9th-12th-Lancers - Year 1987 - Page 0081
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| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 1987 |
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during the long arduous slog up the Adriatic Coast of Italy, with everything in favour of the retreating enemy and against the advancing Allied Forces. Very different conditions to those we had encountered in the Desert and North Africa. Ifevertherewasaneedtorcourageous leadership and a flexibility of outlook, it was at this time. The Regiment was very fortunate in having a Commanding Officer of Stug's ability, personality and character. Always a fine trainer of troops. we were well prepared by him, for the great variation in weather conditions and changes in terrain which we had to face. It was during the battle for the Gothic Line in September 1944 that he was wounded again, when his Command armoured car was knocked out by heavy shelling. Fortunately he was not away for long and returned before the onset ‘- of the severe winter weather just before Christmas when, after only a few days notice, we were taken out of our tanks and put on our feet as infantry, into the static winter line on the marshes in front of the ancient town of Raver-ma. This was a somewhat traumatic experience for a Regiment which had been trained in the individual skills of wireless, gunnery and driving tanks and was now required to man defensive positions, patrol and fight on foot. During those difficult next few months all his great ability as a courageous lader, talent for initiative and ability to improvise were shown at their very best. Everything Stug did was guided by practical common sense. it was very sad for us that, just before we were put back into our tanks for the final spring offensive in which the Regiment was to play such an important part, he became very ill with diptheria and had to be invalided home, thereby missing an almost certain Bar to his DSO which he so richly deserved. Since those wartime days of long ago Stug continued to lead a very full and useful life in Dorset where he engaged in every sort of activity. Always is THE YIN/11TH ROYAL LANCERS REGIMENTAL JOURNAL fine helmsrnan, wnose skills must surely bear a close comparison with those of the outstanding horseman, he was brilliantly successful in the Inter- national 5.5m Class. Representing us in two Olympic Games, winning the silver medal in the 1956 Games at Melbourne in his yacht “Vision”. Above all it was his great love of hunting, the service he gave as a member of his Hunt Committee for many years and finally as it's Chairman, for which he will be best remembered. Always interested in National Hunt racing. he was a Steward at Wincanton and Tauuton Race Courses. He and Margot also owned some good steeple- chasers including “Miss Medina" and “Beacon Time”, the latter winning the Topham Trophy at Aintree in 1983. But what gave him enormous pleasure was when his son, Charles. who was serving in the 9th/12th Royal Lancers. won the Grand Military Gold Cup on “Willow King" in 1966. Stug served in H.M. The Queen’s Body Guard The Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms from 1959— 1979 and the County of Dorset hon- oured him by making him High Sheriff in I961, and a Deputy Lieutenant from 1962. What a wonderfully full. useful and happy life he has had. We will remember him most for his courage and service to his Country and his Regiment in war and in peace. For his loyalty to his friends. His simplicity and genuinenms. Never one to suffer fools gladly he was always entirely unpetty, never bearing grudges. If he gave you a rocket you accepted it because. you knew that you had fully deserved it. DSA Major'l" Halley All of us who served with Tim Bailey will be deeply saddened to learn that he died, very suddenly. in February last year. He joined the 12th from Stowe in I938 and, although his service was unfortunately and involuntarily cut short, he left the indelible impression of a good companion with immense charm, terrific energy and a great sense of humour. Although ‘born and bred' a 12th Lancer — his father, Colonel Percy Bailey DSO, served in the Boer and Great Wars. was a Regi- mental Polo player and one of our noted "Shikars" — Tim was no orthodox Cavalry man and in fact studied cookery at the Dorchester and elsewherel This, with complete fluency in French, as well as German and Spanish, led to many memorable gastronomic feasts in the excellent French restaurants of Arras, Amiens and Lille during the “Phoney War"l An excellent all round athlete, he was regularly playing tennis at Queen‘s Club, and golf at Sunning- dale and Rye right up till his death. When the Germans attacked on May 10th, Herbert Lumsdeu took Tim out of 'B‘ Sqn to strengthen his Liaison Team at RHQ and on May 2Dth when the Regiment had the task of assessing |
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