9th-12th-Lancers - Year 1987 - Page 0086
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| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 1987 |
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THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS REGIMENTAL JOURNAL Mr LA. Edmund: M.M. Sergeant Jack Edmunds, B Squadron 9th Queens Royal Lancers who died at the end of last year had a fine record of service in the Regiment during the Second World War. In France 1940, the Western Desert, North Africa and Italy as a Tank Commander and latterly as Troop Sergeant. Having been previously mentioned in Dispatches he was awarded the M.M. for his brilliant tank commanding when with his gunner, the great Corporal Nickolls M.M. and Bar (an ex Rutland poacher who prob- ably shot more German tanks than any other tank gunner in World War 11,) had a remarkably successful shoot in the Regiment's last armoured battle of the war against the 26th Panzer Division just south of the River Po near Ferrara. With three successive shots two German Mk IV tanks were destroyed crossing B Squadron's front at great speed at a distance of 1000 yards with the third tank disappearing with smoke pouring out of its tail, later to be found aban- doned by the roadside with two of the crew dead inside. Jack had become Acting S,S.M. of B Squadron when S.S.M, ‘Honker’ Huxi‘ord went on leave in the winter of 8A 1945 when the Regiment was put into the winter line as infantry at very short notice. As B Squadron leader I was very grateful to him for his wonderful loyalty and support at that very difficult time when we found ourselves taking on an entirely different role to that for which, we had been trained. D.S.A. Colonel Woodhead wrltea: Jack Edmund: was one of the more remarkable products of World War 11. Joining the Regiment after the fall of France as a recruit straight from the streets for the duration. He quickly became one of the many outstanding Tank Commanders and Troop Sergeants in the Regiment being mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in Italy. He learnt his trade as a Tank Com- mander in the Western desert in 4th Troop B Squadron under the supervision of Sgt Edwards MM, who, with Corp- oral Nickolls MM his gunner, were credited with knocking out no less than 30 enemy tanks. Edmunds took over Troop Sergeant of 4th Troop, and Cpl Nickolls, when Sgt Edwards was promoted to Squadron Sergeat Major in 1942 and stayed with that Troop for the rest of the war. His award of the Military Medal came towards the end in Northern Italy, The citation includes the following passage “His tank advanced right forward being engaged by AP fire from all sides, forcing five of the enemy Mk IV tanks to withdraw and in the process destroying three of them with six shots”. He was a brave man. a good friend and he will be sadly missed by his many friends, MffW Mr F A Morton Ex Sgt Frederick A “Nobby” Morton died in May at Bishop Stortford and was buried in Harlow. ”Nobby” joined the Ninth in I932 soldiering with the colours until 1938 and then, was promptly called up from the reserve in 1939. The writer first met Nobby in 1935; to the young soldiers he was one of the elite as, although the Regiment was still horsed, mechanisation was in the offing and the Regiment sported a Motor Transport Troop. He drove a “gigantic three ton lorry with six wheels"; requiring no mucking out, late feeds or Sunday stables. An ardent motor cyclist, Nohby rode as a speedway rider for West Ham. 0n recall he came roaring into Mooltan Barracks on a gleaming new 500 cc Norton, which impressed everyone except RSM Perce Oxley who advised him, albeit reluctantly, that “he would be allowed to keep the infernal thing in barracks but, no noise and there was I\ |
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