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8 October 2009
The Hyett
Newsletter of the Birmingham Branch RAMC Association - Remembrance Edition
A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR Capt (retd) Bryan Smith
Here we are again with another edition of The Hyett. I have brought it forward a month so I can get out a Xmas edition in December, so my apologies for the premature references to Remembrance Weekend. Our Chairman is getting rather concerned about our Annual Reunion Dinner on the 6 November. So far wef today 5 October he only has 22 positive returns, as the booking and payment has to be received by the 15th I can understand his worries, so if you are going please try and send in your application now. If you need a hard copy of the details let me know and I will send you them.
Just before I left the services at my last Remembrance Sunday I organised background music from the 40s to be played at the curry luncheon and a certain young lady from 202 quite rightly pointed out to me that Remembrance Sunday was not all about the Second World War. So once again my apologies to this lady for repeating the exercise, this time of publishing poems from The Great and Second World Wars. How I wish that someone out there would write songs and poetry about our brave servicemen and women who are sadly dying or being brutally injured serving their country in these hard times. I know equality and diversity is a big issue these days and quite rightly so, but don’t you think it would be a great idea. Any poet laureates take note.
Enjoy and keep the letters and photographs coming.
Attention or stand easy?
On leaving the army, an old soldier got a white-collar job. One day he arrived at the office to find that he had been given a new young secretary. While taking dictation, she noticed his fly was open. She wondered whether or not to mention it but in the end she thought she had better say something. So she said discreetly: ‘Did you know your barracks door is open?’ The old man looked mystified but later realized what she had meant when he himself discovered that his zipper was open. He caught up with her in the corridor. ‘By the way, Miss Perlman,’ he said with a grin, ‘when you saw my barracks door
open this morning did you see a soldier standing to attention?’ ‘No’ she replied coolly, ‘all I saw was a disabled veteran sitting on two old duffel bags.’ - If this offends anyone I apologise Ed
THE DUG-OUT
And one arm bent across your sullen, cold,
Exhausted face? It hurts my heart to watch you,
Deep-shadow’d from the candle’s guttering gold;
And you wonder why I shake you by the shoulder;
Drowsy, you mumble and sigh and turn your head....
You are too young to fall asleep for ever;
And when you sleep you remind me of the dead.
Siegfried Sassoon
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Dear Bryan
As requested in your last edition of ‘The Hyett’ I am enclosing a book of twelve stamps. I used to do this with Bill and he would let me know when I was about to run out. You may remember back in January I notified the association of the death of SSgt Frank Erdington. You were away at the time and I spoke to Major Lewis. He took a wreath of poppies round to Mrs Williams, Franks long time friend, and said he hoped to attend the funeral, unfortunately he was unable to and due to the distance and lack of transport nobody else did either. When his death was announced in your news letter it said that he was a member of the RASC/RCT. I did write to you pointing out the error. Frank was a long standing member of the 22 FDS RAMC, we had been friends since we first met at the beginning of our National Service at the Depot and Training Establishment Queen Elizabeth Barracks Crookham. We, among others served under Col later Brigadier Oliver until we amalgamated, with Col Oliver as CO. A few of us became the nucleus of the 202 General Hospital, unfortunately due to marital problems SSgt Erdgington was unable to make the transfer. Never the less he was a valued member of the Corps and of 22FDS. Much of our training was in the field and in that respect if Frank couldn’t do it nobody could, he was a natural leader. When I spoke to you pointing out the error you said you would rectify it in the next newsletter, I am very sorry to see that it has not been done. Perhaps it is not too late. As far as I know he was a member of the association though not a life member. Yours Sincerely Bernard Allen 1st September 2009 Bernard my sincere apologies and thank you for the stamps. Ed Dear Bryan Many thanks for the recent issue 4 of the Hyett and supporting papers, your contribution and activities of the branch both current and projected make interesting reading. As usual, I send my apologies for non attendance at branch meetings, I am so sorry that I cannot attend and support many of your functions. It makes me think I should move to the Birmingham area – correction, it must be drink affecting my brain – after attending meetings at Aston University and going through local areas to attend Bill’s funeral, what would want me leave the rural tranquility, peace and lifestyle of beautiful Rutland? Nevertheless I do miss involvement in socializing with old comrades, notwithstanding that we probably have never served together. visits it appeared that the barracks had ‘shut down’ since everyone had gone home for the weekend, and little activity involvement with serving members was available other than in the WO & Sgt’s Mess. Regarding postal contributions, I initially raised this question with you when I re-entered membership of the Branch, since Bill had always indicated when contributions would be welcomed and to this end I enclose a cheque for £10 towards future distribution. Sorry I haven’t any stamps, but the downside of living here has meant the loss of local post offices, and it is a major problem trying to find parking spaces near vicinities within local market towns. Finally Bryan in the final para of the editor’s message, I note that you are looking for some copy for future editions. I would be happy to relay some of my experiences as a raw recruit at the depot at Boyce Barracks in the early part of 1948, and some of the more humorous and harrowing odds and sods that I could bring to memory, between that time and my retirement from the TA in 1959. I await your response in due course, possibly to tell me that no one will be interested in the earlier life of an ‘old wrinkly!’ Kind Regards Yours Aye Derrick D Smith 30 August 2009 Thank you so much for the £10 towards postage Derek. Stories about your service life 50 years ago would be great. Ed It was good to note that the Branch have taken steps to welcome the safe return of those who were deployed from overseas operations. I wonder if there was a march through a district or civil acknowledgement of their return home. I was pleased to learn that the Corps weekend appeared to embrace more activities for veterans to attend within the barracks, on my previous Dear Bryan, I am enclosing a book of stamps which I had intended to send earlier but never got round to. Thanks for the recent reminder. Though I am always interested in the news from the branch, unfortunately because of aging inflictions which cause me to be virtually house bound, I am now regrettably unable to participate in any branch functions. With every good wish in your arduous role as Secretary. Yours Sincerely Edwin Dodd 3 September 2009. Thank you Edwin for both your letter and the stamps. If you would like to give me a brief breakdown of your service life and I will publish it in the next newsletter. Ed Dear Sir, Re my telephone call about my pilgrimage to Holland from Sept 16-21 with the Market Gardens Veterans Assoc Birmingham Branch. On the 17 Sep we held a memorial service at the German War Ceremony at Reichswold Forest for 2 RAMC men Pte Alex Bell and LCpl Alex Cowan. They grew up together as boys, they went to school together and both joined the Territorial Army just before the war. They served with the same unit as stretcher bearers of the Lothian 155 Fd Amb Unit (Mountain) Division. Both were killed on the same day in the German town of Waldfeucht. I enclose photographs of the wreath laying and copy of booklet. If you put anything in The Hyett I would like to send Frank Spittle a copy who was there on the fatal day they were killed. Your Sincerely Ray Pardoe Ex Cpl RAMC 202 General Hospital Have returned your photos and booklet Ray. Very moving story. I will try and publish it in the next issue. Ed  As there is loads going on thought you would like an FOE for your diary
10 Oct. 202 Exercise Welcome Home. SSAFA Big Brew/Evening Function. Confines 202
13 Oct. Birmingham Branch RAMC Association Meeting. Confines of 202.
23 Oct. AMS Retired Officers’ Luncheon Camberley.
1 Nov. 57th Midlands Field of Remembrance Victoria Square Birmingham. A tribute to 202 is included.
5 Nov. The Field of Remembrance St Margaret’s Church Yard Westminster 1100hrs
6 Nov. Annual Reunion Dinner Tally Ho Police Centre Edgebaston
8 Nov. City of Birmingham Remembrance Parade. Curry luncheon afterwards at 202.
14 Nov. For Honorary Members of Officers Mess Dinning out Lt Col Phimister/Padre Herve at 202
28/29 Nov. The 2009 Birmingham Tattoo at National Indoor Arena.
8 Dec. Birmingham Branch RAMC Association Annual General Meeting. Confines of 202
9 Dec. AMS Carol Service Royal Garrison Church All Saints Aldershot. Buffet follows service.
1st Sat of month RAMC Ceremony of Turning the pages at Westminster Abbey 1100hs. Jan 2nd Sat
Army Medical Services Carol Service. The AMS Carol Service will be held on Wednesday 9 December at 1930hrs in the Royal Garrison Church of All Saints Aldershot.
There will be a Buffet Supper following the Service. All are welcome. The cost is £7 per person and will be held in the Garrison Officers’ Mess, Aldershot. Application forms can be obtained from the Secretary. Closing date 27 November 2009
.
The Friends of Millbank. We have received from our Headquarters a pamphlet from The Friends of Millbank for anyone who would like to join them for a five day four nights Battlefield Tour to Ypres, The Somme and The French Coast from17 May until 21st May 2010. It departs from the Union Jack Club in London travel by coach accompanied by two professional guides one of whom is a doctor. Accommodation 2 nights in Ypres and 2 nights in Arras. Cost is between £499-£449 per person. If you are interested and would like to reserve a place email Frank Davis on frankedavis@o2.co.uk with your name address and telephone number or write to him at 12 Woodlands Woking GU22 7RU with same information. Closing date 6 Nov 09..
Remembrance Sunday. Remembrance Sunday Parade this year will take place on Sunday 8 November 2009 in Centenary Square Birmingham. Details have been sent out regarding the lunchtime curry luncheon within the confines of the messes at the unit which we have been invited to. Cost is £6 per adult and £3 for minors 6-16 and free for children under 6. If you have not attended this popular event before then I would highly recommend it. The parade itself forms up in Centenary Square in Birmingham at 1000hrs this is then followed by a march pass around the cenotaph by all 3 services of local units and of course Military Associations and British Legion personnel. Considering the many lives lost by British servicemen on Operations during the last 12 months it would be good if as many of us as possible could attend and pay our respects.
Photographs from the Past
Have you any old photographs from your former service which you would like to share with our readers. If so send them to me and I will publish them in the Hyett. Promise to return them.
SEE bottom of page for actual photos
I attach a group photo for starters
It is my families 4 generations of military service. The mother of my son should also be there but I never had any photographs of her in her nurses uniform – I say nurses uniform because I am sure in the 5 years I served with her in the 60s she never wore khaki? But maybe they only wore grey in them days eh.
From R to L. My 2 grandfathers from the ‘Great War’ my late father from the 2nd WW my son Darren RAMC(V) and Army Cadet Instructor and me. Think I am the most handsome one don’t you?
NOTHING TO REPORT
May Herschel Clarke
One minute we was laughin’, me an’ Ted,
The next, he lay beside me grinnin’ – dead.
There’s nothin’ to report,’ the papers said
BREAKFAST
We ate our breakfast lying on our backs
Because the shells were screeching overhead
I bet a rasher to a loaf of bread
When Jimmy Stainthorpe played full back
I thought this poem from the Second WW was very apt considering all the publicity that the military returning from Operations suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder have been getting of late:
â
Does it matter? – losing your legs?...
For people will always be kind,
And you need not show that you mind
When the others come in after hunting
To gobble their muffins and eggs.
Does it matter – losing your sight?...
There’s such splendid work for the blind;
And people will always be kind,
As you sit on the terrace remembering
And turning your face to the light.
Do they matter? – those dreams from the pit?...
You can drink and forget and be glad,
And people won’t say that you’re mad;
For they’ll know that you’ve fought for your country
And no one will worry a bit.
Siegfried Sassoon
All the poems in this edition of ‘The Hyett’ are an extract
from a book by Anne Harvey entitled
In Time of War
The Blackout
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