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The Trumpeter
No 17 Jan 2015
Price £1.50
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Editors notes The Front Cover is a copy of the First Trumpeter Magazine Published at Rhyl in 1948. The Back Cover is a copy of the “new look” Trumpeter Magazine first published at Hereford in 1958.
Compilation: I anticipate that the next edition will be published in June
Items for inclusion should reach the Editor at least a month prior to the next publication. There are some items submitted by members in this issue. If
articles are submitted by E-Mail please ensure they are in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx),(.rtf) or (.pdf) format. Pictures should be in .jpg or .tiff. If you have a story to tell please send it in.
Photographs can be accepted but not photocopies. All photographs will be returned on request.
Some damaged photographs can be digitally repaired, a copy of the repaired photograph will be returned with the original. Articles submitted for publication may be edited at the editor’s
discretion.
We plan to include archive material in albums for display at reunions, such as copies of Boys/Junior Leaders Magazines, Goschen Parade Programmes, Photographs and other Memorabilia. The committee will hold the Albums in safe custody. If you have anything you would like to contribute either send good copies of the original or alternatively send the original. They will then be scanned and reproduced for display. Copies of all photographs contained in this issue can be obtained from the editor.
Our website is at www.exboysra.co.uk This will also allow you to connect to our forum.
We have a very popular Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/groups/100845539774/
Committee
President
Col Bob Shedden TD
Chairman Secretary
Dave Dufall Ted McKenzie
01262 424 467 01767 315 808
Treasurer
James Taylor
07446 092 106
Shop
Andrew Prewer
01789 778 076
Webmaster
Roy Arnold
Recruiter
Vacant
Trumpeter Editor
Ted McKenzie
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Secretary’s notes
1. Details of this year’s reunion are on page 6 with the application forms on pages 17 and 18 2. The AGM will be held as usual during the reunion weekend, the timings are critical as we
have added some extra elements to the programme for the Saturday. (see page 6) 3. If you wish to include anything for discussion at the AGM, please let me have your
suggestions/proposals before 28th Feb 2015 4. Annual subscriptions – As you all should be aware your annual subscriptions of
£5.00 must be paid before 31st March each year. There are still a one or two members who have not cancelled their Standing Order to our Santander account. Please would you check that you have in place a Standing Order to our account in Lloyds Bank (sort code 306232, account Nr 35169268).
New Members At the reunion last April, our President welcomed 21 new members, since then the following have joined us
and we extend a warm welcome to them
Phillip Driscoll Hereford, Gunn Tp ’54 – ‘56
David (Cooky) Cook Bramcote, Mercers Tp ’61- ‘63
Anthony (Tony) Belford Bramcote, Milne Tp ’61 – ‘63
Gerry Kelly Bramcote, Borgard Tp ’69 – ‘70
Daniel (Sammy) McDonnell Bramcote, Ramsay Tp ’61 – ‘63 Rolf (Perry) Mason Bramcote, Campbell Tp ’80 – ‘81
Edwin (Eddie) Carden Bramcote, Mercers Tp ’63 – ’66 plus TC Baker Tp and BSM 40Bty ’79 – ‘82
Graham (Benny) Benton Bramcote, Milne Tp’71 – ‘73
Colin (CeeBee) Beesley Bramcote, Hornby Tp ’73 - 74
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The Royal Artillery Association – our “Regimental Family”
The following events are planned for 2015: 13 Feb – RA Parade at Esher 13 Feb – RA Gold Cup at Sandown Park, Esher 19 March – RAA NEC meeting at Larkhill 26 April – Gunner Sunday RHC at The Royal Hospital Chelsea 15 – 17 May – RA Assembly at Blackpool 4 July – RA Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas August – RAA Grand Draw 29 Sept – RAA NEC meeting at Larkhill 6 Nov – Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey 8 Nov – RA Ceremony of Remembrance at Hyde Park Corner 6 Dec – St Barbara’s Day at Larkhill Are you a member of the RAA ? For more info contact the Membership Secretary on 01980 845 233, or write to him at
ROYAL ARTILLERY ASSOCIATION Artillery House
Royal Artillery Barracks Larkhill
Wiltshire SP4 8QT
Websites RA Association (The Gunner Family) - www.theraa.co.uk Twitter – www.twitter.com/gunnernet Linkedin – www.linkedin.com Gunner Net
Last Post Graham Tooley joined at Woolwich in 1944 and mustered in 1945. Passed away
on 10th
June 2013
Malcolm (Molly) Wetton joined Alanbrooke Tp at Hereford in 1955 and mustered
in 1957. Passed away 13th
July 2014
Chris Elsey joined Somme Plt at Tonfanau in1962 and passed away in August
2014
Robert (Bob) Davis joined Dickson Tp at Hereford in 1954 and passed away 6th
September 2014
Robert (Bob or Cheesy) Mawson joined Gunn Tp at Hereford in 1958 and passed
away in November 2014
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2. Fred Baker
The great bank robbery of 1958 A few of us Junior Gunners were drinking “Scrumpy” in the pub in Hereford in 1958.We ran out of money, probably just as well because we were well gone. Walking through the High Street we schemed to get more money to continue drinking. Jnr Gnr W (“Lofty”) spotted Lloyds Bank on the High street and we decided we would rob it. It was 10.00PM. We gathered in the alcove of Woolworths opposite the bank and planned the robbery, I suggested, and it was accepted, we would bust the front door down. There were about seven of us and we linked arms and charged the front door. A massive crunch of flesh and bones, the doors didn't budge but Junior Gunner D (“Tojo”) lost interest in the job due to being crushed. He sat in the gutter moaning while we persisted with the attack. Of course the law appeared in the form of a very large bobby. He asked us what we were doing, we admitted to attempting to rob the bank. He kept a straight face. He used one of those police phones and called the Black Maria. At the station we were left for some time before the station Sergeant came in. He informed us if we gave him the name of who sold us the “Scrumpy” he would let us go otherwise we would be charged with attempted bank robbery. Of course we couldn't reveal our source, name rank, serial number etc. He called the Regimental Police and that is where the adventure ended. I got seven days CB. PS. message to the current Sergeant of Hereford Police, being outside of the statute of limitations, “it was the Nags Head”.
Confessions of an RA Boy
1. Jack Williams
“Arthur Hyam and I crept out of Camp in the early hours of a Saturday morning and walked to St Asaph where we caught a train to Crewe. We had planned this and had not spent any of the pay we got on Friday, in order to be able to buy a one way ticket home. We parted company at Crewe and he went home to Worcester and I to Stoke. As soon as I got home my mother sent a telegram to the Boys' Battery C.O. Telling him where I was. At about tea-time a PS Bdr and a Boy L/Bdr. Came to take me back to Kinmel Park. Mother asked if they had had anything to eat and of course they said they hadn't. She gave them a fry-up; bacon, egg and tomatoes and whilst they were eating it , the PS Bdr kept looking at a photo of my father that was hanging on the wall. Taken in Berlin just after the war, it showed him in Battledress and with his BSM crowns on his sleeves plainly visible. The Bdr Finally said to my mother "Were you ever in Woolwich?" "Yes" said mother. "Well my name's Harding" he said. "Bobby or Billy?" said mother. "Bill." said he. We were living in Woolwich in Married Quarters until the war and "Billy and Bobby Harding were playmates with my elder sister. They would be about 10 years old then. The journey back to Camp wasn't so bad; all nice and friendly!! I got one week's fatigues, which was mainly washing up in the cookhouse and polishing the brass plates on the doors of the Battery Offices.”
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Our reunion 2015 details and outline programme
Venue – Holiday Inn at Walsgrave, Coventry CV2 2HP Friday 24 April – Check in to hotel from 14:00 Carvery Dinner from 18:30 Saturday 25 April - Morning, Transport departs for visit to Gamecock Barracks, Nuneaton at 10:00,
otherwise, individual choice Afternoon, 15:00 - AGM, (Carpet bowls in Hotel Lounge for those interested) Evening, 17:45 - Group photo followed by Band Display (outside hotel) culminating
with “Beating Retreat” 19:00 for 19:30 Gala Dinner, followed by cabaret entertainment
Sunday 26 April – Raffle prizes available for collection from 09:00 Disperse
Note: Due to the time required for the Cabaret entertainment after the Gala Dinner, Raffle tickets will be sold from arrival on Friday and throughout Saturday till the start of Dinner. The draw will be made electronically and we aim to be able to announce the prize winners during the evening.
Costs and Booking Despite the general economic trend, we have again negotiated this year’s “deal” at a reduced cost on. An increasing number of members are arriving on Thursday evening so we have included costings for a 3 night stay
Cost for 2 nights all inclusive £185.00 per room (based on 2 people sharing)
Cost for 3 nights all inclusive £245.00 per room (based on 2 people sharing) (see note3)
Cost for 2 nights single occupancy £150.00 per person
Cost for 3 nights single occupancy £205.00 per person (see note 3) Cost for Saturday night only all inclusive;
For a twin/double £130.00 per room (based on 2 people sharing)
For single occupancy £85.00 or £85.00 per person
Gala Dinner only £40.00 Note: 1.“All inclusive” means room, dinner and breakfast (including Gala Dinner plus port at the Dinner) 2. If you wish to use the WiFi free of charge, it is recommended that you join IHG (https://www.ihg.com/hotels/gb/en/rewardsclub/home ) 3. These rates do not include dinner on Thursday evening (this is available for £20.00 per head)
Please book your accommodation and menu using the forms on pages 17 & 18
Send booking forms to Dave Dufall
Cost for transport to Bramcote = £5:00 per person Please bring along a prize for the Grand Raffle Draw
Drinks throughout the weekend will be discounted by 20 %
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BAOR The perfect training ground Final episode
This was it! A few days gun drill on the Gun Park with my Gun detachment, just to get them working as a team, and then it was
straight out on to the ranges for a 4 day NATO exercise (Talk about in at the deep end!)
My crew were mostly regulars, only two were National Service, and they were happy to remain as ammunition numbers.
My No 3 seemed pretty switched on, but oh how I wished that I had someone from the Boys Regt.
NAGRA Ranges were massive, more than Larkhill and Sennybridge combined.
With Dutch/ French/ American, and some of the new German Army taking part, it was so important to listen to the CO’s briefing,
and try not to “cock up”
There were track plans to adhere to, and with the NATO air force also on the exercise, camouflage was essential. How I hated
those heavy hessian nets.
There were going to be night manoeuvres .We were warned that the Duke of Kent (a young Capt with the QRIH at the time)
would be most upset if any of our Guns crossed into his lines at night.
The first day was spent driving out to the ranges, moving to a grid ref camouflaging up, the waiting for orders.
The Bty Command Post was in a Saracen Armoured Car 6 wheel drive radio and troop carrier, quite the “dogs Bollocks” at the
time.
Down came the order. Bty Target!! Our BC had already briefed us that the 1st Target would be “shoot and scoot”
So start up and off we went. It was just like an old Cavalry charge, only instead of horses, here we were in modern tracked AFV’s
travelling at over 30mph across the rough heath land to our Gun position.
What a sight, everyone wanting to be the 1st Gun ready for action.
I know that we were “playing soldiers” but this was pretty near the real thing
Four ranging rounds, and then fire for effect. We must have fired at least 15 rounds each, Larkhill would give their right arm for
that amount of practice ammo today.
Cease firing!!! Move off following the track plan to a wooded area where we “cammed” up for the night.
No sooner had we finished a brew, and just about sorted out sleeping and guard arrangements, when the order came to “Mount
Up” moving on to a new Gun Position travelling blacked out through the night.
The twin exhausts on the M44 were mounted on top of the tracks armoured mud guards on either side at the front. As the engine
was air cooled, they became very hot. The sight of a battery of M44s moving through the night was a sight to behold. Each AFV
was lit up like a Christmas tree.
Twin exhausts glowing red hot, lighting the way ahead, and of course giving the “enemy “the perfect target.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Germany, and there are many more memories to share……
Lets have some of yours
Ray Marsh
Pete Nicholas wrote – “During a visit to Larkhill yesterday six of
us visited the Officers Mess to look at the vast amount of silver
on display. There was a Lonsdale belt that once belong to Bdr
Billy Wells, up until then I had no idea that he really was in the
Royal Artillery, ( the Garrison Artillery to be more precise ) also
it was good to put names to faces from the amazing paintings. ie
Shrapnel, Alanbrooke and many more that troops were named
after”.
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Dear Atlas, I hope this finds you in reasonable health although you did mention that you had some health issues. I was so pleased to be able to meet and introduce myself to you last Saturday. It just goes to show the power of “The Old School Tie” because if you had just been wearing the normal Gunner tie, I would not have noticed it amongst all the others. I thoroughly enjoyed my day in Worcester and was so proud of the Gunners on parade. I can confirm that I do have the correct address recorded for you so it is clear that you have and will be receiving the Trumpeter” whenever I send it out. When I publish the next edition in January, I will be writing a small piece about having met up with you at the Worcester Artillery Day on Saturday 16th August Secretary Switch your mind back to Fox Tp . Can you recall an exercise around Anglesey when the grownups took us to , I think , Carnarvon , put us into the fish storage hold of a very smelly Trawler , we went to sea and " attacked " a golf course in the middle of the night ? Yes, I remember it vividly, I seem also to remember that the “enemy” on Anglesey were RAF.
Times such as this are not totally forgotten, but we (I assume you too) do need something to bring remind us and bring it all back Keep it in the Family
My Granddad, my Dad, my great uncle, my oldest brother Stan, my next brother
Jack, myself and now my Granddaughter Lucy all served at Larkhill, albeit Lucy as
a civilian who works in the Accounts office at the R.S.A.
My son Jon also worked at Larkhill ( as a civvy) so there is another generation.
Can anyone beat this ?
Pete Nicholas
Letters
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Humour
The world is just getting too complex for me. They even mess me up every time I go to the
grocery store.
You would think they could settle on something themselves but this sudden "Paper or Plastic?"
every time I check out just knocks me for a loop. I bought some of those cloth reusable bags to
avoid looking confused, but I never remember to take them with me.
Now I toss it back to them. When they ask me, "Paper or plastic?" I just say, "Doesn't matter to
me. I am bi-sacksual." Then it's their turn to stare at me with a blank look. I was recently asked if
I tweet. I answered, "No, but I do fart a lot."
A little girl was sitting on her grandfather's lap as he read her a bedtime story.
From time to time, she would take her eyes off the book and reach up to touch his wrinkled
cheek.
She was alternately stroking her own cheek, then his again.
Finally she spoke up, "Grandpa, did God make you?"
"Yes, sweetheart," he answered. "God made me a long time ago."
"Oh," she paused, "Grandpa, did God make me too?"
"Yes, indeed, honey," he said, "God made you just a little while ago."
Feeling their respective faces again, she observed,
"God's getting better at it, isn't he?”
Technophobia
New SIM to surprise her husband
Woman buys a new Sim Card. Puts it in her phone and decides to
surprise her husband who is seated on the couch in the Living room.
She goes to the kitchen, calls her husband with the new number:
"Hello Darling."
The husband responds in a low tone: "Let me call you back later Honey, the stupid woman is in
the kitchen”.
Blackberries !!! When I bought my Blackberry, I thought about the 30-year business I ran with 1800 employees, all without a cell phone that plays music, takes videos, pictures and communicates with Facebook and Twitter. I signed up under duress for Twitter and Facebook, so my seven kids, their spouses, my 13 grand kids and 2 great grand kids could communicate with me in the modern way. I figured I could handle something as simple as Twitter with only 140 characters of space. My phone was beeping every three minutes with the details of everything except the bowel movements of the entire next generation. I am not ready to live like this. I keep my cell phone in the garage in my golf bag.
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New Year Trivia Quiz (Answers on page 13)
Quiz 1
1 How many strings has a Ukulele?
2 In what month is Hogmanay celebrated?
3 Which planet is called both the morning and evening star?
4 In Rugby, what did Warrington add to their name in the 1990’s?
5 On which river is Niagara Falls?
6 What is the minimum age that you may legally purchase fireworks in England?
7 What is the tallest existing mammal?
8 In Thunderbirds what type of car does Lady Penelope own?
9 What is the main ingredient of risotto?
10 Who did Bill Clinton beat when he stood for president first time round (1992)?
Quiz 2
1.Which birds can leather be obtained from?
2. What was the name of the bear in the Muppet Show?
3. The Devil is usually associated with which piece of garden equipment?
4. True or False, Sharks can't get sick?
5. Which story begins "all children except one grow up"?
6. What was the name of the taxi company, shown on TV's TAXI?
7. The oil of which spice is traditionally used for the cure of toothache?
8. What name was given to the eleven states that fought the Union in the US Civil War?
9. Tiger Bay is an area of which British city?
10. In which country was Mel Gibson born?
A lady to doctor: My husband has
a habit of talking in his sleep!
What should I give him to cure it?
Dr: Give him an opportunity to
speak when he is awake.
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Service preserved pensions. Repeated, due to the number of enquiries since last edition
This information has been copied from the internet pages at the address www.gov.uk/pensions-and-
compensation-for-veterans
Prior to 06 April 1975 there was no provision for a preservation of pension benefits and service personnel
who left the armed forces had to have completed 16 years from age 21 (officers) or 22 years from age 18
(other ranks). Those who left before that date without completing the above criteria, lost all pension
entitlement.
The rules changed on 6 April 1975 to provide for pensions to be preserved for payment at age 60 for all
those discharged over the age of 26 with a minimum of 5 years’ service. On 6 April 1988, the qualifying
period was reduced from 5 to 2 years and the age criterion was dropped. Preserved pensions have to be
claimed at age 60 or at age 65 if your service began after 5 April 2006. However, you can claim your
preserved pension sooner if you become permanently incapacitated.
Service pensions are administered by the SPVA but pension payments are made by Paymaster (1836) Ltd,
the paying authority for the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS).
Contact details
For help and information on your armed forces pension please ring the SPVA on 0800 085 3600
or write to:
JPAC Enquiry Centre
Mila Point 465
Kentigern House
65 Brown Street
Glasgow, G2 8EX
Information
The Royal Artillery Tie .
The Regimental Tie is a zigzag red line on a blue background. The line represents the lightning which, according to legend, killed Dioscorus in retribution for beheading his daughter Barbara for refusing to marry a heathen suitor. Before her death she turned to Christianity and was later canonized. In the early ages St. Barbara was frequently invoked to grant safety during thunderstorms and on the advent of artillery became the Patron Saint of Gunners.
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SSoMemory Lane
You will have all noticed that our front cover holds a copy of the front cover from edition No 1 The following is the editorial copied from that very first edition of “The Trumpeter” published at Easter in 1948 “We present, very proudly, the first number of our own magazine. Though its beginning may be modest, we have great faith in “The Trumpeter” and in its future. Nobody doubts that, even though the Boys’ Battery has now a long tradition and has achieved much, greater days are ahead for us. As the Battery goes on to even greater heights we know that its magazine will flourish, its pages full of the new achievements and the new glories attained. We do intend that our magazine shall be a “live” one. It can best become that by every member of the Battery (and that includes every Enlisted Boy) regarding it as his own. The best way of showing this is, of course, by coming into its pages. We invite you all, every one of you , then, whatever you have to contribute whether it be a story, a joke, a report on Battery happenings, your efforts will be welcomed. “The Trumpeter” too will, we hope, prove a strong link between the Battery and those former boys who are now serving with the Royal regiment all over the world. It is hoped that more than a few “old boys” will receive a copy of our first number. To them we send our greetings and our invitation is the same. Write to us and tell us of your doings. What you have to say will be of great interest and of real value to the Boys at present in the Boys’ Battery. Finally, we are most indebted to Mr F Morse Brown for allowing us to use his drawing of a “Trumpeter” for our cover. “ The “Introduction” to the “Boys Battery” by the OC Taken from a booklet donated by Mrs Bea Titterton (widow of the late Barry Titterton who served as a Boy from 1953 to 1956 in Shrapnel Tp.) “There has always been in the Gunners a great tradition of Boy’s Service which dates back to the formation of the Regiment in 1716. At first, Boys were enlisted straight into normal gunner units as trumpeters; more recently, Boys’ sections were formed at Woolwich where Boys trained for one year before being posted to units, and finally in 1926 two Boys Batteries were started, still with the object of turning out Boys as trumpeters. Enlistment into these Boys’ units was always by careful selection and they soon gained a high reputation, not only for producing first - class trumpeters, but also by reason of the large number of ex-trumpeters who subsequently became Warrant Officers or senior NCOs. Hand in hand with their growing reputation, there sprang up a tremendous esprit de corps among all members and ex-members of these Boys units, and the Boys Batteries soon became a source of pride to the whole Regiment. On the outbreak of war in 1939, enlistment into the Boys’ Battery ceased and they were allowed to “run out”. In 1942 the present Boys’ Battery was formed, this time with the specific object of producing the future Warrant Officers and senior NCOs of the Regiment : and whereas formerly a Boy left the Battery as a trumpeter after a year’s training, he now remains until 17 ½ when he leaves a a fully - fledged gunner. By now there are an enormous number of officers, warrant officers and senior NCOs who are “ex-Boys” and it has been said by the Director, Royal Artillery, at the War Office that these men form the back-bone of the Regiment. The Battery is at present run more as a military college than as a normal unit, and its organization is in many ways similar to that of the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. Considerable time is devoted to general education, PT and games, and a sound military grounding is given, but the main emphasis of training in the Battery is on character building and the development of powers of leadership.”
Some more of our history
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Quiz 2
1 Ostrich and Emu
2 Fozzie
3 Pitchfork
4 False, this is a common myth
5 Peter Pan
6 The Sunshine Cab Company
7 Cloves
8 Confederates
9 Cardiff
10 America (New York)
Answers to quiz (on page 10)
Quiz 1
1 4
2 December
3 Venus
4 Wolves
5 Niagara
6 18
7 Giraffe
8 Rolls Royce
9 Rice
10 George Bush
SONS OF ST BARBARA.
In the beginning there was chaos and the chaos was the Infantry, for the Infantry was alone. And fear was with the Infantry and they cried unto the Lord saying, "Lord, save us for we are afraid." And the Lord heard their grunts and set some of the Infantry on beasts of burden and these he called Cavalry, and the Cavalry became Armour. And when the Lord had seen what he had done he laughed saying, "Well, you can't win them all." The Infantry and the Armour again cried out to the Lord saying, "Lord, save us for we are afraid." And the Lord heard their cries and decided to end their weeping. And the Lord said unto them, "Lo and behold, I send you a race of men noble in heart and spirit." And the Lord created the Gunners. And the Lord said unto the Infantry and Armour, "When it is dark, the Gunners shall light your way." And when you need smoke, there shall be smoke, and when you need HE, WP, H & I and counter-battery fire, all this ye shall have." And the Lord gave the Gunners big guns and field guns, and the Infantry and Armour were jealous for they had naught. And the Infantry cried out saying, "Lord, thou hast created the Infantry as Queen of Battles, but now thou hast made the Gunners King of Battles and well knowest thou what the King does to the Queen." And the Lord replied, "Right on!" And the Lord gave unto the Artillery rockets and missiles and, best of all, nukes. And when the Infantry and Armour saw this they fell to their knees in wonder saying, "Surely God is on the side of the greatest - THE GUNNERS." And the Lord sayeth, "You got that right." Now abideth Infantry, Armour, and Artillery; but the greatest of these is..."Artillery".
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ASsociation Shop
All Enquiries to Andrew Prewer
Tele: 01789 778 076 or [email protected]
Please ensure that when making any purchases from the shop that all cheques are made out to RABA&JLA.
They should be sent with your order to:
Mr J A B Taylor, address available on request
Association Tie, £17.50. Inc pp. Fox Troop Tie, £14. Inc pp. Cross Trumpet Badge/Tie pin,
£ 4.00 Inc pp
Polo Shirt £ 17.50 inc pp
Also available, copies of a CD provided by Eddie Cooper of;
“Trumpet and Bugle Calls played by the three Trumpet Majors. Timmins, Wheeler and Cooper” at £5.00 inc pp.
Any profit will go to the funds.
If you require a copy please let me know and make out the cheque to RABA&JLA.
Also a DVD of the opening of the “Boys Room” at Larkhill.
Footnote Thanks to all of you who sent in articles for this edition. We still need more, so please send them in as per my note on page 2
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As many will know the rules after the war and up to the mid-sixties for those married under the age of 21 years were DON’T!! There were at that time no entitlements to married quarters, removals at public expense, free travel for families and a host of other rules and regulations. The following is my own personal experience, although there are others who would have experienced similar, or in some cases worse treatment than I, nevertheless it shows that today’s treatment of servicemen is much better than of old.
On mustering from Junior Leaders at Easter 1959 and prior to reporting to Fox Troop, I managed to squeeze in a wedding at the ripe age of seventeen and a half. We had our wedding on Saturday 2 May 1959 at Canterbury and I reported to Oswestry on Monday the 4th May. Being married whilst at Fox Troop presented no real big dramas, although my marriage was frowned on by some. Captain Carter (F Tp Commander) appeared sympathetic and allowed me to stay overnight for one week in Oswestry after the first six weeks, but report by 6.30 each day. It was after leaving F Troop that things started to get a bit difficult.
My initial posting was to 34 LAD Regt based at Sheerness, just a train ride from Canterbury and I thought, erroneously, that the army was showing some compassion for my circumstances – wrong. Three weeks after arriving at Sheerness I was on the advance party to a new base at Lingfield in Surrey. Total trips to Canterbury, two, so much for getting home. Lingfield was really quite isolated for one without any form of transport other than train and this was quite expensive, so married life was put on hold for a while. Luckily about a month after arriving at Lingfield Barracks, a Bombardier, with a car, was posted in who had a quarter in Canterbury, so almost every weekend was a trip home. Happy days I thought until late November ‘59 when the regiment was advised that we would be relocating to Singapore/Malaya in June/July ‘60. Knowing and accepting the rules on my situation I looked forward to the time (2 years later when I would be 21) that my wife would be able to join me.
Nothing more was said to me about my marital situation until about Mar ‘60 when the BSM counselled me on all the problems I faced as an under 21 married soldier and further advised me that as I would only have approximately 11 months left to serve in the Far East after I was 21 the chances of my wife joining me were zero to slim and I should just accept the fact that I was proceeding on a 3 year unaccompanied posting. He was more than a little shocked when I did not protest or ask for any special treatment, I had “made my bed” and was prepared to accept the conditions as they were. June 1960 and our first child was born. Six weeks later I was on the Troopship Nevassa bound for Singapore for three years unaccompanied, although my wife stated at the time that come hell or high water she would join me within a year at our own expense. Later in the year, in Singapore, I happened to mention to other troops that my wife was looking at possibly joining me about Mar ‘61, somehow this information got back to the authorities and resulted in SSAFA and a military officer from the barracks in Canterbury visiting my wife on a number of occasions warning her not to go to Singapore or Malaya as it was too expensive and anyway she was not allowed!! I believe these visits made her even more determined and she advised both parties that her intention was to proceed as planned and furthermore they could not stop her!! Now the fun really started. Early ‘61 I was transferred from Singapore to Penang, the main base of the regiment. I believe this was done in part to upset my wife’s plans to come to Singapore. Soon after my arrival in Penang I received news that Barbara and our son would be arriving in Penang aboard a P&O ship, at our own expense, late March or early April. I was extremely happy and immediately started looking for suitable accommodation only to be told by the regiment that any housing I might find would have to be inspected for suitability. As I was getting no assistance from the regiment I thought this was a bit much. ……………..To be continued in the June edition
“Under 21 ? Go to the back of the queue” (Part 1) The story of my service experiences – by Terry Baumback
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Gallery
Damian Sharman and Steve Collins parade at Nuneaton’s
“Oaston Road Commemoration Service”
in September 2014
Ray Marsh, Tom Stimpson, John Mitchell, Lt
Col John Le Feuvre, Martin House, Ossie
Austin & Pete Nicholas during a visit to
Larkhill 4th
Sept 2014
During the visit to Larkhill in Sept, our group listen to Maj (Retd) Derek Haensel as he guided them through the guns and ammunition room.
This photo shows
Ossie Austin handing over the
Association’s 25 Pdr to our new
“Limber Gunner” Pete Nicholas
A great visit to The Royal School of Artillery, by a group of “Ex Boys”
On 4th September six retired ex ‘Boy’ Gunners from the 50’s era and all members of the RA BOYS
ARTICIFERS & JUNIOR LEADERS ASSOCIATION were privileged to have a grand tour of the Royal
School of Artillery at Larkhill.
We would all like to thank Lieutenant Colonel John Le Feuvre (Deputy Garrison Commander) for
making the arrangements and for giving up a day of his leave to escort us around the various ‘stands’. We
were also grateful for the Regimental Sergeant Major, Mr Walshaw, for allowing us to dine in his Mess
for lunch where he kindly asked his Provost Sergeant (Lee Broadhurst) to host us for the visit during his
absence on duty.
A big thank you must also go to Major (Retired) Derek Haensel for his guide through the Guns
and Ammunition room at the School. His wealth of knowledge on the subject of artillery ammunition
natures is remarkable and likely second to none.
We would also all like to thank Mr Keith Brigstock (The Garrison) for his tour of his group’s
historical equipment, noting his excellent knowledge and superb attention to detail. Seeing the ‘Out of
Service’ RA guns being restored and lovingly cared for, including 25pdrs on which all us ‘Boys’ were
trained, brought tears of nostalgia to our eyes. It was a trip down memory lane for all of us.
Ray Marsh
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Reunion Booking form Please return by 6th MARCH 2015. FROM ………………………………...................................Guest……................................................................ (Full names of all persons attending.) ADDRESS.………………………………...................................... ………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………Post Code......……………….......... Please tick / highlight your requirement, delete what is NOT required. PLEASE ADD A NOTE OF ANY SPECIAL ROOM REQUIREMENTS (Accessible and Smoking Rooms are limited) For a DOUBLE/TWIN room for 2 nights, (Friday and Saturday). per ROOM £185.00 For a DOUBLE/TWIN room for 3 nights, (Thursday, Friday, Saturday). per ROOM £245.00 (These rates are “All inclusive” * and based on 2 people sharing) For SINGLE occupancy for 2/3 nights All inclusive* Per PERSON £150.00 / £205.00 Cost for Saturday night only, all inclusive** For a DOUBLE/TWIN room for one night, £130.00 , per ROOM (based on two people sharing) For SINGLE occupancy ...........................,.£85.00, per ROOM GALA DINNER - ONLY, ( With port ) £40 per person Please include your Gala Dinner requirements for yourself and guest (s) on the reverse of this form. Notes: These rates do not include dinner on Thursday evening (this is available for £20 per head) *All-inclusive for two/three nights includes 2/3 Breakfasts and 2 Dinners, including the Gala Dinner with port, and Association costs. **All inclusive for one night includes the Gala Dinner with port, Breakfast and Association costs. PLEASE NOTE BOOKINGS FOR THIS FUNCTION CAN ONLY BE MADE THROUGH THE ASSOCIATION USING THE OFFICIAL BOOKING FORM! Please highlight requirements or delete what is not required
I wish to book a Double / Single for 1night / 2nights / 3nights / Sat only / Gala dinner only
Transport to Bramcote @ £5.00 per person. Please book me ………………seats
I enclose a cheque or postal order made out to RABA&JL Association for £……………………. (cheque total to include Bramcote trip busfare) Please send this completed form plus menu requirements (on next page) to; Mr D Dufall, 3 Oatland Road, Bridlington, N Yorkshire YO16 6UJ All Booking Forms received will be acknowledged by email or phone.
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REUNION DINNER 1900 hrs for 1930 hrs Saturday 25th APRIL 15 Dress – Collar and tie
Please indicate your requirements for all three courses and return it with your booking form. NAME……………………………….................................. NAME (Guest)……………………………….................................. 1..STARTER. Mem Guest
Carrot and Coriander soup Farmhouse Paté 2. MAIN COURSE Beef Curry with rice Breast of chicken in red wine Jus Grilled Seabass Mushroom Tart ( V ) All served with the Chef’s selection of vegetables and potatoes 3. DESERT Chocolate Brownie with Ice Cream Lemon Tart with Red Berries. Cheese and biscuits TEA or COFFEE Red or White Wine to go with your dinner, if required will not be placed on tables by hotel staff but can be ordered and purchased prior to Dinner PORT will be served for the Loyal Toast. The 20% discount on drinks from the bar applies the entire weekend
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From Boys’ service to active service via three countries in two years When I left The Boys Regiment in April 1953 and because I was not 17 ½ years old some of the members I passed out with returned to Kinmel park camp Rhyl to take up a Dispatch riding course in the Regiment which was based there, there we obtained our driving licence as dispatch riders and were then posted to various Regiments. I was posted to 40th Field Regiment (The lowland Gunners) 78 Battery RA on the 18th May 1953 stationed at Dortmund West Germany. On the 12th of May 1954 we sailed from Glasgow (on the Empire Clyde) to Egypt which took something like 10 days to arrive at Port Said. We were in FSMO (Full Service Marching Order) at the time and the temperature was in the 40°C blistering hot. We were ushered on to a train which took us up the canal to the last camp site known as Faid or Geneva, 10 Base Ordinance Depot was across the road from our camp.
Our camp was all tents except for the NAAFI which was of stone. The toilets were dug out by mechanical diggers and covered by wooden structure. When it was the Regiment’s duty to guard 10 Base Ordinance Depot, during the weekend we toured around inside the depot and at night we were in small trenches around the perimeter, The depot consisted of everything from tanks, clothing, cap badges etc, you name it they had it. They say that you have to watch the Arabs, they will pinch anything without you knowing because at one time a Centurion Tank was stolen, the tracks lead up to the perimeter tall wire fence and carried on at the other side, the fence was still intact with no gaps in it and this bewildered every one.
On the 9th of January 1955 we had to move out of Egypt due to the Suez troubles, the Regiment moved to Cyprus, and we were stationed at Famagusta which was like a holiday resort compared to Egypt. This of course did not last, a few months after our arrival the EOKA troubles started, there was one time that the Regiment had a tip off that Grivas, a wanted man, was at a small village so the Regiment was moved to this village and cordoned it off in order to capture him. I was part of the cordon as a sentry and it was pitch dark, you had to challenge any one who approached you with English (Halt) Turkish (Stimata) Greek (Dir). “Halt”, “Stimata”, “Dir”. You had to shout this out three times before firing your weapon. I heard a rustle of someone coming towards me and I challenged as above three times but I still heard the sound coming toward me.
At the time we were issued with the new rifles which had 3 firing positions, “Safety catch on”, “single shots”, “repetition”. Mine was on “single shots” when I took action and fired towards the noise but instead of single shots it fired in repetition. BRRRRRRRRRR Twice Brrrrrrrrrrrrr I had only a few round left from the 20 rounds in the magazine. This started a firing of weapons indiscriminately until a loud voice was heard, “Stop firing” then all was quiet. In the morning there was only one complaint that was from a farmer who said someone has shot his donkey. We would never know who that someone was. Dave Flett To continue in the next Newsletter
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Back Cover This is a copy of the front cover of the first issue of the ‘new look’ Magazine published at
Hereford in 1958
