Swift & Bold 2021

SWIFT AND BOLD

The Journal of The Royal Green Jackets Association 2021

SWIFT AND BOLD 2021

(continued)

When

After

and not a tank . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2 RGJ and RGJ Shooting Teams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

War in Dhofar 1963 to 1975 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132-143

Introducing Reading Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144-145

Corporal Alfred Wilcox VC 146

Don Gower: A tribute 147-149

Victor Gregg 150-151

Remembering Billy Taylor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

The Pegasus Bridge Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153-154

Production Team

Mr Kevin Stevens

Major Michael Leeming

Major Mike Gleeson MBE

Mrs Janet Gleeson

Mr Trevor Anderson

Mr Mark Adams

Mr Roy Baillie

Mr David Muir

Mr Seamus P Lyons

Mr Nick Parker

This publication contains official and personal contact information. It should be treated therefore with discretion by the recipient.

The views expressed in the articles in this journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policy and views, official or otherwise, of the Royal Green Jackets Association or the Ministry of Defence.

No responsibility for the goods or services advertised in this journal can be accepted by the publishers, printers or the Royal Green Jackets Association.

Printed by The Print Guru

Foreword by Colonel Carron Snagge OBE DL Chairman

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Welcome to another bumper edition of Swift & Bold. Thank you to all those who have contributed, to our Editor, Kevin Stevens for all his hard work and to our sponsors who have helped to make the enterprise financially viable. I hope you all enjoy not only this issue but also much more freedom as we emerge from the pandemic.

As I write, of course the big news is all about Ukraine and by the time you read this it is impossible to predict how the situation will have developed. Nevertheless, it is good to see that although General Sir Nick Carter has retired as CDS, and General Sir Patrick Sanders has taken over as CGS. With the latter’s knowledge and experience of operations and more recently of Space and Cyber operations, I cannot think of a steadier pair of hands. I am sure all Swift & Bold readers will join me in wishing them both good fortune for the future.

I am delighted that this year we will be able to reunite properly in Sir John Moore Barracks on 9 July – after the last two cancellations let’s make this a reunion a truly memorable occasion. Later, on 10 September, our NI Commemoration at the NMA will also go ahead. This year is the 40 Anniversary of the atrocity at Regent’s Park on 20 July 1982; so please be alert for more details of a significant commemoration, which will be organised by our London Branch, probably on the weekend of 23/24 July.

Readers will be interested to know that The Rifleman’s Association (TRA) will form officially this year at the time of The Rifles Sounding Retreat on Horse Guards Parade on 8/9 June –more dates for your diary! It is good news that The Rifles are forming an association which inevitably be the future for all of us. Meanwhile, The Rifles also have an excellent on-line presence, called SWIFT, which I commend to you. We, the RGJ Association, will certainly be making more use of it as a routine means of communication.

Finally, I need to say a couple of farewells. The first to Lieutenant Colonel Jan-Dirk von Merveldt, who has been the Rifles Regional Secretary (London) and effectively our man in RHQ, where he has been a huge beneficial influence on our behalf for longer than I care to remember. He will be a hard act to follow and we owe him a big debt of gratitude. Secondly Major Roy Stanger and Captain John Fritz-Domeney are both retiring as the coordinators of the annual RGJA Re-union at Sir John Moore Barracks. They too deserve all our thanks. They will not disappear completely, but we do need to find successors, without whom the future of the event may be in jeopardy – so please if you know of anyone with the time and energy to make a positive contribution, please persuade them to step forward.

SWIFT AND BOLD

Editorial

Welcome once again Swift and Bold.

I would like first of all thank my team who give their time freely to make the journal what it is today, to those who have contributed with articles, photographs and the cartoons and also as importantly those who contribute so generously each year to the costs of producing S&B it really is very much appreciated.

The main article this year is the 50th anniversary of 3 RGJ ‘R’ Company, it’s formation and the story behind The Leeson Street Patrol painting which is fully explained in the article. This forms the first of a planned series of articles over the coming years including:

• Op Motorman 1972

• The Iraq wars

• Bosnia

• Kosovo and other theatres in which the Green Jackets served later in our history.

It is hoped that by following this approach we can get some of our younger members to contribute their experiences while serving. I am happy to receive articles all year around!

As you will have read in the foreword by our Chairman the Rifleman’s Association will be officially forming this year in June, inevitably as we grow older and our numbers reduce we will eventually have a need to join with our successors in the Rifleman’s Association. There is a short article covering this within the journal this year. Our merging with TRA is not going to happen at any stage in the near future of course but we must be prepared and for this reason I would encourage you to register with ‘Swift’ on the Rifles website which, as our Chairman has said, the RGJA will be making greater use of it in the future.

Finally – I was looking through the various regimental publications that are stored and can be read on the RGJA website when I realised that the editor of another magazine of long ago and literally far away was well known to me. Step forward (WO2) Sandy Wells who published the 1 RGJ magazine when we were in Hong Kong. Sandy and I both come from Carterton and I knew him before I joined the army, two editors from the same village 40 years apart? It must be something in the water I think or perhaps too much of something!

Kevin Stevens Editor

Corporate Advertising

Solid Sheds – Andy Hayes Skinner Sheds – Dee-Day White

Donations

Phil (Ginge) Abrahams Steve Allen Jamie Balfour George Berry

Roy Brown Peter Casson-Crook Marius Coulon Rod Le Couilliard

Patrick Dalby Roger Downton Alun Felix Chris Gates

Ken Gillingham Charles Goodheart Sir Paul Guppy Jeremy Hill

Larry Hocking Carl Hunter Christopher Kemball Ian Jackson

Sidney Jacobs London Branch RGJA Sean McEvoy Alistair Maxwell

Patrick Mitford-Slade Anonymous John Pentreath David Pitman

Gordon Pilcher Chris Pond Rob Povey Rifle Brigade Assn

David Roberts MC Bill Russell Peter Sharkey John Short

Jim Sinclair Leslie Thacker Robin Thorne Hugh Vernon

Barney Vivian Denis Waters Bob Wright

I would like to thank all those who have contributed to S&B for their very generous donations which has made this edition possible . Kevin Stevens – Editor S&B

The Royal Green Jackets Association Contacts List 2022

President Maj Gen James Gordan CB CBE 01962 828524 admin@rgjassociation.info

Chairman Col Carron Snagge OBE DL 01962 828524 admin@rgjassociation.info

Vice Chairman Lt Simon Booth-Mason 01962 828524 admin@rgjassociation.info

Secretary Lt Col Jan-Dirk von Merveldt 020 7492 4936 london@the-rifles.co.uk

Treasurer Maj Michael Leeming 07803 341929 michaelleeming@hotmail.com

Membership Secretary Mr Hugh Goudge 01924 849020 oldsweat@yahoo.co.uk

Webmaster Capt William Shipton 01256 895719 bill.shipton@btinternet.com

Editor Swift and Bold Journal Mr Kevin Stevens 07954 594451 admin@rgjassociation.info

Photo History Mr Seamus Lyons 01279 723908 seamus.lyons@rgjassociation.info

Database Manager Mr Roy Baillie 01928 717919 rgjadatabase@btinternet.com

Deputy Database Manager Mr Tony Williamson 07891 367429 rgjadepdatabasemanaer@gmail.com

In Memoriam Board Manager Mr Mark Adams 01442 380713 mark.adams@rgjassociation.info

Branch Contact Tel and/or Email

Aylesbury – Meeting second Sunday September to May holiday Graham Liggins 07764 151940 season June to September.

Central England – Meet bi-monthly at various, pre-designated venues Capt Guy Mynett 07971 511628 across the West Midlands area. guymynett8172@gmail.com

East Midlands – Contact Chairman Len Dooley for details of branch Len Dooley 01623 239299 meetings and events. lennie_max_123@hotmail.co.uk

London – Meetings occur during branch functions. Gary Driscoll 01708 442662 Please check with Secretary for details. rgjldn@ntlworld.com

North East – Contact Jake Cheetham for details of branch Jake Cheetham 07888 024842 meetings and events. jakecheetham@btinternet.com

North West – Contact Secretary for details of branch meetings Mark Lydiat 07415 092193 and events.

Oxfordshire – 1st Tuesday of each month. Maj Andrew Bowes 07773 200085 8:00pm Volunteers Bar, Edward Brooks Barracks. rgja.oxford@gmail.com

South East Kent – Last Thursday of: January (AGM), March, June, Glenn Ternent 01843 297069 September and November. geordie_t@btinternet.com

Wiltshire – Warminster Conservative Club 7:30pm for 8:00pm Mike Walsh 07545 966826 1st April, 3rd June, 2nd September, 2nd December. gasa102@gmail.com

Winchester & District – Every 2nd Tues of the month at 7.30pm. John Fritz-Domeney 07801 386461 or 02380 465829 WOs & Sgts Mess Sir John Moore Barracks, Winchester johnfd2@sky.com

Yorkshire – At Wakefield TAC 7:30 for 8:00pm, 4th Tuesday Stuart Anderson 01757 618081 every month except November, December, January & February. valerieandeson41@outlook.com

If planning to visit a branch you are advised to contact the person listed above for that branch to obtain details of timings etc.

In Memoriam 2021

I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one

I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done

I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days

I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun; Of happy memories that I leave when life is done

Helen Lowrie Marshall 1904 – 1975

Rfn

Capt

Michael

Tony

JF

Gus

RGJ & 1 RGJ

Bernard Walker Ox & Bucks LI, 1GJ & RGJ

Jim Walsh KRRC, 2GJ & 2 RGJ

WO2 John "Spud" Taylor 1GJ, 1 RGJ & 3 RGJ

12 May

12 May

14 May

17 May

WO2 Clifford Pollard RB 21 May (*)

Ken Napier 3 RGJ & LI 28 May

Anthony Hayward RB 29 May

Kevin Barnacle

30 May

Steve Hart 2 RGJ 1 June (*)

Sjt Nigel Harris 1 RGJ

Ian Gilder KRRC, 2GJ & 2 RGJ

5 June

7 June

Capt Nicholas Haynes 3 RGJ 9 June

Raymond Jackson 3 RGJ 11 June

Sgt William Jenkins RB 15 June (*)

Ivan Hill KRRC 23 June

Capt Michael Eustace KRRC & 2GJ 1 July

Bill Hogan 4(V)RGJ 2 July (*)

Jock Barr 3 RGJ 5 July (*)

CSgt Roy Elliot Ox & Bucks TA, R.Anglians & 4/5(V)RGJ 8 July

John Gray RGJ 12 July

WO2 John Trussler BUFFS, KSLI, QVR & 4(V)RGJ 13 July

Gregory Joseph Kinsella 2 RGJ 16 July

Lt Col Henry de CJ Woodhouse Marlborough College CCF & 4(V)RGJ 19 July

Cpl Peter Barrington RGJ 20 July (*)

Cpl Richard Perry KRRC, 2GJ & 2 RGJ 22 July

Cpl Alan Clare 1 RGJ 23 July

Rfn Norman Hewitt RB 24 July

Ben Bentley KRRC, 2GJ & 2 RGJ 4 August

Jeremy Studholme-Wilson Ox & Bucks LI 5 August

Capt Guy Crossman KRRC & 2GJ 12 August (*)

Simon (Alf) Roberts RGJ & Resident Green Jacket Close 15 August

Gary (Choggy) Coleman 3 RGJ 24 August

WO2 Chris Evans Ox & Bucks LI, 1GJ, 4(V)RGJ & 1 RGJ 25 August

The information listed is taken from that posted to the ‘In Memoriam’ page of the RGJA website and/or the Swift & Bold Rifleman’s Memorial Group on Facebook. Where the actual date for the death of a person is not known or not included then the date that the information was posted to the forum(s) has been used as a reference point and is indicated with (*).

Please note: it is not necessary to have a person’s number, rank or Bn(s) served to post a notification to the ‘In Memoriam’ page of the RGJA website although this information is useful to others It is also not necessary to be a registered member of the website to post or add a comment to the forum

Kevin Stevens

RGJA Veterans’ Reunion 2022

Dear fellow Riflemen,

As you may be aware following the disappointing cancellations of the last 2 years, the Reunion Planning Committee have been tasked with making the 2022 Reunion a little more ‘special’, particularly with regard to the static displays

So, what have we done to jazz it up:

1 One of the key additions is to introduce an interactive stand which will house a Formula 1 Motion Race Simulator – noise and all! So, everyone will have the opportunity if they wish to see how quick they can drive an F1 car around a racetrack Everyone generally thinks they are God’s gift to the road so here is your opportunity to see if you are Who knows maybe someone will sponsor the quickest Rifleman – any volunteers?

2 On the day of the Reunion itself there will be an early opening of SJMB at 12:30 hrs This is partly to give everyone plenty of time to test out their racing skills as above without detracting from the other main square events

3 It is anticipated there will be a full musical display of 3 Regimental bands consisting of the Band & Bugles of The Rifles together with bands from 6 and 7 Rifles.

4. An exclusive bus service (details TBA) from the city centre to SJMB.

5 Food will be available to purchase throughout the day plus an evening sit down 2 course meal will be available for £5 – an absolute bargain!

6. And finally, the Melodic Belles will once again be in attendance during the early evening to add to the occasion with that old time Reunion vibe!

So do put the 9 July in your diaries and come along and let’s meet up with our old mates again All subject to further Covid restrictions being applied of course For further details on the Reunion see the attached flyer.

However, on a more serious note, Branch Secretaries, at the main RGJA November meeting, were informed that our long standing and erstwhile Reunion organisers, Roy Stanger and John Fritz-Domeney, gave notice that the 2022 Reunion will be the last one that they will be organising Unfortunately, this means that if nobody steps forward and picks up the organising baton, the Reunion we all know, and love will either have to change dramatically or even disappear all-together! So, come on all you ‘wheeling and dealing’ Green Jackets

Simon Booth-Mason

Field Marshals and General Officers of the Royal Green Jackets

1966 to 2007

Year of Rank Name Decorations Commissioned Year final Appt

1966 FM Sir Francis Festing GCB KBE DSO DL Rifle Brigade 1921

Gen Sir Gerald Lathbury GCB DSO MBE Ox & Bucks LI 1926

Gen Sir John Mogg GCB CBE DSO Ox & Bucks LI 1937

Gen Sir Anthony Read GCB CBE DSO MC Ox & Bucks LI 1934

Maj Gen Peter Young CB CBE Ox & Bucks LI 1932

Maj Gen Thomas Acton CBE Rifle Brigade 1938

Gen Sir Thomas Pearson KCB CBE DSO & Bar Rifle Brigade 1934

Lt Gen Sir Richard Fyffe KBE CB DSO MC Rifle Brigade 1932

Maj Gen Douglas Darling CB DSO & Bar, MC & Bar Rifle Brigade 1934

Maj Gen Edward Williams CB CBE MC KRRC 1930

1969

1975 Maj Gen David Alexander-Sinclair CB Rifle Brigade 1946

1976 Gen Sir Frank Kitson GBE KCB MC & Bar DL Rifle Brigade 1946

1977 Gen Sir David Mostyn KCB CBE Ox & Bucks LI 1949

1978 Gen Sir Roland Guy GCB CBE DSO KRRC 1948

1979 Gen Sir James Glover KCB, MBE, DL Royal Artillery 1949 (Commissioned RA Transferred RB) Rifle Brigade 1956

Year of Rank Name Decorations Commissioned Year final Appt

1982 Gen Sir Robert Pascoe KCB MBE Ox & Bucks LI 1952

Maj Gen Sir Michael Carleton-Smith KB CBE DL Rifle Brigade 1951

1983 Maj Gen Peter Walsh OBE MC KRRC 1951

1984 Gen Lord David Ramsbotham GCB CBE Royal Artillery 1953 (Nat Serv Comm RA – Reg Comm RB) Rifle Brigade 1957

1984 Gen Sir Edward Jones KCB CVO CBE Ox & Bucks LI 1956

Gen Sir Garry Johnson KCB OBE MC 10 GR 1956

1989

Lt Gen Sir John Paul Foley KCB OBE MC DL Rifle Brigade 1959

1990 Lt Gen Sir Christopher Wallace KBE DL KRRC 1962

1993

Maj Gen Charles Vyvyan CB CBE RGJ 1967

1997 Maj Gen Andrew Pringle CB CBE RGJ 1966

2000

Lt Gen Anthony Palmer CB CBE RGJ 1970

2001 Gen Sir Nicholas Parker KCB CBE RGJ 1974

2002

2005

Maj Gen Nicholas Cottam CB OBE RGJ 1973

Maj Gen Jamie Balfour CBE DL RGJ 1970

The following officers have achieved General rank since the merger in 2007 but all were commissioned into The Royal Green Jackets

2008

Maj Gen Jamie Gordon CB CBE RGJ 1975

2014 Gen Sir Nicholas Carter GCB CBE DSO ADC Gen RGJ 1978

2010

Maj Gen Gregory Smith CB QVRM TD VR DL LI 1983 (Commissioned LI TAVR Transferred RGJ TAVR) RGJ 1989

2019 Gen * Sir Patrick Sanders KCB CBE DSO ADC Gen RGJ 1984

2017

2019

2021

Maj Gen * Thomas Copinger-Symes CBE RGJ 1992

Maj Gen * Robert Thomson CBE DSO RGJ 1988

Maj Gen * Charles Collins DSO OBE RGJ 1995

Those marked * are still serving as of 1st March 2022

Regimental Dress

1958 to 1969

1958

When the regular Army was reformed in 1958, the 43rd and 52nd joined The King’s Royal Rifle Corps and The Rifle Brigade. The existing 1st Battalions of each regiment then became the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Green Jackets but retained their regiments’ names in the titles. The Brigade Depot remained at Winchester. Changes in dress were agreed between the three regiments. This included the various Territorial Battalions and affiliated Cadet Units. In general appearance the main changes were that the 43rd and 52nd adopted black buttons, a new brigade cap badge was introduced and an embroidered shoulder title of red letters – GREEN JACKETS – on a rifle green background was designed to be worn with battledress. On the shoulder straps of service dress and battle dress, regimental titles were worn as follows, 43rd and 52nd, KRRC and RB They were of black metal. The titles and the new brigade cap badge were worn with effect from 7 November 1958. From the same time a plain black rifle horn button was introduced, although The King's Royal Rifle Corps continued to wear ball buttons down the front of the jacket.

The 43rd and 52nd continued to wear the double strapped regimental belt and the gorget buttons on the lapels of the service dress jacket. The King’s Royal Rifle Corps and The Rifle Brigade continued to wear the Sam Browne belt with service dress and the cross belt in No.1 Dress. While the other two regiments retained their breast badges, the 43rd and 52nd adopted an enlarged version of the new brigade badge as their breast badge. The King’s Royal Rifle Corps and The Rifle Brigade also continued to wear their respective black and green whistle cords (lanyards) and the 43rd and 52nd their leather whistle strap buttoned to the top button of the jacket.

A new officers mess kit was introduced based on the 1902 pattern, it was of rifle green with a twoinch stand collar (not buttoned), five waved loops of black cord in front with five rows of knitted olivettes. Black overall trousers were worn with a two-inch braid stripe. The 43rd and 52nd jacket had a red lining and lighter green velvet collar and cuffs and this was worn with their traditional white waistcoat and white tie. The King’s Royal Rifle Corps jacket had red piping on the collar and red cuffs and was worn with a high buttoned waistcoat with black and

red edging. The Rifle Brigade jacket and waistcoat were the same except that no red was shown and the collar and cuffs were black.

The No.1 dress continued to be worn as before by The King’s Royal Rifle Corps and The Rifle Brigade except for the change in the cap badge. The 43rd and 52nd changed to black buttons and continued to wear their dark blue trousers with a one-inch green stripe. All regiments of the Brigade wore the cross belt with No.1 dress only.

1966

In 1965 the Colonels Commandant decided that with the sanction of Her Majesty the Queen a Large Regiment with the title “The Royal Green Jackets” should be formed with Her Majesty as Colonelin-Chief. The battalions of the Regiment would continue to be linked to the three former regiments, but certain changes in dress would be made as the outward and visible sign of the closer ties of a Large Regiment.

The main changes again were the cap badge and breast badge of the cross belt. It was decided by the Colonels Commandant and the Regimental Dress Committee that as the 43rd and 52nd had laid up their colours there was a strong case for the re-introduction of certain selected battle honours on these badges. The badge was re-designed with a much smaller bugle horn and eighteen selected battle honours. The 1st Battalion (43rd and 52nd) gave up wearing their regimental belt and whistle strap. The 2nd Battalion (The King’s Royal Rifle Corps) and 3rd Battalion (The Rifle Brigade) gave up the Sam Browne and all battalions adopted the wearing of the cross belt with service or No.2 dress as well as with No.1 Dress.

All battalions also adopted the black buttons to be worn down the front of service dress and No.1 dress. A regimental shoulder title, RGJ in gothic script surmounted by a small bugle base, was introduced for wear by all battalions. The smaller officer’s badges of rank, formerly worn by the 43rd and 52nd only, were adopted by all.

New badges of rank and chevrons were introduced for other ranks for wear with No.1 and No.2 dress. They were black with gold edging; on a rifle green background for the 1st and 3rd Battalions and on a red background for the 2nd Battalion.

Black trousers were adopted for wear with No.1 dress and the red piping previously worn by the 2nd Battalion was no longer authorised. Similar changes were made to bring the jacket of the mess kit to the same pattern in all battalions although the waistcoats remained different and the white tie continued to be worn by the 1st Battalion. A note was made in the dress instructions that new mess jackets need not be bought or existing ones altered until they were worn out.

After considerable discussion it was agreed that the 1st Battalion officers and warrant officers should continue to wear the gorget and cord and the 2nd Battalion officers the red backing behind the badges of rank and these items continued to be the main differences between battalions. In the 1st Battalion, WO and NCO’s chevrons were worn on both arms in No.2 dress and in the 2nd and 3rd Battalions on the right arm only.

1969

Further changes made at the end of 1968 brought a completely standardised dress for all regular battalions. In 1968 when the announcements of the formation of the new Infantry Divisions and second stage reductions were made, the Colonels Commandant decided that The Royal Green Jackets as such should represent all the former regiments. In January 1968 they instructed battalions to drop their former bracketed titles and have no demonstrable connections with any former regiment. Thus, the minor battalion differences remaining in 1966 were eliminated.

There was considerable discussion as to whether this should be achieved by adding the 1st Battalion gorget button and the 2nd Battalion red backing to all battalions or by removing them. The Colonels Commandant, after hearing many opinions expressed, decided that the simpler form of dress should be worn which excluded the gorget button and red backing to badges of rank. As it turned out this left some items of dress of each former regiment to be worn by all as follows:

(a) Green Cherry on fore and aft cap-ex 43rd and 52nd.

(b) Small badges of rank-ex 43rd and 52nd.

(c) Ball buttons on front of officers’ service dress and No.1 dress jackets-ex King's Royal Rifle Corps.

(d) Red piping to mess kit waistcoat-ex King’s Royal Rifle Corps.

(e) Black Cuffs and collar of mess kit jacket-ex Rifle Brigade.

(f) Green and black whistle cords-ex Rifle Brigade.

In addition, it was instructed that the WO’s and NCO’s badges of rank and chevrons would be black and gold on rifle green and worn on both arms with no red backing. lt was also agreed that WO2’s would wear the same items of dress as WO1 except for the cross belt. As an exception the 4th (Volunteer) Battalion were allowed to wear the old Kenya Regiment whistle cord.

The proposals were ordered to be put into effect by the 1 January 1969 although official approval was not received until 2 January 1969 from the Ministry of Defence.

Officers Dress

Formation of the Green Jackets Brigade 1958

Item and Description

1. Breast Badge. Regimental badges in silver or silver plate.

Regimental Differences

• 1st Battalion, 43rd and 52nd. Large size brigade cap badge. Plain wreath, Maltese Cross, two-third size bugle horn, all surmounted by a Queen's crown.

• 2nd Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps. Maltese Cross as previously worn.

• 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade. Maltese Cross with battle honours, Wreath surmounted by crown a previously worn.

2. Cap Badge. For all. Main Maltese Cross, twothird size bugle horn embossed, surrounded by a wreath. At the head PENJNSULA. All surmounted by a Queen’s Crown. Officers in silver or silver plate, others in anodized aluminium

3. Shoulder Titles. For all wearing battledress. Embroidered on worsted dark green cloth the words GREEN JACKETS in red letters. In addition, in black metal worn on shoulder strap as follows:

• 1st Battalion – 43rd and 52nd.

• 2nd Battalion – KRRC.

• 3rd Battalion – RB.

4. Side Hats. Dark green with coloured boss and half size plain silver bugle horn.

Regimental Differences

• 1st Battalion – Green boss.

• 2nd Battalion – Red boss.

• 3rd Battalion – Black boss.

5. Whistle Cords

Regimental Differences

• 1st Battalion – Leather whistle trap worn on top button of jacket.

• 2nd Battalion – Black lanyard.

• 3rd Battalion – Black and Green lanyard.

6. Stable Belt. 3" wide with leather strap and buckles.

Regimental Differences

• 1st Battalion – Dark Green.

• 2nd Battalion – Green and Red.

• 3rd Battalion – Green and Black.

7. No1 Dress. A jacket of rifle green with collar

Fastened at neck. Rifle green hat, silver cap badge, oak leaf band, black strap. Black horn buttons. Black metal badges of rank on black twisted cord shoulder strap. Black cross belt with pouch and regimental breast badges. George boots.

Regimental Differences

• 1st Battalion – Dark blue trousers with 1" green stripe. Gorget button and cord on collar.

• 2nd Battalion – Rifle green trousers, red piping on collar of jacket. Ball buttons down front of jacket. Red backing to badges of rank.

• 3rd Battalion – Rifle green trousers.

8. Service (No.2) Dress. Jacket and trousers dark khaki of approved colour and pattern. Black horn buttons. Khaki S.D. hat with badge. Black metal badges of rank. Sam Browne belt/ regimental belt. Black shoes.

Regimental Differences

• 1st Battalion – Leather whistle strap. Double strapped regimental belt. Small badges of rank. Gorget button and cord on collar.

• 2nd Battalion – Black whistle cord, red backing to badges of rank. Sam Browne belt. Black ball buttons down front.

• 3rd Battalion – Black and green whistle cord. Sam Browne belt.

9. Battle Dress (No. 5 Dress). Issue pattern jacket and trousers. Rifle green beret with Brigade cap badge. Black shoes or boots. Web belt. Shoulder titles as in 3 above. Whistle cords as in 5 above. Rifle green side hats were often worn with coloured bosses as in 4 above.

10. Mess Kit (Temperate Climate). 1902 pattern. Rifle green mess jacket. 2" stand collar five waved loops of black cord in front with five rows of knitted olivettes. Black overall trousers with 2" braid stripe. No badges of rank. Mess

Wellingtons or George boots.

Regimental Differences

• 1st Battalion – Red lining to jacket. Green velvet cuffs and collar. White tie and white waistcoat.

• 2nd Battalion – Red piping on collar. Red cuffs.

• 3rd Battalion – Black cuffs and collar.

Changes in Dress on the formation of The Royal Green Jackets 1966 and 1969

General note: Battle Dress had ceased to be worn by this time. The rifle green beret continued to be worn with various other forms of dress such as shirt sleeve order, denims and also with the new combat kit. The worsted shoulder title was therefore discontinued by regular battalions but continued to be worn by affiliated cadet units.

Item and Description

1. Breast Badge. A new badge was designed for the breast badge and cap badge. The bugle horn in the centre was made ¼ size and placed in the centre of the Maltese Cross surrounded by the words, "THE ROYAL GREEN JACKETS". Four battle honours were embossed on each arm of the Maltese Cross. At the base was placed the Naval Crown with the words COPENHAGEN 2nd April 1801. The whole surmounted as before by the battle honour PENINSULA and the Queen's Crown.

2. Cap Badge. The same design as the breast badge above but smaller. To be worn in all hats except the side hat.

3. Shoulder Titles. Regimental titles were removed and replaced by the black metal letters in gothic script RGJ surmounted by a s mall ¼ size black bugle horn. To be worn on the shoulder strap of No. 2 Dress by all ranks and on shirts in shirt sleeve order or tropical dress.

4. Side Hats. Remained as in 1958 dress with different coloured bosses.

5. Whistle Cords. The 1st Battalion discarded the leather whistle strap. The 2nd and 3rd Battalions kept their black and black and green cords.

6. Stable Belt. The Stable belt was the same as previously worn by the 1st Battalion, i.e. dark green 3 inch-wide with black leather straps

7. No.1 Dress. Jacket of rifle green as before. All battalions were instructed to adopt the black overall trousers with 2" braid stripe. The 2nd

Battalion were to remove the red piping on the collar. Battalions kept the other differences, i.e. 1st Battalion gorget and cord, 2nd Battalion-red backing to badges of rank. Black ball buttons were to be worn by all battalions down the front of the jacket.

8. Service (No. 2) Dress. ln service dress, the wearing of the Sam Browne and regimental belt was discontinued. All battalions adopted the black cross belt and black ball buttons down the front of the jacket. The 1st Battalion continued to wear the gorget and cord and the 2nd Battalion the red backing to badges of rank.

9. Mess Kit. The Mess Kit jacket was standardised for all battalions with black silk lining and black velvet collar and cuffs. Battalions retained their different waistcoats and the 1st Battalion their white tie.

10. Final Changes to Standardised Dress. On 5th December the Army Dress Committee approved the changes proposed by the Colonels Commandant, The Royal Green Jackets, to standardise the dress of all battalions and the remaining 4th (Volunteer) Battalion. These merely removed any differences between battalions outlined above. They were as follows:

a) Side Hat. A rifle green boss to be worn by all.

b) Whistle Cord. A black and green whistle cord

to be worn. As an exception it was agreed that the 4th (Volunteer) Battalion should wear the old Kenya Regiment cord of black, green and red.

c) Rank Badges. The red backing to badges of rank and NCO's chevrons previously worn by the 2nd Battalion to be removed. W.O.'s and N.C.O.'s to wear rank insignia on both arms.

d) Mess Kit. The Jacket, already standardised in 1966 to remain the same. The waistcoat to be the same as previously worn by the 2nd Battalion when purchased in future, i.e. red and black edging and black tie.

e) The cummerbund when worn to be rifle green.

f) In future web anklets and "1937" pattern web belts when worn to be black.

A further standardisation was in the dress of the Bands and Bugles. Previously battalions had worn different coloured plumes. Now plumes were to be worn by all battalions as follows:

• Bandsmen – Black

• Buglers – Red and Black

• Bandmasters and Bugle Majors – Red

It was also ruled by the Colonels Commandant that a WO2 should be allowed to wear the same items of dress as a WO1 except for the cross belt.

The PRINT Guru

Please call or email Nick to discuss all your printing requirements.

From business cards to leaflets, newsletters to journals, posters, t-shirts, anything that involves print.

T: 01689 606116

M: 07522 757244

E: nick@theprintguru.co.uk

The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum

The start of 2021 found us back in lockdown and it wasn’t until 17 May that the Museum’s doors finally opened to visitors. Since then our visitor numbers have begun to pick up alongside the shop, the on-line version of which remained fairly busy throughout lockdown. We also managed to reduce our costs and, with the Association’s continued support, income balanced expenditure again this year.

Summer Exhibition

During the Summer the Museum held a temporary exhibition on the 16th Battalion The King’s Royal Rifle Corps, The Church Lads Brigade. The 16th Battalion was raised under the guidance of Field Marshal Lord Grenfell towards the end of September 1914. The Battalion was formed of past and present members of the Church Lads Brigade. The exhibition on the First World War Battalion and its links with the organisation was illustrated with exhibits of medals and documents from the reserve and archive collection not normally on display.

Publicity

The Museum also welcomed two film crews this year. One focussed on the Waterloo Diorama for a History programme on Channel 4. The other was for a student motivational video using the Museum as a backdrop.

The Museum also featured in November’s issue of Britain at War Magazine which has helped raise our profile and increase footfall.

School Visits

November was a busy month with over 200 pupils from various schools visiting Winchester’s Military Museums mostly focussing on remembrance and World War One. The Arts Award session which took place on 11 November concluded with a trip to the local cemetery to place the children’s handmade poppy wreaths on the War Memorial.

New Acquisitions – a devoted soldier servant

A rare RVM pair awarded to Sergeant-Major G Wise, King's Royal Rifle Corps, was purchased by the Museum at an auction on 1 December. He was the doting personal soldier servant to His Royal Highness Major Prince Christian-Victor of Schleswig-Holstein GCB GCVO DSO KStJ from 1892 to 1900. Wise and Prince Christian-Victor were the only members of the 4th Battalion to be in receipt of the Queen's Medal and these 6 clasps.

The Prince was the son of Princess Helena, third

daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, and was the favourite grandchild of Queen Victoria. He holds the honour of being the only member of the Royal Family to have played First Class Cricket. He served with Wise in the King's Royal Rifles Corps in South Africa. The pair went out on the Braemar Castle on 6 October 1899 but the Prince tragically died of enteric fever at Pretoria on 29 October 1900, aged just 33.

Wise was clearly well-respected by the SchleswigHolstein's, for he was taken into the household of Princess Marie Louise. She latterly penned a letter of recommendation for him:

‘George Wise was personal servant to the late Prince Christian Victor for eight years...his devotion to my brother was decorated personally by HM the late Queen Victoria...after my brothers’ death, he became my Steward and Secretary in charge of all my accounts and my entire household. He was with me from 1900 to 1916...I cannot recommend him too highly and is absolutely fitted for any position of trust’.

Major Percy Albert Robert Keevill MC and Bar

On 22 September 2021 the Curator welcomed Mr Robert Keevill and family for the presentation to the Museum of the medals awarded to Major Percy Albert Robert Keevill, MC and Bar. The medals were accompanied by an in-depth study on Major Keevill’s service with the 1st Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps entitled ‘For King and Country’. The study was compiled by Robert and his late brother Michael following some lengthy research to find out about their Grandfather’s service with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps during the First World War.

Percy Keevill followed his father, Wallace, into the army and joined the 1st Battalion The King’s Royal Rifle Corps in Winchester in 1912 at the age of 15. With the arrival of the First World War Percy went to France and was promoted to Sergeant. In 1915 he was wounded in action, but after a period of convalescence he returned to the Front as 2nd Lieutenant. He was awarded the Military cross for action at Delville Wood on 27 July 1916. The citation reads:

“For conspicuous gallantry in action. He handled two platoons under heavy fire with great courage and determination, maintaining and consolidating the captured position.”

2nd Lieutenant Keevill was awarded a bar to his MC for action that took place on 17 February 1917 at Miraumont. The citation reads:

“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He reorganised his men together with those of other units and formed bombing posts at a critical time. He personally repulsed several enemy bombing attacks and set a splendid example to his men throughout the operations.”

Following this action Percy was invalided to England suffering from shell shock. He remained in the UK until the end of the War and assisted with the Rifle Records in Winchester. He was promoted

to Captain in 1921 and relegated to the Regular Reserve of Officers in August that year. In 1940 he was promoted to Acting Major and was posted to 1 Motor training battalion. He served in the Middle East in 1945-1946 and retired on 27 October 1946.

Major Percy Keevill’s medals and research study was presented to the Museum together with the medals awarded to his father, Colour Sergeant Wallace Keevil, who served with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps for 21 years. The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum Trustees are most grateful for this kind donation.

Staff and Volunteers

In May we welcomed a new member of staff, Megan Boreham, as Museum Assistant. Megan has replaced Elspeth McPhee who had been with us for four years. One of Megan’s roles is continuing the good work that Elspeth started with the Museum’s Social Media. You can keep up with some fascinating daily posts on: Instagram

www.instagram.com/rgjmuseum/ Facebook

www.facebook.com/theroyalgreenjacketsmuseum/ Twitter

twitter.com/rgjmuseum

As well as the three members of staff the Museum also has the support of a team of volunteers who help with various tasks from Front of House to school visits and research. We are currently looking for volunteers to help Front of House at the weekends. If this is something that you may be interested in, or you know someone who may like to help, then please contact the Curator at: curator@rgjmuseum.co.uk

Talks

The Museum was able to continue its talks programme throughout 2021 over Zoom and this has allowed us to engage with a much larger audience. We intend to resume talks at the museum in the Spring but will be investing in technology to allow them to be shown concurrently over Zoom.

Development

We hope to complete a new case on the ground floor later this year displaying FM Bramall’s medals and uniform and recording his substantial contribution to the Regiment and the ‘Green Jacket Way’. We also aspire to start work to better record the RGJ years (1966 to 2007) and in particular the Regiment’s involvement in operations in Northern Ireland where all three battalions served extensively throughout the campaign.

Finally…

This is your museum celebrating the extraordinary

contribution that Riflemen have made to the Nation and preserving it for future generations. We want it to remain one of the best regimental museums in the country and welcome contributions and help particularly from former Green Jackets. So do get in touch if you are interested in helping with research, our displays or front of house and have some time to spare. You can also help in other ways:

• Sign up on-line as a Friend by using the Museum website – on the Home Page scroll down to ‘Information’ and ‘Supporting the Museum’, then scroll down to ‘Becoming a Friend’.

• Join one of the Talks.

• Buy from the online shop.

• Consider leaving a small sum to the Museum Trust Fund in your will.

Finally, do call in at the Museum if you are in Winchester. You will always get a warm welcome. We look forward to seeing you.

Brigadier (Retd) James Plastow CBE Chair RGJ (Rifles) Museum Trust

Mrs Christine Pullen Curator RGJ (Rifles) Museum curator@rgjmuseum.co.uk

01962 828549

Telling their story for future generations...

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum

The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum

Central England Branch

WE ARE BACK! A year of twists and turns has not prevented CEB Branch members to undertake not only charity events but gathering in abundance

Craig ‘Robbo’ Robbins (2/1 RGJ) led with GREENSTOCK Michael Leeming (3 RGJ) led with the NIVA Gaz Brittain (2/1 RGJ) led with the Rfn’s Christmas Ball and in the margins all branch members had a good time!

We wish ‘Bon Voyage’ to Marc Penson (1 RGJ) and Katie who in due course depart for a new life in Australia Thank you and good luck for the future

Mark Picken (2 RGJ) has a new job in a sailors uniform which we won’t discuss in this forum but ‘targets up’!

Lots planned for 2022 so more to come in the next edition I look forward to seeing most at the reunion as well as the NIVA in September

STAY SAFE – Guy ‘Shuggy’ Mynett

“The Creation of a Beast” known as GREENSTOCK

A successful weekend enjoyed by all with great bands, great fun and exactly what was needed. There is plenty of pictures and forums on our GS Facebook page for those who haven’t ’dabbled’.

Until 2023 fellas and WAGS – see you there!

Another successful year at the Northern Ireland Veterans Association parade in September where we took the opportunity for a photo of all on parade.

This event will take place again at the National Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire on Saturday 10 September 2022.

undertook the daunting task of the Lands End to John O’Groats (LEJOG) cycle ride to raise money for Cancer. Supported throughout by their ever supportive wives they completed the task in good order although Colin put us through an excruciating video of a song and dance routine – WELL DONE!

their annual ’ride out’ and this year to hook up with an old Rfn friend in Colchester. 365 miles round trip, country roads and a sore rear was the order of the day. If you want to enjoy the next event then send Gaz a message for details.

again original 2 RGJ coming out on top!

Young and Swift; Old and Bold

A great day out shotgun shooting, .22 shooting, crossbow shooting and X Country Quad Biking. Great fun and banter and

Gaz Collins (3 RGJ) and Dutch Holland (3 RGJ) took

Colin Fleming (2 RGJ) and his Friend

London Branch

– 26th Anniversary Year –

The Committee

Honorary President Colonel George Smythe OBE

Secretary Gary Driscoll

Treasurer Maria Driscoll

Norman Morrison

As for everyone 2021 was yet another year of the pandemic, and it was a very difficult year for those who were affected personally by this event. Our event calendar was also affected by this, and we were unable to fulfil some of our usual gatherings, Sir John Moore annual wreath laying memorial service; Ladies Dinner Night in the VSC; Calais memorial service; the RGJ reunion and our Battlefield tour to Normandy.

The London Branch were however, fortunate enough to be able to continue with a small number of our events for which we were very grateful; Regents Park memorial; visit to the historic Dockyards of Portsmouth and Gosport; the annual Field of Remembrance Memorial service; the Remembrance Sunday marchpast at the cenotaph, and our Christmas lunch at 86 St. Jame’s in London.

Regents Park Memorial

We held a very short wreath laying ceremony at the RGJ Bandstand at Regents Park in July. This year

we were also treated to a mini-concert by Quick Silver, an independent group made up of ex-buglers from the Royal Green Jackets, Light Infantry and The Rifles. Also, for the very first time, we were privileged to a concert from both the Central Branch of the Royal British Legion, and the Heroes Band. There was over 60 people in attendance, including locals who remember the bombing back in 1982, and Claire Neal or otherwise known as Mary Poppins, who was the nanny who attended to the wounded on the day.

2022 will be the 40th Anniversary of the Regents Park bombing, and the London Branch will hold their wreath laying ceremony on Sunday 17 July, as we always hold it on the nearest Sunday to the actual anniversary which is on the on the 20th.

Veterans Lunch

Our annual Veterans’ lunch at 86 St. Jame’s, a restaurant in Mark Masons Hall in the centre of London. It was postponed and from Veterans’ Week

in June owing to the Covid lockdown, but we did manage to re-arrange for a date in August. It was well attended with 46 veterans and the 86 St. Jame’s dining really looked after us again. We met in the bar for pre-dinner drinks, where we also held a raffle. The food was, as always, a very high standard and some went off afterwards to the Union Jack Club to continue socialising.

Field of Remembrance

The Royal opening of the Field of Remembrance is held annually on the nearest Thursday to the 11 November. For two weeks of the year, the garden situated at the front of Westminster Abbey, becomes a field of remembrance to all servicemen who lost their lives during the many wars and conflicts. All regiments, units and Corps are represented, including the old regiments that have either been disbanded or amalgamated, such as the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, Kings Royal Rifle Corps, Rifle Brigade, Rangers, London Rifle Brigade, Queen Victoria Rifles, Queen’s Westminster Rifles, Post Office Rifles, Artist Rifles, Tower Hamlets Rifles and many more. This year Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall was the member of the Royal family who officially opened it. A special thank you to Andy (Charlie) Chensie, for donating the new wooden cap badge, shown in the photo.

Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph

It was good to be given the opportunity to be able to represent our regiment again at the cenotaph parade in London on Remembrance Sunday this year. The secretary was able to order passes for all those who had applied earlier in the year, and although the numbers were lower than last year, which was understandable owing to the pandemic, we managed to form a contingent of 120 RGJ veterans, which was still very impressive.

We met early, as usual, in the Theodore Bullfrog pub in John Adam Street, Charing Cross. We then made our way to Horse Guards Parade to form up in our marching contingent. The poppy wreath carrier this year was ex-Lance Corporal Corin Beeny, 3 RGJ. We were lucky this year to have had Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, who took the salute following the march past the cenotaph, where we then dispersed and returned back to the Theodore Bullfrog for warming bangers and mash and a pint (or a few!) At this point we were joined by RGJ veterans who had been attending the Rifle Brigade Memorial service at Grosvenor Gardens. We have already pre-booked the Theodore Bullfrog for the meet up again on Remembrance Sunday in November 2022.

Regents Park RGJ Memorial Ceremony 2021

Buglers from Quick Silver at the Regents Park Bandstand

The Field of Remembrance Westminster Abbey The Field of Remembrance Westminster Abbey

Cenotaph March Past Passes Reminder

For repeat/previous attenders of the marchpast –information on obtaining security passes for the November 2022 marchpast will be sent out, IN LATE JUNE, by the RGJ Assn to all those on their database with email contacts. Please follow the instructions in the email and remember to complete the form fully before sending.

For those RGJ veterans who are new to joining the march past, please ensure you have notified the RGJ Assn of your email address to add to your records on their database asap. You will then join those who receive the information/instructions for applying for a pass to attend the march past.

We look forward to you joining us.

Christmas Lunch

Our London Branch annual Christmas lunch was held again in the restaurant again at 86 St. James, which overlooks St Jame’s Palace in the heart of London. There were 52 members/guests who met in the bar for pre-dinner drinks. We held a raffle to raise money for the branch funds, and there were many prizes won! This year we were fortunate to

have guests from both regular and reserve veterans, with wives/partners and friends also We had 52 in attendance which included wives, partners and other guests. The food was as always excellent and everyone had a good start to their Christmas festivities. Thanks to all those who attended for their support.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

HRHCamilla Duchess of Cornwall meets members of the KRRC Cadets

Corin Beeney Poppy Wreath Carrier for the Cenotaph 2021

Cenotaph 2021

In Memoriam

For repeat/previous attenders of the march past. Sadly, since our last newsletter, the London Branch have lost the following members:

Phil Course Ex-Rifleman, aged 68, who lived in Tottenham, London and died on 9 November 2021.

Rory Lacey Ex-Sergeant, aged 63, who lived in Ruislip, London and died on 21 December 2021.

Billy Taylor Ex-Sergeant, aged 69, who lived in St Osyth, Essex and died on 19 January 2022.

Our thoughts are with their families and friends.

Message from the London Branch Secretary, Gary Driscoll

As I am sure you will agree, the last two years have been unprecedented, in terms of the Covid 19 pandemic we have all endured. On behalf of the committee and myself, I would like to convey sincere condolences to all those who have lost relatives/friends/work colleagues during this very difficult time, and hope that you all find comfort in one way or another.

As a successful and dedicated branch of the Royal Green Jackets association, we will continue with our aspirations in facilitating ways in which fellow ex-riflemen can continue to keep in touch and enjoy socialising and supporting each other, through our calendared events and beyond.

The Committee of the London Branch, RGJ Assn, would like to take this opportunity to express our thanks to our members for their continued support in the past, and we hope that 2022 will be a brighter one for everyone. We look forward to seeing members again at our forthcoming events.

The London Branch welcomes ex-riflemen of any rank to join us in supporting the RGJ family. If you would like to join the London Branch, please email: Gary Driscoll, Branch Secretary, rgjldn@ntlworld.com

Forecast of Events 2022

• Wednesday 25 May – QVR/KRRC/RB Memorial Service, Calais

• Thursday 9 June – Rifles Sounding Retreat, Horse Guards

• Friday 24 June – Veterans Day Lunch, 86 St . James’s

• Saturday 9 July – RGJ Association Reunion, Winchester

• Sunday 17 July – RGJ Band Memorial Service, Regents Park

• Thursday 22Sunday 26 September – Battlefield Tour, Normandy

• Sunday 13 November – Remembrance Sunday, Cenotaph

• Friday 16 December – Christmas Lunch, 86 St James’s

We look forward to seeing you at our forthcoming events

North East Branch

Following the successful reformation of the North East Branch, a number of members of the Branch attended The Central England Branch for an excellent day at The Northern Ireland Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum The CEB also provided a hot buffet lunch and drinks at Lichfield Rugby Club.

In November an evening of Remembrance was held on Saturday 13 November. The weekend was well attended by over 140 Riflemen and wives and girlfriends despite the uncertain times we are living in.

The fantastic Kayley, opened the evening singing war time and patriotic songs, she had many on their feet, singing and waving their arms along to the music and she set the tone of the evening off fantastically!

The Black Marcs followed, they covered a wide range of genres and soon had everyone dancing. It's always great to see old friendships rekindled and picked up like no one had ever been apart, whether from Covid 19 or the 30, 40 years since we had seen some faces. Stories, memories,

laughter and the odd tear were evident.

The following morning saw the formation of Riflemen to parade and march in the Remembrance Parade of Sunderland, one of the largest parades outside London. Many thanks must be given to our Green Jacket family who had made the effort to turn out, some local but many who had travelled the length and breadth of the country (and beyond) to be united in the North East either for the first time or as they did previous to any travel restrictions.

All in all a great weekend was had in the North East, supported by Rfn and Wives and Girlfriends alike. The North East Branch looks forward to more good times in the none too distant future.

North West Branch

The Northwest Branch hopes that you are all well after what has been a horrendous period that we have had over the past 2 years The country, and indeed the world, in turmoil due to Covid 19, not to mention the impact it has had on all branches of the Association on what functions that we have been able to hold Hopefully we can start to put all that in the past and plan ahead and here in the Northwest that is exactly what we are doing

Armed Forces Day 26 June 2021

As chairman of the Northwest Branch. I was invited to attend the service for Armed Forces Day at St Nicholas’s church where worship has taken place since the 13th century and since the 17th century has been a parish church to the city of Liverpool providing a spiritual home for the seafaring and military communities.

The service was conducted by the reverend Canon Dr Crispin Pailing, Rector of Liverpool who also gave The Address. It was a much scaled down affair with no marching or military hardware on show as in years past. Normally, troops, vehicles, Naval and RAF equipment would be on display for the public but as we have become accustomed to of late Covid 19 and its variants have put an end to that. Albeit hopefully temporarily.

In line with current restrictions the congregation were not permitted to sing however the Choir did an excellent job on their own. They were supported

superbly by the church organist and the band of The Duke of Lancaster’s regiment. Mark Blundel Esq. Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside gave a reading from the bible.

Lt Col Kevin Haigh, Commanding Officer, 156 Regiment Royal Logistics Corps. Spoke on the Armed forces assistance to the civil powers. He quoted phenomenal numbers of PPE items that were moved around the country and supplied to hospitals, nursing homes and the myriad of other tasks undertaken. Including the manning and organisation of vaccine centres and nightingale hospitals.

The Choir sang the National Anthem, the congregation then left the church as a piper Jay Axon, played as we entered the church gardens to be addressed by the Lord Mayor Mary Rasmussen. We were then further entertained by the band of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment. This ended what was a very enjoyable day.

NIVA Memorial Day

Once we knew that lockdown was coming to an end we started to plan for the NIVA Memorial Day at the Arboretum, the Annual Dinner and Remembrance Day. When we found out that the NIVA event was being cancelled we said that will not stop us as the Association were going to hold our own event on the same date at the Arboretum.

The wheels were therefore set into motion to get our members to the Arboretum for the 11 September 2021. We arranged a coach to take our members there. More like the ‘Jolly Boys Outing’ than an association function. The only thing missing was singing of ‘Ten Green Bottles’ and playing ‘I spy.’ As least the coach did not go on fire. We set off at 06:30 as we had arranged to pick up our members from various locations around Liverpool. We arrived on time at 09:30 and mingled amongst fellow Riflemen from other branches renewing acquaintances again after so long in lockdown.

Following the service at the Northern Ireland memorial, we made our way to the Royal Green Jacket Memorial. A short service was held at each where the names of Riflemen who had been killed in Northern Ireland, were read out.

Ireland Memorial Day at the Arboretum 2021

It was then all back to Litchfield Rugby club for a meal and drinks. A rugby match was being played at the time. A much one-sided affair and as all the action was taking place at the far end of the pitch a set of Bino’s would have come in handy!

The day ended as it began, rounding up the troops for the coach. It was like herding cattle rather than sheep as I had to call several people a couple of times to get them back on the coach. You know who you are so no names no pack drill.

Branch Annual Dinner

Back in Liverpool the final adjustments were put in place for our annual dinner to be held the following week on the 18 September 2021. The dinner was held at the Hard Day’s Night Hotel in Liverpool. Chris Rumble had suggested that this year’s dinner should be themed around the Leeson Street patrol which was a great idea as this was the 50th Anniversary of that incident.

Tommo Thompson and Alan Draycott, who were part of that patrol, attended the dinner as well as a number of other members of R Coy 3 RGJ. The branch purchased a print of the Leeson Street Patrol, had it framed and signed by Tommo and Alan before it was raffled off.

This now makes it a unique print of that incident. Alan had also written a poem about the incident that he read on the night that has been included in another part of Swift & Bold.

The evening consisted of a 3-course meal, a free bar for the first half of the night and a comedian, Jed Stone, who had entertained Royal Green Jackets previously many years ago.

Our guest speaker was Sgt Mark Zahre of 4 Rifles. Mark had joined R Company as a young soldier and gave us an account of his perceptions of the company at that time. He also emphasised the link between Royal Green Jackets and Rifles and pointed out the similarities of the pictures of the Leeson Street Patrol and the Helmand Riflemen that were our 1st and 2nd prizes of the raffle. A great night was had by all and the evening ended in the small hours of the following morning.

Lt Col Sean McEvoy, The Lord Lieutenant of Liverpool, Mark Blundel and Dave Judge

The band of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment

Northern

Tommo Thompson and Alan Draycott signing the Leeson Street Patrol print

Remembrance Sunday

The branch was preparing for a normal Remembrance Day in Liverpool. However, not Covid but roadworks, were to play a major part in the parade this year.

The Chairman had contacted the mayor's office on several occasions to request details for the day but the organisers were very slow in providing details and time was getting short for our planning purposes. It transpired that the usual venue for the day, St Georges Hall and the cenotaph itself were surrounded by road works and the company responsible for the unfinished road works had gone into administration. This was the cause of the lack of information coming from the organisers.

It became clear we needed to make a decision in order to give the branch members a time and place to parade. Being Swift and Bold we decided not to wait for the city council and parade organisers (who were still in a bit of a pickle trying to find a suitable new location) to delay us any longer.

We went firm on the cenotaph for the venue and our parade went ahead. About 17 members were present. We laid two wreaths at the cenotaph (a Royal Green Jackets one and a Rifles one) Ken Potter and Andy Shorrock gave the Exhortation and

the Kohima Epitaph respectively. The Last Post and Reveille were played through a mobile phone.

This was repeated in the gardens to the rear of the Hall where we have our own RGJ and Rifles monument.

We then moved to a local watering hole and slowly drifted into town in small groups.

Meanwhile, the council had made last minute arrangements to hold the city's Remembrance parade at the Anglican cathedral. Sadly, we were made aware that a major incident had taken place at the women's hospital. The hospital is situated very close to the Anglican cathedral. You will all be aware that an IED had detonated in a car at the hospital. It is thought the car and its device were headed for the Remembrance parade at the cathedral.

We hope other branches had a less eventful Remembrance Day.

Remember be alert, the Green Jackets are looking for Lerts.

Dave Judge Chairman NW branch

Oxford Branch

Again, the year started with the uncertainty that the pandemic has brought with the first part of our programme written off. However, the Turning of The Pages service did continue enabling us to honour and remember our comrades who have given their lives for our Country and Regiments in War and Conflict. As an added bonus the service can be viewed via the Cathedral YouTube channel either live or downloaded later

As the year progressed, we started to get back to normal. Our annual pilgrimage to Clifton Hampden Churchyard to pay homage to Major John Howard and the men from the 52nd who captured Pegasus Bridge on 6 June, 1944, was back to its normal format.

There was an even larger American contingent from RAF Croughton this year, with their Padre Captain Hans Decker assisting in the service. The wreath was laid on behalf of the branch by Frank Hall, a WW2 Veteran who the ‘Yanks’ made a great fuss of featuring him in their Base Magazine. Sadly, this was Frank’s last duty as he passed away shortly afterwards so he will be greatly missed.

In September, after a few scares, we held our Autumn lunch that was well attended with another of our WW2 Vets Reg Charles saying Grace. Reg has been honoured by the Veterans Charity by being made an Honorary President. I stay connected with Reg speaking to him regularly by telephone at his home in Weston-Super-Mare. It is always a joy.

At the lunch our Treasurer Andrea Isham was thanked for all her hard work and presented with a bouquet. Thank you, Andrea, you are greatly appreciated by us all.

Some Branch members (including our President) made the journey to Aston to attend the Annual service at the grave of Cpl Wilcox VC OBLI. This was organised by The Rifles City Col for Birmingham, Marius Coulon and is well attended by Veterans, Reservists and Cadets.

Despite the clash of date with the Armistice Service and Turning of Pages held in Christchurch Cathedral on the 11 November, the branch ‘Posse’ were able to attend the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey. The branch has adopted the OBLI plot, and this year laid named crosses for those who gave their lives in the period between WW1 and WW2 to join the many from families in the plot.

The London Cabbies showed their respect for our Veterans ferrying us around free of charge except for a photo call by their cabs. Our thanks also go to The Oxford Tube who waived fares to any Veteran traveling from Oxford to the event. The ‘After Parade’ was again a joyous event in the Wetherspoons in Victoria with much banter with other Vets over a few jars.

In October we held our AGM that proved to be the most useful for years with many propositions about the running of the branch coming from the floor that the committee will act on. The branch was proud to assist in a book launch in aid of the Veterans Charity. Michael Bawtree (a previous Officer with the Ox and Bucks) has written a short book about Pegasus Bridge based on his stage show and is far cry from the other books already written.

Our friends at Unite Students provided a superb venue, a new building on the site of Cowley barracks, free of charge that enabled Michael to join the invited audience via video link from his home in Canada. He gave a brief talk on the book and its purpose followed by a question-and-answer session. After the talk the resident ‘Booksellers’ Roy and Annabelle Bailey plied their wares. Unite also treated us all to a finger buffet with strong refreshments.

We have our calendar of normal Lunches and events in place for next year, and await the dedication of the Book of Remembrance to The Royal Green Jackets and The Rifles in Christ Church in May, hoping that all will be well, and we can enjoy each other's company without any risk or restrictions.

I will end by encouraging any local Rifleman (You are never an Ex) out there to consider joining us in what is a well-run, flourishing branch.

Best Wishes to all from us all. Terry Roper

Jimmy Matthews and Arthur (Tolly) Toleman Remembrance Day 2021

RGJ and Rifles monument

South East Kent Branch

2021 was nearly back to normal for the branch and most of the planned events and activities went ahead after restrictions began to be lifted .

The start of the year saw more changes to the committee with our President Fred Barret and treasurer Tony Killelay standing down due to personal reasons. Billy Fields has taken over as treasurer but the President appointment still remains vacant.

Committee meetings and branch meetings were held throughout the year in our new premises The Phoenix Club in Dover. The meetings were changed to Friday nights in attempt to increase attendance and were made more of a social evening.

June saw our first event the annual BBQ held at our new premises which has a large grass area and outdoor stage. It was well attended by about 120 people and as per normal George Nash and his team ensured all had a great time with a disco, play area for the kids, raffle and auction. We were also thankful of Gary Tingey and his son stepping in to do the cooking when the club chef went sick.

Unfortunately the Thames’s River cruise with lunch and a trip to Wimbledon had to be cancelled due to Covid restrictions.

July saw our secretary Peter Thomson and the Landlord of the Knoxbridge pub Tony Jones in Frittenden host The Green Jacket Smoker. Tony kindly allowed the branch to piggy back onto the Military vehicle weekend he hosts in the fields to the rear of the pub. We had about 40 members set up tents and campers or drop in visits throughout the weekend. Tony gave us a separate camp area which was close to the beer tent so not far for us to stagger back at the end of the evening’s musical entertainment.

A lot of craft beers, hog

roasts and a BBQ on sale, a free breakfast bacon banjo in the morning and all the Military vehicles to have a look at so a good time was had by all. As a branch we are looking to make it a permanent event on our calendar and hope to increase the numbers attending and put it out to the other branches. Planning for 2022 has already started.

This year’s church parade held at the church in Dover castle in September was again well attended and for once the weather was on our side. Our own padre Sean Sheffield conducted the service.

The next event in the year was the Remembrance Service in Dover which again saw the branch members lead the parade through the high street. For some unknown reason the parade commander (a sea scout leader) when asked what he would like us to do just replied do your own thing we will follow you down.

After the service held outside the town hall, we moved to the KRRC Memorial and held a short service led by our padre Sean.

The members then moved to the WW1 memorial on the sea front and again held a short service and last post played

To finish the day while most went back to the pub to have a few beers and toast our fallen Riflemen a small party departed to Shorncliffe Military cemetery to lay 2 wreaths on graves of fallen Rifles regiment and two RGJ graves (C/Sgt. Mick Rattigan and Ross and David Grainger, father and son buried together). They held a short service with a bugler playing last post. The members commented how moving it was and so

we intend to add it to our memorial event next year and hopefully have a larger attendance.

The final event of the year was the Xmas party at the end of November. George Nash and his team had to overcome major obstacles to ensure it not only took place but was a huge success. Due to Dover town Hall not being available because of refurbishment we decided to hold it in the Phoenix Club. We at the early stage of planning were given assurances and promises that various stores and items would be available only to find out they were false and then major phone calls around the Kent businesses ensued. Thankfully the problems were overcome and the 143 attendees all had a good time. George laid on a disco with a raffle and auction while Peter booked the pie and mash company from London. The table decorations made by George and table runners were sold at the end of the evening and many asked for more to be made available.

Forth coming events for 2022 are being planned and include:

• June 8 - 9 Sounding the Retreat Horse Guards Parade

• June 11 BBQ at Phoenix club

• Wimbledon tickets TBC

• Thames River and Lunch trip TBC

• RGJ Reunion Winchester 9 July

• RGJ Smoker TBC

• Light Division Memorial, National Memorial Arboretum TBC

• Church service Dover Castle TBC

• Remembrance Parades Dover 13 November

• Xmas Party Phoenix Club 3 December

Wiltshire Branch

The Branch started the year as we had left off from the previous in that very little was happening due to the pandemic

The good news was that a kind of normality was returning towards the latter end of the year and we managed to restart our annual branch assistance to the RBL by collecting at Waitrose again after missing out the previous years due to the lockdown.

A smaller team this year to reflect concerns over the need to social distance and reduce gatherings to minimise the spread of the covid virus. The Branch chairman was duly assisted by Brian and Blanche Darvill, Phil Ashby, Simon Stanford Tuck, Philip Schofield, Bill Tyson and Bob Holcombe. The total collected was over £1,500 for the annual poppy appeal. Well done to all those who turned out over the two days.

The annual Remembrance Day parade went ahead in Warminster in spite of appeals to stay at home unless laying a wreath but in spite of this a large crowd attended and the chairman laid a wreath on behalf of the branch. Afterwards it was back to the conservative club for some refreshment, hot and cold.

The traditional Christmas Eve gathering saw a strong turnout in spite of the obvious and a good afternoon and evening was enjoyed by all that attended.

The calendar for this year’s events is not fully decided yet and we are taking it slowly and see how it goes, however there are a number of events planned. The Forces March is back on this year in May and we will be supporting the RBL with the water point in Heytesbury. This is just outside the local pub which is very handy for the lunch afterwards. The Forces March is a re-creation of an epic 135-mile WW2 training march from Ilfracombe, North Devon to Bulford, Wiltshire. The 1942 march was undertaken by men who would go on to spearhead the entire D-Day liberation with the assault on Pegasus Bridge, a feat which I’m sure we are all familiar with.

The Branch BBQ is scheduled for later in the year and its hoped that this will be a good opportunity for all to come together again (Covid permitting).

The annual gathering at the NMA is another opportunity to mingle and we hope to see lots of you there. Before that of course we hope to see you at Winchester on the 9 of July for a fun day out, or for some a weekend.

That’s it for this year, stay safe everyone.

Mike Walsh

Winchester & District Branch

For those who may remember some of my other literary efforts for S&B magazine, where in one, way back in 2016 I began our article describing how I was feeling really sorry for myself, and bemoaning the fact that once again I was suffering from acute ‘writers block’

My condition then, as now, was often made worse by the fact I had never been a great fan of the generally repetitive style of ‘branch report’ writing; which in the main simply listed diary events and said how much Wonga was held in the bank! Nah! That was never for me, and in truth never of great interest. I always preferred and often did try to put a slightly different slant on things by including absolutely anything of topical or imaginary interest. Even better if it was amusing in the telling.

So from that point on at every one of our branch meetings I would ask, nay plead with our branch members to help me out, and come up with a few ideas, or even better, some articles of their own. Unfortunately though my pleading always seemed to fall on deaf ears! Come on lads I often said, it doesn’t have to be worthy of a Booker prize, just give me something, or indeed anything on any subject whatsoever, just so long as it’s printable and not too racy or indecent for our wider readership. Well as you can imagine that almost guaranteed I got a zero response! Until now that is! Because all of a sudden S&B is awash with individuals putting pen to paper with all sorts of articles and snippets of interest just like the Titbits of old (remember that magazine?).

So what has made the difference now? Well the Covid pandemic and the extra enforced time alone in isolation and not being able to meet up has undoubtedly had something to do with it, of that there is no question. But the real reason is simply due to a desire to communicate with each other, and what better way when you cannot meet face to face and swing the lamp, and tell each other exaggerated tales of daring do? Why write an article of course! So well done everyone who has done so, and may I also offer a special thank you to my own branch members who have given me such an insight into their dirty murky minds!!

Talking of self-isolation. Coming out of the 3rd national lockdown in late Spring early Summer we as a branch were optimistically cautious that some sort of normal life would be restored, and we could once again return to doing what we do

best – enjoying our post regimental life of meetings and social gatherings. Unfortunately for us in Winchester where the majority of our activities centre around the ATR of Sir John Moore Barracks, the relaxing of restrictions didn’t quite go as we had hoped, as the MOD decided to continue with its policy of exclusion of non-military personnel from its sites. As a consequence we are unable to begin holding our monthly meetings there until the beginning of October, and only then after submitting to every covid prevention rule under the sun including a Covid Risk Assessment!.

When the question was asked’ what in heavens name was that?’ and an electronic shrug of the shoulders was the only reply, the old Green Jacket policy of flim-flam was called into play – which as every Green Jacket knows is bulls**t baffles brains. In our case it was a simple matter of throwing a lot of medical jargon and covid related words at the risk assessment form such as social distancing and hand gel! And hey! Ho! we were back in!

Of course much of what we had planned to do for the remaining months of the year, including throwing a post covid BBQ didn’t quite come to fruition. Nevertheless we did manage to get some sort of branch life back on track by attending the Regimental Service of Remembrance at the NMA in September, and continuing to support the monthly Turning of The Pages in Winchester Cathedral. Not forgetting either our support of Remembrance Day on the 14 November which included a large contingent of the branch and their families participating in the ATR Drumhead Service in SJM Brks where a wreath was laid at the Light Division Garden of Remembrance.

Talking about which, and despite the uncertainty hanging over the future of the ATR, and I stress nothing has been decided yet, we understand with reasonable authority that if, and only if the site usage does change, the LD Chapel and its adjacent Garden of Remembrance will not be touched. The only other sad thing to add to that is after so many years looking after the garden on behalf of us all, Alan (Pat) and May Low who are now both in their

mid-80’s have now decided to stand down due to age and ailing health. The Regiment owes them both so much and wishes them well.

As a final thought – if there was one good thing that came out of the last six months, and just like elephants coming home to die, we have had a surprising and welcome number of new and old members joining or re-joining the branch (apologies for the elephant analogy). All in all the branch is in good order and now looks forward to 2022 with positive enthusiasm.

And so to our last hooray of the year our branch Christmas Dinner tomorrow which everyone is thoroughly looking forward to. The venue is ready for our sole and exclusive use and the fellas are looking sharp and the ladies are looking fabulous. Read all about it next year!

Merry Christmas to all our fellow Rifleman wherever you are, and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2022 to you and your loved ones too.

John FD

Remembrance Day Drumhead Service

This year for our Remembrance Parade, the RGJ Association ticket allocation for the Remembrance Service at Winchester Cathedral was drastically reduced due to strict Covid 19 restrictions in place.

Fortunately, this did not affect the external service at the KRRC Memorial, which was well supported by KRRC Veterans, KRRC Scouts, a Gurkha contingent, the RGJA Winchester branch and a smattering of other military personal. The weather was kind to us.

In addition to the main cathedral service we were fortunate enough to receive an open invitation by the RSM of the ATR at SJM Brks to their Drumhead Service which a group of eight members with our wives willingly accepted.

After the Service at the KRRC memorial, we travelled to the ATR where we were made most welcomed by the RSM and her party in the Regimental Chapel with their families contingent and a welcoming cup of hot tea or coffee with biscuits...sociability followed.

At 10:40 hrs we were ushered to our reserved seating area by the main Drill Square and noted that all serving troops of the ATR were on parade, some of which had only been in the Army for five days.

The parade took a format where three of our Regimental Association members took part in the proceedings; John Harper read an epitaph; John Scott laid a wreath on behalf of the RGJ; and Derek Randall laid a wreath on behalf of the LI, in all a fitting tribute to our part of the Ceremony.

Gardens new sign.

We then progressed onto the Light Infantry Memorial Garden where again we held our own small private ceremony, Derek Randall laid a wreath for the eight members who were killed by a coach bomb in Ballygawley NI, we carried out a solemn ceremony on behalf of all LI personal.

Once the ATR Ceremony was completed, we moved with the CO, RSM, Padre and the Bugler and mustered at the Light Division Garden of Remembrance where we held our own private Ceremony with our members and their wives or past widows present. Some of whom were in their 80’s! John Scott laid a wreath on behalf of all RGJ personal past and present and Tiny Adams laid his own personal wreath. The Padre read the RGJ Collect followed by a prayer. A photograph was then taken of the Drumhead contingent by the

Afterwards we returned to the Sgts Mess for drinks where again we were made most welcome and chatted to our hosts and their members. It was later noted that the RSM stood the bar bill which we hope was not too large.

At about 12:15 hrs we bid our farewells and travelled to the South Winchester Golf Club for our Remembrance Day Lunch and where all the Association had regrouped. In all a good day and one that if we are invited to again, I for one would gratefully accept.

Pete Andrews

The

3 RGJ ‘R’ Company deployment to the Lower Falls 1971

Editors Note: 3 RGJ ‘R’ Coy had a short but illustrious history being formed in August 1971 as a Representative Company before it was reformed as a Battalion again just 6 months later. They are best known for the painting “The Leeson Street Patrol”. However in this article I have tried to cover events in the Lower Falls both before and after the date on which the painting is based. This is of course but a snapshot of what was a very busy time in Northern Ireland not just for The Royal Green Jackets but for the security services as a whole.

I am grateful to Brigadier Christopher Dunphie MC then OC ‘R’ Company, Lt Jeremy Roseveare 1Pl and Csgt Trevor Anderson who took over command of 1Pl in the October, Capt Charles Puxley 2Pl and Major General Jamie Balfour CBE DL 3Pl. I am also indebted to Sgt Peter Hewson for his memories and photos of the Lower Falls during that period.

Perhaps I should own up – as company commander I was the instigator of The Leeson Street Patrol, both the event and the picture. Brigadier Christopher Dunphie MC

Strictly speaking, it wasn't 'R Coy, 3 RGJ', it was '3 RGJ, R Coy'. The difference is subtle. During the planning for the reduction of 3 RGJ and the formation of the independent company, MoD sent letters addressed to ‘OC 3rd Battalion

The Royal Green Jackets Representative Company’. This became our ‘official’ name until we acquired a ‘proper’ name. Asked my views on what that should be I proposed ‘R Coy’, which seemed appropriate for a company of Riflemen. This was put to the Colonels Commandant by Lt Col Jimmy Glover, CO 3 RGJ, and ‘3 RGJ, R Coy’ we became. It was only after 3 RGJ was reformed as a battalion in January

1972 that, following the decision of the Colonels Commandant to retain the name, ‘R Coy, 3 RGJ’ was formed.

3 RGJ, R Coy assembled on Monday 2 August 1971 at Airfield Camp Netheravon. On Monday 9 August the government introduced ‘Internment’ –detention without trial – in Northern Ireland.

That day I was phoned by the Brigade Major 5 Bde and told that R Coy was to come to 72 hoursnotice to move to Northern Ireland from midday Wednesday 11 August. Although that meant not leaving before 12:00 hrs on Saturday 14 August, it seemed sensible to get ready quickly. Next day, while the platoons zeroed their rifles, Capt George Smythe and his Admin team scoured the depots of Southern England, collecting weapons, ammunition, radios, vehicles and NI stores. That same morning, I was phoned again and told that the need for more soldiers was urgent, ‘how soon could we go?’ In the event we left at 11:30 hrs on Wednesday 11 August – ½ hour before we were due to come to 72 hoursnotice – of such is military life! For the next three weeks we were under command 1 RGJ. Our task as ‘permanent duty company’ in the Albert Street Mill, only required about one platoon a day, so the remainder filled up the ranks of Support Company 1 RGJ on patrol in the Lower Falls. Any successes we may have had, when we took over the Lower

Falls area from 1 RGJ, owes much to what we learnt from them.

The 11 September event.

Lt Col Ken Dodson, CO 3 Queens (3 Queens had replaced 1 RGJ and we were under their Op Con) phoned and told me to go and clear the blockage on the Falls Road (between the top of Leeson Street and Dunville Park) – Brig Frank Kitson’s policy was that all roads were to be kept open. I phoned the Sappers for a ‘Scooby’. I deployed the coy to block all the nearby junctions onto the Falls Road and allow no-one to enter, while the Sappers cleared the blockage, a burning tarmac-layer. The op took much longer than expected as the Sappers had to send for a second spare wheel after two punctures, which gave the yobs ample time to enjoy themselves.

Morale amongst the boys on return was terrific. It had been our first serious ‘contest’ and they had been rock-solid. They knew they had done well. It was my tactics which were wrong – too defensive, hence the need to sit down and have a serious re-think. I think the IRA sensed that we were ‘defensive’, and felt they could assert their grip – hence the increased shooting on 12 and 13 September, which led me to ‘launch’ what became the Leeson Street Patrol on the evening of 13 September. It was an exciting evening and set the tone for the next three months. Shortly after we

Brigadier Christopher Dunphie MC

returned I clearly remember Charles Puxley coming into my ‘cell’ (small bedroom/office off our joint Offrs/Sgts room) and announcing: “Christopher, I just grown up tonight” – he was a superb Pl Comd, under-rewarded by an MiD. Next day the shooting began and intensified on the following day. It was clear that we had to go out and ‘grip’ the area. I gathered the whole company together, explained that my earlier tactics had been wrong. I remember saying: “We are new and having to learn ‘on the job’. We can all make mistakes, but the problem is that when I make a mistake the whole company has to 'pay the bill'. All I can promise is that I won't make the same mistake twice. We will go out tonight and patrol, as a company, until everyone who wants to shoot at us has got bored and gone home, run out of ammunition, or reported ‘sick’! So, strap yourselves in; we must expect an eventful, noisy evening.” I explained how our tactics would change; given a similar situation again we would always have mobile and foot patrols circulating the area to disrupt yobs and gunmen.

The patrol started with 2 Pl (2/Lt Charles Puxley and Sgt George Evans), with my small team of leading scout and signaller (L/Cpl Hansford and Rfn Clark) tucked in behind. 2 Pl had not gone far down Leeson Street when a not very brave gunman stuck his rifle around the corner of the Leeson/ Raglan junction and fired off a wild shot. 2 Pl charged and secured the junction, but the gunman had disappeared into the ‘rabbit-warren’ that was the Lower Falls. This was the signal for me to call out 1 and 3 Pls, all waiting in the mill. 1 Pl (Lt Jeremy Roseveare and Sgt John Powell) quickly joined us on Cyprus Street, parallel to Leeson Street while 3 Pl (2/Lt Jamie Balfour and Sgt Davie Dawes) started to circulate the area in those ghastly

armoured 1 ton ‘Pigs’.

For the next two hours or so we patrolled the entire Lower Falls area, 1 and 2 Pls parallel on foot with 3 Pl orbiting in vehicles. We were shot at on seven separate occasions, fortunately without taking casualties, though I was later told by the police that two of the opposition had ended in hospital.

It was quite early on that Capt John Lane (Coy 2ic), back in the company Ops Room, told me that Int had phoned to say that the IRA planned to make a stand at the bottom of Leeson Street. When I told Charles Puxley his reaction was “If the IRA are waiting for us down there, we’d better not disappoint them – we’ll go and join them”. As 2 Pl advanced down Leeson Street someone fired a long burst of machine-gun fire (Tommy gun probably) up the centre of the street. As we always hugged the sides of the street, we were quite safe, but I do remember the flashes of the rounds striking the tarmac.

Fire was returned and this is the moment recorded in the picture. On the right is Cpl Tommo Thompson returning fire. Behind him is 2/Lt Charles Puxley, directing operations, and his signaller Rfn Alan Draycott, on the left is Rfn Mick Harris, Tommo's leading scout, while running across the road is Sgt George Evans.

R Coy ‘came of age’ that evening. From that moment the Riflemen asserted a grip on the area which they never relaxed during the following months, so, when a picture was proposed, that was the obvious event to feature.

Now to the picture. Shortly before the end of the tour Gen Sir John Mogg, Colonel Commandant RGJ, phoned me to say that the Colonels Commandant were ‘quite pleased’ with R Coy’s performance and had decided that the name of R Coy should be retained in the newly reforming 3 RGJ. We were all rather proud of this, and the fact that we had been the only one of the four ‘representative companies’ to be deployed on operations. We decided to record our brief, if eventful existence.

George Smythe had installed two ‘fruit machines’, which, by the end of the tour, had taken £2,000. With the approval of the Colonels Commandant we decided to give £1,000 to the PRI of the newly reforming 3 RGJ and to spend the other £1,000 on a picture. During the Spring of 1972 I contacted Terence Cuneo and asked him whether he would paint a picture for us – he quickly agreed. He had earlier painted three pictures for RB (Calais, Sidi

Saleh and Snipe) and one for 2 RGJ (Borneo). As we were about to return to Belfast in August 1972, we agreed to postpone the picture till 1973. Although funded by R Coy, we gave it to RGJ as Regimental Property.

One small memory. At the moment when that burst of fire came up the street, a civilian, carrying a white Red Cross haversack and wearing a World War 2 steel helmet, walked down the middle of the street, through the patrol. We shouted at him to ‘get into the side’, but he disregarded us and walked on down through 2 Pl. The burst of fire from the bottom of the street seemed to hit the tarmac all round him. Surprisingly, he wasn’t hit, but he collapsed in the middle of the road and refused to move till George Evans ran out and dragged him into the side –where we left him!

Incidentally, when Tommo Thompson was told that he had been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal – the first soldier to receive it (I doubt whether more than about half a dozen DCMs were awarded in Northern Ireland) his reaction was “******* hell, do I have to go up CO’s for that?”, to which someone replied: “No, you twit, you go up Queen’s for that – you'd better start bulling your boots!” It is generally thought that Tommo’s DCM was awarded for his actions that evening. This is not correct; it was for far more than that. It was awarded for his remarkable ability to arrest Wanted men, often chasing them through highly dangerous streets, with his section desperately trying to keep up!

Personal Recollections

Lt Jeremy Roseveare 1 Platoon (August – October)

I have never been entirely clear whether the patrol portrayed by Terence Cuneo commemorated a specific occasion or was intended to be representative of many such. I certainly remember commanding a patrol moving down a darkened Cyprus Street parallel and immediately to the left of a patrol having a lively time in Leeson Street. That patrol was commanded, I think, by Charles Puxley but possibly Jamie Balfour. On that occasion, to judge by the radio traffic, Christopher Dumphie was also very much in evidence on Leeson Street. That, however, was really a riot situation and does not really resonate with the painting. If the painting is of a specific patrol then I assume it took place after I was posted to the Depot.

In the interests of clarity, I commanded 7 platoon in 3 RGJ leading up to Reorganisation and was given command of 1 platoon when R Coy formed at Airfield Camp, Netheravon. My platoon sergeant was John Powell. You will no doubt know that, on August 11 1971, within ten days of forming up and before we were technically operational, we found ourselves in the Lower Falls for what became a four month tour. For the first month or so we were attached to 1 RGJ, and to Iain Cordon-Lloyd’s company specifically. Iain was incredibly impressive and had clearly made his mark on the locals as the walls in the Lower Falls were liberally daubed with the slogan “Major Lloyd RIP”. We were lucky to take the area over from him when 1 RGJ’s tour ended and 3 Queens arrived, though the locals were clearly taken aback to see RGJ patrols continuing in the Falls.

I found the tour extremely interesting and learnt a lot before I was posted to the Depot two months after we arrived. The date was, I think, 18 October. Trevor Anderson took over command of 1 Platoon.

Csgt Trevor Anderson 1 Platoon (October – December)

‘R’ Company was based in the Albert Street Mill, Lower Falls, a disused 19th century linen mill, from early September to the end of December 1971. From any viewpoint, military or otherwise, the events on 11 September could not be described as a patrol. It was an operation called for by 3 Queens because a riot had erupted where Leeson Street met the Falls Road. The road had been blocked and scores of youths were pelting roof slates at passing army vehicles. It was Brig (later Gen Sir

A Rifleman and his Pig

Leeson Street and Falls Road Junction

‘R’ Company deployment to the Lower Falls 1971

3 RGJ ‘R’ Company deployment to the Lower Falls 1971

Frank) Kitson’s instructions that all road should be kept open. Brig Dunphie has already described this operation in detail.

The Lower Falls area was an almost mile-square warren of small, two up, two down, terraced houses with backyards and outside toilets built in the mid to late 19th century. Every inhabitant back in the 70’s was Catholic and mainly anti-British. As we are all aware, the British Army were there to supress the IRA terrorists while some political resolutions could be taken forward – as well as quell the violence between Catholics and Protestants. These houses, having been built when the whole of the island of Ireland was a British colony, had many street names that commemorated events and names in the Crimean War 1853-56, for example, Raglan Street (after Lord Raglan), Balaklava, Sevastopol, Inkerman, Plevna and many more. One suspects that if later generations of inhabitants knew that the names of their streets were associated with British battle successes, there might have been a few name changes. It’s fair to say, that to the majority of the Catholic population, we were viewed as an occupying army.

On September 13 we turned out in strength – led by No.2 Platoon, commanded by 2Lt Charles Puxley, along with our OC Maj. Christopher Dunphie. Arriving on the scene around 18:00 hrs from the Falls Road end, we were met with showers of stones and roof slates, the latter torn from derelict house roofs, that were skimmed like frisbees at us. We responded with rubber bullets and baton charges to catch ringleaders and disperse the mobs. This drove them back down Leeson Street, which was a narrow residential street of about 800 metres long. We showed a strong resolve, demonstrating sound tactics; which meant were successful in breaking up the gangs through numerous violent assaults and tussles. The rioting and stone throwing eventually stopped as the crowds diminished. There was a great deal of psychology involved with these people. They always tested newly arrived military units to establish how they would react. This was our test – which we didn’t fail. We never gave any quarter in violent situations for the whole of our four-month tour.

By 20:30 hrs, it was quite dark and we split into two groups. One on each side of the street. We moved cautiously, keeping close to the house walls, when suddenly, a burst of automatic fire came from further down with bullets smacking into the tarmac and ricocheting up the street. Our only cover was in the recesses of front doors that opened directly

onto the street – these were only around 25cms in depth. We gathered subsequently, that the weapon being fired was likely to have been an old Thompson sub machine gun – a “Tommy Gun,” such was the distinctive sound. The .45 rounds could still make a mess of one though. Our forward riflemen returned fire, which stopped the Thompson for a few minutes. Fire was intermittent from then on, with the addition of a single rifle that fired at us from somewhere near the bottom end of the street. On at least two occasions when under fire, the homeowner/ occupier opened the front door and pushed the soldier, sheltering in that doorway, into the street. This action created, err…. some retribution.

Amazingly at one stage, during a lull in the firing, a taxi pulled up at the end of Balkan Street which ran into Leeson Street. Two young women got out and began to walk towards Leeson Street. As they reached the junction, the Thompson fired a long burst up the street. The women stopped and started screaming hysterically, waving their arms around like windmills. I immediately sprinted from the other side of the street and crashed my right boot into one of the front doors in Leeson Street, breaking it open. I ran to the corner, got hold of both these terrified women and dragged them into the open door and into the house. I presume they stayed there until things quietened down.

In the dark, we were highlighted by old fashioned electric street lights – not good when under fire at night. There were also a few old gas lamps. Capt. George Smythe, who was directly behind me, called out: “Sgt Anderson, shoot out the street lights!” Which I duly did. That worked. The few gas lamps could be turned off with a lever at the base of the glass lantern at the top, achieved by reaching up with one’s rifle and closing it with the muzzle. Soon after, we were in almost total darkness with the only light being the occasional muzzle flashes from our rifles. The IRA gunmen withdrew, unable to function without being shot or caught; we reached

the end of Leeson Street and it was quiet, we had cleared the area. It was now after 22:00 hrs. It had taken four hours to achieve our success.

We ended the evening without any casualties but with a company of men – many of whom had never been under fire before – who were elated that they had performed well against what was to continue for the next four months. There were many adventures to follow.

Capt Charles Puxley 2 Platoon

I was the platoon commander of 2 pl ‘R’ Coy featured in the Terence Cuneo painting, 2nd on the right as you look at it. I had a very impressive body of men in my platoon, handpicked by the OC from the disbanding 3 RGJ. My platoon sergeant George Evans, wonderful man, highly experienced taking no nonsense from the men and highly respected by us all, my corporals were Messrs Thompson, Smith and Clarke, all very well experienced, able and fearless. Characters in the painting include, first on the right, Thompson, then me, then my radio op, Graham, behind him Corporal Wennell then Horlock. On the left of the painting Corporal Harris, firing from the car, next Corporal Hansford and behind him the OC, Major Christopher Dunphie. Running across the road is Sgt Evans.

On the evening of 13 September, reports came in to Coy HQ of a body of youths rioting at the northern end of Leeson Street. Being a standby platoon, we were despatched to see what the noise was about. Fuelled no doubt by an excess of Guinness the assembly were out to make as much trouble as possible and many would have done credit to an England cricket team such was their accuracy in hurling bricks, slates etc at us in order to discourage our advance. It became apparent that the crowd was sufficiently spread that a company operation would be required to clear the streets and 1 and 3 platoons were soon in the thick of it. Coy HQ just behind directing. As the operation progressed baton rounds and steely determination aided our progress in dispersing the crowd and then about half-way down Leeson Street the shooting began. When shot at, fire must be returned was the policy at the time which was implemented on many occasions.

Fortunately, the local gunmen skill at arms was found wanting and we experienced no casualties, save cuts and bruises. We pushed on down Leeson Street until the crowds had dispersed whilst dealing with various other outbursts of fire. Much of the action took place as darkness was falling and by the time it was quiet it was dark, many of the street lights shot out or not working. The action

took about four hours. On the debrief afterwards we all agreed it was a most thrilling and enjoyable operation, for which we had learned on the job with 1 RGJ the previous month. Many other excitements took place during the next three months but it was this one, our first which, a steep learning curve, gave us the confidence to conduct ourselves for the remainder of our tour.

Maj Gen Jamie Balfour

CBE DL 3 Platoon

Others much more qualified than I can talk in detail about the Leeson Street Patrol and the leading role of 2 Platoon in it as immortalised in Terence Cuneo’s painting. As another member of the Representative Company (R Coy) 3 RGJ in 1971, I had the privilege to command 3 Platoon with the epic Sgt Dave Dawes as my platoon sergeant. He had also been my platoon sergeant during the previous year with 3 Platoon A Coy before the battalion was reduced in size, and as my first platoon sergeant I owe him more than I can possibly tell. My section commanders were the marvellous combination of Beefy Fraser, Chalky Parfitt and Taffy Thomas, and 3 Platoon were a great team full of experienced Riflemen and characters. So perhaps a different platoon perspective and some context might be of interest.

With violence rapidly increasing in NI in 1971, Internment was introduced to arrest key Republican militants on 9-10 August. This was followed by even more mass rioting, shooting and barricading of Republican areas. Our introduction to NI was rapid, R Coy had only been together for just over a week, and I was recalled from a course in Wales 24hrs before we deployed. We had no proper pre

2Lt (later Maj Gen) Jamie Balfour talking with Capt (later Maj Gen) Charles Vyvyan

deployment training at all apart from zeroing our rifles and briefing on the Yellow Card Rules of Engagement, and as we flew to NI on 11 August in a C130 Hercules I could see Belfast burning as we were flying overhead of Liverpool. Driven to the Albert Street Mill from Aldergrove airport in unprotected 4 tonners, we passed burnt out cars, London style red buses and houses, and we couldn’t believe that we were being deployed into what seemed to be a war zone in a British city. Luckily, we came under command of 1 RGJ, sharing the mill with their B and Support Companies.

On our first night our recce parties were attached to 1 RGJ companies as they cleared the Lower Falls in a Brigade attack operation. The Paras secured the start line along Divis Street, with 1 RGJ forward left and the Scots Guards forward right. We came under fire as we waited in the forming up area outside the mill in Albert Street, Sgt Dawes and I met under the 4 Tonner we were waiting in as we took cover! We were attached to the great Iain Corden Lloyd with his Support Company Tac HQ, as we advanced under fire into the Lower Falls, and cleared it of opposition and barricades. A baptism of fire indeed, a taste of things to come and of the Leeson Street Patrol.

After a month of supporting 1 RGJ in the Lower Falls and in the Markets area, protecting key points, and patrolling in Belfast City Centre to deter bombing, we took over the Lower Falls from them as our own company TAOR and came under command 3 Queens. Minor aggro, shootings and bombings were a daily occurrence, and we all got very used to coming under fire, being stoned and getting abused. Company operations dealt with major incidents, and there were frequent dawn raids to arrest suspects, virtually the only time we ever saw policemen. 3 Platoon looked after the Divis Flats, a 1960s concrete monstrosity with over 2,500 inhabitants and lots of IRA members, and a rabbit

warren of depressing flats dominated by the Divis Tower which had an OP on top. However, we spent a lot of time going to support 2 Platoon, who had the Leeson Street area, after they got into trouble time and time again! For the Leeson Street Patrol company operation, 1 Platoon was covering the left flank of 2 Platoon while they were advancing down Leeson Street, while 3 Platoon was following up, initially in Saracens and then deploying on foot.

In those days the minimum strength routine patrol was at section strength and we relied on parallel patrolling supplemented by mobile patrols in armoured Humber 1 Ton “Pigs”, as well as Saracens driven by our attached Royal Hussar drivers. I remember in particular one Trooper Pledger who took some time to realise that in a Lower Falls street, that if cars were parked on both sides, there was not enough room for a Saracen to pass through! It was only later that satellite rather than parallel patrolling, and in multiples of three half sections(bricks), became the norm, although 3 Platoon did patrol in half section groups along the different walkways in the Flats.

No helmets or body armour in those days, just Vietnam era flak jackets, the start of blackened cap badges but definitely over the left ear, belt order rather than combat vests, we still used A41 radios, not brilliant in urban areas, although stornophone pocket radios were introduced, and certainly no mobile phones!

Accommodation in the mill was very basic, but the contractor Charwallah performed miracles at all hours with coffee and egg banjos post patrols, and a weekly disco with locals was a highlight for many! Once when deploying in Saracens from the mill on a platoon crash out during disco closing time, the only way we could get out was by turning our lights on illuminating the couples blocking the way in the street outside!

As Christopher Dunphie our Company Commander wrote in the Story of ‘R’ Company in the 1971 RGJ Chronicle, the company came of age after the Leeson Street Patrol action. While trouble continued thereafter, it was on a much-reduced scale, shootings in Divis reduced from daily to only once in our last seven weeks, as we had made our mark over the area. Little did we know then that 30 years of further operational tours would follow throughout the Province, including three more tours into West Belfast over the next three years. For most of us it was a real growing up moment, and more generally marked the change from an Army focussed on colonial counter revolutionary operations to counter terrorist ones, which over the next 30 years of hard struggle, endless patrolling and constant effort finally led to the IRA ceasefires and the Good Friday agreement.

For those of us in ‘R’ Company it was a defining moment in our lives, truly a united band of brother Riflemen, and one to be much treasured. As we handed over to 1 Glosters on the afternoon of the 9 December, wearing our No 2 Dress trousers in the Cattle Market, a covered yard at the base of the mill, waiting for transport for the ferry back across the Irish Sea to Liverpool, the first Glosters patrol went out. Within minutes they were back carrying their first shooting casualty. If anyone had told us then that we had to stay on, I believe we would have volunteered to a man!

Sgt Peter Hewson

I went on the patrol as part of Coy HQ. armed with a 9mm automatic pistol. I also carried a camera and flash gun. This was to record any relevant evidence

that might come to light during the patrol (No pun intended). L/Cpl Sharpe (No – not the one from the battle of Waterloo) was my bodyguard. We had the left-hand side of the road moving south, about 30 to 40 yards behind point. One of the OCs team on the opposite side of the road gave ‘advice’ to those who initially refused to turn their house lights out. Lights that illuminated some members of the patrol as they passed by. Within minutes most of the houses were in darkness.

At some stage a tall male emerged wearing white helmet and waving a white handkerchief. (First Aider?) At that point a number of rounds were fired from the South of Leeson Street. We heard the sound of them pass just over head height along the centre of the road. My sidekick and I ‘physically’ competed for the relative safety of the nearest door frame. That resulted in a nil, nil, draw. There’s not much cover to be had in an Irish doorway with all the stuff worn and carried by a Rifleman.

It is mentioned in the Regimental Chronicle (1971 edition) that the man in the white hat was either very brave or very stupid as with the Mexican bandit to the Yul Brynner character in the Magnificent Seven. My view he was both. Probably there to help in a First Aid capacity (brave). Stupid possibly for not realising he was not bullet proof. The winners that night were the members of ‘R’ Coy. The so called ‘baptism of fire’ left us with the experience to take forward for that tour and those to follow. The ‘War Lord’ (Major Dunphie OC ‘R’ Coy) knew what he was doing when he took us out for the evening.

Leeson Street 2022, now very modern but still very Republican, Cyprus Street has disappeared but many of the old street names still remain

Divis Flats

Restless natives, plus a Pig and a dog

An to R Company

50 years ago, 3 RGJ was disbanded, which was way back then

And when R Company was formed, WE WERE THE CHOSEN MEN

We mustered up in Airfield Camp which really was quite posh

They even provided knives and forks so we could eat our nosh.

Christopher Dunphie the War Lord, Commanded from the ground

He told us all to pack our bags for Bermuda we were bound

We dreamt of life in the sun until Dunphie said

There’s been a change of plan chaps were off to Ireland instead

Bermuda has been cancelled for Belfast we are bound

To help the first Battalion put more troops on the ground

He then went on to tell us don’t put civvies in yer kit

We’ll only be away 4 weeks you won’t needing it – DURCH!!!!!

So off to Ireland we did go on second class Crab Air

And Ginger Bowles face was green by the time that we got there

Cos when we arrived at Aldergrove it was quite late at night

Then they put us on 4 tonners and yeah, it felt alright

Until along the Falls we drove and oh boy what a sight

The streets were all deserted cars scattered left and right

No lights a glow on the streets it was quite dark

And then it felt scarier as the dogs began to bark

Finally, at Albert Street the Mill came into view

That’s when Dave Smith said to us there’s someone watching you

From now on its battle mode so get your arse in gear

That’s when I thought to myself what THE HELL, I am doing here

The top floor of the mill became our resting place

The fact that we were knackered was our saving grace

Cos at the sound of Thompson Guns being fired from Divvies Flats

We all jump out of bed and put on our tin hats.

We couldn’t get to sleep that night we tried hard not to talk

Because we knew when morning came, we’d have to walk the walk

SO, we spent our time patrolling with 1 RGJ

Those guys were really on the ball and they showed us the way

Down alleyways and side streets we would roam

Before we left the falls to make our way back home

We learnt the names of these streets from maps upon the wall

From Albert Street to Leeson Street we had to learn them all

Then came the day for 1 RGJ to be on their way

Our kit was also packed thinking we had done our stay

We’d cleaned our rooms and, we’d even swept the floor

And that’s when Dunphie said to us we’re staying 4 months more

GOOD BLOKE – DURCH!!!!!!!!

So, when our first patrol came, we found it quite a thrill

our adrenalin was pumping as we ran out of the mill

We saw the people on the streets staring with dismay

When they saw our cap badge and our green beret

They thought the Green Jackets had moved out, they thought we’d gone away

Man, where they pissed off cos, we were here to stay

Then one night it all kicked off the Provo’s called us out

That was just a foolish thing with Green Jackets about

We made our way down Leeson Street we sang our Zigger Zagger

Every rifleman on that night was walking with a swagger

The overture it started with missiles in the air

Followed by petrol bombs exploding everywhere

Thrown by the yobs who kept just out of our reach

Trying to entice us come into their breach

Then the shooting started, Mick Harris put rounds down Tommo followed suit and we were gaining ground I was the Platoon Radio Op with an A41 on my back

I kept an eye on Charlie making sure he got no flack

Charlie Puxley was our Sunray he was a man of steel

And everywhere that Charlie went I was on his heel

Because I had no option as you will plainly see

He had the handset in his hand, and he was dragging me

George Evans was our Pl Sjt, Ever Swift & Bold who’d fought in many battles along the Falls Road

As George dashed out into the street, I’m sure I saw the rounds bouncing at his feet

Because some stupid civvie trying to be brave was cowering in the gutter left for George to save

Charlie Puxley then advanced I was close behind

Not knowing what was happening I was running blind

Then Charlie shouted to me we’ve got them on the run

I said that’s fine for you boss, but this radio weighs a ton

The gunmen had all gathered in the Bar on Leeson Street and as we closed in on them, they started to retreat

Through the back door of the pub the cowardly bastards ran

The IRA would never face us man to man

The only time they had the balls to mount an attack

Was when they were certain to shoot us in the back

I knew that we would win the day cos Tommo was our man He’d spent his time in Ireland stalking Jo McCann

I also knew that he had fought harder men than them

That is why our Tommo would win his DCM

Dunphie was our guardian with his tactical brain

He was hard as nails and always would remain

The Warlord, the master as sharp as a pin

One thing was for certain he would not give in

Then it all went quiet, the battle it was won

Leeson Street was now our turf the paddies had all gone

There was an airy silence, nobody was there

Just the smell of cordite floating in the air

It’s now a distant memory, but those of you will know

After such a blood rush, you kinda feel low

You start to get to thinking, you get visions in your head

And then you suddenly realise your lying on your bed

I guess you’ve all seen the picture of the Leeson Street Patrol

But every man in R Company was outstanding in his role

We were all rogues and comrades to the end

Nobby Chapman was our dad and our closest friend

And as we grow older, we lose more friends each year

We drink to their memories with a pint of beer

We go to their funerals we meet all their kin

And we all drown our sorrows in whisky and gin

So, Officers and NCOs please take heed of me

And always treat your Riflemen with some dignity

Ensure they keep their powder dry and their aim straight and true

And may god always be with you in what ever task you do

Because when Queen Elizabeth commands us we obey It’s over the hills and far away, O’er the hills and o’er the main Cos SWIFT AND BOLD, we shall remain

Alan Draycott – September 2021

The Rifles in 2021

Throughout the pandemic, The Rifles have remained characteristically busy on operations in training and at play. The announcement of the Integrated Review in November last year will be the focus as the Regiment moves swiftly and boldly forward this year.

The most significant event in 2021 for The Rifles was the passing of HRH The Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh, our former Colonel-in-Chief. We miss him enormously but know that HRH The Duchess of Cornwall shall more than fill his boots.

During 2021 the regiment was busy operationally, both at home and abroad. It completed a variety of deployments and tasks in challenging circumstances and locations. Whilst many Riflemen deployed on operations, those left behind were far from idle and their commanders ensured they were kept busy through training varied training programmes.

The Integrated Review (IR) was announced last year. It rebalances the UK’s defence commitments around the government’s foreign policy goals whilst considering changes to the future battlefield. The outcome of this means that the Regular Army will be reduced from 102,000 to 73,000 and the Army Reserve will increase to 30,100 – meaning a standing force of just over 100,000.

The Rifles have come out of the IR in better shape than most other infantry regiments. It was inevitable that some impact would be felt, but ultimately, we are fully manned, at the forefront of the war fighting role and will continue to play a key part in all of the defined infantry roles going forward.

All of our battalions are affected in some way with a change either in role, location or both in some cases, but what the IR does present is opportunity. We will remain the largest regiment in the infantry and our geographical footprint and roles will continue to offer the widest choice available – meaning we will not only be attractive to new recruits, but promotion prospects and career development will continue to be enhanced for our serving Riflemen. This in turn will provide the continued stability that our Riflemen’s families require, allowing them to make key decisions about schools, jobs and housing. The Regiment will be fully formed by 2028.

We continue to be comparatively exceptionally well manned, to above our liability and with high grade officers and soldiers. The Regiment selected its quota of 21 new Subalterns from Sandhurst in 2021 and our reputation, together with the choice of Infantry roles and geographic spread of our battalions across the UK, ensured a healthy flow of new soldier recruits into the battalions from Catterick. This meant that we went into the IR overmanned across our five Regular Battalions, with 6 and 7 RIFLES also being amongst the best manned Reserve Battalions in the Infantry ORBAT.

There are three welfare matters at the forefront of our focus and these include:

The Rifles Benevolent Trust (RBT) has thrived, helped significantly by the Regiment's Care for Casualties appeal that was initiated to pre-empt hardship suffered by Riflemen injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. The RBT reacts swiftly to alleviate hardship suffered by serving and veteran 'Riflemen' (and their dependants) from of all our Antecedent, Forming and RIFLES communities.

The Rifleman’s Association (TRA) will therefore be formally launched in 2022 as an inclusive network for all Riflemen, new and old, using the Sounding Retreat on Horse Guards Parade in June this year as an incentive for those that served together to gather.

The Always a Rifleman Programme (AARP) is the justified focus we have given around the mental health and wellbeing of veterans. Our belief is that the best people to help Riflemen in need is their fellow Riflemen; in whom they trust. The Regimental Trustees therefore took a bold decision last year to commit an enduring donation of £250k a year behind the AARP that aims to provide immediate peer to peer support to those in or approaching a crisis, allowing them to be supported until placed into appropriate care and/or bespoke treatment within the NHS or wider charitable sector. Launched in Autumn 201, the AARP is the most ambitious initiative of its kind and has already helped dozens of our people.

1 Rifles

New Year 2021 saw two companies deployed to Manchester in support of Coronavirus Testing, embedded within local boroughs. Riflemen contributed year-round to national crisis response: as drivers of ambulances, fuel tankers and goods vehicles, as vaccinators, and as advisors to councils.

Summer and Autumn saw a welcome return to collective training: companies and platoons deployed on major infantry exercises, alongside other armies in each case. A Company conducted Exercise WESSEX STORM on Salisbury Plain; B Company soldiered with the Canadian Armed Forces in Alberta on Exercise MAPLE RESOLVE; 3 Platoon joined 2 RIFLES on Exercise ASKARI STORM in Kenya. In each case, junior riflemen performed superbly.

Just over a third of the battalion are currently deployed in Cyprus on Op TOSCA, on the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Nicosia. Two companies and much of battalion HQ will complete seven months on the mission, whilst the remainder of the unit maintains and develops

its warfighting skills back in the UK.

Small groups are regularly deploying to West Africa, partnering and training other armies in the region. Teams have focussed on The Gambia, building a relationship with the Gambian Armed Forces that will assist their generation of a United Nations peacekeeping force of their own.

The battalion has also supported the British Army’s experimentation: trialling the next generation of communications equipment as well as the latest night-vision and targeting tools. Riflemen have trained with artificial intelligence technologies and helped researchers develop software and techniques for the urban conflicts of the future.

Lt Henry Nunney directs 6 Platoon on Ex MAPLE RESOLVE in Canada, April 2021

2 Rifles

The Battalion began 2021 with a Junior Non-Commissioned Officer cadre through February and March. Throughout the 6-week cadre, prospective leaders encountered difficult physical tests and were presented with genuine learning opportunities to best prepare them for their future roles in command as junior leaders.

Nonetheless, all those who passed the cadre grew in confidence (and fitness) throughout and were imbued by that most basic quality for a junior commander: leadership. A progression through Otterburn and Sennybridge, the course built towards long, arduous attacks preceded by even longer insertion marches saw the riflemen in their element, rising above the cold, the wet and the fatigue. By the end of the course, of the 59 riflemen who started, 21 strong Chosen Men remained to be promoted and given their first stripe by the Army Sjt Major.

Following the Cadre, I Coy ran their support weapons cadres, essential to ensure the specialist weapons company was well resourced prior to our deployment on Exercise ASKARI STORM. The cadres saw experienced riflemen and lance-corporals from across the Battalion go to join the platoons and specialise their skill set in either Machine Guns, Snipers, Reconnaissance, Javelin, Assault Pioneers or Mortars. The Cadres concluded with an exercise to bring together the orchestra of their respective skill sets in a final ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition & Reconnaissance) Exercise. This exercise combined all the specialities, and I can say with confidence it set the whole Battlegroup up for success in Kenya.

building basic skills and establishing their standard operating procedures. In June, we held our Battalion Battle Camp, entirely in Northern Ireland and in some cases using private land. This was also combined with our annual Bramall Trophy, with stiff competition to prove the finest platoon in Battalion. This year, the Reconnaissance Platoon proved the winners in a close and competitive event. Thereafter, the companies were pitted against each other in several force-on-force actions, focusing on patrolling, the attack and defence. The Summer Term ended with Battlegroup Headquarters deploying to Warminster to be tested in the Combined Arms Staff Trainer. This was a success, as commented on by the permanent staff at Warminster who oversaw our training and testing during the intense two weeks.

moved to Archers Post Training Area, a phase in which the rifle companies completed a demanding rotation of a company live-fire exercise, an ‘enabling’ lane, testing our obstacle crossing skills, and a Hasty Defence stand. With 48 hours per rotation, and in the arduous Samburu heartlands, the heat proved to be as much an enemy as The Grenadier Guards.

Next, to the much cooler Lolldaiga Reserve for our final exercise, though the steep hills were to prove a different challenge. During this phase, we when head-to-head with The Grenadier Guards, ensuring that from Day One they earned their pay. Over the course of two weeks, we tested new ways of command and control, to keep the tempo turned up high on our enemy, this combined with a Battlegroup strapline of ‘laser focused on winning’. The Battlegroup passed all assessments on our first run, giving us the freedom to experiment for a few days towards the end of the period. We were

one of only four battlegroups in the past three years to have validated on the first attempt.

Following the exercise, we began the first Persistent Engagement Period, a key concept of the Integrated Review. This saw the Battlegroup remain in country, testing new tactics and concepts, engaging with the local community, completing survival evasion resistance and extraction training, undertaking more adventurous training and enjoying the enrichment of cultural activities. This provided a fantastic opportunity for the Battalion, giving us a rare freedom to train with variety as well as to explore the beautiful countryside of Kenya. Combined with our performance on exercise, it is safe to say we must sit among the most combat-ready battalions in the British Army. During this time, we were stood by to support a Non-evacuation Combat Operation within the region; an exciting opportunity for which we were well prepared, but alas an unfulfilled one.

By June 2021, the rifle companies were in full swing with their pre-deployment training: live firing,

Summer leave followed, providing welcome relief following a busy build-up period prior to Kenya. From the beginning of September, the Battalion, joined by other assets began arriving in Kenya. In the pre-exercise period, our riflemen had an opportunity to take part in local community engagement projects, as well as enjoying some early Adventurous Training. The Battlegroup then deployed to Laikipia Reserve for a challenging 17 days of low-level self-enabled training, culminating in a 48-hour Battlegroup-level operation. Next, we

A Rfn of the Fire Team Commander’s Course provides cover to a wounded comrade and breaks contact

Two Rfn of B Coy dash between cover toward an enemy position during a live platoon attack

3 Rifles

This year has been hugely varied for the Riflemen within your battalion, conducting several readiness tasks, supporting UK operations and enjoying multiple exercise deployments overseas.

Our overarching commitment has been to NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (Land), under Operation AGORA. The Battalion Headquarters, Fire-Support Company (FSp Company) and Headquarter Company (HQ Company) have all been held at 5 days' notice-to-move as an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Battlegroup, to be deployed within a NATO Brigade, led by a Turkish Headquarters. To facilitate this potential deployment, FSp Company reorganised the platoons into ISR combat teams mounted in Jackal all-terrain vehicles, whilst the Battalion HQ conducted Combined Arms Staff Training. The deployment to Romania in May-June for Exercise NOBLE JUMP was a useful opportunity to prove our strategic deployability as well as to develop our interoperability with NATO allies.

At the start of the year the battalion was heavily involved with support to Operation RESCRIPT, the Defence response to the Covid 19 crisis; this included running testing sites, facilitating vaccinations and assisting the NHS Logistics system in Scotland. We have also enjoyed a host of smaller commitments in the UK and overseas,

which have seen Riflemen deploy on Exercise WARFIGHTER to the USA; Exercise SABER JUNCTION in Germany with the American 2nd Cavalry Regiment; and Exercise JOINT PROTECTOR in Sweden.

In the background, the companies have been training in anticipation of Exercise TERMINUS STRIKE, our mounted Company exercise conducted in the autumn which spanned the North of England and South of Scotland. This has provided an excellent opportunity for the rifle companies to test themselves, spend time on their vehicles in difficult terrain and develop their mechanised infantry tactics.

Exercise NOBLE JUMP: Romania

3 RIFLES was tasked as the UK’s contribution to the Very High Readiness Task Force (Land) (VJTF(L)).

The exercise featured a live firing package at Cincu, Romania, where our riflemen had their marksmanship rigorously tested. This culminated in an international Demonstration, where the 3 RIFLES contingent executed a display of their heavy firepower. The final event was Exercise

SABRE GUARDIAN, a multinational divisional level exercise, where the VJTF(L) Bde conducted manoeuvres with another multinational brigade.

Exercise SAVA STAR: Croatia.

A Company had the privilege of training alongside the 1st ‘Sokolovi’ Mechanised Battalion in the North East of Croatia on Exercise SAVA STAR. The flagship annual UK-Croatian bi-lateral exercise, this proved an insight for riflemen into how a NATO partner operates with their equipment and tactics. The exercise culminated in a Distinguished Visitors’ Day attended by Croatian Generals and representation from other NATO countries.

Exercise SABER JUNCTION: Germany.

4 Platoon, B Company recently had the opportunity to deploy on Exercise SABER JUNCTION 21; a month-long deployment to the Hohenfels Training Area in Germany, alongside an American Stryker Troop in the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2CR). In addition to the significant level of resource aligned to the exercise (US Aviation, an entire enemy Battalion, the rest of the Stryker Brigade), for most of the riflemen this was the longest continuous period on exercise they had ever completed.

Exercise TERMINUS STRIKE: Otterburn, Kielder and Galloway Forests

This took place in the autumn over four training areas. Across this land each company had the opportunity to exercise for a two-week period, rehearsing and testing skills they had developed

over the past year. The exercise required a focus on mechanised manoeuvre across long distances and through complex terrain, dispersed from the battalion HQ and against a ‘near peer’ enemy. Each company was then tasked to seize objectives that lead further and further into the dense woodland of Kielder Forest, forcing them to use their Mastiff vehicles in conjunction with dismounted fighting. After a series of ambushes and raids designed to fragment the enemy, the companies moved to RAF Spadeadam to conduct a deliberate attack on a disused missile silo. A 150-mile tactical road march across the Scottish border to Galloway Forest preceded a final raid on a small farmstead representing the enemy’s HQ.

Operational Shooting Competitions.

The battalion Shooting Team participated in the RIFLES Regimental Shooting Competition. The team was selected from individuals who had performed to a high standard in the Battalion Operational Shooting Competition held in Oct 21. The 3 RIFLES team, used to the blustery conditions of Castlelaw Ranges in Edinburgh, got off to a good start in the sunny and still conditions of Pirbright. This performance was reinforced throughout the week and the 3 RIFLES team shot with accuracy and consistency, scoring particularly well on the long-distance ranges. This high standard of shooting earned them second place, behind only the Regimental Shooting Team (made up of the best shots from across the RIFLES) – an excellent result for us.

Ex Noble Jump

A COY Stave Star

4 Rifles

We have completed our fourth and final year in the Specialised Infantry Group. The Battalion’s higher headquarters was re-named on 31 August 2021 to become the Army Special Operations Brigade and on 1 December 2021 the Battalion re-designated from 4th Battalion, The Rifles to 4th Battalion, The Ranger Regiment.

We have completed our fourth and final year in the Specialised Infantry Group. The Battalion’s higher headquarters was re-named on 31 August 2021 to become the Army Special Operations Brigade and on 1 December 2021 the Battalion re-designated from 4th Battalion, The Rifles to 4th Battalion, The Ranger Regiment.

The Battalion has completed its third iteration of the large-scale Unconventional Warfare Exercises in the USA alongside our US Green Beret counterparts. Each iteration of the exercise improves, and we continue to learn and develop alongside our US allies. As you would expect, our Rangers are innovating at every level and driving the land special operations concept forward. The Battalion also designed and piloted the first UK-based Unconventional Warfare Exercise in November 2021.

Our operational cycle of eight months on operations, eight months on contingency and eight months spent training remains a constant. The focus for 2021 was to continue building our licence to operate, further develop our relationship with the US Green Berets and to set the conditions for the formation of The Ranger Regiment.

Operational Activity

During 2021 the Battalion has seen the completion of its enduring four-year commitment to Afghanistan with the redeployment of our training team from Northern Afghanistan in March 2021. The completion of the Battalion’s commitment was a poignant moment in its operational history and the enduring sacrifices made by members of the Battalion in Afghanistan will not be forgotten.

More broadly, R Company handed over the Battalion’s operational commitments to B and G (Coriano) Company in April 2021. G (Coriano) Company have been fortunate enough to deploy to Somalia and Nigeria in support of sister Army Special Operations Brigade Battalions training partner forces in remote and austere conditions. B Company have taken the lead on pushing the Ranger Regiment capability and land special

operations forward following the training validation in America in late 2020.

In August 2020, a team from B Company deployed to Kenya to partner 240 Kenya Defence Force personnel on Ex ASKARI STORM alongside the 2 RIFLES Battle Group. They delivered live fire training to the Kenyans before integrating them into the 2 RIFLES battlegroup and enabling their full participation on the exercise. The team were deployed on the ground for a total of 44 days continuously and were highly praised by the Kenyan and UK chain of command for the constant professionalism.

Finally, we have continued to develop the Battalion’s persistent presence in the Middle East with deployments to Lebanon and Jordan. Both deployments were in support of the growing Ranger Regiment capability. As we continue to build the Army’s confidence in The Ranger Regiment capability, the Battalion stands ready to support missions and tasks with higher levels of risk.

Training

The Battalion’s training continues to focus on the development of our licence to operate and specifically our core trade of operational partnering. Our relationship with the US Green Berets goes from strength to strength and our exchange programme has entered its second rotation. We have also hosted a Green Beret team for a specialist joint interoperability exercise with a mountain environment focus.

Our third Unconventional Warfare Exercise took place in Fort Bliss, Texas in July-August. For the first time a complete UK Special Operations Task Group, using wide-ranging enablers from across the Field Army (specialists in: information activity and operations, electronic warfare, operational intelligence, intelligence surveillance target acquisition and reconnaissance and fires) integrated with and worked to a US Special Operations Task Force Headquarters. This interoperability bodes well for joint deployments in our shared area of operations in 2022.

5 Rifles

It has been a busy year, which began in the dark, cold of the Estonian winter and has been punctuated by some outstanding performances. Operationally, the Battalion has been well-tested, both in Estonia on Op CABRIT 7 and in Ukraine on Exercise JOINT ENDEAVOUR.

In both cases Riflemen drew praise from allies and partners alike. In Estonia, the 5 RIFLES Battlegroup contributed to the triggering of a Russian diplomatic Note Verbale, such was our impact on our principal adversary.

More broadly, Riflemen have performed at the national level in Sailing, Olympic Skeet shooting, Table Tennis, and Tug of War. We are impressed by the Battalion’s culture, which is supporting the development of six female Riflemen, including Corporal Emma Newbold, who is the Infantry’s only Section Commander’s Battle Course qualified female.

2021 was an extraordinary year given operational commitment coincidental with the apparent apogee of the COVID pandemic. 2022 promises a full Battalion deployment to Canada, which has captured the professional imagination of our Riflemen.

Exercise JOINT ENDEAVOUR

With recent Russian troop build-up, the precarious position of Ukrainian sovereignty has been at the forefront of the international news agenda. Between the September and October, D Company (under the command of Major Joe Murray) deployed on Ex JOINT ENDEAVOUR in Ukraine to develop Ukrainian interoperability with NATO partners and contribute to the deterrence of Russia.

D Company deployed to South-East Ukraine and trained alongside the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s (AFU) 56th Marine Brigade as they conducted predeployment validation for a Brigade deployment to the Joint Force Operation (JFO), the contested area of South Eastern Ukraine.

The exercise provided a multifaceted opportunity for the Company; testing our readiness to deploy at short notice to eastern Europe; integration and interoperability with Swedish Marines; and an excellent opportunity for adventure and travel for our Riflemen. Commander ORBITAL (the persistent UK Operation in Ukraine) commented:

ARMY WARFIGHTING EXPERIMENT

Taking place in October the Army Warfighting Experimenting was the premier exercise for

harnessing technology to prepare British forces for future warfare. Throughout the three weeks, over 20 commercial vendors presented their innovations, using A Company, under the command of Major Pete Daniell, to test them in the urban environment. Riflemen relished the chance to work with allies from the United States infantry and show off their capabilities on the Distinguished Visitors Day, including to the Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey MP, a fellow Rifleman. Following the DV Day, A Company were tasked with assessing the very latest in simulation technologies, situational awareness equipment, and other kit focussed on helping us to operate in the urban environment.

Throughout the three weeks, Riflemen were able to use and test novel kit and concepts, while providing genuine and constructive feedback on its real-world application.

Exercise GAULISH EAGLE

B Company deployed to France on Ex GAULISH EAGLE in November 2021. The exercise is a longstanding arrangement that sees a French Company come to the United Kingdom to train, and a British Company head to France on a high intensity Urban Operations exercise. B Company deployed under the command of Major Tom Brown.

The Sissonne training area hosts some of the most testing urban facilities in the world, complete with a mock-up, modern city including high rise apartment blocks. The exercise was fought over a 5-day period and B Company faced a ferocious ‘free playing’ enemy equipped with modern weaponry, armoured vehicles, and tanks. B Company were praised by our allies for displaying British ‘fighting spirit’ and tenacity in the face of overwhelming enemy numbers.

Not only did the Company benefit from an educational and enjoyable exercise, but the deployment offered much in the way of wider engagement. This included representation at the Armistice Parade in Laon, a visit to the Pannier Champagne house, and concluded with a day’s sightseeing in Paris.

Exercise OCTACINE

Since the 20 September we have been held at readiness as one of the UK’s Stand-by Battalions (UKSB), trained for a counter-terror response in support of armed policing, or support to the civil authorities. Fire Support Company participated in Ex OCTACINE, a police-led, multi-agency exercise, designed to test the national response to a significant terror incident. The Riflemen’s response was as nuanced as it was swift, drawing praise from across

6 Rifles

the Metropolitan and Hampshire Constabularies. It is easy to understate the adjustment in mindset required when supporting armed police in the homeland, particularly given a routine training focus on warfighting. Typically, the Riflemen of Fire Support Company, under the command of Major Chris Groves, excelled. Of note, Captain Colin Nufer was integral to the design, planning and execution of a complicated multi-agency exercise and he was rightly singled out for praise by senior Police colleagues.

The Riflemen have once again performed admirably this year; having returned from operations under the most challenging circumstances they have fully embraced a return to their core role as light role infanteers.

We have maintained the Battalion’s overall strength and delivered demanding field training, culminating in an arduous annual deployment exercise to Brecon in September. Sadly, much of our engagement activity with our communities and cadets has remained on hold due to the Covid pandemic, although we have some exciting innovations planned for when we are once again allowed to mingle.

There have been no further developments to our laydown which remains as: A Company in Gloucester with outstations in Bristol and Hereford; C Company in Dorchester with an outstation in Poole; D Company in Truro with an outstation in Plymouth; and Headquarter Company and Battalion Headquarters in Exeter, with outstations in Barnstaple and Paignton.

Following the Integrated Review announcement in late November, the Battalion will prepare to resubordinate from 7th Infantry Brigade to 19th Brigade next summer. We have been well looked after by the Desert Rats, although relish the opportunities that being in an all-Army Reserve brigade will bring. Initial indications are that we will remain closely paired to the 1st Battalion and will continue to provide them with augmentees for operations.

In the shorter term the Battalion has been tasked to deploy a Rifle Company to Kenya in 2022, in the first such deployment of an Army Reserve unit in the Land Regional Hub role. We are excited about the opportunities this deployment will give and are looking forward to soldiering in the harsh terrain of East Africa.

The Battalion’s workforce remains strong, with

trained strength now at 99% and overall strength at 125% - the best in the Army Reserve Infantry. We have also started to reduce the Covid-induced backlog of Riflemen waiting to be loaded onto training courses. Several Riflemen have progressed markedly in their careers and we continue to grow our reputation at the Infantry Battle School with five Corporals passing the challenging Platoon Serjeant’s Battle Course in November. One of our young officers has also completed the regular Platoon Commander’s Battle Course with a commendable pass ahead of his imminent departure for Cyprus, where he will join the 1st Battalion on Operation TOSCA 35. You will be pleased to hear that the Battalion has the highest number of females employed in Ground Close Combat roles across 1st (United Kingdom) Division. We have recently hosted an extremely successful Bugle Breakfast engagement event at the Historic Guildhall in Exeter. The breakfast was attended by several Deputy Lieutenants, the High Sherriff for Devon, Past Lord Mayors and some of our employers, providing an opportunity to update the community on what the Regiment have been doing. It is apparent that The Rifles connection to the South West remains strong and we hope to be the lead unit at next years Armed Forces Day in the city.

The 6th Battalion has risen to every challenge that 2021 has offered and has proudly delivered in all areas. We returned from operations and continue to lead the pack by most metrics across the Army Reserve. The training focus for next year now shifts to preparing for Kenya – a challenge that your Riflemen are excited about and ready to deliver.

7 Rifles

2021 has been a varied year for the Battalion as we have reconstituted after the double challenge of Operations in Cyprus, and UK Resilience in support of the Government Response to Covid 19. Our troops have consistently impressed with their dedication and commitment as they combine service in 7 RIFLES with busy civilian careers and family life.

Operational Activity

Over the last year the battalion has deployed Rifleman on seven overseas operations and tasks in including Israel and the West Bank, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kenya, France, Sweden, Cyprus, and Nepal. During these deployments our Riflemen have contributed to Peacekeeping, Capacity Building for local forces, Ghurkha Selection in Nepal, NATO Exercises, and Defence Engagement. Notably the battalion has supported both the 2nd and

5th Battalions and two officers will shortly deploy to Cyprus to support the 1st Battalion. The Waterloo Band and Bugles deployed to Cyprus in September conducting a range of tasks including a Sounding Retreat for the 1st Battalion and entertaining the Chief of the General Staff and Commander British Forces Cyprus. In the United Kingdom we continue to have Riflemen supporting Op RESCRIPT, the UK COVID Response, and Op TRANSFORM, the Army Innovation Programme.

Training post COVID

Adventurous Training and Sport

We have resumed our focus on Sport and Adventure Training this year. The final three days of the Annual Deployment Exercise was set aside for Adventure Training. We laid on four activities (Caving, Kayaking, Rock-climbing/abseiling, and Mountain Biking) these were planned and delivered by Junior Officers for the most with the Quartermaster delivering the Mountain Biking. Our Alpine Ski team has now deployed to France for Ex FROSTED BLADE, and Major Maxwell and Colour Serjeant Armon-Jones have deployed as part of the Exercise Staff. The Battalion has maintained its focus on cricket under the captaincy of WO2 Anderson, the team have played two matches, and three of our Riflemen played for the Regimental Team. The Golf Team continue to play regularly and a new enthusiasm for cycling is emerging with several of the permanent staff racing in Army events. Maj Hunt raced for the winning Army Team in the Inter Services Time Trial, and Pte Thomas has been competing in the Army Netball Team. The Army Boxing Team have asked for coaching assistance from Rfn Alloway who talent was spotted during a recent skills course.

Training

Our Rifle Platoons have conducted a mixture of range work and tactical exercises through the year, including training on Warrior with the 5th Battalion in May. In September we conducted Ex SWORD STRIKE where in addition to Live Fire Tactical Training on Lydd Ranges, we conducted a Tactical Engagement System enabled exercise on Salisbury Plain. We were also able to host 20 Officer Cadets from Oxford University Officer Training Corps. Finally, in October we were able to combine our requalified Mortar Platoon, our Machine Gunners, and our Rifle Platoons to conduct a Company attack with live support weapons, a first for many Riflemen in the Battalion.

In 2022, we will implement the changes required under the Future Soldier Programme and seek to raise our readiness and deployablity to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by our role in the 20th Armoured Brigade Combat Team. Our training focus will be on Ex NORTHERN STRIKE, a multinational exercise held in Michigan, USA during the summer of 2022, and the Waterloo Band and Bugles will participate in the June 2022 Sounding Retreat on Horse Guards.

8 Rifles

Because of the challenging environment for Reserve training and recruitment, we have continued to deliver against our intent: to grow in numbers, to develop our light role capability, and build our regional reputation.

While generating and retaining mass has remained our main effort, improving deployability has been a close second. In raw strength, we almost have the deployable Company group needed to declare Full Operating Capability, albeit now maturing it through collective training, and creating the workforce depth to assure the numbers needed to operate alongside our Regular peers.

In March, the Battalion came out of Winter lockdown with renewed vigour, after a fitful 2020. Urban operations, Police interoperability and marksmanship were the early training objectives, culminating in Ex. PLATINUM WOLF, a Defence Engagement exercise in Serbia. Reinforced by 2 RIFLES and working hand-in-glove with nine other nations, many of our Riflemen had their first exposure to light mechanised, and air mobile Infantry tactics on foreign platforms. The exercise concluded with the Defence Secretary announcing the signing of a new UK-Serbian defence cooperation agreement.

With success overseas, our UK focus returned to building structural depth, with a two-week deployment to Ballykinler to deliver platoon tactics, and qualifications in range safety, training safety, physical training, and driving. An operational shooting package helped identify our shooting talent ahead of our first team entry into the Rifles Regimental OSC.

Throughout the year, we have maintained a modest, but consistent, operational output, with Liaison Officers mobilised to support to Op RESCRIPT, including workforce deployed with 1 RIFLES surge testing in Greater Manchester. We have also provided Riflemen to 5 RIFLES on Ex. GAULISH in France, and broader support to exercises in Kenya and Oman.

Looking forward to 2022, we have some clear goals: generate the deployable sub-unit, sharpen our competitive edge, surge our community engagement, and have some fun whilst doing it.

Waterloo Band

OP Shooting

The Rifleman’s Association

The Rifles formed in 2007 there was an expectation that a Rifles’ Association would grow over time as an evolution of the existing branches of the associations of our Forming Regiments.

Whilst RIFLES veterans have been welcomed warmly by these branches, few have taken the opportunity to join, and that reluctance continues as we approach the 15th anniversary of our formation. However, we know that RIFLES veterans are becoming increasingly keen to reunite socially with their contemporaries. We have, therefore, created The Rifleman’s Association (TRA), membership of which will be very much open to veterans of our Forming and Antecedent Regiments, but will be of greater interest to those currently serving or those who have left The Rifles since 2007. It is to TRA that RHQ RIFLES resources and support will be given in the future.

Riflemen, whether serving or retired, like to do things with people that they know and respect, and with whom they have shared experiences both good and bad. At the heart of TRA is the development of a network of semi-autonomous Branches (Battalions, Functional and Regional) made up of veterans with shared experiences in common. These branches will offer events, comradeship, support to those needing it; and through these, help to fellow Riflemen when needed. But TRA is designed as a national association; with common overarching rules, a national committee supported by branch committees, and common subscription levels that allow individuals to move easily from one branch to another. For serving Riflemen, their subscription will come from their donation under the Service Day's Pay Scheme. For veterans, branch subscriptions are paid annually, with the income generated going direct to the respective TRA branch. TRA branches can then bid for start-up, and then further funding through RHQ and this will be allocated according to the membership

numbers of each branch.

Membership of TRA offers individuals:

• A club of like-minded members with whom to keep in touch and socialise.

• access to a wide variety of events, ranging from invitations to return to battalions for their Salamanca Day celebrations or sporting fixtures, to branch organised events tailored to their members' wishes.

• Access to RIFLES news, through Swift, where photos and stories are routinely posted and copies of The Chronicle, Bugle and Fix Swords publications can be read on-line (including on a smart phone).

• Free entry to TRA Gatherings that normally take place once a year.

• A small, distinct enamel TRA lapel badge that can be worn in civilian clothing to identify the wearer as a Rifleman.

Membership of TRA can only be done on Swift, The Rifles Network, uniquely designed as the cuttingedge website of TRA. Swift has state of the art functions bedded within in that are compliant with the MOD’s GDPR policies, enables secure payments to be made efficiently, information to be displayed and members to easily find and contact comrades or fellow members of TRA living within their vicinity.

Over time, any group of Riflemen (Serving or Veteran) may apply to RHQ to form a local branch of The Rifleman’s Association but a decision has been taken to initially grow branches in an incremental and manageable way as TRA finds its feet. With the help and support of RHQ's Regional Secretaries, the following is envisaged:

National: It is hoped that the Buglers' Association of The Light Division and RIFLES will evolve into the Buglers' Branch of TRA. This would be a hybrid branch, controlled centrally but operating regionally.

Regional:

London – While the London Branch of the RGJ Association remains strong, a situation might occur where there is an appetite and capacity to form a branch of TRA in due course.

South – An initiative is already underway to form a South Branch of TRA from Reading.

South West – An initiative is already underway to form a South West from Exeter.

Central – The plan is to form a Central Branch TRA.

North East – There is already a North East Branch of TRA.

North West – The plan is to form a North West Branch of TRA.

Yorkshire – The plan is to form a Yorkshire Branch TRA.

Battalions: Reality each of the Regular and Reserve Battalions is a Branch of TRA but this should not stop serving Riflemen from also joining a Regional Branch if they so wish.

Scotland and Northern Ireland: Given the deepening RIFLES roots in Scotland and Northern Ireland the Regiment would welcome the creation of branches in these nations.

Always A Rifleman Programme

What is it?

As a regiment that is renowned for forward thinking and initiative, The Always a Rifleman Programme is the first of its kind. The principal aim is to prevent veterans from succumbing to the effects of a crisis. It achieves this by bridging the gap between a Rifleman falling into crisis and the delivery of professional help offered by specialist charities, or the NHS. Concurrently, the programme works tirelessly to prevent veterans falling into crisis by guiding them through a recovery plan that leads to a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. Staffed by over 110 volunteers, all of whom have RIFLES pedigree, this initiative has already saved dozens of lives.

How does the programme work?

There are three different stages of help delivered by the programme:

• Immediate

• Intermediate

• Planned

Immediate support is provided by our 24/7 RIFLES only emergency help line. Manned by eight highly experienced retired Riflemen, all of whom have experienced a crisis and survived. Anonymity is guaranteed, but most importantly, so is immediate help. If you call this number during a crisis, the programme aims to have someone at your door within an hour.

Intermediate support is delivered between the moment of a stabilised crisis and the delivery of professional care. The programme does not seek to deliver clinical assistance, it is purely based on Peerto-Peer support. A combination of qualified helpers and life experienced veterans deliver assurance and guidance by remaining connected and involved until adequate professional care has been established.

Planned support is specifically aimed at preventing a reoccurrence of a crisis. It is achieved using an army of mentors, all of whom are accomplished retired Riflemen. The mentors work tirelessly with other charities to help veterans to ascend Maslow’s chart of hierarchical needs and reach self-actualisation. They achieve this by skilfully unifying charitable efforts and an individuals’ goals and aspirations. From finding better employment to building their own business, the mentorship is fundamental to the success of the programme.

What does the future hold for the Always A Rifleman Programme?

The programme aspires to get bigger by working with a unified regimental association, The Rifleman’s Association. During the first six months of the programme, we have come to learn that we are more effective and efficient when we are unified by the same principles.

Whilst this is both ambitious and challenging, our regiment was formed to lead change, and by this virtue, it is only right to embrace change and maximise the opportunity it presents.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Battle of Waterloo – The First Shot

The Duke of Wellington was on a hill on the battlefield at Waterloo…

The Duke ordered his galloper to his side and handed him a note to him telling him: “Deliver this on pain of death to His Majesty the King in London immediately.”

The young soldier rode all day, stopping only to change horses, arriving a day later at Calais. He took a ship to Dover and then galloped off towards to London.

It was three days later when the soldier reached Buckingham Palace. He banged on the gates shouting: “OPEN IN THE NAME OF THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON – I MUST SEE THE KING IMMEDIATELY.” The exhausted galloper was immediately led to the King’s bed chamber.

The King came to the door in his night clothes and holding a candle up to the soldier’s dirty face demanded to know why he had been awakened at such an hour.

“Sire” stammered the soldier, “A message from the Duke of Wellington. I have come direct from the field of battle.”

The King tore open the wax-sealed document and read the critical message aloud. It read “CONTACT… WAIT… OUT.”

Tea and biscuits

2Lt (later Col) Jamie Daniell obe and two Rfn of 1 RGJ are supplied with tea and biscuits prepared by a local Belfast woman outside a house in Cupar Street in the Republican Falls area of Belfast during the Battalion's first tour of duty in Northern Ireland. The tour lasted from 20 August18 December 1969.

Tea and biscuits 1969

The continuing adventures of Kimba the Hampshire police dog

The continuing adventures of Kimba the Hampshire police dog

We were called to a small copse off the A27 where two youths had made off from a car. Mick Copp PC1316. Ex 2 RGJ

On arrival it was explained that the two were in thick undergrowth and refused to come out. So, I shouted the standard challenge and Kimba as usual went berserk. Just before I released him a squeaky little voice shouted: “No I’m coming out” and a pimply faced youth eventually crawled out and I asked him if his mate was coming out. He said that his mate had said if we sent in the dog he would kill it. I asked him if he had any weapons and he said no. So, with a sardonic smile on my face I again shouted the challenge with no response. In went Kimba and within seconds all we could hear was growling and grumbling and a voice shouting: “no get him off”. So, I called the dog out and he eventually obeyed. Then out came another pimply faced youth. I couldn’t understand why he was wearing a string vest at his age he looked like ‘Rab C Nesbit’ then I realised it had been a t-shirt, but Kimba had modified it. As he came out and walked past, he said: “that dogs Fxxxxing mad.”

Working with the dogs was not always straight forward, sometimes like us they had off days and didn’t want to be there so it was down to the handler to interpret their behaviour. One day we were called to Widley Woods north of Portsmouth, where a local lad who was well known to us had run off from yet another stolen car. On arrival the area car crew

pointed out the field he had run across, it was Autumn late afternoon. On his harness Kimba went off like a train across two fields towards some woods, unfortunately on arrival we found a man with two dogs who said he hadn’t seen anyone (yeh right!) I waited till he had walked on, took Kimba off his tracking harness, shouted the usual challenge and off he went into the woods, after a minute or two I realised it was very quiet and went to investigate. I found him stood stock still looking down into the crater where a large tree had been. It was dusk by now so we were running out of time I looked down but could see nothing at all just a large pile of leaves in the bottom of the crater. Kimba was still not barking just staring so there was obviously something there. I was about to go and get a large stick to start prodding when a slight movement caught my eye, it was literally someone’s eye had just blinked it was as simple as that. “Come on Paul” I said: “up you come” and suddenly out from the pile of leaves popped our well-known car thief. Kimba then belatedly went berserk, prior to this he had been utterly confused, maybe there was no scent with all the damp leaves. It would have been easy just to call him off but it was obvious he had noticed something but couldn’t work out what it was, so it was good teamwork.

All of a sudden, a cannon roared into life and a ball went crashing over the Duke’s head.

2Lt Jamie Daniel and 2 Rfn

Kimba the softie

Memories of Leeson Street 1981

Your recent request for memories of the R Coy Leeson Street patrol brought back my own vivid memories of Leeson Street, but during the ‘81/82 West Belfast tour of 2 RGJ.

Cpl Ken Pettengale

I was a Section Commander of 10 Pl C Coy at this time, operating out of North Howard Street Mill. Roulement Battalions often had to serve as cover for the RMP who were delivering monies to Post Offices, as normal deliveries were prone to being... ‘diverted’. My memory tells me these mobile cover patrols were called ‘Op Clarion’, but time and age may be playing tricks.

One Saturday in November 1981 my section was tasked with mobile patrols around the TAOR whilst the RMP were in the area doing their thing. I was in command of the lead vehicle with Rfn Mick Connolly as my driver. The second vehicle was commanded by L/Cpl Si Coe (RIP) with a Geordie lad on attachment from 1LI as his driver. As we were driving along the Falls road toward Springfield Road, I happened to glance over and down Leeson Street and I saw it was completely empty – no kids, no women nothing. I was sceptical for a single vehicle was facing up Leeson Street toward the Falls. I pulled the vehicle in a little way off of the junction and told Si what I had seen. I decided to go around the block, come back on our route and stop our vehicle either side of Leeson Street and out of line of sight – I suspected the vehicle I had seen was an IED. A plate check revealed that the vehicle had been stolen. I quickly briefed the section and asked for the QRF from NHSM to come across the waste

ground at the Plevna gap in support.

Shortly after this I received a transmission from the QRF section commander, Cpl John ‘Hammy’ Hammond. He told me that he had seen a rifle thrown from an upstairs rear window of a house in Leeson Street. I asked him to count the chimney pots from his side, and I duplicated the count from my side. It coincided with a house outside which the stolen vehicle was parked.

I then made a decision to ‘hot pursuit’ and along with Mick Connolly I kicked the door in... The front door led directly into a front/living room. There were two women in their late 20’s sitting on a couch dressed for outside. There were two children – a boy and a girl – playing on the floor, and just behind them a man was coming down the stairs. Under normal circumstances, these people would be screaming and shouting the odds, but not a single word was uttered by them – not one.

seen coming down the stairs came out with the two children, holding their hands and walking away towards an ice cream van that had appeared... as he drew level with it, he looked back, let the kids go and started to run away. At this point I cut short my ‘chat’ and chased after him shouting at him to stop. He turned, reached for his waistband and I started to pull my rifle into the shoulder. I then ran into a speed hump, lost my balance, dropped my rifle and somehow covered the distance between us bringing him to the ground.

The article published in ‘Visor’ magazine showing the weapon and outlining my actions states ‘suspect felled with rugby tackle’ honestly, I would love to continue to claim that, but the truth is that I fell over my own feet, got tangled in my sling and rifle and fell on him like a sack of spuds!

NB The suspect lived in Crocus street and a member of the INLA. Just nine months before in February 1981, he had been convicted of firearms offences committed in 1979, and sentenced to 28 years in prison (records are there if you want to look) he was released on a judicial technicality. For

my incident he received 30 years but was releases under the Good Friday Agreement.

I had been told at the time that the incident they had set up was to be a sniper attack for any patrol coming in or going out of NHSM and that a French tv documentary crew had set up in the Falls Road Sinn Fein offices to film it. How true that is? I can’t say.

“ Cpl, CPL! They are shooting at us”

“That’s okay son, they are the enemy – they are allowed to”

At this point I was joined by an RUC Sgt and the RSM, who both invited me to leave the building. They then reiterated the rules of hot pursuit to me (which I’d broken). As I was explaining to them what had happened and why I did what I did, people began streaming out of their houses and the street became its usual den of iniquity. Whilst watching the house, the man I had

Newspaper writeup

Arms find

The patrol group

Falklands 1982 – A Backroom Story

It is not often that one becomes involved in events which are of national, if not international, importance, so, shortly after the Falklands War of 1982, I wrote an account of my backroom involvement. What follows is extracted from that account. Brigadier Christopher Dunphie MC

In January 1982 I had finished a couple of dreary years in the MoD. The only interesting time had been a few weeks in late 1979, as one of a team of three, at Lancaster House, trying, in support of the political solution, to negotiate a cease-fire in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe prior to its independence. It is 'stimulating' sitting in a small room with three men who have spent much of the last 20 years trying to kill one-another!

A short-term Civilian Manpower Study based on South-East District at Aldershot became bearable when I was allowed to recruit Ron Cassidy. Ron had decided to retire early in order to put down roots in Winchester, rather than face yet another move (Lt Col QM was a certainty if he had stayed).

One day in early April I was summoned by GOC SE Dist, Lt Gen Dick Trant. 2 and 3 Para were being sent from 5 Bde to reinforce the 3 Cdo Bde en route to the Falklands. 5 Bde was standing by to follow and had been given two replacement battalions from London District. Gen Trant felt that 5 Brigade Commander should be given a chance to exercise his brigade. Would I run an exercise for him? Having spent some years in the tactical training world, at the School of Infantry and Staff College, this was an attractive invitation – besides, Ron was much better than me at unearthing the oddities of Civilian Manpower. (One of the ‘oddities’ unearthed by Ron was an elderly Pole who had stayed in UK after WW2 and been taken on to cut wood for fuelling central heating boilers in Aldershot. But no-one had told him that the boilers he was supplying had been converted to oil some years earlier – his wood stockpile was impressive.)

The directive I was given by Gen Trant was simple; to devise and run a five-day brigade exercise in Wales, in a Falkland-type setting. It was to include a mass of fighter/ground-attack aircraft, support and light helicopters, an artillery regiment and was to exercise full brigade and battalion logistics, including Casevac. There was to be a pause in the middle for a live-firing demonstration by ground-attack aircraft, the Gunner regiment and the mortars of the three battalions. A battalion was already alerted as enemy and 3 Div had been

ordered to provide communications and umpires. “One final point”, Gen Trant said: “The exercise is to begin on Monday week” – it was Friday!

I admit that I enjoyed the Ex Welsh Falcon hugely, which was more than can be said for Commander 5 Bde, sadly – but that's another story. I had only returned to ‘under command Cassidy’ for a few days when I was summoned by the General again. Gen Moore and his Marine HQ were about to head South to take command of the Falklands operations. This left a void at HQ Fleet, whose CinC was the overall operational commander, based on his HQ at Northwood. Gen Trant had been appointed military adviser to Adm Fieldhouse, the CinC, on a ’part-time, occasional visit’ basis. I was to conduct a recce for Gen Trant, finding out what this involved.

I cannot pretend that my reception at Northwood was other than somewhat frosty. This was the Navy’s war and they did not want the Army trying to stick its muddy fingers in. When I asked what ‘rearlink’ the Marines planned to leave at Northwood when they went South, I was told that a Lt Col would be holding the fort – alone.

Once the landings had been achieved, the focus of the war would inevitably switch from sea to land, with the land battles deciding the final outcome. It seemed ‘surprising’ that the day-to-day voice of the war on land on the CinC's mega-star command team, which met twice a day and consisted of one Admiral, two Vice Admirals, one Rear Admiral, one Air Marshal and one Air Vice Marshal, backed by a large staff, should be a junior Lt Col, with no staff support. In addition to that role, the Marine Colonel was expected, presumably, to man the Satcom 24/7 for as long as the war lasted; maintain the ops log; keep the MoD fully informed; brief the countless visitors – Cabinet ministers, members of the Royal Family and senior officers of all three services –process details of battle casualties; brief the press; and so on. No time for such things as sleeping, eating, or even brewing a cup of coffee! It couldn't possibly work.

I returned and told Gen Trant that he ought to be there full-time, as a 3-star intermediary between

Gen Moore in the South and the CinC, and that he would need a mini-brigade staff to support him. HQ UKLF achieved wonders in recruiting a staff –G and AQ staff officers, and a mass of watchkeepers and clerks, all within 24 hours. From that opening I became Chief of Staff to Land Deputy to CinC Fleet for most of 1982. We took over at Northwood on 20 May, as Gen Moore and his HQ were leaving to fly to Ascension, where they would join QE2, sailing South with 5 Bde on board.

Perhaps the best description of the situation we found on arrival comes from a letter I received from Gen Trant some years later.

When I arrived at Northwood and went to the ‘dungeon’, I found Jeremy Moore packing a bag. You will remember that as far as any plans that there might be, all we knew was what we had read in the newspapers. I asked JM what was afoot. He replied: “It's tomorrow”. “What is?” “The landings”. This seemed odd – that he should still be in UK at the time they were taking place. “Where”. “There”, he said, putting his finger on San Carlos on that inadequate map pinned on the office wall. I commented that it seemed a long way from Port Stanley. When I enquired: “Why”. He said: “Haven't got time to tell you. The Fleet Ops Staff can fill you in. I’m off”. As he zipped up his bag, I asked what the plan was after the landing had taken place. The gist of his reply was: “There isn’t one, we'll work that out after the beachhead has been established”. I too had asked Gen Moore what his post-landing plans were and been told: “I’ll decide when I get there”. Thinking that we ought to have some idea of how the war might progress, I conducted what the Army used to call an ‘Appreciation of the Situation’. I reached four conclusions:

1 That the major battle would be fought on the ‘staircase’ of hills, West of Stanley – from Mt

Kent/Challenger to Mts Longden, Two Sister and Harriett, on down to Tumbledown and then into Stanley

2 That the balance of forces meant that we would never have the 3-to-1 superiority which any attacker seeks It would be local parity at best, and that, therefore, every available unit and man would be required for that battle

3 That the strong enemy position at Darwin/ Goose Green could, indeed should, if the enemy possessed any fighting spirit, pose a threat to our logistic base at San Carlos That position must either be eliminated or masked Leaving a battalion-sized force to mask it would reduce the size of the force available for the Battle for Stanley

4 That if the San Carlos base was not seriously attacked, there should be sufficient stores on shore by D+5 for offensive operations to begin

Next morning, I presented these ideas to Gen Trant. He then expanded and polished them into an impressive short presentation and invited Adm Fieldhouse to join us in our small dungeon, for a pre-lunch drink. His aim was two-fold; firstly, to ensure that the CinC had some idea of how the war might progress on land, and secondly, to get to know his master and ensure that his views were respected.

I sat in on this meeting – with no role other than topping up the gin – but at the end Adm Fieldhouse went so far as to say that he wished someone had briefed him like that, earlier. And he told Gen Trant that he was to repeat it to a meeting of his senior Command Team that evening – at which the Prime Minister would be present. After he left, I remember Gen Trant saying, with a quiet grin: “I hope we're right”.

Admiral of the Fleet John Fieldhouse, Baron Fieldhouse, GCB, GBE

Major General Sir Jeremy Moore

I must be frank and say that, in my view, Gen Moore made three fundamental mistakes. I am not, I hasten to add, criticising his command ‘down South’ since I wasn't there – just his initial planning.

First, the obvious nonsense of the unworkable Chain of Command, from Brig Thompson, commanding 3 Cdo Bde, to him, to Adm Fieldhouse, which he immediately broke when he was out of communications for nine days while sailing south in QE2, over the vital landing and immediate postlanding phase. And leaving one man, alone, at Northwood, to man the communications etc – an ill-considered nonsense.

Second, his failure to give any thought to the prosecution of operations after the landings. He left Northwood having given his boss, an Admiral with, presumably, little experience of warfare on land, no idea of how things might progress.

Third, and worst, he should have been down at San Carlos on D Day. His absence put an almost impossible load on Brig Thompson, who had to deal with Northwood when he should have been allowed to concentrate solely on commanding his brigade. [It is perhaps worth recording that just 2½ years earlier we had deployed a Monitor Force to cover the ceasefire leading up to the elections and independence of Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. The Chiefs of Staff paper, upon which that force was planned, stated that the Force Commander, a Major General, must be in Harare on Day 1, to take the rear-link to the UK (and the Governor, Lord Soames) off the

back of the Brigadier, thereby allowing the latter to concentrate on the deployment and command of his force. Having been the Chiefs of Staff man at Lancaster House, I wrote that paper.]

On 25 May, D+4, Atlantic Conveyor and Coventry were sunk – the former taking, amongst a mass of important equipment, most of the helicopters. Next morning the mood at Northwood was distinctly gloomy. Adm Fieldhouse sensed this at his morning briefing and gave his staff a stiff rocket on the lines of: “Casualties are a fact of war which we, in the Navy, have not experienced for a generation. I can accept more ship casualties, but what I will not accept is my staff mooching around with gloomy faces. Now, straighten your backs, put smiles on your faces and let’s get back to work”.

Gen Trant and I returned to our dungeon and were discussing this impressive ‘headmaster's rocket’, when the door opened and Adm Fieldhouse came in. We felt like two naughty school-boys, caught discussing the master when the master walks in! His instructions were brief and very clear: “You told me that if the San Carlos base had not been attacked, we should, by D+5, have sufficient stores ashore to start mounting offensive operations. It is now D+5, the Navy is suffering, and not only is there no action on land, but none seems even to be being planned. I want action.” And he left.

First, I then Gen Trant, spoke to Brig Thompson on the Satcom, seeking action. His response was entirely correct and quite understandable. “The

chain of command I was given was that I work for Gen Moore, who works for Adm Fieldhouse. I have not heard of any change in that chain and have no idea what part you play in proceedings, so I intend to obey my orders”.

There was no option but to put Adm Fieldhouse on the Satcom, which was in our Ops Room. I cleared everyone out; just the CinC, Gen Trant and I were present. Adm Fieldhouse left no room for doubt – Brig Thompson was to produce a plan for active operations to begin. There are many examples in history of commanders needing a ‘nudge from above’, after which they prosper. This, uncomfortable for Brig Thompson as it undoubtedly was, was just an example of ‘Necessary Leadership’ by the CinC. I think it pushed Thompson over his Rubicon because thereafter he certainly was an outstanding Brigade Commander. Next morning Brig Thompson sent us his plan. 42 Cdo would fly to Mt Kent; 45 Cdo and 3 Para would ‘Yomp’ or ‘Tab’ to the Kent/Challenger region; 2 Para would ‘raid’ the enemy at Darwin/Goose Green. Gen Trant took this plan to the CinC but, suggested one change. We had no idea of the fighting qualities of the opposition and had to assume that they would act as soldiers should – by mounting offensive operations. ‘Raiding’, a short-term operation, would neither mask nor eliminate the enemy at Darwin/ Goose Green, who could, indeed should, still prove a threat to the San Carlos base. Gen Trant suggested that ‘Raid’ should be altered to ‘Eliminate’.

2 Para’s battle at Darwin/Goose Green has been well documented, resulting in a remarkable victory, but the sad loss of 17 men killed and 35 wounded. Among the dead was the CO, Lt Col H Jones, who was later awarded a posthumous VC. In my view that battle set the tone for much of what followed; it proved that we were strongest where the opposition was weakest – in the quality of battlefield leadership at all levels, from Brig to Cpl. The story of the Falklands War has been told by many others. It was on 28 May that 2 Para launched their attack on Darwin/Goose Green. That day, a Friday, I was summoned by the CinC. It was Whitsun weekend, the Prime Minister was at Chequers and would not, therefore, have her normal War Cabinet meeting. I was to go there on Saturday morning and brief her. “What do you want me to say?”, I asked. “Oh, I don’t mind – say what you want”, replied Adm Fieldhouse cheerfully. “If you get it right, I shall take the credit; if you get it wrong, you can take the blame. Now, on your way, lad, I’m busy.”

Armed with that clear brief, I arrived at Chequers

and was shown into the Library where I was joined a few minutes later by Mrs Thatcher. It was a charming room with a round table in the middle, on which was a vast and beautifully arranged, bowl of flowers, surrounded by books and magazines. But it lacked one vital thing – there was nowhere to lay out a map. “Come on”, said Mrs T, “Let's get it out on the floor”. For the next 20 minutes the Prime Minister and I crawled around on the floor while I briefed her on the story of 2 Para’s attack on Darwin Hill, which led to the surrender of a large force at Goose Green and set the tone for the subsequent battles. My guesses about how the campaign might subsequently evolve proved, fortunately, not far wide of the mark.

We then joined Denis in the walled-garden; my Gin and Tonic was of mind-blowing strength – fortunately I had an Army driver! Mrs T accompanied me to my car. “Now that blood has been spilt, there will be an international outcry for a cease-fire, including some of those countries which have hitherto supported us. Tell the Admiral that I can hold the political arena. I will not seek to interfere with military decisions. But ask him not to delay things longer than is necessary”. I was able to assure her on that point.

Adm Fieldhouse’s reaction was delightfully direct: “I wouldn’t have listened if she had tried to interfere”. In their books from the front line, some authors have suggested that the Prime Minister ordered the attack on Darwin/Goose Green. What she said to the Chiefs of Staff in London, I do not know, but they were a pretty robust quartet. In particular I cannot see Gen Dwin Bramall allowing her to dictate minor tactics on the ground. Since the radio link to the Landing Forces was in my Ops Room, I do know that no tactical instructions from No 10 went South. And, as indicated above, Adm Fieldhouse was not amenable to political pressure.

I suppose that, like any soldier, I would have liked to have been at the sharp-end, but, failing that, to have been at Northwood during those memorable weeks was some compensation – and none of those down South got to crawl around on the floor with the Prime Minister – nor experience the strength of Denis’s gin!

If, in January 1956, anyone had told the newly arrived, 20-year-old commander of 10 Pl, C Coy, 1RB, on operations in Kenya, that one day he would crawl around on the floor with the Prime Minister, he would have questioned their sanity or sobriety –probably both! Life is full of surprises.

Driver/Batman to Lt Col Frank Kitson 1967-69

Tidworth • Cyprus UN • N Ireland

Lt Col Frank Kitson was to say the least, very different from the average line Officer leaving Sandhurst. His dress sense was the furthest from his priorities, giving me a challenge each day, having to remind him and make adjustments when possible. Graham Liggins JP

First of all, I must introduce myself. My name is Graham Liggins: I joined the Green Jackets on 1 December 1965. Joining 13 Platoon commanded by Lt JPO Beddard and Sgt A Smith.

During my training we became The Royal Green Jackets in 1966. On completion of my basic training I was posted to the 1st Btn serving in Berlin and following my short battalion training was posted into B Coy. Some time later that year I was asked to be the Batman for the Company Commanders Major. Eveleigh. Our duties in Berlin included guarding the Wall and guarding Spandau Prison and Hitler’s 2 I/C Rudolf Hess.

I was posted just before the Battalion returned to Tidworth, joining the 3rd Btn RGJ in Germany as a member of the Pre Le Claire Shooting Team unfortunately I did not qualify for the main team and returned to my unit in Tidworth, again joining B Company.

Shortly after returning the new Commanding Officer needed a Batman/Driver, my name was put forward and I excepted. I was posted into HQ Coy in this roll.

I remember meeting the Commanding Officer for the first time. I was asked to go to his house to meet him and was introduced to his wife and

young family. From the start we had not only a professional relationship, but also a friendship that remained through my military service.

On 30 October 1967 the Battalion moved out to Cyprus and HQ Coy settled in Polomedia Camp in Limassol. We arrived in the evening and I was shown to our new home for the next ten months. I was told it would be a little different! It was, a very old bungalow that had seen better days and in need of some TLC. It was situated at the bottom end of the camp near the main gate After settling into our accommodation, I was informed that I would be responsible for cooking the breakfast for the CO, 2 I/c plus three staff a total of five.

Cpl Begot who was to be his Driver/Signals operator thought this tour, I was not trained to operate the equipment in the car so my roll would be house manager. However, I accompanied the CO on most visits around the Island sitting in the front passenger seat as extra security.

In 1967 the Island was not segregated as it is today and our roll within the UN was to keep the peace between the Turkish community and the Greek Cypriots. However, General. George Grivas who had been the terrorist leader in the old EOKA campaign, and now a General in the Greek army, was supreme commander of all Greek and Greek Cypriot forces on the island, he had other ideas about peace on the Island.

Things settled down to a routine, starting the day at 06:00 preparing breakfast, waking the CO. His choice of breakfast was two 5-minute boiled eggs every day; I became an expert by the time we left Cyprus. Each morning I would visit the officer’s mess and main cookhouse where I collected my rations for that day. On many occasions I would cook the main evening meal for both the Officers and us three NCOs living in the bungalow. I can understand now why they picked me for this job. Before joining the Army, I trained as a chef, working in the kitchens at University College Oxford doing my City & Guilds.

Lt Col Frank Kitson is to say the least very different from the average line Officer leaving Sandhurst. His dress sense was the furthest from his priorities, giving me a challenge each day, having to remind him and make adjustments when possible. He was a keen Ornithologist (bird watching) I remember going to Pathos for an official inspection having to arrive at 15:00. On the way, (the old roads) not the M1 as it is today. He would shout, stop the car then

jump out and run up the hill throwing himself in the dust saying (keep down Graham) there he would stay for about 15/20 mins, Well, that’s all my hard work with his uniform finished. I reminded him of the time telling him we had to get there on time because the whole company would be parading awaiting his arrival. After this happened a few times he said to me, you get in the rear of the car Graham and I will observe from the front seat.

As we arrived at Paphos he told me to stay in the back seat. We arrived on the parade square pulling up at the Dias, the band started to play, and the Company Commander opens my door saluting me as I stepped out, thanking him. By this time the CO was stood behind him, he made the best about turn, keeping his salute up to see the CO give him a smile. The CO must have known this would happen and that was his little amusement of the day.

Many little things happened throughout our tour that just made me understand, he was a man that concentrated on how best to achieve his aim and not pay to much attention to the protocol of the army and what was expected of an Officer. If you read his book ‘Gangs and Counter-gangs’ you will begin to understand the mind of Frank Kitson, the man.

I remember our visit to the Irish UN contingent based in the north of the Island again we arrived at the Dias with the band playing, this all went to plan thank goodness. When he returned to the car, he had been presented with a Hurley Stick a traditional Irish game like our hockey. He gave the stick to me saying: “Graham, take that home and stick it on your wall.” I did just that and I still have it today 53 years later.

On the 14 November 1967 things began to happen, the CO and 2i/c went by Land Rover to the UN District Headquarters at Kophinou compound. A Turkish shepherd had been reported missing. Things began to escalate leading to a full assault on the village of Kophinou, resulting in the deaths of 27 local Turkish Cypriots by the Greek Cypriot National Guard. General Grevas and his men disregarded the UN Peace Keeping force at all the observation posts around Kophinou, firing their weapons through our compound knowing that they were unable to return fire. The next morning, we received a signal from the CO asking us to proceed with caution to Kophinou in the staff car.

L/Cpl. Begot and I proceeded along the Limasol to Nicosia Road in the staff car, Ford Zephyr car with

Members of HQ Coy in Limersol – me kneeling

a UN flag flying just hoping that the Greek National Guard would not target us. We arrived at the compound to witness the destruction and results of the assault on Kophinou village. I met my brother Tony Liggins in the UN compound, he explained to me the difficult situation they had been through having to look down the muzzles of the attacking force unable to return fire or react in any way, this is possibly the hardest thing that any Rifleman should be put through.

During this tour of duty, we had many different people ride in the car, from Archbishop Makarios, Lieutenant General AE Martola of the Finnish army with Brigadier Harbottle as General Martolas Chief of Staff, including the Secretary General’s Special Representative, Mr Osorio Tafall of Mexico

I recall having to pick up a parcel for the CO from the station post room. I underestimated the weight having to lug this back to the bungalow a fair distance. When the CO came back that evening,

he opened it revealing about 30 copies of his first book ‘Gangs and Counter-gangs’ an account of his fighting inside the Mau Mau gangs using unorthodox fifth-column tactics. He took one out of the box, may I say the first to see daylight, and he opens it and signed it for me. I have this book by my side now 54 years later. Thank you, Sir.

During my tour of duty we had lots of time doing nothing so I enrolled in the Open University and studied the general principals of law giving me a good understanding of this subject hoping that I could join the Police force if I ever decided to leave the army. I failed to take into account that the minimum height was 5'8". I was 5' 6", 2 inches short. UGH never mind It did me proud in the end.

Christmas Day 1967/8 we all sat in the lounge having a drink talking to the CO and just having a very pleasant day, he was telling us about his time in Kenya and Malaya and listened intently to our stories, expressing interested in our ambitions and future developments. I mentioned my Open University subject, he was very pleased that I

was using my time so well saying; you could do a lot better than driving me around. I told him of my family history, my grandfather was Butler in the Bowes-Lyon household (Queen Mother) then moving to Lord Astor at Cliveden House in Buckinghamshire. My father was also employed in the house before conscription into the Royal Navy in 1940. I therefore found it quite natural to be in service.

With our tour of service finished in Cyprus we were moved back to Tidworth on 4 May 1968 after completing ten months with the UNPKFCYP. Shortly after returning I was promoted to Cpl and made 2i/c in the Officers Mess however still responsible for my duties to the CO.

I had many good trips with the CO. His wife Elisabeth was a very good show jumper eventually her horse at Hickstead and Badminton the CO always tried to support her at these events, and I was invited to help.

The regiment was part of the Strategic Reserve

Driver/Batman to Lt Col Frank Kitson 1967-69

Driver/Batman to Lt Col Frank Kitson 1967-69

After the battle of Kophenue Morning after, in the Kophenue compound

The CO stopping to visit outpost on the Limmersol Road

The morning after in the UN Compound

My brother center rear second from the left looking at the camera Rfn Tony Liggins

or Rapid Reaction Force as it was then. Daily life continued until August 1969. The Battalion went on block leave however the CO asked if I could help him with a task at his house in Surrey.

A female Pop Star from the USA (Motown Star) had rented his house leaving it in a bad state so my help for a few days would be appreciated. I moved in and slept in the house while he and his family stayed over the road in his mother’s house, Lady Kitson his father Admiral Sir Henry Kitson had passed away in 1952. I was invited to take my meals with the family so each morning and evening would walk up the hill to the big house, eating with the family in the dining room. They all made me very welcome realizing how I felt.

After a few days of hard work things were looking a lot better. That evening I went to the house for my evening meal, during this time the CO was disturbed by many phone calls eventually returning to the table saying to me; Graham I think I will be taking you to the station tomorrow morning, going on to explain that it had all kicked of Northern Ireland and he would be recalling the Battalion from leave immediately. I left the table bidding my farewells and returning to the CO’s house to pack my kit. In

the morning without breakfast the CO drove me to the local rail station bidding me farewell and asking me to return to Tidworth by Sunday evening.

The Battalion moved out via RAF Lyneham to RAF Ballykelly NI, this operation took all night. Landing then with engines running, turn-around then back to Lyneham until the battalion with all kit had been moved.

Our accommodation was any hall that had facilities to sleep troops on the floor in sleeping bags. My first hall was in Dungannon, then eventually HQ Coy settled at the 17/21 Lancers Barracks in Omah. I would drive the CO around the Battalion locations and to other meetings. Some of the meeting were at night and could be rather nervy walking into old factory units in Belfast not the Ideal way of keeping safe however with him it was the most natural thing and I was ok with that.

If you wish to understand this remarkable man, please try to obtain two of his books:

• Gangs and Counter-gangs

Barrie and Rockliff

• Bunch of Five

ISBN 0-571-14980-4

I was due to get married on 6 September only two weeks time, I kept reminding the CO and he said: “Don’t worry Graham I will get you to the alter on time.” On Wednesday 3 September I reminded him it was this Saturday, he said I would get your leave pass today. Thursday morning with a seven-day special pass in my hand I was driven to the ferry in Belfast in civilian clothes for security, I departed for Liverpool and eventually arrived home on Friday afternoon. My wedding went extremely well in the circumstances, having a short honeymoon in Hastings. I returned to N Ireland on time and continued my duties.

A short time later, the CO left the Battalion to take up a post at Oxford University. I drove him to the ferry in Belfast. As I stood at the key side waving farewell to him, as he stood at the rear of the ferry as it sailed away, I felt a loss, this was a very emotional time for me having been with him for two years, and will admit I shed a few tears on the return journey to Omagh.

After returning to the UK, I was offered a Recruit Instructors Course at Warminster. I took this opportunity and when I graduated was posted to the Rifle Depot at Winchester as a Cpl Instructor. Trying to get home as much as I could however this became a problem for me, and I applied for a married quarter.

The Army only recognized soldiers married at 21years old and Officers at 25 years old. I asked for help with accommodation for my wife so that we could be together, she was expecting our first baby. Being at the bottom of the list, only just being 21 and my wife 19 no help was given. This was extremely stressing for us both, therefore after warning them of my only option, I asked to return to my unit and purchased my discharge.

Short history after the army

• I left the army and settled into civilian life. I took up a sales career working for a few different companies from British Steel, Reed Paper eventually for Whitbread's Brewery. It was whilst working as an area manager on the free trade side of the brewery I took a big gamble and bought a local night club, ‘The Orchard Country Club’ in Hazlemere near High Wycombe, Bucks. I sold it twenty years later with enough to retire. I bought a house in Cyprus hoping to retire too, however my wife could not leave the Grandchildren.

• I was a retained fireman, Bucks Fire Brigade for eight years.

• I passed my Private Pilots License and purchased an aircraft Cessna 182, with my own registration G-LIGG.

• I became a skydiving pilot and took up skydiving having now completed 2,600 parachute jumps.

• 1995 the RAF approached me asking if I would work for them as a commentator for the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team owing to my experience as a jump pilot and a skydiver, I retired from this in 2018 after 23 years.

• I was Manager of the UK Skydiving Team for the British Parachute Association 1997-99.

• Customer services manager in Terminal 5 London Heathrow Airport, until being made redundant in 2012.

• Now at 73 years old I have come full circle working as the Station Commanders Driver at RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire.

• I was appointed Justice of the Peace (Magistrate) for Buckinghamshire in 2002 by HRH Queen Elizabeth.

Never retire, keep going, you are a long time dead. So, I expect the Army did me a favor.

Thank you all and hope I have bought back a few memories – Swift & Bold

Graham Liggins JP

24078999 Cpl 1st RGJ 1965-70

The CO visiting a Turkish Village near Paphos

The bungalow we lived in at Polomedia Camp

Memories

Editor’s note: When this article was submitted it was with the proviso that the author was not to be identified. It was decided on balance that there was no reason not to publish it as after all there are quite a few books freely available covering the work of various undercover units in NI during the troubles.

The article has been redated to protect the identities of those involved, and to provide a version of the incident that was not too graphic for non-military readers. It is accepted that some people may be able to identify the author, but ask that his privacy is respected.

Like most Riflemen of my era our war if you could call it that, was in Northern Ireland. As everyone who has served in NI knows each tour was a round robin of patrols, guard duties, the odd riot and everything in between. I have to say that as time went by, and despite being very good at our jobs we all found the general routine of Internal Security a bit frustrating, not least because we knew who the opposition were, but in the main we couldn’t touch them. After a few tours I was offered a chance to do something different and be more proactive. The downside was I would have to leave the Regiment I loved. I was told to think about it very seriously before I decided, but the CO at the time gave me lots of encouragement and so I grabbed the opportunity with both hands and went for it.

Shortly after this I found myself marrying up with seven other fellas in a unit which will remain anonymous and trained in the art of what Churchill once described as Ungentlemanly Warfare. In other words our orders would come from ‘suits’ and our uniform would be civilian clothes, long hair and for those who could grow them beards and moustaches. The purpose of course was to blend in with the civilian population which would allow us much more freedom of movement than the uniforms we had left behind. Without giving too much away we were told in the event of ‘blue on blue’ we were to down weapons and give a particular password that any CO in the area would know about, and if captured to put your head between you’re a**e and kiss it goodbye. But that was never going to happen was it?

Our unit modus operandi would be to work in small teams of three operatives in unmarked cars, during which most of the time we would just turn up at some old police station that had been taken over by the Army. Despite being in a safe house situation we were told never to talk to or even mingle with the uniformed fellas. The secrecy of our work was paramount.

On one such occasion we drove into an SF Base quite close to the border. We were simply told to wait there for further instructions on the operation we had been primed for. A few days later a ‘suit’ turned up at our room and gave us our orders which in essence was to liaise with a C/S from the RUC who would take us onwards to a target ‘face’ on the ground who we were to have words with.

Before leaving weapons were checked. Each of us had our own preferred personal weapon. Mine was a 9mm Browning whilst the other two fellas had revolvers. For a little more backup we also carried an SMG and an AK47 plus some throwable smoke grenades if needed. No radios unfortunately so if the worst happened we were well and truly in the mire! We had a good meal that night I remember, and a couple of beers with a smoke or two.

I didn’t drive back then but nevertheless I plotted the route and for obvious reasons made it the most obscure and as devious as I could. When all our checks were complete we exited the base squeezed and hidden in between a military vehicle patrol leaving at the same time. As soon as we could we separated and began to make our way to the RV.

When travelling in the vehicle, I occupied what we called the rear gunner position. Sounds very glamorous I know but it simply meant I was in the back seat, which in our vehicle was not a very pleasant experience as it stunk of something rotten that had died years before.

Not long into our journey I needed a pee, so stopped our car on a road near to a clump of trees to give me a bit of privacy while I did the business. I got out of the vehicle and found the biggest tree I could hide behind and gave it a good watering. As I did so I could hear sounds of laughter coming from the car. I began to walk back to the car at which point I understood the reason for the laughter because as I got nearer it edged away from me. You have

all seen this gag before I am sure. They did it once more and then suddenly my world changed instantly in a blinding flash as with an almighty bang and a whoosh of flame the car lifted off the ground some 10ft or so in the air. As the blast hit me I was thrown back into the tree I had been peeing on only seconds before. Despite all of my training saying otherwise I managed to get back up and started to run towards the car as fast as I could and as I did the petrol tank ignited. The last thing seared into my mind before passing out with blood running from my head and ears was the slow motion image of the car and my mates being engulfed in flames.

I woke in the middle of the road with a lot of pain on my right side and could see faces all around me. The pain it would seem was from the boot of a young soldier connecting with my ribs. Unfortunately because of the blast damage to my ears I couldn’t hear what was being shouted at me, and the password I knew I had to give just wouldn’t come out of my mouth. Not that it mattered anyway as I passed out again.

Waking up a second time, I now found I had been cleaned up and placed in a bed but the strangest of thing was I had been handcuffed to the thing! I still couldn’t hear or speak and the pain in my ears was horrendous plus my head was still bleeding. I later found out I had a number of broken ribs too. But despite all of this all I desperately wanted to know what had happened to my mates in the car.

A tall guy in uniform approached the bed and started talking but I still couldn’t hear what he was saying. He must have realised this was getting him nowhere and called for an armed guard and notepad while he removed my restraints. I somehow sensed then they thought I was the bad guy responsible for the bomb. He gave me the notepad and pen and I wrote down my name, rank and number and also a few garbled words from what I could remember had happened. He left the room. A few seconds later later he returned with an older and senior looking officer. I again took the notepad and this time wrote down the password we had been instructed to use. Things immediately changed and the armed guard was sent out and I was left alone again. That was bad for me because alone all I could see in my mind was my mates faces and the tears started to roll down my face. A nurse came in, gave me an injection and I was out of it again.

Goodness knows how long I was unconscious for, but when I woke my room was full of guys in

uniform. I could hear a little bit now and the voice, that is my voice was back too, and at the top of my voice I shouted: “What the f**k is going on and where are my mates”?

I was later told that the reason for my treatment as a suspect was because they had found a command wire close to me and assumed I had set it off deliberately as a part of an PIRA ASU. I was told that the other two fellas in the car had died from the blast and subsequent fire and they couldn’t be identified. I almost passed out again at this news. I informed them I was saying no more until my handler was in the room as I knew that the password I had given would ring alarm bells along all sorts of corridors. When he did eventually turn up and I could see a face I knew the tears started up all over again. Why? well a feeling of guilt I suppose all because I had wanted to stop for a pee. It later transpired at my debrief that the command wire found leading to the incident had been placed to catch one of the resident battalion patrols, and the ASU igniter had obviously thought in the darkness we were one. It was simply put down to bad luck which unfortunately I don’t believe in and didn’t help me one bit.

After a few hours a young officer turned up to apologise about the bad treatment I received from one of his guys and brought him in to apologise as well. Unfortunately I wasn’t in a forgiving mood and later after I had recovered enough it took him a few weeks for him to breathe through his nose again! I had three bits of metal from the car taken from my head, the ears have not been the same since and I still get a bit of pain from my ribs but hey! I’m still alive.

I was taken back to England to recuperate but I couldn’t stop thinking about my mates.

After a month or so I was sent to a shrink as I wasn’t sleeping well, and when I did I was back there with them. I was prescribed a shed load of pills and at first, I took them all, but I felt rubbish all the time so binned them and told the shrink I wouldn’t be seeing him again.

I was summoned to a place in Whitehall about five months later, and was taken into a rather large room with high ceilings and dark wood panels all around, and with the biggest desk I had ever seen. A picture of the boss was hanging on the wall. Behind the desk yet again a suited and booted officer with a mass of gold thread on his shoulders and a chest full of shrapnel. I sat down at his invitation not

knowing who he was or even caring..

Whilst he was small talking I couldn’t help but notice that on his desk was a pile of papers with mine and my mate’s names on them. He then went on to say in the most guarded and carefully chosen words possible, that apparently the sort of operation we had been involved in was in effect illegal and therefore not supported as far as the government was concerned. I was more than a bit shocked and confused at this admission. I knew we had been operating off the grid so to speak, but to hear a so called ‘official denial’ of our operations was quite something else to accept. I sat in disbelieving silence just thinking about what had been said to me. I later learned that was par for the course where ‘special’ operations were concerned.

After a while the door to the office suddenly opened and there in all her glory was our Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Two hours later after talking ourselves silly she finally let me go!

I was eventually driven away to my family home and reunited with my Mum. Despite the Shepherds

warning I had been given I told her everything, and that has still remained the case until this day. Soldiers Mum’s eh? What would we do without them? God bless them!

Struggling with my injuries and something later called PTSD I was eventually offered a medical discharge. I said that if I was to be discharged it wasn’t to be for medical reasons as I didn’t want it reflected in any job I applied for. The wording in my Discharge Book therefore reads:

DISCHARGED AT THE SOLDIERS OWN REQUEST!

The physical scars may have faded over the years but the mental ones haven’t as I still re-live that night in every detail and lock myself away on its anniversary. I have never visited the guys graves but I know where they are. I still just can’t do it just yet. Even now I check the car before I get in it, and never pee in the open air, particularly if its beside a bl***y great tree!

A Rifleman

2 RGJ exercise in Larzac France, 1970

In October 1970 2 RGJ were in Larzac France training in various scenarios. Mick Copp, 2 RGJ

The Anti-tank Pln were tasked with defending a small farm against the enemy who were 21 and 23 SAS. Over several days we sent out clearing patrols and we did catch one SAS man, he was cuffed and stuffed and taken back to the barn.

On or about the third day we were on a patrol when suddenly this chap jumped out of some bushes and took off like a hare. I gave chase but couldn’t quite get close enough to jump on him, then I had a brainwave, I threw my weapon at his legs and the poor chap crashed to the ground (this tactic is not to be recommended when using live rounds). We carted him off to join his mate. A few days later we were expecting a final assault by “The Regiment”. When it came early one morning we were shocked as a sqn of SAS men stormed across open ground for several hundred metres in the real world, they would all have been mown down before reaching us but to be fair I suppose they would have softened us up first.

Anyway forward they came screaming and

shouting, (no skirmishing here) and upon reaching us there was some pushing and shoving, before a posh voice shouted “Laydown your weapons”, with that, some scrawny little civvy tried to take my SLR, I remember shouting Fxxxk off and pushing him and that’s when the fight started so there was the spectacle of 40/50 grown men fighting and rolling round in the dirt.

I do remember one sitting on my chest when Rick Holliday grabbed him and threw him off. Then another posh voice shouted: “OK gentlemen that’s enough” and looking across I could see several senior officers standing on the side lines. The fighting stopped and we all shook hands and that was the end of that, regimental pride was saved by both sides.

As a matter of interest if you go on to the imperial war museum website and input 21 SAS Larzac the exercise comes up along with ref to the Green Jackets.

A Cover Story

About four years ago I decided to improve on the flag draped coffin cover, always seen at the funeral services for our veterans, Dave Judge, Chairman North West Branch.

The Royal Green Jacket flag is sacred to our hearts and was sadly not a common sight until we caught on to the flying of our flag at meetings such as the Winchester reunion or Greenstock gatherings. Riflemen began to fly them proudly at their own properties, caravan and camping sites.

But the flag was never (in my mind) suited as a coffin cover. A coffin draped in an RGJ flag had the cap badge uppermost (and out of sight) on the coffin lid. Whilst the sides of the coffin were merely draped in the overhanging green cloth.

I set about re-thinking how a coffin could be draped in such a way as to show that the occupant was indeed someone special. “A Royal Green Jacket”. I needed to find out the dimensions of a standard sized coffin, how best to have the cloth made so it hung well. A heavy enough weave of material so as to be long lasting.

What the wording, design, layout should look like, what should adorn the head and foot end. The shoulders, the long sides, and the lid itself.

• The head and foot ends were an easy choice: “CAP BADGE”

• The shoulders: “S&B”

• The long sides: “A RIFLEMAN”

All designed so it could be clearly seen when in the hearse, and when carried shoulder high.

• Then on the lid: “A CHOSEN MAN”

The Text colours to be used were also an important factor, obviously RED, BLACK and GREEN. The font too needed some thought. OLD ENGLISH or GOTHIC? (Old English too difficult to read easily?) So, I chose GOTHIC. Sadly, my coffin cover was to be used for the first time on the 10 November 2021 for our good friend and North West Branch member, Edward (Ted) Devlin.

The

Rifleman Smith

Life as a Potential Officer

My academic achievements at school were worse than dreadful and so further education at University was never going to be an option. Having failed my Maths O Level seven times, a banking career in the City also seemed unlikely but as I had been a Junior Under Officer in the school CCF, some would say the pinnacle of my military career, I thought that perhaps my talents would be appreciated by the Army.

Lt Col Michael Drummond Smith mbe

.

Sadly, or perhaps fortunately, my first attempt to go to Sandhurst was an abject failure. I reported to the Regular Commissions Board (RCB) in late 1972 having just left school and, looking back at my squad photograph, I realise that it can’t have taken the Board long to assess that this long haired, immature young man in an ill-fitting suit did not display any of the attributes needed to become an Army officer. Indeed, so bad was the impression I gave that I received a ‘Fail-Discourage’, in other words never darken our doorstep again. When I returned as an assessor myself some 30 years later, I was able to access my records which caused much hilarity in the orderly room.

However, not to be deterred, I embarked on a gap year travelling and working in France and Spain and on the 3 October 1973 headed to the Salisbury Recruiting Officer to sign on. In those days if you failed the RCB you could join up as a Private Soldier on an ‘O Type’ and if you successfully completed basic training you could apply again, but if you failed you were not required to complete your three year engagement.

My father had been a Gordon Highlander and was obviously keen for me to follow in his footsteps, but he took advice from David Mostyn, a family friend, who said that if I went to their training depot in Aberdeen I wouldn’t understand a word that was being said to me and that the Green Jackets ran a much better system. With that endorsement 2432**** (I won’t give out the rest or else you will know my Bank PIN, Apple ID etc. as surely, we all use our Regimental Numbers), Rfn Smith arrived at Peninsula Barracks. Immediately I found myself in front of Danny Hunt, then Training Company CSM, and although I was in one or two scary places during my subsequent 36 years-service, somehow the image of me standing trembling in Danny’s office is indelibly printed on my memory!

I suppose that having boarded at a boy’s public school I was ideally prepared for life in Long Block. The difference was that my fellow inmates were far more interesting and introduced me to a side of life I had never been exposed to.

There were Scousers, Geordies, Cockneys, some from stable family backgrounds, but sadly others who had not been so lucky. I stuck out like a sore thumb but was quickly accepted as the writer or more often reader of ‘Dear Johns’, or just explaining the various letters they received from the bank, social services or pregnant girlfriends. It was hard physical work and I put on a stone in weight, but I had no responsibility, was paid in cash and very quickly decided that if I was successful next time, I applied for Sandhurst my sole choice of regiment would be the Royal Green Jackets.

My training team of (later Brigadier) Hugh Willing, Sjt Frank Jones, Cpls Seeny, Lawrence and Goldsmith knocked me into shape and I have always owed them a debt of gratitude, especially Jeff Seeny, for setting me on a path which has given me such reward over the years.

We would queue for meals outside the cook house and at lunchtime it coincided with the Price sisters, Marian and Dolours, being transported back and forth from Winchester prison to the Court House and passing the front gate. They were convicted of planting four car bombs in London and were convicted on the 14 November 1973. Even as new recruits, and none of us having ever served in Northern Ireland, we whistled and jeered as they passed which made us feel better although I doubt they could hear us.

Christmas 1973 was spent on Guard Duty and somewhere there is a painting of me on the barrier which was made into a print, but all I can remember was the cold.

Weekdays were full with shooting at Chilcomb Ranges, runs around Winchester up and down Sleepers Hill, early morning PT at Browndown Camp, Weapon Training in the sheds which now converted offer modern living to the well-heeled and Northern Ireland training at Longmoor.

Weekends however were spent in the Bakers Arms with a takeaway on the way back at the Joy Sheen Chinese Restaurant where countless Riflemen were regularly chased out by the owner for being drunk and disorderly. I also remember being used to beat on the local shoot at Sparsholt, no doubt because members of the officer’s mess had been invited. We would turn up in a 4 tonner, in combats with our meagre packed lunch for what was justified as ‘adventure training’, something which would be unheard of today!

One of my abiding memories was being told by a member of the training team (my lips are sealed) that he would be parking his car beside the Hampshire Regiment’s Recruiting Team’s land rover that night. I was handed a piece of rubber hosepipe and told to syphon petrol from the land rover into his car. The rest of my stag was spent stinking of 98 octane and trying to get the taste out of my mouth but on the bright side at least I wasn’t a smoker! I have always wondered if the Recruiting Team ever

worked out why they were getting so few miles to the gallon.

I passed out in March 1974 and joined Peter Fairgrieve’s training team as a Local Lance Corporal where in the company of such Green Jacket legends as Cpls Rattigan and Thompson, both holders of the DCM, I was given some limited responsibility. However, it was enough to earn me a chance to attend the RCB again and much to my surprise I passed and entered Sandhurst on the May intake that year.

Looking back at the experiences I had as a Rifleman, completing basic training and then helping to train others, I am convinced that those six months did more to develop me than at any other time in my career. I lived with those I was later privileged to lead and was trained by the best so when I was eventually commissioned in November 1974, I felt qualified to join my Battalion as a Platoon Commander. Winchester always has a special place in my heart as I returned as Adjutant in 1980 and then as Second in Command at Sir John Moore barracks and finally, having left the Army, as Regimental Casualty Officer from 2009 –2015, funny how life goes full circle!

22 May 2021

Rfn Smith quizzing the postman as to where his Christmas cards have got to! Christmas 1973

Rifleman Smith Rifleman Smith

What happens when the shooting stops?

Post-Conflict ‘Stabilisation’

I expect that readers of ‘Swift and Bold’ will have watched the West’s withdrawal from Afghanistan last August and noted our reduced appetite for staying the course with nation building and longer-term peace building. Colonel James Cunliffe – some personal reflections.

“Not before time” I can hear some of you say – but it is hard to imagine countries, including Britain, either stopping all overseas counter terrorism activity or abandoning military assistance or even development and humanitarian aid. Perhaps, it would be worth considering what can and has been done once the shooting stops and it can be loosely summed up in one word: stabilisation, an activity that I have been involved in for over 10 years – in and out of uniform – but it does face an uncertain future.

Stabilisation, as a concept, was first used in the NATO Stabilisation Force (SFOR) in Bosnia in 1996 with Green Jacket Riflemen heavily involved there at different times. The idea of building peace and supporting peace building initiatives developed from the late 1990's onwards, and stabilisation came to dominate thinking in the USA and later in the UK (Security and Stabilisation: The Military Contribution), and the UN (such as the Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo).

Critics would often point to a confusion of security and development (or aid) agendas: from military assistance, to support for the governing of the state, through to humanitarian aid, in order to produce security and political momentum to help countries emerge from conflict. My recent work in Iraq, since 2017, is a case in point. Following the territorial defeat of ISIS in late 2017, the British Embassy in Baghdad was supported by civilian stabilisation advisers like me. We worked alongside the UN and other international partners to manage ‘Funding for Immediate Stabilisation’ which included de-mining, IED and UXO clearance by the HALO Trust, particularly around Mosul, help with the return of internally-displaced Iraqis and refugees, provision of clean water and electricity for health care centres and the repair of police stations.

This was part of the UK Government’s stabilisation approach for Iraq and included help with resolving disputes and improving the public perception that basic services were being provided by the State, including support for immediate needs.

Later in Baghdad, I was seconded to the Office of the Iraqi National Security Adviser, to provide assistance in the reform of all the defence and security institutions: military, police, counter terrorist forces, border forces, intelligence agencies and pro-government militias. My Iraqi counterparts had been embarrassed by their retreat from the deadly advances of ISIS in 2014 and recognised the need to professionalise, reorganise and make their security forces more resilient. I would be over-stating it to say that deep structural changes have happened. But small steps have been possible despite the deep seated, and politically sanctioned, corruption in the country.

In the last two decades ‘stabilisation’ has become a subject of heated debate around Western involvement in conflict-affected states. Results have been mixed and often disappointing as far afield as Afghanistan, Iraq, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Libya, Somalia and Syria. Failure is often put down to poor execution, short-termism and a lack of coordination. It can be explained partly by the complexity of contemporary conflict and to overblown political ambitions. I like the current American Joint Chief of Staff, General Mike Milley’s five myths that need busting:

1) Wars will be short.

2) You can win wars by aerial bombing alone.

3) Special forces can do it all.

4) Armies are easy to create.

5) Armies fight wars: they don’t; nations fight wars.

Too much can be expected of stabilisation efforts and political ambition is often not realistic. The most repeated mistake has been to try to intervene without understanding the local circumstances, expecting quick results or failing to allow local ownership of a newly stabilised area. Too often, we have tried to simply import western security and justice models without making allowances for local customs, traditions and culture. This has created problems such as generating opportunities for new, local political elites.

At a tactical level, for example, I recall the efforts of British Royal Engineers establishing water pumps for villages in remote areas of Helmand in Afghanistan. A worthwhile, civil-military initiative at first glance. But returning to the villages a few months later, it was discovered that strongmen had fenced off the pumps and were charging local people for use of the water. Learning and adaptation have to be priorities for those working in the field. And staying the course without leaving prematurely is a lesson for stabilisation too.

In the late Lord Paddy Ashdown’s words, any involvement in post-conflict stabilisation needs to be holistic: “A state cannot be built sequentially, sector by sector – it needs to be comprehensive… having a good plan for the army is fine. But one also needs [a plan] for reconnecting the water supplies, rebuilding the civil service, re-creating a judicial system, reconstructing the prisons and creating an efficient market-based economic system – along with much else.”

His views continue to chime today. He would have despaired over the West’s setting of timelines for withdrawal in Afghanistan. There is no question that, despite the cost, to be successful, nationbuilding needs an open-ended commitment. His conclusion and final lesson from his time as High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina was: “avoid setting deadlines and settle in for the long haul. Peacekeeping [and stabilisation] needs to be measured not in months but decades.”

Further reading: ‘Can Intervention work?’ by

Rory Stewart

and

Gerald

Knaus, published in 2011. WW Norton & Co. Inc.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

What happens when the shooting stops?

What happens when the shooting stops?

The Lion ‘Doesn’t Let Us’ Sleep Tonight

Frank Harrison stops for a midday break to have lunch next to a pool in the river bed. A python was only about 3m away in the water hoping to join him – as the lunch!.

Lt (Retd) Frank Harrison Rhodesia Regiments.

I was born in Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia (now known as Zimbabwe). From an early age, whilst at junior school, and living on the edge of town, where the bush was only a few hundred yards away, I spent a lot of time roaming and exploring. And so my interest in wildlife began.

Many years later I joined the Mountain Club of Zimbabwe, which gave me the opportunity to lead club members through various national parks so that they could experience and photograph all the wildlife at close quarters.

It was on one of my trips in the bush, during the mid-1980s, that I was in charge of two teams of club members to walk along the banks of the Zambezi River over a long weekend. Team one was the faster and fitter team which followed the river and I lead the second team which went further inland.

On our first day, team two saw numerous animals such as rhino, buffalo, hippo, buck (antelope) etc. Team one saw nothing. On our first evening the two teams met up for the night so that I could look after both teams.

When we arrived at the agreed location there was no sign of the first team so we decided to stay on the river bank and wait for them. On our way from the waters edge to the bank I noticed a lot of lion spoor and realised that this was not the place to camp. As we reached the top of the bank we saw the first team’s packs. While waiting for us they had decided to explore the area.

When they finally came back it was quite late and there was no chance that we could walk safely in the dark. I got everyone together and explained the situation and what we must do. I suggested that everybody mark an area in a big circle around the camp, about 50 to 70 feet out on all the animal paths. This was to use the animal idea of marking its territory. We were marking our territory so if anything arrived they would be forewarned and hopefully go away. We also collected a lot of wood in case we needed to make a fire in the hope of keeping the animals away.

While doing this we could hear a lion roaring inland, probably about one or two miles away. A number of people were getting concerned and I told them there is nothing to worry about as the lion was still a long way off.

About 45 minutes later we heard the roaring again but a bit closer and seemed to be heading our way. Then about half an hour later, much closer again.

This time I was concerned and got some people to build a fire. I told those who wanted to, to bring their sleeping bags and sleep near the fire.

Nothing happened for another hour, then the lion roared again but this time very close to us. I got the others to make another fire and most of them moved to lie down between the two fires. A few others were quite happy to stay where they were.

Nothing happened for quite a while and then just after midnight, away from the river, slightly to the right, I heard a rumbling sound rrrrrrrrrr and I thought, they are right here, we have a problem, these lions have come straight for us. I managed to get almost everybody to move in between the fires. I stayed where I was because there were still a few members scattered around me under the trees and bushes. They were quite happy to stay where they were. I said, listen, the lions are getting very close to us, you should think of coming over to the fires. They said they would wait and see a bit longer, the lion might go away.

As we were in a National Parks area we were not allowed to carry guns. So I warned everybody, get your pots and pans ready! When I say go, you bang your pots and pans as hard as you can, you scream and shout as loud as you can until I say stop. So we waited. We didn’t have long to wait, only about five or ten minutes, and then what was unusual, a charge was about to begin and I didn’t realise it. Normally a lion charge is quiet they just charge. This one seemed to be a rumble, like I heard earlier, and the rumble seemed to get to a high pitch and I couldn’t wait any longer. I banged my pot with the lid and everybody else did the same. I am sure everyone across the Zambezi river, on the Zambian

side, must have thought we were having one hell of a party, what with the fires going, everybody screaming and shouting, banging pots and pans, about one o’clock in the morning.

Realising at the time that, if we did stop the lion charge, I would be able to see the lion spoor early next morning, which would tell the exact story of what had happened and where the lion had charged, as I will mention later on in this story.

At this point, after we had finished making our noise, I told the people still under the trees and bushes to leave their packs behind and walk very slowly towards the fire to join everyone else. I emphasised that they should go very slowly because the lion are so close, if they run or walk too fast, it will be like a cat playing with a mouse. The lion may charge. A couple of people, who were sleeping next to a small bush, said no, its too late, if we move now we’ll be in trouble because we can smell the lion’s breath, that’s how close it was to them!

We waited for a while and there were no further rumblings, so I said to them, maybe they have gone around us. Just pick up your sleeping bags, walk very slowly towards us and come towards the fires. They decided to do this because now their nerves were slightly shattered with the lion having been there right next to them. There were still two other people under a tree which was much further away than everybody else was. I decided to go across and persuade them to come back. It was very dark and I walked very slowly until I got up to them and said you must come back now, you are too far away and we have some serious problems. So they gathered their belongings and were following me back.

As I was about half way back to where my sleeping bag was, I heard a rumble behind me and then there was another rumble where the first rumble was. Then I realised that there were two lions. And a number of people all said in unison, there are two of them, there must be more! I reached my sleeping bag, and the other two people came in and put their sleeping bags down between the fires. Then all of a sudden I felt really vulnerable. I was still ahead of everyone by a good seven to ten feet and yet I didn’t want to get too close to the fires because then I couldn’t see into the bush, because if you are too close to the fires you can only see in your immediate area and I felt I had a bit of a problem but at least I had everybody together now instead of spread out as they were before and we could probably handle the situation a lot better. I just lay

down on my sleeping bag. I had my knife that I normally carry with me in the bush and I thought, well, a knife is better than nothing!

We heard a few more rumblings and then by about 3am it was completely quiet. I think most of the members of the club fell asleep eventually.

The morning was starting to break and I could just see further into the bush. I saw it was quite safe there and I hadn’t realised that there was very little vegetation around us. We were very lucky, as the lion could have charged us at any time. I started waking everybody and telling them that we won’t have breakfast or anything here, just pack up everything and we’ll walk for about a mile down the river and then we will have a bite to eat there. Just so that we could get away from this area, obviously frequented quite a bit by these lion.

While everyone was packing up, I did my little trip around the camp site to see who had visited us during the night. I was quite surprised that the big lion spoor was very close between me and where a couple of people were sleeping. Just one or two bounds by the lion and that would have been it. So that made me quite nervous thinking that it was that close. I have never been that close to a lion before in the bush.

I followed the spoor around and I could see how it went around where we were sleeping, round the front of us and joined up with a smaller lion spoor that was on my right when we first heard the rumbling. I assume that it was the male that had the very big spoor and the female had the smaller spoor. The female lion is normally the hunter and does all the work, and she had obviously tried to warn us, hoping that it would give us a fright, we would run when we heard the rumblings and they would attack.

I followed the spoor and could see where the smaller spoor went from normal spoor to long scuffs and long distances. I think it was when we banged our pots and pans that stopped her charge as you could see how the earth was scuffed as she charged and then stopped just over a metre from one person’s feet. This person never heard anything until we banged our pots and pans and wanted to know what was going on. How we timed it like that I don’t know, but I think we were very, very lucky.

Following back on the spoor, I noticed that both lions were walking under the bushes, from bush to bush, not on the paths. Maybe it’s because we

marked our territory on the paths that the lion decided to walk in between them. But at least they knew we were there and I think they were trying to warn us, even though the female did charge, nothing serious happened that night.

After breakfast, we carried on walking and we had only gone about a mile when we came to some thick bush, a lot of thorn bush, and immediately in front of me I heard a rumbling and my heart just sank and I thought, gosh, these lion have cut us off and they are waiting for us. I stopped everybody and of course, they wanted to know what was happening. I said I don’t know, there is something in front. I am just going to have a look. Just stay where you are. I walked forwards for about 10 or 15 feet, got to the bush. As I moved the bushes aside I saw this huge bull elephant just in front of me, he was probably about 25 feet away. But the rumbling was his stomach. The funny thing was, it sounded very much like a lion rumbling.

So, to my relief, it wasn’t a lion but we were also too close to this elephant. As I turned around to tell everyone what happened, a person standing behind me was holding the thorn bush back so he

could see. He let go the thorn bush and a branch hit me in the face and one of the thorns which was quite long, nearly two inches, went right through my cheek into my mouth and I was hooked in the tree and I couldn’t get away. I had this elephant next to me and I had this thorn in my cheek holding me back. I couldn’t talk because every time I tried moving my tongue, it would catch on to the thorn.

The thorn broke off from the branch but was flush with my cheek and no-one could get a grip on it. I had to get something on my thumb so that I could push against the thorn and push it out of my cheek. Someone then grabbed it from the outside and managed to pull it out. So there was a bit of blood in my mouth. We had some Dettol and put some on the outside of my cheek and in my mouth which was terrible. It was burning my mouth but I just needed to disinfect it as I didn’t want to have a problem out in the bush when I am leading all these people and we were still a few days away from where the cars were parked.

So be swift, be bold, and be prepared for the unexpected!

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Exercise Woolworths

Way back when, whilst ensconced at the Grand Old Green Jackets Peninsula Barracks, Winchester, as it was in the 1960’s, bursting with confidence and resplendent in my Green Jackets’ uniform, topped off by my prestigious Rifle Green beret, I ambled, with an independent air, down the High Street and into good old reliable Woolworths. Roger Downton Ex 1 RGJ.

Remember that chain of incredible woodenfloored, fascinating (whatever one wanted they had a version of it) stores? Today, if you walk down Winchester’s bustling shop and market stall-encrusted High Street, you can’t imagine how that narrow, confined paved area was once a busy two-way vehicular main road along which we Green Jackets used to perambulate by 3 tonner on our way to and from Chilcomb ranges.

As I rummaged through some items on the Woolies’ display counter, I suddenly became conscious of being gripped by the elbows by someone, or peoples’ unknown, behind me. I was then roughly, tout suite, unceremoniously marched on tip-toe through the store, customers astonished and pushed aside in our wake, barging and clattering through the double front doors and spilling out onto the pavement, where two burly, bulging eyeballed, red-capped MP’s dropped me back on terra firmer. One of the over-zealous gorillas grabbed my precious beret from my head, plus the remaining locks of hair that the Regimental barber had missed, and screwing it up in his greasy mitts, with total disrespect, he thrust the said beret into my hands,

whilst the other shouted: “When indoors, headgear off! Got it?” I stared back blankly. He repeated more gruffly, with accompanying spray of saliva (no face masks then), “Got it?” I nodded. “Good!” he said. “Put your beret back on.” Subserviently, not wanting any trouble, I obeyed. “Carry on!” he barked. I did a swift Green Jacket drill about-turn and re-entered the portals of Woolworths. As I stepped over the threshold to re-enter, I heard them shout, in unison: “Beret off!”

I liked to live the dangerous life and with me on guitar and a fellow intrepid Green Jacket called Harry (vocals) and employing our own initiative and entertainment talents, we ventured forth into hostile, troubled areas on Hearts and Minds' operations where we worked tirelessly, compassionately and hopefully successfully, ultimately to achieve a calming, peaceful, helpful and positive effect on the fragile situation. It was fun, enlightening, challenging, often quite dangerous but altogether most rewarding. It was also Northern Ireland in the early days of “the troubles”. Almost as dangerous as singing in the Milk Bar or Teufal Bar in Celle after a few jugs of the local brew.

Winchester Woolworths – 1957

Regimental Gathering at the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire

As is usual, the Central England Branch (CEB) hosted the annual Association gathering at the NMA on the second Saturday in September. This year’s gathering was a little different in that the date (9/11) was also the 20th anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Centre in New York which brought about OP HERRICK and also due to continuing Covid limitations placed upon visitors to the NMA by the Royal British Legion. Michael Leeming, Central England Branch.

Normally the Light Division parade under the umbrella of the Northern Ireland Veterans Association but they, together with the Light Infantry Association and The Rifles, decided in June this year to again “pull the plug” on their attendance because of the ongoing pandemic. RGJ Association felt differently and decided to be “Bold”!

Saturday 11 September was a glorious autumn day with the sun shining warmly upon us through out. Members began arriving from around the country from 10am and by the time we made our way to the steps of the Armed Forces Memorial and NMA Cenotaph for a team photograph at 11:20am we were 80 strong. It was really rewarding to see old friends and comrades from across the UK – from Liverpool and Newcastle as well as from Oxford, Warminster, Winchester, Kent, Surrey and Sussex, as well as the Midlands. A really strong cross section of the Regiment.

From the steps of the AFM, we made our way down the Ulster Ash Grove (UAG) for a 12 noon Service of

Remembrance. Simon Booth-Mason brought us all to order and the Reverend Kelvin Price (ex 2 RGJ / 4 Rifles) spoke to us all about events 20 years ago in New York and reminded us that our Service to Queen and Country, no matter how small, was of intrinsic value and significance and should not be dismissed as irrelevant and without meaning. The RGJ NI Roll of Honour (1969 to 1981) was read and the Bugles sounded in the traditional way before Maj Gen Nick Cottam CB OBE laid wreath on the Association’s behalf at the UAG. We were joined by NI veterans from other Regiments and Corps who happened to be visiting that day.

Back on Millennium Avenue we formed up under Capt Guy Mynett and with the Buglers of QuickSilver and the bass drum skilfully ‘played’ by Tony Bishop we once again heard “Bugle Major – Sound the Advance!” before marching, slightly erratically but with determination, up to our Memorial. The salute was taken by our president, Maj Gen Jamie Gordon CB CBE.

The Royal Green Jackets’ Memorial remains well cared for by the CEB and displayed in front on the flag stones were the 50 memorial crosses of those of our comrades who gave their lives to the troubles in Northern Ireland. A second Service of Remembrance followed with the emphasis very much on Regimental Service given – as well as remembering in our own way both the fallen, together with the wounded and injured. The RGJ NI Roll of Honour (1981 to 1995) was read and the Bugles again sounded in the traditional way before our president, Maj Gen Jamie Gordon CB CBE laid wreath on behalf of the Association and Lt Col Philip Schofield MBE laid a wreath for and on behalf of the wounded and injured. The Last Post and Reveille were sounded by QuickSilver with Pete Noble playing on the recently refurbished Lt Col Iain Cordon-Lloyd OBE MC Memorial Bugle.

With time to spare before a late lunch, some wandered off to see the rest of the NMA whilst others simply gathered for just chat over a coffee outside in the sunshine.

All, including families, were invited to lunch at Lichfield Rugby Club – a 15 minutes’ drive away from the NMA. A venue we have used before, Lichfield Rugby Club was able to provide a really good meal of either curry or stroganoff and, being a rugby club, there was a spacious bar to help quench our thirty, whilst being so well entertained by the Buglers of QuickSilver; as well as a game of rugby to watch!

Happy and tired most began their homeward journeys around 4pm. A great gathering both poignant and fun in equal measure. Thank you to all those that turned up and made it such a success.

Regimental Gathering at the National Memorial Arboretum

Regimental Gathering at the National Memorial Arboretum

When

When Centurion was a rank and not a tank Carterton Boys to the fore

The article below was published in the Oxfordshire local newspaper the Witney Gazette in 1969 and shows the RGJA Database Manager Roy Baillie when he was a young soldier and an equally young Lcpl later WO2 Sandy Wells. Both are a little older now!

After the shooting November 1972 – March

1973

After

Teaching an American soldier how to load the general-purpose machine gun is Rfn Roy Baillie (20yrs old) at Tidworth where a 185 strong company of the 10th Ranger Battalion is attached to

The second picture shows Mr. James Boyden, the Under Secretary of State (Army) talking to Lcpl Martin Wells (22) one of the instructors helping to teach the Americans. Martin, or Sandy as he is known, also attended Burford Grammar before joining the army in 1962 and has served in Malaya, Borneo, Berlin and also the United Nations in Cyprus.

Several others who served in 1 RGJ also came from Carterton, Rifleman like the Late Bob Heaton-Caffin, Derek Archer, Don Terrell, Andy Tyler and Kevin Stevens. Considering Carterton is the village which has RAF Brize Norton on its doorstep the Green Jackets recruited well in the area.

1 RGJ for 3 weeks training in the use of British weapons and equipment. Roy joined the army as a boy soldier in 1964 after leaving Burford Grammar and has served in Berlin and with the United Nations in Cyprus.

Those of you who struggled to the end of my article in the last Swift & Bold will be ‘over-joyed’ to know that I have been encouraged by others who travelled the same journey as I to fill in the months until I returned to the Battalion. Kevin

Stevens

Those like me who experienced the delights of the Musgrave Park and Royal Herbert Hospitals obviously have similar memories apparently.

A quick recap then. November 7, 1972 about 13:20 hrs, 12B a foot patrol out of Turf Lodge towards Fort Monagh, I get shot. The story continues…

Arriving at the hospital I was gutted to find they cut my uniform off me, most of it was new! A jab in the hand and it was two or three days before I recalled anything else, I was to spend over a month in Musgrave Park, if Carlsberg did hospitals… well you get the idea, the MPH was possibly the finest hospital in the world for injuries of the nature we tended to pick up and I will always have the greatest respect for the men and women both civil and military who looked after us so very well.

A GSW to the arm is not particularly impressive and in a wider context shouldn’t be that dangerous or life changing but it still stings a bit! It was the late Ken Ambrose who later recalled that I didn’t actually stop a bullet but merely slowed it down a bit. I am told the round from an AR15 starts to tumble after a short distance and that together with its speed is what does the damage. I do know that my arm went extremely floppy and certainly wasn’t where my brain told me it was. Moving on then.

I was in a small side ward of just four beds one of several side wards, two were from other regiments and were ‘war wounded’ the other was in fact

another Green Jacket from the 2nd or 3rd Battalion who had been admitted suffering a rather nasty boil in an area making it very difficult to sit down and was the butt of many of our jokes – pun intended.

During my time there I had several operations as the surgeons slowly put my arm back together. We were also encouraged to drink a couple of tins of Guinness each day for medicinal purposes and smoking was allowed in some areas I don’t believe this happens in hospital any more...

In mid December I was flown by Wessex helicopter to RAF Aldergrove then by Andover aircraft to RAF Northolt just outside London for onward transfer to the Royal Herbert Hospital another military hospital in Woolwich London.

What a contrast in styles; Musgrave Park was a friendly hospital where you felt appreciated for the job you had been doing. The Royal Herbert staff generally speaking didn’t have the same attitude though there were some notable exceptions – step forward nurses Wilcox and Allcox, they were of course dealing with a wide variety of ailments and not just those from NI, an example of this being a member of 1 RGJ who having survived NI, returned to Celle only to be involved in an RTA where he broke his neck. I spent some time talking to him as I had known him well from my own company, paralysed from the neck down his road ahead was much harder than mine was ever going to be.

The Deputy Matron was a proper dragon. A Major by rank but who we were sure had been trained by Hitler himself. I am sure I saw an Iron Cross peeping out from under her uniform and the jack boots were a bit of a give-away. An example of her caring attitude was that we were expected to stand to attention by the sides of our beds (self-made of course; proper corners and the sheet turned down just so) ready for her daily inspection at 09:00 hrs. I had a problem with this on the first day.

One of my last operations a few days before leaving Musgrave Park had been to start having skin grafts taken from my left leg and stuck on to my left arm. For whatever reason the dressing on my leg which was quite huge had not been changed before leaving MPH and it had now gone a bit crispy and dried itself firmly to my leg, it was therefore very painful and I couldn’t put any real pressure on the leg at all. I was therefore laying smartly to attention on my bed when the dragon entered. “What’s your injury?” she barked at me. I tried to explain especially about the problems I was having with my leg, but she wasn’t listening. “Then there

is no excuse not to be standing by your bed, get up NOW!”

I wriggled off the bed, and stood to attention as best I could, this was very painful to do, and I fell over and re-broke my arm. Add one more operation to the list to reset the bone and pins! I was excused standing up after that! The funniest part of this was that the Deputy Matron ordered that I should be issued crutches to move about with. So, there I was my left leg with a big bandage on (now changed) and my left arm in a plaster cast and sling and I was expected to somehow grip two crutches. I never did get the hang of it.

Of the food we were fed nothing stands out as memorable except the daily soup. It had various flavours such as tomato, chicken, beef, yak and whale blubber. I might be lying about the last two – just might – but anyway it all tasted of brown sauce as that was what was needed to make it even slightly palatable. What that place needed was a Jimmy Rowan! (1 RGJ Regimental chef to those who never knew him or had the pleasure of his exceptional cooking).

After being granted 4 days parole home over Xmas and having now got a feel for the hospital I sought out one of the lads who had come across before me and asked where they kept going to at night. He put me in touch with ‘Big X’ and the escape committee. We were allowed to roam about a bit within the hospital and security was a little lax. Several of the more adventurous inmates taking advantage of this laxity had discovered that by sneaking out after the 19:00 hrs bed check through the boiler house they could get out of the hospital and down to the local pub and back again before the 11pm bed check, ‘the Brook’ at the bottom of Shooters Hill. I was able to finally manage the walk down and back up the hill on almost the last day before I was discharged.

We did have amongst the inmates a couple of youngsters who were being treated for various ailments and there because daddy worked for the MOD or was an officer etc. One in particular was the son of, well as he put it “my father is a Brigadier, you must have heard of him?” My response: “Is he a Green Jacket?” “No” “Never heard of him!”. To be

fair once he got used to me, he was not a bad lad, a little redcoat in outlook perhaps but not everyone can be a Green Jacket. He was being treated for a club foot and had had several operations to un-club his trotter. He got around in a wheelchair and had to celebrate his 18th birthday in hospital. This was too good an opportunity to miss and he was taken out under cover of darkness down to the pub. How they got him and his wheelchair out and back is one of those mysteries. He was brought back a giggling, gurgling wreck. I was told he attempted to drink the pub dry! It was fortunate that the following day was Sunday morning so no bed inspection by the dragon. Much sympathy was, accorded him for his hangover – NOT.

In late February 1973 I bade farewell to my fellow patients and returned to the Rifle Depot in Winchester to await posting back to my unit in Celle Germany. Following a couple of weeks leave I flew to Hanover and was picked up by transport to rejoin 1 RGJ where I was placed on light duties until the July when I was returned to full duties – just in time for another tour in Belfast, the Lower Falls this time though.

The Royal Herbert Hospital

The Brook, Shooters Hill

Trailblazers Parachute Display Team

– Reunion 2021

How was a senior NCO Scotsman in a ground crewman role in the Army Air Corps, able to transfer to The Royal Green Jackets and be accepted as a team member with the Trailblazers Parachute Display Team (PDT). David (aka Jock) Muir

How was a senior NCO Scotsman in a ground crewman role in the Army Air Corps, able to transfer to The Royal Green Jackets and be accepted as a team member with the Trailblazers Parachute Display Team (PDT).

Well the truth may now be told. My father was born in London and his parents and ancestors were prominent businessmen/women in and around the London area. I was born in Scotland in 1949 after my parents married there in 1947.

I had recently completed a two-year stint as Chief Clerk of the Army Air Corps Regiment in Northern Ireland. I was stationed in the same barracks as 1 RGJ. I was an avid freefall parachute instructor and whilst in Ireland heard that the Royal Green Jackets Parachute Display Team was in the process of amalgamating with the Light Infantry Parachute Display Team, to be based in Winchester, to be 30 strong, and to be known as The Trailblazers Parachute Display Team.

During my time in Ireland I was able to convince a couple of RGJ key players to recommend my transfer. I rebadged to RGJ on 10 April 1985.

On my arrival at Winchester I was met by the chief instructor, Ray Ellis who I knew previously. He was a highly experienced freefall instructor/examiner, and a former freefall world champion to boot.

The Light Infantry team contingent had only recently moved to Winchester from Shrewsbury and with the 1985 display season about to get under way, we were all raring to go.

to all congregate around our own seating area. It has limited parking at no cost, directly outside the premises, and there is a multi story car park within a short walking distance

Although we were highly professional, basically self sufficient and ran a profitable business. With money being ploughed back into the upkeep of equipment. Above all, being ambassadors for The Light Division as well as HM Forces through the hundreds of displays carried out each year. Rumblings were heard during 1988 that due to Ministry of Defence restructuring, we may be disbanded. In 1988 alone, I did 94 team jumps the majority of which were into arenas and showgrounds throughout the United Kingdom. Sadly however, all good things come to an end and at the end of our 1988 display season, along with the majority of other display teams, we were disbanded.

The majority of the PDT went back to their respective Battalions and I was posted back to Germany to serve the rest of my career at the RGJ Adventure Training Centre hut in Southern Germany. I finally left HM Forces in December 1990, having served for a little over 26 years.

Three years ago, it was brought to my attention that since our disbandment a number of our Team had sadly passed away, and that we should have a reunion, and as I had so called clerical skills, I should be the mug who organised it.

Fast forward to Saturday 18 September 2021 and 24 former Team members and wives met at the Maritime Club in Portsmouth. This venue suited our needs, with satisfactory accommodation, not overly expensive, a well stocked bar and a reasonable restaurant serving a varied menu. Most importantly the bar seating area is large, and we were left alone

The establishment is advertised on Booking dot com however I was able to negotiate a deal whereby breakfast was included in the price – and I assure you breakfast was well worth it. I recommend staying there if you ever visit Portsmouth.

I arrived in Portsmouth about 2pm on Saturday. Bob Brookes and his wife, and Ray Ellis, had arrived the day before, and we were sitting in the bar area when Gary Douglas arrived next. It was about then that I had the feeling that it was going to be a superb evening. And it certainly was. Talk about arriving in style. One former Team member and his wife arrived in a chauffer driven immaculate Rolls Royce.

As the afternoon progressed into evening, our congregation increased, war stories were being told and around about 8:30pm Steve Webb informed us that he had been able to set up a slide show for us to watch, taking us all back down memory lane

when our “playground was in the sky”.

On Sunday morning Bob Brookes showed a promotional video of the PDT interspersed with RGJ marching. All very professional in the days before Gopro. Incidentally, as at 1 February 2022, both these were available to watch if you typed Trailblazers Parachute Display Team into YouTube.

I was amased to hear how well everyone had progressed in civvy street. Two retired as very successful multi-engined type rated airline captains; some joined the Police Force, with one attaining the rank of inspector; at least three held, or still hold, supervisory appointments in the security industry; one has been a drayman for years (lucky man); and I for my sins was Captain of Steamship Sir Walter Scott on Loch Katrine.

It’s a sign of the times but I have been told that now there is only one of our merry band who is still actively skydiving. Arrangements are now well under way for our reunion 2022 which will take place on Saturday 3 September, probably at a venue just north of the Watford Gap.

The

Bernie Parker, Bob Brookes, Gary Douglas

Trailblazers Parachute Display Team

Ray Ellis briefing the team for their next display

Friendly fire

When 1 RGJ were posted to the Falkland Islands, I was there as an ‘A’ MFC with the mortar platoon. Ken Pettengale

The tour wasn’t a jolly by any stretch of the imagination and at one stage the whole platoon tabbed from our location, at San Carlos to Goose Green and on to Bn HQ at Stanley where we were to provide guards and duties... mainly duties in the form of digging French-drains, clearing crap and generally being ill-used.

We also trained – a lot – and honed our skills as a Mortar platoon. Even if I say so myself we were very good. During one particular period we were to take part in live company attacks. The section I was with under Sjt Martin Brooks were to put together a proper fire plan in support of B Coy. I also had with me two boot-necks who were to provide Naval Gunfire support, so lots going on.

I put together my fire plan – DF’s, Smoke and FPF’s, had them all checked and approved, bedded the mortars in and waited for H Hour. My OP had a fantastic high ground position. From where I was, I could see two of the four mortars we had deployed on the mortar line, and the whole of B Coy spread out like toys on a table – it was really quite exciting.

H Hour came and B Coy began their advance under cover of the fire plan which had begun some minutes before, with Martin Brooks giving “Shot ** over” as we began. All was looking great. Minor adjustments were called, and we were well away –

and well away from B Coy (obviously). It must have looked great from the Rifle Company point of view –I know it looked good from mine! Anyway, we came to a point where I had to switch targets. Range safety cleared it and I called in the new DF task... after a short interval (they were quick crees!) Martin chirped over the net, “Shot 20 over” I acknowledged and waited, counting the time of flight off in my head... as I looked up to watch the fall of shot through my binos, out of the corner of my eye I saw two rounds land in among the lead elements of the Company attack! The absolute horror stood my hair on end. I keyed the mic and screamed “CHECK FIRING! CHECK FIRING!” and jumped to my feet... my stomach was doing backflips. The DS gave me what I thought was an odd look and said: “What’s that for?” I babbled a bit about hitting B Coy, Martin was on comms asking for a sit rep, the Bootys looked at me oddly.

It turned out that at EXACTLY the moment I expected my fall of shot, a DS with B Coy had detonated a couple of sims, of course I saw them, missed my actual fall of shot, ( which was ‘miles’ away) and put two and two together to make nine. The attack still went in ok, albeit with a buggered-up fire plan, but I was actually euphoric when I realised, I hadn’t killed anyone… beers all round!

2 RGJ Shooting Team – year unknown but taken at Bisley

Backrow L to R as you look at the photo

Bill Gibbon, Evan Virtue, Steve Batty, Dave Chadwick, Steve Catton, Armourer (REME), Oscar Ward, Richard Dimmick

Front L to R (seated)

Alan Notley, 2nd Lt The right honourable Nall-Cain, Sandy Bissett

RGJ Shooting Team – year unknown but taken at Bisley

Maj. Gutteridge, Pete Finn, Jeff Jackson, Steve Ogden, (Nookie) Norcott, Dave Conway

Danny Basden, (Nobby) Winkworth, Steve Horsley, Phil Young, Steve Catton, Evan Virtue

Bill Gibbon, Steve Batty, Dave Chadwick, Armourer (REME), Oscar Ward, Richard Dimmick

Alan Notley, Sandy Bissett, 2nd Lt The right honourable Nall-Cain

A midlife crisis

I had served with 2 RGJ (KRRC} in Penang, Borneo and Munster, then the depot in Winchester before a final fling with the Army Air Corps back in Munster and after leaving the army trained to become a veterinary surgeon, got married, had two children and a life with all creatures great and small. The years passed happily and steadily apart from the odd bite and kick from uncooperative dogs, cats, equines and farm animals. Mario Pampanini former officer in 2 RGJ

Middle age had arrived, the girth was expanding, and like many of my age I started jogging around the lanes to see if I could slim down and get back into my favourite trousers. I needed some better trainers and whilst perusing the local sportswear shop picked up an entry form for the London Marathon, it said I would be entered into a ballot with a 10% chance of getting in, so I left it to the will of God – lnshallah. You guessed it, I got in! Only 3

months to go before the off, the longest distance I had ever run was 5 miles at school, I was not a natural long-distance runner.

I started jogging 3 to 4 times a week up to 10 miles, but slowly. A 5 mile run was an effort, but bearable, in my mind I began to imagine that by repeating the effort by just another 4 times that was the marathon done and dusted.

In retrospect rather naive and so in April 1997 soon after my 55th birthday the great day arrived. At Tower Bridge, the half-way point, I was on track for sub 4 hours, I then hit “the wall”, I kept running but slower than walking pace. It was an agonizing finish and I swore to never run again.

But no, memories of pain faded and in November I found myself in the New York marathon and later the Venice marathon (in memory of my Venetian ancestors). In Venice after a few miles I was plumb last with a couple of matronly mammas, but finished strongly just over the elusive 4 hours.

That should have been the end of my middle-aged running but it was not. My soldier son had decided to compete in the Sahara Marathon (Marathon Des Sables), a good chance for some father/ son bonding so I volunteered to join him, after 3 marathons I was beginning to get the hang of it and my trousers were beginning to fit rather well.

The year 1999, a month to go, my son meets the girl of his dreams, she is a New Zealander, he decides to go with her to New Zealand to meet her family,

the sandy marathon is off for him, so much for bonding!

By chance I meet Julian Winser ex RGJ, he and his brother Roddy, a serving RGJ officer who are both entered for the same challenge, they are part of the Schroders team which includes an ex Life Guards fund manager, a priest from Sherborne and a city of London administrator. They are a friendly bunch, we meet at Gatwick for our flight to Ouarzazate in Southern Morocco not far from the northern edge of the Sahara.

The Marathon des Sables is dubbed “The Toughest Footrace on Earth”. It is 150 miles, run over six stages. Competitors are required to carry everything they need for the duration of the race, including their food. Drinking water is provided every 10 Kms at various checkpoints en route.

The runners come from all walks of life and many different nationalities but predominantly French, Italian and British and also from far off USA, Japan and of course Moroccans who have been winning the race for many years. We were approximately

left to right

Julian Winser – ex RGJ and Army Air Corps, and Schroders

James Stewart – Ex household Cavalry and Schroders

Roddy Winser – RGJ | Mario Pampanini | Roy Kibble – Schroders | Rev Joe Edwards – now retired vicar

550 competitors in total. Back up support was French which included a small field hospital, several land cruisers and a helicopter, nothing was left to chance which was some sort of comfort.

After a couple of days acclimatizing in a very comfortable hotel we were bussed to the start point on the edge of the Northern Sahara. With the Schroders team in pursuit I bagged a Berber tent soon to be joined by three brothers from Southern Ireland, the eldest an English professor at an American university, the middle brother Paul Donovan was an Olympic silver medalist in the 3,000 metres, they were a fit looking trio and great company.

Each day all the tents were taken down early morning whilst runners were still slumbering, then set up at our next arrival point, our group of nine always had the same numbered tent

And so, after a day of signing disclaimers and equipment checks (a daily minimum of 2,000 calories, anti-venom pump for snake bites, whistle, compass flares, etc.) we all gathered at the start line. We set off with cheering and clapping like lambs to the slaughter

The fittest set off at a proper marathon pace, the mass following, and soon becoming a long snaking column with stragglers at the back. I was nursing a

knee injury and to my chagrin was passed by two Frenchmen carrying a disabled boy on a stretcher!

As the day progressed and my aches subsided, I speeded up and finished 30Km mid table in a creditable 4hrs and 30 minutes.

On finishing I was handed a lukewarm coke which tasted like nectar. I then slumped into the tent with muscles seizing up in places never previously experienced. But I had survived, cooked an unappetizing meal on hexamine followed by the sleep of the dead, it felt better than a night at the Ritz.

Next morning as expected the tent was whipped off as we lay semi-conscious wondering if it was all just a bad dream. No, it was real, a glorious dawn, weary bodies stirring and with the occasional groan echoing about the tented camp. The routine was simple, wake up, sandy ablutions, cook your meagre breakfast, drink lots of water and line up for the off, usually at 10:00 hrs when the sun was blazing and temperatures nudging 40 degrees.

The second day was a bit longer, 22.5Km, arrived half the way down the pack of runners, the third day 37Km, the going getting tougher with more sand about Day 4, this is getting serious, today we run for 74Km, a very hot day, early on one of my toes starts to hurt, not sure whether a blister or something in my shoe. I remove my shoe with difficulty, it is a

blister but I cannot do much about it, I plod on for an eternity till the next water station, my toes have become numb so carry on for another eternity, from water point to water point. The sun is setting and it is soon dark when I get to the last water point, I spot a group of Cambridge Students, I had met them earlier they are part of the boat race crew, they are passing round small pieces of white crusty substance, I eat one, within moments all aches and pains disappear, a magical potion I never did discover what it was.

I glide off into the darkness foolishly following some English squaddies, I sense that the direction of travel is not right, there are flares in the distance but difficult to know their purpose, my compass is packed at the bottom of my rucksack but I need to get it, I have a map with directions to the finish, I curse, scrabble about in the sand and eventually manage to get a bearing on some stars in the distance it is now a matter of walking in a straight line in the pitch black in what soon becomes apparent is a large area of sand dunes. One moment plunging down to the bottom where blackness is absolute, then scrabbling up a 45 degree incline to the top where the sand is like talcum powder; this was definitely a low point and lonely, but as in life bad is followed by good, I climb the last sand dune, there is firm ground ahead, a flare in the distance is on my bearing it must be the right way.

The last 10Km were an ordeal, the “magic” substance had worn off, tired legs, rough terrain and not many people about. I did come across a

German competitor, a pleasant man, time passed quickly till we arrived at the lukewarm coke, 15 hours from the start point, I found the German next day, he had to withdraw because of severe blisters, he was a well-known ultra-marathon distance runner.

We had a day off after the long day, a blissful day which included a visit to the hospital tent where my blisters were lanced, pared away and bound up, my feet resembled those of an Egyptian Mummy.

The next day was to be 42Km, we could see that the direction of travel was towards a massive sand field dominated by Erg Chebbi, one of the highest groups of sand dunes in the desert. We set off with a feeling of doom, up, up and up we climb, then down and down, but then the sand thins out and we reach reasonable terrain, it is a fuII marathon and it does take time. In my case 7 hours.

That night there is a sense of euphoria in the camp, I don't think there is any alcohol about but it does feel like a party with rockets lighting the sky. Tomorrow there is a final “dash” of 10Km to the finish line in the village of Erfoud. Not much of a dash in my case but I get there, I get a hug at the finish from Patrick Bauer whose brainchild is the Marathon des Sables, he is a charismatic Frenchman like the Pied Piper able to persuade sane people to go through hell in the desert.

Post script: On my return home my trousers would not stay up!

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Afghan Patrol Interpreters

For the last 2 or 3 years I have been trying to find a way to get recognition for the Afghan Patrol Interpreters, now settled in the UK, as some form of Associate or Honorary Armed Forces Veterans to enable them to take their place as Veterans in their new communities. Capt Valentine West KRRC, 2GJ & 2 RGJ

Yousuf Mohammad, now living in Colchester lost an eye serving with 2 Rifles (he had previously been with 2 and 3 Para and 42 and 43 Commando RM among other battle groups and only ‘Help for Heroes’ is supporting them. The other Service Charities are prevented by their charters from assisting anyone who did not actually have a Service Number but the Chairman of SSAFA did take this issue up with the Heads of the other leading Service Charities in the Confederation of Service Charities (COBSEO) although they could not get beyond the first obstacle put in their path when they raised the matter with the MOD.

I have very recently found that the Sulha Alliance is working hard for the Afghan Interpreters on a broader front to the same ends but has until now been concentrating on assisting the Interpreters' settlement in UK.

Wali Noori was blinded by an IED in Musa Qal'eh on 12 September 2009 while wearing cheap sunglasses bought in the bazaar because he had not been issued with the shatter-proof goggles which might have saved his eyesight. Wali and the others would find it so much easier to settle into their new communities if they could be identified as true Veterans who have actually shared all the dangers experienced by the British troops with whom they served while under fire in action.

Wali had served with several different Infantry Battalions including 1 Rifles and the Yorkshire Regiment with whom he was operating when he was blinded. He had been described in a reference letter from his Company Commander in 1 Rifles as "Courageous and proactive whilst under fire from the enemy, a situation that he has found himself in on many occasions. He must, however curb his enthusiasm and refrain from moving the ANA

around the battlefield and allow his OMLT Commander to do so! * He is reliable and dynamic and has been an asset to his OMLT throughout." He must have acquired this bad habit in an earlier engagement with another battle group when they were surrounded by Taliban. He records in his memoirs that ‘I became like one of the soldiers’. Captain Ben entrusted me with his pistol. My first task was to rouse the soldiers who were lying on the ground, unable to move from the shock of being set up in a trap. When at last we were able to retreat to our base I offered to walk right at the back to ensure that the Taliban weren't following our tracks. Upon our return, Captain Ben thanked me profusely for my services as an active member of his team –observing, fighting and translating.

Wali was only about 21 when blinded and had no other employment other than being a Patrol Interpreter from leaving college. He had been dedicated to serving his country and the British Army which had come to fight for Afghanistan and he remains determined to continue to help in the community whenever he can by inspiring others to achieve great things despite disability. He ran in the 2019 London Marathon and was in contention for the Invictus Games and Warrior Games in 2020 which could not happen because of Covid and he continues to run marathons and half-marathons for The People of Afghanistan. If you Google Wali Noori you can find a video of him.

The case for the Patrol Interpreters has been put to the Parliamentary Defence Select Committee and their Chairman has written to the MOD to have attention drawn to Wali’s Confirmation of Employment between 2 April 2008 and 30 April

2010 as a Patrol Interpreter until he was released on ‘medical grounds’, which was described as a ‘gross understatement of his being blinded by an IED!’ A Civil Servant in reply stated “There are no plans to extend the definition of an Armed Forces Veteran to include locally employed civilians (LECs). This would create a precedent for all future campaigns and overseas locations where locally employed personnel work with the Armed Forces. It would also require extending the definition to include all Civil Servants or civilian contractors who have also served on operations”.

It is felt however, that a simple form of words which would enable LECs settled in UK as a direct consequence of their service to the British Army and employed specifically as Patrol Interpreters in the front line of active operations to be defined as a form of Armed Forces Veteran. The British Army formations rotated around them on successive Ops Herrick tours and their knowledge of the terrain and the local population must have been invaluable to the troops in their FOBs in very dangerous conditions.

The Patrol Interpreters generally do not need benevolence now but a time could come in their

old age when they might need help and it would be shameful if they could not receive it then or have an organisation ready to act on their behalf to achieve the support which they deserve.

Another interpreter, Aimal Jalalzai is still suffering from wounds to back and legs when blown up in a military vehicle with resultant PTSD. His NHS psychiatrist can do no more for him but has recommended that ‘in the future he would benefit from a Specialised Trauma Therapy Course for Military Veterans, possibly in a residential setting.’ His housing problems could also be more easily solved if he could benefit from the preferential treatment quite rightly available to Armed Forces Veterans in similar circumstances.

The Patrol Interpreters' main concern now is the fate of their families remaining in Afghanistan. Wali has a brother who was a labourer for the British Army who is applying for refuge in UK but is in hiding from the Taliban and Wali's family are also under cover to the extent that Wali is arranging food deliveries for them by contact over his mobile with a trusted contact in Kabul. Yousuf is also applying for his brother, a former LEC labourer, to be brought to UK.

Unofficial RGJA Reunion 2021 Bakers Arms

Where there is a will there is a way and 4 members found the way to have a reunion in July 2021 – in the Bakers Arms maybe but to paraphrase Richard Burton in ‘Where Eagles Dare’ a reunion is a reunion is a reunion. It was by all accounts a fun evening.

L-R Charlie Blackmore, Zippy Nolan, Steve Radley (Radogs) and FNU SNU !

Wali Noori

Yus me lady!

A schoolboys dream

As a young lad I lived with my parents in a flat on an estate of flats just off the A316 near to an area called Chalkers Corner, Mortlake. If I wanted to sound posh and impress the birds, I just dropped the Chalkers Corner bit and said I lived in Mortlake! Tiny Adams

When I think back on it, they were happy days. Like everyone else on the estate money was always a bit tight, and great fun was had hiding from the rent man every Tuesday which is what everyone did, and anyone who had the money to pay the rent in those days was considered well orf and treated with an element of respectable distain.

Pocket money in those days if any parent could afford it was earned not simply given. In other words, you had to work for it. One of the ways I earned my pocket money was together with my mate Roy we would flog the Evening Standard and Evening News to rush-hour motorists stopped at the traffic lights on the busy main road. As soon as the lights changed to red and the cars stopped, we would dash into the road and flog our papers whilst keeping a wary eye open for when the lights changed to green again, whereupon we scampered like mad back to the safety of the kerb.

Every now and again a large Rolls Royce or Bentley would glide up to the lights and I would make a beeline directly for them, for no other reason than they always gave me a few coppers more as a tip. I was always impressed by these big luxurious motors and their immaculately dressed drivers who always looked so smart in their light grey suits, white shirt, black tie and Cockade badge on the front of their caps. In fact, I was so smitten it was at this point I decided I wanted to become a chauffeur too. Back then I couldn’t even spell the word chauffeur let alone drive, but my dream had begun.

All through school on the odd days I attended, I would tell any teacher that would listen to me that one day I was going to be a Chauffeur for a Lord or Lady. All I would get in reply was laughter and the retort: “You can’t even spell Pratley (my name then) so you have no chance”. So much for supportive teachers a? As a consequence, I couldn’t wait to leave school and get away from my detractors, and of course start to earn some money to help out with the bills at home whereas, I said earlier money was pretty tight. So tight in fact driving lessons were out of the question but that didn’t stop me watching

my Dad drive. That’s when his car was serviceable enough to be on the road that is!

Temporarily tucking away my dream of being a chauffeur I looked around for an alternative career, and found it in the Army, or to be more specific the Royal Green Jackets. A Regiment where I spent some of the best, and dare I say it some of the worst incidents in my life.

On leaving the Army I drifted from one job to another but finally settled on Security which seemed to be the perfect match for my skill set. However, after a number of jobs protecting anonymous and unimpressive chinless wonders, I binned that particular side of the business. I was married at this time and after a divorce I moved back to London and the hotel of Mum and Dad with its best restaurant in the whole world. Anyway, I eventually got a job in one of the big hotels at Heathrow. Big mistake as all I saw all day were chauffeurs waiting for their passengers and the dream that I had as a kid kicked back in again!

Some time later I met and married a lovely lady called Janet who had been a cocktail waitress (bit of a film theme that). After a few years we started our own business which was a cleaning and landscaping company looking after blocks of apartments and housing estates. The money was good, in fact it was very good! Eventually we decided to move out of London and settle in Hampshire but retained our work in and around London as that was where all the big money was. We took on staff and in truth times were very good for us.

On route back home to Hampshire after work some nights my staff and I would drive home via Sunningdale near Windsor. Passing through one night I couldn’t help but notice there was a secondhand car showroom selling high-end prestigious cars. One vehicle in particular caught my eye which was a gold coloured Rolls Royce Silver Shadow 2. It even had a gold coloured Spirit of Ecstasy (Flying Lady) mounted on the top of its radiator. Fantastic

vehicle! I told Janet about it and obviously dribbled in the telling. The strange thing is that very same night on TV was a guy with his own wedding chauffeur business and I thought – I can do that and said so to Janet.

Something very generous and loving had clearly registered in Janet’s head over my mooning about the car, because a few days later while working with the guys in a large garden in London the old brick of a Motorola rings. It’s the wife and she said in a very calm matter of fact way as if it was the most normal thing in the world: “I have bought you that car you wanted” “What bloody car says I? “I like my van and it does the job”. “The Rolls Royce you fell in love with” she says. I’m now officially in shock, my wife has purchased for me a bloody Rolls Royce no less!

“Pack up lads” says I “it’s early doors as the wife has made me the owner of an effing Roller!” At the speed of light, we get ourselves back to Hampshire. I drop the guys off and get home sharpish. Where I find it’s all true, she has got me a Rolls although we

have to go and pick it up the following day. I have to say at this point that despite my delight I was more than a little apprehensive as the only other cars I had ever driven up to this point was a Simca, a Vauxhall, Mini Metro and a Nissan, and the only reason for that was they were all the wife’s cars!

The following day we drove up to Sunningdale from our home in Southampton to collect the car and thank God they had already taken it out of the showroom, or it might have needed a paint job if I had to drive it out. It was a monster of a car and the bonnet seemed to go on forever and weighing in at over 2½ tons it took some getting used to. After we had signed the paperwork Janet zoomed off leaving me to drive the monster home at a very refined speed. However, I couldn’t resist stopping at Fleet Services on the M3 for no other reason than to just ogle my new motor from the outside. I have to say the Rolls was a real head turner and I kept it to 55mph on the M3 all the way home so as many people could admire it as possible. Yep, I thought as I glided along, the boy from nothing who couldn’t

even spell has now done pretty good. If only all those detractors at school could see me now.

I managed to get the Rolls home without any problem and parked it up on the drive, and guess what? I then cleaned it! To be honest over the years that I had it, I think I must have spent more hours cleaning it than I actually drove it!

It would seem my long-standing dream was actually coming true. I had the car, now all I needed was a course that would teach me how to drive it like that geezer in the film ‘Driving Miss Daisy’. In other words, properly and sedately just like a real chauffeur.

If I thought the car was a surprise that couldn’t be matched, then I found it was nothing compared to the second bombshell Janet dropped on me. For she then said: “If you are going to drive the best car in the world, its only right you should be trained by the best in the world”. I was dumbstruck on hearing she had also booked me in for a residential one week 14 hour day driving course at the Rolls Royce Motor Car Factory in Crewe. Bit old fashion company title that but believe it or not that was its full and correct company name in those days.

On the day I had to be there I was up at sparrows o’clock getting the car ready. Yes, I thought, what better way to arrive at the factory than in a Rolls where the car was actually made. All the way there I kept thinking about all those dreams I had as a lad sat beside my father, and thinking maybe, just maybe, it might all be coming true and I would become a Rolls Royce Chauffeur. If only he could see how excited I was. RIP Dad.

Despite being pre-satnav days and after some 200 miles without getting lost (thank you Army) I arrive at our hotel where I hook up with the other guys on the same course. I quickly found out that their course fees had been paid for by their individual employers or companies whilst my enrolment fee had been paid for privately. Because of the cost etc this was considered to be very unusual to say the least but only goes to show how much my wife loved me! The following morning, I took three of the guys to the factory in the Rolls and the others drove themselves. One of which was Richard Attenborough’s new Chauffeur who needed training as a part of his employment.

My Rolls was allowed to be parked at the front of the factory and at lunch I went out to find a group of fellas in clean white overalls surrounding my

Rolls Royce

Certified Training Pass with Credits

car showing more than a bit of interest. “What the hell’s going on here?” I said. “Sorry mate” says one of them “but we build these cars and I think I had a hand in this one”. To prove what he was saying he asked me to open the bonnet (you open a RR bonnet you don’t pop it up). He the looked at the side of the radiator and said to the others: “I told you so” for there on the radiator were two names –the double R of course and the name of the maker – his. Wow!

Over the following days we were trained in every aspect of chauffeuring from the dress code, through to vehicle handling at high speed, valeting, and also included how to open and close a door properly! There is a right way and a wrong way believe you me. This is most important if chauffeuring the Queen or other head of a foreign royal family where you need to know their customs. In all cases the chauffeur doesn’t open the door – they have people that do that! The best part of the course however was driving slow and fast. The slow part consisted of driving the car with a glass of wine on the bonnet where the Spirit of Ecstasy

would normally sit without spilling a drop. At the other end of the scale was fast driving at top speed in a Bentley Turbo R, and then throwing into a skid and recovering without rolling it over. Boys own stuff!

On the last day of the course we were taken on a tour of the factory to see how every one of RR’s handmade cars were made and put together. There is no production line as such, and everything was so well organised and clean. A marvel of quality and precision to behold. Back in the 90’s everyone who worked for Rolls Royce from the MD down to the tea lady were taken out for a ride in the latest model just so they knew what the car was all about. A nice touch I think you would agree.

In the last few hours of the course we were tested on everything we had learned over the previous 5 days, and because my Janet had paid for me to be on the course, I was determined not to let her down and come bottom of the class. When the results came in I was chuffed to bits because I had come out on top. As a result of that I was immediately made an Honorary Member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists. BI**y hell! I had made it, and I was now a qualified real chauffeur. It would seem that runny nosed kid’s dream was getting ever closer. Don’t know about walking on a cloud but I was certainly driving on one as I made my way home.

As you can imagine I wasted no time in putting my new and prestigious qualification to good use and I immediately applied for various chauffeuring jobs. I was more than a little disappointed however when all I got asked from potential employers was ‘What experience do you have and who have you worked for in the past?’ B***er me I thought how was I to get experience if no one was willing to take me on? The harsh reality was kicking in now that no one wanted a rookie chauffeur so I contacted a few of the guys I did the course with to see if they could help. One of which was Bill, David Attenborough’s new chauffeur. He advised me to contact Shepperton Film Studios which I did, and they invited me along to see what I had to offer. Of course, I took the Rolls and they let me right in without even checking any ID. The long and the short of it I was hired on the spot and started a few days later. Not with my Rolls I have to say but with a supplied Mercedes S Class. It turned out I was to be the unit driver for various film stars and crew. Over the time I worked there I got to support a number of films including James Bond’s The World is not Enough, 102 Dalmatians, and Blue Murder. I even

got to drive ET! But that’s another story.

Since those early days I now have my own chauffeur company and although it’s not quite the same as driving for just one family or company – it’s just as much fun and just as interesting. Who would think that runny nosed kid flogging newspapers at the traffic lights would one day drive for a nations President, one of the wealthiest men in the UK, and of course stars of stage and screen.

I must also include in that list those elderly couples who had spent their life savings on that once in a lifetime cruise. All get the same level of service regardless of who they are – well almost as those elderly couples always get that little bit extra simply because I have a great respect my elders. Talking about which and without question of doubt my proudest moment as a chauffeur was that I was able to take my Mum for a drive in the Rolls Royce just before she passed away. RIP Mum and Dad.

And thank you Janet for making my dream come true.

My Parker Impression

The joys of being an MT Driver

The joys of being an MT Driver

Having arrived on the hurry up for Op Motorman A and B Companies hadn’t been in St Teresa’s Parochial Hall and school very long when orders were issued to escort members of the Pay Corps to Palace Barracks. Roy Baillie ex 1 RGJ

The escort consisted of two Land Rovers and one 3-tonner which would be manned by Pay Corps personnel, the Land Rovers manned by members of B Company.

We were routed down the Falls Road which was deemed safe at the time. Off we went in convoy, the 3-tonner and two Land Rovers in that order.

We proceeded round a bend and in front of us was a mob facing away from us. When they heard the screech of brakes they turned around and saw a fat truck belonging to the British army, a lovely target.

The truck could not turn around in such a confined space as a road and with no power steering a quick decision was made to turn into a side road and go around the block. The side road was barricaded so reverse was selected. Of course, the Land Rovers had followed, the second Land Rover managed to turn around and disappeared back up the road. The one behind the 3-tonner was hit by the 3-tonner reversing in rapid time. Inevitably the Land Rover got out of the situation and disappeared back up the road.

By now the 3-tonner was back across the Falls Road but still could not get enough lock to turn completely around. The Mob was getting a little bit close by this time and the escort was banging on the roof of the cab shouting a few choice words.

The instruction was given to open fire if they, the mob, mounted the vehicle. 4-wheel drive was engaged and with maximum power a kerb was mounted, a bus shelter was demolished and the 3-tonner, by now re-shaped, and with steam rising from the radiator escaped. We limped back to base with spongy brakes and a relieved escort (all unharmed) who did not get to Palace barracks that day. The damage was deemed operational, and the 3-tonner was written off. I always double-checked intelligence after this episode.

On another day returning to the now built Fort Monagh from a routine patrol and within sight of the main entrance, the sensation of getting stung by wasps on my right cheek was experienced. It’s amazing how your military training comes in to play in these situations. It did not take more than a millisecond to realise that the wasp sting was in fact foam rubber egressing from the centre seat and hitting me on my right cheek as our vehicles were left hand drive and flown over from Germany for the tour.

At this point all your actions seem go into slow motion. As the driver I carried my SMG across my chest in the folded position, by the time I had reached the nearby bus shelter where an old lady was waiting for a bus I had unfolded and cocked the weapon and was pointing it at the old lady who needed some TLC to calm her down. I took cover in a hedge expecting to be assaulted by said biddy.

On looking back at the Land Rover, it was still moving on its own accord, the crew had taken up fire positions in the gutters. Of course, all this was observed by the guard at the entrance to the fort and in short order the alert platoon was moving through our positions. As the old lady was still in a frenzy, I got a few comments that suggested I should date someone my own age.

On the all clear the crew returned to the now immobilized Land Rover. It was estimated that at least 5 rounds were aimed at the Land Rover 3 penetrating the bodywork and the radio and engine compartment. By sheer luck the crew members in the back of the Land Rover were sitting with their legs along the benches and survived unscathed. As all incoming fire travelled down the centre of the Land Rover through the radio, centre seat and engine compartment. The weapon used was

obviously a semi-automatic probably an Armalite fired from ground level. The gunman was also obviously a lousy shot completely missed his/her intended targets enabling the crew time later to enjoy a pint with the compliments of the padre. The Land Rover was manually pushed into the fort where a closer inspection was made, the verdict was not surprisingly a right off including the A41 (radio) one of the few occasions that the MTO didn’t breathe fire and brimstone.

The two incidents certainly enlivened the tour however it is also fair to say I wasn’t sorry to get back to BAOR and Xmas block leave. Before I left the army, I still had another two tours of NI to do not that I knew it then, the Lower Falls and South Armagh. Five tours in all such was the lot of the average squaddie in the 70’s.

The crew same day earlier Bedford RL

History repeating itself

It would appear that history repeats itself approximately every 100 years and proof of this comes from historical records.

Seamus Lyons and Kevin Stevens

To examine this in a little more detail it is necessary to look back over the last 500yrs at the years 1520, 1620, 1720, 1820, 1920 and 2020. In the earliest part of this research the world was less populated and people did not travel as they do today therefore though not strictly pandemics whole areas or races were devastated by various diseases.

1520 – Smallpox and the Aztecs

In 1519 the Spaniard Hernán Cortés set sail from Cuba to explore and colonize the Aztec civilization in the Mexican interior. Within just two years, Aztec ruler Montezuma was dead, the capital city of Tenochtitlan was captured and Cortés had claimed the Aztec empire for Spain. Spanish weaponry and tactics played a role, but most of the destruction was wrought by epidemics of European diseases. Although Cortés was a skilled leader, he and his force of perhaps a thousand Spaniards and indigenous allies would not have been able to overcome a city of 200,000 without help. He got it in the form of a smallpox epidemic that gradually spread inward from the coast of Mexico and decimated the densely populated city of Tenochtitlan in 1520, reducing its population by 40 percent in a single year. It also signalled the beginning of the end of the Aztec empire.

1620 – North Africa

Plague repeatedly struck the cities of North Africa. Algiers lost 30,000-50,000 to it in 1620-21.

1720 – Bubonic plague hits France

On May 25, 1720, a ship named the Grand SaintAntoine arrived in the port of Marseille laden with cotton, fine silks, and other goods. The invisible cargo it also carried, the bacteria known as Yersinia pestis, launched the Great Plague of Provence, the last major outbreak of bubonic plague in Europe. Over a two-year period, the bubonic plague spread throughout south eastern France, killing up to half of the residents of Marseille and as much as 20% of the population of Provence.

1820 – Cholera pandemic

The first cholera pandemic (1817-1824), also known as the first Asiatic cholera pandemic or Asiatic cholera, began near the city of Calcutta and spread throughout South and Southeast Asia to the Middle East, eastern Africa and the Mediterranean coast. While cholera had spread across India many times previously, this outbreak went further and by 1820 it had reached as far as China and the Mediterranean Sea before subsiding. Millions of people died as a result of this pandemic, including many British soldiers, which attracted European attention. This was the first of several cholera pandemics to sweep through Asia and Europe during the 19th and 20th centuries. This first pandemic spread over an unprecedented range of territory, affecting almost every country in Asia.

1920 – Spanish flu

The Great War was nearing its end in 1918 when

Spanish flu, also known as the Great Influenza epidemic or the 1918 influenza pandemic struck. It was an exceptionally deadly global influenza pandemic caused by the H1N1 influenza A virus. The earliest documented case was March 1918 in Kansas, United States, with further cases recorded in France, Germany and the United Kingdom in April. By 1920 nearly a third of the global population, or an estimated 500 million people, had been infected in four successive waves. Estimates of deaths range from 17 million to 50 million, and possibly as high as 100 million, making it one of the deadliest pandemics in human history.

2020 Corona virus

On 31 December 2019, the World Health Organization was informed of a cluster of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. A lockdown in Wuhan and other cities in surrounding Hubei failed to contain the outbreak, and it quickly spread to other parts of mainland China and around the world. The rest as they say is history.

An

An unexpected brush with the law

After leaving the Regiment I drifted from job to job not really knowing what I was able, or even wanting to do. Tiny

Adams

Of course, because of all the experience I had picked up in my previous career I ended up in a few sand pits protecting chinless wonders with fat belly’s, and even fatter wallets – which was ok, but no way was I going to take any potential incoming fire for some over-paid waster so I finally ended up being a car jockey at a casino. Pay was rubbish but the tips were outstanding!

Anyway, one morning I finished my shift early and went home, which in those days was to a bungalow in a village just outside Southampton. Nice place it was too, and in a fairly upmarket area with woods on two sides of the property – ideal as I do like my privacy.

Anyway, at about 10:30 that same morning there was a sudden knock on the door. Now this really surprised me for two reasons. Firstly, I quickly discovered there were two callers, and to get to our front door they must have climbed a security gate to get to it, and secondly, they were quite decently dressed, despite asking me if I wanted my windows cleaned! Being more than a bit suspicious I said: “WTF! Get out of here or I’ll set the dog on you”. With that I opened the gate, and they left without offering any further explanation of how they got in, in the first place. Still dead suspicious by the oddity of what had just happened and mindful of where I had spent most of my military career, I said to my wife to be careful if she was going out as I wasn’t happy with what had just occurred. You know the sort of thing – it’s that little disconcerting alarm bell that tinkles in the back of your head and makes the nape hairs on your neck stand up.

All was quiet for the rest of the day until we went out to dinner at 7ish. Whereupon we jumped in the S Class Mercedes with its blacked windows (and a bit of a pimp mobile if the truth be told). Unusually the road was very quiet and as we pulled out of the gate and turned left there standing in the middle of the road were two figures in black pointing automatic weapons at us! Quick as a flash I floored the peddle and my wife suddenly shouted: “STOP! ITS THE POLICE! Merde!” I skidded to a stop wondering WTF was going on, but before I could get my wits together I was dragged from the car and put face down on the road, handcuffed

and with a rifle stuck in the back of my head! Very politely I asked what’s the problem officer or words to that effect. Anyway after some further prompting I confirmed my name and date of birth and a Sergeant asked if I had been a weapon instructor or sniper in the Army. Still confused by what was going on and what was being asked of me I said nothing, other than looking at the young and nervous copper standing over me, and me foolishly telling him his magazine was about to drop off his weapon. Whack! A bit of a kick in the guts for my cheek!

As they still wouldn’t tell me what was going on my mind began to race back to Northern Ireland and to try and remember if I had got up to anything questionable. Which I had in spades! Anyway anger and irritation was now beginning to kick in and I warned the Sergeant that if my wife got hurt in anyway he would be the one I would be after! Not the right thing to say under the circumstances and before I knew it I was whacked again!

As things began to calm down a little I told them they would have to put my car back on the drive as it was too big for my wife to physically drive – which they did only because by now it was completely blocking the road, and the upmarket residents of the area were getting a bit uptight. As I was being put in the back of a van I couldn’t help but notice there were seven other armed police lurking around and looking really peed off as it had been raining all day and they looked sodden! Ha! what a shame.

When we arrived at Southampton nick even more officers were there and armed to the teeth too. I was dragged up to the Desk Sergeant only to see a pair of Para wings on his jacket – my day had just gone from bad to worse. Fortunately for me at that moment more so for the officers who had arrested me when he discovered I hadn’t been searched. He went absolutely ape-merde. I was properly searched this time in front of the desk and eventually placed in a cell, still handcuffed and still very confused by still not knowing what the hell was going on.

A little later the Para Desk Sergeant entered my cell and explained that it would appear I had been allegedly seen with a Browning 9mm pistol in the early hours of that morning. I tried to explain that

what had been seen was indeed a gun of sorts but was only a cigarette lighter. In fact it had been a present from my son and was now in the glove box of my other car. They eventually found it of course but unfortunately due to the ongoing investigation I was to stay the night in their nice hotel. The ex Para Desk Sergeant turned out to be a decent sort and understood my background perfectly so after giving him some sort of assurance that I wouldn’t give him any grief he took the cuffs off, gave me a brew, and left the door to the cell open so I wouldn’t go crazy. Morning came and I’d had a good sleep. The ex Para Desk Sergeant was due off duty that morning but stayed a while to make sure I was ok. He also explained that he had contacted my wife personally and explained why I was being held.

I later appeared in court that day and even though my gun was only a fag lighter I was nevertheless convicted of Attempting to Cause

Fear to Others. My brief was a right useless tw*t and I ended up with a £500 fine and 100 hours of unpaid Community Service The unpaid work was landscaping old people’s gardens. None of the other guys on it with me gave a flying toss, and just sat around all day doing naff all. Anyway, being the persuasive person I am, and looking meaner than them I ended up getting them all working and they enjoyed it in the end. The biggest surprise of all though was when I had completed my Community Service I was offered a job as a Supervisor. WTF! The cheek of it! I didn’t take it of course and despite all that had happened I still remain a fan of the rozzers – particularly if they are ex-military.

The moral of this little story – be very careful in what you say and do, as life can come back and bite you on the ar*e when you least expect it. And my final thought – glad they didn’t search the house too well.

Exercise Harsh 1973

On our arrival in Catterick in the summer of 73 we became part of 24 Airportable Bde, who decided that after two years in Ballykelly we needed to get used to foot borne warfare again and deployed the Bn to the Orkneys on Ex Harsh. Mike Walsh

We set off from Newcastle docks in the fading evening light, onboard the landing ship HMS Intrepid which was later to sail as part of the operation to retake the Falkland Islands after the Argentine invasion in 1982. She landed troops in amphibious assaults on the Islands and the Argentine surrender was signed on her deck at the conclusion of the Falklands War.

The distance to the Orkneys wasn’t all that far so we didn’t anticipate a long stay on board. How wrong we were. When we came out on deck the following morning we saw land and all agreed that it must be our destination. But soon the ship turned around and started going off in the other direction. The navy were simulating a longer journey and therefore we sailed for two days going around in circles it seemed, before they let us go ashore and we started our advance towards the Old Man of Hoy.

I was the Recce Pl signaller and as well as my own kit I had the Pl radio which for this exercise was a High Frequency (HF) A13. I also carried spare batteries and other essential spares like co-ax and antennas for the section radios. This was needed to

enable us to be able to report back as we were to be way out in front trying to locate the enemy in very hilly terrain. It was very testing and many occasions when you were climbing you got to what you believed was the top only to discover another ridge line up ahead. We were pretty fit as a Pl but many in the Bn were caught out due to the sheer physical demands of the ground. The Pl Comd was (I think) Capt Hill and the Recce CSgt was Chad Lacey. I can’t remember all the section Sgt’s but Nobby Winkworth was one.

It rained a lot and the wind was horrendous, a real challenge to get a tent up, and keep it up. We patrolled for days on end in Pl and Section strength. We were operating in very trying weather conditions and comms back to Bn HQ were difficult due to the terrain.

One day we came upon an enemy base camp in a valley down below. The boss decided that the best option was an air strike as we were very high up the hillside. He turned to me and said to send the contact back to Bn HQ and request an air strike. Sadly, a combination of weather, terrain, distance and time of day meant that we had no comms. The boss asked what we needed to do and I looked back at the hill in the distance and said that to get comms we would need to go back over it or on top of it at least. The boss looked at Chad who looked at me and said: “Let’s go”. Chad and myself started to retrace our

footsteps in an effort to re-establish comms. We had gone about 200 metres when I suddenly had an idea and said to Chad to wait while I checked it out. He was happy to let me try anything if it meant not having to go back. The Bn HQ was situated behind this feature that was preventing comms but in the other direction I could look out to the North Sea. I knew that our echelon was operating from HMS Intrepid somewhere out there and I frantically checked my Signal Instruction for the rear link frequency. Having found it and hoping it was still in use I put a radio check to the echelon (c/s 85) and back came Cpl George ‘Ginge’ Cole with the sweetest of replies: “OK over”. He asked why I was up on this frequency as it was a very busy net and I quickly briefed him on the need to relay my contact report to ‘Zero’ and to stand by for my request for an air strike. This he duly done and after a short while we had the report that aircraft were inbound. Captain Hill wasn’t too sure that the aircraft would be able to fly let alone see the target as the fog mist rain and high winds made the visibility very poor so we started to look at other options like naval gunfire.

Suddenly we heard the roar of aircraft engines and we looked upwards trying to see the aircraft. From my position I could see the enemy camp in the valley below and looking back down the valley I saw below my position 2 RAF Buccaneers of 208 Squadron so close that I could see the pilots and navigators flying almost at zero feet along the valley as they roared over the enemy camp. The aircraft had flown from RAF Lossiemouth and it seems they were used to the odd bit of squally weather. We were very grateful to the RAF pilots for the skill and determination to not only fly in such bad weather but to also find the target, they so often get a bad press with their reluctance to fly so near knocking off time and the slightest bit of rain but we couldn’t fault them on this occasion.

I can’t remember any more memorable incidents from this exercise but I’m sure it stood us in good stead for our deployment to the jungles of Belize a few months later. But that’s another story for another time.

Orkney Isles

Old Man of Hoy

Buccaneer 1

Exercise in Norway

Editor’s note. Although this article has been written by (WO2) Mike Walsh I was able to also contact both Major Valentine West and Lt Patrick Dalby for their memories of the exercise and as a result the text has been altered slightly.

I had only been in the Battalion a few months when in late 1969 we were sent to Norway from Munster to take part in a NATO exercise attached to 3 RGJ who were stationed in Celle at the time. Mike Walsh

I was in 1sect 1pl A Coy, my Pl Comd was Lt Dalby and the Pl Sgt might have been Sgt Sims. My section commander who had recently been promoted to full Cpl was Dennis Murrell.

We went by train I believe and then ferry and finally a long drive in the back of Bedfords. We were in the dismounted role and as soon as we arrived we dug in somewhere. Because of our close proximity to the enemy we were not allowed to light fires, this included hexamine so our assault rations had to be eaten cold. Now as all of you will know assault rations have to be reconstituted by adding hot water to the various blocks of meat porridge etc and without this vital ingredient it tastes awful. Also, they were supposed to be for the first 48 hours and then be replaced with ‘normal’ ration packs. This did not happen for the entire exercise which seemed to last forever.

It rained constantly throughout and we were forever soaked to the skin. We did have a parka (without hood) to wear which we carried in our large pack on our back but we were not allowed to wear it, as the OC said:

“If it got wet we wouldn’t have anything dry to wear!”

3 RGJ wore NBC kit and anything else they wanted to but we had to be properly dressed.

We carried out fighting patrols at night and one particular night we had to attack a Norwegian position on the top of what seemed like a mountain and there was no possibility of getting the location wrong as they had a big roaring fire in the centre of their position. It was a platoon attack and we charged through firing and throwing the odd smoke grenade and thunder-flash. All was going well until the lumberjacks defending the position decided to ignore our hail of blank fire and they got up and started chasing us. We ran and eventually four of us made it back to the ERV and as we approached it the whole area suddenly lit up as a red very

cartridge that was fired in the direct fire role hit a large boulder behind us and shattered into pieces.

The boss was afraid that the enemy was looking for revenge and he was right. Our section GPMG gunner was Froggy Page and it weighed him down and he couldn’t run as fast as us so fell behind. Our very brave but foolish section commander Dennis Murrell went back to help him and they both ended up captured. The Norwegians stripped Dennis and Froggy and they were thrown into a freezing cold river to be eventually rescued by some umpires who told them that it was against the Geneva convention. We had by this time got back to our positions and I have to say that the absence of Dennis made us a little ill-disciplined and we lit our hexi stoves and brewed up and had a hot meal.

Later on in the week we were advancing for a company attack and we had marched up these long winding tracks and were just about to form up for the attack and the umpires said:

“Go back you’re too late, the Norwegian’s have gone home to milk the cows.”

They were reservists and whilst I’m sure they would have stayed at their posts had we been Russians they had more important things to do every day at 4pm like milk the cows. So, we turned around, and went back to our position for the night and formed up again the next day, we didn’t mind honestly.

Now being on these assault rations meant we were always looking out for extra rations and a great source of these was when we attacked and overrun an enemy position. Often the central eating area would be a good source of pillage, however when we got there the CSM Pete Batey would be already there with his hands full of fresh baguettes, cheese, ham and goodness knows what else.

“Get back to your positions”

he would roar and off we would go grabbing anything we could in the process.

On one attack I managed to consolidate my position very near the enemy cookhouse and I was therefore one of the first on the scene. Being a bit of a nig I wasn’t able to keep a lot of my spoils but one thing I did manage to keep was a tin of ham. I skulked away and set about opening this tin of ham when I heard the CSM say, in a quiet voice:

“What you got there Rfn Walsh.” He had arrived late for some reason and there was very little left.

“Er just a bit of ham sir.”

I answered timidly to which he replied, in a low voice:

“Swap you” and held out a jar of peanut butter. We swapped and I don’t think I’ve ever eaten peanut butter since that day.

Another occasion when we were attacking an enemy position we had to navigate across a boggy area that had some quite deep water filled holes and being short I missed the jump and sank into the bog. As I pulled myself up, I heard a voice say:

“Stay there Rfn Walsh, don’t move.”

The CSM used me as a stepping-stone to get ahead in his quest to be first in the enemy cookhouse. I’m sure had this been today there would be a claim there somewhere.

The rain was constant as I said so eventually, they took pity on us and put us in a big barn for one night, however the whole of 3 RGJ were already in the barn when we got there so it was a tight squeeze, with bodies everywhere.

One day we were advancing along a long winding road and we had to walk past a group of NATO generals who were visiting the exercise. One American general smoking a big cigar spoke to Rfn Mick Occomore asking him what he thought of it so far, to which Mick said that if he didn’t f*ck off he would ram that cigar up his a*se. The General laughed and patted him on the back and walked away muttering something about British squaddie humour. Someone also had an ND as the column went past the gathered Generals sending the OC Major West into a frenzy trying to find out who it was. It wasn’t me, that’s all I’m saying.

Before we had left Munster my mate Brian Liddell, a geordie from South Shields, had bought a Sanyo 8mm cine hand held camera in the NAAFI and he had much fun with it. Brian promised himself that the next purchase would be a tripod to mount the

camera on to allow better quality, however this wasn’t cheap but he was hoping to save up enough in Norway to be able to afford it on his return. Later on, however we were on a night attack and as we approached the enemy position Brian tripped and fell over something and when we looked it was a tripod in perfect condition that couldn’t have been there for more than a few hours. The only explanation we could come up with was that a lot of reporters were covering the exercise so we can only assume it was dropped by one of them earlier in the day. What a stroke of luck. He carried the tripod on his back for the remainder of the exercise.

The exercise was nearing the end and the final attack was to be a dawn attack on to a beach area. We assembled and loaded into the boats and set off. As we approached the objective the umpires stopped us and said there would be a delay as the King of Norway and the NATO Generals who were to observe the attack were not here yet. We waited and the dawn broke and the sun came out and we started to get warm and dry, the VIPs still hadn’t arrived but we didn’t care now as we were warm and dry.

Eventually the word came that they had arrived and the attack was to begin. We now needed someone to get out of the boats and push us off but as we were now dry we were reluctant to step off into the water and get our feet wet. The cries of the OC could be heard threatening everyone with courts martial if we didn’t get a move on and eventually someone got out and pushed our boat off to attack what was now almost a midday event.

Eventually the exercise finished and we boarded a ferry to return back to Germany. We were stinking as we hadn’t had a shower since leaving Germany. They foolishly allowed us use of the showers on the ferry and soon the corridors looked like scenes from the titanic as black gungy water raced through the ship from the hundreds of soldiers washing the dirt off themselves and their kit. All over the ship squaddies had their boots and socks off and had their bare feet up on the chairs and dining tables.

There were about 50 civilians travelling on the ferry as fare paying passengers and they were at the front of the ship up on the deck in the wind and rain trying to get away from the smell and the sight of all these blistered and rotting feet. I wonder if they ever got a refund. I was never happier than seeing my trusty old 432 on my return to Oxford barracks. The next time I went to Norway was as an instructor with Eton college, a much more civilised affair but looking back it was good to have taken part.

Field of Remembrance Service

Thursday 11 November 2021, Westminster Abbey

It was a bright sunny morning when many veterans and serving military personnel, mustered in the garden of Westminster Abbey for the annual Field of Remembrance Service.

It was fitting that the date was 11 November. John Taylor, Trevor Anderson, and I were there to represent the Officers Club and Rifle Brigade Association. We were delighted to be joined by Hazel Collins, who had come to place a cross in memory of her father Sgt Leonard Cumbers who was killed whilst serving with the Rifle Brigade at Calais and is buried in the Southern Cemetery there. We were further pleased when Roger

Handley joined our little group. There was an air of happiness and togetherness throughout the crowd, especially as last year the service had to be cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Various uniforms, headdress and medals were being worn including many from other countries. All were there to pay their respects to their fallen comrades. The grass was bedecked with hundreds of individual named little wooden crosses, all placed

in regimental plots in front of the unit regimental badge. We were lined up next to the Rifles, KRRC, RGJ and Light Infantry plots.

HRH Camilla Duchess of Cornwall was the Royal representative, resplendent in black and green and wearing a Rifles broach. This made it even more special for the ‘Black Buttoned’ veterans on parade. At 11:00 hrs the ‘Last Post’ was sounded followed by two-minute silence. The silence was broken by the sound of ‘Reveille’ reverberating off the Abbey walls.

After the service HRH The Duchess of Cornwall moved around the various groups of people, being introduced to individuals, and chatting amicably to everyone. We were lucky, because as The Duchess is the Colonel Commandant of the Rifles, she did seem to linger slightly longer at our patch, which enabled most of us to shake her hand and have a brief chat. After this everyone made the most of the occasion and socialised amongst themselves and then made their way out of the grounds. Throughout the service a huge crowd of spectators had lined the pedestrian barriers outside the Abbey grounds to watch the proceedings. They would be able to access the garden when it opened to the public at 14:00 hrs.

The

their participation at this annual event.

The members of the Rifle Brigade Association appreciate the schools continued support and their participation at this annual event.

The Rifle Brigade Association Remembrance

Sunday

14 November 2022 Grosvenor Gardens, London

THE RIFLE BRIGADE ASSOCIATION

Having a very scaled down wreath laying service last year, due to Covid restrictions, it was excellent to see a huge gathering at this year’s Memorial Service.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 14th NOVEMBER 2022

GROSVENOR GARDENS, LONDON

The Gathering

The Gathering

Members of Eaton Square Prep School

The Service

The Service

hotel, they were able to continue socialising with their former comrades.

Members of Eaton Square Prep School

Members of Eaton Square Prep School

Our

As the bugle call “No More Parades Today” faded, everyone had a chance to mix and chat with friends, some members then walked to the “Rubens” Hotel for a welcome hot drink and sandwiches. At the hotel, they were able to continue socialising with their former comrad

Members of Eaton Square Prep School

Having a very scaled down wreath laying service last year, due to Covid restrictions, it was excellent to see a huge gathering at this year’s Memorial Service. Everyone was keen to be in attendance and meet up with old friends. Luckily the rain held off until the ceremony was completed. We were very grateful to ‘G’ Company 7 Rifles for providing an excellent Memorial Honour Guard. Colin Fox led the Service and this year due to the brand new tannoy system, organised by Ken Gray, Colin did not have to compete with the noise from the traffic and his voice carried clearly across the whole area.

Everyone was keen to be in attendance and meet up with old friends. Luckily the rain held off until the ceremony was completed. We were very grateful to ‘G’ Company 7 Rifles for providing an excellent Memorial Honour Guard. Colin Fox led the Service and this year due to the brand new tannoy system, organised by Ken Gray, Colin did not have to compete with the noise from the traffic and his voice carried clearly across the whole area.

When Bugler Tony Bishop sounded “Last Post” and “Reveille” and the sounds reverberated back from the majestic buildings that surround Grosvenor Gardens, it tends to make the hairs on the back of the neck tingle. Wreaths were laid on behalf of the

Officers Club, the Rifle Brigade Association, London Rifle Brigade, Royal Green Jackets, and the Rifles. Some children from Eaton Square Prep School were in attendance as usual and laid a wreath. It is pleasant to know that these young children respect this very solemn and moving ceremony.

The members of the Rifle Brigade Association appreciate the schools continued support and their participation at this annual event.

When Bugler Tony Bishop sounded “Last Post” and “Reveille” and the sounds reverberated back from the majestic buildings that surround Grosvenor Gardens, it tends to make the hairs on the back of the neck tingle. Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Officers Club, the Rifle Brigade Association, London Rifle Brigade, Royal Green Jackets, and the Rifles. Some children from Eaton Square Prep School were in attendance as usual and laid a wreath. It is pleasant to know that these young children respect this very solemn and moving ceremony.

As the bugle call “No More Parades Today” faded, everyone had a chance to mix and chat with friends, some members then walked to the “Rubens” Hotel for a welcome hot drink and sandwiches. At the

After the refreshments, members of the committee made their way to the “Theodore Bullfrog”, a pub just near Charing Cross Station. This is the annual gathering spot for most of the ex-Green Jacket Riflemen who attended the “Cenotaph” march past. There were easily over a hundred personnel in and outside the pub, all totally enjoying themselves

As the bugle call “No More Parades Today” faded, everyone had a chance to mix and chat with friends, some members then walked to the “Rubens” Hotel for a welcome hot drink and sandwiches. At the hotel, they were able to continue socialising with their former comrad

and socialising with old friends. The committee members were very fortunate in the fact that the taxi driver refused payment for their journey. During the drive they witnessed ranks of taxis lined up with the drivers offering to ferry many be-medalled veterans to wherever they needed to go free of charge. This very generous charitable gesture by the taxi drivers further enhanced the togetherness felt by many throughout London on Remembrance

As the bugle call “No More Parades Today” faded, everyone had a chance to mix and chat with friends, some members then walked to the “Rubens” Hotel for a welcome hot drink and sandwiches. At the hotel, they were able to continue socialising with their former comrad

After the refreshments, members made their way to the “ Bullfrog”, a pub just near Charing Cross Station. This is the annual gathering spot the ex-Green Jacket Riflemen who ” march past. There were easily over a hundred personnel in and outside the pub, all totally enjoying socialising

As the bugle call “No More Parades Today” faded everyone had a chance to mix and chat with friends, some members then walked to the Hotel for a welcome hot drink and sandwiches. At the hotel, they were able to continue socialising with their former comrades.

After the refreshments, members made their way to the “ Bullfrog”, a pub just near Charing Cross Station. This is the annual gathering spot for most of the Green Jacket Riflemen who ” march past. There were easily over a hundred personnel in and outside the pub, all totally enjoying socialising

After the refreshments, members made their way to the “Theodore Bullfrog”, a pub just near Charing Cross Station. This is the annual gathering spot for most of the Riflemen who ” march past. There were easily over a hundred personnel in and outside the pub, all totally enjoying socialising

The committee members were very fortunate taxi driver refused payment for they lined the drivers offering needed to g This very generous charitable gesture enhanced the togetherness felt by

The committee members were very fortunate taxi driver refused payment for lined the drivers offering needed to g

This very generous charitable gesture enhanced the togetherness felt by

The committee members were very fortunate taxi driver refused payment for they lined the drivers offering veterans to needed to g This very generous enhanced the togetherness felt by Remembrance Sunday

After the refreshments, embers made their way to the “ Bullfrog” a pub just near Charing Cross Station. This is the annual the Riflemen who ” march past. There were easily over a hundred personnel in and outside the pub, all totally enjoying socialising

The committee members were very fortunate taxi driver refused payment for lined the drivers offering medalled needed to go free of charge. This very generous charitable gesture enhanced the togetherness felt by many throughout London on Remembrance Sunday

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Rifle Brigade Association Remembrance Sunday

The Gathering

The Gathering

Members of Eaton Square Prep School

The Service Our Duty Done

REFRESHMENTS AT RUBENS HOTEL

Refreshments at Rubens Hotel

REFRESHMENTS AT RUBENS HOTEL

REFRESHMENTS AT

Golf, a train, the blockade of Berlin, and the Cold War 1948

You might well ask, not unreasonably, how all these headings are linked? Good question.

Simon Booth-Mason and Robin Catlin

In fact, it all started during a golf match at Royal Wimbledon golf club on 1 September where Woking Dads Army were playing Royal Wimbledon Longshots. One of my opponents was Robin Catlin who was a good and long hitting golfer. In the course of our match conversation I mentioned that I was a former Green Jacket years ago to which Robin replied that his father David had done his National Service with the Ox & Bucks Light Infantry in 1946-8.

This is the story centred around his father, David, of a major train incident (Incident DBA672) involving the Russians which occurred in 1948. However, before we begin a little background introduction would assist.

David, by all accounts, was a good raconteur and, while we have the original Army report of the incident with times, personnel involved and what was said etc, Robin has slightly condensed this article from the original in order to make it interesting and readable. However never let the facts get in the way of a good story!!!

2nd lt David Catlin (379294), on completion of his basic training, was posted to Berlin aged 19 years.

Apparently post-war Berlin left a big impression on him. Often glamorised in films about espionage etc but he never saw that side of the City. He only saw chaos from war.

At that time the Allies were planning to rebuild a strong, democratic Germany as a buffer against the Soviet block of Eastern Europe. Stalin wanted to weaken Germany after the war and rebuild the USSR using German industrial technology. So, the race had begun to secure the best German scientists and their technology. Movements of German nationals were tightly controlled, with all allied transport leaving Berlin having to pass through or over the Russian controlled sector.

On the night of 23 January 1948, aged 20 years, as a Movements Officer, he was put in charge of a train transporting German civilians out of West Berlin to Bad Oeynhausen, the base of the British Army of the Rhine, through East Germany. He believed that the events that unfolded on that fateful night led in part to the Russian Blockade of Berlin and possibly started the Cold War with a little help from Joseph Stalin!

When he boarded the train that evening with a group of lightly armed Polish soldiers and strict orders not to allow anyone to board the train, or to enter the sealed coaches containing German civilians, he did not envisage the international incident that would occur.

In fact, he immediately pulled on his pyjamas and jumped into his bunk, hoping for a peaceful night’s sleep.

At 02:00 hrs the train was held by the Railway signals at Marienborn on the East German border. Three minutes later a Russian Sargent approached with a heavily armed detachment and demanded to board the train. Their interest was to enter the sealed coaches and inspect the German passes. In particular, he wanted to see the German interzonal passes. The train he said would not proceed until this had been done.

By now 2nd Lt Catlin had pulled his uniform on over his pyjamas, and he advised the Russian Captain that on no account would he or his colleagues be permitted to board the train. It soon became clear that the Russian Frontier Captain had received his orders to hold up this train two days earlier from his superior authorities in Berlin, and they had a special interest in the passenger list.

A confrontation ensued which would last for 18 hours with neither party willing to back down on their demands, and frantic telephone calls flying back and forth to Allied Command in Berlin.

By midday a Russian Colonel and two other officers arrived by road from Berlin, to confirm that on no account would the Russian Authorities allow the German civilians to proceed to the British Zone without Interzonal passes.

At 16:05 hrs, some 14 hours later, 2nd Lt Catlin received the following order from Chief of Staff Berlin:

“There is no objection to your showing the Russian Officer at Marienborn the British documents whether they be Movement Orders or Passes, in the possession of the Germans in the sealed coach.

It must be understood that the British documents giving the authority are held to be sufficient to allow the Germans to travel on this train.

On no account will the Russians be allowed to enter the sealed coach. It is understood that

if this procedure is followed the train will be allowed to proceed.”

Clearly there was an impasse, and this continued well into the evening when the Russian authorities agreed that the train could return to Berlin with the German civilians.

The train returned to Berlin shortly after midnight. 2nd Lt Catlin proceeded directly to the house of the British Chief of Staff in Charlottenburg to make his personal report to Lieutenant General Herbert, who presented him with a large glass of scotch, and ordered him to sit down.

An incident at the border may have been avoided but the following day the Russians dug up the rail track. By June 1948, 1.5 million Russian soldiers had cut off all road, rail and water access to West Berlin. The city was stranded and, for 15 months, a huge relief effort was mobilised by air to supply the

The

David Catlin

Golf, a train, the blockade of Berlin, and the Cold War 1948

Berliner Train in Cobalt Blue Livery

RAF Avro Yorks at Tempelhof Airfield, West Berlin 1948

population. It is estimated that, at the height of the airlift, one cargo plane reached West Berlin every thirty seconds.

The Airlift continued until May 1949 when the Blockade was finally lifted.

David Catlin was released from his commission in September 1948 and returned to England where he read Law at University College, Oxford. He qualified as a Barrister at Grays Inn and, after a short period at the Bar, he became a corporate lawyer with a successful career at Fisons, Rockware Glass, and nearly 30 years with Glaxo.

Reproduced by kind permission of Brig Nicholas Prideaux ’Was this what the Russians were after’

He retired in 1986 and set up a small country hotel in the Cotswolds which he ran with his wife, Sue.

David passed away peacefully on 31 October 2021, aged 93.

He had enjoyed a colourful and exciting life, and never tired of telling the story of how he may have played a part in starting the Cold War.

David was very proud of his association with the Royal Green Jackets. His surviving two sons and daughter will donate their father’s papers and photographs from his time in Berlin to the Royal Green Jackets’ archives.

These documents include the hand-written draft of his report on the events of 23 January 1948. British

Calling all Infantry Boys Battalion & Infantry Junior Leaders Battalion Green Jackets

In quieter moments I guess we all look back on our lives and reflect on what we have or haven’t achieved in our lives, particularly where a specific career path is concerned. Many undoubtedly will regret the choice they made but in the main most will have been happy with their chosen career and made the most of it.

John Fritz-Domeney

Having enlisted into the then Green Jackets as my regiment of choice via the Infantry Junior Leaders in 1964 I know the latter to be particularly true for me. Even though I have been extremely satisfied and proud of my adult service with the regiment I am also equally proud of having been a junior soldier in a multi badged organisation too, where friends and contacts were made in every regiment of the British Army – an early version of networking I guess which stood us all in good stead throughout the remainder of our service wherever we served throughout the world.

Having attended various IJLB reunions over the years I can vouch that unbroken bond of friendship still stands firm today. If you were either an IBB or IJLB Green Jacket and you would like to walk once more down Memory Lane, then I do encourage you have a look at the IBB/IJLB website at: https://ijlb.com where you will find lots of young, but now older familiar faces plus details of how you can go about joining the association. Alternatively, you can always email me or call, and I will point you in the right direction. I do know there were hundreds of Green Jackets that passed through IBB/IJLB battalions so it would be really good if we had more representation at our reunions – if for no other reason than to put the Guards and Scottish regiment’s noses out of joint!

Historical Reminder

The first boys walked through the gates at Tuxford in April 1952 with A Company being permanently detached from the Battalion and based in Harrogate. The unit was designated the Infantry Boys Battalion and the concept was simple. Selectively recruit boys of school leaving age with the required attitude and potential. Provide them with a comprehensive training package that included sports, education, leadership skills and infantry training which would prepare them for a

role as future Senior NCO’s and Warrant Officers in the British Infantry.

The Battalion moved to Plymouth in 1954 and A Company re-joined them from Harrogate. In 1957 the rank Boy was discontinued throughout the British Army and was replaced by Junior. At this time the Infantry Boys Battalion was renamed the Infantry Junior Leaders Battalion.

In 1960 the Battalion moved to Park Hall Camp in Oswestry which became its home for the next 15 years. Under the command of Lt Col Frank Coutts KOSB and Lt Col Charles Barker Gordons the training programme was rationalised to create a programme based on the Sandhurst model. The first full year being dedicated to education (70% education and 30% military training) with the final year focussed entirely upon military training.

This successful format continued until 1975. During 1970 the Junior Infantrymen’s Wing was formed and was based in what had formerly been the Royal Artillery lines. In 1971 to mark the enduring relationship which existed between the Battalion and the local community, the unit was granted the Freedom of Oswestry, a singular honour for a boys unit.

The Battalions final move was to Shorncliffe in 1975 when the school leaving age was raised to 16 years. There had been a resident Junior Infantrymen’s Battalion based in Shorncliffe since 1967. The Infantry Junior Leaders Battalion disbanded in 1985, however many of those trained there continued to serve into the new millennium. The Junior Infantrymen’s Battalion continued until it finally closed in 1991.

A sad day for the British Infantry and a lost opportunity for Britain’s youth.

Troops relaxing in West Berlin 1948

David Catlin

100K in 3 days!

Editor’s Note: Lyndon Harper is the son of John Harper Ex 1 RGJ and associate member of the Winchester branch. Despite having never served in the Regiment Lyndon is one of the most enthusiastic and dedicated supporters of the Regiment and the Army in general.

Wednesday 13 October 2021

After an overnight in London, it’s an early roll call at Wellington Barracks where we form up for our journey to France. Originally 100 souls signed up for the Frontline Walk but because of Covid and the restrictions only 45 people decided to go ahead with the challenge.

Day 1: Thursday 14 October

After an early breakfast at our hotel in Arras, it’s on the coach to the Somme battlefield and our starting point of Lochnager Crater, ahead of us is a 21 mile walk to our finishing point at Hebuterne, stopping along the way at such places of Memetz Wood, Thiepval, Newfoundland Park, Hawthorn Ridge Crater, The Sunken Lane and Sheffield Memorial Park. With breaks along the route to take on refreshments etc the walk was completed in nine hours. It was an extremely warm day and the reward of a cold beer at Hebuterne was truly refreshing to conclude the day.

Day 2: Friday 15 October

It’s early start again, this time it is still dark when we arrive at our starting point of the German cemetery at Neuville-Saint-Vaast. With some people already suffering from Day 1, today is the walk that everyone is dreading with two long uphill walks to Notre dame de Lorette and Vimy Ridge. Start off, it’s a straight 6.5 miles to our first break at Mont St Eloi, then it’s 12 miles with the final mile being the steep climb up to Notre Dame de Lorette for lunch… upon arrival the medical teams were hard at work patching people up. After lunch it was downhill towards Souchez before the climb up to Vimy Ridge and the amazing Canadian Memorial, which was our finishing point for the day. 23 miles was completed in just under nine hours with some seriously battered people limping back to the coach… The queue to see the medical teams that night was a long one.

Day 3: Saturday 16 October

It’s pack bags and up sticks to Ypres, with lots of groans from the wounded as we all had to carry our bags/suitcases to the coach for our journey to Vancouver Corner in the Ypres Salient which is our starting point for Day 3… Unbelievably, mood on the coach was quite high as we all knew this was our final day of walking and it was only 20 miles. It was only a short walk before we stopped to take on refreshments at Poelchappe before heading to Passchendaele and the large cemetery at Tyne Cot, after leaving it was six miles to our lunch stop at Zonnebeke, and again the medical teams were busy sorting out peoples’ feet, aches and pains. Due to medical teams treating a few of the walkers with some horrendous blisters our departure was delayed by half an hour. However, everyone left for the next stop at Hooge, where I took time to place a cross and pay my respect at the KRRC memorial at Bellewaerde. At Hooge some of the walking wounded decided to miss out the next part of the walk by jumping on the coach to the final rendezvous point of Zillebeke lake. Upon arriving

at Zillebeke lake the wounded had detoured to the local shops to purchase beers for everyone to consume while we formed up for the final walk into Ypres and our finishing point of the Menin Gate where medals and a glass of port awaited us! The day was concluded by laying a wreath during the service at the Menin Gate followed by everyone letting their hair down in the ‘Old Bill’ pub until 05:00 hrs.

Sunday 17 October

It was a 09:00 hrs start from Ypres back to blighty with some hangovers in tow which meant the journey back was quiet for most of the way to Wellington Barracks.

In the 3 ABF: The Soldiers Charity walking challenges that I’ve completed in the last 3 years, I’ve come away with some amazing memories and made some wonderful friends, suffering only two small blisters and a badly bruised abductor digti minimi, which to me is a small price to pay in the knowledge that I’ve raised over £7,000 for the ABF charity.

The

ABF Walkers at the Menin Gate

Lyndon Harper looking good

KRRC Memorial at Bellewaerde

Help make history, save history –Sir John Moore’s legacy

Shorncliffe Garrison on the Kent coast lays rightful claim to being the birthplace of the modern British Army under Sir John Moore, the man who brought military training reforms to regiments and battalions. Sir John was killed at the Battle of Corunna in 1809.

His legacy lives on in numerous places and references, including in name with the Sir John Moore Barracks at Shorncliffe, now home to the prestigious Royal Gurkha Rifles.

The building of a Memorial Hall and Library in his honour was commenced at Shorncliffe in 1916. Designed by Sir Aston Webb, it offered welfare and a place of learning to many battalions who called Shorncliffe ‘home’ for even the briefest of time.

It was constructed through public appeals for subscriptions and was in use by the Military, until it ceased to be a library in 1989 when it was refurbished to form a conference hall and lecture theatre and used by the MOD up to 1996. It now lies neglected and in need of funding not only to purchase, but to carry out a significant restoration programme on this Grade II listed building. Local construction skills training students are ready to be involved in the project.

Being surplus to the requirements of the MOD, it’s now in the ownership of housing developers forging ahead with 1,200 new homes and sits forgotten and hidden behind a new build shops and flats waiting

for an owner to bring it back to its former glory.

The library’s magnificent set of stained-glass windows tell the story of the early days of forming Moore’s modern army and those who played such a key part in it and include the Regimental badges of the 43rd, 51st, 52nd and the 95th Divisions, the famous ‘Green Jackets’.

The Shorncliffe Trust is a local heritage and education charity whose desire is to create a new community space and a centre for educating others about the three centuries of military history that have taken place here. From Napoleonic times to tales of some of the 60,000 Canadian Soldiers who called Shorncliffe their home during the First World War.

It has much to tell and has strong connections to Canada being a training base for the Canadian Expeditionary Forces; Canadian Doctors and Nurses staffed its Military Hospital and it was home to the Canadian School of Veterinary… Thousands of Men, Women and Horses passed through Shorncliffe, it being closer to France than to London. France being just 23 miles away and the big guns could be heard

from one side of the English Channel to the other. So strong is the Canadian connection, Canada Day is still marked 105 years on from the first ‘Flower Day’ in 1917, attended by local dignitaries and school children.

The Shorncliffe Trust’s aim is to fund raising to enable purchase and restoration of this most unique building and retell those stories. If you can help the Trust, make history by saving history, your contribution towards this cause would be most welcome and you are invited to visit their Crowdfunder page: https://crowdfunder.co.uk/p/shorncliffe-makehistory-save-historyfoundations

Editors Notes

About The Sir John Moore Memorial Hall / Library: The Sir John Moore Memorial Hall / Library: On 24 May 1913, Lt-Col Sir Aylmer Haldane, Shorncliffe’s commander, made an appeal in the Spectator. The letter extolled the need for a memorial to Moore, and notes that a library is ‘urgently required’ at Shorncliffe and that the building should be of ‘national and not a purely military character.’ The subscription was raised for the construction of both the building and the bronze statue of Moore that stands in front of it. The designs

were published in order to help the campaign and patronage was received from prestigious figures.

Sir John Moore brought modern tactics and paid greater respect to men of all ranks through education and welfare support. Shorncliffe was the birthplace of this new army and defences built at that time shape the district today, with Martello Towers, the Royal Military Canal and Forts and Redoubts built to defend England against Napoleon.

Sir John Moore’s original earth Redoubt can still be seen in woodland high on Hospital Hill and is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument along with all the Heritage buildings and structures from that time; many of which will be lost in the redevelopment plans.

The Shorncliffe Trust is a heritage charity, which is setup to preserve and protect the heritage of Shorncliffe Garrison near Folkestone in Kent. Part of our educational objective is to tell the stories of the many thousands of men, women and children who have lived and worked in and around Shorncliffe for over 200 years. The Trust’s website: http://shorncliffetrust.org.uk/ can provide further information; or please contact our Trustee for Community Engagement: community@shorncliffetrust.org.uk

The

The Royal Green Jackets Association

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SJM Today

SJM Statue

95th Window

SJM Library Window

SJM Library Window

The War in Dhofar 1963 to 1975

“I’ve been shot in the bottie” were the strange words with which I was greeted by a very camp and flamboyant sandy haired man with an RAF moustache, a blue polka dot cravat and safari suit when I first arrived in Oman in 1972. I had volunteered for a two-year secondment to the Sultan of Oman’s Armed Forces (SAF) and had just arrived in Muscat, the capital city of Oman.

The bizarre looking British contract officer was the only other inhabitant of the Headquarters Mess where I was spending the night before leaving upcountry the next day to join my battalion, the Northern Frontier Regiment (NFR). This was rather a shock to the system of a serious minded Greenjacket and it did make me wonder what I had let myself in for.

Geography and history

Oman is situated in the south-east of the Arabianpeninsula, fronts the Arabian Sea to the east and, to the north, controls the southern shore of the Strait of Hormuz through which 60% of the world’s oil passes by tanker every day. It is one and a quarter the size of the United Kingdom and its population was less than a million in the 1970s. There is a large mountain range in the North of the country, the highest being Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountain) at nearly 10,000 feet. Dhofar is the southern province of the Sultanate of Oman. It is nearly five times the size of Wales with a population of around 200,000 and is separated from the rest of Oman by a large stretch of desert, popularly called the Empty Quarter. Its people (called jebalis, or mountain dwellers) are ethnically different from Omanis,

being more like Ethiopians in looks and build, and it is a country of arid and bare jebel (mountains) up to 4,000 feet in height and steep wadis (valleys) choked with thick scrub, and dominating a semicircular flat plain on the coast where the provincial capital, Salalah, is located. From June to September every year most of Dhofar is hit by the south-east monsoon (khareef) which cloaks the area in thick, rainy mist and makes any sort of military operation very difficult.

The Dhofar Rebellion started in 1963, initially as a small-scale tribal revolt by the Dhofar Liberation Movement (DLF), against the then Sultan of Oman, said bin Taimur, whose regressive rule could be charitably described as medieval. Under his rule modern medicine, spectacles, and radios were banned. This backwardness was particularly pronounced in the southern province of Dhofar. The DLF initially only had limited success against SAF. British seconded and contracted officers provided the senior leadership of the two thousand strong SAF. The rank and file were composed of Omani Arabs and Baluchis, the latter the legacy of Oman’s overseas possession of Gwadar in Pakistan. Having established relations with the Sultanate in 1646, the British were keen to maintain the rule of the Sultan. Oman’s continued importance lay both in its energy reserves and geostrategic location

After the British withdrawal from Aden in 1967, events in neighbouring Yemen fundamentally changed the nature of the conflict. The new Arab communist government of the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY) was keen to support the Dhofar rebels, providing them with arms, finance, manpower, and an overseas base. Additionally, the PDRY arranged support from other communist governments. The Chinese provided training and indoctrination for DLF guerrilla leaders in China, while Chinese advisors accompanied the DLF on military operations. North Korea trained the Dhofaris in assassination and sabotage. The Soviet Union, East Germany and Cuba also provided arms and training. The DLF now renamed as the Popular

Front for the Liberation of the Occupied Arabian Gulf (PFLOAG) changed from a local rebellion seeking autonomy and recognition for their homeland to an ideological Marxist-Leninist movement intent on overthrowing the Sultan, occupying the rest of Oman, dominating the south side of the Hormuz Straits and spreading communism across the Arabian Gulf. They were well equipped with the ubiquitous AK-47 assault rifle and SKS semiautomatic carbine as well the DShK (or Shpagin) heavy machine gun, the Goryunov medium machine gun, 82mm mortars and 122mm (Katyusha) and 140mm rockets. Under communist leadership, terror was used to break up the traditional tribal structures in Dhofar, with summary executions of those who opposed them or even prayed towards Mecca, and abduction of young children, some of whom were sent to train in guerrilla warfare in Russia and China.

At the height of the war, there were an estimated 6,000 adoo fighters operating in Dhofar. By 1970, the PFLOAG controlled about 80% of Dhofar, and it was doubtful that Oman could hold onto the province for another year. The British feared a communist victory in Dhofar would have a domino effect on the rest of the Gulf Arab states, emboldening other regional radical movements to rise up against their governments. When the Sultan refused to implement reforms, the British helped his Sandhurst educated and reform-minded son Qaboos bin Said to overthrow him in July 1970. The new Sultan immediately agreed to a major programme of reform, including an expansion and modernization of the military, while implementing much needed civil development projects.

SAF was significantly expanded and re-equipped with modern weapons by Sultan Qaboos with substantial help from the British Government. Five regular infantry battalions (one of which was

entirely composed of Baluch), one artillery regiment, helicopter and fighter ground attack squadrons and a small navy were created, amounting to around 12,000 troops. The infantry were equipped with modern 7.62mm FN rifles (identical to the British Army SLR except that they could fire automatic as well as single shot fire), Bren guns, GPMGs and 81mm mortars, all standard British Army issue at the time. The artillery consisted of 25 pounder light and 5.5-inch medium guns, both WW2 vintage but effective all the same. The Omani airforce (SOAF) was equipped with BAC Strikemaster ground attack aircraft, Agusta Bell helicopters (the famous “Huey” design from the Vietnam War) and Short Skyvan and Caribou transport aircraft. These were officered by secondees from the regular British services and mainly British contract officers (ex-military soldiers who signed three-year contracts with Oman) while a comprehensive training programme began to enable Omanis to become officers and senior NCOs.

The soldiers were a mixture of tough Omani hillmen and Baluchis from Pakistan, ethnically very different. The Omanis tended to be short and slight, rather excitable and quick witted. The Baluchis were much larger and sturdier, rather slow but solidly reliable. At the time I was there, each infantry company was commanded by a British officer with sometimes a British 2IC, and Omani local officers commanding platoons. There were then about 500 seconded British Army and contract officers and 500 seconded and contract RAF personnel in Oman; the latter providing the pilots and ground service personnel.

One major decision by the Sultan was to grant amnesty to surrendered guerrillas, who were then incorporated into a new irregular force called the firqat. Surrendered enemy personnel (SEPs) were given cash sums by the Government for handing in weapons and provided with a lifetime pension. This strategy was the brainchild of 22 SAS, who

The

Helicopter Resupply

SOAF Strikemaster

maintained a full squadron in Dhofar throughout the war. The firqats were platoon to company sized elements led by SAS personnel. These native units proved invaluable in certain regards, possessing the intimate knowledge of the rebels, the terrain, and local cultural sensitivities that the SAF lacked.

Prior to the Firqats, virtually no Dhofaris served in the SAF, meaning that it was often portrayed as

a foreign army of occupation. The Firqats helped bridge that cultural gap. Besides serving as scouts and guides, they were also useful in an auxiliary role, holding areas cleared by the SAF. However, the firqats had their limitations. They tended to be argumentative and undisciplined. Most refused to operate outside their tribal areas, during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, or when they just didn’t feel like fighting. Relaying orders to them was not enough; they had to be coaxed into action through lengthy negotiations. SAF officers were often hesitant to provide them with too much information, as many would warn their relatives still in the rebellion about forthcoming operations. As intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) was very limited at a strategic level, SAF nevertheless relied heavily on local intelligence supplied by firqat personnel attached to infantry units. Eighteen Firqat units, numbering between 50 and 150 men each, were eventually formed, numbering 1,800 in total.

Under the chairmanship of the Sultan’s Governor (wali) of Dhofar Province, Sheikh Braikh, the Dhofar Development Committee consisting of civil and military representatives was the vital committee which ensured that actions by all elements were coordinated into a coherent plan. Reporting to this committee, Civil Action Teams (CAT) were formed which who moved into areas cleared by the SAF and SAS led firqats: sinking wells, establishing hospitals and schools, and providing the vital veterinary services for a community relying on livestock. These projects were enormously beneficial in ensuring safety, security and prosperity for the Dhofari people and undermined a major narrative of PFLOAG, who were themselves becoming increasingly unpopular by then for their doctrinaire and repressive measures against the tribes.

The Sultan, with British help, also sought to subvert PDRY support for the rebels by sponsoring proxy guerillas in the desert region on the Yemeni-Omani border. In early 1969, our MI6 intelligence service managed to persuade the nomadic Mahra tribe, which inhabited the region, to launch an anticommunist revolt to disrupt PFLOAG supply lines. The Mahra, combining nomadic raiding skills with British supplied modern arms and Land Rovers, attacked the forts that the PFLOAG depended on for their supply lines. The Mahra did extensive damage in the enemy’s rear and relieved pressure on SAF. By 1972 the Mahra were being led by SAS personnel, and kept an estimated four PDRY battalions occupied by the end of the war.

Initial attempts to seal off eastern Dhofar with fortified lines failed as the Sultan lacked the manpower or resources to fully maintain these lines and disrupt rebel logistics. Having become pessimistic about ending the war quickly, the British concurred that Oman had to seek regional support to break the stalemate. Across the Straits of Hormuz, the then Shah of Iran, Reza Shah Pahlavi, was watching the unfolding situation in Oman with increasing concern. With ambitions for Iran to regain its place as a Middle Eastern regional power, the Shah feared the spread of communism into the Persian Gulf. The Shah was keen to support his friend the Sultan, as well as to test his lavishly equipped military in combat.

In early 1973, the Shah sent six Iranian helicopters to provision the SAF garrison at remote Sarfait, which had faced the very real prospect of being shelled into submission by the rebels. Sarfait signalled the start of a large-scale intervention by the Iranians. By 1974, over 3,000 Iranian troops were serving in Oman, including an Iranian brigade battle group and sixteen jet fighters. The aerial transport capabilities they provided through their Bell and Chinook helicopters and C-130 aircraft were their most salient contribution, as prior to Iranian involvement the Sultan’s own helicopters were being stretched to their limits. The SAF officers had mixed feelings about the quality of the Iranian troops. They were overly centralized, with every major decision having to be referred to the Iranian general staff and often to the Shah himself. Officers were often promoted on the basis of loyalty to the regime rather than merit, and field commanders

were sometimes too hesitant to use their own initiative. The performance of the Iranian troops also left much to be desired. They rarely patrolled, didn’t understand the idea of fire and manoeuvre, and often preferred to bunch rather than disperse in a firefight.

Although very minor in scale when compared to more recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, SAF suffered total casualties of around 3,000 in the campaign: 930 killed in action and 2,018 wounded, of which the British KIA numbered 24 (including Tim Taylor in 1971 and Don Nairn in 1979) and 55 wounded (including Robin Hastie-Smith in 1972).

Personal recollections

Having done two tours in Northern Ireland and facing the prospect of an increasingly unlikely war against the Soviets in BAOR, I noticed that the Sultanate of Oman was offering two-year secondments to serving British Army officers to help with its counter-insurgency war in Dhofar. This offered the prospect of commanding an infantry company in action in a fascinating region, and being taught Arabic to boot. Having been accepted, I was sent to the Army School of Languages in Beaconsfield where we were taught colloquial Arabic by Palestininan and Jordanian teachers. Most of them were rabidly anti-British which led to some heated discussions between vocabulary tests!

I arrived in Muscat in December 1971 and was posted as 2IC to C Company, the Northern Frontier Regiment (NFR), which was based at a picturesque little camp outside a village called Izki at the bottom of the Jebel Akhdar, approximately two hour's drive South from the coast. The rest of the battalion was based at another camp closer to the coast called Bid Bid. Each infantry regiment spent nine months on operations in Dhofar followed by nine months garrison duty in the north, enabling them to R&R, reequip and retrain before returning to Dhofar. NFR was due to return to Dhofar in four months’ time. Interestingly, C Company has always had a close connection with the Greenjackets as one of my predecessors in the company was Graham McKinley (1 RGJ) and a successor was Charles Vyvyan (3RGJ).

The British infantry officers in SAF at that time were a very mixed bunch. They consisted of secondees like myself, keen to experience a bit of action and learn more soldiering, and contract officers. These latter were mainly ex-British officers who signed three-year contracts with SAF and were mostly a collection of sad misfits usually with Helicopter Resupply

Firqat

Dhofari Firqat Scouts

some flaw such as failed relationships, alcoholism, money problems or a liking for small boys. They ranged from the downright incompetent to some experienced and professional soldiers, such as Johnny Braddell Smith, one of my NFR colleagues, lanky and laconic Irishman of the fearless type featuring in all of Britain’s historic campaigns. He was subsequently in 1975 posthumously awarded the Omani equivalent of the VC while attempting to rescue a wounded soldier in a Dhofar contact. The seconded officers, as you would expect, were more consistently professional although some were a little too keen to make their mark and took unnecessary risks with their men, whereas others respected the adoo’s superior fieldcraft and tactical ability, carefully planned operations and always tried to consider the interests of the men we commanded.

NFR was one of the five regular infantry battalions in SAF. These battalions were commanded by secondees from British infantry battalions, many of them second-rate and passed over for command of their own regimental battalions. An exception was NFR’s CO, Bryan Ray, an immensely tall, competent and supportive officer on secondment from the Queen’s. His second in command was an ex-Para contract officer called Arthur Brocklehurst. Unmarried and a very experienced professional soldier, he occasionally drank too much but never on operations. It was always wise to keep out of his way during these alcoholic bouts; however, he had a soft spot for C Company officers, having commanded it for many years himself. The other officers were Simon Hill (a seconded Para) who commanded A Company and Tresham Gregg (a seconded cavalryman) commanding B Company. There was also a strong contingent of Royal Marines who were uniformly excellent: David Nicholls, Bob Hudson, and Viv Rowe who became C Company commander when I finished my tour in 1973. Apart from Johnny, our contact officers included John White, a quiet and professional soldier whose two daughters are married to Rifles officers, and Graeme Smyth-Piggott, a colourful character whose nickname ‘Smash’ tells you all you need to know.

My Company Commander was Peter Tawell, an experienced regular soldier from the Queens’ who had already completed a tour in Dhofar. Mostly we all got on very well, enjoying the camaraderie, periodic danger and living life on the edge. My first few months were spent relearning my Arabic from Palestinian to Gulf patois and drinking heroic amounts of beer with the local Shell representative,

Dick Candlish, an ex-Grenadier and member of the Guards Armoured Brigade in WW2, who was stationed nearby.

As the time came closer for us to move to Dhofar, we started intensive training in the mountainous hills around the Jebel Akhdar including working closely with our mortar platoon and learning to act as FOO for both artillery and ground attack jets. This was a novel experience for me as we were using live ammunition all the time and the instruction was effectively on the job from Peter and others who had had Dhofar experience. By the time we flew down to Salalah in March 1972, we were a fit and reasonably well-trained force which had got used to working well with other arms such as artillery and air force.

When NFR arrived for its nine-month tour in Dhofar, the Sultan's forces were slowly beginning to achieve the upper hand through a combination of civilian led civil aid development on the jebel, amnesty to SEPs, establishment of the firqats and increased and more efficient weaponry. Although somewhat reminiscent of the Dien Bien Phu fiasco in Vietnam, two SAF battalions had been flown the month before into a dominating feature called Sarfait which was three miles from the PDRY border and overlooked the PDRY coastal town of Hawf and the Adoo’s supply routes into Dhofar. As this position was in the middle of adoo occupied territory, all resupply had to be conducted by air.

The original intention had been to move forces down from Sarfait and establish a block across these coastal supply routes. However, the terrain and lack of resources at the time made this impossible. My company occupied a position on the north-west perimeter for several months, looking down on the airfield at one end of which was the

burnt-out shell of a Caribou resupply aircraft, hit early on by an Adoo mortar round. We lived in rock sangars with heavily fortified roofs which was just as well as we were regularly shelled and mortared, usually last thing in the evening by mortars and RCLs. At night, we patrolled out into the wadis hoping to catch the Adoo unawares, but without success.

In retrospect, Sarfait was initially a strategic and tactical failure, as we were essentially static and became a magnet for hit and run adoo mortars and RCLs. We used to line up the tail fins of these adoo incomers where they landed in our positions (between ten and twenty a day) to get a back bearing on the adoo positions, using return fire from our own 81mm mortars and artillery but were rarely effective, partly because the Adoo were protected by being in the lee of the wadi from our gunfire or because they had already moved position. It was, however, a source of intense irritation to the Adoo that SAF was able to occupy, and sustain, a major feature in their backyard and important for the Sultan to demonstrate to the rest of the Arab world that he was fighting back. Later in the war and with more resources, SAF was able successfully to occupy and block the coast below Sarfait, further disrupting the Adoo.

There then occurred an extraordinary interlude upcountry on the border with South Yemen at a place called Habarut where there were two opposing forts, one on each side of the border. On 5 May 1972, a PDRY force of 100 men attacked the Omani fort with rifle, machine gun and mortar fire, killing five members of the Dhofar Gendarmerie and an SAS trooper. The Omani forces counter-attacked with machine guns and Strikemaster aircraft, dropping a 500lb bomb on the Yemeni fort and killing one of the senior Adoo leaders in command of their Ho Chi Min unit. Nevertheless, the Omani

fort was too exposed and militarily untenable so the Omani force withdrew to a better position on high ground overlooking the wadi after which the PDRY forces used the opportunity to destroy the fort with explosives.

Nevertheless, it was important that an Omani military presence be maintained in Habarut so C Company was flown out by helicopter to reoccupy a position behind the destroyed fort. It was pure desert and unbelievably hot during the day – even our soldiers, accustomed to desert heat, passed out from heatstroke if left on picket duty for more than half an hour. There were regular exchanges of mortar fire with PFLOAG forces on most days, during one of which our much-loved Baluch CSM, Abdul Majid, was killed when a mortar round landed in his sangar.

We spent most of the day under shade but came out at night to patrol the area. My position was also sent a French 75mm mountain gun (which could be broken down into parts for transportation) and Omani gun crew, with which we shelled the PDRY fort on the other side of the border. Although in dead ground, our position was very exposed and we suffered a number of thankfully minor casualties. One was nearly me, when the Beaver aircraft taking me on leave was mortared as we were taking off from the wadi floor and I watched a line of mortar explosions snaking up to the tail of the aircraft as we lifted off – rather too slowly for my liking! We were eventually relieved by elements of the Dhofar Gendarmerie, a locally recruited guard force.

Just before I left on leave, there occurred one of the seminal events of the Dhofar War which was the failed Adoo attack and Omani victory at Mirbat on 19 July 1972. This was a small coastal town 70 miles to the east of Salalah, the capital, which,

Adoo Patrol

CK on the Jebel

Adoo Patrol

because it was vulnerably situated on a narrow strip of ground between the sea and the Jebel, was defended from a small fort outside the town by a tiny force of Dhofar Gendarmerie, a nine man SAS detachment and a firqat with a 25 pounder gun and a .50inch Browning. Taking advantage of the thick mist from the khareef and just before dawn, around 250 Adoo attacked the fort with small arms fire and mortars and the position would have been overrun, if it had not been for the bravery of the SAS some of whom were firing the 25 pounder gun over open sights at point blank range. The Firqat had unsurprisingly been forewarned and had disappeared on an unnamed errand the day before. Fortunately, the khareef lifted sufficiently for the Strikemasters from Salalah to fly in under the cloud and strafe the Adoo with cannon fire and hit those further away with bombs. By extraordinary luck, G Squadron SAS (commanded by Alastair Morrison) had just flown in to Salalah to take over from B Squadron and were getting ready to test fire their weapons on the range. They immediately emplaned on helicopters and flew to Mirbat, hitting the Adoo in the flank from the beaches to their West. The Adoo then withdrew, leaving eighty-six dead and an unspecified number of wounded. On the wali’s orders, the Adoo dead were piled into a Skyvan, flown to Salalah and exhibited in the marketplace before being buried. Our losses were seven dead, including two SAS troopers, and twelve wounded.

As Alastair subsequently reported: “When I reached the fort, I was speechless at the sight of pools of blood from the wounded, 82mm blinds, many rings from grenades and the 25-pounder gun which was holed many times through the shield. The ground was scarred by the many grenades which had exploded. It was obvious that an extremely fierce close quarter battle had been fought there.” The SAS officer in command at Mirbat, Mike Kealy, subsequently received the DSO, and two of his

soldiers the MM and the DCM, both posthumously. Sadly, Mike Kealy later died of exposure while taking part in an exercise in the Brecon Beacons. This action proved to be the turning point in the war and never again were the Adoo to engage in such large numbers.

On my return from leave in September, I took over command of C Company and after the end of the khareef we were posted to the Central area. Our job was to identify and destroy as many of the Adoo bands as we could. The tactics were relatively straightforward. As we had heavy weapon superiority, using SEPS as scouts, we would identify a feature such as a waterhole used regularly by the Adoo. We would then move out at night and set up an ambush round the feature, trying to get ourselves in a position where we overlooked it but also under some form of cover. If we were lucky, we would surprise the lead Adoo formation as it came up from the wadi to the waterhole, there would then be a fierce exchange of fire while they attempted to recover their dead and wounded. Counter-intuitively, we did the opposite of the usual ambush tactic of getting out immediately after it had been sprung. We deliberately stayed put so that we could mobilize the jets from Salalah and line up our artillery if they were within range. Usually, the ado would counter-attack particularly if they had not recovered all their bodies (a matter of honour for them) at which point we hit them hard with our heavier firepower, ranging from bombs to 25 pounders and mortars.

It was therefore essential always to plan operations withing range of our mortars, guns and other heavy weapons. We had a number of such contacts during my last three months in Dhofar. Some went like clockwork, others not so well, as when we underestimated the number of Adoo or had misread the aerial photographs and found that we were on an exposed position or, even worse, overlooked by the adoo position. Generally, as you would expect,

we came off much the best in these encounters due to our command of the air and superior weaponry. One subterfuge we used was to take advantage of the Adoo’s curiosity in visiting previously vacated SAF positions. A typical small and successful action was when Hamed Hamdan, one of my platoon commanders, with half the company reoccupied a position we had vacated several days before which was a knoll overlooking a large wadi which we knew was occupied by an Adoo group, while the rest of the company and I were in a reserve position with the mortar section further back from the lip of the wadi.

Shortly after 07:00 hrs, two Adoo lead scouts appeared over the top of this knoll, heading directly for Hamed’s position. He waited until they were about 25 metres away before opening fire and killing the right-hand man with his first burst. However, the other scout (a woman) was only wounded and fired a complete magazine on automatic at him; afterwards he discovered three bullet-holes in his shemagh (headcloth). It was extremely difficult to locate her as she was hidden by low scrub and by this time heavy return fire was coming from the remainder of the enemy patrol who were in fire positions behind the bare knoll. However, eventually the GPMG gunner saw her doing a snake crawl back down the wadi and a burst from him stopped all further movement. The adoo group later called up reinforcements and a heavy fire fight ensued, by which time Hamed had lined up our mortars and artillery and called in a

Strikemaster attack which destroyed a number of the Adoo with 500lb fragmentation bombs. A less successful action was when I took the whole company on an ambush over a waterhole which we knew was frequently used by the Adoo. We left a small HQ and admin contingent with our 81mm mortar section in a secure position further up the Jebel and crept up to our position during the night, which was about a mile away in thick scrub just below the escarpment. I had studied aerial photographs of the ambush position beforehand but had failed to notice a small and bare hill between our two positions. At first light, two Jebali women walked into our position and, as we could not be sure that they were not scouts for the adoo, detained them and kept them in company headquarters for the rest of the day. At first light, the Adoo appeared in single file on their way to the waterhole 20 metres away and 10 Platoon immediately opened fire, killing several of them. The Adoo reacted immediately with automatic AK-47 fire and badly wounded Lance Corpoal Jumma Saleh, who was manning the Bren gun. A heavy firefight then ensued (I vividly remember their bullets shredding the leaves in a tree a few feet above my head!) during which we attempted to bring down mortar and artillery fire but discovered that shells from our guns which were located lower down in a secure position on the plain could not clear the escarpment on which we were placed; furthermore, to our surprise, our mortar fire proved wildly inaccurate and we had to cease firing them because of the risk of causing casualties to our own side.

Capt Viv Rowe, Col Brian Ray, MO Captain Mehdi – Simba French 75mm Mountain Gun – Habarut

The War in Dhofar 1963 to

9 Platoon with 0.5inch Browning John White and Viv Rowe C Company NFR

We subsequently discovered that the sights used to lay the mortars had been jarred in transport and were off mark by a wide margin. It was also impossible to call in Strikemasters because our position was so close to the Adoo. My immediate concern was to casevac Lance Corporal Saleh who had a bad head wound and I called in a Huey helicopter piloted by Flight Lieutenants Brown and Chambers. Unfortunately, they overshot my flare which marked the only safe place for them to land and overflew the Adoo positions where they were met by a hail of fire. The helicopter was badly hit and staggered in the air before making its way slowly back to our HQ position where it landed safely. Both the pilots were slightly wounded (one in the toe) and were subsequently awarded the Sultan’s Distinguished Service Medal for their bravery.

In the meantime, the adoo (now a force of some 40 men) had worked round to the hill between our ambush location and our HQ echelon so I called in reinforcements led by my fellow Rifleman, Robin Hastie-Smith, from the Muscat Regiment who flew up by helicopter from Salalah, drove the adoo from their position and occupied the hill. We were then able to withdraw safely to our original position. The fighting had lasted nearly all day and we were lucky not to suffer any more casualties. Lance Corporal Saleh had by this time died of his wound and we wrapped him in some spare clothes and put his body in the abandoned helicopter for burial the next day. I learnt a lot of important lessons from this engagement.

By January 1973, we had completed our Dhofar tour and returned to Bid Bid camp in the North where we spent several months recuperating and sending the soldiers off on well-earned leave and

training courses. I spent a month touring Northern Oman with a Bedford 3-ton lorry, an Omani officer and a medical orderly. We visited remote villages all over the Northern mountains camping by the side of the lorry as we went. Our routine was to arrive in a village, introduce ourselves to the old men (shaybah) who would usually be sitting in the shade under a tree and generally putting the world to rights. We would be invited to join them for coffee and very often a meal. After interminable salaams, the conversation would turn to the war in the south which gave me the opportunity to bring them up-todate with the latest news and ask them if they had any young villagers who would consider serving in the Sultan’s army. This would then provoke a lot of shouting and gesticulating to the rest of the village following which a motley crew would be assembled for our inspection. This was carried out by the medical orderly and most important as quite a few were blind in one eye, missing an ear, part of a limb or other appendage making them unfit for active service in the infantry.

Having picked our candidates, they would after a short interval climb on to the back of the lorry and we would make our way to the next village. It is impossible adequately to describe the beauty of these mountains, the clarity of the light and air and the medieval villages, often sited next to a flowing river in the wadi and filled with date palms. There was rarely any sign of twentieth century civilisation other than our lorry.

My last Christmas in Oman was enlivened – if you can call it that – by the discovery of an Army wide plot instigated by PFLOAG to assassinate key government and military figures and then take over the Northern based army units with the aim of replacing the Sultan with a Marxist successor. Plans were worked out in meticulous detail and a large consignment of Chinese arms, supplied by the PDRY, was smuggled in and distributed in easily accessible caches across the country. It was only foiled by a sharp-eyed British intelligence officer on leave from Dhofar who spotted a high-ranking Adoo leader in plain clothes in the Muscat sooq (market), without thinking grabbed him and took him under arrest to the local police station where the adoo immediately confessed and provided all the details of the plot, believing that the whole operation had been infiltrated. The uprising was due to take place on Christmas Day when it was believed that the mostly British officers would be drunk (probably correctly!) and have their guard down.

On Christmas Eve, in carefully coordinated swoops,

Lieutenant Hamed Hamdan

a total of 39 PFLOAG members were arrested in all the main garrison towns. Subsequently, a huge number of weapons and ammunition were uncovered including automatic rifles, light machine guns, mortars, mines and other explosives. Sadly, about 40 Omani soldiers up to the rank of CSM were implicated, the latter being the CSM of A Company NFR. Altogether, seventy-seven people were tried and found guilty, some were jailed for life and others were sentenced to death by firing squad. My company was instructed to provide the firing squad which had to be an all Omani contingent and was commanded by our Omani Recce Platoon commander, Mohammed Said Raqaishi (now a Brigadier). Together we chose the names for the firing squad, making sure that there was one from every major tribal group in Oman to avoid subsequent blood feuds.

I left Oman in March 1973 having had one of the most interesting and absorbing experiences of my life. Living for long periods of time with Omani and Baluch soldiers, part of it on active service, was always fascinating. Although we had very different backgrounds and faiths, I never felt an outsider and was always made welcome, often with a disgustingly sweet mug of army tea laced with huge quantities of condensed milk. Nor did I feel any of the supposed hostility of Moslems towards Christians; the Omanis belong to the Ibadi sect of Islam which is far more tolerant of other religions

than more extreme forms of Islam. This fits in with the generally happy and friendly nature of most Omanis. It was, and is, a great honour to have served two sovereigns during my Army career.

Winning the war

Subsequently, Sultan Qaboos increased an ultimately highly successful diplomatic effort to secure the backing of other Arab and neighbouring states. Oman had been diplomatically isolated when Qaboos ascended the throne, as many Arab states viewed the Sultan as a British puppet. Omani diplomats supported by the British and other allies were able to use patient diplomacy to reconcile the sultanate with the Saudis, with whom previous relations had been frosty. With newfound Saudi support, the Sultanate was able to enter the Arab League in September 1971 and later the United Nations. Oman’s admission to these international bodies had a crucial political effect on the course of the war, as it robbed the PFLOAG of its legitimacy as an anti-colonial resistance movement.

Direct Arab support was therefore forthcoming. King Hussein of Jordan (on whom Sultan Qaboos modelled himself) proved particularly keen to help, ultimately sending combat engineers, special forces, howitzers, and jet fighters. Abu Dhabi sent infantry to conduct internal security in northern Oman, freeing up more Omani security personnel for service in Dhofar. The Saudis sent howitzers and military trainers. All of the intervening Arab states also provided financial assistance. Many of the conservative monarchies of the Gulf realized that a communist victory in Oman could possibly inspire their own radical movements. Certainly, the PFLOAG had made no secret of their goal of liberating the entirety of the ‘occupied’ Arabian Gulf.

This influx of foreign support allowed Sultan Qaboos finally to turn the tide against the rebels. By 1975 the Sultan had 11,000 troops under his command, including 5,000 Omanis, 3,000 Iranians, 1,200 firqat, 1,000 British, and 800 Jordanians. This massive expansion of manpower and resources allowed SAF to successfully carry out a policy of population/spatial control. Under the leadership of seconded British Major-General Tim Creasey and Brigadier Jack Fletcher, followed by Brigadier John Akehurst, and building on the Sarfait experience, but now with much more resources, a plan was devised to construct a series of fortified lines consisting of mines, obstacles, and barbed wire across the expanse of the less populated western regions of Dhofar in order to interdict rebel lines of communications from Yemen. A defensive

C Company NFR

Capt Robin Hastie Smith MR Simba

line called ‘Hornbeam’ was constructed between December 1973 to June 1974 with help from Jordanian engineers and Iranian special forces. The line consisted of eight platoon and company positions stretching for 60 kilometres from the sea near the coastal town of Mughsayl to the inner desert, and proved successful in seriously limiting the adoo’s ability to sustain themselves.

The rebels were forced to switch from using camel caravans for supplies to carrying arms and munitions on foot. Following the success of Hornbeam, in late 1974 the Iranians constructed a second defensive line westwards, dubbed ‘Damavand’. In December 1973 Iranian paratroopers were able to open the Midway Road, which linked Dhofar to the rest of the Sultanate, and which Jordanian special forces subsequently helped keep open. After noting the Iranian tended to be trigger-happy with the natives, SAF commanders persuaded Qaboos to deploy the Iranian forces to the less populated western regions. Thus redeployed, the Iranians alongside the SAF and the firqats conducted a series of non-stop offensives fought in set-piece battles at the end of 1975; finally ridding western Dhofar of rebel presence.

A parallel strategy of civil development was pursued east of the lines. Regular forces would seize control of populated areas in eastern Dhofar, usually centred on a waterhole or major camel train crossroads, from which the Firqats would radiate outwards to pacify the surrounding countryside. Once these areas had been cleared of Adoo and security had been established the CATs could commence their development projects. The SAS role in raising and managing the Firqats was absolutely critical to the successful execution of what has become known as the ‘inkblot’ strategy. Working in small sections of up to ten men, they lived and ate with the Firqats and, despite being nominally a training team, they often led the firqat into contacts, forming a T formation at the front of the column, all carrying GMPGs so that if they encountered the Adoo, they would bring down a huge weight of fire and win the firefight, while the firqats deployed round the adoo’s flank and took them out.

Greenjackets encountered in the SAS while I was in Oman included John Foley and Arish Turle (both squadron commanders and each awarded the MC for their exemplary actions in Dhofar), Simon Adamsdale and no doubt many more NCOs and troopers. Mention should also be made of the late and legendary Bill Foxton who (after a spell in the

French Foreign Legion), became a Corporal in 1 RGJ before joining SAF as a contract officer. Despite having his left hand blown off in a grenade accident, Bill became a Major in the Baluch infantry battalion, the Frontier Force.

Victory over the rebels was a multinational effort. The Omani government had to fight a war in partnership with different forces both foreign and local, each of which had their own structures, motivations, weaknesses, and capabilities. Since the Iranians preferred to fight with overwhelming firepower, it made sense to deploy them in the less populated western regions. There, the Iranians were in a better position to fight the adoo in more conventional, pitched battles. Iranian numbers and resources helped in constructing and manning the defensive lines in western Dhofar, as well as reopening the Midway Road to Norther Oman and the oilfields. The presence of Iranian air and air defence assets served as a deterrent to any potential escalation on the part of the PDRY.

As external support for Oman grew, the inverse occurred for the PFLOAG. This dynamic was also in large part due to Oman’s new foreign alliances. Egypt under Sadat dropped their support for the Dhofari cause as Cairo sought better relations with the Gulf Arab states. Iraq also renounced support for the PFLOAG after signing the Algiers Agreement with Iran in March 1975. China would also end support for the rebels as it sought better relations with the Shah. As Oman began to establish itself on the global diplomatic scene, the PFLOAG found itself increasingly isolated.

Lessons learnt

While the scale and intensity of the Dhofar war was nothing like as large as those fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, there are I believe a number of lessons which could (and perhaps should) have been learnt by British political and military leaders from this earlier conflict:

• The reason for the war must be morally justified and there must be a strong likelihood of success.

• There must be a clear plan with a simple aim; in Oman, it was to secure Dhofar Province for civil development.

• The incumbent government must be supported by the majority of its people and deliver security, rule of law and basic needs such as housing, clean water, power, education and health systems.

• Government and the security services should carefully listen to local leaders and understand

what form of aid should be prioritised to satisfy their needs. International donors should not be allowed to dictate their own conditions to the aid being provided.

• Regional allies need to be courted through effective diplomacy and persuaded to support the incumbent government directly and indirectly to ensure that the insurgents and any countries which support them are isolated.

• Strong and incorrupt security forces should be developed, well officered and provided with good training. If irregulars are used such as the firqats in Dhofar, they should never be strong enough to challenge state authority once the insurgency has been ended.

• The security forces should be equipped with effective and high-quality equipment, in particular suitable weapons, vehicles, aircraft and especially helicopters and now UAVs.

• The counter-insurgency effort must be led by the civilian government with the security forces in support; not leading it. There should be one powerful government executive body in charge of the counter-insurgency plan and execution, comprising civilian ministers and military commanders and chaired by the head of government.

• There should be a unified chain of command in the security forces with command headquarters located in theatre, even if the counter-insurgency force is made up of several national contingents.

• Foreign troops provided in support of the government should be kept to a light footprint to avoid being seen as an occupying force. Their support should be limited to training, the provision of airpower and special forces. Those attached to indigenous security forces should be on multi-year tours, speak the local language and be co-located with their hosts.

• The indigenous security forces should focus on permanently securing and clearing key population centres of insurgents, thus enabling civil aid teams to move in and deliver the essential requirements of the civilian population.

• Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) at both strategic and tactical level is essential to ensure security forces are targeted on the right insurgents in the correct place, thus minimising collateral damage on the civilian population.

• All nations involved in counterinsurgency

operations must at the outset commit sufficient resources to ensure success. Persistence and strategic patience until the war is won is essential.

These simple rules (or at least most of them) have been consistently applied in all successful counterinsurgency wars and it is a pity that they were largely ignored in favour of the many egregious strategic and tactical mistakes made by British politicians and military commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan. Through the effective use of political, military and diplomatic strengths, the Oman government and their British and other allies in winning the Dhofar War helped save a geo-strategically important region from a hostile ideology, with an outcome largely satisfactory to everyone. Oman today is a stable and relatively developed Middle Eastern country, at peace with its neighbours, and uninvolved in the Saudi and Iranian proxy struggles that now dominate the Middle East. The truth is that no country likes being occupied for long by another country’s army and a large British or other foreign nation’s military force in Oman would only have fuelled accusations by critics of neo-colonialism, when in fact forces from fellow Muslim countries such as Iran and Jordan were more politically acceptable. Allies were also useful diplomatically, by persuading patrons of the PFLOAG to drop their support, and setting conditions under which continuing to support the PFLOAG would have isolated them within the international system.

For those interested in reading about the Dhofar War in more detail, I would recommend:

We Won a War:

The Campaign in Oman 1965-1975

by (General) John Akehurst

Dangerous Frontiers

by Bryan Ray

In the Service of the Sultan: A First Hand Account of the Dhofar Insurgency by

Ian Gardiner

SAS Operation Oman

by Tony Jeapes

After Lunch with Thesiger

by Hugh Lockhart

With the SAS and Other Animals: A Vet's Experiences During the Dhofar War 1974 by Andrew

Higgins

Introducing Reading Force – a shared-reading initiative to keep Forces families in touch

When I married Captain Neil Baverstock (1 RGJ) in 1984 I was working in London as a publisher. When he was moved, shortly afterwards, to the Light Division Depot in Winchester, I managed to get a job with Macmillan Publishers in Basingstoke. Rev’d Professor Alison Baverstock

we were (not infrequently) living in different places. Sharing a book with someone you long to see can be a really rich experience. Characters can remind you of people you have both met, plots of incidents you have shared, so communication can continue between calls – as well as offering something to talk about when you feel emotional just to hear their voice on the phone.

and now Neil is a veteran all that moving around as a military family gave us such an interesting life – which our children are replicating in other ways (two live abroad, although not as part of the Forces). But reading still keeps us all in touch, and there is real joy in reading books our children loved to our two grandsons (in Mexico). Happy reading, wherever you are.

You

But after that, as moves became more frequent and our four children started making an appearance, rather than a permanent job I did freelance work around books and reading. Later I jointly set up a Masters Degree in Publishing at Kingston University, where I still teach.

I became very interested in how books and reading can connect us, across time and space. Finding out that someone else likes an author you enjoy can offer common ground for conversation. This became useful to us as a family as

Me (feel free to crop this so only the head appears).

This was the basis of what has become the charity Reading Force. We seek to keep Forces families close and connected through shared-reading. We give out reading scrapbooks and a free book (one per child) and encourage the sharing of a book however works best: phone, letter, text message, drawings, photograph, skype, FaceTime – and social media. Families tell us that they feel closer and more in touch. It’s a great way to keep grandparents involved in the lives of their grandchildren. In the UK today grandparents are the most common providers of childcare, an experience most military families are unable to share.

The project was begun in Aldershot in 2011 and so far we have circulated nearly 150,000 reading scrapbooks worldwide. Wherever British Forces are posted, they use our service and we regularly collaborate with other military charities, ensuring we spend our grants on reaching families and not duplicated administration. During lockdown we were extremely busy – requests to join went up by 600% and this continues. We played a particularly important role in enabling contact with children from previous relationships, who were cut off from seeing them in person.

Reading Force works because it is so simple. One family commented: ‘The memories of doing this scrapbook

together will always be with us and when we were having a bad day, or not a lot of time, we would have five minutes doing this scrapbook and we all felt better.’ Reading is such a life-positive and there is a wealth of evidence showing that it benefits all involved. Within Forces families, members of the military reading to their children, or being seen reading by their children, are particularly influential. The range of our resources has expanded over the years. In addition to our basic family scrapbook we now have one for younger children, one for teenagers (who want to share with their friends more than their families!) and an individual reading record for use by veterans, enabling them to track how they have spent their time. We also run online book-clubs, support holiday reading activities (e.g. working with the Army Welfare Service) and collaborate with other relevant organisations such as the Military Wives Choirs, ABF The Soldier’s Charity and organisations supporting veterans in NI. When we had our (necessarily online) tenth birthday party in 2021 we were honoured that General Sir Nick Carter spoke; he talked movingly about the experience of sharing ‘Rikki-Tikki-Tavi’ with his four children.

We would love you to know about this scheme, from which you can all benefit free of charge. Reading Force is available to all in the military (regular, reservist, veteran, families – including

those separated by relationship breakdown) and you can register on our website. If you are able to support our work, perhaps through a charitable trust you are part of, workplace community giving, or as an individual donation (including consideration within your will) we would be most grateful. You can register to take part, or find out how to support us at: www.readingforce.org.uk

Looking back, and now Neil is a veteran, all that moving around as a military family gave us such an interesting life – which our children are replicating in other ways (two live abroad, although not as part of the Forces). But reading still keeps us all in touch, and there is real joy in reading books our children loved to our two grandsons (in Mexico). Happy reading, wherever you are.

Rev’d Professor Alison Baverstock

Founder and director of Reading Force

Rev’d Professor Alison Baverstock, Founder and director of Reading Force

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Reading Force in Aldershot, with Amanda Rowley, Headteacher of Wavell School and local MP Leo Docherty

A sample Reading Force scrapbook showing contributions from four family members scattered between Aldershot and Ireland

Corporal Alfred Wilcox VC

Despite tightening Covid restrictions in Birmingham, the Commemoration Service to mark the 103rd anniversary of Cpl Wilcox’s gallant action at Laventie on 12 September 1918 was held at his graveside in Aston.

The limited attendance included 2/ Lt Sangha the platoon commander of the local Sparkbrook Platoon 8 Rifles, Lt Col Delroy Tucker Rifles from Warwickshire ACF, the Oxford Branch of the RGJ Association, two buglers from the Bugles Association and several parishioners from St Peters and Pauls – Aston Parish Church.

The service was led by the Associate Vicar of St Peter and Pauls, Revd Giyanow Kayla. The Oxford Branch was represented by our President Brigadier Robin Draper who read the Exhortation and the Kohima Epitaph. Barry Mullord carried our banner with his normal aplomb and a wreath from the Association was laid, in marking the continuum from the Ox & Bucks to The Rifles. Thirteen crosses were then planted by 8 Rifles and the cadets in remembrance of those from 2/4th Ox & Bucks who lost their lives in action on that day.

Cpl Wilcox’s citation for the VC read:

gunner, and put the gun out of action. Being then attacked by an enemy bombing party, Cpl Wilcox picked up enemy bombs and led his party against the next gun, finally capturing and destroying it. Although left with only one man, he continued bombing and captured a third gun. He again bombed up the trench, captured a fourth gun, and then rejoined his platoon.

Cpl Wilcox displayed in this series of successful individual enterprises exceptional valour, judgment, and initiative.”

Don Gower: A tribute

The following is a eulogy delivered at Don Gower’s funeral on the 7 January 2022. Don sadly passed away just three weeks short of his 104th birthday. At the end Anthony Bishop played The Last Post, Reveille, and No More Parades today. Charlotte Dee sang: “Over the Hills and far away”.

“For most conspicuous bravery and initiative in attack when his company was held up by heavy and persistent machine-gun fire at close range. On his own initiative, with four men he rushed ahead to the nearest enemy gun, bombed it, killed the

This year the commemoration also formed part of the Birmingham Heritage Week and included an exhibition on Cpl Wilcox’s action in Aston Parish Church. A subsequent report on the ‘Old Pics of Brum’ Facebook page attracted 859 hits and 59 very supportive comments, thanks to the entry by former Cpl David Mills late 1KOYLI/2LI, who joined us having been in Brigadier Robin’s Signal Platoon in 1970.Our thanks to all who attended and to Marius Coulon, The Rifles Colonel (Birmingham) for organising this memorable commemoration of Cpl Wilcox’s extraordinary gallantry in 1918.

I first met Don properly after I had just returned from The Nijmegen March in Holland. Still wearing my combats, the bergen on the hall floor when the doorbell rang. There stood Don who declared how delighted he was to have learned that there was a fellow Rifleman living in his road a mere 100 yards away! He had been to a Regimental event at the Guildhall in London and learned from The Chairman, whom we both knew, that he and I were neighbours!

Don had served with The 7th Battalion The Rifle Brigade during the Second World War, originally joining The 1st Battalion of The London Rifle Brigade, when returning from ice-skating at Alexandra Palace in 1938, ahead of any call up for the impending war. The unit subsequently became C Company, 4th Battalion Royal Green Jackets and now re-badged as 7Rifles.

4 Riflemen which I think includes Don himself

Don later declared that joining up early enabled him to get some practice in!

We exchanged notes, Don suggested coming across to his bungalow for a drink (does anyone really think that was wise?) we shook hands and Don observed “Black and Green – finest colours ever seen”

Don’s war began in earnest in May 1942 from East Grinstead, also known as Crowborough Training Camp – I know it well. Next, from Glasgow he embarked on the HMT, Mooltan, formerly a P&O liner built to carry 1,140 passengers, but now transporting 5,000 officers and men of The Rifle Brigade. The ship cruised round the coast of Africa to Suez, disembarking at a place called Borg al Arab near Alexandria.

The next two years were spent in The Western Desert in which Don took part in many of the wellknown and not so well-known actions of that phase of the second world war. In May 1944, the battalion sailed for Italy landing near Taranto and began the slog up the length of that country. Again, Don took part in all the actions in which his battalion was engaged, except for a period of leave in Rome. Subsequently the battalion spearheaded the British Army’s advance into Austria, preventing the advance of Tito and his brand of communism into the area. The battalion assisted with the surrender and disarming of the German Balkan Army.

Today I am here to share some insights into Don’s participation in these events, some comical, some mundane and some tragic.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Don Gower: A tribute

Shortly after his arrival in the Western Desert Don was in a forward position in his slit trench when puffs of sand erupted nearby. An innocent Don asked what was this? We’re being shot at was the response – get your head down.

On another occasion, Don was in a forward position when an officer came scurrying at the crawl through the sand. A ‘discussion’ then took place as to what each were doing there and why they were so far forward. The officer was Quinton Hogg, later known as Lord Hailsham who became Lord Chancellor. No doubt the exchange concluded with “Sir”. The officer returned to Britain to deliver a broadcast on the BBC about the war in the western

desert – no mention of Rifleman

In Italy a fellow Rifleman had been a tailor in civilian life. After the war the tailor went back to Saville Row and Don tasked him with making him a new suit.

The last time I saw Don, in October, he mentioned several times two ‘Bscs’. He really meant BSAs, a type of motorbike. He had often told a story of how he was tasked with delivering a package of ‘vital importance’ to another unit. This always involved setting off on a motorbike at night in the pouring rain, careering through the mud following the tiny pinprick of light from the masked headlamp unable to properly light the way for fear of drawing

unwanted enemy attention. He frequently fell off, landing in a ditch somewhere. After repeating the mission several times, and thoroughly fed up with it he asked the recipient unit what was so important about the packages he had been ordered to deliver. The response was: “Oh they’re not important at all, it’s to do with the rations, we never look at them”. End of that mission!

Real War

Despite the often hilarious anecdotes such as bulling boots and dipping them in what turned out to be soup and provoking the wrath of the cook, tales of filling five gallon water cans with wine, slipping on extra stripes to get in the Serjeants Club for unlimited gin, selling parachute silk and acquiring a very fine pair of German binoculars –this was war.

Don noted in his copy of The Rifle Brigade Chronicle the loss of a young second lieutenant: “He died in my arms and his last words were ‘poor old Tony’ his slit trench was five yards from mine. The serjeant was blown to bits.”

One of probably many narrow escapes was Don debussing from a truck moments before it exploded!

Don always felt very strongly that the award of a VC as recommended but not actioned, to a serjeant instrumental in destroying 14 enemy tanks at Jebel Heimeimat should have been made. Sadly, the man was subsequently killed in Italy in what we would nowadays call a ‘friendly fire’ incident. ‘It was covered up’ noted Don.

In the hard pursuit of The Afrika Korps towards the end of the Desert Campaign ‘they had little more to

eat than bully and half a gallon of water, per man, to drink and most of that went in the radiators’.

In a collection of photographs depicting youthful smiling Riflemen, Don recorded on the back of the pictures the names and dates of those that were killed.

In a letter to his brother at the end of the war, a fellow rifleman wrote: “Am enclosing a rather dreadful snap of the victorious survivors of our section and from the looks of most of them it would have been better if they had not survived. Gower looks about ninety years old.”

Post War LRBA

After the war, Don became an active member of the London Rifle Brigade Association, attending the lunches held at Davies Street where he was often accompanied by his sons Stuart and Kevin whom he affectionately referred to as his bookends. At the annual Christmas Party Don organised the Tombola, learning quickly to hold back the star prize until a good number of tickets had been sold. There was also fund-raising to assist fellow Riflemen in distress.

In 2006 Don and his son Kevin visited Italy, as a ‘final fling’ before his passport ran out. The trip was a much more peaceful visit to the various locations Don had been in during the war including the famous Monte Cassino.

So, Don, fellow Rifleman, chosen man, you are in the FRV now. You took your time but had a full life to live and possibly qualified as the oldest living rifleman. Thank you for your service. It is an honour to have known you.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Don Gower: A tribute

Don on a visit to Italy in a museum near Anzio Don with some of us at his 100th Birthday Party

Gower.

Riflemen in Italy outside St Peters

3 Riflemen in the desert

A fuel dump in flames after being hit by German shellfire

Victor Gregg

Victor Gregg died three days short of his 102nd birthday. He fought at El Alamein.

Those of you who struggled to the end of my article in the last Swift & Bold will be ‘over-joyed’ to know that I have been encouraged by others who travelled the same journey as I to fill in the months until I returned to the Battalion. Born in 1919 in King’s Cross he was one of three children living in two rooms. He once said: “You could tell the posh people because they were the ones whose houses had front doors.”

He left school at fourteen and had various menial jobs, but his true loves were cars, boxing and music. He knocked around Soho and was fascinated by the criminal world he found there, violent gangs, prostitutes, pimps, villains and bohemians – what he called the ‘arty-crafties’. On his eighteenth birthday Vic met a Rifle Brigade recruiting sergeant in Whitehall and the next day was on a train to Winchester where he was transformed into a soldier, Rifleman Gregg.

Two years later Vic was fighting in the Western Desert. At the battle of Beda Fomm he experienced hand to hand combat. He was recruited into ‘Popski’s Private Army’ driving stores to remote outposts driving thousands of miles on his own. Later he spent time with the Long Range Desert

Group doing the same thing with wounded men. Vic fought at the Battle of Alamein and was blown up three times.

Then he decided to become a paratrooper and in September 1944 was dropped into Arnhem with the 10th Parachute Regiment. He had been told the battle would be a ‘piece of cake’. Instead, and after ten days' fighting, the battle was lost and Vic was a prisoner. He managed to sabotage a soap factory and was condemned to death. He was taken to Dresden and held with five hundred other men. That night the allies bombed the city, Vic was blown out of the prison and stumbled about surviving the fire storm and the next two raids. He said that he knew all about killing men but nothing had prepared him for the sight of women and children being sucked into the air with their heads on fire. He spent the next week helping find survivors and then fled. The experience haunted Vic for the rest of his life.

Vic’s post war life reads like a cross between The Spy Who Came In From The Cold and the Italian Job. First, he worked for the Russian Moscow Narodny Bank driving under-cover agents all over Britain. Soon MI6 were on to him and he was recruited into the shadowy world of the double agent. He loved taking his motorbike to rallies behind the Iron Curtain and this became a cover for taking messages across Eastern Europe. While doing all this Vic drove the Number 14 bus in London. His undercover activities came to a climax when, aged 70, he was the guest of honour of the Magyar Democratic Forum in Hungary making the first cut in the barbed wire fence that separated the East from the West. Weeks later the Berlin Wall fell and Vic had played a small but important part in its end.

Vic was a brave man driven by a need for the adrenalin rush of danger and adventure. His autobiography Rifleman: A Front Line Life Which was published by Bloomsbury when Vic was 93. Later three more books, King’s Cross Kid and Soldier Spy as well as an e-book Dresden a full account of his experiences in the bombing and its aftermath were published.

Vic was interviewed many times on radio and television. The message that he wanted to leave was that war may sometimes be necessary but it is not the way to solve the world’s problems, and he knew what he was talking about. His life is best summed up by the officer who wrote on his discharge papers:

During an exceedingly colourful career this Rifleman has served long and continuous periods in active operations with front line units. He is an individual of great courage, capable of applying himself best to a task when the need is greatest.

Victor Gregg

These books co-written by Victor Gregg and now available on Amazon

Victor Gregg 2019 aged 100yrs old

Victor Gregg

Victor Gregg

Remembering Billy Taylor

Remembering Billy Taylor

Remembering Billy Taylor, an ex-4 RGJ member of the London Branch. Mark Newman – former boxer/friend of billy from the Repton Boxing Club.

Billy enlisted into the 4th Battalion the Royal Green Jackets in 1974. He started C Coy when they were originally based at the Cedars at Portway. He later served in G Coy, Anti Tanks and then battalion HQ at Davies Street and was Provo Sergeant in the mid 90’s.

As a veteran he was a very loyal member of the London Branch of the Royal Green Jackets Association, and was one of the first to join when it was formed in 1995.

Over the past 27 years, he attended many Cenotaph parades, social events and battlefield tours. He was a true cockney character who always had a cheeky smile that would lift everyone’s morale.

He was extremely proud of being part of our regimental family, and would wear his regimental tie at any given opportunity.

He was very well known throughout the east end of London having been a great boxer for the famous Repton Club. He was also known as Billy Tango, as he was the first Tango Man in the Tango adverts. He has also appeared in films, such as the recent Harry Potter Film.

Billy will be truly missed by all of his family and friends from the regiment and the boxing community.

Remembering Billy Taylor, the boxer and actor Former Repton boxer and coach Billy Taylor, like his former coach Tony Burns, who passed last year, he dedicated his life to Boxing and coaching boys to National Championship level.

Billy joined the Repton in the mid 60’s and developed his craft and skill at an early age. He lived in Haggerston, East London where he also honed his boxing prowess at local boxing clubs St Monica’s and the Colverston, before going to the Repton.

He was a couple of years older than me and I remember as a novice, watching his skilful ability during sparring sessions and club shows from an early age. His younger brother Brian my old sparring partner was also at the club. When he phoned me from Spain last week to tell me the shocking news, I was absolutely devastated because, like everyone else we thought he was on the mend but Billy obviously kept this hidden by putting on a brave face.

During his senior boxing career at The Repton, Billy went on to win national titles and box at the 1972 Olympics in Munich. He defeated Lachen Magfhour of Morocco, before losing to Jochen Bachfeld of East Germany.

Billy turned professional in 1973 and won all of his five professional fights. He then decided he wanted to pursue a career in acting. He joined the ‘Ugly’ agency and did quite well, starring in many films, adverts such as ‘Tango’ and later movies like Harry Potter.

He also became a boxing coach and trained juniors at the Repton. He coached his Repton boys to National Championship level and produced many junior Champs.

Later-on in life he moved to the Clacton area, where his dad Toshy lived his retired years. It was there that he formed a local boxing club with former Repton Olympian Graham Moughton. That club evolved into St Osyth Boxing club where he coached his boxers right up until his illness and was hospitalised for a long time.

It was in his nature to fight against his illness but to of no avail. He suffered for a long time. His suffering is over as he goes to join his old Repton coach Tony Burns. Rest in Peace old friend we all have fond memories of your larger-than-life personality who loved life.

The Pegasus Bridge Show

Written by former Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Officer, Michael Bawtree and often asked for over the years, here finally is the illustrated text of The Pegasus Bridge Show, first commissioned and performed around the UK in 2008 in aid of The Veterans Charity. Brian Cox

Part One tells the story of Crossing the Channel between Great Britain and the continent of Europe, from 1066 to 1944. Along the way it quotes from the many writers who have written poems about war and battles, from Shakespeare to Tennyson to Wilfred Owen, and it finishes with the exciting runup to D-Day in June 1944, when the largest armada in the history of the world was poised to cross the ‘perilous, narrow ocean’ and invade Normandy.

Part Two tells the story of the famous Pegasus Bridge and Horsa Bridge raid in the early hours of D-Day – the very first operation carried out by a body of Allied troops on that momentous day. As befits a mythic story, it is told in what the author describes as ‘free-cantering verse’, and in a loosely Homeric style. It is followed by an account of the aftermath of the raid, and then a brief verse

epilogue in which a British and a German officer visit the cemetery where many of the raid’s participants on both sides lie buried.

‘It merits an honoured place in epic literature at the highest level. TS Eliot would have been proud’, observes one classical scholar.

Michael Bawtree has produced his fantastic telling of this epic story in book form which is being sold entirely in aid of The Veterans Charity.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Pegasus Bridge Show

Boxer Billy Taylor in the early 70's

Billy Taylor Royal Green Jackets veteran

A book launch was held at the Parade Green Campus on the afternoon of 23 October 2021 to announce a new book:

Michael Bawtree’s, THE PEGASUS BRIDGE SHOW

The dramatic story of the capture of the Pegasus and Horsa Bridges during the opening minutes of D-Day, 1944.

Published by Mereo Books. 2021, £10. Copies of the book were available for sale and a large number of copies were sold in aid of the Veterans Charity.

General Sir Robert Pascoe, KCB, MBE, President of the Veterans Charity who in his early military career was an officer in both the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and Royal Green Jackets, welcomed the guests and spoke about the action at Pegasus Bridge covered by the book. In the very early morning, before the allied landings on the Normandy beaches Major John Howard, DSO, led his company, landing silently in three gliders and successfully captured and held the two bridges near Caen, which were vital to the subsequent allied advance into France.

Mrs. Penny Howard Bates, the daughter of Major Howard and a Trustee of the Veterans Charity, spoke about her regular annual visits to Normandy with parties of veterans and other supporters to

commemorate the capture of these two strategic bridges.

Michael Bawtree was present online displayed on a large screen in the cinema room, from his home some three thousand miles away in Nova Scotia. He spoke about his book and read selections of the text to us. We were also able to ask him questions, speaking with him as if he were present in the room with us.

The event was arranged together with the author by Roy Bailey with the support of our Association Chairman, Major Terry Roper, MBE. Roy has remained in regular contact with the author, having served as an NCO in Lieutenant Bawtree’s platoon during the Cyprus Emergency in the 1950s. During the afternoon bugle calls were sounded by Bugle Major Phillip King of the Oxfordshire (The Rifles) Cadet Force.

The book launch was followed by a sumptuous buffet reception generously provided by the university. Our location was most appropriate since the Oxford Brooks University Students Campus is built on the former site of the Cowley Barracks, which was our Regimental Depot from 1876 to 1958, where many the veterans present at the book launch had completed their basic training, before serving with the regiment overseas.

THE CAP BADGE OF THE ROYAL GREEN JACKETS

Crown

The crown indicates Her Majesty The Queen was Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Green Jackets.

PENINSULA

A battle honour awarded to all three former regiments after the Peninsular War –

The Royal Green Jackets’ major battle honour.

BUGLE HORN

The bugle horn has long since been the symbal of Light Troops in the British Army. All three former regiments have been wearing it since the Peninsular War.

MALTESE CROSS

Both the 60th Rifles and the Rifle Brigade have worn the Maltese Cross since shortly after the Peninsular War.

LAUREL WREATH

The whole badge is encircled with the wreath of victory.

COPENHAGEN 2nd APRIL 1801

Surmounting the naval crown. A battle honour awarded to The Rifle Brigade for the Battle of Copenhagen.

The Royal Green Jackets’ motto “Swift and Bold” is the English translation of the KRRC Latin motto “Celer et Audax”.