Curator’s NotesCaptain Mick Holtby

Newsletter Foreword

Opening Times: 1st March – 30th November are 10:30 – 16:30 Wed-Sun Incl. Registered Charity Number: 1138821 Issue 5

Well, what a summer we are enjoying and with the sun come the visitors. You may be interested to know that visitor numbers this season from 1

st March 2013 stand at 14, 238,

whilst our visitor total since opening in July 2011 are well over 55,000, I think you will agree, not bad for a small rural Museum.

On education the Museum continues its involvement with the local schools In March we were able to collaborate once again with our friends at Perlethorpe Environmental Centre who had engaged a travelling Museum called We’ll Meet Again, and specialise in 1940’s living history for schools. It is run by a husband and wife team, he as a sergeant in the Home Guard and she a member of the Woman’s Land Army. The amount of original uniform, weapons and everyday items they provide for use by the children is staggering. Classes go through a series of lectures and drills ranging from rationing, air raid drills to marching and weapon handling. I was called upon to instruct groups of six on Vickers heavy machine gun which seemed to go down really well. During that week we had some 263 children through the Museum. To date a further 162 students have taken part in educational activities organised by the Museum. Other events that have taken place include two visits to Thoresby by the Trent Valley Military Vehicle Trust (TVMVT), who specialise in WWII vehicles. The first was in May and based in the courtyard, this was a warm up for run for the much larger event ‘Picnic in the Park’ which was held in June. Vehicles from the TVMVT were joined by Call Sign Alpha, who provided several post war vehicles as well as a modern WMIK from the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry. Other attractions included the Worksop Miners Welfare Band, a Police Dog Display Team, and an Engine from the local fire service. We even had a bouncy castle assault course for the children. Both events were free to enter for the public and very well received, the latter attracted over 1,000 visitors during the day. It is hoped that we can run this event again in 2014.Talking of 2014, plans are well in hand to mount a special exhibition to commemorate the 100

th anniversary of the beginning of WWI.

It is envisaged that the exhibition will run for five years with the emphasis changing each year to reflect key events relevant to our regiments during the course of the war and the effects on those on the home front.

Following the Coalition Government’s Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) the Prime Minister ordered a further review into the Reserve Forces and the Future Reserves 20 study led by General Sir Nicholas Houghton, the Vice Chief of the General Staff (now the Chief of the Defence Staff), recommended a ‘Whole Force Concept’ of fully integrated Regulars and Reserves in all three services.

The recently published White Paper sets out the future roles, training, terms and conditions of the Reserve Forces and the proposition for individual Reservists, their Families, Employers and Communities. After a number of years in which the roles and training of Reserves have lacked clarity and funding the Reserves now have a clearly established and strong future as part of the integrated Regular and Reserve ‘whole force’. The name of the Territorial Army is to be changed to become the Army Reserve to reflect these changes as they affect the Army. Army 2020 set out the future structure of the Army and an integrated Regular and Reserve (Territorial) Army and announced a reduction in the size of the Regular Army to a trained strength of 82000 and an Army Reserve with an increased trained strength of 30000 (but a reduced number of established units and sub units); and a subsequent announcement set out the planned basing of the Regular units in the UK, which also includes the return of the British Army from Germany. These reviews have led to the amalgamation of the Queen’s Royal Lancers (QRL) and the 9/12 Lancers to form The Royal Lancers which has already been announced in an earlier newsletter and in July 2013 the Secretary of State announced the future basing of the Army Reserve to give effect to the whole force concept and greater integration between Regulars and Reserves.

As a result of this review the South Notts Hussars (SNH) will lose their role as Gunners and their serving unit, 307 (South Nottinghamshire Hussars Yeomanry RHA) Battery, will be placed into suspended animation. This follows decisions made to align the Royal Artillery’s Reserve Regiments and Batterys alongside the Regular Regiments and there will be no Regular Gunner Regiment in the East Midlands or East of England. Our parent Regiment, 100 (Yeomanry) Regiment RA, will also disband as will our sister Battery, 201 (Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Yeomanry) Battery based in Luton. The SNH have served as Gunners since 1922 so this decision is something of a shock and a great disappointment to the whole SNH family, however we are delighted that we are to join the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry (SRY) as part of the Royal Yeomanry in Nottingham, also to be joined by the Leicestershire and Derbyshire Yeomanry (LDY) to form A (Sherwood Rangers, Leicestershire and Derbyshire and South Nottinghamshire Hussars Yeomanry) Squadron Royal Yeomanry. This will be a big change for us and it will be a wrench to say farewell to our Permanent Staff and Instructors at Bulwell, where C Company 4 MERCIAN will take over the Reserve Centre but it is also an exciting opportunity to re-unite with the SRY with whom we share a common heritage as part of the Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Cavalry formed in 1794.

Colonel Tim Richmond

MUSEUM NEWS September 2013 Tel: 01623 824222 www.qrlnymuseum.co.uk

Both the 16th/5

th Lancers and the 17

th/21

st Lancers as part of 26

th Armoured Brigade deployed to North Africa in November

1942. The 17th/21

st Lancers were not initially deployed with the Division but as part of ‘Blade Force' under Lieutenant Colonel

Richard Hull, a 17th/21

st Lancer. The plan was that Blade Force would act as a spearhead invasion force into Tunisia. The

Force was to move from Algiers, in concert with the 8th Army who were moving west from Egypt, having advanced from El

Alamein. The role of the 17th/21

st Lancers within Blade Force was to provide a flank guard for the 78

th Infantry Division, which

was to occupy the city. Blade Force made a rapid advance of 300 miles before being held up at the crossroads between Sidi

Nasir station and Mateur by strong German resistance. This delay allowed the Germans to reinforce and thus foil the bid to

capture Tunis. As a result Blade Force was broken up and the 17th/21

st Lancers were returned to 26

th Armoured Brigade.

70th Anniversary of the Victory in North Africa May 1943

On the 19th of February 1943, the Germans launched a major counter

attack into the Kasserine Pass towards Thala. The 26th Armoured Brigade

was tasked with stopping the German advance. The 16th/5

th and the 1

st

Guards Brigade were ordered to take up defensive positions at Sbiba

some 20 miles east of Thala. By dawn on the 21st, the 17

th/21

st Lancers

was in a position blocking the road from Thala to Kasserine. All that day it

fought a difficult delaying action in which fourteen tanks were lost. At dusk

the Regiment retired into a leaguer. After a short time the sound of tanks

moving on the road was heard; the enemy had resumed his advance in the

dark and led the attack with a Valentine tank which had been abandoned

by the Regiment at Tebourba in December. This ruse completely deceived

the infantry in front of the regimental leaguer. It was not until the Germans

opened fired that anyone realised what had happened. The first person to

react was the Adjutant, Captain Ponsonby, who firing the gun of his own

tank, destroyed four German tanks in quick succession. Soon the other

tanks joined in and three more tanks were destroyed. The German attack

dissolved; although the Regiment remained in the area for the next three

days, the Germans did not renew the attack, but retired eastwards.

Protected only by the inferior armour of the Valentine and out gunned by the German tanks, the cost was high. Although the

pass was held, the 17th/21

st Lancers was reduced to only twelve tanks. It was after this encounter that the Regiment was

withdrawn from the line and re-equipped with the American Sherman tank mounting a 75mm gun. This represented a great

improvement on the old 'Tommy Cookers' (Valentines), both in terms of firepower and armoured protection. The stage was

now set for the Battle of Fondouk, on the 8th and 9

th April, in which the Regiment was to play a leading role. The Fondouk Pass

was a flat, open plain, 1000 yards wide, dominated on both sides by steep rocky heights. The plan was for the Regiment to

break through the pass and cut off the retreating German forces. During a reconnaissance on the evening of the 8th, the

Regiment lost four tanks. At 9.00 a.m. on the 9th the 17th/21

st was ordered to force the Pass at any cost. The area was mined,

and covered by both artillery and anti-tank guns positioned both in the pass and on the high ground. For two hours the

Regiment tried to break through the Pass, sustaining such heavy losses that only a handful of tanks were left in action.

Information that the dry riverbed to the left might prove to be a way through was passed to Brigade Headquarters. At 11.30, HQ

26th Armoured Brigade ordered the 16

th/5

th Lancers to try that route, which despite a number of losses to men and tanks,

proved successful. Although the subsequent break-through was achieved, the delay allowed the German forces to retreat

unmolested towards Tunis. 16th/5

th& 17

th/21

st Lancers losses were nineteen killed and forty three wounded, with forty tanks

put out of action. Survivors referred to this action as ‘Balaklava II’.

On the 11th April 1943 General Alexander had decided how enemy forces in Tunisia would be eliminated. 1

st Army under

General Anderson would make the main effort but 8th Army would attack first, North West from Enfidaville along the coast to

draw off enemy forces. 1st Army would then make its attack through the Medjez – Massicult Road with General Allfrey’s V

Corps. At the same time Crockers IX Corps would attack in the Pont de Fachs – Gubellet area with 1st& 6th Armoured

Divisions and 46th Infantry Division. The French XIX Corps were to hold the eastern dorsal between IX Corps and 8

th Army

they were to attack enemy as permitted. The US II Corps was shifted to the North east of Medjez to Bizerte. Monty started his

attack on the 19th April by attacking Jebal Garcia and Jebal Takrouna. This attack by the 4

th Indian Division and the New

Zealand Division met with fierce resistance, there were some 23 Axis Battalions in front of the 8th Army and they were not

going to give Monty an easy ride to Tunis. On the 24 April

Crocker advanced with 46th Brigade supported by masses of

Artillery, 1st Armoured Brigade from 8

th Army had joined IX

Corps for this attack. There was lots of banter between 1st&

6th Armoured Divisions, who thought themselves superior to

6th Armoured Division but there was mutual respect.

Opposing the 26th Armoured Brigade were old enemies; the

Hermann Goering Division & 10th Panzer Division. They had

months to prepare their positions and they would pay for

every yard. The attack lasted till the 26th April but the enemy

held firm and the attack failed. In the North the division had

made some progress, but no breakthrough. A new plan was

needed.

MUSEUM NEWS September 2013 Tel: 01623 824222 www.qrlnymuseum.co.uk

Acts of Valour – Cpl Charles Wooden VC 17th Lancers

The Victoria Cross (VC) was introduced on 29

January 1856 by Queen Victoria to honour acts

of valour during the Crimean War. Since then,

the medal has been awarded 1,357 times to

1,354 individual recipients. Only 14 medals, ten

to members of the British Army, and four to the

Australian Army, have been awarded since the

Second World War. The traditional explanation

of the source of the gunmetal from which the

medals are struck is that it derives from Russian

cannon captured at the siege of Sevastopol. Recent research has

thrown doubt on this story, suggesting a variety of origins for the

material actually making up the medals themselves. Research has

established that the gunmetal for many of the medals came from

Chinese cannons that may have been captured from the Russians in

1855.

Born in Kiel on 24.3.1827. Enlisted 17th Lancers in 1845, served

with the Regiment in the Crimean war 1854-56, and was present at

the battles of the Alma, the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaklava

where his horse was killed, Inkerman and the siege of Sevastopol,

he also saw service in the Indian Mutiny 1857.

Wooden was awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry at Balaklava.

The citation reads "For having after the retreat of the Light Cavalry

at the Battle of Balaklava, being instrumental, together

with Dr James Mouat C.B. in saving the life of Lieutenant

Colonel Morris C.B. 17th Lancers, by proceeding under a

heavy fire to his assistance when he was lying very

dangerously wounded in an exposed situation". His V.C.

was gazetted on 26.10.1858. (LG No. 22194 of

26.10.1858)

Promoted from the ranks of the 17th Lancers as Quarter-

Master in the 104th Bengal Fusiliers, and from that

regiment he was transferred with the same rank into the

5th Lancers on 21.3.1865, left the Army in 1871.

He died at Dover by his own hand on 24 April 1876, and

is buried at St. James's Cemetery, Dover in an

unmarked grave. His

nickname in the 17th

Lancers as "Tish Me -

The Devil" which was the

answer he gave one night

in his broken English

accent to a sentry who

challenged him.

General Alexander now switched IX Corps through V Corps and made a

determined push through the Medjerda valley. To do this he moved 7th

Armoured Division- 4th Indian Division and the 201 Guards Brigade through

to IX Corps. General Horrocks had taken over the Division from General

Crocker. The orders were simply to take Tunis.

On the 5th May, Horrocks’ attack was preceded with Allfrey’s V Corps who

advanced down the Medjez valley and secured the left flank. In the early

hours of the 6th of May over 600 guns opened fire on the ground in front of

IX Corps. Z hour was 0300 and the leading Infantry Division advanced on a

3000 yards frontage, by 0730 they had punched a hole in the German

defences wide enough for the Armoured Divisions to get through, initially the going was slow due to a minefield but by 1045

they had reached the front of Fanes. The Armoured Division commanders were keen to secure a firm base and waited for the

infantry to catch up, this took some hours. By 1700, 26th Armoured Brigade stopped for the night 2 miles east of Massicult with

7th Armoured just north of the town.

When the advance continued on the 7th May they met little

resistance. The Hermann Goering Division had been reduced, 15th

Panzer was all but destroyed. The Germans were confused as to

which direction the attacks were coming from, the orders had gone

out that on the 6th May, German resistance had collapsed and those

units still active should make their way either north to Bizerta or

make for the Cape Bon peninsular. Armoured Cars of the 11th

Hussars & Derbyshire Yeomanry had reached the outskirts of Tunis

– Tunis had fallen.

The final action of the North Africa campaign was the capture of the

Cape Bon Peninsula. The Germans were trying to delay its capture

long enough to allow evacuation of their Army by sea. The 17th/21

st Lancers conducted a 'charge' along the beach totally out

manoeuvring the German defensive positions. Enemy resistance crumbled, thousands of prisoners were taken, and thus

ended the campaign. Axis losses totalled 620,000 men as casualties or prisoners of war - more than Germany lost during the

subsequent Italian campaign. Allied losses at 260,000 casualties - 220,000 British, 20,000 French, and 20,000 American, with

70,000 allied casualties incurred in the fighting lasting from Operation Torch in November of 1942 to the fall of Tunisia on the

13th May of 1943.

A reminder to all that Lt Col Nigel Best, former Commanding Officer QRL, will talk on the recent

tour Op Herrick 17 in Afghanistan. The talk will take place at the Museum on 17 October. For

more details please contact the curator

MUSEUM NEWS September

2013

Tel: 01623 824222 www.qrlnymuseum.co.uk

Diary Dates

17 October Op Herrick 17

Presentation 1830-2100 hrs

13 March 2014 James Holland

talk

11 May 2014 Trent Valley Military

Vehicles Trust in the Courtyard

Interesting Artefacts - Royal Forrester Pattern Carbine

Royal Forester pattern flintlock cavalry carbine as used by the 16th and 17th Light Dragoons in the American War of Independence. Purportedly 1 of only 3 original’s known in the world, 1. in the Smithsonian institute. 2. In a private collection. 3. In the Museum.

Although conforming in overall outline to the standard Elliott Pattern Carbine, the Forrester has several distinctive variations. The most obvious of these being the used of the more expensive flat Lock & Cock, another variation is the forward fastening of the sling bar (which has two screws through the fore end securing a small base plate on the front of the bar). Note also the somewhat shorter and heavier trigger guard. The barrel is secured by three flat keys or slides instead of screws, and the second ram rod pipe is also a departure from the usual design, being trumpet – mouthed.

Overall length 43.19inches (109.7cm)

Barrel 27.75 inches (70.49 cm)

Calibre 0.65 inch (16.5mm)

Lt Col Nigel Best talks on the recent

QRL tour Op Herrick 17 in

Afghanistan. Wine and Canapés will

be served

James Holland, distinguished author

will talk on Lt Col Stanley

Christopherson - CO SRY from D-

Day to the end of the war. His war

diaries are due for publication in

February next year.

The TVMT will make a return trip to

the courtyard bringing with them a

range of restored military vehicles

5-6 July 2014 Picnic in the Park

This year’s event was such a

success we plan to repeat it next

year. But Bigger!

The Museum recently had two important visitors Mr Tony

Holden and his cousin Robert both relatives of Colonel

Robert Holden who served in the South Notts Hussars for

forty years, twenty as its Commanding Officer.

Colonel Holden was an extremely popular Officer, and in a

farewell letter to every member of the Regiment he states;

I beg to offer to yourself, to every officer, non

commissioned officer, and member of the corps, my

sincere and grateful thanks for the constant, uniform, kind

support ever awarded to me during my connection with the

Regiment. My best wishes are with you for time and

eternity.

The Holden Cup

Colonel Robert Holden

Commanding the South Notts Hussars

1848 –1868

The Regiment presented Colonel

Holden with a silver urn, which thanks

to Tony and Robert, now stands

proudly on display in the silver cabinet

at the museum in Thoresby Park.

Another member of the family Lt A F

Holden served in the South Notts

Hussars during World War 1. He was

awarded the Military Cross. He

commanded the South Notts Hussars

from 1935 –1939.

Col Robert Holden (centre)

Please mail curator@qrlnymuseum.co.uk

with your contact details to allow us to

update our records. Don’t forget to look

us up on Facebook pages. Search on

the Queen’s Royal Lancers and

Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Museum

You’ve Got Mail!

Captain Ichabod Wright of Mapperley (1767–1862)

This small but historically important

painting by John Boultbee hangs in

the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry

Museum in the drill hall in Carlton.

Painted in 1803, it portrays the 36

year old Captain Ichabod Wright of

Mapperley, who raised the first

Nottingham Troop of Yeomanry in

1794, nine years earlier. The painting

has served to remind generations of

Sherwood Rangers of their joint

heritage with the South Notts

Hussars.