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The
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Previous News Items, April - June 2008 |
| Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment (19th Foot) The North York Militia, The North York Local Militia & North York Rifle Volunteers | ||
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AFTER 99 YEARS FAMILY SEES REGIMENTAL COLOURS GUARDED BY GREAT-GRANDFATHER
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Frank Hopkins in Richmond |
Sharon, Frank and Sophie Hopkins in the Normanby
Room, the Green Howards Museum |
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When Frank Hopkins and his family visited the Green Howards Regimental Museum in Richmond on MONDAY 9 JUNE, they were reunited with the colours of the Regiment's 2nd Battalion that Frank's great-grandfather escorted after it was presented by King Edward VII exactly 99 years ago.
Frank, with his wife Sharon and daughter Sophie, was at the Museum to present copies of a series of photographs that trace the association of the Hopkins Family with the Green Howards - including a picture of the escort of the colours at Scarborough Railway Station in June 1909.
Mr Hopkins' great-grandfather - also called Frank - later joined the Scarborough Pals, the army unit formed in the town in 1915 that went on to distinguish itself in some of the hardest battles of World War I, including Ypres and Passchendaele. Another picture shows Mr Hopkins' grandfather - another Frank - and his two brothers, who all joined the Yorkshire Regiment (as the Green Howards were then known).
The next generation was also in the Regiment. Mr Hopkins' father served 27 years in the Green Howards, becoming a provost sergeant and colour sergeant. He served around the world including several tours in Northern Ireland, where he was shot and wounded in the arm. He died in 2002. Now the fourth-generation Frank Hopkins is continuing the family tradition. He served in the Territorial Army with the 4/5 Battalion The Green Howards, and has worked with the Green Howards-affiliated Combined Cadet Force at Scarborough College, receiving a Commission in 2003.
David Tetlow, Curator of the Green Howards Museum, says, 'The colours of
the Green Howards' 2nd Battalion have pride of place in the Normanby Room
in the Museum, and we were delighted to welcome the Hopkins family to see
it 99 years on, and very grateful for the fascinating photographs of four
generations of the same family in the Regiment.'
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STORY OF RESCUE BY ELEPHANT UNCOVERED IN GREEN HOWARDS GIFT
Captain (later Colonel) John Reginald "Reg" Wilson
Papers and objects associated with a remarkable but little-known episode of World War II that included the rescue of refugees with the help of elephants have been presented to the Green Howards Regimental Museum in Richmond.
The records of John Reginald "Reg" Wilson from Scarborough, who spent most of his career as a tea planter in Assam, have been given to the Museum by his nephew Brian Wilson, who lives in Cornwall. During the War John Reginald "Reg" Wilson served in the 5th (Scarborough) Battalion The Green Howards. In the summer of 1942 he took part in operations to assist a group of British people who were fleeing from the Japanese invasion of Burma.
The refugees had chosen to attempt the most dangerous of the routes between Burma and India, the 8000-foot Chaukan Pass. The journey was fraught with danger, and by the middle of June a group had become stranded by rising floodwaters on an island in the middle of the dangerous Dapha River. Captain Wilson was sent to join another Assam tea planter, Squadron Leader Gyles Mackrell, who was already attempting to organise a rescue by elephant, the only way of crossing the river in spate.
Wilson, with 60 men, joined Mackrell and his elephants on 17 June. Mackrell was ill with malaria at this time, and Wilson supplied him with aspirin and quinine. Nevertheless, on 21 June, Wilson and Mackrell managed to organise the elephant convoy to cross to the island and rescue eight of the trapped men on that day. Until 17 July he was at Mackrells's side, assisting with organisation and making repeated crossings of the river to rescue and supply others making the dangerous crossing.
After his dramatic time on the Burmese border, Wilson continued to work for the Army, working as a V-Force intelligence colonel with the 14th Army and earning commendations from General Stillwell, the American Chief of Staff in India, from Field Marshal Hartley, British Commander-in-Chief-in India and from General Cheng, the Army Commander of the Chinese Army in India - all of which have been given to the Green Howards Museum. Also in the collection is a more personal memento - a silver cigarette case engraved with the signatures of the eight men he rescued in June 1943, with the inscription 'To Captain J R Wilson with gratitude for having saved our lives Dapha River 21st June 1942'.
After the War John Reginald "Reg" Wilson continued his career in India, becoming Secretary and Deputy Chairman of the Assam Tea-Growers organisation. He was awarded the OBE (also now in the Green Howards Museum) for his work in India, and he retired to Scarborough in 1959.
David Tetlow, Curator of the Green Howards Museum, says, 'The story of John Reginald "Reg" Wilson's war was unknown to us until his nephew presented this remarkable collection of artefacts to the Museum. We are really grateful to have learned about this remarkable man, who was a Green Howards officer and a very respected and highly-inspirational resident in Assam for many years.'
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The eight men saved by Wilson on 21 June 1942,
who inscribed his cagarette case |
Elephants crossing the Dapha River |
Inscription on WIlson's cigarette case, with the
signatures of the men he saved in 21 June 1942 |
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FREEDOM PARADES BY THE 2nd BATTALION YORKSHIRE REGIMENT (THE GREEN HOWARDS)
On their return from their recent tour of duty in Afghanistan, the 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (the Green Howards) carried out six Freedom Parades in the following towns;-
Middlesbrough, - Wednesday 18 June (a.m.)
Redcar, - Wednesday 18 June (p.m.)
Harrogate, - Friday 20 June (a.m)
Richmond, - Friday 20 June (p.m)
Scarborough, - Saturday 21 June (a.m)
Bridlington, - Saturday 21 JUne (p.m)
Colour Sergeant Stuart Coles, <yorkswebmaster@btconnect.com>, RHQ Yorkshire Regiment, has provided the story and photos of the Middlesbrough and Redcar Freedom Parades. Select the links below to see the stories and photos. The photos for the other Freedom Parades have been supplied by the Yorkshire Regiment RHQ.
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Bridlington Freedom Parade |
Harrogate Freedom Parade |
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MIddlesbrough Freedom Parade |
Redcar Freedom Parade |
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Richmond Freedom Parade |
Scarborough Freedom Parade |
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PRINCESS ROYAL MEETS GREEN HOWARDS IN-PENSIONERS AT THE CHELSEA HOSPITAL FOUNDERS' DAY PARADE (5 JUNE 2008)
The Princess Royal talking to In-Pensioner Billy Walker, ex-Green Howard
Captain (Retd.) Tom Wharton was amongst a party from ex-Green Howards who attended the Founders' Day Parade at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, on Thursday 5 June 2008. The Princess Royal reviewed the Parade, and afterwards spoke to the In-Pensioners.
The In-Pensioners included Ex-Green Howard Sergeant Billy Walker, Acting CSM No 3 Company.
Captain Wharton has sent in some photos of the event, which can be viewed below (in addition to the photo above), and has provided a brief history of the Royal Hospital.
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The Chelsea Hospital Founders' Day Parade |
Captain Wharton with Four In-Pensioners |
The Green Howards Contingent at the Parade, Maj Peter Ross, Capt (Ret)Tom Wharton, WO1 Robson,Yeoman Warder Ken McGrath, WO2 Phil Hayes MBE, Lt Col (Ret) David O'Kelly Regimental Secretary The Yorkshire Regiment. (Sitting) In-Pensioner Sgt Bill Walker, Green Howards. |
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The History of the Royal Hospital
Three centuries ago, King Charles II, mindful of the part played by the
Army in his restoration to the throne, implemented his idea for the foundation
of a home, or hospice, for his old soldiers. On the 7th December 1681, he
issued a Royal Warrant for the foundation of a hospita l"forthe relief
of such Land Soldiers as are, or shall be old, lame or infirme in the Service
of the Crowne".
In 1682, work started on the 66 acre site which the King purchased for the project. However, due mainly to a continuous shortage of funds, it was to take another ten years before the building was properly completed. The Architect Sir Christopher Wren, modelled his plan - though on a smaller scale - on Louis X1V's Hotel des Invalides in Paris. Before he died in 1685, Charles II would have seen Figure Court - the scene of our Founders Day Parade - in much the same form as we see it today.
He was followed by his brother King James II, a distinguished soldier who
did much to improve the development of the Royal Hospital. He also approved
the scarlet coat which has survived to this day as the uniform of the Chelsea
In-Pensioner. The Royal Hospital was finally completed and the first In-Pensioners
entered in 1692 in the reign of William and Mary.
It is King Charles II whom we remember today as the Founder, and on this
occasion the King's statue is decorated with oak leaves, in memory of his
escape after the battle of Worcester in 1651 when he took refuge from his
pursuers in an oak tree.
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INAUGURAL YORKSHIRE REGIMENT GOLF MATCH (16 May 2008)
A group photo of those who took part in the tournament.
The inaugural Regiment Golf Match was played at Sandburn Hall Golf Course. Forty-five members of the Regiment took part, with a good mixture of retired and serving members. The standard of golf was reflected in the scoring (or in the marking, depending upon whether you won or lost). The results of the competition were:
* Winner (44 points) Jonny Purvis.
* Runner up (43 points) John Fielding.
* Third Place (40 points on a count back) Mick Sullivan.
* Longest Drive - Leigh Flitcroft.
* Nearest the 18th Pin - John Handley.
The Regimental Trophy was won by the 2nd Battalion by 8 Stableford Points. The scores: 1st Battalion - 641; 2nd Battalion - 649; 3rd Battalion unplaced due to insufficient numbers. Photos of prizewinners are below.
The 2009 match will be run by the 2nd Battalion, dates to be announced.
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| The colonel of the Regiment presents Jonny Purvis, competition winner, with the 1st prize and 2 bottles of Yorkshire Regiment beer. | The Colonel of the Regiment presents the trophy for the winning battalion - received on behalf of the 2nd Battalion by Major (Retd) Bob Martin MBE | |
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RICHMOND FIRE CAUSES EVACUATION OF MUSEUM
The Fire Brigade outside Trinity Church, which houses the Museum and Yorkshire
Regiment Area RHQ.
The Green Howards Museum had to close today for over an hour,
and museum staff were evacuated from the building, due to fire spreading
through the roof of an adjoining building. The fire started in the family
run fish restaurant, causing extensive damage though fortunately no one
was injured.
Fireman entered the museum to conduct a heat test, before staff were given
the all clear to re-enter the building. There is no damage to the museum
building or collection.
We have reassured Cannon Cooper that all is well within the chapel, and
there is no damage to either the chapel or the stained glass window.
The Fire Brigade tackling the fire in the Fish and Chip shop that adjoins
the Museum
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MUSEUM EXHIBITION TELLS THE STORY OF RICHMOND'S BARRACKS
Green Howards Museum Barracks Exhibition - l to r Joseph McKeon (9), Benji
Thomas (14), Dawn Thomas with William Cooper (3)
Generations of Green Howards soldiers who trained at the former Barracks on Gallowgate in Richmond between 1877 and 1961 are remembered in a new exhibition in the Regimental Museum.
'Over the Wall' tells the story of Richmond Barracks, from the laying of the foundations in 1875 as part of Army reforms. It was one of only 26 new barracks to be built in the country - other places used existing buildings - and reflected the latest in military thinking. It initially housed the Depot Company of the 19th Regiment (as the Green Howards were then formally known), who moved from temporary accommodation in Richmond Castle to the new building in 1877.
Often known as 'The Depot', the barracks continued to train recruits to the Green Howards for the next 84 years, and thousands of soldiers passed through its gates. Renamed Alma Barracks, after the Green Howards' most famous battle honour, the Depot closed in 196I.
Taken over by the Home Office, it became an Approved School for boys aged 13 to 18. The gym, which for a time was still used by the Green Howards as the Regimental Museum before it moved to its new location in the former Trinity Church in the centre of Richmond, was refurbished for use by the boys. Many of the other buildings were demolished. In the 1980s the School - now known as a Community Home - became the responsibility of the County Council, which closed it and sold the site. It is now houses, some of them converted from the original buildings.
The new exhibition in the Regimental Museum shows photographs of the Barracks throughout its history, and includes reminiscences of some of the people who trained and lived there. Among them was Peter Etherington, who recalled, 'I was issued with a pair of boots which were brown in colour and they were made during the war for the Australian troops, so my first job was to blacken these boots.' One of Peter's blacked boots is on display.
David Tetlow, Curator of The Green Howards Museum, says, 'We have had a number of people - both old soldiers and people who live there - now coming to see us to ask about the Barracks and what went on 'over the wall' at the top of Gallowgate so it seemed an excellent subject for an exhibition. It has created a great deal of interest and we have had lots of people telling us their memories of their time at The Depot.'
Green Howards Barracks Exhibition - the Parade Square in 1912
Green Howards Barracks Exhibition - the Gymnasium
