Oxford Branch Report

‘Back To The Future’

– Road Trip to Normandy Barracks Felixstowe 2019

A trio of former Rifleman made a road-trip up the A12 with a view to seeing what if anything was left of Normandy Barracks.

The ‘Retro Riflemen’ on the trip were – Joe Constable ex B Coy, Mick Mizon ex C Coy and John Sabini ex B/ HQ Coys.

After a wander around Felixstowe to re-visit various ‘scene of crime’ locations (pubs – some sadly now closed down).

Then onwards to Normandy Barracks. We managed to find what would have been the main gate/guard room. This area now consist of a perimeter fence with a small pedestrian gate. We found this gate unlocked, although there was a fiercely worded notice threatening dire consequences for unauthorised entry. Being ‘Chosen Men’ we chose to ignore the notice and went in.

We spent about an hour plus and were able to locate a couple of company blocks (nothing else left) and take several photos. Having satisfied our nostalgia need and avoiding being arrested for trespass we made a tactical withdrawal via the same gate. Back to Felixstowe for a cup of char (no beer – shows we are getting old), then the drive back to London.

Old Friends Reunited

Belfast 1974. Tiny Adams and Jack Colbert on patrol in the Ballymurphy jiggers (back alleys). The black and white photograph was taken by the then Lt Phillip Schofield.

41 years after that photograph was taken and with a few less hairs, a bit of weight and a few more wrinkles, not only does colour enters the world of photography but an old friendship is reaffirmed when Tiny drops off a client at Liverpool Docks and his car number plate is recognised by no other than Jack who he had last seen in 1980. Fate is a funny old thing isn’t it?

The Bogside Tattoo

by Mick Copp

In 1971 I was in the Recce Pln 2 RGJ, and at this particular time we were based in Strand Road police station Derry. A Young officer came up to me one evening and said that the OC had had an idea and to go with him. Myself and a driver, I think it may have been ‘Gypo Hussey’ but I’ m not sure were taken to the rear of the police station. There in front of us sat a short wheelbase Landrover with the biggest searchlight I had ever seen, it was like something from a Second World War film. It had a huge mesh grill over the front of it.

The plan, he said was to wait for the Bogsiders to turn up for the nightly riot near William Street, pull up next to whatever plan was there and await instructions. I looked at the driver and he looked at me and we both knew it wasn’t going to end well! Our only protection were flak jackets and a Makrolon shield each. Comms was the good old Storno radio.

As usual as it got dark the locals turned up for the party. The plans as usual were taking a hammering and sending back rubber bullets and the occasional gas canister. Everything was being thrown including the kitchen sink. I then received the message I was dreading, ie proceed to William Street and await instructions. l told the driver on pain of death not to stall the vehicle and to make sure he kept the engine running. We arrived and parked up in line with the plan facing the crowd, there must have been several hundred of them, the lads were crouched behind their shields taking it all.

Then the order came to turn the light on which I did. I don’t know who was more surprised us or the locals.This huge beam of light surged down the Bogside as far as the Brandywell. For about five seconds everything stopped and went quiet and then the world erupted, everything was now directed at us and the light, bricks bottles and the kitchen sink, it was horrendous. The driver was under the dashboard I was under my shield, but worse, the vehicle was slowly being demolished with us in it. All I could taste was brick dust.

After no more than 1 or 2 minutes, which seemed a lifetime, a message over the Storno told us to return to Strand Road.We returned with what was left of the Landrover and drove into the yard. The young officers face was a picture, I said something along the lines of: “What are you going to tell the QM about the vehicle.” There wasn’t one straight panel and every light was smashed. Needless to say the light disappeared never to be seen again.

Green Jacket Close

For those of you that are not aware, the Rifles own 21 properties in Winchester, which are available to ex-personnel of the Royal Green Jackets and Antecedent Regiments, as well as those who continue to serve with the Rifles.

Some History on Green Jacket Close, who I proudly serve as the Estate Manager for all the Chosen men and Ladies that live there.

On 15 July 1904, the Cottage Homes for disabled Riflemen, as they were then known, were opened by Field Marshal HRH the Duke of Connaught, Colonel in Chief of the Rifle Brigade, and HRH the Princess Christian of Schleswig Holstein, whose son, Prince Christian Victor, had died in 1900 in South Africa, while serving with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps.

The homes, which consisted of four pairs of semi detached cottages, were build as a memorial to the members of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps and the Rifle Brigade who had been killed in action or died of wounds or disease during the Boer War, a total of 44 Officers and 550 men. One of the Pairs of the 60th cottages was dedicated in memory of Prince Christian Victor and another pair of 95th cottages was given by the Duke of Connaught. The money for the homes was raised by the Rifleman Aid Society, much of it by subscription from serving and former Officers, NCOs and men of the Regt but also included a number of large donations from individuals. The total cost was nearly £6,000.

The original cottages have been modernised and five of them have been converted into two one bedroom flats. In addition in 1966 four two bedroom houses, two two bedroom flats and two one bedroom flats were build on site with funds provided by the Rifleman’s Aid Society, increasing the total number of housing units available to 21, currently there are 26 residents including widows and widowers.

Upon formation of the The Rifles in 2007, Green Jacket close was absorbed into the Rifles Benevolent Trust and the occupation of the homes was opened up to all members of the Forming and Antecedent Regiments, as well as those who continue to serve with the Rifles.

Applications are considered based on eligibility and need. If you would like to apply to live in Green Jacket Close or would like to put your name on the current waiting list, please contact:

Andy Spalding

Email: gjc@the-rifles.co.uk