Issue 90 Jun 98

NO CRIMINAL RECORD
22413896 Edward Francis 'Ted' Errser of Queensland, Australia, urgently wishes to contact his old friend, Eric 'Sandy' Sandford, with whom he served in 1 Royal Norfolk in Korea 1951-2. Ted was on the Vickers Machine Gun and Sandy on Mortars. They went out on the 'Empire Orwell' and left with the Northumberland Fusiliers on the 'Devonshire'. Headed for Hong Kong, the boilers blew up so they transferred to the 'Empire Pride' in about Aug/Sep 52. Sandy was best man at Ted’s wedding to Jean Casey in 1953 at Lambeth Church. Emigrating to Australia in 1965 Ted has lost touch. He knows Sandy was married, had 2 children, has no criminal record and is not dead! Even the provision of his date of birth and last known address would be a help for Age Pensions UK to locate him. (That is worth knowing! Ed)
Ted is not at all well so would anyone having knowledge of Sandy Sandford please inform Ted Errser as a matter of urgency.
Click here to see more on The 'Empire Orwell'

YES, I KNEW DUTCHIE HOLLAND
Gordon Spong, of Dorset telephoned to say he was aboard the MV Georgic when she sailed from India, as described in the extract from the Daily Express 18 Aug 47 featured in B&C No 88, Jun 97.
For more see:
Georgic Index
B&C 88 Jun 97 - The Norfolks leave India in Aug 1947 by Sydney Smith of The Daily Express
B&C 91 Dec 98 by Ron Phelps
B&C 93 Dec 99 by Gordon Spong
B&C 94 Jun 00 - Len Brazier by Capt John A Todd
B&C 95 Dec 00 - Aug 00 Reunion by Gordon Spong
B&C 98 Jun 02 - Aug 01 Reunion by Jim Cameron
B&C 100 Jun 03 Obituary John Watson

Now 73, Gordon enlisted in Norfolk in Dec 45 and served with B Coy 2 Royal Norfolk in India, leaving in Jan 48. He also wrote with reminiscences of WJ 'Dutchie' Holland, whose obituary appeared in B&C No 88, Jun 97. He believes Dutchie was ex-Queens and served with 2 Royal Norfolk in India with him. He reckons he must have had boy service too for Dutchie spent 24 years in uniform, commencing with RAF training to be a Rear Gunner. Gordon wrote of meeting, after a gap of 50 years, his former B Coy Commander, Capt Ian Page, in Bournemouth at a 50th Anniversary celebration of the granting of Independence to India. 'A wonderful chap to serve under.' Gordon hopes to meet Maj Baxter at the Reunion Dinner which he will be attending with Stan Rasberry and Ron Stokoe. Gordon wrote a very clear letter despite limited vision in his right eye and being blind in his left eye.

Some details of Dutchie’s service were also provided by Evelyn Holland. Dutchie served in BAOR from 1948, through the Berlin air lift, until 1951. Then he went with the Regiment to Korea from Aug 51 until Sep 52 and on to Hong Kong until a posting to Colchester in 1954. They met in 1955 at a dance in the WOs and Sgts Club, of which Evelyn’s father was an honorary member, having served in the Norfolk Regiment from 1906-1926. Six weeks after they were married, Dutchie went to Cyprus in 1955. A brief accompanied posting to Germany was followed by 5 years away from the Regiment, 2 years as PSI in Great Yarmouth then 3 in Chatham with the Royal Engineers. Aden followed: 'It was great out there and apart from the troubles we enjoyed the life'. It was in Britannia Barracks that Dutchie concluded his service in 1967.

We are grateful to Gordon Spong and Evelyn Holland for the opportunity to improve on the inadequate obituary which originally appeared for Dutchie in B&C No 88, Jun 97.

OFFICERS’ KOHIMA DINNER CLUB
Maurice Franses writes :
On an evening in December 1947, following his investiture by HM King George VI, Brigadier Robert Scott DSO, who had commanded the 2nd Bn at Kohima, was entertained to Dinner by officers who had served under him at that time. The venue was Scott's (!) Restaurant in London. It was agreed that similar gatherings should be held annually. In 1982 the venue moved from London to the Norfolk Club, Norwich and from 1984 ladies have been invited.
On Friday 1 May 1997 the Club held their 51st Annual Dinner at the Norfolk Club, Norwich.
Those present were Col Murray Petit OBE, Capt 'Gus' Gilding and his daughter Kay, Capt Ian Page, Mrs Jean Aikens and Mrs Jean Turnbull. Maj Sam Hornor (died 1998), was accompanied by his son Peter and Capt Maurice Franses was accompanied by Mrs Franses. (This means both maintain their 100% attendance record! Ed.) Maj Bryan Coward attended his first Reunion since Burma, accompanied by Mrs Coward.
(It is stirring to note that this dinner conforms with Lt Col Robert Scott's declaration that so long as there are still two Kohima survivors they should have the opportunity to meet together to mark the anniversary of the Battle. In B&C 88 Jun 97 appeared the poem 'The Evening Vigil', written at Kohima in 1944 by Maurice J Franses. Ed)

Exemplary Conduct

'Pukka Sahib'

We salute you, us few of Dam-Dil,
remembering torrid days on Kong Hill.
As a soldier you lived
as a civilian you died
but the name and fame
for ever lives on.

In ‘37 you ran
down the Waziristan Hills
with Lewis gun complete on your back
no time foe waiting
no mules on the track.

At GPT Ridge in ‘44 you set
an example so high
they decorated you DCM.
Sleep on, old comrade
rest peaceful each hour.

The Regiment forgets not your deeds;
and battalions
of men with Britannias,
aflame, grimly fighting each gory day,
on land, rough sea or in air,
bear with them
your courage in name.

'Sound off, bugler'
RSM Winkie Fitt DCM on parade.

Harold concluded his letter : The Britannia and Castle is good news for all of us 'Old Uns'. (Thank you. Ed.)

MEMOIRS OF WALTER WILLIAM OVENS
Mrs Hazel R Ovens wishes to complete the memoirs of her late husband, 5774581 Walter William Ovens. He started writing them for his grandchildren and had reached 1939 and his joining the TA in King’s Lynn when he was taken ill and died in 1996. See Walter’s obituary in B&C 87 Dec 96. The following details are required: Was it RSM Jolly who trained the TA in King’s Lynn and in which Park were Drill Parades held? In which Coy was he and was he at No 1 Base Depot at Laneham?
Walter spoke with high regard of a Capt Thorneycroft, possibly a member of the Thorneycroft Car Company, who had been a 'Wall of Death' rider. He taught Walter to ride prior to his becoming a Despatch Rider.
Walter was with 7 Royal Norfolk, attached to 51 Highland DIV at the time of his capture at St Valery en Caux in France in 1940.
Hazel has almost finished the memoirs but there is a significant gap relating to the years 1939-1945. She has no information on his service during that period and would welcome information from anyone who served with Walter during that time.
What were the dates and places on the route to Germany and of the 1000 (?) mile march from Stalag 8B?
What was his connection with Dorchester Barracks and Taunton in 1945?
What was the name of the Capt that Walter drove when stationed in the vicinity of the German Lines?
If you can help Hazel, write to her via the Norfolk Section Editor.
Repeated in B&C 91 Dec 98

SOME ROYAL ANGLIANS IN THE BOSNIA THEATRE OF OPERATIONS 1998
The Norfolk Editor’s Royal Anglian stable belt is worn with Combat Soldier 95 uniform and a narrower version on civvy trousers. Maj Colin Robson was one who spotted the distinctive colours. Now SO2 Equipment Support, Colin was the EME with 2 R ANGLIAN 94-6 in Bosnia and Celle.
Capt Peter Chilvers, A (Norfolk & Suffolk) Coy 6 R ANGLIAN, spent the winter in UK on a Military Colloquial Skills Course then returned for yet another tour. 40% of the TA and Reservists in Theatre have extended their tour beyond the initial 6 months.
WO2 De’ath, formerly 5 R ANGLIAN and now 158 (Royal Anglian) Tpt Regt RLC, is the Accommodation WO here at Divulje Barracks.
WO1 Woodcock MBE, RSM until retiring to Lincolnshire earlier this year, informed the daily conference: I caught a soldier driving in camp without a beret. I was feeling generous so I said: 'Tough!'
Maj Bill Davie AGC was TFAO (Theatre Field Admin Offr). Formerly Pay Sgt with the Poachers 1982-4 when the CO was Lt Col Roger Howe and Mike Beard the Ops Offr, he remembers KC Jones and says LCpl Woodcock 'was always in trouble'.
Capt Alan Hayes AGC, Paymaster 35 Engr Regt was with 1 R ANGLIAN Pay Sect in Belize and Celle.
Viking Pte Luckman, driving in Banja Luka, shared with me the sea of winter mud on our pre-deployment training at Copehill Down on Salisbury Plain.
Pte Bishop, ex-Viking, serves with 9/12 Lancers in Mrkonjic Grad, back in his old trade as a Dog Handler. In Bosnia since September 1997, he served with 1 KORBR until April 1998, receiving an exemplary report. He is considering rejoining the Vikings. Meanwhile he needs a new Royal Anglian beret and badge. Can anyone help? (BFPO 551).
Pte King 7th Bn and Ex-Poacher LCpl D Alford serve with 2 RGJ.
Col Robin Eccles also spotted the belt. Late INT CORPS, he is with the Combined Joint Intelligence Staff at HQ SFOR in Sarajevo until Jun 98. He served as a Pl Comd with 3 R ANGLIAN in Cyprus and Aldershot from Dec 69 to Dec 70. He married Marianne, daughter of the late Brig Dick Randall and is brother-in-law to Capt (Retd) Peter Randall, now in Cheshire.
Maj Ollie Bradley RLC worked for SFOR in Hungary. His brother Howell 'Paddy' Bradley enlisted in Essex in National Service Days and served as an East Anglian for 12 years. Ollie recruited Eugene Grey, now living in Northampton, who concluded his service as a Recruiting Sgt. Ollie reported that Ray Pond, former RSM and SO3 G4 QM in Aldershot 1990-94, now lives in Southampton.
In Zagreb was Maj David Craig AGC (ETS), working as the Intelligence Analyst for HQ SFOR Support Command. Seeing my Royal Anglian beret he said he had once been a Cambridgeshire Regt Cadet at school. Now on his 6th, and, he suspects, last cap badge, he still has the first he ever wore, one bearing a three turreted castle with 'CAMBRIDGESHIRE' scrolled below. As a Boy Soldier, he joined 2nd East ANGLIAN, later to become 2 R ANGLIAN. When Lt Col Ian Haycraft was CO, David was a Cpl in the Recce Pl of 2 R ANGLIAN 1962-7. David remembers a tall blond officer joining them in about 1965. When Orderly Officer, the Guard could not find him. He was later found, flat out, in the kitchen. The Guard covered for him. 'He was one of the subalterns we liked and worked for.' (Name withheld to protect this retired, red-tabbed former Training Major of 6 R ANGLIAN, once spotted by Maj Miles M Green in the field wearing a Barbour on a training weekend!) After leaving the Regular Army David joined the TA Royal Welch Fusiliers but rejoined the colours at the age of 39 in 1985. He served until 1995, first with the RAEC and then with yet another cap badge when they became part of the AGC (Adjutant General's Corps). David reckons that at 39 he was the oldest 2Lt since 1946!

THE MODERN COOKHOUSE
Old soldiers (and the Norfolk Editor can claim this as the oldest Brit soldier in Bosnia!) would be astonished at the modern cookhouse. 'Cooks' are now 'Chefs' and many are female. The following was seen on the wall of the 'Dining Facility' at Parliament in Sarajevo. (Guess who ran it!)

MISSION STATEMENT
Food Field Service Team, Sarajevo

'To provide the customer with 3 or 4 sustaining meals a day, in or out of base, within the financial and physical constraints of the Operation.
To provide a multi-national and varied menu, which is tasty, well presented, of the correct temperature and prepared under the highest achievable sanitary conditions.'

With a vast self-service choice at every meal, the scoff was excellent and the flowers on the tables an agreeable touch too!

HOSPITALITY
'Hospitality is making your guests feel at home, even though you wish they were.' Unknown.

1936 MOBILISATION ORDER
by
Emperor Haile Selassie

1. Everyone will now be mobilised.

2. All boys old enough to carry a spear will be sent to Addis Ababa.

3. Married men will take their wives to carry food and cook.

4. Single men will take any woman without a husband.

5. Women with small babies need not go.

6. The blind and those who cannot walk or carry a spear are excused.

7. Anyone found at home after receipt of this order will be hanged.