Issue 91 Dec 98

SEE THIS ORANGE?
During our handover in Bosnia at the end of 1998, the incoming SO2 TA/Res Staff Officer, Major Colin Allder TD RA, related a tale from the 1960s, soon after he joined the TA Gunners. (He’s a PARA to boot but, nonetheless, a good chap who is heading for the 4th clasp to his TD - 36 years Commissioned service!) From their Dorchester Drill Hall they travelled on Friday evenings to the Larkhill Ranges near Salisbury, slowly towing the 5.5" guns behind powerful Matador tractors. It always seemed to take 3 hours or so on a Friday evening to get to the ranges yet the Sunday return journey was done in less than 2 hours. It was apparent the drivers were speeding. Colin decided to speak to one of the drivers on their return to Dorchester.
(Say the italicised lines in a Dorset accent)
'Gunner Hodge!'
Sir! What can I tell you?
'Gunner Hodge, can you explain to me ......'
Sir, I’ll do my best. (Muttering to himself: 'I'll soon sort out this young orficer')
'It seems to take 3 hours to get to Larkhill on Friday yet we can get back on Sunday afternoon in 2 hours. You wouldn’t be speeding ?'
Oh, Sir, no, Sir. Now, let me explain to you, Sir. (producing an item from his lunch 'Havver Bag)' ) See this horange, Sir?
'Yes, I’m with you so far Gunner Hodge.'
Dorchester is here on the horange.
'Yes?'
And Larkhill be there. It’s above, isn’t it?
'Yes.'
So, Sir, we be going uphill all the way there and so it’s a bit slow. But when we be comin' back, Sir, its downhill all the way, isn’t it?
'Hodge, there’s no answer to that!'

HELMOND VISIT 1998
Beryl Griffin, wife of Nevil, a 1st Bn Royal Norfolk Regt D-Day Veterans, sent us this report.
Sunday 26 Jul 98. As Philip Basey closed the gate at the Norwich TA Centre behind our coach, one person who probably heaved a sigh of relief was Bill Holden. Numbers for the trip had been going up and down like a yo-yo during the preparatory period. But, at last, our group of 1 Bn Royal Norfolk Regt D-Day Veterans and friends was on its way to spend a week in Helmond, Holland. We stopped at Dickleburgh to pick up some more members then on to Harwich and the ferry to the Hoek. The voyage was quite smooth, we made good time and were soon on the road for the final part of the journey. We arrived at the Weste-Ende hotel to be met by a few of our Dutch friends of the Regt. It was then a quick change and dinner, after which we spent a quiet evening having a drink and a chat before retiring. It had been a very long day.
Monday 27 Jul 98. Yet again the luck of the Norfolks was with us on a bright morning as we set off for a day at the Dutch Open Air Museum at Arnhem. Here, we had the services of a lady guide, Liz, who showed us around. Based on a Scandinavian idea, the museum brings houses and windmills from other parts of Holland and sets hem in one area. We were able to enter some and Liz explained the equipment we saw. Liz had decided that as it was quite a long walk and also very warm, we would first travel by tram, one of the originals from Arnhem. A wheelchair appeared and that too went on the tram. Two of our members found this chair very useful and it was a kind thought. We were met at one farmhouse by a 'farmer' who showed us inside a typical farmhouse. Amid much laughter he told us a story of what a Dutch girl got up to on a Saturday night many years ago. He emphasised that this could not happen on a Sunday as that was strictly for church!
Tuesday 28 Jul 98. The first part of the day was more of a pilgrimage, following the pattern of other years, with a visit to Royal Norfolk Plein. This is where the Ninth of Foot Liberation of Helmond plaque is situated. Nine English oak trees planted around the area are thriving. Bill Holden was pleased to see that the one he planted looks fine. Disappointed to see grime on Britannia we set to with grass, tissues, spit and polish! Leaving the Plein we went to Overloon war Cemetery where flowers were placed. Some looked at the names on the gravestones, probably remembering old friends and comrades. There was no official service this year; maybe next year, the 55th anniversary? Then it was on to Molen Beek Memorial, still in good condition. But it looked even better after Richard swept around the base. Elizabeth and Malcolm Jordan had brought flowers and we stood in silence as Elizabeth placed them. The serious business completed, we left for Blitterswijk and lunch. On the road we were suddenly aware of the unusual (even for Holland) number of cyclists. In the centre there were hundreds of them. We had arrived at a checkpoint of the annual 4-day cycle event which takes place all over Holland. Richard had to slow to walking pace to get through. The next part of the journey to Tante Jet’s for lunch must have tested Richard’s patience with diversions, No Entry signs and reversing in narrow roads under repair. Despite a rainstorm we were again surrounded by cyclists. The weather cleared up and we went down to the Maas where we watched the river traffic. It was quite a different scene in 1944, I was told. Then, it was all ice and snow with firing from the other side of the river.
Wednesday 29 Jul 98. A free day with some rain. Dot Lawn and her brother-in-law, Mr Howes, were taken by Dutch friends to Kervenheim and the Reichwald cemetery where Dot’s brother lies. It must have been quite emotional for her as it was the first time she has been able to visit.
Thursday 30 Jul 98. At the Waalwijk Leather Museum we had coffee and a pastry in the shape of half a shoe sole. Our guide Wim showed us various skins, including elephant, ostrich and crocodile. Tanning and curing was explained. Display cases contained examples of workmanship, including leather made from a chicken’s foot, and leather substitutes. During the war, Wim wore shoes made of paper, but had to stay indoors when it rained!' Leaving Waalwijk we had lunch in Old Heusden, a walled town but with 'grassy' walls. It was market day with many interesting stalls. Most streets are cobbled and at the harbour was a typical Dutch windmill. At the Town hall was an inscribed flat stone stating that on 5 Nov 1944, 134 Burghers of the town had been hustled into the Town hall and burned to death. It made us stop and think again how cruel man can be.
Friday 31 Jul 98. Today we crossed the border into Belgium and headed for Baarle-Nassau Baarle-Hertzog. We visited the Candle Museum, the only one in the world. It displays the work of one man, Fritz Spies, who began making the most beautiful candles in 1950. Mainly religious subjects, the have the most beautiful clear colours. As candlewax cannot be painted he would mix the colours with melted wax and then paint that on. Those plain white resembled alabaster or marble. Some were decorated with 24 ct gold and one of these was 2m tall. His rendering of 'The Last Supper', measuring two by one and a half metres. took two years in the making, using 2000 kilos of wax. The town, an enclave, has two names, as it is partly in The Netherlands and partly in Belgium. The residents live quite peaceably side by side, despite some complications, and wish to continue to do so. It was here that Doreen and I tried to persuade Ernie and Nevil (Griff) to pose outside a building showing pictures of the entertainment inside for men. However, they weren’t having it!
Saturday 1 Aug 98. A shopping day concluded in the party atmosphere of the hotel with our Dutch Vriendin who seemed to outnumber us. With the help of Marie, Ron raffled two mechanical monkeys which made us laugh hilariously when wound up. £866 was raised and Ron donated it to club funds.
Sunday 2 Aug 98. The ferry journey from the Hoek to Harwich was uneventful and we were back in Norwich before 9 pm. We had all had a grand holiday and felt that Bill and Doreen had again done a good job. Next year, again, Bill?
And see Bill Holden MBE from B&C 84 Jun 95 Helmond 55 Years on Sep Visit 1999 by Beryl Griffin Helmond Sep 2001 by Beryl Griffin

ROYAL ANGLIAN CONNECTIONS IN THE BOSNIA THEATRE OF OPERATIONS 1998
There is little opportunity to display the Norfolk tie as the wearing of civilian clothes is limited. The Norfolk Editor’s Royal Anglian stable belt is worn with Combat Soldier 95 uniform and a narrower version on civvy trousers. Many Brits spot the distinctive colours and say: 'I was with the Anglians in ...'. This admission results in their being quizzed about their past! Some who have come clean are :
Ex-Poacher LCpl D Alford served with 2 RGJ until demob in September.
Pte CN Bishop, ex-Viking, in Bosnia since Sep 97, has served with 1 KORBR, 9/12 Lancers and LD in Mrkonjic Grad. He is back in his old trade as a Dog Handler and demobs at the Bovington Royal Armoured Corps Centre with the Norfolk editor in Dec 98. (But we don’t get issued on demob with 'Suits Awful' !)
SSgt Gary Bennett served in the Signal Platoon of 7 R ANGLIAN 1979-81 and is currently an Automatic Data Processing and Information Technology Specialist (Wiggly Amp Things! Ed) with HQ 3 UK DIV in Bulford.
Capt Peter Chilvers, A (Norfolk & Suffolk) Coy 6 R ANGLIAN, demobbed in Sep 98. Back again in Bosnia as a civilian, with a US funded agency, he is involved in the grisly task of exhumations.
WO2 De’ath, formerly 5 R ANGLIAN and now 158 (Royal ANGLIAN) Tpt Regt RLC, was the Accommodation WO at Divulje Barracks until being demobbed in Oct 98.
WO1 Gary Mitchell RLC, Theatre Master Driver, was formerly PSI to the Cambs Sqn of 158 (Royal ANGLIAN) Tpt Regt RLC.
From 7 R ANGLIAN are LCpl RJ Stratton from B Coy in Hertford, driving in Gornji Vacuf with 1 WFR since Sep 98 and, from the Recce Pl, Sgt Lee Lovett, serving until Mar 99 everywhere with the most desirable unit in Theatre, the Tiger Team (Not hunting! Theatre Inventory General Equipment Register - a database!) Also from the Recce Pl is LCpl John Peters, driving with 7 Logistics Regt based in Split until demob in Apr 99.
At the Bovington Mobilisation SSgt Thompson AGC (SPS) revealed he served with 2 RANGLIAN in Celle and Warminster Nov 90 - Sep 96 as the Regimental Accountant.
Capt Geoff A Ward, now with HQ RLC TA Grantham, served with 1 RHA in Jajce as a Watchkeeper until demob in Sep 98. He recalled how TA CO Robin Greenham had been captured by the HSF (Home Service Force).
Lt Col Alisdair Wild MBE, Poacher, Chief Intelligence and Operational Plans Officer with 1 Armd DIV noticed the Royal Anglian insignia in the coffee-making room at Banja Luka.
Capt James York, Viking, was in Banja Luka on a short visit from the Joint HQ at Northwood, where he works in Media Ops. It was far too cold to spot the stable belts under numerous layers but we simultaneously identified each other’s frosted brown berets at 20 paces. He had the enviable task of accompanying the delightful Lincolnshire Echo reporter I-Cheng Chan. We all appreciated the thoughtful touch in the twin-engined Czech Air Force 410 fixed-wing aircraft - the wooden seats, covered with a thin carpet, are heated! Despite the need to wear ear defenders it made a welcome change to the chill of a Chinook helicopter.
Though not serving in Bosnia at the time, former 6 R ANGLIAN subaltern, now Viking, Maj Andrew Wadman, Training Major 7 R ANGLIAN, was instrumental in rendering assistance to an injured soldier returning to the UK. Thanks, Andy.
Suffolk resident, Maj Charles Eldridge RLC, Senior Watchkeeper with HQ UK NSE and latterly with 7 UK Logistics Regt RLC. Formerly Royal Navy, Charles had his introduction to things army with a secondment from the RCT as an Officer Cadet to the Ipswich TA Coy of the Royal Anglian Regt 1988-1990. (This compares favourably with Maj Arthur Woodward, former Lt Cdr Royal Navy, who joined F Coy HSF (Home Service Force) Norwich as a Private soldier. Arthur spent 2 years at the bottom of water filled trenches de-acclimatising from the Royal Navy before accepting a commission. Ed)
Charles remembers a Night Navigation Exercise near a pub in the Bealings/Ipswich area. They became hopelessly lost and missed closing time! He has fond memories of being taught, by Cpl Abbott, drills on the GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun - a 7.62 mm variant of the .303 Bren gun, with which many readers will be familiar. Ed)
Charles thanks him for his patience. Those hours became invaluable later at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst where Charles attended his TA Commissioning Course, and seemed to do nothing but carry and fire a GPMG!
Charles returns in Dec 98 to HQ TA RLC Grantham from where he regularly deploys in his TA role as SO2 Movement Control Staff to the ARRC (Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps).
Afternote Dec 05:
Maj Charles Eldridge RLC was later Lt Col and WO2 De’ath was, in 2005, with Cambs ACF.

70th BN AND THE BATES FAMILY
B&C 89 Dec 97 reported that Peter Hewison, of Devon, had written on behalf of Tom Bates of Berkeley, California. He wished for as much information as possible about the life of the late Sydney Bates VC, from when he enlisted up to D-Day. Tom Bates also asked about 70th Bns.
Maj Ernest Ridger, of Hereford, responded to the query.
Ernest served for 2 years in 70th Royal Norfolk Bn from the autumn of 1941 until their disbandment in Autumn 1943, the last 18 months of this service as Adjutant. As stated in B&C 89 Dec 97, these Bns catered for youngsters wishing to join the army. Initially, the officers and NCOs were elderly and from the reserve. After a while the War Office decided it would be far better if these were younger and more fully able to participate with younger soldiers. A number were posted to the 70th Bn, including a future Colonel of the Regiment, Maj Gen JB Dye CBE MC and myself.
In its early days the role of the Bn was aerodrome defence so infantry and specialist skills were taught. After the threat of invasion had receded, in the summer of 1942 the Bn left the aerodromes and became a Training and Drafting Bn. On disbandment in the autumn of 1943 a wide cross-section of ranks went to 1 and 2 Royal Norfolk and to 1 Suffolk.
In October 1944, the 2IC of the 1st Bn, Lt Col Humphrey Wilson (d 2003) and myself were staying at the 3 DIV Officers’ Club in Brussels on a 48 hour leave pass. We had heard there was to be an announcement affecting the Regiment on BBC News at 2100 hrs. We heard of the awards of the VC to Cpl Sidney Bates and to Capt David Jamieson (d 2001) the 7th Bn. We were both thrilled as Lt Col Wilson had taken part in the same action as Cpl Bates and I in the same action as Maj Jamieson. Col Bellamy, CO of the 1st Bn at the time wrote: We are very proud to feel such an honour has been given to a member of this Bn.
Unfortunately, Cpl Bates died soon afterwards of wounds received in the battle fought against 10 SS Panzer Division. It was a wonderful act of heroism and rather typical of the Bn on that day.
During the 50th Anniversary celebrations of D-Day, the television showed HM The Queen walking through and inspecting the cemetery at Bayeux and the headstone of Cpl Bates was clearly shown.
At home in Blackheath convalescing after being wounded I visited Cpl Bates’ parents in nearby Camberwell. These are the notes I made at the time:
I took the opportunity the other afternoon to go to Camberwell see how the parents of the late Cpl Bates VC were faring. They were both very well and deeply appreciative of the kindness of everyone in the Bn and of everything that had bee done for them.
Mr Bates had been given a horse and cart and no longer needed to hire one. Mrs Bates told me the house had been badly damaged by a V1 but no one had been to repair it. However, the day after the announcement of the award of the VC to her son, 12 men arrived to carry out repairs! 'It just shows what a little publicity can do,' she remarked.
I saw the VC given to Mr and Mrs Bates by the King at a recent investiture. Over 150 awards were given that day and they were very proud to be called to take the first award.
The whole impression I took away from that afternoon visit was that Mr and Mrs Bates really had appreciated everyone’s kindness and they asked me to thank everyone for them.
See Cpl Sidney Bates VC

YES, I KNEW THEM
B&C No 90, Jun 98, revealed that Gordon Spong in Dorset 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 88 Jun 97.
Ron Phelps of North Yorkshire, wrote that he too was aboard the Georgic. The Express said: 'Down in B Coy hold were George Middleton from Shipdham, Jim Chapman from Great Yarmouth and Ron Graver of Blofield.'

Ron Phelps was a member of B Coy. He had been made Coy Clerk the day the Coy was reformed early in 1946 and remained so until being demobbed in 1948, just before 2 Royal Norfolk were disbanded. The 3 named above were all from Coy HQ. George Middleton was a storeman, Jim Chapman the Coy runner and Ron Graver the pay Clerk/Storeman. Somehow missing at the time was the other Coy Runner, Ken Cossey.
Ron asks: 'Where are they and where are all the rest of B Coy?'

He was pleased to read that the B Coy Comd, Capt Ian Page (Philip Ian Page so known as 'Pip') was well. In the last two years he met Jim Harrison who lives in Redcar. Quite a few years ago he saw Cpl John Griffiths of HQ Coy, now in Australia. Ron tried to contact Cpl Don Scholey of the bugles, only to discover he died in 1969. Like Gordon Spong, he also wrote with a reminiscence of WJ 'Dutchie' Holland, whose obituary appeared in B&C 88 Jun 97. They had last met at a dinner in 1965 when Bill was living at the barracks, PSI to the 4 Royal Norfolk Territorials of A Coy in Great Yarmouth and of C Coy in Wymondham. Dutchie told Ron that RQMS Helmsley had been killed in an accident on the autobahn. Any information on this would be appreciated. Ron attended the Reunion dinner in 1996 but 'due to the ageing process met no one I could recognise and in turn was not recognised.' He asks if it is possible for some method to be devised to arrange a meeting point for people to seek out their old comrades. (Any ideas anyone? Ed).

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 90 Jun 98 - Dutchie Holland by Gordon Spong
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

5114456 PTE HUGH MAGINNISS
Lt Col Clem Maginniss is the Commanding Officer of 150 (Yorkshire) Transport Regt, Royal Logistic Corps (Volunteers), Londesborough Barracks, HULL, HU3 1DS, Tel 01904 665123. His uncle, Pte Hugh Maginniss, served with 2 Royal Norfolk from their reconstitution in 1940 and was killed in action near Mandalay on 19 Feb 1945, aged 26. Buried in Taukkyan War Cemetery, Rangoon, his name appears on the Roll of Honour in the Regimental Chapel. Apart from some very basic facts the family have no knowledge of his military service. Lt Col Maginniss adds:' It was fascinating to read Peter Hart’s book "At The Sharp End". This fine volume has filled many gaps in our knowledge but inevitably it raised more questions than it answered. The quest has an added personal dimension as, for the first time in my service, I am serving in the 2nd Division, in which my uncle served, and I am serving in Hull where he was stationed before deployment to India.'
Lt Col Maginniss would welcome information from anyone who knew or served with Hugh Maginniss.
(Strangely, on the Norfolk Editor’s desk here in Bosnia, in the British Army Review, is an article by Lt Col Maginniss 'The Impact of Manoeuvre Warfare upon Logistics in 1940.' Eight members of his 150 Transport Regt have served in Bosnia in the past 12 months.)

Afternote Dec 05:
Now Comd DRCS (Defence Rail & Container Service), Col Clem Maginniss wrote: 'I am trying to find someone who knew my uncle, 5114456 Pte Hugh Maginniss (2nd Bn) who served in India and Burma (1942-1945). The second son of Daniel and Polly Maginniss, of 11 High Street Kenilworth, he was KIA near the village of Saye in Burma on 19 Feb 1945.'
[B&C 106 Jun 06]