Conversations and Letters from Issue 98 Jun 02

ERNEST R LEGGETT
Ernest R Leggett of Great Yarmouth 88 on 18 Sep 02. Serving with 2 R Norfolk in Burma, with CO Lt Col Murray Brown, as a bren gunner with Len Batty, he was wounded on the last day of the war and discharged medically unfit. Later, he was employed as a full-time Admin Officer with 4 R Norfolk.

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!

CBOTB
Joan informs us that Charlie Baker of The Band apologises for an absence of notes due to the prolonged effects of arthritis. Charlie was 88 on 24 Jan 2002. He and Joan celebrate their Diamond Wedding on 25 Jul 2002.
The answers to the questions in B&C 96 Jun 01:

What is the longest course in the 3 Services? The Bandmaster’s course.
How many British Army Corps are staffed entirely by officers? Two - The RAChD for Padres and the RAVC for veterinary officers.
Which Corps or Regts have the following Regtl Marches: ‘Begone Dull Care’ and ‘Sweet Lass of Richmond Hill’? The Royal Signals and the former WRAC.

See: 'One for CBOTB'

MAJ FRANK NICHOLS TD
Maj Frank Nichols TD, born in Sep 1908, 94 in Sep 2002, who joined the Regt in 1930, sent his apologies for absence from the 4th Bn Officers' Dinner in Apr 2002.
Capt William Gaymer informs us that Frank is now at Ingham Old Hall Residential Home.
Right, Frank at the 4th Bn Officers' Dinner Apr 2001.
After note: Frank died in 2003, aged 95. Click here for his obituary.

D COY 4 R NORFOLK NOV 1939
87 on 16 Oct 2002, Maj Peter Farrelly TD, 1st and 4th Bns, wrote from North Devon. He recalled Nov 1939 when D Coy 4 R Norfolk mounted guard and HM Queen Elizabeth visited York Cottages, Sandringham, where she spoke to the soldiers and took sherry with the officers. [B&C 98 Jun 02]
In 2006, Maj Peter Farrelly TD, sent the photograph with some notes. Click here for it. [B&C 107 Dec 06]

POSER IN JAGUAR IN HONG KONG
To settle a dispute, would the 1950s poser who drove around The New Territories in his Jaguar tell us its colour!
If you know the answer please write to the Norfolk Section Editor.

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.