newsletter - Royal Horse Artillery Association

Royal Horse Artillery Association
RHAA Newsletter 1
NEWSLETTER
March 2013, Edition 9
Lieutenant General Berragan and the winning Sub-section
Contents
Foreword
Page 2
Battery
Reports Page 4
Obituaries Page 20
Staff List Page 21
RHA BATTERIES
IN ARMY 2020
Page 22
Rufus Writes
Page 23
YESTERYEAR
Page 24
Memory Lane
Page 25
Royal Horse Artillery Association
92nd Annual Reunion Dinner
The 92nd annual reunion of the RHA Association took place at the
Civic Centre, Trowbridge on Saturday 6th October 2012. Our principal
guests this year were Lieutenant General and Mrs Gerry Berragan.
Lieutenant General Berragan is currently the Adjutant General and a
former Battery Commander of E Battery RHA.
This was the first time the Association had held the reunion dinner at the Civic
Centre since its refurbishment in 2011. As is customary the evening began with the
presentation of the RHA Association ‘Whips’ competition trophy to the winning subsection of the King’s Troop. This year the winning sub-section was C Sub-section led
by the Number One, Sgt Pagan-Skelly.
Once the formalities of the presentation were over a total of 92 members and
their ladies sat down to dinner. We were once again very fortunate this year to
have the voluntary band of HMS Nelson, more than 20 strong, to play during
dinner and they were, as ever, excellent. After the customary toasts to the
Continued on page 3
2
RHAA Newsletter
Foreword
Remarkably perhaps, 2012 has been
more settled than previous years. After
the move of the King’s Troop from the
ancient battery station of St. John’s
Wood in February, much of the Regiment
was involved in the Diamond Jubilee
celebrations for Her Majesty The Queen
and, of course, assisting with the London
Olympics. The long awaited restructuring
of the Armed Forces has recently been
announced and for the RHA there are one
or two surprises but fortunately no really
bad news. Of particular interest perhaps
(and some surprise no doubt!) will be the
move of H Battery (Ramsey’s Troop) to 1st
Regiment as an MLRS battery and the sad
loss of guns for the ‘Gentlemen of Bull’s
Troop’—who become the headquarter
battery of 7th Parachute Regiment. For H,
who have spent a great deal of their time
from 1819 in disbandment, suspended
animation or as an RA battery, this has
been a remarkable turn of events. For
Bull’s however, with one of the most
distinguished records in the history of
W G Clarke
Chairman, Central Committee
RHA Association
the RHA, it is a sad future indeed. A full
account of the changes has kindly been
provided by Brigadier Ian Harrison,
currently Capability Director Combat
Support at Army HQ.
On a brighter note, the Association
continues to thrive and the membership
remained fairly steady over the past year.
Of the serving regiment, all our regiments
are, as ever, busy with the business of
training or providing reinforcements for
other units and in some cases preparation
for another tour of active service duty in
Afghanistan. The King’s Troop is now
firmly established in the RA Barracks at
Woolwich with their new headquarters
and stable area on Repository Road.
Memory Lane has a more mixed
content this year including extracts from
the Regimental Magazines of 1st & 3rd
Regiments from the ′70s & ′80s as well
as the front page of ‘Visor’ the weekly
bulletin of 39 Infantry Brigade during the
Op BANNER period of the early 1970s.
For further interest I have included a new
section titled ‘Yesteryear’ which for 2013
features O Battery (The Rocket Troop),
currently with 1st Regiment but formerly of
5th Brigade during World War One, indeed,
until they departed for St. John’s Wood as
the Saluting Battery in 1923.
Finally, our next AGM and annual
reunion will take place at the Imperial War
Museum on Saturday 21st September. This
year it will take the form of a buffet lunch
at about 1315hrs with the AGM preceding
it at 1200hrs. Reunion tickets will also
include admission to the Museum itself.
Full details will be published in Gunner
Magazine in due course.
Until then, may I wish you a very
prosperous and healthy New Year.
A 13-pounder gun team of I Battery (Bull’s Troop) RHA, Risalpur, North West Frontier Province, 1933
i
War Pension
Advice Any member who is in receipt of
a War Pension may be entitled
to the following:
Disabled Persons
Railcard (Telephone 0845
605 0525, website www.
disabledpersons-railcard.
co.uk) and a Veterans Oyster
Photocard (Telephone 0845 331
9872, website www.tfl.gov.uk/
tickets/14424.aspx)
Queries and requests should be
raised to the numbers shown
above.
You will need proof that you
are in receipt of a War Pension.
Either the original letter notifying
you of your entitlement, or in the
event of you not having a copy
of this information, contact the
Veterans Agency (Telephone
0800 169 2277, website www.
veterans-uk.info) for further
advice.
Royal Horse
Artillery
Association
92nd Annual
Reunion Dinner
Continued from front page
Association and a final farewell to some
distinguished absent friends, the guest
of honour gave an excellent speech
recalling his time and experience with
E Battery and a résumé on the Regiment
today, all of which was extremely well
received with enthusiastic applause. The
evening was rounded off in good style
by the band, one of whose members
gave an excellent rendering of the Post
Horn Gallop.
As ever, special mention must be made
of our dinner secretary, Major Dick
Whiteway who organised the dinner
with his usual flair and efficiency. It is
hoped that next year the reunion will
take place at a different venue and
perhaps in a slightly different format,
but will, it is hoped, be held at the same
period in the year. Members will of
course be kept informed of whatever is
decided by the Central Committee.
Our Membership Secretary is always
keen to hear from ex-Horse Gunners
wishing to join the Association and of
Royal Salute
Hidden behind high wrought-iron gates in a North London side street,
overlooked by high-rise luxury flats and elegant Georgian terraces,
was a small military barracks which, for more than 130 years, housed
the saluting battery of the sovereign's household troops, and since
1947 was the home of the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery.
Royal Salute, extensively illustrated with unique and insightful
photographs taken mainly from the regimental archives, tells the story
of the Gunners and horses who served over the years in this leafy and
still tranquil part of London.
ISBN: 978-095207-624-7
276 x 218mm (portrait), 144pp
Hardback, printed in full colour
Price: £15.99
RHAA Newsletter 3
Available to order from:
Major W.G. Clarke
199 Bulford Road
Durrington
Salisbury
Wiltshire SP4 8HB
Telephone: 01980 653426
Email: [email protected]
General Berragan presents Lance
Bombardier Bould with her trophy
course, to meet up with old comrades
at our reunion dinners and events. His
details are: Maj R J Whiteway MBE,
The Hideaway, 18 Immenstadt Drive,
Wellington, Somerset TA21 9PT.
4
RHAA Newsletter
The King’s Troop RHA
These have been a momentous twelve
months for the Troop, undoubtedly
some of the busiest in living memory
for all those involved. The usual annual
ceremonial commitments combined with
the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations,
commitments to the Olympics and topped
off with a Unit move from the famous St.
John’s Wood Barracks to our new home
at the historic Royal Artillery Barracks
in Woolwich saw the Troop spread over
London and the south east of England for
the majority of the summer.
The 6th February saw the end of 64
years of Troop hooves clattering around
St. John’s Wood and its environs and
the beginning of a new era, as the Troop
moved into purpose build stabling for
the horses and accommodation for the
soldiers. With first rate training facilities
on hand, the Troop sees itself in a strong
position for future commitments but
is still adjusting to new routines and
procedures, most notably the issue of
forward mounting all central London
ceremonial events from Wellington
Barracks which comes complete with the
liaison between the Foot Guards and the
Garrison Sergeant Major for detailed deconfliction for the Parade Square.
In May the Troop took centre stage
amongst a cast of over 250 horses from
around the globe at the Diamond Jubilee
Pageant at Windsor Castle, an equine
celebration of Her Majesty’s reign. The
summer ceremonial season brought
together the Queen’s Birthday Parade and
the Jubilee procession where the Troop
fired a 60-gun Processional Salute from
Horse Guards as part of the long weekend
celebrations for the Jubilee in June.
As part of the Defence’s commitment
to the Olympics the Troop provided
manpower for venue security and
contingency operations as well as
supporting the ceremonial side of the
games with various flag raising teams,
highlights of which include the opening
ceremony and, fittingly, the equine events at
Greenwich Park. A world apart from their
usual daily routine the Olympics provided
an opportunity for all involved to interact
and soak up the unique atmosphere whilst
those left behind at camp embarked on a
busy summer of Drivers Rides in order
that the forthcoming autumn ceremonial
season as well as with the British Military
Tournament could be met.
A Battery (The Chestnut Troop) RHA
The Chestnut Troop has completed
Battery and Regimental gunnery training
and another deployment to BATUS, this
time in support of 1st Battalion The Royal
Regiment of Fusiliers (1RRF). September
and October were spent recovering from
BATUS with the RDG and then taking
Summer Leave, but on 3rd November
the Officers and SNCOs visited London
with our wives for a wonderful evening
of dinner in a restaurant overlooking
the Tower Bridge before moving to the
Tower of London for a private tour of the
grounds, the ceremony of the keys and a
few drinks in their bar.
The celebrations of the 219th
anniversary of the foundation of The
Chestnut Troop made for another superb
day. The Regimental Sergeant Major was
kind enough to allow the Battery use of
the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess
for the dinner and it made a wonderful
setting. The honoured guests from The
Rifles were Maj Neil Bellamy and
CSjt Hayes of The Rifles, CSjt Hayes
returning after having deployed with the
Battery on Op HERRICK 11.
Gunnery training occurred on Salisbury
Plain prior to deploying to Otterburn for
the CO’s and CRA’s phases of Ex STEEL
SABRE. The Tac Gp joined the Battery in
Otterburn, following CAST and CATT in
Germany; a credible performance meant
the Tac Gp walked away with heads held
high while the Gun Gp performaned very
well indeed, especially with regards its
speed of response and professionalism on
the net; an excellent performance.
Immediately after Easter leave the
Battery deployed on Ex PRAIRIE
THUNDER 1, again with 1RRF and
completed a revitalised 28 day exercise
in BATUS and performed very well,
again maintaining all the guns in action
throughout the exercise.
So a very busy year for The Chestnut
Troop has seen a significant amount of
time away on exercise but because this
the Battery is in a very strong position
to step into our Mission Specific
Training (MST) in preparation for our
deployment to Afghanistan in 2013.
The BK leads the Battery through the ‘tab’
element of one of the CO’s infamous ‘Challenges’
The BK, BSM, Gnrs Polius and Samuel
represent the Army at Tug-O-War
A Sub firing in BATUS
RHAA Newsletter 5
6
RHAA Newsletter
B Battery RHA
2012 has been a challenging and eventful
year for ‘Super B’ which has been
dominated by overseas training exercises
(OTX) to both Kenya and Canada as part
of the 1st Mechanized Brigades Adaptive
Foundation Training year. During the
second half of the year the focus has
been on Mission Specific Training in
preparation for the Regiment’s upcoming
tour of Afghanistan (Op HERRICK 18)
in April 2013. Also this year there has
been the opportunity to enjoy the ‘stuff
in between’ with the Battery celebrating
Sahagun Day and making time for sport
and adventurous training.
Kenya was a terrific opportunity for
the Battery this year. Exercise ASKARI
THUNDER 6 proved to be a thoroughly
challenging yet rewarding six week
exercise and it was the first opportunity
for the Battery to exercise together, in role,
for 12 months. The experience sharpened
technical and basic skills, both individually
and collectively and the Battery was
successful in its integration of Joint
Fires and ISTAR in support of 2 SCOTS
Battlegroup operations. At the end of the
exercise The Battery embraced an excellent
adventurous training package which
included mountain biking, gorge jumping,
safaris, rock climbing and canoeing against
the backdrop of Mount Kenya. Just two
weeks after returning from Kenya, thirty
members of the Battery redeployed to
Canada in support of Exercise PRAIRIE
THUNDER. For the remainder of the
Battery an intense course period ensued
with almost every single member of the
Battery completing a pertinent career
course at some point during the year.
The Battery has maintained its strong
reputation for sport this year. Of note,
LBdr Bailey won his bout, to become the
heavy weight champion at the RA Boxing
Championships. Several members have
represented the Regiment at Tug-of-War
and pulled at Braemar this year, and the
Battery has had representation at both
the Army Shooting and Royal Artillery
Nordic Ski Championships.
The Battery is in a strong position
for what lies ahead next year. The Gun
Group has 12 months experience on the
Light Gun already and has just converted
the Regiment from AS90 and will lead
the way on Op HERRICK 18. The
Tactical Group is now affiliated with
4 RIFLES and, as such, is a part of the
Brigade Advisory Group (BAG); this puts
the Battery firmly on the ‘Main Effort’
as advisors to the Afghan National Army
(ANA) for the tour. As 2012 draws to
a close we owe the final thanks to our
families and friends who have provided
tremendous support to us throughout
another demanding and challenging year.
RHAA Newsletter 7
C Battery RHA
A Sub at Grafenwöhr
“Every man thinks meanly of himself for
not having been in C Battery!” Anon.
Following a successful tour in Afghanistan
in 2011, the Battery returned to Hohne
in October to reform with the Regiment,
celebrating our homecoming in style with
a medals parade and Balaclava dinner. The
Battery took to the Regimental Square
to receive their well-earned tour medals
in front of assembled friends and family.
The Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff, Lt
General Richard Barrons CBE, attended
the parade and awarded the deserving
recipients their tour medals. The Battery
was then graced that evening with the
presence of the Honorary Colonel, General
Sir David Richards GCB CBE DSO ADC
Gen, who awarded several promotions;
unequivocally earned through endeavor,
courage and selfless commitment on tour.
The link between the past and present
could not have been more evident; having
returned from the modern day fight, the
Battery took time to remember those
who risked their lives, epitomizing the C
Battery ethos and spirit some 157 years
ago during the Battle of Balaclava.
Meriting special comment at the outset
of this article is the pride the Battery has
in the awarding of the Military Cross to
Bdr Mark Carpenter in the Operational
Honours and Awards list. Whilst on
patrol on 16 August 2011, Bdr Carpenter
demonstrated exceptional personal
courage, crawling forward to rescue a
4 SCOTS comrade injured during a fire
fight before carrying him back to safety
whilst in full view of and under fire from
the enemy. His actions that day saved
the sergeant’s life and were in the very
Bayonet Range Grafenwöhr
highest traditions of the Battery, standing
alongside any other feat of valor recorded
during the Battery’s long history. It will
remain a testament to the actions of both
Bdr Carpenter and the Battery during Op
Herrick 14 for those reading this period of
the Battery’s history in years to come.
Having completed a well earned period
of post operational tour and Christmas
leave, the Battery re-gathered in camp in
January fresh and rejuvenated. As is now
the norm, the period immediately post tour
is one where Battery personnel embark
on a period of personal and professional
development. Aside from some of the
more perfunctory courses there was plenty
of time for Adventurous Training, with C
Battery soldiers deploying to America and
the UK. EX Diamond Barbara in Cornwall
was the focus of the Adventurous Training,
boasting an array of extreme adrenaline
fuelled sports. Surfing, mountain biking
and coasteering, challenged even the
most courageous and carefree soldiers
of the Battery and was enjoyed by all.
On the other side of “the pond”, Capt
Nicol demonstrated admirable C Battery
individual endeavor, some might say
lunacy, by flying the Battery flag at 12000ft
above sea level during one of her many
solo skydiving jumps in California. The
Adventurous Training was a great success,
delivering just the right mix of challenge,
personal and team development and a
relaxed reward to those returning from tour.
Trailing Easter leave, the Battery
deployed with the Regiment to the US
SSgt Rowell Jubilee Parade
Army Training Area—Graffenwöhr
in southern Germany. Graffenwöhr’s
permissive training area produced
some fine opportunities for technical
and tactical gunnery and Joint Fires
Integration for newly formed FST’s and
gun group. The Battery performed well
on the exercise, meeting the exacting
standards and seizing the opportunity
to practice the type of gunnery and
integration so often forgotten about in
today’s Herrick-centered training.
The Battery has continued to excel on
the sporting front. With prodigious success
in years gone by, the investment in time
and effort in sport has continued. Battery
personnel continue to play a full and
active part in Regimental sports teams
and the Battery has thrown itself at, and
made time for, every sporting opportunity
available. Regimental Boxing inspired a
host of would-be boxers from C Battery
to don the gloves and give the sport a
go. Needless to say his deft coaching of
the Battery team led to a comprehensive
almost overwhelming success in the interbattery boxing and a number of fighters
selected for the regimental team.
Significant victories in Basketball and
Swimming, and strong placings in the
other inter-battery sports contributed to
an overall victory for C Battery in the
Commanding Officer’s Cup for 2012.
8
RHAA Newsletter
V Parachute Battery RHAby Major NJM Budd MBE RHA
The Battery has seen another varied and
exciting year with soldiers involved in
a wide range of activities travelling the
width and breadth of the country. With
Afghanistan in the rear view mirror and
contingency looming up fast, everyone’s
focus has changed and the pace has
continued to be ‘fast and furious’.
Ex WESSEX THUNDER, a two week
exercise supporting 2 PARA on Salisbury
Plain, got the Battery back to good old
fashioned light scale soldiering. The
attached Omani Company, although not
quite as well adapted to the ever changing
weather on the Plain, meant for the chance
to conduct low level multinational training.
There was still the chance for a night
insertion tab followed by the obligatory
dawn attack. A successful parachute
insertion along with a carefully coordinated
fireplan ensured that the objective was
secured in time for breakfast!
Those not fortunate enough to
deploy to Salisbury Plain, supported
Op OLYMPICS instead. Where the
searching of vehicles and bags with RHA
panache was perfected! After some well
earned leave over the summer the Battery
regrouped before again having to backfill
G Para Bty as part of the ABTF. Our
experienced Fire Support Teams again
showed their agility when working in the
ever-changing role of the ABTF.
The Battery’s sporting prowess was again
highlighted with Bdr Jeffries winning the
Regimental Sportsman of the Year 2012.
Another string of impressive wins was
added to Bdr Jeffries résumé, including
Gunner Cross-Country Champion,
Divisional Cross-Country Champion and
Army Steeplechase Champion.
The A2020 restructuring unfortunately
bore some bad news for the Battery. It
was announced that the Battery will, once
again, be placed back into suspended
animation as the Royal Artillery and
the Regiment reduces in size. A slow
transition will see all soldiers of V Para
Bty move to other batteries within the
Regiment in time for the lowering of the
Battery flag in May 2013.
E Battery RHAby Major NJM Budd MBE RHA
Bdrs Yates and Porter after battling
it out in the final of the RA boxing
championship
2012 has been a year of transition. It
has seen E Battery progress from hybrid
foundation training, where it established
its generic war fighting skills, to mission
specific training in preparation for a return
to Afghanistan next year. It has seen the
handover of the BC, BK, BSM and all
FST Commanders, not to mention a host
of others. This has all contributed to a
challenging and full year, where the pace of
life in ‘Shiny E’ has certainly not abated.
The training year began with Ex STEEL
SABRE in Otterburn. Newly supporting
2RTR, this re-established the Battery’s
foundations in the armoured role; having
supported 4 RIFLES previously, this
was something the Tac Gp has not done
collectively for at least a decade. The
training year has offered the Battery
an invaluable opportunity to foster a
strong relationship with 2RTR prior to
Afghanistan. The cementing of this and
the culmination of the hybrid foundation
training, was the Battery’s deployment to
BATUS in Canada. The majority of the
Gun Group had in fact already deployed
with the Chestnut Troop on Ex PRAIRE
THUNDER 1 and were joined by the
remainder of the Battery for Ex PRAIRE
THUNDER 2.
The exercise gave the Battery the
opportunity to demonstrate to 2RTR the
full extent of our capability. And not only
as an AS90 battery, but also in the delivery
of joint fires as the Battery integrated DH31
detachments from 21 Battery RA—familiar
to most from recent operations but now
with the challenge of utilising them within
the armoured role—and Light Weight
Counter Mortar Radar detachments from Z
Battery RA. Designed for base protection
in Afghanistan, this was the first attempt to
use the radar in support of a manoeuvring
battle group. The Battery fired the full
spectrum of missions up to BC’s fire plans
as part of massed Battle Group attacks. The
Gun Group also re-rolled as infantry and
having demonstrated their adept soldiering
skills during the defensive battle were
then launched by the Battle Group CO
into a very successful and complex urban
clearance operation. A great start point for
transition into mission specific training.
The Battery managed some adventurous
training in the wilds of Canada with
horse riding and skydiving for the
more adventurous. On the sporting
front the Battery finished a respectable
joint second in the inter battery Moore
Trophy, with a win in the basketball and
a joint first place in the football. LBdr
Sharpe and LBdr Bradshaw have had
individual success, being selected for
the Army tug of war team and LBdr
Hanlon represented the Royal Artillery
at football. The Battery boxing team has
Sgt Edwards leads his patrol along
the Roman Road in Otterburn
RHAA Newsletter 9
triumphed, making up the large part of
the Regimental boxing team who won
Royal Artillery Boxing Championship.
The highlight of the evening was the
fight between E Battery’s Bdr Porter and
Bdr Yates. As best friends this was an
extraordinarily hard and close contest,
Bdr Yates just came out on top.
Maj Gareth Barber finished as BC in
June. Maj Neil Budd took up the reins just
before Canada and will take the Battery
through Afghanistan. WO2 (BSM) Molloy
had handed over to WO2 (BSM) Jeffery
and has moved to RQMS(T) after 20 years
in E Battery. To complete the trio, Capt
Kurt Ray arrived in June as BK.
E Battery will return to Afghanistan in
the spring, an operation that is likely to
bring to a close a period of nearly 10 years
of demanding tours that started in Iraq.
The Battery is already well into mission
specific training. The Gun Group has rerolled to Light Gun and the Tac Group has
adapted its gunnery skills to the demands
of Afghanistan. It is clear that the coming
12 months will be as challenging as ever,
but very different.
10
RHAA Newsletter
D Battery RHA
It is fair to say that the intensity of life
for the men and women of D Battery
has significantly stepped up a gear this
year. The Battery has immersed itself in
training and reinvigorating core skills as
close support Gunners.
March brought the first of numerous
exercises that the Battery were to deploy
on. Exercise CYPHER SWORD, a CT1
level exercise designed to promote
detachment cohesion and a chance
for crews to get back to the basics
of gunnery. A modest amount of dry
training with a significant amount of live
fire returned the Battery to the standard
attained at the end of last year and set
the tone for the training year.
Easter leave was quickly followed by
Exercise CYPER SPEAR, the regimental
CT2 level exercise in Grafenwöhr,
Germany. Where CT1 was relatively
slow, CT2 ensured the Battery was
thoroughly tested, working as a cohesive
sub-unit and developing the skills from
Exercise CYPHER SWORD. A busy
week of Battery training
was followed by the CO’s
challenge, a gruelling 24
hour navigation challenge
around the area, consisting
of river crossings, night
navigation, obstacle
courses and much more.
The challenge eventually
saw Bdr Sanno and his G4
team lift the trophy, the
team showed true grit and
determination throughout
the whole event and put a
fair few Tac Group teams
to shame. Some more live
firing saw the Battery reach
the correct standard before
the imminent deployment
to Canada.
May brought the
regimental PNCO and
JNCO courses, in which the
Battery took a significant
role, with Lt Carter heading
up the PNCO course. LBdr
Adamson, as the best RHA
soldier on the JNCO course was duly
promoted by the Commanding Officer
and was presented with the “LBdr
Chandler ‘Bing’ Memorial Prize” for
his outstanding performance on the
leadership course. All who attended these
courses worked extremely hard and were
a credit to their Battery.
Summer leave was enjoyed by all,
before returning to the Battery for the
hotly anticipated CT3 exercise that
is BATUS. A small team
headed up by the BK,
deployed a week early
to sign over vehicles
and ensure the Battery
fleet was up to standard.
The Battery followed
shortly after, eager to
get started and tackle the
challenges that would no
doubt come their way as
soon as D day arrived.
The Battery deployed on
D-2 all slightly nervous
and anticipating what was to come.
The gun group was tested, moving
3 or 4 times a day, undertaking a
huge number of night deployments,
making working together even more
important. A significant amount of
live firing brought the gun group up to
impressive standards, and towards the
end of the exercise even saw gun pits
being dug, an emotional yet rewarding
experience. The Tac Group enjoyed a
variety of live firing and TES, being
tested to the limit. When predictably
the BC got a little too sharp and was
‘killed’, Captain Mardon stood up to
the plate! A huge amount of training
was undertaken and a huge amount
was achieved, seeing the Battery gain
a great report from the BATUS staff.
Since being back at Regiment the
Battery hasn’t stopped, deploying
again to Grafenwöhr and Larkhill
and completing a very impressive
Remembrance Day Parade at Hyde
Park Corner. A final foray into light
role soldiering saw the Tac Group
deploy to support the Coldstream
Guards on WESSEX THUNDER.
Frankly biblical weather did little to
dampen their spirits and yet more
experience was gained from working
with an utterly professional Battalion.
As the Battery moves into the busy
period of MST, there is no doubt that
your soldiers will put their all into
everything that gets thrown at them with
true D Battery gusto.
The Red Machine marches on!
F (Sphinx) Parachute Battery RHA
Another energetic and busy period for F
(Sphinx) Parachute Battery during which
the men of the Yellow Dog have been
operating all over the world. Throughout
this term the Battery deployed to Kenya
on Ex ASKARI THUNDER and also sent
individuals to support Ex CRIMSON
EAGLE, a JTAC and CCA training
exercise in Arizona, USA. Whilst
displaying the utmost professionalism
and confidence on these exercises,
there was also time for the Battery to
relax and undertake some of the more
“adventurous” activities during Ex
SPHINX DILEGENCE.
On the 27 May 12 the Yellow Dog
deployed to Kenya on Ex ASKARI
THUNDER, a hybrid training exercise
designed to test all facets the Battery. The
OP Tac Group including 4 Fire Support
Teams and the JFIC covered most if not
all the ground on the training area calling
in fire from the Gun Group in the opening
BC’s phase of the Exercise. This was a
time for the Battery to hone its skills and
blow away any cobwebs before moving
to the next phase of the Exercise in
support of 1 Royal Irish Battle Group.
However, before joining forces with the
Irish there was a chance for the Battery
to rest and regenerate at one of the areas
leading Safari Lodges before moving
onto the demanding CFX phase. During
this phase the Tac Group integrated well
with their respected companies and laid
the foundations for a successful final
phase of the exercise. The FTX saw the
Gun Group re-role as an enemy force
while the Tac Group continued to build
on their strong relationship with 1 Royal
Irish. The performance of F Battery in all
phases of the exercise was exemplary and
strong bonds were formed between the
Yellow Dog and 1 Royal Irish which has
RHAA Newsletter 11
created a solid stage on which to enter
MST and deployment on HERRICK 18.
Upon return to Colchester in July, the
Battery split sending individuals to support
Ex CRIMSON EAGLE leaving the
majority of the Battery to deploy on Ex
SPHINX DILEGENCE. Those on the plane
to San Diego were a combination of FACs
and those attending the CCA course. For
the remainder of the Battery Ex SPHINX
DILEGENCE was a two week period
organised by the Battery training office
which would allow the men to partake in all
sorts of activities ranging from Police Dog
handling to Muay Thai and other martial
arts. Other activates included working
with close protection teams learning close
combat skills and operating in skills houses.
The two weeks were rounded off with the
Coton Cup which saw the junior ranks
beat the officers and seniors in a close fort
competition.
The Tac Group now looks forward to
a demanding period of pre-deployment
training prior to its involvement in
OP HERRICK 18 next summer. The
Battery will now form part of the 1 RHA
contribution to operations in Afghanistan
in summer 2013. Meanwhile the Gun
Group is expected to continue to support
the challenges of a return to contingency
operation with the Airborne Task Force.
12
RHAA Newsletter
G Parachute Battery (Mercer’s Troop) RHA
Bdr Ellis during the Bty
AT week in Newquay
Ex JOINT WARRIOR
It has been a busy year for the men of
Mercer’s with a number of commitments
and activities. As expected the Battery
has performed exceptionally well
demonstrating the versatility and can-do
attitude that characterises the airborne
gunners. In taking over the role as the
lead Battery of the Airborne Taskforce,
Mercer’s have found themselves
involved with a number of exercises to
hone their gunnery skills and refocus on
contingency operations.
Despite the congested programme the
Battery has managed to excel in a number
of extramural activities and tasks. One
such example is that Mercer’s Gun Troop
was proud to have been placed 1st and 2nd
in the Regimental Best Gun Detachment
Competition as well as providing the bulk
of 7 Para RHA’s championship winning
cross-country and triathlon teams, not to
mention a number of key players to the
Regimental Football Team which were
last seasons Gunner Champions. The
Battery even found time to significantly
revamp its history room and it is now
the envy of the other Batteries in 7 Para
RHA thanks to the hard work of the men
involved and the kind donation from the
RA Charitable Fund.
To kick-start the summer, the Battery
found the time to have an activity-filled
adventure training week in Newquay
that included surfing, Go-Ape high wire
course, mountain-biking and a rather
ill-disciplined day of paint-ball! Just
as the Battery was settling into being
in-barracks before summer leave the call
came for the ABTF to provide manpower
to the London Olympics 2012. Most
of the Bty were involved and despite
the short notice they moved down to
Stratford in good order and demonstrated
exemplary standards of professionalism
and conduct amongst members of the
public. Everyone made the most of
their time in Stratford and enjoyed the
opportunity to be part of one of the
biggest events this country is likely to
experience for many generations.
Gnr Dickson enjoying Go Ape during
the Bty AT week in Newquay
Members of the ABTF deployed on Op Olympics
RHAA Newsletter 13
H Parachute (HQ) Battery (Ramsay’s Troop)
Over the past year H Parachute
Headquarters Battery (Ramsay’s Troop)
RHA have enjoyed a busy tempo taking
the lead on a number of exercises on
different training areas, most recently
to Otterburn setting up Regimental
Excon for Exercise Eagles Resolve.
The departments work independently
and it was good to see the Bty working
together on different scenarios over
the weeks. The exercises also gave the
departments in the Bty a chance to run
low level training utilising the medics,
signallers and some senior members of
the Bty, educating the younger members.
Personnel were given the chance to ‘step
up’ and demonstrate there abilities and
potential for promotion.
Other activities have included P
Company, Cadre Courses which have
since lead to further promotions within the
Bty with more to come. Trade courses,
basic skills and driver theory training have
played an integral part of the last year.
When the Bty are back in camp we
are lucky to have a
number of ranges
close to us, allowing
personnel to work
on marksmanship
principles on a
number of different
weapon systems.
More recently
the Bty has been
involved with Op
OLYMPICS, finding
the majority of the Bty deployed at short
notice. The Bty was quick and keen
to react to this, splitting the personnel
between Vehicle and Personnel searching.
A lucky few found themselves with
tickets to a number of events including the
opening day rehearsal, the men’s 100m
final, veledrome and aquatic centre.
Overall the Bty enjoyed a different sort
of tasking, and thoroughly enjoyed the
London 2012 experience.
Currently the Regiment is running an
internal course period with members of
the Bty completing their GCS L2 course.
Learning the theory behind the signals
trade which included an exercise ran over
night putting what they have learnt in to
practice. It was great to see the young
signallers develop their skills over the 3
week period.
Members of the Bty remain ready at
R2 in the ABTF role, the remainder
continue to support Regimental efforts.
H Para Bty is facing a busy 2013 and
looking forward to the challenges and
opportunities this will bring.
14
RHAA Newsletter
I Parachute Battery (Bull’s Troop) RHA
Sgt Colvin, Ex Joint Warrior
With the return to contingency 2012
has proved to be as varied a year for the
Gentlemen of Bull’s Troop as any in
recent memory. During a busy autumn
Bull’s Troop supporting 3 PARA BG
Bull’s Troop set about re-establishing
the ABTF. Through a series of CAST’s,
live and dry BG exercises old lessons
were re-learnt and new
lessons adapted from
experiences in Afghanistan.
On 1 Jan 2012 3 PARA
and Bull’s Troop stood
up as the ABTF ready to
go. Unfortunately the call
didn’t come and in May the
responsibility for the ABTF
switched to 5 SCOTS and
G Battery.
Following the handover of
contingency responsibilities
the Battery headed to
Liverpool for a well deserved week of AT
which took in a some high wire fun, a trip
to a brewery and a special treat for the
Man Utd supporters amongst the ranks a
tour of Anfield.
On the return from Liverpool the Battery
began to look forward to a long hot
summer watching the Olympics, which
they did but from slightly closer quarters
than most could ever have imagined.
Whilst a small contingent of the regiment
were always planning to deploy to Op
OLYMPICS as the Opening Ceremony
approached it became very clear to the
organisers that something was missing—
the airborne spirit and RHA style of Bull’s
Troop and so the call came. Swapping
Merville Barracks for Tabacco Dock and
a 105mm for a Rapi-scan the Battery
deployed to the bright lights of London
and the Olympic Park for what can only be
described as the experience of a lifetime.
Whether meeting spectators on the main
gates or watching events in the various
stadiums and arena’s it was a privilege for
the Gentlemen to be part of what certainly
was ‘the Greatest Show on Earth’. Whilst
Op OLYMPICS may not make the Battery
Honour Titles it was a cracking way to
finish another year in Bull’s Troop.
A ‘Blast from the Past’
E Sub-section of I Battery (Bull’s Troop) RHA, the first British gun to enter Germany with the Allied Occupation Force,
pictured here at the frontier post at Poteau at 0900hrs on 1st December 1918
RHAA Newsletter 15
J (Sidi Rezegh) Battery RHA
As promised in the 2011 update, this
year has proved to be both very busy and
hugely productive on a number of fronts.
We have given time to the soldiers to
develop and build team cohesion within
the Battery. This year has served to move
our focus away from current operations
and onto core training.
In March the Battery deployed onto the
Bergen-Hohne ranges for a two week
exercise that confirmed the Battery’s return
to the armoured role. Over 1,000 rounds
were fired and we blooded a number of new
gunners and officers on both the gun line
and on the OP ridge. It was safe to say after
this exercise we were back in the armoured
seat and ready for more challenges.
In May the Regiment held a firing camp
in Grafenwöhr. This is a great US training
area in the south of Germany. Again
the guns were able to fire a reasonable
amount of ammunition, but the Fire
Support Teams had the chance to engage
with American 155mm M777s, German
PzH2000, UK mortars and coordinate
all this with US and German jets. The
training was joint and multinational, as it
is on operations, and we all gained much
from the experience. The Battery and
Regiment showed it could deploy itself at
reach and achieve a high level of training.
A gun of J Battery in the Direct Fire Role
Sgt Jones contolling German Jets at Grafenwöhr
Finally in September the Battery
deployed on Exercise PRAIRIE
THUNDER 4 in Canada. Many of the
Battery had already supported D Battery
on Ex PT3, and in turn we received much
support from our sister battery. The hard
work and high morale of the gun group
was evident to all who visited, whilst at
the OP end we successfully supported
the 3 MERCIAN Battlegroup in some
complex operations.
Away from armour training, we have
managed to get a large number of soldiers
away on career and trade courses. Many
have participated in adventure training
and we have been very active on the
sports front, coming second in the CO’s
cup. We even managed to squeeze in a
Battery trip to Colditz Castle.
As 2012 draws to a close and 2013
dawns, we see our focus returning
once more to Afghanistan and the final
deployment of the J (Sidi Rezegh) Battery
gun group on operations as it has been
announced that from 2015 J (Sidi Rezegh)
Battery will become a Tac Battery. The
Battery has undergone much change in its
history and this is but another step—the
Battery has survived on the order of battle
and will continue to display the standards
and panache that it always has.
OP Ridge at Sunset
16
RHAA Newsletter
M (HQ) Battery RHA
It has been another interesting and
diverse year for M(HQ) Bty with
commitments varying from regimental
CT 1 and 2 training to Bde CAST and
deployments to Canada and Kenya; busy,
yes; but enjoyable busy. The battery
has also managed to conduct adventure
training, celebrate the 203rd battery
birthday and achieve success on the
sporting field and in the field kitchen.
2012 kicked off in earnest with the
celebration in late January of the battery’s
203rd birthday; a weekend of activities
including a formal dinner in the WOs
and Sgts’ Mess, a church service and a
families’ party in the JNCOs’ Mess. With
renewed pride in the battery (and slightly
sore heads) the realisation dawned that
2012 also signalled the beginning of a new
training year and an increase in tempo.
First on the agenda was the continuation
of the HQ 7 Armd Bde staff training
series of exercises, Ex STAFF RAT 2, 3
and 4, on the local training areas. These
allowed the Bde HQ, including the Bde
Joint Fires Cell, to re-acquaint itself
with life under armour and planning bde
operations, culminating in the testing Bde
CAST in early May.
Hybrid Foundation Training began in
March with the battery deploying onto
the Bergen Hohne and Munster ranges
for Ex CYPHER SWORD: a level one
collective training (CT 1) exercise which
allowed detachments to refresh their
basic skills, some of which had not been
exercised in earnest for quite some time.
On return from the exercise it was all
hands to the pump supporting the QM’s
and QM(T)’s departments who worked
their fingers to the bone preparing for
Plain in support of Ex WESSEX
the Combined Assurance Week. The
THUNDER and bty HQ deploy to Kenya
work paid off and the regiment passed
in support of Ex ASKARI THUNDER.
with greens across the board, thoroughly
Away from work there have been
earning their Easter leave.
many successes: Pte Gurung winning
Following Easter Leave, all elements of Combined Services honours on the
the battery deployed south to Grafenwöhr badminton court; LBdr Ratumaisese
Training Area in Bavaria and Ex
representing the Gunners in rugby union
CYPHER SPEAR: the regimental CT 2
and league (whilst still finding time
exercise. Although mainly in an enabling
to represent the battery in the boxing
role, the battery entered two patrols into
ring); members of the battery taking
the CO’s best detachment competition,
part in adventure training ranging from
acquitting themselves admirably—much
parachuting to hill walking in Bavaria;
to the disgust of some FSTs!
the chefs winning the Divisional and
Summer heralded the beginning of the
tri-service catering competitions and
CAST and CATT HICON commitments
many others representing the regiment at
which involved some members of the
cycling, basketball and cross country to
battery weekly commuting to Sennelager; name but a few.
many nights away from home but
We are now ready to enter Mission
their fire discipline showed dramatic
Specific Training for Op HERRICK 19.
improvement! The HICON and enabling
There are many uncertainties but the
commitments continued with 22 members battery remains poised and flexible, ready
of the battery deploying to Canada as
to exploit the opportunities thrown up by
temporary staff in the arty safety group.
a changing situation.
They were swiftly
joined by various
members of bty HQ
rotating through two
iterations of HICON
and some of the
younger members
of the battery
deploying with
the gun batteries
to gain much
needed experience.
The final HICON
commitments of
the year saw a team
LBdr Burke’s patrol on the command task stand,
Best Detachment Competition
deploy to Salisbury
Bdr Powell’s patrol conducting the river crossing,
Best Detachment Competition
LBdr Ratumaisese in the corner with the
battery boxing coach, Bdr Berridge
L (Néry) Battery RHA
It is rather clichéd to say that we have
been busy over the last twelve months,
especially with the pace of life in the
Army at present, but the extent of what
we have achieved is notable. There
has been attendance on numerous
career courses, exercises both in the
UK and overseas, individual and
collective adventurous training; and the
consuming efforts to lay the foundations
in preparation for Op HERRICK in
Afghanistan.
In February two Fire Support Teams
(FSTs) from the Battery deployed to
Kenya on Ex ASKARI THUNDER 6, in
support of The Royal Highland Fusiliers,
2 SCOTS Battle Group. It was an
excellent training facility which offered
many new opportunities and challenges.
Meanwhile, the remainder of the Battery
attended 3 (UK) Division’s Ex STEEL
SABRE in the sub-zero temperatures of
Otterburn. The exercise saw the Battery
expand their gunnery knowledge and
skills, from conducting basic missions,
to working up to Battery Commander’s
(BC’s) fire plans.
A much welcomed Easter leave
preceded immediate departure to Canada
on Ex PRAIRIE THUNDER, in support
of the Household Cavalry (HCR) Battle
L Battery graves at Néry
RHAA Newsletter 17
L Battery marching through Néry
Group, in the formation reconnaissance
role. From the outset, the Battery was
warmly embraced by the HCR and
training emphasised understanding
each other’s capabilities and seeking
innovative and integrated use of armour,
dismounts and joint fires.
The 1st September 1914 remains
an emotive date for all members and
veterans of L (Néry) Battery and a
day we commemorate each year. This
involved an excursion to Néry, in
France. The Battery studied World
War I and L (Néry) Battery’s part in
‘The Affair at Néry’, as well as laying
wreaths at both the French and British
memorial sites. The entire occasion was
an enormous success and a very fitting
celebration of our Battery’s history. It
also allowed us to meet some of our
extremely loyal and dedicated L (Néry)
Battery veterans. The serving unit
keenly looks forward to commemorating
the 100th Anniversary of ‘The Affair at
Néry’ on 1st September 2014 with all our
veterans and wider Battery family.
The final activity for the year was the
parade to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 60
year reign as monarch. Soldiers lined
up to receive the Queen’s Diamond
Jubilee medal, which took place on 8th
September in Tidworth. A Families’
Day was also held to commemorate
the occasion, which was an excellent
opportunity to thank our families for
the fantastic support they have given us
throughout a very demanding year.
18
RHAA Newsletter
N Battery (The Eagle Troop) RHA
N Battery (The Eagle Troop) RHA has
had a very busy and productive year.
Eagles returned from a lengthy period of
adventurous training and post-operational
tour leave under the watchful eyes of Capt
Newnham and WO2 (BSM) Walker to start
a busy training year. One leftover from
Operation HERRICK 13 was the awarding
of a Joint Commander’s Commendation
for Capt Newnham for his significant effort
in FOB Budwan in Naj-e-Saraj—many
congratulations! Since July 2011 the
Battery has nearly doubled in size; from
24 including the TACPs, we are now 42
strong! We have increased in FST liability
from 3 to 7 by August 2012 and will be at
a total liability of 64 when the third TACP
arrives in January 2013. On 1 August
2011, the new Battery Commander, Maj
Mike Rigby, arrived from MOD Abbey
Wood and immediately had the honour
of promoting LBdr Brown to Bdr after he
came top of the JNCO Leadership Course.
On Friday 11th November we celebrated
our 200th anniversary of foundation. We
were honoured to be joined by 5 former
Eagles who flew to Hohne to ensure that
we celebrated this very special occasion
in true Eagles’ style. After a hearty battery
all- ranks breakfast attended by the
Commanding Officer and the Regimental
Sergeant Major, 3 teams (based around the
BC, BK and BSM) participated in a football
competition to burn off any excess energy.
The BC commented that the team may
have been loaded as it was the BSM’s (the
Gunner football coach) team which won!
After a relaxed afternoon in the battery
bar where the former Eagles updated our
history, we retired to
the JNCOs’ Mess for
an all-ranks function.
During the evening
we participated in
numerous party
games (mainly
involving eggs,
newspapers and
wheeled chairs) and
had an excellent
time. After a
recovery afternoon
Eagles dined in the
Warrant Officers
and Sergeants’
Mess with a themed
meal (subsequently copied by the other
batteries in the regiment—Eagles setting
trends again!) where we were joined by our
partners and the battery silver and the Battle
of Hyderabad painting from the Officers’
Mess; the evening was a great success.
After a well earned Easter leave and
following the arrival of a new BSM, WO2
(BSM) Moore from J (Sidi Rezegh) Battery
RHA, Eagles deployed to Grafenwöhr
in Bavaria to conduct CT L2 training.
Once again working from armoured
vehicles, Eagles embraced the exercise
and completed it in style, firing live
coordinated illumination missions; we also
facilitated true joint fires integration for
the regiment with our FACs (Bdr Leonard
and WO2 (BSM) Moore). On return
from Grafenwöhr, Eagles were involved
heavily in a myriad of events. Inter-battery
sports were all great events; we came a
respectable fourth, including winning
the tug of war competition, much to our
surprise! So what does the future hold? We
are awaiting the physical arrival of 3 new
FST Commanders as well as soldiers from
40 Regt RA to swell our numbers. Eagles
will participate in 2 overseas training events
this before Christmas—Ex PRAIRIE
THUDER 3 in BATUS, Canada with BC’s
Tac, JFC and Capt Hall’s FST supporting
the 9th/ 12th Royal Lancers followed
swiftly by Ex ASKARI THUNDER 4/12
in Kenya with BC’s Tac, JFC and Capt
Hall’s FST supporting the 2 Royal Anglian
Battlegroup; a very busy period. The
TACPs are in demand and have supported
all brigade training events this year. It is fair
to say that Eagles have had a busy year but
the next 2 will be even busier!
Attached to this report is a ‘blast from
the past’ that I am sure will interest all
ex-Eagles.
After a well earned Easter leave and
following the arrival of a new BSM,
WO2 (BSM) Moore from J (Sidi Rezegh)
Battery RHA, Eagles deployed to
Grafenwöhr in Bavaria to conduct CT
L2 training. Once again working from
armoured vehicles, Eagles embraced the
exercise and completed it in style, firing
live coordinated illumination missions; we
also facilitated true joint fires integration
for the regiment with our FACs (Bdr
Leonard and WO2 (BSM) Moore). 4
soldiers, LBdr Lee and Gnrs Berry, Guest
and Jones, missed the exercise to attend
the OPA L3 course.
On return from Grafenwöhr, Eagles
were involved heavily in a myriad
of events. Gnrs Christian, Geer and
Westerman attended the regimental PNCO
cadre, lovingly (?) watched over by Sgt
Lincoln and LBdr Horridge. Inter-battery
sports were all great events; we came a
respectable fourth, including winning
the tug of war competition, much to our
surprise! Another OPA L2 course was run
by Eagles, headed up once again by Bdr
Fitzpatrick. The Battery G4 team facilitated
the hand back of our armoured vehicles.
FAC training across the Regiment was
conducted and administrated by WO2
(BSM) Moore and Bdr Leonard and
participated in by the TACPs; this training
will provide invaluable for the forthcoming
operational tour and further forward to
contingent operations.
So what does the future hold? We are
awaiting the physical arrival of 3 new FST
Commanders as well as soldiers from 40
Regt RA to swell our numbers. Eagles will
participate in 2 overseas training events
this before Christmas—Ex PRAIRIE
THUDER 3 in BATUS, Canada with BC’s
Tac, JFC and Capt Hall’s FST supporting
the 9th/ 12th Royal Lancers followed
swiftly by Ex ASKARI THUNDER 4/12
in Kenya with BC’s Tac, JFC and Capt
Hall’s FST supporting the 2 Royal Anglian
Battlegroup; a very busy period. The
TACPs are in demand and have supported
all brigade training events this year. It is fair
to say that Eagles have had a busy year but
the next 2 will be even busier!
RHAA Newsletter 19
O (HQ) Battery (The Rocket Troop) RHA
2012 has been another extraordinarily
busy year for O/HQ Battery (The Rocket
Troop). Adaptive Foundation Training saw
the Regiment on exercise in the UK, Kenya
and Canada, each exercise had the support
of the Battery. The Battery also formed a
Tac Gp to support 2 LANCS BG through
CAST, CATT and BATUS. During certain
periods of time the Battery was deployed
on up to five exercises simultaneously in
three different countries. The HICON bill
was as punishing as ever, Bogue’s Troops
signallers were really stretched throughout,
a task made even more onerous as all the
CAST/CATTs were run in Germany over
an eight week period.
Ex FIRST DAGGER was the regimental
exercise conducted in Otterburn to test CP
crews using FC BISA as well conducting
field firing in support of the Tac Groups
prior to Ex STEEL SABRE. The exercise
was a Tac Group round robin approach to
Adaptive Foundation Training and firing.
As always the battery was at the forefront
of the OSG giving all the other Regiments
a helping hand with FC BISA, with credit
going to the WOCIS/SMS for ensuring the
exercise had communications.
A large amount of the BC and BSM’s
time was spent supporting 2 LANCS as
the O/HQ Battery (The Rocket Troop)
Tac Group. This entity was created to be
a fifth Regimental Tac Group and called
upon our collective skills, supported by
FSTs from other Batteries. The BSM ran
the Joint Fires Cell, Sgt Wileman was the
BC’s assistant, whilst Gnr Wall and Gnr
Seeward acted as signallers. This was
excellent opportunity and experience for
all involved and the collective experience
provided was much appreciated by the
BG. BATUS saw the Battery support the
HICON bill with Sgt Stevens and his team
working out of EXCON tower, Sgts Ball
and Sedman supported both of the gun
Batteries as their BQMS, whilst the Tac
Gp again deployed as support to 2 LANCS
in the COEFOR (enemy) role. The BSM
stayed rear to run Battery rear operations.
On the sporting from the Battery has
again been active particularly on the rope
and in the boxing ring. SSgt Liddle ran
the Regimental boxing team, his punishing
regime ensured that the Regiment won
the RA Boxing competition—a fantastic
achievement. Gnrs Kearns and Bhatt
were in the squad that triumphed. The
QM(T) led tug-of-war again had a
storming season, again being crowned best
Gunner Team as well achieving significant
success at the Army competition. The
Regimental team again pulled at the
Braemar Games. The team, both male and
female, was heavily populated by Rocket
Troop soldiers, many of whom went onto
gain their Gunner, Army and some cases
Combined Services colours.
Over the course of the year, the Battery
has been successful on the promotion
front. SSgt Bainbridge, was rightly
selected for promotion to WO2 where he
now just does the SMS role. Sgts Baker,
Dennis, Liddle, Shackleton and Wileman
were all selected for promotion to SSgt,
whilst Bdr Hulcoop and Cpl Noble were
promoted to Sgt. Finally, a few farewells
to long serving members of the Battery.
After 22 years service WO2s Smith and
Horridge, SSgt Warren and Sgt Ward
have all left the Regiment.
20
RHAA Newsletter
Last Post
During 2012 the Association has received the sad news of the deaths of the following members:
Name
A R Haines BEM
WO2 C M (Mark) Ray
Mr B H Grant
Maj Gen J E Cordingley OBE
Lt Col B H J Holloway Mr W Stockley
Maj E C Ashton DSO
Mr J Whiteway
Mr C J Friend
Mr Peter S Wareham
Mr L Lambertstock BEM
Maj C J Stenning MBE
Mr Brian Regan
Col A K Fowler
Brig A (Tony) Hunter-Choat OBE
Mr David (Dave) Jenkins
Mr David Parrington
Mr Norman Gasson
Mr J J Bufton
Mr G H Francis
Lt Col T H Pares
Mr C W Perry
Maj D F M Archibald Capt Eddie Newton Lt Col A J C (Tony) Taylor MBE
Lt Col P H V de C O'Grady
Mr G D Georgiou
Date
30 Dec 10 28 Apr 11
8 Oct 11
14 Oct 11
20 Dec 11
24 Nov 11
6 Jan 12
8 Apr 12
NK
8 Aug 08
1 Nov 10
28 Jan 12
1 Feb 2012
4 Mar 12
12 Apr 12
1 May 12
20 May 12
15 Aug 12
13 Aug 12
6 Sep 12
18 Sep 12
20 Sep 12
11 Sep 12
25 Dec 12
4 Jan 13
6 Jan 13
25 Jan 13
Age
Location
83
Devizes
43
93
Bexleyheath
95
Marlborough
88
Tadworth
86
Kirby
95
Pewsey
91
Neath NK
Apperley 82
Llandudno
84 Oxford
91 Hove
78
Broadstairs
77
St Mawes
76
Hereford
61
Oswestry
93
Lytham St Annes
85
Blackwater 89
Sale
96
Exeter
83
Fakenham
92
Solihull
85
Sturminster Newton
69
Tillicoultry
89
Hammersmith
96
Co Limerick
79
Colchester
We Will Remember Them
OBITUARY—MR GH FRANCIS
Gnr. G H C Francis enlisted 1932 at
Warley served in M Battery 3 Brigade
R H A for six years re-called to the
colours at the outbreak of WW2 one
of the hero's of the rear-guard at St
Valery. He survived the long march
into captivity and spent the next Five
years as a PoW. He was an inmate
of Stalag XXB until he and two other
prisoners escaped and met up with
the Russian forces and finally the
Americans. He was repatriated and
finally discharged in 1946.
Geoffrey Francis my Uncle passed
away on the 6th September this
year and will hopefully be reunited
with his beloved horses, MackerelMckay and Miss Marina. Peter Francis
Regt / Bty
1 RHA
D, M, 3 RHA
104 Regt (Essex Yeomanry) RHA
Ch Tp RHA
5 RHA, 4 RHA,3 RHA
D Bty RHA
Ch Tp RHA
106 /149 Regt
4 RHA
3 RHA
D Bty 3 RHA
King's Troop RHA & 1 RHA
G Bty RHA
3 RHA & 1 RHA
3 RHA
3 RHA
BO/B 1 RHA
G Bty 5 RHA, HQ 3 RHA
4 RHA
M, O & B/O Bty's. 1 & 3 Bdes RHA
K Bty RHA
E Bty 1 RHA
G Bty, 2 & 7 RHA
Kings Troop RHA
1 RHA
F Bty & Kings Tp RHA
A, 1 RHA, D, 3RHA
RHAA Newsletter 21
Royal Horse Artillery Association Staff List
President
General Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman GBE KCB
Master Gunner St James’s Park
Artillery House, Artillery Centre
Royal Artillery Barracks,
Larkhill, Salisbury
Wiltshire SP4 8QT
Master Gunners Representative
Brigadier M S Rutter-Jerome
Field House
Newton Tony
Salisbury,
Wiltshire SP4 0HF
Committee
Major (Retd) W G Clarke —Chairman & Editor Newsletter
‘The Ramblers’, 199 Bulford Road
Durrington
Amesbury
Wiltshire SP4 8HR
Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) D J Bender —Welfare Secretary
23 Heol Will George
Waunarlwydd
Swansea SA5 4RS
Tel: 01792 536257
Major (Retd) R J Whiteway MBE —Membership / Dinner Secretary
The Hideaway, 18 Immenstadt Drive
Wellington
Somerset TA21 9PT
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01823 665650
Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) N A C Conn Royal Artillery —Honorary Treasurer
15 Stourcroft Drive
Christchurch
Dorset BH23 2PX
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01202 479205
Mr Tony Darby —Goods Secretary
78 Primrose Field
Harlow
Essex CM18 6QT
Tel: 01279 413844
Standard Bearer
Mr Skip Hamsford
3 West Street
Goole
East Riding of Yorkshire DN14 6BE
Regimental Representatives on the Central Committee
WO1 (RSM) D M Pearce
The King’s Troop RHA
George VI Lines
Woolwich
London SE18 4BQ
WO1 (RSM) Tidman
1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
Assaye Barracks
Tidworth
Hampshire SP9 7AB
WO1 (RSM) Hawke
3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
British Forces Post Office 30
WO1(RSM) R Bramall
7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
Merville Barracks
Colchester
Essex CO2 7UJ
WANTED
Old photographs for
‘Memory Lane’
Members are asked to send any old
photographs from the 1950s, '60s, '70s &'80s
to the Editor for future copies of the Newsletter.
All those loaned will be returned to their owners
by recorded delivery once copied.
Subscriptions / Change of Address
The Association annual subscription is £3 although as a result of members’ generosity the average amount received is £5.
Members pay what they can afford thus ensuring no bar to membership for those of limited means. Members who wish to
amend their bank standing order should contact their bank or request a new BSO form from the Membership Secretary.
Members are requested to inform the Membership Secretary if their address changes to ensure that they continue to receive the newsletter.
Membership application / update forms and further details of reunion dinners can be obtained from the Membership Secretary:
Email: [email protected]
22
RHAA Newsletter
RHA Batteries in Army 2020
As I am sure you will appreciate,
Army 2020 has significantly altered
the shape of the Army and, as always,
the Royal Regiment has adapted to
ensure it is able to support the future
Army effectively; this has required
some change. Before any decisions
were made and promulgated, the Royal
Artillery Historical Trust (RAHT)
considered options for future Regiments’
composition and battery titles; they
developed the following principles
and recommended them to the Master
Gunner’s Committee in Autumn 2012:

RHA regiments should retain only
lettered batteries as no peacetime
precedent for numbered batteries serving
in RHA regiments could be identified.

When deciding which batteries should
be retained and which should be placed
into suspended animation (SA), both
historical precedence and historical
significance should be considered.
The results of the RAHT recommendations
and deliberation at the Master Gunner’s
Committee resulted in the following RHA
structure:

1 RHA—the Regiment will restructure
to comprise 3 x AS90 batteries, 1 x
MLRS battery and 1 x Tac Group
battery and will support a new Reaction
Force Brigade. There was a need to find
a 5th lettered battery for the MLRS Bty
and whilst having no formal linkage
with 1 RHA, the Master Gunner’s
Committee felt that H Battery (from 7
Para RHA) should be retained due to its
historical significance, even though it is
relatively junior in order of precedence. The alternative was resurrecting
another lettered battery or using V
Battery, the other one from 7 Para RHA
to be placed into SA. 
3 RHA—the Regiment will restructure
to comprise 2 x Lt Gun batteries and 2
x Tac Group batteries and, along with
4 Regt RA, will provide support to the
seven Adaptable Force Brigades.

7 Para RHA—7 Para RHA will restructure
in line with 16 Air Assault Brigade’s
reduction to two parachute battalions.
This necessitated the reduction from 4 to
2 batteries. As outlined above, H Battery
moves to 1 RHA and the Master Gunner’s
Committee felt that V Battery had too little
‘heritage’ compared to the other batteries
in the Regiment despite being relatively
senior in order of precedence. This left F,
G and I Batteries and order of precedence
led to the conclusion that F and G
Batteries should be as equipment batteries
and I Battery should be the HQ battery.
I hope this reassures you that full
consideration was given to heritage and
history despite the need to make some
significant change to the Royal Regiment
and Royal Horse Artillery batterys.
Implementation is underway and it is
important that we now support the change.
RHA ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & REUNION 2013
The Association Annual General Meeting & Reunion for 2013 will be held at the
Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London, SE1 6HZ on 21st September 2013 at 1200hrs.
1000hrs
1200hrs
The programme will be:
Access to view museum exhibits.
1315hrs Light Lunch & presentation of Whips Trophy
AGM
1415hrs–1700hrs Access to view museum exhibits.
The cost will be £15 per ticket and ladies/partners will be most welcome.
Members who wish to attend are requested to register their interest with the membership secretary as soon as
possible to enable numbers to be assessed. This will ensure that further details are sent to members who wish to
attend when they become available.
R J Whiteway MBE, The Hideaway, 18 Immenstadt Drive, Wellington, Somerset, TA21 9PT.
Tel: 01823 665650 E-mail: [email protected]
RHA ASSOCIATION 2014 REUNION DINNER
The RHA Association 93rd Reunion Dinner will take place at
the Civic Centre, Trowbridge on Saturday, 29th March 2014.
Attendance is open to all past and present members of any RHA Unit.
Ladies are encouraged to attend and are most welcome.
`Those who wish to attend should register their interest with the dinner secretary by 1st December 2013 to
ensure further details are sent to them as they become available.
R J Whiteway MBE, The Hideaway, 18 Immenstadt Drive, Wellington, Somerset, TA21 9PT.
Tel: 01823 665650 E-mail: [email protected]
Rufus Writes (formerly Chatham of A- Sub-section)
Plain.
n the
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RHAA Newsletter 23
24
RHAA Newsletter
‘Yesteryear’ featuring O Battery (The Rocket Troop) RHA 1918–1923
In April 1918 O Battery as part of V Brigade RHA were
preparing to repel the great German Spring Offensive on the
Western Front. The pictures below portray the battery leaguered
up in preparation. Other photographs show them taking part in
the Wiesbaden Horse Show where they were stationed as part of
the Allied Army of Occupation in 1919. On return to the United
Kingdom later that year they formed part of a Royal Review
of V Brigade at Aldershot. Finally in 1922/23 they were called
upon to perform the Musical Drive at the Royal Tournament in
place of N Battery RHA, who had been sent to Ireland as part of
the Royal Artillery Mounted Rifle Regiment.
O Battery Signallers Nov 11 1918
D Sub, Wiesbaden Horse Show 1919
Wiesbaden Horse Show 1919
SNCOs O Battery Nov 11 1918
C Sub at Leaguer Area , April 1918
Memory Lane
RHAA Newsletter 25
26
RHAA Newsletter
Memory Lane
A CENTURY
OF MEMORIES
FOR JIMMY
SINCLAIR
The oldest member of the
RHA Association and one
of the oldest surviving
‘Desert Rats’, Jimmy Sinclair
celebrated his 100th birthday
last August. Earlier in the
year he had a surprise early
birthday tea with the Duke
and Duchess of Cornwall
when they visited Holyrood
Palace, and he was presented
with a beautiful set of
Caithness glass whisky
glasses and a bottle of
whisky from them. To assist
him with his celebrations last
August, Eddie Macmurray,
who lives fairly locally, took
along a good bottle of whisky
and a copy of the book
Royal Salute to present to
Jimmy from the Association,
both of which were very
much appreciated!
3rd RHA, Gil Gil Kenya 1963
RHAA Newsletter 27
St. John’s Wood Bks 1966
JNCOs F (Sphinx) Battery RHA, Risalpur 1938
Press Day, Wormwood Scrubs 1965
RHAA Reunion, St. John's Wood 1985
HM Queen's visit, St. John's Wood 1962
28
RHAA Newsletter
Memory Lane