B&C 100 Jun 03 1974 DINING OUT OF BRIG PETER BARCLAY
WO2 PAT COLE AND CSGT RON SMITH
B&C 99 Dec 02 carried a piece on WO2 Pat Cole.
It omitted to mention he was also Officers’ Mess Steward to 6 R Anglian. The article did mention his credentials: ‘Pat Cole had the most impeccable training as his father-in-law was the Late Great Ron `Sailor’ Smith, Mess Steward to 4 R Norfolk and to 6 R Anglian.’ (See A Lack of Facilities)
Below is a rare photograph, kindly provided by Maj Fred Ayers TD, of Ron in the Officers’ Mess at Aylsham Road in 1974 on the occasion of the Dining Out of The A Coy Hon Col, the late Brig Peter Barclay.
Commissioned into the Norfolk Regt in 1929, he became Deputy Honorary Colonel of A (Royal Norfolk) Coy, 6 R Anglian in 1971 having previously been Hon Col of the 4th Bn, R Norfolk Regt.
B&C 86 Jun 96 and 95 Dec 00 carried references to his memorable speech at that dinner, which the Norfolk Editor was privileged to attend, then an unwashed nothing Officer Cadet - but OC The Late Gangster Pl in Thetford!
Gems were:
REVERSE ORDER 'Before the war I was stationed at Britannia Barracks. Leaving Stratton Strawless in good time the old Bentley was found to be stuck in reverse gear. There was little choice so I drove all the way in reverse gear.'
DUCKWEED - OR 'BETTER ON TIME THAN PROPERLY DRESSED'
‘I had been out riding before morning parade and was thrown from my horse into a duckpond. My platoon were on duty and when the Guard Commander saw a bedraggled Lt Barclay approaching on foot, the Guard was called out and they presented arms.
It was a bit late to get changed for the morning parade so I attended, on time, as I was, improperly dressed, covered in duckweed.
Spotted by a furious Adjutant I was on COs Orders. Standing dripping before the CO I wondered how many extras I would get this time.
The CO, feet up on desk, dressed in hunting pink, said, 'Jolly good show Barclay. Did the right thing. Priorities. Now off with you. I've got my own priorities as you can see. Join us some time won't you?'
(Click here for an account of someone who ignored this fundamental Barclay Principle!)
PREPARATION AND PLANNING FOR WW2
’In India in 1939 we prepared for the inevitable war by having an extra half an hour of drill a day.'

1974 Dining Out of Brig Peter Barclay as Hon Col A (Royal Norfolk) Coy, 6 R Anglian
Back: Maj David James, Brig Peter Barclay, Col Dick Flower and Maj David Standley
Front: CSgt Ron Smith, Maj Tim Chatting and Maj Sam Hornor
B&C 100 JUL 03