getting lost, our Champion was ready. The contest started with a Proclamation by Roy Palmer, the Championships very own Town Crier who also, happens to be a Chelsea Pensioner.

Then, the tournament really got under way, with the first contest between, the reigning Champion, John and the Town Crier himself. NEEDLE AND TANTRUMS

Needless to say despite much needle and tantrums by Roy Palmer and much cheating by the reigning champion, he emerged victorious. Now the contest really got underway. The rain still is tumbling down and the Pensioners, despite umbrellas and rainwear, were soaked to the skin. At this point, some of us decided to call it a day and quickly retired back to Chelsea. However the stalwarts were not going to be beaten (oh yes they were). The contest was fierce, but slowly we were ALL beaten and with the disbelief of failure, we all returned to Chelsea. Thank goodness. PLACES RESERVED FOR 2018

The organisers have since stated that even though we were all rubbish, our places are reserved for next

year’s tournament. One good thing to come out of our demise, is that, John Riley has been deposed and can now keep quiet. I am now a Chelsea Pensioner and current Town Crier for Mablethorpe and Sutton on Sea, Lincolnshire. I became the Town Crier for Southwick Conker Championships, as I had many connection being born in next door village Glapthorne, I was visiting a boyhood friend in Southwick, when he happened to mention my Town Crier prowess, and the organisers, seeing my potential and the benefit to the competition, asked me to participate, which I was delighted to do. (May I say in all modesty, I have done a good job). But I still couldn’t beat John Riley. IP Roy Palmer,

THE PERILS OF COMPUTER DATING IP1 So how’s that new computer you bought, how you getting on with it? IP2 I have posted my information on a dating site to seek a lady IP1 How did you describe yourself – not forgetting all your aches and pains and the 20 tablets you take each day? IP2 Simple – A good looking, very fit elder person. I mean I attend the gym regularly, what else could I say and could she expect? IP1 Did you include a photo? IP2 No. I had not got that sorted out, at least not a recent one. IP2 Did you get any response? IP1 Yes 30 replies. I was very encouraged they were lovely but they all asked for a photo, urgently. IP1 Did you send one? IP2 I have had to have one taken IP1 Was it full length in scarlet? IP2 No way. Head and shoulders in civvies IP1 So then what happened? IP2 They all blanked me and I could not understand why. IP2 No wonder they all blanked you. Could you not wait until you got your new false teeth?*

NEW MASTER FOR THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF PLUMBERS IP’s John Denton and Ray Pearson were guests at our annual installation, at Vintners Hall in October, when Dame Fiona Woolf, the second woman to hold the post of Lord Mayor of the City of London, became the new Master of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers. As the outgoing master it was a great honour to serve the Worshipful Company of Plumbers as Master for 2017/2018; a link with over 653 years of history. FIRST ORDINANCES

The Company’s first ordinances is dated 1365, making it one of the oldest of the 110 Livery Companies in the City of London. It received its Royal Charter from King James I (and VI of Scotland) in 1611 (the year in which he approved the Authorised Version of the Bible). Initially, all City Livery Companies played a role in regulating their trade within the City. To undertake plumbing, one had to be either a Liveryman of the Company or be apprenticed to a Liveryman. Rules of the Company’s stated that a plumber should submit himself to examination by the best and most skilful men in the trade, in order, that he might be certified so that “the trade might not be

scandalised, or the commonalty damaged and deceived by folk who do not know their trade.”

MANY OPPORTUNITIES

During my year as Master I had so many opportunities to explain the role of the Company today when meeting people at one of more than 200 separate events I attended with my wife, Sheila This aspect of being Master can be summarised as supporting the craft and profession of plumbing, supporting the City of London Corporation, the Lord Mayor and the Sheriffs and undertaking charitable opportunities. Although no longer involved in regulating the industry, the Plumbers’ Company retains a keen interest in the way in which plumbing is undertaken in this country- where it is legal for anyone, even with absolutely no training, to work as and call themselves a plumber.

the use of qualified plumbers employed by professional businesses which I am familiar with as I used to serve as a Director of that scheme. Masters of Livery Companies process at City events, in order of precedence, with the Plumbers ranking as 31st out of 110, at events such as the Election of the Lord Mayor and the Sheriffs in Guildhall. During the year I also processed; in full gown and chain into services in St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Cathedral. One of the highlights for me was the installation of the first ever Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally, in St Paul’s. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

We work with the recognised industry trade and professional bodies to promote high standards of training and are currently involved in exploring ways in which better regulation might be achieved. One of its Past Masters chairs is the WaterSafe scheme which promotes

With strong links to the City we support good causes, both in the industry and in the City One project involves supporting the charity Village by Village which works with poor communities in Africa in introducing basic plumbing systems and educating the villagers about the health benefits of hand washing. Working with plumbing apprentices our charity provides prizes and presents bursaries which enable students to acquire a significant set of plumbing tools. These bursaries are presented each year on or near March 11, World Plumbing Day, next to the statue of a plumbing apprentice, which dominates Cannon Street Station.

Robert Burgon, Immediate Past Master; Shelia Borgon; Dame Fiona Woolf, Master; with IP’s John Denton and Ray Pearson

In recognition of the important role played by In Pensioners at City of London events, and the friendships which members of the Company have established, the charity recently contributed to the Royal Hospital’s appeal for new scarlets. It has been good to see In Pensioners Ray Pearson and John Denton resplend-

PROMOTE STANDARDS

SCARLET’S DONATION

The first of the Company’s Halls in Chequer Yard was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666 and rebuilt in 1669. It was demolished in 1863 to make way for Cannon Street Railway Station.

ent in their scarlets at the Company Carol Service and the recent Installation of the new Master and to meet other representatives of RHC at a variety of events during the year. It is almost impossible to single out highlights of such an incredible yearthere have been so many. We have met many fascinating people on the journey, we have been to many amazing places and we have witnessed so much. DRUMHEAD SERVICE

However, in addition to events referred to above, I would mention the Drumhead ceremony at the Royal Hospital on 1 September 2018 marking the last 100 days of the Great War, an Officers’ Mess Guest Night at Brompton Barracks (the Plumbers are affiliated to the Royal Engineers) and the day when I opened a new Craft Leadwork Workshop at the Amberley Working Museum near Arundel. It has been a real honour to have been Master Plumber for one year and, now that I have joined the ranks of Past Masters, I look forward to seeing the Company going from strength to strength in the years ahead. Robert Burgon

ADEN EMERGENCY AND RADFAN

In the area we now know as Yemen, then a British Protectorate, a grenade was thrown at a party of British officials at Aden airport on the 14 October 1963 which killed a woman and injured 50 people. This resulted in a state of emergency being declared in the British Crown Colony of Aden and its hinterland. Confusion regarding who was fighting who was caused by there being two main factions; the National Liberation Front, supported by Egypt, and the Front for the Liberation of Occupied South Yemen.

TWO FRONT FIGHTING

Although they fought each other they also both fought against Britain. Attacks on RAF Khormaksar, in the Crater and on the Dhala Road were targeted directly at British Forces. Subsequently 24th Infantry Brigade arrived in 1964 to conduct land operations, and by 1965 RAF Khormaksar was operating 9 squadrons plus RAF Police, a signals Unit and 2 Sqns of the RAF Regiment. Other units included 2 Royal Navy Frigates, 3 Marine Commandos, 22 SAS Regiment, 4 Cavalry Regiments, a Battalion and Squadron of the RTR, 4 Battalions of Guards, 17 Infantry Battalions, 3 Para Bns, 10 RE Squadrons and J and I Batteries RHA. Added to this were supporting Corps who all took part on varying occasions up to the eventual withdrawal in November 1967. Total British casualties were 227 killed and 510 wounded. RADFAN

The Radfan hills were the home of the Qutaibi tribes people who had traditionally collected tolls from passing caravans, but the implementation of a customs union in 1962 put a stop to this. Of course, this was bitterly resented by the tribesmen and they began attacks on British and local forces.

The battery had 6x105mm howitzers which interdicted the road between Thurmier and Dhala. As a Forward Observation Officer, in an operation to clear the peaks, he remained there for a week signalling information back to the rear area. Later 2x5.5mm howitzers from 45 Regiment in Malaya were brought in on a aircraft carrier and were in action the very next day. They fired 2 or 3 times a day in support of the infantry. David Jackson was detached from the 15/19th Hussars to 15 Flight of 653 Sqn AAC as a Beaver pilot, stationed at Thurmier. His duties included transport of cargo and passengers, casevac off Radfan and reconnaissance, flying an average of 5-10 sorties each day in support of Royal Marines, Infantry and the SAS. One of the ‘hairiest’ jobs was night flying, as the only light allowed for take-off was a torch held by a brave individual at the other end of the runway.

EXTRA FLYING PAY

David was there from 1962-64 living in an 8 man tent with day temperatures averaging 40 degrees, but much cooler at night. He received extra flying pay of £30 per month. He recalls that there were many RE units including Postal & Courier,

signals, RAOC and other Corps. On the front line, Lofty Large of 18 Troop SAS said in his book ‘One Man’s SAS’, .. ‘What we were doing in Aden remained a mystery to all of us. Ours not to reason why?’ Significantly he praised the RAF Hunter Squadrons and RAF Helicopter support that they received while on operations in the Radfan hills. He was convinced that casualties would have been much higher without their support. ONE OF MANY EMERGENCIES

Radfan was just one of many emergencies in the 1960s and many of the young men who served there were volunteers. It says a lot for their courage and training that they were able to do their jobs under very trying circumstances: However, many lost their lives, or were wounded, as Lofty Large said, not knowing the reason why they were there! IP John Gallagher

Freemasons Armistice CENTENARY

November 10th saw seven Masonic In Pensioners invited, as guests of Victoria Rifles Lodge No822, to their Armistice Centenary Meeting in the Grand Temple at Freemasons Hall. After the lodge business had been completed we paraded in to applause from over 1,500 Freemasons. The commemoration consisted of a moving sound and light show accompanied by poems, letters and a sing along. It concluded with the Last Post and Reveille.*

TWO IN PENSIONERS

Two In Pensioners here who took part in the emergency were Terry Wiltshire and David Jackson. Terry was a Sgt with J Battery RHA from Jan 1964-Sept 1964 based at Thurmier, a light airstrip.

MEET THE TEAM PROTOCOL OFFICER

The new Protocol Officer is Lt Col (Retd) Mark Williams. His du-

ties include major recurring events held at the Royal Hospital including Founders Day, Remembrance events and the Cheese and Cake ceremonies. He is employed part-time across the year with a full time requirement from March until Founders Day. Mark joined the Army when 18 years old in 1975 as a RCT Driver/ potential officer. He attended the Regular Commissioning Board in 1976. He has served at Arborfield, Sandhurst, Osnabruck, Shrivenham, Kirton-in-Lindsey, Hohne/Wolfenbuttel, Bielefeld and HQ UK Land Forces at Wilton. He has completed a BA and MA and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2012. He was Head of Chancery in the International Office of the Order of St John for several years prior to joining the Royal Hospital.

He saw service in Northern Ireland, Rhodesia and The Gulf (1991). He was promoted to WO1 and later obtained an LE Commission as Captain. After leaving the service he was a self-employed shop owner and sub postmaster and later

a Quality Manager. Arthur retired in 2014 and joined the Royal Hospital in 2017. Arthur inputs information and Founders Day requests from In Pensioners. He deals with the issue of tickets and guest tickets.

POPPY BALL SWINDON

John Morris and I attended the WW1 100th Anniversary celebrations in Swindon on the 3rd and 4th of November. On the first evening we attended the RAF 100th Anniversary Celebration and, after I had delivered the Ode to Remembrance the last post was sounded. Music throughout the evening was provided by the RAF full orchestra and their Dance band. There was also a display by the

BATTLEFIELDS TO BUTTERFLIES CHELSEA PENSIONERS MEMORIAL

At an event in Brompton Cemetery Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of World War 1, The Royal Parks, supported by the Royal Parks Guild, remembered all those parks, gardens and grounds staff lost in World War 1. They also supported the creation of the Chelsea Pensioners’ Battlefields to Butterflies wildflower meadow around the monument erected to 2,625 pensioners buried in the cemetery between 1855 and 1893. Consecrated by Charles James Blomfield, the Bishop of London in June 1840, it is one of Britain’s oldest and most distinguished garden cemeteries marking the resting place of more than 205,000 burials.*

Queen’s Colour Squadron followed by an excellent dinner, together with appropriate accompanying alcohol. On Saturday we attended an event in a local school which had been set up to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Great War. The Lord Mayor and Mayoress of Swindon were in attendance and formally opened the event. John Morris was interviewed by the local radio station and, while he was achieving fame, I met a group of people who all had a story to tell, and memorabilia of their relatives’ experiences during World War 1. I found this to be very poignant and emotional. That evening we attended the annual Rotarian Poppy Ball. I was tasked with delivering ‘The Road to Mandalay’ by Rudyard Kipling, with World War 2 images of Burma in the background accompanied by the Royal Marines band.

The Ode to Remembrance, last post and Kohima epitaph followed. We then had an excellent dinner where the wine flowed again accompanied by port and cheese to complete the feeding frenzy. The Royal Marines dance band got us all up on the floor followed by a disco until the wee hours. IP John Gallagher

ASSISTANT PROTOCOL OFFICER

Arthur Currie served in the Queens Royal Irish Hussars from 21 November 1965 until 1 April 1994; a total of 28 years.

BRIAN REPRESENTs RHC IN PORTUGAL In 1916 Portugal entered World War One on the side of Britain and the Allies and suffered its share of casualties. This year many commemora-

changed. It now provides an international education and half the pupils are Portuguese. But whatever nationality, all were most excited when Brian arrived there in uniform, medals glinting, on November 9. Having met the headteacher he was shown round the school, took assembly, spoke to various classes and had lunch with the teachers of the history section. PUPILS WELL PREPARED

Colonel Garth Manger. RM tions took place marking 100 years since the signing of The Armistice in 1918. The British community in Lisbon, at that time, lost sons in the conflict as they did in World War II. So it was particularly special that In Pensioner Brian Cumming flew out to Lisbon on November 8, to help them remember and reflect. GROWTH BRINGS CHANGE

Brian’s first official visit was to St Julian’s School in Carcavelos, by happy coincidence founded in 1932, the year of his birth, to provide a British education primarily for British children living in Portugal at that time. Since that time, in which the school has grown enormously, things have

The older pupils had prepared well, having studied the history of World War I and were full of questions to ask a retired soldier. Brian’s favourite question though was proffered by a younger pupil who asked if he was the King of England! The whole visit was deemed a huge success. The following day after being entertained to lunch by well-known members of the community, it was off to the British retirement home for tea. ENTERTAINED THE RESIDENTS

Brian entertained the residents with his tales of life at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, and it was a particular hit with the ladies, one of whom thought he should change his place of residence and keep them company on a permanent basis. Sunday, November 11 was obviously a highlight and the principle reason for Brians’ visit. St Georges Anglican church has been a focus for the British community in the Lisbon area since the 18th century. After the end of the World War I Remembrance Day service has been held annually but, with 2018 being such a

special anniversary, the large church was packed with standing room only at the back. Seven ambassadors attended. Most of them laying wreaths in memory of the fallen. This was the first time for any German ambassador and the present incumbent was invited, in the current spirit of reconciliation, and laid a large bouquet of flowers. Brian laid a wreath on behalf of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, and in his scarlet contributed both colour and gravitas to the occasion. It was a moving service in which young and old took part. Afterwards Brian had the opportunity to meet many people at a reception before adjourning to a local pub for a welcome pint. Then on to lunch, organised by the Royal British Legion. STRIKFORNATO HQ

All good things come to an end and on Brian’s last day a visit was arranged to STRIKEFORNATO at their headquarters in Oeiras, just outside Lisbon. A meeting with Rear Admiral Guy A Robinson OBE Deputy Commander was first on the itinerary, during which Brian presented him with a plaque from the RHC. A tour of the premises followed

during which Brian was particularly interested in the communications room, having served in the Royal Corps of Signals. A question and answer session with British servicemen there proved both interesting and informative and, after a group photo, left, it was time for lunch and a drive along the coast to Lisbon airport for the start of his journey home. Mrs Carol Rankin Mason Past RHC Archivist

HARRY & MARJORIE MEET JUST JANE June 22nd saw IPs Marjorie Cole

and Harry Puttick departing for Armed Forces Day celebrations in Scunthorpe. The committee there always comes up with a surprise on the first or second days of our arrival and they lived up to expectations. After settling in to our Premier Inn accommodation we embarked on transport and were taken to Caister Lakes. Here we had the opportunity to fish while being sustained by drinks and meals, at the Lakeside, without losing a nibble or a bite very civilised! We were then treated to a slap up meal with all our friends in very convivial surroundings. On the Saturday, after a hearty(eat what you like) breakfast, we were taken to East Kirkby for a visit to the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre; the Memorial to Bomber Command (1943- 45), a fitting choice in which to honour, and celebrate, the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Air Force. UNTOUCHED AS A FITTING TRIBUTE

As a base, East Kirkby was left untouched at the end of World War Two as a fitting tribute to the many young airmen, from all over the world, who lost their lives in such large numbers. The museum was irresistible with artefacts from both German and Allied aircraft, many of which had been recovered from the Lincolnshire fields. It was so comprehensive that it was difficult to take it all in. A Lancaster bomber, below, named ‘Just Jane’, after the Daily Mirror cartoon character, was on show and open to the general public. We had many photo shoots with this iconic aircraft.

A mosquito bomber was under construction and was one of the many used so effectively as night fighters; light, tough and very effective One of the most important parts of the museum was the Memorial Chapel as it holds the role of honour naming all 848 aircrew and ground crew, serving in 57 and 630 squadrons out of East Kirkby. CONTEMPLATION & REMEMBRANCE.

At the end of a very enjoyable and informative visit another surprise awaited us at our hotel. This took the form of a presentation pack of biscuits for both of us and a card which read ‘It is an absolute pleasure looking after you this weekend hope you had a lovely comfortable stay with us’. Typical of the warmth of the reception we met everywhere from this generous genuine and sincere people. Sunday was an early start and time for us to ‘earn our crust’. Armed Forces Day was held at Frodingham Park. The event was opened by the Lord Lt of Lincoln, Reggie Twyatt, and his charming wife Charlotte. We took the salute with the Mayor of Scunthorpe at the march past of the standards together with various units of the military personnel. MANY STALLS AND EVENTS

The day was very hot and sweltering, with many stalls and events to occupy the children. This included static military displays, a shooting gallery. Next to this the ice cream vans and beer tents, were the second most popular attraction. There were displays, competitions and a pipe band recital in the arena. But the ic-

ing on the cake was a huge screen to relay the England match in the World Cup to the masses. A stroke of genius to keep the punters on board and to attend the event. There was much to see and participate in but the primary target was to keep the Royal Hospital and the members of the forces in the public eye; a task that was successfully achieved. Armed Forces Day duly came to a close with the playing of the evening hymn and sunset. Normally we would be returning to Chelsea early on the following day, but there was one more surprise in store. We were picked up and, after travelling through the beautiful and picturesque Lincolnshire countryside, all became clear when the Humber Bridge hove into view and we crossed into the city of Hull with our destination being Trinity House School and a privileged tour of both the school and museum. This had been arranged by Charlotte, the Lord Lt’s wife.

ACCUMULATED NAUTICAL HISTORY

There was so much to be taken in from the nautical history accumulated over centuries, the voyages of Captain Cook; the drawings of the artists who form part of his exhibition, all on view after centuries of exploration. The history of the school itself and its purpose of ensuring traditions of the ages being carried out today was also interesting. It was a long and interesting visit which we thoroughly enjoyed. Although we had been bombarded with facts, figures, dates and information it would take too long to do Trinity House justice without a prepared brief. Following this very informative, and interesting visit, we lunched at a local pub under the bridge on the banks of the Humber in idyllic weather before being taken to a gorgeous venue for a photo shoot in the loveliest of settings. MUCH APPRECIATED GESTURE

Sadly it became time to say goodbye. We were amazed when the Lord Lt. and Charlotte came to see us off with a gift which was a lovely gesture and very much appreciated by us both. It would not be appropriate if we did not thank our hosts Lisa, Tony, Maggie, Shayne, and everyone,who made our stay so memorable. Our best wishes to Dougie -the President - for a rapid recovery. IP’s Harry Puttick and Marjorie Cole

JIM’S BOOK SIGNING

They suggested that 21st of December would be a good day, because it was FEROZASHAH day which was an old Battle honour of the regiment which was celebrated by the Old Comrades in the time honoured manner. FIRST RAISED

Outside The Kings Head pub, in 1705 the regiment was first raised and in 1715 was designated the 38th of Foot. A big turnout was expected which held promise of a successful book signing session to introduce a new book into the marketplace. It was hard work trying to convince a man with a pint glass of beer in each hand

GUNFIRE The British Army has a tradition That is played out every year. It is known as Gunfire breakfast And is meant as a sign of good cheer. The first Christmas I spent in the Army, Was in Yorkshire’s vast Catterick camp. I was posted as guard over Christmas Day, To patrol in the cold and the damp. It was nine o-clock in the morning, When the RSM burst through the door. He shouted out ‘Happy Christmas All’, As he slammed his black boots on the floor. He held an urn in his big bulging arms, And poured out large mugs of hot tea. He said ‘Here’s a cup of hot gunfire, As your Christmas present from me!’ The gunfire consisted of strong Army tea, With a lot of rum added for taste. I lay in my bed with my mug in my hand, As I drank it, it warmed up my waist.

I was accompanied by IP Alan Rutter for the launch of my book “The Story of Jim” when I was offered a book signing by Staffordshire Regiment’s Old Comrades Association.

to give a little thought to buying a copy of my book and actually having it signed by the author. MORE COPIES

But after spending hours of struggling through crowds of beer drinkers, all getting the worse for wear as the day wore on, by the end of the day I had sold all 20 books. If I had brought with me I could probably have sold a few more.

The RSM gave me a loving smile, Which just served to fill me with fear. It was like the smile that a rattlesnake gives, If you happen to venture too near. ‘You enjoy your mug full of gunfire, You’ve earned it, my dear little men. Then kindly put the Queen’s uniform on, And report to the guard room by ten.’ Then he flew out the door like a vampire, And we drank up our rum-flavoured tea. As I dressed I nervously smiled at the thought, Our Santa frightened the hell out of me. From ‘The Canal Zoners’ Magazine Nov. 2018

IP Jim Fellows

MANY BENEFITED FROM CO-OPERATION WITH RAPTC

With all the information available on the Internet, I find it difficult to describe a simple visit to a ‘museum’, without first mulling over, what might the reader or audience, bearing witness to my effort, be expecting? What makes this item of literary endeavour more difficult for me is that it closes in on a part of my life where post-war relocation, education and general disruption of family ‘values’ were lost with some members of my immediate family, just as many others were. My Father is actually at the centre of the root of my motivation for visiting the RAPTC Museum in Aldershot; but for you, the reader, I shall attempt to describe sufficient of interest, without overflowing into my family history. VASTLY DIFFERENT

The RAPTC today is vastly different from the first formation, in 1860, of a unit designed to be responsible for ‘Gymnastic’ (fitness) training and maintenance. This unique ‘School’, to be based in Aldershot, eventually comprised of two ‘Facility’ Buildings: A Gym and a Swimming Pool. During WW2, soldiers of many Allied countries were sent here for Special

Greats may be found; at the RAPTC Museum, just behind the original Gym on Queens Avenue. I am sure you all know it; adjacent to the Sports Stadium. If you are a sports fan and a soldier, or In Pensioner, it is worth the trip. Of course I should also point out that a comprehensive, itemised site exists on

the web and is also worth a visit, perhaps as a ‘taster’. Among the many exhibits at the RAPTC Museum is a comprehensive list of football matches played, during WW2, with the names of the Football Greats who represented ‘Great Britain’ in these unique games. IP Bill Gorrie

PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN 61 YEARS AGO WINS ROYAL APPROVAL

Olympic torch relay cauldron

Ops training; prior to the 1944 landings, for example, and other missions of a more ‘exclusive’ nature.

HUMOROUS STORY

My father briefly mentioned such things, if asked, but occasionally he would inform of some humorous story concerning the then celebrated personalities of the sporting world. During the War years almost all publicly-acknowledged sporting personalities had spent time at the Army School of Physical Training. Sir Matt Busby, for example spent time at the School, with the APTC. He and many others, right up to the present day have benefited from cooperation with the RAPTC, before, during, and since WW2. It is here that memorabilia items of some of Britain’s Sporting are housed.

Dress through the ages

Quite a few weeks ago, about the same time Prince Harry was married; Emily, our pottery instructor, and I decided to send some sort of present, from the ‘Ceramic Group of Chelsea Pensioners. Earlier we had been practicing reproducing photographs on ceramic tiles. I had taken a photograph of HRH Prince Phillip in the

Then we forgot about it. Some time later our RSM dashed into my berth and handed me an envelope, which he said had just come by special courier from Kensington Palace. Unfortunately it was not a personal message from Prince Harry, although he probably dictated the substance of the message to a secretary.

Antarctic with the Britannia in the background(1957) which we used to create a ceramic picture tile. I then had this framed in a small deep, natural wood frame. Recent newspaper reports had commented on the close friendly relationship between Prince Harry and the Duke of Edinburgh, so it seemed to make an ideal item for a present. It was duly made and despatched.

Addressed to... Dear Chelsea Pensioners at the Royal Hospital the letter stated that “Your thoughtful and unusual gift will be much cherished and how touching that the photograph was taken by Jim Fellows who is now a Chelsea Pensioner. Your kind words on the occasion of Their Royal Highnesses’ marriage are much appreciated’

IP Jim Fellows

HOME COMING OF A CHELSEA PENSIONER’S MEDAL

Before I came to The Royal Hospital, I lived in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire and collected medals related to people from that area. Now I also collect medals related to former In Pensioners. Although they don’t appear on the open market very often, when they do, they can be quite expensive. About a year ago a medal dealer in Cheltenham, who is an old friend of mine, had a Waterloo medal awarded to Gunner William Taylor for sale. He thought Taylor had been a Chelsea Pensioner, so he asked me to check. I did, and he had been.

AN ICONIC MEDAL

At the time I did not have a Waterloo medal in my on collection and since this is such an iconic medal, I decided to purchase it myself. After a short (and somewhat painful!) discussion, a price was agreed upon and the medal was on its way back to The Royal Hospital. However, buying the medal was the easy bit! The medal roll for Waterloo showed that there were at least five Gunner William Taylors who received the Waterloo medal. So, which of these was ‘my’ Gunner William Taylor? Research by a previous owner had concentrated on records relating to the Royal Horse Artillery (RHA). Why? I had immediately eliminated any RHA men from my research since the naming on the medal quite

clearly shows that this William Taylor served in the Royal Foot Artillery. Further research of the medal roll reduced the numbers down to three

I acquired a copy of the Service documents relating to all three of these men and found that Gunner William Taylor, in Captain Hutchesson’s Company, was admitted to the pension list as an Out-Pensioner on 2nd November 1828 with a pension of 5d a day. BURIED IN BROMPTON CEMETERY.

He then became an In-Pensioner on 1st January 1866. Sadly, he died just two years later on 3rd February 1868 and was buried in nearby Brompton cemetery. This man would appear to be ‘my’ William Taylor. William had joined the army on 1st January 1811, at which time Captain Hutchesson’s company was serving in Spain. They returned to England in 1814, when Taylor joined them. In May 1815 the Company was hurriedly rushed out to Belgium where much of it was held in reserve by the Duke of Wellington. However, a small detachment including William Taylor did see action at Waterloo where they were employed on ammunition resupply duties. ARMY RETREATED SOUTH,

One face of the Chelsea Pensioner Memorial in Brompton Cemetry

men in three different artillery units: Major Lloyd’s Company, Royal Foot Artillery Captain Ilbert’s Company, Royal Foot Artillery Captain Hutchesson’s Company, Royal Foot Artillery

After the battle, the remnants of Napoleon’s army retreated south, hotly pursued by Marshal Blucher’s Prussian army. Wellington formed all his reserve artillery into a siege train to support Blucher. Both Captain Hutchesson’s and Ilbert’s companies took part in these operations. IP Mick Kippin

ARE YOU A PILOT - CAN YOU FLY?

The Chief of Staff of an Air Force decided to personally recruit some pilots and he saw two young twins. He looked at the first young man and asked: “Son, what skills can you bring to the Air Force?” The young man looks at him and says: “I’m a pilot!” The Chief of Staff gets all excited, turns to his aide and says: “Get him in today, all the paper work done, everything, do it!” As the aide hustles the young man off the Chief of Staff looks at the second young man and asks: “What skills could you bring to the Air Force?” The young man says: “I chop wood!” “Son,” the general replies: “We don’t need wood choppers in the Air Force, what do you know how to do?” “I chop wood!” he replied again. “Young man,” huffs the Chief of staff

“You are not listening to me, we don’t need wood choppers, this is the 20th century!” “Well,” the young man says, “You hired my brother!” “Of course we did,” says the chief of staff. “He’s a pilot!” The young man rolls his eyes and says: “So what! I have to chop it before he can pile it!”*

Chelsea bearded man happy meal*

REMEMBRANCE AT THE BRIDGE

This year’s remembrance celebrations had a particular poignant significance as not only was it on a Sunday, 11 November, the 11th day of the 11th hour, it also commemorated the end of hostilities of the 100 years of conflict. The Royal Hospital was heavily involved, as always, in many events. Not only at the Hospital itself but within the City of London, the Royal Albert Hall, the Cenotaph and throughout the country. We also have a strong link with Chelsea Football Club. The great sporting venue at Stamford Bridge is exceptionally popular with the men and women pensioners. This year CFC requested the services of seven In Pensioners, as they had organised a wreath laying service, to take place on the pitch, followed by two minutes silence. LEADING TEAMS ONTO THE PITCH

Chelsea’s opponents for the game were Everton football club. So two pensioners, Alastair Sword and I had the honour of leading the teams out onto the pitch while each carrying a poppy wreath. Alistair being a Chelsea supporter and I an ardent Everton fan. Everything went off perfectly with the referee blowing his whistle

at the end of the two minutes silence. The crowd were superb, you could hear a pin drop. Prior to the game commencing I was interviewed, pitch side, by Sky Television, and spoke of the special relationship the Royal Hospital has with the club, pointing out that Chelsea football club, over the years, was always known as the Chelsea Pensioners. Also that the club always invites seven pensioners, as guests, at every home game throughout the season. A DAY TO REMEMBER.

In conclusion it was a day to remember. The superb hospitality of Chelsea Football Club, meeting all the players and obtaining autographs etc. But for me the pleasure of seeing my beloved Everton not being thrashed by a rampant, confident, Chelsea side but gaining a valuable point in the nil nil draw. IP John Morris

Army veteran Michael received treatment for PTSD from Combat Stress in 2017.

death led many soldiers to develop what was known at the time as ‘shell shock’ or what we now call PTSD. The thousands of servicemen who returned with severe mental health problems received little or no sympathy from the public. Many were locked away indefinitely in war hospitals and asylums, while others chose to suffer in silence at home. VETERANS COULD BE HELPED

Combat Stress marks its centenary in 2019. In the 100 years since the charity was founded, treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has changed enormously. But the mental health problems that former servicemen and women can face are as relevant as ever. HUMAN COST ALL TOO OBVIOUS.

In 1918, the human cost of World War I was all too obvious. Millions had given their lives during the conflict and thousands returned from the trenches with debilitating injuries. But not all of the wounds veterans faced were physical – many who returned struggled to leave the battlefield behind mentally. The constant sound of heavy artillery, lack of sleep with the exposure to injury and

But the founders of Combat Stress believed that veterans could be helped to cope with their mental health problems through rehabilitation. Striking out against the contempt and misunderstanding of the time around mental health, they began fundraising to introduce residential homes where veterans could live and work, helping them to start rebuilding their lives. By 1920, the charity’s first recuperation home was opened on Putney Hill, South West London. Over time Combat Stress has developed its services and now provides evidence-based clinical treatment and support as well as a free 24-hour Helpline. For today’s former servicemen and women, as with returning veterans in 1919, the support of Combat Stress remains as vital as ever. ENCOURAGED TO TALK

Today society is encouraged to talk about how they are feeling and, as a result, more people than ever are seeking help. This can be seen in the fact that demand for the services of Combat Stress has almost doubled in the last ten years. Dr Walter Busuttil, Medical Director at Combat Stress

CUTTING THE CHEESE

STIRRING THE PUDDING

TERRIFIC TRADITIONS

Both events date back in history and, for me, the new boy on the block, presented another opportunity to witness the long traditions being celebrated. The Royal Hospital management headed by the Governor and Lady Bradshaw were present as well as the local dignitaries, the Milk Marketing Board and of course not forgetting the manufactures who supplied of a vast array of cheeses. Maj Shannon played his violin, the Padre gave a blessing and the QM insisted on a rendering of his favourite song - In The Stores. Naturally the pensioners duly obliged all looking resplendent in their scarlet’s and in full voice and in great number.

were displayed on several great tables the photographer set out his stall and briefed both Mike Wickens and me regarding his requirements. This resulted in many photographs as we had to hold the cheeses, maker by maker. A process which took about one and a half hours after which the photographer commented “it was the first time he had a take in one” I can only put that down to experience and a happy smile.

MIXING THE PUDDING

The Pudding Mixing was very different, much less formal with the pensioners dressed in their day dress uniform. Their arrival was greeted by the RHC Band into the great hall and the vision of the ingredients’ of the Christmas Pudding was displayed on tables stacked high ready to receive

Cutting the cheese was preformed with great ceremony with a sword wielded by IP Goddard after which those present mingled and were treated to a light buffet and a glass or two. The staff coped expertly and I give a word of thanks to them all. While the cheese ceremony took place in the Great Hall on Wed 5th December the photo shoot happened on Mon prior. Over 200 cheeses

the blessing of the Chaplain. The Governor and Lady Bradshaw did their share of adding and stirring before the assembled throng were let lose, many also proved to be good stirrers. The Christmas Carols rendered by the pensioners proved to be in full voice with that unique flavour gained from years on the barrack square, I don’t think there is another Jingle Bell or White Christmas to be had in the place. I think we can safely say, a task “well done” and be put to bed for another year. IP David Wright.

PENSIONER GAZETTE 2018 ADMISSIONS P STEAD D WRIGHT W J FRASER BEM B J CORBETT R J J PIPER A C PRINCE G D DOUGLAS-HILEY B E ROLFE G H N PARSONS S R PALMER A A KING J F BYRNE QVRM D HALL AA CHALKLEY R TAMKIN B CONNOR P J MORAN

2/JUL 09/JUL 09/JUL 16/JUL 16/JUL 23/JUL 30/JUL 06/AUG 13/AUG 03/SEP 17/SEP 24/SEP 01/OCT 08/OCT 12/NOV 03/DEC 17/DEC

LAST POSTINGS J G SCHULTE J A BARNS A KALWASINSKI D HOLLAND G E BAYLISS G LYON R DOWNTON W E WOOD C E SHRIMPTON L WALKER D H HUGHES D A WALTERS BEM J E CALLANDER

18/JUL 03/AUG 17/AUG 27/AUG 04/SEP 12/SEP 01/OCT 01/OCT 21/NOV 22/NOV 07/DEC 07/DEC 13/DEC

REVERSION TO OUT PENSIONER B SMITH

30/SEP

GODFREYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA

2018