April 2011

THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011

1
2

Here is the Larkhill-based team that

brings you The Gunner every month,
The RA Journal twice a year and The
Blue List annually.

OPSEC
The Regimental Secretary Col
(Retd) NG Quarrelle oversees all
publications

Editor
Maj (Retd) Mike Shaw
ALL articles and photographs relating to
can be reached on: continuing operations MUST be cleared through
(Civ) 01980 84 5652
(mil) 94322 5652 your chain of command, and be signed off by your
commanding officer, at a minimum. If you are in
Deputy Editor
Miss Kate Knowles any doubt please phone The Gunner: 94322 2204.
can be reached on:
(Civ) 01980 84 5241
(Mil) 94322 5241
Central Sergeants’ Mess
Mess Secretary
Blue List
Miss Lucy Neate
can be reached on:
(Civ) 01980 63 4204
(Mil) 94322 2204 The Central Sergeants’ Mess requires a part-time secretary to act as the Mess
Secretary. The role and responsibilities will be as follows:
Gunner Publications • Responsible to the PMC for the day to day administration of the
HQ DRA, Royal Artillery Barracks, Mess.
Larkhill, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 8QT • Responsible alongside the Mess Manager for the administration
and standards of service delivery within the Mess.
Fax: 01980 84 5210
• Manage Mess Office dealing with day to day correspondence.
Email: gunner@hqdra.army.mod.uk
• Maintain Mess filing system; Mess diary and FOE.
www.army.mod.uk/artillery
• Ensure Mess rules are reviewed and updated regularly with
PMC.
Please note: Emails over 5MB will
• Act as a link between Mess members and the contractor and
NOT get through to us. Please send
provide necessary direction and guidance on the services
photos as original jpegs, NOT in
provided.
Word documents. Many thanks!
• Co-ordinate the allocation of official functions, liaise with
the Mess Manager about particular requirements relating to

Cover •
functions, staffing and service delivery.
Supervise the presentation of the Mess for Central Mess
functions.
• Control the use of Central Mess allocated accommodation.
• Take responsibility for all regimental property in the Mess,
maintain Mess insurance and undertake insurance claims of
Central Mess property.
• Ensure that problems of any Mess infrastructure are reported to
the Aspire Helpdesk in a timely manner.
• Responsible for wine storage, issue and billing as instructed by
the PMC.
• Contact SNCOs for settlement of aged debts and incidental
Mess bills.
• Make local purchases costing less that £500 as instructed by
the PMC.
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011

• Any other additional tasks pertaining to the smooth running of

the Mess.
Sgt Morley and LBdr Wilkey,
Start date:ASAP. Hours: 16 hour week (daily starting and finishing times are
7 Para RHA, on Artillery Hill.
negotiable). Pay: £8,000 per annum. Holiday: 12 days paid holiday per annum.
Full story on page six.
The closing date for applications for this post is 30 April 2011.
The views expressed in this publication do This job will have attached a six months probationary period followed by
not necessarily reflect official opinion in any a 12-month rolling contract.
way. All articles and photographs published
in The Gunner become copyright of Gunner All applications to WO2 (RABSM) Dave Moffitt on 01980 84
Publications and must not be reproduced
without permission from the editor.
5470 for details and job description.
 3

Editorial April 2011

Registered Charity Number 244656

T he way to keep yourself from making assumptions is to

ask questions.” So wrote the Mexican sage and author Don
Miguel Ruiz, and in my experience this is sound advice. While
you ponder what that’s all about I’ll get on with the rest of the
editorial.
It is not often that you meet somebody just once when
you are young, and they have such a profound impact on you
that you remember them for the rest of your life. An amazing
man who had this effect on me was a Gunner officer called
George Evans – also known, to the ladies of the regiment, as
‘Gorgeous George’. At the time, the late-1960s, I was a young
subaltern in 50 Missile Regt RA based in Menden, and Maj
George Evans was the Director of Music of the Royal Artillery
Mounted Band, in the days when we still had an RA band
permanently based in Germany. The occasion was a band
concert performed in the officers’ mess. There was a three line
whip for we young officers to attend which I did with a certain
amount of reluctance because I thought it would be pretty dull
and it also meant helping to host American and German guests;
the former because we were equipped with US-made tactical
nuclear weapons, and the latter to improve Anglo-German
relationships with the town.
Despite my reservations, the concert turned out to be one of
the most delightful evenings of my life and the star of the show
was none other than George Evans who introduced each piece
with great charm and wit, switching smoothly between English
and German as he did so. The highlight for most people was
the finale, a fine performance of the Post Horn Gallop played
by four trumpeters, one of whom was George Evans, standing
in the four corners of the room. But for me the highlight was
a rendition of Colonel Bogey, played in half a dozen different
styles, including that of a Bavarian oompah band and a US
Army marching band. It was as hilarious as the Director of A successful live firing by the ANA, for more details see page six
Music was urbane and charming and I was deeply impressed.
I was so sad to hear that George Evans died last month; by any (4) Regimental news
standard he was an exceptional Gunner.
Returning to the Miguel Ruiz quote with which I started. In action
Having been a Gunner officer, serving and retired, for almost (6) F (Sphinx) Bty, 7 Para RHA pass on their experience
half a century you would have thought that I had long ago to the ANA. (8) Women on the frontline. (9) V Bty, 7 Para
learnt that it is very dangerous to make assumptions, especially RHA use their influence on HERRICK.
in operational staff work or when editing the regiment’s
monthly magazine. And yet in the rush to meet deadlines one Up Front
is occasionally forced to take a slight risk and inevitably things (10) The Gunners Today Project is building momentum.
can then go wrong and mistakes are made. This happened not (12) 40 Regt RA nail their targets in Nevada. (14) GCC
once but twice last month, both times in connection with our
27 are impressed by Saab. (15) C Bty, 3 RHA get to grips
coverage of RA Gold Cup Day at Sandown. Making several
incorrect assumptions I wrongly captioned the picture of a
with the Light Gun. (16) 5 and 12 Regts RA kick up their
Light Gun parading through Esher (Ubique, page 19) as coming heels in Kenya. (18) 100 Regt RA (V) hit the target. (19)
from 14 Regt RA when in fact it came from 127 (Dragon) Exclusive preview of World’s Collide by Binary Park.
Bty of 19 Regt RA, so my apologies go to the BC, Maj Jim
(20) Postings and promotions.(22) Ubique.
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011

Bridges, the detachment commander Sgt Dylan Evans and his

immaculate crew who did a great job on the day. The second (24) Regimental Family round up. (25) Letters.
mistake concerned the letter from Brig Richard Mountford (26) In memoriam.
(Superb Sandown, page 23) which I wrongly edited to say that
the pipes and drums at Sandown were from 19 Regt RA, when Sport
in fact they were from 40 Regt RA, based in Northern Ireland.
(30) Gunner basketball. (37) Gunner boxing packs a
This caused some embarrassment to Brig Mountford who is a
past CO and Honorary Regimental Colonel of 40 Regt RA. I punch.
apologise most sincerely to him too.
32) Notices. (34) Competitions.
Despite the lack of time, and the difficulty getting through to
busy people on the telephone, it would on reflection have been (35) A Neate ending.
better to ask the questions and not make the assumptions…
4 regimental news
RACF
The Welfare Secretary of the Royal Artillery
Charitable Fund is pleased to receive calls
for assistance from the serving and retired
regiment at any time. If you need assistance
or you know of someone who does, please
telephone him on (01980) 63 4309 or
(Mil) 94322 2309.
Disbursements
In February the RACF disbursed the sum of
£54,195 (11 per cent more than the same
period last year) on 140 individual cases.
From all sources the sum of £160,143 was
disbursed on those cases, making an average
grant of £1,144 for the month.
From a 91-year-old World
War II Gunner
I write to express my grateful thanks for the
support you have given me via the Royal
British Legion.
I notice that you have moved to Larkhill; I
have very happy memories of the School of
Artillery in 1941 – when on the Number Ones’
Course we were chased around by the IGs.
The good old days!
From a 31-year-old ex
Gunner wife
Thank you very much for your financial
contribution for my family during our time of
need. Without your support I am not sure what
I would have done.
My new home is coming on well and I
have been able to get my life back to some
sort of normality and my children are once
again enjoying having a lovely home.
Thank you so much for funding an extra
television - my childen were thrilled- and it
took a great strain off me too!
Thank you so much.
From a 75-year-old retired
Gunner
I am writing to thank you very much for your
help and financial contribution towards my
new scooter.
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011
It is very much appreciated and it has
already given me greater independence.
RHQ RA, Artillery House,
Artillery Centre,
Royal Artillery Barracks,
Larkhill, Salisbury,
Wiltshire SP4 8QT
Duncan Essay
T he Duncan Essay is an annual essay writing competition which is open to all serving
members of the Royal Artillery (Regular and TA) and is sponsored by the Royal Artillery
Institution. The competition is open to all ranks. Warrant officers who are due to attend the
Late Entry Commissioning Board are strongly encouraged to submit an entry. Essays must be
the original work of a single author. Submissions are to be sent to SO2 Regt Pol, HQ DRA by
30 September 2011.
Essay composition
Essays are to be between 2,000 and 3,500 words in length and must be unclassified. The
submission should be anonymous, using a nom de plume or motto that will be recorded
by the RAI secretariat against details provided on a covering letter which must include the
rank, name, address and other contact details. The essays may be illustrated with pictures,
diagrams, charts, graphs but their source should be stated for copyright purposes. Essays are
to be submitted in hard copy on A4, single sided using Microsoft Word (or another Word
compatible application) using Arial 11 font with 1.5 spacing. They are to be submitted in paper
form and on a CD. Essays that have been submitted to military journals (eg The British Army
Review, The RUSI Journal or The Journal of the Royal Artillery) can be included; however, all
essays will become the copyright of the RAI and may be reproduced in journals and magazines
belonging to or associated with the RAI (at the discretion of the Regimental Secretary).
Judging panel and prizes
The judging panel comprises of DRA, COS HQ DRA, AD Cap, Comdt RSA, AD Pers/Regt
Col and somebody external to the HQ. Prizes will only be awarded to those personnel whose
submission is of sufficient quality – where essays are not up to the required standard, no
award shall be made. A gold and silver medal are available and cash prizes of up to a total of
£3000 may be given annually. Successful entries will attract a formal notification to the chain
of command that could be reflected in overall performance assessments (OJAR or SJAR).
In the future, an overall performance A-grade will require evidence of mental agility, rigour
of thought and self development – the essay is one mechanism of providing that evidence.
The results will also be promulgated in RAI publications and the medals and prizes will be
presented at the DRA’s Conference. The decision of the panel is final.
Essay titles
1. It is predicted that in the future our forces will have to fight in areas and situations that
are: congested; cluttered; contested; connected; and constrained (note one). What are the
implications for the Royal Artillery (note two)?
Note 1: Future Character of Conflict – Crown Copyright Pam 02/10c5, available at www.
mod.uk
Note 2: Essays may look at the implications for the regiment as a whole, or particular
roles.
2. With pressure on ammunition budgets and significant developments in simulation, where
should the Royal Artillery’s ‘live versus simulation’ balance lie?
3. Op ENTIRETY has bent the RA out of shape to meet the growth in demand for joint fires
integration, precision fires, targeting, battlespace management and ISTAR capabilities.
Is this an enduring requirement beyond 2015 and how should the RA re-organise beyond
operations in Afghanistan?
4. Given the ongoing work on people as a strategic edge as well as work on the Ex AGILE
WARRIOR and FCOC, what should the RA approach be to the types of soldiers and
officers we would wish to recruit into the Gunners?
5. Is there a need for the RA TA to reorganise and adapt to maximise its utility beyond
2015?
6. Are home ownership and second incomes, providing greater stability, more important
than accompanied service for the next generation of officers and soldiers?
7. Networked information systems have the potential to revolutionise individual and
collective training for officers and other ranks; an opportunity being exploited by the
RA embracing distributed training capabilities such as VBS2. How might the RA exploit
similar capabilities to revolutionise its ability to educate its officers and other ranks?
 regimental news 5

Hail and Regimental events

Farewell April
3 Gunner Sunday, Royal Hospital Chelsea

T he purpose of the Hail and Farewell dinners is to dine-in Regular

Army officers receiving LE commissions and to dine-out retiring
senior officers (Regular and Territorial Army colonels and above) and
7
8
Spring Dinner, RA Mess, Larkhill
RA Women’s FC v REME Women’s FC, Larkhill
TBC Rugby Union Macllwaine/Mackenzie Cup, Larkhill
those Regular lieutenant colonels and majors retiring with 16 years
11-15 Inter-Bty Football Shield, Larkhill
service (or LE majors and lieutenant colonels) who would not otherwise
have a Gunner farewell (ie those who are not members of either a Gunner 15 Sovereign’s Parade, RMAS
regiment or the Royal School of Artillery). The dinners are held twice 15 Rugby League – RA v Castleford Select, Bdr Hopson Memorial
a year in May and November. The DRA presides and the hosts are the Rugby Match for ABF and RACF. Location TBC
past and future commanding officers of those being commissioned, or 19 Ahmed Khel Day – F Bty, 7 Para RHA
their representatives, and the friends or supporters of those being dined TBC RA Rugby Union Sevens Championships
in or retiring. The dinners, which are black tie ladies’ guest nights, are 21 Royal Salute – Birthday of HM The Queen, Hyde Park
organised by HQ DRA and are advertised in The Gunner magazine and 23 Imjin Day – 25/170 Bty, 47 Regt RA
through the chain of command.
30 - Ex SNOW METHOD – Army Snowboarding
The next Hail and Farewell will be held at Larkhill on 25 May.
Invitations will be sent out in the near future. Anyone who believes they 7 May Freestyle Championships, Stubai, Austria
should have been dined-in or out, who has not received an invitation
by the end of February is requested to contact SO2 Regt Pol on 01980 May
845929. 4 Seringapatam Day – 34 Bty, 14 Regt RA and 38 Bty, 40 Regt RA
5 Drivers Day, I Bty 7 RHA

RA ERE
5 RA Industry Dinner, Armoury House, HAC
7 RA Vets RFC v 7 RHA Vets RFC, Kneller Hall
8 Shah Shuja’s Day – T Bty 12 Regt RA
9 REME FC v RA FC (Quads), Blandford
11 R Sigs FC v RA FC (Quads), Blandford

Convention
12 Subalterns’ Dining In Night, RA Mess, Larkhill
12 Inter Corps Football Tournament (Women), Aldershot
13 RA FC v RE FC (Quads), Blandford
17-19 Hockey Outdoor Inter Corps Championship: Men, Ladies and

T he annual RA ERE Convention will take place in Larkill on

Friday, 8 July. The aim of the convention is to update Gunner
officers on regimental matters, in a broad sense. The principal target
18
Masters, Aldershot
Rugby League - REME v RA Aldershot
21-22 RA Assembly, Blackpool
audience is the SO1/SO2, and in particular those on the E2 staff
25 Hail and Farewell Dinner, RA Mess, Larkhill
who might be somewhat divorced from Gunner issues. However,
26 Board of Management
any serving Gunner officer or warrant officer is welcome to attend.
Attendance in 2010 was low, and barely justified the staff effort 26 Gibraltar Day – 9 Bty, 26 Regt RA; 21 Bty, 47 Regt RA;
(including presentations from senior staff from HQ DRA and 23 Cdo Bty, 29 Cdo Regt RA
elsewhere) required to stage the event. In the event that there is 27 Hondeghem Day – K Bty 5 Regt RA
insufficient interest, the 2011 convention will be cancelled. Any 27 Pontavert Day – 5 Bty 19 Regt RA
decision to cancel the event will be promulgated in late May.
Anyone wishing to attend the convention should contact the June
HQ DRA Registry (ArtyCen-DRAHQ-Mailbox), by Friday, 13 2 Royal Salute – Anniversary of the Coronation of HM The Queen,
May. Hyde Park
6-10 Gunner Cup Football Tournament, Larkhill
9 Colonel Commandant’s Briefing and Dinner, RA Mess Larkhill

RA Historical Society 10
10
10
Alexandria Day –11 Bty, 16 Regt RA and 4/73 Bty, 5 Regt RA
RAML Board Meeting and AGM, Newcome Hall, Conf Rm 1
Royal Salute – Birthday of HRH Duke of Edinburgh, Hyde Park
Peninsular War Battlefield Tour, Spain
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011

Tuesday 4 to Monday 10 October 2011 13 Royal Salute – Official Birthday of HM The Queen, Hyde Park
17 Battery Formation Day (1748) - 7 (Sphinx) Bty, 29 Cdo Regt RA

T he RAHS has arranged a tour to Peninsular War battlefields including

Ciudad Rodrigo, Almeida, the River Coa, Fuentes de Onoro, and
Salamanca. The tour is limited to 20 places and will be led by Col
18 Waterloo Day - H and G Btys, 7 Para RHA; D Bty, 3 RHA; 16 Bty,
26 Regt RA and 30 Bty, 16 Regt RA
Nick Lipscombe and organized by Lt Col Ian Branton. It is open to all 22 Master Gunner’s Committee – 120th Meeting, Newcome Hall
serving and retired Gunners, RAHS members and Friends of Firepower. 23 Plassey Day – 9 Bty, 12 Regt RA
Accommodation will be in three or four star hotels and the cost will be 30 Lucknow Day – 55 Bty, 26 Regt RA
£600 per head (excluding flights) with a reduction for sharing rooms. Full
details are available from Lt Col IH Branton OBE, Toad Hall, Gloucester Information supplied to The Gunner is subject to change. Please
check with the individual organisers concerned that the information
Road, Malmesbury SN16 0AJ. E Mail: branton@ibranton.freeserve.
is still current, or contact SO2 Pol on 01980 845830
co.uk. Firm Bookings are required please as soon as possible.
6 in action

A highly successful D30 HE live firing

practice was conducted on 26 February.
This live firing was essential to confirm levels
of Afghan National Army (ANA) gunnery
competence and followed the delivery of
basic and advanced guns courses, in addition
to command post training conducted by the
F (Sphinx) Bty, 7 Para RHA, mentors at
Artillery Hill, commanded by Capt Dave
Thatcher.
Develop
The live firing was also used to develop
Fire Support Officers (FSOs) at the very
outset of their training and was watched by
ISAF artillery mentoring staff from Kabul and
also attracted UK and US media coverage.
The majority of previous D30 range days
have been conducted from the ANA HQ in

Op HERRICK
Camp Shorabak. This was however, viewed as
a sterile environment and not one that would
have been remotely appealing to the Afghan
Gunners of Artillery Hill. Furthermore, as
an operational battery, it was important for

13’s handover
them to fire their own deployed guns in
order to generate maximum confidence and
development from the experience.
7 Para RHA has now identified a number
of areas that could be used for future ranges,
all firing from Artillery Hill, which will mentored position in Afghanistan and more and was run by ANGLICO. 7 Para RHA
provide both variety for the observers as well will follow across the country as part of the has developed the force protection and
as avoid setting patterns. development of all arms capability for the infrastructure on Artillery Hill, maintained
ANA. 7 Para RHA has recently developed excellent relationships with the Afghan
Successful Artillery Hill from being mentored to a fully Gunners, fired HE from Artillery Hill itself
This highly successful range day has partnered position of D30 with a Light Gun and advanced the position from mentored to
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011

now paved the way for the critical release of
ammunition for regular annual training and
this very positive situation will be handed
across to the mentors for Op HERRICK 14
in April. The ammunition release was aligned
to a recent priority by 3/215 Bde (our Afghan
partnered brigade) for increased officer training
(which for us read Fire Support Officers) and
the requirement to deliver against our D30
Capability Development Plan, agreed at the
very start of Op HERRICK 13.
Artillery Hill was the first operational D30
troop (G Para Bty (Mercer’s Tp) RHA);
again, the first of its kind in Afghanistan.
F (Sphinx) Para Bty RHA has also used
the winter months to significantly enhance
the force protection infrastructure (to further
protect sangars engaged by insurgents) and
living conditions at Artillery Hill.
We now find ourselves in an excellent
position with regard to developing the D30
capability with 3/215 Bde partnered with
Task Force Helmand. On 24 March the first
formal FSO course began with 15 students
fully partnered.
Significant momentum
Furthermore, in tandem with Maj Mike
Lynskey RA (CS Kandak Mentor) and
Maj Sempale-Ntege RHA (3/215 Bde Arty
Adviser) the benefits and design for regular
live firing, with annual allocations of training
ammunition, has been finally achieved. 7
Para RHA will now hand the D30 mentoring
baton to 29 Cdo Regt RA with significant
momentum attached.
 in action 7

box head
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011

Mentoring to Partnering
8 in action

Women on
the frontline
I n early March The Times published an article by
best-selling author Rosalind Miles which argued that
women have both the heart and stomach for war. Miles
begin. So it was a
reasonably benign
tour. We were used
in the infantry role
next posed the question: why won’t the Army allow them in Az Zubayr,
on the front line? Her implication was that women in the a town outside
British Army are used merely for ‘backing up the men’. Basra, patrolling,
reassuring the
Here in the Gunners we do allow women on the front line.
population,
I immediately thought of our own Capt Kate Philp, badly meeting the locals;
injured on the front line in Afghanistan in November 2008 that sort of thing.”
while on operations as a fire support team commander. I Three years
couldn’t help wondering what Capt Philp would make of later, having
extended her tour
the article – so I phoned her to see if she would grant The with 40 Regt
Gunner an interview. Here is the result… RA to do so, she
I was ushered into Capt Philp’s office deployed to Iraq once again, this time on
in the Young Officers’ Branch, where she Op TELIC 9. By now the character of the
is currently serving as adjutant, with a firm operation was far less benign with the indirect
handshake and a crisp and professional fire threat, mainly from in-coming mortars
welcome. As she settled me down in a ‘chairs, and rockets, being a particular concern. 40
easy, black vinyl, for the use of’ I briefly ran Regt RA deployed with Light Guns in the
through the reason for the interview – using counter-battery role, but frustratingly Capt
the phrase ‘women in the front line’ several Philp was sent to the headquarters of 19 Lt
times as I did so, only to be stopped short Bde as a G3 watchkeeper. “It was interesting
with a raised hand and the memorable line. work being in an all arms headquarters on
“Mike, these days there’s no such thing operations and I learnt a lot, but to be honest
as a front line. So I’m not quite sure how I just wanted to get back to the battery.”
anybody, let alone women, can be on it.” For Something she managed to do a few weeks
a moment I had a dreadful feeling that she before the end of the tour.
might follow up with a jargon-filled sentence With two operational tours already under
about ‘asymmetric warfare’ and all the rest of her belt, Capt Philp next served with 26 Regt
it, but no; the point neatly made she merely RA, another AS90 close support regiment,
smiled and waited for me to continue. this time based in Gutersloh, where she joined
Which I did by asking about her Gunner 17 (Corunna) Bty RA as a fire support team
career. Capt Philp was commissioned into the commander. “When I took on this job I knew
Royal Artillery from Sandhurst in April 2003. that I would almost certainly be involved in
After attending a Young Officers’ Course she operations in contact with the enemy,” she
was posted to 40 Regt RA, then an AS90 said. “It didn’t worry me and to be frank I
regiment based at Topcliffe. A further six relished the challenge.”
female officers, of the 10 on her YOs’ course, And so it was that in August 2008 she
were also posted to close support regiments, deployed with her fire support team to
thereby emphasising the number of women Afghanistan. “We were part of the 29 Cdo
serving in this type of regiment as long as Regt RA artillery group and I found myself
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011
through a ditch just outside Musa Qaleh.
We were travelling very slowly, with some
Gurkha snipers in the back of the vehicle,
when there was a dull bang. I was ‘head-up’
through the turret and, because of the noise
reduction headset and how slowly we were
travelling, didn’t immediately realise what
had happened. We were stationary and my
radio had stopped working. As smoke and the
smell of explosives rose around me it didn’t
take long to realise that we had triggered an
improvised explosive device hidden in the
road. There was substantial damage to the
Warrior.”
Harrowing sitrep
Capt Philp described how she got a
harrowing sitrep from the back of the vehicle.
“My situational awareness was good,” she
continued. “I was in no immediate pain, and
we were not in direct contact with the enemy
so I started to get out of the turret onto the
roof of the vehicle. As I did so I thought my
left leg felt a bit strange, so I felt down my
shin. Pretty soon I could feel broken bones
and realised I must have a bad injury to my
leg.
“The situation in the back of the vehicle
was grim; CSgt Krishna Dura had been killed
outright, another Gurkha suffered severe
injuries which later led to him losing both his
legs and a third had a broken femur and back
injuries. In that one vehicle we had the full
spectrum of battlefield casualties, ranging
from shocked but uninjured, through lost
limbs to death. It was pretty horrendous.
“On the other hand we were not in
immediate contact with the enemy; we were
not in a minefield or an ambush situation – the
area was secure and very soon the company
sergeant major and his medics started treating
the injured. Two uninjured members of my
crew, LBdr ‘Jacko’ Jackson and Gnr ‘H’
Hallam started first aid on me. I remember

eight years ago. There are a lot more now.
In answer to my prompting Capt Philp
said how much she enjoyed her first tour
at regimental duty, first as a command post
officer, then as a battery recce officer in 6/36
(Arcot 1751) Bty RA. Immediately upon
arrival in the regiment she deployed to Iraq
for the last six weeks of Op TELIC 2 – the
first deployment to that theatre following the
war to topple Sadam Hussein. “It was a real
eye-opener,” she said. “The war had finished,
but the insurrection that followed it was yet to
operating as the armoured fire support team,
mounted in a Warrior OPV vehicle, working
in support of 1 PWRR within 2 the RGR
battle group.”
For several busy and eventful months
Capt Philp and her team were involved in
platoon, company and battle group level
operations and numerous other ‘routine’
missions such as patrolling, force projection
and intelligence gathering. “Then,” said
Capt Philp in a very matter-of-fact way,
“on Saturday, 15 November 2008, we drove
how calm they both were as they went about
their grim task – they were comparatively
young then, but their training kicked in and
they were just amazing.
“I was casevaced by Chinook to Camp
Bastion, arriving there in the afternoon. The
medical teams had been alerted that we were
in-bound and fully equipped treatment bays
were ready for each of the injured; everything
was handled in such a calm and professional
manner. I never lost consciousness and I was
just so impressed… it was all very reassuring.
 in action 9

box head
I don’t recall
being in the
least bit frightened
or alarmed.
“By Monday I’d
been moved to Selly Oak
Hospital in Birmingham with
my leg in a metal frame. I was
able to ring home and reassure Mum
that I was okay – just a broken leg. As
well as my family, other visitors soon
appeared, not only from my regiment but also
from the company, battle group and brigade I
was supporting. Despite being given several
welfare packs, both British and American, I ranks,
remember feeling very, very hungry. Then has been
there was some investigative surgery and right in
scans and basically I was told my leg was the thick of
a bit of a mess; I was given two options things on current
– either to endure lots of operations with all operations.
the attendant pain in an attempt to fuse the With which thought
bones, with no guarantee of success. Or to I found my mind returning
have the lower limb amputated. After being to Rosalind Miles’s article.
assured that I would still be able to run and By way of a parting shot, Capt
lead an active life, I chose the latter. I was Philp and I briefly discussed it
just grateful to be alive and safe, conscious and found ourselves agreeing with Pictured below: V Bty,
that my friends and colleagues were still in the central point that Miles was 7 Para RHA
theatre.” making – that women shouldn’t be
stopped from serving
Inspiration on ‘the front line’.
Capt Philp’s lower left leg was What we both took
duly removed but, following medical exception to was her
complications the recovery has been a long misinformed opinion
and at times painful one. It was not until that undermined the
February last year that she received a final vital work that young
all-clear, followed by a posting to the Young female soldiers, from
Officers’ Branch where she is an inspiration multiple cap badges,
to the young men and women that she comes already undertake on
into contact with on a daily basis. ‘the front line’ in the
Capt Philp’s short, but harrowing story service of the nation.
was told in a measured, matter-of-fact way
that brokered no compassion or comment
and invited few questions; it was very much
a case of ‘this is what happened, this is how
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011

I dealt with it, and now I want to move on’.

She was particularly effusive in her praise for
the medical treatment she received at Selly
Oak, and the rehabilitation programme that
followed at Headley Court. “Can’t fault it,”
she said. “Absolutely first class…”
I was deeply impressed by Kate Philp’s
courage, professionalism and the way she has
dealt with the aftermath of her injury. Here
indeed is a woman with both the heart and
stomach for war – and what’s more a woman
who, like many other female Gunners of all
10 up front

T his year the Royal Artillery Museum,

Firepower, celebrates the 10th
anniversary of its move to the Royal
Arsenal Heritage Quarter, having
originally opened nearly 200 years ago.
The museum charts the development of
artillery from its primitive roots to the sophisticated
equipment and capability currently being fielded on
operations in Afghanistan. However, the museum does
not yet fully acknowledge the significant role played
by the Gunners in the campaigns of the past 30 years;
consequently we have instigated the Gunners Today
Exhibition, a project that will bring the museum up to
date and reflect our important contribution from the
Falklands War through to Iraq and Afghanistan. Members of 127 (Dragon) Bty, 19 Regt RA, researching their battery’s history

The Gunners Today Project
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011
£320,000 £320,000 The project will be completed in two region of £320,000. In order to help fund this
main phases with the first phase focusing commitment the serving regiment has begun
£300,000 £300,000 on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan since fundraising with regiments aiming to raise at
2001, which will be opened by the Chief least £7,000 each. In addition, Gunners at E2
£250,000 £250,000
of Defence Staff, Gen Sir David Richards, postings across the Armed Forces have also
on 16 June this year. The second phase begun fundraising and work is ongoing to
£200,000 £200,000
will focus on other campaigns and themes gain wider sponsorship.
including the Falklands War, Northern We have already raised £139,000
£150,000 £150,000
Ireland, the Gulf War, Sierra Leone and the thanks to the generosity of some
£100,000 £100,000
Balkans and is due to be completed by the significant contributions: our two
end of this year. The campaigns and themes principal sponsors are the Blavatnik
£50,000 £50,000 will be captured in a series of modern and Foundation and the Royal Artillery
interactive displays which will exhibit Centre for Personal Development
£40,000 £40,000 original artefacts, equipments including (RA CPD); both are focused on
some of our modern in use capabilities, and personal development and education.
£30,000 £30,000 detailed accounts. Importantly, they will The RA CPD, a charity established in
focus on the human dimension, harnessing 1999, has agreed to support the Gunners
£20,000 £20,000 the history of individuals and their regiments. Today Project as the trustees and the
Each regiment has put together a project team Chief Executive, Sara Hunter, see this as
£10,000 £10,000 of Gunners, NCOs and young officers to an excellent opportunity to promote the
properly research, collate and reproduce charity’s objectives: “RA CPD is all
the history in conjunction with a about improving the competencies,
central project team. performance and morale of RA
The Gunners Today soldiers through involvement in
project will cost in the nationally recognised education, training
 up front 11

The design concept for phase one

the Friends of Firepower Museum. The The Gunners Today Project is a unique
Friends of Firepower have also arranged opportunity to recognise the role played by
for a concessionary annual family ticket the Royal Artillery in the conflicts of the past
for serving Gunners and I would urge 30 years and gives the regiment the chance
all serving and retired Gunners and to ensure that its own history, achievements
their families to join the Friends as and sacrifices are recorded for future
an additional and valuable way of generations.
supporting our heritage. Enquiries For further information please contact the
please to Maj John Timbers at Project Officer, Lt Col Ed Brockman (email:
cattim@talktalk.net / tel/fax CVHQRA-StnComd@mod.uk / telephone
01474 707178 or visit Friends of 94691 3420). For fundraising information
Firepower at www.firepower.org. please contact Capt Matt Cornell RA (email:
uk. matthew.cornell239@mod.uk / telephone
Signif- 01980 656523).
useum icant work is
e to the m
n tranc currently being done
The e and vocational by our regiments to
schemes. This project research and gather
involves superb opportunities for the information and
soldiers to research, analyse and record ‘raw materials’ for
recent Gunner history. We are already seeing the exhibitions from
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011

some inspirational work by JNCOs who are their own battery and
so enthusiastic about their research and how regimental history
much they are leaning about recent history. collections including
I am very excited about how RA CPD can artefacts and objects
support this project through our Regimental for display, diaries,
Learning Centres; I have seen first-hand how maps and first hand
contagious learning can be and I have no accounts. If you
doubt that this project will be a springboard have anything of
for many soldiers, who will go on to achieve interest please do
formal qualifications.” send them to your
There have also been generous donations regiment or direct The area
to be use
from the Royal Artillery Historical Trust and to Firepower. d for phase
one
12 up front
“Good morning, gentlemen, the
E
Exercise M
ight forward air controllers from 20 Bde deployed to Fallon Naval Air
Station, in the high desert of north Nevada, at the end of January to
train with a number of US pilots who had either recently been deployed in
Afghanistan or were due to deploy to theatre in the near future. It was an
added bonus that the flying school we were supporting was none other than
the Naval Fighter Weapons School, that’s ‘Top Gun’ to you and me!
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011
The eight-hour drive from San Francisco to the air station passed
through some stunning terrain, including the Golden Gate Bridge, the Napa
Valley, the Sierra Nevada mountains, Lake Tahoe, Reno and finally the high
desert of Nevada. Then it was straight into the issue of kit and a series
of briefings on the week’s events. The first day consisted of meeting and
greeting the chief instructor, call sign ‘Crash’, a USMC F-18 pilot, and the
various students taking part in the vigorous Top Gun Ground-to-Air week.
The equipment we looked at during the day, included F-16s, F-18 variants
and E-3 Hawkeyes, but by far the most impressive aspect was the array of
call-signs the pilots answered to, amongst them, ‘Sausage’, ‘Peachez’, ’12
Gauge’ and, my favourite, ‘Chimbo’.
For the first day’s training we took up position in an OP in the middle of
the B17 Air Weapons Range, one of the largest of a vast complex spanning
some 26,000 square kilometres of airspace and 340 square kilometres
of bombing ranges. On the range was a remote control Toyota Hilux truck
that provided a bombing target to the pilots, together with static western
armour hulks and legacy Soviet air-defence armour systems. The constant
flow of fast air, coupled with fluid Afghanistan-based scenarios, gave us
a level of training, including dynamic battle space management, most of
us had never experienced before. At all times we were aware that as well
as being trained, we were providing training for the school’s pilots and as
such our procedures had to come into line with the tactics, techniques and
procedures that the US and UK forward air controllers use operationally. In
that respect we were extremely lucky to have ‘Crash’ on hand to advise and
guide us in order to gain the maximum training value for all players.
Lt Steve Youdan (40 Regt RA) and myself were fortunate to spend the
same night controlling F-18s in close air support attacks on to targets less
than half a kilometre from our night-time OP. The practices involved the use
of night targeting aids and rather more difficult ‘talk-ons’ to the pilots. We
were well rewarded with multiple strafe runs, excellent night ‘hot’ practices

temperature is 110 degrees…”
MAVERICK FIST
– and early onset hypothermia.
The second training day saw many of the same practices, though the
scenarios we worked to were stepped up a notch now that both the pilots
and forward air controllers had shaken off the training cobwebs. Such was
the confidence of the forward air controllers at this point that Sgt Thomas
decided to start running us about, throwing our planning aids on the floor
and generally ‘motivating’ us as we controlled the aircraft. This training
proved to be extremely useful, despite a great deal of cursing! Such was
the determination of the players that a bomb actually found the back end of
the Hilux as it moved through the range; the curious and slightly odd range
controllers left their lair in a state of shock, but were delighted that all the
computer systems had been missed allowing them to get the vehicle back
on the road ‘real soon’.
The penultimate day saw the scenarios expand from the open range to
downtown Fallon where we began to work the pilots to urban close air support
scenarios. These consisted of tracking high value targets, reconnaissance
and ‘armed over-watch’ exercises. The forward air controllers and the US
instructors took turns to develop the scenarios on the hoof, creating a
up front 13
dynamic environment in which to control the aircraft.
The final day was dubbed ‘hot’ day. All aircraft checking in to the range
came with a load consisting of MK82 (500lb), MK83 (1000lb) and/or laser
guided training rounds and more 20mm cannon shells than you could shake
a stick at. The day was spent controlling these aircraft onto the designated
targets, and was the first time many of us had dropped such large bombs.
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011
The day proved to be extremely useful with a constant flow of ‘hot’ close
air support available for control and a good chance to gain competence and
currency for our logbooks.
Exercise MAVERICK FIST was a great opportunity to gain experience
working with some of the best aviators in the world, from a country that
provides around 70 per cent of close air support in Afghanistan. We were
hosted extremely well, enjoying a final night in the ‘O-Club’ with the aircrew
to thank them for their efforts, a night which predictably went on into the
early hours. The exercise was certainly the best training the 20 Bde forward
air controllers have had to date!
by Capt Luke Malpass
14 up front

Ex SWEDEN LOCATOR
T he four students from the Surveillance and Target Acquisition
(STA) thread of Gunnery Career Course No 27 Find-Protect,
took part in Exercise SWEDEN LOCATOR at the end of January. The
exercise, a visit to Saab Electronic Defence Systems in Gothenburg
Sweden, was designed to substantiate previous Mamba training
and broaden the student’s knowledge and understanding of weapon
locating radar (WLR).
The visit programme was very busy and both students and
instructors alike were looking forward to visiting one of the
world leaders in WLR. Saab has more than 50 years experience
in electronic warfare and radar development and has delivered
3,000 radar worldwide. They currently supply the British Army
with Mamba, in use with 5 Regt RA, and Giraffe, presently used as
part of the automated sense and warn (AS and W) system. Giraffe
will also form an integral part of the Land Environment Air Picture
Provision (LEAPP) programme. Saab’s impressive HQ is located on
the outskirts of Gothenburg and was where all the presentations
and the majority of the exercise took place.
The exercsie began with a very informative overview of Saab systems,
from their modest beginnings right through to their latest innovations; this
was followed by a fascinating tour of the factory where the students were
able to see how radar are developed, produced, tested and maintained. We
even managed to discover one of our own Mamba radar on the shop floor
– back in Sweden as part of an upgrade (and sand removal) programme.
Further presentations were delivered on the Raccoon C2 system, research
and development, logistic support and the Mamba communication suite
including connection to the AS and W system.
One of the highlights was the practical demonstrations. We had the
opportunity to view the Arthur Mod C Radar, which is one of the competitors
to gain the Future Weapon Locating Radar contract to supply the British
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011

Army with a state of the art system to replace both Mamba and Cobra. We
also had a chance to get up close and personal with the Giraffe AMB (Agile
Multi Beam Radar), a flexible system capable of monitoring air traffic while
simultaneously locating and warning against incoming rocket, artillery and
mortars.
The visit was a huge success; Saab was an excellent host throughout,
and delivered both interesting and informative presentations during our
stay. The visit confirmed previous training and enabled us to nurture the
vital relationships between the industry manufacturers and the training
deliverers of the future.

by SSgt Riley
 up front 15

C Bty convert to Light Gun

I n September last year, just after summer
leave, C Bty, 3 RHA, returned to work in
order to commence mission specific training
(MST). To begin with, the main effort was
to sign over the AS90s and then re-role to
Light Gun. After three months with AS90 in
Batus the battery was pleased to be getting
to grip with a new challenge. For the more
experienced members of the battery who had
deployed on Op HERRICK 8, the process
was mostly just a refresher, but for the
newer members this was their first time on
the 105mm Light Gun. The entire gun group
attended a two-week course on maintenance
and drills, as well as an introduction to the
new sighting systems, culminating in two
very cold days live firing on Hohne ranges.
Starting MST as we meant to go on, the
range days included a weighted march and
a navex for the newly qualified members of
the OP Troop. The live firing was a valuable
first experience for them too, a chance to
conduct live fire missions at last. The battery
also had a visit from the GOC, Maj Gen AJ
Bradshaw who jumped on the layer’s seat
on each gun to fire a round. Once the battery Above: The BSM presents a cartridge case to the GOC. Below: B Sub in action
had the formal tick in the box, the next stage
of training involved Ex PASHTUN SABRE well as the more standard missions including simplicity of the Light Gun compared to the
and Ex PASHTUN STORM. This involved the new IR illum. The guns were often at AS90 but there were definitely a few home
several stands consisting of both technical and minimum manning as detachment members comforts that were missed on the winter
tactical firing. During the tactical phase, the were needed to man the heavy weapons on exercises. Everyone agreed that a boiling
defence of a FOB, the gun group was exposed the FOB walls or deal with casualties. After vessel and a set of louvers would have made
to every kind of fire mission. We expereinced a very busy rotation in the FOB and the the snow on Otterburn training area much
many different types of engagement: direct rest of the exercise, C Bty RHA’s skills and more bearable! With the Light Gun conversion
fire, final protective fire, modified indirect, as drills were highly polished and we were both complete and only one small MST exercise
competent and confident. to go, the battery is now ready and eagerly
As a whole, the gun group enjoyed the awaiting deployment on Op HERRICK 14 at
the end of March.

THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011

16 up front
5 Bty RA fight it out in Kenya
The gun group
O n arrival at the mosquito-ridden headquarters
of British Army Training Unit Kenya in Nairobi
there were a few hours to get over the jet lag
before another trip further north, to Turaco Farm
at Nanyuki. From there the 5 Bty gun group
quickly headed for FOB Twiga in the Archer’s Post
training area. All eyes were focused on the bush,
cameras on standby, hoping for a lucky sighting of
anything with spots, stripes or big teeth. It wasn’t
quite what ‘civvies pay thousands for’ but it was
still a place that was both warmer and more
interesting than Hampshire; morale was high.
The exercise kicked off with a training day,
observed closely by both the Gunnery Training
Team and the self-proclaimed FOB Twiga RSM.
By the end of this challenging day the battery had
blown out the cobwebs and was programmed to
exercise mode, ready for the next few weeks.
The gun group carried out the early exercise
serials from within FOB Twiga, where the pace
was somewhat slower than previous exercises,
but considering the heat, no one was complaining.
An excited gun group later deployed onto the
training area for more challenging serials, which
included long moves, numerous gun positions,
360 degree shoots, quick actions and direct fire.
As the rounds went down the range with good
effect, putting a smile on the faces of the fire
support team, the first exercise for the gun group
drew to an end, but inevitably the next phase was
already looming.
Having sent some soldiers to join the
opposition, a smaller gun group then deployed
to FOB Gibraltar (a prickly bush enclosure with
homemade showers, toilets and living area) to
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011
support the week-long combined arms live firing
exercise. Very quickly the gun detachments got
used to working with teams half the normal size
and showed brilliant grit and determination.
Morale was helped along by an addition to the
party in the form of a goat. Of course he wasn’t
bleating for long as he ended up being carefully
seasoned and roasted by the resourceful Fijians.
This brilliant feast was enjoyed by all but the faint
hearted.
by 2Lt Pru Ellwood
A s the new training year dawned
and Christmas leave ended, 5
(Gibraltar 1779-83) Bty, 19 Regt
RA, deployed to Kenya on Exercise
ASKARI THUNDER 5, providing a
gun group and a fire support team to
work in support of the 3 Rifles battle
group, and a large enemy force to
oppose them. After an epic journey,
a period of acclimatization and some
preliminary training it was a case of
let battle commence!
The opposition force
T he majority of the 5 Bty tactical group, bolstered by elements of the gun group and a
smattering of 3 Rifles battle group support staff, came together to form an opposition
force. Mercifully, we were issued the snazzy Swiss summer uniforms, rather than the winter
ones given to our predecessors. Initially split into two platoons, the BC, Maj Rich Hart, took
one call sign off to Objective Gold to oppose the company advances, while I took my platoon
to set up a patrol base near FOB Twiga. This six-day phase saw my platoon conduct sniping
shoots and give increasingly sturdy resistance to ambushes, with each phase culminating
in defending Kanga village against a company deliberate attack. Not only did this provide
support and training value for the companies of the 3 Rifles battle group but it also gave us
the opportunity to face the rigours of operating in the fierce heat of the Kenyan scrub and to
learn from the successes and losses of the exercising infantry companies, honing our own
knowledge of infantry skills, drills and tactics.
The second week saw the two enemy platoons come together and, reinforced by more gun
group personnel and a platoon of hardened Kenyan Wildlife servicemen, we headed back
up towards the relatively temperate climate of Nunyuki. We occupied and defended Balla
Balla village and then spread sections down the battle group’s axis in order to harass and
delay their advance. This gave some Gunners and JNCOs the opportunity to operate alone
and reveal just how sneaky and treacherous they really are. Some took it upon themselves
to hide in bushes and allow a company to advance past them, only popping up to shoot a
platoon or company commander before melting back into the shrubbery. The tell tale training
engagement system voice uttering the extent of the injuries inflicted, accompanied by varied
expletives, was all the reward and entertainment needed to justify their actions. All the while,
two sections were dedicated to building up the defences of the village. We made a valiant
attempt to use the natural resources around us until the BC managed to magic a whole host
of defence stores including pickets, sandbags and, everybody’s favourite, razor wire. Having
built and fortified the village and various over-watch positions to Atlantic Wall standards, we
took up our positions and waited.
In the event, the 52 Bty fire support teams ranged against us did their job admirably as most
of the over-watch positions didn’t last past the opening fire plan. The village was a different
story however. With the BC in the central (and most heavily fortified) bunker commanding the
defence, the village force kept the assaulting elements at bay for more than three hours, giving
them plenty of food for thought, and some excellent training value.
From Balla Balla, the opposition force moved across the training area to take up positions for
the final two-day exercise, finishing with the famous final attack. Again, two sections fortified
the final defensive positions while the rest went out to delay and harass the battle group. We
occupied our positions on the final evening and besides the odd incident wondering if those
roar-like noises might actually be lions, and what to do in the event of a feline confrontation
(run faster than someone else was the agreed best solution) all remained silent until 0300
hours. Having had reports of recce sightings, we dragged ourselves out of our sleeping bags
to take up position for the ‘final stand’. The fire support teams on the other side again did their
job well but we were sufficiently well spread across fortified and elevated positions to provide
some tough resistance. Having tabbed through the night for 10 hours, the Rifles valiantly
fought for over two hours to finally defeat us. Once the exercise ended all rivalries ceased and
the various elements took part in some well deserved adventurous training with groups going
to the coast at Mombassa, deep into the bush and to the summit of Mount Kenya.
by Lt Rupert Margolis

Eyre’s tackle the Tana
T he spectacular 440-mile River Tana flows through the semi-
desert wilderness of north-east Kenya, including three of the
country’s national parks, so canoeing the river was a once-in-a-
lifetime opportunity for 13 members of 58 (Eyre’s) Bty, 12 Regt
RA, and their canoe instructor, Ted Fearon. The challenge is not to
be underestimated; the river had never been navigated by anyone
other than the local tribesmen, the region was alive with bandits and
the route included areas world-renowned for their concentrations of
dangerous wildlife. However, we had two aces up our sleeves: Ted,
an unflappable ex-Navy chef, proved to be an outstanding canoeing
instructor, and the full support of the BATUK staff in Nairobi who
were ready with everything we needed from vehicles to canoes.
None of the group had any canoeing experience, so on arrival in
Kenya, we enjoyed an acclimatisation and training package which
began with a visit to a crocodile farm in Nairobi and two nights at Lake
Naivasha in the Rift Valley. As luck would have it, we heard that the
spectacular wildebeest migration had begun in the Masai Mara, so we
decided to make a 200km detour to experience it. The following day
we were surrounded by literally thousands of wildebeest and zebras
stretching across the vast savannah, a truly awe inspiring sight. We
also saw the hapless herds swimming the Mara river, with crocodiles
attacking the young and the weak.
We were generously hosted by Masai warriors; we compared
methods of roasting goats and chickens and enjoyed a hunting
demonstration, while Gnr Margison, our only female, beat all the
Masai at arm wrestling! Our friends also made excellent safari guides
and we all saw a wealth of big game including lion, elephant, buffalo,
cheetah and giraffe.
We then returned to the plan and drove 500km east and up the
side of the Rift Valley to our launch point on the western shore of
the Masinga Dam, the first of three dams built on the Tana. Here, the
expedition proper began, and over the next three days, four canoes
were paddled up to 40km by pairs of novice canoeists, honing our
ability to work together to travel in a straight line and bartering for
tilapia fish caught by the Akamba tribe. The remaining six, comprising
the vehicle party, had a rough ride as roads leading to the shore proved
to be elusive, and maps and local directions were usually inaccurate.
Nights were spent under the stars, with an improvised ‘boma’ of
vehicles and canoes built around our fragile mosquito nets to keep out
any inquisitive wildlife, with two sentries armed with a rape alarm as
a last resort!
We encountered our first moving water at Mwea where banks
overhung with thick vegetation hid all manner of large animals. We
never quite became accustomed to the commotion of animals suddenly
crashing through the undergrowth, with most game fleeing from us but
more worryingly, crocodiles and hippos launching themselves into the
water as we passed. We quickly organised slick drills for avoiding the
increasing threat from submerged pods of hippo. The forward paddler
up front 17
of the first canoe was responsible for spotting and indicating the
location of each beast before it submerged and Ted signalled right or
left to avoid them. The habit of hippo to wallow just below the surface
meant that their numbers were difficult to establish. By giving them a
wide berth and gently knocking on the canoes, we warned them of our
approach, which was sufficient to ensure that they were not alarmed.
Our first leg over, we bypassed a particularly hairy stretch of rapids
by driving north to meet up with the river at the south west corner
of Meru National Park, into the remote semi-desert inhabited by the
Somali. Here the river was significantly wider and shallower and the
strength of flow and numerous sandbanks meant that we often ran
aground and had to drag our laden canoes across sand banks in order
to avoid pods of hippo.
40km later, we entered Kora National Park and the hippo threat
was increasing. Here, the river became wider and shallower still. The
hippos were not familiar with canoes and were often unable to fully
submerge safety below the surface. They consequently became agitated
and several charged us – resulting in some frantic paddling. We were
also forced to wade through shallow water which made us vulnerable
to submerged crocodiles. Having learnt how far we could push the
hippo, I decided to stop the expedition when the sheer number of the
animals, and their increasingly aggressive behaviour, outweighed the
advantages of the adventure. We packed up our last wild campsite and
travelled overnight to Watamu, north of Mombasa on the idyllic Indian
Ocean coast for four days fishing and relaxing on the beach. The final
leg of the expedition was to return to Nairobi on the overnight train,
a flashback to the days when Kenya was a British colony, with crisp
white sheets on our beds and a three course meal with silver service as
the villages and wildlife flashed past in the night.
The expedition owes a debt of gratitude to several key personnel,
most notably Ted Fearon, our intrepid and very patient instructor; the
Defence Advisor Nairobi, Col Mellows, and the 4 Div SO2 Adventure
Training, Maj Tony Phinn. BATUK support was fundamental to
the success of the expedition and we owe a great deal to them for
the provision of two Land Rovers and a DAF truck, packed fuel,
communications and adventure training equipment. The expedition
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011
was made possible by their excellent attitude and private hire of
equivalent vehicles would have been beyond the fiscal scope of
the expedition. Finally, the RA CPD was our key sponsor and they
generously supported the expedition with a large grant. In return,
all expedition members had specific responsibilities and personal
development objectives. Thanks are also due to the RAA and 12
Regt RA’s PRI who were also kind sponsors. The expedition was a
true once-in-a-lifetime experience and the perfect tonic for a battery
that has had a busy operational year. We returned refreshed and
reinvigorated for the challenges ahead.
by Maj Gee Jenner
18
100 TA Gunners pick
up the gauntlet
A fter assembling on a Friday evening after
a day’s work in TA centres as far afield
as Bristol, Luton, Romford and Nottingham,
members of 100 Regt RA (V) lined up, fired
up and made their way to Salisbury Plain for
Ex FLYING GAUNTLET, the long-awaited
and eagerly anticipated regimental military
skills patrol competition. The batteries had
been training hard for months and, oh, how
they were ready for it!
Finally arriving at about 0200 hours on
Saturday, 5 February, there was just enough
time to snatch a few hours sleep before
reveille at 0600 hours and the direct fire
competition. In a series of early-morning
practice missions, Sgt Hatfield (307 Bty
RA (V)) fired the first round of the day and
much to the astonishment of training and
safety staff, achieved a target round first
time. For the competition itself, a detachment
from 266 Bty RA (V), under the command
of Sgt Lewis was first on the firing point
– a poignant moment for Sgt Lewis who
was firing his last live rounds after 20 year’s
service with the TA. There followed several
hours of excellent shooting, some of it with
the CRA 3 (UK) Div, Brig Will Bramble, on
the gun position. No pressure…
With the direct fire competition
concluded, it was time for some
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011
battle preparation for the main event – the
military skills competition which consisted of
nine stands. For us, the start was the command
task, where we made our way across the usual
bottomless crocodile-infested pit equipped,
rather inappropriately, with only three planks
of wood.
Job done it was time to move to the
equipment maintenance stand – enough to
worry any troop commander, but luckily
Cfn Bowmar led the team through a test
paper and the servicing of a Land Rover. The
next six hours took us through to the early
hours of Sunday morning and a variety of
challenges, from map reading under a poncho
(don’t ask!), conducting a section attack and
assembling an SA80 blindfolded, to the
traditional RSM’s kit inspection.
Our most notable successes came on
the next two stands, namely the counter-
improvised explosive device and first aid
stands, encountered in the very early hours
of Sunday morning. Patrolling down a track
under the command of Bdr Leverton, there
was a sudden loud explosion which ‘injured’
the troop commander. After the initial shock
out came the mine clearance kits and thus
began the long and laborious task of making
our way through the minefield to clear a safe
route to the casualty, performing first aid
and getting her away to a helicopter landing
site… at 0200 hours!
Despite the inevitable back and shoulder
pains and aided by the constant sarcasm
and cutting wit of LBdr Terry, we made our
way to the finish line, arriving there at 0430
hours on Sunday morning, ready for bed, but
conscious that reveille, and the final leg of
the competition, the march and shoot, was
only a few hours away.
Slightly refreshed by a few hours sleep
and the usual first-class BQMS fry up,
conditions were set for a march and shoot
with a twist. Teams set off at 15 minute
intervals up and along the Bulford ridge,
equipped with fighting order and John
Wayne grimaces as stiff legs were brought
back into use. The organisers had allowed 35
minutes to complete the march, clearly not
having appreciated (one could even suggest
‘experienced’!) the toll of the last 24 hours.
40 minutes was more like par, and the twist
was that the shoot was with 9mm pistols – an
interesting touch.
As the three batteries assembled we had
no idea of the results so we were all anxious
of what was to come. The first trophy was
awarded to Sgt Hatfield and his detachment
as the winners of the direct fire competition.
The second trophy to be awarded was for the
march and shoot – won by the 266 Bty RA
(V) ‘A’ team for a superb time and almost
faultless shoot on the ranges. And so to
the Blue Riband event - the military skills
competition. With the respective BCs eyeing
each other up across the three-sided square,
the results were finally announced with the
307 Bty RA (V) ‘A’ team snatching a great
victory. The coveted trophy was awarded by
Brig A P Williams, Commander 49 (East)
Bde.
Congratulations to everyone who took
part – a fantastic competition and some great
training opportunities. Here’s to next year!
by 2Lt Wilson and Sgt Hatfield
 19

n duty
ones o
Capt J p HERRICK
on O

Ear defenders
NOT required
W orlds Collide is the new album by Binary Park, out now on Infacted Recordings.
Gunner magazine was given an exclusive preview and, in their informed opinion, can
reliably tell you that is a blindingly good listen! Binary Park is a three-piece, Huw Jones
(vocals and lyrics), Alfred Gregl (music and graphic design) and Torben Schmidt (music and
management). If you like electro-industrial, especially Skinny Puppy, then this is an album
you should certainly hear. You can also detect the influence of such seminal bands as Pearl
Jam, Sound Garden, Led Zepplin and perhaps even Ozric Tentacles and Ultra Vivid Scene.
duty in his studio
Capt Jones off Lead singer, Capt Huw Jones, currently serving at AFC Harrogate as a platoon
commander for Waterloo Coy, is recently returned like so many of you, from Afghanistan. So how
Track list does Huw find the time (when not on duty) to meet his German band mates? Well, it’s pretty easy
these days… Huw ‘met’ Torben and Alfred though their mutual interest in industrial music, and they
1. Main Reset 8. System Sucks
collaborate and compose across the internet. Alfred composes the tracks, sends it through to Huw,
2. Welcome Home 9. Running
who adds the guitar and vocals, sends it back to Alfred, and then Torben, who owns their record label,
3. Wiretripped 10. Worlds Collide
adds the finishing touches and it’s good to go. The album is released this month and to hear it visit
4. Silence Is Speaking 11. Voice Of The Gun
www.infacted-recordings.de.
5. Cropper 12. My Angel
Huw led quite an interesting life before realising his true calling and joining the Gunners… After
6. Fight Son 13. Speed Of Blood
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011

completing a BSc (Hons) in Entertainment Technology at Portsmouth University, he slaved away in

7. Human Disease 14. Dark City
To win a copy of Huw’s debut album, just
answer the following simple question:
What is the name of track number 11 on
World’s Collide?
Send your answers to Gunner Magazine,
HQ DRA, RA Barracks, Larkhill, Salisbury,
Wiltshire SP4 8QT and you could being a
lucky listener!
media land in Soho as a sound engineer. Besides editing sound and dialogue for the BBC, television
ads, festivals and independent films, he finally graduated to the programme Sexcetra – some of you
may have heard of it. I of course have not…
Life in London is sometimes not all it is supposed to be… Huw had very much enjoyed the cadets
at school, so he got fit and applied to Sandhurst. Commissioned into the Gunners in 2008, after YOs he
went to the Fighting Fourth and straight out to Afghanistan. “A learning experience” says Huw. “Busy,
extremely challenging periods are followed by long, quiet periods where the next challenge is to keep
your soldiers happy and content.” I asked what his soldiers thought of his hobby? “My BC thinks it’s
hilarious, and my soldiers think I’m a Goth…” Well, his soldiers are bang on, but he is also a serious
and successful musician . One last point that we would like to make is that, while aiming for world-
wide success, Binary Park and Lt Jones in particular, bear no resemblance to James Blunt.
20 ubique

The 40 Regt RA Gulf War reunion dinner was held on 26 February in the RA Officers’ Mess

The 1

Gnr Gareth Lueng, 208 Bty, 103 Regt RA (V), on exercise in

the Peak District. 208 Bty is preparing several TA Gunners for
operations in Afghanistan

An elephant battery, equipped with 40-pdrs advancing to the front during the Afghan
War, taken from The Graphic, 7 December, 1878
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011

The officers of 26 Fd Regt RA met on 24 February to mark the 20th

Capt Geoff Blackborough, 269 (West Riding) anniversary of crossing the international border into Iraq. From left
Bty, 101 Regt RA (V), on the occasion of the to right: Luke Minshall (GPO 16 Bty); Will Bramble (GPO 17); Danny
Royal Salute in York in celebration of the Skillman (BC 16); Jerry Herbert (Adjt); Mark Corbet Burcher (CO); Paul
anniversary of Queen’s accession to the throne Stanley (BC 159); Robin Bolton (FOO 17); and Phil Curzon (FOO 159)
 ubique 21

1 Arty Bde dinner night was held in the newly-refurnished RA Officers’ Mess on 17 February

Team Athena (pictured above),

led by Lockheed Martin, is
bringing LEAPP into service later
this year. Retired Gunners are
playing an essential role in Team
Athena, led by (from left to right):
Martin Toher (ex 12 Regt RA),
Syd Sydenham (ex GTT/12 Regt
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011

RA), Ian Hoggan (ex 16 Regt

RA), Steve Timms (ex 3 RHA and
1 RHA) and Adam Northeast (ex
12 Regt RA). Not pictured are
Cliff Nolan (ex 12 Regt RA) and
Adi Roach (ex MG and 47 regt
RA), who are both providing tech
support on HERRICK 13

Right: WO2 (BSM) Justin Searle

hands over, to WO2 (BSM)
Andrew Wilkes, the duties of
Battery Sergeant Major of O HQ WO1 (RSM) N Radford, RSM 3 RHA, hands over to to WO1 (RSM) S
Bty (The Rocket Troop), 1 RHA Warner
22 update

Postings
Operational
Lt Col Dawes HQ DRA TPO 01-Aug-11
Lt Col Mead 3 RHA CO 28-Nov-11

Maj Alston 4 Regt RA BC TAC GP 06-Jun-11

awards
Maj Andrews ATC(P) Bty Comd 01-Sep-11
Maj Crawford 3 RHA BC TAC GP 01-Aug-11
Maj Estick 5 Regt RA BC TAC GP 25-Jul-11
Maj Henderson 12 Regt RA BC TAC GP 01-Jun-11
Maj Hart 3 (UK) DIV HQ SO2 ARTY OPS 26-Apr-11
Maj Holland 4 Regt RA BC TAC GP 31-Jul-11
Afghanistan Maj Jagger 4 Regt RA BC TAC GP 22-Aug-11
Maj McCaffrey 12 Regt RA BC TAC GP 31-Jul-11
MBE Maj Nicholson RA GTT SO2 JFR 12-Aug-11
Major Paul Mark Dupuy Maj Nuttal 4 Regt RA BC TAC GP 22-Aug-11
Maj Richardson HQ RSA BC BHQ 17-Sep-11
Maj Rigby 3 RHA BC RHQ TAC 01-Aug-11
Joint Commanders Maj Southall 32 Regt RA BC COMD TP 14-Mar-11

Commendations Maj
Maj
Stansfield
Thornton
40 Regt RA
HQ RSA
UTO
BC TAC GP
09-May-11
08-Sep-11
Maj James Nicholas Sparks Maj Tolley 19 Regt RA QM 05-Sep-11

LBdr Robert Philip Anthony Watts Maj Wiseman HQ RSA SO2 TGTS 15-Aug-11

Maj Adam Nicholas Wilson

Capt Callaghan 101 Regt RA (V) QM(T) 04-Jul-11
Capt Chalker 19 Regt RA QM(T) 27-Jul-11
Capt Constantine 39 Regt RA RCMO 16-May-11
Capt Felton 40 Regt RA FST Comd 01-Mar-11
Capt Field 12 Regt RA QM(T) 23-May-11
Capt Forrester-Addie 47 Regt RA QM(T) 01-Aug-11

l Artillery
a
The Roy
Parachute
DispTlay
The Royal Artillery
eam
Parachute Display Team are
looking for dynamic and professional
soldiers to work with the Black Knights.

Contact the Team Manager:

THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011

Mil: 9 4321 8440 Civ: 01980 628440

Email: rablackknights@aol.com
Web: www.rablackknights.com
 update 23

Capt
Capt
Gould
Harris
47 Regt RA
4 Regt RA
Ops Offr
FST Comd
04-Apr-11
21-Mar-11 Promotions
Capt Jenkins 3 RHA BK 11-Apr-11
Capt Jones AFC (H) Pl Comd 01-Apr-11 TO SERGEANT
Capt Judd HQ RSA SO3 ACS 30-May-11 Sgt Atkinson 12 Regt RA 28-Mar-09
Capt Keir HQ RSA BK 04-Jul-11 Sgt Challoner 7 Para RHA 12-Oct-09
Capt Kirkpatrick 32 Regt RA Ops Offr 11-Apr-11 Sgt Cunningham 19 Regt RA 01-Jun-09
Capt Lobban 47 Regt RA Ops Offr 01-Mar-11 Sgt Darroch 26 Regt RA 01-May-09
Capt Markwick King’s Troop RHA Tp Capt 16-Mar-11 Sgt Dean 3 RHA 01-Feb-10
Sgt Dingley 7 Para RHA 14-Dec-09
Capt Pudsey-Dawson 19 Regt RA FST Comd 23-May-11
Sgt Hills 39 Regt RA 01-Oct-10
Capt Skiffington 19 CTT OC 11-Apr-11
Sgt Holland 29 Cdo Regt RA 03-Sep-10
Capt Wane 4 Regt RA FST Comd 14-Mar-11
Sgt Green 3 RHA 24-May-10
Capt Whiteway 26 Regt RA BK 02-May-11
Sgt Kennedy 7 Para RHA 21-Jul-09
Capt Williamson 5 Regt RA QM(T) 20-Jun-11
Sgt Lea 19 Regt RA 15-Mar-10
Capt Wood 4 Regt RA BK 23-May-11
Sgt Lewis 26 Regt RA 21-Apr-08
Sgt Matthews 29 Cdo Regt RA 28-Jul-10
Lt Pugh 4 Regt RA Tp Comd 21-Jan-11 Sgt Mcintyre 26 Regt RA 02-Apr-11
Sgt Ogley 39 Regt RA 01-Sep-10
WO2 Boissel 3 RHA TECH WO 01-Sep-11 Sgt Satta 3 RHA 07-Jun-10
WO2 Brittain HQ 1 Arty Bde Gnr Arty Log 01-Aug-11 Sgt Spriggs 32 Regt RA 14-May-08
WO2 Burnet HQ RSA SMIG 01-Sep-11 Sgt Starhahn 26 Regt RA 04-Jun-09
WO2 Chisnall HQ DRA QGI 01-Apr-11 Sgt Stuart 14 Regt RA 31-Mar-10
WO2 Forrester DTE REGT WO 07-Sep-11 Sgt Taylor 3 RHA 20-Oct-10
WO2 Grace Defence Academy CMT TD 01-Apr-11 Sgt Watkins 29 Cdo Regt RA 01-Feb-10
WO2 Harris HQ RSA SMS RHQ 03-May-11 Sgt Walton 29 Cdo Regt RA 03-Sep-10
WO2 Harrison ART 13B 2 IC 31-May-11 Sgt Zeitsman 7 Para RHA 11-Jan-10
WO2 James Leeds UOTC PSI 01-Sep-11
WO2 Morgan 104 Regt RA (V) SPSI 01-May-11 TO BOMBARDIER
WO2 Murie HQ RSA SMIG 01-Sep-11 Bdr Alfred 47 Regt RA 10-Mar-11
WO2 Seddon 101 Regt RA (V) SPSI 01-Jun-11 Bdr Andrews 1 RHA 01-Feb-11
WO2 Thomson Oxford UOTC PSI 01-May-11 Bdr Baines King’s Troop RHA 12-Jun-10
Bdr Brennan 39 Regt RA 01-Feb-11
Bdr Brittain 26 Regt RA 28-Feb-11
SSgt Bell CSTTG CAST CIS MGR 01-Sep-11
Bdr Brown 7 Para RHA 02-Oct-10
SSgt Byrom HQ RSA SMIG 01-Sep-11
Bdr Bullard 19 Regt RA 21-Jan-11
SSgt Cook HQ RSA SMIG 01-Sep-11
Bdr Carter 1 RHA 07-Mar-11
SSgt Cummin HQ RSA SMIG 01-Sep-11
Bdr Cooke 29 Cdo Regt RA 04-Feb-11
SSgt Ellis 12 Regt RA RQMS 01-May-11
Bdr Davidson 4 Regt RA 01-Feb-11
SSgt Fraser 101 Regt RA (V) SPSI 01-Sep-11 Bdr Dawling 7 Para RHA 08-Oct-10
SSgt Gardner RA GTT REGT WO 01-Sep-11 Bdr Fulton 1 RHA 03-Dec-10
SSgt Johnson 100 Regt RA (V) CISWO 01-Sep-11 Bdr Greenwood 4 Regt RA 17-Feb-11
SSgt Kinghorn HQ DRA QGI AD 01-Sep-11 Bdr Hartley 39 Regt RA 01-Feb-11
SSgt Marples HQ DRA QGI FD TRG 01-Sep-11 Bdr Hohne 26 Regt RA 28-Feb-11
SSgt Morgan RA GTT QGI FD 01-Sep-11 Bdr Jefferson 3 RHA 01-Mar-11
SSgt Page HQ RSA SMIG 01-Sep-11 Bdr Jones 1 RHA 07-Mar-11
SSgt Parr HQ RSA TSM 01-Sep-11 Bdr Keelan 39 Regt RA 01-Feb-11
SSgt Pipe HQ RSA SMIG 01-Sep-11 Bdr Kinsey 47 Regt RA 10-Mar-11
SSgt Pybus 100 Regt RA (V) SPSI 01-Sep-11 Bdr Lake 29 Cdo Regt RA 11-Feb-11
SSgt Reid RA TDU REGT WO AD 01-Sep-11 Bdr Leighton King’s Troop RHA 17-Feb-11
SSgt Riley HQ RSA SMIG 01-Sep-11 Bdr Merifield 1 RHA 06-Dec-10
SSgt Ruck RA GTT REGT WO 01-Sep-11 Bdr Morris 39 Regt RA 01-Feb-11
SSgt Short HQ RSA SMIG 01-Sep-11 Bdr Nixon 39 Regt RA 01-Feb-11
SSgt Stiff HQ RSA SMIG 01-Sep-11 Bdr Noble 39 Regt RA 01-Apr-11
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011

SSgt Turpin HQ RSA SMIG 01-Sep-11 Bdr Pagan-Skelley King’s Troop RHA 29-Dec-08
Bdr Potts 39 Regt RA 01-Feb-11
SSgt Vernon 106 Regt RA (V) SPSI 01-Sep-11
Bdr Priestley 1 RHA 16-Dec-10
SSgt Weir HQ DRA QGI FD 01-Sep-11
Bdr Rokovucago 26 Regt RA 21-Feb-11
SSgt Weston HQ RSA SMIG 01-Sep-11
Bdr Sides 1 RHA 08-Nov-10
SSgt Whiles 26 Regt RA RQMS 01-May-11
Bdr Smith 39 Regt RA 01-Mar-11
SSgt Wibberley HQ RSA SMIG 01-Sep-11
Bdr Spence 32 Regt RA 20-Feb-11
SSgt Wilde RAGTT QGI TGT 01-Sep-11
Bdr Spencer 39 Regt RA 01-Apr-11
SSgt Wilks Joint GBAD WO Staneval 01-Sep-11 Bdr Spinks 29 Cdo Regt RA 01-Jun-10
SSgt Williams HQ DRA REGT WO 01-Sep-11 Bdr Travers 47 Regt RA 10-Mar-11
SSgt Wotherspoon HQ RSA FAC 01-Sep-11 Bdr Wolfendale 39 Regt RA 01-Feb-11
SSgt Yates 103 Regt RA (V) CISWO 01-Sep-11 Bdr Yates 1 RHA 29-Nov-10
24 raa

Regimental Family
round up
Northern Region RAA A milestone birthday

C ol R J H (Dick) Harding-Newman celebrates his 100th

The Northern Region annual dinner. From left to
right: WO1 (RSM) Guest, WO1 (RSM) Armstrong,
Terry Clarke, Chairman Northern Region, Maj Gen
John Milne, Regimental Controller
birthday on 22 April – a wonderful achievement to crown
a Gunner career that spanned much of the last 80 years. Born
in 1911, Dick was commissioned into the RFA from the ‘Shop’
in 1931. After regimental duty with 9 Fd Bde, one of the first
artillery units to be mechanised, and in Gibraltar with six-inch
coastal guns, he earned his jacket, joining 1 RHA in 1937.
Sent to France and Belgium with the Chestnut Troop he
fought with the BEF in 1939 before being posted as adjutant to
72 Regt RA in March 1940 – just in time to fight the rearguard
action that saw him evacuated through Dunkirk on 31 May the
same year.

T he Northern Region of the RAA held its AGM and

dinner on 12 March in the WOs’ and Sergeants’
Mess of 5 Regt RA at Marne Barracks, Catterick. We
extend our thanks to WO1 (RSM) Pete Armstrong and
his mess staff for their kind hospitality.
The Chairman, Terry Clarke, warmly welcomed the
principal guest, Maj Gen John Milne, the Regimental
Controller. The AGM was attended by representatives
from every branch of the RAA in our area of
responsibility, and all of the Gunner regiments, the
only exception being 101 Regt RA (V) who were live
firing on Otterburn Ranges.
The regimental reports all demonstrated how
important our role is in Afghanistan, especially that
of target acquisition.
The branch reports were also enlightening with
strengths varying from two to 47 members. Branch
activities also vary; Wakefield has two lady members
who year after year raise around £1,000 for the
RACF while other branches have been involved in
sponsored walks and coffee mornings to raise money
for charity. The comradeship and openness between
branches continues to be outstanding with many
of them coming together for social and memorial
occasions.
Throughout the year, the region’s Standards
have paraded at national events and been involved
in paying compliments and respects to deceased
members. We also had the privilege of attending
the service of thanksgiving and remembrance
organised by 4 Regt RA at Ripon Cathedral and the
Re-affirmation of the Freedom of Sunderland Parade
where nine Standards from the region were on
parade.
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011
He was in action in the Western Desert, first as BC of 286 Bty
RA (with whom he was wounded and evacuated to South Africa
for six months) and later as second-in-command, and for a short
time temporary CO, of 2 RHA. In March 1944 he assumed
command of 60 Anti-Tank Regt RA, taking the regiment to
Taranto in Italy where they became involved with ‘Porter Force’
and Popski’s Private Army. In November the same year he was
posted again, this time to command 14 RHA in Syria where
he and his regiment confined a garrison of French troops in
Aleppo to barracks – something he always regarded as a career
highlight.
After the war, during which he married Eileen Stern in London on 14 January 1944,
Dick continued to serve in a variety of staff jobs in Scotland, Italy, Gibraltar, Malaya
(where he was promoted full colonel), Malta and finally Colchester. Interspersed with
these overseas postings he was second-in-command of 5 RHA in Osnabruck and CO of
12 LAA Regt RA in Celle and Herford.
Appointed CBE, he retired in 1963 to work as an RO in the MOD and at Aldershot
where he ran Tweseldown Racecourse – another career highlight. Now living in retirement
near Newmarket with his wife Eileen, to whom he has been married for 67 years, Dick
enjoys great good health.
On behalf of the Master Gunner and serving and retired Gunners the world over we
offer Col Dick our heartiest congratulations on reaching his 100th birthday, while at the
same time wishing him many happy returns.
Sheffield Branch

After the AGM the annual dinner was held with 83

people dining; our thanks go to Pete Farrow and his
chefs for an excellent meal.The Mess Manager, Sgt
Robinson, also deserves a mention.
The Chairman would like to thank all those
who took part, especially those from the serving
regiment. He wishes a safe return to all of our forces
on deployment, and good health and a safe future
for those who are about to deploy. He sends his best
wishes to all branches of the RAA. Mr Frank Yates, Secretary of the Sheffield Branch RAA celebrated his 90th birthday at a recent
branch meeting. From left to right: Col Roger Inman, Brian Clayton (Branch President) and
by Tug Wilson
Frank Yates
 letters 25

Remembering Rhyl Operation Vantage

Regarding your editorial in the March edition, I was very interested Reading The First Gulf War (January edition) reminds me of the first
in your time spent at Rhyl as a young lieutenant as it brought back Gunner deployment to Kuwait on Operation Vantage in June 1961.
memories of the time I was at Rhyl in September 1942, serving with Although not exactly a Gulf war it was a successful effort to forestall
the RAMTS – the Royal Artillery Mechanical Traction School. I was war. At that time I was a NGFSO with 148 (Meiktila) Cdo Bty RA in
one of the early ‘tank bombardiers’ who took men from their units at Malta and joined 2 Para in Cyprus to fly into Kuwait with them and I
home and overseas and gave them instruction on SP guns and tanks. subsequently joined various RN ships in support. Gunners were well
The courses were for four weeks, covering admin then driving and represented throughout this deployment and many may claim that this
maintenance over roads and open country. I was extrememly fortunate, was really the First Gulf War?
being in the right place at the right time to be chosen for the job and I Maj Peter Higgins
enjoyed it very much. I am now 88 and I often wonder if any of those Colchester
bombardiers are still alive.
Len Gill Operation Vantage was a British military operation in 1961 to support
Newton Abbot the then newly independent state of Kuwait against territorial claims
by its neighbour, Iraq. Britain reacted to a call for protection from the
If anybody remembers Len from his days at Rhyl, and later Bovington, Amir of Kuwait and air, sea and land forces were in place within days.
and would like to get in touch please ring us at The Gunner offices. Iraq did not attack and the British forces were replaced by the Arab
Editor. League. Iraq recognised Kuwaiti independence in 1963. And there the
matter rested until August 1990... Editor.
Gap year in Hong Kong
Your obituary for Maj Bunny Underhill (March) brought back Come and join us!
memories from over half a century ago. It was the summer of 1958 Larkhill Choral Society is a friendly choir with high standards which
and I was a national service second lieutenant in 46 (Talavera) Bty, has the privilege of singing in the Larkhill Garrison Church. We
32 Med Regt RA based in Carlisle where Maj Underhill was my BC. enjoy some glorious music under the guidance of our young musical
In quick succession it was announced that national service was to end director, usually giving concerts three times a year. Our rehearsals,
and the master of the Cambridge college where I was due that October on Tuesday evenings at 1930 hours, are great fun. No auditioning is
wrote assuring me of a place, but asking me if I could help by finding necessary – just come along and join in. Many of us are Gunners, or
something to do for a year to help them cope with two years’ worth of retired Gunners, or the family of Gunners, so we speak the language
students trying to enter at the same time. and we’re ‘user-friendly’! So, if anybody would like to join us, or
We heard that 32 Regt RA was posted to Hong Kong and I became wants further information, they can ring me, Antonia Robb, on 01670
forever indebted to Bunny Underhill and the then CO, Lt Col John 670614.
Fairclough, when they agreed to me converting to an extended service Antonia Robb
commission for a year to go with the regiment to Hong Kong. A year Durrington
as a full subaltern on enhanced pay in Hong Kong at that time was
better than any ‘gap year’. Happy memories.
Col Mike Taylor CBE TD DL
Penrith
Packing a punch
I was sorry to read of the passing of Lt Col Bob Smailes (December
2010) and unaware that he had remained in the Gunners and given so
much service to the regiment. He was a great chap though I only recall
his early years with the Gunners, initially at the RA OCTU at Deepcut
where we sometimes sparred together. I was a middleweight and Bob
at that time was a light heavyweight.
That was over 60 years ago and I still remember he packed a rather
lethal right hand. A couple of years later we met again when he joined
1 RHA at Fayid. I am not surprised that he enjoyed such a long and
distinguished career; he really was a great chap even if he did wallop
me occasionally. But then all the best chaps are Gunners – aren’t
they?
Charles ‘Chalky’ White
Liverpool

SO prompts TY
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011

I was about to pop my new standing order form in the post but I
thought I should send a covering letter. With no artillery regiments or
RAA branches in this area, The Gunner is the only communication I
have with you all.
The articles on our forces taken prisoner by the Japanese make
one realise the futility and suffering they endured before their Last
Post was sounded, and now, of course, we read of those serving in
Afghanistan.
My very best wishes to you all for publishing such an excellent
monthly magazine which I always read cover to cover.
Donald Matheson
Inverness
26 in memoriam
Lt Col T C Willett
D uring the First World War artillery fire
was directed from the air by pilots of
the Royal Flying Corps and from 1 April,
1918, of the RAF. Many of the pilots were
former army officers with an understanding
of ground force tactics but few of them
were still flying by the late 1930s. It was
then that Capt Charles Bazeley RA, an
enthusiastic amateur pilot, proposed that
this task might in future be undertaken
by Gunner officers trained to fly light
observation aircraft, rather than by pilots
of RAF machines designed primarily for
other types of mission.
Being unarmed and vulnerable, the air-
observation flight aircraft would depend
on low-level, agile flying to survive, skills
already practiced by RAF army liaison
flights to which army officers were attached
before the outbreak of war.
In 1940, Bazeley was appointed to
command D Flight RAF specifically to
develop the artillery target spotting and
fire control techniques required by artillery
regiments. Together with five other Gunner
subalterns, Terry Willett was selected for
pilot and fire-direction training to man the
aircraft of Bazeley’s flight.
Doubt as to the feasibility of the scheme
was expressed by the RAF, particularly as
the Desert Air Force achieved such high
levels of ground support for the 8th Army
in North Africa, but Bazeley’s flight proved
so successful that it was decided to form 12
air-observation post (AOP) squadrons. In
June 1942, Willett was promoted to major
to raise and train No. 654 AOP Sqn in time
to join the British 1st Army for ‘Operation
Torch’, the Allied invasion of French North
Africa in November that year.
His squadron earned high praise for its
performance during the sea and airborne
landings on Sicily and the amphibious
operation at Salerno. These were followed
by air OP support for the drawn-out but
eventually successful Battle of Cassino
in May 1944. Success had affirmed the
artillery air observation post concept.
Willett was promoted to lieutenant-colonel
as chief instructor of Air OP training in
England, holding the post until 1946 when
he handed over to the father of the idea:
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011
Charles Bazeley.
Terence Charles Willett was the only
child of Lt Col C J Willett of the Royal
Berkshire Regt. Educated privately, he
joined his father’s business as a builder’s
merchant in Birmingham and enlisted in the
Warwickshire Yeomanry in the mid-1930s,
then a mounted cavalry unit. Commissioned
soon after the outbreak of war, he went to
France with 68 Fd Regt RA, as part of the
British Expeditionary Force, and survived
the evacuation through Dunkirk.
Granted a regular commission after the
war, he went to Palestine with 66 AA Regt
RA, part of 6 AB Div. On withdrawal of
the British Mandate force in 1948, he was
appointed to command 53 Ind Fd Bty, East
African Artillery, serving in the former Italian
Somaliland, to be followed by four years in
Nanyuki, Kenya. Subsequently he attended
the Staff College, Camberley, and joined the
staff of RMA Sandhurst, to where he returned
after leaving the Army in 1964 as a lecturer in
modern studies.
Encouraged by social scientists in the War
Office whom he had met in course of his
work with the Regular Commissions Board
where he was a member of an assessment
team, he began part-time study for a PhD
at the London School of Economics where
he developed ideas for a thesis about
serious motoring offences and offenders.
His Criminal on the Road published in 1964
attracted international interest and earned the
motoring offender a place in criminology.
Largely on the strength of this pioneering
work, he was appointed lecturer in the
fledgling Department of Sociology at
Reading University and also took on the role
of Warden at Windsor Hall, a new student
residence. During this time, he was appointed
a Justice of the Peace and a visiting assessor
on the selection board for the Foreign Office
and the Administrative Class of the Civil
Service, making use of his experience on the
Regular Commissions Board.
In 1969 a former tutor interested him in
a year at Queen’s University in Kingston,
Ontario, where he accepted an Associate
Professorship in 1970. While attending
the American Sociol-ogical [sic] Society
Annual Conference in New Orleans in
1971 he met Morris Janowitz, one of the
founders of the inter-university seminar on
society. This led him to develop a course
at Queen’s designed to expand the scope
of criminology to embrace the phenomena
of revolt and growing concerns about the
involvement of the world’s armed forces in
its suppression.
His efforts in this direction were not
well received and his book A Heritage at
Risk failed to attract attention. A second
book, Drivers after Sentence, published
in 1973 as a follow-up to Criminal on
the Road, offered new lines of inquiry on
what traffic offenders think and do about
their sentences and was more favourably
received. Later, he turned his interest
to developing correspondence courses
hoping to raise their status in the university.
He taught courses on criminology and
deviance at external locations, for example
at Bermuda where the distinctive style of
involving practitioners in the classes proved
successful.
He retired formally in 1983 but was
appointed Professor Emeritus by Queen’s
and continued to offer courses until the death
in 1994 of his wife Winifred ‘Freddie’, née
Small, an American bacteriologist who he
had met and married in England in 1942.
He is survived by a son and daughter.
Lt Col Terry Willett was born on
December 23, 1918. He died on 4 March,
aged 92.
This obituary is based on one that was
published in The Times on 9 March and is
used here with permission. The photograph
of him in Italy with his jeep ‘F for Freddie’
(his aircraft call-sign and his young wife’s
nickname) is used courtesy of his family.

WO1 (RSM) I H Hollebon MM MSM
W O1 (RSM) I H (Tom) Hollebon MM
MSM who won his Military Medal
in Italy, died after a short illness in hospital,
on 22 January 2011, aged 96.
He joined the Royal Artillery in 1932,
initially serving in the UK, before being
posted to India in 1935 and returning to
the UK in 1938. This was the period when
the Gunners went through the change from
being horse drawn to being mechanized.
Brigaded batteries were formed for the
first time into regiments, as we know them
today.
His was a long, protracted war - within
a month of the outbreak of World War Two
he was in action in France with the British
Expeditionary Force, being one of the last
troops to leave French soil and arriving
back in the UK on 16 June 1940.
He left the UK again on 15 January
1941 and was involved in operations
with the 8th Army in North Africa, Sicily,
Monte Cassino and northern Italy, where
he won his Military Medal as a BSM in 17
Regt RA, on 20 June 1944. He remained on
operations until the end of the war. He did a
short tour in Austria, where, having always
had a love of horses, he organised some
showjumping competitions with horses
left behind by the retreating German Army.
In early 1947 he was posted as a WO2
(BSM) to 21 Anti-Tank Regt RA in Kiel in
Germany. While in Kiel he was known, in
true Horse Gunner tradition, to ride around
the town on a grey charger while inspecting
his battery on foot patrols.
Later in 1947, personnel from 21 Regt
Capt Anthony Payne
S adly we announce the death of Capt
Anthony Payne who died in his sleep
after a short illness on 24 January. He
was 87. He signed on in 1940 and, like
four generations of his family before him,
was commissioned in 1941 into the Royal
Artillery.
By the end of the war he was one of only
two of his intake to survive. After various
postings in Britain he landed at Aramanches
in Normandy in 1944 and advanced with
the front line all the way to Hamburg
receiving a Mentioned in Despatches
for his composure under fire when the
entire battery was wiped out around him.
Unusually he was also awarded the Dutch
Bronze Cross for conspicuous gallantry
during the liberation of the Netherlands. At
the age of 21 he found himself in charge of a
DP camp containing thousands of refugees;
were used as the nucleus to reform 4 RHA.
Initially he was a WO2 (BSM) in W Bty
RHA and subsequently, N Bty (The Eagle
Troop) RHA.
In March 1948 he returned with the
regiment to Blackdown, where he remained
until 4 RHA moved to Hohne (BAOR) in
March 1951. He served in N Bty until 1955,
when he became the RSM of 4 RHA, a post
he held until 1959.
It is interesting to note that RSM Hollebon
left the UK on 15 January 1941 and did not
return until 10 March 1948.
His last appointment was in January
1959, as the RSM of the Essex Yeomanry
RHA (TA), a post he held until he retired in
July 1961, after completing nearly 29 years
service.
RSM Tom Hollebon was throughout
his service a dedicated soldier, a firm
disciplinarian and a man who set the highest
standards, which he instilled in others, who
followed his example. They maintained these
standards throughout their lives. He was a
gentle, unassuming man, who was one of
the finest Gunners and Horse Artillerymen
of his generation. He was truly a soldier and
gentleman who was very highly respected.
He will be sadly missed by all who knew
him.
Writing of his service as RSM of 4 RHA
in A History of 4 RHA, Maj Bill Clarke
said: “Theirs is a story of outstanding
achievements, they were surely the ‘best of
the best’. All credit must go to WO1 (RSM) I
H Hollebon MM, for helping them to achieve
this distinction.”
on one occasion having to pull a pistol on a
German nurse to force her to treat an ill new-
born Ukranian child.
After the war he served with MI6, rapidly
learning Polish to assist communication and
found himself in charge of a camp containing
thousands of refugees. He then became ADC to
the Minister of War in Atlee’s Cabinet, Manny
Shinwell, travelling with him extensively in
Europe and to the White House, often with all
the chiefs of staff.
On leaving the Army in 1951, he moved
with his wife, Joan, to Marnhull in north
Dorset where he lived for 55 years, farming
until 1966 when he started a company and
ultimately employing 200 people making
reproduction furniture with inlaid brass
marquetry.
On retirement he turned all his attention
to family and community, serving on the
in memoriam 27
After retiring from the Army in 1961,
Tom joined the Marconi Company in
Chelmsford working on defence contracts
worldwide and remained there until he
reached the age of 65. He was a man
who loved his family, his bungalow and
his garden and he lived alone after the
sudden death of his beloved wife Annelies
in March 2005. Tom leaves a son, Peter,
grandson Guy and great grandson Tristan
in whose lives he leaves a huge void.
He was a staunch supporter of the Royal
Horse Artillery Association for nearly 60
years and attended association functions
and AGMs for as long as anyone can
remember. We shall meet again, sir. DB.
parish council for 30 years and reviving
many traditions in the village, especially
those involved with the young. Always the
champion of the underdog, and never one to
yield in the face of adversity, he spearheaded
the defence of the village against the high
frequency radio installations proposed by
the BBC on Henstridge Airfield, adding the
soubriquet ‘Pylon Payne’ to his list of fond
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011
nicknames. He tried wherever possible to
help retain the innate character of the village:
resurrecting the flower show; keeping the
village craft and talent festival ‘Marnhull
Can Make It’ going; and, in the face of ever-
increasing apathy, helped to keep even the
Conservative Association alive.
He was highly respected and is
remembered with great affection and
gratitude. He is survived by his wife, Joan,
and two sons, Johnny and Tim.
28 sport

Sgt Robert Findlater Last Po

R obert ‘Bobby’ Findlater, who has died at the age of 91, was
a Dumfriesshire man who survived the terrors of life as a
prisoner of the Japanese during World War Two. Brought up in
EVANS – Lt Col George Edwin Evans OBE
died peacefully on 21 March, aged 85. He
was Director of Music of the RA Mounted
the small village of Thornhill, near Dumfries, he had a life long Band, Germany in the late 1960sand went on
association with horses. to become Director of Music at Kneller Hall,
In 1939 Bobby joined the TA and, perhaps not surprisingly, the top job in his profession.
he and his friends plumped for the Lanarkshire Yeomanry, a
FITZPATRICK – Tom Fitzpatrick died on 9
volunteer cavalry regiment which had traditionally drawn its
February, aged 86. He started off in the Home
recruits from both Lanarkshire and Dumfriesshire. When war
Guard then went into the Royal Artillery.
finally broke out he and his mates cheerfully made their way
He faught at Monte Cassino, Holland and
to the regimental base in Lanark to sign on. Military life was
Germany and kept in touch with friends he
initially dull and tedious and it was not until March 1941, when
made in these countries right up until the
the regiment, now redesignated as the 155 (Lanarkshire Yeomanry) Fd Regt RA, sailed
time of his death. He was a founder member
from Gourock aboard the SS Strathmore, that the seriousness of their situation dawned on
of the RAA Branch in Oldham and worked as
them.
SAAFA agent for Oldham and District Area.
Initially under the impression that they were destined for action in the Middle East
Tom worked tirelessly for his members in the
against the Afrika Corps, they were less than impressed when, in August of that year
RAA, arranging trips and events for them.
while undergoing acclimatisation in the hot and dusty plains of India, they learned of the
He always enjoyed this and just before he
increasingly warlike belligerence of the Japanese in the Far East. So instead of the dry heat
died he was attending meetings at the Ashton
of the North African deserts the men of the Lanarkshire Yeomanry soon found themselves
and Chadderton Branches. Tom will be
in the wet and humid conditions of Malayan rubber plantations. The resulting Malayan
sadly missed by all his family and his many
campaign was a fiasco. Despite fierce and courageous resistance by the Lanarkshire
friends.
Yeomanry and the other allied troops on the ground, the lack of preparation and a proper
assessment of Japanese capabilities, led to the inevitable fall of Singapore on 15 February, GOODEVE-BALLARD – Col Mike
1942. Goodeve-Ballard died on 15 March in
As a prisoner of a militaristic nation which considered human life to be of little value, Adelaide, South Australia, aged 80. His career
the future did not augur well for Bobby. For the first few months conditions were just as a Gunner started in 1947 when he joined
bearable as the POWs were set to work in the docks and godowns of Singapore harbour. the TA and ended in 1985 after an exchange
Food was invariably boiled rice (and not much of it) but those POWs working in the docks posting with the Australian Ordnance Council
quickly became skilled at stealing from behind the backs of their brutal captors. Hacksaw in Canberra. He stayed on in Australia working
blades, needles and lighter flints could all be traded with the helpful local Chinese and for the Australian Army in a civilian role.
enabled the POWs to add some small variety to their limited and bland diet. But all this was During his career as a territorial, a national
to change in October when Bobby and thousands of other POWs left Singapore crammed service officer and a regular officer he served
35 to each metal railway truck which made up the many trains making the long, slow and in almost all the possible roles available to a
tortuous journey to Thailand. Gunner. He volunteered for Korea where he
In the years that followed he and many others slaved and suffered on the now infamous was a GPO with 42 Lt Bty in 61 Lt Regt RA
‘Death Railway’ built between Thailand and Burma where it is considered that a man died who were equipped with the 4.2-inch mortar.
for every sleeper laid along the 240 mile track. But Bobby was a survivor. Before going off Additionally he served with Q Bty 257 (HC)
to war, as a teenager he had been in the habit of camping out and roughing it during cycling Fd Regt, 67 and 64 Trg Regts, Y Bty of 10
trips to the Lake District. And while the idyllic conditions of the Cumbrian fells little Anti-Tank Regt, which became 10 (SP) Fd
compared with the disease-ridden jungles of Thailand, they had served to make him self- Regt, 24 HAA Regt, 192 Svy Trg Bty, 47
reliant and well able to look after himself. Despite being one of the youngest sergeants on GW Regt, 42 Med Regt and he commanded
the railway, he frequently found himself responsible for the well-being of scores of soldiers
many years older than himself. Starved and beaten, eventually their time of suffering came Gunner rugby fixtures
to an end and although more men of the Lanarkshire Yeomanry died as POWs than fell in Men’s vets
action, the survivors began to make their long way home.
07 May 7 Para RHA v RA Kneller Hall
On return to Thornhill, Bobby set about rebuilding his life. The legacy of his time on
the Death Railway resulted in a long spell in Ballochmyle Hospital and after his discharge
he began work in Kilpatrick’s bacon factory in Thornhill where he was to remain all his Gunner football
working life. A happier note was his marriage to Peggy with whom he had four children. 11-15 Inter Bty Larkhill
Sadly the youngest, Brian, died at the age of five months. Apr Shield Week
With a growing family his finances were always stretched but he still found the
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011

22 Apr Easter NA
wherewithall to keep ponies and the children were able to ride before they could walk.
From ponies for the children his interest developed to thoroughbreds and in the decades 29 Apr Easter NA
to follow he became a well-known figure at the unofficial (or ‘flapping’ tracks) throughout 9 May REME v Blandford Quads
Scotland. Although they may not have competed against Derby winners, Bobby’s horses, Gunners
including the celebrated Andy Capp, Golden Catch and Disco Demon, were synonymous
with those small, but well-attended, tracks in the Borders and west of Scotland. 11 May R Signals v Blandford Quads
Bobby Findlater was a man who loved life. On the rare occasions when he did talk about Gunners
his dark experiences as a POW it was evident that it was his determination and will to 13 May Gunners v Blandford Quads
survive which had pulled him through when many others succumbed to the starvation and Sappers
brutality. He leaves his wife Betty, the love of his life; children Margaret, John and Linda
6-10 Gunner Cup Larkhill
and many grandchildren.They and others will all miss his cheerfulness and zest for life.
Jun Week
 sport 29

ost
23 JSTU in Woomera. He also worked on
Adi Powell Memorial Match
The Adi Powell Memorial rugby match will take place at
projects involving Blue Water, Thunderbird, Richmond College sports ground on 7 May at 1100hrs.
Swingfire, Lance, Light Gun, SP70 and FH70
as well as postings to RMCS and RSRE. He All former and serving members of 7 Para RHA are
had nothing if not a full career. He is survived encouraged to attend.
by Jean, his wife of 57 years, his children Pip
and Chris and his grandchildren, Rijan, James,
Richard and Sara.
MORRELL – Alistair John Morrell died on
Hopson Memorial Match
24 Feb, aged 63. “God has taken you from us, Bdr Craig Hopson was serving with 40 Regt RA when he was killed by an
taken you to rest, it is not for us to understand, IED in Helmand in 2009. He was just 24. Now his Royal Artillery Rugby
he only takes the best.” Love Sarah, Julie and League team and his team-mates from his hometown will meet in a match
Paula. at Twickenham. The match, on Friday, April 15, will raise funds for ABF The
Soldiers’ Charity and The Royal Artillery Charitable Fund. The game will be a
NEWTON – Bdr Nigel ‘Tich’ Newton died curtain raiser to the main fixture – the Harlequins vs Castleford Tigers.
on Boxing Day morning after a very long Kick off for the Craig Hopson memorial match will be at 1700hrs, with the
illness. He served with 42 Regt RA and 68/18 main match kicking off at 1930hrs. To book tickets, call the ticket hotline on
Bty RA as a battery clerk and excelled in his 0871 527 1315, or book online by going to www.quins.co.uk, and clicking on
love for cross-country running. He always ‘RL Matches’ using the promotional code Hopson2.
had a smile for anyone and was a friend to the
end. Nigel will be sadly missed by his family
and friends but never forgotten.
TOLPUTT – Arthur Tolputt, holder of the RA
RA RFC Forecast of Events
Medal, died on 18 February, aged 87. Arthur Match Date Event Location Remarks
served with the Royal Artillery during the war Fri, 15 April RA v Castleford Twickenham, Hopson Trophy Memorial Match
in North Africa, Greece and Italy, including and District Select The Stoop
the battle for Monte Cassino. He was the
secretary of Dover Branch of the RAA for 56 Wed, 18 May RA v REME Aldershot Lawson Cup Round 1 Corps Competition
years, and was then treasurer until his sudden Wed, 1 June RA v RE Larkhill Lawson Cup Round 2, Corps Competition
demise. He was also the district secretary for
Wed, 15 June RA v RLC South Lawson Cup Round 3, Corps Competition
many years, and was awarded the RA Medal
Cerney
for his services to the RAA. He will be sorely
missed by all his friends at Dover Branch and Wed, 25 June Corps Finals Twickenham, Lawson Cup Final, Corps Competition
Kent District. Arthur leaves his wife Pamela, The Stoop
son Keith and two grandchildren. Wed, 6 July RA v Royal Larkhill Sebastopol Cup, Annual Inter Corps Match,
TRAVERS – WO1 (RSM) Alex Travers died Marines Annual Dinner Night
of cancer on 1 March, aged 77. He was BSM Thurs, 28 July RA 9’s Challenge Larkhill Challenge Cup , RA Inter Unit Competition
of 10 (Assaye) Bty RA from 1967 to 1972 Cup
and later RSM of 103 Regt RA (V). He was
a very special Gunner who will be missed by Fri, 9 Sept Army v Royal Navy Twickenham, Jack Harrison VC Memorial Trophy, Inter
his family and many friends. The Stoop Services Competition

Skippers and crew wanted RA Cricket Club

The RAYC yacht, Saint Barbara V, has been entered into the Sail Training Association’s Tall Ships Races this
year; an annual gathering of a fleet of the world’s most famous sailing vessels and the opportunity for some
fantastic offshore sailing. The fleet gathers in Waterford, Ireland and sails via Greenock, Lerwick, Stavanger
Trials, Larkhill
(Norway) and on to Halmstad in Sweden. There are nine berths on board of which there will be room for up 3 and 4 May form
to six ‘trainees’ (50 per cent or the crew has to be 16-25 years old). The remaining crew will be made up of
the skipper and the qualified watch leaders. This is an outstanding event which gives a mix of challenging 1000hrs
offshore sailing, in some glorious parts of Europe, with a healthy dose of international social opportunities for
those taking part. The dates for the exercise are:
All news players
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011

Leg 1: 18 - 29 Jun 11. Gosport to Waterford (Ireland). Delivery Leg. Leg 2: 29 Jun - 10 Jul 11. Waterford to welcome.
Greenock (Scotland). Race 1. Leg 3: 10 - 22 Jul 11. Greenock to Lerwick (Shetland). Cruise in company. Leg
4: 22 - 29 Jul 11. Lerwick to Stavanger (Norway). Race 2. Leg 5: 29 Jul - 7 Aug 11. Stavanger to Halmstad Contact the secretary
(Sweden). Race 3. Leg 6: 7 Aug - 20 Aug 11. Halmstad to Gosport. Delivery leg.
Crew will be required to make a personal contribution but much of the trip will be paid for by Adventure RACC Maj Tim
Training grants. HQs, regiments (both regular and TA) and individuals are encouraged to participate. If Osman on 07753
interested please contact:
SSgt Smith,Export Support Team (Larkhill), Tel: 01980 845786, Fax: 01980
856633 or 94222 2327
845801. Email: uktiestl-fd1@mod.uk or Lt Col R B Bolton RA, SO1 Export
Email: Timothy.
Support Team (UKTI/DSO), Tel: 020 7215 8218, Fax: 020 7215 8353.
Email: robin.bolton@ukti.gsi.gov.uk osman668@mod.uk
30 sport

Gunner basketball
A fter a week of training at Larkhill under the expert tuition of Capt
Sandy Frew, three well-drilled Gunner basketball teams (men’s transfers to
A and B teams and a novice female team) headed for Grantham and the PT Corps
potential glory at the Inter-Corps Basketball Championships. he would only
The men’s B team launched straight into three full games on the be allowed to
first day, convincingly beating the Royal Engineers in the first game eat egg-white
– always a satisfying way to start a day! With some energetic and and drink
skilled basketball throughout the week, they eventually came third in protein-shake.
the league losing only to the AMS and the REME who came first and Whatever
second in the league respectively. Their performance was excellent the reason,
and it is encouraging to see the depth of talent that Gunner basketball he will be
enjoys. sorely missed
Meanwhile the men’s A team launched their offensive. With a in Gunner
line-up of outstanding players, among them two soldiers from 5 Regt Basketball, and
RA (Gnrs Ware and Skelly) who are in the Army U23 team, and two we wish him
combined services players, Bdr Francis from ATR Pirbright and Bdr the very best
George of 16 Regt RA, the team had its eye firmly fixed on the trophy as he goes.
from the start. We could
With a skill and tempo that can only be described as gob-smacking, not have
they proceeded to sweep into the final, unbeaten by any team, walked away
including our arch-rivals, the Royal Engineers. Heart-breakingly, the from the The first ever girls’ team
team lost in the finals to the REME by 65 points to 50. However much championships having proved that the Royal Artillery is a force to
credit goes to the team for their outstanding sportsmanship, skill and be counted in Basketball without the help and support of the staff
effort. With a hugely talented team on display, it is hoped that even mentioned throughout this article. The players are hugely grateful
more Gunners will be selected for the Army and Combined Services to all of them for the time, effort and support they put into making
teams this year. Gunner Basketball what it is today.
The girls’ team proved that it’s not just the men who have basketball Next year brings the Divisional competitions in January and
talent! By the last game, you wouldn’t have known that all but two February, the Army inter-unit games in June and July , the RA Inter Unit
of the girls had never played basketball before. Their original target in September and full circle back to the Inter-Corps Championships in
was to get to the championships with enough players to put a team on November, where each team is looking to increase their position from
court, but once there they found their rhythm and made it through to the previous year. If any potential players wish to make themselves
the semi-finals. The nucleus of a team is now formed and its aim is to known, speak to the RA Secretary Capt Tiny Hunt (RTO at 19 Regt
be able to challenge the well-established AGC and RLC female teams RA) or for females speak to Capt Alice Wheeler (Troop Commander
that came first and second. Capt Alice Wheeler was delighted to be 24 Bty, 14 Regt RA).
selected for the Army female team.
We celebrated our fantastic results in style at a local all you can eat
restaurant. Having seen Bdr Francis’s work-rate on the court, it was
only to be expected that he would have a hearty appetite. However, he
outshone himself in his one-man race to eat the entire food-stocks of the
restaurant and was still going strong when everyone else was drinking
beer and enjoying the speeches. Perhaps he was afraid that when he
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011

All three teams and staff at the end of a great week

 sport 31

Gunner boxing
D espite the pressures of operations and training, three Gunner regiments
have held boxing evenings in recent months.
Knock out boxing at 39 that an inter-battery boxing night be held to bond the regiment and instil the
competitive edge that training at Batus will seek to develop further – before
First up, WO2 (BSM) Craig Wattam of 39 Regt RA sent us an article saying each of the batteries go their separate ways!
that the first hurdle his regiment had to overcome was actually assembling a After just six weeks of training the preliminary bouts were a testament to
boxing squad – a task that looks easy on paper, but proved a bit of a struggle. how hard the novice boxers had worked and to the skill and professionalism
“For a while,” he wrote, “walking past the BSM’s office was considered a of their trainers and coaches. The result was eight bouts on the finals
health risk to all able bodied soldiers, but after little ‘encouragement’ the night, including a female middleweight bout, and an evening of first class
squad formed and commenced training.” entertainment. While E Bty RHA were deservedly crowned champions,
The regimental boxing coach, SSgt ‘Vinnie’ Jones, put the boxers special mention must go to Gnr Thorne (E Bty) who was named best boxer
through their paces both in Albemarle Barracks and with frequent visits by the officials and Gnr Greighton (B Bty) who the CRA 3 (UK) Div, Brig Will
to Craghead Amateur Boxing Club. It is a testament to SSgt Jones that the Bramble, nominated as most courageous.
fitness and standards of the boxers’ skills increased week on week. During Thanks were offered to the sponsors – Hopewiser, Silver Lady and
one sparring session, Gnr Brad Sutton was asked why he was not throwing Motif 8 – and to Andy Barnham who took some fabulous photos. With a
many punches, to which he replied, “Because every time I hit him he hits ‘look forward’ to the Gunner finals in May the final vote of thanks went to
me back… twice!” An argument that nobody could really fault. SSgt (BTWO) Mitchell and SSgt (SSI) Harrington who pulled
The main event occurred in December on a night that coincided together an evening that will be remembered for years
with some truly Arctic conditions (some of the worst snow and to come.
ice witnessed for a long time) and the event was looking
doubtful. But all key players, particularly medics and judges, Lady Terrier also a hit
overcame the weather conditions to arrive in time. Meanwhile TA boxer Gnr Tanya Viller, a
The boxing was tremendous and of an extremely member of 106 Regt RA (V) based at Grove
high standard. Winners on the night included Gnr Park, won her first amateur fight at a gala
Ken Lazenby, Gnr Barry Armstrong and Gnr Jack Holme charity dinner and boxing night held in late-
which was greatly to their credit as none had boxed before. February. Organised by the London District
Gnr Armstrong was judged to be the best boxer although TA and Army Boxing Club, the event was held
all the fighters were impressive. WO2 Wattam at Whitehall Palace Banqueting House and
expressed his thanks to all who were involved was organised to raise funds in
in making the evening a success; particularly support of various armed forces
the boxers themselves who put on a truly charities.
excellent night of boxing, putting into Gnr Viller, who joined
effect some of the Army’s core values; 106 Regt in November
courage, discipline, selfless commitment 2010, is a fitness
and respect for others. advisor working at the
Bannatynes Heath
EEBty
Btyfifight
ghttheir
theirway
wayto
tovictory
victory Club in Grove Park.
Next we received an article from 1 RHA who noted She beat fellow boxer
that given the tempo of life in the modern Field Army Rachael Bailey from
the time and opportunity to enjoy the ‘stuff in between’ is the Times Army
becoming increasingly difficult to programme. Nevertheless, Boxing Club based
in the build up to the 2011 training season, which sees near King’s Cross
all of 1 RHA’s batteries deploying to Canada, and seems to have
it was deemed essential a bright future in the
sport.
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011

ue) and Photo by Andy Barnham

Gnr Sutton (in bl
Gnr La ze nb y Clash
 32 notices
CELEBRATIONS
GOLDEN WEDDING
DURWARD-SONNENHOHL. On 1 April 1961 at
Hambuhren/Celle Registry Office, Maurice George
Durward (then a lance bombardier in F (Sphinx)
Bty, 4 RHA, Hohne) to Luise Frieda Sonnenhohl.
Current address: 43 Harrow Way, Carpender’s
Park, Watford, Herts. WD19 5EH.
ROBINS-CRAVEN. On 11 February 1961 at St
George’s Church, Rhos-on-Sea, Capt Colin David
Robins to Lucille Margaret Elizabeth Craven.
INFORMATION WANTED
PAST RSMS OF 29 CDO REGT RA
29 Cdo Regt RA will be holding its 50th
anniversary in 2012 and is trying to track down
the contact details of all past RSMs of both 29
and 95 Cdo Regts RA since its formation in 1962.
Anybody with any information is asked to contact
SSgt Harley on 01752 236131 or by email to:
philip@pharley.orangehome.co.uk
SILVER CUP – GNR ANDREW PARK
I have come into possession of a silver cup
inscibed, ‘Gunner Andrew Park, First Prize Mile
Race, RA Sports Colombo 1884’. Can anybody
suggest the best way to find information about
the cup or Gnr Park? Please email:albert@king67.
fsnet.co.uk
COL FRANK BULL
I am searching for contact details for Col Frank
Bull whom I knew in the late-1950s. when I was
on known as Joan King. We lost contact when I got
married in 1956 and moved to Canada. Please
contact Mrs Joan Bullen on 01179 629234.
GUNNERS WHO HAVE SERVED IN OMAN
For historical records I am trying to compile a
list of Gunners of all ranks who have served in
the Sultan of Oman’s Artillery on loan service or
contract. The list will be lodged with the archives
at Firepower. Please send your details to Maj Bob
Begbie, RHQ RA, RA Barracks, Larkhill SP4 8QT
or email: ArtyCen-RHQRA-RegtSecAsst@mod.uk
LBDR HARRY GEOFFREY SMITH
My late father, LBdr Harry Geoffrey Smith, served
with 9 Survey Regt RA during WW2, and took part
in the D-Day landings. He was a trained surveyor,
and was demobbed in 1947. I already have his
full service record and several photos of him
taken with army pals during that time, as well as
their names, and am trying to trace any relatives
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011
of these army pals with whom I might be able to
share information, and possibly find out a little
more about their service in the RA at that time. I
would especially like to try and find information
about his particular eight-man group of surveyors/
flashspotters, as there is still a little confusion
over exactly where they landed on D-Day. Please
email: peter.fitzsimmons@blueyonder.co.uk
INFORMATION
HISTORY OF RA CLUB AND RAA GLASGOW
Having served as secretary of the RA Club and
chairman of the Glasgow Branch RAA from 1965
until 1990 and being the only person who knows
the history of the club and branch, I decided to
put my knowledge on a web site, www.raclub.
net. As I will be 80 in a couple of months I thought
it better to make this information available to any
Gunners who might be interested.
CHARITY SWIM
I am going to complete a 22-mile swim equivalint
to the English Channel on 25 April in aid of the
Grace House Childrens’ Hospice Appeal. The
inspiration for this was the loss of my nephew,
Lee Cook, who lost his five year battle with
cancer at the age of 16. I am looking for support
in sponsorship for this event. If anyone is wishing
to sponsor me they can log onto www.justgiving.
com/david-cook2 or telephone Grace House on
01915166302.
5 REGT RA RACE DAY 2011
The annual 5 Regt RA race day will be held at
Catterick Racecourse on Wed 13 Jul. Further
information and ticket details can be obtained
from Capt Steve Phillips on 01748 87 5607 or
Stephen.Phillips594@mod.uk
12 REGT RA OLD BOYS
I have set up a website for ex-members of 12
Regt RA at www.12regraoldboys.com Itseeks to
promote friendship and to keep the family together
and in touch with each other, mainly through a
full forum, with instant chat, photo uploads and
a messaging service. If you require any further
information please contact me, Robin Oliver. Tel:
01724 735278. Mobile: 07860 934880.
DEFENCE SURVEYORS’ ASSOCIATION
The Defence Surveyors’ Association will run the
fifth in its series of annual seminars on historical
military and hydrographic surveying, mapping
and charting at the Royal School of Military
Survey on Sat 11 Jun. The seminar will run
from 1045 to 1700 hours and six presentations
will be given. The cost of attendance is £15, to
include tea and coffee breaks and a finger-buffet
lunch. Bids to attend this seminar may be made
by email to: maptnolan@googlemail.com by
telephone to 01635 253167 or by writing to M
A Nolan, Tall Trees, Broad Layings, Woolton Hill,
Newbury, RG20 9TS.
42 (ALAM HAMZA) BTY RA
Calling all 42 (Alem Hamza) Bty RA members
past, serving and present. There is a popular
ground swell to form the 42 (Alem Hamza) Bty
RA Association. If you’re interested in being
part of it please let me have your email address
and contact telephone number. Send details
to alemhamza@hotmail.co.uk All ranks are
welcome to join.
ITALY CAMPAIGN MEMORIAL
A memorial is being planned at the National
Memorial Arboretum in Alwrewas, Staffordshire,
to commemorate the Italy Campaign to be paid
for by public donation. Fund raising has begun
and if you wish to contribute or would like to know
more then please be kind enough to contact:
Ann Hamlet by email to: stitchseller@aol.com or
telephone 07982 250913
REUNIONS
5 REGT RA OFFICERS’ MESS REUNION
DINNER
All officers who have served with 5 RHA or 5
Regt RA, including late entry officers who
served with the regiment before commisioning,
are invited to attend a reunion to be held at the
RA Mess on Sat 4 Jun. It is intented to conduct
a serving regimental officers v old boys cricket
match in the afternoon followed by a black tie
dinner that evening. Further information will be
promulgated in due course, for any immediate
enquires and to ensure contact database details
are correct please liaise direct with Maj Charlie
Anderson, 5 Regt RA on 01748 875626 or by
email: 5RA-PBTY-BC@mod.uk
32 REGT RA
A reunion for 32 Regt RA will take place at
the Doric Hotel, Blackpool, 19-23 May. Please
contact Tug Wilson on 01928 712948 for more
details.
260 SIG SQN (SAM)
The 260 Sig Sqn (SAM) Association would like
to invite ex-members of 36 Hy AD Regt RA to
take part in a reunion weekend 6-8 May at
Das Hotel Drees, Dortmund. For further details
and application forms please contact either
Steve Freeman-Pannett on 01603 300027 or
stevefp22@hotmail.com or Beryl Scott on 01422
373075 or bandgscott@blueyonder.co.uk
RETIRED GUNNER OFFICERS IN DEVON
The biennial lunch for retired Gunner officers in
Devon is planned to be held at the Officers’ Mess,
Royal Citadel, Plymouth, by kind permission of
the CO 29 Cdo Regt RA, on Wed 22 Jun. Details
are being circulated by e-mail and post. Any
retired Gunner officer in Devon who has not
been contacted and would like to lunch with
fellow Devonian Gunners should contact: By e-
mail: gunneroffrslunch@aol.co.uk or telephone
Paul d’Apice at 01626 863129.
25 REGT RA
A 25 Regt RA reunion will be held in Blackpool
over the period 20-23 May, concurrent with the
RA Assembly. Open to all members of 25 Regt
RA. Will include a gala dinner on the Saturday
evening. Booking forms can be found on the
RAA website. Further information from Steve
Russell on 01985 214376 or email: stevenrusse
ll771@btinternet.com
1 RHA REUNION DINNER - WARNING ORDER
The 60th annual dinner of 1 RHA will be held
at the Artillery Centre Officers’ Mess, Larkhill
on Fri 2 Dec. This is the first time the dinner
will be held in Larkhill for some years, so
please book early to reserve a place. Details
of the dinner will be sent to former members
later in the year. Please contact Maj Iain
Harrop on 01980 602344 or by email to: iain.
harrop412@mod.uk

47 REGT RA
The serving members of 47 Regt RA would like
to invite all ex-members to a regimental reunion
weekend 10-11 Jun. The event will take place in
Baker Barracks, Thorney Island. Those wishing
to attend are requested to make initial contact
with Maj Carolyne Young, BC 31 (HQ) Bty RA. Tel:
Mil: 94295 8234 or Civ: 01243 388234 or email:
47RA-31BTY-BC@Mod.uk. The weekend will
encompass functions in both the Officers’ Mess
and WOs’ and Sgts’ Mess on Fri 10 Jun, followed
by an all ranks day on Sat 11 Jun. Further details
including costs will be promulgated in due course.
For now Maj Young looks forward to hearing from
you all.
77TH ARTILLERY CLERKS’ REUNION AND
ASSOCIATION DINNER
The 77th Artillery Clerks’ Reunion and Association
Dinner will take place 6- 8 May at Larkhill. AGM
followed by dinner on Sat 7 May. Full details from
Capt Ian Constantine, 19 Regt RA, Bhurtpore Bks,
Tidworth, Hants SP9 7AS. Tel 01980 656550, or
e-mail: ian.constantine758@mod.uk.
G TROOP (MORTAR LOCATING) FROM FIELD
REGTS 1970-1990
G Troop (mortar locating) from field regiments
1970-1990 are holding a reunion at the Garrison
Rooms, The Garrison Hotel, Sheffield on the
29 Oct starting at 1900 hours. Cost is £15 per
person, and includes a buffet meal. Rooms are
available for those requiring accommodation. For
more information please contact Mr Rod Howard
by email at rodneyvhoward@hotmail.com
LE OFFICERS’ ANNUAL DINNER
– WARNING ORDER
The next Late Entry Officers Dinner is planned
for Sat 24 Sep. It will be held in the RA Officers’
Mess, Larkhill. The dinner is open to all serving
and retired LE officers and their partners. Dress
is black tie. Accommodation is at a premium
and subject to higher priority bids. Costs: Dinner
approx £25 per head, accommodation £10
serving or £14 retired per head per night. For
further information please contact Maj Craig
Purvis on 01980 84 5928.
1 RHA ADEN VETS REUNION
The seventh annual reunion of 1 RHA Aden vets
will take place at The Paragon Hotel, Birmingham,
on the weekend 13-14 May. For further details
contact Dave Rogers on 01159 637073 or email:
drogers229@aol.com
EX-ARMY APPRENTICES
A dinner for all ex-Army apprentices will be held
at the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool on the evening
of 24 Jun. For further details please contact
Colin Weir on 01704 875653 or by email to:
chepchappy@btinternet.com
36 REGT RA
A 36 Regt RA reunion to be held on the weekend
of 23-25 Sep at the Village Hotel, Coventry. For
more details contact Monty on 07811442265 or
e-mail gunner460@yahoo.co.uk
to place your notice here contact 01980 634204
57 (BHURTPORE) BTY RA - WARNING ORDER
57 (Bhurtpore) Bty RA are holding a reunion dinner
at Larkhill on Sat 21 Jan next year. The battery’s
medal parade will be held on the same day. All
ex-members of the battery, serving or retired, are
welcome. Please contact 2Lt Steph Manning on
01980 845577 or by email to: bty 57@live.co.uk
(NB: there is a space between bty and 57).
NO 35 YOS’ COURSE
A reunion luncheon for 35 YOs’ Course will
celebrate the 60th anniversary of the course. It
will be held at the RA Officers’ Mess, Larkhill,
on Tue 28 Jun. Details will be sent to all known
members of the course. For more information
please contact Maj Colin Stuart on 02078 347580
or Maj John Braisby on 01425 270523.
14 (COLE’S KOP) BTY RA
14 (Cole’s Kop) Bty RA will be holding an all ranks
reunion at St George’s Barracks, North Luffenham on
Fri 29 Jul. The reunion will commence at 1330 hours
with a families’ day with activities for both kids and
adults. The evening function will then commence
at 1900 hours and will include a live band, DJ, and
an evening meal. Any ex-member who wishes to
attend should contact either: Sgt Stuart Nugent on
01780 721307, email: stu7272@hotmail.co.uk or
Bdr Dan Capewell on 01780 727655.
39 REGT RA
On 9 July 39 Regt RA are holding a reunion and
family day to commemorate the 25th anniversary
of Op GRANBY. The reunion will be held at
Albermarle Barracks and start at 1500 hours.
Tickets cost £10 and are available from Maj
Paul Jones on 01912 39 3301 or email 39RA-
2IC@mod.uk
42 REGT RA
A 42 Regt RA reunion will be held on the weekend
of 3- 5 Jun at the Royal Clifton Hotel and Spa
in Southport, commencing at 1400 hours. All
members and partners, attached personnel to
the regiment and guests are most welcome on
this traditional occasion. Further details can be
obtained from the secretary by phone to 01132
539278, email Secretary@42oca.com or text
address to 07983 123091.
45 REGT RA OFFICERS’ REUNION LUNCH
The 45 Regt RA officers’ reunion lunch will take
place at the Royal Artillery Mess, Larkhill, on
Sun 17 Jul, in this the 60th anniversary of the
Battle of Imjim. Former officers of 45 Regt (RHQ,
10, 34, 52, 70, 94, 116, 170 (including whilst
an independent battery), 176 and HQ Batteries
and REME Workshops/LAD are invited to attend.
Spouses will be most welcome. Individual
invitations have been sent out to those members
on the list from 2008. For those who are not on
the list or who have not received an invitation by
mid-April and wish to attend this special reunion,
please contact the secretary, Lt Col David Clubley
by e-mail at davidclubley@tiscali.co.uk or for
those without e-mail, please contact Rev J
Michael Phillips, Heath Cottage, Pinks Hill, Wood
Street Village, Guildford, Surrey, GU3 3DE..
33
GUNNERS IN BRISTOL COCKTAIL PARTY
By kind permission of the BC 266 Bty RA (V),
the spring Gunners in Bristol reception will take
place at the Artillery Ground, Whiteladies Road,
Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2LG on Thu 19 May from
1900 to 2100 hours. All serving and retired
Gunners in Bristol and surrounding counties are
invited to attend. Partners and relatives aged
over 18 are also welcome. Those wishing to
attend should register for an application form
via by email (preferably) to gunnersinbristol@
googlemail.com, or by letter addressed to The
Secretary, Gunners in Bristol, C/O PSAO, 266
(GVA) Battery RA(V) at the Artillery Ground or by
phone with the Secretary, Gerard Churchhouse
on 01208-850016. Tickets cost £10 per person.
Dress: regimental/battery ties.
14 (COLE’S KOP) BTY RA
14 (Cole’s Kop) Bty RA will be holding an annual
all ranks reunion at St George’s Barracks, North
Luffenham on Fri 29 Jul, starting at 1330 hours
with a family day with activities for kids and
adults. The evening function will commence at
1900 hours with a live band, DJ and an evening
meal. Any ex-member who wishes to attend
should contact either Sgt Stuart Nugent on
01780 721307 or by email to: stu7272@hotmail.
co.uk or Bdr Dan Capewell on 01780 727655.
TO LET
SOUTH WEST FRANCE
Peaceful get-away. Self-contained ground floor
cottage studio apartment (sleeps four, one
double/one twin). British owned and run. Private
terrace with BBQ in cottage garden, idyllic
countryside location with stunning views, near
Lot Valley, Conques, Gorges du Tarn. Perfect
for a chill out and ideal for walking (routes and
guides available), canoeing and sight seeing.
Adventure parks and other children’s centres
within the hour. Skiing in the winter 50 mins
away. 6m pool (Jun-Sep). WiFi. Nearest airports
Rodez (Ryanair) 25 mins, Albi 1 hour and
Toulouse 2½ hours. Visit www.Luchaut.com for
details.
PROVENCE
Peaceful hill village, 25 miles Nice airport.
Comfortable, well-equipped villa sleeps four/
six (two bedrooms two bathrooms). Large
terrace with porches and olive trees for
shade, garden with secure pool and parking.
Wonderful countryside, superb small river.
No smokers/dogs. Details: Couldrey 01785
818228 or 01865 769206. Email: bcouldrey@aol.
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011
com or marion.couldrey@dsl.pipex.comt
VENDEE, FRANCE
Relax and unwind in peaceful rural surroundings.
Ideally situated for walking, cycling, fishing
(Vendee’s largest lake five mins away) and only
20 mins from the coast. Traditional farmhouse
sleeps 12, charming cottage sleeps four.
Set in five acres of established grounds with
heated swimming pool. For more information
vist www.la-petite-guyonniere.co.uk or email:
chris.di@hotmail.co.uk
34 competitions

The closing date for all competitions in this month’s edition is Friday, 20 May 2011. The winners will be drawn at
random and notified as soon as possible. Don’t forget to fill out the form at the bottom of the page.

Spot the difference The Gunner wordsearch

Which one of the food and drink items listed does not appear
in the wordsearch? They may be horizontal, vertical, diagonal,
forwards or backwards. Solve the puzzle and you could win a
copy of Souvenir of Conflict, as featured below.
O P B P P P E L K C I P V O T A T O P
W R A E E K E P R E S E R V E P U O S
A G A S M A L A M A A P I A F E E B S
B R S N T C C N S P C B C P C C N E P
V R T C G A A H V P T H E T R M L N I
M Z E Y P E T N I L T E O E O E R I N
V G W A B M T R D E V N A C T M W W A
N R I D D V P U E Y E M L T O A A R C
E T E D A L A M R A M R U A T L E T H
K N O I N O Q L V K C C A E E T A V O
C P I N E A P P L E E L R G T R A T C
I T I A D O S E P C L Y E U U E E O E
H A B S N A E B R E E B B C C S C C C
C P C A E I K O O C E F A F J A S N H
L R O N N L Z V G G V B I U R Y K W E
E I F O K A J H G A B S I R R W M E E
M C F L L V N S R A H C O U L P V L S
O O E E I A R A G C E T P V I G A J E
N T E M M C H E M O O R H S U M D P V

APPLE COFFEE PEAS

APRICOT COOKIE PICKLE
BANANA CREAM PINEAPPLE
To win an RA tie bar, kindly donated by BEANS EGGS POTATO
GarrisonPRI.co.uk, all you have to is spot BEEF FISH PRESERVE
the five differences in the photos above, BEER JUICE RICE
BREAD LEMON SODA
fill in the form below and send your
BUTTER LETTUCE SOUP
answers to The Gunner.
CABBAGE MARMALADE SPINACH
CAKE MELON STEW
Please tick which competitions you are entering. CAMEMBERT MILK SUGAR
CANDY MUSHROOM SYRUP
Then fill out all your details and send it to us Gunner
CARROT ONION TOMATO
Publications, HQ DRA, RA Barracks, Larkhill,
CEREAL ORANGE TREACLE
Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 8QT.
CHEESE PASTA TURKEY
Spot the difference  CHICKEN PEACH WATER
Wordsearch  CHOCLATE PEAR WINE
Name: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
S ouvenir of Conflict, A Coleraine Man’s War, researched and
published by Diana Kirkpatrick, tells the story of her father,
Gnr Harry Cummins, and 6 LAA Bty RA during World War Two.
Tel: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The battery was part of 9 LAA Regt RA (SR) (the SR standing for
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011

Email: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Supplementary Reserve) which in turn was part of 3 (Ulster) AA

Bde. Sailing from Liverpool in September 1940, the
Address: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . battery saw action in North Africa, Sicily and Italy,
returning to the UK in July 1945.
.......................................... Harry Cummins’ story is told using extracts
taken from a hand-written record of his travels,
.......................................... this record supplemented by comments and notes
written many years later by his daughter, and a
Last month’s winners were: wonderful assortment of photgraphs. The book
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: is available price £9.99 (incl p&p) from Diana
WO2 (SMIG) Ellershaw, Wiltshire Kirkpatrick. Please telephone 02870 834876 to
order a copy
 up front 35

A
M
Neate ending
emories can be triggered by a
number of things; a distinctive
smell, an evocative sound or a once
familiar sight. It was an interesting set
of circumstances that struck a chord
with Hugh Spencely, “The current
news from Libya and the sight of
camouflaged guns accompanied by a
‘portaloo’ on Salisbury Plain reminded
me of this photo.”
That’s correct; the rather dubious
construction you are now looking at is
a 1950’s British Army ‘convenience’.
It is pitched somewhere on the
Tarhuna Ranges during an exercise in
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011

Tripolitania and Cyrenaica carried out

by 36 HAA Regt RA in April 1956. The
regiment, including Lt Hugh Spencely,
a National Serviceman, were based in
Malta but had ventured to Libya for a
field exercise.
The two gentlemen in the photo
who appear to be, as Lt Spencely so eloquently put it, exercising The photo has caused such delight here in the office that I
their basic rights, are battery commander Maj Richard Riddell and thought I might launch a search to find the most precariously built
troop commander Capt Dick Moore. Both of whom seem to be and located loos seen on exercise. Then again, that might be asking
quite amused by their current predicament! for trouble…
 36
THE GUNNER • APRIL • 2011