SUMMER 1964.

'A' COMPANY NOTES.

KNIGHTSBRIDGE PLATOON

The Platoon have had another successful year, doing well in the Rhyl Cup and the shooting competition.

Congratulations must go to J/Cpl. Dee on gaining his Gold Award in the Duke of Edinburgh's Scheme; he thoroughly enjoyed his trip to London.

J/Sgt. Clark. captained the Company Cricket XI to victory last summer and altogether had a successful season with the Regimental XI, being awarded his Colours.

In the athletics field J/C.S.M. Hobbs broke the Regimental Hurdles record and this term is the Captain of the team.

J/Sgt. Lindop, promoted this term, was awarded his Basketball Colours and also played for the Army Junior team and gained his Army Colours.

Other members of the Platoon who have represented the Regiment at sport include J/C.S.M. Hobbs (Colours), J/Cpls. Shepherd and Edwards, J/Sig. Anderson (Rugby), J/Sig. Wielopolski (Canoeing), J/Sigs. Main and Cross (Sailing), J/Cpl. Shepherd and J/Sig. Woolston (Gymnastics) and J/Pte. Williamson (Cross-country).

FALAISE PLATOON

During the past year there have been too many comings and goings to record all but the most important and interesting ones.

In the Rhyl Cup we came third, second and twelfth out of 16 in the past three terms respectively, and were the Champion Platoon in the Regiment, in the Regimental shooting competition in March.

Sport has as usual taken up a lot of our time with me encouraging results. Horsler and Crawford have both played in the Regimental Football Team, the former as Captain. Des Roches, Burnett, Horsler, McLean, McMahon, Davis and Collyer are all in the Regimental Athletics Team. Burnett achieved great fame when he won not only the Army Junior Track events for 1963, but also first place in the Junior Army Cross County Championships at Aldershot. Atkins has represented the Regiment on occasions in a canoe, and Mould was a permanent member of the Basketball Team until he graduated in April. On the rugby side, we were represented by Des Roches, Devereux, Edwards and Bartlett, who have all played for the Regiment, and six of the platoon represented the Regiment in the Cross Country Running Team, the platoon coming second in the Regimental competition. Lastly, three members of the platoon went ski-ing at Aviemore.

Now for a little bit about personalities. It is too much to mention all the departures and arrivals of Junior Leaders. However, we have lost people like Mould, Brown, Hesketh and "Junior Beatle" Varley and gained many others.

On the permanent staff side, Lt. Ross has returned to the Skins at Tidworth and he has bean replaced by Lt. Younger of the Q.O.H., thus preserving the Cavalry tradition of Falaise. One now knows why it is known as "The Troop". Sgt. Hope, R.A.S.C., has moved next door to relive, no doubt, the Battle of Balaclava and his place has been taken by Sgt. Emsworth, of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

Finally it might be of interest to some to know that Pte. Hesketh, of the Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment, was separating the Greeks from the Turks in Cyprus within five weeks of leaving here.

BALACLAVA PLATOON

During the spring term four of our platoon represented the Regiment at basketball, J/Sgt. Farrell, J/Pte. Lupton, J/Cpl. Jennings and J/Sig. Chandler. This term only three remain in the platoon, as J/Sgt. Farrell, who was not only a Regimental basketball player, but also Captain of the Regimental Hockey Team, has left to join his regular unit in Catterick. J/Pte. Lupton was also picked to represent the Army and won his colours.

In the Fencing hobby, J/Cpl. Jones, J/Gnr. Hodgkinson, J/Gnr. Ashbrook and J/Sig. Spence represented the Regiment at Aldershot in the Army finals and they are the mainstay of the hobby.

Our progress in the Rhyl Cup resulted in the platoon coming first in the Company and third in the Regiment. We spent an enjoyable morning ending with two of the team falling in the water and a spectacular run down the pole by J/Pte. Grant, with five rifles slung round his neck.

Last term we lost the star photographer from the platoon when J/Sig. Hay was posted to man-service. J/Sig. Hay won many prizes in his home town. He was also sadly missed by the Corps of Drums, as his sticks were very much in demand. During the last two terms, Balaclava Platoon has produced the J/C.S.M.s of 'A' Company and one J/R.S.M.

J/C.S.M. Parry and J/Gnr. Hodgkinson represented the Regiment in ski-ing in the Army championships, after spending a glorious week in the hills of Scotland.

The platoon, under the guidance of Lt. Clube, organised many walking and signals exercises off their own bat. We were genuinely sorry to see Lt. Clube go, but at least we no longer have any connections with the Beagles!

We are now looking forward to the present summer term, when we once again hope to be top in the Rhyl Cup, cricket and shooting; at least we will be in there pitching.

PLEASE QUOTE REF: lead046

J/L/Cpl Stevenson, of 'A' Company, the first Gold Medallist in the Radio Hobby.

IMPHAL PLATOON

Since the last notes were published Capt. Glydon has left and Lt. Stutchbury (3 R.T.R.) has taken over. Sgt. Cummings (Int.Corps) has replaced Sgt. Moyse as a platoon sergeant, and was called to Cyprus half way through the spring term. He reappeared a week ago amid much secrecy, and taking the Army's instructions on security to heart, told us everything except what he had been doing.

In the blocks there is a noticeable difference. The walls are all now painted in gay colours and even the civilian works organisation is painting the corridors.

The Platoon did well at football last winter and were runners up in the Regimental Inter Platoon Cup, having won the event within the Company. In the Rhyl Cup we came third and fifth the last two times which still leaves the platoon with an excellent record in this competition.

We congratulate J/Gnr. Cockerill, who played in the Army Junior Rugby Trial, and the following boys on promotion to their current ranks:

To J/Sgt.: Burrell (December, 1963), Kirk (April, 1964).

To J/Bdr.: Bartliff (April, 1964).

To J/L/Bdr.: Clegg (April, 1964), Jackson (March, 1964).

To J/L/Cpl.: Kelly, Edgar (April, 1964).

The following have represented the Regiment at sport:

Football: Bartliff, Kirk, Henry, Jackson, Philp.

Rugby: Cockerill, Burrell, Kelly, Francis.

Cross Country: Moore, Hilton.

Basketball: Jackson, Henry.

Cricket: Jackson, Francis.