Issue 86 Jun 96

WHO WROTE THIS ?
B&C 85 Dec 95 offered a prize of a Regimental tie to whoever first guessed the identity of the writer of : 'I hope you can read my writing as I am one of the unique people who have never possessed a typewriter, Word Processor, motor car, video recorder, computer, mobile phone or credit card.
No one guessed that Bill Ace Eagle Eye Seymour was the writer. So here is another chance to win a new Regimental tie. Send or telephone your guess to the Editor's home address - detailed near the front of the newsletter.

WHO WROTE THIS LAMP SWINGING TALE?
'I was stationed in Pahang in a bamboo camp on the edge of primary jungle 5 miles from Mentakab. It was quite good fun and though the area was designated 'black' - at least 4 vehicles and 20 men - if the truth were told our greatest concern both in the camp and in the jungle, for part of the time at least, was caused by a glut of cobras.'
To make the task a little easier, the writer's name appears three times in this edition and twice in B&C No 85 December 1995. Ed.
This, of course, was Tom Styles! For the full tale see 'Krait Alright on the Night'

LONDON BRANCH NEWS 1923
No, not just found on Major Reeve's desk - Bill Seymour has kindly sent the editor copies of historic documents relating to the London Branch, founded in July 1922. One relates to 1923 and invites the 88 members to a charabanc outing to visit the 1st Bn in Colchester. The cost of the tickets, return fare and luncheon was 12/-. Annual subscriptions were 7/6d for Officers with Life Membership at 3/-. Other Ranks were charged 2/6d and 10/- for Life Membership. The Secretary was Captain SJ Cozens.
And see LONDON BRANCH OBE in B&C 98 Jun 02, where this was repeated.

A 1934 four page recruiting booklet 'Norfolk Men for the Norfolk Regiment' details the daily pay, which includes 6d per day for Educational and Military Efficiency; Private 2/6d, Lance Corporal 3/9d, Corporal 4/6d, Lance Sergeant 5/3d, Sergeant 6/8d, Colour Sergeant 9/1d, CSM 9/6d and RSM 13/4d. It has photographs, sadly bearing no names, of the 1st Bn Boxing Team, winners of the Presidency and Assam District Championship, 2nd Bn Trooping the Colour and a PT Display at the Depot on 8 July 1934.
It compared, after a year of service :

Wages

Clothing Allowance per week

Board, Lodgings, Clothes, Washing and Insurance

Pocket Money

Railway

Holidays

Public Holidays

Pension after 21 years

THE CIVILIAN

35/- per week

2/9d

25/-

10/

Full Fare

One week full pay, one week no pay

No pay

NIL

THE SOLDIER

17/6d

20/3d

4/- max

16/3d

Half Fare

One month per year, full pay

Full pay

According to rank

1947: The first London Branch Dinner to be held after WW2 was planned for October 1947 at Bush House, Aldwich. The official charge for tickets was 8/6d even though the actual cost was 12/6d.
And see LONDON BRANCH OBE in B&C 98 Jun 02, where this was repeated.

4th BATTALION DINNERS
75 years after the first dinner was held in February 1921, the 4th Bn Royal Norfolk Regt Officers' Dinner Club met around the Chilianwala Table in the Officers' Mess at Aylsham Road on Friday 19 April. Maj Tom Eaton took the chair. Thanks as always must go to Maj Fred Ayers for his masterminding of the event with the excellent fare in the capable hands of Maj Gilly Banthorpe and WO2 Pat Cole. It was good to see that A Coy keep it in such good shape and we thank the caretaker, Mrs Nancy Barnard for her efforts.

The 4th Bn Royal Norfolk Regiment Old Comrades Association Annual Dinner was held in Gorleston the following evening. Many of the FEPOWs met once again. A contingent of ex-Thetford Platoon, A (Norfolk) Company, 6 ROYAL ANGLIAN was welcomed by the President, Maj Tom Eaton. As usual, the first three former CSMs from A Company since it was formed in 1972 were present - WO2s Alec Barr, John Housego and Colin Sadd. Sadly, our venue for many a year, the St Edmonds Hotel, is converting to an Old People's Home but we were very satisfied with the fine fare and opportunity to meet old friends at the nearby Cliff Hotel. The Annual Accounts were presented by the Treasurer, 'The Master', Maj Fred Ayers. Association Officers elected were : President - Maj Tom Eaton OBE; Vice Presidents - Mike Ashton, JAL Barratt and WP Hall; Chairman - Ray Pillar; Vice Chairman - Colin A Sadd; Secretary - John H Housego; Treasurer - Maj Fred Ayers; Committee - Alf Pleasance, Jack Barber, Geoff Peacock, Pat Budds, John Bilyard and CSM Alan Debenham (A Coy).

THE BACK PAGE
We had a saying about the 4th Bn Royal Norfolk Regt Officers' Dinner that if you did not attend for a year or so Fred Ayers assumed you had handed in your kit, joined St Peter's Parade and you ended up on the back page. Unfortunately, as an encouragement to attend, the back page is no more!

BETTER LATE THAN IMPROPERLY DRESSED
A member wrote, 'One year I was rather late for the 4th Bn Royal Norfolk Regt Officers' April Dinner. Driving to Norwich on the dual-carriageway I glanced at the invitation/menu and checked the date and time. It was the correct date and I would arrive in reasonable time. However, dress was a problem. It said 'lounge suit' and I was in dinner jacket. What to do? The decision was simple - drive on to the nearest turn-around, race home, change and inevitably arrive late. The car was making an odd noise and I found I was doing 120mph! On arrival, apologising and explaining the delay to Col Paul Raywood, he retorted: 'You did the right thing!'
This ignored the style of the late Brig Peter Barclay. He had been out riding before morning parade and was thrown from his horse into a duckpond. His 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 he attended, on time, as he was, improperly dressed, covered in duckweed! Click here for the Duckweed Sequel!

REGIMENTAL ANECDOTES - BRIG PETER BARCLAY, MAJ TOM STYLES, MAJ BRYAN COWARD AND CAPT WILLIAM GAYMER

REVERSE ORDER - BRIG PETER BARCLAY
'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.' The late Brig Peter Barclay on being dined out by A (Royal Norfolk) Coy.

DUCKWEED - OR BETTER ON TIME THAN PROPERLY DRESSED
Having been out riding before morning parade and thrown from his horse into a duckpond, Lt Peter Barclay decided it was better to be on parade on time, as he was, improperly dressed, covered in duckweed rather than late. Spotted by a furious Adjutant he was on COs Orders. He stood, dripping, before the CO, wondering how many extras he 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.' The late Brig Peter Barclay on being dined out by A (Royal Norfolk) Coy.

DUGOUT IN KOREA
Major Tom H Styles (Obituary in B&C 96 Jun 2001), wrote about sharing a dugout in Korea with Trevor Hart, 'a bolshy National Service Doctor, RMO to the 1st Bn. As a result of his service, which included going on a patrol in which 2Lt `Tit’ Towell was awarded an immediate MC for his gallantry, he became a Regular and ended up as Major General Trevor Hart CB.'
(B&C 95 Dec 00 Obituary for Maj Gen Trevor S Hart CB RAMC)

HUSBANDS
Maj Bryan Coward, told of joining 2 Suffolk in Lahore as OC 'B' Coy in 1943. On his first day in the company office in a barrack block in the cantonment he heard a conversation between the Coy Clerk and the Company Runner. 'Ave you seen the CO this morning?'
'No. But I've seen 'er husband.'
(Repeated in B&C 96 Jun 01)

TRANSFERRED BACK TO THE HOLY BOYS
Bryan Coward relates, '2 Suffolk went into the Arakan and Imphal and had a pretty horrid time in 123 Bde of 5th Indian Div. After Imphal we had a terrific amount of dysentery and at one time I was commanding a double company of 13 soldiers. As we were not receiving any reinforcements it became clear that we could no longer maintain the strength necessary in a fighting brigade. 2 Suffolk then went back to India - I forget where - but the Regimental Contractor knew long before they left. And anyway, I managed to get myself transferred back to the Holy Boys.'

SEARCH FOR A BATMAN
Bryan Coward: Back in Jan/Feb 1940 we were in Weybourne and I had a really idle chap so asked my Platoon Sergeant to find a suitable replacement. I was then Carrier Platoon Commander so when this elderly (to me) 28 year old turned up a few mornings later I said, 'Look here Osborne, this is quite a big job. You'll have to look after yourself, your rifle and ammunition. Then there is the Bren gun and tripod and 2500 rounds of ammunition, all to be kept clean, bright and lightly oiled for inspection at any time. You'll also have to help in the maintenance of the carrier, track tension etc. And apart from all that you will have to look after me. Do you really think you can manage?'
Osborne scratched his head and in that real old Norfolk way said, 'I reckon I'll be able to look after you sir. I used to be a horse breaker before the war.'
I took him on like a shot and never had a better chap. I fear Osborne may have gone to Singapore and I've never been able to find out anything of his fate.'
(The Regimental Office card index reveals a 5769804 WG Osborne from 6 Council Houses, Leys Lane, Attleborough who might be the one. Assuming he was 18 when enlisting in 1930, he would have been 28 in 1940. His service, though, is indicated as 'all 4th Bn'. Sadly, there is a note that he died in captivity in The Far East in April 1944. And there is an inscription on the Attleborough War Memorial to a W Osborne. If you know what happened to Osborne, write in and tell us. Ed. )
In 2002 the Norfolk Editor wrote to the 'Attleborough and District' News with an appeal for information.
Pamela Key, daughter of William Osborne, telephoned to say it related to her father.
At last, in B&C 98 Jun 02, his obituary is published - it is never too late!

DRINK UP
Capt William Gaymer related that a soldier approached him on the platform at Northampton after he had been demobbed, querying: ‘Do you remember me Sir? At Britannia Barracks I asked for a leave pass. I was not entitled to one but you said I could have one provided I went home and drank lots of Gaymer's cider!’

HOLD THE PLANE
At Sennybridge in 1978 6 R ANGLIAN hosted the Pennsylvania National Guard and there was much swapping of kit. We lined the route and cheered as their coaches departed. In 1981 we again hosted a US National Guard unit at Sennybridge. An hour after they had been cheered on their way a breathless officer rushed into the office of Maj Ron James, 2IC of the Bn, to say that one National Guardsman had been found, left behind. A very distressed black soldier dressed in US fatigues was ushered in. Ron rapidly made an assessment of the situation and began to make telephone calls to hold the flight and get the soldier to the aeroplane. The RAF were adamant that they had already returned to the USA with the same number of soldiers they had flown in. When it started to go up to the MOD, Maj Alan Fairless, Capt Alan Spearing and Light Infantry attachment Capt 'Eagleburger' had to come clean. They had instigated the scam with Cpl Terry Paul from B Coy appropriately attired in American uniform!
At the same camp Ron started the Dinner-Out evening fully clothed but finished up in his shreddies, which then disappeared out of the coach window.

TACT AND A TIE

In the 1982, when Lt Col David James was CO 6 RANGLIAN, Maj Ron James TD, the Bn 2IC, was tasked with designing and producing a distinctive tie to be launched at the 1983 celebrations to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the TA. The main part of the design brief was that it had to incorporate colours representative of the four former County Regiments which then made up the Bn : A Coy - Royal Norfolks, B Coy - Beds and Herts, C Coy - Essex, D Coy - Cambs and HQ Coy - Suffolks. Samples were available for inspection in the Mess at 1982 annual camp at Bodney over afternoon tea. Thin stripes, wider stripes and very broad stripes were options.
One officer, Lt Mike Allison, particularly fancied one sample, took it away to the consternation of Ron James but soon reappeared with it worn as a length of medal ribbon.
Nothing more was heard about the tie until we assembled in the Mess in Bury St Edmunds after the parade through the town. Every officer was handed a vividly striped tie to be worn at the evening reception. When we received our Mess Bills we realised they were not a gift.
The late Maj Tim Chatting (d 2004) had been invited to attend the reception so parked his car and was walking in the direction of the Assembly Rooms with his wife, but not totally sure where to go. 'Follow those young men', said Sue Chatting.
'No, it can't be,' said Tim, 'not wearing those ties.'
Entering the venue he noted that there were dozens of similar ties and with great tact and diplomacy, Tim approached the Norfolk Editor, was sporting his new tie, and asked: 'Who designed that ****** awful tie ?'
Ron James was nearby and replied, 'I did.'
The Norfolk Editor cannot recall how Tim got out of that one! [86 Jun 96, here and repeated in 107 Dec 06].

Postscript by Webmaster Sep 06 Click here to see 4 ties worn in Apr 2006

The RPJ tie Mk 1.
This never saw the light of day
except when Mike Allison borrowed it at Bodney Camp to make a set of medal ribbons for his Combat Kit.

SEASONAL GOODWILL
Mike Allison, ex-A (Royal Norfolk) Coy, 6 RANGLIAN called the Norfolk Editor from his office in Princeton, New Jersey, just before Christmas 1995 to arrange a reunion at the Maid's Head Hotel in Norwich.
Richard Watson, John Davidson, Miles Green, the webmaster, Mike Allison and David James had a splendid reunion on Christmas Eve.
Everyone but Mike arrived wearing the RPJ 6 RANGLIAN tie, above, which beats the MCC tie for brightness.
Photographic evidence is available here to dispute the myth that David James never carries folding money.
Click the photograph, bottom right, to see, released from long-term incarceration, a host of lepidoptera dazzled by unaccustomed light.
In a second gesture of seasonal goodwill David James presented Mike with his RPJ tie - right.
It was to have been the last night in the UK for the webmaster, due to fly out to Bosnia the next day, following the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement on 10 Dec 95.
However, on Christmas morning the message came to say: 'Hold you fast until early January.'
The Corps HQ in the Dalmacija Hotel at Kiseljak was full!

Maj John H Howard served with the 5th Bn before and during WW2 until 1940, then with 2nd Bn and 4th Inf Bde HQ 1940-1953 and ultimately 4th Bn 1951-1960. His article will be of general interest but particularly to readers who served with 2 Royal Norfolk, 2 Suffolk and 1 Northants at Kohima. Or perhaps you know a man who did?
Kohima 1944 - 2nd Bn The Royal Norfolk Regiment
'9 OUT OF 10 NORFOLKS THERE HAD BEEN KILLED BY JIFFS'
FACT OR FICTION OR BIRTH OF A MYTH ?
The 50th anniversaries of Kohima and VJ Day inspired a crop of new war histories, including John Colvin's reassessment of our battle in 'Not Ordinary Men' in which appears the quote, '9 out of 10 Norfolks there had been killed by Jiffs'. This has escaped the attention of many 2nd Bn old soldiers because it refers to an incident in the early stages of the Japanese attack before we had arrived!
The battle of Kohima was the turning point of the Burma War and 2 Royal Norfolk played a proud part in it. It is impracticable to make an adequate summary of the battle. Just to provide a setting the reader is referred to Vol 3 of the Regimental History, page 75 onwards, particularly to map 14 at page 88. There is a mistake on this map in the naming of two features. DIS and FSD have been interchanged. DIS was west of FSD. This was irrelevant to our 2nd Bn history but is important in the present context. JIFFS were Japanese Inspired Forces, recruited by them from Indian Army and Burmese prisoners of war captured in earlier campaigns.
At the meeting of the 2nd Bn Officers' Kohima Dinner Club in May 1995 the passage in the book was reported. None of us who had been at Kohima had ever heard of the incident before. We were able to confirm 9 and 10 April as the dates of arrival of 2 Royal Norfolk by air from Southern Italy at Dimapur, the base 46 miles west of Kohima. The general consensus was that the '9 out of 10' were unlikely to have been members of the 2nd Bn.
After correspondence with John Colvin, his source materials have been examined at the Army National Museum. The staff have been extremely helpful - far beyond the normal call of duty.
The source of the statement is the diary entry dated 6 April 1944 of Cpl HF Norman, C Coy 4th Royal West Kents, who had been rushed into the battle the day before. They occupied a feature (DIS) at the western end of Garrison Hill. They were not then in immediate proximity to the enemy but they were mortared all day on the 6th. In front of them across the road was Jail Hill, defended by elements of the Assam Regiment who had recently retired to it after being forced off GPT Ridge, and also by elements of several other regiments
Cpl Norman wrote, 'During the morning about 40 Assam Rifles ^* came down off their feature 3 or 4 times, but we drove them back again, firing at them but at 1400 hrs 'the rot' set in and about 100 Assam and a few Gurkhas came running from the feature followed by their English officers. We thought there was still 1 Coy of West Yorks on there but about an hour later about 30 British lads came off the feature. They told us that the feature was a Convalescent Depot and that they were all convalescing there when the Japs attacked them. Poor devils! They certainly put up a 'good show'. We heard later that they were grenaded by the 'Jiffs' (Burmese turned traitor, who were trained by and fought for the Japs) and that 9 out of 10 Norfolk Regiment had been killed.'
Incidentally, he mistook Assam Regt for Assam Rifles. Both units were in the area.
No other report has been found of this 'massacre' at the Convalescent Depot, which was not on Jail Hill but on a spur running south east from the road between DC's bungalow and Naga village, map ref 508668 or thereabouts, slightly west of the 'K' of the block name Kohima on map 14 in the Regimental History. It was therefore 1200 to 1300 yards away from Cpl Norman's position on DIS.
The '9 out of 10' could not have been from the main body of our 2nd Royal Norfolk Bn who were still in India on 6 April. Could they have been an advance party of guides, sent up to Kohima by mistake and 'lost' in the chaos of the moment, perhaps 'billeted' in the Convalescent Depot? No one at the dinner in May 1995 considered this probable. Surely someone would eventually have heard about it, if it had been our men.
But, who were the '9' ? There are two other possible candidates. First, 2 Suffolk, who were briefly in Kohima between 18 and 28 March. Major Brian Coward, a Norfolk Officer who was serving with them as Mule Transport Officer, has been contacted. He did not come from Imphal to Kohima with them, but reckons he would have known if they had left sick men up there when they returned to Imphal and considers it unlikely that the '9' were Suffolks. Second, the other candidate (only because of the similarity of name) is 1 Northampton who were at Imphal in 20 Ind Div. They have not yet responded. Correspondence with Suffolks and Royal West Kents has not identified the '9'.
It is hoped this note will reach more old soldiers of the three battalions mentioned and that someone may be able to contribute information about the '9 out of 10'. If so, will he get in touch with John Howard, via the Norfolk Section Editor.

Note: Maj John H Howard died on 13 Aug 2002 - click for his obituary