Extracts from Issue 96 Jun 01

Issue 96 June 2001
Norfolk Section
The Britannia and Castle

Archives 70th Bn Reminiscences by Cyril Wilkinson - Pt 1 A Near Miss for the Double Bass Col Tom Dean's battered aluminium mug Herbert Widdows Weybourne Bombing 1940 Weybourne Pill Box 1939-40 Peter Baldry Weybourne 2001

Branch Reports Gorleston, London and Norwich

Camp Tales Bicycling Drill Miles Green on grouse and grouses! Miles Green says 'She was no lady!' Miles Green takes a prolonged dose of air! Pilchards Colonel?

Did You Know These of the Ninth? WG Osborne Wilfred Allen Turner

Dinners 4 Royal Norfolk Officers' Dinner Apr 2001 4 Royal Norfolk Association Dinner Apr 2001 Royal Norfolk Officers' Dinner Jun 01 Royal Norfolk Officers' Luncheon Jun 01 6 Royal Anglian Officers' Dinner 2001 Ode to the 6th Bn

e-mail Stan Bullock, Tony Ooi, Dick Shervington and Ben Turner

Misc 30 Years of Fairy tales Almanza Almanza Battle Alec Barr and Paul Boxall ushing! Belief in what you say Birthdays Col Nick Hallett's Headstone Maj Frank Allbrow Fred Karno Howlers Kipper Place Leslie Frankland Jamieson VC - Grimbosq 1944 Marriage More on Husbands Norwich Night Observation Exercise obe Ray Segon fighting! The 2 Louis POWs in Europe List The King is Dead Long Live the King! Sgt CA Orford TEM Sir David Thorne memorial dedication UN Door Notice Victoria Cross Wily at 80 WW2 Facts

Regimental Garden Regimental Garden Appeal Regimental Garden Opening

More to follow

REGIMENTAL CHAPEL ALMANZA SERVICE
Conducted by The Reverend Canon William Sayer, the annual Almanza* Service was held in the Regimental Chapel on Sunday 25 Apr.
The address was given by The Revd David Peachall, former RAChD Padre in the Gulf, Bosnia and NI, and now Rector of a Hockering, Norfolk, Parishes group. It was also ANZAC Day and we were reminded that the Gallipoli Remembrance Service was taking place in the Cathedral that afternoon and that the Norfolk and Suffolk Regts served with distinction at Gallipoli.
The carved memorial to the late Sir David Thorne KBE CVO was dedicated in the presence of Lady Thorne and members of the family. Click here for the obituary.

The Organist played to a packed chapel and following the Blessing, choruses of "Rule Britannia" were sung with spirit followed by a magnificent rendition of Speed the Plough. The retiring collection was taken on behalf of the Regimental Chapel Fund by ushers Alec Barr and Paul Boxall. Coffee and refreshments were served in the Prior's Hall by Pat Cole.

* Each April a service is held in the Regimental chapel to commemorate Almanza.
At Almanza, Portugal, on 25 Apr 1707, as Steuart's Regiment of Foot, the Regiment distinguished itself in being the only regiment that did not lay down its arms. It fought to the last, covering the retreat of its General, the Earl of Galway.
Tradition states that for this memorable feat of arms Queen Anne awarded the Badge of Britannia, to be worn on the Colours and accoutrements.
Officers of the Regiment, named 9th Regiment of Foot in 1751, wore the badge from 1759. Renamed the 9th or East Norfolk Regiment of Foot in 1782, the wearing of the Badge of Britannia was confirmed in 1799 by Horse Guards, predecessors of the War Office, now the Ministry of Defence.
In the Peninsula War, the GOC of the British Army in Portugal, Sir John Moore, was killed during the Battle of Corunna in 1809. The honour of burying him was given to the 9th Foot and in recognition of this, in 1881, on the founding of the Norfolk Regiment, officers were authorised to wear a black line in the gold lace in the full dress uniform.
From 1884 to 1902 the buckle of the officers' belt bore 'Britannia over a Castle'.
Now amalgamated into the Royal Anglian Regiment these emblems of heritage remain - Britannia on the collar badge, a black background to the cap badge, black edging to officers' pips and the Regimental March 'Rule Britannia'.

REGIMENTAL GARDEN OPENING AT EASTON COLLEGE
A fine article by our staunch supporter and reporter of Regimental matters, Steve Snelling, appeared in the 12 May EDP Magazine. He wrote: "On a grey chill day in March I was witnessing the first stirrings of a piece of horticultural history designed to honour an altogether different kind of history; one that spans more than three turbulent centuries and encompasses conflicts in almost every corner of the globe." The Regimental Garden appeal for Ł10 000 resulted in a magnificent response and over Ł94000 had been raised by the eve of the opening on Sat 2 Jun 01. The garden was dedicated by The Bishop of Norwich, The Right Reverend Graham James, and over 100 partook of tea in the Sports Pavilion. The idea of Chris Overton, Easton College Training Officer and former A (Royal Norfolk) Coy 2IC, it was constructed to the design of student Beverley Vine, who said: "It is a garden of quiet reflection - not a garden of remembrance - where people could come and sit and reflect on their service or the lives of friends and relatives who served." Landscaping and planting, which embraces the Regimental colours with foliage and trees from those parts of the world where the Regiment has seen active service, was done by college students under the direction of the Head of Horticulture Martyn Davey. Tankards were presented to students Nick Thompson, Paul Frostwick and Robert Wiskin who worked on the garden in their own time and made a great difference to having the garden completed on time. Incorporated in the design of the entrance gateway to the garden are the Regimental Badges of Britannia and Britannia & Castle, the 1st Bn collar badge.
The Garden, with wheelchair access and seating, is open at any reasonable time, including weekends.
On right is Chris Overton, middle, in some garish company!
See Regimental Garden Appeal.

Chris Overton, middle, in some garish company!
Left Maj Richard Watson and right Maj John Davidson

Click photograph to enlarge

THE KING IS DEAD - LONG LIVE THE KING
With the forthcoming retirement, after 14 years in post, of Maj William Reeve in Sep 01, the Norfolk Editor wishes to record thanks to him for not only inviting this Norfolk Section Editor to "assume the position" but for his humour, guidance and wisdom in two guises: first, when he was Training Major 6 RANGLIAN and this Norfolk Editor was OC A (Royal Norfolk) Coy, and, latterly, in mufti to this two-fingered typist. His contribution to the welfare and well-being of serving and retired soldiers and their dependants and the organisation of myriad events is inestimable. We wish him and Mary every happiness in their retirement. The new area Secretary is Col Tony Taylor, former CO of 6 RANGLIAN and latterly Regimental Secretary at RHQ in Bury St Edmunds.

FRANK ALLBROW
JH Bellamy ex-SUFFOLK, wrote from Oudtshoorn, South Africa. He wonders if we have any information relating to Maj Frank Albrow, 1 Royal Norfolk QM in Korea and Hong Kong. Born on 16 Feb 1909, Frank was in the ranks for 12 years, granted an Emergency Commission in 1942, a Short Service Commission in 1946 and a Regular (QM) Commission in 1950. Promoted Major in May 1956 he became QM 1 East Anglian before retiring in 1963. When Frank was running the Wpn Trg at OTS Bangalore Mr Bellamy first met him. In 1949 they met again at Woking, Frank having just completed the Provost Officers Course which Mr Bellamy was about to commence. The Norfolk Editor enquired at a Norwich and District Branch Meeting and was reliably informed that Frank died in 1999 in Acle, aged 90. No other details are known. If anyone knows any more about Frank Albrow please inform the Norfolk Editor so it can be passed to Mr Bellamy.
Click here for Frank’s obituary.

FIGHTING AGAIN SEGON?
Norwich Branch member Ray Segon (right) recalls that when Frank Albrow was QM in Hong Kong, the QM Staff were excused duties. However, while a Regt of Liverpudlians were attached, Ray pulled a Guard Duty.
After complaints that kit had been nicked, Ray went to their billet and noticed piles of kit under the blankets.
Going to investigate, Ray received a boot in the eye.
Reporting to the CO next morning, Ray was addressed: 'Fighting again Segon? Take a day off!'

Norwich and District Branch member Arthur Storey, centre, on his trip to India and Nepal.

83 on 29 Apr 2001, he served in the 2nd Bn 1939-1945.

See B&C 97 Dec 01 for another photograph and the obituary for Winkie Fitt from B&C 88 Jun 97.

KIPPER PLACE
After the Late Great Ron `Sailor' Smith (Pat Cole's father-in-law) we had CSgt `Kipper Place' as 6 RANGLIAN Offrs Mess CSgt.
He died on 22 Jun 2000, his obituary appearing in the Suffolk Section of B&C 95, Dec 00. Kipper joined up in 1940 by falsifying his age, saying he was small for his purported 17 and a half years! He spent 2 years as a POW after being captured by the Japanese, working on the Burma-Thailand Railway. He retired in 1971 after 31 years of service with 1 Suffolk, 1 East Anglian and 1 RANGLIAN, concluding as Offrs Mess CSgt.
In Sennybridge 1974, as Silver Offr, the Norfolk Editor entered the Silver Room with Kipper. On closing the door I realised to my horror that one of the large Norfolk silver cigar boxes was teetering precariously on the mantelshelf. It then crashed to the floor, in pieces. Problem for OCdt - how to tell PMC Duncan Stewart!
Kipper, in his lovely Suffolk accent reassured me: 'Don't you be a worrying about that sir.'
I still wonder if he meant the shattered box or my encounter with Duncan!
6 Royal Anglian Officers' Dinner 2001
Read a 6 RANGLIAN Warring Order - ie 30 Years of Fairy tales
Ode to the 6th Bn

THE LATE COL NICK HALLETT MBE
Nicolette, daughter of the late Col Nick Hallett, sent a photograph of his grave headstone in Lyng Churchyard.

She found a piece of Portland stone and said: 'It felt both good and relevant to carve the lettering myself.'

(Col Nick’s obituary appeared in B&C 94, Jun 00.)

In The Britannia, Issue 26, Autumn 1939 was: 'Back in the UK the 2nd Battalion HQ Coy announced the appointment of 2Lt JNR Hallett as MT Officer.'

BICYCLING DRILL
While County Executive Officer Maj Dave Whitehead was of the opinion that infantry soldiers should walk, Adult Instructors on bicycles are a common sight at ACF Camp.

The County Commdt, Col Mike Mizen, is a former Royal Marine and that probably explained his poor cycling drills. Successful instruction was given, by Dep Comdt Lt Col Miles Green and the Norfolk Editor, on saluting while riding a bicycle. An order was made for all Officers and Adult Instructors to attend a 0630 hrs period of similar instruction, including mounting and dismounting drills. The attendance was nil!

Click picture to read the sign!

GROUSE AND GROUSES
The Norfolk ACF Officers' Mess PMC has been obliged to award his former A (Royal Norfolk Coy) PSAO (permanent Staff Admin Offr) Capt Gerry Gandon, now NACF Officers' Mess Secretary, the post-nominals TM². While he could never follow in the steps of 'The Master', Maj Fred Ayers TD**** TM, Gerry applied the Fred principle to the 397 Accounts Ledger, crossing out the whole Officers' Mess Account and then re-writing it, in true Fred style, on the Mess Office Pool table at Altcar, Lancs, in 1999..
At the conclusion of this tiring day rewriting the Mess Accounts, complete with requisite adjustments, Gerry approached the bar.
The alert Mess Steward, SMI Pat Cole enquired: ‘Your usual Sir?’
‘Yes, thank you, a large grouse.’
Spotting proud Yorkshireman, Dep Comdt Lt Col Miles Green approaching through a smoke screen, exasperated at being incarcerated in Lancashire for 2 weeks, Gerry gallantly said: ‘What will you have Miles, err, Colonel?’
‘I'm having to have a large grouse too. Lancashire is a dump!’
Click here to see Mess Secretary Gerry Gandon collapsed, bemused by the Mess Accounts!

SHE WAS NO LADY
At ACF Annual Camp it is customary to take a day off and visit a resort or theme park.

In 1999 at Altcar, on a visit to Blackpool, it rained heavily. Canny Yorkshireman Miles Green, lesson learned from Holcombe Moor, applied his meteorological skills and took suitable clothing.

He kept dry but reports that sheltering in a doorway, in his long 'flasher mac', he was eyeballed as a potential client - but she was no lady!

ARMY CADET FORCE ADVENTUROUS TRAINING CAMP
While the Foot and Mouth crisis caused the loss of the Spring Adventurous Training Camp in Lancashire, Dep Comdt Lt Col Miles Green organised Plan B at 3 Norfolk locations.
The Norfolk Editor was designated Commdt Gp West at Dersingham Cadet Centre where Cadets spent 2 days climbing on a superb 3-sided indoor climbing wall, cycling,.22 shooting and kayaking at Leziat Lake near King’s Lynn. From RAF Weybourne were coastal walks and the Community Centre at Winterton was a base for canoeing and mountain biking - use your imagination!

Lt Col Miles Green:
'What! No pilchards?'

Alexis Smith goes shopping for essential adventurous training supplies

In 1973 the webmaster was 'jumped' here at RAF Weybourne by the Royal Marines when doing a covert night recce of the RAF station!

Healey at sunset, RAF Weybourne - no longer operational

The Webmaster's 1962 Austin-Healey 3000, against sunset at RAF Weybourne, no longer operational

MILES GREEN TAKES SOME PROLONGED AIR
During Annual Camp, Dep Comdt Lt Col Miles Green conducted a Senior Cadet Adventurous Training and Escape and Evasion Exercise at Holcombe Moor.

Late one evening, he nipped out of his accommodation to 'take some air' - ie the smoke alarms were very sensitive!

Discovering he was locked out, Miles spent the night in the Gents, periodically warming himself under the hand dryer, and his hands, with his biggest 'borrowing pipe', until the camp staff arrived at 8 am to let him back in!

PILCHARDS COLONEL?
In the 1980s, Col Paul Raywood TD DL was Hon Col of A (Royal Norfolk) Company and visited us in the Nissen huts at Weybourne, now used by the Muckleburgh Collection.

On a 54 Brigade exercise and out on a limb from re-supply the Company cook, in 2001 SMI Trevor Farrow of Norfolk ACF, had done his best with the rations but the main meal of the day consisted of a dixie of boiled rice to one tin of pilchards, lightly stirred.

I think Colonel Paul declined lunch!

Click here for more on Weybourne and here for a tale of an even more disgusting meal!

Editorial Rule
To qualify for inclusion in the B&C there is only one rule - something described must have been said to have happened.
The authority is the Editor, British Army Review No 114 Dec 96, `If the facts don`t fit the legend, print the legend’.

However, the rules of good taste, respect and confidentiality are always applied.

Rule Britannia!

Site edited and maintained by Major John L Raybould TD Editor, Norfolk Section, The Britannia and Castle
B&C Norfolk Editor