The Junior Mercury Newspaper was produced from June 1959 to January/February 1966 around 840 pages of life at Denbury
Click Here for a list of Junior Mercury Newspapers available to download
Click Here for a PDF document with photos in HIGHLIGHTS 1964
Click Here for a PDF document with a copy of the WIRE magazine entries for 1964
Click Here for a PDF document with photos in TEN TORS 1964
Click Here for a PDF document with a copy of the TEN TORS 1964 brochure
Click Here for a PDF document with photos in BAND 1964
Click Here for a PDF document with photos in SPORT 1964
1964
2-9 Jan 64
Skiing in Scotland – JSSM Ellison, JSSM Turner, JSgt Bonnett, JSgt Goffet, JSgt Woodhead, JCpl Hamer, JCpl Mackie, JSig Wenn along with Sig Hand, Sig Unwin and Capt Pickup who left Denbury a month before and arrived from Catterick, the party stayed at the Waterford Hotel Grantown-on-Spey
Jan 64
The Band now consisted of 150 Junior Leaders known as “Drum Major Yates’s Private Army”
14 Jan 64
Junior Squadron intake of 68 click Here for a PDF document with photos
1 Feb 64
2 Fanfare Trumpet Banners received from 7th and 22nd Signal Regiments
Feb 64
Regimental Rugby Team XV gets through to the final of the Army Junior Cup but were beaten by the Junior Leaders Regiment RA at Nuneaton
Feb 64
Regimental Rugby Team A XV beat Junior Leaders Regiment RASC at Taunton 26-0
12 Feb 64
Annual Cross Country Race at Denbury for junior service units and local schools known as “Denbury Stakes” with a record entry of 25 teams we did well to come second and ninth
19 Feb 64
The Army Cross-Country Championships were held at 1 & 3 Training Regiments Royal Engineers at Cove near Farnborough, the Regimental Team consisted of:
JLCpl Bradley, JLCpl Docherty, JLCpl Taylor, JSig Brown, JSig Callister, JSig Drew,
JSig Foster, JSig Hughes, JSig McMaster, JSig Temmen, JSig Wood
24 Feb – 6 Mar 64
Skiing in Norway – Lt Prince with JLCpl Stevens, JLCpl Vaughan, JSig Boston, JSig Douglas, JSig Kirkby, JSig Watson and JSig Wenn attended a Skiing Course in Jorstadmoen
27 Feb 64
Radio Operator Class 6RI, 13 Junior Leaders plus OIC Trade Training Capt Weiner, Yeoman of Signals Heard and Sgt Akehurst left Denbury in newly acquired FFR Land Rovers for Devizes to reece Exercise “Waterwaves” see 26-29 Mar 64
Mar 64
Road Relay Race was run with the Junior Leaders Regiment RASC at Taunton – 11 teams entered and the winning team completed 70 miles with 12 runners in 4 hours 59 minutes
4-7 Mar 64
Army Junior Boxing Championship
Extract from the March 1964 Junior Mercury by SSgt R Hendley APTC
“This year the championships took place at the Army Apprentice School, Harrogate, from the 4th to 7th March. We had four Junior Leaders entered – J/Sgt John Le Page, J/Sig Mike McKee, J/Sig Freddie Carr and J/Sig Mike Unwin. Boxing commenced on Thursday afternoon and Mike McKee was the first of our boys to appear in a quarter-final bout, with A/T Forsythe from AAS Harrogate, whom he beat comfortably on points. Next on was John Le Page in a quarter-final match with J/Gnr Hackett, of All Arms Junior Leaders’ Regiment. This was a hard and fast-punching bout with our boy winning on points. Our next match was the first of the evening bouts, Mike Unwin versus J/Gds Smith from the Junior Guards Coy, in another quarter-final, which Unwin won on points. Freddie Carr had not yet had a bout as there were only four entries in his weight, which meant all four of our boys were through to the semi-finals. Our hopes were running very high.
Later that evening Mike McKee won the first one into his semi-final against A/T Hancock from AAS Carlisle, after a good bout. Now we were down to three possibles for the finals. The next on was John Le Page in his semi-final with A/T Cartwright, also from Carlisle. This turned out to be a fairly easy win for him as Cartwright had no answer to the quick counter-punching at which Le Page has become quite expert. We now had our first finalist in three years.
We had to wait for Friday morning for the other two semi-finals. In the first, Mike Unwin received a “walkover” into the finals due to his opponent being declared unfit to box by the doctor. Our second finalist home and dry. This left Freddie Carr to make it a trio. This he proceeded to do with the finesse of someone who had been boxing far longer than he has. He beat J/Spr Stanniforth, Junior Leaders’ Regiment RE, quite convincingly on points with some very good straight left-hand punching.
Saturday evening in the Camp Cinema, the stage was set; an atmosphere of expectation hung in the air. The MC was making the first announcement and the finals of the 1964 Junior Championships were under way.
Our first boy was Freddie Carr matched against J/Pte. Bailie of the Infantry Junior Leaders. Bout No 3 on the programme. The first two rounds were just about even with some very good boxing by both boys. In the third round Carr was holding his own but in the last 30 seconds Bailie found that little bit extra and scored a few quick punches to lake the bout with a points decision. So we had a bronze medal for the runner-up.
Three bouts later it was the turn of Mike Unwin, whose opponent was the boy who had beaten him in the Southern Command Final in January, and he was out to get his revenge. Obviously J/Tpr Fennby of the RAC was the favourite but right from the first bell Unwin went off like n fire-cracker and his straight punching soon began to tell on his opponent. It was clear at the end of the second round that if Fenby was going to win it would have to be by a KO in the third round. This was not to be, as Unwin built up his points lead by some very clever counter-punching every time Fenny attacked. The result: a convincing win on points for Mike Unwin. He had got his revenge for January and a winner’s silver medal to prove it.
Our last boy, John Le Page, was not on until late in the second-half of the programme and he was up against one of seven J/Guards who had reached the finals. Five of them had already boxed and lost and Le Page was determined that his opponent. J/Guards Rigg, was going to do the same. When the referee called the two boys to the centre to shake hands the Guardsman stood the tallest by a good ten inches and, of course, had an advantage in reach. Le Page knew what he had to do. Fifteen seconds after the first bell Rigg led with a “one-two” and for a fraction of a second had both arms straight out in front of him. In a flash John Le Page was under them and before Rigg could get his hands back to defend himself he had received four very quick and hard punches to the body, the last one taking all the wind out of him. After this he was more careful and Le Page had to work to make the openings. This he did quite easily and it was obvious that his experience was going to win him the bout. He scored steadily and came out the winner on points.
Mike Unwin and Freddie Carr went off to Oswestry on Sunday as part of the Army Team to train and box against the RAF and Royal Naval boys in the Imperial Services Boxing Association Championships on Friday and Saturday 13th and 14th March. We wish them every success and hope that they return to Denbury ISBA as well as Army Champions, as it will be a just reward for all the hard work they have done in training over the last six months.”
10 Mar 64
Regimental Hockey win in the semi finals of the Army Junior Cup
23 Mar 64
Pipe Band with Pipe Major JCpl D Young enters the Army Junior Drama Festival
26-29 Mar 64
Exercise “Waterwaves” 13 radio detachments provide checkpoint communications for the Devizes-Westminster canoe race
Extract from the May 1964 Junior Mercury
“Just before departing on Christmas leave. Military Training Wing were informed that the Regiment had accepted the task of providing check point communications for the organisers of the Devizes-Westminster canoe race during the Easter weekend.
Having had the leave period in which to think about some of the problems, the organisation and planning was started in earnest in mid-January. After a study of maps of the route, plus information on various sites along the route, provided by the race committee, it was decided to establish check points at Devizes, Wootton Rivers, Great Bedwyn, Newbury, Reading, Hambledon, Marlow, Bray, Chertsey and Teddington. Communications on the Stretch of the Kennett and Avon Canal between Newbury and Reading were to be provided by the Reading Civil Defence Signal Section.
On February 27, Radio Operator Class 6R1 (13 boys), plus the Officer i/c Military Training (Capt. M. R. C. Weiner), Y. of S. Heard and Sgt. Akehurst left Denbury in our newly-acquired FFR Land Rovers en route to Devizes for a two-day recce of the proposed sites and course. The first day covered the Devizes-Newbury section and sites were cleared with the owners, comms tested using SRC11/R210, WS62 and A4I, but it was found that the A4Ps were not good enough and it was decided to use only Cll and WS62. When this section had been completed all detachments rendezvoused at AAS, Arborfield, for an overnight stop.
The next day, after a slight delay due to vehicle trouble, dets proceeded to locations on the next phase and, again, site clearance and communications testing was carried out. This was completed by 1615 hours and all dets then proceeded to RV at Amesbury for the return to Denbury. We arrived back in camp at 2300 hours and all concerned had enjoyed the recce and also, the boys had learnt something about working in small dets without supervision. From the results of the recce, the final preparations were made and the Race Committee were given our comms plan, which adequately covered their needs.
After quite a few setbacks over transport and equipment, we eventually loaded our vehicles on Wednesday, 25th March, and at 0800 hours, 26th March, 13 dets left Denbury en route for their various locations.
On arrival in location, each det set up camp and opened up on their respective net. Three nets were planned; one covering the Devizes-Newbury locations; one covering Reading, Hambledon, Marlow and Bray; and an overall control net, Newbury-Marlow-Chertsey-Teddington, with Denbury coming up on this net in case any emergency might arise.
The testing of the nets was carried out on the evening of 26th March and it was found that the frequency allocated to the control net was jammed by heavy interference from an RTTY station, so alternative arrangements were made for all stations on this net to join the Reading-Bray net. This proved a satisfactory arrangement and alt nets closed down until 0700 hours next morning.
On 27th March, within minutes of the actual race starting, both nets were working satisfactorily, and information about start times was being fed up to the Race Committee Rep at Teddington.
A word about the race itself. There are two sections to the race. Junior and Senior. Senior competitors may start anytime between 0800 hours Good Friday and 0800 hours on the Saturday morning and paddle throughout the night direct to the finish at County Hall Westminster. The Junior competitors start at 0800 hours on Good Friday and only paddle during daylight hours, and there are compulsory overnight stops at Newbury, Marlow and Teddington.
Communications were required from one hour before the start of the race until all Junior competitors had reached Teddington on the Sunday evening. Throughout this period, our dets kept comms until their respective section had been cleared of canoeists and permission obtained from the race committee for them to close down and return to Denbury, Teddington and Chertsey being the last to close on Sunday at 1800 hours.
The standard of operating throughout the Exercise was very good and all operators gained experience in working long hours and through heavy interference and much battery charging experience. Despite the very cold weather over the weekend, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and felt they were doing a worthwhile job which earned them the thanks of the Race Organisers.”
Apr 64
37 Junior Leaders pass the BIII Trade Test
Apr 64
Junior Mercury circulation now exceeds 4250 each issue
Apr 64
Highland Dancers take part in the Paignton and South West Dancing Festival with 22 indivdual entries
Leading Dancer JCpl L Peters gained 3 certificates of distinction, 2 medals and a cup. JLCpl H Waugh and JSig C Roberston gained 3 certificates of merit
4 Apr 64
Regimental Hockey Team gets through to the final of the Army Junior Hockey Cup but were beaten by the Junior Leaders Regiment RAC
5 Apr 64
Confirmation Service was taken by the Bishop of Credition the Very Rev A Westall 21 Junior Leaders were confirmed
Wednesday 8th April 1964
Major General AMW Whistler CB, CBE, was the Reviewing Officer at the Graduation Parade
569 Junior Leaders on parade
87 Junior Leaders graduated
The Parade was commanded by Maj RM Wright Royal Signals
Marching with the Regimental Band for the first time in public was the Regimental Mascot “Laddie” a big snowy-white Pyrennean mountain dog proudly wearing his red Regimental coat with his handler JSig A Fuller – Kukri Troop
PDF document nominal roll of who graduated to Colour Service available on request
Click Here for a PDF copy Programme
Junior appointments for the Graduation Parade
JRSM MJ Emmott – Francisca Troop
JSSM KW Hall – Kukri Troop – Alexander Squadron
JSSM M Cooper – Quadrant Troop – Alexander Squadron
JSSM TJ Ellison – White Spear Troop – Slim Squadron
JSSM ID Turner – Iron Troop – Montgomery Squadron
JSSgt J Bonnett – White Spear – Lion Troop
JSgt FJ Campbell – Quadrant Troop
JSgt JF Simpson – Kukri Troop
JSgt BE Williams – Romulas Troop
JSgt DJ Naden – Beaufighter Troop
JSgt NL Siggs – Romulus + Beaufighter Troop – Junior Squadron
JSgt WN Woodhead – Kohima Troop
JSgt R Goffett – White Spear Troop
JSgt DK Hartrey – White Swan Troop
JSgt JAC Knell – Kohima – Lion Troop – Junior Squadron
JSgt G Baird – Francisca Troop
JSgt JP Simpson – Iron Troop
JSgt VC Crudge – Iron Troop
JSgt JF Le Page – Iron Troop – Junior Squadron
JSgt JH Tovey – Jerboa Troop
JSgt R Barratt – Javelin Troop
JSSM KW Hall and JSSM TJ Ellison were both promoted to LCpl on posting
JSgt VC Crudge – Iron Troop – Drum Major
JCpl PR Pearce – White Swan – Lion Troop – Trumpet Major
JLCpl DG Young – Kohima Troop – Pipe major
Junior Squadron pass out click Here for a PDF document with photos for the Jan 64 intake
The following trophies and awards were presented
Cobb Memorial Trophy – Champion Troop
Iron Troop – JSgt JP Simpson
The 7th Signal Regiment Shield – Runners Up
Kukri Troop – JSgt JF Simpson
Signal Officer-in-Chief’s Senior Trophy – Sport and Activities
Kohima Troop – JSgt WN Woodhead
Signal Officer-in-Chief’s Junior Trophy – Runners Up
Kukri Troop – JCpl D Chamberlain
The Bengal Tiger – Champion Squadron
Montgomery Squadron – JSSM ID Turner
1st Commonwealth Division Trophy – Adventure Training
Quadrant Troop – JSgt B Campbell
Gregory Pennant – Best patrol
Mons – Iron Troop – JLCpl J Freeman
Commanding Officers Trophy
JRSM MJ Emmott
Commandant Training Brigade Trophy – Best Junior Leaders
JSSM K Hall + JSSM TJ Ellison
Best Recruit – JSig E Procter
Inter Troop Shooting – Beaufighter Troop – JLCpl M Wills
Best Shot – JLCpl M Wills – Runner Up – JSig E Smith
Inter Troop Cross Country – Iron Troop – JLCpl G Coates
Inter Troop Canoe Race – Iron Troop – JSgt JF Le Page
Commanding Officers Stick Orderly – JSig M Ryder
Victor Ludorum Trophy – best all round in Athletics – JLCpl MH Willis
Piping – Exeter Caledonian Association – Terly Piping Contest – JCpl DG Young
Piping – Commanding Officer’s Skean Dhu – JSig JS Johnstone
Highland Dancing – most progress – JSig CW Robertson
Best result in Radio Operator Trade Test – JSgt JH Tovey
Best result in Comcen Operator Trade Test – JSig D Hudson
Most improvement in Radio – JLCpl MP Waterworth
Most improvement in Comcen – JLCpl KE Wrapson
14 Apr 64
JSig Carr becomes the Army Boxing Champion at 8 stone
5 May 64
Junior Squadron intake of 100 click Here for a PDF document with photos
16 May 64
5th Annual Ten Tors Expedition took place 1884 people started 1094 finished which included 148 teams out of 314 which entered. The Expedition was started by Colonel the Earl of Cartcart, the Regimental Troop teams who completed the 50-mile course were:
Quadrant – Romulus – Kukri – Beaufighter – Francisca – Iron – White Spear
Kohima – Lion – Montgomery Squadron team completed the 35-mile course
21-22 May 64
Extract from Junior Mercury Jun 64
THE HIGHLAND DANCERS
SUCCESSES AT THE WEST OF ENGLAND HIGHLAND DANCING CHAMPIONSHIPS
“From Butlin’s Camp at Minehead, where the second West of England Highland Dancing Championships were held on 21st and 22nd May, came the following results. Once again we won outright the open Scottish Section and a second team gained third place. In both of these events we were partnered by the young ladies from the Pamela de Waal School of Dancing. In the Individual Highland (Boys’ Section) the following awards were gained:
Highland Fling: 1st, John Guy (Kohima); 2nd, Stan Rawlins (White Swan); 3rd, Harry Waugh (Iron).
Gillie Callum (Swords): 1st, Len Peters (Kukri); 2nd, Colin Wickam (Kohima); 3rd, Martin Close (Lion).
Seann Truibhs: 1st, Len Peters (Kukri); 2nd, Roy Wilson (Kohima); 3rd, Chris Robertson (White Swan).
Strathspey and Reel: 1st, Harry Waugh (Iron); 2nd, Stan Rawlins (While Swan); 3rd, Chris Robertson (While Swan).
Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded to these competitors.
Scottish Dancing: Winner (gold medal), “McLeod of Harris”: Peters, Waugh, Robertson, Huy. Third (bronze medal), “Duke of Athols Reel”: Hall. Watson (White Swan), Allen (Kukri), Holden (Iron).”
29 May 64
Warrant Officers and Sgts Mess dined out Lt Col A Holifield MC and RSM D Haughney who is commissioned and posted as QM 41 Sig Regt TA
30 May 64
Lt Col A Holifield MC hands over command to Lt Col DE Higgins MBE
Lt Col Desmond Eric Higgins was born in North West London in 1920 he went to Willesden County School a leaving joined the Post Office as an engineer. In 1941 he joined the Royal Signals as a private soldier and went to Catterick for training. He went to Coventry as a corporal instructor then back to Catterick to a commission school. In 1944 he was commissioned into the Royal Signals and after a period in Kent went to India. He left Britain as a second lieutenant and arrived in India as a first lieutenant by 1945. He had become acting Major as was engaged in heavy construction work laying trunk routes
He returned to Britain in 1947 and took over a training squadron at Catterick after that he went to Malaya for three years as a captain in a Gurkha Signals Troop. For three years he was adjutant at Denbury and then went to Singapore where he had a static signalling job for 18 months
It was during the following 18 months that he earned the nickname of “Jungle Jim” in Thailand and North Borneo there he commanded an Airportable Signal Squadron. Prior to Denbury he served for two and a half years at the War Office working under the Director of Communications and Electronic Equipment
The following is Lt Col A Holifield’s farewell message as printed in the Junior Mercury
“This is the last time that I shall have the pleasant task of writing my monthly notes for Junior Mercury. I say pleasant, but as you may have guessed it has not always been an easy task to find time to write them! Many a paragraph has been written on the back of an old envelope during a train journey and many an interview, inspection or telephone call has punctuated short sharp spasms of penmanship.
Much has happened since 8th December 1961, when I first drove through the main gate of Denbury Camp to take over the Regiment. Over 1,200 boys have passed through or joined the Regiment, and nearly 600 Junior Leaders have graduated to Colour Service. There have been many changes of Staff, and only a handful of Junior Leaders who were here when I arrived are still serving in the Regiment. I am pleased that despite these many changes, the tradition of enthusiasm comradeship and service, which was so evident when I arrived, has continued throughout my tour and that I can hand over to my successor a Regiment of which we can all be proud. I have had a most pleasant tour at Denbury and I shall be sad to leave. I have enjoyed mixing with and meeting young men of the new generation and I am confident that, in the years to come, you will prove every bit as good as earlier generations. On the moors, on the parade ground and on the sports field, on duty and off duty, I have always had cause to be proud of “the boys from Denbury.”
Throughout my tour I have also been privileged to receive the most loyal, willing and enthusiastic support from the Civilian and Military Staff and I would like to thank you all for this. I would also like to thank the Corps, and in particular the Affiliated Regiments, for the interest and support they have given the Regiment. My sincere thanks go also to the many parents whom I have met on Open Days and with whom I have corresponded, and to the local Civic Councils, the regional Press and Television, and the people of South Devon who have given us so much support and shown so much kindness. It has been a great pleasure for my wife and me to live in South Devon and we shall miss your beautiful countryside. We shall also leave behind a great number of friends.
I am delighted that the officer to whom I am handing over the Regiment is my good friend Lt Col Jimmie Higgins MBE. I am sure that under his wise guidance the Regiment will go on to great things. I shall always take a deep interest in the achievements of the Junior Leaders Regiment, Royal Signals, and I look forward to seeing many of you in the years to come, serving our Corps all over the world. Goodbye, good luck and God bless you all.”
Follows a tribute from Capt JW Swindells who was Adjutant at the time:
“Three weeks ago I had the honour of taking over command of the Junior Leaders Regiment, Royal Signals.
With these words Lt Col Holifield introduced himself to the Regiment, through the columns of the January 1962 Junior Mercury. I use his own words to open this short tribute to Col Alan because if aptly describes the manner in which he has regarded the job of Commanding Officer at Denbury.
I cannot possibly, in this short article, recount all his achievements and successes, but it is worthy of note that whilst many improvements and innovations have been introduced other traditional activities have not been allowed to die, but have been encouraged.
During the past two years we have seen the rebuilding of the Academic Wing and the Science Laboratory. Trade testing and driver training have started. The beret, combat dress and civilian clothes of our own choosing, are a direct result of his perseverance and his diplomacy in overcoming the difficulties. Yet all this has not been at the expense of the traditional activities of Denbury. The Balaclava is still worn, as are the various distinguishing colours of terms and troops. Commonwealth Trophy and all the other competitions have been retained so have Monday night theatres and of course Ten Tors. The success of the recent and largest Ten Tors, and the most successful, is surely a fitting end to all that our Commanding Officer has done.
As one who is in the privileged position of working alongside the CO, it cannot pass unsaid that basically Colonel Alan is a dedicated and sincere soldier. The noticeable absence of hypocrisy and ‘humbug’ serve only the better to highlight his fierce sense of duty and loyalty towards the Regiment. A cadre appointment in a Junior Leaders Regiment, as so many have found out, is not as easy as might at first be thought. The task of taking young civilians and moulding them into soldiers fit to join a unit, calls for something special. To make a success of it calls for something extra special. Colonel Alan has led us, the permanent staff, by his keenness and enthusiasm to develop that “something” extra special, and in doing so has demonstrated that he is more than worthy of that ‘honour’ to which he himself refers.
He would be the first to admit that the support given by his wife has been invaluable. Her sympathy and understanding towards the families of the Regiment has been greatly appreciated.
I am sure that everyone in this Regiment, both staff and Junior Leaders, the readers of this magazine, and all the friends of the Regiment, will join together in saying to Colonel Alan and Betty Holifield “Thank you and Bon Voyage.”
1 Jun 64
The outgoing Commanding Officer Lt Col A Holifield MC after a short parade is towed out the camp by Junior Warrant Officers and Junior Sergeants in an Austin Champ
Jun 64
Inter Troop Athletics won by Kukri, Iron and Kohima joint second with Javelin fourth
17 Jun 64
Regimental Athletics Team travels to Taunton for the Army Junior Team Championships to come third and qualify for the finals at Aldershot
20 Jun 64
Visit by the Commanding Officer of 3 Div HQ and Sig Regt Lt Col G Proundman with his Adjutant and RSM with a short parade and then the presentation of the Obstacle Race Cup to Iron Troop
23-28 Jun 64
Lt Graham, Lt Hallchurch, Drum Major Yates and a party of Junior Leaders including Pipes, Drums and Highland Dancers at Catterick for the Royal Signals “At Home” and Reunion
7 Jul 64
20 WRAF stay at Denbury to rehearse Highland Dancing for the Bath Tattoo under the tuition of Miss Pamela de Waal
14 Jul 64
The Corps of Drums, Highland Dancers and Pipers perform at the Bath Tattoo with accommodation at RAF Compton Bassett
end Jul 64
Maj JW Joyner, 50 Junior Leaders and 3 staff completed the 100-mile Nijmegen March in 3 teams
Saturday 1st August 1964
Brigadier KRS Trevor CBE DSO Commander Devon and Cornwall Sub-District was the Reviewing Officer at the Graduation Parade
70 Junior Leaders graduated
The Parade was commanded by Maj DJ Strong Royal Signals
PDF document nominal roll of who graduated to Colour Service available on request
Click Here for a PDF copy Programme
Junior appointments for the Graduation Parade
JRSM J Bonnett – White Spear – Lion Troop – last time a sword was carried by the JRSM
JSSM DJ Naden – Beaufighter Troop – Alexander Squadron
JSSM DK Hartrey – White Swan – Slim Sqn
JSSM ID Turner – Iron Troop – Montgomery Squadron
JSSM VC Crudge – Iron Troop – Junior Squadron
JSgt M Fogg – Quadrant Troop
JSgt DW Chamberlain – Kukri Troop
JSgt I Haylock – Kukri Troop
JSgt PL Green – Romulus Troop
JSgt NL Siggs – Beaufighter + Romulus Troop
JSgt M Docherty – Kohima Troop
JSgt JW Hamer – White Spear Troop
JSgt WM Mackie – White Spear Troop – Junior Squadron
JSgt AJ Feegan – White Swan Troop
JSgt AFG Stollery – Kohima – Lion Troop
JSgt NE Bailey – Iron Troop – Lion Troop
JSgt AW Hunt – Francisca Troop
JSgt G Baird – Francisca Troop
JSgt G Coates – Iron Troop
JSgt FW Dawson – Jerboa Troop
JSgt AR Mead – Javelin Troop
JRSM J Bonnett was promoted to LCpl on posting
JSSM VC Crudge – Iron Troop – Drum Major
JSig T Williamson – Kohima Troop – Trumpet Major
JLCpl DG Young – Kohima Troop – Pipe major
Junior Squadron pass out click Here for a PDF document with photos for the May 64 intake
The following trophies and awards were presented
Cobb Memorial Trophy – Champion Troop – Iron Troop – JCpl BJ McDonough
The 7th Signal Regiment Shield – Runners Up – Kukri Troop – JSgt DW Chamberlain
Signal Officer-in-Chief’s Senior Trophy – Sport and Activities – Kukri Troop – JSgt I Haylock
Signal Officer-in-Chief’s Junior Trophy – Runners Up – Iron Troop – JLCpl GT Hedge
The Bengal Tiger – Champion Squadron – Montgomery – JSSM VC Crudge
1st Commonwealth Division Trophy – Adventure Training – JLCpl SG Tucker
Gregory Pennant – Best patrol – Romulus – JLCpl MIF Henry
Commanding Officers Trophy – JSSM ID Turner
Commandant Training Brigade Trophy – Best Junior Leader – JRSM J Bonnett
Best Recruit – JSig DL King
Inter Troop Shooting – JSig J Smith
Best Shot – JCpl JH Spencer – Runner Up – JSig J Smith
Inter Troop Cross Country – JCpl TJ Taylor
Inter Troop Obstacle Race – JSig AE Willimott
Inter Troop Drill Competition – JSig J Walsh
Commanding Officers Stick Orderly – JSig W Norgrove
Victor Ludorum Trophy – best all round in Athletics – JLCpl MH Willis
Piping – Commanding Officer’s Skean Dhu – JSig J Verner
Highland Dancing – most progress JSig M Close
Best result in Radio Operator Trade Test – JSig MJ Ryder
Best result in Comcen Operator Trade Test – JSig BC Wilkins
Most improvement in Radio – JSig JM Wood
Most improvement in Comcen – JSig RL Skitt
2 Aug 64
Comfirmation Service the Bishop of Exeter confirms 28 Junior Leaders and 4 locals from Ide
4-12 Aug 64
Summer Camp for all except output who completed trade training exercises Alexander and Montgomery Squadrons based their activities at Denbury while Slim Squadron went to Penhale Camp near Newquay
Sep 64
Lion Troop affiliated to 9 Sig Regt receive a presentation of an antique framed map of Cyprus together with a Regimental Banner by Lt Col Bader the Commanding Officer of 9 Sig Regt
15 Sep 64
New Junior Squadron intake of 128 the biggest ever intake and all arrived on this day a new Denbury record click Here for a PDF document with photos
Sep 64
Junior Squadron on weekend camp at Churston Cove
late Sep 64
Inter Troop Boxing with 29 taking part
Winners – Kukri
Runners up – White Spear
Oct 64
Extract from the March 1964 Junior Mercury by Capt MRC Weiner
TRADE TRAINING TRENDS
“Over the past few terms several improvements have taken place in the Trade Training of the Regiment. All have the same aim, namely to raise the standard of tradesman leaving the Regiment, particularly in his practical ability.
With this aim in mind, the following improvements have taken place. On the Communication Centre Operator trade the new Sieman’s T100 Teleprinters have been moved into a re-decorated training room. This room is used by the output operators, and the improved surroundings seem to have led to a higher standard of operating. On the Radio Operator trade, improvements have been made to layout of Morse and radio training rooms, and results have also improved accordingly. The Morse Room now has a special consul in which are fitted a tape recorder, training set Universal and A.R. 88 receiver. This enables a wide field of Morse to be sent to the operators.
In the Radio Set field we now have, besides a fully equipped training room, six Land Rovers permanently allocated to Radio Exercises. These are fitted with vehicle installations, and are also going through an improvement phase for the benefit of the operator.
It can be seen from these changes that the emphasis is on practical signalling. It was with this in mind that the Summer Output this year spent nine days exercising at the end of their training, and by the last three days were really seeing the benefits of such exercises. All the theoretical problems explained in class were seen as very real ones, especially in the middle of the night. This term the majority of the output have also taken part in four week-end exercises, which bring in all aspects of both trades taught at Denbury. They are based on two Comcens at Denbury, and four Radio Sets on Dartmoor.
The introduction of Trade Training up to Class III standard has been of great benefit to the Junior Leaders as can be seen by the rise of passes from seven in July 1963 up to 37 in April this year. To date 73 Junior Leaders have left here with a trade rating, of which 37 have gone direct to units in BAOR. Reports from their Regiments indicate that the majority of them are settling down as good tradesmen.
Apart from the two main trades taught, certain selected persons on output are instructed to drive. In time, when the full complement of vehicles and instructors is met, more operators will learn to drive and so assist the Corp’s requirements of driver operators.
In the future, Junior Leaders will be able to do trade training in the trades of Lineman and Electrician Driver. This will enable even more Junior Leaders to leave Denbury with Class III rating, and also enable combined exercises to take place embracing all trades taught at Denbury.”
21 Oct 64
Regimental Soccer Team beat the Junior Tradesman’s Regiment ACC at home 5 goals to 2 in the first round of the Junior Leaders Challenge Cup
28-29 Nov 64
Rev (Tubby) Clayton founder of the Toc H visited the Regiment
30 Nov 64
Lieutenant-General Sir Kenneth Darling KCB CBE DSO General Officer Commanding visited the Regiment
13 Dec 64
The Bishop of Maidstone Chaplin General to the Forces took a Confirmation Service and 35 Junior Leaders were confirmed
15-16 Dec 64
The Regimental Gymnastics Team wins all five Junior Trophies in the Army Gymnastics Championship at Aldershot consisting of JSig Norgrove, JSig Rookes, JSig Riddell and JSig Kendell – JSig Norgrove won the Individual Award with JSig Rookes runner up – JCpl Robertson and JSig Norgrove won the team Trampoline Competition and JCpl Robertson the Individual Award
Thursday 15th December 1964
Brigadier JB Ashworth CBE DSO ADC Inspector of Boys Training was the Reviewing Officer at the Graduation Parade – the last time black leather belts were worn
94 Junior Leaders graduated
The Parade was commanded by Maj DJ Strong Royal Signals
PDF document nominal roll of who graduated to Colour Service available on request
Programme – does anybody have one?
Junior appointments for the Graduation Parade
JRSM DK Hartrey – White Swan Troop
JSSM ? – ? – Alexander Squadron
JSSM AJ Feegan – White Swan Troop – Slim Squadron
JSSM G Coates – Iron Troop – Montgomery Squadron
JSSM DJ Naden – Beaufighter Troop – Junior Squadron
JSgt DR Ward – Quadrant Troop
JSgt JC Stone – Kukri Troop
JSgt PL Green – Romulus Troop
JSgt F Boughtflower – Beaufighter + Romulus Troop
JSgt M Docherty – Kohima Troop
JSgt KA Kay – White Spear Troop
JSgt DA Clapson – White Swan Troop
JSgt J Spencer – White Swan Troop – Junior Squadron
JSgt ? – Lion Troop
JSgt MJH Bowers – Francisca Troop
JSgt SG Watson – Iron Troop
JSgt FW Dawson – Jerboa Troop
JSgt RS Young – Javelin Troop
JSgt AK Harper – Iron Troop – Drum Major
JLCpl T Williamson – Kohima Troop – Trumpet Major
The Regiment’s biggest intake passed out from Junior Squadron on a separate parade in the afternoon – web belts were worn – later a specially trained squad completed a silent drill demonstration
Junior Squadron pass out click Here for a PDF document with photos for the Sep 64 intake
The following trophies were presented
Cobb Memorial Trophy – Champion Troop – Beaufighter Troop – JSgt F Boughtflower
Dec 64
Christmas Pantomime “Babes in the Moor”
Senior appointments for 1964
Commanding Officer – Lt Col DA Holifield MC Royal Signals
from late May – Lt Col DE Higgins MBE Royal Signals
Second-in-Command – Maj WJ Clapp Royal Signals
from Apr – Maj DJ Strong Royal Signals
Chief Instructor – Maj RM Wright Royal Signals
later – Maj SE Miller MBE Royal Signals
Senior Education Officer – Maj WC Rodgers MBE MC RAEC
Adjutant – Capt JW Swindells Royal Signals
from Aug – Capt CJ Rayner Royal Signals
Regimental Sergeant Major – WOI D Haughney
from May – WOI WT Leeson
Drum Major & Provost Sergeant – SSgt AJ Yates BEM
Alexander Squadron
Officer Commanding – Maj SE Miller MBE Royal Signals
later – Maj RM Wright Royal Signals
Squadron Sergeant Major – WOII DF Leighton
Quadrant Troop – Lt JD Bromley Royal Signals
later – 2Lt LRJ Tilson Royal Signals
Sgt H Meekings
later Sgt AT Wright
Kukri Troop – Capt AL Watson Royal Signals
later – 2Lt JA Hood Royal Signals
Sgt Burnham
Romulus Troop – Lt AB Atkinson Royal Signals
SSgt Webster from Mar Sgt DI Wilcox
Beaufighter Troop – Lt I Graham Royal Signals
Sgt R Arnold
Slim Squadron
Officer Commanding – Maj JK Heyes Royal Signals
Squadron Sergeant Major – WOII W Salter
Kohima Troop – Capt MJL Bygrave Royal Signals
Sgt CN Lightfoot
White Spear Troop – Lt GA Maude Royal Signals
Sgt Payne
White Swan Troop – Capt MR Adams Royal Signals
later – 2Lt RJGM Rumford Royal Signals
Sgt R Mathieson later Sgt Whitbread
Lion Troop – 2Lt HJ Des Forges Royal Signals
Sgt White
Montgomery Squadron
Officer Commanding – Maj H McI Paterson Royal Signals
from Apr – Maj JW Joyner Royal Signals
Squadron Sergeant Major – WOII SC Stuckey
from Sep – WOII ME Wilson
Francisca Troop – Lt TT Hallchurch Royal Signals
Sgt Bumby
Iron Troop – Lt AGM Prince Royal Signals
Sgt Leslie
Jerboa Troop – Lt CT Garton Royal Signals
later Lt PE Bruce Royal Signals
Sgt R Block
Javelin Troop – Capt AJ Field Royal Signals
Sgt A Gaze
Junior Squadron – January
Officer Commanding – Capt CS Ward Royal Signals
Second in Command – Capt JW Joyner Royal Signals
Squadron Sergeant Major – WOII RWJ Hammerton
A-D Groups
Sgt H Meekings – Sgt FJ Loveday
Sgt JTE Evans – Sgt TH Dobson
Junior Squadron – May
Officer Commanding – Capt CS Ward Royal Signals
Second in Command – Capt DH Hodson RAEC
Squadron Sergeant Major – WOII RWJ Hammerton
A-F Groups
Sgt J Kelly – Sgt FJ Loveday – Sgt TH Dobson
Sgt JTE Evans – Sgt R Mathieson – WOII RWJ Hammerton
Junior Squadron
Officer Commanding – Capt CS Ward Royal Signals
Second in Command – Capt DH Hodson RAEC
Squadron Sergeant Major – WOII SC Stuckey
A Troop – Sgt J Kelly
B Troop – Sgt FJ Loveday
C Troop – Sgt C Batten
D Troop – Sgt TH Dobson
E Troop – Sgt JTE Evans
F Troop – Sgt R Mathieson
HQ Squadron
Officer Commanding – Capt DC Sidney Royal Signals
later- Lt (QM) HJ Crocker BEM Royal Signals
Squadron Sergeant Major – WOII CH Surch
OC Military Training – Capt CJ Rayner Royal Signals
OC Trade Training – Capt MRC Weiner Royal Signals
WOII (YofS) JD Heard
from Nov – WOII (YofS) R Scrafton
from Dec – SSgt James
Comcen – Sgt F Rogers
Radio – Sgt J Akehurst – from Mar Sgt MJL Palmer
Morse – from Feb – Sgt RD Price
Sgt Bird – Sgt Smith
from May – Sgt MD Adams – from Nov – Sgt BA Boon
from Jun – Sgt R Eouzan – from Jul – Sgt JW Payne
OC Weapons Training – Lt GC Saunders Royal Signals
Sgt D Price
Driver Training – Mr CG Robinson
Royal Signals Warrant Officers
WOII AW Bird – WOII A Burns
Academic Wing
Officer Commanding – Capt JA Constable RAEC
Capt JA Cuthill RAEC – Capt DA Hodson RAEC – Capt WA Finch RAEC
Capt KR Knowles RAEC – Capt DW Lang RAEC – Capt PG McMahon RAEC
Capt SJ Walters RAEC – Lt JM Huggins RAEC – Lt CC Pearce RAEC
Mr H Coleman – Mr A Cooksley – Mr J Fletcher – Mr M Grant – Mr Mann
Mr HRA Price – Mr W Salter – Mr P Tysoe – Mr P Whapham
QM – Capt GB Symonds MBE Royal Signals
RQMS – WOII RJ Wombell
Paymaster – Capt EJF Rockett RAPC
Admin Officer – Lt Col (Retd) WGM Bartholomew MBE
Medical Officer – Maj ER Smith-Owen RAMC – Sgt Taylor
Chaplin – Rev J Thistle CF
WVS – Miss Eve Davidson
later Miss Betty Preece (temporary)
later Miss Kathy Kelly
Catering Officer – Lt G Cross ACC
WOII Hale – WOII LD Legg – Sgt Wadley
Gymnasium – WOII Pictor APTC – SSgt R Hendley
from Sep – Sgt R Dart
Click Here of a list of Junior Mercury Newspapers available to download
Click Here for a PDF document with photos in HIGHLIGHTS 1965
Click Here for a PDF document with a copy of the WIRE magazine entries for 1965
Click Here for a PDF document with photos in TEN TORS 1965
Click Here for a PDF document with photos in BAND 1965
Click Here for a PDF document with photos in SPORT 1965
1965
8 Jan 65
Winter Term commences and 16 of previous output remain at Denbury for trade training with accommodation in half of the Junior Squadron Spider
12 Jan 65
Junior Squadron intake of 53 click Here for a PDF document with photos
26 Jan 65
Party of 18 Junior Leaders led by Lt Bruce left for a Ski-ing Expedition to Scotland
29-30 Jan 65
Exercise “Knock Down” with the demolition of an old engine house on Dartmoor – go to the WIRE entry April-May for details
Feb 65
The following boxers entered the Southern Command Junior Individual Boxing Championship
JLCpl Carr, JSig Unwin, JSig Foster – Winners Class B
JSig Connachen, JSig James – Runners up Class B
JSig Parker – Semi-Finalist Class C
Feb 65
Work on converting No 2 Drill Shed to a heated swimming pool is complete with the aim for every Junior Leader to be a competent swimmer before graduation into man’s service
10 Feb 65
Inter Troop Cross Country Run with approx 500 runners, first was Beaufighter Troop with average finish position of 147, second was Iron Troop with 175 and third White Swan Troop with 178. JSig Drew won the race in 23 min 40.5 sec for the sixth time in succession
12 Feb 65
The Commanding Officer, Adjutant and OC Montgomery Squadron visited Cranmere Pool on Dartmoor to leave a new visitor’s book. The letterbox has been there since the end of the 19th century where visitors leave and collect letters, franking them with a special stamp
17 Feb 65
Regimental Hockey Team beats the Junior Leaders Regiment RAC in the second round of the Junior Army Cup the winning goal was scored by JCpl Halvin
23 Feb 65
Radio Station “G3PYZ”
Extract from March 65 Junior Mercury by Sgt John Akehurst “G3OAZ”
“At long last the long-awaited radio transmitter for the Regiment’s Amateur Radio Club has arrived. In mid-February the Commanding Officer purchased a Heathkit DX100 transmitter in kit form and this was very promptly given to our technician, Sgt. G. Stockham, BEM, who received instructions to give the construction of the kit a first priority.
After many visits to the unit workshop to check progress, I was delighted to find, on 23rd February, that the apparatus was ready for use. There followed an afternoon of testing and, finally, at 1810 GMT, our first CQ (all stations call) was made. Despite the crowd in the club room, which included the Commanding Officer, members of Staff and Junior Leaders, there was great silence as the transmitter was switched off and we listened on the receiver for any replies.
“G3PYZ, G3PYZ” came the voice from the speaker. “This is SA1TK., near Tripoli, North Africa.”
We had made it, and for the next 40 minutes we had fine contact with Tripoli. This contact was then followed by a contact with an American army station located in Ethiopia.
The “countries worked” score is now running high, with 38 countries contacted on voice, including Brazil, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Cyprus (261 Signal Regiment), Australia, most of Europe, USA, Canada, Malta, Gibraltar, Uruguay and the Cape Verde Islands, to name but a few.
It is hoped to establish regular contact with other Royal Signals amateur radio stations throughout the world.
The transmitter is on the air on hobbies evenings from 1630 hours until 1900 hours, daily from 1030 to 1100 hours, 1230 to 1330 hours, and at any other time that may be available, normally on Wednesday afternoons. Any member of the Regimental staff or Junior Leader is welcome to visit the station at these times and to see the station in operation.
Future activities of the club are to work 100 stations to qualify for a certificate as soon as possible, to enter contests both transmitting and receiving and to encourage as many people as possible to take up amateur radio. Plans also include the erection of several more telegraph poles, to carry more antennae so that we do finally have world-wide coverage.
To conclude, July 11th will see a great deal of activity at Denbury, as the Commanding Officer has invited the Torbay Amateur Radio Society to visit the unit and hold their annual mobile rally at the camp. A large attendance of mobile amateurs from all over the country is expected to be present at this event. For those interested, details may be obtained from G3OAZ.”
Mar 65
Exercise “Humpit or Lumpit” to recover a crashed aircraft from Quickbeam Hill on Dartmoor, two parties totalling nearly 60 set out from Denbury and completed the task successfully
Mar 65
Corps of Drums, Pipers and Dancers performed in Newton Abbot in support of the Churchill Memorial Fund
Mar 65
Junior Squadron go to weekend camp at Churston Cove in brilliant weather, canoeing, swimming, introduction to radio, map reading, field cooking and a night exercise
Mar 65
Variety show “Monday Night at 8” – go to the WIRE entry May-June for details
Mar 65
Army Individual Boxing Championships – JSig Unwin win Class B for the second year running
8 Mar 65
Major-General Halford, General Officer Commanding 43 (Wessex) Div/Dist visited the Regiment
9 Mar 65
Party of local Head Masters and Career Masters visited the Regiment
Apr 65
SSI Pancott APTC a UK representative in the gymnastic competition at the Tokyo Olympic games visits the Regiment for a one-day course for the Gymnastic Club
Apr 65
The Corps of Drums recently took part in the Army Junior Band and Corps of Drums competition and finished equal first with the RASC Junior Leaders at Taunton
Apr 65
End of term sports competitions
Rugby – White Swan beat Kukri 24-11
Football – Kohima beat Francisca 4-0
Hockey – White Spear drew Kukri 1-1
Thursday 13th April 1965
Major-General RJ Moberly CB, OBE was the Reviewing Officer at the Graduation Parade
69 Junior Leaders graduated to Colour Service
The Parade was commanded by Maj DJ Strong Royal Signals
PDF document nominal roll of who graduated to Colour Service available on request
Click Here for a PDF copy Programme
Junior appointments for the Graduation Parade
JRSM AJ Feegan – White Swan Troop
JSSM F Boughtflower – Beaufighter Troop – Alexander Squadron
JSSM B Madsen – White Spear Troop – Slim Squadron
JSSM SG Watson – Iron Troop – Montgomery Squadron
JSSM J Spencer – White Swan Troop – Junior Squadron
JSgt IJ Erskine – Quadrant Troop
JSgt JC Stone – Kukri Troop
JSgt RD James – Kukri Troop
JSgt McClean – Romulus Troop
JSgt JR Hall – Beaufighter Troop
JSgt DJ Vaughan – Kohima Troop
JSgt SA Robertson – White Spear Troop
JSgt R Orton – White Swan Troop
JSgt D Benfold – Lion Troop
JSgt M Byrne – Francisca Troop
JSSgt AK Harper – Iron Troop
JSgt A King – Iron Troop – Junior Squadron
JSgt RM Reeve – Jerboa Troop
JSgt Rock – Javelin Troop
JSig AK Whillock – Iron Troop – Drum Major
JLCpl T Williamson – Kohima Troop – Trumpet Major
JLCpl RA Scott – Kohima Troop – Pipe Major
Junior Squadron Pass Off Parade click Here for a PDF document with photos for the Jan 65 intake
The following trophies were presented
Cobb Memorial Trophy – Champion Troop – Beaufighter Troop – JSgt JR Hall
The following were presented with Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
WOII (SSM) N Salter Royal Signals
WOII (RQMS) G James Royal Signals
6 May 65
Summer Term begins
11 May 65
Junior Squadron intake of 82 click Here for a PDF document with photos
May 65
JPipe Sgt Waddell wins the Pow Challenge Cup at the “Festival of Scotland” at Richmond
15 May 65
Major-General PEM Bradley CBE, DSO the Signal Officer in Chief visited the Regiment
20-22 May 65
The Corps of Drums gave a demonstration at the Devon County Show in Exeter
Jun 65
Regimental Shooting Team visit Bulford for the Southern Command Shoot
The first time a Junior Leader team took part: JLCpl Cook, JSig Air, JSig Boston,
JSig Spence, JSig Lockhart (best shot), JSig de la Haye and JSig Ford
Jun 65
Regimental Tennis Team take part in the Southern Command Championships at Taunton:
JRSM Watson, JLCpl Baggaley, JSig Allen, JSig Forster, JSig Freedman and JSig Crick, they were runners up in the team event, individual success was achieved by Watson and Baggaley winning the doubles final. At the Army Finals Baggaley won the Army Junior Singles Championship
5-6 Jun 65
6th Annual Ten Tors Expedition was held with a record number of teams 334 of which 245 completed, this was a new record, the Regimental Troop teams who completed the 50-mile course were:
Kukri – Romulus – White Swan – Kohima – Lion – Iron – Jerboa – Javelin
Montgomery Squadron team completed the 35-mile course
12 Jun 65
Brigadier G McMurtrie OBE, Commanding Devon and Cornwall Sub District was the Reviwing Officer at the Queens Birthday Parade
21-27 Jun 65
The Corps of drums, Highland Dancers, Pipers and the Gymnasts gave a demonstration during the Plymouth Army Week
22 Jun 65
Exercise “San Benito” by JCpl Richard Mead
“The Exercise San Benito was organized by and in conjunction with the RAF. Before we – the sixth term – came into the exercise, the chaps who had volunteered from the other services, seven RAF boys and one Marine, were doing the first stage of their 14-day survival course.
They started on the night of June 22nd when they were dropped into the sea and spent the hours of darkness in a dinghy. On the Wednesday they were brought back to shore and given a meal and a bit of a rest. When the instructors asked what it had been like they said it was terrible and the conditions were so rough that one of the party vomited 27 times. During the Wednesday afternoon and night they did a night march with no sleep at all, had a short rest on Thursday, more marching, and then three hours sleep on the Thursday night. Friday came and they had to march to the spot where we had to try and catch them during the night.
Lt Maud, telling us what we had to do with the enemy when we caught them, gave us our briefing on Friday morning. They were referred to as the enemy since they were supposed to be pilots, shot down, who were trying to liaise with partisans who would help them on to their next task. We had to lay trip flares in case any of them tried to break through our ground, send out patrols and generally keep a very strict security check on the whole area. If the enemy did get through, a group of us would act as partisans but not known to the enemy, the partisans would betray them and hand them over to the intelligence people.
At 1800 hours we moved off to our positions on the moor. The journey took about one and a half hours to get to our destination, which was a very desolate place. It was raining when we arrived but the rain cleared away and it turned out to be a cloudless sky with no moon. We set all the booby traps and the patrols moved into position. There were three patrols guarding the trucks, one of which was to go forward to drive the foe towards our defences. When they were away, many noises were heard but we thought they were probably sheep or cattle on the move. It would be a complete give-away of our position if we were to use thunder flashes now.
When the advance patrol returned, two patrols went with Sgt Wright to the RAF Land Rover, where they informed us that the enemy had passed and that we would now have to set an ambush. The nine of us, who went, including Sgt Wright and myself, set up an ambush for the first patrol, which were fortunately only three men strong. We hid at the side of the road for them to come. We were given pillowcases to put over their heads to make them more depressed than ever, and were told to treat them roughly. The first three came and the challenge was given, “Halt, San Benito.” As soon as they saw us it seemed to me that they looked relieved. Anyway, we put pillowcases over their heads and marched them to the truck, which was to take them to Plymouth for interrogation. Sgt Wright went off with two other lads, which left us five in number, together with a radio operator who would not be much use in a fight.
We waited about three quarters of an hour and it was getting light again when the last five eventually came into sight. We let them come right up to us and then issued the challenge, “Halt, San Benito.” Two tried to make a break for it but we soon put a stop to that and, since the truck was not yet back from Plymouth, we lined them up with their faces to the hedge. We had no pillowcases left so we made do with some navy raincoats that we had.
When the truck did come back, I, J/L/Cpl Clarke and J/Sig Horsley boarded it with the prisoners and we drove away to Plymouth. When we arrived at about 4.30 in the morning, the reception committee for the prisoners was certainly not my cup of tea. They were manhandled down to the cellars of a large and fearsome fort and given two hours PT, still with their heads covered and wearing the kit they had had on since the start of the exercise. We didn’t stay to see much more as we had to get back to camp, but what we had seen was enough to convince us that this most rigorous and realistic training must be one of the finest toughening-up processes ever devised.”
7 Jul 65
Regimental Athletic Team can second in the preliminary round of the Junior Inter Unit Team Championships at Taunton thus qualifying for the finals at Aldershot on 24 Jul 65
11 Jul 65
The practice 4 day march of 100 miles for those going to Nijmegen
Torbay Amateur Radio Society 3rd annual Mobile Rally was held at Denbury
14 Jul 65
RSM WT Leeson was dined out at the WOs and Sgts Mess on commissioning and posting to 16 Sig Regt the new RSM MFB Garland was dined in at the same time
15 Jul 65
Term 4 Exercise
17 Jul 65
The Corps of drums, Highland Dancers, Pipers and the Gymnasts gave a demonstration at the Newton Abbot Rotary Fete
24 Jul 65
Party leave for the 100 mile Nijmegan march click Here for a Dutch brochure showing the routes
Major Joyner + Sgt Mathieson and 12 Junior Leaders from Montgomery + Alexander Squadrons.
CSMI Carpenter and 15 Junior Leaders from Slim Squadron – Drum Major Yates was the cycle orderly
On arrival both teams formed a contingent for the Flag Parade and to have the honour of representing the 1300 British Troops marching at this International Event
Jul 65
Inter Troop Canoe Race won by iron Troop
7 Aug 65
The last Royal Signals Junior Leaders passed out from the All Arms Junior Leaders Regiment Tonfanau JSig MA Finn, JSig J Greatholder, JSig JP Judd and JSig R Webdell are posted in to complete their boy service training
Tuesday 10th August 1965
Lieutenant-General Sir Kenneth Darling, KCB, CBE, DSO General Officer Commanding Southern Command, was the Reviewing Officer at the Graduation Parade, arriving by helicopter
538 Junior Leaders on parade with 92 graduating to Colour Service
The Parade was commanded by Maj DJ Strong Royal Signals
the last time Romulus, Kohima and Francisca Troops were on parade
PDF document nominal roll of who graduated to Colour Service available on request
Click Here for a PDF copy Programme
Junior appointments for the Graduation Parade
JRSM SG Watson – Iron Troop
JSSM McClean – Romulus Troop – Alexander Squadron
JSSM B Madsen – White Spear Troop – Slim Squadron
JSSM A King – Iron Troop – Montgomery Squadron
JSSM Rock – Javelin Troop – Junior Squadron
JSgt P Dennis – Quadrant Troop
JSgt AC Doane – Kukri Troop
JSgt K Wells – Romulas Troop
JSgt B Bingham – Beaufighter Troop – Junior Squadron
JSgt PJ Smith – Beaufighter Troop
JSgt R Foy – Kohima Troop
JSgt P Sharp – White Spear Troop
JSgt C Robertson – White Swan Troop
JSgt D Benfold – Lion Troop
JSgt M Byrne – Francisca Troop
JSgt PH Rumsey – Iron Troop
JSgt RM Reeve – Jerboa Troop
JSgt RJ Blake – Javelin Troop
JCpl AK Whillock – Iron Troop – Drum Major
JLCpl T Williamson – Kohima Troop – Trumpet Major
JLCpl RA Scott – Kohima Troop – Pipe Major
JRSM SG Watson was promoted to LCpl on posting
Junior Squadron Pass-off Parade
78 pass out from Junior Squadron reviewed by Brigadier DR Horsfield OBE, Chief Signals Officer Southern Command click Here for a PDF document for the May 65 intake with photos
Cobb Memorial Trophy – Champion Troop – Beaufighter Troop – JSgt PJ Smith
1st Commonwealth Division Trophy – Adventure Training – Kukri Troop
Commanding Officers Trophy – JRSM SG Watson
Commandant Training Brigade Trophy – Best Junior Leader – JSSM A King
350 parents visited the unit for 2 days
8 Sep 65
Winter term commences
Extract from the Junior Mercury October 1965
“Old Junior Leaders will be sad to know that this term, for reasons of administration, three troops have been disbanded, and the members absorbed, into other troops. The troops which have gone are Romulus, Kohima and Francisca. Upsetting though such a move is, it is pleasing to note that the former members, of the disbanded troops have taken it all very philosophically and seem to have settled into their new homes without undue disturbance”
8 Sep 65
US Marines the American Embassy Guard in London Rugby team stayed in the camp while playing locally
8 Sep 65
Army Boys Expedition to the Pyrenees
JCpl Hughes and JSig Shield were chosen to represent in Royal Signals and find themselves 9000 feet up in the Pyrenees on a walking and climbing expedition
14 Sep 65
Corps of Drums gave a demonstration at Widecombe Fair
14 Sep 65
Junior Squadron intake of 122 click Here for a PDF document
Sep 65
Regimental Boxing Championships were held and Iron Troop were the winners, the team consisted of JLCpl Stevens, JSig Holt, JSig Cara, JSig Beharrell and JSig Sherwin
Lion Troop were the runners up
Sep 65
Parachute Course
For the first time ever six members of the Regiment attended a 14-day course at Abingdon. The first week consisted of toughing up and preparation, and then there were jumps from balloons and aircraft. It was most unfortunate that on his first jump JSSM Madsen broke his ankle, however all others completed the course without mishap
Sep 65
White Swan Troop visit 30 Sig Regt Lt Rumford and sixteen troop members travel to Blandford for demonstration of signals equipment and take part in athletics. The CO presented JSgt Smith with a Regimental tie and 15 pairs of rugby stockings for the troop team
Sep 65
New Permanent Staff this term as Electrician Driver and Lineman training to BIII standard is due to start, the new battery and generator shops are complete, the line training room and stores will be shortly be finished
Sep 65
Inter Troop Cross Country – Individual winner was JSig Paterson
24-27 Sep 65
Sailing Club – a crew of staff and boys sailed from South Devon to Guernsey. The 40 foot yacht Aquila had accommodation for nine and the distance was approximately 100 miles.
Skipper – Lt Bruce – Mate Capt McMahon
A Watch – JSig Baker – Mr Bennett
B Watch – JSig Davies – JSig Taylor
C Watch – JSig Ray – JSig Bogie – JSig Keohane
Oct 65
The Regimental Judo team beats the Junior Leaders Regiment RCT and qualify for the Army finals
Oct 65
The output go on a trade training Exercise “Two Moors” for three days providing communications for a TA exercise assisted by 3 Div HQ & Sig Regt, Bulford, on both Bodmin and Dartmoor. Capt Watson and Yeoman of Signals Scrafton supervised setting up the comcen and radio sites at Okehampton Camp
19 Oct
Party of local headmasters and career masters visited the regiment
Late Oct 65
The Regimental Gymnast Club travelled to the Southern Command School of PT at Bulford. The team consisted of JCpl Dyer, JCpl Riddell, JLCpl Kendall, JSig Cumberpatch and reserve JSig Honey and won the Junior Gymnastics Cup, the individual title was won by JCpl Riddell with JLCpl Kendal second
The following day in the Junior Trampoline Championships, we were represented by A team – JCpl Riddell and JSig Forster and B team – JSig Billam and JSig Gibson. A team came runners up to the Junior Para Coy, special mention to JSig Forster who was third and JSig Gibson fourth as individuals – see scores below 24 Nov
28 Oct 65
Major-General PEM Bradley CBE, DSO, the Signal Officer in Chief visited the Regiment
4-7 Nov 65
In addition to the now familiar fourth term Exercise “Slog-on”, the fifth term have their own Exercise “Five Fingers”. 60 Junior Leaders left Denbury for Penhale near Newquay in Cornwall, for the start of a four-day multifunction exercise
“The weather prevailing in the Devon area had not been pleasant for a few weeks and it made a change to have lovely sunshine for once, by the time they had pitched their 160 pound tents on the edge of the sand dunes dusk had fallen and it became very chilly. Little flickers of flame dotted around the camp area indicated the ‘Tommy’ cookers of some very cold individuals making attempts to cook a meal from Compo.
Dawn the next day saw frost biting at the grass and their fingers and toes, as they emerged from their sleeping bags, by 08.00 hours everyone had eaten and work began. Two groups of 10 commenced revising and learning basic infantry tactics, learning that trees do not grow, let alone run on grass covered sand dunes. Two other groups learnt some bridge building and the last two went rock climbing at Roche Rock.
The tactics training was by far the hardest, running up the side of dunes where for every two paces forward it was one back. The use of trip flares and smoke grenades added a bit of realism to the training, which culminated in a night exercise over the dunes. The defending party surrounded themselves with trip flares and waited for the inevitable, but no a sly JCpl Watson and JSig Wheeler noticed the wires in time and attempted to mark them so that the attacking force could slip in unnoticed. Alas the temptation was too great and one was set off, the noise of the thunderflashes being thrown into the area deafened everybody for five minutes then down went the smoke grenades and the attack went in.
The following day, both these parties went to Roche Rock where Mr Cooksley, one of the civilian instructors waited to take them rock climbing. The wind was so strong that one could almost walk up the side of the rock unaided and most of the group could not resist abseiling out of the window of the hermits hut on the top of the rock, both party leaders, Lt Rumford and Sgt Hall declined the invitation of the Junior Leaders to attempt this rather breath-taking feat. In the afternoon with a couple of hours to spare both parties were taught how to dig in, very easy work in sand. This culminated in a kind of pitched battle on the top of a steep-sided dune where both party leaders were rolled in the sand.
On the last day, fantastic efforts were made to build a couple of bridges across a wide stream. If only the PSO’s could have seen them, sure that the Royal Engineers would have gained some BIII Bridge Builders. Having constructed these engineering marvels the time came to take them to pieces and return to camp. The feeling at the end was that it had been interesting but not too arduous an exercise.”
5-8 Nov 65
Half term
24 Nov 65
The Regimental Gymnast Club retained the Junior Army Cup in the Army Finals at Aldershot, defeating the Army Apprentice School from Harrogate – go to the WIRE entry January-February 1966 for details
9 Dec 65
The annual Admin Inspection was carried out by Brigadier G McMurtrie OBE Commanding Devon and Cornwall Sub District
Tuesday 14th December 1965
Air Vice Marshal J Baraclough CBE, DSC, AFC RAF Air Officer Comd 19 Gp was the Reviewing Officer at the Graduation Parade
89 Junior Leaders graduated
The Parade was commanded by Maj DJ Strong Royal Signals
PDF document nominal roll of who graduated to Colour Service available on request
Click Here for a PDF copy Programme
Junior appointments for the Graduation Parade
JSSM PJ Smith – Beaufighter Troop – Alexander Squadron
JSSM B Madsen – White Spear Troop – Slim Squadron
JSSM PH Rumsey – Iron Troop – Montgomery Squadron
JSSM EJ Blake – Javelin Troop – Junior Squadron
JSgt L Webb – Kukri Troop
JSgt D Ford – Beaufighter Troop
JSgt R Mead – Quadrant Troop
JSgt P Sharp – White Spear Troop
JSgt TK Muir – Kohima + White Swan Troop
JSgt CJ Harris – Lion Troop
JSgt AK Willock – Iron Troop
JSgt B Miller – Jerboa Troop
JSgt Harris – Javelin Troop
JSgt MBW Smith – Romulus Troop
JSgt D Brown – Kohima Troop
JSgt D Raybould – Francisca Troop – Junior Squadron
JLCpl MA Sheehan – Kukri Troop – Trumpet Major
JSig KH Waddell – Kohima + Lion Troop – Pipe Major
Junior Squadron Pass-off Parade click Here for a PDF document for Sep 65 intake
The following trophies were presented
Cobb Memorial Trophy – Champion Troop – Kukri Troop – JSgt L Webb
1st Commonwealth Division Trophy – Adventure Training – Kukri Troop
12-14 Dec 65
Denbury Players performed Cinderella, the producer was Mr Mike Grant assisted by Lt Lee Tilson, three performances were given. Sunday for the children of the Regiment as well as groups of youngsters from homes in the area, they later had a traditional Christmas party with a visit from Father Christmas and presents for all. Monday night was for the boys and Tuesday for staff with family and friends after the Graduation Parade
16 Dec 65
Winter Term ends
Senior appointments for 1965
Commanding Officer – Lt Col DE Higgins MBE Royal Signals
Second-in-Command – Maj DJ Strong Royal Signals
Adjutant – Capt CJ Rayner Royal Signals
Chief Instructor – Maj SE Miller MBE Royal Signals
Senior Education Officer – Maj WC Rodgers MBE MC RAEC
Regimental Sergeant Major – WOI WT Leeson
from Jul – WOI MFB Garland
Drum Major & Provost Sergeant – SSgt AJ Yates BEM
Alexander Squadron
Officer Commanding – Maj RM Wright Royal Signals
Squadron Sergeant Major – WOII VL Hayward
Quadrant Troop – 2Lt LRJ Tilson Royal Signals
Sgt AT Wright
Kukri Troop – Lt JA Hood Royal Signals
Sgt JTE Evans
Romulus Troop – Lt AB Atkinson Royal Signals
later – Lt E Hampson Royal Signals
Sgt Wilcox
Beaufighter Troop – Capt I Graham Royal Signals
from Sep – Lt E Hampson Royal Signals
Sgt R Arnold from Sep – Sgt Wilcox
Slim Squadron
Officer Commanding – Maj JK Heyes Royal Signals
from Jul – Capt AJ Cornwell Royal Signals
from Nov – Maj TC Livingstone Royal Signals
Squadron Sergeant Major – WOII W Salter
Kohima Troop – Capt MJL Bygrave Royal Signals
Sgt CM Lightfoot
White Spear Troop – Lt GA Maude Royal Signals
Sgt D Livermore from Jul – Sgt P Sellwood
White Swan Troop – 2Lt RJGM Rumford Royal Signals
Sgt Whitbread
Lion Troop – Lt Gravestock Royal Signals
Sgt Boon
Montgomery Squadron
Officer Commanding – Maj JW Joyner Royal Signals
Squadron Sergeant Major – WOII ME Wilson
Francisca Troop – Lt TT Hallchurch Royal Signals
Sgt Bumby
Iron Troop – Lt MS Louden Royal Signals
Sgt Mathieson later – Sgt Hall
Jerboa Troop – Lt PE Bruce Royal Signals
Sgt R Block
Javelin Troop – Capt AJ Field Royal Signals
Sgt A Gaze from Aug – Sgt Tookey
Junior Squadron
Officer Commanding – Capt CS Ward Royal Signals
Education Officers – Lt later Capt JM Huggins RAEC
Lt T Orme RAEC
Squadron Sergeant Major – WOII SC Stuckey
Sgt C Batten – Sgt NF Bumby – Sgt FA Byrd
Sgt TH Dobson – Sgt J Kelly – Sgt FJ Loveday
HQ Squadron
Officer Commanding – Lt later Capt (QM) HJ Crocker BEM
Squadron Sergeant Major – WOII CH Surch
Royal Signals Officers
Capt G Wilkie-Snow
Royal Signals Warrant Officers
WOII G James – WOII J Smith
from Nov – WOII VFM Thom
Royal Signals Senior NCOs
SSgt James – from Sep – SSgt TM Martin
Sgt MD Adams – Sgt BA Boon – Sgt JT Driver
Sgt AH Kirk – Sgt JW Payne
Trade Training – Capt AL Watson Royal Signals
WOII (YofS) R Scrafton
Radio – Sgt J Akehurst – Sgt R Eouzan – Sgt MJL Palmer
Morse – Sgt RD Price
Technician – Sgt G Stockham BEM
Weapons Training – Lt GC Saunders Royal Signals
Sgt D Price
Chief Driving Instructor – Mr GC Robinson
Academic Wing
Officer Commanding – Maj DH Hodson RAEC
Capt WA Finch RAEC – Capt SJ Walters RAEC – Capt DW Lang RAEC
Capt PG McMahon RAEC – Capt JA Cuthill RAEC – Lt CJM Broom RAEC
Lt CC Pearce RAEC – Lt PE Pennick RAEC
Mr John Bennet – Mr A Cooksley – Mr J Fletcher – Mr M Grant – Mr Mann
Mr HRA Price – Mr W Salter – Mr P Tysoe – Mr P Whapham
QM – Capt GB Symonds MBE Royal Signals
RQMS – WOII RJ Wombell
from Mar – WOII A Burns
MT Sgt – Sgt Nortcott
Armoury Sgt – Sgt Denton REME
Chaplin – Rev WBM Hale CF
WVS – Miss Kathy Kelly
Medical Officer – Maj ER Smith-Owen RAMC
Paymaster – Capt EJF Rockett RAPC
Admin Officer – Lt Col (Retd) WGM Bartholomew MBE
Catering Officer – Lt G Cross ACC – WOII LD Legg
Gymnasium – WOII Pictor APTC
later – WOII AHR Carpenter APTC
Sgt R Dart