THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
1
February 2013
2
Here is the Larkhill-based team that
brings you The Gunner every month,
The RA Journal twice a year and The
Blue List annually.
The Regimental Secretary Col
(Retd) NG Quarrelle oversees all
publications
Deputy Editor
Miss Kate Knowles
can be reached on:
(Civ) 01980 84 5241
(Mil) 94322 5241
Blue List
Miss Lucy Neate
can be reached on:
(Civ) 01980 63 4204
(Mil) 94322 2204
OPSEC
ALL articles and photographs relating to
continuing operations MUST be cleared through
your chain of command, and be signed off by your
commanding officer, at a minimum. If you are in
any doubt please phone The Gunner: 94322 2204.
Gunner Publications
RHQ RA, Royal Artillery Barracks,
Larkhill, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 8QT
Fax: 01980 84 5210
Email: gunner@hqdra.army.mod.uk
www.army.mod.uk/gunnermagazine
firepower
Please note: Emails
over 5MB will NOT
get through to
us. Please send
photos as original
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Word documents.
Many thanks!
Cover
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
Tuesday, 19 February – Saturday, 13 April
Gnr Dixon fires the Light Gun while
103 Regt RA (V) are on exercise on
the Falkland Islands.
Full story on page 14.
The views expressed in this publication do
not necessarily reflect official opinion in any
way. All articles and photographs published
in The Gunner become copyright of Gunner
Publications and must not be reproduced
without permission from the editor.
We are delighted to announce an exciting temporary exhibition exploring
the vital role of women serving in the British Army from World War II
through to today in Afghanistan. A unique combination of historical
artefacts from Firepower’s collections complements a stunning display of
colour photographs by award-winning photojournalist Alison Baskerville.
Alison was commissioned by the Royal British Legion to create The White
Picture, a stunning photographic record of the duties being carried out by
today’s female soldiers serving on the front line in Afghanistan.
Firepower: The Royal Artillery Museum
Royal Arsenal, Woolwich SE18 6ST
www.firepower.org.uk
3
Editorial
February 2013
Registered Charity Number 244656
W
209 Bty RA (V) in the Falklands. More details on page 14
(4)
Regimental news
In action
(8) 93 (Le Cateau) Bty, 5 Regt RA, maintain morale on Op HERRICK. (10) 4
Regt RA stand shoulder to shoulder with the ANA. (12) ISAF show the ANA
their sporting side. (13) A UAS MBE for Sgt Buchanan.
Up Front
(14) 103 Regt RA (V) test their mettle on the Falklands. (17) 12 Regt RA
persevere on patrol.
(18) Ubique. (20) Postings and promotions.
(22) Regimental Family round up. (23) Letters.
(24) In memoriam.
Sport
(30) Exercise Alpine Tiger, the Gunners find their ski legs.
(32)
Notices. (34) Competitions.
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
atching a documentary last
week about soldiers who
had experienced the very worst that
Helmand has to offer and how they
are coping with the aftermath, it
again reinforced to me that we are
a family and once a Gunner always
a Gunner. (I realise I say this most
months but it is no less true for that!)
Life can be really rather harsh at
times... But, clichéd I know, you’ll
get by with a little help from your
friends. I work at Larkhill next to
Allan Solly and his team of Sarah
and Bev. They work immensely hard
to look after, enable and energize the
Royal Artillery Association. Now I
know what most of you fit, young
men and women are thinking – it’s
for old boys (no offence gentlemen)
and not for me. You’re wrong.
Membership of the RAA is mainly
(mostly) made up of retired gunners
(and members of their families) who
served from World War II onwards
but, it is for everyone. And I can tell
you for a fact – it’s a hoot! It really
is a lot of fun with great friends.
The RAA exists for you all, and its
raison d’être is to foster friendship,
allowing you to share common
bonds and experiences, and to
support you all. You don’t have to
be retired; if you’re serving then
you are automatically a member by
virtue of the One Day’s Pay scheme
– so why not call in to see your local
branch! They’d love to see you –
and quite probably you will end up
with a whole bunch of new friends.
Let’s face it, if none of you join it
will cease to exist and an invaluable,
indispensable forum of support, true
friendship and fun will eventually
fade away. Go on, give it a go!
For more information on the RAA
please call Allan on 01980 845362
or log on to www.theraa.co.uk.
Sadly at this time of year it is not
unusual to have several pages of
obituaries. This month is one such
month but please do read them,
they are, as ever, testament to the
courage and character of the men
who served in the Gunners. They are
remarkable.
regimental news
The Welfare Secretary of the Royal Artillery
Charitable Fund is pleased to receive calls
for assistance from the serving and retired
regiment at any time. If you need assistance
or you know of someone who does, please
telephone him on (01980) 63 4309 or
(Mil) 94322 2309.
Disbursements
In December the RACF disbursed the sum of
£111,553 (one per cent more than the same
period last year) on 144 individual cases.
From all sources the sum of £106,929 was
disbursed on those cases, making an average
grant of £743 for the month.
From an 87-year-old
widow of a World War II
Gunner
I would like to thank you most sincerely for
the contribution you have made towards my
having a new boiler fitted. I must say, without
your help this would not have been possible.
Larkhill was my late husband’s barracks
after he came home form Burma.
Thank you once again.
From a 90-year-old widow
of a World War II Gunner
I would like to say a very big thank you to the
RACF for donating a washer/dryer to me.
I am most grateful and very thrilled; it will
be a great help to me, especially in the winter
months.
Again, many thanks to all concerned.
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
From the 70-year-old
partner of a deceased
World War II Gunner
I would like to thank the Royal Artillery so
much for your kind generosity and support in
helping me receive a new cooker. I would not
have managed this on my own.
Thank you again and I can’t express how
grateful I am.
RHQ RA, Artillery
House, Artillery
Centre, Royal
Artillery Barracks,
Larkhill, Salisbury,
Wiltshire SP4 8QT
Spring Dinner
T
he Spring Dinner 2013 will be held in the RA Mess Larkhill on Friday, 19 April at
7 for 7.30pm. The dinner will take the form of a ladies guest night and is open to
officers of the Royal Regiment, serving and retired, and their guests. The Master Gunner
St James’s Park will preside and a number of guests distinguished in all walks of life will
be invited as regimental guests.
The cost will be £40 per head which includes pre-dinner drinks and all wines served
during the meal. Dress will be Mess Dress – ceremonial evening (soft shirt) for serving
officers and dinner jacket (black tie) – decorations for retired officers/civilians.
To apply for a place at the dinner please complete and return the application form
below together with a cheque made payable to the Royal Artillery Institution for £40 for
each person attending.
Further information may be obtained from the Regimental Secretary, Col NG
Quarrelleon 01980 845528 or email: ArtyCen-RHQRA-RegtSec@mod.uk , or his PA,
Jane Campbell on 01980-845778 or email: ArtyCen-RHQRA-RegtSecPA@mod.uk

RACF
4
Spring Dinner 2013, Friday, 19 April
Rank and Name . ...............................................................................................................
Address..............................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
Telephone No................................. Email..........................................................................
Wish to apply for............................ tickets for the Spring Dinner on Friday, 19 April
I enclose a remittance in favour of the Royal Artillery Institution to the value of £.........
I have the following dietary requirements.........................................................................
When completed, please return the form and remittance to:
Jane Campbell, PA to the Regimental Secretary, Regimental Headquarters Royal Artillery,
Artillery House, Royal Artillery Barracks, Larkhill, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 8QT
Hail and Farewell Dinner
T
he next Hail and Farewell Dinner will be held on Wednesday, 22 May at the RA Mess
Larkhill.The purpose of the dinner is to dine-in recently commissioned late entry officers
and to dine out all majors and above who are leaving the Army, but who will not be dined out
by either the RSA Larkhill or in another Gunner Mess. The dinner, takes the form of a ladies’
guest night and the dress is black tie.
Once the guest list is confirmed, commanding officers, or their representatives, of the
present and future units of those being dined in and the friends of those being dined out are
encouraged to attend. Obtaining home contact details of those who have left the Service is a
problem.
If you have recently left, but not received an invitation by February, please contact Lt Col
(Retd) A Astbury, SO2 Regt Pol, RHQ RA on 01980 845929. Email: andy.astbury202@mod.
uk.
regimental news
Calling all Gunners: Sandown 2013
Last year’s Royal Artillery Gold Cup race day at Sandown was a huge success and enjoyed by
all who attended. The race committee has been working hard on your behalf and has secured
a range of special deals for the next Gold Cup day on Friday, 15 February. These improved
arrangements, which apply for all serving or retired members of the regiment and their families
and friends, include
• A web page at www.sandown.co.uk/fixtures/details/royal-artillery-gold-cup-day, which
includes full details of the day including the purchase of reduced price entry tickets
• Park View Suite. This is a special entertainment suite in the main hospitality area which has
been reserved for the regiment. It provides anyone not going to a regimental marquee with a
base for the day in the company of friends to enjoy the racing in comfort
• Privileged entry for all
• Bar/coffee/tea throughout the day
• Uninterrupted view of racing from covered balcony
This is your race day so put it in your diary. Come on your own or with family and friends. To
make a booking go to the web site above, or call Sandown on 01372 470047 and quote ‘Ubique’
5
Regimental events
February
1
A Bty, 1 RHA; Foundation Day
6
Anniversary of the Accession to the
Throne of HM the Queen; Royal Salutes
14
88 Bty, 4 Regt RA; Arracan Day
15
Esher Parade and RA Gold Cup; Esher
and Sadnwon Park
16-17 TA Study Weekend, Larkhill
16
NAA Dinner, Larkhill
24 13 Bty, 19 Regt RA; Martinique Day
24
74 Bty , 39 Regt RA; Battle Axe Day
March
1
31 Bty, 47 Regt RA; Farquherson’s Day
3
148 Bty, 29 Cdo Regt RA; Meiktila Day
17
24 Bty, 14 Regt RA; St Patrick’s Day
19
Master Gunner’s Committee, 124th
Meeting, London
Gunner Sunday
21
4/73 Bty, 5 Regt RA; Battery Birthday
21
RA Boxing, Larkhill
24
L/N Bty, 1 RHA; Hyderabad Day
Royal Hospital Chelsea, 28 April
31
Q Bty, 5 Regt RA; Sanna’s Post Day
April
19
F Bty, 7 Para RHA; Ahmed Khel Day
19
Spring Dinner, Larkhill
21
25/170 Bty, 47 Regt RA; Imjin Day
22
HM The Queen’s Birthday;
Royal Salutes
28
Gunner Sunday, Royal Hospital Chelsea
Information supplied to The
Gunner is subject to change.
Please check with the individual
organisers concerned that the
information is still current.
Once a Gunner, always a Gunner
Once a Gunner always a Gunner; if you have recently left , or if your time serving in
the Gunners is drawing to a close, why don’t you consider taking out a subscription
to your regimental magazine? Keep up to date with what the regiment is doing and
stay in touch with your friends (and help us stay in touch with you).
For more information, including inclusion in the Blue List, please email
us on gunner@hqdra.army.mod.uk or telephone 01980 634204.
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
G
unner Sunday at the Royal Hospital Chelsea will take place on Sunday, 28 April.
Branches and regiments are most welcome to send parties or representatives, and spouses
are most welcome to attend as well. In order to gain an idea of numbers please inform the RAA
Membership Secretary on 01980 845362.
1000 hours Assemble and meet in the Octagen Colonnade by the chapel.
1030 hours Latest arrival time.
1040 hours Pensioners form up.
Salute to be taken by the Governor or his deputy, Royal Hospital.
1100 hours Service begins. After the service the club will be open to meet and chat to the
pensioners over a drink.
Dress:
Suit or blazer and Gunner tie. Only Standard bearers should wear their medals.
While all Standard bearers are welcome please note that owing to the limited space at the
altar in the chapel of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, the Hospital Chairman has requested that
only two RAA Standards are paraded in the chapel on Gunner Sunday. Branch Standards are
welcome and encouraged to attend at Gunner Sunday.
6
regimental news
RA Sports Competition 2012/13
RA Sports
T
Board Grants
T
he RA inter-unit sports competition has been running since March last year and will
culminate at the RA Boxing on 21 March 2013. The current standings in the competition are:
he RA Sports Board has allocated the
following sums to RA Sports for 2013, in
2012, £115,000 was allocated. This money
is received from both the RAI and RACF
and is given for the development of Gunner
sport. It should be noted that there is a direct
link between the monies available for sport
and participation in the Day’s Pay Scheme.
All sports are asked to encourage all their
members to be a part of the scheme so we
can continue to fund sport at a high level.
Angling£1,200
Boxing£5,950
Basketball£1,200
Canoeing£1,800
Clay Target
£4,000
Climbing£1,000
Cricket£8,000
Cycling£1,600
Football£8,500
Golf£5,500
Hockey£10,000
Orienteering£1,000
Polo£4,500
Target Shooting
£2,500
RA Hunt
£3,500
Rugby Union
£12,000
Rugby League
£12,250
Saddle Club
£3,000
Sailing£5,500
RA Shoot
£2,000
Winter Sports
£26,000
Squash£1,800
Tennis£1,200
Triathlon£1,000
Tug of war
£1,000
Contingency£4,000
Total£130,000
Male team
TOW
Squash Hockey
Basketball Orienteering
X Country Total
14 Regt RA
12
20
15
20
11
9
87
1 RHA
20
0
5
15
14
14
68
12 Regt RA
14
0
18
5
15
15
67
32 Regt RA
10
18
5
5
12
12
62
7 Para RHA
11
0
0
5
13
20
49
16 Regt RA
0
0
20
15
8
5
48
3 RHA
0
0
5
5
18
8
36
26 Regt RA
15
0
0
18
0
0
33
47 Regt RA
0
0
0
0
20
13
33
19 Regt RA
13
0
0
5
6
7
31
5 Regt RA
0
0
5
0
9
11
25
39 Regt RA
0
0
0
0
10
10
20
40 Regt RA
18
0
0
0
0
0
18
4 Regt RA
0
0
0
5
7
6
18
29 Cdo Regt 0
RA
0
0
0
0
18
18
King's Tp RHA
0
0
5
0
0
5
10
Female team
TOW
Squash Hockey
Orienteering
X Country Total
14 Regt RA
19
0
5
15
18
57
1 RHA
19
0
0
20
15
54
12 Regt RA
0
0
18
18
12
48
4 Regt RA
0
0
0
14
14
28
39 Regt RA
0
0
0
0
20
20
47 Regt RA
0
0
0
0
13
13
16 Regt RA
0
0
5
0
0
5
32 Regt RA
0
0
5
0
0
5
3 RHA
0
0
0
0
0
0
5 Regt RA
0
0
0
0
0
0
19 Regt RA
0
0
0
0
0
0
26 Regt RA
0
0
0
0
0
0
King's Tp RHA
0
0
0
0
0
0
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
Royal Artillery Historical Society
The spring meeting of the RAHS will be a presentation on
J Battery in the Radfan 1963/4
by Brig Richard Mountford
1100hrs, Wednesday, 17 April
Newcome Hall, Larkhill
The lecture is open to all ranks of the Royal Artillery at no charge.
RAHS Members should reserve places at the lecture and society
lunch in the Officers’ Mess with the secretary by Wednesday, 3
April, sending names of member and guests, car details and £20 per
head lunch cheques payable to the RA Historical Society.
(richard.clayton@twinpines.fsnet.co.uk)
T
he RA Historical Society is running a battlefield tour from
3 to 11 October to the 1813 battlefields of the Peninsular
War, starting at Bilbao and visiting Vitoria, Pamplona, the
Roncesvalles and Maya Passes in the Pyrenees, Nivelle and San
Sebastian.
The tour is being led by Col Nick Lipscombe and is open
to all serving and retired, Regular and Reserve members of the
Royal Artillery.
Full details and booking forms are available from: The RAHS
Secretary, 10 Harnwood Rd, Salisbury, Wilts SP2 8DD or email:
richard.clayton@twinpines.fsnet.co.uk
Bookings are requested by 31 March please.
regimental news
7
Army 2020
Redundancy update
R
eaders will know from publicity over the past two years that the Army has been directed to reduce
from its current strength of just over 100,000 Regular personnel to some 82,000 personnel. The
Army will achieve some of these reductions through natural wastage and the continued use of manning
levers to suppress strength, although care has been taken not to stop recruiting. However, given
the scale of the reductions, a redundancy programme has been required to achieve the necessary
restructuring. (The new Royal Artillery structure that has emerged from the Army 2020 study was
reported in the July 2012 edition of The Gunner, and the associated changes to Regular battery titles
reported in the November 2012 edition).
Therefore, on 22 January 2013, the Army announced the employment fields liable for Tranche 3 of the Armed Forces Redundancy
Programme (AFRP). For the Royal Artillery, Tranche 3 redundancy will consist of a total of 242 Regular personnel. This is comprised of 26
officers (eight Late Entry Captains, 12 Direct Entry Captains and six Direct Entry Lieutenant Colonels) and 216 soldiers (91 Bombardiers,
31 Lance Bombardiers and 94 Gunners).
The Army is necessarily excluding some groups of soldiers from redundancy. In outline, the following personnel will be excluded from
redundancy in Tranche 3 (for authoritative detail please use the DIN below):
•
Soldiers that are recovering from a serious injury sustained on operations;
•
Soldiers preparing for combat operations, unless they voluntarily apply;
•
Soldiers on combat operations, unless they voluntarily apply; •
Soldiers recovering from combat operations, unless they voluntarily apply; •
Farriers, Tailors and Saddlers (as they are considered to be niche trades).
Units liable to deploy to Afghanistan on Operation HERRICK 19 in Autumn 2013 will not be confirmed until April 2013, but those
individuals will be exempt from Tranche 3 unless they wish to apply.
•
Those wishing to be considered as an applicant for redundancy have until 12 March 2013 to register.
•
The Army Personnel Centre will run Grading and Selection Boards in March 2013; those selected for redundancy, and
those whose applications have been unsuccessful, will be informed on 18 June 2013 by the chain of command. An
appeal can be submitted within 30 days of being notified.
•
Selected applicants will, unless they are deployed on Operational Allowance-earning posts prior to 17 December 2013,
leave the Army not later than 17 December 2013. Selected non-applicants will leave not later than 17 June 2014.
•
Those selected may have the opportunity to transfer into another capbadge or Service. Full details will be announced
in February 2013. Applicants and non-applicants may apply for Redundancy Early Release (the shortest period is likely
to be six weeks).
Whilst aiming to reduce strength, the AFRP is also designed to safeguard skill sets needed in the future Army, ensuring that the rank
structure remains balanced and that support to operations is not compromised.
This notice in The Gunner simply informs the retired community of the redundancy programme and reinforces the information
available to the serving community. However, for all serving members of the Army, the single authoritative source of information
for Tranche 3 Redundancy is in the Redundancy Defence Instruction Notice (2013DIN01-004) which can be found on the home
page of the Army intranet. Further advice can be sought from your chain of command.
The Armed Forces Redundancy Calculator (available on the Army intranet) can be used as a guide to produce a Compensation
and Pension Benefits forecast. However, it is strongly recommended you seek the assistance of your unit HR to confirm your
forecast is based on up-to-date and accurate information before you make any decisions.
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
All ranks should be aware of the key dates for Tranche 3.
8
in action
Le Cateau Back
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: Capt Rey
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THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
N
early 99 years ago, the battle honour Le Cateau was won during
the opening phase of the First World War by an artillery battery
deployed from Ireland at short notice. This is recognised as the last
major battle in which field artillery was used in the traditional role
providing direct support from among the ranks of the supported
infantry. Three Victoria Crosses were won and the decisive action
immortalised in one of the most well-known Cuneo images. In many
ways the contrast between that action and the current deployment of
93 (Le Cateau) Bty, 5 Regt RA could not be more striking. However
the Gunners remain shoulder to shoulder with their colleagues
providing critical operational effects.
93 Bty was plucked from 28 years of suspended animation
approximately 18 months ago, to provide the fifth surveillance
and target acquisition (STA) battery at 5 Regt RA, thus relieving
the unsustainable pressure on the existing batteries of meeting a
continuous operational demand. The implementation order mandating
the battery’s re-establishment was issued less than 16 months before
it was required to deploy with 4 Mech Bde on Op HERRICK 17 and
there followed an intense period of activity across all functional areas.
The 100-strong core of the battery was formed from a selection of
Regular soldiers from the length and breadth of the Royal Regiment;
the first 20 were Gunners from the 7 Para RHA, followed by a further
40, all ranks, from 40 Regt RA, smaller numbers arrived from many
other origins. Only a few had any background in STA and there was
little time to learn. The first task was thus to establish a common
baseline.
Aligned with a new battery identity and with the strong smell
of fresh paint still permeating the lines, the New Year heralded
the beginning of mission specific training and the countdown to
LCMR at dawn
aintenanc
e
deployment. While for most of
a deploying brigade this nine-month period is
a relentless drive towards reaching the required performance level, an
STA battery is always pulled in two directions as it must also provide
continuing support to the key training events of both major and minor
units. A well-established lessons process based on both continuous
informal feedback and landmark mission exploitation events provides
a firm handrail to the ever-pressed battery commander. With the
assistance of a particularly capable staff team, the battery did not miss
a beat.
Hearty participation
The maintenance of morale was a key concern throughout this
period; as ever for the single soldier the extended periods of time
away from home presented little obstacle – with the welcome bonus
of additional pay. However, those for whom joining the battery had
meant a long distance move and considerable family disturbance,
participating in a progressive collective training programme, while
being key to the training of others and attending the requisite courses
to gain essential individual qualifications, took its toll. It was with
great relief that the battery passed the halfway point, which was
marked by hearty participation in a regimental day, ring-fenced
against the competing demand of training. Firm proof, if any were
ever needed, of the value of exercising the moral component. While
the bulk of the battery was relatively unaffected by its impact, the
cruel realities of the requirement to Force Generate a year in advance,
with the knowledge that force levels will be reduced, hit home. Close
to 30 personnel, who had been preparing with the battery for the better
part of a year, were informed that they would not be deploying this
time and would recommence preparations to deploy, under separate
command, six months later. Conversely, this ended a period of doubt
for the remainder and helped to further cement a strong team.
The battery at a strength of 148, is now deployed across the Task
Force Helmand area of operations providing vital force protection;
widespread situational awareness and a highly-valued contribution
to the intelligence picture. An echelon based in the battery lines in
Camp Bastion finds the battery captain fulfilling a very traditional
role ensuring that equipment requirements are constantly met. No
small task given that the battery fields over 120 pieces of technical
equipment broken down into more than 10 major types. He is ably
supported by a team of equipment managers (competent SNCOs with
in action
9
no previous background in equipment management) who work under
a technical warrant officer. The battery sergeant major, naturally,
has his hands full. The operations warrant officer, responsible for
co-ordinating the ceaseless movement of personnel, equipment and
spares by vehicle and helicopter and the artificer has his work cut out.
Weapon Locating Radar and Acoustic Sound Ranging detachments
provide a sense and warn capability to Camp Bastion and a variety of
smaller locations, in addition to assisting in the targeting of insurgent
mortars and rocket firing points. The Base ISTAR detachment
commanders, over 60 in number and mostly acting lance bombardiers,
are mainly employed independently providing direct support to bases
of every size. Equipped with mast or aerostat mounted camera systems
they provide live video feeds to local operations rooms and across
Helmand via an extraordinary data network. Battery personnel, the
best bombardiers, act as liaison officers ensuring that the best possible
support is provided.
The manning requirement of the Theatre STA Battery is such that
it cannot be met by the established strength of a single sub-unit and
thus augmentation, both Regular and Reserve, was always going to be
a necessity. Contributions have been made by 23 separate batteries,
squadrons and workshops; an eclectic mix with some
real personalities who have caused the highest levels
of amusement, satisfaction and frustration in equal
measure to those who have had the pleasure to command them. Their
commitment has been unwavering; that they arrived at the battery so
soon after its re-establishment no doubt helped, they are of one team
though remain under their own banners (or flashes). Their specific
contribution to operations must always be emphasised and will not
be forgotten.
Morale is high
Nearly four months into deployment, morale in the battery is high.
All battery personnel are satisfied with having been able to get on with
the tasks for which the battery was resurrected and for which they
spent so long training. With the good news that Le Cateau will survive
the Army 2020 axe there is much to look forward to. Consolidation
of the careers of those whose lives have seen so much turbulence will
be a priority, set against the background of the necessary evolution of
a sub-unit that will be required to be organised and trained to provide
STA capabilities in the battlefields of tomorrow.
Main picture: Short notice aviation deployment of Remover
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
k In Action
10
in action
A cast iron
success
Empow
hanistan’s
An FST Commanders account of Afg
transitioned battle space
ral publication Nuts, Highway One is the
ccording to the highly informative and cereb
in the world. For Witchcraft 36 supporting
‘Highway of Death’ – the most dangerous road
the
is a sobering epithet but one that conjures up
Advisor 60 (D Sqn, Queen’s Royal Lancers) this
story
ss
succe
However, Highway One is a cast iron
exciting prospect of countless engagements.
nt
Afghanistan, and consequently the redeployme
of
,
and one that signals the future of the ANSF
to BASTION).
of ISAF (quite literally it is the likely route back
as such is the tip of the spear of the UK’s
and
Highway One is transitioned battlespace
ors.
the lead security authority – ISAF merely advis
security force assistance model. The ANA are
or
Sabo
Col
the urbane, Dari and Pashtu speaking,
The six tolays of the 6th Kandak, ably led by
ay.
highw
vital
ls to secure this strategically
conduct daily independent and advised patro
metalled road is key for ISAF manoeuvre and
ly
large
Freedom of movement on this two-lane,
.
vement in quality of life for central Helmandis
resupply but also ensures the essential impro
A
Enormous progress
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
gh open dashte (desert) with wide arcs of
Advisor 60’s area of operations extends throu
e.
and the densely populated Gereshk city centr
visibility, into close urban and Green Zone
of
rs
bazaa
checkpoints is a step back in time;
Driving through Gereshk to visit the ANA in their
planner’s nightmare. You can guarantee
town
a
in
every flavour, colour, and type intermingle
leg of the beast is normally still twitching and
the meat in the butchers is fresh, at least one
,
. The highway is a microcosm of Afghanistan
a talented vet could probably get it going again
borne
y
donke
a) of a metalled road transited by
reflecting the enormous progress (and inerti
as. And every few hundred metres there is an
Toyot
carts, juggernauts and the inevitable white
ANA check point.
or, cajole and influence the ANA within their
This is the Advisor 60 task – to advise and ment
The
soldiering because nothing is straightforward.
battlespace. This has been described as PhD
‘How
is
ion
‘How can we help the ANA’? The quest
question is not ‘How can it be done’ or even
can the ANA do it better?’
lexity of delivering joint fires in a counter
So where does this leave the FST? The comp
icity
space is mind blowing compared to the simpl
insurgency within 60km of transitioned battle
of
ruct
const
gic
SABRE. And all within a strate
of Exercises MOUNTAIN DRAGON or PASHTUN
asset
ISTAR
an
ly. For example last week we used
partnered operations which is changing week
dinate an independent ANA strike operation via
co-or
to help
tions rooms
three systems of communication, three opera
and two languages.
been very
The opening weeks of Op HERRICK 17 have
exciting
not
is
it
removed from all of our pre-deployment;
have
that
FSTs
in the traditional sense. I think there are
onto
cally
kineti
fired some illum rounds but few have fired
targets.
s, the SAS
But that is not the point. In Oman in the 1960
raging
encou
by
conducted a counter insurgency campaign
e the
enabl
and
indigenous forces to act independently
is
One
ay
Highw
political stabilisation of their own country.
6th
and
home
not the Highway of Death – it is the route
Kandak are lining the route.
by Capt Luke Turrell
H
ERRICK 17 has seen a new direction
for ISAF forces in Afghanistan. The
brigade advisory group’s focus is directed at
handing over responsibility to Afghan forces
and working in partnership with the ANSF,
in an advisory capacity, to allow them to
take control of security within HELMAND.
Advisor 41, a team picked from across 4 Regt
RA, has been given the task of continuing the
development of the Afghan National Army’s
(ANA) artillery capability through training
and mentoring on their gun, the D30.
Training hard
Having had a very busy mission specific
training period, the specialist advisor team
saw themselves back in the light role, training
hard on infantry skills with 1 Scots to ensure
all necessary TTPs (tactics, techniques, and
procedures) were refreshed and current for
their ambiguous task with the ANA. Our
most useful pre-deployment training was the
two weeks spent embedded with the Finnish
Artillery, learning and firing their D30s.
We became confident on the equipment (by
deploying and firing on their ranges), but
had our suspicions that the maintenance
and upkeep of the Finnish guns might differ
slightly from the Afghans’ and probably
wasn’t a fair representation of what was to be
expected in theatre.
The 4th Combat Support Kandak is the
ANA Artillery tolay (battery). Despite being
battery size, the number of the tolay available
for training currently stands at around 20-25
soldiers. The first impressions received by
the specialist advisor team were good; the
tolay has a steady but limited capability in
computing data and gun drills. We received
up front
11
wering the ANA
Interesting
The day-to-day advising and interaction
with the tolay has definitely been an
interesting experience for both parties and
the Command Post (CP) has been an area
of increasing development from day one.
Made up of a three-man team, Sgt Abdul
Waris (the command post officer) has grown
in confidence and ability since taking over
four weeks prior to the start of HERRICK
17. Despite this short space of time, the CP
has managed good command and control
over the guns to ensure smooth firing in
both training serials and in support of ANA
led ops. Focus will now be on improving
speed and efficiency of data computation as
well as fire discipline down to the guns. The
second command post has also taken shape
and experienced its first live firing at the end
of 2012.
The gun line has made significant progress,
building on experience that endures the return
of a number of advisors from HERRICK 12.
The SNCO detachment commanders have
been integral in conducting and disseminating
knowledge down to their warrior soldiers.
They are now at the stage where all gun
training is delivered by Afghans, with
advisors in overwatch for confirmation and
safety when firing live training serials.
The culmination of efforts so far
was the Afghan-led Op TUFAAN;
the first opportunity to deploy the
guns to fire in support of ANA troops
on the ground. The tolay deployed
with two guns to PB PIMON and
was able to operate in its primary
role while working with ISAF
observers to provide illumination
when required. With 10 rounds fired and
no significant issues identified, it was a big
statement of confidence and showed how
effective the artillery tolay will be in future
ANA operations.
Successful
Four months in, the tour has been
considered successful with improvements
seen in both technical competence and
motivation to learn. However, the specialist
advisor team has had to overcome obstacles,
which have emerged both in and outside of
the ANA chain of command. The majority of
the tolay remains double-hatted in a ground
holding role which has brought about obvious
challenges with training only those available
for mentoring on the guns. The maintenance
and upkeep of the guns remains a civilian
responsibility which will dictate future
timescales on live firing and deployments.
The lack of observer capability remains
the main challenge if the tolay is to operate
completely independently of its ISAF partners.
To combat this, the team has initiated a
training program to equip young ANA officers
with
military skills
(map reading, compass skills and
GPS etc) before they attend the dedicated
FSO course now being convened in Kabul,
which is dedicated in filling the void in ANA
observers. Nevertheless, the ANA can be
proud of their achievements and confidently
add a credible and operationally proven
indirect fires capability to their arsenal.
The future direction for the tolay has been
outlined by ANA higher command: Brig
Sherin Shah’s intent for the tolay is to man
three troops of guns strategically around
Helmand. This means a target of three
command posts and six gun detachments
before the end of tour. The priority will
be to conduct training in order to man this
requirement and allow the tolay to spread
their indirect capability as wide as possible.
With two months to go on HERRICK 17,
progress is promising as we move away
from tolay-level advising and towards full
transition.
by Lt Duncan Couchman
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
Above and right: Command Post Training
a reminder of the task ahead after conducting
a complete grading of their ammunition
storage; the stock is a mixture of Soviet
legacy and certainly showed its age when
charge bags disintegrated when touched. It
served as a reminder of the different levels of
husbandry we would be exposed to for seven
months.
12
in action
A good innings
for the ANA
C
ome on England’ is so often the cry of eager fans – poised on the
edge of their seat as the national team valiantly attempt another
semi-final bid, only to come up short, denied by a twist of fate or a
dubious official decision.
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
Celebrate
As a nation we idealise and celebrate our sporting stars, the elite
of the nation. But what chance have we mere mortals to represent our
country in a major sporting event? In most cases, unless you are very
talented and/or lucky the best you can hope for is an overpriced ticket
to watch from the stadium.
And yet… On Sunday, 25 November 2012 at 1000hrs, I stood and
uttered the immortal words, “Come on England” , not to a screen in
a pub but as encouragement to my team mates on a makeshift cricket
pitch in Southern Afghanistan. Magic.
ISAF have routinely played sporting events against the ANA;
a game of cricket was played in Lashkar Gar on Christmas Day
during Op HERRICK 11, and during Op HERRICK 16 the Helmand
Olympics were held with great success. This is part of the healthy
competition which engenders relationships both personal and
professional between the ANA and ISAF. Sharna-b-Sharna, ‘shoulder
to shoulder’, is never more true than when on the sports pitch.
Consequently, during the Central Helmand Security Shura held
in October last year in Lashkar Gah, ANSF leaders requested a T20
cricket tournament be held the following month. A calling notice was
sent far and wide; many responded detailing their previous exploits
for Combined Services, Army or Corps cricket teams including Maj
Tim Osman RA.
Previously my exploits were far more modest, winning the Gunner
cricket trophy as part of 1 RHA and once taking four wickets at the
home of Leicestershire County Cricket, Grace Road. But then again
I was only 16. Who would have thought that I would be selected
to represent ISAF against the ANA in Camp Shorabak and get the
chance to run out for my country?
The match was held on the concrete HLS of Camp SHORABAK
in conditions unlike any the touring team had encountered before;
but then I suppose that is standard for a touring side. The ANA
batted first and initially made slow progress before kicking into gear
and dispatching the ball to all parts of the ground. Several Afghan
national players who played in the previous Cricket World Cup had
a significant impact. They made 216 runs from 20 overs and looked
untouchable.
The ISAF batting started well and took off when Maj Grinneau, R
Anglian, took a liking to one bowler, hitting three sixes on the trot and
finishing with 83 runs. Unfortunately the scoring did not continue at
the same pace and ISAF ran out of overs, eventually losing the game
by 10 runs. I think the arrival of a helicopter half way through the
ISAF innings may have had an effect.
Shared experiences
Op HERRICK is in a period of transition, both in terms of
responsibility for battle space and mindset. This is complex soldiering,
built on shared experiences both personal and professional with the
ANA. Sport can play a small part of achieving that aim and hopefully
in the meantime enable another ISAF soldier and Saturday sportsman
to utter the immortal words “Come on England”.
by Capt Luke Turrell
in action
13
A marvellous MBE
Alex, 30, was told that he was to receive the coveted award from his Commanding Officer,
Lt Col Craig Palmer.
“I was totally in shock when he told me,” said Alex. “It still has not sunk in yet I cannot
believe it.”
“My wife Samantha is so proud of my achievement and has told so many people, much
more than I have.” Alex added.
When Alex’s CO was asked about his outstanding achievement, Lt Col Palmer said,
“Alex’s exacting standards, unswerving dedication and unparalleled skill have, more than
anyone else, helped to grow the UAS capability in Afghanistan. Without his very personal and
protracted commitment to help train and mentor his colleagues, this battle-winning and lifesaving capability would not be the success that it is today.”
Alex joined the Army in 1999 and after he had done a spell in 47 Regt RA, he then moved
to 32 Regt RA. During his initial period with the regiment Alex was involved with Royal
Artillery recruitment but it was the UAV world that caught Alex’s eye and where he felt that
his talents lay. When asked why this appealed to him so much Alex said:
“It was the operational tempo that appealed to me together with the technological aspect
that drew me to the UAS world; I like technology and believe that type of job suits me best.”
The Hermes 450 currently in use with 32 Regt RA is used to gather intelligence and provide
surveillance for teams on the ground in Afghanistan; it does not have the capability to carry
weapons but is the Army’s ‘spy in the sky’ on duty both day and night delivering a unique,
precise and technological bird’s eye view of what is happening on the ground.
32 Regt RA is only one of two Unmanned Air Systems regiments within the British Army,
alongside 47 Regt RA, and this year marks the 11th anniversary of the regiment being on
operations.
by Sarah Goodwin-Drew
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
Wiltshire-based soldier, Sgt Alex
Buchanan (since promoted from
Bombardier), serving with 32 Regt
RA at Larkhill, has been awarded an
MBE (Member of the Most Excellent
Order of the British Empire) for his
work in Afghanistan with the Army’s
Unmanned Air Systems(UAS),the
Army’s ‘spy in the sky’
14
up front
M
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
ore than 100 members of 103 Regt RA (V) have taken part in
Exercise SEA TROUT, test firing the 105 Light Guns that are
permanently stationed on British Forces South Atlantic Islands Mount
Pleasant base in the Falkland Islands.
The regiment flew from RAF Brize Norton via a brief stop in the
Ascension Islands, and after an 18-hour flight we finally landed at
Mount Pleasant. We were greeted by Maj Pete Collins, the QM, and
the usual Falklands weather; a biting wind.
The following day we started preparations for the exercise; the
recce party had their first flight by helicopter over the ranges. By the
end of the day, guns, vehicles and soldiers were ready to begin firing.
The OP party had inserted by helicopter to the high point overlooking
Onion Range. From this position it was clear how exposed and barren
the islands are.
The training major, Maj Steve Keir, had us straight out into the
field for the next five days, with five guns deployed to the area around
Teal Inlet. All members
of the regiment worked hard to
hone their skills, diligently
monitored
by
the
Permanent Staff.
By the end of the five days, all guns had been successfully ‘proved’
and both gun and tac groups were working seamlessly. The ops group,
under the watchful eye of Maj Taylor-Jayne Fox, BC 216 Bty, endured
some gruelling weather and terrain (both character building and soul
searching) in their efforts to engage targets in valleys, on hilltops and
over sloping rock falls. They were privileged to spend several windy
nights on Mount Simon, the largest peak on Onion Range.
Maj Steve Samosa, BC 208 Bty, explained that tasks were geared
towards boosting the gunner’s skills in a tough environment. “They
thoroughly enjoyed it, particularly the helicopter insertion.”
“It was a unique experience to take part in the exercise which
involved deployment by air, land and sea. The exercise had the wow
factor, which is fantastic for recruitment and retention.”
A battlefield tour was arranged with Mr Frank Leyland (a
Lancashire lad who once served with 103 Regt RA (V) and who
retired to the Falklands), starting at San Carlos Bay then moving to
Darwin, Goose Green, Ajax Bay and finally arriving in Stanley. The
tour brought home the conditions in which men on both sides fought
and died during the 1982 conflict.
All there was left to do was the final admin before embarking on
the long journey home. The exercise was a huge success, achieving
all aims and giving the reservists the chance of some valuable and
interesting training in a unique and amazing landscape.
Exerc
cise Sea Trout
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
up front
15
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
16
up front
up front
17
A hard slog for 12 Regt RA
A
The fog closed in
The patrol itself began at 0530hrs on a misty Welsh Sunday
morning. After the initial kit and comms check and orders, we finally
set off making good progress through the day, hitting all the required
check points and successfully completing the CTR. As the light began
to fade and the fog closed in, we pressed on deeper into the hills.
We stumbled and fell in the darkness down a potholed, flooded
trail; more boggy stream than path. As we slogged down the track
pulling one another out of the mud and up from ditches and banks
mistaken for firm ground, the path suddenly stopped. Lost in thick
fog with our rest time slipping away, morale was at an all time low.
Passing a team who had ‘basha’d’ up for the night we continued
west, based on the view from Mr Jarrett that we would eventually
come across a path running north to south. We didn’t! After trudging
through the bracken he did finally find a small stream and managed
to re-orientate. Promises of only a few hundred metres to go turned
out to be 700 after already travelling half a kilometre, but we finally
reached the sanctuary of the training camp.
With an hour’s rest and visibility no more than five metres we
continued on, confidently navigating solely by compass. Our skills in
mine clearance and recognition, battlefield first aid and river crossing
drills were tested throughout the day before we finally reached a
minibus which would take us to the next phase on Sennybridge
Training Area. So far we had covered over 30 miles.
We continued onward with renewed energy, the end was finally
drawing closer – not that we knew that at the time! More tasks
awaited including fire mission procedures, section
battle drills and finally, much to the delight of Bdr
Waajen and LBdr Vaughan, an equipment race
which involved carrying ammunition up a
continual slope for two miles. In the early
hours of Tuesday morning, exhausted
after almost 48 hrs of tabbing,
casevacs and section attacks, we
were told to make our way to
the far side of the village
Tired but triumphant
by Bdr Wright
through its tunnels – think wet, cold and pitch black!
Climbing out with every last ounce of energy we could muster
the team was directed to a holding area for a comprehensive debrief.
Despite a number of the team hallucinating with fatigue we managed
to recount the past two days’ actions to the satisfaction of the attending
DS. With the debrief complete the team was directed to stand and
about turn. For some this signalled the start of another sadistic task
for the patrol to complete but, to the relief of all, the CO, Lt Col Matt
Rimmer, stepped out from a cam net. It was over. With congratulations
from the CO we wearily headed back to Sennybridge Camp.
A silver medal
After what appeared to be 20 minutes of sleep it was the morning
of the award ceremony and the team enjoyed a well-earned full
English breakfast with all the trimmings from the camp cookhouse.
The award ceremony soon followed. Happy to have completed the
patrol without any losses (except the odd sense of humour!) along
the way, we waited nervously to discover our result. Sitting patiently
with a number of other teams, including French Paratroopers and two
R Fusilier teams, each patrol was invited up one by one and presented
with an award. For 12 Regt RA it was a silver medal; a fantastic result
which meant that we had scored more than 65 per cent in all stands.
Only one of the Fusilier teams bettered this and they had been living
in the field in Wales for four weeks in preparation!
Better soldiers
The team’s performance showed what a few well-trained and
determined men can achieve if they put their minds and bodies to
it. The exercise is a physical and mental challenge that I would
recommend to everyone and I definitely believe that we
have all become better soldiers as a result of our
involvement. I have already been asked if I
would attempt it again to try and get the
gold? Maybe somebody else should
be given the opportunity next
year?
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
fter a busy summer in London in support of Op OLYMIPCS,
12 Regt RA decided to enter a team into the premier patrolling
event of the British Army; the Cambrian Patrol. With the majority
of 58 Bty RA deployed to Afghanistan, 12 Bty training hard for P
Coy and the rest of the regiment occupied with career courses, finding
candidates for a team proved difficult. Six weeks before the patrol was
due to start 10 soldiers were finally pulled together and began serious
preparation.
The training was headed up by a number of patrol veterans, eager
to pass on their knowledge and experience. Under the direction of
WO2 (BSM) Kennaugh, SSgt Kerrison and Sgt Blood we began
running, tabbing and revising all the basic soldering skills we would
need in order to successfully complete the competition. The dreaded
kit check would soon become the bane of our lives.
Long slow runs and weighted marches were the order of the
day, with a sprinkling of equipment and mine recognition thrown
in at every opportunity. I’m sure some members of the team were
wondering what they had let themselves in for when attempting to
distinguish the subtle differences between an AK47 and an AKM
(while on the top of wind swept hills in driving rain).
18
ubique
The 4 Regt RA Regt Rear Ops Group recently underook a battlefied tour
of Ypres. Organised by Sgt Smith, with the War Research Society and
with assistance from the RACPD
Maj Gen AR Gregory presents the RA Medal to Maj (Retd) Denis Crawford
(formerly of RA Soldiers’ Wing at the Army Personnel Centre, Glasgow) in
recognition of his more than 48 years outstanding service to the Gunners
201 Bty, 100 Regt RA (V), and the Directing Satff of the pre-Parachute
Selection cadre
Running through burning hay bales,
jumping into frozen lakes and surprise
electric shocks in the dark, but
members of the 3RHA team are still
smiling on Tough Guy
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
Friends reunited: Staff Quartermaster, Lt Col Alan Durrant, and SO1 LE
Officers RA, Lt Col Mick McCarthy
266 Bty, 100 Regt RA (V) recently
had the pleasure to host The Rt
Hon Lord Mayor of Bristol ,Cllr Peter
Main. During his visit he presented
the VRSM to Bdr Green. Pictured
are Maj AE Ball, BC 266 Bty, Bdr
Green, the Lord Mayor of Bristol
Right: Col Richard Smith (Assistant
Military Attaché) and Col James
Learmont
(Divisional
Chief,
G3/5/7, HQDA) attend the Capitol
Cannoneers Chapter of the United
States Field Artillery Association’s
National Capital Region Artillery Ball
in Washington DC
Cadet RSM Liam Arnot of
Northumbria ACF was one of 10
cadets competing for the Claire
Shore trophy, which tests military
skills, leadership and physical
fitness over 36 hours. The top
cadet in the ACF, Cadet RSM
Arnot has now joined 101 Regt
RA (V) and hopes to commission
into the TA while he is at Durham
University. On graduation he
intends to join the Regular Army
ubique
19
Capt Heather Stanning was delighted
to present the freshly commissioned
‘Stanning Cup’ to SSgt Kerry Roberts
in late December. The trophy will be
awarded annually to the sportsperson
who has contributed the most to their
sporting discipline throughout the year.
SSgt Roberts has had another busy
golfing year, playing for regimental,
Gunner, Army and the combined
services teams; he has also found
time to secure funding for the Gunners
golfing tournament and managed to
raise in excess of £10,000 for charity.
(His full story appeared in the October
Gunner magazine).
Capt Stanning also presented 32 Regt
RA with her race suit from that golden
win back in August
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
Past Commanding Officers of 3 RHA with the Honorary Colonels past, present and future. Front row (left to right): Gen Viggers, Gen Richards, Gen Barrons.
Second row: Lt Col Williams, Brig Harrison, Gen Sykes, Brig Dean, Gen Hollands. Back Row: Col Bell, Gen Ashmore, Col Mead
20
update
New Year’s Honours
Capt
Kerr C
26 Regt RA
QM(T)
29-Apr-13
Capt
Leadbitter G
39 Regt RA
BK
03-Jun-13
Capt
MacDonald NG 26 Regt RA
RTO - On Commission 08-Jun-13
Order of the British Empire
Capt
Milton PD
4 Regt RA
QM
Capt
Moodie RG
7 Para RHA
RTO - On Commission 02-Apr-13
Capt
Passmore DR
HQ RSA
SO3 Precision Targeting 08-Jul-13
Capt
Payne DF
16 Regt RA
BK - On Commission
24-Jun-13
Capt
Prout ST
1 RHA
BK - On Commission
02-Apr-13
Capt
Rawcliffe DR
5 Regt RA
QM(T)
08-Jul-13
Capt
Rider JM
HQ RSA
OC FP Sect
24-Jun-13
Capt
Scoullar MJ
29 Cdo Regt RA
BK
11-Feb-13
Capt
Searle JTG
32 Regt RA
SO3 ISTAR 30-May-13
CBE
Maj Gen P A Fox
OBE
Lt Col B W Bennett MBE
MBE
Bdr A R Buchanan
Maj F W Greenhow
LBdr B J Parkinson
Maj K Young
- On Commission
Capt
Tabone G
HQ RSA
OC CIS
01-Jul-13
Capt
Warner SJ
19 Regt RA
BK - On Commission
02-Apr-13
Capt
Watson MR
39 Regt RA
BK - On Commission
02-Apr-13
In recognition of services during the London
2012 Olympic Games
MBE
Capt H M Stanning
Postings
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
21-Jan-13
15-Apr-13
WO2
Collins
16 Regt RA
Asst Ops Offr
02-Jun-13
WO2
Bulmer
26 Regt RA
Tech WO 14-Sep-13
WO2
Enever
HQ 3 (UK) DIV
WO G3 Arty Tgts
01-Jun-13
WO2
Fraser
RA GTT
Regt WO
11-Feb-13
WO2
Henderson
16 Regt RA
BSM
15-Apr-13
WO2
Johnson
Coll Trg Gp CIS Mgr
28-Jan-13
WO2
Priestley
HQ 15 (NE)
CSM
11-Mar-13
WO2
Seddon
39 Regt RA
BSM
15-Apr-13
WO2
Threadgill
29 Cdo Regt RA
BSM
15-Feb-13
WO2
Vernon
RSA
SMIG FP
01-Sep-13
Lt Col Durrant A
39 Regt RA
UWO
Maj
Andrews SP
19 Regt RA
UWO
01-Jul-13
Maj
Barclay JG
29 Cdo Regt RA
QM
29-Mar-13
Promotions
Maj
Birch MJ
26 Regt RA
UWO
01-Jul-13
To Sergeant
Maj
Gentles PL
39 Regt RA
BC
28-Jun-13
Sgt
Irwin
1 RHA
14-Dec-12
Maj
Iddon TJ
1 RHA
BC
05-Aug-13
Sgt
Lunn
26 Regt RA
14-Dec-12
Maj
Jackson A
AFC(H)
Coy Comd
11-Mar-13
Sgt
Morgan
26 Regt RA
13-Dec-12
Maj
Lynn TP
CD CS HQ Org
SO2 Log Infra Plans
18-Mar-13
Sgt
Nickless
12 Regt RA
13-Dec-12
Maj
Mancini A
39 Regt RA
QM
01-Apr-13
Maj
Mann FD
39 Regt RA
UWO
12-Aug-13
To Bombardier
Maj
McNiff BS
47 Regt RA
BC
30-Jun-13
Bdr
Elliot
7 Para RHA
17-Dec-12
Maj Piggott PA
12 Regt RA
BC
01-Aug-13
Bdr
Amsbury
29 Cdo 15-Dec-12
Maj
Rushworth SH
ATC(P)
Bty Comd
26-Jun-13
Bdr
Atherton
26 Regt RA
14-Jan-13
Maj
Williams A
104 Regt RA (V)
QM (T)
02-Apr-13
Bdr
Barr
3 RHA
30-Nov-12
Bdr
Coetzer
16 Regt RA
14-Dec-12
Capt
Bentley CO
3 RHA
BK - On Commission
02-Apr-13
Bdr
Devereux
3 RHA
14-Dec-12
Capt
Brennan KT
14 Regt RA
BK
29-Apr-13
Bdr
Fawaz
3 RHA
15-Feb-13
Capt
Campbell SA
26 Regt RA
BK - On Commission
08-Apr-13
Bdr
Gowin
16 Regt RA
01-Feb-13
Capt
Collins GM
12 Regt RA
RTO - On Commission 02-Apr-13
Bdr
Guy
29 Cdo Regt RA
14-Dec-12
Capt
Cook RJA
14 Regt RA
BK
31-May-13
Bdr
Harling
16 Regt RA
14-Dec-12
Capt
Davies ML
19 Regt RA
BK - On Commission
15-Jul-13
Bdr
Harris
26 Regt RA
13-Dec-12
Capt
Davis MAC
26 Regt RA
RCMO
12-Apr-13
Bdr
Houghton
26 Regt RA
13-Dec-12
Capt
Edwards N
47 Regt RA
RTO - On Commission 22-Apr-13
Bdr
Hutchinson
1 RHA
13-Dec-12
Capt
Eynon MW
5 Regt RA
RCMO
14-Dec-12
Bdr
Klopper
47 Regt RA
13-Dec-12
Capt
Fleming WJ
29 CDO Regt RA
RTO - On Commission 02-Apr-13
Bdr
Lockeridge
16 Regt RA
13-Dec-12
Capt
Gascoigne J
16 Regt RA
BK - On Commission 05-May-13
Bdr
McInnes
12 Regt RA
14-Dec-12
Capt
Gray SJ
5 Regt RA
BK - On Commission 08-May-13
Bdr
Moore
1 RHA
14-Dec-12
Capt
Grigg GS
3 RHA
BK - On Commission
02-Apr-13
Bdr
Morris
47 Regt RA
07-Jan-13
Capt
Harvey TG
29 Cdo Regt RA
UWO
01-Mar-13
Bdr
Morton
39 Regt RA
14-Dec-12
update
Bdr
Ozbek
1 RHA
14-Dec-12
Maj A J Kerbey from Intermediate Regular Commission (Late Entry) 8 Nov 12 to be
Bdr
Parry
16 Regt RA
14-Dec-12
Maj with seniority 31 Jul 09
Bdr
Pearson
4 Regt RA
14-Dec-12
Maj M Martin MBE from Intermediate Regular Commission (Late Entry) 8 Nov 12 to
Bdr
Pickford
16 Regt RA
14-Dec-12
be Maj with seniority 31 Jul 09
Bdr
Pickles
3 RHA
13-Dec-12
Maj C A Young from Intermediate Regular Commission (Late Entry) 8 Nov 12 to be
Bdr
Porter
12 Regt RA
14-Dec-12
Maj with seniority 31 Jul 11
Bdr
Reynolds
3 RHA
14-Dec-12
Bdr
Rose
16 Regt RA
07-Jan-13
Intermediate Regular Commissions
Bdr
Saqanavere
26 Regt RA
21-Dec-12
Capt J A Arnold from Short Service Commissions 8 Nov 12 to be Capt with seniority
Bdr
Schaap
39 Regt RA
21-Dec-12
11 Feb 10
Bdr
Scott
16 Regt RA
07-Dec-12
Capt P R McPherson from Short Service Commission 8 Nov 12 to be Capt with
Bdr
Seruisavou
3 RHA
13-Jan-13
seniority 14 Oct 09
Bdr
Strachan
39 Regt RA
01-Dec-12
Capt A S W Reid from Short Service Commission 8 Nov 12 to be Capt with seniority
Bdr
Taylor
47 Regt RA
04-Mar-13
16 Oct 07
Bdr
Teacy
16 Regt RA
17-Jan-13
Capt R E Collins from Short Service Commission 8 Nov 12
Bdr
Thornton
16 Regt RA
25-Jan-13
Capt R M Newnham from Short Service Commission 8 Nov 12
Bdr
Walker
26 Regt RA
29-Jan-13
Intermediate Regular Commissions (Late Entry)
To Lance Bombardier
Capt D M Hall retires on pension 11 Jan 13 and is appointed to Reserve of Officers
LBdr
Davis
12 Regt RA
07-Jan-13
Capt R G J Wilford retires on retired pay 12 Jan 13 and is appointed to Reserve of
LBdr
Featherstone
12 Regt RA
21-Dec-12
Officers
LBdr
Foxhall
1 RHA
21-Dec-12
WO1 (Acting Capt) A N Richards to be Capt 10 Jan 13
LBdr
Hill
29 Cdo
21-Dec-12
LBdr
Holden
3 RHA
21-Dec-12
LBdr
JN-Pierre
12 Regt RA
21-Dec-12
LBdr
Kearsey
39 Regt RA
21-Dec-12
Class II
LBdr
Kossam
3 RHA
18-Dec-12
Capt R H MacKay-Miller from Territorial Army Group A 10 Oct 12 to be Capt with
LBdr
Large
29 Cdo
18-Dec-12
seniority 19 Jun 04
LBdr
Luyimbazi
12 Regt RA
18-Dec-12
Lt J L Ellis from Territorial Army Group A 1 Nov 12 to be Lt with seniority 26 Jul 09
LBdr
Openda
26 Regt RA
14-Dec-12
LBdr
Price
12 Regt RA
07-Jan-13
LBdr
Relph
3 RHA
07-Jan-13
LBdr
Smalley
1 RHA
07-Jan-13
Group A
LBdr
Sowani
3 RHA
07-Jan-13
Maj T J Arundel from Regular Army Reserve of Officers Class I 20 Nov 12 and at own
LBdr
Taylor
3 RHA
07-Jan-13
request reverts to the rank of Capt with seniority 12 Jun 02
LBdr
Theobald
29 Cdo 07-Jan-13
Maj P J Boyce TD retires 20 Oct 12
LBdr
Wanjiku
3 RHA
07-Jan-13
Capt L J Hunt resigns commission 30 Sep 12
LBdr
Wilmot
1 RHA
31-Jan-13
Capt C S Clarke commission is terminated 15 Oct 12
21
REGULAR ARMY RESERVE OF OFFICERS
TERRITORIAL ARMY
2Lt W Clark to be Lt 7 Mar 12 (Belated Entry)
C S Butcher to be Maj 12 Dec 12 with seniority 30 Sep 96 (formerly Regular Army)
Gazette
Capt L P Patchell to be Maj 1 Jul 12 (Belated Entry)
Lt (on probation) (Acting Capt) J P A Gunson to be Capt (on probation) 26 Jul 12
REGULAR ARMY
Maj J F F Diamond from Intermediate Regular Commission 8 Nov 12 to be Maj with
Group A
seniority 31 Jul 08
2Lt F O Smiddy to be Lt 2 Oct 12
Maj E M Shanklyn from Intermediate Regular Commission 8 Nov 12 to be Maj with
seniority 31 Jul 07
Lt Col M A Houghton retires on retired pay 17 Oct 12
Maj C R Young from Intermediate Regular Commission 8 Nov 12 to be Maj with
seniority 31 Jul 07
Regular Commissions (Late Entry)
Maj A S Edwards from Intermediate Regular Commission (Late Entry) 8 Nov 12 to be
Maj with seniority 31 Jul 11
These listings are derived from
information provided by JPA, Glasgow
and the London Gazette. They
have been checked for accuracy of
reproduction. Accuracy of information
itself lies with the originators.
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
THE HONOURABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY
Regular Commissions
22
raa
Regimental
Family
round up
Oldbury Branch RAA
Shoeburyness Branch RAA
T
he RACF was able to help two members of the Oldbury RAA
over Christmas; Nicholas Roberts and George Bissell.
Pictured above are Shoeburyness memebrs Roland Roberts
(welfare officer), George Bissell and Jim Thomas (Chairman).
Pictured below are Nicholas Roberts (our Standard bearer) and Jim
Thomas. Photographs by Knobby Clarke (secretary).
T
he Shoeburyness Branch of the RAA was fortunate to acquire
a 25-pdr last year, which had previously stood outside the
guardroom at Colchester. After 10 months of restoration we are proud
to say we now have the gun in tip top condition; although we are short
of some items to complete out project we hope to acquire them this
year.
Pictured above are members of our restoration team: Lou White,
John Bessell, Alan Wilkinson and Ron Clifton.
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
Stafford Branch RAA
Edinburgh Branch RAA
The Edinburgh Branch Royal Artillery Association
meets at the
Scots Guards Club
2 Clifton Terrace
EDINBURGH
EH12 5DR
On the second Thursday of the month
1930hrs for 2000hrs.
More information from:
edinburghraa@hotmail.co.uk
A
t the end of last year, members of the Stafford branch of the
RAA enjoyed an early Christmas lunch, following which they,
and their partners, had a very enjoyable afternoon of 10-pin bowling.
The outing was organised by their new secretary, John Howard,
and was a fitting and fun end to the year.
letters
was pleased and grateful for the coverage that you gave our annual
dinner in November’s issue of Gunner. It was one of the most
enjoyable evenings that I can remember spending with my friends in
the Plymouth RAA. The meal was delicious and the staff ensured that
your glass was never empty…
This may have been the reason for the recorder of the occasion (a
popular and likeable person who shall remain nameless) for making
some claims on my behalf. I am reasonably fit for my age I suppose (I
am still the branch Standard bearer) however, some of the other feats
attributed to me are not quite true (if only they were!).
It states I served at both Normandy and Monte Cassino; this would
not have been possible as they coincided – I was D-Day dodger and
fought at Cassino. I was among the first into France with the BEF in
1939, which may have led to this confusion.
What gave me the biggest laugh however, was the claim I swam to
the Breakwater and back, twice a year; I have replaced my bath with a
shower for fear of drowning! I believe this particular feat of endurance
should be attributed to another member present that evening perhaps?
However, the evening was a memorable occasion, organised
almost entirely by Chris (Asda) Price, ex 29 Cdo Regt RA, now TA,
and presently on duty as a ski instructor in Norway.
Thank you and with best wishes
Superman Wright
I
Continuing the Scottish Gunners’ march
n 1964 I (Capt Douglas James) was appointed adjutant of 278
(Lowland) Fd Regt RA (TA), The City of Edinburgh Artillery. The
regiment and its three gun batteries were deployed around Edinburgh.
I had come from 40 Fd Regt RA (which had close ties with the
Scottish Gunners) where I had been troop commander in Munster for
two years.
In 278 Regt, I found every member, from the lowest to the highest
rank, to be enthusiastic, go-ahead and highly professional. That
prompted me in July 1966 to take a team of 17 men to Nijmegen to
participate in the annual international marches that started there in
1909. The 278 Regt team started its road training on a weekend in
February and thereafter continuing every weekend, with ever-longer
distances until departing for Holland in July.
Over the years the marches increased in popularity and in 1928
when the Olympic Games took place in Amsterdam, they became an
international event involving civilian and military men, women and
children over the age of 14. Now, well over 20,000 participants from
over 20 countries take part. Many Gunners have marched there in the
past.
At the end of July each year the sleepy town of Nijmegen on the
river Waal explodes into paroxysms of marching madness. The mood
lasts for seven days. Like a giant accordion, long dormant, it bursts
into music squeezed by a thousand different fingers, each providing
its own particular melody. The week is about music, bands, marching
feet and all-night parties. Basically, the marching choice is 25 miles
a day for four days carrying 22lb, or 31 miles a day for four days
carrying 2lb. There is a different route on each of the four days.
Four kilometres from the end of the march the participants follow a
band to the saluting base at the finish. To qualify for their individual
and team medals, contenders must complete each day’s march in
10 hours. Teams number 11 or more marchers. If more than 10 per
cent fall out, the team loses its medals. It is emphasised that however
competitive individuals and teams may feel, the Nijmegen March is
not a competition.
Every team member of the 278 Regt team was awarded an
individual medal, and the team itself with no dropouts, earned the
individual team medal.
It was a proud day for 278 which was emphasised by the Lord
Provost of Edinburgh authorising the closing of the southern length
of Princes Street so that the returning team could march behind the
regimental band from Waverly railway station at the east end of the
road to the regimental headquarters in Grindlay Street at the west end.
Lt Col D James
O
A bright past; an exciting future
n Tuesday, 11 December the South Wales RA Officers’
Association held their annual ladies’ dinner in the 104 Regt RA
(V) officers’ mess at Raglan Barracks, Newport.
It was also the dining out of the commanding officer, Lt Col Philip
Shepheard-Walwyn, who is now deployed overseas. The president,
Maj Tudor Phillips, thanked him for the support given to the
association, an organisation which provides a forum for both serving
and retired officers. He praised his success in the development of the
regiment which is now highly regarded in regional and operational
brigade headquarters. In wishing him success and Godspeed in his
new appointment, he presented him with an engraved plaque.
In his response, the CO said the regiment now has an exciting
future, bucking the trend and growing by 25 per cent, as well as gaining
an additional battery. Its soldiers have contributed significantly to
operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and were highly trained with
modern equipment.
The chairman, Col Basil Watkins, presented the ‘Officer of
the Year’ award to Lt Tim Harris, a troop commander from 214
(Worcestershire) Bty; he has distinguished himself both in barracks
and in the field, successfully leading several military expeditions in
this country and in Italy and also in the more mundane administrative
tasks.
Col B Watkins
278 Fd Regt RA (TA) on the Nijmegen March 1966
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
I
Clark Kent, not Superman
23
24
in memoriam
Pat Campbell
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
P
at Campbell, who died on 26 January at the age of 92, was
one of the dwindling group of Japanese prisoners of war who
slaved on the Death Railway between Burma and Thailand during
the Second World War.
He was born in Ardrossan, orphaned at an early age and
brought up by a couple in Dumfries, where he was educated at St
Joseph’s College. After school he became a law apprentice with
Dumfries Town Council and continued his career in Edinburgh,
Glasgow and the London borough of Bromley.
The war then intervened and he enlisted in the 155th
(Lanarkshire Yeomanry) Fd Regt RA, a unit with a reputation for
bravery and skill on the battlefield. After training in Lanark and
India, he was posted to Malaya. His role was as an observation
post assistant, one of a team of three who went far out into the
front to look for artillery targets. He had many adventures and
close calls.
When the Japanese juggernaut with its hundreds of aircraft and
tanks pushed the British down on to the so-called impregnable
fortress of Singapore, Campbell was among those captured.
In the dark years to follow, it was his faith that would see him
through, a faith that manifested itself in a quiet inner strength and
in practical, more tangible ways.
He was one of a group of volunteers who built the chapel at
Changi, the notorious POW camp in Singapore. A basic building
with a few scraps of primitive furniture, it was deconstructed
after the war and taken to Australia, but a copy still stands on the
original site.
Campbell attended mass whenever the demands of the arduous
Japanese work parties allowed – first at Changi and then at the
Great World in Singapore, a former amusement park converted
by the Japanese into a POW camp for prisoners working in the
godowns, or warehouses, at the docks.
In November 1942, he was one of a large group of prisoners
moved to the Railway of Death where it has been calculated that
one man died for every sleeper laid along the 300-mile length of
the line.
He was part of the track-laying gang tasked with carrying and
laying the sleepers and railtrack. The days were long, the work
was hard and the guards vicious. Beatings with bamboo poles and
rifle butts were a regular occurrence and their rations were barely
enough to keep the men alive. The Japanese provided no medical
assistance and the POW doctors performed miracles with scarcely
any supplies.
In one of the camps – Kanyu – where a cutting had to be chiseled
through the hillside to provide a pathway for the line, Campbell
was reunited for a short time with Father Bourke, a Redemptorist
priest from New Zealand he had met earlier in Singapore.
When the camp closed, the priest handed the crucifix he
had used at services to Campbell for safe keeping. During the
remainder of his time as a POW, he guarded the crucifix along
with his other few possessions – a loin cloth, known by the POWs
as a jap nappy, a hollowed-out piece of bamboo which he used
as a mug, his book on Commonwealth law he had found in the
bombed-out streets of Singapore and, most importantly, his prayer
book. In 2012 he donated the crucifix to the Thailand-Burma
POW Museum at Kanburi, an area he knew well.
Shortly after his meeting with Fr Bourke, Pat was injured while
working on the line. The wound to his leg became infected and
ulcerated and the usual treatment of scraping away the poisoned
flesh with a sharpened spoon was unsuccessful. As a result, he was
moved down the line to the so-called hospital camp at Chungkai.
During the subsequent operation on his leg, conducted in
primitive conditions and with little anaesthetic, Campbell actually
recovered consciousness. In the days and weeks afterwards, with
no bandages available, he was reduced to using pages from his
Commonwealth Law book. His leg wound gave him trouble for
the rest of his life. Against all the odds, Campbell was among
about 6000 who survived his ordeal and came back home where
he completed his law degree.
His memories of his days as a POW remained vivid until
the end. Earlier this year, he said in an interview: “The guards
were very contrary. One day they would beat the men for very
little, the next ignore something much worse. Their only concern
was finishing the railway line. The guards kept yelling ‘speedo,
speedo’.”
He was pre-deceased by his wife Mary, whom he married in
1955.
Published courtesy of the Herald.
in memoriam
25
Aubrey Denton-Thompson
OBE MC
ubrey Denton-Thompson, who has died aged 92, was awarded
an MC in the North Africa campaign and subsequently served
with SOE, the Colonial Service and the United Nations.
In July 1942, at the Battle of Ruweisat Ridge in Egypt, DentonThompson was commanding a troop of 73 AT Regt RA. He was
ordered to cover the withdrawal of a company of 7 Bn, the Rifle
Bde, which had become pinned down by heavy fire.
After finding a route through a minefield, he ordered three of his
guns to withdraw with the company and kept one back to engage the
enemy. In a fierce rearguard action, he knocked out three German
Mk III panzers, setting two of them ablaze.
He then came under intensive fire, was struck in the back by
shrapnel and left for dead. Hours later, when the identity tags were
being collected, it was discovered that he had survived. He was put
in a field ambulance which was then hit by a bullet. This passed
through his torso without damaging a vital organ and was removed
by surgeons. A cavity, near his spine, caused by the shrapnel,
remained with him for the rest of his life.
Denton-Thompson was awarded an immediate MC. The citation
stated that he had shown the greatest dash, courage and initiative
under heavy fire from all arms and bombing from the air.
The son of a diplomat, Aubrey Gordon Denton-Thompson was
born at Lubumbashi (formerly Elisabethville), then in the Belgian
Congo, on 6 June 1920. He was educated at Malvern, where he
captained the first XI at cricket and played football for the school.
At the outbreak of war he enlisted in the Royal Artillery and was
posted to 73 AT Regt RA. He was commissioned in 1941.
When his unit was based at Hitchin, having been asked to give a
one-gun salute in the town square, they took rough aim at the clock
on the town hall and fired. Unfortunately, a live round was used
instead of a blank, but fortunately, the shell missed the building and
exploded without causing damage.
After being wounded at Ruweisat Ridge, Denton-Thompson
went to South Africa to recover. On his return he was sent to
Cairo and to what purported to be the ‘Middle East Wheat
Purchasing Commission’. He arrived to find a heavily fortified
building, bristling with communications, that turned out to be the
headquarters of SOE in the city. He had been posted to the MO4
Sabotage Group for operations behind enemy lines.
After rigorous training he was posted to Istanbul, entering the
country with four diplomatic bags full of explosives which were
added to the large quantity of armaments housed in the cellar of the
British embassy. His first task was to set explosives across the oil
installations along the Bosporus in case they fell into enemy hands.
His final posting involved being dropped by parachute into
enemy-occupied Greece. He was the most junior officer in a team
of three which included a brigadier and a colonel. Their mission
was to link up with a newly-formed group of partisans, supply them
and train them.
On the way to the airport in a bus without glass in the windows
(because of the heat), he was sitting with his left elbow out of the
window when an RAF lorry passed too close and severed his arm.
He was replaced by another officer for the mission and the drop
duly took place. The Germans were waiting for them, and all three
were executed.
After being invalided out of the Army, Denton-Thompson
was seconded to the Colonial Service. He served in Basutoland
(Lesotho), Tanganyika (Tanzania), and in the Falkland Islands,
where he was Colonial Secretary from 1955 to 1960 and was
appointed OBE.
In the early 1960s he bought a powerful motor boat and he
and his wife went for a picnic on a sand island off the coast of
Tanzania. The island was exposed for only a few hours a day and,
having finished their picnic, they found that the boat was drifting
away on the rising tide.
Denton-Thompson decided to swim to it, but after covering
several hundred yards he found that the ladder had fallen off the
boat; and because he had only one arm, he was unable to board.
He then spotted a shark which started to circle him. When the
island became submerged, Denton-Thompson’s wife clung on to
a marker post. The family dog swam away from her and was taken
by the shark.
After eight hours clinging to the drifting boat, DentonThompson was rescued five miles down the coast by a search
party. His wife was also rescued but had suffered severe sunburn.
In 1969 he joined the UN Development Programme as a
country representative for the Food and Agricultural Organisation.
This role took him to South Korea, Indonesia and Turkey. His last
appointment was at the FAO headquarters in Rome. Having retired
in 1979, he lived near Lymington, Hampshire. He was captain of
Brockenhurst Manor Golf Club and held a number of company
directorships.
Aubrey Denton-Thompson married first, in 1944, Ruth Cecily
Isaac. He married secondly, in 1961, Barbara Mary Wells. Both his
wives predeceased him, and he is survived by a daughter and two
sons of his first marriage.
Aubrey Denton-Thompson, born June 6 1920, died 8 November
2012.
Published courtesy of The Daily Telegraph
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
A
26
sport
Sir William Bulmer
S
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
ir William Bulmer, who has died aged
92, was a leading figure in the textile
industry; in the Second World War, he
escaped from a POW camp in Italy and
reached the Allied lines after eight months
on the run.
In December 1941, at the Battle of
Alem Hamza, Libya, Bulmer was a troop
commander serving with 31 Fd Regt RA.
He was in a forward position acting as a
mobile observation post when an Axis
force of tanks supported by artillery and
infantry attacked in considerable strength.
The regiment’s 25-pdrs blunted the
attack, but it was eventually overrun and
suffered heavy losses. Bulmer was taken
prisoner and sent by submarine to Taranto,
southern Italy.
He was transferred to Bari and then to
a monastery at Padula, where he spent 18
months. By September 1943 he was in a
holding camp at Bologna. Following the
Italian Armistice the Germans, having been
tipped off that a mass escape was being
planned, took over immediately.
Along with four brother officers,
Bulmer spent the night hidden in the roof
space over the wash rooms. The next
morning the rest of the POWs were loaded
into trucks and taken away. The camp was
then ransacked by looters, and Bulmer and
his comrades, stripped to the waist because
of the intense heat, remained hidden. That
night they slept on concrete beams nine
inches wide.
The following evening, at dusk, they
made a run for it, forcing their way under
the perimeter wire fences without being
spotted by the sentries. After a night in a
maize field, they woke up soaked with dew
and covered in mosquito bites.
Peasant women, at great risk to
themselves, brought them food during the
day. The five men split up, Bulmer travelling
with John Maides and Mick Wagner.
Sleeping in barns and washing in streams,
they made their way to San Marino, then hid
for five months in a shrine high up on the
mountainside near Esanatóglia, north-east of
Perugia.
With the help of a band of Yugoslav
escapees from a forced labour camp,
they robbed banks and raided the houses
of prominent fascists believed to be
collaborating with the Germans and took
weapons and vehicles. The Yugoslavs were
bent on settling scores with the Germans, and
when Bulmer protested at the treatment that
they meted out to captured German soldiers,
they themselves were held prisoner and
threatened with execution.
The Germans however, identified Bulmer
and his comrades with these activities. They
put a large price on their heads and intended
to shoot them if they caught them.
In April 1944 the three men set off west
towards the central Apennines, a ruse to
deceive the Yugoslavs, who regarded them
as traitors, and then made for the Adriatic
coast. Towards the end of May they reached
an assembly point south of Ancona and lay
concealed in sparse cover among vineyards
and olive groves, watching the German
military traffic thundering along the main
north-south highway.
In the early morning of 25 May, they and
130 other escapers – among them Jewish
refugees and German deserters – climbed up
the ramp of a British landing craft and set off
for Térmoli, some 100 miles to the south and
safely behind the Allied lines.
William Peter Bulmer was born on May
20 1920 at Cullingworth, near Bradford, and
educated at Wrekin College, Shropshire. An
enthusiastic sportsman, he played rugby and
cricket, and was the school heavyweight
boxing champion. After a two-year course
in textile subjects at Bradford Technical
College, in 1939 he was commissioned into
the Supplementary Reserve and posted to
31 Fd Regt RA at Mersa Matruh, Egypt.
Bulmer took part in the Battle of Sidi
Barrani, but was wounded at the Battle
of Keren in Eritrea when he was hit by
a mortar bomb while trying to repair a
telephone line. He returned to his regiment
in time to fight at Alem Hamza. He was
twice Mentioned in Despatches before
being demobilised in 1945.
He then joined Bulmer and Lumb, a
successful textile company that had been
started by his father in 1932 and was
employing some 2,500 people in factories
in Yorkshire. In 1963 he became managing
director.
Bulmer played a leading part in the
report on the future of the wool textile
industry which was published in 1969.
He was knighted in 1974, and served as
Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire from
1979 to 1985, when he retired to Jersey.
Bill Bulmer married, in 1944, Betty
Obank. She predeceased him, and he
is survived by their two sons and one
daughter. Sir William Bulmer, born May 20
1920, died November 28 2012
Published courtesy of The Daily
Telegraph
Leslie Arthur Ward
L
eslie Ward died on 31 December 2012, aged 89. He landed on Sword Beach on D-Day, 6 June,
1944. As a member of 7 Fd Regt RA, 3 British Inf Bde, he served throughout France and Germany
until the end of the war in Europe. Following the end of the World War II, he served in Egypt and
Palestine.
Leslie worked for many years for the Royal Mail in Chester and he was an active member of
the Chester RAA, where he was branch chairman. He will be sadly missed by all his comrades. Our
sympathy to his family and many friends.
sport
27
Roland Wiseman CVO
R
oland Wiseman, who has died aged 82, was a chartered land
agent and from 1974 to 1995 served as Deputy Ranger for
Windsor Great Park.
As Deputy Ranger, he was in overall charge of the Windsor
Estate of more than 15,000 acres embracing Windsor Great Park,
the Home Park of Windsor Castle, farming, forestry, a deer park,
residential and commercial properties, golf courses, a racecourse
and a recreational attraction with some two million visitors a year.
Wiseman served two masters; the Duke of Edinburgh, as
Ranger, and the Crown Estate Commissioners, who paid him.
Keeping down the running costs was no easy task: he had to take
into account the needs of the Queen and the Duke, arrange the
Royal Family’s shooting and look after the many tenants, staff
and pensioners who live in the Great Park. The estate included
some interesting and historic buildings, such as the Royal Lodge,
Cumberland Lodge, the Royal Chapel and the Royal School.
Wiseman was also responsible for improving and developing
the Savill Gardens and the rebuilding of the Estate Office in 1978.
He assisted with the establishment of the herd of deer, promoted
by the Duke.
Alfred Roland Wiseman was born on March 26 1930, the only
son of the Rev Alfred Wiseman. His mother, Muriel, died when
Roland was three and as a young boy he was brought up by his
maternal aunt and grandparents. He was educated at St Michael’s
College, Tenbury, where he was a chorister, and King’s School,
Worcester. His interest in farming and the land developed during
his childhood in Shropshire, and on leaving school in 1948 he
joined the Army. He was commissioned from Sandhurst into the
Royal Artillery, serving at home and in Gibraltar, where he met his
future wife, Ann Lambert, whom he married in 1954.
He then worked briefly for Shell Mex, but his interest in the
countryside enticed him away from a business career. He joined
the chartered surveyors Smiths Gore and qualified in Cumberland
and Yorkshire before becoming assistant factor on the Duke
of Buccleuch’s Selkirk estate in 1961. In 1966 he moved to the
Duke of Bedford’s Woburn Estate as Steward/Land Agent until his
appointment as Deputy Ranger, Windsor Great Park.
During their time at Ranger’s Lodge, the Wisemans were known
as generous hosts, in particular for the lunches they gave during
Royal Ascot week.
On retirement, Wiseman took over the running of the Royal
Windsor Horse Show for three years. He was High Sheriff of
Berkshire in 1998; a Deputy Lieutenant of the county from 1994 to
2005; president of the Royal East Berkshire Agricultural Society;
and chairman of the Windsor Park Equestrian Club from 1996 to
2005.
He was appointed MVO in 1984 and CVO in 1995. Roland
Wiseman is survived by his wife and by a son and a daughter.
Roland Wiseman, born March 26 1930, died December 15 2012
Published courtesy of The Daily Telegraph
Rowland Sands
owland (Ron) Sands who served with the British Army from 1934 to 1962 passed
away peacefully at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, on 7 December after a short
illness, aged 96.
Sands joined the 3rd Carbineer’s (Prince of Wales) Own Dragoon Guards which later
became the Scots Grays. He took part on horseback in London at the coronation of King
George VI in 1937.
Later that year he was posted to India where he served, again mounted, for four years
along the Hindu Kush on the Afghanistan border.
He had always served in signals sector of his regiments and was able to communicate by
heliograph (multi-tasking at the extreme). His best distance attained was 42 miles; flashing
signals by moonlight being a regular occurrence.
In 1942 Sands completed his tour of duty (six years) and returned to Britain via the Suez
Canal. On his arrival he transferred to the Royal Artillery where he remained until 1962.
During this time he served mainly with 39 Hy Regt RA, always in the signals section.
In 1950 he was seconded to the AOP stationed at Castle Bromwich where he served a
further seven years.
Finally he returned to his mother regiment 39, stationed at Adrian’s Camp, Carlisle but
mainly serving in West Falia, Germany.
Before leaving the army in 1962 he served as SMIS (Sergeant Major Instructor Signals).
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
R
28
in memoriam
Last Post
CLOWES – Maj (QM) Ernest Clowes died peacefully after a short
illness on 23 January in the Friary Hospital, Richmond, North
Yorkshire, aged 92. Born in Stoke-on-Trent in 1920, he joined the 61 Fd
Regt RA in 1940. Following a full career with various units he retired
from regular service while serving with 4 Regt RA in June 1975. He
is survived by his wife Lillie and his family and will be sadly missed.
DUNN – WO1 (RSM) Tony (Gerry) Dunn passed away on 9 January
aged 82 following a long decline with dementia which he bore with
fortitude and often with humour. He served for 22 years from 1948
to 1970 almost entirely with 25 Regt RA in Germany and in Larkhill.
There were short postings with 22 LAA Regt RA and 48 Gurkha Inf Bde
in Hong Kong. Last year Tony celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary
with Marjorie and his sons, Peter, Philip and Terry. He leaves seven
grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him. And
now there’s no more service. No more orders to obey. For now his duty’s
done. A soldier died today.
GIBSON – Lt Col John (Jack) Hugill Gibson MBE MC died peacefully
at home on Thursday, 10 January aged 95 years. Much loved husband of
Mary, beloved father of Martin, Angela, Sarah and Simon, grandfather
of Jack and William. The Old Comrades Association (1987-2000) of 31
Fd Regt RA wish to express their great sadness at his recent death and
extend sincere sympathy to his wife and family.
GRAINGER – SSgt Roy Kenneth Grainger passed away on Wednesday,
23 January, aged 76 after a long and brave fight against cancer. Roy
served for over 22 years in the UK, Germany, Northern Ireland, Malta,
Belize and Singapore with many regiments including 16 Lt AD Regt
RA, 22 Lt AD Regt RA, 36 Hy AD Regt RA, 37 Hy AD Regt RA, 50
Msl Regt RA and the 28 Commonwealth Bde ANZUK Arty Regt. He
was the truest and most caring of friends that anyone could have and
he was always there for his friends when they needed him. Roy will be
greatly missed but fondly remembered by his beloved partner Sheila,
by his son Garry and family, and by his very many friends worldwide.
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
HOLDOM – Lt Col Grant Jonathan Leslie Holdom MBE died suddenly
at home, aged 52 years, on 30 November 2012. Grant was a former
member of 3 RHA and 29 Cdo Regt RA, as well as being the Battery
Commander of 148 (Meiktila) Cdo Bty and the Commanding Officer
of 14 Regt RA. Dearly beloved husband of Sarah, much loved father
of Georgie, Jamie and Jemima and much loved stepfather of Charlie,
Henry and Ed.
JONES – Bdr Alan Jones (aka Teapot), ex 46 and HQ Bty, 32 Regt
RA, died suddenly on 26 December 2012. Alan served his nine years
with 32 Regt RA and many of the old boys will remember him for his
dry wit and quick sense of humour. He will be sadly missed by wife
Pauline, sons Philip, Peter and Fraser and also all his army pals and
their families.
LAPIDGE – WO1 (Band Sergeant Major) Robert G Lapidge (Bob)
passed away on Monday, 21 January aged 82. Bob enlisted in the Royal
Artillery on 26 January 1954 in Leeds; he was then posted to Woolwich
to join the band until he retired in 1978. After his retirement from the
Army Bob continued his love of music by joining Bromley Education
Authority as a percussion teacher looking after some 22 schools. Bob
will be sadly missed by his family and friends.
PINCOCK – William Taylor Ross Pincock passed away peacefully
at home on 19 January aged 77. Bill served mainly with 2 RHA and
subsequently 2 Fd Regt RA between 1953 and 1976. Bill continued
to contribute to the regimental effort by acting as secretary for the 2
Fd Regt RA Old Comrades’ Association for 13 years. He will be sadly
missed by all his family, friends and old comrades.
POWER – Col JD Power, died on 1 January. Much loved father of
Jennifer, Isabel and Amelia and a wonderful grandfather.
PRITCHARD – WO2 Ted Pritchard passed away peacefully in New
Zealand on Friday, 25 January, aged 85. He served with 50 Msl Regt
RA for many years. His main claim to fame was being the guard at the
trials of FMs Von Runsstead and Manstien at the end of World War
II. Throughout his service he served with the Army Air Corps, Depot
Regiment RA and HQ 28th Commonwealth Brigade 1965 to 1967. He
was a Gunner through and through. RIP.
SMITH – SSgt Anthony Smith, known as Tony or Smudge, passed
away peacefully at home on 23 October, aged 81, with his family beside
him. His service of 22 years covered time in 128 HAA Bty, 24 HAA
Regt RA in Sheerness, 93 Bty, 25 Fd Regt RA in Malaya, 661 (Ulster)
Fd Regt RA Regt RA (TA) as PSI in Portadown, Northern Ireland,
21 Med Regt RA in Germany, 22 (Gibraltar) Bty in Perham Down, 9
(Plassey) Bty, 12 Lt AD Regt RA in Malaya and Borneo, 7 Arty Bde
in Dortmund and 16 Lt AD Regt RA in Barton Stacey and Belfast. He
was a member of his local RAA branch in Croydon and Royal British
Legion in Coulsdon, Surrey. He leaves behind his loving wife Yvonne,
son Steven, two daughters, Sharon and Susan and one grandson and
four granddaughters. He is sadly missed by family and friends.
TAYLOR – Lt Col Anthony Joseph Cameron Taylor MBE died
peacefully at St Vincent’s Care Home, Hammersmith, on 4 January,
aged 79.
WEBB – Brig Charles Michael Fane Webb (Mick), died on 11
December 2012 at home in his sleep, aged nearly 90, after a testing
number of years borne cheerfully – mostly. A loving husband to Vee;
devoted to Julia, Charlie and Ros, a very proud and loving grandfather
to Oliver, Tom, Giles and Alex and loved dearly by us all.
WESTON – Philip Weston passed away, peacefully in his sleep, family
at his side, on 8 November in the Royal Bournemouth Hospital. Born
1929 in Acton, London, he went on to join the Royal Artillery in 1947
aged 18. He served in Germany, Singapore and Malaya as well as
at Larkhill and other parts of the UK. He spent a couple of years in
the Army Air Corps in Malaya during the communist uprising, after
which he returned to the UK in 1960. He went on to complete 26 years
with the Army and retired in 1973. A further 15 years were spent as
a departmental manager in an Italian Merchant Bank in the City of
London, where he diligently applied his army organizational skills.
Phil married Jean in 1949, in Chiswick and they went on to have two
children, Phil (known to family as Tony) and Lisa. In 1994 he moved
with Jean to Christchurch in Dorset, where they enjoyed 18 happy
years together, their four grandchildren visiting whenever possible.
Phil loved army life and the soldier in him remained until the end, as
he bravely lived for the past six years with motor neurone disease. His
insistence on punctuality and a sense of justice prevailed.
WILSON – Former WO2 (QMS(AC)) John Wilson died on 29
December 2012 aged 66 after a long illness. He served with the RA
from 1962 -1990, in Singapore, Borneo, UK and Germany. His last post
was Chief Clerk at 7 RHA Aldershot. Beloved husband of Pen for 43
years. A loving father to sons Rob and Baz, a doting grandfather to four
grandchildren and great grandfather to two. He will be sadly missed by
family and friends.
sport
The Spring Meeting of the Royal Artillery Golfing Society will be held at
Tidworth Golf Club on Wednesday 24 April. This event has been moved
to Tidworth to make it more accessible to serving personnel.
Competitions:
Scratch Cup: 36 hole scratch Stableford (handicaps up to 12.4). First
18 holes only.
Long Handicap Cup: 36 hole Stableford handicap (handicaps over
12.4). First 18 holes only.
Harry Barron Cigarette Box: 36 hole Stableford handicap (open).
First 18 holes. The second 18 holes of the 36-hole competitions will
be played at the autumn meeting at North Hants GC on Wednesday, 18
September.
Luckman Bowl: 18 hole scratch medal (handicaps up to 12.4).
Harris Putter: 18 hole Stableford handicap (handicaps over 12.4).
President’s Walking Stick: 18 hole Stableford handicap, for those
aged 55 and over.
Serving Cup: 18 hole Stableford handicap for all serving members.
Patron’s Prize: Format to be announced.
Kent Salver: 18 hole Stableford foursomes handicap.
All trophies, with the exception of the Kent Salver, will be competed in
the morning round.
Cost: The cost of the event will be £35 (£15.50 for Tidworth members).
This includes coffee on arrival, lunch and two rounds of golf. Individuals
will be required to pay on the day prior to the morning round.
AGM:The (brief) Annual General Meeting will be held immediately after
prize-giving.
Entry Form: (also available at the RAGS website: www.gunnergolf.com)
RA Golfing Society Spring Meeting and Annual General Meeting
Spring Meeting
29
Rank. . . . . . . . . Name. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Regt/Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H’Cap. . . . . . . . . .
Email address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tel No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Please tick if over 55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Scratch Cup Long Handicap Cup
Luckman Bowl Harry Barron Cigarette Box
Harris Putter
President’s Walking Stick
Serving Cup
Kent Salver*
(Partner …………….……………)
* A partner will be allocated if none stated
Please complete the entry form and return it to either:
The RAGS Secretary, Lt Col (Retd) WDS Forsyth on
wdsforsyth@virginmedia.com
or the RAGS Captain, Lt Col PT Parks MBE on
phillip.parks191@mod.uk
by Friday 12 April
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
I would like to enter the following competition(s):
(Entry for the Patron’s Prize is a given!)
30
sport
19 Regt RA, winners on the podium
T
Ex ALP
his year the Gunners returned to their alpine home in Alpe d’Huez
for the 21st time. The green barren hills of last year seemed a
thing of the past as the 80 participants were greeted with seemingly
never-ending snowfall. While the slopes were being groomed in the
resort, the competitors moved to the Glacier at Les Deux Alpe to find
their ski legs, under the supervision of the experienced racers. There
were 13 beginner skiers on the training scheme who embraced the
white-out conditions to put skis on for the first time. The ESF team
consisted of the usual suspects: Mich, Phillipe, Kiki and Jackie but
this year they were joined by OCdt Matt Waterston from Oxford
UOTC and a Canadian ski instructor who is hoping to join the Army
in 2014, who taught the novice group.
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
Above left: WO2 Stiff
receiving
the
Veterans’
Trophy. Above right: Gnr
Morrison receives the O’Shaunassy Memorial Award. Below: Individual
male combination winner: WO2 Rob Smith.
WO2 Rob Smith
Recharged and ready
The seeding giant slalom was conducted on 21 December prior
to leave, enabling the RA championships to commence on return.
For the first time competitors were at home for Christmas and New
Year, which came as a welcome relief with the continuing operational
tempo. It also ensured that everyone was recharged and ready to take
on the competition.
Five regular regiments entered teams into the competition: 1
RHA, 3 RHA, 19 Regt RA, 26 Regt RA and 32 Regt RA. They were
joined by the HAC as well as Bristol and Oxford UOTC. The racers
welcomed the glorious sunshine and were all looking forward to the
competition in perfect conditions. The first race was the individual
giant slalom (GS) followed by team GS, individual slalom and finally
team slalom. The super giant slalom was due to run, as always on the
final day of the race week but unfortunately the curse of the speed
event hit with heavy snowfall and soft powder preventing the race.
The CO 19 Regt RA, Lt Col Andrew Dawes, was there to watch his
regimental team take victory over 1 RHA in each team race and to win
the Gunner Champion Team. Bristol UOTC won the best guest team.
The results of the team competition were as follows:
Slalom, Giant Slalom and Team Combination: First: 19 Regt RA;
second: 1 RHA; and third: 3 RHA.
The championships also saw the return of several old faces. WO2
Rob Stiff from RSA returned as the scheme sergeant major but
managed to wangle his way to compete in the races and win the overall
sport
31
PINE TIGER 2012/13
Individual ladies combination winner: Capt Lori Sharp
Great improvement
Several soldiers returned to race again and as a result saw great
improvement in their skiing and their results. Bdr Brannon and Bdr
Deyzel, both 32 Regt RA, finished in the top 15 with Bdr Deyzel
finishing fifth in the slalom. Gnr Jenny Morrison and LBdr Claire
Spence from 3 RHA were in the lower seeds in 2012 and saw dramatic
improvements this year with Gnr Morrison breaking the top 20 for the
first time. She also won the Gnr O’Shaunassy prize for showing the
greatest effort to improve. Bdr Frankie Curran, 26 Regt RA, returned
for his fourth season after a two-year break. He finished third overall
in the men’s combination winning the Mick Smith trophy for the
highest placed JNCO. LBdr Panaro, 1 RHA, also broke the top 20
for the first time and his team mate, Bdr Langley, also put in several
sterling performances finishing within the top 15; both have real
potential for the future.
The novice skiers showed outstanding progression encompassing
the spirit of Gunner alpine skiing. They took on the challenge of
the races and some even managed to beat more experienced skiers.
LBdr Barr from 3 RHA and LBdr Marriner from 19 Regt RA were
frontrunners in the novice category. LBdr Barr finished 19th in the
team GS but unfortunately crashed out of the individual competition
while LBdr Marriner proved the more consistent skier and gained
victory as the best overall novice.
Other prizes: Best Veteran: WO2 Rob Stiff; Best Junior: OCdt
Hales, Oxford UOTC; Best Novice: LBdr Marriner, 19 Regt RA;
The O’Shaunassy Memorial Award (most improved): Gnr Morrison,
3 RHA; The Mick Smith Award (Highest JNCO): Bdr Curran, 26
Regt RA.
Gunner Alpine Colours were awarded to Capt Lori Sharp and SSgt
Dean Calcutt
A great success
This year’s championships were a great success and this was
due to the hard work of Maj Emily Hewitt as the Alpine Secretary
and Chief of Race. The scheme was run under the guidance of the
Alpine Chairman, Col Jonathan Calder-Smith and he was very ably
supported by the race committee consisting of WO2 Dinger Bell as
Chief of Timings and Calculations, OCdt Tom Calder-Smith as start
referee, SSgt Dean Calcutt as Chief Gatekeeper and WO2 Rob Stiff as
finish referee (when not racing)!
Thanks must also go to Maj (Retd) Steve Casey who was a very
supportive Royal Artillery racer in his youth! He has kindly sponsored
the Royal Artillery Championships for the past four years and indeed
his generosity continued to help fund the races this year. His company
logo sits proudly on the racers bibs.
Some of the racers moved on to their respective divisional
championships and will hopefully qualify for the Army Championships
where the corps team will be captained by Capt Ange Fewster.
The rise of new talent
We look forward to hearing their progress and results. Next season
will hopefully see the rise of new talent to challenge the strength of
the veteran champions. It is also hoped that more regiments attend
the Royal Artillery Championships to nurture new skiers and develop
racing skills.
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
best male! Two BCs also returned to ensure the veterans dominated
the podium. Maj Ross Haines (19 Regt RA) and Maj Alex Cameron (1
RHA) proved that experience prevails and they all achieved podium
finishes. All three were also in the running for best veteran. The ladies’
competition was tightly contested with Capt Lori Sharp (3 RHA) and
Capt Ange Fewster (19 Regt RA) battling it out. Close on their heels
was Capt Lucy Mason (1 RHA) who displayed incredible courage
having broken her leg racing in 2011. Unfortunately Capt Fewster
crashed out of the individual GS which put her out of the combination
and enabled LBdr Spence to step up to third position, after Capt Sharp
and Capt Mason.
The results of the individual competition were as follows:
Giant Slalom: First: WO2 Rob Stiff, RSA; second: Maj Ross
Haines, 19 Regt RA; third: Maj Alex Cameron, 1RHA.
Slalom: First: Maj Ross Haines; second: WO2 Rob Stiff; third:
Capt Lori Sharp, 3 RHA.
Men’s Combination: First: WO2 Rob Stiff; second: Maj Ross
Haines; third: Bdr Frankie Curran, 26 Regt RA.
Ladies’ Combination: First: Capt Lori Sharp; Capt Lucy Mason,
1RHA; third: LBdr Spence, 3RHA.
32
notices
celebrations
Sapphire wedding
CORRIGAN - ODDIE on 6 Jan 1968, at RAF
Laarbruch, Maj Brian Corrigan to Frances Oddie.
Now at SN3 1JR.
for hire
47 regt RA marquee
47 Regt RA has a marquee available for private
hire. It is 21m x 12m and comes with flooring,
chandeliers and silk linings. Usual price for the
full marquee is £2,000. Rates for regiments and
organisations are negotiable. The marquee can
also be broken down into smaller sections for
smaller events at a cheaper rate. Prices include
erecting and dismantling. For more information
please ring Capt Burnett on Mil 94295 8240 or
Civ: 01243 3868240.
information wanted
1 RHA Regimental History Archive
1 RHA has recently opened its new History
Room charting the history of the regiment
since 1938. The second phase is to establish
a research archive. Though the regiment has
retained a number of documents it is keen to fill
all the gaps. If you have any magazines, photos,
diaries, photographs, marked maps, operational
pamphlets or any other items that could add to
the picture of regimental history then we would
be keen to hear from you. We are also particularly
keen to locate regimental journals to ensure a
complete history. For more information please
contact Capt Richard Varley on 01980 651017 or
email: 1stregimentrhahistory@gmail.com
reunions
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
The RA Boys, Artificers and Junior
Leaders Association reunion
The 2013 reunion of The Royal Artillery Boys,
Artificers and Junior Leaders Association will
once again, by popular demand be held at the
Holiday Inn, Walsgrave Road, Coventry CV2 2HP
over the weekend of Fri, 19-Sun 21 April. Full
details, programme, costs etc will be published
in the January edition of The Trumpeter. For
further information please contact Ted McKenzie
on 07900 806 235 or email tiger-ted@exboysra.
co.uk
Combat Support Wing (CSW) at the
Armour Centre Bovington
On 23 Feb the CSW is holding a reunion dinner
at Bovington, for past and present RA members
who have served there as D&M instructor. This
is a chance to meet old and new friends and for
the older members an opportunity to see how we
conduct training and how things have changed.
More information is available from Sgt Mat Tyson
on mathew.tyson840@mod.uk or tel: 01929
403484.
53 (LOUISBURG) BTY RA REUNION
The next reunion will take place on Sat 26 Oct.
All ranks past and present welcome.For further
details email: barry@key-electrical.com
ROYAL ARTILLERY OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION
(NORTH WEST)
If you are a retired Royal Artillery officer and
wish to keep in touch with other Royal Artillery
officers why not join the Royal Artillery Officers’
Association (North West)? Our Annual General
Meetings are held in late April/early May. Our
annual subs are £2.50 to cover postage and basic
administration. For more information, contact: Maj
JE Thomas TD, Hon Sec, Royal Artillery Officers’
Association, The Orchard, Park Drive, Thornton,
Liverpool, L23 4TL. Tel: 0151 924 2129. Email:
thomasj5@sky.com
25 Regt RA reunion
A reunion will be held for all ex members
of 25 Regt RA in the WOs’ and Sgts’ Mess,
Larkhill on the weekend of 28-20 Jun. Further
information from Steve Russell: 01985 214376 or
stevenrussell771@btinternet.com
4 REGT RA OFFICERS’ MESS
REUNION DINNER
The annual 4 Regt RA Officers’ Mess Reunion
Dinner will take place at the RA Mess, Larkhill
on Sat, 20 July. Any former officer of 4 RHA or
4 Regt RA who wishes to attend please contact
Capt Sophie Taylor on 4RA-97Bty-BTO@mod.uk
or tel 01845 59 5233 or mil: 94712 5233. Also,
please visit the Facebook page ‘4th Regiment
RA Officers’ Reunion’ for all the up to date
information.
26 RA OFFICERS’ REUNION DINNER
The 26 RA Officers’ Reunion Dinner will be held
at the RA Mess, Larkhill on Sat, 4 May. Would
former officers of the regiment who have not
received notification of the dinner by 1 Apr, please
contact the Dinner Secretary, Maj Chris O’Halloran
on 0049 5241842262 or by email to 26RA-16BC@mod.uk
94 LOCATING REGT RA REUNION 2013
27-29 Sep 2013, Beaches Hotel, Prestatyn, LL19
7LG. Join us, meet old friends and a have great
weekend. It promises to be better than ever, 20
years since the regiment disbanded. Details:
nights/price per person: 1-Saturday=£57;
2-Sat+1=£96; 3-Sat+2=£144; 4-Sat+3=£176;
extra nights=£46. Includes daily breakfast and
evening meal plus the formal dinner and dance
on Saturday night. Payment details on application
form. Happy hour rates throughout the weekend.
For an application form contact: jimmymcclung@
hotmail.com
32 Regt RA reunion
The 32 Regt RA reunion will be held at the Doric
Hotel, Blackpool from 25-29 April. Please contact
Tug Wilson for more details on 01928 712948.
13 Martinique 1809 Fd Bty RA Reunion
The next reunion will be on Sat 13 Apr at the
Copthorne Hotel, Birmingham. All ranks past and
present welcome. For further details telephone
07834287426 or email k.brooksusher@hotmail.
co.uk
22 REGT RA RFC REUNION DINNER
22 Regt RA RFC would like to invite all former
members of the regiment to a spectacular reunion
in the Great Hall of Caerphilly Castle on Friday 15
Mar. It is open to all former members of 22 Regt
RA. Pre and post-dinner drinks will be held at
Bedwas Sports Bar, with transport provided to and
from the castle. There will be three guest speakers,
Josh Lewsey, Simon Weston and Brynmor
Williams, all of whom have kindly donated their
speaking fee to charity. The cost of the dinner will
be £90 which covers the charitable donations in
lieu of fees for the guest speakers, a five-course
meal, a steady flow of wine, transportation to and
from Bedwas and the castle, the rental of the
Great Hall and a photographer that will be with
us all evening. For further details please contact
either Maj Euan Quin on 01980 845644 or Tim
Marjot on timothymarj@hotmail.com
ROYAL ARTILLERY LATE ENTRY OFFICERS’
REUNION DINNER (LARKHILL)
The 2013 Royal Artillery Late Entry (RA LE)
Officers’ Reunion Dinner will be held in the RA
Mess at Larkhill on Sat, 14 Sep. The principle
guest for the evening is the Adjutant General,
Lt Gen G W Berragan CB. The dinner is open to
all serving and retired RA LE officers and their
partners. Information letters on the reunion dinner
will be distributed in due course to all serving RA
LE officers, as well as the wider retired Gunner
LE commissioned officer community. Details of
this annual event will remain in Gunner and also
appear on the Royal Artillery Association website.
The Dinner Secretary respectfully requests
interested personnel pass on this information to
any of the retired LE community they may still be
in contact with. The Dinner Secretary is Capt T
Wood RA, OC CIS Sect, ACS Branch, Royal School
of Artillery, Royal Artillery Barracks, Larkhill,
Salisbury SP4 8QT. Tel Mil: 94 322 2012, Tel Civ:
01980 842012. Email: ArtyCen-ACS-OC-CIS@
mod.uk.
SANDHURST 40th REUNION
SUMMER BALL SMC 4
We are organising a summer ball by the lake at
Sandhurst on Sat, 7 Sep (costs about £75 per
head). Please indicate your interest by emailing:
steve@ubiqueleisure.co.uk. Steve Braden, 18 Pl,
Arnhem Coy.
The cdo Gunner Officers’ Dinner
The Commando Gunner Officers’ Dinner will
take place on 8 Nov at the RA Mess, Larkhill.
Any officer who has served on the posted
strength of a Commando Gunner battery,
regiment or specialist amphibious unit are most
welcome to attend and can reserve a place
at:
commandogunnerdinner.eventbrite.co.uk
(where you will also be able to see who else
is attending). The website password is Spean_
Bridge. The PMC, Maj Perris can be contacted
on: 3CDOX-29CDO-23BTYBC@mod.uk or tel:
01752 236050. Limited accommodation will
be available in the mess and dinner tickets will
cost no more than £60 (exact price TBC).
to place your notice here contact 01980 634204
for sale
RA Officers’ Mess
RA Officers’ Mess kit for sale size 40/42 jacket
and including trousers (32/33 leg), waist coat
and George boots (size 8.5) with fitted spurs.
Along with a ceremonial No1 Blues Jacket 40/42
and a Service Dress brown leather cross belt
with RA Pouch. All for a total of £150. Located
in the Larkhill area. Please call Steve on moblie
07443431429.
Regimental heritage book
A numbered ‘Regimental Heritage’ book is
offered for sale, having been kindly donated to
help those Gunners in need. All proceeds will go
to the RA Charitable Fund. Generous bids to the
General Secretary on 01980845698 or ArtyCenRHQRA-RACF-RAA-GenSec@mod.uk.
wanted
Gunner Drum ice bucket
Wanted for purchase Gunner “Drum” ice bucket.
Please contact Nigel Lang on 01590 672 826 of
email ngwlang@hotmail.com
The Royal Regiment in Cyprus
I am a former Gunner currently researching the
involvement of The Royal Regiment in Cyprus
from 1916 to the present. I am interested in
anecdotes, press-cuttings, photographs and
stories involving anyone who has served on the
island. For more information please email me at
gunnersincyprus@gmail.com
1980s Gunner magazines
I’m an ex gunner who started life in the regiment
in Bramcote and latterly 7 Para RHA. I am seeking
old Gunner magazines, particulalry an issue
which had three lads on the front cover, including
one from 29 Cdo Regt RA and one from 4 Fd Regt
RA. Early 1981 as I remember. mark.flannigan@
yahoo.co.uk
The RAA
The perfect opportunity to contact friends
and keep in touch. Call 01980 845362 or
log on to www.theraa.co.uk
The RA Yacht CLub
COMMODORE’S LUNCHEON
20 APRIL 2013
The Commodore’s Luncheon for RAYC
Members and their partners is to take
place on Sat, 20 Apr at the Royal
Southern Yacht Club.
The cost per person is £35. Those
wishing to attend are asked to inform
the Hon Secretary no later than Fri,
5 Apr 13. Payment may be made
either by cheque payable to the RAYC
and sent to the Hon Secretary or by
electronic transfer directly into the
RAYC Account (details contained in
the email to members). If the latter,
please ensure you use your surname
as a reference preceded by “LUNCH”
and let me or the Hon Treasurer know
by email that you have made the
payment. Members are requested
to assemble in the bar at 1215hrs.
Luncheon is served at 1300 hours.
There is a public car park opposite the
Royal Southern Club House.
POC is the Hon Sec on Mob: 07833542920 or Email: morganmjc@yahoo.
com
Livery Yard in Everleigh
(SN8 3EU)
• Full or Part Livery vacancies (includes all facilities)
• Secure American Barn Stables
• Outdoor School (flood lit) (also available for hire for non
liveries)
• XCountry Course (also available for hire for non liveries)
• Horses available for loan
• Regular XCountry, Jumping and Dressage Clinics –
ring for details
• Horse Transport available
• Easy access to both RA and Tedworth Hunting Country
Mobile: 07990 571463
Landline: 01264 852674
Email: info@everleighequestrian.co.uk
Website: www.everleighequestrian.co.uk
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
204th Battleaxe Day weekend
The BC, Maj TP Foss-Smith, would like to formally
invite past members of 74 Bty (The Battleaxe
Company) to the 204th Battleaxe Day weekend.
Both former members of the Battleaxe Company
and their families are welcome. The event will be
held at Albemarle Barracks 22-23 Feb. Please
contact Sgt Hammersley for further details on
0191 239 3436 or 07720533439 before 22
January.
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competitions
The closing date for all competitions in this month’s edition is Friday, 12 April 2013.The winners will be drawn at
random and notified as soon as possible. Don’t forget to fill out the form at the bottom of the page.
Spot the difference
The Gunner wordsearch
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These words associated with the Babcock Trophy can be found in the
wordsearch: horizontally, vertically, diagonally. Which one of the following
does not appear in the wordsearch grid?
To win Gunner silk tie, kindly
donated by GarrisonPRI.co.uk,
all you have to is spot the five
differences in the photos above,
fill in the form below and send your
answers to The Gunner.
Please tick which competitions you are entering.
Then fill out all your details and send it to us Gunner
Publications, RHQ RA, RA Barracks, Larkhill,
Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 8QT.
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
Spot the difference
Wordsearch


Name: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tel:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Email:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Address: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..........................................
..........................................
Last month’s winners were:
Spot the Difference: WO2 Marples, Wiltshire
WORDSEARCH: Mr C Nuttall, Hampshire
Army
Conversion
Hospitality
Navy
T
Offside
Penalty
Rugby
Scrum
Streaker
Tackle
Try
Twickenham
he best of the Army and Navy rugby teams will be battling it out again
for the Babcock Trophy at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday, 27 April in
front of 65,000 spectators. Be there for an action packed day of adrenaline
fuelled rugby – and more.
The day kicks off at 10.30hrs down the road at Kneller Hall with the
Veterans and Womens matches. Then at midday the Combined Services
U23 v Oxbridge U23 kicks off in Twickenham Stadium, followed by the main
match at 3pm.
The all-important Gunner tent wristbands must be bought in combination
with a ticket (£25 for the pair) through Lt Chris Lewis, 14 Regt RA. Telephone:
07867488552 or email: gunnertickets@gmail.com
THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
up front
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THE GUNNER • FEBRUARY • 2013
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