ISSUE
NO. 13 FEBRUARY 2000
MembershipThe Club is pleased to welcome Joan Brunt whose late husband was Cpl. Arthur Park. Also Ann D'Arcy, John D'Arcy and Roy Swain. |
| Friends Remembered
It is with deep regret we report the death of the following
wartime members of the Regiment:- We would like to express our sympathy to their families. |
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General Sir Anthony Mullens A letter has been received from General Tony Mullens thanking members for their kind wishes on his giving up the Colonelcy of the Regiment. General Tony was thanked for his past help and assistance to the Creully Club. |
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Liberation of Oostham, Belgium A notice was in the August issue from Carl Rymen who has been studying the liberation of France and Belgium requesting information on Stan Moffatt which was sent to him. Since then there has been correspondence and e-mails with Carl and the local historian Dirk at Wasseven, Belgium regarding the liberation of Oostham. Carl has written an essay of that time in 1944 for his diploma and has a wealth of information on the action in that area. His 98 page essay 'De Bevrijding van Ham' includes interesting information on the campaign in which the 4th/7th were involved on 8th September 1944 at Oostham. Franz Kopka was commander of 3 Squadron of the Panzerjager Abteilung. On the 8th September he was ordered by General Student , who was at Heppen, to recce Oostham to see if the British had already infiltrated that area. He bypassed the village of Oostham to the NE and then returned by the centre of the village. There he saw a Sherman and fired on it. (It was the Troop Corporal 4th Troop 'B' Squadron's tank and he missed it by the thickness of a Rizla paper. Ed). He drove on and knocked out the first Sherman of 2nd Troop, drove on and then was knocked out by Sgt Wilcox. The whole crew got out of the panzer, but one of the crew later died from his wounds. Kopka was evacuated to hospital but returned to his unit on 17th September when he took command of the whole Panzer Jager Abteilung and therefore was in command of the attack on 'Hell's Highway' during 'Operation Market Garden'. Arising out of the contact the question of a memorial to Ken Frampton, John Hill and Stan Moffatt was raised. This has been enthusiastically supported by the Town Council and the local history society and a plaque will be erected in memory of them and to Lts Richard C Luxmoore and Robert James Newman Ellis of the 12th KRRC who were also killed at that time on the 9th and 10th September. It is proposed to have a service at the plaque on 16th September. There will also be a historical display of events at that time. Outline details are included under Future Events.
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50th Infantry Division Way by Ken Hart When Cecil learnt that the road inland from the beach at Ver-sur-Mer towards the "house with the circular drive" was to be officially renamed "50th Infantry Division Way" on the 4th September 1999 he swiftly realised that such an enterprise could not be left to lesser mortals without the supervision and assistance of the 4th/7th RDG. He therefore recruited Vince and myself to carry the flag for the Regiment on this momentous occasion, and on the evening of 2nd Sept. we duly RV'd at 1, Grasshills for a briefing. Promptly at 0500 hrs the following morning we left Base and on arriving at the village square performed a smart about turn for Cecil to collect his alarm clock. Despite this false start we arrived at Portsmouth in plenty of time to catch the 0745 ferry, and on arrival at Ousterham some brilliant navigation and tactical manoeuvring saw us on the D514 coast road heading for Ver-sur-Mer. Approaching the town the first building we saw was the Hotel La Boussole where we were to harbour for the next three nights and having noted its position we pressed on to our first objective at the Museum where Cecil presented M Dupont with the Davis Escape Apparatus he had acquired and its attendant documentation; these were received with enthusiasm. Returning to the hotel we discovered we were to share the billet with Frank Camille, late 5th E. Yorks and the three sons of the late Major Filby of the Herts Yeomanry RA who had been a great supporter of the Museum at Ver-sur-Mer. Having settled in, Cecil wished to try to find the house where he spent the night of 07/06/44. He had no idea where in the town it might be but he assured us that he would know it when seen. After a fruitless walk down a country lane heading off into the Norman countryside in quite the wrong direction we arrived back at the hotel in time for a very good dinner. The following morning, having more or less shaken off the effects of the calvados with which we had been generously supplied by the Filby brothers, our first task was to recce the scene of the afternoon's operations. Here we found Col. "Tesco" Sainsbury and his troops making the final preparations for the events and he kindly took time out to brief us on the proceedings. Being satisfied that all was under control we proceeded to our next objective which was to locate the blockhouse which Cecil and his crew put out of action before drowning their tank. A street plan seemed to indicate a road leading down to the beach in roughly the right place which seemed a good start point. The road turned out to be a narrow deeply rutted track which we proceeded down with much caution until reaching a dilapidated beach hut and even more dilapidated concrete bunkers. There was no sign of the blockhouse until we noticed a patch of concrete rubble below high water mark when it became apparent that the sea had finally completed the job Cecil had begun in 1944. Congratulating ourselves on the success of the morning's exercise we repaired to the hotel for a light lunch and to don our finery for the afternoon's events. At the appointed 1400 hours we RV'd in the car park opposite the Museum to find that the representation had been more than doubled by the arrival of Messrs Alastair Morrison and Douglas Mann and by Brian Sutton who was accompanied by Audrey. Also present was Ben Brown from the Isle of Man who had travelled with the official coach party. Among the French spectators was our farmer friend from Lingevres, proudly wearing his 4th/7th tie, who greeted Cecil in the traditional French manner, and his charming grand-daughters. We duly arrived at the site of the ceremony and dismounted. A ballot was held among the actual D Day veterans of Gold Beach for the honour of unveiling the street sign. We then fell in facing the covered sign with the Regimental Association Banner, the assembled standards of "Les Combattants Ancien Francais" and the band from the neighbouring township of St Aubin. After speeches by M Erhold Mayor of Ver sur Mer and on behalf of Major Garton Ash who could not be present a trumpeter from the band played a moving rendition of the French version of Last Post and Reveille followed by two National Anthems and Ben Brown who had won the ballot whipped the cover off the sign. I felt it was perhaps fitting that the way inland for 50 Div. should once again have been opened up by 4th/7th RDG of 8th Armoured Brigade. The plan for the next stage in the proceedings was simplicity itself. The dignitaries would walk off to a saluting base some 130 yards inland and the spectators would file past the parade to line the intervening route. When all were in position, 50th Infantry Division, all two dozen of us, would march past along its nominated way behind the band and the standards of the Combattants Ancien. After a false start or two when the band decided to go it alone the manoeuvre was successfully accomplished. All now remounted their original transport and returned to the Museum for a Vin d'Honneur in the Conference Hall where the veterans each received a medallion and diploma, and after more speeches and general reminiscence and chat we dispersed to prepare for the evening's entertainment which was to be a celebration dinner to be held in the restaurant at La Boussole. An excellent and convivial meal was concluded after midnight. Sunday's principle objectives were to recce a suitable hotel for June 2000, as La Boussole did not have sufficient rooms for our needs, and to visit the Regimental graves at Bayeux to place poppy crosses, both of which were duly accomplished. We also fitted in a visit to the Memorial at Creully where we were pleased to note that it appeared to have been cleaned and repaired although the caps from some of the flagpoles were still missing. (HHQ was contacted on return and arrangements have been made with the War Graves Commission for these to be replaced. Ed) And so home on Monday by the afternoon ferry after a visit to a local supermarket to stock up with wine, arriving at Aldbourne at about 2300 to be greeted by Joy with a welcome cup of real English tea. |
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The Reunion 1999 by Vince Vincent Twelve members gathered for the A.G.M. of the Creully Club on the afternoon of Saturday, November 13th: Charles Batkin, Bert Clarke, Geoff Cresswell, Sid Dalley, Bernie Glanfield, Alan Gregson, Ken Hart, Cecil Newton, Tom Rennocks, Ron Scruton, Vince Vincent, and Fred Woska. Shortly before the Meeting began Frank Baker, ex-'B' Squadron, put in an appearance producing photos taken in 1944/45 which were of special interest to other ex-'B' Squadron members present, who had not immediately recognised Frank after so many years. He was in Alcester with his wife for the day, and although he could not stay for the Reunion on Saturday evening , his was a very welcome additional presence at the A.G.M. The Meeting started with a reminder to the Secretary Cecil Newton that an event of greater import than life, death or AGM's was taking place that afternoon at Hampden Park in Glasgow, the transmitted recording of which by BBC Television would have priority at 4 pm. Apologies for absence were received from Ralph Butcher, Roger Levett, Eric Johnston, Buster Brown. Good wishes were received from Pat Ellis and Bill True of the 506th PIR US Army. The Financial Report, recording a healthy
balance of £1016.59 was presented and unanimously accepted. Ken Hart wondered if younger members of the Regimental Association would be interested in perpetuating the Creully Memorial Service. Another suggestion was that the co-operation of local French people should be sought , perhaps by encouraging local schools to participate in some form of commemoration. Next the itinerary for the annual visit to Creully in 2000 was outlined and approved. The Secretary wondered if the visit should be extended by an extra day after next year to allow a more leisurely itinerary. No decision was taken on this, members being given more time to consider this idea. The arrangements for November 2000 in Alcester,
the same format as now, were unanimously approved. Finally, ever cognisant of the advancing years, the Secretary distributed the proposed text of a Constitution which he felt was necessary should the Creully Club at some time in the future cease to exist, raising in particular the question of the disposal and use of any money in the Club's coffers. The proposed Constitution was studied paragraph by paragraph and unanimously accepted. At 3.59 pm with all of a minute in hand the A.G.M. was declared closed and the television switched on. Later that evening we were joined, as last year, by Roy Willets and his son for the Reunion dinner. The Remembrance Sunday Parade at Alcester was as impressive as ever. The 4th/7th RDG contingent, marching as usual with the local British Legion members, was part of a long procession led by a band along the main street lined with hundreds of onlookers. Apart from the ex-service men and women, the parade included representatives of all the local civic services and youth organisations. Prominent among the column as always were the worthies sporting the colourful robes of yesteryear embroidered with such insignia as High Bailiff, Brooklooker, Searcher and Sealer of Leather, and, in two cases, the much envied title of Ale Taster. The duplication of this office is perhaps a precaution should one of its bearers be overzealous in the performance of his duties! The Remembrance Service started with a brief ceremony at the War Memorial just outside the entrance to the church of St Nicholas. Scores of townspeople joined with those from the procession who had gathered around the Memorial to honour the fallen. The familiar notes of the 'Last Post' were followed by the stillness of the Silence. The subdued murmuring of very small children who had come with their families to share in this special experience served not to distract but rather as a reminder of those poignant words: "For your tomorrow we gave our today." The wreath laid by Alan Gregson on behalf of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards was one of many clustered around the base of the War Memorial, the vivid red splash of the poppies confirming the promise "We will remember them". After the completion of an uplifting service in the packed church of St Nicholas where Ken Hart paraded the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guard to the altar the parade reassembled for a brief march past at which the salute was taken by Lord Hertford. Ale tasters, official and otherwise, then repaired to the local hostelries for a cheering jug before saying farewell and returning home. |
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The Memorial at Creully During the visit to Normandy last September a visit was made to the Regimental Memorial at Creully. This was found to be in spick and span condition after a refurbishment. It was reported back to HHQ that the wreaths laid the previous June were no longer in suitable condition also that some finial caps were missing from the flag poles. HHQ very promptly arranged with the Mayors office at Creully for the wreaths to be removed at the appropriate time and also for the finial caps to be replaced. |
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The Memorial - Future Representation An item on the Agenda for the AGM was future representation at the Memorial after the Creully Club ceases to exist which was fully discussed by the members present. It was resolved that a letter should be written to Robert Ford and also to Ian Gill requesting their help in formulating a policy for the future. In our letter to Robert and Ian it was pointed out that although there may be other claims for representation at other memorials, the impressive Memorial at Creully should take priority. Also the Mayor and Commune of Creully would be disappointed if there wasn't attendance on the 6th June each year and it would be a sad reflection on the 4th/7th RDG if this did not occur. Robert and Ian have taken this matter up with General Mullens and he has replied "I do not think that we could or should give an undertaking that this should happen every year on 6th June. With Regimental commitments it will just not be possible. l am sure that if the circumstances are right, every effort will be made to send someone to Creully". Members who were contacted about this reply, whilst agreeing that a commitment would be difficult, there should be an intention. They felt that more should be done to obtain a more satisfactory arrangement, such as the subject of representation should be diaried by both the Regiment and the Association on an annual basis with a view to this becoming a custom and eventually a tradition. Also there should be a named representative of the Regiment and a Committee member of the Association with the authority to initiate representation at the Memorial when the need arises for liaison purposes. These points were not accepted and so there is not an agreed programme for the Memorial's future. Ideally there should have been an arrangement similar to 'town twinning' so that the goodwill of the French could be reciprocated. The Memorial is not similar to a plaque commemorating an event but a Cenotaph and as such should have a Service of Remembrance as those in the UK, each and every year. It is not possible to leave the Memorial at Creullys doorstep and walk away. it would be insulting to the Mayor and Commune and citizens of Creully. The best way forward is to make our own arrangements
through the 'Creully Memorial Fund'. The Royal British Legion have
written to say that they would be prepared to lay a wreath at the
Memorial. This would of course require a donation and is to be expected.
The RBL will be in Normandy around the 6th June for many, many years
with their 'Remembrance Visits'.
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Club Report As mentioned in Vince Vincent's report on the AGM it was felt necessary that the Club should have a Constitution to clarify finances, membership and winding up of the Club. The arrangements for the finance of the Club have been in place since it was founded. It makes sense to have the end of the year 31st August as the report can go out with the September Newsletter. This is convenient as matters can then be discussed at the AGM in November. Similarly the February Newsletter is convenient time to issue same for the June meeting. In order to broaden our base the Club is now open to relatives, friends and supporters. We have already attracted a post-war member of the 4th/7th and have three members and supporters from the King's Royal Rifle Corps. Regular contact is made with Richard Frost, secretary to the KRRC and also with Fred Breyer, secretary to the London and Essex Branch of the KRRC. Also the Club is in touch with Steve Pannell, secretary to the 24th Lancers Association and with Don Straith, secretary to Company 'A' 506th PIR 10 1st Airborne Division Association USA all of whom we co-operated with in WW2. Contact has been made with our Belgian friends at Oostham and we are looking forward to meeting them in September. Amongst our supporters we value John Etherington
from HHQ who is always helpful and willing to assist, Simon Robbins
of the Department of Documents, Imperial War Museum who is helpful
with material regarding the 4th/7th that is sent to him. Then there
is Paul Mills who shows a continuing interest by sending items for
the archives and who contributed a bench in memory of the 4th/7th
for the museum at Ver sur Mer; also Robert Todd who made a special
visit to Normandy to fix the plaque at Verrieres and Ian Hutton
the Pipe Major who comes with us to Creully - and many more who
help in various ways. Members should not hesitate to recruit those interested in the 4th/7th. All the best for 2000. |
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Focus on Feedback The D Day FlashStan Brine - I was puzzled when I saw this in the 'Regiment' magazine. Soon after joining the Regiment I was issued with such a flash (and wore it). I thought it was a Regimental flash. I had been told we were destined for the Second Front but I have no recollection then of this being associated with the 'Flash' Ian Gill - Members of the Regiment
may have seen an article in the 'Regiment' magazine (issue 34, page
14) entitled D-Day I had no idea how this account of regimental dress gained a foothold in our history, but I can tell you it is absolute rubbish. So I think it best if we placed on record the true origins of the 'Regimental Flash' before it becomes enshrined in regimental folklore. I was commanding 3rd Troop 'C' Squadron 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards when the Regiment was stationed in Northern France as part of the B.E.F. It was in the winter of 1939/40 when the Commanding Officer received an Army Order from GHQ demanding "all units in the B.E.F to remove forthwith badges of recognition from battle-dress" in order to conceal our identity and order of battle (this took some believing since units of the B.E.F were constantly being referred to by name in broadcasts from Berlin by 'Lord Haw Haw' over our own Forces Radio frequency). This done how were to recognise troops in our own regiment without the use of badges? The Adjutant Captain (later Major General) d'Avigdor-Goldsmid suggested we should have a recognition flash made from a worsted material in the same design as the diamond flash painted in regimental colours on our steel helmets; the flash to be worn on the left sleeve of the battle-dress jacket. Some months later (IHQ (?) made it known that we could retain the use of regimental insignia after all. Back on the battle-dress jacket went the numerals and 'collar-dogs', but it was decided to leave the flash on the jacket and there it remained as an integral part of regimental dress until, many years later (1992?). it was transferred to the No 2 Dress (Service Dress) tunic. Those in possession of Brereton's history of the 4th/7th might care to look at photo plate No 57; the two soldiers in the right front of the photograph can be seen wearing the flash on the left sleeve of their battle-dress; this photo was taken four weeks after our return from Dunkirk in July 1940; so, please no more about the 'D-Day Flash'. Alastair Morrison - An order was received when the 4th/7th were in the B.E.F in Autumn 1939 that cap badges would NOT be worn - security given as the reason. The 4th/7th designed an arm flash for their own instant recognition, sewn on the left arm in regimental colours. Later, I believe when the 27 Armd. Brigade was formed - 26.11.40 - the 13/18H followed suit with a blue and white flash. Tom Tyreman - About that 'D-Day Flash', I am sure lots of chaps will have given you the right story by now, but what its worth, here's mine. I was given them to sew on when I joined the Regiment in April 1941 - D-Day was not even a twinkle in those days. I was told, though by whom I can't remember, that it was the colours of the Belgian flag and had been awarded to us after the Battle of Waterloo. |
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THE MEMORIAL Donald Brown - It is difficult to suggest how to commemorate the Regiment at the Memorial on future 6th June anniversaries when we have all faded from the scene. The present members of the merged Regiment show little interest and I suppose there may be more mergers of armoured regiments in the future. I suppose the only on going organisation is likely to be the British Legion and maybe they could play some part. I hope that somebody is able to come up with a very imaginative idea. Eric Johnston - I am very pleased you have raised the subject of the future representation at the Creully Memorial on the 6th June. As you know I raised this with Michael Dangerfield following General Gill's address at the 1996 ceremony. I suggest that this subject is raised with the new Chairman of the Association Major Noel Santry. |
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506th Parachute Infantry Regiment - USA Deryck True - And again thanks for a lovely visit in August when you were so gracious to us. We'll look forward to returning and seeing you again. Bill True - Say 'Hi' to all of the people we met on our recent visit. |
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Publications 'The Wartime News' - four quarterly issues. Subscription £8.50 payable to "The Wartime Company", Studland House, 12 Christchurch Road Bournemouth BHI 3NA. Tel: 01202 503902. |