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2013-2014

Centenary Issue

Front cover photograph Trooper Douglas Wilmott joined the Berkshire Yeomanry at Hungerford in early 1914 and served in the Hungerford Troop of C (Newbury) Squadron. On the outbreak of war he was posted to No. 3 Troop of B Squadron. He is seen here in the Autumn of 1914 on his horse Rambler which he retained for the entire war. In 1918, when the Berkshire Yeomanry went to France as a Machine Gun Corps unit, Corporal Wilmott remained in Palestine and was transferred to the Dorset Yeomanry.

Mobilization notice dated 5 August 1914 sent to Sgt Blyde of B Squadron.

Berkshire Yeomanry Journal 2013-14 _______________________________________________________________________________________

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Commemoration of the Great War 1914-1918

To commemorate the outbreak of the Great War in 1914 and the campaigns during that war in which the Berkshire Yeomanry were involved, the Editorial Committee has decided to produce four commemorative issues covering, respectively, (i) mobilisation and deployment to the Middle East, (ii) Egypt and Gallipoli, (iii) Palestine, and (iv) the Western Front and Victory. We hope you appreciate this first issue which deals with mobilisation in the autumn of 1914, the optimism that abounded at the time that the war would soon be over, and the almost desperate desire of all involved to get into action against the enemy. Editor in Chief

CONTENTS

Foreword by Brigadier Hugh Robertson QVRM TD 3 Memorial to Trooper Fred Potts VC 4 Medal presentations 5 Berkshire Yeomanry on Operations 8 Berkshire Yeomanry Regimental Association Officers and Committees 9 Secretary’s Report 9 In Memoriam 10 Berkshire Yeomanry Museum Officers and Committee 12 Curator’s Report 12 First World War: Outbreak and Mobilisation 13 94 (Berkshire Yeomanry) Signal Squadron Nominal Roll 27 Squadron Report 28 Regimental Association Nominal Roll 33


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The Berkshire Yeomanry: 200 Years of Yeoman Service The Berkshire Yeomanry: 200 Years of Yeoman Service is the first published history of the Berkshire Yeomanry. Written by Anthony Verey, Andrew French, Stuart Sampson and Simon Frost, and containing over 70 illustrations, some in colour, the book has sold over 1,600 copies worldwide since its publication in 1994. Available in hardback, originally priced at £12.99 this book is now available from the Berkshire Yeomanry Museum at £10 per copy. The sale proceeds now go to the Museum to support the upkeep of the Museum’s artefacts, so please order your copy through the Museum without delay. _______________________________________________________________________________________

The Berkshire Yeomanry: Uniforms in 2010 The Berkshire Yeomanry Museum has commissioned a painting from renowned military artist Christopher Collins of a set of 19 figures wearing a selection of the uniforms of the Berkshire Yeomanry, current in 2010. This painting hangs in the Officers and SNCOs Mess in Windsor as a permanent record of the style of uniforms in use at that time. With kind permission of the artist, the Museum has produced a limited number of prints, measure approximately 30 ins x 24 ins, of this painting and these are available for purchase at a price which reflects the cost of reproduction only. To order your print please write to the Treasurer, Berkshire Yeomanry Museum, TA Centre, Bolton Road, Windsor SL4 3JG, and enclose a cheque made payable to the Berkshire Yeomanry Museum for £45 unmounted or £135 mounted and framed.


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FOREWORD BY BRIGADIER H J ROBERTSON QVRM TD When I wrote the forward to the 2012 Journal we were anticipating a period of intense change for not just the Army Reserve but the Army as a whole. This anticipation was not misplaced with many of the planned changes, and a few more besides, now being enacted. These range from the reduction of the Regular Army to 82,000, a reorganised and fully integrated Reserve of 30,000 and the complete withdrawal from Afghanistan. Added to this the Army has taken on full responsibility for its own spending and will soon be based only in the UK for the first time in several hundred years. This level of change is inevitably uncomfortable and creates uncertainty. The reorganisation of the Army Reserve has generated significant changes in role for many units and the closure of a number of Army Reserve Centres. These changes, considerable as they are, are limited compared to the cultural change that both Reservists and our Regular colleagues need to undertake to make integration work. We, the Army Reserve, are now, quite suddenly in relative terms, key to the nation’s defence. We are moving from being a source, albeit a highly valuable source, of individuals and small groups in support of operations and home defence to an essential part of the Army’s fighting power. This move brings many advantages in terms of resources and sense of purpose; it also brings significant extra responsibility to deliver. The biggest responsibility we have over the next few years is to recruit enough soldiers and officers to make the plans the Army has for the Reserve work. There have been considerable difficulties in recruiting and the press has given a pretty accurate picture of the reasons behind many of these problems; without reprising all these it is correct to say the Recruit Partnering Project did not have an easy start. However, quite remarkable levels of resource have been employed by the Army to recover this, focusing particularly on Reserve recruiting. There are now some good signs that a corner has been turned with the Army Reserve reversing eighteen years of decline and growing in size overall this year. Recruiting, however, remains a tough job for everyone – not least the Squadron. The outlying troop location in Aylesbury has transferred to The Rifles and other units leaving 94 (Berkshire Yeomanry) Signal Squadron as the only radio squadron in the Reserve Corps trying to recruit a whole sub-unit from one location. Their efforts in these difficult circumstances must be applauded and are deserving of our full support. Notwithstanding the challenges of all the uncertainty this is a quite remarkable and rewarding time to be in the Army Reserve. We are the centre of attention of very senior people who are determined to make Regular and Reserve integration work. We are seeing improvements to our conditions of service – leave and pensions to name but two - unimaginable only a few years ago; more and better equipment is on its way; better exercises and training are coming and, most importantly, we have a clear and essential role in the nation’s defence. The Squadron’s part in the future Reserve is assured with their role and established strength unchanged. You will see from this edition of the Journal that the yeomanry spirit is alive and well and how busy the Squadron is ensuring no chance to grasp these opportunities is lost; I wish them every continued success. Hugh Robertson joined the Berkshire Yeomanry in 1984 as a Signaller. He commissioned in 1988 and commanded the Squadron 2000-3, moving on to command 71 (Yeomanry) Signal Regiment. He was promoted brigadier in 2013. He is currently serving as Assistant Commander, Army Recruiting and Training Division based in Upavon. Editorial Committee The Berkshire Yeomanry Journal is published under the auspices of the Berkshire Yeomanry Museum Trust and in conjunction with the Berkshire Yeomanry Regimental Association and the serving squadron. Editor in chief Brigadier A P Verey QVRM TD DL Production editor Major S H Frost TD Association representative Major the Lord Glanusk TD Museum representative Capt A G French

Comments on the Journal are always welcome and should be sent to Major S H Frost at the Army Reserve Centre, Bolton Road, Windsor, Berks SL4 3JG.


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MEMORIAL TO TROOPER FRED POTTS VC Three years ago, at the instigation of the local community, it was decided to raise a statue for Trooper Fred Potts VC of the Berkshire Yeomanry to commemorate his gallantry. Fred Potts was born and bred in Reading and after the war he became a well know figure and was a Borough Councillor for many years. The looming anniversary of his gallant action at Gallipoli in 1915 in rescuing his wounded comrade, Trooper Arthur Andrews, was the catalyst that brought about this decision. The Trooper Potts VC Trust was formed as a charity and is seeking to raise the necessary funds to build the memorial. A sculptor has been engaged and the form and design has been agreed. The illustrations below show an artist’s impression of the layout of the memorial which is to be located in Forsbury Gardens in the centre of Reading. It is expected that the memorial will be unveiled in October 2015 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the gazetting of the award of the VC to Trooper Potts during the Gallipoli Campaign.

During discussions on the development of this project it became clear that there was no central memorial to the four hundred and sixteen men of Berkshire Yeomanry who had given their lives in the Boer War, the First World War and the Second World War. As a result the Trustees have decided very generously that all such sacrifices should be recorded on the memorial. Further details can be found on their website www.pottsvctrust.org. As members of the Berkshire Yeomanry family we are very grateful to the Trustees of the Trooper Potts VC Trust for all they are doing for the Berkshire Yeomanry. We are very keen to support their efforts to raise the necessary funds and we would welcome donations to this cause from members of the Regimental Association. Donations, payable to the Berkshire Yeomanry, can be sent to Major Simon Frost at the address on page 3.


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MEDAL PRESENTATIONS In April 2013 the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Councillor Colin Rayner, visited Windsor TA Centre and presented Olympic Medallions to members of the Squadron who had earned this award for their operational service during the 2012 Summer Olympics.

L-R standing: Sig Kevin Kimble, LCpl Gareth Compton, LCpl Dave Brownlees, Sig Iain Hazelgrove

L-R sitting: LCpl Dave Hickey, Cpl Michael Brown, Councillor Rayner, Major Justin Harris, Sgt Barry Hearn, LCpl Andrea Buckle

On 16 July 2013 Commander 145 Infantry Brigade, Brig Andrew G Hughes MBE, visited Windsor TA Centre and, escorted by the Honorary Colonel, Brig Tony Verey QVRM TD, the Commanding Officer, Lt Col Marcus Cosgrove MBE and the RSM, WO1 W Scarrot, presented medals and awards to the following personnel: Bar to the Volunteer Reserves Service Medal Cpl Andrew Douglas Olympic Medallion Sgt Gareth Nicholas Cpl Jonathan Douglas Sig Gerard Amara Volunteer Reserves Service Medal Sgt Dave Harding Cpl Tereser Bastiman Davies LCpl Andrea Buckle WO2 (SSM) Jimmy Hearn Sgt Peter Billcliffe Sgt Adrian Dalgleish Sgt Barry Hearn SSgt Alex Cook Cpl Jonathan Douglas SSgt Sonja McCoy LCpl Paul Gardner Lt Val O’Regan Cpl Andy O’Marah Cpl Washington Machingauta Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal Mr Wayne Ratcliffe SSgt Andy Smith Cpl Michael Brown Mr Dan Searle Sig Vania Sotelo-Reyes Capt Jon Browning SSgt Andy Smith Sig Chris Sudlow LCpl Andrea Buckle Sgt James Stacey Cpl Angus Tait WO2 Steve Collins SSgt Dale Sterry LCpl Gareth Compton Cpl Angus Tait


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L-R standing: WO2 (SSM) Hearn, Sgt Dalgleish, Sgt Nicholas, LCpl Buckle, Cpl J Douglas, WO1 (RSM) Scarrot

L-R sitting: Capt Browning, Lt Col Cosgrove, Brig Hughes, Brig Verey, Lt O’Regan

L-R: Sgt Searle, Sgt Dalgleish, Sgt Nicholas, Capt Browning, Cpl Tait, Sgt Hearn, LCpl Buckle,

SSgt Sterry, Sgt Harding, WO2 Collins, Cpl A Douglas, Sgt Stacey, WO2 (SSM) Hearn, SSgt Smith, Cpl O’Marah, Cpl J Douglas


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On 24 June 2014 Commander 2 Signal Group, Col Simon Hutchinson visited Windsor Army Reserve Centre and escorted by the Honorary Colonel, Brig Tony Verey, the Commanding Officer, Lt Col Marcus Cosgrove and the OC Major Justin Harris, presented medals and awards to the following personnel: Afghanistan Operations Medal Sig Robin Killingsworth Volunteer Reserves Service Medal LCpl Paul Gardner 3rd clasp to the Volunteer Reserves Service Medal Major Justin Harris

Sgt Barry Hearn 2nd clasp to the Volunteer Reserves Service Medal SSgt Dale Sterry 1st clasp to the Volunteer Reserves Service Medal WO2 Steve Collins

Sgt Peter Billcliff Sgt Dave Harding

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal Lt Val O’Regan Sgt Adrian Dalgleish LCpl Paul Gardne

Col Hutchison also took the opportunity to promote Lt O’Regan to Captain. Col Hutchison thanked all the beneficiaries for their hard work and efforts in gaining these awards. He also thanked the families and friends for their support and he congratulated all members of the Squadron on continuing to maintain the reputation of the Squadron, which was held in high regard in Royal Signals and in the Army as a whole. Col Hutchison also confirmed that LCpl Rebecca Tackley and LCpl Patrick Mays had received their Afghanistan operational medals at a ceremony earlier in the day at HQ 21 Signal Regiment where their deployment on Op Herrick 19 had been much praised by senior officers in the regiment.

L-R standing: Sgt Billcliff, Sgt Hearn, Sgt Harding, Sgt Dalgleish, Sig Killingsworth,

LCpl Gardner, SSgt Sterry L-R sitting: WO1 (RSM) Mason, Major Harris, Brig Verey, Col Hutchinson, Lt Col Cosgrove,

Capt O’Regan, WO2 Collins


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BERKSHIRE YEOMANRY ON OPERATIONS In the 2011-12 edition we published the list of 98 operational tours undertaken by members of the Berkshire Yeomanry in the 21st Century. The following table shows the additions and amendments to that list: Rank Inits Name Operation Location Years

Maj M Allen Herrick 17 Afghanistan 2013

Sig I Hough Oculus Bosnia 2000

Sig RK Killingsworth Herrick 18 Afghanistan 2013/14

LCpl P Mays Herrick 18 Afghanistan 2013/14

LCpl R Tackley Herrick 18 Afghanistan 2013/14

Maj M Allen FTRS Middle East 2014 In September 2013 MOD published an article on the Afghan Officer Academy under the headline photograph, shown below, which clearly shows a Berkshire Yeomanry soldier on operations in Afghanistan.


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BERKSHIRE YEOMANRY REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION Officers and Committees Regimental Committee

Hon President Col Sir David Black Bt DL Hon Vice President Col Sir Nicholas Bonsor Bt DL Hon Vice President B P Lane Esq Hon Vice President Major J R Stevens TD Hon Colonel Brig A P Verey QVRM TD DL Regt Padre Major the Rev J Scott TD Yeomanry Benevolent Fund Col R K Wilkinson QVRM TD

Executive Committee

Chairman Major the Lord Glanusk TD Vice Chairman Brig A P Verey QVRM TD DL Secretary Lt Col G S Hornsby TD Treasurer Major S H Frost TD Welfare D J Trivett Esq 94 Sqn representative WO2 (SSM) J Hearn D Sqn representative Lt Col J Carmichael TD Database Manager W Ratcliffe Esq Members G Paintin Esq R Scott Esq Sgt B Hearn

Secretary’s Report Once again I am pleased to report that the Regimental Association continues to thrive. Our pattern of four major events during the year is now well established and each event continues to be well supported. I should like to thank Don Trivett for all he does to keep our World War 2 veterans together and in touch. In this he was well supported by Dorothy Burt and it is sad for all of us that she passed away last year. You will have read earlier in this Journal of the unveiling in 1915 of the Berkshire Yeomanry memorial in Reading. I do hope you will be able to support this project and I look forward to seeing many of you at the unveiling ceremony. You will also have received a letter from our Treasurer explaining with some reluctance that, partly for reasons of cost, we are seeking only to communicate with members in future by email. For those of you without access to email we will of course continue to mail information to you, but you will need to let us know that this is what you want. My thanks to all of my fellow committee members for their hard work and effort each year. Geoff Hornsby Yeomanry Benevolent Fund The Yeomanry Benevolent Fund exists today to provide financial assistance to those in need who have served in existing or former Yeomanry units and their families. All cases of need are assessed by SSAFA or RBL case workers. Major Simon Frost retired as the Berkshire Yeomanry representative in 2014 and Col Ray Wilkinson was appointed in his stead. If you know of any cases of need for financial support please do let the Regimental Association know.


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In Memoriam The Secretary has been notified of the following members who have passed away:

Mrs D Burt Cornwall WEG Carter Slough The Rev J Mackney Goring P Mills Esher E Pitman London Col PMB Sutcliffe CDE TD DL Hampshire GJ Villiers TD London GJ Wickens Newbury

Colonel PMB Sutcliffe CBE TD DL 1922 - 2014 Patrick Malcolm Brogden Sutcliffe was educated at Marlborough and Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he excelled at cricket and hockey. His time at Cambridge was interrupted by the War and in 1942 he was posted to the Berkshire Yeomanry from 121 HAC OCTU and was to serve in the UK, India, Malaysia, Java and Burma. As adjutant he was the last man to leave when the regiment stood down in 1946. Pat rejoined the regiment when the Territorial Army was reformed in 1947 and served in one capacity or another for the next 40 years. This included service with 345 (Berkshire Yeomanry) Medium Regt RA TA and R (Berkshire Yeomanry) Bty of 299 Field Regt RA TA, and then as Second-in-Command of 299 Field Regt. In 1961 he was appointed OC of C Sqn of the Berkshire and Westminster Dragoons, and in 1964 he became Second-in-Command of that regiment. He then served as acting commanding officer during the absence through ill health of the then Commanding Officer, for which he was awarded the MBE. In 1967 Pat raised and commanded the Royal Berkshire Territorials, a TAVR III infantry battalion, before being promoted Colonel, serving at Eastern District and South Eastern District Headquarters. He was appointed ADC to the Queen in 1970 and Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire in 1973. He was elected Chairman of Eastern Wessex Territorial Auxiliary and Volunteer Reserves Association (TAVRA) in 1975 and served as Chairman of the National Recruiting Committee and Vice Chairman of the Council of TAVRAs, retiring in 1984. He was appointed CBE in 1983. Pat was Honorary Colonel of 94 (Berkshire Yeomanry) Signal Squadron from 1983 to 1988, during which time his sharp intellect, his sense of humour and his widespread knowledge of the TA provided an invaluable source of advice and support to the Squadron Commanders of the day.

After the war Pat qualified as a Land Agent and began his career with a stint at the Country Gentlemen’s Association. Having married Anne in 1950, he moved to Burntwood in 1952 where he farmed and acted as an independent and much-respected land agent for other estates, many of whose owners he had impressed during his time at the CGA. He was a keen supporter of the local community and served as church warden for his local church for nine years, as well as singing in the choir. He and Anne also found time to acquire a wreck of a house in France and over the years convert it to a second splendid family home in which in retirement they spent many months of the year. In 2005, accompanied by Anne and his son Brigadier Robert Sutcliffe, Pat returned to India and met up with representatives of the Indian Army regiments

that the Berkshire Yeomanry had supported in 1945 and 1946. He was warmly welcomed and much impressed with the friendliness of those he met. He is survived by his wife Anne, their three children and eight grandchildren.

Guidon Party at Col Sutcliffe memorial service: L-R Sig Oladunjoye, Sgt Anderson, Sig Shaw,

LCpl Brownlees.


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George E Villiers TD 1931 - 2013 George Villiers began his military career with the RHA in 1949 when he was called up for National Service. His time with them was cut short in 1950 so that he could go up to Oxford. Subsequently he was commissioned and joined 345 (Berkshire Yeomanry) Medium Regt RA, initially equipped with medium guns and later with 25 pounders, and served in the Windsor Battery. In 1961 on formation of the Berkshire & Westminster Dragoons he transferred to HQ Sqn at Elverton Street in London. He retired from the TA in 1964. He is survived by his wife, Virginia, their daughter and two sons, and four grandchildren.

Officers at Annual Camp in 1956 at Sennybridge. Lt Villiers is in the back row, sixth from the right.

Peter Mills 1922 - 2013 Prior to the war Peter and his older brother, George, were keen members of Windsor and Eton Cricket Club and they decided to enlist in the Berkshire Yeomanry together. Unfortunately Peter was a couple of months too young and had to wait. His youth also proved an obstacle yet again when in 1940 the Berkshire Yeomanry were sent to Northern Ireland, and as a result Peter was posted to an anti-aircraft regiment on the Isle of Dogs. In due course however he was transferred back.

Sgt Peter Mills in Malaysia with one of the signs he painted. Don Trivett reports that whilst the regiment was in Malaya Peter and Alan Horslen had befriended a local Chinese doctor and in time the doctor learned that Peter was an accomplished signwriter. The doctor persuaded Peter to paint a sign in Chinese to go outside his surgery. Once the sign was in place, Peter became something of a celebrity with the locals who just could not believe that an Englishman could produce such a masterpiece. Peter rose steadily through the ranks and was promoted Battery Sergeant Major in 1946. After demobilisation Peter became a professional signwriter for a while and then entered the world of journalism. He married in 1945 and is survived by his daughter and one grandson.


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ROYAL BERKSHIRE YEOMANRY CAVALRY MUSEUM Officers and Committee Chairman Col Sir David Black Bt DL Secretary and Curator Brig A P Verey QVRM TD DL Assistant Curator Capt A G French Treasurer Lt Col V Connelly TD Administrator Major S H Frost TD Squadron Representative Major J Harris Trustees Major W S Sampson TD Major J J Macnamara TD Curatorial Adviser Major D Rankin-Hunt LVO MBE TD Database Manager W Ratcliffe Esq Working Group M Chapman Esq, C Lewis Esq The Berkshire Yeomanry Museum was formed on 23 November 1976 and is registered with the Charity Commission (No. 273116). The Museum is also registered with the Museums and Galleries Commission. The Museum is open on Tuesday evenings between 7.30 pm and 9.00 pm and otherwise by appointment. Curator’s Report In conjunction with the Potts VC Memorial Trust the curatorial staff have been expanding the Museum’s outreach programme for Reading schools. The programme includes a presentation with slides on the history of the Regiment and a display of uniform, weapons and equipment with a number of hands-on exhibits. To date the following schools have been visited: June 2013 Southcote Primary School June 2013 Katesgrove Primary School (which Potts himself attended) July 2013 Kendrick Primary School Sept 2013 Reading College June 2014 Southcote Primary School We are also pleased to report that we have hosted several visits by organised groups including the Spearhead Historical Association from Belgium and Alzheimers Dementia Support from Maidenhead. We have been very fortunate to acquire some notable items to add to our displays. In 2013 we were contacted by the Royal Tank Museum because some years ago they had been given by members of the family the uniforms and sabres of Col G Willes who commanded the Berkshire Yeomanry in the 1850’s. The Tank Museum were happy to hand over the items to our Museum. This has enabled us to completely revamp our display of uniforms in the late Victorian era, a period when there were many changes in style and colour. Also in 2013 we were contacted by the family of Cpl William Gilbert who served in the Berkshire Yeomanry in the 1870’s. The family visited the Museum and were so impressed with it and with the information we were able to supply that they gave to the museum a wonderful three handled silver cup awarded as a prize for sword exercise to William Gilbert in 1873. Happily we were able to show the family that he also won the competition the following year. I am also pleased to report that in 2013 we were able to expand the support provided by our volunteer helpers, We formed a Working Group that meets on a monthly basis to review progress on our action plans and I am very grateful indeed for the support they provide. We have ambitious plans for the Museum particularly in relation to electronic media and earlier this year we made our first foray into this area with a dedicated website: www.berkshireyeomanrymuseum.com. Brigadier A P Verey QVRM TD DL Curator


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The First World War: Outbreak and Mobilisation WAR DECLARED AND MOBILISATION On 4 August 1914 war was declared. That day Captain Porter (Secretary of the Berkshire Territorial Force Association) received an official telegram from the War Office ordering him to mobilise all Berkshire Territorial Force units. On receipt of instructions from the Association, the adjutant of the Berkshire Yeomanry, Captain FB Hurndall (20th Hussars), began that same day to send out telegrams to mobilise each squadron at their respective HQs, requiring men to report to their drill halls by 0800 hrs the following morning. On 5 August 1914 the Berkshire Yeomanry mobilised. On the adjutant and Regimental Sergeant Major, WO1 EJ Seal, fell much of the strain and responsibility of mobilisation. A (Windsor) Squadron under command of Major ES Gooch, with troops at Windsor, Maidenhead and Wokingham, assembled at the Wellington Drill Hall. The Marquis of Downshire conveyed the Wokingham Troop to Windsor in two Rolls Royce motor cars to much cheering along Bracknell High Street. B (Reading) Squadron under Major JT Wigan assembled at Yeomanry House in Reading. C (Newbury) Squadron under Major JL Nickisson, with troops at Newbury, Hungerford and Lambourn, mobilised at the Pelican Yard, Newbury. Earlier in the morning the Lambourn Troop had formed up behind a band and marched to the station where they took the first train to Newbury. A crowd of 200-300 people gave them a rousing send off. D (Wantage) Squadron under Captain CC Stone, with troops at Wantage, Abingdon and Faringdon, mobilised at Wantage.

No 3 (Wokingham) Tp of A Sqn

THE FIRST WEEK Everyone knew the war could not last long and chafed at the seeming delay. But mobilisation was an infinitely involved and complicated proceeding, a matter of irksome detail, filling in forms, inspecting, distributing, counting, checking, ordering and all the while complying with the varying direction of higher authority


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The mobilisation of the separate squadrons may have appeared chaotic to the highly trained military eye, as indeed in certain respects, it was. However in circumstances in which the officers and men were expected to transform themselves into a regiment ready for active service, a prodigious amount was achieved in a remarkably short period: men had to be found billets; horses delivered, selected, passed as fit and found stabling; transport requisitioned; arms and equipment issued, saddles and horse blankets issued and fitted, new pay books drawn up, and many other matters dealt with, before any of the squadrons could move to where the regiment was to concentrate. The regimental Orbat upon mobilisation was:- Lt Col JPB Karslake

Commanding Officer

RSM EJ Seal PS

Regimental Sergeant Major

Major HG Henderson Second in Command RQMS J Greenaway Regimental QM Sergeant Capt FB Hurndall Adjutant FQMS G Randall Farrier QM Sergeant Hon Lt AW Henson Quartermaster Sgt FG Godwin Trumpet Major Lt CJGT Walmesley Machine Gun Officer Sgt H Martin Regtl Saddler Sergeant Lt DG Kennard Medical Officer Bandmaster Wilcox IC Band Capt PJ Simpson RAVC Veterinary Officer 2 Lt TE Ainger OC Bde Signal Tp

A (Windsor) Squadron

B (Reading) Squadron

C (Newbury) Squadron

D (Wantage) Squadron

Major ES Gooch Major JT Wigan Major JL Nickisson Capt CC Stone Captain G.M. Wilder Capt EM Slaughter Capt R Hughes Lt AT West Lt EGB Foster 2Lt HA Benyon NB Walmesley Lt WEG Niven 2Lt EB Butler Henderson 2Lt CB Krabbe 2Lt GE Portal Lt PMN Wroughton 2Lt ECT Barry SSM A Trowbridge (PS) 2Lt AC Bishop 2Lt HP Crosland SSM J James (PS) SSM WC Cox SSM Callow (PS) 2Lt MJ Kingscote SSM H Haines SQMS GJ Bradbury SSM SA Harris SSM TJ Leicester (PS) SQMS H Radnor F/Sgt AF Butler SQMS Unknown SSM ST Austin F/Sgt TC Climo F/Sgt A Denton SQMS BL Bastin F/Sgt W Wallin

Each squadron was split in to 4 troops. Each troop comprised a troop commander, a troop sergeant, and 8 sections of 4 men. Each 4-man section was supposed to live, mess and fight together. The Regimental War Diary makes it clear that there was much to do in a short space of time to bring the regiment up to a war footing. The peacetime establishment of a Yeomanry regiment was four squadrons, whereas the wartime establishment was only three. The regiment’s mobilisation plan laid down that it fell to C (Newbury) Sqn to be split up amongst the other squadrons. This naturally caused a deal of heartache amongst the officers and men of the C Sqn who had trained together in peacetime, and which was certainly no less efficient nor less well recruited than the others. A yeomanry regiment always tended to produce a strong esprit-de-corps at squadron level and the absorption of men from the Newbury Sqn certainly added friction during those early days. But after careful adjustments and re-adjustments, which took a little time, that friction disappeared with the men getting satisfactorily settled down in their new squadrons.

Advance Guard of A Sqn departing Windsor for Reading


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CONCENTRATION On 11 August the regiment assembled at Reading. To get to there, A and D Squadrons marched by road from Windsor and Wantage respectively. With so many new recruits, this must have been a considerable challenge. For the more experienced it must have seemed a nightmare. Cast shoes, dropped picketing pegs or water buckets or feed bags, trotting back and dismounting to re-secure the errant article, slipped saddles and shifting loads, all occasioning a host of stragglers. Once assembled, according to the Reading Mercury, the regiment’s strength was 26 officers, 472 men, and 476 horses. The regiment was generally quartered in and about Friar Street, allowing the men a preliminary experience of campaigning by having to sleep on straw covered floors of unoccupied premises, and by feeding on war rations. Still, by all accounts, they rather enjoyed the conditions and considered it jolly good sport. The regiment formed part of the 2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade, under the command of Brigadier General the Earl of Longford. The Brigade comprised Royal Bucks Hussars, Queens Own Oxfordshire Hussars, Berkshire Yeomanry, Berkshire Battery RHA, Bde Supply Column ASC, Bde Field Ambulance and Bde Signal Troop. In parallel with the regiment, the rest of the Brigade also concentrated in the Reading area.

The Regiment prepares for war in Great Knollys Street, Reading, August 1914

A MOVE TO THE EAST COAST The War Office quickly decided upon a general concentration of mounted units close to the East Coast to meet the threat of an enemy landing. As a result the whole Brigade was ordered to move by rail on 15 August. The regiment entrained at Reading station that evening. The process of entraining a regiment’s worth of horses, most quite unused to such adventures, in the falling light of dusk and in sidings not constructed to deal with such large numbers, occupied a not inconsiderable time and entailed a deal of shouting by officers and sergeants. Considerable time elapsed in boxing the horses, and it was not until about 2230 hrs that the train got away. There was quite a crowd at the barrier who gave hearty cheers as the regiment departed. The regiment arrived at Bury St Edmunds in the early hours of 16 August. Regimental HQ was established at Hengrave Hall, a large tudor mansion about three miles north west of the town, and the squadrons were billeted in rural areas nearby. Troop and squadron training continued for a few days and then on 20 August the Brigade marched to Thetford. Training then expanded to include elementary musketry on a daily basis and much useful work in the riding school.


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Riding school is not a place as such, but a lesson to be taken indoors or out with horses and men circling round an instructor in an enclosed area. Great stress ought to be given to the value of riding school so that the men and horses should be co-ordinated as to understand each other perfectly. The horses soon learnt their lesson; they were on the whole quicker in doing so than the men. On 25 August the regiment, in marching order with all transport, was inspected by Major General Alderson at Euston Park. This was the start of a continuing trend over the next several months of routine inspections by senior officers. Throughout this period there were frequent rumours of enemy landings and the Yeomanry were kept constantly on the alert with numerous night alarms. On 27 August the Brigade moved again. “This day the Regiment was marching with the Brigade to Dereham via the little market town of Watton. We had to be up and off at 0500 hrs in the morning, but the fortunate ones managed to secure a substantial breakfast before starting. All day we rode down long and dusty roads with scarcely a pause to rest the horses. When the sun had got up and towards midday began to beat down upon us, the heat was terrific. Each man carried his rifle on his back, and 100 cartridges in his belt and the weight became oppressive. Towards the afternoon we were each served out with a service biscuit and a piece of bully beef, and this had to suffice until we reached our destination where we were billeted for the night at Whitbread's Brewery. Then we had half a biscuit and a small piece of cheese and got down to the work of putting down horse lines and bedding down the horses. It was not until 1900 hrs that we got our regulation stew and by that time we were glad we were going no further. About 25 miles had been covered at the pace of the slowest draught horses. Once we had been dismissed "Stables" we were able to go down town”.

Training at Hempton Green near Fakenham

The following day the Brigade move continued to Aylsham where it was intended the Brigade should stay for some weeks. However almost immediately QOOH received startling orders to prepare for service overseas. At the time the prevailing sentiment everywhere was to get out to France as soon as possible since it would “all be over by Christmas”. Needless to say there was the wildest excitement in all ranks. But by next day the orders had been cancelled and the Brigade was ordered to proceed to Cromer and entrain for Churn on the Berkshire Downs.


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“With regard to our trek through East Anglia, we could not have been better received. As we passed houses on the road we were loudly cheered, and if there was any tree in bearing fruit, it was picked and thrown up to us, as we rode past, and very welcome it was too, for we were always hot and dusty. Everywhere we went it was the same, people we were billeted on did their very best to make us comfortable in every way. This kind of march was good practice in early days for young troops, more than sufficient to keep every officer fully occupied. We had to find food for the men and forage for the horse most of the way since the divisional transport was not yet up to the strain of a march. Neither should it be forgotten that the horses were even more untried than the men; good enough raw material but hastily collected from farms and villages, many straight off grass, and inevitable victims to girth galls and other injuries to which animals picketed in horse lines for the first time are prone”. BERKSHIRE DOWNS AND A NEW DIVISION On 30 August the Brigade arrived at Cromer and was loaded onto 12 trains. The journey via Cambridge, Bletchley and Oxford, took about 8 hours. It was a hot August day, and though rather a comfortable day of rest for the officers, it was hot and trying for the horses, not to mention the men. Churn lies on the Berkshire Downs, rolling grasslands south of Abingdon. For the Berkshire lads, this was a return to their home county. In fact most of the regiment was well acquainted with Churn where since 1900 the majority of annual camps had been held. Churn was a tented camp and the first task faced by the Brigade was erecting all the necessary canvas. On 2 September the 2nd Mounted Division came into existence under command Major General WE Peyton. The restricted water supply did not permit the new Division to concentrate at Churn, so the four brigades forming the new Division, including the 2nd South Midland Brigade at Churn, remained dispersed around Berkshire and Oxfordshire. The Divisional HQ and Artillery HQ were at Goring.

LCpl MC Bennett and his section from No 1 Tp of B Sqn

D Squadron parading on mobilisation in Wantage town square on 11 August 1914


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General Peyton directed that no departure in principles of syllabus of training were to be made, and for the next few weeks training continued amidst all the usual administration required of a Brigade under canvas: horses were cast; incinerators erected; washing accommodation arranged; canvas horse troughs erected and later replaced with wooden ones; contracts taken out with local tailors and cobblers for the repair of clothing and boots; and inspections of all equipment including bandoliers, waist belts and ammunition. The regiment was twice inoculated against enteric. “Life is hard and the food on the plain side, but the men are in remarkable good health and spirits. Everyone is looking quite bronzed in this outdoor life.”

Troop of 2/1st Berks Yeo at King’s Lynn

The more settled existence meant that entertainments could be arranged. A YMCA marquee was set up for the comfort of the troops in the Brigade, and was much used. There were facilities for reading, writing and playing games; a post office; classes in French and German with many students but few teachers; concerts given and football tournaments organised; church services were arranged. Meanwhile at the Berkshire Yeomanry Depot in Reading, which had been formed on 10 August, no accommodation was available, so recruits were dealt with on the “3 shilling basis”, i.e. they were sent home on attestation, received three shillings a day covering subsistence and pay, and were subject to immediate recall. With the regiment settled at Churn recruits were embodied and the first forty-five recruits arrived on 8 September. Although untrained they were posted to squadrons forthwith. Specific recruit training was arranged to teach the basics of foot drill and musketry. By mid-September training was further expanded to include outpost and elementary tactical schemes. “An alarm was sounded one evening in camp, and it speaks well for the keenness of the men that in the short space of 9 minutes all had saddled up, mounted and assembled at the alarm post with all their fighting kit on". To everyone’s surprise on 19 September the QOOH again received orders to move to the Western Front. This time it was not a false alarm and the other regiments in the Brigade, despite their own disappointment, offered them the pick of their horses. Within the Brigade the QOOH were to be replaced by the Dorset Yeomanry.


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A CHANGE OF COMMAND At this time War Office thinking allowed that only Regular Officers (or ex regulars) were competent to lead yeomanry regiments in the field. So Commanding Officers who had had no regular service were to be weeded out. On 23 September 1914 Major HG Henderson MP, having joined the Berkshire Yeomanry in 1906 after service in the 1st Life Guard, was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and assumed command of the Berkshire Yeomanry. At that time the Squadron leaders were Major ES Gooch (A Sqn), Capt R Hughes (B Sqn), and Capt G Heseltine (D Sqn). Conditions of Service for Yeomanry regiments were limited to home defence. In order to deploy overseas it was necessary to ask that all ranks volunteer for overseas service. Whilst most had no hesitation in doing so there was no element of compulsion and in early September orders were received from Brigade to form a Reserve Regiment for home defence from all those who were not selected for service abroad. Permanent Staff Sergeant Major James and 45 men transferred to the Reserve Regiment which established itself at Bearwood near Reading. Known later as the 2/1st Berkshire Yeomanry, this regiment was then able to take on all soldiers under 19 (the minimum age for overseas service), those unwilling or unfit to serve overseas and those who had applied to join the Berkshire Yeomanry but for whom no vacancy existed. Recruit training was stepped up and many new recruits, especially from the towns, had to be taught to ride as well as put through riding school, physical drill and musketry. Much effort was also devoted to training at Brigade and Divisional level: the Divisional Field day held on 30 September comprised 12 yeomanry regiments and four batteries of horsed artillery over a 25 mile front. Horses not up to the work were weeded out and exchanged through the Divisional Remount Depot. With good grain, regular exercise and hard grooming, however, most of the horses improved immeasurably in body and spirit. They began to look like troop horses, and watering on a cow-collar was an infinitely more lively proceeding than it had been.

The Berkshire Yeomanry at Churn Camp on the occasion of an inspection by the King

on 8 October 1914 ROYAL INSPECTION On 8 October the Division was inspected by His Majesty the King on the Fairmile near Wallingford. This was the first time a Yeomanry Division in line had been inspected by the King. Six thousand troops paraded for the royal review, and the scene on the Fairmile was a memorable one. The sun shone brightly from a cloudless sky and thousands of people assembled on the historic ground. The four Yeomanry Brigades were drawn up in line all along the Fairmile and on their right stood the four batteries of Royal Horse Artillery. Arriving a little after 1100 hrs, the King rode all along the line, and after inspecting the artillery took up his position on Lowbury Hill. From this vantage point the King watched squadron after squadron canter by and proceed to execute field manoeuvres or a scheme over the Churn basin. He was highly pleased with the capacity and condition of both men and horses, and expressed his satisfaction with the whole parade.


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WINTER QUARTERS With the onset of winter, it was getting very cold at night and Churn Camp was struck on 17 October. The regiment proceeded to the Wantage area for billeting in Uffington, Childrey and other villages in the Vale of White Horse. Training continued as before but with some new drills. “In the afternoon the Regiment then practised trench digging in the vicinity of White Horse Hill. One parade was at the foot of White Horse Hill, and some yeomen took the opportunity of circling the original of the regimental badge.” A new musketry course was developed to include practices in the trenches and firing on aerial enemy. Towards the end of October dozens of horses were cast, and replaced by remounts, the existing saddlery packed away, and the real cavalry saddle with the long rifle-bucket issued. Sabres were issued, and although obsolete in style, the regiment was converted from mounted infantry, armed only with rifles, to true cavalry. Of course sword drill now needed to be added into the training regime and regimental field firing moved to practising with ball cartridges and Maxim machine guns under war conditions.

Tpr Hugh P Dymore Brown in Marching Order (Mounted) TO FRANCE ? Orders for departure, originally for 30 October, were first prolonged to 3 November and then to 8 November. Leave was granted to all sections of each troop in turn, so that all paid a visit home. All the horses were re-shod and half clipped and sword scabbards coloured brown. The men were issued brand new kit, including boots. On 7 November sword frogs arrived enabling swords to be carried on a mounted parade for the first time. Until the withdrawal of swords from yeomanry cavalry in about 1901 they had been carried on the left hand side of the saddle. Now, to counteract the weight of the rifle and bucket on the left, the sword changed sides. "Much progress has been made with sword exercises, and the horses have become accustomed to them hanging on their sides. The boys are proving more and more their abilities with the new weapon, and that without accidents they find a real cavalry charge with swords most thrilling. Digging trenches has been found hard work, but refilling them or making good the ground, almost as laborious." The fate of the Division now hung in the balance; it had rapidly been equipped to a full war scale and the demands for its presence in France or to defend the East Coast were apparently nicely balanced. Warned off twice during November it seemed certain that the Division was going to France, when suddenly.... FAMILIAR COUNTRY It was already known that on 3 November eight German warships had bombarded Yarmouth. This had increased the fears had that a hostile landing might be attempted on the East Coast and the War Office had eventually decided that the Division was needed for coastal defence.


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Early in the morning of 16 November hurried orders were received for entraining during the day; much was already packed however in expectation of a move. Rumours abounded that at last this was the "real thing!" The regiment travelled through the night. Later as the November day dawned, the appearance of familiar stations left no doubt of an easterly course. The slow tedious journey ended in disappointment at Melton Constable. RHQ was established at Briningham Hall just to the north of Melton Constable with the squadrons billeted in villages around. The billeting was described as "tight", and not without good reason; on arrival some were fortunate to get billeted in cottages; others were accommodated in loose boxes and a few found shelter in disused pig stys. Within the Brigade, training and tactical exercises continued. Troops were instructed as to the methods of identifying aeroplanes such as roundels on the wings. All men were warned against discussing military affairs with strangers, and to open fire on airships of the Zeppelin type. On 9 December the regiment left Melton Constable and moved to Fakenham. After a three week stay in the village of Melton Constable the inhabitants parted with the regiment with sincere regret and nearly 300 school children assembled noisily on the village green to witness their departure.

Railway guard from No 3 Tp B Sqn at Melton Constable INVASION SCARE On 16 December the towns of Whitby, Hartlepool and Scarborough were all shelled by German warships. A week later, 23 December, saw an invasion scare with a belief that an attempt at a landing by the enemy was imminent. Regimental rendezvous in full marching order at 0630 hrs. All leave cancelled. Those soldiers who had been given leave and sent home and had looked forward to an enjoyable Christmas with family and friends were disappointed on their arrival home to find telegrams recalling them to the regiment. The following day the Regiment again paraded at 0630 hrs. There was snow on the ground and it was bitterly cold. “We waited on Hempton Green simply frozen for 5 hours with no food, and came back again.”


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Christmas Day was duly celebrated by rising again to a bitterly cold and frosty morning with roads frozen hard. By dawn the Brigade was once more standing-to on Hempton Green above Fakenheam. While waiting for the all-clear signal, the Brigade Chaplain, the Reverend AG Parham, held an impromptu service with an altar improvised from boxes of tinned bully beef. No enemy appeared however and the troops returned to quarters.

Spud bashing: members of 2/1st Berks Yeo at Bearwood Later in the day, Christmas was celebrated in a more convivial manner with Christmas Dinner for the regiment in the Drill Hall, Fakenham. Some 430 rank and file were entertained by the officers; Messrs Grix of Norwich catered and served the Christmas fare in fine style. An admirably varied smoking concert followed and cigars and cigarettes were handed round, a gift of the Mayor of Reading. New Year's Day 1915: a tea for the men of the Brigade was arranged in the Drill Hall in Fakenham. So large was the number sitting down that they had to be accommodated in two sittings. An entertainment of various popular songs, selections on the banjo and various sketches were provided both by local talent as well as entertainers brought up from London. Despite the festivities regular training and exercises continued and inspections and parades were frequent. At the end of January, following Zeppelin attacks on the East Coast, orders were received that all visible light in billets and private houses had to be shielded or put out at night.


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OVERSEAS AT LAST Towards the end of March, with a growing consciousness of the dangers of the Gallipoli campaign ahead, the War Office decided to send the 2nd Mounted Division to Egypt. On 7 April the regiment’s move began led by D Squadron who marched to Fakenham where at 2030 hrs they entrained for Avonmouth Docks. The majority of the regiment was berthed on the SS Menominee, a transport of some 6000 tons. In all 49 officers, 1,055 men and 310 animals from the Division were on board. This does not sound much but the boat was supposed in ordinary peacetime to carry 320 including the crew. All the regiment's horses and about thirty men per squadron under Lts Blyde, Niven and Kingscote were accommodated on the SS Roman Prince accompanied by the Vet, Capt PJ Simpson, and the MO, Capt DG Kennard. The chosen men comprised the drivers, farriers, grooms and a few selected for their skill in stable duties. In all from the Berkshire Yeomanry aboard were 6 officers, 151 men, and 569 horses. At dawn on 9 April the convoy set sail escorted by four torpedo-boat destroyers. A message of farewell was received from the King and read to the troops.

Members of No 1 Tp B Sqn at Avonmouth preparing to board in tropical kit and helmet “sola topee”.

Sgt F Palmer at the rear


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Aboard SS Roman Prince: L-R standing Lt Blyde, Lt Niven, Lt Kingscote; sitting Capt Kennard and Capt Simpson

Those in the SS Menominee had had a moderately rough passage through the Bay of Biscay, but experienced calmer conditions in the Mediterranean. Aboard SS Menominee Tpr NW Coe wrote: 10 April - Feeling a lot better today, the sea is quite rough if not worse than yesterday, you cannot walk about on deck unless you hold onto something, such a sickly smell about everywhere, we sleep in hammocks, and they are very close together. Also aboard SS Menominee Tpr GW Colebrooke wrote: 11 April - I had quite a pleasant journey leaving Fakenham about 2 am and arrived Avonmouth docks at midday. Some of us had a pound of cold sausage each, and sundry loaves of bread, so we were not as hungry as we have been when travelling before. We have had quite a calm voyage, considering the time of year. It is perceptibly warmer than when first leaving England. This boat is of course not the acme of comfort, but it is not bad now that things have got into running order and the fellows got over the seasickness, which of course in such cramped quarters is very unpleasant. I like sleeping on a hammock, though there are horses about two foot above your head with an iron floor in between. It sounds like a thunderstorm every time a horse moves. My job is "Standing Mess Orderly" for the voyage. I am exempt from all parades and guards, so though it is rather a messy job it has compensations. The SS Menominee arrived in Alexandria Harbour in the afternoon of 20 April but the SS Roman Prince carrying all the regiment's horses did not arrive until the next day.


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94 (BERKSHIRE YEOMANRY) SIGNAL SQUADRON Serving Officers and Soldiers 2013-14

Squadron Headquarters Permanent Staff Major J Harris Capt P Samways Capt J Browning SSgt (SQMS) P Walton Capt R Woodward SSgt (PSI) LD James WO2 (SSM) J Hearn (to April 2014) SSgt (PSI(T)) W Lill WO2 (SSM) C Anderson (from April 2014) SSgt (PSI(T)) V Charnock

Squadron Ops Civilian Staff Capt D Saunders Mr R James WO2(FoS) W Ratcliffe Miss L Haugh SSgt A Smith Mrs K Murphy SSgt S McCoy QVRM Mr M Sale SSgt A Dalgleish Mr R Tombs Sgt M Downer Mrs M Young Sgt K Grace

Support Troop REME 860 (RBH) Troop WO2 C Dean Sgt D Harding SSgt GC Nicholas SSgt D Sterry Sgt P Bisiker Sgt P Billcliff Sgt B Hearn LCol G Cooksley Cpl M Brown Sgt R Pendrich Cfn B McSeeney LCpl S Bond Cpl W Machingauta Cfn J Meakes LCpl G Compton Cpl T Bastiman-Davies Sig S Bowser Cpl A Douglas Sig B Chinchen LCpl P Gardner Sig IJ Hazelgrove LCpl J Gent Sig K Kimble LCpl G Whitehouse LCpl F Gent Pte W Nyuke

886 Troop Capt L Appleby Cpl S Tanuku Sig L Bird Sgt N Anderson LCpl S Bosman Sig A Corrigan Sgt D Davies LCpl A Buckle Sig R Killingsworth Sgt D Searle LCpl P Mays Sig M Oladunjoye Sgt J Stacey LCpl J Smith Sig C Plater Cpl P Lickfold LCpl R Tackley Sig V Sotelo Reyes Cpl A O’Marah Sig G Amara Sig C Sudlow Cpl A Tait

885 Troop Capt VJ O’Regan LCpl D Hickey Sut S Bartlett Lt N MacInnes LCpl G Hurst Sut P Harris WO2 S Collins LCpl A Tanuku Sut J King SSgt A Simmons Sig D Noble Sut L Muncie Cpl J Douglas Sig M Phull Sut R Parker Cpl D Payne Sig C Sellens Sut C Pettinger Cpl S Wojas Sig R Seymour Sut D Shaw LCpl D Brownlees Sig D Shaw Sut A Woolear Sig M Willis

Berkshire Yeomanry serving regimentally or elsewhere

Brig HJ Robertson QVRM TD Major JE Cowie Capt M Craster Col RK Wilkinson QVRM TD Major AD Hawes Capt AG French Lt Col J Carmichael TD Major AG Knight Capt AJ Linn Lt Col V Connelly TD Major N Macmillan Capt R Manickavasagan Lt Col JR Kendall Major J Pringle Capt NJ Storey Lt Col SR Walker TD Major CL Richardson Lt A Lee Major M Allen Capt SL Barnes WO2 A Cook


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Squadron Report by Major Justin Harris As mentioned earlier in this Journal it was with great sense of disappointment that the Squadron learned during 2013 that we were to lose the sole remaining outlying troop location at Aylesbury. Under the 2020 Reforms the Aylesbury TA centre was to be taken over by the Rifles and other units. For the first time in the last 100 years the Berkshire Yeomanry was located wholly in one place, at Windsor. In some ways of course this has its advantage as it simplifies many of the administrative processes. However it does represent a significant challenge for the Squadron to recruit to full strength from only one location. 2013 2013 kicked off as usual with Ex Cold Start, consisting of lots of bangs, smoke, ammo and enemy activity. This year there was much more activity, as it was a full Regimental Exercise. The scenario was based on recent Ops in Afghanistan, with SSgt Andy Smith being the face that appeared on all the “most wanted” posters.

Ex Cold Start 2013 Recruiting remains an army wide priority for all units and the Squadron has been involved in a number of initiatives locally. Regular open evenings are frequent and widely advertised and reflect a well organised display of all the modern equipment held by the Squadron. Regimental training The pattern of training in recent years has evolved quite dramatically. Most soldiers now attend formal Army-run one-week or two-week courses to achieve advances in their trades or in rank. Regimental and Squadron training is used to provide practice in deployment skills, to provide experience in collective operations and to ensure everyone meets the current standards on the annual tests (MATs) mandatory for gaining an annual bounty.


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PT in action There is also a recognised emphasis on fitness and soldiers are invited to train on the Squadron gym equipment from 6pm every Tuesday, and the braver ones take advantage of personal training plans provided by LCpl Dave Brownlees. The first Regiment Development Weekend of 2013 was at Longmoor and it turned out to be very wet and windy indeed. The weekend gave the Regiment the opportunity to PACEX all their assets and refresh/learn new Bowman skills. SSgt Andy Smith and Sgt Aidan Dalgliesh put the newly trained soldiers through BSS and introduced them to their life and role in the Squadron. The Regiment was visited by the Master of the Skinners Livery Company, Mr William Fell, and at a ceremony later in the day he presented LCpl Becky Tackley of 886 Troop with the award for best female JNCO in the Regiment. Annual Camp 2013 Annual Camp in September 2013 was a regimental camp held jointly with 71 (City of London) Yeomanry Signal Regiment and was based at Okehampton. Adventure training dominated the first few days and this included coasteering, mountain bike riding and body boarding. The middle part comprised a major three day comms exercise during which the Squadron deployed to Salisbury Plain and proved, yet again, the effectiveness of our highly trained and experienced radio detachments. The final part included a day-long visit by HRH Princess Royal during which both regiments were able to demonstrate to her their full range of skills and equipment.

Escorted by Major Harris, HRH meets with (L-R) Sig Michael Oladunjoye, Sig Stephen Bowser, LCpl Andrea Buckle, Sgt Peter Billcliff, and SSgt Sonja McCoy


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In addition to the usual exercises, the Squadron deployed six soldiers for Ex Lion Star which took place in Cyprus in November 2013. Those deployed were Sgt Nick Anderson, LCpl Jadiene Gent, Sig Gerard Amara, Sig Iain Hazelgrove, Sig Michael Oladunjoye and Sig Chris Plater.

Ex Lion Star L-R: Sig Hazelgrove, Sig Plater, LCpl Gent, Sig Amara, Sig Olandunjoye, Sgt Anderson 2014 Of course 2014 began the same way as usual with Ex Cold Start. The viewpoint of a newly recruited soldier on his experiences is set out later in this report. In February 2014, following severe flooding in the South East of England, the Army instituted Operation Pitchpole. A number of Squadron personnel were hurriedly deployed in the early stages and Capt Saunders took on the role as G6 Liaison Officer at 145 Brigade HQ. Her role was to liaise between 145 Brigade, 39 Signal Regiment and JFCIS as well as be the initial point of contact for G6 within the Brigade. She spent the first 24 hours at 39 Signal Regiment undergoing essential briefing on current operations and tasks and familiarization of the MOSS site; reports, returns and battle rhythm. She readily appreciated the important role played by R Signals in providing rapid, reliable and secure communications across the Brigade in support of the rescue and recovery effort. It also provided her with the experience of working side by side with Regular, Reserve and Civilian staff from all services. In March 2014 the Sqn held a full Comms Ex – the last exercise before the close of 860 Troop at Aylesbury. The exercise started off with Bowman familiarization training in the LBTA’s at Minley to refresh / train on Bowman skills. This was a great way to start the exercise giving everyone a capability overview and role play on the kit before deployment. During the training Lt Val O’Regan and Capt Ruth Woodward were tasking to do a site recce for SCP. SSM Jimmy Hearn coordinated the model and SSgt Andy Smith gave the Comms orders. The Sqn deployed across the area and quickly settled into routine. Nothing gets passed the OpsO and SSgt Andy Smith was surprised by a birthday song and cake in the field!


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In July the Squadron deployed to Pirbright for a challenging range weekend. The range facilities at Pirbright are fantastic and a range weekend there is still one of the highlights of the training year. Annual Camp 2014 In September the Regiment deployed to Sennybridge for a 10 day Annual Camp. Because of its shortened nature the centrepiece of the training was a full comms deployment exercise. The extensive training area provided some wonderful and testing locations for all detachments and the exercise certainly provided an excellent challenge across all elements of the Regiment.

Capt Woodward presents a birthday cake to SSgt Smith as SSM looks on Ex Cold Start 2014 by Sig Matthew Willis Not long after the stroke of midnight on a cold Friday night in January, I kicked off my first exercise with the Army Reserve alongside personnel wearing 10 different cap badges, which included the Honorary Artillery Company, 3 Military Intelligence Regt and of course elements from all the Squadrons in 39 (Skinners) Signal Regiment. During the initial brief we learned that our role was to act the part of a UN peacekeeping force located near a Middle Eastern border hotspot, through which refugees were expected to attempt to pass. Saturday was split into 3 training elements: Forward Operating Base (“FOB”) guard duty, Quick Reaction Force, and Patrolling with each “stand” lasting around 6 hours. To start things off No 1 Section, to which I had been assigned, was tasked with the guard duty role manning the FOB’s main gate. The night passed without major incident but interrupted at intervals by new arrivals and by patrols entering and leaving the FOB. All this helped us brush up on our stop and search skills. After a long 19 hour day it was a great feeling to head off for a well-earned sleep. Ex Cold Start 2014: SSM Hearn, Major Harris and Capt Saunders Next up was the QRF stand and No 1 Section was tasked with being the enemy. We changed into civvies and deployed into the nearby FIBUA village to harass the troops and escalate tensions in the area. Going “native” and ramping up the unrest was utterly thrilling and quite a contrast to the normal military routine. Our third task was the Patrolling stand. We proved ourselves to be well and truly stealthy as after 90 minutes of patrolling in the enemy’s backyard we were neither spotted nor even suspected of being out there! Another welcome night’s rest was savagely interrupted: being awakened by gunfire and explosions is certainly unexpected and definitely outside my experience. No doubt it is something I will have to get used to over the course of my service. Luckily 3MI Regt responded quickly and soon saw off the militants attacking the FOB. However we soon received orders to deploy and arrest the ringleaders.


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Ex Cold Start 2014: No 1 Patrol forming up….

Well armed and with the reassuring weight of grenades in our webbing we moved up to assault the village. After 20 minutes of adrenaline fuelled combat we got our man and started back to base. We needed all the grenades we had, particularly to fend off a determined counter attack and several skirmishes in the back alleys, before we finally made it back. Reflecting on the exercise I now appreciate how much we learned and how well we bonded as a team. I am already looking forward to doing it again next year. Exercise Mercury Glacier XVII by Cpl Graeme Tait The Royal Signals Alpine Ski Championship was held in Zell-am-See and Kaprun in Austria at the end of 2013. The Squadron provided four members of a combined 39 and 71 Signal Regiments team: Lt Val O’Regan, SSgt Sonja McCoy, SSgt Gareth Nicholas and myself, with additional support from LCpl Guy Whitehouse. All levels of capability are accepted and the format of the exercise is 3 weeks of ski training followed by a week of racing. For the first two weeks, training took place on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier. Because of its altitude snow is guaranteed but it is very exposed, very cold and very unforgiving. So it was with a great sense of relief that in the third week we moved to the more hospitable area of Schmittenhohe. Sadly none of the four of us won any prizes in the Race Week itself. But we had a thoroughly good time and it was a fantastic experience which I would recommend to anyone, whether advanced skier or novice. Personnel We welcome back Capt Val O’Regan from her operational tour in Afghanistan and Capt Ruth Woodward. We say goodbye to SSM Jimmy Hearn who left us in April 2014 and we welcome SSM Colin Anderson to the fold. Capt John Browning has taken up a post with Headquarters London District and we wish him well.


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CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE BERKSHIRE YEOMANRY REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION

AR Abbott M Bird LD Bryan AC Collins JA Abbott R Bird A Buckle S Collins A Abdullah I Birks AJ Burden O Colman LP Adlard C Bishop GA Burder RS Comley EM Aldred P Bisiker RA Burgess G Compton D Alexander Sir David Black Bt DL JLW Burr H Conlon G Alexander AD Blackmore-Wells H Burt V Connolly TD R Alexander S Blackmore-Wells JR Bush A Cook J Allan NE Blake AI Butler JP Cook M Allass A Bloor D Byrne SV Cook KA Allen A Boardman DL Cable WS Cooke ME Allen H Bobby CAE Cadogan GN Cooksley PM Allen CP Bolt E Cahill D Cooper MJ Allum HA Bolton LM Camm G Cooper SA Amandini S Bond RP Campbell C Corcoran S Ancell Sir Nicholas Bonsor Bt DL T Carden H Cornford C Anderson CJ Booth J Carmichael TD A Corrigan NJ Anderson DR Booth PL Carroll KR Cowen AW Andrews S Bosman B Carter JE Cowie R Andrews J Botting D Carter PM Cowleshaw WIJ Andrews BF Boulton PE Carter R Cowling P Angell H Bourne AG Cassidy K Cox HG Angier RAS Bowley CMK Cassidy M Craster AJ Ansell S Bowser MG Cassie W Crisp L Appleby RGC Boyle A Castle-Mason DA Crouch DM Arnold CJ Braby JS Chamberlain NM Croucher CJ Atkins KJ Brace Nap Chambers M Crowhurst D Atkins J Bradford MBE N Champion M Cserny HL Bacon J Bradshaw D Chandler T Cummins AL Bailey S Brady BA Chapman J Curry FK Bailey TD A Braich M Chapman SJ Cuthbert J Baker CFR Brenal JA Charter HS Cuthbertson PM Baker D Brett M Charter E Cutts SW Ball R Brinley B Chinchen JP Dainty T Ball PN Bristow MJ Chittenden WA Dale-Harris MJ Ballard KW Broadbridge A Christie A Dalgleish A Barker A Broadley L Christie PM Daly K Barlas AA Bronn WC Church EI Dana GM Barnard EL Brooker AF Churchward GH Daney S Barnes VS Brooker G Clare D Daniels JC Barrett JM Brookes J Clare JM Davenport E Bartlett D Brooking GD Clark D Davies T Bastiman-Davies DJ Brooks JD Clark DI Davies J Bater M Brooks PB Clark G Davies CTH Beach SH Brooks-Ward LVO OBE TD RJ Clark NW Davies KE Beckingham A Brown S Clark TY Davies CL Bell AV Brown S Clark Z Davies N Bell CJ Brown SJ Clark H Davis SR Bell FG Brown DR Clarke PM Davison SG Berry M Brown AD Clayton N Dawkins T Bettesworth N Brown AR Clements LA Dawson A Bewley NC Brown JR Clist RF Day K Bewley R Brown J Coffey RJ Day AM Bicknell J Browning MA Collier E De Freitas P Billcliff D Brownlees PW Collings C Dean


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ME Dean RG Freeman BS Hardman B Hunt EJ Dent HN Freeth JW Harris DR Hunt M Denyer AG French R Harris S Hunter AP Deverell D French HR Harrison T Hunter AG Dewey PK French KM Harrison M Hurley RA Dewhurst SP French S Harrison G Hurst GF Dickey PM Froom R Hart G Hurst R Dickson DL Frost S Hartley B Ingham K Donaghy SH Frost TD PM Harwood A Ingram A Donald B Fry AR Hastings NG Ingram AM Douglas I Fuller L Hathaway R Ingram JJ Douglas IP Gaitens JR Hauxwell S Ireland FJ Dowling RFL Gallacher AJC Havlin G Isaacs PS Dowling JEJ Gambles A Hawes J Ivett M Downer JL Gardner DA Hawkins D Ivey MR Drees P Gardner R Hawkins GJR Jackson CNS Drew F Garrett C Hay D James JF Duggan M Garside T Hayes L James CA Duncan DM Gaynor JF Hayes-Brown AP Jarvis J Dundas Hamilton CBE J Gent R Hayes-Brown DJ Jarvis C Dunk O George IJ Hazelgrove PJ Jarvis T Dunne TL George AV Hazell RE Jarvis D Dunster CF Giddings BS Hearn A Jefferies S Durham LS Giles JR Hearn CL Jenkins G Duvall Lord Glanusk TD WG Hearn D Jennings RPG Duxbury T Glenister PJ Heath A Jepp BE Dziedziak D Goddard W Henry AJ Johnson JT Eales LJ Gooch WM Herbert AN Jones RD Eburne GWF Goody J Hewitt GHM Jones CG Edwards TW Gore PP Hewitt S Jones EG Eggleton A Goslyn D Hickey T Jones LA Elkin P Goslyn PL Hicks JC Kay T Ember-Davies B Goulding D Higginson S Keane MA Emery W Graeber A Hill A Keen MR Englefield AL Graham G Hill MA Keene G Englehart JW Graham J Hilton V Kefford AFM Etherton A Grant AC Hine S Kelham L Fairbairn R Grant K Hiscock A Kenchington NA Fairbairn A Gray TC Hiskins JR Kendall L Farmer SJ Gray PJ Hobart F Kent MA Farmer AW Green SC Hobbs GR Kewley Revd M Fass SL Greening DJ Hodgson PJ Kiddell H Faulkener BG Greenwood EA Hodson RK Killingsworth N Faulkner S Gregory CH Hoff K Kimble T Ferdinand J Gresty M Hollings AR King O Ferrari T Gross AJ Hooker D King N Finch FL Guest B Hordle AG Knight KP Flagg P Gunston GS Hornsby TD DR Knight J Fleck P Hadfield G Horseman EM Knight MI Flower KJ Halkyard IJ Hough HR Knight LC Ford JE Hall V Houlton JD Knowles SJ Ford NJ Hallett I Howard M Kreft SM Forrest AGC Hamblin BEM PC Howell C Laker R Foster A Hammond MJ Howson J Lamb W Fox A Handover SJ Huggins MS Lambourne TE Franks AJ Harder CA Hughes BP Lane W Fraser DM Harding RM Hughes IJ Lane NT Freeman PJ Harding DS Hughman C Langford


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V Langford B McSweeney B Parfitt JAV Reeves GE Langley G McVeigh CD Parker C Reynolds KJD Langley E Mead KI Parker B Rice A Larham RR Merton S Parsons H Richards P Lavenu AW Messenger FN Partridge CL Richardson S Lawrence GD Middleton CE Patey L Richardson HA Lawrie DJ Miller S Patterson C Rickard L Leadbeater GR Miller F Paulin KA Ricketts WAJ Learoyd D Mills A Paulley JK Robertson A Lee MP Mills DC Paxton K Robertson AM Leishman RK Mills D Payne HJ Robertson QVRM TD P Leng JM Mitchell H Pearce GR Robinson CS Lewis SE Mitchell N Pearce TH Robinson ME Lewis J Montgomery RM Pedlingham M Robson PM Lickfold LC Montique GE Pelling HA Rolfe W Lill AW Moor R Pendrich A Rooney A Linenberg BT Moor VA Penn FC Rosier A Linn T Moore R Penny SW Ross DC Lister J Mordant JB Perkins MAK Rothery M Lloyd SPC Morgan M Peters MG Rothery S Locke WB Morgan M Peters NK Rowland SB Loughlin CS Morris P Phillips HAS Rowlands C Lovett AJF Morton R Phillips JM Rule GMD Lyle AS Muir M Phull DB Russell GD Lynn L Mulcahy C Pickford DJ Russell MC MacDonald JC Mumford JM Pike AR Ryan WT MacFarlane CB A Murphy J Pilags R Salkeld W Machinauta RP Murphy J Pinnell WS Sampson TD N Maciejewski KJ Murtagh SC Pitcher P Samways G MacIntosh M Nahim I Saundercock DJL MacKay AE Nash HC Pitman A Saunders NR MacMillan J Nears A Plastow KR Saunders RC MacMillan KP Nelson C Plater TRJ Saunders JJ Macnamara TD ER Newbold EA Pollard WH Schofield J MaCready R Newlove AR Potterton RA Scott R Mamo CE Newman RB Powell Rev JP Scott TD R Manickavasagan G Newman P Preece DF Scotter H Manley N Newman S Preece JK Scown GM Manning P Newstead AD Preston J Scullion CJ Manuel G Nicholas JE Pringle D Searle AD Mardon D Noble E Proctor MBE TD D Secker Walker P Marks PJ Norman MS Purvis C Sellens DS Matthew DG Norris A Quarrell A Sharman L Matthews AV North DB Queen LJ Shepherd PF Matthews W Nyuke A Quinney MG Shepherd T May JMP Oakes J Quirk MA Sheppard P Mays SE O'Connell W Radbourne RB Sheppard T McCall J O'Connor P Raggett F Shepperd A McClelland M Oladunjoye NJ Raha L Sherwood Y McConnell A O'Marah D Ramjalipun PF Shrimpton S McCoy QVRM MA O'Neil PN Ramsey FP Shrubb IJ McCutcheon D Orchard IE Rands EA Shuttle N McFarlane VJ O'Regan D Rankin-Hunt MVO MBE TD SL Sidebottom K McIntyre PC Osborne WE Ratcliffe LP Sillence RJ McKee WD Owen AF Reay S Sillence C McKerlie C Owen JW Reddy NA Simmonds GE McNeil GF Paintin N Redmond DJ Simonds DL MD McNevin G Palmer C Reed E Sinclair MKJ McNevin J Panghurst G Rees H Sines


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J Singe G Taylor G AM White S Skennerton WK Templeton DB White A Skilbeck J Tennant J White A Smith DE Thomas MFT White A Smith DE Thomas PG White C Smith MY Thomas RG White DR Smith C Thompson G Whitehouse J Smith PR Thompson P Whitfield JES Smith T Thompson P Whitfield L Smith J Thorne I Whiting M Smith JR Thurlow GJ Wicks N Smith DD Tier D Wild RJ Smith MD Tippett J Wilkinson RP Smith AL Titcomb S Wilkinson LM Smyth D Todd RK Wilkinson QVRM TD R Somerset Gibbs M Todd RA Willan TM Sowerby CL Tomaszewias B Williams BM Sowerby TD RJ Townsend FL Williams N Speaks S Townsend JE Williams D Spiers BM Traylen MBE TD PR Williams DE Spiers RD Treherne M Wilston JAR Spillar GS Tripp CH Winkley J Stacey DC Trivett DFJ Winter RJ Starks D Tupper JA Winter R Stead HJ Turner SA Wise AE Stebbings M Turner S Wojas RA Steele RDL Tye TD SJ Wood P Stembridge R Ursell T Wood AFM Stenning S Van Wyk BC Woodgate GL Stenton AP Verey QVRM TD DL GN Woods P Steppens GD Vidler R Woodward D Sterry KV Vulgar F Wright JR Stevens TD B Wai G Wright RA Stevenson SR Walker TD Lord Wright I Stewart M Wall RH Wright J Stille D Wallace Y Wright JT Stockdale D Walpole F Yeboah D Stone VC Walter D Yeo-Bartlett TD N Storey P Walton M Young W Stott NJ Ward V Suckling BA Warner C Sudlow HD Watchman JG Summers C Waters E Sumpter AJ Waterston A Sutton HM Watford RK Swatridge PD Watson J Swinburne G Watts

B Tackley LC Watts A Tait A Weare MR Tait GC Webb A Tanuku A A Webster SQ Tanuku S E Wells M Taylor PD Wenlock TD P Taylor C Wheal R Taylor SL Whitaker


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ì¥Á g ¿ f’ journal_17.pdf · hungerford troop of c (newbury) squadron. on the outbreak of war...

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