To copy highlight, right mouse click copy and paste either into Microsoft word or Notepad then print.

Mr & Mrs R Fletcher

6 Riversdale Drive

Goole

DN14 5LH

Tele:- 01405 763235 

E-mail ronxrh3873@aol.com

  Shiners Newsletter Summer 2005    

   First of all we would like to apologise for the lateness of this letter. I am supposed to be retired but still get called in to work. I am known as super-sub.

    Once again we will start with the sad news in the order of which we were informed.

    The first was Colonel Sir Piers Bengough who died on 18^th April 2005. The funeral was strictly a family affair and it was requested no flowers or letters were sent.

    At almost the same time we heard that Mary Austin (Bunny Austin’s widow) died on 24^th April.

    Bob Courtney’s wife, Sheila, passed away on 4^th May aged 70. She had tumours which spread to her liver. Again, family flowers only were requested.

    Tony Slocombe collapsed and died suddenly on 10^th May, aged 75. Although he was 75 he still had a little job on the pier at Weston-super-Mare and that was where he collapsed. We sent a card and spray of flowers on behalf of the Shiners.

     I am sure you will all have heard that Tony Bentley died on 25^th June aged 59. Although he was at the Swindon lunch he did not look well but said he had put on a bit of weight  and was optimistic. I did not go to his funeral but apparently he had a good send-off by the Shiners. Liz was naturally very upset. She held her court very well and very kindly said she would continue to organise the Swindon lunch in memory of Tony. One comment on a web-site was that Tony had gone to the great tank park in the sky. No doubt he will be getting on with some track bashing up there. A card and flowers were sent on behalf of the Shiners.

      On 3^rd July we heard that Jim Thirst was terminally ill. With that news I phoned Jim, which was the first time I had spoken to him for many years. I was trying to choose my words carefully when speaking to him but he put me at ease, being the resilient man that he was. He said he had the dreaded Big C all over and hadn’t long to live. He said he was not bothered as he had had a good life and his only concern was the people he was leaving behind. As you know Jim was seconded initially to the Army Air Corps in the late 50s or early 60s. After that I did not see him any more with the regiment. I assume he completed his service with the Army Air Corps and he ended as a captain. A few days later we heard he had died on 12^th July. Again no flowers were sent by request. Pete Hill put on his web-site that he now has his real wings.   

      Finally some of you may remember Roy Dock. He had not been in the Shiners very long. His daughter said he had been to one reunion recently and although he did not know anyone he thoroughly enjoyed being among old comrades. He died in his sleep on 24^th July. I have an idea he was in the regiment in the Lubeck days. We did not get the news until after his funeral.

      All the news I get I immediately put on various web-sites but I realise not everyone has access to the www. So I apologise for repeating myself.

      Much appeared in the media regarding the incident in Iraq, namely the death of Lance Corporal Alan Brackenbury and also there was a big splash in our local rag  as his family came from Goole where we live. I phoned his parents, introduced myself and told them about the amalgamation of the regiments. I offered my condolences on behalf of the 10^th Royal Hussars and asked if they would mind if we sent a wreath on behalf of the Shiners club and his father said “why not bring it yourself with as many Shiners as possible, you would be most welcome". There were 8 Shiners attended. It was a full military funeral at the village church in East Cowick, near Goole. There were about 500 personnel attended. Colonel Kay presented his cap, belt, medals and Union Flag to his mother. There must have been at least 100 military personnel there who had come from Iraq and Tidworth. Pete Jagger’s son, who is a sergeant came with a party from Tidworth and he spoke to us and thanked us for coming and said what an excellent turn out it was. The personnel who were also injured in the incident came to the funeral, they had various nuts and bolts protruding from limbs which I thought showed remarkable courage. Colonel Kay was also one of the people we knew and he showed his appreciation for us turning up as well as Major Willis, Colonel Willis’ son, with whom we had quite a conversation. While having refreshments after the funeral we spoke to a couple of senior ranks (the burial party) who said the regiment is coming home next year and time permitting, will see what can be done regarding a visit, but in the present climate things in Iraq are getting worse not better so it is all supposition. The members of the Shiners who did attend remarked how smart the young soldiers looked, proudly wearing their medals, in contrast to the other youths we see every day mugging elderly people and doing robberies to feed their drug addiction.

     Topper Brown had a stroke on 11^th May and is improving steadily. He was discharged from hospital prematurely because of the bed shortage on 8^th July due to the London bombs.

      While at Swindon Bill Haw asked me to mention in the next newsletter that he is looking for the 10^th Royal Hussars Gazette, Volume XIX, No 4, Autumn 1947 and Spring and Summer previous to the above. If anyone can help Bill’s phone number is 0191 5141266.

       Also while at Swindon, Tony Preston stood up and gave information on the Aden Veterans Association, he said he was the only 10th Royal Hussars man in the Association and was looking for members of the regiment to join. He went on to say there are various perks for members. He personally had been invited to the Queen’s Garden Party. Reduced rates on North Sea Ferries and various other things are available. Further information can be obtained from Tony. His phone number is 01379 650885.

      John Hewitt has been sent some T-shirts from the regiment with the 10^th Hussars badge on them (the Prince of Wales feathers, Ich Dien and XRH).They are black or army green. If you would like one they can be purchased from John. His phone number is 01325 352881.

      Also he has had a phone call from General Friedberger stating that the attendance of 10^th Hussars  personnel at the Cavalry Memorial Parade was rather thin on the ground and he respectfully asked people to consider attending. If you are attending it is advisable to book early because of security arrangements, especially after what has happened recently. Again, ring John for details. 

      Regarding the Arboretum, John had a phone call saying the plinth was in disrepair. This has now been rectified. In future John and myself are going down to the Arboretum every 2-3 months laden with tools to check everything is in good order, e.g. stain for the seats, clean flag, etc. On that note we had a letter from Kath Edwards with a photo of the plinth and a wreath she had taken for what would have been her and Frank’s 50^th wedding anniversary on 4th June and she again visited on 5^th July for Frank’s birthday. The wreath was as big as the plinth with laurel leaves round the outside and the badge in the middle, it must have cost a fortune. She said it was a very nice day and with her friends had a lovely couple of hours there.

       One of our stalwarts from the regiment and a regular at Stockport, Pete Woods, is very ill. He has had various tests and chemotherapy and is going in to hospital, hopefully on 17^th August for operation on 18^th for removal of his stomach. He was told by the consultant to inform his family of the seriousness of the condition. He is very optimistic. It only remains to say, on behalf of all Shiners, we are all pulling for you Pete and we wish you a speedy recovery.

       Had an email out of the blue from Gordon Callard (Ringo) ex 1^st troop, C squadron. He is trying to find Alf Gee who was attached to the 10^th Hussars in the late 50s at Tidworth. Apparently Pete Woods has a photo of Alf which he is sending to Ringo who lives in Australia. If anyone has any further information please phone us and we can email Ringo.

        On the question of Stockport. Acton Court phoned and said they had several functions on the same weekend as ours and they were filling up quickly and were urging any Shiners to book as soon as possible. At the moment we have only 20+ who have sent for tickets, we need at least another 50 so please start sending for your tickets. We have to inform the Acton Court of numbers for catering etc. I am getting rather nervous as this time last year we had double. This will be the last letter before Stockport so please do not forget raffle prizes etc. We had a very good weekend last year, let us better it this year.

        Brian Searby is still having problems with his stumps which are not healing well. Depending on his progress this years visit to Stockport is doubtful.

       Apologies for this being a basically sombre newsletter but I suppose it keeps everyone up to date.

       Subs are down to a trickle but many thanks to those who have sent subs and donations. Every little helps with postage etc and funeral flowers.

       That’s all for the moment. Hope to see multitudes of you at Stockport.

                 Regards to all.