Norfolk Section
The Britannia and Castle		      

 It is not our policy to display telephone numbers, home or e-mail addresses
of contributors on this site but the webmaster is quite willing to do so if you wish 
Charles Richard High 2 R Nfk   Copy sought of Vol 3 of the Regimental History 1919-1951   Copy sought of the 2 R Anglian commemorative book of the 1994 Bosnia tour   Korea Hill 118 24 Jul 1952   Love Your Freedom ?   MMG Pl 1953 photograph from Cpl Peter 'Ossie' Osbourne   USS Algol 1940s photographs sought   Video of Pte Pooley's Revenge   How do we verify that Robert Scase was a survivor of Le Paradis ?   Edith Cavell and the Tunmore Family   Origins of the 4th Bn OCA   1941 sailing on the Georgic from the Clyde   1947 Georgic Memories by Peter Mallin   1950 Georgic Memories by Carole Cockshott   1950-51 Georgic Memories by Jo Snelling   1952-53 Georgic Memories by Trevor Wright   1955 Georgic memories by Albert Davies   1955 Georgic Memories of her last voyage by Brian Aspinall
Site compliments : Andy Marsh, Dave Ingham and Andrew Thomas

The above index entries are in random order !
CONTACT
Make contact with correspondents via the Norfolk Section Editor or RHQ, Britannia House, TA Centre, 325 Aylsham Rd, Norwich, NR3 2AB. Tel 01603 400290.

Click photographs to enlarge

MMG Pl Hong Kong 1953Vera Lynn with Nfks in Korea from 22808594 Cpl Peter aka Ossy Osbourne.jpg (25357 bytes)MMG PL, SP COY, 1 R NORFOLK IN HONG KONG 1953
22808594 Cpl Peter Osbourne said: ‘Known as “Ossie Osbourne” I would like to contact as many of those featured as possible. I am sitting in the front row on the left of the cup and sitting centre row above me is Lt AP Towell MC.
Also there are Sgts Denny and Clough.
On the right is Vera Lynn in Hong Kong.'
[B&C 106]

4TH BN OLD COMRADES ASSOCIATION ORIGINS
Chairman WO2 Pat Budds wrote concerning the origins of 1/4th Norfolks OCA. There are 2 versions:
1. It started after WW1 along with the Officers' Dinner Club and
2. It started just before WW2.
The Norfolk Editor's earliest 'Britannia' of Sep 1939 refers to a dinner that Apr.
Can anyone help?
[B&C 106]
Afternote by Webmaster: Maj Tom Eaton OBE TD DL provided the answer. Click here for it.
Thanks Tom. Ed)

LOVE YOUR FREEDOM?
Michael High in Alberta, Canada, who served for 8 years with the Black Watch Royal Highlanders of Canada, has a Canadian Veteran’s ending to his e-mails:
‘Love your Freedom?
Thank a Vet.’
[B&C 106]

CHARLES RICHARD HIGH - 2 R NORFOLK
A site by Michael High, see above, www.geocities.com/hollywood/theater/7041/
is dedicated to his uncle Charles Richard High, 2 R Norfolk. The husband of Elizabeth Mary High, of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, he served in India pre-WW2 and died between 10 May and 2 Oct 1940. He is buried in Lestrem Cemetery.
[B&C 106]

LT COL BILL MURRAY BROWN
Further to the appeal in B&C 105 Dec 05 from Bill's son Rob Murray Brown, Rob sought to purchase a copy of Vol 3 of the Regimental History 1919-1951. He informed the Norfolk Editor in Jan 07 that a copy had been found when clearing out his mother's house at the end of the summer of 2006.

SUCCESS !
Rob Murray Brown courteously informed the Norfolk Editor that he had spoken to Maj Bryan Coward obe bnn and Capt Maurice Franses. ‘They were both very interesting and helpful. There is a period just after Scott was injured and the end of the conflict that I can’t clearly piece together. I thought the Regimental History might help.’

LT COL BILL MURRAY BROWN DSO
Following the appeal in B&C 105 Dec 05 from Rob Murray Brown the Norfolk Editor received telephone calls from Maj Bryan Coward obe bnn and Capt Maurice Frances. Bryan said: ‘Bill was the best CO. He was introduced to us in the 2nd Bn from Sandhurst in France. He was on the same patrol as Peter Barclay (later Brig, DSO MC DL who died on 13 Oct 1992) and out in the open for days after Peter Barclay returned. [Bryan was an OC with 2 R Norfolk in Irrawaddy, brigaded with The Royal Scots and Lancs Fusiliers. Ed.] Bill gave the aim then left you to work it out. He was a practical and intelligent CO - a 1st class Colonel. Brig Bob Scott was a powerful commander. In a temple, the askaris of an attached Kenya offr captured a Japanese sword. It passed through Brig Robert Scott’s HQ and was never see again! Bill took over command of open warfare after Kohima, leading us to India and landings at Rangoon. Sadly, Bill was replaced by a “twit” with no war experience. He had us doing useless 20-mile route marches instead of doing proper training, well known from battle experience by other OCs such as myself, Richard Bothway and Banham Savory.’
In 1941, Bryan was the Bde LO to 18 DIV. He recalls the Brigadiers’ Humber was stuck in mud on the Yorkshire Moors.  The dvr got out to investigate and the Brig wound down the window enquiring: ‘Driver, trouble?’

From B&C No 2 Jul 1960Capt Maurice Franses advised that a photograph of Lt Col Bill Murray Brown appeared in B&C No 2 Jul 1960. It is below and has been sent to Rob.

Representing the Regt in the Army Golf Team Championship 1960. From left: Col Richard Freeman-Taylor*,
Brig Ian Freland*, Lt Col Bill Murray Brown*, Brig Robert Scott, Col Jock Carroll* (* All COs in Burma.)
[All in B&C 106]

Click photographs to enlarge

KOREA - HILL 118 - 24 JULY 1952
David Ingham, wrote: ‘I have recently come across your excellent web site and in particular the enquiry regarding Pte Raymond Perfect who was first reported “missing” during a patrol action on Hill 118, 24 July 1952, later considered to have been killed on or shortly after this date. In the reply it mentions that this action was covered in Britannia No 40. My interest in this particular action is due to the fact that I am the custodian of the Korea Medals of 222042297 Pte Frank Arthur Russell, ESSEX Regiment, attached Royal Norfolk Regt, who suffered the same fate as Perfect in that he was first reported “missing” and later presumed to have been killed in action. I would like to know if it is possible to get copies of the “Britannia” covering the Norfolk Regiment’s time in Korea or any other published accounts of their time there?’
It was fortunate that the Norfolk Editor has been given copies of the Britannia, No 26 Autumn 1939 to the last edition No 54 Aug 1959, by the late Capt William Gaymer TD OStJ (d Jan 06 ) so photocopies of the relevant pages from Britannia Issue 40 were sent.
Has anyone a copy of the ‘Korea Special’ they would care to sell to the Norfolk Editor - for a suitable fee ?

On Lancashire, my old chum Lt Col Miles Green (A [Royal Norfolk] Coy and IO 6 R Anglian then Dep Comdt Norfolk ACF) was at Altcar Camp with me in the last century.
The Regimental Archives record (aka Capt Gerry Gandon, Mess Sec Norfolk ACF):
At the conclusion of a tiring day rewriting the Mess Accounts, complete with requisite adjustments, Gerry approached the bar.
The alert Mess Steward, SMI Pat Cole enquired: 'Your usual Sir?'
'Yes, thank you, a large grouse.'
Spotting proud Yorkshireman, Dep Comdt Lt Col Miles Green approaching through a smoke screen, exasperated at being incarcerated in Lancashire for 2 weeks, Gerry gallantly said: 'What will you have Miles, err, Colonel?'
'I'm going to have a large grouse too. Lancashire is a dump!'
[B&C 106]

Click photographs to enlarge

Hong Kong USS Algol partyUSS ALGOL 1940s PHOTOGRAPHS SOUGHT
Chris seeks 1940s photographs of the liberty ship USS Algol and her crew.
He was invited to look at the Algol site www.ussalgolaka54.org and sent a high resolution copy of the photograph of the R Norfolk and USS Algol offrs, which appeared in B&C 90 Jun 98 sent by the late Maj Tom Styles who died in 2001.
[B&C 106]

VIDEO OF PTE POOLEY'S REVENGE
In B&C 102 Jun 04 was: 'Peter Traynor wrote from Oz asking if a film or video of ‘Pte Pooley's Revenge’ (See Le Paradis) is available. An internet search by the Norfolk Editor drew a blank.'
James Hornby saw it and wrote: ‘I have a video of the above, taken from a German Film some years ago. Could you please put me in touch with Peter Traynor.’
This was done.
Also, Michael High in Canada (see below ) offered a copy.
(Thanks James and Michael. Ed.)
[B&C 106]

SITE COMPLIMENTS
Maj Andy Marsh, former Royal Anglian, in Oz : ‘I followed one of the links in your e-mail. Several hours later link has taken me to link and ever onwards into a deeper morass of anecdotes, historical fact and dubious recollection. After several hours of contented browsing my wife has now arrived at the misplaced but understandable conclusion that I am a covert internet pornographer! The explanation: "I was browsing a sort of Regimental web-page-thingy with lots of interesting stuff" just doesn't hack it with the astute Mrs M and neither would it stand up in court! An enjoyable way to lose my name none-the-less, and congratulations on a superbly maintained site.’
Dave Ingham: ‘I have recently come across your excellent Web Site “Britannia and Castle”. ‘
Andrew Thomas : ’I am an ex Poacher served 93-99, and think your site is probably the best Anglians site on the net!’
(Thanks Andy, Dave and Andrew. Ed.)
[B&C 106]

1994 BOSNIA POACHER TOUR BOOK SOUGHT
Andrew Thomas (see above) wrote: 'The 2nd Bn were in Bosnia in 1994 and we were issued with UN medals and commemorative books of the tour. Unfortunately, I have lost or misplaced my book. I am upset over this as you can imagine. Is there was anything you could do to assist in my problem?
The Norfolk Editor is well aware this journal is primarily read by those who wore, or wear, the cap badge of the Norfolk or Royal Norfolk Regts; 1st East Anglian Regt (Royal Norfolk and Suffolk); 1st Bn The Royal Anglian Regt (Norfolk and Suffolk); A (R Norfolk) Coy, 6 R Anglian; A (Norfolk & Suffolk) Coy The East of England Regt and A (Norfolk & Suffolk) Coy, 3 R Anglian.
However, as an ‘Old Bosnia Hand’ myself, can anyone assist Poacher Andrew?
[B&C 106]

Robert Scase - ANOTHER LE PARADIS SURVIVOR ?
Moira Crook wrote: ‘My mother says that her brother Robert Scase was also a survivor of the massacre at Le Paradis. Is there any way this could be verified?’
He was born in Aug 1912 and died in a car crash with his wife Ursula in the summer of 1984. They had a daughter Jeanette and son Malcolm. Bob went to Hammonds School in Swaffham until 18 yrs of age, then joined the Royal Norfolks at Britannia Barracks around 1930, serving for 5 years in the signals, for some of that time in Gibraltar. He then worked as telephonist manager for the Post Office until called up in 1939, as on reserve, and went through France to Belgium with the Royal Norfolks. A friend of his from Dereham, William O'Callaghan, also served with the Royal Norfolks. (They remained friends for some time after the war and Bob was a guest at Bill's wedding.) It seems that Bob and some others were trapped in a bunker or dugout by the Germans who then shot and bayoneted them leaving them for dead. Bob and another soldier survived by being at the bottom of the pile, laying all that day and night under the dead bodies of their comrades, they waited until it had been quiet for some time and then made their get away, only to be captured later but we know not where. This Ma thinks was in 1940. Bob then served the rest of the war in prison camps in Germany.
Ma remembers writing to him via the Red Cross to a Staatlager, possibly XII but not sure, in Heidelberg. He was released by the Russians and had to make his own way, with many others, to Gdansk from where he was shipped home, spent about a week in hospital then sent home to his family.
He was asked to give evidence at the war trials but refused, saying it was an episode in his life he wanted to forget. He gave the same reason when approached to participate in the book that was being written of that terrible massacre. Ma thinks he carried guilt and shame for surviving by hiding from the Germans under the dead bodies of his mates, although everyone assured him that he need carry no such shame. He was a changed man after all that. Ma says he used to be such a lively character but when he returned from the war he was so serious and demure. Bob was single until he married Ursula in around 1954.
Upon re-reading the book it seems that several people wished to remain anonymous. It sounds to me that Uncle Bob may have been the telephonist contacting HQ, mentioned before their surrender, but it is impossible to be sure.’

 
Left: LCpls Bob Scase and Gardiner. Right: LCpl Bob Scase

The Norfolk Editor doesn’t know the answer but Bob Brown, whose story ‘Le Paradis - An Unmentioned Survivor’ is on this site, Lynda Smith (www.war-memorials.com and Kate Thaxton, Norfolk Regtl Museum, have been contacted for help. As the military radio net has it: 'Wait out !'

Click here for the Le Paradis pages on this site
[B&C 106]

Click photographs to enlarge

EDITH CAVELL AND THE TUNMORE FAMILY
From Jenny Coates in Nov 05: Edith Cavell was my granny's first cousin. I am interested to find out any information that the Tunmore Family may have regarding her. Apparently when the War Office contacted Edith's mother to inform her of Edith's execution, they contacted my Granny’s mother by mistake, who, being a bit of a battle axe, gave them short shrift and hoped that when they indeed found the right Mrs Cavell that they would inform her of Edith’s death in a far more sensitive way!
See Tunmore Family for more on this remarkable family.
[B&C 106]

1941 SAILING ON THE GEORGIC FROM THE CLYDE
Bob Petts in Saltash, Cornwall, wrote in Feb 06 :My Father sailed on the Georgic from the Clyde in 1941 and I have just recovered his written notes. An entry at the end of May 1941 is : 'We were told three days later that the Bismarck had been sunk 50 miles astern of us.' His notes also mention Port Turfig and MV Nevassa which trooped him to Aden.
I am trying to establish the convoy number he sailed with but there are so many to trace. Dad's notes tell a typical story of that time.
Webmaster comment: Thanks Bob. Do let me know if you discover the convoy number.
[Not in print copy of B&C 106]

1950-51 GEORGIC MEMORIES BY JO SNELLING
Jo Snelling, in NSW, wrote in Jun 06: 'Like David D Lester I also came out to Australia with my mother, father and brother as assisted migrants on the Georgic, the only difference being that we disembarked at Melbourne in Jan 1951. I was only 7 years old but still remember fondly the ship and the voyage. I also have a souvenir brooch of the Georgic which belonged to my mother.'
Webmaster comment: Thanks Jo.
See 1950-51 Georgic Memories by David Lester
Dave, who was also on the same voyage, has requested contact be made with Jo Snelling. This was attempted but sadly Jo's e-mail address 'dropped out' 7days after her e-mail to me.
If you read this Jo, do e-mail me with a new address!
[Not in print copy of B&C 106]

1947 GEORGIC MEMORIES BY PETER MALLIN
Peter Mallin wrote in Apr 06 : 'I was one of those soldiers transferred from 2 Suffolk at Ferozepore, to 2 Royal Norfolk at Rawalpindi and subsequently sent home with the Bn on the Georgic. What a lovely ship she was. There were few of us from A Coy 2nd Bn so those from other Coys were little known to me as each Coy was like a family within a family. It takes time to get to know everybody and I had been less than a year with the Bn. I spent most of the voyage with my most friendly companion LCpl Bernard Goulding sitting on the open deck playing chess. We used to have quite an audience. He taught me the game and as most pupils do, I soon improved and as the saying goes ‘beat him at his own game’. He was a LCpl on a temporary basis as his one stripe was akin to the monkey on a stick - up and down like a yo-yo! Bernie, as he now likes to be called, is alive and well, in his eighties and lives in Norwich. (He was originally Royal Artillery then transferred to the Suffolks. When 2 Suffolk went into suspended animation he transferred, as I did, to 2 Royal Norfolk.) Cpl Biff Brown from B Coy was another Suffolk aboard. The ship was clean and the crew were first class, the food was really good and plentiful, a happy ship and the trip was without incident - even the weather was good.
From the farewell speech at the dockside by Lord Louis Mountbatten to the welcoming band at Liverpool it was a very pleasant experience for an almost 20-year-old. Some of the memories are vague and many are quite vivid but all are exquisitely cherished.
Sadly several of my colleagues of the time have passed on. Many may be still alive but are no longer in touch. We old wrinklies have our memories and like to hang on to them. I visit Norwich every year and have been to the Regimental Museum but not since 1999 so I must go this year and show my eldest daughter the model of The Georgic.
I believe the Georgic came to her sad end in 1952 along with His Majesty King George VI, after starting her life during the reign of his Father, who incidentally died on my birthday. I have always been a royalist and my 8th was my only sad birthday.'
Webmaster comment: Thanks Peter. The last voyage of the Georgic ended at Rothesay in Dec 1955. Before you go to the Norwich Regimental Museum call Kate Thaxton on 01603 223649 so the Georgic model can be brought out for you.
[Not in print copy of B&C 106 but in B&C 108 Jun 07 ]

1950 GEORGIC MEMORIES BY CAROLE COCKSHOTT (NEE BURTON)
Carole Cockshott wrote from Australia in Jan 06: 'I read with interest the short piece from David D Lester about the Georgic.
In 1950 my family - mother, father, brother and grandmother (Dad's mother) - came to Australia.
We left Liverpool aboard the MV Georgic on 10 Jan 1950 and with only two stops, Aden and Melbourne, arrived in Sydney on 10 Feb 1950. Our first day off the ship was when we stopped in Melbourne on 8 Feb.
I still have our cabin berth cards and crossing the line cards as well as all the correspondence between Australia House and Dad relating to our immigration. I remember the voyage very well, being eight years old at the time and the birth of a baby on board whom the parents called Georgina.'
Webmaster comment: Thanks Carole.
[Not in print copy of B&C 106]

1952-3 GEORGIC MEMORIES BY TREVOR WRIGHT
Trevor Wright (Tracky) wrote in May 06 :'I was very pleased to come across your website page on the MV Georgic. It brought back many happy memories.
I sailed on The Georgic from Liverpool Docks in December 1952 as an RA Gunner, going to join 170 Imjim Independent Bty in Hong Kong to join Charlie Troop which had been decimated in Korea.
I remember arriving at Steamer Point Aden on Christmas Day, it was very hot. I had to borrow jeans and tee shirts from a Merchant Navy mate to enable me to go into the Pig and Whistle to look like a civilian!
We arrived at Stanley Fort in Jan 1953.
I now live in Australia and would love to hear from anyone who sailed on the Georgic when she was a troop ship 1952 to 1953.
My email address is kris.trev@bigpond.com'
Webmaster comment: Thanks Trevor and do let me know who makes contact. The most erstwhile editor of 'The Gunner', Maj Mike Shaw TD, has been requested to place your appeal in the next issue.
Bingo ! Next day in came an e-mail from Kate Knowles, the Gunner Deputy Editor: 'We will certainly include your appeal in August issue of The Gunner and
if we can be of any other assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us.'
The 'Old Boy Net' certainly works. (Err - add 'Old Girl' - I can say that as Webminor of pages dedicated to Old Boys and Girls of The Beal Grammar School !)
Thanks Kate and for your help to Lorna Logan about her late father-in-law Maj James Logan RA in 2005.
[Not in print copy of B&C 106]

THE GEORGIC - 13 MAY 1955 - FROM ALBERT DAVIES IN BRISBANE
Albert Davies in Brisbane wrote in Aug 05 : 'I would like to make contact with anyone who also came out on that voyage leaving Liverpool 13 May 1955. I am still here in Brisbane. Then aged 16, I came out with my parents and two sisters. I now have 4 children and 11 grandchildren.
My home e-mail address is albydavies@optusnet.com.au'
See 1955 Georgic memories by Phyll Pearson
Albert and Phyll have been made aware of their both sailing on the same voyage !
[Not in print copy of B&C 106]

1955 Georgic Memories of her last voyage by Brian Aspinall
[Not in print copy of B&C 106]

CONTACT
Make contact with correspondents via the Norfolk Section Editor or RHQ, Britannia House, TA Centre, 325 Aylsham Rd, Norwich, NR3 2AB. Tel 01603 400290.

Editorial Rule
 To qualify for inclusion in the B&C there is only one rule - something described must have been said to have happened. 
The authority is the Editor, British Army Review No 114 Dec 96, `If the facts don`t fit the legend, print the legend’.

However, the rules of good taste, respect and confidentiality are always applied.

Rule Britannia!

Site edited and maintained by Major John L Raybould TD Editor, Norfolk Section, The Britannia and Castle
 B&C Norfolk Editor

[B&C 106]