9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2004 - Page 0089
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| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
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REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S) 87 He was born in London in 1919 but soon moved to Hazelwood in Devonshire, which had been in his family for several generations. Bill started hunting aged four, on a donkey with a basket saddle, with the Modbury Harriers and continued hunting all his life. On leaving Eton, he went for a year to Oxford in 1940, before joining the 9th Lancers, following his father, who was killed in action by Irish Rebels, whilst with the Regiment in 1922. He sailed in 1941 with the regiment to the Middle East, where, as part of the 8th Army the Regiment were involved during 1941-42 in the battles leading up to El Alamein and Tripoli, pushing Rommel out of the desert and into Tunisia. During the desert war, Bill as a troop leader, was responsible on one occa- sion for destroying two enemy Half Tracks and capturing 20 German Prisoners of War. In 1943 just before the capture of Tunis, Bill, now second in command of A Squadron, was wounded when the squadron came under heavy fire from 88mm anti tank guns and lost most of their tanks. After recovering from his wound, he rejoined the Regiment at the back end of 1943 in Algeria. In May 1944, the Regiment moved to Italy and still as part of the 8th Army, was tasked to advance up the Adriatic coast to destroy the enemy south of the River Po. On arrival in southern Italy, the Regiment was required to undergo strenuous retraining to cope with all the new arts of tank/infantry co-operation. As Second in Command of A Squadron, Bill took part in every action involving the Regiment and often acted as squadron com- mander during the frequent absences of the squadron leader. Bill was a most courageous and inventive commander and by his good leadership, he earned the respect of his squadron and was responsible for maintaining their high morale. For his work in Italy, Bill was awarded ‘Mention in Dispatches’ but many thought he merited a decoration. He had many attributes, enjoying travel, and sailing whenever he could get away from the war. He was also an ingenious col- lector, in particular, he often took a fancy to the special tools used by the squadron fitters. They stopped this by running a high voltage current through the metal tailboard of their wagon! One day, he appearedwith a US Army ambulance, which he had found in a ditch. It was in very good order and as it was never claimed by US Forces, remained as the Peek runabout for the rest of the war, although he was prevented from taking it to Palestine later. He was certainly inventive, for one night as his squadron office in Italy was burning down, he was seen typing out ‘Fire Orders’ by the light of the fire and for authenticity singed the edges in the fire. He did not miss a trick!! Bill served in Palestine before returning to the UK as Adjutant of the RAC Gunnery School at Lulworth where he married Lucy Dorrien-Smith in 1950. He and Lucy lived in Germany for a year when Bill rejoined the Regiment, and they enjoyed riding and even hunted with an army pack near Detmold. In 1951, Bill left the Army and with Lucy, returned to Devon where he farmed 600 acres and bred a fine flock of Whiteface Dartmoor sheep and also a pedigree herd of South Devon cattle. He also hunted regularly with the Dartmoor. Bill and Lucy had four children, three daughters and a son. They were all brought up to hunt and all went well over Dartmoor from an early age. Bill had a tremendously busy life in public service. While at Eton, he became interested in Organ music and later on played the organ every Sunday for Loddiswell Parish Church, where he was also Churchwarden. He was very musical and had a good singing voice. He was Chairman of the Parish Council and also Loddiswell School Governors and President of the Avon Fishing Association. He was Knight of St John in recognition of his service with the St John Ambulance Council for Devon. For many years, he was Chief Horse Steward at the Devon County Show, which involved running the Main Ring. I remember one year he got a lift from the far side of the Ring in a two-pony phaeton driven by a lady whip. She took him round the Ring flat out to the cheers of the crowd. In 1980 Bill had an exceptionally busy year as High Sheriff, and he and Lucy held a grand garden party at Hazelwood. He also served as a Deputy Lieutenant. Bill was always interested in sailing but in later years he and Lucy owned a barge and explored the canals of Holland and France with friends and family. He continued for as long as his health allowed to attend Regimental functions and took a par- ticular interest in the Regimental Museum in Derby. Bill was a no-nonsense man, kind and utterly dependable, and with sound and helpful advice where needed. He was a good friend. He died on 14 September 2004: a great life, well spent, full and fillfilled, and he will be sadly missed by his many friends and members of the Regiment. Our greatest sympathy goes to his wife Lucy, his children and grandchildren. MflW Captain Douglas Joseph Scrivener November 1922 — June 2004 Captain Douglas Joseph Scrivener, or Joe as he was known to all his friends, joined the Army in December 1940. On enlistment, he ini- tially joined The Suffolk ‘ Regiment as a Private, even- tually seeing action with the 1st Army in the invasion of North Africa. After the dis- bandment of the Reconnaissance Corps, Joe joined the 12th Royal Lancers, worked his way ”- I through the ranks, and was offered a commission in the regiment that he so dearly loved, in 1961. As an officer, Joe was well respected, and was employed in a variety of jobs including MTO. He excelled in boxing and football, and he represented the regiment on many occasions. He played on the left wing, and the goal he scored, direct from a corner to win the 1949 Cavalry Cup for his beloved 12th Lancers, was undoubtedly the highlight of his sporting career. On leaving the regiment Joe went into the teaching profession, a job he took on with relish, using the many skills that had served him so well in the Army. Whilst teaching Joe had already bought a Post Office and Newsagents, which his wife Norma ran |
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