Issue 1 GREEN HOWARDS IN THE AIR (Green Howards Who Flew With the RFC)

EDITORIAL COMMENT

Welcome to the first issue of our new look magazine; a combination of The Friends of the Regimental Museum newsletter and the Green Howards Gazette, designed to keep former Green Howards in touch with the Regiment.

As it is no longer primarily an historical document, we will be featuring far more photographs, and far less in-depth text. This new magazine will cover all aspects of the Green Howards' activities and achievements - be they Friends of the museum, the museum itself, regulars, territorials, cadets or veterans. It is hoped readers will provide some feedback on the new look 40-page magazine. Like the former newsletter it will appear each April and September and we will try to keep everyone up-to-date with everything concerning the Green Howards.

As 2006 is the 90th Anniversary of the Battle of The Somme (July-November 1916) it was thought appropriate to devote the historical section to those Green Howards who flew with the Royal Flying Corps (RFC). Much has been written about the war in the trenches and the appalling casualties on 1st July 1916, but far less about the fierce battle for domination of the skies above the Western Front.

Wing Commander Jim Brown, one of our Museum Guides, has spent the last six months researching the Green Howards who flew with the RFC. Initially we had 20 names, but thanks to his diligence and tenacity we now have 69 names of members of the old Yorkshire Regiment. Also, Stuart Leslie, from Scalby (Scarborough), has kindly provided archive photographs to support his research and the air historian, Robert Jackson, provided much background information about the development of the RFC and its transformation into the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1918.

Initially, Jim Brown created a temporary exhibition in the museum with the help of Lieutenant-Colonel David Patterson AFC from the Army Museum of Flying in Middle Wallop, but has now provided his research for this magazine and the museum's archives.

I hope you enjoy reading our new biannual magazine, 'The Green Howard'.

Major Roger Chapman
September 2006

AMALGAMATION

At a moving ceremony in Banja Luka, Bosnia, on 6th June 2006, each member of the regular 1st Battalion The Green Howards replaced his silver Green Howard cap-badge with that of the bronze and silver Yorkshire Regiment badge. The green square background still remains on the khaki beret. This event marked the amalgamation of the Green Howards with the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire and the Duke of Wellington's Regiment into a new, large Yorkshire Regiment. Over 318 years as an independent infantry of the line regiment had come to an end.

THE LAST COLONEL OF THE GREEN HOWARDS AND NEW LIFE PRESIDENT OF THE FRIENDS

At the end of May the Colonel of The Green Howards, Brigadier J. S. W. Powell OBE, visited the 1st Battalion, The Green Howards at their operational base in Banja Luka, Bosnia. The purpose of the visit was to say 'good luck and farewell' to serving soldiers and old friends, before the Regimental amalgamation on 6th June 2006.

Brigadier Powell, whose father also served with The Green Howards, was educated at Marlborough College and Durham University.

He was appointed as the Colonel of The Green Howards from Lieutenant-General F. R. Dannatt on llth May 2003 prior to the announcement that the Regiment was to become the 2nd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, as part of the Future Army Structure (FAS). Since then, the Colonel has worked tirelessly to ensure that the traditions, spirit and character of The Green Howards was transferred into the new Regiment and Battalion.

The visit included a trip to Sarajevo, where 'B' (King Harald) Company is currently deployed, a tour of the camp in Banja Luka and a Regimental Dinner where members of both the Officers' and Sergeants' Messes had the opportunity to discuss the new Regiment and look forward to the future.

It was a clearly sad and emotional trip for the Brigadier, knowing that this was his last visit as Colonel and the end of the final chapter in The Green Howards Regimental History. Despite his deep personal and family connections with the Regiment, Brigadier Powell said:

'Although the day is tinged with an air of sadness, we will never forget the privilege of being Green Howards, with its long and uninterrupted history. I am confident that the professionalism and operational reputation of the serving soldiers of The Green Howards will be carried forward into this new and exciting Yorkshire Regiment. This new Regiment will, I am sure, become the premier Infantry Line Regiment.'

Brigadier Powell has agreed to succeed his father, the late Colonel G. S. Powell MC, as Life President of The Friends. We are sure you will join with us in extending a warm welcome to him.

----------------> Return to the Top of the Page

THE END OF AN ERA

On 6th June 2006, The Green Howards marched into history. After 318 years service, Teesside and North Yorkshire's historic infantry battalion became the 2nd Battalion of the newly formed Yorkshire Regiment. The merger saw them join forces with the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire and the Duke of Wellington's Regiment.

The creation of the new Regiment followed the cutting of four infantry regiments and the restructuring of the remainder by The Right Honourable Geoff Hoon MP, Secretary of State for Defence in 2004.

The Yorkshire Regiment will consist of four battalions - three regular and one territorial - consisting of some 2,300 officers and soldiers.

The Green Howards Territorial Companies of The Tyne-Tees Regiment changed their cap badges at ceremonies in Stockton Road, Middlesbrough, and Coldyhill Lane, Scarborough, on the same evening. Whereas Green Howard Cadets from the Army Cadet Force and Combined Cadet Force attended aspecial parade in Imphal Barracks, York,
on 10th June 2006 where they were personally given their new cap badges by Major General The Duke of Westminster, the Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Reserves and Cadets).

Lieutenant-General Nick Houghton, the new Colonel of the Yorkshire Regiment (a former Green Howard) urged every member to wear the new cap badge with pride at a special Formation Parade in York Museum Gardens on 10th June 2006. "A new era is beginning and you can be proud to be at the very start of something new, exciting and challenging."

----------------> Return to the Top of the Page

RENAMING OF THE RHQ AND MUSEUM, AND THE LAST TEMPORARY EXHIBITION

Last-minute preparations were completed on the morning of 6th June 2006 in Richmond market-place. The offices in the tower of Holy Trinity Church have been renamed 'The Yorkshire Regiment Area Office' and a brass plate screwed onto the outer wall, whilst the lettering above the entrance to the medieval church has been rearranged to read 'The Green Howards Regimental Museum'.

The old Green Howards Regimental Headquarters is no more. The new Yorkshire Regiment Headquarters is based in 3 Tower Street, York, where Lieutenant-Colonel David O'Kelly (a former Green Howard) has taken up the appointment as the new Regimental Secretary. The new C2 positions for both the Area Office in Richmond and the Area Office in Halifax have yet to be appointed.

Meanwhile, officers from The Green Howards who flew with the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) on the Western Front in 1916 during World War One, are featured in the temporary exhibition on the lower ground floor of the museum to mark the 90th Anniversary of the Battle of The Somme.

The names of 69 Green Howards and a model wearing a leather helmet, goggles and flying greatcoat represent the men who flew as observers or pilots in many of the aircraft, of which models are on display. Their main duties during the Battle of The Somme were photo reconnaissance and observation, although many got into aerial combat
with German fighter aircraft. The displays of model aircraft, photographs and military ephemera are a result of the research and efforts of Jim Brown, a Museum Guide, who was a former Wing Commander in the Royal Air Force.

Alongside the exhibition is a tribute to the four Green Howards who were awarded the supreme award for gallantry in the face of the enemy, the Victoria Cross, during the four-month Battle of The Somme (1st July - 30th November 1916):

Major Stewart Loudon-Shand VC
10th Battalion
Second-Lieutenant Donald Bell VC
9th Battalion
Private William Short VC
8th Battalion
Captain Archie White VC MC
6th Battalion

The display remains open until 1st October 2006, when the museum shuts for major renovations to the lower ground floor where - thanks to Heritage Lottery Funding - a new shop, reception counter, 'hands-on' area for children, research area with computer work stations and new offices will be installed. The museum will open again on 2nd April 2007.

GREEN HOWARDS IN THE AIR

Issue 1, September 2006
Contents

TIME LINE

A potted history from 1884, when a Balloon Unit was formed attached to the Royal Engineers, through to 1968.
From the formation of the Balloon Unit, to the establishment of the Royal Flying Corps (1912), and the formation of the Royal Air Force (1918).

THE ROYAL FLYING CORPS

The origins of the Royal Flying Corps, and the route by which those in regiments could become pilots or observers in this new organisation.
At least 68 Green howards, and probably an unknown number of other ranks emplyed as ground crew, were seconded to the RFC.

SELECTION AND TRAINING

An insight into the process whereby Officers in the Green Howards became pilots, illustrated by the accounts of Second Lieutenant Geoffrey McCall, Lieutenant Hugh Morkill, and Captain Stuart Grant-Dalton.

WORLD WAR ONE

Five pages of personal stories are used to illustrate life, and death, flying with the RFC in the First World War.

THE ROYAL AIR FORCE

Further stories, with a large number of illustrations, of service in the RAF in its early days.

THE GREEN HOWARDS WHO SERVED WITH THE RFC & RAF

Details of the 68 known Green Howards who served with the RFC and RAF, - their careers and promotions, and deaths when killed in action.