Nine Musketeers and two Reserves

NINE MUSKETEERS AND TWO RESERVES
The continuing saga of The Royal Norfolk Family by DJ 'Jerry' Willmott CBE QFSM.
In B&C No 87 Dec 96, on page N11, Tom Latham asked members of 10 Pl, D Coy, who had served in Korea, to get in touch with him.
As a result of that appeal Tom was pictured in B&C 90 Jun 98 and in B&C 97 Dec 01 at the Sep 01 Norwich Reunion Dinner with some of the 1951 10 Pl.

Five Old Comrades
Left to right :10 Pl, D Coy members Jerry Willmott, Tom Latham, Alan Edgeley, Brian Bandy and Asahi meet for the first time in 45 years since Samichon Valley in Korea, at Wellingborough.

And just to prove that large oaks do grow from little acorns here, right, is Tom Latham’s 10 Pl D Coy in 2000 at the BKVA Reunion Wellingborough.
Left to right: Ron Horrex, Jerry Willmott, Alan Edgeley, Reg Griggs, Tom Latham, John Plackett (deceased Apr 00), Bill Robinson and Brian Bandy.

And in 2001, left, looking a little more sober: Reg Griggs, Bill Robinson, Ron Critcher, Ron Horrex, Brian Bandy, Tom Latham, Jerry Willmott, Alan Edgeley and wives.

The way we were in Korea 1951 - 19 years old every one of us.

Alan Edgeley, Jerry Willmott and Ron Horrex	Ron Gramlick	Ron Gramlick and Bill Robinson	Jerry Willmott and Tom Latham	Brian Bandy
What is it about a British Army Infantry Regiment that generates such indestructible comradeship? It can’t just be The Royal Norfolks can it? Even though there is something about "The Norfolks" (particularly 10 Pl) that really is special. I served 7 years in The Army and 31 in The Fire Service (serving in five Brigades) and yet despite the many friendships and team loyalties that I have been a part of throughout my working life, none has as much significance for me as The Royal Norfolk Regiment. I suspect that the analysis of Regimental comradeship would make an interesting thesis for a Psychology student; when that happens, I hope to patent the secret ingredient for it would be priced above pearls. I pray that it still exists within British Infantry Regiments today for it is what made The British Army second to none. Oh yes, the two reserves, we have made contact with two more of our members who have yet to attend a re-union. One is our Platoon Commander David Smith who replaced Tom Keen who was wounded in The Samichon (that is a Geographical not an anatomical location) and the other is Peter Slinn. We are pleased to have them both back.

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.