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Leader Magazine
SUMMER 1962.
COMPANY NOTES.
'A' COMPANY NOTES
Since our last notes, we have said goodbye to Major H. F. Robertson, 9/12 L, on his retirement to civilian life. He will be greatly missed by the whole company and we wish him every success. Our new O.C. is Major B. R. Laycock, R.A., who, some say, has leapt from the frying pan into the fire.
We must record the well-earned success of Falaise Platoon in winning the Rhyl Cup - now that we have it we intend to keep it. Falaise also boast the J /RSM and the Company J/CSM. On the sporting side, J /Sig. Browning and J/L/Cpl. Hewitt have done well for the Regiment "wielding the willow".
Balaclava Platoon have at long last lost Sgt. Short and in his place we welcome Sgt. Emsworth. It would appear that both their voices will haunt the square for years to come. J/L/Cpl. Johnston has been elected to serve on the Social Centre Committee - no mean feat for one from the "bottom half".
Knightsbridge have done rather well in sport so far and are eagerly awaiting the coming rounds of the inter-platoon cricket league. J/Cpl. Dutton captains the XI with great skill.
Imphal have concentrated mainly on athletics this term and have produced several fine athletes: J/Pte. Henry and J/L/Cpl. McGurk have consistently represented the regiment, at sprinting and the javelin respectively.
We had a very pleasant weekend at Menai, where the weather was kind to us and allowed the platoon activities to take place as planned. With the co-operation of the R.A.S.C., a pleasant trip in a launch from Bangor to Caernarvon was arranged for a party of 20 Junior Leaders.
Just as a warning, we are all out to win the Inter-Company Athletic Cup for the third successive year. If we do, someone will have to present another one, as we are sure you would all wish us to keep it.
On the whole, we have had a most enjoyable term.
'B' COMPANY NOTES
Early in the term, all four platoons put on a farewell party for BSM Haddow, who left us after two and a half memorable years with the Company. An excellent show and meal were provided by the Junior Leaders' Entertainment Committee. The new Commandant scored an early success, by getting honourable mention in two Platoon sketches. Obviously Junior Leaders' knowledge of Military Law is improving, as no sketch showed the Company Commander order 20 lashes or hanging, as a punishment.
We were pleased to greet Lt. P. A. French who has taken over Gallipoli, but sorry to say goodbye to Sgt. Kurle and Sgt. Brown, who leaves at the end of this term.
This term has been notable for the number of visits Junior Leaders have made to Regimental functions at Depots, etc. The Company has been represented at the Devon and Dorsets for the presentation of new colours by H.R.H. Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent, at the R.M.P. Corps Day and at the Gunner At Home at Woolwich. In September Junior Leaders will be at the Black Watch Silver Jubilee celebrations to be attended by H.M. Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
This has been a most successful term in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme ; Junior L/Cpl. Marshall was at Buckingham Palace on the 15th June to receive the Gold Award Certificate- and Badge from H.R.H. Prince Philip, and is the first Junior Leader to receive the award during his service here. Junior Leaders at other stages of training have done well, especially on the expeditions.
Menai Camp was held in good weather and was enjoyed by all. The Company continue to be well represented in all Regimental Sports teams.
We have had more letters from past members of the Company and have heard from ex-Junior RSM Watson that he had passed his Regular Commissions Board and is waiting to go to Sandhurst. We wish him every success.
'C' COMPANY NOTES
Having lost a large number of senior boys we have had a very quiet term, but we also have a lot more junior boys now, who will be with us for sometime and it is to these we look for great things next term and the term after next.
We welcome Lt. Horsfall from 'R' Company to Tunisia Platoon, SSM Webb and SQMS Smith to Company Headquarters and Sgts. Howard and Grinell to Tunisia and Normandy respectively. To Lt. Askew, SSM Evis, SQMS Overton and Sgt. Simmonds, who have left us, we send our thanks and best wishes for the future.
Telford and Carling last month received their Gold Awards from the Duke of Edinburgh in glorious sunshine at Buckingham Palace, bringing the Company's total to nine.
Junior Sgts. Davis and Robinson and Lockhart, Parker and Playle are all in Germany with the 30/16th Regiment Royal Artillery. Junior Sgt. Brittain is now a corporal, Herbert came out top of his intake and is off to Aden, Byrne was runner-up on the Northern Command and Northern Counties championships and Marshall and Head have already boxed for their Corps. Gunner White and Sig. McGinley and Wilkins are also in Germany. All are doing well except Gunner Playle who, rather carelessly, dropped a L.A.A. gun on his foot. We wish him a speedy recovery.
Sig. Bell and Pte. Wright ,B., both say that training here is pretty tough and has stood them in good stead in adult service. It is good to hear that even the least popular measures are sometimes appreciated later on!
'D' COMPANY NOTES
Company Commanders come and go but we go on for ever. We were very sorry indeed to lose Major Durcan after such a short time. Although only here for one term, he made a very deep impression on us all and we thank him for his tireless work, patience and invaluable advice. Major Speller arrived to take the helm and we extend our heartiest welcome -- we also congratulate him on the recent addition to his family of a son.
In Company Headquarters the term had revolved around D of E charts, Bow-Ties and sword drill. The Second-in-Command had been heard to mutter "Canna di sword drill, ma arms are too short." Menai was quiet and peaceful, fishing being a keen activity, although it had been suggested we would do better with bird cages. Jack has moved the tea room three times this term. We are not sure whether he is just restless, or possibly fed up issuing tea on tick to officers with no small change.
Altogether it has been a good term as the platoon notes make clear:
CAMBRAI - This has been a term of personal achievements. Mortimer (canoeing), Grace and Gomez (athletics), Level, Martin and Saxon (tug o' war), Haffenden and Greenway (cricket) have been our most successful sportsmen. The tadpoles have turned to frogs. The Budgies produced three eggs. We were fifth in the Riches Cup. Saxon did a successful inspection of milk churns. Lamb has only been charged twice this term. Cowling met his first girl. We are still the inter-platoon rugger champions and hope to retain this title next season.
WATERLOO - Fawcett and Worgan acquired B and C gradings respectively at the Outward Bound School. We have reached the semi-finals of the Inter-Platoon Cricket. Our Regimental players this term include Fawcett (football), Haddikin (cricket), Hunter (basketball), Ridsdale and Worgan (tug o' war).
DETTINGEN - We congratulate ourselves on our achievement in coming third in the Rhyl Cup. Impey, Lavery and Bundock completed the A.O.B.S. course all getting 'C' gradings. Our regimental sportsmen this term have been Mackenzie and Naylor, both in cricket.
MINDEN - The term began sadly, as Sgt. Brown R.A., who has been with Minden since the Regiment began, has left us. We owe a lot to St Brown and we wish him the best of luck. Burke has gained his Regimental colours for athletics. Plowright, Hornby and Brown, K.G., have done their Gold expedition.
RECRUIT COMPANY NOTES
We must report many goodbyes and welcomes. We say goodbye to CSM Clough, a founder member of the Company, who returned to his Regiment, S/Sgt. Welan, who goes to BAOR, and Sgt. Edwards to Aldershot and a CSM's course. We wish them all good luck for the future. Lt. Horsfall has left us, but not the Regiment, to take over Tunisia Platoon, 'C' Company. Our new arrivals are CSM Hollingsworth from the warmer climate of Malaya, and S/Sgt. Glynn from Aldershot. Also at mid term, Sgts. Ainsworth and McHugh joined us from the Training Companies. We extend our welcome to them all.
The beginning of term found the Company full of redundant Permanent Staff, for the intake was only 29 strong. The surplus staff were attached to the Training Wings for five weeks with the exception of Sgt. Finlay. He carried on with the self-help barrack room painting and we hope that the mid-term intake appreciated his artistic efforts and hard work.
At half term "The" platoon passed out with a high standard of drill and turnout. The best dressed recruit was J/Gnr. Devonport, and the best over-all recruit was J/Sig. Grace.
The mid-term intake was 99 strong and, to cater for this, the number of platoons rose to four. In this intake we have three brothers of Junior Leaders who are already in the Training Companies. This for us is an all-time record.
Recruit Company has become musically minded and, in the evenings, everything from Opera to Jazz can be heard over the Tannoy system which has just been installed. All members of the Company find this very welcome.
On the sporting side, the Permanent Staff have been showing their prowess at football by beating the last two intake sides. The bathing beach is having plenty of use this term, weather permitting, and it is rumoured that instead of Permanent Staff versus Junior Leaders football match, there will be some form of aqua sport instead.
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