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1943 MT SECTION AT BELFORD, NORTHUMBERLAND FROM WO2 ALF COOKE

Back : Ptes Thatcher, Winter, Thoby; LCpl Steel; Ptes Alf Cooke, B Woodhouse, K Bell, B Overton & Harvey.
Middle : Ptes Woolnough (KIA Normandy), unknown, Bertrand, Bailey, Chilvers, unknown; LCpls Beaton & Jupp; unknown and Pte Surfield.
Front : LCpl Peck; Pte Miller, LCpl Hudson, Sgt E Jones (REME), Sgt Unknown, Lt Beeson (MTO), Sgt Harry Graves; LCpls E Folkes & Grimes; Pte Abbot.

Alf kindly provided the following notes. Previously, in 1942, they were part of 24 Guards (Independent) Bde Gp to Sep 1942 then 185 Bde and attached to 79 Armoured Division, Northern Command, with Bn HQ and HQ Coy at Knaresborough, Yorkshire. At the end of Mar 1943, 185 Bde was transferred to the 3rd Division and on 10 Apr 1943 moved to Belford. HQ Coy were based at Belford Hall. In Jul 1943 1 R Norfolk moved to Scotland. 87 in Dec 2006, Alf was called up aged 20 in 1940, serving with 1 R Norfolk and, for his last 2 years, with 4 R Anglian, retiring in 1962. He then worked for 23 yrs in the Civil Service.

B&C 88 Jun 97 carried a piece from Ted Riches, writing to say he thought he was the only Other Rank posted to the 24th Guards Independent Bde Group HQ. ‘In 1941 I accompanied Maj (then Capt) WEG Bagwell, posted as Intelligence Officer. This Group was considered an elite formation, comprising as it did the 1st Bns of the Guards Regiments. I understood we were to be a force ready for the defence of London District. The shoulder flash was in the form of a Viking’s helmet wing, red on dark blue. I was told by Brig FAM Browning’s driver/batman that the flash was copied from a signet ring worn by Brig Browning and that it was the crest of the de Maurier family. Daphne de Maurier, the author, was the wife of the Brigadier. I was well treated and respected by all the Guards personnel with whom I was quartered and never shown any hint of arrogance or supposed superiority. When Maj Bagwell bought me a cap to replace my forage cap, a Guardsman promptly boiled it in a Burco boiler, then trampled on it but eventually bulled it up in Guards style! It looked a bit ‘Rommellish’. At Bde HQ I looked after the Queen’s Private Secretary, Maj (later Sir Arthur) Penn and others who made flying visits, staying in the upper floors of the house, including General Charrington of the Ale family and General Montgomery. Brig Browning took a walk before dinner, always greeted me and frequently asked how I was faring in the Group.’
(1 Norfolk’ were a unit of 24th Guards Independent Bde Group 12 Sep 41 to 10 Sep 42. Ed.)
[ B&C 107]