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9th-12th-Lancers - Year 1986 - Page 0080

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Regiment 9th/12th Lancers
Year 1986
Transcription THE VTH/lZTH ROYAL LANCERS REGIMENTAL JOURNAL
to BL ALAMEIN. Without his care it
would have been a different story.
Later when l was commanding. we
were alone together one day and lock
said without prompting that, when he
was posted to the 9th Lancers his mates
at REME HQ. or RAOC as it was
then. said to him. “Poor you. the Cav-
alry are horrible snobs and will never
talk to you". Colonel he said "I have
been very happy here and could not
wish for a better posting". One day
Jock appeared in a new cap. The chin
strap wu secured by two awful brown
buttons. The Colonel. Gerald Gros-
venor. ordered then and there that they
must be replaced by small 9th Lancer
buttons which we wore on our caps.
lock was very proud of that gift which
sealed his love for the 9th Lancers.
A great friend and help to the Regi-
ment.
RSGP
Ted Brooks died in Italy on 7 April
1936 whilst revisiting graves of com-
rades who fell in the Italian Campaign.
He joined the 9th Lancers in Decem-
ber 1939, serving for twenty years. be-
coming involved in all aspects of regi-
mental activity including soccer and
cricket in whid: he took a prominent
part.
A permanent tank driver, he per-
formed with distinction in HQ troop
"Battling B Squadron" for the entire
war. Meticulous with his tank main-
tenance -— he was a fitter sergeant's
ideal driver — driving for successive
Sqn Ldrs. Derek Allhusen and David
Laurie.
A quiet and unobtruaive paaonality —
with that essential component for tank
crew eompatability — reflected in his
beautiful handwriting.
After the War he spent some years
at Bovington as a Sgt Instructor in
driving and maintenance where he was
thought of highly.
As a soldier. Ted will be remembered
for the keen interest he showed in the
welfare of the Regiment. Having left
the Army he found his forte working
for a company installing dialysis con-
vasion units for the Health Authorities.
shortly afterwards being employed to
oversee the updating of kidney wards
and clinics. Ted’s clinical, sympathetic
approach made him extremely popular.
0n compulsory age retirement the
Health Authorities persuaded him to
open his own business installing and
servicing dialysis units; this he did
efficiently for such a short time before
his sudden sad death.
Our sympathy goes to his wife Violet
who is valiantly endeavouring to con-
tinue with the business.
D T M
Mr Barry halo-
Born at Canterbury in 1!!! within
sound of the Cavalry Depot, Harry
Baston was employed there as a civilisn
groom after leaving school. He even-
mallyenlistedinthemh Lanessin I906.
joining the Regiment in South Africa
the following year.
Harry was taken prisoner in the
first action of the Ninth near Mons,
shortly after the outbreak of the First
World War and was not repatriated
until 1913. He completed his service in
mo but retained a life long interest in
the 9th and 9th/12th as an ective mem—
ber of the Old Comrades Association.
After serving in the Berkshire Con-
stabulary during the inter war years.
Harry saved as a oommisioned officer
inthe RAFfrom 1941 to 1946. Hespelll
thelattayarsofhislonglifeinAhiag-
don, Berkshire where he died in January
1986 aged 98 years.
N W
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