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As sit down to write my notes for the third edition of the Friends’ Newsletter, I realise
how quickly time has raced on since we began this mammouth project. It is now late
February and I am able to provide an update to all the Friends on our first full season
at Thoresby Courtyard. You may be interested to know that visitor numbers from 1st
March to end of November 2012 were over 26,000, of which 560 were school visits.
There was a vision that The Queen's Royal Lancers, The Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry and the South Nottinghamshire Hussars Yeomanry would open a joint museum in Nottinghamshire. With the help of Lady Rozelle Raynes in providing a first class venue and the generosity of our Donors and Friends, HRH Princess Alexandra opened the Museum on 27th July 2011.
The Visitors' Book is full of praise and the Museum has won a Chad (local paper) Business Award and been Highly Commended in the Nottingham Heritage Awards. So that would appear to be that, with a job well done. But nothing could be further from the truth. What we have achieved is just the beginning. A museum is a living thing that needs to be constantly improved and updated as new ideas, techniques and artefacts come to light. For example an Afghanistan graphic panel will be shortly introduced showing the origins of the conflict to the present day.
The aim of the Museum is to provide entertainment and education for the visiting public. We need to encourage them to come back time and again and discover more about our Regiments' heritage and their contribution that helped shape Britain's past right up to the present day. So in spite of just opening we are looking with a critical eye what can be displayed better and how we can improve the visitors' experience. Also we are looking ahead to the big forthcoming anniversaries and how we might portray World War I for the years 2014-2018. Many of you may have artefacts, diaries or stories within your families and I ask that you share these with us so that your Museum can be even better than it is now.
The Story so Far….Captain Mick Holtby
News Letter Forward Brigadier W Hurrell
Opening Times: 1st March – 30th November are 10:30 – 16:30 Wed-Sun Incl. Registered Charity Number: 1138821 Issue 4
We also had some 14,900 virtual visitors and 750 followers on
Facebook. Not a bad season by any means, but be assured
the Museum is looking at ways to increase our footfall in the
coming year and to firmly establish ourselves on the regional
tourist map. September saw a visit from the Eagle Primary
School, in Lincolnshire; they had been given an imaginary
commission from the Museum to produce low cost inter-actives
for use by children visiting the Museum. They had a wonderful
time creating and producing these activities, with some really
good topics and ideas, which we will certainly use.
Although the Museum has been closed since the end of
November, on occasion we do still open for groups by
special request. One such group who came to see us was
the local Mansfield U3A (University of the third Age), who
arranged a series of visits over two days in January and
brought along some 154 of their members for guided tours of
the Museum. Their chairman, Mr Terrence Whitehead very
graciously presented the Museum with a cheque for £462
with the thanks of U3A.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Fondouk 8/9 April 1943. This
was a major action fought by 26th Armoured Brigade of 1
st Army in the battle for
Tunisia of which both the 16th/5
th and the 17
th/21
st Lancers played a leading role.
Victory in the Tunisian campaign in May 1943 brought to an end the war North
Africa. Looking ahead to 2014 sees the 70th anniversary of the 2
nd Battle Monte
Cassino, 11 -14 of May 1944 and of course D Day on the 6th June 1944. The major
event of 2014 will be the 100th anniversary of the start of WWI. The Museum plans
to stage a special exhibition which may run for five years highlighting important
events of each year of the war. More about the proposed exhibition in future
editions.
An important event occurred in October when the Museum achieved full
Accreditation status. Accreditation is the UK standard for museums and galleries. It
defines good practice and identifies agreed standards, thereby encouraging
development. It is a baseline quality standard that helps guide museums. It is also
an important component for any Museum project funding in the future. Finally, I
would like to take the opportunity to thank all of our “Museum Friends” for their
continuing support throughout the year. It really is important for the long term
sustainability of the Museum. If you have not yet visited the Museum, then we look
forward to seeing you soon. In the meantime you can visit our website at
www.qrlnymuseum.co.uk and take a virtual tour of the Museum. For those Friends who have not yet visited your Museum, please find the time to do so; I am sure that you will not be disappointed.
MUSEUM NEWS March 2013 Tel: 01623 824222 www.qrlnymuseum.co.uk
During the next few weeks they were
giving and taking with very little real rest.
During this period the Battery occupied
two OPs one called 'Nuts'. This OP was
right out in the open, due South of the
gun position and 600yds in front of a
minefield behind which were the
Australian infantry. The OP was classed
as mobile as they had to stand on the
roof of their armoured car to see what the
Germans were up to in the dip
immediately in front of their position.
Their only protection apart from the
armoured vehicle was a few slit trenches
scraped in the ground. Flies by the
million, grown fat from the numerous
bodies unburied out in 'No Mans Land'
filled the armoured car and made
observation and eating equally
impossible.
The tactical position at this time was
static. Infantry on both sides were having
a quiet time except for patrolling at night,
but there was little rest for the gunners.
They shot at enemy Batteries every day.
In September during one artillery
concentration the Battery used over a
1,000 rounds in a days heavy firing.
There was very heavy return of fire on
the Battery both by enemy artillery and
aircraft, which lasted three days causing
all members to be badly shaken.
Preparations were now being made for
the great battle ahead; early in October
500 rounds per gun were dumped at a
very forward position and were buried by
detachments at night. On 20th October
the guns moved into position and for
three days remained silent. All was now
ready for the Battle of El Alamein.
The Battle of Knightsbridge was over,
Rommel's Panzers were roaming at
will, and the all important Nile Delta and
the Suez Canal gateway to India and
the Far East, were in imminent danger.
The battered remnants of the South
Notts. Hussars, temporally useless as a
fighting force - they had only one gun
and that had a round jammed in the
breech - were at Sidi Baranni, here it
was intended that they form themselves
into another Battery and return to the
line as part of 104 RHA (Essex
Yeomanry) who had themselves lost a
Battery in the recent fighting. Men who
had been taken prisoners at
Knightsbridge began to find their way
back, to receive an immediate reward
for escaping, of three bottles of beer.
Training at Sidi Barani was somewhat
farcical for few of the survivors were
experienced gunners and they were
taught the crude elements of gunnery
on bits of wood fashioned to resemble
dial sights and directors. Fortunately
the situation at the front eased and the
South Notts were sent back to base
camp near Cairo to get really fighting
fit.
Training started here on the
assumption that the Regiment would
again be equipped with 25 Pdrs, but
within days 18 magnificent monsters
arrived – 5.5 inch guns the first to be
seen in the Middle East. Orders were
received that the South Notts should
concentrate into a Battery and join 7th
Medium Regiment RA, a regular army
unit.
From Knightsbridge to El Alamein South Notts Hussars Journal
WO2 Taylor’s medal was put up for auction with Mellor and Kirk of London in
November 2012. John Robinson of the South Notts Hussars Association attempted
to buy the medal but unfortunately was out bid by Mr Alan Marvin, a private
collector. The good news is the Mr Marvin agreed to loan the medal to the
Thoresby Museum for three years. The DCM now sits alongside a full set of replica
medals, kindly donated to the Museum by Col Tim Richmond. It is your ongoing
support of the Museum that provides funding to allow us to secure such items for
future generations. Please continue to support the us and encourage other friends
to sign up.
WO2 (BSM) G F Taylor DCMAs a result of the incredible losses experienced by the
South Notts Hussars at the Battle of Knightsbridge, 27
May to 6 June 1942, only one man, WO2 (BSM) G F
Taylor, received any kind of decoration. BSM Taylor
was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his
part in the action when 520 Battery was overrun by a
vastly superior force of tanks. One can’t help but wonder
how many more such medals might have been awarded
if the officers had survived to write the citations.
The Middle East School of Gunnery
gave instruction both in handling the
new guns and in driving the AEC gun
towers. For a fortnight standing gun drill
was carried out from dawn to almost
nightfall. At the end of the fortnight
tremendous strides had been made
and the Battery was brought up to full
strength with the arrival of
reinforcements from England.
A month to the day of arriving in base
camp the South Notts went back into
the Line to join 1" Medium Regiment
RA at the Alamein Line where Rommel
had been halted. This new born South
Notts Hussars Battery was peculiarly
called 107 Medium Battery RHA (This
was later changed to 426 Medium
Battery RHA).
Those first few weeks were some of the
most difficult in the Hussars whole
history. Much of it could be attributed to
the low state of health which existed in
the Battery, much of it due to fatigue
and reaction from the Knightsbridge
disaster, Desert sores, 'Gippy Tummy'
Sand fly fever and Jaundice all claiming
victims. In July 107 Battery was way
behind the other Battery in the
Regiment, however by hard training by
October they were on a par with the
others.
The Allies were terribly thin on the
ground being outnumbered in men,
armour and guns by the Germans and
Italian forces facing them. The South
Notts were first to fire the new 5.5inch
guns at the enemy in fact the first to fire
at an enemy anywhere. There were
casualties from enemy shelling from the
very first day they were in action.
The Museum strives to keep our Friends’
contact details up to date but we have
very few of your email addresses.
Please mail [email protected]
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!
MUSEUM NEWS March 2013 Tel: 01623 824222 www.qrlnymuseum.co.uk
The artillery barrage opened up at 1am on the 2nd November and the 2nd New Zealand Division crossed their start line on time. By 04.00 the Division had secured all its objectives and at 06.15 9th Armoured Brigade attacked west and became involved in a ferocious battle against the enemy gun line during which it lost 110 of its 132 tanks, as a fighting formation it had ceased to exist. Unfortunately the gun line, although depleted was very much still a going concern. “C’est magnifique mais ……”. At 0700 the 1st Armoured Division advanced into the salient, 2nd Armoured Brigade leading. Once in the salient 2nd Armoured Brigade deployed to cover the south, west and north perimeters and 8th Armoured Brigade provided the mobile reserve. As anticipated the enemy armour counter-attacked the salient. First the Regiment was in action facing north-west and then south, on one occasion a column of enemy tanks came down the Rahman Track in profile and were heavily engaged. The whole Division including, the Regiment fought well and skilfully as was evidenced by the numerous columns of smoke on the enemy's side. By the end of the morning the enemy's armour was defeated. It is estimated that over 500 tanks were involved in the battle in one form or another. Rommel's tank losses were estimated at between 120 and 130. Whilst the 9th Armoured Brigade tank losses against the anti-tank screen were heavy, 1st Armoured Divisions losses against the armour were placed at 14 knockout and 40 damaged. However the bottom line was that whereas by the end Montgomery still had 400 tanks, Rommel was left with 30 German and 155 light tanks of the Italians.
At dawn on the 3rd November 1st Armoured Division now attacked the depleted enemy anti-tank screen astride the Rahman Track that had inflicted such damage on 9
th Armoured Brigade the
day before, the Sherwood Rangers on the left, ‘A’ Squadron scouting well forward and engaged in both taking out enemy positions themselves and spotting them for the heavy Squadrons and 1 RHA who had supported the Regiment closely and brilliantly throughout the whole battle and whose accurate indirect fire had accounted for many of the kills made by the Regimental group. It was a day of constant fighting during which the Regiment produced one of its best performances so far, however it still took losses: Lt Col Flash Kellett to A Squadron Leader, at that moment Keith Douglas, only a troop Leader "control your Squadron and
CITATION ON THE AWARD OF THE MILITARY CROSS 28 JANUARY 1943
Major Christopherson has, throughout the actions of this present battle, been in command of the Crusader Squadron. Which he
has led consistently with the highest degree of courage, initiative and skill. On the morning of 24th October 1942, as the
Crusaders debouched from the enemy minefield they were met by a hail of fire from Anti-Tank Guns. Of the 10 tanks taken into
action 7 were knocked out. Major Christopherson reorganised the remnants of his Squadron, rescued wounded and dismounted
crews and withdrew in good order when ordered to do so. During the afternoon this officer was wounded in the face and had to
be evacuated. He was back within 36 hours and again displayed the same cool courage and fine leadership during the action of
4th November when his initiative and the fine work of the Squadron under his command led to the Regiment reaching the line of
Tel el Aqqaquit Track. During every engagement Major Christopherson’s courage, initiative, leadership and devotion to duty
have been an inspiration to all ranks of the Regiment.
CITATION ON THE AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER 1 MARCH 1943
Between 10 and 12 September 1944 Lt Col Christopherson commanded his Regiment in support of 50 (N) Div in the particularly
bitter fighting in the bridgehead over the Albert Canal south of Gheel.
The enemy counterattacked with great ferocity on numerous occasions and were successful in cutting off a part of the force in
Gheel and the area immediately south of the village. During the night enemy infantry infiltrated among the tanks and the situation
became very confused. Lt Col Christopherson remained completely undismayed in spite of extremely critical circumstances and
by his courageous example he was successful in restoring the situation. The bold and determined action of this officer was
largely instrumental in the maintenance of this all important bridgehead.
Acts of Courage – Lt Col S Christopherson DSO MC
Lt Col Stanley Christopherson commanded SRY from D+4 to the end of the
war and had an outstanding war record. His diaries are being published by
Random House through Bantam Books in early in 2014, edited by the well
known Military Historian, James Holland who will be giving a talk to the
Friends on 13 March 2014. Lt Col Christopherson’s citations read:
stop it wandering" answer "the Squadron now consists of my own tank and one other." Next morning the Regiment found that the enemy had pulled out during the night. After eleven days of intense and bitter fighting a hole had at last “been blown in the enemy’s front”. The Battle of El Alemein was won, albeit at the cost of 13,500 Allied lives. The echelon came up to join the Regiment to find an euphoric atmosphere and the Regiment drinking some captured champagne.
The Regiment pressed on past Aquaqir coming up against another strong anti-tank line. The assumption was made that this would withdraw in the night and so a halt was called. Flash Kellett was called for to receive the congratulations of General Lumsden and General Gatehouse for the Regiment's performance on the previous day. An attempt was made to continue the advance after dark but this difficult manoeuvre had to be abandoned because the moon had set and the night was overcast and it was impossible to see. On the 5th November, the pursuit began. After advancing rapidly the Regiment swung north and got astride the enemy line of withdrawal at Galal Station. Here 26 enemy tanks were destroyed by the Regiment together with some guns, and many lorries and 300 prisoners were captured, all in one day a stunning days work by any standards. General Montgomery, wrote to the Regiment: "the Army Commander congratulates all ranks on their magnificent victory at Galal Station which has done much to help in the final destruction of the enemy forces" The Regiment however felt guilty about the action because in truth it had been a bit of a turkey shoot.The next day the Regiment pushed on again and at Mersa Matruh an attack was found necessary. This was led by the Commanding Officer himself whose tank was hit twice and two of his crew killed. The town fell on 8th November, and the Brigade was withdrawn for a well earned rest leaving the pursuit of the Afrika Corps across Cyrenaica to 7
th Armoured Division. The
pursuit continued unabated being gradually reduced in strength and penetration however, due to ever extending lines of re-supply until finally being brought to a halt at El Agheila where the enemy turned and made its next stand.
Of the 22 officers with which the Regiment had begun the battle, 16 had been casualties. The CO was awarded the DSO and four officers received Military Crosses. One Sergeant won a DCM and two men received MM’s.
SRY - The Break out of El Alamein Col Jonathan Hunt
4
MUSEUM NEWS March 2013 Tel: 01623 824222 www.qrlnymuseum.co.uk
Antiques Roadshow is one of this
country’s much loved and longest running
television series. In the summer of 2012
Fiona Bruce and her team of experts
arrived at Newstead Abbey to film an
episode for the new series .
Amongst Fiona’s team this day was a
former SNH Officer, a certain Bill
Harriman – expert in firearms and
ballistics, a forensic scientist, writer and
broadcaster.
The event began at 10 am, by which time
a queue of cars snaked back and
covered much of the mile-long road
between the main entrance and the
abbey. Somewhere in this queue was
Col Tim Richmond, accompanied by Ray
Diary Dates
Volunteers wanted to help with
running the Museum. Please
contact Capt Mick Holtby
Friday 1 March 2013
The Museum Reopens for 2013
Antiques Roadshow comes to Newstead AbbeyEllis and Barry Stone. On this occasion it
wasn’t Ray, Col Tim was looking to get
valued, rather the original Knightsbridge
Oil, painted by Terrence Cuneo, who
sadly passed away in 1996.
What a great day for meeting old friends,
for Ray to share the history of
Knightsbridge with the nation and bring
the painting to life. No stranger to the
painting, Bill was able to value it at
£40,000; not as much as we’d hoped for
but somewhat more than the Officers’
Mess paid
when the oil
painting was
commissioned.
Sadly Bill was
unable to put a
value on Ray
Ellis, although
we’d agree that
our veterans
are all priceless
treasures.Bill Harriman
Comments and CorrespondenceIn August the Museum received a VIP visit from Generale
Gianalfonso di Avossa, a retired General in the Italian Army and
former commander of the 41 Armoured Brigade “Ariete”. During his
visit, the General very kindly presented the Museum with a rare,
signed, wood engraved print of General John Burgoyne, who raised
the 16th Light Dragoons in 1759. The print has now been included in
our permanent display.
This is the fourth Issue of the Newsletter to Friends of
the Museum and the direction and purpose of this
Newsletter is becoming more focussed as the
Museum itself settles into safeguarding and
communicating the heritage of the Regiments. As
the Curator's Notes confirm, the Museum is now
firmly established as a flourishing attraction to
visitors. It provides a resource for those interested in
military history at all levels and promotes the
reputation and heritage of the three Regiments to a
wider public.
You, the Friends of the Museum provide
indispensable support, and the survival of the
Museum is secure while it can rely on support such
as yours but more friends would ensure the
comfortable survival of the Museum. The recruitment
of new Friends is of great importance.With this in
mind we stress the inclusive nature of the
Museum.The Museum is the heritage of serving
soldiers of all ranks, it is the heritage of all Old
Comrades of the three Regiments, their relations and
friends and all who value their traditions and history.
Enquiry, interest, support and even criticism is
welcome from you all. Future issues of the
Newsletter will therefore contain a Correspondence
Column where letters from soldiers, old comrades
and any other interested followers may be printed. If
you have comments about the Newsletter, the
Museum or any relevant aspects of the Regiments'
histories please put pen to paper and let the Curator
have your thoughts and gems of information.
New Acquisitions
Generale Gianalfonso di Avossa
General John Burgoyne (24 February
1722 – 4 August 1792) was a British
army officer, politician and dramatist. He
first saw action during the Seven Years'
War when he participated in several
battles, most notably during the Portugal
Campaign of 1762. Burgoyne is best
known for his role in the American War
of Independence.
During the Saratoga campaign he surrendered his army of 5,000
men to the American troops on October 17, 1777. Appointed to
command a force designated to capture Albany and end the
rebellion, Burgoyne advanced from Canada but soon found himself
surrounded and outnumbered. He fought two battles at Saratoga,
but was forced to open negotiations with Horatio Gates. Although he
agreed to a convention, on 17 October 1777, which would allow his
troops to return home, this was subsequently revoked and his men
were made prisoners. Burgoyne faced criticism when he returned to
Britain, and never held another active command.
Burgoyne was also an accomplished playwright known for his works
such as The Maid of the Oaks and The Heiress, but his plays never
reached the fame of his military career. He served as a member of
the House of Commons for a number of years, sitting for the seats
of Midhurst and Preston.
Sunday 19 May 2013Vintage Military Vehicles
Come and see vintage military
vehicles in action. The Courtyard,
Thoresby
Sunday 9 June 2013
Picnic in the Park
Thorseby Park. An event for the
whole family. Regiments past and
present, military bands and other
attractions