Ezdec15

The Royal Green Jackets Association

E-zine Volume 7 Issue 2

December 2015

RGJ 1 January 1966 - 31 January 2007 The Colonel-in-Chief and Field Marshal Lord Bramall of Bushfield

A Product of Hard Work

Seriously swift and seriously bold

When you’re facing constantly changing operational challenges, you need machines with maximum troop protection and maximum mobility. Designed with the highest levels of protection, the unique JCB HMEE (High Mobility Engineer Excavator) is self-deployable, has a top speed of 90kph and is air-transportable by Hercules C-130. In service with British and US Armies, the HMEE minimises deployed troop numbers and decreases cycle times, by maximising flexibility and efficiency.

For details call JCB on +44 (0)1889 594454

www.jcb.com/defence

The Royal Green Jackets Association

E-zine Volume 7 Issue 2

December 2015

FOREWORD by Brigadier Hugh Willing CBE Chairman of the RGJ Association As you would expect, we have had a busy summer of organised activities both in the Branches countrywide and centrally. Major Roy Stanger, Captain John Fitz-Domeney and his Winchester Branch team again organised our Winchester Gathering superbly. And in perfect weather over seven hundred former Riflemen and their families enjoyed a range of activities and displays at Sir John Moore Barracks, as well as an excellent Sounding Retreat by the Rifles Band and Bugles supported by some of our Association’s retired buglers. As General Sir Robert Pascoe said to me afterwards, there is no better way of keeping the spirit alive than by watching a superb Sounding of Retreat. So let me remind you that next summer on the nights of 2nd and 3rd June 2016, there will be a Sounding Retreat on Horse Guards in London of Massed Rifles Bands which will include the Band and Bugles of the Brigade of Gurkhas. More details will follow on how to purchase tickets but it will be a splendid event not to be missed. Well done, also, to the Central England Branch for organizing another excellent ‘Greenstock’ in August which was very well attended by our many Riflemen who live north of Watford.We also had strong representation at the Northern Ireland Veterans’ Association Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in September.This is now an annual event in which you are very much encouraged to participate.

Planning for next summer’s Veterans’ DayGathering at Winchester to mark the 50thanniversary of the formation of the Regiment, which takes place on Saturday 9th July2016, is well under way. Our Deputy Chairman, Simon Booth-Mason, and his organising committee have put together a really exciting programme for the whole day and have already done lots of good work. This will begin with a special service of Turning The Pages in Winchester Cathedral before moving up to Sir John Moore Barracks for an afternoon of re-enactments and activities before a massed band Sounding Retreatat which we will be addressed by General Sir Nick Carter, the Chief of the General Staff and our most senior serving Rifleman.

Food and drink will be available late into the evening, so please make a very special effort to attend.

There have been a number of departures and changes over the summer within the Association which I would like to record. General Wallace will be handing over his position as Chairman of Trustees for the RGJ (Rifles) Museum, after 16 years in the Chair to Brigadier Vere Hayes. General Wallace rightly deserves the immense thanks of the Association for the outstanding work and clear direction which he has brought to that appointment during his long tenure, and during times of significant change. It is certainly one of the country’s finest Military museums thanks to the hard work of the committee and the volunteers who provide the day-to-day staff. They always need more volunteers to man the museum, especially former Riflemen, so if you are interested in volunteering please contact the museum to offer your services.

Brigadier James Plastow has stood down as President of the South East Kent Branch after three years and Brigadier Nicholas Prideaux has handed over the North East England Branch Presidency to Colonel James Ramsbotham. Also we were very saddened to hear of the death of Brigadier Peter Lyddon in October, President of the Yorkshire Branch for many years. All of them have given up so much time to their Branches, and have provided that encouragement and support in the front line, which helps to maintain a healthy interest in our old Regiment and those who served in it.

My very best wishes to all our fellow Riflemen and I look forward to seeing you at Winchester on 9th July 2016.

Hugh Willing E-Zine 2015

Volume 7 Issue 2 | 3

The Royal Green Jackets Associa on

Contents

Editorial

3. Foreword 4. Editorial 5. 50th Anniversary of the Formation of the Regiment 6. Contact list 7. Regimental Number Plates 8. Northern Ireland Veteran’s Service of Remembrance at the Na onal Arboretum, Stafforshire 10. Regents Park Bandstand 2015 Charity evening for C4C at The Railway Tavern 11. RGJA Branches Band and Bugles Central England 13. North East 15- North West 16. Suffolk 18. Wiltshire Winchester (Hampshire) 20. The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum 24. Sergeant Sydney Cobbold (1887-1916) 26. Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum (SOFO) New Book Redcoats to Rifleman 28. Fire up the Audi A8L 31. In Memoriam

Editor: Kevin Stevens

Welcome to the December edition of the E-Zine.

It should have been written by our Editor Kevin Stevens but, due to personal reasons, he is unable to carry out this duty so I have stepped into his shoes which are a hard act to follow.

At the Annual General Meeting held at Winchester on 20th November it was agreed that the ezine should only be published once per year. There is some disagreement within the Editorial team as what month this will be due to the fact that the publishing month for Swift & Bold will also have to be changed. At the moment, the publishing date for the next E-Zine is November 2016 but may be subject to change for 2017 onwards.

The Editorial Team will be working extra hard on your behalf over the coming months.

They are involved in the production of this E-Zine, designing the 2016 Anniversary Poster (now completed), compiling a Schedule of Events, compiling and producing an Anniversary Booklet and have already started proceedings for the March edition of Swift & Bold 2015.

We have inserted the 2016 Poster in this E-Zine just to give you a ‘taste’ of what is coming at the 2016 Anniversary Show. It is subject to alteration between now and March when we will publish an up-to-date Poster on the Association Website along with the Schedule of Events and other information.

I must also mention the very hard work and organisational skills of the 2016 Committee. The planning and logistics is immense but they are determined to make an ‘Anniversary Show to be remembered’. So, enter in your diary or on the Calendar in the Kitchen…. 9th July 1200 hrs. GET THERE EARLY! Thanks go to everyone who submitted an article without whose support there would not be an e-zine.

Copyright 2015 © RGJA

Seamus Lyons

www.riflespropertyservices.co.uk

e-mail: rickmillward@btinternet.com

Soldier Magazine on Line Click Here

Front cover: Her Majesty The Queen, our Colonel-in-Chief, with Field Marshal Lord Bramall of Bushfield when he was Lord Lieutenant of Greater London at the Parade of Veterans in the Mall to mark the 50th Anniversary of VE-Day, 1995.

4 | Volume 7 Issue 2

E-Zine 2015

The Royal Green Jackets Associa on

E-Zine 2015

Volume 7 Issue 2 | 5

The Royal Green Jackets Associa on

Royal Green Jackets Association Contacts Contact list as at 1 December 2015 President

Maj Gen Jamie Balfour CBE

01962 828524

admin@rgjassocia on.info

Chairman

Brig HGC Willing CBE

01962 828524

admin@rgjassocia on.info

Vice Chairman

Lt Simon Booth-Mason

01438 724703

admin@rgjassocia on.info

Secretary

Lt Col J-D von Merveldt

0207 492 4936

london@the-rifles.co.uk

Treasurer & Members Secretary

Mr Mike Marr

01235 548018

oxford@the-rifles.co.uk

Editor

Mr Kevin Stevens

01865 452813

admin@rgjassocia on.info

Webmaster, AssociaƟon

Capt William Shipton

01256 895719

bill.shipton@b nternet.com

In Memoriam Board Manager

Mr Mark Adams

01442 380713

mark.adams@rgjassocia on.info

Webmaster RGJ Photo Archive

Mr Seamus P Lyons

01279 723908

Seamus.lyons@rgjassocia on.info

Database Manager

Mr Roy Baillie

01488 658681

membersdatabase@rgjassocia on.co.uk

Mr Tony Williamson

01273 945429

tonytjw2@aol.com

Branches Australasian

Maj Gen Andrew Pringle CB CBE

Mr Chris Stewart

+61 (0)416763512 chrispstewart@hotmail.com

Aylesbury

•

Mr Alan Grant

01296 426765 alanrgrant@aol.com

Band and Bugles

David Timms

Mr David Timms

01304 820910 secretary@rgjband.com

Central England

Major Michael Leeming

Mr Peter Page

01922 694733 petepage71@hotmail.com

East Midlands

•

Mr Mar n Coates

01623 747817 mar nswi andbold@yahoo.co.uk

London

Col GF Smythe OBE

Mr Gary Driscoll

01708 442662 rgjldn@ntlworld.com

Milton Keynes

Brig MR Koe OBE

Mr Gary Brewer

01908 218715 g_brewer@b nternet.com

North East

Col James Ramsbotham

Mr John Snell

01915 238472 snell3653@sky.com

North West

Brig David Innes

Mr Mark Lydiat

0151 2830391 melydiat@yahoo.co.uk

Oxfordshire

Brig Nigel Mogg DL

Mr Mike Marr

01235 548018 oxford@the-rifles.co.uk

Suffolk

Maj RD Cassidy MBE

Mr Gordon Pilcher

01394 215925 gordonpilcherrgj@yahoo.co.uk

South East Kent

•

Mr Glenn Ternent

07598 706557 geordie_t@b nternet.com

Wiltshire

Brig G dv W Hayes CBE

Mr Gary Byrne

01985 211279 gchabyrne@aol.com

Winchester

Capt John Fritz-Domeney

Mr John Harper

0773 3215810 johnharper1rgj@hotmail.co.uk

Yorkshire

•

Mr Stuart Anderson

01757 618081 valerieanderson41@outlook.com

Notes: Any amendments to the above contact informa on should be sent to Seamus Lyons.

• Indicates that a Branch President has not been appointed.

6 | Volume 7 Issue 2

E-Zine 2015

The Royal Green Jackets Associa on

Regimental Number Plates

Iconic regimental paintings from the forming regiments of The Royal Green Jackets such as The Rearguard and Fording The Alma encapsulates perfectly the quite distinctive esprit de corps of Riflemen who have served with pride within our unique regiment since its formation in 1966.

So much so that even after retirement a number of ex members of the regiment being proud of having been a Rifleman and recognising the value of those same admirable and free thinking qualities have taken and used them in both their social and professional civilian lives. For example how many do you know whose private car now displays RGJ vehicle registration numbers or whose trade or business name has a direct or associated connection with the regimental title and livery? Quite a number we are sure you will agree.

With this in mind therefore we would like to invite as many ex Rifleman as possible who have such a VRN plate on their private car or associated advertising livery on their business vehicle to bring them along to a quite unique photoshoot to be held on the 9th July 2016 at the regiments Anniversary Reunion at SJM Barracks.

The resultant image might not contain quite the same drama as our favourite regimental paintings but in this modern electronic world it will undoubtedly be: Old it! Flash Bang Wallop, What a Picture – What a Picture, What a Photograph!

(Apologies to Tommy Steele and Half a Sixpence) Please contact John Fritz-Domeney ( johnfd@o2.co.uk ) for further information.

Š Royal Green Jackets Associa on E-Zine 2015

Volume 7 Issue 2 | 7

The Royal Green Jackets Associa on

NORTHERN IRELAND VETERAN’S SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE AT THE NATIONAL ARBORETUM, STAFFORSHIRE

This annual event was held on Saturday 19th September at the NMA, Alrewas, Stafforshire which is organised by the NIVA and many regiments take part including a contingent of Royal Green Jackets. I drove up from Surrey on the day before and booked into an excellent B & B close by recommended by our Central England Branch. Saturday dawned and once the early morning mist had burnt off it was a beautiful hot sunny day for a change.

reminder to us all of the considerable involvement by the army as a whole and by our Regiment especially. Thoughts naturally went out to the bereaved and their families. As usual the Light Division buglers were excellent in their smart attire. The return march back followed to applause from the general public before being fallen out to mingle with friends and to have refreshments etc. But my legs did tell me the following day I had been marching quickly for a change!!

The format of the day commences with a short chapel service at 1130hrs which is so overcrowded that it is impossible to find a seat. The main event commences at 1215hrs where we all form up in our regiments for a quarter mile march down one of the main avenues where prayers, short Service of Remembrance with Light Division Buglers is held by the NI Memorial and a march back again. Being Green Jackets we are the last in line along with the Light Infantry in front of us. Our speed of march does cause some additional admin issues as expected!! Being the only officer present I was ordered by our Central England Branch ‘well, Simon, you better lead from the front’- a surprise and bit out of practice I thought. However we marched down in true GJ style as per attached photograph to everyone’s approval. On being fallen out for the Service one of the riflemen came up to me and said ‘think you might need this for the return march, Simon, to ensure you have enough umph to get us back’ whilst offering me a tipple of brandy from his hip flask which i gladly accepted!! Green Jackets do not change? The Service with a padre was moving and a

I would however like to take this opportunity to mention two issues. One is to thank our CE Branch for all the work they undertake on behalf of the RGJA as a whole – this NMA Service/Parade, our Green Jackets Memorial which is going to be improved with better base paving slabs, liaison with the NMA over construction of a wheel chair access path following pending improved drainage works and Greenstock 2015 which was an outstanding success.

8 | Volume 7 Issue 2

Secondly, a plea to our officer contingent to attend as the time involved at NMA is not more than three and half hours maximum and especially for those who live within easy striking distance of the NMA. The riflemen do very much value your presence and the lack of officer support is frequently mentioned.

In summary an excellent day all round which I much enjoyed amidst old friends with all the banter that ensued!!

Simon Booth-Mason Deputy Chairman RGJA E-Zine 2015

FAR IN ADVANCE THE PENINSULAR WAR PAINTINGS OF CHRISTA HOOK With the passage of more than another century, we still have the writings of the veterans to illuminate the period; and through the remarkable genius of Christa Hook, we have a visual record that is surely as accurate as we can approach through the mists of time, a sight of their experiences akin to the fleeting glimpses of the field seen by Wellington’s men through the smoke of battle.

(From Philip Haythornthwaite's Introduction to the book).

Over 20 outstanding images of RGJ antecedent regiments including previously-unportrayed scenes.

This 160 page lavishly illustrated book with foreword

by Peter Snow is available from 7 December 2015.

First 200 sold signed by the artist.

Price £15* (plus P&P) Order from www.riflesdirect.com Also available from the Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum. *£1 per copy to be donated to The Rifles Care for Casualties Campaign.

The Royal Green Jackets Associa on

Regents Park Bandstand 2015

2015 was the 33rd Anniversary and was well represented by Association members, ex-Band members and others. After meeting for a chat and a cuppa in/at the Café we all wondered down to the Bandstand where a small wreath laying service was conducted by Paddy Procto. The laying of the wreaths was followed by the sounding of the Last Post and Reveille – performed by Bugler Peter Tresadern.

I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of myself, and ex-members of 1 RGJ Band, in thanking Paddy and Peter, also a big thank you to all those people in attendance. Thank you.

It was with great pleasure, for some of 1 RGJ Band, to meet up with Keith Powell (the late Keith “Cosey” Powell’s youngest son).

Keith felt that he could at last come down to Regents Park Bandstand and meet up with some of us and join in the days events. He had travelled down from his home in the North East the day before, so as not to be late.

It was also pre-arranged that Keiths late-fathers guitar would be presented/ returned to him, by Clifford Mann - himself an ex-1RGJ band member - after being looked after for some 32 years by Cliff ’s mother, this was a very moving moment in itself.

PLEASE NOTE - in 2016 the London Branch of the RGJ Association will be attending the bandstand on the nearest Sunday to the 20th July. We will still be there on the actual day, Wednesday 20th July (meet at 10:30-11:00am).

Charity evening for C4C at The Railway Tavern Thanks to Tom and Jan Dooner for hosting a great night with many ex RGJ families and locals all raising a glass and some money for C4C, with the help of Paul Jackson ex 3RGJ and his vocal friend Keith, who sings a great Pavarotti at the end.

Also thanks to all for raising in excess of £1800,with more to follow at the Annual get together on the 28th November at The Railway Tavern in Stratford.

Janet Dooner 10 | Volume 7 Issue 2

E-Zine 2015

The Royal Green Jackets Associa on

RGJA Branches BAND AND BUGLES BRANCH The 2015 reunion was held in Wincheter as in previous years, on Saturday 10th October commencing at 12 noon.

Marches where ‘busked’ (and some missed out) at the end, which concluded the annual blow - all had a jolly good time… and a laugh.

The secretary, Dave Timms, again made a big effort to arrive at the clubroom before reunion attendees and members of the Waterloo Band - but yet again he was too late. Ex-members and Waterloo members were again inside and outside the club awaiting his arrival.

The annual ‘blow’ over, it was then time to draw the raffle.

This year there were more prizes on offer and looked like an endless supply. The tickets where drawn whilst lunch was being served so as to save time. Thank you to those that donated raffle prizes - the majority of which were sourced by Tony Dowd - who again organized this. A very big thank you to him.

The secretary eventually set himself up (with the help of Jon Windeatt) at the entrance, opened the books and started to sign-in members and guests - all this WITHOUT having to stave off the usual tremendous headache of previous years.

Some new faces in attendance this year from the Light Division - Peninsula Band - Light Infantry and four serving members from the band of The Rifles.

The Waterloo Band provided the dots (music) and music stands, along with a few musician’s for the annual blow, and along with ex-members and a few from The Rifles Band the blow got going at approximately 12:30.

Conducting this year where Peter Connibear (ex-Depot Bandmaster) and Jack Leeming (ex-3 RGJ Bandmaster).

A good selection of music was played this year: Amparito Roca, The Dambusters, Ballet Egyptian, Jersey Boys, Irving Berlin Showstoppers, Calling All Workers, Beguine Festival, Bandology, and with the high turnout of buglers (again) High On A Hill plus a few well known Band & Bugle marches were performed. The Regimental

Lunch consisted of: Chicken & Chips, Bangers an Mash, beans and peas, followed by apple pie or cheesecake.

This gave members the opportunity to soak up the 3 or 4 hours worth of John Smith’s already consumed before starting over again.

Following lunch the secretary gave his ‘Annual Sermon’ taking the opportunity to thank everyone for attending the reunion, and a warm welcome was extended to the new members joining for the first time this year.

Special thanks were given to members of the Waterloo Band and Bugles for their selfless efforts, despite being very busy with their own engagements [helping out with the Salamanca Band and performing at the rugby the following day]. The manageress and staff of The Winchester Club were also thanked and congratulated on looking after us – with liquid refreshment and the fantastic buffet.

David Timms

CENTRAL ENGLAND BRANCH Greetings fellow Officers and Riflemen, welcome to our Autumn edition of the RGJ E-Zine.

The second part of the year has been rather busy in terms of events and social gatherings. Though for the sake of continuity, I will continue where the last edition ended and that is to cover the period of the ‘Fan Dance’ over the weekend: 13th - 15th June 2014 up to and including the NIVA Parade on 19th September 2015.

The Fan Dance Team pitched up at a camp site near Abergevenney on the evening Friday 13th, with camp routine established early. Naturally the beer began to flow and despite the gruelling feat that awaited those taking part, this did not dampen spirits and being Green Jackets ensured that the night was jolly. Rouse was around 0600hrs on Saturday 14th, the team had breakfast and prepared for the day’s event. Vaseline and Zinc Oxide tape at the ready, preparation squared E-Zine 2015

away, it was all systems go. The Team set off around 0730hrs whilst the admin team (Gary Collins and yours truly), set about conducting area cleaning and generally making the place look soldier like.

The guys originally planned to complete the Fan Dance as a team which under the terms of the SFE rules is not allowed. Though from the onset it became apparent that it wasn’t going to work. Those of ‘slight’ build and youth were struggling to maintain the comfortable pace set by their elderly ‘fuller’ figured team members, therefore the party split into two with the old and bold bringing up the rear. The other team which then fragmented into individuals opting to give it ‘best effort’ to the end. Despite the gruelling terrain and arduous trek, thankfully all team members finished it without injury returning to camp early evening whereby a BBQ (To be con nued on next page) Volume 7 Issue 2 | 11

The Royal Green Jackets Associa on

(Con nued from previous page)

and beer were enjoyed courtesy of camp chef Gary Collins. A walk down to the Slaughtered Lamb yielded a joyful, banter filled evening followed by an early night.

Sunday morning at sparrows fart, the group and no doubt the entire population of those dwelling within the Valleys were awoken to the sounds of Leon’s Band & Bugle CD blaring out from his car. Any chance of a lay in were well and truly scuppered. Thankfully, we managed to depart the area without getting lynched.

It was good to see a good contingent from our friends and colleagues at the Wiltshire Branch whom had formed a camp within a camp with their Regimental Branch Flag clearly marking their territory amongst a sea of Green Flags and Banners.

Padre Major David Adams (RACd) once again presided over the Service of Remembrance for which we are truly grateful and in the absence of Branch President Michael Leeming who remains in the USA, deputy Chairman RGJ Council Simon Booth-Mason addressed the congregation outlining the general plan for the 50th Anniversary celebrations.

Again, we are grateful to Simon for travelling up to attend the event and give his oration.

There are countless individual recollections of the weekend, too many to list and like last year, the main bulk will be saved for next years’ edition of Swift & Bold.

I do wish to thank also Denise Boomer who once again was steadfast in raising some much needed cash for Team Members: the RGJ Museum upkeep Chris Jones, Len Readle, Sco Newstead, Daniel Page, Craig Jenkins, Andrew ‘Dodsy’ Graham, Leon Bailey, John Jones & Liam Jenkins appeal. Denise manages to run her raffle stall with gifts Following our annual pilgrimage to Winchester in July, and freebies provided as a result of her tenacious yet Greenstock 2015 was upon us over the weekend 21st charming approach - Well done D from all at CEBRGJRA. 23rd August. A different set up to 2014, the event itself was much bigger with more on offer for those attending.

September 19th saw our second year in attendance This helped make the event a great success and by tea time Saturday, numbers swelled to well over 400. It helped that the weather was fantastic on the back of some torrential rain leading up to the final weeks’ preparations with the Sun making its’ presence felt on the Thursday morning as the event build commenced. People had travelled far and wide to come make the festival the success that it was. Great music, plenty of affordable food and ale had been consumed by all and even the tattooist (Dionne) was kept busy over the duration of the weekend with her array of regimental artwork.

Branch Member Len Readle got his first ever tattoo with a skull and Chosen Man proudly displayed on his upper arm - he even managed to sit through it without (To be con nued on next page) wincing in pain!! Top bloke Len. 12 | Volume 7 Issue 2

E-Zine 2015

The Royal Green Jackets Associa on

(Con nued from previous page)

at NMA Alrewas for the Northern Ireland Veterans Association Parade. Once again the weather played it’s part making the occasion enjoyable for all. This year there were additional marching contingents with representation for the UDR, R IRISH our comrades in The Light Infantry but out-numbered, out-smarted and out-marched by The Royal Green Jackets. The parade was supplemented by friends and colleagues at the Winchester and North-West Branch plus elements from London. We also managed to recruit 4 new members into the Central England Branch with: Glynn Holtham, Stewart Bull, Iain Ballantyne and Peter Pattison.

Following the parade, we moved en masse to The Boathouse P/H local hostelry of Branch Member John Ball and myself in Rushall, Walsall. The food was excellent and free which helped make our guests feel at home in Midlands.

Our annual Rifleman of the Year Award was presented to Gary Collins for his contribution to the Branch and Committee. Well deserved too!

Next on the horizon is Remembrance Sunday (8th November 2015) usually organised and marshalledby Treasurer Guy Mynett. However, in light of Guy’s input with Greenstock and our Christmas Ball 2015,

Rifleman of the Year Award presented to Gary Collins.

branch member Craig Robbins has kindly volunteered to take that on and this year will be our 4th on Parade in Birmingham City Centre. Anyone wishing to take part is to contact me via the usual means.

Well that is it for now. In the meantime, we wish our friends and colleagues across the globe the best of wishes.

Pete Page Secretary

NORTH EAST BRANCH Hello once again to all RGJ members, The North East Branch continues to remain active throughout the North East of the UK during the second half of this year, which has seen members of the Branch attending various events throughout the United Kingdom.

Some of these events are as follows: • RGJA Veterans day in Winchester • Waterloo Celebrations • Victory in Japan Day Sunderland parade • Walking with the Wounded and Military wives concert at the Sage Gateshead • The laying of the Memorial Stone for George Maling’s VC in Sunderland • North East Branch Reunion Remembrance Weekend In June, we held a Branch meeting at the Royal British Legion in Sunderland which was well attended by our members, who, it is fair to say, were in high spirits.

During the meeting we discussed a range of items from the upcoming RGJA Veterans Day in Winchester, Armed Forces Celebrations being held in Sunderland to the planning for the annual Remembrance Reunion Weekend. The members held a raffle raising a marvellous £138.00 to go towards the charity fund.

In July, many of us made the annual pilgrimage to attend E-Zine 2015

Veterans Day at Winchester and again this year, there was a really good turnout for the Parade and March Past. This event continues to allow all our members and other Branches to rekindle friendships with old and new acquaintances. This cannot be understated for the value it brings to all past and present Riflemen. Many thanks are due to the Winchester Branch for all its hard work in making this day a special one.

In September, members travelled to the annual Service of the Northern Ireland Association at the National Arboretum in Staffordshire where, joining with other Branches, they paid their respects to those who died in the Northern Ireland conflict. Also in September, the North East Branch attended the War Memorial and Brother in Arms Wall in Sunderland for unveiling of the Memorial VC Paving Stone for George Maling. The Memorial was well attended by representatives from George Maling’s family, Branch Members together with Kenneth Richardson bearing our Standard.

George Maling – A Sunderland First War Hero George Maling was the only person from Sunderland to receive the Victoria Cross during the First World War. George was born in Carlton House, Mowbray Road, Sunderland in 1888, the son of a general practitioner.

(To be con nued on next page) Volume 7 Issue 2 | 13

The Royal Green Jackets Associa on

(Con nued from previous page)

During the First World War, aged 26, Maling was a Lieutenant in the Royal Army Medical Corps, attached to the 12th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own). He was awarded theVictoria Cross for his brave deeds on 25th September 1915 during the Battle of Loos, near Fauquissart, France. Lieutenant Maling worked for over 24 hours with untiring energy; under heavy shell fire, he collected and treated more than 300 men. During the morning he was temporarily stunned by the burst of a large high explosive shell, which wounded his only assistant and killed several of his patients. A second shell covered him and his instruments with debris, but he continued to work single-handedly with outstanding gallantry.

During our Branch meeting on Friday, 2nd October we were honoured to present the late WO2 Ginger Dixon’s silver Bugle to the Chairman of Sunderland’s Royal British Legion. WO2 Ginge Dixon was a highly respected chosen man, a much beloved brother Rifleman, a great leader and a friend to many within the Branch. The Bugle now takes pride of place behind the bar where everybody can admire it and without a doubt members will raise a glass or two for this inspirational Rifleman.

The presentation of the Bugle was made by Jake Cheetham and Pete Collins on behalf of Ruth Dixon, Ginge Dixon beloved sister. Ruth’s kind, thoughtful and moving gesture towards the NE Branch was met with a standing ovation by all members when the presentation was made to Vince Harris, Chairman of The Royal British Legion Sunderland. The North East Branch would like to thank Ruth wholeheartedly for her wonderful gift to our Branch. We are delighted that a part of WO2 Ginge Dixon will be with us during future meetings and know he will be remembered by his brother Riflemen. Rest in Peace Ginge.

In November, the Branch main event was our annual Remembrance Weekend, with many people including some members of The Rifles (who we were delighted to welcome) arriving from all over the UK and further away from France on Friday 6th and staying over until Monday 9th November. The venue for the Remembrance Reunion on Saturday 7th November was The Best Western Roker Hotel.

The weekend got off to a great start with the advance party of 153 members meeting at the Queen Vic Hotel for drinks and kinship on the Friday evening. A great night was had by all and set the scene for the main event on the Saturday night. Tickets for this evening were sold out 11 weeks before the event. Doors opened at 1800 hours and within 20 minutes all 261 members and their guests were seated and ready for the night’s entertainment. The Bugles of the Borneo Band opened with a performance of many of the bugle calls we all know and which brought back many memories. Supper consisted of a delicious curry which was well received by all. The raffle prize draw later on saw over 80 Raffle prizes being won. Ruth Dixon had kindly donated pictures from WO2 Ginger Dixon’s collection, these were auctioned and raised a grand total of £1660.00 The entertainment was provided by a fantastic group called Men in Black which had everyone dancing well into the early hours.

The Branch took the opportunity of this happy gathering to thank the outgoing President, Brigadier Nicholas Prideaux and the Chairman, Jake Cheetham for their support and work for over the past 7 years and welcomed the new President, Colonel James Ramsbotham and Chairman, David Nichol. The handover of the Presidency has already taken place. The handover of the Chairmanship becomes effective on 1st January 2 The Sunderland Remembrance Parade (reputedly the

Dave Nichol, Pete Collins, Jake Cheetham, Lynn and Vince, John Snell.

The 17th October saw some of our members were present at the Mayor of Sunderland’s Charity Fundraising Concert with the Sunderland Symphony Orchestra.

14 | Volume 7 Issue 2

largest Parade in the UK outside London) formed up on a (To be con nued on next page) E-Zine 2015

The Royal Green Jackets Associa on

(Con nued from previous page)

rather damp Sunday morning with 135 Riflemen making the largest contingent by far. We marched off to salute the Lord Lieutenant, the Mayor and other dignitaries at 140 paces, drawing appreciative applause from those lining the streets. We were very pleased that our honorary member, Claire Neal, was able to be present for the Parade.

The Parade was followed by Lunch at the Roker Hotel and included around 200 members and their families, and we were honoured that The Mayor and Mayoress of Sunderland, Councillor Barry Curran and his wife Carol were able to join us. During lunch we held a further raffle and auctioned a Tower of London Poppy with all proceeds going to the Royal British Legion

British Legion in Sunderland on the 5th December 2015, during which the Members will present the RBL with a cheque for the funds raised during the auction and raffle at our Remembrance weekend.

The 2016 Regimental 50th Birthday celebrations at home and away in Winchester on 9 July and the Sounding of Retreat by the Massed Bands and Bugles of The Rifles on Horse Guards on 1st and 2nd June are being looked

at with further details to follow.

All members of the North East Branch would like to wish all Branches of the Royal Green Jackets Association a Very Happy Christmas and an even better New Year in 2016.

David Nichol Vice Chairman.

The Branch Christmas Party will be held in The Royal

NORTH WEST BRANCH The following is the committee of the branch: Chairman: Vice Chairman: Secretary: Advisory role: Rifles Link:

Tommy Fairclough (Ex 2RGJ ) Jimmy Matthews (Ex 3 RGJ) Mark Lydiat (Ex 2RGJ) Ray Gerrard (Ex 2RGJ) Dave Crossley

Sub Committee Entertainment: Steve Donoghue Arthur Toleman Since the last meeting of the Secretaries Committee, we as a branch have done the following: 1) June The Summer Ball was held with 72 people attending wives / girlfriends / partners / family / friends / raffle raised £430.

2) October Rifleman’s Dinner with 2 Guest speakers Phillip Schofield Alex Gardener 92 attended / raffle E-Zine 2015

raised £700.

3) Remembrance Sunday Parade 62 attending. £520 raised to be divided between 2 charities Soldiers of the street £260 / care for casualties £260.

A big thank you to Stephen Donaghue, who organised everything at the Blacklers Rooms after the parade.

4) The Branch has also attended 3 Funerals for ex Riflemen in our area. Gareth Dixon, Bryan Rowlands and Jack Heron. The members also attended The VC dedication.

5) We have fully booked a 72 seater coach for the Winchester Reunion 2016. Also we have booked into the Winchester Spa Hotel.arriving on Friday Returning Sunday.

6) The membership has risen to 112 on paper and we are still trying to recruit more members.

Volume 7 Issue 2 | 15

The Royal Green Jackets Associa on

SUFFOLK BRANCH As normal our year started with the Ladies Dinner Dance in March which was well attended, to add flavor to the evening we were well supported by the Band and Bugles from 7 Rifles who played for us during the meal as well as two members from 1st Bn 95th Rifles Re enactment who turned up in full dress, very popular with the ladies!!!!

In June we had our annual BBQ which was again hosted

by Julie and Larry Lamb, we had a great turn out and the weather was kind, this event grows in popularity and is open to all - Julie really excells herself with the amount and choices of food and deserts on offer, you'll not find better any where.

Remembrance Sunday, luckily East Anglia escaped the worse of the weather we had a dry blustery day which caused Steve our Standard Bearer a few problems trying to stand upright. Felixstowe turns out en mass, with the

crowds growing larger every year, as our numbers have dwindled over the years we now form up with all Veterans for the march pass which receives great applause from all as they line the route. Great having a Green job in front with the Standard many cries for keep the pace down went un answered!!

0844 873 0000

boden.co.uk

We finished the day with Lunch at the RBL and 35 of us including families sat down for a very enjoyable afternoon.

We note with sadness the passing this year of Honary Member Brian Hammond and members wives Maddi Moss and Lysbet Boomer Hawkins. Our thoughts and condolences go to all families.

Future Dates: 2016 Ladies Dinner Dance our 29th which is on Saturday the 5th of March at the Orwell Hotel Felixstowe, if you would like to attend please contact gordonpilcherrgj@yahoo.co.uk Joe Mills, Larry and Steven Lamb and Gordon Pilcher look forward to joining up with and rekindling old friendships on the 28th at Tommy's.

Have a great Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year.

Gordon Pilcher Secretary Suffolk Branch

16| Volume 7 Issue 2

E-Zine 2015

Our Sheds are 100% Pressure Treated and last up to 4 times longer!

Sales Tel: 01695 51442 e-mail: sales@solidsheds.com www.solidsheds.com

Made by Green Jackets for Green Jackets LOG CABINS

PENT SHEDS

POTTING SHEDS

SUMMER HOUSE

WENDY HOUSE

Head Office/Factory/Showsite:

10 Greeney Place, Skelmerdale, WN8 9SA - Tel: 01695 51442

Sales:

Lady Green Garden Centre Trebaron Garden Centre Burleydam Garden Centre Planters Garden Centre Trowell Garden Centre Minshulls Garden Centre

Lady Green Lane, Ince Blundell. Merseyside L38 1QB 174 Southworth Road, Newton-Le-Willows, W12 0BS Chester Road, Little Sutton, South Wirral CH65 1QW Trinity Road, Freasley, Tamworth B78 2EY Stapleford Road, Trowell, Nottingham NG9 3TG Eardswick Lane, Crewe, Cheshire CW1 4RQ

Tel: 01519 292800 Tel: 01925 220858 Tel: 0151 339 0440 Tel: 01827 371014 Tel: 0800 612 5451 Tel: 01270 522550

Skinners Sheds Ltd The Cheapest Log Cabins In The South!

Free Pressure Treatment, Delivery and Erection!

Our Sheds Are 100% Pressure Treated And Last Up To 4 Times Longer.

Order Online Today @ www.skinners-sheds.com Christmas - Retail Kiosk Pent Sheds Apex Sheds Na onal Trust Sheds Workshops Po ng Sheds Mini Store Tool Tidy Log Store Greenhouses Budget Summerhouses Wendyhouses Loglap Cabins Garages Garden Offices Beach Huts Custom Buildings Interlocking Cabins Contemporary Range Stable & Field Shelters Animal Houses

Head Office

Skinners Sheds Ltd

Ninfield Road, Bexhill, East Sussex TN39 5JP, Tel: 01424 716716

Sale Representatives

Millbrook Garden Centre - Station Road, Southfleet, Gravesend, Kent DA13 9PA, Tel: 01474 537719 Canterbury Garden Centre - Canterbury Road, Herne Common, Kent CT6 7LJ, Tel: 01227 370985 Wyevale Garden Centres - Montefiore Avenue, Ramsgate, Kent, CT11 8BW, Tel: 01843 592954 Wyevale Garden Centres - Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood, Tonbridge, Kent, TN12 6QJ, Tel: 01892 838186 Wyevale Garden Centres - Ham Street Village, Nr Brenzett, Nr Ashford, Kent, TN26 2QP, Tel: 01233 731044 Wyevale Garden Centres - Bexhill Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN38 8AR, Tel: 01424 201500 Select Garden & Pet Centre - Main Road, Sunbridge, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN14 6ED, Tel: 01959 569259 Highgrove Garden Centre - Staplehurst Road, Marden, Tonbridge, Kent, TN12 9BT, Tel: 01622 831019 Millbrook Garden Centre - Tubwell Lane, Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6 3RJ, Tel: 01892 660210 Blackbrooks Garden Centre - Sedlescombe (Main A21), East Sussex, TN33 0RJ, Tel: 01424 871123 World of Water - Ersham Road, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 2RH, Tel: 01323 847005 Lewes Garden Centre - Newhaven Road, Kingston, Nr Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 3NE, Tel: 01273 489489 Findon Garden Centre - Rogers Lane, Findon, West Sussex, BN14 0RE, Tel: 01903 877286

The Royal Green Jackets Associa on

WILTSHIRE BRANCH The Wiltshire branch has been busy since the last report.

We have had a partial withdrawal of the chairman Brian Darvill and the temporary insertion of Mike Walsh to hold things together until the AGM is held in Jan 16 where just like FIFA all the members can throw their hats in the ring. Brian has done a sterling job over the past 7 years and whoever takes over will have a hard act to follow.

He is not going away, but he intends to take it easy now and guide us from the back benches. We wish him and Blanche well and thank him for all the hard work he has put into keeping the branch in the public eye.

Well the summer may not have been as hot as we would have liked but this did not stop us enjoying ourselves. The annual branch BBQ was hosted by CZ and Jax in August.

Each year there is a different theme as decided by the hosts and CZ decreed that the theme was to be Mexican, this led to a good turnout of over the top sombreros and well dodgy moustaches. Well done to CZ and Jax for a great day (and night), excellent food and company.

The host for BBQ16 was announced and next year Gaz and Rosemary Peacock have picked up the baton and decreed that the theme is to be Hawaiian, we can’t wait.

We want to take this opportunity to mention Pete Page and his Central gang for a great Greenstock, we had a good few members travel there and they all said how well it was organised and can’t wait for the next one in 2017.

The annual branch dinner took place on the 10th of October and with 44 members and their guests present it was a good turnout yet again. Well done to Phil Ashby for organising yet another great social. This year the dinner was held at the Warminster Conservative club who had invited us to join them at their annual dinner and this meant that costs were reduced as the entertainment was provided by the Conservative club as part of their dinner night.

This year in line with the previous years the branch supported the annual RBL Poppy appeal. The collection point was for the second year the Waitrose store in

Warminster. Friday and Saturday from 0900 until 1900hrs members manned the display dressed in their finest mufti, the manager and his staff looked after us admirably serving us coffee and biscuits throughout our stay. The store was busy throughout the two days in spite of the weather and the locals gave generously. The final total was a bit of a shock with the two day collection raising a total of £2554.61. Well done to all those who gave up their time and don’t forget, same time same place next year.

There was a good turnout again from the branch for the annual Remembrance parade held on the 8th of November with the branch highly visible at “Green Jacket corner”. Before the parade members met in the Old Bell in Warminster and prepared for the parade in the traditional Green Jacket way. Afterwards the branch was invited to the Conservative club to join them in a plate of warming stew washed down with cold beer.

The latest event in our social calendar was the annual skittles night, again admirably organised by Phil and Val Ashby. This was held on Friday the 13th November at the Organ Inn Warminster. There was a large turnout for this highly popular event. Whilst the best skittler is rewarded with a magnificent trophy donated by David Smith the real challenge is avoiding the wooden spoon for the lowest score. Having won it for the last two years Brian and Blanche Darvill were anxious to avoid retaining it.

They succeeded (only just) and the holder of the wooden spoon for this year is Mags Caws. The award for the best skittler was Bill Tyson, and Elaine Holcombe became the ladies champion. Well done to all three.

As I write this Christmas is looming and the horrors of the recent events in Paris are still being analysed. It serves as a timely reminder of the dangerous times we still live in, the enemy may change over the years but the threat is still there. The Wiltshire branch wishes everyone a merry, safe and peaceful Xmas and hope 2016 brings peace and happiness to you all.

WINCHESTER (HAMPSHIRE) BRANCH On Sunday the 8th November I had a revelation. Not one of those big biblical things where dark storm clouds part to reveal beams of heavenly sunlight, but as revelations go pretty big nevertheless. It came about as I drove from home to Winchester to join my branch for the city’s Service of Remembrance;when it suddenly dawned on me that after 30 years in the Army and despite those years of service instilling in me a few (although many would argue much less than a few) admired characteristics of a comic book Superhero, and a deep sense of loyalty and love for my country and regiment – a sudden realisation that I developed a more sensitive side to my character!

along and noticedthat despite the time being only 8.30 in the morning how extraordinarilyquiet the roads and pavements were on this our national day of remembrance.

Other than the odd jogger and few manic driverswith their carsloaded down with rubbish as he or she made their way to the nearest car boot sale it was like a scene from the Walking Dead!

The trigger for this sudden revelation came as I drove

(To be con nued on next page)

18 | Volume 7 Issue 2

Instantly the thought crept into my head that very few people, if any at all, had clearly no intention or plans forremembering and honouring our war dead on this most important day of the year, and secondly therefore it was

E-Zine 2015

The Royal Green Jackets Associa on

(Con nued from previous page)

very likely that this same scenario would undoubtedly be reflected throughout the rest of the country too. Of course Ifound these thoughts a little depressing and disappointing to say the least, and I decidedthere and then that I must be anoverly sensitive soul. Actually there was more than a little bit of anger, bitterness and involuntary movement of the old trigger finger too but I will discuss that later with my psychiatrist.

On arrival in Winchester the sensitivity of my disappointment in the apathetic attitude of the general population to our day of remembrance was slightly assuaged as we parked the car and made our way to the Cathedral. Thankfully there were many others who like us who had decided there were plenty of other days in the year in which they could don their unflattering Lycra and go for a bit of a run, or to pass their accumulated and unwanted rubbish on to someone else. In fact the good news was that the city was awash with people meandering around dressed in their Sunday best with many wearing their own or family medals with pride.

Above all of this, the shouted commands of uniformed professionals, and in the background the sound of bands warming up mixed with the excited chatter of cadets and scouts as they chivvied themselves into their parade order,somewhat helped to restore my faith in at least a small part of our population.

By 9am our branch together with members of the Celer et Audax Club, KRRC Association, the RGJ Scouts, other cadet units and associated organisations and interested individuals had gathered at the KRRC Memorial for a short Service of Remembrance and wreath laying. Although this little ceremony and service is primarily dedicated to the fallen of the KRRC it is certainly something we as a branch of the RGJA are more than happy to participate in, and indeed now oversee due to the declining members of the KRRC Association.

As always it went like clockwork with our inimitable Chairman Roy Stanger (KRRC/RGJ) indicating when things should happen with his snappy low arm bowling signals. This was immediately followed by the main Service of Remembrance in the cathedral and wreath laying at the War Memorial immediately afterwards.

Whilst the main service and parade was going on in the city other members of our branch were also out and about representing the branch at other memorial events.

In London Lyndon Harper an honorary and incredibly staunch member of the branch and son of John Harper (OBLI/RGJ) and our branch Secretary took the time to lay a cross at the Garden of Remembrance in Westminster Abbey and a simple poppy on the grave of the Unknown Warrior. Whilst back in Winchester a goodly number of the branch attended a Drum Head Service of Remembrance E-Zine 2015

Lyndon Harper at the Garden of Remembrance in Westmister Abbey.

at the ATR in SJM Barracks. Our attendance at this particular event is really welcomed by the management of the ATR as it enables the recruits going through their training to share their day of Remembrance with veterans of the organisation they too have now become members of, and will hopefully one day aspire to be themselves.

Although on occasion this event tends to make us a bit thin on the ground it is nevertheless something we are happy to support, not least because it also helps to maintain a good relationship with the ATR which is essential if we are to continue holding our reunion there in future years.

Although Remembrance Day is primarily a day for quiet reflection and commemoration it is also a day for surviving veterans to reaffirm old friendships and retell very tall war stories over a pint or two. So immediately after the final service all our branch members together with friends and family of the KRRC moved from our various dispersed locations around the city and converged on Roy Stanger’s second home – the South Winchester Golf Club for a superb 3 course meal and a natter. Good food and good friends together in a fraternity of Riflemen is the perfect counterbalance and upliftingfinale to the solemnness of the day.

A Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Prosperous New Year to all Riflemen and their families wherever they are.

Volume 7 Issue 2 | 19

The Royal Green Jackets Associa on

THE ROYAL GREEN JACKETS (RIFLES) MUSEUM

This is the last time that I shall contribute to the E-Zine as Chairman of the Museum’s Trustees as I handed over to Brigadier Vere Hayes on 30 October and stood down as a Trustee. Brigadier Nigel Mogg also stood down as a Trustee after eleven years of committed and invaluable service.

the history of these awards dating back to 1991 that a military museum has received a Heritage Award.

Our success with the Waterloo exhibition, and sustaining

During the 16 years I was Chairman I have witnessed great change in the wider museum sector and in the impact of that change on our Museum. Museums now have to be much more professionally and imaginatively run if they are to be sustainable over the mid to long term. Success is dependent upon offering a great visitor experience.

Good governance, high standards of curatorial care, interpretation and display, and a sound financial base are all essentials. Our Museum is scoring increasingly highly on all these points. We have an excellent Board of Trustees with a wide range of professional skills; we have a small but dedicated permanent staff backed up by equally committed volunteers; and we have financial reserves that would enable us to weather a short-lived albeit not a lasting storm. Our growing reputation as a pro-active, innovative regimental museum is one in which I am very pleased to have been able to play a part and one which I know my successor and the Board are committed to preserve and develop further.

Looking to the recent past, the central event has been the ‘With the Rifles to Waterloo’ exhibition which transited from being temporary to permanent on 30 September.

Some items loaned for the temporary exhibition have been returned to their owners. The rest, including the Waterloo diorama, is as it was, so if you have not yet visited, there is time to do so.

The Waterloo exhibition has been a resounding success heralding a 41% increase in visitors during its first six months and a likely one-third increase in visitors over the full year. The forecast for 2015 is an all-time record of 16,000. Admission income and over-the-counter shop sales are also well up, promising a good financial outcome at the end of the year. As icing on the cake, the Museum received a MOD Sanctuary Runners-Up Award for the best Heritage Project in 2015, the first time in 20 | Volume 7 Issue 2

Exhibi on Title panel.

(To be con nued on next page) E-Zine 2015

The Royal Green Jackets Associa on

(Con nued from previous page)

that success, is one of the big challenges facing the Museum in the years ahead. We not only see more clearly than before what else needs to be done to achieve similar standards of excellence throughout the whole of the Museum, but the value of step change rather than tinkering at the edges. Although it no longer falls to me to determine the best way ahead to achieve these

ends, I know that it is high on the agenda of the Board.

Meanwhile, I am not leaving the scene entirely as I am assuming a new appointment as Chairman of the Friends of the Museum, a position from which I shall continue to be able to give my fullest support to a Museum of which all of us in the Regiment, although I say it myself, should be proud.

Lt-Gen Sir Christopher Wallace

MUSEUM WINS PRESTIGIOUS HERITAGE AWARD

The Museum Curator Chris ne Pullen displaying the Heritage Award.

The Museum Chairman and Curator visited the Ministry of Defence on 15 October to receive the MOD Sanctuary Runner-Up Award for the best Heritage Project in 2015. This is the first time in the history of these awards dating back to 1991 that a military museum has received a Heritage Award.

The award resulted from the imaginative way in which the Museum tackled the Bicentenary of Waterloo in 2015 with the introduction of a highly-acclaimed exhibition. The award also recognised the excellence of the conservation of its famed Waterloo diorama, its associated events programme during 2015, and its efforts to engage schools and the community in Waterloo-related activities. The judges, too, noted the uplift in visitor numbers of over 40% as an indication of the public’s appreciation of the value of the project and the manner in which it has been delivered.

E-Zine 2015

Volume 7 Issue 2 | 21

The Royal Green Jackets Associa on

WATERLOO EXHIBITION GOES PERMANENT The ‘With the Rifles to Waterloo’ temporary exhibition marking the bicentenary of the battle ended at the end of September. A small number of loan items are being returned and the exhibition is now permanent. Visitors before and after 30 September will barely notice the difference. All the key features remain, including the much-admired Waterloo diorama.

During the six months that the temporary exhibition was open, the Museum enjoyed a 41% surge in visitors.

The Museum has now received 13,327 visitors in the first nine months of 2015, more than in the whole of 2014. Admission income has increased by 83% and shop turnover by 67%.

These are hugely encouraging results and a great fillip for the small number of staff and volunteers who have helped to make the exhibition so special. If you have not yet seen it, you should. For further information see below or contact the Curator at curator@rgjmuseum. co.uk The Waterloo Exhibition is open every day except Sundays between 10 a.m. and 5.0 p.m. (last entry at 4.15 p.m.). The exhibition has been part-funded by a £100,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant. It is a condition of the grant that the exhibition will remain in place until at least 2020.

Titled ‘With the Rifles to Waterloo’, the exhibition examines the causes, course and consequences of 22 | Volume 7 Issue 2

Emperor Napoleon’s rise to power from 1789 through to 1814, the Hundred Days following his escape from Elba, and his eventual defeat at the hands of the Duke of Wellington and his Allies at the Battle of Waterloo on Sunday, 18th June 1815.

The centrepiece of the exhibition is a huge 25 square metre diorama of the battlefield of Waterloo with over 30,000 model soldiers and horses. An explanatory sound and light commentary, narrated by Kate Adie, brings the battle to life in a manner which greatly impresses our visitors who have invariably seen nothing like it before.

Expert conservators, Kelvin and Mary Thatcher, spent five months painstakingly removing 45 years of accumulated dust from the diorama in preparation for the exhibition. They cleaned and, where necessary, restored and repainted every figure by hand in their Norfolk workshop. During their work they were amused to find a model-maker’s prank amongst the battle – a (To be con nued on next page) E-Zine 2015

The Royal Green Jackets Associa on

(Con nued from previous page)

British soldier laughing whilst urinating against a tree.

There are many other portrayals on the diorama of key, as well as light-hearted, moments affecting individuals during the battle.

Two of the antecedent regiments of The Royal Green Jackets, the 52nd Light Infantry and the 95th Rifles, played leading parts in the Battle of Waterloo, each with over 1,000 men. Each was awarded the battle honour ‘Waterloo’ in recognition of their courage and achievements on the battlefield. Generations of officers and soldiers in these regiments, The Royal Green Jackets and now The Rifles have since been brought up to revere and take pride in the part played by their predecessors at Waterloo. The battle honour

‘Waterloo’ was emblazoned on the cap badge of The Royal Green Jackets and today adorns the belt badge of The Rifles.

Commenting at the opening of the exhibition on 25 March 2015, the Chairman of the Museum’s Trustees observed that: ‘This is an exciting, new exhibition with hands-on displays and information that will interest all the family – children, parents and grandchildren, all of whom we encourage to visit as a group. We hope that it will inspire them and our other visitors to learn more about what was a defining moment in our nation’s history, and that all our visitors will depart having thoroughly enjoyed their time at the Museum and having experienced a visit second to none. In particular’, he said ‘why travel to Belgium when you can see the battlefield laid out before you in Winchester?’

Royal Green Jackets Christmas gifts

We have many exciting Christmas gifts.

Take a look at our onlime shop http://shop.rgjmuseum.co.uk/ You can also telephone us on 01962 828550

To contact the Museum, telephone or e-mail the Curator, Christine Pullen.

Tel: 01962 828549 or e-mail: curator@rgjmuseum.co.uk To purchase items from the Museum Shop, for information about forthcoming events, and to read interesting articles about the Museum, visit www.rgjmuseum.co.uk E-Zine 2015

Volume 7 Issue 2 | 23

The Royal Green Jackets Associa on

The Rifle Brigade and the Royal Gardens

Sergeant Sydney Cobbold (1887-1916) Sydney George Cobbold had two very different royal connections – from becoming a gardener at the prestigious Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, to serving in The Rifle Brigade of His Majesty’s Forces during the First World War, where his promising life was cut short. Recent collaboration between the head of Kew’s First World War Centenary commemoration project (James), the Head of Education at Newquay Zoo (Mark) and one of Sydney’s living relatives (Sarah), has allowed this fascinating story to be pieced together and told for the first time.

Sydney was a Suffolk lad, born to Anna and Maurice Cobbold on 12 September 1887 in the village of Woolpit, near Bury St. Edmunds. Even by 2007 Woolpit had a population of only 2,030 – yet it has a museum of its own, purportedly the smallest museum in Suffolk.

Sydney had two brothers and five sisters (England & Wales Births 1837-2006, General Register Office). Alec Maurice Cobbold, Sydney’s younger brother, also served his country (in the Machine Gun Corps) and survived the war.

Sydney began his gardening career at the tender age of 13, as a gardener’s assistant in the employ of Dr O.R.M. Wood, the local GP in Woolpit, whilst still living at home with his parents. By December 1905 (aged 18), he was working for Coningsby Charles Sibthorp at Sudbrooke Holme in Lincolnshire (a stately home which was demolished in the 1920s and the land subsequently built upon). Sarah Cobbold, a living relative of Sydney, still has a postcard of ‘Chelmsford Shire Hall’ from Gus Phillips, husband of Sydney’s sister Alice Eliza, which was addressed to Sydney at Sudbrooke Holme on 20 December 1905.

Sydney applied for a position at Kew in January 1908, receiving glowing references from his past employers, who commented that he was “very keen and attentive to his duties” and “a most respectable young man in every way”. Sydney arrived at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, on 23 March, and was photographed with the rest of the gardening team in his year of entry. He quickly demonstrated his strong work ethic and acute attention to detail. Sydney’s studious attitude paid off as he passed the five courses he undertook at Kew, gaining the fourth highest score in the 1909 Economic Botany course, taught By Mr J.M. Hillier of Kew’s Museum, as reported in J. Kew Guild 2(17): 460 (1909). In total, 16 certificates were awarded that year.

Looking back at Sydney’s time at Kew, his peers remarked: “we remember him as a quiet unassuming young man, thorough in his work, and a keen student in the lecture-room. Much of his spare time was devoted to British Botany, his collection being commended for the number of widely differing species and neatness in mounting” (J. Kew Guild 3(24): 370, 1917).

24 | Volume 7 Issue 2

With his formal training complete, and from the leading botanical institution in the country, Sydney was in the best position he could be to work in the grandest gardens of Britain. Leaving Kew in March 1910, he took up a position at the Earl of Ellesmere’s residence in Worsley, near Manchester. The 1911 census described him rather romantically as a ‘journeyman gardener’, who was boarding with other gardeners in the Bothy at Worsley Hall Gardens under foreman Arthur Edward Upjohn.

Sydney quickly progressed to foreman at Moorfield, Glossop, and then at Capesthorne Hall, Cheshire, before thoughts of the war in Europe dominated his mind.

He was keen to contribute to the war effort, so he left his job as foreman at Capesthorne Hall, and enlisted in His Majesty’s Forces on 9 June 1915, joining the 8th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade (service number S/12906).

A letter dated 18 June was received by the Kew Guild, in which Sydney informed his old friends that he had enlisted. Again he wrote on 9 November, stating: “We have completed our training and shall be on the move very soon. I am eager to do my little bit in the firing-line somewhere abroad. I will write and let you have some of my experiences when I get out”.

He then headed for France, arriving in the ‘theatre of war’ on 18 December 1915. By 19 August 1916 Sydney was Acting Sergeant, promoted temporarily due to loss of leadership (there had been a sergeant killed on 17 August). By 28 August, he was again listed as Corporal, being officially promoted to Sergeant in a permanent capacity shortly afterwards (British Army Service Records 1914-1920). During August and September Sydney marched from Dernancourt to Mametz to Delville Wood (or ‘Devil’s Wood’ as it quickly became known), and back to camps at Dernancourt, Laleu and Fricourt for short rest periods. On 12 September his battalion took over the line to the east of Delville Wood, relieving 2/5th Lancashire Fusiliers. A day later Sydney’s C.O. of ‘A’ Company, Captain Backus, was wounded in the face during shelling of their trenches in front of Pilsen Lane.

Friday 15 September was an especially tough day.

The 8th Rifle Brigade and 8th King’s Royal Rifle Corps were to lead an advance at the opening to the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. Sydney’s battalion moved forward under a barrage at 06:20, suffering casualties from their own gas shells and then heavy casualties from enemy fire once they were beyond the first 150 yards. Facing hails of bullets from German held trenches called ‘Pint Trench’ and ‘Tea Support’ by the British, the long lines of riflemen advanced, yet somehow Sydney survived this horrendous run and they successfully captured Pint Trench. The Casualty List for that day is strikingly long and “a great shortage of stretchers and bearers” is noted (To be con nued on next page) E-Zine 2015

The Royal Green Jackets Associa on

(Con nued from previous page)

‘over the top’ on the Somme, which had swallowed so many, Sydney had been killed by a lone shell during a relief effort at Rivière. A draft of 10 more O.R.s arrived to replace the fallen...

Sydney’s age at his time of death has been erroneously reported as 28 years. In fact, he passed away just over a month after his 29th birthday. He was laid to rest in Grave Reference II. B. 7, Le Fermont Military Cemetery, Rivière, France (http://www.cwgc. org/find-war-dead/casualty/36174/COBBOLD,%20 SYDNEY%20GEORGE). This is a relatively small front line cemetery with 80 graves, which was begun by the 55th (West Lancashire) Division in March 1916. Ten of the men buried there were from the Rifle Brigade. Sydney’s entry on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) documentation lists his inscription from his father Maurice as “His Country Called. He Answered” and his headstone has been photographed as part of The War Graves Photographic Project (http://twgpp.org/ information.php?id=3954510).

Sergeant Sydney Cobbold (Photo from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew).

in the War Diary of 8th Rifle Brigade held at the National Archives (WO 95/1895/1).

Sadly, following Sydney’s naively excitable letters of 1915, and oblivious to the carnage of the Delville Wood area which had followed, the next the Kew Guild knew, 11 months later, was that the worst had happened: he had been killed. His C.O. (by this point Captain K.S.M. Gladstone) duly wrote to Sydney’s mother (who shared the contents of that letter with the Kew Guild for publication in their obituary article). It read: “Your son, Sergeant Cobbold, was killed in action yesterday morning, October 3. Death was instantaneous, and I am thankful to say that he suffered no pain. Your son was one of the very best soldiers and men in my company. He had done splendidly in the recent heavy fighting, knew no fear, and was liked by all. He was buried the same afternoon by the Chaplain, about two miles behind the trenches”. Maurice, Sydney’s father, was quick to write to the Director of his son’s other former crown employer – Kew. This poignant letter dated 12 October 1916 is held within Sydney’s staff file in RBG Kew’s Archives.

On 29 September, Sydney’s battalion had moved into support of actions at Rivière (10km south-west of Arras), which was only 1200 yards from the Germans. The entry for 3 October 1916 in the War Diary states: “Relieve 8th Btn KRRC in F3 sector. Only 9 Officers & 326 O.R. to take over the whole sector! A & D Coys in front line, B & C in support. Trenches excellent. 2 Sgts, 4 Riflemen killed, 12 O.R. wounded, by one shell during relief.” The Casualties List for the month confirms that Sydney and his comrades were in A Company. Bad luck – that was all it had been in the end. Having repeatedly survived going E-Zine 2015

The CWGC data sets show that on the same day that Sergeant Cobbold was killed, four other soldiers of the 8th Rifle Brigade were killed and buried in the same row of Le Fermont cemetery alongside him: Riflemen L.J. Farr, William G. Kittle, and Benjamin Gordon, as well as fellow Sergeant John R. Aspden. Thus, Cobbold lies among his comrades. The remains of a fourth Rifleman, S. Grundy, were not found (listed in the aforementioned Casualties List as “missing believed k[illed]”) and so he has no formal grave.

Sydney is remembered on the Woolpit War Memorial as well as on the Bronze Plaque within the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Finally, in 1919, his name appeared in the Roll of Honour under the heading ‘Old Kewites’, with an asterisk aside his entry indicating that he had been killed whilst on service (J. Kew Guild 3(26): 453, 1919). Sarah retains the bronze Death Plaque which was given to the family.

There were five articles in the Journal of the Kew Guild between 1909 and 1919 in which Sydney was mentioned...and now another, 100 years on (Wearn & Norris, in press, J. Kew Guild). This article is a product of Kew’s First World War Centenary project, entitled ‘Kew Gardens at War’, led by the first author. Last year, Kew’s commemorative exhibition Plants, People and the Products of War: a Centenary Tribute exhibition featured Sydney on a ‘wall of honour’.

Please also see Kew’s Library, Art & Archives blog about the memorial at Kew (http://www.kew.org/discover/blogs/ library-art-and-archives/floreat-kew-remembrancefallen) and the commemorative blog about the lost gardeners of Kew (https://worldwarzoogardener1939. wordpress.com/2013/07/19/such-is-the-price-ofempire-the-lost-gardeners-of-kew-in-the-first-worldwar/).

Dr James Wearn, Mark Norris & Sarah Cobbold Volume 7 Issue 2 | 25

The Royal Green Jackets Associa on

Soldiers S ldi off O Oxfordshire f d hi M Museum (SOFO) ‘Above the Dreaming Spires’ Oxfordshire’s Great War Aviation Story opened in September 2015 and will continue until Easter 2016. A public appeal to support the research behind the exhibition has again led to many fascinating and personal family histories being bought to SOFO for us to develop into an intriguing look into the heroic and glamorous pilots who fought above the trenches.One of the most fascinating case histories is that of Robert Brooke-Popham, the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry’s famous aviator.

‘Brookham’ was one of the earliest pioneers of military aviation. Enlisting with the regiment in 1898, he learnt to fly at Camberley and became one of the first squadron commanders in the Royal Flying Corps. He was one of the first men to predict that the war would bring air to air combat to prominence and that it would be a deciding factor in transforming military operations.

county; battlefields, barracks and military airbases are to be found throughout the region and its people have participated in national and global conflicts, reflected in the exhibition areas within the galleries.

The second timeline focuses on the Oxfordshire Yeomanry and highlights its unique connection with Winston Churchill, born at nearby Blenheim Palace.

The final timeline tells the history of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, Redcoats to Riflemen.

Each timeline opens up the opportunity for the museum to explore new aspects of conflict from the earliest recorded soldier to the impact that British forces have around the world today.

‘Crossing The Line’, a short film, not widely distributed,

by Sir Peter Jackson, the Hollywood director behind the Hobbit is also being shown throughout the exhibition, providing an evocative backdrop to Oxfordshire’s flying story during a remarkable period of aviation history.

The museum is also embarking on installing its vast medal collection with a medal inter active which will focus on three main themes; Personalities, Campaigns and Anniversaries. A successful fundraising campaign, supported by regimental families and WREN has allowed the Trust to dedicate a space within the Garden Gallery to the medals.

Three large timelines are being installed into the Garden Gallery to reflect the museum as the home for ‘conflict and county’. The first tells the key military stories of the

Opening times, gallery highlights and information about our research service can all be found by visiting our website www.sofo.org.uk.

New Book REDCOATS TO RIFLEMAN is a newly produced and colourfully illustrated 24 page Short History of the County Regiment of Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. It traces the continuum of the Regiment from 1741 to The Rifles and is a ready reference for both the heritage of the Regiment and its current presence in the counties.

Copies can be obtained from the RGJ Museum or from the Oxford Branch of the RGJ Association. The cost is £3:00 + 80p for p&p. To order, please send a cheque made payable to RGJ Association Oxford Branch for £3:80 with your name and address to Geoff Day, 88 The Phelps, Kidlington, Oxon, OX5 1TL. Please telephone 07775981088 for any queries or email direct to geoffday@gmx.com.

Copies are also available through the Milton Keynes and Aylesbury branches of the RGJ Regimental Association.

26 | Volume 7 Issue 2

E-Zine 2015

Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum presents

Oxfordshire’s Great War Aviation Story

September 2015 to March 2016

PARK STREET WOODSTOCK OXFORDSHIRE OX20 1SN

The Royal Green Jackets Associa on

The Railway Tavern Hotel - 131 Angel Lane - Stratford - London EC15 1DB Tel: 020 8534 3123 - Fax: 020 8519 0864 E-mail: therailwaytavern@btconnect.com - info@railwaytavernhotel.co.uk Website: www.railwaytavernhotel.co.uk VAT No: 437 9771 03

Fire up the Audi A8L (With even further apologies to Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes) Another gritty roller coaster ride of faction that will leave the reader trying to separate fact from fiction.

A blast of a read!

Daily Bugle 2015.

With my hand still wet I wipe the condensation from the bathroom mirror and notice the skin missing from the knuckles of my right hand. Only then do I remember that last night I sunk one too many G&T’s. Bloodshot eyes stare back at me from my watery reflection as if from some B movie horror film. Bl***y hell I really overdid it last 28 | Volume 7 Issue 2

night I thought to myself. Clearly too much to drink was down to me but the skin off my knuckles was the fault of some mouthy crim who had earlier in the day decided he wasn’t going to be collared quietly. What a dipstick!

(To be con nued on next page) E-Zine 2015

The Royal Green Jackets Associa on

(Con nued from previous page)

As I threw the razor around my face I reflected on my l life to-date, and thought that all in all I hadn’t done too badly for someone who left school with a ‘Z’ level in all my GCSE’s. If nothing else my early years as a Royal Green Jacket had miraculously instilled in me a strong sense of duty and brotherhood which had easily transferred to the Met where I achieved the dizzying heights of DCI. The best of it all was that I was now in a position where I could not only dispense my brand of righteous justice (Hail Judge Dredd!) but also be able to have the freedom of putting in as much time with my old regimental association as I wanted to. And the best part of it was today was going to be one of those days. A result!

Now fully booted and suited I fire up the Audi A8 which is now as clean as an angels undercrackers and head off to pick up my boss who just so happens to be attending a two day meeting in Belgium. That done we head off to the Channel Tunnel. On arrival and because we have a flexi ticket we are asked if we would like to catch the immediate train or the one after. “Nah! We will erect a tent in the departure lounge and catch one going next September” I sarcastically reply which doesn’t go down too well with the boss.

Off we get at Calais and would you Adam & Eve it – roadworks everywhere which holds us up for about half an hour. Mind you after faffing about and doing my head in by having to alter the time and space continuum in putting my watch forward an hour it could have been really an hour we were held up for.

Anyway a couple of hours later we hit the Ramada Plaza Hotel where we are staying for a couple of days. The food is hot, the beer is cold and my bed is like runway 1 at Heathrow – naffing massive. The receptionist must think I’m an ex Para because the room I am allocated is on the top floor amongst the frigging clouds. Finally sleep!

The following morning I ensure the boss is catered for throughout his stay and after a good Anglais Complet I decide I will now go and take care of my business for the day. I leg it outside and quickly jump into the car supplied for us but in complete bewilderment find it has no naffing steering wheel. It’s only then I realise and remember that they drive on the wrong side of the road over here, and sheepishly get back out and in again - but this time on the left hand side. I set my old driving mates Tom and Tomand off I go, now with my sensible head on and intent on paying my respects to those who those who didn’t make it back from the WW2.

My first stop of the day was up a quiet side road at the church and military cemetery of Geel Stelen. There I found E-Zine 2015

Geel War Cemetery.

34 graves of allied soldiers from the DLI, RAC, Recce Corps, and Royal Canadian Infantry Corps. All had died between the 9th and 11th Sep 1944 whilst establishing a bridgehead over the Albert Canal. I rest awhile here but very quickly decide to move on as the English wet stuff had followed me from Blighty and was beginning to change the weight of my blazer into that of a greatcoat.

A few miles away I found Geel War Cemetery which was the main reason for my visit as I will explain in a moment.

Inside this lovely little bit of England with its towering oaks I found considerable renovation work being undertaken on the paths and buildings either side of the main gate; but despite the stone dust and paint everywhere the workmen were more than happy to stop and explain to me about the work they were carrying out.

Anyway back to the reason why this cemetery was so special to me at this particular moment in time.

As ex member of the Black Mafia with my fingers in every pie I knew two things. Firstly and because I had previously researched the site I knew that a number of Riflemen from the KRRC and RB were buried there along with 398 other poor souls. I had identified 3 in particularly as Lt Richard Luxmoore QWR (d 9/9/44), Rfn Eric Binstead RB (d 10/9/44) and LCpl Sidney Foster RB (d 19/9/44); And secondly my branch of the RGJA were going to be attending, as they always do, the monthly ‘Turning of the Pages’ ceremony in Winchester Cathedral on the exact same date and time that I was visiting the cemetery. This got me to thinking that if we could pull it all together Winchester could be reading out their names at the same time I physically paid my respects at their graveside; and so it came to pass after a few phone calls Brian Scott who was the duty reader that day did just that.

It was only a small gesture in the great scheme of things I know but it made my visit to Geel Cemetery just that little (To be con nued on next page) Volume 7 Issue 2 | 29

The Royal Green Jackets Associa on

(Con nued from previous page)

bit more meaningful.

My last stop for the day was at Kasterlee War Cemetery and the good news was that my two driving mates Tom and Tom got me there without a hitch.Kasterlee is beautifully maintained by the CWGC whose staff are only too willing to stop what they are doing and explain in detail every aspect of their work. This cemetery contains over 100 graves which mostly contain the remains of the RS, RSF and KOSB’s. RIP you fellas – you will never be forgotten.

After a long, tiring and emotional day I eventually fire up the … hire car.

Without looking back I tell my mates Tom and Tom to take me back to my temporary room in the clouds and for the time being to my other life of removing the skin off my knuckles.

Until the next time that is anyway.

See ya!

John Fritz-Domeney

Kasterlee War Cemetery.

Lt Richard Luxmoore.

30 | Volume 7 Issue 2

E-Zine 2015

The Royal Green Jackets Associa on

In Memoriam 2014 Sgt Derek A Haighton 2015 Arthur Richardson L/Cpl Tom Hanlon Pte Colin Blackburn Steve Poole Joe Miskiri Alan Sykes Amos Martin Lt Col D C (David) Stanley OBE RD John Raczka Peter Watts Kenneth Douglas Trinder Sir Philip Goodhart WO1 Michael Leslie Jordan Cpl W (Billy) Arnold Sgt (SI) Colin Ponting David E M Warwick Paul Curran Sjt John “Dickie” Brooks Patrick Walsh G R A Conques John R Grantham Len Port Capt A.W. Drysdale Cpl Chris Webb Brigadier PJ Lyddon MBE Maj Gen MJH Walsh CB, CBE, DSO, DL, KStJ Cpl Terry Stanton Capt E.B. Taylor, Edmund Cecil Skepper John (Jack) Thomas Heron WOII Mike Alagoa George Coney George French Capt Dick Gaisford

RB

12 Dec

OBLI 2 & 3RGJ 1 OBLI 1RGJ Band 2GJ/2RGJ 2 OBLI 1 & 3RGJ 4 OBLI RGJ 1RGJ 3RGJ KRRC & Para 2RGJ RGJ APTC (att 3GJ) OBLI

Apr Apr 6 Jun 13 Jun

OBLI & RGJ 2GJ & RGJ OBLI OBLI KRRC KRRC, QVR & QRR OBLI KRRC & Para KRRC RB 2RGJ & SAS 4RGJ RB KRRC RB

21 25 27 1 3 5 5 12 25 25 30 31 31 1 3 6 18 3 25 7 13 13 14 17 19 20 23 3 8

Jun Jun Jun Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Aug Aug Aug Aug Sep Sep Oct Oct Oct Oct =ct Oct Oct Oct Nov Nov

Rest in Peace E-Zine 2015

Volume 7 Issue 2 | 31