Jan Passmore RSM Battalion, Harold Royffe RSM Depot, Pete Firth RSM TA. circa 1957
Until now – 22/12/2008 – there is surprisingly little publicity of our RSM evident in DCLI web history (that which has been researched by the Editor) and we are indebted to Margaret (Royffe), the daughter of the RSM for the collection of photographs that are shown here on this dedicated Blog Page. Regimental Sergeant Major Harold Royffe was ‘The Regiment” so far as we OR’s were concerned. The very mention of his name rippled trepidation and awe through the ranks of we rookie soldiers at Plymouth Crownhill Barracks in Jan/Feb 1954, on the HMT Empire Clyde, and later at Prospect Garrison, Bermuda on the occasion of his late 1954 visit.
It transpired that Harold Royffe was a true gentleman and soldier and while stories of his fearful disposition abound, most Old DCLI Soldiers (now) have only amusing, fond and endearing memories of him. We seek to honour our RSM on these pages and to correct the omissions of the past by subscribing comments and anecdotes, as they unravel from various readers and contributors who served under him.
It is fairly evident that Harold Royffe was a decorated soldier far earlier than we Caribbean squaddies can recall and we cordially invite comments from all Old Soldiers far and wide, to bring alive his memory.
As a footnote: We have yet to properly caption the various photographs, which in due course we trust, will be rectified by Margaret (Royffe). If in turn, you can ID a face or a location, please advise. In the header photo above, RSM Jan Passmore (Battalion) is shown to HR’s rhs and we think the 3rd RSM on Harold’s left is Pete Firth (TA). Circa date is estimated at 1957.
Regimental Depot Bodmin
Bodmin Regimental Depot - circa 1957
Caribbean 1954-1957
Unknown detail - tba
Social Group - tba
Social Group 2 - tba
Germany, probably Minden, Junior NCO's Mess - see faint inscription
Family member & friend Mr McCullum; circa 1954 - West Indies? tba
Mrs McCullum in barrow. No comment!
Tattoo? Caribbean? - tba
****************************************************************************
Photos below are forwarded by Major Tom Howell recently (September 2009)
RSM Royffe at rear next to Tom Howell. Also in background is RSM's big old Wolseley
Depot SNCO's 1957: Front (l-R) C/Sjt Perret, CSM Hallett., RSM Royffe, Maj Ruttledge, Lt Peters-Dickie, CSM Steer, APTC C/Sjt Oram. Rear: (?) Sjt Mackay, Sjts Howell, Rich, Basham, Edwards
RSM Royffe with on his left Lt Col Leisching CO 1 DCLI and right CO 1 South Staffords
AAI Spring 1953. Behind Insp Officer LT Col Leisching CO, Major PD Watson OC B Coy, Major C Sayers 2IC Bn, Capt J Tanner Adjutant
Regtl Ball 1953: Boys are 'volunteer' waiters from a Rifle Coy but can't remember any names
RSM Royffe in Ceremony of The Colours at a Lucknow Ball in Minden either 1952 or 1953
Friends of the RSM: Claud Marsdon, Ken & Joan Launder, taken at The Keep in the 80s, during Princess Alexandria's visit. Courtesy Neil Swanson.
79 responses so far ↓
Editor: Derek Lovemore #22935157 // December 22, 2008 at 5:46 am |
Harold Royffe RSM: 1DCLI
It is with great pleasure that I publish this Blog Page to honour the RSM. Please open dialogue with stories and anecdotes of Harold, as remembered by you, from various times while you served under his direction. We hope to build a pictorial and anecdotal history of the man who made us both men and soldiers.
Terry Joll // December 22, 2008 at 11:55 am |
MARVELLOUS, bloody wonderful to once again see the GREAT MAN in pictures. Well done for being able to obtain the photos, let us all hope there will be more to come
Terry
ED: Thanks Terry, I look forward to many stories from you. I have also emailed Bobby Bogan to advise him of the site.
Jack Madron // December 22, 2008 at 1:02 pm |
Thank you Margaret (Royffe) and Ed. Absolutely fantastic. What memories they bring back.
Jack Madron // December 22, 2008 at 3:20 pm |
Ed.
Photo of Colour Party in front of Keep. Bodmin. Sgt sitting to left hand side of officer with sword is Ron Delap (RIP). The soldier, (NCO?) to his left, I know the face but can’t put a name to. Something for me to puzzle, over the Christmas.
PS: NCO’s Mess. Germany. Notice L/Cpl with no Div Flash. Just arrived from Bodmin?
ED: Thanks Jack. I believe the Officer is Major ‘Toots’ Williams, formerly the CO of “A” Company Bermuda, appointed CO of the Depot. That places the approximate date of the photo to circa 1956, probably when Jan Passmore took over as RSM, while the Regiment was still in the Caribbean.
Jack Madron // December 22, 2008 at 8:42 pm |
Ed
Which photo is Smokey Hallet in?
ED: Jack – maybe (definitely) a whoops! Initially I thought that Smokey was flanking HR to his lhs with Jan Passmore on t’other in the lead photo? Then again – wasn’t a chap named Joe Knowles the Depot RSM before HR? But Joe is pictured elsewhere with a huge handlebar moustache. I guess that all this relates to HR achieving Capt (QM) in due course. Hopefully someone can provide greater accuracy. Smokey was CSM in Bermuda in 1956 and the photo in question above shows 3 RSMs – right? – so can’t be Smokey!
PS: Terry Joll has kindly corrected the IDs in the lead photo. See later comment.
Terry Joll // December 23, 2008 at 12:55 am |
I believe the three RSMs together are L to R. Jan Passmore, Harold Royffe, Pete Firth.
This photo was most probably taken during 1957 during the time the DCLI were in Walker Lines Bodmin. Jan was RSM Battalion, Harold RSM Depot. Pete Firth RSM TA. I am open to correction.
ED: Thanks Terry. We’ll travel with those names, after all ’tis a very small Club!
Editor: Derek Lovemore #22935157 // December 23, 2008 at 2:04 am |
GENTLEMAN SOLDIER
I’ve told the story several times elsewhere, but in January 1954 at Crownhill Barracks, several other rookies and I were rostered for Camp Picket Guard. Never having dressed before in BD with greatcoats, not one of us allowed for expansion of the blancoed webbing belt – over the waistline of our full dress. Consequently we all showed the crappy inside of the ends of our belts. The RSM mounted the Guard and realised the problem. Nary a bollocking, just a gentle reminder “lads – next time take more care” and off we went.
Good job we were all wearing khaki pants!
Jack Madron // December 23, 2008 at 4:23 pm |
Terry.
Thanks for clearing up that little matter. As a senior rank, I don’t think you’ll be corrected. Ha ha.
Terry Joll // December 23, 2008 at 11:22 pm |
I first met Harold Royffe in the DCLI Drill Hall in Falmouth in 1948 when he was a WO2 PSI with the 4/5th DCLI TA. I was a 13 years old Army Cadet and Army Barmy at that time. I clearly remember being spoken to by this wonderful soldier. Little did I realise that our paths were to cross again 9 years later when as a Cadet Warrant Officer and having lunch in the Sgts Mess at Bodmin and sitting alongside Harold, during lunch he enquired from us if we were thinking of enlisting, I proudly said, Yes Sir, I am enlisting on Friday. He said. Well Done.
About 10 days later during a drill parade at the Depot, recruit Joll was approached by Harold who when inspecting us enquired where he had seen me before, I proudly told him that we had lunch together last Sunday Sir in the Sgts Mess. He said, well never mind you may be back there on fatigues in a day or two. I was. He was a fair but firm man and in my later years as a Warrant Officer I tried to maintain the standards he set.
Terry
Editor: Derek Lovemore #22935157 // December 26, 2008 at 2:43 am |
INTERESTING STATISTICS
In 3 days since publishing this tribute page to Harold we’ve received 115 ‘hits’ on the page already. Quite significant IMHO, in that with very little publicity (British LI Message Boards only) so many have viewed (or revisited) the site.
What we need now of course is a flood of anecdotal material to support the general view that the RSM was a man who contributed in many ways to Regimental History during his lifetime and we need to carry on his name in memory.
So – GOYA’s – cheps, let’s hear from you, One and All!
Jack Madron // December 26, 2008 at 5:08 pm |
Ed.
I have three anecotes about Harold on W&W. Can they be moved to this site? If not, I could submit them again or just leave them.
Terry.
Good memories. I never got that close to the big man. To tell the truth, he frightened the very life out of me. I wasn’t alone, I bet.
ED: Prefer that you resubmit afresh Jack. Just ‘cut and paste’ to retain the verbatim comment, in the new “RSM” window.
Jack Madron // December 27, 2008 at 5:26 pm |
Do R.S.M’s have a sense of humour?
I think they do. A little incident I recall. I was Guard Commander at Up Park Camp, when approximately 0200 hrs the guardroom phone rang. Answering it, I said, “Guard Room, Guard Commander speaking”. A voice bellowed into my ear, “Corporal, there’s a donkey in my garden, send some one to get it out of here, at once”
“Yes Sir”. I replied. It was Harold Royffe. Couldn’t mistake that voice. I sent the I/C Relief and one of the guard, off to the married quarters to investigate. Some time later, they returned and reported “Nothing Found, everywhere in darkness, no donkey, nothing”. Reason I remember this incident! The date. 1st April.1955.
Tom Howell // September 8, 2009 at 10:04 am |
Jack Madron
It is highly possible I knew you in Kingston. I had come back from Belize and went to the Army MT School in Bordon (UK) on 8 May ‘55. Cpl Robby Robinson (RIP) (ex DLI/Para) and I went together and on return were both promoted to Sjt. He became Tech Sjt in Kingston and I became MT/Tech Sjt in Belize where I remained for the rest of the tour.
Jack Madron // September 8, 2009 at 12:27 pm |
Hello Tom.
I suppose we might have met at some time and your name rings a bell, but there again, I might have you mixed up with a L/Cpl Ernie Howells who was Tim Hodder’s driver in Minden, when I first joined the MMG’s. The name Cpl Robinson doesn’t ring a bell with me unfortunately, as you say, it’s possible we all met at some time.
Do you remember Sgt Clark. Anti tank Pl? He was killed one night, down in Kingston, on a motor bike. Very unfortunate. Also Sgt Ron Delap RIP. Assault Pioneer Pl. A great character and well liked in S Coy. So many memories to recall.
Tom Howell // September 8, 2009 at 10:57 pm |
Jack Madron
Hi. I remember the incident but had forgotten his name. I was actually Guard Commander the night it happened. As I recall he had just signed on again and used his bounty money to buy the bike (Triumph Speed Twin?), took it out the same night and ran into the back of an unlit parked truck.
Jack Madron // December 27, 2008 at 5:30 pm |
Hi chaps.
Any funny anecdotes from your army days?
I’ve got one about an officer (not S Coy) in Jamaica. We were mounting 12 hour guard early one evening, S Coy were duty coy and I was Coy Ord Sgt. The Bt Ord Sgt marched the guard onto the square, called them to attention, about turned, saluted and called to the Ord Officer “Guard Present and Ready for Your Inspection. Sir.”
The Ord Officer was marching on to the sqare, when this voice rang out from the vicinity of the RSMs Office. “Mr P*****, Sir. Get Your Bloody Shoulders Back.” (Harold Royffe was always polite).
I swear to this day, that was the fastest guard ever mounted in the Dukes. This officer, by the way was well known as a stickler for finding dust or something wrong with a soldier but was a scruffy sod himself. He got his comeuppance that evening.
Oh happy days.
Jack Madron // December 27, 2008 at 5:31 pm |
Going back to anecdotes,
Here’s one I didn’t think was funny at the time. I thought I’d really landed myself in the dung pile.
We were in the RSM’s office, that is all the Coy Orderly Sgts, taking the next day orders. RSM Royffe said, “Quarter Guard Commander to be Cpl Fisher, S Coy.” then carried on with the rest of the orders. OK so far. When he got near the end, he looked at me and said,” Cpl, change Cpl Fisher’s name to Cpl Wiltshire. I just remember that Cpl Fisher is playing football for the Battalion.”
Not switching on brain before engaging jaw, I said “Excuse me Sir, but Cpl Wiltshire has just recently done a guard duty”. He just looked at me for a moment or two, and I thought, Oh hell,I’m for it now, but he just grinned and said, “Cpl, You know if you play any sport in this army, you can get away with bloody murder”. “Dismissed”.
What a let off.
Editor: Derek Lovemore // January 1, 2009 at 10:33 pm |
RSM’s BATMEN
Interesting coinicidence that Jack Madron mentions elsewhere that Titch Horder was Harold’s batman. Titch’s name arose during conversation with Bugler John Goddard during our Gold Coast New Year festivities.
John Goddard also doubled as Harold’s batman when ‘up in the hills’ during Jamaica time and hopefully will be logging in comments and anecdotes of those times. Maybe Titch was pissed and in the clink most of the time! Wonder how the Old Man handled that?
Don Puckey (RIP) our old 3 Platoon Mate in “A” Company, Bermuda was also Harold’s batman when the RSM turned up in Bermuda in 1954 for the NCO’s cadre.
Dave H // August 29, 2009 at 6:04 am |
Derek, I never ever saw Harold with us in the hills of Jamaica and I didn’t know RSMs had a batman, I thought it was only officers that had them. Another thought, now why would Harold be in the hills, we were on manoevers not on parades, he had no reason to be there.
Swanny Swanson // January 15, 2009 at 1:59 pm |
Ed. First time I have seen such good photos of the great man himself. Bravo Derek and thanks to his and HR’s daughter for sending them to you. First meeting for me with HR was in Crownhill on Parade, while inspecting the parade with the CO he took one look at my beret and screamed. “Do you think your’e in Mama’s Army” and pulled my beret to the right position. Several days later I was doing duties in the QM’s store helping to box up the Bn Silver etc to go to the West Indies when who should walk in but HR and his first remark to me was “your’e that horrible little man who I had to straighten his beret on parade, it’s no different now” and duly pulled down as regulation.
What a man! Swanny.
Sylvia Scott (nee Royffe) // July 23, 2009 at 9:09 pm |
Having just been directed to this site, I am overawed by your comments. I notice Horder’s name came up as Dad’s batman. Mr. Horder, as we had to call him, was the most wonderful gentleman, he was extremely protective of us girls, even though we must have led him a dogs life.
ED: Thank you Sylvia. You’ll note that we still require some ID’s on some of the photos of Harold. Margaret mentioned (at the Re-Union Memorial Day, Bodmin 11th June) that she will clarify where possible. Maybe you can help too? Also any more photos will be greatly appreciated. We can arrange to scan ‘em into .jpeg format if you wish.
Sylvia Scott (nee Royffe) // July 25, 2009 at 9:32 pm |
The photograph labled Family Member & Friend circa 1954. The gentleman with Dad in the photo is Mr Macullum, I can’t supply a christian name as we had to call everyone but the the C.O. ‘Mr’. The lady in the wheel barrow next to this photo is his wife. I don’t know the gentleman standing behind Dad in this photo. Sorry I can’t be more helpful with the others as I was 7 years old in 1954. I will have a look to see if I have other photos, but I believe we gave Margaret all the ones we had when the tribute as written
I would like to convey my condolences to Harry Patch’s family may he Rest in Peace.
ED: Thank you Sylvia. That small attention to caption detail is appreciated and now amended.
John Billett // August 19, 2009 at 8:19 pm |
Even though I had little to do with RSM Royffe, he was a man to be in awe of. I can remember the time in Minden he observed one of our parades; he obviously didn’t like the way it was conducted, we were dismissed and within half an hour all the Cpls, Sgts, CSMs and any one else he could collar were on the parade ground and my god didn’t he put them through it. That was RSM Royffe. I will never forget him, my last sighting of him was in Taunton my home town.
JB.
Editor // September 6, 2009 at 11:20 pm |
PAGE UPDATES (SEPT 2009)
We are indebted to Major Tom Howell for the latest 5 photos for the RSM. Tom promises more pix later.
PS: 1 more added now!
Jack Madron // September 7, 2009 at 3:59 pm |
Nice to see the new pix. Thank you Tom and Ed. Only ones I remember are Major Watson. B Coy and Capt Tanner. Adjutant. Depot S/NCO’s. CSM Hallett. RSM Royffe and C/Sgt Dick Oram.
Margaret Royffe // September 7, 2009 at 9:15 pm |
Thank you Major Howell for sharing these photos with us, we haven’t seen them before. It is nice to see some names of soldiers I have heard so much about. Sgt Perritt was in charge of the Sgts Mess in Jamacia wasn’t he? I remember having to go over to the Mess in the afternoon to get cigarettes for Dad and having to wake him up, I wasn’t old enough to feel guilty about waking him.
By the way I think Dad’s car was a Morris 14 (with running boards) and when Dad first got it the lower part of the doors were bright yellow; and became known as the ‘yellow peril’. Dad soon changed yellow to black.
Tom Howell // September 8, 2009 at 10:21 am |
Margaret
Hello. Glad to be able to help. I did not know Polly Perrett in Jamaica, I only met him in the Depot ‘57 and he died not so long after that.
Oops about the car! I seem to remember it had an illuminated name badge mounted in the radiator grill which meant Wolseley to me but after 50 and more years I defer to your insider knowledge!
Sloop JB // September 8, 2009 at 11:39 am |
Reference: Photo Boys Volunteer Waiters.
The lad on the extreme right of pix could be Hamlin. Looks very much like him. He is in one of my photos sitting on the rails of the Empire Clyde with me.
Tom Howell // September 9, 2009 at 2:55 pm |
Jack Madron
Another unfortunate death in Kingston was that of Pte Chapman on 14 May 1954 in the BMH who died of pneumonia of all things. I was NCO ic Cortege Escort to the military cemetery. I looked his grave up in 1989 when working in the area. Perhaps you remember it or took part. I do have some photos ie 1954 and 1989.
Jack Madron // September 9, 2009 at 10:34 pm |
Hello Tom.
Yes, I remember that occasion but didn’t know Pte Chapman. I also wasn’t involved with the funeral. If I remember rightly, a rumour went round the camp that he died of typhoid which caused a bit of a panic. With all the great times we had, there were some sad times.
SWANNY SWANSON // September 13, 2009 at 6:54 pm |
Anne and Sylvia, I met you at open day at Bodmin some years ago with your mother. As I was posted to Bermuda I only knew your father when he came over from Jamaica to carry out duties of the first NCO’s Cadre in 1954. My close mate Don Puckey was your father’s batman while he was there for this course. Don sadly passed away a couple of years ago (RIP). He always applauded the way the RSM carried out his duties always to first class standard.
When at Bodmin during our Caribbean Re-Union I met your sister Anne and enjoyed her company very much, was sorry to hear from her at that time you had a bereavement and you were unable to join us.
Looking forward to meeting you at a future date.
Best Regards, Neil (Swanny) Swanson.
Sylvia // September 14, 2009 at 11:06 pm |
Hi Swanny,
The only time we all came to Bodmin with Mum was when we held a memorial service and interred Dad’s ashes at The Keep.
My husband and I went to the re-union that commemorated the tri-centenery of the Regiment, we stayed at a hotel in Newquay. On the Sunday we went to The Keep, where we met up with several soldiers that were with the Regiment in Jamaica.
Perhaps it was one of these occasions that we met, I am just sorry I don’t remember you. There was so many old soldiers wanting to tell us stories about Dad, not all of them good, by the very nature of his position he was bound to have been disliked by some, but I admired them for saying so. There was a guy there, we called him Uncle Pat, the only person we were allowed to refer to as Uncle. We used to wrap him round our little fingers and get him to take us to the stables, we weren’t allowed to go unaccompanied. I also had a long chat to John Alsop and his wife, and was sorry to hear he died.
Also at this re-union I had a chat to Major Rutledge and his wife, and also Gage Williams.
Mind you my memory is not what it was, and maybe we did attend another Open Day with Mum.
Kind regards to you and your family, and thank you for making me laugh daily with your emails.
Jack Madron // September 15, 2009 at 11:32 am |
Hello Sylvia.
Do you remember a Pte Lightfoot ? He was a great mate of Titch Horder.
Sylvia // September 15, 2009 at 3:05 pm |
Jack, I do remember the name, it feels very familiar, so maybe he came to the house. Mr Horder used to babysit us some evenings, and I know he bought a mate with him. Dad used to get a few beers in and a plate of sandwiches was left. But whether this was Pt. Lightfoot I wouldn’t know.
I know we used to get out of bed once Mum and Dad went out and make him read us a story, and he never grassed us up. Brilliant man, was Mr Horder, the times he covered up our naughtiness was unbelievable.
Tom Howell // September 15, 2009 at 9:18 pm |
Sylvia
Jack Madron
I remember Tich Horder and his mate ‘Geordie’ Lighfoot. They shared a room in A Coy in Minden. Both got drunk a lot, Tich used to get up in the night and piss in his boots. They both kept a spare set of ‘37 pattern equipment ready for their frequent spells of detention. Tich was a record holder probably for Stick Orderly and Geordie was a good soldier despite his other failings.
Sylvia // September 15, 2009 at 9:30 pm |
Jack & Tom
I don’t think Mr Horder was Dad’s batman in Minden, maybe he mended his ways by the time we got to Jamaica, or perhaps Dad realised how well he looked after his kit and also us girls, that he overlooked his failings.
While we are talking of Minden can either of you remember where we were in between Minden and Jamaica, I think it was Borden. If so, we had an horrendous thunder storm which struck the guard house, Dad’s office and our house. Was somebody up there telling us something. Or was one of the ‘orrible little men’ saying his prayers!
Tom Howell // September 15, 2009 at 9:48 pm |
Sylvia
Jack
Tich was a rifleman in Minden as was Lightfoot (he was formerly DLI ex Korea if I remember rightly). Both were still drnking in Jamaica and I was Guard Commander often when they reported in. Between Minden and Jamaica the Bn was in Plumer Barracks Plymouth. I was Officers Mess Cpl at the time (from Nov 53 to Apr 54)
Jack Madron // September 15, 2009 at 10:19 pm |
Tom.
I don’t know if my memory is playing me tricks or not. Maybe you can help. Firstly, when in Plymouth, were we there for 10 weeks and secondly, did we have 5 weeks leave?
I know it sounds preposterous but somehow I’ve got this in the back of my mind. I’m talking of Regulars not NS by the way. Could be the old grey cells going AWOL.
Tom Howell // September 16, 2009 at 10:03 am |
Jack
Sorry about the delay – I obviously have my Horlicks and bed long before you!
I believe we came home in early December. Most people went on leave till after Xmas. As Officers Mess Cpl I drew the short straw as someone had to look after the Duty Officer’s needs. I went with the Adv Party to Jamaica, again from memory this was early March, probably 2-3 weeks ahead of main body.
Living in Crownhill was quite a culture shock after Minden! Hope this helps.
Jack Madron // September 16, 2009 at 11:41 am |
Thank you Tom.
I’ve only vague memories of Crown Hill. Most are just Union Street and the Barbican. Ha ha.
Tom Howell // September 16, 2009 at 3:55 pm |
Jack
Then you will remember the Long Bar and the NAAFI Club at least. In those days Plymouth was full of matelots and marines. When I was based in HQ Commando Forces at Mount Wise in Devonport 1971 it was very different. A deserted Union St, very few of the Senior Service in evidence – in fact a highly respectable area you could take your mother to!
Plumer Barracks at Crownhill was a Napoleonic nightmare. Cold and miserable and very little by way of creature comforts.
JT // September 17, 2009 at 4:02 pm |
Tom Howell
Bn left Liverpool I think 14th Feb 54. I guess the advance party for Jamaica must have flown ?
Also I think that the troopship called at Belize before Jamaica ?
Jack Madron // September 17, 2009 at 9:28 pm |
Tom. JT.
We left Liverpool on the 19th Feb. Reason I remember the date is because it’s my baby sister’s birthday. I was on the advance party from Empire Clyde. First time she berthed in Jamaica.
Sylvia // September 17, 2009 at 9:34 pm |
Jack Tom
Did the Empire Clyde only take the DCLI out to Jamaica once, or did it do a return journey for the families, if not we were the snotty nosed kids running around causing havoc. We came home on the Dilwara, it seem some of you guys flew home. Is that right?
JT // September 18, 2009 at 9:54 am |
Hi Sylvia
As a soldiers service ended they would normally be flown home by BOAC. One guy told me at the Re-Union he and some others came home on an aircraft carrier. All National Servicemen who shipped out on Empire Clyde Feb 1954 would be sent home for demob late 1955.
Tom Howell // September 17, 2009 at 9:26 pm |
JT
I am a bit hazy about dates in my senility, but yes we left UK before main body, and yes we flew on BAOC Boeing Stratocruiser (with upper deck bar we drank dry before we got to Rekjavik!). I don’t know for sure the routing of the ship, but I am sure you are right, it had to go to Belize to drop off E Coy and pick up coy of 1 RWF. Then to Kingston to drop off main body of 1DCLI and pick up 1RWF.There was no DCLI coy in BG at that point.
Hope that helps.
Tom Howell // September 17, 2009 at 9:55 pm |
Sylvia, Jack, JT
As far as I know there was only one round trip to Jamaica. HMT Dilwara certainly picked me and the rest of E Coy up at Belize, having picked up D Coy from BG earlier. We then proceeded to Kingston, but cannot remember who got on or off at that point.
Jack Madron // September 17, 2009 at 10:06 pm |
Hi Tom.
After leaving Bermuda, the Empire Clyde docked at Kingston to drop off advance party, then went to Belize to drop off E Coy+ sections of MMGs, 3in Mortars and I believe Anti Tanks. Returned to Kingston to drop off rest of Battalion.
JT // September 18, 2009 at 9:47 am |
Sylvia
Certainly”A” Coy families were on Empire Clyde. I remember well the day before disembarkation a meeting of wives in the 2nd class saloon. (I was reading in a corner and eaves dropping). They were discussing the order in which they would go down the gang plank based on seniority. e.g CSM’s wife would lead.
Don’t remember kids making a racket but on one of the blogs there is a picture of some children on the boat deck.
As it happened they had to go ashore on the steam lighter at night coz the ship could not dock alongside the wharf.
See Poem on another blog
Tom Howell // September 18, 2009 at 10:06 am |
Jack
I am sure you are right. Working in Officers Mess area taking over from 1RWF I was not aware of goings on elsewhere. I do remember having to help QM Bert Croucher to get his quarter ready for his family.
SWANNY SWANSON // September 18, 2009 at 2:43 pm |
Tom Howell. Nice to meet you on blog, as you were saying about advance parties, The advance party to Bermuda was on the Island I think two weeks before we got there, Maj. Gibson was the Officer in charge of that party, did you know him?
When we first arrived we had lots of chores to do, i.e. cleaning utensils for the cookhouse etc and various other duties, Maj. Gibson was a perfect gentleman, I think he went to Jamaica to rejoin the Bn? but I can’t remember seeing him again while I was there in Bermuda. I left in June-July 1955 and joined 4/5th Bn DCLI TA.
Tom Howell // September 18, 2009 at 3:08 pm |
Swanny
I knew of Maj Gibson but did not actually meet him. However you and I have met in the flesh at a Bodmin Rally. I can’t remember whether it was this year or 2007 (I was in hospital in 2008). We met in the beer tent when you came over to me, having seen my Commando tie. Obviously made a great impression on you!
Editor // September 19, 2009 at 5:34 am |
ROTATING TIE RACK
Tom, dontchaknow that Swanny can change ties at a moment’s notice, to any Regiment in the British Army? He loves ‘em. He’s served in ‘em all, at one time or t’other. Probably does it to get a shout of a Guiness each time. He is of Scottish descent y’know?
Tom Howell // September 19, 2009 at 9:02 am |
ED
He must be quite unusual as when I was training Cornishmen I had to give them tie tying lessons. Any way what is a Scotsman doing masquerading as a Cornishman?
ED: Tom, I do believe that he hails from the Clan Gunn (they are said to have been descended from Gun, or Gunn, or Guin, second son of Olaus, or Olav, the Black, one of the Norwegian kings of Man and the Isles).
Tom Howell // September 19, 2009 at 10:36 am |
Ed
That’s all very well but doesn’t explain what he is doing in Cornwall. Perhaps he is just ‘gunn-gho’, or just confused or both!
JT // September 19, 2009 at 12:46 pm |
Tom
Legend has it that Swanny is descended from a certain Ben Gunn (A Scot) who was marooned on an island by a pirate captain in 18th Century.
On repatriation he was landed in Cornwall, claimed asylum (was incarcerated in one for a time) and then bred happily in Cornwall for ever after.
Tom Howell // September 19, 2009 at 1:10 pm |
Ed
Very good! I’ve got better things to do now. I’m off to play in a bowls needle match right now so will have to pick this up a bit later!
JT // September 19, 2009 at 7:02 pm |
Tom
Wots bowls needle.
Jack Madron // September 19, 2009 at 1:15 pm |
Tom.
We were tying knots around necks before any one else. Admittedly, they were slip knots and not Windsor. Ha ha.
Tom Howell // September 19, 2009 at 8:12 pm |
JT
Sorry- I wrongly attributed your missive regarding the Swanson forebears to the illustrious ED. A bowls needle is used to predetermine the outcome of a match ie a stitch up. Got it?
Jack
Your people were very good at slip knots but somewhere along the line – like three/four hundred years ago they entered a dark age, from which they were just emerging in the early 1950’s, assisted by more enlightened peoples from the North well versed in sartorial refinement.
JT // September 19, 2009 at 8:54 pm |
Tom
Thanks, got the bowls needle stuff. Fascinating. But Jack and Swanny’s folk were deep sea fishermen out of Newlyn. They did bowlines, reef knots, sheepshanks, round turns and 2 half hitches and stuff.
They didn’t do bootlaces though til they joined up.
Tom Howell // September 20, 2009 at 11:00 am |
JT
Sounds as though they were boy scouts to me and the bit about bootlaces explains why they all have broken noses!
You are right though – we have been dragged into this by external forces and should move to another place before retribution descends upon us!
Sylvia // September 20, 2009 at 9:12 pm |
Tom
Most of us are using the Bloody Unbelievable blog, depending on the content of our comments. As ED is always telling us, it is advisable to look at all the blogs. We all make mistakes though, I’m sure ED will forgive you. The other alternative is the coal hole with Swanny, but I’m not sure how much room is in there!
ED: Thanks Sylvia, gentle reminders are appreciated, but I’m in a forgiving mood today, I’ve reached 115. No Coal Hole Jankers today! BUT, please read Old Grumpy’s Rules for Bloggers.
Sylvia // September 20, 2009 at 9:02 pm |
ED
Is the picture at the top of the page Bermuda or Jamaica, I seem to remember Dad doing a parade when Princess Margaret came to stay at Government house. The reason I remember it is we had Hugh Foots parrot at our house because it said ‘Dirty Bird’ every time a women went near the cage, and they didn’t want the parrot to say it to HRH.
ED: Hi Sylvia. Bermuda BIG 4 Conference, (March?) 1957. HRH Margaret was in 1955, also Bermuda, see Lt Col Marsh page, also Picasa Albums (Military), Keith Mannings’ contribution obo Priscilla Marsh RIP. There might however, be other visits to Jamaica at the same time for which I have no pictorial records.
Sloop JB // September 22, 2009 at 8:07 pm |
Hi Sylvia
ED
Princess Margaret did indeed visit Jamaica 1955, it was just before I came home for release. The Polo field was prepared for her visit, we had to guard all the chairs that were set out for the occasion with pickaxe handles, I can assure you if anyone came armed with machetes I would have given them the chairs no argument. Met Sir Hugh Foot at a garden party at Government House, being Officers Mess waiters we were asked to do the honours for the evening. He was a gentleman.
ED: Thanks JB, I’m surprised that not one photo image of HRH Princess Margaret, with Honour Guard that would include the RSM, has never surfaced (thus far) from the Jamaica contingent. Clearly the Ceremonials would have taken place.
Editor in Brisbane // October 1, 2009 at 5:55 am |
I know what you mean DH, but in the case of Bermuda, there was a very active news media and 2 very keen COs who infected the Platoon Commanders with their enthusiasm to make permanent records of the various Parades and squads. Terry Simons in 3 Platoon was our ‘unoffical’ photographer and was always taking happy snaps. 35mm transparency film and cameras were emerging around that time also. JT has a story there I believe.
Maybe Sylvia or Margaret can fill us in on the lack of HR’s photo records!
I’m confident to remark also, that Bermuda was seen as a showpiece of an island, for American holidaymakers, College girls and general tourism, even in those early post war years and ’showing off’ the elite Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry was probably a pawn in the island social game. We seemed to do little else than some Parade, Guard or Special occasion and our kit was of a very high standard. I do believe that’s why the RSM didn’t visit very often, as he needed to keep his eye on the Jamaica lads!!
JT // October 1, 2009 at 6:52 pm |
I understand that the RSM visited Bermuda. Don’t remember . I can only imagine that hearing of his reputation I probably made myself invisible (as I was skilled at) and found lots of excuse to visit Garrison HQ lines.
I wonder where he stayed though (with Jan Passmore maybe ?).
Jack Madron // October 1, 2009 at 9:06 pm |
If memory is right. When HR was absent from Jamaica, parades used to be taken by Jan. But could be wrong on this.
Editor in Brisbane // October 2, 2009 at 12:28 am |
HR IN BERMUDA
JT. I recall only one single visit in Winter ‘54 until late October ‘55 (when I left), other than the disembarkation Parade early March ‘54. He ran the NCO’s Cadre and Don Puckey, our 3 Platoon Mate was his batman and first of our Intake to get a tape. Jock Massie was then CSM and – evidently – Jan Passmore was still in Jamaica. HR would have billetted in the Hossifers Mess, I would think, hopefully turfing out some jumped up snotty for a while!
Terry Joll // October 11, 2009 at 7:25 pm |
Hello Tommy Howell. You were my Platoon Sgt in 1957, the Pl Comd was Nigel Petrie. We have met several times in the past few years, nice to have you on the forum.
As a matter of interest to you personally I attended the funeral service on Friday 9th October of L/Cpl Greg Nicholas who you will remember as a training J/NCO at Bodmin. I was accompanied by Wesley Basher. Today at our Truro Branch luncheon I met Ted Amor, first time for 50 years.
Lots of chaps at Harry Patch’s Memorial Service yesterday. Nice to read your postings.
Terry Joll
Tom Howell // October 12, 2009 at 11:15 am |
Terry
Nice to hear from you. As you say we have met many times over the years. If I recall correctly, Wesley Basher is the boy sitting next to you on your passing out photo (which I still have with many others).
I am sorry to hear about Greg because, apart from being one of my junior NCOs, I met him often in later years in Bodmin when he was following his journalistic career.
I have stayed in touch with Nigel Petrie over the years as our postings sometimes were in the same station, and we meet in London from time to time for lunch. I remember the name of Amor but cannot put a face to it.
Tom Howell
Terry Joll // October 12, 2009 at 4:48 pm |
Tom
Thank you for your reply.
The names of those on the Recruit Platoon Photograph are as follows;
Front row; Joll. Basher. Nicholas. Howell. Petrie. Warden. sloggett. Searle
Rear row;
Stapleton. Hillman. North. Hunt. Symonds. dixon. Britton. AMOR . Dutchman. Trathen
Lance Warden passed away three years ago.
Dutchman was the barber and he was a great help to us all.
See you are still showing your plaster on your broken arm, I will not divulge the details on here
Terry
Tom Howell // October 12, 2009 at 9:44 pm |
Terry
Thank you for the names, I dug the photo out and married up the names and this helped to refresh my memory. It is sad to think that both Lance and Greg have gone.
The plaster remained with me until Jan ‘58 – there were no light duties for snco’s in those days!
I have to tell you though that if you continue to use this particular site you too could be wearing a plaster from top to toe. Our Editor has a particularly mean streak when up with indiscipline in the ranks. You have been warned!
Ed: Aren’t I a good boy?
ED: Well said Tom, but generally now the troops are well behaved. One problem is that we have ‘lost’ (technically that is) the DCLI blog page where many Comments would be better placed. However I appreciate the thoughts!
Terry Joll // October 12, 2009 at 10:14 pm |
Hello Derek.
I have finally got back onto the DCLI Blog site, been AWOL since the great Re-Union due to computer troubles and also due to my lack of knowledge, to get any post from me is a great achievement and a bonus to you all. If I get a bollocking I am man enough to take it, I have been bollocked by experts in the past and even got good at giving them myself.
Take care all you good guys out there
Terry
ED: G’Day Terry ‘Ole Mate – welcome back – we appreciate your effort. Interesting to view the connection between you and Tom. Interesting too is his and mine common thread – via Singapore in the ’60s. His son Tim is visiting Brisbane soon, and a toddy or two is in the offing!
Sylvia // October 23, 2009 at 7:38 pm |
HAROLD AND THE WOODBINES
In response to comments about Dad and his Woodbines on the ‘Allday’ blog I would like to recount this little story.
When I was about 13, and we were in Bodmin, Dad sent me to the Sgts Mess for 20 Woodbines. I had already experimented with smoking, so I thought I would take one out of the packet and smoke it on the way back to the house. When I got home, I gave Dad his fags and he asked why one was missing, I told him the truth, ‘I dropped the packet and one must have fallen out!!’ He of course pointed out for that to happen the packet must have been open, so I owned up. He took 9 ciggies out of the packet and made me sit and smoke them all one after the other. Gosh did I feel sick, I think I turned green at one point. Any way being a ‘mouthy cow’ half an hour later I said ‘Dad can I have a fag’ he said ‘GET OUT OF MY SIGHT’ in his Regimental square bashing voice. Needless to say I ran as fast as my legs could carry me!
ED: Thank You Sylvia. A great example of how I would like the RSM Blog developed. You have cleverly cross-linked the comment from elsewhere to this ‘un. However, I have reminded the pisstakers that KRAP ‘replies’ and attempted ‘threads’ to your Comment – on this RSM Page – will be deleted. But watch ‘em try!
Sloop JB // October 23, 2009 at 8:53 pm |
Well Sylvia I was only joking when I said to Jack ‘do you think Sylvia had a crafty drag’. You little minx you. I know the feeling green and feeling sick as I felt the same when I tried smoking, I didn’t like it and I didn’t continue with it. You might have ran away fast but you had to return home, at least you lived to tell the tale. Did he shout ‘Get Off My Square’.
Sylvia // October 23, 2009 at 9:04 pm |
Sloop
Now you’ve reminded me of another story, when we were in Minden, Mum had to get margarine in tins, one of my younger sisters was tossing the tin in the air and catching it, well she missed and it caught the side of my head (I often pull her leg about my scar). Mum did no more, than grab me and take me to the Medics room. The quickest way was to go across the square, where, yes you guessed it, Dad was conducting a parade.
When he came home later he was really cross with Mum, not only had she ‘crossed his square’ she had crossed it in her slippers!!
Of course when he found out why he was very sorry, and I got a extra glass of milk.
Editor in Brisbane // October 24, 2009 at 3:43 am |
BE ADVISED
Banter and Krap replies to bona fide RSM related comments and historical RSM anecdotes that appear here will be (and have been) deleted. I have already applied that Editorial Licence. Any ‘unrelated’ comments that remain are left to preserve the thread of conversation on a misplaced topic, arising (mainly) from novice blogging and the shutdown DCLI (at the time). All (non RSM) Regimental comments are directed to the ‘Reggie Mental’ blog.
This dedicated RSM site is interested only in genuine RSM records, anecdotes and stories, thank you. There is ample opportunity for nonsense dialogue elsewhere. Use the General Banter blog for smartarse replies if you must. No debate on the matter. TIOFLI.
Geddit?
Sylvia // November 6, 2009 at 8:55 pm |
Another incident I remember from when we lived in Falmouth, the first time, Dad came home in a jeep, I think, and he was holding his BD top closed, but was having difficulty. He told Margaret to choose one side, which she did, and inside was a little dog, I had the other side which contained a pure white cat. I called the cat Chalky, but soon had to change it’s name, as it kept running up the chimney for some reason, so it was called Sooty after that. Dad had to keep darting across the room to grab it’s tail as it disappeared, of course as the cat didn’t want to come down it clawed at the inside of chimney and sent soot everywhere in the room. Mum, needless to say, was not best pleased.