Regimental Histories - Year 1960-1985 - Brockbank - Page 0076
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Detmald from A, Command, and HQ Squadrons and a preliminary six weeks work-up period, The end of the Soltau training period in May therefore ended armoured training for A and C Squad— rons. On top of this a small tactical regimental HQ, B Squadron plus Recce Troop and a further share of reinforcements from Command and HQ Squadrons were selected to spend most of July and August on the new all arms training area at Suffield in Canada. On return B Squadron was the only one available to represent the Regiment on the divisional exercises in the autumn. Before this programme began an invitation to send the 75 Derbyshire soldiers and their families to the ceremony of the Freedom ofDerby in May was welcomed. Lt—Col Swindells went as an Instructor to the Staff College on handover — a fitting tribute to his skill in command. No Regiment could have been more grateful to him and Mrs Swindells, who came to it from the Skins, for their untiring efforts and enthusiasm for every aspect of regimental life. The Regiment owed much to the Skins because the Colonel of the Regiment also came from that Regiment in 1955 to command the 12th Lancers. In March 1973 he was to hand over the Colonelcy to Lord Grimthorpe OBE who had commanded the 9th Lancers from 1955 to 1958. It was a good end to Lord Monckton’s tenure that he was able to open the Regimental Museum in Derby which Major Collins had worked so long to set up. At the same time RSM Bell was commissioned to be Technical QM and SSM McMeekcn assumed the appointment of RSM. The Commanding Officer led a strong detachment to Derby for the Freedom ceremony. A Chieftain tank and Ferret scout cars actually drove into the market place to form up with the dismounted parade under Major Thornton. After inspection by the Mayor and the Colonel of the Regiment, in front of a strong detachment of the Old Comrades Association, the presentation ceremony took place in the Guildhall and all departed for luncheon. The grand finale to an excellent day was a band concert in the Guildhall. Sadly the enjoyment of the day was spoilt by the tragic death of 2/Lt Le Fevre during troop training on the Soltau training area. B Squadron trained with A Company lst Battalion Royal 73 |
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