The Craftsman - October 2022

THE CRAFTSMAN

Magazine of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

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The contents of The Craftsman are strictly copyright and all rights are expressly reserved. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the policy and views, official or otherwise, of the Editor, the Corps or the MOD, therefore no responsibility for these will be accepted. Whilst including an advertisement we are not necessarily endorsing the product and as a result, the publisher and its agents do not accept responsibility for any transaction between the reader and the advertiser. Whilst we take all precautions with regard to advertising, readers are advised to take professional advice before entering into any commitments. Letters concerning reproduction, contributions or any other matter should be addressed to the Editor.

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A message from Colonel REME

– Colonel Jason Phillips ADC

The REME Family,

Battalion REME lining part of the Procession route for Her Majesty’s State Funeral.

While

the official period of mourning has now ended, I know that the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who has guided the United Kingdom with constancy through decades of uncertainty and change, will take much longer to process. It is entirely normal to feel this loss and to need time to reflect and reconcile thoughts and emotions. At this difficult time, I hope you draw comfort and solace from knowing you have been so very privileged to have pledged your oath of allegiance to her and to have served in her Armed Forces.

In a letter of condolence to Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex, I wrote that “Her Majesty epitomised duty, selfless commitment and loyalty to all of us throughout her unprecedented 70-year reign. She was our guiding light and a source of unwavering stability in this turbulent world.” I also mentioned how the Corps was honoured to have 63 servicewomen and men from 8 Training

To generate 63 members of our Corps in tailored No1 Dress at pace so that they were ready for rehearsals and the Procession itself was no mean feat. Thank you to all those directly and indirectly involved in their preparation, not least Major Marc Wilding who led this contingent. I also want to thank the many other REME personnel who were committed to support the wider security operation in and around London and Windsor to enable the safe conduct of these historic events; in particular, 3 Armoured (Close Support) Battalion REME and 5 (Force Support) Battalion REME. Thank you all.

I hope that you all continue to reflect with enormous pride on your dedicated service to our late sovereign and Commander-in-Chief, and now look forward to loyally serving our new King, His Majesty King Charles III.

God save The King.

Arte et Marte.

Through Life Capability Management

Scribe: Colonel Stuart Nassé

the recent review of the Army Operating Model, my team has evolved into the catchily named Through Life Capability Management. More than rebranding, this new team has the potential to have a profound impact on not only the new kit and equipment we buy, but how we oversee and optimise the capabilities we already have.

Under

“Through Life” is not a new idea nor is it particularly innovative. However, we have at last won the argument to allocate dedicated workforce, resources, and freedoms to it; this is something new. We have a remit to manage our in-service capabilities throughout their usable life; identifying and delivering opportunities to improve, refresh, or retrofit small change that does not fall naturally to one of the existing programme teams delivering the Army’s change portfolio with the Programmes Directorate.

But what does this actually mean? We have to be better at ensuring that all change is proposed, measured, and balanced against conflicting priorities. We must ensure current capabilities are being upgraded through-life rather than privileging new capabilities 10 years’ hence. Op MOBILISE – the CGS-led prioritization of readiness and relevance – makes this short-term focus even more important. We simply cannot wait for the perfect solution in the future; the threat is now and so is the demand from our soldiers.

All change now is managed through the three elements of capability sponsorship – Field Army representing the current “live” challenges, Futures Directorate ensuring coherence with the longterm ambition, and the Programmes Directorate ensuring fleet coherence, value for money, and most importantly: deliverability. At the simplest level, we now have a routine drumbeat of assessing

Colonel Stuart Nassé (Assistant Head Through Life Capability Management)

those emergent requirements from the Field Army that they need addressing quickly.

We are exploiting the freedoms of delegated spending and buying those things where we can do so appropriately ourselves. This is critical so we do not over-burden our already busy delivery agents unnecessarily; saving their precious capacity for where we genuinely cannot be without their expertise. We are working closer with NATO to explore how we can use their own dedicated procurement agency to benefit from the research of our allies. Finally, and most excitingly, we are maximising the opportunity that experimentation offers us; ensuring that experimentation does not end with the science project but with more modern capabilities in the hands of the user.

The previous CGS spoke about prototype warfare – we are now enacting that as a route to delivery: buying small quantities and sending them on operations with our troops to trial them, report back, and inform future procurements. This gets the very best kit in the hands of those most in need, quickly, and hopefully accelerates our wider procurement processes.

But what does this mean for the REME? From my experience, the best problem finders, the best problem solvers, and the true innovators inevitably wear our cap badge. If there is something that will make better – today – the equipment that you operate or maintain, then speak up. If there is something that you know would make your job easier were it available, then shout loudly. There is now someone listening.

Through Life Capability Management, a new team in the Army HQ that delivers change. Working through the night to repair a JACKAL on Op MAKARA – what can we do to make this easier?

HRH Sophie, The Countess of Wessex, visit to British Forces Cyprus

Scribe: Maj Owen McNamee

On22 June 2022, HRH The Earl and Countess of Wessex visited British Forces Cyprus. As part of their visit, they had the opportunity to meet REME members of the Joint Mechanical and Engineering Transport Squadron (JMETS) who are based in RAF Akrotiri.

JMETS is a Bi-Service Squadron consisting of RAF and REME personnel and are ably supported by locally employed civilians. Their mission is to deliver engineering and transport solutions to British Forces, the Sovereign Base Police, Ambulance, Fire Services and of course the British Military contingent on the island.

As the REME’s new Colonel in Chief, the visit provided the Countess with a great opportunity to meet members of the Corps delivering operational output overseas.

Cpl Brookes recalls his memories of the closely guarded visit:

“The first I knew about the Royal Visit, was about a week before. Whilst walking into the office, I looked at the job board to see what was coming up over the next week or so. In amongst the usual activity on the Island, eight letters caught my eye in the corner of the board, “HRH Visit”! My initial thought was that this would be a great opportunity to show a member of the Royal Family what we in the REME are capable of. After an initial brief from WO1 (ASM) Mavin who described his vision for the event, we were left to get on with the nitty gritty of getting it organised; with only a quick final meeting to ensure all was in place.

On the day, we arrived early to make sure everything was set up, the area was clear to line up the obligatory thoroughly cleaned SV(R), which always provides and excellent back drop. We adorned the SVR with essential items such as the REME flag, an interest board and

black matting to save the Countess’ feet from the extremely aggressive seeds found in Cyprus called “Ouchies” (if you have been here before then you know all about them!). After changing into our “good kit” and we were in place, Their Royal Highnesses exited a building from a previous engagement. As they came out the band started playing and the children started cheering, Prince Edward was guided down the line of children from the primary school in RAF Akrotiri, while The Countess was diverted to meet us. On her arrival we were brought up to attention ready for her to travel down the line to meet each of us. My mind was filled with what I was going to say about Recovery Section’s role in Cyprus, and why Cfn Recce Wilkinson was dressed, as my boss SSgt Troy Binding describes it, like a binman (we use it for white fleet recovery). However, I didn’t need to worry. The Countess wanted us to gather around her and to speak to us informally, phew! After the introductions were made, she then started to ask us questions about life in Cyprus, how we find working in a multi service environment, and how we deal with carrying out physical tasks in the heat. As the conversation flowed, it became very clear that she had a good understanding of the different trades in the REME and their demands. You would think this would make us feel uneasy as she clearly knew her stuff, but she had a great knack for keeping it informal and keeping us relaxed. Unfortunately, our allotted time with her finished and she was gently guided away to join her Husband with the children and then on to their next appointment. It was a pleasure to meet our new Colonel in Chief and we were delighted to host her on her first, informal, trip to meet REME soldiers. The Countess demonstrated a good understanding of our trades and skill sets, but most importantly showed genuine interest in us as people. Arte et Marte.”

(L-R) WO1 (ASM) Mavin, SSgt Binding, Sgt Taylor, Cpl Vauls, Cpl Brookes, Cfn Wilkinson and LCpl Pratt meeting HRH

HRH looks at some of the more unusual jobs carried out by JMETS Recovery Section

The Corps of REME is 80 years old

01 October 2022 will mark the Corps 80th Birthday, 80 years young and still going strong. The Corps is very different today as it was back in 1942 when it was first formed. Most aspects of the Corps are very different from 1942, the equipment, the clothing, the technology and the culture are very different, however some aspects remain the same, the motto, Arte et Marte, Soldier First, Tradesman always and that can-do attitude!

Saturday

Not so long ago, REME 75 was celebrated, which was a massive celebration and brought with it a year of celebration. 5 years on from REME75 and so much has happened in a relatively short space of

new direction was to work from home, if you can. Social distancing, sanitising and LFT’/PCRs were very much the new normal within work or travelling in and out of the Country (if required). Exercises and overseas deployments were hampered slightly, due to more control measures in place, however as REME we adapt and overcome.

In terms of Engineering, we have the new BOXER vehicle which is nearly with us, it is due to begin arriving at the end of 2022, with the first vehicles scheduled to be ready for service next year.

CHALLENGER 3 is planned for 2027 with full operating capability scheduled for 2030. The AJAX vehicle, is still ongoing as trials and developments continue to overcome the noise and vibration problems.

Advanced Manufacturing (AdM) and Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) technologies are improving all the time. 5 Force Support Battalion, has been tasked with establishing the Army’s only AdM Centre of Excellence and Additive Manufacturing (AM) Platoon.

In other aspects of the Corps, we have seen a Women’s Network formed, Brigadier Faithful-Davis CBE became the very first female Brigade Commander and a mental awareness campaign called ‘Lifting the Decks’ has been formed. The Lifting the Decks campaign which started during COVID is now an annual event, which takes place as the Lifting the Decks Challenge (throughout October) and the Lifting the Decks 10 km run; both organised to improve mental wellbeing as well raise awareness and funds for The REME Charity.

In terms of Career paths, there have been new changes to the Potential Assessment Board (PAB), formerly known as the Potential Artificer Assessment Board (PAAB). The new format allows

time. The biggest event, sadly for the wrong reasons, was the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on Thursday 08 September 2022, aged 96 years old. Her State Funeral was held on Monday 19 September, such an iconic day which will be remembered for a very long time especially for those who witnessed it. It was only eighteen months ago, Queen Elizabeth II, sadly lost her husband, her rock, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, our Colonel-in-Chief, who died on Friday 09 April 2021, who passed away aged 99 years old. His funeral was held on 17 April 2021, with a representation from the REME. Prince Philip’s replacement as the Colonel-in-chief was announced on the 30 March 2022, that Sophie, The Countess of Wessex GCVO GCStJ CD was to become the new Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

For 2020, very few would have predicted the Coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic, but the nation pretty much came to a standstill at the time. As directed by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the time, the

Queen Elizabeth II State Funeral, ‘Crown Copyright 2022’

for more career opportunities such as the Officer and MTI career paths as well as the Artificer route. On completion of the Class 1 Upgraders Course, SP now receive their new rank slides which have a Hammer and Pincers above their rank.

The Future Soldier 2021 marks a beginning of an exciting change to the way the British Army operates, a new Theatre Support REME Battalion will be established in Aldershot next year 9 (Theatre Support) Battalion REME. Unit roles and names have changed, one change in particular are the 4 x LADs which have formed to support the RANGER Battalions.

Over the last 5 years there have been many deployments such as Op NEWCOMBE, Op CABRIT, Op SHADER, Op TANGHAM, Op TORAL, Op PITTING and Op TEMPERER, which have all been supported by soldiers and officers of the Corps. These events are annotated throughout The Craftsman magazine, over the last 5 years and this article would not do it justice as a quick summary.

The past 5 years have seen the Corps and its people achieve some outstanding things, here is a quick recap of the last 5-years.

In June 2018, LCpl Connor Roe of 21 Signal Regiment LAD REME, deployed to Thailand to assist in the rescue of 12 schoolboys and their football coach who were trapped in a flooded cave for 18 days. LCpl Roe is a Cave Dive qualified diver, an expert diver with the skills required of level headedness and commitment. He has been building up both his caving and cave diving experience throughout his career in the REME. LCpl Connor Roe received his MBE in 2019.

In September 2018, the PAAB, which only assessed feeder trade groups, changed to the PAB with the focus on all REME Soldiers. The PAB which now includes TSS, Recovery Mechanics and Metalsmiths, has opened multiple career paths. The PAB now includes an interview, a presentation and an essay.

In May 2019, the ‘Hammer and Pincers’ appointment badge has traditionally been worn by Artificers of the Corps to signify a higher level of technical training. This was extended to all JNCO Class

One Personnel with the purpose of signifying a higher level of technical training as a JNCO and as an Artificer, highlighting a sense of achievement and recognition. It is often referred to as ‘Hammer and Tongs’, however it is officially known as ‘Hammer and Pincers’.

In March 2020, Brigadier Lizzie Faithful-Davies CBE became the first woman in the REME to become a Brigade Commander and the first woman to command a Logistic Brigade (102 Logistic Brigade).

During her career she was selected as the first female to be selected for Company Commander at Sandhurst. She was promoted to Colonel in 2017, where she was assigned to Army HQ before becoming Brigade Commander of 102 Logistic Brigade in March 2020.

In 2019, the REME officially launched a Women’s Network. The Network which is open to all female, Regular and Reserve, serving Officers, Soldiers and Veterans. The aim of the network is to keep people in contact, share ideas and experiences and improve retention, progression and mentoring. Search on Facebook REME Women’s Network, to join the current 389 members or email:

Lt Col Laura Ellis and now Brigadier Claire Phillips CBE co-chaired the very first meeting and it continues to grow. Last year Brigadier Claire Phillips CBE was nominated for the Inspirational Award, recognising her work to inspire colleagues across her 27-year career. She has also been appointed as the co-chair of the Army LGBT+ Network.

In October 2020, Black History Month was celebrated in the UK was celebrated. SSgt Thomas Agyekum was appointed the REME Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Representative, he said ‘it is an honour and a privilege to be appointed as the REME Representative on the Army BAME Network Committee’. For those wishing to join the Army BAME Network, you can email: Army-BAME-Network-0mailbox@mod.gov.uk

In September 2020, REME personnel were stood up for Op MOONSHOT, which was a Government initiative to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 through the implementation of mass testing to enable maximum precision of future lockdowns. The ambition was to eventually deliver over ten million tests per day, which

LCpl Connor Roe, 2018

Brigadier Faithful-Davies CBE

The first Recovery Mechanics to trial the PAB Pilot, with CI RAS (right) and PAB ASM

Class

was to be achieved using new technologies. Service Personnel from across the REME have been helping the UK government retrofit civilian vehicles with all the necessary equipment to turn them into mobile laboratories. Their herculean effort made a huge difference in projecting the NHS’s testing programme.

By the time the team had finished, they had been on task for eight months and 20 members of the Corps contributed to Op MOONSHOT. Capts Fionidi Parker and Ian Taylor were awarded for their Engineering Excellence as they both received a Churchill Medal Award in 2021, in recognition for their efforts during the COVID pandemic. At short notice, they were tasked to design and build a mobile processing laboratory prototype that delivered an organic sample processing capability for Mobile Testing Units to be used in COVID-19 outbreak response, they achieved this in just 30 days.

In January 2021, The Craftsman magazine celebrated its 75th anniversary, with over 900 editions in the 75 years, it continues to be the only monthly Corps magazine within the Army. Each month over 4000 magazines are sent to the REME Family. Currently on its 27th editor Mrs Katie Tarbard, the constant thread of the magazine remains the same: every story is written by members of the REME Family!

In April 2021, six soldiers from 8 Trg Bn REME, the Corps ASM, the Corps Colonel and the Master General attended the funeral of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. A specially modified Land Rover Defender, carried the coffin, which was driven by Corporals French and Murray. The Corps Colonel, Colonel Andy Rogers ADC; the Corps ASM WO1 Dan McNeill; Sgt Mitten and Cfn Archie Dymer took part in the ceremonial parade, recognising the Corps’ special relationship with The Duke of Edinburgh.

In May 2021, saw the very first REME Virtual 10km challenge, an idea initiated by WO2 (AQMS) Gaz Hooson and SSgt John Payne. The challenge not only helped raise money for The REME Charity but also helped promote mental health. Over 1400 participants entered and just over £11,000 was raised. Now an annual event, it comes under the ‘Lifting the Decks’ campaign.

In June 2021, The Craftsman magazine featured HRH The Prince Philip’s Memorial Edition. HRH was appointed as the new Colonel-in-Chief

in July 1969, he succeeded HRH The Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent, who had died in August 1968, making him the second Colonelin-Chief of the Corps. In the Memorial edition, The Craftsman magazine looks back over the 52 years of his time as the Colonel-inChief, with tributes from those who had met him and a historic timeline of his visits to various REME locations in the world.

In August 2021, Op PITTING took place, it was a British Military Operation to evacuate British Nationals and eligible Afghans from Afghanistan following the 2021 Taliban offensive. 2 PARA LAD were deployed consisting of 0 + 16, an AQMS, 4 x Armourers and 12 x Vehicle Mechanics, were tasked with maintaining an R1 fleet consisting of 52 vehicles and an R2 fleet of 118 vehicles; which needed to be to kept at 100% and 90% availability respectively.

Capts Parker and Taylor receiving their Churchill Award in 2021

Representatives from REME present during HRH Prince Philip’s Funeral, 2021

Lifting the Decks Virtual 10k, 2021

In October 2021, saw the very first ‘Lifting the Decks’ challenge commence, with over 1600 participants entered to complete seven challenging tasks, these included running 100km, tabbing 50km, lifting 40,000kg in weight and zero consumption of alcohol throughout the month. Now an annual challenge, it is linked to the REME’s Mental Health Plan.

Op TEAMWORK, 2021

In March 2022, it was announced that Sophie, The Countess of Wessex, GCVO GCStJ CD was to be the new Colonel-in-Chief of the Corps. On the day her appointment was announced, the Master General REME Lieutenant General Paul Jaques CB CBE, Colonel REME Colonel Jason Phillips ADC and the Corps Adjutant Captain Rayner Shelmerdine-Hare had an audience with HRH The Countess of Wessex.

In September-November 2021, saw 92 soldiers and officers from across 3, 4 and 6 Battalion REME given the honour of conducting State Ceremonial Public Duties in London. The Company consisted of a HQ and four Platoon size detachments providing ceremonial guards and QRFs at Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace, the Tower of London and Windsor Castle to reinforce the existing Foot Guard’s commitment.

In February 2022, Op TEAMWORK was established, a new Army initiative looking to improve the working relationships within the work place, with the aim of performing better as a team. The initiative is aimed at everyone employed by the MOD, Regulars, Civil Servants and contractors. Everyone is individual, with different backgrounds, skill sets and can offer something different to the team, by understanding these in your team, will help the team perform better. #TEAMWORK.

In June 2022, the REME Museum commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War, with a new digital exhibition ‘Remembering the Falklands: 40 Years On’, it explores the experiences of REME personnel during the conflict and serving on the islands in the following years.

October 2022, Lt Col (Retd) John Cosh, served as OIC TAC HQ T & 9 Battery Second Line Support during the Falklands conflict and is planning to visit the Falklands with Ian MacDonald (who served with him during the Falklands conflict) and present Mr Mike Poel-Evans (a Falklands resident) a presentation piece to acknowledge those that were stationed in the Falklands at the time.

Op PITTING, 2021

Lifting the Decks Challenge 2021

HRH The Countess of Wessex, 2022

The Royal Guard, 2021

Commemorating the Falklands War, 2022

“I love it when a plan comes together.” The life and career of General Eric Rowcroft

Scribe: Richard Davies, Curator, The REME Museum

Althoughthe words of John ‘Hannibal’ Smith will be familiar to those of us who watched the American TV programme The A Team during the 1980s, they could equally have been uttered by one man as he oversaw the creation of REME during the 1940s: quite simply, without the plan of Major General Sir Eric Bertram Rowcroft KBE CB MIMechE MIEE, there would be no REME Corps.

It is fitting that we spend some time during 2022, the 80th anniversary of REME, to consider the life of this remarkable man, as well as his extraordinary achievement.

Eric Rowcroft was born on 28th January 1891 in the West Kensington area of London; both his parents had strong connections to the military and also to India. His mother, Florence Marion Eva Rowcroft (nee Hennessy), was the Daughter of Major General John Hennessy who served with the Indian Army’s 2nd Grenadiers. Eric’s Father, Colonel George Francis Rowcroft DSO, saw action with the 15th Ludhiana Sikh Regiment and was later the Indian Army’s Surgeon Major.

This carte de visite shows Eric (seated), with his older Brother and Sister. Ruby Frances was born on 16th August 1886, while Maurice George was born on 1st September 1887. They were both born in Muree, which was then in India but now forms part of Pakistan. This photograph dates from about 1900

Eric was educated at Caterham School in Surrey, Haileybury School in Hertfordshire and Regent Street Polytechnic, now the University of Westminster, where he studied engineering. He joined the Royal Engineers’ Territorial Army in 1908 at the age of seventeen. A year later he decided to take up a military career, and followed his Father into the Royal Military College at Sandhurst.

An image of Eric and Mollie on their wedding day, 26th September 1917

Eric and Mollie at her family home of Cooralee, Sunningdale in Berkshire, before they were married

He left Sandhurst in 1911 and was commissioned into the Army Service Corps (ASC) in the same year. The ASC’s role was to feed, clothe, equip and arm the British Army, a massive and continuous challenge they met by using vehicles, horses, railways and waterways, and a great deal of ingenuity.

He was part of the British Expeditionary Force that landed in France in 1914 at the outbreak of the First World War and went on to serve with the ASC’s transport units there; he was also mentioned in dispatches. By the latter part of the war, Rowcroft had reached the rank of Captain and was on the staff of the War Office in a technical capacity.

He married Mary Anderson Traill in 1917, when she was about 26. Known as Mollie, it is likely they met through her Brother Charles Harold Traill, as he also attended Caterham (the 1901 census records them as boarding in the home of a Church of England Clergyman and Schoolmaster in the town). The Brothers-in-law actually had a number of things in common: Charles studied engineering too (although he attended King’s College in London), and, like Eric, he saw action in World War One. Charles served in the Royal Artillery and was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry in 1916. He died in 1920, probably from complications with some of the wounds he received during the conflict.

Mollie and Eric’s wedding was announced in the Social and Personal column of the Surrey Advertiser on 12th September 1917: “The marriage arranged between Eric Bertram Rowcroft A.S.C., and Miss Mollie Traill, Cooralee, Sunningdale, will take place, leave permitting, on Wednesday 26th inst., at St. Alban’s Church, Windlesham, at half-past two o’clock.” The reference to “leave permitting” clearly emphasises the impact the Great War was having on every aspect of life.

Mollie and Eric had two children. Kenneth George Caulfeild Rowcroft (1923-2000) and Rowena Rowcroft (born in 1924). Kenneth followed his Father into the Armed Forces and was at Dunkirk and D-

Day; he was demobilised as a Captain in the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC), but later became a Curate and Rector in the Lyme Regis area during the 1950s. Rowena married John H. Joliffe of the RASC.

Following the war, Eric served in India, Sri Lanka (then known as Ceylon), and Palestine. By 1932, he was back in Britain and was appointed Inspector of Tanks, a role he held until 1936. He was then appointed Commander of the RASC’s 1st Division in Palestine during the 1936-1939 Arab revolt. His connection to the RASC continued upon his return to Britain at the end of this period, as he was given command of their training battalion.

He then served on the fourth Tank Board from May until August 1942 as a direct result of the experience he gained from his earlier posting as Inspector of Tanks. The Tank Board was initially created in 1940 to oversee the vital production of British tanks for the war effort, and comprised representatives from the War Office, the Ministry of Supply and leading industrialists.

By early 1942, the momentous decision was taken to approve the formation of REME. The Army had realised there was a pressing need to train sufficient soldiers to a high standard across the many trades required by a modern military force, and also to ensure the inevitable advances in technology would receive a swift response. Special Army Orders numbers 70 and 71, dated 22nd May 1942, authorised the formation of the Corps, as well as its combatant status. The launch date was later set as 1st October 1942.

Given this great responsibility, the appointment of the Corps’ first Director was clearly a crucial decision. The choice of Eric Rowcroft, with his background in engineering, administration and management, as well as his intimate understanding of the workings of the British Army, was an inspired one. The challenge of creating a brand-new Corps, comprising an initial group of 78,000 officers and men, from virtually nothing during an all-consuming war with the world’s freedom at stake must have been a daunting one,

This image shows the military officers who formed part of the British Governor’s staff in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Rowcroft stands at the rear on the extreme right. The photograph probably dates from around the mid-1920s, and the Governor at this time, resplendent in white, was Sir William Henry Manning (1863-1932). He served in the role from 1918-1925.

© Plâté Photography, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Although the Allies had managed to conceal the true location of the D-Day landings from the Nazis, those that were defending the Normandy beaches still offered stern resistance. Many armoured vehicles were hit during the landings, and the BARVs played a crucial role in recovering them and ensuring nothing hindered the Allies’ advance.

Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery, the man who led the 8th Army at El Alamein and someone who had first-hand experience of REME’s effectiveness, wrote of the Corps, “REME keeps the punch in the Army’s fist, and I know well that if that punch is allowed to falter, then even the bravery and tenacity of the British soldier will find it difficult to achieve victory in battle.”

Following the war, Rowcroft was able to make good on some of the long-term ideas that he included in the notes he made in 1942. The REME Association was created and the REME magazine launched; the Corps band was founded as well as the Benevolent Fund, the Officers’ Club and the Rifle Association. The Corps’ present comprehensive structure owes much to his all-encompassing vision for its operation.

Although General Rowcroft retired in 1946, he continued as Colonel Commandant for another decade. He and Mollie moved to Colway Rise, Lyme Regis in 1952, and he took an active part in the affairs of the town for the remaining eleven years of his life.

Mollie passed away on 21st December 1963, and Eric lasted only six days without her, as he died on 27th December in Lyme Regis’ Cottage Hospital. His incredible contribution is perhaps best summed up from the final line of the obituary that appeared in the February 1964 edition of The Craftsman: “He has left his mark for all time, not only on the Corps but on the Army as a whole.”

The Author would like to thank his excellent Museum colleagues for their help with this article: Celia Cassingham (Archivist), Zoë Tolman (Archives Assistant) and Fiona Redmond (Front of House Assistant). Every effort has been made to ensure copyright has been considered; the Author would be pleased to hear from anyone with further knowledge of the images used in this article.

particularly at the outset. Nevertheless, Rowcroft met every task head on, and doggedly worked to get REME to a point where it could contribute to the war effort as quickly as possible.

One of the most important documents contained in the Museum’s Archive are the notes Rowcroft made for his own use that outline his plans for the Corps. They make clear nothing was beneath his notice, even in those early days. There are references to rates of pay for other ranks, the formation of new depots, units and messes, and even relations with American technical corps. The urgency of the situation in which he and the nascent Corps found themselves was evidently uppermost in his mind, as he wrote, “Stages by which any necessary reorganisation will be tackled – all stages to be pursued concurrently by all branches.” There is also evidence of his recent experience on the Tank Board, as he mentions the need to assign officers to the School for Tank Technology.

In terms of personnel, the early days of the Corps’ development saw the transfer of men from an existing branch of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC). This was supported by the relocation of technical tradesmen from the Royal Engineers (RE) and Eric’s former Corps, the RASC; specialists from other units were also assigned to REME.

The Corps’ first test was undoubtedly the second battle of El Alamein, which took place between 23rd October and 11th November 1942. One remarkable statistic will serve to show REME’s extraordinary contribution after only forty-two days of its existence: by the end of the battle, of the 1,244 tanks that were damaged and subsequently recovered by REME, over 1,000 were repaired by the Corps and returned to the fight. This was a crucial factor in the 8th Army’s victory over the Afrika Korps. It is difficult to imagine a better tribute to General Rowcroft’s work than this single fact.

Although by 1944 REME was an established and vital part of the Allied Armed Forces, D-Day saw the Corps once again prove its worth. Anticipating that amphibious vehicles would be needed for beach landings, REME developed the Beach Armoured Recovery Vehicle (BARV) during 1943. Based on an American Sherman Tank, the BARV was built to recover broken-down or damaged vehicles; it was able to operate in up to 3 metres of water and required an operational crew of 3. So effective was the design, that some BARVs were still being used in 1963.

Mollie, Eric and their Daughter Rowena with an Indian servant, probably taken in about 1927

The Special Army Orders that authorised REME’s creation

2 Signal Regiment LAD, Mental Health Awareness Month

Strong mental and physical health = Resilient Soldiers

ASM: WO1 Benjamin Collins Scribe: Sgt Luke Eveson

Toget the most out of Regimental life we must fully immerse ourselves as a department in all events and opportunities. Like many units in the last two years, morale has been stretched and depleted, due to a lack of opportunity to integrate and bond due to the extra strain the pandemic placed on the world. As a collective, we were more determined than ever to ensure that in this month we fully bought into the Corps Mental Health initiative and supported the Corps theme of combating loneliness. Mental resilience is at the

forefront of our minds following the pandemic with sustained periods of loneliness, being a consequence of self-isolation. Throughout the month, we took part in various events, constantly striving to involve the entire LAD.

Go-Karting, Scribe: LCpl Bellerby

With ‘Lifting the Decks’ in mind I thought it was an appropriate time to bring 2 Signal Regiment LAD together, with the aim of improving team cohesion and morale in the workplace. With a personal interest in motorsports and given the background of our Corps, I thought it apt to organise a Go Karting event for the LAD hosted by York Motorsport Village. This event comprised of every driver completing some practice laps, followed by 6 heat races, semi-finals and for those quick enough, the final race of the day. It’s fair to say the day was full of friendly rivalries and old scores were settled.

The most intense battle of the day was between Cpl Irvine, who had previously raced around the York Motorsport Village circuit and Cfn Broster. Cfn Broster had only been in the LAD for 3 days, but he certainly wasn’t shy and committed to the battle.

The overall results for the final race

of the day didn’t go as expected, Cpl Irvine received multiple penalties for contact which meant although he crossed the line in P2, he finished P6. All the battles benefited Sgt Eveson who crossed the line in P5 but capitalised on other’s time penalties and finished in P2. In the build up to this event, the lads had taken great pleasure in telling me they wouldn’t let me win, this was due to me being on the Army Karting Team and even asked trackside staff to give me time caps on the day. However, much to their dismay I was still able to take the overall win. We as a LAD were fortunate enough to receive funding for this event from the Commander ES fund, a fund I personally wasn’t aware of but found it easy to apply for and I can happily say on behalf of the 2 Signal Regiment LAD how grateful we were to receive this, the money was well spent with closer team cohesion and marked increase in morale within the LAD.

Race the Sun, Scribe: SSgt Davidson

The preparation for Race the Sun 2022 started months ago; as one of the highlights of the Royal Signals calendar, the event is something that brings pride and cohesion to the corps of Signals. Traditionally the event had been run in a format of a team relay race across North Yorkshire. The first event participants would set off first thing, and the next team would not start until their team had completed their previous event. This year 2 Signals decided to step it up a gear as they had already proved from the 2021 virtual race due to COVID that it is possible to run a traditional event whilst also experimenting with the format. This year saw eleven events across three locations: York Sports Village, the beautiful Dalby Forest, and Imphal Barracks.

The REME contingent had a critical part to play within our Regiments events, with one of our own, Sgt Kitching, with the help of numerous LAD personnel, organising and managing events at the York Sports Village, facilitating a faultless cycling event. With over sixty participants crowding onto a 1km track, the event could have resulted in a pile reminiscent of the Tour de France, but it passed without any trouble. Cpl Hancock and I were part of the 2 Sig Regt cycling team that performed admirably; finishing in the middle third after a hard-fought race.

We also had participants and coordinators engaged in the events at Dalby Forest, with Sgt Eveson and LCpl Bellerby

X-country mixed relay with positive results. Our coordinators assisted in transporting competitors, with our newest LAD member Cfn Broster enjoying another venture out of the LAD as a timekeeper this time. As with any event, things did not always go to plan. With the half-marathon pacemaker deciding he knew a better route than what had already agreed upon, taking personnel on a scenic run around Dalby Forest with the race reset due to the slight navigation error (not REME).

Events culminated with a stretcher race around Imphal Bks where teams of six previous competitors raced around a mile and a half route carrying 40kg with myself as part of the team; we left our hearts and lungs on the road and managed a middle third finished. To properly celebrate our achievements and tribulations, the evening ended with music on the big stage with plenty of food and drink to enjoy being together again after a tumultuous two years. These types of events ask a lot of us. Still, we could not be prouder of the efforts of the LAD with the level of participation and assistance provided to a genuinely successful Race the Sun.

Lifting the Decks 10K, Scribe: Sgt Eveson

Amidst an already busy month we had planned to participate in the REME “Lifting the Deck” 10K as a collective, to support the Corps theme of combating loneliness. To achieve this Sgt Morris and myself would have to come out of our self-proclaimed retirement and don the dreaded “Red Belts”. The event organiser LCpl Forknall and I had conducted a recce around Studley Royal, Deer Park in Ripon. A truly scenic back drop for a collective run aimed at bringing us all together to reflect on loneliness and the mental health struggles we can all face daily.

The 10K run was over undulating ground, which resulted in Sgt Morris having to head back into retirement. The run had triggered an old injury resulting in him getting in the “Jack wagon”. We did not let this halt the entire groups effort however and we pushed on to complete with the remaining members of the LAD. The 10K was completed in a respectable time of 59 minutes 29 seconds. Many of the Junior tradesman had not conducted a run of this distance previously, which only added to the feeling of achievement. As with all events of this nature we had to find a positive spin for the

younger members, so a well-earned brew and cake was sought prior to departing back to York.

As a collective, we raised £610 towards the Corps “Lifting the Decks” Charity.

Unfortunately, due to a conflict in forecasting, some members of the LAD had to carry out their 10K runs at a later time. This was due to drill rehearsals for the “Freedom of York” parade.

Freedom of York Parade, Scribe: Cpl Curtis

We were given the honour of being given the Freedom of the City of York with about a month’s notice. Approximately 100 personnel from 2 Signal Regt and Attached Arms would be chosen to represent the Regt in the parade. This accolade was first given to the Regt after they assisted the residents of the City of York in a major clean-up operation after severe flooding which breached the rivers walls back in the early 2000’s.

After previously partaking in this event in 2019, I knew it was going to be long and painful on both the day of the parade and during the dreaded drill practice.

As I was one of six LAD personnel that manged to fit into the number 2s and already have them at a good standard, not bad for a

Recy Mech to actually fit in his 2s. SSgt ‘Tiff’ Davidson, LCpl Jones, Cfn Nightingale, Cfn Finnegan and Cfn Broster joined me in representing the LAD.

The first drill session began withdrawing rifles from the armoury and making a hollow square for the Drill Sergeants to begin the impossible task of turning us into absolute rifle drill gods, it’s safe to say they were still shouting and bawling at us all until the day before the parade. This took slightly longer for some, like Cfn Broster who had completed his Basic Training through the COVID period. After roughly 7hrs of drill a day (drill is NOT a pill that should be taken twice a day!), things started to get a bit easier as we were slowing conditioning to holding the weight of the rifles in the different positions, until they added the magazines and bayonets and it all started again. Thankfully, no one lost any ears or had impromptu haircuts with the addition of bayonets.

After a couple of weeks, the training ramped up slightly as the officers started joining us and we had been informed that The Princess Royal, HRH Princess Anne, was going to be in attendance for the parade.

A list was then formed for personnel to meet Princess Anne after the parade, myself, LCpl Jones and the Tiff had been put forward to meet HRH in the confines of York Minster surrounded by plenty of armed police and bodyguards.

The day of the parade finally came, and after losing Cfn Finnegan due to a ‘’dodgy curry’’ 2 nights before and Cfn Nightingale the day before as he had to ‘’book out for posting’’ we were transported to York via coaches, which turned out to be the most uncomfortable journey since we were in our 2s.

The day was a massive success as we completed the parade with a small lap of honour to a massive applause from the residents and visitors of York.

HRH certainly took a shine to the REME when she chatted to us with her entourage during the parade and in the Minster after. The Tiff had also brought his wife and two boys, who had the task of presenting HRH with a bouquet of flowers at the end.

RAJA Careers and Employment Support Event

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Sgt Edem Siawor EngTech MIMechE

The David Goggins's Challenge

Scribe: Cfn Shawn Noel 5 (FS) Bn REME

Myname is Cfn Noel and I am currently posted to 2 Fd Coy, 5 (FS) Bn REME. Throughout my tenure in the Field Army I’ve heard so many success stories from people who have felt the need to step out of their comfort zone.

This not only fuelled my ambitious goal of doing the All Arms Commando Course and the All Arms Physical Training Instructor Course but instilled in me some sort of confidence that no matter how tough it seems these things are doable and have been achieved by many.

I decided to do a charity run in the hope that I would ‘kill two birds with one stone’. 1. Raise money for a worthy cause and 2. Challenge myself at the same time.

I firstly wanted to do a 10km challenge for 10 days but later changed to a 4 miler every 4hours for 48 hours aka “The David Goggin’s Challenge”

At first this didn’t seem all that bad to me but after hearing stories of Physical Training Instructors and very fit lads who said that it was an arduous challenge and they would not re-attempt or encourage anyone to attempt it, I was appalled but also intrigued to be fair.

In total I would have to run 12 times within that 48-hr window. I decide to start at 0600hrs on 30th March the next one being at 1000hrs, 1400hrs and so forth. My final run was 1st April at 1400hrs.

The first 2/3 runs were not bad but then the muscles in my legs began to get tense and the knees started to ache.

I tried stretching after every session and I made sure I had a diet filled with protein but that didn’t help much to say the least. That was the longest 48 hours of my Army Career. My body, feet, muscles only needed rest. However strenuous I got through in the end.

I thank everyone who supported me throughout especially my coworkers from 2 Fd Coy and to all those who donated.

From REME to Dakar

TheDakar Rally has been one of my ambitions since I was a child. However, it’s such a massive undertaking I never actually thought I’d make it to the start line.  I joined the REME as an Air Tech in 2010 and served a little under 8 years before my “seven clicks” (NVT). The transition to civilian life for me was quite nerve wrecking. Made harder by the one-year notice period, making it almost impossible to look for work until the last 3

months. After leaving, I landed a Contractor job for the US Army in Bagram. The biggest surprise I had, how hard you have to work as a civilian for your money! I ended up doing 84hrs a week, maintaining Apache’s for 7 straight months without a day off.

Shortly after leaving the Army, I became quite depressed with no real sense of purpose. Something I expect every service leaver will go through to some extent during their transition. The support structure and comradery around the block with your peers and CoC vanishes as you drive off camp for the last time.

During this period, I stumbled across a YouTube video series about the Dakar by Lyndon Poskitt. The Dakar became something of an obsession. For the next 4 years I built my whole life around the goal. I moved to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with my family to be closer to the sand racing and the Cross-Country rally scene.

Cross country Rally Riding is in the words of Husquvarna “One of the toughest and more extreme disciplines of motorcycle sport. Bold and adventurous competitors spend long hours on the bike in hostile terrain, negotiating the ground at speed while navigating their course. The most celebrated of the international events has to be the Dakar Rally held every January, a fearsome challenge for riders and machines and eagerly anticipated by sports fans globally.”

* Roadbook = schroll of directions issued 20 minutes before the start

Cross country Rally Riding is different in many ways to any other variation of the sport. The moto rider is solely in charge of their own navigation. All categories get issued the same roadbook* but the cars and trucks have a Co-Driver to read notes and direct them. All the compass headings, speed and distance calculations (or guess-timings) are done in the rider’s head while traveling at 100mph off-road.

During my research, I found that one of the few British competitors that have raced the Dakar, is REME’s own Neil Haker! Though I still haven’t met him in person, Neil has been tremendously helpful in my preparation. He has been filling in the blanks that the ASO (Dakar organisers) leave you in the dark about (almost every detail). Speaking to him also made

Maki in action at the ADDC 2022

realise how well trained and equipped for such a task any serving, or past REME actually are. Other civilian competitors I reached out to have been telling me about the things they found hard during the race: “Sleeping on the floor”, “Early mornings” and “having to stick to such a mandated tight schedule”.

The category I’ve entered is unsupported, known as “Original by Motul” or “Malle Moto”. Known in the sport as the purist’s category. It captures the spirit the rally had from its inception 45 years ago. Where the competitors, mostly amateur racers scramble from Paris to Dakar Senegal. Nowadays a standard day in the category involves sleeping in single man pop up tents, pitch/pack up, take care of any personal admin. Before a lengthy liaison (road transit) from the Bivouac (camp) to the start line. Competitors then race the prescribed course of up to 500km.  Followed by a liaison to the bivouac location of the day in question. On arrival to the bivouac the vehicles get checked into a service area and the maintenance and repair begins. If you’re lucky an early night before doing it all again for 14 stages.

The organisation moves one singular box for each unsupported competitor. The “Malle” - French for trunk, must include any vehicle related tools/spares to see you through the 14 days and 9,000km. On top of the “Malle” competitors are allowed a single bag of clothing/personal admin, and a set of spare wheels. No external assistance is permitted on the vehicle under pain of disqualification. The external assistance rule brings all the Malle Moto competitors together as although competing head-to-head, they are allowed to help each other on-route or in the service area without penalties.

Maki and his partner at the ADDC 2022

My training has been rigorous, often riding for four hours in the mornings before going to work for a 9hr evening shift. The organisation vet all applicants and limit the number of bikes to 100 (30 in Malle Moto). Because of this it is mandatory to have competed in smaller, shorter events. Of which I’ve raced Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (ADDC) twice. With Qatar and Dubai Bajas placing high enough to earn a position at 2023 Dakar Rally of Saudi Arabia.

If you would like to follow my adventure, I post frequent training and race videos on my Instagram @stavroskii. If you’re leaving the REME and want advice on military contracts also feel free to reach out, Maki.stavros@gmail.com

Ex EAGLE SPANNER 2022

ExEAGLE SPANNER 22 saw the 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery Workshop deploy to Ortez, Austria, on Adventurous Training. A multi-activity package which included Mountaineering, Mountain Biking, White Water Rafting and Canyoneering; organised by Sgt Hopkins and Cpl Roake. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that we were all looking forward to this trip and hoping that the weather would hold for us after a busy ES period within 16 Brigade.

An early start of 0230hrs saw us mount up on the three “luxurious” 9-seater Minibuses and begin our journey via the Euro Tunnel to France. We then had a lengthy 12 hour drive on to Ortez, Austria, where Cpl Templeman most certainly didn’t complain at all. A trip that was expertly dodged by both the OC Wksp, Capt Fox and ASM WO1 Collenette. who lead from the front, taking a cushy flight out on a ‘Recce’ to meet us at “Hotel” Marko.

Day 2 saw us split into two groups to make it easier for the Instructors. Group 1 would partake in mountain biking with Cpl Gutteridge and LCpl Finch, whilst Group 2 would head off for some mountaineering with Capt Fox and WO1 Collenette. The latter would see an emotional uphill battle between myself and the 2,370m peak. After stopping for lunch, I soon realised that the descent was certainly quicker than the ascent; especially if you go down on your backside as Cpl ‘KitKat Ankles’ Erskine found out to everyone’s amusement.

Aching calves and quads were the theme for Day 3, as we hit mountain biking with Cpl Gutteridge and LCpl Finch. Group 1 had swapped over with us, and they went onto enjoy mountaineering. We followed the same route as group 1 had done on the previous day. However, we added our own amount of calamity and accidents just to make it interesting. Sgt Bloomfield deciding that he was clearly a pro because he knew what a derailer was, raced around a corner, his aborted Tokyo drift style slide firing him and his e-bike down the mountainside, through some trees with his legs akimbo. After that high-pitched scream, he clearly has a future in an all-boys choir! Failing to learn his lesson, he threw himself into another tree for good measure. Cpl Bigmore had a light fall and Cfn Bird liked the look of a road sign and decided to crash into it; finding out a week later he had a double fracture to his sternum. On return to the accommodation that evening, we arranged a meal out with everyone and enjoyed the local restaurants and culture.

By Day 4 it was safe to say that the two most arduous activities had been completed. We headed for Area 47, an adventure park, down the road from our accommodation. Again, split into two groups, Group 1 would go canyoning and Group 2 were to go white water rafting. Rafting was entertaining and had seen us all enjoy winding up the Instructor Geoff by insinuating we were going to flip the boat

Scribe: Cfn Rhodes

OC: Capt Fox ASM: WO1 Collenette

WO1 (ASM) Collenette pointing out the pub

Cpl “Elvis Legs” Roake

Highest peak in Oetz, Mount Kuhtai – 2017m

a different Instructor with limited success. Group 2 consisting of the more mature members enjoyed a relatively calm canyoning session where not much happened. Certainly, no crashes or Elvis legs. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the activities that had been and organised, allowing us to blow off steam after a busy few months at High Readiness. Thursday evening came about and we stayed in the Area 47 park for dinner. Having eaten we headed over to the entertainment bar that was on the site. Everyone had noticed that there was a karaoke bar and were eagerly awaiting Cpl Templeman’s rendition of “Wonderwall” that we had all heard so much about. After opening the evening with some Linkin Park, he was soon in his element, blasting out the classic 90’s hits over the mic. The evening can be remembered by one special act in particular though, Sgt Reid had given everyone an enjoyable display of “Touch Myself”. He is now named “The King of Karaoke”. As the evening came to a close and the end of the AT in Austria was upon us, we took a trip back to the accommodation and got our heads down.

The trip back was just as slow as the drive out but eventually we crossed the tunnel back to the UK at around 0120hrs and arrived back in Merville Barracks for around 0345hrs. Everyone who had taken part in Exercise EAGLE SPANNER had not only enjoyed the AT package thoroughly but had also learnt the basic mountaineering and mountain biking techniques, which goes to show the quality of the Instructors on each activity we had. A special thanks to those who instructed and those who organised and put together this wonderful and enjoyable few days.

with him in it. He wasn’t amused by this and declined the invitation to do so. Whilst we were busy attempting to get Geoff as wet as possible, the other group had some entertainment of their own with Cpl “Elvis legs” Roake flapping with tears in his eyes at the top of an 18m abseil from a bridge. This was brought on by a rope change due to fraying. Eventually overcoming his fear of heights, he took the plunge. We all returned to Area 47 and made good use of the water slides and sunbathing areas (in true Germanic fashion we had our towels out early) until around 1800hrs when we headed back to the accommodation and then out for dinner. Another day had passed but it’s safe to say we had all enjoyed it so far.

The final activity day had sadly come, with Groups 1 and 2 swapping activities. Group 1 managed to annoy Geoff even more than the group on the previous day, yet again, threatening to soak him. Unimpressed Geoff had given up on them and just let them get on with it. So, they took it upon themselves to attempt to submerge

Wksp group acrobatics

Cpl Reid AKA “The Karaoke King”

stopping for a break

Cpls Gutteridge and Bigmoor having a breather

Royal Visits to REME locations throughout her reign

The Queen receiving three cheers at the Army Association Cup Final, 1957/58, played at the Aldershot Military Stadium on 23rd April 1958. Winners: 4 (ARMT) Training Battalion REME

In 1971, The Queen inspecting the Armoured Sqn at the Amalgamation Parade of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys). Capt Johnstone and Cpl Wilson REME are the second pair from the left

The Royal Review in Berlin, 27 May 1965 as part of The Queen and Prince Philip’s visit to Germany. Some REME recovery vehicles were included in the Allied Forces Day Parade, the Military Police car they are using was a vehicle modified by REME for the occasion

Royal visit to the REME Wing, Royal School of Artillery, Larkhill in 1973

The Queen and Prince Philip inspecting the Foresters in Tobruk, 1954

WO2 Gilchrist and Mrs Gilchrist were privileged to be presented to Her Majesty during the visit to Berlin. A fitting climax to a career of 22 years, he retired shortly afterwards, in May 1965

REME Wing, Royal School of Artillery, Electronics Department (Larkhill,1973)

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s visit to BAOR for the Silver Jubilee - 2 Armd Div provided Logistic Support for the review (plus repair and recovery for the Royal Vehicles), 4 Div were the REME parade component, 21 REME tracked vehicles on parade plus repair and recovery for all the other units’ parade vehicles, and 1 (BR) Corps Tps coordinated the various REME static displays

On parade for the Royal Visit in the Vehicle Hanger (Larkhill, 1973)

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip drive past 2 Armd Div, as part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations, in July 1977. 3000 troops were on parade that day, in front of a crowd of 28,000

A Sgt from the REME Wing talking through the Rapier (Larkhill, 1973)

Queen Elizabeth II at the Scots DG LAD’s equipment display with a Centurion ARV, in Tidworth 1988

REME Target Rifle: Precision Rifle Shooting Introduction Day

Scribe: Maj James Sewell

Intro and Background

What is PRS?

On

the 13 August 2022, members of the REME took part in the Corps first Precision Rifle Introduction Day to introduce REME Officers and Soldiers to a relatively new shooting discipline within the UK. Precision Rifle Shooting (PRS) is an extremely popular shooting discipline which originated in the United States and has rapidly grown across Europe and the world. Today, there are two main organisations offering access to the discipline within the UK. These are the Great Britain Precision Rifle Association (GBPRA) and the Precision Rifle Series UK. The former is a part of the International Precision Rifle Federation (IPRF) which recently hosted the very first World Championships in France. Whist the latter, is a franchise of the extremely popular Precision Rifle Series league in the USA.

A typical 1-day PRS competition consists of 8 to 10 “Stages”, each stage has a unique setup and typically requires competitors to engage multiple targets at ranges of 200 – 800m, with 8 – 12 rounds, from multiple positions in 90 - 120 seconds. The typical target is a metal gong, 2 Minutes of Angle (MOA) in size; Approx. 4 inches at 200m. The discipline requires a thorough understanding of rifle ballistics, wind judgement, application of marksmanship principles as well as rapid target identification and acquisition. It has an almost unprecedented crossover with the skills we require all serving soldiers to possess, and is extremely satisfying when you receive instant feedback from noise of a long-range impact onto a metal gong.

The REME introduction day was run as part of a PRS UK training weekend aimed at introducing new shooters to the sport. The day

A view from the firing point used to chronograph and check bullet drop, looking out on the targets positioned along the base of the coal slag

Rifle Kraft Challenge, not bad results for a first attempt

began with a quick check zero for all shooters, followed by an opportunity to undertake a “Kraft Challenge” a simple 12 round drill to identify shooters variation in positional shooting at 100m. Aimed at helping improve fundamentals and or compensate for shooter habits.

The drill consists of 3 rounds from prone, seated, kneeling and standing positions onto four different paper targets.

During the afternoon session participants were allowed to “stretch their legs” by moving back to the 600m firing point. Here they used chronographs to determine their average bullet speed, before using ballistic applications to process and understand their bullet drop over various distances. A quick check of environmental conditions, especially wind, allowed the shooters to confirm their calculated bullet drop and were soon engaging 10 inch targets at 550m.

Throughout, the REME shooters were using personal rifles and factory ammunition (designed for deer

Although not directly linked to the REME introduction day, the August 2022 IPRF World Championships are worth a mention due it and the wider military success. Of note, the Military and Law Enforcement Open Category team GB team secured third place overall with some outstanding individual performances; Cpl Jack Crawford (RM) narrowly lost out on the gold medal in the final stage of the competition but proudly took the silver ahead of a serving RAF officer who finished in the bronze medal position. Notably, no regular Army representation took part – something REME shooting hope to change for the 2024 IPRF World Championships in South Africa.

How to get involved

The 2022/23 season will commence this winter. REME shooting are hoping to compete throughout the season over the 7 individual PRS UK league matches and enter a team into the GBPRA team competition – but to be successful we need enthusiastic shooters. As this is the first full season that we will be attempting to field a team, there is no expectation, other than to build experience and maybe just maybe we will see a serving REME Soldier or Officer represent us at the 2024 World Championships. If you are interested in taking part contact Maj J Sewell (SO2 Plans, RHQ REME) for more info.

stalking), which for this type of shooting does make life a little more challenging! Small inconsistencies in the ammunition, as we all know are amplified over distance, which can be incredibly frustrating when in once instance you connect but miss on the next, despite a very stable shooting position! All the shooters did extremely well in the circumstances and thoroughly enjoyed the impacts that were achieved.

During the weekend, the REME representatives were also able to shoot custom built competition rifles. Giving them a feel for the realistic weight and extreme accuracy that is achieved with a purpose built long range rifle. This enabled them to make consistent impacts on multiple targets. With confidence building, we were able to start to run some basic PRS type stages giving a realistic feel for the challenging nature of the discipline. It is amazing how quickly 90 or 120 seconds disappears when you are moving between and building a firing position, locating targets, dialling bullet drop, judging and holding for wind and trying to remember to apply the fundamental shooting principles we have had engrained into us – but never truly practice enough!

Maj James Sewell shooting a 6.5mm Custom Creedmoor during one of the more unique stages

Cpl Mark Jones enjoying the luxury of a custom built 6mm Bench Rest (6BR) PRS rifle

Pte Watkins (4Bn PWRR), Cpl Crawford (47 Cdo, RM) and Ft Lt Owens (DES, RAF) GB MilEO team that finished 3rd in the 2022 World Championships

Potential World Class Shooter in the making

Scribe: Maj Barbieri and Cpl Mitchell

Stephen Mitchell (5 Bn REME) is a Class 1 Electronic Technician but now spends his time as a 10m Air Rifle shooter; part of the Troops 2 Target (T2T) initiative. He is now representing Great Britain at the Nordics in Finland and Team England at the upcoming Commonwealth Shooting Federation (European Division) Championships.

Cpl

You could do this too:

Back at the start of 2017, after a deployment to the Falklands, Cpl Mitchell found himself in an unusually quiet period of work and had the opportunity to do a few courses. One of those being the Army Rifle Association’s Beginner’s Smallbore Rifle Course. Before this, he had no prior experience of Smallbore Rifles and had no idea about T2T. He was a natural and picked up the course top shot. It was then he was introduced to the T2T initiative and invited back for an assessment. Excited about the opportunity, incredibly, he passed the assessment and was invited on to T2T as a full time Rifle Athlete. If you feel like you want to give Smallbore Target Rifle a go, have a look at the Army Rifle Association calendar for potential course dates. You never know, you could end up part of T2T.

T2T is a full-time programme set up by the Army Sport Control Board in collaboration with GB Shooting. The initiative’s primary aim is to see a soldier reaching Olympic, Commonwealth or World Cup level and successfully gaining a podium position at

current and future Olympic Games. The shooting discipline he specialises in is 10m Air Rifle & 50m .22 Rifle. The Air Rifle is shot standing aiming to hit a target the size of a full stop with a pellet 4.5mm across. This discipline is made up of 60 shots per match with a score of 10.9 being the dead centre of the target.

Following selection, he worked and trained hard under guidance from the Coaches. He competed at his first international Competition representing the Army in December 2017 in Luxembourg. It was a good performance for a relative novice and was able to break the 600.0 with a Highest Possible Score (HPS) of 654, well in advance of all expectations. During 2018 to 2019 he had to pause to full-time training and went back to trade, deployed on Ex SAIF SAREEA and completed the Class 1 course. In 2019 he was able to return to full-time training, and was also successful gaining a place on the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS). This gave him access to a range of sport practitioners to help take his training to the next level. This catapulted him on to become a Tier 2 Athlete in the Army Elite Sport Programme (AESP).

He has become very accustomed to the European competition circuit. He was getting better and better, qualifying for the odd final and sometimes gaining a medal. Like many things Covid curtailed it but he was fortunate enough to be allowed to train at home using a simulated range setup. This is where his dedication and focus came to the fore. He had no distractions and was able

British Championships

Cpl Mitchell with his Gibraltar Silver Medal

to adapt his training schedule to bring out his best performances. Upon return to the Bisley, it was evident he had made major gains and was now bordering the scores needed to be selected to represent GB in World Cups & European Championships. In 2021 he achieved the 2 minimum scores needed for a Team England call up, confirming a place as a possible selection for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Australia.

2022 has been a great year so far, he has achieved more scores for a Commonwealth Games selection and pushed his personal best to 624.6 in 10m Air Rifle. This year he is representing Great Britain for the first time at the Nordic Championships in Finland. This will be followed by prepping for Team England at the Commonwealth Shooting Federation (European Division) Championships.

Intershoot 2020

Army Cycling Enduro Series – Round Two

Scribe: Cfn L Price

OnWednesday 15th June 2022, a group of mountain bikers from 14 Signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare) and their Light Aid Detachment travelled to the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire for Round Two of the Army Cycling Enduro Series.

Hot weather had been forecast and five gravity stages awaited the riders; a stark contrast from the sideways rain and cold wind experienced on Round One.

For those not familiar with the format of Enduro Racing, mountain bikers ride around a course with timed sections called stages. These are typically gravity based and are designed to test the rider’s technical prowess along with their physical fitness. The practice during the morning quickly revealed that this was not going to be a ‘walk in the park’ and five stages awaited the service personnel in attendance; with a mixture of smooth bike park tracks and technical ‘off piste’ trails.

The racing started at midday, with Stage One being a good mixture of everything, a flat-out top section into a vicious climb followed by a tight technical trail. Stage Two was more of the same, and by Stage Three riders were well and truly into the flow of things. Sadly, Lt Thorp (245 Sqn) who’d posted some very promising times on Stage One and Two, went over the handlebars halfway down the stage and had to retire from the race.

Stage Four and Five took riders away from the bike park trails and onto some of the off piste trails. Stage Four was the highlight, with plenty of jumps up the top leading into a nigh on vertical chute to a 90-degree turn. The Regiment performed well on this stage, with Cfn Price (LAD) coming second in this stage and Captain Warner (245 Sqn) coming third in their respective categories. Stage Five was much of the same, and by this point riders were getting tired and making silly mistakes, so those who could keep a level head and remain composed were rewarded for their efforts.

The best riders in Enduro Racing are those who are consistent, and the Regiment proved that they were consistently good and unphased by the pressure of racing. Captain Warner and Cfn Price were rewarded with a Third and Fourth position in their respective categories, keeping them both healthily in contention in the overall competition. WO1 (RSM) E Darlington also rode a good race, finishing 9th (in the 40+ category). Cpl Springall (245 Sqn) also managed a good race, slotting into 7th in his category.

The team will next head to Hamsterley in the North East of England for Round 3 in July, where the team will compete to stay in contention for the overall competition.

To anyone who enjoys cycling, I would highly recommend entering one of these races! Whilst there is a sharp end of people racing to win, the best thing about Enduro is it is essentially a day out on the bike with your mates outside your normal working environment. And what is not to like about that?

Cfn Price at the top of Stage 3

Podium Photograph. 1st Place O. Pritchard (CLR), 2nd B. Borthwick (5 Rifles), 3rd L. Price (14 Signal Regiment (EW))

The Army Reserve is ready to welcome you

There are 25 REME Reserve units across the UK, with many vacancies for junior tradespeople and Subaltern Officers now.

The offer:

• Make use of your skills and excel as a competent recent former Regular.

• Meet and work with like-minded people.

• Serve your country, but on your own terms.

• Enjoy pay and benefits, plus an annual tax-free bounty.

• Reduced initial commitment for the first three years: 19 days, reduced MATTs, no deployment liability.

• Opportunity for more work or increased commitment if you want it, including personal development and AT/sports.

Leavers process: ‘COs are to direct unit staff, especially RCMOs, to; signpost opportunities in the Army Reserve to their Service Leavers (SLs), support those showing interest in joining the Army Reserve and to process applications expeditiously.’ This includes facilitating visits by Service Leavers to Army Reserve units during the resettlement period.

Transfer process: Annex G to SToS - includes a useful flowchart at Appendix 1 to Annex G.

REME Rugby League REME Rugby League Head Coach Position

The

REME Rugby League Head Coach will be employed by REME Rugby to plan and implement a strategy for the Lawson Cup Season 2022/23 and the development of players to feed the Army Rugby League Team.

You will work to design and deliver a season plan for REME Rugby for the 2022/23 season specifically directed towards the Lawson Cup 2023 campaign. Working with the DoR and the management team to grow participation in Rugby League at all levels, introduce new initiatives including mental health interventions, skill development and create opportunities for players and management to gain new skills and be part of the REME Rugby family.

About the role:

Initially a two-year fixed term, this role is to ensure that REME Rugby develops and competes at the highest level whilst growing grass roots talent by harnessing the heightened interest of Rugby League in the Army, especially through DSEME Lyneham.

About you:

Be a serving Regular or Reserve REME Soldier or Officer.

You should already have experience within sport and ideally an interest in Rugby League.

You will require previous experience in coaching or working with young soldiers and have experience of building successful teams and developing partnerships with a range of stakeholders.

You will be required to plan, manage, and deliver a detailed season plan and demonstrate excellent communication skills.

How to apply:

Applicants should send their CV to explain their suitability and experience, making specific reference to the specifications detailed above. Please send CV’s along with your proposals to Maj Lloyd Morgan, DoR REME Rugby league Lloyd.morgan879@mod.gov.uk

Applicants wishing to have an informal discussion about the role may contact Maj Lloyd Morgan, DoR REME Rugby league Lloyd.morgan879@mod.gov.uk or WO2 Andy Fyles, Secretary REME Rugby League Andrew.Fyles531@mod.gov.uk

RACING

bobsleigh, luge

skeleton

Army.

will be an experience you won’t forget in a hurry!

an annual event run in order to introduce novices to the ice sports of bobsleigh, luge and skeleton. It provides an excellent opportunity to afford soldiers the chance to experience one of these three exhilarating disciplines.

activities demand concentration, courage, physical 昀tness and decision making under pressure.

REME TRADES IN THE ARCHIVES: TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Supporting REME Tradespersons Around

Scribe: Celia Cassingham, Museum Archivist

Uponthe formation of REME, Storeman (T and D), RAOC and Storeman, Technical, RASC (other than Railway and RAOC) were transferred to REME. By 1959 the trade was REME Storeman and by 2001 became Technical Storeman and Regimental Specialist. Regimental Specialist and Technical Storeman were amalgamated to Technical Support Specialist (TS Spec) with effect from 1 Apr 2008. The new trade of TS Spec would deliver military training, stores management and some driving capability. (Malcolm Heppolette’s article: History of REME Trade Changes since its Formation in 1942, 2011, pp 26-27; 29). Today TSS provide logistical support and manage millions of pounds worth of a REME unit’s weapons, ammunition, vehicles, tools and workshop infrastructure.

We return to 22 Advanced Base Workshop, situated in Lot, Belgium in 1945. The unit photograph album shows the workshop’s tool stores.

Advanced Base Workshop,

Belgium,

The detailed caption to the photograph explains that: “the store comprises three separate sections: - (A) Detail Tool Store: This deals with the daily issue of hand tools, drills, reamers etc. of which approximately 1,700 items are binned or on Shadow Boards. Issues are at the rate of 750 items per week. (B) Special Tank Tools: Most of these are prominently on shadow boards so that the Fitters can indicate the tool he requires to the Storeman. Issues are at the rate of 300 per week and a check system is used to avoid constant signatures. (C) Special Vehicle Tools: These apply only to vehicle repairs and were not much used in this workshop owing to the prominent tank role.”

21 Advance Base Workshop, REME, British Liberation Army, also maintained a unit album which includes photographs of its Section of Central Tools and Expense stores, 1944. Specialist tools were issued as required and from the expense stores all quick moving items, such as nuts and bolts, gaskets, small quantities of metal etc., were issued.

This photograph includes a plea to all users: “All tools will be returned each day. Other personnel have the same job to do. So play the game and let us have yours back every day. “ Documents in the archives include: A Seniority Roll which includes Storemen; a personnel list (Regulars and Reserves) of HQ 7th Armd Div LAD, Trenchard Barracks, Celle, British Army of the Rhine, 1949; recruitment brochures for Technical Storeman (1990s) and Technical Support specialist (2011).

A Prospectus for The

Personnel list HQ 7th Armd Div LAD, Trenchard Barracks, Celle, British Army of the Rhine, 1949 (E:07.0668.06)

All REME workshops contain extensive technical and general stores; REME Storemen manage them. During their training Storemen learn stores organisation, maintenance of records, accounting procedure and storage methods. Later in their careers they may qualify for membership for the Institution of Purchasing and Supply. The initial and advanced courses are 4 and 5 weeks long.

The archives also include job specifications and reports of reviews of the trade:

The report also expands on the additional duties REME Storemen would be expected to do, as well as

Job Specification Storeman REME, 1980 (E:12_3645)

the importance of their service.

The report also tells us that the REME Storeman were posted to all units who had REME tradesmen in them, the range of postings as broad as it was long and that in the 1980s there were REME Storemen serving in the UK, West Germany, Belgium and even the “more exotic places” like Hong Kong, Canada and Cyprus.

Recruitment adverts for Technical Support Specialists

Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Ninth Edition, 1994 describes the administrative trade group at the time which provided the supporting services which enabled the Corps to carry out its role. Technical Storemen were trained at SEME Bordon and Regimental duty soldiers at A Coy SEME Regiment Bordon. Technical Storeman:

Report of the Storeman REME Review, 1980 (E:12_3645)

A job specification for 1995 explains the main job objective as control, maintenance, issue and receipt of stores, tools and equipment; control

Document: Role of REME Storeman (E:12_3645)

and maintenance of accounts, registers, vouchers and equipment tables at 1st line, 2nd line and training establishments, whilst undertaking military tasks and duties commensurate with rank/experience. To supervise the user in equipment maintenance or

Storeman Course, Bordon, 1987/1988 (E10.1566.013)

other tradesmen on technical matters … can be called upon to instruct in field units and training establishment. The conditions under which the job was often performed are also described.

Storemen appear regularly in group photos and as individuals in our collections from 1 Training Battalion in the 1950s to 1 Field Workshop, Bielefeld, BAOR, 1974; to a District Workshop in Singapore; to a Guards LAD in the 1980s. We also hold a personal

collection of a REME Storeman who served in the UK from 1958 to 1964.

This image is from a collection of group photographs of Storeman Courses, SEME, Bordon, 1987/1988.

Last, but not least the archives also hold training manuals, such as a REME Careers and Training Plan and DSEME Technical Support Specialist Theory Precis Books 1 and 2.

Singapore, as was, part 2

Scribe: WO1 (ASM) Robin Ford (RIP)

Turningout of dock gates onto the main road left me with an imprint on my mind never to be forgotten. The residential area around the dock was one, to my mind, a culture shock and alien existence. The human activity was difficult to take in, everywhere was street food stalls, merchant stall and shops but most of all was seeing all the domestic washing threaded onto long bamboo poles stretching across the road from house walls like gigantic bunting – an everlasting memory. In addition to this, there were numerous standpipes, taps and hoses, each one occupied by someone having a daily shower in public – men, women and children alike. Although something alien, I was to get used to it very quickly.

We made a relatively short journey from the docks to my posting location – 40 Base Workshop REME housed a massive complex known as Rowcroft lines on the Ayarajah Road. The whole of this area being virtually a military establishment, a self-contained village and a lot more beside. We debussed and were briefly instructed on our accommodation – some accommodation! Yet another culture shock, rows and rows of huts tiered on a steep embankment. Each hut consisted of no more than a slab of concrete and a corrugated tin box on top large enough to house some eight beds and lockers and an open ablution area at the end. There was no door nor windows, only open squares in place of windows. That was just as well as the design was to cope with the

Robin Ford (the author), far left

intense heat and humidity. I never felt uncomfortable in this tin box. This was to be my first word, one of many of the local Army vocabulary. The tin room was called a ‘Basker’ – don’t know why.

After my first night of blissful sleep after the stifling conditions of ship board confines, the new intake of draftees were mustered for the usual rules and frustrations and, as the only Lance Corporal in the group, I did the mustering. My second word in the vocabulary came next – I was a whitey from blighty as we all were. My account of Singapore in the fifties begins here with a walking tour of Rowcroft Lines. As has been written, this large complex was like a village. As well a living accommodation, there was everything, large cookhouse (no catering halls in those days), admin officer education course, theatre, cinema, sport fields, gymnasium and a medical centre and something foreign for English squaddies – prophylactic, open at night for lads who had been down town to visit the ‘ladies of the night’ – compulsory treatment, and finally the C of E Chapel.

Included in our two-hour familiarisation tour of the camp we saw many kiosks selling daily needs, Barbers, Tailors, Cobblers and a laundry, (never saw any squaddie ironing for the duration of my tour). All these kiosks were run by civilians; this marked the end of the ‘stroll’ and will not be forgotten. It was about 11 O’clock and when we stopped I realised I had never been so thirsty in my life or any time after – dehydration had caught me out, I felt so nauseous and would have killed for a drink. I did not have a clear cent in my pocket and desperately begged from a mate a dollar to buy a drink from a small shop. Stupidly I bought two bottles of Fanta and drank them both in desperation – wrong! Ten minutes later I was writhing in agony until I had the mother of all belches – bliss and relief. After that I often wonder what it must have been like for British POW’s under the Japanese in this climate deprived for days at a time of a simple drink of water. Why indeed should I feel sorry for myself?

So, over the next few days we ‘whitey’s’ received advice from everyone on where to go, what to do, taxi fares, bus fares, local customs and a thousand other items. It was my first weekend to go out and sample Singapore as was. It is appropriate here to fast forward to briefly see what Singapore is today. I say briefly simply because you, the reader, are able to simply press a button on a Google Earth App and visually walk around any part of the Island or

Diamond T jeep

any road or street of the City and see for yourself. Previously, an island with some conurbation and residential areas were covered by such a lot of lush, deep green bush and in parts a penetrable jungle, is now a concrete jungle with masses of high-rise dwellings where Kampongs (villages) existed. Dozens of McDonalds where street food stalls assembled. Toys R Us, a modern metro system instead of a rickshaw ride. Now a stunning spectacle that aspires – press the button and see.

Back to the past where Rowcroft lines dominated the area along with two large sprawling REME workshops, base workshop and Singapore District Workshops. On a week day hundreds of civilians bussed in from the environs so Rowcroft Lines was certainly one of the main employers. It teamed with Chinese, Indian and Malayan civilians who took their place amongst British civilians and military personnel. But the thing was when you moved out of the perimeter you were in a great percentage of green covered hills and suburban life – a scattering of organic built huts in Kampongs. The area was dominated by a hill with a road circumventing it, known as the Gap, which was the gap to the Southern shoreline whose road there went straight into the city via the docks.

My first foray was down to the area known as Alexandra, the main feature being the British Military Hospital (BMH). In its time a stateof-the-art facility and equally a place of infamy at the commencement and during the Japanese occupation. In addition, Alexandra was in itself a garrison where, to my pleasure, I was later to be posted. The military presence attracted a lot of civilian life in the form of numerous merchants, full Kampong of Malay attap homes, so incongruous being so close to colonial existence. It sported the equivalent of a modern food court large gathering of gas lit stalls selling eclectic food on banana leaves and placed on crude bench tables – superb. I quickly became attracted to the mouth-watering choices and epicurean smells, this and the Chinese curry, served

every day, as a choice in camp caused me to become addicted and I binged out in my first week there. But after only four days I became ‘addicted’ to the inside of the toilet door and to the Army Form Blank SH1T (toilet paper to you), so I had to abstain from all things in moderation.

Everywhere I experienced new curious and even great activity. One outstanding item was being consistently passed by a wizened Chinese cooly type with a bamboo pole, with large square tins hanging from each end (ex-military food containers). I was quickly enlightened that these were the Honeymen – council sanitation to you, you guessed it. These tins were full of undiluted human waste (posh terminology), being constantly disposed of, where I would hate to guess. More than once I heard of squaddies mischievously kicking one of the tins carried by a passing Honeyman so that he spun like a helicopter rotor blade spilling the contents across the road – funny, but not funny.

Having moved a mile up the Ayer Rajah Road to Alexandra Barracks, I spent the most of my three years there. This was one of the best locations to be for all the amenities and the bonus of local life. Just to visit ‘The Alex’ (BMH) for whatever reason was a pleasure with its wide open and manicured lawns, it felt rather like an oasis and watching the Indian labourers maintaining the lawns was of great interest. Instead of mechanised mowers there would be a gang yielding sticks the length of a golf club. Affixed to the end was a six to nine-inch blade. Each man would spend the whole day swinging the ‘club’ in an arc over his head and just slicing the grass at the right height – all day, every day probably for a few cents an hour, a legacy of the days of the Raj. Occasionally you would see one guy jump to avoid some venomous reptile getting too close to their bare feet. On my last visit some years ago the lawns were gone, it now has a beautiful tropical garden which, in itself, gives great pleasure.

To be continued in Part 3…

A very busy Singapore street

Singapore river

The REME Charity

The Trustees of The REME Charity acknowledge with sincere thanks the donations received during the month of AUGUST 2022. They also wish to acknowledge the regular subscriptions received from the Officers and Soldiers of the Corps and retired members of the REME Institution: Donations

From Amount

08/08/2022 James McLay, Jack Family annual remembrance .

11/08/2022 SSgt Aaron McGivern, SIO Christian Lester-Endless Lift Challenge £514.01 17/08/2022 Amazon Smile £462.55 18/08/2022 Royal Wootton Bassett Rugby Football Club £1,250 24/08/2022 Christopher Walton £100 14/08/2022 Jamie Pascoe .

12/08/2022 Alison Candlin .

11/08/2022 Brian Francis . .

06/08/2022 Laura Gainsford

Lt Col Paul Round-Turner (left), takes over from Lt Col John Williams (right) as the new Commanding Officer of 6 Armd CS Bn REME

Obituaries

Captain (Retired) Colin Hannaford. Soldier, Engineer, Teacher, Intellectual Scribe: Major (Retired) Jonathan Snodgrass

Colin Hannaford died of Prostate Cancer at his home in Oxford on 22 July 2022 age 79, with his loving and much-loved German born partner Brigitte at his side. Sadly Alexander, his and his ex-Wife Sandra’s only child, died some months before he did.

I met him in 11 Field Workshop REME in Germany in 1973 and we became best friends for life; and later he became an assiduous Godfather to my Son.

However, in 1973 he was under a military ‘cloud’ and left the Army shortly afterwards. Why and how? The events described here happened fifty years ago so I have no independent witnesses and no documentary evidence, just Colin’s account, verbal and written, but this never varied over 50 years. In 1971 whilst serving in Headquarters Northern Ireland two events (described in pages 253 and 254 of ‘Educating Messiahs’) shaped his later life:

• As Duty Officer he took a telephone call from Martin McGuinness, then young but already a senior Commander in the IRA (and much later the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland). They had a conversation about the political aims of the IRA. Arguably Martin McGuinness struck lucky; nobody relished a political conversation more than Colin.

• As Duty Officer some time later Colin allowed an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Officer, a friend one year his senior, to investigate a suspicious parcel: the booby-trapped parcel exploded and killed him.

In 1972, after Bloody Sunday, Colin broke military law by writing an open letter to Politicians and Journalists accusing the government of refusing to acknowledge that the Army was not faced with ‘criminal gangs’ all ‘robbing post-offices’, but was attempting to stop a religious civil war, which the Army’s efforts could only make worse. The answer had to be political and it had to involve talking to the terrorists. The consequence for Colin should of course have been an immediate Court Martial. What Colin as a very junior officer did not know, nor should he have known nor needed to know, was that the government had already begun secret meetings with the ‘bank robbers’ (https://alphahistory.com/northernireland/ira-britishsecret-meetings-1972/). Any publicity arising from Colin’s action would put that operation at risk. But perhaps it was that risk of further publicity that saved him from a Court Martial. Colin was posted to Catterick…

However, someone must have asked the equivalent of “Who will rid me of this troublesome priest?” It fell to the RAMC to do the deed by declaring him insane. He was “tricked” (Colin’s word) into being admitted into the Royal Victoria Hospital at Netley, on Southampton Water. It was the Army’s main psychiatric hospital. Only when he arrived, was he informed that he was a patient. He was to remain there for three weeks, during which he had some spiritual or perhaps psychedelic experience (We may speculate this might have been from drugs that he was given). In his final interview, the hospital Director told him that he had been ordered to begin treating Colin on arrival for Schizophrenia. Thankfully for Colin, the Director, a Colonel Ferguson, refused his order. He told Colin: “There were no clinical notes! As soon as I met you I could see that some bloody fool had made a mistake”. Colin was returned to active

Colin imagined some disgruntled Civil Servant adding a terse comment

his file to be noted in similar future situations: ‘Always add clinical notes!’

On leaving the army in 1974, Colin and his Wife became caretakers of the small island of Inch Kenneth off the island of Mull in the Inner Hebrides. Inch Kenneth was owned by friends as a holiday home and was normally deserted. This was a fulfilling time, for Colin at least, as he was able to use his practical skills to meet the challenges of this remote life, and to reflect and to write (Comparison with George Orwell writing ‘1984’ in a remote farmhouse on the neighbouring island of Jura … ?)

Colin was then invited to become an alumnus of Trinity College, Cambridge. Here he qualified to teach mathematics, and here he was advised by a group of eminent scholars, led primarily by Trinity’s Dean of Chapel, Bishop John Robinson, the author of the famous theological polemic, ‘Honest to God’, all of whom took a serious interest in his experiences and encouraged him to “incorporate the result in your teaching”.

In 1976, now aged 33, he began his civil teaching career in Magdalen College School in Oxford. In 1979, aided by his fluency in all the major European languages needed to do so, he was appointed as Head of Mathematics of the European School at Culham near Oxford. This was founded in 1978 to provide education to the children of staff working for the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) on the Joint European Torus (JET) fusion energy research programme nearby. Subsequently he also became its Head of Ethics. He taught there, “learning a lot from my pupils”, for the next twenty-five years.

He realised that the Athenian Greeks had not developed a first successful democracy, and then the first systematic mathematics, by accident. Both depended on people learning, and on learning to trust, the same form of rational argument: Evidence, Connection, Conclusion.

For an essay describing this he was awarded the 1996 Oxford University Philosophical Society Chadwick Prize. Some years later this was followed by an Upton Sinclair Award in the United States for ‘innovation in education’ and by a nomination for the Peace Prize of the Canada Parliament.

His pupils soon began to benefit from being taught:

• never to declare that they understood any argument unless they truly did;

• that honesty is the first demand of free speech;

• that this requires courage;

• and that it depends on the mutual respect between Teacher and pupils.

Within ten years, and until he retired, his senior pupils began consistently to achieve amongst the highest grades in the Baccalaureate of all the then thirteen European Schools.

He was several times invited to international mathematics education congresses in this period, and in one of these - not untypically was asked, to general amusement: “Do you really suppose our governments want us to teach children to think!” In 2009 he was invited by the Qatar Foundation for Education to organise a conference in Windsor Castle for Qatari and other Arab Teachers to learn his approach. These Teachers were visibly

Colin (Copyright: The Oxford Mail/Ed Nix)

Educating Messiahs Front Cover

horrified by the idea of engendering mutual respect in their classrooms. The ‘Arab Spring’ erupted the next year. Arguably the conference had been ten years too late…

For the past twenty years this philosophy of mathematics education, namely that when correctly taught it is essentially democratic education, has been taught to student Mathematics Teachers in Mercer University, which has become widely considered the most successful teaching college in the United States - because its Teachers last longer!

After retiring Colin was twice invited to lecture to staff and students of primary and secondary teaching at Oxford Brookes University. He was a supporter of the Free Speech Union. Amongst many essays, pamphlets and books, he published a memoire of his teaching career. Given the title ‘Educating Messiahs’, its message is that social empathy can be continually improved by teaching pupils to value honesty and courage and always to offer others mutual respect. He was for many years the European Correspondent of www.educationnews.org. His method of teaching mathematics was translated into many languages and adopted by the European Union and a number of countries. He was latterly Honorary Professor for The Pedagogy of Mathematics at Malaga University. In 2021 he published his last book: ‘A Tidal Wave of Human Consciousness To Stop Wars’. Space here prevents listing all his numerous publications, however, please do ‘Google’ him and see where that might lead you.

He was widely respected and much loved by family, friends, colleagues and students. He is already very much missed.

Sergeant (Retired) Fredrick Charles Hook, 23rd October 1924 – 18th June 2022

Scribe: Maj Gen Mark Armstrong MStJ JP DL (late REME)

It is with great personal sadness that I have to inform the Corps of the passing of one of the few remaining WWII Veterans, Sgt Fred Hook.

Fred was born in Yardley, Birmingham in October 1924, his Father had a garage and it was here that Fred learnt some of the skills which would he would use on his great passion in life, more of that later.

Fred was called up for service in the Army and enlisted in Warrington on 3rd June 1943, his trade was noted as being a Motor Mechanic. It was no surprise therefore that Fred would be destined for the Corps and would pass his Class III and Class II Motor Mechanics courses without a problem. Fred then asked if he could take the Class I course, which was unusual given that he had yet to serve in a field unit. He clinched the deal by repairing the OC’s Staff Officer’s car; a model he had worked on back in his Dad’s garage.

Fred’s first posting was to the 1st Assault Troops Royal Engineers Workshop, part of the 1st Assault Brigade which went ashore in Normandy on D-Day; they took heavy casualties that day, 50% being killed or wounded, however Fred wasn’t with them. He was in

hospital having accidently poisoned himself with chemicals cleaning a bath in which he had hoped to relax in before going to war.

Fred had married Jeanne Katherine Talbot on 10th July 1943 at King’s Norton and Michael, their first born, came along within a year, therefore Fred was keen to find a posting which would be near home. Someone told him that the new Airborne Forces which were being expanded were to be based in the Midlands and so Fred volunteered to join, only to find himself at Moor Park Golf Club, near Rickmansworth.

The next major military operation was Operation Market Garden, the Airborne landing at Arnhem. Once again fete would play a part in Fred’s favour. Fred was to be part of the glider force, however when he loaded his truck onto the glider, the weight of it sank the glider’s wheels into the soft ground. Fred was ordered to unload the vehicle and drive to Harwich where he embarked for Northwest Europe and joined the 21st Army Group. As part of the road party to relieve the troops in Arnhem; he got as far as Nijmegen where he spent a couple of months before returning to the UK. Fred recalled coming across some dead German troops, and whist his comrades went looking for souvenirs such as Nazi daggers, Fred helped himself to the Germans’ tools.

Fred spent the rest of the Second World War in the UK and with the reconstitution of the 1st Airborne Bde, Fred was then posted to Palestine where he spent 2 years; initially with the HQ 1st Battalion Airborne Troops and then the 2nd Battalion Ox & Bucks Light Infantry, before being sent home and being demobilised. He was finally transferred to the Reserve on 20th September 1947. After the War, Fred returned to his Dad’s garage but resigned and trained as a Carpenter. He had a number of occupations thereafter, including Taxi Driver, but eventually went to work for Rentokil with whom he spent many years and had many a tale to tell. He retired from Rentokil in 1985 doing some consultancy before finally retiring in 1990.

The very last time I spoke to Fred, a few days before he passed away, I asked him if there was one thing that he would like to be remembered for, what would it be? He had no hesitation: motorhomes. The following is an extract from a letter Fred wrote in October 1999, entitled ‘Forty-Two Years on’.

‘It all started in the summer of 1956 when my wife and I decided to take our four children on our first holiday. The venue was Mevagissey in Cornwall, we had seen a static caravan advertised on a farm just outside, what was then a small fishing harbour of Mevagissey. We travelled down in our second-hand Morris Minor 1000 and on arrival it started to rain, it was raining the next day and the day after, this was no holiday, so we decided on a day out to Newquay. The sky started to clear the closer we got to the other coast, on arrival it was bright and sunny, we parked on the harbour which I think cost us one shilling for all day, we all made our way to the adjacent beach, I commented to a couple that we were pleased the weather had changed and the rain had stopped, to which they replied what rain. They had been there for 3 days and had seen no rain. I made the decision then, in future I would never take a holiday

Fred driving a Land Rover in Palestine

find that I could not move to find better weather, the idea would be to own a ‘Caravanette’, (that’s what everyone called then in those days).’

Fred was to own 32 different motorhomes, some, including the first, were conversions that he did himself. He would attend motorhome shows and always come back with new ideas and a hankering to upgrade the one he had. He met lots of wonderful people and used to say that motorhome owners were a family in themselves; always willing to help each other out.

Jeanne and Fred had four children, Michael, Pat, Jan and Brian. He and Jeanne moved to Old Storridge in about 1971 where they built a log cabin on the edge of the woods, and of course with a large Car Port for the motorhome. Sadly, Jeanne contracted dementia and Fred nursed her at home until she passed away in 2000.

Fred had been the companion of my Mother, Pat, for the past 20 years and they had many trips away in their motorhomes including one to Arnhem where, as a Veteran, he was well received. Fred’s last trip to France in a motorhome was in 2018, when he was 93. He finally gave up motor homing in 2019.

It is fair to say that Fred led a full and fulfilling life. His ailing back was a huge frustration for him, because he loved to be making things and he loved to drive, particularly in a motorhome. Not wanting a big funeral service in favour of a party was typical Fred too. His ashes are spread in the woods at Old Storridge where he and Jeanne spent the best part of 30 years together and around the tree which Fred planted in Mum’s garden in Alfrick, where Fred spent the final 20 of his 97 years.

Former Sergeant Stanley Roy Sumner

Scribe: Josephine Amor (Daughter)

Roy was a founder member of the REME. He was born on the 21st August 1923 in Catford, South-East London. He was the middle Son of three Brothers and from a young age, he was always interested in vehicles.

School days were tolerated, he hated the harsh regime that was imposed in those days, but he loved cricket and enjoyed playing for the school team.

At the age of 14 he was thrown into the world of work, and a series of dull jobs followed as an office boy. With the war looming, jobs became scarce, but he was able to obtain an office job at Catford Greyhound Racing Stadium in 1939.

It was when he was working at the stadium that Roy went through a terrifying experience, which changed the course of his life. He was there on Saturday 7th September 1940 when the Blitz began. The sky became thick with German planes and during the raid, Roy, with others, were caught in a corridor behind one of the stands. Beyond the stand was a railway line, and this was an intended target. One of the bombs hit the railway embankment and Roy remembered the awful noise as it fell from the sky above. Luckily the bomb didn’t go off, it was a delayed action bomb and it eventually exploded in the middle of the night, with no one hurt.

The events of that day prompted his father to take the family out of London, and they resettled in Oxford. Being 17 years old, Roy got a job at the nearby Morris Motors plant at Cowley. During his time there, he taught himself to drive using a company van. Having this skill led him to test drive light armoured vehicles, which were being assembled at the plant.

suggested he join the REME; which had just been newly formed.

After training at Chiswick, Norwich and Southampton, Roy was posted to the Royal Ordnance Depot at Chilwell, Nottinghamshire, based at No. 8 Central Workshops. Roy was selected to join the Inspection Department there and became one of the first Armoured Fighting Vehicle Inspectors in the REME. Roy enjoyed his time there, testing the variety of tracked vehicles, including Churchill, Cromwell and Sherman tanks.

In May 1944, Roy was involved in a serious accident while out testing a Sherman tank. He was nearly crushed to death by the rotating turret. His recuperation lasted 6 months. He returned to Chilwell for a short while before being posted to Market Rasen attached to 1st Battalion, the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (A&SH). They were part of the 3rd Brigade Airborne Division and preparing to go to out to Japan. However, the detonation of the atomic bombs put a stop to this and instead, the A&SH were posted out to Palestine, in November 1945.

Roy was in charge of the REME unit attached to the Battalion and they were first stationed at Camp 21 at Natanya, near Tel Aviv. Roy was assigned a tent for a workshop and a jeep, which he put to good use, taking both the REME and the Battalion’s MT Division lads out on various leisure expeditions – to cafes, bars and beaches at the weekend. He shared a tent with the Pipe Major Pat McGlinn and Drum Major Eddie Robson, and they often dressed him up in their regalia. A great friend was Medical Sergeant Ed McVeigh, they often went out on trips to see the Biblical sites together. They called themselves the ‘Demics’, the reason why, long since forgotten.

In 1946, the Battalion moved camp to Jerusalem, first staying at the Hospice de Notre Dame and then at the Syrian Orphanage. Roy had his workshop tent alongside the Old Damascus Gate. Young Jewish lads would often pelt the tent with stones from the wall above!

In 1947, the Battalion moved again down to Egypt and then to Qastina near Gaza. Roy always remembered his ride across the Egyptian desert on a Royal Enfield motorbike. It was a cherished memory along with all the other adventures he enjoyed with the REME.

After de-mob in 1947, Roy returned to Oxford and resumed employment at Morris Motors. He worked for the Vehicle Body Inspection Department, eventually becoming Chief Inspector. He worked on models such as the Morris Minor and then the Mini. He also joined the Morris Motors Rifle Association, a hobby which he enjoyed for over 60 years.

He married Jenny in 1962. They loved travelling in France with many happy times spent there. He was devastated when she died suddenly in 1988, but he coped and adapted his life, living independently until

On 5th November 1942, aged 19, Roy was conscripted into the Army and was posted to the Royal Engineers No. 47 Primary Training Wing at Clitheroe in Lancashire. After six weeks, and as he already had an interest and understanding of vehicles, it was Roy in Norwich, 1943

Roy at the REME Museum in October 2021

only a couple of years before he died.

Roy was always described by all who knew him as a gentleman and he always put others first before himself. Because of his time with the REME, he loved to talk about Palestine and would often go into lengthy detail about the problems there. He also had a sense of mischievousness, and a cheeky sense of humour!

Unfortunately, the accident from 1944 started to badly affect his mobility when he was in his 80s, but as usual, he put up with it and never complained. He had a remarkable resilience and it was probably this, which contributed to his long life.

Roy died peacefully at home on Good Friday, 15th April 2022, aged 98. He is survived by his two Daughters, Josephine and Caroline, who both miss him so much, but will always be in their hearts.

Terrence Fredrick George Groves (Terry, Tex)

Scribe: David Groves

Terry passed away after a short illness on the 9th June 2022, aged 90 and 9 Months at the Princess of Wales Community Hospital, Bromsgrove, Worcs.

Born in Southmead Hospital, Bristol 17th September 1931.

Terry was born to Lillian and Fred Groves. He was the eldest of four, he had one Brother, John and two Sisters, Patricia and Queen.

He had four children, two boys and two girls. Each were born at different locations within the UK - Taunton, Bridgend South Wales and Tidworth except for the youngest who was born as she proudly told us, at RAF Steamer Point in Aden.

Terry’s military career in REME started in Blandford Forum, Dorset around about 1949. He trained to be a Recovery Mechanic and had various postings around the world and I am not sure if he was attached to a unit or served in a workshop in Hong Kong. He served in Korea as per the medal he wore. He did mention about being at a place called Easter Island but I am not sure what he did there.

The postings I can recollect from childhood were; that he did serve with the Fighting Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (FVRDE) Chertsey / Longcross (1966 -1969) as a Corporal and then he was promoted to Sergeant and posted 14 Fld Wksp Berlin at Montgomery Barracks (19691971) and his final six months at the Command Workshop in Bovington Dorset so, all in all, a rather long round the world trip starting and finishing in Dorset.

After retiring the family moved to Bridgend and he started driving a little four tonner collecting and delivering sand from one of the long South Wales coastline production plants. Not long after this he tried his hand at television sales/rentals working for DER, as a family we always had a colour television, whilst at the same time he was training to be a pub Landlord during the evenings. He did eventually become the licensee of a public house in the seaside town of Porthcawl; which was hard work and long hours in the summer and extremely quiet in the winter.

After a short spell being a club Steward in Birmingham, he left and started working in sales for the Royal Automobile Association; going to local car club rallies and other motoring related events within his catchment area. He would often be seen on the M5 at the Strensham and Frankly motorway services.

He retired in the early 90’s on medical grounds. He was still mobile and enjoyed cruising with Mum Barbara on the Cunard ships Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria and always wanted to go through the Panama Canal on board ship; this was on his bucket list and he was fortunate enough to able to fulfil this dream.

Terry was very active within the Royal British Legion (RBL) as a Treasurer; always on the streets doing Poppy Appeals come rain or shine and was awarded the 30-year service medal from the RBL for his services.

Wherever he was Terry was also an active member of The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB) (known as The Buffs). His last lodge being in Bromsgrove, Worcs.

Peter Gerald Jupp

Scribe: AAC Regimental Secretary (Yeovilton)

It is with sadness that we have learned of the passing of Peter Gerald Jupp (11 Mar 1928 – 23 Jun 2022). Peter joined the HQ AAC REME Technical Service Branch in 1958, which was later known as the Aircraft Technical Service Unit. He was awarded the Hutchings Flight Safety Award in 1973 for his work highlighting the dangers of foreign object damage (FOD) to aircraft. His paper on the subject was published in the Army Air Corps Newsletter, an important document of that period that featured a large section on the subject of Flight Safety. Following 18 years’ service with REME Aviation at Middle Wallop he joined Westland Helicopters at Yeovilton as the MOD liaison.

Major (Retired) John Arthur Richards

Scribe: Jeremy Richards

Major (Retired) John Richards was born on 10 March 1931 and educated at Loughborough College School. In 1946, following in the footsteps of his Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather, he joined the Army at the Army Apprentice School at Chepstow and trained as an Electrician vehicle and plant.

In 1949 he joined REME and his first posting was to 13 Command Workshop in Aldershot. After attending an ECE (Control Equipment) course at Arborfield in 1950, he was posted to 5 Medium Workshops and served in Korea and Japan during which time he was promoted to Lance Corporal, Corporal and Sergeant. In 1953 he returned to Arborfield and after passing an Artificer Electrical Control Course was promoted to Staff Sergeant in 1954 and posted to the Anti-Aircraft Practice Camp at Tonfanau in Wales.

An urgent posting in 1956 took him to Gillingham in Kent to join 7 Infantry Workshop with service in Port Said and Cyprus. In 1960 he was promoted to Warrant Officer Class 2 and posted to Donnington. In 1962 he attended a Thunderbird Missile Course at Arborfield and then posted to 36 Heavy Air Defence Regiment Workshops BAOR in charge of 56 Battery Detachment.

In 1966 he was posted to 35 Central Workshops at Old Dalby and promoted to Warrant Officer Class 1 ASM in 1967.

Commissioned in 1969, he was posted to 8 Field Workshops in Colchester. In 1970 he was posted to OC 2 Division Signal Regiment LAD in West Germany. In 1973 he joined CVHQ at Bordon as the Individual Training Officer. This was followed in 1976 by a posting to the Royal School of Artillery at Larkhill as O I/C Light Air Defence and RADAR Repair Platoon. He was promoted to Major in 1978.

His final posting in 1979 was to the REME Publication Centre at Woolwich as O I/C of planning, production and distribution of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Regulations and other technical publications. He retired from the Army in April 1980.

Starting in 1959, he took a keen interest in small and full

bore shooting and successfully competed in REME, Royal Signals, Royal Artillery, District and Army Skill at Arms competitions as competitor, Team Captain and O I/C of shooting.

On leaving the Army, he joined Marconi Communication Systems Ltd in Chelmsford as the controller for the installation and maintenance of equipment, which included responsibility for staff around the world. He took early retirement in 1993 and as well as gardening and DIY he took up and very much enjoyed water colour painting, bowls, dancing, bridge and computing.

Married to June in 1957 he has a Daughter and a Son and sadly, a Son who predeceased him.

Lt Col (Retd) Edward (Ted) Bartlett

Scribe: Avril Bartlett

Ted started his military life when he joined the Duke of York’s Royal Military School on January 6th 1943 at the Saunton Sands Hotel in North Devon (The School had been evacuated from Dover due to WW2). In 1947, he transferred to the Army Apprentices School Arborfield where he spent 3 years training as an Apprentice Vehicle Mechanic. In 1950 he joined the Regular Army in REME and was posted to 27 Command Workshop REME Warminster. From there he was posted to Korea arriving in December 1951 attached to 61 Lt Regt RA. He departed Korea on 2nd June 1953 (Coronation Day) and on returning to the UK he was posted to 37 Heavy Artillery Regt RA in North Wales; which deployed to Malta for the duration of the Suez War. In 1957 he returned to the UK to commence his 3 years Artificer Vehicle Training. There then followed postings to Cyprus, Birmingham University Officer Training Corps and 42 Squadron RASC in Catterick on promotion to WO2. It was then that he was recommended for a Commission and posted to 5 Armd Wksp REME as a Lieutenant. On completion of a year, he was promoted to Captain and posted to 2 Div Regt RCT as OC of the Regimental Workshop. His next posting in 1971 was to Hong Kong as OIC REME Technical Services where he served for 3 years. On returning to the UK he was promoted to Major and posted to 50 Comd Wksp REME Northern Ireland as 2IC and OIC production. This appointment was for two years but Ted saw a signal inviting REME Majors with vehicle experience to apply for a post at a new technical high school in Iran, Ted applied and was interviewed in London for the post and was delighted when he was informed that he had been successful. There followed two really interesting, challenging and enjoyable years in Iran some 600 miles South of Tehran. Luckily his tour of service ended just before the Shah was overthrown and Ted’s successor had to flee the country leaving all his belongings behind.

On Ted’s return to the UK he had some very good postings including serving in London District, his final posting was as OC ASMT Workshop at Normandy Barracks, Leconfield in East Yorkshire where he met his Wife Avril who also worked at Leconfield. On his retirement in 1987 he took up the post of British Army Motorsports Association Secretary (BAMA) still based at Leconfield for a further 10 years, finally retiring in 1997.

During his time as BAMA Secretary he became very involved with Army motorcycling which led to him joining the Auto Cycle Union (governing body for Motorcycling sport in Great Britain). He served as their Chairman from 1997 to 2003, as President from 2004 to 2008 and from 2016 to his death he was an Honorary VicePresident. He also served as a Vice-President of The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme ((FIM) (World governing body for Motorcycling Sport) during which time he was asked byTed in Kiev

the then President, Mr Zerbi, to keep a watching brief on World Enduro; especially the International Six Days Enduro. He was also the first Vice-President of FIM Europe (the European arm of the FIM) and remained an Honorary Vice-President until his death.

Throughout his long life, Ted kept himself busy as he was not a man to sit back and relax, he was a life member of the Duke of Yorks Old Boys Association, being chairman in 1983 and 1986, at the time of his death he was their Social Secretary, a post he had held since 1981, and also their President. He was a local councillor for several years and served as his town Mayor from 1989 to 1990. Earlier this year he retired as President of his local Royal British Legion branch but no doubt he would have found something else to keep him busy. He had a belated 90th birthday party only a few days before he died which gave him chance to see friends and family and was his way of saying goodbye to them all. He will be sadly missed by many people all over the world whose lives he touched in some way, RIP Ted.

Death Notices

BARTLETT – Col (Retd) Edward (Ted) passed away Tuesday 5 July aged 90. Dates of service 1947-1987

HOOK – Former Sgt Frederick Charles Hook passed away 18 June 2022 aged 97. Dates of service 1942- 1947.

RICHARDS – Maj (Retd) John Richards passed away 23 March 2022 aged 91. Dates of service 1949-1980.

STEWART – Former Cpl Richard Stewart passed away 21 August 2022 aged 72. Dates of service unknown.

Death Notice Requirements

In order to publish a death notice we require the following information: Surname, first name, rank, full date of death, ages and dates of service. An obituary with additional career and life information is welcome. To inform us of the death, please contact Ms Bev Bate, Corps Welfare Manager on ( 07936 902415 or  welfare@remecharity.org

Officer Assignments

OCTOBER

Lieutenant

ROBERTSON

Lieutenant

Ted meeting the Shah, Iran 1977

Extracts from the London Gazette

02 August 2022

The undermentioned Captains to be Majors 31 July 2022 with seniority 31 July 2022

Regular Commissions

D. C. R. DOUGLAS 30116016

W. J. LOWE 30043218

C. A. MILNE 30090314

B. P. WILKINSON 30089143

Regular Commissions (Late Entry)

S. M. S. BATTISHILL 25023558

G. S. BROMIDGE 25042581

L. S. CHERRINGTON 24896502

S. COOK 25042840

P. L. CROSS 24900596

J. R. DOCHERTY 25080069

A. C. FRANKLIN 25064732

M. J. HOBSON 25036539

S. D. JACKSON 25065524

S. I. KITCHEN 25018060

D. J. LUMSDEN 25051808

R. E. V. MATAITINI 25113841

R. MCMILLEN 25042872

P. M. RAW 25037603

A. R. ALLCHIN 30202465

P. J. ALLEN 548840

G. W. COPELAND 30165044

J. J. COUGHLIN 30197598

S. C. DOUGAL 30192772

J. K. ENGLISH 30055874

D. J. HUNT 30055896

J. KEENAN 30055854

J. G. LAWRENCE 30036713

G. W. MAIN 25200781

C. A. B. NEVIN-MAGUIRE 30194851

B. T. READ 30068861

M. F. TANKARIA 30055906

I. A. TAYLOR 30013720

S. A. J. TOOTH 30089140

K. J. WILLIAMS 30089145

REGULAR ARMY

Regular Commissions (Late Entry)

Major G. S. SOANE 24725242 to be Lieutenant Colonel 1 April 2022

Intermediate Regular Commissions (Late Entry)

Warrant Officer Class 1 Mark LYNCH 25041716 to be Captain 23 May 2022

Short Service Commissions

Lieutenant (Acting Captain) J. E. FIELD 30032299 to be Captain 13 April 2022

Lieutenant S. HIGGINS 30236765 to be Captain 13 April 2022

Lieutenant (Acting Captain) M. HODGKINSON 30157988 to be Captain 13 April 2022

Lieutenant (Acting Captain) L. I. R. LANGLEY 30171620 to be Captain 13 April 2022

Lieutenant S. L. W. LINDSAY 30224493 to be Captain 13 April 2022

Lieutenant H. E. MORGAN 30203502 to be Captain 13 April 2022

Lieutenant R. J. SMITH 30150280 to be Captain 13 April 2022

Lieutenant D. STEPHEN 30297655 to be Captain 13 April 2022

Lieutenant T. J. SWEENEY 30293885 to be Captain 13 April 2022

Second Lieutenant H. J. HALL 30246455 to be Lieutenant 10 April 2022

Second Lieutenant J. B. MARKHAM 30337082 to be Lieutenant 10 April 2022

Second Lieutenant A. P. MERCER 30330859 to be Lieutenant 10 April 2022

Second Lieutenant J. M. A. WITTY 30267840 to be Lieutenant 10 April 2022

ARMY RESERVE

Officer Cadet Thomas Robert WELLS 30040303 to be Second

Lieutenant 21 November 2020 (Belated Entry)

Staff Sergeant Alexander John Milton SHAW 24889637 to be Lieutenant 1 April 2022

09 August 2022 No Entries

16 August 2022

REGULAR ARMY

Intermediate Regular Commissions

Captain J. L. FARRELL 30134591 from Short Service Commission 4 November 2021 to be Captain with seniority 16 December 2020 (Belated Entry)

Short Service Commissions

Lieutenant J. B. UNDERWOOD 30205555 to be Captain 13 April 2022

ARMY RESERVE

Group A

Lance Corporal Matthew Ross HOLMES 25220067 to be Second Lieutenant (on probation) 21 July 2017 (Belated Entry)

23 August 2022

ARMY RESERVE

Group A

Second Lieutenant (on probation) M. R. HOLMES 25220067 is confirmed as Second Lieutenant 21 July 2018 (Belated Entry)

The following have been awarded the 2nd Clasp to the Volunteer Reserves Service Medal

CPL, P. M. DERRICK, REME, 24726592

The following have been awarded the Volunteer Reserves Service Medal

LCPL, C. J. BARNES, REME, 30173096 CPL, D. KNOWLER, REME, 30168159

30 August 2022

REGULAR ARMY

Intermediate Regular Commissions (Late Entry)

Warrant Officer Class 1 Kevin BURKE 25093386 to be Captain 18 April 2022

ARMY RESERVE

Group A

Second Lieutenant M. R. HOLMES 25220067 to be Lieutenant 22 July 2020 (Belated Entry)

The following Army personnel have been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal

WO1, P. GRAHAM, REME, 25105060

WO2, P. CONNOR, REME, 24795504 WO2, C. IRVING, REME, 25032662

WO1, G. M. JONES, REME, 24945076

WO1, P. D. TOWNSEND, REME, 25104624 WO1, G. D. WYATT, REME, 25118503

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