Tricorne
The No 66 - 2016 N
The magazine of the Royal Hospital Chelsea by, and for, the In Pensioners and staff
The Tricorne
By, and for, the pensioners and staff of the Royal Hospital Chelsea
EX OFFICIO COMMISSIONERS OF THE ROYAL HOSPITAL CHELSEA
Her Majesty’s Paymaster General: The Rt Hon Ben Gummer MP
Minister for Defence, Personnel Welfare & Veterans: Mr Mark Lancaster Esq. TD MP
Assistant Chief of General Staff: Minister of State for the Armed Forces: Major General Nick Welch OBE The Rt Hon Mike Penning MP Director Resources & Command Secretary (Army): David Stephens
GOVERNOR THE ROYAL HOSPITAL CHELSEA: General Sir Redmond Watt KCB KCVO CBE DL
SPECIALLY APPOINTED COMMISSIONERS
Left to Right - Mark Gallagher; Charles Lewington; Ms Jo Cleary; David Rosier; General Sir Redmond Watt; Stuart Corbyn; Dame Barbara Monroe; Mrs Angela Gillibrand; Dr Roger Bowdler; The Rt Hon the Lord Kakkar;
THE MANAGEMENT BOARD &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2I¿FHU Mr Gary Lashko
Interim Finance Director: Mr Nick Cattermole.Esq.
Chaplain: The Reverend Steven Brookes
Director of Health & Well Being: Colonel Laura Bale RRC
HR Director: Mrs Celia Kowalkowski
Quartermaster: Lieutenant Colonel Andy Hickling MBE.
Physician and Surgeon Dr Fergus Keating
Secretary: Staff Assistant Ms Amanda Skouse
No. 1 Company: Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Lucas
No 2 Company. Major Philip Shannon MBE
Adjutant; Colonel Simon Bate OBE FCMI
CAPTAINS OF INVALIDS 1
No.3&4 Company: Colonel Mark Baker
1 2,3 4 5 6,7 8,9 10,11 12,13 14,15 16/19 20 21 21 22/24 24 24 25 25 26/28 29 30,31 32 32 33 34,35 36 36 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 43 44,45 46 46 48 49 50 51 51
52,53 The Tricorne - Commissioners 53 In This Issue 54 Theodore Roosevelt 54 Respecting tradition 55 An eventful year with many opportunities 56,57 Change brings change 57 A year of many and great changes 58 Interesting visits secret of success 59 An exceptionally busy year for all 59 Most successful and longest bowls season Outstanding MTI in top one per cent 60 Halberdier escort to the royal princess 60 61 Gawr Valley annual poppy appeal Johnny Morris adorning the scarlet coat62 63 If my body were a car 64/66 Santa and the soldier The Cheese ceremony, not to be missed67 68 Chelsea bells 68 Wartime homing pigeons - Dicken Medal 68 The Vatican Pimpernel A Field Marshal’s baton in his pack 69 69 The money jigsaw 70 What is a seenager? 70 Chelsea shorts 71 Life behind the Iron Curtain 72 The scarlet and Tricorne 73 From blue coat to scarlet coat 73 Signs of the times Suggestions for spending your golden years74 74 Pensioner Gazette 2015 74 Pensioner Gazette 2016 How regiments got their nicknames 75 75 Red carpet at the Millie Awards 76,77 The dawn of a new era in accommodation 77 Resurrecting the feeling of pride 77 Cafe on the Boulevard Lafayette 78-80 My tussle with time King Harold and the Battle of Hastings80 81 Pensioners make their mark in Pontefract The Rum Rebellion which led to ........ 82 Unusual Court Marshal in the RHC 83 83 All roads lead to Chelsea 84 Hospital band Xylophone 84 Big or small Hendon’s got them all 2
Not so much a Dad’s Army 7DNLQJ D ULGH ZLWK *ULI¿Q DQG 3ULGH Maundy Thursday foot washing Amphibious Engineer Regiment 1st RSM How Abdul got his donkey The Queen’s Almsmen; 476 years service Seeking their Scottish roots Capt Ludlow MC killed in Zeppelin raid Pensionorius Chelseae The Earth’s peak time Chelsea Pensioners walk in style Alcohol inspired pedal power Piper Mike with the Bahrainian Band Why I do nor shave off my moustache Three pensioners in the clink For Britain and the hell of it $Q]DF 'D\ DW +DUH¿HOG Pensioner on leathers First Black sergeant in British Army Inner Peace Poach or not to poach; that is the question My wood Doug at the fall of Singapore Celebrating Queen’s birthday in MTI Medals and their intrinsic value First Bailey Bridge in France Remember me as you pass by Taking a stand RBL Recovery Centre Edinburgh 1RVH GLYH HQWU\ WR WKH ÀRZHU VKRZ Bruce presents medal to his daughter My wartime memories Supporting Macmillan nurses Exercise Green Beret John’s all’s well that lands well sky dive Presentation of Legion D’Honneur Taxi drivers host Ypres visit Bundles of 10 The General’s Cadillac Florence Nightingale Foundation Service Supervising miscreants The Horse Trust The Queen’s Windsor celebrations The red poppy
84 85 85 86 86 86 86 87 88,89 90 90 91 91 91 92,93 94 94 95 95 95 96 97 98,99 99 100 100 100 101 101 102 102 103 103 104/5 105 106/7 108 109 110/11 111 112/13 114/15 116 117 117 117
Did Annie get her gun or her man Monty presented my Dad his DCM A prayer for the stressed Losing a battle but winning a war $UPHG IRUFHV ÀDJ UDLVLQJ Keeping up the pace First day in the Army Unknown and yet well known The Arabian dream Military Ethos at the 2012 Olympic Games No-brainer decision for RHC Christmas 7KH 0LQH¿HOG I only ride the bike Six Generations of Armed Forces service 1914 remembrance 2018 A happy band raising funds Tea for the Queen Cheering 14 London bridge charity walk The burial ground The Crown Inn Granborough Interesting Ginko Biloba; Maidenhair tree Among friends in Scunthorpe The RHC and the Chelsea Sentinal Men in Scarlet on the Bluebell Railway Malaya & Borneo Assn plaque rededication Frank on the carpet again The doctor’s prayer The pride of founders day Hat swop The Ross annual vetrans tea party That’s the way to do it Helping those with life changing injuries Extract from annual reports HM Queen Elizabeth war years to 1952 Twickenham rugby; the Babcock Trophy Glorious history celebrated in style Bath Tub Night Shackleton; A model of a great leader First Academy Sergeant Major Tetrapanax Papyrifer Rex RHS Chelsea Flower Show Exploring Lowestoft Harry Patch The British pilot and the Red Baron Joe’s legacy to Chernobyl Children Who will remember
118/19 119 119 119 120 121 121 122 122 123 123 124/25 125 125 126 127 128/29 129 130/31 131 132 132 132 133 133 133 134/35 136/37 137 138/39 139 140/41 141 142/43 144/45 146 146 147 148/49 149 150/52
A moving vigil Heroes to a fault Nails in the fence The great Heathrow con The Battle of Sahahagun From racing to cryptology Dunkirk little ships Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival Just a line to ?????? A blue plaque to Sidney Lewis The Captain General’s Tercentennial Review A ceremony etched in my memory Bureaucrats get everywhere Finding inner peace The lady commandant of the Royal Hospital Sgt. Tome Durrant VC RE Commando The Edinburgh Tattoo a big honour for me Memory of evacuation by the brave little ships Our Maltese journey Faure Requiem Shocked and surprised The ceremony of the Tower Keys The London knowledge quiz I met a man who met a man Aberfan The Oak tree Armistice Bench Snow blindness Potters with seal of approval Driving Some Army events around the world The chapel refurbishment 2016 Londn Marathon. Never again? Rotherhithe remembers WW2 event Fany’s. Most decorated women of the war The streets around us - Tite Street Walking the Great Wall for the RHC The Royal Hospital’s very own Monty Don Hats - various - sun - for the use of The man behind the monument Legacy A wide range of projects coming to fruition
Front cover Princess Anne reviewing the parade on Founders Day Inside front cover Pensioners inspecting the Armistice Bench Inside back cover The Somme 100 years on at Thiepval Memorial Photo courtesy Jeremyn Selwyn Evening Standard
Back cover 3LSHU DQG +DOEDGLHU SDUW\ E\ ÀRZHU VKRZ SRSSLHV 3
Some points to ponder as we move forward through the centenary of remembrance of the Great War 1914 - 1918 Courage is a state of mind whereby, against all odds, you strike forward for just one minute ---again and again. 'DYLG *ULIÂżQ
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issue had a glossy white, with grey mesh design, cover with the Royal Hospital crest embossed in gold. But this was not the only change. While there is no imprint to indicate the name of the printer it is obvious, by its layout, and the use of mono No, th Tricorne late! No this is issue iss ssue ue of of Th Thee Tr Tric icor orne or ne iiss no nott la late te!! In tthe te he ppast astt as photographs, that this was not few years The Tricorne has been published so that every- produced internally. The cover one received their copy in mid-November. This meant was changed to a scarlet mesh that some of the most important events, were often bedesign, but still with a gold emtween 12 and 24 months late. bossed crest. From then to 2012 Events like the British Legion Festival of Rememit was an all scarlet cover with a crest in the centre. brance at the Royal Albert Hall and the march down One small but very noticeable change; in the issues up Whitehall on Remembrance Sunday. Also the Gazetteer to 2005, the authorship of an article, written by any penof out pensioners, admissions, and last postings; up to 24 sioner, was recorded with his army rank. Since 2006 to months late. Which is why this year’s issue contains the 2012 one was referred to just as In Pensioner and name. Gazetteer for 2015 and 2016 to bring it into line, as near Since then it has just been christian and surname. as possible, to a true annual. In the early issues there were virtually no reports of It is fascinating to review some of the past copies of visits. Presently, other than pensioners own private The Tricorne. Produced internally every 6 months since visits, the hospital receives over 700 invitations to visit a WKH ÂżUVW LVVXH LQ DERXW 7KH 7ULFRUQH ZDV ÂżUVW SXEwide variety of places per year, both in this country and lished as an ‘annual’ in 2013. abroad and many are recorded within the pages of this 7KH ÂżUVW FRPSOHWH LVVXH LQ RXU UHFRUGV LV GDWHG -XO\ publication. 1985 and it carried 10 contributions. The cover, below One thing which has been at the core of the survival of dated 1984, was no doubt drawn by a pensioner. Or may the Royal Hospital is respecting traditional values while be a self portrait of the editor R/C/Sgt J E Norman; but responding to changes in technology. One area of this we will never know! Interestingly it carried a number of is the changes, which have taken place in The Tricorne. articles, one of which, The Florence Nightingale ComWhile editing this, my third issue, all on computer, my memoration Day Service in Westminster Abbey we still mind went back to when I began in journalism and the attend. But there is no report on the Flower Show in that changes in technology which have taken place in the and many of the following issues. print media world. The Florence Nightingale report was by Lt Col G A Today, to become a working journalist, one needs to Staines RRC; Matron of the Royal Hospital from 1979 KDYH UHOHYDQW TXDOLÂżFDWLRQV %XW LQ WKH ÂśV WKLQJV to 1984. She records the honour bestowed on her when were more ‘relaxed’ there was less requirement and, like asked to carry the British Commonwealth Nurses Roll of PDQ\ RWKHUV DW WKDW WLPH , OHDUQW RQ WKH MRE $ TXDOLÂżHG Honour from St Georges Chapel to the Sanctuary where construction lecturer I was engaged as a technical writer, it was laid on the High Altar by the Dean of Westminster. and overseen by Les, a time served editor who, like me One regular contributor, from 1984 to 1990, was Maj had also earned his editorship by working on the desk, Gen H S Moore, who was and starting at the bottom. Physician and Surgeon. His In fact such was the job market in my time that I was hobbies were bird watching head hunted for over 50 percent of my jobs. But the bigand collecting bird stamps; gest change has been in the technology. Gone is the cut naturally his contribution and paste page makeup and the noisy environment at was always ‘Bird Watching’. the printers, with the continuous clacking of its ranks of It is also interesting to note massive hot lead linotype setting machines. Then on WKH VPDOO \HW VLJQLÂżFDQW another aspect there was the semi silence when walking changes over the years. into the reader’s room, where pairs of men sat together, The issue after the July and in a hushed whispering voice, were proof reading by 1985 magazine was a great checking the printed text against the original document. step forward. Gone was the Now all is done on a computer. The printer no longer thick orange card cover, and supplying that all important addition - a proof reading articles typed on a skin and service. But, with all the changes in production, The Trirun off on a duplicating ma- corne still remains the magazine by and for the pensionchine. The December 1985 ers and staff of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Printer: Editor: THE TRICORNE TEAM The Magazine Printing Company Chelsea Pensioner Ray Pearson. Cartoons: Proof Reader 6XSHUYLVLQJ 2IÂżFHU Mr Robin Ollington Esq. Chelsea Pensioner John Gallagher Lt Col Rupert Lucas
The Tricorne is the magazine of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Its contents are by pensioners, staff and contributors. While efforts have been made to secure permission for copyright of material used, if any has been inadvertently used, future issues will carry an acknowledgment. Contributors opinions are not necessarily those of the Royal Hospital. The Royal Hospital reserves the right to grant permission for reproduction of any material within the publication and any reasonable request will be positively considered. Contact the Editor, Ray Pearson ray.pearson@chelsea-pensioners.org.uk moblie 07813648702
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AN EVENTFUL YEAR WITH MANY OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE CHALLENGES.
It hhas bbeen an eventful f l year all ll round. As Governor and Chief Executive Officer, we have developed a strong and productive working relationship to enable us to deliver a significant programme of continual development. Significant changes Significant changes took place at managerial level in 2015-16 at the RHC. The former Chief Executive, Maj Gen David McDowall, left to return to defence industry on 27 July 2015 and his successor, Gary Lashko, joined on 1 February 2016. Presently we are recruiting to replace 2 Commissioners who will stand down in 2016. Mr Stuart Corbyn who leaves after 9 years’ service as a commissioner, and Mr Justin Fenwick QC, who has been a commissioner for 6 years. We continued to work toward the RHC’s Objectives which had been agreed in the previous year.
A number of longer-term initiatives were formulated and detailed work on these began after the arrival of the new CEO. So far we have agreed a new Mission, Vision and Strategy, and have almost completed a new branding image for the Chelsea Pensioners. Work has also started on exploring the meaning of the Royal Hospital’s military ethos. Military ethos For the Royal Hospital we think that the military ethos should: 1. Be at the centre of all we do in the Hospital – it is part of the Chelsea Pensioner identity and reason for the Hospital existing. 2. Strengthen the aspects of the military ethos in the practices and discipline that are important to maintain our community - especially when visible to the public. 3. Adapt some of our traditions and practices so that they are based on the Army values
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and standards, but are suitable for older people, for the internal community, and the public life of the Hospital. 4. Have fewer, but clearer rules that are more consistently applied, with clear exceptions when people are too frail or unwell to follow them. 5. Our new Military Code should be the ethos of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, based on the Army Values and Standards It is intended to continue work on this in 2017 with In-Pensioners and ex-military staff. So far progress toward the objectives has meant that we are :Providing Additional Services Extra funding which these changes have created and has been used to enable us to increase domiciliary care to the Long Wards. We have continued to work with the Royal British Legion (RBL) to provide a ‘hub’ for veterans at the RHC. Manned by RBL staff on a regular basis this is working well. In the meantime much continues to be done to help other charities including the Army Benevolent Fund, The Soldiers’ Charity, Combat Stress, and the Gurkha Welfare Trust. Links with the Soldiers Sailors and Air Force Association are healthy and we support each of their caseworker courses and have admitted In- Pensioners into the RHC through this link. Long Ward modernisation Final phase of the Long Wards project, the West Wing and North West Pavilion, was completed within the agreed budget 7 months ahead of schedule, with occupation in October 2015. The modernised accommodation continues to be strongly welcomed by the In-Pensioners. The temporary accommodation in Light Horse Court was removed in January 2016 and the area has been reinstated to complete the project. Estate Development The Prince of Wales Yard project was completed on time and budget in December 2015. Work on the South Terrace started in July 2015 and is now complete, with the final surface for the paths having been laid in Autumn 2016. Replacing and renovation the
lead roofs is continuing and expected to be completed in late 2016. Both the Wren Chapel and the pavilion in Burton Court have been refurbished – both projects completed in the Spring. The RHC is continuing efforts to identify a suitable use and occupier for the Soane Stable Block, yet to be refurbished. Safeguarding the heritage Preservation of the historic buildings and grounds remains fundamental to the RHC. Major infrastructure work that has included the renovation of the lead roofs and refurbishment of the Great Hall and Chapel has ensured that the heritage of the site is being safeguarded. A 20-year maintenance plan has been drawn up to inform future planning and budgeting. Internal efficiency During the year it became apparent that the RHC’s costs were increasing quicker than its income. This trend will continue into 201617. Nevertheless this is being addressed in 2016-17 following a review of services, likely to produce further cost reductions. A review of the RHC’s services to In-Pensioners concluded in July 2016 and resulted in: a. setting up a new social care function to do assessments and provide support b. improving our admissions process c. increasing domiciliary care d. reducing the number of Infirmary nursing beds. New director Also eliminating the post of Deputy Matron but creating a new Director overseeing all health and welfare issues to provide joined up, modern services. In recent months a new fundraising strategy has been developed and the RHC is in the process of appointing a Director of Fundraising and Communications. Care and Nursing. We continue to comply with the Care Quality Commission`s new Fundamental Standards. In fact we maintained our Beacon Status of excellence in end of life care and demonstrated, through best practice, our unique model of care at the RHC. In November 2016 we were
awarded CQC’s highest status: Outstanding. This put us in the top 1 per cent of CQC regulated institutions in the country. GP Services The Medical Centre achieved 476.6 points out of a total of 480 in the Quality Outcomes Framework assessment for 2014-15. Pro-active fundraising The ‘Friends of the RHC’ ceased to be a separate charity and from 1st April 2015 formed part of the RHC Appeal’s core fundraising activity. Additional resources have now been provided to increase voluntary income generated through pro-active fundraising appeals, corporate partnerships and increasing Friends membership numbers Events and increased income Our Events team have increased income through the addition of Wren House (previously the Lieutenant Governor’s house) in the Events portfolio. During the year a more formalised charging structure for events and the use of Burton Court was established. This will allow the RHC to gauge the viability of its commercial activities and to ensure that they remain compatible with our primary objective of providing a fitting home to the In-Pensioners. After Founders Day we held 3 music concerts in Figure Court much enjoyed by all who attended. Positive reputation Again this year the RHC has received overwhelmingly positive media coverage. There was significant media coverage linked to commemorative events including the centenary of the Battle of the Somme. There were also several stories placed regarding fundraising for the RHC, helping to raise awareness of the charitable status of the organisation and the appeal. Our online presence has been further enhanced through improving social media profiles and increasing audience numbers and levels of engagement. Property Management Our new contract with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), for the Chelsea Flower Show, has worked extremely well, along 7
with the Masterpiece art and antiques show. In November 2016 we received planning approval for a trial run on our South grounds of the Longines Global Champions Tour, a prestigious horse jumping event. Development of Gordon House continues and both the developer and the RHC have endeavoured to minimise disruption at the western side of the RHC site. Financial review The total funding received from the Ministry of Defence was £11,875K (2015: £11,667K). Income from other sources, including fundraising activities, investments and donations was £7,927K. (2015: £8,117K). Total income was £19,803K, an increase of some £347K (2%) on 2015. This is due to increased income from donations, trading and fundraising activity, partly offset by a fall in investment income due to lower receipts from lease extension premiums. Our accounts Costs attributable to RHC’s charitable activities were £19,686K (2015: £19,104K), an increase of £582K (3%). Other costs were £2,475K, (2015 £2,353K), an increase of £122k (5%). The value of our assets in our accounts will fall significantly because we will use a different basis for valuing our estate. We are still around £2m per year short of our funding requirement when we include future maintenance costs. Long term future There has been lots of activity over the year in addition to all the events attended by In-Pensioners, and visits to the Hospital. We hope you can also see that there has been a lot going on behind the scenes to secure the long term future of the Royal Hospital. Gary Lashko Chief Executive
General Sir Redmond Watt KCB KCVO CBE DL Governor
CHANGE BRINGS CHANGE
nor’s and the CEO’s article explaining what we have done and what we are going to do but what I would like to add to this, with all due respect, is a bit more. We are, I believe, also here to represent the 300 years of history and all those Chelsea Pensioners who have gone before us. We are also here to be the shop window for all those thousands of other veterans out there who are not so lucky as us, and in addition we must prepare ourselves to look after all those new Chelsea Pensioners yet to arrive. I felt when I arrived here that we were rather insular, and that we were focused too much on the inside of the shop, and not what was going on in the High Street outside, where some of the other shops were in danger of closing down. We were, and we continue to be, seen at all the great sporting events such as Twickenham, Wimbledon, Lords, Wembley and Stamford Bridge but we all know there is more to the Royal Hospital than being seen sitting in the comfortable seats. There were and still are, not surprisingly, some critics out there who see us as being rather elitist and comfortable, and we needed, I believed, to re-balance our SUR¿OH , EHOLHYH WKDW ZH have gone a long way to achieving this. My ambition, in the last ¿YH \HDUV KDV EHHQ WR JHW us more involved with other Service charities, and through them support all those other Service veterans who need help, and DGDSW RXU SUR¿OH WR PHHW WKH wider needs of the day, and to make us more relevant. We know the numbers who need help are increasing, for example, veterans are living longer, and the effects of recent and
REFLECTIONS REFLECTIONS OF OF T THE HE A ADJUTANT DJUTANT
As I leave the Royal HosSLWDO DIWHU ¿YH DQG KDOI year as the Adjutant and the Director of Welfare, I can honestly say that I am leaving a post that has been a privilege for me to have held. This has been an appointment that I have loved, and I leave with a feeling of sadness as time and change moves on. The appointment has changed enormously in the last 8 months, with the closure and dissemination of the Adjutant’s Department in July, and the creation of a new Health and Well Being Department which now combines the MTI and domiciliary care with Social Care and Admissions, together with the new (Warden style) role of the Captains of Invalids. The new Department also encompasses the hard-working Sergeant Major co-ordinating all the visits with the adminLVWUDWLRQ RI¿FH OHG E\ WKH Chief Clerk and the ever smiling Claire. A new Director has been appointed and with sadness I have recognised that it is time to move on, and I do so wishing every success to the new team. I do not need to say in this forum what a magnif-
icent institution the Royal Hospital is; we all know that. I will leave with memories of great banter and humour, of stoicism with some pensioners going through each day without complaining and an acceptance of their lot, some of which includes personal tragedy or ill health, and all of which is put behind them and taken in their stride. I have memories of some great people who I have truly admired in their approach to life, and for some their acceptance of the inevitable. It is quite clearly, quite a place and, as I have said, I have felt honoured, as does my family, to have been part of this great community. I am not planning to write a great deal for this publication but I would just like to leave behind my thoughts on what I believe we are here for, and what we represent and that is of course in addition to our primary role of the welfare and care of the In-Pensioners. These are my beliefs used as a framework to drive me as the Adjutant as I developed my Departmental business programme. You will have read the Gover-
VE Day, August 2015 – Marching into Parliament Square
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COLONEL SIMON BATE OBE AUGUST 2011 TO JANUARY 2017
past operations are taking an increasing toll, and we know that all Service charities are beginning to struggle as the Armed Services drop off the front pages of the newspapers. I think we are a long way closer to achieving my ambition but we need to PDLQWDLQ WKLV SUR¿OH DQG the effort has got to come from within, and from you as a veteran community. By doing this we have to continually work on our pro¿OH DQG EH VHHQ DV DQ RUJDQisation that adds value both inwardly and, as importantly, outwardly to others. As a consequence of our HIIRUWV RYHU WKH ODVW ¿YH years I believe that we are now more involved with our support to the ABF the Soldiers Charity, the RBL, Help for Heroes, Walking with the Wounded, Veterans Aid, HM Prisons, and our local Glassdoors Night Shelter and the list goes on. I know from the messages that I have regularly received from our supporters that we are appreciated for our efforts – In-Pensioners, as we know, in a scarlet coat can act as a powerful magnet for any cause. I sincerely hope that this remains one of our strategic objectives and the Royal Hospital continues to support others, and I hope that this, if nothing more, is my legacy. One other side of my apSRLQWPHQW RQ UHÀHFWLRQ that I have enjoyed is en
deavouring to involve the Royal Hospital in all the national commemorative events that have taken place over recent years. Again, I think that this is an important way of mainWDLQLQJ RXU SUR¿OH DQG keeping us in the limelight. It is also a real privilege to be included in these national events for the reasons previously covered. Finally, and after 32 years in the Army it has felt like my military life has gone full circle. From Day One, on arrival, when I met a Chelsea Pensioner, Mr Les Perrier, who had been my father’s Chief Clerk
in 9 Signal Regiment in Cyprus who said to me ‌ ‘I hope you are going to be as good as your father was’, to meeting again Mr Ray Huggins, Academy Sergeant Major at Sandhurst, last seen when I was DQ 2IÂżFHU &DGHW LQ How times have moved on. Full circle was achieved last year when InPensioner Michael Palin arrived with whom I had VHUYHG LQ P\ ÂżUVW UHJLment in 1977. Needless to say we had not known each other then as he was the RAOC Stores SSgt and I was a bright eyed Gunner Subaltern and nei-
1st July 1916; Centenary commemoration at Thiepval Memorial and CWGC cemetery, the Somme.
ther would dare talk to each other, but I have subsequently got to know and respect him greatly for his experiences and his values and his beliefs. ‌‌ But now it is time to move on, as change brings change, and as I do so I will always treasure my
memories of serving at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. It has been great fun, very rewarding, and I sincerely wish the Royal Hospital, and all those who reside, work, volunteer, and serve within this tremendous organisation, all good fortune for the future.
Above; Christmas visit to Veterans Aid, Bermondsey. 21 December 2016, and thanks to our Chefs for the cake we presented, which was very much appreciated. Below; Founder’s Day – June 2016
The end of an era – 1692 - 2017
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Col R. Lucas Jim Lycett, CSM and LW reps Ray Adams, Terry Wiltshire, Alan Collins, Harry Puttick, Alan Goddard, Yorkie Layton, Terry Conlon No.1 Company, located entirely in the West Wing has (Mike Atkinson) and developed during the last 12 months as the Long Wards Fred Abraham. /:V KDYH ¿OOHG ZLWK QHZ DUULYDOV ,Q ODWH DV ZH Everyone has been very moved into the West Wing, we said a farewell to LW 20 in pleased with the new acthe MTI, which moved to 3 and 4 Company. For many of commodation, increased us the 2 years at Light Horse Court are now a distant and space; greater privacy and fond memory. a window in each berth has During the last 12 months we have welcomed 19 new ar- made a huge difference. rivals to the Company, 8 of who went to Long Ward 4. It has Sadly we have had to bid a been heartening to see the LWs come to life as they have ¿QDO IDUHZHOO WR PHPEHUV ¿OOHG XS ZLWK QHZ DUULYDOV and former members.
A YEAR OF MANY & GREAT CHANGES
COMPANY
As a Company we have enjoyed a number of coffee mornings and happy hours in all of the wards as the year has progressed. These have proved to be really successful and I am so grateful to Ebbi, Jo, Jim, John and our lovely volunteers for all their support to make them the success that they have been. MICHAEL FALLON, BORIS JOHNSON IN LW 1 WITH AUSTRALIAN OPPOSITE NUMBERS IN SEPTEMBER
HRH THE PRINCESS ROYAL WITH No 1 COMPANY AT FOUNDERS DAY;
THE JERSEY BOYS
The company has its own special Jersey Boys, on the left FRANK GOES Paul Whittick VIRTUAL REALITY Brian Smith, Journalists have been John Grifqueueing to meet Frank ¿WKV DQG 0LNH Mouqué and hear his story. Smith all of Frank, in Nicholson Ward LQ WKH 07, HYHQ WRRN SDUW LQ D VXSHUE YLUWXDO UHDOLW\ ¿OP whom had an outstandlinked back to his service in Normandy. Joan McLoughlin ing time in Jersey supportis a keen volunteer at St Thomas’s Hospital and has also ing the Island’s highly sucbeen helping IPs such as Michael Todd when they have cessful Poppy Appeal. appointments there. Ken McDonald and Michael Paling ST PETER’S VILLAGE have also helped many of Earlier in the year Jo Moour IPs with hospital or lendo took an IP group, indental appointments. Alan cluding 8 company memGoddard, Bill Bullick, bers to St Peter’s Village, John Nicoll all help out at below, where they had a the Guards Museum near living history tour followed Wellington Barracks (Alan by a marvellous lunch in as a Living Exhibit!) Stuart the Walpole Bay Hotel. Madden heads to Windsor every week to assist at the Household Cavalry Museum – his father’s old Regiment (no I don’t mean Spud Hunt!). Boules by the MTI
CYCLE RIDE, DIGITAL EAGLES, PAINTING & BOULES
It has been a busy year for many IPs. Huge congratulations to Mike Atkinson for his successful Charity Cycle Ride from London to Brighton. Also to Rick Graham in LW 4 for his wonderful portraits and paintings – many of which are on display around the Royal Hospital. Mike Hall from LW 2 has taken on a number of challenges including the Digital Eagle
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portfolio & setting up the newly formed and very successful Boules Club.
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FAST AND FURIOUS TO A SECRET PLACE
First of the company’s two outings this year was in early August. Through Michael Paling’s hard work a group visited Mercedes Formula 1 HQ at Brackley. His Nephew Andrew Shovlin, the Chief Race Engineer gave us a brilliant tour of the site in the morning which set us up for a short dash to explore Bletchley Park in the afternoon. We made a second visit to Mercedes F1 HQ in early September.
CINQUE PORTS TRAINING AREA AND A CLASSIC GURKHA CURRY Another group from the company visited the Cinque Ports Training Area (CPTA) location at Pippingford Park in West Sussex. Richard Morriss, the owner and Major Rick Beven the CPTA Commander looked after us superbly. Richard gave us a wonderful tour of his estate and the training area in his Deuce and a Half Truck. We DOO ¿QLVKHG XS DW &URZERURXJK &DPS ZKHUH ZH HQMR\HG a classic Gurkha Curry expertly prepared by Mr Chandra Sahi, the head chef at the Camp.
LEFT HANDERS FROM COMPANY NO1 MARCH PAST THE PRINCESS ROYAL
PANNING IN EU DEBATE
LOOKING TO 2017 - AN EXPANDING COMPANY AND WELCOMING OLD FRIENDS
Rupert Lucas got deservedly panned at the EU Debate in May when he dared to oppose Brexit. Dewi Treharne lead the charge, ably supported by Fred Bolwell and Jack Pilkington.
LW2 happy hour music from Gerry Farmer and Bill Gorrie
7KH ¿UVW ELJ SURMHFW LQ ZLOO EH WKH &RPSDQ\ H[panding to include the 22 In-Pensioners on Nicholson Ward located in the Ground Floor of the MTI. Some old friends will come back to the Company including Brian Ireland, Frank Mouqué, Gareth Pugh, Terry Abbott, Stan Pepper and Harry Laxton. We will also welcome new friends and will be sure to include everyone in Nicholson in the No 1 Company events during the year.
“Boris, how can I get hair like that?” “Jim, stop supporting the Canaries!”
THANK YOU TO THE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS FOR ALL YOUR SUPERB SUPPORT
Finally a huge thank-you to CSM Jim Lycett and his team of LW NCOs, a great year and all your support has been truly outstanding.
:H PXVW ¿QLVK E\ WKDQNLQJ WKH VWDII DQG YROXQWHHUV IRU all their superb support to 1 Company throughout the last 12 months. Sophie and Azmita in the LWs, our Volunteers: Carol, Jo, Anne-Marie, Caroline and Michelle. In particular we are so grateful to Carole & Jo for all the shopping trips that they make for the In-Pensioners and to Anne-Marie for support and special outings for lunches and teas! Tracey, Geeta, Julie, Jane & Jo the Domicillary & Night Nurse Teams from the MTI you have all been really wonderful too, thank you so much for your support to the West Wing – its been fantastic! 11
2
INTERESTING VISITS SECRET OF SUCCESS
Major P D Shannon MBE Brian Cumming MBE CSM Ward Representatives: Wd 5 IP Tom Mullaney& IP Fred Richardson, Wd 6 IP Sam Cameron & IP John Hellewell, Wd 7 IP Tony Hunter & IP Jim Wimbridge
COMPANY
Visitors to the Royal Hospital often ask how Pensioners stay so active. Looking at the events for this past year, perhaps the secret lies in how they manage to cram in so many interesting and energetic trips, not to mention DSSHDUDQFHV ZLWK FHOHEULWLHV IURP ÂżOP DQG WHOHYLVLRQ ALL ABOARD FOR THE BLUEBELL RAILWAY
John Hellewell loves to visit the highways and byways of England by road and his story was picked up by the ‘Bus Users Magazine’, where an article highlighted his lifetime interest in bus travel. Along with Jean Simmons, Peter Caiger and Barbara Whilds, he also enjoyed an outing hosted by the London Taxi Drivers Association on the famous Bluebell Railway.
FRED GETS REUNITED WITH A LANCASTER
Fred Richardson relished visiting the Hendon RAF Museum where he was reunited with a Lancaster aircraft. During his RAF service he was responsible for maintenance on these historic planes and spoke enthusiastically about his experiences
RED CARPET FOR THE SCARLET MEN
John Cuthbert, Bill Wood and Roy Cadman were the envy of their colleagues as they starred on the red carpet next to Catherine Zeta Jones at the premiere of the new Âľ'DGÂśV $UP\Âś ÂżOP -RKQ :DONHU ORRNV DV WKRXJK KH should have auditioned for a part in the remake!
A VERY SOUND TECHNICIAN
When Katherine Jenkins visited the Chelsea Pensioners Club, Bill Gorrie had the responsibility of acting as her sound technician for the evening. He did a sterling job and everyone enjoyed j y the concert.
GOOD RELATIONS ACROSS THE SEA
The Stafford Hotel, which regularly invites In-Pensioner to afternoon tea, organised a visit for a group of its American executives. Brian Cumming MBE kindly volunteered to give them a tour. They were particularly impressed with their experience, which helped to further cement relations between the Hospital and hotel staff.
BATTLE OF THE SOMME BELFAST TATTOO
As part of the commemorations for the Battle of the Somme and the Queen’s 90th birthday, In-Pensioners were invited to attend the Belfast Tattoo. It was also an opportunity for Sam Cameron and a few others in the party to meet up with family members from the Province, not to mention a visit to one of the famous end murals ppainted gable g
Aircraft enthusiast, Steve Lovelock enjoyed a day at the Fairford Royal International Air Tattoo. Steve and Derek Walters BEM were also delighted to receive an invitation to Six Nations rugby when EngROY’S VISIT REVIVES land beat Wales 25-21. OLD MEMORIES 8QGHWHUUHG E\ DJH RU LQ¿UPLW\ 5R\ &DGPDQ KHDGHG over to France on yet another pilgrimage, this time to Dieppe, where the disastrous wartime raid on the town was commemorated. It was also an opportunity to remember his good friend and colleague Fred Walker, who at the time had been a young commando on the raid. Barbara Whilds and Michael Allen are featured on a new video showing in the refurbished heritage centre. Tours to the Royal Hospital are on the increase and, as one of the indoor attractions, it is proving popular. 12
PIPING IN DOUG’S 90TH BIRTHDAY
David MacIntyre and Tony Hunter provided music to celebrate Doug Hassall’s 99th birthday. Thrilled by the special treat Doug thoroughly enjoyed the occasion, sharing it with the staff and Pensioners.
RENEWING THE ROYAL HOSPITALS LONGSTANDING WAR TIME LINKS
CHELSEA PENSIONERS EXPERT FOOD CRITICS
The Chelsea Pensioner food critics stole the show on BBC Celebrity MasterChef. Rubbing shoulders with the now not so ‘Longhaired Lover from Liverpool’, Jimmy Osmond; Ray Huggins MBE, Michael Allen, Barbara Whilds, and Derek Walters BEM, enjoyed EHLQJ VHUYHG D ¿QH GLQLQJ experience by the team members. Whilst the programme only lasted one KRXU E\ WKH WLPH ¿OPLQJ was complete; it turned out to be rather a long day. PETER & TONY VISIT THE AIR CHIEF MARSHALL
Tony Hunter enjoyed a visit to Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier’s house for afternoon tea. He is pictured with Peter Carrie, who, at 101, is currently the oldest Pensioner and also a former member of Bomber Command. The Station Commander at High Wycombe, Group Captain Philip Lester also joined the Pensioners during their visit.
Jean Simmons and Ivor Williams were invited to Rosson-Wye by the Royal British Legion to celebrate the long standing link between the town and the Royal Hospital. In 1937, plans were made to evacuate the Chelsea Pensioners. In 1939, 52 Pensioners and staff arrived in the town. First staying at Rudhall Manor, and later, in 1942, to Moraston House. Memorials to those who died during their stay are in St. Mary’s Churchyard in Ross and St. Bridget’s Churchyard in Bridstow. BACK TO ROOTS AS GUEST OF HONOUR
As part of the Queen’s 90th celebrations, John Land was invited to return to his roots in Romford as one of the guests of honour at a special Garden Party organised by residents. When the Mayor of Havering, Councilor Philippa Crowder was introduced to John, she did not expect him to say that he not only remembered her mother but also knew Philippa when she was a child growing up near his home!
THE EFFECT OF GLENN MILLER MUSIC ON BILL
Bill Gorrie entered into the spirit of the World War ll theme at this year’s staff and In-Pensioner barbeque. Guests were treated to the sounds of a band with a difference. Enthusiasts of Glenn Miller’s music got together to help The Not Forgotten Association produce a show of which even the great man himself would have been proud.
A FIRST FOR MIKE THE PIPER WHO PLAYS AT THE ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO
Never before has a Chelsea Pensioner appeared each evening as a performer at the Edinburgh Tattoo. Mike Shanahan was invited by The Royal Dragoon Guards Band to help them out by playing his bagpipes during its display. He was welcomed enthusiastically and even though he played for what seemed to be countless performances, found each occasion to be rather special.
BRIAN THE HEATHROW CHELSEA PENSIONER
Brian Cumming MBE continues to wish travellers at Heathrow a fond farewell. Some of the billboards are the size of a large truck!
13
BATTLE PROMS RAISING MONEY FOR CHARITY
For many years, Michael Allen has appeared at various ‘Battle Proms’. This year, at Ragley Hall Warwickshire. ‘Songs of Praise’ presenter, and old friend from BFBS Germany days, Pam Rhodes introduced Michael on stage. Following his appeal in the interval almost £9,000 was raised for Combat Stress, bringing the total for all four proms to a staggering £250,000 KEN MCCONCHIE TAKES A NOSTALGIC LOOK
At war time vehicles at the RA300 Celebrations Larkhill
CHARLIE & HIS DAD WOW THE PENSIONERS
While there is a wide variety of entertainment in the MTI Pensioners decided to organise their own. Major Shannon surprised everyone by introducing his ventriloquist son ‘Charlie’. After a few jibes at some of the staff members, they ended his sketch by singing ‘A policeman’s lot is not a happy one’. Apparently Charlie has a better singing voice than his dad!
AN EXCEPTIONALLY BUSY YEAR FOR ALL
Colonel RM Baker IP A Rutter CSM IP L Grimes CSM
COMPANY
PROGRAMME O F SUCCESSFUL EVENTS
Another year has passed and it hardly seems possible that I am again composing our Company notes. It has been another exceptionally busy time with the HDUO\ SDUW RI ¿OOHG ZLWK WKH )ORZHU 6KRZ )RXQGer’s Day and Masterpiece. The concert series in Figure Court was enjoyed by staff and In-Pensioners despite In-Pensioner Dave Thompson’s and Steve Allen’s introductory jokes! 7KH ELJJHVW UHOLHI WR XV DOO LV WKDW ¿QDOO\ WKH ¾VFDIfolding world championships’ have come to an end. Well I thought they had, but there still seems to be an intense scaffolding erection training going on along West Road.
LEGION D’HONNEUR
3&4
Many Pensioners, through out the Royal Hospital, have again attended a number of events sponsored by the Royal Logistic Corps during this period. The Band Concerts in Deepcut have proved to be particularly popular as well as the regimental dinners, lunches and Association events to which In-Pen-
sioners have been invited. We also had a very successful Sponsored Sunday here at the Royal Hospital in September. It was the best turnout of RLC Forming Corps In-Pensioners on Governor’s Parade, in Chapel and hosting in the In-Pensioners Club in the 8 years I have been on the staff of the RHC.
(',1%85*+ 7$7722 Âą Âľ*(7 21 3$5$'(Âś Right; Finale The Parade awaiting the arrival of the Royal Hospital Contingent. Below;Pensioners march in to take their allotted place.
The annual pilgrimage to Edinburgh took place in In May In-Pensioner Bob August for the Military Leece was one of 3 In-Pen- Tattoo. We were particusioners to be presented larly well hosted by Capwith the Legion d’Honneur tain DD Johnston from the by the French Defence At- Edinburgh Personnel RetachÊ. The ceremony took covery Unit. The In-Penplace in All Saints Chapel sioners had prime seats to and the recipients were watch the early part of the supported by their proud Tattoo before joining the families and friends. SDUDGH IRU WKH ¿QDOH GUERNSEY AND SARK COMMEMORATIONS I had the privilege to travel widely supported by various members of the company. There have been Commemorations in Guernsey and Sark, trips to Cyprus, and the Edinburgh Tattoo. Many pensioners having the opportunity to SDUWLFLSDWH LQ VRPH RI WKHVH VSOHQGLG KLJK SUR¿OH HYHQWV WESTMINSTER ABBEY SOMME VIGIL
Closer to home there was the unforgettable Somme service attended by the Queen and Prince Phillip and vigil at Westminster Abbey. I found this a very moving experience particularly as 14
my Grandfather had fought on the Somme and survived. It has been an exhilarating time and we all cherish some special memories of the last few months.
CERTIFICATE OF MERIT FOR STERLING WORK
In September In-Pensioner Alan Hayter from 3 Company was presentHG ZLWK D FHUWL¿FDWH RI merit for his sterling work over the years with the Surrey Branch of the Scots Guards Association. 7KH FHUWL¿FDWH RI PHULW was presented by the Regimental Adjutant of Scots Guards. A reception was held in the CPC afterwards with Alan’s friends from the Surrey Association followed by lunch in the Great hall. LEADERS IN EARLY MORNING PT A number of In-Pensioners have requested that we continue with our early morning Physical Training sessions through the winter months. In-Pensioners Bob Suttie and Don Crassweller have kindly agreed to lead the sessions this winter. There ZLOO EH DQ RULHQWDO ÀDYRXU to the training which will include taekwondo, origami and kick boxing. INUNDATED WITH REQUESTS I have been inundated with In-Pensioners asking to take on the task of writing Tricorne company notes. However, I KDYH VHO¿VKO\ GHFLGHG WR compose these Company notes myself. In order to be completely fair I suggest that next year we put the names of all of those volunteers who want to take on this task in a hat and draw.
TRIATHLON EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS BRONZE It would be remiss of me feat has been a little over not to mention the contin- shadowed by the publiciuing sporting success we ty given to the Brownlees have enjoyed this year. brothers at the Olympic Earlier in the summer Games in Rio. However, it In-Pensioner Nick Clark was a wonderful achievesuccessfully led a com- ment and Nick is congratbined 3 and 4 Company ulated on his efforts. ComTriathlon team in the Eu- pany triathlon colours are ropean Championships. awarded to Michael WickThe team won bronze ens, David and Tom Lyall, medals in the ‘over 60s Stan Atkinson, Ted Pardivision’. This excellent sons and Chris Melia. THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTIVE VOLUNTEERS
No 3 and 4 Company are blessed with some wonderfully supportive volunteers. Each, in their own way, makes a major contribution. Julie Kitchenside continues to feed us with her homemade cakes and Ron Newman provides great IT support and help with family history research. 0DUFLD 6ROGDWRV ÀLHV LQ UHJularly from the USA which is a tremendous effort on her part. Finally, Simon Rhodes, is a very welcome weekly visitor, We thank him for kindly organising and funding our Company trip to the Crown Inn Restaurant and Inn in May. Our sincere thanks to you all.
BRYN RENEWS ACQUAINTANCE It only seems yesterday that the wonderful colourful blossom appeared on the trees within the grounds of the Royal Hospital. The days are now shortening rapidly and the falling leaves are keeping Ron Wilmore and his team busy. After a long break the Southern Grounds are now open to us once again and Bryn is pleased to be able to stretch his legs and renew his acquaintance with the ‘gang of rooks’ and the ‘squirrel tribe’ living within the grounds. THE BOWLS TEAM FORGING A WIN Members of 3 and 4 Company have been supporting and playing for the RHC bowls team, as they have endeavoured to forge a win against visiting opposition Clubs. In-Pensioner Walter Swan from 4 Company has been bowls team Captain during the season and other company members who have played include Don Crassweller, Ken Harlick, John Morris, Douglas Payne, Alan Rutter, Bob Suttie and Ron Wilkins, to name but a few have all been playing throughout the period.
THE RITUAL OF CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES In conclusion I would also like to again mention the great work that the In-Pensioner CSMs do, supported by Long Ward Representatives. The support they provide us must not be forgotten as their contribution makes our lives much easier. On behalf of all of the members of 3 and 4 Company I would like to publicly thank them for all of their splendid efforts during this last 12 months. Finally, Christmas is rapidly approaching once again. For us all it will mean the ritual of Christmas activities starting with the stirring of the Christmas pudding. We all wait with great anticipation for 2 of the most important events at this time of year. First, the Governor’s Christmas Day lunch announcement, of the 2017 Founders 'D\ UHYLHZLQJ RI¿FHU Second, Godfrey Young and KLV ÀDPER\DQW &KULVWPDV WLH WR RI¿FLDOO\ FRQ¿UP WKH IHVtive season has arrived!! 15
MOST SUCCESSFUL AND LONGEST BOWLS SEASON
LINED UP FOR FIRST MATCH AGAINST CORAL BAY
In April 24 Bowls Club members deployed via Gatwick to the Athena Royal Hotel Cyprus for our 2016 overVHDV ERZOV WRXU 7KH IDFLOLWLHV DW WKH KRWHO ZHUH ¿UVW FODVV and we played all of our matches within the hotel complex. The itinerary included matches against local ex pat WHDPV FXOWXUDO YLVLWV WR WKH ORFDO DUHD DQG D ¿QDO PDWFK against other bowls clubs staying in the hotel. After arrival at the hotel we had 24 hrs to adjust to the weather and, following a number of practice sessions, ZH SOD\HG WKH ¿UVW RI RXU PDWFKHV DJDLQVW D VWURQJ Coral Bay BC team.
Royal Hospital Chelsea Bowls Club Captain In-Pensioner Walter Swan Vice – Captain In-Pensioner Michael Dows Treasurer In-Pensioner Michael Preston
This has been the longest bowls season on record! We started with an indoor match against Croydon in March. This was followed by our highly successful tour to Cyprus in April. The season continued WKURXJK XQWLO 6HSWHPEHU ZKHQ WKH ¿QDO JDPH ZDV played between the Presidents Team against the Captains Team for the Gilbert Shield. There follows D VHOHFWLRQ RI SKRWRJUDSKV ZKLFK UHÀHFW VRPH moments from a small number of our matches. WINNING WITH A HIGHLAND FLING?
Instead of a rugby style ‘haka’ to frighten the Aliathon bowlers, Rita Orange and Joe Shortall gave us a demonVWUDWLRQ RI D KLJKODQG ÀLQJ 7KDQNIXOO\ LW ZDV RQO\ D VKRUW GHPRQVWUDWLRQ DQG ZDV PRUH D µÀXQJ WKDQ D ÀLQJ¶ Despite some valiant play against Aliathon BC another draw was easily avoided!
7HG µ6XQGDQFH¶ 5REHUWV DQG the Governor warming up
Despite Mike Shanahan playing the pipes at the beginning of the match, the Aliathon BC players decided to stay and play on!!
Unfortunately Mike Shanahan, right, had forgotten his bowls but luckily had his pipes with him! At the start of each of our matches he welcomed the visiting teams with a 2 min. burst on his pipes, which everybody appreciated, particularly when he stopped playing!!
Action shot Rita letting one rip
At the same time that the RHC Bowlers were in Cyprus the Governor was holidaying on the island with his family. The *RYHUQRU DQG /DG\ :DWW MRLQHG XV LQ 3DWKRV IRU WKH ¿QDO match of our tour. This match was against Peyia BC, who we had played previously during our 2012 tour of Cyprus. As we had already played two competitive matches on the LVODQG ZH ZHUH YHU\ FRQ¿GHQW WKDW ZH ZRXOG ZLQ WKH PDWFK in convincing style. As it transpired, the group photograph EHORZ ZDV WKH KLJKOLJKW RI WKH PDWFK RXU FRQ¿GHQFH ZDV completely unfounded!!
John Hellewell left and Yorkie Layton below - men of action or inaction!
The Governor and members of the RHC and Peyia BC
16
%2'<*8$5' 2) µ.1,*+76 7(03/$5 '8 %$7+¶
One of the highlights of the week was the surprise appearance of John Hellewell in Scarlet, being piped onto the bowls green by Mike the Piper. His secretive accompanying body guard of ‘Knights Templar du Bath’, wore their traditional ceremonial white uniforms of ‘robes du l‘hotel chambre du bath’ and their pre battle ‘shower cap helmets’.
ALL SET FOR MATCH AGAINST HEDGE END BOWLS CLUB
On return to UK the bowls season continued with weekly matches against bowls clubs celebrating a variety of anniversaries. We played Hedge End Bowls Club at the beginning of the season in some splendid weather. The club was celebrating their 25th Anniversary and theyy made us all very y welcome.
The question on everybody’s lips was, ‘Were they wearing anything under their ceremonial robes?’ Thankfully, we will never know!! It was a memorable way to celebrate John’s 70th birthday.
PLAYING OUR OLD FRIENDS THE VETERANS
We played several matches against some veterans sides including the Personal Recovery Unit London, Stoll and of course our old friends from Veterans Aid.
THE CHANGING STYLES IN BOWLERS AND BOWLING OVER THE YEARS
The vintage photographs below, show Chelsea Pensioners at the Tower of London, early in the 20th century. Compare it with the photograph right and spot the differences! Clearly, the vintage players appear to have had any pre match drinks, ‘magic mushrooms’ or legal highs. We are not sure the same is true of the RHC and Tedworth teams, after their friendly match in September
17
RHC STAFF VERSUS THE BOWLS CLUB
As the season drew to a close we played 2 of the most popular matches for the year and the following selection of photographs were taken during the Staff v the RHC Bowls Team. A keenly fought match as a large proportion of the Staff team had played before and had participated to hone their skills. After a promising start the RHC Bowls Team gradually overhauled the Staff and won in convincing style.
Bob Suttie deploying his world famous µERXQFLQJ ERPE¶ WHFKQLTXH.
µ7KH &RUOHRQH %URWKHUV¶
CEO said he hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t played bowls before - we thought he was joking!
µ7KDW ZDV D FUDFNLQJ SXQFKOLQH WR \RXU ODVW MRNH -LP¶ says the Sergeant Major
Jane Baker presenting the Winners Shield to Walter Swan
David Lyall concentrating on his personal intense pre match warm up? The crowd appears totally spell bound by the match!
18
Director H & W seems unfazed by Tom Lyallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s QHZ µNQHHFDS UHPRYHU¶
THE ANNUAL MATCH FOR THE GILBERT CUP
A possible caption competition photograph!!
Mike Dows Vice Captain in action
Colonel and Mrs Gilbert
JIM A WORTHY WINNER OF THE ROYAL HOSPITAL INTERNAL SINGLES COMPETITION.
Audrey’s on target
After the match the weather improved and the club members had a barbeque outside of the CPC which was much enjoyed by us all.
A GOOD YEAR THANKS TO EVERYONE’S HELP AND SUPPORT
During the season the club members played an internal singles competition. Winners of the competition for several years had been either Rita Orange or Walter Swan. It was very a competitive competition and surprisingly both Rita and Walter failed to get through the early rounds. So we have a new name on the cup in ,Q WKH ¿QDO SOD\HG EHWZHHQ -LP /\FHWW DQG $QQ Mullkay and Jim won a closely fought match.
So we come to the end of another bowls season. As I write these notes we are preparing for the end of season bowls dinner, to be held in the CPC in December. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Walter Swan the Captain, the Vice Captain Mike Dows and the Treasurer Mike Preston for their patience and great support throughout the season. They do a great deal of unseen work to make everything go seamlessly and I very much appreciate the support they have given 19
me once again. We all look forward to the 2017 season which will start for us with WKH ¿UVW PDWFK LQ 0DUFK
Walter Swan being presented with the Gilbert Shield by Colonel Gilbert
OUTSTANDING MTI IN TOP ONE PER CENT OF CARE PROVIDERS
The Margaret Thatcher InÂżUPDU\ 07, LV DQ LQFUHGible place to work. We are supported by an amazing team of staff who work for the Pensioners in their care. I feel incredibly proud that all our departments always put the pensionHUV ÂżUVW WR PDNH WKHLU WLPH with us interesting, stimulating and caring.
in our projects, including those from the Long Wards. Our singing group
Many relatives have written letters to us this year expressing their gratitude to us for the care their father or mother has received and the staff are very grateful for this. I would like to share with you some of the wonderful events we have been involved with this year. The beginning of 2016 saw lots of outings and events to counteract any chance of the January blues getting the better of us. We took a large group of Pensioners to the Elvis exhibition at the Millennium Dome, went on a trip to an Opera Gala in Kensington, had a great Burns Night party, and of course ran all of our regular weekly activities too.
to strength and there is always a great mix of Pensioners in attendance. In addition, our new monthly cheese and wine afternoons on Campbell Ward are now proving so popular that we almost ran out of space at the last one!
and pottery class contin-
GRATITUDE ue to go from strength
VOLUNTEERS
Our activities team, care team and all of our fantastic volunteers support each other in running activities seven days a week and are, in collaboration with the Pensioners, constantly updating the program to create as much variety as possible. This year we have made a particular effort with integration, both within the Royal Hospital and the wider community. We have been working hard to involve as many pensioners as possible
EVERYONE VALUED
We pride ourselves on the fact that no one slips through the cracks here everyone is valued and included. So for those pensioners who perhaps do not want to join in with group activities, we have a strong group of staff and volunteer befrienders who spend time one-to-one with these pensioners. We also welcome long ward pensioners to approach us if they are interested in befriending at the MTI. Like the rest of the Nation, in May we celebrated Her Majesty The Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 90th birthday. We
had a big party in the MTI foyer with pensioners and staff from all over the hospital, and lots of wonderful musical entertainment from The Royal Hospital Band, The Royal Hospital Choir, and singer Natalie Coyle, pictured below with George. This was followed by National Care Home Open Day, to which we invited lots of friends of the Hospital to join us in dressing up in National dress, singing, dancing, and generally having a great afternoon together. As you can see,
everyone had a great day. For the fourth year in a row we took a large party of Pensioners to Margate for a day at the seaside. As usual the sunshine, the smells of the seaside and an ice-cream on the Prom were hugely enjoyed by all. I would particularly like to thank those staff and volunteers who went the extra mile moving mobility equipment on one of the hottest days of the
ularly every year, but for the past few years we have also joined in with the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Citizen Service (NCS) and pensioners have found it to be hugely enjoyable and benHÂżFLDO IRU ERWK XV DQG WKH young people involved. NCS PROGRAMME
NCS is a voluntary programme for 15-17 year olds in the UK, and is a chance for young people - especially those from inner city state schools to develop important life skills by working on a project as a team. Twelve young people came to the MTI one afternoon in late August and sat down with over twenty of our Pensioners, asking them about their lives, their time in the army, and their thoughts about living in the MTI. The young people then went away and had less than 24 hours to create
a performance based on this information. The resulting performance was perceptive and moving and really resonated with all of us. Several of the young people said they had enjoyed their two days here more than anything else they had done in the Summer Holiday.
CANAL BOAT TRIP
year; no mean feat! Later in the summer we focused our attentions on our relationships with people outside the Royal Hospital, particularly young people. We work with primary school children reg20
While Summer was meant to be drawing to a close, the weather remained very kind to us and we took a group of pensioners on a canal boat in Northamptonshire. We are very fortunate to have a volunteer who also works for the Crusader Community Boating Charity, offering free daytrips to groups from care homes on their fully accessible canal boat. The trip proved so popular, we ended up doing a
second one and we are already booked in for 2 more next Summer!
Following our Beacon status award from the Gold Standard Framework (GSF) in end of life care last year, of which we are incredibly proud, we were required to complete an annual appraisal. This ensures that we are continuing high standards of end of life care. I am delighted that the GSF has validated our care for a further year at Beacon status. CQC INSPECTION
In the Autumn we were inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). An independent regulator for health and social care in England the CQC ensures services such as hospitals, care homes, dentists and GP surgeries provide people with safe, effective, compassionate and high-quality care, while encouraging improvement. Our inspection was from 21-23 September 2016 and their team consisted of 3 inspectors. The MTI was rated as Outstanding this puts us in the top 1% of care providers, as we had clearly demonstrated the very high standards of care experienced by our pensioners within the MTI and the domiciliary care provided within the RHC.
NO OTHER WAY
We are now gearing up for Christmas and decorate the MTI, don our Christmas jumpers, and practice carols in the singing group. It’s always a very busy time of year at the MTI but we wouldn’t have it any other way. Matron - Susan Williams
HALBERDIER ESCORT TO THE PRINCESS ROYAL
This year was, as in previous years, a fabulous day. The weather was superb, SHQVLRQHU¶V ¿UVW FODVV LQ deportment and turnout. The invited family friends and guests banked in tiers behind the statue of our founder King Charles II all seated and waiting in anticipation for the parade to commence. To music played by the regimental band, suitable for the occasion, everyone now awaited the VIP, a very special lady to grace the occasion, namely HRH the Princess Royal, Princess Anne. She was dressed in a light blue two-piece suit with a large matching blue hat. She looked quite stunning and appeared very happy, relaxed and pleased to be here. The band struck up, the parade began.
of complex manoeuvres before coming to a halt near the dais. The large oak doors leading into octagon and Wren Chapel are now closed and, inside the two Halberdiers wait for the Royal Party to arrive. Once everybody is a assembled the order is given to move out. The doors are opened wide and, on the command of quick march, we all move sedately out RQWR WKH ¿JXUH FRXUW 7KH two Halberdiers escort the Princess Royal to the dais and take up position in the
either side of it. The marching displayed by the pensioners is now carried out, the speeches are made. The lone piper appears, strikes up and the Halberdiers are given the order to quick march and the procession, returning to the octagon, begins. Hopefully everything has gone according to plan. The 2 weeks of daily rehearsals, prior to Founders Day, by the RSM with a Halberdiers and mace party, has been well worth the effort. John Morris
Gawr G aawr aw wr Va VVall Valley all lley l ley l le ey AAnnu Annual nnual Poppy Poppy Appe peal B Ban and nd Con CConcert onc nccert ert rt
In Pensioners Steve Lovelock and Jean Simmons had the privelege of attending the Gawr Valley Annual Poppy Behind the scenes prior Appeal Band Concert . The RAF St Athan Voluntary to all this taking place a lot Band, Brize Norton Military Wives Choir and Blaengarw of important things had to Primary School all performed at the concert at Garw be rehearsed, nothing left Valley Leisure Centre in Pontycymer.South Wales. to chance. The main part "Dixie" Dean, Pontycymer postmaster and ex 7 Signals being the Mace Party. This RSM has organised the concert year since 2005. Last year it JURXS RI ¿YH SHQVLRQHUV raised a £1,700 for the Poppy Appeal are personally chosen by Attracting more than 350 people, including the local MP, the RSM and they conAssembly Member, the High Sherriff of Glamorgan, the sist of one Mace Bearer Mayor and Mayoress of Bridgend, the Chairman of the ÀDQNHG E\ WZR SHQVLRQCommunity Council, the District Chairman of the Royal ers carrying Halberds and British Legion and, again this year, 2 Chelsea Pensioners. known as Halberdiers. Dixie said: “The audience is made up of people from the The two pensioner HalFRPPXQLW\ DQG DV IDU D¿HOG DV /RQGRQ DQG %DVLQJVWRNH´ berdiers remain in the octagon, as escorts to the A detachment of Air Cadets helped out on the night and Princess Royal, and all the brought their squadother VIPs. Once the pen- ron standards along to sioners are formed up on join the other stand¿JXUH FRXUW ZLWK WKHLU UH- ards, some of them all spective Captains of In- the way from Lymingvalids, the Mace Party, ton and Lyndhurst in under the command of the the New Forest. SQMS Mr John Rochester, Jean and Steve with a march out from the octa- &HUWL¿FDWH RI $SSUHFLgon to commence a series ation. Steve Lovelock BEHIND THE SCENES
21
Johnny Morris proudly adorning the Scarlet Coat get even harder when the
With memories of this year’s National Final now fading, for Johnny Morris, the applause on an autumn day in October 1965 is still as loud and clear as it was when James Scott brought his baton down closing a tremendous performance of Gilbert Vinter’s Championship Section test-piece, Triumphant Rhapsody.
ROYAL ALBERT HALL
That was 50 years ago, when BBb bass player Johnny Morris stepped on to the Royal Albert Hall stage, a proud member of the Cammell Laird Works Band. Memories of that day will stay with him and the other members of the band forever. Since then Johnny has been through many musical changes during his lifetime, where and when did it start? Johnny now 79 is still playing regularly. He was born in August 1936, just three months before the Crystal Palace, home of the National Brass Band Festival burnt down. Johnny, the son of Ada and Jack Morris, and sister Audrey was brought up in a red-bricked terraced houses on Gwydir Street, Liverpool. Life was tough and it would
Reprinted from
not for him and moved on to the BBb bass, where he was taught to play by the band’s principal bass player. What convinced him to make the bass his instrument was witnessing the many concert and contest performances of CWS (Manchester) Band under Alex Mortimer.
Blitz began in August 1940, with 160 German bombers targeting the city, until things calmed down in May 1941 as Hitler turned his attention towards Russia. -RKQQ\ ZDV WKH ¿UVW PXsician in the Morris family. He joined the local Air Training Corps (ATC) Band when he was just 12. Like many young lads of that era, he wanted to play a trumpet just like Eddie Calvert! He looked to join one of the many bands in Liverpool, like Edge Hill (British Rail), ATM Works, Bibby Mills, Dingle Silver Prize, Chapel, Liverpool City Silver or Kensington SA.
WORKING LIFE
What a bass section the band had, with Joe Poole and Jack Phillips on BBb, and Harold Lang and Joe Hughes on EEb! Johnny’s working life began as an apprentice painter and decorator before moving on to be a miner for three years at St. Helens ‘Clock Face’ Colliery (which closed in 1966). His leisure time was VSHQW ¿UVW DQG IRUHPRVW playing with the band, but he was also interested in weight training and was an avid supporter of Everton FC, rarely missing either home or away games, unless the band was performing.
+,6 µ0867 6((¶ %$1'
With so many bands in easy travelling distance from home, Johnny was at a different rehearsal every night. The ‘must see’ band for him in those days was the Championship Section Edge Hill (BR) Band and he went to all of its concerts and contest performances. As an aspiring young player, he passed a stiff DXGLWLRQ WR ¿QG KLPVHOI playing in the back row of the cornet section. It was not long before Johnny decided the cornet was
BEST BAND
22
In 1960, he joined what he describes as “the best band , HYHU SOD\HG LQ«´ &DPmell Laird Works. The history of this band is similar to a number of works bands that appeared in the post-war years. Cammell Laird climbed the contesting ladder rapidly almost achieving the ultimate coveted prize of National Champion Band of Great Britain. Cammell Laird Works Band was formed in 1957, with Rex Mortimer as professional conductor and, following some notable contest successes in the early days, James Scott making the move from the principal cornet chair
of Munn and Felton’s to become bandmaster. This was a leap into the unknown for James, but as he once told me he felt the time was right. Rex Mortimer stayed for a few more years and then James became the band’s sole conductor. MORE CONFIDENCE
:LWK KLV JURZLQJ FRQ¿dence as a new conductor, the band steadily began to improve. Johnny Morris enjoyed success under Rex Mortimer, but the band went on to achieve even more during James’ directorship. Having moved through the sections, the band was crowned the Champion Band of the North West of England in 1964 playing Gilbert Vinter’s Symphony of Marches.
NATIONAL FINAL
1RZ ZLWK TXDOL¿FDWLRQ WR play in the National Final at the Royal Albert Hall, it was James Scott who conducted the band to fourth place on another Vinter test-piece, Variations on a Ninth. A year on, the members were on a real high when the band was once again the North West ChamSLRQ 5H[ 0RUWLPHU ¿Qished fourth with Foden’s in the same contest and the question being asked was ‘could Cammell Laird take the big prize at London?’ Johnny Morris remembers those heady days as the band just got better and
better under James Scott. Johnny puts the continued contest success and sell-out concerts down to a settled team of players and the undoubted skills of the bandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s conductor. The big day arrived - 16 October 1965 - and once again it was a Gilbert Vinter test-piece, Triumphant Rhapsody. Could this be an omen? Could the boys take the big prize at the Royal Albert Hall? The mid-table draw of number 14 was good for the band and with all the top bands and conductors taking part, could these still comparatively new kids on the block upset the form book? THE ADJUDICATORS Once the adjudicators Gilbert Vinter, Roger Barsotti and Eric Ball - had sat through all 22 performances the results were announced. Sixth was Camborne Town, with former Brighouse and Rastrick principal cornet player and a former bandmaster of CWS (Manchester), Fred Roberts. Markham Main Colliery (Professor Walter B. HarJUHDYHV ZDV SODFHG ÂżIWK while fourth place went to Kinneil Colliery, with virtuoso cornet player Robert Oughton conducting. To quote Frank Phillips, the long-standing announcer on these occasions, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;we were â&#x20AC;&#x153;now entering the ELJ SUL]HV´ Third with 191 points
was defending champion GUS (Footwear) with conductor Stanley Boddington. Second with 193 points was the band that played number 14 - Cammell Laird with conductor James Scott (receiving a prize of 150 Guineas). TOUCHED GOLD
The whole audience erupted with delight Johnny Morris and the lads had almost touched JROG ,Q ÂżUVW SODFH DQG UHceiving the title of 1965 National Brass Band Champion of Great Britain with 195 points was the band that played number 17, Fairey (200 Guineas). Before he could announce Leonard Lamb as the winning conductor, the whole place eruptHG DJDLQ 7KLV ZDV WKH ÂżUVW time Fairey had won since 1956. Even with further successes. Cammell Laird never again matched that glorious day in 1965. STEEP DECLINE
They continued to do well at contests, concerts, radio performances and vinyl recordings. But by early 1970s, the shipbuilding industry was in steep decline and the bandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future became uncertain. In April 1972, Cammell Lairdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s management called time on its band. The instruments and uniforms were returned and all future engagements cancelled. This was a sad
day for everyone who had worked so hard to bring the name of Camwith the mell Laird Works to the forefront of top-level brass banding and to the wider publicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attention in such a few short years. Although a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;dyed in the woolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; brass bander, Johnny went to join the Army as a musician with the regimental band of the Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bays, 2nd Dragoon Guards. Moving from the brass band bass section to the military band, he had to be taught bass clef. JOINED POLICE BAND
Johnny remembers those days well and recalls there was no better teacher than the bandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s principal euphonium player, Tom Gomersall who, for many years, had a successful playing career with Munn and Feltonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. When Johnny left the army he joined the police and became a member of the Liverpool City Police Band, where he played BBb bass and demonstrated his new skills on the string bass. After his 30 years in the band, Johnny and his wife retired to Formby. However, during their 52nd year of marriage his wife passed away. What was Johnny to do next, and where would his playing career take him? CHELSEA PENSIONER
He applied to join the Chelsea Pensioners at the
Royal Hospital, Chelsea. Once Johnny was acceptHG KH ZDV GHOLJKWHG WR ÂżQG there was a concert Hall band (the Royal Hospital Band), which he was able to join. Being involved in a band once again, even if it isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t one of his beloved brass bands, with the likes of Major Phil Shannon (former Director of Music of the Irish Guards) and Lt. Col. Duncan Beat (Scots Guards) is a real honour. Johnny can now look back on many magical moments throughout his PXVLFDO FDUHHU UHĂ&#x20AC;HFWLQJ on some of those players he admired and aspired to emulate, including Derek Garside, Teddy Gray, Norman Ashcroft and Lyndon Baglin. During his early life he was inĂ&#x20AC;XHQFHG E\ .HQ 7LQVOH\ then principal cornet of Edge Hill (British Rail). MEMORY LIST
At the top of his memory list is his time at Cammell Laird, playing under Rex Mortimer and James Scott, while he also recalls fondly being a member of the National Brass Band of Wales and taking part in the Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Birthday Parade with the Army band. Other highlights include performing with Cammell Laird in a massed band event in +XGGHUVÂżHOG ZLWK )RGHQV Motor Works, Fairey and Wingates Temperance, and another similar event with
Cammell Laird Works Band with James Scott. John, below,with Tuba, is second from the left in the back row, .
23
SANTA AND THE SOLDIER It was the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house, made of plaster and stone. I had come down the chimney, with presents to give, And to see just who, in this home, did live. I looked all about, a strange sight I did see, No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand, On the wall hung pictures, of far distant lands.
Black Dyke Mills, Brighouse and Rastrick and Fodens. He has also appeared in a concert at the Royal Albert with the Royal Hospital Male Voice Choir. These are just some of the highlights and he freely admits there are also a few regrets; in 1957, he turned down the opportunity of joining the Grenadier Guards. He would also loved to have won the National title at the Royal Albert Hall after coming so close in 1965.
With medals and badges, awards of all kinds, A sober thought, came through my mind. For this house was different, it was dark and dreary, I found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly. Although Johnny has a number of interests outside his music, including checking how Everton has done each week, his main interests are with his family - daughters Lynne and Cheryl, four grandchilGUHQ DQG ¿YH JUHDW JUDQGchildren. The next time you see the men in scarlet coats, one of them might just be Johnny Morris who, with his playing colleagues and conductor James Scott, almost won the National Brass Band Championship title in 1965!
IF MY BODY WERE A CAR If my body were a car, I
The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone, Curled up on the floor, in this one bedroom home. The face was so gentle, the room in disorder, Not how I pictured, a true British soldier. Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read? Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed? I realised the families, that I saw this night, Owed their lives to the soldiers, who were willing to fight. Soon round the world, the children would play, And grownups would celebrate, a bright Christmas day. They all enjoyed freedom, each month of the year, Because of the soldiers, like the one lying here. I couldn’t help wonder, how many lay alone, On a cold Christmas eve, in a land far from home. The very thought brought, a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees, and started to cry. The soldier awakened, and I heard a rough voice, “Santa don’t cry, this life is my choice; I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more, My life is my God, my country, my corps.
would consider trading it for a newer model. I've got bumps, dents and scratches LQ P\ ¿QLVK DQG P\ SDLQW job is getting a little dull. But that's not the worst of it. My headlights are out of focus and it's especially hard to see things up close. My traction is not as graceful as it once was. I slip, slide, skid and bump into things even in the best of weather. My whitewalls are stained with varicose veins. It takes me hours to reach my maximum speed. My fuel UDWH EXUQV LQHI¿FLHQWO\ But here's the worst of it. Almost every time I sneeze cough or sputter either my radiator leaks or my exKDXVW EDFN¿UHV
The soldier rolled over, and drifted to sleep, I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep. I kept watch for hours, so silent and still, And we both shivered, from the cold night’s chill. I did not want to leave, on that cold, dark, night, This guardian of honour, so willing to fight. Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure, Whispered, “Carry on Santa, it’s Christmas day, all is secure.” One look at my watch, and I knew he was right. “Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night. It is claimed that this unsigned e mailed poem was written by a Peacekeeping soldier, stationed overseas, who requested circulating it to as many people as possible. The email stated that Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to all of the service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let us try, in this small way, to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Perhaps make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. 24
THE CHEESE CEREMONY AN OPPORTUNITY NOT TO BE MISSED
Being invited to an event in the Royal Hospital is always an experience and the opportunity of going to the annual Cheese Ceremony was one not to be missed. Greeted on arrival to the Great Hall by the Adjutant, we were immediately swept up in history and pageantry of the Ceremony. I was directed to my seat by the Major Shannon and we all settled down waiting for the proceedings to begin while being entertained by the Countess of Wessex’s String Orchestra.
BLESSING THE CHEESE
The formal proceedings were soon underway. The cheese was blessed by the Chaplain with a prayer that brought several smiles from the audience. The Governor’s speech, as expected, was eloquent and amusing as he told us that cheese was good for us. This was followed by Sandy Wilkie who gave us a little of the history as well as announcing that
as cut the cheese. We were entertained by Charlotte Jaconelli, of Britain’s Got Talent fame, who beautifully sang Pie Jesu and I Could Have Danced All Night. Once the formal proceedings were over, refreshments were served and it was time to meet some of the Pensioners and other guests. I ZDV OXFN\ HQRXJK WR ¿QG DQ ROG friend, Ray Pearson, to chat to and we were soon joined by the sprightly Jim Lycett. The Pensioners are always incredibly entertaining and the food and drink was plentiful. HEARTY RENDITION
COMPANY REPRESENTATIVES
Representatives of the companies that had supplied the many cheesHV ¿OOHG PDQ\ RI WKH VHDWV DQG WKH\ all seemed incredibly enthusiastic to be taking part. The Governor’s party, including Sandy Wilkie, the Dairy Council Chairman, soon arrived and we all stood up to mark their entrance.
Dawn Waters Adjutant Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps
British cheesemakers had donated 269 kg of cheese or 64 cheeses from 27 different cheesemakers – that’s a lot of cheese! The biggest smiles were saved for Derek Walters, BEM above, the IP who had the honour of cutting the ceremonial cheese with a GenerDO 2I¿FHU¶V VZRUG $OO NJ RI Montgomery Mature Cheddar was donated by J A E Montgomery Ltd. BEAUTIFUL ENTERTAINMENT
He conducted his task with such care and concentration that he completely forgot to smile for the cameras and the audience was chuckling away when he realised that he then had to start smiling as well
Copies of the lyrics to The Quartermaster’s Stores had been distributed and, to close the event, we were all invited to join in a hearty rendition. I tried to keep up but there were a lot of strong male voices in the Hall. Once the Governor had departed, I made my exit and watched with admiration as Sergeant Major Lally with his usual patience and diligence, lined up the IPs in wheelchairs to ensure that they made their way on to the disabled lift safely. I never fail to be surprised at the care that the staff at the Royal Hospital take with the Pensioners. HISTORY UNFOLDING
I had a thoroughly enjoyable morning, chatting to old friends and watching a piece of history unfold. It was one of those events which when recalled in future years will bring a large smile to my face.
CHELSEA BELLS
At such festivities as the Cheese Ceremony there are Christmas songs and carols. But IP Godfrey Young penned the following to the tune of Jingle Bells
Chelsea bells, Chelsea bells Ding dong all the way, Oh what fun we do have In the hospital every day. There’s breakfast here And dinner too But tea is in the club, Unless you do not like it. Then you go down to the pub 25
WAR TIME HOMING PIGEONS & THE DICKEN MEDAL
Historically carrier pigeons were used as a means of mobile battleÂżHOG FRPPXQLFDWLRQ ZLWK a stationary headquarters. As far back as the 6th century BC, Cyrus, king of Persia, used carrier pigeons to communicate with various parts of his empire. There are also references to pigeons being used by Julius Caesar. In the1870-71 Franco -Prussian War, besieged Parisians used carrier pigeons to take messages outside the city. In response, the besieging German Army, employed hawks to hunt the pigeons.
to precise targets. This was not taken up and, in 1948, the UK military stated that pigeons were of no further use. However, it is reported, that MI5, maintained 100 birds until 1950. One homing pigeon, a Blue Check hen named Cher Ami, was awarded the French â&#x20AC;&#x153;Croix de *XHUUH ZLWK 3DOP´ IRU heroic service delivering 12 important messages during the Battle of G I Verdun. In October 1918
Also the United Kingdom used about 250,000 homing pigeons. The UK maintained the Air Ministry Pigeon Section during World War II and for a while afterwards. In 1945 the head of the section reported that pigeons could be trained to deliver small explosives or bioweapons
RQ KHU ¿QDO PLQXWH mission, through shrapnel, poison gas and the heat of battle, she delivered a message despite having been shot through the leg, breast and wing. The crucial message, which saved the lives of many French Soldiers, was found in the capsule hanging from a shattered leg ligament and saved 194 US soldiers of the 77th Infantry DiviVLRQœV ³/RVW %DWWDOLRQ´ HEROIC PIGEON
Another heroic pigeon named G.I. Joe saved the lives of a thousand soldiers in World War 2 after British troops had established a position within an Italian town that was due to be bombed by allied planes. With communication equipments down, the only hope of aborting the raid was to attach a hastily written message to G.I. Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leg and send him to WKH +4 * , -RH Ă&#x20AC;HZ miles in 20 minutes arriving at the air base just as the planes were taxiing on the runway ready for the raid. Disaster was averted with 5 minutes to spare. G I Joe received the Dickin medal for his bravery. The Dickin Medal, is the highest possible decoration for valour given to animals, was award-
MICROFILM IMAGES
During the four month VLHJH PLFURÂżOP LPDJHV DOORZHG OHWWHUV WR EH Ă&#x20AC;RZQ to Paris from as far away as London with over one million messages carried this way. During World War II the US Navy had a total inventory of 1,508 pigeons in France. Pigeons were carried in airplanes to rapidly return messages with ELUGV Ă&#x20AC;\LQJ LQ wartime aircraft patrols.
26
ed to 32 pigeons, including the United States Army Pigeon Serviceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s G I Joe and the Irish pigeon Paddy. Often referred to as â&#x20AC;&#x153;the DQLPDOVÂś 9LFWRULD &URVV´ LW is awarded to animals that have displayed â&#x20AC;&#x153;conspicuous gallantry or devotion to duty while serving, or associated with, any part of the Armed Forces or &LYLO 'HIHQFH 8QLWV´
crew from ditched aircraft during the Second World :DU ZHUH WKH ÂżUVW UHFLSLents in December 1943. Its last presentation was in 1949 to Tich, a mongrel dog serving with the .LQJV 5R\DO 5LĂ&#x20AC;H &RUSV Revived in 2000 to honour Gander, a Newfoundland dog, serving with infantrymen during the Battle of Lye Mun, it has since honoured 3 more dogs. One was Appollo in relation to the September 11 attacks; it was also awarded to two dogs serving with Commonwealth forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iraq. PARIS ATTACKS
Its most recent award was to Diesel, a dog killed while serving with the French police during the November 2015 Paris attacks. Since its inception by Maria Dicken it has been awarded 66 times.
PARIS ATTACKS
Of the 33 Pigeons, White 9LVLRQ ZDV WKH ÂżUVW IRU GHTHE DICKEN MEDAL livering a message that contributed to the rescue Instituted in 1943 by of a ditched aircrew in OcMaria Dickin, foundtober 1943. er of the Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s DispenThe last was DD.43.Q. sary for Sick Animals, to 879 the only survivor of 3 honour the work of anipigeons released to warn mals in World War I, the of an impending counDicken Medal citation ter-attack at Manus Island. UHDGV Âł)RU *DOODQWU\´ DQG It reached headquarters Âł:H $OVR 6HUYH´ :LWKLQ a laurel wreath, the bronze in time to extract a US Marine Corps patrol, servmedallion is suspended ing with the Royal Ausfrom a green, dark brown, tralian Corps of Signals. and pale blue ribbon. Between 1943 and 1949 ONLY ONE CAT the medal has been awardThe only cat, Simon, was ed 54 times to 32 pigeons, +06 $PHWK\VWŕŻ&#x2DC; ÂľV VKLSÂśV 18 dogs, 3 horses, and 1 cat, posthumously awardcat for conspicuous galed for â&#x20AC;&#x153;gallantry under lantry and devotion to ÂżUH´ DQG IRU WKH GLVSRVduty whilst serving with al of many rats despite British Empire armed injury during the Yangtze forces or civil emergency River incident in 1949. services. Three pigeons, serving with the Royal Air 2I WKH KRUVHV WKH ÂżUVW Force, who contributed to was Olga, serving with the police controlling trafthe recovery of air ÂżF DQG DVVLVWLQJ UHVFXH
operations following a Ă&#x20AC;\LQJ ERPE H[SORVLRQ LQ Tooting in 1947. The last was an honorary award in 2014 to Warrior, a First World War warhorse, to commemorate the contributions of all animals GXULQJ WKH FRQĂ&#x20AC;LFW Bob, a mongrel, was the ÂżUVW RI GRJV ZRUNHG RQ patrol at Green Hill, North Africa in 1944 while serving with the 6th Battalion Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Own Royal West Kent Regiment. TALIBAN AMBUSH
The last dog, attached to the UK Military, was Sasha, a Labrador who located 15 improvised explosive devices, mortars, mines, and weapons while serving in Afghanistan, with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps. In July 2008 Sasha and her handler were killed in a Taliban ambush by a rocket-propelled grenade. Also 12 former recipients, buried at the PDSA
27
Pigeon NU.41.HQ.4373 Award date: August 1945 â&#x20AC;&#x153;For delivering a message from a force-landed bomber, while in a state of complete collapse and under exceptionally bad weather conditions, while serving with the RAF in 1942.â&#x20AC;?
Animal Cemetery in Ilford, Essex, were afforded full military honours at the conclusion of a National Lottery-aided project to restore the cemetery.
MYSTERY OF THE PIGEON IN THE CHIMNEY
Ever since its discovery by David Martin, in the chimney of his house in Bletchingley, Surrey, he was renovating, the message, attached to the skeleton of pigeon NURP 40 TW 194, has confused the security services.
RED CANISTER
As in the picture below of the skeleton, attached to one leg was a red canister.
containing an encrypted message, handwritten on a Pigeon Service form. $GGUHVVHG WR ³;2 ´ LW is thought that the message was sent for the attention of RAF Bomber Command, and was signed at WKH ERWWRP ³: 6WRWW 6JW ´ It is believed that it was written by 27-year-old Sgt William Stott, a Lancashire Fusilier, who had been dropped into Normandy - along with pigeons to report on German positions. He was killed a few weeks later and is buried in a Normandy war cemetery. ORIGIN UNKNOWN
While no one knows the origin of the message, it is believed to have been sent from France on June 6, 1944 during the D-day invasion. It consists of 26 ÂżYH OHWWHU JURXSV WKH ÂżUVW and last group identical. ? As of December, 2012,
RAF crewmen of No. 53 Squadron with homing pigeon containers at St Eval, Cornwall, after a patrol over the Bay of Biscay. Date 1943/4 1944
it has not been deciphered and GCHQ, the successor to Bletchley Park, must also be confused, as they have asked for any information the public might have to help decipher the actual message, as below. Nevertheless there are a few few clues. There are additional notations, in a colour different from the code groups, and signaWXUH ³1853 7: ´
and â&#x20AC;&#x153;NURP 37 OK 76. It also suggests that 2 pigeons were sent to ensure that the message was received. But no one knows if the second one got through. The reference NURP is for â&#x20AC;&#x153;National Union of Racing PiJHRQV ´ 7KH UHPDLQV RI the pigeon is apparently Pigeon 40 TW 194. Around 250,000 pigeons were used as carriers of secret communications during World War II, each with their own individual identity number. The WZR SLJHRQ LGHQWLÂżFDWLRQ numbers in the message - NURP.40.TW.194 and NURP.37.OK.76 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; enable the pigeons to be linked to Sgt Stott. DECIPHERED?
A solution proposed by Gord Young of Canada, based on a World War I coding book, received wide press coverage. It states that 7 of the 26 unique code groups are ad hoc acronyms, such as â&#x20AC;&#x153;FNFJW )LQDO 1RWH >FRQÂżUPLQJ@ Found Jerryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s WhereaERXWV ´ *&+4 KDV VWDWHG that â&#x20AC;&#x153;without access to the original code books, details of any additional encryption, or any context around the message, it will be impossible to GHFRGH´ One may consider this a 28
little alarming based on the fact that Bletchley/ GCHQ solved the impossible â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Enigma Code! Pigeons were used by a variety of services and the FDQLVWHUV DIÂż[HG WR WKHLU legs were colour-coded to distinguish the intended recipients. SUGGESTED MESSAGE
There have been many suggestions to the acronym â&#x20AC;&#x201C; one such below; AOAKN - Artillery ObVHUYHU $W Âł.´ 6HFWRU 1RUmandy HVPKD - Have Panzers Know Directions FNFJW - Final Note [conÂżUPLQJ@ )RXQG -HUU\ÂśV Whereabouts DJHFP - Determined Jerryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Headquarters Front Posts CMPNW - Counter MeasXUHV >DJDLQVW@ 3DQ]HUV 1RW Working PABLIZ - Panzer Attack Blitz KLDTS .QRZ >ZKHUH@ Local Dispatch Station 27/1526/6 - June 27th, 1526 hours. Pigeon NU.41.HQ.4373 Award: August 1945 â&#x20AC;&#x153;For delivering a message from a force-landed bomber, while in a state of complete collapse and under exceptionally bad weather conditions, while serving with the RAF in ´
THE VATICAN PIMPERNEL
Samuel Ironmonger Derry was born at the outbreak of the 191418 and began his army career at the age of 22, following his Territorial Army Commission, into the Royal Regiment of Artillery. He left for France with the BEF, 2 months after getting married and was posted to the Middle East. He served as part of the Kingcol force during the relief of RAF Habbaniya, and the entry of Baghdad. Promoted to the rank of Major he transferred to 1st Field Regiment Royal Artillery, receiving the MC for leadership and bravery. He was still serving in the Western Desert in 1942 when he was captured by the Germans but escaped XQGHU ULĂ&#x20AC;H ÂżUH %XW PRQWKV ODWHU he was recaptured near El Alamein, by the same German unit, transported to Italy and interned at Chieti (Camp 21) for almost a year.
DOUBLE ESCAPEE
Following the 1943 Italian armistice the camp was taken over by the Germans and internees transported to Germany. Escaping again between Tivoli and Rome, he evaded a German paratrooper guard, by jumping off the moving train. Badly bruised, an Italian family gave him food and shelter. Hidden, 120 miles behind enemy lines, he discovered 50 more Allied prisoners in the nearby hills and immediately took over their welfare. With winter setting in, he decided to seek help from the neutral Vatican in Rome, 15 miles away, by writing a letter requesting help. The priest who took it returned with 3,000 lire and requested a receipt. Major Derry gladly obliged, duly signed it â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;S Derry, Majorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, and promptly asked for more. Monsignor Hugh Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Flaherty, who had toured prisoner of war camps during the early years of the conĂ&#x20AC;LFW VHHNLQJ QHZV RI SULVRQHUV ZKR had been reported missing in action, heard of the communication. When Italy changed sides in 1943 thousands of POWs were in danger of recapture when Germany forced
occupation. Some got to Rome. Without permission, Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Flaherty set up an underground movement, recruiting others including, Sir Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Arcy Osborne, his butler John May, and sympathetic priests and nuns. GREAT PERSONAL RISK
Hearing about Major Derryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s letter Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Flaherty decided that Derry, at great personal risk, should be brought to Rome. He was smuggled into the Vatican which resulted in him embarked on a secret mission in enemy-occupied territory. Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Flaherty and Sir Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Arcy, British representative to the Holy See, requested that he assume control of the Rome Escape Line, helping Allied escapees. Under his leadership, the organisation grew, with his military mind bringing much-needed order. He listed names and next-of-kin for the HVFDSHG 32:V DQG NHSW WUDFN RI Âżnance. Billets, food, clothes, supplies and funds were made available to ex-POWs in the Rome area and, through a network of agents, the same facilities were offered to the thousands of Allied escapees hiding in the country. Leaving the sanctuary of the Vatican he moved about Rome right under the nose of the enemy. On trams pretending to be asleep; to avoid conversation and being discovered. Heading a British escape group he worked with Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Flahertyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s organisation, focussing on getting men back into active service and, if pos-
29
sible, gather intelligence on the enemy. The German authorities became aware of the Rome Escape Line in January 1944. Even with the danger of inÂżOWUDWLRQ E\ $SULO $OOLHG escaped POWs were under Derryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s care. Following the liberation, Derry was granted an audience with Pope Pius XII who was unaware of his â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;guestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in the Vatican. In recognition of his work with the Rome Escape Line, the now Lieutenant Colonel Sam Derry was awarded the DSO. Following demobilisation in 1946, he devoted himself to business and embarked on an active life of civic service. At the time of the liberation of Rome, Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Flahertyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Major Sam Derryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s organisation succeeded in evading arrest. THINGS WE NEVER KNEW
In 1963, he became the subject on This is Your Life with a surprise guest. Father Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Flaherty walked falteringly from the wings. Derry paid him a tribute in explaining â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Had it not been for this gallant gentleman, there would have been no Rome escape organisation.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; But 8 months later, Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Flaherty died peacefully at his home in County Kerry, Ireland. Shortly after Derry died in 1996, his son Richard said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;He was a very shy man in the sense that he was not one to make a big thing of what he had done. When we were on This is Your Life, some of the things that came out were things that we never knew about.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;
6*' 51.&+'4 9+6* # (+'.& /#45*#. 5 $#610 +0 *+5 2#%-
Holding the unusual distinction of being the only man in the British Army to rise from the rank of Private to Field Marshal, Sir William Robertson, (1860-1933) was under age when he enlisted for 12 years, as a private in the 16th Lancers in 1877.
DISOWNED
His mother wrote to him in horror saying â&#x20AC;&#x153;there are plenty of things steady young men can do when they can write and read as you can â&#x20AC;Ś (the Army) is a refuge for all idle people .. I shall name it to no one for I am ashamed to think of it ... I would rather bury you WKDQ VHH \RX LQ D UHG FRDW ´ Rowdiness in the barrack room made him contemSODWH GHVHUWLQJ RQ KLV ÂżUVW night. But this fell through because his civilian clothes had been parcelled up ready, but not yet, sent home. They had already been stolen by a deserter.
FIRST PROMOTION
Promotion to lance-corporal in February 1879 was soon followed by corporal 3 months later. But as a prisoner he was escorting to Waterloo station escaped, his punishment of
having his head shaved and 3 months imprisonment was a lesson which resulted in him always keeping soldiers, under arrest, handcuffed rather than risk such a repetition. 2EWDLQLQJ D ÂżUVW FODVV FHUWLÂżFDWH RI HGXFDWLRQ LQ 1883, he was promoted to lance-sergeant in May 1881, sergeant in January 1882 and troop sergeant major in March 1885. The ODWWHU WR ÂżOO D YDFDQF\ FUHated by demotion of his predecessor who botched regimental accounts and later committed suicide.
ENCOURAGEMENT
With encouragement of KLV RIÂżFHUV DQG KLV ORFDO the clergyman, he passed DQ RIÂżFHUÂśV FRPPLVVLRQ examination. One of only IRXU RU ÂżYH UDQNHUV ZHUH commissioned each year and he was posted as a second lieutenant in the 3rd Dragoon Guards on 27 June 1888. It was impossible for him to live as a cavalry subaltern in Britain, where ÂŁ300 a year was needed SOXV Â&#x2026; RIÂżFLDO VDODU\ (approximately ÂŁ35,000 and ÂŁ14,000 at 2015 prices). So, when he was deployed to India, where
His father, outside his tailorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shop made his uniforms 30
pay was higher and exSHQVHV ORZHU KLV ÂżQDQFH were easier and he economised by drinking water with meals and not smoking. He supplemented his income by studying, with native tutors, whereas PRVW RIÂżFHUV VOHSW GXULQJ the hot afternoons.
At the start of the Second Boer War (1899-1902) LANGUAGES Robertson was dispatched to South Africa to join +H TXDOLÂżHG LQ 8UGX Hindi, Persian, Pashto and Lord Roberts HQ staff Punjabi as an interpreterâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; (then Commander-in-Chief IRU ZKLFK RIÂżFHUV UHFHLYHG of the British effort) during which time he was procash grants. moted to Brevet LieutenFollowing his appointant-Colonel. ment to the headquarters staff of the Chitral Relief REJOINED Force in 1894, he entered Returning to London Staff College in the UK in after the end of the South January 1895. This was African war he rejoined followed by working WKH :DU 2IÂżFH ,QWHOOLJHQW within the Russian and Staff, receiving an apColonial departments on pointment as Head of the attachment to the London Foreign Section. :DU 2IÂżFH ,QWHOOLJHQFH In 1904 he was made a Staff during which he was full Colonel and his career promoted to Captain. received a further major On his return from Chiboost 3 years later when tral, he married Mildred he was appointed Chief Palin, daughter of Lt-Gen of the General Staff to Charles Thomas Palin of Sir Horace Smith-Dorthe Indian army. rien(who had himself sucDISAPPROVAL ceeded Sir John French in command of the Aldershot Her family did not apgarrison). prove of the match, and WKHLU ÂżUVW FKLOG D VRQ GLHG While serving as Commandant of the Staff Colin infancy. They then had lege, from June 1910 until two daughters and two October 1913 he was prosons and his eldest Brian moted to Major-General. Hubert (1896-1974), sucIt was then back again at ceeded to the baronetWKH :DU 2IÂżFH ZKHUH KH cy, became a general in was appointed Director of the British Army and Military Training a role, was raised to the peerage as Baron Robertson of in which he was serving when war broke out in Oakridge in 1961. August 1914. Sir William RobertRobertson lobbied hard son died in 1933 and his youngest son John (1909â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with politicians and the press for conscription. 28) predeceased him, a tragedy which clouded his :KHQ WKH &DELQHW ÂżQDOO\ authorised the Somme ÂżQDO \HDUV
Offensive, the Army Council made a statement in favour of conscripting married men. In the face of Bonar Lawâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s protest that that the government might break up, to be followed by a General Election conscription was brought in by martial law, he refused to compromise and encouraged the editor of The Times, to make his stance public. NATIONAL SERVICE
Similar to the new German Hindenburg Programme, Robertson wanted industrial conscription, national service for men up the age of 55, and 900,000 new army recruits,. He was concerned at the Asquith Coalitionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ODFN RI ÂżUP OHDGHUVKLS once likening the Cabinet to â&#x20AC;&#x153;a committee of luQDWLFV´ DQG DOWKRXJK KH avoided taking sides in party politics he urged the creation of a small War Committee which would simply give orders to the departmental ministers, and was concerned that ministers might be tempted to make peace or else to reduce Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Western Front commitment.
SWITCHING POST
He sailed to Boulogne on 14 August as Quartermaster-General of Sir John Frenchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s British Expeditionary Force, switching post in January to become Chief of the General Staff, a position he retained until 1918 (renamed in December 1915 as Chief of the Imperial General Staff), promoting him to Lieutenant-General in October 1915). In this role Robertson served as liaison between the army and the government, in which role he conspired against the Prime Minister Herbert Asquith, backing David
Lloyd George as the new Prime Minister late in 1916. Unlike Lloyd George, Robertson was a keen â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Westernerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, believing that the war could only be won on the Western Front. Also a staunch supporter of Sir Douglas Haig, he acted to stymie Lloyd Georgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attempts to divert effort from the Western to the Eastern Front. It has been speculated that Robertsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s humble beginnings as a Private worked against him being the possible contender for Frenchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s position as British Commander-in-Chief; in the event Haig received the appointment. DETERIORATING
Haig, whose relations with Robertson had been deteriorating, told Robertson it was his duty to go to Versailles or anywhere else the government wanted. He also advised the King to insist on Robertson going to Versailles. The King thought it would EH ÂłD QDWLRQDO FDODPLW\´ LI Robertson was removed but, when told of this, Lloyd George told Stamfordham that â&#x20AC;&#x153;he did not share the Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s extremeO\ IDYRXUDEOH RSLQLRQ´ of Robertson â&#x20AC;&#x153;who had never fought at the Front, had hardly ever visited the trenches, and who was not known by the rank and ÂżOH´ DQG WKDW WKH JRYHUQment would resign if the King attempted to block Robertsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s removal.
A LESSER ROLE
Having antagonised the Prime Minister, Robertson was forced to take the lesser role of Commander-in-Chief of the British Home Forces (replacing Sir John French). Sir Henry Wilson replaced Robertson as Chief of the
Imperial General Staff. Wilson had connived with Lloyd George in the creation of the Supreme War Council, a body which Robertson had vociferously opposed, not least because it served to circumvent Robertson and Haig. IMPRESSIVE CAREER
Commanding the British forces on the Rhine from 1919-20, Robertson ZDV ÂżUVW PDGH D EDURQHW in 1919 and then appointed Field Marshal on 29 March 1920, completing an impressive career. He published his autobiography, From Private to Field Marshal, in 1921 Soldiers and Statesmen, $Q RIÂżFHU LQ ,QGLD Age 30
1914-1918 in 1926. After the War he was also awarded the Belgian War Cross, the Grand Cross of the Serbian Order of the White Eagle (with Swords) and the American Distinguished Service Medal. This was as well as being appointed to the Chinese Order of Chia-Ho (1st Class), being given the Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Italy,being appointed to the Russian Order of Alexander Nevsky and receiving the Japanese Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun. He was awarded the French Croix de guerre on 21 April 1917 and appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Saints Maurice and La-
31
zarus on 26 May 1917. He was also Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath. Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George. Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order and had the Distinguished Service Order. He was colonel of the 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) from March 9th 1916 and colonel of the 3rd / 6th Dragoon Guards from 31 December 1925. He became Colonel of the Royal Horse Guards in 1928; this made him Gold Stick and a member of the Royal Household. He was advanced to GCVO in 1931. On his retirement his life savings had been ÂŁ600 (just over ÂŁ20,000 at 2014 prices). He became chairman of the Brewersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Trustees and a director of British Dyestuffs Corporation as well as President of the British Legion. He became a director of the British Palestine Corporation and of the London General Omnibus Company he was remembered for his efforts on behalf of the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s welfare. MODEST FORTUNE
Despite having made gifts to members of his family, on his death, he left a modest fortune of ÂŁ49,000 (almost ÂŁ3,000,000 at 2014 prices). $OWKRXJK QRW D SDFLÂżVW in his later years, Robertson often spoke out DJDLQVW WKH FRVW Âą ERWK Âżnancial and human â&#x20AC;&#x201C; of war. Early in 1933 he said his chief regret was that he had never had a comPDQG LQ WKH ÂżHOG +H GLHG from a thrombosis on 12 February 1933, aged 73. With assistance from the Western Front Association and kind permission of Charlie Vincent.
THE MONEY JIGSAW
Every day we handle money. Most people are familiar with the graphics on paper money but how many are familiar with the design stamped on the obverse of some of our most common coinage.
INTRIGUING CONCEPT
Some of it is looks quite meaningless when one looks at an individual coin. But 7 coins are really part of a money jigsaw which only becomes obvious when combined together as in the image on the right. The design, by graphic artist Matt Dent, won a public competition for the design of the new coinage in 2005. Where his design differed was that previously most designs for UK coinage were specif-
ic to each coin. His idea was for one image divided over 7 coins, from the penny to the 50 pence with each coin featuring part of the design of the complete heraldic shield of the Royal Arms on the obverse of the pound coin, ZKLFK GH¿QHG DQG VXSported the actual concept. His unusual design for the 7 coins was chosen by the Royal Mint’s Advisory Committee and approved by The Chancellor and the Queen. OTHER COIN FACTS
It is estimated that almost 28 billion UK coins are in circulation and, if they were laid out, they would form a line 397,289 nearly 16 times around the world.
WHAT IS A SEENAGER?
I am a ‘Seenager’ or, or in other words, a Senior Teenager. I now have everything I wanted as a teenager: only 60 years late. I don’t have to go to school or work. I get an allowance every month. I have my own pad. I don’t have a curfew. I can have a driver’s license and my own car. I don’t have acne.
LIFE IS GOOD
My ID gets me into bars and pubs. The people I hang around with have been blessed to live this long. Life is good! Older people’s brains may react slower as they know so much. We do not decline mentally with age, it just takes us longer to sort through the mass of information our brains have accumulated. Scientists believe this contributes to hearing loss as such concentration puts pressure on the inner ear. Much like a computer struggles as the hard drive gets full, so too, do humans. They take longer to access information 32
full when their brains are full. Computers will never be like humans. On computers one can select what information is to be deleted. Humans cannot. Researchers say this slowing down process is not the same as cognitive decline. The human brain works slower in old age as we have accumulated more information. Older persons brains do not degenerate, WKH\ VLPSO\ RYHUÀRZ ZLWK useless information. FORGETFUL
Also, older people often go to another room to get something and, when they get there, wonder what they came for. This is NOT a memory loss problem, it’s nature’s way of making older people take more exercise. Also, if you are a Seenager you will feel much more intelligent after reading this. I have many friends I should send this to, but I can’t remember their names.
IP1. I was in this trench and I remember this idiot throwing a grenade at me and I survived. IP2. Why do you say idiot: what did you do? IP1. Pulled the pin out and threw it back at him.
&+(/6($
6+2576
IP1. Why donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you go to the doctor with your bad knee. IP2. I never go to the doctor. IP1. Why not? IP1. Havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you read the sign â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Doctors practiceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;!
IP1. I am a whiz at jigsaw puzzles. IP2. How come? IP1. The box says 2 to 4 years and I can XVXDOO\ Ă&#x20AC;QLVK WKHP LQ ZHHNV.
IP1. I never see you without your shako on. Whyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that? IP2. Well I am totally bald and have no eyebrows so when it rains it stops my eyes being flooded.
IP1. I bought one of those colourful â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;electrostaticâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; dusters but it is useless. ,3 :K\" , IRXQG WKH\ DUH Ă XII\ DQG JRRG ,3 /RRN 0LQH¡V QRW Ă XII\ IP2. Of course itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not, you have to take the plastic sleeve off.
IP1. I hate people who say nothing is impossible. IP2. Why? IP1. I have been doing it all my life. IP2. What the Impossible? IP1. No. Nothing.
IP1. Why do you only go to meals every other day? IP2. Well on my non eating days I wear a clean shirt. IP1. So what has that got to do with eating meals? IP2. Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t risk getting food down a clean shirt, can I? IP1. Just bought my lottery ticket. IP2. Do you buy one each week? IP1. No. Only on soft egg days. IP2. What do you mean? IP1. I order a soft egg each morning for breakfast and they are usually hard. So if I get a soft egg it must be my lucky day. So thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when I buy a lottery ticket.
IP1. Go on. Come to the dance and let your hair down, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll enjoy it. IP2. No I wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t and I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. IP1. Why not? Could be a good time. IP2. Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let my hair downâ&#x20AC;ŚI am bald! IP1. Tried to phone emergency nine, eleven. IP2. Any luck? ,3 1R &RXOG QRW Ă&#x20AC;QG HOHYHQ RQ WKH GLDO IP1. I keep getting ringing in my ears. IP2. I would not bother to answer it. IP1. Why not? IP2 Someone may be trying to sell you something. IP1. I was involved in raising the Titanic IP2. When was that? IP1. Yesterday. IP2. You are pulling my leg again. IP1. No I am not. That big guy fell down the steps and lifting him was like raising the Titanic. IP1. I am trying to work out the nationality of my 5 children. IP2. Surely you know. IP1. Worldwide one in five people is Chinese. I am trying to figure which one of mine is Chinese!
IP1. You are drunk again. IP2. Yes. Alcoholics Anonymous told me to say no to alcohol. IP1. Do you say no to Alcohol? IP1. Yes, but it does not listen! IP1 I feel the cold so much IP2 Simple; just stand in a corner IP1 How will that help. IP2 Well all corners are usually 90 degrees! IP1 See you had the police out again IP2 Yes Grandad started running when he was 65 ,3 7KDW¡V JRRG KLP NHHSLQJ Ă&#x20AC;W IP2 Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not the problem. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now 70 they have been looking for him ever since. IP1 I am nearly bald. IP2 Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you comb what little you have? IP1 No I just let it wander. IP2 Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your problem. Most of it has lost its way. IP1. I have a secure job. IP2. Why is it secure? IP1. On one wants it. IP1. Whyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d you keep falling asleep? IP2. Simple. It shortens the day. IP1. You look miserable. IP2. I cannot go home to meet the family IP1. How come? IP2. The AA issued a travel warning. If you are to be travelling in snow and icy conditions wrap up warm, take a shovel, blanket, scarf, hat, gloves, 24 hr supply of food, drink, GH LFHU URFN VDOW WRUFK ´UVW DLG NLW DQG MXPS leads. IP1. That takes some space in a car boot. IP2. No. I could not get it all into my case, so WKH\ WXUQHG PH RƲ WKH FRDFK 33
,3 :KDW¡V WKDW VWLFN IRU" ,3 ,W¡V D ERRPHUDQJ QRW D VWLFN ,3 'RHV LW JR URXQG DQG FRPH EDFN WR \RX ZKHQ \RX WKURZ LW" 3 1R ,3 7KHQ LW¡V D VWLFN IP1 My friend bought a parachute. IP2 Is he taking up parachuting? IP1 No idea. But it was brand new, in original packaging, only used once. IP1. I was annoyed when I bought stamps and was asked what denomination. IP2 So whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your problem IP1. I told him my religion was none of his business. IP1. You look so dejected and sad John. IP2. Yes Jim. I keep breaking my New Years resolution. IP1. So what was your resolution Jack? IP2. Remember everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name Phillip IP1. How are you today? IP2 Feeling OK now! IP1. What was the problem? IP2. I am a recovering workaholic. IP1. Howâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d you lose your job? IP2. I was advised that if I told the truth it would set me free. IP1. So what did you do. IP2. I told the truth and the bosss fired me! IP1. How are you today? IP2. Feeling OK now IP1. Why what was the problem? m? IP2. Two weeks ago the doc gave avve me 1 week to live.
not speak English! So he said! It was known that often high rankLQJ .*% RIÂżFHUV DFWHG D FKDXIIHUV DQG KH ÂżWWHG WKDW SURÂżOH OLNH D JORYH .
LIFE BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN
DUTY FREE
In 1976, when I was head hunted for the position of International Public Relations and Marketing Manager by a major worldwide Swedish company, which meant moving to a village between Frankfurt and Heidelberg, I never ever thought that my work would include living and working in Russia, behind the Iron Curtain, often for a month at a time. Our company was represented in Moscow by a Russian â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;agentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; company call Novasida. All staffed by Moscovites who could speak English and Swedish â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;chosenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by the Russian Authorities. This included certain personnel who accompanied us on all meetings and chaufferâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.
There was no exit restriction at the end of the alley way, between the booths except that, at the exit, there was a massive hinged metal bar, ZKLFK WKH RIÂżFLDO LQ WKH ERRWK ZRXOG cause to drop, if one decided to go beIRUH KH ÂżQLVKHG KLV VWDPSLQJ URXWLQH SINGLE CAROUSEL
Like all airports the next job was to collect oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s luggage off the single carousal. One had to be quick and attentive as, if you did not collect it quickly, after several rotations, RIÂżFLDOV WKUHZ LW RQWR WKH JURZing mountain of cases in the corner. With one carousel, they had to do WKLV WR EH UHDG\ IRU WKH QH[W Ă&#x20AC;LJKW LQ Usually several people from our EXCHANGE RATE CONTACTS FRPSDQ\ Ă&#x20AC;HZ LQ DW WKH VDPH WLPH Flying into Moscowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sheremet- 6R RQH EHQHÂżW ZDV D FRPSDQ\ FDU yeYR DLUSRUW IRU WKH ÂżUVW WLPH ZDV D driven by one of Novasidaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chaufreal revelation with the aircraft smell- feurs, Vasily. Those who had been ing of disinfectant. In the plane one before told me what to buy in the had to complete a form listing how Duty Free, and not ask questions, as much money, and what denomi- all will be revealed. And revealed it nation one had, and also list every was in the car, a routine which I went item of value, such as rings, neck- through many times, when travelling laces etc. which one kept with oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to Moscow to run exhibitions and passport to prevent any sale of jew- carry out marketing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Russian style! ellery and so that currency exchangVASILY KGB? es could be recorded. But because We piled into the big black Chaika, our guys had worked in Russia for with Vasily at the wheel. Now Vasily, many years they had contacts which with expensive, only available to a ensured we had 3 times better than certain class, or on the black market, normal exchange rate, all in crisp new notes. Changing money with Ray Ban sun glasses, beautiful leathtaxi drivers produced large amounts er jacket, good clothes and good of used notes which was a give away. shoes, communicated that he could UNSMILING OFFICIAL
Disembarking, one joined a queue to have your documents and passport checked by a severe looking , and unsmiling, uniformed ofÂżFLDO ZKR VSHQW DW OHDVW PLQXWHV VKXIĂ&#x20AC;LQJ SDSHUV DQG VWDPSLQJ documents under a counter so you could not see what he was doing. I once counted stamping 15 times. 34
But during the drive to our accommodation it was always the presentation to him of our duty free, cost recouped from the company, as a thank you, with him often dropping in the odd English phrase. Often one of the trade marks of the KGB as I will explain later. Not only that, we were always aware of the high possibility of recording devices in our rooms and the car. So much so that when we discussed business strategy we always did so in the bathroom with the tap running full pelt. )XUWKHU FRQÂżUPDWLRQ RI 9DVLO\ÂśV high position in the KGB was conÂżUPHG VHYHUDO WLPHV 2QFH ZKHQ he met us directly off the airplane and walked us through immigration, passport and security check points, by showing his â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;little red bookâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. This was usually because one of our number had brought in something he specially wanted. It could have been a few copies of unobtainable publications like Playboy or some â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;presentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for his wife! BEAUTIFUL ICON
At one time two of us had each been given a gift of a beautiful icon, about A5 size. As a foreigner, caught with that was bad enough but caught trying to take it out of the country! I contemplated how to get it home, but, call me any name you like, I did not want to consider the consequences if caught. So I left it LQ WKH FXSERDUG RI WKH FRPSDQ\ Ă&#x20AC;DW My compatriot, when we got home took a chance and carried it in his raincoat pocket. When searched he put his coat on the table, as he was frisked, then picked it up and walked away. What a risk he took! RUSSIAN ENGINEERS
The company I worked for manufactured machine tools and undertook the design of the factory around the use of their tools. So there were many meetings with the top Russian engineers. But there were always 2 main difference to business meetings in Russia compared to the rest of the ZRUOG 7KH ÂżUVW ZDV WKH VLOHQW PDQ
In every meeting there was always a man in the room, who did not sit around the table and never took part in the discussion. The political â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;checkerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to ensure that no one in the meeting said the wrong thing or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;got friendlyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; with us. The other aspect was the way in which someone, discussing aspect of the agenda would get up and walk out of the room, just like he had been silently summoned, for about 10 minutes. He would then return and join in the discussion, bringing up points which we had discussed when he was out of the room. Obviously we were being â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;spied onâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by the real bosses in another room and he was summoned to ÂľJHW LQVWUXFWLRQÂś RQ D VSHFLÂżF SRLQW
spy for beloved mother Russia! We often stayed at the 4,000 room Rossiya hotel in Red Square which even had its own police station!
the day to search my room, access my number locked case, and pull the ÂżOPV RXW RI WKH FDVVHWWH VR WKDW MXVW a few frames were left. Sort of warning; if you come back, go careful! LOVELY PARTNERS But underlying everything was Like many hotels there was danc- bribery. A throw away lighter, which ing in the evening so it was easy I believe they were the only peoWR ÂżQG D EHDXWLIXO SDUWQHU REYL- SOH ZKR FRXOG UHÂżOO WKHP ZRXOG HQously KGB, to befriend unsuspect- courage the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Administratumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at a ing tourists. I was having my eve- good restaurant to allow you to enter. ning meal, with a Russian friend, I was requested to purchase 6 tickets, when a man walked up to a girl on for the Bolshoi, for our President who WKH GDQFH Ă&#x20AC;RRU JUDEEHG KHU E\ WKH was visiting to sign some important DUP DQG SURSHOOHG KHU RII WKH Ă&#x20AC;RRU trade deals. So I went to the lady in 0\ IULHQG SXW KHU ÂżQJHU WR KHU OLSV the hotel who arranged such things. a signal to say nothing. Later she told Only to be given the standard â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;no me there were two reasons. The girl tickets are availableâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; routine. Well, was not an â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;approvedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; girl and did I was prepared for that, as I always not live in the area. She was no doubt went out suitably prepared; like a war SOFT INTERROGATION interrogated in the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s jail cells, time Spiv. Half a dozen throw away The realisation that either Vasily accessed through the barberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shop. lighters in one pocket, a load of ball could understand English, or the car Our hotel booking included free point pens in my inside pocket, lapel was bugged, bore fruit one afternoon daily business use of a taxi. This al- pins, nylon zip up shopping bags etc when I was working in the Novasida lowed independent daily transport TICKET TOUTS RIÂżFHV 2QH RI WKH VHFUHWDULHV EHJDQ to the exhibition centre in Sokolnidiscussing life in England and Ger- ki Park. A phone call to reception But, in this case, something more demany, and asking questions about to go to Sokolniki Park and the car sirable; several hard to acquire, small my family life. Having never dis- was there in 10 minutes. To return, pocket calculators. So when she said cussed it with her before she seemed just phone reception and a car would â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;no seats availableâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; I asked that, if to know a number of small person- be dispatched to collect you. This they were, and I wanted six, how al facts, which made me suspicious. seemed all very organised. Not for us much would that cost? As she went But the conversation died a death but for other nefarious reasons. The to use her abacus I put a calculator when she said how oppressed those reason became obvious when I came in front of her, which she used and who lived outside Russia were. I KRPH DQG KDG VRPH ÂżOPV GHYHORSHG told me, giving the calculator back to me. I then slid two more calculators stumped her when I responded by BEING FOLLOWED? across the table and got the six tickasking why their constitution trumI was not aware of being followed, ets. As it happened the arrangements peted freedom of movement and meeting people, yet they had an as I took photos of buildings. To changed and our CEO decided not to Iron Curtain, and their law prohibit- me they were just buildings; as was go. So keeping two for us, my friend ed Russians holding foreign curren- the one in Lubyanka Square. There and I took a chance, and became ilcy, and having free travel and asso- was no sign to say it was a KGB legal ticket touts selling the reciation with foreigners. I also asked headquarters building. But when maining four tickets to people waither why there were check points on , KDG P\ ÂżOPV GHYHORSHG ZKHQ , ing at the door, who had no tickets, the roads outside Moscow where got home, the man who ran the lo- but wanted to see the performance. one had to report, when using the cal photo shop, who had escaped FOOTSTEPS PAST THE DOOR URDG VR WKDW DQ RIÂżFLDO ZRXOG UD- from East Germany said â&#x20AC;&#x153;Three of Over the many times I worked in dio ahead to ensure that you arrived \RXU ÂżOPV DUH EODQN H[FHSW WZR there within a certain time frame! frames at the end. You must have Russia and other Communist CounGLVSOHDVHG WKH .*%´ +H H[SODLQHG WULHV , KDG P\ SDVVSRUW FRQÂżVFDWHG SECURITY FENCED AREAS that it was a favourite KGB ploy. ZDV FRQÂżQHG WR D KRWHO DQG H[SHI added that if we were so poor They had plenty of time during rienced what it was like to actualwhy did everyone in Russia want to ly shop, and live, in what was trumbuy jeans from us. Also we did not peted as being the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;perfect stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. have special shops like Bereotska People even pleaded with me to for a special ruling class of people! help them get out of the country. What seemed to stump her was the We complain about restrictions on question that, if their politicians were our life. I was sorry for the people so well loved, why did they live in I met and always remember someDachas, in security fenced off areas, thing my Russian friend said to me. patrolled by the Russian military. Moscowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rossiya 4,000 guest hotel â&#x20AC;&#x153;The best sound in the world is when I think after that they realised reputed to have been the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s big- WKH IRRWVWHSV PDUFK SDVW \RXU GRRU ´ gest hotel. Demolished in 2006. that I could not be turned into a Ray Pearson. 35
THE
SCARLET TRICORNE
&
FROM BLUE COAT TO SCARLET COAT
In March 1953, I was eight and a half and my mother Scarlet and Tricorne the uniform of men so true took me to London to take That Tha Th at would wou o ld be the Chelsea Chels lse sea Pensi Pensioners Pe Penns nsi sio sione ioneers the entrance examination No tha Now that at off wo w women om meen tto too! ooo!! All All loyal loya loy lo oyyaall for my proposed boardTo the hee un uniform uni nifo form form rm past pas pa ast and ast and present an prese pr esen es esen eentt ing school; Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital near Horsham in West Men, Me en,, nnow oow wW Women oom meenn to tooo Sussex. After about three Fought Foug Fo ougght wars war wa ars across aaccr cros rrooss oss ss the thhee Globe Glob Glo lobe lo be hours of soul-searching For our He Fo Heads Hea ads ad ds off SSt State! ttaatte te! e! And Annndd that A tthhat at of Democracy Democra Democ cracy cracy racy cy too too exam papers, I re-joined For thee freedo Fo freedom fre fr reedo ddoom om off thi th this hiiss land hi land la nd we we hold ld so dear de deaar my mother who had been waiting anxiously. But wha what whaatt of of these thes tth hese esee war es war weary wa wea eaary ry Veterans Vetera Ve Veteran raans â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well how did you get Who fo Who ffought foug oug ughhtt so ug ugh so long long lon lo ng ago? ago? RQ"´ VKH DVNHG 7KH Ã&#x20AC;JKW RYHU 1RZKHUH WR JR 7KH Ã&#x20AC; 7K KH Ã&#x20AC; Ã&#x20AC;JKWW RYHU Ã&#x20AC;JK Ã&#x20AC;J RYHU RYH U 1RZ 1RRZK 1RZK ZKKHHUH UH WR JR UH WR J WR JRR â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know, but it was 0DQ\ ZHUH YLFWLPV WKDW KDG IRXJKW 0DQ\ 0D DQ\ DQ\ Q ZH ZHHUUH HH YLFWLP H YL YLFWLP YL LFWLP LFW PV PV VV WK WWKDW KKDDDWW KD KDG DG IRXJKW DDG IRXJ G IR IRXJK IRXJ XJJKWW YHU\ KDUG´ , UHSOLHG Injured In nju juure red beyond beyo bey eyyyond eyo ondd repair rep re eppair aaiiirr Hearing this mother went RII WR VHH LI VKH FRXOG ¿QG 6SLULWV EURNHQ EXW QRW IURP ZDU 6SLULW 6SLULWV 6SLU 6S SLUL ULLWV ULW WV V EURNH EURNHQ EXW EEURNHQ URNHQ H EXW QR QRW RRWW IIU IUURRP ZD P ZDU P ZDU ZDU D out and persuaded someBut that thaat of of returning rret re eetu turn rning nin ing ngg soldiers sold so ldiers ldi ieers rs Valiant rs Valian V Vali aaliant liia lia iantt Be Be body to check for her. He Byy a soci ssociety oociety ciiety ietyy th tha that hhaat did hat did di id not nnoot care car ca are re re came back after about 15 minutes to say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;CongratKing Kin Ki ingg Ch Charles Cha harl ha rrles les le es the thhe he Second Seco econ connd notice noti not tice icccee this thhis plight pplig liigh lig ghtt ulations Mrs Kippin, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Is it fair fai fa air ir men meen who whho fought foouught ght with gh wiith wi th Valour Val Va aallou lour and and Might? Mig Mi Mig igght? ht? SDVVHG ´ 7KLV EURXJKW RQ Return Re Ret eturnn home hom ho ome without witth wi tho thou houtt proper prrop pro rop oper care care ca are tears from both of us and we left to celebrate and I A Ro Roy Royal oyyaall Ho oy H Hosp Hospital osp spit spi pit pit ital must must us be built bbu buililt to treat ttrre reat eat these tthhese ese men ese men e remember she bought me a $FFRPPRGDWLRQ EORFNV WR UHVW WKHLU ZHDU\ KHDG $FFRPP $FFRPPRG $FF FFR FRPPRRGD GGDW DWL DDWLR WLLR LLRQ RQQ EOR EORFNV EORFNV WR UH ORFN OR FNV NV WR UH WR UH WR UH UHVW UHV HVVWW WWKH HV KKHHL HLU LU ZHDU\ KHD ZHDU\ KHDG ZHDU\ Z HDU DU\ U\ KH KHDG HDG wristwatch. $ 3DODFH EXLOGLQJ OLNH QR RWKHU $ 3DOD $ $ 3D 3DODFH 3DOD ODDFH EXL ODF XLLOLOG OOGGGLQ OGL LQJ LQ QJJ OLOLN QJ OLLN LNH NH QR RWKHU NH QR RWKHU QR RWKHU KHU Six months later, mother A glo glowing glow l wi low lo win iing nngg ttr tribute riibbuute te to to allll these thhe hes ese men ese men took me to Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital where I was promptThat Tha Th at wa was as Three as TThhr hree reee Hundred Huundred nndr ddred re redd years yea years ars rs ago ago ly taken off by one of the A Pa Pala Palace lace la ce H Hospital! Hospi Hospit osp spi sp piittaaal! l! Th l! TThis hhis iss Palace Pala ala lace ce Ho Hospital osp spi piitall was w waas as built buil bu buil uilt lt older boys and kitted out %HVLGH WKH 5LYHU 7KDPHV %H HVLG HVL VVLGH VL LGH LG GH WKKHH 5L 5LYHU 5 LYHU 7KDPHV LLY YH YHU H 7K 7KDP KDDP KD PHV HHVV in my new school uniform â&#x20AC;&#x201C; dark blue knee breeches In rece recent recent nt years year ars rs needs nneed ne eed eeds ds to ds to upgrade upgr pggra pg rade ra ade ad de to to meet modern mode dern de rnn needs ne neeeds d ds with three chrome buttons But thee Heart Hear He ear art and and Soul an Souull remains So remains remain rem re mai ma ains inns thee same sa sam amee at each knee, bright yellow ,Q WKLV 3DODFH +RVSLWDO EHVLGHV WKH 5LYHU 7KDPHV ,Q WKLV 3DODFH +RVSLWDO ,Q WKLV WKKLV LV V 3DODFH 3DOD 3D ODFH OD FH +RVSLWDO +RRVS VSL SLW LWD WDO DO EEHV HVLGHV HVLGHV HVL VLLGH LGHV LG GHHV WKH WKH 5L WKH 5LYHU 7K 5LYHU 5LLYH 5LY YHU HU 7KDPHV 7KDP 7K KD HV KDPHV HV V knee-length woollen stockThis poem was submitted by Bob Scott, who served in the ings, white collarless shirt 1st Battalion the Royal Berkshire Regiment plus with what were known as attachment to HQ 50. IND INF Brigade. bands, similar to those of a barrister, held in place with a safety pin that could stab you in the throat if you werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t careful!
ANKLE LENGTH COAT
To top it all off, a dark blue ankle-length coat with a OHDWKHU EHOW RU ³JLUGOH´ While colour photography wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the norm in the 1950s this black and white photo gives some indication. This uniform, like many others, has its origins deep in history. Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital had been founded in London in 1553 by King Edward VI, and the 36
uniform dates from that period with slight adjustments. The yellow petticoat, originally worn under the coat to keep out lice and such like, had gone, but the top half of the coat still had a yellow lining in its memory, the small round hat had also been ditched. PRIDE IN UNIFORM
Over the coming years I became very proud of my school uniform and the fact that I was â&#x20AC;&#x153;a blue-coat ER\´ , VWD\HG DW &KULVW¶V Hospital for the next nine years, leaving in 1962, full of intentions of joining the army, but I delayed that for a year and worked for my local council in an attempt WR JHW P\VHOI ³¿W WR ¿JKW´ I enlisted in February 1963 DQG ¿QDOO\ UHWLUHG LQ 0D\ 1995 after 32 years and 96 days (I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t counting, but the army was!). My wife Margaret died in August 2004 which put me on the road to coming to live at The Royal Hospital, which I did on 11th January 2016 and exchanging my blue coat for a scarlet one. At least I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to bother with the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;bandsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and that lethal safety pin! Mick Kippin
FOOT NOTE: I often wondered LI , ZDV WKH ¿UVW SXSLO RI &KULVW¶V Hospital to become a Chelsea Pensioner. The school, after searching their records, believe I am. If anyone should know otherwise, please let me know.
6ȭ*ȟ(ȫ7ȡ2Ȧ6 )ȧ5 6Ȩ(Ȧ'ȡ1ȟ
<ȧ8Ȫ *ȧ/Ȝ(Ȧ <ȝ$Ȫ6
These nuggets of advice have been collected from seniors in their golden year. Some you know, some may surprise you, and some will remind you of what’s important. So read and have a great day and a great life. HAVE PRIDE IN YOURSELF Consider email and use of social net Be proud of who you are and what works. Keep in touch with world afyou have achieved. Be proud of the fairs, and people you know. This is years you have behind you. Feel it more important as you grow older. inside and show it outside. Go to LAUGH AND ENJOY LIFE the barber, chiropodist, dentist; keep Laugh. Laugh a lot. Remember, your medications up to date. When you are one of the lucky ones. You you are ‘well-maintained’ inside and managed to have a life, a long one. outside, the feeling seeps in, making Many never get to your age, never you feel proud and strong all over. get to experience a full life like you ENJOY WHAT YOU HAVE have. But you did. So what’s not to Enjoy the money you saved. This is laugh about? Find the humour in also a bad time for long term investyour situation. ments, even if it seems wonderful or BE A CONVERSATIONALIST. fool-proof. Enjoy some peace and Talk less, listen more. Do not go quiet. You have earned it! on and on about the past, not caring STOP WORRYING DERXW WKH OLVWHQHU /LVWHQ ¿UVW DQG 'R QRW ZRUU\ DERXW WKH IDPLO\¶V ¿answer questions. Do not wander nancial situation. You have taken care off into long stories. Talk in courteof the family and taught them what ous tones, without complaining or you could: T heir education, food, criticising unless you really need shelter and support. It is now their reto. Try to accept situations as they sponsibility to support themselves. are. People have a low tolerance for STAY HEALTHY Keep a healthy lifestyle eat well and those who always complain. Also, get your sleep. Becoming sick, is easy ¿QG ZD\V WR FRPSOLPHQW but its harder to remain healthy. Keep yourself in good shape and be aware of your medical and physical needs. Keep in touch with your doctor, even when you are feeling well. DE-STRESS YOURSELF
Don’t stress over the little things. You have overcome much in your life. You have good memories and bad ones, but the important thing is the present. Do not let the past drag you down and the future frighten you. Feel good in the now. Small issues will soon be forgotten.
ALWAYS LOOK GOOD
Keep your own sense of style. Dress well. There is nothing worse than an older person trying to mimic the fashion current. You have developed your own sense of being smart - keep it and be proud of it. It is part of who you are!
IN MY TIME
Limit use of the phrase: “In my WLPH´ <RXU WLPH LV QRZ $V ORQJ DV you are alive, you are part of this time. You may remember being younger, but you are still you now, enjoying life.
KEEP UP-TO-DATE
Read news papers, watch the news.
RESPECTING OPINIONS
Respect the opinion of the younger generation. They do not have your experience or ideals, but they are the future, and will take the world in their direction. Give advice, not criticism, while reminding them of how yesterday’s wisdom can still apply today.
THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS
Do not worry about those who offend you. If you have offended someone - apologise. Do not let it drag you down. It will make you sad and bitter. It does not matter who was right. Remember: “Holding a grudge is like taking poison and exSHFWLQJ WKH RWKHU SHUVRQ WR GLH ´ Don’t take that poison. Forgive,forget and move on with your life.
SAVOUR YOUR BELIEF
If you have a strong belief, savour it, do not use time trying to convince others. They will make their own choice, and it will only bring you frustration. Live true to your faith and let that example sway people
KEEP HAPPY COMPANY
Some embrace their golden years, while others become bitter and surly. Life is too short to waste your days 37
on the latter. Spend your time with positive, cheerful people, it’ll rub off on you and your days will seem that much better. Spending your time with bitter people will make you older and harder to be around. FOCUS ON A HOBBY
Don’t abandon your hobbies. If you do not have any, start one. You can travel, hike, read, paint, dance, play cards, chess, dominoes, golf. You can volunteer to help a charity. Find something you like and spend some real time having fun with it
GET OUT AND ABOUT
Even if you don’t feel like it, try to accept invitations. Get out, meet people you have not seen in a while, experience something new (or something old). But don’t get upset when you’re not invited. Some events are limited by resources, and not everyone can be invited. The important thing is to go out from time to time. Go to museums, go walk around, meet people. Get out there!
PART OF THE CYCLE OF LIFE
Pain and discomfort go hand-inhand with getting older. Try not to dwell on them but accept them as a part of the cycle of life we’re all going through. Try to minimise them in your mind. They are not who you are, they are something that life added to you. If they become your entire focus, you lose sight of the person you used to be.
DEALING WITH NEGATIVENESS
Do not take to heart negative things others say about you and even less notice of what they might be thinking. Nevertheless consider whether there is any substance in their comment. They’ll do it anyway, and you should have pride in yourself and what you’ve achieved. Let them talk and don’t worry. They have no idea about your history, your memories and the life you’ve lived so far. THE PAST AND THE FUTURE
You have lived a life of so much experience. So exclusive to you. There is much which you could record for future generations. Our past is the sign post to the future. There is still much to be written, so get busy writing and don’t waste time thinking about what others might think. Now is the time to be at rest, at peace and as happy as you can be!
REMEMBER:
‘Life is too short to drink bad wine’. Bill Gorrie
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HOW REGIMENTS GOT THEIR NICKNAMES
The story has to begin somewhere and logically that should be with the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards. In the 17th Century, some RI¿FHUV RI WKH UHJLPHQW hired their men out as coal heavers; the wages earned being spent on UHIXUELVKLQJ WKH RI¿FHU¶V mess at St James’ Palace. An early nickname was thus ‘The Coal Heavers’. The ‘Grenadier’ title was not earned until the battle of Waterloo (1815) when the regiment was awarded the title after defeating the French Grenadier Guards.
THE LILYWHITES
Commonly known as The Coldstream Guards, The 2nd Regiment of Foot Guards, were nicknamed ‘The Lilywhites’ for the white band on their forage
By capturing the Eagle of the French of the 105th de Ligne, at Waterloo, the 1st Royal Dragoons became the ‘Bird Catchers’. Also for their elegance on parade the 10th Hussars became the ‘Shiny Tenth’, and the 11th Hussars were called ‘The Cherrybums’ after the colour of their trousers. SCARLET LANCERS
The 14th Lancers acquired ‘The Emperor’s Chambermaids’ when they captured a certain vessel belonging to Joseph Boneparte in Spain. As they were the only cavalry regiment to wear scarlet, the 16th lancers became the ‘Scarlet Lancers’.
Lord Roberts they soon became known as ‘Bob’s Own’. The ‘Daffy Taffs’ was applied to The Welsh Guards (5th Regiment of Foot Guards) as may be imagined. ‘The Oxford Blues’ so named after their Colonel, The Earl of Oxford and their blue facings and ‘Heselrigg’s Lobsters’ for the red facings of The Royals: The Blues and Royals of course.
PONTIUS PILATES
PICCADILLY COWBOYS
caps, and ‘Coleys’: The most offensive nickname related to certain activities with sheep which was imposed by the other regiments of Foot Guards. The Scots Guards (3rd Regiment of Foot Guards), were often known as ‘The Jocks’ and ‘Scots Kiddies’, but the more honourable title of ‘The Sandbags’ was from their actions in the Battle of Inkerman (Crimean War) when the regiment won 4 VCs around the sandbag battery. The Irish Guards (4th Regiment of Foot Guards) were formed in 1900 and DV WKHLU ¿UVW &RORQHO ZDV
Later they were called ‘Piccadilly Cowboys’ because they were based in London for so many years. Amongst the many cavalry regiments the 1st (Kings) Dragoon Guards became the ‘Kings Dancing Girls’ and the ‘Mounted Micks’ were the 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards.
SAUCY SEVENTH
The 7th Dragoon Guards were often called ‘ The Saucy Seventh’; however, when George 2nd sent them to assist Maria Theresa, Archduchess of Austria, they easily became the less salubrious ‘Virgin Mary’s Bodyguard’! 40
Turning now to the regiments of foot we have ‘Pontius Pilates Bodyguard’ as the 1st (Royal Scots) Regiment of Foot were named. When in the service of the French, before Charles 2nd returned to Britain, ‘Douglas’ Eccossais’ argued that they were more senior than the French Picardy Regiment.
THE TANGERINES
The 2nd (or Queens) Regiment of Foot acquired ‘The Tangarines’ for service as the garrison of Tangiers, but, of course, the more derogatory ‘Pork and Beans’ stuck. The 4th Regiment
of Foot (Kings Own Royal Lancs) were one of the ¿UVW UHJLPHQWV WR MRLQ :LOliam 3rd at Torbay in 1688 and were christened ‘The Lions’ by him. They wore the ancient cap badge of a lion of England thereafter. THE SHINERS
The Northumberland Fusiliers (5th Regiment) became the ‘Fifth Fusiliers’, Shiners’ and latterly Wellington’s Bodyguard’ for their service in the Peninsula. Due to Service in Holland The 6th Regiment (Royal Warwicks) were called ‘The Dutch Guards however during the 2nd World War the 1st Battalion spent most of the war in Calcutta and rightly or wrongly earned ‘The Calcutta Home Guard’. More notably, at the Battle of Rolica the 9th Regiment (Norfolks) earned the title ‘The Fighting Ninth’ for their heroism. They were also
awarded the cap badge of Britannia.: The Spanish mistook this for the Virgin Mary and called the men ‘The Holy Boys’. Of 412 men of the 11th Regiment (Devonshires) RI¿FHUV DQG PHQ ZHUH killed, or wounded, at the Battle of Salamanca and became known as the ‘The Bloody Eleventh’. SILLY SUFFOLKS
Perhaps unfairly ‘Silly Suffolks’ was applied to the 12th Regiment (Suffolks) because of their slowness of speech, stoicism and toughness. Unfairly, for they were the senior Minden regiment. A poem is dedicated to
the regiments that fought at Minden (1759): The men that fought at Minden, They was rookies in their time â&#x20AC;&#x201C; So was them that fought at Waterloo. All the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ole command, yuss, From Minden to Maiwand, They was once damâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sweeps like you. JELLALABAD HEROES
â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Jellalabad Heroesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Illustrious Garrisonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (13th Regiment Somersets) spent six months defending the town while the whole of the British Army was wiped out in Afghanistan. The poem below, about the 15th Regiment (East Yorks) explain why they became known as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Iron-Footed Bastardsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; So â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ark anâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ead, you rookies, Which always grumbling sore, Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worse things than marching, From Umbella to Cawnpore. Anâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; if your â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;eels are blistered, Anâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; they feels to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;urt like â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ell, You drops some tallow in your socks, Anâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; that will make â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;em well! They often marched 80 miles in a day!
often â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Two Tensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The Earl of Mar raised the 21st Regiment (Royal Scots Fusiliers) so they earned the title of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Marâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Grey-Breeksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and later â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Fusil Jocksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. OAK LEAF
At the Battle of Dettingen George 2nd was hotly pressed by French cavalry; a detachment of the 22nd Regiment (Cheshires) formed protective-
ly round him under an oak tree and drove them off. The King plucked a leaf off the tree and gave it to the CO of the regiment asking that it should be worn in memory of their gallant conduct: The oak leaf was incorporated into the headdress and colours of the regiment. (This was the last battle where a British monarch was present) NANNY GOATS
all ceremonial occasions. The 27th Regiment became The Royal Enniskillen in 1751, later being spelt â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Inniskillingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Skinsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; was the result. Finally, whilst serving in the Leeward
â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Nanny Goatsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is applied to the 23rd Regiment (Royal Welsh Fusiliers) because the regimental mascot is a goat. Marching at the head of the drums is the Goat-Major leading the goat on
John Gallagher
RED CARPET AT THE SUN MILLIE AWARDS Wow! We arrived at the
Guildhall to a red carpet reception, nowthat ZDV D ÂżUVW IRU PH ,W ZDV the Millie Sun newspaper Awards and they looked after us right royally, with superb food and wine. One problem was that we arrived late due WR KHDY\ WUDIÂżF FDXVHG E\ roadworks so we missed a beautiful champagne reception. Oh well! Perhaps next year!
FEEL HUMBLE
The central focus of the awards made me feel humble with an odd tear shared by Jo Molendo and myself. But the men were more stoic. Each award category had three named recipients but reading the reasons why they had been recommended, for their award, made me wonder how anyone could choose between them. I could do a lot of name dropping but I shall be reserved about it. Among the many guests were Sir
BENGAL TIGERS
The 17th Regt (Leicesters) were called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Bengal Tigersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; after their honourable long service in India between 1804 and 1823 whereas â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Paddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Blackguardsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; probably accurately describes the men of the 18th Regiment (The Royal Irish). The 20th Regiment (Lancs Fusiliers) were one of the Minden Regiments, hence (The Minden Boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; but
,VODQG LQ WKH RIÂżFHUV of the 29th Regt (Worcesters) were massacred to a man by local Indians while DW WDEOH 7KHLU RIÂżFHUV were then permitted to wear their swords at table.
41
Ralph Fiennes, Suzanne Read, Linda Poulson, Boris Johnson, Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster, Ben Fogle, Jane Moore, Jeremy Clarkson, Peter Andre, Jim Davidson. Oops I got carried away.
REALLY SPOILT
Back on the red carpet on our way home we were given a lovely goodie bag. We were really spoilt and a beautiful day was had by all. Oh boy! How I would love to be there next year. But I appreciate it must be shared; so get your name down as soon as possible when it comes up on orders to be one of the lucky people. It was a day to remember! June Lowe
THE DAWN OF A NEW ERA
First ones on their way
IN ACCOMMODATION
Nearly all gone
More gone
Just the plinths left
window providing the luxury of natural daylight. GREAT UNKNOWN
The great unknown, when it was being constructed, was what the 50 room temporary accommodation in high spec. Portakabins would be like. A great deal of rumour and speculation. Everyone had views
on what they would be like, and many rumours did the inevitable rounds. But it must be said that theoccupants of the rooms were very happy. Nevertheless the day had to come and in the space of about 10 days, with the aid of a massive crane, the Portakabins were gone, and the site is now back to green grass. Now just a distant memory
The early months of 2016 saw completion of the work of extending and improving pensioner accommodation at The Royal Hospital. The completion of this massive change in accommodation, from the historical â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;wooden shoe boxesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to hotel style rooms, was the welcome dawn of a totally new era of In Pensioner accommodation. Gone was the communal washing and ablutions facilities and the windowless berths. Now everyone has a fully tiled walk in wet room and a berth with a 42
RESURRECTING THE FEELING OF PRIDE
vice. Then for the next hour it was standing and ZDLWLQJ VKXIĂ&#x20AC;LQJ DQG standing; savouring the atmosphere of the occasion and remembering old comrades. At 11.00 hr Big Ben struck, then the two minute silence followed by the laying of wreaths. LOTS OF APPLAUSE
Just 66 days after being accepted into the Royal Hospital Chelsea I was involved in a commemorative ceremony I had experienced many times. In fact it was two ceremonies: the Royal British Legionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Festival of Remembrance in the Royal Albert Hall and the march past the Cenotaph on the next day. To those watching the Royal Albert Hall Festival of Remembrance it looks quite simple to walk down the stairs but few realise the practice which has to be put in to make it perfect. RIGHT MARKER
Being the tallest on parade I was designated the right marker. However, I had to draw on past knowledge as I had not marched for 40 years. Marching down the stairs really taxes ones concentration and ability. Nevertheless Pearse Lally, our RSM â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;politely coaxed!â&#x20AC;&#x2122; the
best from us that we could give. While putting in the VZDJJHU PD\ EH GLIÂżcult, marching at the Royal Albert Hall brought back that old feeling of pride. Descending the stairs was awkward, then crossLQJ WKH FHQWUDO DUHD Ă&#x20AC;RRU and up the steps to our seats on the other side. All to the tune of the Boys of the Old Brigade and the beat of the drum.
Then the order â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;By the leftâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; from Lt Col Rupert Lucas and we were off, with lots of applause. With six wheelchairs abreast it was very tight
and, in trying to avoid gullies, the wheelchairs often hit the kerb. But we were able to spread out as we marched past the Cenotaph with eyes left. Then the long march with, the band ahead and able to pick up the drum beat for left; left; left.....then eyes right as we passed Prince William at the saluting dais and then back to the Mall and onto the coach; but not before many photographs with the many visitors who were there. Reg Loades
The people weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve known and the places weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been Are all in the past, just like a dream. When I am lonely with nothing to do, My dreams come to life and then Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m with you. Do you remember where we first met, At the NAAFI dance on the Boulevard Lafayette, I crossed the floor and asked you to dance. And that was the start of our life long romance.
The next day was Remembrance Sunday and the march past the Cenotaph in Remembrance down Whitehall. A unique and very different experience with thousands of representatives of other veteransâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; organisations. No practice here! We got off the coach and into Horse Guards Parade where among thousands of others we formed up prior to taking up our position in Whitehall. The pavements were packed with people and large TV screens relayed the ser-
We were married for sixty-four years Lots of joy and a few little tears We had four children of whom we were proud To see them grow up away from the crowd. One by one they joined the Scots Guards And served their time without regards For things they did to serve their country. I promise you I will not forget Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll meet once more on the Boulevard Lafayette. George Hatton For his wife Christiane 2012
43
another aspect of time. Light years. How were they of less weight than normal years? But it got more confusing; a light year is based on distance! Suddenly physical measurement, miles and kilometres enters the equation and governs time! It also introduced light-seconds. So were there heavy seconds to counterbalance. No, was the answer. Light seconds relate to the distance light travels in one second, equal to 7.5 times the distance around Earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s equator. Now that took some acceptance - 7.5 times round the earth in one second! Therefore a light-year is travelling 236,520,000 times round the equator in one year!
0< 7866/( :,7+ 7,0(
Funny how the beginning and the end of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal time is the same - at least it seems to be for me. When I was born I did not know time existed, it was just there. I did things I wanted without any reference to people or time; sometimes often requiring a change of clothes! I was fed regularly; whether I wanted it or not. I never had to get anywhere on time; I was just taken, I did not have to make any decisions about travel arrangements and those sort of minor things, someone else worried about that!
DV ZH DOZD\V KDG ³WLPH WR HDW´ , never found out what it tasted like or where it was bought!
GROWING CONFUSION
My confusion grew with am and pm. Anti meridiem and post meridiem. Now Latin invades my English thought. With a problem memory the only way I could remember which way round was correct was because alphabetically â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; came before â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;mâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;! But as I grew into my teens I then had to cope with a 24 hour clock when the numbers on the clock face only went up to 12. So time became ALONG CAME SCHOOL a mental arithmetic problem of subThen along came something called tracting 12 each time after noon. school and the introduction to the I began to realise the way in which strictures of timetables, little realtime interfered with my burgeonising how timetables would govern ing love life, and stopped me doing many aspects of my future life. what I wanted to do with my current Every morning, having to get ready girl-friend. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s take a walk down IRU VFKRRO Âł+XUU\ \RX ZLOO EH ODWH ´ WKH ODQH´ :KHUH , NQHZ WKHUH ZDV RU Âł<RX DUH QRW RQ WLPH´ , WKHQ a lovely hayrick. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sorry I have not wondered what is this thing called JRW WLPH DV , PXVW ZDVK P\ KDLU´ RU time? Can I buy it? Where do I get ,after the local hop and my suggesLW" &DQ , FKDQJH LW" &DQÂśW LW ZDLW"´ , tion to walk a lovely girl home. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No, remember a round thing with sticks itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 10 oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock and my Dad is waitFDOOHG ÂľKDQGVÂś QR ÂżQJHUV 6R , KDG LQJ RXWVLGH´ 6R QH[W ZHHN , ZRXOG to learn minutes to, minutes past, or be crafty and suggest at 9.30. Then a thing called the hour, or the numthe answer was â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sorry my friend bers on a round disc. Simple digital and I are walking home together as time did not exist in this universe! ZH ERWK KDYH WR EH LQ E\ ´ What did it all mean? I could not ARMY SERVICE see time and could not touch time. Then along came my army serHow did it exist? It was a nuisance vice. During training there was so because it interfered with me playlittle time to even think, inspection, ing with my toys! â&#x20AC;&#x153;Come on son,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; parade, inspection, change uniform, Mum or Dad used to say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;we do inspection. So much rush I thought QRW KDYH WLPH IRU WKDW´ that the clock must be going backRULING OUR LIVES ward. Then, after training, I found Then Mum or Dad would point to a that time had changed again and incircular thing, called a clock, on the ÂżOWUDWHG WKH PLOLWDU\ VR PXFK WKDW mantelpiece. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Look at the time, we the whole organisation would seemZLOO EH ODWH´ 2U Âł:K\ DUH \RX XS ingly fall apart but for time. Daily VR HDUO\"´ 6R ZKDW ZDV DOO WKH ODWH orders stipulated how one funcand early thing? How can we be late tioned throughout the day. It also I wondered, it has not said anything. took a while to appreciate that the How come it can rule our lives? order â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Mark Timeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; did not actualWell I thought. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You paid for my ly mean that one needed a pen or toy why did you not buy some time could actually grade it. So here was IRU PH WR SOD\ ZLWK LW"´ ,I \RX KDYH another confusion for time! run out of time , just go out and buy Then, on 12 April 1961, time blew some like you do when you have my mind. I understood years. But run out of bread and milk. But I when Yuri Gagarin went into space never understood what time meant and suddenly I was confronted with 44
LIGHT YEARS
So I thought how is that related to a light year? Simple, multiply the number of seconds in one year by the number of kilometres (or miles) that light travels in one second, and there you have it. One light-year. And thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about 9.5 trillion kilometres (5.88 trillion miles) Another conundrum which also confronted me is the link between physical measurement and time. When I was 21 I was 6ft 1in, tall. Now 60 years later I am 5ft 8in tall. Five inches shorter. So if I could live long enough I would not die, I would just disappear! I had just got used to the seven days per week, and 12 months per year, as just another way of expressing time in larger chunks. Add WR WKLV ZRUN ÂżYH GD\V DQG WZR RII Then came birthdays, which I never remember and, at the end of every year, comes Christmas. Birthdays? Just another way of marking the reducing time one has on this earth But not the way one usually celebrates it. More like I have survived this long. And now, instead of one year being 365 days, or 8,760 hours or 525,600 minutes or 31,535,000 seconds, here was a different year; 5,880,000,000,000 miles!
LOOK TO THE FUTURE
So I decided to put that behind me and not be so concerned with time. Until it was a surprise party to mark my 50th birthday, with a reception at a local venue attended by so many friends and family that it made me think about time again. 50 years and so much had happened.
made it even sweeter. I was totally free from the 7 day week. Now all that faced me was a 365 day year. But it soon became obvious that I KDG WR ÂżOO WKRVH GD\V Funnily enough it was no problem. 0\ ÂżYH GD\ ZHHN WXUQHG LQWR D day week. Filled with so much to do. My diary became more important now than when I was in work! 2QH EHQHÂżW ZDV QRW FKDQJLQJ WKH time on the alarm clock at weekends. Just dispense with it! I could make appointments with friends to meet during the day rather than only evenings and weekends. I then realised that if I lived till I was 80 that TIME SNAPPING AT MY HEELS would be 2,522,880,000 seconds. Suddenly I realised time, that inJust one 2,3330th of a light year. visible component of life, was snapThen fate took a hand, my wife ping at my heels. Catching up on died and all those things we were PH ,W ZDV WKH ÂżUVW WLPH D GRFWRU going to do when â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;we had more said to me, when I went to him with timeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; were swept away. In the a pain in my back, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well as we get 12 months she was ill the reguolder we begin to experience more lar time of going to the hospital aches and pains which modern med- each day took over my life. Time icine can do nothing to alleviate. for everything else stood still. I had <RX MXVW KDYH WR DFFHSW LW DV WKH ÂżUVW no one to share my present or reVLJQV RI ROG DJH´ *UHDW , WKRXJKW maining time with. I was alone; and all these years you have led me cast adrift. It was only family and to believe that doctors and the drugs friends who â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;wound up my internal companies had all the answers! clockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; kept me ticking over. Time was moving fast forward. BACK TO MY CHILDHOOD Not many years to retirement. Two Again, another major change in PDUULHG VRQV ÂżUVW JUDQGFKLOG RQ time. I became a Chelsea Pensioner. the way. What had happened to my I was getting back to my childhood. life? Where had it gone? I had enjoyed it, well virtually all. But I still I could visit places and people and it would all be arranged. I could eat had not nailed down this time thing and not have the problem of shopwhich was hanging over me. It was ping, cooking or washing up. In like the hair from which the Sword of Damocles was suspended getting some respects time became a probweaker by the day, or even the hour! lem in another way. Set times for PHDOV , KDG WR JLYH XS WKH Ă&#x20AC;H[LELOWhen would it fall? ity of the last 5 years of eating my ALONG CAME RETIREMENT meals when I felt like it. Also get Then along came retirement and used to a regime of every day being suddenly there were no week days a weekend day. and no weekends to mark the pas2Q UHĂ&#x20AC;HFWLRQ , WKLQN P\ DYHUVLRQ sage of time. Suddenly I had probwith time relates to the deserved lems in realising what day of the punishment I received when, at the week it was. No more â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;5 days shalt age of about 4 years old, in all innothou labour and for two days do cence, I tried to change time. what you felt likeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. A two day break It must have been a winter weekwhich was never long enough to end as mum and dad were having complete any reasonable task. a lie in and I crept into their bed Which, looking back, made me for a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;snuggle upâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. They eventualwonder how I found the time to ly got up and went downstairs to get build three houses! breakfast leaving me alone to lanWouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it, I thought, be better the guish in a nice warm bed. I say nice other way round. Gone was respon- warm bed, as we were self-evacuatsibility to a company, even though ed and lived in an old farm cottage it was my company. But that is what in the middle of Salisbury Plain, 3 %XW LW KDG JRQH LQ D Ă&#x20AC;DVK RI WLPH Was I half way through life? Three quarters? Seven eights? That got me thinking about the future. Here I ZDV PDUULHG WZR VRQV DQG UHĂ&#x20AC;HFWing on it, some hiccups, but overall a good life. It was not until at a funeral service of a friend several years later that I realised I was not immortal. Not really immortal, I knew that I would die one day. But I had put off thinking about it. Then suddenly it was like being a horse and someone yanking on the reins! Pulled me up in my tracks.
45
miles from the nearest habitation. So cold that one had to scrape the frost off the inside of the windows. Lying there I was fascinated by the thing on the bedside table which ruled my parentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives, like making a regular clicking noise and a loud clanging noise to tell them they had to get up. So I picked it up and the celluloid â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;glassâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; front fell out exposing the three little sticks, which I later leaned were the hour, and minute hand and the little one at the top, the alarm setting hand. TECHNICALLY INQUISITIVE
Being technically inquisitive, even at that age, I thought â&#x20AC;&#x153;Can I move WKHP´ DQG VR , SXVKHG WKH PLQXWH hand round and the hour hand gradually responded. But the alarm hand stayed immobile. I wondered why. So I moved it round. The only problem was that, being thin, it just wound round itself into a spiral. Of course when Dad went to set the hand it was obvious that someone had tampered with it. Not him. Not Mum. So he rightly deduced it must have been me. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Did you play ZLWK WKH FORFN KDQGV VRQ´ KH DVNHG But my answer was not in the afÂżUPDWLYH 6R KH DVNHG PH DJDLQ This time my answer, refuting the suggestion, included just about the worse four letter swear word a four year old could utter, which I had picked up from some playmates. I thought I would use it to impress my parents, as I had never heard them use it. That will impress them of my innocence I thought. So I included it in my reply.
CANE ACROSS MY SEAT
I never asked my father if the cane across my seat was for bending the hand on the clock or swearing. But I knew one thing do not swear, do not lie and do not try to change time! But, who knows, I might yet revert to my child hood situation. So the calendar quartz watch, I have just purchased to help me keep track of time by telling me the moon phases, year, month, date and time to the second, will keep me on track. It may not help me much when I complete the circle of time, and cannot remember what time was about. But then I will be past bothering.
KING HAROLD AND THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS
A Stanley Holloway OBE monologue. He was a priYDWH LQ WKH /RQGRQ 5LÀH %ULJDGH DQG DQ RI¿FHU LQ the Connaught Rangers
I'll tell of the Battle of Hastings, As happened in days long gone by, When Duke William became King of England, AndArold ' got shot in the eye.
KingArold ‘ he won the advantage, On the hill-top he took up his stand, With his knaves and his cads all around him, On his ‘orse with his ‘awk in his ‘and.
It were this way - one day in October The Duke, who were always a toff, Having no battles on at the moment, Had given his lads a day off.
The Normans had nowt in their favour, Their chance of a victory seemed small, For the slope of the field were against them, And the wind in their faces and all.
They'd all taken boats to go fishing, When some chap t'Conqueror's ear Said 'Let's go and put breeze up the Saxons;' Said Bill - 'By gum, that's an idea.
The kick-off were sharp at two-thirty, And soon as the whistle had went Both sides started banging each other Till the swineherds could hear them in Kent.
Then turning around to his soldiers, He lifted his big Norman voice, Shouting - 'Hands up who's coming to England.' That was swank 'cos they hadn't no choice.
The Saxons had best line of forwards, Well armed with both buckler and sword But the Normans had best combination, And when half-time came no-one had scored.
They started away about tea-time The sea was so calm and so still, And at quarter to ten the next morning They landed at place called Bexhill.
So the Duke called his cohorts together And said - ‘Let’s pretend that we’re beat, Once we get Saxons on t’level We’ll cut off their means of retreat.’
KingArold ' came up as they landed His face full of venom and 'ate He said 'If you've come for t'Regatta You've got here just six weeks too late.'
So they ran - and the Saxons ran after, Just exactly as William had planned, LeavingArold ‘ alone on the hill top On his ‘orse with his ‘awk in his ‘and.
At this William rose, cool but 'aughty, And said - 'Give us none of your cheek; You'd best have your throne re-upholstered, I'll be wanting to use it next week.'
When the Conqueror saw what had happened, A bow and an arrow he drew; He went right up toArold ‘ and shot him. He were off-side, but what could they do?
WhenArold ' heard this 'ere defiance' With rage he turned purple and blue, And shouted some rude words in Saxon, To which William answered -'And you.'
The Normans turned round in a fury, And gave back both parry and thrust, Till t’fightin’ were all over bar shouting, And you couldn’t see Saxons for dust.
'Twere a beautiful day for a battle; The Normans set off with a will, And when both sides was duly assembled, They tossed for the top of the hill.
And after the battle were over They found Arold ‘ so stately and grand, Sitting there with an eye full of arrow On his ‘orse with his ‘awk in his ‘and.
PENSIONERS MAKE THEIR MARK IN PONTEFRACT
3RQWHIUDFW &RQVHUYDWLYH &OXE RQFH DJDLQ SOD\HG KRVW WR ¿YH &KHOVHD 3HQVLRQHUV on their 2015 Remembrance Service Parade. During the Saturday they assisted the Royal British Legion Poppy Sellers promoting the sale of poppies. Leading the parade on the Sunday they laid several wreaths. 46
DO NOT CALL ME SIR!
Mr Gary Lashko was appointed as The Royal Hospital Chelsea’s new &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2I¿FHU LQ )HEUXDU\ $V &(2 KH LV WKH ¿UVW QRQ PLOLWDU\ person to hold the post. Previously he was Community Services Director at CHS Group, a charitable housing association, in Cambridge.
tecting our freedoms, and making WKH XOWLPDWH VDFUL¿FH , GRQ¶W WDNH LW for granted and I feel really strongly about that. Ray: What is your background and I meet the Governor almost every what did you do before RHC? day and we talk on a regular basis. Gary: I studied English at CamEverything I do I check with him, he bridge and on leaving university I is aware of things we do and he will didn’t really know what I wanted to preserve the military ethos. It’s also do. I did some nursing in what then important though that the military was a called a ‘mental handicap’ hos- aspect does not stand in the way of pital. I enjoyed it and moved down to people, getting the right support and London with my wife from Leicester help they need. and got a job in housing. I have been In broad terms I see my role as in housing ever since. All those I have providing the business capacity to worked for have provided support support the military ethos and the to either older people or people who aims of the organisation that was have other support needs. set 300 years ago and are still good today. So I’m supporting the GoverIn the short time that you have nor in trying to achieve that. There been here is there anything that is no way I would want to come in has really impressed you? and try and change The Royal HosObviously the buildings, one cannot fail to be impressed by them. pital’s uniqueness. They are a large task because now we have done them up really nicely; :KDW ZHUH \RXU ¿UVW LPSUHVVLRQV RI they must last for another X hundred the RHC? 0\ ¿UVW LPSUHVVLRQV ZHUH WKH years. I have got to ensure we get the funds coming in that allow them friendliness, the politeness of people here, the beauty of the building and to be maintained at this level. the site. I am a great believer that It is the people I have been really the physical environment has a real impressed with. The questions by effect on how you feel about life. the Pensioners, about the way we I could see the care and attenrun the place. I am impressed with tion being paid to that. The underthe cleverness and the interest of the lying structure is beautiful but so is Pensioners. I want to make sure we how it’s being looked after and being get the right feedback from people. maintained. It is uplifting. One of This is where I feel I have learnt the the things that shone through was most in my career – from ‘customthat people really care about the serers’ and it is that experience that I vice here. Unexpectedly I suddenthink I can bring here. ly felt really at home here, which I $V WKH ¿UVW QRQ PLOLWDU\ SHUVRQ LQ really didn’t anticipate, because to be this role what are your thoughts on honest, I was a bit overawed by it all. taking (to us) this historic ground What made you interested in the breaking appointment. role at the RHC– did any particular It is humbling. For one thing, I aspect attract you? have such a strong respect for what An agency suggested I look into the the military does and I think I am role. Initially I was not interested to very in tune with that. I don’t unbe honest. I thought it was too glamderstand military life because I orous and couldn’t really see how was never part of it and I don’t unmy experiences connected with the derstand what people have gone Royal Hospital. They suggested I through. Nevertheless I am willlook closely at the skills and personing to learn as much as I can. But we DO VSHFL¿FDWLRQ 6R , GLG DQG WKRXJKW have other people who understand – most of those things I have had exthe military aspect. I feel so grateful perience of, or I have something to for what the military has done. Prooffer. I applied without a single hope Chelsea Pensioner Ray Pearson, Editor of The Tricorne interviewed Gary Lashko our new CEO
47
it would really get anywhere. So I was surprised when it did! When I got to know the place better following a tour with the Governor I fell in love with the Royal Hospital. It’s just a fantastic situation. The people and the Pensioners are so polite and welcoming. I thought this is a really lovely atmosphere to be in. I know every place has its grumbles but, by and large, I got a very positive and strong impression from all those I met, which, to me, is really important. Then, as the Governor was talking, I suddenly realised the amazing potential here. This got me very excited thinking of what could be done with the right application. Do you think military ethos will be of assistance? I think that there is a bit of a myth that soldiers will do what they’re told. In my experience so far soldiers will – like everyone else - try and work around the rules as much as work with them! That’s human nature, but underneath there is a sense of we are on a mission and we have something to achieve. The camaraderie is brilliant. I think the camaraderie is maybe a lesson to the outside world of how people can support each other, work together and look after each other. I think it’s really impressive here. Is there anything you think of that pensioners could do to help you? I think be honest and keep talking to me. I can understand the nervousness because I am not from a military background. I might by mistake do things not in keeping because I do not quite understand! I do not like being called Sir to be honest. I appreciate the respect but I think we can respect each other without the formal titles. There VKRXOG EH UHVSHFW IRU WKH RI¿FH , think, because obviously the Governor trusts me to run the business and in a way it’s respect for him. He’s taken a huge step actually – so it’s got to work!
THE RUM REBELLION WHICH LED TO AN ....... 2Q WK -DQXDU\ RIÂżFHUV DQG PHQ RI WKH 1HZ 6RXWK :DOHV &RUSV PDUFKHG WR *RYHUQPHQW +RXVH LQ Sydney in an act of rebellion against Governor William Bligh. Bligh was arrested and the colony was placed under military rule. The only time in Australian history that a government was overthrown by a military coup.
While the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;rum rebellionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; was often cited as the reason for Blighâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arrest, the factors which led up to it had as much to do with the battle for power between the military and the civil elites in the colony. Two years before his arrest Captain Bligh arrived in Sydney in August 1806 aboard the The Lady Madeline Sinclair after a six month voyage, in company with the Alexander, Porpoise and the Fortune convict ship. The latter carried 242 male convicts with a military guard of 27 members of the 8th Royal Veterans Battalion, some of which were Out Pensioners from the Royal Hospital.
REPUTATION FOR DISCIPLINE
Captain William Bligh was selected by the British Government as governor because of his reputation as a disciplinarian and, it was felt, he stood a good chance of reining in the maverick NSW Corps, often referred to as the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;rum corpsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; something in which his predecessors had not been able to do. However, it soon transpired that he had considerable problems in controlling the business interests of the maverick RIÂżFHUV RI WKH 16: &RUSV DQG -RKQ Macarthur in particular. Many of the men in the New South Wales Corps were recruited from the unemployed in Britain though many were skilled; victims of the Industrial Revolution. GREAT OPPORTUNITIES
Although New South Wales was a long way from home, it promised quick promotion, good wages and the opportunity to engage in trade alongside their military duties. 2IÂżFHUV ZHUH UHZDUGHG ZLWK ODUJH land grants and assigned convict labour, allowing them to build comfortable homes and cultivate farm SURGXFH ZKLFK WKH\ VROG DW D SURÂżW Before the end of the 18th century trading ships were already calling in at Sydney. Some of the goods replenished government stores and the military purchased and marketed the rest, effectively allowing a monopoly of trade within the town. But as note and coin money was in short supply a complex barter system developed â&#x20AC;&#x201C; particularly in food, clothing and
his circle, of their right to liberty and property. On 25th January 1808, the trial began before Judge Advocate Richard Atkins and a jury of VL[ 16: &RUSV RIÂżFHUV $IWHU D UDOlying speech from Macarthur, the RIÂżFHUV RQ WKH MXU\ UHIXVHG WR UHFognise Atkinsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; authority and would not serve with him. The next day, Bligh indicated he LQWHQGHG WR FKDUJH WKH RIÂżFHUV ZLWK treason, a capital criminal offence. 7KHLU FRPPDQGLQJ RIÂżFHU 0DMRU George Johnston, was informed of Blighâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s charges.
DEFENSIVE OF HIS HONOUR
Captain Bligh, Governor of New South Wales
alcohol. Convicts and lower ranking military were regularly paid in goods, rather than money. The most popular form of payment being rum, which led to the NSW Corps earning the nickname of the Rum Corps. SWATHES OF PRIME LAND
%XW RQH SHUVRQ SUHYLRXVO\ DQ RIÂżF er, who had obtained a grant for large swathes of prime land and EHFRPH YHU\ ULFK DQG LQĂ&#x20AC;XHQWLDO was John Macarthur. %OLJK DUULYHG WR ÂżQG WKH FRORQ\ LQ a terrible state and soon came into FRQĂ&#x20AC;LFW ZLWK 0DFDUWKXU RYHU KLV ODQG grant, threatening to remove him from it. Macarthurâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s haughty and belligerent manner which did not bode well with Blighâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quick temper and rigid adherence to his instructions, leading to lasting animosity between the two, as Bligh was determined to carry out his duties to the letter. Bligh issued laws banning all forms of barter using spirits and outlawed illegal stills. He tightened port regulaWLRQV FRQWUROOLQJ WKH Ă&#x20AC;RZ RI UXP LQWR the colony. He also questioned the validity of property leases of prominent citizens, including Macarthur.
Âľ,17(5)(5(1&(Âś
This â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;interferenceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; not only angered Macarthur but also others who became more hostile towards Bligh. When an escaped convict was discovered on one of Macarthurâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ships Bligh took Macarthur to trial. Macarthur was enraged and claimed that Bligh was depriving him, and 48
George Johnston had arrived in the colony in 1788 and is said to have EHHQ WKH ÂżUVW WR VHW IRRW LQ WKH QHZ colony. By 1800 he was commandLQJ RIÂżFHU RI WKH 16: &RUSV Johnston was proud of his position and defensive of the honour of the NSW Corps. He argued with several Governors, including Bligh, whom he felt meddled in the administration of the military. When Bligh WKUHDWHQHG VL[ RI KLV RIÂżFHUV ZLWK treason Johnston determined that WKH UHPRYDO RI WKHVH RIÂżFHUV IURP duty, would lead to an uprising by the soldiers and that Bligh needed WR EH UHPRYHG IURP RIÂżFH IRU KLV own safety and for the good of the Colony.
UNDER ARREST
So at 18.00 hr, on 26th January, 1808, the Corps, with full band and colours, marched to Government House to arrest Governor Bligh,but was hindered by Blighâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter and her parasol. Bligh and his GDXJKWHU ZHUH FRQÂżQHG WR KRXVH DUUHVW IRU RYHU D \HDU DQG WKH\ ÂżQDOly departed to England. Found not guilty Bligh was promoted to Rear Admiral.
RETURNED TO NSW
After the Court Martial, in which he was cashiered, George Johnston returned to New South Wales, and became a successful farmer and grazier, on his properties in Annandale, Bankstown, and Lake Illawarra, He died on 5th January 1823, and was buried in the family vault at the Annandale Farm.
...UNUSUAL COURT MARTIAL IN THE ROYAL HOSPITAL
Being a new In Pensioner, in late 2015, I continued with my interest in British Military History, particuODUO\ WKH ÂżUVW \HDUV RI $XVWUDOLDQ IRXQGDWLRQ ,W was the army and military organisations that were the cornerstone of the colonisation in New South Wales and Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beginnings with a Corps of Chelsea Invalids arriving at Sydney Cove, with the VHFRQG Ă&#x20AC;HHW LQ Ivor Williams
Chelsea pensioners were regularly posted to Australia from 1789 to 1848. In 1808 the New South Wales Corps of Invalids was disbanded. The following report from the Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser, of 25th Jan. 1812, may have some connection. GOVERNMENT and GENERAL ORDERS Head Quarters, Sydney. Tuesday 21st January, 1812 THE COMMANDER of the FORCES publish the following Circular letter and General Orders received per the Guilford Transport, from His Royal Highness the COMMANDER in CHIEF, for the Information and Guidance of the Troops serving in the Territory.
The Court having duly and maturely weighed and considered the whole of the evidence adduced on the Prosecution, as well as what has been offered in Defence, are of the opinion that â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lieutenant Colonel Johnston, is guilty of the Âł$FW RI 0XWLQ\´ DV GHVFU ibed in the Charge, and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Do therefore sentence KLP WR EH &DVKLHUHG´ Lt. Col. George Johnston His Royal Highness the PRINCE REGENT, in the name and on the behalf of His Majesty, was pleased under all the Circumstances of the case, to acquiesce in the Sentence of the Court. The Court in passing a Sentence so inadequate to the Enormity of the Crime of which the Prisoner has been found Guilty, have apparently been actuated by a Consideration of the novel and extra ordinary Circumstances, which, by the Evidence on the face of the Proceedings, may have appeared to them to have existed during the Administration of Governor Bligh, both as affecting the Tranquility of the Colony, and calling for some immediate decision. MITIGATION PUNISHMENT
But although the PRINCE REGENT admits the Principle under which the Court have allowed this Consideration to act in Mitigation of the Punishment, which the Crime of Mutiny would otherwise have suggested, yet no Circumstances whatever be received by His Royal Highness in full Extenuation of an Assumption of Power, so subversive of every Principal of good Order and Discipline, as that under which Lieutenant Colonel Johnston has been convicted. The Commander in Chief directs that the Charge preferred against Lieutenant Colonel Johnston together with the Sentence of the Court and His Royal Highness, the PRINCE REGENTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Pleasure thereon, shall be read at the head of every Regiment and entered in in the Regimental Order Book.
THE CHARGE
At a General Court Martial held at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea on 7th May, 1811, and continued by Adjournments to the 5th June following, Lieutenant Colonel George Johnston, Major of the 102nd Regiment, was arraigned upon the undermentioned Charge. Viz. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That Lieutenant Colonel George Johnston, Major as aforesaid, did on or about the 26th day of January, 1808 at Sydney,in the Colony of New South Wales, begin, excite, cause, and join in a Mutiny, by putting himself at the Head of the New South Wales Corps, then under his Command, and doing Duty in the Colony, and Seizing and Causing to be seized, and arrested, and imprisoning and causing to be imprisoned, by Means of the above-mentioned Military Force, the Person of William Bligh, Esq. then Captain General and Governor in Chief, in and over the 7HUULWRU\ RI 1HZ 6RXWK :DOHV´ Upon which Charge the Court came to the following decision.
49
By Command of His ROYAL HIGHNESS. The Commander in Chief (signed) HARRY CALVERT Adjutant General.
ALL ROADS LEAD TO CHELSEA
On a bright sunny Sunday morning in April 2015, the Adjutant contentedly drew deep breath of pure Battersea air, wafted across the limpid Thames on a southerly breeze, and opened the gate to the South Grounds â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the perfect setting for a relaxing stroll with the dog. Bliss: the place was deserted â&#x20AC;&#x201C; except for one stranger, who spoiled the occasion by engaging him in conversation. They swapped pleasantries and the visitor displayHG KLV LJQRUDQFH Âł<HV´ said the Adjutant â&#x20AC;&#x153;the pubOLF KDV DFFHVV IROORZ PH´ He led the way through Light Horse Court, pointing out the Great Hall, which was closed for refurbishment, and the Chapel, where IP Simon de Buisseret gave an explanation of its history and origin of contents.
BECAME A FRIEND
As the visitor showed signs of interest Simon gave him a brochure, telling him how to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Become a Friendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;; he also described the upgrading of the Long Wards and the Berths and, after introducing him to a few fellow pensioners, escorted him off the premises, via the MTI CafĂŠ. The visitor returned to darkest suburbia and mentioned his reception to a friend, commenting favourably on the way he had been looked after. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What a coincidence, my cousin is a Chelsea PenVLRQHU´ VDLG WKH IULHQG Âą â&#x20AC;&#x153;if you go back, why not ORRN KLP XS"´ 0HDQZKLOH the stranger completed the Friends application; there was a problem with that,
so he needed to pay a return visit, which resulted in meeting both Kate of the Friends and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the cousinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, IP Ray Pearson. Ray provided lunch in the newly re-opened Great Hall and showed the visitor around the RHC. In conversation, he recommended a book â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;A Village in Chelseaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to anyone interested in the life and history of the RHC.
HITLER HAS HIS WAR
CHRISTOPHER WREN
Meanwhile, Kate pointed the visitor to an upcoming Friends lecture on Christopher Wren and the construction of the RHC. That was held in the State Apartments â&#x20AC;&#x201C; whose walls were decked with pictures of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;main playersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, thoughtfully provided as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;propsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Also attending were IPs David and Tom Lyall, who confessed to being RHC archivists. Their diligent research, and help, has provided much of the information set out here. Kate also introduced the visitor to the Grounds Manager, Ron Willmore â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and that in time duly led to another tour, including the courtyard of the MTI, RHCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greenhouses and raised beds, and a second enjoyable Great Hall lunch!
In the autumn of 1939, 15 year old Anthony Farrar-Hockley was at school in Exeter. On the outbreak of war, he absconded and enlisted with the Gloucestershire Regt. At that time Ivor Merrick, whose name was inscribed in the book, had been in the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Glostersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for nearly 10 years, having joined as a Boy Bandsman, cornet player. He had seen overseas service in Eqypt in 1936 during the Abyssinian Crisis. When they discovered his age, young FarrarHockley was discharged; no such luck for Ivor Merrick, who went to France and Belgium with the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Glostersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 2nd Bn. A ROUGH TIME
They had a rough time. On 19th May 1940, they were caught on the road at Leuze by enemy bombers, suffering nearly 200 casualties. As the BEF fell back on Dunkirk, Ivor and the depleted 2nd Bn formed part of the rearguard; on 29th May 1940. He and most of the battalion were taken prisoner after being surrounded by armoured units near Cassel. Two years later, Anthony Farrar-Hockley had re-en-
In Pensioner Ivor Merrick
listed. By the age of 17 he was a sergeant, at 18 he was commissioned â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and so started a brilliant career. PRISONER EXCHANGE
In Germany, POW Merrick was one of those chosen to be exchanged for a similar number of sick or wounded men from the Afrika Corps. In October 1943, he was repatriated by sea via the Baltic. Later on, whilst FarrarHockley became a hero at the Battle of the Imjin River in Korea, Ivor Merrick, now recovered and attached to the Wiltshires, saw overseas service in Germany, Malaya and Hong Kong before returning to civilian life in 1953. While Mr Merrick worked in the GloucesWHU 3RVW 2IÂżFH RWKHU Gloucester men, Messrs Ray Pearson and the brothers Tom & David Lyall, had all joined up to do their bit. By 1960, the
A VILLAGE IN CHELSEA
As advised, the visitor acquired a copy of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;A Village in Chelseaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, enjoying the detailed account of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ups and downsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of the RHC over the last three centuries. Then he noted, with curiosity, the previous ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inscription on WKH Ă&#x20AC;\OHDI DQG KLJKOLJKWHG comment on page 204 reference bandsmen as below.
50
The frontispiece signed by Ivor Merrick. There is a starred footnote on page 204 which states â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;In 1972 there were no fewer than 68 former army bandsmen at the hospital. They would have made a memorable sight - and sound - on paradeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.
HOSPITAL BAND XYLOPHONE
Looking at back issues of The Tricorne the following story about Pensioner Merrick appeared in the May 1987 issue and it seemed appropriate to include.
IPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Merrick (left) & Ingram with Gen A Farrar-Hockley DQG WZR Âľ*ORVWHUÂś &DGHWV Âą $FFRUGLQJ WR KLV WZR pictures, while an IP, Sgt Merrick achieved promotion.
above had been at school in Exeter for some years when Dair, the son of Anthony Farrar-Hockley, arrived as a fellow pupil. A few years after that, the visitorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cousin, who was with the RAMC, was attached to 16 Airborne Brigade â&#x20AC;&#x201C; under the command of one Brig A Farrar-Hockley.
ANNOTATED FLYLEAF
In 1978 Mr Merrick entered the RHC; he bought a copy of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;A Village in Chelseaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and annotated WKH Ă&#x20AC;\OHDI DQG SDJH In 1983, IPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Merrick and Ingram held a Gloucestershire Regt celebration with Gen Anthony Far-
rar-Hockley. In 2015 IP Ray Pearson prompted the visitor to access the internet and buy the book (which turned out to be Ivor Merrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s) and IPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s David and Tom Lyall were able to research his eventful history. Thus has the visitor learnt something of the RHC; he values both Mr Merrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book and the contacts made with todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s IPs, who represent the RHC so well â&#x20AC;&#x201C; on behalf not only of their own generation but also all past Chelsea Pensioners.
The idea to build this xylophone was born towards the end of 1985 following a visit by the band of the Grenadier Guards who played at the annual Cheese Ceremony, in the Great Hall. After the event I was in conversation with their Director of Music Lt Col Kimberley who knew of the RHC Band.
together with a supporting table. I then commenced the long and exacting task RI ÂżWWLQJ HYHU\WKLQJ WRgether and the instrument wsas completed in September 1986. Again look at the rank on his sleeve. As the author of the item he signs himself off as R/ CSM I W Merrick.
SMALL TABLE MODEL
I told him that I was playing a small table model Xylophone. To my delight he offered me a full set of 4 octave Xylophone keys informing me that he did not have a frame or undercarriage. After much thought and trips to DIY centres I purchased the necessary parts
Mike Hall found the card below at a car boot and paid the princely sum of 50p (or 10 shillings in old money) for it.
Nigel Morriss
Reproduction of photos by courtesy of the Soldiers of Gloucester Museum
BIG OR SMALL HENDONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GOT THEM ALL While the picture may make the contingent of Chelsea Pensioners, who visited Hendon on Jan 16th, look brave standing EHORZ D YHU\ ORZ Ă&#x20AC;\LQJ DLUFUDIW ÂľĂ&#x20AC;\LQJÂś WKH\ DOO found the museum fascinating and interesting. So much to be seen in the many displays. From the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;string bagsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of the early days of the RAF to WKH ODWHVW (XURÂżJKWHU %XW standing by those of the second World War was nothing when compared ZLWK WKH PDJQLÂżFHQFH DQG size of the Vulcan.
51
NOT SO MUCH A Everyone laughs at the antics of the members of Dadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Army and the situaWLRQV WKH\ ÂżQG WKHPVHOYHV in. Their names and catch phrases are as well known to us as is our favourite song. The build up to their bungling antics are as classic as their catch phrases of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Stupid Boyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like it up them do theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Panicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;! But underneath the experience of many of the characters was not so much a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;dadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s armyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as some of them had seen active military service.
COLLABORATION
The script writing was the beginning of a fantastic collaboration between two script writers whose backgrounds were perfect for understanding how one can make fun out of adversity. Jimmy Perry OBE was in the 10th Hertfordshire Battalion Home Guard, while David Croft OBE, enlisted in the Essex Regiment in 1942 an graduated from Sandhurst. He served in the Royal Artillery for two and a half years in England and North Africa and was then commissioned and served in India and Singapore where he rose to the rank of Major. Jimmy Perry & David Croft
Based on this background a number of the characters came from their personal observations. For instance, Private Pike, played by 17 year old Ian Lavender, was actually based on Jimmy Perry whose mother did not like him to be out at night as he might catch a cold.
who appointed himself as leader of his townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Local Defence Volunteers, played by Arthur Lowe, was based on a pompous, if essentially brave and patriotic, local bank manager. Lowe had made his acting mark as Leonard Swidley in Coronation Street.
SICKLY PIKE
Young Pike was in the Dadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Army Home Guard, as the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; had certiÂżHG KLP DV EHLQJ VLFNO\ unhealthy and with a rare blood group. It was rather similar with Clive Dunnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s character, Lance Corporal Jones, who was based on an elderly Lance Corporal Jimmy Perry knew, who claimed he had fought the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;fuzzy wuzziesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. with Kitchener.
POOR EYESIGHT
Originally he chose the Merchant Navy but failed through poor eyesight. He joined the army on the eve of the Second World War and served in the Middle East with the Duke of Lancasterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Own Yeomanry, taking part in shows for the troops. He was discharged from the army, having served as a radar technician. Private Godfrey was played by Arnold Ridley OBE, who often gets â&#x20AC;&#x153;caught short´ DQG QHHGV WR ÂłEH H[FXVHG´
PRISONER OF WAR
In 1940, Clive Dunn joined the army and served with the 4th Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Own Hussars. His unit fought during the German invasion of Greece but VXUUHQGHUHG DIWHU ÂżJKWing a rear-guard action near the Corinth canal. He was among 400 men who spent 4 years as prisoners of war. He remained in the DUP\ DQG ZDV ÂżQDOO\ GHmobilised in 1947. Captain Mainwaring,
SERIOUS INJURIES
In real life he volunteered for the army on the outbreak of the First World War but was rejected due to a toe injury. Nevertheless in 1915 he enlisted as a private in the Somerset Light Infantry and saw active service; sustaining several serious injuries. His left hand was rendered virtually useless due to injuries sustained on the Somme; his legs were riddled with shrapnel; he was bayoneted in the groin; and the legacy of a blow 52
to the head, from a GerPDQ VROGLHUÂśV ULĂ&#x20AC;H EXWW left him prone to blackouts. Medically discharged from the army with the rank of major, he rejoined in 1939, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Serving with the British Expeditionary Force in France, during the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Phoney War´ KH ZDV employed as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;ConductLQJ 2IÂżFHU´ WDVNHG ZLWK supervising journalists visiting the front line.
OVERCROWDED SHIP
He returned to England on the overcrowded destroyer HMS Vimera, the last British ship to escape from the harbour during the Battle of Boulogne. Afterwards, he was discharged on health grounds and relinquished his commission as a captain. He subsequently joined the Home Guard in his home town of Caterham, and ENSA with which he toured the country. Private Frazer, played by John Laurie, as a dour Scottish undertaker served in the Home Guard.
QUESTIONING ORDERS
Sergeant Wilson, played by John Le Mesurier, as a GLIÂżGHQW XSSHU FODVV EDQN employee would quietly question Mainwaringâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s MXGJPHQW ´'R \RX WKLQN WKDWÂśV ZLVH 6LU"´ As a German raid had destroyed his home, and
In 1976, the Americans ÂżOPHG D SLORW YHUVLRQ RI Dadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Army entitled â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Rear Guardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and featured the WWII antics of the American Civil Defense. Only 1episode was made! Because VHS etc took up a lot of valuable space the BBC binned many early episodes of their shows. Even now three episodes remain lost. Statue of Captain Mainwaring erected in Thetford in 2010
enlistment papers, he travelled to Tidworth and enlisted in the Royal Armoured Corps. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant and eventually posted to India. He left the army in 1946 as a captain.
BLACK MARKET SPIV
Jimmy Perry wrote the role of private Walker, a black market spiv for himself. But James Beck, who did his National Service as an army PTI, was eventually cast in the role. The intro lyric and tune; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Who do you think you are kidding Mr Hitlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; was written by Jimmy Perry who convinced his childhood idol, Bud Flanagan, to sing it for 100 guineas. He was accompanied by the band of the Coldstream Guards. Arthur /RZH ZDV QRW WKH ÂżUVW choice as Captain Mainwaring. It was offered to Thorley Walters and Jon Pertwee.
Mal Jones with his grandson Lorne at his Passing-Out
TAKING A RIDE WITH GRIFFIN AND PRIDE
Irene and Dave were on a 6WHZDUGV %ULHÂżQJ ZH GHF ided to go on a walk about and found some Classic Veteran Motor Vehicles, unfortunately only 10 of the expected 41 entries actually turned up. At that time the weather was still cold but dry and, with not a lot happening, we made our way back to the pavilion for more hot cross buns and tea. While we were waiting in the pavilion several people came HOT CROSS BUNS and introduced themselves. But we eventually arrived One couple run a tea and at our destination, The coffee stall here in Chelsea South of England ShowZKHQ WKH Ă&#x20AC;RZHU VKRZ LV ground, at Ardingly West on. Also Jackie Shearman Sussex. After a much came over to us and was needed stretch and a quick introduced by Dave. Jacklook around we went into ie is the secretary and the pavilion for a cup of organiser, she also is the tea and a hot cross bun. As person who invites us penDave Williams, and his wife Irene, collected Yorkie Layton, Ray Pearson and me at 07.15 from the London Gate on Easter Monday. It was cold, raining, and with a long uncertain drive ahead of us. We stopped several times to let me out and stretch my legs, as I get cramp very easily. We also encountered bad road conditions due to the high winds, miQRU Ă&#x20AC;RRGLQJ IDOOLQJ WUHHV
MASSIVE AUDIENCE
Dadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Army, ran for an epic 80 television episodes across nine series, from 1968 to 1977, and attracted more than 18 million viewers at its peak. The outside scenes of WKH ÂżFWLRQDO :DOPLQJWRQ ZHUH ÂżOPHG LQ 7KHWIRUG Norfolk and now a statue of Captain Mainwaring sits on a bench by the Little Ouse river. 53
sioners. Eventually we went looking for the action and found the secretary`s bus which had been converted into a cafe, with tea or coffee served down stairs and the warm viewing area upstairs. While up there we saw several coaches and buggies being inspected by the various judges. One particular coach was a hearse pulled by two black horses. Both the coach and the horses were covered in silver adornments. Accompanying it was a coach for passengers in the funeral cortège.
BREWERS DRAY
Several other small and larger coaches and buggies came through followed by a Fullers brewery dray, equipped with seats, and SXOOHG E\ *ULIÂżQ DQG 3ULGH WZR PDJQLÂżFHQW KRUVHV ,W then pulled in to take on passengers. We were invited to climb aboard and take a ride around the parade. It was slow going and very cold with the wind, but well worth the ride. After the parade, and the presentation of brasses and rosettes, we were invited to lunch in another part of the pavilion. The lunch was excellent as was the company and a good end to the day. I whole heartedly recommend this event to every pensioner; put in for this one. By David Lines.
MAUNDY THURSDAY FOOT WASHING A HUMBLING EXPERIENCE Maundy Thursday, also called Holy Thursday, is the start of the 3 day celebration of Easter, the most important time of the year for all Christians. This period is a big celebration, remembering the last supper, FUXFLÂż[LRQ WKH GHDWK RI -HVXV DQG the resurrection to new life.
LAST SUPPER
To commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, with the 12 Apostles, it was customary in those times that a servant would wash the feet of the guests at the meal. Jesus did not call for a servant but chose to wash the feet of His disciples Himself. He did this lowly act to show His amazing love and to demonstrate that he had come not to rule but to serve. The next day, He chose to be humiliated, beaten, whipped and cruFLÂżHG +H ZKR NQHZ QR VLQ WRRN upon Himself the sins of the world, in doing so He paid the price of sin which is death, satisfying Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s righteous judgement, and revealing Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mercy and gift of eternal life. Jesus Christ, our Servant King, served, by His death and resurrection, to reconcile man to God.
HISTORIC CEREMONY
On Maundy Thursday 24th March 2016, twelve Chelsea Pensioners were invited to attend the Maundy Thursday service at Westminster Cathedral to have their feet washed by the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols. After some investigation, I discovHUHG WKDW LW ZDV LQ WKDW WKH ÂżUVW Chelsea Pensioners were invited to take part in this ceremony that goes back more than a thousand years. For all those Chelsea Pensioners who have taken part in this ceremo-
ny over the past 60 years it has been a very humbling experience and it was no less so this year. However, this year, for the very ÂżUVW WLPH IHDPDOH &KHOVHD 3HQVLRQers were invited to take part. For both IPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Barbara Whilds and Marjorie Cole, it was an historic moment as well as very humbling experience. After the service we were invited to
dine with Cardinal Vincent Nichols and his other guests. ,W ZDV D VLPSOH PHDO EHÂżWWLQJ WKH occasion but for that very reason all the more memorable. On behalf of all those who took part in the eveningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s celebrations I give thanks to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and to God our Heavenly Father.
making him 86 years old at the time of writing. In 1949 he joined the Royal Engineers as a Combat Engineer. He was raised to Corporal within 10 months and went on to serve in Germany, Bengazi (where he served as an instructor in the Libyan Army for 3 years), Bahrein, Aden (where he was attached to the Royal Navy) and subsequently returned to Germany.
years with the colours. Joe lost his wife Jean after 51 years of happy marriage but was consoled by his two sons, Bruce and Andrew, who he thinks the world of. He subsequently entered the Royal Hospital in 2015 and soon settled in. He is well thought of by the many friends he has made.
Alan Rutter
FIRST RSM OF AMPHIBIOUS ENGINEER REGIMENT Joe Herman was born in 1930 attend a resettlement course after 24
BOMB DISPOSAL
In his early service days he went on a Bomb Disposal course for 3 weeks, and was then considered talented enough to train National Servicemen in Bomb Disposal at Shipley, Yorkshire. Posted to 23 Independent Amphibious Engineer Squadron in 1966 as WO2 (SSM) he was promoted WO1in 1970 and posted to EHFRPH WKH ÂżUVW 560 RI WKH QHZO\ created 28th Amphibious Engineer Regiment based in Hameln. With a strength of 700 and, unusually, all the equipment of the Regiment being of German origin. This included special bridging equipment and boats. Joe left in December 1972 to 54
From the issue of May 1987
At the end of the building there was the PTI and I went to ask â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Musclesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; if he had one I could borrow. He said Âł\HV DV ORQJ DV \RX EX\ D UDIĂ&#x20AC;H WLFNHW IURP PH´ 6R , DVNHG ZKDW WKH UDIĂ&#x20AC;H SUL]H DQG KH VDLG ÂłD FDU´ Later I learned that the tickets were on sale from one end of the Suez Canal to the other, and the car belonged WR DQ 5$) RIÂżFHU EHLQJ SRVWHG EDFN to England. I bought one ticket and took the hammer. CHECKING MY WALLET
One Saturday evening I was sorting out my wallet when I came across the ticket. The following day, Sunday, there was a knock at the front door and, when I opened it, there was WKH 5$) 2IÂżFHU VD\LQJ Âł<RXÂśUH WKH OXFN\ FKDS ZKR KDV ZRQ P\ FDU´ , got the surprise of my life and more VR ZKHQ , FRXOGQÂśW ÂżQG WKH WLFNHW I searched high and low for this ticket but to no avail so the friendly , ÂżUVW PHW $EGXO ZKHQ ZH ZHUH LQ RIÂżFHU DVNHG IRU D VDPSOH RI P\ VLJmarried quarters in Couragh Village nature as he had the counterfoil with Fayed, Egypt and he came to sell us my signature on it. With no more vegetables. Having arrived short- ado, he handed me the keys to the ly before that from Cyprus we were FDU DQG VDLG Âł,WÂśV \RXUV´ YHU\ SOHDVHG WR ÂżQG VRPH IUHVK YHJNO LEGAL DOCUMENTATION etables in Egypt. Abdul must have been 70 years The problem now was I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have old and walked with a wicker bas- a driving licence, no road tax, no inket slung over his arm. He made our surance. But I had a car. This car quarter his last visit of the day be- was a pre-war black Ford which had cause he knew that he would be wel- a large leather strap across the bonnet come to sit down and have a glass of to prevent the battery being stolen. There was no-one in the camp, from water in the vestibule. the Colonel down, who owned a priFRENCH FRENCH vate car and I drove into the MindHe spoke French and very good En- HQ FDPS RQ WKH ÂżUVW GD\ DQG HYHU\glish, which he had learnt as a boy at one seemed to know that I had won the Suez Canal Company in Ismail- the car! They really begrudged me ia. My wife was French and he en- a parking space especially the RSM joyed talking to her. He would of- who had to walk into camp whilst I ten stay for an hour talking in French drove! The Band and drums were due to with us and one day he asked â&#x20AC;&#x153;Madame are you Alexandria French or go down to Ismalia to practice for the )UHQFK )UHQFK´ DQG &KULVWLDQH UH- Tattoo we were putting on with the SOLHG ¾œ,ÂśP )UHQFK )UHQFK´ ZKLFK Lancashire Fusiliers and the Lincolnmade us laugh. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m asking you shire band. because the woman across the road LUMBERED said she was French French but I NQRZ VKHÂśV $OH[DQGULD )UHQFK ´ KH The bandmaster of my regiment >7KH /R\DO 5HJLPHQW@ GHFLGHG KH explained. He soon became a friend rather would travel down with me, in my than the vegetable seller and he al- car, little knowing my capabilities as a driver. We were driving along ways called me â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Drummyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. One day when I was putting up the road. alongside the Suez Canal, some shelves, in my soon-to-be when an old truck got in front of us. I asked the Bandmaster if it was practice room, I needed a hammer. safe to overtake - he was sitting in
+2: $%'8/
*27 +,6 '21.(<
55
the passenger seat- and we were in a right-hand drive car. He said it was alright so I pulled out, only to see another car heading towards me from around a bend. By the grace of God I missed it. We arrived at Timpsa leave camp where we were to be billeted during the Tattoo period. The camp itself was surrounded by a moat and to cross the moat we had to cross a bridge made from unsecured railway sleepers. Problem was as I crossed the bridge a number of the sleepers fell into the water behind me. I learned afterwards that it was, in fact, a foot bridge and a temporary foot bridge at that. RV IN SINAI DESERT
As time went on and war became imminent, I needed to return to my quarter in Fayed where my wife and children were about to be evacuated to an RV in the Sinai Dessert. By this time I was an expert driver and there were no mishaps on the journey. The problem now was what to do with the car. To my relief Abdul arrived on the scene and I said â&#x20AC;&#x153;AbGXO , QHHG WR VHOO WKLV FDU´ DQG KH UHSOLHG Âł, ZLOO KHOS \RX 'UXPP\ ´ He brought three friends from Suez who agreed to buy the car and gave Abdul the money. I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t remember how much I received for it but when they drove away, Abdul gave me the money and I said Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to give him something for helping me. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think what Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; d like to do is buy you a donkey so you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to carry these wicker basNHWV DQ\ ORQJHU´ +LV UHDFWLRQ ZDV DV if Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d given him a Rolls Royce. To this day, I think of Abdul and his donkey and my one regret was that I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t accept his invitation to his home for dinner because of the political situation. George Hatton
THE QUEEN’S ALMSMEN 476 YEARS OF SERVICE 7KH TXHVWLRQ LV VRPHWLPHV DVNHG µ:KR DUH WKH HOGHUO\ PHQ LQ VFDUOHW and blue gowns with a little silver badge of a crowned Tudor Rose on their shoulders, who are in advance of the Dean at Abbey services?’ The answer is that they are Queen’s Almsmen and that their origin goes back to the early years of the 16th century. Few people have heard about them, I certainly hadn’t until my name was put forward with the prospect of becoming one of them in 2006.
The Kings Almshouse was founded by Henry VII. It was a brick building containing 16 Chambers together with the Chapel, Hall etc and attached to a monastery, on the site of the now Westminster Abbey. After the dissolution of a monasteries in 1540, the ‘12 poor men decayed in the Kings service’ formed part of the cathedral establishment at Westminster set up by Henry VII later that year.
MONASTERIES REVIVED
When the monastery were revived, for a few brief years, under Queen 0DU\ WKH ¿QDQFLDO SURYLVLRQ FRQWLQued to be made for the almsmen, and when the present collegiate church establishment was founded by Queen Elizabeth, in 1560, they once again found themselves members of the new collegiate establishment. It was then laid down that their duties were to be present daily at the services of the church, ‘to pray for the Queen’s Majesty, for the church and for the peace and safety of the Kingdom’ and that they were ‘to obey the Dean and Masters of the College in all that belongs to the reputation of the College.’ Although the number and position
of the almsmen remained unchanged they did not emerge entirely unscathed from the troubled years between the dissolution and the foundation of a collegiate church under Queen Elisabeth.
CONSTANT TEMPTATION
The convenience and proximity of the palace of the disused buildings of the former monastery were a constant temptation to the greedy courtiers who thronged the courts of Henry VII and Edward VI. In 1547 a rising young courtier Richard Cecil, the father of the great Lord Burley, succeeded in obtaining for himself the most desirable half of the almshouse building. He conveyed it to ‘one David Vincent being then an RI¿FHU EHORQJLQJ WR WKH ZDUGUREH RI the beddes to the most worthy Prince King Henry VII’
DISPOSSESSED
Vincent, in his turn, sold it to Nicholas Brick who conveyed the rest into a dwelling house for himself and built a brick wall between himself and the almsmen whom he had dispossessed. There was nothing that could be done about it, and the Dean, and Chapter were too busy trying to preserve their land
56
Fred Rooke, Queen’s Almsman
and buildings from further encroachments to bother about the almsmen. The death of Brigham in 1588, and accession of Queen Elizabeth in the same year, gave the chance of writing the wrong done to the almsmen. Among the Muniments is a petition to the Queen from the almsmen who described themselves as ‘very poor, lame and ympotant persons’.
SINISTER DEALINGS
They set out in detail the sinister dealing by which they have been dispossessed of their buildings, their gowns and badges. The Queen directed a commission of enquiry as to this encroachment. It was not until 1604 that the chapel hall and kitchens were restored to them. At the same time it was ordered that almsmen’s gowns were to be made and ‘set upon every of the said gowns a red rose crowned and ymbrodered thereupon of the price of 20 pense to be set on the left shoulder of every of the said gowns’ BUILDING PULLED DOWN The alms houses were never completely restored to the almsmen and the position remained unaltered until the whole building was pulled down in the 18th century. The gowns were scarlet with blue collars and
medals are worn. The present plain red gowns were designed for the 900th anniversary celebration in 1965/66.There should be 6 Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Almsmen, but presently there are only 4, and they are required to attend the Dean in the Abbey during Sunday services as well as special services during the week.
ROYAL LINK
They process behind the Dean or members of the Royal family if they are present. As a Royal foundation the link between the Royal family and the almsmen has never been broken since the 16th century to the present day and appointments are still made by the Sovereign. When a vacancy occurs the Dean submits the name of a suitable candidate, preference being given to old soldiers, to the Home Secretary and he, in his turn, submits the name to the Sovereign for approval.
WARRANT OF APPOINTMENT
The Warrant of Appointment is then signed by the Sovereign and countersigned by the Home Secretary. The wording of the Warrant (drawn up in the reign of Queen Elizabeth) is headed â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;trusty and well beloved. We greet you wellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; On appointment the almsmen give their attendance on the Dean and assist the vergers to deal with the many visitors to the Abbey, and in taking the collection at services. As there is no longer an alms house and allocation is made in lieu of the accommodation formerly provided for them. As Fred Rooke has retired John Denton is now a Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Almsman.
SEEKING THEIR SCOTTISH ROOTS In Pensioners David and Tom Lyall launched an appeal in the John Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Groat Journal and Caithness Courier after a chance meeting with Hamish Duncan, chairman of Caithness Amateur Radio Society, who was in London to collect an award from the Royal Society of Great Britain. Keen amateur radio enthusiasts, when they heard Mr Duncan was from Wick, they explained their family links with the town. He said he would try to help them in their quest to trace any family or relatives in the north. Their grandfather, David Lyall (1869-1933), who was the supervisor DW :LFN SRVW RIÂżFH lived at Sinclair Terrace but later moved to Moray Street with his wife and 8 children, including Donald, who was born in 1898 and was the father of David and Tom. Donald attended Wick High School and became a post ofÂżFH WHOHJUDSKLVW
ROYAL ENGINEERS
He enlisted in the Royal Engineers in 1916 and, as his civilian job had been a Morse telegraphist, he joined the wireless section. Donald served in France (Somme) and Belgium (Dinant) and later in Germany (Cologne) and Paris. His brother Hugh was in the Dorset Regiment and became a sergeant weapons instructor and served in Ireland. Another brother, David, emigrated to Kenya in 1937 and set up his own watchmaker and jewellerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shop in Nairobi. James â&#x20AC;&#x201C; another member of the family â&#x20AC;&#x201C; also went to Kenya and was in the Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s African RiĂ&#x20AC;HV 0DQ\ \HDUV ODWHU WKH\ ZHUH joined by their sister Wilma who lived there for several years.
PROVISION MERCHANT
Their sister Greta married George Bruce, who stayed in Union Street and was part of the family which ran Geddes the provision merchants. They moved to Edinburgh. Their brother Cathel was a pharmacist in Broughty Ferry for many years. After World War I, Donald moved to London to study accountancy He met his future wife there after she and her family moved to London from Glasgow. They married in 1928. David and Tom were born in London 57
in 1932 and 1937 respectively. Their father was an air raid warden and the family home was damaged in the Blitz in 1940. The following year 'RQDOGÂśV FLW\ RIÂżFH ZDV PRYHG WR Cheltenham in Gloucestershire. It was there that their younger brother Andrew was born.
NATIONAL SERVICE
After 5 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; deferment from National Service, while studying law David joined the Royal Signals in January 1956 and began teleprinter training. Shortly afterwards he was sent to Crail, near St Andrews, to learn Russian and was transferred to the Intelligence Corps. Demobbed in 1958, David continued to experiment with electrical and electronic devices while practising as D VROLFLWRU ÂżQDOO\ UHWLULQJ LQ RQ entering the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Tom was apprenticed to motor engineers and joined the Royal Armoured Corps and served as an armoured car driver with the 15th 19th Hussars in Northern Ireland and at Barnard Castle in County Durham.
DEMOBBED
After demob in 1960, and a short period in the motor trade, he was in aviation and defence engineering for 24 years, followed by some QXUVLQJ DQG RIÂżFH DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ Andrew studied law and was a university lecturer in Dar-es-Salaam, 7DQ]DQLD IRU \HDUV +H TXDOLÂżHG as a barrister and lectured in Dublin for 30 years. In February 2012 David and Tom IRXQG RXW WKH\ TXDOLÂżHG IRU WKH Royal Hospital. As two elderly EDFKHORUV LW VXLWHG WKHP ÂżQH :RUNing with others they set up a radio club at the hospital. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We would be delighted if anyone can help with history of the Lyall family from 1910 to the present GD\ ´ 0U 'XQFDQ VDLG
CAPTAIN ERNEST LUDLOW MC KILLED IN A ZEPPELIN RAID
Ernest Ludlow was born in Darenth, Kent in 1877, an area his family had lived in for generations. His Father John, married Rosetta White, in Dartford in Sept. 1858 and they had 7 FKLOGUHQ 7ZR VLVWHUV DQG ÂżYH EURWKHUV Ernest being the youngest In 1891 three of the children were living at home; Arthur, working in a paper mill, Ernest, who at the age of 14 was an agricultural labourer and Rose together with her husband George Mattock. The remainder of Ernestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s siblings had either left home, or were married. Working on the land was not a long term job for Ernest as he enlisted into the Grenadier Guards in August 1894, being promoted to Lance Corporal just a year after enlisting. Further promotions followed until promotion to Drill Sergeant in 1908. During the early years of his career he served in the Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Company of the 1st Battalion and later moving on to serve in both the 2nd and 3rd Battalions.
In Jan.1915, as Sergeant Major of the 2nd Battalion, he was awarded the Military Cross. Although we have no award citation for this action, it is obvious that he proved himself to be a great leader. He clearly had total disregard for his personal safety in the retreat from Mons, the Battles of Marne, $LVQH DQG WKH ÂżUVW %DWWOH RI WKH Somme. He was commissioned into the Grenadier Guards in July 1915.
FUTURE WIFE
In 1901 Ernest was a Lance Sergeant while his future wife, Jessie Sophia Berry, worked as a domestic servant in Farleigh House Surbiton Road, Kingston on Thames. On 9th
MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES
Ernest deployed to France in 1914 and was mentioned in despatches by Field Marshal Sir John French. In October 1914 he also received the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Medaille Militaireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in recognition of his gallant actions during operations between 21st and 30th Aug. 1914.
can be seen looking at the damage, including several nurses. Captain Ernest Ludlow MC, Jessie, Ernest (Jnr), and Bernard, together with Ernestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s niece, Alice Copley, were killed during the raid. Ernest Ludlow, was a courageous, decorated soldier. It is ironic that he, and his family, should perish at the Royal Hospital, a place of care and peaceful existence for retired soldiers.
TRAGEDY
DRILL SERGEANT
On the death of King Edward VII in 1910 he was the Drill Sergeant of the 2nd Battalion which, following tradition, provided the bearer party at the Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s funeral. Part of that bearer party he was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal in recognition of his role in that major state occasion. He saw service in Gibraltar and participated in Lord Kitchenerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nile Expedition in 1898. Further campaign service followed to South Africa during the Boer War where he was awarded: Sudan Medal (Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s) with clasp, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Khartoumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Sudan Medal (Khediveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s), Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s South Africa Medal with clasps, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Cape Colonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Transvaalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. His other medals included the Royal Victorian Medal and the Long Service and Good Conduct medal.
Left, Ernest, Jessie with Bernard, Gerald, Ernest snr with Lawrence. Taken about 1913
Sept. 1905 they were married in St. Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parish church Norbiton. Their ÂżUVW VRQ (UQHVW -RKQ ZDV ERUQ LQ Dec. 1907 followed by Gerald Francis in Nov. 1909 and Lawrence in Aug. 1910. In 1911 they moved to Marlborough Lines, Aldershot. Bernard their fourth son was born in 1913 and died in 2012 Both Lawrence and Bernard were baptised at the Tower of London in 6HSW $ ÂżIWK VRQ %DVLO *RGfrey, was born in 1917, after the group photograph was taken and died in 2012. Ernest Snr was listed as medically XQÂżW IRU IXUWKHU VHUYLFH LQ SUR ably due to wounds. He left the army and became a Captain of Invalids at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in 1917. On the night of 16 Feb.1918, a bombing raid by a Zeppelin Staaken R39 severely damaged the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Rubble and debris dominates the foreground of the photographs. On the top right hand side of the top photograph a number of people can 58
This tragedy is recorded on a memorial plaque on the right hand side of the Octagon, as you approach from King Charles II statue in Figure Court. Captain Ernest Ludlow MC, professional soldier and Captain of Invalids, lies at rest in the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Brookwood. This story appeared in the 4th Edition of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Before They Fadeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The book was dedicated to Captain Ernest Ludlow MC and his family, who lost their lives on 16th Feb. 1918. Colonel Mark Baker
PENSIONORIUS CHELSEAE There are Christmas cards and Christmas cards.
Feeding Habits A varied diet taken at regular intervals in the day with the flock en masse. However this is supplemented sometimes by personal foraging, or in late winter the arrival of the ‘Officials Australis’ bringing dried fruit, whilst other visitors bring morsels of cheese and other titbits. Additional forays are sometimes made into the exclusive habitats of well-known breeds such as Ramseys Famosiatis, , Wimbledon Celebartis and the Glittering Ritzitia etc. Longevity This species is a remarkable survivor having in his earlier life suffered on various occasions considerable hardships and attacks by others. However, despite all these vicissitudes its longevity is legendary and many live for over 90 years while others a century or more, yet still retaining their colour and sparkle thus making them so popular and attractive to the outside world today. Sadly they are often prone to be shot by roaming photographers and publicists for their own gain.
The Earth’s Peak Time The nights get longer, the wind blows chill We say the year is “over the hill” But nature tells us that’s not so, It is not time just yet for snow.
Some are personal some funny. But this was sent WR VRPH SHRSOH LQ WKH 5+& E\ RXU µ&DUWRRQLVW DW Large’, Robin Ollington. As his name is Robin one wonders if it is a self portrait in scarlet!
Origin It is believed that this species originated in the 17th century and it is probably related to one still to be found in Paris, though numbers have also been recorded in North America. Habitat Today, its main habitat lies in Chelsea, close to the Thames and other watering holes. However from time to time small migrations take place to other climes such as Gibraltar, the Channel Isles, Normandy coast, Germany, Italy, Spain, Cyprus, and the middle and far east.
The corm is cut and carried in, The grain is drying in a bin. The fields are ploughed, the furrows straight No weed left standing, right up to the gate. In the orchard where fruit trees grow Their much pruned branches, row on row, The fruit is ripening in the autumn sun, Soon to be picked for food or tun.
Activities
A mass ‘murmuration’ takes place in June each year when the whole flock changes into scarlet with distinctive black head markings, seizes sprigs of oak leaves, and in a vast open space, preens and parades under the eyes of even grander, and more highly plumed, members of the same species.
Hedges offer their wondrous yield Of fruit, for birds from lake and field. They search the branches for this and that. To stay the winter, they need fat.
Plumage
Normally dark blue except on high days and holidays when it changes overnight into scarlet with distinctive black headgear. Size and shape varies but, over the years and with maturity the chest often enlarges and drops into the lower half of the body, while its gate is variable, but distinctive. The female of the species though rarer identical in colour but softer in outline and sweeter in voice
Then the trees, their fruiting done, The time to rest has just begun. The autumn winds help strip each leaf, To lie, and rustle on the ground beneath.
Song
The first flakes fall from leaden sky. All is done and winters nigh. The sheep brought in to lamb in the keep And nature settles down, to sleep.
According to location musical and vociferous. En mass, and at the end of the annual murmuration in June, it emits unified cries of ‘Hip Hip Hooray’ which can be heard over a wide distance. Also joyful outbursts can be heard at Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Saints Days et cetera
Simon de Buisseret
59
tapered segments assembled on an 8mm oak central dowel core using beech spacers between segments. By tapering the stick it was more like a walking cane rather than a walking stick, which is parallel along its complete length.
CHELSEA PENSIONER WALKS IN STYLE
Among my hobbies, before I came to the RHC, was wood turning and I naturally belonged to a club called the Gloucester Association of Woodturners to help me improve and learn. I was asked to provide information for the following in their newsletter.
When Chelsea pensioner Ray Pearson was told he would need a walking stick he was downcast at this further concession to anno domini. However he decided that if he must use a stick he would make sure it was something special. So, being a wood turner and after much thought, he decided on a walking stick which used a range of different woods to spell out his name Raymond.
PROBLEM OF N & D
I expect you can guess most of the woods used but what about N and D? Out of interest the oak section is a piece of 5,000 year old bog oak; which is why it is black.
ZŽƐĞǁŽŽĚ
AƐŚ yĞǁ MĂŚŽŐĂŶLJ OĂŬ NŽŐĂĞĚ DĞŐĂŵĞ
All is revealed below but having given some thought to the design, he now had no lathe, so he had to ¿QG VRPHRQH WR PDNH LW So what has all this got to do with the Gloucester Association of Wood turners?
LIVED LOCALLY
When Ray lived locally he was a member, and now, at the Royal Hospital Chelsea he no longer has a lathe on which to do any wood turning. But having visited Charlie Sanger Davies’s workshop he thought he may be able to assist. The walking stick required a lathe with a bed to take a 36 in, long walking stick but, unfortunately the bed on Charlie’s lathe was too short. Discussing the problem with GAW members, Dave Smith, who had won the chairman’s challenge cup last year, said he had a long bed lathe and was up for another challenge. OVERSIZE
At the club meeting Dave explained some of the issues faced by turning a segmented walking stick. One being getting the centre holes on all sections straight and true so that they matched all the way through the centre of each of the 15 pieces of the walking stick. The solution was a hole, through the centre of each piece, leaving 2 mm oversize. The 4 mm thick spacers and end pieces were turned in lignum vitae to limit the potential of accidental splitting. Lignum vitae, commonly referred to as ironwood,
60
TENSION OR COMPRESSION
and being so hard that it is the only wood which sinks in water, was ideal for the spacers. Lignum vitae, was also used as a VDFUL¿FLDO SURSHOOHU VKDIW bearing material. The stick was assembled with an 8 mm threaded rod down the centre. This had the advantage of compressing the glue joints when tightening the end nut. Although this made the stick slightly heavy it felt very substantial.
SECOND STICK
$V WKHUH ZDV VXI¿FLHQW wood left over Ray decided to have a second one made. But, with the expeULHQFH RI PDNLQJ WKH ¿UVW one, David was able to make the second one with
Turning the walking sticks in the normal manner, by compressing the ends, caused the centre to whip and bow out, making the process of turning dif¿FXOW 7KHUHIRUH 'DYH KDG to organise a method of turning which minimised the eccentricities and enabled him to get clean cuts. He resorted to an unusual method of turning by putting the stick into tension, or a ‘pulling action’ between the turning centres. STICK HEADS
The head of one stick is a smooth carved ‘knob’ of spalted beech while the other is a heavily chromed duck’s head, rescued from a broken walking cane. After manually sanding ERWK VWLFNV 'DYH ¿QLVKHG them with a strong water resistant coating and gave them 7 coats of melamine ¿QLVK
ALCOHOL INSPIRED PEDAL POWER
Pensioner Dewi Treharne supplied this photo of a KXPDQ µSHGGOH SRZHUHG EHHU GLVSHQVHU¶ DV VHHQ LQ Budapest. Rumour has it that two may be acquired for the RHC for Founders Day. One for the beer drinking sitters and the other for the lager sitters. After Founders Day they may be used by the bowling club for away matches. Interestingly the collective noun for bowlers is a keg of bowlers. Very apt as while it may not improve their results record WKH\ FRXOG EH WKH ¿WWHVW NHJ RI ERZOHUV
THREE PENSIONERS
IN THE CLINK Pensioners Mike Hall, Mike Paling DQG -RKQ *ULIÂżWKV ERRNHG LQWR %UL[ton Prison to enjoy a lunch meal, at the CLINK restaurant. It is best to arrive 20 or so minutes HDUO\ DV \RX ÂżUVW UHSRUW WR WKH &OLQN reception, outside of the prison. From the start, I was aware that this was no ordinary restaurant, as when the booking was made, I had to go through a minor vetting procedure. This was even more different as, once you had made the origLQDO HQTXLU\ DQG ÂżQDOO\ FRQÂżUPHG the booking, how many restaurants want to know your date of birth?
TIGHT SECURITY
Next you hand over a photo ID and are given a visitor pass to wear. But be warned though, the neck strap is green, and does clash with your Scarlet uniform. %XW VHFXULW\ KDV QRW ÂżQLVKHG ZLWK you because, before leaving reception, you will be asked to place into a locker, mobile phones, any SIM cards, batteries and a long list of other things that are illegal to take into a prison. So having secured our contraband
and become legal we were then escorted to the main gate, a rather KHDY\ IRUELGGLQJ HGLÂżFH WKDW VOLG sideways to give us access into our â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;security airlockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.
NORMAN STANLEY FLETCHER
With the door shut behind us, I was reminded of a sonorous voice saying ³1RUPDQ 6WDQOH\ )OHWFKHU´ IURP the TV Series Porridge, starring the great Ronnie Barker. Our escort disappeared to sign for some keys. On her return, the inner door slid open giving us access to the prison, a short walk, a thick metal door was unlocked and we were shown into the Clink Restaurant. The service and food was amongst the best we have had in any restaurant. We were met by our waiter, who showed us to our table, and handed us the menu. As we had seen the online menu we knew what we wanted. The drinks menu was a little surprising, no alcohol! So it was soft drinks all round. One other surprise was that the cutlery was plastic, a good quality plastic, but plastic nevertheless. One asparagus and 2 trout dishes
for starters were followed by 2 lamb and a chicken for our main courses. The presentation of the food on the plate was brilliant and it was a real pity to have to take apart the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;designâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to eat it. But we were easily assisted by the taste of the food. While we all agreed that the meal so far was good, the sweet was beyond anything we had tasted. One had cheese and crackers, another a Trio of Rhubarb, and the third a strawberry Panne Cotta, that looked so good, it could have graced the walls of any art house in London. The Clink serves only breakfast and lunch, Monday to Friday. No, the breakfast menu does not have porridge as a choice. Also there isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a bed for the night for those who do not pay their bill. Waiters and chefs are from the prison population. Our waiter was happy to talk about his time in prison and his aspirations for when he leaves. The prisoners go through a fairly rigorous selection process to get a job at the Clink, but for many of them it provides a relief to be away from the cells for a few hours. %XW PRUH WR EH HDUQLQJ TXDOLÂżFDtions from an NVQ with credits, to a City and Guilds, often followed by a job once they leave the prison and return to an almost normal life, was important.
LOW RE-OFFENDING
Over 85 per cent of prisoners who work at the Clink, before leaving prison, do not reoffend. This is why the scheme, started at High Down prison, has been extended and there are now Clink Restaurants at 4 prisons across the country, with more planned. To provide backup the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prison, at Send in Surrey, have a large garden where prisoners grow vegetables for use by the Clink Restaurants, and so a simple idea has spread and is giving prisoners a chance of a crime free life outside prison. All three of us agreed that this was an experience worth repeating, and for around ÂŁ25 per head, was not overly expensive, compared to some places near the Royal Hospital. Just a 35 minute bus ride, a short walk and a totally different experience, try it! Mike Hall
63
â&#x20AC;&#x153;FOR BRITAIN AND THE HELL OF ITâ&#x20AC;?
BLOODHOUND SSC
ATTEMPTING THE 1,000mph WORLD LAND SPEED RECORD
Some 30 years ago Britain took the world land speed record of 763 mph in theThrust supersonic car driven by Richard Noble, and we still hold it. Now the Bloodhound Project is a British engineering adventure focused on a new and better 1,000 mph world land speed record attempt. The team is sharing this great project with a global audience and aims to inspire the next generation by bringing science, technology, engineering and mathematics to fresh life in the most exciting way possible.
SUPERSONIC CAR
The British Bloodhound supersonic car is being built at the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s technical centre in Bristol. In March 2016 it was tested at 200 mph to iron out some minor faults in the Aero Hub in Newquay. Later in 2016, the team will travel to the Hakskeen Pan, South Africa to begin high speed runs with the aim of setting a new land speed world record of 800 mph. They will then return to South Africa in 2017 for Bloodhound to smash the 1,000 mph barrier. SINCE 1899
The land speed record has been on the go since Count Gaston de Chasseloup-Laubat managed to reach the great velocity of 39 mph in the Gaelic town of Acheres, Yveling in 1899. Since then, great technoligi-
cal advances have seen that rise by nearly 20 times to 763 mph from the British team with Thrust SSC around 30 years ago, also with Richard Noble.
NATIONAL DIFFICULTY
In recent years we in Britain were made aware of a national difÂżFXOW\ ZLWK XOWLPDWH HQJLQHHULQJ when driver Andy Green and Richard went to meet Lord Drayson, the then Minister for Defence Equipment and Support at the Ministry of Defence. He came quickly to the point â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the MoD is seriously short of engineers and there is no sign of a national upturn at school level. This is a very serious problem (particularly if you are the MOD and therefore expected WR HPSOR\ %ULWLVK HQJLQHHUV D GLIÂżcult one to solve.
EXCITE AND INSPIRE
Lord Drayson suggested what was wanted, if not much needed, was an iconic programme for young and old on which we will focus the promotion of science and technology in order to excite and inspire a new generation of British engineers. The Bloodhound project was conceived at that very meeting and so too was the notion that Britain would be able to hold onto the
world land speed record for a further 30 years - or perhaps for ever! Thus the number one objective with the Bloodhound Project was to create a national surge in popularity in science and engineering subjects, especially at youth level and if this fails to achieve its objective the team would have failed in their mission.
RADICALLY DIFFERENT
)URP WKH ÂżUVW WULDOV LI %ORRGKRXQG was to make a really big increase in speed above the 763 miles an hour achieved by Thrust SSC, it was clear that something radically different was needed. For that reason the team moved closer to the giants of the MoD and Rolls Royce who, in turn, drew other important people towards this uniquely British project. They wanted to explore the potential of a jet and rocket combination propulsion method to reach 1,000 mph. However, even this technical solution must also have its ultimate limit.
WHERE MIGHT THAT BE?
Well, the present target of 1,000 mph implies a maximum speed of about 1,050 mph is certainly a formidable challenge and it may, in fact, need to be close to the maximum achievable limit while still maintaining contact with the ground!
7ZR UHFRUG KROGHUV /HIW WKH ÂżUVW RULJLQDO WR VHW DQ RIÂżFLDO ZRUOG VSHHG UHFRUG LQ DQG ULJKW 7KUXVW LQ
64
Nothing has yet been found in human thought or ambition that tells one that 1,000 mph is not possible, however, many factors suggest that this target speed is somewhere near to the limit of what is feasible with current technology.
CHALLENGING TARGET
So, our target is a very challenging and dangerous one- but so was Hillary’s approach to Everest where the greatest fear was fear itself. One could say that Bloodhound SSC is exploring the region between the sound barrier and the technologies that only time and a great deal of courage, and hard work will tell everyone in the world whether the goal of 1,000 mph is achievable.
HOW CAN WE DO IT?
Using the knowledge gained from the 763 mph achievement with Thrust SSC, some 30 years ago, and considering how best to approach the building of Bloodhound SSC, it seems unlikely that a greatly increased speed could be achieved using just turbojet engines, therefore rockets were also considered.
SAFETY ISSUES
Liquid propellant rockets have safety issues that may not be acceptable in a civilian environment and were excluded from the start. While solid propellant rockets are very
VDIH WKH\ DUH GLI¿FXOW WR FRQWURO 7KLV OHG ¿QDOO\ WR WKH FRQFOXVLRQ that two engines were required. A jet for control, and a rocket for high levels of thrust. As the car enters this untested sphere it will accelerate from rest, using just the jet engine to take it up to 300 mph. At this point the rocket engine will kick in so that both it and the jet are operating simultaneously; thereby increasing the acceleration to well over 2G.
ENGINES IN TANDEM
If, having reached the maximum speed required, 1,000 mph, that this propulsion combination should give, the car, the rocket thrust will stop, and the jet engine will continue to burn for a few seconds. During this brief period the car will decelerate to about 1.5G. When the jet engine also stops, and the vehicle slows to sub sonic speeds, the aerodynamic drag will reduce dramatically to a point suitable for the release of two parachutes.
HYDRAULIC BRAKES
At this low speed - say about 200 mph- hydraulically operated disc brakes will be used. These will then give the driver - as in formula 1 cars JRRG FRQWURO RYHU WKH ¿QDO VWDJH of the run and the actual stopping point. Now for the turnaround. Remember that the land speed record is calculated from the average speed of
2017
65
the car over two runs, completed within the space of an hour. As such the ability to control the cars stopping and turnaround time is key to the success of the record attempt.
PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS ON THE DRIVER
During the course of this new British and World Land Speed record attempt in Bloodhound the driver, Andy Green, will be subjected to a tremendous series of forces caused by rapid acceleration and deceleration. He will be heated, vibrated and subject to deafening levels of noise - although these are all part of a normal day for ¿JKWHU SLORWV DV LV $QG\
EFFECTS OF G FORCE
The biggest effects he will feel will be as a result of high G force levels. G is the measure of acceleration felt by the driver, expressed as a multiple of gravity pulls. This is 1G. To experience 1G in an ordinary road car you would have to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 3 seconds - truly supercar territory. Bloodhound is over twice that by accelerating to well over 2G. Once the peak speed of over 1,000 mph is reached, and power is cut, this will rapidly reverse to become a 3G deceleration, putting Andy’s body under huge strain.
During the initial acceleration of %ORRGKRXQG WKH * IRUFHV ZLOO ÂżUVW push the blood from his feet towards his head - the equivalent of what is known as negative G in an aircraft - and an uncomfortable sensation. Luckily the body adapts to this quite quickly with the heart and blood vessels quickly accommodating these changes. Unfortunately, WKHVH Ă&#x20AC;XFWXDWLRQV WKHQ PDNH LW WKDW much harder to cope with a sudden application of 3G deceleration.
POTENTIAL BLACKOUT
This increases the dangerous possibility of a blackout as the blood is dragged down towards the driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feet and away from his head, brain and upper torso. This is not unusual IRU D ÂżJKWHU SLORW DQG WKHUH DUH PXVcle responses which Andy Green has been extensively trained to emSOR\ 7KLV LV DOPRVW UHĂ&#x20AC;H[LEO\ VR that it allows him to cope with the sudden strain and physical shock. The other major effect of changes in the G force is the one it has on the inner ear known as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;somatogravic illusionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Human beings, sense â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;up and downâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in a number of ways, one of them being through the balance organs in the ear (these are the ones that get confused and make you feel dizzy from a fairground ride) GRAVITY PULLS AT INNER EAR
During acceleration in the car the inner ear senses gravity pulling the driver backwards into his seat, as though the seat had been tilted backwards giving the impression that the vehicle is pitching upward. This im-
The effect of somatogravic illusion. While the actual is a continuing path the sensation and reaction are in opposite directions. This has been the cause of airline crashes.
pression can be so powerful that the eyes imagine the outside world is actually moving down as the driver pitches up.
DISTRACTING SENSATION Once the deceleration starts the exact reverse occurs and the driver senses a rapid pitch down effect so, having just been driving up a near vertical cliff face, the driver feels he is suddenly plunged downwards. This sensation is very distracting and, ZKLOH ÂżJKWHU SLORWV DUH ZHOO WUDLQHG IRU it, Andy will have to work hard against it on all practice test runs, especially one ultimate effort to reach 1,000 mph. Later this year all the information in this bulletin will have much press and TV coverage but as with most efforts of outstanding challenge we dare not forget the simple fact which forever lurks
in the blackest of shadows. In all areas of great effort, and daring, and subject to conditions of the parameters, triumph
is always forced to walk hand in hand with absolute disaster. This has been proven by men with household names such as Capt Scott, Ernest Shackleton and Sir Edmund Hillary and certainly Donald Campbell.
ÂľFOR BRITAIN AND THE HELL OF ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;
If you asked any of them why â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Fortune should favour the braveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Why they did what they didâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; they would almost certainly reply ...
For Britain and the Hell of itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;
'DYLG *ULIÂżQ
1,000mph FROM A STANDING START
The 12 mile track, in red, is split into three parts and works to the following patternâ&#x20AC;Ś..
0
1
From 1 mile to 11 miles is the distance for absolute deceleration
From a standing start Bloodhound must accelerate from 0 to 1,000 mph in 55 seconds in 1 mile
11 From 11 to 12 mile is a safety run off distance
12
)URP D VWDQGLQJ VWDUW LQ GRWWHG SXUSOH OLQH %ORRGKRXQG 66& PXVW UHDFK PSK E\ WKH HQG RI WKH ÂżUVW mile. This number one mile is the all-important mile for acceleration from start to 1,000 mph in 55 seconds, WKH SDUDPHWHU RI VHFRQGV DV VHHQ LQ )RUPXOD UDFLQJ DUH Ă&#x20AC;H[LEOH From mile 2 to mile 11 (which is a 10 mile stretch in green) is strictly for deceleration with a series of mathematical and engineering procedures to be carried out by the driver. The last mile - 11 to 12 in dotted purple line - is strictly a run off mile for emergency. 66
ANZAC DAY AT
HAREFIELD
+DUHÂżHOG KROGV D YHU\ VLJQLÂżFDQW Âż OG K OG L LÂż place in Anzac Day remembrance which, by the simplicity of its commemoration, is very thought provoking as two pensioners, who had received a private invitation to attend the ceremony in St Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Church +DUHÂżHOG IRXQG RXW Compared to the many other high SURÂżOH FHUHPRQLHV ZKLFK WDNH SODFH in many venues, the inclusion of not just the British Legion, but especially Girl Guides and Boy Scouts, brings a certain lump to oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s throat especially when one thinks of the 111 Australian men and 1 woman interred in the cemetery who, far from home, died in a foreign land, in the prime of their lives.
SOMETHING SPECIAL
:KDW PDNHV +DUHÂżHOG QRZ WKH home of the world renowned pioneering surgery and heart transplants, so special to the memory of Anzac Day is that it was a hospital for Australian wounded to be nursed by Australians. It stands on land which was once +DUHÂżHOG 3DUN WKH KRPH RI DQ H[ patriot, Charles Billyard-Leake, who leased, and then bought the premises in 1909. He offered his house, and 250 acres of parkland, to the Australian Ministry of Defence to provide a convalescent home for wounded Australian soldiers during the war. Responsibility of setting up and running the hospital fell to Sister Ethel Grey and 5 sisters. 7KH ÂżUVW SDWLHQWV VXUYLYRUV RI *DOlipoli, arrived in June 1915. While
the hospital was originally seen as a clearing house for the wounded the enormity of the casualties admitted soon required it to be expanded to accommodate 1000 beds. By the end of the war 15,000 men KDG SDVVHG WKURXJK +DUHÂżHOG ZKLFK necessitated a staff of over 300.
HAREFIELD IS SPECIAL
:KDW PDNHV +DUHÂżHOG VR VSHcial, in respect of the Anzac Day remembrance, is on the Australian War Memorial. Recorded, in the cemetery of this small English village, far from their native land, 111 men and one woman, a nurse, were laid to rest. The one woman is Ruby Dickenson, from Sydney, who died of pneumonia in 1918. Land in the village was still owned by the Lord of the Manor Sir Francis Newdigate and he gave the land, adjoining the Church, to be used as a cemetery for the Australian service men who died here.
OFFICIAL CWGC CEMETRY
Formally laid out in 1921 the cemHWHU\ ZDV RIÂżFLDOO\ GHVLJQDWHG D Commonwealth cemetery by the War Graves commission who continue to maintain it. It is now approached by a memorial gateway. The obelisk, which stands in the cemetery, was jointly presented by Sir Francis Newdigate and Charles Belliard-Leake and carries the inscription â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;To the glory of God who gave the victory and in memory of brave Australian soldiers who after taking part in the great War now UHVW LQ +DUHÂżHOG &HPHWHU\Âś
Sister Ethel Grey and some of the sisters
67
The Anzac observation, honouring the fallen, has continued and HarHÂżHOG SD\V KRPDJH RQ $Q]DF 'D\ each year. 6LQFH WKH ÂżUVW PHPRULDO VHUYLFH was held on April 25, 1918 on the third anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, an annual civic service has been held. Village children have always been much involved and affected by the events of the day; putWLQJ Ă&#x20AC;RZHUV RQ WKH JUDYH KHDGstones. The childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own service, in which they process through the village, was organised by the headPDVWHU DQG ÂżUVW KHOG LQ Flags were exchanged after the arPLVWLFH WKH %ULWLVK Ă&#x20AC;DJ LV FXUUHQWO\ hung in Adelaide high school.
HORRORS OF WAR
The hospital confronted the villagers with the horrors of war on those left behind as the walking wounded became a familiar sight around HarHÂżHOG ,Q WKH PHDQWLPH ORFDO SHRSOH undertook voluntary duties at the hospital running the canteen and organising fund-raising activities In 1951 the Breakspear Chapel in St Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Church, which, commemorates a local family who had connections with Nicholas Breakspear who, in 1154, was the only Englishman to become Pope was dedicated to the Anzacs. MANY BATTLE FRONTS
Starting with Gallipoli the Australians fought in most major battle fronts, the Somme, Arras, Passchendaele, Ypres, Fromelles pozieres, Bapaum, Albert, Villiers-Bretonneux and many more. War shows no mercy but in HarHÂżHOG IRU WKHP VRPH FRUQHU RI D IRUHLJQ ÂżHOG EUDYH KHDUWV ÂżQG SHDFH under an English heaven.
As editor, there was I sitWLQJ LQ P\ RIÂżFH ZKHQ LQ walked a chap in motor cycling leathers, asking for help. So in normal polite Chelsea Pensioner fashion I asked him if I could be of help in seeking what he is looking for.
CHELSEA PENSIONER ON MY BACK
â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Chelsea Pensioner to put on the back of my OHDWKHUV´ KH UHVSRQGHG Âł:HOO´ , VDLG WDNHQ VOLJ htly aback, but trying to remain calm and helpful, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know we have some pensioners of the diminutive variety, and those
who do risky things like, bungee jumping, zip wire antics, wing walking and parachuting, but, as much as I try I cannot see them risking life and limb attached to the back of your OHDWKHUV´ So, after some jocularity, we established that he was with the Royal British Legion Riders and all he wanted was a good Chelsea Pensioner likeness to have painted in the back of his new leathers. NOT IMPRESSED
Therefore I looked through photos of the many pensioners on my computer system. Sorry to say he
was not impressed by any. We also came to the conclusion that neither of us wanted to be accused of favouritism by putting the likeness of any present recognisable Chelsea Pensioner on his back. So we reverted to several RWKHU ÂżOHV XQWLO KH IRXQG one he liked.
AN OPPORTUNITY
Not one to miss an opportunity for an article in The Tricorne he agreed that, if I gave him a copy of the picture he would send a photo of it painted on his leathers and a short write up. What I like about Mikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ÂżQLVKHG OHDWKHU LV WKH WUHD tment of the poppies within the grass. The Royal British Legion Riders, wrote Mike Marshall, which, has a present membership of 6074, is open to anyone, young and old, interested in motorcycles; most being serving or ex members of the armed forces. INTERNATIONAL
Members come from all over the UK Europe, Australia, Canada and America The emphasis is on being pro active in meeting together in the many events during the year, including the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Poppyrunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. These events have raised awareness and funds for the RBL Poppy Appeal. In 2014/15 ÂŁ103,386.01 was raised for the Poppy Appeal. The RBLR have
FIRST BLACK SERGEANT IN BRITISH ARMY
Many British regiments served in the West Indies in the 18th and 19th centuries, and suffered many casualties due to cholera and typhoid. To make up numbers it was decided that slaves could be recruited and would receive their freedom in return. In August 1809 a Jamaican slave, George Rose was enlisted in the 73rd Regiment of Foot (2nd Bn The Black Watch) and went on to serve for 29 years and 293 days. George saw service in Flanders in 1814 where he was wounded, and then fought with the 73rd Regiment at Quatre Bras and Waterloo where he was again severely wounded in his right arm. In 1817 he was transferred to the 1st Battalion and served with distinction with them in 68
formed awards of honour at the repatriations at Brize Norton and Royal Wootten Bassett. Many members have airbrushed waistcoats with a military reference. If you Facebook search Tim Garrett-look for the orange painted tin helmet on his page â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and see some of his incredible work. He did my waistcoat which I had done as my way of showing my respects.
INNER PEACE
I am passing this on because it worked for me. Today Dr Oz said on TV that to reach our inner peace we should always ensure that we do not leave projects and things undone. In fact better not to start one projHFW XQWLO ZH ÂżQLVKHG RII WKH last. We should always enVXUH WKDW ZH ÂżQLVK WKLQJV ZH VWDUW :H ZRXOG DOO ÂżQG more calm in our lives. I looked around my house WR ÂżQG WKLQJV , KDG VWDUW HG DQG KDG QRW ÂżQLVKHG First was the remnants of a bottle of Merlot. So I ÂżQLVKHG WKDW IROORZHG E\ D half bottle of Chardonnay. Next a bodle of Baileys, then a butle of wum, tha mainder of chen yer hisky an a bogs a chocletz lost down viv wodcha. Yu haf no idr how fablus I feel rite now. Chell this to all who weed inner greese.
Gibraltar, Malta and Corfu until his discharge in August 1837. Whilst serving with the 1st Battalion he was proPRWHG &RUSRUDO LQ DQG EHFDPH WKH ÂżUVW EODFN 6HUgeant in the British Army in 1831. George was an out pensioner until 1849 when he returned to Jamaica and settled near Spanish Town where he died in 1873. Apparently the use of black soldiers was widespread during the Napoleonic Wars. Many served in the 69th, a regiment that also served in the West Indies, and there was a black drummer with the 30th Regiment of Foot. Georgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s discharge papers describe him as 5 feet 6 inches, with black hair and eyes, a labourer, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;copper a man of colourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. He was 45 years 6 months old on discharge and received an additional 2 years service towards pension for his service at Waterloo.
TO POACH OR NOT TO POACH; THAT IS THE QUESTION! Shakespeare?
MY WOOD I tread carefully through boggy ground, Wild garlic, white flowered. All around. Sunshine flickers with a greenish hue, Bluebells nodding, white and blue. The path, drier now, is called a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;rideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Then lofty riders on horseback stride. A â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;whipper inâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; his horn so bright, Calls hounds that stray to left and right. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Wirrew, wirrewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; blown to bring them in, His face so red, thumb on his chin. A distant voice calls a high â&#x20AC;&#x201C;pitched â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;awayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, A fox spotted, the first today. A flash of horse-shoes, muddy faces, As horses and hounds are put through their paces; Tall, wide horses, hard to straddle, Children bouncing in the saddle!
This year we are celebrating the 400th year since the death of our most famous writer, William Shakespeare and while a lot has been written about the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Bard of Avonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; there are still some little known pieces of information about him. Not far from Warwick, is Charlecote, where Elizabeth I stayed at the home of Sir Thomas Lucy. Shakespeare is reputed to have stolen a deer. This raises a question, did Sir Thomas Lucy, or did he not, prosecute Shakespeare for stealing a deer. Come to that did Shakespeare really steal it? In fact the location of the alleged incident of the deer is Fulbrooke, just down the road.
SHAKESPEAREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CUPBOARD
,Q D KRXVH LQ 6QLWWHUÂżHOG DERXW miles north of Stratford the so called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Shakespeare Cupboardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; was found. An oblong box about 30 inches high studded, on the front, with brass nails nails. Shakespeare is said to have announced to the world that he was born in 1556 and he made the box. To the west of Stratford are the villages of Bidford, Wixford, Broome, Exhall and Ardens Grafton. Three of these are actually in Gloucestershire but all are connected with a certain drinking match with Shakespeare and friends.
DRINKING MATCH
The story is that one Saturday Shakespeare and his friends walked from Stratford to the Falcon Inn in
Shakespeare before Thomas Lucy by Thomas Brooks, a typical Victorian portrayal of the poaching story
Bidford for a drinking match with the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Topersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of the village. The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Topersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; were away at another drining match. However the good villages of Bidford did not lack courtesy and a match was duly arranged. REBUKED FOR WHISTLING
6XIÂżFH WR VD\ WKDW WKH QH[W WKLQJ Shakespeare knew was that a small boy was whistling while taking his horses to plough. Shakespeare rebuked him for ploughing on a Sunday; he soon discovered that it was Monday and they had slept all throough Sunday under a crab apple tree. Looking round Shakespeare pointed out 8 villages that could be seen and said he had drunk in all of them. He named them as Piping Pebworth, Dancing Marston, Haunted Hillborough, Hungry Grafton, Dudging Exhall, Papist Wexford, Begging Broome and Drunken Bidford. (Dudging is taken by Shakespearean scholars to mean dodging.) Whether or not there is any truth in this story, these villages were all known by the names Shakespeare used not so long ago and they are all close together and not far from Stratford on Avon. Richard Payne Was he beaten and imprisoned for the crime of poaching? He is also rumoured to have stuck a satirical ballad on Sir Lucyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gate! 69
I stand aside and let them go, And walk down to a stream below. There stands a building, ruined and still, The remains of what was once a mill. Now, beams lie on the floor inside, While moss grows on stone walls, astride. Nettled in the corners grow, The water-wheel in its race below. Once turning, splashing, round and round, Now lies dormant on the ground. No more to sing its steady rhythm. Just trapped inside its stony prison. A kingfisher flashed from a willow, Searching the stream for a tiny minnow. Midges dance in a patch of sun, A swallow swoops to catch, just one. I sit and watch the shimmering water, As it meanders round a corner. This wood runs to the Severn, And once gave blue clay for tiles to be riven. And fine Coalport china, beautifully crafted, Cups and vases exquisitely painted. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that? A flash of ginger in the bushes, watching! Old Reynards got away and, laughing, Goes to hunt another rabbit. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not hungry, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just a habit. I know heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s by his favourite pool; Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen him back in with a mouthful of wool. His fleas move up his back, you know, And into the gathered sheepâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wool go. He dips his head into the pool. The wool and fleas are gone, how cool! This wood that I thought of a mine, Belongs to nature all the time.
Simon De Buisseret
DOUG AT THE FALL OF SINGAPORE
I interviewed Douglas in April 2016 when he was 98 years young and claiming to be the second oldest pensioner presently in the RHC. Born in Chiswick on 4 September 1917 he served with the Territorial Army prior to the start of World War 2, then joining the Royal Artillery and served with an Anti-Aircraft Battery. There were only 9 men in his unit so, during the bad winter of 1939/40, they had to stag 2 hours on, 2 off most nights.
was properly fed and medicially checked over. Later he was put on a ship bound for Southampton and on arrival the was put in a camp for 2 or 3 days until he was discharged and allowed to go home at last.
moved, by ship, to Saigon in Vietnam, where he was put to work in the docks and where they all lived in a hut on the dock-side.
LONDON TRANSPORT
RICE, RICE & RICE
Fed 3 times a day on rice, their breakfast consisted of rice and molasses; lunch with a weak stew and in the evenings rice with a stronger stew. Douglas related that he managed to ‘dodge’ being sent up to work on the infamous Burma railway but many of his friends were SINGAPORE not so fortunate and subseIn 1940 Doug was moved quently died. Although Douglas says WR 6KHI¿HOG DQG WKHQ RQWR Bristol where he dealt with he suffered no illnesses but had an accident when incendiaries. His next move was to he broke his right shin. He Southend where he collec- was hospitalised by the ted his tropical gear and Japanese in a Saigon hospthen travelled up to the ital and later received a Clyde where his unit boar- War Disability Pension for ded a troopship bound for his suffering. LEAFLETS Singapore. He only found out that the Arriving in Singapore, war was over when some shortly before the surrender to the Japanese, he be- 86 SODQHV ÀHZ RYHU DQG came a Prisoner of War. GURSSHG OHDÀHWV DV WKH FRS\ of Doug’s original below, Shortly after they were
70
Doug Hassall
one side American the other Japanese) and later US planes landed nearby. $V WKH ¿UVW SODQH RXW ZDV D 5HG &URVV ÀLJKW KH FRXOG not get on it, which was lucky for him as it crashed and all on board were killed including his good friend Fred Dawes.
He worked initially in a suitcase makers factory and then in the London 7UDQVSRUW 2I¿FH 'RXJlas met and married Irene. They were married for 34 years and had two daughters, Susan and Elaine. LAST JAPANESE POW IN PENSIONER
It appears that Douglas was the last In Pensioner who had survived being a Japanese POW. We sincerely hope Douglas will get his telegram from the TENTED CAMP Queen on the 4th Septem +H ZDV ODWHU ÀRZQ E\ WKH ber 2017, he has certainly US Air Force to Rangoon earned it. where he spent some time John Gallagher in a tented camp while he
CELEBRATING QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY IN THE MTI
very generously donated his extensive collection of gallantry medals to the Imperial War Museum and I thoroughly recommend a visit to see them. Even Collecting coins is a pop- the London Fire Brigade; lesser gallantry medals ular hobby in this country, the Gloucestershire Consuch as the Distinguished but to me a coin is an im- stabulary; even the New Service Order (DSO) or personal, inanimate object. Zealand Fire Brigade! the Military Cross (MC) DIFFERENT THEMES A medal has much more can set you back a couple I have other friends character and can usualof thousand pounds. Howly be closely tied to one who collect purely army ever you can buy an interperson; most medals bear medals to the Gloucesteresting trio of WW1 medals shire Regiment, the Indian the name of the recipient. to a good British Infantry As Chelsea Pensioners Army post Independence MEDAL GROUP Regiment for ÂŁ200-ÂŁ250. many of us wear a wide va- and the Army Veterinary I have a group of medals Modern medals can also riety of medals, from those Corps. in my collection to a be expensive. Serving solMy own collection member of the Gloucester- diers today just donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t refor WW2 through to the campaigns of the 20th and has two or three differ- shire Fire Service. He had alise the value of their ent themes. I have sever- served in the Royal Navy medals; a single Iraq 21st Centuries. SMALL SHINY METAL al family medals; before I during WW2 before be- medal can cost ÂŁ200-ÂŁ300, So what is it about these came to Chelsea I lived in FRPLQJ D ÂżUHPDQ ,Q WKH a South Atlantic medal small pieces of shiny metal Cheltenham and I collect- late 1990s he was very (The Falklands) to a Royal with their brightly colour- ed medals of people from ill in Cheltenham Gener- Marine or the Parachute ed ribbons that so fasci- that town. al Hospital and wanted to Regiment would fetch nates me and the many I collect medals for ser- give his medals to his son. over ÂŁ1000. other medal collectors in vice in Aden (I was there His son wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t interest- ANYONE INTERESTED? in 1965) and I now have ed, so he gave them to his Anyone who may be interthe country? My time in the army has a new interest - medals to daughter. ested in collecting medals, given me a great interest in people from the Chelsea Before her father had even or just discussing the hismilitary history and collect- and Battersea area. There died she sold the medals to tory of these men and ing medals is just one way are literally hundreds of a local dealer from whom I women (I have just one of allowing me to research different themes available bought them. Even if the medal to a woman!) please a soldierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s story. While to the collector â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the world family arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t interested, I get in touch with me. We the medals themselves are is your oyster! might even be able to will keep his story alive! ACQUIRING MEDALS Long Service & Good Con- form a Chelsea Branch of RIWHQ YHU\ DWWUDFWLYH , ÂżQG the research fascinating: i) Medal dealers obvious- duct medals can be a worth- The Orders & Medals Reâ&#x20AC;&#x153;Who was Corporal Blog- O\ , JHQHUDOO\ ÂżQG WKLV WKH while collecting theme and search Society? gins and what did he do to best option. A dealer may one of the medals I have LS&GC to GNR Joseph be awarded the Military already have done some to a Pensioner is a VictoriCowan - his only medal initial research into the re- an LS&GC to Gunner and 0HGDO LQ "´ LONDON FIRE BRIGADE cipient, so you will know Driver Joseph Cowan, who However, medal collect- if he came from a particu- came to the Royal Hospiing can involve so much lar town you are interest- tal in 1869 and died here more than just army ed in or took part in a par- in 1882. He was buried in medals. I have friends ticular campaign; also you Brompton cemetery. who collect medals from should be able to get your MEDAL COST Fireman Harris' medals: 1939-45 star, Atlantic star How much do medals (France & Germany clasp), Defence medal, War medal, cost? Obviously if you Fire Brigade Long Service medal. want to buy a Victoria Cross, you will have to spend an awful lot of PRQH\ $Q ÂłRUGLQDU\´ VC, if there is such a thing, could cost in the region of ÂŁ150,000 and a recent award from Iraq or Afghanistan could be ÂŁ250,000 plus! Way outside of my price range and best left to the likes Mick Kippin of Lord Ashcroft, who has
MEDALS AND THEIR INTRINSIC VALUE
money back if there is a problem. ii) The Internet, especially E Bay, but buyer beware; you may not always get the medals you think you are getting! iii) Buy from the family; medal collectors are often reliant on families that are not interested in keeping grandadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s medals from WW1 or WW2. PersonalO\ , ÂżQG LW YHU\ VDG ZKHQ medals leave a family.
71
FIRST BAILEY BRIDGE IN FRANCEOVER RIVERS AND â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;PUDDLESâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;
On D-Day minus 7, we were given a 48 hour pass to visit home or where HYHU EXW ZLWK YHU\ VSHFLÂżF LQVWUXFtions not to divulge to anyone where we were stationed, which was at Denmead Forest of Bere near Portsmouth, having been training at the Witterings West Sussex, for two weeks, on various types of landing craft On return from furlough we continued with our training; mostly physical, lectures and explanation of models, and photographs of our landing site in great detail. PLASTIC EXPLOSIVE
We each carried 20 one-pound packs of plastic explosive, each ready primed with detonators, the fumes of which gave us violent headaches. Our objective was to destroy the sea defences erected by the Germans; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Tetrahedronsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Rommelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gatesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, etc, many of which had a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Teller Mineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (anti-tank mine) attached to them, to enable them to destroy landing craft in 6 ft of water. Also we cut 3 ft long â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;withyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s from the hedgerow to use to probe the beach for soft spots so that we could mark the area with red metal triangles to warn vehicles of unsafe areas. MAID OF ORLEANS
We embarked onto the Maid of Orleans, (below) Southern Railway cross channel ferry on D-Day minus 2 and anchored off the Isle of White anticipating to sail that night. Unfortunately this was cancelled due to inclement weather and we eventually sailed on the night of the 5th at 23.30 hr. disembarking onto a LCT/T at about 05.30
This entailed jumping from a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sally portâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; onto a 3 ft sq platform. To cope with a tide rise and fall of 7 ft, was particularly hazardous. In doing so my feet slipped and luckily I was held up by 2 pairs of hands. But this resulted in me dropping my withy. While our OC was not best pleased we were nevertheless unable to use them as the tide was high, making us approximately 1hr late in landing. The seas were running high and, as WKH /& ZDV D Ă&#x20AC;DW ERWWRP FUDIW PDQ\ were violently sick. I was detailed to offer a tot of rum to anybody who wanted it. But as there were few takHUV DQRWKHU VDSSHU DQG , ÂżQLVKHG WKH bottle; ensuring we remained sober! EXACTLY AS THE MODELS
At approximately 08.30 hr we disembarked from the LC. Down the long side of the ramp was a hawser to stop us falling off the side. But as I walked forwards the wire parted and I thought, that was close. I ran into the sea which was 3 to 4 ft deep and ran the 25 yds to the top of the beach where there was an 18 in high parapet. Everything was exactly as the landscape models we had been shown with a hotel and the cottages. My section sergeant called over to me and said â&#x20AC;&#x153;Take this lad with you DQG FOHDU D IRRWSDWK WR WKH URDG´ He gave me a large coil of white tape as a lane marker. I said to this VDSSHU Âł/HWV JR´ DQG VOLG RYHU WKH parapet. He said â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what to do Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve only been in the Army 6 ZHHNV´ , ZDV VKRFNHG DV VDSSHU training was for 12 weeks, and con-
tinuous. I then showed him how to prod the sand with his bayonet, ensuring he followed a set pattern so that we had a 3 foot wide path. We had crawled approximately 100 yd when I saw, in front of us an anti-personnel mine. I explained to the sapper what I was doing. As I turned the fuse anticlockwise it came loose. My immediate thought was that it was either booby-trapped or incorUHFWO\ ÂżWWHG , FKHFNHG DOO URXQG DQG to my relief there was nothing there. ONLY A SNARE
Eventually we reached the road and on our return I saw a wire running under a hedge. As I bent down to examine it I noticed a staff car driving along the clear path and shoutHG DW WKH GULYHU WR VWRS $ VWDII RIÂżcer got out and started walk towards us. I shouted at him that he was in a PLQHÂżHOG +H YHU\ TXLFNO\ JRW EDFN in his car. When I checked the wire I ZDV UHOLHYHG WR ÂżQG WKDW LW ZDV RQO\ a snare! Returning to the beach I found my section sergeant and everything appeared to be organised chaos. He said Âł:H DUH RII WR &ROOHYLOOH VXU 2UQH´ to prepare a landing site for another wave of gliders. We walked in a line DFURVV WKH ÂżHOGV ZKLFK KDG WHOHJUDSK poles (Rommelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hedgehogs) erected as an anti-glider area. PHYSICALLY EXHAUSTED
We started to blow down the poles but, after about 15 min, we were ordered off as gliders were arriving. Too early for some they earned the tiWOH ÂľĂ&#x20AC;\LQJ FRIÂżQVÂś %\ QRZ DOWKRXJK we were all physically exhausted, we still had to dig in, against a possible a counter-attack so we were on full alert during a night. At dawn we relieved the 6th Airborne at the canal EULGJH DW %HQRXYLOOH ZKHUH RXU ÂżUVW task was to remove the German exSORVLYH FKDUJHV DQG ÂżW RXU RZQ FIRST BAILEY BRIDGE IN FRANCE
%XLOGLQJ WKH ÂżUVW %DLOH\ %ULGJH LQ days, over the next 2 weeks, we repaired and maintained the 2 bridges over the canal and Orne River as they ZHUH GDPDJHG E\ VKHOOÂżUH :H EXLOW WKH ÂżUVW %DLOH\ %ULGJH LQ France over the canal and it was our OCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proud boast that â&#x20AC;&#x153;This company will bridge every river and canal WR %HUOLQ´ DQG , EHOLHYH ZH GLG SOXV a few puddles as well! Frank Mouque
72
REMEMBER ME AS YOU PASS BY, AS YOU ARE NOW, SO ONCE WAS I. Anon
â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Til then be thankful you can stand with me Thinking of those who now cannot For standing here today with me At least we show theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not forgot
PERMANENT TRIBUTE
The gates will stand as a permanent and moving tribute to rugby players from England, but also from all nations, who have served their country DQG VDFULÂżFHG WKHLU OLIH RU KDYH VXIfered life changing injuries. They will serve to remind that such events are sadly not just in the past but are relevant today as witnessed by the ongoing support that the 2016 Army Navy Match charity, the Royal British Legion, continues to give to Service men and women, and of course their families today. Steve Lovelock
Prior to the excitement, the colour and passion of the 99th Army Navy Rugby Match, In Pensioners Steve Lovelock and Derek Walters BEM had the privilege to be at the unveiling of sculptor Harry Grayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rose and Poppy Gates by RFU President, Jason Leonard OBE, and the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Phillip Jones KCB.
gate lock; or in rugby terms the man at the front. As you lift your H\HV \RX VHH WKH ÂżUVW EURQ]H EDU to represent going over the top, before the roses become poppies at the top of the gates.
GERMAN SHELL CASINGS
These poppies are cast from original German shell casings and, as the light falls on them, THE POPPY LINK they create further poppies in shadow on the gate pillars. GlancIn these memorial gates Harry LQJ RQFH PRUH WR WKH Ă&#x20AC;RRU UHhas truly captured the link betveals the shadow of 15 more popween the players, who wore the (QJOLVK URVH XSRQ WKH UXJE\ ÂżHOG pies on the ground, representing a team of fallen players. A very and who joined the thousands of PRYLQJ DQG ÂżWWLQJ WULEXWH WR brothers in arms and suffered the VDPH XOWLPDWH VDFULÂżFH WKDW LV VR the link between rugby and the Armed Forces. poignantly remembered through As you stand in front of the the red poppy. THE ROSE LINK JDWHV LW LV DOVR ZRUWK UHĂ&#x20AC;HFWLQJ RQ the words of John Baileyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s poem, The rose on the 1914 Grand â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Taking a Standâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; which was read Slam winning jersey was the inspiration of Ronnie Pouton-Palm- at the unveiling by former international, Lewis Moody OBE, the er, captain of England, who was RFUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Great War Ambassador. killed by a sniper at Ypres, and EVOCATIVE THOUGHT ZKRVH ÂżQDO ZRUGV ZHUH VDLG WR EH The whole poem provokes deep â&#x20AC;&#x153;I will never player at Twickenand evocative thought. But for DJDLQ´ 7KURXJK WKH ÂżQH ZRUN RI Harry Gray he will continue to be those servicemen, from the Army remembered by those who follow. DQG 1DY\ ZKR ZLOO EH WKH ÂżUVW TEAM REPRESENTATION teams to pass through the gates, SHUKDSV WKH ÂżQDO OLQHV DUH WKH As you look at the gates, along most apt for their colleagues who the bottom, are 15 roses repreare no longer able to attend the senting the 15 players in a team, with the highest rose forming the biggest annual Service reunion: 73
TAKING A STAND John Bailey I ask you to stand with me For both the injured and the lost I ask you to keep count with me Of all the wars and what they cost I ask you to be silent with me Quietly grateful for our lot As I expect youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re as thankful as me For the health and life weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got I ask that you wish them well with me All those still risking their all And I ask that you remember with me The names of those that fall I expect that you are proud like me Of this great nation of ours too So enjoying all its freedoms like me Support those upholding them for you I hope that you are hopeful like me That weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll soon bring an end to wars So youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have to stand no more with me And mourning families no different from yours â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Til then be thankful you can stand with me Thinking of those who now cannot For standing here today with me At least we show theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not forgot
ROYAL BRITISH LEGION PERSONAL RECOVERY CENTER EDINBURGH I accompanied 5 IPs who were in- ÂżULQJ RI WKH RÂśFORFN JXQ ZKLFK
vited up to Edinburgh for a few days in April to visit a Royal British Legion Personal Recovery Center (PRC). We all arrived on the Tuesday afternoon after a longer than expected journey from London. Upon arriving at the PRC we met some of the pensioners who lived at the center for afternoon tea.
After this we relaxed in our rooms for an hour before heading out to the Garrison Sergeantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mess for a formal meal where the food, as well as the company, was incredible. The next day we were taken to Edinburgh castle where we enjoyed a VIP tour. We could not have asked for better weather on the day and the views from the castle were spectacular. We were also asked to be present for the
PDGH XV DOO MXPS DV LW ZDV ÂżUHG After this it was over to the Castleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2IÂżFHUÂśV 0HVV IRU D KDJJLV OXQFK Once this amazing lunch was devoured it was back on the bus and a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia. While it had been a long day it was not yet over. So back to the PRC for a couple of hours rest then out again
for another evening meal at â&#x20AC;&#x153;The 'RPH´ UHVWDXUDQW LQ WKH FHQWHU RI (Ginburgh. Again this was another fantastic meal, enjoyed by all. The next day, Thursday, was breakfast at the PRC then to the train station for the long return journey to London. I suppose the journey was QRW DOO EDG WUDYHOOLQJ ÂżUVW FODVV RQ Virgin certainly helps! Lance Bolton.
NOSE DIVE ENTRY TO THE FLOWER SHOW On the Monday morning of the start of Ă&#x20AC;RZHU VKRZ , ZDV LQ P\ EOXHV walking along West Road pavement to the Kerry Centre when I tripped and WRRN D WXPEOH ODQGLQJ Ă&#x20AC;DW RXW ZLWK P\ nose breaking the fall; all of which resulted in the loss of much blood and a great deal of dignity. Luckily a policeman and a small crowd of people saw it happen and, I must say, they helped conVLGHUDEO\ YHU\ TXLFNO\ ÂżQGLQJ D UROO RI toilet paper to soak the blood up.
STRAPPING ME IN
The policeman phoned the Red Cross who arrived very quickly with a wheelchair. Strapping me in they told me it was to stop me falling out, as the ground was rather rough; I thought it was to stop me getting away. This was late afternoon DQG VR LW ZRXOG EH WKH ÂżUVW MRE RI WKH GD\ for them and I felt they wanted something to do, or somebody, to practice
on. Which, for me, wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t to be missed as two young ladies wheeled me to the First Aid Post in the Flower Show area.
ENJOY THE RIDE
As I was in blues I explained that we are not allowed into the Flower Show until tomorrow; and then only wearing my Scarlet. They said politely â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;shut up and enjoy the rideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. When we arrived at the First Aid Post I received the full works; temperature tests, blood pressure twice and blood sample; all of which took time. After all I had already lost as (Tony Hancock would say) â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;about an armfulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. I was washed and cleaned up, had a nice cup of tea and, with two nice young laGLHV , ZDV HVFRUWHG RXW RI WKH Ă&#x20AC;RZer show, through the back gate with a promise to return tomorrow. But wearing my Scarlet, for a cup of tea. So of course I did! Alan Brunger
74
BRUCE PRESENTS MEDAL TO HIS DAUGHTER
While on leave at my daughterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in Eildon in Scotland, she asked me to give a talk on the Royal Hospital Chelsea to her unit. As I had a talk set up on my laptop I agreed, but had to cut it down 50 percent from one and a half hours. So I found myself, in scarlet, -what else - at E Detachment 205, Calverhouse Trg Cent, 8 Granton Square. After their training programme I was introduced to their PSAO Capt Stewart D.
TALK ON THE RHC
I started my talk on entry to the RHC, how it came about, the many ways of funding and the people, plus what part they played. After this I moved to the present day and how pensioners make use of their day in the running of the RHC. Having covered those areas I threw in a few funnies, like phoning 999 for the hospital. This went well as the audience were doctors, nurses, ambulance personnel and para medics during their normal working day. $W WKH HQG RI P\ WDON , ÂżQLVKHG E\ thanking them, or so I thought. But Capt Stewart came up to me and said that, due to the fact they had never had a Chelsea Pensioner, would I mind presenting a medal for them. To which I agreed.
UNIQUE PRESENTATION
But then, to my surprise he informed me that the recipient was none other than my daughter, Capt Ozane. The medal was a volunteer reserves services medal awarded for 10 years service; with a bar for each 5 years thereafter. To the best of my knowledge the presentation of a medal by a pensioner from the Royal Hospital, especially to his daughter, is rather unique.
MY WAR TIME MEMORIES
In 1944 I joined the Royal Corps of Signals and trained to be a keyboard and line operator, on teleSULQWHU WH[W PDFKLQH ÂżHOG telephone switchboard, and sending and receiving morse messages at a minimum of 15 words a minute. My memory of England, during those war years was of a tremendous cheerfulness, in spite of the horror and tragedy that surrounded us. Jokes were made about everything, with a great deal of singing the old well known songs. FULL BLAST SINGING
A hall full of men singing full blast is well worth hearing. Dancing went on too, every Saturday night at the Palaise, and it was always crowded. I remember the awful food we had both at school and in the services, There was no butter, hardly any sugar or meat, no fruit, except locally grown apples, and only one egg a week. Things were very hard, but the most puzzling thing of all was the blackout. Train travel was awful as all the station signs were removed for security reasons, so you never knew where you were, and it took many hours to get anywhere.
doss down for the night. A good one was Clapham underground run by the Salvation Army, and they did so very well, with 3 or 4 tier bunks running down the length of the platforms. Housing several thousand people every night, one could get a nice English breakfast for half a crown. OVERSEAS POSTING
When V.E.day came I was stationed at North Mimms transit camp waiting to be posted overseas and a group of us decided to go up to Trafalgar Square to join in the celebrations. As our camp was in the middle of nowhere we had to hitch-hike lifts in several army lorries. Hitch-hiking was common in those days due to the petrol rationing. Also as there were very few cars, people were very understanding of service people, who had no transport of their own. HUGE CROWDS
We eventually got to Trafalgar Square where a huge crowd of people were singing and dancing. Some people tried to make speeches but nobody could hear them for the din. Nevertheless we had a lovely time and did not get back to camp until very late. Normally we would have DOODLE-BUGS been in trouble, but on At the time of the Doo- that day no-body was pundle-Bugs I was in London ished. for quite a long time and that Shortly after I was posted ZDV WKH ÂżUVW WLPH , WKRXJKW to Germany where I spent that people were begin- 3 years in the British ning to become frightened, Sector, and saw Germany as the Doodle-Bugs engine at its lowest ebb. had a nasty habit of switchRUINED CITIES ing off 10 seconds before The ruined cities, thin they landed with a tremen- people living in cellars, no dous crash. You knew that heating, plumbing or elecsomewhere some unfortu- tricity. Sick starving chilnate person suffered. dren begging for food, and I spent quite a lot of time no young men left most in air raid shelters, par- killed or held in POW ticularly in converted un- camps. I fell in love with derground stations where the beautiful countryside, hundreds of people would and 40 years later I re-
turned to see an economic miracle, all the cities rebuilt, lots of prosperity and DOO WKH SHRSOH ÂżW DQG ZHOO very different from when I had seen them last, and I could hardly believe my eyes, but it was good to see it. Helen Andrews
SUPPORTING MACMILLAN NURSES
Thirteen Chelsea Pensioners were guests at an Open Garden Day at Lambeth Palace in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, held to raise funds for six new Macmillan Support Workers based at St Georgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital. Working along side the Macmillan nurses they will relieving them of their non medical duties, thereby freeing them up to spend more time caring for their patients. St Georgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital Macmillan team is very excited about getting these new posts, as it allows them to improve and increase the services they are able to offer.
The sun shone brightly and these delightful, hidden gardens were enjoyed by a large number of visitors from far and wide. Sandwiches, cakes, coffee, tea and a glass of Prosecco were on offer and there was a tombola and stalls laden with Lambeth Palace produce and Macmillan gifts. The atmosphere was enhanced by the gentle playing of a string quartet. RARE & CALM OASIS
Lambeth Palace has been the residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury for some 800 years. The beautiful 11 acre gardens with their wide lawns, ancient trees and well mainADDING GREAT CHARM tained borders are the â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are delighted to wel- oldest continually cultured come our Chelsea Pensioner in London. They create a guests, who add great charm rare and calm oasis from to the event and a very wel- the hurly burly of the surcome splash of scarlet rounding area. against the green tabards This open garden event worn by our team of volun- was one of several kindly teer Macmillan Cancer Sup- allowed to be held by the SRUW KHOSHUV ´ FRPPHQWHG Archbishop of CanterLiza Roe, one of the organ- bury during the spring and isers, as she snapped the summer months for the group photograph below. EHQHÂżW RI FKDULWLHV
75
EXERCISE GREEN BERET
â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Eight volunteers wanted to take part in exercise green beretâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; was part of the notice printed on part 1 orders. Having previously heard about previous exercises some of my friends had been on over the last year, I decided to take the plunge and volunteer. One week later an instructor, from Jungle Warfare School in Malaya, came to meet his 8 eager volunteers and brief us all about the exercise we were to take part in. COMMUNIST WIVES
He told us that a group of royal marines had been in the jungle for a week or two, doing jungle warfare. Ourselves, and the party of Gurkhas, were to play communist soldiers and wives and would be taken into the jungle where the Gurkhas had built a camp for themselves, and one lower down the hill for our group. It would be the job of the 0DULQHV WR WU\ DQG LQÂżOWUDWH both camps then, after giving us these basic details, he told us to collect our jungle greens, water bottle, blanket, cooking utensils, and all equipment necessary for being in the jungle. He also informed us that a 3 ton truck would pick us up on the Tuesday morning at 07.00 hr UNDESIRABLE VISIONS
I began to wonder if I had done the right thing in volunteering for this exercise, as I had visions of meeting tigers, snakes, leeches and other undesirable creatures. I think we all realised our folly and felt the same way. Nevertheless we all had a great laugh trying on our jungle greens and exploring the rest of our kit. The night before we went found me packing my kit bag. No summer skirts or
frocks or nighties. Instead thick socks, towel, washing kit, pair of shorts, T shirts, underwear and sarong. The latter was to make us look more authentic as communist wives. OUTSIDE GUARDROOM
The next morning we gathered outside the guard room to await our transport which arrived just before 07.00 hr. We clambered aboard and settled down as comfortably as possible. Believe me travelling in the back of a 3 ton truck, on a slatted woodHQ EHQFK Âż[HG WR WKH VLGH of the lorry, was not the height of luxury. After about three quarters of an hour we crossed the Johore Straights and carried on until we arrived at the jungle warfare school. WATER CONTAINERS
Here, as well as having DQRWKHU EULHÂżQJ ZH FROlected our instructor, plus a second instructor, and also took on board our compo rations and great containers of water. :H VHW RII RQ WKH ÂżQDO OHJ of our journey and arrived at the roadside nearest to our camp about one and a half hours later. The Gurkhas were there to meet us and they carried all the water containers and boxes of compo rations while we were left to just carry our kit bags. After about another 30 minutes trekking through dense jungle we came to a clearing which was the Gurkhas camp.. They made us all very welcome with cups of tea, before showing us our camp lower down the hill side. While we were enjoying a cup of tea our instructor explained more about our role. We were to dress in sarongs and T-shirts and 76
just stay in our camp. He said that the outer perimeter had been booE\ WUDSSHG IRU WKH EHQHÂżW of the Marines and if they were triggered the Gurkhas would be alerted and deploy to capture the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;enemyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. But when we were told we would only have one meal a day. as this is the way the Gurkhas lived when in the jungle and it would be at 18:00 hr, some faces dropped. INTERROGATION
The instructor said that if any Marines were captured we would be called up to the upper camp to help interrogate them. Eventually we were shown our camp which was just one long hut made out of poles covered with elephant leaves. It had a door at each end and four bashas - a jungle bed, created from a groundsheet stretched between four crossed poles about 3 ft off the ground - down the centre, with about 2 ft space between the wall and the bashas. JUNGLE GREENS
We changed out of jungle greens into T-shirt and sarong but me, not the being so brave, put my shorts on underneath my sarong. We were also informed that water would be brought down to us in a container each day which would be UHÂżOOHG ZLWK IUHVK ZDWHU Delving into our camp ration packs, which also
contained a little burner stove, we cooked ourselves a meal of stew, potatoes, peas and, for our sweet, we ate chocolate. GHOST STORIES
When it got dark, at about KU ZH OLW WKH ERQÂżUH Our other means of light ZHUH SDUDIÂżQ ODPSV 6LWWLQJ URXQG WKH ERQÂżUH ZH began telling ghost stories and, as you can imagine, in the middle of the jungle, with only the light of the ERQÂżUH DQG WKH SLQ SRLQW LV JOLPPHU RI ÂżUHĂ&#x20AC;LHV oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s imagination certainly got carried away. Two of our party decided they needed to use the loo: which was of very limited style, hidden in the bushes. When 10 minutes had passed, and they had not returned, we began to worry that something or someone had got them. ALMIGHTY CRASH
Then suddenly there was an almighty crash. We screamed. I grabbed my friend, and wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t aiming to let go. I never felt so frightened in my life. Then, suddenly, the two girls appeared, laughing. It was them playing tricks by throwing a log into the bushes. After things had quietened down our instructor came down from the top camp with a megaphone and asked us to use it as psychological warfare on the Marines. Rather like
JOHN’S ALL’S WELL THAT LANDS WELL SKY DIVE
At the end of September 2015 I committed myself to doing something I had wanted to do for a long time. This short account of my 13,000 ft skydive is by way of a thank you to the many Chelsea pensioners DQG RI¿FHUV ZKR SXW WKHLU hands in their pockets and produced over £600 in sponsorship. Tokyo Rose. We shouted he did not yield. Then he The story does not end out about big juicy succu- went back to the jungle This happened a couple there. The jump was arranlent steaks, ice cream, Tiger beer, none of which of times more during the ged by a very good friend lly start: 05.15 hr. h On we had. But it must have day and later that evening, of mine, Dawn Huggins, arrival it was a bit misty, made their mouths water as one prisoner, when he saw wife of a Yeoman wardbut by the time we had they had to live on what the our hut, asked if we slept er at the tower of London, FRPSOHWHG RXU EULH¿QJ WKH jungle had to offer snake, there. We said yes and who, at the time was workmist had burnt off, so we he replied “Oh I walked ing for breast cancer. monkey, wild pig etc. ZHUH WKH ¿UVW DHURSODQH LAY PETRIFIED WKURXJK WKHUH ODVW QLJKW´ She also wanted to do off the ground. Eventually we all retired So that solved my ‘honey a parachute jump. Dawn Dawn jumped immefrom the night all sleeping bear’ problem. Next morn- is very much into workdiately behind me and in our sarongs and T-shirt ing we had to pack up to ing with computers. So she we landed about 30 secwith just a blanket over move out by 10.00 hr. set about putting the deonds apart. All is well that us. After much giggling ready to meet the transport tails, on a payment system, lands well. we settled down and I lay at the side of the road. We on behalf of Breast Canawake for ages. Sudden- were all sorry to be leaving cer Now. The extra support One last fact Sam Cameron travelled with us and ly I could hear something as we thoroughly enjoyed we received sent our total paid for our lunch which money raised to £3220 the exercise. walking by my basha. I thought was a very nice TALES TO TELL Other relevant facts. The It was pitch black and I touch my thanks to all. OD\ SHWUL¿HG QRW GDULQJ WR We travelled back to our jump was in Camridgeopen my eyes. I whispered Jungle Warfare School shire, so it was a very ear- John Honey to someone in the next ba- where, after a good meal sha that there is someone, and shower, some of us PRESENTATION OF LEGION D’HONNEUR On 31st May, at the Royal Hospital, Contre-Admiral or something, by my ba- practiced archery while Patrick Chevallereau and Colonel Antoine de Loustal sha. The response I got others went for swim in SUHVHQWHG WKH /HJLRQ G¶+RQQHXU WR &KHOVHD 3HQVLRQHUV was that it would probably the camp pool. Soon it was be a honey bear. I eventu- time to leave to go back Seated, left to right are:to Singapore. Sadly we JAMES GEORGE who enlisted into the Gordon ally fell asleep. Highlanders in 1942, served for 4 years and was deTHUNDER FLASHES waved goodbye and clamNext morning, for rev- bered aboard the truck mobbed with the rank of Corporal. eille, the Gurkhas threw a and set off. What tales we PATRICK HOGAN who joined the 3rd Battalion Irish WKXQGHU ÀDVK DW RXU KXW WR would have to tell when Guards in 1942, served for 4 years and was demobbed wake us. Following which we got back to camp. I with the rank of Corporal. we took it in turns to have a can honestly say it was the BOB LEECE who enlisted into the King’s Regiment in 1943, served for 4 years and was demobbed with the quick wash, in a tin basin, most thrilling and enjoy- rank of Corporal. able time of my life. then brewed a cup of tea. Later we went to the up- Marjorie Cole per camp for our orders DEALING WITH ILLEGAL for the day. Suddenly we PARKING heard a loud bang: one of RUSSIAN STYLE the booby-traps had been sprung. Our instructor and 4 Gurkhas rushed off and soon came back with a Marine as prisoner. Here we had to interrogate him, threaten him, then take his boot laces out of his boots; 77
TAXI DRIVERS HOST YPRES VISIT
On 10th May, courtesy of the London Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA), we embarked on our journey to the Menin Gate Belgium.We loaded up at 06-15 with the intention of leaving by 06-30. But like all military operations it was a case of hurry up and wait. Being ex military we were all used to this situation. The driver of our cab was a canny lad by the name of Bob Deeney, an ex-military police man and now a serving civilian policeman who Mike Smith and I got on well with.
BLACK CAB CONVOY
Eventually setting off in convoy of about ten black cabs, the drive down to Dover was uneventful and enabled us to get to know our driver a little bit better, as I am sure did the other pensioners with their respective drivers. On the way we were joined by other black cabs which had collected veterans from
other locations around the south of England. We all gathered for a break at junction 11 on the M20 before continuing the journey in an even bigger convoy. Before we got to Dover our driver gave us an ÂŁ8.00 food voucher, and when we arrived at Dover we gave the driver our passports so he could hand in all three to be checked.
WRONG PASSPORT
Amazingly one of the taxi drivers had, on his way out of his home mistakenly picked up his wifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passport. But, after some deliberation with customs, he was allowed to continue his journey with us. Once on board the ferry we decided to have breakfast, or was it lunch. :KHQ , JRW ÂżVK FKLSV DQG FRIIHH I had a surprise. The cashier asked for ÂŁ3 more with the voucher! 7KH FURVVLQJ ZDV FDOP ZLWK D Ă&#x20AC;DW sea fortunately, because I am not a sailor. I looked into the duty free
78
VKRS MXVW WR ÂżQG RXW WKH SULFHV RI certain items for our return journey. We were pleasantly surprised to see, or not to see, hordes of illegal migrants waiting to pounce onto us, but then we were going the wrong way for them. We eventually arrived at the French/ Belgian border, we say border post but it was all closed and looked derelict. We waited there for half an hour or so for our police escort. When they did arrive we were surprised to see them wearing bright pink helmets, although the motorbikes seemed to be bog standard. They escorted us all the way to Ypres, one local suggested we should call the place wipers. The police blocked the main roads and WUDIÂżF OLJKWV WR DOORZ XV WKURXJK ZH felt like we were royalty, all the way to the town centre and the Cloth Hall car park. A MEAL MORE LIKE A BANQUET
Having assembled in the car park the committee sent 10 cabs at a time to the hotel to unload their passengers as the streets around the hotel entrance were narrow and busy with ORFDO WUDIÂżF It transpired that the building next to the car park was the place we were to have a meal later that evening. I say meal, it was more like a banquet. Then, when it came our turn to unload our driver drove into a car park a hundred or so yards from the hotel and said â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is it
deal you can say about a continenWDO EUHDNIDVW LW ÂżOOV D VSDFH DQG WKDW is it. The LTDA committee once again did a marvellous job of getting us pensioners and the veterans into the taxis for the drive to the museum which was only a few miles actually, so arriving there just after 10:00hr. The Belgians along the roads that we were driven must have heard off our presence in the area, everywhere that we went they would come out and wave at us, friendly waving. We, of course, gave our royal wave back.
MUSEUM OFFICIAL
ODGV´ $SSDUHQWO\ ZH ZHUH MXGJHG ¿W HQRXJK WR ZDON WKH UHVW RI WKH way with our bags. Ah well! The price of being a youngster pensioner. Once inside we reported to the chief who told us our room number and then we went to the reception desk and got our card keys. Having rested and freshened we made our way back to the reception area ready to go to Cloth Hall for the banquet that the locals had laid on for us.
FLANDERS FIELD MUSEUM
Instead of using taxis we, the pensioners able to walk over there, did so. The Cloth Hall has a museum FDOOHG ³,Q )ODQGHUV )LHOGV´ After the meal, The President of The Taxi Charity, Frances Luczyc Wyhowska, thanked the mayor of Ypres for the banquet that they KDG ODLG RQ IRU XV +DYLQJ ¿Qished the meal we went for a walk into the town and, walking toward the famous Menim Gate, we came across a small pub.
At the museum we got out of the cabs and put on our scarlets but it was the beginning of a warm day. Then after the usual milling about I decided to move to what looked like the main part of the museum, not forgetting, of course, we are in a foreign country and signs are not always in English. Going inside I was approachHG E\ D ORFDO SUREDEO\ DQ RIÂżFLDO RI the museum, who was asking about another Chelsea Pensioner who was not with us on this occasion. After a quick look around on the JURXQG Ă&#x20AC;RRU , TXLFNO\ ÂżJXUHG WKDW there was more to this place upstairs. So like the proverbial sheep I followed the lads. The layout upstairs was to say the least fantastic. A great deal of information packed into a small space. AN UNREPRODUCIBLE SMELL
The more interesting of the exKLELWV ZHUH GRZQ VHYHUDO Ă&#x20AC;LJKWV RI narrow stairs into the cellar, where it was laid out as a WW1 dugout, i.e. how the troops on the front line stayed safe whilst resting or eating
DO YOU KNOW PADDY FOX?
Still wearing our scarlets we went in to have a drink, and straight away some English lads started talking to us. You will never guess what their ¿UVW TXHVWLRQV ZDV ³'R \RX NQRZ 3DGG\ )R[ ,V KH VWLOO ZLWK \RX"´ They were disappointed to hear of his passing. However, a couple of them were Geordies and one had an uncle in my regiment, who I knew. That set the scene for a rather good evening, sampling the local brews. On the following day we had a visit planned to Passchendaele Museum. Leaving at 09:30hr meant an early rise at 07:00hr with breakfast at 07:45hr. There`s not a great
79
or sleeping. From there it led into the trenches, really done as they would have been 100 years ago. The only thing they could not replicate was the smell. After that we sat down in the shade next to the cafĂŠ with a beer and a bag of chips. I got some good photos of the pensioners in the shade of the trees drinking their beer. Leaving an hour or so earlier than planned we went to Tyne Cot Cemetery, where we were given little wooden crosses with poppies attached to them. My intention was to lay it on a member of one of my Regiments i.e. 15th +XVVDUV RU WK +XVVDUV EXW ÂżQG ing one would have taken all day. I asked a grounds man but he could not remember any of either regiment. He advised me to go to the gate where a book of names and possibly regiments was held. That particular book was just names so instead of one of my regiment I looked for someone of my name.
MY NAMESAKE
I worked out where his grave was and laid it next to his headstone. He was a young lad of the London Fusilierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s called Lines. From there we returned to the hotel for a much needed relaxing few hours before evening meal and then preparing for the evenings event. That evening, after the meal, we donned our scarlets once more and went and stood outside of the hotel, thinking we might march up to the Menin Gate. But no, we just ambled up behind the two pipers, we couldnot march as such, the roads would have been needed to be closed and they could not do that. Anyway we
got to the Gate in plenty of time. There were quite a lot of people there already but there was space was for us, and the veterans with us. The assembled crowd were from all over i.e. French, Belgians, Americans, Dutch, English. We stood and were told what would happen by our chief clerk Gary Lloyd. Two black cabs were positioned behind the buglers. While stood there at atWHQWLRQ WKH ORFDO ÂżUH EULJDGH EXJOHUV played last post. Then Gary Lloyd our Chief Clerk marched out and to the middle of the parade area, and gave the Royal British Legion Salutation. They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old Age shall not weary them nor the years condem At the going down of the sun And in the morning We will remember them
Wreaths were laid by several people and school children, after which the buglers played reveille.
HUMBLING CEREMONY
The whole ceremony only took about an hour, but it was very humbling standing there, in silence, in that WW1 War Memorial. After that the rain started so I walked back to the hotel quickly, then, just as I got back to the hotel, the heavens opened up and let go of the rain. I quickly changed into my civvies, and went down to the bar only to be greeted by two pipers. Having a quiet drink with 2 cats being strangled in the back ground, was not funny anymore! Oh well, on our way home tomorrow. The next day after breakfast it was time to depart, we packed our bags and took them downstairs, some of the older veterans were to be loaded right outside of the hotel, otherwise, as you can imagine, that would take
forever and a day. Anyway Mike and myself decided we would walk the 100 yards or so with our bags. Then Bob turned up and gave us a hand to load our bags into the taxi. As usual it took a time for the committee to get the older vet`s into the right cabs. We eventually left the hotel in Ypres at about 10.00 hr. The drive to the Belgian Military Establishment only took about 30 minutes.
WATCHING PARADE
There we watched a parade. The RSM started the parade and his regiment marched onto the square, where he then handed over to the 2 i/c of the Regiment who, in turn, handed over to WKH &RPPDQGLQJ 2IÂżFHU ZKR FDOOHG a new recruit forward who swore alleJLDQFH WR WKH Ă&#x20AC;DJ All of this was done in the Belgian language and the soldiers marched in what we would have thought of as slow motion. After the parade we were treated to a display of their FORWKLQJ ÂżHOG DQG SHUVRQDO HTXLSment. As well as a cold Belgian Beer we all went to their cookhouse for lunch which was beef stew and chips. After getting everyone into the right cabs we eventually moved off with our police escort. Arriving at the border the police motorbikes pulled in and gave us a wave as we drove past them.
ANOTHER VOUCHER
Now to the port of Calais and the ship home, we thought there might be some bother but no problems at all. The French police had it all sorted so that we drove into the port un-hindered. While waiting for the boat to dock we got out for a stretch and a walk about and it was then that Bob, our driver, gave us our second voucher to the tune of ÂŁ10. On board myself and Mike decided
to go to the duty free and get Bob a bottle, having already asked him what he drinks. It was just easy to pick a bottle of Irish Whisky for him and I got the obvious for myself. We then went and had a meal using our voucher, after that a nice comfortable seat at the back end of the boat as it did not seem to bumpy at that end. I did not have my eyes closed that long when the announcer VDLG ³*R WR WKH FDU GHFNV QRZ´ Well we are back in Blighty. In conclusion a very good 3 days was had by everyone. Thanks to the efIRUWV RI WKH PDJQL¿FHQW FRPPLWHH RI the London Taxi Drivers Association. David Lines
Bundles of 10
Long established customs are RIWHQ GLIÂżFXOW WR FKDQJH DV illustrated in this little story foFXVLQJ RQ WKH ÂľFKDLQ RI FRPPDQGÂś
Way back, many years, when the battalion was required to change location, the usual movement instructions would be issued, and include the item - â&#x20AC;&#x153;kit bags and blankets, properly labeled, to be stacked by companies at each company HQ. Blankets must be tied up into bundles of 10. On one such occasion, Guardsman Brown said, to his section commander, Lance Cpl Smith â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why are the blankets in bundles of 10 as we each have 3 blankets, so why not in bundles of 9. Lance Cpl Smith saw the point and asked the same question of the platoon sergeant, Sgt Jones, who, in turn, spoke to the company sergeant major CSM White. Realising the decision was not his he, in turn, referred it to the company commander Capt Black who, always looking for praise for an initiative asked the adjutant to approve the change. The adjutant, being a wise man, and aware of where the order emanated from passed the request up line to WKH FRPPDQGLQJ RIÂżFHU Âł,V WKLV \RXU LGHD"´ WKH &2 DVNHG %XW EHLQJ D WUXWKful man the adjutant had to admit that it came from captain Black who, when DVNHG Âł,V WKLV \RXU LGHD"´ UHSOLHG Âł1R WKH &60 SXW LW WR PH´ The question went back down the line XQWLO LW ÂżQDOO\ HPHUJHG LW ZDV WKH LGHD of Guardsman Brown who was told, in no uncertain terms, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Guardsman %URZQ GDPQ VLOO\ LGHD ´ Norman Mitchell
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As Tony Oliver says in his book the purchase of the Cadillac for the museum was a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;startling revelationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to him! 7KURXJK KLV ÂżOP VHUYLFHV FRPS any he had been contracted to supply PLOLWDU\ YHKLFOHV IRU WKH ÂżOP (YLWD but, just prior to leaving to go on location to Budapest, the company supplying the civilian vehicles had dropped out. So he was asked to take on that half of the contract.
PRESIDENT PERON
One of the vehicles required was a 1941 Cadillac to double as President Peronâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s car. Contact with the Pre 50 $PHULFDQ &DU &OXE FRQÂżUPHG WKDW such a car was highly sought after and very rare! Many owners were contacted but none wished to hire or sell their car, except one, Mr Briggs, who was getting on in years and was â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;thinningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; out his collection. An avid collector with 2 barns full of 1930â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to 1950â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cadillacs; he lived near Hull!
I recently visited the SULYDWH Âľ+LVWRU\ RQ Wheelsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; museum, established by Tony Oliverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father, at Eton Wick; only open on the last Sunday of every month. As well as a considerable amount of war time army ephemera there are many military vehicles and forms of transport on display. One of the most interesting is a Cadillac used by General Douglas Mac Arthur in the Manilla campaign. But when the country was lost to the Japanese the car was used more by General Yamashita than General Mac Arthur!
Briggs walked away he said â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am so pleased you are happy with Mac Arthurâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s old car, I know you will ORRN DIWHU LW´
THE SURPRISING REMARK
Tony asked him what he meant by that remark to which Mr Briggs replied â&#x20AC;&#x153;The car was delivered new to General Mac Arthur, who took it to the Philippines and later I believe to Japan. But, the real point of interest is that it is non-standard with a slidLQJ ZLQGRZ GLYLVLRQ´ 7KH VWRS DQG VWDUW RI ÂżOPLQJ FDQ play havoc with overheating and battery life but the car never once failed to operate.
USED BY JAPANESE GENERAL
7KH FDU ZLWK D KS 6SLWÂżUH engine, left the factory on 28th May 1941and up to May 1942 was the property of the US Army. From then
REMARKABLE CONDITION
It was in remarkable condition. Nevertheless it was fully serviced and the American Army and the 5 star Generalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s insignia was reinstated on the front. But the decision was made not to inform General MacArthur. Twelve days later, at the Malacanang Palace, the Philippine Islands ZHUH RIÂżFLDOO\ FHUHPRQLRXVO\ KDQG ed back their independence. General Mac Arthurâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s motorcade - he was travelling in a British made Humber Pullman limousine - stopped outside of the Palace entrance; alongside General Mac Arthurâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cadillac.
SURPRISED AND DELIGHTED
He was totally surprised and alighted from the Humber and continued the parade in the Cadillac. He continued to use the Cadillac as a staff car and notably as transport to the scene of the historic surrender on board USS Missouri. 7KH FDU UHPDLQHG SDUW RI WKH Ă&#x20AC;HHW of cars available to him in Tokyo until 1951 when it was shipped back to the USA for disposal.
IN PRIVATE COLLECTION
Until 1977 it remained in a private collection in Connecticut. After 14 years of ownership it was sold to a Mr Gatley of Boston Mass. Mr Briggs brought the car to England in 1992 and it was bought by Mr Tony Oliver in 1996 where it now resides in the History on Wheels Museum, near Windsor. Ray Pearson
Below the General MacArthurâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cadillac. Left General Yamishita who used the car for longer than General Mac Arthur.
INTERNATIONAL AUCTION
He had one 1941 Cadillac, which he considered his best because it had a number of special features. But it had been entered, and catalogued for international auction. Time was tight, and Tony Oliver could not wait, so, with an agreed sum of money, it was withdrawn from the auction. So the deal was struck and as Mr
to Oct 1944 the car was used initially by General Homma who was succeeded by General Yamishita $V WKH ÂżQDO SRFNHWV RI -DSDQHVH UHsistance were cleared, on February 5th, the army went on to release the prisoners held in Santo Tomas University and found the Cadillac carefully parked in a garage.
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FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE FOUNDATION SERVICE Ten Chelsea Pensioners were asked to participate in the annual service, to celebrate the life of Florence Nightingale at Westminster Abbey on Wednesday 11th May, by marching up the aisle of Westminster Abbey; they were led by Colonel Rupert Lucas and Matron brought up the rear.
speak to the Matrons and nurses from the tri services. As a nurse I was honoured to be at this wonderful occasion and was rightly proud to be with the Pensioners who, I have to say, outshone everyone else! But I could be biased.
RHYTHMIC SOUND
The packed congregation hushed as the parade began and the rhythPLF VRXQG RI PDUFKLQJ ÂżOOHG WKH air. I have to say there was many a gulp heard as these delightful veterans marched up the aisle in their scarlet uniforms, medals gleaming and shoes highly polished. Student nurses and midwives from the Universities escorted the traditional and symbolic procession of the Lamp.
IMPRESSIVE SPEECH
Baroness Audrey Emerton gave a most impressive address explaining how Florence, at the age of 34, was asked by Sir Sydney Herbert, to take 30 nurses to Scutari to care for the wounded and sick soldiers in the Crimean War in 1854, which made a tremendous difference to their lives. Nursing such as this has conWLQXHG LQ KRVSLWDOV DQG ÂżHOGV RI FRQĂ&#x20AC;LFW HYHU VLQFH We were treated to a lovely tea where the Pensioners were able to
Pensioners attending were IP Fred Richardson, Steve Allen, Harry Puttick BEM, Marjorie Cole, Trevor Rafferty, Ivor Williams, June Lowe, Ray Pearson, Brian Ireland and Derek Walters. John Denton, a Queens Almsman of the Abbey, attended separately and participated in the service. Florence Nightingale, universally recognised as the founder of modern nursing, died in 1910 at
the age of 90 years. Born in Italy on 12th May 1820 she was named after the town of her birth. But she grew up in Derbyshire. Educated by her father he taught her subjects, that at that time were not taught to women, such as latin, maths, philosophy and history. Very good at maths, she was WKH ÂżUVW IHPDOH PHPEHU RI WKH 5R\al Statistical Society. She received the Royal Red Cross from Queen Victoria in 1883 and VKH ZDV WKH ÂżUVW ZRPDQ WR UHFHLYH the Order of Merit in 1907.
NOT A THING FOR A LADY
After 7 years of asking (her family did not think it was a proper job for someone as wealthy and well-educated) for her fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s permission, she studied nursing at the Institute of Protestant Deaconesses in Kaiserwerth, Germany. Working as a nurse in a hospital in Scutari, Turkey, during the Crimean War, she discovered that soldiers were dying because of lack of proper food and medicine, shortage of staff and dirty conditions. Florence got her famous nickname as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Lady with the Lampâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, after an article in The Times described her high quality care and attention to the wounded soldiers in Scutari â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and that she kept working even after everyone else had gone to sleep. A FAMOUS ENGINEER
She told the British government about the poor conditions for soldiers in hospital, and they commissioned engineer Isombard Kingdom Brunel to design a hospital that could be taken apart and shipped RYHUVHDV NQRZQ WRGD\ DV Ă&#x20AC;DW SDFN This made an incredible difference to the care of the soldiers. Florence suffered from many illnesses, that kept her in bed for nearly half of her life, and then she became permanently blind in 1901. There are Florence Nightingale museums in St Thomasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Hospital, Claydon House Buckinghamshire and the Selimiye Barracks in Istanbul. Her statue can be seen in Waterloo Place, London and several locations in Derby where there is also a stained-glass window dedicated to her in St Peters Church. There is a blue plaque at her house in South Street, Mayfair and one in WKH +D\GDUSDĂşD &HPHWHU\ ,VWDQEXO Susan Williams, Matron
82
SUPERVISING MISCREANTS
In August 1950 I attended a course at Colchester Military Corrective Training Centre - MCTC - with the view of becoming an NCO in the military police, in which I eventually served for 17 years. On my discharge in July 1972 I then took new HPSOR\PHQW DV D SROLFH RI¿FHU During my time with the Military Provost staff at MCTC I was employed trying to correct the misbehaving National Service soldiers; a very thankless task. Referred to as SUS - soldiers under sentence - they could be punished by the governor for offences committed while under sentence. These punishments were diet number one; diet number two and also loss of remission.
HONG KONG POSTING
From August 1956 I served in Hong Kong for three years at the military prison in Garden Road, next to Peak Farm where we were responsible for all 3 services. To assist us with administration of Naval and RAF detainees we had one naval CPO and an NCO from the RAF Regiment. In 1958 I did ‘death watch’ with other staff - a 12 hour shift on duty. In that time we had two ex Royal Engineer twins who had committed murder of a taxi driver on New Year’s Eve in Kawzon and whose sentences were commuted to life. They were saved by the time difference between the UK and Far East as it was the year hanging was done away with. Both were trans1954 best on REME Senior NCO’s Course
ferred to serve their time in jail in the UK as the Army could only detain a service man for two years.
SHEPTON MALLETT
On return to the UK in Aug. 1959, with my wife and six week old baby daughter, I was posted to Shepton Mallett in Somerset where, for 3 years, I had a REME staff sergeant serving life imprisonment for murder of his wife in Singapore. He got his sentence commuted to life. In the early days of the prison at Shepton Mallet there was a woman’s wing and I remember the night that a SUS had to be unlocked for stating he saw a ghost of a grey lady. It was known she was hanged for murder. The only prison in the UK with a double drop. Leaving Shepton in 1963, on posting to MCTC again, I took over at the training school for a period of 3 years as an instructor under the leadership of the late Maj Harris of the Queens Regiment.
MILITARY CORRECTION
On that particular posting we instructed Army, Navy, and RAF Regiment students, on the responsibilities of military correction. In the case of army NCO’s they were instructed in drill and small arms training, with a few becoming training NCOs. This 12 week course comprised of 8 weeks in the classroom and 4 weeks working inside the MCTC area. If an NCO was suitable for transfer to the MP’s he did 2 years on detachment to the MCTC from the Navy and RAF Regiment.
TO THE FAR EAST AGAIN
From the training school I went back to the Far East again with my family to the MCTC at Murray Barracks in Singapore for a period of 2 ½ years. This was a very good tour of duty. The only thing that happened to me was I lost my LSGC Medal through a difference with the RSM during the weekend as duty RI¿FHU RI 0&7& On my posting to the MCTC at Colchester in 1968 I took over as I/C of B wing until my discharge in July 1972. As a matter of interest I mortgaged a house for £4,500. Those were the days! 83
During my time at the MCTC in Colchester, on patrol one summer’s evening, I noticed toilet paper between bricks of an outhouse joining onto a Nissan hut. When I started to remove the toilet paper, to my surprise, I found a hole in the brickwork almost 18 in square. STEALING FROM LOCAL CO-OP
On investigation it came to light that some of the SUS were breaking in, and stealing from, the local Coop store at Mount Wick East. When we searched the Nissan hut we found cigarettes etc and through this incident CID at Colchester were informed. By all accounts the SUS concerned were sentenced by a civilian court. Jimi Nicholson.
THE HORSE TRUST
A group of pensioners visited the Home of Rest For Horses which was established in 1886 for the equine public servants who principally have served the nation in the Army, Police and related roles. Also providing care and shelter to neglected donkeys and ponies.
THE QUEENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WINDSOR CELEBRATIONS
THE RED POPPY
The red poppy has become a symbol of war remembrance the world over, and people in many countries wear the poppy to remember those who died in war. In the UK and Commonwealth countries the poppy is worn around Armistice Day 11th November. In Australia, Anzac Day, 25th April, is a day that has more VLJQLÂżFDQFH LQ WKH UHPHPEUDQFH RI those that have died in war.
FIRST TO BLOOM
During i 2016, The h Queen attended d d many special events to celebrate her 90th year. One of the highlights was the horse show and pageant held in the grounds of Windsor Castle in May. Her Majestyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love of horses is well known and she always takes a keen interest in the annual event, especially as it is staged on her doorstep. This year the evening pageant WRRN RQ WKH WKHPH RI UHĂ&#x20AC;HFWLRQ DQG celebration, as it looked back on her life of service. The music throughout the performance featured an outstanding tri-service orchestra and stars such as Katherine Jenkins, Kylie Minogue, Shirley Bassey and Imelda Staunton. Each evening, a
Guard of Honour was provided by the Military Knights of Windsor and the Chelsea Pensioners within the Royal enclosure. After watching most of the show, the Pensioners were then escorted to one of the Royal landaus, where they relished the opportunity to wave to the crowds during the Buckingham Palace scene as, pulled by four horses from the Royal Mews, it traversed the arena. Televised by ITV both David GrifÂżQ DQG 6WHYH $OOHQ FRXOG EH VHHQ enjoying the experience. Not long after their appearance, Steve received messages from various parts of the globe, as news of his fame spread far and wide!
DID ANNIE GET HER GUN OR HER MAN?
â&#x20AC;&#x153;On Friday 1st June we were invited to a gala night charity perforPDQFH RI Âł$QQLH JHW \RXU *XQ´ performed by the Step on Stage Academy productions. The young people were really amazing and the show in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital was a great success. The young actors and singers were of the highest quality and it could well have been a West End production. It would be disservice to all the players to try and pick out any one of WKHP VXIÂżFH WR VD\ WKDW WKH FUHGLWV VKRZ VHYHQ Âł6ZDQ $ZDUGV´ IRU the cast. The production and staging were indeed exceptional, and credit is due in no small part to the back-
room team and the Hampton Hill 7KHDWUH ´ Don Avery
/LQNHG ZLWK EDWWOHÂżHOG GHDWKV VLQFH the Great War 1914-18, the red or )ODQGHUV SRSS\ ZDV RQH RI WKH ÂżUVW to grow and bloom in the mud and earth of Flanders. A fact that was recorded by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, in his poem. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In Flanders Fieldsâ&#x20AC;?
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row That mark our place, and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below, We are the Dead, Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders Fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high, If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
McCrae was a Canadian medical RIÂżFHU ZKR LQ 0D\ KDG FRQducted the funeral service of a friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, who died in the Second Battle of Ypres. Distressed at the death and suffering around him McCrae scribbled the verse in his notebook, PUBLISHED IN PUNCH
$ IHOORZ RIÂżFHU VHQW WKH SRHP WR the English magazine Punch and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;In Flanders Fieldsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; was published on the 8th December 1915. On the 28th January 1918 Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, died and as he lay dying, he is reportHG WR KDYH VDLG ´7HOO WKHP WKLV LI ye break faith with us who die, we VKDOO QRW VOHHS´ 84
MONTY PRESENTED MY DAD HIS DCM
On the morning of the 23rd October, (the anniversary of the battle for El Alamein) 1890359 L/Sgt D Layton was going forward, with his 3O 2IÂżFHU RQ URDG FOHDUDQFH LQ WKH attack for Schijndel and Shutsboom, ZKHQ WKH 3O 2IÂżFHU ZDV ZRXQGHG L/Sgt Layton, in the absence of his Plt Sgt, took over command of this party dispersing the Sappers in their road clearing and marking task, and CLEARING MINEFIELDS moved forward with a recce party into the outskirts of Schijndel. More training, before they were There being slight opposition he, sent to the Middle East, just before on the spur of the moment, decided the battle of Alamein, where they to take full opportunity to recce the KDG WKH MRE RI FOHDULQJ WKH PLQHÂżHOGV route forward. ready for the big push. This was follATTACK LIMIT owed by attachment to infantry paHe took his recce party in a H/T trols towards enemy lines. right through Schijndel and ShutsAt this time he was attached to the boom to the point which he knew 5th bn Black Watch until he was rewas to be the limit of the brigade called to the UK to make ready for attack. D Day, being in the second wave to Having marked the route open to ODQG RQ 6ZRUG EHDFK WKH ÂżUVW IHZ that point, he decided to return since hours were not too bad. it was obvious that the enemy were This was followed by the push for still in the towns behind him. Ouistreham, Ranville and ColumAfter passing back all the informabelles, which proved to be one of tion he started to make his way back the divisionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worst battles. ZKHQ VRPH YHU\ FORVH ÂżJKWLQJ GHMISFORTUNE After the breakthrough at Caen, and veloped. L/Sgt Layton led his party closing the Falaise Gap, they had the in such a manner, and with such encouraging example that they manmisfortune of being bombed by our aged to get back and join the reown planes, suffering many casualties. Following a short rest they sup- mainder of his road clearing party ZKR KH IRXQG ÂżJKWLQJ DW WKH RWKHU ported the Canadians in taking end of Schijndel. Leige. Then off to Holland; buildThe enemy were beaten off and a ing bridges over the many canals and wounded sapper recovered by L/Sgt rivers including Waal and Maas.
My father joined the army in 1939, and did his basic training in Dundee before moving to Aberdeen where he joined 276 Field Co. R.E. Following initial training, the unit moved to Font Hill Bks; where they FDUULHG RXW ÂżHOGZRUN EULGJLQJ DQG mine laying on the river Dee. He then joined the 51st Highland Div. and moved to Orkney to build camps for troops evacuated from Norway.
Layton who then brought his entire party back, under his OCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s orders. Information was continuously passed back by L/Sgt Layton throught this exploit. It was due to his rapid snatching of the opportunity, which allowed that information to be obtained and pasVHG WR KLJKHU IRUPDWLRQV +LV HIÂżFL HQF\ LQ WDNLQJ RYHU IURP DQ RIÂżFHU courage and enduring cheerfulness was a leading factor in his men achieving the success.
AWARDED DCM
For his part in the battle he was awarded the DCM which was presented by Monty himself. His division also took a major part in the taking of the Reichwald Forrest, Kleve and Goch. In December 1944 the division moved to the Ardennes to assist in the Battle of the Bulge. He returned to civilian life in June 1946. Yorkie Layton
A PRAYER FOR THE STRESSED Grant me the serenity to accept things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I cannot accept and the wisdom to hide the anger I felt because they got on my nerves. Help me be careful of the toes I step on today as they may be connected feet I may have to kiss tomorrow. Help me give 100% at work.12% Monday; 23% Tuesday; 40% Wednesday; 20% Thursday; and 5% on Friday. Help me to remember, when Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m having a bad day, and it seems that people are trying to wind me up, it takes 42 muscles to frown, 28 to smile and only 4 to show my anger.
85
/26,1* $ %$77/( %87 :,11,1* $ :$5 Four Chelsea Pensioners attended a memorial service for General Charles de Gaulle at Carlton Gardens on the anniversary of his famous speech in 1940 when the Nazis took over France.
To all Frenchmen. France has lost a battle! But France has not lost the war. Some of those in power were able to capitulate, yielding to panic, forgetting honour, delivering the country into servitude. However, nothing is lost! Nothing is lost because this war is a world war. In the free world, huge forces have not yet been deployed. One day, these forces will wipe out the enemy. On that day, France must be present at the victory. Thus she will rediscover her liberty and her greatness. Such is my goal, my only goal! That is why I invite all Frenchmen wherever they may be to unite with me in action, in sacULÂżFH DQG LQ KRSH 2XU FRXQWU\ LV LQ PRUWDO GDQJHU /HW XV DOO ÂżJKW WR save her! Long live France! General de Gaulle, headquarters, 4 Carlton Gardens, London SW1 18 June 1940. Steve Lovelock
ARMED FORCES FLAG RAISING
The Flag raising ceremony at City Hall on Armed Forces Day is a national event held annually since 2007 on the last Saturday in June. 7KLV \HDU LW IROORZHG Ă&#x20AC;DJ UDLVLQJ ceremonies held in towns and cities throughout the United Kingdom on the preceding Monday.
Khan spoke of the admiration and esteem that the council, and the citizens of London, felt for the Armed Forces. He drew attention to the members of the cadet forces referring to them as the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;futureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, the uniformed services personnel as the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;presentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and MILITARY REPRESENTATION the bemedalled ex-servicemen in In Pensioners Marjorie Cole, Ray plain clothes, and the Chelsea PenPearson and I, accompanied by Sisioners, the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;veteransâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. He concluded PRQ 0DOW] GLJLWDO DQG ZHEVLWH RIÂżby thanking them all for the contriFHU ZHUH SULYLOHJHG WR DWWHQG WKH Ă&#x20AC;DJ bution, in keeping our country safe. MILITARY COVENANT raising ceremony at City Hall. At the conclusion of the speech, We, and other participants representing the army, navy and air force, WKH XQLRQ Ă&#x20AC;DJ ZDV UDLVHG E\ WZR RAF cadets as the band of the Coldwere welcomed by Mr Tony Arbour stream Guards played the Nationchair of the London assembly. al Anthem. Lieutenant Colonel D W The Mayor of London, Mr Sadiq Utting, London District, responded to the Mayorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s speech and referred to the military covenant and its support to serving personnel, service leavers, veterans and their families. The ceremony concluded with the Mayor thanking every one for attending, followed by refreshments in the City Hall. R Leece
86
KEEPING UP THE PACE
The Gloucestershire village of Bishopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cleeve, has held an annual Street Fair for several years and this year two In Pensioners were inYLWHG WR DWWHQG 3UHVHQWO\ ÂżYH 3HQsioners come from this part of the Country, but it was IPs Mick Kippin and Ray Pearson who attended this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s festivities. The weather forecast for the day did not look promising, so we both took waterproof capes just to be on the safe side. We drove down in Rayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s car and it rained most of the way there, but it brightened up by the time we arrived. The street fair was opened by Mr Edward Gillespie, the former manager of Cheltenham racecourse. We then joined a parade down the high street by the local air force and army cadets and valiantly tried to keep up with the pace! Lunch had kindly been arranged for us in a local public house by Mr Peter Badham. All in all it was a good day out despite the weatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attempts at a washout. Mick Kippin
First Day in the Army
When little Reggie was inducted into the Army, he was advised, by his mates to act tough. "That's the only way to command respect in the Army," Look tough and act tough thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the only way to survive. So to make up for his lack of stature, Reggie followed the advice by swaggering round camp, bragging, blustering and talking out of the corner of his mouth. Film star style. His favourite phrase, for which he was well known, was "Show me a sergeant and I'll show you a dope," One day jaust after he had said it a EUDZQ\ EDWWOH KDUGHQHG ÂżJXUH DSpeared from round the corner. "I am a sergeant!" he bellowed. "I am a dope," whispered Reggie
girlfriend and mates back home? He had enough time to write a card. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I am shot, I am dying, I am near the church Being one of four pensioners who, on mind as I thought of my Great Uncle at Langemarkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Thinking of that, the early morning of 1st July, I was David. 19 years of age; younger than the image of the ruined church came to mind. Was that where the sniper part of the Vigil party at Westminster $EEH\ÂśV &RPPHPRUDWLRQ 6HUYLFH ,W my youngest grandson! How would it was hiding? What were the thoughts really stopped me short, and keeps affect me if it had been him! Feelings, going through his mind? Was he in recurring in my mind. For me a very which came to the fore and had to be JUHDW SDLQ" 6R PDQ\ TXHVWLRQV Ă&#x20AC;RRGpersonal, thought provoking, all-en- very quickly suppressed, sprang up. compassing and very moving expeAs a family we were â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;luckyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Uncle ed into my mind that I could not focus rience. David was the only one of nine of my on any single one. Standing silently there I wondered With 3 other pensioners, and 4 mil- male family line, who fought in both itary personnel, I practiced the Vigil wars, to be killed. Standing there I what the others on the Vigil were Ceremony in a side chapel. A rehears- wondered what was his reason to sign thinking. Were they affected as much al which took me back to 1958 when, on under age. He fooled the recruit- as me? While David was only one as an NCO Cadre Instructor I was on LQJ RIÂżFHU VR ZK\ GLG KH QRW NHHS KLV of thousands it made me think of all a military funeral detail and had to head down, instead of, after 3 months, who lost their lives and the families practice rest on your arms reversed. going AWOL. He knew what would left behind. For my Uncle David his Thankfully, it was eventually decided happen, and it did. He was found and brothers and sisters. His next of kin it would be a private funeral. dismissed from the army. Not to be was listed as his elder married sister, But none of this prepared me for the deterred he signed on again; when he 5 years his senior; why not his parents? I wondered why. Were they experience to come as we marched was 19. out into the deadly silent Abbey. AlHe always volunteered to take mes- mad at him for signing up? While proud, yet humbled, I stood though it was 04.15 in the morning sages, which he had accomplished there were some people, making their many times without suffering any there as a Chelsea Pensioner. The silent contemplation; quietly coming harm. Did he feel invincible I won- places I have been and the people and going, in their own time. dered? Was it because his elder broth- , KDYH PHW IDGH LQWR LQVLJQLÂżFDQFH All this adding to a surreal, total si- er who, had he been with his squad compared to this. Seeing my Uncle Davidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name on the wall at Tyne Cot lence, among the majestic soaring was an experience but, this columns of the Abbey. experience, standing round A silence which, as you the Tomb of the Unknown march, creates a sense of Warrior was on a totally ethereal detachment with different level. reality. Then, suddenly, as if we Arriving at the tomb we had only been there a few split off to take up our relminutes, the echo of marchative positions. Then, on ing steps of the next group a quiet command, we all for their 15 min vigil. I had took two steps forward and to bring my mind back to stood with bowed head. the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;here and nowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as the It was while standing, quiet command to raise with 7 others, all with head oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s head, turn right and bowed, on the 15 minute vigil, that that time, would have stopped him the enormity of what I was experienc- volunteering. Was it bravado of the step off, was given. Then march back to the side chapel where everying struck me. Yes, I have been to the young, to be a hero with his mates? <SUHV 6RPPH DQG WKH EDWWOHÂżHOGV Whatever the reason. The inevita- one agreed that it was an experience several times and vividly remember ble happened, as he left the shell hole never to forget. the rows of mass of graves of Thie- he was in with Captain Craigie, later I could not read all the text on the mepval, Tyne Cot and cemeteries from to receive the MM. He was shot in morial but one inscription, in gold on other countries. Yes, I understand all the back, by a sniper, taking a mes- black, in front of me, stood out the statistics and detail which I have sage back to HQ. He fell into the next UNKNOWN AND YET WELL KNOWN, DYING AND BEHOLD WE LIVE, read. But I never thought that, when shell hole and, although his comrades I submitted my name, that silently could talk to him, they could not get Such an emotional 15 minutes when standing, with head bowed, would to him to help. Was there verbal sup- my thoughts ran wild. Even now, as I bring a lot of those images, and port from his mates which helped him write this, I can feel my emotions rise up and overwhelm me. Yes, I know it WKRXJKWV Ă&#x20AC;RRGLQJ EDFN DQG DIIHFW PH to face the inevitable? like this. Listening to some of the readings LV WKH WRPE RI DQ XQLGHQWLÂżHG VROGLHU My mind focussed on the simplici- during the vigil brought my mind to No one I actually knew. So why feel ty of how a single person in the Tomb focus on his death. Like many others like this? They never found Davidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of the Unknown Warrior represents he suffered a long, slow, lingering body. To me I would like to think that the total loss of life of so many. Then death; over a period of several hours. it could be that of my Uncle David! the personal aspect sharpened my He was unmarried but did he have a Ray Pearson
UNKNOWN AND YET WELL KNOWN, DYING AND BEHOLD WE LIVE.
87
make great storytelling. He suggested that â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Lawrence could almost have been the son of Charlotte Bronteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s herione, Jane Eyre, and her darkly romantic lover Edward Rochesterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.
7+( $5$%,$1 '5($0
DANGEROUS MAN
Well, if he was, in his own words a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;dangerous manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, his adventurous forays would indeed be awash with risk, for high risk was his bedfellow and it was inevitable that he would not be one to die peacefully in his own, or any other, bed. I believe Lawrence was destined to join that small band of British adventurers who are remembered E\ WKH ÂżHOGV RI ÂżUH LQ which they would spend their best, the most remePEHUHG ÂżQHVW DQG VRPHWLPHV ÂżQDO KRXUV
3HRSOH RIWHQ DVN 'DYLG *ULIÂżQ DERXW WKH 7 ( /DZUHQFH ALWAYS REMEMBER SRUWUDLW E\ WKH 0DWURQÂśV RIÂżFH ZKLFK KH GLG \HDUV DJR We should always try, Here he gives a little detail into some aspects of the life now and then, to rememand background of TE Lawrence
Born in Tremadoc, Wales in 1888, Thomas Edward Lawrence discovered his interest in archaeology at a very early age. As a school boy, he was keen on bicycle tours through France taking a special interest in the castles. From 1911 to the start of World War 1, he worked in the Near East DV DQ DUFKDHRORJLVW DW ÂżUVW in Carchemish, then later the Sinai Peninsula.
BRITISH PROTECTORATE
Soon after the outbreak of the First World War Lawrence was assigned to the Cartographic Department of the British General Staff in Egypt, at that time a British Protectorate. In the the Near East the British and the French fought, with Arab support, against the Ottoman Empire and its German allies. The Allies had promised the Arabs that, in reWXUQ IRU MRLQLQJ WKH ÂżJKW against the Ottomans they
would receive their own independent state. Lawrence chose to further the Arab cause and it became his passion so, he LQÂżOWUDWHG DQG MRLQHG WKH Bedouins, whom he was convinced were outstandLQJ JXHUULOOD ÂżJKWHUV
MADE ATTACKS
Among other actions he carried out attacks on the Hejaz railway line, which linked Damascus to the Holy City of Medina in order to disrupt Turkish supply lines and routes. Parallel to these activities General Allenby advanced to Damascus but DIWHU KHDY\ ÂżJKWLQJ LW ZDV the Bedouin army of Emir )DLVDO WKDW ZDV WKH ÂżUVW WR enter the city. %URDG DQG ÂżQH GHWDLO RI these actions are covered in Malcolm Brownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;T E Lawrenceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and the 2005 publication â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Lawrence of Arabia - the life of the legendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. His descriptions 88
ber and talk of their names for they were, in their own right, our true â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Kings of high adventureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Gordon of Khartoum, Scott of the Antarctic, Ernest Shackleton Nelson at Trafalgar and what soldier of the ofÂżFHU FODVV ZRXOG QRW KDYH wanted to be, or possess the calibre, of John Chard at Rorkes Drift. Of all the names of past greatness it was Lawrence who won the accolade to become the focus of one of David Leanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most popuODU DQG PHPRUDEOH ÂżOPV Âą â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Lawrence of Arabiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. LEANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FILM
Graphically as vivid toGD\ DV LW ZDV ZKHQ ÂżUVW released in 1962, I think David Lean was the best RI WKH IHZ ÂżOP GLUHFWRUV who knew how to portray the military man of worth and substance. No brief on Lawrence would be complete without the mention of his love for the high speed roar of
the wind and for the open road. It was as pure and as personal to him as was the endless desert which he insisted, on more than one occasion, was untamed and clean. His love for his motorcycle was well known and his machine was a known monster in its time. The Brough Superior SS100 circa 1932. This 1000 cc bike was the prized possession of Lawrence, and the machine on which he was killed in May 1935.
BROUGH SUPERIOR
Lawrenceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brough Superior was tailor made by George Brough himself and cost ÂŁ170 in 1932 (ÂŁ10,700 today). This was the seventh Brough motorcycle Lawrence owned, and as quirky as his nature was, he named each one, in succession, George I to George VII. He referred to some of them, including the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;death modelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Boanergesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or the Son of Thunder. The Brough Superior was just that; the fastest and most expensive motorcycle on the road at that time.
CUTTING EDGE
It easily reached speeds of over 100 mph and was at the cutting edge of 1930s design. It was his constant companion on the deserted country roads of pre-war Britain. Long distance visits to friends such as Winston Churchill and Lady Astor were achieved in record time. Lady Astor, then a Plymouth MP was a great fan of riding pillion with Lawrence. Other friends were Bernard Shaw and Charlotte his wife, John Buchan, Noel Coward, EM Forster, Sir Edward Elgar and Henry Williamson who had just published â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Tarka the Otterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. What great days of wineand roses, fame and wonder, as he would tell them
â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is the silkiest maFKLQH , KDYH HYHU ULGGHQ´ In May in 1935 he was riding his Brough SS 100, registration number GW 2275, back from Bovington in Dorset to his nearby cottage at Clouds Hill, a secluded haven of peace DQG TXLHW ÂżW IRU D PDQ RI Lawrenceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s demeanour.
HEAD INJURIES
Suddenly he came upon two boys on bicycles. Swerving to avoid them he went over the handlebars into the road and on striking the ground he sustained terrible head injuries, which would claim his life six days later. The motorcycle was only slightly damaged in the accident and was returned to the factory to be repaired by George Brough. This, now, world famous PRWRUF\FOH ZDV ÂżUVW GLVplayed at the Imperial War Museum at the 2005/6 exhibition â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Lawrence of Arabiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; -The life, the legend, being on loan from a private owner. PLACE OF HONOUR
One day, if the gods are willing, for I am sure after all is said and done the gods are now the friends of Lawrence, his Brough Superior, reg. number GW 2275, will be in its own place of honour, on D GHÂżQLWLYH SODWIRUP LQ what would be a much deserved â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Lawrence Roomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at the Imperial War Muse-
um. Here, the world could come to the man and see his regalia. Perhaps the one British warrior who was outshone only by Horatio Nelson at Trafalgar in 1805 - my opinion. In this land where history, at primary school level, is so sadly neglected, I do not accept there lies any danger in resurrecting military legends. I take no liberties with this iconic ÂżJXUH $V /DZUHQFH PLJKW have said of himself â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;A dreamer can be killed, but not the dream, if we keep it as oursâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. VOICE OF MEMORY
My purpose with â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Arabian Dreamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; print, was to resurrect the voice of memory which drifts through our past and to focus on the quality of Lawrenceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soldering, which must not be allowed to die by way of political indifference to historic education. Children of our own, or any lost Empire do not deserve this negligence on past performance. One thing he did for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;future historiansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, meaning us, in this 21st century and its looming chaos, was to openly demonstrate the iconography possible from within the well trained ranks of the BritLVK RIÂżFHU FODVV +H KLJKlighted that when outstanding individualism is divorced from the person-
al agenda politics of those who never could, would, or will understand the produce of nation saving establishments such as the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst; heroes appear.
BRINGING TOGETHER
It is from here emerge the soldiery with the temerity, in times of stress and trouble, who will step out in front and say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Who will walk on water with me?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; It was from here came the likes of Lawrence who probably did say to Allenby, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I will bring these tribes together as one force, because the very best of them will not come IRU SURÂżW RU PRQH\ WKH\ will come for me and I will give them Damascus!â&#x20AC;&#x2122;
opportunity, any dangerous swamps of weakness and appeasement. If this short article has whet your appetite for this hero amongst men, I would encourage you to read the excellent works on Lawrence by Malcolm %URZQ DQG WU\ WR ÂżQG D copy of the 1922 complete Oxford text of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Seven Pillars of Wisdomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by Lawrence. 'DYLG *ULIÂżQ
HEROIC INTEGRITY
It was he and his brand who have demonstrated, across the globe, the true meaning of heroic integrity. It was he who chose the independent path of his planning and logistics and swept away, at every 89
Acknowledgments to Marist College, New York Imperial War Museum, All Souls College, Oxford, in reference to the gold dagger made for Lawrence in Mecca in 1917
MILITARY ETHOS AT THE 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES
Recently the meaning of military ethos has been discussed in the Royal Hospital and, in giving this some thought, I recall the time, 4 years ago, when I was part of a 20 man troop of pensioners marching at the 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony. We had spent 2 weeks in tunnels under the arena waiting for many hours for our rehearsal calls. It was hot, and stuffy and we only had rickety iron chairs to sit on. We lived mostly on sandwiches, a proper meal was a rare occurrence. And it was often 23 hours before we got back home.
REHEARSE OUR BIT
We understood nothing of what was going on up above and when we did emerge into the arena,to rehearse our bit, it all made little sense. Finally the evening came. Thousands were in the stadium. Notables from all over the world, including our own Royal Family. Also we were being relayed via television to billions all over the world- Live!!
DETERMINED
Some of the pensioners were years older than me; and many had health problems. We were all very, very tired but determined not to let the side down. We rallied in an anteroom and our Captain of Invalids, Col Baker, who had been with us all the way, stood on a box. He told us it was the annversary of the Battle of El Alamein. He said that this would be something to tell our grandchildren about. He then made a rousing speech which Lord Olivier could not have done
better!! We were ready to follow him â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;over the topâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The whistle had been blown. We lined up in the dark tunnel, looking out at the EULOOLDQW Ă&#x20AC;DVKLQJ OLJKWV The noise was deafening We heard our cue on earphones. I was at the rear and I saw the rows of these weary men stiffen, their shoulders back and
holding their heads up. Then the call to go. It seems to me a good example of the military
ethos. Soldiers doing what is expected of them. Barbara Whilds
THE NO BRAINER DECISION FOR CHRISTMAS AT THE RHC
As Christmas draws ever closer, no matter what year it is, a decision has to be made to with â&#x20AC;&#x153;whom and where you DUH JRLQJ WR VSHQG WKH )HVWLYH VHDVRQ´ The dilema maybe a no brainer for some or a complete nightmare to others. Do you go to your sisterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, brotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, sonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s or daughterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home or to one of your friends - but which one? THE NO BRAINER DILEMMA
The dilemma for me this year was a ³QR EUDLQHU´ DV , KDG MRLQHG WKH 5R\al Hospital Chelsea, in November. I had received a few offers from family members and friends to share Christmas with them but I declined their offers with a ³WKDQN \RX EXW QR WKDQN \RX ´ The Christmas Festivities for 2015 for me would be at my new home with new friends. Initially the decision to stay at the Royal Hospital Chelsea perplexed me. I even questioned my decision simply because I knew what type of Christmas I would have at one of my family and friends.
WHAT WAS ON OFFER AT RHC?
Did I really want to be with family or friends? No, I wanted to know exactly what the Royal Hospital Chelsea really did have to offer; especially at Christmas. The thought of not burdening family and friends was foremost in my mind. The chance of meeting new people and hopefully gaining new friends seemed perfect. On the few occasions I was in barracks at Christmas whilst serving I remember it was always great to be among the comrades you had spent the year 90
with and regale about all the good or bad times you all had together. Without doubt I knew that there would the traditional &KULVWPDV WXUNH\ VWXIÂżQJ GLQQHU FUDFN ers, tacky jokes, paper hats and alcohol.
TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS DINNER
The idea of having the traditional Christmas dinner in the Great Hall really appealed to me with the Christmas decorations and being served by the excellent Great Hall waiter staff, an all round fantastic backdrop for Christmas! The in pensioners who stayed for the festive period all meet in the Great Hall for pre-Christmas dinner drinks. Carols were next on the itinerary sang to us by the permanent staff and Christmas greetings followed. The Christmas dinner was well worth the wait as was the banter, jokes and alcohol consumed that helped, apart from myself that is, being tee-total.
BROAD SMILES AND HAPPY CHEER
The Great Hall staff ensured our meal was a success waiting on us with big broad smiles and happy cheer which was greatly appreciated! Ward 3 where I berth had a An Open All Party in the evening which was attended by numerous members of staff, family, friends and in pensioners. Great company, food, and copious amounts of alcohol made for a perfect end to a fabulous Christmas Day! 0\ ÂżUVW &KULVWPDV VSHQW DW WKH 5R\DO Hospital Chelsea was, without doubt, a very good decision with no regret and I would have no regrets savouring another Christmas at the Royal Hospital Chelsea! Paul Whittick
I ONLY RIDE THE BIKE
It seems like that, in the face of everybody elseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wonderful achievement Mike raised ÂŁ1,577 for the British Heart Foundation for which he says a tremendous effort, thank you everybody. Having always loved cycling Mike says it is good used is unusual; toy solto turn it into a great sport diers to dramatise a raid, by fundraising for charity. while another scene recre- As Mike says ates a therapy session. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I ONLY RIDE THE BIKEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The London to Brighton There are moments when run was over all a good ride but a lot tougher than he memories are excavatexpected, more to it than the infamous Ditchling Beaed in an almost archaeoFRQ ZKLFK HYHU\ERG\ VHHPV WR EH Âż[DWHG RQ logical style, and others in A great start from Clapham Common with plenty of which performers put on refuelling stops, if required. A large group of riders and grotesque masks to act out good company with the added bonus of huge chunks of WKH UKHWRULFDO Ă&#x20AC;RXULVKHV RI cake. But the ride deteriorated towards the end, though Margaret Thatcher and the from the top of the beacon onwards into Brighton, the Argentine president GenPLVW FDPH GRZQ 7KH LW UDLQHG VR WKH ÂżQLVK ZDV D VWDUN eral Galtieri. contrast to the start. But as Mike repeated Not all the elements funHEY - I ONLY RIDE THE BIKE. ction perfectly. One seqSIX GENERATIONS OF uence mimics the format ARMED FORCES SERVICE of a cheesy chat show. But When my grandson Lt Tim Dunning RN joined the this is work of extraorRoyal Navy in 2008 he became the sixth generation dinary compassion, conof my family to serve in the Armed Forces, a histostructed with a mix of ry that goes back to my great grandfather who served MDJJHG Ă&#x20AC;DLU DQG FDUHIXO LQ- in the 94th Regiment of Foot at Crimea and then in Intelligence. A tribute to the dia. I was therefore proud and privileged to be invitintensely collaborative ed to his Wings Parade at the Royal Naval Air Station processes that distinguish <HRYLOWRQ 7LP KDV FRPSOHWHG \HDUV RI Ă&#x20AC;\LQJ WUDLQLQJ theatre as an artform and DQG KDV MRLQHG 6TXDGURQ 51 ZKLFK Ă&#x20AC;LHV WKH :LOGa courageous statement cat, the latest combat helicopter to equip the Royal Naabout the power of those vyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fleet Air Arm. During the ceremony my grandson processes to enhance life was also awarded the Martlet Trophy, presented to the itself. student who performed to the highest standard during Over all we both had a the embark phase of the Wildcat operational conversion ORYHO\ HYHQLQJ ÂżQLVKHG course. Tim is now serving in the Mediterranean with off with a drink or two his squadron aboard RFA with the cast. Mounts Bay.
THE MINEFIELD
Pensioners Steve Lovelock and Tony Hunter had the privilege of attendLQJ 0LQHÂżHOG DW WKH 5R\al Court Theatre in Sloane Square. It was based on 6 veterans of the Falklands war, who were taking part, (3 British and 3 Argentinians) one of whom had been a sailor when the Belgrano was controversially sunk by a British submarine. It also included a Royal Marine, captured on the initial raid by Argentina, and sent to Montevideo where he was released after 4 days, and sent back to Britain. This was because the war ZDV QRW RIÂżFLDOO\ GHFODUHG until after sinking the Belgrano, but he returned a few weeks later to take up arms. While it is an instructive piece, full of historical detail, it is also a probing one, exploring different understandings of the background to the war, its unfolding and its legacy. The range of techniques
Steve Lovelock
Ray Huggins MBE
WW1 - PEDAL POWER: GERMAN SOLDIERS GENERATING ELECTRICITY
How do I get my legs up there?
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1914 REMEMBRANCE 2018 If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the will which says to them ‘Hold on’! Rudyard Kipling
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‘A MAN IS NOT FORGOTTEN UNTIL HIS NAME, AND THE FACT THAT HE HAD EVER EXISTED, IS DROPPED AND WIPED FROM ALL MEMORY’.
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92
Most pensioners will be familiar with the 2 large poppy prints, I created, which were on display in the Great Hall, and are reproduced here, during the 2016 Chelsea Flower Show. But let me clear up what has been a slight confusion in regard to the 2018 date. While 1914 marks the beginning of WW1 2018 provides three markers. The centenary of the end, the centernary of remembrance of the end, and the armistice relative to 1918. We are half way through 2014/2018, still two summers away from marking the centenary of the armistice. But, when dealing with such dates, there is always some elasticity and it sometimes seems that the legacies of mankind have always involved times, dates, confusion and war. So why do we still march and remember? AMERICAN INDIAN SAYING
I think it was the old American Indians who used to say â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;a man is not forgotten until his name, and the fact that he had ever existed, is dropped and wiped from all memoryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. This must never be allowed to happen in any sphere of defence and soldiering; so I conjoined the phrase â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Somewhere in Time They Live Onâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Somewhere in Time is also a hauntingly brilliant piece of music from WKH ÂżOP RI WKH VDPH QDPH $ERXW OLIH after death, it was written by one of %ULWDLQÂśV JUHDWHVW ÂżOP PXVLF FRPSRVers, the late great John Barry Also â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;live onâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; has become synonymous with the British Legion and is now widely used on most of their stationery and advertising boards. The poppy display at the Royal Hospital was the brainchild of the two Australian ladies Lynne Berry and
able to experience the 5,000 poppy print and what was done in 2016 Later, try as I did to garner support for this event, it was disheartening to ÂżQG IHZ ZHUH HYHQ PLOGO\ LQWHUHVWHG in this historic offering from a major Commonwealth country. At this point I knew the very visual idea would be passed into oblivion if not recorded with text so I sat down with paper and pencils and created the images put on display. Two enlarged copies of the photograph above are going abroad in time for the armistice centenary. They are mounted in gold frames and are much anticipated by the appropriate people in Melbourne, and in the chapel at Port Stanley, in the Falklands, where I lost many friends in three commando. To my mind this very image of remembrace, should stretch from the start of the Great War and right up to today. This should include the last person we know to have died in our present Middle East forays. This establishment in Chelsea is here to represent the army past and present - not to forget a few peripherals. POINTS TO PONDER
Now, points to ponder! I feel that here at the Royal Hospital, apart from the major priorities and the necessiMargaret Knight. They intended to ties, we should try to concentrate on plant 120 poppies on Remembrance a dedicated heritage facility, with an Day 2013 at Melbourneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s war me- art room to accommodate present and morial as a simple tribute of gratitude future hospital orientated creations of and honour that sparked huge com- this new century. munity interest and has resulted in an Why? Simple; the story never ends! estimated 50,000 contributors across In this age, in past ages, and in any the globe. People from as young as 2 age, lets plan and build on the Royal to 102 sent Lynn and Margaret their Hospital historic events and put them family stories. on show to remember every man or Philip Johnson the landscaper of the woman behind every single poppy, idea of 5,000 poppies decided to re- and the ongoing families. We at least peat this spectacular installation at owe them that. WKH 5+6 &KHOVHD Ă&#x20AC;RZHU VKRZ 6R LQ ÂżJKWLQJ IRU D KLVWRU\ OHWÂśV UHThe chairman of the Centenary of member what Lawrence told his Arab Anzac in Victoria described it as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;one armies; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;With 2000 years of examRI WKH PRVW VLJQLÂżFDQW FRPPXQLW\ DUW ples behind us we have no excuse, events in Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ZKHQ ÂżJKWLQJ IRU QRW ÂżJKWLQJ ZHOOÂś EARLY MORNING LIGHT
, PXVW VD\ KDYLQJ VHHQ WKH ÂżQLVKHG SURGXFW LQ WKH ÂżUVW JORZ RI HDUO\ morning light, in its silent isolation, it was so striking and sadly impressive I knew this event should be photographically recorded for future in pensioners to see. Perhaps even on the bicentennial of the Great War circa 2118! Although we will not be here, the new occupants at Chelsea Hospital should be 93
'DYLG *ULIÂżQ
A HAPPY BAND RAISING FUNDS In 2015 Chelsea Rotary were invited to send volunteer charity bin colOHFWRUV WR WKH ÂżUVW Âľ/LYH LQ &KHOVHDÂś concerts. This follows a tradition Chelsea Rotary have followed since the late 1920s of helping our friends at The Royal Hospital.
ley and myself collecting donations and meeting a group of ladies going to the concert (photo left). 6R WKH FRQFHUWV KDYH QRZ ÂżQLVKHG but the work goes on. We are delighted to have some of the In-Pensioners at our events, particularly at Chelsea, such as the Rotary Christmas Concert held each December at Chelsea Town Hall.
BEST WISHES
We are also always very happy to help with fundraising at the Royal Hospital. So we all say, long may the friendship between The Royal Hospital Chelsea and Chelsea Rotary Club continue! With best wishes to you all. Graeme Thomas We had two different teams at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s concerts. Pierre Raillard and Urs Halter covered the Saturday 18th June â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Wet Wet Wetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rock concert and I covered the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Simply Redâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; concert on the Sunday. We all had a great time and our Rotarians jointly helped collect almost 10 per cent of the total bucket collections.
ENJOYED THEIR STINT
Although we were all really pleased with that, we were just as happy to spend a bit of time with the InPensioners. In my case I was with John Riley who originally came from just 15 miles my original home in Yorkshire. Urs (also known as Hampy to his friends) and Pierre, from our Club, were new to the concerts and I know they thoroughly enjoyed their stint â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;with a collectorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bucket.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; In Pierreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s case it was doubly helpful to meet the In-Pensioner volunteers as he will take over as Chelsea Rotary Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s President 2016/7 on June 28. Well one thing we all learned was that â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the RH boys and girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; can really dance!
TEA FOR THE QUEEN
As part of the celebrations for the Queens 90th birthday Kensington and Chelsea town Hall had a huge tea party for elderly residents of the borough on Sunday 12th of June to which a number of Chelsea Pensioners had the honour of attending.
PLENTIFUL CUPS OF TEA
What a wonderful and amazing time we had, served with absolutely delicious food which had been provided by various businesses, hotels and residents of Kensington and Chelsea.
ENJOYED THEMSELVES
We also learnt that everyone really enjoyed themselves despite the serious job of collecting. The general public ticket holders enjoyed meeting â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the RH boys and girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the RH boys and girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; enjoyed meeting the visitors. Nothing better shows this than my photo of Mr Ri-
94
To my delight plenty of cups of tea! The Metropolitan police choir entertained us with that wonderful singing while behind them, on the stage, a huge screen relayed the parW\ RQ WKH 0DOO $ PDJQLÂżFHQW ELUWKday cake, made by a chef at Harrods was was cut by the Mayor Cllr Mrs Elizabeth Rutherford, Cllr Nick Pagett Brown, Lady Arnold MP for Kensington, Lady Borwick MP for Chelsea, and the Right Honourable Greg Hands MP for Chelsea.
FOUR CORGIS
The birthday cake depicted her Majesty sitting on a seat in the gardens at Buckingham Palace with four of her corgis nearby, all of which was made from marzipan. Naturally every pensioner received a generous slice. After the cake cutting there was a sing-along with the police choir of many of the old London favourites such as Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s All Go Down the Strand, Lambeth Walk, and ending with Land of Hope and Glory. Naturally every pensioner was in IXOO YRLFH DQG ZDYLQJ WKHLU Ă&#x20AC;DJ 7KH party ended with the National Anthem GOODIE BAG
As each pensioner departed they were given a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;goodie bagâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; containing items commemorating the Queens 90th birthday. Our thanks go to the Royal Boroughâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cadet and Uniformed Youth Organisations who hosted this marvellous event; also all the volunteers and local businesses and schools, too numerous to mention. Marjorie Cole
East, was to cross the 14 iconic bridges along their way as part of a fundraising event for ABF The Soldiersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Charity, the National Charity of the British Army. They aimed to complete the 10 mile walk in 4 hours with the expectation of raising ÂŁ500 for the Charity in the process. SOMME BATTLEFIELD
CHEERING ON THE FOURTEEN LONDON BRIDGES CHARITY WALK
A team from Lloydâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s took to the capitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bridges for a charity fundraiser walk and were met, on the Chelsea Bridge, by In Pensioners Marjorie Cole and Steve Lovelock to wish them well on their journey and to wave them on their way with the Army Benevolent Flag. The objective of the Lloydâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team, traversing London from West to East, was to cross the 14 iconic bridges along their way as part of a fundraising event for ABF The Soldiersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Charity, the National Charity of the British Army.
10 MILES, 4 HOURS AND ÂŁ500
They aimed to complete the 10 mile walk in 4 hours with the expectation of raising ÂŁ500 for the Charity in the process. They were led by Trevor Jennings, who works at Lloydâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, and will also take part in a 350-mile cycle ride across the front lines of The Somme %DWWOHÂżHOG WRZDUGV WKH HQG RI as part of the Wheels on the Western Front bike ride, raising funds for both events which will go towards helping the many thousands of soldiers, veterans and their families each year. Brigadier (Retâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d) Robin Bacon, Chief of Staff at ABF explained that: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most people cross one or two London bridges every day, but crossing 14 in one go is something not many would think of doing. The team will get to see many London landmarks along the way, A team from Lloydâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s took to the capitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bridges for a charity fundraiser walk and were met, on the Chelsea Bridge, by In Pensioners Mar-
jorie Cole and Steve Lovelock to wish them well on their journey and to wave them on their way with the Army Benevolent Flag. The objective of the Lloydâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team, traversing London from West to
They were led by Trevor Jennings, who works at Lloydâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, and will also take part in a 350-mile cycle ride across the front lines of The Somme %DWWOHÂżHOG WRZDUGV WKH HQG RI as part of the Wheels on the Western Front Charity Bike Ride, raising funds for both events to help the thousands of soldiers, veteran and their families, the soldiersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; charity assists each year, 7KH ÂżQDO UHVXOW ZDV WKDW WKH WHDP started at Wandsworth Bridge at KU ÂżQLVKLQJ DW 7RZHU %ULGJH at 19.00 hr; well within the time DOORWWHG IRU ÂżQLVKLQJ Steve Lovelock
, KDYH D FRS\ RI WKH +DQGERRN IRU YLVLWRU WR WKH 5R\DO +RVSLWDO &KHOsea, and the following attachment might be of interest
The Burial-ground stretches within a wall on the road side close to the east gate of the Hospital on the road towards London, and occupies a space of about an acre and a half. The imposing ceremony observed at the funeral of one of the inmates â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the turning out of the guard, the roll of the mufĂ&#x20AC;HG GUXP WKH IHHEOH QRWHV RI WKH ÂżIH WKH SURFHVVLRQ WKH FRIÂżQ ZLWK WKH hat of the deceased â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the only military trophy of his latter days- placed on WKH SDOO WKH VROHPQ WUHDG RI WKH ÂżULQJ SDUW\ RI ZKR PDUFK EHIRUH WKH FKDSODLQ DQG KLV FOHUN ZKR LQ WKHLU WXUQ SURFHHG WKH FRIÂżQ DQG LWV EHDUers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; above all the devout attention and deportment of the old men standing around, forms one of the most affecting scenes that can well be imagined. The days of internment are Wednesdays and Fridays, when visitors of respectable appearance are permitted to witness the ceremony upon application to the sentry at the gate. Ivor Williams
THE CROWN INN GRANBOROUGH A large group of Pensioners were welcomed to the Crown Inn Granborough by the proprietor Toby Marchant who congratulated them for their charm, kindness and appreciation which made it a special day for them all.
95
AN INTERESTING TREE; GINKO BILOBA THE MAIDENHAIR TREE
A splendid specimen of this species grows and has been growing to the north of the middle lawn in Ranelagh gardens for around 70 years, which is even slightly longer than I have worked at the hospital! It is a most interesting tree species for a number of reasons, once considered extinct in the wild; a few specimens were discovered growing in the Zhejiiang province of China, since this time it has become well planted in gardens, parks and over the last twenty or so years as a street tree, a young specimen can be seen on the Kings Road, so keep a sharp
lookout when you go to Waitrose next! The distinct shape of the leaves, once seen, are not easily forgotten, fossil records of this plant family exist that date back to the time of the dinosaurs and so it is a very early and ancient species, a great survivor. It is allied to the conifers, however unlike the majority of conifers that retain their leaves for several years; this one sheds its leaves every year, for this is very much the Duck Billed Platypus of the plant world!
BOTANICALLY INTERESTING
Botanically interesting, but also horticulturally very useful as an ornamental tree reaching about 60 feet in old money, richly verdant during spring and summer and when mists and mellow fruitfulness heralds the end of the growing season, its leaves turn a beautiful clear yellow, surely one of the most wondrous trees for autumn colour, in my opinion. This lovely tree also contains useful chemicals, if you take a look in one of the many health shops that has sprung up on the Kings Road - that place again! You will spot many products on sale that claim to improve your memory, this will be Gingko…..for trials have proved that the chemical contained within WKH OHDYHV GR LPSURYH EORRG ÀRZ and therefore can assist people with Alzheimer’s and various dementias.
NUTTY FLAVOURED TEA
Indeed, I have tried a brew of the fresh leaves, six leaves, crushed slightly and covered in boiling water for about four minutes, the result poured from the pot looked rather like liquid straw and the taste was similar to some of the green WHDV EXW ZLWK D VOLJKWO\ µQXWW\¶ ÀDvour, I can’t claim it improved my memory, but it was worth a try for I can’t have many brain cells left by now! This is a series of short articles that I intend to submit about a few of the many noteworthy plants we have growing in our wonderful sixty or so acres of rural London that we have the privilege to work and some of us live in. Ron Willmore. 96
AMONG FRIENDS IN SCUNTHORPE
Time passes so quickly and one year later both Marjorie Cole and Harry Puttick found themselves again back in Scunthorpe amongst the very many friends they had made; wondering how Lisa and her committee could top previous visits. After the meeting, greeting, and red carpet reception we were informed that we would be Guests of Honour at a formal dinner at the Wortley House Hotel that evening: Lisaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Surprise No.1
MESS ETIQUETTE
The dinner was conducted with mess etiquette with both civilian and military guests observing traditions. Some Navy, some Army with penalties for not observing them. The dinner was delicious amongst excellent company. After, speeches were made and responded to, the usual photograph session went into full swing recording a really memorable evening. An early start was made the next day to Lincoln where we embarked on T. S. Wrangler, under the watchful eye of Sub Lieutenant Chris Wood, when transferring to power boats for a trip on the River Brayford, through the city of Lincoln; viewing old buildings of the city which not everyone gets to see. After the boat trip, we were invited for tea and coffee at the Hilton Hotel by the Doubletree Hotel manager who happened to see us passing and wanted to show his appreciation
for who and what we, as Chelsea Pensioners, represent. This was followed by a short walk through the town centre and lunch at The Taphouse, which afforded more wonderful views of Lincoln Cathedral in all its glory. On visiting the WAVE poppies sculpture at Lincoln Castle, we also met the Mayor, dignitaries, and the local press, followed by a tour of the ramSDUWV ZKLFK JDYH D PDJQLÂżFHQW SDQR rama of the whole city. We boarded a minibus for our return via Clayton Dairy Ice Cream, where they boast of over Ă&#x20AC;DYRXUV WR choose from. Marjorie did her best to try them all, as you can see! The morning of the next day was very cold with overcast cast and threatening skies. The under 9â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s football team must have been freezing while speeches were made. But they soon recovered and warmed up after running around. The attendance was very good considering the morning weather but the brightening skies later encouraged families to attend.
A MAGNET TO THE YOUNG
Led by the ATC Band, and many many service standards, the opening parade salute was taken by Commander S. Watt Royal Naval Reserve and Lord Lieutenant of the county. The many Army weaponry exhibits acted as a magnet to the younger generation with service ambitions or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;evil intentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;?, again proving how popular these exhibits are when in support of events like this. Others less interested in these displays were entertained by majorettes, cadet displays and competitions, and the very professional City RI 6KHIÂżHOG 3LSHV DQG 'UXPV Surrounding the arena were many Tri-Service fundraising stalls, food and ice cream venues, a bouncy 97
castle and, of course, an outside bar. The coconut stall was popular, especially to one 9 year old girl who downed four coconuts. It appears she played with the local ladiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; cricket team. Good on ya!! We also spoke to the local radio team, Alex and Jenna, who had been promoting the event in the weeks leading up to the day. Marjorie and I circulated by joining in with the varied activities, generally mingling with the general public and making our presence visible and available to anyone who had a camera. Marjorie made an impression on the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;trial of strengthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; machine. In the meantime the sun put in an appearance and this helped to boost the attendance.
TRI-SERVICE STANDARDS
The Directors of the football club made the Clubhouseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s VIP suite available to all the organisers and ourselves with copious tea, coffee, pastries, sandwiches, etc. and, of course, the bar at club prices. At the conclusion of the activities there was a muster in the arena, with the standards of the various Tri-Service organisations, for the closing ceremony of evening hymn, followed by the Last Post. It was, as usual, a memorable and most enjoyable day which takes an awful lot of planning, preparation of events. Organised by the Armed Forces Day Committee. it showed that the citizens of Scunthorpe have DQ DIÂżQLW\ ZLWK WKH $UPHG )RUFHV in the way they support the events organised for them. Our thanks once again to chairman Tony and vice-chairman Lisa who ZRUN VR WLUHOHVVO\ DQG VHOĂ&#x20AC;HVVO\ the patron Doug and wife Margrit, Shane (the GNOME), Maggie, Tina and the rest of the committee who are passionate to always make their event even bigger to keep the Tri- Services always in the public eye. On a personal note, Marjorie and I would like to thank Doug and Margrit for the lunch before we left to catch our train back to London, it was very much appreciated.
THE ROYAL HOSPITAL THE CHELSEA SENTINEL
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Please forgive theses musings of a lifelong gardener who is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;getting on a ELWÂś , IHOW WKDW , VKRXOG FKURQLFOH D IHZ PHPRULHV UHJDUGLQJ WKH JDUGHQV RI WKH 5R\DO +RVSLWDO DQG P\ OLIH SULRU WR MRLQLQJÂŤÂŤ EHIRUH LWÂśV WRR ODWH
RI JUHDVH Ă&#x20AC;DUHG WURXVHUV QRW WR EH worn on a windy day) and, of course, close encounters of the female kind. In fact all the things one would expect of a lad, coming of age in 70â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Britain. With my apprenticeship complete, I moved on to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, as a student, a marvellous collection of plants, dead and alive! No better place to learn idenWLÂżFDWLRQ DQG KRZ WR JURZ SODQWV
ASSISTANT GARDENER AT RHC
Ronâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father centre back row It was really my fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fault that I followed the garden path, as he was a keen and very knowledgeable grow er of roses, dahlias and those strange plants that some, rather unkindly, call â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;mops on telegraph polesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, Chrysanthemums. I remember him pottering between 2 allotments and about a quarter acre of garden at home, indeed from my YHU\ ÂżUVW VWHSV , ZDV QHYHU YHU\ IDU behind him. Indeed he taught me to bud a rose at the tender age of eight and even encouraged me to do the double digging, father was no fool!
BIZARRE AND SPIKEY MANIA
At about 12, I developed a mania for the bizarre and spikey, no, not haircuts, but cacti and other succulents. I would spend hours cycling around the fair county of Worcestershire chasing down specimens from nurseries and any one I could acquire plants from. I like the word acquire, as gardeners are always keen to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;acquireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; plants, one way or another! On leaving school at 16 and spurred on by father and a very forceful rural science teacher, I successfully acquired, that word again, a place as an apprentice gardener on Birmingham Parks or, by the wonderfully correct name, of Amenities and Recreation Department. Sadly those marvellous 4 year apprenticeships disappeared long ago, much to the detriment of professional horticulture. But enough of that, back to the main plot, the mid-seventies, a time
After which, on seeing an advertisment in the then delightfully named publication â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Gardenerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chronicleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, today just plain â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Horticulture Weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, I spotted a vacancy for an assistant gardener at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea. I had stepped across the hospital threshold a couple of times before, however, only as so many before me WR YLHZ WKH 5+6 Ă&#x20AC;RZHU VKRZ DQG VR decided to throw my hat in the ring to gain full time employment at this illustrious institution. This led to an interview with the Superintendent of Grounds, Mr John Ottaway. I must have said something right as he offered me the job, and this brought me back down to London after my spell at Kew and thus the interesting bit really begins. A wind swept day in April 1982, saw me deposited at Victoria Coach Station clutching a cardboard suitcase and an army surplus haversack. On reporting for duty to Mr. Ottaway, I was dispatched to meet the RQMS, Mr Jones, who marched me briskly along to the accommodation I was to be billeted in, based in the ROG ,QÂżUPDU\ EXLOGLQJ
HAD I JOINED THE ARMY?
Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget, 1982, the outbreak of the Falklands War. I was shown to a single room and saw, before me, an array of blankets, plates, a tea mug and other essential items for life, all labelled and numbered , â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;for the use ofâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. I had to think quick, had I really joined the army? Best remind Mr. Jones that I was here as a gardener and not an infantry man. All was well, he had not got me mixed up with a new cadet intake after all. 98
My father, himself ex Royal Artillery, who had served throughout the war in North Africa and Italy, rising to the dizzying heights of Lance Bombardier, had omitted informing me that the Royal Hospital, at that time, was run very much as an army establishment. Rather more so than it is now, with its new rather more relaxed role as a care home but still with military traditions.
A STEP UP IN TASKS
I soon got in to the swing of semimilitary life and enjoyed the garden ZRUN 0\ ÂżUVW MRE EHLQJ WXUI HGJLQJ the Serpentine Walk in Ranelagh *DUGHQV D VWHS XS IURP P\ ÂżUVW MRE as a parks apprentice, which was sluicing out the public lavatories, happy days! The years roll by as they invariably do, but one morning in October 1987, the days all but stopped, as London experienced hurricane strong winds, up to 105 mph, with the grounds losing over 100 trees, many mature London Planes, Chestnuts and Maples were complete-
ly destroyed. In those distant days ZH ZHUH DFWXDOO\ DOORZHG ERQÂżUHV WR burn leaves throughout the winter, but this year we burnt trees, in fact IRU ZHHNV ÂżUHV ZHUH NHSW EXV\ with the timber. We could not sell any as a glut of wood on the market followed the storm. TREE PLANTING PROGRAMME
:H ZHUH DVVLVWHG LQ WKH ÂżUVW ZHHN by the army from Chelsea barracks; this was to clear footpaths and to get back to some sort of normal life. After many disasters, often a modicum of good transpires. The hospital during 1988, instigated a tree planting programme, helped by donations and thereby hangs an interesting tale about a particular tree at the bottom of the Ranelagh Gardens. Here can be found 2 specimens of silver lime or Tillia tomentosa. There had been,prior to the storm, a large mature specimen of this species, in this area, which was spotted by the great plantsman, Mr. Roy
LGHQWLÂżHG WKH WUHH DV D QHZ FXOWLYDU and named it â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Chelsea Sentinelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. This species is described in the famous tree manual and is still for sale in their current listings. This large tree was a casualty of the storm, but due to Mr. Lancasterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s action, Hillierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nursery donated the 2 trees now growing near to the spot of the original tree.
THE GREEN WELLIES
/DQFDVWHU GXULQJ WKH Ă&#x20AC;RZHU VKRZ It had much more pendulous branches than the normal species, thus propagation material was taken to Hillierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nursery in Winchester. He later
The excitement did not stop there, Her Majesty The Queen agreed to plant one of the trees on her annual YLVLW WR WKH Ă&#x20AC;RZHU VKRZ LQ In fact I dug the hole and was present at the planting. I received the shock of my life when Her Majesty came over, after meeting the dignitaries of the RHS and RHC, and asked me if I was the one who was going to plant it properly. I was att ired in old gardening clothes, however I think I got away with it as I was wearing green wellies!! OTHER TREES OF INTEREST
7KDW ZDV WKH ÂżUVW WLPH WKDW , KDYH met Her Majesty, the others have been rather better choreographed.
There are many more trees of interest that were planted during the 1980â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s including the rather lovely cedar tree in the old Burial Ground. This was an â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;acquiredâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; specimen left lying around by a careless nursery PDQ GXULQJ WKH Ă&#x20AC;RZHU VKRZ which I planted under the supervision of Mr Ottaway. It is now getting quite large and we all enjoy the Christmas lights that adorn it each year. I think in order to justify some more of these trees a separate article is required at a later date, if you can bear it!
RELIGIOUS ECSTASY
Moving on a little as we moved in to the 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the hospital, particularly in regards to the grounds started to invest in modern machinery and I remember that I felt an almost religious ecstasy in receiving, for use, WKH ÂżUVW SHWURO VWULPPHUÂśV DQG OHDI blowers purchased in order to take over from the rake, besom and scythe of yesteryear. Ron Willmore
MEN IN SCARLET ON THE BLUEBELL RAILWAY
Several Chelsea Pensionersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; were taken on an outing to the Bluebell Railway, for a day out and picnic, by The Taxi Driversâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Benevolent Fund, which provides trips and days out for Veterans of all 3 military services. On this occasion we were collected by black cab and GULYHQ WR 6KHIÂżHOG 3DUN 6WDWLRQ LQ Sussex, where we were given coffee and pastry on arrival.
THE BLUEBELL RAILWAY
As long ago as May 1955 (eight years before Dr Beechingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s report Âł5HVKDSLQJ RI %ULWLVK 5DLOZD\V´ the line was closed. It was brought back to life in 1961, when the Bluebell Line was opened by a group of enthusiasts, whose eventual aim was to re-open the line from Lewes to East Grinstead.
YEARS OF FUND RAISING
BEAUTIFUL 1889 COACHES
7KH ÂżUVW VHFWLRQ WR RSHQ ZDV IURP the now southern terminus at ShefÂżHOG 3DUN WR +RUVWHG .H\QHV DIter many years of heavy duty works and fundraising on 23rd March 2013, the extension to East Grinstead was ÂżQDOO\ FRPSOHWHG $ODV WKH VRXWKern extension to Lewes may never happen due to major roads that have been built in the intervening years.
Entertainment was provided by a wonderful singer, who sang many songs from the 40â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and 50â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Then it was time to entrain in beautiful coaches from 1889. Some carriages ZHUH ÂżUVW FODVV ZLWK DQ HDUO\ YHUVLRQ RI WKH ÂłFRPPXQLFDWLRQ FRUG´ At 13.00 hr precisely the guard blew his whistle and we were off, to East Grinstead. (In 1955 trains ran on time).
Don Avery
SAUSAGE AND CHIPS
On the return journey we detrained at Kingscote Station for a picnic lunch of sausages and chips, hot and cold drinks and ice cream to folORZ 2Q RXU UHWXUQ WR 6KHIÂżHOG 3DUN Station we re-joined our black cabs for the journey back to the Royal Hospital. 99
MALAYA AND BORNEO ASSOCIATION PLAQUE REDEDICATION
On 28th April 2016 a service was held at St Paul’s Cathedral to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ending of hostilities in Borneo and to also re-dedicate the Memorial Plaque of the National Malaya and Borneo Association (NMBVA). Attended by Pensioners Mike Hall and Malcolm Tanner, the service, held in the Crypt at St Paul’s Cathedral, was led by The Reverend Canon Mark Oakley the Chancellor; Canon in Residence. A reading was given by General Sir Garry Johnson, KCB, OBE, MC, President of the NMBVA. This was followed by a poem, The Man Beside Me, which was read by Corporal Mohammed Din, City of
Years draw on and memories dim But in your mind you remember him For he was the one who was by your side When you wore your uniform with pride You travelled far across the sea To help a nation to be free In jungle heat you made your stand To drive the evil from this land Surviving this would have been great But that was not to be his fate For in another day of strife That bullet took away his life No more now will he feel the pain Of insect bites and monsoon rain But he will know where ere he be He helped that nation to be free So let us think of him with pride And all this others by his side Out in that land so far away There still remembered to this day.
London Academy, Islington, (Honourable Artillery Company) Combined Cadet Force. The commemoration plaque was re-dedicated and wreaths laid then, as the party returned into the chapel, a piper played a lament, this sounded very haunting within the arched FU\SW 7KH VHUYLFH ¿QLVKHG ZLWK WKH signing of the National Anthem. We were all invited to the Mansion
FRANK ON THE CARPET... AGAIN
The incident occurred when I was wheeling Frank round the Chelsea Flower Show when a young man offered to give him a poppy but I had to wheel him into the poppy display area. A lady there picked a poppy from a box, and announced that she was Lynn, one of the ladies whose idea the poppy display was. She then pushed a poppy behind Frank’s medals, which can be seen in the photo. Having asked us our names she suggested that the three of us should go and stand on the red carpet and face the throng of people who were admiring the wonderful display and taking photographs. She said she had met the Royal family, was really happy at the interest and admiration that all their handiwork had aroused. I thought it was fabulous. Christine Hook
House so the 2 pensioners ‘borrowed’ a seat on one of the coaches leaving St Paul’s. When we arrived we found that we were a little late as all seats at the tables had been taken. But having charged our plates with chicken and rice, managed a balancing act with it on our knees. After the meal we were then the subject of many cameras and ladies wanting their picture taken with us, it’s a hard life in Scarlett. On our way out we were given a commemorative mug before eventually getting the number 11 bus back to home. Mike Hall
( ( $ & PRAYER
Our doctor in his consulting room. Revered be they name. Your patients wait. In consulting rooms as well as in hospital. Give us this day our daily medication And forgive us our ailments. As we forget our appointments. And lead us not into hypochondria. But deliver us from all ills.
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Come on Fred its never going to pay out. It’s the fire alarm panel.
I realised that I had not been on a parade square since leaving boy service 50 years earlier. The nerves started at this point!
PLEASED WITH OUR EFFORTS
THE PRIDE OF FOUNDERS DAY
In 1966 Harold was Prime lldd Wilson ill i Minister, England won the World Cup, 4-2 against Germany, Flower Power was born and the BBC TV launched "Till Death Do Us Part", WKH ¿UVW VHULHV All very notable events in 1966 but one lesser known event was the end of two years boy service at the Junior Tradesman Regiment, Kimnel Park Camp, Rhyl in the Royal Army Medical Corp to man service. This event was marked by having the customary "Passing Out Parade" and, incidentally, the last time in my military career I was on a ceremonial parade square.
FIRST FOREIGN POSTING
$ ELJ VWHS IRU PH ZDV P\ ¿UVW SRVW ing to foreign shores - Aden. But why does this event mean so much to me? Being 17 years of age I was able to EH LQ WKHDWUHV RI FRQÀLFW EXW QRW ROG enough to vote in an election! Move on 49 years to 2015 and I apply to the Royal Hospital Chelsea to become an Chelsea In Pensioner. Why did I apply to join this World renown establishment? My father, Herbert James Whittick, was in the Border Regiment, and he and my PRWKHU KDG FKLOGUHQ 7KH ¿UVW ZHUH ER\V DQG WKH\ ¿QDOO\ VWRSSHG having children after the birth of my sister Margaret.
b h Bert, Jack, k Peter, David, id My brothers Graham, Stephen, Mark all served in the army in various regiments and corps. My father did not get a chance to become a Chelsea Pensioner dying 1 week before his 65th birthday. He only saw me in uniform twice prior to his death, I was then 16 years old. In November 2015 I was offered a place at the Royal Chelsea Hospital which I accepted with pride and felt H[WUHPHO\ SULYLOHJHG )URP WKH ¿UVW day, 9 November "Founders Day" was mentioned. Everyone I spoke to about Founders Day stressed upon me the importance of this event as the being the biggest event of the calendar year and "something to look forward to!"
-XQH RXU ¿UVW )RXQGHUV 'D\ rehearsal. On the way down to Figure Square I was nervous and slightly concerned. I questioned myself why I was having these IHHOLQJV 7KH ¿UVW WKLQJ , QRWLFHG was having doubts about my "drill parade skills" as they were not at their best and secondly not wanting to let all my peers down! Come the Governors Parade the expectations for a good parade grew enormously. It appeared to go off well and everyone, both participants and guests seemed pleased with our efforts. But I still had doubts and just hoped the real Founders Day Parade would go even better. On the morning of Founders Day Parade there was a tangible expectancy in the air. All the Chelsea Pensioners were turned out perfectly, as was the weather which helped towards a good parade, albeit a little on the warm side.
GROWING ANTICIPATION
As May, 2016 arrived I could feel a distinct change in everyone's mood and attitude every time people mentioned Founders Day. It seemed to be on everyone's lips throughout the Royal Hospital! It seemed with every passing day that took us closer to the 9th June the excitement and anticipation grew. :KHQ -XQH FDPH WKH EULH¿QJ IRU Founders Day for new-comers took place. It was at this point, sat listening to the RSM, whilst watching a video of a previous Founders Day Parade
HAT SWOP
Left Mick Kippin in a Bersaglieri (Italian Light Infantry). Right a Shako, of the Royal Guernsey Militia gun crew , St. Peter Port, Guernsey
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Following the command “Parade dismiss" I sighed with relief and started to walk towards where my sister, brother and sister-inlaw, family and friends, were sitting. Catching sight of them I felt overcome with emotions and was thinking, "what my father and brothers would have made of it all?" Hand on heart I think they would have been full of Pride! Paul Whittick
THE ROSS ANNUAL VETERANS TEA PARTY
The weekly bulletin of the 8th of July, 2016 in the In Pensioners Activities section, requested, 2 IPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to attend a Veterans Tea Party in Ross-On-Wye, Herefordshire. Having been evacuated from London in 1939 to that area, I applied and on Sunday 31st July, in company with IP Simmons, we travelled by train to Gloucester, where we were met and greeted on the station platform by members of the British Legion, Ross on Wye branch.
MOTOR CYCLE RIDERS
Outside the station we were also greeted by about 20 motorcycle riders with a full complement of leathers and tattoos, and after a two hour sleepy train ride, we had some doubts about this Veterans Tea Party. However, we departed Gloucester in convoy with motorcycle riders in front and at the rear for the 12 mile, journey to Ross on Wye where we were taken to our hotel, and again escorted by all the motorcycles to the Larruperz Centre the location of the Veterans Tea Party. On arrival we were greeted by the local Mayor and Mayoress, and seQLRU RI¿FHUV RI WKH ORFDO EUDQFK RI the British Legion, and about one hundred local senior citizens and had a full afternoon of entertainment. With the motorcycle riders providing the staff to serve the refreshments, and collection after, It was at this stage that we became aware that during the last war, from 1939 to1945, the Royal Hospital Chelsea, had evacuated large numbers of In Pensioners, to the local Manors. ANNUAL CEREMONIES
The graves of those In Pensioners, who had passed away, were located in local church yards, and the British Legion had always conducted annual ceremonies at these Chelsea Pensioner grave sites. The following morning, we had breakfast with about 20 members of the local branch of the British Legion, we were then driven to visit two locations where the In Pensioners graves were located. Two simple DQG GLJQL¿HG FHUHPRQLHV ZHUH FRQducted and wreaths laid. This was an unexpected and sobering experience. Ivor Williams
THAT'S THE WAY TO DO IT In 1995 Norman Mitchell wrote this item in sheer exasperation when the regiment was reduced to only one battalion.
Charles (MOD) and Geoffrey (Treasury) are discussing, at a working lunch at the Hilton the latest decision on defence cuts. Charles. Geoffrey are you sure we KDYHQ¶W JRQH D OLWWOH WRR IDU ZLWK these cuts? Apart from the defence DQJOH GRQ¶W \RX WKLQN WKDW KRUVH guards parade will look a bit sparse DW QH[W \HDU¶V 4XHHQ¶V %LUWKGD\ 3Drade? Geoffrey. No problem-each man will FDUU\ D OLIH VL]H LQÃ&#x20AC;DWDEOH ¿JXUH RI D Guardsman in each hand. Charles EXW WKH\ ZRQ¶W EH DEOH WR FDUry those gun things they usually have. Geoffrey. Exactly; think of the savings by not having to buy any more. Charles. But might not people spot the difference? Geoffrey. :HOO LQVWHDG RI LQÃ&#x20AC;DWables we can get hold of lots of sailors and dress them up as Guardsmen-there are lots of surplus uniforms and anyway, there are no ships left. Charles. ,¶P ZRUULHG DERXW WKH Ã&#x20AC;\ past after the birthday parade. The 7LJHU 0RWK GRHVQ¶W VHHP YHU\ LPpressive.
102
Geoffrey %XW WKDW¶V WKH EHDXW\ RI LW
Instead of a great mass of expenVLYH PDFKLQHU\ Ã&#x20AC;\LQJ RYHUKHDG D 7LJHU 0RWK ZLOO EH Ã&#x20AC;\LQJ VORZO\ enough for her Majesty to read the birthday greetings it will be towing. Charles. But suppose trouble blows up somewhere like the Gulf or if China cuts up rough over Hong Kong, and Russia; it presently looks a bit unstable orâ&#x20AC;¦..? Geoffrey 'RQ¶W EH VXFK D SHVVLPLVWLF DODUPLVW :H¶YH EHHQ DVVXUHG WKDW anything can be settled politically. Charles. But it might happen; what then? Geoffrey. Now look, we have just inFUHDVHG WKH 7$ DJH OLPLW WR DQG we could call up lots of those old service pensioners who keep banging on about what they did in the ZDU ,Q DQ\ FDVH WKHUH¶V DOZD\V WKH $PHULFDQV WKH\¶YH JRW ORWV RI VWXII Charles. %XW FRXOGQ¶W WKDW EH D OLWWOH hazardous? Geoffrey. Well instead of that we could invite the leaders of the trouble maker countries over here and they could get together with our chaps and settle the whole thing ZLWK WR\ VROGLHUV LQ D 7(:7 Charles. A what? Geoffrey. Tactical Exercise Without 7URRSV ± SHUIHFW
STRIVING TO HELP THOSE WITH LIFE CHANGING INJURIES Lt Col Rupert Lucas and his merry band of scarlet clad pensioners, set out to pay a 2 day visit to the Personnel Recovery Centre (PRC) on the 5th July in Colchester Garrison. Run by the charity â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Help for Heroes (H4H), PRC is supported by the Royal British Legion and forms part of the Defence Recovery Capability. After a comfortable rail journey, we were met by Captain Simon Manders, who was our principal guide during the visit. After a short drive in the PRC minibus, we arrived at the Centre and and were allocated superb individual rooms for our overnight stay, all organised by Joanna, front of house.
AIMS EXPLAINED
We also met Steve Scoller, Head of recovery East, Emma Ops Manager, Shelly veterans and families support, hub manager, Claire, Albie Griggs, Catherine, Sheena and Rose. After some welcome refreshments Captain Manders gave us a welcome brief in the social room where the aims of the PRC were explained. Following a scrumptious lunch in the PRC canteen, we had an internal walkabout during which we met Major Peall OC, Captain Chris Butt and other members of the team. Each department we visited explained their responsibilities in detail. This helped us gain a clearer under-
standing of the treatment and issues facing the PRC. There are three other Centres scattered around the UK; Edinburgh with 12 beds; Catterick with 50 bed and Tidworth with 52 beds. There is also the battle back centre at Lilleshall. They all strive to help military personnel who have suffered lifechanging injuries and illnesses by giving treatment and ongoing support, helping them to adapt to their new life. This is done through â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Core Recovery Eventsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;: CRE 1, CRE2 and CRE3. CORE RECOVERY EVENTS
Designed to engage with wounded, injured and sick (WIS) personnel in their recovery to the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;hard-factsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; concept, CRE1 covers dealing with health, accommodation, relocation, GUXJV DOFRKRO ÂżQDQFH DWWLWXGH FKLOdren, training, education, employment DQG ÂżQDOO\ ZLWK VXSSRUW DJHQFLHV Over 10 days CRE2 covers such WKLQJV DV ÂżQDQFLDO HGXFDWLRQ UHFRYery opportunities (i.e. work placements), CV writing if necessary. There are other avenues available within this phase which are all very well planned. 7KH ÂżQDO &5( RYHU GD\V LV D full medical board assessment on each SHUVRQ ZKLFK GHWHUPLQHV D ÂżQDO UHport prior to this part of the treatment. At this stage job search and interview techniques come to the fore. During our stay we had the privilege of sitting in a classroom with a group of personnel who were beginning their CRE1. Listening to their aspirations and hopes expressed in a very relaxed and open-minded way, we were encouraged to mix and chat with them.
SPORT ACTIVITIES
Inter-twined in their stay at the PRC each WIS member is encouraged to bond through team sport activities: The Corporal Budd VC gymnasium
FORVH E\ KROGV D PDJQLÂżFHQW DUUD\ RI ÂżWQHVV HTXLSPHQW DQG D IDQWDVWLF indoor pool. On the morning of Day 2 we visited the gymnasium after Captain Manders had given us a brief on Battle Back (which simply means battling back to health). It is a programme of adventure and sports training to help wounded service personnel gain independence and FRQÂżGHQFH 2XWGRRU DFWLYLWLHV LQFOXGH ÂżHOG craft sessions, cycling and trekking to mention a few. There is also a wide range of events and activities during the day and evening to support recovery, including Health & Physical wellbeing sessions which include Yoga, pilates and massage.
RELAX AND MEDITATE
There is also a wonderful garden and patio area where personnel can relax, sit and meditate; a place to refresh oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mind! The entire landscaped garden was a prime exhibit at the Chelsea Flower Show a couple of years ago, and was gifted to the PRC â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;lock, stock and barrelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a truly PDJQLÂżFHQW JHVWXUH RI JRRGZLOO After our gymnasium visit it was time for lunch prior to our departure, Grateful thanks were exchanged, along with many photo shots. Then Captain Manders drove us back to the railway station for our return to the RHC. In conclusion, this was an excellent visit, and we are all much wiser to the wonderful work these dedicated teams do at the PRCs. M Paling
EXTRACTS FROM ANNUAL REPORTS
â&#x20AC;&#x153;He has the wisdom of youth, and the energy of old age.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;His men would follow him anywhere, but only out of curiosityâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This soldier is depriving a village somewhere of its idiot.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;She is not so much of a has been, EXW PRUH RI D GHÂżQLWHO\ ZRQÂśW EH ´ â&#x20AC;&#x153;She would be out of her depth in a car park puddle.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;When he joined the regiment he was something of a granny; since then he has aged considerably. â&#x20AC;&#x153; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Very good at setting low personal standards and then consistently failing to achieve them.â&#x20AC;?
103
HM QUEEN ELIZABETH II
the years during the war and up to 1952. A celebration of 90 years as a reigning Monarch of the United Kingdom Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor (later Mountbatten-Windsor) was born on the 21st April 1926 in London to the Duke and Duchess of York, later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, and was the elder of their two daughters. Her father acceded to the throne when his brother Edward VIII abdicated in 1936. In September 1939, Britain entered into the Second World War, which was to last until 1945. In the early years of the war, many of London's children were evacuated to avoid the frequent aerial bombing.
EVACUATION TO CANADA
Lord Hailsham1 as Lord President of the Council, offered the suggestion that the two Princesses should be evacuated to Canada. This was rejected out of hand by the Queen who declared, "The children won't go without me. I won't leave without the King. And the King will never leave."2
%RWK 3ULQFHVVHV VWD\HG ÂżUVW DW %DO moral Castle, then to Sandringam House, Norfolk3. In 1940 they PRYHG ÂżUVW WR WKH 5R\DO /RGJH Windsor for a short time, until moving into Windsor Castle, where they OLYHG IRU PRVW RI WKH QH[W ÂżYH \HDUV 4
In 1942, aged 16, Elizabeth registered with the Labour Exchange â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the British employment agency at that time â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and was extremely keen to join a division of the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s armed forces. Her father was reluctant to let her do so, but eventually relented. Early in 1942 the Princess was appointed the Colonel-in-Chief of the Grenadier Guards. In April 1943, at the age of 17, Elizabeth undertook her ÂżUVW VROR SXEOLF DSSHDUDQFH RQ D YLVLW to the Grenadiers,6 when she spent a day with a Grenadier Guards tank battalion in Southern Command.
OFFICIAL DUTIES INCREASED
)URP WKDW WLPH RQZDUGV KHU RIÂżcial duties increased, becoming particularly involved with organisations connected with young people. She was President of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children in Hackney and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. From March 1944 onwards, the Princess also began to accompany the King and Queen on many of their tours within Britain. As the Princess approached her 18th birthday, Parliament changed the law, such that she could act as one of ÂżYH &RXQVHOORUV RI 6WDWH LQ WKH HYHQW of her father's incapacity or absence abroad, such as his visit to the Italy EDWWOHÂżHOGV LQ -XO\ 7 and, for the ÂżUVW WLPH FDUULHG RXW VRPH RI WKRVH duties as the Head of State.
FIRST PUBLIC SPEECH
As the Princess grew older, she began to take part in public life with KHU SDUHQWV PDNLQJ KHU ÂżUVW SXEOLF speech in October 1940, when she was 14. In a live broadcast, she sent a message during the BBC's children's programme to all the children of Britain and the Commonwealth; particularly to those children who were being evacuated for safety reasons. "We are trying to do all we can to help our gallant sailors, soldiers and airmen, and we are trying, too, to bear our share of the danger and sadness of war. We know, every one of us, that in the end all will be well."5
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In February 1945, the Princess joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), with the service number of 230873,8 and was made an honorary Second Subaltern. Having satisfactorily completed her course at No. 1 Mechanical Training Centre of the ATS and passed out as D IXOO\ TXDOLÂżHG GULYHU DOVR KDYLQJ learned something of the mechanics of engines and vehicle maintenance, map reading and ATS Administration.
HIGH DEGREE OF SKILL
Providing an ability to drive with a high degree of skill, an ambulance, an Austin utility, and a saloon car. The previous day, when talking with the Commandant about her departure, she was asked by MacLellan, if she would consider becoming a regular $76 RIÂżFHU" 6KH DQVZHUHG
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d give everything I possess to be an ordinary person like one of my own friends and be an ATS. RIÂżFHU %XW , FDQQRW GR WKDW , have to be always at everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beck and call. Therefore, I should be of no use.â&#x20AC;?9
By the end of the war she had reached the rank of Junior Commander (Captain equivalent).10
FIRST OVERSEAS TOUR
In 1947, Princess Elizabeth went RQ KHU ÂżUVW RYHUVHDV WRXU DFFRPpanying her parents through southern Africa. During the tour, and in a broadcast to the British Commonwealth on her 21st birthday, Elizabeth made the following pledge: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your
service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.â&#x20AC;?11
Welsh politicians suggested that Elizabeth be made Princess of Wales on her 18th birthday. The then Home Secretary, Herbert Morrison supported the idea, but the King rejected it because he felt such a title belonged solely to the wife of a Prince of Wales and that the Prince of Wales had always been the heir apparent.12 Nevertheless, in 1946, Princess Elizabeth was inducted into the Welsh Gorsedd of Bards as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Elizabeth o (from) Windsorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at the National Eisteddfod of Wales, to be made a member of the Order of Ovates, Aberpennar.13
TWICKENHAM RUGBY AND THE BABCOCK TROPHY
ACCESSION AND CORONATION
During 1951, George VIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health deteriorated and Princess Elizabeth, the heir presumptive, frequently stood in for him at public events. The delayed tour to Canada was reorganised, with Elizabeth and her husband, Philip now the Duke of Edinburgh, taking the place of the King and Queen. Early in 1952, Princess Elizabeth and her husband Philip, set out for a tour of Australia and New Zealand by way of Kenya. On the 31st January 1952, despite advice from those close to him, the King went to London Airport (later renamed Heathrow) to see the departure of his daughter Princess Elizabeth. On the morning of the 6th February, George VI was found dead in bed at Sandringham House in Norfolk. He had died from a coronary thrombosis in his sleep at the age of 56.14 On the 6th February 1952, they had just returned to the Sagana Lodge, after a night spent at Treetops Hotel, when word arrived of the death of the King and consequently Elizabethâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s immediate accession to the throne. After Philip broke the news to the new Queen,15 her Private Secretary Martin Charteris (later Lord Charteris) asked if she would choose a regal name; however, she chose to remain â&#x20AC;&#x153;Elizabeth, of courseâ&#x20AC;?.16 The Princess Elizabeth was proclaimed Queen Elizabeth II, throughout her realms and the royal party hastily returned to the United Kingdom,17 moving into Buckingham Palace.18 John Carbis
REFERENCES / FOOTNOTES
1.Warwick, Christopher (2002). Princess Margaret: A Life of Contrasts. London: Carlton Publishing Group. SDJH ,6%1 Âł4XHHQ (OL]DEHWK WKH 4XHHQ 0RWKHU´ 5R\DO Household. &UDZIRUG SDJHV Âą 3LPORWW SDJHV Âą &UDZIRUG SDJHV Âą 3LPORWW SDJH Âł&KLOGUHQÂśV +RXU 3ULQFHVV (OL]DEHWK´ %%& WK October 1940. 6.â&#x20AC;&#x153;Early public lifeâ&#x20AC;?. Royal Household. 7. Pimlott, page 71 8.The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 36973. SDJH WK 0DUFK 9.Courtesy of the Inverness and Northern Counties 3HRSOHÂśV -RXUQDO RQ 6DWXUGD\ UG )HEUXDU\ describing events when Miss Maud L. MacLellan, OBE, TD, commanded the No. 1 MT Training Centre, ATS, Camberley. 7KH /RQGRQ *D]HWWH 6XSSOHPHQW QR S VW -XO\ Âł$ VSHHFK E\ WKH 4XHHQ RQ KHU VW ELUWKGD\´ Royal Household. 12.Pimlott, pages 71â&#x20AC;&#x201C;73. 13.â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gorsedd of the Bardsâ&#x20AC;?. National Museum of Wales. 14.Pimlott, pages 428â&#x20AC;&#x201C;429. %UDQGUHWK SDJHV Âą /DFH\ SDJH 3LPlott, pages 173â&#x20AC;&#x201C;176; Shawcross, page 16. %RXVÂżHOG DQG 7RIIROL SDJH &KDUWHULV TXRWHG LQ Pimlott, page 179 and Shawcross, page 17. 17.Pimlott, pages 178â&#x20AC;&#x201C;179. 18.Pimlott, pages 186â&#x20AC;&#x201C;187.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
â&#x20AC;˘ Bond, Jennie (2006). Elizabeth: Eighty Glorious Years. London: Carlton Publishing Group. ISBN 1-84442-260-7. Â&#x2021; %UDGIRUG 6DUDK 4XHHQ (OL]DEHWK ,, +HU /LIH in Our Times. London: Penguin. ISBN 978-0-67091911-6. Â&#x2021; %RXVÂżHOG $UWKXU 7RIIROL *DU\ )LIW\ <HDUV WKH 4XHHQ 7RURQWR 'XQGXUQ 3UHVV ,6%1 â&#x20AC;˘ Brandreth, Gyles (2004). Philip and Elizabeth: Portrait of a Marriage. London: Century. ISBN 0-71266103-4. Â&#x2021; &UDZIRUG 0DULRQ 7KH /LWWOH 3ULQFHVVHV London: Cassell & Co. Â&#x2021; /DFH\ 5REHUW 5R\DO +HU 0DMHVW\ 4XHHQ Elizabeth II. London: Little, Brown. ISBN 0-316 Â&#x2021; 3LPORWW %HQMDPLQ 7KH 4XHHQ (OL]DEHWK II and the Monarchy. London: HarperCollins. ISBN â&#x20AC;˘ Warwick, Christopher (2002). Princess Margaret: A Life of Contrasts. London: Carlton Publishing Group. SDJH ,6%1
105
Again the Royal Chelsea Pensioners were honoured to attend the Inter Service rugby match between the Army v Navy at the Twickenham rugby stadium for the Babcock Trophy, the main sponsors. The Navy withstood a familiar barrage from Semesa Rokoduguni, the %DWK DQG (QJODQG Ă&#x20AC;LHU WR ZLQ WKH Inter Services Championship for the ÂżUVW WLPH VLQFH ZLWK D ODVW JDVS draw in a thrilling encounter watched by a capacity Twickenham crowd. The Army appeared to be coasting to victory when 2 tries by Rokoduup gave a 19-point lead 7 minutes into the second half. But the Navy responded with a burst of 19 unanswered points in a 10 minute purple patch. A 78th-minute penalty from fullback Jonathon Humphrey secured the draw that the Navy knew would be VXIÂżFLHQW WR FODLP WKH WLWOH KDYLQJ DOready beaten the RAF, who edged out the Army by a point. A marvellous day out and to put the icing on the cake, we were all given a bottle of Champagne, celebrating the Babcock International *URXS V \HDUV 7UXVWHG WR GHOLYHU Steve Lovelock
A GLORIOUS HISTORY
CELEBRATED IN STYLE
Origins of British military engineering can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxons and King Offa of Mercia. Later, in 1066, William the Conquerorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Engineer, Humphrey de Tilleul, erected a pre-fabricated fort at Hastings after the battle with King Harold. He was succeeded as Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Engineer by a monk named Gundulph, who became Bishop of Rochester and famously oversaw the construction of the White Tower in the Tower of London. In 1415, Nicholas Merbury, who had been King Henry Vâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Engineer at the Battle of AgLQFRXUW ZDV PDGH WKH ÂżUVW 0DVWHU RI the Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Works and Ordnance unGHU ZKRP ZDV HVWDEOLVKHG DQ 2IÂżFH of Ordnance, which in 1518 was renamed the Board of Ordnance. In 1714 the organisation of the Board of Ordnance was reassessed and the then Chief Engineer, the Right Honourable Brigadier Michael Richards, proposed the formation of a regiment of artillery on a separate establishment to that of the engineers. ROYAL WARRANT
This was subsequently enacted by Royal Warrant on 26th May 1716 and the Royal Regiment of Artillery was born. It is from this point that the Royal Artillery and the then Corps of Engineers pursued separate paths. The growth of overseas garrisons and expeditions, and the need for enJLQHHU RIÂżFHUV WR VXSSRUW WKHP VDZ the Corps of Engineers increase and in 1757 they were given military ofÂżFHU UDQN 7KLUW\ \HDUV ODWHU D 5R\DO Warrant dated 25th April 1787 granted â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Royalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; status, leading to the current Corps of Royal Engineers title.
On the abolition of the Board of Ordnance on 17th October 1856 the Corps of Royal Sappers and Miners was amalgamated with the Corps of Royal Engineers to form the Corps we know today. Another historical note concerns one of the Corpsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Reserve Regiments, the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia), incorporated into the Royal Engineers in 1877. Although not initially part of the Royal Engineers, it can trace its origins as far back as the Muster Roll of 1539 and is now the senior Reserve Regiment in the Army. FOREFRONT OF NEW IDEAS
From the mid-1800s until the end of the First World War, Royal Engineers were involved in virtually evHU\ VFLHQWLÂżF GHYHORSPHQW DQG WHFKnical function of the Army. From transport to communications, and searchlights to submarine mining, Royal Engineers were at the forefront of nurturing new ideas and capabilities, which included a variety of famous civil endeavors. Lieutenant Colonel John By played a major role in the early development of Canada, including the building of the Rideau Canal, below, between Montreal and Kingston in the 1820s - now a World Heritage Site.
SOLDIER ARTIFICER COMPANY
In parallel with these developments, in 1772, events in Gibraltar inspired the Chief Engineer there to gain auWKRULW\ WR IRUP WKH ÂżUVW Âľ6ROGLHU $UWLÂżFHU &RPSDQ\Âś WKH IRUH UXQQHUV RI todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s non-commissioned ranks. Later, on 10th October 1787, the Corps of 5R\DO 0LOLWDU\ $UWLÂżFHUV ZDV IRUPHG becoming in1813 the Corps of Royal 6DSSHUV DQG 0LQHUV ERWK RIÂżFHUHG E\ the Corps of Royal Engineers. 106
Sir William Reid, who was a Lieutenant at the time of the Peninsular War, became chairman of the committee for the planning of the Great Exhibition in 1851. Others continued the work of their forebears in the Ordnance Survey by conducting survey operations across the British Empire, and many made names for themselves as colonial governors in the West Indies and Australia. LED TO FORMATION OF RAF
At the start of the 20th Century, Royal Engineers were heavily involved LQ HDUO\ Ă&#x20AC;\LQJ DQG WKH 5R\DO (QJLneers Balloon Battalion merged into the new Royal Flying Corps in 1912 which in turn led to the formation of the Royal Air Force in 1918. By 1914 responsibility for mechanical transport had been transferred to the newly formed Royal Army Service Corps and in 1920 the Royal Engineers helped form the Royal Corps of Signals. PROGRESSIVELY TRANSFERED
After the Second World War certain Royal Engineer specialisations ZHUH SURJUHVVLYHO\ WUDQVIHUUHG ÂżUVW to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and then to the Royal Corps of Transport. More recently, in 1994 the Corps handed over responsibility for the
serving members of the Corps, their families, cadets, veterans and members of the local communities. Sapper birthday parWLHV KDYH EHHQ KHOG DV IDU D¿HOG as Brunei and Brompton, the Middle East and Minley. MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA
Postal and Courier role to the Royal Logistic Corps. The Corps of Royal Engineers has a very proud history that has seen Sappers take part in every major campaign and action fought by the British Army over the last 300 years. This continues to this day and sees the Corps at the forefront of operational deployments enabling and supporting all elements of the UK’s Armed Forces. CELEBRATING 300 YEARS. The underlying intent of the celebrations across the whole of 2016 has been inclusiveness. Early in the planning process the Chief Royal Engineer, Lieutenant General Sir Mark Mans KCB CBE DL made explicit his wish that the celebrations should include as many members of the Corps as possible. For this reason Open and Families’ Days have been held by all Regiments or Garrisons. These have been deliberately wide ranging and have included attendance by
A particular highlight of the year was the ‘Musical Extravaganza’. This military band concert was held in Rochester Castle and saw the Royal Engineer Band, the Nottinghamshire Band of the Royal Engineers and the Countess of Wessex String Orchestra on stage together playing for 3,000 ecstatic spectators in what was a major tour de force of military music. Lead in some style by the Director of Music of the RE Band, Capt James Marshall CAMus, WKH HYHQLQJ ZDV WKH ¿QDOH RI the annual Medway music festival – the so-called ‘Castle Concerts’ – and included many of the Last Night of the Proms favourites such as the ‘Medley of Sea Songs’, ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ and ‘Rule Britannia’. MEMORIAL WEEKEND
The many non-military spectators were also entertained, and surprised, by a lusty rendering of the RE Corps song ‘Hurrah for the CRE’, the words for which were both unknown to them and beyond comprehension.
There was our annual Corps Memorial Weekend in Medway in September and for the grand ¿QDOH ZH DUH H[SHFWLQJ D YLVLW IURP RXU &RORnel in Chief, Her Majesty the Queen, later in the year. What Next? The Corps remains very busy with troops deployed across the globe in support of British Forces in, among other places, the Falklands, Africa, the Middle and Far East and the Caribbean. Not to mention the work done in support of civil agencies of all sorts inside the United Kingdom where we have helped with HYHU\WKLQJ IURP ÀRRGV WR 2O\PSLF VHFXULW\ The Corps remains a potent force for good DQG LWV PXOWL VNLOOHG VROGLHUV SURYLGH D ÀH[LEOH and effective force that can readily adapt as circumstances change from peace keeping to rebuilding damaged infrastructure or a more rigorous military posture as required. We very much look forward the many challenges that will no doubt emerge over the next 300 years. Charles N Holman Corps Secretary RE
300 YEARS OF THE ENGINEERS In countless conflicts far and wide we’ve battled on, we’ve bled and died Our wives have mourned, our children cried. 300 years of engineers. Throughout the years we’ve forged our name, we are shy when praised we shun the fame, One thing for sure, we know the game. 300 years of engineers. First in, last out is what we say. We’ve cleared the mines and saved the day To get things done sapper way. 300 years of engineers. How can we cross this river here, There is no fall, no bridge we fear I know! We’ll ask an engineer. 300 years of engineers. It’s time to build a bridge again in wind in snow in mud and rain. Forget the weather, bear the pain. 300 years of engineers. We’ve lost our mates along the way, We will remember them we say Remembrance Day is every day. 300 years of engineers. Ian R Smith 2015
The Regiment through the ages. A 17th Century Militia man,
D WK &HQWXU\ RI¿FHU DQG D PRGHUQ GD\ VROGLHU 107
7KH (QJLQHHUV SOD\HG LQ WKH ¿UVW HYHU )$ Cup Final, losing 1–0 at Kennington Oval on 16 March 1872, to Wanderers. They also lost in 1874 to Oxford University AFC. They won 2-0 in 1874-75 against Old Etonians after a replay.
BATH TUB NIGHT From head to toe all things seen, touched, washed, and loved. Bath tub night. Galvanized zinc tub. Five by two and half foot. The naked thatched haired amazon tribe stands by. Boy girl, boy girl. All waiting for the ritual carbolic scrub. Knows no anatomical embarrassment or disgust. The final pan of water over their heads. Runs with ease over the girls, and trickles over the cuniformed crest. Boys for a few seconds, when our tups sprouted water. We stand like Cherubs round a white marble altar.
After we are dried. Mother tries her tonsorial skills. Her favourite weapon is the five inch by two and a half inch steel nit comb. The girls are pampered by Granma Rose. Their hair lovingly gently stroked. Next comes the outer skin. Here’s mothers forte, A chance to show off her dermatologist skills. Rashes, pimples and spots. All are skilfully identified, and dealt with on the spot. The medicine cabinet for these complaints are Gention Violet and cold tar cream. Old wounds are a different matter. Scabs new or old, are torn off at a frightening speed. And thrown on a small paper section of the Provincial News.
Water boarding was my mother’s invention, an acre of heavily impregnated carbolic face cloth. Held with zeal, and scary maniacal delight. Mother worked at a frightful terrifying speed. No region was left unclean. Only the boys received, for we were mucky and unclean.
Finger nails for the girls, once again is Granma Rose. The girls simply adore her, then comes their toes. Mother’s ferrying skill is not what it seems. The first tool out of dad’s cobbling box Is a fearsome cross cut rasp. Even dad’s eyes jump out, then jump back. Mother then sheepishly puts it back.
The matriarch of the family is my father’s mother, Granma Rose. Bath horizontal to the fire. Chair-bound sat with her feet in the shallow end.
What’s next to come out of Pandora’s torture box? A respectable pair of scissors. Mother looks sad, but sets about us, doing a fairly decent job. All cuttings go on the Provincial News. We boys flash eye signals of pure delight.
The ancient takes her snuff the medics way. The way she smoked her pipe is pure Royal Navy I’m afraid. Stuck right angles in her mouth. Today we played in exciting places. Air raid shelters with strange sounding graffiti, Jill’s just great. Bombed out houses long picked clean.
Mother picks up, giggles, and says we will be the death of her. We all laugh, we are a family again. Mother screws up the small paper section of the Provincial News, and casts it on the fire. Where it explodes like a cheap Penny cracker.
Mother’s a star in the drying department, And now’s the chance to show off Her multi tasking talents.
© 2010 Kenneth Elgenia
108 108 10
Sir Ernest Shacklton, born in Kilkea, Co. Kildare Ireland has been called the ‘greatest leader that ever came on gods earth bar none’. Yet he never led a group larger then 27 men, he failed to reach nearly every goal he ever set and has been little remembered in comparison to other British heroes; albeit him being Irish!
SHACKLETON: A MODEL OF GREAT LEADERSHIP
CRUSHED THE SHIP
GREAT LEADERSHIP
Now, on the centenary of his greatest achievement let me re-run the facts of Shackleton’s way of doing things. Once you learn the story I tell, of his methods of leadership and his remarkable Antarctic expedition of 1914/1916, you will come to agree with the praise of those under his command, that he was a model of great leadership and especially a master of guidance in crises That is because Shackleton failed only against the improbable; he succeeded at the unimaginable. He wrote to his wife Emily VD\LQJ ³, ORYH WKH ¿JKW with desolation and when WKLQJV DUH HDV\ , KDWH LW´
SAVED MEN’S LIVES
So now you see why I mention him as the greatest leader that ever came out of God’s earth bar none, for saving the lives of 27 men. Men stranded with him on an AntarcWLF LFH ÀRZ IRU DOPRVW years from 1914 to 1916. Shackleton and his men
survived the wreck of their ship Endurance, below left, in the crushing ice, stranded 1,200 miles from civilisation with no means of communication and no hope of rescue.
SHACKLETON’S WAY
1. Go for broke risks becoming the more acceptable as options narrow. Sometimes the potential rewards at the end of a daring adventure justify the risk of suffering a spectacular failure 2. There are lots of good things in the world, but I’m not sure that comradeship is not the best of them all, to know that you can do something big for others. 3. Optimism is true moral courage /HDGHUVKLS LV D ¿QH WKLQJ EXW LW KDV LWV SHQDOWLHV DQG WKH worst penalties are isolation and responsibility 5. A man must shape himself to a new mark directly the old one goes to ground 6. The loyalty of your men is a sacred trust you carry. It is something which must never be betrayed, something you must live up to. 7. Always study and marvel at the thin line which separates success from failure. In the cocoon of your responsibility it can engulf you. 8. You often have to hide from the men not only the truth but your feelings about the truth. You may know that the facts are dead against you, but for the purpose of moulding the bigger picture, you must never say so 5HPHPEHU WKDW WKH ¿QDO SURGXFW PXVW UHSUHVHQW WKH EHVW HIforts of the whole family group, and if you are a leader, a person that others look up to, you have got to keep going. 10. Make sure the whole job is done. Your charges may be able to call it quits when the heavy lifting is over, but you are responsible for seeing the work through to its successful completion. 11. This rule is the same as number one-never dismiss it completely!
FACT FILE Born: February 15, 1874, Kilkea, Republic of Ireland Died: January 5, 1922, Grytviken, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Buried: March 5, 1922, Grytviken Cemetery, Grytviken, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spouse: Emily Mary Dorman (m. 1904–1922)
109
The temperatures were so low they could hear the process of the ice freezing. It crackled as it hardened to a rock solid state crushing the structure of the Endurance like a Python with its prey. Unlike most other polar expeditions every man survived in good health and in good spirits, all due to the leadership of Shackleton. Those who have taken his brand of man management to heart include the ongoing secretaries of State for the U.S. Navy, the commanders of the Apollo space missions and personal friends I still have today at the Command Training Centre Royal Marines. RULES ENDORSED
Especially the Special Boat Service for whom these rules were endorsed many years ago by my old friend, and company commander Paddy Ashdown. The panel on the left lists the secret of Shackleton’s success which is there and ready for application by anyone, military or otherwise, in positions of leadership. Per Mare – Per terram By sea – by land 'DYLG *ULI¿Q
Sgt Major Lord joined the Grenadier Guards in March 1933 on a 4 year engagement, at the end of which he took his discharge and joined the Brighton Police Force. During his Colour service he rose to the rank of Lance Sgt, saw service in Egypt and played rugby football for the Army and United Services Egypt. While a police man he received a commendation from the Portsmouth magistrate for his arrest of 2 motor cycle thieves. He also played rugby football for Brighton and Sussex. On the outbreak of war in 1939 he was recalled to the Colours and shortly after posted to OCTU as a Sergeant instructor, subsequently gaining promotion to CSM of a cadet company.
FIRST RSM
He remained at Sandhurst until October 1941 when on the formation of the 3rd Btn. Parachute Regiment KH ZDV SRVWHG DV LWV ÂżUVW 560 He accompanied his battalion to Tunisia and in1943 took part in the parachute operations south of Catania on the Primosole Bridge during
the invasion of Sicily. After service on the Italian mainland he returned with 1st Para Brigade to the United Kingdom to prepare for operations in North West Europe. In September 1944, RSM Lord was wounded and captured during the Battle of Arnhem. For 6 months he was in effective control of Stalag XIB Prisoner of War Camp, which at times held up to 17,000 Russians, Polish, Yugoslav, French, American and British prisoners.
LETHARGY, AND HUNGER,
The following extract from The Times of 2nd May 1945 describes this achievement.
â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;RSM Lord spent just over 6 months at Stalag X1B. Taken prisoner at Arhnem he arrived soon after with several hundred fellow prisoners from the 1st Airborne Division. He found the prisoners in conditions of chaos and misery. They had tended to succumb to the lethargy that hunger, boredom and squalor so easily led to. They lived in decay and wretchedness, and when they died their bodies were taken, almost unheeded, to their graves on an old cartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. IMPRESSIVE GUARD
That is exactly what RSM Lord found when he entered the camp. But the following is what Maj Ralf Cobbold, Coldstream Guards, said regarding his visit on the day of liberation. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;At the gate was an impressive
guard in a maroon beret. We thought that the 6th airborne division must VRPHKRZ KDYH JRW WKHLU ÂżUVW EXW when I asked the guard commander when heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d arrive his answer was, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Just after Arnhem Sirâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. It was faultlessly turned out. That Guard could have gone on duty at Buckingham Palace and done credit to the Corps. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;7KHQ D PDMHVWLF ÂżJXUH DSSHDUHG the RSM himself, with gleaming brass, immaculate webbing, razor edged trouser creases, dazzling boots, a spectacular saluteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.
110
$V WKH RIÂżFHUV ZDONHG ZLWK KLP WR KLV RIÂżFH KXQGUHGV RI SULVRQHUV though wild with joys of liberation, VDOXWHG ZLWK SUHFLVLRQ ,Q WKH RIÂżFH he produced chairs and offered cups of tea. Asked for numbers, and particulars of prisoners, in the Stalag, RSM Lord rang a bell. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bring me the perVRQQHO ÂżOHV &RUSRUDO´ KH RUGHUHG When the doors opened, documentation with the fullest details were handed to Major Cobbold.
HIGH MORALE AND DISCPLINE
3DVVLQJ WKURXJK WKH FDPS WKH RIÂżcers were able to judge the magnitude of the task performed by RSM /RUG DQG KLV WHDP RI ZDUUDQW RIÂż cers and NCOs; 7 of them exguardsman. In place of the lifeless confusion of 6 months earlier they saw everywhere evidence of the highest morale and discipline. A smoothly running organisation had been worked out and maintained. Daily inspections and guard mounting, most unpopular when introduced, had restored the prisonersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; self respect and revived their military bearing. All accomplished amid appalling conditions of overcrowding and undernourishment. ONE BLANKET EACH
Four hundred men were crowded into each hut which had bunks for only 250. Each man was allowed only one blanket; even in the depths of winter. In the cookhouse the RSM VKRZHG WKH RIÂżFHUV WKH GDLO\ PHDW ration for nearly 5,000 men - 2 coal EXFNHWV RI KRUVH Ă&#x20AC;HVK All who could had to parade for PT and this drastic effort of RSM Lord to build up their sinking reserves of strength must have saved the health of hundreds and perhaps the lives of some. When a prisoner died he was given a military funeral with the bearer party, a slow march through the camp, and WKH 8QLRQ -DFN RQ KLV FRIÂżQ
UNION JACK
1DWLRQDO Ă&#x20AC;DJV FRXOG QRW EH GLVSOD\HG in prison camps, but the RSM always KDG D 8QLRQ -DFN WR FRYHU WKH FRIÂżQ as soon as the bearers had bought it outside the compound. RSM Lord could have given up his task 3 times when he and his team were offered a transfer to an NCOs camp where conditions were far better. Together, they refused. As British spearheads drove East
from the Rhine a large number of priority prisoners were marched off Eastwards. RSM Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name was high on the list, but he did not go. +H KLG KLPVHOI XQGHU WKH Ă&#x20AC;RRU RI D hut for 5 days and was fed through D KROH LQ WKH Ă&#x20AC;RRUERDUGV ZKLOH search parties hunted him. Then he emerged to resume his leadership of the Stalag until he could hand over WR DQ RIÂżFHU RI WKH DGYDQFLQJ %ULWish armies.
LAST MAN OUT
Even when he had done all that he did not leave for England on the ÂżUVW RI WKH DHURSODQHV WR Ă&#x20AC;\ WKH OLE erated prisoners back as he could easily have done. Instead he volunteered to stay and organise the evacuation of his men. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wanted to see them all RXW´ KH VDLG
After his repatriation he was posted to the Parachute Regiment Training Centre as RSM. Then in August 1947 he joined the staff of the new Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as RSM, New College, becoming RSM of the Academy in the following year. From July 1948, with two breaks of serious illness, RSM Lord held the position, which in December 1960 was upgraded, to Academy Sergeant Major. On his retirement in August 1963 he had held the rank of warrant OfÂżFHU FODVV , IRU \HDUV DQG ZDV D senior RSM in the British Army. He was the subject of This Is Your Life in December 1959 and died at his home in Camberley on 21st of January 1968 Submitted by Bob Leece
TETRAPANAX PAPYRIFERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;REXâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; A PLANT WITH UNUSUAL POTENTIAL
The Royal Hospitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s specimen of Tetrapanax, lovely name, just rolls of the tongue, can be found in North Ranelagh Gardens and is now 5 years old, and was acquired from the well-known Burncoose Nurseries in Cornwall as a young potted plant.
This was then grown on for 2 years in and around the greenhouses and has been fending for itself for the last 2 years outside, as in the photographed position. Being a native of Taiwan and southern China, it is by no means reliably hardy and we afford it some winter protection in WKH ZD\ RI WKLFN PXOFK DURXQG WKH EDVH DQG Ă&#x20AC;HHFH RYHU WKH leaves during severe frosty nights.
MANY USES...SURGICAL DRESSINGS AND PAPER
This species and cultivar of Teterapanax, I really do like the name, will grow into a large shrub or small tree and is the source of rice paper. It is also used for surgical dressings by splitting the central tissue and pressing it in to sheets. Another use I am informed of, by those you know at sources such â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;pub triviaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, is for water colour paper, so all you budding artists out there now know where your raw material hails from. I have counted the leaves, so donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think about trying to make your own paper for your next masterpiece ! 7KH SODQW LV HDV\ WR JURZ DQG EHQHÂżWV IURP ULFK RUJDQLF matter applied to the base each year.
A SUCKERING BEAST SPREAD TO LARGE CLUMPS
It is a suckering beast and will soon spread out to make large clumps of huge leaves; this is the plants main attraction and use as a stunning architectural plant in a medium WR ODUJH JDUGHQ $ Ă&#x20AC;RZHU ZLOO DSSHDU LQ DXWXPQ RQ PDWXUH plants. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for that extra little something to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;wowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; your friends, then this comes recommended to try in your garden. Alternatively it can be grown in a very large container for several years but eventually out grows this method and really needs the freedom of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;open roadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and unrestricted root run to do it full justice. Ron Willmore 111
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113
EXPLORING LOWESTOFT An interesting day Tuesday 19th of July. It started normal here, at The Royal Hospital Chelsea, then the weather got hotter but fortunately we were not getting into our scarlets. But I felt sorry for the lads who did. We were going on holiday. I did not bother with breakfast. The drive to Lowestoft, our holiday destination, was arduous to say the least. Trevor our driver did the hard bit driving through London, he used to live and work in south London. I did the easy leg driving through the lanes and byways of Suffolk. After we had stopped on a motorway service area for a cuppa and changed drivers I then continued driving for the rest of the journey.
FRESH SEA BREEZE
On the coast the weather was just as hot, but with a fresh sea breeze. We got the hotel at about 14.00 hr and were met by Steve the manager who explained about the 2 keys and told us the meal timings. We unpacked, made ourselves comfortable in the two-man room and opened the windows. Our next meal was at 18.00 hr. Trevor, who had stayed here last year, had an idea where everything was. so that evening, after the meal, which was just like a normal lunch back at the ranch, Trevor, Dewi and myself decide to go for a cooling drink at the local watering hole. We were informed which were the best
pubs to frequent and which ones were dodgy, by the girls, Haylee and Tina, when serving the evening meal. We found the Plough and Sail, which was to our liking more than any other where we met Bob sitting at the bar, who was also a resident of our hotel. After talking to Bob for a while we learned that he was eligible to join us Chelsea Pensioners. He had been thinking about applying for a place in RHC for some time and we like to think that sooner, rather than later, we will see him here at the RHC. After a pleasent evening in the pub, sampling the local beers, we returned to the hotel.
COMICAL ATTEMPTS
Our comical attempts to open the front door was something Laurel and Hardy might have done, trying to un-
lock an unlocked door with keys that GLG QRW ¿W WKDW SDUWLFXODU ORFN DQ\ZD\ The following morning, we had a very good breakfast at a leisurely time. Full English with black pudding, grilled tomatoes and mushrooms as well as all the normal delights. After which we had an hour or so quiet period. Then off down the promenade for a gentle walk towards town. CRAZY GOLF
At about 11.00 hr I returned to the KRWHO WR ¿QG 7UHYRU DQG 'HZL :H had planned to go for a game of crazy golf, one without the daft bits; ie it ZDV D ÀDW ¿HOG ZLWK YDULRXV GLVWDQFHV between the holes. Trevor even kept score on a proper score sheet. All in all we had a good couple of hours messing about with the golf clubs. After that we ambled down to the harbour area looking for a place for lunch. We eventually found a tourist attraction which used to be a working trawler. We went on board for a look around and one of the crew gave us a conducted tour of the boat.
THE MINCARLO
Life certainly was very tough for WKH FUHZ RI D ZRUNLQJ ¿VKLQJ YHVVHO The trawler is called Mincarlo and is RQH RI WKH ¿VKLQJ ERDWV LQ WKH /\GLD Eva & Mincarlo Charitable Trust. After dinner, we retired to our rooms for an hour or so quiet period, although not as quiet as we were hoping for the sky went black and the heavens opened up with rain, thunder and lightning, the weather had another twist, it certainly cleared the beach. 114
7KH ÂżHOG ZH ZHUH SOD\LQJ FUD]\ JROI on, earlier that day, became an instant swimming pool. Fortunately the rain and clouds soon passed over so giving us the chance to go to the Plough and Sail which certainly got our vote as pub of the holiday. After another memorable breakfast, and our usual period of calm. Trevor and I went for a drive to Cromer, our RXU TXHVW ZDV WR ÂżQG VRPH -HW RQ WKH EHDFK 1HHGOHVV WR VD\ ZH GLG QRW ÂżQG any but Cromer has lots of shops so we had a good look around them. A local lass, Trevor had been chatting too, advised us to try searching the beach further down the coast between Bacton and Walcott. MYSTERIOUS FIND
But with no luck there we tried further down the coast at Happisburgh DQG ZH VWLOO GLG QRW ÂżQG WKH VWXII KRZHYHU ZH GLG ÂżQG VRPHWKLQJ HOVH Not sure what it is, it is now on my window ledge. After our tiring excursion I had a night in, but I think Trevor and Dewi went for a pint or two, not sure where though. Up for breakfast at 08.00 after rising early and a shave and shower. The sun was up with us that day or, should I say, I was up at 06.30 hr. Anyway after breakfast I had a somewhat lazy day. Dewi went out that evening on his own, and after a couple GT`s he UHWXUQHG WR WKH KRWHO RQO\ WR ÂżQG KH had gone out with the wrong set of keys in his pocket. He had the keys to his berth at the RHC, not the hotel keys. Imagine his embarrassment having to bang on the door crying out "Let me in. Please let me in" By the time Saturday came round, Trevor and myself had decided we QHHGHG WR ÂżQG D ODXQGHUHWWH 7KH previous night Trevor had asked several people if they knew of one in the area. He was told of two possibilities. One being not too far away, we ZHQW WR ÂżQG LW :H HYHQWXDOO\ IRXQG it and surprisingly it was less than 3 miles away. JUST LIKE EASTENDERS
There was a woman in charge, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;just like in Eastendersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. She explained what we had to do, rather fortunately because we did not have a clue. Those big industrial machines are somewhat different to the ones back at the RHC. While waiting for the wash, which takes a good hour or so, we went to a local betting shop. Dougie had been
explaining the in`s and outs of using betting slips and how itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s done. So I picked out 3 names, of horses, and wrote them down, I then, not too sure, asked the lad behind the counter, who told me what to do again. Trevor did the same but they conned him into buying a coral card, which he did willingly. Like lambs to the slaughter you might think. Anyway, after that, we got our lunch; a sandwich from the Co-op. When the washing was done we transferred it to an enormous tumble dryer. On a cold day I could have got in with the washing it was so big. That took another 12 minutes. Later that evening after dinner and a period of calm, we all went out to the local, where there was a group playing. We were expecting the place to be bouncing and we were not wrong. It was very noisey and crowded so we had a couple of drinks and decided to go to a quieter pub. So off we trundled to The Royal Oak, only to ÂżQG .DUDRNH LQ IXOO VZLQJ 1RW ZDQ ting to go on down to town, and still wanting beer, we went inside.
AS FLAT AS A CALM SEA
Karaoke we all know what that means. To be fair Trevorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s singing is DV Ă&#x20AC;DW DV D FDOP VHD DQG KH IULJKWHQV the life out of scarecrows. Trevor on Karaoke!!!!! After breakfast and our quiet time on Sunday, Trevor, Dewi, and myself decided to go looking for a Carboot
days earlier, somewhere else. I eventually settled for a one similar with the same design. I also bought a rather expensive bottle of port. Trevor bought a very expensive bottle of gin but he did get a bottle of tonic water and a real glass with it. After an hour or so we moved on back up north to a little place called Henstead, just off the A12 to an Arts and Crafts Exhibition we had seen the signs for it earlier.
CRAFT WORKSHOPS
It was an old farm no longer used as such, the buildings had been converted for use as small craft workshops. The middle workshop was a small pleasant, cafe so we had a cup of tea and a sarnie. They used unusual coloured crockery, which was a nice surprise. It was quite reasonably priced as well. We had a look around the other workshops, one that I thought was interesting was miniature furniture for dolls houses etc. The various pieces, ie welsh dresser, three piece suite, tables with lamps on them. There was also outside furniture in the garden, deck chairs, picnic sets, ÂżVKLQJ WDFNOH QH[W WR D SRQG DOO RI it looked to be to a certain scale and looked just right.
ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL
Sale. Trevor had an idea where it was being held, so he drove several PLOHV VRXWK RQ WKH $ 1RW ÂżQGLQJ it after 30 minutes or so we decided to bin that idea and visit Southwold, which is on the coast. It was a nice little town full of quaint shops selling what ever they can to us tourists, I was looking for a particular tea towel which I had seen a few 115
After that visit we headed back to Lowestoft on the way we stopping to buy some local fresh strawberries which we planned to have as our sweet at evening meal, which we did. After breakfast on the Monday I got my camera out and went outside taking photos of the hotel and the surrounding buildings, also the gardens opposite. I went walking along the promenade towards the the town taking photos of interest as I went. 7KH 0DQDJHU 6WHYH 6FKRÂżHOG DQG his wife Lorraine did an absolutely wonderful job of looking after us guests and those cheeky young lasses who run the dining hall are ÂżUVW FODVV David Lines.
I was fortunate enough to be selected to attend the Royal British Legion Poppy launch of the Great Western Railway’s Harry Patch train which left Paddington to Penzance on 8th September 2016. Arriving at PaddingWRQ¶V ¿UVW FODVV ORXQJH WHD and biscuits were available to all invited guests. BARBARA WINDSOR
The star and guest of honour was none other than Barbara Windsor who, I think, the majority of us grew up with in the days of the &DUU\ 2Q ¿OPV $W DS-
proximately 09:20 hr a service was held below the statue, on the platform commemorating all GWR staff who died during WKH ¿UVW ZRUOG ZDU IROlowed by a one minute silence. Many photographs were taken including those of the special Harry Patch locomotive. 100th ANNIVERSARY
The Devon branch of the Royal British Legion secured the collaboration of the GWR for this event which coincided with the 100th anniversary of the Allied offensive on the Somme when tanks were used for WKH ¿UVW WLPH LQ FRPEDW We departed Paddington just after 10:00 hr accompanied by RBL and GWR staff. Whereever possible the train was manned by ex-military GWR staff and boy did they do well.
pher was kept busy constantly snapping away, especially when interviews for local TV were done. RECEPTION PARTIES
At 4 major stations on the journey, there was a reception party of RBL standard bearers and other dignitaries; we even had a choir at one stage. I had to jump off the train at each stop for a very quick photo shoot and wave to all my fans!!! We were met at Penzance by a large crowd including a Piper and more standard bearers. Also members of the Cornish Army Cadets and Air Training Corps. As I come from Penzance it could not have been better as I was an Army Cadet myself -
LOCAL TV INTERVIEWS
We were invited into the Pullman car for RXU ¿UVW FODVV OXQFK During the trip many photos were taken on board with passengers and GWR staff. An on-board British Legion photogra-
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second right in the black and white photograph -before I joined up in 1961 This launch highlights the important contribution made by many poppy appeal collectors to raise funds for the Royal British Legion. GIVE ENCOURAGEMENT
It is hoped it will encourage more volunteers to become poppy collectors. A very tiring trip but well worth it for such a good cause. I really enjoyed my lovely quiet trip back to London the next day. I was on my chin strap - the things we do for fame!! Jim Wimbridge
JOEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LEGACY TO CHERNOBYL CHILDREN
THE BRITISH PILOT THE RED BARON CONGRATULATED FOR OUTFOXING HIM This picture depicts a typical aerial battle over France during World War 1 between the Imperial German Air Force and The Royal Flying Corps. In it Baron Von Richthoven, the famous German ace ÂżJKWHU SLORW NQRZQ DV WKH 5HG %DURQ ZKR Ă&#x20AC;HZ D red tri-plane, is engaging a Bristol bi-plane.
The picture is in reference to Sergeant Pilot W A Eade, of the Royal Flying Corps who, on one occasion, found himself in aerial combat with the Red Baron, and soon realised that he was up against a superior adversary.
HEDGE HOPPING
served in the Fleet Air Arm during the World War 2, and later became a chartered Surveyor. We became friends through ourwives who worked together as nurses for the Warren Pearl Nursing Home for cancer patients in Solihull. I happened to mention to him that this action had taken place in 1916, when my father in ODZ ZDV Ă&#x20AC;\LQJ D %ULVWRO bi-plane over France, encountered the Red Baron DQG KDG HVFDSHG WR Ă&#x20AC;\ DQother day.
He considered his best means of escape, from the German air ace, was to dive down to ground level and hedge hop over trees and bushes, making it diffcult for the German, on his tail, to get him in his sights to shoot him down. PRODUCED PAINTING Richthoven pursued him When we met, sometime doggedly but without succ later, he produced this painHVV DQG ÂżQHO\ GUHZ DORQJ ting depicting the occasion side and saluted Sergeant when two adversaries met, Eade in acknowledgment in the air that day, and recRI KLV Ă&#x20AC;\LQJ VNLOO EHIRUH RJQLVHG HDFK RWKHUÂśV Ă&#x20AC;\LQJ Ă&#x20AC;\LQJ DZD\ skills. John Sharp, the artist, John Hillier FACT FILE - THE RED BARON Manfred von Richthofen Widely known as the Red Baron, he was considered the ace-of-aces of the ZDU EHLQJ RIÂżFLDOO\ FUHGLWHG ZLWK DLU combat victories. Originally a cavalryman he transferred to the air service LQ +H ZDV VKRW GRZQ DQG NLOOHG near Amiens on 21st April 1918 aged ,Q WKLV RIÂżFLDO SRUWUDLW KH LV ZHDULQJ WKH 3RXU OH 0HULW Âľ%OXH 0D[Âś 3UXVVLDÂśV highest military order.
On July 21, it was party time at Rhyl for the new batch of Chernobyl children and Ray Petrie and I went there for the day, in our scarlets, to greet them. The late Joe Hutt had left money to pay for it all and Harveys, New York Bar and Grill restaurant, did the children proud.
so they know what to expect for their personal future. Added to this there is only one school which has few books or teaching aids. Two of the children were unable to attend the party as they were too poorly, but a great time was had by the others. The children were each SLOWLY DYING presented with a Chelsea )RU PH LW ZDV GLIÂżFXOW WR Pensioner pin badge. They imagine that the children sang a Latvian Song of were mostly slowly dythanks and also â&#x20AC;&#x153;If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ing with tumours caused happy and you know it by the radiation from the FODS \RXU KDQGV´ EHIRUH Chernobyl power station Ray and I left for home. SINCERE THANKS which was the subject of Our sincere thanks go a catastrophic nuclear exto the IPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s who gave plosion in April 1986. me money to take up Everything they drink, which amounted to ÂŁ53. eat, or burn, for cooking Our thanks also to Virand heating, is highly ragin Trains for the tickets dioactive. Added to this their village has only one to Rhyl. If anyone wants to learn more about the lavatory and one pollutChernobyl Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Life ed well. Many of the children had Line have a chat with me. Simon de Buisseret. lost their parents and siblings to radiation sickness
WHO WILL REMEMBER? , ZHQW LQWR WKH GDUNQHVV ZLWK QR RQH WR VD\ IDUHZHOO Your candle was the whistling of bullets, And a song in the terrible night. -XVW RQH PRPHQW DQG P\ OLIH PD\ EH RYHU No one will remember me if I die far away, For who is going to remember the stranger upon his death? Bob Dimmock
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Thursday June 30th and Friday July 1st are two days that will remain etched deeply on my mind and XQWLO P\ ³¿QDO SRVWLQJ ´ Nothing could have prepare me for the 2 ceremonies that I had the privilege and honour of attending accompanied by Colonel Bate, and IPs Gerry Farmer, Eddie Reid plus some 10,000 other people!
MILITARY VIGIL
Day one was a military vigil to mark the Centenary of The Battle Of The Somme at the Thiepval Memorial to The Missing I have attended many, many Armistice and similar ceremonies over the years, both while serving and in civilian life after I had left the forces. But these two ceremonies were by far the most poignant, sympathetic and moving I have ever attended. Letters written by the soldiers in the trenches the night before going â&#x20AC;&#x153;over WKH WRS´ ZHUH UHDG RXW E\ serving soldiers. Moving stories from privates and RIÂżFHUV DOLNH
ACCEPTING FATE
One letter written by Second Lieutenant Eric Rupert Heaton, 16th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment who GLG QRW VXUYLYH WKH ÂżUVW GD\
â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;My darling Mother and Father, Tomorrow we go to the attack in greatest battle the British Army has ever fought. I cannot quite express my feelings on this night, and I cannot tell if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s will that I shall come through, but if I fall in battle, then I shall have no regrets, save for my loved ones I leave behind. It is a great cause, and I came out willingly to serve my King and country. My greatest concern is that I may have the courage and determination necessary to lead my platoon well . . â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;
Another letter was written by Private Pat Kennedy, 18th Battalion, Manchester Regiment, who survived the war. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;:H ZHUH WROG E\ RXU RIÂżFHU
A MOVING VIGIL The Somme; 1916 - â&#x20AC;&#x153;One Hundred Years Onâ&#x20AC;? Thursday, 30 June 2016 - A Military Vigil to Mark The Centenary of The Battle Of The Somme Friday, 1st July 2016 -The National Commemorative Event To Mark The Centenary Of The Battle Of The Somme
Have you forgotten yet?... For the world's events have ru mbled on since those gagged days, Like traffic checked while at the crossing of city-ways: And the haunted gap in your mind has filled with thoughts that flow Like clouds in the lit heaven of life; and you're a man reprieved to go, Taking your peaceful share of Time, with joy to spare. But the past is just the sa me--and War's a bloody ga me... Have you forgotten yet?... Look down, and swear by the slain of the War that you'll never forget. Do you remember the dark months you held the sector at Ma metz-The nights you watched and wired and dug and piled sandbags on parapets? Do you remember the rats; and the stench Of corpses rotting in front of the front-line trench-And dawn coming, dirty-white, and chill with a hopeless rain? Do you ever stop and ask, 'Is it all going to happen again?' Do you remember that hour of din before the attack-And the anger, the blind compassion that seized and shook you then As you peered at the doomed and haggard faces of your men? Do you remember the stretcher-cases lurching back With dying eyes and lolling heads--those ashen-grey Masks of the lads who once were keen and kind and gay? Have you forgotten yet?... Look up, and swear by the green of the spring that you'll never forget.
Siegfried Sassoon
that we were to take part in the attack, and the men were excited. Everybody thought it would be a walkover. The bombardment was so heavy, and the men were in excellent spirits. They were all volunteers, and they were looking forward to beating the GerPDQV DQG ÂżQLVKLQJ WKH ZDU quickly. No one believed there could be a defeat. Everyone was eager, and anxious to go forward . .â&#x20AC;&#x2122;
7KH ÂżUVW YLJLO ZDV PRXQ ted by soldiers from the UK (Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Troop Royal Horse Artillery) and France at the Stone of Remembrance.
MORE ATMOSPHERIC
The Thursday service was made more atmospheric as the night drew in and the sun set, which seePHG EHÂżWWLQJ RQ WKLV RFFDsion for the fallen, as all the graves stones were lit and the night sky appeared to highlight the scene which lay before us. A late night for us on Thursday was followed by an early start to get to the Thiepval Monument the next day. Royalty, many heads of state, and specially invited guests had assembled to commemorate the fallen in battle 100 years before. This ceremony was going to be special with Charles Dance, Joely Richardson and Jason Isaacs narrating.
SOME HIGHLIGHTS
A few highlights, of which for me, there were many, were the Morriston Orpheus Choir singing , with the Band of the Welsh Guards playing â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Keep the Homes Fires Burning â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Abide With Meâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and Charles Dance reading â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Aftermathâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by Siegfried 118
NAILS IN THE FENCE 6DVVRRQ 7KH ÂżUVW OLQH RI Âł$IWHUPDWK´ UHDGV â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Have you forgotten yet?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and the last two lines read. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Have you forgotten yet? Look up, and swear by the green of spring that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never forgetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. A poem well worth a read! Another poignant moment was as the last post was being played hundreds of thousands of red, white and blue coloured poppies cascaded down all around the Thiepval Monument. I was brought to tears as I dare say to many of those also attending were. LEST WE FORGET
We must never forget the fallen especially the Unknown Soldiers. Long after we have gone I hope that future generations will feel as we did on that July in 2016 - 100 years after they fell! RIP all who have gone before and the unfortunate who may follow LEST WE FORGET. Paul Whittick
A DEAR JOHN RESPONSE The soldier serving in
HEROES TO A FAULT?
Not all events that we attend for the Royal Hospital Chelsea are enjoyable. Often we have to contend with all sorts problems and GLIÂżFXOWLHV EXW ZH FDUU\ out our agreed duties with a stiff upper lip, a brave face, the English dogged spirit and totally without question!
NOT HELPING
Being volunteered does not help the situation especially when we do not want to do the event. The photo graph below illustrates exactly such an event. Both Ray Giles and Paul Whittick were volunteered for this event which they were not particularly bothered about attending. But without argument they gave in for the greater good heroes to a fault! If they can do it, do think you can do it? Incidentally the guy in the centre is Lloyd Hunnigan, World champion boxer. Submitted by IPs
Hong Kong was annoyed Whittick and Giles. and upset when his girl wrote breaking off their engagement and asking for her photograph back. Undeterred he collected, from his friends, all their unwanted photographs of women friends that they FRXOG ÂżQG +H EXQGOHG them all together and sent them back with a note saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I regret to inform you that I cannot remember which one is you â&#x20AC;&#x201D; please keep your photo DQG UHWXUQ WKH RWKHUV ´
There once was a father who had a little boy who had a very bad temper ZKLFK KH IRXQG GLIÂżcult to control and often got him into quite serious trouble. To help him control his temper the father gave the boy a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the garden fence. %\ WKH HQG RI WKH ÂżUVW GD\ the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. But over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily into the fence gradually reduced. He had discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.
NOT LOSE TEMPER
Finally the day came when the boy did not lose his temper and so did not need to drive nails into the fence. He told his father about it and the father then suggested to the boy that he now pulled out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the \RXQJ ER\ ZDV ÂżQDOO\ DEOH
119
to tell his father that all the nails were gone and there were no nails in the fence. Taking his son by the hand the father led him back to the fence. He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. The reason I asked you to drive the nails in the fence when you said things in anger and lost your tem-
per, and then withdraw them was to practically illustrate that your bad temper leaves a scar, just like these permanent holes in the fence. Once said words cannot be taken back. You ZLOO ÂżQG WKDW GLVFXVVLRQV are not won by temper but by the civilised manner one addresses the problem.
THE WOUND REMAINS
Bad temper can drive people away from you and WKHQ \RX ÂżQLVK XS OLYLQJ D regrettable life. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. No matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there." The little boy then understood how powerful his fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s words and actions were and how damaging his temper tantrums were. He looked up at his father and said "I hope you can forgive me father for the holes I put in you." "Of course I can," said the IDWKHU´
THE BATTLE OF SAHAGUN 'Twas in quarters we lay, as you quickly shall hear, Lord Paget ca me to us and bade us prepare, Saying, 'Saddle your horses- by the light of the moon, For the French they are lying in the town of Sahagun.' We saddled our horses, and away we did go O'er rivers of ice and o'er mountains of snow, To the town of Sahagun then our course we did steer, 'Twas the Fifteenth Hussars, who had never known fear. We rode on all night till the daylight did break, When eight of those French on a bridge we did take: But two got away, and rode off to Sahagun, To tell the French there that the English had come. The French they turned out of the town of Sahagun, Well mounted, well armed, full eight hundred strong: So loud they did cry for Napoleon, their King; With three cheers from the fifteenth the vineyards did ring.
MISCALCULATION
Believing Napoleonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s forces to be smaller than they were, Moore decided to attack Marshal Soultâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s army in northern Spain, cutting French communications and forcing Napoleon to abandon Madrid. Unfortunately Madrid fell on December 4th and La Romana could only raise a fraction of the troops he promised. So the expedition into northern Spain could turn into a total disaster. 7KH ÂżUVW FODVK ZLWK 6RXOWÂśV army went well. Debelleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s light cavalry was acting as Soultâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cavalry screen and had its HQ at Sahagun. Lord Paget, commanding the British cavalry decided to surprise the French and reached Sahagun at dawn on December 21st at the head of the 10th and 15th Hussars, without being discovered.
They formed themselves up, and the fight it began, They thought they could frighten the brave Englishman: With our glittering broadswords right at them we sped, They turned threes about, and away they all fled. We soon overtook them as frightened they fled, Cut through the brass helmets they wore on their head; 'Have mercy, have mercy! ' So loud they did cry; 'Have mercy, you English, or else we must die! , 'Mid the snow in the vineyards the French they lay dead: Three hundred were taken, the rest of them fled. Their Colonel, likewise, he was taken in the field; 'Twas the Fifteenth Hussars made those Frenchmen to yield. The Spaniards turned out of the town of Sahagun To welcome the Fifteenth, the 'King's Light Dragoons,' With jugs full of wine, our thirst for to quench, Crying, 'long live the English, and down with the French! Lord Paget ca me to us, and thus he did say: 'I thank you, Fifteenth, for your valour this day; Dismount now your horses and feed everyone, For the battle is over and the fight it is won.' The twenty-first of December, my boys, was the day When three hundred 'Fifteenth' made those French run away, Although they then nu mbered eight hundred or more. We'll drink and well sing now the battle is oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;er. Here's health to Lord Paget, so endeth our stave, Likewise Colonel Grant, and our Officers brave; With a full flowing bowl now "weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ll drink and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ll sing, 'Success to the Fifteenth; and 'God Save the King.' &RPSRVHG E\ RQH RI WKH PHQ LW ZDV ÂżUVW VXQJ RQ 21 December 1809. It is still sung on the anniversary of Sahagun Day. Submitted by Bob Garvin
The battle of Sahagun on December 21st 1808 was a British cavalry victory during Sir John Mooreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winter campaign in northern Spain. Having advanced into Spain in October 1808, news of destruction of the 6SDQLVK ÂżHOG DUPLHV DQG Napoleonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arrival in Spain forced Moore to retreat back to Portugal. Moore received two items of news, in early December, that convinced him to change his plans. Madrid was resisting Napoleon, while General La Romana informed Moore he had 23,000 Spanish troops to aid the British.
OVERWHELMED
Pagetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cavalry overwhelmed the French guard on the road into Sahagun, but a trumpeter escaped to raise the alarm. Paget split his force sending the Hussars down the main road into the village, while he, at the head of the 15th Hussars rode around the village to block French escape routes.
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Behind the village, formed up in a vineyard, Paget ran into 2 French cavalry regiments the 8th Dragoons and the 1st Provisional Chasseurs. Outnumbered 2 to 1, Paget attacked, but was blocked by a ditch. Paget ZDV WKHQ IRUFHG WR ÂżQG D place his cavalry could cross over the ditch. This move forced the French to change formation to face the new threat.
FORMATION CHANGE
Paget charged before the French change of formation was complete. Crashing through, the Hussarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s forced the 1st Provisional Chasseurs back into the 8th Dragoons. Both French XQLWV EURNH DQG Ă&#x20AC;HG The British captured 170 prisoners, including two ofÂżFHUV 7KH )UHQFK ORVW dead, the British 14. A number of survivors escaped to warn Soult that the British were approaching. Despite this brilliant victory, Paget did not play any part in Wellingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campaigns in the Peninsula. Maybe because on his return to Britain, he eloped with the wife of Henry Wellesley, Wellingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s younger brother.
REACHED SAHAGUN
Understandably it was felt unwise to place Paget under Wellingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s command, and WKH\ GLG QRW ÂżJKW WRJHWKHU until Waterloo. First elements of Mooreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s infantry reached Sahagun later on December 21st. Moore then gave his army 2 days of rest, moving on at sunset on December, 23rd. But during that afternoon Moore learnt that Napoleon was rushing north to try to trap the British army. The advance towards Soult was cancelled, and the retreat towards Corunna, on the north western coast of Spain, began.
FROM RACING TO CRYPTOLOGY
On a sunny Wednesday August 3rd 12 pensioners plus Rupert and Michelle Lucas and Jo Melindo rose to an early breakfast to be ready to depart from the Royal Hospital at 07.30 hr to visit Mercedes F1HQ Kindly arranged by pensioner Michael Paling, whose nephew is the chief engineer, we departed by coach with lunch boxes in our possession.
ALL OF A CERTAIN AGE
During the trip Michelle and Rupert made sure we were comfortable by handing out sweets and mints with Jo adding to the mix with newspapers and banter. Because we were ladies and gentlemen of a certain age a comfort break was needed at a suitable motorway service station and, at this point, myself and a staff member indulged in a bacon sandwich. It is ok Jo no one will say a word! We arrived at the Mercedes headquarters at 10:00 hr where we were met by members of the team. Sadly not Lewis Hamilton as he was in Barbados on a summer break. After a photo shoot with Hamiltonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2015 winning car we were shown round the factory where photos were strictly forbidden and the technical areas were absolutely pristine.
Having been shown all or most of the make up and design of the car we had refreshments. In reception, as we departed, gifts were exchanged. It was then back on the coach and a short distance to Bletchley Park arriving there at 13:00 hr where we were met by a member of staff and received our tickets which are valid for one year. Due to the time we were visiting time was short. Having read books, seen documentaries, as well as the ÂżOP 7KH ,PLWDWLRQ *DPH VWDUULQJ Benedict Cumberbatch, as Alan Turing, it was a great experience to VHH %OHWFKOH\ 3DUN ÂżUVW KDQG Added to which we have a member of the RHC who worked with Alan Turing during her time at Bletchley Park which made it a privilege to know the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;young ladyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. A QUESTIONABLE DEATH
Mr Turing, who died in 1950, when he took a bite from an apple which had been laced with cyanide, is debatable. As the tour guide indicated it is pure coincidence that the computer company Apple uses an apple as its logo. Yes a brilliant day and congratulations to all those who organised it. Michael J Smith
DUNKIRK LITTLE SHIPS
On Sunday September 4th a group of pensioners met at the Eastgate to board the 08.15 transport to take us to Hampton Court where we were met by members of the Thames motor yacht club when we arrived at 08.55 After a short break for coffee and biscuits Mr Ian Gilbert organised a short memorial service to remember all those that took part in the Dunkirk evacuation. As well as congratulating us especially I P Hassell who was 99 years young on that day.
Harry Puttick and I were paired off to sail on Wanda a beautiful small sailing ship built in the mid 1920s. Extremely well looked after by the crew Tony, Jean, Linda, Jane, Angel, Jill, Fred and Rob. The riverbank was lined with people giving us their support
WEYBRIDGE MARINERS CLUB
On the journey on the Thames we were well looked after with homemade pasties, rolls, tea and coffee and red wine if needed. We arrived at Weybridge Mariners Club at 13:00 hr where we had a nice lunch and drinks all to the accompaniment of a live singer. At approximately 15:00 hr we boarded a little ferry to cross the river into a car park where a classic car, as part of a rally, was waiting to take us back to Hampton Court. Accompanied by 2 other pensioner nurses I was extremely lucky to be able to travel in a 1924 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost an 8 litre 6 cylinder car owned by Mr Andy Courtney.
SUPERB EXPERIENCE
A superb experience which was enjoyed by all. Then back up to Hampton Court where we had more WHD DQG FDNHV EHIRUH ÂżQDOO\ EDFN RQ the coach to the Royal Hospital arriving at 17:00 hr. A brilliant day thanks to all who organised the event. Mike Smith
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Pearly Kings & Queens Harvest Festival
On Sunday September, 25th 6 In Pensioners took part in the annual Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival. We joined them at the Guildhall where there were several thousand members of the public, walking around the many displays of old transport, including donkey carts, while being entertained by a fairground organ. Many more were seated round an arena ready for the show.
POSING WITH PEARLIES
We joined the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Pearliesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and chatted to them while posing for the photos that seem to be a part of any occasion we attend. There were a large number of Mayors all resplendHQW LQ WKHLU ÂżQHULHV DQG ZH chatted with some of them before we were joined by two ladies. Very colourful LQ WKHLU Ă&#x20AC;RRU OHQJWK GUHVVes they explained that we would be called out to join in the festivities indicating the maypole set up in the centre of the arena. When the guest of honour the Lord Mayor of London arrived, the festiv-
ities started, once the short speeches had ended, all the of the Mayors were called out to the centre of the arena and given a maypole ribbon to hold, then the Pearly Kings and Queens were bidden to join, before the lady who had spoken to us before called out, â&#x20AC;&#x153;and now I want to ask my favourite people to joins us, come on out the ChelVHD 3HQVLRQHUV´ Having joined a local mayor or Pearly holding a ribbon, we were thankIXO WR ÂżQG WKDW DOO ZH ZHUH required to do was walk URXQG ÂżUVW RQH ZD\ WKHQ the other, not too much energy but a lot of fun.
church and we were told to sit in reserved seats at the front. I was puzzled as the front pews were all taken. But we were then ushered to the very front, in fact we were sat facing into the body of the church, looking at the congregation. The seats in front were occupied by the Pearly Kings and Queens. Once the service was over , IRXQG LW GLIÂżFXOW WR ZDON we joined everyone in the back and walk in a straight general melee outside, line; must practice for once again adopting the aunext time. A lot of drivers tomatic pose giving overleaned out of their cars, or time when the cameras aptaxis, and were very com- peared and being whisked plimentary, lots of smiles back to the normality of and laughter. the Royal Hospital. Once we reached St Mary Mike Hall le Bow, we entered the
MORRIS DANCERS
Then we were entertained by Morris Dancers and a drum band that had played at the London Olympics. All the entertainment over, we joined the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Pearliesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for their procession to St Mary Le Bow, for the Harvest Festival service, Buses, Taxis and cars had been stopped by the police for us to pass, but there was no grumbling, in fact there was a lot of waving.
JUST A LINE TO ? ? ? ? ? $V VRPHRQH ZKR KDV ÂżQLVKHG KLV VHYHQWK GHFDGH DQG while still in reasonably happy health, and relishing entering his eighth decade, I must confess that instant recall is now getting something of the past. Every once in a while I call a number on the telephone and, by the time it is answered, I have forgotten who I was calling. Then sometimes, when that is clariÂżHG , FDQÂśW UHPHPEHU ZK\ , DP FDOOLQJ So this piece of verse I hope strikes a sympathetic chord in those who, like me, have a memory which is QRZ RYHUĂ&#x20AC;RZLQJ ZLWK LQIRUPDWLRQ JDWKHUHG RYHU \HDUV and has little space to store more.
-XVW D OLQH WR VD\ , DP OLYLQJ WKDW , DP QRW DPRQJ WKH GHDG Though I am getting more forgetful, and I am mixed up in my head Is it my turn to to write to you? Or did I write before? , WKLQN , RZH WKH OHWWHU EXW , ZRXOG KDWH WR EH D ERUH , DP XVHG WR P\ ELIRFDOV P\ QHZ SODWH Ă&#x20AC;WV PH Ă&#x20AC;QH My hearing aid is perfect, but Lord I miss my mind. , VWDQG EHIRUH WKH IULGJH DW WLPHV P\ SRRU KHDG Ă&#x20AC;OOHG ZLWK doubt, +DYH , FRPH WR SXW VRPH IRRG DZD\ RU FRPH WR WDNH VRPH out? 7KHUH DUH WLPHV ZKHQ LW LV GDUN RXWVLGH DQG ZLWK P\ QLJKW cap on my head. , DVN DP , UHWLULQJ RU MXVW JHWWLQJ RXW RI EHG" Sometimes I cannot remember, at the bottom of the stairs, Must I go up for something, or did I just come down from there? , GR NQRZ WKDW , PLVV \RX DQG VRPHWLPHV , DOPRVW FU\ And now it is almost meal time, so I must say goodbye
, DP VWDQGLQJ E\ WKH PDLOER[ ZLWK D IDFH VR YHU\ UHG I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mail your letter, I opened it instead. Anonymous 122
A BLUE PLAQUE TO SIDNEY LEWIS
THE YOUNGEST BRITISH SOLDIER TO FIGHT IN WORLD WAR ONE.
On Saturday 24th September I attended the unveiling of a blue commemorative plaque at 934 Garratt Lane, Tooting, to mark the birthplace of Private Sidney Lewis of the Ma-
It was just after this battle that Sidneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother sent D FRS\ RI KLV ELUWK FHUWLÂżFDWH WR WKH :DU 2IÂżFH DQG his true age came to light. Sidney was quickly returned to England and discharged. However, Sidney was not done with the army; he re-enlisted in 1918 and served in Austria with the army of occupation. JOINED POLICE FORCE
For his wartime service Sidney received the Vicchine Gun Corps, who was tory medal and the British the youngest British soldier war medal. After the war WR ÂżJKW LQ :RUOG :DU , he joined the police force was accompanied by two in Kingston upon Thames other pensioners but, as I and was involved in bomb collect medals, and have a disposal during WW2. great love of military histo- In later life he ran a pub in ry, this was an event I par- Frant, East Sussex. Sidney was a man who served his ticularly wanted to be at. JOINING UNDERAGE country faithfully for over In World War I a number of 60 years; he died in Eastyoung boys joined up before bourne in 1969 aged 66. they were 18, the legal age The whole blue plaque to serve in the army, and unveiling was well supSidney Lewis has the dubi- ported by the local comous privilege of being the munity with probably in youngest of these. No doubt excess of 200 people outmany of them thought that side 934 Garratt Lane the war was going to be a ZKLFK NHSW SROLFH RIÂżFHUV great adventure! busy keeping the road But Sidney George clear as it is on the A217, Lewis was different; he one of the busiest routes in was just 12 when he joined South London. UNVEILED TO CHEERING the East Surrey Regiment The blue plaque was unin August 1915! In 1916 he fought in the battle of veiled by Mr Colin Lewis, the Somme; especially at Sidneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son, to a fanfare the battles for the town of by buglers from the Royal $OEHUW GXULQJ WKH ÂżUVW Regiment of Fusiliers Asweeks of July and for Del- sociation and much cheerville Wood at the end of ing from the crowd. After the unveiling everyJuly and most of August. 7KH ÂżJKWLQJ IRU 'HOYLOOH Sidney Lewis who died in Wood saw some of the worst 1969 aged 66, with his wife Ivy. casualties on the Somme. Sidney was extremely lucky not to have been amongst the thousands of British soldiers killed on 1 July, the ÂżUVW GD\ RI WKH EDWWOH RI WKH Somme.
body was invited to the nearby St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Church for refreshments and the launch of the Summerstown182 event which tells the stories of the 182 local
men who made the ultimate VDFULÂżFH LQ :: DQG ZKRVH names are recorded on the war memorial in the church. Mick Kippin
FACT FILE * 250,000 young men under age of 19 volunteered. * Germanyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wartime army was over 3.7 million * British Army had only 700,000 available men * During the Somme 8,929 British shells ÂżUHG SHU PLQXWH
THE CAPTAIN-GENERALâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TERCENTENNIAL REVIEW
In brilliant sunshine at Larkhill on Salisbury Plain, the Royal Regiment of Artillery celebrated its Tercentenary with a review by Her Majesty The Queen. Six former members of various Royal Artillery regiments were hosted for the day and thoroughly enjoyed being back home with around 5,000 past and present members of the family.
Lt Tom Lawson, along with six Lord Lieutenant Cadets helped to make the day a special occasion. Lt Joshua Bate, the Adjutantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son also ensured that everyone was wined and dined in style. Over the previous 12 months, the Captain-Generalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Baton was carried around the world by teams from all RA regiments. The jour-
123
ney, characterised by endeavour, ambition, advenWXUH KLVWRULFDO UHĂ&#x20AC;HFWLRQ and sporting challenge, embraced 26 countries. ,W ZDV WKHUHIRUH ÂżWWLQJ that the Review included mounted members of the Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Troop, who delivered the Baton to The Queen. Following the drive past, the In-Pensioners were greeted by many admirers and a few old friends with whom they had served.
A CEREMONY ETCHED IN MY MEMORY TILL MY FINAL POSTING
THE SOMME; 1916 ONE HUNDRED YEARS ON At The Thiepval Memorial Thursday 30th June A Military Vigil. Friday 1st July National Commemorative Event
Thursday 30th June and Friday 1st July are the two days that will remain etched deeply into my mind until P\ ÂżQDO SRVWLQJ Nothing could have prepared me for the two ceremonies that I had the privilege and honour of attending along with Colonel Bate, IPs Gerry Farmer and Eddie Reid plus some 10,000 other people on the 1st July ceremony! MILITARY VIGIL
7KH ÂżUVW ZDV D 0LOLWDU\ Vigil to mark The Centenary of The Battle Of The Somme at the Commonwealth War Graves Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Thiepval Memorial to The Missing. I have attended many, many Armistice Ceremonies, both while serving and in civilian life, after leaving the forces, but these two ceremonies were by far the most poignant, sympathetic and moving I have ever attended. Letters written by the soldiers in trenches the
AFTERMATH Have you forgotten yet?... For the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s events have rumbled on since those gagged days, Like traffic checked while at the crossing of city-ways: And the haunted gap in your mind has filled with thoughts that flow Like clouds in the lit heaven of life; and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a man reprieved to go, Taking your peaceful share of Time, with joy to spare. But the past is just the same--and Warâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a bloody game... Have you forgotten yet?... Look down, and swear by the slain of the War that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never forget. Do you remember the dark months you held the sector at Mametz-The nights you watched and wired and dug and piled sandbags on parapets? Do you remember the rats; and the stench Of corpses rotting in front of the front-line trench-And dawn coming, dirty-white, and chill with a hopeless rain? Do you ever stop and ask, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Is it all going to happen again?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Do you remember that hour of din before the attack-And the anger, the blind compassion that seized and shook you then As you peered at the doomed and haggard faces of your men? Do you remember the stretcher-cases lurching back With dying eyes and lolling heads--those ashen-grey Masks of the lads who once were keen and kind and gay? Have you forgotten yet?... Look up, and swear by the green of the spring that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never forget. Siegfried Sassoon 124
night before going "over the top" were read out by serving soldiers. Moving stories from privates and RIÂżFHUV DOLNH 2nd Lt ERIC HEATON
One letter written by Second Lieutenant Eric Rupert Heaton, 16th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, who did not survive the war. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;My darling Mother and
Father. Tomorrow we go to the attack in the greatest battle the British Army has ever fought. I cannot quite express my feelings on this night, and I cannot tell if it's God's will that I shall come through, but if I fall in battle, then I shall have no regrets, save for my loved ones I leave behind. It is a great cause, and I came out willingly to serve my King and country. My greatest concern is that I may have the courage and determination necessary to lead my platoon well . . .â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Pte PAT KENNEDY
Another of letter was written by Private Pat Kennedy, 18th Battalion, Manchester Regiment, who survived the war.
â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;We were told, by our ofÂżFHU WKDW ZH ZHUH WR WDNH part in the attack, and the men were excited. Everybody thought it would be a walkover. The bombard
ment was so heavy, and the men were in excellent spirits. They were all volunteers, and they were looking forward to beatLQJ WKH *HUPDQV DQG ÂżQishing the war quickly. No one believed there could be a defeat. Everyone was eager, and anxious to go forward . . .â&#x20AC;&#x2122; FIRST VIGIL
7KH ÂżUVW YLJLO ZDV PRXQWed by soldiers from the U K (King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery) and France at the Stone of Remembrance. The Thursday evening service was made even more atmospheric, as the night drew in, and the sunset VHHPHG EHÂżWWLQJ WKH RFFDsion for the fallen. All the graves stones were individually lit and the night sky appeared to highlight the scene that lay before us. A late night on Thursday was followed on Friday by an early start to get to the Thiepval Monument where Royalty, Heads of state, and special guests had assembled to commemorate the fallen in battle one hundred years ago. SPECIAL NARRATORS
This ceremony was very special with narrators such as Charles Dance, Joely Richardson and Jason Issacs.
Left to right. RSM Stokes, IPs Paul Whittick, Eddie Reid and Gerry Farmer and Col Bate, Adjutant.
A few, of the many highlights, for me, was the Morriston Orpheus Choir, singing with the Band of the Welsh Guards, playing Keep the Homes Fires Burning and Abide With Me. Added to this was the reading by Charles Dance of the poem Aftermath by Siegfried SasVRRQ 7KH ÂżUVW OLQH of which reads; Have you forgotten yet? . . . . and the last two lines read; Have you forgotten yet? Look up, and swear by the green of spring that you'll never forget. Reproduced here in full. POIGNANT MOMENT
Another poignant moment was when the last post was being played. Hundreds of thousands of red, white and blue coloured poppies petals cascaded down all around the Thiepval Monument. I was brought to tears and I dare say so were many of those also attending. We must never forget the fallen especially the Unknown Soldiers. Long after we have gone I hope that future generations will feel like we did on that July 1st 2016 - one hundred years after they fell! RIP to all who have gone before us and the unfortunate who may follow..... "LEST WE FORGET " Paul Whittick
BUREAUCRATS GET EVERYWHERE Tristan, a Cornish farmer was overseeing his animals in a remote hilly pasture on Bodmin Moor when a shiny brand-new BMW pulled up, out of a cloud of dust. The driver, a young man in a Saville Row suit, Gucci shoes, RayBan sunglasses, leaned out the window and asked the farmer; â&#x20AC;&#x153;If I tell you exactly how many cows and calves you have in your herd; will you give me a calf?â&#x20AC;? Tristan looked at the man, obviously a yuppie, then at his peacefully grazing animals and calmly answered; â&#x20AC;&#x153;OK, my burd, why not?â&#x20AC;? The yuppie parked his car, took out his notebook computer, connected it to his iPhone 6s and surfed to a NASA page on the Internet. Calling up a GPS satHOOLWH WR JHW DQ H[DFW Âż[ RQ his location he scanned the area in an ultra-high-resolution photo. After opening the digital photo in Adobe Photoshop he exported it to an image processing facility in Germany. Within seconds, he received an email on his laptop that the image has been processed and the data stored. He then accessed an MSSQL database through an ODBC connected to a cloud-based Excel spreadsheet and almost instantly receives a response. Finally, he printed out a full-colour, 150-page report on his miniaturised HP LaserJet printer. He turned to the Farmer and said; â&#x20AC;&#x153;You have exactly 1,586 cows and calves.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right, my â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ansome. Well, I â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;spose â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ee can take one.â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Elp yerself!â&#x20AC;? said Tristan with a grin. He watched the young man select one of the animals and looked on with amusement as he struggles to stuff it into the boot of
125
his car without soiling his expensive clothes. Then Tristan said to the young man; â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ere, if I can tell â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ee zackly what your business is, will â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ee give me back the calf you took?â&#x20AC;? The young man thought about it for a second and then said; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Okay, why not?â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a Member of that European Parliamentâ&#x20AC;?, says Tristan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wow! Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s correct,â&#x20AC;? says the yuppie, â&#x20AC;&#x153;but how did you guess that?â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;There ainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t no guessing neededâ&#x20AC;? answered Tristan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You showed up â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ere even though nobody called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ee; you want to get paid for an answer I already knew to a question I never asked. You used millions of poundsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; worth of equipment trying to show me how much smarter you be than me ´ â&#x20AC;&#x153;But you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know a thing about how working people like me make a living â&#x20AC;&#x201C; or about cows, for that matter. This â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Ă&#x20AC;RFN RÂś VKHHS 1RZ JLYH me back my dog.´
John Carbis
FINDING INNER PEACE
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains, If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles, If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it, If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time, If you can take criticism and blame without resentment, If you can conquer tension without medical help, If you can relax without alcohol, If you can sleep without the aid of drugs, Then you are probably the family dog.
THE LADY COMMANDANT OF THE
ROYAL HOSPITAL DETACHMENT RUDHALL During the Second World War the Royal Hospital made arrangements to disperse a number of In-Pensioners to 3 locations outside London to avoid the bombing. The most interesting one was Rudhall Manor near Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire, which accommodated up to 50 pensioners at a time between 1939 and 1946. Rudhall House is a Grade I listed 14th century manor house. The core of the original building being timber frame on a sandstone plinth. The house was extended in the 16th and 17th centuries and restored in the 19th century; but the interior retains many period features.
RHC Heritage Manager John Rochester, assisted by volunteer Martin Cawthorne, unearthed a considerable amount of material from our archives and other sources, including the original agreement between the Commissioners and Major Morland, and several photographs and letters. Present owners, Geoffrey and Holly Humphries, kindly invited a party from the Heritage Department to visit Rudhall Manor and in September John and Martin, accompanied by IPs David and Tom Lyall travelled to Rudhall Manor. THE GREAT HALL
John had compiled a presentation booklet for the owners, who were astonished at the collection of photographs and documents from warWLPH LQFOXGLQJ D Ă&#x20AC;RRU SODQ We were puzzling over the latter, trying to work out how many beds went into various rooms and speculating on the problems of ablutions. After lunch we proceeded to the nearby St Bridgetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Church at Bridstow where, in the church yard, there is a small headstone with the initials of 5 pensioners who had been quartered at Moraston House, and were buried there, and a larger stone with the RHC emblem and the names of those pensioners. IMPRESSIVE MEMORIAL
Next day we drove into Ross to meet the chairman of the local Royal British Legion branch and others, who took us to the cemetery at St Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s church where there is an impressive memorial erected by the Commissioners of the Royal Hospital recording the names and regiments or corps of the 22 pensioners who died while resident at Rudhall Manor as well as a Captain of Invalids, William Lockley. David and Tom Lyall
There we found this enormous, rambling building set in acres of parkland, including extensive lawns, two lakes and a wooded area. The house comprises several styles of architecture with building construction and decoration from several centuries. It ranged from a vast sitting room with doors leading into the garden, a cosy dining room, a Great Hall (not as large as ours!) with a masVLYH VWRQH ÂżUHSODFH DQG YDXOWHG FHLOing, to countless bedrooms and other Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire re- URRPV RQ YDULRXV Ă&#x20AC;RRUV UHDFKHG E\ )RXQGHUÂśV 'D\ UHYLHZLQJ RIÂżFHU viewing the Pensioners of the Royal the Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire Hospital Chelsea, Rudhall Detach- several staircases. ment on Founders Day in 1940, accompanied by Mrs Dulcie Morland, the Commandant.
Then Rudhall Manor was owned by Major and Mrs Walter Morland who JDYH XS VLJQLÂżFDQW SRUWLRQV RI WKH buildings for use by the Royal Hospital for the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;duration of the emergencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (such a quaint phrase!). As Major Morland DSO MC was 2 i/c the 5th Battalion (Ross-on-Wye) Herefordshire Home Guard, it was decided that his wife Dulcie would adopt the title of Commandant, Royal Hospital Detachment Rudhall; a role she appears to have relished.
126
Sgt. Tom Durrant VC RE Commando
Only army VC recipient in a naval battle and from direct recommendation by the enemy. One of 611 Commandos Sgt Tom Durrant was involved in Operation Chariot, - the raid on St Naziare and its huge dry dock - now recognised as one of the most daring, and courageous episodes of World War II. Out of 611 Commandos only about 200 succeeded in landing at the docks. All but 27 were either killed or captured. 22 escaped back to Britain in MTBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and 5 escaped to Spain. Five Victoria Crosses - the largest number for any single action - 4 Distinguished Service Orders, 17 Distin- When I joined the Royal Engineers guished Service Crosses, 11 Military my Aunt, Mrs M Durrant was so Crosses, 4 Conspicuous Gallantry pleased that she presented me with Medals, 5 Distinguished Conduct KHU VRQ 7RPÂśV SRVWKXPRXV 9LFWRMedals, 24 Distinguished Service ria Cross which, as you know is %ULWDLQÂśV KLJKHVW DZDUG IRU EUDYHU\ Medals and 15 Military Medals - 85 in battle. I found it hard to accept medals in all - were awarded to the men involved, in what has become but decided to return it to her when I discovered its value. And it is known as the greatest raid of all. Sgt Durrant was posthumously awarded the VC for his great gallantry, skill and devotion to duty when in charge of a Lewis gun in HM Motor Launch 306 in the St Nazaire raid on the 28th March, 1942. Motor Launch 306 came under KHDY\ ÂżUH ZKLOH SURFHHGLQJ XS WKH River Loire towards the port. Sergeant Durrant, in his position abaft the bridge, where he had no cover or protection, engaged enemy gun positions and searchlights on shore. During this engagement he was severely wounded in the arm but re-
Tom Centre front
now on display in the Royal Engineers Museum at Brompton barracks Chatham. I did not know the full story of how my cousin Tom had been awarded the VC until an article appeared in the Telegraph about a Sgt Tom Durrant from No 1 Company Army Commando and the fact that he was recommended for the VC by Kapitanleutnant Paul, captain of the German destroyer Jaguar.
A RUNNING FIGHT
$IWHU D UXQQLQJ ÂżJKW WKH &RPmander of the Jaguar German torperdo boat Kapitan Lt Paul called on the motor launch to surrender. Sgt Durrantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s answer was a further burst RI ÂżUH DW WKH GHVWUR\HUÂśV EULGJH $Othough now very weak he went on ÂżULQJ XVLQJ GUXPV RI DPPXQLWLRQ DV fast as they could be replaced. A renewed attack by the enemy YHVVHO HYHQWXDOO\ VLOHQFHG WKH ÂżUH RI the Motor Launch but Sgt Durrant refused to give up until the destroyer came alongside, grappled the motor launch and took prisoner those who remained alive. Stan Fuller
TOMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S EARLY LIFE
Born on 17 Oct. 1918 Thomas Frank Durrant lived in Green Street Green Farnborough, Kent. On leavLQJ VFKRRO KH ZRUNHG DV D EXWFKHUÂśV ER\ WKHQ D EXLOGHUÂśV ODERXUHU +H HQlisted in the Corps of Royal Engineers on 1 Feb. 1937. Durrant - 1874047 -volunteered for service with the Special Service Independent Companies (SSIC) being posted to No. 2. SSIC While serving in the Norwegian &DPSDLJQ KH ZDV ÂżHOG SURPRWHG WR Sergeant. On his return the companies became Commandos, and he became a member of No. 1 Gerrman Torpedo Boat Jaguar By Bundesarchiv, DVM 10 Bild-23-63-36 / CC-BY-SA 3.0,
DEVOTION TO DUTY
fused to leave his gun. The Motor launch subsequently went down the river and was attacked by a German torpedo boat, Jaguar, at 50-60 yards range, and often closer. In this action 6JW 'XUUDQW FRQWLQXHG WR ÂżUH DW WKH destroyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bridge with the greatest of coolness and with complete GLVUHJDUG RI WKH HQHP\ÂśV ÂżUH 7KH Motor Launch was illuminated by the enemy searchlight and Sergeant Durrant drew on himself the individual attention of the enemy guns, and was again wounded in many places. Despite these further wounds he stayed in his exposed position, still ÂżULQJ KLV JXQ DOWKRXJK DIWHU D WLPH only able to support himself by holding onto the gun mounting.
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Above his headstone at Escoublac -La-Baule War Cemetery . Below a street where he lived named after him.
THE EDINBURGH TATTOO -A BIG HONOUR FOR ME
So, you may ask, how did I, in the centre of the picture above, become involved in the Tattoo this year? It started when a group of Chelsea Pensioners, including myself, attended a Burns Evening in January at the Sgt Mess at Tewkesbury Depot, where my son, Danny was WO1. The Pipe Major of the Royal Dragoon Guards Pipes and Drums, Dougie Warren, was there to pipe in the haggis. After I had been piping in the bar, Dougie asked if I would like to be part of his band at the Edinburgh Tattoo. I said yes. I had, in my time in the Army as a piper, never piped at the Edinburgh Tattoo. I had played at many other band events around the world, Royal Tournament etc. I had done â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Beating the Retreatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at the Castle once or twice and went along as a Piping Instructor for the Cadets doing a display there, but no Edinburgh Tattoo.
from the Regimental bands. They DUH IURQW OLQH VROGLHUV ÂżUVW 5HJLPHQtal bandsmen are not, but earn good trade pay. In my time they did not do exercises or soldier training apart from basic training. Cushy life! The Pipe bands then were kept together and would usually be the Defence Platoon. EARNING THEIR PAY
These days the pipes bands are spread around the unit only to come together now and again for practice. Also the units have been away on active service and training so they are really earning their pay as soldiers. (The band I was to play with were sent music to learn for the Tattoo while on exercise in Canada) Some pipers in recent years have been have been killed or injured on the front line. For example the two Irish Guards pipers killed in Iraq. In the First World War over 1,000 ONE WEEK IN CATTERICK pipers died. The death rate among So I went to the Royal Dragoon pipers, Irish as well as Scottish, Guards at Catterick for a week. The WKURXJK DWWDFNV DQG ÂżJKWLQJ DV VROlads in the band were so welcom- diers in the trenches was so high ing and I was treated like a lord the that it was decided to keep pipers in whole time I was with them. They the rear and bring them forward for were just like the lads I served with. main assaults. Different generation, but the same. I wonder how many soldiers kept 7KH SLSH EDQGV EXJOHV ÂżIHV DQG quiet about the fact that they could drums in the Army differ a great deal play bagpipes! 128
Back to the Tattoo. From the week in Catterick I went with the band to Redford Barracks, Edinburgh where I was given a room in the Sergeants DQG 2IÂżFHUV EORFN 0\ QHLJKERXUV being the top pipe majors in the army. Most of the civilian participants in the Tattoo stayed in the Edinburgh University accommodation. It was then a solid week of intense rehearsals. Full 12 hour days on the square at Redford and at the Castle. I was on my feet all day. Initial concerns among the band was dispelled after proving I was up WR LW DQG ÂżWWHU WKDQ PDQ\ RWKHUV 7KH\ were proudly boasting that they had a Chelsea Pensioner in their ranks. THE ACQUISITION TRAIL
For rehearsals I wore blues. (I was amused that within hours of arriving in Edinburgh, the RDG pipe band had acquired a piano, later a three piece suite, display cabinet, fridge, micro wave and all the luxuries of home in the barrack room. How they did itâ&#x20AC;Ś.donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ask!) Then it was time for the dress rehearsals. I wore the pipers uniform of the Royal Dragoon Guards. In their history is the Inniskilling Dragoon Guards. The Royal Irish Regiment Pipes and Drums were also at the Tattoo and their regimental his-
tory included the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, my old regiment before becoming Royal Irish Rangers. The Royal Irish Regiment band thought I was a traitor for not playing with them as I had done in the past at Tern Hill, their barracks in Shropshire. All good banter. REHEARSALS ROUTINE
So, after the rehearsals we got into a routine. Meals in the dining room, free for Tattoo participants. Good food but not as good as the excellent food here at Chelsea. Free time unless there was an extra practice. Tune up at about 4pm. Then tea meal. Another tune up then on the coaches at about 6pm. At the Castle we waited until all the coaches had arrived then drove on to the esplanade. There the participants went off in various directions. The massed Pipes and Drums went up the hill into the Castle where we had a run through the programme and tune up. One evening all the pipers and drummers took part in a fund raising event for the Combat Stress charity. This involved everyone, in full dress, getting down for 22 press-ups! After the tune up, the bands then went down to await the march on. This was the worst part, standing around for up to 2 hrs waiting for WKH VWDQGV WR ÂżOO DQG WKHQ PDUFK RQ at 21.00 hr. If it rained, you got wet. Simple. This year the massed pipes and drums had 3 spots. $IWHU WKH ÂżUVW VSRW WKH SLSH EDQGV were allocated areas to wait where tea, coffee and a hot pasty were supplied. Then wait around. For the ÂżQDOH WKH PDVVHG SLSHV DQG GUXPV marched off down the cobbled road of High Street, you would be squashed in and galloping. SPECTATOR APPLAUSE
At the bottom where we wheeled towards the waiting coaches would be hundreds of spectators applauding us. Then back in just before midnight. There was a bar open but most â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;hit the sackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. For the last performance of the Tattoo I wore my scarlet and marched out of the castle in the pipe majors front rank. A big honour for me. Behind me, being the last performance, all sorts of stunts were going on as they marched off. One stunt during the tattoo was to hide a mobile phone into an unsuspecting drum
majors mace and during the silence after the lone piper, someone would dial the number of the phone. Another drum major kept complaining of D ÂżVK\ VPHOO DQG IRXQG URWWLQJ UDZ ÂżVK LQ KLV PDFH ,Q DPRQJ WKH GLVciplined ranks, pipers and drummers were trying to keep a straight face. All in all I had a great time. The lads in the band looked after me UHDOO\ ZHOO :H ZHQW ÂżVKLQJ SXEV clubs, restaurants, I will not tell you about the strip clubâ&#x20AC;Ś.! DRESSED AS BUNNY GIRLS
On one of the BBQ get-togethers, the participants held at the University, the 2 Irish pipe bands went dressed as bunny girls. Even a costume for me! (Hide the evidence!) No-one else dressed up so it caused a stir! The Arab bandsmenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; faces was something to see. At those
Thi i on th i ti This year, going the A Association of Dunkirk Little Ships Annual Vets Cruise, which I very much enjoyed, made me think back to 1940 when I was an 18 year old apprentice. and ZRUNLQJ IRU D ORFDO EXLOGLQJ ÂżUP DW Sheerness Kent. We were constructing a new signal station on the top of Garrison Point Fort Sheerness at the entrance to the river Medway and guarding HM Dockyard Sheerness and HM Dockyard Chatham. It was some time in late May 1940 that my mother said â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think some thing nasty is going on over in France DV , FDQ IHHO WKH FRQFUHWH NLWFKHQ Ă&#x20AC;RRU YLEUDWLQJ´ %XW P\ IDWKHU ZKR ZDV D very wise on is such things - or thought KH ZDV KDYLQJ EHHQ D ÂżUVW ZRUOG ZDU vet, said â&#x20AC;&#x153; No I expect it was thunGHU´ 5HDOO\ MXVW WR FDOP WKLQJV GRZQ We all laughed, but not mum! BONE IN ITS TEETH
Back at work the next morning, a lovely sunny day, the sea was calm and we could see right out into the estuary. A good position on top of the fort. We could see a very fast moving naval boat with a bone in its teeth -as they say referring to the bow wave - pushing a lot of shingle up the beach at sheerness. As the boat came closer we could see it had been in some sort of action, also with many people on board. I think the ship was a destroyer HMS Calcutta - itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the sort of 129
BBQsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; we were treated to some really good music from the regimental dance bands, and pipes, drums, ÂżGGOHV DQG DFFRUGLRQ FRPELQHG DOO top musicians. Magic! PRESENTATION TIME
After the last performance I was presented with a cut glass decanter, shot glasses, a top bottle of Jamisonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and photos of the event by the band of the Royal Dragoon Guards. I gave an RHC plaque and Chelsea Pensioner toy Dog. I hope the band will visit us here sometime. Lone piper at the Tattoo? Now they know me, they said if I go next year it is a possibility to be the Lone Piper when the Chelsea Pensioners attend DQG JR RQ WKH ÂżQDOH 6R , PXVW NHHS ÂżW DQG NHHS SUDFWLFLQJ Mike Shanahan
thing a 15 15-year-old thi ld llad d remembers. b All the people, except the crew, were unloaded onto the gun wharf which was just below our working platform, some still in uniform and carrying weapons. Others in all states of undress. But they all looked pleased to be on dry land. Among them were many foreign troops, French and Belgian being segregated the British troops GATHERING OF SMALL BOATS
7KLV ZDV WKH ÂżUVW ZH NQHZ RI any trouble. Within hours small sea worthy boats were being collected and were gathering in the basin at the dockyard. Many now known as the little ships that went to do service of the beaches of Dunkirk. On the way home from work that evening at Sheerness train station, I could see the local ladies dishing out cups of tea and buns to those lads waiting for trains to take them, I think home, to await the next move by the powers that be. Alan Brunger
Garrison Point Sheerness
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When we left London it was a grey overcast morning but when we arrived in Valetta, Malta at 2.45hr local time, the temperature was 30°C. We were met by Lt-Col Joe Falzon who took us to the Hotel Excelsior, where we were all very grateful for the air conditioning. Returning at 18:30 hr. he explained the program for the coming week. Leaving the hotel, by bus, on day one we went to the upper Barracca Gardens, which we accessed by a lift XS WKH VLGH RI WKH ROG IRUWL¿FDWLRQV where Lt Col Falzon gave us a history of Malta starting with the great siege of 1565. PEDESTAL CONVOY
Moving to more recent history he explained about World War II and mainly the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Pedestalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; convoy which fought its way into Malta in 1942. We then walked through Valetta to see a Malta 5D audio video experience. Our group received it with a very mixed reaction; especially due to the moving seats. This was followed by a visit to the presidential palace, the Prime Ministerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, building the Attorney GenerDOÂśV RIÂżFH DQG WKH $QJOLFDQ &DWKHdral; the latter of which was a lovely building, and in my view more pleasing to the eye than the much grander Catholic places of worship. THE GUN POST
Following lunch at the Gun Post snack bar, which was paid for by the adjutant, we went back to the hotel for a much needed cold beer. A free afternoon enabled us to pursue our personal interests, although after the amount of walking we did during the morning, most of us repaired to our rooms for a welcome lie down. The next morning a coach took us to visit the Air Forces Memorial which was inscribed with the names of all air force personnel from Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand and, of course our own
Royal Air Force, who lost their lives in the Mediterranean theatre. This was followed by a visit to the Fort St Elmo which was the only fort taken by the Ottoman Turks in the great siege of 1565 and which contained the National War Museum. This was particularly interesting because the artefacts they have range from the great siege of 1565 through to World War II. In pride of place was the actual George Cross presented to Malta in 1942 by George V in recognition of the islands bravery and fortitude.
the commander of the Knights of St John, not to be outdone, beheadHG DOO KLV 7XUNLVK SULVRQHUV DQG ÂżUHG their heads into the Turkish lines. We then went into the Pub in Valetta which is not so much a normal pub more of a shrine to Oliver Reed ZKR ZKLOH ÂżOPLQJ *ODGLDWRU GLHG there. After lunch we went round the harbour to visit the Malta Armed Services Maritime Branch, the members of which wear Artillery insignia on their uniform, and whose lowest rank is gunner. I can see nothing strange about that at all. SHORT DEDICATION
We then boarded one of the patrol craft for a cruise around the harbour and, on the return journey, we stopped. The Padre then gave a short dedication after which pensioner Leo Tighe cast a poppy wreath, from the Royal Hospital, onto the waters in remembrance of all those who PDGH WKH VXSUHPH VDFULÂżFH LQ :RUOG War II. At the end of the cruise we all gave our thanks to the crew members of P24. Before we started further visits, on day 3, we went back to the Malta Armed Services Maritime Branch to exchange plaques and thank them again for the wonderful day yesterday. From here we proceeded to the Lascaris War Rooms, which are 150 ft below ground, and were one of the most secret locations on Malta, as it was from here that the entire air and land defence of Malta was controlled; in particular the invasion of Sicily â&#x20AC;&#x2DC; Op Huskyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.
100 TON CANNON In 1565 after 33 days besieging the Following lunch we then visited fort, the Turks breached the defencFort Rinella which is the home of a es and gained access into the forti100 ton cannon, the only one of two ÂżFDWLRQ VODXJKWHULQJ DQG FUXFLI\LQJ in the world, the other being in the remaining defenders. La Valette,
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Gibraltar. This naturally resulted in many pensioners taking pictures. On our return to the hotel we stopped at the Capucini War Cemetery which was originally for the Royal Navy but later opened to accept bodies from the three services. It was a very quiet and peaceful place considering the hub bub from outside. In the evening we attended a reception at the house of the High Commissioner for the UK who gave us all a warm welcome making it a very pleasant evening.
Choral faux pas - faure requiem just one of my many very embarrassing moments in my turbulent existence on this earth. In the early 1970s I was a tenor in the Henlow RAF station choir. 4th largest unsupported dome in the During the pre-Easter full rehearsworld, and the third largest unsup- al of the faure requiem a certain few bars were needing much extra reported in Europe. The bomb, which is on display in petitive attention, proving rather REMEMBRANCE SERVICE the church, came through the roof frustrating generally for us and for An early breakfast on day 4 saw us during an air raid, bounced on the our conductor (a friend) in particuleaving the hotel at 09:00 hr. to visit Ă&#x20AC;RRU DQG GLG QRW H[SORGH $Q $FW lar. The prevailing atmosphere was the Mrarfa War Cemetery for the of God say the Maltese. Well I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t VRPHZKDW GLIÂżGHQW Service of Remembrance. On the Suddenly the conductor rattled the know. More likely a German arway Mrs Bate and Mrs Falzon led us lectern and, with his baton, then mourer in Sicily didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t arm it propin rehearsing the hymns which we pointing directly at me, loudly exerly. It was disarmed by the brother would be singing. claimed â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Freddie! Look at the score! Among the congregation were Mal([SODQDWLRQ \RX DUH HIÂżQJ ZKHQ \RX tese veterans plus two trumpeters should be p-ingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. and a piper from the Maltese armed A moment of silence then the entire forces. Although the service was ensemble erupted with raucous short it was still meaningful in such laughter for a few seconds at my expeaceful rural surroundings. pense and my scarlet visage. Our next stop was the Aviation No matter-he raised his baton again, Museum which was complete with with the undivided and uncooperD +XUULFDQH DQG D 6SLWÂżUH ERWK RI of pensioner John Hillier, presently ative attention of all present. From which played a vital part in the dethe beginning; we sailed through living in the MTI. fence of Malta. This was followed by We saw the Dome and the bomb, the entire score with complete cona visit to the air raid shelters, carved and the church was overwhelming, ÂżGHQFH WR WKH GHOLJKW RI HYHU\RQH out of solid sandstone and which inmore like a large cathedral. We then The actual performance was hailed a corporated living quarters, kitchdrove up to Mdina the old capital of great success. ens and even a schoolroom. I would the island where everyone went on a Footnote not recommend this for sufferers of I was living at Henlow from 1968 to walking tour of the city. claustrophobia. But yours truly hired a Gharri and 1989 and was also a member of the We took our lunch in the IL Barri RAF drama group. Freddie Andrews restaurant which was again welcome Gottcha!! A furtive Freddie, caught in the act of as it was paid for by the adjutant! UDLGLQJ WKH ÂľIULGJH DIWHU WKH RSHUD The menu included snails in rabbit sauce for starters which were not to everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s taste. Nevertheless the portions were enormous. DISPLAY OF DANCING TALENT
2XU HYHQLQJ ZDV ÂżQLVKHG RII ZLWK a dinner dance at the Dolmen Hotel as guest of the Malta Branch of the Royal British Legion and was in aid of their poppy appeal. We were all made very welcome and everybody enjoyed an excellent dinner followed by dancing, at which several pensioners displayed no mean talent RQ WKH GDQFH Ă&#x20AC;RRU The 10.00 hr start on day 5 saw us going to Mosta to see the Dome and the bomb. Dedicated to the assumption of our Lady and colloquially known as the Rotunda it is the
enjoyed a leisurely ride through the QDUURZ VWUHHWV DQG VTXDUHV ÂżQLVKLQJ with two glasses of chilled white wine. Our visit was at an end. Malta is a beautiful island steeped in history. It deserves a much longer visit and our thanks go out to Lt Col Joe Falzon and all those involved in arranging such a lovely trip for us. Terence Wiltshire
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THE CEREMONY OF THE TOWER KEYS
Guardsman Sentry - Halt who comes there Yeoman Warder - The Keys -- Guardsman sentry - Whose Keys Yeoman Warder 4XHHQ (OL]DEHWKÂśV .H\V Guardsman Sentry 3DVV 4XHHQ (OL]DEHWKÂśV .H\V DOO LV ZHOO Following this pensioners and invited guests made our way through The Bloody Tower archway into the Tower where the Tower Guard presented Arms. Chief Yeoman Warder UDLVHG KLV KDW DQG VDLG Âľ*RG SUHVHUYH 4XHHQ (OL]DEHWKÂś To which the Guardsman sentry, and all present replied in unison, Amen. The last Post was sounded and the ceremony, which has been performed every evening for the past 300 years ended.
This ceremony was witnessed by 10 Royal Hospital Pensioners, especially invited by the Yeoman Warders -they prefer not to be called Beefeaters - to the Tower of London on Saturday 24th September. PRIVATE CLUB
The annual ceremony of the cheese is a tradition that has been passed down since 1692 when, each year, a pensioner is invited to perform the ceremony of cutting the cheese. For the ceremony Great Hall was transformed into a wonderland of British cheese. Pensioners in their scarlet uniforms are invited to sit at tables, set with a variety of cheeses snacks and beer, while many guests, from the Cheese making companies are invited to join in the ceremony. MONTGOMERY CHEDDAR
Strategically placed, to one side but near the front of the Great Hall, was a table laden with over 40 types of cheeses, all by English producers, and at one end stands a massive 24 kg block of English Montgomery Cheddar. At a given signal a military band struck up the music and the governor, chaplain and selected guests entered the Great Hall. Customary speeches are made, all of which was followed by the blessing of the cheeses by the chaplain. The the sword, with which I had to cut the large cheese, was produced. SHOCK AND SURPRISE
But what a shock and a pleasant surprise when I found out that I was the lucky pensioner selected to cut the cheese at the annual ceremony. After the event I was also invited to the reception which was held in the State Apartments where I had the chance to meet many fellow guests. Derek Walters
We were met by Yeoman Warder Spike who escorted us into their private club within the Tower, where we were treated in true London style to Pie, Jellied Eels, Mash and liquor gravy. This was followed by copious pints, from a well stocked bar; needless to VD\ ZH SHQVLRQHUV ¾¿OOHG RXU ERRWVœ so to say and thoroughly enjoyed this marvellous hospitality. I mean we could not let the Royal Hospital down could we?!
alike of the famous Chas and Dave. This type of music is very infectious and in no time we were singing along to the type of song we were all familiar with. 7KH ZLQH RU ODJHU Ă&#x20AC;RZHG DQG ZH were rocking and rolling, or rather our version of it. Bimbo, Jean, Mary and Jim were stars as there were plenty of ladies who were only to willing to dance with these handsome people in Scarlet. PACKED DANCE FLOOR
A brilliant time was had by all. The GDQFH Ă&#x20AC;RRU ZDV SDFNHG EXW XQIRUtunately it all came to an end. After thanking our hosts we made our way back to Chelsea tired, but happy. In conclusion we can only thank Spike and all the Yeoman Warders JAZZ AND DAVE for making our visit to The Tower, The club house is not too large the Key Ceremony and the hospiso the invited guests and ourselves tality in the club so memorable. We found it comfortable. So we sat back John Morris. wish them well. DQG ZHUH HQWHUWDLQHG E\ D ÂżUVW FODVV â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Jazz and Daveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, a look and sound
SHORT LONDON KNOWLEDGE QUIZ
Aristocracy apprehended Every four years Polish (rub and shine) accommodation Another section of aristocracy at play Two sided diagram, not a circle, 0DVVLYH KDOI RI Ă&#x20AC;RZHU SRW PHQ Very quick thoroughfare Enclosed quarter of UK $OZD\V WDNLQJ DLP QHYHU ÂżULQJ Valuable periodic entrance to quadrupeds County theatre Preparation for sewing thoroughfare French Married woman dwelling Bear post Country accommodation Freddy Richardson
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Earls Court Olympia Mansion House Lords Cricket Ground The Oval Big Ben Fleet Street Scotland Yard Eros Marble Arch Buckingham Palace Threadneedle Street Madame Taussauds Paddington Station Somerset House
THE OAK TREE ARMISTICE BENCH For some, dealing with the
Paddy loved the Army. And Paddy loved history. So the Royal Hospital was the perfect place for him to be. He had a wonderful gift for a good story and one of his most fascinating tales was about when he was a young man and visited the Royal Hospital in 1968. Over many years Paddy visited the RHC when he came to London every May for the Cavalry Memorial Parade. During a visit in 1968 he met 94 year old In Pensioner Captain Morlidge DSO who had joined Paddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Regiment, the 15th Hussars, in March 1892. As the two of them were enjoying a drink in the bar, Morlidge told Paddy that when he was a young man, he had shared a drink with men who had been in the Charge of the Light Brigade. Paddy was fascinated by this link of one generation of soldiers with the next. The endless handing down of information and traditions within the Army and his love of history is what drove Paddy to become a tour guide. It is nice to think that long before he knew he was destined to spend his latter days at the Royal Hospital, he was already gathering up tales from within these walls.
Aberfan
How delightful to hear the pattering of feet $V FKLOGUHQ VNLS DQG UXQ GRZQ WKH VWUHHW 6R FDUHIUHH DV WKH\ JR WR WKHLU YLOODJH VFKRRO Unaware of the fate that awaited them all 7KH GDUNHVW GD\ LQ WKH KLVWRU\ RI :DOHV As the sludge and slag started to slide The terrible tragedy left so many dead With no hope of escape or warning could be said )DPLOLHV GHYDVWDWHG RYHUZKHOPHG ZLWK VKRFN DQG JULHI 0DQ\ KHDUWV ZHUH EURNHQ LW ZDV EH\RQG EHOLHI Sadly at the close of that tragic day They will not be coming home that way No more the sound of those pattering feet 2U WKHLU KLJK SLWFKHG YRLFHV LQ H[FLWHPHQW VTXHDO But sombre silence and sobs as some weep $IWHU Ă&#x20AC;IW\ \HDUV WKH SDLQ DQG VRUURZ LV VWLOO DVOHHS No more the pattering of childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feet %XW WKHUH LQ JORU\ WKH JROG SDYHG VWUHHW 1RW RQ WKHLU ZD\ WR WKH YLOODJH VFKRRO %XW WKH ZHGGLQJ IHDVW LQ WKH EDQTXHWLQJ KDOO The Prince of Peace is there on the throne Waiting to welcome his children home.
The idea for this memorial bench came to me one day in the early summer of 2016 when I was walking through St Jamesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Park to Horse Guards. On the grass verge, on a park bench, lay a man wearing olive green combat jacket and trousers. His head rested on a rolled up sleeping bag so he may have been asleep, drunk or even dead. I do not know but, with his sleeve rolled up, clearly in view was a tattooed badge of the Para Wings. I know the Royal British Legion would back me up when I dare to guess he was another of the unfortunates who just could not cope after leaving the services which, for all sorts of reasons, the public do not understand. But we do, or should understand!
aftermath is too much. There are only two direcWLRQV WR ÂżQG D VROXWLRQ IRU this. Should the blame lie with seniority who control the public purse at national level, or should we just blame the state? I would go for the former and not the state. The state is the people and the will of the public to associate with, and give, to their armed forces is legendary. Ask any male or female In Pensioner at the Royal Hospital about the numbers ZKR Ă&#x20AC;RFN DQG WDON WR WKHP The public do it to associate with their armed forces and that is all we need to know. Now back to the bench SOLDIER ON THE BENCH
I believe it was the soldier on the bench in the park in St Jamesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that gave me the idea for the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Oak Tree Armistice Benchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. From the Great War to the smallest skirmishes of today the secluded park bench is too often the only relief for some of the broken bodies
IMAGE IN MY MIND
$V , PRYHG RQ DQG UHĂ&#x20AC;HFWing back, I could see the image of any park bench as a kind of island for the bereft and innocent victims of hopelessness. I think the uniformed images started after the Great War with shattered bodies and troubled minds. This still happens today even in some of our minor skirmishes around the world.
Frank Robbins
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and minds of war or the event of simple terrorist action. So other than personal family reasons, I hope that this explains the background to the new feature in our cemetery. Bless them all, the long and the short and the tall. 'DYLG *ULIÂżQ Photography David Jordan.
SNOW BLINDNESS
3 of us should pose no problems. Nevertheless it was well known that the slope surfaces were all ‘scree’ with a generous covering of wind swept ice and snow. The experience of previous climbs on the island had been one of ‘one step up and two steps down’ This was because the sun had melted the hardness of the snow and ice surface and ‘crampons’ simply sliced through the scree and ice surface making climbing a very slow and GLI¿FXOW SURFHVV SUITABLE CAMP SITE
Long ago the Inuit people, of the high Arctic, as well as the people of the high Andes Mountains, were well acquainted with the dangers of being incapacitated by ‘snow blindness’. Even before the advent of sun-glasses and goggles, the Inuit used to fashion goggles from wood and bone and instead of a lens they cut a long thin slit for each eye.
This slit, through which they could see clearly, limited the various angles that bright rays of sunlight could enter the eye as well as limit the total amount of sunlight. It was an effective solution. Snow blindness results when the eye or eyes are simply overwhelmed when bombarded by bright rays of sunlight from too many different angles. TOTALLY INCAPACITATED
Modern medical opinion is that it is an over exposure of UV radiation. A situation that results with eyes being no longer able to cope with the excitation of the nerves in the eyeballs. This reaches such a level, that the victim is totally incapacitated by the pain in their eyes. Well the latter, is by way of an introduction, my own experience of snow blindness in the Antarctic, an ordeal I had to endure for some 3 days. It was while, with an expedition to Antarctica in 1957 and sledging in an area of northern Marguerite Bay. This part of the Antarctic coast is lit-
By the the time we reached the shores of Ridge island, found a suitable place to set up camp, near to the tered with small and large islands, end on which the stone cairn was to separated from each other by narrow be located, then also unloaded the fjords, which are covered with thick sledge and set up camp there was sea ice connecting them to each only just enough of the day left to other, and to the main Antarctic Con- sort out the route up which we would tinent itself. attempt our climb. Our task at this time, was to sledge The surface looked, in the failing to these various islands and erect light of day, as though it had a good stone cairns, as and where request- surface of snow, with no exposed ed, for the teams of surveyors. The surfaces of scree showing. cairns were needed by the surveyors Over the evening meal, and secure to sight upon to complete their trian- in our 3 man pyramid tent ,we disgulation of the area and tie these is- cussed our strategy for the climb. It ODQGV LQWR WKHLU ¿QDO PDS was agreed to climb the slope roped PHOTOMETRIC TECHNIQUES together, line abreast, all wearing This triangulation would also form crampons and carrying ice axes. the structure to which aerial phoThis meant that each man would WRJUDSKLF FRYHU ZRXOG EH ¿WWHG WR be climbing on a virgin surface and make the actual map, using photo- only one man would move upward metric techniques. at any one time. The advantage was Sometimes they would request that there would always be two men cairns where they did not need them, to anchor the man on the move, other times they would request them should he slide away. on island peaks that could not be ON FOOT TO PROPOSED CLIMB reached, in the time available. The moving initiative would always So it was not an unknown occur- be on the centre man - the most experirence for us to spend two days setting enced climber. It sounded like a sound up a cairn and then being told that the plan and was agreed by all with an exsurveyors would not be using it. pressed hope that the sun would not On this occasion we had jour- upset the condition of the surface. neyed down the fjord from Blaiklok We got out of our tent early and seisland refuge, to an island known as cured everything in case bad weathRidge Island, which was just how it er, brought snow and high winds, was shaped, a long wedge shape that and then made our way to the foot of looked for all the world like a 2,000 ft our proposed climb. pile of gravel covered by ice and snow. Having put on our crampons, MAN HAUL SLEDGES checked our kit and roped up, we Because there was only two dog were pleased to note that the lower teams at the Blaiklok Refuge, which SDUW RI RXU FOLPE VWLOO KDG D ¿UP VXUwere needed by the surveyors, and face and would be not much of a because this trip was to end up back climbing problem. at base, it was decided that we should In fact our crampons gave us such use a man haul sledge. a good grip that we were virtually It was considered to be a relatively moving together in an ‘arrow head’ short journey in 2 sections and with formation. We were past the halfway 134
mark before we started to have trouEOH ZLWK WKH ÂżUPQHVV RI WKH VQRZ and ice surface. We came to places were we just could not make any headway upwards and had to continually travHUVH VLGHZD\V LQ RUGHU WR ÂżQG SODFHV where we could make any headway. Eventually we reached the top of the ridge, but it had taken us much longer than planned, which meant that we did not have enough daylight time to build more than part of the cairn and would have to climb again on the following day to complete the task.
most intense pain I have ever felt in my life. It was as though someone ZDV SUHVVLQJ D WKRXVDQG ÂżQH QHHGOHV into my eyeballs and the agony was indescribable. I have never felt such pain before and I sincerely hope that I never do again. My 2 companions said that one minute I was standing there talking and the next I was rubbing my eyes with my gloved hands, screaming at the top of my voice. NO LONGER TOLERATE LIGHT
For a moment or two no one could understand what had happened, BETTER RETURN ROUTE then one of my companions decided From the position of the partial- something had hit me in the eyes and O\ EXLOW FDLUQ ZH LGHQWLÂżHG D PXFK pulled my hands away to look. That better route down and for the follow- was a mistake from the start it was ingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s day return climb. A fold in the obvious to everyone that I could no terrain, which ran more or less from longer tolerate any light at all. There top to bottom of the ridge, sheltered followed a debate of all the possithe surface from the low angled bilities and the suggestion popped winter sunshine. This almost guar- out that it could possibly be â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;snow anteed that the snow surface would blindnessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. EH ÂżUP DOO WKH ZD\ GRZQ None of us had ever encountered the A thin mist was slowly rising to the condition before and all were at a loss WRS RI WKH ULGJH DQG WKH UHĂ&#x20AC;HFWLRQ RI as to what measures should be taken. BLIND AND IN TOTAL MISERY the sun was already scattering from every facet of ice and snow which In the end my companions decided now started to scatter from the small WKDW WKH ÂżUVW SULRULW\ ZDV WR JHW PH guffs of icy mist rising up towards us. down the slope and into the tent. I could not see and was in total We knew that as the light level decreased, a white-out condition would misery from my predicament. To this start to develop and we needed to day I do not know how they got me get down to the bottom before those down the rest of the slope. I vaguely remember sliding down the slope, conditions surrounded us. DANGER OF WHITE OUT on my back, roped between my comThe danger of being caught on the panions. At other times being upclimb, in a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;white-outâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, is that con- right between them, being walked ditions, such that there are shadows, RYHU D GLIÂżFXOW VWUHWFK ZKLFK GHÂżQH \RXU HQYLURQPHQW DW I had a scarf tied around my eyes the worst could make it appear that to stop me rubbing them with my you were standing suspended in gloved hands and, in retrospect, I rewhite space. And at a lesser inten- membered that we all had our gogVLW\ LW FRXOG GLIÂżFXOW WR VHH WKH VXU- gles pushed up on our foreheads face under your feet, so that, without during the climb, in order to see the realising it, you could step out into details of the terrain underfoot. RELIEF FROM INTENSE PAIN open space. Eventually we reached the tent, but The latter were the conditions in which we found ourselves in, by the I had been too wrapped in my own time we were half way down. The misery to be aware of the amount of sun was still bright and scattered in time that had passed. Once in the every direction. We knew we did not tent, I managed to get my boots and have too much time left to get to the top clothing off and climbed into my sleeping bag, feeling that I wanted to bottom in safety. INTENSE PAIN IN MY EYES die in order to get relief from the inStanding on a small knoll, discuss- tensity of the pain. It had not eased ing the situation, and I was suddenly and I could not even tolerate the low DZDUH RI EULJKW Ă&#x20AC;DVKHV RI FRORXU LQ light of the tent lantern, so my eyes my eyes, a bit like looking through a were still bound up with the scarf. kaleidoscope. My companions busied themThen suddenly there followed the selves preparing our evening meal 135
and a hot drink and, after a couple of hours, it was time for our scheduled radio contact with base. They reported my condition and a GRFWRU FRQWDFWHG E\ UDGLR FRQÂżUPHG the diagnosis and said that there was nothing they could do for me. Thankfully adding that the condition would right itself in 2 or 3 days. Well, I lay awake all that night and my reduced energy level made me feel cold, even in my sleeping bag. All I could do was nurse my own misery and listen to the snores of my two companions. It was obvious that I was in no condition to join my companions to climbing the ridge for a second time, to complete the building of the cairn. ALONE DAY SEEMED ENDLESS
Left to my own devices and misery the day seemed endless until they returned and we shared a hot drink and an evening meal. By the time radio schedule time came around I had succumbed to the effects of a hot meal and total exhaustion ending up falling asleep. My companions reported the fact DQG ZHUH WROG , ZRXOG EH ÂżQH E\ WKH next day, but to make sure I kept my goggles on for the journey back to base. ABLE TO TOLERATE DAYLIGHT
On waking next morning I was SOHDVDQWO\ VXUSULVHG WR ÂżQG WKDW DOthough the pain and discomfort had not completely disappeared, I could tolerate the daylight. After breakfast my companions were quick to assure themselves that I felt better and able to make the journey back to base, also repeating the previous nights message â&#x20AC;&#x153;that I should keep my goggles on at all times until all signs of the attack had disappeared. MANY FACETIOUS REMARKS
The journey back to base took most of the day and it was twilight by the time we got there. After unloading the sledge we went inside and joined the rest for supper and to listen to the facetious remarks like â&#x20AC;&#x153;have you brought back the old man with his white stick, RU GLG \RX MXVW OHDYH KLP WKHUH´ I was none the worse for the painful episode and to add to everything, the surveyors decided, in the end, that they would not be using our cairn in their triangulation. James Fellows
POTTERS WITH SEAL OF APPROVAL
It has been another busy year for the Chelsea Potters as the group expands and the interest grows. It is safe to say I am being kept busy with the many projects we are working on as a group and also that each individual needs help in creating. But that is one of the great appeals of working with clay; so many possibilities and uses for the material. The group has created some beautiful work this year. But, to start with, last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas display got every one in the festive mood! We laid it out like a mantelpiece complete with D URDULQJ ÂżUH DQG VWRFNLQJV KDQJing up ready for Santa (somebody ate the carrots left for Rudolph though).
the royal swans or her symbolic silhouette. We even made a special plate featuring the silhouettes of all the potters, staff and volunteers and sent it off to the palace with our birthday wishes. Much to our delight we received a reply from the Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lady-in-Waiting! So I WKLQN WKDW FRQÂżUPV ZH QRZ KDYH the Royal seal of approval! As I work half a morning each week on Campbell ward I also took the
7KHUH ZHUH VQRZĂ&#x20AC;DNH SULQWHG SODWHV festive bottle tops, bowls and vases, a big turkey sculpture on a plate and even some Chelsea Pensioner snow men! Some of the work was then sold at the annual MTI Christmas fair.
olson wards. We used leaves from the surrounding grounds to press into the clay and made a lovely border for each panel. It took a good several months to PDNH DOO WKH WLOHV ZH QHHGHG DQG Âżnally, after an entertaining afternoon of grouting the 3 panels, the work ZDV ÂżQDOO\ LQVWDOOHG RQ &DPSEHOOÂśV balcony in August, in readiness for a family day on the ward. I hope everyone is pleased with the outcome! I am delighted with how well it has turned out and hope it can be used as a reminiscence tool when pensioners are out on the balcony. NEW PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPED
A new partnership that developed last year, and has continued this year, is with the West London Action for Children charity who run an annual exhibition at Christieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s auction house called Postcards Anonymous. They ask members of the public to donate postcard-sized artwork, which they then sell to raise money for their charity. Last year we don-
SOME ROYAL POTTERY
This year saw many a celebration for the Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 90th birthday and the potters certainly couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pass up the opportunity to make some Royal pottery. The MTI held a tea party to celebrate so lots of table displays were made symbolising different features of the Queen such as her Corgis,
I then created a collage of these images, which could be printed onto ceramics panels. The surrounding tiles were made by pensioners of both classes on Campbell and Nich-
opportunity this year to develop a piece of reminiscence artwork that could be installed on the ward. Working with Susana, Campbellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activity coordinator and Vivienne and Elizabeth we drew up a list of imagery that represented different parts of pensionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives who lived there. These images included where they had grown up, holidayed, had hobbies and sporting interests. 136
ated 10 pieces of ceramic art all of ZKLFK VROG ZLWKLQ WKH ÂżUVW GD\ We were invited for afternoon tea and viewing of the other 840 pieces of art on display! Of course the pensioners presence stirred such interest that they were thoroughly looked after and made to feel very welcome. So much so that we will be continuing to donate artwork this year and look forward to visiting again. TEAPOT ISLAND
As well as our visits to Christieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the pottery group also took a little trip recently to Teapot Island in Kent, a museum started by Sue Blayze after her grandmother gave her a teapot in 1983 and who now has over 8,000 on display! In Pensioner Bimbo Cole visited with her family last year and noticed that despite the many teapots she could not spot a Chelsea Pensioner. So we did not visit empty-handed! Because Jim Fellows decided to make
them one for their collection and he presented it to them on arrival â&#x20AC;&#x201C; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s safe to say they were delighted with it! FRESH WARM SCONES
,W ZDV D ORYHO\ DIWHUQRRQ ÂżQLVKHG off by afternoon tea with fresh warm sconesâ&#x20AC;Ś but oddly no teapot! They were all too busy on parade in the museum I suppose! Remember that everyone is always welcome to come and join the fun in pottery class, no experience needed, no need to book or think youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to come every week! Just pop in and see what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re up to and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m always happy to guide you through anything youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to have a go at making. Lots more to come from the potters so we had better crack on! Emily Hall - Pottery instructor
DRIVING Through the damp and dripping wood, 1RZ D TXLHW EXULDO JURXQG Where once proud Romans stood Quiet here in Chesterton Wood. %XULHG VWDQGLQJ EDFNV WR 5RPH That place far off which they called home.
2DNV LQ UXVVHW GUHVV DOO URXQG Shedding mist on this hallowed ground. ,Q WKH YDOOH\ GRZQ EHORZ The Motorway rumbles deep and low, Near the Roman camp bisected %\ WKH )RVVH PXFK UH GLUHFWHG The gentle mist is slowly rising Now the sun has started climbing. Deer returning to the wood, %DFN IURP WKHLU JUD]LQJ ZKHUH FRUQ RQFH stood. A fox lies curled beneath a bramble, $ZD\ IURP ZDONHUV DV WKH\ UDPEOH I clear the wood and rumble on And tell my gentle horse â&#x20AC;&#x153;Trot Onâ&#x20AC;?. $ FORS RI KRRYHV RQ VKLQ\ WDUPDF 7KH KRUVH LV NHHQ ZH¡UH JRLQJ EDFN +LV HDUV DUH SULFNHG KH OHDYHV D GXPS ,W¡V JUHHQ DQG VWHDPLQJ D GUDZQ RXW lump! %DFN LQ WKH \DUG QH[W WR KLV VWDEOH &DUULDJH XQ KRRNHG WDFN RQ WKH WDEOH 7KH KRUVH OHG EDFN LQWR WKH Ă&#x20AC;HOG To his sense of fun heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll yield. :LWK D MXPS DQG D NLFN KH JDOORSV DZD\ to join the others at the hay. 7KH FDUULDJH VWRUHG WKH WDFN DOO FOHDQ Oh what a gentle day itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been! Simon de Buisseret
137
It has been a busy year so far in the life of the British Army, looking to the future as a modern and inclusive force. $ QXPEHU RI VLJQLÂżFDQW events happened during 2016. Here are a few: JANUARY TANK PULL WILTSHIRE
Wiltshire-based Royal Tank Regiment (RTR) pulled their way into the Guinness World Record ERRNV DV WKH ÂżUVW UHJLment to successful pull a 62,500kg Challenger 2 main battle tank at their barracks in Tidworth.
MARCH EX SHAMMAL STORM IN JORDAN
British troops travelled to Jordan to test their ability to move personnel, vehicles and equipment to any area of the world at very short notice. Troops from the Vanguard Enabling Group (VE Gp) took part in Exercise Shamal Storm, an annual exercise to test the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s logistical support to a deploying force. 1600 troops with 314 vehicles took part, training alongside troops from Jordan, the USA and other partner nations.
Image by Corporal Dan Wiepen RLC
FEBRUARY WORLD FARRIER CHAMPIONSHIPS
The riders and horses of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment are the envy of the world but they would never get out of the gate of Hyde Park Barracks without the daily attentions of their resident team of Army Farriers. And, in recognition of their world class abilities in practising this ancient skill, this year the British Army hosted one of the toughest competitions going: the Cavalry Black Pairs Shoeing Competition, at Hyde Park Barracks. A total of 48 world wide competitors, civilian and military professionals alike, competed for the title awarded by the Master Farrier.
APRIL GRIFFIN STRIKE IN UK
([HUFLVH *ULIÂżQ 6WULNH VDZ more than 5,000 British and French soldiers of the CJEF (Combined Joint Expeditionary Force) put their training to work through 3 major scenarios demonstrating their inter-operabilLW\ LQ WKH ÂżHOG 6L[ \HDUV RI joint exercises culminated in bringing the land, air and sea components together in realistic scenarios with French armoured vehicles, UK aircraft and airborne forces, and infantry, armoured personnel and medics from both countries. The CJEF is now validated to deploy rapidly on UK/French operations for NATO, EU, UN or coalition missions.
MAY UBIQUE 300 WORLDWIDE
On 26 May 16 the Royal Artillery celebrated its Tercentenary, following its foundation in 1716 by Royal Warrant of King George 1 when two companies of artillery were formed at Woolwich, alongside the guns, powder and shot located in the Royal Arsenal. To celebrate the milestone a journey to circumnavigate the globe of a specially made Baton, designed to represent their 300 years and known as the Captain Generalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Baton, began in 0D\ DQG ÂżQLVKHG LQ Larkhill at a special ceremony where the baton was handed to HM The Queen, Captain General of the Royal Artillery.
JUNE ANAKONDA 16 IN POLAND & GERMANY
The UK has assumed resposibility for NATOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force centred on 20 Armoured Infantry Brigade, Germany. In preparation for this British soldiers took part in a run of large-scale training exercises in Germany, Poland and the Baltic with the 25,000-strong Polish-led Exercise ANAKONDA the largest allied exercise this year.
138
Some 230 soldiers from 16 Air Assault Brigade parachuted into Torun in Poland in a mass drop of 1,400 paratroopers from the US and Polish armies. Planning and comms specialists from HQ 16 Air $VVDXOW %ULJDGH Ă&#x20AC;HZ LQ from Fort Bragg, North Carolina alongside the US soldiers, with the transatlantic journey - making WKH ORQJHVW LQVHUWLRQ Ă&#x20AC;LJKW ever carried out by British paratroopers. JULY MILITARY WORKING DOG KIT IN GERMANY
Soldiers from 102 Military Working Dogs (MWD) Squadron, 1st MWD Regiment, conducted Live Fire Tactical Training on Sennelager Ranges in Germany. During the training the new personal protection equipment for military dogs was tested. All dogs are now equipped with goggles, boots, ear defenders and a cooling vest. The dogs also have Ă&#x20AC;RWDWLRQ YHVWV )RU WKH PLOitary dogs, the experience of wearing their protective HTXLSPHQW OLYH ÂżULQJ DQG explosions reduces their tendency to be scared by WKH VRXQGV RI ZHDSRQV ÂżUing and explosions allowing them to become calm
and controlled in stressful situations - and simulating some of the possible stresses of battle that they could encounter on operations. SEPTEMBER UK HOSPITAL IN A BOX
International visitors from 10 different countries visited a 52-bed tentHG ÂżHOG KRVSLWDO LQ 'LVKforth, North Yorkshire and met the medics of 34 Field Hospital who will soon be on standby to deploy anywhere in the world. The overseas visitors from countries including the
US, Pakistan and China saw the medics involved in a range of scenarios using hi-tech equipment developed to meet challenging environments. OCTOBER CAMBRIAN PATROL
Internationally, Cambrian Patrol is one of the toughest tests of the modern-day soldier. Some foreign entrants KDYH WR ÂżUVW ZLQ WKHLU RZQ domestic competition. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event saw Kosovo WDNH SDUW IRU WKH ÂżUVW WLPH in the harshest terrain midWales has to throw at them, including a water crossing. They joined international patrols representing teams from Latvia, Mexico, Nepal, Canada, Italy, Georgia, Germany, Pakistan, Australia, Czech Republic, New Zealand, India, Ireland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium, Chile, Kosovo, Brazil, Switzerland. Melissa Terry- Photos, Crown Copyright.
Paddy Foxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family and Hospital staff, we decided to hold his funeral in the Great Hall, pictured at the base of column 2, before QLVKHG WKH Ă&#x20AC;RRU UHVWRUHG L K G WK K Ă&#x20AC; W G the service. and the ceiling painted By June, the Chapel was and guilded. An enhanced ready for us again and the lighting system was in- picture below shows it restalled revealing the great stored with the choir stalls Sebastiano Ricci painting over the Altar in splendid detail. For the 6 months exile, the 08:30 hr Sunday Holy Communion service was held in the Pensionersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;
A BBUSY USY AAND ND VA VVARIED ARIED YEAR DURING D RIN TH THEE CHAPEL HAPEL REFURBISHMENT REF RBI HMENT
In I December D b 2015, 2015 the th h usual assortment of military and charity carol services were held in the Chapel. We also sang one lunchtime in the Duke of York Square on the Kings Road with In-Pensioners collecting for The Royal Hospital.
The MTI carol service was held just before Christmas and below we see an alternative choir leading the
carols. The Adjutant and the Captains of Invalids are thinking of auditioning for the X Factor next Christmas and might bring out a single! Following the Christmas Day services in 2015 the Wren Chapel closed for 6 months for refurbishment, this was part of the updating of all our buildings within the Royal Hospital. All of the wooden panelling and pews were stripped back and re-var-
but no pews. By Founders Day 2016 we were almost UHDG\ IRU RXU ÂżUVW VHUYLFH The picture below shows the Altar with its new frontal displaying the James II Communion plate. Our Founders Day inspecting RIÂżFH +5+ 7KH 3ULQFHVV Royal, visiting the Chapel,
evening dining room, adjacent to the Chelsea Pensionersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Club. During the closure of the Chapel, the 11am Sunday morning service was held in the All Saints Chapel in the Margaret ThatchHU ,QÂżUPDU\ DQG IRU PRVW weeks, we managed to squeeze everybody in. This Chapel is where virtually all In-Pensionersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; funerals are held. However one funeral during this time was larger than usual with approximately 400 people attending. After discussion with congratulated us on its restoration. On the second Sunday in June, the weekend of the national celebration of Her Majesty The Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 90th birthday the Chapel re-opened for worship. We celebrated not only in the Chapel but with a drinks reception in the CPC afterwards. Steven Brookes, Chaplain
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THE 2016 LONDON MARATHON
NEVER AGAIN? OK! JUST ONCE MORE! Servicing and maintain-
ing the mobility equipment for the Royal Hospital I have got to know many pensioners. I also had support from the Royal Hospital so I would like to share my experience of taking part in this years London Marathon. My story began about 5 years ago. My wifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and spent the last few weeks of his life being cared for at the Marie Curie Hospice in St Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wood. The care and attention he received was incredible and my wife and I wanted to say thank you so we decided to take part in our local 10k race and raise money through sponsorship.
thought â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I would love to do that one dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;! So, after watching the London MarDWKRQ ODVW \HDU , ÂżQDOO\ GHcided to do something about it and entered! In October I received the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Bad Luckâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; magazine in the post. But reading through it, I saw an advert for The Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) asking for runners. I submitted my application and was accepted!
TRAINING DAY
In preparation for the Marathon, I entered The Silverstone Half Marathon, North London Half Marathon and The Kingston Breakfast 20 mile run. There was also a training day organised by the ABF at Wellington Barracks in January which is ZKHUH , ÂżUVW PDGH FRQWDFW with IP Paul Whittick. I asked Sgt Maj Lally if he could organise some IPs for a photo session to help the runners with their fundraising and 4 IPs attended.
around the circuit. I set off with 8,000 runners and thoroughly enjoyed the run but was disappointed to cross the line in 2 hr 1 min 34 sec. One week later I was standing outside Wembley Stadium along with 10,000 other runners as we stood at the start line for the North London Half Marathon. COLD, WINDY & WET
I was not feeling good. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d had a terrible nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sleep MONEY FOR CHARITY and the weather was - cold, This was the furthest I had windy and wet. It had been contemplated running and an early start for me to get after several training runs, to Wembley by 08.00hr for we completed the course in a 09.00hr start. The course just over an hour and raised was hillier than the previover ÂŁ1,500 for Marie Cuous week at Silverstone so I rie. Since then, I have got thought there was no chance my time down to 52mins. UNDER 2 HOURS of a personal best. I just ran I decided to up the distance After many training runs to the best of my ability. 2 years ago and took part in throughout the dark, cold, I did not take any notice of the 2014 Windsor Half Mar- ZHW ÂżUVW PRQWKV RI my running style or bother athon and completed it in 2 I took part in the Silverstone to keep an eye on the time. hours 18 mins and then the Half Marathon. I was hop- 7KH ÂżQLVK OLQH ZDV LQVLGH Hampton Court Palace Half ing to better my previous Wembley Stadium and at Marathon. When I crossed best of 2 hours and 6 sec. It the last mile marker, there WKH ÂżQLVK OLQH , FRXOGQÂśW was a cold, sunny, windless was a clock from which I imagine running the same GD\ DQG , ZDV FRQÂżGHQW , worked out that I was within distance all over again! could get in under 2 hours. my personal best. I have always watched CHUFFED TO BITS The course was set on the the London Marathon from race track, through the pits With a reserve of energy I the comfort of my sofa and and some of the feeder roads picked up the pace a bit , saw the clock and realised that ,ÂśG ÂżQLVKHG LQVLGH WKH KRXU mark! I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe it! 1 hour 59 mins and 36 secs! I was chuffed to bits. Two weeks later I was at Kingston for the 20 mile race where I managed a very reasonable 3 hours 16 mins; a perfect build up to my big day and my target time of 4 hours 30 mins. I met up with IP Whittick 140
and some other IP who had sponsored me and had a photo taken in Figure Court on London Marathon day. At 0800, on a chilly but windless morning in Greenwich, I was at the Runners Village along with 39,000 other nervous, expectant runners. With the ABF runners I made my way to our starting pens. I was in pen 9, the last pen. Probably because I had never run a marathon before, I was put at the back. I managed to get fairly close to the front of my pen but I was a bit disappointed as I ZDV FORVH WR WKH RIÂżFLDO SDFHUV ZLWK DQ H[SHFWHG ÂżQLVKing time of 6 hours. UP MY PACE
I decided to follow fellow runners and made my way past the 4hour 30min pacers. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Greatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; I thought, as they were behind me, so I knew if they passed me I would have to up my pace to ÂżQLVK LQ WKH WLPH WKDW , ZDV hoping for. At 10.00 hr Maj Tim Peake, got us underway. Even though I had walked quite a way forward, from P\ RIÂżFLDO VWDUWLQJ SODFH LW still took 18 mins to cross the start line! Now I had 26.2 miles and at least 25,000 runners in front of me. One thing I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expect was passing slower runners. Weaving in DQG RXW ÂżQGLQJ JDSV VSHHGing up and slowing down. It was hard work. I found keeping to the edge of the road was best as most runners were in the middle. I
could hear the thousands of spectators, some of whom called my name which was written on my vest. I also HQMR\HG JLYLQJ KLJK ÂżYHV to the children who were cheering us on! An hour later, I ran past Cutty Sark. The crowds were huge here and somehow I managed to spot my wife and friends who had come along to support me. The banners they made mean I could easily spot them.
Passing Canary Wharf at 19 miles I was cheered on by my wife and friends at the ABF cheering point which was a much-needed boost.
I HIT THE WALL
Then at mile 21 at Limehouse the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;wallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; hit me, or rather it hit my knee! My knee just stopped working and I came to a standstill. Luckily for me, I stopped right next to a St Johns Ambulance tent and the physios there stretched, massaged A WALL OF SOUND and rubbed deep heat into I thought the crowds at Cut- both knees. Thanks to them, ty Sark were huge, but an I was able to continue albeit hour later nothing prepared at a slower pace. me for when I turned off I knew that if I stopped Tooley Street and onto the again my race would be over approach of Tower Bridge. so just kept going, deterI can only describe it as hit- PLQHG WR ÂżQLVK , ZDV VRRQ ting a wall of sound. A tru- passing along under Blackly memorable moment and friers and along the EmDSDUW IURP ÂżQLVKLQJ RQH , bankment. Now I knew the will never forget. end was close. The crowds Now I had the Isle of were huge and soon I was Dogs and the dreaded â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;hit- running past Westminster, ting the wallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; section. I had into Hyde Park and Buckheard so much about â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;hit- ingham Palace. ONE IN A MILLION ting the wallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and had been The end was in sight and told it could happen anywhere between 18 miles , FURVVHG WKH ÂżQLVK OLQH LQ hours 50 mins. I was slightly DQG WKH ÂżQLVK But I was still feeling good. disappointed with my time as I wanted a 4 hours 30 min time but nonetheless, I had just run the 2016 London 0DUDWKRQ DQG , ZDV RIÂżFLDOly, One in A Million! The ABF had arranged a post-race reception at Wellington Barracks to include a much-needed shower, a fantastic massage and drinks and snacks for the runners and our supporters. I would like to thank the 5R\DO +RVSLWDO 2IÂżFHUV staff and all the IPs who
helped me with the sponsorship, in particular IP Whittick. He offered lots of advice, wrote a weekly article for the Bulletin charting my progress and, with his help, we raised over ÂŁ400.00 for the ABF. All in all, I raised just over ÂŁ3,000.00, excluding Gift Aid, and I am very proud of that. In fact, the total raised for the ABF by the team of runners totalled over ÂŁ80,000. :KHQ , FURVVHG WKH ÂżQish line, I thought to my-
self â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Never again!â&#x20AC;&#x2122;. However, the following week, when the ballot entry for the 2017 race opened I eagerly entered again! The results of the ballot came out in early October and, although most of my running friends were unlucky in their application, I had a successful ballot entry! So this year, I will be doing it all over again but this time, I am running for The Royal Hospital along with IP Paul Whittick!
Nigel Organ
ROTHERHITHE REMEMBERS WW2 EVENT AT SILVERLOCK ESTATE
ter in the Isle of Dogs and how people used to share jokes and play the piano as bombs fell on the city. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We used to get up in the morning and walk around to see who had been bombed. It was always surprising,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My school, St Edmunds, was never bombed and it was the only one that stayed open during the war. THEIR EXPERIENCES â&#x20AC;&#x153;At school when you Over tea, cake, coffee and heard the air raid sirens go the Mickey Driver caba- off you went to the shelter ret, I was able to share my RQ WKH JURXQG Ă&#x20AC;RRU 7KH memories, and listen to teacher played the piano their stories of their per- and entertained everyone. sonal experiences of being â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the shelters people in London during the Blitz. used to play pianos, tell Also tales of miraculous jokes and entertain one anescapes and how everyone other. It was sad during the supported each other, and war but, at the end of the life inside the bomb shelters. day, I look back on my war As Christina Wheatley, years and say they were an organiser, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;These some of the best. Except memories are not going to when you knew someone be around for ever so we who had been killedd. need to capture them.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I moved to Southwark in SAYING THANK YOU 1953 when I met my hus,Q WKH UDIĂ&#x20AC;H LQ ZKLFK , band, George. We met won a bottle of red wine, through my brother. He ÂŁ116 was raised for the was out in Egypt with my Royal Hospital Chelsea. husband and they became As a way of thank you friends.â&#x20AC;? I also invited two lucky members to lunch with me at the Royal Hospital. One attendee, Kathleen Mackenzie, 83, recalled how she used to sleep in an Anderson shelI can trace my family background in Rotherhithe to about the 1750â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when my paternal side were whip and whip thong makers and my maternal side worked on the river. Since than and until WW2 they all lived in Rotherhithe. So when there was the opportunity to attend a local function I was pleased that I was selected to attend.
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THE FANYS
MOST DECORATED WOMENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S UNIT OF THE WAR
The First Aid Nursing Yeomanry. A unique corps, which is still going strong today, and evolved IURP D ÂżHOG QXUVLQJ XQLW LQ :RUOG War One into a training ground for some of Word War Twoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most famous female agents behind Nazi lines.
the Colonies. Grace told him about the Corps, and he pledged that if the British would not take up the services of the FANYs the Belgians would. Accordingly, in October 1914, Grace and 6 other FANYs crossed the Channel to drive ambulances for the Belgians and French. On arrival, they lost no time in setting up a military hospital in a beleaguered convent school at Lamarck in Calais. Initially, there was a dire shortage of EHGV DQG WKH\ KDG GLIÂżFXOW\ JHWWLQJ any sheets or basins. But the need for specialist nursing care was soon so great that FANYs were inundated with the wounded before they had HYHQ ÂżQLVKHG XQSDFNLQJ
In 1944, when the Nazisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; occupied southern France, an attractive, carefree young woman, cycled up to a German checkpoint. She chatted with the soldiers light-heartedly, then she ZHQW RQ KHU ZD\ ,W LV RQO\ WKH ÂżUVW of many checkpoints she passes as she covers 250 miles in 72 hours. The guards let her through each time, grateful for the break in the monotony. What the soldiers didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know was TOUGH CONDITIONS that she was on a vital mission for Conditions were tough. As well as D-Day, and that she was top of the caring for the wounded with minGestapoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most wanted list. They imal equipment, they also nursed KDG QLFNQDPHG KHU Âł:KLWH 0RXVH´ Nancy Wake those with shell shock and TB, and because of her skill in slipping away, ZDUG %DNHU D :DUUDQW 2IÂżFHU LQ WKH battled against a typhoid epidemic â&#x20AC;&#x201C; DQG WKHUH ZDV D ÂżYH PLOOLRQ IUDQF 21st Lancers. Wounded at Omdur- RIWHQ XQGHU ÂżUH DQG =HSSHOLQ ERPEV PDQ LQ KH OD\ LQ WKH ÂżHOG DQG bounty on her head. They also distributed food, gave ONE OF MOST DECORATED had a vision of women on horseback English lessons, provided letter writâ&#x20AC;&#x153;A little powder and a little drink ULGLQJ WR WKH UHVFXH ZLWK ÂżUVW DLG DQG ing equipment, and even a piano and on the way, and I'd pass their posts cheer. Once recovered, he set to work on a gramophone for entertainment. and wink and say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Do you want to They were regularly recognised for VHDUFK PH"Âś *RG ZKDW D Ă&#x20AC;LUWDWLRXV his plan, and in 1907 the First Aid bravery, and became the most decoNursing Yeomanry was formed as OLWWOH EDVWDUG , ZDV ´ 6KH VDLG rated womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unit of the whole war. The guards assumed that the White an all-female paramedical organisa- In all, they were awarded 17 MiliMouse they were searching for was a tion. It was independent of the army, tary Medals, 27 Croix de Guerre, man. So the young woman cycled on, but its training, based on Royal Army one LĂŠgion d'Honneur, and 11 Menand eventually found a resistance ra- Medical Corps practice, was adopted tions in Despatches. TRAINING RECRUITS dio operator to transmit her messagWhen World War Two came round, Recruits to the FANY were trained es, as her own radio operator had dethe role of the FANY expanded sigstroyed all the codebooks when the LQ VWUHWFKHU ZRUN SURYLGLQJ ÂżUVW DLG QLÂżFDQWO\ ,Q WKH &RUSV ZDV Gestapo were closing in. This brave and setting up temporary hospitals in DSSURDFKHG E\ WKH :DU 2IÂżFH DQG cyclist was Nancy Wake, one of the WKH ÂżHOG $OO KDG WR EH KRUVHZRPHQ asked to provide a cadre of driving most decorated women of the Sec- so they could move easily with the and vehicle mechanic instructors to ond World War. She was a member of army and ride out to wounded sol- the newly-created Auxiliary Territothe SOE, Churchillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ultra-secretive GLHUV RQ WKH ÂżHOG Initially all members had to be able rial Service (ATS). â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; A COMPROMISE FANY CAP BADGE to afford to stable their own horses, To some, especially those who But if you look closely at her uni- but as the internal combustion engine served in the Great War, this was the form, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wearing the became more widespread, the re- request they had been waiting for. cap badge of the First Aid Nursing cruits were instead trained in driving To others, they viewed it as a threat Yeomanry (FANY) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; something she DQG PHFKDQLFV LQ DGGLWLRQ WR ÂżUVW DLG to the Corps' independence and its At the outbreak of World War One, shared in common with many of the the FANYs were keen to offer their long-term future. The result was a SOEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most daring operatives. compromise. The FANY was the brainchild of Ed- services and to play their part, but no RQH LQ WKH :DU 2IÂżFH RU %ULWLVK 5HG Half the Corps went off to serve with distinction with the ATS in a Cross Society would take them on. RETURNED HOME wide range of roles and in many theSo when war was declared, the atres of operation. By the end of the leader of the corps, Grace Ash- War nearly 3,000 FANY served with ley-Smith, who was on a ship bound the ATS as the Women's Transport for South Africa, promptly turned Service (FANY). The remainder of the Corps, the about to head home. Âł)UHH )$1<V´ GLG QRW VLW RQ WKHLU By chance, one of her fellow paslaurels. Recognised as a unique resengers was the Belgian Minister for source, in 1940 they were approached 142
by the founders of the SOE. Through ³VSRWWHUV´ LQ WKH /DERXU ([FKDQJHV ladies were asked to join the FANY, and were trained in a variety of roles including wireless and telegraphy, encryption, and decryption. Over 2,500 ladies were recruited to support the SOE, many as young as 17 (to avoid the conscription age) who required parental permission to join the Army. That is how Nancy Wake came to be in France, on her biF\FOH EOXI¿QJ KHU ZD\ WKURXJK 1D]L checkpoints. Of the 6,000 FANYs who served in World War Two, 2,000 also served with the SOE. BRAVERY AND HEROISM
There are countless stories of their bravery and heroism. One of the most famous was Yvonne Baseden, who was dropped into France in 1944, and worked for four months as the wireless operator to the SCHOLAR circuit, before being captured by the Nazis and taken to RavensbrĂźck. Amazingly, she survived, and her story was told in full in the last edition of the Tricorne. Being a wireless operator for the Resistance in occupied France was a vital task. It was also highly dangerous work, with individual operators having a life expectancy of only six weeks. The SOE preferred female wireless operators, as women were less conspicuous, and could move about more freely while attracting less attention. TELLING A LIE WAS A CRIME
Another remarkable FANY/SOE wireless operator was Noor Inayat Khan. Born in Moscow, she grew up in London and France, before studying child psychology at the Sorbonne, then writing poetry and children's stories. +HU IDWKHU ZKR ZDV D 6XÂż WHDFKer, intellectual, and musician, bought her up to believe that telling a lie
was a dreadful crime. She was a FRPPLWWHG SDFLÂżVW EXW IHOW VKH PXVW do what she could to defeat the Nazis. Her dreamy, gentle, honest, and open manner meant that a number of her SOE trainers felt she wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t suited to undercover work, but she was dedicated and persistent. RUSHED TRAINING
After a rushed training, Noor was sent to Paris to join the PROSPER network. The Nazis had been trying to crack PROSPER for months, and soon after her arrival they rounded up all its members except her. London told Noor it was too dangerous to stay, and ordered her home. But Noor realised she was now the only radio operator left in Paris, and insisted on staying. For three months, she managed to evade arrest, while trying to rebuild the network and maintain the vital link with London. She was constantly on the move, lugging her enormous suitcase radio about with her. She was even stopped on the MĂŠtro on one occasion by two German soldiers, who demanded to know what was in her suitcase. With extraordinary candour, she opened it up for their inspection and explained that it was cinematic equipment. HER LUCK RAN OUT
The soldiers believed her, and let her go on her way. The net was closing in, and she reluctantly agreed to leave Paris. But then her luck ran out. The day before her extraction, she was betrayed by a member of the Resistance and arrested by the Gestapo. Despite torture, she told her captors nothing, and twice tried to escape. In the end she was sent to Dachau in 1944, where she was brutally murdered on her arrival. Another FANY who served brave-
ly with the SOE in France during World War Two was Violette Szabo. She had been taught to shoot by her father when growing up in south London, and became such an excellent shot that she was known for never having to buy her own cigarettes, as she won so many in shooting competitions at fairs. She was dropped into France to gather intelligence, as well as to carry out reconnaissance and to sabotage communication lines. Tragically, she was captured on her second mission. PROVIDED COVERING FIRE
Having injured her ankle, she persuaded her fellow agent to go on without her, while she provided covHULQJ ÂżUH VR KH FRXOG HVFDSH She was heavily outnumbered, but held off the Germans for over half an hour. Eventually, she was only captured because she ran out of ammunition. She was taken to RavensbrĂźck and shot in 1945. Odette Sansom (later Churchill, later Hallowes) was another FANY who was captured and tortured. She survived pneumonia, brutal treatment in which she was burnt with red hot pokers and had her toenails pulled out. Yet she managed to convince the Germans that another agent, Peter Churchill, with whom she had been arrested, was a close relative of Winston Churchill, thus saving his life. They were married after the war. Today, the FANY continues to provide support for military and civil authorities in the United Kingdom, including during major emergencies and incidents. The Corpsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; aim, as ever, is to protect life and relieve human suffering. It provides ongoing support in a variety of roles, including at times of national crisis and major national events like terrorist attacks and transport disasters SUPPORT TO OLYMPICS
On a lighter note, FANYs provided over 2,000 hours of support for the 2012 Olympics. The FANY offers a broad and exciting programme of training and operational work, as well as fun and active social events. It continues to have a fantastic sense of camaraderie, and there really is no other organisation quite like it. Delia Selwood Photos Stewart Turkington
143
THE STREETS AROUND US
picted Whistler as a fraud. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I have seen, and heard, much of cockney impudence before now; but never expected to hear a coxcomb ask JXLQHDV IRU Ă&#x20AC;LQJLQJ D SRW of paint in the publicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s faceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; wrote the critic about Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket that in IDFW GHSLFWV ÂżUHZRUNV LQ Cremorne Gardens.
Just off the hustle and bustle of Kings Road, and a stoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s throw from the Royal Hospital Chelsea, Tite Street, with its wonderful possibilities, delights passers-by with its ÂżQH DUFKLWHFWXUH It may seem quiet but its history is buzzing with the stories of passions, feuds and scandals. A few commemorative plaques on the houses hint at the streetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fascinating past when it was an epicentre of Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bohemia.
A FARTHING DAMAGES
LITERARY FIGURES
Tite Street was laid out in 1877, a few years after the Embankment had been built. It was named after Sir William Tite, an MP, who was a member of the Metropolitan Board of Works, and an architect of The Royal Exchange in the City of London. It offered affordable plots for building and the majority of its original architecture dates back to late 19th century. The place attracted many artistic and OLWHUDU\ ÂżJXUHV ,W VRRQ became one of the most famous London streets and a symbolic location of aesthetic movement.
ahead of his time, a character larger than life, he found Tite Street an ideal location for his daring plan to build himself a large studio. BANKRUPTED
Whistler commissioned a renowned architect Edwin Godwin to design the White House at the south end of the street. He was planning something unique, a house which imitated no style. The walls were white, the roof of green slates and the windows were placed with no regard for the symmetry. Little did he know that he would soon end up bankrupt and would lose JAMES WHISTLER his new house. Whistler never took critiAmerican born James cism lightly which in 1878 Abbott McNeill Whistler led to one of the most inlived in several places and famous libel trials in the died in Chelsea. A small, 19th century. immaculately groomed ÂżJXUH ZLWK D PRQRFOH DQG The artist sued the great a cane, he became instantly art critic John Ruskin over recognisable. A genius artist a review that basically de-
Whistler won the case but was awarded only a farthing damages while he still had to face the legal costs. Always extravagant with money Whistler had to declare bankruptcy. The day before the artist left his White House, he wrote over his front door, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Except the Lord build this house, they labour in vain that build it. E. W. Godwin, F. S. A. built this oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Whistler returned to Tite Street in 1880s and lived next to the White House at the time when Oscar Wilde lived across the street.
models, had time to escape over the roof. In 1884 Wilde moved into No. 34 with his wife Constance and asked Edwin Godwin to transform his little house. The architect who had become fond of the dramatic use of white, gave the house a white front door, white hall and white staircase. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I have a dining room done in different shades of white, with white curtains embroidered in yellow silk: the effect is absolutely delightful, and the room beautifulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; wrote Wilde. The drawing room upstairs was where Whistler joined Godwin and decorated the ceiling in blue with painted dragons and brilliant peacock feathers. HOUSE BEAUTIFUL
In this â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;House Beautifulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Wilde wrote his famous works, entertained guests and played upstairs in the nursery with his two sons. Vyvyan and Cyril rememFRIENDS AND ENEMIES bered that the windows Whistler and Wilde became overlooked Victoria Hosfriends, rivals and eventu- pital for Sick Children that ally enemies. The White had opened in 1860s. House was demolished in It was housed in an 18th the 1960s. Oscar Wildeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s century mansion, originalbachelor pad was at No. 44 ly known as Gough House. with an artist Frank Miles, The Hospital left Chelsea where he entertained visi- in the 1960s and the buildtors like actress Lillie Lang- ing was demolished. St try and Prince of Wales. Wilfridâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Care Home now This is also where he occupies the site. VWRSSHG SROLFH RIÂżFHUV DW Wildeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sons would visit the front door, so that his the Royal Hospital where friend, suspected of indecent the Chelsea Pensioners albehaviour with his young lowed them to dig in
144
the gardens and offered tea, bread and butter and a cake. The pensioners would feed the boys imaginations with the stories of WKH EDWWOH¿HOGV Oscar Wilde a husband, father, successful playwright and celebrity was leading a double life. His affair with Lord Alfred Douglas eventually led to the infamous trial and Wilde was convicted and imprisoned for 2 years of hard labour. In an ironic twist of fate the trial was presided over by Hon. Justice Wills who was Wilde’s neighbour.
In summer 1994 a green Audi parked in front of No. 33 and a blonde woman in a silk blouse and an emerald green skirt emerged from it. Princess Diana came to sit for an American artist, Nelson Shanks.
£10,000?’ Abbey replied that it was probably twice as much. ‘My God!’ responded Prince of Wales, ‘I wish I had £20,000.’ LAST OF BOHEMIANS
In 1940 another artist moved into Whistler’s and Sargent’s studio at No. 33. Augustus John was the street’s last dandy and an instantly recognisable ¿JXUH ZLWK KLV FRPPDQGing presence, red beard a broad artist’s hat and a cloak. John painted in his studio amid German bombs falling on Chelsea. As one of
MARGARET THATCHER
That summer he was also working on a portrait of Margaret Thatcher. Shanks was in fact using a studio that belonged to a popular local artist. While Julian Barrow was a keen traveller he made Tite Street his home for over half a century. His idea of becoming an artist provoked his father to comment: ‘You will starve in a garret’. Barrow however established himself as a widely-collected painter admired in particular for his landscapes and paintings of country houses. He was an extremely prolific artist. In 2011 Barrow and his wife Serena celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary at London’s Savoy Hotel. The artist SURGXFHG ¿YH ULYHUVFDSHV within 24 hours from the
FAMOUS QUOTE
One grey 1889 November morning, and 6 years before his fall from society, Oscar Wide observed a scene in Tite Street that inspired the most famous quote about this place. A celebrated actress, Ellen Terry, appeared in the street draped in sparkling emerald green robes as Lady Macbeth to sit for a young painter John Singer Sargent. Wilde commented: ‘The street that on a dreary morning has vouchsafed the vision of Lady Macbeth in full regalia, can never again be as other streets. It must always be full of wonderful possibilities.’ CREATED PASSAGE
In 1886 John Singer Sargent moved into No. 33. He acquired the adjacent No. 31 some years later and created a passage to connect the two buildings. He became one of the most successful portrait painters of the era. Max Beerbohm caricatured Sargent with an endless queue of his sitters in furs and jewels and messenger boys waiting outside his studio. One day when Sargent’s neighbour, Edwin Abbey, was painting the future George V, the Prince asked about Sargent’s income, ‘Do you suppose it’s
his sitters described: he ‘was utterly unperturbed, and we were seated by the enormous studio window while the bombs buzzed overhead. ‘They might have been blue bottles for all he cared so, of course, I felt obliged to remain equally unmoved.’ Not all Augustus John’s clients were pleased with the artist and his art. Field Marshal Lord Montgomery would arrive daily to sit ‘as tense as a hunting dog on a shoot.’
Charlie Chaplin suite. Tall, slim, charming, gentle and humorous Barrow was a SRSXODU ¿JXUH LQ &KHOVHD and acted as an enthusiastic president of the Chelsea Art Society. LOVED THE AREA
Julian Barrow loved the area and could be sometimes found along the river banks working at his easel. Whether painting in Chelsea or during one of his many travels, he didn’t mind onlookers. As he once revealed: ‘People come and creep behind me and say: ‘Do you mind if I watch?’ and I say ‘I mind if you don’t watch’. Barrow was a fountain of knowledge about Tite Street and its fascinating characters. His death in 2013 marks the end of an era. Let us hope that Tite Street will remain the street of wonderful possibilities. Selected bibliography; The Street of Wonderful Possibilities: Whistler, Wilde & Sargent in Tite Street by Devon Cox: Chelsea by Thea Holme: Nika Garrett London tour guide.
Julian Barrow’s studio
NOT COMFORTABLE
Monty was not comfortable in the bohemian atmosphere of John’s studio: ‘He drinks, he’s dirty, and I know there are women in the background!’ Indeed, it is said that the artist was not sure himself how many children he had fathered. Monty was disappointed ZLWK WKH ¿QLVKHG SRUWUDLW The painting can be seen in the Hunterian Museum in Glasgow. Augustus John left Tite Street in 1950 and so did the last of the bohemians.
145
last man on the Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Road Poppy Appeal collection rota
Chelsea Pensioner Michael Paling due to relieve me as I was the "last describes being the "last man" man" in this year's collection schedon this year's King's Road Poppy ule, so I decided to stay longer Appeal collection rota: It was still very busy on the Kings My Poppy Collection on King's Road even at 6:30 ; shortly after that WALKING THE Road this weekend went well - I did a black Bentley pulled up near and GREAT WALL a double shift. Normally an hour and a lady in black wearing a large hat FOR THE RHC a half, I made it three hours from 5 to match stepped out from the rear seats walking towards me, and put a I have been a volunteer in the MTI to 8pm. As well as selling an enormous ÂŁ20 note in the Can saying she had a since 2010, but as I work full time LQ %ODFN 5RGÂśV RIÂżFH DW WKH +RXVH amount of poppies I met some lov- Poppy somewhere but had instructed of Lords, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get to the RHC as able, interesting people.. my collec- her driver to turn around to where I often as I would like to. So I decid- tion can weighed heavy with one/ stood to give me a donation because ed to try and raise money to make up two pound coins and stuffed full my Scarlet caught her eye! Overall a wonderful friendly expefor not being able to get in and help with paper money. I struck up three fan club groups... rience, I'll do it again next year for out as much as I would like! Having always wanted to walk a females spending time together, as sure! Lovely warm public attitude section of the Great Wall of China, well as giving donations and buying towards the Chelsea Pensioners in I decided to kill two birds with one poppies. They stood beside me time this area of London. stone and made the booking straight again elegantly dressed. One group Note: The Pensioners who stood in away with â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Charity Challengeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; who of 4 , another of 3 and a 2 all de- Kings Road and at MoD, raised just VHUYLQJ VHOÂżH SKRWRV ZLWK PH DW over ÂŁ17,000. A good effort by all organises Great Wall treks. I completed the challenge in Octo- times selling poppies to the public ( Mike Paling ber and enjoyed every single minute if I could ). They all must have been of it. It involved lots of hard work as strolling up the Kings Road... a Sateach day, we were walking up and urday habit maybe. My ego was lifted instantly when a down thousands of extremely steep steps, and sections of wall that were lady came up to me and said I looked not refurbished at all. So it was quite "Gorgeous" in my Scarlet uniform! So I repaid the complement to her as dangerous in some places. The views were amazing and it was she departed on the Hammersmith so peaceful walking along the wall. bus from the stop outside M&S. My time came to leave the patch It was a fabulous experience and I am very pleased and surprised that I after 1 and a half hours... no one was completed it. So far, I have raised ÂŁ4,500 which Don Crassweller can often be found tending his new garden plot, The Old has all gone to the RHC as I self-fund3RVW 2IÂżFH *DUGHQ E\ WKH &KDSODLQÂśV RIÂżFH +DYLQJ LQKHULWHG WKLV LPPDFed the trip. ulate plot after the hard work put in by Dougie Paterson and Eric Hopkin over many years, Don has devoted himself to ensuring that he maintains the same high standards. He has added his own personality to the plot and it has been a delight to see it in all itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s glory during the past Summer as many passers-by would testify. Well done Don!!
THE ROYAL HOSPITALâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S VERY OWN â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;MONTYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; DON
A FEW FACTS AND FIGURES
Number of Chinese mountains/ peaks climbed: average 2 per day Number of watchtowers climbed: 107 Tall stick and string ladders climbed 6 Flat easy to walk part of wall 0.02% Falls/tumbles: 2 Steps climbed: 50,000 plus Miles walked: 45 miles Chopstick usage: 100% Photos taken: 156 New friends made: 22 146
HATS VARIOUS SUN - FOR THE USE OF
Jane Baker
William Bale
Laura Bale
Steve Allen
Alan Rutter Alan Thubron & -RKQ *ULI¿WKV Alf Roberts
John Morris
Walter Swan
Mark Baker
Alec Murray
147
Don Crassweller
B Born and d bbrought h up at K Kentwell ll Hall, near Long Melford in Suffolk, Willoughby Moore joined the 3rd Light Dragoons as a Cornet in 1820 and exchanged into the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons in 1828, by which time he was a Captain. He took command of the regiment in 1843 having purchased the Lieutenant Colonelcy from the retiring CO, as was customary at the time. First raised at Enniskillen (but taking the ancient spelling of the name, Inniskilling) in 1689 during the Williamite War in Ireland, the regiment had gone on to distinguish itself at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 and in the Charge of the Union Brigade at the Battle of Waterloo. In the 28 years following Waterloo the Inniskillings had been on garrison duties in the British Isles.
Erected by the command of Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, the plaque in the colonnade records Lt Col Willoughby Mooreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;noble example of courage and discipline in the discharge of dutyâ&#x20AC;?. But who was he? And what did he do?
of devotion to duty at the expense of OLIH WKDQ WKH GHDWK RI &RO 0RRUH +H gave himself up to destruction with EMBARKED ON RMS EUROPA the full knowledge of the fate which But early in April 1854, at the RegiDZDLWHG KLP 7KH ÂżUH ZDV UDJLQJ mental Depot in York, Lt Col Moore before his eyes - it had so raged for received orders that his 6th Drahours - and each minute brought goons were to proceed to the Crimea. LIFEBOATS LAUNCHED him nearer to a fate inevitable if he No doubt looking forward to some :LWK VRPH GLIÂżFXOW\ WKH OLIHERDWV would not consent to leave the ship. action at long last, the regiment em- were launched and many of the It was not in a moment of enthusibarked on 5 troop transport ships at men got away. Several remained DVP RU XQGHU WKH FRQWDJLRXV LQĂ&#x20AC;Xthe end of May. Lt Col Moore, with aboard, though, and at this point Lt ence of example, that he persisted in the regimental headquarters staff and Col Moore came into his own. The his determination. a detachment of dragoons, joined the report prepared for General Lord There was time enough for thought troop transport Europa at Plymouth. Raglan described his actions: and repentance - he could well measThe Europa was a modern ship at "/LHXWHQDQW &RORQHO 0RRUH UH- ure the extent and appreciate the the time. Built in 1848 for the trans- mained on board the burning vessel consequences of his resolution; but atlantic mail service she combined a to the last, making the best arrange- nothing could shake the old man's traditional wooden hull and sailing ments in his power for removing the courage, or induce him to abandon masts with the new steam propulsion men, and is stated to have been at his sacred trust. While a man under and side paddles. last driven into the mizzen chains his orders remained on board be BLUE RIBAND HOLDER E\ WKH YLROHQFH RI WKH Ă&#x20AC;DPHV DQG would remain too, and share, if he A Blue Riband record holder she to have there perishedâ&#x20AC;Ś â&#x20AC;Śalways could not ward off, the death which had been examined before being ready to set an example, in his own was impending over his followers. taken on as a troopship and a new person, of that high sense of duty He remained and died, and that in a ammunition magazine constructed. and of discipline which he enforced manner so horrible that the imagina6R 0RRUH RWKHU 2IÂżFHUV 1&2V XSRQ HYHU\ RIÂżFHU DQG VROGLHU XQGHU tion seeks to escape from the details 54 other ranks and 2 women of the his command." RI VR DIĂ&#x20AC;LFWLQJ DQ HYHQW *ORU\ DQG Inniskillings had probably boarded THE TIMES ARTICLE honour to the memory of this gallant FRQÂżGHQWO\ HQRXJK WKHLU KRUVHV An article in The Times gives us a man, and to the memory, too, of those SUREDEO\ OHVV FRQÂżGHQWO\ more melodramatic, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;high Victori- who did not abandon their duty, but However, at 10 oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock on her second anâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, description: remained and perished by the side of night at sea the alarm was raised for â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the whole of our naval and militheir chief." D ÂżUH LQ WKH (XURSDÂśV IRUZDUG KDWFK- WDU\ DQQDOV WKHUH LV QR ÂżQHU H[DPSOH way. The ammunition in the magazine was quickly thrown overboard and the crew and soldiers tried to ÂżJKW WKH ÂżUH :LWKLQ KDOI DQ KRXU WKRXJK WKH Ă&#x20AC;DPHV ZHUH OHDSLQJ IURP the main hatch too and had taken hold of the forward rigging. A short time ODWHU WKH ZKROH VKLS ZDV LQ Ă&#x20AC;DPHV
148
is much more likely, though, that the practice of allowing the men to smoke below decks was the initial cause. Two respondents at the inquiry VWDWHG WKDW D ÂżUH KDG WR be put out in one of the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s berths the day before the disaster. CHARGE OF HEAVY BRIGADE
After the enquiry the survivors went on to re-join the body of the Regiment in the Crimea. Some were doubtless part of the squadron of Inniskillings that joined the Scots Greys in WKH ÂżUVW DVVDXOW OLQH IRU WKH &KDUJH of the Heavy Brigade at Balaklava on the 25th October. Their late Colonelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s widow, showing the same dedication that had characterised her husband, went out to Scutari to organise AROUSED GREAT PASSION WKH QXUVLQJ RI ZRXQGHG 2IÂżFHUV 6KH With the loss of 455 lives on the was to die there of cholera in Novemtroopship Birkenhead in 1852 still ber 1855 and was buried by the Innifresh in the publicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s minds, this new skillings with full honours. troop transport disaster aroused great Mrs Moore would have left Engpassions. It was the subject of a ques- land without seeing the memorials tion in Parliament on 16th June, and a to her husbandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s memory. Followfull investigation into the causes was ing the newspaper reports, the whole held at Gibraltar where the survivors country mourned Lt Col Mooreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s had been put ashore. death and such was the public feelInitial blame was laid on the Eu- ing that, in addition to our memorial ropaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crew for not having â&#x20AC;&#x153;used suf- plaque, a monument to him was also ÂżFLHQW GLOLJHQFH LQ WKHLU H[HUWLRQV WR erected in York Minster. SUHVHUYH WKH YHVVHO´ 7KHQ VSRQWDQHThe plaque in the colonnade states ous combustion in the hay stored for that Moore and his men â&#x20AC;&#x153;perished WKH KRUVHV ZDV EODPHG IRU WKH ÂżUH ,W on board the Europa Transport when
Those that remained and perished with Lt Col Moore were Probationary Veterinary Surgeon Kelly, Farrier Major McClelland, Quartermaster Sergeant Montray, Mrs Parsons, wife of Private William Parsons, 14 men and all the horses. Largely through Lt Col Mooreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s actions and example, WKH RWKHU 2IÂżFHUV DQG 0HQ RI WKH Inniskillings were saved to join their comrades in the Regiment.
that vessel was burnt at sea on 31st 0D\ $ ' ´ ,W UHFRUGV 0RRUHÂśV â&#x20AC;&#x153;noble example of courage and disFLSOLQH LQ WKH GLVFKDUJH RI GXW\´ DQG lists the names of the 17 men who perished with him. The memorial in York Minster was commissioned from John Birnie Philip, a leading sculptor who would go on to produce work for the podium frieze of the Albert Memorial in Hyde Park. His Moore memorial features a sculpture in relief of Willoughby Moore and his men on the deck of the Europa with a brass surround and plaque describing his heroic action. DEDICATION SERVICE
With the Regimental Depot of the Royal Dragoon Guards, successor Regiment of the Inniskillings, at Catterick and the Regimental Museum in York, Lt Col Willoughby Moore is not forgotten in Yorkshire. In 2004, at commemorations for the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Balaclava, the Dragoons held a dedication service at his memorial in the Minster. Thanks to the plaque in the Colonnade, Willoughby Moore is not forgotten in Chelsea either. As The Times reporter had it: glory and honour to the memory of this gallant man. Mike Boxall Volunteer, MTI Footnote The RMS Europa was a Blue Riband record holder when, from 14 to 23 October 1848, it did the westbound Liverpool to Halifax Nova Scotia run of 2,534 nautical miles (4,693 km) in 8 days, 23hr at an average speed of 11.79 knots (21.84 km/h)
LEGACY
Were I able to leave a gift to the young, On the day that my colours are furled. It wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be measured in thousands of pounds, But to know what is best in the World.
Or the glistening silver on a wintry bush, And the crack of ice down the lane. Or the lovely sound of the lone song thrush, -R\RXV DW SHDFH LQ ÂżQH UDLQ
To see what is evil and then do your best 7KURXJK DOO RI \RXU GD\V WR ÂżJKW LW And think, your small efforts, combined with the rest Can sometimes do wonders to right it.
The perfection of colour and shape of a rose, Or the bright moon on a blue velvet sea. The sensuous trickle of sand through your toes, Or a trusting child at your knee.
To delight in the sight of a pretty young girl, Bedecked in her best Summer dress. Is far more important in lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hectic whirl, Than counsellors, trauma, and stress. Achievement is good, to surround yourself, With all the things that you seek. But, in winning possessions, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget, A warm gentle breeze on your cheek.
The aches in old joints as the late years go by, Remind you that you are alive. And makes you aware that Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s made it fair, That being slower, at least you survive. Growing oldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not so bad with the memories youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve built, Though the years go by in great haste. 7KH Ă&#x20AC;RZHU KDV LWÂśV JORU\ DQG WKHQ KDV WR ZLOW Make sure that your glory does not go to waste. D Shiels
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GORDON HOUSE MODERNISATION PROGRESS
A WIDE RANGE OF PROJECTS COMING TO FRUITION
Rather than an article listing achievements and everyday happenings in my area of responsibility, I thought for a change I would highlight some of the different aspects of the Department, from a slightly different perspective than in previous years. RELOCATION OF almost 5,500 visitors have POST ROOM attended, 200 guided tours
conducted by the In PenVLRQHU JXLGHV RQH LQ ÂżYH of which is a military tour.
MORE DIGITISATION
We have successfully relocated the RHC post room to the QM Stores and assumed responsibility for mail at the RHC. IP 6WHYH ³7DQNLH´ $OOHQ FDQ be seen busy at work NEWLY OPENED VISITORS CENTRE
The Visitor Centre on West Road, previously the 4XDUWHUPDVWHUÂśV RIÂżFH was converted and opened to help support the work of the In Pensioner Tour Guides and to provide a welfare stop for visitors. $ VKRUW ÂżOP KDV DOVR been produced to provide visitors with an historical overview of the RHC and runs throughout the day. At the time of writing
Looking ahead to 2017: more digitisation of historical documentation and thematic displays of archival material in the Visitor Centre; mounting of an exhibition in the Wren House during International Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Month in March to highlight the role of Women at the RHC throughout its history; revamping and updating of the museum displays to provide a fresh look at the RHCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history.
FOUR CANNONS
Preparation is also in hand for return of the 4 north front cannons from the Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson in Portsmouth, once all the infrastructure works there have been completed.
Most will be aware that Gordon House was sold on a long lease that has enabled the RHC to complete its modernisation programme. A stipulation of the lease was that the owner, Mr Nick Candy, had to keep the house as a single residence, refurbish the property, build an annex and landscape the gardens. The photographs show the work in progress. Occupation is expected mid 2017.
POPULAR WEEKLY LUNCH SPECIALS
In-Pensioners lunches have been further improved with the introduction of weekly VSHFLDOV WKH ÂżUVW RI ZKLFK was sirloin steak which was well received! This THEME NIGHTS MAJOR SUCCESS
SECOND RHC ANNUAL CONCERT ENJOYED BY ALL
Over the weekend of 17-19 June 2016, the Royal Hospital Chelsea held the second of its annual concert series. Run in conjunction with Kilimanjaro Live, we welcomed guests from far and wide to the RHC, to enjoy the 3 fantastic nights with performances by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, Wet Wet Wet and Simply Red.
Theme nights have proved to be a major success in the CPC enjoyed by both In Pensioners and staff alike. The photograph is of the Indian evening.
150
has become very popular with the IPs and Wednesday lunch is now awaited with great anticipation. In the coming year, service will be greatly improved with a new servery and hot plates being installed KATHERINE JENKINS SINGS AT THE CPC
In October, we welcomed Katherine Jenkins for the second time to the CPC. She sang many of the In-Pensionersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; favourite songs in a performance enjoyed by all..
RESTORING THE PANORAMIC VIEWS OF THE WRENS MASTERPEICE
The RHC took the decision to restore panoramic views of the main buildings from the south. This was achieved by the removal of a number of old over mature trees. We replanted with a 200 m. yew hedge at 1.2m high and used 48 pyramid shaped yew trees, planted in newly seeded lawns, to create a formal HIIHFW 7KH SDWKV DQG ODZQV ZHUH VOLJKWO\ UH FRQÂżJured along with 12 cubed lime trees running along the southern border. The work was carried out by the company Wllerbys and completed after the Flower 6KRZ ZLWK VWUHQJWKHQHG SDWKV D KHULWDJH JUDYHO ÂżQLVK IRU ÂżUP IRRWLQJ DQG DFFHVV IRU DOO YLD WKH JDWH OHDGing from Figure Court.The central path and grass area was successfully used by the designer Philip Johnson and Flemingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nurseries of Australia to exhibit a superb show of knitted scarlet poppies during the Flower Show. SUPPORT TO THE PENSIONER GARDENERS
BURTON COURT CRICKET PAVILION REFURBISHED
During the winter of 2015-16, CBRE were tasked with the refurbishment of the RHCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cricket pavilion at Burton Court. The pavilion, built in the 1950â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, had never had heating installed and the wall mounted electric heaters did nothing to stop the damp problems. A new heating and hot water system, new lighting, fire alarm, sanitary ware, changing benches, kitchen and servery were installed and the pavilion was redecorated throughout.
Pennard Plants, based in Somerset, exhibited a selection of allotment gardens at the 2016 Show. Amongst these was a small allotment based on the In-Pensioners plots in the grounds yard, A selection of plants exhibited were grown in the RHC
greenhouses from February up to the Show. Pennard received a Gold Medal and was a great favourite amongst visitors. They continue to support the RHC allotment growers with free seeds and plants.
VISITING PLACES AND MEMORIALS OF PENSIONERS EVACUATED DURING THE WAR
A visit was made to Rudhall Manor near Ross on Wye, the location for a detachment of IPs evacuated from Chelsea between the years 1939-1946. A tour of the property was made to explain the story to its
new owners and to conduct an investigation into the layout. A visit in conjunction with the local British Legion were also made to memorials at Bridstow commemorating pensioners who died while there. COMPLETION OF ROOFING LEADWORK
2016 was a busy year with many projects and extra works ensuring the site was kept to the highest standard. A main highlight for CBRE, and for most residents, was the completion of the lead roofs of the East and West wings.
151
On completion of all the works to the Pavilion, a cricket match was arranged between the 5+& DQG &%5( DQ HYHQW ZKLFK LW LV KRSHG ZLOO EHFRPH DQ DQQXDO Âż[WXUH
WREN HOUSE OPENED FOR RECEPTIONS AND CIVIL CEREMONIES
In February 2016 the Wren House, left, was opened for hire. A charming and elegant space to host dinners, receptions, photo-shoots and, as of August, it was registered for civil ceremonies. Its original panelled walls, beautiful large rooms and stunning views across the grounds to the River Thames, make it the perfect setting for any event. With over 10 bookings, enquiries are coming in for 2017.
GROWING POPULARITY OF CATERING FOR HIGH PROFILE EVENTS
Above South Terrace layout of Marquees and Furniture. The areas outlined in red indicate the areas which will be the marques.
Andy Hickling Quartermaster
Since its launch, Tricorne, the in house catering company has catered for many KLJK SURÂżOH HYHQWV DQG business continues to grow on a weekly basis.
IMPROVEMENTS FOR ENTERTAINING ON THE SOUTH TERRACE ON FOUNDERS DAY
The RQMS was tasked with improving the post-Founders Day party experience College Court. Due to available space issues over the years and many redesigns the Royal Hospital Chelsea has pretty much outgrown this area. It was therefore suggested to use the South Terrace, due to its success for a similar reason during the Concert Series. Plans, as shown in the diagram above, were drawn up with our marquee supplier and this has been approved at executive level. The space available lends itself ideally to this use and no doubt Founderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day 2017 will be an outstanding day for In Pensioners, Staff and Guests alike.
152
The Quartermaster was distributor of rations, powder, prize and punishmthe He decided what priz was worth taking he also ent. did the diving, with crew e supervision there was rarely dispute on booty, The Quartermaster also settled aqua rrels & witnessed duels. he often held a position above the captain except when in battle.
RESTORING THE PANORAMIC VIEWS OF THE WRENS MASTERPEICE
The RHC took the decision to restore panoramic views of the main buildings from the south. This was achieved by the removal of a number of old over mature trees. We replanted with a 200 m. yew hedge at 1.2m high and used 48 pyramid shaped yew trees, planted in newly seeded lawns, to create a formal HIIHFW 7KH SDWKV DQG ODZQV ZHUH VOLJKWO\ UH FRQÂżJured along with 12 cubed lime trees running along the southern border. The work was carried out by the company Wllerbys and completed after the Flower 6KRZ ZLWK VWUHQJWKHQHG SDWKV D KHULWDJH JUDYHO ÂżQLVK IRU ÂżUP IRRWLQJ DQG DFFHVV IRU DOO YLD WKH JDWH OHDGing from Figure Court.The central path and grass area was successfully used by the designer Philip Johnson and Flemingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nurseries of Australia to exhibit a superb show of knitted scarlet poppies during the Flower Show. SUPPORT TO THE PENSIONER GARDENERS
BURTON COURT CRICKET PAVILION REFURBISHED
During the winter of 2015-16, CBRE were tasked with the refurbishment of the RHCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cricket pavilion at Burton Court. The pavilion, built in the 1950â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, had never had heating installed and the wall mounted electric heaters did nothing to stop the damp problems. A new heating and hot water system, new lighting, fire alarm, sanitary ware, changing benches, kitchen and servery were installed and the pavilion was redecorated throughout.
Pennard Plants, based in Somerset, exhibited a selection of allotment gardens at the 2016 Show. Amongst these was a small allotment based on the In-Pensioners plots in the grounds yard, A selection of plants exhibited were grown in the RHC
greenhouses from February up to the Show. Pennard received a Gold Medal and was a great favourite amongst visitors. They continue to support the RHC allotment growers with free seeds and plants.
VISITING PLACES AND MEMORIALS OF PENSIONERS EVACUATED DURING THE WAR
A visit was made to Rudhall Manor near Ross on Wye, the location for a detachment of IPs evacuated from Chelsea between the years 1939-1946. A tour of the property was made to explain the story to its
new owners and to conduct an investigation into the layout. A visit in conjunction with the local British Legion were also made to memorials at Bridstow commemorating pensioners who died while there. COMPLETION OF ROOFING LEADWORK
2016 was a busy year with many projects and extra works ensuring the site was kept to the highest standard. A main highlight for CBRE, and for most residents, was the completion of the lead roofs of the East and West wings.
151
On completion of all the works to the Pavilion, a cricket match was arranged between the 5+& DQG &%5( DQ HYHQW ZKLFK LW LV KRSHG ZLOO EHFRPH DQ DQQXDO Âż[WXUH
WREN HOUSE OPENED FOR RECEPTIONS AND CIVIL CEREMONIES
In February 2016 the Wren House, left, was opened for hire. A charming and elegant space to host dinners, receptions, photo-shoots and, as of August, it was registered for civil ceremonies. Its original panelled walls, beautiful large rooms and stunning views across the grounds to the River Thames, make it the perfect setting for any event. With over 10 bookings, enquiries are coming in for 2017.
GROWING POPULARITY OF CATERING FOR HIGH PROFILE EVENTS
Above South Terrace layout of Marquees and Furniture. The areas outlined in red indicate the areas which will be the marques.
Andy Hickling Quartermaster
Since its launch, Tricorne, the in house catering company has catered for many KLJK SURÂżOH HYHQWV DQG business continues to grow on a weekly basis.
IMPROVEMENTS FOR ENTERTAINING ON THE SOUTH TERRACE ON FOUNDERS DAY
The RQMS was tasked with improving the post-Founders Day party experience College Court. Due to available space issues over the years and many redesigns the Royal Hospital Chelsea has pretty much outgrown this area. It was therefore suggested to use the South Terrace, due to its success for a similar reason during the Concert Series. Plans, as shown in the diagram above, were drawn up with our marquee supplier and this has been approved at executive level. The space available lends itself ideally to this use and no doubt Founderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day 2017 will be an outstanding day for In Pensioners, Staff and Guests alike.
152
The Quartermaster was distributor of rations, powder, prize and punishmthe He decided what priz was worth taking he also ent. did the diving, with crew e supervision there was rarely dispute on booty, The Quartermaster also settled aqua rrels & witnessed duels. he often held a position above the captain except when in battle.
TheTricorne
No 66
2017