A Scorpion of C Squadron deployed on security duties at Heathrow Airport
FOREWORD
The beginning of 1978 saw C Squadron completing the sequence of squadron tours in Ulster. Their task in Londonderry was mundane but awkward and only enlivened by the fact that the first half of thE; tour command 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards. However at the end of April they returned with the satisfaction of knowing that their difficult job had been done with professional skill, boundless enthusiasm and the highest standards of discipline. This ended a divisive period of the Regiment's life on a heartwarming note that over a twelve months deployment there had been few casualties, none serious and thankfully no fatalities.
With C Squadron safely back in Windsor a new slant to our work developed which was to be the keynote of the year, concentration as a regiment on our conventional task as the Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment of 6th Field Force. The time honoured progression of troop, squadron and regimental training was completed in time to take part in a major NATO exercise in Schleswig Holstein in September. There, despite appalling weather, a wealth of new experience was gained not (east in working under command of a·German Brigade. By dint of an immense amount of enthusiasm and hard work by all ranks much was achieved and it is fair to say that we are on our way to becoming again areally professional reconnaissance regiment. At the time of writing, but well before publication, this process continues with annual firing in late November and a major exercise in early December. The powers that be are apparently far less inclined to stick to the traditional seasonal timings for field training than they used to be!
Turning from the service Regiment, the Band surprised nobody when they achieved an "Outstanding" grading on their periodic technical inspection. They continue to go from strength to strength in both music ability and ceremonial performance. The Life Guards Squadron in London have had a quieter year than that of the Silver Jubilee but nonetheless have met their many commitments in the best
possible way including winning an embarrassing proportion of the inter squadron competitions within the Mounted Regiment. Despite almost endemic recruiting problems, the Household Cavalry Squadron continues to turn out the right sort of trooper in as large numbers as can reasonably be expected.
THE NEW COMMANDING OFFICER
Lieutenant Colonel A. B. S. H. Gooch
The Mounted Squad ron
In November and December 1977 the 3 troops each spent 10 days at RAF Sopley for Troop Camps. Having been there the previous year several friendships were renewed and the better riding areas were homed into straight away. Each troop spent some of the time in the sea and this year it was only Lance Corporal Wood who was swept downstream although lieutenant H.5.J. Scott provided amusement by finding a bog to sink into elsewhere. Clay pidgeon alld .22 shooting added to the skills learnt at Troop Camps and each Troop held an open day to demonstrate their skills to the local population. Two Troop had failed to take the Padre or a prayer mat and the God of weather demonstrated his ability to produce a drenching day.
The highlight of the year was the visit on 8 February of Her Majesty the Queen. Although it was a bitterly cold day Her Majesty spent 20 minutes in The Life Guards Stables talking to a large number of the squadron and inspecting all the horses. She was most interested in everything she saw and asked a number of pertinent questions.
After the Queen's visit the troops continued their efforts to fend off Blue and Royal opposition in the Inter-Troop Competition with a final on 18 April. The final was a day of consolidating the lead with 1 and 3 troops battling to win. Despite 3 troop's last minute challenge with tentpegging and show jumping the final result was 'I Tp LG, 3 Tp LG, 2 Tp LG taking all three positions once again.
On 12 May the three Life Guard finalists for the Princess Elizabeth Cup, Troopers Schubert, Marsden and Snape were judged by the Commanding Officer and Adjutant at the Royal Windsor Horse Show and Trooper Marsden LG was presented with first prize by Her Majesty. It was two days later that the Second in Command met Her Majesty in different circumstances with his team of loose horses and carriage. (The Second in Command believes that this event has already won quite enough press coverage!)
As in previous years the month of June was hectic with the Queen's Birthday Parade followed by the Garter Ceremony. Both went well.
The President of Rumania and Mme Ceasescu arrived ten dayslater and a Double Standard Sovereigns Escort commanded by Major S.Y. Gilbart-Denham escorted Her Majesty and the President. Trooper Burns gained publicity for lying prostrate on the ground after being bucked off Cosmo in front of the world's press. Apart from dented pride and cuirasses, he was unhurt and later promoted!
At the end of June Lieutenant J.R. Astor took his troop to his home on the Berkshire Downs. A successful week was climaxed by Mr. Astor's wish to emulate the late Earl of Cardigan and attacked a tractor and farm hand munching a lunchtime sandwich in the absence of Russian Artillery.
After periods of grass for the horses and leave for the men preparations were made forSummer Camp at Pirbright. The Second in Command, CoH James and Lance Corporal of Horse Bevan set off a week early to design a cross-country course through the impenetrable Pirbright Training Area and ended up wi tll a fai rl y sti ff cou rse with 26 ju m ps wh ich
The Queen visiting 3 Troop on her tour of the Barracks on 8th February 7978. From Left to right: Major 5. V. GilbartDenham, CoH Craig, Lieut. j. R. Astor and Tpr. Lawes holding Bucephalus.
The RetInue Party at The Queen's Birthday Parade. LCoH Smith on Alfred,. Tpr Ellis on Ula Tpr. Hearn on Chieftain,. Tpr. Mateer on Zurich
surprisingly held up to the heavy hooves of the troop horses.
The squadron enjoyed a most successful camp with superb weather and excellent results in all the many Regimental rVlounted events. The results were as follows:
Senior Ranks Show Jumping
1st Corporal of Horse James
3rd Squadron Leader
) unior Ranks Show) umping
1st Trooper Frawley
2nd Lance Corporal of Horse Scott
3rd Trooper Hopewell
4 th Lance Co rporal Sad dIer
Senior Ranks Cross Country
Angela Brabazon
Angela
Agatha
Warlord Zombie
1st Staff Corporal McKie who paired with the Commanding Officer
Junior Ranks Cross Country
1st Trooper Hearn
Trooper Milton
3 rd Lance Corporal of Horse O'Flaherty
Lance Corporal of Horse Scatt
Zouave ZsaZsa
Young Pretender
Angela
In the Squadron Handy Hunter Competition, the winners with a very fast clear round were Trooper \lilton on Crimea and Trooper Hopewell on Agatha.
In the inter-troop competition 2 troop (Lieutenant Scott and Corporal of Horse James) had a convincing win. This year dismounted Tug-of-War was introduced into the competition and needless to say with Mr. Scott as the troop leader 2 troop had to win!
The normal round of parties took place during camp. Perhaps the two most memorable were the Squadron Dance which also served as a farewell party for Squadron Corporal Major Kelly before he left to become Regimental Corporal Major of The Life Guards, and the party in the WO's and NCO's Mess after the Senior Ranks Handy Hunter Competition. At the latter Mr. Scott distinguished' himself by climbing up the mess tent and splitting the whole of the side wide open from top to bottom. A combined operation was then required by the Master Tailor and Master Saddler to repair the damage and placate both the Quartermaster and Regimental Corporal Major.
We were delighted to be visited at camp for the third year running by our Colonel, Lord Mountbatten. He was in excellent form and he must have spoken to neady every member of the Squadron during the course of the day. His charger, Octave, ('Doll'y') which is now aged 20 is still very nimble and completed the Squadron Handy Hunter Course with no problems.
We were also visited by the Major General, Chief of Staff and Colonel S.c. Cooper in his new capacity as Regimental Lieutenant Colonel.
On Dettli7gen, Summer Camp, Pirbright September 7978
On Unicorn, Summer Camp, Pirbright September 7978
Admiral of the Fleet, Earl Mountbatten of Burma, Colonel, The Life Guards visits the Household Cavalry Regiment at Summer Camp, Pirbright, Surrey - September 7978.
On the 1 l\Jovember Her Majesty was escorted by a Sovereign's Escort commanded by Major S.V. Gilbart-Denham for the State Opening of Parliament. The Sovereign's Standard was very capably carried by the new Squadron Corporal Major, S.C.M. Gook.
We are now preparing for the Lord Mayors Show on 11 November and the State Visit for the President of Portugalon 14 and 15 November. The Captain's Escort on the 15 is to be commanded by the newly promoted Captain Astor who sadly leaves the Army a few days later.
We remember all too clearly the problem caused last winter by the striking firemen, they played havoc with the day-to-day running of the Squadron, and of course the hunting. Is it to? much to hope for that we are allowed to enjoy a strike free winter?
In the past year we have lost Lieutenant Hayward to Royal Military Academy Sandhurst,
Squadron Corporal Major Kelly and Corporal of Horse Kelly to The Life Guards, and Corporal Horse Bishop recruiting and Corporal of Horse Cralg to civilian life where we wish him well.
We welcome Lieutenant I.S. Forbes-Cockell, Squadron Quartermaster Corporal Nicklin, Corporal of Horse Prentice, Corporal of Horse Swallow and Corporal of Horse York.
RIDING STAFF NOTES
Since our last report we have had a number of young horses entered for various events and one of the most notable horses is Burma. Ridden By LCoH Sanderson he was 6th at the Crookham Horse Trials and 2nd at the Liphook Horse Trials.
Mr. Varley riding Zing has had a very successful year. They were 3rd at the Windsor Horse Trials, 8th at Rushall, 1st at Tidworth 3 day event and a very creditable 14th at the Burghley Horse Trials after which they were chosen to go to Holland for the Bookello Horse Trials.
In the annual Cross Country Race at Hickstead our team came 4th. Mr. Varley SCpl McKie, and LCoH Sanderson were part of the team.
At the Royal Tournament Tpr Bennett riding Zombie was 2nd in the Prince of Wales Cup and 2nd in the Victor Ludorum competition. In the team jumping competition CoH James, Tpr Hearn and Tpr Bennett came 3rd. CoH Wilkinson, CoH James and Tpr Milburn were 3rd in the team combined training competition at the RMA Sandhurst Horse Show.
At the Army Hunter Trials at Tidworth, LCoH Bevan and Tpr Frawley won the team event with LCoH Sanderson and his partner 2nd. Tpr Hearn was in the individual event.
LCoH Smith 468, LG with Porky in 7974-78 dress for the 6th Field Force Presentation at Sandhurst on 2nd March, 7978.
A Squadron
A Squadron has had another busy year which started with our return to Windsor from Northern Ireland, followed. by leave until the end of January.
Annual firing was the first event for which the Squadron had to prepare. We duly did so only to arrive at Pembroke in time to be cut off by the appalling snow falls that occured at the end of February. The result was that the Squadron leader was at Castlemartin Camp without the Squadron, which was accommodated in a church hall under Lt. Holliday and SCM McLoughlin. A cross-country route was found from Castlemartin to Pembroke only to find that the way was blocked by a snow plough! This meant a further night in Pembroke for the Squadron, where the local inhabitants were most generous to the Squadron. Unfortunately even when the Squadron did arrive at Castlemartin no firing could take place and the Squadron spent the week ferrying new-borne calves on vehicles and digging out sheep until the roads were clear and the Regiment returned to Windsor.
The Squadron then busied itself with an intense period of trade training, during which time most members of the Squadron gained two trades. The exercise season had by then arrived, and we
B Squadron
Since the Regiment returned from Germany, 1978 is the first year in which all the Squadron's have been together in Combermere Barracks for the greater part of the year.
For B Squadron this has meant that we have had the opportunity not only to catch up on our trade training, but also to grapple with the complexities of our own operational role - that is providing the close reconnaissance for the infantry battalions of 6 Field Force, as on the reorganization of the Army this is a role that passed to the Cavalry.
However, before any of this got under way what amounted to.a platoon was despatched in January to the SUDAN under command of the Grenadier Guards. Operating with the Sudanese Army they learnt to drive the Russian BRDM, fire Kalashnikov riflesand by way of recreation take part in the Sudanese tribal dances, sample Sudanese
started commuting to Warminster and Salisbury Plain with great regularity, either to help the Combat Team Commanders courses or on Troop, Squadron or Regimental training. The main exercise of the year has been the FTX which was held in Northern Germany in September, and ably demonstrated that the Squadron hard work on Salisbury plain had been worth wh ile. The exercise season closes in Decem ber with another FTX, this time on Salisbury Plain.
Autumn has now arrived and the Squadron has had leave prior to preparing to go to Castlemartin, hopefully this time we will be able to do some firing.
Sadly we have started to lose many members of the Squadron on postings elsewhere. Lt Holliday has left to do a gunnery course followed by a posting to HCR. Lt MacPherson is soon posted to B Squadron who are due to go to Cyprus next year. Staff Corporal Willis departs to be a schools instructor at Lulworth; CoH Jones leaves for a posting with the Royal Yeomanry and CoH Lowry who has been also posted to the Royal Yeomanry.
L/CoH Frape, Tpr Thomas (927) and Tpr. Tierney
food (including sheeps eyes) and generally reaffirm their faith in the British way of life. They returned to find the Squadron departing for Castlemartin Ranges and recruit firing. Carefully acquired suntans vanished overn.ight in Wales which as soon as the Squadron had arrived by rail was caught in the grip of what the experts called "an unprecedented fall of snow", but which for the Squadron meant being marooned for a week without being able to fire. The time was spent guessing where the next leak in the huts would occur and attempting to rescue the local farmers sheep from the drifts. Fortunately the snow cleared just in time for the Squadron to return to Windsor, regale those who had not been in Wales with stories and embark on some concentrated trade training. At the same time, for the first time for a number of years, it was possible for the Squadron to have regular sports afternoons, during which the basis for future success in sporting events was laid.
The first of the twice yearly PT tests was held on April the 26th not down the long walk, but for reasons best known to the Squadron Leader, on a remote rifle range on the Berkshire Downs. The appalling weather that day and a natural desire to get it over with, probably contributed to the Squadrons high pass rate. The attempt to complete our weapons classification on the same day was abandoned when even CoH Mead was unable to hit the target through the driving rain.
Trade Training did not mean we completely foresook our Fox armoured cars as we still had operational commitments to fulfil, which largely consisted of ensuring the security of both Heath row and, on one occasion, Gatwick airports. Some troops took the opportunity of going out on some troop training. SCpl Townsend's troop was the only one that the Squadron Leader managed to find, when he saw troop recovery being practised for real. 1 Troop under Mr. Cayzer no doubt had an enjoyable time on his father's estate if the farm manager's complaints are anyth ing to go by.
At about this time the Squadron learnt that it had been chosen to go to CYPRUS as part of the United Nations and so with the prospect of 1979 being spent in the sun it was with a new sense of vigour that we plunged into our PRE, which was prepared for and completed successfully in double quick time. As the last vehicle was inspected the Squadron left for Salisbury Plain and for ten days of English June weather - that is to say it rained - to carry out troop training. This was the first time that we had really got to grips with our armoured cars for some considerable time and at first all was fairly strange, however the final exercise had everyone working flat out and even cured Tpr Bennett of his hay-fever. The culmination of this exercise was a tactical manoeuvre called 'The Raid', which was certainly exciting, especially for the Squadron Leader who had to forsake his command vehicle for a Fox, even if it was of questionable tactical value.
Salisbury Plain behind us the Squadron felt it had deserved its Block Leave, for which we dispersed in July, returning just in time to help run the Regimental Open Day. Th is was an undoubted
L Cpl :1ansfield and Tpr. Caimcross
LjCpl. Watson and LCoH 5nowden
success, due entirely to the amount of hard work and enthusiasm everyone put into it. The Squadron had high hopes of its show jumping team, but in spite of all the organisers being members of the Squadron we were only able to achieve the Runner's Up rosette.
August saw the Squadron back on Salisbury Plain for Regimental training. Our ability to run rings round the other two Squadrons was no doubt due to our familiarity with the area, but was none.the-less very satisfactory. Probably to bring us down to earth after the euphoria of being first and second in troop tests (3 & 2 Troops) RHO attempted to put us into the LARKH ILL impact area whilst live firing was in progress- luckily the error was spotted in time, but not before LCpl Martell, was heard to complain about' ' soft skinned command vehicles.
Regimental Training completed we now felt thoroughly competent to face the major Field Force exercise of the year - Ex BOLD GUARD, which took place in September in Northern Germany. The Squadron, together with the rest of the Regiment moved to Europe by a combination of boats and planes and moved into an enormous tented camp.
An initial poor impression of its delights was not alleviated by closer acquaintanceship and it was with a sense of relief that the individual troops were discharged to their affiliated battalions with whom they were to operate for the rest of the exercise. SHO was left to fend for itselfand ended up commanding up to the last day of the exercise a Squadron of the Royal Tank Regiment, much to our mutual surprise. Much time was spent in large assembly area camps where many were able to sample the doubtful pleasures of the local towns and acquire many experiences. The tactical phase of the exercise was enormous fun and even CoH Gries enjoyed it. For the final day the Squadron regrouped and was inserted inadvertently by RHO behind the enemy lines where no doubt by a combination of surprise and dash we managed to confuse the enemy. At this point for B Squadron the exercise ended and a very weary Squadron made a dash for a Danish port and an LSL back to England.
The remainder of the year sees the Squadron completing its annual firing and returning to Salisbury Plain for another major Exercise in December!
During the year several personnel in the Squadron have changed and we were extremely sorry to lose Major D'Oyly who had led the Squadron during a very successful Northern Ireland tour. We have also lost SCpl Nicklin and CoH Gries to Knightsbridge and Mr. Naylor Leyland and 'Bear' to civili'an life. We are shortly due to lose SCpl Townsend and CoH Mead on ERE postings. To all of those we wish them well and thank them for their service to the Squadron.
1979 will see B Squadron in CYPRUS. If we are as successful there as we have been at Windsor in 1978 we will have an excellent tour.
CoH Lawrence
Tpr. Trellethan
C Squadron
The Squadron has been so busy during the last year that details of events that were important at the time have quickly become blurred by events that followed.
On 29 September 1977 the Squadron returned from an exercise in Denmark, their last in the AMF role, and two days later started training for Op Banner. Major Earl left for HQ Company at the Depot and handed over to Major Haworth-Booth. Our training for Op Banner was progressive and constructive and in this we were ably assisted not only by the NITAT team but also by Sgt (Show the movement men) Davidson of the Scots Guards. He put a lot of enthusiasm, interest and knowledge across to the Squadron. Being the third Squadron to go to Ireland and so at the end of the line for manpower, we were reinforced by twenty-one RAOC personnel from the Field Force Ordnance Company and they went right through the tour with us forming their own sections within troops.
Our destination in the province became doubtful through rumour and counter-rumour but the Squadron Leader's fourth recce confirmed the open secret that we were bound for Derry and not Dungannon. Our final exercise took place as planned at Thetford but with a live firing exercise (an ambush followed by a sect attack) thrown in. The Squadron Leader led off with the first ambush and ended up doing a 600 metre assault on an enemy that was never seen in the fog. Subsequent attacks were more successful.
Porter ond LjCpl Longford - Londonderry 7978
As mentioned earlier, the passage of time has clouded memories of our tour in Ulster and it would be tedious to enumerate the various changes of our
parish and the jobs we did. In short, we were organised into three troops, with an Intelligence and Echelon back-up and we normally had three tasks. Thus one troop might have been patrolling the Shantallow housing estate, another patrolling the enclave while the third would have been on a permanent vehicle Check Point (PVCP).
Some instances stand out in the mind - One troop was involved in a cross border shoot one Sunday morning when Mr. Marlow-Thomas, LCpl Johnson, Tprs Smith 065 andSlade were lucky to avoid a 120 round burst of M60 fire at 750 metres range, as indeed were the rest of the troop. May be the fact that it was 0745 hours on a Sunday morning affected Paddy's aim. In the rush to return fire a Land Rover's handbrake was not applied and it rolled down the hill and overturned. No casualties were claimed, but the space marked "Punishment Awarded on the FMT 3A read '85 rounds' ".
At a subsequent Easter parade a PI RA "colour party" tried to nip back over the border by what is known as Heather Road and was picked up by Two Troop at a snap VCP. These people were bundled over to the RUC in whose care they now languish facing charges ranging from membership of the I RA to attempted murder.
3 Troop will have pleasant memories of the congenial atmosphere and facilities available at the Buncrana VCP - more than can be said for the evil building that passed for a Guardroom at Fort George. It was claimed that a4 strong Rat Active Service Unit (ASU) used to patrol the wainscots nightly, each recognisable by gait, colour, length of teeth, whiskers, tail, etc.
The Squadron carried out searches of the houses and areas, made arrests on behalf of the
LjCpl
LCoH Coffey
Police, mounted OP's day and night, patrolled the length and breadth of our area by foot and vehicle, stopped and searched thousands of cars, met and made many friends.
We returned from Ireland at the end of April and after our well earned leave wc set about catching up on individual training and digging out the vehicles. The training went particularly well and we managed to achieve our target but the vehicles were not so easy after their long layoff.
For the Regimental Open Day we laid on a variety of show-stopping stalls which occupied everyone until the deluge of rain ensured that the bar takings would compensate in full.
Then followed our troop and Squadron training, with an operation at Heathrow thrown in the middle. The highlight of this operation was the bogging of a Mk I Ferret commanded by CoH Rymer, in one of the sewage pits. The subsequent recovery and rehabilitation of the vehicle deserves a chapter of its own.
For troop training we enjoyed excellent weather on the plain and we all learnt a lot from each other (with a bit of help from "Armour") and the vehicles started to go rather better. In fact we all thought we were pretty good. Regimental training followed and after that we all knew how to form a Regimental Leaguer, where the range Boundary was, and where RHQ was.
Ex Bold Guard itself was great fun and the vehicles really did go well - far better than we had expected. It was enlightening for many people in the squadron to see the effect of vast numbers of troops being deployed and the sort of effect that being a Squadron can have in the various phases of war. On day one of the exercise Mr. Marlow-Thomas thrilled the Sqn Ldr by informing him that "three of my call signs are bogged so far and I am sending in the fourth to pull them out". A command decision followed this transmission.
Tpr Cumming, the vital link in the chain between the Sqn Ldr and Mr. Watson the LO at a . ' bridge 500 metres from the enemy leading elements, caused considerable dismay by replying to the codeword to blow" Apple Tart". "Your very difficult, say again, over". "I say again, Apple Tart, Apple Tart, words twice, Apple Tart is that clear over?
2 Troop, with Mr. Graham seemed thoroughly to enjoy themselves, being permanently preoccupied with "tearin" up through the woods and out into the villages, rapin' and pillagin' ". It seems however that the locals wouldn't play so they had to for Bratties and chips.
We are now preparing for Castlemartin and Exercise Great Delight, our final exercise for the year in December.
Over the last period SCM Hutchings after 2 years and forty five orbats with the Squadron becomes RQ and W02 Keeys takes his place. SQMC Knowles takes over as SCM of HQ Sqn and his place will be taken by SQMC Saunders. The following have left or are leaving for civilian life and we wish them the best of luck in the future, Major HaworthBooth, CoH Banks, CoH Ross, CoH Stay, Tprs EIIis and McClure and LCpl Langford. We welcome Messrs Graham, Paske, Watson, CsoH Cruddace and Richardson and Captain Bayley.
SCM Hutchings at Tidworth washdown
Headquarter Squadron
This year has been dominated by a changeO\eT of personalities at the top. Colonel Andrew ,as been succeeded by Colonel Arthur, Major Goodhew has been succeeded by Captain Stratford as Squadron Leader and RCM Lumb has moved on to commissioned life at the Depot.
It has been a particularly good year in terms of Exerdses, with the Squadron getting away to train on its own for the first time that anyone can remember in recent years.
Ex Bold Guard in Schleswig Holstein provided the greatest test. The vast tented encampment in the Reception area proved a constant nightmare to keep erected in gale force winds, which set the tone for theremainder of the Exercise.
In the remainder of the year, we have organized the Regimental Open Day, which was a great success, assisted at the Royal Windsor Horse Show and taken part in a highly successful demonstration for 6 Field Force.
CoH Rymer led a very creditable team performance in a sponsored charity walk at Aintree, and almost established a world record for relay team distance walking.
Finally, we welcome SCM Knowles and wish SCM Shaw every success back at the Depot.
QUARTERMASTER'S DEPARTMENTS
We are still afloat despite the departure in April of Major D. Charles who had held the reins since August 1971. He has now left for a spell of duty at Brighton, and in his place we welcome Captain J. L. Morris for an undisclosed period. Other notable departures have been SQMC Hoare, CoH Davis and LCoH Plant, at!, of whom have left for civilian life.
RQMC Reed is still occupying the RQs office but only until 23 February 1979, when his successor, SCM Hutchings moves in.
REGIMENTAL ORDERL Y ROOM
The year 1978 has seen many changes in the Orderly Room. We were joined earlier in the year by Tprs Tucker and Willis from J LR RAC. Tpr Willis :lS onished us all by his professional approach to War G2 ing. He has now moved on to 12 Int & Sy in ern Ireland where his undoubted talents will be O"f ch more value. CoH Etches has moved on to Qmp Office, London District, and his appointment as been filled by CoH Walsh, with CoH Radford o ing from the documents section to Part Two Orders, and promoting himself to ACoH Congratulations) .
In the sporting world ORQMC Henderson managed to get away sailing whilst CoH Walsh
The new Squadron Leader, Capt. Stratford with S/Cpl Oliver continued with his cricket ventures. LCoH Beck has passed his Intermediate Free Fall Parachute Course and continues as our Post NCO.
September saw the majority of the staff move to Germany with the Regiment on Ex Bold Guard, the annual FTX. The weather was not particularly good to their disappointment, but generally speaking, they had a good ti me.
We have, unfortunately, said goodbye to 'Kitty' our tea lady; she had been with the Regiment and The Blues and Royals for over nine years, in which time she has made something around 131,400 cups of tea. She is sadly missed, and so is her tea.
QUARTERSMASTER TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT
The QM(E) Department has had a fairly eventful year. The main happening has been the bulldozing down of the QM(E) and TQMCs offices. They are both now huddled in a temporary 'Glasshouse' in the main store working to the accompaniment of pneumatic drills and cement mixers. We are all looking forward to the completion of our new home; let us hope it is all worth it.
Staff shortages are still a problem, particularly as two of our number were granted redundancy, and 'Whacker' Matthews is now hiding in the Servicing Bay. The various exercises were enjoyed by all with 'Bold Guard' in Germany being the highlight.
With Christmas over and a new home to go to shortly, the coming year looks fairly rosy.
The Band
In comparison with the exacting nature of Jubilee year, 1978 has proved to be quieter but nonetheless busy. We have undertaken many new and interesting engagements on top of our routine work.
Every five or so years each band in the army has to undergo a series of tests to show that standards are maintained if not improved. This inspection came to our Band in February when a lot of work had brought the Band to its peak. The hard work being rewarded by the Kneller Hall report in which the band was graded "Outstanding" which is the highest mark obtainable.
Ensuring that military bands keep up with the trend of the day (music-wise), the Band recorded an album of Abba music. This has proved so successful, especially in Sweden where Abba originate from, that there are rumours that a sequel is possible. We hope so!
With all the fuss about Freddy Laker's price reduced fares to America it was perhaps inevitable that the Americans would retaliate. This was partially achieved by Braniff Airways who made flights from Texas to Gatwick Airport. We were engaged to play for the arrival of one of their massive orange jumbos in March on its maiden flight. To the tune of "The Yellow Rose of Texas" (arranged by LCpl Jarvis who, as a matter of interest, is now pursuing a Bandmasters Course at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall) we were mobbed by TV cameras and reporters. There was much publicity involved in this incident due to some dispute which grounded the 'plane for several days, preventing the Band returning the following day when it was due to fly back to Texas.
Every now and then the Band take part in a KAPE tour. This year's tour was around the Manchester area where we were accommodated in Fulwood Barracks, Preston, a place we were to see more of later on in the year.
One of the most interesting sides of the Band's activities are the Royal Film Premieres. This year we have participated in many including "The Deep", "Valentino", "Revenge of the Pink Panther" and "Star Wars". Our contribution to these occasions being either the State Trumpeters or the Concert Band, sometimes both.
The Band has given performances in many of England's major concert halls this year. One of the most interesting was Brighton where, along with the Coldstream Guards, we gave the opening concert of their Festival. Apart from Wembley, the Band undertook two tattoos this year, Plymouth and Manchester. Tattoos are always a hard slog but they give most members of the Band the opportunity to see fellow
bandsmen whom they have not seen since their Kneller Hall course. The nearest home engagement was the Windsor Horse Show where we were engaged to play as "house band". We were supposed to play there for a week but, because of the inconsistency of our summer weather, it became necessary for the last day to be cancelled as we were up to our knees in mud.
Not since the 60s has the Band played at a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. This deficiency was put right this year however. It was very much enjoyed by all members and a memorable moment was when Her Majesty The Queen came over to the Band marquee before the Garden Party started to have a word with the Band.
Before proceeding on a touch of well earned leave the Band played at the Shrewsbury Flower Show which lasted for two days. Our accommodation on this occasion was at RAF Cosford near Wolverhampton. Whilst on the Show one evening after finishing the concert and having downed a few ales, we were due to meet the coach at a particular time. Our driver of great esteem (Cyril) became irritated because some of the Band did not seem to have a very good sense of timing and he decided not to hang around. The result of this was that approximately a third of the Band had to spend the night at the Guard Room of the Light Infantry Barracks in Copthorne. Needless to say, several imaginative comments were made on meeting the coach in the Show Ground next morning.
Since the beginning of 1978 it has been necessary for the Major Staff Bands of the army to undergo an extensive medical course to enable us to be of some use in places other than the concert hall, ie, field hospitals and other equally horrific institutions. This course, as well as proving very enlightening, certainly had its moments of drama.
The grey Monday morning of October 2nd found the Band tip-toeing towards the Education Centre, pens and blue fblders in hand. The dreaded medical training was upon us. The first week was designed to give the Band writer's cramp (treatment: rest the injured limb and amputate if necessary!) as copious notes were copied down concerning all aspects of First Aid. The second week saw the Band emerge in various modes of combat dress (LG Regiment please note!) none too sure who was correctly dressed and who not. There were various incidents simulated around the barracks to test our medical skills that we felt were growing daily. These included a ghastly car crash in the Band car park with the casualties so well made up that a civilian workman rushed into the Band Office to call for an ambulance (he was Irish!). The looks on the faces of passing troopers were quite funny when they saw musicians
l. - g about screaming terribly with the most hideous ·0 nds to their legs and arms!
all 'armless' fun! (Musn Winckles)
"I
want my mummy!" (Musn Homer)
The third and final week began with an N BC enure b. CoH Etches wh ich meant several members of the Band having to recover their respirators from lofts, garages, childrens toy boxes, etc. We also learned how to make guns safe and how to get lost
on a6 mile map reading course in the depths of the hostile jungle (Aldershot actually). The final day of the course saw us sitting apprehensively in the examination room faced with a hundredquestion exam paper with questions ranging from "how would you treat someone with a compound fracture of the femur" to scorpion stings and the Geneva Convention. I am pleased, and relieved, to report that the entire Band passed and so we are now all Med ical Assistan ts (Class Ill).
The undermentioned received 'A' Grades and are to be particularly congratulated. They are qualified and highly recommended if you need treatment for sheep-rot, hard pad, rinderpest or mange: TIM Fletcher (an expert on broken spirits!), LCpl Alien, LCpl Manfield, LCpl Hart and Msn Lad kin.
Once again we were engaged for the Russian Gymnastics display team who visited Wembley in November as well as the Mini World Cup for Gymnastics at the same venue in December. We also played for several British Amateur Gymnastic Association Championships.
We would like to welcome the following new members to the Band: Musns. Jarvis, Shaw, Young, Cox, Mayo, Gook, Kidd, Lad kin and Collier. We also wish the following every success in "civvie street": LCoH Legge, LCpl Nichols, Musns Nicholls, Sandell, Slater, Milner, Szreider, Stewart, Fensom, Harris, Tibbels and CoH Taylor.
It's
Fell off a hot tin roof? (Musn Redford)
IRANIAN TATTOO
It all started as we were preparing ourselves for a visit to Berlin to take part in the dreaded Berlin Tattoo. A phone call from Colonel Eyre soon put a stop to that. We were told to provide 6 Trumpeters for a trip to Iran, and the Trumpeters from "that other Band" would have to go to Berlin. At the time we thought it a more than fair exchange. However, we were soon to have doubts.
We were to be one small part of a 300 strong Tattoo performing in all corners of Iran. Also we were not only required to perform on the Cavalry Trumpet, but also on the Valve Trumpet and Trombone. Musician Wiltshire, whose first ever engagement after boy service and riding school this was to be, had a crash course on the valve trombone - and almost learnt to play it!!
The Tattoo assembled at South Cerney in deepest Gloucestershire. We were to have four days of rehearsals before leaving for Iran. It was at South Cerney that we discovered who our fellow performers were.
Two Royal Marines bands had combined and they also brought their Drummers. The Band and Bugles of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Green Jackets and the Military Band, Pipes and Drums of The Kings Own Scottish Border Regiment (never call them KOSBEES) made up the Army side of the Tattoo.
South Cerney was a pleasant place to rehearse in, but it was late October, and starting to get a bit "parkY" in the mornings. Most people complained about the camp being isolated, but in true Life Guards fashion we discovered that if you went past the Officers Mess, over a gate, and down the lane a bit, you came to South Cerney village which had three lovely pubs, - the walk back always seemed a lot shorter than the walk there!
Rehearsals over, we did our final packing and documentation and clambered aboard two Boeing 707s of the Iranian Air Force at Brize Norton. We were surprised when we had our lunch on the planeRAF packed meals, a culinary experience unrivalled by any package tour.
We arrived in Tehran in the early evening, and stepped out into a very pleasant 80 degrees. A nice contrast to Gloucestershire's sharp frost that morning. Our accommodation, for the fortnight we were to be there, was the Asian Olympic Village, about 14 miles from Tehran. On first acquaintance it seemed very nice. We had a three-bedroomed flat, with kitchen (no cooker, but handy as a cleaning room) and bathroom. It was the bathroom that was to prove our "bete noir". The hot water was provided by a paraffin fuelled boiler situated next to the "hole in the floor" loo. This boiler stank constantly of paraffin and frequent gusts of wind would send thick,
black, sooty smoke billowing into the bathroom, usually whilst one was using the loo.
Our first evening there we managed to persuade our "chaperones" (English speaking Iranian Officers) to take us into the city, sightseeing. This was after our first meal in the village restaurant, served by a local native using a king-size, industrial rubber glove - most tasty. But back to our evening out. The Iranians couldn't understand why we wanted to see Tehran, protesting to us that there is nothing to see there after dark, and were quite nonplussed when we said we wanted to get out of the bus and walk round, and even go into a hotel bar - and drink! It was later that night that the "Shah's Revenge" started to take hold.
After a couple of days of acclimatisation, which seemed very much like extra rehearsal to me, we prepared for our first engagement. The whole Tattoo was to go to Esfahan, the second largest city in Iran, and give two shows. One for the armed forces and another for civilians.
We left the Olympic Village in a convoy of coaches at 3.30 a.m. and made our way to the airport, a short journey of approximately 7 miles, main roads all the way. We arrived at the airport to find our two 707s waiting for us again. We boarded our aircraft and took off for Esfahan. We landed at 7 a.m. in the new military airfield, which is situated in what seems to be the middle of nowhere.
By this time the "Shah's Revenge" had really taken hold, and during the flight there had been a constant procession of its victims to and from the loos. So much so, that by the time we had arrived at Esfahan four out of the six loos were out of commission - and not because of vandalism.
It was a beautifully fresh morning as we waited for the other aircraft to arrive. 8 o'clock came and went, and the stream of people finding relief by the perimeter fence flowed unceasingly. By 8.30 it was starting to get warm, and by 9 o'clock it was hot. Some of the sufferers were beginning to wilt, so our Iranian guides decided, after much consultation, to take us into Esfahan.
During our one and a half hour journey into the city we passed a large stadium with thousands of men in uniform, standing as though they were expecting something to happen.
We arrived at the barracks where we were to change for our performance. The M.O. a Naval Surgeon Commander had, fortunately, travelled on our flight, and within minutes of arrival he had pronounced the water safe to drink, and was dispensing pills to all the "Shah's" victims.
A senior Iranian officer arrived, trying to find the senior person present, and by a neat bit of buck-
The Finale - Esfahan, Iran (the overall positions of the men depict the Iranian Imperial Crown)
passing by the Surgeon Commander (who decided that as he was only the M.O. he wasn't really part of the Tattoo) it was decided that it should be the bewhiskered Bugle Major of the Green Jackets who would have to go and apologise to the General for us not providing our show.
The other half of the Tattoo arrived just in time for lunch, after waiting for three hours on the tarmac at T eh ran for one lost coach.
The afternoon was left for sightseeing, and in the evening we did our first show in Iran to an appreciative audience.
Our flight back was uneventful, except for the fact- that no attempt had been made to service the toilets, and after standing on the tarmac in the sun all day, to say that the aircraft came up, is putting it mildly! We arrived back at approximately 1.30 the next morning, and with true Iranian organisation the kit arrived back at the village about 3 o'clock. Even though most of it had been unloaded before we left the airport.
The next day was a rest day, chance to sample some of the sports organised for us at the Olympic Stadium. All of us, except Musician Harrison, who was studying for his Royal College of Music entrance examination, and Musician (Jock) Sandell, who thought playing cards with his Scottish compatriots from the KOSBs (don't say KOSBEES) much better fun, decided we would go for a swim. The olympic pool was available for us to use. The Iranian flair for organisation came up trumps again. The pool attendant had been told to close the pool, but nobody had
told him that it had been closed so that we could use it. So he closed it to everyone, including us. It took another week for word to reach him that we could use it.
Our next engagement was in Ahwaz, an oil town, near the Persian Gulf. For some reason we were to travel in Hercules aircraft. It was an Army only show, the Marines went elsewhere. Our team became separated somehow, with only two of us on the first plane, and the other four and all our kit going on the second. Once again we arrived and waited, this time in 110 degrees. Communications had obviously improved, because within one hour we knew that the other plane had had to turn back. After trying another aircraft, which could not now get out of Tehran because of storms in the surrounding mountains, they gave up trying and we went into Ahwaz, where we were received at the Officers Club with fresh fruit, coke and orange squash.
The first show had again to be cancelled, and most of those present had no kit, but the KOSBs had all theirs except for a Bass Tuba. We wentto the football stadium, only to find that there was a massive stage, about twenty-five feet square by four feet high, right in the middle of the pitch, where 150 men should have been marching up and down. The KOSBs showed their adaptability by doing a marching display round the stage. After the show we were entertained to a marvellous spread in the gardens of the Officers Club.
Our next two trips were to Shiraz and Tabriz, which were quite remarkable in that everything went
according to plan. It was pleasant to be greeted by the sight of a Red and Blue hat (even if it did belong to a Blue) when we landed at Shiraz, where we met Colonel Boucher, Mr. Burroughs and CoH Muff, all RHG/D.
After our journey around the country it was a pleasure to have a week of engagements in Tehran, including a show at the British Embassy.
Our final appearance was before a football match attended by the Crown Prince, a keen football fan. The match was between the Iranian B team and
Manchester United, who had flown out especially for the match. United kept the flag flying, but only just, they won 1 - O.
It was a pleasure to get back into our trusty 707s again and head for Blighty.
Looking back, it was an interesting trip, and from the British side of things, extremely well organised. We saw Persian markets (shades of Ketelby), the fantastic ruins of Persepolis, a completely different attitude to life, and a vastly different way of living it. But if I go again, can I take my own food?
Household Cavalry Squadron
The Guards Depot
Following the major changes at the Guards Depot which were outlined in last year's magazine there have been further changes this year which have affected the Squadron in particular.
The Squadron is responsible for the training of Junior Soldiers in both Regiments of The Household Cavalry. The Juniors come at sixteen for a year. Because the Depot is primarily an Infantry Training Establishment most of the training within the Squadron conforms with the other Foot Guard Companies. However there have been recent changes which have made our training more orientated towards Household Cavalry requirements.
At the end of the first half term the Juniors decide whether they want to become Technical or Mounted. They then do an average of 2 Double Trade Periods a week. Interest periods in Radio, D & M and Gunnery have been dropped in favour of a complete Phase 1 and 2 Signals Course ending with a Trade Test. This reduces the time the Junior spends at Catterick by four weeks and the system has proved very successfulwith the 1977 Intakes.
Mounted Juniors receive Riding Instruction at the Depot Stables which enables them to join the ',','indsor Riding Course at the end of the first month.
The SMG has now become the Junior Houseold Cavalryman's personal weapon in place of the 3LR. This means that although they still train on the 3LR up to their Annual Personal Weapon Test, they
now also reach that standard, and classify on the SMG. In addition, Rifle Drill and Double Sentry Drill have been dropped from our Drill Syllabus and replaced by SMG Drill. Whenever weapons are carried on the Square our Juniors carry SMGs.
However, in all other respects, the training is similar to that given throughout the Depot. The Squadron enters all Junior Competitions and has distinguished itself on many occasions during the past year.
Rhine Four, who passed out in June 1978 won the Assault Course Competition at the end of the First Term. They also won the Match 77 .22 Shooting Competition and the PT Competition. The troop was equal first in the Champion Platoon Competition but lost on the Shoot Off. During the Summer Term Blenheim Four won the Water Polo Competition.
Last Christmas was a difficult time for the Depot. Many of our Instructors were away on fire fighting while the Squadron was left to run on a Skeleton Staff throughout most of the fire strike. Junior Training kept going throughout the period. During 1978 there have been two camps run primarily for the enjoyment of the Juniors. Easter Camp was held at Penhale in Devon and gave the Juniors the opportunity to try some novel activities such as sand sailing and gliding. The Summer Camp, held at Tregantle Fort, near Plymouth, was run this
year by the Squadron. One of the highlights was a very successful cabaret. By the second week the Squadron Leader had installed himself as the King of Tregantle with a Grenadier ensign as ADC and the remainder of the camp bowing to him wherever he went.
There have been several changes in the Squadron staff during the past year. In October the Squadron Leader, Major P.B. Rogers RHG/D left to attend the Staff College. He has been succeeded by Major J .S. Oliver RHG/D who has come from Detmold. In March Lieutenant H.K. Hamilton LG left the Army and has been replaced here by Lieutenant W.S.G. Doughty LG.
Shortly Lieutenant L.A. Lumb LG will be arriving from the Regiment to take up an appointment as Troop Leader in the Squadron.
In August CoH Baxter left us to return to the Regiment and has been replaced by CoH Potts. In December SCM Patterson will be leaving us to go to Knightsbridge as SCM The Blues and Royals Mounted Squadron. SCM Shaw, who is no stranger to the Guards Depot, will be taking his place.
At the time of writing the Squadron stands at three troops with an overall total of 82 Juniors in training. They will be passing out to join their Regiments towards the end of next year.
junior Trooper Skipton (Rhine Four) Winner of the Kiwi Spur, june 7978
Back ROil" T/S Quartermain, LCoH Lawrence, LCpl Robertson, LCoH james, LCpl McAlpine, T/S Pick, LCoH Carter, LCpl Raybould L - R
Second Row LCoHI Wise, LCoH Harding, LCoH Puddephatt, LCoH Wright, CoH Potts, CoH Read, CoH Powell, LCoH Ritchie, LCoH Smith LCoH Vince, LCoH Hockett
}-i'Onl Row CoH Grant, Lt. Doughty, Capt. Livingston Learmonth. SCM Patterson, Major Rogers, SQMC Alien, Lt. Thomson-Jones, CoH Meade LCoH Tabor
Warrant Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers Mess
Since the last edition of Acorn the Mess has now come together complete rather than as individual Squadrons. We have had a good year for entertainments and thanks must go to the entertainment committees under SQMe's Land, Knowles, Williams and Whyte. The Christmas draw of 1977 was a great success and was run on similar lines to the previous year, our thanks to SCM Leighton and his committee. The measure of success is reflected in the number who stayed well into the following day.
New Years Eve was next and was well attended, the magic hour was reached with everyone in high spirits, again many people remained until the next day and the Master Cook was amazed at the number which attended breakfast.
The Life Guards Association Dinner this year was held on the 3rd of June. Many friends old and new were seen and welcomed to the Barracks. The event was well supported and an excellent evening was had by all ex-members as well as serving members.
This year we decided to hold a Summer Ball and not an Autumn Ball. Hoping to get some fine weather, as luck would have it the gods looked favourably upon us; and the weather stayed fine. Our thanks again to Pinewood Studios for the decorations. A great deal of hard work went into the Summer Ball and many thanks to the committee. Our thanks also the cooks on an excellent buffet, as usual they excelled all our expectations.
On return to Combermere it was our unhappy occasion to dine out the Commanding Officer, Lt Col A. J. Hartigan. He was 'despatched' to the Officers Mess in the early hours of Saturday morning in suitable Life Guard fashion! We wish him every success in his new appointment.
This quarter has also seen the handover of Regimental Corporal Majors. Mr. Lumb has been commissioned and posted to the Guards Depot where we are sure he will do well. In his place we welcome W01 A. Kelly, from the Mounted Regiment. We are certain he will enjoy his tour as RCM.
We have had the usual individual Squadron Dinners which have gone down extremely well and at long last SCM Shaw managed to have one for HQ Squadron which was well supported if not expensive.
We say farewell to Mr. LUMB on commissioning and look forward to his dining out which if not educational should be quite an entertaining evening. We welcome RCM Kelly back as RCM from Knightsbridge. We have said farewell to:
SCpl Hoare - 18 May CoH Davis -7 June
CoH Banks - 25 May CoH Taylor - 28 August for civilian life and wish them and their families every success in the outside world.
Postings
CoH York to HCR -4 April
Coh Lodge to RAC T. R. - 30 April
SCpl Knowles to RMAS -1 May
CoH Rennie to RAC Gunnery School - 20 April
CoH Daraz to RAC Signal School - 14 July
CoH Potts to Gds Depot - 31 July
SCpl Nicklin to HCR - 31 August
CoH Byrne to RMAS 3 September
CoH Gries to HCR -1 October
CoH Lowry to C Sq nRY - 16 October
WOI Lumb to be commissioned - 15 Oct.
We have welcomed the following to the Mess from ERE:
CoH Close Re-enlisment - 21 April
CoH Milne from RAC TR - 31 May
W02 Keeys from BA TUS - 16 July
CoH Miller from D & M School - 11 August
CoH Richardson from D & M School 11 Aug.
CoH Read from Gds Depot - 15 August
CoH Cruddace from Signals School -2 Aug.
CoH Johnston from JSPC Netheravon4 September
CoH Baxter from Gds Depot -4 September
CoH Marshall from RAC T. R. -12 September
WOI Kelly from HCR - 10 October
The following promotions amongst the seniors have taken place and are to be congratulated: WO 1 Kelly, WO 2 Keeys, SCpl Couzens
The senior members of the Mess are:
RCM Kelly, RQMC Reed, RQMC(E) Reynolds, ORQMC Henderson, SCMs Hutchings, Leighton, McGloughlin, Shaw and W02 Keeys.
Mr. Lumb presiding at Lunch in NCO's Mess
Light Aid Detachment
Since the last edition of the Acorn there has been a very large turnover of REME personnel within the Regiment. Ssgt Goodison; Roddis, Lsgts Bell, Gilbey, Hyndman, Midwinter, Roblnson, Weir; LCpls Dickson, Howell, Mantle, McDowell, Slade; Cfns Brannigan and Butfoy have all been posted, and Sgts Gutsell, Karas, Welch; Lsgts Iveson, Lang; LCpls Boynton-Quinion, King; Cfns Allsop, Hands, McQuade and Scanlon have moved on to civilian life. We wish them well for the future and hope that their tours with The Life Guards will be the subject of nostalgic reminiscences in years to come! We would also like to welcome SSgt King, Sgts Kitchin, Lang, Lincoln, Naylor, Percivall, LSgts Taylor Williams, LCpls Druce, Heath, Maloney, Cfns Gollop, Kerry, Lovett, Marr, McGuire, Morrison and Richards to the LAD.
The new EME is Captain J.E. Saunders who arrived fresh from the Amazon, South America, where he led a team of both military and civilians on a four month scientific expedition. Captain Saunders replaced Captain D.L. Judd who is at present detached to Northern Ireland as keeper', pending his posting to BAOR. Assisting Captain Saunders is W01 (ASM) l?on Lodder, Windsor's resident ASM who, by the time he hands over to W01 (ASM) Chaszczewski in March 1979, will have served 5 years with the Household Cavalry.
On the whole, the past year has been a very busy one for all LAD personnel. The start of the year saw A Squadron Fitter Section completing their tour of Northern Ireland and C Squad ron Fitter Section preparing to take over from them. Manpower was stretched almost to the limit during this period as C Squadron Fitter Section supplied personnel for the infantry role as well as the normal LAD support, all went well during the tour. There were no major exercises for HQ LAD during the first six months of the year but with C Squadron in Northern Ireland and the other Squadrons away for the majority of the time there was plenty to do.
It wasn't until June that the LAD got together as a complete unit - the first time for a year. There was however, no relaxing. Everyone was hard at wo(k, preparing for Regimental Training on Plain and then Regimental Firing at Castlemartln directly followed by Exercise Bold Guard in Schleswig Holstein. There were two problems that haunted us during this preparatory phase. Firstly there was an acute shortage of major assemblies and the spectre of half the Regiment's vehicles broken down along the road from Castlemartin to Harwich (the port of e:11barkation for Denmark) seemed a very real possibility. Fortunately this. fate was averted by l:'oning Regimental Firing until December, .arranglng the containerisation of all CVR from Windsor to
Harwich hence reducing track mileage, and, finally, by the materialisation of major assemblies in the nick of time.
The second problem was a deterioration of REME second line support due to the industrial problems suffered by 43 Command Workshop, Aldershot. Due to uncompetitive rates of pay this workshop is currently 150 men understrength and the industrial action taken by employees to correct this situation did not help matters for the user (ie the Regiment!): more than one A celebrated its first birthday on the shop floor before It was returned to the Regiment. Fortunately, 3 Field Workshop REME has now fully recovered from its various tours in 1978 to Northern Ireland and Cyprus and can now offer The Life Guards a much improved 2nd line workshop service.
Since returning from Germany, activity on the workshop floor continued with post Bold Guard repairs, preparing for Regimental Firing and FTX Great Delight and also the frequent Combat Team Commanders courses. Added to this, B Squadron Fitter Section are preparing for a six month tour in Cyprus, due to start in March 1979.
There have been few notable sporting achievements durinp" the past year, due mainly to the fact that our ':orkload didn't allow much time for sporting activities. However, all members of the LAD have endeavoured to keep themselves fit and active and SSgt Bill Blackman deserves a speci.al mention for his exceptional performances as captain of the REM E Corps Dinghy Sailing Team.
All in all it has been a very busy year for the LAD and we are looking forward to a lull at the beginning of 1979 so we can catch up and take stock.
The Saracen hard target on Salisbury plain that was the only available source of spares in the U. K. for one of our A CVs.
Army Catering Corps
Since the last edition, the Op Banner Tours -2ve finished for a while, bringing together again the -\ my Catering Corps members of the Regiment.
During the past year the department has lost ":0 r chefs on postings and to civilian life. LSgt '.' rphy is not moving far from the fold to Melton wbray RAVC centre, LCpl Furguson to the lasgow Police Force and Pte Blaymires to Topo -:} ., Pte Ratigan, BAOR and LCpl Cairns to HQ :J ei\alia Garrison BFPO 53. All had served more - a three years in the Regiment.
LSgt Smith, Vicar to his friends, is to be ·ongratulated on his recent promotion, he is the last aining ex Life Guard Chef still serving with the egiment.
The past year has been as busy as the previous e. Every year is Jubilee Year at Windsor. This year .e excelled ourselves with our kitchen work and in 5 ort. We won the London District Unit Cooking Competition, a unique competition where during a ::-e:-iod of fourteen days a team of judges mark the
Sports
30XING
Four Regimental gladiators this year entered - 0 the Army Individual Intermediate Boxing C ampionship. Tpr Willis a welterweight, Tpr Tinsley a leweight, LCpl Bellringer a light-heavyweight and _C I Drennan, heavyweight.
The four boxers, along with other probables :- ined hard for three months under the instruction LCoH Davey, who also seconded them on their petition.
Unfortunately we were not lucky enough to uce a finalist, but we were by no means com-. e y out-boxed.
Tpr Willis, whose bout was the first of the :::.. is particularly remembered by three rounds of :: . led boxing, Willis sustained an eye injury in the e of the third round and was stopped.
Tpr Tinsley did very well to hold off a strong, boxer who finally won the contest, .: -: again a three-round bout.
preparation and presentation of an evening meal from the hot plate to the soldier.
We entered two teams in the London District. ACC Five-a-side Football Tournament, always a hotly contested competition. Our 'A' team reached the final and went on to beat the Scots Guards by six goals to five.
Perhaps the most talked about feat of the department was the boat built by the Master Cook, a 20 ft sailing sloop, which much to everyone's surprise on launching day, floated and actually stayed together! and is still floating to this date.
LCpl Bellringer put up a show of boxing remembered mainly by his determination to flail his opponent with as many punches as he could possibly throw.
LCpl Drennan, did very well against what seemed to be enormous odds, his opponent, a Staff Sgt from the APT Corps had an incredibly hard job to out-box our sixteen-stone heavyweight. Once again, three rounds were necessary to stop LCpl Drennar, who failed to meet the count due to a body blow.
LCpl Drennan, however, has since been asked to train and box with the Army Side, which is a credit to him and his Regiment.
Well done to all the boxers, and to those who did not quite make the intermediate standard.
Thanks to the Regimental Second-in-Command for his help
FLY FISHING
The Army Annual Fly Fishing Competition was held at Rutland Water on the 29 June 1978. This match afforded the opportunity to fish competitively for what will be a future annual event, and was an eliminator to select 12 fly fishermen to represent the Army in the interservices match in September 1978.
Captain D.A. York took first place in this competition with a catch of 8 rainbow trout weighing 11 Ibs 14 OlS, SCM Patterson RHG/D was second with 8 rainbow trout weighting 11 Ibs 9Y2 OlS. This was a good Household Cavalry achievement
As a result of this, Captain D.A. York was nominated to captain the Army Team in the interservices fly fishing match which was also held at Rutland Water in September 1978; in which the army team was victorious for the first time.
Captain D.A. York and SCM Patterson are to be awarded Army colours for their efforts.
CoH Andrew Rymer of The Life Guards, is well known in the South of England for his individual wal king in aid of the NSPCC. Earlier this year he obtained permission to take two teams from the Regiment to the 24-hour team relay walk, to be held at Aintree Racecourse on 8-9 July 1978.
Under the guidance of CoH Rymer, the soldiers started a fairly strenuous training programme in late April, which ended with two teams of four men plus 8 pacemakers, 1 medical orderly, 1 cook, the quartermaster and LCoH Mayo all heading for Liverpool on Wednesday, 6 July, 1978.
On arrival at Aintree Racecourse we set up our camp alongside the old motor racing track, and the walkers were introduced to the tarmacadam surface that they were to later pound.
The weekend started with the 24-hour individual walk commencing at 1200 noon on the 7 July 1978. Two servicemen took part in this event, Sgt Barmish from the Liverpool ACIO and S/Sgt John Brooks ofthe RAOC Hong Kong, who was the former world record holder in endurance walking. This eventually finished with no new record set. It was then followed by the One Hour Run in which Ron Hills long-standing world record of 12 miles was beaten when a local runner clocked 12.18 miles in the hour.
Finally, at 1500 hours on Saturday, 8 July 1978, both teams from The Life Guards lined up with eight other over 21's teams, and numerous under 21 teams, to start the 24-hour Team Relay Walk.
All went well for the first six hours with walkers from both teams setting a fairly fast pace, however, the heavens opened and for the remainder of the night the event was continued in quite a steady downpour with the obvious reduction in pace. To the credit of everyone from all walks of life (male and female) no one gave up.
By 1200 noon on the 9 July 1978 it was obvious to all that both teams from the Regiment would cross the finishing line well ahead of their rivals. It eventually worked out that both the A & B team Captains, CoH Rymer and LCoH Theakston, walked the last lap together, the teams completing a very creditable 136.87 miles each.
The 'A' Team received the Aintree NSPCC Shield.
ANNUAL
NSPCC WORLD RECORD WALK -
"The Life Guards lift Aintree Trophy". These were the headlines in the Liverpool Echo dated Monday 10 July 1978.
How did it come about?
The 'B' Team received the Runners-Up Cup. Both teams jointly received a shield sent from Canada by Russ Phillips, the Canadian Champion, for the winning Military Team.
This was an unusual weekend, but enjoyable, and through the efforts of all teams taking part we raised in excess of £2,000 in sponsorship cash for
Captain York holding the victoryshield together with the team
a battered baby research unit for the NSPCC. The total amount sponsored by members of The Life Guards was in excess of £175.
Team Members
A Team
CoH Rymer; LCpl 5haw; Tpr Wallace; Tpr Willis. B Team
LCoH Theakston; Tpr Gummer (now Cpl); Tpr Collet; Tpr Bray.
Admin & Pacemakers
Quartermaster, Captain J .L. Morris; LCoH Mayo; LCoH MacDonald; LCoH Wood; LCoH Kissock; LCpl Lewis; LCpl Jeram; Tpr Henley; Pte HinesRandle (now Cpl) (RAPe); LCpl Simmons (ACC); Pte Prout (RAMC).
ERE NEWSLETTER
JUNE - DECEMBER 1978
These six months have been characterised by the whole Regiment being together again after a year's Squadron Northern Ireland tours. Although just as busy as before, the Regiment has also taken part in a major NATO Exercise and Annual Firing, thus welding itself back into an effective whole.
The Summer began with Cavalry Sunday on 7th May. A large number of serving members of the Regiment marched with members of the Association past the Cavalry Memorial. The salute was taken by H RH Princess Alexandra and after the Service of Remembrance many retired to Hyde Park Barracks for refreshment. The Regiment spent the remainder of the month readjusting to being together again at Windsor. The Adjutant ran a Junior Non-Commissioned Officers Cadre Course, and C Sqn, after returning from Post Northern Ireland leave, joined the other squadrons in preparing for the Periodic REM E Examination. This went well and a high standard was achieved on all the vehicles.
A Sqn sent a party sailing on Gladeye under their Sqn Ldr Maj CJ. Simpson Gee and SCM \lcGloughlin. Several other parties, including the Chief Clerk, W02 Henderson, have also been since .'.ith notable success. In June, B Sqn, under Major Morrisey-Paine, went to Salisbury Plain for a "=ortnight's training. Their Troop tests were won by 5. Troop under 2Lt J.L. Hewitt and LCoH Ormiston. the end, an amusing Squadron Smoker was held .' h races over the Marquee, and the Second-in-
Command, Capt C K. Price, 4/7 DG, was forced to wear a Life Guard beret for a while, having had his borrowed.
While B Sqn were away, A and C Sqns took the opportunity of going to Lulworth for a few days on the Ranges. This was organised by Capt the Hon N.J. Adderley, the Gunnery Officer, to make up for the period lost earlier in the year when the squadrons, snowed in at Castlemartin, had been unable to fire.
In July, B Sqn proceeded on leave and A Sqn set off for a month's exercising on the Plain. C Sqn, under Maj CN. Haworth-Booth, had intended doing the same but were delayed by the summit meeting in England of Mr. Cyrus Vance and the Egyptian/ Israeli Foreign Ministers.
Lt D.C Waterhouse, whose photograph appeared prominently on the front pages of The Times and Daily Telegraph, is still trying to explain how, according to one newspaper, he threw a 'Ring of Steel' around Heathrow Airport. Capt J.A. Black had by then taken over as Second-in-Command from Capt L.D. Stratford, MBE, who has become Motor Transport Officer and acting Headquarter Squadron Leader .
HQ Sqn and Maj V.A.L. Goodhew are also chasing the prize for going out on exercise the most. This time they ventured out to practice the admin/ echelon elements. SCM Shaw remained behind to hold the fort whilst RCM Lumb went to Spain for a
Some of the team with their trophies
fortnight. His brother-in-law is rumoured to be an air traffic controller which explains why his was the only flight to get back on time. Unlike B Sqn Ldr's!
The Open Day was held on Sunday, 6th August, and was the first to be held for several years. Although the weather was not kind, the squadrons put a lot of effort into their various stalls, and visitors were able to enjoy themselves and meet old friends. Prominent displays included throwing the bale, guessing the weight of the Drum Horse, and a very amusing Inter-Squadron Show Jumping Competition. The latter was won by HQ Sqn with Maj V.A.L. Goodhew, LCoH Dagge and LCpl Hembling. A sporting commentary was given by Maj e.N. HaworthBooth and W02 (now Lt) Varley. Other entertainments in August included a farewell luncheon for Col. J .A.e.G. Eyre, and an excellent Summer Ball held by the WOs and NCOs Mess.
The second half of August was taken up with Troop, Squadron and Regimental training on Salisbury Plain. Having reorganised and not having worked together for over a year. On 5th September we were visited at Windsor by our Colonel, Admiral of the Fleet, Earl Mountbatten of Burma. He toured the barracks, speaking to a large number of the soldiers before visiting the WOs, NCOs and Officers Messes. He seemed to be in very good heart and wished the Regiment well for the FTX.
The remainder of the month was occupied with Ex Bold Guard and our move to Schleswig Holstein as part of 6 Field Force. A remarkable new method of transporting our CVR vehicles to the Docks in container lorries proved very successful.
HQ Sqn deserve a special mention for coping with the new echelon system, and B Sqn for splitting into troops and operating so well with their affiliated Infantry Battalions. A very good relationship was established working under the command of a German Brigade and Divisional Headquarters.
Several nations took part in the welcoming parade on 18th September, the British Contingent being ably organised by the RCM and commanded by the Adjt. Words of command were given in English so we started with a slight advantage over the other five nations.
On our return in October the Regiment has plunged once more into trade training.On the 27th October we welcomed a visit by the new Lieut. Colonel Commanding, Col S.e. Cooper, The Life Guards. Several other changes have taken place, the most notable being the departure of Lt Col A.J. Hartigan and RCM Lumb. The latter is congratulated on being commissioned. His first posting is to the Household Cavalry Squadron, Guards Depot.
We have welcomed Lt Col A.B.S.H. Gooch and RCM Kelly in their places. Maj V.A.L. Goodhew and Capt Price, 4/7 DG, have gone to the Staff College, being replaced by Capt L.D. Stratford MBE, and Capt S.D.G. Vetch who has since gone to learn to fly with the AAe. We also welcome the following officers to the Regiment: Capts J.R. Bayley, J. Gorman GM, and 2Lts the Hon M.R.M. Watson, A.J. Watson and Cornet D.e. Darley, RHG/D.
Sport has been given as much emphasis as possible and several aspects stand out. Sgt Williams APTC has won the Maxwell Trophy, for the best APTC judo results in 1978 (see last newsletter). LCoH Bell, LCpl Treble and 2Lt Biddle REME have taken a party from B sqn free-falling with the Royal Marines in Devon. Also in the air, Tpr Parr of C Sqn came close to the United Kingdom Cross Country Hang Gliding Record when he 'flew' the distance of 21 miles in North Wales. Our cooks won the London District ACC 5-a-side football, and SSgt Blackman REME captained the REME Corps Dinghy Sailing Team for the second year running. Two other individuals stand out in that Capt D.A. York has become the Army Fly Fishing Champion and team captain. Lt P.J. Knipe came 25th in the Queen's Prize at Bisley.
Two teams, under CoH Rymer and LCoH Theakston, came first and second in the 8th Annual Liverpool NSPCC 24-hour Team Relay Walk. They both covered a total of 136.75 miles. Due to bad weather they narrowly missed the World Record but beat 21 other teams, 12 of which were service entr;es. Lastly, but by no means least, the Polo team (Capt P.R.L. Hunter, Lt I.S. Forbes-Cockell, 2 Lts H.e.N. Graham and J.L. Hewitt) have had their most successful season since Maj R.1. Ferguson's team ten years ago. They have won the Whitbread Low Goal Tournament and The Captains and Sub-alterns Competition. In the final of the latter they beat the 17/21 L by 5-1 and, being a youngish team, should have a good run next year too.
OBITUARY
It is with the deepest regret that the death of Colonel LB. Baillie is announced. He died in a motor accident during the evening of Tuesday, 28th November 1978. Colonel LB. Baillie commanded the Regiment from October 1966 to May 1969, and was Lieutenant Colonel Commanding Household Cavalry from September 1969 until his retirement in November 1972.
A Memorial Service for the late Colonel LB. Baillie was held in the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks at 1200 hours, Tuesday, 19th December 1978.
Life with the RAC Sales Team
The Sales Team is part of what is known as the Armoured Trials and Development Unit, stationed at Bovington Camp. The total strength of the team is approximately 40 all ranks, headed by a Captain. It consists of NCOs and soldiers from all the different RAC Regiments, REME Tradesmen and two Household Cavalrymen, a Blue and Royal (!) and myself. The Team is made up of an extremely wide range of trades and employments, and many of the equipments used have only recently been issued to the rest of the Army, whereas soliders on the Team have been actively employed and even passed trade tests on them.
The vehicles used by the Sales Team are, in theory, of the latest design and incorporate all the latest modifications. In fact, the Officer Commanding Sales has a devil of ajob keeping abreast of the modifications as they come in; consequently what actually happens is that once a tour is planned, work is started in earnest and the modifications are brought up to date. Some of the vehicles used by the Team are not on general issue as yet, e.g. Samaritan and Sultan. Some will never be used by the British Army, e.g. ATI 05, a four-wheeled armoured personnel carrier. There are a number of other equipments that have been used by the Team in the past but have either been prototypes or strictly produced for overseas sales.
The Sales Team works in close liaison with civilian firms, these being the main contributors of the equipments for the overseas tours that take place from time to time. Since I have been serving with the Team, soliders and vehicles have been to the following countries: Egypt, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Iran and Canada. These trips can vary in duration from one week to six months. It is relatively safe to presume that someone from the Team is out of the country for six months of the -
The Sales Team also provides manpower and vehicles for demonstrations in this country. These include the British Army Equipment Exhibition at Aldershot. They have provided both static display and communications for the Royal Tournament every
Mrs. Leonard Durber
LCoH Mackenzie
year and have appeared on BBC 1s 'Tomorrow's World' in a feature about Armoured Vehicles for the 1980s.
The Team also provides four sub-aqua divers, the only Unit in the RAC which has this requirement on its establishment. I was fortunate to be selected for training and after extensive medical checks started the course in July 1976. The course is held at the Royal Engineers Diving Establishment, Marchwood, Southampton and is of 4 weeks duration. During those weeks the first aim is to get students physically fit and secondly to give a very thorough working knowledge of diving techniques applicable to Army Diving. We are taught all about the physics, medical and safety aspects of diving also. On completion of the course and after passing two theory and one practical exam I qualified as an Army Compressed Air Diver. The reason that the Sales Team has trained divers on its establishment is that when ADTU trial a new prototype vehicle which is supposed to float and in fact sinks, the divers are required to get the crew out of the submerged vehicle and then recover the vehicle itself. My own personal experience of this type of work has been with Spartan and Sultan prototype vehicles. These flotation trials are usually conducted at Wyke Regis near Weymouth.
For reasons which I think are obvious, I cannot go into too much detail as to the remainder of the work carried out in this Unit. However, I can say that by the time a vehicle or piece of equipment to do with armoured vehicles or crews arrives at a Regiment it has been extensively tried and tested to its limit. All aspects are covered from the largest component to the smallest and the results of these tests are recorded and published as a Trials Report. Finally, I regard these two years of serving with the Team as well spent. I have learned new skills which would not have been possible in the Regiment. During this period I have worked with three RAC Centre Regiments and seen how they operate. All I can say is that none of them meet the exacting standards of The Life Guards!
Mrs. Movita Durber, widow of LCoH Leonard Durber, who died of wounds received in Belfast in October 1972, remarried on 15 December 1978. She is now Mrs. John Philpot, Hill View, Grove Park, Pontnewydd, Cwmbran, Gwent ..
THE DIARY OF A LI FEGUARDSMAN WHO SERVED IN THE PENINSULA
AND AT WATERLOO
Information has recently been received by the Household Cavalry Museum of the existence of a diary kept by a former member of the 2nd Life Guards who served with the Regiment in the Peninsula and at Waterloo. It is very much hoped that we shall be able to obtain a copy of this diary for our Museum Library. In the meantime it is thought that our present members would be interested in hearing about the records of one of our forebears.
The diary was kept by Thomas Playford, who joined the 2nd Life Guards in London on 16th September 1810, and served in the Regiment until 5th May 1834 when he was discharged on a pension of I s.1 OY2d per day. The diary was kept by him from an early age and covers the period of his service in the Regiment and his subsequent life in Australia.
From our Regimental Records, at the time of his enlistment he was 6ft. 2Y2ins. in height and gave his age as 18 years, but. from the diary it appears that he gave a false age on enlistment and was in fact only 15 years of age. He was born at Barnbydun, Near Doncaster, and from notes in his diary it would appear that his enlistment resulted from the description of life in the Regiment learned from the widow of a former Lifeguardsman residing nearby in Doncaster. The diary apparently continues with a description of life in the Regiment at that time and covers the period of his service in the Peninsula and at Waterloo. Mention is made of the finding of the body of the renowned Cpl. Shaw of the 2nd Life Guards on the morning after the Battle of Waterloo by Cpl. Webster and himself.
Playford was promoted to Corporal of Horse in 1816 and his diary in 1833 records that King William IV, whenPrince of Wales, expressed a wish that Regimental Histories should be compiled of all Regiments, under the direction of the Adjutant General. Thomas Playford undertook these duties in respect of this Regiment and was assisted by the Assistant Paymaster's Clerk of the Regiment (a J.F. Dowie, who served in the 2nd Life Guards from 1822 until 1846). A draft of the history of The Life Guards was prepared and placed before His Majesty and Playford made further additions and drawings were prepared to depict the uniform of the Regiment at different periods. This history was finally approved by HM King William IV and was published in 1837 as HA Historical Record of The Life Guards" containing an account of the formation of the Corps in 1660 and of its subsequent service up to 1835.
After leaving the 2nd Life Guards, Thomas Playford was made a grant of land amounting to 200 acres near Lake Huron, north of Toronto, and he went off to Canada; but the venture proved unsuccessful and he failed to find the land granted to him.
Title page of the first published Historical Record of The Life Guards (1837) to which Thomas Playford provided much of the material and a number of sketches.
Index from a letter or Order Book of the 2nd Life Guards at the time of Play ford's service as Chief Clerk. The handwriting is assumed to be his own.
He therefore returned to England and in 1835 obtained employment with the Adjutant General's Department (under a Mr. Cannon) and was engaged in preparing military records of the British Army for publication under the series of Military Histories authorised by His Majesty.
In 1844 he emigrated to Australia and became Pastor Playford, who built a Chapel in Adelaide and was Minister there for nearly 30 years. He died in 1873 and is buried at Mitchem in South Australia.
His son, Thomas Playford, became a Founding Statesman of the Commonwealth of Australia in
Why 'The Acorn'?
On 3rd September, 1651, in the meadows around, and the streets within, the city of Worcester, the final battle of the Great Civil War was fought out between 12,000 Royalists and about 30,000 Roundheads. King Charles \1, aged 21, watched the Roundheads approach across the Severn from the vantage Doint of the tower of Worcester Cathedral, later joining in the hopeless battle.
By evening there were 3,000 men of his tiny army dead and another six-to-seven thousand taken prisoner, many of them Scots, who were deported to the American plantations as slaves.
With a price of £1,000 on his head, Charles, in various guises, fled southwards taking 44 days to reach the safety of Fecamp in Normandy by a collier boat from Brighton. It was on the 6th September, three days after Worcester, that he hid for 24 hours among the leaves of the so-called "Royal Oak" near Boscobel House, Donington, Shropshire, while the Roundheads searched the woods below. His return to ondon, 29th May 1660, (incidentally his birthday) . as ever after known as "oak apple" day in England ad up to the last war, boys wore sprigs of oak leaf in their school blazers to show loyalty to the crown. The penalty for not doing so was to have one's legs ettle-stung by bigger boys, (in long pants), as a :) nishment for being a Roundhead.
1901, having already served as the Agent General for South Australia in London in about 1898. His grandson, Sir Thomas Playford, served as Premier of South Australia for 26 years.
His descendants still live in Australia and possess the diary in question, which it is intended should be deposited in the South Australia Archives. If our request for a copy for our Museum is granted we will be able to publish extracts in future editions of The Acorn.
300 years later, on a hot summer afrternoon in 1966, when The Life Guards had departed for Malaya, Captain M. came to see me with a problem. He had been detailed by the Colonel to edit and produce a Re'gimental Magazine. The problem was not the innards but the cover and a suitable name ..
We had at the time been experimenting with a new two colour process Roneo skin and had a recruiting handbill showing a Saladin Armoured Car, ploughing across Malaya into the South China Sea
c.w. FREARSON
Leather 'acorn' sword knot of an Officers' sword of the Household Battalion (1916-18). Previously worn on earlier Household Cavalry service swords. The Household Battalion was formed by the Household Cavalry to make good infantry losses in 1916.
and heading for Sarawak with the left hand front wheel churning up Viet Nam. Captain M. thought it was perfect. * The name was a different matter. We couldn't call it the" Life Guardian" - which suggested (a) an insurance company or (b) a publication which is less than unsympathetic to 'gay libbers'.
"The Seremban Sun"? - but what about page three - Charlie Rodger in 'drag'? "No" said Captain M., "we couldn't afford a double spread".
"Blues of the World"? It would hardly put the infant paper in the same circu lation bracket as the popular Sunday paper which is so widely read for its 'foreign policy'.
We walked up and down the buil'ding in the heat, cogitating like those people in 'Master Mind' wh 0 are sca red to say 'Pass'.
We repeatedly passed a dummy 2nd Life Guard Officer, smothered from head to foot in oak leaves and acorns.
Suddenly it was possible to assess the thrill which Archie Meads got when he discovered the theorem of Pythagoras, or realise how Ike Newton felt in 1666 - when the apple hit him and he began to suspect that apples fall downwards and not upwards.
"Acorn"t, I said, "it is the appointments code word for Regimental I ntelligence, it is the badge of loyalty to the crown, it is worn on the aigulette tips of The Life Guards, on the gold lace sword and horse furniture, collar and cuff braid, helmet plate, (I,eft side), tips of cuirass scales, Officers gold spurs, engraving on the state sword blade of an officer, bridle head piece of a 2nd Life Guard charger and it's on the tips of cuirass scales.
So, "Acorn" it was to be. The first copy was printed with some Chinese typographical errors and consisted of 20 pages with 9 of advertising and was produced by the Chang Litho Press of Seremban in the summer of 1966.
In 1978, The Acorn had a very attractive fourcolour cover and -54 pages of material with another 20 of advertising. In fact, to quote Dave Everett, (1769-1813), who many of you will remember used to be in the Gun Troop
"And if by chance I fall below, Demosthenes or Cicero, Don't view me with a critic's eye, But pass my imperfections by. Large Streams from little fountains flow, Tall Oaks from LITTLE ACORNS grow".
Oak leaf pattern in gilt on the left hand side of a Houshold Cavalry helmet plate. The pattern has been worn since 1842 but an earlier version was used on 1817 helmets.
Bridle Head Band (folded) of the 2nd Life Guards and still worn by Officers Chargers today (Origin circa 1788)
Exercise IJagged Thorn'
Twenty-seven of us left Windsor on 11 th January 1978 for The Sudan. We were going as an ..'!.uachment to The Queen's Company 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, to take part in a six week exercise called lA GGED THORN, acting as an infantry nlatoon.
We flew from Brize Norton to Khartoum in :ID RAF VCI0 and then after a short stop, on to Port Sudan in a Hercules. This was followed by a long road journey down dusty tracks to Gebeit, the Battalion base, and finally on to 'Camp A' where we were to spend the first week.
'Camp A' was the host of two main eventsthe platoon battlerun and the Close Quarter Battlerun CQB) for SMG. The CQB was well laid out in a \,"adi and contained many well hidden targets and surprises. Tpr. Bellringer set a fast pace and Tpr. Trevethan gave CoH Lawrence a lesson in the use of cover. LCoH Ball trained LCpl Drennan to patch up targets at an incredible speed, and LCpl Frape's polite manner proved useful in keeping the range danger area clear of Arabs! The platoon battlerun was attacked by the troop with great spirit and LCoH Ball was the only casualty during the day (he hurt his ankle). The battlerun consisted of two platoon attacks and several section attacks, the combination 0f these and a very hot day made great demands on stamina and physical fitness, but these were well met.
Ecowit was the next camp we moved to. The :roop acted as enemy on two exercises that took place there. The first was a short inter-company exercise in which we patrolled against Queen's Company wi th some success, and the second was the first Battalion exercise called DESERT RAT. The as enemy, wore white turbans for identifica:ion and CoH Lawrence's half of the troop completed 3. 14-mile cross country march at night in about 3Y2 :-tours. After several days of being hun ted, am bushed and attacked by overwhelming numbers, wc had five cays 'adventure training'. The original idea was to r.ire two boats and camp on an off-shore desert :sland, but owing to the size of the boats and the cistance from the mainland, we were unable to go, spent five days encamped on th: beach i.n the :uins of Suakim. The harbour at Suaklm con tamed a ::Iultitude of fish, but few were caught, although LCoH Slatford managed 'to hook' and overturn a ?assing canoe! Tpr. Griffin trapped several squid ',';nich were then cooked a la Lawrence, and proved ;lopular. Some sea fishing was also available but was :t for landlubbers, as LCpl Davies and Tpr. Cairn-ross found out too late. We were also visited by seyeral dolphins and one morning Tpr. Nicholson 3rayely swam out to them, but they made off at high speed into deeper water.
After five enjoyable days at Suakim, we had
to return to Gebeit to take part in Exercise WIDE EYE. This was a small exercise for only the troop and Army Air Corps attachment who were equipped with Sioux. Lt. H.K. Hamilton, in his last month of service, ran the exercise in which the troop was split into two and worked against each other with a helicopter on each side. LCpl Davies displayed his talents as an air gunner and smoke and thunderflashes fell from above throughout the exercise. Cross country driving proved exceptionally difficult, but LCoH Slatford did manage to reach LCpl Frape and destroy the base camp.
After this exercise we spent two days at Araus Holiday Village on the coast North of Port Sudan. The visit proved far too short and was best remembered for the extremely uncomfortable return by road to Camp A at which we arrived at 0430 after an all night drive and a 'blowout' in the J ebel pass. We left Camp Aa few days later for Gebeit to prepare for the final Anglo-Sudanese exercise called DIGNA 78.
Exercise 'Digna 78' found the troop split into three; one group of four mounted in BRDMs with the Sudanese recce troop, one group of six was mounted in two Landrovers for liaison work, and the remainder were with Battalion headquarters. The first day of the exercise was spen t in the concen tration area where we were shown a display of Sudanese equipmen t, mainly of Russian and Chinese origin, this highlighted by unusually spectacular artillery and mortar gun drills. The second day brought the start of the Brigade advance down the axis which was cleverly marked by a dotted white line across the desert. All the objectives were also clearly marked with whitewash. All went well, although CoH Lawrence had to be evacuated with a severe stomach disorder, which had already made its presence felt in the Battalion.
LCpl Hape; Tprs. Craister, Maksymin, Nicholson (with sun cream or his nose)
On our final return to Gebeit we prepared for our return home. We were beaten 3-0 by the Sud'lnese recee troop at football, who kindly allowed us to drive their BRDM and photograph the troop mounted in them before we left.
All that remained was for us to return to Windsor via Khartoum, which we were only able to see briefly, but most of us at least saw the Nile and
the main market. We flew back to Brize Norton and then went on to Windsor only to find ourselves in 'sunny' South Wales along with 2Y2 feet of snow.
We left the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards wondering how to transport their newly acquired camel, a gi ft of the Sudanese, back to Pirbrigh t.
Mounted:
Standing:
NOTE:
LCpl George; Tprs. Gaddas, Nicholson, Keech, Bellringer, LCpl Drennan. Tprs. Griffin, Maksymin, Sumnall. Preston, LCpl Davies Tpr. Harrison
Tprs. Cairncross, Trevethan, Craister, LCpls Frape, Slatford, CoH Lawrence, 2nd Lt. C.W. Cayzer, LCoH Ball, Tprs. Plumstead, Jackson, Wood, English, Clark 361
Coldstream 'Star' on hillside behind
Photo taken February 1978, Sudan, Gebeit Camp
Embarkation for Exercise BOLD GUA RD
Winners of the Whitbread Tournament 7978
/. S. Forbes-Cocke//, Capt. P. R. L. Hunter
Lt. j. L. Hewitt, 2 Lt. C. H. N. Graham
"One out, all out!" -a casualty from the Band
Church Parade 6th August 7978
Regimental OPEN DA Y - August 6th 7978
Events
During the Year
at Windsor under the command '.}f Colonel E.J.L. Speed, MC
Captain Sir Gerard Fuller appointed Adjutant (vice Capt. A.H. Head).
Lieut. A. Lemoine from RTR to be Director of Music (vice Lieut. S. S. Smith).
Regiment moved to Stoney Castle for their annual Musketry Course until 27 May.
Regiment provided a Captain's Escort with Standard to escort HM Queen Mary (who was deputising for HM The Queen) to Horse Guards for the Trooping of the Colour. The Sovereign's Escort was provided by The Blues and there was a composite mounted band.
Two Squadron Standards were laid up in Holy Trinity Church.
GOC London District (Major Gen. Sir Bertram Sergison Brooke KCMG) inspected the Regiment.
GOC London District carried out a tactical inspection of the Regiment on Chobham Common.
The Regiment proceeded to the manoeuvre area at Sobitan, Hants. for training with 1st Division until 10th September.
Two Squadron Standards were laid up in St. Clements Church, Knowlton, Kent, the home Church of the Commanding Officer.
Regiment ordered to prepare barracks against air raid attacks. The rest of the week was spen t in digging trenches,darkening windows and making gas-proof shelters.
The Regiment moved to Hyde Park Barracks.
A Sovereign's Escort provided for the State Opening of Parliament.
A Sovereign's Escort provided for State Visit of King Carol of Rumania - arrival at Victoria Station and following day to Guildhall.
His Majesty ordered Court Mourning for four weeks for his aunt, Queen Maud of Norway.
The last peacetime Christmas for seven years.
DIARY FOR 1978
Regiment stationed at Windsor under the command of Lt. Col. A.J. Hartigan/Lt. Col. A.B.S.H. Gooch
Dec-mid Jan. Deployed on Op. Bu rberry in London (Fire Service strike)
A Sqdn returned after 4 month tour in Northern Ireland
The Queen visited Household Cavalry Regiment.
Regimental Firing cancelled at Castlemartin due to snow. Troops used to assist public in Wales.
Presentation by Regiment on Armoured Reconnaissance to 6th Field Force.
C Sqdn returned after 4 month tour in l\Jorthern Ireland
53rd Combined Cavalry Old Comtrades Service, Hyde Park
The Queen's Birthday Parade. Association Dinner (316 attended) Garter Service
Rumanian State Visit. LG Sovereign's Escort.
Visit by General Sir Edwin Bramall, KCB, CBE, MC, C-in-C UKLF.
C Sqdn Security operation at Heathrow for General Dayan and Mr. Kamal
Open Day at Windsor
WOs & NCOs Mess Summer Ball
Complete Regiment deployed on Ex BOLD GUARD in Germany. (Armoured Vehs transported to docks by Freightline containers)
Opening of Parliament (LG Sovereign's Escort)
Visit by Major General John Swinton, OBE, Commanding The Household Division
Remembrance Service, Holy Trinity, Windsor
Farewell visit by Major General P. D. Reid, D RAC
Portuguese State Visit (LG. Sovereign's Escort). Fitness for Role Inspect1ion by HQ 6 Field Force
Regimental Firing, Castlemartin Ex. Great Delight, Salisbury Plain Brick Hanging Ceremony
OBITUARIES
24021460 CoH ANDERSON, G.
Died 17 Jan 1978 aged 33 years.
Served 4 May 1965 to 7 March 1975
294484 Tpr ANDERSON, D.J.
Died 13 Aug 1978 aged 76 years.
Served 25 Apr 1921 to 24 Apr 1929.
294285 Tpr ANGUS, G.J.
Died 12 Aug 1974 aged 76 years.
Served 13 May 1915 to 12 May 1927,
299068 Saddler WO. 11 BAR LOW, E.H.
Died 29 Dec 1977 aged 89 years.
Served 25 Jul 1907 to 24 Jul 1928.
5883849 Tpr BELL, E.W.
Died 31 Mar 1978 aged 61 years.
Served 21 Sep 1937 to 20 Sep 1949.
295543 Tpr BILLlETT, F.G.
Died Oct 1977 aged 64 years.
Served 3 Feb 1941 to 26 May 1942.
295486 Mech. CoH CAWTE, L.
Died 22 Aug 1978 aged 64 years.
Served 8 Apr 1940 to 20 Mar 1946.
294151 Tpr CONROY, T.
Died 24 Feb 1978 aged 83 years.
Served 1 Mar 1913 to 28 Feb 1921.
22023602 Cpl CHURN, E.W.
Died 21 Mar 1978 aged 48 years.
Served 19 Nov 1956to 14 Nov 1964.
4981158 Cpl COOPER, B.
Died 14 Nov 1977 aged 61 years.
Served 20 Jun 1940 to 26 Mar 1946.
24306461 Tpr ELLlS, S.
Died as a result of road traffic accident whilst servi ng on 13 Mar 1978 aged 20 years.
Joined LG 20 Aug 1974.
294713 Cpl FLETT, J.C.
Died Jan 1978 aged 67 years.
Served 7 Jul 1928 to 6 Jul 1936.
Captain THE LORD HENLEY (served as Hon. M.F. Eden)
Died 20 December 1977 aged 63 years.
Served 9 October 1941 to 20 February 1946.
Captain THE LORD HILLINGDON (Served as Hon. C. Mills)
Died 6 May 1978 aged 56 years.
Served 1 July 1942 to 30 November 1946
3325 Tpr HUMPHRIES, W.J.
Died 26 Sep 1978 aged 83 years.
Served 2 LG 16 Nov 1914 to 29 March 1919.
294709 R.C.M. HYLAND, A.H.
Died 2 Feb 1978 aged 68 years.
Served 4 Jun 1928 to 1 Jul 1953.
6349621 Cpl JONES, H.J.
Died 4 Mar 1978 aged 56 years.
Served 29 Nov 1941 to 28 Aug 1946.
Captain M;G. KAVANAGH
Died 14 September 1978 aged 59 years
Served 31 October 1943 to 23 February 1945.
Lieut E.H. LAUGHTON SCOTT, a.c.,
Died 17 May 1978 aged 52 years.
Served 1 July 1945 to 26 September 1947.
294632 CoH MEAR, W.
Died 22 May 1978 aged 69 years.
Served 6 Oct 1926 to 2 Dec 1948.
3344 Tpr MORTIMER, A.
Died 18 May 1978 aged 87 years.
Served 2LG 16 Nov 1914 to 10 May 1918.
299385 Tpr NOKES, E.G.
Died Dec 1977 aged 82 years.
Served 20 Mar 1918 to 23 Aug 1926.
23215231 L!Cpl POWELL, C.W.
Died 6 Dec 1977 aged 39 years.
Served 19 Mar 1956 to 19 Mar 1963.
3939 Cpl TETT, G.S.
Died 1 Jan 1978 aged 81 years.
Served 1 LG 14 Sep 1915 to 28 Aug 1917.
299324 Cpl TOWNSEND, E.J. (DCM)
Died 5 Jul 1978 aged 83 years.
Served 9 Dec 1914 to 24 Oct 1922.
296656 WO.II VOWLES, F.A.
Died 15 Jul 1978 aged 57 years.
Served 30 Apr 1945 to 26 Jun 1968.
Colonel Sir Robert Gooch, Bart, KCVO, DSO, DL, JP
6th May 1903 - 13th November 1978
Colonel Eric joined the 2nd Life Guards in July 1921. He was Adjutant of The Life Guards from 1932 to 1935, and on outbreak of war in September 1939 he was commanding B Sqdn. He went to the Middle East with the 1st Household Cavalry Regiment as B Squadron Leader in February 1940, and remained with the Regiment (apart from a period of three months lecturing in England) until I HCR returned to England in October 1944. He became Second-in-Command in Iraq in May 1941. In Syria, while acting Commanding Officer, he took temporary command of a Brigade outside Pa1myra. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. and Mentioned in Despatches for gallantry in Syria.
Colonel Eric was with the Regiment on its 1000 mile journey to Tehran in Persia. On return to Palestine, I HCR trained for the first timewith Armoured Cars, then moved to Cyprus and on to North Africa in time to take part in the battle of El Alamein in October 1942.
Colonel Eric took command of I HCR after El Alamein. To The Regiment's great disappointment they were withdrawn from pursuing the Germans, and sent back to Syria for fifteen months before moving by sea in April 1944 to take part in the campaign in italy, where they fought as Infantry.
In December 1944 he relinquished command to become Officer Commanding Household Cavalry. He temporarily re-assumed command of I HCR for a month when Colonel Sale was ill, and took the Regiment to North West Europe in March 1945. To quote from the Story of I Household Cavalry Regiment;
"Thus the outstanding character of the drama of J HCR finally passed off the stage. For the first twenty months of the war Eric Gooch had served with the Regiment as a Squadron Leader, then for two-and-a-half years, except during the period of the Syrian campaign, when he commanded the Regiment in Colonel Ferguson's absence and gained the DSO, he served as Second-in-Command. the least satisfactory of all regimental appointments. He then took over command at a moment when the Regiment had suffered a grievous disappointment, but never for one moment did he allow it to lower their spirit or morale. He nursed them through the difficult period in Syria during J 943 and worked them up to the very high standard of fighting efficiency which they had attained when they reached Italy. He led the Regiment with outstanding success throughout the six months fighting in that country. His reward has been the regard in which he is held by all who served under him The admiration of subordinates is usually of greater w0rth than the admiration of superiors: it is impossible to take in those serving under you, but it is often quite easy to take in those above you."
When peace came, Colonel Eric was responsible for disbanding 1 and 2 HCR and reforming The Life Guards and The Blues, and the Household Cavalry Regiment at Knightsbridge. This was no easy task, and but for his dogged determination the Household Cavalry might not be organised as it is today. He retired after 25 years service in November 1946.
In retirement, Colonel Eric was held in great respect, indeed awe, by successive generations of Life Guards. He failed once only, through ill health, to attend Cavalry Mem.orial Sunday. He always attended The Life Guards Association Dinner, and was Chairman three times. 1 HCR Dinner will not be the same without him.
He was the most loyal of Life Guards with a strong sense of duty, putting his Regiment before all else. He led by personal example. Always immaculately turned out, he was an imposing figure: he looked the part. A firm disciplinarian, he was above all a man of uncompromisingly high standards which not even a World War could shake. The Regiment mourns a proper gentleman.
NOMINAL ROLLS
REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS
Lt Col A.B.S.H. Gooch
Maj J.B. Emson
Capt P.R.L. Hunter
Capt G.B. Charters-Rowe
RCM Kelly
ASQUADRON
SHO TROOP
Major C.J. Simpson Gee
Captain The Hon.N.J. Adderley
SCM McGloughlin
CoH Renton
LCo H Slatford
LCoH Leak
LCpl Bray
LCoH Reed
Tpr Ellis
Tpr Kay
Tpr Birkin
Tpr Gee
Tpr Bray
Tpr Ward
Tpr Godson
Tpr Moore
1 TROOP
2 Lt. J. L. Hewitt
CoH Milne
LCoH Gratton
LCoH Corser
LCpl Walley
LCpl Willis
Tpr Wilde
Tpr Boyns
Tpr Willis BOB
Tpr Fawkes
Tpr Old man
Tpr Wallace
Tpr Davis
2 TROOP
SCpl Kelly
CoH Marshall
LCoH Beck
LCpl Pickard
LCpl Sansom
Tpr Kelland
Tpr Willis 7B4
Tpr Pritchard
Tpr Bisset
Tpr Brettell
Tpr Preece
Tpr Schubert
3 TROOP
et. D.C. Darley, RHG/D
CoH Mclvor
LCoH Jenkins
LCpl Guiney
LCpl Whiteland
Tpr Bucktrout
Tpr Batchelor
Tpr Brooks
Tpr Roberts
Tpr Clark
Tpr Sprague
Tpr Kane
4 TROOP
SCpl Cozens
CoH Cusick
LCoH Jordan
LCpl Killeen
LCpl Williams
Tpr Smith
Tpr Smithers
Tpr Pinnington
Tpr Clipston
Tpr Cox
Tpr Evans
Tpr Farrar
ECHelON
SOMC Whyte
LCoH Cavin
LCoH Hollman
LCpl Coe
LCpl Hadden
Tpr Kennedy
Tpr Ormerod
Tpr Stiff
Tpr Brown
Tpr Godley
LAD
SSgt Saunc;lers
Sgt Smith
LSgt Sandells
LCpl Garden
LCpl Maloney
LCpl Heath
Cfn Hamilton
Ctn Brodie
Ctn Woodcock
BSQUADRON
SHO TROOP
Major R.J. Morrisey·Paine
Capt. J.C.P. Gorman, GM
Capt. L.D. Stratford, MBE
W02 (SCM) Leighton
G TROOP
CoH Read
LCoH Carson
LCpl Leader
LCplDrennan
Tpr Means
Tpr Worley
. Tpr Sumnall
Tpr James
Tpr Keech
Tpr Airey
Tpr Ashton
Tpr English
A TROOP
Sgt Meadows RAPC
LCoH McKenzie
LCpl Warner
LCpl Tanner
LCpl O'Connor
Tpr Dunn
Tpr Castle
Tpr Radford
Tpr Lambert
Tpr Harrison
Tpr Tonner
Tpr Bennett
o TROOP
SOMC Williams
Sgt Green (ACC)
LCoH Snowden
LCoH O'Flaherty
LSgt Smith (ACC)
LCpl Lindsay
LCpl Craister
LCpl Wilde (ACC)
Tpr Horton
Tpr Harreson
Tpr Ambrose
Tpr Layzell
Tpr Ditcham
Pte Harkins (ACC)
Pte Powell (ACC)
MT TROOP
LCpl Lewis
LCpl Waudby
Tpr Pillman
Tpr Greest
Tpr Herd
Tpr Maksymiw
Tpr Keyworth
Tpr Plumstead
LAD
SSgt King
Sgt Goldsmith
LSgt Williams
LSgt Rees-Davis
LCpl Watson
LCpl Clarke
LCpl Saunders
Cfn McGuire
Cfn Lafferty
Ctn R ichards
Cfn Gollop
Ctn Lovett
1 TROOP
2Lt. The Hon.M.R.M. Watson
CoH Frape
LCoH Whatley
LCpl Egan
Tpr Paterson
Tpr Griffin
Tpr Fenn
Tpr Smith
Tpr Flynn
2 TROOP
2Lt T.J. Paske
LCoH Holbrook
LCoH George
LCpl Bellringer
Tpr Strange
Tpr Graham
Tpr Burge
Tpr Knowles
Tpr Walpole
3 TROOP
2Lt R.W. Pilkington
CoH Brunning
LCoH Martell
LCpl Jackson
Tpr Williams B34
Tpr Elliott
Tpr Hodge
Tprd'homas 867
Tpr Clarke
4 TROOP
Lt N.C.B. MacPherson
CoH Meade
LCoH Bell
LCpl Jeram
Tpr Wood
Tpr Cairncross
Tpr Schofield
Tpr Butler
Tpr Phillips
5 TROOP
Lt. D.C. Waterhouse
CoH Burns
LCoH Stephenson
LCpl Nicholson
Tpr Tierney
Tpr Coli ins
Tpr Hunter
Tpr Locke
Tpr Brown 468
6TROOP
2 Lt The Hon. C.W. Cayzer
CoH Lawrence
LCoH Ormiston
LCpl Preston
Tpr Coole
Tpr Kidd
Tpr Gelder
Tpr Thomas 921
Tpr Valentine
CSQUADRON
SHO TROOP
Major C.N. Haworth·Booth
Major C.S. Harcourt-Smith
Capt. J.R. Bayley
SCM Keeys BEM
CoH Cruddace
LCoH Clarke
LCoH Loftus
LCpl Abel
lCpl Gaunt
LCpl Bingham
LCplDarley
LCpl Vickers
Tpr Tinsley
1 TROOP
2 Lt. C.H.N. Graham
CoH Mead
CoH Mills
LCoh Windebank
LCoH Theakston
Tpr Aish
Tpr Brown
Tpr Dickinson
Tpr Cumming
Tpr Leech
Tpr Lockett
Tpr Pearson
Tpr Stand lake
2 TROOP
2 Lt. A.J. Watson
CoH McBride
CoH Coffey
LCoH Hardacre
LCpl Vince
LCplTaft
LCpl White
Tpr Dobson
Tpr Manfield
Tpr Rochford
Tpr Smith 567
Tpr Thorpe
Tpr Wilson
3 TROOP
CoH Stay
CoH Belza
LCoH Wright
LCoH Fenn
Tpr Arthur
Tpr Barry
Tpr Clarke
Tpr Clegg
Tpr Fletcher
Tpr Greenhalgh
Tpr Key
Tpr Pugh
4TROOP
Lt. C.B. Oldfield
CoH Richardson
LCoH Dobson
LCoH Kelly
Tpr Appleyard
Tpr Newton
Tpr Price
Tpr Pringle
Tpr Slade
Tpr Smith 588
Tpr Smith 365
Tpr Walker
ECHelON
SOMC Saunders
LCoH Jones
LCoH Moore
LCpl Egan
LCpl Blowey
Tpr Kenniford
Tpr Page
Tpr Parr
Tpr Pear
Tpr Heath
LAD
SSgt Oow
Sgt Leeming
LSgt Taylor
LSgt Greenfield
LCpl Crilly
LCpl Arnold
Cfn Morrison
Cfn Ryan
Cfn Street
RP STAFF
LCoH McCance
LCpl Stanworth
HEADQUARTERS
SQUADRON
SH a
Capt. L.O. Stratford, MBE
SCM Knowles
SOMC Land
LCoH Oavies
LCoH Ridsdel
LCpl Gale
LCpl Croager
Tpr Henley
Tpr Smith 058
Tpr Yarker
CoH Wild
LCoH Matthews
LCoH Bagnall
LCpl Wale
LCpl Prior
LCpl Rodwell
LCpl Elliott
LCpl Leach
LCpl Birkett
Tpr Crook
Tpr Cullen
Tpr Coleman
Tpr White
PROVOST ST AFF
CoH Oavey
LCoH Mullen
LCpl Crossan
OFFICERS MESS
CoH Sutherland
Sgt. Williams
DETACHED
LCoH Tuck
LCpl Mills
LCpl Hembling
LCpl Treble
Tpr Bartlett
Tpr Hancock
TRAINING WING
CoH Miller
SQUADRON
HEADQUARTERS
Major S.V. Gilbart-Oenham
Capt. N.J. 0' Ambrumenil
SCM Gook
LCpl Roberts
LCpl Goodchild 1 TROOP
LCpl Lucas
WOs & NCOs MESS
CoH Redford
LCoH Boots
LCpl Fitzpatrick
Tpr Aitken
Tpr McKay
Tpr Oixon
ORDERLY ROOM RECRUITING TEAM
OROMC Henderson
CoH Walsh
CoH Radford
LCoH Smith
LCoH Beck
Tpr Lewis
Tpr Roper
Tpr Tucker
RHa TROOP
Capt J.A. Black
SCpl Richards
CoH Johnston
CoH Jones
LCoH Fury
LCoH Steele
LCpl Rogan
LCpl Hoskins
Tpr Thompson
Tpr Leszczar
Tpr Collett
Tpr Nicholson
aMs OEPT
Capt J. L. Morris
RaMC Reed
W02 Hutchings
CoH Hugrnan
CoH Bartlett
LCoH Foster
LCpl Gawthorne
LAD
Capt J.E. Saunders
ASM Lodder
SSgt Iredale
SSgt Blackman
Sgt Blundell
Sgt Lincoln
Sgt Hardy
Sgt Percivall
Sgt Naylor
Sgt Kitchen
Sgt Penn
LSgt Mallinson
LSgt Masters
LSgt Sands
LCpl Renton
LCplOruce
LCpl Seymour
Cfn Bright
Cfn Walden
Cfn Marr
Cfn Kerry
Cfn Bray
Ctn Thomas
Cfn Porter
LCoH York PAY OFFICE
LCoH MacOonald
LCoH Wood
LCpl Oangerfield
LCpl Hastie
LCpl Gummer
Lt. I.S. Forbes-Cockell
CoH Oenton
CoH Diamond
LCoH McOermott
LCoH Spencer
LCpl Nicklin
LCpl Cowling
LCpl Norcombe
Tpr Ounn
Tpr Godden
Tpr Hall
Tpr Hargreeaves
Tpr Hayes
Tpr Lee RG
Tpr Leggott
Tpr Porter
Tpr Shipton
Tpr Sims
Tpr Stone
Tpr Walker
Tpr Valentine
Tpr Wright
Tpr Ward
2 TROOP
Lt. H.S.J. Scott
CoH Prentice
LCoH Robertson
LCoH Scott
LCoH Hawkins
LCpl Butler
LCpl Frawley
Tpr Alien
Tpr Court
Tpr Edwards
Tpr Hearn
Tpr Hopewell
Tpr Jacobi
Tpr Jones
Tpr Leete
Tpr Milton
Capt P. R. Smith
SSgt Truelove
LSgt Eagle
LSgt Tipping
Tpr Oodson
Tpr Greig
Tpr Grey
Tpr Hazlewood
Tpr Ingham 535
Tpr Kirkland
Tpr Lawes
Tpr Marsden
Tpr Meredith
Tpr Oldfield
Tpr Phillips
Tpr Roe
Tpr Sykes
Tpr Terry
Msn. Jarvis
saD STORES
SOMC Nicklin
LCpl Oavison
Tpr Smith
FARRIERS
FSCpl King
FLCoH Williams
FLCoH Carrington
FLCoH Jones
FLCpl Becker
Farr. Watts
Farr. Sutclitfe
Farr. Lee
HUNTING STABLES
Tpr Archer
MEDICAL CENTRE
CoH Borthwick
Tpr Livings
SADDLERS
LCpl Castelow
Tpr O'Oonnell
MT DEPT
LCoH Thornton
Tpr Drew
Tpr Banks
Tpr Brvant
Tpr Bear
Tpr Jarvis
Tpr Snape
Tpr Ludlam
aM DEPT
Maj (OM)
J.W. Greaves, MBE
SCpl Rhodes
LCoH Wilkinson
LCpl Gibson
LCpl Tinkler
Tpr Thornton
TAILORS
W02 Taylor
LCpl Shipway
LCpl Masters
CoH Swallow TRAINING WING
LCpl Burns
Tpr Maxwell
Tpr MacCallum
Tpr Stevens
GROOMS
LCpl Van Craeyenest
Tpr Lewis
RIDING INSTRUCTORS
LCoH Oiggle
INSTRUCTORS
LCoH Robertson 984
REMOUNT STAFF
Tpr Senerviratne
RIDE NCOs
LCpl Hodson
LCpl Walton
Major (RM) A. Jackson, MBE STABLE MEN
W02 McKie
SCpl Gries
CoH Wllkinson
LCoH Sanderson
ORDERLIES
Tpr Pett
Tpr Lanahan
Tpr Brown
Tpr Howe
Tpr Ingham
Tpr Stephenson
COACH TROOP
Tpr Haverly
Tpr Mountford
RECRUITS IN
Tpr Haywood-Percival RIDING SCHOOL
Tpr Rettalick
Tpr Thomas
Tpr Ellis
COURSES
LCoH Pace, BI Signals
LCoH Westaway, Long Equitation
LCpl Saddler, Long Equitation
LCpl Schubert, Guards Depot
Tpr Mullen
Tpr Sangster
Tpr Sands
Tpr Taylor
LSgt Hines-Randle Tpr Thomas
Tpr Prior Tpr Wilshaw
LCpl Margan, Guards Depot
Tpr Alien 590, RAVC Farrier
Lt. N.B. Holliday
LCoH Gilbert
Tpr Cooper
Tpr Parrington
Tpr Smith
Tpr Shannon
Tpr Snow
T pr Procktor
Tpr Frampton
Tpr Howatson-Jones
Tpr Jordon
Tpr Phillips 355
HEAOaUARTERSaUADRON Tpr Goodfellow
SCM Woodland
Tpr Mortimer ACC Tpr lies ORDERL Y ROOM
aM(E) DEPT
(OM)
Brimicombe
Calvert
RHQ HOUSEHOLD
Cherrington
Coles CoH Charlett ROMC( El Reynolds
CoH Edge
LCoH Gledhill
LCoH Yarrow
LCpl Byrne -R HG/O
Houghton
LCpl Coutts LCoH Bevan
LCpl Simmons
LCpl Blackman
LCpl Goodwin
LCoH Wilson
LCoH Thompson
LCpl Orchard
LCpl Tomkins Pte Bevan Tpr Bennett
LCpl Shaw Pte Blackwell
Tpr Bannon Pte Shirley
Corner
Oarvell
LCpl Howard
CoH Dean
CoH Smith
CoH Starling
LCoH Hale
Sturgess
LCpl Smith
Holmes Tpr O'Oaly Pte Vernon
Oavies LCoH Otton Tpr Pett
THE GUARDS DEPOT
Lieut. W.S.G. Doughty
Lieut. L.A. Lumb
2Lt. P.J.D. Marlow-Thomas
SCM Shaw
SCpl Alderson
SOMC Alien 039
Scpl Alien 156
CoH Potts
CoH Grant
CoH Powell
CoH Harvey
LCoH Ritchie
LCoH Vince
LCoH Carter
LCoH Wise
LCoH Puddephatt
LCoH Fry
LCoH Rigby
LCoH Carrington
LCoH Rothwell
LCoH Wolcynski
LCoH Evans 715
LCoH Evens 910
LCoH Tucker
LCoH Parkinson
LCoH Hopkins
LCoH Dagge
LCpl Hollingsworth
LCpl Berrisford
LCpl McAlpine
LCpl Alien
LCpl Gynane
Tpr Anscombe
Tpr Sing
Tpr Davis
Tpr Edwards
Tpr Harper
Tpr Rea
Major A.J. Richards
W02 Fletcher
W02 Frost
Scpl Marsden
Scpl Davies
SCpl Harman
CoH Jolley
CoH Close
CoH Robinson
CoH Whitworth
LCoH Mean
LCoH Barnes
LCoH Lund
LCoH Morris
LCoH Bourne
LCoH Watts
LCpl Poland
LCpl Alien
LCpl Manfield
LCpl Hart
LCpl Davies
LCpl Pope
Musn Bole
Musn Collier
Musn Cox
Musn Faulkner
Musn Gook
Musn Graves
Musn Grieve
Musn Hamer
Musn Harrison
Musn Kidd
Musn Ladkin
Musn Mayo
Musn Meikle
Musn Morton
Musn Owen
Musn Pankhurst
Musn Redford
Musn Shaw
Musn Wade
Musn Wiltshire
Musn Winckles
Musn Wood house
Musn Young
OFFICERS SERVING AWAY FROM THE REGIMENT
Brig. H.D.A. Langley, MBE
Lt. Col. A.J. Hartigan
Major C.J. D'Oyly
Major T.J. Earl
Major V.A.L. Goodhew
Capt. A.P. De Ritter
Capt. J.W.M. Ellery
Capt. 5.D.G. Vetch
Capt. P.G. Huntley
Capt. P.S. W. F. Falkner
Lt. P.J. Knipe
Lt. S. F. Hayward
2Lt. H.F.J. Langley
Major(QM) D. Charles
Major W. Jones
Capt. C.J. Rodger
Capt. D. Bentley
Capt. B.P. Payne
Lt. A. T. Varley
BGS HQ UKLF
AQMG HQ London District
GS02 SD RAC Centre
GS02 HQ 8 Field Force
Staff College
Staff Captain HQ H Div
GS03 HQ N Oman
AAC Centre
HQ Rheindahlen
Junior Division Staff College
Equitation Course Melton Mowbray
Regular Careers Course RMAS
Durham University
RPO Brighton
MOD (DAR 3)
RAC Gunnery School
HQ 3 Inf. Bde
D & M School Bovington
RA VC Trg. Centre
HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY HOSPITAL
Surgeon Major K.J. Connolly
SCpl Mitchell
LCpl Nixon
LSgt Gillard
LCpl Murray
Pte Jones
LCpl Tracey
Pte Kearney
RHG/D
OFFICERS WHO HAVE LEFT THE ACTIVE LIST IN 1978
Capt. G.C. T. Musgrave
Lieut. H. K. Hamilton
2Lieut. P.G. Daubney
Lieut. M. Leatham
Lieut. H.D.E. Naylor-Leyland
RAC Trg. Regt.
CoH Mayo
CoH Belza
CoH Lodge
RAC Centre
ATDU
LCpl Mansfield
LCpIO'Neill
GUNNERY SCHOOL
Scpl Townsend
SCpl Willis
CoH Rennie
TprAustin
D & M SCHOOL
SCpl Lloyd
SIGNALS SCHOOL
CoH Daraz
ARMOUR SCHOOL
SCpl Dugdale
RAC RANGES
LCoH Howard
3 SCT
Tpr Willis
RECRUITERS
Liverpool Stoke Leeds Preston Nottingham Surbiton
CoH Frazer
CoH Lea
CoH Lee
CoH Turner
CoH Bishop
LCoH Kissock
22 SAS 2 members
HQ. LONDON DISTRICT
CoH Etches
RMAS
SCpl Slater
SCpl Knowles
CoH Byrne
CoH Flaherty
LCpl Stockwell
C SQ.DN RY
W02 Murnan
CoH Lowry
CoH Jones
Tpr Trevethan
Tpr lngram
MVEE (Chertsey)
LCoH Liddell
MVEE (Kirkcudbright)
Tpr Shone
JLR RAC
W02 Lawson
SCplOfiver
SCpl Griffiths
SCpl Daysmith
AAC ARBOR FIELD
CoH Rymer
5 cn
CoH Collins
7 cn
CoH Flory
2 ADS
SCpl Maxwell
CoH Morgan
RAVC Trg. Centre
CoH Burns
7 Reg. AAC
CoH Purves
LCoH Thorpe
RHKR (V)
W02 Mitcheson
MAN SG (WS)
W01 Cornish
HQ. 1 DIV.
SCpl Digney