`Nec Aspera Terrent` - Kings Regiment Association Liverpool

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A Branch of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regimental Association
‘Nec Aspera Terrent’
APRIL 2015 NEWSLETTER – ISSUE 49
ELECTRONIC EDITION
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ALL OUR YESTERDAYS
Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa - May 1961 to January 1962
Graham Armstrong (wearing beret)
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We require your letters, comments,
photographs, stories etc., for inclusion in the
next Newsletter
which will be published in:
JUNE 2015.
The closing date for submission is:
MONDAY 25TH MAY 2015.
Please forward to:
Eric Roper
171 Queens Drive
Liverpool
L18 1JP
email: eric_roper@blueyonder.co.uk
I can scan photographs and return the
originals, but please provide a SAE.
Please enclose a detailed description, ie,
names, dates etc., of any photograph(s).
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‘100’ CLUB
The February 2015 draw was made at City Office, Liverpool on Tuesday 3rd
February 2015 by Committee member Terry Caffrey, and the winner is:
1ST PRIZE (£40) - BRIAN WOODS
The March 2015 draw was made at City Office, Liverpool on Tuesday 17th March
2015 by Committee member John Schofield, and the winner is:
1ST PRIZE (£40) - TERRY BYRNE
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KOREAN VETERANS ANNUAL REUNION (LIVERPOOL)
Because of the uncertainties regarding Townsend Avenue Reserve
Army Centre, Liverpool, it has not been possible to arrange the annual
Korean Veterans Reunion this year.
If the situation at Townsend Avenue Barracks were to change, then you
will be informed immediately
This year marks the 63rd anniversary of the Regiments embarkation and
departure from Liverpool to Korea, via Hong Kong, aboard RMS
Devonshire.
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†
LAST POST
†
ALBERT MICHAEL O'CONNOR - LATE KINGS (KOREAN VETERAN)
It is my sad duty to inform you that Albert Michael
O'Connor passed away peacefully on 21st January
2015, aged 80 years.
Formerly of Bootle. Husband of Phyllis, father to John,
Pat, Karen and Samantha and a loving grandfather.
Service and cremation took place at Thornton
Crematorium, Crosby on Friday 30th January 2015 at
1240hrs.
John Schofield, King's Regiment Liverpool Branch,
Stan Castell BEM, Duke Of Lancaster's Regiment Liverpool Branch, Brian Green,
Liverpool Irish Liverpool Branch, Ian Williams, Kings Regiment Knowsley Branch, Captain
Elaine Overend, Royal British Legion Liverpool Branch and Ian Mackie, Royal British
Legion Crosby Branch, attended.
WILLIAM (BILL) LEWIS GILES - LATE KINGS
It is my sad duty to inform you that Bill Giles passed away
at his home in Yeovil on the12th February 2015.
Bill (23661334) served with 1 KINGS in Chester, Kenya
and Berlin between 1958 and 1964.
Bill's funeral service took place at Yeovil Crematorium on
Thursday 26th February at 1040hrs.
VICTOR (VIC) QUARMBY - LATE KINGS
It is my sad duty to inform you that Vic Quarmby passed
away in hospital, after a long fought battle with cancer, on
26th February 2015 aged 67 years. Vic is survived by his
wife Margaret
Vic served with 1 KINGS in Ballykinler, British Guiana,
Catterick, Minden and Belfast between 1965 - 1971. Vic
was, amongst other duties, a member of the MT Platoon.
Service and cremation took place at Hollinwood
Crematorium, Roman Road, Oldham, Lancashire on Friday
13th March 2015.
Standard bearers Alan Janion (King's Regiment), Graham
Braithwaite (Ashton Branch, Manchester Regiment),
Kenneth Hughes (The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment), and Bugler John Armbrister.
attended.
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†
LAST POST
†
RONALD (RON) DESMOND HINDLEY - LATE 5 KINGS
It is my sad duty to inform you that Ron Hindley passed away in
Fazakerley Hospital, Liverpool on Monday 2nd March 2015, aged
84 years.
Ron's funeral service took place at St Marys' Church, West Derby
Village, Liverpool on Tuesday 17th March 2015 at 1230 hrs
followed by cremation at Anfield Crematorium, Priory Road,
Liverpool, at 1330 hrs..
Ron is survived by his wife Pauline, sons Michael and Ian and
daughter Philomena
ARTHUR LANE - LATE MANCHESTER REGIMENT
It is my sad duty to infirm you that Arthur Lane passed away on
Sunday 1st March 2015 at Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport,
aged 94
Arthur's funeral took place on Thursday 19th March 2015 at
Stockport crematorium.
Graham Braithwaite attended with the Ashton Branch Standard.
Arthur served with the Manchester Regiment in Singapore
during the second world war. He was held by the Japanese
during World War Two and played the bugle piece for captives
who died on the Burma-Thailand Railway. Arthur performed it
more than 3,000 times in three-and-a-half years as a prisoner of war.
Arthur's daughter, Glennys Singleton, said her father was known as "The Musician To The
Dead", as he played the Last Post for any prisoner who died.
Mr Lane's family asked for someone to return the favour at his own funeral.
Musician Mike Greaves and his son stepped forward after an appeal on BBC Radio
Manchester.
Steve Morris said Mr Lane played the Last Post at the funeral of his cousin, Private Eric
Fletcher, who died in 1942 at a camp in Singapore. "I was so sad to hear that Arthur had
passed away," Mr Morris added. "He was a very brave man. He was a man this country
can be very proud of."
About 13,000 Allied Prisoners and up to 100,000 civilian forced labourers died while
constructing the notorious Thailand-Burma railway under the Japanese during 1942 and
1943. t has been written that 'this railway was built at the cost of a life for every sleeper in
its 415 Kilometre journey'.
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LETTERS PAGE
MAJOR PETER OAKLEY MBE, WRITES:
Eric,
I have attached a few photographs from long ago, which you might be able to use.
Incidentally your note in the Newsletter about wearing the cap badge over the left ear was
I believe started by me.
When I got back to the Battalion in Minden from Sandhurst I was used to having the cap
badge pulled slightly further to the left (don't know why - perhaps a bit of rebellion against
bullshit) than it should have been.
This caused one individual to have an enormous hizzy fit, (later to command 1 KINGS) so I
continued to do it easing it a little further and it caught on.
Regards
Peter
John Jobes, Reg Beith and Peter Oakley.
This was my first mess dinner.
I think John and Reg said that they would
mentor me. Took me days to recover
Peter Oakley and Les Clegg
in Sennelager, Germany.
Jimmy Hill, Peter Oakley and
Bernie Richards Springfield Road, Belfast
(1972).
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LETTERS PAGE
MAJOR ROY BEAVAN MBE, WRITES:
Dear Eric,
In the newspapers they state that the Chindits are to
reform! (Copy of newspaper article enclosed).
By my research the REAL Chindits were formed from
the 13th King's Regiment stationed at Harrington
Barracks, Formby in 1942.
There is a Chindits Memorial in London, but, the only
memorial to them in Formby is a plaque (photo
enclosed) on a small sub station, that stands on what
was the site of Harrington Barracks Guardroom.
I have spoken to the Formby Royal British Legion
regarding a proper Memorial to the King's who
served at Harrington Barracks plus the Chindits and
have offered the first £100 for a Memorial Fund.
Best wishes,
Roy
A LEGENDARY SECOND WORLD
WAR SPECIAL FORCES UNIT HAS
REFORMED AS
“FACEBOOK WARRIORS”
FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE
ON BRITAIN’S ENEMIES.
The Chindits wreaked havoc with
guerrilla raids on Japanese troops in the
Burmese jungle.
Now, 70 years after disbanding, they
are being re-created as a 1,500-strong
force trained in manipulation through
social media.
The Chindits – named after a mythical
beast from Burma and known officially
as the 77th Brigade – will be newly
launched on April 1.
Many of their methods were honed in
the Afghanistan conflict, where UK
forces learned to influence the
Taliban’s movements by trickery.
British commanders believe this
“shaping” of modern enemies can be
achieved by using social media such as
Twitter and Facebook.
Almost half the “information soldiers”
are reservists, with others drawn from
the Army, Navy and RAF.
Some recruits come from the
intelligence and media worlds. The
brigade’s HQ will be at Hermitage,
Berkshire.
General Sir Nicholas Carter, Chief of
General Staff, said: “The brigade is at
the heart of trying to operate
‘smarter’.”
The original Chindits were led by
Major-General Orde Wingate after he
formed them in 1942.
They suffered heavy losses in raids on
Japanese supply lines in occupied
Burma.
But
Japan
was
fooled
into
believing British forces there were
bigger than they really were – and
diverted thousands of troops to fight
them.
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LETTERS PAGE
BRIGADIER JEREMY GASKELL OBE, WRITES:
Dear Eric,
I thoroughly enjoyed the February 2015 KRAL Newsletter, as always a great read.
The picture of 'A' Company in British Guiana, in particular, brought back memories of an
unusual and often thoroughly enjoyable tour!
I had joined the Battalion with John Odell and John Carter only weeks before deploying nearly 50 years ago!! Happy Days!
Kindest regards,
Jeremy Gaskell
KEITH PAGE, WRITES:
Hi Eric
Once again a brilliant Newsletter (February 2015) and very informative. It's a great pity to
read about the loss of so many Kingo's, gone but never forgotten.
Well done to Tony Wainwright (LPMF) for doing the talk, I was unable to attend as
someone close was in hospital, but I will listen to it once I've downloaded it from University
web site.
Thank you once again for the Newsletter which I've passed on to many.
Speak soon
Keith
PHILOMENA BANISTER WRITES:
My family and I would like to thank Eric Roper, for publishing information about my father's
(Ronald Hindley) funeral and for arranging to have two standard bearers, at both the
Church and Crematorium.
It was a magnificent end to my father's life.
Many thanks to Eric and the two standard bearers Stan Castell BEM and Ian Williams.
The family of the late Kingsman Ron Hindley.
MRS KATHLEEN GIBB, WRITES:
Dear Eric,
I have enclosed a cheque as a donation to the King's Regiment Association, Liverpool
Branch in remembrance of my late husband, Billy, who passed away suddenly on 9th April
2014.
Please keep up the good work with the Newsletter.
Thank you and God bless
Mrs Kathleen Gibb
Ed Note:
I telephoned Kathleen and thanked her for the very generous donation and have
informed her that our Treasurer, Dennis Vickers, will write to her personally on his
return to the UK from holiday.
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LETTERS PAGE
DAVID BILL, WRITES:
Ernest Bill was my fathers cousin and he was killed at Guillemont France 16th August
1916 whilst serving in the King's. Although Ernest is remembered on The Bootle War
Memorial he is not remembered on The Roll of Honour at Liverpool Town Hall.
I have contacted the relevant parties to have this amended and I have be informed that a
rededication will take place in the next financial year. With this in mind I think would be
right to contact Ernest's' Regiment with a view to their involvement. I would therefore ask
for your help with details of any contacts.
Kind regards,
David
ERIC ROPER, REPLIED:
David,
We discussed this at our committee meeting today and will provide support with standards
and ex Kingsmen on the day, should you and your family desire.
Please keep us informed of dates etc.
Kindest regards,
Eric
DAVID BILL, WRITES:
Eric,
Many thanks for your reply, very much appreciated.
As you know, Ernest was born in Kirkdale, Liverpool on the 25 October 1886 and died on
the 16 August 1916 aged 30 at Guillemont France, whilst serving for the King's 13th
Battalion.
Ernest's regimental number was 52373 and is remembered on the Bootle War Memorial
on Stanley Road and the Thiepval Memorial (Pier and Face 1D 8 B and 8 C, in France, as
I understand his body was never recovered. He was survived by his wife Ellen and a
daughter Elizabeth.
Five days after Ernest was killed, on the 21st August,
his brother Harry enlisted in the King's and survived the
war.
My father, Reginald Bill, also served in The King's In
WW2, he was a Colour Sergeant and served in
Northern Ireland. He married his first wife in 1944 and
the marriage certificate includes his number 3772606
and the rank Sergeant in The King's 9th.
I have attached a picture of my father in his army
uniform.
Kind Regards
David Bill
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LETTERS PAGE
IAN WILLIAMS, WRITES:
Hi Eric,
Here are several of our Kingo forebears I have found whilst scouring Ford Cemetery up
near Sefton. I will cover the last grid-square of graves to see if there are any more who
are laid to rest there.
Best wishes
Ian
3344
PTE W J LAVAN
KING'S LIVERPOOL
REGIMENT
5 MAY 1915
D 13072
PTE B FOWLER
THE KING'S REGIMENT
15 JAN 1940
18284
C.SERJT-MAJOR
J H ATKINSON
KING'S LIVERPOOL
REGIMENT
14 APR 17
204601
PTE E HAROLD
KING'S LIVERPOOL
REGIMENT
30 DEC 1918
20518134
GUNNER L CAVANAGH
38TH THE KING'S SEARCHLIGHT
REGIMENT RA
8 NOV 1942
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HUMOUR IN UNIFORM
CANNIBALISM!
Due to a fall in recruitment a batch of Cannibals joined the Army.
The CO welcomed them to the unit "Lovely to have you chaps here with us, just do me a
favour and don’t eat anyone"
The weeks went by until the CO popped into talk to the chief "I'm just checking but we
seem to be missing a Corporal, you wouldn’t know anything about that would you?" The
Chief Cannibal said that he had not seen a corporal anywhere.
After the CO left, the Chief got all the others together "Right who ate the Corporal? Come
on I know you did!!!" A hand raised guiltily at the rear of the Group.
"YOU FOOL'S" exploded the Chief. "For months we have been eating Officers and no one
noticed, but you had to go and eat someone USEFUL!!!!!!"
"How else are we going to pay for the war?"
ONE TOO MANY?
This happened to Kingsman Avid Hadwick who was in France and who was totally drunk.
A French policeman stops his car and asks Avid if he has been drinking.
With great difficulty, Kingsman Hadwick admits that he has been drinking all day, that his
daughter got married in the morning to a French man, and that he drank champagne and a
few bottles of wine at the reception and a quite few glasses of single malt there after.
Quite upset, the policeman proceeds to alcotest (breath test) him and asks Kingsman
Hadwick if he knows under French Law why he is going to be arrested.
Kingsman Hadwick answers with humour: No sir, I do not!
But while we're asking questions, do you know that this is a British car and my wife is
driving... on the other side?
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HUMOUR IN UNIFORM
PRAISE TO THE LORD
The Padre asked if anyone in the congregation would like to express praise for answered
prayers.
Lillian Dickers stood and walked to the podium. She said, I have a praise."
Two months ago, my husband, Kingsman Vennis Dickers, had a terrible bicycle accident and
his scrotum was completely crushed. The pain was excruciating and the doctors didn’t know if
they could help him.’
You could hear a muffled gasp from the men in the congregation as they imagine the pain that
poor Vennis must have experienced.
Vennis was unable to hold me or the children,’ she went on, and every move caused him
terrible pain.’ We prayed as the doctors performed a delicate operation, and it turned out they
were able to piece together the crushed remnants of Vennis’s scrotum, and wrap wire around
it to hold it in place.’
Again, the men in the congregation cringed and squirmed uncomfortably as they imagined the
horrible surgery performed on Vennis.
Now,’ she announced in a quivering voice, thank the Lord, Vennis is out of the hospital and the
doctors say that with time, his scrotum should recover completely.’
All the men sighed with unified relief.
The Padre rose and tentatively asked if anyone else had something to say.
A man stood up and walked slowly to the podium. He said, "I’m Kingsman Vennis Dickers."
The entire congregation held its breath. I just want to tell my wife the word is 'sternum’.
"Kingsman Rafferty, why aren't you holding your rifle in your proper hand?"
"I've got a splinter in my hand Sir!"
"Been scratching your head I suppose!"
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LETTERS PAGE
TED LANGLEY (CANADA), WRITES:
Eric,
I have enclosed a cheque
which I trust will ensure
my
receiving
the
newsletter this year.
My local Legion is very
active and I have become
the
resident
Korea
Veteran, which I don't
mind as it keeps the
"forgotten war" in the
minds of this generation.
I hope you enjoy my sketch of the entrance to Vancouver harbour. It was financed by the
Guinness company so that they could sell 'lots on the mountains of the North Shore to
prospective buyers - they had just bought a huge chunk of forest and wanted to sell 'lots',
only in the Thirties there was little access to the mountains. In 1938 they had the bridge
built to a design which was not only elegant but embodied very advanced engineering. It
is still proudly in use years later proudly handling a volume of traffic nobody could have
foreseen.
There have been attempts to change the bridge but its iconic design survives and visitors
arriving in Vancouver by sea will never forget the sensation of passing under the structure.
Perhaps this has something to do with the history of its name. The Lions are two peaks
prominent on a ridge north of Vancouver and immortalized by a local Indian legend. The
daughters of two opposing Indian tribes arranged a peace which was blessed by the gods
of the mountain and this blessing has contributed to the longevity of the bridge. In any
event it still guards the entrance to the harbour and from our apartment we are privileged
to view it.
Regards
Ted Langley
MRS ANNE STARKEY, WRITES:
I am writing on behalf of my father, Richard Crittenden (117919) who started his
association with The Kings as a Cadet in 1929. He reached the rank of Captain during his
war service, 1939- 45 and is still going strong although with much reduced mobility at 98!
86 years a Kingman. Is this a record?
Would love to hear from anyone who remembers him as he has many memories to share
or pass on to an archivist.
Regards
Anne Starkey
Regards
Anne
Telephone : 01704872082
Email :
Edandannestarkey@gmail.com
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BRANCH DIARY DATES - APRIL - SEPTEMBER 2015
APRIL
Tue 7
Branch Welfare Committee
Liverpool 1400hrs Walker House
Sat 18
Association AGM
Kimberley Barracks, Preston
Tue 21
Branch Welfare Committee
and Quarterly Meeting
Liverpool 1200hrs Walker House
Thu 23
St George's Day
Regimental Day
MAY
Tue 5
Branch Welfare Committee
Liverpool 1200hrs Walker House
Mon 11
Fontenoy Day
Regimental Celebration
Tue 19
Branch Welfare Committee
Liverpool 1200hrs Walker House
JUNE
Tue 9
Branch Welfare Committee
Liverpool 1200hrs Walker House
Wed 10
Guadaloupe Day
Regimental Celebration
Thu 18
Waterloo Day
Regimental Day (200th Anniversary)
Thu 18
Turning of the Leaves
Liverpool 1730hrs Anglican Cathedral
Tue 23
Branch Welfare Committee
Liverpool 1200hrs Walker House
JULY
Wed 1
Somme Day
Regimental Celebration
Thu 2 to
Mon 6
Branch Battlefield Tour
France/Belgium
Tue 7
Branch Welfare Committee
Liverpool 1200hrs Walker House
Tue 21
Branch Welfare Committee
and Quarterly Meeting
Liverpool 1200hrs Walker House
AUGUST
Tue 4
Branch Welfare Committee
Liverpool 1200hrs Walker House
Tue 18
Branch Welfare Committee
Liverpool 1200hrs Walker House
SEPTEMBER
Fri 4
Regimental Golf Day
Formby Golf Club
Tue 8
Branch Welfare Committee
Liverpool 1200hrs Walker House
Tue 22
Branch Welfare Committee
Liverpool 1200hrs Walker House
Thu 24
Turning of the Leaves
Liverpool 1730hrs Anglican Cathedral
Fri 25
Regimental Race Day
Haydock Park
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CHRISTINE MOUNSEY, WRITES:
Just a little reminder about our fantastic and totally FREE Men’s Health circuits that will are
taking place in the Breckfield Centre, (Breckfield Road North) every Thursday, 3 - 4 pm.
The FREE circuit sessions are for people at every level; beginners, intermediate and
advanced, each station can cater for everyone’s fitness levels.
Thank you,
Christine
Christine Mounsey, Programme Lead - Men's Health
Mobile:
07999 857 272
Web Site:
www.liverpoolfc.com
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JOSEPH (JOE) HARCOURT TOMBS, VC
A HERO REMEMBERED
Introduction
A fascinating journey is about to begin ! As a volunteer at the National Air Force Museum of
Canada which is located at 220 RCAF Road, 8 Wing, Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Ontario, I
was approached by a visitor, Margaret Johnston of Campbellford, Ontario, with a picture of the
cemetery headstone of Sergeant Joseph Tombs, VC. The lady understood this Victoria Cross
winner had been buried in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, without the ceremony normally accorded
military heroes.
I was asked if I would follow up on Sgt. Tombs’ history. With some trepidation I agreed to do the
research and began this fascinating journey to discover the story of this Australian-born Canadian,
his early years; his heroics in WW1; voluntarily enlisted in the RCAF to serve his adopted country
in WW2 ; his post-war life and finally to his death. This has taken me on a most rewarding
adventure! Now the story of Sergeant Joseph Tombs VC.
Born on 23rd March 1888, in Melbourne, Australia, this young boy and his parents, Frederick &
Mary Tombs, subsequently relocated to England. Circa 1901 at age 13, Tombs left England ending
up in Hobart, Tasmania, an island state off the south coast of Australia. As a carefree and
independent sort of fellow, an enigma if you will, Tombs wandered for a few years, working on the
“steamers” (boats) off the west coast of South America; as a mercenary in Peru, and for a time as
a dredger on the Panama Canal. Returning to England, Joe found casual employment for a time,
eventually deciding to join the army.
On 5th March 1912, Tombs joined the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment, 1st battalion, “B” Company, a
British militia unit, stationed at Warrington Barracks. Shortly after the First World War began he
served with a Mobile Field Force in Scotland , and shortly thereafter rejoined the 1st Battalion in
France, landing there in Feb 1915.
Lance Corporal Joseph Tombs was awarded the Victoria Cross for his action near the Rue De Bois
during the Battle of Festubert, France 16 May, 1915. His unit had advanced on the German lines.
Without support the unit was cut down by German machine-gun fire. A witness said that “Tombs
looked over the parapet of the trench for a moment as though he couldn't quite make up his mind
then he scaled the parapet and advanced through withering machine- gun fire to the body of the
nearest wounded man whom he dragged back to the trenches.” Despite a severe shrapnel wound
to his stomach, Tombs made four trips through the screaming shells and chattering machine-gun
fire to pick up the wounded, some of whom he carried back on his own back or dragged to safety
with his teeth. The battle of Festubert resulted in 5445 casualties.
King George V invested Lance Corporal Tombs with the Victoria Cross, the British
Commonwealth’s highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in battle, at Buckingham Palace
on the 12th August 1915. As a Victoria Cross winner, he received an annuity of 10 English pounds
each year for the rest of his life. Interesting to note that Joe, many years later, in an interview with
his employer, Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada recalled that his grandfather, Lt Col Henry
Tombs of the Bengal Artillery was also awarded a Victoria Cross on 9th July, 1857, “ For Valour “
during the Indian Mutiny of 1857.
After recovering from his wounds, Tombs participated in a recruiting campaign for the army, later
returning to his Battalion. In 1916, Tombs transferred to the RGA (Royal Garrison Artillery) where
he was assigned to an anti-aircraft battery, subsequently he was transferred to the Canadian
Pacific Railway ship “Minnedosa” as a gunner, serving to protect the ship from the enemy. He was
mustered out of the army (released) on the 31 March 1920.
In 1921, Tombs immigrated to Canada where he again worked for a short period with the Canadian
Pacific Railway steamship line. Returning to dry land, Tombs was employed by the Sun Life
Assurance Company of Canada in Montreal from 1921 through 1942, although he was granted
leave in 1939 to join the Royal Canadian Air force. He married Muriel Sylvia Gooding on 25
December 1925 and they took up residence at 5168 9th Avenue, Rosemount (Montreal) Quebec.
Page 16
During the late 1920’s, Tombs was a member of the “Non-Permanent Active Militia of Canada”,
serving in #6 Field Ambulance Regiment, his regimental number was 91. He was eventually
released on 15th May1933. His interest in the world of “military medics” continued as Joe served
with the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps (RCAMC) from 1933 through 1936. Of note, with the
recommendation of Air Marshall WA (Billy) Bishop, VC, RCAF, he maintained an association with #
50 Division, St John Ambulance Brigade. Cpl Tombs attended several banquets for VC holders,
the first in Montreal in the late 20’s, followed by a dinner in London, England, given by the House of
Lords in November, 1929, and a banquet in May 1939, held in Montreal, Quebec, as a guest, in
honour of HM King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
In 1939, Tombs was granted a leave of absence from Sun Life to join the RCAF and on 2
December 1939, at the age of 51, Joe was enrolled in the RCAF Special Reserve. He was
assessed as a “short stocky fellow at 5ft 3 inches weighing 165 lbs. An excellent man with a
distinguished record from the First World War. Good appearance, very polite, with good manners”.
His address at that time was 108 Greenfield Park, Chambly, Quebec.
AC2 (Aircraftsman 2nd Class) J H Tombs, VC; R54678 (his Second World War serial number) was
posted to the RCAF #1 Manning Depot in Toronto, Ontario - for recruit training! Now an Acting
Corporal, Tombs next posting was on 13 June, 1940 to RCAF Station Trenton where he was
employed at the Central Flying School as a Disciplinarian and Drill Instructor for young aircrew.
This school was but one of about 135 schools across Canada that trained aircrew for the British
Commonwealth Training Plan (BCATP) during the Second World War.
Of significant interest on 3rd August 1941, Air Commodore His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent
was conducting a tour of the facilities at RCAF Trenton. While the royal entourage was on their
way to inspect the Station Hospital, an aide to the Duke of Kent, Wing Commander Sir Louis Grieg,
spotted the tell-tale crimson ribbon of the Victoria Cross on the uniform of Corporal Tombs.
The Wing Commander immediately escorted Tombs to the hospital for an introduction and chat
with His Royal Highness. Corporal Tombs explained that he had received the Victoria Cross for a
“bit of a thing” at Festubert, France in 1915. He went on to explain, with great pride, that this was
the third time that he had been presented to members of the Royal Family while in Canada. ”I was
presented to the Governor-General a few days ago ( 9 July 1941) and was presented to King
George VI and Queen Elizabeth when they visited.” Pointing to his chest he advised a reporter that
the late “His Majesty King George V presented the VC to me!”
Tombs went on to explain to the reporter how he enrolled in the RCAF. “I called the Recruiting
Officer and told him I wanted to enlist again. The officer told me I hadn’t a chance as I was way
over the age limit and that ended the conversation. Then I called a different recruiting office and
asked “ would you be interested in enlisting an older man with a Victoria Cross?…why certainly, let
me know his name and I’ll get in touch with him.…you’re talking to him now sir! So I signed up
and here I am at RCAF Station Trenton.” A side-light to his enrolment suggests that Air Marshall
Billy Bishop had earlier contacted the recruiter on Joe’s behalf!
On 10th August, 1941, Joe left Trenton for #12 Service Flight Training School (12 SFTS) at
Brandon, Manitoba. There he continued his duties as a Drill Instructor. His next posting, on
26thApril, 1942, to #12Technical Services Detachment (12 TSD) in Toronto saw Tombs promoted
to the rank of Sergeant on 15th June 1942.
Sgt. Tombs was granted an Honorable Release from the RCAF on 8 December, 1944. Ironically,
he was discharged from #1 Manning Depot in Toronto where he began his RCAF training some 5
years earlier! Sergeant J H Tombs, VC, was given an “Exemplary” discharge and a $100
allowance for the purchase of civilian clothes so that he could begin his re-integration into civilian
life. His address was listed as 33 Roxborough St. West, Toronto, Ontario.
And now, we begin the story of his post war life, his death on 28th June, 1966, and a military
funeral with all of the honours befitting this Canadian hero...
Page 17
The heat was becoming almost unbearable. The funeral began at 10 am sharp in the sombre air
conditioned chapel of the Trull Funeral Home on Danforth Avenue, Toronto. Organ music whined
gently as veterans and friends sat watching the coffin, with Joseph Tombs' medals lying on a
velvet cushion on its grey felt covered top.
Major HG Clifford, padre of the Royal Regiment of Canada, read the austere words of the Anglican
service for the burial of the dead. Six NCO's of the Regional Ordnance Depot carried the coffin
slowly out of the chapel into the bright sunlight. A 22 man guard of honour of the Canadian Guards,
in three ranks, shouldered arms. Their black boots smashed down on the concrete, hands slapping
the stocks of their automatic rifles. As bystanders watched silently the coffin was locked into place
in a military hearse, and the guard of honour marched stiffly to the head of the procession. The six
pallbearers flanked the hearse. As the procession moved away, the passing soldiers attracted
faces to the windows above the small stores on Danforth Avenue, children, storekeepers, shoppers
and motorists watched silently.
On Greenwood Avenue the Guard of Honour and the pallbearers boarded a military bus and the
procession moved quickly to Pine Hills Cemetery where Joseph Tombs was buried on a sloping
hillside overlooking the graves of other veterans.
Bandsman Jack Cole, dressed in the scarlet tunic of the Royal Regiment of Canada, stood on the
hillside at Pine Hills Cemetery and blew the haunting notes of the “Last Post.” Reserve officers of
the Royal Regiment of Canada saluted. Eight non-commissioned officers of the Regional
Ordnance Depot and six members of the RCAF Veterans' Association stood ramrod straight. The
Union Jack stood at half-staff. Several First World War veterans, their chests decked with medals,
stood silently with dampened eyes. Joe would have liked that…
Nearby, his relatives, a middle aged man, a tiny old lady and a weeping girl watched the flag
draped coffin which contained the body of Sergeant Joseph Harcourt Tombs, VC, of the Kings'
(Liverpool) Regiment. Four NCO's bolted the top of the outer case covering the single poppy lying
on the grey coffin. A ubiquitous grey-suited man from the funeral home gently laid four flower
wreaths over the case. The funeral of a First World War hero was over.
Later, in a small house on Secord Avenue, Mrs. Frederica Johnson, her fifty-year-old son William
Wheaton and his 19 year old daughter, Mrs. Sheila Wallace, reminisced about the quiet spoken,
gentle hero who had lived with them for 20 years and whom they had known as Uncle Joe. Mrs.
Johnson, a tiny 86 year old of extraordinary intelligence and vitality, struggled to reconstruct the life
of a man who talked rarely about himself, and still less about his war experiences.
A time-yellowed photograph of a moustached LCpl Tombs dressed in the heavy khaki of his
regiments' uniform and wearing the Victoria Cross, a tattered copy of the citation describing his
exploits and his many medals are all that remain as links to that day in May 1915 at Festubert,
France when Tombs wrote his name in the annals of his regiment.
William Wheaton produced a number of Tombs' medals from his pocket. There were the Victoria
Cross with its faded crimson ribbon, a 1914/15 Star, two service medals, one with a Bar for being
Mentioned in Dispatches, a medal for service in the merchant marine, and finally one small
Russian Cross, which Mrs. Johnson said Tombs had won for saving a Russian man’s life later in
the war.
When the war ended Mrs. Johnson encouraged Tombs' to stay in her home and it was she who
nursed him constantly during the last 10 years of his life. He never recovered from an operation in
1952 to remove shrapnel from his stomach. In 1964 he suffered from a minor stroke and was
confined to bed, rarely ever speaking. A terse funeral notice announced his death following his
demise on 28 June, 1966.
Major Handley Geary, Sergeant-at-Arms at the Ontario legislature, himself a Victoria Cross winner,
got in touch with Major George Suzuki of the Royal Regiment of Canada, which is affiliated with
Tombs' regiment in England. Together they had arranged for a full military funeral. Sheila Wallace
remembered the old man who lived upstairs in her grandmother's house on Secord Avenue as a
kind, considerate and gentle man who rarely discussed his past and never once complained of the
obvious pain of his war injuries. Mrs. Johnson spoke softly, looking at Tombs' picture and thinking
Page 18
of the twenty years that she had spent with him. “He never talked about the war. He hated it. He
lost too many of his friends, who never came back.” ………Some time later, with William Wheaton
in attendance, the Mayor of Toronto presented Sgt. Tombs’ medals to the permanent care and
custody of the Royal Regiment of Canada; the CO, Lieutenant-Colonel Bob Douglas, personally
accepted on behalf of the Regiment. The medals are on display and can be viewed at the Fort
York Armouries in Toronto.
In memory of Sergeant Tombs‘ service with the RCAF during WW 2, Margaret and Bob Johnston
of Campbellford, Ontario, requested that an “AD ASTRA” memorial stone be created. The stone
was completed in September 2009 and is now prominently displayed in the RCAF Memorial
Airpark at the National Air Force Museum of Canada, Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Ontario. The
stone will forever remain a silent witness to this enigmatic soldier, sailor, airman.
CPL Joe Tombs and the Duke of Kent,
RCAF Station Trenton- Hospital 1941
Pine Hills Cemetery, Toronto, Ontario
LEST WE FORGET
SERGEANT JOSEPH HARCOURT TOMBS ---DECORATIONS AND AWARDS
Victoria Cross
CMG, Companion, Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael & St. George
1914-15 Star/Victory Medal/British War Medal
Coronation Medal, King George VI/Coronation Medal,
Queen Elizabeth II/General Service Medal/Canadian Volunteer Service Medal
Mercantile Marine War Medal/Russian Order of St George, 4th Class
Compiled by: William (Bill) Nurse, Lt Col, RCAF (Retired)
Researcher, National Air Force Museum of Canada www.airforcemuseum.ca
Comments may be forwarded to : research@airforcemuseum.ca
SPECIAL THANKS
Michael Ignatieff, Member of Parliament, Canada,
Veterans Affairs Canada
Royal Regiment of Canada,
Steve Bolton , Professor, Media Studies, Loyalist College, Belleville, Ontario, Canada,
Sun Life Financial of Canada, Krystal Rycroft, Corporate Archivist .
and
Colonel Rory Radford @CDLS(L) Army Advisor@London, GB
Page 19
TURNING THE LEAVES – LIVERPOOL ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL
THURSDAY 12TH MARCH 2015
1914-1918
PTE R GRANT
PTE A GRAY
LCPL T HALL
.
TURNED BY
OCDT EMILY TAYLOR
LUOTC
1939-1945
PTE J COBB
SGT J COLLINS
CPL J COLLINS
TURNED BY
JUO RICHARD BEATTIE
LUOTC
KOREA
KGN YOU JIN DEUK (ROK - KATCOM)
LCPL E HANNEN
KGN G GOODFIELD
TURNED BY
JIMMY O'CARROLL
Ex 1 KINGS
THE REMAINING 2015 TURNING OF THE LEAVES CEREMONIES WILL TAKE
PLACE AT THE LIVERPOOL ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL ON:
THURSDAY18TH JUNE 2015 AT 5.30 PM
THURSDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER 2015 AT 5.30 PM
THURSDAY 12TH NOVEMBER 2015 AT 5.30 PM
<> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>
DURING THE JUNE 2015 TURNING OF THE
LEAVES, THE ROLL OF HONOUR OF OUR KOREA
WAR FALLEN WILL BE READ OUT.
Page 20
HOW THE BRANCH IS RUN
The Branch is managed by a management committee that meets quarterly at
1200hrs on selected Tuesdays at Walker House.
The committee is elected at the Annual General Meeting each year.
CURRENT COMMITTEE
BRANCH PRESIDENT
Lieutenant Colonel David Chadwick TD
CHAIRMAN
Major Eddie McMahon TD
SECRETARY
John Schofield
Telephone: 07788 994621
Email: jonnylad@tiscali.co.uk
NEWSLETTER EDITOR
Eric Roper
Tele: 0151 733 5946
Mobile: 07951 785876
Email: eric_roper@blueyonder.co.uk
TREASURER
Major Dennis Vickers TD
ASSISTANT TREASURER
Vacant
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
John Butler, Terry Caffrey, Major John Cashen, Stan Castell BEM,
Brian Green, Joe McLoughlin, Roy Mitchell, Norman Pickles,
John Schofield, Russell Start, Ian Williams
STANDARD BEARERS
John Schofield, Stan Castell BEM, Brian Green & Ian Williams
Any of the above committee member can be contacted through:
c/o City Office Liverpool
The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment
Room 9, Walker House, Exchange Flags, Liverpool L2 3YL
Tele: 0151 242 2322
© Published by the King’s Regiment Association, Liverpool Branch
http://www.kral.org.uk/
Printed Version By:
The Print & Copy Centre, 7A Rose Lane, Mossley Hill, Liverpool L18 8AD
Telephone: 0151 724 1738