THE HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY JOURNAL 2015
The Household Cavalry Journal
Incorporating The Acorn and The Blue and Royal No. 24 2015 Editor: Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) H S J Scott, The Life Guards
Colonel in Chief Her Majesty The Queen
Colonel of The Life Guards and Gold Stick: Field Marshal the Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank GCB LVO OBE DL Colonel of The Blues and Royals and Gold Stick: HRH The Princess Royal KG KT GCVO QSO Lieutenant Colonel Commanding and Silver Stick: Major General E A Smyth-Osbourne CBE, The Life Guards Commanding Officer Household Cavalry Regiment: Lieutenant Colonel D James, The Life Guards Commanding Officer Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment: Lieutenant Colonel J D A Gaselee, The Life Guards
The Life Guards Battle Honours Dettingen Peninsula Waterloo Tel el Kebir Egypt (1882) Relief of Kimberley Paardeberg South Africa (1899-1900) Mons Le Cateau Retreat from Mons Marne (1914) Aisne (1914)
Armentières (1914) Messines (1914) Ypres (1914) Langemarck (1914) Gheluvelt Nonne Bosschen St Julien Frezenberg Ypres (1915) Somme (1916) Albert (1916) Scarpe (1917) (1918) Broodseinde Poelcappelle
Passchendaele Bapaume (1918) Arras (1917) Ypres (1917) Arras (1918) Hindenburg Line Epehy St Quentin Canal Beaurevoir Cambrai (1918) Selle Somme (1918) France and Flanders (1914-18)
Mont Pincon Souleuvre Noireau Crossing Amiens (1944) Brussels Neerpelt Nederrijn Nijmegen Lingen Bentheim North West Europe (1944-1945) Baghdad (1941) Iraq (1941)
Palmyra Syria (1941) El Alamein North Africa (1942-1943) Arezzo Advance to Florence Gothic Line Italy (1944)
Mont Pincon Souleuvre Noireau Crossing Amiens (1944) Brussels Neerpelt Nederrijn Lingen Veghel Nijmegen Rhine Bentheim North West Europe (1944-1945) Baghdad (1941) Iraq (1941) Palmyra
Syria (1941) Msus Gazala Knightsbridge Defence of Alamein Line El Alamein El Agheila Advance on Tripoli North Africa (1941-1943) Sicily (1943) Arezzo Advance to Florence Gothic Line Italy (1943-1944) Falkland Islands (1982) Iraq (2003)
Gulf (1991) Wadi al Batin Iraq (2003)
The Blues and Royals Battle Honours Tangier (1662-1680) Dettingen Warburg Beaumont Willems Fuentes d’Onor Peninsula Waterloo Balaklava Sevastopol Tel el Kebir Egypt (1882) Relief of Kimberley Paardeberg Relief of Ladysmith South Africa (1899-1902)
Mons Le Cateau Retreat from Mons Marne (1914) Aisne (1914) Messines (1914) Armentières (1914) Ypres (1914) Langemarck (1914) Gheluvelt Nonne Bosschen St Julien Ypres (1915) Frezenberg Loos Arras (1917)
Scarpe (1917) Ypres (1917) Broodseinde Poelcappelle Passchendaele Somme (1918) St Quentin Avre Amiens Hindenburg Line Beaurevoir Cambrai (1918) Sambre Pursuit to Mons France and Flanders (1914-1918)
Crown Copyright: This publication contains official information. It should be treated with discretion by the recipient. The opinions expressed in the articles in this journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policy and views, official or otherwise, of the Household Cavalry or the Ministry of Defence. No responsibility for the goods or services advertised in this journal can be accepted by the Household Cavalry, publishers or printers and advertisements are including in good faith. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the permission of the Editor and Publisher. The Journal was designed and published by Brian Smith Associates, 145 St Pancras, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 7SH. Tel: 01243 576279 Email: brian@briansmithassociates.co.uk
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Contents Preface by Lieutenant Colonel Commanding .......................... 3
Household Cavalry Regiment Foreword by the Commanding Officer ......................................... 4 A Squadron ........................................................................................ 5 B Squadron ......................................................................................... 7 C Squadron ......................................................................................... 9 D Squadron ...................................................................................... 11 Headquarters Squadron ................................................................. 12 Light Aid Detachment .................................................................... 13 Regimental Administrative Office ................................................ 15 Recruiting Team .............................................................................. 16 Command Troop ............................................................................. 17
Quartermaster’s Department ......................................................... 21 Quartermaster (Equipment) Department .................................... 21 Training Wing .................................................................................. 22 Warrant Officers’ and Non Commissioned Officers’ Mess ........ 24 A Squadron on Exercise WESSEX STORM 15 ............................. 25 Waterloo 2015 .................................................................................. 26 Exercise DUNVILLE RALLY, Belgium, June 2015 ...................... 27 The Dinner in Brussels .................................................................... 28 Building Bridges: The Future of Support Troop? ........................ 29 The JCC1 Experience ....................................................................... 30
Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment Foreword by the Commanding Officer ........................................ 31 Diary of Events ................................................................................ 33 The Life Guards Squadron ............................................................. 35 The Blues and Royals Squadron .................................................... 37 Headquarters Squadron ................................................................. 39 Medical Centre ................................................................................. 41 Regimental Administration Office ................................................ 41 Equitation ......................................................................................... 42 The Musical Ride ............................................................................. 43 The Forge .......................................................................................... 45
Pages 57 - 67
HCR Swimming Team Report ....................................................... 61 Triathlon 2015 - HCR ....................................................................... 63 Sports Round-Up ............................................................................. 63 Household Cavalry on the Cresta Run 2016 ................................ 65 Sailing - Seaview Regatta ................................................................ 66 Household Division Winter Training Troop ............................... 67
News from the Associations The Life Guards Association Annual Report 2015 ...................... 72 Minutes of the 80th AGM of The Life Guards Association ........ 72 The Life Guards Association Accounts ....................................... 75 The Life Guards Association and Charitable Trusts .................. 75 The Life Guards Association Notices ............................................ 76 The Life Guards Association Regional Representatives ............ 76 The Blues and Royals Association Annual Report 2015 ............. 79 The Blues and Royals Accounts .................................................... 79 Minutes of the AGM of The Blues and Royals Association ........ 80 The Blues and Royals Association Regional Representatives ... 82 Household Cavalry Foundation .................................................... 86 The Household Cavalry Museum ................................................. 87
Pages 31 - 55
Household Cavalry Training Wing .............................................. 46 Warrant Officers’ and Non Commissioned Officers’ Mess ........ 47 Spruce Meadows: International Show Jumping Masters Tournament ................ 49 Against the Odds: Cambrian Patrol 2015 ..................................... 50 Scandinavian Ceremonial Defence Engagements ...................... 51 Pegasus Company: From Kit Ride to Catterick ........................... 52 The New Waterloo Dispatch .......................................................... 53 The Band of the Household Cavalry ............................................ 54
Household Cavalry Sports Round-up HCR Adventure Training Expeditions - 2015 .............................. 57 Exercise STEADFAST ALLEY: Blazing Paddles in the Rockies ................................................... 59 Chasing the Egg ............................................................................... 60 Crossfit 2015 ..................................................................................... 60 Squash ............................................................................................... 61 Tennis ................................................................................................ 61
Pages 4 - 30
Pages 72 - 144
The Household Cavalry Museum Archive .................................. 88 Obituaries The Life Guards ............................................................ 89 Obituaries The Blues and Royals ................................................... 90 Nominal Rolls ................................................................................ 104 Notices ............................................................................................ 109 Household Cavalry Associations Dorset ........................................................... 112 North East .................................................... 114 North Staffs .................................................. 115 North West & West Yorkshire ................... 116 Features .......................................................................................... 119
Cover Photographs: Front: Callsign 20, C Squadron, Canada, Exercise PRAIRIE STORM 2015 Back: The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment at the Queen Victoria Memorial, Queen’s Gardens, 12th May 2015
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Preface
By Major General E A Smyth-Osbourne CBE, The Life Guards Lieutenant Colonel Commanding Household Cavalry
T
he Journal tells its own story and needs little elucidation by me. However, it is worth highlighting the focus of activity and a number of achievements. Both commanding officers handed over, our commissioning results were impressive and our people challenged the military and sporting prowess of their commands. In London the ceremonial Season went well, attracting international interest; Waterloo 200 reminding us all of our heritage whilst providing opportune engagement with our German allies in the midst of the centenary of the Great War. Meanwhile, the Service Regiment was nominated to field AJAX, a big and heavy replacement for CVR(T), with all that may mean for ‘recce by stealth’, whilst excelling on field training and putting on an Olympic sporting ensemble. Both continue to suffer from under manning and that is perhaps our greatest challenge next year. What is interesting at a time of political questioning and financial austerity is that mounted ceremonial is very much in demand. Indeed, the Mounted Regiment has made a virtue out of the new fashion for engagement overseas, with forays ranging from Copenhagen to Bahrain, both intrinsically aligned with the National interest in a new alliance alongside the Danes and an ever increasing focus in the Middle East. The Musical Ride is as popular as ever, most recently on the back of a cracking performance at Windsor this year under James Harbord, although charges are now strangling demand. More broadly we have continued to be drawn into commemorations writ large. The Afghan Service, Gallipoli, VE Day, VJ Day and the bicentenary of
Waterloo have all demanded regimental support in some form or other. Colonel Bedford handed over to Colonel Gaselee; the former deploying to Mali with 48 hours of the Troop, the latter returning from Southern Afghanistan, both thus bringing meaning to the dual role that we espouse. Similarly, Major Douglas illustrated similar virtues as the Captain of the Queen’s Escort after 34 years in the saddle and turret! It is, I think, one of the reasons why State Ceremonial and Public Duties stands out in the United Kingdom and makes us a reference Army. That this remains possible in the modern world is a tribute to the standards of our people, the fact that our drills have historical provenance and we are, at one and the same time, operational soldiers. Indeed, it is great tribute to the Mounted Regiment that they took a Bronze Medal at the Cambrian patrol competition in a way that shows unequivocally how flexible Household Cavalrymen can be. Furthermore, they have been drawn into operations at Home, more recently limited to natural disaster or industrial dispute, but now to backfill armed Police on the streets of London at a time of national crisis and need. The umbilical cord between Knightsbridge and Windsor is critical; regular drafts, a desire for varied employment and a sense of fun being key to retention. It is fragile though, and life in the Reactive Force can be compared rather uncharitably with those in the Adaptive Force and the Reserve, the opportunities for whom can appear more glamorous. That said, our people in Windsor took out Canadian citizenship last year so regular were their visits, that is when not playing cricket in Barbados or rugby at Everest Base Camp! And on a military competitive vein, they came 2nd in the recent London District Skill at Arms competition and won the 3rd Division Sniper Competition - no mean feat against the Infantry! They have also been busy at Castlemartin, Salisbury Plain and Suffield keeping OPFOR at bay, and are increasingly focused on combined arms tactical training and testing the nascent Armoured Cavalry construct as they prepare to take over the Lead Cavalry Battlegroup in 2016. This is important, not simply as one of the larger equipment programmes in Defence, but because it will determine our future utility and contribute to the security response for increasingly diverse and unpredictable threats in
a flexible way. AJAX, once promised when I was a troop leader, will come into service just before I leave the Army. Colonel Heywood and the Service Regiment are at the heart of how it should be used, the current desire being to increase its utility in support of the nascent Strike brigades. This is crucial and must be our principal focus given our raison d’ être and investment in the capability, though not irrespective of opportunity elsewhere if only to broaden our experience base and provide variety. Notwithstanding such military focus and prowess, for the first time is many years, we have started to get soldiers away on adventurous training and sport in significant numbers. When you see reports of the last Adjutant of the Mounted Regiment afloat at Seaview, on ice in St Moritz and playing cricket in the Caribbean you know that life is looking up, though one might wonder who is running the Regiment. Similar extra curricular opportunities through the Mongol Derby, winning the Hodson’s Horse rugby competition, an opportunity for many to ski and sledge and competitive success in too many disciplines to mention by name is indicative of a broader and varied diet, the trick being to keep our peoples’ lives in reasonable balance. A couple of other achievements also come to mind. Tpr Pierce, fresh out of Knightsbridge is now undergoing officer training at Sandhurst; a loss for us but a gain for the Army. Separately the Richmond Trophy, of special significance in 2016, saw Tpr Singh awarded the best turned out trooper by Her Majesty The Queen at Windsor in May. Meanwhile the Foundation is maturing, finally putting the Museum on a sustainable financial footing, reducing its commercial focus and re-establishing the Regimental Adjutant’s involvement with our regiments and veterans; the latter being an area where we could and must do better. I am also keen that we tie the loop rather more closely between the Associations and the Foundation, both in terms of recourse for help and the tempo of response. Sadly Ron Southern, founder of ATCO and Spruce Meadows, great supporter of the Household Cavalry and our people past and present, died this winter. So it was a great shame that the eagerly anticipated trip across the Pond by the Musical Ride floundered in bureaucratic friction compounded by the fall in the
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price of crude. And on a less inspiring note legacy has exhumed its ugly head such that we must look after our people, properly and honestly, if they find themselves once more in the spotlight for their actions in campaigns long past, despite contemporaneous investigation and endorsement. I hope that gives you a brief feel for what
is going on. We are in good shape. Our reputation stands tall, in London and at Windsor. Our people are respected on their feet, on horseback and under armour. Our operational pedigree is rock solid and our ceremonial prowess is world-renowned. And our commanding officers of whom we should be proud are encouraging a varied diet by buying time for our
people. But we must remember. Our reputation, hard won over generations, is only as good as our last guard or operation. And, above all, we must be ready for the call to arms when it comes - as it surely will. We should have no illusions about the human capacity for extreme and irrational violence or our need to remain vigilant and prepared.
Household Cavalry Regiment Foreword
By Lieutenant Colonel D James, The Life Guards Commanding Officer, Household Cavalry Regiment
“
A clear horizon - nothing to worry about on your plate, only things that are creative and not destructive ... hatred is wasted energy and it’s all non-productive. When you can look forward and the road is clear ahead, and now you’re going to create something - I think that’s as happy as I’ll ever want to be.” Alfred Hitchcock’s description of Happiness. 2015 will be remembered as the year in which the HCR laid claim to an increased role in delivering AJAX into service. During my tenure of Command there has been an undercurrent of messaging and narratives from those external to the Regiment that AJAX and HCR was not a natural fit: there were doubts mooted about the suitability of Combermere for the vehicle; there was an argument that the three ACRs needed to be colocated, and that by being in Windsor and alone it was HCR that may have to compromise and move; and that the trialling and fielding of AJAX would be done by others and HCR would receive training and holdings last. There are many aspects to being Commanding Officer. As the single point of responsibility, authority
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and accountability in the Regiment, my remit is wide (across every department) and deep. But in leading and running the Regiment one receives extraordinary amounts of help from both Subject Matter Experts (SME) and hugely experienced officers and soldiers; there really should be little to worry about on one’s plate. The true difference a Commanding Officer can make must lie over and above that dayto-day aspect of life, and in identifying the creation of something for the future of the Regiment; in my time, it has been securing HCR’s role at the centre of the Army’s most exciting change inducing equipment purchase of our epoch AJAX. This was only possible due to the hard and smart work conducted by all ranks within HCR. The Quartermasters of 2014 and 2015, Major Jonny Pass and Captain Andy Galvin, have deconstructed the DIO arguments that there will not be sufficient space in Combermere to hold the 41 AJAX and 9 PCLV vehicles that will form an ACR BUF (Basic Unit Fleet). By the re-opening of the gate at the Quartermaster’s end of camp, HETs will have sufficient access and the Regiment already has a one way circuit and off loading square that is sufficiently robust
for the vehicle’s weight. For certain, rebuilding work will be required in the hangars, and at some cost to DIO, but the appetite from the Regiment to host a full BUF is unmovable. Linked to the willingness to host a BUF, is the ability to train on it. For two years the Regiment has been arguing that we are in the prime position of all ACRs. Tracked vehicles are not allowed to train off-road in Catterick, and therefore Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) becomes the most likely training area, especially given that the ACR Regiment must train in concert with other elements of their respective Brigades, all of whom will train on SPTA. With easy access via either the M4 or M3, Windsor is well placed to take advantage of SPTA or to travel to any other area. It is certainly better placed than those in Catterick. The final consideration was HCR’s performance in the field. No other Regiment has invested as much in the intellectual and doctrinal development of their new capability. All elements of the Regiment have completely bought into the spirit of testing and experimenting and some ground breaking conclusions, particularly in the areas of technical surveillance,
The Commanding Officer and 2IC in conversation at RHQ on the prairie in Canada
The Officers of the Armoured Regiment along with Field Marshal the Lord Guthrie, Colonel The Life Guards, gather to mark the end of Lt Col D James' command of the Regiment
employment of snipers, A2 and A1 employment, pre-hospital treatment teams, and the inculcation of more offensive actions into the recce mindset. The BG’s performance in BATUS was not perfect, but we reintroduced some old skills, such as operating exclusively at night and on radio silence, and in doing so raised the benchmark for remaining hidden and surviving to fight throughout the Division. A Squadron’s performance on Ex WESSEX STORM improved upon the lessons that B, C
and D Squadron had learned and kept us at the forefront of the minds of the Army’s most senior officers such as Comd Fd Army. At least in part as a direct result of our performance in both major exercises, HCR has been chosen to lead on the introduction of AJAX into service. We do not yet know the detail of what that means yet, but the key breakthrough has been made; HCR is at the centre of the capability now. Ensuring the Regiment’s future has
been an odd mix of behind the scenes, low key, influence and messaging campaigns conducted at the highest levels with the Regiment, and then the hard graft of a BATUS and WESSEX STORM conducted by all, from the newest trooper upwards. HCR has built upon over 350 years of excellence and continues to lead in both the thought and execution of the difficult and demanding business of finding and fighting The Queen’s enemies.
A Squadron
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015 opened briskly and brusquely with an Operational Fitness Test, an 8 mile march with weapon and kit, which shook the Squadron back into work mode in preparation for the busy year ahead. The remainder of January was filled with career courses before the pace of regimental training for the year picked up. February rolled around with a Squadron shakeout on Salisbury Plain under the guise of Collective Training (CT)1, the focus of which was on honing troop level vehicle mounted skills. Despite the cold, the Troops proved that the languid Christmas break hadn’t broken their resolve or blunted their edge.
Tp Hide, somewhere on Salisbury Plain
In April, eight soldiers from A Squadron, led by LCoH Ibbotson, joined B Squadron on a comprehensive range package live firing on Warcop Ranges. Shoots ranged from Pistol to 60mm Mortar and all the personal weapons in between. LCoH Ibbotson and his men proved their worth, beating their B Squadron hosts in a number of tests. A trip to Yeovil saw the Squadron dunked and rolled in a helicopter crash simulator. This was vital not only to understanding how to survive accidentally landing a helicopter in a body of water, but also to witnessing some of the more gruelling elements of RAF and AAC training - the water is pitch dark and freezing cold, and causes panic when you realise that you’re committed to being immersed. This presented no shocks to the Squadron, though, thanks to its weight of experience of being sent to Salisbury Plain. Annual Gun Camp in June at Castlemartin Ranges had the whole Squadron decimating targets for three weeks, working up from dismounted pairs fire and
Tp cruciform with an APACHE overwatch
manoeuvre to vehicle fire and manoeuvre, with the gamut of dismounted personal and section weapons in between. A highlight was the March and Shoot competition, which was won for the Squadron by Tpr Bowers and Capt Maples. Almost immediately afterwards most of the Troops broke up and filled gaps in our sister Squadrons in preparation for the Regimental Battlegroup Exercise in BATUS. A challenging two weeks of CT2 on Salisbury Plain, comprising both mounted and dismounted training, prepared everyone well for the rigours of the month to come on the Prairie. Despite losing the cohesion of
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training environment that was available to them. 1 Tp were fortunate enough to conduct the whole exercise unadulterated, led by Lt van der Lande and CoH Elliot, and providing C Squadron with at least one reliable troop.
Resupply drop
Almost immediately after returning to the UK, the Squadron proved the lessons learned in Canada when conducting another round of training, in the form of CT1, CT2 and Ex WESSEX STORM. Having adjusted to working together as troops again during CT1, everyone rolled into CT2 demonstrating a high standard from the outset. This was built on as the exercise morphed into a much bigger beast in support of 4 RIFLES. Having so far only worked in the context of an Armoured Cavalry Battlegroup, WESSEX STORM-in-ateacup provided an opportunity to understand our role in a wider context, operating during periods of the exercise under the direction of a Brigade Headquarters. This led to a multiplicity of varied missions and tasks which proved a welcome test of our basic skills.
ing part in various legs. Another group of A-Squadronites with a penchant for abusive endurance sports took part in “Chase the Cup”, a charity cycle ride around the country following the signal matches of the Rugby World Cup. The SCM, SQMC, SCpl Nicholl, and 3 Tp Leader, Lt Bond, all took part. During the year the Squadron bid farewell to the most exasperated man in the Squadron, the SQMC, whose hugs-fortroop-leaders will be sorely missed. The Squadron Leader, Major Archer Burton said his goodbyes whilst getting fitted for a new set of Tropical Mess Kit and No1 Dress, in preparation for his posting to Florida to provide some much needed aid to an American General. These losses were matched, however, with the arrival of some new faces: LCoH Waddilove, CoH Elliot, and 2Lts Flay, Kjellgren, and Pagden-Ratcliffe. The New Troop Leaders have all agreed to live up to the standards expected of them and continue to make a nuisance of themselves for the SCM.
Everyone in the Squadron was relieved finally to board the coaches back to Windsor on a rainy Sunday night in Tidworth. Though the training had been beneficial to all involved, a break from the frantic training year was much needed and highly deserved - and the runup to Christmas Leave was the subject of much anticipation. A major event on that side of the calendar was the Commanding Officer’s Dining Out by the WO’s and NCO’s Mess, for which the discussions of the best ways to prepare Mess Wellingtons and Spurs baffled the Officers, causing them to withdraw to the Squadron Offices for “another OGroup”.
APACHE in support
the crews that they had trained with, everyone used the experience to good effect, exercising skills in the unrivalled
Despite the frenetic training schedule, members of A Squadron still found time to keep up extra-curricular pastimes. Of particular note, in the sporting arena, was an HCR Ironman run by Lt Faire. Eight cavalrymen, including Lt Faire and the Commanding Officer, completed all three elements of the gruelling competition, with an assortment of other members of the Regiment tak-
2015 has been an extremely busy year but the proof of its success was shown time and again in the professionalism of every man, down to the most junior Trooper. The Squadron is well prepared to face whatever challenges the Readiness Year brings in 2016.
shine doing what we do best, dismounted ranges. The Squadron broke down into three sections for the range package. Introductory shoots including the Annual Combat Marksmanship Test on various weapon systems were completed during the first two days and nights. Day 3 saw us improving our 60mm mortar skills by day and night, and two days of section battle drills concluded the challenging first week. Finally, the weekend arrived
and we were able to let our hair down and head up to Newcastle for a Squadron night out. This was fully enjoyed by all involved. After a restful weekend we were ready to rock and roll. Monday started with pistol shoots followed by pistol ACMT. Day 2 saw the Squadron take part in a unique jungle lane. Using both rifle and pistol on the same serial was a first for some of the lads, and they hugely enjoyed the experience. The next
A Squadron SCM dressed to kill
B Squadron
B
Squadron have had a particularly busy year in 2015. Early months saw the Squadron complete both mounted and dismounted troop level training, before moving onto live firing packages at Lulworth and Warcop. LCoH Sabatini gives an account of these: ‘The Squadron deployed on the 20th of April for two weeks of dismounted ranges. Finally, a time for B Squadron to
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two days were filled with section attacks, a long and hard day but enjoyed by everyone, and good preparation for Friday’s final platoon attack. This is something RAC soldiers rarely experience, and it was fantastic to be able to prove B Squadron’s ability as a dismounted force.
taking part and hundreds from the local area. After 12km of pure graft and 32 obstacles involving plenty of stagnant water and mud, in 36-degree heat, one of our 4-man teams managed to achieve 4th overall and 2nd in the military category - an excellent result.
Surv Tp get to grips with the 60mm mortar during the Warcop range package
Members of the Squadron conduct a replen after completing the adventure race in France
The Squadron get to grips with the more unusual firing positions while in Warcop
A month later, B Squadron’s commanders and drivers deployed to Lulworth range to live fire the 7.62 cupola system fitted on the (CVRT) Spartan. We progressed through the shoots and completed the Annual Crew Test on the final day, but not without a high speed reverse manoeuvre leaving a Spartan half tracked in a ditch, all to the SCM`s delight!’ In June, B Squadron headed to Valence in France to spend a week with our sister Regiment, Le Premier de Regiment de Spahis. LCoH Wayper describes it. ‘The main effort of this trip was to cement a relationship with our French Cavalry counterparts. The Exercise started with a drive from Windsor to Dover during the peak of Operation STACK. All arrived well at Dover avoiding the nightmare that was the M20, with just enough time to stock up on duty free and supplies for the journey ahead. Once the ferry crossing was over, the long and hot haul south began. With only the Squadron Leader’s combi-van having air conditioning, the summer heat of France meant clothes were doffed and many an ice cream consumed. We arrived that evening and immediately headed into town for well earned refreshments and to begin our exploration of local culture. During the visit we were made to feel very welcome by our hosts, and the first thing they had in store for us was a race. This was no egg and spoon, it was their annual race they held in the town with teams from the wider French military
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We were then treated to a tour of the Regiment which involved jumping in their wagons, including the VBL and AMX-10 (wheeled recce vehicles). Understanding their doctrine and tactics was a very useful part of the exercise, and we had meetings with their platoon commanders and sergeants. We learned all about their recent deployments including in the Central African Republic, and Op SERVAL in Mali. We also found out about the Regiment’s long, illustrious history (although little was mentioned of Waterloo). The exercise was topped off with a BBQ at the training officer’s house where he treated the Squadron to some great food and tour of his personal historic weaponry. It is of great importance to nurture these relationships at all levels. In an uncertain world in which we don’t know when or where the next deployment will be, one thing we can take comfort in is knowing who our allies are.’ After an all too short summer leave, the Squadron was once again on Salisbury Plain for 10 days, before hitting the Prairie at the end of September for Ex PRAI-
RIE STORM 4. Both surveillance and sniper troops performed outstandingly throughout the exercise, and were constantly responsible for providing battle winning information. On return from Canada, eight individuals had to take up temporary positions in A Squadron, to fill their numbers for one final fortnight on Salisbury Plain on Ex WESSEX STORM. Add this to to the section from each troop that went to Kenya for Ex ASKARI THUNDER in the summer, and this meant that a handful of soldiers from B Squadron completed all three Brigade level exercises that the British Army conducts in one calendar year. A phenomenal effort and one that has not gone unrecognised.
A sniper pair establish their final fire position during the BATUS live fire stage
CoH Sedgwick gives a demonstration of the quad bike’s capabilities
SHQ wake up to a view on a bright and chilly morning on the prairie
As we move into Christmas Leave, the Squadron is very well set for moving into the Readiness Year. The first cou-
ple of months will see the majority of personnel on a large variety of courses, before we gather ourselves to give the
Grenadier Guards a run for their money as their enemy on Ex ASKARI THUNDER in June.
was used to. The more aggressive strike missions were appreciated by all, and virtual success achieved, leaving morale high going into three well earned weeks of summer leave.
size of Wales). Ex PRAIRIE STORM 4 allowed the entire Regiment to deploy as a Battle Group with all its attached arms from the supporting Corps of the Army, from the Royal Signals to the Royal Engineers. The Troops prepared themselves for a month in the field, knowing that at some point the legendary Canadian snow would arrive, making even the very basics of life a huge challenge: winter was coming, the question was when. Despite the relentless schedule, time was still found to enjoy the pleasures of the majestic Canadian Rockies, the majority of the Squadron getting some fresh mountain air for a week on horseback or halfway up a glacier hanging by an ice-axe.
C Squadron
C
Squadron has had a very productive and extremely busy year. Preparations for deployment to Canada are always thorough, and this time around was no exception. It began with the annual Regimental Gun Camp, held in the sunny hills of Pembrokeshire, at Castlemartin Ranges. From the basics of 30mm firing, to coordinated Troop movement our operators cheerfully destroyed even the most persistently defiant woodwork. When the dust settled, the Squadron had been put through its paces but had demonstrated some of the best skills in the Regiment, both in the turret, and for the more adventurous, on surfboards in the glorious waves of the Irish Sea.
A C Squadron Scimitar ends the threat from some brazen targetry with accurate fire; Castlemartin ranges, June 15
On returning, those who had over indulged on the beaches of Europe had just three days to get themselves and the Squadron’s vehicles back into shape before the next field exercise. Two weeks on Salisbury Plain, one mounted and one dismounted, provided the first opportunity of the year to train as a complete squadron in realistic conditions, which were greatly improved by a late Indian summer. The refreshingly cool depths of a subterranean Observation Post were a pleasant way to spend a few days out of the sun, before enjoying the warm breeze at speed, manoeuvring amongst the wood blocks of the rolling countryside. The finale came with Troop tests, and through a number of diverse stands from reconnaissance to casualty treatment, the Squadron acquitted itself well, Support Troop scoring amongst the highest in the Regiment. All left Wiltshire with the Colonels approval to deploy on the next and highest level of our training, out in the Canadian wilderness.
There was to be no rest, however, as the vehicles needed a deep clean and just a few weeks later the Squadron was in the familiar territory of the vehicle simulators at the Land Warfare Centre, Warminster. The opportunity to exercise tactically without the physical discomforts of the field was taken enthusiastically by all ranks; alongside the opportunity to dwell on the purity of spartan living in the minimalist Knook Camp. This year was special as for the first time we were test driving our new role as an ‘Armoured Cavalry Regiment’, a subtle but significant departure from the ‘Formation Reconnaissance’ the Squadron
The Colonel continues to look for a well hidden C Squadron observation post, CT 2 training; Salisbury Plain, September 15
The sun sets on another successful gun camp; Castlemartin ranges, July 15
With the briefest pause in Windsor to remove the dust from our vehicles, a few days later the Squadron was boarding a rather comfortable chartered flight to Calgary, bound for the small town of Suffield, isolated in a sea of grass forming a 3000 km2 training area (one 7th the
After the storm
On the prairie C Squadron took the vanguard of the Regimental advances, learning to push deep into enemy territory to find our opposing forces, admirably played by the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment. Weeks of live firing, moved into weeks of simulated combat, where lasers attached to the vehicles faithfully reported our successes and failures, the hits and misses. Thankfully the former rather than the latter won through and the Squadron had great praise for delaying enemy forces far heavier and greatly outnumbering it time and time again. Most remarkably it was proved, if there had been any doubt, that the Regiment has divine approval as the weeks went by not just without snow but without even a single drop of rain. The icy nights kept the mosquitoes at bay while the Troopers were shocked to be avoiding sunburn throughout the long days cruising through sweeping valleys, between the roaming herds of elk. The exercise in Canada was the Squadron’s chance to prove it could reach the highest standard of training and that it was now fit to deploy on combat operations should they be called upon next year. This it had achieved in style, and
Household Cavalry Regiment ■ 9
the Troops returned to Windsor satisfied and grateful to return to the routine of camp life, after a year of almost constant deployment. As everyone builds up to the Regimental Christmas festivities, eyes are now on next year and potential challenges ahead.
C Squadron hard at work, coaxing reliability out of the well used Scimitar fleet; Crowfoot Camp, Canada, October 15
Tpr Williams - maintenance or a rescue mission
Lt Soames pondering
C Squadron second in command, Capt J Clive, demonstrates his irrepressible enthusiasm for monitoring the Squadron Net; Ex PRAIRIE STORM 4, October 15
C Squadron Leader Maj R Gorman gets stuck into the finer details of the combat estimate out on the sunny Canadian prairie; Ex PRAIRIE STORM 4, October 15
The SQMC providing as ever
Broken ... again
10 â– Household Cavalry Regiment
C Squadron SHQ and Tp Ldrs
D Squadron
T
his has been another testing though incredibly constructive year for the Squadron as it has taken part and successfully completed one of the most demanding training periods in Regimental history outside a deployment cycle. It is heartening to report that apart from the odd hiccough (because we are only human after all) the Squadron has performed to the best of its ability maintaining a ruthless determination to succeed. We first completed individual training at troop level and the mandatory RAC and external military courses, including the now compulsory Nordic and Alpine skiing escapades. Then the Squadron embarked on its first major challenge: Regimental Gun Camp. This saw the Squadron being whisked away to the scenic resort of Castlemartin in the principality of Wales to perfect not only its Mounted Gunnery but also to embark on an equally demanding Small Arms package, which was not for the faint hearted; it even had the Boys from Support Troop breathless. As expected, D Squadron members were at the heart of the range directing staff with the entire event being planned by the Squadron 2IC Capt Churcher ably assisted by SCM Quickfall and the our Senior Squadron Gunnery Instructor CoH Collinson, who has turned weapon instruction into an art form. Their efforts combined with the expertise of the Training Wing Staff ensured a comprehensive firing package was delivered that created the appropriate conditions enabling the Squadron to move onto BATUS successfully.
Battlefield Tour, organised by HQ Sqn Ldr Maj Rogers. The Squadron was kindly hosted by the Belgian Army. In between events we had time to sample the delights of the local culture. As a recent winner of the Sovereign’s Banner competition at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (Best Overall Platoon competition), it was only right that SCM Quickfall oversaw the initial choreography for the parade. On the day of the parade, the Squadron represented the Army and marched in front of thousands of Belgians and a host of VIPs lining the streets of Brussels. The following day we completed the Battlefield Tour with a visit to Waterloo, where we were able to appreciate the difficulties of command, control and the strength and speed created by manoeuvre. A few weeks later the Squadron deployed to Warminster to take part in the Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (CATT). Once we had mastered our computer generated chariots, we conducted several low level exercises. As our confidence grew so did the level of complexity during the following missions. Unable to stay in Warminster, we were treated to alternative living arrangements in Knook Camp, an experience which continues to scare me today. Two demanding weeks at CATT enabled the Squadron to develop and grow in confidence with our Attached Arms integrating their assets with our own.
as the Directing Staff. An impromptu Squadron BBQ picked up morale midway through the exercise, lifting spirits and allowing for a period of reflection before we reinserted. The final attack exposed us to the hardship endured by infantry units and the confusion of dismounted assaults. The Squadron learned lessons the hard way but showed the steel and determination required to achieve success, with strong performance being shown across the board.
The instructors, from GW Troop D Squadron HCR, discuss the progress of the final attack during Ex IRON RESOLVE, the PNCO Cadre
The Squadron performed another quick turnaround and then sent elements with the advanced party 4 weeks ahead of the main body to Canada. Led by CoH Dalimer this team of selfless Household Cavalrymen worked tirelessly to take over the BATUS recce fleet. Once the mandatory exercise safety briefs were given, vehicle preparation completed and a third of the Squadron returned from Adventurous Training, we deployed onto the training area faithfully referred to as the “Block”. BATUS training was split into initial Sqn training, followed by a graduated live firing package and TESEX.
The HCR PNCO cadre, run by GW Tp D Squadron, demonstrate their leadership skills by going over the 12 foot wall at Pirbright D Squadron Ldr, Major Twumasi-Ankrah, observes the Gun Troops from his PANTHER as they send rounds down range
After a quick week turnaround to get the vehicles back on line and a meticulous HOTO of Squadron Command by the outgoing Squadron Leader Maj Mackie to Maj Twumasi-Ankrah, D Squadron Group were tasked to Belgium to take part in the Belgium National Day celebrations. This was also combined with an excellently planned and executed
Following a well-earned break, the Squadron returned from Summer Leave and deployed straight onto Squadron level training on Salisbury Plain. This was another demanding two week exercise in which the first week was mounted on CVR(T) and the second week was dismounted. Of particular note during the dismounted phase were two moments: the Taipei death march insertion which also rolled into a Squadron attack and a text book Observation Post constructed by 1 Tp under Lt Vaughan; it baffled both the SCM and me, as well
Trooper Parker, D Squadron HCR, flies his home colours out on the Canadian Prairie during the Rugby World Cup Resolve of the HCR PNCO cadre
The training we received over the next two months exceeded our wildest expectation, testing us both mentally and physically round the clock. We were
Household Cavalry Regiment ■ 11
D Squadron SCM WO2 Quickfall inspects OPs at last light
able to extend the Squadron as part of Battle Group operation across the whole area, working with attached arms in an integrated all arms battle. Though we returned fatigued and much lighter, ultimately we are much stronger, wiser and robust from our experience, confident in our Squadron Operating Instructions and trusting in our fellow Household Cavalrymen’s and attached Arms ability. Throughout the exercise all members of the Squadron displayed grit, commitment and dedication and the teamwork that ensured a successful performance. Not resting on our laurels, and after a comprehensive after action review from the BATUS training team (who were nothing but first class across the board), GW Tp led by Lt Hunt-Grubbe and CoH Armstrong boarded flights for the UK to prepare
for Ex WESSEX STORM. The Squadron has seen many memorable characters leave our number, officers and men alike. I would like first to thank all those we have worked with from outside the Regiment; those attached form the other Squadrons in the Regiment; those who have terminated service; Lt Pile, Lt Huda, SCM Quickfall, Cs’oH Crudgington, Dalimer and Ashford, LCpl Rock who have all moved to different posts at Regimental duty, HCMR and across the Army. I would like to thank them all for their hard work and sacrifice over the last year. Most importantly I wish to extend this thanks to all of the Squadron’s families and lovedones for their tireless support and understanding.
Headquarters Squadron
I
started this journal by looking at my notes from last year where I had begun with the words ‘Headquarters Squadron as ever has had a busy year in support of the remainder of the Regiment.’ Well, some things just do not change and another year has whizzed by in pretty much the same way. The Squadron has deployed on the full gammut of exercises from Salisbury Plain to Gun Camp in Castlemartin, culminating in Ex PRAIRIE STORM 4 in BATUS. As well as this we have ably assisted and supported the Squadrons with their training.
The MTO and CoH Johnson testing the new AJAX support vehicle
and WO2 MTWO Aston to civilian life in December as well as SQMC McGuire posted to C Sqn. We wish them all well and they are all missed but in the Army way they have been seamlessly and ably replaced by SCM Jaworski, SCpl MTWO Gerrard and SQMC Salmon respectively.
WO2 Anderson with his leaving present from HQ Squadron
The ORBAT has remained pretty steady with the loss of SCM Anderson to be the Master Coach at Pirbright in April,
12 ■ Household Cavalry Regiment
The Squadron began the year with Collective Training, working on the basic soldiering skills before moving things up a gear to do some proper collective training. After Easter leave we started our preparations for Gunnery camp and had a good few sunny weeks in Castlemartin as a regiment. The Squadron supported as always, but also managed to conduct some good fun rifle and pistol ranges as well as some
adventure training (AT) and clearing the majority of our mandated annual training. Gun Camp was followed by a Battlefield Tour for 200 personnel to Waterloo which kept MT and the RAO Departments busy in getting us there and back in good order. On return we headed off to the Command and Staff Training in Warminster where we based ourselves out of Knook Camp. A busy couple of weeks with some late nights for those involved but within staggering distance of The Swan in Heytesbury for those not so busy nights. The Regiment managed to get away with a good three weeks summer leave which, for the first year in many, managed to coincide with the school holidays. This allowed the Squadron
to return in good order with some personnel supporting squadron collective training on Salisbury Plain. Another group under the command of Capt S Taylor QM(E) headed straight out to BATUS a month early to start prepping an aged and, in some cases, out of use CVR(T) Fleet. BATUS went well, with a full deployment onto the prairie of both A1 and A2 Echelons, with Camp Crowfoot also under our ownership as a Household Cavalry Battle Group.
The day and night job on the prairie
On our return from BATUS, the Regiment regenerated A Squadron who had backfilled the remainder of the Regiment and had not deployed. HQ Squadron supported them nigh on immediately with collective training and also on Ex WESSEX STORM, where they were attached as an independent squadron to both 1 Armd Inf Brigade and 4 RIFLES.
Giving the memorial cross to CoH Parkinson LG a lick of fresh paint
MT are usually an experienced and outspoken team. These photographs say something about them.
An extra from FURY
WO2 Lewis, the highest paid driver on the Prairie
Too little, just right
And respect for the finished article - the Commanding Officer and HQ Squadron officers
Sgt Hill getting stuck in
The end of the year leaves us in good order, with the Squadron having been intimately involved in Op TEMPERER providing support to the civilian police if required as well as providing the support. We begin next year on readiness, prepared for deployment with the fun as well as challenges that will bring.
Light Aid Detachment by Captain M J Keogh REME
2
015 has been incredibly busy for the Household Cavalry Light Aid Detachment (LAD), providing essential equipment support to the Regiment through all exercises, culminating in a
successful validation as the Armoured Cavalry Battlegroup (ACBG). The LAD started its year as it was to continue, on Exercise! Supporting the
Regiment’s CT0 and CT1 training, it was an excellent opportunity for the new arrivals to shake out and learn everything that is worth knowing about CVR(T). When not elbow deep in fuel
Household Cavalry Regiment â– 13
its limits, with vehicle mechanics working all hours to keep fit equipment in the hands of the user. Each and every tradesman can hold their heads high knowing they were able to deliver first class equipment support tactically, in testing weather and under immense time pressure. All whilst the Regiment were deployed to Canada the LAD ROG, commanded by SSgt A Morgan, had the unenviable task of maintaining the BUF in preparation for it’s deployment to Salisbury Plain on Ex WESSEX STORM in support of the 4 RIFLES BG. Without fail the Fitter Section delivered the results and proved themselves as excellent tradesman able to deliver the goods time over. D Squadron Ftr Sect on Ex PRAIRIE STORM 4
the Regiment’s daring task of deploying at night whilst under the restriction of radio silence, a nightmare for recovery. By first light however, the Regiment were complete beyond the Release Point but, most importantly, clear of the dust bowl!
Enemy on CT2 didn’t use the best kit
tanks and engine bays, the Fitter Sections were able to embed themselves into the Troops and gain invaluable experience on how they operate when deployed. Whilst able to improve their own soldiering skills it more importantly allowed for closer relationships to be formed between our two cap badges. The LAD took receipt of a new EME and ASM in the guise of Captain M J Keogh and WO1 (ASM) R Fox almost immediately before the Regiment deployed on it’s annual gunnery camp. Averaging a vehicle availability of 98% throughout, this was thanks to the cunning resourcing of spares from hard targets found on the training area and the hard work and graft put in by the Fitter Sections.
An incredibly busy year, it is thanks to the tradesman of the LAD that it has been able to support the Regiment’s every need, most importantly though they have delivered it all with a smile on their face and most certainly deserve their well earned Christmas break.
Activation and deployment complete, the test now switched to supporting the ACBG on its four week exercise on the prairie. If the task of activation wasn’t big enough, the spares availability and mileage covered had pushed the LAD to
A recovery tasking for the LAD
The Command Team
Returning from some well deserved summer leave, the LAD were put under immense pressure to support the Regiment’s CT2 training whilst committing the remainder of its manpower to BATUS early to activate a tired CVR(T) fleet. Before long the LAD were brought together once more when the rest had flown to Canada to get amongst the Herculean task of being ready to deploy in good order. Still to this day, it is with disbelief the Regiment deployed with an availability of 97% on day one. Furthermore the LAD was able to support
14 ■ Household Cavalry Regiment
The LAD gearing up from Christmas leave
Regimental Administrative Office by Warrant Officer Class 2 (SQMS) A C Andrew (RAWO)
A
lthough life in an Armoured Cavalry Regiment is unbelievably frenetic, our Commanding Officer places a great emphasis on sport, adventure training and other fraternal events. Well, not wishing to miss an opportunity, the SPS Det has grabbed every chance to get involved. Below are just a few of these activities - which we hope you enjoy reading and seeing …
comprised of a competition starting from Combermere Barracks in Windsor travelling to the Scottish Borders, back down to Leicestershire and then over to the West Country. And all to be completed within four days ...
Adventure training in Canada had a variety of challenges - on the water and on the mountain.
The slopes
Adventure training in Canada pre swimming drills
LCpl Holly Johnson and LCpl Abbie Laird on piste
Adventure training in Canada pre soaking drills
Four members from the HCR RAO Department made up one of the 10 regimental teams that took part in a rather uniquely organised and designed UK Battlefield Tour. It was not to be the usual battlefield tour style, but instead
Exercise WHITE LION 2015 by LCpl Abbie Laird
This year we were able to send a ski team to the AGC Championships which comprised WO2 Andrea Andrew skiing for the 1st time in the novice group, LCpl Mel Shorter attending for the third year running in the Intermediate group, LCpl Holly Johnson and LCpl Abbie Laird this year moving from the novice to the intermediate and SSgt Emma Daley attached from ATR Pirbright also returning for a second year running.
LCpls Abbie Laird, Mel Shorter, Ricky Dine and Capt Brett Green
Each day there were points to be gained for visiting as many prescribed locations, obtaining trivial information along the way, and getting photographs in funny situation. Our first task on Day 1 was to drive to Duxford Airfield to collect points to complete a puzzle trial, but not before changing into our independently-allocated team fancy dress costumes. We were to remain in the costumes all week other than when we were walking the various battlefields or sleeping. After Duxford we drove to the next optional checkpoint which was the Major Oak tree in Sherwood Forest, home of Robin Hood, at which point we were passed by a team of Super heroes (REME-LAD). Our next checkpoint saw us heading to the Leeds Armoury, followed by a photograph at the Battle of Northallerton Monument, then up to Lindisfarne to grab a selfie with the Holy Island in the background, finally arriving at the campsite five minutes before the deadline to set up the tents in the typical northern rain. If we turned up after our deadline we would lose points at an alarming pace. By the end of Day 1 we were in the lead with 39.5 points out of a possible 40 - a lead, that it turned out, we were never to relinquish. Day 2 started with a field study of the Flodden battlefield. After this, a quick change back into fancy dress and we were off again - this time heading toward Bosworth Battlefield near Tamworth. Along the way we visited a local castle and Hadrian’s Wall to gain more points for the team, as well as a much needed sustenance break. Next on the agenda to cross off was Neville’s Cross Monument in Durham and then a long drive down the A1 and M1 to Tamworth Castle, where my local knowledge paid off as we ran to get our last selfie of the day. Arriving at our campsite with seven minutes to spare, we settled down for the night - but not before the Det Comd decided to lose his wallet. By the end of Day 2, we had stretched our lead further as we scored a maximum 30 points. Day 3 started at the Bosworth battlefield, where we gave the RAO’s team presentation from the perspective of Richard III (we scored a 7 out of 10 for our presentation - not the highest but still a very credible score). It was another quick change into fancy dress, where
Household Cavalry Regiment ■ 15
the Det Comd sadly left us due to losing his wallet the night before, reducing us to a team of three, and on to the next checkpoints for the day. The location for the day consisted of a visit to Cheddar Gorge to find a particular sign, and then on to the campsite near Glastonbury where the chefs had cooked us a BBQ. End of Day 3, still leaving the chasing pack in our wake! Oh, and just in case you were wondering the Det Comd was re-united with his wallet. Day 4 and the last day of the tour included going to Sedgemoor Battlefield, for this one we parked up in a small car park then walked the route that the Duke of Monmouth would have taken with his troops, whilst the Lt Gen Sir Barney White-Spunner gave talks along the way. Once back in the car we headed to get our first selfie of the day at the Glastonbury Tor, followed by another selfie at another monument. A rather traffic-strewn M5 and M4 nearly scuppered our lead as the deadline approached faster than we were driving, but with much relief we made it in with 13 mins to spare. Victory was ours - and the SPS Det showed the Army’s best Recce Regiment soldiers that we were not just a bunch of pencil-pushers after all!
Outrigger Canoeing Race by LCpl Mel Shorter
In June I formed part of the HCR
Outrigger
outrigger canoe team that went to Menton in the south of France to compete in the 25km race on the Mediterranean Sea. Our outrigger canoe was formed of a six-man team comprising two females and four males, four of which were from the AGC(SPS). Although training for this race had started shortly after Easter leave, we had not trained as a full team until the day of the actual race. My diminishing memory of the race was that it was both enjoyable and tiring. The 25km route started in Menton and we headed along the coastline towards Italy, then a dogleg back past Menton and on to Monaco Harbour. The leg towards Monaco Harbour proved to be
the most tiring part of the race, as the waves were hitting us from both sides. That all said, it was also the nicest part of the race as we canoed right past all the super yachts. We turned into the harbour and headed back to Menton for the finish line and finally dry land! At the end we were greeted with beating drums and garlands of flowers. Even though we didn’t win a trophy or prize we had still put in an amazing effort, and we had competed against teams that train all year long. All in all, it was a good experience and I would definitely do it again and urge anyone to give it a try.
Recruiting Team by Corporal of Horse Johnson
W
ith the changes in the Army recruiting process, in May 2014 the QM was tasked with reforming the Household Cavalry Recruiting team. We had no office, no literature, no events, no manpower and no assets! So, with a quickly made up plan on the back of a proverbial ‘fag packet’, we did just what the Commanding Officer wanted. The Household Cavalry Engagement team was born again! Armed with a minimal budget, an old trailer that hadn’t been used in over four years, a 4x4, and manpower that we had to beg,
steal and borrow, we finally got out of the camp gates to our first engagement, the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Now 18 months, 38,000 miles, and 67 events later, we are very much established in the recruiting world.
SCpl Smith was a temporary addition earlier in 2015, and with him came a vast knowledge and experience of the recruiting process gained from spending two years as a senior recruiter in the Nottingham office. He pointed the team in the right direction and he got us through the gates to some influential events around the country. We have covered everything from the Horse of the Year Show to Royal County shows to League 2 football matches in the role of recruiting and public engagement. Public engagement is an integral part of letting the general population and suitable candidates know Tpr Evans attracting the crowds at the New Forest Show
16 ■ Household Cavalry Regiment
that the Household Cavalry doesn’t just ride horses. Later on in the year the QM managed to acquire a brand new recruiting trailer and we, eventually, with the assistance of Richard Stewart at the media wing at HQRAC and the Regimental
Tpr Evans with Sunderland’s finest
photographer, Tpr Green, changed the livery from the ‘1 Army Recruiting’ brand to a new Household Cavalry livery, and with soldiers provided from both HCMR and HCR we could now up the tempo. Regretfully, we couldn’t cover all the events we were requested for, but we spent 90% of the summer on the road. Many thanks must be given to the Royal Armoured Corps engagement team as they are tasked directly from Army Recruiting Group with events that do not hit our inbox, but they have always invited our stand to join theirs at events such as the National Skills shows held at the Excel and NEC.
CoH Boswell and The JAC Charity visit to HCMR
in a minibus full of teenagers and staff getting a behind the scenes close up look at the Household Cavalry. Thanks go to CoH Boswell for patiently chatting to the group whilst mounted as guard commander of the on-going QLG. The group visited the forge, drum horses, saddlers and CoH Logan’s troop in
Tpr Evans doing his Brad Pitt pose at Tankfest 2015
We also have very good relationships with Army Recruiting Offices, which result in many requests to give presentations in schools, academies and colleges. SSgt Wayne Townsend from the Reading office must get a mention as he keeps us busy in our supposed quiet periods and always invites members of the team to attend local recruitment and engagement events in the Berkshire area, as we are one of the home units, and it’s a good opportunity to show the local area and population who we are and what we do. One undertaking we carried out was a visit to HCMR for the JAC charity based out of Wokingham. They are a Christian charity that helps young people in the area using, amongst other things, Equine therapy. We were contacted by Sue, a member of staff, which resulted
LCpl Crawford bagging the CGS Gen Carter for the state of his boots
RHG/D Mounted Squadron. All the departments got involved and answered many questions from the students and staff. After lunch in the cookhouse they departed, having thoroughly enjoyed the day. There have been many varied events nationally that we have done over the last 18 months, from attending transfer fairs in Germany to UOTC’s in Birmingham and colleges nationwide, to two HCR soldiers carrying the ball out to centre circle for Oxford Utd v Carlisle and parking their Scimitar at the corner post! Even receiving praise for the display from Gen Sir Nick Carter CGS on how impressive LCpl Crawford and Tpr Evans looked at the Royal Norfolk Show. Too many Troopers to name have stood in the ‘kit’ for sometimes nine hours a day, representing the Regiment in the public eye and being invited to do more events than we can physically cover is a testament to their professionalism. As for the recruitment numbers, we don’t see the numbers as the process is dealt with by Capita and the NRC but hopefully we’ll get some good results and recruits from the all round effort that has been made in the last 18 months. We’re officially the most engaged and busiest team in the Army in the last 12 months and we can guarantee the next 12 will be busier.
Command Troop
by Lance Corporal A C Rudd, The Life Guards
A
fter the busy end to 2014, you could be forgiven for thinking that 2015 would be a slow year of recuperation for not only Command Troop, but for the Household Cavalry Regiment as a whole. The reality was, however, the complete opposite. First, the beginning of the year saw lots
of movement within the hierarchy of the Troop. In late December 2014, the Regimental Signals Warrant Officer (RSWO), WO2 Paul Carrington, left to take up a post at the CIS School at Bovington. The Bowman Systems Manager (BSM) at the time, SCpl (now WO2) Andy Preston, stepped up into the breach and ‘double hatted’ for the first few months of the
year. The beginning of the year also saw the Regimental Signals Corporal of Horse (RSCoH), CoH Lee Minto, begin the next stage of his career at the stables at Combermere Barracks, where he started his Khaki riding course in preparation for his next post as a Troop Corporal
Household Cavalry Regiment ■ 17
of Horse within The Blues and Royals Squadron up town at HCMR. With his replacement not due until April, LCoH James Archer stepped up, and manned the post with not only ease, but distinction.
Command Troop Sultans on CT1
In March, HQ Squardron deployed on CT1 in Salisbury Plain. The Troop deployed with the rest of HQ Squadron, with this being the first exercise as members of Command Troop for many members. As Command Troop tends to be a separate entity in the field, this was, for most members of the troop, both new and old, a first experience of seeing how the rest of HQ Squadron, through A1 and A2 Echelons, work.
LCoH Gorman and LCoH Perry are caught avoiding work ... again
Easter leave came around, and we welcomed yet more new personalities to the Troop. Firstly, we welcomed CoH Graham Warren, as the new BSM. CoH Warren had previously been at 2 Troop, LG Sqn at HCMR. This gave WO2 Preston the chance to get fully to grips with his role as the RSWO. We also welcomed the new RSCoH to the Regiment, in the form of CoH Matthew Robinson, who had spent the previous two years as an instructor at the CIS School in Bovington. Return from Easter leave also saw the Regiment organise a Battlefield Tour with a twist. All Squadrons and Departments were invited to enter four man teams into Ex DUNVILLE ROYAL. The Teams were all issued a hire car and given three battlefields that they had to visit around the UK on certain days during the week. During the days there were challenges that each team would
be required to complete to gain points. Just to add that extra edge to it, each team was given a fancy dress theme that they would be required to wear during the entire week. Command Troop entered a team, consisting of LCpl Jamie Maddison, Tpr Sean Brennan, Tpr Matthew Palmer and LCpl Rudd, and the team were given a Hawaiian theme. While three members of the team donned Hawaiian shirts and shorts, one member decided to go the extra mile and attend as a hula girl. It is safe to say that there were some mentally scared people in the service stations around the North of England after the Command Troop team had stopped. The week ended with a meal in the WO’s & NCO’s Mess on the Friday evening, along with a prize giving, in which Command Troop came tenth.
Command Troop on Ex DUNVILLE ROYAL. Some team members took the fancy dress theme more serious than others
Not deterred by the already busy year, April also saw Command Tp head to Capel Curig in North Wales for a week’s Adventure Training. The Troop had both LCoH Archer and LCoH Perry with them, who both hold several Adventure Training Qualifications, which meant the Troop tried mountain biking, hill walking and a day at Go Ape, much to the dismay of some of the members of the Troop who aren’t the greatest fans of heights (the author included).
Command Troop tackle Snowdonia
During June, the Regiment deployed to Castlemartin in Pembrokeshire for its annual Gun Camp. Command Troop, of course, went along and took part in various dismounted ranges before providing a BG HQ for a Calf Exercise during the final week. This was the first opportunity for many of the new members of the troop to experience a fully manned, working BG HQ and was certainly an eye opener. After returning from Wales, the Troop quickly turned around and headed to the Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (CATT) in Warminster. The Troop deployed a week early to set up a fully working BG HQ in the Car park of the facility, something easier said than done, as pegging a cam net in concrete is obviously impossible, and syncing the BG HQ signals equipment with the CATT building proved to be just as much of a challenge. The end of July saw the Troop go on some much needed summer leave, although it could be described as the ‘calm before the storm’. Within a week of returning, seven members of the Troop had deployed to BATUS along with the HCR Battlegroup Activation Party in readiness for the Battlegroup’s deployment for Ex PRAIRIE STORM 4. The rest of the Troop was then split between aiding and supporting the Regiments CT2 training of Salisbury Plain, and packing the vast amount of freight for BATUS. It has been said and will be said again, but a BG HQ does not travel light, and this year was no exception, with Command Troop having more freight than the rest of the Battlegroup combined! In Mid-September, the main body of the HCR Battlegroup flew to Calgary Airport in Canada. A short time after arriving at BATUS, it was quickly discovered that the Battlegroup had a mammoth task on its hands getting the ageing CVR(T) fleet task worthy. When the Battlegroup originally signed for the Fleet, it was at 12% fully fit, but after several weeks’ hard graft and late nights, the Battlegroup rolled out the gate with the
LCoH O’Leary and Tpr Hall see the funny side in the endless maintenance of the BATUS CVR(T) fleet
Household Cavalry Regiment ■ 19
fleet at 97%, a fantastic and unbelievable feat by all involved. The first half was a live firing exercise. While this is a busy time for the Gun Troops, BG HQ is hugely restricted due to active live firing templates (areas that are out of bounds because they are being used as live firing ranges, not somewhere you want to find yourself). This time was used well by BG HQ as a whole, shaking out and getting up to speed with what was expected. For this iteration, BG HQ consisted of many new Staff officers, so Command Troop had to work hard to find out how this new planning team wanted things to run. While this period had its challenges (partly down to BATUS only having ration boxes 3, 7 and 18 left, which meant curry, curry and curry every evening), the Troop eventually got up to speed with what the staff officers wanted, be that certain platforms in certain places or BG HQ setups as a whole (be that Gold, Silver, Bronze, Bronze +, Bronze -, Bronze Mk2, Bronze Strikes back, Bronze back with a vengeance or any other set up that was required). Many of the vehicles crews had chance to get to know each other as well, and it also gave the RSWO’s Panther driver, LCpl Maddison, a chance to lose the RSWO’s tent ... and brew mug ... and antennas. Things certainly became tense between the RSWO and LCpl Maddison.
0E (LCoH Galuvakadua, L/Sgt Hill and Tpr Tom Rastrick) who were constantly competing throughout the exercise as to who could spend the longest in the ECCP. After numerous engine lifts, coolant leaks and oil spillages, it is probably safe to say that both vehicles may be on the cusp of retirement. Speaking of vehicles that are to be ‘retired’, Command Troop has the largest collection of Panthers, mainly used for staff officers and Rebro Call signs. It was one of these Rebro Call signs, 21C, crewed by LCoH Wayne Gorman and LCpl Ashley Rudd, which had its structural integrity checked, by rolling sidewards down a hill at 4am on the last day of the exercise. Thankfully, both crewmen were only left with wounded pride (well LCoH Gorman’s pride was wounded anyway, the same probably can’t be said for LCpl Rudd, who thought the whole affair rather fun), and the structure of the vehicles stood up to the test, although the same could not be said for the Remote Weapon System on top of the vehicle, which can now be flat packed when it is sent back to the UK. So, after 21 gruelling days on the prairie (although we were very lucky with the weather, as it was October in Canada), the Battlegroup rolled back in, ready to start the long process of rolling back the vehicles and handing them back to BATUS. The QM tasked the whole Battlegroup with getting all vehicles back in five days. It was a tough ask, but was managed. Then began the task of ferrying everyone back to the UK. So, Command Troop arrived back in
The rebro callsigns hard at work on the prairie
The second half of the exercise was the TES Phase, when Command Troop really got involved. It was a build-up of long night moves, cam-nets and set-ups, up and down several times a day and numerous attacks from the NDF (Northern Democratic Forces, a make believe enemy for the exercise played by the PWRR and the RDG). Throughout this part of the exercise BG HQ performed with flying colours, and worked well, even when both the Commanding Officer and the Adjutant were both TES killed by suspiciously accurate IDF (Indirect Fire). On the vehicle front, the Sultans for BG HQ were in a similar state to the rest of the CVR(T) Fleet. However, a huge mention is required for the crews of both 0D (LCoH Frankie O’Leary, Cpl Chris Moore of the Intelligence Corps, and Tpr Zak Hall) and
20 ■ Household Cavalry Regiment
The view from Trails End camp in the Rockies
Sunset on the prairie
The Command Troop t-shirt/jumper for BATUS 2015. In the end winter didn’t turn up
the UK, thoroughly exhausted from a non stop year, looking forward to winding down for Christmas. Unfortunately, two weeks after arriving in the UK, A Squadron was reformed and deployed on Ex WESSEX STORM with 4 RIFLES. As always, a deployment of a squadron generally involves some sort of BG HQ deploying. This exercise was no different. Although, as BG HQ wasn’t classed as exercising troops, we did stay in Westdown Camp and work out of the HICON building for two weeks. During this time, the Regiment was also competing in the Hodson’s Horse Sports Competition at Bovington. LCoH Galuvakadua represented the HCR at Rugby, whilst both LCoH O’Leary and Tpr Sale were involved in the Boxing Team, LCpl Brennan and LCpl Obeng-Frimpong represented the Regiment at football and, finally, Tpr Boreham showed the world his water polo skills. While this was fantastic for the Regiment, it did leave the BG HQ at Westdown rather undermanned, and at one point, there were only three operators, working six hour shifts. After Wessex Storm, the Troop finally managed to return to Combermere Barracks, and enjoy the fortnight until Christmas. This had truly been a busy year and, as next year was classed as our ‘Operational Year’, only time and the news would tell if 2016 would be the easier or just as busy.
Quartermaster’s Department
by Warrant Officer Class 2 (RQMC) Parker, The Blues and Royals
T
he Quartermaster’s Department has enjoyed an extremely challenging, yet highly successful year. One in which it has supported the Regiment both in camp with the development a number of infrastructure projects, on exercise with deployments throughout the United Kingdom and as far afield as Kenya, Belize and BATUS in Canada on Ex PRAIRIE STORM 4. The year started with a new RQMC in post. I arrived to take over from the now RCM WO1 Ireland who, after an extremely successful time as RQMC moved onto bigger and better things. My arrival came at the same time as a departmental restructure, with several accountants changing role. LCpl Abdulahi (RLC) took over as the clothing store person from LCoH Elder, who in turn took over as the ammunition NCO. There were also movements for LCoH Solis who moved to the QM(T) department and LCoH Thoman who came into the department as the Works Liaison Officer (LWLO) 2ic. The Department had a relatively quiet
January; however, by mid-February it was in full swing, supporting the Regiment with either the planning of or the execution of a number of key events. This included B Squadron’s deployment to Warcop, the Regimental PNCO Cadre, Panther courses, B3 Gunnery and a number of Collective training level 1 (CT1) events. Easter leave was upon us in no time at all and, after a much needed two week break, the Department returned to work to the news that the Regiment had been selected to support an Army equipment and training support trial. The trial took place at Castlemartin ranges (CMR) where the regimental annual firing camp took place over a three week period. Upon completion of the firing camp, the trial was declared a success so much so we were selected to conduct phase 2 of the trial on Salisbury Plain in September, where the Regiment conducted its Collective Training level 2 (CT2).
The QM and SCpl Goater trying to work out which way is up!
STORM 4. This saw soldiers from across 1 Brigade join up with the Regiment to form the Household Cavalry Battle group (HCR BG). The HCR BG was a complex and diverse organisation consisting of over 800 soldiers, all of whom were supported in every aspect by the QM’s team. Upon completion of the exercise, the Department returned to the UK and moved straight into supporting A Squadron on Ex WESSEX STORM, another BG level Exercise.
Following CT2 training, the Regiment deployed to BATUS on Ex PRAIRIE
LCoH Elder, on the left, with Lt Comyn holding the trophy, helping the Regiment win the London District squash tournament 2015
The QM’s Dept 2015
Looking to the future the department will see the movement of a number of key personnel within the Department. The Quartermaster, Capt A J Galvin, moves on promotion having secured a place on a Staff Course and SCpl Goater will make the transition to civilian life.
Quartermaster (Equipment) Department by Captain S B Taylor, The Life Guards
P
rior to the end of 2014, the Department said good by to Capt Gardner who moved the short distance to HCMR to take over as QM. Capt Taylor then took over the role as QM(E) and went straight onto the All Arms Quartermasters Course at Deepcut. The year started with the QM(T) doing a fast and furious Bde Recce to BATUS in preparation for
the main event of the year, Ex PRAIRIE STORM 4 (PS4). The first main event for the Department was to conduct Collective Training 1 (CT1) on Salisbury Plain Training Area in February - cam nets up, cam nets down - good old basic drills rehearsed several times,as well as moving in convoy day and night and other actions on. The weather being February
didn’t help, but was always challenging for training and working in unpleasant conditions, especially when it comes to recovery. The Department had a staff move alongside the QM’s Dept. In total during the year we said goodbye to LCoH Rose to civilian life, LCoH Thoman, LCpl
Household Cavalry Regiment ■ 21
Winners of the Ex DUNVILLE ROYAL Best Dressed Category Left to right: LCoH Solis, Tpr Hardy, QM(T) and SSgt Lutunatabua
Abdullah and Tpr Green to QM(M), LCpl Bremner on promotion to LCoH to HCMR and welcomed in SCpl Gerrard, LCsoH Hawley, Simkins and Solis as well as Tpr Hardy, all of which settled in well into their new roles. Next up for the Department was to support the RQ Eulert on Ex DUNVILLE ROYAL, a Battlefield Study Week incorporating three Battlefields - Flodden, Bosworth and finally Sedgemoor. With the RQ(T) taking the lead on organising the event, he was supported by
SCpl Gerrard in charge of admin, with LCoH Hawley in close support as Director of Historical Administration. As well as providing the admin staff, the Department also entered a team consisting of Colonel John ‘Hannibal’ Smith (QM(T)), BA ‘Bad Attitude’ Barracus (SSgt L-T), Howling Mad Murdock (LCoH Solis) and finally Templeton Peck (Tpr Hardy). The main aim of the team was to win the category Best Dressed, and indeed we were and we did.
June saw the Department deploy to Castlemartin, providing real life support to ensure over 90% availability for majority of the Gun Camp, working closely with the LAD and ASCI trials team which made life, when coming to supplies a lot easier. It was then straight back for a quick roll back just in time for the Equipment Care Inspection where the unit received a Green, which may be considered excellent. After Summer leave, four members of the Department - QM(E), SCpl Gerrard, LCoH Solis and LSgt Abrahams - deployed to BATUS as
part of the activation party in preparation for PS4. The rest of the Dept would follow, with the main body leaving behind the RQ, CoH Bond and Pte Evans. With only 30 CVR(T) in total being used on the previous exercise and with a bill requirement of a 100 CVR(T), the activation team had a busy time in an attempt on getting an ageing fleet in some form of order.
The activation of the CVR(T) fleet, which looked deceptively smart in Hangar B
PS4 was a successful Exercise for the Battle Group as well as the Department working out of the Brigade Support Group. After the hand back to BATUS, the Department returned to Windsor with some of the team preparing for Ex WESSEX STORM. With the normal festive activities prior to a well-deserved leave period, the Department finished off a very busy year and with another busy year yet to come.
Training Wing
by Captain S K Fry MC, The Life Guards
A
nother busy year! 2015 began at a sprinting pace. The return from Christmas leave saw many of the Regiment starting the New Year on internal and external individual courses. The forecast of events and diary was filling up quickly with Regimental planning events beginning to gather speed for future deployment to BATUS Canada later in the year.
year. The D&M instructors also found themselves in the firing line running with courses in support of the 1 Armoured Infantry Brigade, PANTHER commanders, SPARTAN driver conversions and AFV track commanders’ courses all being conducted at the same time. Altogether nine courses were completed during January, which was no mean feat.
In January, the Training Wing was a hive of activity with planning, booking training areas and convening courses to assist the squadrons with their pre start states for BATUS. The signals classrooms were filled with students attending Part 2 signals and advanced sigs courses under the direction of the squadron signals instructors and overseen by the watchful eye of the (RSWO) WO2 Andy Preston, adding his knowledge as a schools instructor and experience from Command Tp. The Gunnery Wing, under the direction of the SCpl (RGWO) Bodycoat, was quietly ticking over with the usual 30mm ‘B3’ courses, fulfilling the constant requirement for new gunners to the ever-changing ORBAT’s for Castlemartin later on in the
During the same time, Training Wing bade farewell to Capt Mawson, handing over the reins to Capt Fry, relieved to be back in the green kit after two years in welfare. However, there was little time to sit back. With February looming, the focus switched from courses to planning for the Regimental collective training (CT1) packages on Salisbury Plain (SPTA) and the potential NCO course (PNCO) run by A Squadron hoping to identify our up and coming NCOs of the future. HQ, B, C and D Squadrons all deployed to SPTA during February, carrying out a week’s CT1 package for each squadron. The theme, one week mounted training, allowed the squadrons to refine their basic vehicle mounted drills, focusing on RAC core
22 ■ Household Cavalry Regiment
skills and regimental and squadron Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs). With CT1 training complete and the Regiment safely back in Windsor, rollback vehicle handovers were conducted. With March upon us, yet more internal courses were run in support of Brigade troops deploying to BATUS as part of the HCR battle group. B Squadron snipers began their preparation for the Brigade sniper competition spending two weeks and many a long day on ranges around the country. The pre training and preparation paid off when HCR sniper platoon was awarded 3rd place within the Brigade out of 10 infantry sniper platoons and qualifying the team to the 3 UK Div Divisional competition later in May. After a well-deserved Easter break in April, barracks was yet again bustling with internal courses. The second B3 Gunners course was completed followed by the qualifying ranges at Lulworth. Altogether 36 gunners were trained and passed; this was down to the hard work of the regimental gunnery instructors. The second PNCO
course was conducted and concurrently squadrons MATTs packages were undertaken. B Squadron deployed to Warcop for an intensive live field firing package which included running a 60mm mortar course allowing B Squadron to use their own integral fire support throughout. Sniper Tp entered the Div sniper competition hoping to do well. The final result certainly put some noses out of joint within the Division when the HCR platoon took 1st place, an amazing result, and a very well done to CoH Bateman and his team of snipers.
first time pass rate on LFX 5 and 100% on LFX 7 respectively. A swift turn round from Wales at the end of July, the Regiment was then straight back out the gate again deploying to Warminster for two weeks conducting CSTTX, CAST and CATT simulator CT3 training. After a well-deserved summer break, it was a return to SPTA for the second time for CT2 training and troop tests. RHQ and a troop from A Squadron as OPFOR set up command and control at Copehill Down village. The exercise was a balance between mounted and dismounted low level training for two weeks, controlled by RHQ with the added pressure to the squadrons of a sneaky OPFOR on the ground to act as the opposing force. A Squadron was in the mounted role and the training wing dismounted as insurgents. The squadrons were kept on their toes day and night.
tests culminating in recce and formation related stands, the prize being the Zandvoorde cup. The HCR raincloud finally found the Regiment and brought with it some morale sapping weather but this did nothing to affect the high standards of all troops involved, showing their worth and determination to do well in the competition; the results were very close. The final results showed 1 Tp D Squadron to be overall winners, Lt Vaughan and CoH Ashford taking the Zandvoorde cup back to D Squadron, much to their Squadron Leader’s delight.
Troop tests followed at the end of the two weeks which comprised 24hrs of
RQMC(T) throwing a grenade on CT2
May saw the preparation for Annual live firing; it began with a two week gunnery training package at the beginning of June for all vehicle weapon systems type. May was also the time we bid farewell to SCpl Bodycoat who was preparing to resettle and leave the Regiment after 22 years of service. With a gap in feed, WO2 Lewis, the Training Warrant Officer, took the lead and ran as the RGWO for Castlemartin. This did, however, come with continuous reminders to all around him that this was his fourth gun camp as RGWO. A three week intense firing package coupled with dismounted field firing on the small arms ranges was conducted. The aim was to qualify all SCIMITAR, variants and PANTHER crews by conducting all training objectives up to and including Live Firing Exercise 8 (LFX) to the pre-start state for BATUS and for all troops deploying to achieve dismounted section level qualification. This went extremely well, being successfully completed in two weeks. This gave the Regiment the opportunity to conduct a combined arms live firing Ex (CALFEX), allowing A Squadron, who were not deploying to BATUS, some valued extra live firing and training in preparation for WESSEX WARRIOR as the lead armoured squadron for Brigade in November. The Regiment achieved a 96%
On the march and shoot
WO2 Lewis, Trg WO, engaging B Squadron
Prize giving at the march and shoot competition
The RCM firing a mortar
Finally, after an extremely busy year thus far, the Regiment finally deployed to one of the last major events of the diary; Canada, with the correct start states achieved. It was certainly a case of ‘all hands to the pump’ which included Trg Wing deploying, leaving CoH Lewis at home to hold the fort to support A Squadron with courses and pre-training for Ex WESSEX WARRIOR. BATUS presented the opportunity for the
Household Cavalry Regiment ■ 23
Regiment to conduct CT4 battle group level training as well as live firing, and additionally to test experimental tactics and capabilities for the new Armoured Cavalry doctrine for the future employment of AJAX fighting vehicles, of course not forgetting a moment to enjoy a few scoops in Medicine Hat. November brought the last major event of the year, Ex WESSEX WARRIOR,
and there was light at the end of the tunnel. A Squadron plus RHQ and Comd Tp deployed back onto SPTA for two weeks, conducting CT4 training as part of the lead armoured battle group for 1 Armoured Infantry Brigade. Over the course of a testing and cold few weeks, A Squadron proved that good pre-training throughout benefitted their performance and they were able to show themselves off as a highly trained and
professional sub-unit within the Brigade. Over 70 events from courses internal and external, ranges and exercises were undertaken in the year controlled and co-ordinated by Trg Wing. It has been no doubt an exceptionally busy year for the team, however, we look forward to starting it all again for 2016 for the Regiment’s readiness year.
Warrant Officers’ and Non Commissioned Officers’ Mess by Warrant Officer Class 1 (RCM) M Ireland, The Blues and Royals
A
s the first Armoured Cavalry Battlegroup (ACR BG) to conduct an Ex PRAIRIE STORM in BATUS and the mandated start standards that have driven this years training events, such as Gunnery camp in Wales and a lot of visits to the Wiltshire countryside to carry out the collective training required, it’s been another busy working year in the WO’s and NCO’s mess. However, as we are indeed the Household Cavalry we found time to squeeze in a bit of structured fun. The social year started with the New Year’s Eve party which was as always supported well by serving and ex members of the Mess. A disco and a firework display was laid on, fortunately not at the same time, as the fireworks may have taken away from some of the amazing dancing that was executed on the dance floor.
WO2 Slowey ensuring the perfection of the catering The Mess cyclists return
reception in the Combermere Museum and a look at the current weapon systems that the Regiment uses, and also a look around the Museum with a small tipple and a chance to chat with the Regimental historian, former WO2 John Lloyd LG. This was followed by the dedication of the replica memorial cross by the RCM at the front of the Mess. The replica cross is a copy of the one erected by D Squadron HCR in Camp Bastion in Afghanistan during Op HERRICK 4. During the dedication, all present took a moment of silence to remember all those lost whilst serving with the Regiment on all operations. The dinner took the form of a formal sit down in Mess Dress for members and black tie for our guests; it was accompanied by a piper that was
very well received by all in attendance and set the tone for a very enjoyable evening. June saw the return of the Derby weekend at Epsom racecourse organised this year by SCM Mark Quickfall and his team from D Squadron. Cpl Maj Quickfall’s sun dance clearly worked and the weather became decidedly summery for a record attendance of 1200 people in the enclosure. A fun time was had by all and this year the sore heads were as a result of the sun and nothing else. Of note, we saw a welcome return to the entrance being guarded by both State Troopers and Guardsman of the Foot Guards Battalions to add that final bit of Blue Red Blue panache to what was an outstanding weekend.
The RCM dealing with a heckler
February brought us the State of the Nation Dinner and for the second and final time the Commanding Officer delivered his speech on how the Regiment had done and to what the coming year had for us to look forward, aided as always by the Badgers Head Cup and copious amounts of champagne. He understandably focussed on the up and coming Prairie Storm exercise and what he expected from the Mess members. In March, WO2 SCM Simon Allwood organized a very welcome Father and Sons function, which took the form of a
24 ■ Household Cavalry Regiment
Smartness and security, Household Cavalry style
can only be described as a German winter garden / beer festival. First prize in the fancy dress was awarded to CoH and Mrs Sedgwick for an excellent effort in dressing up as the Christmas Coca-Cola truck. Everyone had a fantastic time and we definitely had the feeling Father Christmas was coming.
On return from summer leave, the quickening began and the Regiment finally got to BATUS after what seemed to be long, cam cream covered periods of exercises on Salisbury Plain. Of note, the only Mess function during this time was the end of exercise cocktail party held in the Officer’s Mess at HQ BATUS. In attendance and representing the Mess were the Warrant Officers of the BG, a welcome invitation indeed after an arduous 21 days on the Canadian Prairie.
To round off a very busy year, we now look forward to Brick Hanging, to be hung by Capt (Retd) Des O’Connor, and plenty of stories will be told as we all catch up with old friends and comrades. We, the Mess, now look forward to a good leave and a year of readiness and whatever this may bring.
After completing an accomplished two year tenure of command, it came time to say goodbye to Lt Col Denis James which was achieved in true HCR style with a formal dinner and presentation by the RCM on behalf of all the Mess members of the HCR. After a good drink and a sizeable dinner we were all entertained by a piper and during the meal by a quartet from the Band of the Household Cavalry. A good time was had by all and we wish Col James well in his future endeavours.
The Commanding Officer modelling his leaving present of embroidered swimming trunks
As ever, December in Combermere is a busy month and this year’s Christmas Party was organized by WO2 (SCM) Aran Slowey and his band of merry A Squadron men and women, no mean feat considering that the Squadron had
only just completed a very gruelling CT4 Exercise with 4 RIFLES. This year’s theme was somewhat German in nature and everyone took the opportunity to dress up in winter themed fancy dress. The Gym was transformed in to what
Note, we would like to wish former mess manager CoH Vic and Mrs Stevenson well as they move into civilian life. The Mess Seniors are: WO1 (RCM) M Ireland, WO1 (ASM) R Fox, WO1 (BM) C S Hales (RHG/D), WO2 (RQMC) S Parker, WO2 (RQMC(T)) C Eulert, WO2 (SCM) M Jaworski, WO2 (SCM) A Slowey, WO2 (SCM) B Woollaston, WO2 (SCM) S Allwood, WO2 (SCM) M Quickfall, WO2 (Trg WO) C Lewis, WO2 (RSWO) A Preston, WO2 (BCM) G B Thomas (LG), WO2 (AQMS) A Kenyon and WO2 (RAWO) A Andrew.
A Squadron on Exercise WESSEX STORM 15 by Major J A Mawson, The Blues and Royals
F
or A Squadron HCR the main training event of the year has been Ex WESSEX STORM on Salisbury Plain. The exercise was an opportunity to test out the concept of an independent Armoured Cavalry Squadron and its role under the command of either 1 Brigade or, in the case of WESSEX STORM, 4 RIFLES Battle Group.
and upgraded with live cam at the first opportunity. The additional cam would prove crucial as the troops attempted to conceal themselves amongst the sparse winter woodblocks of Salisbury Plain and break up the shape of the vehicles until cam nets could be raised.
Vital pre-exercise carbohydrate preparation
With the vast majority of the Squadron fresh from BATUS, the level of soldiering was at a high standard as soon as the low loaders and their surly crews deposited the vehicles onto the dustbowl outside Westdown Camp. The Squadron had clearly taken any learning points about concealment to heart, and every vehicle rolled out of the gate with additional scrim, camouflage nets and thermal sheeting attached as standard
Camouflage is paramount
The training serials were wide and varied, from core skills such as locating enemy and conducting recce of the ground, to protecting routes and critical national infrastructure alongside 4 RIFLES Machine Gun platoons. In the recce role, HCR stuck to our strengths and were
able to establish a mix of dismounted and mounted observation posts as well as conducting dismounted recce patrols in order to identify enemy positions, equipment and dispositions. Unfortunately, 2Lt Kjellgren and his recce patrol were thwarted in their attempt actually to break into Copehill Down Village by some ill-timed 60mm illumination being fired to the north; however, they were able to extract without casualty. The intelligence was then collated and handed over to the 4 RIFLES recce platoon, either through a face to face brief, over the net, via a data package or a combination of all three. Once the target handovers were complete, the Squadron would melt away into the darkness to prepare for the next task or often roll straight to the next objective to begin the process again. As ever, it was the detail that proved to be most invaluable and assessments made by A Squadron troops on the ground were frequently influencing 4 RIFLES planning for deliberate operations. In one attack a building A Squadron assessed to be used as accommodation by the enemy was struck with exactor prior to a midnight H-Hour, resulting in a number of enemy dead before the infantry had even crossed the line of departure.
Household Cavalry Regiment ■ 25
mention also is CoH Rosendale, who offered a composed and considered rebuttal about operating within defined Rules of Engagement in response to an aggressive interview on killing. Despite the December rain firmly setting in for much of the time on the ground, the Squadron continually performed well and were proactive in their approach to every task set. At one point 2 Tp may have been a little too proactive, as during a route protection task they established a snap Vehicle Check Point (VCP) in order to interdict potential insurgents. Unfortunately
the very first vehicle they attempted to flag down was being driven by an unimpressed RSM of Salisbury Plain Training Area! Overall the exercise was an excellent opportunity to reinforce our core mounted skills and test the ability of the Squadron to find enemy targets and hand them over to an infantry battle group effectively. A Squadron will be looking to build on the successful completion of Ex WESSEX STORM in 2016 and much of the focus for next year will be continuing to develop our relationship with 4 RIFLES in the coming months.
2Lt Kjellgren taking a break
For better or for worse the local exercise media were also on the ground throughout the exercise, shepherded closely by 2Lt Jones RY, who is currently on attachment to HCR, finding himself thrust into a major brigade exercise as his first task. Overall, the Squadron performed well under the hostile media spotlight despite some tough questioning. The interviews were spearheaded by the 2ic Capt Maples, who effortlessly deflected barbed inquiries and repeatedly circled back to the key lines to take. Worthy of
The Squadron Leader caught speeding by a snap VCP on Salisbury Plain
Waterloo 2015
by Major B Rogers, HQ Squadron Leader HCR
T
he Household Cavalry Regiment conducted an historical and conceptual training exercise, along with a commemoration marking the bi-centenary of the Battle of Waterloo, for approx 200 officers and other ranks. The idea was
that by studying historical actions the participants may gain a better understanding of their current role, as well as broadening their knowledge of military history and the actions of the Household Cavalry.
Lt Bacon. Where possible these teams followed the routes of either the Household Cavalry en route to the 1815 Battle of Waterloo or the advance of 2HCR from France through to Belgium, including the liberation of Brussels.
The Battlefield Tour was to be proceeded by attendance at the Belgian National Day celebrations in Brussels on 20 July with D Squadron HCR providing a marching party to march past the King of the Belgians. We were kindly invited to attend these celebrations and commemorations by the Belgian military in recognition of the history of our regiments through the ages, from Waterloo to the First World War and then through to the Second World War, where soldiers from 2HCR were the first troops to liberate the capital.
We were ably supported in this endeavour by the stalwarts of the Household Cavalry Museum, i.e. Mr Pete Storer and Mr Jim Lees, who had provided such good value the previous year in
Belgian National Day - Maj Brian Rogers, Her Excellency Alison Rose (British Ambassador to Belgium), Lt Col Denis James, General Sir Adrian Bradshaw (DSACEUR)
26 â– Household Cavalry Regiment
The weekend before all of this had a Treasure Hunt activity, conducted by five teams of soldiers under the direction of
Old comrades at Waterloo. From left to right: Ken Robertson, Capt Paul Maxwell, Capt Dean Owens, Eric Sykes, Ian Thompson, Capt Chris Trinick, Capt Ade Gardner, Jay Naylor, Steve Welsh
our commemorations at Zandvoorde.
Cavalry had been presented with the Brussels standard in 1945 by a grateful population and it was also the last time 2HCR officers would have a chance of all being together before disbandment and return to either LG or RHG. Therefore, the Commanding Officer of the day, Lt Col Henry Abel-Smith, had them dust off their dinner jackets and held an evening reception at the Metropole Hotel that evening. We did our best to replicate this and under the careful organising of Lt Vaughn, all the officers congregated at the Metropole at 1900 hrs. A white combi-van sat suspiciously outside loaded with dinner jackets for officers to wear. We then settled down for a fabulous evening in a private dining room, which I dare say had changed very little since 1945.
Prior to departure, the Regiment had attended a series of briefs, lectures and play acts with the highlight being the in-depth talk by Lt Gen Sir Barnabas White-Spunner. However, the acting skills of Lt Soames did give the General a run for his money, with his sterling performance when playing Wellington. The Belgian military royally supported us and placed us in spartan, but clean transit accommodation in the village of Leopoldsburg. Eerily enough this had been the location of a field hospital in the Second World War and was the resting place of several Household Cavalrymen, who had succumbed to their wounds whilst fighting for the liberation of Belgium. We duly paid our respects at the war cemetery which was within walking distance of our accommodation.
RCM with Kapitein Willie Carmeliet, who gave great assistance
The trip out started on the 19th with coaches doing a round robin of sites including Quatre Bras and Genappe before ending up at the Belgian military barracks. We then settled in for a quiet night in sleepy Leopoldsburg, and the next day found us in good spirits but with a few sore heads after abusing the hospitality of the Belgian hostelries. Other than the Commanding Officer,
RCM, Adjutant and myself along with the D Squadron marching party, everybody else had a day free in Brussels after visiting the Belgian military museum. However, that evening we recreated a moment in the history of 2HCR when all the officers met for dinner at the Metropole hotel. The Household
The next day found us leaving Leopoldsburg on our way back to the channel ports but with the majority of the day spent at Waterloo. Both the Visitor centre and Hougoumont have been spruced and provide a vivid description of the battle; this understanding was reinforced by our guides on various stands around the area. We all made it back to the UK in good order with some making better time than others, but with everybody having had an enjoyable few days out of the office.
Exercise DUNVILLE RALLY, Belgium, June 2015 by Lieutenant N Z B Huda, The Blues and Royals
T
he Regiment went to Belgium for Ex DUNVILLE RALLY, named in honour of Lt John Dunville VC of the Royals, killed in the First World War commanding a wiring party. A cohort from within the troops headed up by a junior officer and a SNCO represented each of the five Squadrons. The idea was to travel through the country completing a variety of tasks so that we could learn more about the country that has had such a plethora of military encounters
over the past centuries. The rally was incredibly good fun and allowed the soldiers to relax after what had been an extraordinarily busy period. One such task was to fly a Squadron flag from the highest point within a town. By itself this sounds relatively simple; however, when you have a number of soldiers attempting to sweet talk their way into an ancient monastery with views over the whole municipality it becomes somewhat more taxing, especially when they see you flying a huge Blue Red Blue out of the arrow slits!
A flag, a high point, a challenge
After the rally, the remainder from D Squadron came out from Windsor to parade with the Belgium Armed Forces and Civil Authorities on 21st June. It was their equivalent of an Armed Forces Day and there were around 400,000 people lining the streets and taking part
in the celebrations. We were the only British soldiers on parade, alongside our European friends from the Netherlands, Germany and the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, as well as an array of Flemish forces; including a large amount who decided to parade with balaclavas on, in 30 degree heat! This was Maj Twumasi-Ankrah’s first outing with his new Squadron and in all the hype and preparation - not dissimilar to the Queen’s Birthday Parade with six rehearsals and nearly 15km of marching practice - our new Squadron Leader promptly lost his voice. The parade went well, with cheering from the crowds rising as they saw the Household Cavalry marching through
Maj Twumasi-Ankrah gives Eyes Right to The King of the Belgians
Household Cavalry Regiment ■ 27
D Squadron HCR prepare to march through Brussels as guests during their National Day Parade
the streets of Brussels and we were well received by the various international dignitaries and ambassadors. That evening, at the Hotel Metropole the Officers’ Mess dined in the same room, at the same hotel, off of the same menu as our forebears had before us in the Second World War - when the Regiment last came though Belgium on operational duty. It was fantastic to be
able to dine in the very room that was unharmed during the Great War and attempt to capture the sense of anticipation our predecessors would have felt. Overall, a very well executed trip by the HQ Squadron leader and all those who help arrange various parts, memorable and evocative with a healthy dose of military history! The fabulous Hotel Metropole dining room
The Dinner in Brussels by Lieutenant H M H Vaughan
T
he Officer’s Mess of the Household Cavalry Regiment held a supper on 21st July 2015 at the Hotel Metropole in Brussels. This was almost to the day of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Brussels by allied forces in 1945. 2 HCR was the first regiment to enter the city and to celebrate, the Commanding Officer, Lt Col Abel Smith, took his officers for a cocktail party in the very same hotel. The decoration appears to have hardly changed since then and upon discussion with the Hotel manager, initiated in remarkably broken French by the author and finished in exquisite English by the manager of the Hotel, it was discovered that the two evenings almost certainly occurred in the very same room, almost unchanged in 70 years. The dinner was held towards the end of a very successful battlefield tour of Waterloo, with recently restored museums and displays as a result of the 200th Anniversary celebrations. Further to this, D Squadron HCR took part in a parade to celebrate Belgian Independence Day, in the presence of HM King Philippe of Belgium.
28 â– Household Cavalry Regiment
The officers at dinner
Building Bridges: The Future of Support Troop? by Sergeant J R Tyrie (RE)
O
n promotion to Sgt, I was seeking a new challenge and as I scanned the job list, one job stood out for me, Engr Recce Sgt HCR. My posting order duly appeared on JPA and with mixed reports of life as an Engineer in the RAC ringing in my ears, I arrived at Combermere Barracks on 20th April 2015 to start work with D Squadron. Initially, the majority of the Squadron were deployed on an exercise in support of 18 Signals in Wales. This allowed me time to touch base with Sgt Ghani, my counterpart in C Squadron, and find out exactly what my job entailed. He explained that we were primarily employed to deal rapidly with any obstacles the Squadron encountered as they moved around in their CVR(T), but we were also to build the bigger operational picture by informing BG/ Bde of potential water points, crossing points, routes for heavier vehicles and existing infrastructure etc., thus making life easier for our colleagues in 22 Engr Regt. However, when it came to actual “hands on” engineering tasks, we were constrained in what we could do due to the limitations of the Assault troopers course, which is not fit for purpose. This theory was blown out of the water when it transpired that 22 Engr Regt would be unable to provide a Field Troop to support us on Ex PRAIRIE STORM 4 and so, consequently, the Assault troopers skill set would have the building of the 5 bay Medium Girder bridge (MGB) added to it, after appropriate training of course. With Derby Day out of the way, and the exercise fast approaching, training began in earnest at the Regimental Gun camp in Castlemartin. This was a curious affair for me as I had never before done a Range package with a burger stall by the Troop shelter. The irony being, that on the one hand I was being fed double cheeseburgers, but on the other I was expected to squeeze in and out of a Spartan cupola on the L37 package. With ribs and elbows suitably bruised and all the burgers burnt off on dismounted ranges we were ready to begin our MGB training with a two-day training package for the Squadron on the Engineer training area in Tidworth. Being Northern Irish by birth, lying has always come easily to me; which was handy, as I explained to the Troopers that MGB was just a big Lego set, but what I failed to mention was that the lightest component was in the region of 120kgs (around 20 stone for the older
The Meccano set that can become a bridge
readers). So, with much enthusiasm, Support Troop arrived at Tidworth, and after attracting a few glares in the NAAFI by calling everyone “Fella”, it was my fellow embedded Engineer (and now a Life Guard) LSgt Darty’s time to shine. As a section commander in the Royal Engineers, building an MGB was his bread and butter and he set about his task with gusto. After a quick explanation of the parts and terminology used, he set the Troopers to task. An hour and a half later the final piece of decking was in place, with backs and thighs aching the Troopers looked up for some recognition of their efforts “Nice one lads, not a bad time now strip out and lets try and beat it” was their answer. With a shrug of their shoulders and a wry smile Sp Tp got on with the task, beating their time by 15
minutes. Over the next day and a half MGB building became second nature to the Troop and the watching Sappers from 22 Engr Regt were more than happy to allow the Troop to build the MGB on exercise. Summer leave came and went and those days in Tidworth were a distant memory when the Troop deployed on CT2 on Salisbury Plain. After much discussion, we managed to get a bridge delivered to the training area. On Day 2 of the exercise the word came over the net that there was an obstacle to be crossed, Sp Tp pushed forward to allow me to carry out my Recce and awaited my inevitable report, and to no surprise I said the words they were expecting, the gap needed to be bridged by an MGB. With the orders (form SOC4) delivered
Household Cavalry Regiment ■ 29
by Maj Twumasi-Ankrah and H-Hour called, Sp Tp sped toward the crossing site trying to remember the lessons learned on the hazy days in Tidworth. Under the enthusiastic supervision of LSgt Darty, Sp Tp soon brushed off the cobwebs, the bridge was built, crossing open was given, and within minutes the Gun troops were streaming across the bridge. All that was required now was to satisfy 6 Group in BATUS of our competency and the HCR would have a new gap crossing capability. Typically, it was while being tested on the STA phase by the BATUS staff that we encountered our first and only problematic build. As we boomed the bridge across the gap, I realised that the far bank was slightly higher than the home bank and, consequently, we could not get the bridge landed. LCpl’s Baker and Barnes were dispatched with shovels and had to dig the bank down by hand, all the time watching the clock to meet the build time we had given of 1 hour 20 minutes. With the bank dug out and time well and truly against us, LSgt Darty picked the pace of the build up a notch. To a man the Troop performed valiantly and with seconds to spare Lt Comyn gave bridge open. 6 Group admired the adaptability and tenacity shown by the men and gave their stamp of approval. It did not stop there; the Colonel had a new toy and was very keen to play with it. Over the ensuing weeks, the Sp Tps of C and D
Squadron were utilised several times to build an MGB and to their credit got the build time down to 45 minutes, which any Sapper would be proud of. As we look to the future, HCR’s success in this experiment raises the question of whether MGB building should be an organic capability of an Armoured Cavalry Regiment (ACR). If it was retained it would reduce the pressure on the Engineers to build all bridges and consequently an ACR’s reliance on them. As the Subject Matter Experts (SME) are already in place in the form of the embedded Engr Recce Sgt and Cpl, all that is lacking is appropriately trained manpower. However, there are follow on jobs to the build. Someone has to be responsible for traffic management, maintenance and security, until relieved, which may be up to 72 hours, if at all. This would render a squadron bereft of its most versatile troop and Engr Recce capability, which would be very debilitating for the Regiment involved, most notably, in the event of encountering another obstacle. Engineers will also be required to transport the MGB forward from the rear echelon as ACR at present are not scaled for DROPS and have no trained DROPS drivers, and that move forward needs protection.
All sappers are trained to a basic B3 level regardless of the specifics of their chosen trade enabling them to turn their hand to any combat engineer task as required. Within an ACR this is not the case and with ever changing ORBATs and only a few Asslt Tpr courses being run a year, ensuring that all members are competent would be a difficult task to say the least. In conclusion, I believe that the Royal Engineers should, at present, still be responsible for providing Bridging support to an ACR as they have the currency and competency to carry out the task. Also, the potential timeframe and level of support involved in the task would have a detrimental effect on the supporting squadrons’ ability to carry out any future taskings. Engineer primacy would leave Sp Tp free to carry out its conventional taskings and allow the Squadrons/Regiment to retain its Engr Recce capability which is crucial in the development of the battle picture for the Commanding Officer and consequently the Brigade Commander. As ACR doctrine changes with the introduction of AJAX, the Support Troopers of HCR have shown they are ready to meet any challenge placed in front of them.
Keeping currency and competency within SpTp would also be a problem.
The JCC1 Experience
by Lance Corporal Bool, D Squadron
F
reshly bruised and battered from competing in the Regimental Boxing Night the Thursday prior, I arrived at the Training Wing in Bovington filled with a heady mix of both confidence and trepidation. My pre-course had been largely erased by some spot on blows to the head delivered by my long-time friend and short time opponent LCoH Mansfield; however, the experiences I brought with me from my time in the sabre troops, support troop and in SHQ, along with training delivered during my PNCO cadre five months prior, put me in strong position to work on an equal footing with my comparatively more experienced course mates, amongst whom there were several members of the BRF and others recently returned from deployments in Afghanistan. The Junior Commander’s Course (JCC) Part 1 course has undergone some
30 ■ Household Cavalry Regiment
dramatic changes in the last few years, the emphasis now firmly placed on teaching the attendees what they need to know to begin operating as section commanders. The first two weeks are given over to junior command and leadership training, with regular breaks for gruelling battle PT. This time was spent forming a working friendship with my course mates cemented by the shared experiences on the Bovington assault course and back area, our unity forged in suffering as we competed in stretcher races and gun runs. The companionship we shared proved to be vital during the two-week long exercise phase that made up the end of the course, all of us at times both needing and offering support to the others in our section. I found that I was often able to help with aiding the heavy cavalry attendees who were often out
of their comfort zone when tasked with recce focussed objectives such as Close Target Reccess but often sought advice on subjects such as understanding the mechanics of platoon or squadron scale attacks. The JCC Part 1 Course significantly improved both my understanding of the nature of command and my ability to command; giving me a profound new respect for the work my chain of command does in the field all the way from my 1RO (first reporting officer) right up to the Squadron Leader and beyond. Both tiring and rewarding, JCC Part 1 should be looked forward to with eager anticipation by all Troopers and junior Lance Corporals; engaging, educational and a great opportunity to test yourself against your peers from across the entire spectrum of the Armoured Corps.
Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment Foreword
By Lieutenant Colonel J D A Gaselee, The Life Guards Commanding Officer, Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment
The Commanding Officer on Oracle at the Senior Ranks Show Jumping Competition 2015
T
he Mounted Regiment remains one of the relatively recent fixed reference points in the life and history of the Household Cavalry; it will, therefore, come as no surprise that it has again been a fairly hectic year. You will be able to garner this from the diary of events that follows this piece. There are, however, a few pieces of note to which I would draw your attention.
In terms of the State Ceremonial, the usual suspects took place with State Visits from Mexico and China, the State Opening of Parliament, the Major General’s Inspection, the Garter Service and the Queen’s Birthday Parade. The Chinese visit was certainly the loudest, causing a little consternation amongst some of the cavalry blacks and even the carriage horses. Despite this it passed off well. In addition, we have supported all the Waterloo 200 celebrations both in Belgium and in London, the service in St Paul’s Cathedral being the highlight. We have built on the success of our achievements last year and entered more Army Competitions. Our entry for the Army Operational Shooting Competition Team, led by Lt H Huda RHG/D, held its own, but sadly did not challenge for a position on the rostrum. The Cambrian Patrol team, led by Lt S Penrose LG, succeeded in winning a Bronze
Medal much to the surprise of the assembled infantrymen - who prior to the results announcement were heard asking where the horses were. The achievement was all the more impressive because they had lost a team member through injury early in the patrol. So, yet again, they proved that Household Cavalrymen remain ever versatile and professional. Sport and Adventure Training often takes a back seat at Knightsbridge due to the workload, but many have gone the extra mile to get people away. Both the Rugby and Football teams have performed well. Soldiers have been skiing, para-gliding and scuba diving and planning is in place for the 2016 Mongol Derby. The main opportunity for sport remains Summer Camp where much sport, both mounted and dismounted, was conducted. Camp itself was a great success, providing the opportunity for the Regiment to relax and catch its
The Regiment at the Victoria Memorial - May 2015
Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment ■ 31
breath after the summer season and to build up confidence in the saddle. All the usual activities took place, with the Daly Trophy presented for the first time after many years. The infamous cricket match between the WO’s and NCO’s Mess versus The Rest remains controversial but the officers and troopers triumphed against the odds and against all pre-match predictions. We continue to forge ties across Europe by conducting regular visits and exchanges with the Swedish, Danish, French and the Spanish. By conversing with these units with similar roles (the delivery of mounted ceremonial), we are learning and sharing useful lessons as well as giving our soldiers a chance at rewarding activities in foreign climes. I am keen, however, for the Adaptive Forces of 1st UK Division to understand that some of our niche capabilities may be of use in their capacity building activities. There are still many parts of the
globe where operational units remain mounted, or pack animals are used. It is in these areas that some of those serving in the HCMR permanent cadre could be of use to 1st Division. After all, the horse is the ultimate all terrain vehicle. Manpower remains, as ever, the lifeblood of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment. Our recruiting figures are holding up when compared to the rest of the Army but, sadly, no one is meeting their targets. This is for a number of reasons, not least the contracting out of the recruiting effort. We are addressing this at the Regimental level by reforming the Recruiting Team and investing time and resources into this area. The Musical Ride remains a powerful tool in this arena and continues to perform at county shows to sell-out crowds. I would, however, ask all retired Household Cavalrymen to encourage suitable candidates to take an interest and consider joining their old Regiments.
The ‘sword of Damocles’ that remains hovering over our heads is the future of Hyde Park Barracks. I know many of you will not have the fondest memories of the current barracks but the improvements that have been made over the years have now made it fit for purpose. It is not perfect, but it works - men and horses are broadly content now that Peninsular Tower has had an internal revamp. We are still no clearer on the future of the site, and the Ministry of Defence continue to explore other locations for us and conduct feasibility studies of these locations. There is still much water to flow under the bridge before any decisions are made and we remain fully engaged in the process. Finally, you will be delighted to know that the Queen’s Life Guard still turns right out of the gate and long may it remain so.
Diary of Events
by Captain H B H Boyt, The Life Guards, Adjutant
C
ompared to 2014 and the addition of the Standards Parade, 2015 has been fairly steady. However ‘steady’ it may have looked in the diary, Knightsbridge remains an incredibly busy place, jammed full of parades, adventure training expeditions, defence engagements, sporting events and equine training, to name but a few. The year kicked off with the Mexican State Visit, which for the first time saw the Band on parade for a state visit. The addition of the Band on parade with a double standard certainly stretched the Squadron Corporals Major march out as some 170 horses are required, see Shorts Photography ‘How 170 men mount their horses!’ which reached 218,000 views on Facebook at the time of writing.
April brought Easter leave and the Major General’s Review, the General’s second review of the Regiment in his tenure. After some wet rehearsals where the horses turned the football pitches to a quagmire resembling the battlefields of the Somme, the parade went ahead without having to use Horse Guards Parade. As such, the Regiment was able to show off its ‘Advance in Review Order at the canter’ where the Regiment canters forward towards the Major General before halting and concluding the parade. The staff officers and general public who had come out to watch stood by in great anticipation as all halted in near perfect dressing. May and the start of June saw a number
Tpr Singh receiving the Princess Elizabeth Cup from HM The Queen
The Early Morning Rehearsal for the Chinese State Visit
of additional events particular to 2015. Firstly, the Op HERRICK (Afghanistan) commemorative service at St Paul’s Cathedral where a few from both the Mounted and Service Regiments represented the Household Cavalry and its involvement in the 13 year campaign, a poignant reminder of the five tours of Afghanistan in which our soldiers have participated. The 200th Anniversary of Waterloo culminated in what the Regiment called ‘Waterloo Week’, a number of memorial services and a Regalia Escort size of Mounted Dutymen on parade escorting the Waterloo Dispatch. During this time the Regiment
Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment ■ 33
The H Cav Motorcycle Club at Bodney. In amongst the reprobates are a Sqn Ldr and QM, and two Regimental Secretaries
Major Douglas leading the Sovereign’s Escort on The Queen’s Birthday Parade
also sent eight horses to conduct a rank past at the 3 Division Foundation Day. At the Royal Windsor Horse Show Tpr Singh received his prize from Her Majesty The Queen as the winner of the ‘cleanest dutyman’ competition, known jointly as the Richmond Cup as it was sponsored by the company holding the horse transport contract in the past, and the Princess Elizabeth Cup, which is awarded at the Show. Before we knew it the State Opening of
Parliament, Queen’s Birthday Parade, and Garter Service were upon us. This really is the culmination of the ‘silly season’, in four weeks the Regiment is out on parade a total of ten times; that should say it all. Of note, this years Queen’s Birthday Parade was led by Maj W Douglas LG with his Squadron Corporal Major WO2 Fitzgerald carrying the standard, both of whom served in Iraq during the original invasion in 1991. We bade farewell to Padre ‘Bill’ Beaver and Lt Col Paul Bedford RHG/D as Commanding Officer, who exchanged his cuirasses and sword straight after the Garter Service for his tactical aide memoire in preparation for a tour as Chief of Staff in the HQ of the European Union Training Mission in Mali. Lt Col James Gaselee LG took over shortly before the Regiment deployed to Bodney for Regimental Training. This years ‘Summer Camp’ was an immense success with both horses and men getting stuck into beach rides, tent pegging, cross country, 6 bar and show
The Lieutenant Colonel Commanding Household Cavalry with Tamar and the Officers’ Mess during Regimental training
34 ■ Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment
jumping, the latter of which was won by Tpr Jackson RHG/D. In addition, the Regiment ran its annual PNCO (potential non-commissioned officers) course, the RAO slept out in the woods for a while and exchanged the survival skills required to do so. We also held a number of sporting events, of note being football and rugby matches against the local town’s team, with notable successes in the Rugby. Returning to camp and after some well deserved leave, the Regiment started preparing the newly returned ‘woolly mammoths’, aka cavalry blacks, for the Chinese State Visit and the Autumn ceremonial season. The Chinese State Visit went off without incident despite some considerable security concerns surrounding the high profile public event. According to reliable sources, it was the loudest escort that many could remember with plenty of cheers and boos, dragons, horns and firecrackers testing many dutyman’s sitting trot and steadiness on parade. We sent a team to compete in the Cambrian patrol who were awarded a bronze medal, a fantastic effort considering they only got off their horses from the state visit two days before. This year has also seen us continue the strong relationship forged between various foreign ceremonial units, we have received and sent delegations to The Danish Guard Hussars and The Swedish Life Guards. The intent is to maintain these relationships and to send small teams of soldiers on exchange programmes; this is already happening as we sent three Life Guards - led by Lt Penrose - to compete in the Swedish Life Guards Mounted Military Skills
Equestrian Federation, School visits, CCF and ACF units to name but a few. A busy but immensely rewarding year for all we will now turn our attention to the Freedom of the City of London parade in April next year which will see both Service and Mounted Regiments on parade in the City as well as our uplifted presence at the Royal Windsor Horse Shown in recognition of HM The Queen’s 90th birthday. Colonel Stibbe admiring an escorting charger
competition. We have hosted visits from units and organisations ranging from the Algerian Army, the United States Army, Saudi Defence Force, Pakistan Army Cricket Team, the British
As a side note, a long serving officer retired towards the end of the year. Lt Col Giles Stibbe’s last three years have been spent commanding London Central Garrison. It has been most helpful having someone synchronized to the Household Cavalry in Wellington Barracks, even though he was never mounted trained. Instead he has spent
his service on every operation that our country has undertaken, barring The Falklands Conflict, over the last 36 years.
Colonel Stibbe, seated on the right, being collected from Wellington Barracks for dining out at Hyde Park Barracks, 18th September 2015
The Life Guards Squadron
S
ince December 2014, the Squadron has been exceptionally busy with numerous handovers being made from the very start of the year. It all began with the Sqn Ldrs, Major N M Stewart making a direct swap with Major W Douglas to/from Officer Commanding Training Wing. Shortly afterwards the Second in Command, Capt G R J Ashby, took over as the Staff Captain for London District passing his previous role onto Capt J H
S C Harbord. All were sad to see the eventual departure of Capts J Campbell and R Gordon-Dean, the latter concluding an eight year career as a Troop Leader, having peaked as the Adjutant of the Eton Corps. Capt Campbell transferred seamlessly to the Reserves and spent the best part of four months on exercise in Kenya, Italy, Rwanda and America - a hard life! The Squadron also bid farewell to Lt C Lewis as he was posted to HCR.
Capt H B H Boyt briefly held the reins of 2 Troop before stepping up to Adjutant and, following various Kit Ride Pass Out Parades, the Troops are now led by Capts J Carefoot and T Seccombe, and Lt S Penrose - all of whom have settled well into their appointments and are in great form. The SQMC, SCpl Slowey, posted on hard earned promotion to A Squadron HCR as the SCM, and was replaced by SCpl Stafford in the stores.
The Life Guards were delighted to carry their Standard in this year’s State Opening of Parliament
Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment ■ 35
After a dose of MATTs in Kent, the State Opening of Parliament was the next parade in late May. Both Squadrons were immaculate and the coverage on TV summed up why we are so important in adding value to State proceedings. The Queen’s Birthday Parade followed the State Opening in quick succession and it was the day after the State Opening that the Regiment conducted the String Band rehearsal for QBP at 0200hrs. To say that we were all a little jaded would be an understatement, but in true cavalry spirit we soldiered through and completed the Major General’s and the Colonel’s Reviews, before Her Majesty’s Birthday Parade itself, with panache, spirit and steadiness on parade. Captain Seccombe leads the LG Squadron during an exercise on Summer Camp 2015
This left the only continuity in the upper echelons as WO2 (SCM) Fitzgerald for the first part of the Ceremonial Season. Through his knowledge and experience he greatly shaped the season of 2015. Early February 2015 saw the return of the horses from DAC in preparation for the State Visit of Mexico. It took many hours with brushes and mane and tail combs to get the horses to the required standard for the Commanding Officer’s horse inspection, but it is a credit to the yard that the visit went without a hitch. It was soon apparent that the Ceremonial Season was beginning in earnest as, before we knew it, the Major General’s Inspection was upon us. On a very wet and soggy Thursday morning in May, the Regiment paraded in Hyde Park to prove to the Major General and Lieutenant Colonel Commanding that the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment was ready for the ceremonial season ahead. The parade went well for the Squadron, but less so for RHQ. To conclude the Inspection, the Regiment advanced in Review Order in canter coming to a halt on the beat of the drums. It was the Commanding Officer’s Trumpeter, Tpr Winter, whose grey horse slipped on the grass leading to Winter performing an elegant seamless dismount, retaining the reins. Maj Douglas, with a battle hardened awareness suited to (and probably forged on) the battlefield at Waterloo, informed his Trumpeter, LCpl McVicar (a spurman riding a Remount), to take up the now empty position beside the Commanding Officer. He swiftly moved into position until Winter returned allowing everyone to ride back into Barracks in the correct positions. This was fortunate as LCpl McVicar then reminded the Sqn Ldr ‘I don’t play the Trumpet, Sir’!
In late June, the outgoing Commanding Officer, Lt Col Paul Bedford was dined out by his Officers under the Arch at Horse Guards Parade in grand fashion with Blue-Red-Blue backlighting, Band and all the trimmings. Praise must go to Capt Carefoot for organising such a great dinner although the dancing in QLG Flat afterwards was a little worrying! The Regiment welcomed Lt Col Gaselee back into the fold as the Commanding Officer and the Squadron started preparation for Regimental Training. All nongladiatorial horses were sent away for Summer Grass and each Troop arrived at Bodney with 20 horses. This period in the Regimental calendar is always special and this year was no different. Starting with the PNCO Cadre, Tpr Martin (now LCpl) featured in the top 5 of a very intense course over 10 days in camp and out on the Norfolk Training Area. The Squadron ride on Holkham Beach
36 ■ Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment
was recorded by BBC Breakfast this year and a rather dashing CoH Telfer, the Squadron Equitation Instructor (SEI) was the star of the show answering all the questions on why we train in Norfolk and, indeed, why in the sea. It was a great day out for all the lads and some excellent footage was captured on helmet camera. It also provided the opportunity to hold a short memorial service with Padre Bill Beaver to pay our respects to those that lost their lives in Tunisia the previous week on a beach a long way from ours. During our training, all members of the Squadron completed the routine equine pursuits plus massive amounts of PT and competitions. The Squadron won the cross country ‘Handy Hunter’ and came second in the Troop Tests; but above all, it was a time to relax and enjoy each others company in a wonderful county where the sky is large. On return from camp the Squadron broke down into a split leave period and most horses (less the Musical Ride) headed for the Defence Animal centre (DAC). On return from a well earned break, the Squadron then started preparations for the State Visit of the President of the People’s Republic of China, all while providing a mixed team for the Cambrian Patrol, Winter Training Troop in Melton, another dose of ranges in Ash and other Regular Army AssistanceTasks, and random ceremonial Guards of Honour at Main Builbilg, Whitehall - all of which has proved a manning burden. Squadron morale had hit rock bottom just back from leave, all horses in yards, undermanned by 11 men (ie. a whole QLG compliment) and the weather turning for the worst ... who should arrive but the Climate Assessment Team - a team to determine the state of morale, equal opportunities
Lt Col Bedford, standing in for the Silver Stick, en route for the House of Lords
The LG Squadron prepares to break into trot on this year’s Queen’s Birthday Parade
and discrimination in the ranks. The feedback on the debrief was that they had never seen so many soldiers unhappy, but it was quickly pointed out that the routine in HCMR was similar to an operational tour (albeit two years long). Quickly addressed, the SHQ had a feedback session and, although one can never really change the way we do business in HCMR (mainly due to the horses and the array of commitments), spending time with soldiers collectively every six months to just listen to issues was definitely a good thing. Critically, it has been a reminder that where we can make things better, and more manageable, we must. In other news, Tpr Tambi-Spicely represented the Army in basketball while LCpls Martin and Watkins came second in Inter Service Team Show Jumping at RWHS. Tprs Greaves-Smith (GS), Philips, Dexter and Blake all represented the RAC at football and LCoH Gooding continued his excellence in diving. Tpr Mortimer won the Regimental Golf
competition held in Watton and Capt Harbord held a respectable time in the Parks Half Marathon as well as hitting the winning ‘Six’ to destroy the Regimental Corporal Major’s dream of one day beating the Officers in the annual Cricket Competition in Norfolk! A special announcement must go to Capt Campbell. He has endured over four months of torture walking the Munros in Scotland for our charity. I know there will be detailed accounts in another article inside this Journal, but we as a Squadron are immensely proud of him. As we now head to Christmas, most of the horses have either gone or are going to grass which relieves the pressure valve within the 3 Troops. Time can now be spent catching up with administration, hunting at DAC and pausing to adjust areas for next year’s ceremonial season. Looking ahead, there is a State Visit in March with the usual frantic ‘get there’ (as there is every year); somehow
our Squadron comes up trumps every time. In conclusion, the Squadron has reflected on our horses’ efforts over this year. They have been resolute, well behaved and (in most cases) steady on parade, in spite of the RM (although kicked) and his team but especially for the two who we sadly lost in the summer, for Fulham and Oak; loyal souls never to be forgotten.
The Officers make their way across Horse Guards for the Commanding Officer’s Dining Out
The Blues and Royals Squadron
A
fter the frenetic 2014 ceremonial year, the Squadron returned from Christmas leave refreshed, reinvigorated and looking forward to a more traditional pace of life in 2015. Unsurprisingly, this remained a pipedream. The Regiment immediately started prepara-
tions for the State Visit of the President of Mexico. The Troops had to pull out all the stops in order to get the horses in spotless condition and ready for the Commanding Officer’s horse inspection. This, of course, was achieved with aplomb by the Troops and the visit was
a great success - although CoH Doran decided to involuntarily dismount Osprey half way up The Mall. The Mexico escort was followed in short order by the annual Major General’s Inspection which also went off without a hitch, largely due to the tireless efforts of the
Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment ■ 37
Troops. Upon return from Easter leave, the preparations for the State Opening of Parliament started in earnest. The drills came and went with the Squadron trotting out of the dawn mist on Serpentine Road to startle oncoming cyclists. The parade itself was conducted with the typical style and rigidity expected of The Blues and Royals Squadron. But there was no time to rest on laurels with the Queen’s Birthday Parade (QBP) looming. It loomed particularly hard for the former Sqn Ldr, Major S S Lukas, who, during a dark early morning rehearsal in the role of Field Officer, was thrown from his horse, Northumberland, and ended up in the ambulance to the bewilderment of the Escort Commander, Capt J G Sudlow, who then had to fill in on parade. However, an immaculate QBP led straight into the Garter Service and onwards to Regimental Training in Norfolk; a welcome break for the men and horses.
Mountain’s 2 Troop RHG/D winning the troop tests. The various equine competitions throughout camp saw mixed results with a number of seniors and officers acquainting themselves with the mud and grass of the arena more regularly than they would have liked. Special mention goes out to the SQMC, SCpl Harris, for making a spectacular exit from his saddle at the last fence in the Seniors’ Cross Country Competition; what did the RM say about show-boating? We all hope that the QM received a filled in 510 accident report form on time.
Tpr Penman, LCpl Ward and CoH Minter compete in the Cross Fit Challenge
Major Lukas showing off on the Senior Ranks Handy Hunter
The four week deployment to Bodney also coincided with a flag change at RHQ and, with the arrival of Lt Col J D A Gaselee, equestrian pursuits became paramount. The Blues and Royals trip to Holkham Beach was blessed with good weather this year and more horses were encouraged to take on Poseidon with mixed results! The Squadron performed extremely well throughout the Buckingham Tofts Exercise and Regimental Sports Competition, with Capt T D E
Members of the Squadron also performed extremely well on the annual PNCO cadre. LCpl Penman was awarded top student from across the Regiment and was subsequently promoted. After a fun and relaxing camp the Squadron moved back with the Regiment to London and the majority of horses were sent for summer grass before the men took summer leave. It was also at this point that the Squadron lost their steady handed helmsman, Major S S Lukas, to wedded bliss and the cerebral intensity of Staff College. Major Lukas has done a sterling job throughout his tenure and handed over a well (hoof) oiled Squadron to your correspondent, Major A G R Owen. We wish him every success at Staff College and hope to see him back in Command in the not too distant future. Post summer leave, the main effort
Tpr Bunker carving a gnarly wave
38 ■ Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment
Tpr Penman is awarded Top Student on the PNCO Cadre by The Major General
switched to the return of all the grass horses in time for build up and training for the Autumn Escort; the visit of President Xi Jinping of China. The boys dug deep and had the horses gleaming and fit just in time for the Escort in October. This was one of the loudest in recent memory (on a par with the Royal Wedding or Diamond Jubilee) with thousands of screaming Chinese students, booing protestors, firecrackers, drums and waving dragons lining The Mall. Happily, all made it through the other side and back to barracks. Throughout this time Lt E T G Nicole was given the arduous job of setting up and running Winter Training Troop in Melton Mowbray and he has already added a number of officers and men to the ‘Tumblers Board’ including our fearless leader, the Commanding Officer, and the author (to his eternal shame). Lt Penrose (LG) and LCoH Boachie-Ansah took a team, largely of Blues and Royals, on the Cambrian Patrol in October. They all acquitted themselves admirably and came away with a bronze medal; no mean feat especially as they lost a member of their team due to injury very early on. Around the surfeit of investitures and honour guards, the Squadron still managed to turn out men for hunt days, cross country and hacks outside London (thanks to CoH Evans) and a sailing expedition from Germany (thanks
Maj Owen and Capt Mountain escort HM The Queen and President Xi Jinping down The Mall amid tumultuous commotion from the crowd
to LCoH Sinclair). Tpr Foster, under the watchful eyes of CoH Minter, has been whipping the Squadron into fighting fitness through progressive weekly PT sessions in the Park and LCoH Fisher has been raising the morale of some very sick children at the Royal Marsden Children’s Hospital. This year we have also sent some four-legged legends off into retirement. The Squadron turned out to clap Yalu, Dormouse, Zorro, Acrobat, Admiral and St Valentine down the ramp and off to pastures greener. A number of changes in the ranks occurred throughout the year as the Squadron said goodbye to Capt W Turnor of 2 Troop, replaced by Capt J B Barnes, and welcomed Lt E T G Nicole who took the place of fellow wet-eared Lt Huda as 3 Troop Leader. As I write this article, Capts T D E Mountain and J G Sudlow prepare to move onto new challenges (still in green) whilst Lt A Soames prepares for his first taste of cleaning black kit on a severely curtailed khaki ride. The Squadron has
also welcomed Capt J R FitzGerald with open arms. Impressively, he passed off the square after kit ride on a Friday and reported for Pegasus Company (the pre parachute training fitness course) on the following Monday, passing with flying colours (maroon beret in hand) three weeks later - well done. As well as officers, there has been an influx of new SNCOs in the Squadron, including the SCM. We bid WO2 Salina farewell as he took on the unenviable task of RQ downstairs and welcomed the follicularly challenged equine God, WO2 Sampson, who is already rivalling Capt Sudlow for Hunt Days. We also said goodbye to CoH Murphy (1 Tp), CoH Dallimer (2 Tp), CoH Elliot (3 Tp) and CoH Wilkinson (3 Tp) and welcomed in their place CoH Camaibau (1 Tp), CoH Minto (2 Tp), CoH Minter (3 Tp) and CoH Boswell (3 Tp). Overall it has been a busy, but rewarding season and the Squadron has put in a fantastic performance. We now look forward to another exciting year ahead.
The Blues and Royals boys (Tprs Annetts, Greenhow, Smith and Huxtable) charging with the Musical Ride
Headquarters Squadron
T
he past 12 months have been remarkably successful for HQ Squadron. The delivery of logistical and clerical support, transportation and training, veterinary and farriery trades, saddlery and tailoring skills, welfare, security and Mess life have all contributed to the Regiment’s success in delivering its outputs of State Ceremonial and Public Duties throughout the course of the past year. During the winter months, the Squadron exploited opportunities to get members away on adventure training. Skiing, winter mountain biking and even some coasteering in Castlemartin, were just some of the activities on offer. As the horses returned at the beginning of the year, the Squadron really focussed on getting as many personnel trained
to conform to the newly released employment structure (RACES 15) and put plans in place for the large amount of ‘churn’ as personnel promoted, departed and posted. Within the Quartermaster’s Department the first move was the Full Dress Storeman, CoH Carey, who departed the Regiment on completion of his military service; he was replaced by CoH Wilkinson. LCoH Parry moved next to a post in Bovington, followed later in the year by LCoH Simkins who moved back to HCR. Replacements came in the shape of LCoH Onwubiko, LCoH Bremner and LCpl Woodward, who were all posted in from HCR. The final movement within the Department was WO2 (RQMC) Santi who handed over the RQ role to WO2 Salina. Cpl Maj Santi sadly
Major J Pass standing in for the Commanding Officer, cutting on the Major General’s Inspection rehearsal
now leaves the regiment after 22 years service; a real character that always has a story to tell, we wish him every success in civilian life. The only promotion within the department this year deservedly went to LCoH Brown. Motor Transport troop bid farewell to CoH Jones and LCoH Stevens, but welcomed CoH Henderson who took on the role of Motor Transport SNCO on a promotional move from HCR. LCpl Harrison became MT 2ic and deservedly LCpl Johnston was promoted to take on the Details NCO role. Training Wing has continued to train, coach and instruct trainees and horses to the highest standard and the hard work of the entire team in Windsor continues to impress. They too have had their fair
HQ Squadron Ldr leading the rehearsal for the trot past
Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment ■ 39
share of personnel moves. Most notably WO2 Newell, who has completed 27 years of service and fulfilled almost every role at each rank and at both Regiments (home and abroad), hung up his whip. Nudger’s experience and knowledge will most definitely be missed by all ranks.
a commissioned to be the SO3 Equine Assurance post in London District.
Similarly, the Forge bid farewell to SCpl Woods who left the Army after 22 years service to set up his own farriery business in Sweden. In May, the Forge ran an assessment for new apprentices and LCoH Cooper, LCoH Orr and Tpr Ashurst were all successful in securing positions within the Forge. Promotions were aplenty: SCpl Thomas, CoH Hansen, LCoH Harris and LCoH Orr were all promoted this year.
The Guardroom has had its fair share of personnel come and go. LCoH Chaklin moved back to HCR via his crew commander course and LCoH Ross came back from Bovington and took over as the guardroom 2ic. CoH Evans and CoH Telfer completing immaculate drill LCpl Murden-Wade on the final fence of the Handy Hunter joined the team in the Guardroom for a year, became a father and has now started riding school. Unfortunately, LCpl Senoo, who has been part time Provost and full time postman, delivered his last letter and left the regiment after almost six years service.
SCpl Holliday, CoH Belasco, Tpr Connell, LCpl Scheepers and CoH Jones after a hard day’s caving
The Officers’ Mess team has completely changed; SCpl Martin made a sharp move back to HCR with SCpl Spink picking up the reins as Mess Steward. The Mess 2ic, LCoH O’Dell, also departed to try his hand at Officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. At the time of writing this article he is doing very well and we wish him every success and best of luck to whatever Officers’ Mess he will soon be part. He was replaced by the newly promoted LCoH New who is already doing a sterling job.
The Saddlers and the Tailors shops have had little turnover in staff apart from CoH Jones who has moved to a permanent cadre position starting his saddlery apprenticeship. LCpl Scheepers has conducted more sailing than the Master Tailor could ever have imagined and both departments enjoyed a break early in the summer when they embarked on a touch of caving.
from Welfare SNCO to become the new Mess Manager. The final moves in 2015 have seen WO2 (SCM) Walker leave the role as Squadron Corporal Major after three and half very successful years. He has managed, planned and delivered for HQ Squadron to meet all of its commitments to the very highest standard and, on behalf of the whole Squadron, we wish him every success. In July 2015, WO2 (SCM) Horton smoothly took over as the Squadron Corporal Major and has quickly got grips with the daily running and administration of the Squadron.
The RVO and Farrier Major receiving their rosettes for placing 5th in the Officer/ SNCO’s X-Country from the Lt Col Comd
The Riding Staff have bid farewell to LCoH Bishop who was posted to Paderborn Equitation Centre in Germany and welcomed back LCoH McGrath on promotion to CoH. SCpl Powell was promoted this year and has taken on the gapped role of Equitation Warrant Officer, a post that was vacated in May by WO2 Nicholls who took up
The QMs Dept in go-karting gear
Padre Bill Beaver mounted on Adamas for his last service, Bodney 2015
The WO’s and NCO’s Mess has recently bid farewell to CoH Short who, for many reasons, will be missed; not least for his excellent photography but also his dedication to the Clay Pigeon shooting team. CoH Brophy made the small transition
40 ■ Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment
And finally, in my second year as Squadron Leader and continuing my duties as the ‘Veranda Commander’ it is a bitter-sweet pill that I have been selected for a post at Army Headquarters. So, prior to the Regiment departing on its Christmas leave, Major W Douglas took over command of HQ Squadron. It has been a fantastic year, a fortunate privilege to have held the post, marking a last post at regimental duty having served both Regiments on and off for the past 30 years. I leave a squadron that is talented, dependable and full of consummate professionals, with every wish for the success of each and every one for the future.
The Medical Centre
by Surgeon Major W D Wall, The Life Guards
I
t has been another busy year for the medical team at HCMR. The year started with the HCR/HCMR medical officer switch with Surg Lt Col Lewin moving to Windsor and Surg Maj Wall returning to Knightsbridge. The practice manager, Sgt Kennedy, deployed to Afghanistan in February on a six-month tour based in Kabul supporting the 1st Battalion Royal Anglian; he thoroughly enjoyed the tour and he was impressed by how much the Afghanistan military forces had improved, as they were now a hugely capable military force. LSgt White Doyle took on the mantel of practice manager, helped by medic LCpl Afrainie, Sharon Cargill, the practice nurse and Epi continued to work in reception. The work load of the Medical Centre has probably changed little over the
years with troopers appearing on sick parade with a complex variety of horse related injuries, from horse kicks, horse bites, horse allergies, and falls from horses. The equine trauma is still interrupted by a steady stream of sexual health related complaints proving that Knightsbridge remains a perilous place for young troopers to be based even in 2015! There is still a suspicion from seniors that those ‘on the sick’ are trying to bluff their ticket but, more often than not, the young troopers are keen to get back to duties as soon as possible to help with the work. Owing to the dual nature of the Regiment, we also deal with a variety of tour related problems from the consequences of battlefield trauma to post traumatic stress disorder; a reminder of the importance of looking after our soldiers for years after their deployments.
The regimental calendar was similar to previous years, and the medical team continued to provide medical cover to all the main events. Fortunately, there was nothing more serious than a fainting Foot Guard. Regimental training proved to be an enjoyable but busy period for the medical team. 190 patients were seen with 20 patients being sent to hospital for a variety of reasons. Fortunately, we were joined by Capt Winstanley who took on the role of ‘Baby Doc’. A keen sportsman, he was also an asset on the rugby and cricket pitch helping to beat Watton RUFC and the seniors respectively. LCpl Cattermole, a medic in the Reserves, joined the medical team over regimental training and proved to be a valuable addition exemplifying how Reserves can support the Regular Army. Surg Maj Wall enjoyed riding Freeway in the mornings prior to sick parade, and the hard work he put in bringing on the Riding Master’s horse paid off with a 2nd place in the show jumping at Open Day. Maybe next year he will try his luck on a Cavalry Black. In October, the RMO won the luckiest jaunt on business award, and with the Adjt visited the EquiCenter facility in America, upstate New York; they specialize in using horses to help injured veterans through therapeutic equine therapy. Horses have proved to be a tremendous benefit to injured soldiers and veterans so in the future, no matter what the complaint, it may be best to prescribe additional grooming and riding duties as a HCMR cure all; which will keep everyone happy!
The RMO showing off on Freeway as per usual
The Regimental Administration Office
by Major R J Seargent, AGC (SPS)
T
his has been another busy year for the AGC (SPS) Detachment. The Detachment conducted an Adventure Training Exercise in the Harz Mountains of Germany, where we reached the summit of the Brocken (the area’s highest mountain and an old Russian Listening Post) and walked the length of Eastern Germany’s deepest gorge along with prerequisite German Cultural activities in local Gasthofs. Since then members of the Detachment have attended ski courses in the Alps, sailed in the Baltic and continued to support both the Army and Regimental Outrigger Canoe Teams. On the sports fields, the females in the Detachment came first in the London District Crosscountry championships and LCpl Nesbitt came a creditable second as an
LCpl Nesbitt and Pte Carter enjoying their riding lessons
SSgt Luciano and LSgt Kashaya during AFT training in Hyde Park
Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment ■ 41
individual. We have been central in providing individuals to the Army’s involvement at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Day and supported the Regiment during Regimental Training and continue to provide stand-by manning to PJHQ should the balloon go up. Maj Seargent again ran a successful Survival Training package for elements of the Regiment up at Bodney Camp and incurred the wrath of Health and Safety when 100 dead rabbits were found in the
cookhouse fridges; they subsequently went off whilst stored in the Officers’ Mess although Lt ETG Nicole took the blame for the smell. This year we said goodbye to WO2 Harper, SSgt Teasdale and LCpl Cowans and are about to lose Maj Seargent, LSgt Drake and LSgt Jarvis whilst welcoming WO2 Cochrane, Cpl Lesmond, LCpl Nesbitt and Pte Carter to the joys of Hyde Park Barracks. SSgt Teasdale was promoted to WO2; Sgt Luciano was also promoted and will
now remain in the FSA PID as a SSgt; many congratulations to them both. Pte Prest ‘picked up’ at first look and will remain as a LCpl within Headquarters Squadron. Another G1 Staff Inspection was successfully passed in October and the new RAO, Capt Price will have little to do in his first year. The Detachment is small and tight-knit and continues to provide noteworthy G1 support to the Regiment. We look forward to the coming year.
Equitation
by Captain R I Chambers, The Life Guards
I
t has been another busy year for the Riding Staff. Many of the men have been involved in a variety of different activities ranging from the Household Cavalry Open Day at Summer Camp to show jumping and skill-at-arms at competitions around the country. Throughout the year the department took part in all of the military competition season, pitting their skills against the rest of the British Army as well as the RAF and Royal Navy. The Combined Services Equestrian Championships was held at Addington Manor and saw most of the Riding
Staff competing with promising results from some young horses. At the Royal Windsor Horse Show, The Life Guards show jumping team, lead by CoH Lacey, put in a very strong performance to win the Military Working Horse section of the services show jumping competition. LCpl Harvey and LCoH Raffel competed strongly in the skill-atarms classes. The next competition was the Royal Tournament, held annually at the Defence Animal Centre, Melton Mowbray. This saw the Riding Master winning the Senior Derby and taking numerous other second and third places throughout the course of the
42 ■ Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment
competition. This had him tie on points for the Senior Show Champion and, in doing so, he qualified for the Services Show Jumping Finals held at London Olympia in December. HCMR also won the Services Team Competition with LCoH Bishop riding Middleham from The Blues and Royals Squadron, LCoH Mancey riding his own horse, Stanley, and LCpl Hansford riding Incognito from The Life Guards Squadron to take the top step and the lap of honour. Summer Camp saw the Riding Staff break from its routine of remounts and rides and put its efforts into offering an
The team get stuck in to fence building in preparation for the Handy Hunter
educational and fun equine package for the Regiment. Each member was heavily involved in the running of Summer Camp, building show jumping courses, daily instruction, remount training and, more notably, building the Cross Country Course and Skill at Arms lane which was no easy task. We bid adieu to LCoH Bishop as he took up the mantle of stable manager
Searching for a man down, or sledgehammer retrieval after closing up
The Riding Staff pose by their newest creation; the demise of many a horseman in the coming days
at Paderborn Equestrian Centre in Germany leaving the way clear for LCoH McGrath to return to the Riding Staff after a two year posting away. Equitation has taken a positive turn at HCMR with the new Mounted Dutyman Courses coming into line with the British Horse Society and current industry standards. We are still working on accreditation, but now that all the systems are in place it will give all personnel, young or old, an opportunity to understand more of general horsemanship outside the Military Equitation sphere. Overall, it has been
another busy but very successful and enjoyable year for the Riding Staff. Many men, horses and opportunities have come through the door offering us a diverse and enjoyable role at HCMR. With the next year comes the ever continuous development and evolution of that.
LCpl Martin launches Pretoria from the steps
The Musical Ride
by Captain J H S C Harbord, The Life Guards
2
015 has seen many new faces, both soldier and horse, join the Musical Ride for the first time. Although long established as a world-class equine performance set to music, and with a history stretching back to the Royal Tournament in 1882, the subtle intricacies of ‘the Ride’ must be re-learned each year by a young crop of eager volunteers keen to demonstrate their skills as horsemen, even at the sacrifice of numerous weekends (not exactly in abundance at Knightsbridge at the best of times). The first event this year saw the Ride straight in at the deep end, performing twice a day at the Royal Windsor Horse Show - the only show of the year that was guaranteed to be attended by almost all of the Royal Family, including Her Majesty The Queen. In light of this baptism of fire, the Riding Master
ensured that daily practice started in earnest in February, some three months before D-Day. Having passed an initial selection, the Ride built up steadily with rehearsals starting with the sections of men on their feet, slowly adding the pressures of horses at trot, and then finally sustained canter. This dedication to training was evident in abundance as the performances received rave reviews from some of the harshest critics - including the recently retired Commander Royal Armoured Corps himself. The performances themselves were highly testing, the first of which was conducted in torrential rain - the first time the Ride had performed in cloaks in over 10 years. Buoyed by the success of Royal Windsor, the Ride returned to Hyde Park Barracks
LCpl Martin, Rough Rider, gallops through the ring at Bodney
Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment ■ 43
Achilles looking superb at Summer Camp
to complete the ceremonial season with the rest of the Regiment. After the Garter Service, as everyone prepared to move to Summer Camp, the Musical Ride boxed up the lances and conducted an independent move to Norfolk via the Armed Forces Day ‘National Event’ held at Guildford. This was to be the horses’ first encounter this year with the White Helmets (Royal Signals Motorcycle Display Team) although not the last. Every man performed at the top of his game, especially LCpl Joyce who was a last minute addition to ride the youngest Drum Horse in the Regiment, Adamas. He put in a few bucks and spins, but Adamas remained calm throughout - all while the Ride Officer looked on in distress! From Guildford, the Ride rejoined the Regiment in Bodney Camp to complete crucial training for two days before it again boxed up and ‘deployed’ just down the road in time for the Royal
The Ride in full flow performing a carousel with lay-down horses behaving for once
Norfolk Show. Here we were treated like kings in a fantastic set up with the local agricultural college; just as well as the temperature was over 30°C each day. The members of the Ride continued to work extremely hard and pulled off all the performances with their usual style and panache. Returning to Summer Camp allowed a few weeks rest, indulging in Cross Country, Show Jumping and Tent Pegging, before our most highly critiqued show of the year - the Summer Camp Open Day. Carrying out the performance in front of so many previous members of the Ride, was daunting for all, but the reviews were sensational. Even WO1 (RCM) Ireland, who admitted to having seen a ton of performances in his time, admitted that it brought a manly tear to his eye. As everyone packed up for the return to Hyde Park Barracks and Summer
Leave, the Ride remained on edge for the penultimate performance of the year; the New Forest & Hampshire County Show. We felt extremely proud to be credited with causing the sell out of tickets. Indeed two extra emergency car parks had to be opened which filled almost instantly. At one stage on the first day, the Show organisers had to resort to social media and local radio to insist that no further visitors attempted the journey; a great success. This brought us to the real end of the Summer Season and, as the Ride members returned home for leave, the horses returned to Queen’s Life Guard with a few more stories from around the country. At the time of writing, everyone is looking forward to re-forming the Ride and preparing for the London International Horse Show at Olympia. We all look forward to ending on a high and the horses will get some hard-earned time away at winter grass. Already the calendar is getting booked up for 2016, with a lot of focus being put on the Queen’s 90th Birthday Celebration at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. More new faces will be required, but as the Ride Officer for 2015, I am immensely proud and grateful to everyone who has been involved in making this year so special. Thank you one and all.
The Trumpeters herald the Ride
44 ■ Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment
The Musical Ride march out of the arena at Bodney
The Forge
by Major N J Housby Skeggs RAVC
T
his year has been a good year in the Forge and Veterinary Department at the Household Cavalry. We have welcomed LCoH Cooper and LCpl Ashurst following their Basic Military Farrier Course (BMFC) and SCpl Thomas has returned to the forge as 2ic after a period running coach troop. LCpl Williams, from the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, has taken over the role as Veterinary Technician. After the New Year leave period work in the Forge began very steadily, with the qualified members of the Forge preparing and practising for the up coming Cavalry Pairs shoeing competition. The competition was a huge success with thanks to LCoH Pettit: CoH McCabe and Bdr Gooding won best military pair. In addition to Cavalry Pairs, members of the Forge have entered a number of other competitions including an inter-Regimental cup kindly hosted by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the international competition at Stoneleigh.
The Forge
not to return until July. Following excellent training by Hampshire Fire and Rescue, our Large Animal Rescue capability has proved to be a huge help in the safe recovery of a few horses this year; including Yeti who managed to wedge himself between two parked cars in Hyde Park. Following a quick anaesthetic, he was successfully recovered without a scratch on him or either car (very fortunate as they looked expensive). We are working on various projects with the emergency services on the further development of LAR within the Department. All troops are now taught basic awareness during Khaki Ride and techniques have been demonstrated during The Princess Royal’s visit this year and at Regimental Training.
Tpr Crimmins perfects his trade
The grass horses returned in January and after a few days’ solid graft the returning herd were shod and ready to start their build-up programme for a year in which we would all be in the media spotlight again - to the delight of the Farrier Major and his vest-clad men. The Forge ran a Farrier Assessment in February with eight potential candidates competing for three available places in the Forge. The assessment was run over a one week period and ended with a theory and practical test. The successful candidates then departed to the Army School of Farriery at the Defence Animal Centre for the BMFC in April,
The Regiment was given the chance to show its readiness before the busy ceremonial season in March with the Regiment rehearsing for the Major General’s Inspection. This included the RVO and four farriers mounted on parade. In July, we set off for Bodney for a four week period for Regimental Training. It started
LCpl Cooney hard at work
with a tough first week in the Forge getting every horse into concave shoes with stud holes. Following Ex TRYOUT we set off on several successful beach rides where most horses seemed to enjoy a good swim due the hot weather.
LCoH Pettit and Tpr Gillham carry their axes on parade
Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment ■ 45
Troop Tests were a great success with all the Troops doing an excellent job managing the large animal rescue incident complete with yogurt pot telephone! The RVO and Farrier Major showed their equestrian talents coming fifth in the Handy Hunter having knocked out SCpl Thomas’ chances during the previous training session (although his horse did make it round). Tpr Crimmins stepped up to the mark pairing with the RMO, but unfortunately they were handicapped by the RMO’s brown
horse. After a busy period, the horses and men looked forward to a well deserved rest, and the removal of shoes for grass made a timely reminder of the quieter period approaching. There was time to put more handmade shoes on and practice the in-depth sorcery of Farriery. Another busy year for the Forge and Veterinary Department and it has been successful and fruitful. As a former Farrier Major said to me once, ‘You can’t teach experience’.
The Farrier Major, WO2 Sherlock, doing what he does best
Household Cavalry Training Wing by Major N M Stewart, The Life Guards
The Officer in Charge with Frank
H
aving browsed through the last six years’ HCTW Journal articles, I noticed that there was a theme that stood out amongst them all; ‘Change’ was the first and most common topic throughout and, surprisingly enough, change crops up again. Our recruits still come from Phase 2 training at Bovington but there is now a new RAC cap badging Policy. All RAC recruits do not get badged to their relevant regiments until the latter end of Phase 2 Trg (less H Cav). This does not affect the Household Cavalry soldiers directly, but we do have a number of ‘extras’ badging to the Household Cavalry at the last minute; but sadly we lose the odd few too. Whilst getting ‘extra’ soldiers is great, it does not help with the planning of rides and horse requirements from Knightsbridge.
CoH, SQMC and ride NCOs). We have re-jigged the format a little but essentially it is still a total of 16 weeks at Windsor and a further 4 weeks in London on Kit Ride. The two week drill phase has been moved from post to pre-Khaki which has been a win-win for all, as soldiers are available for Ceremonial Staircase Parties whilst still in Riding School and it also helps to identify kit fitting and availability issues before hitting the fast and furious Kit Ride phase. Another change is with our Functional Skills and apprenticeship providers. Gone is the Colleges Partnership (formerly Wiltshire and Somerset Colleges) and in come Babcock. There is no change with the staff in barracks, which is good news. We have worked well alongside Helen, Gill and the team in producing additional mile-marker testing and recording of evidence which both help the soldier’s apprenticeship work and provide extra confirmation and knowledge for troop life at Knightsbridge.
The training programme mentioned in last year’s Journal is now in place. However, it is with a totally new training team having arrived at the start of the New Year (OIC, SCM, CoH, Equitation
46 ■ Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment
Another change, and the second common theme, is in regards to real estate improvements; this is an area that still suffers terribly due to privatisation and badly sourced contracts that are out of the QM’s hands. The loss of ‘Pride’, who have been replaced by ‘Carillion Amey’, seems to have brought even less money for works and longer delays in conducting those works requests. We remain hopeful that one day some of the works that we need and want will actually get done. The SQMC tries his best with some achievement in doing a number of self-help jobs to help tide things over. So what have we been up to? During the year we have had a total of 11 Rides pass through, albeit not at the same time. The most at any one time, with overlap of start and end of courses, has been five Rides. This has made for a very busy Windsor Stables. In fact, we had to push an Officers’ and SNCOs’ ride up to London to make way for the
HCTW providing the Household Cavalry manpower for the Staircase Party for the State Opening Of Parliament
Phase 2 soldiers. Added to this was a full ride of Royal Scots Dragoon Guards who needed to be mounted trained in order to take part in anniversary and Waterloo 200 commemoration parades. Windsor really could do with an additional riding surface as the remount training is now going on at full speed throughout the year and, along with a new ride starting every four weeks, we struggle at times in getting all the riding done. Although being very busy, we have managed to get CoH Snoxell and LCoH Blake away on the All Arms Basic Drill course and LCoH Baksh on the advanced course too. With a Drill Ride going on every month it gives the new ‘drill pigs’ something to exercise their voices on - “look at me ... face your front!”
Maj Stewart and friends provide the visitor complement on the final Pre Royal Ascot drive out
Officer. The Wedding Carriage has seen a couple of outings and it is already booked for at least one wedding next year. The big loss to Coach Troop is that of Tpr Howard who has now left the Army. His knowledge and driving experience will be sorely missed. On moving things forward, we hope to get a new pair of horses very soon and Tpr Blowes is being brought up to speed with learning to drive.
The RCM inspecting Granby Ride Drill Pass Out
Coach Troop has done well under LCoH Baker’s guidance as he has really got to grips with the new role. They have had a good year in which they turned out very well for Royal Ascot and also the Royal Windsor Horse Show where the standard of competition was very high. Although impeccably turned out he didn’t manage to win; he can be forgiven as it’s his first year competing. I’m not sure if the Coaching world does first time winners but he did the Troop and Regiment proud. The new ‘daily use’ carriage has had a great deal of use on many occasions such as Regimental Parade Rehearsals, Ex TRYOUT and also for the farewell of the Commanding
arranging and delivering the MATTs packages, PNCO Cadre Courses and much work on the many databases which keep CoH Hart well and truly occupied.
Our Training Wing detachment, initially run by CoH Burton and succeeded by CoH Hart, in Hyde Park Barracks has been very busy in ensuring soldiers get on to all courses that they require, The PNCO Course discussing ‘The Plan’
LCoH Baker and the team at the Royal Windsor Horse Show
HCTW has said farewell to Maj W Douglas LG who took up post as Life Guard Squadron Leader, WOs2 Newell and Santi to Civilian Street, SCpl Cox to HCR, CoH Stafford to LG SQMC and most of the ride NCO’s too; LCsoH Cooper, McVey, Veness and Ware. In their place we have welcomed; Maj N Stewart LG, WO2 (SCM) Fitzgerald, SCpl Burton, CoH Snoxell, CoH Lacey and LCsoH Blake, Elliott and Murphy. The only surviving members of the original team are LCsoH Baksh and Kirk.
Warrant Officers’ and Non Commissioned Officers’ Mess by Warrant Officer Class 1 (RCM) P G Ireland
T
he Mess has once again had a busy year, both on the ceremonial side and the social side of life. After getting over the traumas of dressing like cheerleaders for the QLG Christmas day fancy dress, the Commanding
Officer and I used Christmas leave to go into hiding. We first appeared in public again for the State of the Nation dinner in early February. It was a great evening. The Commanding Officer did not let us down and gave an incredibly long speech. He tried his best to dodge
the copious amounts of champagne being poured into the Badger’s Head with poor success! The food, as ever, was fantastic. After the State Visit of the president of Mexico, the next Mess event was a sit
Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment ■ 47
The Leadership & Motivational Evening with Alec Stewart, Stuart Pearce and Gareth Southgate
The Commanding Officer’s Dining Out in the switch room of the Churchill War Rooms
down dinner with Motivational and Leadership speeches given by the retired England cricketer, Alec Stewart CBE, the former Nottingham Forest manager, Stuart ‘Psycho’ Pearce MBE, and the England Under 21’s manager, Gareth Southgate. The Mess enjoyed listening about penalty misses and other tales which we found very inspiring. It was a memorable evening and will be talked about for years to come. The Royal Society of Saint George held a luncheon, unsurprisingly, on Saint George’s Day. This was also attended by Mess members, was a huge triumph and will hopefully become an annual event. LCpl Fox’s wife, Krisha (who is a member of the Windsor Military wives choir), sang for the Society. It was great to hear the National Anthem and Jerusalem sung with passion by all in the Mess. The Master Chef, SSgt Chadwick, made a spectacular Saint George’s Cross cake and this was auctioned off for charity.
Angus Fraser addresses the Mess
The Middlesex cricketer, Tim Murtagh, used the Mess to hold an auction as part of his benefit year; this was attended by Andrew Strauss, Angus Fraser and the Australian cricketer, Adam Voges. A huge amount of money was raised for various charities and the Mess purchased a picture of Lavenham Cricket Club in memorandum of LCoH Joe Woodgate. As a thank you Tim gifted
Colonel Paul was particularly pleased with his pertinent gifts and we hope the watch has improved his time keeping in Mali. At regimental training the Mess welcomed the new Commanding Officer, Lt Col J D A Gaselee LG, at the Mess games night. This was organised by the Riding Staff and the most memorable games were ‘beer pong’, the blindfolded command task, and the bucking bronco. A lot of fun was had by all, and the games were suspiciously won by the Commanding Officer’s team.
The RCM and Blues and Royals SCM have Lords to themselves for some wine tasting
A combined Mess brewery trip was organised by the Master Saddler, CoH Belasco, to the Woodfordes Brewery. A splendid time was had by all, although some bladders were tested on the journey back to Bodney.
the Mess a table at a dinner and wine tasting competition at Lords; a competition that we won thanks to WO2 (SCM) Sampson’s and SCpl Harris’s knowledge of ‘Chateau Neuf du Pape’! The honour of bearing the Standard for the Queen’s Birthday Parade went to WO2 (SCM) Fitzgerald. He was joined by his family and friends and other Mess members for a celebratory buffet lunch in the Mess after an extremely successful parade. All who attended had an excellent time.
The brewery visitors having a Wherry good time
The dining out of Col Paul Bedford started off with a couple of presentations in the Mess; the first was a digital watch to improve his time keeping, and the second was a painting of his charger Falkland. We then moved by horse and carriage to the Churchill War Rooms for dinner. Before dinner we were allowed access to the whole museum. Dining in the switch room made for excellent surroundings and the food, being sumptuous, made for an unforgettable evening.
Inter-Mess cricket took place and, while it was a close run thing, the officers reminded us of their idle and misspent youth and won again. Hats off to Capt J H S C Harbord for hitting the winning runs and the RCM for not getting out for a golden duck. We have developed a fantastic relationship with Mundford Cricket Club. And long may this tradition continue: whether you like cricket or not it makes for an enjoyable day for those who play and those who spectate.
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We are honoured that the General Officer Commanding, Major General E A Smyth-Osbourne CBE, will hang the brick at this year’s Brickhanging. The Mess says a fond farewell to WO2’s Santi, Nichol, Newell, Walker and Harper and wishes them success in all they do in the future. The senior Mess members are: WO1 (RCM) P G Ireland RHG/D, WO2 (RQMC) S Salina RHG/D, WO2 (SCM) J Fitzgerald LG, WO2 (SCM) J Dove LG, WO2 (SCM) E Sampson RHG/D, WO2 (SCM) T Horton RHG/D, WO2 (Farrier Major) N Sherlock RHG/D, and WO2 (RAWO) M Cochrane. WO2 (SCM) E Sampson is awarded his LSGC medal by the Major General
Spruce Meadows International Show Jumping Masters Tournament by Captain T D E Mountain, The Blues and Royals
I
n September 2015, the Regiment was again invited to send one officer and five soldiers to support and participate in the Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament 2015. The Masters is one of the biggest show jumping tournaments in the world, with over half a million people visiting during the five days of competition. Add into the mix many of the world’s best riders and it becomes truly spectacular. This year was to be unique as Spruce Meadows celebrated its 40th anniversary. Scott Brash (GB - World No.1) aimed to become the first rider ever to win the Rolex Grand Slam. The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment’s primary role throughout the Masters was to form part of the ‘Colour Guard’ along with The Kings Troop
Royal Horse Artillery and Lord Strathcona’s Horse. The Colour Guard would provide a mini-escort for the competitors during all the award ceremonies after each competition. Once all the awards had been handed out, the Colour Guard would escort the competitors on their lap of honour around the International and All Canada Rings. Over the last 33 years of attending the Masters, the Regiment has yet to send their own horses out to Canada for obvious reasons. Therefore, every year we are kindly provided horses by Spruce Meadows. This year was to be no different. Upon our arrival we were greeted by six handpicked exshow jumping/puissance horses. The different character and build of the
The team pose at Lake Louise
horses when compared to the Cavalry Blacks was immediately evident. This was especially prevalent when riding in formations, state kit, black kit and not forgetting the iconic jack boots. This, therefore, was to make the four days before the Masters very interesting and demanding for all involved, as horse and rider acquainted themselves. However, through lots of hard work and a few involuntary dismounts, all of the horses and riders reached a level that allowed us to canter around the two arenas watched by a crowd of 50,000 people in smart half-sections throughout the tournament. A Colour Guard looking rigid on some varying hues of brown
The three Troopers selected to attend
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the Masters earn their place by being in the top three of the Richmond Cup, an annual competition to judge the best turned out Trooper in the Regiment, with each Troop providing two competitors. The Masters this year was to prove to be extra busy for all involved, with additional events taking place to celebrate the 40th anniversary. Throughout the show each soldier has to turn himself in and out in State kit up to five times a day. However, in between our duties we were able to watch and enjoy the atmosphere; culminating in watching Scott Brash win the Rolex Grand Slam, a truly special moment. After the Masters finished we moved to Banff where we were treated to a wellearned break. Adventurous Training activities were organised over a three day period. This would see us undertake a day of quad-biking through the forests around Golden in British Columbia, a day of white water rafting down
Cavalrymen take on the aptly named Kicking Horse River
the freezing cold waters of the Kicking Horse River, culminating with everyone on the final day conducting a tandem sky-dive over the Rocky Mountains; a truly incredible experience for all involved. As we boarded the plane back to London from Calgary the group reflected on what had been a fantastic couple of weeks. The very special and enduring
A tandem jump in the Rockies
relationship that exists between the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and Spruce Meadows is unique and cherished by all involved. It remains an honour and privilege to have been involved again in arguably the greatest and most prestigious show-jumping tournament in the world.
Against the Odds: Cambrian Patrol 2015 by Lieutenant S T Penrose, The Life Guards
T
he adaptability of the Household Cavalryman has long been celebrated. His skill to demonstrate both ‘green army’ soldiering as well as turn out for the mounted ceremonial role is what sets him apart from every other serviceman. However, it is rarely tested in such a short space of time and this year saw the ultimate test of this dual role. Following the Chinese State Visit in London, the Cambrian Patrol Team headed up to the Brecon Beacons to be
at the start line ready to complete the 60km patrol. Whilst enduring the daily commitments of public duties, alongside the build up to the state visit, it was an enormous struggle to find the time to train for the challenge as well as complete the numerous kit checks required to ensure the best possible start-state. It is a testament to the squad that at the end of a full day’s work (beginning with the usual 0530 reveille) they found the capacity
for demanding daily PT sessions under the expert eye of LCoH Boachie-Ansah, our Patrol 2ic and PTI. Following the PT we would then go through daily lessons, tailored specifically for the likely tests in the patrol. Although our competitors enjoyed a wealth of time and space to prepare, we did have one major advantage in that our training NCO, CoH Greenwood, had successfully completed the patrol in 2014. His knowledge allowed us to
The team rehearsing a river crossing. Left to right: Tpr Evans, Tpr Huxtable, LCoH Boachie Ansah, Tpr Osborne, Lt Penrose, Tpr Bailey-Bligh, Tpr Hinchliffe, Tpr Greenhow, LCoH Harris
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The team on an early morning loaded march in Lulworth
The team training in Bovington. LCoH Boachie-Ansah in the foreground
adapt the training to the specific demands we would face in Brecon. After a fortnight of build up training in camp we deployed to Lulworth on Ex SECOND LIGHT. This is where the training and the selection started in earnest. The exercise was structured so that the mornings were given over to fitness and conditioning, with the hills and cliffs of Dorset’s Jurassic coast providing the perfect setting. We smashed ourselves up and down the unforgiving landscape, each one of us inspired by the early morning sunrises over the Channel. Each afternoon was given over to lessons, rehearsing everything from section level drills (including section attacks) through to river crossings. LSgt White-Doyle provided some fantastic
in depth medical training, teaching the team how to deal with mine strikes and RTAs. The exercise served its purpose and we were now well prepared, conditioned and ready to tackle the competition itself. Having bonded closely as a team we were itching to get going. The Cambrian Patrol is an international event, with teams from all over the world taking part. We were chosen to host a team of Brazilian Commandos who joined us in the week prior to the competition. CoH Greenwood utilised his finest Portuguese in order to train and test the Brazilians on our weapons. Once the Chinese State Visit was out of the way, we loaded onto the transport and travelled through the night in order
to be in the Brecon Beacons to receive orders at 0400 the following morning. The next 48 hours saw the team cover over 50km of Brecon terrain. At each checkpoint the team was tested on typical recce skills such as CTR, river crossing, chemical and biological warfare and casualties. The patrol culminated in building clearance and hostage rescue. The HCMR team did extremely well. Despite one of the team dropping out after the first day, which cost us 150 points, we went on to win a bronze medal. Whilst receiving our medal, the Exercise Director informed us that only one other team had achieved a medal after loosing a team member. We had achieved what only a few units had, with every man in the patrol stepping up, demonstrating the grit and determination that the Household Cavalry is famous for. Best of Luck to the HCMR Cambrian Patrol Team for 2016; the bar has been set.
Scandinavian Ceremonial Defence Engagements by Warrant Officer Class 1 (RCM) P G Ireland, The Blues and Royals
A
s RCM I have been lucky enough to go on two defence visits to the armed forces of Denmark and Sweden. Over the years HCMR have developed strong links with both and all parties concerned have learned from each other in the art of everything State Ceremonial. The Commanding Officer at the time, Lt Col Paul Bedford, and the Riding Master, Capt Richard Chambers, and I visited the Danish Guard Hussar Regiment Mounted Squadron (GHR) in mid April 2015. Their purpose is to provide mounted escorts for their Royal family and carry out ceremonial services for the Royal Danish Army. The Squadron commands 18 officers and NCOs, and 75-100 conscripts and 75 horses. It also has a saddler, music teacher, veterinarian and farrier. The conscripts serve one year of service, three months of this are made up of basic military training, before learning the basic stable duties,
Danes in the stables getting on top
Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment â– 51
basic riding skills, and escort training. Conscripts, despite their short service time, turn their horses out immaculately; this is due mainly to the fact that they work on a one person - one horse ratio and arguably have better facilities than we do. The GHR were at a forward mounting base at their parliament in Copenhagen in preparation for Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II, the Danish Queen’s, birthday. Luckily for them this is where the Danish Royal Mews are based, so the facilities were spectacular and highly maintained. We found this out for ourselves when riding in the outdoor ménage which is roughly three times the size of ours in Hyde Park. After a lesson with the Danish Riding Master, we went to our separate messes for lunch. These were decked out 4 tonne trucks with at least 20 place settings in each back; it was cosy if nothing else. I soon learnt that the Danish like a drink or ten and the “Gammeldansk” seemed to flow from this moment on! The next day we were turned out by the conscripts and rode with GHR on their rehearsal for Queen Margrethe’s birthday parade through the scenic and well groomed streets of Stockholm. The actual day of the parade went extremely well and we were lucky enough to get an excellent position to watch the parade and our guide Stig made it an interesting and informative afternoon. Queen Margrethe is hugely liked and the spectators were in their thousands on the day. The most recent trip to Sweden was attended by the commanding officer Lt Col James Gaselee, the Adjutant Capt Boyt, the RM and me. We arrived in Stockholm and were greeted by Hans who was an excellent chaperone throughout the visit. The Life Guards (Livgardet) is a combined cavalry/infantry regiment. The infantry battalion trains infantry soldiers in both the mechanised and rifle roles. The Guards battalion consists of three companies: The Life Company; the 6th and 8th Companies. They are light mechanized companies trained for urban combat with the defence of
himself round a bit! There are no conscripts as in the Danish Army, but the duties fall on their equivalent of civil servants; from what the commanders were saying it is sometimes difficult to control who turns up on certain parades or indeed for work!
The Livgardet en route to the Swedish Parliament
Stockholm as its wartime duty. The Life Guards has been in its current form since 2000, when the functions of three separate units, the Svea Life Guards, the Household Brigade and the Household Dragoons (all of which were classed as Household troops) were amalgamated into a single regiment. On the first evening we had a short tour of the Officers’ Mess and then a sumptuous dinner; it really was a spectacular mess full of history and like the in the Officers’ Mess in Windsor had picture of Kaiser Wilhelm II; he definitely got
The Adjutant and RCM trying on Swedish infantry bearskins watched by a sceptical Commanding Officer
The next day we were shown around their excellent facilities, not surprisingly made from wood. A huge indoor riding school, with state of the art heating, tan surface, dividers, and viewing gallery really was the talk of the day. It was easily eight times the size of ours. The veterinary room would make any vet envious with its operating table and gadgets, whilst the horse washing stations, tack rooms, storage rooms, changing rooms, and stables made ours look particularly mediocre. We then followed the preparations and execution of the Swedish State Opening of Parliament. Surprisingly, the amount of spectators was low, probably due to the fact that it was on a working day and the distance between the barracks and Parliament is very short so, compared with ours, the parade is really short and, although impressive, does not take long. A two and half hour hack out was the final thing on the programme. We went through the beautiful parks in Stockholm, and stopped for a short time for a brew and cake which was well overdue. Along the way the Commanding Officer’s horse spooked (weak riding?) next to a canal which nearly threw me in the drink! I found both trips interesting, informative and quite eye-opening; the idea of these trips is to develop a worldwide mounted ceremonial family enabling us to learn from each other. Also to make our relations with the Danes and Swedes stronger, with joint operations being more frequent and future battle group exercises on the agenda; this will serve to cement the relationships which are already in place.
Pegasus Company: From Kit Ride to Catterick by Captain J R FitzGerald, The Blues and Royals
“
OUTSIDE!” came the all too familiar cry from the PTI. A rush of 80 people spilled on to the parade square, carrying bergens and sporting ‘noddy’ hats. We had been waiting for the last hour in drab changing rooms, reminiscent of an away school rugby game, not knowing when we might get the call. After an intense two and a half weeks’ training, Test Week had finally arrived. Over the
next five days we would have to pass the 10-miler, trinasium, log race, steeplechase, 2-miler, milling, 20-miler and stretcher race to earn the coveted maroon beret. Pegasus Company has been the gateway to serving with airborne forces since the 1960s. Its mission is to ‘test physical fitness, determination and mental
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robustness, under conditions of stress, to determine whether an individual has the self-discipline and motivation required for service with Airborne Forces; this it certainly achieved! Daily routine consisted of reveille at 0600hrs (a lie-in compared to HCMR) courtesy of a bugler from the Army School of Ceremonial, who felt that the
early hours of the morning were the best time to practice. After a hearty breakfast, everyone would begin their own preparation; stretching, applying zinc oxide tape and consuming a liberal cocktail of painkillers. However, Tramadol was soon taken off the menu when one unfortunate individual took it prior to the log race on Thursday and woke up in Northallerton hospital on Saturday with no recollection of the past three days! The morning would be taken up by a sadistic ‘tab’ or run with plenty of hill repetitions and ‘run aways’ and the afternoon would be a circuit session, generally focussing on legs and the infamous punishment of ‘knees-to-chest’ on the crash mats; almost a second home for the officers and anyone else unfortunate enough to suffer the PTIs’ wrath. Test Week was intense but achievable and by that stage our bodies had become accustomed to the rigours of the course. For many there was comfort in the thought that, however hard each event was, the threat of impromptu ‘beastings’ was ever fading. Standing on the parade square on the final day, there was a palpable feeling of dread and optimism as the OC called out each number and either “PASS!” or “FAIL!”
The Author (third from the left) stands proud with the other successful Household Division soldiers and officers
Fortunately, for all the Household Division soldiers who had started Test Week, we were soon replacing our headovers with maroon berets. Over the years the Household Cavalry has achieved a high pass rate on the course and many go on
to serve in the Guards Para Platoon (3 PARA, B Coy, 6 Pl). At the time of publication, there were four (Tpr Petit, LCpl Marchant, LCpl Pringle and LCoH McClure) and it is hoped that in the near future there will be many more.
The New Waterloo Dispatch by Captain J Carefoot, The Life Guards This morning I went to visit the field of battle, which is a little beyond the village of Waterloo, on the plateau of Mont-Saint-Jean; but on arrival there the sight was too horrible to behold. I felt sick in the stomach and was obliged to return. The multitude of carcasses, the heaps of wounded men with mangled limbs unable to move, and perishing from not having their wounds dressed or from hunger, as the Allies were, of course, obliged to take their surgeons and waggons with them, formed a spectacle I shall never forget.
The wounded, both of the Allies and the French, remain in an equally deplorable state Maj W E Frye, June 1815.
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n the early hours of 19th June 1815, as the wounded bled, the victorious celebrated and a defeated French army reeled back, an exhausted Duke of Wellington put pen to paper. The document, destined for Earl Bathurst in London, was to bring the news of one of the most defining moments in European history; victory at Waterloo.
The Dispatch Escort at Waterloo Place
Wellington’s Dispatch, making no reference to his own strategic brilliance, focuses on the exploits of his subordinate commanders and his European allies. However, it’s closing line names the man entrusted to see it’s safe delivery, along with three Napoleonic Eagles seized during the battle, to the ‘feet of His Royal Highness’; this man was Major Percy. Major (later Colonel) the Hon Henry Percy was a trusted aide de camp of Wellington having served with him until his capture in 1810 during the Peninsula Campaign. Percy was at Wellington’s side throughout the battle, at one point having his horse shot from beneath him, and was one of only three members of the Duke’s personal staff to leave the field of battle unwounded. The arrival of this dispatch in London, and its gazzetting the following day caused a fervent eruption of celebration amongst a population who had suffered the austerity of war, with barely a break, since 1793. It was the task of the New Waterloo Dispatch Committee, chaired by Major General Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter to recreate the route of the original dispatch and the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment was kindly invited to play a small part in the penultimate leg of the
Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment ■ 53
The post chaise at Horse Guards Parade
procession, escorting the actor playing Major Percy in his post chaise from Grosvenor Square to a meeting with the Lord Mayor of London at Waterloo Place and onwards to St James’s Square and the East India Club, where news of the victory reached the Prince Regent, for an audience on this occasion with the Colonel, The Blues and Royals, HRH The Princess Royal.
HCMR’s contingent came in the form of an Escort, modeled on the form of the Regalia escort for the Crown Jewels; three mounted Life Guards and three mounted Blues and Royals under the command of LCoH Raffel RHG/D. As is always the case, no plan survives first contact; LCoH Raffel and the troopers of the Escort performed admirably despite a number of fluctuations in the
HRH Princess Royal informed by ‘Major Percy’ at the East India Club for the culmination of the post chaise’s journey
rehearsed plan. Our small part in this mammoth journey left all involved with an overwhelming feeling of pride at being included in the re-enactment of such an important historic event.
The Band of the Household Cavalry
by Lance Corporal of Horse Wootten and Lance Corporal Taylor
A
s has become something of a tradition, the Band took the opportunity of a week’s adventure training in January. This time we went skiing in Val Thorens, France, which provided an excellent opportunity for the Band to get together and team-build in a more informal, social environment. Needless to say we returned refreshed and ready to face the challenges of the forthcoming year. In February, 10 musicians who had been posted to the band in 2014 completed their equitation training and were promptly thrown in at the deep end with preparations for the Mexican State Visit. In true Household Cavalry
fashion, they all performed excellently and are now well-versed in the noble art of playing a musical instrument on horseback. As a result of Future Army Music 2020, the Band is now the largest symphonic wind band in the British Army; we are able to perform more challenging indoor and outdoor repertoire and also fulfil a greater variety of public duties, which in the spring included the Easter Court Guard changes at Windsor Castle whilst Her Majesty was in residence (the so-called “long guards”).
Just a few days after completing another very successful summer season, both mounted and dismounted (ending with the Garter Ceremony), the Band demonstrated their versatility by performing as a concert band in St Paul’s Cathedral at a service commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. In July, the Band travelled to Switzerland to participate in the tenth Basel Tattoo and is glad to report the Adventure training in Val Thorens Band received widespread
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Major Hallatt leads the Mounted Band through the Wellington Arch
critical acclaim. This internationally renowned tattoo is second in size only to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (where we are hoping to be next year),
part of a short-term training team in Kenya; LCoH Stringfellow spent a month with a short-term training team in Ethiopia; Musn Codd spent a week in Sarajevo and Banja Luka training musicians from the Bosnian, Macedonian and Albanian armies; and the trumpet team are embarking on a six-day tour to Nigeria in midDecember. WO2 (BCM) Thomas leads the band out of Windsor Castle
and has a similarly diverse cast, with bands travelling from all over the world to take part; an excellent opportunity for cultural exchange.
(from front to rear) LCoH Martin, LCoH Danckert, LCoH Matthews and WO1 Hales in concert
On return from summer leave, in addition to our usual public duties, the Band began rehearsing for a series of concerts in October, the first being at Salisbury Cathedral and then a second the following day at Windsor’s Holy Trinity Garrison Church. These events were a great success and really sealed the belief that the band is working together as one. Later in the month, a whistle-stop tour of Germany saw the Band giving joint concerts with a German Army band from Bavaria at the Beethoven Halle in Bonn and a charity fundraising concert in Lennestadt. Between the concert schedule we also found time to return to HCMR to performed as a mounted band for the State Visit of the President of China - a particularly challenging parade for the younger band horses who are used to mounted kettledrums but not Chinese dragons and cymbals! Some members of the band have travelled even further afield in support of wider army initiatives: Capt D Hammond and LCpl Marshall formed
Our social media team have been kept extremely busy keeping up with the Band’s full and varied calendar, but have risen to the challenge and produced some very popular time-lapse sequences and excellent high-quality photographs, both on parade and behind-the-scenes. It is no surprise then that our Facebook page now has in excess of 9,100 “likes”. We are pleased to announce that we now have two “Ironmen” in the band. LCpl Sandford qualified for, and competed in the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii in October, and SCpl Sparks completed his first Ironman event in Austria in July - well done both. The last 12 months have seen many more arrivals and departures than usual within the Band. There is not sufficient space to list all of them here, but particularly worthy of mention are the departures of Maj P Wilman and WO1 Collin, who have both now left the regular army; WO2 Marsh who was promoted to the role of RCMO at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall; and SCpl Kent who is now the Band Sergeant Major of the Royal Logistics Corps. They will all be sadly missed and we extend our heartfelt thanks for their contributions to the Band over the years, and in particular for their efforts during the transition from two bands to one - we wish them all well in their future ventures. We were, of course, delighted to welcome the return of Maj C Hallatt as our Director of Music; he was previously Bandmaster of the Band of The Life Guards, and completed his two-week equitation refresher course in record time! We were also pleased to welcome LCpls Pacey and Brown and Musn Jackson to the band. With the arrival of the New Year, and
On stage with the German Army Band at the Beethoven Halle
Musn Codd riding Adamas
another round of promotions and postings within the Corps of Army Music, we will bid a sad farewell to Capt Hammond, the last Director of Music of the Band of The Blues and Royals and Assistant Director of Music of the Band of the Household Cavalry, who leaves us to take up the baton as Director of Music of The Countess of Wessex’s String Orchestra. SCpl Sparks, who has spent most of his 25-year career in the Household Cavalry, travels to Winchester to take up the position of principal tuba and Bugle Major with the Band and Bugles of The Rifles. LCoH Lamb leaves us to take up a post as a Phase 2 Training Instructor with Rendle VC Troop, The Royal Military School of Music and LCpl Gibson begins his Musical Direction Course at the same place. We are sure they will both uphold the fine traditions of the Household Cavalry wherever their future careers take them. Finally, and fittingly at the end of an extremely successful year, we celebrate a large number of promotions within the Band as a result of the 2015 Corps of Army Music Promotions Board. We are pleased to announce that as of 2nd January 2016 Musns Belham, Diggle, Laurie and Robinson will be promoted to LCpl; LCpls Crofts, Egan, Gibson, Sandford and Wrighton are promoted to LCoH; LCsoH Danckert, Martin and Wootten are promoted to CoH, and CsoH Hurman and Screen are promoted to SCpl.
The Massed Mounted Band on South Carriage Drive
Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment ■ 55
Household Cavalry Sports Round-up HCR Adventure Training Expeditions - 2015 by Captain C J P Murphy, The Blues and Royals
2
015 was a busy year for the HCR, not least because we were focussing on all of the training objectives required to meet the standard for readiness and enter 2016 in the right shape. Despite this, the Regiment has managed to conduct a significant of Adventurous Training (AT). AT is important to the Regiment because it improves our operational capability by developing key attributes and characteristics required of soldiers. These include, but are not limited to, physical courage, determination, teamwork and trust. The highlights of this year’s AT were a sub-aqua diving trip to the Red Sea, a fantastic AT package in BATUS and two Squadron trips (D and B) to visit Le Premier Regiment de Spahis in Valence, conducting various activities in the south of France. The Regiment’s reinvigorated relationship with Le Premier Régiment de Spahis, who are a French Armoured Cavalry Regiment based in Valence with recent experience in Mali and the Central African Republic, has allowed both B and D Squadrons to visit them, using their camp as a base for some excellent AT. D Squadron’s trip in May was a huge success, involving a particularly educational tour of the Spahis’ barracks, some good AT and enjoyable moments
of social cohesion. The AT conducted included mountain biking near Grenoble, kayaking on the River Rhône, canyoning in Valence and hill walking in the local mountains. The canyoning proved to be a particular challenge and not all of D Squadron’s members were willing to take on some of the higher jumps! The hill walking was accompanied by a historical tour of some spectacular roman ruins, le Château de Crussol, making it more enjoyable than many had expected. The highlight of the excellent hospitality offered by the Spahis was an al fresco drinks evening for the whole Squadron. This provided a great opportunity not only for Squadron bonding but also to strengthen our developing relationship with this sister unit. Furthermore, the D Squadron officers were lucky enough to be treated to a wine tasting event at a local vineyard, the most exciting moment of which was the discovery of the 3 ltr bottles of local produce on offer. After an enjoyable trip, D Squadron brought a visiting party from the Spahis back to Windsor for a visit of the HCR, hosted by B Squadron.
Trail race event, a 12km urban assault course race. The Spahis had invited the Squadron over specifically to take part in the race, laying down the gauntlet. B Squadron put in a solid performance and was awarded 4th overall and 2nd in the military placing, losing graciously to the hosts. With the race over, B Squadron focussed on other activities such as mountain biking and hill walking, enjoying many of the same routes and trails that D Squadron had just a few weeks before. B Squadron was also hosted exceptionally well and enjoyed a tour of the barracks which involved being shown around the VBL and AMX10, the Spahis’ wheeled reconnaissance vehicles. Understanding their doctrine and tactics was a very useful part of the trip and enhanced by a couple of meetings with Officers and NCOs. For B Squadron, the exercise was topped off with a BBQ at the Training Officers’ house where he treated the Squadron to some great food and a tour of his personal historic weaponry, including a particularly fine collection of dueling pistols.
B Squadron followed this visit up with another expedition out to Valence in June. The highlight of this trip was the Squadron’s participation in the Urban
C Squadron organised a week in RAF St Mawgan, near Newquay. Not only did this provide them with a chance to catch up on some of the mandated annual
D Squadron with Le Premier Régiment de Spahis in Valence, France
Household Cavalry Sports Round-up ■ 57
year was drawing to a close, there was ROUGH RIDE, a horseone major AT exercise still remaining. riding expedition through Ex COCKNEY DEPTHS was a sub-aqBanff National Park. From ua diving expedition to the Red Sea in TEC, participants are alEgypt. It planned to take divers with a located their horses and range of experience, from novice to inset off on their expedition structor, out to the Red Sea to dive some towards the mountains. of the most spectacular wrecks and reefs Their journey takes them on offer anywhere in the world. After through some extremely some preparatory training for the novbeautiful mountain scenices in the pool at Pirbright, the exerery, across rivers and cise qualified 12 Ocean Divers, 4 Sports through forests. Whilst a Divers and allowed 2 Advanced Divers slightly less strenuous opthe opportunity to progress their depth tion than mountaineering, training to 40m, so in this respect it was the ride was a brilliant opa huge success. It was made even more portunity for HCR soldiers enjoyable by numerous interactions to do things they would with marine wildlife such as dolphins, not otherwise do. The high stingrays, giant moray eels and turtles. point of this exercise was Those who took part were also fortuundoubtedly a huge BBQ nate enough to dive some spectacular with some of the biggest wrecks, including the notorious HMS steaks ever seen, which Thistlegorm, a Second World War supwere cooked to perfection Working hard up the glacier on ply ship which was sank by German by the guide, who himself Ex WAPTA DANCE, Canadian Rockies bombers whilst waiting for an opening was a perfect steely-eyed in the Suez Canal, which still has much cowboy. Other exercises of its cargo aboard and in tact: motorfocused on rock climbing and kayaking, tests, but also afforded them the opporbikes, trucks, rifles and engine parts are which, once again, provided a brilliant tunity to do some great mountain-bikabundant in the hull of this great ship opportunity for soldiers to start their ing, walking and surfing, as well as be- an underwater museum. Once again, experience in BATUS in a truly unique ing a good week away for the Squadron. those who took part will not only come and challenging way. There was also away with memories for life but have a multi-activity week called Ex BEAR Ex PRAIRIE STORM 4 in BATUS was to also learned about military skills - trust, DAWN for those who wanted a little bit be the HCR’s major test of 2015; the culteamwork, discipline - in a way that will of everything. mination (though thanks to Ex WESSEX make them better soldiers. STORM not the end) of the training year. The adventurous training in BATUS in However, for over 100 soldiers from the Adventurous Training in the Housesuperb; the Canadian Rockies offer a HCR BG this exercise was preceded by hold Cavalry Regiment is in reasongenuinely world class venue for a mula superb period of AT in the Canadian able health. As you have read, there titude of activities and the guides are Rockies. AT in BATUS is based out of have been a number of expeditions and excellent. All members of the HCR who Trails End Camp (TEC), in the Eastern opportunities this year. It is the Regiparticipated will treasure the memories foothills of the Rocky Mountains. It is a ment’s aim that this will only increase of their adventures for a long time and superb facility, which hosts a number of as we have more time at home in 2016. will have been challenged in a brand different AT activities: mountaineering, Conducting AT is a brilliant way to keep new way, met new people and had to rock climbing, kayaking, mountain bikpeople interested whilst also making a deal with situations that, in the end, will ing, horse riding and skiing. meaningful contribution to individumake them a better soldier as a result. als’ confidence and overall operational One of the exercises that HCR solcapability. Upon returning from BATUS and as the diers participated in was Ex WAPTA DANCE: a winter mountaineering expedition based around the Athabasca Glacier and Columbian Ice Fields on the border of Jasper and Banff National Parks. It is designed as an introduction to winter mountaineering, including an ‘ecole du glace’ where participants learn about the techniques required for using ice axes and crampons. It also includes crevasse rescue, ice climbing and via ferrata (or klettersteig). From a campsite at the foot of the glacier, participants head onto the glacier or up the mountain every day. Highlights included summiting Mt Athabasca (3,491m), climbing out of icy holes in the glacier and hanging off the bars of the via ferrata! This trip is true AT: testing, both mentally and physically, whilst also reinforcing the bonds of teamwork and providing a huge sense of satisfaction in one’s accomplishments. Another expedition Enjoying the scenery during Ex COCKNEY DEPTHS, Egypt that HCR soldiers took part in was Ex
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Exercise STEADFAST ALLEY Blazing Paddles in the Rockies by Corporal of Horse Brophy, Welfare CoH
D
uring prayers in mid January 2015, WO2 (SCM) Walker asked for volunteers for a trip to Canada. Before he could explain what it was, I raised my hand and volunteered myself. Several weeks later I was told it was to be Adventurous Training; kayaking and white water rafting down the Ottawa River in Toronto. It was to be a multi national exercise involving the Canadian Armed Forces. Also involved were soldiers from other UK Regiments, including The Rifles and the Intelligence Corps.
The boys pulling together through the white water
I wasn’t the only member of the HCMR going, as I took with me LCpl Johnstone, Tpr Lafferty and Tpr Poutney. For the latter, it was his first time leaving TFL network Zone 3, so he was a little uneasy about taking his first trip on a plane! Day 1 saw us boarding a virtually empty RCAF plane, where Tpr Lafferty took full advantage of the four seats he had to himself, and slept the entire flight. LCpl Johnstone tried to reassure Tpr Poutney that the wing wasn’t about to fall off, by pointing out the various pieces of black and nasty that were keeping it in place.
rate. Tpr Poutney was extremely excited as he was also about to experience his first beer (according to Lafferty). We arrived at a place called Wilderness Tours several hours later and, thankfully, the Canadians had already set up camp for us; they really are very nice people. After a late meal, some introductions around a fire and several shots of, whiskey, gin, rum, and several beers, it was suddenly morning and I somehow managed to find my way back to the tent. Days 2 and 3 saw us in big inflatable rafts hosted by Wilderness Tours. These days were spent learning commands to navigate ourselves through rapids and avoiding huge rocks. This mostly worked, but naturally we found ourselves testing the limits of our newfound skills, and that normally ended up taking a dip; which was quite welcome as the weather was hot and the water was warm. Lunch was normally taken in the form of a BBQ on the riverbank. Happily, there were no duelling banjos and no one was made to squeal like a pig. For Day 3 to 5 we packed up our kit and boarded the big bright yellow ‘fun’ bus and headed downriver. Six hours later we arrived at the start point of the next part of the journey. We were issued a 2-man kayak and all of the equipment needed to enable us to travel downstream completely self-sufficiently. The list included water and bear proof
containers, tents, first aid kits, kitchen equipment, winches, ropes and what felt like a ton of other things that would all need to be loaded into our kayaks. This became a slight issue on one particular 500m porterage (carrying your kayak across waterfalls by dry land). I think my new Canadian friend managed to get all of the stuff across in two trips (4km). These days were spent mostly in the water trying to catch lunch or trying to not get sucked down rapids. There were a couple of hairy incidents where I had to perform a few rescues of other kayaks, and sometimes even my own crew. Once I had to secure my paddler (buddy) to me, and myself to a tree. Unfortunately, I had to abandon ship and try and swim to the nearest bit of land. Our Kayak, and all of our kit, freed itself and happily sailed on downstream. On the last night we were informed that the Canadians still had $4000 left of our food budget, so contact was made with a support vehicle, and fresh lobster, crab, muscles, and beer was soon delivered. We managed to arrive at the pickup point on time, and were taken to CFB Kingston where we washed up, put on our glad rags and went into the city; returning to camp around 0430hrs (35 minutes prior to our transport leaving to take us back to the airport). Trying to account for the 60 other people involved on this exercise, all in the same state as me, was no mean feat but we all made it to plane, almost intact.
We landed just fine, received a brief from our host, and boarded a bright yellow school bus (just like you see in the movies). After a couple of hours we were taken to a liquor store, where the guys all took advantage of the exchange
Waking up for breakfast
The team after a hard day on the river ready for a BBQ steak and some beer
Household Cavalry Sports Round-up ■ 59
Chasing the Egg
by Lance Corporal of Horse O’Carroll, D Squadron, HCR
R
ugby at the Household Cavalry was always going to be somewhat sporadic this year, given the Regiment’s commitments to BATUS and Ex WESSEX STORM between August and December. During this time Lt Bond handed control to Lt Comyn so he could go off for a roll in the snow. However, all that aside, we moved into our first game of the season where we achieved a very impressive win over 11 EOD 40-0. Despite the scoreline, it was a very hard fought encounter with many hard hits, most notably to our Number 8, the 20st giant that is LCoH Jordan (aka Fish) who was folded in half by his opposite number, leaving him with a broken collarbone and forcing him to hang up his boots on medical advice. With no time to blink, it was time for the Hodson’s Horse competition, this is the RAC championship held annually at Bovington. Regimental commitments meant that a number of new faces found themselves with a rugby ball in hand for the first time since their school days, which for WO1 (RCM) Ireland was a very long time ago. The tournament
C
ontrary to popular belief, the crossfit club is not composed of ‘gym monkeys’ who enjoy ‘savage lifting’ and only consume pounds of raw steak and gallons of protein shakes. The club has a broad spectrum of physical attributes and this year saw its numbers swell. The climax of the club’s calendar was
went well for the team, only losing out to a very well drilled Scots Dragoon Guard team, giving us a third place finish. This was an achievement of some note given the haphazard nature of our preparation and level of inexperience in the team. On return from Christmas leave, the team has found themselves with a packed fixture list. This began with us being narrowly defeated by 13 Air Asslt RLC 32 - 26. The team always looked dangerous in attack and the pack, led by the sizeable bulk of LCsoH McQuade and O’Carroll combined with the pace and power of LCoH Loloma and LCpl Veramu, put in a powerful shift. Unfortunately, a lack of cohesion in defence and some handling errors cost us the game. This greatly annoyed the RCM, who being airborne himself, was not best pleased at being beaten by some “Plastic Paras”. Again Regimental commitments have led to some more restructuring of the management team, having a positive effect as LCoH O’Carroll and LCpl Matakibau have brought new ideas and
energy to training; LCpl Matakibau’s expertise as a PTI being utilised to bring structured strength and conditioning sessions, and LCoH O’Carroll’s experience with the RAC Rugby team bringing fresh ball handling drills. Looking to the future, we are hoping to bolster our player base with greater integration of HCMR into the team. Behind the scenes, LCoH O’Carroll and Lt Bond (back again from building snowmen and chatting up chalet girls) are working on a number of things to improve HCR Rugby, most notably organising an annual memorial game with Windsor RFC on Easter Sunday to remember members of both teams who have failed “to make the final whistle”. As the season draws to a close, planning is already moving to next year and the potential for an overseas pre-season tour (in the sunshine of course) is being explored and a training structure put in place to ensure that next season HCR Rugby is back where it belongs at the top of the pile.
Crossfit 2015 the LONDIST Throwdown Competition held in Wellington Barracks on 15th July 2015. The previous year only seven teams across LONDIST entered the competition, compared to the 20 teams that put themselves forward for the array of Workout of the Days (WODs) that the PTIs laid on this year. The Household Cavalry Regiment Crossfit Club (HCRCC) managed to muster four three-man teams to enter this year’s competition. An intense pre-competition training package laid on by our resident crossfit specialists, LCpl Hunt and LCoH Shaw, ensured that the team were in a good position to lift against our fellow LONDIST crossfitters on that mid-summers morning. The day involved conducting three WODs which were a mixture of AMRAP (as many reps as possible) in a
LCoH Shaw breezing the burden carry
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CoH Cowen rediscovering his PTI roots
CoH Shaw and LCpl Speaight enjoying their thousandth press up
given time doing various exercises and AQAP (not Al-Qaeda in the Arab Peninsular but As Quick as Possible) on a set number of reps doing a set lift. The WODs pushed the team to their crossfit limits, but everyone worked hard in true HCR tradition and we finished 5th, 6th, 13th and 14th which was a very good finish considering we had limited time to train and the competition was to a very high standard. All members of the HCRCC had an enjoyable day out and happily sipped on a well-earned beer before heading back to Windsor in the evening. Next year it is hoped that we can host our own throwdown competition for local crossfit clubs and local units. We also intend to come up with some more MLAs (Multi Letter Acroynms).
Squash
S
quash is one of the more minor sports pursued here in Windsor, nevertheless, the Regiment has a group of talented Squash players who, with further
practice, will progress from strength to strength. On 2nd December 2015, HCR won the LONDIST Team Squash Comnpetition held at HQ Northwood. The
team was Lt Comyn, LCoH Sabatini and LCoH Elder. We look forward to continued success in future competitions.
Tennis
T
ennis is perhaps the most minor of sports offered at Combermere. Mostly, it is perceived as more of a summertime hobby rather than a consistent pursuit. The Army Lawn Tennis Cham-
pionships were held at Aldershot Tennis Centre on 18th-19th July 2015. Capt Turnor, Lt Comyn and Tpr Rudd all participated but were knocked out in the second round due to some exceptional
talent from other parts of the Army. However, with a healthy appetite from certain individuals to participate in more regular and competitive matches, tennis at HCR will grow in importance.
HCR Swimming Team Report
T
he Household Cavalry Swim Team has had a particularly successful year. The team has taken training seriously, putting in a considerable number of hours in the pool and open water, and it has shown through in the team’s performance. Training and coaching sessions have been running every Tuesday and Wednesday mornings before breakfast, frequently on Friday mornings, and during the summer two evenings a week in Bray Lake, Windsor. All of this was as well as a week-long training camp in Cyprus, which saw the team training five hours a day, in short and long course open air pools and sea swimming. All of this training prepared the team well for the Army Open Water Swimming Championship off Boscombe Beach near Bovington in July. The race was a 1500m swim through fairly choppy conditions after a running start down the beach, with the first six swimmers for each Regiment counting towards the team competition. Despite missing two of our stronger swimmers, everyone performed better than expected and we won comfortably. A particularly strong swim was put in by Tpr Greenlees, who
HCR Swim Team on Boscombe Beach after winning the Army Open Water Swimming Championship
came in 10th. Tpr Greenlees’ performance earned him a place in the Army team for the Round the Island Relay Race in Jersey in September. He helped the Army team win, beating their main rivals the US Air Force. The strong results by the HCR team in the Open Water Championship caught the attention of the organisers of the
House of Lords v House of Commons Swimming Gala. This event is a fundraiser for Hope For Youth, a charity aimed at helping young people in Northern Ireland, and attracts swimmers from the Lords and Commons, current and ex-Olympic swimmers and invited teams. As one of the invited teams we were concerned that we would be out of our depth swimming against professional swimmers, but luckily for us the gala only involved relays in mixed ability teams. Swimming alongside Olympians was a treat for us all and impressed on us quite how impressive they are. With aspirations raised by this year’s successes the team is keen to continue the hard work, training for next year’s competitions. Inshallah, we will be able to return to Cyprus again and retain the Army Open Water Regimental Championship.
HCR Swim Team in Cyprus
The team has been fortunate to have had the strong support of the Commanding Officer, Lt Col Denis James, himself a key member of the team and we are all very grateful for his promotion of swimming in the Regiment.
Household Cavalry Sports Round-up ■ 61
Triathlon 2015 - HCR
T
he HCR triathlon team has gone from strength to strength this year. Our first event was the RAC Championships in Bovington on 22nd April, where we were up against a committed and well trained Queen’s Royal Hussars (QRH) team. On a gloriously sunny day, the HCR performed outstandingly and came away with victory in the team competition by only two minutes. A special mention should go to LCoH Mulholland for coming third overall, a significant achievement given the limited training time we had. Eight days later, the team was put to a much bigger test in the form of a selforganised Ironman Challenge to raise money for the Household Cavalry Foundation. This included a 2.4 mile (154 length) swim in the Bovington pool, followed by a 112 mile cycle to Combermere Barracks, and finally a 26.2 mile run to Knightsbridge Barracks. Tpr Spencer, Cpl Davies, LCoH Mulholland, Lt Faire and Lt Col James completed the full distance in 15hrs 53mins, well inside the official 17hr cut off. They were ably assisted in every phase by other members of the Regiment, as well as a mobile support crew to hold the endless energy bars and sports drinks. In total, the team raised £1,400 and we would like to thank everybody who donated so
Ironman Finishers - ‘The Finishing Five, from L to R, Tpr Spencer (C Squadron), Cpl Davies (RLC), Lt Faire (B Squadron), Lt Col James, LCoH Mulholland (C Squadron)’
generously. Our final team entry of the season was the London District Championships, held on 27th May at Dorney Lake. This Olympic facility provided a flat yet mentally challenging course that basically involved cycling and running down 2km long straight paths. The 500m distance boards seemed never to get any closer. Another impressive performance from the team saw off a huge
RAC Championships Team Winners. From Left to Right: LCoH Mulholland (C Squadron), SCpl Spink (HCMR), LCoH Perryman (HQ Squadron), Lt Faire (B Squadron), Cpl Davies (RLC), Lt Col James, Lt Mulholland (C Squadron), Tpr Spencer (C Squadron), Tpr Greenlees (D Squadron), LCpl Turner (D Squadron)
effort from the Coldstream and Welsh Guards to take victory once again. The team this year consisted of Tpr Spencer, Tpr Greenlees, LCpl Turner, Cpl Davies, LCoH Perryman, LCoH Mulholland, SCpl Spink, SCpl Allen, Lt Mulholland, Lt Faire, Capt Horgan and Lt Col James, and all should be congratulated on an outstanding year.
LONDIST Championships Team Winners, from L to R, LCoH Mulholland (C Squadron), Lt Faire (B Squadron), Capt Horgan (RHQ), Lt Col James, LCpl Turner (D Squadron), Tpr Spencer (C Squadron), Cpl Davies (RLC), LCoH Perryman (HQ Squadron)
Sports Round-Up
by Sergeant Cumberbatch RAPTC
I
arrived in HCMR in late July 2015 and, after a hectic handover take over from Sgt Brimble, I left Knightsbridge and deployed to Regimental Training in Bodney. As you could imagine like
most RAPTCI’s I have been fortunate enough to spend a lot of my military career involved in sport and adventurous training and wanted to show soldiers from HCMR what sport and AT is out
there. After a quick walk round at Bodney Camp, I received a warm welcome from all ranks and had a look at the real estate
Household Cavalry Sports Round-up ■ 63
The Rugby Team victorious against Watton RFC
Lt Nicole sidesteps a member of Watton RFC with the agility of an elf
Capt Mountain scores a try fully aware that there is a camera nearby
I could use to facilitate sporting competitions for the soldiers. Prior to me arriving Sgt Brimble had organised rugby and football matches with Watton FC and RFC for the Regimental teams, so getting guys prepared for these fixtures was the immediate priority.
extremely impressed with the squad that played. Capt T D E Mountain led the side and, with a cocktail of slick passing and superior fitness, HCMR scored 3 tries in the first 7 minutes. As the game unfolded, it was clear that the standard of fitness started to become a huge factor and HCMR could utilise their squad fully and bring on new emerging talent. HCMR won the fixture comfortably with a score of 42-14.
It was soon decided at Regimental Training to accommodate a variety of different sporting events; this included rugby, football, cricket, volleyball, crossfit, tugo-war, softball and a Land Rover pull. I was impressed at the competitiveness between all three Squadrons and also the standard to which the events were played. HQ Squadron were the overall winners of the round-robin competition winning it comfortably by 6 points. The rugby fixture against Watton happened on a picturesque summer’s day. The game was played on a fantastic pitch and all ranks from HCMR were in attendance. As a keen follower of rugby, I was eager to have a look at the standard of HCMR’s players and I was
The football was a fixture I was eagerly anticipating as, throughout regimental training, football had many troopers attending training sessions. CoH Murphy, who was the coach, had just left HCMR along with other key players who had departed for Windsor. Straight into the fixture it was clear that Watton Town were a very good technical side with players who had known each other for many years. For an HCMR team that was in its rebuilding phase I was impressed how well the defence coped for large periods of the game; one or two of their players had played at professional
LCoH Boachie-Ansah grizzing it during the Cross Fit challenge
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level. HCMR lost the fixture 3-0 but can take massive heart from the fixture with exceptional performances within the squad. The Officers and Troopers v WO’s and NCO’s Mess cricket match was a sporting event of goliath proportions. That cricketing titan, the RCM, took his team to the field full off confidence. Soon though, the slingshot batting of that malnourished goat herder of the Officer’s Mess, Capt JHSC Harbord, stood up and delivered a crushing defeat to the titan’s army.
Lt Nicole takes one to the unmentionables while WO2 (SCM) Dove and Sgt Cumberbatch guffaw heartlessly
“Are you not entertained?” Capt Harbord delivers the coup de grâce to the WO’s and NCO’s team
On return from Summer Camp there were many sporting events in the LONDIST diary with the GOC’s Cup being the next key event. HCMR did fantastically on the day accumulating points to finish 4th overall and, more
recently, the HCMR X-Country team finished second in the LONDIST crosscountry championships. With ample time still left in post I’m keen to get as many men involved in
sport as possible. I would like to take this time to thank my PTI’s who have been fantastic in helping me execute events and also setting up competitions at regimental training.
Household Cavalry on the Cresta Run 2016 by Captain P J R Chishick, The Life Guards
T
he Regiment sent a team out to St Moritz for the Inter-Regimental Cresta competition for 2016. We took the existing members of the Army Squad, of whom six are Household Cavalrymen, as well as four novices this year. The team spent a week training on the run, introducing the beginners to riding the Cresta and how to negotiate the infamous Shuttlecock Corner. Tprs Webb and Halfhide RHG/D were the two soldier beginners this year, with Lts HuntGrubbe RHG/D and Pagden-Ratcliffe LG. Sadly, Tpr Webb had to return to the UK for a course and Lt PagdenRatcliffe injured his hand in Shuttlecock and so we only took two novices through to the inter-regimental week. The Inter-Regimental race took place on Thursday, 21st January, on a fairly cold and fast morning. The regimental pairs comprised an Officer and soldier from each regiment with Capt Chishick and
Capt Harbord LG in the run
Capt Seccombe LG running start
Regimental teams
Household Cavalry Sports Round-up ■ 65
Tpr Grossman for The Life Guards, Capt Barnes and LCpl Tonkin for RHG/D ‘A’ team and Lt Hunt-Grubbe and Tpr Halfhide for RHG/D ‘B’ team. Both Tpr Grossman and LCpl Tonkin pulled out their best times of the season on their rides and Tpr Halfhide improved his times considerably, coming second in the Novice Cup and the Handicapped individual race. Lt Hunt-Grubbe RHG/D came third in the Novice Open as well as the Handicapped race. The Inter-Regimental Pairs competition
was won by The Life Guards with The Blues and Royals A team in second place. Sadly, Tpr Grossman and Capt Seccombe injured themselves over the course of the subsequent days and were unable to qualify for the Inter-Services competition; however, Capt Barnes RHG/D was awarded his full Army Colours and made the team as did LCpl Tonkin RHG/D who was awarded his Half Colours. Household Cavalry made up half of the Army Team this year and it was particularly encouraging to see that a third of the team were made up
Inter-Regimental Pairs winners
of other ranks with CSjt Armon-Jones RIFLES and LCpl Tonkin RHG/D. The Regimental Team continues to improve and form the backbone of the Army Team and we continue to look for new blood to bring through as some of them leave the Army. Our two ORs are coming along well and it is fantastic to see a LCpl in the Army Team. Interested parties are advised to contact Capt Seccombe in the first instance.
Army Team - L-R: CSjt Armon-Jones RIFLES, Capt Barnes RHG/D, Capt Seccombe RY, Capt Chishick LG, LCpl Tonkin RHG/D, Capt Wythe RL, Commander Field Army
Sailing - Seaview Regatta by Captain P J R Chishick, The Life Guards
T
his year, as usual after the Queen’s Birthday Parade, the Regiments of the Household Division made their way to Seaview on the Isle of Wight for 24th-25th June 2015 and the annual Household Division Regatta. Despite a busy time in the calendar, we had representation from the Household Cavalry, Scots Guards, Irish Guards and Welsh Guards.
generously paid for by the Major General. The boats normally take three crew and the breakdown is usually one officer (who has sailed before) and two troopers or guardsmen, who for the most part, have not sailed before.
We had a good showing from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment as the Armoured Regiment were away on exercise. Six soldiers came down from Knightsbridge, the majority of whom had done little or no sailing
The premise of the Regatta is to encourage soldiers to try sailing and hold a series of informal races over the course of two days down on the Isle of Wight. The Regatta is held in the Seaview Mermaid, a particularly forgiving one-design keelboat, very
The Red boat, skippered by Capt Chishick, rounds a mark
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The winning Crew Capt Chishick, LCpl Scheepers and Tpr Lakin
before aside from Tpr Barrett LG and LCpl Scheepers RHG/D who had done some sailing in big boats before. The racing started well on the Wednesday with a fresh breeze and we managed to get a good six races in, with the final race of the day being a crew race (in which one of the soldiers helmed the race under instruction). There was some close racing amongst the top three boats, with Capt Dyson SG, Capt Ronan
IG and Capt Chishick LG battling it out for first place. The Irish Guards had a particularly strong showing with three crews for this Regatta. The crew race was a slightly more unpredictable race, though LCpl Scheepers RHG/D helmed the Household Cavalry ‘A’ boat to victory. On day two, the wind had rather disappeared and the soldiers were taken for
a ride on some of the club rigid inflatable boats until the wind started to fill in and we were able to have another two good races. In the end though, the Scots Guards took 3rd Place, Irish Guards 2nd place and the Household Cavalry secured 1st place. The Regatta will take place next year on the 22nd- 23rd June and we hope very much to have even more soldiers from the Regiment taking part.
Household Division Winter Training Troop
L
by Lieutenant E T G Nicole, The Blues and Royals
engthening nights and falling temperatures mean only one thing for the more athletic and hardy of the Cavalry Blacks; the start of a new season in rural Leicestershire with the Winter Training Troop. Having completed yet another spell of tarmac bashing in London, 15 horses and 10 soldiers were picked to form the Winter Training Troop, based at the Defence Animal Centre, Melton Mowbray. The Winter Training Troop is established every year from October until February, which happens to coincide almost perfectly with the hunting season. It runs in partnership with the Household Division Saddle Club, which offers the chance for any serving personnel from across the Division to learn to ride, or equally improve their riding skills. The Defence Animal Centre has a host of equine facilities, including an all weather gallop track and cross-country course. In the build up to the hunting season, these facilities are employed in order to maximise the fitness and jumping abilities of the horses. Since the start of the season, Winter Training Troop has hosted over 40 visitors from across the Division and of all ranks. The Household Division Saddle Club subscribes to the Duke of Rutland’s Hounds, and the Cottesmore and Quorn Hunts: three of the UK’s most prestigious packs. They have always been hugely generous to the Household Division Saddle Club, and we must thank them for their continued support. It was, of course, on the Leicestershire hunting fields that so many notable cavalry officers of the past learned to ride, preparing them for the rigours of horsemanship in battle. The hunting season kicked off with the opening meet of the Cottesmore Hunt at Preston Lodge. The ‘A team’ consisting of Lt Col J D A Gaselee (Commanding Officer HCMR), Capt J G Sudlow (Staff Capt, London District) and Tpr Faulkner were all suitably mounted for a day in the saddle. Much entertainment ensued; Lt Col Gaselee honourably led the way in falling from Hotspur towards the start
of the day. The ripped and mud-spattered garments displayed the tell-tale signs of a tumble. This was the first of many falls throughout the season. Major A G R Owen, RHG/D Squadron Leader, visited soon after, again riding with the Cottesmore on his favourite Black, Llamrei. No more than ten minutes after the meet, he and Tpr Simmons were toppled in perfect unison. With the help of Squadron Corporal Major Sampson, and some ad hoc saddlery repair using a length of salvaged bailer twine, they heroically remounted for what turned out to be a fast and furious day. Encouragingly, this season there has been a surge of visitors from across the Foot Guards, including Lt Col C Broughton (Commanding Officer 1 GREN GDS). Ironically, the Foot Guards representatives have shown a great deal more ‘stickability’ over the fences than their cavalry counterparts, and are yet to have a faller. Lt Hamilton (IG) however, born and raised crossing the famous Co Wexford countryside, comprising vast drains and ditches, came to grief at the first obstacle of the day - a ditch. After hanging on to his horse’s
Mounted left to right - Capt Nicko Batten, CoH Bradbury, Lt E T G Nicole, Surg Maj W D Wall
neck for over fifty metres, he could hold no more, landing face-first in a freshly ploughed furrow. Time spent in Melton Mowbray has done wonders for the riding ability and horse management of the soldiers working within the Troop, and has offered many opportunities that would never be experienced by so many of our soldiers. In the coming seasons we hope to experience continued uptake of what is a wonderful opportunity and tradition.
Mounted left to right Tpr Taylor (RHG/D), Lt Nicole (RHG/D), Tpr Bird (LG), Tpr Simmons (RHG/D)
Household Cavalry Sports Round-up ■ 67
Photo Gallery
Cavalry Sunday. Messrs Scott, O’Connor and Gaselee consider the past and present - swing those lamps
Maj Gen Sir Simon Cooper leads The Life Guards down the Broadwalk to the Cavalry Memorial
Col Hamon Massey leads The Blues and Royals
The two RCMS contemplate the 105 Eagle at The Blues and Royals Association Dinner
SCMs Fitzgerald and Sampson frame the picture of Her Majesty with the Standards and Colours of Her Household Troops
68 â–
Maj Twumasi-Ankrah about to march D Squadron past The King of the Belgians
Capt Robson contemplates mysteries while pausing on the Suffield prairie
The Sovereign’s Standard of The Blues and Royals laid up in The Robin Chapel, nr Edinburgh, Nov 15
WO1 PG Ireland gives FSCpl Woods his leaving present. Cpl Maj Woods had been an accomplished saddler before transferring to the Forge
Col Tabor, Capt Churcher, Harry Hunter, SCplMcGuire, Derrick McKenna and RCM Ireland join Bill Laws, 92, formerly of 2HCR at the RHG/D Association Dinner
CoH Camaibau faces off with LCpl Kelly before England v Fiji in the Rugby World Cup
â– 69
HOLY TRINITY GARRISON AND PARISH CHURCH, WINDSOR Garrison Church of the Household Division Patron: HM The Queen
Iraq and Afghanistan War Memorial
Can You Help? Household Division During the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, fifty three soldiers of the Household Division lost their lives. Fundraising has now begun to create the Memorial to the Division’s Iraq/Afghanistan Fallen. This will be installed in a new community garden at the Household Division’s War Memorial Garrison Church in Windsor, already home to significant memorials to over 24,000 Cavalrymen and Guardsmen who gave their lives in conflicts dating back to the Battle of Waterloo.
Help fund the Household Division’s Memorial to the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars The memorial will be located in a rejuvenated floodlit garden for the benefit of the whole community which will be planted with hardy plants native to Iraq and Afghanistan. The unique and composite design of the Memorial will include: Seven stone tablets each representing the Regiments of the Division, will be inscribed with the names of the fallen servicemen, under their own Regimental insignia. Seven boulders from Iraq and Afghanistan, each with a verse from a specially commissioned poem, will sit in a desert garden.
The Church’s Victorian horse troughs will be repaired, returned to active use and included in the Cavalry Watering Order. In the evening they will be floodlit to form a water feature. A new lighting scheme incorporating heritage Victorian lighting. The Division Star, in granite, will be inset Into the West Terrace pavement. The seven regiments will each have their own iron fencing panel, created by a master blacksmith. A bronze statue of a kneeling solider in desert combats will feature at the centre that will bring together all parts of the memorial.
There are many different ways of sponsoring this project Sponsor a Brick
£20
The raised flower beds are created from stone coloured brick
We need 5,000 bricks Sponsor a York Flagstone
£100
All of the pavements will be replaced with large York flagstones
We need 480 flagstones Buy a Tree
£500
The original 170 year old yew trees will be supplemented by fully mature evergreens
We need 7 trees Buy a Heritage Lantern
£750
The new floodlighting will incorporate beautiful replica Victorian street lanterns
We need 9 lanterns Buy a Bench
£1,500
The church area is already a popular area to sit and more so in the new garden
We need 12 benches Buy a Victorian Fence Panel £2,500 Specially designed unique panels, each telling the story of the Household Division
We need 16 Panels
Sponsors’ names will be recorded in a specially commissioned Memorial Book. Those donating above £500 will additionally have their names carved or etched onto the sponsored article.
How to Donate Every donation will help create a living garden for the community and a lasting memorial for those who have given their lives for this Country. Please send your donation to the church office, at the address below, payable to:
‘Holy Trinity Garrison Garden Project’ Or visit our Facebook Page where you can donate online. If you are a UK tax payer we can claim Gift Aid back from the Inland Revenue. Please enclose a signed note with your address and postcode saying that you want us to claim Gift Aid. If you are sponsoring an item over £500, contact us by email.
Holy Trinity Garrison Church Office Room 65, 24-28 St Leonard’s Road Windsor Berkshire SL4 3BB Facebook:
Holy Trinity Garrison Church friendshtgc@gmail.com
Household Cavalry Foundation by Rebecca Metcalfe, Director
T
he Household Cavalry Foundation is the official charity for the Household Cavalry. The Foundation exists to provide charitable and pastoral support to all the members of the Household Cavalry family; serving Soldiers, Operational Casualties, Veterans, Heritage and the welfare of the retired Horses.
An example of support is the case of Corie Mapp. He has received funding to complement his sports sponsorship from Help for Heroes. Corie competes for the UK Para Bobsleigh team and it is hoped will compete in the next Winter Olympics. More details regarding Corie’s training are detailed at the end of this article.
The Foundation has supported more beneficiaries this year, again, than ever before spending just over £200,000 on the five charitable objectives.
HCF continues to work with the Regimental Associations to improve and increase veteran welfare.
Serving Soldiers have received over £60,000 in grants that were divided proportionally between HCMR and HCR. The annual grants are to provide funding for education, adventure training along with leisure and sport activity. Jaguar Land Rover also kindly supported the Winter Sports teams again this year by providing two vehicles to support the Alpine, Nordic and Cresta Teams. This year, Lt Col Ralph Griffin was voted by the HCF trustees to chair the HCF Welfare committee. The committee covers Soldiers, Veteran and Operational Casualty welfare and manages grant requests for the general HCF fund and the restricted fund, Operational Casualties Fund. Over £33,000 of grants across 24 cases has been distributed this year on cases of those injured on operations, veteran welfare and to widows and families. Most expenditure funds training that will aid the future long-term recovery and careers of those that were injured on operations. HCF has also received another generous grant from the Berkeley Foundation towards development.
The Regimental Associations are the initial point of contact regarding all welfare cases, using their close links with SSAFA to ensure that all cases are tracked and supported through the welfare process. HCF has received £35,000 from the Household Cavalry Museum, and it is hoped that similar dividends will be received annually. HCF has funded heritage projects to the value of £7,492.00 largely ensuring the upkeep of various important memorials. In addition, annually funding of £20,000 is put aside to support the next Presentation of Standards. Ongoing work continues on streamlining the efficiency of all the Household Cavalry Trusts. This year has seen the completion of the legal transition of the Serving Officers Trust into the Household Cavalry Foundation. Similar to the previous legal transition of the Operational Casualties Fund, the Serving Officers Trust will remain a restricted fund with separated financial controls, and a heritage Committee will manage spending for this area chaired by an HCF and comprising the Regimental Adjutant, and the Presidents Mess
Committees for the officer’s messes of HCR and HCMR. Structurally HCF has seen the departure of two long standing members of staff including the Director, Rebecca Metcalfe, who after three years will be moving on to become the Director of Development at The Horse Trust. Rebecca has set the Foundation on its feet, developed its governance and established the procedural and legal basis for its operations. Above all, she has placed it on a sustainable footing with all that means for the long term support for the Household Cavalrymen. Ellen Spry, who has worked for the Foundation for two years, led on all the fundraising logistics, social media and development of the HCF website, including the Household Cavalry Carol Concert and Motcomb Street Party. The Board of Trustees would like to thank both Rebecca and Ellen for their efforts over their tenure and wish them both every success for their future. A huge amount of support has been received over the last three years. We are continually grateful and astounded by the generosity we receive, which serves as a testament, to the high regard in which the members of the Household Cavalry are held. The HCF relies solely on public donations and continues to welcome support from the wider Regimental family; all funds raised go directly to the five beneficiary areas. For more information about the Household Cavalry Foundation please visit our website: www.hcavfoundation.org
Household Cavalry Foundation Welfare Update: Corie Mapp Corie Mapp has been selected for the UK Para Bobsleigh team. He trained in Calgary before Christmas with Help for Heroes and HCF funded an extra 19 days in Calgary so that he could further his sporting additional
training below is Corie’s account of his training and his subsequent results. During the first week in Calgary, we concentrated on learning the track and strength and conditioning and push house practice for those of us who push. For me it was my first time pushing so it was a new challenge for me as the only double amputee on the tour. We experimented with the push and I was successful in doing so multiple times. It was an amazing feeling to do what was felt could not be done by an amputee. We moved on to track walks which teach you the intimate details of
86 ■ News from the Associations
the of the track corner wise and gets you familiar with the speed and velocity that will be experienced during training and we would carry this on for the week.
I had the opportunity to return to Calgary to for extended training with Alberta Bobsleigh. During this period, I had the opportunity to again learn from top Canadian coaches. I spent the entire three weeks learning how to improve on racing lines driven by myself along with things like how to read ice, how to do mechanical work to the sleds and alignment of runners along with strength and conditioning in a world class gym and the push house again.
Race day! This is comprised of to runs down the track with the person taking the less amount of time over the two runs being the winner. I placed 6th in the first and third races and 3rd in the second race. Although not ideal it’s still a steady start and I am still in a position to move up the table in Europe.
I
World Cup Para bobsleigh race. Lance Corporal Mapp, of the Household Cavalry, finished 0.18 seconds ahead of American Jason Storm in Igls, Austria. “What a feeling,” said Mapp. “Delighted to win the first Para bobsleigh gold.”
I am aiming to return to Calgary on the 28th of February for a training period before the World Championships in March along with helping with the development of prosthetic components for the pushing aspect of our sport but before that we finish off the World Cup in Saint Moritz and Igls in Austria. Corie went to St. Moritz with the UK Para Bobsleigh team after the training HCF paid for in Calgary. Corie Mapp won gold in the inaugural
Above: Corie Mapp met up with the HCMR Cresta Team Captain Chishick (Left) and Captain Seccombe (Right) also they’re part funded by HCF Serving Soldier Adventure Training grants
The Household Cavalry Museum
n anticipation of the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, the Museum introduced some new features. The hoof of Napoleon’s barbary charger Marengo, fashioned into a silvered snuff box, was kindly offered on loan and put on display; and the sound of the field trumpet on which the charge of the Household Brigade was sounded by the 16 year old John Edwards at Waterloo was able to be heard on the multimedia guide. This was by courtesy of David Edwards (RHG) - no relation - who recorded some trumpet calls a year or so back for the Bate Collection at Oxford University. David served with The Life Guards from 1965 to 1973 as a cornet player in the Band, principal trumpet in the orchestra and state trumpeter.
popular with our visitors, so Chinese (Mandarin) Portuguese and Russian were added in April, now making eight languages in all. In August, we installed an interactive kiosk, which features Operations since 1945 describing the theatres, campaigns and the medals associated with the conflicts. SCM Mick Flynn’s medals are on show in the Museum and some of the narrative relates the campaign and gallantry medals to aspects of his
distinguished army career Owing to exchange rate weakness, visitor numbers in 2015 have reduced as many of the operators we deal with have struggled to fill the gap made by the much reduced European market (by far Britain’s biggest), made up of budget travelling European residents who have simply found the value offered in London much poorer in comparison with earlier years. Tourism agencies suggest that the Charlie Hebdo incident in Paris
The touchscreen guide has proved very
The Marengo hoof snuff box
David Edwards blowing the Waterloo trumpet
News from the Associations ■ 87
in January also dulled the appeal of city centre tourism, further no doubt exacerbated by the November massacres again in Paris and other atrocities elsewhere. However, the tourism industry quickly adapts and it is anticipated that 2016 will see a modest recovery. Those who did come spent freely in the Museum gift shop, which is now contributing well to the overall business, and to the Household Cavalry Foundation to benefit all Household Cavalry objects. 2015 has, therefore, been a tougher year for the Museum in terms of income generation, but it is good to report that £35,000 was donated to the Household Cavalry Foundation from the proceeds of the Museum’s 2014/15 trading year marking what is hoped, once things return to something like normality, will be a not infrequent occurrence in the future, thereby fulfilling one of the Museum’s core objectives ab initio.
The interactive video plinth of Household Cavalry operations
The Household Cavalry Museum Archive by John Lloyd
T
his has been another interesting and productive year for the Windsor Museum and Archive and we have been heavily involved in many aspects of Regimental life as well as carrying out our core function of maintaining the reserve collection and providing the educational and archive facility to back up the Museum at Horse Guards. The official title for our operation is the Household Cavalry Regimental Collection Trust. Our new medal cabinets have now been fitted and organised. For the first time since the main Museum moved to London our substantial medal collection, including over 100 Waterloo medals, is now properly secured and displayed. We have recently added a touchscreen display system devoted to the history and deployments of our regiments since 1945 which duplicates the one also fitted in London and is proving very successful with our visitors. A number of excellent display cabinets were obtained as a result of the closure of the REME Museum at Arborfield and these have been refurbished and fitted in the classroom and main museum display room. We are in the process of organising the displays and lighting for these and hope to have them fully fitted out early in 2016. Our ongoing digitisation process continues. The majority of the photograph albums have now been done and the next tranche of documents for 2016 includes a large number of ledgers and books which are used regularly for research and consequently are becoming increasingly fragile. Progress
88 ■ News from the Associations
on making the digitised documents available online is slow, difficult and expensive but this was always expected to be a long process. We have a large number of photographs and documents in the archive which all need to be photographed catalogued and recorded. If any reader wishes to donate any of these items we will accept them gratefully, but could we ask that they are labelled with names, locations etc as one of our main problems is identifying individuals in the photographs etc that we hold. We continue to provide organised guided tours for a wide variety of groups. In the last year these have included WI, Rotarians, the ‘3rd Age‘, schoolchildren, Military vehicle enthusiasts and a group from the local history museum in Windsor with whom we are building a good working relationship. We hope to equip a cabinet in the Windsor library in May this year where we can also advertise our wares as a means of income generation. Being inside Combermere Barracks can occasionally be challenging from the point of view of organising these tours, but we have been well supported by the service regiment who have now got used to the sight of groups of miscellaneous civilians wandering through their areas and sharing their dining facilities. Our volunteers, particularly Jim Lees and Pete Storer, have been heavily involved during the year in battlefield tours for soldiers and also for the two Regimental associations having been to Waterloo several times and in Pete’s case also providing guiding services for the Sedgemoor leg of Ex DUNVILLE
ROYAL. Pete and Jim are at the moment involved in planning the Regimental Association tours to the Western front in April 2016. John Lloyd remains in charge of the Museum, ably assisted by Jodie Rosendale who is now wearing two hats as the Chief Clerk to Home Headquarters and also the Museum administration guru. The volunteers remain the mainstay of the Archive, and the core group of Geoff Knowles, Jim Lees, Bev Lawson, Ted Land and Harry Mitchell, since joined by such stalwarts as Hilary Howard, Stu Madden (now an in-pensioner at The Royal Hospital, Chelsea), Monica O’Donaghue, Kevin Ormerod and Pete Storer (now assistant curator), provide invaluable support. In the last year two more volunteers have come forward and we welcome Ann Wheeldon and Jonathan Holl to the team and also Don Johnson on his return to the fold. We would of course welcome any further volunteers, particularly those who live locally and have specialist skills which we could use. We have a particular shortage of IT skills at the moment! Please feel free to contact John, Jodie or Pete on 01753 755112 or email archive@householdcavalry.co.uk or assistantcurator@householdcavalry. co.uk. We are always happy to arrange for serving soldiers or regimental veterans and their families to visit the museum free of charge; other groups are required to pay.
The Life Guards
Obituaries
It is with much regret that the Honorary Secretary announces the death of the following Old Comrades announced in the last 12 months. The Life Guards Association offers their sincere condolences to all members of their families. May they Rest in Peace. O Ever-living God, King of Kings, in whose service we put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation, grant we beseech thee that The Life Guards may be faithful unto death, and at last receive the crown of life from Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
24021591 Cpl R Taylor Served 1st November 1965 to 1st November 1970 Died 15th December 2000, aged 52 years 22371538 LCoH F E K Gordon Served January 1950 to 31st December 1952 Died 3rd April 2004, aged 71 327992 Tpr T Taylor Served 1st December 1939 to 30th June 1946 Died 2007, aged 89 SCpl Peter W McGahan Served 6th March 1947 to 6th June 1969 Died 13th November 2013, aged 84 22891471 Cpl H J Roval Served 26th June 1953 to 17th July 1955 Died 3rd April 2014, aged 81 22556900 CoH P Gwilliam Served 1st January 1954 to 31st December 1967 Died 1st July 2014, aged 78 279186 Tpr K Atkinson Served 28th May 1953 to 28th May 1955 Died 29th July 2014, aged 83 22087367 Tpr E B Young Served 1st November 1948 to 31st May 1950 Died 3rd August 2014, aged 84 21062766 Tpr K GL Wright Served unknown start to 1st November 1949 Died September 2014, aged 84
22371535 LCpl D James Fordyce Served 7th December 1950 to 1st December 1952 Died date unknown, age unknown
23215634 Cpl P J Voller Served 8th March 1958 to 7th January 1967 Died 27th April 2015, aged 76
21000125 Tpr R T Eling Served 1st January 1951 to 1st May 1953 Died 16th January 2015, aged 84
23215611 LCpl M F Upton Served 22nd November 1954 to 8th January 1966 Died 13th May 2015, aged 74
Tpr A Newman Served 1955 to 1957 Died 17th January 2015, age unknown 22367237 Tpr J Roberts Served 2nd February 1957 to 3rd January 1959 Died 18th January 2015, aged 77 24076440 Tpr B W Butler Served 1968 to 1970 Died 1st February 2015, aged 66 22556735 WO1 R G Cornish Served 1st June 1954 to 30th June 1979 Died 2nd March 2015, aged 78 Lt Sir John Michael Burdick Greenaway Bt Served 30th June 1966 to 11th November 1968 Died 16th March 2015, aged 70 23865733 Tpr D Aspinall Served 17th April 1961 to 1st September 1967 Died 23rd March 2015, aged 72 22438496 Tpr J H G Addison Served 1st January 1951 to 31st December 1953 Died 25th March 2015, aged 84
23062814 LCpl R Stewart-Smith Served dates unknown Died 2014, age unknown
22205478 Tpr W Campbell Served 19th January 1950 to 10th February 1952 Died 31st March 2015, aged 83
24420322 Tpr D J Watts Served unknown to 21st June 1971 Died date unknown, age unknown
296827 Tpr Allen Harrison Served July 1947 to February 1953 Died 4th April 2015, aged 85
22205802 Cpl J V Burton Served 1st November 1954 to 1st November 1956 Died date unknown, age unknown
295691 Tpr E W McDonald Served 28th April 1941 to 21st October 1945 Died 17th April 2015, age unknown
22556915 Tpr D H Jennings Served 14th March 1955 to 29th December 1961 Died date unknown, age unknown
22205773 SCpl D D King Served 15th October 1951 to 14th October 1973 Died 21st April 2015, aged 81
295906 Tpr W J Cable Served 13th June 1942 to 9th February 1946 Died 17th May 2015, aged 93 3266687 Tpr W E Smith Served 3rd March 1939 to 6th October 1945 Died 26th May 2015, aged 94 14939998 Tpr P J Hillyard Served 1st March 1945 to 31st January 1948 Died 30th May 2015, aged 88 Lt E R P Wilson Served dates not known Died 3rd June 2015, aged 83 22205507 Tpr R G Passey Served not known to 27th February 1955 Died 16th June 2015, aged 82 6212187 Tpr H Richardson Served 25th May 1940 to 8th July 1946 Died 23rd June 2015, aged 93 407936 CoH W J (Bill) Cross Served 28th September 1934 to 30th October 1964 Died 29th June 2015, aged 97 22516123 CoH E G Charlett Served 18th July 1958 to 17th July 1988 Died 11th July 2015, aged 88 14079633 Tpr D H Jaggard Served 18th October 1945 to 26th March 1948 Died 11th July 2015, aged 87 296369 Tpr K A Fairhead Served 8th June 1944 to 31st October 1947 Died 12th July 2015, aged 89
Obituaries â– 89
23489569 Cpl R J Gower Served 3rd September 1957 to 22nd April 1969 Died 8th August 2015, aged 74
14186207 Capt N Townsend Served 30th December 1945 to 6th June 1954 Died 14th November 2015, aged 87
22880429 LCpl B Stead Served 11th February 1947 to 10th February 1959 Died 7th December 2015, aged 80
22205613 SQMC F Durrant Served 13th November 1944 to 1st January 1960 Died 2nd September 2015, aged 88
23879608 LCoH M Rose Served 25th August 1962 to 1st April 1974 Died 15th November 2015, aged 85
25026506 LCoH P Lythe Served 14th May 1993 to 27th September 2000 Died 7th December 2015, aged 45
295079 Tpr D Smith Served 1st April 1971 to 1st November 1977 Died 18th September 2015, aged 63
LCoH D R North Served April 1971 to April 1977 Died 17th November 2015, aged 65
574697 LCpl H E Rowland Served unknown to 30th September 1970 Died 10th December 2015, aged 84
276110 Lt L M Corah Served 5th May 1943 to 6th July 1945 Died 25th September 2014, aged 91 24394767 SCpl D A P Bridges Served 10th January 1978 to 12th November 2001 Died 22nd October 2015, aged 54 22455869 Tpr D W Purssord Served 1st February 1951to 31st December 1953 Died 24th October 2015, aged 84
22556743 LCoH W Mussett Served 1953 to 1978 Died 20th November 2015, aged 79 533376 Lt Col M J Torrent Served 1976 to 2005 Died 21st November 2015, aged 65 296758 Tpr A N Smith Served 11th February 1947 to 10th February 1959 Died 5th December 2015, aged 86
551072 Maj J S Tierney Served 12th September 1976 to 12th June 2002 Died 19th December 2015, aged 56 Musn J Barnbrook Served dates unknown Died 25th December 2015, aged 77 14926563 Tpr A R Asprey Served 15th February 1945 to 12th January 1948 Died December 2015, aged 88
The Blues and Royals It is with much regret that the Honorary Secretary announces the death of the following Old Comrades. The Blues and Royals Association offer their sincere condolences to all members of their families. May they Rest in Peace. O Lord Jesus Christ who by the Holy Apostle has called us to put on the armour of God and to take the sword of the spirit, give thy grace we pray thee, to The Blues and Royals that we may fight manfully under thy banner against all evil, and waiting on thee to renew our strength, may mount up with wings as eagles, in thy name, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. LCpl Allen Payne RHG Served from 1st May 1957 to 1st May 1959 Died 4th July 2014, aged 78 years
22015741 Tpr John Baines Dodd RHG Served from 1st January 1948 to 31st March 1950 Died 27th January 2015, aged 85 years
CoH Eric Marchington RHG & 1HCR Served 3rd June 1940 to 4th October 1946 Died 26th March 2015, aged 94 years
23701249 Cpl Frederick George Collingwood RD Served from 5th March to 15th March 1968 Died 11th August 2014, aged 76 years Apologies for not being in 2014 Journal
WO1 Jim Paul RD Served from 1st January 1952 to 9th January 1974 Died 29th January 2015, aged unknown
LCpl Gordon Masheder Brockbank RHG Served 1st January 1948 to 1st December 1949 Died 2nd April 2015, aged 86 years
24239336 Tpr Melvin Crockford RHG/D Served from 1st August 1972 to 31st August 1977 Died 12th January 2015, aged 58 years 24012425 Tpr Richard James Murphy RHG/D Served from 14th August 1964 to 19th May 1970 Died 13th January 2015, age unknown 305403 Cpl Alfred Edward Tate RHG Served from 28th August 1939 to 29th December 1947 Died 22nd January 2015, aged 95 years
90 â– Obituaries
439965 Maj Darel Sausmarez Carey RHG Served from 23rd February 1952 to 9th September 1964 Died 11th February 2015, aged 80 years 23929053 SCpl Tony Pentith RHG/D Served from 1st September 1963 to 1st December 1985 Died 3rd February 2015, aged 69 years 306594 Mr Derek Pegg RHG/D Served from 1st January 1944 to 1st January 1948 Died 4th March 2015, aged 89 years 478041 Maj John Williams RD Served from 18th January 1941 to 26th November 1977 Died 23 March 2015, aged 92 years
SCpl Dennis David (Danny) King RHG/D Served from 15th October 1951 to 31st August 1968 Died 21st April 2015, aged 81 years 24263264 LCoH Stephen Booth RHG/D Served from 1st January 1976 to 30th September 1981 Died 17th April 2015, aged 58 years 2450624 SCpl Dean Fermor RHG/D Served from 1st June 1985 to 1st June 2007 Died 1st May 2015, aged 47 years
23215265 Mr Michael John Mead RHG Served from 1st January 1956 to 3th September 1959 Died 24 April 2015, aged 78
23228831 SQMC William Cox RHG/D Served from 1st January 1955 to 1st January 1976 Died 1st August 2015, aged 79
Tpr Clark Jr RHG Served from 2nd May 1958 to 1st August 1958 Died 1st May 2015, aged 75 years
23400488 LCpl Pete Raybould RHG Served from 3rd February 1957 to 3rd February 1957 Died 24th August 2015, aged 80 years
CoH S Smith RHG Served from 1954 to 1952 Died 18th May 2015, age unknown
Lt John Parkin Stokoe RHG Served from 31st October 1952 to 1st November 1954 Died 25th August 2015, aged 82 years
22662262 LCpl Stanley Lloyd RD Served from unknown to 14th April 1954 Died 24th May 2015, aged 81 306905 WO1 George Martin RHG Served from 1st March 1947 to 1st March 1969 Died 30th May 2015, aged 86 years A/CoH Herbert Shireff RHG Served from 22nd May 1947 to 17th January 1953 Died 15 June 2015, age unknown WO2 Tony Parson RHG Served from 30th March 1962 to 17th May 1987 Died 18th June 2015, aged 67 years Cpl Isted RHG Served from 2nd June 1949 to 28th March 1956 Died 18th June 2015 481395 Maj Bill Stringer RHG/D Served from 1st February 1946 to 1st January 1983 Died 24th June 2015, aged 87 years 23879521 WO2 Phil Fisk RHG/D Served from 1962 to 1985 Died 28th June 2015, aged 72 years 19031190 Sgt Donald Mallinder RD Served from 6th August 1946 to 18th May 1953 Died 9th July 2015, aged 86 years 455878 Lord Birdwood RHG Served from 22nd March 1958 to 20th March 1963 Died 11th July 2015, aged 77 years
7961661 WO2 Ronald Darling RD Served 8th March 1945 to 21st April 1968 Died 19th September 2015, aged 87 Tpr William Barnett RHG Served from 1950 to 1952 Died 30th September 2015, aged 81 years 306231 Cpl Eric John Newman RHG Served from 1st May 1948 to 30th June 1947 Died 2nd September 2015, aged 99 Lt Rob Philipson-Stow RHG Served from 1956 to 1957 Died 28th September 2015, aged 78 years
22556168 Tpr Terence Robbins RHG Served from 14th September 1954 to 14th August 1957 Died 17th November 2015, aged 81 years 23929190 LCoH John Murray Watson RHG/D Served from 1st March 1964 to 30th August 1986 Died 9th December 2015, aged 70 years 23215255 LCpl Brian S Teague RHG Served from 4th February 1956 to 10th March 1959 Died 15th December 2015, aged 78 years 306943 Cpl William Schaller RHG Served from 1st January 1947 to 10th May 1953 Died 19th December 2015, aged 95 years 23298304 LCpl James Nunn 1RD Served 5th April 1956 to 4th April 1958 Died 21st December 2015, aged 78 Years 21187036 LCpl John Roberts RD Served from 2nd May 1948 to 10th February 1953 Died 22nd December 2015, aged 85
LCpl Anthony Peter Drinnan RD Served from 1st January 1944 to 22nd December 1948 Died 29th September, aged 89 years
LCoH George T Lambert RHG Served from 5th February to 26th June 1950 Died 24th December 2015, aged 95 years
24125814 LCoH John Francis Measor RHG/D Served from 7th June 1969 to 7th June 1978 Died 24th October 2015, aged 65 years
CoH Ben Rose RHG Served from 9th December 1947 to 18th June 1950 Died 25th December 2015, Age is unknown
CoH Walter Kettley RHG Served from 1st September 1944 to 1st September 1947 Died 12th November 2015, aged 94 years 22205841 LCpl Cecil Halliday RHG Served from 17th January 1952 to 11th January 1955 Died 30th November 2015. Aged 84 years
Obituaries â– 91
Lord Birdwood Late Royal Horse Guards
of directorships during his career, many for businesses in the technology sector.
with the assistance of The Daily Telegraph
He was, variously, a member of the advisory board of Strategic Communication Laboratories; an honorary research associate of the LSE Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Sciences; a patron of Mansfield College, Oxford; and enjoyed membership of both Brooks’s and Pratt’s. He was also an enthusiastic supporter of the charity R P Fighting Blindness. A committed Christian, Lord Birdwood became a lay preacher in later life, delivering sermons at his local church at Broadway, Worcestershire. He married Judith Helen Roberts in 1963. She survives him with their daughter Sophie.
Lord Birdwood, who has died aged 76, was, during a long and varied life, a soldier, advertising copywriter, headhunter, property developer, lay preacher and independently minded Tory peer. In the House of Lords, Birdwood’s area of expertise was defence. On one occasion James Callaghan took him to one side and told him that his knowledge of the subject was extraordinary. That knowledge was partly hereditary: his grandfather was Field Marshal William Riddell Birdwood, the first Baron Birdwood and commander of the Anzac troops at Gallipoli, and his father served in the Second World War as a lieutenant colonel in Probyn’s Horse. But Birdwood’s expertise was also in part due to personal experience. He was himself, for a period, an officer in the Royal Horse Guards. Mark William Ogilvie Birdwood was born on 23rd November, 1938 in Bombay, the son of Christopher Birdwood, 2nd Baron Birdwood, and Elizabeth Vere Drummond Ogilvie (his mother was 6th generation in India). In 1946 the family returned from India and lived for a time at Hampton Court Palace. As a child Mark had rheumatic fever which meant that he could not play sport; he instead focused on his artistic talents. He painted a mural in the church of his prep school and wrote poetry which was published when he was 12. It was at this time that he had a religious epiphany and he would retain a deep spirituality for the rest of his life. Birdwood attended Radley College in Oxfordshire. He did National Service before university, serving as a secondlieutenant in the Royal Horse Guards, stationed in Cyprus. On his return to civilian life he went up to Trinity College, Cambridge (he won three scholarships). While an undergraduate he and five fellow Cambridge students drove from London to Nepal in a Land Rover, an expedition that took them across Europe and through Turkey, Persia and Afghanistan. On coming down he joined the advertising agency J Walter Thompson as a copywriter. He was later made creative director of Eric Garrat agency, and as an executive in headhunting and recruitment, first with Boyden International and then co-founding Wrightson Wood. He struck out on his own in 1986, setting up Martlet. Lord Birdwood was chairman of Steeltower Ltd, a property development company which he co-founded, and had considerable experience with both quoted and Mark Birdwood, on far right in white, with private companies, his fellow Cambridge undergraduates acquiring a number about to set off from Chelsea for Nepal
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The 8th Marquis of Waterford Late Royal Horse Guards (abridged from a Daily Telegraph Obituary) The 8th Marquis of Waterford, who died aged 81 on 11th February 2015, was an Irish peer, skilled horseman, and a noted player in the Duke of Edinburgh’s polo team, and captain of the All-Ireland Polo club. The marquisate was created in 1789 for George Beresford, the 2nd Earl of Tyrone, and the Beresfords would become one of Ireland’s most distinguished families, producing a succession of notable politicians, churchmen and soldiers - Lord William Beresford, third son of the 4th Marquis, won a Victoria Cross at Ulundi during the Zulu war of 1879. John Hubert de la Poer Beresford, who became the 8th Marquis in infancy, was born on 14th July 1933, the elder son of the 7th Marquis and his wife Juliet Lindsay. He was educated at Eton, before joining the Royal Horse Guards as a National Service officer, thereby carrying the family’s Household Cavalry tradition into a fifth consecutive generation. A highly skilled horseman, Lord Waterford rode the first of his many point-to-point winners while still at Eton, and he went on to become the youngest-ever member of the Irish Turf Club. Polo, however, was his true calling: from 1960 to 1985 he was captain of the All-Ireland Polo Club and its highest handicap player. For 12 years (1960-72) he was a member, at both medium and high-goal level, of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Windsor Park team, which won the British Open championship for the Cowdray Park Gold Cup twice, as well as the Warwickshire Cup and several other high and medium goal tournaments. At one stage his Curraghmore team, which enjoyed success both at home and abroad, was comprised of himself and his three sons, the Earl of Tyrone, Lord Charles Beresford and Lord James Beresford. Inevitably there were spills. In 1962 both he and the Duke fell heavily when their ponies collided in play at the Guards Polo Club; and a few weeks later Waterford was taken to hospital when a ball hit by an 8 goal Argentine player struck him near the eye, causing a deep wound. Turning out for the Duke’s team in 1967, Waterford had to be treated for concussion after his pony rolled on top of him.
After retiring from the Army, Waterford returned to Curraghmore to devote the rest of his life to maintaining and improving the Curraghmore estate, with its 2,500 acres of farmland and 1,000 acres of woodland, including developing the pheasant shoot into what is now regarded as the best in Ireland. He married, in 1957, Lady Caroline Wyndham-Quin, younger daughter of the 6th Earl of Dunraven and Mount-Earl, whose love of hunting and brilliance across country equalled his own. They had three sons and a daughter. His eldest son, Henry Nicholas de la Poer Beresford, Earl of Tyrone, born in 1958, succeeded to the title.
Sir John Michael Burdick Greenaway Bt DL Late The Life Guards Sir John Michael Burdick Greenaway died on the 16th March 2015, aged 70. He was born on 9th August 1944, the son of Sir Derek Burdick Greenaway, 2nd Battalion and Sheila Beatrice Lockett. He was educated at Harrow School and also at Grenoble University, Grenoble, France. He served in The Life Guards from 1965 and 1970, leaving as a Lieutenant. He was a man who seemed to inspire many stories and was incredibly generous. He was posted to the Regiment in the Far East, where he acquired the nickname ‘Jungle’; he was rather pleased that it seemed he had been recognized as competent, but rather less chuffed to learn later that this soubriquet might be because he was thought ‘green and thick’. Jungle was often in the doghouse. He had been given countless extra Orderly Officer duties as a result of an utter map reading cock-up in the Malaysian jungle on a regimental scheme. In fact, word had it that Lt Col Ian Baillie, the Commanding Officer, had been so frustrated by his map reading deficiencies that he had attempted to get his pilot to land his helicopter on the rear deck of Jungle’s Saladin armoured car. Later he joined the Mounted Regiment, where John, recalls Richard Atkinson, told another story against himself - in his typical generous spirit of self-deprecation and honesty. While Orderly Officer at Wellington Barracks one night an imposing military type in civvies entered the Mess just before dinner. As Jungle didn’t make the connection and continued perusing his copy of Horse & Hound, the visitor introduced himself as Field Marshal Sir Gerald Templer, Gold Stick-in-Waiting, The Blues and Royals. Needless to say Jungle was suitably flustered by this development and sought to recover the situation with light chat. He said that he had recently taken his troop to the Army Outward Bound camp at Towyn in north Wales and did, perhaps, the Colonel know the place? Yes, replied Colonel Gerald, “I founded it.” Jungle plunged on, running through his own distinguished military career in Singapore and Malaysia and came close to asking the Colonel if he, too, had been to that part of the world? Mercifully, he admitted to me, “At that moment a loud bell then went off in my head!”
Hexell Lewis recalls: “On leaving the Regiment, Jungle heard that I had been taken on by a firm of surveyors in the City and very kindly invited me to lunch at one of his Clubs on day three of my new career. Over lunch he quizzed me on my new profession. Over coffee he suggested that I go to the family offices and advise them on what to do with a spare floor of 25,000 sq ft. I suggested that it might be a good idea if I took one of my employers (who being an experienced agent might actually know what he was talking about). We (the partner and his new assistant) arrived later in the afternoon to be shown round the floor. Jungle, without being rude, virtually ignored my new boss, while explaining everything to me. I asked the partner from time to time on his views, which he gave, but Jungle always asked me whether I agreed with the advice he had received. At the end he asked me to write to him confirming our advice. We said goodbye and the partner prepared a detailed report. Before dispatching it he came downstairs to my desk and said that I had better sign it and send it on to Jungle for, during the tour, he had made it quite clear to him that in respect of this assignment the partner was my assistant.” His grandfather, the first baronet, was Percy Walter Greenaway, Chairman of Daniel Greenaway & Sons, printers and stationers, and served as Lord Mayor of London from 1932 to 1933. John was director of Daniel Greenaway & Sons between 1970 and 1979. He married Susan Margaret Birch, daughter of Henry Birch, on 12th June 1982, and succeeded to the title of 3rd Baronet Greenaway, on 19th November 1994. He lived in 2003 at Lois Weedon House, Weedon Lois, Northamptonshire, His Memorial service was packed to the gills, with an annex tent being as full as the church. Would that we all could generate such friends. He is succeeded by his son Thomas Edward Burdick Greenaway.
Captain Darel Sausmarez Carey Late Royal Horse Guards by Sir David Black, RHG Born in 1934, Darel’s early life was spent in north Burma, where his father worked for the Burma Oil Company. At the beginning of the war he sent his wife and children back to England. Thereafter, most of Darel’s childhood was spent in North Devon living in various cottages around Instow, with his mother and sister Jenny. From there he went to Kingsmead prep school, which had been evacuated from Kent. He then attended Wellington College, where he excelled on the sports field, before passing the RMA exam to go to Sandhurst. Darel retained a lasting love for Devon and went back to live there many years later with his wife Sally. In 1953 he was commissioned from Sandhurst into the Royal Horse Guards. In 1956 Darel was a troop leader in B Squadron
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of the Blues stationed in Limassol. At that time Darel was the only officer in the Squadron who had a private car and therefore became very popular for taking people to the beach! In late 1956 he commanded Field Marshal Sir John Harding’s protection troop when he was Governor and Commander-in Chief during the Enosis crisis in Cyprus. In 1957 Darel was posted to the Blues mounted squadron at Knightsbridge barracks, although he returned to Cyprus again in 1960 for a short period when it got its independence. In 1961 he became Staff Captain to the Household Brigade. Darel was a very accomplished and fearless skier, skiing for his regiment and then the army. He captained a very successful army team, which won the Inter-Services Ski Championship in 1958, and regularly trounced the Navy and Air Force teams. At that time Darel was the fastest Englishman down the notorious Inferno Run at Murren, which was described by Field Marshal Montgomery as “A test of real skiing, most other races, including the World Championships, are only a test of piste skiing, a debased and impoverished variant of the real thing !” Darel was temporary ADC to the Field Marshal during his visits to Murren and they lunched together every day in a mountain hut where Monty always ordered two omelettes and two glasses of milk. In 1964 Darel became manager of the British Olympic Ski Team. Major David Walter, Scots Guards, shared a great and true friendship with Darel that lasted over 60 years. He recalls “sharing many adventures but perhaps the ones I remember best and with such fond memories were the ones on snow and water. We shared two boats both based at the Royal Thames Yacht club at Warsash. The first was Irene Kent, or more often as we called her, Irene ‘Can’t’ or ‘Won’t.’ He had little interest in the art of sail trimming and as he did not understand the difference between true and magnetic north, navigation was not his forte. However, when the wind blew hard, he was a good and fearless helmsman and a great crew member to have on board. When the wind was light Darel soon became bored and would retire to the most comfortable spot on the sunny side of the deck behind the mast to read the Sunday papers cover-to-cover, but when the wind filled in, he soon joined in the sport. He was always such fun to sail with and a great companion and team player. However, he never appeared for a weekend’s sailing without at least two suitcases and sometimes more, which had to be unpacked ashore before he was allowed on board, leaving him with only the essentials, which in his eyes usually included at least six hats and some of his vast wardrobe of dressing up props! Life with Darel was never dull. He was a dear friend and I shall always miss him”. Darel married Julia Williamson in 1959 and they had a son William in 1961, who later also served in The Blues and Royals. In 1966 he joined the Rank Organisation and then Hambro Life before setting up his own company. He was always hugely enthusiastic and enjoyed juggling different projects and ideas. Keenly interested in politics he also threw himself into canvassing for different MPs. Darel married twice more, first to Susan Morley, and then Christine Sangster. In 1988 he met Sally Firth and they took a “gap year” (aged 50) and drove round the United States in a motorhome, managing to visit all 49 states. In 1991 Darel married Sally and they lived in Devon, Spain and Bedfordshire. Darel was interested in many different projects, all of which were taken up with his customary energy and enthusiasm. Despite speaking no Spanish, he ran for Mayor of a small town in Spain, and gained a surprising number of votes. He also stood as a Conservative councillor in North Devon, a very strong Liberal seat, and again got a good number of votes. Later he ran the campaign for the Referendum Party in North Devon. As Tommy Jowitt said in his tribute at Darel’s funeral: “The world could benefit from more people with the appetite for
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life, and the drive and imagination of Darel. It would certainly be less dull”. Darel is survived by his wife Sally, son William and four grandchildren.
Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Torrent Director of Music, The Life Guards Malcolm Torrent was born in Bournemouth on 4th October 1950, 20 minutes before his identical twin brother, Peter. He was one of six children (four boys and two girls). A naturally gifted musician, he began playing the cornet and trumpet aged 11 whilst attending Portchester Road School in Bournemouth. As a boy, he performed with the Bournemouth Silver Band, the Southern Youth Orchestra and various Big Bands, and this led to his career in military music which spanned forty years. He started his army career at the age of 15 as a cornet and viola player with the Band of the Royal Artillery in 1966. Whilst attending the pupil’s course at Kneller Hall in 1969, he participated as a fanfare trumpeter at Caernarfon Castle or the Investiture of His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales. After attending the Bandmaster’s Course at the Royal Military School of Music in 1977, he was appointed Bandmaster to the King’s Own Royal Border Regiment in 1981 and served in Berlin, Northern Ireland and North Yorkshire. He was subsequently appointed as Director of Music of The Adjutant General’s Corps Band, and then became Director of Music of The Band of The Life Guards for six years in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s. It should perhaps be remembered that until relatively recently the minimum height for a Household Cavalryman was 5 foot 10 inches. Not least this was to fit horses whose height is still 16 hands and over. Malcolm was equestrianly challenged with short legs sticking out to the side when mounted, a proper Thelwell cartoon picture. The Riding Master insisted that he had filed down spurs as his feet were constantly turned outwards, to stop him always having his spurs stuck in the horse’s ribs. He usually rode Kittyhawk. He had many adventures perhaps the most notable being when he left parade at the Edinburgh Tattoo, still mounted, still playing, but the horse walked off parade with Malcolm helpless to influence events. In any event, he carried out his duties leading the Massed Mounted Band on The Queens’ Birthday Parade and Lord Mayor’s Show. Malcolm also composed the march ‘Unity’ as the Regimental March of The Combined Cavalry Old Comrades Association first performed in 2001. Latterly he held the position of Chief Instructor at Kneller Hall, the Army training base for all military musicians, and finally returned to The Band of The Royal Artillery in Woolwich for his last two years as a Director of Music. Malcolm retired from the Army in October 2005 as Director of Music in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. On retirement from the Army, Malcolm moved to Ferndown. For the first time in over 40 years, he had no commitments and an empty diary, so he went back to his roots and joined various brass bands in the Bournemouth and Ferndown areas.
Encouraged by his wife Isobel, he looked around for something he could do that wasn’t solely based around music. He saw a flyer for a local Probus (a retired luncheon club) group in the library and went along to a meeting, followed by regular lunches and coffee mornings. One day he was asked by Ferndown Probus to talk at a meeting about his job, and at at the end of the meeting a visiting member from another branch asked if he would talk to his group. One thing led to another and before he knew it, he was being booked as a guest speaker several times a week all over Dorset for many clubs and societies. He thoroughly enjoyed presenting his talks being entertaining and engaging as he peppered his talks by playing a variety of musical instruments. Following advice to engage an agent, he was commissioned to deliver talks on a number of cruise ships, a joy and a duty he undertook many times with alacrity. A New Years’ Resolution led to Malcolm and Isobel taking up Ballroom, Latin and social sequence dancing enjoying many a Thursday afternoon tea dance at the Royal British Legion in Ferndown. A great supporter of the British Legion, Malcolm played the Last Post at many Remembrance events and was a hugely popular guest quizmaster at the club’s Sunday evening quiz. Malcolm had been a member of the Freemasons since the early 1980’s and on settling in Ferndown joined the local lodge. He continued to play both the trumpet and the viola for many years, but after a stroke stopped him playing, he joined Colehill Community choir where he sang with gusto and great enjoyment. Malcolm was always incredibly optimistic and positive no matter what came his way. Unfailingly energetic and enthusiastic he was always smiling and was a joy and inspiration to everyone who knew him. His funeral was attended by a congregation twice the size of the available space. He leaves a devoted wife, two children and two grandchildren.
Major William Stringer Late The Blues and Royals by by Lieutenant Colonel J H Pitman, The Blues and Royals Bill Stringer, who died on 24th June 2015, had a 37 year career as a soldier in the Household Cavalry, having joined the Royal Horse Guards. He was a man of quite extraordinary scope and ability as a soldier, mounted dutyman, Regimental Corporal Major, Quartermaster, Ministry of Defence staff officer and Master of Hounds. Bill was born in 1928, in Dover, reaching the age of 87. He attended Kent College in Canterbury, except that ‘attended’ may not be the right word, for he was rarely there and spent most of his time when very young helping with the donkeys from the beach and working at the local farm. He bought a horse from his pocket money, in instalments, without telling his mother: she of course, who used to ride herself, soon found out. His life was always full of animals; he had three greyhounds and a whippet, apart from the horses. He was, so his sister Sue reported, always full of naughtiness and adventure, and when reminded of her brother Bill always thinks of laughter and fun.
Bill applied to the local Army Recruiting Office, hoping to join the Buffs; the local regiment. However, seeing his size and shape and knowing his ability with horses, the Recruiting Sergeant said “you’re for the Household Cavalry, my lad!”. Bill was enlisted on 1st February 1946, and delivered by his father to Combermere Barracks, Windsor, where young Trooper Stringer thrived, and became a Mounted Dutyman. By 1949, Bill was a full Corporal, whipping in to The Blues’ pack of hounds at Wesendorf in Germany, where the Huntsman was Major Max Gordon, subsequently Commanding Officer of the Mounted Regiment at Knightsbridge, and on retirement Master of the Badsworth Hounds in Yorkshire. Bill served in Cyprus during the EOKA emergency, and was given the key job of Corporal of Horse of the Governor’s Troop of four Ferret Scout Cars, provided by the Regiment as bodyguard. He got on famously with Sir Hugh Foot, with whom he rode regularly near Government House. Bill was a most successful operational Non-Commissioned Officer and Warrant Officer and, after only 18 years service, became Regimental Corporal Major of The Blues. He held this appointment from May 1964 to April 1966. On taking over, Bill felt the need to further hone his performance at foot drill, and arranged to attend a Drill Course at the All Arms Drill Wing a daunting prospect. Being a Warrant Officer 1, he was accompanied by his orderly, one Trooper Freeman (Lofty). Bill knew Trooper Freeman well from their days serving in the Mounted Regiment in London. Bill duly attended the course apparently acquitting himself extremely well and it was rumoured that he had been given a course grading of ‘A’ for his turnout and ‘A’ for his drill and presentation. On his return to the Regiment, Bill was asked how he had enjoyed the course and how he had managed to keep his cool when being instructed and shouted at by young Foot Guards Sergeants. His response was typical Bill: taking a deep breath, and in his great booming voice said: “I thought Freeman did very well, or it certainly appeared so from where I was observing the proceedings from the side of the drill square!” During this period, The Blues were converting from armoured cars - which had been their main armament since the start of the war in 1940 - to tanks. The Regiment moved from Windsor to Tidworth where conversion took place in 1968 prior to the move to Detmold and amalgamation with The Royal Dragoons (The Royals) in April 1969. It was at Tidworth that Bill Stringer, aided by Major Richard Wilkinson, conceived the brilliant idea of having a pack of hounds at Detmold, made possible by the presence of 20 black horses there, primarily to train soldiers for the Mounted Regiment at Knightsbridge. This was undoubtedly Bill’s idea and the Weser Vale Hunt, now in the hands of German friends led by Herr Busso Freise as Master and Huntsman, is still going strong 47 years later. The Hunt, hunting “the clean boot”, which is the scent of a man or a horse, has given generations of soldiers and the German horsemen and ladies, and their sons and daughters, enormous pleasure, and has done a huge amount for Anglo-German relations. A former Master, Major Christopher Haworth-Booth recounts that in the early days of the Weser Vale Hunt (late ‘60s), Bill was finding his way getting to know the farmers over whose land that the pack was to hunt with their permission. He achieved these permissions by the time honoured method of visiting them all and telling them, in his broken German, all about his precious hounds (Barrister, Batchelor, Chary, Charity et al). He mixed this with his obvious charm and goodwill, not forgetting a generous nip of duty free, and they welcomed him and respected his efforts with their language, itself a rarity in the officers of the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) then. They even laughed with him at some of his efforts and the meetings always ended with a genial summing up by Bill of where and when they would meet, where they would run,
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followed by him announcing that it was “Alles in ordnung, Alles ist klar” plus another shot of whisky. Just how clear it was to the farmers may have been in doubt but that is how it was done and it worked. Now it so happened at that time that BAOR had a major exercise in the local area in a very wet autumn and a lot of damage had been caused by tanks and heavy vehicles breaking up the roads, drains, fences and fields of these very farmers and they were all up in arms over the situation. They called a meeting and one farmer expressed an opinion which could be roughly translated as: “If the British Army was run by Herr Stringer with his hounds, there would be no problem.” On hearing this, the General concerned sent for Bill and asked him to bring his hounds, his horses, red coats and all, down for a hunt and he would lay on a tent full of beer and whisky for all the farmers and their families. It was, of course, a huge success and that is why the WVH still flourishes in Germany.
us. Busso Freise, a stalwart of the WVH tells the story of Bill parading the hounds at the Rhine Army Summer Show at Sennelager. In the showring there was a water jump with goldfish in it. When Bill tried to jump over it, his horse refused and poor Bill landed in the middle of the water. The goldfish were thrown out of the water and landed on the grass where the hounds ate them all while the crowds cheered and applauded. On another occasion when Bill was Quartermaster at Hyde Park Barracks, the then Lieutenant Colonel Commanding Household Cavalry, Major General Sir Desmond Langley was walking across the parade ground towards his lunch accompanied by the SCpl Neville Taylor, the aptly named Master Tailor. He stopped and asked him: “Corporal Major, are we at war?” “I don’t think so, Colonel”, was the answer. “Well” said Desmond Langley, “I’ve just seen Bill Stringer in Uniform”.
Major Jim Tierney Late The Life Guards
At that time the Regiment had a very gallant Commanding Officer who took a terrible fall. Swiftly the Field Master sent back to look after him both the Doctor and Padre, who were both hunting ‘to cope with every eventuality!’ Culled from Bill’s Hunting Diary is an entry for October 1970: ‘Hounds met at Gerlingen. A very cold wet day. Hounds hunted were: Barrister, Chary, Charity, Dainty, Destiny, Doubtful, Therum and Xenophon. Amongst those out were General Rollo and Mrs Paine, Brigadier Stanier, Col Emsden and Major Hugh Pitman. Quarries were Cpl Murphy and Cpl Ford. A thruster jumped onto poor Barrister, so I sent him home. A short while later Hugh Pitman rode up to ask if I realised who I had sent home. I said no. He said it was the Brigadier. A very successful day’. It was indeed Brigadier, and later Field Marshal, John Stanier a great supporter of the WVH. Also noted in his hunting diary for November 1970 was an entry concerning a Parliamentary question from Mr Heffer MP questioning whether this ‘fashionable hunt was financed by Army funds’. Lord Carrington got up and said ‘No’. Bill was commissioned before the 1969 Amalgamation and subsequently was appointed to Household Cavalry Quartermaster appointments from 1970 to 1976. On being posted back to England in 1971 Bill started another pack of bloodhounds; the Windsor Forest Hunt. This pack was the natural successor to the Royal Buckhounds which hunted the same area from the middle of the fourteenth century until near the end of Queen Victoria’s reign. Their country was given on permanent loan from the Garth and South Berks Hunt, whose Masters were two former Blues officers, Major Sir David Black Bt and Captain Robert Campbell, both here today. Her Majesty the Queen Mother soon heard of the activities of the Windsor Forest bloodhounds, and generously gave a number of Lawn Meets at Royal Lodge, in Windsor Great Park. Bill’s final military appointment, as Quartermaster of the Royal Yeomanry was a natural follow-on to his previous jobs and led to his retirement in January 1983, after 37 years’ service. He subsequently as a retired Officer ran the Ministry of Defence’s policy on their ‘white’ vehicle fleet, to the benefit of those with horses. The final legacy of this great man was the inauguration of an Annual Dinner for the Weser Vale Hunt and Windsor Forest Hunt supporters, held at the Turf Club each summer and always well attended. Fun sometimes comes at a cost to the pride of even the best of
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James Stephen Tierney was born in London on the 6th of October 1959, and sadly died of a heart attack on19th December 2015 aged 56. Jim served with The Life Guards from September 1976 - June 2002. He was the youngest son of Jim and Pam his siblings being Gene, Michael and Jackie. He spent his early years growing up in London before the family emigrated to Australia. Having elected to stay behind in England he joined the army and in 1977 he was posted to Windsor and The Life Guards. He instantly fitted in with his colleagues in ‘B’ Squadron due to his wise cracking sense of humour. Professionally, while he began as a Fox Armoured Car driver, he gravitated to gunnery, in which he excelled. He waltzed through the Royal Armoured Corp Gunnery Cadre and soon found himself as a much sought after instructor. Jim loved working at the Gunnery School and relished being at the cutting edge of a changing Army as technology revolutionized the face of warfare and soldiering. Nevertheless, he was a loyal Household Cavalryman, and on hearing of the Union he chose to be posted to the mounted regiment and it was his time at Knightsbridge on ceremonial duties of which he was most proud: carrying the Standard on parade in front of his Sovereign was one of his most cherished memories. In the 27yrs he served in the Army he had risen from Trooper to Major and towards the end of his career Jim was part of a liaison team working with Lockheed Martin in Orlando. He enjoyed the Florida lifestyle and saw opportunities to further his career outside the Army, he made the decision to resign his commission and moved to Florida where a new life awaited. By then Jim had earned a Bachelors Degree in Social and Political Science and a Masters Degree in Computer Science. At Lockheed Martin Jim held several titles, including Test Director, Chief Engineer, Project Engineer, Lead Systems Engineer and whilst there he worked on
various high-profile programs. He was held in high regard for his abilities to lead and inspire people to deliver, Jim was also known to overcome challenges and get troubled programs back on track. He recognized the value of employees and was a very experienced and effective leader, a trait he had developed in the Regiment. Jim was probably the best Gunnery Instructor LG produced during a truly challenging era when our soldiers came from either RAC Junior Leaders or The Guards’ Depot and were expected to master Chieftain, then Challenger 1, Scimitar and Scorpion, Swingfire, PARA-training, Guards’ Depot and Sandhurst cadres, and, of course, the cavalry black. Jim was always proverbially “Good for Morale”; he was blessed with a delightful wise-cracking sense of humour. Holy Trinity Garrison Church was filled for his memorial service. He will be missed by many, but especially by his wife Patricia, and his three grown up daughters, Bekki, Laura and Emma also four grandchildren Faith, Reece, Florence and Millie.
Ron Southern As many of you will be aware for the last 33 years Ron Southern has been an unwavering supporter of and generous benefactor to the Household Cavalry. The Regiment felt it an honour and a privilege to repay some of his kindness each year when 8 individuals were annually invited to support The Masters Tournament at the World Class venue of Spruce Meadows, and then sent on a week’s adventure training. Ron Southern always took a genuine interest in the soldiers from the Regiment who came out to visit and their wellbeing as his guests. Furthermore he always concerned himself with how he could help the Household Cavalry to help its soldiers, even whilst his health should have been a far higher priority to him. This sort of relationship is hard for a Regiment to find and even harder to maintain and we will always feel grateful for the time that Ron Southern gave to us. The Household Cavalry sent representatives to his funeral, present with the Band of the Scots Guards and the Pipe Major from the Irish Guards. To properly commemorate Ron Southern, we have included his obituary. Ron Southern CC CBE AOE BSc LLD Born Ronald Donald Southern on 25th July, 1930 in Calgary, Alberta, Ron was predeceased by his parents Ina and Donald Southern. Ron lived in Calgary but travelled the world extensively his entire adult life. He was a proud Canadian and loved his Alberta roots. As a young man he was a gifted athlete who loved sports and played hockey, football and basketball. Ron left Calgary after graduating from Crescent Heights High School to attend the University of Alberta. He completed his Bachelor of Science from the Faculty of Medicine in 1953. While still in high school, he founded Alberta Trailer Company in 1947 with his father Samuel Donald. Starting with five people the enterprise today - ATCO Group - has grown to more than 8,000 employees worldwide. Ron was a self-made businessman who became a respected giant of Canadian commerce. His success included gas and electrical utility companies, midstream, drilling, pipelines, logistics, manufacturing, workforce housing sales, leasing, maintenance and operations. ATCO Ltd. and Canadian Utilities Limited, which ATCO acquired and repatriated in 1980, have done business in more than 100 countries around the world primarily through its
Structures and Logistics businesses that provide workforce housing and other infrastructure solutions. The firms’ utilities businesses operate in Canada, Australia the United Kingdom, and Mexico.
Ron Southern and his wife Marg escorting HM The Queen at Spruce Meadows
Ron and his wife Margaret of sixtyone years were the vision and driving force behind the creation, construction and operations of Spruce Meadows, which is widely recognized as the leading show jumping facility in the world. Since opening in 1975, Spruce Meadows has hosted athletes from more than 60 nations and attracted 10.2 million fans. In addition to acting as Chairman of the Board of ATCO, Canadian Utilities and AKITA Drilling Ltd. for decades, Ron actively enjoyed his time on the Boards of Directors of a number of Canada’s most prestigious companies including: Canadian Pacific Limited, Chrysler Canada, Imasco, Lafarge Canada, Royal and Sun Alliance (RSA), Trimac, Pacific Western Airlines, Canadian Pacific Airlines, Canadian Airlines, Xerox Canada, Mercantile Bank, Canadian Export Development Corporation, Southam Inc., Crown Zellerback, and Fletcher Challenge. Numerous awards were bestowed upon Ron for his remarkable efforts, achievements and contributions including: Companion of the Order of Canada 2007, Alberta Order of Excellence 2012, The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal 2002, The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal 2012 and The Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service 2013. A lifelong sportsman, Ron was recognized as the Calgary Booster Club Sportsman of the Year in 1986. He was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 1992, and the Canada Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2013 he was named honorary chief of the Tsuu T’ina Nation and given the name Chief Sorrel Horse. Ron was also recognized as an Internationalist. In 1990 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II bestowed on him a member of the Order of the British Empire for his services to Anglo - Canadian relations and in 1995 he was promoted to the level of Commander of the Order of the British Empire. The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands inducted him into the Order of Orange-Nassau in 2006 and honoured him with the Holland Trade Award in 1985 in recognition of his substantial contributions to the Dutch Foreign economic relations. Ron received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Alberta in 1991 and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Calgary in 1976. In 2007 he was inducted into the Canadian Manufacturing Hall of Fame. In 1996 Ron was recognized by the Financial Post as the CEO of the Year in Canada. In 1990 the University of Manitoba recognized him as the International Distinguished Entrepreneur and in 1986 the University of Alberta recognized Ron as the Businessman of the Year. Ron travelled the world and met most of the business leaders in those countries as well as many of the political leaders of the 20th century. He took a great interest in the people and the cultures where he visited and his vast memory could recall the most extraordinary details. He cherished his many years on the Trilateral Commission. He valued education, reading newspapers, and loved books. Most weeks he would devour at least two or three on a variety
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of subjects from military biographies and autobiographies to mysteries, outer space, national and international leaders, but his greatest reading enjoyment and inspiration came from books by and about Winston Churchill. He collected these and never tired of Winston Churchill quotations, speeches and proclamations. Ron was a proud Royalist and was delighted when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II came to Spruce Meadows in 1990 to inaugurate the Queen Elizabeth II Cup. This spawned a relationship that took Ron to Buckingham Palace on numerous occasions as a guest. At various times it allowed for the opportunity to introduce his daughters and grandchildren to Her Majesty. Ron lived a life full of adventure. He was loved, respected and admired by many and will be in our hearts forever. He died on 21st January 2016.
Warrant Officer Class 2 Phil Fisk Late Royal Horse Guards and The Blues and Royals Phil was a ‘war baby’ born 23rd May 1943 in Gisland, Cumbria. Even though a Cumbrian by birth, he was raised as a Geordie in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. In 1962, Phil enlisted into The Blues and settled quickly into the Regiment in BAOR, enjoying his role as an AFV crewman on armoured cars and then in 1969 as a crewman NCO on Chieftain tanks after amalgamation. During this period he undertook the D&M Chieftain Instructor long course at Bovington, passing with a distinction. Phil served in BAOR, Cyprus and Northern Ireland, where he quickly learnt the languages required. He spoke fluent German and could hold a conversation in both Greek and Turkish. He was a keen golfer and loved amateur dramatics joining the societies and groups whenever he could; he was also a renowned impersonator, telling many Tommy Cooper type jokes and taking part in the regimental reviews: later he entertained the Dorset branch of the Association singing Elvis songs dressed in an Elvis onesy! Phil ended his service at the D&M school as an instructor was demobbed in 1985. He moved into the Dorset way of life eventually running a B&B in Swanage. Alas, the wanderlust was still with them both so they sold up and moved to a new life in Portugal. He quickly made friends amongst the locals and ex pats, joined a band as the singer and his tunes were soon You Tubed. He lived the ‘dream’ until he left us for good after a game of golf on 28th June 2015. A man who will be much remembered as a family man, for his love of life, being a hard worker and a character of wit and charm. He is loved and remembered succeeded by his wife Maureen, sons Phillip and Duncan, and his beloved sister Sylvia and family. When my earthly days are done and I leave this world of sin. I’d like to hear St Peter say “Howay Geordie, it’s your turn to get them in!”
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Squadron Quartermaster Corporal Desmond Anthony Paul Bridges Late The Life Guards by Mr James McGarry Des was born on the 16th May 1961 to Jim and Kitty Bridges in Cholsey, Oxfordshire. He was their fourth child and third son; a few years later he was joined by another three siblings, all sisters, making a total of seven Bridges’ children to complete this loving family. Des joined the Army at 16, following his father into The Life Guards in January 1978. He served in Windsor, Germany, Cyprus and Northern Ireland, but it was in Knightsbridge where he felt most at home with the Mounted Regiment, where he was posted on three separate occasions and held every rank whilst there from Trooper to Staff Corporal. Des was happiest whilst working on the Household Cavalry Musical Ride, a task he had the opportunity to undertake three times. He was renowned for his sense of humour and his sharp wit, and wasn’t afraid to speak his mind, this often got him into trouble with his superiors but once he had voiced his opinion, he stuck to it regardless and seldom changed it. Des was a keen sportsman, he had the honour of Captaining the regimental football team to victory in several cavalry cup competitions, as well as representing the Regiment at cricket and boxing; he was even known to throw a rugby ball around on the odd occasion. He was also an enthusiastic golfer. After leaving the Army, Des tried his hand at several different career paths. However, he finally returned to his love of horses, working for World Horse Welfare. This combined his passion for horses and world travel, taking him to amongst other places, South America and South Africa. Unfortunately, this career was cut short after a brief illness. Des is survived by two wonderful daughters, Vikki and May, born in 1983 and 1992 respectively, whom he adored and the feeling was mutual. His diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease brought them all even closer and they were both there for their Dad in his time of need which I know was of great comfort to him. He will live on in the memory of his loving wife Keren, whom he married in 2012 in Gretna Green; she came into his life just when he needed her the most. Keren cared and supported him, showing an equal measure of bravery throughout their heroic battle with a dreadful disease. Des never flinched or took a backwards step; he never complained, he just got on with it. His notorious sense of humour and quick wit were ever present during his illness, bringing laughter and hilarity to both staff members and fellow patients at the Thames hospice during his time there. He often showed more concern for the loved ones he would leave behind than to worry about his own destiny. His courageous temperament was most apparent when planning for his own funeral. WE have had many fine men in both the Household Cavalry; in this modern era Des Bridges was one of them. This was clearly evident with the large numbers in attendance at Des’s funeral, which was held at Holy Trinity Garrison Church, Windsor where all ranks, serving and retired from both regiments attended to pay their respects to a truly exceptional man. He will be sorely missed.
Corporal of Horse George Charlett RVM Late The Life Guards by David Baldwin MVO, RVM, Serjeant of the Vestry, HM Chapel Royal George Charlett died on 12th July 2015, aged 89. George wore so many hats in his career that he will be known to many. Born in 1926 at Jericho in Oxford George joined the ARP as a messenger (the Hampstead Town Hall area and later King’s Cross) and the ATC as a Cadet in the Second World War flying all manner of aeroplanes including Fairy Swordfish on Air Sea Rescue missions in the English Channel. On one occasion he badgered the a pilot for a ‘flip’ and was taken up over Southampton Water when, he recalled, “it was a beautiful day and I was really quite enjoying it until the pilot tapped me on the shoulder and pointed down below us - and there was the Luftwaffe. We had no guns, we were just sitting sucks ... and I didn’t have a parachute! Fortunately, the enemy had other things on their agenda.” He then joined the Suffolk Regiment and the Royal Artillery before the war ended. The latter involved 5.5in to 5.5in field guns and 155mm ‘Long Toms’ in Yorkshire where the ground was soft, taking three hours to dig the gun out of the ground following three rounds of firing! Before the war ended George was posted to the School of Military Intelligence, during which time he also looked after German POWs. Following a spell on the Footplate firing and driving express engines from St Pancras (managing to back a large steam engine through the back retaining wall of the Chalk Farm Roundhouse on a dark and foggy night, parking in the back garden of an irate lady), and as a Bus Driver (in which capacity George married his beloved ‘clippie’ Doris), he rejoined the Army with the Household Cavalry as a Life Guard. He lined the route outside St James’s Palace at the Coronation, shelled a fishing smack in Lulworth Cove by accident (not his fault as the previous team had failed to update their turret calibrations), served all over the Globe including Malaya (where he buried his dog underneath the dog’s favourite banana tree) and Singapore (where he was required to ‘host’ the Ark Royal) and for a good spell with the Trucial Oman Scouts (TOS), initially at Sharjah. George was duty officer for the peninsular coast from Muscat to Abu Dhabi at weekends with 15-20 trucks - and all manner of adventures with stellar navigation occurred. The TOS had their origins in the Trucial Oman Levies from 1950 to 1955, being re-designated in 1956 as the Trucial Oman Scouts to defend the seven emirates of Trucial Oman and keep the peace. Upon independence, when the emirates merged to become the United Arab Emirates, the TOS was renamed the Union Defence Force of the United Arab Emirates in 1971. Until 1957 there were four TOS squadrons, each having two British Army officers. George was in HQ Squadron and served all over the place, including Buraimi Oasis when one of his comrades was captured by the Saudis in disputed territory and held prisoner for fourteen days. This was a flashpoint area where the demarcation between Oman (ruled by ‘Electric Whiskers’), Ras el Khaimah and Saudi Arabia was not readily agreed. Many years later George was awarded the Ras el Khaima Medal personally by the Emir in recognition of his service there, and was entertained by dancing girls on that occasion.
George also served in Northern Ireland during the ‘troubles’. George recalled the Army being initially welcomed cautiously by all factions, but soon found itself a target as the politics soured further - and George experienced that transition. George taught the driving of Chieftain and other vehicles in Germany as a QTO in BAOR, and was subsequently as Corporal of Horse appointed to the Staff of the Household of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother at Clarence House, serving there until he retired from The Life Guards in 1988, once accompanying Her aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia to the Cinque Ports. George then joined Her Majesty The Queen’s ecclesiastical household as Groom of the Vestry of Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace, and was Confirmed by The Dean, Bishop Graham Leonard, in 1991. He retired from service with the Chapel Royal after 18 years in 2006, having been awarded a Bar to his RVM by The Queen, and became Groom Emeritus. That year he marched at the Cenotaph in Whitehall upon Remembrance Sunday, with his old comrades from the Trucial Oman Scouts wearing of Shamag and Agil. Their badge comprised crossed Kunjas and a scroll inscribed in Arabic, translated as “The Force of the Coast of Oman”. None of those who witnessed it will ever forget the sight of him dressed in full Trucial Oman Scouts uniform drilling the ten Children of the Chapel in Colour Court before going to Whitehall. Never has the drill of our boys been so excellent upon a national event. Doris predeceased him but he leaves a daughter, Christine, and grandchildren.
Lance Corporal of Horse William Cross Late The Life Guards
In Pensioner William Cross
William Cross, known to all as Bill, was born in Scunthorpe during the latter part of the First World War. He was educated at Gordon Boys School and later much enjoyed attending events at the School in Woking. He enlisted into the Royal Scots Greys at Guildford as a Band Boy on 28th September 1934. He was a trombonist. On being posted to Palestine in September 1938 he was trained as an Armoured Fitter. In September 1941 the Regiment moved to Egypt and it was here that he was partially blinded following an air raid. After a period of treatment he returned to the Regiment who were now based
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medalled member of the Royal Chelsea Hospital with 14, amongst which were: GSM (Palestine36/39), 1939/45 Star, Africa Star (8th Army), Italy Star, France & Germany Star, Defence, 1939/45 War, Geo V Jubilee, Geo VI Coronation, Elizabeth II Coronation, LS&GC, Efficiency Medal TA (HAC).
Warrant Officer Class 2 Ron Darling Late Royal Dragoons by Major P D Shannon, formerly Irish Guards, and Captain of Invalids
Bill Cross holding court at a Brickhanging at Windsor
at El Alamein. The Regiment advanced to Tripoli as part of 7th Armoured Division. Bill, by now a tank commander, was then redeployed to Italy landing at Salerno where the British troops won out against the Italians. The Battle of Salerno should never be underestimated. Indeed as one historian wrote, “The intensity of the Salerno Battle is often overlooked, and is a monumentous victory often unappreciated.” In fact, Bill’s tank was among three others that never made it to the beach. As the boats tried desperately to get ashore, it was inevitable that some casualties would be taken. Bill’s landing craft was hit by explosive shells and with it four soldiers and four tanks were never to be seen again. They took Naples and Monte Cassino and returned home for D-Day, with his new tank successfully finding the shore that time, he joked. He landed on Sword Beach on 28th June 1944 with elements of 2HCR. On 1st January 1945 he transferred to The Life Guards as a Bandsman alternating between Windsor and Knightsbridge Barracks until 1964. He had a glorious 20 years with The Life Guards. One very memorable time came when his band toured Denmark. The Danes, always appreciative of the British, owing to their support during the war when Russian invasion seemed inevitable, were more than hospitable. The band were housed in the Carlsberg factory no less, where it’s safe to imagine that the drinks flowed reasonably easily. “Even the horses weren’t left thirsty,” he jested. He was finally discharged having served for 29 years and promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal of the Horse. On leaving the Army he had a number of jobs in London until finally retiring in1982. He then joined the Band of the Honourable Artillery Company until 1977. Bill joined the Royal Hospital on 1st March 1999 and was posted to Long Ward 10 as part of No 4 Company. For many years Bill continued to indulge his love of music and was part of the Royal Hospital Band playing the trombone. He would accompany the Bowls team on their away fixtures to Porlock, and as Bill had been a founding member of the club and had actually been involved in building the club-house, he was always treated a little bit like royalty during these visits. Due to his failing health and mobility Bill was admitted into the Infirmary on 23rd June 2010 but undeterred he remained active and would often be seen having a quite pint in the Chelsea Pensioners Club and enjoyed the many musical concerts within the Infirmary. He readily attended when FM Lord Guthrie went to Chelsea each Christmas to give him his Christmas card and box. Bill much enjoyed telling stories with the Colonel, sure to give as good as he got. On Founder’s Day this year, Bill along with a number of other In-Pensioners was very proud to have been presented by the French Ambassador, with the Legion d’Honneur, in recognition of his role in the liberation of France during the Second World War. He was a real model Chelsea Pensioner, who was a great character and ambassador for the Royal Hospital. Bill Cross - soldier, musician, bowler and In-Pensioner - will be sadly missed by his family and friends. Bill was the most be-
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Ron Darling enlisted into the Royal Armoured Corps in March 1945 and was posted to 61 Training Regiment in preparation for service with the Royal Dragoon Band. The following year, he was posted to 59 Training Regiment and from there in 1948, to the 12th Lancers. That same year he served with the King’s Dragoon Guards, until he was discharged in September 1949 for immediate re-enlistment into the Royal Dragoons. In January 1951, Ron was posted to 65 Training Regiment. He became a Lance Corporal the following year and swiftly rose to Corporal. Rapid promotion continued and he became a Sergeant in 1953. From 1951-1954, he served with the Middle East Land Force and thereafter from 1954-1957, he was based in Germany. From 1960-1962, he was once again posted to the Far East Land Force and promoted to Staff Sergeant. Ron eventually achieved the rank of Warrant Officer Class 2 in 1967. Following his reallocation to the Royal Tank Regiment Band in March 1969, he was discharged in October of that year. For his loyal service, Ron was awarded the 1939/45 War medal, GSM (Malaya), GSM (Canal Zone), GSM (NI), LS&GC, Cadet Forces medal and the Pingat Jasa medal. On leaving the Army, Ron joined the Ministry of Defence Police, serving for two years at Bovington. He then moved to Bicester before his final job in Exeter College, Oxford. Not one to sit around and take life easy, Ron then undertook voluntary work, included setting up a band for the Army Cadet Force in Oxford. He also served as a volunteer driver
Chelsea pensioners line up to say a final farewell to WO2 Ron Darling RD
in the Oxfordshire Ambulance Service from 1996 until 2000. Ron joined the Royal Hospital in 2006 and was posted to Long Ward 16 as part of No 4 Company. During this time he became a Museum Attendant, as well as being a regular member of the Royal Hospital Band, where he played flute and piccolo. Ron carried out all his duties with enthusiasm and diligence and due to his welcoming smile and the warmth of his infectious personality; he got on well with everyone he met. Ron would often recount various tales of his travels and eventually published them in his book ‘The Little Darlings’. Owing to his failing health and lack of mobility Ron was admitted into the Infirmary in 2011, but was undeterred; he remained active and enjoyed attending the many activities and musical concerts within the Infirmary. Ron was a gentleman in every sense of the word and is sadly missed by all of those who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Douglas H Jaggard Late The Life Guards Tpr Douglas H Jaggard was born on 28th September 1927, and died aged 88 on the 11th July 2015. He was the last of the Jaggard family; his father, uncle and brother all served in The Life Guards. A montage of them hangs in the WOs and NCOs Mess cloakroom at Combermere Barracks. Douglas’s Army career was cut short due to a very bad car accident one evening whilst returning back to Combermere Barracks from his home in nearby Bracknell. The driver was killed and Douglas seriously injured, resulting in him being medically discharged on the 26th March 1948 after serving approximately two and half years. After making a full recovery from the car accident Douglas pursued a career as a very successful self employed decorator. He would arrive at the place of work dressed smartly with clean shoes and change into his overalls. Apart from his professional work Douglas was for fifty years a supervisor of car parking at Royal Ascot race meetings. He was very active in the Freemasons for many years.
After the war he was demobbed and went back to farming, not in Warwickshire but in South Ockendon, Essex, where he met and married wife June. He was not particularly happy as a farm worker, and one day in 1950 he went out one morning to apply for a job as a bus driver, and when he came home he informed June he had re-enlisted in the Household Cavalry, with a regimental number of 305418. During this second term, he carried out many mounted ceremonial duties, and at the Coronation in 1953, he is the first Royal Horse Guard escort behind the Queen’s coach. He went to the Helsinki Olympics with Great Britain equestrian team, in charge of all the horses, and for many years provided regimental security at the Badminton Horse Trials. He ended up as SQMC, in charge of the Household Cavalry full dress store at Hyde Park Barracks, where all the ceremonial uniforms are kept. Part of his duties there were to dress and prepare Lord Mountbatten for The Queen’s Birthday Parade and other such functions. He was very much involved in the organisation of the 1HCR annual dinner. On leaving the Regiment in the late sixties, he went to work for Black Rod at the House of Lords. In his later years he lost his mobility, but was a great cricket follower on the TV, always managing to find cricket on Sky TV somewhere in the world.
Lance Corporal of Horse John Watson Late The Blues and Royals by ex SQMC Mick Pinks, The Blues and Royals
In the last decade, Douglas enjoyed visiting the Mess at Combermere Barracks. He was easily recognised by his ever smart attire and highly polished shoes, tie and his Life Guards lapel badge. His funeral took place at St Michael’s Church, Warfield, on 3rd August 2015. Many people attended, and appreciated the calls played by a Trumpeter from our Band. Douglas is survived by his wife Freda. They had no family.
Staff Corporal Quiney Late Royal Horse Guards Always known as Jake, Andrew Quiney was born in Warwickshire in January 1919, son of a farming family. At the outbreak of the Second World War, despite being in a reserved occupation, he enlisted in the Household Cavalry, a decision not very popular with the farming family. He fought in both North Africa and Italy. He acquired the nickname Jake during the war, as in “Jake the Farmers Boy”, a well known cartoon character at the time.
John was born in Scotland and enlisted into The Blues on 1st May 1964; he retired from the Army on 30th May 1986. After his initial training, he was posted to Malaya with Blues Squadron attached to The Life Guards, and on his return to Windsor he spent a lot of his time in MT Troop eventually becoming a driving instructor. He was posted to West Midland District as the Brigadier’s Driver and was there for three Years. He also served with the Regiment in Germany. John was married to Pat (who was his Pen Pal) and they had a son also called John. John’s nickname in the Regiment was Winker, but I have no idea why. He was a well known character in the Regiment. After retiring from the Army, he spent 10 years on the Reserve. He continued to maintain contact with the Regiment, attending Regimental Dinners and Remembrance Day Parades. John suffered from some serious health issue in later life and passed away on 9th December 2015.
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NOTICES
Information for members of both The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals Associations Communication Correspondence for both Associations should be addressed to:
co.uk/becoming-a-chelsea-pensionerbrochure or you may ring for more information on 020 7881 5204
The Honorary Secretary (LG or RHG/D Assn) Home Headquarters Household Cavalry, Combermere Barracks, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 3DN
Change of Home Address Members are requested to inform us, through Home Headquarters Household Cavalry, of any change in your address. Every year both Associations lose touch with a number of members who have failed to notify us of those changes. Any correspondence returned will result in that member being placed in the non-effective part of the database.
Gen Office: 01753 755297 LG Assn Secretary: 01753 755229 RHG/D Assn Secretary: 01753 755132 E-Mail for Home HQ is: homehq@householdcavalry.co.uk E-Mail for Secretary LG Assn is: lg.regsec@householdcavalry.co.uk E-Mail for Secretary RHG/D Assn is: rhg-d.regsec@householdcavalry.co.uk Recruiting and Admission procedures for In-Pensioners Royal Hospital Chelsea The Royal Hospital Chelsea are currently reviewing their recruiting and admission procedures as they now believe there may be some senior citizens with military experience who might be eligible to become InPensioners but who are not aware of the eligibility criteria or what being a Chelsea Pensioner means. To be eligible for admission as a Chelsea Pensioner, a candidate must be: • Over 65 years of age • Either a former non-commissioned officer or soldier of the British Army; or a former officer of the British Army who served for at least 12 years in the ranks before obtaining a commission; or have been awarded a disablement pension while serving in the ranks. • Able to live independently in the sheltered accommodation (known as Long Wards). The Royal Hospital does not usually accept direct entries in to the Infirmary. • Free of any financial obligation to support a spouse or family. If you are in receipt of an Army Service Pension or War Disability Pension you will be required to surrender it upon entry to the Royal Hospital. Please note that if your Army Service or War Disability Pension does not meet a minimum threshold you will be required to ‘top-up’ to that amount, providing it does not place you in financial difficulty. If you have access to the internet more information can be found here: http://www.chelsea-pensioners.
Your E-Mail Addresses Notification of changes to your E-mail address is as important as changes to your postal address. Please keep us informed of these also. Regimental Items for Sale Various items with the Regimental Cyphers are available from the PRI shops at Combermere Barracks, and at Hyde Park Barracks. Opening hours may be determined by calling the Guardrooms on 01753 755244 and 020 7414 2550 respectively. The Household Cavalry Museum Shop at Horse Guards can be contacted on 020 7930 3070 or you can visit their web site at: www.householdcavalrymuseum.org.uk Websites The MoD official Household Cavalry Web Site can be found at: http://www.army.mod.uk/armoured/ regiments/1627.aspx ArmyNet is the serving Army’s private Web site to which Association members have now been given access. To open an account with ArmyNet non-serving members must first register with Home HQ on the numbers and addresses above.
and the Major General’s Review on 28th May. A limited number of tickets for the Inner Line of Sentries (standing only) will be available for members through your respective Honorary Secretary. Tickets cannot be purchased through Home Headquarters Household Cavalry. Applications to attend the Parade in the seated stands should be sent in January and February only to: The Brigade Major, Headquarters Household Division, Horse Guards, Whitehall, London SW1A 2AX Combined Cavalry Parade and Service The 92nd Combined Cavalry Old Comrades Parade and Service will be held in Hyde Park on Sunday 8th May 2016. Members of each Association should assemble in Broad Walk at 1030 hrs on the grass behind their Regimental Marker Board. Dress will be lounge suits and medals (not miniatures). Owing to the security arrangements members should give themselves plenty of time to get to the Assembly area. Members are invited to Hyde Park Barracks after the parade but admission will only be by ticket available from your respective Honorary Secretary. Helpful Contacts The following is a list of organisations which members may find useful for future reference. Veterans-UK (0800 169 2277) www.veterans-uk.info veterans.help@spva.gsi.gov.uk Royal Windsor Visitors Information Bureau Enquiries: 01753 743900 Accommodation: 01753 743907 windsor.accommodation@rbwm.gov. uk www.windsor.gov.uk
Household Cavalry Information site run by Peter Ashman: www.householdcavalry.info
Those visiting Windsor, either for Regimental functions, or any other reason, may wish to know that a Travelodge is now open offering rooms at very competitive rates. They can be contacted on 0871 984 6331 or their website at: http://www.travelodge.co.uk/ find_a_hotel/hotel/hotel_id/329/ WindsorCentral We are in the process of identifying ‘Friends’ of the Household Cavalry who might be willing to offer up a bed or two during Association Dinners.
The Queen’s Birthday Parade and Reviews The Queen’s Birthday Parade will be held on Saturday 11th June 2016 with the Colonels’ Review on Saturday 4th June
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission They have an excellent website which can be searched using basic details, for information about the final resting place
www.theoldoaktree.net A website for former members of The Life Guards. To register follow the link above. www.theseniorcavalryclub.proboards.com A Bulletin Board for former Household Cavalrymen. To register follow the link above.
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of war dead at home and overseas. Their site can be found at www.cwgc.org ESHRA (Ex-Service Homes Referral Agency) The role of ESHRA is to supply information and advice on both private and ex-Service Care Homes. This includes the location of the homes, general advice on funding and care assessments, and the services that the homes can provide i.e. respite and convalescent care. Contact Details: ESHRA, The Royal British Legion, 48 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5ZR. Tel: 020 7839 4466 eshra@britishlegion.org.uk www.eshra.com Officers’ Association (OA) and OA, Scotland Helps ex-officers in financial distress, provides homes for disabled officers and families, and operates a residential home in Devon. It also assists exOfficers to find suitable employment after leaving the Service. They can be contacted in England on 020 7389 5219 and in Scotland on 0131 557 2782 or their website at: www.officersassociation.org.uk The Royal British Legion (TRBL) TRBL is the UK’s largest ex-service organisation with some 570,000 members. One of its objects is to promote the relief of need and to promote the education of all those who are eligible, their spouses, children and dependants. If you need help, you can contact the local TRBL branch near you (number in the local phone book), or the national Legion help line on 08457 725 725 or visit their web site at: www. britishlegion.org.uk SSAFA Forces Help SSAFA-FH exists to help, according to need, all men and women serving, or who have served at any time, in the Armed Forces of the Crown, their families and dependants. Local branches of SSAFA Forces Help can be found in the local phone book or from the Citizens’ Advice Bureau or contact the Central Office at: 020 7403 8783 or visit their web site at: www.ssafa.org.uk SSAFA Forces Help - Recruitment SSAFA Forces Help need more volunteers from each Association to be Casework Supporters who are visitors, treasurers, administrators and fundraisers. SSAFA Forces Help volunteers are there to provide practical help, advice and friendship to all serving and ex-serving men, women and their families. More than 85,000 call on the charity every year. Training is given (2 days), and out-of-pocket expenses are
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paid. Job satisfaction is guaranteed. If you can spare a little time for a ‘comrade’ please contact: Branch Recruitment Office 19 Queen Elizabeth Street London, SE1 2LP Telephone: 020 7463 9223 who will put you in touch with your nearest team or make contact through www.ssafa.org.uk/volunteering.html SSAFA Forces Help Housing Advice Service Provides housing information and advice to Ex-Service personnel and their dependants. For further information contact them at 01722 436400 or www.ssafa.org.uk/housing.html Haig Homes Haig Homes have some 1100 homes throughout the country for letting exclusively to ex-regulars and their families on assured tenancies. For details of where properties are located and application forms contact them at 020 8648 0335 or through www.haighomes.org.uk The Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society (Combat Stress) For nearly 80 years it has been the only organisation specialising in the care of men and women of all ranks discharged from the Armed Services who suffer from injury of the mind. The Society has three short stay treatment centres that specialise in providing treatment for those who need help in coping with their psychological problems. For more information and full contact details for regional offices telephone the Head Office on 01372 841600 or visit their website at: www.combatstress.com The British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association (BLESMA) The objects of the Association is to promote the welfare of all those who have lost a limb or limbs, or use of limbs, or one or both eyes as a result of their service in the Forces and to assist needy dependants of such Service limbless. It will also help those Ex-Servicemen who lose a leg after Service. For more details contact them on 020 8590 1124 or visit their website at: www.blesma.org Blind Veterans UK Blind veterans UK, formerly St Dunstan’s, cares for Ex-Servicemen who have lost their sight for any reason (even after leaving the Service). For more information contact 020 7723 5021 or visit their web site at: www.blindveterans.org.uk. Regular Forces Employment Association (RFEA) contact no is: 020 7321 2011 or at www.rfea.org.uk
Veterans Aid Previously known as the Ex-Service Fellowship Centres (EFC) whose aims are to relieve distress among ex-servicemen of all ranks and their widows or widowers who, at the time of application for assistance, are unemployed, homeless or for reasonable cause in need. They can be contacted at 020 7828 2468. Their website is at www. veterans-aid.net Ministry of Defence (MOD) Medal Office There is now one Medal Office, which covers all three Services and they can be contacted as follows: Service Personnel and Veterans Agency Building 250, RAF Innsworth Gloucester GL3 1HW Email: JPAC@afpaa.mod.uk Fax: 0141 224 3586 Free Phone: 0800 085 3600 Overseas Civ: +44 (0) 141 224 3600 For additional information about medals visit: www.veterans-uk.info Cyprus GSM Clasp - 1963-64 As a result of an Independent Medal review conducted by Lt Gen Sir John Holmes a General Service Medal is available for those qualifying between 21st December 1963 and 26th March 1664. This is relevant to some Household Cavalrymen. Veterans Badges Men and Women who enlisted in HM Armed Forces between 3rd September 1945 to date are entitled to a Veterans Badge. There is no qualifying length of Service. You can download a form from the Veterans Agency Website at www.veterans-uk.info/vets_badge/ vets_badge.htm or can obtain one by telephoning the Veterans Agency Help line 0800 169 2277 Army Personnel Records and Family Interest Enquiries Historical Disclosures The Ministry of Defence (MOD) keeps the records of former members of our Armed Forces for administrative use after their discharge. A Subject Access Requests (SAR) form needs to be completed in order to access records for all ranks in the Army that served after 1920. The following address should be used for ex-soldiers wishing to access their personal records. Army Personnel Centre, Disclosure 2, Mail Point 515, Kentigern House, 65 Brown Street, Glasgow, G2 8EX Tel: 0845 600 9663 The following address should be used for family members wishing to access
records of deceased soldiers:
and application.
Army Personnel Centre, Historical Disclosures, Mail Point 400, Kentigern House, 65 Brown Street, Glasgow, G2 8EX
Household Cavalry Charities We are always extremely grateful if past and serving members of the Household Cavalry wish to make donations or leave legacies in their Wills to our principal charities.
The following personnel Service records have been transferred to the National Archive (formerly the Public Record Office) and are available for public access. • Royal Navy Officers commissioned prior to 1914 • Royal Navy Ratings who enlisted prior to 1924 and First World War records for the Women’s Royal Naval Service • Royal Marine Officers commissioned prior to 1926 • Royal Marine Other Ranks that enlisted prior to 1926 • Army Officers commissioned prior to 1920 • Army Other Ranks that enlisted prior to 1920 • Royal Air Force Officers that served prior to 1922 • Royal Air Force Airmen that served prior to 1924 Service records which pre-date those held by the MOD have been transferred to the National Archive and are freely available for public access. However the National Archives is not resourced to carry out searches. Enquirers are instead welcome to visit, or hire an independent researcher - see the National Archive website for further details at: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ militaryhistory The Veterans Oyster Photocard You can travel free at any time using your Veterans Oyster photocard on: Bus - Travel free at any time on buses within London Tube, tram, DLR and London Overground showing the TFL symbol You can apply for a Veterans Oyster photocard if you are: • Receiving ongoing payments under the War Pensions Scheme in your name (this includes widows, widowers and dependants) • Or receiving Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme in your name (this includes widows, widowers and dependants) Transport for London will not issue a Veterans Oyster photocard if you live in London and are eligible for the Freedom Pass. Visit http://www.tfl.gov.uk/ tickets/14424.aspx or Oyster photocard team on 0845 331 9872 for further details
To help you decide which of our charities you may wish to benefit, and how, please read the following summaries of the objects and payment details of the main Household Cavalry charities. If you have any queries please ask the Secretary of your Regimental Association. Household Cavalry Foundation (HCF) (Charity No 1151869) www.hcavfoundation.org HCF is now the umbrella organisation for all Household Cavalry charities and funds. The origin of the Foundation lies in the Household Cavalry Central Charitable Fund (Charity No; 1013978), whose Declaration of Trust for this Fund was made on 10th February 1975. Its primary function then was to build up funds to deal with major regimental casualty incidents, and major events such as the Standards Parade. With the Union of the two Regiments in 1992 the Declaration was re-issued on 6th August 1992. Its primary source of income is from The Day’s Pay Scheme (formerly The One Day’s Pay Scheme) into which Household Cavalrymen voluntarily contribute (less musicians). A minimum of 51% of this income is passed to each Assn (LG and RHG/D) and that must be spent on the “welfare” of retired members and their dependants who are in need. The HCF is here to support all the Household Cavalry family in times of need or distress with five noted pastoral care objectives: 1. Support for serving soldiers. The HCF aims to help serving Household Cavalry soldiers by providing funding for additional training, sporting activities, life-skills or educational opportunities with the assistance of the Regimental Welfare Officers external to those already provided by the Armed Forces. This will help to ensure that our troops remain motivated and dedicated to their careers within the Regiment or assist them in the transition to civilian life. 2. Caring for our casualties. Building on the excellent work of the Operational
Casualties Fund, Household Cavalry personnel who suffer either physical or mental injury during their service can rely upon the HCF to provide them with the best possible support. This help extends to families and dependants too, and can take many forms. Our core aim is to ensure that our personnel and their families are aware of and have full access to all possible existing welfare provision. Where these welfare systems are found to be insufficient, the HCF will provide funds and physical support to ensure that our casualties can confidently either return to their regimental duties or move into civilian life with the reassurance that they will be supported for as long as they may require it. 3. Welfare support for our Veterans. The HCF works closely with both The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals Associations, which both continue to conduct business in the usual way. We are extremely fortunate to benefit from the excellent communication networks and goodwill provided by the two Associations and thanks to this the HCF is able to increase the levels of help for former members of the Regiment in time of financial need or hardship. We look forward to liaising with Paul Stretton and Dick and Di Hennessy-Walsh in ensuring that all of our veterans remain an integral and well supported part of our Regimental family. 4. Helping maintain our History and Heritage. The HCF is extremely proud of our Regimental history and ethos. The Household Cavalry Museum boasts locations at Horse Guards and Windsor, the latter acting as an educational source and additionally housing the unique archives, both of which will be of benefit to the HCF. The Charity will seek wherever possible to promote the Regiment’s unique heritage to a wider audience and help to maintain our physical artefacts and memorabilia for generations to come. 5. Horses remain at our heart. The Government does not provide funding for our horses in their retirement years. The HCF will help and work closely with external charities and individuals who ensure the welfare of our horses post service. In addition the Charity will provide, when necessary, funding to provide training for soldiers to ensure the highest levels of equitation and horse welfare are maintained.
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Household Cavalry Museum Trust Limited (Charity Reg No: 1108039) Objects: to educate members of the general public and Household Cavalrymen about the regimental history of all regiments that now constitute the Household Cavalry, to preserve regimental memorabilia, and to operate the two museums, one at Horse Guards and the other at Windsor. In addition, there is a trading fund the Household Cavalry Museum Enterprises Limited (HCMEL) which handles the Horse Guards Museum trading as well as incorporating the stock for internet sales and in due course regimental PRIs. Items for military personnel would not be sold to non H Cav personnel.
hardship, sickness, disability or the effects of old age by: a. making grants of money to them, or b. providing or paying for goods, services or facilities for them including education or training, or c. making grants of money to other persons or bodies who provide goods, services or facilities to those in need. 2. To promote the efficiency of the Regiment in any charitable way as the trustees from time to time may decide including, but not limited to:
The objects of The Life Guards Association Charitable Trust are:
a. maintaining and promoting contact between serving and former members of the Regiment and providing for social gatherings for them; b. fostering esprit de corps, comradeship and the welfare of the Regiment and perpetuating its deeds and preserving its traditions; c. providing and maintaining a memorial or memorials to those members of the Regiment who have died in the service of their country; d. advancing the education of members of the Regiment; e. promoting the advancement in life of members of the Regiment by the provision of assistance to enable such persons to prepare for or to assist their re-entry into civilian life.
1. To relieve members or former members of The Life Guards (“the Regiment”) or their dependants who are in need by virtue of financial
The objects of the Association and the Charitable Trust are identical. They have separate legal identities for the purposes of clearer lines of
Comment: The Museum is now debt free, and the HCMEL is trading at a profit. In 2016 there will be an allocation of profit to the HCF, and it is hoped that this will be annual from now on. Profits from the Museum will go towards helping past and serving Household Cavalrymen and their dependants who are in financial hardship. The Life Guards Association Charitable Trust (Charity No; 229144) from 25th October 2010 This charity, established by a Scheme dated 25th October 2010, was formed from the previous three LG Association charities, namely the Helping Hand Fund, The Life Guards Charitable Trust and the Sir Roger Palmer Fund.
responsibility, especially important for management of the Trust’s funds. The new Trust’s objects were expanded to include all the reasons most regiments have a regimental association, including now also the overall object of promoting the “efficiency” of the Regiment which simply means that the Association can support the serving Regiment more closely if it ever wishes to. Hitherto, the Association’s charitable trusts had no legal power to support the Regiment. The priority for any cash grants by the new Trust remains to help members and former members who are in need because of hardship. Also, although the new Charity rules allowed the three old charities to be merged, the existing funds in the three charities were “ring-fenced” so that they can only ever be used for hardship cases. This means, for example, they can never be used to pay for a memorial or a social function: only new money received after the establishment of the new Trust can be used towards any of the new “efficiency” objects. The Blues and Royals Association (Charity No: 229144) The Blues and Royals Association is itself a registered charity reformed in 1968 after the amalgamation. Its aims are very much similar to those of LG Assn. The Blues and Royals have two charities, The Blues and Royals Association (Charity No. 259191) and the Oliver Montagu Fund (Charity No. 256297) which have similar, but not identical, objects to The Life Guards Association Charitable Trust. The Oliver Montagu Fund has less restriction on how its funds may be spent. Also subsumed in RHG/D funds is The Rose Fund.
Household Cavalry Association - Dorset www.dorsetsquaron.co.uk Email: Dorsetsquadron@aol.com Facebook: Household Cavalry Association - Dorset
President The Rt. Hon The Earl of Normanton - formerly The Blues and Royals Vice President Mr George Dugdale - formerly The Life Guards Chairman Mr Raymond D Peck - formerly The Life Guards Secretary and Treasurer Mr John Triggs BEM - formerly The Blues and Royals
112 ■ Household Cavalry Associations
Committee Mr Fred Kemp - formerly Royal Horse Guards Mr Brian Murray - formerly The Blues and Royals Mr Bill Stephenson - formerly The Blues and Royals Mr Barry Woodley - formerly The Life Guards
W
e eased into 2015 with relish and enthusiasm for this was the Bicentennial Year of the Battle of Waterloo. The Committee agreed in 2014 to commemorate this event that involved all four of the parent regiments to the cur-
rent Household Cavalry, but not at the due date due to national commemoration and individual member’s involvement. This then being the ‘main event’ of the year and superseded the Annual Dinner while following that well proven event formula. Contracts argued and agreed with the Hotel Celebrity and we were off for the first event of the year - the Spring Dinner and Dance, which again incorporated the Winter Warmer Draw. We agreed to host two draws this year - the profit made from each is used to subsidise the ‘main event’, thus making the event as
affordable as possible to members. The spring weekend centred on Saturday 14th March and saw members and friends assemble from the Thursday night onwards at the Hotel Celebrity in Bournemouth. Friday night was the usual ‘meet n greet’ night where the lamps were swung and family news updated and exchanged with 54 souls gathered and enjoyed dinner and a later disco. Come the next day, and 60 members and friends gathered for the Spring Dinner and an informal dinner was much enjoyed with good food and the most excellent of company. Our sincere thanks to our Gentlemen Trumpeter Steve Hyett for the most hair on the neck raising perfect Mess Call and for looking the part - immaculate as always! Many members posted photographs on Facebook to demonstrate their enjoyment of the event. The Winter Warmer Draw drew some anticipation, as the three prizes of short hotel breaks and inner tickets were most attractive. The winners of the Draw were: Third prize, Mr B Dorling, who was not a member and accepted £50 in lieu of dinner tickets, Second prize Member Mr Terry Lyons and First prize by Mr Harry Rawlings, who was not a member and was unable to use the weekend two night B&B Break, but agreed to swap with Terry and take his weekday two night break. Again, very special thanks to Tony Prynne who, yet again, produced £120 of ticket sales many thanks Tony! On Sunday 10th May, Committee Member Barry Woodley again laid our wreath at the Memorial to the 1982 Fallen in Hyde Park after the CCOCA Annual Parade, many members assembled on the day to join the muster and the service of remembrance followed by refreshments in HCMR and many thanks for the privilege. So the scene was set for the Waterloo Dinner and this year was the first time since Savoy Hotel days when we were able to run the complete weekend at one hotel - the Hotel Celebrity. This was a leap of faith by the Committee to commit to the hotel an event of this importance to the Association, as they had not hosted a dinner in such numbers. We completely filled all the accommodation in the hotel for the weekend and we set the ceiling number at 120. Within two months the numbers had surpassed that and stabilised at 142! Come the weekend, we sat down in tidy order 133 and photos many and various appeared on Facebook as proof. Friday night dinner proved most popular, with 95 giving the kitchen an
The Battle of Waterloo Bicentennial Dinner Top Table Rear row, left to right: Lt Col (Retd) Trevor Morris LVO, Mr Ray Peck, The Earl of Normanton, Maj (Retd) Nigel Hadden-Paton Front row, left to right: Mrs Caroline Scott, Mrs Paula Peck, Mrs Diana de Uphaugh, Mrs Bumble Hadden-Paton
exercise in à la carte menu dining! Due to the overall weekend numbers we moved to disco into the Birdcage Bar and although a good idea, it prove on both nights to be too far away form the restaurant, the only down side of the weekend. Come the Saturday, diners gathered in their finery well suited to mark the event and post AGM, photographs were taken along with pre-dinner drinks. At 6:40 pm our Gentlemen Trumpeter of the night, Steve Hyett, gave a resounding call to dinner and diners were invited by tables into the restaurant to reduce congestion. The hotel did us proud in being able to seat everyone on both round and square tables, there were many good comments about the layout and good table displays. The Rules of Engagement were explained and then the top table was paraded into dinner to tremendous applause and vigour. Grace was uttered and, once seated, a grand dinner with of course Beef Wellington was enjoyed and completed with cheeseboard to round the meal off - oh - and with five bottles of wine per table, that helped the meal go down and the mood mellow. Diners were also given a token to remember the dinner by which was an engraved shot glass - this was well appreciated. Come the moment and the President read the Salutation to Her Majesty and Her kind Reply, he then proposed the Loyal Toast which was well joined by all. The Chairman introduced Lt Col (Retd) Trevor Morris LVO, RHG/D and former Commanding Officer of HCMR. who gave us as ever a most amusing and illuminating slant on Waterloo and the Household Cavalry, rounding off with a toast to the Household Cavalry.
The Chairman finished off the ‘talk-talk’ element of the dinner with a toast to The Ladies. It was then time for a welfare break and diners were asked to take their seats again for the Charity Auction element thereafter. The Secretary then warbled on in rapid order asking the diners to thank Steve Hyett for his ‘blowing’ and that was well appreciated. Diners were advised there were two birthday girls in the room so a full bodied Happy Birthday was sung to them! And so to the auction, members had again been extremely generous of their time, art, skill and donated some excellent items of specific to The Battle of Waterloo for fund raising. A total of 16 items went under the hammer, and with donations from members and the 2016 diaries donations we happily raised £850.00 for each of the regimental associations - a total of £1700.00 in all. As said earlier, the disco was not as successful as it could have been and lesson learnt, but overall an excellent night with superb food and wonderful company was enjoyed. The faith the Committee put into the Hotel Celebrity was very well repaid and has now set a new standard for our Annual Dinners to come. Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day saw members commemorate this special year’s occasion in their own way around the world. Finally, on December 13th we celebrated the annual Christmas Lunch with 45 members, family and friends enjoying the tradition seasonal meal in excellent company; we were nobly entertained at the Hotel Celebrity again. After the raffle we held the 34th Annual Draw
Household Cavalry Associations ■ 113
for three cash prizes. The Third prize of £100 was drawn first and Member Brian Worthy was the winner. Moving swiftly on, and a big stir up of the tickets - the Second Prize draw for £200 took place by Brian and he pulled out a ticket - Mr Brian Worthy! Brian could have kept both prizes but gentleman as ever, he gave the £100 prize back and drew another; Mr Barry Williams of Lyonshall in Wales was the winner, the ticket being sold by Tony Prynne. Another twirl of the tickets and you could smell the tension like a week-worn pair of jack boots - £300 is a tidy little sum on an ordinary day, and at Christmas time is goes down very well with all the
added expenses. The winner of the First Prize of £300 was Mr Callum Nicholls of Bluith Wells who again was sold the ticket by Tony Prynne. Tony out sold himself this year with a massive £335 tickets sold - very many thanks again an absolutely superb effort Tony and well done - and well done for all who took part - thank you too! Since 2009, this association has generated over £19,000.00 for the Household Cavalry charities. At the AGM it was proposed and unanimously carried that for 2016 we will again be supporting the two regimental associations equally, who provide direct and indirect assist-
ance to all Household Cavalrymen and their families in need. As we move into 2016, as an association we are ever aware our numbers are reducing due to age and the general shrinkage of the Household Cavalry over the recent years, and we are still clouded with uncertain times still ahead for the Army and therefore the Household Cavalry. But with the professionalism, courage and dedication of all past and present Household Cavalrymen, we will continue with pride, relish and comradeship into 2016.
Household Cavalry Association North East President Capt (Retd) P B A Townley - formerly The Blues and Royals Chairman/Secretary Maj (Retd) A R Tate - formerly The Life Guards
O
ver the last twelve months, members of the North East (NE) Association have taken part in organised visits to the Sunderland, and Newcastle Mayors parlour. We met the respective Mayor and Mayoress and were briefed on the history of each city. We also visited Newby Hall and were hosted by Mr Adrian “Gunner” Mardon and his wife. This is becoming a popular pilgrimage and our thanks go to the Mardons for looking after us so well. A small contingent of us paraded, alongside service personnel and other veterans at Sunderland’s Cenotaph for a remembrance service to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. Following the service, a number of members were interviewed by the local radio station giving us the opportunity to promote the Household Cavalry in the North East. A small reception was held in the Museum/ Winter Gardens where we caught up with friends who had travelled from far afield to the service. Our Annual Dinner was held at the Angel View Hotel, Gateshead, in August in 2015, presided over by Capt (Retd) Peter Townley. This was a particularly important dinner for us as the NE Association celebrated its 30th year, a great achievement for the founding members; some of them were in attendance. Major Mark Kitching MBE and his wife Lorraine were our guests of honour. It gave us the opportunity to congratulate Mark on selection for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel and also to thank him for all the assistance he has given the NE Association in the
114 ■ Household Cavalry Associations
HCav North East Association Branch on Remembrance Sunday at the Sunderland Cenotaph
past and to prepare him for what we might ask for in the future! A charity auction was held, with the main item a large brass Eagle, being successfully won by Mr David Ansell after a very healthy bidding battle. Having just had
Mr David Ansell receives the Eagle from the President
a small win at the bookies, I think he had an advantage! After the auction members who had travelled the length and breadth of the country to be there, caught up with each other at the bar until the early hours. We would like to thank HCMR who kindly released two Mounted Dutymen to act as Guard of Honour. Mr David Horsefield was particularly happy, as one of them was his nephew. In November, Association members formed a marching party for Sunderland’s Remembrance parade, one of the largest in the Country. The parade salute was taken by the Mayor and the Brigade Commander from the newly formed 4th Infantry Brigade and HQ North East. Afterwards the Temple
Ken Rowe our Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer decided to hang up his spurs in the latter part of the year, a post he held for about ten years; he helped establish the NE Association 30 years ago. He has done a lot to promote us up here, arranging regular contact with Sunderland and Newcastle Mayors offices and the Armed Forces representatives. As a Royal Horse Guard he served in the Malaya and was on the Coronation. He has worked tirelessly for the good and benefit of the NE Association from organising the annual dinner to providing welfare support to those in need. His hard work is greatly appreciated by one and all. Ken has handed over the reins to Anthony “Tadge” Tate. Mr Ian Barwick with the Newcastle Mayor’s Mace
Chambers were opened providing those on parade with a much-needed warm drink and bacon sandwich. Special thanks go to Mr Ian Barwick and Mr David Ansell who have carried our Association banner on numerous occasions throughout the year. Mr
Our next main event is the annual dinner at the Angel View hotel on Saturday 9th April 2016. Anyone wishing to attend should contact the Chairman. Finally, our meetings have changed location and date. We now meet the last Tuesday of the month at 1930 hours at Command and Support Squadron Sergeants Mess, Queens Own Yeomanry, Fenham Barracks. All are welcome.
Capt Townley with Mr Ken Rowe
Household Cavalry Association North Staffs Branch President: Lt Col (Retd) H S J Scott - formerly The Life Guards Vice President: Capt P V R Thellusson - formerly 1st Royal Dragoons Chairman: Mr B A Lewis - formerly The Royal Horse Guards Secretary: Mr I J Taylor - formerly The Royal Horse Guards Treasurer: Mr R Adams - formerly Royal Horse Guards
Waterloo theme. At the AGM in March the same officers agreed to soldier on, and why not? Our first social evening in April, was a fine buffet and well attended, well it was a FREE do! The Secretary had obtained some well designed black polo shirts with a Household Cavalry cypher and poppy on the breast to commemorate 100 years since the start of the First World War, and former Household Cavalrymen from around the country were eager to purchase one or more. The Association dinner
in May was as expected, very special, and will no doubt be covered in more detail elsewhere in this journal. The attendance of THE Eagle, plus the band made for a truly memorable evening and will be remembered by many for a long time. On Sunday 21st June, the Branch, in partnership with the former Royals led by John Atkins, held a special Waterloo service at The Blues and Royals memorial at The National Memorial Arboretum. The Chaplain had obviously done some swotting up on Regimental history judging by the informative and
T
he year got off to a sad start in early January with the loss of a former Blue that many of us served with, Mr Kenneth Broadhurst. The Secretary attended the funeral. Members discussed what events would be coming up this year, besides our usual social meetings would be special commemoration of the bicentenary of The Battle of Waterloo. An early booking of accommodation in the Windsor area was essential if one was to get a bed when attending the Association dinner this year as attendance was guaranteed to be maximum as there would be a
Service for the Waterloo bi-centenary at the NMA
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entertaining sermon. A former Blue had been in touch with the Secretary. Graham Chillingworth, who now lives in Canada, had only recently heard about the NMA and our memorial. As Graham’s brother Keith is remembered there, the Secretary sent him some photos of the site and Graham sent a donation towards the upkeep of the memorial. The attendance for Remembrance Sunday gets bigger every year, and this year exceeded previous services, and more children are being educated as to what it is all about.
Guests at the annual Christmas dinner
Owing to the decrease in membership and the resulting fall in attendance at the annual dinner, it was decided to combine the event with the Branch Christmas dinner which was held on 27th November at our usual venue, The Borough Arms Hotel in Newcastle. We had a good attendance: along with our President, we had a group from our local Riding for the Disabled riding school so we could present them with a cheque.
Branch Chaplain taking a town centre Remembrance Service
Over the last year work has been done on The Blues and Royals memorial at the NMA with the construction of a bed filled with slate to accommodate the name plaques, as they were constantly being damaged by maintenance machinery. The idea being that if you can’t keep the strimmers away from the
plaques, then keep the plaques away from the strimmers! A meeting was held on site between the Regimental Secretary, the Branch Secretary and Vice President to assess the state of the memorial, as the Branch Secretary wishes to stand down from doing quite as much as the years are beginning to catch up. So ends another year; the numbers may be down slightly, but there’s still a Household Cavalry presence in North Staffordshire. To our serving colleagues we send our best wishes to them and their families for the coming year. Anyone wishing to contact the Branch, please contact Ian Taylor on: ianandann.taylor@btinternet.com
Household Cavalry Association North West and West Yorkshire Events: Mr David Mills - formerly The Life Guards
President: Lt Col The Hon R C Assheton TD DL Chairman: Mr John McCarthy - formerly The Life Guards Vice Chairman: Mr Kevin Lambert - formerly The Blues and Royals Treasurer: Mr Kevin Thompson Secretary & Webmaster: Mr Rob Mather - formerly The Life Guards
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Welfare: Mr Lenny Key - formerly The Life Guards Four-man Sub-Committee: Mr Peter Ditcham Mr Neil Hagan, (two vacancies)
W
e are pleased to report that the branch is gaining momentum and strength in numbers following some hurdles we have overcome since our re-inception in late 2013. We are also pleased that we now have a permanent President, Lieutenant Colonel The Honourable R C Assheton TD DL, who has been most helpful in his guidance and advice relating to our activities in 2015 and for the future. Many Life Guards
from the 1990’s will remember Colonel Ralph from his time serving with The Life Guards in Sennelager, as a Lieutenant Liaison officer, with us for the Gulf War. The Colonel is also a former Commanding Officer of the Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry, and has recently introduced the branch to B Squadron, Lancashire Yeomanry in Wigan as a useful point of local contact for various events, including Remembrance Sunday in 2015 and our next annual dinner. In May 2015, we met up with some old colleagues for a weekend of fun at Filey Campsite in East Yorkshire with BBQ and beers. Great to see some old faces including Dave Ormiston, Chris Buckley, Paul Lewis, Paul Redhead, Tony Brookes, Alan Fry, Tom Dixon, Antony Mansfield, Chris Wood plus partners.
Armed Forces Day. From Left to Right, Kevin Thompson, John McCarthy and Leonard Key
Also In June 2015, we greeted Lieutenant Colonel Harry Scott for our first AGM. We thank Colonel Scott for his invaluable advice and guidance regarding protocol, process and due diligence of all matters relating to our activities. The branch recently delivered a first set of formulated accounts for activities from December 2013 to December 2015.
Dinner and Waterloo celebration at the Haydock Thistle. The event was attended by the Commanding Officer Household Cavalry Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Denis James; the branch committee thanks Colonel James for taking the time out of his busy schedule to come up to the North West to visit us. In addition, we were joined by veterans from several of the Guards Regiments, including Grenadier Guards, Welsh Guards and several comrades from the Royal Artillery, plus friends and family. Furthermore, we had some entertainment from Ex Blue and Royal ‘Martin Semple’ who provided his own unique form of comedy; thanks Martin! We also had a successful raffle and auction, and even managed some dancing at the end. Thank you to all who attended in 2015, and to absent friends.
In July 2015, we hosted our 2nd Annual
In November 2015 the Branch attended
1st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment (1 MERCIAN). In 2010, Tom deployed on operations to Afghanistan but tragically was seriously wounded on patrol and succumbed to his injuries the following day. RIP Tom Sephton. The Filey Team, from left to right; Dave Ormiston, Antony Mansfield, Kev Thompson, Alan Fry, Paul Lewis MBE, Paul Redhead, Chris Buckley
In June 2015, several branch members attended The Armed Forces Day event in Warrington. This was the Tom Sephton Memorial Trophy, which consisted of several Rugby League Matches between local teams and several Army Regiments. The event is held in memory of Private Tom Sephton, a Soldier from Warrington who served in the
The Annual Dinner From Left to Right; The Chairman Mr John McCarthy, Bob Dodsworth, Mrs Dodsworth, Rob Mather, Leonard Key, Don McKenzie, Dave Mills
Remembrance Sunday. From left to right, Rob Mather, The President Colonel Assheton, John McCarthy, David Mills, Kevin Thompson, Jonathan Heaton
News from the Associations ■ 117
the Remembrance service in Wigan, and afterwards we were invited back to the QOY Reserve Barracks for an excellent hot pot.
a date down to suit everybody’s busy schedule, therefore we decided on this date. For further details or if you wish to attend in 2016 please contact us below.
The full team on parade is shown below.
If you would like to join the branch please see contact details below.
In 2016, our 3rd Annual Dinner will be held at the Reserve Barracks mess hall in Wigan on 11th June 2016. The theme for this year will be The Queens Birthday Celebration Dinner. Given the amount of events that are happening in the annual calendar, it has been difficult to pin
Tel: 01942 316116 web: www.householdcavalry.net email: webmaster@householdcavalry.net facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/
cavreunited twitter: twitter.com/HCav_NWandYorks Membership: Approx. 50 First Period Accounts: December 2015 Thank you for reading and may we wish good health and happiness to all our old friends and comrades. God Save The Queen.
‘B’ Squadron The Lancashire Yeomanry, plus members of the Branch at 2015 Remembrance parade in Wigan
118 ■ Features
Features The Munro Hunter
by Captain J C Campbell, The Life Guards
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aving left The Life Guards in March 2015 to pursue a life of adventure (or something along those lines), I had the opportunity to undertake a lifechanging trip. I spent weeks thinking of wild and elaborate trips before deciding that climbing all 282 Munros in Scotland would suffice. A Munro is a mountain in Scotland over 3,000 ft, famously named by Sir Hugh Munro in the 19th Century. After deciding on the trip, I saw a great opportunity to raise some money and awareness for two fantastic charities; the Household Cavalry Foundation and Parkinson’s UK. Both are very close to my heart, having worked with the Foundation and seen the great work that they do, and also having witnessed the aggressive and heartbreaking affect that Parkinson’s has on people’s lives. When I say that no planning or training went into the trip I really mean it. Day 1 was a baptism of fire (without the heat). On 1st June 2015 I set off from home to the banks of Loch Lomond only to be confronted by freezing temperatures, gale force winds and more snow than I had seen all season in the Alps - I should have packed my skis! This trend of weather did not improve for over a week, at which point I genuinely thought that I had bitten off more than I could chew. I didn’t have a guidebook, I wasn’t following paths, the whole
thing was very ad hoc and incredibly hard work. After the first week, when I had only managed to complete seven Munros, my legs were killing me and I was in a pretty poor mental state. However, after a few gentle words from family and friends I was able to buck up my ideas and attack the second week with new found vigour. I distinctly remember thinking in the early weeks that this was all good fun but that interest would wane and I would go home in a few weeks time having given it my best effort. My mother had told me that when I reach the half way point I must have a full check up with a doctor and another great friend had advised me that when I reach 200 Munros that I should really ramp up the publicity and fundraising efforts. Very useful advice from both parties, but I never thought I would reach either of those milestones. Little did I know that public interest was building daily, my first video blog had received 14,000 views, the money was pouring into both charities and I had even had interest from local and national press. It was at this point that I knew there would be no way of not completing the challenge unless I went down with a serious injury. Having never done a challenge like this, I cannot describe how powerful the support of friends, family and complete strangers can be. At every low point,
Classic Scottish summer weather
of which there were many, I drew on that support to keep me going. Before I knew it I had done 82 and then there were only 200 left and so on and so on. Breaking the trip into small digestible chunks makes the psychological element bearable. This is a very important lesson for life; anything is achievable if you just put one foot in front of the other and keep going, you WILL reach your goal eventually. By the end of June I was getting into my stride; I was feeling fit, had lost weight and was enjoying the simple routine of eating, walking and sleeping. I had ironed out any problems with my kit and equipment and was feeling very positive about the trip; I still, however, had no idea how long it would take to complete. My initial estimate, based on nothing other than guesswork was that I might be finished in two months, four and a half months later I realized quite how far off I was. I get asked a lot, “what was the hardest Munro and my favourite”. It’s a horrible question to answer but I must say that the Cuillin ridge on Skye is unlike any other mountain range in the UK; it is technical and terrifying in places, but also one of the most beautiful places that I have ever been. The hardest days I did weren’t technical, just very long. On several occasions I did over 27 miles in a day and climbed up to 10 Munros; hard work but immensely rewarding as I was able to be alone in some of the most remote areas of the UK.
The author having bagged one of his 282 Munros
The loneliness wasn’t a negative aspect of the trip, even though the feeling stayed with me for long periods of time. Most people have no idea what it feels
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The final Munro with family, friends and £25,000 raised
like, and until you experience it, even if only for a short period, you can’t truly appreciate what we have in life. By that I don’t mean beds, nice meals and showers but the friends and family which we all too often take for granted. Strangely enough, I hit my biggest psychological wall when I only had 50 mountains left to climb. I had achieved so much but felt like I couldn’t go on. It took a very kind person who I had only just met to invite me for dinner, share a few vodkas and give me a swift kick up the backside to get me back on the road. I owe him a huge amount for that support and inspiration.
18th October came around faster than I could ever have imagined; we arrived in the car park of Ben Lomond, number 282, to be greeted by 50 friends, family and people I had met along the way. It was very emotional to see how many people had come from all over the country to support my final climb. The weather was fantastic, lots of champagne and even a few tears to round everything off. Capt T D E Mountain RHG/D and Capt T Seccombe made the journey from Knightsbridge to support the foundation and me. The total amount raised was just short of £25,000 split evenly between both
charities. However, donations can still be made at www.themunrohunter.org All in all, I had a fantastic time. It was the hardest and most rewarding thing I have ever done and was definitely life changing. So I challenge every one of you, no matter how young or old, to go off and do the one thing you have always wanted to do in life (you all have something) because the only certain thing in life is that you don’t know what lies around the corner. Keep your eyes peeled for the next adventure but until then from The Munro Hunter, adios.
Inspire to Achieve The Combined Cadet Force, a Veteran’s Perspective by Mr D Goodall MBE, ex The Blues and Royals
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pon leaving the Regiment on completion of my 22 years’ service, after working for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, spending three years in Libya and three years in Latin America, I decided it was time to return to the UK and to find some new challenges. In March 2015, I started working at King’s College School in Wimbledon as their School’s Staff Instructor, responsible for administrating, organising, running and training their Combined Cadet Force.
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King’s CCF currently consists of 140 boys and girls, in three sections representing the three services, the Army section being cap badged to the Royal Tank Regiment, an association I am told goes back to the Second World War when a Battalion of the London Regiment, from South West London was rerolled to tanks and became the 42nd RTR, a legacy still seen in some cadet units to this day. King’s is a very busy private day school with some 880 pupils, mostly boys, with girls being admitted in to the
sixth form. The CCF has a very busy programme, parading every Friday for training and conducting off site training activities almost every month. As well as myself, we have eight teachers, all volunteers, who are Officers within our CCF and as well as running training for the cadets also get to attend training courses and gain qualifications themselves. We take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s award Scheme, with many attaining a Silver award and some going on to Gold before they leave the
Learning the basic skills
school. We are very lucky to have our own armoury and .22 small bore range, so shooting and skill at arms training forms a big part of the CCF syllabus.
They shall not pass
Although not an overtly military school, it has an excellent academic record and a strong sporting ethos, it is in the top ten of schools within the UK for providing Officer Cadets to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. For the uninitiated, the CCF can trace its origins back to 1860 and the Junior Divisions of the Officer Training Corps; in 1948 it was formed as the CCF it is today. There are currently CCFs in 260 schools across the country, 39 of which are in London District, with 43,000 cadets across the UK and some 2,300 CFAVs (Cadet Force Adult Volunteers). There is currently a well-publicised expansion programme, driven by this government to see CCFs open in more schools, particularly state schools in order to allow the values and ethos of the Armed Forces to be passed on to more young people.
Many CCFs will be fortunate enough to have a full time SSI, who handles most of the work to organise the school’s Corps and if you’re at the end of this career, it does offer individuals an opportunity where all of your military skills and qualifications will be of great value. It is worth noting that the Army considers your military qualifications expired three years after leaving, so if you do leave it longer, like me, you will find yourself having to recomplete the cadet versions of courses such as skill at arms instructor and range qualifications, a sense of humour and tolerant attitude is essential!
I thoroughly enjoy my role here at King’s, every day is different, the cadets vary from those who are a joy to work with to those who are at best challenging, but in every way it is rewarding. I’m back in uniform and like to consider myself as still part of the Household Cavalry family, albeit somewhat extended, but I have the opportunity to wear my cap badge with pride and pass on and inculcate the high standards and values that we all learn from our service, to another generation as well as maintaining my links to our Regiments. Living the Dream!
WO2 Goodall and King’s School CCF
Army Cadet Force - 198 Ickenham Detachment LG and the 191 Uxbridge Middlesex Yeomanry by Lieutenant Lady Sarah Jane Gardner, The Life Guards ACF
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n Thursday 16th April 2015, 198 Ickenham Detachment, The Life Guards, organised a visit to Combermere Barracks, Windsor. Cadets from both 198 Ickenham Detachment The Life
Guards, ACF and 191 Uxbridge The Middlesex Yeomanry Detachments attended. It was a very interesting and informative day. We started off at the Household Cavalry Museum Archive
where we got to handle many different weapons from an original Brown Bess Musket used in the battle of Waterloo, through to modern day weapons systems. The cadets found this very
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The Ickenham Detachment at Windsor. From left to right: 2nd Lt Nijjar, Lt Gardner, Cadets Merrick (back row), Nardini (front row), Davies (front), Boughtflower (back), Mortland (front), Instructor SI Irvine, Porter, Jenkins-Wray, escorted by Mr John Lloyd of the Household Cavalry Museum
interesting and the instructors found it interesting too, albeit somewhat scary watching the cadets handing weapons around with bayonets attached, this tested our avoidance skills and the cadets weapon handling discipline. Our host was very informative and we appreciative that he took the time to share his knowledge with us. Then we had a tour of the stables and watched the horses and riders in training at the ménage, this was a unique experience to see the horses up close. The cadets soon found out the horses favourite treats were polo mints. After a delicious lunch we got to see the armoured vehicles and even got to sit inside, and climb all over them. It was interesting seeing how they work.
It gave us a good insight to what it would be like working out of them; we were shocked at the lack of space inside. There were also a few hairy moments when one of the cadets moved the turret whilst one of the instructors was climbing on, testing again his now natural avoidance skills so as not to fall off. For cadet instructors alike it was extremely interesting finding out about the Household Cavalry’s operational role. We have extreme admiration for the roles that they carry out under difficult conditions. As our day drew to its conclusion, back in the Museum we even got to try some outfits on. It was a truly impressive tour. We are very grateful that we had the opportunity to visit and learn so much
Cadet Merrick strays from his R Signals cap badge to see what it’s like in The Life Guards
Not to be left out, the Detachment Commander tries out her seat
about what the Household Cavalry do and their various traditions. The cadets thoroughly enjoyed themselves and still talk about what a wonderful day out they had; a number of cadets have even expressed an interest in joining the Household Cavalry. In July of the previous year, the Detachment had a visit to HCMR Knightsbridge to watch the Guard mount, see the farrier’s shop, full dress store, armourer’s shop, and the saddler’s shop, which were all fascinating.
Ready to fight the vehicles
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We welcome these trips and hope that they might continue into 2016. Our cadets and instructors are all volunteers who are busy with commitments at work, school and with families so it is great to have the opportunity to attend these events and find out all about our parent unit. Seeing the cadets enjoy themselves makes it all worthwhile. We work hard to run a successful unit and try and fill our calendar with interesting trips and activities for our cadets. We were pleased to be able to
offer our cadet of the year S/Cpl Ben Irevine an opportunity to attend the cadet exchange visit to Australia in July 2014. (LCoH Ben Irvine has also previously received the Deputy Lord Lieutenants award in Hillingdon). We were fortunate to successfully secure funding to help towards the cost of this trip, from the London Borough of Hillingdon, (as a one-off donation). Ben Irevine has now finished his time as a cadet and has gone onto become an adult instructor. Other past events have included forming part of the guard of honour at Harefield Village Green, where two local WW1 Victoria Cross recipients Robert Edward Ryder VC and
Cecil John Kinross VC were honoured. We have chosen as our community service, the task of tending the graves at St Mary the Virgin Churchyard where Robert Ryder VC is buried, something that we have been doing for several years, (Sgt Robert Ryder who won his Victoria Cross at Thiepval during the battle of the Somme in September 1916). We also regularly take part in the annual shooting weekends at Longmoor Camp and ranges. On a yearly basis as well as participating in our local Remembrance parade at Ruislip, Cadets attend Victoria Station to be part of the guard of honour at the tomb of the unknown soldier. We regularly train our cadets
in military skills including field craft and navigation, as well as important life skills such as first aid on weekends away (we also have a two week camp every year), where cadets have had the chance to camp out and learn fieldcraft skills. Other trips we have oganised included parading at the Menin Gate in Belgium marking the 100th Anniversary of the First World War. We are sure that we will follow up on past successes in the near future and welcome any opportunities and support that can be offered.
Waterloo 18th June 2015, Cossall, Nottinghamshire by Anthony Lynch
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ossall is an old village in D H Lawrence country on the Derbyshire / Nottinghamshire borders, with we believe the only Waterloo Memorial outside London. The Memorial is dedicated to two 2nd Life Guards who fell at Waterloo in 1815, and is maintained in magnificent order by the local Waterloo group. The event was commemorated on the day in glorious weather, organised by the Parish Council and attended by the High Sherriff of Nottinghamshire Dr Jaswant Bilkhu who unveiled a plaque behind the Waterloo Memorial. Also in attendance were the local Police Commissioner, four local Mayors and two former members of The Life Guards - Mr Tony Lynch and Mr Clive Watson. A TV crew attended and the
proceedings were aired on local news channels. The Memorial was funded by public subscriptions to commemorate two of the village’s sons who fell at Waterloo, John Shaw and Richard Waplington, also John Wheatley of the 23rd Light Dragoons who returned to the village. Through the good offices of John Lloyd in the Museum, a citation was framed along with Waterloo medal replicas and presented to the Parish Council. At the presentation, the large assembled gathering was told that Medals were issued some thirty five years after the battle and so the families would have passed away by then. Now the medals and citation are in St Catherine’s Church for posterity. Letters have been received from the Parish Council thanking The Life Guards for their generosity, help and enthusiasm in making the event a success.
The memorial
Detail showing the inscription to Tprs Shaw, Waplington, and Wheatley
Anthony Lynch and Clive Watson with the memorial replica medals and picture
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The Blues and Royals Association Brussels and Waterloo 2015
etween 17th and 19th April 2015, 45 members of The Blues and Royals Association, wives and partners attended a weekend in Brussels structured around a tour of the battlefield of Waterloo on the Saturday. Ably marshalled by Chris Elliott and his understudy and coach organiser Ken Robertson, the party left Combermere Barracks more or less on time on the Friday morning, and crossed the channel by ferry to Calais. After a scene-setting showing of the Sergei Bondarchuk ‘Waterloo’ film on the coach (but why are all the British troops Scottish?) arrived in Brussels during the afternoon. Having booked into the excellent and central La Plaza hotel, the group then spent the evening socialising, renewing old acquaintances and making new ones depending where their interests lay. On the Saturday morning, led by our two tour guides, association members Pete Storer and Jim Lees from the Household Cavalry Museum at Windsor, we headed south out of Brussels towards Charleroi. Several of our lady members meanwhile remained in Brussels and, it is believed, managed to fit in some city tours and a little retail therapy while carrying out a recce for a suitable hostelry for a team meal that evening. The first stop on the tour, and opportunity to buy souvenirs, was at the Wellington museum and visitor centre in the village of Waterloo, which is actually about 2 miles north of the battlefield but was Wellington’s HQ during the battle. This is an old inn which is now an excellent museum of the campaign with many original exhibits and some thought provoking displays such as the desk where the Duke wrote
his despatches after the battle and the bed, in the next room, where one of his ADC’s lay dying while he did so. In the rear garden of the inn is the preserved site where Uxbridge’s amputated leg was buried with full military honours after the battle; this provided some interesting photo opportunities. Directly opposite the museum is the 17th century St Joseph’s church which contains some interesting period, and later, memorials and stained glass work dedicated to the memory of some of the Regiments and individuals who fought in the battle; largely officers, of course, as other ranks were rarely commemorated at the time. Moving on from the village, we headed for the battlefield itself passing the Ferme de St Jean, the main Allied dressing station on the day and a scene of horror and pain in 1815, now quiet apart from the passing traffic and not open to the public; we shortly arrived at Wellington’s crossroads on Mont St Jean. This is virtually the central point of the Allied line during the battle and where Wellington positioned himself during much of the day. There used to be an Elm tree here which marked Wellington’s location but it is long gone now. As we turned right onto the ridge where the Allied army made its stand, we parked the coach approximately where the right flank troops of the Household Brigade, the 1st Life Guards, crossed the ridge as the heavy cavalry attack went in towards the left flank of d’Erlon’s infantry attacking up the hill on 18th June 1815. Waterloo is a small, relatively compact battlefield, and after a short brief on the topography and
A model of the Duke of Wellington at work in his temporary HQ
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orientation session, we moved on to the Lions Mound. This was built by the King of the Netherlands shortly after the battle to commemorate the courage of his son the Prince of Orange who commanded Wellington’s 1st Division during the battle and was shot in the shoulder fairly late in the day. The mound was built by scraping off the top of the allied ridge; it is 43m high, has 226 steps to the top and dominates the field. Allegedly Wellington’s comment when he first saw it was “They have ruined my battlefield!” That may well be the case but after virtually all the group, including some of the more mature members, had successfully scaled the steps it was immediately obvious that it provides a superb view over the field. From Papelotte on the left past La Haie Sainte in the centre and over to Hougoumont on the right and with a view ahead to Napoleon’s HQ at La Belle Alliance, the whole battlefield is visible and Pete Storer gave an overview of the battle from here. It is the small size of the battlefield which is really brought home from the top of the mound, and it is hard to believe now that nearly 200,000 men spent six hours trying to kill each other in this fairly undistinguished field. From the mound we moved to the rotunda building next door which is an enormous panoramic painting about 115m long and 15m high surrounding a viewing platform. The painting depicts the later crisis of the battle as Marshal Ney hurled his cavalry in repeated charges at and around the Allied infantry squares on the ridge (and having five horses shot from under him in the process!). The painting, completed by a French artist in 1912, provides a powerful experience and gives some ides of the chaotic, claustrophobic
Mr Lees gives another informative talk
experience of the battle and of the sheer numbers involved. Time was moving swiftly on by this stage and a command decision was made that, largely due to the difficulty of access and the fact that it was closed to the public due to ongoing work for the 200th anniversary we would, reluctantly, have to give Hougoumont a miss. Maybe next time. After a short walk and some dodging traffic on the main road we made our way to La Haie Sainte and Jim Lees gave a brief on the specifics of the Household and Union Brigade charges including the Royal Dragoons seizure of the Eagle of the 105eme de la Ligne which occurred across the road from the farm at about 1330hrs. This area was the crucial centre of the battlefield and from here it is possible to get a good view of the ground and a better idea why the horses of the British cavalry were blown when the French counter attacks came. A short drive down the N5 across the battlefield then took us to La Belle Alliance, another inn (closed unfortunately) which was Napoleon’s HQ for most of the battle, and a location which gives a view of the ground as seen by the enemy as they advanced towards the Allied lines. Mr Storer gave another short talk on the view from here. We then headed back to Brussels to link up with our missing members and
The company at dinner
finally to an excellent group meal that evening in our pre-recced restaurant with plenty of good Belgian beer, more photo opportunities and not a few war stories, after which some of the younger members partied on and the sensible ones went to bed.
All in all a great time was had by all; good company, good hotel, informative battlefield tour and a superb final dinner made for a memorable time with old and new friends. Thanks are due from all to the organisers, contributors, and scouts. Maybe The Somme next year?
And so back to Combermere via the obligatory Belgian chocolate factory.
An Extraordinary Coincidence
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by Richard Everard OBE DL, formerly The Blues and Royals
s a keen collector of Waterloo medals, I attended a two day seminar at RMA Sandhurst in June 2015. I took with me a medal to Lt Tathwell Baker Tathwell of The Blues as it had an intriguing history and I wondered if anyone there might be able to shed more light on it. Whilst chatting over coffee, I asked one of the presenters if he knew anything about Lt Tathwell, he said it was not his particular area of knowledge but the person I needed was an author called Gareth Glover who happened to be in the room. On being introduced, I asked him if he knew about Lt Tathwell, whereupon he asked me if I was staying for the afternoon lectures as his talk very much included the exploits of Lt Tathwell. Rather surprised, I asked him if he would like Tathwell’s Waterloo medal for his presentation as I had it with me. Amazed, he replied “Would you really lend it to me?” and so unfolded an extraordinary quirk of fate. Gareth Glover had only recently written a book on Waterloo entitled Waterloo, Myth & Reality where he was trying
to dispel some of the long-standing misconceptions of the battle originating from national interest which had been perpetuated by successive tellers of the story. In his own words “These disparate groups therefore produced separate versions of the battle and campaign, with subsequent national historians developing and solidifying their own versions over the ensuing centuries. All sides are guilty of embellishment, of downplaying failures and even corrupting facts to fit their own version of events. Theories by these partisans are often based on inaccurate claims which have distorted the facts to verify their particular viewpoint on events.” As a result of reading previously unknown contemporary texts and letters, particularly French ones, Glover has been able to shed more light on some of the supposed myths of the battle. One of these is regarding Lt Tathwell and his Eagle. Below is the extract from his book explaining about the 55th Ligne Regiment admitting in their papers that they temporarily lost
their Eagle. Not something a Regiment would do lightly! … Lieutenant Tathwell Baker Tathwell of The Horse Guards, who reputedly captured an Eagle but was himself subsequently taken by the French before
Lt Tathwell’s Waterloo medal
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we lately expressed our pleasure at learning that Lt Tathwell of the Blues (a native of Stamford) after being taken by the enemy had been rescued. The family of this young officer had had letters from him but it was not through them that they could obtain information of the noble share he had taken in the bloody field of Waterloo; It was only on the recent return of Sir Robert Hill, the Lieut-Col of the Blues, and who pronounced Lieut Tathwell “the best tempered and the most gallant and high spirited young man he ever knew”, that the following particulars transpired. - At the battle of Waterloo, after the second charge, when the Cuirassiers of the Imperial Guards were broken, Lieut Tathwell perceived an officer with a French Eagle, which he thought he could sieze. On this he darted forward with his charger, killed the officer and took the Eagle! Unfortunately when he was returning to his Regiment, his horse was killed, and thus the Eagle was lost;but so gallant an action as the taking it, performed by so very young a man, in front of the Regiment, has made him respected and adored by all the officers and troops of the Royal Horse Guards.. Gareth Glover before his presentation
he could return with it to the allied lines; the contest thus places the incident near La Haye Sainte. The 28th, 54th and 55th Ligne were in this area and there are claims that the 55th nearly lost their Eagle. But the only evidence for this claim is a note in the Sabretache No. 115, p.389, which states that Colonel Bro de Commerce of the 4th Lancers recaptured the Eagle of the 55th. No evidence has, however, been found to corroborate this claim, although it was
inserted into the History of the 55th Regiment of Infantry without challenge. Another piece of evidence is drawn from The Stamford Mercury dated 4th August 1815. In noticing the fate in the ever memorable battles of the 16th, 17th and 18th June, of some British Officers with whom this part of the country is proud to acknowledge a particular intimacy,
We may never know for sure, but after Gareth Glover’s discovery of the insertion in the 55th Ligne Regimental journals, it brings the prospect of an Eagle captured by The Blues just that little bit closer. In any event, it is a medal of which I feel very privileged to be the current custodian, and the intrigue about it just adds to the excitement when I show it to friends and fellow Waterloo enthusiasts. What luck that I was there to hear Gareth Glover’s presentation, and his book makes fascinating reading.
The Eagle’s Rest
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by Glyn Jones
hilst in Edinburgh recently I came across the tomb of Ensign Ewart, who captured an Imperial Eagle for the Scots Greys at the Battle of Waterloo. It lies in a prominent place on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle and made me wonder where Captain Kennedy-Clarke and Corporal Stiles were buried, as they were also credited with the capture of the Imperial Eagle of the 105 Régiment de Ligne for the Royal Dragoons at the battle. I contacted the RHG/D Regimental Secretary (Capt Chris Elliott) and asked him if he knew where their tombs were and was not too surprised when he awarded me the task of finding out their locations and organising something, if possible, for the bi-centenary of the
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The tombstone of Ensign Ewart
A wreath laid at Capt Kennedy-Clark’s gravestone
battle in 1815. After a quick search on the Internet and several false starts later, I discovered that Capt KennedyClarke was laid to rest in Dumfries, Scotland and Cpl Stiles was buried in Clerkenwell, London. Realising I could get to Clerkenwell easily but not able to venture as far north as Scotland, I returned to Chris Elliott with the issue. With the delegatory skill of a late-entry office, he nominated Adrian (Gunner) Mardon to investigate Capt KennedyClarke’s grave. This required a long drive from Adrian’s Yorkshire home but, resilient as ever, Adrian made it to the church and confirmed the location which was a fairly grand, if not over grown, grave for Captain KennedyClarke who continued his Army career, eventually leaving as a General and
St James Church, Clerkenwell
The gathering in London
with a Knighthood. The task left to me was to find the grave of Cpl Stiles. I knew that the church (St James) in Clerkenwell was his final resting place but, despite much searching in the churchyard, I could not locate a grave or any marker to him. I managed to speak to the Vicar who explained that the church had been next to a large gaol and as such most people were buried in a mass grave due to the high death rate at the time; it was highly likely that he would have been interned into one of these pits. All of these remains were exhumed in the early 20th Century and placed under the Church steps and so it is highly likely that this is the final location of Cpl Stiles. After being promoted to Sergeant in the Royal Dragoons he was given his commission in the 6th West Indies Regiment and served overseas. He left the Army in 1819 and it seems that when he died he was buried in a
completely unmarked grave in 1828, with the exception of the burial register stating ‘Captor of an Eagle at Waterloo’, no doubt at the bequest of a relative. We then approached both churches for permission to hold a small ceremony at each grave at the exact time and date of the charge of the Union Brigade during the Battle of Waterloo and St James’s very kindly agreed to a memorial plaque being erected inside the church. With very little notice, a number of members of the RHG/D Association attended respective ceremonies held at the exact hour the Regiment charged wreaths and a small service was held during which the wreaths were laid. It is no secret that there was much dispute over exactly who captured the Eagle, the controversy weighted on each side by class and ego. But in mediation, we should remember the fact that Corporal Stiles and Capt KennedyClarke both rode knee to knee and broke the French line in the heroic charge of
The tribute team in Scotland
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the Union Brigade. This is the act we should honour and I hope that we have shown them their due respect in 2015, the bicentenary year.
Thanks go to the RCM of HCMR for supporting the London Ceremony, and Captain Andrew Wilkinson and his Father for the Scottish Ceremony.
The date for the unveiling of the Plaque will be announced and people are encouraged to attend.
Varosha (The Ghost Town) - 40 years on from the Turkish Invasion of Northern Cyprus
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by Captain (Retired) R Lawrence, formerly The Life Guards
aving served with the United Nations Peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNICYP) and visited the island on training exercises and holidays several times, I was interested to see if Northern Cyprus had changed. Cyprus was part of the British Empire from 1914 as a Military occupation from 19141925 and a Crown colony from 19251960. However, Cyprus’ status as a protectorate of the British Empire ended in 1914 when the Ottoman Empire declared war against the Triple Entente powers, which included Great Britain. Cyprus was then annexed by the British Empire on 5th November 1914. During the course of the First World War, Britain offered to cede Cyprus to Greece if they would fulfil treaty obligations to attack Bulgaria - but Greece declined. Britain proclaimed Cyprus the Crown colony of British Cyprus in 1925, under an undemocratic constitution International recognition of the new Republic of Turkey resulted from the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923 in which the new Turkish government formally recognised Britain’s sovereignty over Cyprus. However, the Legislative Council was abolished in 1931. Greek Cypriots believed the circumstances were right to demand union of the island with Greece (enosis), as many of the Aegean and Ionian Islands had done following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. In the years that followed, Greek Cypriots’ demands for enosis (union with Greece), which the British opposed, developed rapidly during the 1930s, leading to the destruction of the Government House in Nicosia, which was burnt down in Greek Cypriot riots of 1931. In the ‘50s there was a sustained anti-British campaign by the Greek Cypriot organisation EOKA (the Greek acronym for National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters). This guerrilla group desired political union with Greece, or enosis. Georgios Grivas, also known by his nom de guerre ‘Digenis’, was a Cyprus-born General in the Greek Army. He directed the first EOKA operations from his hideout in Nicosia but soon after he moved to the Troodos mountains to lead his guerrilla teams. He recruited Grigoris Afxentiou as
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one of the team leaders, initially of the Famagusta district. Grivas escaped capture twice after he was surrounded by British forces at Spilia in December 1955, leading to the Battle of Spilia, and at Kykkos in May 1956. A month later, chased by the British forces, he was secretly transferred from the mountains by the car of a passionate EOKA fighter, Kostis Efstathiou, widely known as Pachykostis, and found refuge in a hideout at Limassol from where he directed not only the military activities but also the political campaign, since Archbishop Makarios in March 1956 was exiled by the authorities. During the struggle, the British colonial administration had offered a reward of £10,000 plus passage to anywhere in the world for information leading to the arrest of Grivas. During the Cyprus Emergency, as it was known, which lasted from 1955 to 1959, nearly 400 British soldiers died in the conflict. Armoured Cars of The Blues patrolled every part of Cyprus during the emergency, and were involved a series of terrorist attacks by EOKA. Large quantities of terrorist weapons and documents were captured, and escorts found for the governors of Cyprus. Having returned to England, the Regiment found themselves back in Cyprus in 1960 for a short tour of three months. The memorial, at the British Cemetery in Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus, bears the names of every soldier, sailor and airman who died - 8 RHG and 1 LG lost their lives during the emergency. On 16th August, 1960 Cyprus gained its independence from the United Kingdom. Makarios III, a charismatic religious and political leader, was elected the first president of independent Cyprus. In 1961 it became the 99th member of the United Nations. The Zurich agreement, however, did not succeed in establishing protection for Turkish Cypriot interests. These were obstacles to efficient government. The Akritas Plan was developed, aimed at forcing all Turkish Cypriot parliamentarians from government so as not to disrupt Greek Cypriot plans for enosis. Both sides continued the violence. Turkey threatened to intervene on the island. In November 1963, President Makarios advanced a series of constitutional
amendments designed to eliminate some of these special provisions. The Turkish Cypriots opposed such changes. The confrontation prompted widespread inter-communal fighting in December 1963, after which the Akritas Plan was put into motion and Turkish Cypriot participation in the central government ceased on 23rd December, 1963, when all Cypriot Turks from the lowest civil servants to ministers, including the Turkish Vice-President Dr Fazıl Küçük were forced out of the government. Makarios ordered a cease-fire and again addressed the issue to the United Nations. Although the government was no longer functional or legal, with the forced withdrawal of Turkish Cypriot politicians, UN peacekeepers were deployed on the island in 1964, effectively recognizing the Greek Cypriots as the government. The force, UNFICYP, included Canadian, Irish and Finnish troops. Its mandate was to prevent fighting, maintain law and order. In 1964 the UK Prime Minister, Sir Alec Douglas-Home, met the American Attorney General, Robert Kennedy to explain why international intervention was required, stating that “If they had not done so, there would probably have been”. The same year the Turkish parliament voted in favor of the intervention of Cyprus but the lack of support that Turkey faced from both the UN and NATO prevented it. In answer Grivas was recalled to Athens and the Greek military force left the island. He returned to Cyprus in 1964 after the outbreak of inter communal violence between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots to take over the Supreme Command of the Greek Cypriot forces. (He died of heart failure at the age of 75 on 27th January 1974 while in hiding at a house in the city of Limassol.) In 1967, on Cyprus Airways Flight 284 a de Havilland Comet suffered an explosion in the cabin, killing 66. The cause and motive were unsolved, but a recovered seat cushion showed traces of a military plastic explosive. Following another outbreak of inter communal violence in 1967-68, a Turkish Cypriot provisional administration was formed. In July of 1974, the President was
Cavalry served in a peacekeeping role, with other armies of UNFICYP. In May 2015, we flew into Larnaca Airport then made our way just north of the British (SBA), Dhekelia and Ayios Nikolaos. Having crossed the ‘Buffer Zone’ without intervention (having shown our British passports), it was soon evident that we were in a heavily guarded area. The Turkish people were very friendly and helpful, however the Turkish military were well established in their barracks and well-armed in their look-out posts.
A damaged apartment block with warning sign
overthrown by a Coup a coup d’état carried out by Greece, which was under Greek military junta rule. The Turkish invasion of Cyprus began on 20th July 1974, under Article 4 of the Guarantee Treaty of 1960 by Turkey, after failed UN meetings for international support. The Guarantee Treaty allowed Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, if attempts to get multilateral support failed, unilaterally to intervene to restore democracy in Cyprus in the event of a coup. In a twostage offensive, Turkish troops took control of 38% of the island and 200,000 Greek Cypriots fled the northern areas which were under occupation, whilst at the same time 60,000 Turkish Cypriots were transferred to these northern occupied areas by the United Nations and British Sovereign Base Area (SBA) authorities after an agreed temporary population exchange by Turkish and Greek leaders. Since then, the southern part of the country has been under the control of the internationally recognized government of Cyprus and the northern part under the control of the government of Northern Cyprus. After the invasion in 1974, Cyprus was separated into a northern area and a southern area, divided by a buffer zone, which British army units including the Household
Famagusta, on the east coast of Cyprus, was once one of the most glamorous resorts in the Mediterranean. Miles of pale sand and clear turquoise sea made it a destination for the ‘70s jetset, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Along with the tourists, the 40,000-strong population enjoyed a life rich in culture, with art, music and theatre that was the best on the island. With the deepest port in Cyprus, Famagusta, just to the north of Varosha handled more than 80 per cent of the island’s cargo, much of which comprised a vast tonnage of citrus fruit picked from the local orchards. Varosha was inhabited mostly by Greek Cypriots, while the walled city that contained the historical treasures of Famagusta - including numerous Byzantine churches and a spectacular 14th-century cathedral from the Frankish period was lived in by Turkish Cypriots. A millionaire’s playground with beautiful apartments, hotels, golden beaches, bars, and restaurants, now lies in ruin with the effects of the Turkish invasion. Fighter jets, artillery shells, rocket fire, explosives and small arms fire have all left their mark until this day and the area still remains a ‘Ghost Town’ under the control of the UN. Our UN patrol visited the ‘Ghost Town’ in the early ‘80s and we were struck by the eerie silence and the devastation to
the buildings and surrounding areas. Whilst on our visit to the north I spoke with some of the British occupants that were in Varosha at the time of the invasion in 1974, they remember the fear and chaos, fleeing their homes and leaving their belongings behind before being rescued by the British Army and flown out by the RAF through the SBAs from Dhekelia and Akrotiri. It is not known when the problems will be solved, if ever. However, Varosha will never be the same again. The ruins are infested with vermin, rats and birds of all varieties, mainly housemartins. The vegetation is overgrown and out of control. The whole area will need to be demolished and rebuilt if this is to become habitable again. Several proposals have been put on the table by both sides, including recognition of the Turkish area in the north, International air space to the ‘Ercan’ Turkish airport in northern Cyprus and the shipping rights to the port of Famagusta in exchange for the ‘Ghost Town’ of Varosha. Any trip to northern Cyprus would not be complete without a visit to Nicosia (Lefkosa), Kyrenia (which is now a bustling tourist area), Bellapais Abbey for lunch, the ancient Roman city of Salamis, and Petek within the old walled area of Famagusta for a Turkish tea. Our taxi back to Larnaca airport from the hotel in Famagusta only took 40 minutes, which was pretty quick considering it included the crossing back through the controlled buffer zone. Nicosia War Cemetery and Nicosia (Waynes Keep) Military Cemetery is 4 kilometers west of Nicosia, on the Myrtou road, and inside the ‘buffer zone’. Many soldiers of the Household Cavalry have served there, and some have lost there lives on the island of Cyprus. At the time of writing post WW2, 6 LGs, 8 RHGs, and 1 RDG have lost there lives there; let’s hope it has not all been in vain.
A view from Famagusta beach
Royal Horse Guards Cyprus Veterans - 1955-1959
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n November 2014, it was suggested by a fellow veteran that as the only one with contact details of about 160 Cyprus
by Mr Les Smith
Veterans, would I consider asking Cyprus Veterans for donations to buy poppy wreaths to be placed in 2015 in
memory of our eight fallen comrades. To my amazement, by the generosity of Cyprus Veterans, North Staffs, Dorset
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my wife Shena, Brian Worthy and four veterans from other regiments and I travelled to Wayne’s Keep, Nicosia where five of our comrades are buried three having been repatriated to the UK. However, this wasn’t as straightforward as you might imagine. Wayne’s Keep is in the buffer zone between the Turkish and Greek parts of Nicosia - and we had to make prior arrangements with the United Nations and have our passports checked before leaving the Turkish part of Nicosia before walking about 100 yards to the Ledra Palace Hotel.
Mr Les Smith Laying Wreath
Household Cavalry and the REME associations I received a total of £990.00. This allowed me to order, through the Kyrenia branch of The Royal British Legion, six poppy wreaths, five RHG and one REME plus a wooden bench to be placed in the cemetery near the memorial in Kyrenia. At the time of writing no decision has been made what to do with the balance left over. It is easy to have warm memories of Remembrance, as the warm Cyprus sun provided the backdrop for a service of Remembrance in The Old British Cemetery Kyrenia on 8th November 2015 - when I was proud and privileged to lay a wreath on behalf of the RHG Cyprus Veterans. Brian Worthy, also a Cyprus Veteran, delivered the exhortation as part of an event attended by more than 300 people and saw 39 other wreaths laid on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen, other services and
regiments. After the wreaths had been laid, I was called upon to step forward and alongside the Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf, to cut the ribbon on our new Cyprus Veterans bench - made to match the police bench on the opposite side of the paved area. Meanwhile, back in the England, poppy wreaths were being laid on the graves of our three former comrades - Stephen Fox-Strangways (by John Senior), John Proctor’s grave (by David Baxter), and Larry Birch’s grave (by Ken Molyneux), and also a wreath was being laid at the memorial in Combermere Barracks in Windsor by Maurice Lane. Following the service, a coach took the veterans and members of the Kyrenia Royal British Legion to the Ship Inn Kyrenia to enjoy lunch, followed by a communal sing along featuring many of our old favourites. Two days later
At the gate we had to ring a bell for it to be opened by an armed soldier and were met by the Provo Sergeant who was from Fiji. We then met our United Nations Sergeant and the padre who took us by mini bus about a mile to the cemetery where we were told that we were being watched by both Turkish and Greek soldiers from vantage points and that we must not use cameras, but if we gave them to the Sergeant or the padre they would be happy to take as many photos’ as we wanted. As Brian and I had seven wreaths to lay, 5 RHG, 1 REME and 1 12th Lancers, the padre came with us to take photos. After we had laid the wreaths, we met up with the other group of Cyprus Veterans by the large stone cross in the middle of Wayne’s Keep where the padre held a short but poignant service. We then boarded the mini-bus to drive a short distance to the now derelict RAF Nicosia, we then called into the small British Church and on to Ledra Palace where we again had to show our passports to leave the buffer zone. If anyone is thinking of going next year I can’t recommend it highly enough remember “Time is Not On Our Side”.
Wexford
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by Troy Shaw, formerly The Blues and Royals
y name is Troy Shaw, formerly of The Blues and Royals, ending my service as a member of the Riding Staff. My wife and I own a community interest company that offers support to individuals and families that have autism, ADHA and other mental and challenging behaviours. Part of our work involves the use of horses and other animals to invoke improvements in communication, behaviour, and general family life. Late last year we were very lucky to be given the chance to offer Wexford (Wendy) ex 1 Tp RHG/D, a retirement home. The impact Wendy has had and that is ‘fantastic’. She is making a real difference to lives of individuals and families;
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Wexford grazing, with company
Am I bothered?
and as you can see from the pictures she is thriving on it. Everyone who interacts with her (including our staff) is completely blown away by her. She has to be one of the most incredible horses I have come across and is a credit to the HCR. My wife Lorraine and I started New Leaf Triangle Community Interest Company in October 2014. The principle of the business is to offer individuals and the families of individuals with Autism and other disabilities including mental health conditions an alternative place to learn, improve communication and have great fun. We achieve our goals through interactions with a variety of animals from horses to rabbits combined with the natural beauty and tranquillity of the Leicestershire countryside. We have a dedicated team of staff and volunteers who work extremely hard to give everyone who visits us their full attention to ensure our principles are met. Our horses are used in a variety of ways to stimulate and provoke positive engagement from being painted, sensory work through to jousting style games and everything in between. Every horse has to be 100% safe and trustworthy as they have to cope with extremes of behaviour. Most of the people that come to us have never seen a horse up close and cannot read a situation from a horse’s perspective. Finding and training horses to this level is an extremely lengthy task that requires hours of input and time but most of all it comes down to the deep seated temperament of the horse. We currently have two horses and three ponies on the team all with their own personality and speciality. All of the ponies are great for painting and love the general attention involved in the sessions. Our horses are used to give children a unique experience as they can ride upfront with an experienced rider (back riding) that ensures their safety while stimulating communication and the release of Oxytocin (feel good
hormone). This work involves some My daughter riding Wendy back to her field of the methods we met Wendy we knew she would pioneered by Rupert Isaacson (Horse make a difference but could never Boy) in the US. We have and continue have imagined just how much of a to have some amazing results from difference she actually brings to the the work we do and have seen some team! In the early stages we ran our phenomenal changes in almost everyone assessment program to make sure who visits. Our business has grown at Wendy was 100% safe and could cope a fantastic rate so much so that it was with the unpredictable situations some clear in the early part of the year that we of the children and adults present. To be needed to find another suitable horse honest if we had to describe the perfect to join the team; one that could almost horse it would be Wendy. She is perfect bypass many of the hours required to for quiet back riding and is everyone’s train up to the level required. I have favourite for relaxing sensory sessions. only really ever experienced horses with Wendy probably supports about 2 to the characteristics we require during 4 hours worth of sessions a week and my time with the Household Cavalry the rest of her time is spent out at grass and started to look at the possibility with her new friends. You can’t remove of re homing a ‘Cav Black’ after its the Cavalry from her though as she still retirement. We went to see Wexford expects her regular daily hay and ‘feed at the vet camp after she had spent the away’ at the prescribed times! The light winter out at grass. Even before we were exercise seems to suit Wendy and she is given an overview of her very lengthy an absolute picture of health and we are military career we new that she would very very proud to have her living with be perfect! us. Wendy is a credit to the Household Cavalry and can only be described as Wexford (Wendy) joined the team in PERFECT! April 2015 and was an instant hit with everyone. Her initial input was to add a high level of amusement due to her tendency at the time to make rather load and regular trumpet sounds from her back end, which the children found hilarious! We put this all down to the change to the lush green pastures that Wendy now lives on as it has now started to subside as she settles in to her new life. From the moment Wendy and her new friend Tyler
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Blast from the Past With all the talk of space in central London, Hyde Park Barracks, and options for the future, below are two photographs from the past for study and illustration. Any additional information on either item would be welcome. The captions are a present best guess.
The Band of The Life Guards leads contingents of uniformed and civilian divisions to a memorial service. Regents Park? Forming up in Hyde Park Barracks, LG and RHG?
Presentation of Brussels Standard It should be remembered that the Household Cavalry have had strong links to Belgium demonstrated on many occasions. Below is a photograph taken from the History of 2HCR book showing the presentation of a Brussels Standard to 2HCR by the Burgomaster Monsieur M J van de Meulebroeck in July 1945.
L-R SCM Berrisford, CoH Neill, RCM Poupart, CoH Jenkins
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Légion d’Honneur - for 2HCR Veterans
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his, of course, will only be relevant to a small group of our Association members but I am hoping that this can be passed via word of mouth or forwarded onto any members that you think it may be relevant to. The following text is from the GOV.UK website and was posted on 25th July 2014. The Government of France has told the UK Ministry of Defence that it wishes to recognise the selfless acts of heroism and determination displayed by all surviving veterans of the Normandy landings, and of the wider campaigns to liberate France in 1944, by awarding them with the Légion d’Honneur. This recognition extends beyond the troops who actually landed on and fought their way up the beaches 70 years ago, and will include Royal Navy and Royal Air Force personnel who operated in support of the landings. Requests for the award should be made using this application form and will be processed by the Ministry of Defence, who will forward the details to the French authorities. Home HQ H Cav has the application form so if you need one please do let me know so that I can get it to you. The French authorities will then make all the final decisions on the awards. Any veterans wishing to apply for the award, or anyone enquiring on their behalf, should either send the form to: Personnel and Training - Defence Services Secretary - Commemorations Floor 6 Zone C Ministry of Defence Main Building LONDON SW1A 2HB Or email it to people-dssec-commemaug1@mod.uk The French government will be reviewing the applications, so MOD is unable to give any guidance on timings or the arrangements for the presentation of the awards. Awards will not be given posthumously, and any further questions should be directed to the French authorities. ADMINISTRATION FORM Regarding the proposed veteran NAME AND SURNAME; ADDRESS AND CONTACT DETAILS : ______________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH : (Important) ________________________________________ NATIONALITY : _____________________________________________ RANK : ______________________________________________ ROLE OCCUPIED : _________________________________________ AWARD TO BE BESTOWED : Chevalier de l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur FRENCH DECORATION(S) HELD : ______________________________________________ REASONS JUSTIFYING THE PROPOSAL : ______________________________________________ TEN LINES MAXIMUM This paragraph will determine the success of the proposal - please give brief details of service in the campaign – units served with, any specific actions fought (service in rear echelon, on supply vessels etc still qualifies for the award)
Date and Signature of claimant __________________________________________
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The three times value of Schools Instructors at Bovington by Corporal of Horse Wilkinson
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rmour Centre (ARMCEN) has been directed to ‘advertise’ itself to high quality potential NCO instructors at RD across the Household Cavalry and Royal Armoured Corps. Specifically, this is to be done by getting RAC instructors to write good quality articles for their respective regimental magazines to encourage interest in a posting to ARMCEN as an instructor in NCOs at RD. The content of articles is not prescriptive; however they should clearly explain the benefits and challenges of being a RACTR/Schools instructor, from the perspective of the author, in order to attract the right sort of applicant in the future. Ideas: Benefits of teaching A2020 restructure New RAC structure/new RAC courses Family life bonus With the advent of A2020, ARMCEN has changed. Those posted here to Bovington Garrison know that ARMCEN has been changing for many years. Whether that be physically, with the building of SLAM and All Arms courses, or mentally, adapting with the constant changes to conventional
warfare over the past 15 years. With the advent of A2020, ARMCEN has again been asked to change, to adapt to the new roles and new ways of thinking that the RAC and the wider Army has adopted. However, with this come more challenges for those posted to ARMCEN. As the role for the wider Army changes, so do the jobs of individuals. Specifically, the school instructors posted to Bovington. As part of a broader thinking Army, those working at ARMCEN have to be quick thinking, able to adapt to changing trends, able to move away from previous dogma and most of all, be flexible. Though I realise the term “flexible” has now become a byword in the Army for working late, weekends and extra duties, I mean to use it as the original dictionary definition for personnel: that we are “able to change, as to adapt to different circumstances”. A2020 has brought a huge change to ARMCEN and to the Communication Information Systems (CIS) school in particular. We have had to adapt to the change in course content that we deliver as well as how we deliver our courses to the students. By 2016 the CIS school will have implemented our Defence Learning Environment portal,
allowing those with a DLE account and internet access to engage in distance learning whilst studying at ARMCEN, a la modern learning institutions and online tuition. Though this will bring the CIS School into 21st Century levels of technology, we still require talented instructors who have a desire to impart knowledge. ARMCEN still has some stigma attached to it, but with the implementation of A2020, the organisation has changed beyond the recognition of most and we require those individuals who want to make a change to the RAC. Those that envision change, want to implement and help design the equipment that will train and be operated by the next generation of soldiers, those that enjoy tuition, coaching and the dissemination of learning, but most importantly, think further ahead than the next MFS than needs conducting! The benefits are well known: promotion, wider career options, two years of family stability and two years away from the unit training cycle. The main thing that stops trained RSI’s from attending the Cadre course is the mental block of “what if I fail?” Forgive me for answering a question with a question, but how many of you trained RSIs initially thought you wouldn’t pass the RSI course?
Frontline Walk for the ABF - The Soldiers Charity
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by former Warrant Officer Class 2 A R J Gaddes, The Blues and Royals
n early May 2015, the RHG/D Association Secretary asked via Facebook if anyone would be interested in taking part in the Army Benevolent Fund Frontline Walk. Not really sure of what this involved, I did a bit of research and found it was a three day march covering over 100kms across the battlefields of the Somme and Flanders between 7th and 11th October 2015. I had never before visited the First World War battlefields, let alone done so on my feet! So I replied to Capt Chris Elliott and told him I was in and set about getting some sponsorship. A couple of weeks later Chris contacted me and asked if I fancied heading up an RHG/D Association team as he had four guaranteed places on the walk. I made some calls and found some “volunteers”! Namely Chris Ashdown, Glyn Jones and our own historian and guide Pete Storer! All were very keen and set off on their own training
regimes ranging from walking the dog and gardening, to 20km walks in the rain. Our Just Giving sponsorship pages were also getting a good work out as we each looked to raise £1200. On the day of departure we paraded at Wellington Barracks at 0700hrs to depart for Arras. Unfortunately, one of our number had a last minute problem with work so could not attend, hence the tag of “Glyn Jones - ABSENT” on every picture of our trip! The remainder met up with the other walkers, over 50 in all, at Wellington Barracks. These came from all sorts of backgrounds including serving soldiers, ex soldiers, ex RAF, ex Navy and civilians. With this mix banter was pretty much guaranteed. All walkers had their own reasons for taking part. For some it was just to raise money for a great cause, for others it was a chance to commemorate an ancestor lost during the Great War and in some cases both.
The team assemble in Wellington Barracks; Messrs Ashdown, Gaddes and Storer
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The crossing via Dover to Calais gave us a chance to get to know our fellow walkers, including one who was walking in full First World War battledress and original boots while carrying a stretcher. We arrived in Arras and were immediately treated to a tour of the vast tunnel system under the city. From there we were taken to our hotel, allocated rooms, fed and told to get a good night’s sleep as we had an early start and a very long day tomorrow. So we went to the bar. We were up and away bright and early to our start point for the days walk, the Lochnagar Crater. The crater was created when at 0728hrs on 1st July 1916 a mine was detonated to start the battle of the Somme. After a couple of group photos we set off on the 38km march to Gommecourt Wood By the time we reached our next check point the group was spread over many kilometres showing a huge difference in fitness levels across the group, all three of the RHG/D team were in the leading group and were soon being employed as marshals and in Pete’s case a mobile tour guide. The memorials we visited on route were names enshrined in history and synonymous with the slaughter of the Somme: Mametz Wood - 4000 Welsh casualties; Thiepval - 72,000 dead with no known grave including one of Pete’s great uncles; Mill Road 1304 Commonwealth dead; Beaumont
The immaculate Trouser Press
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Unfurling the flag at the Menin Gate
Hamel - 98% casualty rate for the Newfoundland Regiment; Accrington Pals Memorial - 585 casualties in under 30 minutes. Having never been to The Somme before, these places are truly humbling and the sheer numbers involved beyond belief. With 38kms in the bag, we returned to the hotel for dinner and a spot of house red. The next day was again an early start to one of the most eerie places we had ever seen. Dawn at the Neuville - St Vaast German Cemetery where 45,000 Germans are buried under stark black crosses. To see this place at dawn through the mist, as the sun rises is something all who were there will remember for a very long time. So, off we went on the day’s march seeing many more stunning places. Highlights of the day included: Vimy Ridge, a battle of many firsts. It was the first time even junior local commanders had been issued maps, the first time models and rehearsals had been used on this scale, and a fully coordinated use of artillery support with a massive rolling barrage. The result was that the Canadian Corps achieved all its objectives in 24 hours. Another of the highlights of the day was finding a trouser press that had been fly tipped! After a brief stop to ensure our trousers were correctly pressed, we cracked on and resumed our roles as route markers for the long stage to Dud Corner and The Loos Memorial to the Missing, where there are 1800 graves and 20,598 names with no known grave, including three from the Royal Horse Guards. This was our lunch stop and
approximately half way through our walk. By now the Doctor and her team of medics were running a very busy blister clinic, resulting in 15 of the walkers in the jack wagon! Not the Cavalry though. Off we went ensuring morale was high and the pace decent as we headed to our end point for the day at Le Touret Memorial to the Missing where there are another 13,400 names! 42kms done today. We now prepared to move from the Somme to the Ypres Salient. The following morning we were on the road to the Ypres Salient and the final stage of this amazing trip. The Salient was a different experience to the Somme, the Memorials came thick and fast, every Km or so another cemetery or memorial: Plug Street, The Strand, Hyde Park Corner, Rifle House, Prowse Point, and Toronto Avenue, all within the first 4kms. Pete by this point had taken on the role of official tour guide and war historian and was being rightly praised by the organisers and walkers alike for the accurate, concise and amusing briefings delivered on the route. The day’s route was again awe inspiring with highlights like the Khaki Pals memorial, site of the Christmas truce, The Island of Ireland Memorial Park, Messines Ridge and Hill 60. After this we started to head into Ypres, via an unpleasant stretch of tabbing on cobbles. As we approached Ypres we took a short halt in a convenient bar to allow the whole group to catch up. Once together we marched as a group through the Lille Gate into the city to the Menin Gate and the end of the Front Line Walk. A quick change and a beer and it was time for the extremely moving nightly
Last Post Ceremony. This was amazing, over 2000 people packed into and around the Arch that is inscribed with the names of 54,395 soldiers of The Commonwealth that have no known grave (including Chris Ashdown’s great Uncle) The Last Post was played, the wreaths
were laid, and a few tears were shed. From here we moved on to a ceremonial dinner at a very nice restaurant in the town centre where we were presented with our completion medals; many celebratory beers were supped in Ypres that night. A closing thought: over 3 days we covered 104kms, 28 military cemeteries and memorials which
remembered a total of 288,198 of the fallen. There are over 200 cemeteries on the Somme/Ypres Salient ‘Lest We Forget’
The Household Cavalry Motorcycle Tours 2015
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n May this year, out on social media was a calling notice for like-minded motorcycle enthusiasts past and present to try and get together for a ride, a couple of beers and some craic. So in early July, whilst HCMR were deployed to Norfolk, it was decided to hit the asphalt (not literally). As Norfolk was the easiest place to meet, Chris Elliot, Ken Robertson, Tony Smith, Jay Naylor myself and Ade Gardner all met in Bodney Camp a Friday evening in preparation to discover Norfolk. Luckily after trying to find a camp site or B&B, I remembered that Col Giles Stibbe had offered anyone looking for a bed, and a member of the Blue Red Blue Mafia, his cottage in Southwold. Without hesitation I called to book in as this is where I spent the majority of my childhood and informed him that some hairy bikers would arrive for a BBQ at 1700hrs sharp in his back garden. 4 x BMW GS’s, 1 x Triumph Rocket 3, and a Harley all rocked up after some fine twisty roads at the time stated. We were met by Col Giles, his lovely wife Juliet (who wrote ‘NIMROD’, the tale of a cavalry black) and would you believe, Mark Wibberly MBE, who for
Ade Gardner getting ready to breach the North Sea
Col Giles, Juliet, Ken, Chris, Tony, Dougie, JJ, Gunner and Ade
those that don’t know was one of the ‘old guard’ at HCMR in its day and who recruited so many soldiers from Norfolk that I have lost count on my eleven fingers. Several Adnams Broadsword Bitters down range, we headed for a
Public House where we were met by Gunner Mardon who had left Yorkshire some 5 hours earlier and arrived in need of a drink. We all had our fill of food kindly looked
The luxurious campsite, note the weather
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Chris Elliott, Chris Trinick, and Paul enjoying a 10 min break
after by Col Giles at the Harbour Inn and then slowly made it back to his cottage for a night cap and then some much needed sleep. The old adage ... first come first served meant that I being the polite one of the bunch lost out to overhead cover and was moved to a sun lounger in the garden with my bivvi bag. Just what you need when Tony started his 2.3 litre Triumph at 0500hrs to return home! Anyway, we had home cooked brekkie and went our separate ways home. Thank you Giles and Juliet for such a great weekend and we will be back so long as the cottage has not fallen into the North Sea. Late Sept and another planned trip to Torquay in Devon. This time there were several more hairy bikers including Les Kibble, Hayden Kibble, his two mates Pete and Antonio, plus Chris Trinick and Paul and his lovely wife Debbie.
We all met in the Castle Public House in Lulworth at 1900hrs, although Elliot and Trinick were on the wrong side of semi-drunk when Ade and I arrived. Anyway, we all got to know one another, eat and decided to meet in Weymouth for Breakfast at 0900hrs on the Waterfront. Guess who was late? After some more delicious winding routes presented by TomTom, we ended up in Exeter for Lunch. The weather was outrageous, lashing of late summer sun and little wind.
to watch the rugby and a bar that was completely empty ... heaven. Several drinks, mouthfuls of pizzas and a sing song with some weird Welsh family, we went to bed and left the two Chris’s and Paul in Torquay. The Motorcycle Club called Iron Horse fragmented several years ago. I am desperate to get it back together again for all serving, associate members and families that would enjoy a ride out here and there either for a night or indeed longer. Chris Elliott and I will shortly publish a rendezvous point with Post Code and DTG for you all to meet, and we will go from there. Until then ... Ride Safe.
At a pleasant pace, we all then headed for Torquay and dropped off Elliott, Paul and Trinathon. Les, the lads and I, with Ade in tow, headed off to find a camping plaza; little did we know that it was 6 miles away from Torquay and in another town called Padstow. So we left the ugliest riders in Torquay and set up camp in what I can only describe as the Dorchester of camping sites. Swimming pools, sauna, games rooms, pizzas and most important of all a TV screen the size of the Pen Hayden Kibble nicking someone’s gear! Towers windows
Household Cavalry and the Sudan Campaign 1884-85 by Harry Grey
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n 1997 I had the good fortune to go on a Nile Cruise which eventually took me to Aswan, in Southern Egypt. Not far from Aswan is the Temple of Philae where I came across a memorial carved into the stone in one of the walls of the temple to officers and men who died during the campaign in the Sudan during 1884 to 85. These included men from the 1st and 2nd Life Guards and the Royal Horse Guards.
A close up photo of the monument and inscription
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The inscription reads: In Memory of 9 Officers & 92 NCO’s & Men of the Heavy Camel Regt who lost their lives in the Soudan 1884 – 85. As you will see there are two columns. In the right hand column are those killed in action and the left column are those who died of disease. Unfortunately, it does not provide their names. This map of Egypt gives a general impression of the scope of the campaign, showing the Aswan dam and Philae in the bottom right quadrant. Below is a copy of a painting by an artist by the name of David Roberts who visited Philae in 1834. I include it as it was only 50 years later that the memorial was created and it is possible that, if the painting is accurate, the temple and countryside was possibly
the same then as it was previously. Below is a photograph I took in 1997. As you will see the surroundings are quite different as the temple was completely dismantled and moved in 1972 to 1980 as a result of the creation of the Aswan dam or High Dam, as it is known.
Sudan painting
Corps seems to have been comprised of a number of cavalry elements including: 1st Life Guards, 2nd Life Guards, Royal Horse Guards, the 2nd Dragoon Guards, 4th Dragoon Guards, 5th Dragoon Guards, 1st Royal Dragoons, the 2nd Dragoons, the 16th Lancers and the 5th Lancers. More detailed information about the campaign can be found on this website: http://www.britishbattles. com/egypt-1882/abu-klea.htm
The Heavy Camel Regiment of the Camel
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The Windsor Military Wives Choir hat a year 2015 has been for the Windsor Military Wives.
The Choir is a lifeline for many of its members. It is a support network in which friends meet, regardless of their husband’s rank or job role, women who may have been unlikely to make friends otherwise. The strong bond that they all share allows them to take time out, with or without their children, whether their husbands are deployed or at home and whether it is for a time out or to celebrate and socialise. It also gives women the opportunity to build skills in singing and in confidence, and to be involved in the running of a charity for
those who sit on the committee. There are a lot of things that The Windsor Military Wives Choir have to smile about following a hugely successful year in 2015. The beginning of the year saw the choir celebrate its 2nd birthday and its first year of working with Musical Director Richard Stringfellow. We watched babies grow, babies arrive, bumps grow and new ladies join the choir. The confidence of the ladies within the choir has improved so much that they were able to be involved in some higher profile events including a performance at
the Windsor Theatre Royal and Cavalry Carols at The Guards’ Chapel London. We also had the privilege of performing at the opening of the new Bandstand at Alexandra Gardens, Windsor, a number of Christmas parties including the Officers’ Mess at Victoria Barracks and the Royal Marines Association at the Grenadier Guards’ Club. This year’s highlight for all the ladies was performing at The Guards’ Chapel in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal, Colonel of The Blues and Royals as guests of the Household Cavalry Foundation alongside the Band of the Household Cavalry and crossover
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soprano Camilla Kerslake. We were also given the opportunity to meet her in a special reception following the service. Although this would be enough to please most, the ladies were most proud to be representing their husbands in a service dedicated to the Household Cavalry in which most of the ladies husbands’ serve. All the ladies look forward to welcoming 2016 and all that it may bring, including celebrating the choirs 3rd birthday, watching it grow in numbers, more performances and fundraising to keep the choir going as a legacy for military women in Windsor. windsormilitarywiveschoir.weebly.com Windsor@militarywiveschoirs.org.uk
The Last Royal by Paul Young
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n 20th August 1968 I landed up at Catterick Camp in Yorkshire. I had my meagre possessions in a single suitcase. I was put on a green Army coach and off we went up to Cambria Barracks which was the home of the Royal Armoured Corps Training Wing. We were then sorted, billeted and moved about, getting kit, completing paper work, learning how to make bed packs and bumpering floors with blankets. We were all given at some time the cap badges of the regiments to which we had signed up. I knew that my regiment was the Royal Dragoons and that the cap badge was a golden eagle. When the time came to put the cap badges onto our berets I was feeling quite proud and cool to have such a smart cap badge; that was until I saw the skull and cross bones of the 17/21 Lancers. Bugger, I thought, I really want one of those. After the basic infantry training was completed, we eventually got to be trained on the Chieftain tank. Days and weeks were spent rolling out of the tank park up into the training area and up the tank road called ‘The Snake’; these experiences rest fondly in my memory as does the sounds and smells of the Yorkshire training area. We all eventually passed out and were sent to our respective regiments. I left Catterick and arrived in RAF Gutersloh in Germany. A driver with a Land Rover was waiting for me and took me back to Hobart Barracks in Detmold. When we arrived I was deposited with C Squadron and was given a bed in a long dormitory. The driver took me to
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the Squadron Bar, which was below the accommodation block, and I was introduced to some of the blokes in the bar, most notably Dougie Standon and Chippy Chamberlain. The cookhouse was closed so they took me down to Detmold town and we went to a place called Mamas near the top of the town. I can honestly say that I have never tasted or had pea and potato soup to match that bowl of soup at Mama’s that evening. It was delicious. I had, it seemed, landed in culinary paradise ... The Royals were very laid back, with a relaxed atmosphere I was not expecting. Preparations soon started in earnest for the disbandment weekend of the Royals. The disbandment weekend was a grand affair with visitors in attendance from the Royals Regimental association and the oldest surviving Royal from the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, London. His name was Sgt Turp. The Royals ceased to exist on 28th March 1969. With the arrival of the Royal Horse Guards, a new regiment was formed and named The Blues and Royals on 29th March 1969. The arrival of The Blues was a big shock for the Royals and we were quickly consumed into the Guards ways of life and newly found discipline. I believe the words ‘bullshit baffles brains’ was
frequently muttered often by the exRoyals. I served in BAOR in Germany, three tours of Northern Ireland with the Regiment including Operation MOTORMAN and as G2 for B Squadron living in RUC Antrim Police station; a UN tour of Cyprus; an emergency tour of Cyprus when the Turkish Army invaded Cyprus; and finally a long tour of Northern Ireland detached from the Regiment in an intelligence role working in County Fermanagh with 3 Brigade. During this detached tour I married a Northern Irish girl and eventually returned to the Mounted Regiment in London. I eventually purchased my discharge from The Blues and Royals on 15th December 1975. It was a very difficult and trying time for me and I was under a lot of stress trying to satisfy the demands of the Regiment and the aspirations of a new wife. My wife and I eventually returned to Northern Ireland where I joined the Northern Ireland
GW Troop, Cyprus 1974
Crossmaglen 1995
Prison Service where I was for five years working at the Maze Prison in Lisburn in the compound side, mostly with the search teams, then in the H blocks during the dirty protests and hunger strikes. I then became a Constable in the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) on 1st January 1983 and retired from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) on 1st January 2005, having competed 22 years’ service. While serving on secondment to Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Woodbourne RUC station in West Belfast around 1986, the Household Cavalry Musical Ride came to the Balmoral Show at the Royal Ulster Agricultural Show,Belfast. I was able to procure on loan from the RUC country club pumps for draught beer and then went to the local Cash and Carry for a spirits and soft drink order. The bar was very popular with the exhibiters and invited guest as well as the local dignitaries. I served as a police officer in Andersonstown, SJI HMSU in Mahon Road, Portadown, Newry, Crossmaglen, and Mountpottinger in Belfast eventually moving to Special Branch as a Detective Constable where I was later promoted to Detective Sergeant. During my police career I worked very closely with the military and in particular Queens Company, Grenadier Guards with whom I have retained a close relationship. During this time, I met, fell in love with and married my soul mate Heather. She is the love of my life and remains so to this day. Tragically, Heather died suddenly in our home on 31st October 2003 aged just 38 years old. I struggled on for a further 14 months in the police prior to retirement but my heart was lost and just not with this life any more.
Within three months of retiring from the police service I found myself in Iraq working for Armour Group on a Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Policing contract as an International Police Advisor (IPA). I flew into Basra with other IPAs from Brize Norton and then moved swiftly up to Camp Abu Naji at Al Amarah in Maysan Province. The Battle Group in residence at this time was the Welsh Guards. I soon became part of the Country Management team and the manager in Maysan Province. The fact that a majority of police advisors were retired RUC made relationships easy to form due to the Northern Ireland connection. I was later sent to Camp Smitty, a joint Australian and British base at Samawah in Al Muthanna Province to head up a training program to train 2500 Iraq Police recruits within a six months’ time period. At the successful completion of this program the base closed and we were dispersed to the Shat al Arab Hotel in Basra with some of my team and I became the manager of the teams for OP Salamanca/Sinbad
training the Afghanistan Intelligence Police under the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). I was based at Camp Dubs in south Kabul with two other colleagues and we looked after the south side of Kabul. With the closing of Camp Dubs our team moved up to Camp Phoenix where we travelled daily down to the south side on our mentoring programs using B6 armoured Toyota Land Cruisers. I then moved across to head up the mentoring and training of the analytical department at the National Targeting and Exploitation Centre (NTEC) in the middle of Kabul. I later moved up to Asadabad in Kunar Province on the Pakistan border close to the Khyber Pass to complete the program at FOB Fiaz prior to the base being closed and US troops being withdrawn from the Province. Following that I went to FOB Ghazni, a joint Polish and US base, in Ghazni Province where I remained until the drawdown of US troop levels in July of 2014.
During my time in Iraq and Afghanistan The IPA contract eventually finished we did not remain on the bases but in around July 2007 with all British engaged with our mentees at their personnel slowly beginning the process local police station or Headquarters of withdrawing from Iraq. I was with British and US troops acting as invited to interview for a new company our Force Protection. The bases were recruiting retired RUC Special Branch constantly under IDF attack and I was officers to work on an intelligence involved in three complex attacks on capacity building program for the three separate bases in Afghanistan. United States Department of Defence. I The first attack was on Green Village, soon found myself along with some of a civilian base in Kabul, which was my former RUCSB colleagues deployed attacked at 0545hrs with two suicide car in Ambar Province in Iraq on a 12 month bombs at the front gate and followed up pilot program imbedded with the United with Taliban wearing suicide vests and States Marine Corps. Although we were carrying RPGs and AK rifles. The attack all civilian contractors and did not have lasted for 7 hours, with one ex Gurkha any military rank, our civilian grade security guard losing his life. was GS14 which is equivalent to a US Lt Colonel. I was initially deployed to the The second at FOB Fiaz, a small base City of Ramadi then later up to Al Qiem, of 40 personnel including civilian a strategic border town with Syria. The contractors, was hit when the Taliban program was so successful that the US tried to shoot down a helicopter that Commander General Petraeus ordered was coming in to land. Fortunately, the the program to be rolled out in MND-N. helicopter was not disabled and was I, along with another colleague was able to exit the kill zone and a 5 hour tasked to complete the pre-deployment fire fight ensued. It is an awesome and site survey (PDSS) for the four northern provinces of Iraq for the US Army. Following an intensive PDSS and a spot of leave I was based at FOB Speicher in Tikrit in Salah AdDin Province. Eventually the program came to an end with the US drawdown and we relocated to Afghanistan on the same capacity building program Samawah Police Academy 2006
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welcome sight to see and hear the roar of a pair of A10 aircraft flying up the valley and bringing pain to the enemy. FOB Ghazni was the third and most intense of the complex attacks which started at 1545hrs with a 2000lb truck bomb detonating on the east side of the base perimeter. Eight Taliban with suicide vests dressed in Afghan Army uniforms and armed with RPGs and AK47 then stormed the camp through the gap. At the same time a secondary attack using mortars and RPGs launched at the main gate on the North of the camp. This whole incident lasted about 18 hours. In total there were 32 Taliban killed in this attack and 13 Afghan Security forces injured. When I left the contract in July 2014 I
had been on the go for nine and a half years. To put this in military terms it’s the equivalent of completing 19 back to back tours. I would like to say that my story is unique, but it isn’t. There are thousands like me with similar backgrounds and similar stories. I emerged at the other end physically unscathed albeit with some mental challenges, as a confident, articulate, if not slightly crazy, older man. I should like to thank the then seniors at Combermere Barracks, in particular Andrew Parker Bowles, for putting me into the G2 slots as this shaped my future path. My journey through life has taken me from being the last Royal in 1969, through hardship, danger, great joy and dreadful tragedy to finally return to the Regimental association fold in 2015. Now that’s one hell of a ride! PD6 Kabul South 2011
The Regiment
by ex Warrant Officer Class 1 Keith Iveson They say old soldiers never die Of course that t’is not true But I’ll still remain a Life Guard Ever Loyal, staunch, not blue. The friends I made the comrades that I knew Wherever are they now That some they have died, and some They have left me And some are taken from me, all are departed All, all are gone, the old familiar faces. I think of all the Life Guards The ones I never knew Who fought and won, whose lives were lost From Dettingen, St Julien, Ypres and Waterloo. I remember “Buster” Martin in his store And Lord Galway too My dearest friend Frank And faithful Flick He was a dog you know, not Frank! Combermere in the Spring Hereford in Summertime Bielefeld in Autumn glow Wolfenbuttel in the snow Driving down to Winterberg It was really fun you know. Gerard Leigh on the polo field Mike Wyndham on his yacht John Jenkins immaculate In my minds eyes I see them yet “Bunker “ Lloyd and Eric Sant Muir Turnbull at his desk “Nipper” and Chris Wordsworth I really miss you. Bill Edgedale on the “Suez” ship That never did sail
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Tim and Arthur Gooch, RJS of course All officers and gentlemen All Life Guards through and through Simon Cooper I called a friend A Major General he became and quite rightly so! A kinder and a gentleman who ever lived. And never will no more And in the Officers’ Mess at Combermere Each evening I made my way To type I B Baillie’s routes for his latest rally race. He was good ! A glass of beer and a friendly chat was just reward indeed Ah! How well I remember that. I could go on and on But it would never end And finally I lay my pen And simply it is the end No doubt we’ll all meet up again In the barracks in the sky And laugh and joke and tell a tale Of all the days gone by. To a special friend I so like Spring last year Because you were here : The thrushes too Because it was there you so liked to hear : I so liked you This year’s different thing : I’ll not think of you But I’ll like Spring because it is simply Spring As the thrushes do. “Of course old soldiers never die they simply fade away”