ISSUE NO. 18  SEPTEMBER 2002

Lady Jean Ford It is with sadness that we learnt of the death of Jean in April. Five members of the Creully Club, Charles Batkin, John Ford, Cecil Newton Alastair Morrison and Vince Vincent joined the large congregation at the Chapel of the Royal Hospital Chelsea for a Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Jean on 13th June. The service was conducted by the Reverend Dick Whittington, M.B.E and the address was by Mr David Palmer DL. All those who knew Jean appreciated her true sincerity and her willingness to extend the hand of friendship. Robert and his family have the sympathy of all the Creully Club members.

Membership The Club is pleased to welcome Montague Chapin, Simon Grandage, Tim Schofield, Stuart Arrowsmith, John Pearson, Alf Dean, Howard Hollingshead, Ron Impey, Michael Hutchinson, Edmund Crawford and Owen Perry.

Friends Remembered It is with deep regret that we report the death of Arthur Clayton, R F Lane  - Shady, as he was known and Peter Highton. Arthur joined the Regiment at Heveningham Camp in 1943 and served in ‘C’ Squadron throughout his service. He was Troop Corporal 4th Troop when he landed with his DD tank on D-Day and was then promoted Sergeant. He served also in 1st Troop and 5th Troop. He was again promoted to S,Q,M,S for Egypt and Palestine. Arthur left the Regiment in October 1946. Shady joined the Regiment in 1943 at Heveningham and was wireless op to Lt J.H.G Ford the Troop Leader of AA Troop.  After landing in France Shady was in AA Troop until July and moved to RHQ as wireless op to the 2i/c Major Barker, later to be replaced by Major S.R.M. Jenkins, taking over from Cpl Kelly who was amongst the casualties in a night bombing raid. Shady left the Regiment at Newmarket and completed his service at Bovington prior to demob in August 1946. He re-enlisted in 1953 “and was delighted to find the commanding officer was Lt/Col S.R.M. Jenkins". Most of the three years he served he was Regimental Signal Sergeant at Falingbostel. Shady decided to leave the army after a motor accident in which he broke his neck, but made a full recovery. Peter was a wartime commando and served post war for twenty years in the 4th/7th RDG during which time he was stationed in Sabratha and was Robert Ford’s gunner. We would like to express our sympathy to their families.

Honorary Citizen of Creully Your Secretary was made an honorary citizen of Creully with a presentation of a very attractive medallion by the Deputy Mayor, Madame Martine Tanniou on behalf of the Mayor, M Roger Levert who was in hospital. This took place at the Chateau during the vin d’honneur at Creully this year. This is a great honour for me but more especially for the Creully Club. A framed poem ‘The Paths to Freedom’ was also presented to me, which is a reminder of the very pleasant and lasting links with Creully.

Creully 2002 by Charles Batkin Memorial Service Creully 02 The Pilgrimage to Creully this year was markedly different from that of 2001 in that so many more members and wives travelled from the pick-up points in Aldbourne and Portsmouth. Organisation this year was affected by Home Headquarters in York. Three Old Comrades Association officials joining in the tour were Majors Noel Santry and John Etherington and Captain Alan Henshall.                 The crossing to France was calm and it was getting late by the time we reached our two hotels in Caen. Normandie Ferry Fred Gooding, Charles Batkin, Cecil Newton, Vince Vincent, Phil Berry, Ron Scruton, Ken Hart (Doing what they do best!) This year the spare day came first and so next morning we set off for several visits. It was a grey day and raining hard.                 The first stop was Courselles on Juno Beach where a recently acquired DD tank had been placed on show. There were not many swimming features on this Sherman apart from the integral flange all round the hull on which the collapsible screen would have been mounted and the propeller-driving bevels at the rear. The sides are decorated with the Canadian Regimental plaques of units which landed on Juno.                 Then on to Ver-sur-Mer for our annual visit to Mr Jean-Pierre Dupont and his friendly museum where Cecil’s latest painting of his blockhouse was a new feature to view.                 The town of Ver-sur-Mer has also acquired a new exhibit to display, a Sexton S.P.G. (25 ponder on a Ram chassis) donated to the town by the family of Major Robert Kiln - Hertfordshire Yeomanry whose guns supported the 4th/7th and 69 Brigade on D Day. Will be an attractive memorial when the surrounding landscaping is finished. Then on to Arromanches for lunch followed by a visit to the Museum where the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards’ plaque representing the regiment’s D-Day experiences is prominently displayed.                 A rather tired party then returned to their hotels where we met later at the Otelinn for a pleasant evening meal with Ian Hutton on pipes, Geoff White with trumpet, ably assisted by John Etherington giving an impromptu ‘Classical’ recital which really enlivened the evening, aided by wine.                 Next day, June 6th, dawned much brighter for the ceremony at Creully and the party was joined by other former 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards members and their wives. The Colonel of the Regiment, Major General Patrick Cordingley attended the ceremony this year and led the march to the Memorial. The service was very moving and the, large crowd heard an address by Major General Cordingley and a eulogy by the Deputy Mayor of Creully,  Madame MartineTanniou, both being translated by Vince Vincent in his customary excellent manner. The Regimental Collect and Roll of Honour 1939-1945 was read by Cecil Newton followed by the Last Post, Reveille, and Lament played by Trumpeter Geoff White and Pipe Major Ian Hutton during the laying of wreaths by Brigadier Baddeley, Major Santry and the Deputy Mayor of Creully. It was pleasing that several passing British motor cyclists stopped to witness the ceremony and joined us in paying tribute to the memory of those whose names were read out.                 Then the by now very familiar march back up the hill to the French W.W.1 Memorial where the ceremonies were repeated.                 The “vin d’honneur" in the Chateau allowed visitors to meet their French hosts and partake in a glass of wine. This is a friendly gathering and makes a good lead-in to the luncheon at the Hostellerie St Martin. Over sixty persons attended the lunch, which was enjoyed by all in a pleasant leisurely fashion. It allowed those on the coach tour to meet with others who had arrived at Creully that morning. Deputy Mayor Edmond Gilot responded to the toast with a speech of welcome. A satisfying meal.                 During the afternoon a visit was made to Bayeux War Cemetery to place crosses on the graves of 4th/7th and 5th Royal Dragoon Guards who are buried there.                 Returning to the hotels in Caen our evening meal with ‘music’ was at the Crocus.                 Next morning, 7th June held promise of a very full day. It began with the usual ceremony at the little ‘B’ Squadron Memorial at Verrières. This is a moving but friendly ceremony for the tank crews killed on this spot. Then on to the main ceremony at Lingèvres where a big change was made this year. Following a march to 50th Division Memorial to lay wreaths we attended a service at St Martin’s Church. The celebrant was Brother Cyrille from the local Abbaye. The service was attended by local dignitaries and townspeople. The Mayor of Lingèvres made an address in response to Cecil Newton’s introduction and exhortation which this time was translated by Vince Vincent and Vivien Vibert, a local member of the Creully Club.    Following prayers, the Roll of Honour for the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards and Durham Light Infantry was read and wreaths laid during trumpet calls and The Lament. The change to the routine was appreciated by the tour who had an opportunity to sing a hymn! It was good to see representatives from the Durham Light Infantry who joined us. Following a ‘verre d’amitie’ (glass of friendship) with the townspeople of Lingèvres we lunched at a new venue, the Hotel Racconnière in Crepon. A very welcome meal was enjoyed by all.                 The afternoon programme was to be two more wreath laying ceremonies at Cristot and Tessel. These followed the usual pattern of a short march to the Churches where the memorial plaques are displayed, an address by each village Mayor and the wreath laying during the solemn part of the ceremonies. In each case we were invited to local hospitality and a short walk through the villages.                 Additionally, at Tessel we were given a most entertaining  ‘lecture’ by Ernie Wills our 12th King’s Royal Rifle Corps representative describing the carving of his name on a corner of the church while repelling the German army so many years ago. This represented the official end of another tour. It had been a lengthy, taxing day and the hotels and evening meal were very welcome indeed to prepare us for a very early start next day towards the ferry and home.                 In closing this account I would like to pay tribute to those who work so hard to make this Pilgrimage a success. To Cecil Newton for his cheerful organisation and leadership throughout; to Vince Vincent for always being on hand with his proficient two-way translations without which all could be very difficult; to Ken Hart whose masterly handling of the Banner and leading the marches is magnificent, to the three chaps from Home Headquarters who in a good natured way joined in everything and finally to Pipe Major Ian Hutton, Trumpeter Geoff White and our stalwart coach driver John, each of whom contributed so much to make 2002 such a notable tour. Thank you all very much.

Regimental Weekend - York 15th/17th March 2002 by Vince Vincent                 The weekend celebrations started with an informal Social in the Yeomanry Barracks on Friday evening attended by about 150 people including, from the Creully Club, new member Simon Grandage and Mrs Grandage, Alan and Peggy Gregson, Ken and Joy Hart, Mike and Peggy Holroyd, Cecil Newton, Roy and Winnie Swain, Vince Vincent, and Dick Eagles, who is the last surviving member of Sergeant Harris’ crew who knocked out five Panthers on June 14th, during the liberation of Lingèvres, an episode which is now legendary in the history of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards.                 The conviviality and warmth of Friday evening was in complete contrast to the cold, rainy weather prevailing outside. However, John Etherington, who was largely responsible for the masterly organisation of the Regimental Weekend, had clearly arranged with the Met Office for Saturday to be dry and not too cold, ideal conditions for those serving members of the Royal Dragoon Guards who had flown over from Germany to exercise their Freedom of the City of York, an honour bestowed on the Regiment in 1999.                 Led by the band of the Dragoon Guards, the impeccably attired soldiers, bayonets fixed, marched smartly to take up positions in front of York Minster. There followed an hour of formality, during which the Lord Mayor of York welcomed and addressed the assembled Royal Dragoon Guards, whose exemplary standard of dress, discipline and drill were a great credit to themselves and the Regiment. The Lord Mayor accompanied by the Colonel of the Regiment, inspected the troops, and then took the Salute as they marched off to All Saints Church, Pavement, where the Dedication of A Regimental Window was to take place.                 This window comprises the badges of The Royal Dragoon Guards and the four parent regiments. The church was packed to capacity. Mike Dangerfield’s widow Sally, laid the wreath. The Rector, The Reverend David Porter, spoke of the importance of ‘Remembering’.                 World War II veterans will be glad to know that a framed Roll of Honour recording the names of 154 members of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards who gave their lives during the conflict is now in permanent view near the window. For this we are indebted to Cecil Newton and his wife Joy. Armed with a drill and rawlplugs they made a special visit to York in December 2001 and affixed the Roll of Honour to the church wall with some difficulty and in considerable discomfort, the temperature at that time of the year inside the church being very low.                 On Saturday afternoon there was a ceremony at York Railway Station at which a railway engine was named "The Royal Dragoon Guards".  This was followed by an excellent dinner that evening at the National Railway Museum attended by some 390 guests, a most enjoyable conclusion to the Saturday event.                 A Guided Coach Tour of York had been laid on for Sunday morning and many people took advantage of this opportunity to learn something of the rich history of this ancient city. The weekend concluded with lunch at the Hilton Hotel, conveniently situated next to the Regimental Museum which had been open during the weekend attracting a steady stream of visitors. There is now in the Museum a framed photograph of the Memorial at Creully and a framed Roll of Honour similar to the one in All Saints Church, again thanks to Cecil Newton.

Normandy Visit - April 14th/16th by Vince Vincent                 Taking the Cross-Channel Brittany Ferry from Portsmouth at 7.45 am on Sunday, April 14th entailed a very early departure from Aldbourne but it ensured our arrival in France by 14.45 hours.                 An hour later we were outside the church at Tessel and with drill, rawlplugs and screws to hand ready to replace the warped backboard of the commemorative plaque previously attached to the exterior wall. This took longer than anticipated as new holes had to be drilled and precise adjustments made to ensure the plaque was level. At one stage there was some speculation that the church wall was perhaps a degree or two out of perpendicular but two passing Frenchmen who had paused to discuss our work, clearly sceptical of this theory, borrowed the spirit level to demonstrate that their forebears had indeed got it spot on.                 This task completed we drove to Lingèvres and located the chambre d’hôtes where we were to stay for the next two nights. This was not far from the small roadside memorial at Verrières. Mme Polidor, our charming and welcoming hostess explained that the family farm in which we were staying had been badly damaged during the action in June 1944                        We were wined and dined to perfection on Sunday evening and the following day set off early for a pre-arranged meeting with Frère Cyrille, a young and joyful monk from Abbaye de Mondaye, at St Martin’s Church in Lingèvres. We were joined by our old friend M Christian Marie, Mayor of Lingèvres, and a British friend Vivien Vibert who lives in Normandy. Frère Cyrille was very happy to be involved with the planning of the commemorative service to be held on June 7th at the church and where the Roll of Honour was to be fixed. When all details had been agreed, M Marie took us all to have coffee at the bar opposite the church. Cecil and I later drove to the home of Vivien Vibert for a splendid lunch.                 The next port of call that afternoon was to Cristot to visit our very good friends, M and Mme Henry, to deliver to M Henry the framed Roll of Honour which records the names of those in our Regiment and the 6th Battalion Green Howards who were killed during the action at Points 102 and 103, 11th June 1944. M Henry undertook to see that the Roll of Honour was placed in the church porch between the carved oak plaques previously presented by the late Tom Rennocks. M Henry has now retired and is no longer Mayor but has offered to liaise with his successor, Mme Sylvie Le Bugle, on our behalf with regard to our short ceremony planned for Cristot on June 7th.                 Still later on Monday afternoon we located the scene of the action during the battle for Cristot on June 11th 1944 in which CSM Stan Hollis of the Green Howards yet again distinguished himself, having already on D-Day performed such heroic deeds which were to earn him the Victoria Cross. Cecil took photographs of the sunken lane and the surrounding fields in which the action occurred. After a very satisfactory day we returned to our billets to enjoy more of Mme Polidor’s bonne cuisine.                 Our return to Portsmouth was booked for 16.30 hours from Ouistreham on Tuesday which gave us time during the morning to meet another very good friend, Jean-Pierre Dupont, at the museum at Ver-sur-Mer.                 Cecil presented the museum with a fine acrylic painting of the action on Gold Beach on June 6th 1944 in which a German blockhouse was captured by 4th Troop ‘B’ Squadron, of which Cecil was himself a member. Jean-Pierre gave us a conducted tour of the museum, showed us where the painting was to be hung and spoke of future plans for the display of exhibits of particular significance to the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards.                 Finally we joined Jean-Pierre, his wife, their son and four-year-old grand daughter for lunch at their home in Ver-sur-Mer before setting off for the afternoon ferry and Portsmouth, arriving back at Aldbourne at around 11.30 pm.

The Club's Word Wide Web The February Newsletter has been included in the site.                 A link has been set up with our site by www.portsmouth-guide.co.uk with reference to the D-Day museum in Portsmouth.                 Also a link has been established with the Creully Club by The Second World War Experience Centre www.war-experience.org. Details of the Centre were given in "Out and About" January 2001.                 The Club’s website has a ‘Guestbook’ and here are some of the messages. Sam Wren -SA - "I have been studying the history of the 4/7 for many years now and am very glad to stumble upon this very interesting and informative site" David Heathcote - "As a ex member of C Sqn (1987-1996 before and after amalgamation) its nice to see the regiment’s memory still lives on. Thanks for providing the information" Patrick (first name only) - "A very interesting site. I am glad I stumbled upon it" J R Miller - "So very sorry to hear of the death of Tom Rennocks"                 Website www.fourthtroop.freeuk.com has been created in addition to the Club site, in memory of 4th Troop, ‘B’ Squadron.

The Memorial Fund                 Donations since February have been received from George Saunders, Kevin Smith, Douglas Mann (third time) Tim Schofield, Stuart Arrowsmith and Tony Macready with our thanks.

Club Report             The Club ‘year’ started with the excellent Regimental Weekend in March when members had an enjoyable two days together and also to meet up with OC’s from the Skins. The new windows in All Saints Pavement Church are a wonderful memorial to the Regiments. We have been very fortunate to have had the support and interest over the years of the Rector, The Reverend David Porter who retired at Easter. We wish him a long and happy retirement.                 The Mayor of Lingèvres is very keen that we continue our visits to Verrières and Lingèvres and so the visit will be included in our programme each year - visits to Cristot and Tessel every other year.                 As far as the Rolls of Honour are concerned the locations for these have now been completed. However if members have any further suggestions I would be pleased to look into it.                 The painting of the capture of the blockhouse on King Green Beach when Lt T. E. Apps was awarded the Military Cross and Sgt C. Fry the Military Medal has been hung in the Regimental Museum at York. A similar painting is at the Gold Beach Museum, Ver-sur-Mer.                 It is most welcome the interest that is shown in the Regiment from the new members who have recently joined.

Correspondence                 The following are extracts from letters/ emails received since the February Newsletter 1. “It was a pleasure and an honour to meet veterans of WW2 in the York week which we thoroughly enjoyed. What you all achieved should not be forgotten, because all following generations owe you a great debt of gratitude" 2. “I have nothing but the greatest respect for what your generation and the one before yours did for this country, if it wasn’t for people like you and your comrades, I might not be writing this today - thank you" 3. “I very much enjoyed being in the company of your brave members and also hearing at first hand the story of your involvement in the Normandy landings. It really brought home to me how difficult and dangerous the whole operation must have been especially standing on Gold Beach looking inland".

News of Members General Gill - Ian was to give the address at the Remembrance Service but had to cancel his visit to Creully. He had hoped that his health would have improved sufficiently to be present, but as it hadn’t, Ian wisely came to the decision that it would not be possible. He gave the message “Please give my very best wishes to all the tank men". Tom Tyreman - ‘A’ Squadron - writes to say he has recently celebrated his 90th birthday and he can truly say ‘From an old comrade’. Phil Berry - ‘A’ Squadron - phones to say he was not in ‘C’ as given in the last Newsletter. Joan Brunt - Joan has settled in comfortably in her new home and writes ‘With sincere good wishes to all’ and sends a generous gift for wine in memory of her husband Arthur Park Jean-Pierre Dupont - Colonel J D Sainsbury writes “I am last able to let you know that Jean-Pierre Dupont has heard from the British Embassy in Paris that he is to be appointed Hon MBE". Congratulations were sent to Jean-Pierre on behalf of all of us saying that he thoroughly deserved the honour. Jean-Pierre replied as follows: - “Actually I was very surprised and at the same time moved to receive a letter from his Excellency, John Holmes, Great Britain’s Ambassador to France that I had been awarded the MBE.  I replied to him explaining that the Gold Beach museum had been achieved thanks to the assistance, gifts and advice of the English veterans who liberated us.  My action as voluntary conservator is motivated by the deep gratitude that I have for them and my thoughts go to those who sacrificed their lives so that Peace could be restored. You were one of those, who with your companions of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards assisted in restoring Peace. Thank you, dear Cecil, for your congratulations and hope to see you soon Jean-Pierre"

Those we have known Captain David Richards DSO, MC - Donald Brown writes: -  “I do not know whether you have read or have a copy of Robert Kiln’s book ‘D-Day to Arnhem with the Hertfordshire’s Gunners’ but his reference to David Richards prompted me to write to him and he responded with news of the plans for part of the museum at Ver-sur-Mer to be allocated for the landing on D-Day and this is what Robert Kiln had to say: -                 For my LCH destined to lead the way to King Red Beach, we are six from the army; Major Humphrey Dixon, the second in command of the 5th East Yorks, his assistant and signaller, Captain Richards of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards, his assistant and myself (Major Robert Kiln) and assistant Bdr Child. We are due to drive down on the morning of Saturday June 3rd from Romsey to Southampton docks, but it is not a humdrum as that. Richards has other ideas, and he takes me under his wing. He says he is going to leave England in style in his own car.  So we see the others safely loaded into their lorry and proceed to drive ourselves, or rather he to drive me, down in a Chevrolet car which he had ‘liberated’ from the Canadian Army. We even stop for a drink en route, carried in the Chev. It is a fine sunny morning and as we drive through Southampton, no one waves much, no one cheers us on to battle. People are quietly walking their dogs in the parks and we stop for some time by some tennis courts and the games proceed uninfluenced by the army passing by. I want to stand up and shout to them “We’re off to France to win the War" to rouse them to action.                 "When we reach the docks, Richards drives the Chev right onto the wharf itself and parks it, and out we get within twenty yards of our own pier. The disposal of the car presents no problems either, as Richards spies an attractive Wren, calls her over and gives her the car and the keys, kisses her goodbye and we stroll coolly down the pier".

Photographic Record of Headstones                 The following are the places where the Rolls of Honour have been placed with the names of those in the Regiments that were killed as shown:- The Royal Dragoon Guards Museum, York 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards All Saints Pavement Church, York 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards Tessel Church, Normandy 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards 1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish 12th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps 24th Lancers St Martin’s Church Lingevres, Normandy 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards 6th and 9th Battalions Durham Light Infantry Cristot Church, Normandy 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards 6th Battalion Green Howards Memorial in Cristot Church to the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards and the 6th Battalion Green Howards Roll of Honour flanked by Tom Rennocks’ plaques Mounted in glassed oak case provided by the Mayor and Citizens of Cristot Oostham Church, Belgium 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards 12th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps To be placed in September Elst Church, Holland 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment 7th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry Copies of these Rolls of Honour are available to members on request for a small donation to Club funds (cheques payable to the Creully Club).

Photographic Record of Headstones Photographs are still coming in of the headstones. Our thanks to Montague Chapin.

Setting the Record Straight   Booklet - Pilgrimage to Normandy 1992 - Austin Baker writes, “There are three errors given in the booklet. Messrs Burn, Walker and Edwards are shown as having been killed on 6th June, but this should read 7th June. They were killed in the same action as Young and Walters at Audrieu station. All were in 5th Troop, ‘C’ Squadron".  (Ed - the headstones in Bayeux Cemetery also show the date 6th June).

Archives Sherman Duplex Drive Tank The following has been added to the archives                 All you need to know about the Sherman Duplex Drive tank is contained in the seventeen pages of the website www.kithobyist.com together with photographs and line drawings. (In fact if there is a handy DIY store near and enough room in the spare room it would be easy to make one from the information in the article). To get back to the website as follows: “While most American DD Sherman conversions were based on the M4 and M4A1 versions the British tanks were converted primarily from M4A2 and M4A4 known to us as Sherman 111 and V. The M4A2 (Sherman 111) had two GM 6046 diesel engines and the M4A4 (Sherman V) had a Chrysler A57 multibank engine". This information would be well known to Club members. There are several items mentioned which were not in the British version or the memory of same has vanished in the mists of time.                 “The DD Shermans of the US Sherman tanks of the 741st Tank Battalion* were launched in heavy seas too far away from the shore on D Day. Of the 29 Sherman tanks in the unit only 2 made it safely to shore, most of the crews drowning. The tanks of the 743rd US Tank Battalion, Nottingham Yeomanry and the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards did not launch the tanks.                 Of the five beaches the allies landed upon during D-Day, two were British, two were American, and one was Canadian. The Canadian units that took part included the 6th Canadian Armoured Regiment (1st Hussars), A and B Squadrons, landing at Courselles-sur-Mer (Ed - there is a DD Sherman on a plinth in memory of the Canadians who landed there), 10th Canadian Armoured Regiment (Fort Garry Horse), B and C Squadrons, landing at Bernieres-sur-Mer and St Aubin-sur-Mer, respectively".                 An excellent website                 (* There was a TV programme, 30th May on the fate of the 741st Tank Regiment, which included an underwater survey of the sunken tanks. The conclusion reached was that the tanks, which were launched an incredible 3 miles out, made it to quite near the beach. It was thought that the aiming point was a church tower which was on a diagonal to the launch so the full force of the waves hit the screens on the side and swamped them. If they had had the waves behind it was thought they would have survived. The loss of the tanks was a disaster for the infantry who suffered very heavy casualties. It was also revealed that an order that had been issued not to swim the tanks was never received. The programme gave the number of crewmembers who drowned as seven.                 The action at Omaha Beach was a heroic endeavour by our United States allies to whom we owe a great debt.)                 Since finding this website, George McNulty spotted an article in the Highland News newspaper about DD tanks, which had sunk in the Moray Firth giving a John Pearson’s phone number.                 I contacted John who has a keen interest in Valentines so much so that he has a working Valentine.                 John has obtained and fitted missing parts and overhauled the tank, which had been originally bought by a firm to be converted into a bulldozer. The turret ring came from New Zealand.                 John has very kindly sent the following for the Club’s archives: -                 Sherman - Service instruction book 111 DD and V DD                 Valentine DD - Service instruction book VDD, IX DD, XI DD                 Newspaper articles about the tanks at Studland.

National Arboretum Staffordshire                 Wilf Taylor has sent in a photograph of the 4th/7th RDG sign fixed next to a tree at The National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire.

Contact Corner Montague Chapin - USA - I am an ex member of the 4th/7th and served with Lt. Col d’Avigdor Goldsmith in Sabratha, Libya, ‘B’ Squadron from Jnauary 1951 to August 1952. Montague’s father was commissioned in the 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards and was a good friend of Major General Arthur Solly-Flood. Montague’s contact address is: - 1556-63rd Ave So West Palm Beach Florida 33415-5403 U.S.A. Tim Schofield - Tim would like to hear from members who knew his grandfather, L/Cpl S ‘Paddy’ McLernon who was captured at the Beeringen Bridge 9th September 1944. Tim’s contact address is: - 2, White Cottages Maidstone Road Nettlestead Green Kent ME18 5HG Alf Dean - Alf was a National Serviceman and would like to get in touch with those who served with him during the same period. He was with Fitters Troop ‘B’ Squadron at Sabratha 1948/49 Alf’s contact address is: - 22 Acacia Avenue The Elms Torksey Lincoln LN1 2NY Edmund Crawford - Edmund would like to hear from members who knew his uncle Cpl Edmund William (Jock) Burn KIA on the 6th June 1944. Cpl Burn was in 5th Troop ‘C’ Squadron Edmund’s contact address is: - Commander (Rtd) E B Crawford RN. Flat 24 30 Nutfield Court Portsmouth PO1 4JX Owen Perry - Owen would like to hear from members who knew his uncle L/Sgt A Perry MM.  Sgt Perry served in ‘B’ Squadron. Owen’s contact address is:- 9, Home Park Close Bramley Guildford Surrey GU5 OJ.

‘Replacement’ by Doug Fryett            The following is an extract of an article in the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry Regimental Association (Southern Branch), Doug volunteered for the Rifle Brigade in 1943 and was transferred as a replacement to the 12th KRRC and was in action with units of our Regiment. He concludes his tale as follows:-                 “I will add only two memories I hold very dear. In wireless jargon ‘Feet’ was infantry and ’Greenfeet’ was the special Motor Battalion Infantry.                In very close country just as darkness closed in one evening the carrier stopped a few feet from a Sherman parked among men of a Motor Platoon. I had my headset round my neck and the wireless traffic was loud and clear for all to hear. A Motor Platoon soldier came and leant against the side of the carrier, listening to what was going on. Very loud from the tank which could have only been a short distance away came a very apprehensive voice asking, “Where are my Greenfeet?" Without a pause the Rifleman who was leaning on the carrier walked over to the adjacent Sherman, rapped sharply on the armoured side and said “O you of little faith, look around you".                 On one of the last days of the fighting we were on slightly high ground looking down at a slowly increasing stream of German soldiers walking past us with their hands up, all clean and smart in their best uniforms, looking as only defeated men can look.                 In contrast we looked like a band of gypsies. Unwashed, unshaven, our carriers looking like gypsy caravans, adorned with the untidy paraphernalia of infantry war, ration boxes, brew cans, shovels, pick axes, etc. Not that any of that mattered because we could not have been any other than British Soldiers even if we had been stark naked. Loud and clear, a portable gramophone that had been liberated in Normandy with a pile of records by an SS choir, played over and over again a recording of the marching song of the German ‘U’ boatmen of 1940 which we translated as “We’re Marching Against England". With much gusto the recording of the SS choir serenaded their German Army comrades into captivity of unconditional surrender.                 Before the Battalion settled in Hanover, ‘A’ Company motored to Magdeburg to collect thousands of German prisoners the Russians did not want. We goggled at hundreds of Russian T34 tanks and hoards of Mongolian looking infantry. We couldn’t help but wonder how much better it would have been for our ‘Tankies’ if they had been equipped with the Russian T34 instead of the American Sherman.                 But like my other Army adventures that is quite another story!                 It was not until later after I had read many histories of the war did I realise how privileged I had been to serve in such a superb battalion as the 12th/60th KRRC but even more, how privileged that battalion had been to serve with such tank regiments as the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards, the 13th/18th Hussars and the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry, who all together formed the incomparable 8th Independent Armoured Brigade.

A Drive Down Memory Lane by Ron Scruton                 During the visit to Normandy this year, Tom Welton, myself and our wives decided to take a taxi ride to the place where on the evening of 8th June 1944, the five crew members escaped from our Sherman when as lead tank, we were knocked out by a “Panzerfaust", an infantry anti-tank weapon. The place was just over the level crossing at the lower end of Audrieu.                 Our taxi driver, a young man who was most interested in our quest, drove us down the road we took in 44 - Loucelles to Audrieu, but on reaching the railway, such is the progress of time, the road swung left, up and over the railway, and into Audrieu.                 Very disappointed, we drove back over the railway and on to the far side. We stopped as the driver had seen the original road we had taken before the new bridge was built. We drove down the old road to the railway line, now protected by a barrier that had replaced the level crossing.                 We took a few photographs and reminisced as how it used to be before returning to the main party at Arromanches.

Maquis Surcouf by Cecil Newton                 The founder of the Maquis Surcouf, part of the French Resistance was battalion commander Robert Leblanc (1910-1956). It was a large group with over 100 names of Frenchmen and woman, including the unit’s doctors, nurses, liaison officers, auxiliaries as well as the combatants.                 The zone of activity was a triangle; the northern line stretched from Le Havre in the West to Rouen in the East and the southern most tip South of Bernay. Pont-Audemer, an area that the Germans found suitable for the concealment of an SS Division was the centre of the partisans zone and it is where the Memorial and cemetery is situated to these very brave Frenchmen and women. The left hand panel which is inscribed ‘Aux Morts Victimes de la Barbarie Nazie’ contains 120 names and the right hand panel ‘Aux Morts du Maquis et de la Resistance’ contains 73 names. On the 14th July 1944 the SS exacted a reign of terror at Pont-Audemer shooting passers-by and killing three innocent civilians, searching houses and arresting the inhabitants and intercepting and annihilating a patrol of partisans. It was due to the Maquis Surcouf that Creully Club member Ron Riding was saved from capture when he parachuted from his Lancaster bomber in the early hours of the 6th June when it was hit by ant-aircraft fire. Ron landed in a tree in the forest of Brotonne without his boots. He knocked on the door of a forestry worker and they chased him away, but the next house he asked for help, the brave Madam Guégan hid him for three or four days. He was taken in by the Maquis Surcouf and was hidden by Robert Leblanc and Section Chief Edmund Floquet. After many more trials and tribulations, being handed over from one safe house to another Ron was finally hidden in a pork butchers shop in Thiberville which was liberated on 24th August 1944 and he returned to England. When the aircraft was hit the surviving crewmembers fixed parachutes to their wounded comrades, the aircraft crashing into a garden in Le Mailleraye. The pilot, a Canadian was caught after a few days dressed in civilian clothes; because of this he was tortured in Le Havre by the Gestapo, transferred to Paris for further interrogation and finished the war in a prisoner of war camp in Poland. Ron visits Normandy in June to attend the Creully Memorial Service and to see the children of his French helpers who sheltered him. He is usually accompanied by Madam Eliane Guerin, one of his survivre helpers who at 17 years of age gave him shelter before she and two men took him as their ‘parcel’ to another safe house He does not forget his comrades in the Resistance, truly very courageous people especially the 17 year old Eliane Guerin and 16 year old Jean, Madam Guégan’s son who risked the inevitable torture and death if captured for helping Ron.

Publications The Battle for Cristot Points 103-102 11th June 1944 by Cecil Newton                 A spiral bound and plastic covered booklet of fifteen pages giving the account of the Battle for Cristot which took place on the 11th June 1944, five days after the D-Day landings, with photographs of the location taken in April 2002. Price £3.00                 Applications for the booklet now open until end of September with remittance - delivery October 2002. (Cheques payable to H C Newton). A Trooper’s Tale (2nd Edition) by Cecil Newton A 94 page account with photographs of the experiences of a Trooper in the ill-fated 4th Troop ‘B’ Squadron from 6th June to 19th November 1944 In the ‘First and Last’, the Regimental History, under‘Key Posts in the Regiment May 8th 1945’ there is a blank space where there should be details of 4th Troop. Price £5.00 (Cheques payable to H C Newton).

Reunion 01 ‘Awaiting  Starters Orders’ Left hand side: Roy Willets, Charles Batkin, Bernie Glanfield, Vince Vincent, Ron Scruton Noel Santry Right hand side: Simon Willets, Bert Clarke, Sid Dalley, Geoff Cresswell, Alan Gregson, Tom Welton

Postscript 1 Field Marshall Lord Alanbrooke CIGS - War Diaries 1939-1945 - 15h July 1943 - "Went straight from Cathedral to Hendon to fly to Norfolk.....Met by Hobart and taken to see amphibious tanks. Most interesting and inspiring. I finished in a sail in one of them".

Postscript 2 Ursula Buchan - Gardening Correspondent, The Daily Telegraph, June 22nd 2002 - Article Borderlines: - "Two weeks ago, I went to Normandy with my husband and his parents, to attend a ceremony of remembrance for D-Day veterans from my father-in- law’s (Ed: Captain Nick Wide MC) regiment at its memorial at Creully liberated on June 6th, 1944. It was a salutary experience for someone like me, who was born after the war, to meet courteous, jokey and self-deprecating former soldiers, who sometimes gave the impression they could not quite believe their luck at having survived to old age. I felt this especially when we visited British cemeteries, where clean-carved headstones marked the buried remains of men who were more than simply names to my father-in-law. Men such as his tank driver and co-driver, killed when the tank was shelled as well as brother officers who perished in the first furious days of the invasion.....".