RGJ Newsletter 1996

THE REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION

THE ROYAL GREEN JACKETS

NEWSLETTER

THE ROYAL GREEN JACKETS Colonel-in-Chief The Queen Colonels Commandant and Honorary Colonels 1996 Representative Colonels Commandant and Colonel Commandant 2RGJ Lieutenant General CBQ Wallace OBE Colonel Commandant 1RGJ Major General CGC Vyvyan CBE Honorary Colonel 4(V) RGJ Colonel The Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey Pattie, MP Honorary Colonel 5(V) RGJ Colonel RJ O'Neill A 0 Colonel Commandant 'The Light Division Lieutenant General Sir John Foley KCB, OBE, MC

1st Battalion 2nd Battalion 4th Battalion 5th Battalion

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Lieutenant Colonel JT Jackson Lieutenant Colonel JH Gordon, MBE Lieutenant Colonel TR Hamilton-Baillie Lieutenant Colonel RCJ Martin. OBE

Arrnv Training Re~iment,Winchester Home of The Liaht Division Commanding Officer :

Lieutenant Colonel RNB Quicke LD Alliances

Canadian Armed Forces

The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own) Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry The Queen's Own ,Rifles of Canada The Brockville Rifles The Royal Winnipeg Rifles The Royal Regina Rifles

Australian Military Forces

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Western Australia University Regiment Sydney University Regiment Melbourne University Regiment

New Zealand Army

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1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment 6th Battalion (Hauraki), Royal New Zealand lnfantry Regiment

South Africa

The Kaffrarian Rifles The Durban Light lnfantry

Fiji

The Fiji Infantry Regiment

Pakistan

2nd Battalion The Frontier Force Regiment (Guides) Affiliations Royal Gurkha Rifles Bonds of Friendship HMS Somerset

REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS ROYAL GREEN JACKETS RHQ RGJ Peninsula Barracks Romsey Road Winchester S023 8TS Telephone: Winchester (01962) 828524 Fax: (01962) 828500 Colonel I.H. McCausland - 01962 828528 Regimental Secretary Controller, Riflemen's Aid Society Regimental Secretary, KRRC Secretary, Celer et Audax Club ~'eutenantColonel I.G. Elliott - 01962 828531 RGJ Office Editor of the Chronicle and Newsletter Secretary, Royal Green Jackets Regimental Association Regimental Secretary, 43rd & 52nd Major A.D. McGrigor - 01962 828525 Regimental Treasurer RGJ Secretary RGJ Officers Club

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Major R.D. Cassidy MBE 01962 828549 Museum Curator Regimental Secretary, The Rifle Brigade Club and Association Mr D.S. Kinrade - 01962 828524 Assistant Secretary, RGJ Association Association Records & Addresses Chronicle and Newsletter Sale of Regimental Prints and Christmas Cards Computer Records Mrs S.A. Luing - 01962 828526 Secretary, Riflemen's Aid Society Mrs B.M. Dawson Mrs V.P. Duckett Typist ROYAL GREEN JACKETS ASSOCIATION President Major General CGC Vyvyan CBE Chairman Brigadier G de VW Hayes Secretary Lieutenant Colonel IG Elliott (01962) 828531 Treasurer Major AD McGrigor (01962) 828525 Assistant Secretary : Mr DS Kinrade (01962 ) 828524 Fax: (01962) 828500 The aim of the Association is to maintain contact and fellowship between members of the Regiment both during and, more particularly, after their service.

HONOURS AND AWARDS 1995 We Congratulate the following on their awards:

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C in C Certificate for Meritorious Service

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Mr JR Willoughby RHQ (Oxford) Queens Birthday Honours

CBE CBE OBE MBE MBE QCVS

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Brigadier AMD Palmer Colonel MCH Manners-Smith Colonel JA Daniell Major NAC Baverstock W 0 2 MJ Keating Lt Colonel CEI Beattie

Queen's Birthday Honours

KCB Major General J.P. Foley OBE, MC New Years Honours

MBE Major NP Carter

VALE The Regiment extends condolences to the families and friends of those who died while serving in 1995.

W 0 2 KP Theobald 2RGJ on 2 Oct 95

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And also ex Riflemen and loyal Association members: W 0 2 J Ball (Johnny) 8 Jan 95 43rd & 52nd and RGJ. Heart attack, Basingstoke.

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USgt OE Higgins(0wen) 14 Feb 95 4RGJ. Cpl L Hitchcock 13 March 95 2RGJ and Trail Blazers

- Plane crash Winchester.

Major EG Field (Emest) MBE, BA 22 July 95 43rd & 52nd and RGJ. Cancer. Laid to rest Lake Taal, the Philippines.

Sgt P Charter (Peter) 31 Aug 95 2RGJ and Training Team. Cancer Major AJ Howland (Jack) 6 Oct 95 43rd & 52nd and Ist Green Jackets (43rd & 52nd).

Peacefully, Oxford.

Sgt RF Eames 7 Nov 95 3RGJ. Cancer.

Ex Sgt Jim (Curly) Hooper 10 Dec 95 at Ipswich (see Suffolk Branch report).

Omitted from the Newsletter 1995: Ex Rfn GE Steele (discharged 1976) Road Accident May 1994.

FOREWARD BY BRIGADIER G de VW HAYES, CBE Chairman Royal Green Jackets Association

Having taken over as Chairman from Colonel David Williams I was able to attend the AGM at Winchester on 18 October. It was a delight to see so many old friends gathered around the table and reassured to hear how much has been going on in the various branches around the country. Clearly in some areas it is easier to organise activities, and we much expect some branches to flourish for a while then to die down, but no matter how large or small, active or dormant, each branch and each individual member of the Association has a part to play in the continued well being of the Regiment.

It is no secret that the Army in general and the lnfantry in particular is undermanned. There is a great need for more young people of quality to come forward and volunteer for service with the Crown.

Within the lnfantry the Light Division is one of the groupings most in need of remits and this is where we can all help. Too few people today have any first hand knowledge of Service life and are put off the idea of a career in the Army by what they see on the news or read in the papers. Extraordinarily to me the reason most frequently given by parents for not encouraging their sons or daughters to join up is that "it is too dangerous". The benefits of comradeship, self discipline, fitness, adventure, character building and not bad wages are overlooked in favour of a preconceived idea that death or injury is likely; it is a possibility of course but mercifully is very infrequent. This is where you can all help. Your first hand experience of Army life is a rare commodity - and I hope on the whole you look back on it with enjoyment! Spread the word that a spell in the Army is a great experience and well worthwhile. Of course you should embellish your recommendations by saying that the best career is with the best Regiment, and advocate that they commit themselves to joiniug the Royal Green Jackets. It would not be a lie!

You will learn from the articles in the Newsletter that the Regiment is in good order as is the Army in general. It is interesting to note that 38% of the Army is deployed on operations as I write, the largest deployment since World War II apart from The Gulf War. It is likely to continue and the Armed Forces have never been more in demand nor had a higher professional reputation.

I hope to see many of you at the various reunions or at Branch gatherings when I am able to get out and about. I look forward to it. Best wishes for 'l996.

THE REGIMENT A summary of matters of interest: Relocation of Headquarters the Liqht Division

The Defence Cost Study decided that the intermediate tier of management in the infantry provided

by Divisional Headquarters was a luxury that can be afforded no longer. Matters of a regimental nature (manning, recruiting, co-ordinating of RHQ's activities) would be managed from a Divisional office manned by a Lieutenant-Colonel and 1 X R 0 located in the Headquarters lnfantry building in Warminster. This new structure is to be effective from 1 April 1996.

'The intention is to retain a Divisional foothold at Sir John Moore Barracks in spite of the reorganisation. Winchester remains the Home of the Light Division.

Battalions Moves Battalion moves that will take place during 1996 and 1997 are: 1RGJ from Alexander Bks Dhekelia to Kiwi Bks Bulford.

January 1996: 1LI from Meeanee Bks Colchester to Salamanca Bks Episkopi.

Spring 1997 : 2LI from Alanbrooke Bks Paderborn to Palace Bks Holywood (NI).

August 1997 : 2RGJ from Palace Bks Holywood (NI) to Alanbrooke Bks Paderborn.

August 1997 :

Bugles Double March Accelerandi Quick March Quick March Finale Sunset

Fanfare Keel Row Road to the Isles The Red Poppy Russian Sailors Dance Silver Bugles Sir John Moore Soldiers Prelude and Sunset

Anon Gliere Arr Keeley Neville McElligott arr. Sharpe arr. McDermott

The National Anthem The Oxfordshire Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 'Das Nachtlager von Granada' & 'The Lower Castle Yard' The King's Royal Rifle Corps 'Lutzow's Wild Hunt' The Rifle Brigade 'I'm Ninety Five'

March Off:

Light Infantry The Royal Green Jackets

Bugle Call:

No more Parades Today

Platter arr Pinkny

The reunion in the NAAFI followed the normal pattern of events with a lot of acquaintances and friendships being renewed. A Raffle was held on a 'trial' basis and this was 'drawn' via an electronic Random Number Machine by Major General C. Vyvyan CBE, the President. The three magnificent prizes were claimed and three very happy prize-winners went away with great big smiles. Many thanks to all who took part in the production and selling of the tickets no easy task. Also to those who helped out at the Reception Area -without which, it would not have been possible. There were 800 tickets sold at .50p each plus a donation of f5.00 resulting in a grand total of f405.00. A DONATION of ÂŁ80.00 was made to the RGJ Association leaving the Hampshire Branch with a profit of ÂŁ 159.00.

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The Association Church Service in the Light Division Chapel on Sunday 16th July was better attended this year with some 120 in the congregation. Very many thanks to Nobby Clarke for reading the lesson, Bemie Hickmott for the turning of the pages ceremony and Jet Towns, Bryan Craven, Ken Churcher and Roy Garland for taking the collection. The overall co-ordinator was Keith Kneller who received much more support than hitherto.

We all appreciate Keith's efforts in conjunction with Padre Coates whose rousing sermon stirred the soul (everyones!) and the Light Division Band inspired the congregation to sing in tune.

Stop Press The Bugles sound the advance for ALL Association Members to attend the WINCHESTER REUNION on Saturday 13th July 1996 at 1700hrs in Sir John Moore Barracks, The Home of the Light Division.

EVERYONE is welcome, the MORE that come the better. The REUNION is a great Regimental Day, without your support it would be nothing. Hope to see you there!

VISIT OF THE COLONEL-IN-CHIEF 16 JUNE 1995 Shortly after the ill-fated visit of 28 October 1995, which the Colonel-in-Chief had to cancel, we learn of Her Majesty's wish to visit the Battalion again, and at the earliest possible opportunity. Curiously few members of the Battalion actually believed the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Nid Parker, when he told us since, with our previous experience, we thought it was a wind up! In Marct 1995 the Palace proposed Friday 16 June as the only free date in The Queen's programme. WE were of course delighted but equally aware that this fell right in the middle of our Northern lrelanc training at Hythe and Lydd. Life was meant to be a challenge however, and the chance to host s royal visit too good to miss; and anyway who has ever refused the Monarch!

Once the Palace had confirmed that the visit was to go ahead the Commanding Officer anc Regimental Sergeant Major, W01 Needham carried out their reconnaissance. It was decided that because of the time available, the visit would have to take place at Lydd Camp and its immediate area. We would try to allow as many Riflemen as we could to meet the Colonel-in-Chief using, where possible, the existing programme for the range package. Not much preparatory work was to be carried out before our deployment other than agreeing the detailed progran-lnie with the Colone Commandant, General Christopher Wallace, and then with the Palace.

Events moved swiftly and in no time at all we were at Lydd Camp and heavily into our training. As the day drew closer the Commanding Officer toured the ranges, confirming that the programme should work and allowing those who were to talk to The Queen the opportunity to practice their briefs.

One major concern was the weather. As many people have experienced Lydd and Hythe ranges ofter suffer from horizontal rain, driven in from the sea, which while this may be considered bracing, is no! conducive to a royal visit! We resisted the temptation to enter into another contract with a marquee firm and instead put up a selection of Army tents in case of the worst.

On 16 June the Colonel-in-Chiefs aircraft landed at Lydd Airport at 1105 hrs, where she was met by the Colonel Commandant, General Christopher Wallace and the Lord Lieutenant, Lord Kingsdown, who had expressed a wish to be present after his unexpected starring role on 28 October. The Queen was accorr~panied by the Countess of Airlie, her Assistant Private Secretary, Robin Janvrin and her Equerry, Major Janies Patrick IG. The Royal Party moved directly to Range 34 and were met there by the Commanding Officer. The Brigade Commander, Brigadier G de Vere Hayes; the Officer Commanding the Northern Ireland Training Advisory Team, Major Neil Baverstock RGJ; the Commandant Cinque Port Training Area; the Lydd Range Officer and the RSM were then presented to The Queen.

After a very short brief by the Commanding Officer and Second in Command, Major Nick Chavasse, on the Battalion and what we were achieving during training, the Colonel-in-Chief then moved to C Company whose programme on Hythe Ranges had been cancelled for the morning. They were lined up at the 300 m point in platoon groups. The Company Commander, Major Rupert Gladstone, presented his Company by taking The Queen to each platoon in turn where she was given a short brief on a topic which they had been involved in over the year. The subjects were: the visit of 28 October, Exercises HARDFALL and STRONG RESOLVE, our deployments to Noway with the AMF(L).

B Company, who were also supposed to be training away from Lydd, were grouped around the next firing point. The Company Commander, Major Roddy Winser met the Colonel-in-Chief and she again went to each platoon. This time the topics presented to The Queen were: Exercise RIFLES RETURN 3, the Battalion Battlefield Tour to France and Belgium; the Tarleton Trophy, the annual platoon competition and the Northern Ireland training package which the Battalion was going through at the time.

'The Royal Party then moved off by vehicle to Range 50, where A Company were exercising. The Company Commander, Major Mark Adams, explained the activity and the Royal Party then watched a multiple take part in an Air Reaction Force exercise. Deployment was by Lynx helicopter and was followed by live firing team battle shooting against terrorist targets. After another short move by car The Queen watched a Light Support Weapon shoot from towers and then met those Riflemen who were taking part in background activity. She was particularly intrigued by the section which was carrying out Pokey drill.

Support Company, who were based in Fort Richmond during their training in Rype Village, were next on the prograrrlme. 'The Colonel-in-Chief was driven through the streets of the village and was able to see the civilian population and foot patrols moving around. When she found out that the slovenly individuals who were acting as the civilian population were from the Welsh Guards she was amazed, although not to quite the same extent as their Company Commander, who was unable to resist the temptation to brace up as she drove past. Her Majesty was then whisked into Fort Richmond, and while being briefed by the Company Commander, Major Patrick Sanders, got a glirr~pseof the pattern of life within a Security Base. During her visit The Queen met Riflemen deploying or returning from patrol, visited the operations room and the cookhouse. The directing staff from NlTAT kindly agreed not to mortar the base during her visit! At their daily debrief to the exercising troops that evening an excellent video of Her Majesty's visit was shown which started: "At 1203 hrs in Rype Village a mobile patrol moved to the base by ......... The Queen! Base entry drills were good but remember, only one Queen in the unloading bay at any one time!"

From Fort Richmond it was a short walk to the photograph where the officers and SNCO's were waiting. On reflection one of the most memorable aspects of the day niust be that so many Green Jacket officers were dressed in the same way! The Royal Party then drove off to the Mess where the Colonel-in-Chief met families from the Officers' and Sergeants' Messes. It was a fantastic opportunity for everybody to see and indeed talk to her in a most relaxed environment. At one moment Her Majesty remarked to Mrs Pearce that her baby had a lovely smile and indeed had smiled at her. She appeared a little taken aback when CSgt Pearce told her, "She recognises you ma'am, from the stamps!"

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As the Royal Party prepared.to depart The Queen was able to walk among the families of the Junior Ranks and Riflemen on her route to the cars. This allowed many more people the chance to see and speak to her. -The Colonel-in-Chief finally left with much waving of flags and the cheers of all those who were there at 1400 hrs. One hour later, all ranges and training areas were back in operation.

The visit seems to have been a success. The Riflemen and their families enjoyed the informality enormously. We were conscious .throughoutthat we could never hope to match the spectacle which had been planned for Dover but we believe that the Colonel-in-Chief did get a flavour of the day in Dover from the photographs she was shown. She was also reminded of the partic~~lar characteristics of her Regiment by meeting the Riflemen of the Second Battalion.

THE EXERCISE OF THE FREEDOM OF ENTRY INTO THE CITY OF OXFORD BY THE ROYAL GREEN JACKETS Sunday 7 May 1995 The Freedom of the City of Oxford was conferred upon the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry on 10 April 1948.

Order of Ceremony and Events 9.55am Cathedral Service at Christ Church Cathedral 11.30am Parade marches to St Giles

11.45am The Lord Mayor (Councillor W W Buckingham JP), the Colonel Commandant The Royz Green Jackets Major General Charles Vyvyan CBE, and Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant c Oxfordshire, Sir Ashley Ponsonby Bt KCVO MC, were received with the General Salute.

The Lord Mayor, Colonel Commandant and Lord Lieutenant inspected the parade commanded b Lieutenant Colonel RC.1 Martin OBE.

The Lord Mayor's Message: THE CITIZENS OF OXFORD on this day are proud to re-establish their links with the Royal Gree Jackets, the direct descendants of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, upon who1 they conferred the Freedom of their City in 1948.

The Privilege and distinction of the Freedom of Entry was conferred in recognition of a long an close association between the Regiment and the City, and in order to pay tribute to the glorious an distinguished record of the Regiment extending over 200 years. We take the opportunity afforde by today's ceremony to wish the Regiment success and good luck in the future.

Major General Charles Vyvyan CBE, Colonel Commandant, replied: The Ranks of the Royal Green Jackets, whether they be former members of the Regimen members of the former Regiments, or Riflemen still serving, whether they be Regulars, Territorial or Cadets - w e are all very proud to exercise today before the Lord Mayor, the Councillors and th Citizens of Oxford the privilege and the distinction of the Freedom of Entry into the City on ceremonii occasions in full panoply with bands and bugles playing. We recognise and are deeply grateful cf this singular honour. It rellects the very long and close association which we have enjoyed and th mutual affection which has sustained us, and taking place, as it does, on the 50th Anniversary of th Victory in Europe, it serves to commemorate the sacrifices made through the years by so many of th Citizens of Oxford in service of their country. It is an honour for which we all in the Royal Gree Jackets express our sincere thanks to you, the Citizens of Oxford.

The Parade Commander called for three cheers for the City of Oxford.

12.30pm Parade "Marched Past" and then march through the City to the Town Hall.

1.00pm Reception at the Town Hall.

Many members of the Regiment, accompanied by wives, attended the Reception and thorough enjoyed the City's generous hospitality and appreciation that links with the City had been renewel 3.00pm marching display by the Light Division Band, the Waterloo Band and the bugle platoons the Ist Battalion The Light Infantry and the 5th Battalion The Royal Green Jackets at lffley Roc Sports stadium. So ended a Day to remember.

RIFLEMAN HARRY HATTON RGJ

Rifleman Harry Hatton re-enlisted into the Royal Green Jackets in 1971 having served from 19: to 1965 in the Grenadier Guards. He became a popular merr~berof the Anti-Tank platoon, but W; employed as a driver when 2nd Battalion the Royal Green Jackets moved to Londonderry in Jun 1971. In September of that year he was on duty, driving a wheeled armoured personnel carri~ known familiarly as a 'Pig', when OC B Company, Major Robin Alers-Hankey, was shot in tti stomach and very seriously wounded during a riot. Rifleman Hatton drove his 'Pig', into whicl Major Alers-Hankey had been placed, flat out to the Altnagelvin Hospital, going through traffic ligh and overtaking everything in his path to get there as quickly as possible. Sadly Major Alers-Hanks was to die from further complications in the following January but all the doctors paid tribute Rifleman Hatton, without whose swift action he would not have survived at all.

Sadly too, during the following year, Rifleman Hatton was himself shot through the upper chest and paralysed from the neck down, leading to his medical discharge from the Army. When he ultimately left hospital he went to live with his sister and brother-in-law in Mansfield, the Regiment providing him with a special bed so that he could be turned at regular intervals, as well as a chair and other aids.

In 1974 a cousin of Major Alers-Hankey, Baroness Masham, who had herself been paralysed and confined to a wheel-chair following a riding accident, and who had kept a close eye on Harry Hatton, knowing of what he had done for her relation, warned the Battalion that Harry's sister was in need of a holiday from the strain of having to look after him. So he went to Catterick for a few days, to stay with his old friends in the Anti-Tank Platoon, both he and the Battalion having been prepared by Baroness Masham beforehand. Two years later she did the same when the holiday visit was repeated in Gibraltar, where the Battalion had moved. Despite his disability Harry was, on both occasions, a cheerful inspiration to all and, when wheeled by his friends up Main Street in Gibraltar, found that over ÂŁ400 had been put into his lap by those who had heard of his story. This he at once passed on to disabled local children, whom he felt to be less fortunate than himself.

Throughout the remainder of his life Harry always took a keen and proud interest in the goings on of his Battalion and friends and it was typical of him that, when he died in 1991, he should leave a legacy to the Regiment. The Colonels Commandant, concerned that the memory of a very gallant and special Rifleman should be kept alive, decided that a prize should be awarded to the best Royal Green Jacket recruits on completion of their training. They also hoped that Harry Hatton's story would be made known to recipients because he represented all that is best in a Rifleman; cheerfulness in adversity and devotion to duty, while never forgetting the needs of others. There can be no finer example for any Royal Green Jacket to follow.

THE AWARDS Combat Infantryman's Course The Baker Rifle Trophy The Royal Green Jackets The Baker Rifle Trophy was presented to the Royal Green Jackets by Harry Hatton, a former Rifleman who, in 1972, tragically became a casualty in Northern Ireland; he was shot through the upper chest by a terrorist sniper. Despite permanent paralysis from the neck down Harry Hatton showed great bravery for the rest of his life. His cheerfulness in adversity and his devotion to duty proved a fine example to those more fortunate than himself. He retained a strong bond with the Regiment and on his death in 1991 he generously left a legacy to the Regiment. The Colonels Commandant instructed that the legacy should be used to mark exceptional qualities seen in future Riflemen of the Regimental whilst undergoing training.

The Royal Green Jackets Baker Rifle Trophy is awarded to a Rifleman of the Regiment who, on completion of the Combat Infantryman's Course, had distinguished himself amongst his Infantry peers. He must show himself to have the courage, initiative, integrity and enthusiasm that is ingrained in the history of the Regiment and demonstrated clearly by Rifleman Harry Hatton

THE BAKER RIFLE IS AWARDED TO: (the best Rifleman on the Combat Infantryman's Course, ITC Catterick)

THE DEFENCE WHITE PAPER 1995-96 Northwood t o Be Focus of Operations With increased emphasis on tri-Service operations, a new permanent Joint Headquarters is to be established at Northwood in Middlesex by April 1, 1996. It will combine intelligence, planning, operational and logistics staffs and contain elements of a quick-reaction in-theatre JHQ to complement the rapid deployment of front-line forces.

The United Kingdom can expect increasing calls to respond to a range of crises, and its ability to react quickly to stabilise volatile situations before they deteriorate w o ~ ~be l d tested. The new JHQ will work to anticipate crises and monitor areas of interest to the UK. "Its establishment will set in place a proper, clear and unambiguous connection between policy and the strategic direction and conduct of operations," said Defence Secretary Malcolm Rifkind.

Operational command of joint operations - such as those currently running in northern and southern Iraq, former Yugoslavia and Angola -would be progressively assumed by the new permanent JHQ from April 1, 1996 following an intensive shakedown period to validate its capabilities.

Lieutenant General CBQ Wallace, OBE, representative Colonel Commandant, assumed the appointment of Chief of Joint Operations, a new appointment, on 1 February 1996.

Land Command Ready For Action In the biggest reorganisation of the British Army since the Second World War, the new Army Headquarters, Land Command, was formed on 1 Apr 95.

Land command represents nearly three-quarters of all soldiers in the Army and provides nearly 100 per cent of fighting capability. Its role will be to deliver and sustain the Army's operational capability; whenever required, throughout the world. it consists of all operational troops throughout Britain, Germany, Nepal and Brunei, together with Army Training Teams in Canada, Belize and Kenya.

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Land Command's headquarters have been established at Erskine Barracks, Wilton; and Headquarters United Kingdom Land Forces (which occupied the barracks) now ceases to exist. The Commander-in-Chief Land Command will be the present Commander-in Chief United Kingdom Land Forces, General Sir John Wilsey.

Land Command will be the biggest single budget holder in the MODwith just under ÂŁ3 billion. It will contain all the Army's fighting equipment, including attack helicopters, Challenger 2 tanks, Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicles, AS90 (the new artillery gun) and the Multi-Launched Rocket System (MLRS).

Peace Role Heralds Fresh Turbulence Potential for fresh turbulence is possible as British soldiers become involved in peacekeeping operations overseas.

Seven tasks are identified for British Forces: Military aid to the civil power in the UK; Challenges to the internal or external security of a dependant territory; General war, such as a large scale attack against NATO; * Limited regional conflict involving a NATO ally who calls for assistance; British contribution to NATO and the Western European Union missions; Serious conflict, other than an attack on NATO, which could adversely affect European security or pose a serious threat to British interests elsewhere or to international security;

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RIFLEMEN'S

I ONLY WbRK HERE BECAUSE I AM TOO OLD FOR APAPERRouND TOO YOUNG FOR A PENSION

Other military assistance and limited operations, characteristically of lower intensit longer duration, to support international order and humanitarian principles, mod likely UN auspices.

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Mr Rifkind confirmed that further reductions in the Armed Forces had been ruled out t Government, even if more troops were withdrawn from Northern Ireland.

"There will be no cuts to our front line, even if our commitments reduce," he said.

"If we are able to reduce the Armed Forces commitment to operations in support of the 1 Ulster ~onstabu'lary,it will not be matched by cuts in fighting units. Instead, it will mean mon for families, training and more time to apply expertise and professional skills on the global sti

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Army strength to be 117,000

Defence spending in 1995-96 will total ÂŁ21,720 million, three per cent of the Gross Domestic Product. By 1997-98 the cost of defence will have fallen in real terms by 20 per cent since the end of the Cold War.

By April 1 1996 it is planned the Armed Forces will have been reduced to 231,500.

Strength of the Army will be 117,000.

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Major equipment projects announced last year for the Army include 259 Challenger 2 tanks, and there are plans to modernise the Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers and Armoured Vehicle Launched Bridges, currently mounted on Chieftain hulls, to permit them to be used in Challenger 2 and Warrior battle groups. h

THE REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION News from the Branches Buckinghamshire Chairman: Captain R Brimmer Secretary: Mr J Burrows Although numbers have not risen significantly, the quorum we have, have continued to meet i Aylesbury TA Centre on the last Thursday of each month. About 15 regulars meet * ChatlReminiscence and a Pint and, although numbers are small, enthusiasm is encouraging.

In conjunction with the TA and the TA Club, the Association has held a function once a Quac back up the monthly meetings. So far, this year, since the last Association Committee Meetins Branch has been active: Firework Night Party Remembrance Day Parade followed by Curry Lunch VE Day Bingo and Sing-along Cricket Match with B-B-Q followed by Disco V1. Day Parade Association Dinner Another Firework Party

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and then full circle, round to Remembrance Sunday again, 12 Nov. So, as you can see, Aylesbury is alive and well and active, but we would love to see more members. All are welcome - Don't forget last Thursday of each month - 2000hrs Aylesbury TA Centre (not December).

Milton Keynes Branch President Chairman Secretary Treasurer

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Brigadier MR Koe OBE Major RE Stanger Mr D Johnson Mr A lles

Entertainments:

Mr A Dulson Mr R Twohey Mr C Errington

The Branch has now met 7 times since its formation in March 1995, we muster at 1930hrs on the first Thursday of each month in the "Dig Inn" Club of E Company 5(V)RGJ. To date we have 57 members.

The Branch charges ÂŁ8 per year for subscriptions which are required to offset costs of Branch functions. We have also run 3 car boot sales to bolster the Branch Fund.

On all our meetings, the ladies of members are invited, so they can have a chin wag while the meeting goes ahead, then we have refreshments afterwards. Organised for the remainder of this year, is a coach trip to France to pick up Christmas Fayre, for the Branch Christmas party and Draw on Saturday 9 December (Dig Inn Club).

Our first Marching Parade will be on Remembrance Sunday in Newport Pagnell, members are buying their Regimental Ties, Badges and Blazers already, Berets will be issued at our next meeting, it will be good to see old and new cap badges on Parade.

We had a visit on the 8th June of messrs Mills, Pilcher and Hooper from the Felixstowe Association Branch, it was an excellent visit and thank you for making the effort. If other Branches want to visit, let us know, we can put you up for the night.

Cotswolds The year began with a lunch in March 95 at the Oxford Club. The President Major General Charles Vyvyan attended.

Other activities in '95 included the annual skittles match in April against the Grenadier Guards Cheltenham and Gloucester Association in the heart of the Cotswold. As usual we were outnumbered by at least 3:1, what we lacked in quantity was not sufficiently made up in quality, and we were trounced once again. However, the good news is that after a year's agonising, we have decided to keep the Branch -which is somewhat over officered, and not getting younger - on the road into our second quarter century. This is entirely due to newcomers from Swindon where Shane Smith and others are recruiting new members down the M41M5 corridor and all stations West. Our President, Major Nick Warry, continues to mount events in Gloucestershire, in co-operation with St Johns. We had the Waterloo Band at the Nature in Art Museum near Gloucester, followed by supper, in May. Branch members attended the D Day celebrations in Oxford and the Band Concert in July.

The AGM and Dinner was held in Andoversford near Cheltenham in October, when we were able to record that over the past few years the Branch has raised ÂŁ4010 for the Regimental and 43rdl52nd Museums, for which a great deal of the credit goes to our President. Both Museums have acknowledged their appreciation to the Branch.

East Anglia The nucleus of the branch is based in Colchester. Newly formed with 20 members it meets monthly in the Naafi, Meeanee Barracks (the home of 1LI). May support grow from the 80 potential members located in the area. Our grateful thanks goes to the CO 1LI for the use of the Naafi.

O.H. Brown, 74 The Willows, Colchester

Hampshire Another year over, most of it good!

A variety of events have once more taken place, starting with the Solent Booze (sorry, that s be Cruise) where merr~bersand their families braved the rough and unchartered seas of Southa~ Water, and ate chicken in the basket and downed a couple of jugs of ale - actually, I was as; as a skunk! HAD A BRILLIANT TIME THOUGH!!

A couple of car boot sales were held benefiting the Branch Funds by over f150:OO- not bii Tony Harding completed the London Marathon and raised nearly f300:OOfor the branch - well Tony!! Bet he doesn't do it next year! -would you? Names to the Secretary SOONEST?

The Sounding Retreat was a resounding success in July with this Branch manning the entrana once more greeting the old and bold. Also this year, for the first time, selling raffle tickets for1 magnificent prizes. A framed silver wire picture was first prize and two statuettes of a Bygla Rifleman with SA 80 were second and third. The raffle was a great success, with the Associatic our branch benefiting by a couple of hundred pounds. We hope to do even better next year:

The cricket match against the WO's & Sjts Mess went very well, the branch being victors, tha our magnificent handicap system that put us ahead by over l 00 runs before hitting a ball! EVE had a great day with a brilliant BBQ lunch and a relaxing swim in the Training Regiments Swin Pool afterwards - what a day! We are looking forward to next years clash - even thoug grapevine says the Sjts Mess are intending to introduce their own form of handicap system - the boggles but never fear!!

The members list has been slowly but surely improving and stands over 60 with some 211 attending the monthly meetings regularly. There have been a couple of changes in the Branc Nobby Clarke taking over as Secretary. There is at this moment a postal vote in progress ta or re-elect our Chairman.

Many thanks to everyone who has supported me during my time in office. Cheers everyone -. you all the very best in every way Keith Km OVER TO YOU NOBBY!!

As we approach Christmas and the New Year I reflect upon the past year and all those even1 have shaped the Branch and its Members. I think of all the hard work and effort that has applied so as to make the Branch un-arguably, very active and very good. I heap well earned on Keith, his Treasurer Dave Danby, John Fritz-Domeney, Tony Harding, John Harper, Sid Pete Andrews for all there considerable exertion and sometimes remarkable dedication to makii Branch successful.

We have young Old Soldiers and Slightly Older Old Soldiers all of whom have contributed unse to our cause and in the final analyses it has to be said, any association, any outfit any Regim only as good as its Members.

Perhaps at this time of the year I will be forgiven a little sentimentality as I recall these fine v

The Regiment I have chosen had no Colours; it had only a silver badge worn by all its Men bearing the names of almost every famous victory in more than a century and a half of British h1 In the hour of crisis its Riflemen could not rally, like others, round a Colour, for they fou extended order, every man depending for courage on the invisible colours carried in his heal

"The black and the green, the finest colours even seen."

To every Rifleman, Good Luck this New Year.

Nobby Clarke, Secretary

Editor's Note: Lest we forget the 43rd & 52nd: "A Regiment never surpassed in arms since arms were first borne by menn Sir William Napier: Nivelle 1813

Kent A non-serving committee for the Branch was confirmed in office at the AGM on 27 April 1995, taking over from the 2nd Battalion before their leaving for N.lreland in mid-summer.

Their departure was felt as a keen loss. We had been utterly spoiled by the help and facilities they had given us but it was much to the Battalion's credit that they appeared to be at least equally missed by the Dover District Council. The Council mounted a formal act of farewell and good wishes to the Second on 8 July comprising a Parade, Memorial Service and March Past in the town, with a halfhour concert by the Light Division Band in the Market Square. The event was attended by members of the Association along with families of the Battalion and wreaths were laid at the 60th Rifles Memorial both by the Battalion and the Association. The Association was also well represented both in Dover and in London at their respective V W J Day commemoration events.

We now have 37 members, a heavy majority of whom are understandably resident in the Dover and East Kent area through long-term RGJ tenancy of Connaught Barracks. The Kingdom of Kent is wide and straggling and Dover is at its extreme fringe ... three times as far from its western provinces around Bromley as from France and twelve times as costly in travel if you play your Ferry cards right.

We know that our membership represents only about 1 in 5 of the Kent based membership of the central Association but hope that the other 150 or so will now read this and wish to join us. Our present policy is to exploit the preponderant numbers in East Kent by holding most social events there for the time being but steadily building our membership through a network of smaller local groups meeting socially elsewhere in the County. Prospective members from West or Mid Kent, for example, could even now help this plan along by writing or telephone respectively to either:BILL BINGHAM, 60 Durham Road, Shortlands, Bromley, BR2 OSW Tel: 0181 4607371 or:MAURICE GIBB, Cherrywell School Lane, Willington, Maidstone, ME15 8DU Tel: 01622 756351 If this all works well we hope eventually to be able to hold quarterly Social Evenings equally strongly attended anywhere in the County. We have, in fact, already made a start by holding the September event at Albert Storey's "Tavern Club" on the Isle of Sheppey. Finally, we would be equally welcoming towards anyone from a neighbouring County who might wish to apply.

Best wishes to all Brother Riflemen from the hoppers and cherrypickers - the Kentish Riflemen!

London In April this year, the membership stood at 535, this is drawn from the QVR and the QW & CSR. The QW & CSR had their ACRISE Reunion in the Sgts Mess at 56 Davies Street on 3 March 95,40 members attending.

In April, the QVRs held a lunch at the Whitbreads Hop Farm to which 59 members came.

On Saturday 6 May 95, a VE Day Luncheon was held at 56 Davies St for all Green Jackets H served in the 1939-45 war. Field Marshal the Lord Bramall, KG, GCB, OBE, MC, JP was happ) be patron of the occasion and was there in his own right, even though he had a very busy days the national celebrations. The lunch was attended by 357 old soldiers coming from as far away Canada and South Africa. The music was provided by the Hampshire ex-Servicemenus Con1 Band under the direction of Major Ron Berry. The programme included old favourites and all1 Regimental Marches. The lunch was prepared by the Territorials of the 4th Bn under the watc: eye of Major Bob Fortune, (Quartermaster).

The Cup Final Reunion was held at 56 Davies St on Saturday 20 May 95 with 350 associa members attending. Again, this was a great success with members travelling from the NE and1 SW. Activities in 1996 1.

RGJ&TAASSAGM 2.

CUP FINAL REUNION 3.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

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Saturday 20 April 96 at 1300.

Saturday 11 May 96 at 1930.

Sunday 10 November 96 at 1500.

Midlands The Midlands Branch sends Congratulations galore to the Editor of the 1995 Regimental Newsle!

We say more power to the elbow of Lt Col IG Elliott (Col George) for his compilation of so m Regimental items ... 86 pages!

We say farewell to Jeremy Drake acting assistant secretary ... and welcome Capt Steve Kinrade wish him all the very best in his new appointment.

The Branch held a Reunion on the 10th June 1995 with a crowd of 60 plus riflemen at the TA Ce! in Mansfeld. It went down rather well with Roast Chicken Breast and roast spuds swilled down the Barmans Best Bitter and Mansfield Lagers ... who do the brewing across the road from the cer

We ran an article in the press about the Accumulative Campaign Service Medal. The interest very good ... it brought a lot of promises from the stragglers ... and a few positive paid up memb

I

It has been brought to my attention that the bed and breakfast in the Barracks room accommoda laid on for the July reunion for Association members was withdrawn, could we please hau delegation to meet the Light Dragoon CO ... Colonel Richard Quicke requesting that it be restc for the 1996 Reunion. We press the need to stay overnight if we are to drink the Regiments hea Finally Alex Bowlby 5 Platoon, B Company, 2RB ... Recollections of Rifleman Bowlby Fame... written another good War history ...COUNT DOWN TO CASSINO... well worth buying.

Congratulations to Capt Thesiger for a very good KAPE Tour of the Mansfield and Ashfield Distric The Band - It speaks for itself.

Secretary Mr R Beech

North East The Branch continues to grow with a membership of 80 which meets monthly in the TA Drill Ha Washington. A number attended the London Branch reunion in May 1995 and at Winchester in JI Chairman PJ Lyddon Secretary Major JJ Condon

North West In October 1995 our paid up membership stood at 42 paid up branch members and with another 10 members who are expected to renew their membership before our annual dinner it makes the year 1995196 our most successful yet.

We have, up to date, only one honorary member. He attended one of our functions during the year after reading about it in one of the local papers. He seemed a little overcome by alcohol and being one of the 'OLD' soldiers I took pity on him and paid his membership to the branch. After a few songs of the unmentionable kind, he drank all the beer offered, disappeared into the night and has never been seen again. But he gave us all a night to remember.

1994 was finished off with a dinner at Altcar Ranges. Forty five people attended and enjoyed the evening so much that we are to hold a similar dinner at the same venue on the 24th Nov 1995.

We have held a number of social evenings during the year 1995, at the nurses social ctub in Fazakerley Hospital, Liverpool, and at the Cranberry Hotel in Ashton in Makerfield.

During October 1995 the K.A.P.E. Team toured Liverpool and surrounding districts. Many of our members attended their displays and have expressed to me how much they enjoyed it.

For the benefit of members who do not get our correspondence, we are to hold a social evening each year on the night of the Grand National. The 1996 event will be held at the Nurses Social Club at Fazakerley Hospital, Liverpool. Any ex-members who are travelling up to the Grand National will be welcome to come along and meet old friends.

Finally, one of our members is in search of copies of old newsletters dating from 1970 up to 1990.

Should anybody have any of these newsletters that are surplus to requirements or would allow us to photocopy it please get in touch with me at our branch. Postage will be refunded! Also, 'LAST NIGHT ANOTHER SOLDIER" (VIDEO) is in demand.

Should anybody require information about the North West Branch, our social evenings and dinner or how to join the branch, please contact me on 0151 525 6508.

On 16 Jun 96 there will be a Memorial Service held in Liverpool for Liverpudlians who died in Northern Ireland. Capt Steve Kinrade will represent RHQ. Best wishes Ginger Dixon

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Suffolk The Suffolk lads and lasses have had another good year, with new members joining us from near and far. The year started as usual with our ever popular ladies dinner night for which we had the largest attendance so far, it was a pity that our president Ron and Shirley Cassidy, and two guests of honour . Maj Gen CGC Vyvyan, and WO1 JJV McEvoy were unable to make the dinner, better luck next year, the invites are still open.

The year has been very busy what with the celebrations and parades for "VE" and "VJn Day the Association along with our standard paraded at both these local events. We have received much praise from the local town hall for the support we give to such occasions and Alfie Adams as our standard bearer has certainly done much good for the name of the Royal Green Jackets as the visitors at these parades had come from all corners of the globe.

The branch attended the Winchester Reunion again in force this year, taking over as usual Marwell Safari Lodge Hotel, where we received many ex RGJ visitors on the Friday night - especi pleased to see names such as MacMullan, Leavy, Prowse, Isles, Cave & Cockburn to name so of those attending. Please bring back the organiser of the 1994 Reunion as the old saying ofu works leave it alone1'should have been remembered, lets hope 1996 is better.

Our Regimental Birthday Dance held on the 25th of August was another great success, Mi Burtenshaw did a marvellousjob and our regular band surprised us with an excellent rendition of theme from "Sharp" which went down very, very well - we could not even catch them out on t boast that they could play any tune we requested - Freddy Ward failed dismally, there weren't many hits in the 50's were there?

1

Saturday the 26th had us gathering in secret in a Felixstowe garden to celebrate with John ad Margaret Bevan their ruby wedding anniversary with a surprise bar-b-que, Franky Moss and Tomm Evans worked very hard with John's family to put on a really excellent day, hang overs from th Friday were soon forgotten or replaced. ,

Our chairman Joe Mills accompanied by myself and Curly Hooper paid a visit to the Buckinghar Branch to lend support and to wish them well. We were envious of their facilities and know thc Dave, Roy and Co. have got it cracked especially once they've got them inside the building as yo , can't get out, well it took us a good while and then only with Roy's help.

We had hoped to take the branch to Sheerness along with the Buckingham Branch where Albe Storey had laid on a very good weekend for us, work commitments with the new dock labour schem prevented many of our members who wanted to go from attending - leaving the number remainin too small to make it worthwhile, perhaps better luck next year. The year ended with the festival 1 Remembrance, the British Legion Band from Leiston have really perfected our Regimental mard We feel especially proud to stand up when our march is sounded.

We are all looking forward to Remembrance Sunday where we will all get together after the parad for lunch and a few drinks in which we will celebrate another good year and the cementing of firmc foundations for the year ahead.

Gordon Pilcher Secretary

OBITUARY It is with sad regret that we advise the death of fellow Rifleman Sergeant Jim (Curly) Hooper who die in Ipswich on 10 December 1995. Curly first enlisted into the lst Bn Rifle Brigade in September 194 where he served mostly in BAOR until leaving in 1952. 1959 saw Curly re-enlisting into the 8 Green Jackets (Rifle Brigade) where he served until his discharge in 1968.

We were very pleased to be asked by his family to give him a good send off and would like to expret their thanks as well as our own to Alfie Adams our standard bearer and Maj Ron Cassidy who in h address had our tears mingled with laughter and to the regiment who kindly allowed Maj Ron, to brir a Bugler who sounded Last Post.

Curly, a true Rifleman and mentor of the Suffolk Branch, will be missed we know, by all of his frienc worldwide.

RGJ BAND & BUGLES REUNION The 4th annual reunion of ex-Bandsmen and Bugles of the Royal Green Jackets and former regiments took place at the Forte Crest Hotel Winchester on Saturday 7th October 1995. For the second year running, ex-Bandsmen brushed off the cob-webs of their old instruments and turned up on the morning for a two hour band rehearsal. For some, this was to be the first time in playing with their old mates for more than a quarter of a century. Some 29 ex-members joined in the fun as Bandmaster Dave Bertie, Bandmaster John Morgan, ex-Band Serjeant Major Peter McCracken and ex-Band Serjeant Tony Dowd took up the baton for a delightful two hour session taking the Band through their paces with Suppe's "LIGHT CAVALRY" Overture, a selection from "SOUTH PACIFIC", Gustav Holzt's 1st suite in Eb, the "DAM BUSTER'S" march and a medley of GLENN MILLER tunes specially arranged for band by ex-KRRC Trumpet player Terry Porter. The rehearsal ended with the playing of the three former Regimental Marches - enhanced this year by the faultless bugling of exBugler Adrian Pike (1RGJ).

The reunion itself kicked off at 12 noon, and by the time the secretary addressed the members at 2.45 the number in attendance had reached 85. Indeed a splendid turnout for what was a most memorable reunion. Guest of honour was Lieutenant Colonel JA Poole-Warren, who kindly bought the members up to date with what was happening in the Regiment and most important of all, how the newly formed Light Division Band was performing.

Membership continues to grow each year, and it is rewarding to see the lads back playing together.

Ex-Buglers are still in demand, and I urge you all out there, especially Branch Secretaries, if you know of any ex-Buglers (or ex-Bandsmen) on your books or Christmas card list, please ask them to get in touch with the Reunion organiser.

The 1996 reunion will take place on Saturday 5th October at Sir John Moore Barracks Winchester and this year promises to be the best so far with a joint concert arranged with the Light Division Band and the 'Old Sweats Ensemble'. So for more information, Newsletter and further details, please contact.

Tony Dowd - 51 Sherwood Road, Worksop, Notts, S80 1QN. Tel: 01909 472548

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FORECAST OF EVENTS 1996 Date Event Jan 28 Jan - 3 Feb KAPE

March 24-30 March 30 March April 13 April

Venue

Remarks

Mansfield

Recruiting team 01962-8882 15

KAPE

Liverpool

Recruiting team 0 1962-888215

Northwest Branch Buffet & Disco

Fazakerley Hospital Social Club

Aylesbury Branch Copenhagen Night 20 April RGJ & TA Assoc London AGM - lpm 21-27 April KAPE 29 April3 May KAPE

TA Centre, Aylesbury 56 Davies Street Oxford Birmingham

Recruiting Team 019622 - 888215

May 11 May 12-18 May

RGJ Association London Reunion 7.30pm KAPE

18 May

Milton Keynes Branch Dinner

June 16 June 16 June 16-22 June

July 13 July

14 July 20 July

Aug 10 Aug

56 Davies Street, London (See details below) Milton Keynes Recruiting 0 1962-88€ Milton Keynes

Memorial Service for Liverpudlians Liverpool Cathedral who died In Northern Ireland 5RGJ & 43rd & 52nd OCA Band Slade Park Barracks, Oxford Concert 11.30am KAPE Recruiting London 001962-8€ RGJ Association Annual Sir John Moore Barracks, Winchester Reunion - 1700hrs Sounding Retreat - 6.30pm Reunion - 7.30pm RGJ Association Service - 10.30am Sir John Moore Barracks, Light Division Chapel Regents Park Regents Park Bandstand Memorial Service - 11.30am Aylesbury Branch Annual Cricket match

Aylesbury

Aylesbury

8-14 Sep

Aylesbury Branch Annual Dinner KAPE

Oct 5 Oct 20-26 Oct

RGJ Band & Bugles Reunion KAPE

Sir John Moore Barracks, Winchester, London Recruiting tearr 0 1962-888215

Liverpool?

Westminster Abbey Slade Park Barracks, Oxford

10 Nov 10-16 Nove

North West Branch Dinner Field of Remembrance Ilam RGJ Association Oxford Reunion 7.30pm Remembrance Sunday KAPE

Dec 1-7 Dec

KAPE

Liverpool

S ~ P 28 Sep (TBC)

Nov ? Nov 7 Nov 9 Nov

Birmingham

Mansfield

Recruiting team 0 1962-888215

Recruting team 01962-888215

THE LIGHT DIVISION BAND March

April May

June

July

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MAJOR EVENTS

KAPE - Darlington Poppy Appeal Concert - RBL Wootton Bassett KAPE - Liverpool Bosnia Tour - Visiting 2LI Lord Mayor's Parade, Portsmouth Rifle Brigade Reunion - London Visit to 2LI - Germany Bath & West Show - Shepton Mallet Sounding Retreat, Winchester LI Association, Shrewsbury Massed Bands, Larkhill Eastbourne Bandstand Concert - Fairfield Hall, Croydon Winchester Show RGJ Association Reunion, Winchester Visit to 2RGJ, Belfast Edinburgh Tattoo HMS Somerset Commissioning - Plymouth King's Royal Rifle Corps Concert - London Concert - Winchester Cathedral

Stoa Press Please note that a new recording by the Band and Bugles of The Light Division has just been released entitled 'A Living Tradifion: Tapes and CDs can be purchased from the Band Ofice, contact no. 01962-888285.

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ASSOCIATION LONDON REUNION 11 May 96 56 Davies Street The Cup Final Night Reunion is open to Association members onlv, who are all welcome. It will be possible to join at the door for f7.00. Those attending are required to be appropriately dressed.

Members pay for themselves and guest(s) at f3.W wr head to cover the cost of food, ED pay and incidental expenses. The RSM will be running thg recreptimarrangementsat the door. The Drill Hall will be the main bar and buffet area. There is no overnight accommodation.

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ASSOCIATION WINCHESTER REUNION SAT 13 JULY 96 Sir John Moore Barracks.

Details of the Winchester Reunion are given on pages 25, 41 and 57. We wish to see you - so lend support and bring a friend or fellow Rifleman.

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ASSOCIATION OXFORD REUNION SAT 9 NOV 96 Slade Park Barracks

The Oxford Reunion is open to Association members, who are all welcome. Members are required to pay ÂŁ3.50 per head to cover the cost of food and incidental expenses. A great evening starting at 7.30pm not to be missed. Please contact Peter Uden for further details 01865-780128 or 5RGJ.

BRING BACK THE PRIDE: GET RID OF THE MUFTI I had lunch at the Royal Horseguards Hotel in London the other day with four senior Ameri naval officers. Gold braid, shiny shoes, sharp uniforms. They were military-looking people. Outs however, British military officials scurrying along to the Ministry of Defence a few yards away indistinguishable from the bureaucrats and office workers. They were dressed as civilians.

American soldiers, sailors and airmen can be recognised at home and around the globe, in Brit the Armed Forces have largely disappeared from public view.

For the best part of 20 years servicemen have worn raincoats and sweaters over uniforms as th drove to and from work, and changed into suits to attend civic functions.

It has all been necessary, of course, because of the threat of IRA assassination. To wear a Briti uniform was to be a potential target. Barbed wire, steel helmets and loaded rifles appeared at military centres. In one way it has all been rather good for the forces. The terrorist threat sharpened military professionalism at home and abroad in a way that no threat from the War Pack ever could. It has made British servicemen and women the envy of Nato nations an demand as UN peacekeepers. But it has all been at a fearful price, not only in money spent security but in terms of the Armed Forces becoming divorced from the public it protects. An I attack on a uniformed, unarmed serviceman is now so unlikely that the greater danger to the Arm Forces is its own defensive culture. "Sometimes you'd think we were members of a monastic orde said one London-based Army officer. "Or a secret club. I'm sure my neighbours have no idea I' in the Army."

It was different in the 1960s and earlier. Then, military personnel had to travel in uniform. Tod apart from their short hair and physically fit appearance, the men with their six-packs of beer on train to Newcastle could be anyone - if it weren't for the Army Bergens under their seats. course, there's a point to anonymity. Apart from security the modern trend is to make the servicd blend in with civilian society. This isn't wartime so why should soldiers stick out like sore thumbs'

One senior civil servant says putting servicemen back into uniform would be divisive, re-creating "then and us" attitude between civilians and military. It would, he said, set a bad example of civilia control of the military for eastern Europe to follow. But there is a strong belief in the forces that th civilianisation pendulum has swung too far. Service culture is now thoroughly permeated by civilia life, particularly among younger members, whose chances of serving abroad are increasingly rar as troops are called home. They and their families want the same things as civilians. One cannc blame them. Half the jobs on bases are now being done by civilians who work side by side with the military colleagues but can knock off at half past five. Senior officers and NCOs find they are no budget managers and administrators, pushing more and more paperwork.

But servicemen and women are different from civilians. 'They live under a military code of conduc They can be ordered to fight and die at any moment. It is time for the public to see more of them i uniform. When servicemen are on duty, they should be able to take public pride in it. It woul undoubtedly come as a shock to the service culture. Some British officers visiting the Pentagon cf the first time have been taken aback by the sight of so many Americans wearing their uniform i public.

"I couldn't wear my uniform on the tube, some job might have a go at me!" wailed one office Another said: "Perhaps it's just as well the louts on that train to Newcastle weren't identifiable a belonging to particular Army unit."

But it would be a small step to regaining military pride, and bringing to public attention a nation; institution that is undoubtedly one of the best things UK plc has going for it internationally. Senic

officers privately support it, but they know they cannot propose it.

"I think the impetus for change must come from the community. The public must say if they want to see us in uniform," said Lord Bramall, the former chief of the defence staff who is urging that all personnel involved in the VE and VJ Day events be in uniform. "I must say the last thing people want is for the Army Forces to be a race apart, separate from its roots. Servicemen and women should be part of the community."

FIELD MARSHALS, FALL OUT One thing is certain about the proposal, to alter the Armed Forces' rank structure. it will cause an almighty row. The services are conservative by nature. The long history of protest over regimental amalgamation is proof enough of that. Amalgamation affect, however, a few thousand people at most. Altering ranks affects everyone drawing the Queen's shilling, from Ordinary Wren - yes, despite the abolition of the WRNS, the Royal Navy still title a female rating Wren not Seawoman -to Marshal of the Royal Airforce.

There is a great deal at stake. Pay might seem to come first, because amalgamating ranks would almost certainly mean that there would be losers as well as winners, both in cash on the table and in expectations. But there is status as well and that is almost as important.

Conductor of Ordnance 1st Class is not a title that rolls off the tongue. Among the Army's warrant officers it is pronounced with veneration, for the Conductors are by tradition senior even to Regimental Sergeant-Majors. A Conductor visiting the sergeants' mess in a Foot Guards regiment is received with the respect with which a Harley Street consultant is treated by general practitioners.

Then there are the cherished distinctions between regiments, the Royal Artillery's bombardier for corporal, the Household Cavalry's Corporal of Horse for sergeant. Second lieutenants are called "ensigns" by the Foot Guards, "comets" by the cavalry, which makes for confusion.

What makes for even more confusion and for ticklish questions of who can tell whom what to do is equivalence; a midshipman is the lowest naval officer rank, which ought to mean that his military equivalent is a second lieutenant. A midshipman, however, cannot command, while a second lieutenant does.

This puts naval and military structures one step out all the way up the ladder and has the odd effect that Royal Marines drawing lieutenant-colonel's pay have to be called majors.

If there are all these anomalies, a sane layman might ask, what would be wrong with rationalisation?

Industry abolishes middle management tiers at the stroke of a pen. Why not the services? There are 16 ranks between private and field marshal. Need there be so many?

Two principal issues are at stake. The first is international comparability. The other is fitting rank to job. Comparability might seem to be a trivial matter. It is, in fact, very important, particularly in services belonging to large alliances, as Britain does to Nato. If ranks do not correspond, considerable international offence can be incurred and given.

Diplomats know this and, over the years, have evolved a precisely equivalent table of ranks from third secretary through counsellor to ambassador, which has international acceptance. If Britain were to, as is rumoured it might, do away with four officer ranks in the similarly accepted military table, the situation might arise where a Briton commanding an air squadron would.be junior to his Dutch equivalent, have to salute him, perhaps even have to accept his orders. Disagreement over such matters in joint operations can have serious consequences.

Fitting rank to job is a different but equally important matter, particularly for non-commis5 soldiers. Long experience has taught armies that effective units are made up of the right-size( groups. Men fight better if they know each other on an intimate basis. That means the sn group must be of eight to 10. It must have someone in charge, usually ranked as a corporal. such sections form a platoon, and the platoon sergeant oversees the corporals. Three pl sergeants answer to a company sergeant-major. Combat typically goes wrong when some of men are lost. Combining a leaderless group with one which still has its leader risks overwh~ him.

He cannot supervise a doubled unit and, if he tries, the risk that he will become a casualty adding to the problem, increases. These are realities and they do not yield to business effic solutions advanced by civilian consultants.

The realities are less urgent in the Navy and Air Force, where work is organised on a departrr rather than fighting unit basis. They still apply, none the less, and then there is also the quest, comparability. If the Army needs seven non-commissioned ranks, sailors and airmen feel entitl the same number. Yet it is true there are too many ranks, though at the top rather than the bc Services in most countries suffer from rank "inflation", through promoting too many peopl creating new ranks, or both.

The rank of major in Britain is a salient example. Time was that infantry battalions had but a S major, as second-in-command overseeing the officers commanding companies. Now al companies are commanded by majors. It would be an excellent idea to cut the numbers of m back and let companies be commanded by captains, as they used to be.

The real overgrowth is among admirals, generals and air marshals. It is true that the absl numbers have been cut recently and quite savagely, including 17 major-general's posts, nearl) of those existing. Yet it is still the habit to promote the Chief of the General Staff to the rank of I Marshal on retirement, as the chiefs of the Navy and Air Force are promoted Admiral of the Fleet Marshal of the Royal Air force.

To put this in perspective, Montgomery was not promoted Field Marshal until September, 1944, years after he had won the Battle of Alamein. Dowding, the victor of the Battle of Britain, was n8 promoted Marshal of the Royal Air Force. Horton, the victor of the Battle of the Atlantic, was ni promoted Admiral of the Fleet.

Thus, had Montgomery been killed in 1943, the three men who won Britain its greatest land vic of the Second World War and the air and sea battles that guaranteed its escape respectively 1 invasion in l940 and starvation in 1942, would all have failed to achieve what is now called "five rank".

We have had a dozen "five star" since 1945 but, the Falklands apart, no victories. We could make Sir Terence Lewin, who commanded, an Admiral of the Fleet in recognition, because he 1 one already.

The French have a better way. The title Marshal of France, one of the most ancient in Europe, is a rank but a "dignity of state". It can be granted only to a commander who has won victories. Th are no living Marshals of France. The Americans have a similar practice. Fleet Admiral, Genera the Army or Air force, are ranks given only to the exceptional - Omar Bradley, victor of the Europc war, and Ernest King, Chief of Naval Operations in the Pacific and Atlantic. None is held today If we were to adopt a similar practice, ranks would rationalise themselves. There could be one admiral at the head of the navy, a couple of vice admirals, half a dozen rear admirals. That WO!

fit the size of the fleet. The position of commodore could'be abolished. the honourable rank of captain would regain its ancient importance, and so on down and in the other services.

There would be fewer squadron leaders without squadrons, while majors would be proud to be second-in-command. Even lance-corporals would gain in status. When everybody's somebody, W.S. Giibert remarked, nobody's anybody. There's a thought for a modem major-general.

John Keegan

RIFLEMAN 'GUS' NETZLER BORNEO 1963

1i I I

Rifleman NeWer was one of a group of mostly very likeable and very large Fijians recruited into the Green Jacket Battalions in the early 1960's. The Fijians had their own code of honour and sometimes saw things in a different way to us!

Rifleman Netzler or 'Gus' as he was known throughout the battalion had just returned from a rather long, hot and sticky jungle patrol, and like the rest of his patrol, wanted to do nothing more than remove his stinking kit, have a shower and flop into the oblivion of sleep for a day or so!

Unfortunatelyfor him and the rest of his patrol, the head man of the Dyak Kampong felt it was about time his warriors improved their skills on the 'jungle' drums!

Gus put up with the banging for nearly five hours before he decided enough was enough and regardless of the consequences, he was going to shut the drummers up and get some sleep!! He calmly loaded his 9mm sub machine gun with a full magazine of 28 rounds and proceeded to fire them over the heads of the drummers - silence -- peace perfect peace!!!

Gus got his sleep -- he was court martialled and spent 2 years incarceratedfor his misdemeanour and for misinterpreting the meaning of KAPE or Keeping The Army in the Public Eye!!

The strange thing was, whilst 'Gus' was incarcerated there was trundling around the southem counties of England a recruiting wagon with the words 'Join The Army and see the World' on the side and a large six foot poster of --- Rifleman Netzler!!!!

THE RANK OUTSIDERS Tommy Atkins is not a role model for today's boys and girls. Despite massive reductions in requirements, the Army is still seriously short of man and woman power. Fighting arms are 8,000 recruits down - too few gunners, tank drivers, and foot soldiers. Each infantry battalion is, on average, two platoons short, nearly a quarter of its fighting strength. Artillery batteries cannot man the full complement of six guns. The legendary Parachute Regiment cannot get enough recruits to pass through its gruelling basic training in "P" Company. To spare their tender trainer-accustomed feet, Para recruits do not have to wear boots in the first weeks of training. It is now being suggested that the gap in the Paras' ranks should be made up by a full company of Gurkhas. These, by mntrast, are in abundant supply, and hundreds of disappointed Gurkha applicants have to be turned away by recruiting officers in Nepal.

The conclusion from the recruiting crisis is, either, we are now a nation of wimps and couch potatoes, or, that our Armed Forces are suffering severe mismanagement by their political masters. In the video arcade culture of Britain today, the soldier's life seems out of place. The physical standard of recruits has declined steadily as sports have faded out of the daily life of secondary schools.

Flat feet, obesity and poor education are the most frequent causes of dismal performance by recruits. Once the requirement that recruits should be able to run one and half miles in 40 minutes

seemed ludicrously generous. For many, it now seems impossibly tough and recruits now underg courses to qualify for the entry tests.

The British Army is most definitely not a "mammista" army. Despite the shortage of recruits, the Arfl has never stood higher in the esteem of friend and potential foe alike. An American adviser to H t UN in Yugoslavia has called it "The best trained and best supported army in the world, physically arl mentally."

A British staff officer serving a French general in Sarajevo lamented that we are Europe's new warri race: "We are now regarded as the new Prussians of Europe - the ones always prepared to figh The performance of British servicemen and women in Bosnia has exposed very few weak lin among the grandsons and granddaughters of Kipling's Tommy Atkins, from two outstanding C generals to the gunners of Mount Igman, the aid-deliverers and engineers, the Welch Fusilie manning the redoubts at Gorazde.

'The cause of the poor recruiting seems to lie elsewhere; in the continuous chopping and changi of policies, as cuts and rev-iews follow each other at the double. There has been a study or a c every two years out of the past 10; Options for Change, Front Line First, the Hart Study, the B( Report. Each time the slicer shaves a little closer to the bone, cutting out bands, educatior services, recruiting offices, the rank of lance corporal.

For the number crunchers of Whitehall, the forces seem an expensive anachronism. Yet toda though Britain is at peace, one third of the Army's 102,000 men and women are on operational dutia

Though many of the new policies have tried to bring the Services into line with the best civilir practices, many senior officers fear that the forces are becoming increasingly divorced from tt community. The genius of the British regimental system, after all, is that it ties fighting units to loa communities. But now those links are weakening. Most aspiring soldiers would prefer to join tt Royal Green Jackets, Royal Scots or Devon and Dorsetshire Regiment than an abstract such as tt Logistics Corps.

The closure of Army careers offices and shifting recruiting to Job-Centres might seem a wha sensible economy. But it has long been known that the greatest hurdle in persuading the youth1 Britain to join up is getting them to make the initial approach to the friendly recruiter behind tt counter. When the Services are just one item on the multiple choice list of job opportunities, they even less likely to tempt the undecided.

The heart of the problem is with the infantry, where riflemen still need to have the match fitness professional footballers - and most do. But they also need the incentives of learning skills that u win jobs when they return to civilian life. It is thought the lack of such schemes is responsible for 1 large numbers of soldiers quitting early.

All the bonuses and incentives, the reorganisationof regiments on the lines of the best managemcc theory should not disguise the primary role of the modern soldier, to defend the realm, fight 1 Queen's enemies and support her friends. Few are likely to join the colours just to become a II peacekeeper - however important such duties may be. "We must not be hypocritical about thism senior officer explained this week. "If you take the Queen's shilling, it means you must be prepan to go across that start line at0300 hours , come what may."

Robert F

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EOKA 1956 TIME MELLOWS THE 'SMILING KILLER' Colin Smith in Nicosia meets one of the most wanted men involved in the Greek Cypriot revolt against British rule, which began 41 years ago.

Athos Petrides, a portly middle-aged civil servant once known to British colonial police as "The Smiling Killer", stands on a small spur of land amid some barren little hills of white flint dotted with struggling thyme shrubs. With him is his friend Vassos Kallenos, who works for the Bank of Cyprus. "Go on, tell us where you think it is", challenges Vassos.

I point to some dark vegetation flourishing in the corner of one of the ravines that fissure the place.

Triumphantly, Vassos shakes his head, bends and plucks out some dusty thyme plants, revealed to be rootless and quite recently cut. He begins to brush away some dirt and slowly the rim of a manhole-size cover becomes apparent, like the revelation of a water-mark. When this is removed there is a vertical shaft, descended by a rough-hewn wooden ladder.

In 1958 they took three weeks to hack out the igloo-shaped cavity, with ample standing room, beneath the spur. When they had finished they sank the entrance shaft and filled in the way they had come in. Five of them lived Sncthis hole in the ground for eight months, venturing out only at night to bury their rubbish and defecate about a mile away, eschewing toilet paper for stones and grass so as not to start tongues wagging among the local shepherds, in whose rabbit snares they sometimes became entangled, and Md painstakingly to replace.

M e n they returned fo Weir lair thby brushed their footprints away with a branch and scattered pepper around to put off thetracke~dogs. Once, a British search-party practically walked on top of them. Athos and Vassos picked up their Sten guns and prepared to sell their lives dearly, but the soldiers walked over them.

31 March 1996 is the 41st Anniversary of the Greek Cypriots' armed rebellion against British rule in Cyprus.

The rebels called themselves Eoka, the Acronym for National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters. They were fighting for Enosis union with Greece. On that first day the only casualty was in Famagusta, where an enthusiastic saboteur entangled a rope damp with dew on power lines and was electrocuted. But they got better.

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By March 1959, when the shooting ended, 509 people had died, of whom 156 were British soldiers and police. Fleet Street dubbed Ledra Street, then Nicosia's main shopping thoroughfare, "Murder Mile". One of the most successful local reporters was Nicos Sampson, whose uncanny ability to be first on the scene of a shooting was explained when he was sentenced to death for being in possession of a Sten gun.

Among the British civilian dead was Cathefine Cutliffe, a sergeant's wife shot emerging from a Famagusta dress-shop. The police responded by issuing revolvers to those Britons who applied for them. Both sides indulged in graffiti: "Greeks are sneaks" and "Plato is a potato" were among more memorable British offerings.

Last year about a million British visitors, more than the entire Cypriot population, came to what the Daily Sketch once called "this hateful, squalid island as it campaigned for the exclusion of Cypriot sultanas from Winston Churchill's 84th birthday cake. Most of today's tourists were not even born in 1960, when Archbishop Makarios was persuaded to drop the idea of Enosis and accept independence and permanent British bases.

Enosis may no longer be a popular cause but most Greek Cypriots still see the Eoka struggle as celebration of both their heroes and their Heller~ism.Most school days, coachloads of children corn1 to the Central Prison to lay flowers on the graves of 13 Cypriots buried in the little walled garden minute's walk from the execution shed, where a working British gallows is demonstrated to the oldâ‚Ź children. Nine of the Cypriots were hanged, one an 18 year old condemned merely for possess in^ a firearm. The others were Eoka men killed in gunfights whose public funerals were deemed likel' to turn into riots. Among them is Gregoris Afxentiou, corned in a dug-out in the Troodos mountain where he made an epic last stand until petrol was poured in and lit.

Athos was described as "The Smiling Killer" by Detective Sergeant William Webb, the sole survivor of three detectives ambushed in Ledra Street by 17 year old Athos and two others wh~ exchanged shots with them at point blank range.

"It was like the movies", Athos recalled over afternoon tea at the Nicosia Hilton. "Were we terrorists I think not. We were patriots and very religious, like the Irish. We certainly weren't doing if forth money".

But Athos, an amiable man who meets British troops almost daily as a Cypriot liaison officer wit1 United Nations forces here, seems troubled by the killing and says there is no way he could do it now. "Only God has the right to take life".

TRAVELLER'S TALES

By kind permission of the Far Eastern Economic Review, Hong Kong, we offer the following selectio of notices from around the globe. OfFering light relief from the tedium of business travel, they provid ample proof that English is the lingua franca of the 20th century.

In a Bucharest hotel lobby: 'The lift is being fixed for the next day. During that time we regret th: you will be unbearable.

In a Leipzig elevator: Do not enter the lift backwards, and only when lit up.

In a Belgrade hotel elevator: To move the cabin, push button for wishing floor. If the cabin shoul enter more persons, each one should press a number of wishing floor. Driving is then goin alphabetically by national order.

In a Paris hotel elevator: Please leave your values at the front desk.

In a hotel in Athens: Visitors are expected to complain at the office between the hours of 9 an Il a m daily.

In a Yugoslavian hotel: The flattening of underwear with pleasure is the job of the chambermaic Await More Tales in the '97 Newsletter.

LOST TRAILS

Ex 2nd MTB Rifle Brigade, Ranby Camp. Sailed from Liverpool on SS Nea-Helas, some went to I KOYLl 5 Div, some to Oxf & Bucks 56th Div. Call Lofty Croft on 0181 7788233, ex 1 PI A Coy. Journal of the Royal British Legion

POETS CORNER The end of that War I thought how lucky we were to still be here This precious life we hold so dear I could not believe the War had ceased But oh dear Gad that wonderful Peace And then the boys returned Surely there was a lesson to be learned They did their job and they walked tall Even when their backs were up against the wall Many is the times I wondered why All those dear boys had to die They say it was to make us free To live in peace in our own Country 50 years of Peace so it has not all been in vain But I pray to God it will never ever happen again Less we forget Author Edna Beatrice ~ a r r n e h r Widow of Norman Pamrentler RB 3.231 22.38 16.6.39" 7:8.& "'

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LOOSE ENDS Hampshire Chroncile - 200 Years Ago Monday, March 2, 1795 Winchester - Yesterday morning, a private of the 90th regiment received 300 lashes for desertion.

The punishment took place some distance out of town on the Andovq Rwd, complaints having been made that on former occasions the cries of the men, when receiving their punishment, had been very distressing to some of the inhabitants of the city.

Editors Note: The site of Sir John Moore Barracks!

THE NORTHERN IRELAND CAMPAIGN BROOCH A brooch has been designed to mark the part women have played in supporting their husbands and menfolk over the years of the terrorist cwnff;i)ignin Northern Ireland. The brooch, entitled the Northern lreland Campaign Brooch, has been endorsed by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the General Officer Commanding and the Chief Constable, and has had the gracious approval of Her Majesty the Queen.

The main features of the brooch are the Queen's Crown surmounting an Irish harp which rests on a spray of shamrocks enamelled in green. The Crown symbolizes the oneness of Northern Ireland .within the United Kingdom, while the harp and shamrocks epitomize Ireland. The harp has dual -bQnificance as the formation sign for our military forces in Northern lreland and as the central device in the badge of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. At the base of these three principal symbols is a dark blue enamelled scroll on which is inscribed the Latin motto 'PARTICIPESET SOCIAE' - 'Sharers and Suppat&-, I believe this motto simple but aptly describes the contribution qade by women by their sharing the Burden of stress and supporting their menfolk.

For more details write to: Lisanelly Designs, PO Box 371, Canterbury, Kent CT1 1GT. Servicemen and women will benefit.fromthe brooch's sale, a percentage of the proceeds will go to Service & RUC charities.

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FOOD FOR 'THOUGHT

An Alternative Perspective It might be unfair, but we are always left with the impression that the dream scenario for thc Government would be the British Army marching into Battle, by Forte, serviced by Kwik-Fit, stirre1 by the strains for the LSO, and having the solid reassurance that their flank would be guarded b Group 4.

They have followed that dogma through to its illogical conclusion, firm in the belief that the hiddel hand of the market will spontaneously cater for the requirements of Britain's national security. It wi not.

Dr Reid Defence Estimates Debate 18 Oct 94

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It's Not Over Yet, You Can Bett on That!

It's good to see the Services firing back already over the Bett Report. One of the first salvos was fire1

by Air Marshal Sir John Cuciss in that traditional battleground - The Daily Telegraph.

In a letter, Sir John said, "When l joined the aerospace industry in 1983 1 was immediately struck b the totally unfavourably comparison it made with my previous 40 years experience in the RAF. "Career plar~ningwas unknown, any reporting or appraisal system, as it is now known, wa rudimentary and there was no system of appeal to higher authority.

"Today it is apparently considered necessary for a senior industrialist to produce a 'highly critia report' on the Services administration. It might be far more productive if a few Service chiefs wer invited to undertake a critical study of industrial management.

"It is strange how Britain's Armed Forces managed to succeed in the Second World War, Kores Malaysia, the Falklands and the Gulf with this 'old culture'.

"I only wish that British industry was in a position to claim a similar record".

Well done, we say. Who would like to volunteer the name of a British company that has given us a much chest-bulging pride over the past 20 years as the Armed Services have in storming the lrania Embassy, re-capturing the Falklands and helping win the Gulf War? CORRESPONDENCE

Boxing

20 Queensway, Woodmansey, Nr Beverley, East Yorkshire HU16 OTJ

Dear Sir, I was a serving member of the Royal Green Jackets, 1st Battalion, from 1980-1984.

I am writing in the hope someone may be able to help with a query I have. It is regards the Battalio boxing, 1982 and 1983. 1 do remember that these fights were in fact filmed, and I wonder if thes films still survive in the archives, and if it is at all possible that I may have a copy, and if so, how muc should I forward to you.

I fought in the Semi Final 1982, light heavyweight, for which I was awarded the 'Best Loser' troph] I also fought in the 1983 heavyweight final, which I won.

1 8 $1 8: r,C:jg

ci

Should these films still survive, I would be thrilled to receive a copy, and re-live, along with my children, those .glory days1.

Yours most sincerely, lan Mant

1 May 95

$-:+"

:1 F %

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Editor: Any one holding a record of these bouts please contact lan

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Accumulated Campaign Service Medal

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From: Ministry of Defence Army Medal Office, Droitwich, WR9 8AU

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h%.>.

To:

Mr R Beech 11 Springwood View Close SUTTON-IN-ASHFIELD Notts NG17 2HR

Dear Sir, Thank you for your enquiry concerning an award of the new Accumulated Campaign Service Medal.

1I

The medal recognises a minimum of 3 years operational service, for which the General Service Medal 1962 with clasps has been awarded since 14 August 1969. Service for which unique campaign medals were initiated (South Atlantic 1982 and Gulf 1990-91) and United Nations Service Medals have been awarded is not reckonable towards the new medal. '

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, I

Anyone considering that they fulfil the above conditions should provide the following details to enable their entitlement to be assessed.

Number, Rank, Full Name and RegimentICorps Dates of Service Clasps of the General Service Medal 1962 awarded since 14 August 1969.

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Signed

B L Jenkins

Newsletter 95 From: 14 Robert Smith Court St. Benets Road, Stalham Norwich NR12 9EH To:

8th June 1995

Asst Secretary RGJ Association

Dear Mr Drake, Having received my 80 page Newsletter and as usual read it cover to cover I feel I must write and congratulate you. Your helpers and the contributors for another splendid publication. I am proud enough of it to show it around my Legion Branch and there isn't another to compare. The regimental and battalion reports give an remarkable insight into the complexities of the modern army but there is always a feature or two that summons nostalgia.

Well done Sincerely

Joe Cole ( l st LRBl7th RB 1938-46)

Visit to Cyprus From: President, LI Association, Telford Branch Colonel Tim Beath To:

Lt Colonel H.C.G. Willing - Commanding 1RGJ

On behalf of the Telford Branch of the Light Infantry Association I cannot thank you enough for th generous welcome given by your battalion to the large party who holidayed in Cyprus during the fir! two weeks of October 95. All of them have come back full of themselves, re-juvenated regimentall and full of praise for the Social Night organised on their first Friday and the Barbeque run on the second Friday. Regimental Sergeant Major Harding and Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant Carte and the staff of the Warrant Offices and Sergeants Mess are most particularly thanked; they reall put themselves out for us, and we know very well how much extra and special effort was made on ou behalf. Quite a number enjoyed meeting Richard Jones again as a former colleague, and it was goa of him to devote time to coming to meet them.

The tans won in Cypr~~s are now fading fast; but not the memories of a marvellous holiday and you hospitality, which was the highlight. Not everyone by any means had encountered The Royal Grea Jackets before, or their stylish way of doing things; how your reputation spreads anew in Shropshire It is difficult to know how we can repay your hospitality, but rest assured that if the opportunity shoul prevail itself it would be eagerly grasped.

I would be grateful if you would pass on the warm regards and thanks of Telford Branch, The I Association to all who made them so welcome, to your RSM and RQMS in particular; and I thank yo personally for agreeing so readily to the arrangements being made.

With regards, Yours ever Tim Beath

Dated: 24 Oct '9

Women in Combat

From Major General M.E. Carleton-Smith (Retd)

- Late RGJ

Sir, your headline on October 23 states: "Portillo preparing to back combat role for women soldiers Of course there are roles which women can, and do, undertake in frontline units. Doubtless som of them do these better than some men, and their presence may well encourage the men to do bette But this is still not a combat role, which is the true "sharp end" where the fighting takes place i infantry platoons and tank crews.

These duties cannot be, and are not, performed by the majority of men, or even the majority ( soldiers. They require exceptional physical and other qualities. There have been splendid examplc of ladies with these attributes but it is scarcely credible that potential female recruits are availabl in sufficient numbers either to fill the vacant ranks or to justify the changes in culture, and ethos, I( alone platoon accommodation, which would be needed.

In your report your mention that the Armed Forces of Canada, Belgium, Holland and Norway ha\ opened up combat roles to suitably qualified women. You-do not state the numbers, the problerr or the effectiveness. That, I have verified, presents a rather complicated picture. (Incidentally th Israeli Defence Force is often stated as having combat women. It does not).

The professional effectiveness of the British Armed forces is the envy of the world. We do not need to follow anyone else's experiments to improve on this. Combat is a hard, nasty business. For the right sort of man; you are fit and well trained, it is a demanding team challenge. There are many other rr~ilitaryroles requiring courage, toughness and skills to suit other men and women.

The Secretary of State is quoted saying "it would be daft if we excluded half the population from consideration". It would be daft if we did not do so.

Yours faithfully , MICHAEL CARLETON-SMITH Drayton, Market Harborough, Leicestership

The Times 24 Oct '95

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Peter Deane Security Consultant

Peter Deane would like to thank all past students and wish them well with their chosen profession.

Having secured a long term contract with a middle-eastern royal family, "Expertise Security"" will not be running any courses for 1996. Peter would like to advise anyone wishing to break into this form of work to attend (and pass!) The "Task Course". Several of Peters former students (ex RGJ) are now working "on the circuit" at home and abroad, (as far afield as South Africa).

Two students who found the "Close Protection" side not for them, have gone on to make a name for themselves in the exhibition securitv industry. Having been "given a contract" by Peter, namely Stu, "Frenchie" Footer and Johnnie Lawton.

So good luck to all - see you at the Reunion on Cup Final Night!

II

P. Deane 24666793 Ex lst & 2nd RGJ & Provost Corporal (Depot)

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World War II Commemorations

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VJ Day

From: Brigadier T Longland OBE To: Lt Col TR Hamilton-Baillie CO 4RGJ

24 August 1995

Would that more Regiments had No 1 Dress! The Officers and Riflemen who helped out at the Reception at HM Tower of London on Saturday (19 Aug 95) were immaculate and the way in which they performed their duties can only have enhanced your Battalion's reputation.

S

Special thanks are of course due to Andrew Poe for keeping with Mrs Major for the evening and to Tim Matthews who escorted the Home Secretary throughout, nevertheless everyone had a part to play and they managed their lines to perfection: please pass on my thanks to all concerned.

The Setting for the Reception was entirely appropriate for the Veterans, both from overseas and from the UK and we have received much favourable comment as to how they were received and looked after during the evening.

Particular mention has been made of the way that, when the majority of guests had arrived, those not required for the moment mingled and spoke with Veterans: it was very much appreciated.

Sorry that you missed the party - your chaps were outstanding.

Yours sincerely, Tom

BOOK REVIEW The British Army: A Pocket Guide 1995-96

by Charles Heyman Ex RGJ Leo Cooper, paperback E4.95 In a future where warfare technology is bristling with sensors, dazer-lasers and digit: communications, there will still be a place for the poor bloody infantry. The prediction is made in Thl British Army: A Pocket Guide, the popular and invaluable source of "at-a-glance" information.

This far-fromdry little gold-mine of facts and figures has its lighter moments. "The British Army bein1 what it is, we know two things will certainly happen," writes the author wryly to bring his "crystal ba gazing" chapter to a close. "The infantry believing (quite rightly in our opinion) in the effectivenes of 'cold steel' will demand that any future rifle is fitted with a bayonet boss, and the Brigade of Guard will spend many long hours rewriting the pamphlet for Drill and Ceremonial."

Rifles At Waterloo

By George Caldwell8 ~ o b e rCooper t with illustrations by James Dann.

Story of the real "Sharpe's Riflemen'' in the Waterloo campaign of 1815, told in a well-illustrated 4E page A4 softback book. Bugle Horn Publications, available at f10 (inc p&p) from 2 Brixtor~Moun Longford Road, Holyhead, Anglesey, Gwynedd LL65 1TS (tel: 01407 765236).

LIFE AND TIMES OF AN SAS SOLDIER lmmediate Action by Andy McNab Batam Press Hardback E1 5.99 or less

Andy McNab's first book, Bravo Two Zero, chronicled his time as a prisoner of the Iraqis during th Gulf War. It proved a big hit with the British public, topped the best sellers' list for several month: and has, so far, sold more than 1,500,000 copies.

Now McNab (not his real name) has written an earthy account of his military career from enlistmer as an infantry junior leader, through service with the Royal Green Jackets to the Special Air Servic Regiment. lmmediate Action was the subject of an injunction by the Ministry of Defence after he ha submitted a copy of the manuscript and invited the MOD'Scomments on security matters. "I ju: wanted to make sure they were happy with my story and that I wouldn't be putting former colleague at risk, he said.

A photograph in the book shows McNab and a colleague leaning against a wall in a hardlin Republican estate in Northern Ireland. They were there to monitor the activities of key terrorist!

"The real stress comes when you go into a 'hard' area searching for a 'player' with a weapon c bomb".

McNab tells of his part in one of the first strikes against drug cartels in Latin America. It almost ende in disaster. He spent time in the Middle East on standby to rescue hostages John McCarthy an Terry Waite, and recalls a time when the whole regiment was poised to take part in a D-Day sty1 landing to protect British nationals in the Lebanon. The timely arrival of Britannia to evacuat civilians made the operation unnecessary.

The regiment has always had a mix of troops. Many are from the Commonwealth and it now has 1 i first Gurkha. Having different nationalities on the books enhanced operational capabilities, sai McNab. "Samoan or Fijian SAS troopers blend in better on a tropical island than sunburnt Bril looking like half-cooked chips".

Miscellaneous Items (All items marked * bear the RGJ Re@ Badge) Item Price Golf Umbrella (Oxf & Bucks/KRRC/RB/RGJ colours) E 18.35

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*RGJ Framed Badge (12" X 9") *Thimble *Half-pint Windsor white pottery mug *China mug with gold rim *Gilt tie slide *Gilt Cufflinks KRRC Cufflinks KRRC Lapel Badge KRRC Tie-clip DPM Peak Cap *Pocket address book *Telephone indedaddress book *Comb in leather case *Bottle opener in case *Six-hook key case *Leather key fob *Leather bookmark (battle honours printed on side) *Leather-covered flask RGJ Museum pencil *Round Table Mats (6) *Gentleman's handkerchief *Ladies' handkerchief RGJ Badged Spoon *Polished Chrome Windproof Lighter Watch (with RGJ strap) *Candle - 12" red or green KRRC Cap Badge *Ladies' Compact Water bottle Be1t

£24.00 2.35 2.30 3.20 9.50 £12.80 E1O.OO E 4.00 E 9.50 E 2.50 E 4.90 E 8.50 E 2.00 E 1.40 E 2.35 E 2.35 E 1.00 £16.50 E 0.21 £15.00 E 1.20 E 1.15 E 4.50

E E E E

RGJ Brooch *Tea Towel Jigsaw - same choice and size as postcards (code 120) Ice Bucket KRRC, RB,RGJ Bullet key ring selection 7.62mm 9mm .45 Ties, Badges & Plaques Bow-tie Tie - Oxf & Bucks/KRRC & Assoc/RB/RGJ RGJIRifle Brigade or *C plaque, hand painted Blazer badge - KRRC/RB/RGJ Rifle Brigade Assoc lapel badge RGJ cap badge RGJ lapel badge or RGJ Tie pin

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Music

Compact disc Cassette series Compact disc

- Waterloo Commentary & Reg Music - Images of war: each - Military Music (Vol 1) - Sounding Retreat

Band of the Light Div at Albert Hall Green Jackets on Parade Gibraltar Band of the Light Div Comrades in Arms (Royal British Legion) Sounding of Retreat Cassette - Peninsula RGJ Band & Bugles - Military Music (Vol2) Video - Horse Guards Parade 1993 Javelin (modem soldier with weapon) - cast bronze Record - Light Div Horse Guards Parade 1987

Figurines, Books, Prints and Postcards Print: Last Parade Peninsula Barracks Limited Edition, 24" X 16%" Print: HM The Queen, wearing RGJ brooch, 19%"X 23W Book: Rifles at Waterloo RGJ 1992 Bronze figurine Rifleman 95th (Green) Resin Bronze Chosen Man

114 Rifleman (95th) Peninsula £71.00 115 RGJ Bugler £71.00 120 Choice of l l postcards as follows: The 52nd at Waterloo: Nonne Boschen 1914: Rear-Guard at Vigo: Fording the Alrna: RB at Algoa Bay, S Afiica: Sgt W. Gregg VC, DCM, MM The 'Snipe' Action: Leeson Street Belfast: Waterloo Diorama: 60th Rifles at Delhi: 2nd Green Jackets in Borneo: each £ .20 £ 1.00 141 Print: Cyprus 1 7 % " ~1 2 W 142 Print: The Capture of a French Battery by the 52nd at Waterloo, 26" bx 19% £15.00 143 Print: The Capture of a French Battery by the 52nd at £ 8.00 Waterloo, 13" X 9 W £ 2.00 154 Museum Brochure - Guide to Museum and Artefacts £ 5.60 156 60th Prints - Set of 6 157 Choice of 3 Framed Prints: Sir John Moore: £11.00 Bugler: Rifleman with SA80: 9%" X 12%" 160 Print: (Stadden) Set of 3 depicting modem Green Jackets 11" X 14" £ 4.00 171 Book: The Blue Cross at War & 6.10 Book: The Rifle Brigade - A critical Bibliography

by M.G.M. Haines £10.00 Book: A Dorset Rifleman - The Recollection of Benjamin Hanis f15.95 £ 7.95 Book: Family Recollections of a Rifleman £ 9.95 Book: Winchester in old postcards f 1.00 Stamps: 1st Day Cover - Signed - Unsigned £ .40 173 Print: Rear Guard 25" X 18" £15.00 175 Print: Fording the Alma 26" X 19%" f 15.00 f 8.00 176 &It: FordingtheAlma 13"x9%" 178 Set of six RGJ postcards by Alix Baker: The 60th (Royal American) Regt of Foot, 1797: Officer The 95th or Rifle Regt Peninsula c 1811: Bugle Major 2nd Bn c1984: Rifleman 7th Armoured Brigade, Gulf War 1991: each E 2.30 175l : Company Officer, The 52nd (Oxf LI) Grenadier: The 43rd Regment of Foot,

180 The Royal Green Jackets - A Brief History Annals of KRRC - V016 - v01 7 Book: Black Bull by Patrick Delaforce T-shirts & Sweatshirts

f 1.50 £10.00 £15.00 £14.99

(All items listed below bear the RGJ badge) 49 50 53 55 56

Large white T-shirt £ 6.60 Extra large white T-shirt £ 6.60 Small green sweatshirt £1 1.50 Large green sweatshirt £12.00 Extra large green sweatshirt £12.50 Engraved glass, crystalware & tankards (All items below are engraved with the RGJIPeninsula Barracks motif. Designs may vary. All items marked * on this page are presented in a silk-lined box)

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China bell Triangular Ashtray Mini tankard Mancunian half-pint tankard Paris wine glass Paris sherry glass Pewter goblet Claudia 3 oz sherry glass Claudia 6 oz wine glass 5" hexagonal ashtray Rowton tuscany whisky tumbler Rowton whisky tumbler Rowton Tuscany tankard Rowton Tuscany sherry glass (pair)* Rowton Tuscany round decanter 6 Rowton whisky glasses Rowton loving cup Rowton crystal wine glass Rowton whisky tumbler Rowton Crystal tankard (Stein) Rowton small beer tankard Rowton sherry glass