The Fusiliers Newsletter Catch up with the Regiment at work, rest and play Contents v Message from a former Colonel of the Regiment, Brigadier (Retd) Trevor Minter OBE v Area Secretary (Lancashire) frees up some time v Regimental Orders 2017 Advance Notice v MG Pl (Bury) in 2016 the SF Cadre v Former 3 RRF Rugby Players meet again v Warwickshire ACF s busy start to 2017 v Advance notice of Fusilier 50 events v Commonwealth War Graves Commission s Interns programme for 2017 v Message from the Regimental Secretary v Notices v Three month Forecast of Events v How to contribute RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v 020 3166 6909 v www.thefusiliers.org 1
Message from a former Colonel of the Regiment, Brigadier (Retd) Trevor Minter OBE To fellow Fusiliers and other veterans, I forward this for your consideration. Things concerning Northern Ireland are being raked up from many years ago, while convicted terrorists were released and pardoned in the NI peace accord. I believe it is now time to draw a line in the sand. Personally, I cannot remember what happened yesterday, let alone discuss what happened 40 years ago. If you agree, please go to the link below and sign the petition. https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/175823 Area Secretary (Lancashire) frees up some time In December 2016, Col Mike Glover, the Area Secretary (Lancashire) handed over his role as Commandant of Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force. He was dined out at at Holcombe Moor s Cadet Training Centre, with a sparkling array of guests. Colonel Mike Glover (Right) with his successor, Colonel Paul Irvine Mike thanked all GMACF Officers and Warrant Officers and NCOs for their support in his five years as Commandant and wished the County all the best for the future. The dinner marked both his retirement and his handing over of command to his successor, Colonel Paul Irvine. RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v 020 3166 6909 v www.thefusiliers.org 2
Regimental Orders 2017 Advance Notice 1 February 2017 The Colonel of the Regiment wishes to issue Regimental Orders for 2017 and a Regimental Update later this year. This will build on the success of last year s Orders. All members of the Regiment will be attending on duty and the wider Fusilier family are also welcome to attend. The Orders will be held 1200-1600 on Thu 22 Jun at Tidworth. RHQ has issued a Warning Order to all serving Fusiliers and Area HQs have invited their Association Branch members and Cadet contacts. Full administrative details will follow in due course. MG Pl (Bury) in 2016 the SF Cadre Over the last two years, the Fusilier Machine Gun Platoon based in Bury has steadily grown its level of competency, experience and qualifications. But to remain current in role needs ongoing training, so the SF Cadre in June 2016 in Otterburn was an important commitment. The Cadre trained Fusiliers and soldiers from LANCS and YORKS. Soldiers, taking best practice from several regiments. Instructors Cpl Pelc (4 LANCS) and Cpl Evans (4 YORKS) swiftly got to work on the preliminary Skill at Arms (SAA) lessons. Sandwiched between these, the men were taught SF technical aspects, such as Map Predicted Fire, to Re- Occupation problems in the COE regarding Delay Operations (keep up at the back Ed). CSgt Stokes surrounded by overlays during the Live Delay (they are not sandwich bags as we thought) RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v 020 3166 6909 v www.thefusiliers.org 3
Sgt Macgrady on the Gun Line, giving clear (and probably very loud) instructions With their new found knowledge, next was harmonisation shoots, before moving onto a Field Firing Area (FFA) to fully practice and test the soldiers in all the complexities of the professional GPMG (SF) role. There was a 100% pass, giving the MG Pl a further 16 qualified Fusiliers. With the impending move back home to Fifth Fusiliers, the Platoon is preparing to join as a premier support weapon platoon. Former 3 RRF Rugby Players meet again Simon Jozwiak turned up at Uckfield RFC to referee a club match, only to find that the Club Secretary was Major Colin Bowes-Crick. They played together with 3 RRF in Catterick in 1988. Colin s jacket can be acquired from the Club (no dress sense required). Warwickshire ACF s busy start to 2017 After the Christmas break, Warwickshire ACF s activities resumed in earnest in January with the first part of the Junior Cadet Instructors Cadre (JCIC) early on. The second part followed a few weeks later, with a staff training weekend sandwiched in between the two. A busy time for the Training Officer, Major Delroy Tucker, who was closely involved with all three weekends. RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v 020 3166 6909 v www.thefusiliers.org 4
The staff training weekend is an opportunity to get all those G matters updated, so important to the smooth running of the County but often difficult to achieve. The weekend s focus was on FMT renewal, vehicle familiarisation, detachment accounts, safeguarding etc. The Commandant held a session with the Company Commanders and other key staff to look at retention and recruitment; they also discussed the implementation of the Regional Command guidelines. And to complete a very full January, Warwickshire ACF ran a Familiarisation and Assessment course for potential new adults instructors 10 applicants successfully completed the weekend. Congratulations to all of them. The Commandant, Col NW Sarling, and DS with the 10 new adult instructors after their attestation Advance notice of Fusilier 50 events 2018 marks the 50 th anniversary of the Regiment. As a Regiment, we are going to celebrate our birthday in style, across all the Regimental areas. Here are all the events we currently plan to mark Fusilier 50: 2018 22 April Event Freedom Parade Northumberland, followed by lunch and Beating Retreat 23 April The principal Memorial Service in the Chapel Royal, HM Tower of London RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v 020 3166 6909 v www.thefusiliers.org 5
28/29 April Freedom Parades Lancashire, across Bury, Rochdale and Salford, followed by Gallipoli Dinner at Museum 7 July Fusilier 50 Regimental Dinner. Officers, WOs and SNCOs at HM Tower of London, preceded by reception and Beating Retreat 14 July Service at the NMA Fusilier Memorial, followed by tea in the marquee 29 or 30 July Area Gathering Lancashire, based on Minden Madness. July/August Cadet Competition, based on Cadet Cambrian Patrol Competition September Area Gathering Northumberland, based on Fog on the Tyne 5 September Privilege Parade London. Reception in Guild following parade September Sep / Oct Area Gathering Warwickshire, based on Fusilier Unite Battlefield Tour. Based on the Cold War (Berlin & BAOR) 10 November Festival of Remembrance with a Fusilier contingent Freedom Parade in Warwickshire & Midlands Area location under discussion. Fusilier VC Paving Stones laid in Regimental Areas during 2018 Area Gathering London RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v 020 3166 6909 v www.thefusiliers.org 6
Commonwealth War Graves Commission s Interns programme for 2017 Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) have just launched a programme of Centenary Internships backed by the Government as part of its Commemoration of the centenary of the Great War. For more information, contact Peter Francis, Media and PR Manager on 07766 255884 or 01628 507163, email peter.francis@cwgc.org Under the scheme, 18-25 year olds will be trained to work as paid guides in some of the Commission's most iconic sites, including Tyne Cot in Belgium where a number of UK commemorative events will be held next year to mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele. After a training and induction period, the young people will work for four months with the CWGC, initially at Tyne Cot, extending to Thiepval on the Somme. At both sites, they will help visitors gain a real insight into the workings of the CWGC which has done such wonderful work in commemorating the fallen of the two World Wars. From a Fusilier perspective, this may be a very good opportunity for any of our young reservists who may be currently out of work, Officer Cadets or senior Cadets about to move on. Those wishing to apply can find full details on the CWGC Blog at blog.cwgc.org/interns2017 or register their interest via interns@cwgc.org. Message from the Regimental Secretary The last few weeks have seen a number of tragic deaths of former Fusiliers who have taken their own lives. Please spread the word that Once a Fusilier Always a Fusilier applies to all. If you know of anyone who is suffering, then please tell them to get in touch with the Association, the Area Headquarters or Regimental Headquarters. We will be able to guide them to the appropriate agencies and charities who can hopefully help them. RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v 020 3166 6909 v www.thefusiliers.org 7
As the Colonel of the Regiment stated on the Colonel s Blog (see www.thefusiliers.org): We would never let one another down in combat let s look after our own in peace. Notices Warwickshire Fusiliers Officers Club Dinner Mar 17 The Warwickshire Fusiliers Officers Dinner Club will be held at Gamecock Barracks, Nuneaton on Friday 3rd March 2017. Further details will follow in due course. If you wish to pre-register, please contact Maj John Turquand at johnturquandjnt@hotmail.com. Funeral for an unknown Lancashire Fusilier There will be a funeral for an unknown Lancashire Fusilier at 1500hrs on Tuesday 7 th March 2017 at Perth Wall Cemetery near Ypres in Belgium. The First Fusiliers will provide a Regimental representative, padre and a bugler. The remains are likely to be of a member of the 5 th. (Bury) or 6 th (Rochdale) Battalions Territorial Force were active in this area in September 1917. The next Royal Fusiliers Chapel lecture 10 May This will take place on the evening of 10 May at St Sepulchres without Newgate. The lecture will be delivered by General Lord Dannatt and will be entitled The Law, Morality and Armed Conflict. The talk should last 25-30 Minutes with a Q&A afterwards. As Comdt RMAS, the Col of the Regt has already asked for RMAS staff and Officer Cadets to support it, with their current interest in Moral Courage and Leadership. Please let Area Sec (London) know if you wish to attend. RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v 020 3166 6909 v www.thefusiliers.org 8
RRF Regimental Officers Cocktail Party Jun 17 The annual RRF Regimental Officers Cocktail Party will be held in HM Tower of London on Thursday 29 June 2017. More details will be published in due course. Fusilier Association Trip to Marne Sep 2017 Every year, the Fusilier Association organises a tour of the 1 st Battle of the Marne. Anyone from the Fusilier family is welcome and in January 2017, recruiting will begin for the trip from 31 st August to 4 th September 2017. It has now become very popular and those wishing to join the tour should contact the organiser Richard Adams as soon as possible. Contact him on 01608 662328 or richardadams5@hotmail.com. RRF Officers Regimental Dinner 2017 This will be held at Mercers Hall (by kind permission of The Master), Ironmonger Lane, London, EC2V 8HE on Friday 3 November 2017. As in previous years, it will be a Ladies Night. Pricing has not yet been set, but will be promulgated in due course. Fusilier Association (London) - Colchester Branch Colchester Branch Meeting are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 1945 at the North Countryman s Club, Church Street Colchester. For details, call Paddy Martin on 01206 773301 Is there interest in having a JIB Shorncliffe Reunion? Is there is an appetite for a JIB reunion in September 2017? The gathering would be for anyone that started out in JIB and the reunion would be held in St John Moore s Barracks, by kind permission of CO 2RGR. RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v 020 3166 6909 v www.thefusiliers.org 9
This is only in the feasibility stage, so if anyone is interested, please contact Maj (Ret d) Ralph, via email yorksahqrichmond@btconnect.com, or call him on 01748 822133. Please do not call RHQ RRF. Fusiliers Direct Product of the Month RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v 020 3166 6909 v www.thefusiliers.org 10
Three month Forecast of Events Month Day Date Title Sponsor Location 2017 Feb Sun 5 M62 Coach Bombing Commemoration Lancs AHQ Hartshead Service Area Feb Thu 9 Area Col Council W&M AHQ Warwick Feb Fri 10 1RF/ RRF AGM and reunion HM Tower of London London AHQ London Feb Sun 26 C of L / RRF Branch Curry Lunch, Balham ARC London AHQ London Mar Thu 2 London Pub Lunch HM Tower of London London AHQ London Mar Fri 3 London Area Assoc Corps of Drums Dinner HM Tower of London London AHQ London Mar Fri 3 Warwickshire Fusiliers Officers Club Dinner W&M AHQ Nuneaton Mar Thu 9 London RRF ACF AIs Cocktail Party HM Tower of London London AHQ London Mar Fri 24 1RF/ RRF Branch reunion HM Tower of London London AHQ London Mar Fri 24 Collection Trust & Drill Hall Trust Meetings Lancs AHQ Bury Apr Sat 1 Colchester Branch Dinner Assoc Colchester Apr Thu 6 London Pub Lunch HM Tower of London London AHQ London Apr Thu 20 RF Officers Korea Veterans Lunch HM Tower of London London AHQ London Apr Fri 21 C of L / RRF Branch Meeting, HM Tower of London London AHQ London Apr Fri 21 St George's Ball Fifth Fusiliers Newcastle Apr Sat 22 Lancashire Council Meeting Lancs AHQ Bury Apr Sat 22 Col of Regt visit to 5 RRF Fifth Fusiliers Newcastle Apr Sat 22 Gallipoli Dinner Lancs AHQ Bury Apr Sun 23 Gallipoli Church Service Lancs AHQ Bury Apr Sun 23 Gallipoli Parade Lancs AHQ Bury Apr Sun 23 Gallipoli Lunch Lancs AHQ Bury Apr Sun 23 St George's Day Parade Fifth Fusiliers Newcastle Apr Fri 28 Haberdashers CCF Dinner HM Tower of London London AHQ London All events can be seen at http://thefusiliers.org/regt-foe/ 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. RHQ RRF, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB v 020 3166 6909 v www.thefusiliers.org 11