ISSUE NO. 22  SEPTEMBER 2004

Membership The Club is pleased to welcome John Rae, Anthony Shaw, Gill Chadwick and Steve Chadwick, Gordon Bratton, David Hart Jr. Stuart Hartley Maureen Warner, Ray Hoskin, June Hulbert, Jane Charlton, Rosie May, Sue Dias, Brigadier C D Daukes, Mike Leaning, Stan Brackenbury, Brigadier John Oborne, Christophe Hamon, Trevor Swain, The Reverend David Porter, Gordon Leafe. Len Gosden Stephen Townsend, David Edwards, Julia Kolbert, George Finch, Peter Howland, Barry Townson, Leslie Scull and Michael Saunders.

Subscriptions The annual subscription of £3.00 is due from 1st September 2004 which is the beginning of the Club’s financial year. I should be glad if I could please have a prompt reply with the enclosed pay slip. Cheques made out to the Creully Club. Members who have already paid are notified on the pay slip.

Friends Remembered It is with deep regret that we learnt in February of this year. of the death in July 2003 of Kenneth George Morse George joined the Regiment at Redford Cavalry Barracks, Edinburgh on the 30th August 1937 serving first in HQ Recruits and then ‘A’ Squadron 1st, 3rd, and Admin Troops. George was three years in the Regiment and served with The Horses until mechanisation and was 2nd Servant until mobilisation. George went to France with the B.E.F and came home via Dunkirk. For a time he was 1st Servant to Captain Guy Cunard, later Major Cunard. He was posted to the 22nd Dragoons in October/November 1940. Posted to North Africa he joined the 4th County of London Yeomanry and saw action as a driver in a Grant tank which was blown up by a mine and hit by A.P. George was not injured. His next posting was to the 17th/21st Lancers driving a Sherman tank and again his tank hit a mine. After seeing further action George was wounded and certified as unfit for further tank work. but rejoined the 17th/21st on the Echelon as a driver. George had spent 9 months in continuous action; he drove Grants and Shermans from El Alamein to the end taking part in the Victory Parade at Tripoli. George has always taken a keen interest in the Creully Club supplying very useful information regarding his life and times in the army and about the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards. This is chronicled in ‘Before Mechanisation and Afterwards in the Western Desert’ Parts 1 & 2. copies of which are in the Department of Documents, the Imperial War Museum. (A notice of the booklet ‘Before Mechanisation, The Life and Times in A Cavalry Regiment’ was in our last Newsletter). It is only recently that we have learnt of the death of Club member George Kent on 14th December 2003 at the age of 81. George served in the Somerset Light Infantry from 1939 – 1948 seeing action in NW Europe. As secretary of the Light Infantry Regimental Association (Somerset) Bridgewater Branch we closely liased with George in connection with our visits to the Elst Memorial to the Worcesters, S.L.I. and the 4th/7th RDG. He also accompanied us on our Pilgrimages to Normandy. George was always unfailingly helpful and will be sadly missed We extend our sincere sympathy to their families.

Exercise Smash 04/44 - Studland Bay Saturday 3rd April – The Bankes Arms Country Inn where Christine North, Dave Hart and myself were staying was at South Beach, Studland Bay. On Friday the incised slate plaque with the Regimental badge on a stone plinth was in position at Fort Henry overlooking the Bay, and it was a beautiful piece of craftsmanship. At breakfast Dave spotted out of the window the Landing Craft with John Pearson’s Valentine and the Churchill on its way to Knoll Beach and we were soon down there to see the action. There was a ‘Scimitar’ AFV already parked with National Trust display boards and soon the Historical Military Vehicle people arrived with their Jeeps and large trucks and lined them up. It became quite a party. There were enthusiasts around without vehicles who had or were restoring AFVs (Armoured Fighting Vehicles) of different descriptions and very knowledgeable they were about WW2 tanks. Numerous visits were made to the National Trust Shop for coffee and tea because unlike the sunny previous day, Saturday was overcast and bitterly cold. The Landing Craft, a magnificent creature, bristling with masts. aerials, dishes and radar, was waiting on the foreshore for the tide to be right with its ramp down and the little Valentine ready for ‘go’ with the engine crackling away. The Churchill loomed up behind. Then at about 14.00 hours, with a very throaty roar the DD Valentine with its screen down exited down the ramp and powered up the foreshore. Great – an incredible feat of engineering to get it to be in good mechanical condition after all these years by John Pearson and it looked good as new. Up it came, circled around and took its place next to the A.R.V. (Armoured Recovery Vehicle) This vehicle arrived on a low loader The A.R.V. is a Sherman with the turret removed and an extended concave fairing extension on the top to keep out the sea. It is equipped with a massive fender on the front to push stranded Landing Craft into the sea, and of course 60 years ago, stranded DD tanks on to dry land. Another piece of ingenious equipment, part of the fantastically well planned Operation Overlord during which everyone got on with their particular allotted task with enthusiasm It was soon the Churchill’s turn and that too powered up the beach with the throttle wide open driven by an 81-year-old WW2 Churchill tank driver and took its place beside the Valentine. This Churchill was equipped with a ‘Petard’; an enormous mortar that fired a dustbin size shell of high explosives. On King Green sector on D Day a similar formidable vehicle parked itself besides the blockhouse which made the German crew decide it was time to be somewhere else. The principal organiser of the weekend’s events was Sgt Major Jerome Smith of The Royal Dragoon Guards working with John Pearson. and at 17.00 hours we went to Fort Henry to tie up the loose ends for the next days Remembrance Service. Sunday 4th April – Up early - yes really - to get the 06.30 BBC 1 weather, and low and behold the screen showed an orange orb just over the area I was anxiously watching. Fine weather am; possibility of rain pm. Down to Middle Beach car park to be greeted by Alan Henshall from HHQ and numerous soldiers ready to go to Fort Henry to fix up the PA system and prepare the area for the influx of people. Marvellous – to have the army around was a real bonus. Then what seemed a vast number came together – about 200, as if summoned, filing along the path. It was astonishing; Locals, British Legion, RDG, RDG Association, 4th/7th RDG. The Standard Party from the Royal Dragoon Guards in dress uniform took up their position on the far side of the plaque along the cliff path. At the Middle Beach car park Pipe Major Iain Hutton paraded with Dave Hart with the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guard banner and myself carrying the wreath, along the path to the plaque. The wreath on arrival was handed to Sgt Major Smith to be passed to Joan Brunt, widow of Cpl Arthur Park who was a casualty during Exercise Smash 1. Sgt Smith had thoughtfully provided a chair for Joan beside the plaque and was joined there by Robert Ford. Dave Hart’s position was to one side with our Banner and the Standards of the Royal British Legion. Out in the Bay a Royal Marine Landing Craft had taken up its position with the Royal Marine bugler and the wreath laying party. The Service commenced with The Royal Dragoon Guard Standard Party marching across in front of the plaque parading the RDG Standard with impressive drill and un-cased swords. This was followed by the ‘Introduction’ and then the unveiling of the plaque by Robert Ford who removed the 4th/7th Regimental flag after giving an interesting account of Exercise Smash. Joan Brunt, with great dignity, laid the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guard’s wreath. The names of the six crew members who lost their lives were read out followed by ‘The Exhortation’ The notes of the Last Post echoed loud and clear from the Landing Craft, the Banner and Standards were lowered and then there was a Minutes Silence with those assembled looking over the tranquil sea which had been so cruel 60 years ago. Reveille and then the ‘The Lament’ by Pipe Major Iain Hutton during which time a wreath was cast on the water from the Royal Marine Landing Craft. ‘Pericles’ was then read out followed by wreaths being laid by the Swanage Branch of the Royal British Legion and the Sherwood Rangers who were in the 8th Armoured Brigade with us. Six poppy crosses were put in front of the plaque by Christine North. The morning closed with a fly-past by a R.A.F. Hercules which dropped a 1000 poppy petals over the Bay. A Royal Dragoon Guards’ officer dived in the area the Valentine tanks sank and laid a commemorative wreath. Looking down at the plaque on its stone plinth and reading the inscription, a slight lift of the eyes reveals the Bay and it is very easy to visualise the young men battling with courage and determination to bring their frail craft safely to shore and the six tanks far out in the Bay caught in that mountainous sea. On behalf of all members of the Creully Club a most sincere ‘thank you’ to the following: - John Pearson Sgt Major Jerome Smith The Royal Dragoon Guards The National Trust The Royal Navy The Royal Marines The Royal Air Force The Royal British Legion The Tank Museum, Bovington As well as the Commanding Officer of the Royal Dragoon Guards, Lt/Col Jon Cray, the following past Commanding Officers of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards were present: - Lt/Col M C Barraclough General Sir Robert Ford Brigadier R J Baddeley Associations that were represented were: - 24th Lancers Association The Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry Regimental Association (Southern Branch) The Royal Dragoon Guards Association The Royal Dragoon Guards Association (Oxford Branch

The Plaque at Studland Bay Donations for the plaque at Studland Bay have been received from Charles Batkin, Joan Brunt, Robert Ford, Cecil Newton and Derek Trasenster with our sincere thanks.

The April Recce I took my bike on the ferry mid April on a weeks tour to recce the Memorials and plaques prior to the 60th anniversary ceremonies, also to make arrangements for the Services. The first port of call was Ver-sur-Mer to meet Jean-Pierre Dupont and Deputy Mayor M Paul Barret to tie up the arrangements for the early morning Service on the 6th June. Next day I cycled over from Meuavaines where I was staying to Creully to meet Prince Charles’s equerry regarding the arrangements for the visit of His Royal Highness on the 5th June. When I arrived the stainless steel memorial plates inscribed with the names of those who had been killed in action were being fixed, the Memorial had been refurbished, paving pointed up and new gold finials were on the flag poles. After the meeting a visit was made to Bayeux – the road in front of the War Cemetery was being landscaped with planting boxes bordered by large white granite kerbing in readiness for the 60th anniversary visits by the veterans. The route then led to Verrières. The area around the Memorial at the crossroads was neat and tidy. At Tilly-sur-Seulles I met by chance Albert Mariette, one of our good friends from Lingèvres who gave me and the bike a lift in his van to the restaurant there. We were joined by Marcel Harie and Jean-Pierre and Dominique Bazin and had an excellent lunch giving me the opportunity to return in a small way the generous hospitality we receive at Lingèvres. The southerly destination was Aunay-sur-Odon which was a pile of rubble the last time I saw it. It is now a pleasant and thriving town. The return route back north followed the beautiful valley of the River Odon which together with high ground to the south of the valley was bitterly contested during the thrust to the strategic River Orne. At Noyers Bocage there is a very fine Memorial to the 151 Typhoon pilots who were killed during the Battle for Normandy. Tessel was the final staging post and it was pleasing to see that the plaque there was weathering well. The route went through the small town of Thaon which was liberated on the 6th June by the Canadian 10th Armoured Division – our sister Regiment The Fort Garry Horse – in support of the 8th Canadian Infantry. The roads in Normandy are free from traffic and the countryside peaceful and beautiful. A most enjoyable and productive cycle ride of 200 kms.

Cruelly Pilgrimage 2004 by Charles Batkin Our Pilgrimage this year was a much larger gathering than in 2003. A full coach had crossed to France on the 4th June picking up travellers from both Aldbourne and Portsmouth in an operation organised by our friends at Home Headquarters, Major John Etherington and Captain Alan Henshall. The ferry crossing was uneventful and we arrived at our hotel the Chateau du Baffy which proved to be an excellent choice, comfortable and well run. An early start was made next morning, 5th June, to be at Cruelly in time for the arrival of the Colonel in Chief, his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales who was making a very brief visit to lay a wreath at the memorial and to meet our D. Day Veterans. By now the gathering had greatly increased in numbers by extra members of the Association, numerous friends and most of the population of Cruelly being present for the big event. Also present were the Regimental Pipe Major, another piper and two drummers together with an honour guard from the serving regiment in Germany commanded by Major D.Rawlins. Promptly, the helicopter bringing the Colonel in Chief landed in a field nearby. Our visitor was met by the Colonel of the Regiment, General Cordingley. Following an inspection of the guard the special Colonel in Chief’s wreath was laid at the memorial and he then met veterans. This was very informal, speaking to each of the D-Day men in turn and listening to their accounts of such memorable events. Finally an official farewell and a departure to fulfil more of his engagements for the day. What an excellent start to our Pilgrimage that was! Press and photographers had a field day! Next on the schedule for the Cruelly Club and coach party were two ceremonies to be held in country villages where memorial plaques to the Regiment had been placed in previous years. Such ceremonies are by now familiar to Cruelly Club members and follow a regular pattern of a march to the memorial led by pipes, drums and our standard; an address by dignitaries; a roll-call of the fallen; compliments, wreath laying and playing of The Lament. These are always very moving occasions especially for first time visitors, probably new to the 4th/7th tradition. The first village was Cristot and afterwards on such a hot day a vin d’ honneur in the local hall afforded us all a most welcome opportunity for rest and refreshment. We are by now well known to the local populace and are always welcomed most warmly. The afternoon visit was to Tessel where after a picnic lunch the ceremonial was repeated at the church. At this point it should be mentioned that this year the Pilgrimage was joined by the Regimental Padre, the Rev. David Porter, vicar of All Saints Pavement, York. He was able to add his blessing of the fallen during each ceremony which was particularly pertinent on this 60th anniversary. Also at Cristot we were joined by old comrades of the Green Howards and at Tessel by a representative from the 24th Lancers. We were pleased to see them all. The Tessel visit closed with Ernie Wills describing to the Regimental Soldiers and other guests, his exploits of June 1944 before attending the vin d’honneur given by the locals which was much enjoyed by us all. That concluded the day apart from a pleasant evening meal at the Chateau du Baffy and a musical evening of pipes, cornet, trumpet and post-horns with popular songs. Thank you very much to Ian, John, Geoff. and chorus Sunday 6th June started with an early extra ceremony to be held on the sea-wall at Ver-sur-Mer. This seaside town was the site at which original landings were made on ‘D Day’ by ‘B’ and ‘C’ Squadrons at 7.20.am. The ceremony was due to start at that time, so exactly 60 years to the minute had passed. Even at the early hour many townspeople had turned out to witness the commemoration which had been organised locally by our friend Jean-Pierre Dupont, Curator of the Ver-sur-Mer museum. Again the form of the ceremony was followed - an address by the Maire, reading of the roll of honour, compliments and playing of the Lament during which flowers and wreaths were laid at the memorial plaque fitted to the blockhouse side on the sea wall and closing with a blessing by the Padre. A short time to meet local friends and then a return to the Chateau du Baffy for a much needed breakfast. Ten o’clock found us assembling at the Marie in Cruelly for the main event of the day. The whole town again was "en fete" for the second time and the turn out by the 4th/7ths and friends together with the townspeople was as spectacular as yesterday. The original 4th/7th and Royal Dragoon Guards contingent marching behind the Pipes and Drums to the memorial made a fine spectacle and was loudly applauded by the townspeople. A nice compliment. The greater number of spectators present on this occasion made the memorial ceremony particularly impressive. The immaculate honour guard, the additional musicians and the French ‘Ancien’s’ flags all added to the scene. The ceremony commenced when Major General Gill gave a most moving address in French to the people of Cruelly, telling the significance of this 60th anniversary. The response by the Maire M. Levert thanked the Veterans for their efforts and confirmed the resolve of Cruelly to continue the annual commemoration. The ceremony followed the order of service with the Roll of Honour read by Mr. Newton, Regimental Collect by Reverend Porter, Last Post, Reveille and Lament. Wreaths were placed by the Maire, Major General Cordingley, General Sir Robert Ford, Major Verdin and Mr. Berry. The closing of the ceremony was followed by the march back up the daunting hill to the French War Memorial where again compliments were paid and wreaths laid during the playing of the Lament. At the end of the ceremony we were invited to the Vin d’honeur at the Chateau. However on behalf of the people of Normandy and the Commune of Cruelly M. Levert first made presentations of an inscribed medallion to each of the Veterans; a very kind gesture of appreciation by the French people. Following this ceremony a presentation was made to the Comune of Creully of a painting depicting the entry of the town on the 6th June 1944 by the 4th/7th and the 7th Battalion Green Howards. Plates with the Regimental crest were presented to the Mayor and deputy Mayors at Cruelly and the to the Mayors at the other towns where the Services were held. After the Vin d’ honneur we had to return promptly to the Chateau du Baffy where a very special luncheon had been prepared for all the Veterans, their friends, visitors and guests - a total in excess of some hundred and thirty persons. The busy morning had made the meal most welcome and was appreciated by everyone. Some short speeches of thanks were made by General Cordingley, General Gill and Major Etherington. This concluded the scheduled events of the day and a quiet evening was welcomed during which a light buffet meal was available. Monday, 7th June was the day for the customary pilgrimages, first to Verrières with a ceremony at the little tank crew’s memorial and then on to Lingèvres for the ceremony at the 50th Division stone. The usual order of ceremony was held at Verrières gathered around the simple white stone. After the addresses Cecil read the ten names on the memorial followed by the compliments and wreath laying during the playing of the Lament. A short pause and then on to Lingèvres for the more formal ceremony at the Church. this time a full parade formed and marched behind the Pipes and Drums through the town where the populace had turned out ‘en masse’ to welcome us. Also in Lingèvres we were joined by old comrades from the Durham Light Infantry and the Royal Berkshires. For the last time on this pilgrimage the ceremony at the memorial took place with all the usual courtesies which by now were familiar to all present. The roll of honour was lengthier here due to the number of Durhams inscribed thereon. Again the usual compliments with wreaths laid during the Lament and a final blessing by the Padre. This year a change took place in Lingèvres, as we were entertained to an official luncheon by the Commune, Council and townspeople. The 4/7th and visitors were joined by friends from the Durhams and their party. It was a convivial and greatly enjoyable time for everyone. Our thanks and appreciation to all for their hospitality. That concluded the tour this year and we returned to the hotel for a musical evening prior to preparing for the very early start of our journey home next morning. Finally, some words of appreciation for so much hard work. John and Alan and staff at Home Headquarters for all their administration; Cecil and Vince; standard bearer Dave Hart and trumpeter Geoff White; David Porter the Padre; the Bandsmen and soldiers; the excellent coach driver Charlie; the management and staff of the Chateau du Baffy for their excellent service; our French hosts at all the locations for their hospitality and friendliness and finally all our visitors, guests and friends who joined us everywhere to make it a truly memorable Pilgrimage for 2004 - the 60th anniversary to be looked back upon with gratitude in the years to come. Address by Major General Ian Gill, CB, OBE, MC. On the night of 5 June, 60 years ago, the greatest seaborne and airborne invasion in history was launched across the English Channel by the allied expeditionary force. The great crusade was to pave the way for the liberation of Europe from tyranny. The next day, today 6 June at 7.30 in the morning the soldiers of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards landed in the area MONT FLEURY, LA RIVIERE and VER-SUR-MER. After stubborn fighting we arrived, here in CREULLY, in the same afternoon. This was D-DAY. It was the commencement of the Normandy Battle which continued for two months. And when the fighting was at an end we counted the dead. Today, we commemorate all those brave young people who gave their lives on D-Day and during the Battle of Normandy in the name of freedom. Now they are in your hands as they sleep in this beautiful corner of France. We few who stand here before you this morning are all that remain from our Regiment who landed here 60 years ago. We ask you Mr Mayor, members of the Town Council and the people of Creully to accept our profound thanks for your gift of this piece of hallowed ground upon which you allowed us to build our memorial. Now I must take leave of you. Before I go I wish you to know we consider ourselves an integral part of your community. We love and respect your great Country. We will never forget you. And I beg of you not to forget us but keep this momentous day alive in your memory. Adieu good friends. Long live France.

The Commemoration of the Liberation of Gisors- Haute Normandie As reported in ‘Forum’ on the Royal Dragoon Guards Museum web site this will take place on the 29th and 30th August. The French authorities had written to Home Headquarters and requested if it would be possible for representatives of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards to be present. In conjunction with the Mayor and Municipality of Gisors a slate plaque is to be erected on a wall where we entered the town on the 30th August 1944. commemorating the liberation by the Regiment Contributions will be gratefully received towards the cost.

Club Report After months of preparation the weekend to commemorate Exercise Smash 1 was most successful mainly due to the hard work of John Pearson and Sgt Major Smith, Royal Dragoon Guards. The weather on Sunday was fine in contrast to the very cold and overcast Saturday and the numbers attending was indeed a surprise and some - like Joan Brunt who travelled from darlington and Eric Johnston from Aberdeen - travelling from afar to pay their respects. Then it was off to France for the April Recce to visit the Mayors and the Memorials prior to the 60th Anniversary Pilgrimage. The preparation and organisation paid dividends and the Pilgrimage went off very well. John Etherington and his team are to be thanked most sincerely We were particularly delighted that General Gill was with us. We all felt like a family who had the head of the household with them. Prince Charles fulfilled a promise he made at the Standard Parade at Tidworth and again we were delighted with his very successful visit. Also we should like to express our appreciation to Alastair Morrison who visited the War Cemetery at Bayeux and placed a British Legion cross with the Regimental badge on each of the 4th/7th graves It was very heartening to receive the many letters, phone calls and emails of appreciation. Thank you all very much. Next on the agenda is the visit to Gisors and Lille. This will be followed by a visit to the Memorials at Oostham for the inauguration of the memorial ground at the local church and to Elst. The Reunion and AGM will be as usual in November – see Future Events.

The Memorial Fund A donation since February has been received from Dick Calver (third time) and Kevin Smith with our thanks. The Memorial Fund has been set up to ensure that there will be a wreath laid at the Memorial in future years when there is no group or association existing to ensure that this is done.

Correspondence Anthony Shaw writes – "…I have pleasure in enclosing a series of photographs taken of my Uncle Ted Shaw whilst serving in the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards. Ted was born in 1918 and joined the Regiment in approximately 1936, due mainly to his interest in horses. He was a keen boxer; a pursuit I believe the regiment was good at. It is my understanding that he went to France with the B.E.F.and then to Normandy as a tank driver…After leaving the armed forces he spent the rest of his working life on the railways. Ted never married and died in 1987. (See Contact Corner). John Rae writes –"I served in the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards between 1959-61. I was employed as Records Clerk in the Training Office which was attached to the Orderly Room in Bourlon Lines, Catterick Camp, Yorkshire. The Training Office was responsible for checking the involvement of every National Service and Regular recruit training at Catterick with the regiment…I played goalkeeper with the 4th/7th Regimental Football Team 1959-61". Greg Pullen Australia writes – "From my point of view, my late father was just 18 in 1945, but both his elder brothers and my mothers brother served in the Middle East and New Guinea, and my maternal grandfather was a stoker on the River Clyde. His father lived in Newlyn Street, Tottenham for most of his life and was a groundsman at White Hart Lane. The English blood still courses through my veins, and while Australians love to beat the Old Dart whenever possible, there is a deep seeded respect for GB. Some years ago one of the metropolitan newspapers conducted a ’heroes of the 20th century poll’ and Churchill easily out polled Ned Kelly, Phar Lap and Steve Waugh. He may have finished behind Don Bradman though". (Ed - Greg and friend Kevin take part in our Remembrance Services which is appreciated by all our members present) Francois Lemarchand, France – "I was very interested to read the extracts from ‘A Trooper’s Tale’…and the date of his death (Trooper Oliver) seems to show that he perished at St Pierre Vieille – the village where I was born – at the time of the actions in which the last two Tigers of the 503rd Battalion confronted the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards Eric Johnston writes – "My recollections of Gisors: We spent the night just outside Gisors – four Recce Troop tanks attached to ‘C’ Squadron. Early on the morning of the 30th August Major Ian Gill, M.C. who was commanding ‘C’ Squadron ordered us to recce to find out the German strength in the town. We were on high ground with open fields below us. He knew Recce Troop well from his time as RHQ Squadron Leader in Normandy and I remember he told us with a smile to make a cavalry charge on the town, so we set off down the steep slope in diamond formation at top speed which was about 36 mph. I was co-driver/wireless operator in the lead tank and we burst through a hedge at the bottom of the slope to confront a startled boy on a bicycle. I stuck my head out and shouted in my fractured French (Mike Holroyd our gunner would have been a much better linguist) "Ou est les Boche?" – the frightened boy pointed down the road to the town. "Combien de", "Beaucoup" he replied. Fortunately he was wrong. We went into the town and met only welcoming crowds but were startled by two loud explosions at the far end of the town as the Germans retreated and blew up ammunition. We reported the position and the big boys of ‘C’ Squadron passed through on their way to Beauvais where they knocked out a King Tiger. We motored about 50 miles that day meeting only pockets of German troops who were surrendering all over the place. One problem was what to do with the prisoners and the local Maquis, who were strong in the area were pleased to take over". James Fallon (Tarbat D-Day training - see Newsletter No 21) writes – "I thought you would like to know that three of your members have kindly been in touch with me – ex-Corporal R.H. Scruton by e-mail, Eric Johnston and Donald Brown who took the trouble to write a three page letter. This is very much appreciated. Donald added some interesting stories which will be useful in the talk I have been asked to give at the time of the D-Day ceremony and the launch of the booklet…The first draft of the text is now virtually completed, and I‘m sure it will give people a much clearer realisation of the full picture behind the training and the eventual assault on the Normandy beaches". Rene Swanhhuizen –"Today (5th May) is liberation day in Holland. Everywhere commemorations…Therefore I would like to take the opportunity to thank you (and of course the lads) for all you did helping the Dutchies during the war". Heather Dallimore, daughter of Wilf Bennett – "My best wishes to you and I of course will be thinking of my father and you all on the 6th June, as always". Mathew Clare – "Also I’d like to extend a personal thanks to all members of the 4th/7th for what they did during the Second World War". Ulrich Pfaff – "We would like to thank you and all those wonderful people we met at Ver-sur-Mer and Creully for those hours amidst during and after the ceremonies on June 6. Never before having been present at a commemoration ceremony we could feel the strong bond between those men who fought in Normandy, their families and the French people and this was a very moving experience for both of us – in Germany commemorations for the victims of the war and despotism (as it is called officially) are not comparable, they appear to be sterile and artificial. More than ever we are convinced that we, as Germans, should pay tribute to those who liberated Europe and gave us, as well as all other nations, the chance to live in peace and health. We would be glad to return to Creully on June 6 2005. Best wishes and please send our regards to members of the Creully Club". Ulrich and Peggy Louise Dunn – "I wanted to write to say what an amazing time I had with you all in Normandy. To meet my fathers (CAB Day) comrades and to see places where you fought, that until now have only been names on a map, was very moving, special and unforgettable experience". Squadron Leader Richard Pattle R.A.F. Equerry to HRH The Prince of Wales – " Thank you very much for your letter 9th June to The Prince of Wales about the 60th Anniversary commemorations in Normandy together with the book ‘A Trooper’s Tale’ The Prince of Wales read your letter and book and asked to convey thanks for the trouble you took in writing and your kind gift. and to say how touched His Royal Highness was by your kind comments. The letter comes with The Prince of Wales’s best wishes and grateful thanks".

Those we have known Field Marshall Sir Nigel Bagnall, KCB, CVO, MC – Along with the late Field Marshall Lord Carver Nigel Bagnall put his head above the political parapet and gave a refreshing contribution to the public debate on defence matters, no doubt to the annoyance of the political masters. He retired from the army in 1988, though in ordinary circumstances you are a Field Marshall for life and do not retire. Nigel Bagnall was transferred as major in 1956 to our Regiment from another illustrious regiment, the Green Howards, which he had joined as an infantryman. He took command of our Regiment in 1967. He won two MCs in the Malayan emergency and a Bar three years later while serving as a Lieutenant in the Green Howards. In October 1969 he left the Regiment after being promoted full colonel to take over the post of Senior Instructor at the Joints Services Staff College. He died on April 8th 2002. The Creully Club was represented at Field Marshall Nigel Bagnall’s funeral by Charles Batkin.

News of Members Ralph Butcher - ‘A’ Squadron throughout his time in the Regiment - had to cancel his visit to Normandy this year for health reasons. Joyce and Ralph live in Lowestoft and Joyce writes that "there was no fishing here all the war years as it was a big base for the ’Royal Naval Petrol Service’, also an invasion area; we have their Memorial in one of our parks facing the sea and they come from all over in September, even from the Scotch Islands for their Memorial Parade and Service. Joyce encloses with her letter a cutting from the ‘Fish Trader’ dated Saturday, June 14 1986 of which the following is an extract - "…One of Lowestoft’s fish market’s oldest family firms has changed hands with the retirement of Ralph Butcher, third generation of the family to run the market premises and the fish and smokehouse on what fishermen still call "Old Beach Village". His family started the business over a century ago and Ralph joined the firm back in 1937, the only break coming during the war when he served with the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards…"

BBC ‘Remembrance’ Project With reference to Newsletters Nos 19 and 20 a ‘Short History of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards’ has been included on the web site together with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission data base of Regimental casualties. Web site: - www.bbc.co.uk/ww2 Log on to the site, type in 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards in SEARCH and then click on ‘Results from the Web’ ‘Helen’ of the BBC WW2 Team writes…"I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to add such excellent articles to the WW2 People’s War". Alan Henshall of HHQwrites - "Just read your article on the BBC WW2 site – well done".

Contact Corner John Rae – "I was stationed at Catterick Camp, Yorkshire. I worked in the training office in the orderly room…. Would like some information from anyone who served at the same time". Email address – paulaofealig@aol.com   Anthony Shaw – "I am writing with regard to my late uncle Edmund (Ted) Shaw who served in the 4th/7th Dragoon Guards from 1936 until the end of the war…… I would be pleased to hear from any one who knew my uncle." Email address - denbydrive@aol.com   Steve Nel – "I am trying to make contact with anyone who may remember my late grandfather Major Cyril Nel M.V.O., A.R.C.M., Bandmaster 4th/7th from 1936 – 55. Any help would be gratefully appreciated". Email address – steve_nel2002@yahoo.com   Stan Staniforth – "Served with D Sqn 2nd Troop 67-91 under Major Carhart and Martin Packerd etc. Would love to contact anyone that served along side myself especially Martin (Eddie) Beaver, Bill Haley". Email address – nathan.staniforth@ntl.com   Maureen Warner – "My uncle, Arthur Woolley, was a lance sergeant in ‘A’ Squadron. Sadly he was killed on the 8th August 1944 before the 4th/7th Dragoons went on the ‘Great Swan’ Do you remember Arthur? He was my favourite uncle – a kind lovely man.". Email address – d_warner@beeb.net   David Edwards – "My uncle, Trooper W "Bill" Edwards, "C" Squadron was killed on the railway crossing at Audrieu on 7th June, 1944. I believe there is a surviviing member of the crew of either of the two tanks which were destroyed at this crossing. It would be nice to make their acquaintance, if it were not too painful". Email address – david@m0cnp.fsnet.co.uk   Mark Walters – "I am looking for any information on my uncle George Walters 4541201 who was killed on August 10th 1944 at Mont Pincon". Email – nobby666@msn.com   Victor Townson – "The recent "D Day" coverage inspired me to find out more about my uncle Victor Townson, who my late father mentioned had died during the 2nd World War. Having found your web-site, I discovered that my uncle, who I never knew, had served in "B" Squadron and died at Studland Bay during "Exercise Smash 1" and that your club had recently erected a memorial in memory of those that died on 4th April 1944 I would appreciate any information your members may be able to provide" For Victor's address please contact The Secretary

Exercise Tiger by Robert Ford The following may be of interest to some of your members. EXERCISE TIGER, held in the Slapton Sands area, was the U.S. equivalent of our EXERCISE SMASH. It took place on 28/29 April 1944. I have always had an interest in it but decided to do some research after Derek Trasenster told me he possessed a book "The Forgotten Dead" by Ken Small, a local resident who had spent many years trying to put together the truth about what really happened on those two fateful days. So I decided to go to the Imperial War Museum to see what records they possessed. What I found was interesting but rather disappointing. The Museum has five books and a number of articles and newspaper cuttings, but all of these put together do not reveal the full story. No doubt there are proper records in the U.S.A. but the authorities there are apparently reluctant to make all available, but I am sure they would do so now if confronted over there by a serious researcher. The exercise was a divisional one of about 30,000 troops with the full live firing support from the air, sea and ground. 3,000 local residents were evacuated from the Slapton Sands area in the preceding days. The first problems occurred when the G.O.C, at a late moment, changed H-Hour and the information failed to reach all concerned. As a result the second wave arrived on the beach before the main body of the assault troops with all the consequential chaos including the fire-plan controllers being unavailable at the right moment. The sea also was not helpful and too rough for some of the assault craft. I failed to discover the exact consequences for the DD tanks and wading Shermans. On the second day, when full fire-support was continuing, 6 or 7 E-boats penetrated the shipping off the beach and caused mayhem. Their presence was not detected for some time because of the noise and smoke of the fire-support. So far as I can discover there is no authenticated list of overall casualties. The numbers vary slightly in different records, but the total dead appears to be about 950. It is therefore not surprising that the Americans mounted a cover-up plan immediately but it did not, indeed never could, prevent the ever increasing rumours from spreading immediately throughout South Devon and beyond. Perhaps what is surprising is that the U.S. planners and troops at all levels who had little training and experience, were able to learn and rectify mistakes and mount successfully a full scale amphibious operation only 6 weeks later.

The Battle for Beringen Bridge, Belgium 9th September 1944 – compiled from the web site http://get-me.to/september1944 by Rene Swankhuisen The Battle of Beringen Bridge (Frank James - Newsletter No 21) was a defining moment in the history of the Regiment similar to the Battle of the Tanks at Lingèvres. If both these actions had not been successful and tragic sacrifices made the campaign would have been more serious to resolve. After the killing fields of Normandy the German army, lacking almost all forms of transport and air cover, retreated via Amiens, Arras and Lille towards Belgium. The Regiment followed in the great ‘Swan’ pausing to successfully cross the Seine at Vernon and to take a decisive part in the liberation of Lille and then on to Belgium Field Marshall Gerd von Rundstedt (1875-1953) became C-in-C West on the 4th September 1944 and decided to hold a line on the Albert Canal and the River Meuse down to the French border with Luxembourg. The Albert Canal runs east-south-east from Antwerp - in Allied hands since 4th September 1944 – to Maastricht (north of which the Meuse becomes the Maas) then following the line of the Meuse, south to Liege: from here the Meuse runs south-west to Charleroi Field Marshall Walther Model (1891 – 1945 –[shot himself as his he did not consider Field Marshals should surrender]) was in command of the German forces north of the canal and his Heeresgruppe (Army Group) "B" comprised: - Fallschirmrjäger Armee (Parachute Infantry Army)* under the command General Oberst Kurt Student (1890-1978). 88 Armee Korps under General Reinhardt 719 Infantry Division under the command of General Sievers. 85 Infantry Division under the command of General Chill 1st Battalion SS Grenadiers Regiment "Landstorm Nederland"* under the command of Obersturmbannfuhrer M Gebhardt. 2nd Battalion SS Grenadiers Regiment under the command of Sturmbannfuhrer G Muller On the 4th September the German High Command sent all the remnants of their soldiers from France to set up a front at the Canal. The 1st & 2nd Battalions SS Grenadier Regiments took up key positions at Merksem – immediately north of Antwerp - and Hasselt –20 Kms south-east of Beringen. The 1st Battalion "Landstorm Nederland" was given the orders to capture the crossings at Beringen and Hasselt. A telegram from the 719th Infantry Division reported that the "Landstorm Nederland" had captured the bridge at Beringen on the 5th September. On the 6th September the Royal Engineers of the British Army tried to restore the Beringen Bridge, while they were under heavy fire by a PAK (artillery) platoon of the "Landstorm Nederland" and suffered a lot of casualties. The 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards crossed the French/Belgium border on the 7th September and on the 8th September orders were given for the Regiment to proceed to Beringen to support the Guards Armoured Division who were holding the north bank and were experiencing considerable difficulty in enlarging their small bridgehead at Beringen. By midday on the 8th September leading elements of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards and 12th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps were over and fighting hard to enlarge the perimeter by the capture of Oostham which was successfully achieved with the loss of two killed in action and two POWs. Rene writes "On the morning of the 9th September Echelons of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards, harboured just north of the Beringen Bridge, and were attacked by a party of paratroopers who had stalked the bridge through the woods. A desperate battle ensured in which ‘A’ Echelon and the LADs acquitted themselves magnificently and drove off the paratroopers, but as the lorries of the Echelon occupied no-mans land during the fight, no less than 33 lorries were "brewed up". The bridge, however, remained in British hands, thanks to the men of the Echelon. After four days rest the Brigade moved off in the wake of the Guards Armoured Division who were linking up with various airborne forces which had dropped at Eindhoven, Grave, Nijmegen and Arnhem, in Operation "Market Garden". A long march brought the 4th/7th to Nijmegen where the bridge over the Waal had been brilliantly captured the previous day by the 82nd United States Airborne Division supported by the Guards Armoured Division." *Editor’s Notes Landstorm Nederland* When the Nazis over-ran and occupied countries they recruited the nationals for their armed forces into various formations including the Waffen SS. - Schutzstaffein (Weapons Protection Squadron). The units were made up from nationals from many countries including Dutch volunteers (and the miscellaneous SS unit ‘Legion of St George’ formed in 1940 comprising British volunteers. Their leader, John Amery was captured and hanged for treason after the war) In February 1943 Dutch communists killed General Seyffardt, Chief of the Dutch Armed Forces General Staff and founder of the Dutch Waffen-SS unit of the SS-Freiwilligen-Legion Niederlande (Netherlands Voluntary Legion). March 1943 "Landwatcht Niederlande" a volunteer Dutch territorial homeguard under German officers was formed and transferred in December 1943 to SS administration as the "Landstorm Nederland". In September 1944 they were in defence north of the Albert Canal and in action during Operation Market-Garden. Strength about 7,000 May 1945 "Landstorm Nederland" surrendered to Canadian troops at Schuppen Cigar factory, Veenendaal (Web site http//www.wssob.com/034divlan.html) Rene writes "Initially the SS Regiment Landstorm Neder (former Landwacht Home Guards) was a territorial guarding entity. The unit had to be part of the defence against foreign or domestic enemies, secure important bridges or monitoring places of strategic importance. These men were given a job, housing, food, and they escaped the Arbeitseinsatz (forced labour). Also Landstorm soldiers in general didn’t have to fear a transfer to the Eastern Front since Landstorm was a territorial defence unit. Although Landstorm wasn’t officially (yet) an SS unit, it was subject to Waffen-SS laws and jurisdiction of the SS Polizegericht. The men wore the field grey uniform of the Waffen-SS but without the ‘Sig-runes’ .The German officers and the transferred Eastern Front veterans were allowed to keep wearing the ‘runes’. In order to give the unit a more Dutch character several initiatives were taken to get more Dutchmen in the ranks. 130 Dutchmen from the ‘Wiking Division’ and ‘Nederland Division’ veterans received a NCO rank in Landstorm Nederland within the Landstorm Nederland the position of company commander was the highest a Dutchman ever reached. In 1944 the Landstorm Nederland became a purely military entity. This meant that after the Allied invasion on June 6th 1944, it was obligated to fight against the Allied Forces. The Regiment Landstorm’s first encounter was at the Albert Canal; because the formation was badly trained they suffered heavy losses. In 1945 this unit became the 34th SS-Freiwilligen-Panzer-Grenadier-Division Landstorm Nederland, but the amount of men for a full division was never obtained. In May 1945 the division surrender itself to the Allied Forces Fallschirmjäger Armee* Raised as an experimental force of parachute infantry in 1934 by General Student which was soon expanded to divisional size and also the development of glider formations. It had considerable success in the Blitzgrieg in 1940. However, after the heavy loss of life during the descent on Crete in 1941 large- scale parachute operations ceased. By 1944/45 there were 10 divisions. The "Falschirmjäger" were an arm of the Luftwaffe and operated under army control. To replace the heavy casualties, as there were few planes to service, by 1944 Luftwaffe ground staff were recruited to their ranks.

Pages from the Past by Cecil Newton Lucknow -India In February of this year Joy and I travelled around Rajasthan on our own by train visiting Delhi, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Varanasi and Lucknow. Jodhpur is on the eastern edge of the ‘Great Indian Desert’ (Thar). Varanasi, once called Banaras or Benares, is the holy city on the River Ganges All the places visited were fascinating, especially in connection with the past British presence in India. Lucknow and its place in the history of the Indian Mutiny of 1857 was no exception. It is said that the mutiny by the native Sepoy troops was due to the rumour that the wrapping to the cartridges during manufacture had been treated with pig fat. It was necessary for the troops to bite this wrapping to remove the charge and it was this that the Muslim troops objected to. The administrator at Lucknow, Sir Henry Lawrence, at the start of the Indian Mutiny (referred to on the present day Indian information boards as the ‘Fight for Freedom’) had called in the 3000 Europeans into the nine buildings of the Residency which he had fortified with a mud perimeter wall. The British held out for three months against powerful odds losing 2000 men, woman and children and being reduced to near starvation. During the siege Private William Dowling aged 32, of the 32nd Regiment – later the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry – ventured out three times to spike the enemy guns and was awarded the VC. The medal is in the DCLI museum at Bodmin. (It is of interest that in the ‘Dash for Driel’ in September 1944 in a heroic endeavour to reach the paras, soldiers of the DCLI rode on the ‘B’ Squadron tanks). Sir Henry Lawrence was killed by a shell, which crashed into the billiard room in which he was staying. In September 1857 a relief column of the 78th Regiment (The Seaforth Highlanders) arrived in ragged and patched uniforms after a fierce campaign from Cawnpore to raise the siege by the native Sepoys of the Residency at Lucknow. However no sooner had the gates closed behind them than the siege continued increasing the burden of feeding another 1000 men. Another force under Sir Colin Campbell arrived and pacified the city and on November 18th 1857 the withdrawal from the Residency began with of course woman and children leaving first Walking around the ruined Residency buildings in 2004 there is an overwhelming sense of the agony and despair which had to be endured. The walls of the roofless Residency buildings are in places pock marked by shells. St Mary’s Church, the Residency Church where the bodies were stacked, too numerous to bury, is no more. In the cemetery is the tomb of Sir Henry Lawrence 28th June 1805 – 4th July 1857 inscribed ‘He tried to do his duty’. India gained its freedom 90 years later but with tragic loss of life due to religious strife and then eventual partition of the country. During our stay in Delhi we visited to the Nicholson Cemetery. This is a large cemetery containing the headstones of British soldiers and administrators and those who were killed during the siege of Delhi in 1857 including the civilians. The siege was relieved by a Brigadier John Nicholson who stormed a gate to the city – the Kashmir Gate which is nearby – with a small force of British troops and raised the siege. His tomb is inscribed ‘John Nicholson who led the assault of Delhi but fell in the hour of Victory mortally wounded and died 23rd September 1857 aged 35’ Nearby is the beautiful St James’ Church built by Col James H Skinner founder and commander of Skinner’ s Horse. There is a plaque in the transept of the Church with the names of past British commanders, which contains the name of a forebear of Club member, Brigadier Bobby Baddeley. Our railway journey of 2300 Kms was greatly assisted by the help, friendliness and good humour of all those we met.

Tain and Tarbatness Dr James A Fallon writes – Up here in the north 6th June was a very special day too. After an excellent lunch hosted by Cadball House, associated with Glenmorangie Whisky plc for the VIPs including my wife and myself, we had two unveiling ceremonies – one here at Portmahomack and the other at Inver village – large granite boulders each with a commemorative plaque, at first covered with a Union Jack. (Naturally this was not a day for the saltire cross of Scotland, but very much a day for the union flag, especially when so many of those who trained here were from England.) The Lord Lieutenant of the County officiated, and there was a naval captain from Faslane base resplendent in dress uniform and ceremonial sword and Major Hutton from the Lancashire regiment. A piper played down by the water’s edge in a most moving day. Then in the evening it was my turn to speak to an audience of over 100 about the relevance of the evacuation and training here to the events later on the Normandy beaches of Gold and Sword. I would like to thank you most sincerely for your help and encouragement, and I enclose an autographed copy of my booklet. It cannot do full justice to the wonderful contribution of you and fellow 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards and those of the 13th/18th Royal Hussars, as well as the E. Riding Yeomanry who trained here. I hope you will find it an interesting read. Ed: Thanks Jim for all your hard work. It is very much appreciated by all our members. I hope we can pay you a visit sometime and see the plaques.

'Tankfest' at Bovington On 23rd April the Tank Museum at Bovington held a ‘Tankfest 2004’ attended by 6000 fans It is obviously a ‘must be at’ event for tank enthusiasts and it was very pleasant to meet up with previous contacts and chat with the other vets and onlookers. There was a Tiger tank with bad asthma – well it is getting on – and a Panther, both looking very smart. Amongst the many AFVs performing in the arena was a Royal Marine effort that could sidle sideways -–very impressive. John Pearson’s DD Valentine was on show and generated a lot of interest A good show for tank buffs. (I got two new members).

War Museum, The Island, Holland The exhibits at Museum ‘The Island’ at Heteren comprise uniforms of the Allied and German soldiers with photographs, weapons and maps much of it from veterans and people from the area and many of the objects having a story to tell. The collection covers the area ‘Betuwe’ (the area between the Rivers Neder Rijn and the Waal) for the period 1944-1945. Also there are items from the Dutch Resistance and the Dutch Army from May 1940. An excellent museum, very well presented, authentic. and professionally mounted by the owner Marcel ten Bõhmer. The museum is open daily from 13.30 hours to 17.00 hours (see Newsletter No 19 page 4).

Postscript The Observer Newspaper 9th May 2004 –‘On the Beaches’ –"There is much beauty today in Normandy. Beauty even in the melancholy rigour of the German cemetery at La Cambe, with its careful plaque from the French government ‘…. a graveyard for soldiers not all of whom had chosen either the cause or the fight. They too have found rest in our soil in France.’ Beauty, certainly, in the quiet memorial at Creully to the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards, who liberated the town that day: it sits below a castle, by a waterfall, and 20 fat, white cows doze in the neighbouring field. Beauty, in this and other lands, simply because of that day: and we should be grateful forever."