ISSUE NO. 15   FEBRUARY 2001

Membership The Club is pleased to welcome George Kent, Somerset Light Infantry. M. Jean-Pierre Dupont, curator of the Gold Beach Museum has been made an honorary member.

Friends Remembered The news of the death of George Stuart Varley soon after that of his good friend Ron Mole was very sad. They were both staunch supporters of the Club; Ron was a member from the start and was very helpful and encouraging. George corresponded regularly with interesting articles. An account of his harrowing experiences during the Battle for Tessel Wood is in the archives. Ron joined the Regiment in November 1942 joining 4th Troop, ‘C’ Squadron and moved to S.H.Q. Troop at Heveningham and remained with them to demobilisation. He touched down at 7.18 a.m. on Gold Beach. He was wounded on 8th February 1945 in the Reichwald during Operation ‘Pepper Pot’ and rejoined the Regiment 4th May 1945 at Bremervörde. He went to Egypt and Palestine where he was an armoured car commander. He left the Regiment in January 1947. George joined the Regiment on 2nd December 1942 at Keighley and left on 31st December 1946. He was with ‘C’ Squadron throughout with 2nd and 4th Troops. George was wounded on 26th June at Tessel Wood. Although George had not been well for some time he maintained a regular correspondence with his service friends until his last few weeks. He was cremated at a quiet private ceremony in Edinburgh, and his ashes scattered at a beautiful spot on the East Lothian Border, fulfilling his wish that he should have no marked grave. Ron and George’s interest and support will be sadly missed.

Oostham and Elst Pilgrimage September 2000 by Ken Hart Despite the lack of response from members for the visit to Holland and Belgium, Cecil decided that in view of the tremendous amount of work put in by the inhabitants of Oostham the Creully Club should if at all possible be represented at the ceremony to mark the unveiling of a monument commemorating the liberation of the village in 1944 and recording the names of the Regiment and the 12th KRRC who died in the action fought there. There was some doubt about our being able to complete the trip as it coincided with the petrol demonstration and the situation in Holland was unclear. Having spent the night of Wednesday 13th September at the Hotel Continental at Dovercourt (now known to us as the ‘Yellow Peril’ because of it’s unusual exterior colour) Cecil and I crossed from Harwich to the Hook of Holland on Thursday 14th. The petrol stations at Harwich were empty but fortunately we were able to fill up on arrival in Holland and we had no further problem with fuel. We then drove to Tilburg to the Postelse Hoeve Hotel, which was to be our base for the weekend. Friday 16th September was spent on visits to the Memorial at Groesbeek, which records the names of those who died between the crossing of the Seine and the end of the War and have no known graves, and to Rheinberg Military Cemetery. Poppy crosses were placed at both venues in memory of fallen comrades of the 4th/7th. En route to Groesbeek we stopped for coffee at a wayside cafe at Mook where the father of the present proprietor regaled us with stories of the liberation of the area and compared notes with Cecil who had taken part in the action. On leaving we were presented with miniature clogs and our offer to pay for the coffee was politely declined. Sunday was the big day at Oostham. On arrival we were taken to the spot where John Hill and Stan Moffatt were killed near a roadside chapel. Due to the realignment of the road the chapel had been rebuilt on a slightly different site. Sadly before the main ceremony began it came on to rain heavily and the proceedings had to be conducted entirely inside the church. We met up with 150 members of the Market Garden Veterans Association including Club member Ernie Wills, who with their standards and the 4th/7th banner made an impressive array. Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Regiment, the 12th KRRC, and in memory of the inhabitants of Oostham who were killed during the War, at the conclusion of the Church service taken by the local Cure and Cecil. Representatives of Belgium Resistance and local organisations also laid floral tributes. On behalf of the RDG Regimental Association a statuette of a 6th Dragoon in full dress (the nearest to the 4th/7th available) was presented to the Mayor and Community of Ham and copies of the History of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards were presented to the local history society and to the nearby school at Mol on behalf of the Creully Club. In return Cecil received an embossed salver and a picture. Subsequently at the village hall the local historian who had researched the battle and who had instigated the setting up of the Memorial gave a talk on the action supported by Cecil as a participant while the assembly were having refreshments. On Sunday we travelled to Elst where we met up with Pipe Major Ian Hutton and his family. Ceremonies of Remembrance were held at the Liberation Memorial where wreaths were laid for the 4th/7th by Cecil and by the children for the 1st Worcesters and 7th Som L I. Wreaths were also laid at the Memorial by the Deputy Mayor of Elst and the leader of the Council and at the Memorial to the Executed Citizens by Mrs Hutton. Monday was a day of rest and relaxation in Tilburg before returning home on Tuesday having covered over 900 miles over six days. My thanks to Cecil for making the arrangements and for the sterling performance of driving the whole way.

Annual Reunion November 2000 by Vince Vincent With Secretary Cecil Newton presiding, the AGM of the Creully Club was held on the afternoon of Saturday, November 11th. Present were Frank Baker, Charles Batkin, Bert Clarke, Bernie Glanfield, Alan Gregson, Ken Hart, Ron Scruton, Vince Vincent and Fred Woska. Apologies were received from Geoff Cresswell, Sid Dalley and Eric Johnston. Jon Varley, brother of George Varley sent his best wishes as did M. Jean-Pierre Dupont, curator of the Museum at Ver-sur-Mer who also kindly enclose a cheque for £25.00. There was a comprehensive review of the situation regarding the future arrangements for the continuation of an annual wreath-laying ceremony on June 6th at the Memorial in Creully. This matter was considered at length in November 1999. Suggestions and ideas noted then were consequently swiftly and assiduously pursued by our indefatigable Secretary. In February 2000 there appeared in the Club Newsletter his concise summary of the situation outlining views and opinions expressed and action taken. At this year’s AGM the Secretary read the full text of correspondence exchanged with Generals Ford, Gill and Mullens. The upshot of all this was revealed in the report of February 2000, is that the Regiment and the Association feel unable to make a firm commitment to accept responsibility for annual representation at the Memorial because of the uncertainty of the future. The Creully Memorial Fund, as hoped, does provide a way forward. This, another outcome of the 1999 AGM, was also mentioned in the February Newsletter. The Secretary now reported that the Fund has been well supported and presently stands at £2205.00 of which £166.00 is from the sale of his memoirs, "A Trooper’s Tale". This sum invested will produce an income sufficient to provide an annual donation to the RBL who would in turn lay a wreath on June 6th on behalf of the 4th/7th R.D.G. in future years when the Cruelly Club ceases to exist. Turning to other matters, the Secretary reported that three members attended the ceremonies in Belgium in September 2000 celebrating the liberation of Oostham. He also reported that the base of the Creully Club has now been widened to include six members who are not ex- 4th/7th R.D.G. This was discussed at the 1999 AGM as set out in the newly devised Constitution. He also reported that he had produced a synopsis of the engagement at Tessel on June 26th 1944 which he had sent to the Mayor of Tessel at the latter’s request. Looking ahead the meeting was informed of the plans for the visit to Creully in June 2001. This will probably involve only three or four members directly though there will be some people making their own arrangements to be there. Commenting on the fact that the names of the fallen are not inscribed on the Memorial, the Secretary suggested a printed Roll of Honour should be placed alongside the wreath. This was approved. The cost of hiring a trumpeter was also discussed and the Secretary said he would contact the Fire Brigade at Bayeux to see if this could be arranged more cheaply. It was agreed that the annual 2001 Reunion should be again held at the Roebuck Inn, Alcester, in November. Looking beyond that date reminded us that June 2002 would be the 10th anniversary of the Dedication of the Creully Memorial. The next celebration of the liberation of Oostham is planned for the nearest weekend to September 10th, 2002. The Financial Report, recording a healthy balance of £1564.83 was presented and approved. Cecil Newton who, to the gratitude of all, combines the management of the accounts with his secretarial duties was duly and unanimously re-elected Secretary. The meeting closed at 16.20 hours and members adjourned until 19.00 hours to meet again for the Reunion Dinner. Frank Baker was unable to stay for that but once again we were pleased to be joined by the ever-welcome Roy Willetts and his son, Simon. Sunday dawned bright and cold but thankfully dry after the recent excessive rain, which augured well for the Remembrance Parade. This as usual had everything - a bowler -hatted Marshal of unquestionable authority; a spirited band; a quarter-mile procession comprising ex-servicemen and women of the Alcester British Legion; representatives of the emergency and nursing services, and boys and girls of the cadet and scouting associations. Adding their own distinctive touch of colour in their medieval robes were the High Bailiff, the Constable, the Town Crier, the Bread Weigher, the Book Looker, the Fish and Flesh Taster, the Ale Taster and sundry other holders of ancient civic office. The banner of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards, borne by Ken Hart, led the small contingent of the Creully Club members. The main street leading to St. Nicholas Church was as ever lined with hundreds of people who then congregated on and around the mound on which the church stands for the traditional Act of Remembrance: a faultless rendition of the Last Post, a Silence perfectly observed, then after Reveille the laying of the many scarlet-poppied wreaths including one placed by Alan Gregson on behalf of the Creully Club and the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards. After the service in the church packed to capacity there followed a short march past, the salute taken by the Marquis of Hertford. The Marshal thanked all for their attendance and dismissed the Parade for another year.

Club Report Quite a few members have not been in the best of health. Tom Rennocks has been seriously ill and in hospital but is now home again and more stable. Despite a knee operation Bert Clarke attended the Reunion - hobbling with the support of a stick. No wonder we won the War. Very unfortunately Dickie Swift has had a really rough time of it. We send them all our sympathy and best wishes. Since the September Newsletter the events that have occupied the Club has been the Oostham Pilgrimage and the Reunion. The Oostham Pilgrimage was the culmination of exactly a year’s preparation from August 1999 and co-operation with the local people who enthusiastically wanted to show their appreciation of the liberation of their small town so many years ago. The Creully Club would like to take the opportunity to thank the people of Oostham, also the Mayor Georges Michiels, Dirk Bertrands, Carl Rymen, Major Luc Willems, Rene Hengeveld and Sylvia Rose of the Market Garden Veterans Association and everyone who made the event so successful including the junior choir, the young ladies choir and the band who performed in the Church - and of course Ken Hart with his excellent map reading and Ernie Wills for making the journey to lay the 12th Battalion KRRC wreath. M Henri Clairon has sent his good wishes to all members of the Creully Club for the New Millennium. A M Clairon et les Citoyen de Creully nous envoyons nos très meilleurs souhaits pour un avenir Heureux et Prospère My very best wishes to all members for a good 2001year. Quis Separabit

The Field of Remembrance, St Margarets, Westminster The matter of the Amalgamated Regimental Field of Remembrance was raised at the Annual General Meeting; the above photograph of the Field of Remembrance, taken the year of the amalgamation in 1992, was sent in by a member. After correspondence with John Etherington at HHQ he has replied to say that the Association had been considering the composition of the Field of Remembrance and the layout will be revised this year, the 5 INNIS DG Memorial Cross being placed in the Museum at York.

The Creully Memorial A member visited the Memorial in September 2000 and commented that green algae had formed on the plaques and the flagpoles, otherwise the site was in good condition. This information was passed to HHQ who have put in hand enquiries for the monument to be ‘spring cleaned’ for the June service. Memorials to the Missing When visiting the Military Cemeteries an eye is kept open as to their condition etc. At Brookwood the panel to members of the Regiment was badly discoloured by rust. When this was pointed out the panel was replaced. Similarly during the recent visit to a cemetery in Holland it was noticed that two names were included on the Memorial to the Missing when in fact the named are located in a burial elsewhere. This was pointed out to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission who has amended the register and the names will be removed from the panel when it is replaced. I also told them that there was a probability of tracing a name included on a Monument to the Missing in France. (An extract from Rev Skinner’s casualty book was sent to them). There was also a possibility of tracing two more names. However the CWGC replied that "the Commission will not initiate research into the identification of a previously unknown burial or re-identification of a named burial".

Photographic Record of Headstones A file is being opened to record the headstones of the graves for the 4th/7th RDG. It would be appreciated if members have photographs they could send them to me. If they require the originals back I will make a copy and return same. The photos already taken are as follows (numbers referring to the Roll of Honour in the ‘Pilgrimage to Normandy June 1992’ booklet): - Nos: 24,25,26,27,28,29,30. 63,64,67,69,71,76,79,81. 96,97,98,116,117,127,128,133,134 135,136,146,147,148. 151,152,153,154.

Memorials to the Regiment in NW Europe The following is a list of the Memorials to the Regiment in NW Europe CREULLY - Memorial to the Regiment ‘B’ and ‘C’ Squadrons landed on ‘Gold Area - King Green and King Red beach - on 6th June 1944 at 7.20 am in DD amphibious tanks. ‘A’ and RHQ Squadrons followed later. ‘A’ Squadron with the 7th Battalion Green Howards liberated Creully on that day. Location of the Memorial: beside the road leading to Creully situated below the Chateau. Remembrance Service: 6th June each year at 1100 hours CRISTOT - Memorial to ‘B’ and ‘C’ Squadrons and the 6th Battalion Green Howards On 11th June 1944 at Point 103 ‘B’ and ‘C’ Squadrons, with the 6th Battalion Green Howards was engaged in action against the 12th SS Panzer Reconnaissance Battalion, commanded by SS Major Gerhard Bremmer and Panther tanks of the 2nd Panzer Company commanded by SS Lt Helmut Gaede. The ground was ideal for enemy defence. ‘B’ Squadron was separated from the infantry and during bitter fighting the Regiment suffered grievous losses both in tanks and the crews Location of the Memorial: carved oak plaques by Tom Rennocks in the church porch at Cristot. Remembrance Service: usually alternate years around 6th June VERRIÈRES - Memorial to ‘B’ Squadron During the Battle for Tilly-sur-Seulles an attack was launched on Verrières and Lingèvres on 14th June1944 by the Regiment with the 6th and 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, ‘B’ Squadron with the 6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry on the left flank met heavy opposition, the infantry suffering over 100 casualties. ‘A’ Squadron with the 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry attacking Lingèvres defended by the Panzer Lehr, the finest armoured division in the Wehrmecht, had spectacular success when Sgt Harris DCM knocked out five Panther tanks with five shots. The Durham Light Infantry suffered 220 casualties with 20 officers and the Regiment 15 killed or wounded Location of the Memorial: at the crossroads at Verrières near to where three tanks of ‘B’ Sqn were hit Remembrance Service: 7th June at 1000 hours TESSEL - Memorial to the Regiment and the 12th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish and the 24th Lancers On 26th June 1944 the beginning of Operation Epsom the Regiment with the Regiments listed above met head-on with the German Kamfgruppe (Battlegroup) - namely the 12th SS Panzer Regiment commanded by Max Wunsche who was counter attacking from Rauray. The hedges of Tessel Wood made operations very difficult and there was no air cover due to mist. Location of the Memorial: bronze plaque on the front of the Church and the Roll of Honour in the Church Remembrance Service: 8th June at 1000 hours OOSTHAM, BELGIUM - Memorial to the Regiment and the 12th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps The Regiments were involved in the fighting to liberate this small town on 8th to 10th September 1944. Franz Kopka, commander of 3 Squadron Panzerjager Abeitlung who was eventually knocked out by Sgt Wilcox, defended the town. Oostham was liberated 14th September without a fight Location of the Memorial: front of the Church to the left Remembrance Service: September 2002 ELST, HOLLAND - Memorial to the Regiment and the 1st Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment and the 7th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry. After two days of house-to-house and man-to-man fighting the 7th Battalion The Somerset Light Infantry and the 1st Battalion The Worcester Regiment each of them supported by a squadron of tanks of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards managed to liberate Elst and to push back the formidable German battalion commanded by Major Hans Peter Kraus as far as Rijkkerswoerd. Location of the Memorial: In front of the Town Hall Remembrance Service: September 2002 In addition to the Memorials, carved oak plaques by Tom Rennocks have been presented to the Regimental Museum at York, Arromanches and Groesbeek Museum and the Mayors at Creully, Lingèvres, Tessel and Elst in Holland. The Memorial List was sent to T & V Holt Associates (Battlefield Maps and Guidebooks) and Tonie and Valmai Holt have replied that they are currently working on Market-Garden and will be including the Regimental Memorial at Elst.

Focus on Feedback Crossing the Seine Jim Driffield MM - The tank I commanded was the second tank across the Seine with Driver Starbuck, Gunner Cawardine (later KIA) and Gunner-operator Phillip Owen, one of the best gunner operators, on 28th August 1944. Action took place following the crossing at Tilly when Lt. Oliver Holmes and Tpr. Limbert were killed. Following this action we undertook a 51 miles ‘Swan’. Approaching Beauvais I was instructed to go forward and engage a large tank. It was a ‘Tiger’ tank, which I knocked out, and afterwards a Mark 3, which was being towed by a SP, in conjunction with Capt. Nick Wide MC, whose tank was alongside mine.

Club Report Robert Ford - I was particularly pleased to see Tom Rennock’s beautifully designed and executed plaques (like all his work) which are now mounted in a glassed oak display case in the Church vestibule at Cristot. The plaques are perfectly placed so you can not miss them and it makes a most suitable memorial to that fateful afternoon for ‘B’ Squadron. Once again I congratulate Tom.

The House with the Circular Drive Jean-Pierre Dupont - On the photograph by Michael Transester (Newsletter No 14) you can see very clearly the hole made by a shell of a SP gun of the Royal Regiment of Artillery. During the reconstruction of the house a bay to the South of the house was built on the site of the hole. After the landing the cellar was used by the Royal Navy and a D Day veteran writes "After the initial assault it became my job, with the Beachmasters, to organise the landing of men, tanks and supplies for the Army build-up in the Gold Area.........The first requirement was an Operation Room, and for this I took over the cellar of a villa that had been bombed (in fact shelled)". In 1944 it was called ‘Fingal’s Cave’, after the cave by the seat at Staffa in the Hebrides, immortalised in an overture by Mendelsson. After the departure of British troops the area around the house became a holiday camp. The house is now owned by a German professor of medicine who, as a prisoner was employed in clearing the ground of Ver-sur-Mer for 27 months.

The ‘Not Forgotten’ Association for the Ex-Service Disabled by Cecil Newton I joined seventy other guests at the ‘Not Forgotten’ for their annual Christmas Party staying at the Victory Services Club, adjacent to Marble Arch. I arrived mid day after a good journey from Hungerford and booked in to a comfortable single room. Taking full advantage of a very rare visit to London I was very soon in the National Portrait Gallery marvelling at what the Lottery Grant had done to the entrance hall since my last visit. A very interesting Gallery. The portraits come to life as a potted history is given of those who have shaped our Society. I soon linked up with my next room neighbour; a gunner vet from the Korean ‘The Forgotten’ war and we went down for a drink, on the house, before dinner with members of the Committee and Staff in the Trafalgar Room. It commenced with a very pleasant speech of welcome by the Chairman Sir Christopher Airy. It was an enjoyable meal and glasses were charged at very regular intervals. At the end of the meal I went around the tables looking for the Skins (putting up with the odd remarks) who I knew would be there and found John Walker who was accompanying his disabled friend. The rest of the evening passed very quickly. Next morning up nice and early for a gigantic breakfast and then a brisk walk to the Wallace Collection nearby and again to marvel at what the Lottery Fund can do - 10 million was the total amount including other cash raised and worth every penny, as it were, and to see my old favourites in the gallery. 1.45 pm we were transported by bus to St James’s Palace State Apartments to join 300 other vets at the Christmas Party. Young members of all three Services were there to give a hand to those who had difficulty in walking and they were very helpful and cheerful. We sat at tables for eight with tea and sandwiches and cakes. A string of conjurors came round to each table performing tricks in front of your eyes, which were impossible to fault. The entertainment was good - Norman Wisdom - yes he was good - 82 years old, Jess Conrad, a Rock and Roll singer from the sixties. He must have been 65 and put as much into it as Elvis. Also a singer with guitar Isla St Clair. All very good. That evening it was again drinks at the bar, on the house, and supper with very good evening entertainment. As an ex-WAAF who was sitting beside me at supper said " You won’t get this in civvy street. The atmosphere is great" I endorse that. Thank you Rosie Thompson, the Events Secretary and the Chairman and Committee of the "Not Forgotten" for all your hard work to make it a very pleasant and enjoyable occasion. Smashing.

The Archives The Whirlwind aero engine was a petrol engine, which powered the Sherman Mk V. They were later replaced by the diesel version with two 150 hp engines. Before starting the Whirlwind engine, it had to be turned over by hand with a handle similar to a starting handle to get rid of the hydrostatic lock in the lower cylinders. Turning the thing over will be of blessed memory to many.