THE HOME SERVICE FORCE
The Home Service Force (HSF) was founded in 1982 and A (Norfolk) Coy, 6 R ANGLIAN, based in the TA Centre in Aylsham Rd, Norwich, were honoured to be one of the pilot host units. The late Maj David Standley was its first OC.
F Coy was regrettably only in existence for 10 years but its members formed a thriving association. Activities arranged this year include walks, hence the title WARMS, a visit to The Somme in May with Maj Arthur Woodward as a splendid guide and to the Edinburgh Tattoo in August. Special thanks go to organiser Tony Watson and Chief Driver George Stiles.
The Annual HSF Reunion Dinner for 35 members, guests and their ladies was held at the best-kept Norfolk catering secret, the Restaurant at the Hotel School, Norwich City College, on Sat 1 Dec 01. The food, under control of the Master Chef, incomparable former ACC WO1 Steve Thorpe, largely prepared and served by Catering Students, was superb and the setting delightful.  It was indeed an evening to remember. A good mardle over old times was had by all and some fairy stories were relived. Sadly, this year, the HSF EYSWTLY Players (Every Year Something Worse Than Last Year) were having a Sabbatical so we were unable to see the usual key players Donna Whiley, George Stiles, Tony Watson and Arthur Woodward, the last OC, often cast as a twit! Capt Ray Page reminded us: ‘CSM Geoff Fletcher and I told Arthur what to say, he said it and we made sure we did it!’ Former PARA and HSF CSM Geoff Fletcher went on to become Norfolk ACF County Wpn Trg Offr, retiring from that post in 2000.
Notable absentees were Patrick ‘Trainset’ Hornby (former 1 RANGLIAN), Tony Fishlock and Rear Admiral Pat Whiley and his wife Barbara, celebrating, with Donna, their 40th Wedding Anniversary. Pat and Donna were unique in the HSF, father and daughter serving together.
Tony Fishlock is part of HSF folklore. He was at the bottom of a trench in the 1980s when Lord Trefgarne visited the Norwich HSF (Home Service Force) F Coy on exercise.
‘What are you doing?’ asked the noble Lord.
‘Digging a sh** hole.’
(Finding this site page, Tony added in Jun 07: ‘It was a case of mistaken identity. I thought Lord Trefgarne was my old cricketing mate Malcolm Allsopp of Anglia TV!’)
Past performance, Custom and Practice - call it what you will - were matched. No one heard former OC, Maj Ron James TD CS DC, Late The Rocking Horse Rangers, bang on the bar with a sponge calling for attention from those who wished him to buy them a round!
See the HSF website at: www.studio44.co.uk

For details of WARMS activities, contact the Secretary: Tony Watson, via the Norfolk Editor.