E:london-testBranch London 2003 - greenjackets … 2003.pdf · London Branch Newsletter 2003 The...

London Branch Newsletter 2003

The London Branch continues to thrive and although there has been a slight decrease in registered members, the membership remains very healthy. The reduction in numbers materialised over the introduction of the centralised subscription of the Royal Green Jackets Association that led to a degree of uncertainty with members. Members who thought that they would always receive their “Swift and Bold” have now come to terms with that Branch membership and the Regimental subscriptions are not one of the same. On the plus side we have had during the year a steady trickle of new members joining. These members have regained contact by word of mouth or have seen in local publications the branch’s activities.

The Branches Secretary, Gary Driscoll and his small band of dedicated committeemembers continues to not only manage a very full and varied calendar of events, butalso take on at very short notice, a number of extra events all of which are extremelysuccessful. The branch has settled down, with the exception of the Black ButtonClub, and offers members a full selection of events throughout the year.

The Black Button Club on reducing their number of gatherings from twelve a year totwo, have made themselves, in many respects, victims of their own success. Thesetwo meeting nights are held when London Regiment are not using the Riflemen’s Bar. From a branch point of view this is not satisfactory. Not only does it restrict themembership’s get-togethers, but more

importantly, restricts the contact we have with the current London Regiment who arepotentially future members of our Association. These nights also play an essentialand integral part in learning about the ongoing involvement and the deployment ofGreen Jackets in worldwide operations.

I am happy to report that the branch finances have improved and are now on a firmfooting. The efforts of the committee members in their fund raising and the generoussupport from a number of sponsors means that we are confident that we do not haveto rely on regimental funds for assistance.

Battlefield Tour of Normandy

This year’s battlefield tour weekend took us to the Normandy Beaches. Because ofthe distance to travel, it was decided that we would leave a day earlier than previousyears. We would therefore spend two nights in a hotel in Caen. This allowed us moretime to see more of the battlefields, cemeteries and museums. The first day wasspent travelling, and for most of us, it was the first time that we had used the EuroTunnel.

President Colonel G F Smythe OBE

Secretary Gary Driscol

Treasurer Maria Driscoll

Golf Member Dev Deverell

Battlefield Tour Members Tony Beach/Alfie Fisher

Entertainments Member Steve Smith

The second day we visited the small town of Sainte-Mere-Elise. It

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On the third and last day, we went to Hill 112. This is where the 43rd Wessex Division was put under pressure to break through to the Orne Valley, but were stopped by the1st SS Panzer. The Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, also suffered severely. Theymanaged to dig in on Hill 112 but the attacks of the seemingly invulnerable Tigertanks in support of SS Panzer grenadiers eventually drove them off. In true Riflemenfashion the guide explained that the French Army had spent a considerable numberof years clearing the site so that it was EOD cleared. Nevertheless, a certain branchmember returned to the bus with a live 3″ mortar bomb at which time the President gave him a few words of advice, mainly in words of one syllable!

The part in the Itinerary, which everyone was waiting for, had finally arrived, PegasusBridge. To support their airborne forces, the Allies had to capture the Orne bridgesundamaged. The lifting bridge over the river, was defended and it was essential thata surprise attack should be made. The Glider-borne men of the Ox & Bucks Light Infantry were chosen for the task, under the command of Major John Howard. Theyreached their objective by landing the gliders in the fields close to the bridge. To thejoy of the Gondree family in the café beyond the canal, the men of the Ox & Buckstook the bridge in a swift fight and within minutes D-Day’s first objectives, what became known as Pegasus Bridge and the river bridge, the target of another groupof gilder troops, were in British hands.

was here on the 6th June 1944, that American 82nd and 101st Divisions began their landings. The 82nd’s 505 Parachute Infantry Regiment dropped not only close to the Sainte-Mere-Eglise, but some of them right into the village square where the citizens were passing buckets from the town pump to douse a fire. Many men were shot as they descended, and John Steele found himself dangling from the church tower shaming death to save his life. This scene was shown in the famous film, The Longest Day. A model of John Steele dangling from the original church tower is still on permanent view.

Whilst we were in Sainte-Mere-Eglise, we visited the American Airborne Museum.

Our next stop was Bayeux, where we were able to visit the cemetery (the largest in Northern France), take in the world famous Bayeux tapestry, and where some chose to work on the lunch and refreshments option!



RGJ Assn London Branch at Pegasus Bridge

By the side of the bridge, is a bust of Major John Howard. It was here that we laid awreath, and Bugler Terry McCann and young Joe Schembri , played the Last Post,and we had a two minute silence. We then went into the famous Café Gondree for refreshments.

On the way home we just had about enough time to run on to one of the famousNormandy Beaches and have a quick paddle. Thanks to Tony Beach and the rest of

Pegasus Bridge Museum

At the famous Pegasus Bridge Museum, we discovered that of all of the regimental plaques on the wall, there was not one of ours! Luckily, as we always carry one or two plaques with us, our president, Colonel George Smythe Presented one to the Museum’s Curator.



the committee for organising the weekend.

Ladies Dinner Night

The Ladies Dinner Night 2003 was held in the Drill Hall at Davies Street, London onSaturday the 22nd March. Due to the huge success of the previous years Dinner which washeld in the Officers Club, this years attendance had almost doubled in numbers, so it had tobe held in the Hall. The guests of Honour were the Chairman of the Royal Green JacketsAssociation Lt Colonel and Mrs JA Paul Warren, and Sgt Dennis Reading of the RifleBrigade, who is a Pensioner at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. We were extremely privilegedto have the Waterloo Band and Bugles under Band Master WO1 John Morgan MBE whoare based in Oxford, They played some wonderful arrangements whilst we were dining andgave us a magnificent mini Sounding of Retreat, playing the most popular regimentalmarches and of course, High on the Hill, which was performed superbly. For all the guests,it was the first time that they had ever seen a Green Jacket Band. There was an abundanceof regimental silver, good wine, finishing with port and cigars. After the formal speeches weall swiftly got into party mood and danced the night away to Simon’s Disco. The evening was a complete success; our guests enjoyed a five course gourmet dinner good GreenJacket company, dancing and a few drinks to the early morning. Our thanks go to Sgt ColinForbet, Lcpl Alan Brooker, the acting Mess Manager, who orchestrated the whole eventand of course other members of the Davies Street staff who worked hard in the backgroundto make the evening a memorable one. Also, to Mark Golding for providing the excellentdinner and W02 Roger Betts and Bugler Frank Hill for organising the Waterloo Band andBugles.

The high standards achieved at this dinner will be hard to equal and members wishing toattend in the future should book early, as space is limited.



Golf Society The Riflemen’s Golf Society is still proving to be popular with the regular attendees. Thecommittee is looking into changing the venues to try to find some courses that are morecentrally situated, or at least easier to get to during the weekly rush hour traffic. This wouldhopefully encourage other members who own golf clubs, who have found it difficult toattend in the past. All members are most welcome to bring along any guests or fellowworkmate. There are several trophies for the guests to win. The future intentions are toform a team that would be able to challenge other branches of the Association and otherCivilian organisations which would be good for Public Relations.

Neal Smythe, setting a record for the first member to win the double, took away both theSpring Shield Competition Cup and the President’s Cup 2003. Neal has since been elected as the new Golf organiser who is already arranging the competitions for 2004. ThePresident has decreed that in the future the golf member will not be eligible to participate incompetitions.

Dev Deverall has stepped down from the committee of being the Golf Organiser, toconcentrate on his playing skills, with future hope of winning a trophy or two, as apposed tojust presenting them. Dev has been the golf organiser since it’s formation in 1999. He has done a great job and we have had a lot of fun with his humouras wind ups, especially whenthe prizes are awarded, you never knew what you might end up winning! Thanks to Dev forhis hard work and for getting the Golf Society where it is today.



Neal Smythe Does the Double!

Presidents Cup Results

Best Rifleman. Neal Smythe Runner Up. Brian Van-Blerk

Nearest the Pin. Brian Van-Blerk Longest Drive. Steve Lightfoot

Best Guest. Gemo Jemal

If anyone from any other branch of the Association, is interested in participating in any of our future competitions, please get in touch with the London Branch Secretary.

Fire Power Demonstration



During October, an invitation was made by 2RGJ at Warminster for London Branchmembers to attend the Fire Power Demonstration. As it was held on a week day, noteveryone could get the time off from work at short notice. Those that did attend thoroughlyenjoyed themselves. Everyone said that they had forgot how professional the British Armyis. It’s something that you notice more when you have been in Civvy Street for a while. The whole show was very impressive and we all went away extremely proud to still beassociated with the Regiment. Thanks to RSM Cutler for inviting us and for his hospitality.

Band Memorial Service, Regents Park This year’s memorial service was the 21st anniversary of this tragic event and took placeon Sunday 20th July. This service is held every year to remember the seven Bandsmenwho, whilst carrying out public duties, were the tragic victims of an IRA terrorist bomb.

Many members of their families along with survivors were present. Serving Officers andsoldiers in uniform from both regular and TA Battalions were present and a great manyother people attended. On this occasion due to the date and the time, a considerablenumber of Ex Riflemen attended including representatives from the Kings Royal Rifle Corpsand the Royal Green Jackets Association.

Fourteen Funerals and a Wedding!

As the heading says fourteen Funerals and a Wedding, that’s exactly what Bugler Terry McCann has managed to perform at, representing the regiment from Jan 2003 to Jan 2004.

As you are aware the Regiment now has only one Regular Band, making it almost impossible for families who make the request for a regular serving Bugler to attend and play the last post at a fellow Rifleman’s Funeral. Undeterred, the London Branch has introduced a service, whereby families can now contact the Branch Secretary, who makes arrangements with Terry McCann and other TA buglers to attend. So far we have managed to keep a 100% booking rate. This is mainly due to Terry, who is extremely loyal to our regiment, and has every respect for all brother riflemen who has served in it. Terry comes on our battlefield tours and plays for us during the wreath laying



Calais Memorial Service

ceremonies. Terry works as a Manager for the Royal Mail during the week and is a member of the Waterloo Band and Bugles. Terry has been bugling since he was an RGJ Cadet at Sun Street. Well done and thanks to Terry and co for all their efforts.

During the 2nd world war, the Queen Victoria’s Rifles were one of the first territorial regiments into action, and in May 1940, arrived at Calais ahead of the two Regular Green Jacket Battalions, the2nd Battalion the Kings Royal Rifle Corps, and the 1st Battalion the Rifle Brigade. Although trained and equipped as a Motor Cycle Battalion, the QVR‘s were despatched without transport. In this memorable battle the Green Jacket Brigade fought to extinction; only four officers and one NCO escaped across the channel. The defence succeeded in diverting German armour away from Dunkirk, which materially assisted in the evacuation of the B.E.F. from Dunkirk and in the words of the Prime Minister “added another page to the glories of the Light Division”. The QVR’s subsequently became 7th and 8th Battalions KRRC, but saw no active service as such. Every year in May, the Queen Victoria Rifles Association, hold a memorial service at the QVR and RB memorial at Calais in France. This year 16 members of the London Branch went along in support. The Day was organised by Norman Hummerstone MBE, the secretary of the QVR Association. We all met at Davies Street and boarded a coach for Dover. On reaching Calais, we met up with Norman and Richard Frost MBE, of the KRRC Association. We had lunch at the Maritime Club, where we were introduced to Jean Plancke, who was a member of the French Resistance. After lunch we

Calais War Memorial



Remembrance Sunday Parade The Remembrance Sunday Parade at the Cenotaph has definitely become the mostpopular event in the London Branch’s calendar. The format for the day is now wellestablished. Everyone knows that we all meet in the Theodore Bullfrog Pub near CharingCross, for coffee and a pre- march briefing. The pub is only open for the Association on thatday. The Kings Royal Rifle Corps Association, have been attending this parade for manyyears, but the Royal Green Jackets have only been represented since the branch formed acontingent in 1999. This contingent has increased in numbers every year since, and 2003was the largest ever. The Association were mentioned live on the BBC coverage as “The Royal Green Jackets, a very large contingent on this parade today, who was formed fromthree famous regiments, the Ox and Bucks, the Kings Royal Rifle Corps and the RifleBrigade. The Royal Green Jackets are currently serving in Iraq”.

This was great for the regiment, not only does it keep the regiment in the public eye, but itshows that we are a real family regiment that care for each other and show respect byremembering those brother Riflemen who lost their lives whilst serving the country. Afterthe parade we all go back to the Theodore Bullfrog Pub for a mini reunion. Thanks to KenAmbrose for helping to promote the parade on the Association Website and thanks to allwho attended.

Interested parties should contact the London Branch Secretary nearer the time, and pleaseremember that only those with security-cleared passes can attend.

Westminster Abbey Remembrance Plot Ever year on the last Thursday before the Sunday nearest to the 11th of November, there is a memorial Service in the grounds of Westminster Abbey, which traditionally, is attended by

made our way to the Calais Memorial where we laid wreaths, held a short service and the TA Buglers played the last post. Sadly as the years go by, fewer members of the QVR Association and the widows are fit enough to be to be able to attend. The London Branch of the Royal Green Jackets Association will do everything they can to support this Annual event in the future. Our thanks to Norman for inviting us to come along and take part.



a member of the Royal Family. This year Prince Phillip attended, he spoke to all the GreenJacket representatives, including Richard Frost of the KRRC Association, Ken Gray of theRifle Brigade Association and Gary Driscoll of the London Branch of the Royal GreenJackets association.

There are plots for every Cap Badge in the British Army that ever existed. Each plotconsists of many small poppy crosses, which are placed to represent each life lost in thecause of duty while serving their country. If anyone would like a personal message placedon to one of the small poppy crosses provided, Gary Driscoll would be more than happy tomake the necessary arrangements on their behalf.

The London Branch Secretary provides a special tribute to the Royal Green Jackets whohave died while serving with the regiment. This takes the format of two large black framesdisplaying lists of names. One displays the names of those that have died while serving andthe others displays those killed on active service since the formation of regiment in 1966.

Christmas Party The Branch Christmas Party as always, was held in the drill hall at Davies Street, this year,it was attended by about 90 people. A buffet was provided and the Christmas Raffle wasdrawn, and there were many good prizes to be won yet again. Regimental diaries andChristmas Cards were on sale at the door. The Disco was great and everyone twisted thenight away! The whole evening was a great start to the Christmas activities and credit mustgo to Steve Smith, the Branch’s Entertainment representative, and the rest of theCommittee who worked extremely hard and put in a great deal of time and effort to cater foreveryone’s needs. Thanks also to Simon the DJ and all the staff at Davies Street who helped towards the success of the evening.

Westminster Abbey Field of Remembrance



The London Branch Ladies

Wives and girlfriends of the London Branch committee often go unmentioned, but thebranch wouldn’t be as successful as it is today without their contributions. They arerespectfully known to ferry their beloveds around in order to satisfy their partners GreenJacket fix! A great number of them have joined in with their husbands to attend and enjoy!,many battlefield tours overseas and they now continue to support the branch in many ways.The branch treasurer, Maria Driscoll keeps us on the straight and narrow and moreimportantly our accounts in the black! If their numbers and involvement continues to growthe London Branch may have to consider forming a Ladies Branch! Any takers?

1st Cadet Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps



The Branch continues to keep up it’s sponsorship for the annual road tax for the cadetsmini bus. Two of our committee members, Tony Beach and Gary Driscoll have been payingthem a visit, and have become more directly involved by teaching Regimental History to theyoung cadets. But this particular Cadet Battalion has lots of history of its own! Not everyoneis aware that, the1st Cadet Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps still exists. This CadetBattalion was the only battalion to have been given the honour to remain as KRRC when allthe other infantry regiments amalgamated to what they are known as today. This wasbecause as a cadet battalion they were awarded the battle honour of South Africa 1900 –1902. The cadets have volunteered to assist the Branch at functions and other events whenappropriate.

233 Coy KRRC Cadets

Motto - Celer Et Audax (Swift & Bold)

Founder – Rev Lt Col Freeman Croft Wills

1894 1st Cadet Battalion Formed

1900 – 1902 Served in the Boar War as part of the

City Imperial Volunteers

1914 – 1919 awarded three Victoria Crosses

1939 – 1945 A Second Battalion was raised to support

the Home Guard

1965 Became part of Middlesex & Northwest London ACF

1994 Centenary Year, reviewed by Field Marshall



Bugler Terry McCann, our branch bugler, is one of Joe’s idols, Terry made Joe’s day when he let him accompany him with the Last Post, at Pegasus Bridge. Joe has wonthe hearts of many members of the London branch, and has become a kind ofmascot. The Romford Branch Band of the Royal British Legion has won three worldchampionships, and it is the bands 50thAnnivrsary this year. Since Joe has been a member of this band, he has performed in the Lord Mayors Show in London, the Newyears Day Parade in Dublin, and various other concerts.

Joe and the band have been asked to perform at the USA Military Tattoo in 2004.Being volunteers they have to find their own financial support, this is for thepurchase of their uniforms, instruments and transport etc. They do this by fundraising activities, such as concerts and holding jumble sales and are always lookingfor sponsorship.

The London Branch presented Joe with a cheque for £100 to help towards the costs to go to the USA. Well done Joe, One day your dream will come true!

The Lord Bramall of Bushfield KG, GCB, OBE, MC, JP

1997 First Female recruits joined

The Battalion is made up of three companies 231 in Fulham

232 in Westminster

233 in Camden

A Future Bugle Major?

Young Joe Schembri is only 11 years old; he is the son of Ricky and Sandra who are members of the London Branch. Joe was first inspired to join a military band at the age of 9, when he saw the Band and Bugles of the Lt Division, at the Reunion at Winchester. Since then, he has spent hours upon hours listening to their CD. So desperate to join the Lt Div Band as a Bugler when he is old enough, he joined the Royal British Legion Band, at Romford. He attends band practice three nights a week. The Band does not have a Bugle section, so he is learning to play the Cornet. Joe says “it’s the next best thing to a bugle!” Joe has accompanied his mum and dad on the last three Battlefield tours, that the London branch, have organised. It is very rare to see such a young boy of his age, showing so much interest and respect to the memories of those that lost their lives during the two great wars. On regimental occasions he very proudly wears his own rifle green regimental blazer, complete with black buttons, and of course a regimental tie.



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