www.TA100.co.uk

The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Greater London

TWICE A CITIZENCelebrating a century of service by the Territorial Army in London

Twice a Citizen

“Every Territorial is twice a citizen, once when he does his ordinary job and the second time when he dons his uniform and plays his part in defence.”

Field Marshal William Joseph Slim, 1st Viscount Slim, KG, GCB, GCMG, GCVO, GBE, DSO, MC

This booklet has been produced as a souvenir of the celebrations for the Centenary of the Territorial Army in London. It should be remembered that at the time of the formation of the Rifle Volunteers in 1859, there was no County of London, only the City. Surrey and Kent extended to the south bank of the Thames, Middlesex lay on the north bank and Essex bordered the City on the east. Consequently, units raised in what later became the County of London bore their old county names.

Readers will learn that Londoners have much to be proud of in their long history of volunteer service to the nation in its hours of need. From the Boer War in South Africa and two World Wars to the various conflicts in more recent times in The Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan, London Volunteers and Territorials have stood together and fought alongside their Regular comrades. Some have won Britain’s highest award for valour - the Victoria Cross - and countless others have won gallantry awards and many have made the ultimate sacrifice in serving their country.

This booklet may be recognised as a tribute to all London Territorials who have served in the past, to those who are currently serving and to those who will no doubt serve in the years to come.

Written and compiled by Major Gareth Blyth and Major Derrick Harwood. Published by The Reserve Forces and Cadets Association of Greater London, Fulham House, 87 Fulham High Street, London SW6 3JS Tel: 020 7384 4640 www.reserve-forces-london.mod.uk Designed and produced by DNA Limited.

1

The Territorial Army traces its direct history to the formation of the Territorial Force in 1908, but the story of volunteer service goes back a lot further. The concept of the various formations was to counteract the threat of invasion, but when the perceived threat had passed, they were soon disbanded. Among the earliest of these formations were the Trained Bands raised to meet the threat of the Spanish Armada in the 16th Century.

Following the English Civil War and the Restoration of the Monarchy, the Militia was formed, which raised a force from the shires, according to their populations, to be ready for the King’s use. Each Militiaman was required to train for a number of paid days per year.

By 1794, fears of French expansionism made Britain raise volunteer companies known as ‘Armed Associations’. Most of

these were disbanded in the early 19th century, although two units, both in London, were permitted to continue service: the Honourable Artillery Company and the Duke of Cumberland’s Sharpshooters, who became the Royal Victoria Rifle Club.

The Yeomanry Cavalry were allowed to remain in service and did good work in assisting the authorities in times of civil unrest.

The Trained Bands, Militia and the Armed Associations

The City of London Armed Associations, 1803

A member of the Trained Bands, 1643

A member of the Armed Associations, 1799

Duke of Cumberland’s Sharpshooters, 1805

Top right: The cap badge of the Honourable Artillery Company

2

The Rifle Volunteers

By 1859, the government was concerned about the menacing attitude towards Britain by the French. With a large proportion of the Regular Army committed abroad, and the daily threats of invasion appearing in the French press, the British public was greatly alarmed about the security of Britain. In that year, the government sanctioned the large-scale formation of Volunteer Corps, consisting of Light Horse, Artillery, Engineers, Mounted Rifles and Rifles.

The new force caught the imagination of the public, and within a year had a strength of over 170,000. Membership of the Volunteers was initially drawn from the middle classes, as Volunteers had to provide their own uniforms, equipment, weapons and horses. Membership of some London volunteer units was based on the occupation or profession of its members as in the 38th Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps (Artists Rifles), and some were based on ethnicity, such as the 18th Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps (London Irish Rifles).

A year later, there were so many independent companies throughout the country that it was felt that a higher formation was necessary. In London, consolidated battalions were formed, although many companies continued to wear their own uniform. On 3 June 1860, HM Queen Victoria reviewed over 19,000 Volunteers in Hyde Park.

Rifleman of 14th Middlesex (Hampstead) RVC, 1859

Rifleman of 2nd South Middlesex RVC, 1859

Drum Major of 15th Middlesex (London Scottish) RVC, 1871

Review of the Volunteers in Hyde Park in 1860

Top right: The cap badge of the 41st Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps. The centre of the device shows three muskets above three bayonets, the 41st having been raised by the Enfield Small Arms Factory.

3

The Volunteer Battalions

In 1881, Edward Cardwell, Secretary of State for War, introduced a number of sweeping initiatives to the Army, which included the abolition of the purchase of commissions and flogging as a punishment except when on active service.

Another initiative saw the Volunteer Corps become more closely affiliated to their Regular regiments and the infantry were re-numbered as volunteer battalions of the newly created county regiments. An example of this was the 3rd Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps (RVC), which became the 1st (Volunteer) Battalion, The Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment).

In 1882, two Officers and 100 men from the 24th Middlesex RVC (Post Office Rifles) sailed for Egypt where they were employed as an Army Post Office Corps. For their services, they were awarded the Battle Honour ‘Egypt 1882’.

Following this success, the 24th was tasked to form a Field Telegraph Corps, which served in 1885 at Suakin in the Sudan alongside a postal detachment.

By the late 1890s, most Volunteers had replaced the grey or green uniforms worn up to then, and adopted the scarlet tunic, Oxford blue trousers and helmet of the Regular force worn with white metal, rather than brass or gilding metal badges and buttons.

Recruiting poster for the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment at Wimbledon

Soldier of the 2nd VBThe Queen’s Royal Regiment of Foot, 1871

Top right: The cap badge of the 8th (County of London Battalion), The London Regiment (Post Office Rifles). It was adopted in 1908 and includes the Battle Honours ‘Egypt 1882’ and ‘South Africa 1900-02’

The Earl of Denbigh, Colonel Commandant Honourable Artillery Company, 1893 - 1933. He was responsible for bringing the Regiment into the new Territorial Force in 1908

4

South Africa 1900-02

When a threat of war in South Africa became apparent in 1899, the Volunteers offered their services, but the War Office turned this down – believing that the Regular Forces could easily defeat the Boer farmers. However, after the Army suffered three defeats in six days in December 1899, which became known as ‘Black Week’, the War Office had a change of heart.

On 20 December 1899, the Lord Mayor of London, Sir Alfred Newton, made a formal offer to raise and equip 1000 men from within the City. This force, which was funded by City Banks, Livery Companies and West End firms, became known as the City Imperial Volunteers (CIV) and was made up of personnel from existing Volunteer regiments.

The CIV served with distinction, taking part in a number of actions, and returned home in October 1900. The Volunteers were welcomed back to London by a great crowd, which accompanied them on their march through the Capital, ending with a banquet in the Guildhall.

Nearly every Volunteer unit in London formed Service Companies to serve with their affiliated Regular Regiment for the rest of the war. The war ended in 1902, and in 1905, the Battle Honour ‘South Africa’, with appropriate dates, was awarded to those units who had supplied volunteers.

A member of the City Imperial Volunteers

Top right: The two medals awarded for service in the Boer War. On the left is the Queen’s medal and on the right is the King’s Medal. The Queen’s medal was awarded until Queen Victoria died in 1900, when a new medal was awarded for King Edward VII’s reign.

City Imperial Volunteers Infantry Detachment of 1st Middlesex (Victoria and St George’s Rifles) soon after their arrival in South Africa

Members of the City Imperial Volunteers in South Africa

London’s welcome home to CIV Cyclists in Hyde Park, 1900

5

The Territorial Force 1908

The Volunteer Corps continued to grow, and by 1907, the Volunteer infantry alone numbered 221 battalions. Under the Army Reforms of 1907, the existing Yeomanry and Volunteer Forces were to be combined into a new organisation to be known as the Territorial Force.

The Secretary of State for War was Richard Haldane and his reforms took effect on 1 April 1908. It is this reorganisation that we are celebrating this year as the Centenary of the Territorial Army.

With the creation of the new Territorial Force, there were a number of new Territorial regiments with no affiliated Regular regiment. Among these was the London Regiment with twenty-six battalions, making it the largest regiment in the British Army. Some battalions were affiliated to Regular regiments and wore their cap badge. Others were completely independent with no affiliation to a Regular regiment and wore their own, in many cases, unique cap badge.

There were two other features of the Haldane Reforms: the old Inns of Court Volunteers were reorganised into a unit for training officers for both the Territorial Force and the Special Reserve (previously known as the Militia), and the Officers Training Corps was formed. Initially, it had a Senior Division in eight universities and a Junior Division in public schools.

Sergeants of the 7th Battalion The Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment), 1 April 1908

Recruiting Poster for the 25th (County of London) Battalion The London Regiment (Cyclists)

Soldiers of the Artists Rifles at Camp, 1912

Lance Corporal of the 7th (City of London) Battalion The London Regiment c.1914

Top right: The current cap badge of the London Scottish, adopted in 1908. It incorporates the ‘South Africa 1900-02’ Battle Honour

6

Imperial Service

The conditions of enlistment into the new Territorial Force laid down at its creation in 1908 did not allow for soldiers to be sent on service overseas against their will, as the Territorial Force was intended for home defence. However, in 1910 the government decided to measure how many members of the Territorial Force would be willing to serve overseas.

Any man could volunteer for the Imperial Service Section in his unit and serve abroad in times of war. This entitled him to wear a silver ‘Imperial Service’ badge on the right breast of his tunic. Units that achieved 90% of their establishment to volunteer were to be awarded the soubriquet ‘Imperial Service’ in the unit’s official title.

The first battalion to volunteer was the 7th Battalion The Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment) with its Headquarters at Hornsey, North London.

Only two other units volunteered before the Great War; these were the 8th Battalion The Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment) with its Headquarters at Hounslow in Middlesex and the 6th Battalion The East Surrey Regiment with its Headquarters at Kingston in Surrey.

However, when war came, members of the Territorial Force volunteered to serve in their thousands, and many units were involved from the outset. A soldier of the 17th

(County of London) Battalion The London Regiment (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) wearing the Imperial Service badge on the right breast of his tunic

Crest of the 7th Battalion The Middlesex Regiment showing the soubriquet ‘Imperial Service’ in the title

A Sergeant of the 7th Battalion The Middlesex Regiment wearing the Imperial Service badge

Top right: The Imperial Service Badge

Elms House, Priory Road, Hornsey. Headquarters of 7th Battalion The Middlesex Regiment, 1920

7

The Great War 1914-1918

When war was declared on Germany on 4 August 1914, many Territorial units were at Annual Camp. The London Scottish were at Ludgershall on Salisbury Plain. The London Rifle Brigade were at Eastbourne. The Middlesex Brigade were also at Camp on a route march from Bordon to Amesbury.

On receipt of the order to mobilise, these units immediately returned to London, and within days were ready to move to their mobilisation posts – a pivotal role allowing Regular forces to depart to France to form the British Expeditionary Force (BEF).

On 4 September, exactly one month after war had been declared, the 7th and 8th Battalions of the Middlesex Regiment sailed to Gibraltar, whilst the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Battalions of the London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) went to Malta, allowing the resident Regular battalions to join the BEF in France.

The London Scottish arrived in France on 16 September 1914, and on 31 October, during the First Battle of Ypres, reinforced the line at Messines taking 640 casualties in the process and becoming the first of 318 Territorial infantry battalions to see action.

A recruiting poster for the London Scottish, 1914

2nd London Divisional Signal Company, Royal Engineers

1st London Divisional Transport and Supply Column at Annual Camp. The civilian vehicle and driver had both been hired for Camp

Top right: The three medals awarded for service in the Great War, 1914-1918

The London Scottish at roll call following the Battle of Messines, 31 October 1914

8

The Great War 1914-1918

The Victoria Cross is Britain’s highest award for valour, and the first Victoria Cross won by a Territorial was that of Second Lieutenant Geoffrey Wooley of the Queen Victoria’s Rifles at Hill 60 in Belgium in 1915. By the time the war ended, seventy-one Victoria Crosses had been awarded to Territorials.

Many London Territorials of the famous 56th (1st London) Division and the 47th (2nd London) Division were killed at the 3rd Battle of the Somme at Flers-Courcelette on 15 September 1916 in the attacks to capture Bouleaux and High Wood. This battle was famous for the first use of tanks.

The 60th (2/2nd London) Division, containing 12 battalions of the London Regiment, played a vital role in the campaign in Palestine, which included the capture of the City of Jerusalem in December 1917. Indeed, before General Allenby could take the surrender of Jerusalem from the Mayor, two Sergeants from 2/19th London Regiment had already done so whilst out foraging, the Turks having vacated the City to avoid being surrounded. This campaign severely weakened Germany’s ally.

When the war ended on 11 November 1918, a total of 129,806 of the nation’s Territorials had fallen. London Territorial units had served on the Western Front, the Dardanelles, Egypt, Palestine, Mesopotamia, East Africa, Italy, North Russia and India.

Second Lieutenant Geoffrey Wooley VC

A recruiting poster for the Great War

Top right: The Victoria Cross

The surrender of Jerusalem to Sergeants Hurcombe and Sedgwick of 2/19th Battalion The London Regiment (St Pancras) on 9 December 1917

Westminster Dragoons enter Jerusalem, 1917

9

The Inter War Years

In March 1920, the Territorial Force was reconstituted as the Territorial Army. A major difference between the TA and the TF was that all members of the new force had to be prepared to serve overseas as required.

In the restructuring of the Reserve Forces by Winston Churchill, the new Secretary of State for War, only the 14 senior Yeomanry regiments were allowed to keep their horses. The remaining 39 were mechanised or re-roled – the majority becoming artillery regiments.

In 1926, the TA was embodied for ninety days during the General Strike, and was used for guarding warehouses and factories and providing drivers for public transport.

Throughout the 1920s and most of the 1930s, the TA remained woefully undermanned and even more poorly equipped than the Regular Army.

Royal Army Service Corps General Service Wagons in Croydon, 1929

Recruiting Poster, 1930s

Recruit being instructed on the .303” Vickers Medium Machine Gun, 1929

Top right: The badge of the Territorial Army

Armoured car of the Westminster Dragoons in Victoria Street during the General Strike, 1926

10

The Inter War Years

During the 1930s, there was a growing reality of war, and in 1935 in London, seven Territorial infantry battalions were converted to an anti-aircraft role and transferred to the Royal Artillery or Royal Engineers.

After many years of having to use obsolete equipment and weapons, new items began to be issued to the TA. These included the Bren Light Machine Gun for the infantry and the 25 Pounder Field Gun for the Royal Artillery, and Battledress replaced Service Dress, which had been worn since the early 1900s.

In 1938, the Honourable Artillery Company was chosen to find the Guard for Public Duties at Buckingham Palace, taking over from the Scots Guards for 24 hours. This was the first time that a Territorial Army unit had the privilege of carrying out this duty. On 1 March 1939, the TA had a strength of 212,000 – about 17,000 below its establishment. Recruiting Poster, 1930s

Top right: The Territorial Decoration awarded to officers after 12 years efficient service

Edgware Drill Hall, built for the 36th Searchlight Regiment as part of the expansion programme for the Territorial Army in the late 1930sThe London Scottish at Camp, 1938

Honourable Artillery Company mount guard at Buckingham Palace, 1938

11

Air Defence of London

In 1935, the government decided to entrust the air defence of the United Kingdom to the Territorial Army. Twenty four anti-aircraft regiments of the Royal Artillery and thirty searchlight regiments of the Royal Engineers were formed. To find the manpower for these new units, many Yeomanry and Territorial regiments were re-roled. In London, 14 battalions were converted to either anti-aircraft or searchlight units.

These battalions were:3rd (City of London) (Royal Fusiliers) 4th (City of London) (Royal Fusiliers) 6th (City of London) (Rifles) 7th (City of London) (Post Office Rifles) 11th (County of London) (Finsbury Rifles) 19th (County of London) (St Pancras) 20th (County of London) (Blackheath and Woolwich) 21st (County of London) (First Surrey Rifles) 4th Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey) 4th Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment 1/6th Essex Regiment 7th Essex Regiment 9th Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge’s Own)

In addition, the London Scottish had so many volunteers that they were permitted to raise a third battalion, as long as it was an anti-aircraft regiment of the Royal Artillery, and the 5th Battalion East Surrey Regiment was converted to an anti-tank regiment of the Royal Artillery.

Recruiting Poster for the Anti-Aircraft Divisions in the 1930s

Territorials training with a mock-up of the 3.7” Heavy Anti-Aircraft Gun

Territorials cleaning the lens of a 90cm Anti-Aircraft Searchlight

Top right: The formation arm badge of the 1st Anti-Aircraft Division (London)

3.7” Heavy Anti-Aircraft Gun

12

The Second World War

In 1939, with the Second World War looming, the Territorial Army was doubled in size with some units mobilised in August, one month before war was officially declared, and in September a number of Territorial units joined the British Expeditionary Force in France. During the retreat to Dunkirk and the subsequent evacuation, the Queen Victoria’s Rifles played a large part in the fierce fighting around Calais, serving with distinction alongside their Regular comrades of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps.

In North Africa, the motorised infantry of 131 and 169 (Queen’s) Brigades (Blackheath, Bermondsey and Southwark) formed part of the 7th Armoured Division – the famous Desert Rats – and fought against Rommel’s German Afrika Korps.

The 8th and 9th Battalions The Royal Fusiliers, The 1st Battalion The London Scottish and The 1st Battalion The London Irish Rifles all fought with the 56th (London) Division, the ‘Black Cats’, in Sicily and Italy.

TA Infantryman, 1939

1/6th Battalion The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey) entering Tobruk, 1942

Tank crews, 42nd Royal Tank Regiment from Clapham Junction (formerly the 23rd Battalion The London Regiment), in the western desert, North Africa, 1941

3” Gun of the 54th (City of London) Anti Aircraft Regiment at war station, September 1938

Top right: The Black Cat arm badge of the 56th London Division

13

The Second World War

The 4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) and the machine gunners of 1/7th Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment were among the first troops to land in Normandy in June 1944. The War in Europe ended on 8 May 1945 (VE Day) and the War in the Far East ended on 15 August (VJ Day) after the two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan, but 2/7th Battalion The Middlesex Regiment were still on active service on peace-keeping duties in Palestine in 1946.

London Territorial units again served in all theatres of the war, including the defence of London during the Battle of Britain and in North Africa, Burma, Malaya, Sicily, Italy and North West Europe. A Priest 105mm Self-Propelled Gun

of the Honourable Artillery Company in Tunisia, 1943

Vickers machine guns of 1/7th Battalion The Middlesex Regiment providing supporting fire during the Battle of the Reichswald, 1945

Top right: The World War Two Star awarded to all those who served in a theatre of war

A Sherman tank of the 4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) fording the Voltuno river in Italy, 1943

Cromwell tanks of the 4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) coming ashore on Gold Beach Normandy on D-Day + 1

14

The Auxiliary Territorial Service

The Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) was formed on 9 September 1938. The ATS had its roots in the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC), which was formed in 1917 as a voluntary service. During the First World War, its members served in a number of jobs, including clerks, cooks, telephonists and waitresses. The WAAC was disbanded in 1921.

The first recruits to the ATS in the Second World War were employed as cooks, clerks and storekeepers, and the nucleus of the Motor Driver Companies of the ATS was formed by the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY). At the outbreak of the war, 300 ATS members were deployed to France. During the subsequent evacuation from France, some ATS telephonists were the last British personnel to leave the country.

As more men joined the war effort, it was decided to increase the size of the ATS, with numbers reaching 65,000 by September 1941. Their duties were also expanded, with ATS members becoming orderlies, drivers, postal workers and ammunition inspectors. By VE Day, over 170,000 women were serving in the ATS.

Recruiting poster for the ATS

Members of the ATS

An ATS member of an anti-aircraft unit scans the sky for enemy aircraft Many members of the ATS were fully

trained drivers and vehicle mechanics

Top right: The cap badge of the Auxiliary Territorial Service

15

Post War

The TA was reconstituted in 1947, and in 1950 a unique factor entered the Territorial scene – ex-National Servicemen were required to report for training to Drill Halls. After completing their two years with the Army, they had to serve for three and a half years with the TA.

In the early 1950s, TA units received Regular Army Training Majors to help Commanding Officers with training their units. In 1952, many London Territorials lined the route of the procession of the funeral of King George VI, and in the following year the TA was represented by one officer and 17 soldiers on street lining duties for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

During the 1950s, the TA was not embodied as a whole despite a war in Korea and many ‘Emergencies’ in Malaya, Kenya and Suez. Individual Territorials, who were Z Reservists (former Regular soldiers), were subject to selective recall.

On 22nd June 1958, the Territorial Army celebrated its Golden Jubilee, with a review of 8000 troops by the Queen in Hyde Park.

In 1959, many units were ‘adopted’ by local boroughs as part of the centenary of the Volunteers (1859-1959), and borough coats of arms were worn on the upper sleeves of Battledress. As part of these celebrations, the 8th Battalion The Royal Fusiliers took over the Royal Guard at the Tower of London.

Signals instruction with 290 Field Regiment RA at Finchley, 1959

Cover of the Souvenir Programme of the Golden Jubilee in 1958

Women’s Royal Army Corps recruit receiving driving instruction, 1964

Top right: Recruiting poster for the Territorial Army in the 1960s

131 Parachute Engineer Regiment jump from USAF Aircraft in the late 1950s

16

Aid to the Civil Defence and Emergency Response

With the spectre of nuclear war hanging overhead, the 1960 Defence White Paper resulted in a new role for the Territorial Army – that of Civil Defence.

This role included training exercises with the civilian police, the Auxiliary Fire Service and other emergency services, and one annual camp in three was to be devoted to training for response to nuclear incidents.

Many units held their annual camp at the Civil Defence Training Establishment at Millom in Cumbria where radiological surveys, rescue and first aid were practised. This role has recently been revived by the current terrorist threat to the civilian population, particularly in London.

The First Aid Nursing Yeomanry had been formed in 1907 to provide a First Aid link between the front line fighting units and the Field Hospitals, and during the First World War, their members drove ambulance convoys in France and Flanders. In the Second World War, they were employed as drivers, coders and signallers, and worked with the Special Operations Executive (SOE). FANY’s current role is to provide an emergency response capability, working with the Army and all London’s emergency services, and has been called out to assist at every major incident in the City of London in the past thirty-five years.

Civil Defence Training Manual

Territorials of 290 Field Regiment RA from Finchley practising casualty evacuation, 1959

FANY Operations Command Post, 1960

Territorials conducting a radiological survey at Millom

Top right: Civil Defence arm band

A Sergeant and wireless operator from a Territorial Army unit on a civil defence excercise in North London, 1961

17

The Aden Emergency – The ‘Ever-Readies’

In the early 1960s, with the ending of National Service, the Regular Army once again became an all-professional force. In 1962, John Profumo, Secretary of State for War, initiated the Territorial Army Emergency Reserve for volunteers willing to accept a rapid call-out commitment to serve anywhere in the world for six months. They were quickly dubbed the ‘Ever-Readies’.

In 1965, a state of emergency in the Arabian peninsula saw the call-out of 175 Ever-Readies. 120 of these were infantrymen of the Home Counties Brigade, who went to Aden to reinforce 1st Battalion The Royal Sussex Regiment.

Whilst in Aden, Lieutenant J J ‘Jock’ Smith, a platoon commander from the 5th Battalion The Middlesex Regiment at Hornsey, won the Military Cross for his actions during a night patrol in the Radfan Mountains on 12 July 1965.

The year prior to the Aden mobilisation, 131 Parachute Engineer Regiment (TA) were deployed to Aden for annual camp. They were attacked on the Dhala Road and two men were killed. The Medical Officer received an MBE for gallantry. As the unit had not been embodied for active service it was not possible to award any other decoration.

Lieutenant Smith leading a patrol in the Radfan Mountains

Recruiting poster for the ‘Ever-Readies’

Lieutenant Smith’s deeds were later published in the famous boys’ comic, The Hornet, although great artistic licence was used.

Top right: The Military Cross

Territorial soldier from London on patrol with the Royal Sussex Regiment in the Radfan, 1965

18

Further re-organisations – The TAVR

In 1967, Dennis Healey, the Secretary of State for Defence, revealed the plans for the new Territorial Army. Four categories of units would form the new reserve force to be called the Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve (TAVR).

TAVR I and II units were to be known as Volunteers. Most units were equipped with modern vehicles, weapons and radio equipment, and many had a role as reinforcement battalions to their parent Regular regiment or were in support of NATO as part of the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR).

TAVR III units were to be known as the Territorials. These were the TAVR’s poor relations – no bounty, an eight day camp and no more than two weekends a year. Obsolete uniforms such as Battledress continued to be worn, and weapons included the .303” Number Four rifle of World War Two vintage. TAVR IV units comprised miscellaneous units – mainly Bands and the University OTCs.

In 1969, the TAVR III units were reduced to a cadre of ten men before finally being disbanded in 1970. Then in 1971, with a new government in power, the TAVR was increased in size. Many new units were formed, some based on the recently disbanded cadres. Thus began a twenty years’ era of expansion and enhancements of the Territorial Army.

Recruiting poster for the new TAVR, 1967

Soldier of 5th Battalion The Queen’s Regiment (TAVR 11 unit) armed with the 7.62mm Self Loading rifle

Soldiers of 10th Battalion The Queen’s Regiment (TAVR III unit) armed with the .303” Number Four rifle

Armoured cars of the Royal Yeomanry pass the saluting dais in Hyde Park, 1971

Top right: The badge of the Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve

19

Cold War Warriors – NATO

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the Territorial Army trained for an expected war in Europe where the enemy would be the armies of the Warsaw Pact.

Many TA units had a war role in Germany in support of the BAOR. As such, they were armed and equipped with the latest weapons and equipment – the Milan Anti-Tank Missile and the Clansman radio system were issued to these units in advance of some Regular units.

In the 1980s, two large NATO exercises – Crusader in 1980 and Lionheart in 1984 practised the Territorials’ role in mobilising and reinforcing the Regular Army in Germany. Training for war in a Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) environment was the norm for many of these exercises.

London Territorial units with a NATO role at this time included the following:

• The Honourable Artillery Company • The Royal Yeomanry • 8th Battalion, The Queen’s Fusiliers (City of London) • 10th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment • 4th Battalion, The Royal Green Jackets • 151 (Greater London) Regiment, Royal Corps of Transport

Firing the 81mm wearing full NBC kit, 1982

London Territorials leap from a hovering RAF Puma helicopter, 1977

Women’s Royal Army Corps detachment, Greater London Council Banner Presentation Parade, 1982

Top right: The NATO flag

HM the Queen inspects her Territorials at her Silver Jubilee, Wembley Stadium, 1977

Firing the Mobat anti-tank gun, 1965

20

Cold War Warriors – Home Defence

In addition to the NATO roled units, there were many TA units who had a General Reserve role, tasked with the defence of the UK. In 1985, the largest UK Home Defence exercise since the Second World War - Exercise Brave Defender - was held. This exercise involved over 30,000 Territorials.

In 1981, Parliament announced that the TA would be increased from 70,000 to 86,000. Part of this expansion saw a new infantry battalion raised in London – The 8th Battalion The Queen’s Fusiliers (City of London) in 1986.

Another initiative was the creation of the Home Service Force (HSF). This was a scheme to make use of older men with previous military experience, particularly those unable to fulfil the full TA commitment. Its role was the defence of key installations in the UK.

Most major London units raised an HSF Company or equivalent. These units included:

A and B (HSF) Companies, The Honourable Artillery Company 348 (HSF) Squadron, Inns of Court and City Yeomanry E (HSF) Company, 6th/7th Battalion The Queen’s Regiment 5 (HSF) Company, 10th Battalion The Parachute Regiment H (HSF) Company, 4th Battalion The Royal Green Jackets

During this time, Britain was required to keep a battalion in Gibraltar, and in order to maintain the battalion strength while the resident battalion left the Rock to go on training exercises or on leave, one of the roles of the General Reserve battalions was to reinforce the garrison battalion. This exercise was known as Marble Tor.

Members of E (HSF) Company, 6th/7th Battalion The Queens Regiment from Sutton, 1986

A soldier of 6th/7th Battalion The Queen’s Regiment with the 7.62mm SLR, 1976

Territorials from Edgware on the Governors Convent Guard in Gibraltar, 1979

Soldiers of 5 (HSF) Company, 10th Battalion The Parachute Regiment, 1988

Top right: The Arms of the City of London, worn by a number of units with City affiliations in the post-War years

21

Options For Change

The ‘peace dividend’ that followed the break-up of the former Soviet Union in 1989 precipitated another review of the Territorial Army: the Defence White Paper was called ‘Options For Change’. The numbers of troops in the BAOR was halved and renamed British Forces Germany. Many famous infantry and armoured regiments were amalgamated.

The number of TA infantry battalions was reduced from 33 to just 15 through amalgamations. As a result, the strength of the TA was reduced from a national strength of 91,000 to 63,000.

The model of the 8th Battalion The Queen’s Fusiliers (City of London) of multiple cap badges within a battalion was taken a step forward when the new London Regiment was created in 1993 with four different infantry cap badged companies:

A (London Scottish) Company B (Queen’s Regiment) Company C (City of London Fusiliers) Company D (London Irish Rifles) Company

With the collapse of the former Yugoslavia in 1991 and the subsequent conflicts in Bosnia and Kosovo, London Territorial units continue providing individual reinforcements to the Regular Army, particularly those skilled in specialist trades.

The four original cap badges of The London Regiment, 1993

The fall of the Berlin Wall, 1989

National recruiting poster from the 1980s

71 (Yeomanry) Signal Regiment on exercise in the Czech Republic

Top right: The TA logo

22

The Watch on the Falklands

Tooting to TumbledownIn March 1995, thirty-three men from The London Regiment joined a force of 200 Territorials from other parts of the United Kingdom and were deployed to the Falkland Islands to take sole responsibility for its military ground defence – a task previously only carried out by Regular troops.

The Territorials came under command of the Wales and Western District Falkland Islands Group. They were all voluntarily mobilised for a period of six months, which included a gruelling period of training and preparation at Sennybridge Training Area before flying out to the Falklands to face the bitter South Atlantic winter.

The deployment was not an Exercise, but a first test of a more flexible use of the Territorial Army for many years.

Top right: The Wales and Western District Falkland Islands Group arm badge

Patrolling the bleak landscape of the Falkland Islands, 1995

Falkland Islanders with a patrol from The London Regiment, 1995

23

Iraq

The final years of the 1990s and the turn of the Millennium saw the Territorial Army assume a more high-profile role. As the Regular Army became increasingly engaged in overseas operations, the TA moved from being a ‘force of last resort’ to become the ‘reserve of first choice’ in supporting the Regulars. Some 6,900 personnel were mobilised for Operation Telic, the invasion of Iraq. The Royal Yeomanry were awarded the Battle Honour ‘Iraq 2003’ for their services.

Since then, the TA has continued to provide around 600 troops each year to support the Regular Army in Iraq for a period of six months.

Units that have deployed members on Operation Telic include:

The Honourable Artillery Company The Royal Yeomanry 106 (Yeomanry) Regiment Royal Artillery 131 Independent Commando Squadron RE 31st (City of London) Signal Regiment The London Regiment 151 (London) Transport Regiment Royal Logistic Corps 3 Military Intelligence Battalion 256 (City of London) Field Hospital

In addition, hundreds of London Territorials have mobilised individually to augment other formed units, including members of 10 Company, 4th Battalion The Parachute Regiment and F and G Companies, 7th Battalion The Rifles.

An officer of the London Scottish on patrol in a village South of Basra during Operation Telic 7, 2005

First ever operational fly forward of medium girder bridge, 131 Commando Engineers from Kingsbury, March 2008

A Territorial of W (Westminster Dragoons) Squadron Royal Yeomanry in Iraq, 2003

Top right: The Operational Service Medal, Iraq

Medics from 256 (City of London) Field Hospital receiving casualties in Iraq, 2004

24

Afghanistan

Operation Herrick is the code name under which all British operations in Afghanistan have been conducted since 2002. It consists of the British contribution to the NATO led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and support to the US led Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

Since 2003, Herrick has increased in size and breadth to match ISAF’s growing geographical intervention in Afghanistan. As a result, many Territorials have been mobilised to support the Regular Army.

In October 2007, The London Regiment deployed a composite company, known as Somme Company, in

a Force Protection role for Op Herrick 6 (March – October 2007).

Somme Company deployed a highly trained team of 140 troops to Helmand Province. With a combination of excellent training and preparation (more thorough than any previous TA infantry company in recent times), the Company exceeded all expectation, resulting in the Commander 12th Mechanised Brigade deciding to use Somme Company to conduct offensive operations alongside the Regular troops.

This was a challenge and was often dangerous; no other Territorial Army unit has conducted such offensive operations since the Second World War.

A Scimitar Armoured Fighting Vehicle of W (Westminster Dragoons) Squadron, The Royal Yeomanry, leaves Camp Bastion Helmand Province (Afghanistan), 2008

Soldiers of The London Regiment in Helmand Province, 2007

Top right: The Operational Service Medal for service in Afghanistan

Patrol from 131 Commando Engineers from Kingsbury, Spring 2007

Members of 144 Parachute Medical Squadron from Hornsey in Afghanistan, 2008

25

One Army

The Territorial Army today plays a role as critical to overall military effectiveness as at any point in its history. Indeed, it is difficult to imagine how the Regular Army could meet its present commitments without the combat capability and professional support provided by Territorial soldiers.

This fact underpins the One Army concept, within which TA soldiers are trained, equipped and supported in the same way as their Regular colleagues, and deployed, side by side, in the same theatres of operations.

The TA has changed dramatically over the past 100 years. Its competence and professionalism has earned the respect of Regular Army colleagues where it counts – in operational environments.

In this, our centenary year, 1500 Territorial soldiers from all over the UK will be deployed on operations. This accounts for eight per cent of the deployable Army capability. Over 15,000 Territorials have served on current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Territorial soldiers of London are as proud as Territorials anywhere to be part of this and, not for the first time, to take their place in operational zones alongside their Regular colleagues.

Top right: The new One Army logo

Hearts and minds. A member of the 3rd Military Intelligence Battalion, Iraq, 2007

The vital link. 31st (City of London) Signal Regiment. Communications Exercise, 2007

Petroleum operator from 124 Petroleum Squadron from Romford, securing a pipeline in 2002

101 Engineer Regiment (EOD) frequently assist their Regular colleagues with explosive ordnance disposal tasks

Members of 253 Provost Company have served on all current operations in addition to normal police duties at military events in London

26

Territorial Force Units in London on 1 April 1908

Top right: The formation arm badge of the 47th London Division, worn from its formation in 1908 until disbandment in 1936 when the London Division (TA) and the 1st Anti-Aircraft Division were formed

UNITS ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF LONDON TERRITORIAL FORCE ASSOCIATION Honourable Artillery Company (1st and 2nd City of London Horse Artillery, and Mounted Brigade Ammunition Columns) City of London Yeomanry (The Rough Riders) 1st, 2nd and 3rd City of London Batteries, 1st London Brigade, Royal Field Artillery 1st London Ammunition Column Honourable Artillery Company (Infantry) 1st (City of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) 2nd (City of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) 3rd (City of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) 4th (City of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) 5th (City of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade) 6th (City of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Rifles) (London Rifle Brigade) 7th (City of London) Battalion, The London Regiment 8th (City of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Post Office Rifles) London Mounted Brigade Transport and Supply Column, Army Service Corps 1st, 2nd and 3rd London Field Ambulances, Royal Army Medical Corps 1st and 2nd London General Hospitals, Royal Army Medical Corps 1st London Sanitary Company, Royal Army Medical Corps

UNITS ADMINISTERED BY THE COUNTY OF LONDON TERRITORIAL FORCE ASSOCIATION King Edward’s Horse (The King’s Oversea Dominions Regiment) 1st County of London Yeomanry (The Middlesex, Duke of Cambridge’s Hussars) 2nd County of London Yeomanry (The Westminster Dragoons) 3rd County of London Yeomanry (The Sharpshooters) 4th, 5th and 6th County of London Batteries of 2nd London Brigade, Royal Field Artillery 2nd London Ammunition Column 7th, 8th and 9th County of London Batteries of 3rd London Brigade, Royal Field Artillery 3rd London Ammunition Column 10th and 11th County of London (Howitzer) Batteries of 4th London (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery 4th London (Howitzer) Ammunition Column 12th, 13th and 14th County of London Batteries of the 5th London Brigade, Royal Field Artillery 5th London Ammunition Column 15th, 16th and 17th County of London Batteries of 6th London Brigade, Royal Field Artillery 6th London Ammunition Column 18th, 19th and 20th County of London Batteries of 7th London Brigade, Royal Field Artillery 7th London Ammunition Column 21st and 22nd County of London (Howitzer) Batteries of 8th London (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery

8th London (Howitzer) Ammunition Column 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th London Field Companies of 1st and 2nd London Divisional Royal Engineers 1st and 2nd London Divisional Telegraph Companies, Royal Engineers London Electrical Engineers London Wireless, Cable and Air-Line Telegraph Companies, Royal Engineers London Balloon Company, Royal Engineers 9th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Queen Victoria’s Rifles) 10th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Paddington Rifles) 11th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Finsbury Rifles) 12th (County of London Battalion, The London Regiment (Rangers) 13th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Kensington) 14th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (London Scottish) 15th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Prince of Wales’s Own Civil Service Rifles) 16th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Queen’s Westminster Rifles) 17th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) 18th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (London Irish Rifles) 19th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (St Pancras) 20th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Blackheath and Woolwich) 21st (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (1st Surrey Rifles) 22nd (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (The Queen’s) 23rd (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment 24th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (The Queen’s) 25th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Cyclist) Battalion 28th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Artists Rifles) Inns of Court Officers Training Corps (Senior Division OTC) 1st London Divisional Headquarters Company and 1st, 2nd and 3rd Brigade Companies, Army Service Corps 2nd London Divisional Headquarters Company and 4th, 5th and 6th Brigade Companies, Army Service Corps London Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps 4th, 5th and 6th London Field Ambulances, Royal Army Medical Corps 3rd and 4th General Hospitals, Royal Army Medical Corps 2nd London Sanitary Company, Royal Army Medical Corps

UNITS ADMINISTERED BY THE MIDDLESEX TERRITORIAL ASSOCIATION 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th Battalions, The Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment) Middlesex Brigade Company, Army Service Corps

27

Territorial Army Units in London on 1 April 2008

Top right: The formation arm badge of the 56th London Brigade, incorporating the Sword of the 56th Division from the First World War

The Honourable Artillery Company Regimental Headquarters 1 Squadron 2 Squadron Signal Squadron 3 (Training) Squadron Headquarters Squadron The Honourable Artillery Company BandThe Royal Yeomanry Regimental Headquarters C (Kent and Sharpshooters Yeomanry) Squadron W (Westminster Dragoons) Squadron The Royal Yeomanry Band (Inns of Court and City Yeomanry)100th Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers) 289 Parachute Troop, Royal Artillery (Volunteers)106th (Yeomanry) Regiment, Royal Artillery (Volunteers) 265 (Home Counties) Battery, Royal Artillery (Volunteers)101st (City of London) Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal)Royal Engineers (Volunteers) Regimental Headquarters 217 Field Squadron 131 Independent Commando Squadron, Royal Engineers (Volunteers)31st (City of London) Signal- Regiment (Volunteers) Regimental Headquarters 83 Support Squadron 41 (Princess Louise’s Kensington) Signal Squadron36th (Eastern) Signal Regiment (Volunteers) Regimental Headquarters 54 (East Anglian) Support Squadron71st (Yeomanry) Signal Regiment Regimental Headquarters 47 (Middlesex Yeomanry) Signal Squadron 68 (Inns of Court and City Yeomanry) Signal Squadron 265 (Kent and County of London Yeomanry) Support Squadron The London Regiment Regimental Headquarters A (London Scottish) Company B (Queen’s Regiment) Company C (City of London Fusiliers) Company D (London Irish Rifles) Company HQ (Anzio) Company

7th Battalion The Rifles F Company G Company 4th Battalion The Parachute Regiment 10 Company 21st Special Air Service Regiment (Reserve) 151 (London) Transport Regiment Royal Logistic Corps (Volunteers) 508 (Headquarter) Squadron 210 Transport Squadron 240 Transport Squadron 562 Transport Squadron 3 Military Intelligence Battalion (Volunteers) Battalion Headquarters 31 Military Intelligence Company 32 Military Intelligence Company 33 Military Intelligence Company 5 Military Intelligence Battalion (Volunteers) 51 Military Intelligence Company 256 (City of London) Field Hospital (Volunteers) Regimental Headquarters A Squadron B Squadron C Squadron D Squadron 144 Parachute Medical Squadron (Volunteers) 253 Provost Company, Royal Military Police (Volunteers) Central Volunteer Headquarters Royal Artillery Headquarters Royal Artillery Specialist Pool All Arms Watchkeepers and Liaison Officers Pool Media Operations Group (Volunteers) London District Regional Training Centre London University Officers Training Corps

28

Centenary Celebrations

During 2008, a number of events were held in London to mark the Centenary of the Territorial Army:

The nationally co-ordinated launch of TA100 at the Tower of London on 1 April, when a Press Conference was held, followed by a Feu de Joie fired by the Guns of the Honourable Artillery Company. At the same time, Feus de Joie were fired in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast. The next event was the launch at the National Army Museum on 3 April of the book by Ian Beckett – Territorials – written to commemorate the Centenary of the TA.

On 15 May, nearly 2000 people attended the TA100 Service of Thanksgiving in St Paul’s Cathedral. This was followed by a march through the City by 800 Serving and Retired Territorials of London. All guests then attended one of six Receptions in the City.

On 21 June, the TA100 National Pageant was held on Horse Guards Parade. This was followed by a Reception for 700 guests in St James’s Palace.

On 10 July, the TA100 Royal Garden Party was held at Buckingham Palace. This was attended by HRH The Earl of Wessex and HRH The Princess Royal and 8000 Serving and Retired Territorials and their guests, over 2000 coming from London.

Top right: The Bow Bells formation sign of the 47th London Division in the Second World War

TA100 National Pageant on Horse Guards Parade – Guidons, Standards and Colour Parties

The Standard Bearers of the Regimental Associations on the City March

The City March led by the Regimental Goat and Corps of Drums of the 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh and the Band of The Royal Welsh

Front cover of the book – Territorials

29

Famous London Territorials

LORD DEEDES KBE MC PC DL (‘Bill Deedes’) had a distinguished career as a politician and journalist and was editor of the Daily Telegraph for many years. He joined 2/16th Battalion The London Regiment (Queen’s Westminster Rifles) in 1938. At the outbreak of war, he switched to the King’s Royal Rifle Corps and was awarded the MC in 1945.

SIR EDWARD HEATH KG MBE, the former Prime Minister, was a member of the Honourable Artillery Company, and during World War Two served in the campaign in North West Europe. He commanded the 2nd Regiment HAC from 1947 to 1951.

RONALD COLMAN, the well-known film star of the 1930s and 1940s, joined the London Scottish in 1909, and was serving as a private soldier at Messines, where he was wounded. He was subsequently invalided out of the Army.

FIELD MARSHAL LORD HARDING GCB CBE DSO began his military career as a 17 year old recruit in the 11th Battalion The London Regiment (Finsbury Rifles). When WW1 broke out he joined the Regular Army with Prince Albert’s (Somerset Light Infantry). He became Chief of the Imperial General Staff in 1952 and Military Governor of Cyprus in 1955.

SAM KYDD, a prolific screen actor, joined the TA in 1930 and served in the Queen Victoria Rifles (Davis Street). He was mobilised in 1939, and his unit was heavily engaged in the defence of Calais where he was captured and spent the remainder of the war as a POW. Top right: The Bridge House Mark

adopted as the crest of the 23rd Battalion The London Regiment

30

RFCA 100

The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association was known until 2000 as the Territorial and Auxiliary Volunteer Reserves Association (TAVRA). In London, the Association had been based at the Duke of York’s Headquarters in Chelsea since its foundation as the Territorial Force Association in 1908. The RFCA for Greater London has been unique in having within its constitution a City of London sub-Association.

In 1998, it was announced in Parliament that the Duke of York’s would be sold. The RFCA for Greater London moved to its present home in Fulham in 2002.

There are thirteen RFCAs in the United Kingdom, and they are jointly responsible for the nationwide Reserve Estate, the facilities management of 460 Tri-service Volunteer Reserve Forces sites and 2300 Cadet centres. They carry out Cadet Administration and Adult Instructor recruitment, as well as providing information and support for Reservists and their employers.

The unique regional knowledge of the RFCAs enables them to give Tri-service advice to organisations and to engage with Communities, Local Government, Schools and Colleges and Youth and Veterans organisations.

The RFCA continues to provide advice on welfare, links to Service charities and a regional focus for the promotion of the Armed Forces in Society.

Top right: The logo for the 100th anniversary of the RFCAs

The front of the Duke of York’s Headquarters, Chelsea

Mounted Troop of 68 (Inns of Court and City Yeomanry) Squadron in the Lord Mayor’s Procession

Tri-service Open Day poster produced by the RFCA for Greater London

31

A Century of Recruiting

In 1908, London’s Territorial Association was responsible for recruiting reserve forces under its remit laid out in the Haldane reforms. After WW1, recruiting was still very much based on ‘your local TA unit’ with a mixture of displays and Drill Hall Open Days assisted by War Department publicity that concentrated on opportunities for sport and social activities. In 1947, the Drill Halls were reopened, aiming to recruit both men and women.

In 1958, a major event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the TA took place in Hyde Park, which contributed greatly to the recruiting effort throughout the UK. In 1971, London TA units again held a major recruiting display on Horse Guards Parade. For many years, the main sources of recruiting were the Royal Tournament and the Reserve Forces Open Days, which were run at the Duke of York’s Headquarters.

In 1996, the London District Recruiting and Advisory Team (LADRAT) was formed, not only recruiting for the TA but assisting with recruiting for the Regular Army and the Army Cadet Force.

In 2001, the Open Days were absorbed into a three-day recruiting event held on Horse Guards Parade entitled Operation London Soldier, which after two years, moved to Chelsea Barracks. The RFCA for Greater London handed over their responsibility for recruiting to Headquarters London District in 2007.

Operation London Soldier on Horse Guards Parade, 2002

National recruiting poster from the 1980s, featuring Territorial soldiers from Edgware

Recruiting for 80 (Chelsea) Company WRAC, 1964

10 Company, 4th Battalion The Parachute Regiment recruiting stand at the Reserve Forces Open Day at the Duke of York’s, 1999

Top right: The crossed flags worn by Army Recruiting Sergeants

32

Competitions

The Courage Trophy competition began in 1961, and was originally known as the ‘Tough Training Competition’. Over a two day period, teams of eight men carried out a variety of tests, including map reading, watermanship, weapon skills, first aid and fieldcraft, but most of all physical fitness. The teams would be subjected to gruelling forced marches between tests all the way from the start line at Pirbright in Surrey to the finish on the Sunday afternoon at Alexandra Palace. Before the team could cross the start line, it would be inspected for turnout as well as equipment. In 1964, Courage Breweries first sponsored the competition and presented the Courage Trophy.

In the early 1970s, the general format of the competition changed when in order to capitalise on publicity, each London Borough provided the venue for a stand. Today, the competition and prize-giving are all held at Longmoor and there is now the Courage Shield for female or ‘mixed’ teams.

The Burberry Trophy was also competed for annually, awarded to the Territorial soldier who was considered to have made the greatest contribution to his or her unit and to the Territorial Army. This competition started in 1974. The Trophy itself was an impressive silver chalice, and in the past has been presented by various high profile individuals, including the Queen Mother. In 2004, sponsorship was taken over by Cobra Breweries and the award is now known as the Cobra Trophy.

Courage Trophy winners – 3rd Battalion The Queen’s Surreys from Kingston, 1964

Assault boats crossing the Thames, 1961 Harry Secombe presents the Courage Trophy to 289 Commando Battery from East Ham, 1976

William Whitelaw MP presents the Burberry Trophy to 71 Signal Regiment, 1971

Top right: Courage Breweries emblem

On Visiting Cabarate Rouge

We saw some Riflemen today, well just the graves where they lay

Richards, Compton, Frances and Lee who served at Flodden Road like me.

But since they pulled the old hall downAnd there no more the wild hunt sounds.

If I forget, who will remain to say aloud or think of names of Richards,

Compton, Frances and Lee ‘who served at Flodden Road like me.’

33

Lest We Forget

During the 1920s, numerous war memorials were erected in tribute to the sacrifice of London Territorial Army units during the First World War. These memorials took many different forms – from the simple book of remembrance in the local church to the stone memorials still found outside the older Drill Halls. These memorials listing the names of all those who fell from the local unit can still be seen in many London TA Centres.

In 1925, two large wooden cross memorials commemorating the sacrifice of the 47th (London) Territorial Division were removed from the Somme battlefield and re-erected at the Duke of York’s Headquarters. Both crosses now stand at the TA Centre in Flodden Road.

The London Troops Memorial that stands in the City in front of the Royal Exchange was erected in 1920 and is dedicated to all those from London units who fell in the conflicts of 1914 – 1919 and 1939 – 1945. At the same time as the original dedication, the Drill Halls of the London units were each presented with a bronze plaque depicting the London Troops Memorial. Many of these plaques still remain in place today.

Memorials in words can be just as poignant. A Territorial soldier from London, after a Battlefield Tour in 1980, was moved to write On Visiting Cabarate Rouge.

Drill Hall Memorial PlaqueTop right: The Poppy - the symbol of National Remembrance

London Troops Memorial outside the Royal Exchange

Terry Grantham

“They have daily lives every bit as ordinary and banal as yours and mine but who find themselves in time of war, called upon to do an extraordinary second job in a very dangerous place.” Audrey Gillian, Special Correspondent, The Guardian, Southern Iraq, 2004

Acknowledgements:Leslie Vial

Ray Westlake Imperial War Museum

National Army Museum ArchiveHonourable Artillery Company Archive

London Scottish MuseumReserve Forces and Cadets Association for Greater London Archive

Troops from 151 (London) Transport Regiment RLC (V) take the train to Town for their Iraq campaign medal presentation by the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone