FUSILIER NEWS
Regimental Headquarters The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers HM Tower of London London EC3N 4AB
Tel: 020-3166-6909 Fax: 020-3166-6920
E-mail: rhq@thefusiliers.org
14th June 2011
RHQ/RRF/1363
HONOURS AND AWARDS
The Colonel of the Regiment congratulates the following on receiving awards in The Queen’s Birthday
List:
MBE
Major Chris Carter formerly OC A (Fusilier) Coy 4 MERCIAN now Training Major 4 MERCIAN.
CinCs Certificate for Meritorious Service
Major Iain Hallam formerly Training Major 5 RRF.
Sergeant B D Cormell 2 RRF Midlands Recruiting Team.
FUSILIER GATHERING 2011
Due to a very poor take up for attendance at the Fusilier Gathering 2011 a decision has been reluctantly
taken to cancel the event at Tidworth as guests of 1 RRF. From across the Association no more than 70
Fusiliers, including wives had indicated an interest in attending. This number was not cost effective and
would have resulted in the price per person being prohibitively high. If there is a desire for a centralised
Gathering to continue then Areas and Branches must support by attending. Presidents of Associations are
to seek an opinion from their Branches and inform RHQ of the outcome. In the meantime the intention
will be for RHQ to support Area and Branch events and encourage interaction Regimentally across the 4
Areas. A message concerning this from the Colonel Association is on the new Association Web site.
1 RRF
On the 16 May, 1 RRF remembered Albuhera. 200 years after the event, weary from Exercise LION's
STRIKE, with battle planning and procedure fresh in their minds, the Battalion gathered at Imber Village
for a Drumhead service. In amongst prayers, remembrance and some traditional hymns, which the
Fusiliers sang loudly, the RSM and Padre spoke of the events of that day. The Padre (Revd Tracey
Bateson) drew parallels from the story of David and Goliath, where the Israelites had been outnumbered by
the Philistines, just as the British were in Spain. And yet, just as David did the unlikely and defeated
Goliath, so the Fusiliers defeated Napolean’s forces at Albuhera. Even though involved for less than an
hour, the intervention by the Fusiliers was decisive. Keeping the parallels with King David, the Fusiliers
were encouraged to use skills they had acquired before joining the Army, to train hard to be the best
soldiers they can be and to be patient for the operational tour in 2013!
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At 0830 hours on Monday 6 June members of the 1st Battalion came together to celebrate and remember
the actions of the servicemen and women involved in the D-Day landings, 67 years ago. The Battalion
gathered to listen to a presentation from Lt Alex Gay which focused on the involvement of the 2nd
Battalion the Royal Warwickshire Regiment on D-Day, and the ensuing battle for Normandy. In 1946 the
Colonel of the Regiment, Field Marshall Montgomery the Viscount of Alamein ordered the observance of
the 6 June by the Royal Warwickshire Regiment as Normandy Day to celebrate the Regiments
involvement in liberating Nazi occupied Europe. In 1963 the Royal Warwickshire Regiment re-titled to
become the Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers, and in 1968 amalgamated with the 3 other Fusilier Regiments
of England to become the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. Following the presentation Padre Bateson gave a
short service of remembrance followed by the National Anthem. The morning gave a stark reminder to the
Officers and Fusiliers alike, of the bravery and courage shown by our predecessors, and what it means to
be a Fusilier.
X Coy on the ranges in superb weather
May began with X Company running selection for the Fire Team Commanders Course (FTCC - JNCO
Cadre in old money). After a gruelling 3 days consisting of navigation tests, a log race, basic tactical
assessment and various other physical tests a shortlist was drawn up of those who would attend the course
in Brecon. Those Fusiliers who passed are now in Brecon working hard with the aim of promotion on
returning to the Battalion.
The final LION STRIKE exercise of the Battalion’s time as the Land Warfare Centre Battlegroup took
place in May, and X Company enjoyed their role as enemy once again. As ever, they managed to
successfully fend off the Light role Companies as they fought their way into Imber Village, and 2Lt
George Eid along with his RPG team managed to repel the armoured attack led by 2Lt Xavier TeasdaleFirth who was attached to Z Company for the exercise.
Okehampton provided the setting for small arms ranges towards the end of the month, which saw the
whole of X Company conducting live firing up to, and including, the Annual Combat Marksmanship Test.
The weather conditions provided some particularly demanding conditions on the final day which was a
good test to fully establish the best shot!
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Members of X Coy wondering what the man with the gun is going to do next
The return of those men deployed on HERRICK 13 as Battle Casualty Replacements with 16 Brigade
meant that May has also been a month for reorganisation. Having enjoyed anything up to 4 weeks off on
Post Operational Tour Leave, the men had a good break, but many were keen to get back to work. In the
words of Fus Oliver Hashtroudi, “I started turning into a civvi after a couple of weeks and needed to get
back to the Army! “ The men will now rejoin their respective platoons, and begin to share their experience
of being in Afghanistan with the remainder of the Company as they start to prepare for deployment as a
Battalion in 2013.
Lt Matt Selby, BCR with the SCOTS, parades in Canterbury on return from Afghanistan
Recce Platoon and elements of Mortar platoon deployed to the range complex in Lulworth to conduct
Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) live firing. Most of the crews were confident and hit the targets but it
was evident that some of the crews were a little rusty and so this provided a very good training opportunity
for the gunners to ‘get their eye in’. Recce platoon was supported by Mortar platoon who ran a pintle
mount shoot from their AFV. Concurrently, from a static firing point, snipers engaged targets at varying
distances. The ranges were visited by the Commanding Officer, Lt Col Swift, on the Tuesday, after a
thorough safety brief, he was able to engage and hit some of the sniper targets and also conduct the GPMG
pintle mount shoot.
After engaging and destroying targets by day, both Recce and Mortars engaged and destroyed targets by
night. By the Wednesday, crews began to fire their Annual Crew Test. The Platoon as a whole achieved a
high Level 5 pass. With the whole platoon passing it was not until the end of the day that the top gun
award was decided. This time it was not clearly won by one crew and the trophy was shared between 3
crews; LCpl Jay Smith and LCpl Paul St Louis, Cpl Francois Wright and Fus Eugene Kevane, and LCpl
Robert Grantham with LCpl Dean Mace.
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Following in Recce Platoon’s tracks, Z Company ran a Warrior Gunnery Camp on Lulworth Ranges.
Initially, the lack of recent field firing was evident. Ultimately, however, it was a highly successful week,
which allowed most of the Company’s gunners to pass their Annual Crew Test. It puts the company in a
very good position for its next gunnery camp in December, which marks the beginning of the build up
towards BATUS next spring. The very next week Z Company was back out on the ranges, this time in
Bulford and Warminster to get everyone through the Annual Combat Marksmanship Test for their personal
weapons prior to the Company’s deployment to the Falklands in the Autumn. With the long summer days
and night shoots needing to be fired, the week felt very long indeed. A huge amount was achieved,
however, and the standard of firing was noticeably improved by the end of the week.
The 1RRF SPS Detachment has recently celebrated success at the annual Triple Crown Competition held
in Worthy Down on 18 May 2011. Four members of the Detachment, captained by Cpl Danni King took
part in the Military Skills event which consisted of a series of military stands including first aid, CBRN, a
loaded march and an obstacle course. The march and shoot event was also entered and a further four
members of the Detachment completed the 12 mile march with a time of 2 hrs 7 mins and finished as
winners of the SPS Detachment March & Shoot competition. The standard of competition was higher than
ever before and over 120 teams entered the competition this year. The winning team consisted of Capt
Tony Frank, Cpl Benny Benoit, Pte Dally Mandson and Pte Jim Sussex.
The SPS team on Triple Crown
In a valiant effort to discover if anyone in the Battalion could play cricket, Maj Edd Sutthery organised an
inter-mess cricket competition. Rain threatened to stop play early on during the day, but was simply
ignored as the Fusiliers took on the Corporals’ Mess in the first game of the day. The Fusiliers were as
ruthless as the England bowling attack, even English drizzle and a slippery wicket could not dampen their
spirits as they marched to a convincing victory. The WOs and Sergeants Mess took on the Officers’ Mess
next for the honour of playing the Fusiliers in the final. The tone of the match was set from before the toss,
when the RSM took the field as an umpire! After some suspiciously competent quick-bowling from Lts
Ben Everson and Alex Gay, the RCMO, Capt Darren Robinson, came on to deliver a lesson in keeping the
batsman guessing. ‘Surprise, deception and shock action’ are not necessarily the principles of cricket, but
Capt Robinson succeeded in defeating the batsman with two deliveries to first slip followed by a rocket to
the top of off stump. Set a target of 104, the Officers engineered a truly English collapse, ending up
needing one run off three overs with two wickets to spare. Both promptly fell and the match was tied. A
two-over decider was played, with the officers sneaking home, 2Lt Greg Marriott holding on for the vital
catch. Unfortunately this exposed the Officers to the frankly outrageous pace of the Fusiliers’ attack of
Fus Sylvnaus Stewart and Fus Gedeon Charles, which even Captain Tom Atkinson’s Indiana Jones hat
couldn’t counteract. The Fusiliers, well led by Fus Tom Driscoll, quickly amassed a total of 150 runs,
which proved far beyond the capabilities of the Officers!
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The Officers’ Mess opening batsmen- enough to put fear into any bowling attack
The selected Battalion team was put to the test when 1 RRF played ARRC Sp Bn in the 1st round of the
Army Cup. 1 RRF won the toss and elected to bowl reducing ARRC Sp Bn to 114 all out. Fus Stewart 3 14, Fus Charles 3 – 17, Fus Driscoll 2 - 14 claiming the wickets. 1 RRF knocked off the runs in 16 overs
with Fusilier Stewart 42, Lt Gay 28, Maj Sutthery 28 not out. It was a comprehensive victory and the
Battalion have drawn last year’s winners, The Pilgrims, in the second round. This game will be played on
Wednesday 15 June, in Hereford.
Maj Ed Suthery and Fus Varte applauded off the pitch having scored the winning runs
In May, a team from 1 RRF LAD departed Tidworth and took part in the minor unit’s category of the
REME Orienteering Championships. The event, held on Hankley common training area, was split into 3
separate courses, with the ASM (WO1 Steve John) competing in the Brown course (the longest and most
technical, apparently), LCpl Skye and Sgt Mark Horsfall competing in the Blue course (a much easier
course, as both felt that they couldn’t match the ASM’s superior athleticism and navigational prowess on
the brown course) while Craftsmen Darren Custy, Don Fong, Sean Hibbert, Ricky Mehew, Prab Singh and
James Westwood competed on the light green course.
Despite the temperature matching that of the Sahara, along with the undulating terrain (which there seemed
to be a lot more uphill than down), the team did extremely well, dominating the light green course by
taking the first five places in their category, including the first four places for the under 25’s. LCpl Skye
did equally well on the Blue course coming in only one second and one point behind the leader from HQ
DEME(A). With all members thoroughly exhausted but pleased with their performance of coming second
to HQ DEME (A) by a four point difference, 190 to 194.
Other successes on the day included Cfn Hibbert, taking first place and Cfn Singh taking second place in
the under 25’s category, a sterling effort by both.
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Capt Matt Clarke (2nd left) and the REME orienteering team
A team of boxers from 1 RRF went to the Army individual Championships in Aldershot. The team fought
valiantly, with both courage and pride. Fus Lee Chilton became the Army’s 2011 Light Middle Weight
Champion. He came back from a standing count in the first round to technically out box his opponent in
an intelligent display of courage and skill. In addition, Fus Chilton and Fus Ashley Peace were selected to
attend training with the Army Boxing Team.
WO2 Ronnie Collins was awarded ‘The Paul Oatway Prize’ at the recent Tidworth community area awards
for his support to local youth activities. WO2 Collins has coached the U13 Shipton Bellinger football team
since the arrival of 1 RRF in Tidworth in Aug 09. The young team involves both military and civilian kids
from across the Garrison and wider community and has proven to be a great bridge builder; the children are
considerably more aware, more mature and more understanding as youths contributing to society. Recent
successes include winning the Div 2 league and runners up in the Cup Final.
In May, six members of the Battalion competed in the second annual “Pain on the Plain” cycling event in
Tidworth. This civilian competition included 50km and 100km routes for road bikes, with a share of the
profits going to SAAFA. Congratulations must go to the Commanding Officer, who set the bar high in the
100km event, and to Fus Marc Collins Cooper and Capts Matt Clarke, Stu Richardson and Mark Milne
who ensured that 1 RRF took 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th places (respectively) in the 50km event. Planning for a
100 mile charity ride in September is already underway!
Capts; Mark Milne, Matt Clarke, Stuart Richardson, and Fus Marc Collions-Cooper
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2 RRF
May has been one of the few months over the past year when 2 RRF has been in a period of relative
routine (although the Companies may disagree!) Internal courses and inter-company sporting events have
formed the basis of the month with the highlights being the British Army (Germany) and Army Football 6's
and the Battalion’s Skill at Arms meeting.
The Battalion, whilst maintaining its high readiness capability as the Small Scale Contingency Battlegroup,
is now firmly looking forward to Ex ASKARI THUNDER in Kenya later this year. As part of the build up
there has been a large amount of work going in to improving the vehicle driving standard of the Battalion.
The CIS Platoon has also been working hard to improve the Battalion's communications during the
Regimental Signaller Part 1 course in Trenchard Barracks. The Intelligence Officer, Capt Georges
Strachan-Heyes, in his role as Battalion Shooting Officer organised and ran the 2 RRF Inter-Company
Skill at Arms Meeting (SAAM) as an event to both improve the level of shooting within the Battalion, one
of the core infantry skills, and to select a team for the Bisley SAAM.
Regular readers will know the Second Battalion is proud of its football team and affords them (and the
QM) significant coverage in this publication. They have been in action again over the last month with
some good results. As those of you who know Lt Col Mike Butterwick (Commanding Officer 2 RRF) you
will be aware that he has a passion for all sports; this has quickly rubbed off on the Battalion.
Consequently, there have been a number of sporting events over the last month, mostly inter-Company,
seeking to improve sporting capability and image beyond the confines of the football pitch and to identify
the wide talent base within the Battalion. As part of this, Capt Dale Smith organised and ran an interCompany rugby competition; whilst Sgt Lalley along with Mr Neil Saunders, the Battalion SHEF Warden,
organised a day of cricket coaching for a local School in Celle.
Regimental Signaller Part 1 Cadre. The CIS Platoon managed to run the first part of a two part course
that will hopefully see 20 soldiers qualified as Regimental Signallers. Looking forward to Kenya, where
the Battalion will find individual companies operating at over 100Km from Battlegroup HQ, this
qualification will be essential. Recent years have seen battalion level communications focus on VHF
equipment but due to the range the Battalion will be operating over in Kenya soldiers will need to also be
competent in the HF equipment at a lower level than currently practised. The course was run at Trenchard
Barracks and on Bergen-Hohne training area. The students were taught plenty of theory during the early
phases of the cadre before deploying on a comprehensive exercise; where according to the directing staff
the highlight was the 'Line Laying' and 'Line Maintenance' elements (this may have something to do with
the DS cutting the line and the students having to find the break and repair it in the middle of the night RSO). In all, 21 students passed the internally run Part 1 of the RS course, of which 20 are loaded on to
the 'Part 2' at the Support Weapons School, Warminster, later next month.
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Fus Jewkes, C Coy testing his line on the Regimental Signaller Part 1 course
Football. In May the 2 RRF Football team competed in both the British Army (Germany) (BA(G)) and
Army 6-a-side competitions. As the reigning Army 6-a-side champions there was much for the squad to
live up to. At the start of the six-a-side competition the Battalion Squad was down two of its star players,
however the Football Officer, QM(M), Maj Will Blinco, held a football squad trials in the form of a small
competition and had a lot of new players that were jumping at the opportunity to play for the Battalion. 2
RRF entered an A and B team in the British Army (Germany) (BA(G)) tournament. The competition
consisted of two pools and the draw placed the two teams in different groups. In the knockout phase the A
and B team met, surprisingly the A team won. As this was also the qualifying event for the Army 6-a-side
competition the B team needed to win the 3rd place playoff to qualify for a place at the Army 6-a-side
tournament. Despite a Yellow card for the B team goalkeeper they won and qualified. The A Team under
Sgt 'Windy' Miller romped home as BA(G) winners. Once again the Second Battalion had two teams in
the Army 6-a-side competition!
For the Army six-a-side competition the team had a long drive to Pirbright. After a day to settle in the A
and B teams arrived at Aldershot Stadium on 25 May 11 for the competition. After a brief on the rule
changes from the BA(G) competition the teams found that they were in the same pool of 8 and that the first
game was 2RRF A vs 2RRF B; an unenviable start! After a hard fought game the B Team beat the A
Team 4 – 2. The loss to the A Team seemed to motivate them; they played hard and racked up a good goal
difference with lots of wins. The B Team managed to scrape some wins too, but due to goal difference
they finished the competition in 3rd place and did not qualify for the knock out phase. The A team
qualified for the Semi-finals in 2nd place within their group. The knockout phase opened with the A team
up against 1 SCOTS, a hard fought game (and some dodgy calls from the man in black – A Team players)
with both teams fighting hard to progress; eventually 1 SCOTS went through to the finals.
Congratulations to the Battalion Footballers. Despite no winners trophy (this month) the Army Coach was
at the event scouting for talent and two Fusilier players may find themselves heading for Army colours
very soon. Stop press; the Battalion won the BFG Army Championships in Jun. More in the next News.
2 RRF Operational Shooting Competition. The aim of the 2 RRF Battalion Operational Shooting
Competition was two fold; first to improve and develop the overall shooting ability of the battalion through
competition marksmanship; and second to enable the selection of a Battalion Team to be sent to this years
Army Operational Shooting Competition at Bisley. Lessons identified from recent operations have
radically changed the old ‘competition’ matches into brand new ‘operational shoots’, these have a much
greater emphasis on snap shooting, and firing from multiple positions with the full range of section
weapons (LSW/LMG/Pistol). Additionally, all shoots are now conducted as fire teams or sections and
must contain Section Commanders and machine gunners. 140 members of the Battalion competed in this
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year's event on Bergen-Hohne ranges. In all there were five competition shoots; The Section Attack
Match, The Section Advance to Contact Match, The Fire Team Close Combat Match, The Fire Team
Combat Snap Shooting Match and the Fire Team Falling Plates Match.
Falling plates competition – firing from the 400m point
Despite extended periods of no firing due to the range area being set alight by neighbouring live fire
exercises, all teams were able to complete each of the 4 main matches on the Wednesday and Thursday,
which led to an exciting morning on the Friday with the falling plates competition which was won by the
team from 9 Pl C Coy. Prize giving was held in front of the Battalion in Trenchard barracks and saw A
Coy take three of the four team competitions as well as the best overall Fire Team and Section. Mortar Pl
took a surprising victory over the rifle platoons in the Section Attack Match whilst Sgt Henderson of A
Coy won the championship shot and Fus Fick of A Coy was awarded the CO’s prize of best ‘young
shooter’ having finished an impressive third overall.
Sgt Henderson – Receiving the impressive shield for 'Champion shot'
All firers benefited over a week of shooting that improved skills and developed potential. This event has
nurtured a desire in the Fusiliers to continue to excel in this core skill and has proved a spring board for the
Battalion Shooting Team where a strong performance at Bisley later this year is expected.
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Prize winners with their silverware
Summary. Shooting, communications and sports are key for the Infantry. Shooting and communications
are obvious as to their importance. Sport has a less obvious but equally important part to play. Soldiers
work as part of a team, whether that is part of the Rugby or Football team or their Fire team or Platoon.
Teamwork is key to being a soldier, the ability to rely on your team and for your team to rely on you is
even more important on the battlefield than on the sports field. Next month the Battalion will be
conducting some adventurous training, again an event where key soldiering skills are developed.
Adventurous training is designed to take soldiers outside their comfort zones, testing their spirit with real
fear and developing their courage to overcome challenges in a controlled environment.
Next month a large contingent of the Battalion will also be taking part in Ex FLANDERS, 2 RRF's major
event for June. The exercise is a high level joint command exercise with the French military and will
include the command element of the Battalion attending as LOCONs. There will be a defence platoon and
a demonstration from 2 RRF soldiers conducting Fighting in Built-Up Areas (FIBUA) at a major new
purpose built complex. The exercise is of such a high profile that several high ranking British and French
officers will be visiting as well as President Sarkozi. The Battalion Football team will be competing again
early next month this time on a full sized pitch in the BF(G) Major Units Final. Good luck to them.
5 RRF
The last month has been focused on the lead up to the mobilisation of the cohort destined for Afghanistan
in the Autumn. The two training weekends in May have been used to concentrate on the slightly mundane,
but still highly important G1 administration matters. The RAO and his team have been busy in all of the
main TACs taking the cohort through their MCCP, checking all personal documentation and other
administration. This is vital for TA soldiers intending to deploy because their time at RTMC Chillwell is
very short and the slightest anomaly with their paperwork can lead to their demobilisation.
On the 29 May the cohort paraded at Chillwell having been ‘called out’ as mobilised soldiers. At the time
of writing they are going through their mobilisation training. Those successful will progress to 2 weeks of
post mobilisation training at Sennybridge before joining their Regular Battalions for mission specific
training and deployment in late June.
On other news – congratulations go to Cpl Unwin for coming top student on the last TA Platoon Sgts
Battle Course.
The Band received its periodic Band Inspection from CAMUS. This is an important inspection for the band
where all aspects of the running of the band are looked at. The inspection team left very happy and much
credit must go to the Director of Music Capt Kevin Crook and his team.
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Band Inspection – L to R: Lt Col Banks, Maj Hindmarch, CAMUS Team, Capt Crook
Future Events.

06 – 18 Jun 11 – Op HERRICK 15 Battle Camp at SENTA

25 Nov – 09 Dec 11 (approximate dates) – Annual Camp Kenya (COEFOR for 2RRF Ex ASKARI
THUNDER).
AHQ NORTHUMBERLAND
After the success of the St George’s weekend the Area has moved into full summer season mode. The
Recruiting Team are now at full stretch covering the vast number of Summer Fairs and Shows that are such
an important part of life in this mainly rural area. Congratulations must go to C/Sgt Clark and his partner
on the birth of a baby boy last week and hopefully this will not impact on the rest of the team as result of
the C/Sgt not getting his beauty sleep!
Saturday 28 May saw the ‘Fighting Fifth’ Golf Day take place at Morpeth Golf Club. The weather was
once again very challenging which was reflected in the stableford scores. Mr Ron Creasey,
ex 5 RRF Band PSI prevailed in both the points competition and for the nearest the pin prize whilst Mr
Dave Fitzgerald, ex 6 RRF somehow managed to win the longest drive competition. The day was opened
up for other regimental golfers but the only guest player was the oldest man in Lancashire, John O’Grady
who had brought Norma across the Pennines to spend the weekend with Bertie and Margy Sexton. Our
thoughts are with Geoff Proudlock, a longstanding member of 6 RRF who has played in each of the
previous competitions as he recovers from serious surgery.
A large number of The Fusiliers Association of Northumberland is currently travelling to the battlefields of
Anzio and Cassino. It was with some surprise and pleasure that they met up with association members of
both Lancashire and Warwick in France who were also visiting the battlefields and Commonwealth Graves
in the Flanders area and shows how much the service and sacrifice of our former Fusiliers is respected and
commemorated.
The Association Area Chairman, Major Chester Potts, has continued to assemble a committee and
research the concept of holding a large Fusilier function in Newcastle in the summer of 2012 and plans are
firming up for this to go ahead and it will be for all Fusiliers, Regular and TA (RNF and RRF). More
details will appear on the Association Facebook page for what will be a very high profile and inclusive
event.
AHQ LONDON
Fusiliers Museum London. The more open aspect of the refurbished museum galleries have, as
expected, allowed for much larger receptions to take place. The first of these was on 1 June when the
Worshipful Company of Cordwainers held a reception in aid of the Museum Appeal. Over 120 guests
attended.
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The Master of the Cordwainers at the Museum reception. Col Easton (left) looks worried
A very successful fashion show was held from 21-25 May. The organiser, Tony Hampton, is an ex member
of the Lancashire Fusiliers and RRF and is the MD of the Suzanne Neville fashion house. Some 200
invited fashion stockists and journalists attended the four day event. On 31 May the British Red Cross held
their annual “Jailed & Bailed” event in the Association Room. This entails very senior people from the
City being invited to Mansion House for coffee whereupon they are instantly arrested by the City of
London Police and transported to the Tower for further investigation. On arrival at the Tower the prisoners
are put into balls and chains and led in file up to RHQ. They then have a couple of hours to rustle up bail to
be released. Last year the British Red Cross raised some £25k at this event.
Sgt Timothy Gowling a Victorian Fusilier
History Talking Back. Come and visit the museum on a weekend and you might get closer to history
than you expect. The Fusilier Museum has now got its very own Victorian Soldier.
Live costumed interpretation is the latest part of the Heritage Lottery Fund project; Fusiliers Advance!
Interpretation is provided by actors from Past Pleasures Ltd who already produce a popular live
interpretation programme at the Tower of London for Historic Royal Palaces.
Sergeant Timothy Gowing joined the Royal Fusiliers aged 20. He joined the Regiment because they were
known as a smart regiment and he had heard of their great victories in the Napoleonic wars. He went to
fight in the Crimean War and took part in the important battles of Alma and Sevastopol before being
wounded at the Battle of Inkerman. He even witnessed the infamous Charge of the Light Brigade. On
Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays you can meet Sergeant Gowing outside The Fusilier Museum. In
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Gowing's day, the building was Officer's Quarters and soldiers and officers returning from the Crimea were
stationed at the Tower. Gowing can tell you all about the glory of battle, but he will also explain the reality
of; 'battle not fought by men who were well fed, well clothed, or well housed, nor by an army that was well
prepared; but on the contrary, by men who were half starved, clothed in rags, and exposed to all the
inclemency’s of a rigorous climate.' In fact, once you get him started, it is hard to shut him up!
Schools World Premier. For the first time, The Fusilier Museum is delivering a dedicated programme of
workshops for school groups. Working with friends at Historic Royal Palaces, the Tower Education team,
the museum has just finished its first schools project. Four local schools came to visit the museum in
March. Each school was introduced to a different Fusilier story through a live interpretation workshop.
Back at school, the children worked with the Tower Education team to develop a story board of the story,
writing dialogue and doing artwork.
The final stage of the project was to work with animators Wendy Scott and John Harmer to turn the stories
into animated films. The project culminated in a premiere showing of the films at Rich Mix Studios in
Brick Lane. The project team were joined by children and teachers from participating schools and were
able to see the results of their hard work on the big screen. The project is just the start of a whole
programme of activities for school groups which will be available from September.
The Fusilier Museum London signs up to Free Volunteering from Red Tape. The Fusilier Museum
London has joined a National scheme run by Volunteering England to Free Volunteering from Red Tape.
The museum benefits from a dedicated band of volunteers who are largely recruited from the local
community of Tower Hamlets through the local Volunteer Bureau. Free Volunteering from Red Tape aims
to make it easier for people to volunteer and to cut through some of the bureaucracy that can surround
volunteer work. It is really easy to get involved. Email, phone or write to:
T: 0203 166 6912
E: info@fusiliermuseumlondon.org
W: The Fusilier Museum, RRF, HM Tower of London, London, EC3N 4AB
Include:
Your name
Contact details
Any relevant experience you think you may have.
What sort of opportunity you are looking for?
Why you want to volunteer?
We promise to get back to you within 3 days and in most cases it is possible to start working the following
week.
The Association. There have been two major trips carried out by the Association in May. The first led by
Captain Bob Keating took a party of 40 to Italy where they visited a number of battlefield sites including
Anzio, Cassino and Snakeshead Pass. Although a huge success it is disappointing that the trip fails to
attract Regular and TA soldiers who are able to get educational grants for battlefield studies. These trips
give a valuable insight to the Regiments heritage and are an excellent opportunity for serving soldiers to
experience this on site and to get involved with their Association.
The second trip was to Portugal and Spain to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the battle of Albuhera. The
event was organised by RHQ PWRR and a party of 25 joined a total party of 140 including Royal Welch
Fusiliers. The four day trip included wreath laying at Albuhera and the Elvas cemetery. A number of
senior diplomats and Military VIP’s joined the celebrations and all who attended enjoyed a cracking few
days (photographs appear under AHQ Warwickshire).
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The Fusilier contingent at Cassino
AHQ WARWICKSHIRE
Another successful Association Skill at Arms Meeting was held at Swynnerton on 2 May. A total of 10
teams from Warwickshire and the West Midlands Branches along with guest teams from Lancashire, the
Staffordshire Regimental Association and the Yeomanry competed for the team trophy which was won this
year by the Royal Leamington Spa Branch. The individual best shot was shared between Major Peter
Stanley (Coventry Branch) and Mr Mark Blakely (Central Branch), both served together in 5th
(Warwickshire) Battalion. Some 120 members of the Association with friends and family attended what is
now becoming a really popular meet for Fusiliers. Sheldon Branch and in particular Neil Gregory are to be
congratulated for organising a first class event, not forgetting Major Tommy Nugent and his safety team
from Warwickshire ACF for running the firing point and reminding members of SA 80 drills! The star of
course was Eamonn Gannon BEM for fixing ATE Swynnerton. Warwickshire looks forward to seeing
teams from Northumberland and the City of London Associations in 2012, making this a truly Regimental
Association event!
Maj Turquand presents the shooting Cup
A first class Normandy Day lunch was held by the Nuneaton Branch at the Chestnuts Club on Saturday 4
June, guests included Lt Col & Mrs Aubrey Chalmers and Major Richard Mills. Around 50 members of the
Branch plus a strong contingent from Sheldon enjoyed an excellent meal and entertainment with a ‘40’s
theme provided by vocalist Madeline Brown! Ty Chadwick and Tricia Wood were wonderful hosts The
Normandy Day Parade was held in Riversley Park, Nuneaton on Monday 6 June, as always there was a
good turn out from the Nuneaton Service Clubs and the Nuneaton Branch.
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The ‘40s night
Continuing on a Normandy Day theme, Murray Richards and his team of cyclists, who are raising funds
for FAS and the Fusilier Memorial, made a quick tea stop at St John’s House on Tuesday 1st June en route
to Sword Beech. The welcoming committee included Mr Chris White MP, the Mayor of Warwick along
with Sgt Cormell and his Recruiting Team.
The Normandy cyclists arrive at St John’s House
AHQ was delighted to host Mr Jim Smith aged 92, at St John’s House, Jim enlisted in 7th Battalion the
Royal Warwickshire Regiment on 27th November 1934 in Coventry and served with A Company until
1938 when he was forced to leave due to his reserved occupation. Jim was called up in 1940 and was
posted to North Africa in 1941 with the RAOC. Clearly Jim wanted something more challenging and found
himself serving with Colonel David Stirling in L Detachment 1 SAS. Jim is recognised as one of the few
remaining “originals” of the Special Air Service Regiment, he went on to see action in Sicily, Italy and the
Dodecanese.
The Area Secretary was lucky enough to take part in the Battlefield Tour of Albuhera over the period 13 17 May organised by RHQ PWRR. There was a strong contingent of former Royal Fusiliers and 3rd
Fusiliers headed up by Major General Brian Webster and Major General David Woodford, with staff
support from Colonels James Aldous and Nigel Easton, the foot soldiers included Lieutenant Colonels
Keith Kiddie, Nick Beswick and Majors Maurice French, Brian Whalley and not forgetting Captain John
Davis who kept everyone in good order. Congratulations to Colonel Mike Ball and his team from RHQ
PWRR for laying on such a memorable event.
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The Fusilier Albuhera team
Col Aldous and Lt Cols Kiddie and Beswick
Ed: Nick, where did you get that hat from?
AHQ LANCASHIRE
Bury Wartime Weekend. The East Lancashire Railway Wartime Weekend has been running for nearly
15 years in Bury. It is a three day event, held annually over the last bank holiday in May. The event is
well subscribed, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Prior to the move of the Area Headquarters and
Fusilier Museum into the centre of Bury the Regimental presence at the event had been limited to the
Fusilier Band & Corps of Drums supported by a small team from the Fusilier Association. Now that the
Headquarters and Museum are based in the centre of Bury next to the East Lancashire railway the event
presented a Regimental opportunity not to be missed.
The weekend proved to be a good example of a combined Regimental event, coordinated by the Area
Headquarters. Taking part where a section from 1RRF, a good part of the TA Machine Gun Platoon,
Fusilier Cadets from Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force, the Association, Friends of the Fusilier
Museum and staff from the Tourist Information Centre and Fusilier Museum. The aim of the weekend was
to raise the profile of the Regiment and at the same time attract additional visitors to the Fusilier Museum.
With no practical experience of the Wartime Weekend the decision was taken to organise several events in
order to establish best practice for 2012. The 2011 events included:
Fusilier Information Stand.
Craft Exhibition.
Researching Military Ancestors.
TA Recruiting Stand.
Display of Military Vehicles.
Military Art Exhibition.
Cadet Parade.
All three days. On the platform of Bury Station based
on 12 x 12 provided by the TA.
Saturday only. Organised by TIC in Museum.
Sunday only. Museum Friends Group.
Monday only. In Gallipoli Garden.
Monday only. Museum Friends Group.
All week in Museum.
Sunday. Irwell vale. GMACF.
The weekend proved successful, bringing in many additional visitors and £800 in income for the Museum.
Also, all the hard work considerably enhanced the profile of the Regiment and Army. That said, there are
areas for improvement which will be incorporated into the plan for 2012. Finally, special mention should
be made of the NCOs and Fusiliers from 1RRF, the TA Fusilier Machine Gun Platoon, Steve Fitt,
Secretary of the Association in Lancashire and Steve Douthwaite Secretary to the Friends of the Fusilier
Museum for their help with the preparation and for their hard work over what turned out to be a very wet
and windy but successful weekend.
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Helen Field with Fusiliers from 1RRF
Machine Gun Platoon stand in Gallipoli Garden
Fusilier Information Point on the Platform of Bury Station
GMACF Shooting at Altcar. Shooting is a core activity for the ACF and the opportunity was taken to
visit the Fusilier Cadets from Greater Manchester firing the target Rifle at Altcar Training Camp recently.
Despite horizontal rain the cadets put up a tremendous performance shooting out to 500m.
Cadets with Area Secretary Lancashire at Altcar Training Camp
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Band on Tour. The Fusilier Band (Lancashire) recently took the opportunity to mix business with
pleasure by playing a number of concerts in Belgium. The band formed in 1997 and is now some 35
strong and has established a reputation for musical excellence both at home and abroad. This year the
Fusilier band was invited to play in Belgium and events were arranged in the beautiful mediaeval city of
Bruges, at the atmospheric TOC H in Poperinge and finally at the famous Menin Gate in Ypres.
Ypres has a particular significance for the British Army for during the First World War, the British Army
held Ypres against repeated German attacks for nearly four years sustaining many casualties as a
consequence. Throughout the First World War the antecedent regiments of the Royal Regiment of
Fusiliers suffered 63,841 dead and many thousands more wounded.
At the end of the tour the Band paid their respects to the last two Lancashire Fusiliers of the First World
War to be buried. Private Harry Wilkinson was buried in 2003 and Private Richard Lancaster in 2007,
both at Prowse Point Cemetery south of Ypres. The bodies of a further two Lancashire Fusiliers have
recently been discovered and are being investigated by the Ministry of Defence pending a formal burial.
It was with great pleasure for the band that during the tour the members were able to meet up with fellow
Fusiliers from both Northumberland and Warwickshire
Playing at the Menin Gate
Future Events.
Friday 29th July.
Sunday 31st July.
Monday 1st August.
Thursday 1st September.
Saturday 24th September.
Thursday 3rd November.
Friday 4th November.
Saturday 3rd December.
Rochdale Branch Minden Ball, Rochdale.
Association Drum Head Service Gallipoli Garden, Bury.
Minden Day. HQ and Museum Staff to celebrate. Bury
Minden Club AGM and Dinner, Bury.
Machine Gun Platoon Annual Dinner, Castle Armoury, Bury.
Inkerman Dinner, Bury.
Lancashire Council Meeting. Bury.
Oldham Branch Christmas Dinner. Stockport.
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NOTICES

FAS now has its own Justgiving site. Those who wish to raise funds for FAS should use this site for
all donations: http://www.justgiving.com/fusiliersaidsociety

This year, Stephen Hussey’s Challenge or Stupidity will takes him to the European Alps with
several other Partners in Crime to cycle 320 miles from Turin to Geneva. During the 4 days they
will encounter six Tour de France Mountain Climbs including the Infamous Alpe d’Huez. The aim
is to raise £3000 for the Regimental Memorial fund at the new Arboretum in Staffordshire. A
dedicated National location for the Roll of Honor, and a place for all families and comrades to pay
homage to the Regiments recent and not so recent Fallen Comrades. Stephen seeks sponsorship on:
http://www.justgiving.com/STEPHEN-HUSSEY1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capt (Retd) Malcolm Johnston intends to walk the Yorkshire Wolds Way and part of the Cleveland
Way at the end of next month in order to raise money for FAS. It would be a great help as he slogs
along to know that many of you are supporting him. Two years ago he raised over £1,000 for H4H
walking the Hadrian’s Wall path and this year is aiming to raise over £1,500 for FAS. All you have
to do is go to www.justgiving.com/FallenFusiliers and give as generously as you can.
I R Liles OBE
Brigadier (Retd)
Regimental Secretary
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