9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2001 - Page 0093
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| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 2001 |
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REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S) 93 greatly to the success of his squadron. He commands a 105mm tank and always supports one of the leading troops. In the advance north of Fosso Benvignate on 18th April the squadron was held up by two batteries of88mm guns. SSM Huxford was ordered to deal with the battery to the left front. By great speed and accuracy, under AP and HE fire shot over open sights at short range, he engaged each gun in turn, knocking out two. As a result of this the tanks and infantry were able to advance to the objective. On the same day the squadron was held up by a fosso. This WO brought forward the fascine, and, under heavy HE and small arms fire, supervised the crossing operation, which result- ed in the capture of other bridges intact and the consequent havoc in the enemy gun lines. On the 24th April, north of Ferrara, SSM Huxford was supporting the leading troop which was held up by three Mk Vs and an 88. The only cover available 7 the signal box 7 was occupied. So, regardless of great danger, he moved his tank up and down in the open under exceedingly accurate fire, and engaged the 88 from every angle, displaying the keenest determination and gallantry, which was an inspira- tion to the whole squadron. After an hour of such treatment the gun destroyed itself. This action greatly assisted the squadron in reaching their objective. His energy and cheerfulness and enthusiasm have been a magnificent example to the squadron.” Mr I-quford married Violet in 1965 but sadly they had no children. Major MB Scholfield MC ichael Scholfield died on the 11 Februa 2001. After dis- !“ “’ 1. 1 tinguishing himself both academi- cally and on the Rugby field at Stowe (where he was Head of School) and at Caius College at Cambridge, he joined the 27th 1 Lancers in 1941 and in 1943 he was 5 appointed Adjutant. -. . : Andrew Horsbrugh Porter was not i . " I the easiest of Commanding Officers ‘ I to work with but he had complete confidence in Michael Scholfield who continued to serve as Adjutant until in early 1945 he took over A Squadron. On 2nd May in the final stages ofthe Italian campaign his Squadron had a brisk action against German forces attempting to debouch from Belluno, suffering casualties and the loss of four armoured cars, including his own. Ultimately 2nd Rifle Brigade came up in support and between them they took some 4,000 prisoners. For the dash and skill with which he handled his troops he was awarded the Military Cross. When the 27th Lancers was disbanded in August 1945 he, with many others from that Regiment, joined the 12th Royal Lancers and served with them in Palestine. After leaving the Army he was called to the Bar and practised in London for several years. He then worked for his family firm of insurance brokers in Manchester. When he retired from there he returned to the legal profession and became a much respect- ed Chairman of Industrial Tribunals. He leaves behind his wife Celia, whom he married in 1943, three sons and two daughters and grand children. Lieutenant Colonel Peter Slingo MBE eter Slingo was one of the most outstanding Quartermasters who served in the Regiment. He joined the 12th Royal Lancers in the early 50s and rose rapidly through the ranks to become the Orderly Room Sergeant Major. His detailed knowl- edge of all who were serving in the Regiment surprised even those who worked closely with him. He would know the Army Number and service detail of virtually everyone from the lowli- est Trooper to all the Officers. His hard work and dedication earned him his MBE. Mr Slingo, as he was then known, had a habit of cutting all issue pencils in half before he let his clerks have one. His reasoning was that hardly anyone ever used a pencil until only a stub remained and thus he was able to help cutting down waste. All his notes to others working in RHQ were written in green ink but he did not take kindly to his staff who wanted to imitate this habit. After the Regiment amalgamated Peter was appointed RQMS and very soon afterwards was commissioned as Technical Quartermaster. It was in the summer of1968 when Warsaw Pact Forces invaded Czechoslovakia that the state of readiness in the Regiment was dramatically increased when Peter’s qualities came to the fore. We had recently been on an extended exercise and some of out older Centurion Tanks required spare parts to make them road-worthy again. The usual dearth of spares in BAOR caused all sorts of headaches to the soldiers who wanted to get on with their work but could not do so. The invasion was made public in the morning and the same evening that each one of out tanks was ready to move out ofbarracks. Although Peter never mentioned this episode it was clear that the Tech QM’s department had pulled out all stops to make the Regiment bat- tle-worthy within eight hours. Peter accompanied us to Catterick where we assumed the role of RAC Training Regiment. If spare parts for tanks were in short supply in Germany the situation was even worse in England. Undaunted Peter fought our corner and we were able to carry out our role with very few disasters. After a tour at the Ministry of Defence Peter was with us in Detmold and in Armagh in Northern Ireland. Here again the job of Quartermaster is absolutely vital. Most of us lived in very basic ‘Out-Stations’ and Peter managed to get many creature comforts for the Regiment. In 1976 Peter was posted to the Logistic Executive in Andover. He had his own tragedies to bear in his private life. Stella, his wife who supported him during his time with the Regiment sadly died, after Peter’s retirement. He married again very happily Patricia who survives him. Perhaps his most enduring epitaph should be ‘He was totally incorruptible’. Major David Crisp Turquand MC TD 24L avid died suddenly of a heart attack whilst staying with friends in Herefordshire. He joined the Honourable Artillery Company soon after leaving Highgate School in 1939. He was CQMS of the OTC and represented Highgate School in both Association Football and Cricket. He was a most accom- plished sportsman. David entered RMC Sandhurst in 1940 and was commissioned into the 24th Lancers in 1941, which was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Mike Aird of the 9th Queen’s Royal Lancers. With the expansion of the Royal Armoured Corps, Regiments such as the 24th Lancers and the |
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