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by the sea, walking our 2
dogs Sprocket and
Storm, holidays in our
caravan and travelling
abroad and skiing.
As an army wife, I have
turned my hand to many
different jobs and roles
and am looking forward
to using my experience in
this next chapter.
I have already been
for tuna te to have
attended the Governors’
Review at the Royal
Hospital Chelsea, and
will also be involved in
future events such as the
opening of the Field of
R e m e m b r a n c e i n
Westminster and of
course the annual
Cenotaph Parade in
Hello All!
Well, I’m normally not
one to blow my own
trumpet, but I thought I
w o u l d t a k e t h i s
opportunity to introduce
myself properly as the
new Media & Events
Coordinator for HHQ
RTR.
My name is Lisa Burgess
and I have been an RTR
wife for 28 years, married
to Pat who joined the
Regiment back in 1992.
He is still serving and is
currently based in
Bovington at the CIS
School.
I was lucky to have been
chosen to take on this
new role and am really
excited to be involved
with the organizing of the
many events, parades and
such that is offered to the
RTR and the wider
Regimental family.
I recently moved from
Glastonbury to Lulworth
and enjoy spending time
HHQ RTR Media & Events Co-ordinator
KEEPING TRACK Newsletter of HHQ RTR
SEPTEMBER 2021 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
Lisa Burgess
Events Co-ordinator
HHQ RTR
Ex 1RTR~Lt Tony Pyatt hits 105th Birthday!!
We were fortunate to visit Tony for his 103rd Birthday back in 2019. Tony reached 104 in 2020 but we were not allowed to visit. He is 105 in September, a remarkable achievement!!
Tony served with 1RTR as the RSO and landed on Gold Beach on D Day +2 1944, he met up with the rest of 1RTR after leaving his landing craft with no map (someone had borrowed it), his driver asked which way sir? Just head for the noise was Tony’s reply! HQ was in an orchard a mile or so from the town of Bayeux. Throughout the subsequent months the battle to take Caen progressed with difficulty, with 1RTR taking many casualties from the German Royal Tiger and Panther Tanks. Tony’s CO Lt Col Pat Hobart Commanded the Regiment for the remainder of the war and on to Berlin.
HHQ RTR would like to wish Lt Pyatt a very Happy and Healthy 105th Birthday.
London. I look forward to
meeting as many of you as
possible over the course of the
coming year.
I hope you all enjoy this ‘new’
Newsletter — if anyone has
anything they would like to
contribute, then please email
articles and photos to:
‘Til next time.. Take Care and
Stay Safe.
Lisa
Pensioners marched past
with pride. Those that were
unable to march sat on
benches around the grounds
or ‘drove by’ in their
mobility scooters.
The Parade was followed by
a wonderful lunch in the
Hospital grounds and time
was spent chatting to our
RTR Chelsea In-Pensioners,
who regaled us with their
stories.
In-Pensioner Chris Ashmore
proudly showed us around
the Great Hall and the
Chapel and was really
HHQ RTR and several RTR
Association Members were
honoured to be able to
attend the Governors’
Review at the Royal Hospital
Chelsea at the beginning of
August.
The Governors’ Review
usually takes part just before
the annual Founder’s Day
when the Chelsea In-
Pensioners celebrate the
founding of the Royal
Hospital by King Charles II.
It was a beautiful warm day
and the Chelsea Pensioners
looked resplendent in their
Scarlet coats. They stood
for a very long time in the
hot sun whilst being
inspected by the Governor,
G en e r a l S i r A d r i a n
Bradshaw KCB OBE DL.
The Band of the Irish
Guards played and the In-
knowledgeable about the
history of the Hospital,
despite only living there for
3 months.
Governors’ Review ~ Royal Hospital Chelsea
TANK MEMORIAL Y PRES SALIENT
The TANK MEMORIAL YPRES SALIENT & its
accompanying 'Tank Corps Garden of
Remembrance Belgium' is located in the small
village of Poelkapelle, West Flanders, Belgium. It
was funded & created by former Royal Tank
Regiment 'Chieftain' Main Battle Tank gunner/
driver Trooper Chris Lock & his wife Milena
Kolarikova BEM.
At 11.00hrs on 31st July, Friends of the TMYS
representatives on the ground in Belgium carried out
a short commemorative ceremony to honour and
remember those gallant Members of the Tank Corps
who fought and fell during the 3rd Battle of Ypres
which began on July 31st 1917. This particular battle
is often listed simply as the 'Battle of Passchendaele.
HHQ RTR
Stanley Barracks Bovington, Wareham, Dorset BH20 6JB Phone: 01929 403360 Email: [email protected]
FEAR NAUGHT
Find us on
HHQ RTR
Chelsea In-Pensioners:
William McMinn, Fred Bolwell, Chris
Ashmore and Don Craswelller
Chelsea In-Pensioner:
Henry Lauder
Chelsea In-Pensioners with
RTR Association Members:
Dave Orman, Dave Larcombe, William
McMinn, Fred Bolwell, Chris Ashmore, Alan
Cooper, Taff Thomas, Dean Hutton, Pat
Burgess, Don Crassweller and Ian Tompsett
CHELSEA In-Pensioners on
Parade
A REGIMENTAL SNAPSHOT
The RTR Battlegroup has successfully completed it's pre-deployment training for the
upcoming Estonia deployment.
CYCLOPS have been deployed at Lydd & Hythe Ranges preparing for the 12 Bde
Operational Shooting Competition. The Sqn has enjoyed rifle, pistol and grenade training.
OP CABRIT | BADGER have been getting out and about around Estonia, providing a
presence at Victory Day parades and public events. A key part in the mission to reassure our
NATO allies, as well as a great opportunity to see the country.
IT'S COMING HOME | CAV CUP Great 3-0 win in the final, against a strong QRH
side!! Both teams fought hard, giving it their all, right up to the final whistle. After 5 years
the cup is finally back where it belongs (The RTR trophy cabinet).
AJAX Sqn gathered in remembrance of the 20th anniversary of a tragic training accident on Salisbury Plain, which led to the death of Lieutenant Paul Syred and Corporal Michael Paterson from A Sqn, 1 RTR. We will remember them.
Variety is the spice of life: over the last few weeks as well as completing Pre-Deployment Training for Op CABRIT 9, DREADNAUGHT Sqn have also found time for some adventurous training and sport.
Well done to the RTR E-Sports Team, who recently beat the KRH 3-1 on War Thunder in an intra-RAC match!
FALCON RUN | Crews from FALCON Sqn have been honing their C-CBRN skills on Ex Falcon Run, practicing Route and Close Target Recces on suspected chemical agents. Operators are able to take samples for further analysis to understand and mitigate the immediate risk.
FOR UP TO DATE NEWS, FOLLOW THE ROYAL TANK REGIMENT ON
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/RoyalTankRegt
Field of Remembrance ~ Westminster
There are still some tickets available to attend the 2021 Opening of the Field of Remembrance in
Westminster. Please contact Lisa at HHQ RTR for further information.
Email: [email protected]
Bournemouth Branch also held
their Annual Summer BBQ.
The sun shone and a great day
was had by all who attended.
PLYMOUTH BRANCH
A few changes have been made
to the Plymouth Branch
Committee: Dave Lomax is the
new Secretary and James ‘Bert’
Hammond is the new Standard
Bearer.
8RTRA BRANCH
The 8th RTRA Branch will be
hold ing the i r ‘October
BOURNEMOUTH POOLE
& DISTRICT BRANCH
On 23rd June 2021, The
Bournemouth, Poole & District
Branch, RTRA, laid a wreath in
Lytchett Matravers, Dorset, at
the grave of L/Cpl David
Hopper 2 RTR on the 45th
anniversary of his death. Two
of those present met for the
first time in 51 years. Tony Hart
(left ) and Steve Bagshaw (right)
were both part of the C
Squadron intake in September
1 9 7 0
at JLR
R A C .
S t e v e
did 4
t e r m s
a n d
w e n t
to 2
R T R ,
T o n y
did 7
terms and went to 1 RTR. 51
years later and it felt just like
yesterday.
Gathering’ from Friday 22nd
October to Monday 25th
October. Price per person, per
night, half board is £43.50.
Anyone wishing to invite a
guest to the dinner and
entertainment on Saturday
evening, the price is £23.95.
This is open to all RTRA
members.
SEFTON BRANCH
Have started their meets again
and they are held on the 2nd
Saturday of each month at
‘Flannagan’s’, Queens Street,
Waterloo, Merseyside L22 5PA
at 1.30pm.
HHQ RTR
Stanley Barracks Bovington, Wareham, Dorset BH20 6JB Phone: 01929 403360 Email: [email protected]
Associations are slowly starting
to meet again after the long
break caused by the Covid
pandemic.
LONDON BRANCH meets
on the Second Saturday of the
month. Next Meetings are:
Saturday 11th September
Saturday 9th October
NO MEETING Saturday 13th
November, but a Cross will be
planted in the Field of
Remembrance at Westminster
Abbey.
Saturday 11th December.
London Branch Annual Cambrai Lunch
This will be held on Saturday 27 November 2021 at Holiday Inn Bloomsbury London WC1.
Details and booking form will be sent out soon. (Set menu)
£25.00 for all Paid up Branch Members and ONE guest/partner. £37.50 for additional guests/Non-Members.
Members of the Bournemouth,
Poole & District RTRA enjoying
their annual Summer BBQ.
FEAR NAUGHT
Find us on
HHQ RTR
Looking after each other...
On 21/07/2021 a care home resident and Royal Armoured Corps Veteran in Dorset, Roy Dugden, received a
surprise visit from a couple of somewhat younger veterans. Dave Larcombe & Tony Hart, both Members of the
Bournemouth, Poole & District Branch, Royal Tank Regiment Association, turned up at the Upton Bay Care
Home in Poole, in a pre-planned “ambush” which caught Roy totally unawares. It had been arranged by Roy’s
Wife and daughter, to give the 82-year-old former National Serviceman turned regular soldier a boost and a
chance to reminisce. It certainly worked..
Roy was conscripted into the Royal Scots Greys in 1958 and enjoyed it so
much he enlisted into the Regiment as a regular soldier when his National
Service ended in 1960. He ended his service with the now Royal Scots
Dragoon Guards in 1981 in the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Dave & Tony brought along some Tank memorabilia for Roy to view and
spent a couple of hours chatting to him and his family allowing him to
“wallow in nostalgia.” His eyes certainly had a glint in them as he looked
at the memorabilia and talked about his service life. Dave and Tony
enjoyed the afternoon just as much as Roy did and were pleased to hear
that he never stopped talking about the visit for the rest of the day. It
certainly was their good deed for the day and shows the benefit
Regimental Associations can bring to all veterans, old and not so old,
who may be a bit lonely, confused and off the radar.
Tony Hart & Dave Larcombe
visiting RAC Veteran Roy
Dugden.
Association News
National Arboretum ~ RTR Plot given a late spring clean
Volunteer Alex Hamilton has been busy at the National Arboretum, tidying up the Alrewas - RTR plot. The flag pole has
been moved as it was too near growing trees and the plot has been given a general tidy up. A fantastic job done by Alex.
Thank you.
Forthcoming Events
FIELD OF REMEMBRANCE
Thursday 11th November 2021. The 2021 Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey will be officially opened on Thursday 11 November at 11am. Limited tickets available from HHQ RTR. Please apply to [email protected].
CAMBRAI OFFICERS’ DINNER
Saturday 20th November 2021. This year will be held at Vintners’ Hall, London. Tickets are £75.00. Pro-forma available from [email protected]. Open to Serving and Retired Officers only.
2021 RTR MARCH TO THE CENOTAPH, CHURCH SERVICE, VINTNERS’ RECEPTION
Sunday 21st November 2021. Meet at Horseguards Parade at 10.30am for those Members wishing to march. The Regiment and Members will parade to the Cenotaph, followed by a short service and then on to Whitehall where the Parade is dismissed. Members are then invited to the annual Church Service at St Mary Aldermary Church, Watling Street, London. After the service Members are invited to attend a lunch Reception at The Vintners’ Hall, just a short walk from the Church. Tickets for the Reception are £25 and available from [email protected]. Those not wishing to attend the lunch may go to The Barley Mow Pub on Horseferry Road, or disperse in their own time. Open to ALL Officers and Soldiers, Serving or Retired., and their Guests.
CHURCH SUNDAY & CURRY LUNCH
Sunday 20th March 2022. The annual Church Sunday and Curry Lunch will be held at the Garrison Church, Bovington on
Sunday 20th March at 11am. ALL Branch Members, Serving Officers and Soldiers are welcome to attend the Service and
Curry Lunch. For those attending the 8 RTR Reunion in Bournemouth, a coach will be booked to take Members to Allenby
Barracks for the Service and then all guests are invited to the Officers’ Mess for a Curry Lunch after. Please contact:
[email protected] for more details, or call 01929 403331.
ARMY V NAVY RUGBY
Saturday 30th April 2022. The Army v Navy match Committee will not be releasing tickets for sale until early 2022. Further details will be released in due course.
BATTLE OF CAMBRAI 105th ANNIVERSARY
Work will soon begin planning the 105th Anniversary of the Battle of Cambrai, which will take place in France. Further detail will follow soon.
Tankies In Time
Following my recent visit to the Tank Museum in Bovington, I was moved by the words of Cpl Bill Stebbing, former 5 RTR, being interviewed for a short video. I
felt it fitting for him to be my first ‘Tankie in Time’, a short vignette of Tankies past.
Bill Stebbing was born on the 28th Sep 1923 in Bury St Edmunds. Aged 16 when war
was declared, he was called up for active service in 1942. Initially trained in Aldershot, he
was glad to be joining the RAC, happily thinking that was something to do with cars.
After tank driver training on Covenanters and Crusaders at Barnard Castle, he moved to
Bovington to complete crew training. He was first posted to the 24th Lancers in
Bridlington, to drive a modified Crusader tank in the anti-aircraft role equipped with
twin Oerlikon cannons. In late May 1944, as part of the 8th Independent Armoured
Brigade that included the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards, the Sherwood Rangers and
the 24th Lancers, Bill’s Troop moved to Southampton to prepare for D-Day on the 6th
June. The 24th Lancers were scheduled to cross the Channel on D+5. However, storms
in the Channel delayed the crossing until D+11 to then arrive on Gold Beach after the
loss of four of his best friends. On landing, Bill’s Troop deployed to a field, where in his
words “they had a pop at any aircraft in sight”. After the assault on Caen, the Regiment saw heavy fighting in the advance, with
significant casualties taken due to Tiger tanks. Bill was then posted to an Armoured Delivery Squadron prior to his posting to 5 RTR in
Holland. In the Regimental Waiting Area, Bill was tasked to drive the Squadron Leader’s liberated Citroen car, which resulted in the
occasional enjoyable evening in a local town. As 5 RTR finally advanced, Bill was a co-driver on both Shermans and the Cromwell
tanks equipped with the 95mm howitzer gun. During the American action, the ‘Battle of the Bulge’, Bill and many others were taken
forward to act as infantry. He well remembers digging slit trenches in the frozen ground. Firmly back on a tank, Bill’s Troop in 5 RTR
were then active in the advance on Hamburg. During these actions, Bill also clearly remembers: being engaged by an 88mm at Rethem;
supporting the Monmouthshire Regiment against SS units around Bremerhaven; and the constant attacks from Focke-Wulf 190 fighter-
bombers, with one near miss beside his tank. On the 3rd May 1945, 5 RTR entered Hamburg. In the period after the German
surrender on 7th May, Bill attended an NCO Cadre course in Hameln to be promoted to Lance Corporal. He then rejoined 5 RTR as a
Driving & Maintenance Instructor in the rank of Corporal. Finally, in 1947, Bill returned to the UK escorting German POWs from
Bielefeld to disembark at Harwich, after which he was demobbed aged 24. Happily, after what Bill describes as a ‘lucky war’, he married
Joan Granger on the 2nd September 1948. Bill was a member of the Bournemouth, Poole & District Branch, Royal Tank Regiment
Association. Bill sadly died on 19th July 2020 aged 96.
From HHQ RTR
JAMES DEWHURST TRUST
If your child is off to Uni next year, they may be eligible from a grant from the James Dewhurst Trust to assist their education. More information available from RTR HHQ. Cut off date for 2022/23 applications is September 1st 2022.
I very much hope you have all enjoyed our First Edition of ‘Keeping Track’. Any feed back would be greatly received. Also, any news, events, photos or articles that anyone would like included in the next issue, please send them to Lisa at:
HHQ RTR ~ STANLEY BARRACKS, BOVINGTON, DORSET BH20 6JB ~ 01929 403331
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