Qui s’y Frotte Association
9th Battalion
Royal Tank Regiment
FROM MUD, THROUGH BLOOD TO THE GREEN FIELDS BEYOND
(RTR Memorial, Whitehall)
April, 2003
Quote: I will never be an old man. To me,
old age is always fifteen years older than I am. Bernard Baruch
Chairman’s
Message
On Wednesday 26th March, 2003 the Committee gathered together at The Barley Mow, London, for our final meeting before members attend the Charing Reunion on the 19th July, 2003. How time flies with many of us now in our 80th year. I hope as many of us can turn up at Charing Church then on to The Holiday Inn for our Annual Lunch.
Treasurer, Bill Thompson’s report gave the Committee good news on our financial position. With still more subscriptions to come in he announced the balance to date was £1990.60. I must thank you all for your generous response to my appeal that went in our earlier Newsletter. It proves that our members wish the Association to continue to function. While we have a committee to carry out the wishes of our members it will continue until all our members say differently.
I must mention Return to Roosendaal 2004 because after our July 2003 Reunion our main objective is Roosendaal. Jack Woods has a report in this Newsletter setting out the first news. I must thank Jack for visiting the Roosendaal Team and starting the whole process going. I had a ‘phone call from a member saying, “Jack is the ideal person to organize the Roosendaal programme.” As Jack receives more news it will be published in our Newsletters.
Our thoughts are all with the R.T.R. members serving in the Gulf. A letter of support has been sent to Headquarters, Bovington. God Bless Them All and a speedy return home.
The secretary reported the sad loss of Bill Grace and John Colley. My condolences go out to both families. It is inevitable that in time the Association will get smaller in numbers that is why communication between us is even more important than ever before.
Good Luck to all members and their families – Keep Well.
Best Wishes, Charles.
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One of the Plaques Arranged Around the Memorial
In tribute to the crewmen who served in the Heavy section and Heavy
Branch Machine Gun Corps, the Tank Corps Royal Tank Corps and Royal Tank
Regiment since tanks were first used in combat at Flers
On
15th September, 1916
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What’s in a Nickname?
By Peter Beale
When the QSF Committee gave me the opportunity to write the Regimental History I received letters from many 9th veterans. The writers often referred to their friends and comrades by their nicknames and were completely unable to remember their Christian names. In looking through QSF archives recently I came across letters from Derek Bellamy of ‘B’ Squadron with an account of how he obtained his unusual nickname. That will be recounted later, but it sparked a thought to look at nicknames that are used, some universal, some peculiar to the Army and some specific to the individual.
Those in universal use relate to place of origin or physical characteristics. ‘Jock’, ‘Taffy’ and ‘Mick’ are instantly recognizable and ‘Paddy’, ‘Digger’ and ‘Yank’ often changed to ‘Hank’, equally so.
The main physical features giving rise to nicknames are height and weight but there are several others. Above average height attracts ‘Lofty’ but in a perverse way the 6 ft 4 inch Field Marshal Ironside was known a ‘Tiny’. The shorter person is ‘Tich’, sometimes ‘Shorty’. The person of fuller figure can be awarded various names: ‘Fatty’, ‘Jumbo’, ‘Tubby’ and ‘Piggy’ but in the Army ‘Busty’ is probably the most common. Who in ‘B’ Squadron could ever forget the excellent cooking of the ACC Sergeant cook Busty Nuttall?
Hair colour occasions a nickname most often ‘Ginger’, for which ‘Blue’ is a less-used alternative. Other features are indicated by ‘Desert-head’, ‘Jug-ears’, ‘Curly’ and ‘Schnozzel’.
Some nicknames are abbreviations of the surname, as for example: ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson, ‘Robbo’ Robinson or Robertson, ‘Simmo’ Simpson or Simmons. Sgt. Harry Simmons of 10 Troop was called ‘Simmo’ but also, for reasons unspecified, as ‘Cushy’. ‘Tommo’ is appropriate for Thompson and also for Tomlinson, especially for the SSM of ‘B’ Squadron, that absolutely fearless man who would bring supplies up to the tanks whatever unpleasantness the Germans were showering down in his path. ‘Nicky’ went with Nichols, ‘Dicky’ with Bird and ‘Ali’ with Barber – although the lasts two are more associations than abbreviations.
It is by association that we have such nicknames as ‘Chalky’ White (alternatively ‘Snowy’), ‘Dusty’ Miller, ‘Johnny’ Walker and ‘Ned’ Kelly. There is another group of nicknames which are classed as ‘inevitable’, especially in the Army. These include: ‘Smudger’ Smith, ‘Nobby’ Clark, ‘Pedlar’ Palmer, ‘Spud’ Murphy, ‘Dixie’ Dean and ‘Dinty’ Moore. The derivation of some of these is shrouded in mystery but those for which an explanation can be found:
Nobby: Clarks are ‘Nobby’ because clerks in the City used to wear top-hats, ie. Nobby hats.
Spud: The association is between the Irish name and the main item in Irish sustenance.
Dixie: The nickname of the famous Everton
footballer, W.R. Dean was ‘Dixie’, he scored
Goals in 39 games in 1927-8 and the name has stuck with Dean(e).
The nicknames,
actual names, or name abbreviations of famous people (and cartoon characters)
are often assigned to those with the same surname, as in Dixie Dean. Most of those associations are forgotten
after a few years, or replaced by others that have become more contemporary. One cartoon name that lasted for a while was
‘Flash’ Gordon. In his book Panzer
Bait, William Moore records that: Soon after Geordie Reay, very badly
burned with 3 RTR at Hill 112, arrived at Rooksdown Hospital, a patient was
brought into the next bed. This was ‘Flash’ Gordon (Ray to us), an 18 year old
wounded in Normandy with 9RTR’.
Some nicknames appear to be specific to an individual. Sometimes the derivation is known, sometimes not. Two that are not known, at least to the writer are:
‘Bimbo’, the name given to the efficient, courageous and self-effacing Commander of the Second British Army in Normandy, Miles Dempsey.
‘Wahoo’, the equally efficient and courageous, but rather more flamboyant Commander of 34 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier W.S.Clarke.
The stimulus for writing this, as I said at the beginning, was a letter from Derek Bellamy. He had just found a copy of Tank Tracks at his local library and was reading the bit where Brian Marchant blanco-ed and brasso-ed to the hilt, arrived on his first posting to a field unit at the home of ‘B’ Squadron 9 RTR, Hall’s Place. Derek wrote:
I too came
from the 58th Training Regiment in 1943 and was also confounded by
the stark difference. In fact, because
I walked in a soldierly manner (I couldn’t unlearn the 58th regimentation in a trice) I
received from Sergeant Nuttall, the cook, a sobriquet that stayed with me for
the rest of my time with the 9th.
As I approached the counter for my food, he announced for all to hear
that ‘rigor mortis’ had set in; that I was in the vertical position made no
difference. The nickname abbreviated to ‘Rigger’ and then to ‘Rig’, but it
stuck.
Can anyone remember other nicknames, if
possible with their derivation? They
bring back good memories.
Why ‘Berry’?
By ‘Berry’Veale
Upon reporting for active duty at Camp Bovington, I was surprised to find a piece of mail waiting. It was from a stranger even though it was addressed to me. First role call on the parade ground, however, did shed some light on the confusion because, to my great surprise, another chap stepped forward when Peter Veale was called. The Staff Sergeant, of course, wanted this sorted out ASAP and his directive was that one of us had to assume an alias. (In Dorset, by the way, there are lots of Veales, particularly in the Totnes area, so it was not all that surprising to have such a duplication in nearby Wareham.) As a result, I became Berry Veale.
My alias, ‘Berry’ had, recently been acquired while playing billiards in the mess hall. A spirited discussion had arisen around the table as to whether or not one of us could make a particular shot. To settle the dispute in the usual sporting manner, it was suggested all around that sixpence be wagered on the shot. However, when I reached into my pocket for a coin, I had none; only a Cadbury’s chocolate bar which I quickly offered as substitute for my sixpence. My colleagues cajoled and jeered, referring to me as ‘Cadbury’ which soon became Berry and it stuck as an army nickname.
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Explaining ‘Fred’
By ‘Fred’ Glasspool
Called back from embarkation leave because it had been found that I was two months too young to serve in the Desert, Bovington added my name to a contingent being transferred to the 9th RTR. One of my mates called everyone ‘friend’ and a corporal taking names called me ‘Fred’ (obviously he had misheard) but when I protested that my name was Arthur he didn’t want to know. He turned to us rookies and said, “This bloke doesn’t look like an Arthur, his name is ‘Fred’.
This name stuck with me throughout my service days. I became so used to it that no effort has been made on my part to put it right.
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Ah Yes! I Remember It Well
By Dennis Fitzgerald
I remember The
Phantom Shot incident recalled by Peter Beale. I was in 8 Troop at the time and working in the next tank to Inferno.
When I heard the loud bang I thought that someone had dropped one of the
grenades that were in a rack of six near the tank commander’s position. I did
not want to go and look in the turret of Inferno as I feared what I
might find but out of the smoke Reg Terrington’s dead white face appeared. I
have often wondered what the outcome would be, now I know! I
wonder if anybody else remembers going to the Scots Guards at Ollerton to take
over tanks from them. There were several
of us but I cannot remember who the others were. We ferried tanks from their camp to the railway station very
early in the mornings. I do not know why we took their tanks from them, does
anyone know the reason? I do know that
when we waterproofed our tanks on Farnborough Common prior to D-Day our
6-pounder guns were removed by R.E.M.E. and replaced by 75 mm. guns the result
of this was that when we tested our waterproofing, in Virginia Water I think,
we got very wet because they had fitted different ammunition racks and drilled
and tapped new holes so that water poured in through the unsealed holes in the
hull. This was 9 Troop’s Immune which
I drove until 22nd August when I was wounded.
Captain
Philip Gardner, V.C.
A hero of the North African campaign. Captain ‘Pip’
Gardner who won a Victoria Cross whilst serving with the 4th
RTR, 32nd Tank Brigade,has died aged 88 years.
He joined the Westminster Dragoons and was commissioned
into the RTR. In 1941 he embarked for the Middle East and in April was posted
to 4th RTR at El Tahag, near
Ilsmailia. Shortly afterwards was awarde the Military Cross for an
action near Halfaya Pass.
In June 1942 after the surrender at Tobruk, Gardner was
sent to a prisoner of war camp in Italy.Following the Italian armistice in July
1943, he and hundreds of other PoWs broke out of their camp near Parma. After
four months on the run, he was captured by the Germans in Rome and sent to a
camp at Muhlberg eventually being moved to Oflag 79 near Brunswick.
His death reduces the number of living holders of the Victoria
Cross to 15.
A Letter from a
Newspaper Column
Question: Why is there a Second World
War American tank on a piece of waste ground at the top of London’s Old Kent
Road? Who owns it, how did it get there and why hasn’t it been clamped yet?
Answer: I live next door to the tank. It is not American but a Russian-built T34 and reputed to be one of the greatest tanks of the 20th Century. This particular tank was featured in the film version of Richard 111 staring Sir Ian McKellen. It belonged to a resident in our road who bought it as a birthday present in May 1996 for his eight-year-old son. The land belongs to the tank owner.
(Did they have tanks in Richard 111’s time? I thought
they were called ‘horses’!)
Nominations for Committee
Nominations are required for Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and 6 Committee Members.
The present Chairman, Charles Poulter, Treasurer, Bill Thompson and all Committee Members (Ted Crouch; Brian Marchant; Cyril Rees; Bob Taylor and Jack Woods) except Fred Glasspool have agreed to stand for re-election.
A request was made in the last Newsletter for nominations for Secretary. No nominations have, as yet, been received. The present Secretary has agreed to remain as secretary until a replacement is found.
Please send your nominations to the secretary. Make
sure that the person(s) being nominated are prepared to stand for election.
The Secretary would like to thank The
Committee and all Members for their help and support throughout her term of
office. It has been greatly appreciated.
Members’ Update
It is with great sadness that we have to report the death of Bill Grace, a very keen and active member of the Association, he will be a great miss. Our condolences to his family.
We also regret to learn of the death of John Colley who died on 27th February, 2003 in Frenchay Hospital, aged 90 years. Our deepest sympathy to his son, Jack. John had been in poor health for some time and had only recently moved to Bristol where he could be closer to his son.
Newsletters posted to both Mr. T. Park of Bury, Lancs. And Mr. B. Ling of High Wycome, Bucks were return ‘No longer at this address’. Does anyone have any information?
Tommy Wolf has not been in very good health lately but we hope that he is much better now and that we will see him at the Reunion in July. Good Luck, Tommy.
You will be sorry to hear that our Chairman, Charles Poulter has been very poorly recently. We wish him a speedy recovery.
Mrs. Marjory Proctor,
widow of John Proctor, has moved home and now lives near to her son. We hope
she will be very happy in her new home.
A Tribute to Bill Grace 1919 - 2003
By
Ray Gordon & Crombie Coriner
It is sad to have to report that Bill Grace of ‘A’ Squadron, 9th Battalion, Royal Tank Regiment passed peacefully away to his ‘green fields’ on the 22nd January.
Bill joined the Regiment in 1944. He served in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany – taking part in the successful attack in the Reichswald Forest.
On his return to civilian life he lost contact with the Qui s’y Frotte Association but rediscovered us about twelve years ago. His sons encouraged him to visit Charing for a Regimental Reunion and, as a result, he became an enthusiastic Q.S.F. member.
The funeral Service took place in Treverbyn Village Church. The Church was almost full of local friends and over thirty family members and friends from further a field. They came to honour Bill and to remember a man whose humour, encouragement and help was appreciated by many Q.S.F. members as well as by many friends from his own community. There is no doubt that in making contact with our Old Comrades Association gave Bill a lot of pleasure in his later years.
Tribute to John Colley
By Jack Colley (Son of John Colley)
John Colley served with the 9th Battalion when he was first commissioned and the battalion was moving around the south coast. He was then seconded to the Department of Tank Design to carry out mathematical analysis.
After the war he returned to teaching and became headmaster of Market Harborough Grammar School.
A Memorial Service was held at Market Harborough Methodist Church on Friday 28th March, 2003.
Obituary – ‘Tank’ March 2003
Sent to us by Jack Woods
Desmond Lilley was commissioned into the Regiment in February 1944, joining 9 RTR as a Troop Leader. The following year in June/July he was posted to 4 RTR where he held the posts of Troop Leader, IO and RSO, before joining the RAC OCTU in December 1947 as OIC ‘A’grading so not unnaturally he became TGO, then a Schools Instructor (1951-1954). His next posting was to 3 RTR as Sqn. 2IC, then Regt MTO, until his retirement in 1961.
He died in January 2003, aged 78.
‘Qui s’y Frotte’ 9th
RTR Website
http://www.omnitask.com/qsf/
(Letter to Peter Beale)
Dear Sir,
I am writing to congratulate you on the 9th Battalion web site. Your website is a fine tribute to those who served in the 9th RTR and I thank you for your efforts in creating this ‘historical reference’. The quality of information presented on this site is of the highest standard and that you have not only made available an online version of the excellent “Tank Tracks” but have included extra and updated appendices is to your great credit.
Although having no military background myself I have long had an interest in British & Commonwealth AFVs of WW11, particularly the Churchill Tank. I have set up a web site at http://www.armourinfocus.co.uk/a22 which includes a register of surviving Churchills. If you have no objections I should very much like to add the 9th RTR site to the links/references part of my site. Chris Shillito
P.S. I have in my possession a photocopy of a Churchill Driver’s Handbook which has names of the crew written on the covers, these being: Commander Cpl. Hodgson; Driver Tpr. Rees C.A.; Gunner Tpr. Fitzpatrick; w/operator Tpr. Handley and co-driver Tpr. Ashworth (I think).
Also marked on the cover are the W/D numbers T310232 (a Mk111), T69051, T69029 (Indifferent) and T31020 (Impertinent).
Our
congratulations to Peter Beale and Tim Veale for their excellent work on the
website.
From Witness to Accused!
By Fred Glasspool
Doing maintenance along with ‘Tubby’ Cliffe on our tank Ilford in the Longbeach tank park we missed the chance for elevenses. So, being young and foolhardy, we decided to take the tank on a road-run as far as ‘Harry’s Café’. All went well with this escapade until we returned to the tank park. I was sitting on the front of the tank giving Tubby signs through his open visor. Another tank pulled out and we crashed, smashing their idling sprocket.
Tubby was put on a charge and I was called as witness. It wasn’t long before Major Holden asked if I was controlling with the intercom working. Not being a very good liar, Ronnie Holden soon saw through us. “March them out, Sergeant Major and bring Glasspool back as the accused.”
I eventually agreed to take his punishment which was seven shillings and sixpence stopped from my pay.
Often since those days I’ve wondered
about the cost of producing and idler!
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An Honour Bestowed
On Saturday
11th December, Gordon Horsewood attended the Royal British Legion
(Nottingham) Annual Conference and was presented with the Certificate of
Appreciation of the R.B.L. This is regarded as a very high distinction. Well done Gordon, we are all very proud
of you.
Many thanks to all who contributed to this
Newsletter. Please keep those stories and photographs coming. Anything not used immediately WILL be used
at some stage.
Qui s’y Frotte
Association – 60th Anniversary Liberation year Return to Roosendaal
5 days, 4 nights. Thursday 28th October – Monday 1st November 2004
Day 1,
Thursday 28th October, 2004
Travel to Roosendaal via Eurostar to Brussels, (board train at either Stratford,London, if the link is open by then, Waterloo or Ashford International). At Brussels change to Roosendaal train. Times to be advised on arrival at Roosendaal, travel by coach to hotel. Settle in.
Day 2,
Friday,29th October, 2004
Reception with the Burgomaster of Roosendaal and Nispen at the Old Townhall, looking at some movies, speech from the Burgomaster. Rest of the day free followed by dinner at the Restaurant van der Put.
Day 3,
Saturday, 30th October, 2004
60 years
Liberation – Commemoration Roosendaal
Arrival of party 1130 hours at Monastery at the Wouwseweg near the place from the old Farmschool. Lunch at 1200 hours. After lunch proceed to the Polar Bear Monument/Regimental Plaque for commemoration ceremony. Timing: 1330 hours to 1500 hours (afterwards if there is enough time visit the Pub of Sjef Boonen on the Kade). 1515 hours travel to the Commando Barracks at Roosendaal/museum/dinner.
Day 4,
Sunday 31st October, 2004
60 years
Liberation – Commemoration Nispen
Church service at Nispen, reception at Nisipia at Nispen.
Visit Steenbergen Guy Gibson Monument, supporting speech from Mr. Albert Postma (he served with the RAF during the war). Visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery (British) near Bergen op Zoom. Return to Roosendaal for dinner.
Day 5,
Monday, 1st November, 2004
Return home -
journey in reverse.
The costs and timings have, of course, to be worked out.
It will be no more than £400 per person. This includes compulsory insurance
cover. Arrangements will be made for the amount to be paid by instalments if
required. What is essential is that £30 per person, non-returnable
deposit be paid immediately to secure a booking. Please pay this to the Treasurer and make
your cheques payable to the Qui s’y Frotte Association, together
with names of travellers. To date there
are 30 interested persons. The return therefore is a definite on.
All enquiries to the secretary.
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I/we wish to be
included in the visit to Roosendaal on Thursday 28th October -
Monday 1st November 2004 Number of
people: …………………….. Names: ………………………………………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Deposit Paid: Signed: ………………………………
Reunion – Charing19th July, 2003
If
you have not yet booked in, don’t leave it too late! Don’t miss out on seeing
your comrades.
Members will assemble at Charing Church to attend a Service at 1200hours, led by The Rev. Canon Brian Chalmers and the laying of a wreath at the Memoral Plaque, by Johnny Towlson. After the Service lunch will be served at The Holiday Inn, Near Hothfield, A20, at 1330 hours.
After lunch there will be a short AGM at 1600 hours.
Coach will depart from Holiday Inn for Waterloo at 1730 hours
Anyone
experiencing difficulties can telephone the secretary, who will be at
Charing from Friday, 18th
July, at the Royal Oak, Charing. Tel.01233 712612
.
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Reunion 19th July, 2003 Name(s): ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Cheques payable
to: Qui s’y Frotte Association value £12.50 per person £……………… To be sent to the Secretary NO LATER THAN JUNE 10th 2003 Coach
from Waterloo? YES NO
Please
tick menu choice. Tomato Soup
Steak & Ale Pie Rhubarb
& Apple Crumble Pate Roast Chicken Salad Baked Apple Dessert
& Cream Prawn Cocktail Oven Baked Cod with Cheese Crust Chocolate Mousse Welsh Rarebit Root Vegetable Stew Sherry Trifle
Cheese & Biscuits n
Starters Main Course Dessert
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