Swift & Bold 2022

SWIFT AND BOLD

The Journal of The Royal Green Jackets Association 2022

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Colonel In Chief

The Royal Green Jackets

1966 - 2007

Financial advice for the future you imagine.

Not the other way around

Let’s start a conversation.

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

Foreword by Colonel Carron Snagge OBE DL Chairman

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Welcome to another 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.

Like many I was disappointed to hear the RGJ Council decision that our reunion in Sir John Moore Barracks is to become a biennial event. But being a member of the Council and seeing our accounts in detail I am not surprised, and I believe the decision was prudent. Our investment funds were hit heavily last year, and our costs have also gone up alarmingly. So, if we had gone on with an annual event, the fact is that we would soon run out of money. Making the event biennial means we can survive financially for longer, and there is less pressure on the other events we sponsor and the Council’s support to our Museum. The underlying facts are that Sir John Moore Barracks will one day close and finding the volunteers to make the reunion happen is becoming more and more difficult – and therefore more expensive. The decision to cancel this year’s event was not easy but I think it was right.

Meanwhile the event at the National Memorial Arboretum is less expensive, has better access for members who do not live in the South, has the focus of our regimental memorial and I am sure, it will endure as a well-supported event. Please put 9 September in your diary and look out for the flyers on Swift, our website and Facebook.

Look out also for details of the gathering at Greenstock, which will also go ahead as planned this year, and please support your own branch events.

The Rifleman’s Association (TRA) continues to develop, so please help its branches to find their feet – they are of course our future!

Finally, I welcome Becca Maciejewski as our new Association Secretary. No-one of course can replace Jan Dirk but alongside her husband Brigadier Justin, who is Chief Executive at the National Army Museum, and with her own experience of running the VC & GC Association, she brings with her a huge amount of knowledge and humour.

SWIFT AND BOLD

Welcome to the 2022 digital edition of Swift & Bold which includes articles left out of the hard copy. When I first started to plan this edition almost a year ago the main focus was going to be on Op Granby in which we as a regiment deployed a small contingent and Op Burberry in 1977 where we became budding Fireman Sams for a period of time, but events of 2022 changed the focus of S&B with the sad loss of our Colonel in Chief on 8th September. This has however given the opportunity to Riflemen of all ranks to recall their meeting with Her Majesty across the 41 years of our existence. This also covers the funeral where former Green Jackets played an active role and two Buckingham Palace garden parties, I hope you will enjoy reading the memories of those who have submitted articles covering this.

In addition to the above we have our normal selection of stories and I am grateful to all those who contributed to this part of S&B. You will be aware that in 2023 there is no reunion in Winchester, the decision was not taken lightly as our chairman has already indicated. Following the announcement there was heard a muttering wondering where the funds of the RGJ/RGJA post 2007 had gone, had they been managed properly? Perhaps a shady looking character with a red, green and black striped jumper wearing a mask and

carrying a sack marked SWAG had run off with it in the night? In fact you will be able to read a full and detailed explanation within the regimental history pages of where the funds went and also the ringfenced funds kept for the RGJA use by the Rifles which have been very successfully invested. Please take the time to read it. Full audited accounts are also published each year by our Treasurer, and these can be viewed by logging into the members section of the RGJA website where you will find them under Members/RGJ Association Accounts. I mention this each year and I ask that when a Rifleman goes to the FRV the details are notified to me so that I might keep an up to date list not only for S&B but also on the main RGJA website as this keeps our database accurate and helps prevent emails going to the families of those who have died causing unnecessary distress but once again though this has not happened and as a result the “In Memoriam” list will not be as complete as I would like it to be.

Finally, I would like to thank all those who have once again advertised in S&B or who have kindly donated to the cost of producing this magazine it is very much appreciated. I would also like to thank those directly involved in the production of S&B without whom I couldn’t possibly complete it each year.

Kevin Stevens Editor

Corporate Advertising

CMWM – Charlie Maxwell Solid Sheds – Andy Hayes

Personal Donations

Roy Brown

Barney Vivian

Leslie Thacker

Marius Coulon

Nick Kitson

Rod Le Couilliard

Sidney Jacobs

Chris Pond

Robin Thorne

London Branch RGJA

Alex price

Brian Hill

John Pentreath

Christopher Kemball

Peter Casson-Crook

Ken Gray

Steve Horsley

David Roberts MC

Terry Roper

Anonymous

Chris Gates

North West Branch

Patrick Dalby

DG Wyatt

Chris Hewson

Peter Hewson

John Short

Denis Waters

Simon Adams-Dale

Ted Evelegh

Patrick Mitford-Slade

Roy Timms

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 2023

President Maj Gen James Gordon 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 Rebecca Maciejewska rgjasec@gmail.com

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 – Monthly meetings, contact Len Dooley Len Dooley 01623 239299 for dates and location. 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 John Snell for details of branch John Snell 07931 161433 meetings and events.

North West – Branch temporarily closed.

Oxfordshire – 1st Tuesday of each month.

Sean McEvoy 01606 784288 07590 76828 jjvmcevoy@btinternet.com

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.

The Royal Green Jackets’ Roll of Honour

1966 to 2007

1982

Rfn

25 March

Rfn NP Malakos 2 RGJ Northern Ireland 25 March

Rfn AM Rapley 2 RGJ Northern Ireland 25 March

Cpl RE Armstrong 1 RGJ seconded 22 SAS Falkland Isles 19 May

Cpl ET Walpole 3 RGJ seconded 22 SAS Falkland Isles 19 May

WO2 G Barker 1 RGJ England 20 July

Cpl RA Livingstone 1 RGJ England 20 July

Cpl JR McKnight 1 RGJ England 20 July

Bdsm GJ Mesure 1 RGJ England 20 July

Bdsm KJ Powell 1 RGJ England 20 July

Bdsm LK Smith 1 RGJ England 20 July

Bdsm J Heritage 1 RGJ England 20 July

1983

Rfn DA Grainger 1 RGJ Northern Ireland 10 April

1984

Gnr TP Utteridge 1 RHA Att 3 RGJ Northern Ireland 19 October

1986

Rfn DA Mulley 1 RGJ Northern Ireland 18 March

1987

Lcpl TW Hewitt 1 RGJ Northern Ireland 19 July

Cpl ERP Jedruch 1 RGJ Northern Ireland 31 July

1991

Sjt TJ Ross 1 RGJ Northern Ireland 18 October

Lcpl WJ Harris 2 RGJ Northern Ireland 8 November

Rfn C Williams 2 RGJ Northern Ireland 8 November

Cpl MC Maddocks 3 RGJ Northern Ireland 14 November

Cpl LD Wall 2 RGJ Northern Ireland 12 December

1992

Rfn JS Smith 1 RGJ Northern Ireland 10 August

Rfn RA Davey 1 RGJ Northern Ireland 29 October

1993

Rfn DT Fenley 1 RGJ Northern Ireland 17 February

1995

WO2 KP Theobold 1 RGJ Northern Ireland 2 October

2000

Lcpl DJ Cronin 2 RGJ Kosovo 14 March

2004

Rfn VC Windsor 2 RGJ Attached 1 LI Iraq 21 January

The Royal Green Jackets’ Roll of Honour records the names of all those, including attached personnel and those seconded to other regiments, who have died as a direct result of enemy action, in the act of conducting actions against the enemy or as a result of acts of terrorism since 1966. The names of all those serving in the regiment who have died as a result of accident, illness, during training or from other causes are recorded in the Book of Remembrance, The Light Division Chapel, Sir John Moore Barracks, Winchester.

Regimental Sergeant Majors

1966 to 2007

Translation:

God and my right

Regular Battalions

1 RGJ 2 RGJ 3 RGJ

1966 D Hornblower 1966 B Rimmer 1967 K Car ter

1966 M Kempster 1966 J Fee 1967 W Bagley, DCM

1969 J Price 1968 B Dunwell 1968 F Sainsbury

1970 M Brown 1969 J Norgate 1969 R Cassidy

1972 M Kane 1971 W Taylor 1972 R Taylor

1974 R Brimmer 1974 P Batey 1972 J Wynne

1975 L Chapman 1976 L Looby 1974 E Lilley

1976 D Conway 1978 D Hunt 1976 M Murphy

1978 E Bright, MM 1980 A Lacey 1978 K Gray

1980 S Goddard 1982 K Potter 1980 M Gleeson

1982 R Trower MBE 1984 R Fortune 1983 R Le Couilliard

1984 M Bur ton 1985 D Duncan 1985 T Prosser, LI

1986 T Smith 1987 C Gates 1987 J Mann

1988 J Eley BEM 1989 C Manning 1989 W McWilliams

1990 E Maddocks 1990 G Ball 1991 G Ternent BEM

1991 H Wright

In 1992 1 RGJ was disbanded, 2 RGJ were renumbered 1 RGJ with 3 RGJ being renumbered 2 RGJ

1993 G Brooksby 1993 J McEvoy BEM

1995 P Harding 1995 J Needham BEM

1997 M Robson 1997 P Absolom

1999 W Cochrane 1997 M Lee

2001 M Owen 2002 P Bullard

2003 A Pember ton 2003 R Cutler

2005 M Blackman

2007 J Allen

TAVR and Training Establishments

1966 F Williams Rifle Depot

1966 S Solomon Queens Royal Rifles / 4 (V) RGJ

1967 J Trahearn Oxfordshire Territorials

1968 5 (V) RGJ

L Airy

P Lawless

1969 Rifle Depot

R Cassidy

1969 Rifle Depot

J Wynne

1971 4 (V) RGJ

1971 Rifle Depot

R Taylor

1971 Rifle Depot

T Marsh

1973 Rifle Depot

P Batey

1973 4 (V) RGJ

M Arnold

1974 Rifle Depot

T House

B Scott

1975 4 (V) RGJ

T Honeybell

1976 4 (V) RGJ

R Riglar

1976 Rifle Depot

E Lilley

1977 4 (V) RGJ

R Stanger

1979 4 (V) RGJ

A Bradford

1979 Rifle Depot

D Hunter

1981 4 (V) RGJ

G Evans

1981 Rifle Depot

1983 Light Division Depot Winchester

P TaylorLI

1983 Light Division Depot Shrewsbury

J Condon

1984 4 (V) RGJ

D Kearl

1984 4 (V) RGJ

A Uyl

1985 Light Division Depot Winchester

D BrennanLI

T Fairclough

1985 Light Division Depot Shrewsbury

F Jones

1986 4 (V) RGJ

P Hopkins

1986 5 (V) RGJ

1987 Light Division Depot

M Orchard

1988 4 (V) RGJ

J Cheetham

1989 5 (V) RGJ

B Tollerson

1989 Light Division Depot

M Czepukojc,QGM,LI

1990 4 (V) RGJ

R West

R Gray

1990 Light Division Depot

G Newman

1991 5 (V) RGJ

M SmithLI

1991 Light Division Depot

1992 4 (V) RGJ

C Hitchcock

1992 Light Division Depot

M Bonner

1993 Army Training Regiment Winchester

C Hitchcock

1994 4 (V) RGJ

J Humphrey

1994 5 (V) RGJ

P Harding

P Ibbotson

1995 4 (V) RGJ

G Brooksby

1995 5 (V) RGJ

W LindfieldMM

1996 5 (V) RGJ

1997 4 (V) RGJ

1999

K Brown

I Berry 5 (V) RGJ

All information is taken from the history section of the RGJA website. Should any errors be noted please inform me at: admin@rgjassociation.info Kevin Stevens

What

What became of the funds of the Royal Green Jackets?

There has recently been a question asked:

“What happened to the funds of the RGJ when we merged with the LI, RGBW and DDLI to form the Rifles in 2007”.

I hope the article below will answer the question to the satisfaction of those who have raised the subject.

Some background. In April 1966, it was decided that all charitable funds of the Ox & Bucks, KRRC and RB should be consolidated for the benefit of the RGJ. The following RGJ Regimental Trust Funds were created as a result – the Rifleman’s Aid Society (RAS), the RGJ Consolidated Charitable Fund, the RGJ Officers’ Fund, the RGJ Trust Fund, the RGJ Central Trust Fund, the RGJ Memorial Fund, the RGJ Newdegate Charity and the RGJ Ladies’ Guild.

When it was decided to form The Rifles in 2007 the trustees of all four of the Forming Regiments decided on what they were going to do with their funds. All four regiments agreed to pass over any funds designated for benevolence (the RAS from the RGJ) to The Rifles Benevolent Trust on the understanding that the qualifying needs of all beneficiaries would be met entirely by The Rifles in future. A chart showing benevolence awards in 2022 with a short explanation has been included at the end of this article with an explanation showing the veterans of the forming and all antecedent regiments benefitting, written by Capt (Retd) Ian Foster the Assistant Regimental Secretary Finance at RHQ RIFLES.

The other Regimental Funds were also passed over to The Rifles (The Rifles Regimental Trust (RRT)). However, in the case of the RGJ, it was specified that £1m from the Newdegate Fund would be ring fenced as a Restricted Fund to cover the costs of the continuing RGJ requirements, i.e. the requirements of the RGJ Association (RGJA) and the RGJ Museum. This is being managed under the control of the RGJA Council. The LI and DDLI did something similar.

As at 1 January 2023, the RGJA had spent £768,861 running its activities, over the past 15 years, since the formation of the RIFLES in 2007. This ring-fenced fund has, through sound portfolio investment by the RRT and sensible RGJA fund management, grown to a current (1 January 2023)

investment portfolio valuation of £1,113,584, this despite 2022 asset depreciation due to Covid, Ukraine and the ‘cost of living’ crisis. Grants from our funds are proposed annually by the RGJA Management Committee and these are approved by the RGJA Council each November. The RGJA Council confirmed on 25 November 2022 that it remains the Council’s intention to run the RGJA for as long as its membership wishes, looking at least 30 years hence. In this it is guided by the fact that its former Regiments’ Associations are still in being. It has always been assumed that once there was no longer a need to look after the interests of Former Regiments, any remaining funds would be transferred to The Rifles for the benefit of the serving Regiment.

The Royal Green Jackets’ retired community have not lost out in any way as some believe. Access to benevolence aid is just as available now as ever it was, and this is by initial application to the recognised service agencies/charities such as the Royal British Legion (TRBL) or SSAFA who are all qualified and specialised in benevolence casework. In the first instance, they will produce the immediate review of circumstances and need which will enable RHQ The Rifles to assess what support can or should be offered. RHQ The Rifles can also bring in other charitable support from other sources such as the ABF – The Soldiers Charity if additional help is required. What the RGJA and the Branches can also do is to inform any cases brought to their attention of the correct route to pursue should benevolence support be requested or required. If in doubt RHQ The Rifles can always provide first-hand advice.

There is also a popular misconception that the Rifleman’s Aid Society funds were/are there to pay for Reunions. This has never been the case. In the old days when we occupied Peninsula Barracks, we could call upon the Regiment to support our activities more or less for free. But now Peninsula Barracks and Sir John Moore Barracks are no longer

a Green Jacket preserve and we can only use them because of our historic association with Winchester which is set out in a Charter updated in 2009. The money to pay for this is found from the Restricted ring-fenced fund described above. In addition, an annual grant is allocated to the RGJ Museum. Other costs include the costs of our Association Website, repairs and maintenance to our RGJ Memorials and other unforeseen costs (other than benevolence) which are ours to meet and in the best interests of our old Regiment and its surviving members.

It should also be noted that our treasurer, Major (Retd) Michael Leeming, produces a full financial statement each year showing the incoming and outgoing monies for the RGJA which is audited and

In 2022 The Rifles Benevolent Trust disbursed individual grants totalling £414,622.72 to 620 beneficiaries from a total of 697 applications of these 77 were declined. The main reasons for a case being declined was that the application was either out of scope of The Rifles Benevolent Trust or the need has already been met. The average amount disbursed per case was £668.75.

662 cases were for veterans and 35 were for serving Riflemen and 46 of the cases in 2022 came under Care for Casualties which accounted for £52,965.25 being disbursed.

A total of £43,002.87 was disbursed via 149 cases for mental health related cases. The majority of these were linked to the Always a Rifleman

What became of the funds of the Royal Green Jackets?

approved, and which can be found on the RGJA website.

I have tried to keep this as short as possible and not duplicate the letter written by Mr Simon BoothMason in 2014, which explained what happened to the Rifleman’s Aid Society. I am grateful to the past and current President of the RGJA and to the RGJA Treasurer for help in fact checking this article. I hope Swift & Bold readers will be reassured that the RGJ funds were disposed of in a proper manner and the money ring-fenced for the RGJA has also been properly invested by the Rifles Trust and managed on our behalf by the RGJA Council.

Kevin Stevens | February 2023

Programme (AARP); in addition a further £26,000 in individual grants were made under AARP.

Welfare grants to support Regular and Reserve Battalions were also made totalling £53,200. In addition to the benevolence available via the case working charities and the Always a Rifleman Programme, we ran a Tesco voucher scheme, which enabled our Riflemen to apply for £100 Tesco voucher to help with the cost-of-living crisis. £200,000 was allocated to two separate tranches of vouchers, enabling both serving Riflemen and veterans to apply for up to £200 in Tesco vouchers. This scheme sits outside of standard benevolence and can be applied for via Swift.

Ian Foster | February 2023

The War Pension Scheme

A compensation scheme for veterans for any injury or illness which has been caused by or made worse by their service in His Majesty’s Armed Forces.

Throughout our 41 years existence Riflemen of all ranks were injured in conflicts around the globe. A little advertised scheme exists to compensate them for their injuries this is called the War Pension Scheme.

The War Pension Scheme (WPS) compensates for any injury, illness or death which was caused by service before 6 April 2005. There is a different scheme in place for injuries post 2005. There are two main types of WPS awards. Which one is awarded depends on the level of your disablement:

• A gratuity is a lump sum payment for disablement less than 20%

• A pension is an ongoing payment paid weekly or monthly for disablement more than 20%.

How to make a claim

To make a claim, search on line for Armed Forces Compensation or the War Pension page. There are no time limits for claiming, but any award will only be paid from the date of your claim.

became of the funds of the Royal Green Jackets?

Did you know that Care for Casualties is part of The Rifles Benevolent Trust?

The Trust Also Supports:

Joanne Booth-Mason Memorial Fund/The Rifles Charity GOLF DAY

Background

Joanne Booth-Mason died suddenly in August 2011 from kidney failure and pancreatitis, aged 54.

After she gave up running her own business in 2005 and, whilst continuing to run the Woking Branch of Cats Protection, she worked part time for five years for an American living in London running his charitable trust. This American was a Vietnam Green Beret Officer who served on long-range reconnaissance in Vietnam who subsequently went into banking and had a very successful career. Joanne much enjoyed working for this American and when Joanne died, he very kindly gave our Deputy Chairman Simon Booth-Mason £20,000 to set up a charity in her name.

The fundraising event

Care for Casualties Always a Rifleman Programme

Please help raise money through the Joanne Booth-Mason Memorial Fund, in support of The Rifles, Care for Casualties Appeal and its ‘Always A Rifleman’ mental health programme (AARP).

Joanne’s American boss has offered 1:1 match funding up to £10,000 on whatever is raised on the event or any event through her fund:

GOLF DAY: Woking Golf Club Pond Road, Woking, Surrey GU22 0JZ

Veterans from Antecedent and Forming Regiments Welfare

The Rifles was created in 2007 and they suffered heavily in Iraq and Afghanistan with 62 Riflemen killed in action and over 300 with serious injuries including 31 who lost limbs. Therefore, Joanne's fund was initially set up to help those falling under the Care For Casualties (C4C) appeal and subsequently the Always A Rifleman Program (AARP) dealing with Mental Health/PTSD/Suicide. Her Fund, which has helped 90 Riflemen since it started, is a restricted sub fund under The Rifles Benevolent Trust (Charity No. 1119071).

DATE: Tuesday 29 August 2023

FORMAT: The cost will be £150 per person for nonWoking Golf Club members which includes coffee and bacon rolls on arrival, 09:30 hrs morning shot gun start involving 22 teams of four, a 4BBB team competition with two best scores to apply, two course lunch followed by short briefing on AARP and then prizes auction/raffle etc.

Donations can be made by visiting the Just Giving page at:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/simonbooth-mason

I and The Rifles appreciate any support you can give – thank you.

Royal Green Jackets website

Your association website has had a number of new features added

Obituaries

Under the members section on the menu you will find a link to view a (sadly) growing list of obituaries. If you have an obituary on a former Green Jacket that you would like added, please email it to: obituaries@royalgreenjackets.co.uk

The Chronicle

Photo Gallery

It has been made even simpler for you to upload photographic memories. So search out those old pictures hidden away in a dusty cupboard. Scan them and then upload to the Photo Gallery.

News

Tesco Food Vouchers

Members will recall that the chronicle listed all serving Green Jacket officers in that year. It has never been possible to cross reference all those entries to view an individual officer’s chronicle entries on one page... until now. Check out the chronicle section (on the members menu). You can also see the orbat for a battalion as listed for any year. Give it a try!

We've always struggled to get members to tell us interesting news about what they've been up to. If you run an association branch and have an event, please take some photos, write a small article and email it to: news@royalgreenjackets.co.uk

If you have any ideas for how the website can be improved please contact the webmaster.

Serving Riflemen

THE TRUST IS HERE TO HELP

Simon Booth-Mason Deputy Chairman RGJA

YOU!

The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum

Visitors

With the Museum closed for the first five months of 2021 due to Covid, it was good to start 2022 with a series of group visits. These were from a wide range of organisations and it was encouraging to see the local Scouts and Beavers groups in the Museum learning about the history of the Regiment.

There has been an increase in younger visitors with a rise in school visits throughout the year. In November over 300 children came to the Museum learning about the development of military uniform, WWI, and Remembrance; we also held two Arts Award sessions in the same month.

The Museum now has regular visits from those serving with The Rifles who are keen to find out more about their heritage. A total of 1,340 serving and potential Riflemen visited in 2022. As always, the RGJ veterans are regular visitors and great supporters with the RGJ Reunion in July being one of the high points in the Museum's calendar.

Large numbers visited Peninsula Barracks last year providing a welcome peak in shop sales. This year will see a break from the annual event with the RGJ Reunion at Winchester now being held on alternate years.

Summer Exhibition

The temporary exhibition “Women and the Regiment, Military Lives of Victorian Wives” opened on 21 May in the Kincaid Gallery and ran throughout the summer. The exhibition focused on the experiences of the wives of soldiers serving in the 1800’s. The Museum has within the archive collection journals from the period, some of which were on display. The centrepiece of the exhibition was a dress decorated with beetle wings that belonged to Barbara FitzHenry, the wife of William FitzHenry who served with the 60th Rifles in India. The dress was loaned from the West Highland Museum, Fort William and The RGJ (Rifles) Museum was most grateful to Vanessa Martin, the Curator, for assisting with the loan. The Trustees would also like to thank our researcher Blair Southerden for his work providing supporting information for the exhibition.

Recent Acquisitions

Among the objects donated to the Museum last year were the medals to Lieutenant JW MacAlpine who served with the 7th Battalion The Rifle Brigade

during the Second World War, Lieut. MacAlpine was awarded the Military Cross for his actions on 23 August 1945 leading the advance into Poggio Renatica in Italy.

The citation for the award concludes:

“Throughout this action, which lasted continuously for more than twelve hours, Lieut. MacAlpine set a magnificent example to his platoon of courage, leadership and tireless energy. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to all ranks.”

The Trustees would like to thank John MacAlpine’s widow for the kind donation.

Also donated last year was the silver statuette of a buffalo that was presented to Colonel Alfred Dunstan-Adams OBE, MC, TD, the founder and first Commanding Officer of the Kenya Regiment. The statuette was donated to the Museum together with the Colonel's silver topped cane and is now on

Volunteers

The Museum has the support of a team of dedicated volunteers who help with various tasks; from Front of House to school visits and research. Last summer we sadly lost one of our team, Tony Smith. Tony was regularly on duty at the front desk,

meeting and greeting visitors as they came through the door. He was a keen history buff and supported several charities as well as the Museum. Tony passed away in July. We have also said goodbye to Albert Storey, who volunteered at the Museum until a couple of years ago. Both will be greatly missed.

We have welcomed two new members to the team this year, both of whom served with the Regiment –thank you for your support.

Evening Talks

Recent talks at the museum have included some excellent advice on researching medals, the story of Michael Ross who escaped and fought with Italian partisans, and a fascinating account of how military tactics have been used to help save the Rhino in South Africa. The talk on 23 March, was given by Brigadier Vere Hayes on the ‘Red Fox’ of Colditz.

A big thank you to those who visited the Museum last year, attended our evening talks, volunteered at the Museum or made donations to support us. We are still looking for volunteers to help us sort out photographs from the Green Jacket years – please get in touch with the curator if you think you can help. We look forward to seeing you again soon.

Brigadier (Retd) James Plastow CBE

Chair RGJ (Rifles) Museum Trust

Mrs Christine Pullen

Curator RGJ (Rifles) Museum curator@rgjmuseum.co.uk 01962 828549

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum

The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum

The beetle wing dress loaned from the West Highland Museum on display in The RGJ Museum earlier this year

Medals awarded to Lieutenant JW MacAlpine, Rifle Brigade

Silver statuette donated to the Museum by the Dunstan-Adam’s family

Memories of the Queen

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Colonel In Chief, The Royal Green Jackets 1966 - 2007

Major Jeremy Russell

When the late Queen died unexpectedly in September, four Green Jacket Officers were called upon to participate in Operation London Bridge. (Maj Gen) Jamie Gordon as an officer of the now King’s Bodyguard for Scotland, The Royal Company of Archers, (Col) Johnny Schute as an officer of The Yeoman of the Guard and (brig) Justin Maciejewski and (Maj) Jeremy Russell as Gentlemen at Arms.

In Scotland, while St Giles’ Cathedral was being readied for the Queen’s Lying at Rest and associated services, Jamie practised the mounting of the vigil while the Bearer Party practised carrying the coffin and the choir rehearsed. As with all good military operations, amongst this seeming total confusion, we all managed to get a reasonable idea of the duties entailed. Jamie Gordon ‘marched’ on, and then off the King and his siblings when they conducted their vigil. He later was the second in command of the Guard of Honour for when the Queen left St Giles for Edinburgh Airport.

In England the first major event the Bodyguards were involved in was the address by the King to both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall. Jeremy led the Gentlemen at Arms into a silent chamber, and they took up their positions directly behind the two thrones. It was a very poignant moment when over 1,000 voices sung our National Anthem. The Lying in State started on the

Wednesday and we were involved in all of the 20 Vigils, either standing vigil on the catafalque or as the Officer of the Watch, tapping our sticks every 20 minutes to instigate the changeover.

Jamie Gordon stood the last vigil before the Queen was carried out to the Gun Carriage. He relates:

“Once the last visitors had left Westminster Hall and the cleaners had done their job, it was just the late Queen, me as the vigil commander on the balcony overlooking the Hall, 4 x Guardsmen, 4 x Archers, 4 x Warders and the reserve officer, or my runner behind me in the Hall. It was silent, still, peaceful

and very moving. I then noticed that one of the large candles was guttering badly when, suddenly, the wick with a large amount of wax fell out on to the carpet and continued burning. I thought it would go out, but as it did not and I imagined that an unplanned, impromptu cremation of the Queen, together with the 900 year-old Westminster Hall, in a flaming Viking like funeral was not part of the overall ceremony, I sent the ‘runner’ down to stamp it out. This he did, and peace returned.”

After a night-time rehearsal for the Procession, the three Bodyguards were formed up beside to Gun Carriage for the march to Westminster Abbey for the State Funeral. Once that was over the Procession moved off towards Wellington Arch. The crowds were silent, and the only sound was the bands ahead of us. Our final act was to stand guard, as the coffin was removed from the gun carriage and transferred to the hearse for the drive to Windsor where Justin was in St Georges Chapel for the final committal. It was a poignant and memorable day in which we were honoured to play a small part in.

In addition to the article from Jeremy’s Russell and Jamie’s article above I also received further information from Johnny Schulte explaining that there was in fact several other members of the RGJ and RIFLES present throughout both parts of the ceremonies.

In addition to those already mentioned there was Maj Gen William Wright CBE who is the Military Secretary and also General Officer Commanding Scotland LI, RGJ and RIFLES, Capt Alexander Schute RIFLES and Steve Kentish were all involved.

Lt Col Peter Chamberlin

After the Queen’s Review of Berlin Brigade on the Maifeld, Berlin on Thursday 27 May 1965 Cpl Hobbs (I think then CO’s driver?) and I went to the English Garden to be presented to HM as Battalion reps. She had already passed me by when the photo was taken but you can see my back view! She had clearly loved the parade when we doubled past to the delight of the German audience.

Her Majesty visits Alexander Barracks Cyprus

In November 1993, I was CO in Alexander Barracks, Dhekelia, Eastern Sovereign Base Area, Cyprus. She was attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference in Nicosia and the Royal Yacht Britannia was anchored off our mess looking magnificent. As our Colonel in Chief she was keen to visit her Regiment, but the Royal Party was short

HM visited the Regiment in Celle in May 1984 and I took a representative party, mostly the Free Fall Team, from the Depot, recently converted from the Rifle Depot to Light Division Depot (South). Tom Hamilton-Baillie appears in the background on the right and my wife on the left.

Farewell Reception for HM as Colonel-in-Chief held in St James’s Palace on 10 October 2006. As Regimental Secretary I was introduced to HM by the Colonel Commandant, Maj Gen Nick Cottam on the left. She asked what I was going to do when the Regiment ceased to exist. I was able to tell her that this coincided with my own retirement at 65. Looking on are the Deputy Colonel Commandant (TA & Cadets), Colonel The Right Hon Sir Geoffrey Pattie, and my wife (same one as above!)

of time so it was arranged that they should come to the Officers’ Mess to meet a selected number of Riflemen and their wives. They were in great form, which was surprising as their Rolls-Royce had been pelted earlier in the day with rotten tomatoes and eggs in Nicosia where the local population were not so keen on British royalty. They spent nearly two hours taking tea and talking to those assembled, and as I escorted her through the Mess at the end of the visit to sign the visitors-book she spotted her portrait painted by Denis Fyldes, and those of her father painted by the same artist. She told me that sitting for him was “an awful bore” so she asked one of her ladies-in-waiting to dress up in her clothes and act as a mannequin for him until he got to the bit where he needed to paint her head. She was, as you can imagine, delightful and completely relaxed, and obviously pleased to be amongst her proud Rifleman rather than the bolshy people of Nicosia.

Picture attached taken by Capt Tim Chapman, Recce Platoon Commander as no official photographers were present.

Public Duties and HM The Queen

Brigadier Christopher Dunphie MC

Public Duties is not a natural game for Riflemen, but, as always, they rose to the occasion. As our first Buckingham Palace Guard marched on, the crowd, used to the ponderous speed of Guardsmen marching, caught the ‘urgency’ of the approaching band and surged forward for a closer look. Standing in the crowd I heard the leading, mounted policeman, shout: “Stand back – this lot’s on skateboards”.

It was during Public Duties that it occurred to me that since we were guarding our Colonel-in-Chief, she might like to pay us an informal visit.

I phoned the Crown Equerry, Lt Col Blair StewartWilson (Scots Guards, but brother of Colonel Ralph Stewart-Wilson of RB fame). Expecting a short reply that The Queen’s diary filled up years in advance, I was surprised by his reply: “I’ll ask her” – and even more surprised by a phone call a couple of days later to say that she would love to come for a quiet drink in the Officers Mess at St James’s Palace one evening.

A small party of about 30 officers, warrant officers, sergeants and their wives greatly enjoyed a relaxed hour with our Colonel-in-Chief, who was in sparkling form. As she was about to leave, I asked whether she would like to visit the Guardroom and meet the Rifleman who did the serious work of guarding her. She agreed enthusiastically and told me that she had never been in the Guardroom: “The Brigade of Guards have never invited me there”. Of course, she chatted up the Riflemen splendidly, enjoying the typically relaxed good humour of the Riflemen as much as they enjoyed meeting her.

Standing by her car, as she was about to leave, were two buglers in ‘full array’, Bgr Larry Roberts, my bugler, and Bgr Liam Scully. Surprised at differences in their dress, she sought an explanation and was told about the privileges, duties and dress of the CO’s bugler and the annual battalion bugle competition.

She turned to Roberts and said: “You must be a very good bugler”. Since he was also the Light Division’s leading soloist, he was indeed a very good bugler, so it was perhaps foolish of me to interject: “Please, Ma’am, don’t tell him that; we’ve got to live with him – he’ll be quite impossible”. A wicked glint came into her eye as she knew that she had ‘hooked a stupid fish’. “Isn’t he a very good bugler?”

“A mumbled: “Yes, Ma’am, and he’s an outstanding bugler” was followed by “Then why shouldn’t I tell

him?” – to which there could be no reply. With a cheerful laugh she jumped into her car and drove off. I was busy congratulating myself on a splendid visit when an elbow hit me in the ribs. Bgr Roberts: “That put you in your place didn’t it, sir; I think you were bloody lucky not to end up in the Tower”.

Some years later, as a member of The Queen’s Bodyguard for Scotland, Royal Company of Archers, I met the Queen again and told her of Larry Roberts’ splendid comment. She laughed: “I think he’s right –I clearly missed a trick there”.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Bgr Larry Roberts

WO2 Alan Jones

I was privileged to meet ‘the Boss’ when she visited the 1st Bn at Dover in 1975. I was at the Rifle Depot at the time but was picked to attend the lunch with Linda, my wife. We were obviously both honoured to be presented to the Colonel in Chief on a very memorable day and we were both careful to follow the strict instructions we had been given.

My two abiding memories of the day, however, were not involved with the Queen directly. The first was

Gary Cootes

On the ‘85 Celle visit 2 RGJ were tasked to show the Queen a battlegroup attack on the training area near Celle. Along with tanks of 3 RTR we practised long and hard to make sure the attack would be exciting. It was decided that the Queen would sit in a glass viewing platform actually on the area and the attack would pass either side of her so she would be right in the middle of it and experience the real thing.

On the day the attack went off well although I had been removed to carry out some other boring duty in the refreshment tent instead of carrying out my real platoon Sgt role!

I know that it was impressive with the Queen watching head on as first the recce vehicles were ‘bumped’ and then the Chieftain tanks coming into contact with loads of bangs. And then the highlight of the 432’s with the Riflemen on board charging forward with the tanks to commence the attack.

getting on the train at Waterloo with a lot of other people where the ladies were very well dressed in posh dresses with hats and handbags but the men with them looked a scruffy lot. That was until we got to Ashford when there was a great rush for the toilets and all these scruffy men suddenly transformed into very smartly turned-out Riflemen of every rank up to, I think, Lt Col.

The second memory was of talking to General Sir John Mogg when we were all having coffee in the marquee after the lunch before the official photos were taken. We had coffee in small coffee cans but had to use teaspoons to stir it with. Sir John couldn't cope with the teaspoon in the very small saucer and muttering Rifleman-like curses he tossed it into the corner of the marquee. We were all waiting for someone to tell him off but then who does tell a General off, except his wife of course.

so she really had a close up of the tanks passing by right next to her and the lads in all their infantry ‘glory’.

The Queen was then treated to an all ranks lunch in a marque on the training area.

In the evening there was a do in the WO’s and Sgts mess and the photo below shows us being presented to the Queen. I couldn’t resist asking her if she enjoyed the battlegroup attack and her face lit up and she said she thought it was very exciting and interesting. She added she only normally saw the vehicles all painted and cleaned so it was really nice to see them doing what they were designed for.

The lads de-bussed and fought through the area where the Queen was

I’m sure the Queen had a great day and all the Bn’s did great work making the day very special for her. A highlight must have been the 3 RGJ 432 on the square with about 15 guys on board depicting Regimental life including an RP and prisoner with ball and chain and ending with one of the wives and a child getting out!

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The day I ‘nearly’ met The Queen

John Harper

In May 2010, I received a letter and on the envelope it said in bold blue letters ‘Buckingham Palace’ Wow! I thought, at long last my knighthood or at the very least and OBE or MBE.

Nah! No such luck, but nevertheless, it was an invite to have tea with the Queen. Well actually I am stretching the truth a little bit because my wife and I would be sharing the occasion with about a thousand others. Yes! you have guessed it – the good old Garden Party.

Despite the feelings of great pleasure and pride at our invitation, the reality of the situation meant that all of a sudden I had to think about getting a new suit, shoes, shirt and regimental tie, plus of course the wife just had to have a new hat and outfit too. That in itself is another story.

Anyway, the big day comes around, and in truth we couldn’t have wished for a better day weather wise as it was very warm and gloriously sunny. We arrived in London at about 11.30am, but as it was still a little early to present ourselves to at the palace gates we decided to have a walk around Regents Park and grab a cuppa and a bite to eat.

Making our leisurely was back to the gates afterwards we suddenly realized we had made a mistake because now the queue to get in was hallway around the palace! Nevertheless, we

Opening of the Royal Green Jackets Museum

Antony Karslake

On 1 December 1989 Her Majesty the Queen accepted an invitation to open the new Royal Green Jackets Museum at Peninsula Barracks which brought together the collections of the 43rd/52nd, the Kings Royal Rifle Corps and the Rifle Brigade.

After a formal welcome the Queen was escorted round the museum by the senior officers of the Regiment, led by Major General Giles Mills, who had overseen the new presentation and she was shown many of the most prized exhibits.

Among these was a miniature shooting range with an electronic replica of the Baker rifle, with

joined the queue, and about an hour later we found ourselves crunching across the gravel courtyard. Thoughts going through my head at this point – the courtyard could do with a bit of a clean-up and a spot of paint here and there wouldn’t go amiss!

After going through the identification process and following everyone else through the palace to the gardens we eventually, and without a word being spoken lined ourselves up along the long gravel pathway which circles the garden. The plan being of course was the queen would walk along this path to meet her subjects. What was nice was that William and Kate were in attendance with her too.

Still standing in line and getting ever more excited whilst waiting to speak to the Queen, we were surprised, and I have to say, more than a little disappointed to see that before she had even reached our position to see her suddenly diverted away to the royal buffet marquee. The only consolation was that after making our way to the public buffet marquee we had the best sandwich, cake and cup of tea ever followed by another leisurely stroll around the gardens.

Overall impression. Well despite the disappointment of not actually getting to meet the Queen, Wills or Kate, it was nevertheless good to see how the other half lived what with gold taps, beautiful smellies, flowers everywhere, and the most expensive carpet I have ever seen – and that was only in the toilets! And of course, great pride in simply just being there as a member of our branch. A wonderful occasion all in all and something to remember forever.

which the Rifle Regiments had been equipped in the Napoleonic campaigns, and a panorama of a battlefield with model French skirmishers advancing. Her Majesty was shown how to fire the rifle and invited to try a shot. She pulled the trigger, and nothing happened. After a few moments’ embarrassed silence, she said: “It’s fallen out”. No-one understood what she meant so she said again: “It’s fallen out”. Then the penny literally dropped and the coin which had been put in the slot was seen on the floor; it was a foreign one and the mechanism had rejected it.

I would like to say that the officers present reacted with proper Green Jacket calm, but Her Majesty broke into peals of laughter typical of her well-known sense of humour and had obviously immensely enjoyed the incident.

The day the Queen almost met me!

Kevin Stevens

It was October 1991 and I was once more a civilian again. On this particular day although I was now manager/Controller of my own bus garage I was doing a bit of overtime driving the coach from Oxford to London following the route of the River Thames through Abingdon, Wallingford, Henley and Maidenhead before joining the M4 and heading into London via Heathrow Airport. All had gone well, and I was on time as I left Heathrow for the last leg of the journey.

As I rejoined the M4 I remember thinking to myself the motorway was very quiet London bound. As I reached the elevated section, I found to my surprise I had now been joined by a policeman on a motorbike waving me to speed up.

Now it doesn’t pay to disobey the Old Bill, so I dutifully sped up a touch. He was not happy with

that and indicated I should go even faster. Dropping down from the elevated section I found the next set of traffic lights were red, but I was told to keep going, I also noticed that there were police bikes or cars holding the traffic at the lights giving me a clear passage through. This happened two or three times until I pulled off at Hammersmith.

My new best friend now got off his bike and boarded the coach. “Why didn’t you stop at the slip road at Heathrow until told to go?” he asked terribly politely – not! I gave him my best confused look and said no one was there to tell me to do so. He then explained to me that I had got inside the purple corridor which is apparently a secure area designated for Royalty when on official duties. The queen in her official car was bearing down on me rapidly and had to be slowed down quite a bit until they got rid of the troublesome coach in front of her.

Little wonder the M4 was so quiet!!

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Memories of the Queen Memories of the Queen

Her Majesty The Queen lying at rest in St Giles' Cathedral Edinburgh

Buckingham Palace taking place on 29 May 2019. Without hesitation that was there was anybody else from the Association Committee that would appr I had in September 2018 met up again with Hugh Goudge (Albert, of course, to National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas for the annual NI Veterans gathering. when, as a very young subaltern, I was commanding 11 platoon, Letter C Company, Albert was posted back to the Battalion to become my platoon Serjeant. 4 Albert to join me, as membership secretary, on the RGJ Association committee.

QEII’s Last Garden Party – with Albert!

Michael Leeming

In the early spring 2019 I received a call from JanDirk VM asking if I, together with Mrs Leeming, would like to attend the Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace taking place on 29 May 2019. Without hesitation that was agreed upon and then J-D asked if there was anybody else from the Association Committee that would appreciate the same invitation. As it happened, I had in September 2018 met up again with Hugh Goudge (Albert, of course, to everybody in the Regiment) at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas for the annual NI Veterans gathering.

29 May 2019, Hugh and Julia Goudge met up with Marisabel and I at the Cavalry for a light lunch, before walking across Green Park to join the long security q Party.

Fast wind-back to late June 1976 when, as a very young subaltern, I was commanding 11 platoon, Letter C Company, 1 RGJ with the UN in Cyprus and Albert was posted back to the Battalion to become my platoon Serjeant. 40 odd years later and I had just persuaded Albert to join me, as membership secretary, on the RGJ Association committee.

At the Cavalry & Guards Club

At exactly 4.30pm the royal party returned to the Palace; but most of the guests lingered on, absorbing the last the chance to be in such a famous place, which in hindsight proved to be a

It was an overcast afternoon and rain was threatening, but we were buoyed up with enthusiasm and the possibility that if any Green Jacket Gentlemen at Arms (Russel they would recognise us and guided to a place above our allocated

And so, it was that on Wednesday 29 May 2019, Hugh and Julia Goudge met up with Marisabel and I at the Cavalry & Guards Club at 127 Piccadilly, for a light lunch, before walking across Green Park to join the long security queue for the Queens May 2019 Garden Party.

It was an overcast afternoon and rain was threatening, but we were buoyed up with enthusiasm (plus umbrellas) and the possibility that if any Green Jacket Gentlemen at Arms (Russell, Chamberlain or Maciejewski) were on duty they would recognise us and guided to a place above our allocated station!

Tea, sandwiches and cakes were set out in immaculate fashion for the 800 guests to feast upon in the marques, which was fortunate as rain showers on a couple of occasion drove us to seek shelter.

Exactly at 3pm the Royal Party emerged behind Her Majesty and slowly wondered through the crowds to the Royal and Diplomatic enclosure. Sadly, with no Green Jacket Gentlemen at Arms, to our knowledge, on parade we were not able to gain entry to the VIP enclosure!

We spent a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon in great company, wondering around the lake and appreciating the perfectly manicured gardens. You would simply not know you were in the heart of London – well apart from the noise of the traffic driving up constitution Hill!

Tea, sandwiches and cakes were set out in immaculate fashion for the 800 guests to marques, which was fortunate as rain showers on a couple of occasion drove us to seek 3pm the Royal Party emerged behind Her Majesty and slowly wondered through the and Diplomatic enclosure. Sadly, with no Green Jacket Gentlemen at Arms, to our knowledge, we were not able to gain entry to the VIP enclosure!

Tea, sandwiches and cakes were set out in immaculate fashion for the 800 guests to feast upon in marques, which was fortunate as rain showers on a couple of occasion drove us to seek shelter. Exactly 3pm the Royal Party emerged behind Her Majesty and slowly wondered through the crowds to the and Diplomatic enclosure. Sadly, with no Green Jacket Gentlemen at Arms, to our knowledge, on we were not able to gain entry to the VIP enclosure!

We spent a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon in great company, wondering around the appreciating the perfectly manicured gardens. You would simply not know you were – well apart from the noise of the traffic driving up constitution Hill!

We spent a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon in great company, wondering around the lake and appreciating the perfectly manicured gardens. You would simply not know you were in the heart – well apart from the noise of the traffic driving up constitution Hill!

Leeming & Goudge teaming up again after 40 years

HM at what was to be her final Garden Party

HM at what was to be her final Garden Party

At exactly 4.30pm the royal party returned to the Palace; but most of the guests lingered last the chance to be in such a famous place, which in hind sight proved to be a wise be Her Majesty’s final garden party in London – complete with Albert!

At exactly 4.30pm the royal party returned to the Palace; but most of the guests lingered on, absorbing last the chance to be in such a famous place, which in hind sight proved to be a wise move as this be Her Majesty’s final garden party in London – complete with Albert!

of Edinburgh not available

Julia Goudge enjoying the Garden Party. Marisabel Leeming wanting to speak Despite the rain (but Duke

Julia Goudge enjoying the Garden Party. Marisabel Leeming wanting to speak to the gardener Despite the rain (but Duke of Edinburgh not available!)

Julia Goudge enjoying the Garden Party, despite the rain Marisabel Leeming wanting to speak to the gardener (but Duke of Edinburgh not available!)

HM at what was to be her final Garden Party ...and Harry before South Park

At the Cavalry & Guards Club

Michael Leeming and Hugh Goudge teaming up again after 40 years

Messages exchanged between the Colonel-in-Chief, The

Deputy Colonel-in-Chief

and The

Regimental Colonel Commandant on the formation of the Royal Green Jackets on 1 January 1966 and on the merger with The Rifles on 1 February 2007

1966

From the Regimental Colonel Commandant FIELD MARSHAL SIR FRANCIS FESTING, GCB KBE DSO to Her Majesty The Queen.

On the occasion of the formation of The Royal Green Jackets, the Colonels Commandant and all Ranks of The Rifle Depot (The Royal Green Jackets), The 1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd), 2nd Battalion The Royal Green Jackets (The King’s Royal Rifle Corps), and 3rd Battalion The Royal Green Jackets (The Rifle Brigade), send to your Majesty their humble duty and loyal greeting and express their deep appreciation of the honour your Majesty is doing them in becoming their Colonel-in-Chief.

From the Regimental Colonel Commandant to Field Marshal H.R.H. The Duke of Gloucester, KG KT KP GMB GCMG GCVO

On the occasion of the formation of The Royal Green Jackets, the Colonels Commandant and all ranks of The Rifle Depot (The Royal Green Jackets), The 1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets (43rd & 52nd), 2nd Battalion The Royal Green Jackets (The King’s Royal Rifle Corps) and 3rd Battalion

The Royal Green Jackets (The Rifle Brigade), send to your Royal Highness their humble duty and loyal greeting and express their deep appreciation of the honour your Royal Highness is doing them in becoming their Deputy Colonel-in-Chief.

From Her Majesty The Queen to the Regimental Colonel Commandant.

Please convey to all ranks of The Royal Green Jackets my warm thanks for their kind and loyal message which I greatly appreciate.

I send my best wishes to you all for your future service in your new Regiment of which I am glad to be Colonel-in-Chief.

2007

From Major General N J Cottam OBE

Please convey to Her Majesty The Queen the continuing loyalty and thanks of the Royal Green Jackets, on the occasion of their departure from the Army List, for Her generous direction and support as Colonel in Chief. Her Majesty’s encouragement and interest in all the riflemen of The Royal Green Jackets, down the years, has been very gratefully

received. Most recently, the warmth of Her Majesty’s engagement with all ranks of riflemen at the farewell regimental reception at St James’s Palace last October was greatly appreciated by everyone present.

In addition, Her Majesty’s special Christmas message to Her Armed Forces touched many hearts and was very well received, including by Her riflemen.

On 1 February all the serving riflemen of The Royal Green Jackets proudly take their place in The Rifles. They, and all who have served before, join in wishing Her Majesty well, confident that the new regiment shall be one which will serve Her Majesty with as much loyalty and spirit as have Her Green Jackets.

From Christopher Geidt

Thank you for your letter of 31 January which I have shown to The Queen. Her Majesty was most grateful for your expression of the continuing loyalty of the Royal Green Jackets and for your kind sentiments. In return, The Queen has asked me to renew to you all her warmest good wishes for the future.

Yours sincerely

Christopher Geidt Esq

Private Secretary to Her Majesty The Queen

Anthony Hoare

I was presented my Queens Gallantry Medal by Her Majesty The Queen at Buckingham Palace in 1989 for services in NI.

I was serving with D Sqn 22 SAS at the time but was on the 2 RGJ nominal role as the inscription bears witness.

Memories of the Queen Memories of the Queen

Royal inspection Winchester 1967 Dover sign – George Nash

London Branch

– 28th Anniversary Year –

The Committee

Honorary President Colonel George Smythe OBE

Secretary Gary Driscoll

Treasurer Maria Driscoll

Norman Morrison

Another great year for the London Branch. We managed to squeeze in ten events, which included the memorial service for Sir John Moore, held at St. Pauls Cathedral in January; our annual Ladies dinner night at the Victory Services Club in March; the QVR, KRRC and RB 2nd World War Memorial Service in Calais in May; the Rifles Sounding Retreat at Horse Guards in June; our Veterans lunch also in June; the Regents Park band memorial service in July; a battlefield tour of Normandy in September; the field of remembrance service at Westminster in November; the service and march past the Cenotaph also in November, and finally our Christmas lunch in December.

Our membership is currently at 210, made up of veterans from all five battalions.

We continue to strive to keep the branch annual membership at £15, which allows our members to receive regular newsletters and information of upand-coming events.

Once a year in January, a memorial service is held in St Paul’s Cathedral, to mark the anniversary of the death of Lieutenant-General Sir John Moore, KB, who died in January 1809 at the Battle of Corunna in Northern Spain. At 5:30pm, following Evensong, a short service takes place in the front of Sir John Moore’s memorial. The service is attended by regular and reserve soldiers from the Rifles, as well as veterans from the antecedent regimental associations. Regimental poppy wreaths are laid followed by the sounding of the Last Post and Reveille by either serving buglers from the Rifles or ex buglers from the association.

All serving and former Riflemen and Regimental Association members and their families and friends are welcome.

94 people attended our annual Ladies Dinner night in March, which included members and their partners, as well as families and guests. This event was held at the Victory Services Club, and is our

flagship event every year. The quality of the food provided by the VSC was as always excellent and the staff were as always very professional. One of the best parts of the evening was when the exbuglers from Quick Silver, entertained us with some of the more popular regimental marches and of course High on a hill. DJ Rob attended and played the right kind of music for our age group so we partied until the small hours.

In May we joined the QVR, KRRC and RB veterans to remember the 2nd World War Defence of Calais, at the Memorial Service held in Calais. 25 of our members attended, and our secretary laid an RGJ Poppy wreath on behalf of the RGJ association. Our annual Veterans lunch was held at 86 St James’s,

(Mark Masons Hall) in central London. It is always an ideal venue for this occasion and the carvery was as always top quality. We took the opportunity on this occasion to hold a raffle to help raise funds for our regimental charities and to assist the association with the costs of publishing this magazine. We are very fortunate to have Norman Morrison on our committee, who was as always, excellent in running the raffle for us, as he has done now for many years, and additionally, we must mention the great support of one of our long-term members Mac McDonald, who has provided many prizes throughout the years. It was great to see this year that the numbers are increasing at this event, particularly, in attracting some more veterans from the 1st battalion.

In July, we held the annual Service of Remembrance to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the terrorist bombing. As you will remember, this happened at the bandstand in Regents Park, on the 20 July 1982. The service was well attended by our members and partners, as well as two of our Chelsea Pensioners, Patrick Cody and Joe Shortall. We were also pleasantly surprised by the appearance of the Iron Horses, a group of bikers from the Association. The service was conducted by our secretary Gary Driscoll with support from the ex-buglers of Quick Silver.

The Burial of Sir John Moore

Ladies Dinner Night

Ladies Dinner Night

Calais Memorial Regents Park Memorial

It is very important not to forget, that there were two attacks on the British Army in London that day. The first attack is known as the Hyde Park bombing.

At 10:43am, a bomb exploded in the boot of a car, parked on South Carriage Drive in Hyde Park. It exploded as soldiers of the Household Cavalry were passing by on horseback. They were taking part in their daily Changing of the Guard procession riding from their barracks in Knightsbridge, to Horse Guards Parade. Three soldiers of the Blues and Royals were killed instantly, and another died from his wounds three days later. The other soldiers in the procession were badly wounded, and a number of civilians were injured. Seven of the regiment's horses were also killed or had to be euthanised as a result of their injuries. The second attack is known as The Regents Park bombing. Two hours and twelve minutes later, at 12:55pm, the second attack happened, when a bomb exploded underneath the bandstand in Regent's Park. 30 military bandsmen of the Royal Green Jackets were on the stand performing music from Oliver – to a crowd of approximately 120 people.

Six of the bandsmen were killed instantly and the rest were wounded; a seventh died of his wounds twelve days later. Eight civilians were also injured. The bomb had been hidden under the stand and triggered by a timer. The IRA claimed responsibility for both attacks.

Please let us all remember the seven Bandsmen who lost their lives on that day. They were:

Warrant Officer Graham Barker

Sergeant Robert ‘Doc’ Livingstone

Corporal John McKnight

Bandsman John Heritage

Bandsman George Mesure

Bandsman Keith Powell

Bandsman Larry Smith

The next service will be held on Sunday 23 July 2023, starting at 11am. On this occasion we are delighted to inform you that the Waterloo Band and Bugles will be performing a concert, directly after the service. This will then be followed by the Central Band of the British Legion. Please do come along and join us.

In September we held our annual Battlefield Tour and on this occasion, we went for a long weekend to Normandy. We set off on Thursday and returned on Sunday. This allowed for two days of travelling and two days for touring.

Our hotel was situated in the centre of the city of Caen, the perfect location for us to visit all of the museums and cemeteries, and to socialise in the evenings. On the first day we re-visited Pegasus Bridge, which was seized and held by an airborne unit of the Oxford & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, commanded by Major John Howard. Where we held a short poppy wreath ceremony, assisted by

ex-bugler Tony Bishop who made it very poignant by playing the last post on his bugle. We also used this opportunity to take some great photos of the Gondree Café, situated near Pegasus Bridge which has the honour of being the first house in occupied France to be liberated on D-Day.

We then visited the Pegasus Bridge Museum, where we learned about the story of 6thAirborne and its role on the 6 June 1944. They had on display weapons, vehicles and uniforms which were all rescued from the battlefields. We watched a film show and had plenty of time to walk across the original Pegasus Bridge, which is situated within the grounds of the museum. This original bridge still has many bullet holes. The museum curator offered ex-bugler Tony Bishop, the honour to play the last post from a position at the very top of the bridge. It was a very moving moment for us all in attendance. It was also filmed and transmitted live, on one of the regimental media Facebook groups, which was viewed by many riflemen throughout the world.

We continued on to the Ranville Commonwealth Cemetery. Ranville was the first village to be liberated in France by the 6th Airborne Division, who landed by parachute and glider close by. Many of the division's casualties are buried in Ranville War Cemetery. Casualties are also buried in the adjoining churchyard, among them is Lieutenant Brotheridge who is considered to be the first Allied soldier to be killed in action on D-Day while taking Pegasus Bridge.

The next stop was Arromanches Mulberry Harbour. Two harbours were planned, one off Omaha Beach, Mulberry ‘A’ and Arromanches, named Mulberry ‘B’ which were both substantially in position by 9 June 1944. Between 19-21 June a huge summer storm, the worst for 25 years, raged through the English Channel critically damaging Mulberry ‘A’. The Allies quickly reacted by abandoning Mulberry ‘A’ and consolidated it within the remains of Mulberry ‘B’. Mulberry ‘B’ (Port Winston) saw heavy use for eight months. In the 100 days after D-Day, it was used to land over 2.5 million men, 500,000 vehicles, and 4 million tonnes of supplies providing much needed reinforcements in France. We took the time to have lunch (muscles and French fries) and glass (or two) of wine!

We moved on to the next point of interest in Arromanches, which was the very impressive 360 Cinema, which is located on the clifftops. This cinema contains archive footage of the D-Day Landings and dominates the remains of one of the two artificial Mulberry harbours.

We then moved on to our last stop for the first day and visited the brand new very remarkable British Normandy Memorial. This new memorial officially opened on 6 June 2021. Overlooking Gold Beach, the site consists of 160 stone columns inscribed with the names of the 22,442 people who were killed on D-Day and at the Battle of Normandy, a bronze sculpture of three charging infantrymen and a wall featuring the names of those killed on D-Day itself. We then returned to the hotel in Caen, and took the opportunity to head out and to enjoy the impressive range of bars and restaurants on offer in the lovely city of Caen.

On the second day we made our way to Omaha Beach. The landings at Omaha are most remembered for the casualties the Americans took there. The German gun emplacements had been well placed and machine gun fire tore into the American troops. The seawall on the beach offered some salvation but the sprint needed across the beach to the wall proved fatal for many. The only way off the beach was to scale the cliffs. Led by US Rangers, this is how the Americans escaped from the beach. Standing on the beach was very moving and thought provoking for us all.

Our next stop was the Overlord Museum, close to Omaha Beach, this museum traces the period of the Allied landings until the liberation of Paris. The museum has a large range of vehicles and artefacts to look at, which puts allows you imagine what it was like to have been involved in such a battle.

After this we headed off to the U.S. Cemetery at Colleville. The cemetery is located on a cliff, overlooking Omaha Beach. It covers 172 acres, and contains the remains of 9,387 American military dead, most of who were killed during the invasion of Normandy and ensuing military operations in WWII.

We then moved on to our next stop which was the village of St Mere Eglise, which included a visit to the St Mere Eglise church, and the Airborne Museum. Early landings, directly on the town, resulted in heavy casualties for the 82 Divisions paratroopers.

Having taken lunch in St Mere Eglise, we moved on to Utah Beach, the code name for the right flank, or westernmost, of the Allied landing beaches during the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Despite being substantially off course, the US 4th Infantry Division (part of VII corps) landed with relatively little resistance, in stark contrast to Omaha Beach, where the fighting was fierce.

We looked at the Richard D. Winters Leadership Memorial, dedicated to the memory of all junior US military officers who served on D-Day, the monument is a 12ft-tall statue of Winters who inspired the book and award winning television series Band of Brothers.

Our last and final point of interest on the tour, was Brécourt, the Easy Company Memorial and the assault on the guns. The Brécourt Manor Assault by members of Easy Company of the 506 PIR, is often cited as a classic example of small-unit tactics and leadership in overcoming a larger enemy force.

The weekend was a very moving and informative few days for us all. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Tony and Alison, tour guides and owners of Rifleman Tours, who made the whole weekend so enjoyable for us all. Rifleman Tours is a family run business. Tony has a great interest in the KRRC/Rifle Brigade and Royal Green Jackets as his grandparents were in the KRRC and Post Office Rifles.

Rifleman Tours will be arranging our 2023 battlefield tour focusing on the Battle of the Bulge. This will be reported in next year’s Swift and Bold.

In November our secretary, Gary Driscoll and a few other veterans, attended the annual service at the Field of Remembrance outside Westminster Abbey, in London. This service marks the opening of remembrance weekend. Gary represented the Royal Green Jackets Association at the service, and had the pleasure to meet Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall/Queen Consort.

Also in November, the regiment was represented at the annual Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London. 130 veterans of the regiment took part in the march-past. Chris Cork was selected to carry the regimental poppy wreath this year, and we were very fortunate in that the BBC commentator mentioned the Royal Green Jackets and gave a brief history of the regiment on the live commentary on tv. Thank you to all those who attended the march-past. It was a good number this year, and we hope that we can attract even more marchers for the 2023 Service and marchpast. Please take note that for the Cenotaph Parade in 2023, the information for applying for security passes, will be posted out to all members of the RGJ Association in June 2023.

Our last event of 2022, was our annual Christmas Lunch. We held this event at 86 St James’s, (the same place as our Veterans lunch.) 86 St James staff are always very welcoming to us and put on a really good quality three course carvery lunch. We had 50 in attendance this year, which was a good number bearing in mind it was one of the train strike days so well done to those who did manage to join us. It was a time for relaxing with a glass of wine, good food and catching up with good company, whilst overlooking the beautiful St James’ Palace.

In May and September one of our members, Dave Dee, took on and completed the ‘Paras 10’ Challenge – twice! Firstly, at Merville Barracks Colchester then later in the year at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick! The challenge was a tenmile run carrying 35lb (16kg) weight not including food and water in a bergen and wearing military trousers (boots are obligatory!). The run was one of the qualifying tests for joining the Parachute Regiment (known as P Company). Twice a year the event is held in which civilians can take on the challenge and it usually attracts up to 1,000 participants. Colchester is a relatively flat course but with plenty of water crossings and muddy bogs to get through, whilst Catterick is hills, more hills and with a few additional hills to attack! (Over the Hills and Far Away!) At mile nine it was an almost vertical scree covered incline – no-one actually ran up it! This year Colchester was one of the hottest days so far so plenty of sun-screen and sweat happened! Catterick on the other hand was overcast with an occasional refreshing shower! Dave completed Colchester with obligatory RGJ headgear that drew curious stares from the young Para lads marshalling the route. Still sticking it to the Paras! After completing the Catterick run, Dave ditched the wet kit and stinky boots, showered and changed and celebrated his wedding anniversary! Swift & Bold! Congratulations and well done to Dave!

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 2023 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 2023

• Monday 16 January – Sir John Moore’s Memorial Service, St. Pauls Cathedral

• Saturday 4 March – Ladies Dinner Night, Victory Services Club

• Wednesday 24 May – QVR/KRRC/RB Memorial Service Calais

• Thursday 9 June – Rifles Sounding Retreat, Horse Guards

• Friday 23 June – Veterans Day Lunch, 86 St. James’s

• Sunday 23 July – RGJ Band Memorial Service, Regents Park

• Thursday 21 - Sunday 24 September – Battlefield Tour, Battle of the Bulge

• Sunday 12 November – Remembrance Sunday, Cenotaph

• Friday 15 December – Christmas Lunch, 86 St. James’s

We look forward to seeing you at our forthcoming events

The

The Royal Green Jackets Association

North West Branch

The North West Branch has had a year of a few disappointments mixed with some success. On 12 March we held our AGM and welcomed our new president Alan Jenkins. We thanked our outgoing interim president Ken Potter for his help during his tenure. On 1 April the branch changed its title in order to try and incorporate more youth, from the Rifles to join us. But the name change was short lived as a Rifleman’s association was in the process of taking shape in the North West. So, to prevent any confusion we reverted back to our previous title. Sadly, on 8 April many members of the branch attended the funeral of Dave Swords. Joined by Riflemen who arrived for his send off, from a variety of countrywide locations.

We held our Annual Dinner again at the Hard Day’s Night Hotel in Liverpool. Despite the increase in inflation, we managed to keep the cost at £40 per head. To take the sting out of that increase we managed to put on a free bar to all for the whole of the night. 60 people attended the dinner but only 16 of those who attended were members but despite that a great night was enjoyed by all.

9 July saw various members of the branch making their way to the Winchester reunion. They reportedly had a great time, and even partook of the falling down juice.

On 10 September we arranged for a minibus to take our members to the Arboretum, but we had only two people who wanted to take up this offer therefore it was not financially viable for the trip to go ahead.

11 September the branch was invited to attend a service of remembrance for the late Queen Elizabeth II in the church of St Nicholas. About 10 members were present. This was followed by the proclamation of King Charles III which was proclaimed from the town hall balcony. We were lucky enough to have a Rifleman, Bill Evans, positioned on the balcony. On the 18 September the branch was again invited to

attend another Service of Remembrance for her late Majesty this time at the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. Approximately 14 Green Jackets, not all branch members, were in attendance.

We had less than 20 people attending the Remembrance Service in 2022 with only around six people being branch members.

It is with great sadness that one of our members passed away in the summer. Dave Swords had been a member for many years and will be greatly missed.

Over the years we have seen our numbers diminish due to us all getting older and some of us sadly passing away, others are stating that they now live too far away to now be involved as they are getting older, and a lot of people are just not interested in joining the branch or attending branch functions. Although we have 58 members on paper only 16 of them are active members.

Due to the lack of commitment by the membership, and the comments in the emails we have received, the committee can only assume that this lack of attendance is a vote of no confidence in the committee and therefore all the committee will resign their positions as of the 31 March 2023.

We were hoping a new committee could inject new ideas and take the branch forward.

If we are unable to fill the committee posts by the next AGM, to be held at the Hard Day’s Night Hotel on the 4 March 2023 at 10:00hrs, the Royal Green Jackets Association NW Branch will be without a committee as of the 31 March 2023 and therefore we will have to start the process of suspending the branch.

It has been an honor and privilege for all of us on the present committee to have served you in our positions and even though we may not have an association we will always remain friends.

Dave Judge Chairman NW branch RGJ Association

Oxford Branch

On behalf of the Oxford Branch can I wish all other branches and our fellow Rifleman, every success to all your ventures and events in 2023.

We have gradually returned to normality thanks to our Committee, Andy Bowes’ IT talent, Andrea our Treasurer, who would make a good Chancellor, with Geoff Day and Tony Barson supporting us all and Phil Evans looking after our interests with The Rifles. Brigadier Robin has agreed to continue as our President for another term whose enthusiasm we will sorely miss when he stands down. Any suggestions to a successor?

It will be a while before we get back to normal. Although our lunches have been well supported there were fewer at the Service at Major Howard’s Grave on 6 June with the attendance at the Waterloo Band Concert in July very disappointing. I am sure this year will see a marked improvement.

Our Autumn Lunch has particular memories as while we were enjoying each other's company unbeknown to us our beloved Sovereign and Colonel in Chief was in her last hours. She was an amazing woman as well as Queen whose devotion to duty was an example that I hope the younger generation will learn from. We as Rifleman have something unique in comradeship and pride in our Regiment that reflects this.

At the last moment Clint Ross and I made the decision to go to London to pay our respects to Her Majesty and joined the thousands gathered. By usual Rifleman guile we managed to get a good spot in an exclusive area. ‘Swift & Bold’ was certainly the order of the day! We stood proud as she passed by on her final journey.

The branch is developing a good relationship with the ‘Rifleman's Association’ being formed by Rob Souter in Reading. We now have a firm commitment from them to attend the Turning of The Pages every two months in Christ Church Cathedral. We have also given an open invitation to attend any of our events. I had the honour of serving in both Regiments finishing my time in The Rifles. Although a long way off it is good to consider and plan the future to keep the Rifleman’s ethos alive.

We are all aware of the current problems with the UK economy mainly through ‘Putin's War’ and how many are struggling. I went on exercise in Ukraine (Exercise Cossack Express 2002), and it came as no surprise at the professionalism and determination of the Ukrainians, they will prevail if NATO stays strong.

All those years of being told of the ‘Soviet Masses’ capability seems as if we shivered in our Fox Holes in Northern Germany seem pie in the sky now. A good Bn of Rifleman would have seen them off!

To return to current day It should be noted that there are several organisations out there that can help any Rifleman or their Widows or families in this difficult time. Always a Rifleman with Baz Melia at its head is there for all members of the antecedent members of the Rifles as well as The Veterans Charity with General Bob and Danny Greeno at the helm.

If you know of anyone from the Regimental family who needs help do not delay, contact them or me.

It is sad but comes as no surprise that the 2023 Winchester Reunion has been canceled and will now be held every two years. In my view, the right decision has been made. Our thanks go to Stinky and Johnny Fitz for all their efforts over the years. I am sure many of us will still make the pilgrimage and enjoy meeting up in the usual watering holes every year. This may be a good opportunity to attend other branches' events.

I will end by wishing one of our last surviving WW2 Vets from the Oxford & Bucks, Reg Charles, a very happy 100th Birthday on 1 February. Reg you and your generation are our heroes, the likes of which we will never see again. Enjoy your day and the telegram from the King.

Best wishes to all

Terry Roper

Concrete Cap Badge

A concrete cap badge has been languishing at Edward Brooks Barracks in Abingdon for nearly 15 years. It had been at Slade Park Barracks on a pallet for a number of years and had moved to Edward Brooks Barracks when Slade closed.

At a brief glance it was an RGJ cap badge design but on closer inspection proved to be that of the Green Jacket Brigade

It was doing nothing at EBB and did not seem to be accounted for so Terry Roper suggested it be redeployed to somewhere it could be seen.

A quick round of email ping pong and a home was found with 4 Rangers with the intent it would form part of their silver thread in the Sjts Mess Garden. But boy was it heavy and needed the help of Clint Ross ex 1RGJ and his lifter and trailer. So, with a bit of heft and machinery it is now with 4 Rangers.

It seems it is the twin of the Badge at the front of Green Jacket Close so perhaps from St Cross?

South East Kent Branch

Love after 10 years and Billy Fields stood down but thankfully Barbara Barrett took up the role of treasurer and Gary Tingey has come on board.

The year started with our annual BBQ held at the Phoenix Club and the planning by George Nash and his committee ensured it went off well. Gary Tingey and his son again doing a great job with the food. We had a disco and raffle plus an auction and the afternoon was well attended by members and their

September courtesy of the charity Lest We Forget Association.

In September we held a service conducted by our padre Sean Sheffield to Commemorate HRH Queen Elizabeth II at the 60th Memorial site in Dover. It was well attended by members. Sean gave a short service followed by members reaffirming our oath of Allegiance to the New King. We then had a glass of port to toast absent friends and the Regiment

The

In October we held our annual Church parade in Dover Castle church conducted by Sean our padre and the names of our fallen Rifleman were read out by members

November saw members attending the Dover town Remembrance Parade and laid a wreath before moving on to the 60th memorial site to hold our own service again conducted by Sean our padre where we also laid a wreath. We then moved to the sea front to hold a short service at the WWI memorial. Finally, a small group drove to Shorncliffe military cemetery to lay a wreath and a short service. At all four locations we had a bugler to play last post.

Our final event for 2022 was the Xmas party and again George Nash and his team did us proud.

the success of last year and George organised a disco, raffle, auction and Pie, mash, and peas.

July 20, Chris Clifford laid a wreath on behalf of the Branch at the band stand in Regents Park during the service to commemorate the fallen bandsmen

The First Saturday of the month breakfast at Wetherspoons is attended by several members and numbers vary depending on the location but hopefully will increase next year.

The numbers attending quarterly members social meetings vary but the committee hope to get them up next year.

Branch Meetings

Planning for next year’s events is progressing well and an itinerary will be on the website early

Itinerary for 2023

Church Parade – Dover Castle Church September TBC

Committee – Friday 21 April at Sea Angling Club

Branch – Friday 28 April at Sea Angling Club

Followed by Social

Committee – Friday 21 July at Sea Angling Club

Branch – Friday 28 July at Sea Angling Club

Followed by Social

Committee – Friday 20 October at Wingham

Branch – Friday 27 October at Sea Angling Club

Follwed by Social

Annual BBQ

Saturday 17 June at Phoenix Railway Club Dover

The River Thames Day Trip

Friday 14 July

Remembrance Service

Sunday 12 November

Followed by Lunch in the Sea Angling Club

Christmas Party

Saturday 25 November at Phoenix Railway Club

Weatherspoons Breakfast Club

Saturdays 09:00 hrs

April – Dover September – Ramsgate

May – Margate October – Dover

June – Ramsgate November – Margate

July – Dover December – Ramsgate

August – Margate

Wiltshire Branch

The year started as it always does with the AGM and the now traditional re-election of the same officials as nobody new wants to take on the appointments.

So with the same team in the chair the years Forecast of Events was unveiled and it was hoped that we could at least be able to fulfil our annual standing orders in the support for the Forces March and the Poppy appeal which was returning after being halted due to covid and maybe even get in the annual BBQ as well. It so happened we achieved them all but the attendance by all types of competitors but especially the Regular Army due to heavy commitments on the Forces March was well down on pre-covid years and we are hearing that due to continuing heavy commitments next years event will not now go ahead. 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 of the Ox and Bucks who would go on to spearhead the entire D-Day liberation with the assault on Pegasus Bridge. Let’s hope this great event is back in the calendar very soon.

The annual BBQ had not occurred for two years was held in August at Richard and Jackie’s and the theme was Star Wars. It was well attended and a good time was had by all those that attended. Next year’s looks like it’s going to be in the Boreham Road area in August so let’s hope for good weather on the day.

It was good to be able to attend the reunion in July after the covid ban and it was good to see old friends again having survived the pandemic, at least

for now. Sadly news is filtering in that next years won’t go ahead due to cost and the plan is to hold it biannually when Greenstock isn’t happening – a terrible shame.

The annual poppy appeal was back on and we returned to our old stomping ground, Waitrose supermarket in Warminster. We collected a total of £1,776.68 of which £713.00 was from our contactless machine.

We had a couple of game nights, our own branch one which wasn’t greatly attended on the 24 November which saw the Chairman get the wooden spoon...well someone had to win it, and guests sweeping the board in other categories. Hopefully next time it will be different.

The second games night was held on the 14 January organised by the Royal Irish Rangers Association and we were up against teams from the RBL, the Light Dragoons, Royal Irish Rangers Association and the Conservative club. We won the event and the proceeds of the night of £240 were donated to the Dorothy House Hospice Care Charity.

The traditional Christmas Eve drinks ended the year for the branch at the Conservative Club which was a quiet affair but good to see the Christmas jumpers out again, normality returning, albeit slowly.

Michael Walsh

Winchester & District Branch

What a strange and disjointed year 2022 seems to have been. For those whose memory has not been affected by age or long covid (whatever that is), they will remember that from January until the 21 March we were still in a covid lockdown of sorts, and even after that was lifted, everything just seemed to aimlessly bumble along with no real ‘get up and go’.

In truth, even I must have been tainted by the mass apathy that had gripped the nation because I am damned if I can remember any real standout event or memorable occasion that rocked my boat in 2022.

Despite that however, the Winchester branch continued to steer a steady course throughout the year and managed to achieve everything it set out to do for both its membership and for the wider association in general. In fact other than a zoom meeting in January it still managed to carry out its regular monthly branch meetings in the ATR, interspersed with the occasional social quiz night hosted by his ‘Royness’, and as always supporting the monthly Turning of The Pages ceremony in Winchester Cathedral. Not forgetting either of course its involvement with running the Veterans Reunion in July and its mixed success in attending the NMA gathering in September, and the

disastrous breakdown of its transport afterwards. But the least said about that the better other than to say thank you Tiny and Jan Adams for recovering us all back to Winchester well fed and in safety.

November and Remembrance day in particular was a little more uplifting and successful, where as in previous years the branch fully supported the KRRC and Winchester Cathedral Services of Remembrance. A number of members and their wives/partners even managed to attend and support the Drum Head Service held in SJMB. Just one of the many little things which goes towards cementing our regimental relationship with the ATR.

On the branch membership front, and despite hitting that magical little button on the official regimental website which shows where ex members of the regiment now live, and seeing half of southern

England disappearing under a swath of regimental badges, I am pleased to say that the Winchester branch surprisingly remains one of the smallest and arguably one of the most proactive branches in the association. A contentious statement to make I know but it is equally unarguable that Winchester will always be perceived as the centre of the regimental universe and therefore its ancestral home.

Unsurprisingly recruitment within the branch and more importantly retention of its members continues to ebb and flow as it has always done. The good news however, is that once again it is seeing more residents of Green Jacket Close and others who live in the Winchester area, and its wider surrounds joining the branch. Indeed since its last report the branch has been pleased to have welcomed Rick Twohey (ex 3 RGJ to GJ Close) and Joe Holmes (ex 1 RGJ living in Dorset).

Membership within the branch currently consists of 53 paid up full members and eight honorary/ associate members. The latter in the main being widows of former members who are automatically offered free membership on the loss of their husbands/partners. It also continues to send out ‘regimental information’ to a number of ex members of the regiment in the surrounding areas, who for a whole host of different reasons no longer wish

to belong to a particular branch but simply wish to know ‘what’s going on’. A service we are happy to provide.

The less good news however, is that sadly age and illness has inevitably taken its toll with the loss of Pat Low (ex OBLI) back in March, and just recently Albert Storey (ex RB & 3 GJ/RGJ) resident of GJ Close. Although Albert’s membership of the branch had lapsed some years ago he was nevertheless a well-known regimental character who will be sadly missed. The much better news is that Johnny McMullan and John ‘Geordie’ Scott who had both hit the health buffers earlier in the year are now making good progress towards better health.

Our year ended as always with a superb and traditional Christmas Dinner at the South Winchester Golf Club in early December organised by Andy Spalding and George Smith. Despite being one of the coldest nights of the year everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and went home full of Christmas bonhomie, and if they were lucky clutching a lovely raffle prize. See you all in 2023 and the best of wishes to everyone in the regimental family for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

John FD

Remembrance Day at SJMB ATR Winchester 2022

The new RSM of the ATR in SJMB’s extended an invitation for the RGJA Winchester Branch to attend their Remembrance Parade which as in previous years took the format of a Drumhead Service, and then afterwards to have lunch in the WO’s & Sgts Mess which quite a few of us did with our wives and partners.

Prior to the Remembrance Service itself we were welcomed on arrival with a reception in the Regimental Chapel with tea and coffee together with the families of the ATR staff, during which and unsurprisingly we had some interesting discussions on the modern way of doing things in the Forces today.

The actual Drumhead Service and its accompanying parade was a marvel to watch, particularly given all the recruits on parade had only been in uniform for some four weeks or so. Nevertheless they did themselves proud and put on a wonderful display.

wWhat was a really nice touch however was when we came to lay our own regimental wreaths at the Light Division Garden of Remembrance, we were fully accompanied and supported by all serving officers of the ATR and other ranks of The Rifles on attachment. An additional wreath was also laid at the Light Infantry Ballygawley Memorial situated close to the main square.

The Bugler who was a young female recruit, played excellently for us at the G of R, as she had done throughout the whole parade itself. She deserved all the congratulations and accolades that inevitably came her way.

Finally it was near lunchtime and so we moved to the WO’s & Sgts Mess for pre-lunch drinks. When lunch was finally called and because of the large numbers in attendance dining was help yourself from the hotplate. However on this occasion as guests of the Mess we were invited to dine first. Etiquette don’t you just love it?

Not wishing to outstay our welcome we eventually offered our grateful thanks to the RSM and all of his staff for a wonderful occasion, wished them well and made our way home.

I think its only right to mention that this invitation was in part due to John Harper who in addition to his membership of the RGJA is also an Honorary member of the ATR WO’s & Sgts Mess, and not forgetting of course our branch presence within the ATR. Long may it continue.

Peter Andrews

Yorkshire Branch

We continue to meet at the TA Centre in Wakefield, except during the winter months or when it is the TA annual leave period in the summer.

President: Hugh Goudge 1 RGJ/Association Membership Secretary

Chairman: Thomas Charles Conlin 1 RGJ

Treasurer: Sue Conlin, who took over this year from John Woods KRRC and founder member

Secretary: Stuart Anderson 1 RB

At our first meeting of the year in March we learned that our Treasurer, John Woods KRRC, was not in good health. He was still able to drive during daylight hours but not at night. To attempt the journey from Huddersfield would not be advisable. He sent all his comrades his best wishes and added that he would like nothing better than to be with us.

We discovered that Ernie Blanchard, who had the distinction of serving in both the Light Infantry and the RGJ, had lost his wallet which he suspected had been stolen.

Better news came from John Lengthorn 1 RGJ whose daughter, is an international squash player, had been safely delivered, after a harrowing time, of a boy of 12lbs who is to be called Leo. We also found that our old comrade, Bill Gledhill RGJ, has returned from a long sojourn in Winchester to his former hometown of nearby Dewsbury.

Finally, we welcomed back Tom and Sue Conlin who were once more in our midst. It meant that because of the absence of Treasurer John Woods Sue stood in as his deputy and was inspired to collect subs which for once flowed in like a river.

During the March meeting we had a discussion about the Branch subs which was resolved in favour of a flat amount of £10 rather than £5 and a book of

a dozen stamps. The latter choice would have actually been more expensive, which was quickly noted by those of a mathematical bent.

At the April meeting Deputy Treasurer Sue Conlin was absent on babysitting duty in 'the land of the free' but happily her daughter Suzanne arrived on a rare visit and immediately took over as deputy, deputy Treasurer and organised the raffle and the ticket money. She obviously inherited her mother's financial ability.

Mention was made at the April meeting of the KOYLI trip to the Battlefields in France to which the Branch team members have been invited. Both Tom Conlin and Ernie Blanchard expressed interest. In the event John Lengthorn was prove our representative on that enterprise during September.

It was at this meeting that Paul Crompton

TA(KOYLI) reported that in January 2023 there was to be a service in remembrance of the death of Sir John Moore at Corunna to be held in the Rifles Chapel at York Minster. He was killed in 1809 on 16 January when in command of the English Army.

The following month we learned that the July meeting would in all probability be a barbecue at the home of our president Hugh Goudge and his wife Julia, provided that the kitchen refurbishment had been completed.

Ernie Blanchard, John Langthorin, Hugh Goudge, Julia Goudge, Peter & Lisa Elmore, Stuart & Valvic Anderson, Paul Crompton, Sue Conlin

Paul Crompton spoke of Robert Craufurd during the Peninsular War. Some of us remembered the painting of the Rearguard which is often reproduced as a Christmas card. To the fore is a small group of Rifle Brigade veterans and behind them in good order a larger contingent of Craufurd’s Light Brigade.

In June the Secretary received a letter sent by Arthur Jennison’s son. Arthur, who had been a boy soldier prior to service in that fine regiment the KRRC, had been seriously unwell for some time. Inside the envelope was a cheque for £15 for Arthur’s subs. It meant that Arthur, like the Prodigal Son, had returned to the land of the living. During his final days in the army he had been at Peninsula Barracks in the catering department with our first president, the late Brigadier Peter Lyddon, as his commanding officer. They both lived in the York area and Peter occasionally gave Arthur a lift to and from Wakefield.

It was at this meeting that Ernie Blanchard proposed that Sue Conlin be made Treasurer. The proposal was seconded by John Lengthorn and carried unanimously.

During July we had two of our comrades at the Kohima ceremony in York. It is a colourful affair in

the beautiful surroundings of the Minster gardens. There is a military band, Gurkha pipers, dignitaries and honoured guests in mayoral or military uniforms, including an RSM wearing a kilt. The most honoured guests are the surviving Kohima veterans of whom only a handful remain. Shortly before the service commenced a wheelchair veteran hove into view. It was our old friend Arthur Jennison accompanied by his wife Brenda and their daughter. Afterwards we returned by coach to Imphal Barracks for an excellent lunch in aid of the Kohima Educational Trust, at which the Secretary won a bottle of good whisky. When the Scottish RSM presented it, he said: “Will you be drinking it now or will you be taking it home with you?”

During July our president, Hugh (Albert) Goudge suffered a stroke driving in the Huddersfield area. He lost control of his vehicle which ploughed into parked cars. Fortunately, Hugh was not badly injured. The irate owner of one of the damaged vehicles came out to remonstrate complaining that it was the third time this had happened outside his house. Although Hugh’s speech was slurred, he had the presence of mind to advise the man to start parking somewhere else in future. Hugh was in Pinderfields Hospital for several days and the Branch discovered what had happened via a

telephone call to the Secretary from Major Michael Leeming, who is the Treasurer of the Association and knew Hugh as his first platoon Sergeant. By mischance Julia, Hugh's wife, was at this critical time on holiday in Latvia visiting relatives.

The accident took place a few weeks before the barbecue at Hugh and Julia’s house was due to take place at the end of July. To general surprise a gathering did take place on the appointed day but instead of a barbecue Julia prepared a splendid buffet and curry lunch which was enjoyed in the newly renovated kitchen of their house which had been a chapel in former days. To guide us to their dwelling Hugh had run up an RGJ flag outside the house. It was a very pleasant occasion for which we owed our grateful thanks to out hosts who went to great lengths to ensure we enjoyed the afternoon. Shortly after this day Hugh and Julia spent some time on holiday in the Canary Islands, to return as good as new.

pleasing to all concerned. After the meeting Hugh escorted John and Joyce home to Huddersfield. I don't know if Hugh drove on this occasion or his wife Julia.

During our final meeting in October John Lengthorn reported on his recent trip to the Battlefields in France which had been organised by the KOYLI/LI with whom we share our HQ. He had very much enjoyed the whole trip. At the British Normandy Memorial, he had the honour of reciting Binyon’s poem ‘For the Fallen’ during the parade that was held there. He got on well with our Yorkshire comrades but his roommate Colin Cranswick, the Pontefract Standard Bearer, snored loudly. I know Colin quite well and he said the same thing about out comrade.

Perhaps inspired by his success with ‘For the Fallen’ and upon his return to out island home, John attended the Robert Burns Festival in Ayrshire.

In August the Branch lunch took place at Woolley Park Golf Club, a venue that has always served us well in the past. It proved to be a day of great heat. We had eleven members on parade but only had a snack menu to look forward to which was a hangover from Covid. Ernie Blanchard suggested that next year we might go to Macdonald's.

When we returned in September to our HQ, we found it not only warm and welcoming but that the bar was open and manned by a sturdily built gentleman called Vince who is a Warrant Officer First Class in the TA and cheerful to boot. We had been informed in the early summer that the bar would no longer be open at the Centre for reasons of economy.

At the close of normal business in September, at which our retiring Treasurer John Woods and his wife Joyce were present, we had a brief ceremony to thank John for his loyal service over many years. President Hugh had selected a framed picture of a KRRC Rifleman circa 1870 embellished with an engraving for John's efforts on our behalf. There was also a KRRC cap badge mounted on the frame. It was a very apt and touching ceremony which was

In November we had the Wakefield Remembrance Service in the Cathedral followed on the Sunday by the parade. President Hugh and the Secretary marched, and the former laid our wreath. Afterwards we were invited to the Mayor’s Parlour for refreshments. We discovered later that Peter Elmore 1 RGJ had broken down on the M1 halfway to Wakefield. Both Peter and his wife had been on parade with Hugh and Julia the previous week at the Nostell Priory Remembrance ceremony.

We were the guests of the Wakefield Branch of the KOYLI Association early in December. It was a wonderful occasion and the main hall of our HQ was transformed. We were made very welcome. Shortly before the event commenced two figures entered the hall and headed for the RGJ table. It was our old comrades Paul (Whisky) Haigh anf Marianne, who had been absent for a good number of years. By happy chance Marianne had spotted Tom Conlin strolling abroad from his hotel that afternoon. Tom invited her and Paul to join us that evening.

Stuart Anderson Honorary Secretary

The Rear Guard

Peter Elmore, Tom Conlin, John Langthorin, Sue Conlin, Stuart Anderson, Ernie Blanchard, Hugh Goudge

Frank Curtis’s War

The verbatim account of Frank’s WW2 experiences as told to John Cohen, Chairman LRB Veterans Association, on 9 December 2016.

Joining Up

1939 – I was with the Royal West Kent Regiment.

For a while when I was 14, I had joined the Territorial Cadets. My father, who was in the First World War, was always goading us. When I joined the Cadets and brought the uniform home, he was furious and made me send it back because he knew what it was like in the First World War. So gradually I found out what it was like in the trenches and thought: “Christ, I don’t want that sort of thing”.

I came to war in 1939 in September and when it started, I went along to try and join up, mainly because I didn’t want to go into the trenches.

So, I tried the Air Force, Navy and Marines. “No vacancies”, they said…except the Marines. I thought: “Fine, at least I won’t have to sleep in the trenches” I had to sign up for seven years though. I thought “Christ, the war might be over by Christmas”.

I left it and then joined the Royal West Kents at Maidstone in June, after Dunkirk. While I was with the West Kents my older brother joined the Rifle Brigade. As we wished to serve together, I transferred to the Rifle Brigade.

While at Maidstone we had to pick hops and help with hay-making, because the farmers couldn’t get labour from East London because of air raids.

One day I had ignored the air raid warning and was on coal fatigue and chatting to a housewife in her doorway. Suddenly an aircraft dropped its bombs on our barracks. The woman screamed and slammed the door in my face. I ran for cover and as I reached our open square a huge bomb exploded, and a fountain of earth blew up. Another bomb had landed near our barracks gate and killed six girls at a nearby factory.

I made my way to the air raid trenches and told them about the square. A huge cheer went up, but they allowed no-one out that night until we had filled in the hole!

Transfer to the Rifle Brigade

I joined the 8th Battalion at Thirsk in Yorkshire. Because I could ride motorcycles, I went to the Bren Gun Carrier Platoon as a DR. My job was to ride behind the first Carrier and find out where the enemy fire was coming from and then let people at the back know. It doesn’t work that way, but

that was the idea.

Training on the moors

We spent years on the Yorkshire moors training and that’s when I committed an atrocity. We were using live ammo and a hare popped up. I had a Bren gun and saw the hare at about 200 yards, and I got it in a single round, bang on right through its body. It was jumping up and down so I went out and I thought I better kill it so I got hold of its ears but it was so tough it nearly broke my fingers and I thought ‘I’m a rotten sod’!

The winters were terrible and snowy in Yorkshire, we hated it. The people were fine but there were terrible winters and terrible weather.

We moved to various parts of Yorkshire and one place was a girls’ boarding school at Hunmanby. The girls had been evacuated but their bedroom had a notice on the wall saying: ‘if you want a mistress in the night ring the bell’. The bell was ringing all night, so it was removed!

The invasion of Europe – D-Day

We had moved to Aldershot and about 10 June 1944 after D-Day everybody had to get onto their vehicles and the Company and Battalion, part of the 11th Armoured Division, went via Southend and along the Channel. For some reason because I had a motorbike, I had to go somewhere else. I arrived at Portsmouth and all the streets were lined with vehicles waiting to get on board. Then we embarked, and on the way over, we listened on the radio to a guy called Broderick Crawford, an American film actor who was well known. Still skies, no bombers, no aircraft. Peaceful skies and a nice peaceful trip.

Finally got into the beach at Normandy and we had to stand off overnight. As we were going in there was a battleship on our port side and its decks were stripped for action. Its big gun turrets were firing at Le Havre. I could see the outline of the 16-inch shells leaving the cannons – fantastic. My only worry was if the Germans got annoyed and fired back and missed the battleship, the lorry I was on carried hundreds of shells!

We had to stay offshore overnight. One solitary German aircraft appeared and flew over a couple of thousand ships. They opened up on it. My worry was not the ship, but the shrapnel coming down

while I was sitting on all those shells!

The next day they off-loaded us and like Private Pike in Dad’s Army my mum said I shouldn’t get my feet wet, and I didn’t. I landed without getting them wet and joined my Company in a place called Cully. We took proofing off the vehicles and all the activities we got was giving sweets to kids, and we were told off for not saluting the officers.

The only other activity was the odd plane coming over, most of them were Spitfires.

Normandy

In Normandy we got into various battles. On the first real battle, I remember going through the fields and the smell of dead cattle and dead men was unbelievable, Germans, Canadians, there was a German Paratrooper who had a pipe still in his mouth, his eyes were all yellow with pus and maggots. It was unbelievable the smell of death in the corn fields. I feel sick when I see corn now.

Hill 112

I became a Gunner then which I had been partly trained for and there was a series of battles. We had a heavy one where we had a moving barrage where they move the guns up every hundred yards and then timed it. That was a cock-up as well. Earlier on we had a hill, and then the Germans held it, we held it, then they held it, then we held it. Hill 112 was the place, that’s what we called it. It was near Caen airport. The German guns from the aerodrome were hitting us on that hill.

Christ it was murderous. I remember in those early days on Hill 112 I was still on the motorbike. We were completely cut off and moving along when a tank behind me was hit by a German tank. The tank slithered down and the next thing I knew there was a German tank coming down the slope. I got on my motorbike, panicked and drove down the bocage.

I thought the Germans occupied the next village, but I knew I wouldn’t live if I stayed where I was. I think our tank blocked the view and the German tank couldn’t see me. I got to a village and the 15th Scottish had just taken it.

We withdrew from Hill 112 and while we were regrouping, we were told that Caen was to be bombed.

It was a low-level daylight attack and I watched it standing on a tank about two miles away. It was fantastic. I think about a thousand bombers came in and dropped strips of silver paper (to foil radar). They were not in formation but scattered at various heights and distances. At first some German ack-ack fired but was soon eliminated. A

huge pall of dust then obscured the view.

Tank Alley

We started a large attack and I was now on a Bren Carrier. We were going over mines and my Carrier blew up. What happened was at the start of the battle we were being shelled. I kept my head down a bit and the next thing I knew there was an almighty explosion. I thought we had been hit, I couldn’t breathe, I was suffocating, and I thought: ‘Christ – it can’t be a hit from a shell’, then realised we had hit a mine. The shelling by then began to die down and I got out of the Carrier and went back over the tracks in the corn. I knew we had gone over a mine and so we started to make a cup of tea as we couldn’t move around a minefield as there were mines all around. Fortunately, they were our light mines, put in by the 51st Highland Division. They hadn’t warned us!

Our Carrier wasn’t destroyed but the mine had blown up all the protective armour underneath. The whole left-hand side of the Carrier was full of mortar bombs yet not one of them went off. If they had I wouldn’t be here! So, we took off the front wheels and we cut it down to just two with a bit of short track and got it moving, eventually, and limped back. The soft skin vehicles started coming through. An officer from the 51st Highland Division came out and we called him all the names under the sun, he didn’t care! So, we limped our way back to where the rest of the Company were.

We lost a couple of hundred tanks on the first couple of days, the Germans were hitting our tanks with their 88mm guns and we had no chance against them.

Later on, we were attacking along a road. I was a Gunner with a Bren Gun Carrier. The tank in front of us had hit a German lorry full of infantry. They had bailed out and made off to a nearby wood. My brother and I were told to get out and flush them out! We laughed at the time as we looked like Mexican bandits as we had so much ammunition and guns. We went in firing to frighten them off! Think they had fled through the woods, thank God. Ridiculous sending two of us out, my brother and me when there was a lorry load full of Germans!

As we came back from the wood, I remember my brother yelling out to me: “Hurry up for Christ sake, there’s a vehicle coming down the road, a German vehicle”. There were two of our tanks, one each side of the road. I was loaded down with equipment and just stood there as this German vehicle approached and the Sherman tank 30 yards away lowered its gun and it hit a Volkswagen. It’s not like the films,

people don’t get blown several feet in the air with flames coming out of them. The only time I ever saw anything like that was then, the driver got blown out as high as the ceiling. He was just a mess, why they didn’t machine gun him I don’t know.

By this time a motor platoon had arrived, and they shot this guy in the head as he was just screaming in agony – what was left of him. They did him a favour he had no chance, he was mangled to hell. That’s war and so it went on.

Later on, we broke out from Normandy and pushed all the way across. I remember going through France, the tension then lessened and sometimes it was almost enjoyable, we were liberators. You were pop stars and heroes! We made the most of it of course!

I remember one village we took. The barber offered to give me a shave and a haircut. While he was standing there with a razor, he said we had killed his wife when she was visiting Paris. She was bombed by our aircraft. That stuck in my mind though. I was worried he might attack me with the cut-throat razor and cut my bloody throat!

Taking Amiens

We took Amiens by night. We were about 20 miles from Amiens and Colonel Silvertop, the Tank Commander, said: “It’s moonlight tonight, let’s take Amiens” – 20 miles away! An armoured division! We hadn’t slept for three days. We had guys going up and down the road trying to keep the drivers awake. We were joined by German vehicles coming on the sides. They had no idea who we were, and we had no idea who they were. Lots of punch-ups going on…

We reached Amiens by first light and I remember getting out of my Carrier. I took my gun with me. While I was in the road a German vehicle – an infantry carrier – came up the side road. It had slanted sloping armoured sides and it was filled with German infantry. I opened up with a Bren gun, killed most of them and took the officer prisoner. They had no idea we were there at all. I remember him saying to me: “Are you English, or American?” And I remember saying: “Anglais” which we said to the French. I said: “I will ask the questions so shut up”!

We stuck the prisoners on the back of the tanks. What do you do with prisoners? Some French woman came down an iron staircase and said: “Do you take prisoners?” she said: “They’re good Germans”. I said: “I do, hands on heads”. Half a dozen came down the hard staircase and we bunged them on tanks again and that was it.

Fighting at the Sharp end

We had to take two bridges across the Somme at

Amiens. One was blown up just as we got there. The other one they got the explosives off and we got across. We pressed on from there, not sure of the timings of these places, I know we got surrounded, we had to fight in groups, we didn’t fight as a battalion, just as squadrons and motor platoons. Our job was to lead, because we were expendable. Fortunately, the Germans knew we were expendable. Partly I owe my life to the German army. They let us through to hit the tanks. The orders were if you were engaged with a Tiger tank you had to engage the enemy. Hold your position. Impossible – you can’t engage a Tiger tank with a Bren Carrier!

The Tiger tank

You had no bleeding chance with a Tiger tank. They were superior to all our other tanks including the Sherman tanks. I wouldn’t have wanted to be in the Sherman tanks as they were petrol driven. One strike and you’re burnt. Against 88mm guns, our tanks had no chance. Only one of our tanks in three had a gun big enough to knock a Tiger out and it had to be hit at the back or side. The 88mm were fantastic guns, the Tiger tanks were murderous.

Surrounded

We got surrounded on a hill by a German Panzer division. I was in a position by a Sherman tank where the tank could fire over the hedge. I couldn’t see a thing. I said: “You’re making a bloody row!”

The Germans had tried running down the far side of a hill to a gully to get at us, but the ground was littered with German dead. This tank had been knocking them off, I was quite happy.

The Germans were using those terrible things, we called them Moaning Minnies, they were the Nebelwerfer mortars. They screamed. One of them hit the tree above my brother’s trench. I went to see if there were survivors. I pulled my brother out and he was blackened by the smoke. Their corporal had a piece of shrapnel that was huge in the side of his helmet, and black blood was oozing out. He survived but I only gave him 10 minutes. I dug my brother out, he was hit in the leg, flesh wounds, no bones broken, he was lucky.

Breakout

After three days we heard that we had to break out. We were demoralised as we were bashed to hell by the shells and Moaning Minnies. We had to break out at midnight, but they sent a barrage down and it was cancelled. The Warwickshires moved through and we got out. The Germans weren’t SS they were normal German troops and they let our wounded through including my brother.

We go out and I thought maybe my brother is lucky.

Then a month later I had to try and trace him, and he couldn’t be found. We heard from survivors that a U-boat had got through and sank the hospital ship and my brother was on it. But in actual fact I don’t think it was a U-boat. I think the boat taking them out to the hospital boat hit a mine. I never heard from him, so he died then, I think.

Pushing on

When we pushed on, we went through all sorts of towns and places. We finally took Antwerp after a battle.

In another advance we were supposed to be giving flank protection to the Desert Rats (7th). We were six miles ahead of them. They spotted us and moved up a load of guns and opened up on us and thought we were Germans!

When we checked the area, it looked like Vimy Ridge in the 1914-18 war!

We then got hit by Typhoons. I remember them appearing above us and I didn’t like the way they were circling. They dived down and attacked one of our tanks. We gave out orange smoke as identification then they laid off us. Their rockets made bloody great holes in the ground.

I wrote to my older brother in Napier’s, who made engines for the Typhoons, congratulating him but saying: “Christ sake be careful who you are firing at”.

Punch-up at Antwerp

In the punch-up at Antwerp, some of our mortar platoon went up on skyscrapers there and fired mortars from the top of a building at Germans over the river. Later on, they moved us out. We were going to have a hell of a time as the population were pleased the place survived intact. They moved the red caps in. It was a hell of a punch-up. At one place we were firing one end of the street and the Germans at the other and people were walking across the road with cups of coffee in the middle of it.

It was different to the war of 1914-18 when those poor bastards were static and saw mud, muck and lice, their idea of an advance was a few hundred yards, ours was a thousand miles!

Belgium

After Antwerp we made our way across Holland to Poperinge in Belgium on the outskirts of Ypres. Wipers they called it in the First World War. We were going to spend Christmas there. They were more friendly in Belgium than in France, and all spoke English. We were going to be put in individual houses. But then there was that idiot that started the ‘Battle of the Bulge’.

We handed over all our Sherman tanks ready for exchange with the new Comet tanks which they said would be capable of taking on a Tiger. It had a squeeze gun, a small armoured piercing shell with a Bakelite surround. We had to hand in our tanks but not our Bren Gun Carriers.

We were told to load up and make our way to the river (Maas/Meuse) because the Germans were breaking through and we drove through Brussels that night; it was Christmas time. It was all snowy, I was the Carrier Commander at that time. The Gunner was a skinny guy that meant I had to be in the front. If the driver was tired, I had to drive the bleeding thing! They rushed us through, and across a bridge was a place called Dinant on the Meuse river. We went across the bridge there and about a mile or so the other side I was told to get in position and take on whatever arrived. I had to hit whatever came along. Nothing came. I remember asking: “What’s the opposition?’’ I was told: “Three Panzer divisions”!

Then we were relieved and went back to Dinant.

We went into a house on what would be the German side of the river, and I put my Bren gun on a table away from a window. Ready to pick off anything that came through!

The house had electric blankets so we took it in turns to have a warm bed.

We went back across the river and the Americans arrived to make sure we blew the bridge. When we got to the safe side of the river our tanks were arriving and they crossed over the river and took up position. We were hearing the battle going on, the German tanks arrived, and our tanks were knocking them out. Knocked out a Tiger! We were great, we weren’t in it – we were quite happy!

Christmas

I remember we were supposed to be spending Christmas at Ypres and Poperinge. We finally get our Christmas dinner about a month later, but it didn’t matter as I got a ticket for a football match in Brussels. They made an England team vs Belgium and Tommy Lawton was playing. I got a ticket!

We used to hang on the outside of the trams they were so crowded. I got on the roof of one. I jumped onto the roof and grabbed hold of the conductor arm and burnt my hand.

Into Germany

We arrived at the Rhine river and we crossed the river on the pontoon bridge. My mum said I mustn’t get my feet wet and I didn’t! On the other side there was a German tank still burning. The turret had been opened and in there was a guy burning.

Frank Curtis’s War

We pushed off through Germany and there were white flags everywhere. People were in their homes and they used to ask us for protection. On our way through we got into another punch-up, with a selfpropelled gun. There was infantry on top of it, so I started attacking the infantry with a Bren gun. Two of us were sent forward to see if there was anyone still there.

We made our way cautiously to see. The selfpropelled gun was still smoking. There was a house on our right with white flags, there were civilians (with a couple of dead Germans) all crying. A little boy had been hit, ricocheted off my Bren gun, I think. The little boy put his hand out to me, still makes me tearful. He was OK though as the shot was low down.

After we went out, I heard tank tracks and we dived over a hedge that was five foot high and threw ourselves into that hedge. You know what happens in an open road.

Another time I was leading, and I saw some German infantry and the range was a bit beyond my machine gun. By then we had Browning machine guns on the front of our carriers, so we had a lot of fire power. I saw the German infantry proceeding up a hill. I called up for artillery. Nothing! The Germans were kneeling, crouched, but I could do nothing. They passed through and retreated into the woods, too late then.

Holding a bridge and getting wounded

That night they raided. We were holding a bridge across a canal and the back of my carrier was towards the bridge and they attacked and when the star shells burst above me, I hit the floor of the carrier. They had two Spandau machine guns that had immense fire power. I was in front of the carrier and I hit the deck and the whole carrier (the back of it) was hit. I got a bullet across the highest part of my knee. We had luggage on that side of the carrier and the armour helped. When firing died out I jumped out and my kneecap was bleeding. They fired again which took the sights off my Bren gun, but I got away with it. I started firing at the Germans coming across the canal. The bullet parted the flesh and bounced off the bone on my knee. We used a field bandage on it, and it healed up. It kept me out a few days, but it got me a bit of sleep anyway.

Deeper into Germany

We advanced through Germany. I was leading again. I saw some German vehicles in front of us and they were camouflaged so I flagged up the tanks and they opened up their big guns.

We advanced. It was a German circus! It was camouflaged up because of air raids I suppose. The next day the German civilians were worried as the animals, like zebras and lions, had been wounded and escaped. I said: “I’m not taking on a wounded lion in a wood! I’ll take on the enemy but not that”!

The people who deserved medals didn’t get them. Like Jimmy Ramsden who took over as Commander of our Platoon. He could have got a medal because at the place where I had a punch-up with German infantry, we were trying to go through a small wood and German infantry were opposing it. A German in a tree shot down and hit someone in a carrier and it went into his lung, but he survived. He lost a lung, but was OK. I took over his position. We got in a punch-up. What happened was a German moved behind a tree. I fired my gun and hit his bazooka. I had bits stuck in my face. They scraped him off the tree the next day. One of our tanks was watching and said my carrier had been hit by an 88.

Jimmy Ramsden came down the ditch to get us out, but we got him out. After the war he became War Minister. I saw him some years ago and said: “How are your politics?”, and he said he stopped it because: “Ted Heath doesn’t like me”.

In a speech at our Christmas dinner he said he hoped that the battle experience he had with 9 Platoon would stand him in good stead so he wouldn’t fall into the pitfalls of his predecessor – who was Profumo, with Christine Keeler, and Mandy Rice-Davies. I’m not sure if he’s alive – not many of us left!

Most Vivid memories

My most vivid memories – there are quite a few –that time I got hit in the leg in the Bren gun carrier when I zig-zagged my way out of it…

Another time a German got out from behind a mound, got on a bicycle and started zig zagging all over the place. We were laughing about this and he got away. Next thing we knew – explosions left, right, and centre. Two tanks behind us were hit then there was an enormous explosion by my ear. A Tiger was firing at us and missed my head by only a few centimetres. The velocity of it made this enormous bang. We dived out, the carrier was going back…we got behind a knocked-out tank that was on fire and got our way back to behind a mound. It was a German Tiger. The next shot sent my carrier up in flames.

I remember our Colour Sergeant saying to me:

“Do you realise how much you’re costing the war? Do you realise how much these carriers cost?”

We were at the sharp end, we were expendable and the Germans knew it and would let us through sometimes. I had ulcers after the war. Living on my nerves and tinned food.

We got fresh rations at Christmas while in the Ardennes. As a group we had to watch all crossroads, Germans were dressed as Americans and so on. I volunteered to do the cooking, so I didn’t have to be on guard.

We made pancakes. We knew how to do those. We took over a Dutch village and an ice-cream factory. We pinched all the coins! I felt safe because to get out of a shelling we got into a vault. There we felt safe. Constant shelling and every time you stopped you had to dig a slit trench. You can’t dig soft ground as that’s where someone is buried, or a latrine.

At one time in the winter of 1944 we took a village in Holland and I remember it was so cold and wet we dug dug-outs like the First World War. We had two or three feet of earth above us, and the water dripped through.

We made a fire, and tried to hide the smoke, to keep warm…ghastly place!

In the Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge, we occupied a place called Mesnil Eglise. I was in a farm building, and there were three farm girls there – Madeline and her two sisters. I was their little hero! You would have thought I would have made the most of it! Until then I was a virgin. You wouldn’t believe it nowadays. I learnt the girls were as bad as we were. Madeline was engaged to a Belgian soldier who was a prisoner of war in Germany. I felt it was my duty to look after her while he was away! Our section was quiet.

We finished up at Lubeck on the Baltic. We had to stop firing because there was a lot of poison gas stored in Lubeck and they were frightened it would set it off.

The war was over. We knew two days before everyone else. Montgomery went through our lines and he wouldn’t have done unless it was safe, so we knew the war was over.

Everyone fired in the air and so on in celebration! I remember after we learnt it was the end, we took over an old Danish castle. The day the war stopped we moved in and the Germans occupied one building across the moat and we occupied the other, and that night I went for a prowl around with a German. Schloss Castle had showers and everything. They sent some German troops to clean up the place. They sent wounded blokes along. We sat them down.

And then we were told off, for the Germans were not working. I said: “Take a look at them”. It was the SS who sent them. He arrested them and they sent the SS along and they were forced to do the cleaning.

We had musicians working in our canteen who were part of the Berlin Philharmonic. They were playing some great music and they got applause after applause

Belsen

This is a true story. I liberated Belsen, that is no bull. We had seen a VW drive by with German SS in with white flags as we were waiting to cross a river. They said they needed to clear a camp and they needed 48 hours. Our Colonel wouldn’t allow it and gave them 12 hours.

They agreed to have Hungarian guards there with side arms only. Us Bren Gun Carriers were sent over and the orders were if they tried to get out, yell at them and tell them to get back, or fire over their heads; and if they persisted more, fire at their feet. That’s what we were told. As you know they were too battered. We drove past a few of them, the rest were too weak to move. We drove past with no opposition, the Hungarian Army only had side arms. We pushed on. I had no ambition to go in. It was Belsen Prison Camp. Terrible atrocities. I was there two days before our people went in, I liberated the bloody place –that’s no bull, I did it. One thing I was proud of.

After the war

I was in the Army for another year. In the meantime, I organised myself a job as librarian to avoid patrols and guards. I had a thing about it; I was always in trouble in the Army. My job one night as librarian was to close the windows but I broke one window by mistake and offered to pay for it. The next thing I knew, Captain Hubble was taking over the Company, and Hubble said: “Seven days CB” (confined to barracks). I refused the punishment, and no one knew what to do. Next thing I knew the Colonel sent for me and he was very cautious. He said: “Look, we do understand the situation but with your record it won’t be a problem, you just have to book yourself in – you won’t have to do fatigues”. I said: “No” and he respected that.

An hour later Hubble sent for me and said he had spoken to the Colonel and we have decided to forget the whole thing. Next thing would have been a court martial. Can you imagine the headlines with me as a war hero? I didn’t pay for the window, either. I was never a peacetime soldier. Only when I joined the Territorial cadets.

Frank

Want to be a soldier?

My demob

I had to wait for a year to be demobbed.

The German girls were looking for boyfriends as they lost so many. They wanted coffee and cigarettes to get food from the farmers. We weren’t allowed to fraternise for the first three months, but everyone seemed to have a German girlfriend.

I started learning some German and I remember I went to a class conducted by a German woman. I thought I was doing well and there was a German boy about six or seven mucking about the garden and I said: “Gutentag” and he said: “Sorry, I don’t speak English very well”. That gave me an inferiority complex.

A job at Napier’s

After the war I needed a reference. I went into engineering and worked my way up and became Modifications Secretary for Napier’s. My older brother was Chief Draftsman there.

I organised and controlled modifications to aeroplane engines. Then they split up the company

and part became Rolls Royce. They wanted to move me to Liverpool, which I did.

I bought a house up there and then they moved me from Liverpool to Lincoln. At Lincoln my wife became very ill and was in and out of hospitals. I decided to bring her home and chucked my job in. I became Assistant Chief Engineer at a firm making coin boxes for telephones.

In Conclusion

I must say that having survived WW2 I found it a fantastic experience that was unbelievably exciting but also terribly boring at times – but I wouldn’t have missed it for all the tea in China, but while it was happening and any of your readers offered to change places with me, with honour, you would not have needed to twist my arm to make me do it.

I’m immensely proud that I gave a little help to Errol Flynn and John Wayne in winning the war!

P.S. My apologies for the jerkiness of the account, but it was verbatim into a recorder.

Want to be a soldier

Want to be a soldier, but really don't want to commit precious years of your life?

Or you’ve been out for a while now and you want to remember what it’s like being back in again. Don’t worry, it’s common, we’ve all been there. Here are some easy ways to simulate exactly what it's like to be a soldier.

• Dig a hole in your garden and live in it for two weeks. Set up the sprinklers to spray you with cold water every hour. Check the perimeter every night at midnight. Set your alarm clock to go off at random times during the night to practice your “stand to”. Dig a shit pit behind the shed. Make sure the smell carries to your neighbour's house.

• Don’t bother showering or changing your socks for a few weeks.

• Once the missus has made the beds, randomly during the day tear the blankets off and shout ‘this is not f**king good enough,’ repeat a number of times for no reason.

• Routinely take all household appliances apart, clean them and put them back together, even if they haven’t been used.

• When on holiday dig a trench in the sand and set up beach defences in case of amphibious attack.

• Empty the rubbish bins all over your house at weekends, then make sure it’s all clean again for Monday morning.

• Wake the whole street up every morning at 06:00 hours for area cleaning.

• Fill a backpack with fifty pounds of kitty litter. Put it on your back for twenty-four hours and jog everywhere.

• Blindfold your missus and make her give you a haircut with the garden shears.

• Use random contents of the fridge to make range stew. Blindfold the brats, make them wait in line for at least an hour. Repeat daily, no matter how tired you are. Eat everything cold. Eat so fast you don't taste the food.

• Get the missus to make you up a horror bag for work, Panda pop, sweaty cheese sandwiches, a fiveday old boiled egg and a packet of plain crisps.

• Get your neighbour to give you your mail in monthly intervals.

• Place a barrier and sentry box on your driveway and make the brats stag on 2 on 4 off. Get them to inform you when your mother-in-law approaches, so you can head for your hole in the garden.

• Maintain iPhone silence. And remember, if you have nothing to do, clean something that doesn't need cleaning.

“I wonder what my parents did to fight boredom before the internet... I asked my 17 brothers and sisters, and they didn't know either.”

Someone said: “30 years ago” and my mind went: “Ah yes! The 1970’s” but they meant 1992, and now I need to lie down...

The

Jim Brown, finally captured..!

The Rifles in 2022

Regimental Operations Summary

At the beginning of 2022 The Rifles envisaged a calm operational cycle, allowing the battalions to catch up on much needed training and prepare for upcoming tours. That all changed when Russia’s ‘special operation’ in Ukraine commenced in February, and because of it, Operation INTERFLEX was conceived and became the lead defence contribution to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).

A direct result of the invasion saw RIFLES battalions being either deployed to NATO regions or delivering an infantry training package in the UK to prepare Ukrainian soldiers for fighting on their frontline. Tours were either shortened or scrapped altogether, but with typical RIFLES dash many of our Riflemen stepped up and contributed to what was arguably the most significant training package of the year. Operation INTERFLEX soon became the buzzword across the Regiment and saw two of our Regular Battalions tasked in the vanguard, with 3 RIFLES based in Cumbria and 5 RIFLES in Wiltshire.

Across 6-months, using a 5-week training cycle, Ukrainian civilians were taught a basic infantry package but what began as a three-week sprint to train them eventually became a more sustainable

five-week program after identifying gaps in the cycle. The package was essentially a version of the Reserves' basic infantry course, whittled down to only what is necessary for increasing survivability and lethality, whilst being shaped to the specific requirements of those fighting the war in Ukraine.

The planning was conducted at command level, but the delivery came from the JNCOs who did an outstanding job. In the long run it has provided us with a unique opportunity to learn how a primary adversary is fighting.

Despite Operation INTERFLEX other commitments needed to be completed and these saw 1 RIFLES provide support on the high-profile Commonwealth Games through Operation UNITY. 2 RIFLES deployed B Company to Jordan on Exercise OLIVE GROVE and ran a JNCO Cadre for Riflemen across the regiment, including specialist roles for Fire Support Company. At short notice and not long after the battalion’s return from training in Kenya, 2 RIFLES were deployed to Estonia on Operation CABRIT and contributed to Operations VIGILANT FOX, CASARIA, THORN, STIFFTAIL and Exercise SILVER ARROW – all mainly in Scandinavia and the Baltic States.

Despite 3 RIFLES’ commitment to Operation INTERFLEX, it also found time to live fire on Exercise VANGUARD BUGLE and run Exercise MORTARS BLITZ in north Scotland at Cape Wrath. Meanwhile, 4 RANGERS contributed to the UK’s response to the invasion of Ukraine and had multiple deployments across the Middle East, including Lebanon and Jordan. The battalion also built on our excellent relationship with the US Green Berets, who they routinely deploy and train alongside.

Combined with 5 RIFLES’ work with Operation INTERFLEX, the battalion also found time to deploy on exercises in Finland, Poland and Canada, the latter being short toured so that they could return to work with the Ukrainian Forces. Additionally, they also entered two teams into the Cambrian Patrol Competition; winning gold and silver medals. Our reserve battalions also stepped up, providing troops for Operations TOSCA, UNITY and INTERFLEX; as well as sending Riflemen to the Falkland Islands, Cyprus, Nepal and Somalia. 7 RIFLES went to North America on Exercise NORTHERN STRIKE, working with the US National Guard in advance of the Brigade all-reserve Exercise SPEARPOINT.

Regimental Sport and Training Summary

Our Riflemen pushed themselves hard as individual and team sportsmen. Our elite athletes continue to excel in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Bobsleigh, Skeet Shooting and Rugby (league and union) winning competitions and representing the Army and national teams at major events. RIFLES’s teams won trophies in rugby, football, swimming, power lifting, boxing and cycling – to name just a few. But also competed in many other sports including golf, netball and athletics; with some outstanding personal achievements. 5 RIFLES came third in the Regular Army Operational Shooting Competition at Bisley (with two Riflemen coming second and third) and 7 RIFLES became the first RIFLES team to win the Reserve Bisley Competition.

We also stepped up the pace ensuring our Riflemen were exposed to the maximum amount of adventure training possible. A 14-person team climbed Mt Kenya, some sailed off the coast of Mombasa in Kenya, while others managed to complete either mountain biking or canoeing courses or Adventure Training packages. We skied in France on Exercise FROSTED BLADE and in Canada spent time in the Rockies climbing, canoeing and walking.

Conclusion

During 2022 Operation INTERFLEX became the main effort for many Riflemen, and it allowed the Regiment to make a direct contribution to European security in a very rewarding way. The Riflemen worked incredibly hard to support our Ukrainian partners and they found the task hugely fulfilling. Our Junior NCOs excelled, and we are seeing positive results on the battlefields in Ukraine.

The Regiment is in excellent shape for the coming challenges of 2023. The Battalions are well manned and to date have met the requirements of the Integrated Review, although there is still work to be done. The operation has a clear linkage to 3 RIFLES’ future role as a Security Force Assistance Battalion.

In the background, we have been working hard to prepare for future tasks. There are large exercises to look forward to, not least Exercise ORION; a mechanised battalion-size deployment to France in April 2023, where 1 RIFLES will be working within a French armoured brigade. 5 RIFLES is earmarked for Op CABRIT 14 in Spring 24, with a company likely to deploy with the Royal Dragoon Guards on Op CABRIT 15 (Autumn 24). 7 RIFLES will lead the next Brigade all-reserve Ex BALTIC FIST in Estonia in July 23.

Across the Regiment there has been a focus on improving the quality of life of all its members through sport and adventure training opportunities, alongside excellent training and career development activity. We aim to continue focusing on that throughout the year and into the future.

An instructor on Op INTERFLEX delivers a lesson to Ukrainian trainees

1 Rifles

The Battalion has had an incredibly busy year and has not stopped operationally at home or abroad.

After returning from Cyprus on Operation TOSCA, A Company delivered support to the Commonwealth Games through Operation UNITY. The tempo increased for the Kenya deployment, on Exercise ASKARI DELTA, where the Battalion was joined by 70 Reservists and a Platoon from the Royal Gibraltar Regiment.

There have been strong promotion numbers across the junior ranks and of significance, Captain Plunket became Equerry to HM The Queen Consort.

The battalion enjoys a wide variety of sports, including Nordic and Downhill skiing as well as surfing. Riflemen participate in 27 individual sports and its elite sportsmen include Lance Corporal Ricky Bellingham, who secured a bronze medal at the world masters Brazilian Jiu Jitsu martial arts, and Rifleman Thomas Harris who has been reselected to be the Army’s elite sports programme in Bobsleigh.

Adventure Training in Cyprus and Kenya saw Riflemen participate across the board and a

2 Rifles

The battalion is in excellent shape, primarily after a demanding tour in Estonia on Operation CABRIT. B Company deployed to Jordan for the month long, Exercise OLIVE GROVE, following which many of them visited the ancient city of Petra, the Dead Sea and Wadi Rum, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

C Company ran a Junior Non-Commissioned Officer Cadre. I Coy and the Signals Platoon ran support weapons and signals cadres and upon completion, and at short notice, the battalion deployed to Estonia on Op CABRIT.

A series of quick succession deployments then took place: C Company moved to Finland on Operation CASARIA, and latterly Exercise VIGILANT FOX. B Company went to Latvia on Exercise SILVER ARROW, whilst A Company deployed to Lithuania on Exercise IRON WOLF. I Company and 88 Battery (Royal Artillery attachment) returned to Finland on Exercise FINLAND SWORD, and troops from 20 Field Squadron (Royal Engineers attachment) went

1 RIFLES in Kenya

14-person team climbed Mt Kenya, whilst others went sailing off Mombasa.

Its South-West connection is strong, and buglers remained in high demand, supporting the funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II and the Regimental Sounding Retreat at Horse Guards. 1 RIFLES also supported Wales University Officer Training Corps’ Annual Deployment Exercise, and Canford and Eton Combined Cadet Forces’ Summer Training Camps.

to Poland on Operation STIFFTAIL.

2 RIFLES continues to impress in the boxing ring and the battalion’s rugby team remains unbeaten this season, winning the Army Quench Cup at its conclusion. Alongside these achievements, individual athletes competed in netball, karate and British Army Warrior Fitness (BAWF). As for adventurous training, 30% of the Battalion has managed to complete either mountain biking or canoeing.

The families of the battalion have had a packed welfare program, particularly during Operation CABRIT. The first major event of the year was the Platinum Jubilee Party which over 250 people attended; entertainment and games were laid on for the children while the adults enjoyed sumptuous food provided by the Battalion’s talented chefs. Since the start of the deployment to Estonia there was a wellattended program of coffee mornings and Sunday lunches alongside a spectacular fireworks night.

3 Rifles

3 RIFLES is one of NATO’s Very High Readiness battalions (Operation AGORA) but still managed to pack out the year with operations and training. The JNCO Cadre in Otterburn saw 62 of 90 Riflemen successfully promote, and alongside it, Fire Support Company ran cadres. However, Operation INTERFLEX became the focus of the year.

Exercise VANGUARD BUGLE saw companies conduct live firing over 5-days from Jackal, Mastiff and Wolfhound vehicles alongside dismounted platoon attacks. This was followed by Operation INTERFLEX where 3 RIFLES trained 2,600 of the 10,000 Ukrainian recruits across 13 courses and 6-months. Over 5-weeks the package covered rural, urban and defensive tactics; including weapon handling, marksmanship, fieldcraft, first aid, mines and explosive devices.

1X Boxing Championship trophy winners

and A Company prepared for Operation CABRIT, where it will deploy to Estonia as part of the Queen’s Royal Hussars Battlegroup as an anti-tank company. Training began in September with live firing at Barry Buddon, and Otterburn in October, for Mastiff live fire gunnery.

Two teams entered the Cambrian Patrols Competition, earning gold and silver medals, and its sports and adventure training programs were busy.

In boxing 3 RIFLES was awarded the Brigade Trophy and in the Army Championships the battalion finished third overall, with three finalists and two victories.

The Mortar Platoon dealt with severe weather conditions in Scotland on Exercise MORTARS BLITZ

4 Ranger

The Battalion has worked hard to develop the Ranger concept and ‘License to Operate’ in its new and exciting role. In keeping with our RIFLES heritage, it takes great pride to understand, innovate, and experiment with all contributions.

Involvement in large scale combat operations, and training alongside US Special Forces partners in swamps and deserts of California has seen new tactics and technology ruthlessly tested. 2022 saw the delivery of the first large scale unconventional warfare exercise in the UK, Exercise APOLLOS SABRE, the development and delivery of new courses such as language and cultural awareness training, as well as urban combat skills. Individuals have undertaken battlefield studies in Europe and Jordan, identifying leadership lessons and methodology to working in the Arab world.

Two Riflemen made the Army Alpine Skiing Team, winning the tri-service championships. The footballers won the Army 6-a-side competition, and the swimming team came second in the Army Major Unit Competition; with 13 members winning medals, many of which were individual golds.

In its first year 4 RANGERS deployed to over ten countries on operations and training as well as conducting battlefield studies and adventurous training. It contributed to the UK’s response to the invasion of Ukraine, had multiple deployments across the Middle East, including Lebanon and Jordan. The key partner remains the US Green Berets, who they routinely deploy and train alongside.

Sports participation has increased: Cpl Craggs, one of the battalion’s female Rangers, came fourth at the World Powerlifting Championships and received a CGS Commendation. A JNCO was selected for Team GB Taekwondo, and our swimmers were recognised at the Inter Services Awards. The Battalion finished off the year with its first regimental boxing night against the Metropolitan Police.

5 Rifles

Riflemen have been abroad on exercises in Finland, Poland and Canada and involved in the training of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Operation INTERFLEX.

Exercise PRAIRIE TORNADO in Canada was challenging because of the armoured fleet’s reallocation to the European continent.

Consequently, the Battalion was only resourced to deliver subunit level training and dismounted live firing. Despite this, combined arms manoeuvre competency and mounted close combat continued. Involvement was cut short when the battalion recovered back to the UK to start training the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) on Operation INTERFLEX.

5 RIFLES deployed to train 600 Ukrainian citizens, providing them all the skills and experience necessary for the battlefield. Adjustments to the operation and training sat largely with JNCOs. Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment troops assisted, with the course looking like a version of the Reserves' Basic Infantry Course, and an emphasis on increasing survivability and lethality.

Those not deployed delivered support to other units' training events or making better use of Tregantle Fort. The return of the Army Operational Shooting Competition at Bisley saw our best results yet, with the team finishing third, with two Riflemen in the top three, and six in the top 25.

In Canada many troops experienced multi-activity adventure training in the Rockies. The footballers excelled and Riflemen competed as individuals and as a unit, in many sports disciplines, including British Army Warrior Fitness and Cycling. Rfn Young remains on the Army Elite Sports Program and hopes to compete at the next Olympics, and 5 RIFLES has several other members of the battalion representing the Army in a variety of sports.

5 RIFLES continued to support its aligned Associations and Cadets, attended the Wiltshire Cadets VIP Visitor Camp and several school jobs fairs, the ‘Turning of the Pages’ in Winchester Cathedral, the Lord Lieutenant for Buckinghamshire’s Awards and travelled to Arras to lay to rest two WW1 soldiers.

6 Rifles

This year 6 RIFLES resubordinated from 7th Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team to 19th Light Brigade – the Army’s new Reserve Brigade. It remains paired with the 1 RIFLES and continues to provide them with augmentees for operations and other activities.

This year 6 RIFLES resubordinated from 7th Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team to 19th Light Brigade – the Army’s new Reserve Brigade. It remains paired with the 1 RIFLES and continues to provide them with augmentees for operations and other activities.

After mobilising in July in advance of Kenya, reservists joined the rest of the battalion on Salisbury Plain for a two-week annual deployment exercise. From there they moved to Birmingham to support the Commonwealth Games and since August were attached to 1 RIFLES whom they deployed on Operation TOSCA with. In addition, the battalion had Riflemen deployed to the Falkland

Islands, an officer serving with the United Nations in Somalia, and a non-commissioned officer training Ukrainian soldiers on Salisbury Plain with 5 RIFLES. In total there were also 14 Riflemen at notice to react to civil emergency in the Southwest.

Troops were sent to Dunkirk, Sicily, and Normandy to learn some hard-won lessons on fighting a high-intensity conflict against a peer foe. Finally, 40 members of the Battalion enjoyed an intensive week of on and off-piste skiing in the Austrian Alps and eight of our reservists sailed for a week off the South Coast.

The battalion hosted four successful Bugle Breakfasts and once again helped run the annual Ten Tors event for nearly 3,000 teenagers on Dartmoor. The Salamanca Band performed across the Southwest, at Sounding Retreat on Horse Guards, and at Her late Majesty The Queen’s birthday celebrations at the British Embassy in Madrid.

7 Rifles

The battalion deployed Riflemen on overseas operations and tasks in Estonia, Cyprus, Nepal, Kenya, and the Falkland Islands and 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th Battalions with individual augmentees. The Waterloo Band and Bugles contributed personnel to Sounding Retreat at Horse Guards, a repatriation ceremony of a WW1 soldier in Belgium, and the funeral procession for Operation BRIDGE. Riflemen also supported the UK Border Force, the Scottish Ambulance Service and training of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

continues to grow under WO1 Rob Soutter.

A Company Group trained and deployed to Michigan, USA for the multinational Exercise NORTHERN STRIKE, and participation in

the Brigade all-reserve Exercise SPEARPOINT. One of the highlights of 2022 was the 7 RIFLES shooting team winning the Army Reserve Operational Shooting Competition with all members qualifying for the Army Reserve 50 top shots. The first RIFLES battalion to win the Army Operational Shooting Competition.

Despite a significant turnover in its permanent staff 7 RIFLES is well manned. It continued to support the Army and Combined Cadet Forces, and the Reading Branch of The Rifleman’s Association

8 Rifles

8 RIFLES continue to grow at pace for a relatively new unit of five years and during the year provided Riflemen to Operation UNITY (Commonwealth Games), the British Army Training Unit Kenya and Exercise ASKARI STORM with 1 RIFLES. We led the ARes Homeland Resilience Pilot 1, cohering personnel across several units, on high readiness reserve contracts to provide UK Standby Battalions for fires, floods and other disasters.

8 RIFLES continue to grow in mass and capability. Focus has been on closing the middle management gaps at Corporal, Serjeant and Captain, whilst chasing down our narrowing Rifleman deficit. Birmingham is our number one growth location, but we are also looking at options to maximise our laydown in traditional RIFLES heartlands in the North.

The battalion ran internal sub-unit adventure training packages, and planning continues for Exercise NORTHERN FROSTED SWORD that will see 35 Riflemen and instructors attend a week of

The Alpine Ski Team deployed to France for Exercise FROSTED BLADE and 7 RIFLES maintained its focus on cricket and golf. Riflemen outperformed in netball, hockey, rugby and athletics.

downhill skiing. Additionally, CSjt McGinley has represented the Army at angling and LCpl Chatwin has represented The Rifles and Army at mountain biking.

It has been a busy year for activities across our Regimental Pillars. In the last six months 8 RIFLES has been involved in 60 such events (one was Regular, five Reserve, two Cadet, nine Association, 35 Community and eight were ‘multi-pillar’ focused) – not including Remembrance events. Its efforts are focused on growing the Battalion and maintaining the RIFLES brand across the communities.

8 RIFLES competed at the Army Reserves Operational Shooting Competition at Bisley and finished sixth of 15 ARes units, with two Riflemen in the Top 50 shots. In October, the Cambrian Patrol Team recorded a bronze medal. E Coy secured top place in both ARes male and mixed categories on 1st Division’s Bismarck Challenge – a team relay event.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

HRH Princess Marina Duchess of Kent was Honorary Colonel Bucks Bn OBLI 1937 to 1946 and also Honorary Colonel 4th (TA) OBLI.

The portrait now hangs (on Loan) in the Cavalry and Guards Club in London.

HRH Princess Marina Duchess of Kent’s eldest Son HRH Prince Edward Duke of Kent is the Royal Colonel 1 RIFLES and her daughter HRH Princess Alexandra is Royal Colonel 3 RIFLES.

Op Burberry 1977

1 RGJ had recently returned from a tour of north Belfast and were gearing up for a move to Hong Kong. Of course many were complaining saying that they would miss the rolling hills of such exotic places as South Armagh or the friendly banter of the occupants who lived in the palaces of the Lower Falls and the like in Belfast and Londonderry and could they please stay in the UK and add to their N.I tour tally. However, despite much wailing and gnashing of teeth we were told we could not all transfer to 2 or even 3 RGJ and would have to fly 24 hours around the globe to some place called Stanley Fort. In my case I was to do the same journey three times waiting on a court case from NI, fly to HK, fly back to the UK, court case cancelled, fly to HK and repeat. If only the RAF had given out air miles. We were getting everything in order ready for the move in the new year when on 14 November the firemen went on strike! The armed forces therefore provided emergency cover using a fleet of ‘Green Goddess’ fire engines.

one previously knew existed and I ended up in Cavalry barracks Hounslow. Cavalry Barracks, now closed, was a depressing place and next to nothing happened there. Those manning the Green Goddesses must have been quite bored but at least as SP Coy Clerk I at least got to type up Company Detail each day which mainly consisted of, well, nothing much really. I also got to man the phone and radio where nothing much happened either.

After about seven days of this tedium came a request for someone to carry out admin support at East Acton, with absolutely no arm twisting I upped sticks and moved to the new location. At East Acton we had two policemen attached to us as escorts/ outriders and a Divisional Fire Officer as they were not on strike. We also had a Landrover to drive with a blue light and the bell attached to the front which was used for general duties, the mobile comms vehicle and carrier of oxygen bottles. I also accompanied the Divisional Officer on several shouts as he did not know that part of London, but I did so I could map read him into the right place.

Op Burberry

In 1977 the Third Battalion was stationed at Caterham. It was a busy year with a short emergency tour in Belfast and six weeks training in Alberta. By Autumn, everyone was looking forward to a quiet time in the run up to Christmas. But then the Fire Brigade Union decided on a national strike for more pay. John Taylor

1 RGJ were dispersed across bits of London no

All in all, I have to say it was a very interesting period.

Fireman’s Strike

Almost 30,000 firefighters were involved in the fire service national strike which lasted until January 1978 and over 1.25 million working days were lost.

At the time firemen earned £3,700 p.a. or approx. £72 a week for a 48-hour week. The Fire Brigades Union demand for a 30% increase was outside the government 10% limit on wage increases.

The strike led to a pay formula that helped to increase wages for the next 25 years. The formula ensured that the wages of firefighters kept in line with those the top 25% of male manual workers. There was not another national strike for 25 years until, in 2002, again over concerns over pay.

The Green Goddess was the colloquial name for the RLHZ Self Propelled Pump manufactured by Bedford Vehicles, it was used originally by the Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) and held in reserve by the Home Office until 2004, and available when required to deal with exceptional events.

The Government had no option but to call in the Army and the Battalion was given firefighting responsibilities for much of South London. I was OC R Company and we established two ad-hoc fire stations in TA centres in Camberwell and East Dulwich.

Meanwhile large numbers of war-time fire engines, the famous ‘Green Goddesses’, were taken out of storage where they had been mothballed awaiting the Third World War. These basic fire engines were ideal for soldiers to operate; they carried a small tank of water but had a powerful pump which could be connected to the local water supply. Minimal training was provided by non-union fire officers and we were let loose on London to do our best.

Most of the fires which we were called out for were small domestic fires and skip or bin fires. At first these were dealt with by enthusiastically pumping thousands of gallons of water into homes causing more damage than the fire. It was soon learnt that the small ‘garden’ hose would douse most domestic fires. On arrival it was vital to turn the gas off at the main. Once, when this had been forgotten, the fire was almost put out, but a spark ignited the gas in a great sheet of flame over our heads.

We had some good big fires, one in a wood store, and a strange smouldering fire in a disused cold store on the banks of the Thames used by homeless squatters. In the days before sat-nav, route finding was by a tattered A-Z on the fire engine commander’s lap. I had a blue light and a

siren fitted to my short-wheelbase Landrover and enjoyed driving along pavements in the rush hour with all systems go.

In the early days, we attended a brisk fire in the top floor staff club at Kings College Hospital. The floor below which was some kind of lab where tall bottles of formaldehyde containing human organs were heating up and giving off a sickly stew like smell. Meanwhile all was chaos as fire engine after fire engine arrived and went into their basic drills deploying hoses which became intertwined. It was clear that a control post was required where teams checked in on arrival and military firefighting SOPs were written which were adopted all over London District.

The support from the local South Londoners was almost overwhelming. At one small fire, a crowd gathered and organised a silver collection which was presented to the team commander. As Christmas approached, so many cases of beer were delivered by grateful locals to the fire stations consumption had to be regulated so that teams were sober enough to put out fires. At the Camberwell fire station, it was a mystery why so many volunteered for gate sentry duty until it was discovered that the student nurses passed by on their way to the Hospital and might agree to a date.

Op Burberry proved yet again the amazing adaptability of Riflemen to take on any task and do it well – and with their usual good humour and courage.

B Coy 3RGJ

Op Burberry 1977

1977 turned out to be a slightly unusual and turbulent year for a number of reasons, one of which was 3RGJ had just returned from the exotic delights of Berlin to the less than exotic delights of Caterham Barracks in Surrey, the home of the Foot Guards since 1877. What a run down and ancient 146 year-old dump that barracks was, but the less said about that the better, other than to say it was nevertheless good to be back on home soil. John FD

Anyway aside from the usual practice of over painting with black, red and green the dark blue and red roadside kerbs the Guards had left, and all the other settling in and general future planning that goes on in a new post Then as now, a number of civilian organisations were becoming more and more militant with their pay demands. One of which was the Fire Brigade Union which was flexing its muscles by threatening to go on strike. Well it didn’t take long before the threat turned to action, and strikes were called in the middle of November that year, and the nation found itself terrified by the thought it would be without one of its essential emergency services.

Never fear however as the powers that be once again turned to the military for help and we-all of a sudden found ourselves on quick crash courses in fighting fires, and all the other incidents the fire service dealt with.

Of course Fireman Sam we were not, and as a consequence we were never allowed anywhere near, or able to use the Fire Brigades appliances,

so, we had to make do with scores of old 1950’s military Green Goddesses that had to be brought out of Cold War storage. My goodness the state of those things was something to behold what with their ancient design and total lack of equipment. Who for example would ever forget that aged and desiccated leather strap that hung from the ceiling of the cab, and when shaken rang a school assembly bell fitted to the outside of the roof, or the very real possibility that every time the appliance turned a corner it would very nearly topple on its side!

Of course, the next question on everyone’s lips was, where would we end up having our dubious skills deployed? Well we soon got our answer a few days later when under command of Maj John Taylor the whole company departed Caterham Barracks in its fleet of sorry looking Green Goddesses, and an hour later drove through the gates of our new home for what seemed to be the foreseeable future – The London (Irish) Rifles TA Centre in Flodden Road, Camberwell, London. Well at least it was a military building of sorts. But that’s another story.

Camberwell was, and still is very typical of a densely populated urban sprawl, in that it mainly consisted of closely packed streets filled with terraced housing, shops and small businesses, all criss-crossed by major roads running through it. As we later found out, a bit of a nightmare to navigate through and as it happened a potential tinderbox too!

Anyway, we quickly settled in and found to our surprise, that in addition to ourselves we also had attached a small number of Metropolitan and City of London Police whose primary aim was to (hopefully) filter out hoax calls, and on their powerful motorbikes and V8 Rovers to guide us to the scene of any incident or fire. In addition to the police we also had on hand to assist us, certainly for the early days, a number of Fire Brigade Officers whose own union wasn’t on strike. Of course

they couldn’t be seen to be breaking the rank and file fireman’s pickets, so were dressed as ‘covert’ soldiers. Mind you they still stood out like sore thumbs having been issued with spanking new DPM clothing and boots!

I could at this point tell you all the daring do’s that the company got up to putting out fires and soaking half of London in water – but I won’t. But what I will tell you about is three incidents that have stuck in my mind ever since.

John Fritz-Domeney Flodden Road TA Centre. Ops Rm Op Burberry 1977

Flodden Road, TA Centre. Op Burberry 1977

Green Goddesses and Police MC cop.

The first was a motorcycle cop who on a ‘shout’ (see the terminology has stuck) came rushing out of the TA Centre, jumped on his bike, started it up, pushed it off its stand, and then did an unintentional 30mph wheelie across the courtyard. It later turned out one of our guys had been fiddling with his bike and had left it in gear!

The second was all five appliances being deployed to a very large and local mental hospital. Of course, it turned out to be a hoax call, but as we were waiting for the building to be checked out a large number of babbling and over excited residents came out and started to climb all over the vehicles. I am convinced to this day that some of those residents came back to the TA Centre with us and ended up serving with the regiment!

The 3rd and final memory is of one day when the gate guard called the office cum Ops Room and said: “Ear Sir. I’ve got some old geezer down ‘ear says he knows ya”. Curiosity piqued I made my way down to find much to my surprise the ‘old geezer’

was in fact ex WO2 Bill Granby who had been HQ Coy CSM at the Depot before his retirement back in the late 60’s and who lived nearby. Bill was clutching two bottles of whisky as a gift for the fellas. Needless to say, the lad on the gate didn’t get any!

Did we do any good? Well let’s put it this way we did our best and probably saved a lot of lives and property. but in the process and excitement of it all undoubtedly pushed up the areas water usage 10-fold! The other additional bonus was by the end of the strike and before the good old Green Goddesses were put back into cold storage, they had been updated a bit. Out had gone the military A41 and C42 radios we had been using as vehicle and Ops Room radios (yes really) and thankfully replaced with decent PYE HF sets, and best of all was the school bell on vehicle roofs were consigned to history and replaced with proper sirens AND blue lights! Fireman Sam eat your heart out!

My Green Goddess Memories as a Fire Fighter

I was Stationed in London at the time and was a PSI with 4 (V)RGJ in Davis Street, as HQ London District was the “Op’s Room” collating some deployment, we were volunteered to become Watchkeepers to assist in the running and monitoring of the situations. Pete Andrews

I turned up for my roster shift and was informed that one of the Detachment Commanders had called in sick, therefore I would assume command of his ‘2 Goddesses’ and was given an A -Z of London which unfortunately did not show the oneway streets and the directions they go in, an A41 with a spare battery which unfortunately does not work too well in built up areas, a stand pipe which could be useful if we found a water point and two crews of willing firefighters.

Good god, we were deployed to somewhere in Brixton for a chimney fire so off we went, at about 15 miles an hour flat out we manoeuvred across London and eventually arrived, after going around the houses a few times, to find the neighbours had put it out with their garden hoses and a borrowed ladder. We were made most welcome and given tea and cake as we were doing a great job. The good old British Bulldog spirit was still going strong.

Using a home telephone as the A41 could not communicate, we booked in as task completed and were then deployed to a shed fire near our location!

I do not recall how you can think anything in London is near so off we went with our bells ringing, although no one took any notice of them.

We did get there as the neighbours were damping the shed down having put it out, and again were well received and applauded as we turned up for doing a great job in difficult circumstances. The tea and cake were well up to standard and everyone appreciated what we were trying to do.

I felt that if we could have the Fire Engines and the training for them, we could have done a better job more efficiently.

Our shift now complete we returned to Horse guards to book off and hand over to the next shift, so back to being a Watchkeeper.

HM The Queen and Fire-fighting 1977

3 RGJ returned from Berlin at the end of 1977 – to Caterham, as part of London District. Reducing force levels and Police Supremacy in Northern Ireland meant that our planned South Armagh tour was cancelled. Brigadier Christopher Dunphie MC

Instead, a sudden and short trip to Belfast to help cover the UUAC strike was followed by street-lining for the Silver Jubilee. Officially our dress should have been No 2 Dress, but this seemed dreary beside battalions of red-coated Guardsmen, so I asked Maj-Gen John Swinton (‘The Major-General’ to ‘Hatmen’ – ‘GOC London District’ to us!) if he would allow us to dress in unofficial No 1 Dress – Greens. Ron Cassidy spent weeks borrowing Greens from throughout the Light Division – it became a case of fitting Riflemen to Greens, rather than Greens to Riflemen!

For some mysterious reason, hidden, doubtless in the depths of London District, I was not allowed to command the 3 RGJ sector, so, having handed over to the Regimental Colonel Welsh Guards, I watched The Queen’s procession to St Paul’s Cathedral from the crowds. I thought the boys looked rather smart as they marched on, but was a bit deflated to hear this exchange from a couple of men standing in front of me – “Who’s this lot?” “Dunno, must be some foreign mob.”

Following a splendid few weeks training in Canada we embarked on Public Duties. But this coincided with the Firemen’s Strike. 3 RGJ became firemen for South London, from the Thames to Croydon. During the next three months the battalion dealt with 498 fires, more than twice as many as any other battalion. I remember being a little concerned that the Riflemen might wish to make it up to a round 500!

The fires varied from a fairly large hospital fire, requiring a mass of Green Goddesses from all over London, to small frying-pan fires. Some were tragic, almost pathetic – the woman who felt cold at night so took her electric iron to bed with her; the mother who decided to warm up her baby by placing an electric fire under its cot, face up.

Others were near criminal – the parents with a flat near the Oval who went out to work leaving two children aged about 3 and 1 alone. The only furniture in the flat was one chair, on which was a TV, plugged into the wall socket by two live matches, and a Dunlopillo mattress on the

floor, with blankets; the children’s toys – a box of matches. Lots of acrid smoke from the burning rubber mattress but, fortunately, no casualties.

I well remember a fish and chip shop fire. On arrival, as the Riflemen laid out the hoses, the Corporal (sadly I can’t remember who), investigated the fire and called for foam, rather than water, to extinguish the burning fat. The shop owner thought he could help, so turned on the water, seized a hose and sprayed it into the shop. I arrived to hear angry shouts from the Riflemen now being sprayed with burning fat, quick action was necessary. After the fire was extinguished, the Corporal pointed out to the accompanying policeman that the storeroom at the back was full of tins of cheap cat food, doubtless for use in meat butties. The owner had a bad evening – he lost his shop, he was prosecuted under the Trades Description Act, and he had a black eye.

Especially memorable was Christmas Day. The generosity of the public was marvellous. Every ‘firestation’ was inundated by presents – mostly drink. I hoped that there would be no fires – uncertain whether Riflemen’s ‘alcoholic breath’ might increase, rather than extinguish the flames! In particular I remember arriving at Vere Hayes’ A Company base in time to join the officers and sergeants in serving lunch to the Riflemen. As we sat down to our own lunch the door opened and the nearby Firemen’s picket came in – and insisted on serving our lunch.

The press became wildly excited about the standard of accommodation for the fire-fighters. A local MP decided to try to make some political capital out of this and, following a visit, ‘sounded-off’ about ‘water running down the walls’ of one of our huts. A TV crew arrived to film the scene – to be told by the Riflemen that it was a long-disused store hut, so they decided to wash the walls – “and it’s a darned sight better than a night in the driving rain on Salisbury Plain!”

Coalition Warfare

The war in The Gulf, known with typical British quaintness as Op GRANBY, has been described as ‘coalition warfare’ in recognition of the 25 or more nations who took part. The event deserves the title even if one looks only within the British forces.

Major D M Limb, MBE PARA

Under-manning in Germany meant that every British unit which deployed on the operation was a ‘coalition force’, made up to wartime establishment by men and equipment from many others. This is an attempt to record in The Chronicle that there were 68 members of I RGJ within that coalition called the 1st (UK) Armoured Division.

Although I am a Parachute Regiment officer, I was commanding SP Coy RGJ during 1990. I deployed on Op GRANBY in September 1990 as an LO between the 1st US Marine Division (1 MARDIV) and 7 Armd Bde. Prior to the ground war I became an LO between 1 (UK) Armd Div and the 1 (US) Infantry Division (Mech) – 1 ID(M). In consequence, I was fortunate to have had a reasonably broad view of events…without any responsibility for them! I have attempted to provide an outline of the operation from its start (for the British Army) in September 1990 to its end in March 1991 a skeleton upon which to hand the personal accounts of others. It is based on my own record and recollection of events and cannot be considered authoritative.

Like all good military events since the Battle of Hastings, for members of 1 RGJ this one began with a parade. Lieutenant Colonel Simon StanfordTuck told the Battalion assembled on the square in Osnabruck that the Cabinet was considering three deployment options for the movement of British Forces to the Gulf: The first was to deploy a full brigade based on 7 Armoured Brigade in Soltau; the second was to deploy an Artillery Group based on one or more MI 09 Regiments; and the third was to deploy a Medium Recce Regt (1 6/SL) supported by a company group from 1 RGJ. On 14 September the Cabinet chose option 1 and the battalion, which had buzzed in anticipation of option 3, went off for the weekend. A few hours later many were back again as it became clear that the making up to war establishment in men and machines of 7 Armd Bde was principally to be achieved by raiding those of 12 Armd Bde. Eventually, 68 members of the Battalion deployed on Op GRANBY. 1 RGJ was left with only three working FV432s and it gave up a host of other equipment, large and small. The activities of those

left behind may have been much less glamorous than that of those who deployed, but the task of moving equipment to the docks, pre-deployment training and guarding everything that remained, was essential to the overall effort.

Brigadier Patrick Cordingley (later Major General Patrick Cordingley DSO OBE) returned to Soltau from his initial recce to Saudi Arabia on 23 September. After three days in Soltau. during which the initial decisions on the outload sequence were made, I deployed via Hannover, Lyneham, Cyprus and Riyadh to Al Jubayl port on 27 September to make up a 3-man team with Lieutenant Colonel Aitken of the RAOC and Major Chris Sexton, RE. We were quickly joined by the RHQ and two Sqns of 39 Engr Regt. By 5 October a 2,000 bed tented camp was under construction in the port and an initial plan had been made for the reception of aircraft (manpower and cargo) into Al Jubayl Airfield, and ships (equipment) into Al Jubayl Port, the marrying up of one with the other and their initial move out into the desert. The advance parties from Bde units and the Force Maintenance Area (FMA) arrived between 5-12 October. The first of 42 ships docked on 15 October and the main body began to arrive by air from the 13 October. The ‘real’ movers and planners took over the task at which we had amateurishly played for three weeks; we were very happy to let them do so!

By 15 November, 7 Armd Bde was almost complete in the desert some 25 kms west of the coast. The Bde came under the tactical control of 1 MARDIV and I lived with the Marines in the desert from 120 kms north of 7 Armd Bde. The majority of those from 1 RGJ were deployed with HQ 7 Armd Bde and 1 STAFFORDS.

7 Armed Bde worked with 1 MARDIV to develop the defensive plan in the event of an Iraqi attempt to push further south from Kuwait into Saudi Arabia. The inclusion of a British heavy brigade into the relatively lightly equipped Marine division greatly increased their punch – and presented some interesting challenge on coordination of everything from combat supplies, radio compatibility and

voice procedure, to controlled US Marine aircraft. Planning, training and exercising the Brigade also occupied much time and effort. Some sophisticated ranges were constructed, and a progressive sequence of battalion events, supplemented with Brigade CPXs, MAPEXs and COMMEXs took place, leading to FTXs to practise both the internal workings of 7 Bde in this most peculiar environment and to develop the command and control arrangements for a British Brigade to function within a USMC division in wartime.

Throughout this time the mission remained firmly ‘To defend Saudi Arabia’. At another level of planning, however, there was an awareness of the possibility that an attack upon Iraqi forces in Kuwait may become necessary. On 7 November, President Bush announced the intention virtually to double the number of US Forces in the region. Britain declared that it was to expend the 14,200 men of 7 Armd Bde Gp to 35,000 men within 1 (UK) Armd Div.

The remainder of November and December 1990 were occupied by further training, often with the US Marines, to develop the skills needed for an assault breaching of the Iraqi defences along the Saudi/ Kuwait border. Much work was also done to assist with the in load of the remainder of 1 Armd Div which began in earnest immediately after Christmas. The overt plan at this time projected the British Division operating close to the coast within a US Marine Corps (MARCENT) and attacking north directly towards Kuwait City from coastal Saudi Arabia.

MARCENT forces comprised 1st and 2nd MARDIVs and the Marine Air Wing (MAW) with almost 400 fixed and rotary wing aircraft. The MARCENT effort, that of the Arab Corps to its west, and the two embarked Marine Expeditionary Brigades (each of over 14,000 men) operating offshore to the east, were to be subsidiary to the main effort by ARCE T (Army Central Command) forces further inland.

ARCE T was deploying with two Corps (7 Corps and 18 Airborne Corps) some 250 to 550 kms west of the cot in the desert. 1 (UK) Armd Div was to take part in this main effort as one of five divisions and an Armoured Cavalry Regiment (2ACR) within 7 (US) Corps. The British lead elements and logistics began to move west in early January 1991 with the main units following later. Much of 7 Corps was still in loading into the ports of Al Jubayl and Dharhan and just beginning to move west along the single road from the coast into concentration areas along the western edge of the Saudi/Kuwaiti border.

I moved west on 3 January 1991 to become the LO with 1st US infantry Division (Mechanised), which was just starting to in load into its concentration area. 1 (UK) Armd Div began to in load into the patch of desert ‘next door’ from 12 January. At the same time, work began to tie down the details of the operational plan for an attack to remove Iraqi forces from Kuwait if they failed to comply with UN resolutions by 15 January. There was no Iraqi movement and the air campaign commenced at 02:00 hrs (Local) on 17 January.

It is difficult fully to appreciate either the scale of the operation or the total featurelessness of the desert in the west. Equally, after so total an Iraqi collapse in the war, it is hard to appreciate that Saddam Hussein was assessed to have 42 Divisions and almost half a million men deployed in and around Kuwait. He was as used to have nearly 5,000 artillery pieces, 3,500 tanks, 1,500 aircraft and appeared to have prepared a sophisticated defence over the previous five months. It was this perception of the threat that the plan was tailored to defeat.

The overall plan for the ground offensive had four elements. Two Marine Divisions on the east coast, supported by feints with the Amphibious Forces offshore, were to attack directly into Kuwait on G Day. Inland of the Marine, on G+I the Arab Corps (comprising one mixed Saudi/Kuwaiti Division, one Syrian Division and two Egyptian Divisions) was to attack towards Kuwait City. In the far west 18 (US)

AB Corps would start its attack on G Day north into Iraq with the US 1O1st Air Ass It. The US 82nd AB, and the 1st French Divisions, followed on G+I by the heavier formations of 3 ACR and 24 (US) ID(M).

18 AB Corp’s main objective was to block any Iraqi retreat west towards Baghdad, thereby trapping the enemy between the River Euphrates to the north, 18th AB Corp to the west, the Marines and Arab Corps to the south, and 7 (US) Corps in the centre.

The five Divisions which made up 7th (US) Corps –4 of which bore the number ‘1’ in their title – were to begin their attack on G+I. The Corps plan was to attack north and eastwards to G+I with four divisions abreast and one in reserve to destroy Iraqi forces in and around Kuwait. A principal objective was the five Republican Divisions which were deployed just inside Iraq along its border with Kuwait.

1 ID(M), 2 ACR and 3 (US) Armd Div were to attack into lraq between 18 AB Corps in the east and the Arab Corps in the west who were pushing into Kuwait. 1 (UK) Armd Div were then to pass through 1 lD(M) and strike north eastwards to protect the Corps right flank. Ist Cavalry Division (1CD) were the Corps reserve.

The remainder of January and the first three weeks of February were busy. The weather was cold and often very wet. Two large exercises were carried out between 1 ID(M) and 1 (UK) Armd Div to prove that it was possible to pass a British division of 2,500 armoured and 5,000 wheeled vehicles through a US division at night and, if need be, in contact.

When 7 Corps was virtually complete in its concentration area along the Saudi Border with western Kuwait the process of moving still further west along the line of the Saudi border with Iraq began under cover of the air campaign – and as covertly as was consistent with moving the supplies and then the division of a Corps of over 100,000 men!

The ground forces were ready to attack from about 18 February, but poor weather hampered the later phases of the air campaign and the last-minute Soviet attempt to persuade Saddam Hussein to withdraw caused G Day to slip to 24 February.

I was fortunate to be with the Tac HQ of 1 ID(M) (a very small and mobile organisation with only 8 AFV, including my own) for the entire ground war. 1 ID(M) were the break-in division, tasked with knocking through the Iraqi border defence and making the initial bridgehead. The combat power available for the break-in battle was astounding. Five 155mm and 8inch arty regts, five MLRS regts, two Apache

helicopter bdes, 168 A10 tank busting aircraft, 36 B52 and 32 F1-11 bomber, and two 15,000lb bombs delivered from C130 Hercules were available to support the 380 Abrahm main battle tanks and 150 Bradley AFVs of 1 ID(M). It was an unforgettable example of the principle of Concentration of Force.

The attached map and summary of timings shows how 1 (UK) Armd Div made rapid progress after completing their passage of line through 1 ID(M). The objective COPPER, BRONZE, ZlNC, BRASS, STEEL, PLATINUM, LEAD and TUNGSTEN were taken in 36 hours, from the afternoon of 25 February until the morning of 27 February. This placed the lead elements of the Division into Kuwait.

The US Marines and the Arab Corps had pushed up close to Kuwait City in the east and south. 18 AB Corps had rapidly blocked any Iraqi escape to the west.

On completion of their hook through Iraq, 7 Corps moved back into Kuwait with four divisions in a rough line. 1 (UK) Armd Div were in the south with 1 IS(M) to their north, and 3 (US) Armd Div, 1 (US) Armel Div and 2 ACR running north to link up with 18 AB Corps. Every division had thousands of prisoners and many thousands more Iraqi soldiers had moved northwards. leaving behind their equipment to be destroyed then or later.

President Bush announced in the early hour of 28 February his intention to call a temporary ceasefire from 08:00 hrs that morning. By that time, 1 (UK) Armd Div had pushed further eastwards through objectives VARSITY, COBALT and SODIUM to sit astride the main motorway from Kuwait City to Basra. All the lead divisions of 7 Corps sat astride this road, with the Marines and Arabs in Kuwait City to the south and 18 AB Corp to the north.

Casualties throughout the coalition forces was mercifully light. Sadly, I RGJ did not get away unscathed. Captain Toby Tennent with the Step-Up HQ of 1 STAFFORDS was badly wounded in the legs when a nearby Warrior IFV was hit by a Challenger tank round on Objective PLATINUM.

Some of the 68 members of 1 RGJ who deployed on Op GRANBY are likely to forget their experiences. It was very good to share a drink with them and their families when the majority arrived back in Osnabruck on 20 March 1991.

For my own part, I had been sent to 1 RGJ in January 1990 to gain what my own Regiment had described as “some experience of mechanised soldiering”.

By March 1991 I had certainly got that.

L/Cpl Kevin Goode

I was a L/Cpl from HQ Company. I was the only one from HQ Coy on our Provost Staff from 1 RGJ that got attached to HQ Coy 1 Staffordshire Regt Provost Staff.

The first Photograph is of my son Samuel and me standing on the football field in Osnabruck waiting for the Chinook Helicopters to take us to Fallinbostel to join up with I Staffs Battle Group. This Photograph was taken by Cpl Alan Stow who was the Bn Photographer at the time.

The second photograph is after it all finished, and I was in Northern Ireland when 1 and 3 RGJ were there that I found out myself and Cpl Tyson were awarded Comd 7 Armd Bde Commendations for Op Granby (see letter).

The 3rd Photograph is of the Certificate for the Kuwait Liberation medal we received for all allied forces that participated in Op Granby/Desert Storm and also received a Medal from Saudi Arabia plus the Medal from the UK.

On reflection I’m glad I went but equally glad I came back and remember the two Staffordshire Soldiers that lost their lives during the conflict.

It should be noted that also my wife Susan and other wives of Husbands that went on Op Granby participated in the Gulf Wives Committee which was set up by the Families Officer Capt Bob Wright and RSM Maddocks and their wives as part of the welfare package to keep everybody informed as much as possible.

Op Granby was a huge commitment not only for those that went but the rest of the Bn who stayed behind to do other commitments involving Op Granby.

Cpl Leigh Marshall

We received our orders for mobilization to the Gulf on the 7 December 1990. This was followed by training and kitting out with the invaluable assistance of the 2nd Battalion who worked hard to get us ready. We took ten days leave over Christmas and formed up in Church Crookham with the other elements of 28 Gurkha Ambulance Group on 2 January 1991.

The units in our Group were: 28 Squadron, Gurkha Transport Regiment (Hong Kong), with bands from The Brigade of Gurkhas, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, The Duke of Wellingtons Regiment, 2nd Royal Tank Regiment and ourselves. The Gurkhas provided administration and the drivers for 44 1-Tonne Land Rover Ambulances and 20 ambulance buses. The Bands acted as medics.

All bandsmen have to be trained as Regimental Medical Assistants class 3 (RMA 3). This involves all aspects of first aid, administering drugs, and hospital care, plus treatment of Nuclear Biological and Chemical (NBC) casualties. Some of the Band also gained further experience during the ambulance strike in 89. Our main job with the Group was to look after casualties being evacuated from Dressing Stations to Field Hospitals. This would involve maintaining treatment during journeys which might take four or five hours if operations were difficult.

We took off from RAF Brize Norton on the 7 January 1991 bound for Al Jubayl in Saudi Arabia on a Kuwait Airliner 747. On arrival we were duly processed and billetted in Camp Blackadder. The

next few days were spent preparing our vehicles, and general administration. We found that the list of kit we were told to take were not very accurate and much was discarded.

We moved out into the desert on the 14 January attached to Dressing Station 5 Bravo (DS 5B) covering 4 Armoured Brigade. On the 17 January allied planes attacked Iraq and Kuwait. The first hours were tense with frequent air attack warnings – nothing close, thank goodness! The next couple of weeks were spent training, moving location and gaining experience of life in the desert. On the 2 February the unit moved to Al Qaysumah near Hafer at Batin in northern Saudi Arabia where the Squadron Headquarters was established next to 32 Field Hospital. On the 14 February the Group split up. The Peninsula Band had 15 members attached to Dressing Station 1A, 7 to DS 1B and 4 to DS 5B with their ambulances. The Bandmaster remained with Squadron Headquarters.

A balanced medical plan was developed to ensure that the chain would not break as a result of the rapid advance expected. Support helicopters were the primary means of casualty evacuation but, in the event of bad flying weather, overland evacuation was also available. There was also an option to fly forward, by C130, a field hospital of 50 beds, once the Division had advanced deep into Iraq.

On the 24 February, the allied land offensive, Operation Desert Sabre began. DS 1A were attached to 7 Armoured Brigade (The Desert Rats) and moved into Iraq around midday on the 25 February.

The next four days of the 11 100 Hours War" were a blur of chasing the brigade to each objective. The DS received many casualties, mainly enemy. The DS remained mobile in support of the Brigade, stopping the column and setting up just the operating theatre in some cases using our ambulances as postoperative wards before casualties were airlifted to a Field Hospital. On the 27 February, 1(UK) Division had its mission changed from going north to sweeping east into Kuwait to the Kuwait City –

Basra highway in order to block the escape of men and equipment. Enemy positions were destroyed on the way. The DS Halted about 20 km north of Kuwait City in a deserted enemy position as the ceasefire was announced. All elements of the Group converged on DS 5B and moved to squadron HQ in early March before receiving orders to proceed to Al Jubayl for our flight home on the 18 March. This was followed by a month’s leave before returning to work at the end of April.

Op Granby – the immediate aftermath

Combat forces from 12 countries had taken part in the ground campaign against Iraqi forces while a further five countries provided defensive troops in Saudi Arabia. During the campaign to liberate Kuwait fewer than 250 personnel from the Coalition were killed in action. 24 British servicemen were killed in action, ten were killed during hostilities (but not in action) and a further four were killed in the immediate aftermath. It is estimated that 1,300 Kuwaitis were killed during the first three days of Iraq's occupation of Kuwait and approximately 1,700 were killed subsequently. No accurate figures of Iraqi casualties exist.

The campaign to liberate Kuwait had lasted 42 days and the land campaign had been completed in just 100 hours. It is too early to draw detailed lessons from that campaign but there can be no doubt that it has earned itself a special place in military history. The speed with which the plan was executed and, with so few Coalition casualties makes Operation DESERT SWORD quite unique. When General Schwarzkopf described the success of the US Marines' breaching operation, he could easily have been speaking about the whole campaign when he said it was an ‘absolutely superb operation’...which 'will be studied for many years to come as the way to do it.’

Sgt CR Phillips (Chris) ‘Coops’

The 3rd Bn were in Gibraltar when Op Granby was on. We were the last resident Battalion, if that matters! I was then the G3 clerk working with then Major Nick Parker and Capt Nick Austin.

Some ships had already passed through the straits in 1990 and it wasn’t uncommon to see aircraft at RAF Northfront, refuelling (mainly with fags and booze), heading in that direction.

As I remember, the battalion were in training, just in case any North African countries decided to switch sides and pay us a visit. We had (memory forgets the name of it) a missile system installed on the sports pitch at Europa Point. It kept a track of everything, including the school bus!

One morning I bumbled into, then Capt (later Lt Col) Henry Worsley, who was having a brief stopover on his way to the Gulf with 22 SAS. He had been our Ops Officer in Colchester. We had a chat and I wished him good luck. Henry later died in January 2016 while attempting to complete the first solo and unaided crossing of the Antarctic.

In 2001 I was deployed on Op Veritas to MacDill AFB in Florida. We were a small contingent, working

at CENTCOM and helped the Americans plan a response to the 9/11 attacks (Operation Enduring Freedom). The atmosphere was very sombre at this point, only days after the attack.

I had been previously on Ex PURPLE ILIAD when now Gen Nick Parker visited and, much to everyone's surprise, he spent quite a few minutes catching up with me. We had a video conference early on in the deployment, I was setting up the gear, when a familiar face came up on the screen. It was Lt Col Henry again, some 10 years since I saw him in Gibraltar. He said that I always seemed show up when there was trouble and I agreed! He was the Commander of Op Veritas until it was taken over by Strike Command.

I left the Green Jacket family, after 15 years in the 3rd, to pursue a glittering career in the AGC (total b****ks that was). I have, from time to time, bumped into Green Jackets all over the place and am still immensely proud that I was a Rifleman. Once you’ve experienced the Guards, RLC, Staff Headquarters you realise how mad you were to leave home in the first place!

Pip, Squeak and Wilfred

These are the names given to the trio of commemorative medals issued to members of British and Empire forces who took part in the Great War.

The medals themselves are not gallantry medals and as such have only a small monetary value. Many people will have a set of these medals in their family’s possession and may wonder what their significance is and why they are known as “PIP, SQUEAK, and WILFRED”.

Pip, Squeak and Wilfred were characters in a comic strip which first appeared in “The Daily Mirror” newspaper on 12 May 1919. Pip was a dog, Squeak a penguin and Wilfred who did not appear until later in the series was a rabbit. Pip and Squeak were portrayed as being Wilfred’s parents and there was a supporting cast of a Russian bomb maker and his dog “Popski”. Another jaded and elderly penguin known as “AUNTIE” made an appearance. The comic strip was extremely popular and became a craze in the 20’s. The issue of the medals coincided with the start of this craze and they soon became known as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

PIP 1914 Star and 1914-15 Star

Both medals took the form of a bronze star with a central scroll bearing either Aug-Nov 1914 or 1914-15. The 1914 star was issued to members of the BEF (British Expeditionary Force) who had served in France and Belgium during the period 5 August 1914 and 22 November 1914. The majority issued were to members of the Regular and Territorial Army but some naval personnel serving ashore were eligible as were a very small number of Australian and Canadian personnel. This medal became known as the ‘Mons Star’ and some 378,000 were issued.

In 1919 a bar was sanctioned for those who were under fire which was sewn onto the ribbon. This bar bore the qualifying dates for the award.

The 1914-15 Star is exactly the same pattern as the 1914 Star with the exception of the scroll which is different. It was issued to all who served in a

theatre of war between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915 except for those eligible for the 1914 Star.

Squeak, The British War Medal 1914-1920

This medal takes the form of a solid silver medal with an image of a mounted figure of St George trampling the shield of the central powers with the dates 1914 and 1918 thereon. The reverse has the coinage head of George V. The award is usually found with the Victory medal but was awarded singly. Some 6 million were issued in silver with 110,000 issued in bronze to natives of various labour corps. The medals were also issued for service in Russia and for minesweeping operations.

Wilfred The Victory Medal 1914-1918

It was decided amongst the Allies that a common theme would be adopted and that each country would produce a medal to commemorate the Victory. This medal took various forms according to the country, but a common item was the rainbow coloured ribbon. The British medal shows the winged victory on the front holding a palm branch with the words ‘The Great War for Civilisation’ on the reverse. The British Medal was produced in bronze and was awarded to those who had received the War Medal and could not be awarded alone. The main qualification was those having any service in a war theatre but various civilians in recognised voluntary organisations received the award. Those mentioned in dispatches also wore a bronze oakleaf upon the ribbon.

RGJA Veterans’ Reunion 2022

Dear fellow Riflemen,

I write this article on a bright warm sunny day just before Christmas 2022 with recent events since our July Reunion very much in the forefront of my mind. We are all, in one way or other, feeling the effects of inflation, increased energy costs, Ukraine and strikes in a general rather depressing economic state that is affecting our country. All this on top of two-years worth of Covid issues when we were hoping that life would return and continue as per ‘prior Covid’. Not so, as we seem to have been hit by ‘the perfect storm’. Plus, by the time you read this you will know that our 2023 Reunion has been cancelled but more of that later. So, what have we got to be cheerful of?

Well, let’s be honest our 2022 Reunion was a great success as I reread my notes of the day scribbled on the day after in July. Riflemen are very good at looking at the bright side of life and making the best of any situation. And so, it was.

The 9 July dawned and gave us a good sunny hot day – no rain which had worried me in case the wet weather program had to be substituted at the last moment. Rereading my article in the previous Swift & Bold edition, I promised to make this year’s Reunion ‘special’ after two cancelled Reunions due to Covid, although that did not stop many of you meeting up in Winchester anyway! ‘Special’ was achieved and I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did.

But before the SJMB gates even opened at 12:30hrs we received the worrying news that our Membership Secretary Albert Goodge had been involved in a car accident and taken to hospital. Thankfully a full recovery has since taken place and our Treasurer and Reception party all stepped up to the mark checking you in without delay. We introduced two new innovations this year – a free regular bus service to/from the City centre to SJMB and an interactive static Formula 1 race simulator which proved very popular with over 100 trying to prove who was the fastest over 1 lap.

Congratulations to Karl Nelson with his winning time of 1.11.237 minutes and who, therefore, won the race steering wheel followed very closely by Dan Graham. The three fastest drivers all received a small cash sum which had been kindly donated as well.

The day’s event started with our Service of Remembrance at the wonderfully prepared Light

Division Garden of Remembrance- thank you Winchester Branch – and which was presided over by the Senior ATR Padre Alexander Battey. The well attended service followed our usual format of a hymn, prayers and names from our Roll of Honour while most Riflemen ‘taking cover’ under the shade of the trees opposite, a musical brass Assemble from The Rifles, The Rifles Association (TRA) Bugle Branch and the Winchester Military Wives choir. My thanks to all involved.

We were then treated to a short bugle call display by TRA Bugle Branch led by Tony Bishop and six buglers who had travelled from all corners of England to be present. They reminded us of calls in years past. I should also like to unofficially ‘thank’ this group for other Reunion bugle activities over the weekend. This consisted on Friday afternoon outside the Winchester Registry Office for Jim and Katy Brown’s (Jim was in my platoon Letter A Coy 1 RGJ in 1971) wedding vow ceremony and also for a ‘short?’ informal display outside the Bakers Arms PH later that same evening until ???? hours! But despite the late performance you were right as rain on the Saturday! Perhaps we should hold our future Reunions there?

Gary Driscoll, the Parade Adjutant, then formed us up on the Square as a Regiment, rather than by Battalions, for our much-loved March Past supported by bands from The Rifles and 6 and 7 Rifles. This is probably one of the Reunion’s highlights and this year was no exception with our marching and pace pretty good considering our ages. We were then addressed by our President Maj Gen (Retd) Jamie Gordon who thanked both Roy Stanger and John Fritz-Domeney for all their Reunion work over 20 plus years as 2022 was to be their last Reunion on the organising Sub Committee, the need to find their replacements and that future Reunions will have to be adapted to a different slimmed down model. General Sir Nick Parker, having taken the salute, also addressed us and how poignant his words were to become in later months. Due to world events and the economic situation, we were all facing a most challenging time of our lives. Sir Nick reminded us that we are all Riflemen, one family and need to support and look after each other as age starts to affect us all. Please note this was said in July and well before the seismic events that were to follow in the last quarter of 2022.

The Square’s last event was completed by a musical display by the massed bands consisting of The Rifles, 6 and 7 Rifles and TRA Bugle Branch under the Director of Music Major Lawrence Sale. As usual we were treated to sounds especially loved and familiar to our ears namely amongst others Rifles Assembly, Silver Bugles, Secunderbad, Zorba the Greek, Sir John Moore, High on a Hill, Evening Hymn and Sunset before the National anthem, Royal Green Jacket March and Mechanised Infantry and flag lowering. My thanks to all the musicians for the pleasure we enjoyed.

Then back to the bar in the marquee for beer and well-deserved refreshments and to continue our meeting and chatting to long-time friends. And before we went for an excellent two course £5 curry, the Melodic Belles gave us two singing sessions which kept our feet tapping alongside our out of tune voices but improving all the time with the beer!

We should remember that there are other aspects of the Reunion that can easily be forgotten and they should also be thanked – Chris Gates for the BAOR photographs and large TV monitor; The RGJ (Rifles) Museum and shop; C4C Pro Racing Simulator; 4 Rifles work party, bar and catering staff; the 60th Rifles cadets looking after parking duties; our Information and Compere Brigadier Nick Prideaux; the MOD police and the entrance reception group. Without your involvement the Reunion would not be the same. It would be wrong of me also not to thank the CO and RSM of ATR Lt Col J Cartwright RGR and WO1 D Bold RLC respectively for allowing us to invade their barracks with ‘Jackets of Green’.

As you know only too well, none of this would

happen without the work put in over the preceding year(s) by Roy Stanger and John F-D especially, plus Andy Spalding, the Reunion Sub Committee and the Winchester Branch. So, thank you all.

Summary and the Future

2022 was undoubtedly a great success blessed with good weather and well supported by 1,000+ attendees and cost £60,500 which includes a grant of £40,000. At the time the 2023 Reunion date could not be confirmed due to various uncertainties mainly over the future of SJMB. Since then the enormity of worldwide events has led to a pretty dire economic situation which in turn led to the RGJA Executive Council in November to cancel the 2023 Reunion and so making it bi-annual Reunions commencing in July 2024. You will have read the President’s more detailed letter on this. What will be the shape and model of the 2024 Reunion will need to be carefully considered by the Sub Committee. Two factors will be crucial in any decision making:

1) The size of the grant as it may be smaller than at present.

2) Numbers of Riflemen wishing to attend. Branches could well be asked to provide approximate numbers in early 2024 in order that the Sub Committee can consider what can be achieved within a set Reunion budget.

Riflemen- looking forward to seeing you at the 2024 Reunion, if not before at the NIVA event at the NMA on the 9 September.

Swift and Bold

Simon Booth-Mason Chairman Reunion Planning Committee

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Northern Ireland Veterans Parade 2022

By Pete Page, Central England Branch

Central England Branch RGJA

On Saturday 10 September, CEB in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Veterans Association (NIVA) hosted the annual NI Veterans’ gathering at National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire. This was the 9th year that the branch has attended and hosted the RGJ contingent in association with the multi service, multi cap badged NIVA. Numbers have varied over those nine years with just 12 attending in 2014 and slightly more in 2021- when Covid forced the cancellation of the formal event but we just carried on in our own good, if limited, Green Jacket fashion! The largest number to attend was in 2019 when 180 members turned out for what was the 50th anniversary of the start of Operation Banner. September 2022 saw a very solid turnout of around 74 all ranks on what was a rather sombre and poignant, yet pleasant, day following the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II, our Royal Colonel in Chief.

Northern Ireland Veterans Parade 2022

By Pete Page, Central England Branch

As usual, our service of remembrance takes place on the second Saturday each September and, follows on from the daily 11am service held in the NMA chapel in Heroes’ Square.

On Saturday 10th September, CEB in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Veterans Association (NIVA) hosted the annual NI Veterans’ gathering at National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire. This was the 9th year that the branch has attended and hosted the RGJ contingent in association with the multi service, multi cap badged NIVA. Numbers have varied over those nine years with just 12 attending in 2014 and slightly more in 2021- when Covid forced the cancellation of the formal event but we just carried on in our own good, if limited, Green Jacket fashion! The largest number to attend was in 2019 when 180 members turned out for what was the 50th anniversary of the start of Operation Banner. September 2022 saw a very solid turnout of around 74 all ranks on what was a rather sombre and poignant, yet pleasant, day following the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II, our Royal Colonel in Chief.

We then form up and march down the Millennium Avenue to the Ulster Ash Grove Memorial (The Ulster Ash Grove being the memorial for all victims of the troubles both civilian, military and security forces alike). Not all present manage the long march which is becoming a challenging feat for those that are growing older and becoming infirm. Nonetheless, most give it a good go or took to their mobility scouters or the NMA golf buggy! The Order of March was the NIVA “heavy” contingent, followed by a pregnant pause, before the Bugles Sounded the Advance for the “Old” Light Division contingent to bring up the rear-guard as we always have done – all under the instruction of CEB secretary Guy Mynett, assisted by Buglers. The march itself was

Central England Branch

RGJA

largely uneventful, apart from trying to keep step with our advancing years and poor hearing, but always appreciated with grateful applause from by the many watching visitors to the NMA on that second Saturday in September.

On arrival at The Ulster Ash Grove, the marching contingent and visitors gather around the six large monolith stones from the six Counties of Northern Ireland that form the Ulster Ash Grove where the NIVA S takes place. Our very own General Sir Robert Pascoe KCB MBE, as the current President of the NIVA, gave his annual speech reiterating the importance of remembering those that were either killed or injured during the troubles, coupled with or those that may be contacted about historical events and the legal Respects to HM the late Queen, were shown by all before forming up for the march back up the Millennium Avenue to the FUP.

On arrival at The Ulster Ash Grove, the marching contingent and visitors gather around the six large monolith stones from the six Counties of Northern Ireland that form the Ulster Ash Grove where the NIVA Service of Remembrance takes place. Our very own General Sir Robert Pascoe KCB MBE, as the current President of the NIVA, gave his annual speech reiterating the importance of remembering those that were either killed or injured during the troubles, coupled with advice for those that may be contacted about historical events and the legal enquiries.

Respects to HM the late Queen, were shown by all before forming up for the march back up the Millennium Avenue to the FUP.

Having conducted a March past and eyes right salute to General Sir Robert, The Light Infantry carried on to their Regimental Memorial and we to our memorial.

The able, and not so able, bodied on Parade

The able, and not so able, bodied on Parade

RGJ Veterans on route to the Ulster Ash Grove

RGJ Veterans on route to the Ulster Ash Grove

General Sir Robert Pascoe addressing Riflemen gathered at the RGJ Memorial

General Sir Bob began by recounting amusing anecdotes about his meetings with HM Queen Elizabeth in her capacity as Colonel in Chief of The Royal Green Jackets. He finished with a touching call for three cheers for Her Late Majesty. Of course, the gathering of Chosen Men responded with great vigour and loud appreciation of our only Royal Colonel in Chief. Our Regimental Service of Remembrance was this year again conducted by CEB Padre, The Rev Kelvin Price (2RGJ/4Rifles). Despite his time being heavily in demand as the Rector of St Laurence’s Church, Ludlow, he travelled the relatively short distance across from Shropshire to perform another excellent service. His spiritual offerings are always thoughtful, always sincere and always well received by his fellow Riflemen – given his own personal operational service, over 9 years, with the Regiment in both Northern Ireland and Iraq.

all the fallen in Northern Ireland, a reading the roll of honour followed, for the years 1972, 1982 and 1992, by CEB Branch Secretary Guy Mynett and author Pete Page, this year’s event co-ordinator.

On conclusion of reading the Roll of Honour, the Association wreath was laid on behalf of all RGJ Veterans to commemorate those that lost their lives by Major General (Retd) Andrew Pringle CB CBE.

Central England Branch RGJA

Following Kelvin’s meaningful words dedicated to all the fallen in Northern Ireland, a reading the roll of honour followed, for the years 1972, 1982 and 1992, by CEB Branch Secretary Guy Mynett and author Pete Page, this year’s event co-ordinator.

Following Kelvin’s meaningful words dedicated to

As in previous years we are honoured to have one of our number, himself wounded or injured, lay a wreath on behalf of those wounded or injured veterans from their service in the Province. This year Rfn Don Mitchell (3 RGJ) laid the wreath on behalf of the wounded and the injured. Just after midnight in the very early hours of Saturday 9 December 1972, an “R” Company mobile night patrol in two Landrovers drove into St. James’ Road, West Belfast when it was suddenly light up by the headlights of a car and fired on by four gunmen.

Five members of the patrol were wounded, and one of the vehicles was partially disabled. That the gunmen were not able to press home their advantage was due to Sgt Mulvaney who was in command and who, after driving clear, rallied his fit Riflemen to make a show of force, and to Cpl Harris who dragged two wounded men out of the line of fire – only admitting later that he was wounded himself. The wounded were Rfn Mitchell, Rfn Finley, Rfn Hayward and Rfn Ahmet.

the residents of Green Jacket Close at lunch, was Lady Pascoe who fell from her car and slightly injured herself whilst retrieving their pet dog. Whilst not serious, it did cause her some distress, but fortunately she was well enough for their journey home.

Following the formal part of the day at Alrewas, we retreated to Lichfield Rugby Club for some liquid refreshment, banter a plenty and a fine curry lunch, courtesy of the Association. Well most of us did - the Winchester Branch sadly suffered vehicle breakdown at the NMA car park which resulted in the AA being despatched to aid their move south to Hampshire, so they sadly missed lunch. Very curious given that it was a new minibus!

The rest of us however, enjoyed a rather pleasant afternoon of chat and fine entertainment thanks to Antony Bishop and his Quicksilver team. They put on two excellent displays of fine Regimental music and quirky marching themes of the standard which we have become accustomed too.

Following the formal part of the day at Alrewas, we retreated to Lichfield Rugby Club for some liquid refreshment, banter a plenty and a fine curry lunch, courtesy of the Association. Well, most of us did – the Winchester Branch sadly suffered vehicle breakdown at the NMA car park which resulted in the AA being despatched to aid their move south to Hampshire, so they sadly missed lunch. Very curious given that it was a new minibus!

The rest of us however, enjoyed a rather pleasant afternoon of chat and fine entertainment thanks to Antony Bishop and his Quicksilver team. They put on two excellent displays of fine Regimental music and quirky marching themes of the standard which we have become accustomed too.

The only downside of the day, beside missing members of the Winchester Branch and some of

As you read this, please remember that Northern Ireland was an integral part of the short history of our Regiment. It is important that it is not forgotten with the passage of time and other events beyond our control. We will continue to pay our respects to the fallen and injured annually on the second Saturday of each September: the next occasion being 9 September 2023. Our thanks go out to all who support this annual gathering at the NMA. In particular to Rev Kelvin Price for his stalwart support, Don Mitchell for laying the wreath on behalf of the injured and of course Antony Bishop and his team of Buglers.

The only downside of the day, beside missing members of the Winchester Branch and some of the residents of Green Jacket Close at lunch, was Lady Pascoe who fell

Any branch who has a member, wounded or injured as a result of their NI service, and who would like continue our custom at the NMA, established by Philip Schofield and Don Mitchel, of laying a wreath on behalf of the wounded and injured should contact the author.

See you all, God willing, in 2023. C et A.

Quicksilver stalwart Bugler John Smith with his Post Horn

Quicksilver stalwart Bugler John Smith with his Post Horn

Gen Sir Bob and Rev Kelvin Price look on as Rfn Don Mitchell salute his comrades

My sort of soldier

Just the sort of soldier you want alongside on operations, but perhaps not in barracks!

Private No 2296 John (Barney) Hines of the Australian Imperial Force, 45th Battalion. 27 September 1917.

‘Barney’ Hines was also a kleptomaniac who became known in the trenches as the “Souvenir King”. But he was one of the bravest soldiers at the front and would have been decorated many times had it not been for his lack of military discipline.

He earned his nickname because of his incurable habit of hijacking medals, badges, rifles, helmets and watches from the bodies of the German dead –and, in some cases, of those he captured.

He brought the Kaiser’s wrath down upon his head when a photographer took a picture of him on 27 September 1917, showing him surrounded by some of his loot after the Third Battle of Ypres.

Prints were circulated among the Diggers and inevitably some fell into the hands of German soldiers – from whence they made their way to the infuriated Kaiser.

Born in Liverpool, England, in 1873, Barney Hines was always a rebel. Of Irish descent, he ran away to enlist in the army at the age of 14 but was dragged home by his mother.

Two years later he joined the Royal Navy and saw action during the Boxer Rebellion when he served on a gunboat chasing pirates in the China Sea.

Discharged the following year, he went gold seeking around the world and was in South Africa when the Boer War broke out. He served throughout it as a scout with various British units.

His lust for gold continued and he searched for it in the US, South America and New Zealand. But he was working in a sawmill in Australia when World War I broke out in August 1914.

Despite being in his early 40s, he immediately tried to enlist but was turned down on medical grounds. Undeterred, he haunted recruiting centres until he was accepted to serve in France in 1916 as part of a reinforcement for the 45th Battalion. And, once in France, the legend of this huge, powerful man who never showed fear, began.

He generally disdained conventional weapons

such as his .303 rifle, preferring to go into action with two sandbags packed with Mills bombs. His commanding officer had a brain wave and gave him a Lewis gun, which was an immediate success. Hines was entranced by its spraying effect and announced in his broad Liverpudlian accent: “This thing'll do me. You can hose the bastards down.”

Another nickname he earned was Wild Eyes and at a later date the commanding officer was heard to say: “I always felt secure when Wild Eyes was about. He was a tower of strength in the line – I don't think he knew what fear was and he naturally inspired confidence in officers and men.”

One of Hines‘ pastimes was prowling around collecting prisoners and loot with enthusiasm. On one occasion, annoyed at the sniper fire from a German pill-box, he ran straight at it, leapt on to its roof and performed a war dance while taunting the Germans to come out. When they failed to comply, Hines lobbed a couple of Mills bombs through the gun port. A few minutes later the 63 Germans who had survived, staggered out with their hands above their heads. Hines collected his “souvenirs” before herding his prisoners back to the Australian lines.

Another time he came across a battered German dressing station. Creeping in, he found the surgeon standing over the operating table and, on tapping him on the shoulder, Hines was amazed to watch him topple over – dead from a shell splinter in the heart. Only one man had survived – ironically a wounded Tommy who was on a stretcher on the floor out of the blast. Picking the man up as if he were an infant, Hines carried him towards safety, but he died before reaching allied lines. Hines lowered him gently to the ground – then returned to the loot in the dressing room.

His booty wasn't confined to portable keepsakes. At Villers-Bretonneux he liberated a piano which he managed to keep for several days until he was persuaded to give it away.

On another occasion he scored a grandfather clock which he carried back to the trenches. But, after its hourly chimes were found to attract German fire, his mates blew it up with – what else? – a Mills bomb.

In Armentieres he came across a keg of Bass which

he started to roll towards the battalion. He was stopped by military police and told not to go any further with it. Unfazed, Hines left the keg and went ahead to round up fellow Diggers who returned to drink it on the spot.

from wounds in his legs.

Just the sort of soldier you want alongside on operations, but perhaps not in barracks!

Hines was also renowned for the party he held at Villers-Bretonneux after he found a cache of 1870 champagne and tinned delicacies. His mates were all decked out in top hats and dress suits which he had also acquired.

Private No 2296 John (Barney) Hines of the Australian Imperial Force, 45th Battalion. 27 September 1917. 'Barney' Hines was also a kleptomaniac who became known in the trenches as the "Souvenir King". But he was one of the bravest soldiers at the front and would have been decorated many times had it not been for his lack of military discipline.

When the AIF reached Amiens, they found the beautiful cathedral city deserted. It was too much for Hines. He disappeared and was finally sprung by British military police in the vaults of the Bank of France where he had already squirrelled away millions of francs, packed neatly in suitcases.

He earned his nickname because of his incurable habit of hijacking medals, badges, rifles, helmets and watches from the bodies of the German dead - and, in some cases, of those he captured.

He brought the Kaiser's wrath down upon his head when a photographer took a picture of him on September 27,1917, showing him surrounded by some of his loot after the Third Battle of Ypres.

Prints were circulated among the Diggers and inevitably some fell into the hands of German soldiers - from whence they made their way to the infuriated Kaiser. Born in Liverpool, England, in 1873, Barney Hines was always a rebel. Of Irish descent, he ran away to enlist in the army at the age of 14 but was dragged home by his mother.

He was hauled off for questioning by the British who, nonplussed on what to do with the reprobate, returned him to his unit. Later he was to boast that the escapade had cost him no more than 14 days’ pay and that he had been allowed to keep the banknotes he had stuffed into his pockets.

It was to be his last party for some time. Just after it ended, he scored a bullet wound over his eye, another in his leg and a whiff of gas. Despite protests, he was hospitalised at Etaples, being almost blinded. A few nights later the Germans bombed the hospital, causing 3,000 casualties. Hines hauled himself out of bed, found a broom which he used as a crutch and spent all night carrying the wounded and dying to safety.

Two years later he joined the Royal Navy and saw action during the Boxer Rebellion when he served on a gunboat chasing pirates in the China Sea.

After that he was invalided home and, in the ensuing years, despite his wounds, he worked as a drover, shearer, prospector and timber cutter.

Discharged the following year, he went gold seeking around the world and was in South Africa when the Boer War broke out. He served throughout it as a scout with various British units.

His lust for gold continued and he searched for it in the US, South America and New Zealand. But he was working in a sawmill in Australia when World War I broke out in August 1914.

He volunteered for World War II and, when he was turned down – he was now in his 60s – he stowed away on a troop ship. He was caught before the vessel got through the Heads and put ashore.

Despite being in his early 40s, he immediately tried to enlist but was turned down on medical grounds. Undeterred, he haunted recruiting centres until he was accepted to serve in France in 1916 as part of a reinforcement for the 45th Battalion.

And, once in France, the legend of this huge, powerful man who never showed fear, began.

But for all his incorrigibility, he was an outstanding, if unpredictable soldier who managed to capture ten German soldiers single-handed. There were some near misses, too. At Passchendale he was the only survivor of a direct hit on the Lewis gun nest. Blasted 20ms. and with the soles of his boots blown off, he crawled back, got the gun working and continued firing until he fainted

After a colourful life, Barney Hines died, penniless, in the Concord Repatriation Hospital, Sydney, on 30 January 1958, aged 84.

From Rifleman to Air Chief Marshall and how it’s done

Air Chief Marshal Sir Alec Coryton was in command of No.5 Group Bomber Command from April 1942 till February 1943. His colleagues regarded him as a first-class leader, capable and knowledgeable. Under his command No.5 Group carried out a couple of wellknown and daring raids, like the bombing of Le Creusot on 17 October 1942. However, the successful Coryton fell into oblivion (I don’t agree – he went on to have a very successful career both Military and Civil AMN) when he was released from his command because he was said to be too worried about the fate of the men under his command.

Early career

William Alec Coryton was born at Ivybridge Devon, on 16 February 1895 but grew up at the family home of Pentillie Castle in Cornwall. He was the fifth of six children of William Coryton and Evelyn Parker. The castle where Alec grew up had been owned by the family since the 18th century. He was educated at Eton where he built his own motor car in 1912/13 and King’s College, Cambridge reading engineering for only a year. Alec enlisted at Chatham after the outbreak of the First World War and served with the Rifle Brigade, like his older brother Jack. Jack was a Captain, severely wounded in the head at the first battle of Le Cateau, one of the last battles where officers drew their swords, whilst Alec was a Lieutenant in the 8th Battalion RB. Alec served with D Company under the command of Major Sheepshanks – one of his erstwhile schoolmasters. Alec was wounded in the shoulder by machine gun fire whilst he was moving up a support trench, during the first German flamethrower attack against the British at Hooge, which took place during the Second Battle for Ypres on 30 July 1915. When he arrived wounded at the Regimental aid post the RMO – an emminent Harley Street Surgeon – told him that ‘on no account’ his arm should be removed. By the time he arrived at the Field Hospital he had bled so much that he was glued to the stretcher and the stretcher had to be cut off around him. He remonstrated with the medical staff about his arm until he passed out. Fortunately, his arm was left attached and he fully recovered after a year’s convalescence. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1917.

Because of his skill with engines and as a natural aviator, Coryton was selected as an instructor. He

was posted to No.40 Training Squadron where he taught Prince Albert (later King George IV) to fly in the AVRO 504K. After his period as instructor he was appointed Flight Commander at 31 Squadron flying Bristol Fighters over the Northwest Frontier of India (now Pakistan) in December 1920. Here he served together with Arthur Harris his squadron leader and he became good friends with the man who was to become the wartime commander of Bomber Command. After four years in India Coryton returned to England. He held a post at the Air Staff Inland Area headquarters. Later he was promoted to Squadron Leader and commanded 16 Squadron in 1925. In an attempt to make a career in the air force he attended the School of Army Co-operation and the Senior Officer’s School in Sheerness between 1928 and 1932. During this time, he attended the Royal Naval College at Greenwich and surprised his naval colleagues by arriving in his own motor yacht Davia. He returned to hold a position at the Air Staff again, this time at the Directorate of Operations and Intelligence. Here he was involved with monitoring the build-up of the pre-war Luftwaffe. One source of information of German manufacturing activity was the monthly sales returns of Vickers high pressure oil coolers for aircraft engines which the Germans ordered as they could not make such coolers at the time. Another source of information he knew at the time as J2. Subsequent to WW2 he discovered that J2 was an anti-Nazi retired Luftwaffe general who listened to gossip the Air Force Officers Club of Berlin and passed it on to a British contact! He was promoted to Group Captain in 1938 and became Deputy Director of Operations.

Second World War

Coryton remained in the background during the first part of the Second World War. Nevertheless, he was promoted to the rank of Air Commodore. He was appointed commander of No.5 Group Bomber Command on 25 April 1942, where he took over

from Air Vice Marshal John Slessor. His Group was the first to use the new Lancaster bomber. Under Coryton’s command No.5 Group carried out a couple of well-known and daring missions. The Group took part in the first ‘Thousand Bomber Raid’, the bombing of Cologne during the night of 30/31 May 1942 (Operation Milennium). In October No.5 Group was selected to undertake two daring missions in daylight. 94 Lancasters bombed the French town of Le Creusot on 17 October 1942 and 74 Lancasters made sorties to Milan on the 24th. During the night of 22/23 October, all 85 bombers dispatched to the Italian city of Genoa returned safely. This was a remarkable achievement for an attacking force of this size. He is warmly described in Guy Gibson's book “Enemy Coast Ahead” and was much liked and respected by those under his command.

The other group commanders, as well as the commander of Bomber Command, Air Marshal Sir Arthur Harris, admired No.5 Group’s successes. Coryton built a good reputation in Bomber Command. His colleagues regarded him as a firstclass leader. However, the successful Coryton soon had to leave his post. Although Harris had great admiration for Corytons achievements, he became increasingly concerned about the growing and persistent disagreements at the planning of new operations. Coryton was worried about the fate of his crews and therefore was a critic of small-scale operations to Berlin for instance. He saw no point in these ‘political attacks’, while the crews faced great risks. He didn't want to sacrifice his men unnecessarily. This attitude annoyed Harris. In February 1943, Coryton was reluctant to send his crews to the Ruhr on a night of bad weather due to the poor morale in the Group from heavy losses previously. He saw no point in this small-scale two squadron attack ‘to ring the alarm bells’ as he felt that it was highly likely the majority of crews would not return home. Harris had enough of it and sacked Coryton. He was replaced by Air Vice Marshal Ralph Cochrane. Harris wrote a personal letter to Coryton to explain why he had made his decision: “I have repeatedly reminded you that it is for me to say what shall be done and when, and broadly how; and for you to accomplish it. The responsibility for the outcome is mine and mine alone. Where you fail is through your inability to divest yourself of a moral responsibility which is not yours.”

Harris made clear to Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles Portal, commander of the Royal Air Force, that his team could not work if one of its members was out of step. As far as Harris was concerned there was no need for an adverse report on Coryton and

there would be plenty of jobs for his services. Lord Portal interviewed Coryton saying: “We all agree with you and would have done the same thing but there is nothing we can do as Bert (Harris) has the PM’s ear.” Coryton was transferred to the Far East. In 1944 he was put in command of the 3rd Tactical Air Force. At the end of the year he became commander of the RAF in Bengal and Burma. Here he had to overcome the problems of aircraft reliability caused by wooden construction and fabric coverings of many British aircraft in the damp tropical heat. At one stage the only serviceable aircraft under his command was the all metal Dakota. To mount one operation he had to borrow two squadrons of American crewed P38 Lightnings from Nationalist Chinese as no RAF attack aircraft was serviceable. In February 1945 he was promoted to Air Marshal and became Assistant Air Commander at the Eastern Air Command.

After the war

He held this position till October 1945. He then returned to Great-Britain and presided over the Research and Development department at the Ministry of Aircraft Production. He was promoted to Air Marshal in 1946 and became Controller (Air) at the Ministry of Supply. From May 1950 onwards he held the rank of Air Chief Marshal. He left the Royal Air Force a year later. During this time, he oversaw the development of anti-aircraft missiles such as Bloodhound and Thunderstreak. He also was directly involved in promoting the production of gas turbine and turboprop aircraft engines as opposed to piston engines.

Coryton joined the Bristol Aeroplane Company, taking on the role of Chairman in 1955. He became vice-chairman when the company merged into Bristol Siddeley Engines Limited. He oversaw the development of the Olympus (Vulcan/ Concorde) engine, Pegasus (Kestrel/Harrier) and specifically persuaded the MOD against the advice of the Royal Navy of the future of the marinization of gas turbines (Olympus/ Proteus) for warship propulsion which powered many Royal Navy ships to this day including HMS Alacrity (Two Bristol Siddeley Olympus and Rolls Royce Tyne engines) He held the post until his retirement in 1964.

In retirement he was able to follow his passion for petrol engines by restoring in his workshop garage, his three pre 1904 veteran cars (and others) which the family still own to this day.

Sir William Alec Coryton passed away at Langton Matravers, Dorset, on 20 October 1981. He was 86 years of age.

From Rifleman to Air

The T(r)ooth is out there somewhere

In 1965, I was 24 years old and my regiment, the Royal Green Jackets, was posted to Penang. We were told we were going to be doing three separate, five-month tours in Borneo, with the objective of defending local villages across Surarek and Sabah from being invaded by the Indonesian army. Roger Turp

It was decided that an advance party of about six of us was to be sent to Kuching, the capital city in the state of Sarawak in Malaysia, in order to go back to

school and learn the Malay language. So, we set off and travelled en route via Singapore. Given we were a group of young, adventurous corporals eager to see the world, arriving in Singapore on New Year’s Eve should have been a night to remember. Instead, we arrived late, we didn’t know our way around, so our New Year’s Eve celebrations ended up being an early night.

We were taught the Malay language by a local teacher in a classroom for about four weeks; it was a complete waste of time as none of us could master the language at all. In the end, it was decided to cut our losses as very little progress had been made and move us on.

We were based in the jungle outside of Kuching. I remember it being incredibly hot and sticky and of course we lived in very basic conditions, sleeping in bunkers.

In the middle of the tour I developed toothache. After putting up with it for a few days, I knew it wasn’t going to get any better, so I requested to see a dentist. But, of course, there wasn’t one in the battalion, so a local Malayan dentist had to be flown in by helicopter to our jungle position.

And of course, there was no dentist room, so I had to make do with sitting on a chair in the middle of the open square within our jungle base whilst the dentist declared the offending tooth had to

be removed. I sat there as he administered an anaesthetic to dull the pain, surrounded by about 100 of my compatriots who were stood around watching it all and taking the mickey. You can imagine the banter.

I sat there and braced myself for the tooth to be extracted…only to be told by the dentist some minutes after starting the procedure that he had actually snapped the top of the tooth off and as a result, half the problem tooth remained. I sat there in the baking heat having the mickey taken out of me and even with my limited local language skills, I understood as the jungle dentist declared he could not remove the remainder of the tooth.

So, I then had to be flown to Kuching by helicopter

to see dentist number two. I got an appointment, this time in a proper dentist surgery and braced myself for the next steps; only to be told dentist number two also could not manage what was clearly now deemed to be a very complicated dental procedure. Damn tooth!

I then had to be sent with the Royal Malaysian Airforce to Singapore where dentist number three successfully extracted the tooth. Thank goodness.

Immediately after, I was then taken back to Kuching, again by the Royal Malaysian Airforce, and from there I was helicoptered back to our jungle base. I was sent immediately back to my duties, still in one piece but minus the extracted tooth.

Roger Turp

Remembering the Heroes of the Peninsula War

Remembering the Heroes of the Peninsula War

Under the umbrella of friendship encapsulated by the Royal Green Jackets Association, a group of former 3RGJ brothers meet infrequently either at the formal reunions or we come together as friends and occasionally plan a foreign trip to explore the past footsteps of the Royal Green Jackets forefathers.

On this trip (9 May 2022 – 14 May 2022), attending were Paul Argyle, Andrew Hayes, Andrew Gannon, Kev Ryan, Harry Hornby, Leon Parks and Glen Payton. Usually more can make it, but life gets in the way and some of our other great friends, unfortunately couldn’t make this trip.

We decided to visit some battlefields and war memorials from the Peninsula war. It was a great opportunity, post covid-lockdowns, to re-establish friendships, support each other and reflect on the great history of our Regiment. We discovered more about history than we had already known, reading up as we went, about the bloody battles, the difficult conditions, logistics and sheer scale of operations. But mostly we reflected upon the bravery and camaraderie of the soldiers on all sides.

The Peninsular War (1807–1814) was a bloody military conflict fought in the Iberian Peninsula by Spain, Portugal, and the United Kingdom against the invading and occupying forces of the First French Empire during the Napoleonic Wars.

The war started when the French and Spanish armies invaded and occupied Portugal in 1807 by transiting through Spain, and it escalated in 1808 after Napoleonic France had occupied Spain, which had been its ally. Napoleon Bonaparte forced the

abdications of Ferdinand VII and his father Charles IV and then installed his brother Joseph Bonaparte on the Spanish throne and promulgated the Bayonne Constitution.

Most Spaniards rejected French rule and fought a bloody war to oust them. The war on the peninsula lasted until the Sixth Coalition defeated Napoleon in 1814, and it is regarded as one of the first wars of national liberation and is significant for the emergence of large-scale guerrilla warfare.

The 95th (Rifle) Regiment of Foot served throughout the Peninsular War in Spain and Portugal, seeing action in many battles like Bussaco, Salamanca and Vittoria. They later, saw action in America during the War of 1812, and oversaw the downfall of Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

As we know, the unit was distinguished by its use of green uniforms in place of the traditional redcoat as well as by being armed with the Baker rifle, which was the first British-made rifle accepted by the British Army in place of smooth-bore muskets. The 95th was the first regular infantry corps in the British Army to be so armed. (Of course, in later years, they performed distinguished service in both the First and Second World Wars. Post war, in 1958 the regiment formed part of the Green Jackets Brigade as 3rd Green Jackets and was amalgamated with the 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd) and the 2nd Green Jackets (King’s Royal Rifle Corps) to form the Royal Green Jackets on 1 January 1966.

During the Peninsula War, the Rifles were masters of the battlefield and second-to-none at skirmishing in particular. They were held in high esteem by the French and Allies alike. One officer, Major John Blackiston of the Portuguese Cacadores said:

“I never saw such skirmishers as the 95th. They could do the work much better and with infinitely less loss than any of our best light troops. They possessed an individual boldness, a mutual understanding, and a quickness of eye in taking

advantage of the ground, which, taken altogether I never saw equalled. They were as much superior to the French Voltigeurs as the latter were to our skirmishers in general”

The Rifleman’s speciality was targeting the enemy officers, NCOs and drummers. Their skills were also put to good use eliminating artillery crews, something they did to great effect during the Siege of Badajoz in 1812.

The 95th were more than just skirmishers though. They earned their reputation as a ‘universal soldier’ by playing their part in sieges like any other infantryman in Wellington’s army. They stormed the breaches at Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz and San Sebastian.

Having arrived and stayed over in Madrid, we first visited the beautiful city of Salamanca, mentioned as a Battle-Honour on our Cap-badge. We drove to the quiet village of Arapiles and sought out directions then drove amidst corn fields to the memorial of the Battle of Salamanca (known as the Battle of Arapiles to the Spanish). A plaque reads:

‘The battle of Salamanca, fought on 22 July 1812 was undoubtedly one of the most decisive battles of the Peninsular War. The battle ended with a crushing victory for Lord Wellington’s allied army – composed of British, Portuguese, Germans and Spaniards over a French Army.

As a result of the imperial debacle in Salamanca, King Joseph I Bonaparte was forced to abandon Madrid and retreat…’

More info at:

www.memorialatpeninsula.org/?p=13189

We then walked through the corn fields, peppered with the occasional poppy, up to the high ground which had been held by the French before being out manoeuvred by the glorious allied forces. Having reflected on the brave losses of our fallen colleagues, advancing towards the high ground, symbolised by the poppies in the corn, we took photos at the summit in front of the memorial obelisk.

The next day we travelled to Badajoz, bordering Portugal; a quiet town with a traditional Spanish feeling and sought out the memorial to the Siege of Badjoz. We stopped over in the Plaza Mayor for drinks and lunch before walking round the remaining castle walls and memorial plaques. Read more about Badajoz – Hell on Earth: www.95thrifles.com/badajoz

and more about why it is a Battle honour on our Cap Badge here:

www.memorialatpeninsula.org/?p=13205

The 7 of us in a bar in the village of Arapiles before going to the first war memorial

Us at the memorial for the Battle of Salamanca

Us at the memorial in Arapiles for the Battle of Salamanca

The view through the Battle Fileds of Salamanca with a poppy and the memorial on the hill in the distance

We discovered some of the unsavoury aspects that can come with war.

In the siege of Badajoz (16 March – 6 April 1812), an Anglo-Portuguese Army under the Earl of Wellington (later the Duke of Wellington) besieged Badajoz, Spain, and forced the surrender of the French garrison. The siege was one of the bloodiest in the Napoleonic Wars and was considered a costly victory by the British, with some 4,800 Allied soldiers killed or wounded in a few short hours of intense fighting during the storming of the breaches as the siege drew to an end. Enraged at the huge number of casualties they suffered in seizing the city, the troops broke into houses and stores consuming vast quantities of alcohol with many of them then going on a rampage, threatening their officers and ignoring their commands to desist, and even killing several It took three days before the men were brought back into order. When order was restored, an estimated 200-300 civilians had been killed or injured.

We took a few pictures of the memorial obelisk, in the ‘Gardens of the Sieges’, in the shadow of the city’s bull-ring’ stadium.

Later that evening we walked down towards the river and dined at a great local restaurant - ‘La Mafia’. On our final, full day in Spain, heading back towards Madrid, we visited the war memorial for the Battle of Talavera, just off the A5 on the north side of the city.

The Battle of Talavera (27–28 July 1809) was fought just outside the town of Talavera de la Reina, Spain, some 75 miles southwest of Madrid, during the Peninsular War. At Talavera, an Anglo-Spanish army under Sir Arthur Wellesley combined with a Spanish army under General Cuesta in operations against French-occupied Madrid. The French army withdrew at night after several of its attacks had been repulsed. The 1st Battalion of the 95th

Regiment of Foot (Rifles) returned to the peninsula in May 1809, after being rested and re-fitted in the UK and in July was force marched in an attempt to arrive with the main force for the Battle of Talavera but despite covering a notable distance they arrived on 29 July 1809, just after the battle.

Following the successes in the Peninsula War and after the end of the Napoleonic Wars, the size of the British Army was reduced; in line with precedent the more recently formed regiments were disbanded first.

The unique skills of the 95th were considered too valuable to lose so the 95th, having seen distinguished service in the Napoleonic Wars, was taken out of line of the British Army and became the ‘Rifle Brigade’ on 23 February 1816 (the number was reassigned eight years later to the newly formed county regiment of the 95th (Derbyshire) Regiment of Foot). The Duke of Wellington became Colonelin-Chief of the regiment in 1820 and served until his death.

One interesting quote attributed to The Duke of Wellington, about the Rifles was:

‘I don’t know what effect these men will have upon the enemy, but by God, they frighten me.’

So, our trip ended with a flight back to the UK, a final photograph at Gatwick and dispersed to our own homes in time to watch the Eurovision Song Contest results.

Planning has commenced for the next get-together.

Help for Heroes founder honoured with CBE

Bryn Parry who served in the Royal Green Jackets and founded Help for Heroes with his wife Emma, in 2007 has been given a CBE for charitable services to military veterans – and given his honour in a special ceremony.

The charity has raised millions of pounds since 2007 and supports injured, wounded and sick personnel through their recovery and beyond.

Sadly, Bryn himself is living with terminal cancer though, so a special private investiture has been held at his home. The ceremony was conducted by Hampshire’s Lord Lieutenant, Nigel Atkinson (ex RGJ), on behalf of the King on Wednesday 15 February. Bryn said he was ‘deeply honoured’ to receive a CBE.

Actors and writers who served in our predessecor regiments or the RGJ

Edward Sinclair

Edward “Teddy” Sinclair Perry (3 February 1914 – 29 August 1977) known as Edward Sinclair, was an English actor who played the role of verger Maurice Yeatman in Dad’s Army. He also made appearances in Z-Cars and Danger Man. He served in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in the Second World War.

John Thomas Edson

JT Edson, (17 February 1928 – 17 July 2014) was a writer of more than 130 cowboy books one of which seemed to be in the locker of every squaddie. He first served in the Rifle Brigade before transferring to the Royal Army Veterinary Corps as a dog trainer, his books were often described as “how the West was never won”.

Lionel Jeffries

Lionel Charles Jeffries (10 June 1926 – 19 February 2010) was an English actor, director, and screenwriter. He appeared primarily in films and received a Golden Globe Award nomination during his acting career. He was commissioned into the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and served in Burma at the Rangoon radio station during the Second World War. He also served as a captain in the Royal West African Frontier Force.

Us at the memorial to the Siege of Badajoz

The 7 of us outside La Mafia Restaurant Us at the memorial for the battle of Talavera

Swift and Bold remembers 40 years on

On 20 July 1982, the bandstand in London’s Regent's Park was the target of a terrorist attack by the IRA.

Seven bandsmen were killed and a further 24 injured during a concert by the band of the 1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets. Eight members of the public, who were watching the performance, were also taken to hospital with injuries sustained in the bombing. The concert the first in a series of advertised lunchtime concerts there. Six of our bandsmen were killed outright and the rest were wounded; a seventh died of his wounds on 1 August. At least eight civilians were also injured. The bomb had been hidden under the stand some time before and triggered by a timer. It contained no nails and appeared to be designed to cause minimal harm to bystanders.

The bandsmen who lost their lives are:

WO2 Graham Barker

Bdsm John Heritage

Bdsm George Mesure

Sjt Robert Livingstone

Bdsm Keith Powell

Cpl John McKnight

Bdsm Larry Smith

Today there is a memorial plaque on the base of the bandstand that commemorates the seven bandsmen who were killed. Each year the attack's survivors, and the families of those who were killed, gather here for a short but poignant memorial service.

Two years after the bombing, the composer George Lloyd wrote Royal

Parks For Brass Band, the second movement of which, “In Memoriam” is dedicated to the bandsmen who died. This can be found by searching for it on YouTube and played by Black Dyke Mills Band.

On the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, during the Changing of the Guard ceremony, the Band of the Coldstream Guards performed ‘High on A Hill’ in tribute to the soldiers in the Band of the Royal Green Jackets killed at the Regent’s Park Bombing on that same day 40 years ago.

In remembering our own dead, we should also remember those of the Blues and Royals when earlier that morning at 10:43 hrs a nail bomb exploded in the boot of a car parked on South Carriage Drive in Hyde Park. The bomb was detonated as they were passing. They were taking part in their daily Changing of the Guard procession from their barracks in Knightsbridge to Horse Guards Parade. Three soldiers were killed immediately, and another, their standard-bearer, died from his wounds three days later. The other soldiers in the procession were badly wounded, and a number of civilians were injured. Seven of the regiment's horses were also killed or had to be euthanised because of their injuries, the most famous of the horses that survived was Sefton who went on to make a full recovery. Explosives experts believed that the Hyde Park bomb was remotely triggered by an IRA member inside the park.

Tribute to a Hero

The life and Loss of Major Harding

by Garry McCarthy and Paula Harding

Dedicated to every holder of the Elizabeth Cross, this is a Tribute to a Hero (The life and Loss of Major Harding) written by Garry McCarthy and Paula Harding.

This remarkable story pays tribute to her husband and the 1000+ Riflemen that supported her family during their darkest hour.

Paula writes: “The world must know the price of their freedom and the courage of those that deliver it”.

This is a story of fortitude, resilience, and enduring courage that will inspire and humble in equal measure.

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The further adventures of

When Centurion really was a rank and not a tank!

This year 2023 we celebrate the birthday of our oldest known Rifleman Corporal Reg Charles.

Reg was conscripted into the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in January 1942. He was initially in the 5th Battalion and eventually moved to the 1st Battalion in June 1944.

Reg did his initial training at Cowley and Slade Barracks in Oxford then the next two years were spent in training in Northern Ireland and in the UK. In July 1944 he was sent to Normandy where he joined the 1st Battalion who were already engaged in combat in the Falaise area. On completion of the Normandy Campaign he stayed with the Battalion where they saw action in Antwerp, The Ardennes, Operation Market Garden, The Battle of the Bulge and the Reischwald Forest, he eventually crossed the Rhine into Germany and arrived in Hamburg just before VE Day.

At the end of the War Reg remained in Germany eventually ending up in Berlin. He was a Corporal by now and he returned to the UK in early 1946 and was demobbed in April 1946 where he then returned to civilian life as a domestic Coal merchant.

Reg was married to June for nearly 62 years, June sadly died in September 2016, they had two children Ian and Sheila and between them they gave their parents six grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

A belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY Reg from all at Swift & Bold and the wider RGJ Community!

The further adventures of Mick Copp

Two more stories from Mick and his faithfull dog Kimba. Mick Copp

Kimba’s last job

It was about two weeks before Christmas in Waterlooville near Portsmouth (a small hamlet set up by returning troops from the Battle of Waterloo) now a large town. As is usual at this time of the year Shop raids were on a high. We were called to a burglar alarm at the local Tesco’s One Stop it was about 02:30 and we were only about six minutes away. As we pulled up, I saw a small Fiat parked against the kerb. As I got Kimba out and walked past the car, I saw the back seat was full of cigarettes and chocolate, not only that but the criminal mastermind had left the keys in the ignition. These I removed and put in my pocket. As I approached the door, I could see it was smashed, because of the glass. I put my jacket down and walked Kimba through it. I then shouted the usual challenge, and no-one appeared so off Kimba went. I was carrying a very powerful torch over my shoulder, but I didn’t turn it on. Kimba disappeared to the far end of the store and then began barking and growling. I went down to join him shouting encouragement but as I went around the corner of an aisle ‘Billy Burglar’ sprayed something in my face. I had no idea what it was, but it blinded me for a while and stung a lot! He then made a break for the front door with Kimba hanging off his backside. The rest of the story was relayed to me by the Area Car driver who had pulled up. As he stopped the burglar fell through the front door with Kimba still hanging on to his trousers. The police officer rugby tackled him to the ground unfortunately for him his own backside was then exposed to Kimba who changed targets and went for him instead, thankfully I then appeared and dragged Kimba off. To be fair to the officer he said it was only a nip. Billy Burglar however had no trousers left and not only that but as he had sprayed me with what turned out to be Christmas snow spray, inside the store, l lashed out swinging the heavy torch and nearly took his head off. So, there he was, no trousers with a sore backside and bleeding from the head. Merry Christmas! That store must have been cursed because it burned down twice in 3 years! .

Londonderry 1970's

During my posting to Londonderry in the 70s I met my future wife, (still is). I had a car at that time it was a left-hand drive Ford Taunus from Germany. I would sometimes drive to Derry and pick her up always from the Waterside. One never went across the bridge off duty unless you had a death wish, unfortunately at least one person did who paid a high price for his foolishness. I used to vary the location.

This particular day I was parked in a car park at the waterside end of the Bridge. I was listening to the radio and unlike me I was caught out by two men who suddenly appeared in the car park. It was too late to do anything, but I come up with a quick plan. Both men were casually dressed about late twenties. Strangely I knew immediately what I was going to do. I was always a good mimic at school I could do any accent asked of me.

One of them came to what he thought was the Drivers door the other went around to the boot. He realised his mistake and came around to my side where I had been lounging with my arm out of the window. He gave the usual Derry greeting “what about ye”. I then launched into my best American accent and during the long conversation explained I was stationed up at “The Base” which was an American early warning Radar system. One picked up on the English registration of the car, I said I had been posted at short notice from Mildenhall the large base in England. One them asked why I didn’t go over the bridge which Americans often did. I said last time I went over the Brits had damaged my car! Bastards. All this time I was praying my future wife didn’t suddenly appear, as if they were Derry boys, she might have known them and vice versa.

I was sure they were not RUC men as I am sure they would have identified themselves. Maybe Provos, maybe Official IRA, maybe UDA who knows, anyway they eventually moved off and boy was I relieved.

To this day I still wonder who they were and thank God for my mimic skills or as my workmates said often – piss taking skills!

Mick’s eldest and youngest daughters with Kimba

Cyprus Emergency Memorial Service

The Royal Green Jackets Association

The Royal Green Jackets Association

Some of the congregation waiting in the shade

Andrea Isham, Geoff Day, Roy Bailey, Annabel Bailey, Hilda Humphries and David Humphries

The Regimental paving stone near the entrance Sgt Gary Driscoll / Cyprus Emergency Memorial Service Association Football

Lieutenant Colonel

Peter Blaker

Lieutenant Colonel Peter Blaker, who died aged 85, was a cerebral and eccentric Green Jacket combat helicopter pilot during the Konfrontasi in Borneo; he was later a valued mentor as commanding officer of the Cambridge University Officers Training Corps in the early 1980s, as women began to arrive in larger numbers.

Guy Peter Blaker was born in London on 10 November 1936. His father, Guy Blaker, was a solicitor, while his grandfather had been president of the Law Society. His mother Dawn, née Watson, was the scion of a distinguished military family. His maternal great-grandfather, General Sir John Watson, and his great-uncle, Colonel Conwyn Mansel-Jones, were both awarded the Victoria Cross.

Peter was an Exhibitioner at Lancing College, then in 1956 was called up to the West Yorkshire Regiment for National Service, before reading Law (though not much of it) at Jesus College, Cambridge; he then joined the Army – he had continued serving in the Territorials, in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, during his studies – and only completed his LLB three decades later.

Blaker joined the 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd), of which the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry was part, and in April 1962 sailed with the battalion to Malaya, where he commanded Support Weapons Platoon B Company.

Having seen action that included a successful dawn raid on a rebel-held village, he returned to Britain, becoming one of the earliest officers in the Green Jackets to qualify as a helicopter pilot, then went back to Malaya. His soldiers reported that he would always descend first into a “hot LZ” (landing zone) to check for booby traps or enemy fire.

He was thought to be the only serviceman to have completed five tours in Borneo, four with the Green Jackets and one with the Army Air Corps helicopters.

From an early age Blaker assumed a P G Wodehouse persona, complete with stiff collar and monocle. He attributed this to being an only child, which meant he had to provide his own entertainment. Reliably eccentric, in Borneo he kept a python in his room – and wondered why the mess staff would not go in to tidy up. His singular way of doing things could sometimes be alarming, as when he wore his unprotected white helicopter pilot helmet while standing atop reconnaissance vehicles under fire in Cyprus.

As OTC Commander he was keen to promote women, many of whom went on to distinguished careers.

In 1964 he undertook a solo car journey back to Britain in a Morris Mini-Traveller. The car, bought in Penang, took him from Madras to Kandahar in Afghanistan – where he saw a sign saying “London 5,671 miles” – then back home, reaching London in six weeks.

After continued service with the Green Jackets, in locations including Belfast, Cyprus and West Germany, from 1979 until 1982 he was Commanding Officer OTC at Cambridge University. It was his own career highlight; he was a transformational figure, promoting women as officers on merit, many of them going on to distinguished careers in public service and commerce.

He was a tireless supporter of his college rowers, including the Jesus Womens’ Boat Club, which became a powerful force on the river for decades after.

After his last military service, at Nato HQ in Brussels, he became a Queen’s Messenger, and then registrar of the Register of Osteopaths, where he helped to usher into law the Osteopaths Act of 1993, which established the General Osteopathic Council.

He was ahead of his peers in openly sharing his own challenges with mental health, becoming a counsellor to his alumnae with similar issues at universities, sports, and in public service.

He had a lifelong passion for India and its people, and he became a loyal visitor to his greatgrandfather’s last regiment, the Central India Horse.

After retirement, he was a tireless host at his home outside Henley-on-Thames, and would put up Jesus College rowers during Regatta week. His small rowboat became noted for its ferrying of youthful revellers across racing lanes between the Phyllis Court and Leander clubs, not necessarily with the full approval of the Regatta authorities.

He began keeping snakes again, though downgrading to North American corn snakes.

Blaker was a committed Christian, describing himself as an Anglican at home and a Roman Catholic abroad. He retained his military links, being chairman, president and latterly patron of the Henley-on-Thames branch of the Royal British Legion.

He was married for 53 years to Hiltegund, née Bastian, whose German father had died in a Russian prisoner of war camp. She survives him with their daughter and two sons.

Peter Blaker, born 10 November 1936, died 2 February, 2022.

General the Lord Ramsbotham GCB CBE

The Rifle Brigade and The Royal Green Jackets

David Ramsbotham, always known affectionately, or not, as ‘The Ram’, achieved high rank in the Army as a four-star general commanding the UK Field Army and finally as Adjutant General. But it was a role he assumed on retirement from the Army which brought him to national attention. As HM Inspector of Prisons, he alerted the Government and the public to the state of the nation’s custodial establishments.

One of five children, David John Ramsbotham was born on 6 November 1934, the son of John Alexander Ramsbotham, who became the Bishop of Wakefield.

After Haileybury and Imperial Service College, he undertook National Service in the Royal Artillery before he, like his father, went up to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge to read History and in 1958 he was granted a regular commission in the Rifle Brigade. After early regimental service in UK and Germany he completed a tour at the Depot in Winchester. In 1962 he took up the appointment of staff captain in 70 (Kings African Rifles) Brigade before attending the Staff College. He returned to the battalion to command B Company based in a small jungle fort during the Confrontation operations in Borneo for which he was mentioned in dispatches. In 1966 he was posted as DAA & QMG of 7th Armoured Brigade in Soltau, West Germany and then rejoined his battalion, now 3rd Battalion The Royal Green Jackets, stationed nearby at Celle before becoming second-in-command of the 2nd Battalion.

When General Sir Michael Carver visited Borneo in 1965, he had met Ramsbotham and been so impressed by him that he chose him for his MA when appointed Chief of the General Staff. The Northern Ireland Troubles were then escalating quickly and, sharply attuned to his master’s mind, Ramsbotham served the staff assiduously, crucially saving time by giving warning of new requirements and of fanciful suggestions pressed on the defence secretary or the CGS during their frequent visits to Belfast. He then commanded the 2nd Battalion in UK and Gibraltar with tours in Belize and inevitably Northern Ireland. After two years as Colonel AG 4 the Armoured Division he returned to the Province to take command of 39 Infantry Brigade in Belfast. In 1978 the policy of restoring police primacy was still at a delicate stage and he frequently found it difficult to restrain his impatience for results against the IRA. He was a redoubtable brigade commander and was appointed CBE at the end of his tour of duty.

After attending the Royal College of Defence Studies, Ramsbotham became the Army’s Director of Public Relations, a role which others had found a gruelling task. The Falklands and the Troubles remained the frontline military topics, so his dealings with the press corps were aided by his experience and, latterly, by an emerging with all of which would stand him in good stead on leaving the Army.

He then moved on to take command of 3rd Armoured Division in Germany in 1984. At this time the entire concept of the defence of West Germany was being turned on its head by the new commander of the Northern Army Group, General Sir Nigel Bagnall. The forward, linear defence plan of many decades had been replaced with a concept of manoeuvre, in which the 3rd Division had the role of aggressive counterstroke. This suited Ramsbotham admirably, and he drove the division hard.

After promotion to lieutenant-general he became commander of the UK Field Army, and then on elevation to four-star rank was appointed Adjutant-General in the Ministry of Defence, responsible for the soldier as an individual, including recruitment, training, terms of service and welfare. His time as AG coincided with the draconian cuts to the army under the Government’s ‘Options for Change’ at the end of the Cold War. By persistence and sheer force of personality, ‘the Ram’ ensured that those made redundant did so on unprecedentedly generous terms. On retiring from the Army in 1993 he was promoted to GCB.

Ramsbotham then worked distributing humanitarian aid for the UN and took a job as chairman of Hillingdon Hospital Trust, before being invited to become Chief Inspector of Prisons in 1995. When the Home Secretary appointed Ramsbotham to the post, ministers and officials probably assumed that his establishment pedigree and Army background might indicate a conservatism in penal matters and that he would prove less of a thorn in the side than his predecessor. They were to be disappointed, for Ramsbotham’s belief that nearly everybody should be given a second chance and that prison should be about rehabilitation marked him out from the start. He proved himself a doughty champion of decent treatment for inmates and a scourge of managerial incompetence in the prison service. Many in Government thought him an unreconstructed liberal, or else unable to distinguish between the army’s view of punishment as retraining before reintegration rather than the prevailing “punishment as deterrent and retribution”. No general has since been appointed to the job. He retired from the post in 2001 after six years

He was created a life peer in 2005, sitting on the cross-benches and continuing to campaign for prison reform. He served as chairman of the Koestler Awards scheme, encouraging creative arts in prisons, and as vice-chairman of the All Party Penal Affairs Group and the All Party Parliamentary Group for Learning and Skills in the Criminal Justice System. He was also a founding member of the Chagos Islands all-party parliamentary group seeking justice for the islanders.

In 1958 he had married Susan Caroline Dickinson. They had two sons, Richard, and James, who served in The Royal Green Jackets from 1978-89. Sue Ramsbotham predeceased him in 2021 and David Ramsbotham died on 13 December 2022 aged 88.

Lieutenant Colonel

Peter Fairgrieve

Peter Fairgrieve died at home in Wilton on 19 March 2022 after a long battle with MS.

He was commissioned into the Royal Green Jackets in July 1971 and initially served as a Pl Comd in A Coy 2 RGJ in Ballykelly and was present in Londonderry on ‘Bloody Sunday’ were A Coy, under Maj Simon Marriott, earned many compliments for their steadiness and restraint, not just from the chain of command but from independent and usually critical observers.

Off duty, Peter’s charm and good manners made him a very popular member of the Officers’ Mess at a time when it had a well-deserved reputation for its hospitality and excellent cuisine. Peter made many friends across the Province.

Following a spell as a Training Platoon commander at Peninsula Barracks, Peter then went on secondment (1975-77) to 1st Battalion, 2nd KEO Goorkhas in Brunei, where he started as an officer in B Company, going on to become Operations Officer and, for the final six months, C Company Commander. Peter rejoined 2 RGJ, first as a company second in commnd and becoming Adjutant for a year under Lt Col Peter Treneer-Michell before going on to serve as Weapons Training Officer at RMAS. After Sandhurst, he attended DivisionII of the Army Staff Course 17 before obtaining the much sought-after post of SO2 G3 in Headquarters Land Forces Cyprus. Returning to 2 RGJ in Warminster, Peter commanded Support Company detached in Netheravon.

Returning to the Staff, this time in a weapons appointment, Peter took up the challenging position in the Infantry branch of the Operational Requirements Directorate in MOD. It was a critical moment in the introduction of the ill-fated first in-service version of the SA80 rifle. Despite these difficulties, his qualities as a weapons staff officer were recognised, earning him promotion and a post on the directing staff at the Royal Military College of Science. Had his health not failed him, Peter might well have gone on to more senior appointments on the staff. But it was not to be. His diagnosis forced him to retire early and tragically led eventually to the long debilitating illness from which he never recovered.

He left the Army in Nov 1991. Subsequently he gained an MBA from Cranfield, worked in Mexico and for MAST (Management and Skills Training) continuing his career in business. Finally, he worked as an MOD Civil Servant at Porton Down but his illness, from which he never recovered, ultimately forced him to retire.

Peter Fairgrieve first married Rosemary Luscombe with whom he had two daughters Samantha and Georgina. Secondly, he was married to June Walsh who survives him with his stepdaughter and stepson (Katie and Oliver). June was dedicated to Peter and cared for him until he passed away.

In Memoriam 2022

As long as hearts remember As long as hearts still care

We do not part with those we love

They're with us everywhere

Christina Rossetti

1830 – 1894

Rfn Richard George 3 RGJ 4th January (*)

Sgt Billy Taylor 4 (V)RGJ 19th January

Lt Col Guy Peter Blaker W.Yorks, Ox & Bucks LI, 1 GJ, 1 RGJ & 2 RGJ 2nd February

Charles Bevan 1 RGJ 2nd February

WO1 Colin Hitchcock 3 RGJ 4th February

Pat (Alan) Low Ox & Bucks LI & 1 GJ 10th February

LCpl Phillip Davis 2 RGJ & 3 RGJ 14th February

Lt William Barry KRRC 16th February

Archie Wagstaff 1 RGJ 18th February

Brian 'Abner' Beckett 1 GJ, 1 RGJ & 2 RGJ 21st February

WO2 Tony Vine 1 RGJ 24th February

Lt Col Denis Brennan RAMC att 2 RGJ 26th February

WO2 Ross Ashe-Cregan 3 RGJ 28th February

Brig Colin Harrisson CVO, OBE RB, GJ, RGJ & UDR 6th March

George Cook 3 RGJ 8th March

Major Donald Scott MBE RGJ, RHF X 3 (V) RWF 16th March

Fred Keeley 3 RGJ 14th March (*)

Edward Leslie Talbot 1 RGJ 14th March

Sgt Malcolm McCabe QOH & 4 (V)RGJ 15th March

Wayne Harris 3 RGJ 16th March

Lt Col Peter Fairgrieve RGJ 19th March

Al Joel ACC & 3 RGJ 24th March

WO2 David Scarborough 3 GJ & 2 RGJ (Band) 30th March

Keith Perry RGJ 31st March

Lenny Wright KRRC and 2 GJ 3rd April

WO2 Michael Godbold MBE JP 2 RGJ & Long Service List 4th April

Cpl Edward John Tobin Ox & Bucks LI 4th April

Donald William Davies 2 GJ & 3 GJ 14th April

Victor McFall 3 RGJ

Rfn Jack Hodgson 3 RGJ

John Phelan 3 RGJ

David Swords 2 RGJ

Csgt George Boddy Ox & Bucks LI & 1 RGJ

Bernie Norton GJ & RGJ

WO1 Donald Lee Walters Ox & Bucks LI, GJ & 1 RGJ

April

May

May (*)

May

June

June (*)

July

Lt (David) Markham Ox & Bucks LI, KAR & 5 Bed & Herts TAVR 15th July

Dave Dudley 3 RGJ

Cpl Bert Bowes KRRC

Rfn David Pickett 2 RGJ

July

July

August (*)

Richard Dimmick IJLB, 2 RGJ & SASC 29th August (*)

Andy (Meatpie) Miet Poechocki 2 RGJ

Capt James Waugh 2 RGJ

Maj Michael Massy-Beresford RGJ

Cpl Nigel Chipperfield 2 RGJ

Lcpl John Rush 2 RGJ

WO2 FW Frame 2 RGJ

Jim Callahan KRRC, 2 GJ & 2 RGJ

AVM John Ponsonby OBE 2 RGJ, AAC & RAF

Cpl Fredrick Crutch Ox & Bucks LI, GJ and 1 RGJ

Brian (Hooter) Cooper KRRC, 2 GJ & RGJ

September (*)

September

September

September

October

October

October (*)

October

October

Capt Christopher Stanger RGJ

Clifford Meek

Gen The Lord Ramsbotham GCB CBE RHA, 1 RB, 3 GJ & RGJ

The information listed is taken from that posted to the ‘In Memoriam’ page of the RGJA website and where seen on 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 received 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 not necessary to be a registered member of the website to post or add a comment to the forum.

Kevin Stevens

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Born 21 April 1926

Ascended the Throne 6 February 1952

Died 8 September 2022