The Fusiliers Newsletter

Transcription

1 The Fusiliers Newsletter Catch up with the Regiment at work, rest and play Contents 1 May and a special Fusilier 50 Newsletter will follow on 8 May... v Warwickshire ACF s eventful April v Northumbria ACF also very busy in April v Excellence in Fusilier Recruiting v 2Lt John Schofield VC remembered in Blackburn v Welcome to two new Fusilier Officers v Lt Bernard Cassidy VC remembered in Canning Town v People & Places v Notices v How to contribute RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 1

2 Warwickshire ACF s eventful April Although the weather caused some disruption to training (particularly over the long Easter break), the following weekend saw a break in the rain which enabled the annual County athletics completion to be held with A (Normandy) Company comfortable winners. The Corps of Drums has been particularly active this month the Central Band camp at Altcar during half-term was followed by performances at the Wasps v Worcester rugby match as part of the Armed Forces event coordinated by 11 Sig Bde. Three performances in all: outside the entrance where players, coaches and VIPs arrive; the fans village; and then the main stadium, after which they were able to enjoy the match itself. The County also had a recruitment stand at the event alongside one from 1st Fusiliers. The Drums inside the Ricoh Arena before the match. They had nothing to do with the crowd numbers The same weekend, Capt Robertson, the County Shooting Officer was on the ranges with 4 teams practicing for the Brigade Target Rifle Competition in May and also looking to qualify for Bisley in the summer. SI Lane and his son Cdt Cpl Lane receiving their Certificates for Meritorious First Aid April sees the start of the annual inspection of the County s detachments and also the Lord Lieutenant s Investiture evenings when the outgoing Lord Lieutenant s Cadets give a report on the activities throughout the year and their successors are appointed. At the West Midlands evening there was also presentations to SI Lane and his son Cdt Cpl Lane of RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 2

3 Certificates for Meritorious First Aid. These were awarded for their actions at a serious double vehicle accident when 4 people were taken to hospital. Northumbria ACF also very busy in April We are proud here in Northumbria to be part of the Fusilier family. And it s not just the detachments which are formally affiliated to the Regiment, because the Regiment takes an interest in all our cadets, regardless of cap badge. Cadets from across our region were honoured to take part in the recent Fusilier 50 celebrations. Over 100 marched in central Newcastle in the St.George s Day Parade, a memorable event for all involved. Our junior cadets enjoyed a week at Otterburn during the Easter holidays, participating in a 1 Star Cadre, alongside a Signals Cadre which involved all levels. During this week, we also learnt about a remarkable archive of over 400 letters written during WW1 by brothers Robert and Collingwood Thorpe. They have been placed in the Northumberland Archives, together with a number of other artefacts, thanks to the Sir Francis Festing Fund. We are encouraging cadets and veterans getting to help in the transcription of the archives. Interested? Then please contact Graeme Heron on graemenufc05@hotmail.co.uk The National Cadet Music Camp (Scotland) saw the Cassino Band spend a fruitful week practicing and performing, whilst congratulations go to LCpl Kay Watson who took the award of Best Conductor. Meanwhile, A proud LCpl Kay Watson with her Best Conductor prize RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 3

4 closer to home, Fusilier badged cadets became Lord- Lieutenant s Cadets for both Northumberland and Tyne & Wear. Well done everyone, a successful month all around. Excellence in Fusilier Recruiting Cpl Walsh and Cpl Taylor have recently been awarded a Regimental Medal by Maj Elsey for their passionate, important and great work they have done in their recruiting roles Cpl Taylor of the Midlands RRMT Cpl Walsh of the NW RRMT RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 4

5 2Lt John Schofield VC remembered in Blackburn The Victoria Cross Commemorative Plaque unveiling for Second Lieutenant John William Schofield VC took place on Monday 23 April at 1100 in Blackburn. During the ceremony Capt (retd) John Jones read the Citation and laid a wreath on behalf of RHQ North. A guard of honour consisting of the St. George Standard, the Lancashire Fusilier Standard and two Pioneer Axemen were on Parade. On completion of the service a framed Citation signed by the Deputy Col Lancashire and a commemorative plaque of Welsh Slate were presented to the family, who were thrilled with the presentations and also our participation in the Ceremony. To see more of the ceremony, have a look at this YouTube video RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 5

6 1 May 2018 Welcome to two new Fusilier Officers The Regiment welcomes 2Lts Jordan Whiteman and Huw Barry on joining the Fusilier Family after their Commissioning Parade on the 13 April, attended by our Col John Matthews. They are pictured below along with the two of our Fusilier Instructors at Sandhurst. L-R: OCdt Jordan Whiteman, WO2 Rob McGowan, Rev (Maj) Chris Kellock RAChD, CSgt David Rourke and OCdt Huw Barry upon completion of the Commissioning Course s final Exercise DYNAMIC VICTORY in Hohenfels, Germany. Observant readers will note that the Chaplain s Department has run out of camouflage cream. RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 6

7 Lt Bernard Cassidy VC remembered in Canning Town Mayor Sir Robin Wales and the nephew of Lt Cassidy, Derek Cassidy, unveiling the plaque Lieutenant Bernard Cassidy VC from Canning Town who was awarded the Victoria Cross after being killed in action in the final months of the First World War has been remembered a century on. Lt Cassidy of the 2 nd Lancashire Fusiliers was killed at Fampoux, near Arras, on 28 March 1918, when the German forces attacked the British and French lines. He was ordered to hold the British position at all costs, and managed to rally and encourage his men despite heavy bombardment, fighting on until he was eventually surrounded and killed. His body was never recovered, and his Victoria Cross medal was presented to his mother Julia at Buckingham Palace in June The brave soldier s actions were remembered this morning with a ceremony at the East Ham Cenotaph, where a stone was laid in his honour. Lt Cassidy was born in Canning Town in August 1892, one of six children born to Bernard and Julia Cassidy - with all five of their sons signing up to serve their country. The special commemorative ceremony to honour the date that Lieutenant Bernard Cassidy was awarded the Victoria Cross. RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 7

8 1 May 2018 People & Places Fusiliers Association (Warwickshire) at their AGM on 14 April at Alderson House, Warwick the first sunny day of spring Under the Chairmanship of Col Ken Caley, Leamington Spa Branch celebrated St George s Day at the Angel Hotel, Leamington Spa on 14th April RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 8

9 Notices Fusiliers Direct Product of the Month Fusiliers Direct can now offer the Fusilier 50 Medal and Cufflinks to order from their site. For more details visit The Newsletter from the Fusiliers Museum (Alnwick) To read the latest Fusiliers Museum (Alnwick) Newsletter, go to this page content/uploads/2017/11/fusiliers-mus_northd_newsletter pdf Walking with the Wounded May In 2017, Capt Mick Straker of X Company 5th Fusiliers led a team in Walking with the Wounded and came first in their category out of 67 teams over the Tough 24Km Route Mick and the team are doing it again in May 2018, once more to raise money to support another wounded veteran into work and independence. Their challenge: raise 2,000. Mick would be really pleased if the Fusilier Family could help raise this sum by donating directly to their fundraising page: Straker?utm_source=Sharethis&utm_medium=fundraisingpage&utm_cont ent=michael-straker&utm_campaign=pfp- &utm_term=z4n3rzg2k. Just Giving will send your donation straight to Walking With The Wounded and automatically reclaims Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer, so your donation is worth even more. Please help if you can every 1is gratefully received. RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 9

10 Fusiliers Evening Stockton on Tees 19 May There will be a Fusiliers Evening in the Don War Memorial Bar, Calverts Lane, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 1SX on Saturday 19 May, starting at The Don Bar is a huge supporter of veterans and associated charities, and this event is specifically aimed at The Fusiliers. Further details can be found at FUN DAY & CURRY LUNCH 20 May In Aid of The Soldiers Charity ABF Date : Sunday 20th May 2018 Time : 1300 to 1800 Location : North Cheam Sports & Social Club, 660 London Road SM3 9BZ Dress: Smart Casual The aim of the above event is primarily to raise funds for the Soldiers Charity ABF. Also to support former Fusilier and Association member Kevin Tester and his Team in taking on the Charity s Cateran Yomp Event, 54 Miles hiking across the Scottish Highlands, to be completed within 24 hours. The Curry Lunch will consist of: The Lunch and a small buffet. Small charge will be levied to cover costs. A quiz and raffle In the Garden area (weather permitting) there will also be some outside fun, games and activities. It is hoped that some of the Chelsea Pensioners and a piper will be in attendance RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 10

11 For catering purposes, please confirm attendance by 31 March via to or text to: The Veterans' Pain Clinic 21 May Centre for Veterans' Health at King Edward VII's Hospital offers advice & guidance on pain related issues The Veterans Pain Clinic is free of charge to all veterans who are able to provide proof of service. The consultant is Dr Dominic Aldington. Having served in the Royal Army Medical Corps he was the Subject Matter Expert in Pain to the Surgeon General and was responsible for organising pain relief from the point of injury until a casualty left the service. He will offer advice and guidance on pain related issues, including a medication review and will liaise with your NHS GP, helping you to optimise your pain management. The next available appointments will be on Monday 21st May 2018 Contact them on or veteranspainclinic@kingedwardvii.co.uk A GP referral letter and proof of service will be required before attending. RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 11

12 Nigel Benn Charity Boxing event 26 May Former 3 RRF Boxer, Ian Cooperman Cooper will be taking part at Nigel Benn s Charity Boxing Event. The charity event takes place at the Venue 360 Luton, Beds on 26 May and all proceeds go to Help For Heroes. Below is a JustGiving page if anyone wants to donate please add Ian Cooper s name in the comments box when donating. Tickets can be purchased directly from Any veterans who arrive on the night wearing regimental ties will only pay 20 instead of 40 on the door. RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 12

13 Nuneaton Branch hosts Normandy Weekend Jun Fusilier Band Concert at Gorton Monastary 10 Jun A special concert is being held to commemorate 50 years of the Royal Regiment Fusiliers and to raise valuable funds for The Fusilier Museum. Set in the magnificent surroundings of The Monastery Manchester, experience an afternoon of nostalgia with special performances from The Band and the Corps of Drums of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Lancashire and the pipes and drums of the Scots Guards Association Manchester. Tickets are now on sale from the reception desk at The Fusilier Museum. Sunday 10th June at 2pm. 20 per person RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 13

14 Fusilier 50 Holborn Charlie Charlie 23 Jun As part of the Fusilier 50 celebrations in 2018, there will be a Fusiliers London Area Pub Gathering in central London on 23 rd June The event will be known as the Fusiliers Holborn Charlie Charlie because we are making an all stations call to Fusiliers old and new to attend this event. The venue will be the Penderel s Oak (Whetherspoons) Pub in Holborn We will have exclusive use of their very nice Cellar Bar. It comfortably accommodates 250, with scope for overspill in the main upstairs bar and small beer garden. The Pub is approximately 300m from the Fusilier Memorial in Holborn, midway between Holborn and Chancery Lane Tube Stations. The location has great transport links and is close to many West End attractions for those who would like to sample the tourist and shopping experience, or London Theatreland and the West End nightlife. There is a much detail to confirm but we expect to have the Cellar Bar from 1600 until closing time. Detailed information will be issued in early Until then please put a marker in your diary. Saturday Fund-raising talks at the Fusilier Museum (Warwick) To be held at St John s House, Warwick, CV34 4NF at 1400 each Saturday listed. The entry charge will be 5 for the Talks and 1 per item to be valued on Valuation Day (except for Friends and Volunteers of the Museum) 26 May Gallantry at Sea (Royal Warwickshire Regiment) by David Seeney RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 14

15 30 June Bomb Disposal by Major Mick Atkinson (late RAOC) 28 July Military Research ( presentation and questions) by David Seeney 29 September The Warwickshire Yeomanry in World War One by Philip Wilson (Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum) 27 October The Battle of the Somme by David Seeney 24 November The Warwicks and the Xmas Truce by Alan Reed (Military Guide and Author) How to contribute Contributions are welcome from anywhere in the Fusilier Family. Articles should be no more than 150 words, ideally with a good photo and caption. Get them to midsec@thefusiliers.org by the 25 th of each month. Archive copies are held in the Regiment s Dropbox account. Please note that the Editor and RHQ make every effort to ensure factual accuracy and whilst we might edit articles for reasons of space, we do not censor them. Any mistakes are purely accidental and no harm or slander is ever intended. Photos The Editor accepts photographs for publication on the understanding that those submitting them have, where required by data protection legislation, obtained consent to publication from those depicted. Anyone who believes this is not the case or has a DPA related concern should contact the Editor. RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v v 15