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T he

Frontier P ost

T he official magazine of the Legion of Frontiersmen of theUK and Commonwealth

April 2004 V ol. 1

God Save T heQueen


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Frontier P ost

April 2004

V olume 1

–Introduction

Ladies and Gentlemen, Frontiersmen all: I am

delighted to be able to welcome you to this, the first

edition of the re-launched, new-look Frontier Post,

which has been established as a newsletter for the

Legion for many years.

2003 has been a momentous year, the culmination of

which was the presentation of new Colours by the RightHonourable, the Countess Mountbatten of Burma, more ofwhich is covered within this edition. Another important

occasion was the Legion plot at the Field of Remembranceat Westminster Abbey, our first in over seventy years andwe enjoyed a good turn-out for the Belgian Day Paradeand also for Biggin Hill.

Our new Editor, Sergeant Richard Gillies is also Troop

Commander of Redhill Troop and a Martial Artsinstructor, so any criticisms should be sent under anassumed name. Another Martial Arts instructor ofinternational repute is Sergeant Jaimie Lee-Barron, Troop

Commander of Liverpool Troop. Both Richard and Jaimiehave joined us this year and have shown great dedication

and enthusiasm. Thank you both.

By the medium of this magazine, we hope to inform,advise and generally educate all Frontiersmen in thatwhich is important to them, that is: Current news of

relevance to the Legion of Frontiersmen, promotions andappointments, training, contacts with other uniformed

organisations, events, personality profiles, news from allunits (which will require your input) and in generalwhatever is of relevance or interest to all Frontiersmen,world-wide.

This is YOUR magazine and we want you to enjoy it, but

we will only know what you want to see in it if you tell us,so, please do write, or e-mail or telephone to tell us whatyou think (good or bad, but preferably good) and what sortof information you would like to be included.

The Editorial team is as follows:

Sgt Richard Gillies – EditorLt Col Wayne Warlow – Recruiting and PRLt Col Paul Grant – Commonwealth Training Officer

Lt Col. Paul GrantCommonwealth Training Officer

From the editor

Dear reader,

2003 has been a year of ups and downs for me, one of thenicest ups was to be introduced to an organisation I had

never before heard of, that organisation was the Legion ofFrontiersmen. Since joining I have helped with a numberof events (Security at Biggin Hill, Belgium day parade,

and the presentation of the new colours by the CountessMountbatten), met a number of interesting people, andmost importantly of all had a lot of fun.

I write a newsletter for the martial arts association that I belong to, and I was asked if I would like to produce anewsletter for the Legion, so after 6 months of planning Iwould like to welcome you to ‘Frontier Post’. Wecurrently aim to bring out 4 newsletters each year.

I am a person who believes in learning by your mistakesand also knowing it is important to receive constructivecriticism. I know that there will be better ways to do

things so. So as mentioned above by Lt Col Grant pleasefeel free to openly air any thoughts you have with thisnewsletter. Do you hate something about it or particularlylike something, this is after all your newsletter and wewould welcome any comments, articles, short stories,letters or other correspondence from you.

Any articles that you send in must be in 2 weeks prior toeach Quarter end to ensure that they are published. All

material can be sent to the newsletter editor at thefollowing postal address or email address.

[email protected]

Editor Frontier Post

Legion of FrontiersmenPO Box 272,Aldershot,Hants

GU12 5YUUnited Kingdom

I look forward to hearing from you (good or bad) and hopeyou enjoy reading this newsletter as much as I haveenjoyed writing it.

God Guard Thee

Sergeant Richard GilliesRedhill Troop, UK


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UK and Commonwealth command news

Legion Card

An official greetings card has been produced for all troops.This card has been left blank on the inside so that it can beused for any occasion. The price has yet to be set but willdepend on quantity ordered.

To order the card please send your address, telephonenumber and e-mail address and quantity required to:

Greetings card request, Legion of FrontiersmenPO Box 272, Aldershot, Hants, UK GU12 5YU

This card depicts the trooping of the colours at CookhamThe artist is trooper Mike Paterson

Festival of RemembranceWatching the Festival of Remembrance on TV this year, Ifirst noted how few servicemen and women were actually

on parade, and this was emphasised when the arena wasfinally filled by Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, the Church LadsBrigade and the Boys Brigade.

It is now time that the Legion of Frontiersmen were onceagain seen at this event and with the Centenary looming

large, it is essential that someone, somewhere, doessomething to make it happen.

It is also essential that whoever does so, ensures that

whoever actually represents us will do so in a smart andsoldier like fashion; someone who can actually march all

the way across the arena without losing the step.

For years I have hoped that I may have this privilege, butthere comes a time when you realise that the time for thathas now gone and it is (rightly) down to some smart,young member who has the correct uniform.

Do we have any volunteers?

Lt Col P Grant

Troop news

Recruiting

To the best of my knowledge, City of London Troop aremaking great headway, with many new members joining,followed closely by Redhill and Liverpool Troops. These

include martial arts practitioners as well as ex-forces and police personnel.

Well done to Major Paul Wilkie and sergeants RichardGillies and Jaimie Lee-Barron.

Where you lead, others will hopefully follow.

Lt Col P Grant

Mounted troop secondment at Cheltenham

During a discussion with members of the RoyalGloucestershire Hussars following the Warriors Port Cup’sSkill at Arms competition (the Legion of Frontiersmen

team unfortunately lost this one), it was learned that theregiment was planning a race day at Cheltenham thefollowing spring.

The RGH knew that we had contacts with the HouseholdCavalry Mounted Regiment and they wondered if we

could inquire as to the possibility of loaning cavalry

mounts to act as escorts for the runners and riders. Thiswas agreed and in due course Major Sandy Sanderson ofthe Life Guards was approached and agreed to the loan oftwo black trooper mounts.

As time progressed it became increasingly obvious that theRGH were going to have some difficulty mounting theanimals. This was because their best riders were enteringthe various races on the day and other individuals weredeployed on operation Julip in Kosovo. To add to this all but one of their pegging team members with whom we

have done battle with over the years had other duties todeal with. At this stage OC HQ Sqn approached Col Peel

and asked if the Legion of Frontiersmen could provide onemember to be mounted on the day. He also took theopportunity to scrounge particular kit such as swords,sling, sword knots etc with which they were particularly

short.

Capt Jerry Watkins was allocated to the task and in duecourse sent off to RHQ at Cirencester for issue of No 1Dress Kit. The second member was Capt Cretney RGHand they were both sent for a session with riding staff at

HCMR at Hyde Park Barracks for some sharp reminderson how to ride service mounts. The NCO named Cpl

Wilis who would bring the horses to Cheltenham, was met

and various admin points tied up.

The race day was on 23 February 2003 and it dawned a bright and sunny day. Following a briefing with MajorPonsonby and the Clerk of the course. The HCMR team


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was located and the opportunity was taken to meet themounts. The two troopers from the Blues and Royalstacked up the horses and Cpl Wilis gave a final briefing.

The entire escort work proved very straightforward and themounts proved admirable (Capt Watkins had met his

before at the Defence Animal Centre Melton Mowbray fora days hunting). The attending crowds were large andnoisy but proved no surprise to the horses who were both

familiar with such affairs when on public duties inLondon. The day ended with a superb dinner and gratefulthanks for CO Wessex Yeomanry.

Capt Jerry Watkins

The Selsey dinner

The day was dark and blustery as I made my way to that

far-flung corner of the British Empire called Selsey.

Iron-grey clouds filled the darkening sky and heavy rainthrashed across the windscreen of my car as I strained to peer at the obscured road signs to a place I had nevervisited.

Before my journey, I had asked colleagues at work what

they knew about Selsey and how to get there. Most werenot even sure where it was, but one, (an intrepid explorerwho had visited once before) said that it was betwixtPortsmouth and Dover; a wind-blasted place, with a coldand stony beach and that the only buildings were a coupleof fishermen’s huts, unless they had been blown away or

smashed by the grey and aggressive sea which constantly pounded the shore.

Armed with this useful information, I braved the weatherand set a southerly course, narrowly missing Guildford,Hindhead, Petersfield, Winchester and Portsmouth, until I

came to a roundabout that gave directions to all placesEast and West except Selsey. My intuition said “Go right,young man” (Young man? Ha!) and I am pleased that Idid, as I soon came across a native sign carved in Runicupon whalebone which indicated that Selsey wassomewhere to the left, just past another sign saying “Here be dragons” .

You can imagine my amazement when I found myself inan area devoid of wooden shacks or mud-huts, and whichhad real building made of brick and stone! As I drove

deeper into unknown territory, I observed a primitivenative totem on top of a square building to my left, which

looked suspiciously like an angel such as we use at homein England for Christmas decorations, except that this onewas of monstrous and terrifying size. Had I been driving ateam of horses I have no doubt that they would have shied

and bolted in fear.

Summoning up all of my courage, I ventured onwards,forcing myself to be brave and tensing up my sinews incase of any sudden attack by hostiles.

After a few minutes, I found myself confronted by the

churning and steely grey of an angry sea and, had I drivenany further, I would have been lost forever, as I had runout of road. On my left was a hostelry called the SelseyBill, a notorious hangout for pirates, buccaneers and

smugglers and I knew that I had better move on quickly orsuffer the forcible removal of my wheels.Turning in the road as quietly as I could so as not to raiseany suspicions, I took refuge in a friendly local hostelry

called the Rushmere, where I found many peoplecelebrating a great victory over a distant land in the

Southern Hemisphere. The Antipodes, I believe. All atonce, those men who had not already done so, tore offtheir outer garments to replace them with a white over

shirt bearing a scarlet flower. I guessed that it must besome religious act, probably to do with fertility.

All seemed to be heavily under the influence of somenarcotic drug, as they chanted strange words, waved theirarms in the air and made loud cheering noises.

Skirting round behind them, I was able to make my wayinto a safe and secluded corner of their altar, where I was

able to obtain a sample of this substance from a VestalVirgin serving wench. The liquid was of a pale goldencolour with a white, foamy top, reminiscent of the tops ofthe waves, which I had so recently observed. I found thissubstance to be very palatable, which quickly made mylips numb, and allowed me to become understood in the

local dialect.

From thence, and suitably fortified, I ventured to my pre- booked accommodation within the hallowed portals andmarbled hallway of Cornerways Guest House, where Irested in preparation for my evening ordeal.

At six thirty of the clock, I again visited the rendezvous point at the Rushmere, where I once more sampled the powerful narcotic liquid as I awaited the arrival ofreinforcements. A young local warrior questioned me as tothe provenance of the metal talismans hanging from

coloured ribbons on my outer garment and, being satisfiedwith my reply, he staggered away into the blusterydarkness, it being long past his bed-time.

After ten minutes, two members of the advance partyarrived, and I was pleased to accept another of theserefreshing concoctions at their insistence. Some short time

later, the remainder of the war-party arrived under thecommand of a stout Captain of Volunteers, His Grace theMarquis of Brockington, who kindly bought a round andincluded me in. I was beginning to like this place.

Eventually, it was time to dine, and I have to say that we

enjoyed the most sumptuous meal, in the most convivialsurroundings. The portions were generous, the qualitymagnificent and the price extremely fair.

After the feast (for such it was) we repaired to the barwhere I was forced by a Welshman and a Quartermaster,

stout Yeomen both, to indulge in yet more of this edifying beverage.

When I awoke the following morning, I found to my

chagrin that someone had strewn my clothes across the

floor, emptied my wallet, poured some foul-tastingwooliness into my mouth and replaced my eyeballs withsome strange, reddish orbs, upon which some wag hadetched a road-map. My landlady thought it may have been


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the work of villains from the notorious Selsey Bill Tavern,of previous note.

In all an excellent evening for which I thank Selsey Troop

for their hard work and dedication.

An outlander who must remain anonymous

Articles

To fetch a pale of water….

Once upon a time, there was a lovely little village that hadgrown up quite close to a river.

Every morning the inhabitants of the village would patiently make the trek down to the river to get their dailywater supplies.

All of these people had good, strong, reliable containerswith which to gather the water, and carry it back to their

houses. All except one person that is.

This particular individual was always looked on byeveryone as a little strange, a little bit different. Some people said that he had been a warrior, others that he wassome kind of monk; perhaps he was both of these!

Anyway, this person always used to take an old cracked bucket to get his water, and (off course) it always leaked.It leaked so much that he was lucky if he even ended upwith half the water he had started out with by the time hegot home!

“Why do you do this?” they would ask him, day in and day

out, as he happily slopped along.

One day, when they asked him, he simply turned and pointed, and they all let out a big sigh of understanding,right from the river, all the way to this strange persons

doorstep, there was a pathway full of the most beautifulflowers you could imagine.

There are several morals to this story;- Just because you pick something up and carry it, does

not mean it belongs to you.

- You must share the good that you have with others.- Very few of us are worthy enough to actually drink from

the cup, but all of us are able to catch the drips.- Evan a bad tool can have a good purpose.

Sergeant Jaimie Lee-Baron

The Legion Poem (Kipling)

There's a Legion that never was listed,That carries no colours or crest,But split in a thousand detachments,Is breaking the road for the rest.

Our fathers they left us their blessing,

They taught us and groomed us and crammed,

But we've shaken the Clubs and the Messes,To go and find out and be damned (Dear boys)To go and get shot and be damned.

So some of us chivvy the slaver,

And some of us cherish the black,And some of us hunt on the oil coast,And some on the wallaby track;

And some of us drift to SarawakAnd some of us drift up the Fly,

And some share their tucker with tigers,And some with the gentle Masai (Dear boys)Take tea with the giddy Masai.

We've painted the islands vermilion,We've pearled on half-shares in the Bay,

We've shouted on seven-pound nuggets,We've starved on a seedeeboy's pay.

We've laughed at the world as we found it,

It's women and cities and men,From Sayyid Burgash in a tantrum,

To the smoke-reddened eyes of Loben (Dear boys)We've a little account with Loben.

The ends of the earth were our portion,The ocean at large was our share,There was never a skirmish to windward,

But the Leaderless Legion was there;

Yes, somehow and somewhere and always,We were first when the trouble began,From a lottery-row in Manila,To an I.D.B race on the Pan (Dear boys)

With the Mounted Police on the Pan.

We preach in advance of the Army,We skirmish ahead of the Church,With never a gunboat to help us,When we're scuppered and left in the lurch.

But we know as the cartridges finish,And were filed on our last little shelves,That the Legion that never was listed,Will send us as good as ourselves (Good men)Five hundred as good as ourselves.

Then a health (we must drink it in whispers)To our wholly unauthorised horde,To the line of our dusty forelopers,To the Gentlemen Rovers abroad,

Yes, a health to ourselves ere we scatter,

For the steamer won't wait for the train,And the Legion that never was listed,Goes back into quarters again (Regards!)

Goes back under canvas again (Hurrah!)

The swag and the billy again (Here's how!)

The trail and the packhorse again (Salute!)

The trek and the laager again!

Military haircuts

According to Sir Garnet Wolesley; “It is not easy at anytime to make an Englishman look like a soldier. He is fondof longish hair and uncut whiskers. Hair is the glory of


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woman but the shame of man. In the field, no mans hairshould exceed half an inch in length. This is essential forthe well-being and cleanliness of soldiers. No man canhave that smart bearing which is the outward mark of a

soldier who allows his hair to be so long that he can partit.”

This statement was made in 1896, but to all intents and purposes, it still holds good for today’s modern army.

However, such was not always the case as a centuryearlier, short hair had been forbidden and Grenadiers, forinstance, were required not only to have black hair, but

also that it should be worn in a pig-tail, which was of sucha length that it reached the hem of the coat, the regulationlength of the hem being “as low as the fingers of the arm,held down vertically.”

In 1795, soldiers were issued with tallow and officers with

hog’s lard with which to grease their hair before tying it back. When properly tied, the hair was drawn back sotightly that it was difficult to shut the eyes or even to blink,and it was impossible to do the job without assistance.

In consequence, many officers and soldiers kept their hair

greased and tied up for long periods of time, sometimesweeks, rather than to disarrange it. It was once noted on achurch-parade that “The stench emanating from so manyfilthy heads crowded together in the room where serviceswere performed, was almost too much to bear, especiallyin hot weather”

From the middle of the 19th Century, short hair was

generally fashionable right up to the turn of the Century,although some men wore it a little longer and the armywas not especially punctilious in demanding a regulationhaircut. However, during the trench warfare of the First

World War, the men became so infested with lice that aclose crop became necessary just to keep the headreasonably clean and lice-free. It was also found thatfacial whiskers broke the seal of a gas mask with the faceand so allowed gas to penetrate.

It then became a matter, not only of personal hygiene, but

also of life and death, to have a short haircut and a clean-shaven chin. This rule has never been rescinded and isstill in force today, except in the Royal Navy.

Bedellus

Frontiersmen Management training

– or How to avoid a problem

1. Profess not to have the answer. This lets you out ofhaving to answer at all.

2. Say that we must not move too swiftly. This avoidsthe necessity of ever getting started.

3. For every proposal, set up an opposite and concludethat the middle ground (no motion whatsoever)represents the wisest course of action.

4. When in a tight spot, say something that the group

cannot understand.

5. Say that the problem cannot be separated from other problems, therefore no problem can be solved until allother problems have been solved.

6. Repeatedly ask what is meant by the question. Whenit is clarified, there will be no time left to answer.

7. Retreat into analogies and discuss them until everyonehas forgotten the original problem.

8. Explain and clarify over and over again what you havealready said.

9. Appoint a committee to study the issue.10. Conclude that you have all clarified your thinking on

the problem, even though no definite conclusions have been reached.

11. Point out that some creative minds have struggled

with the problem, implying that it does us credit tohave even thought of it.

12. Be thankful for the problem. It has stimulated our

best thinking and has therefore contributed to ourgrowth. It should get a medal.

13. Carry the problem into other fields. Show that itexists everywhere, hence there is no immediate

concern.14. Look slightly embarrassed when the problem is

brought up. Hint it is in bad taste or too elementaryfor further consideration or that any discussion of it islikely to be misinterpreted by others.

15. Find a face-saving formula that means nothing toanyone but that everyone will accept because he canread into it his own interpretations. This is the highest

art of the good administrator.16. Say that we must wait until some expert can be

consulted.17. Leave the room to get more information: don’t come

back until everyone has left the room.18. When you have very limited time to discuss items vital

to the future progress of the organisation, ensure that you include training and subjects not covered sincethe 1930s and insist that they are of relevance today.

19. If some modern-thinker has the temerity to suggestthat this is irrelevant and out-dated, remind himforcefully that we were in charge of gas training then

and there is no reason why we should not do so again.20. Dismiss all arguments about nuclear, biological and

chemical attacks, specialised clothing and equipmentand vital training as being of no interest or value tothe Legion of Frontiersmen.

21. Keep your Aldis lamp and signal flags handy incase emergency services radio, mobile phone or

satellite communication system suddenly fails andhope that there is someone out there who can readwhatever you are sending.

Histories and profiles - James Henry Lawson

Born Liverpool on 20th July 1872Son of William Lawson and Sarah Jane (formerly Tyson)

Service in: Boer War,India, 1914-18 War,

TA (WO1) Legion of FrontiersmenHome Guard (LDV)

Worked as a tram driver in Liverpool 1921Died Liverpool in 1941


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Shooting challenge

About a year ago, Major Paul Wilkie arranged for ashooting evening at the City of London Police trainingfacility and underground ranges.

During the course of the evening, twelve Frontiersmen of

assorted ranks and abilities fired a selection of differentweapons, including a Gloch automatic pistol, a sniper-rifle, an under-lever Winchester (ala John Wayne) and

other interesting items. We were also shown around thefacility, including different rooms used for hostage rescuescenarios and an incredible abseiling wall.

During the shooting, we had a mini-competition with afew pounds in the kitty and at the end of the night. Thewinner took the pot.

Some months later, Major Wilkie again arranged for a

shooting evening for Frontiersmen and once again thesame person achieved top score.

On Monday 8 December, Major Wilkie arranged for theCity of London Beadles Guild to visit this facility and tohave a competition shoot. On this occasion, we also fired a

Baton Round gun (rubber bullets) and used an incrediblelaser moving target range which is the biggest play-stationin the world. At the end of the evening, the three topscorers were also (coincidentally) Frontiersmen.

These three Musketeers now throw out a challenge:….Putup your best shots and we will take all comers. Is thereanybody out there who dares to take us on?

Each Command to form a team of four shooters, making amaximum of twelve competitors and we will shoot for atrophy, to be competed for annually thereafter. The trophy

is to be paid for from entrance money in the initialcompetition.

Names on a postage stamp please to: Gene Autry, Figure11 Lodge, Foresight, Browning-on-Sea, SMG 9MM, orcontact the Editor for further details.

Event commentaries

The Field of Remembrance, Westminster Abbey.

Some weeks prior to the parade, I had ordered three largecrosses with Legion of Frontiersmen badges attached, to be placed in our plot. These were for the CommonwealthCommand, UK Command and Welch Command and on

arrival at the Field of Remembrance for our first everappearance, I had expected to find the Legion of

Frontiersmen plot to be hidden away in some far corner,unknown and unrecognised, ‘Forgotten, as becomes aFrontiersman’

Imagine my surprise when I discovered that we were infact placed front and centre, and standing next to the senior

regiment of the British Army, the Life Guards. I imagine

that they were somewhat surprised, too!

Legion plot at Westminster Abbey, London Field of Remembrance

The Inspecting Officer was His Royal Highness the PrincePhilip, Duke of Edinburgh, and as he approached helooked over my shoulder and said “Ah, the Frontiersmen?”

I replied “Countess Mountbatten’s Own Frontiersmen, Sir”

Before the parade, several individuals showed greatinterest and asked many questions. One elderly ladyintroduced herself and said that her father and an uncle had been Frontiersmen during World War Two and another

fellow made himself known who had been a Frontiersmanhimself many years ago. I took their details and will now

maintain contact with them.

Another gentleman who must have been in his lateseventies or eighties (who was looking for his grandfathers

Regimental plot) shook my hand and said how wonderful

it was to see the Frontiersmen on parade at last, and then,overcome with emotion, he began to cry.

To those of you who read this I must encourage you to tryto attend this very important, but not at all difficult parade

next year. All we have to do is to be there. There is nomarching, no forming-up, and no ceremonial drill. You do

not even have to wear uniform. All you do is to find your plot and stand behind it.

I thank those who made the effort this time, those beingMajor Mike Aston, Captain Brian Brockington, CorporalToby Humphry and Trooper Mike Paterson, all of whom

were immaculate in their City suits.

On the way out of the area, I was stopped by numerousindividuals who simply wanted to know who we are or tosay how nice it was to see us there.

In all, a very worthwhile day which stimulated a good dealof positive interest.

Lt Col Paul Grant

A colourful day – Cookham trooping of the colour

With swords glittering and spurs jingling, Stetsons

brushed, Strathconas polished and more medals than you

could shake a stick at, (and that was just the RSM!) theLegion of Frontiersmen was once more on parade


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Evidently, the many burnt offerings to the gods hadworked, as the day dawned bright and fresh asFrontiersmen from all parts of the British Isles andelsewhere made their way to the sleepy Thames-side

hamlet of Cookham, the family home of our Founder,Roger Pocock and where many members of his illustrious

family are laid to rest in the ancient parish church.

Plaque to Captain Roger Pocock

at the church in Cookham

Amid the dappled shadows beneath the sleepy,overhanging trees of Willow and Ash and Oak, a variety ofuniforms began to assemble, stimulating much interestfrom local residents, some of whom thought that it was a

Boy Scout Jamboree and others who were worried that warmay have been declared.

When a sufficiently large number had assembled and beenrefreshed at the local hostelry, Regimental Sergeant MajorSavage (well-named and late of the Grenadier Guards)

formed them up for a final rehearsal on the parade groundand, with many an ear-piercing bellow he put them

through their paces.

This stimulated even more interest, as one particularresident leaned over his high garden wall and complained

that there was much too much noise for a Sunday morning,to which the RSM invited him to wind his neck in, or

words to that effect.

The crowds gathered as the great and the good ofFrontiersmen fame descended upon the ancient, flint-built

church and spilled over into the graveyard and surroundingareas. Ladies in posh frocks and large-brimmed hats,

gentlemen bowler-hatted and besuited and ceremonial

uniforms aplenty all added to the growing ambience of theday, which was beginning to look rather like aBuckingham Palace Garden Party or a day out at Ascot.

Visitors from overseas included a Naval representationfrom Poland and several Canadian Frontiersmen, led by

Lt. Colonel Harreson Garner.

Naturally, all took the opportunity for a rare photoshoot inthe sunshine and many historic photos must have been

taken that day. I wonder what our descendants may thinkof it in years to come?

Sgt Gillies, Trp Lee, Sgt Lee-Barron, Trp Paterson,Trp Vithayathil, and Lt Suitor at Cookham church

Finally, our principal guests arrived in the form of theCountess Mountbatten of Burma and the Earl Kitchener ofKhartoum, two names to stir the emotions of any military

man, who along with past Commandant General Pat Hallwere escorted to their places at the front of the church,which was filled to capacity, and the service began. Duringthe singing of the hymns, Welch Command made their presence known by their natural singing talent andharmonisation. Well done lads! It did not go unnoticed.

The old Colour was brought into the church ceremonially

and handed over to be laid-up and the new Colour wasthen processed in, cased in a black, leather sheath and afterremoving the black cover, the Colour was blessed and presented, to be marched out again into the sunlight.

Parading the colour pastthe Countess Mountbatten

I was especially impressed with their forming one rank

from two and then back again as they negotiated thevarious corners around the furniture of the interior of thechurch.

The Colour Party were magnificent and their foot drill wasimmaculate, as were the Parade Commander, Parade

Adjutant and the RSM, who glittered like polished jewelsin the Autumn sun.

Once outside, the marching contingent formed-up with theColour Party and the remainder made a leisurely way to


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the parade ground, where the Colour was Trooped in quickand in slow time before our Patron and the assembledonlookers.

Many of those on parade were there for the very first timein any ceremonial capacity and indeed on any public

parade at all and I applaud their sterling efforts.

Presentation of the new colours Cookham 2003Countess Mountbatten of Burma and the Earl Kitchener

Following the parade, there was a marvellous reception

where we were generously fed and watered by the Ladiesof the Parish; stuffed with home-made cakes, pastries, tarts

and pies, cream buns, biscuits and all manner of good old-fashioned English fare.

At last it was time to go home, but not before a formal

(Regimental style) photograph, where the RSM once again

came into his own. Placing people precariously on foldingchairs, he built a living wall, several deep, with somestanding at the back, some standing in the middle andothers sitting in the front. Naturally, the most importantVIPs were seated in the centre, and then working outwards

by rank or status, the RSM chivvied officers and otherranks alike into place, with the phrase – “This is where

you find out that you are not as important as you thoughtyou were”

In all, an excellent day and one which is of great historicimportance to the Legion of Frontiersmen and which willlive-on in the memories of all who participated.

Bedellus

Perspective on the presentation of the new Colours

“Jerry, can you make yourself available to act as ColourEnsign at Cookham?”

“Er, yes Colonel, I’d be delighted”

Thus was the request from Colonel Peel in August 2003.Of course I knew I would be on parade for the event. Inthe ranks somewhere, at the back.

Now it appeared I was to fill a rather higher profile

appointment. The first thing I thought I had better do wasto learn exactly what an ensign was. As luck would haveit I had met Lt Dick pinfold, he was with NijmeganCompany Grenadier Guards and had acted as ensign at

2003 Trooping of the Colour on Horse Guards. A talllaconic New Zealander, he made it sound easy, it was allvery well for him, he captained the army’s first IX and wasused to being in the limelight. However it was useful to

learn a little of how the Household Brigrade do thesethings in modern days, it seemed a little different in the

earlier times.

The new colour and dignitaries assembled Inside Holy Trinity church, Cookham

The Ensign serving with Brite’s Regiment of Foote wrotein 1648 that the principle function is to carry the Colour,the Colour contains the honour of the regiment. He had to

act as a rallying point in battle and also to taunt the enemy by flourishing the colour. I felt I could attend to those points. He also wrote that an ensign should act withdecorum and restraint and must never get drunk. Hmm,

not so easy!

I needn’t have worried. The dress rehearsal was organised by Sergeant Major Chris Savage on the 28

th September and

the Colour party, escorts, and parade commanders were briefed, drilled, debriefed, and drilled again so all wereconfident in their duties.

Major Paul Wilkie leads the new Colour from the

Church to the parade ground for the trooping

The morning of the 12th October dawned bright and clear,

a good day for a parade. Following a final briefing fromSgt Major Savage I formed up with my sword escort of


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WO2 (SSM) Eddie O’Shea, and Trooper Mike Paterson, both of the City of London troop (COLT). Our first dutywas to slow march the old Colour to the alter of the HolyTrinity Church for the laying up ceremony. We then left

the church. Next we quick marched back to the alter withthe new colour cased. Following the uncasing ceremony

the new Colour was passed to me by our patron, LadyMountbatten, she said a short prayer and the colour was blessed by the padre.

Parading of the new colour

Following the church parade the colour formed up with thedetachments and marched to the parade ground. Then in

the manner of the Sovereign’s birthday parade the Colourwas trooped past the formed detachments so all could seeand identify the new version. After all, the historicfunction of this ceremony was so the troops could

recognise the new Colour during the melee of battle.

Our last action was to fall in with the parade and troop pastour patron in slow and quick time. Once permission wasgiven we departed the parade ground. I then passed theColour to the Sergeant Major who then left with the escort.My final action was to take over the parade from theParade Colonel once the officers had been dismissed and

then have all ranks fall out.

We then enjoyed a splendid lunch at the parish rooms andstood for a regimental photograph. All in all a fine andhistoric occasion. I was proud to be selected as ensign and

proud to be there.Capt Jerry Watkins

ANZAC day parade - EPILOGUE

Having received my invitation from the Australian HighCommission in London, I attended the ANZAC Day

parade at the Cenotaph on Sunday 25th April along with a

few thousand others, mainly Ozzies and Kiwis. On arrival

at the security check point, I showed my Frontiersmen IDcard and was directed to the Marshal for the mixedAustralian, New Zealand and British Forces marchingcontingent.

I pointed out that I was not marching, but was told that as I

was in uniform, I may as well march. “No problem”,(thinks I), “I will just slide in at the back”.

I introduced myself to a group of Australian officers whowere in Service Dress and slouch hats and they said Icould fall-in wherever I wanted. “Nice guys, but pretty laid

back”, I thought. Eventually, the Australian Navy parademarshal called us all to form some sort of a marching body

and I took tail-end Charlie, right at the back, consideringmyself honoured to be so easily accepted on their parade.

The Guards band struck up and off we marched, wheelingleft onto Whitehall towards Trafalgar Square and passingthe Cenotaph on our right.

Once past the Cenotaph, we wheeled right across the roadwhere we halted and faced front, looking down Whitehalltowards Parliament.

The service continued; hymns were sung, prayers said,

National Anthems of Great Britain, Australia and NewZealand were sung and wreaths laid. It was then time tomarch off, and you may appreciate my surprise when wewere ordered to “Right Turn”.

My tail-end Charlie position now made me parade leader!

On arrival back at the start point, I asked what was tohappen next and was told that we were all to go toWestminster Abbey for a Gallipoli memorial service.When I reached Westminster Abbey, I noticed that redtickets were going one way, yellow tickets another and

blue tickets somewhere else. I had no ticket and so presented myself to the heavily armed policeman on thesecurity gate and explained that it had not arrived in the post.

He checked my LF ID Card and decided that my uniform

was sufficiently kosher and sent me inside the securitycordon to report to a man in a scarlet coat to ask fordirections. This fellow redirected me to a young lady nearthe main entrance, in a powder blue blazer who was tryingto sort out another lady who also had no ticket. Waitingmy turn, I overheard their conversation and learned thatshe was from the Australian High Commission and had

mislaid her ticket, but that she must get into the Cathedral,as she was part of the High Commission Staff. She wasthen shown into the main entrance where she was directedto the VIP seats.

The young lady in the powder blue turned to me. “I’m

with her” I said, indicating the High Commission lady whowas hurrying to her seat.

“You had better hurry then” came the reply, as I was

whisked through and directed to a seat right at the front bythe steps to the High Altar.

Who says that Frontiersmen do not show initiative?

I collected several cards and addresses and very much look

forward to meeting my new-found-friends again on

ANZAC day next year.New impressions – The Frontiersmen from a new recruit


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It has been nearly a year since I originally joined theLegion of Frontiersmen, this was an institution to which prior to joining I had never heard of. I have always had aninterest in the military ever since I was a young lad. At the

age of 21 I went to the local TA Centre to join up, I tookall the tests and fitness exams with flying colours. I had

the pick of the crop with regards to which role I could takeon (excluding being a doctor or other professional). Idecided I would join the Intelligence Corp as a Linguist, as

I was pretty good with Languages, I was shipped of toAshford in Kent for a couple of days evaluation. Aroundthis time I got a job offer in the IT industry which was also

a career I was interested in, any way the long and the shortof it was that I took the IT role. Sometimes I look backand wish I had taken the role in the Intelligence Corp, butas the saying goes there is no point crying over spilt milk.

So what has this got to do with my joining the

Frontiersmen you ask?

One of my hobbies for the last 20 years has been martialarts’ and through martial arts I met a very great man calledJaimie, who I have known for nearly 8 years. Earlier thisyear I mentioned to him my interest in the military and that

sometimes I wish I had gone down that road. He said hewas in a group called the Legion of Frontiersman and thathe was going to form a troop in Liverpool and asked if Iwas interested in joining. Now I live just outside ofGatwick so it took me a while to decide (roughly 1minute). So on a monthly basis I would head up to

Liverpool (well Wigan actually) to do a bit of training.

When I heard we were providing security at Biggin Hill I jumped at the chance for free entry to the airshow and foodthrown in as well. I had just purchased an army 12” by12” tent so the weekend prior to the show I set up this and

my 9” by 9” in the garden and made sure they were watertight as I was going to supply the tentage for LiverpoolTroop. Knowing Jaimie and the boys’ fondness forWhisky I packed a large bottle of Glen Morangie.

The weekend of the show arrived and on the Fridayafternoon I headed off laden down with tents, camp beds,

sleeping bags and various other camping type paraphernalia. On arrival the only name I had was that ofLt Col Paul Grant, I asked at the command tent and wastold to pitch my tent behind the Mess tent and Lt Col

Grant would be found around that area as well.

Going behind the mess tent I found a fellow learning to flya kite, on closer inspection I was to discover this was infact my CO Lt Col Grant. He had just purchased a tunneltent and this was the first time he had put it up and the

wind being a strong southerly straight off the top of the North Downs was not helping with the learning curve.

Dropping my kit and with the help of Lt Marcus Suitorwho had just arrived we set to and erected the tent (with a bit of help from a couple of others who had wondered byand been drafted in. Once this had been done I then went

about setting up my 12” by 12” with a bit of help from

those who had helped set up the tunnel tent.

When the tents had been erected I laid my kit out and wasinvited over for a beer and introduced to some of theothers. I am afraid I can not remember everyone’s names

for which I apologise, I do remember being very welltreated and having some wonderful conversations with both Lt Col Grant and Major Edward Watkins, whose Son

Jonathan (Military Police) I was to meet the following day.

After a good nights sleep and a filling breakfast made bythe troop from Selsey we were given our security briefingand sent off to our patrol areas. My patrol area for the daywas “Airside” along the main taxiway, I was to patrol the

area from the “Memphis Bell” to where the planes were parked between flights and ensure that the crowds stayed behind the barriers and did not touch the planes. If therewas to an accident I was to help with the evacuation of thevisitors. It was a bit cold to start with but by 10:00 hrs it


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was lovely and warm, lunch was brought out to us in theguise of Sandwiches and drink around 14:00 hrs.

The afternoon dragged on a bit after the excitement of the

morning but I must admit to getting a great view of theshow during my patrols. I finished up at around 18:00hrs

and when relieved headed back to the camp site for Dinnerand a well earned rest. Liverpool Troop had arrived earlierin the day and had set up in the 12” by 12” tent, they got

back just after I finished my meal. It was then time forsome of the Liverpool troop had to head off home due toother commitments but Sgt Jaimie Lee-Barron, and a

couple of others stayed behind. Major Watkins came overwith his son and offered us a drink, we returned the favourand cracked open a couple of bottles of Whisky whichinterestingly enough seemed to attract officers from far

and wide as our tent was duly upgraded to become theofficers mess.

Sunday started bright and early with breakfast and then offto the bottom of the runway to patrol the perimeter road.This was a bit of a lonely task as it meant walking up thestretch of road from the emergency services gate down tothe far end of the road (around 500 yards in all) and also a

footpath that ran through a small piece of private wasteground. After 4 hours of patrolling this area I was called back for something to eat and then taken to a new area to patrol, this was a footpath that ran through a farmer’s fieldat the far end of the runway. I was to patrol this are withLt Col Paul Grant, this was good as it gave me a chance to

grill the colonel on the Frontiersmen and their history. Asit turns out we had quite a bit in common. The sun wasnow shining brightly, and everyone had come down with akind of party attitude so there was no trouble and it was anice way to spend the afternoon. We patrolled this areafor around 3 hours and were then relieved for a spot of R

and R back at the camp due to Sgt Jaimie Lee-Barronneeding a lift to East Croydon Station to head home.

My final duty of the day was patrol the same area I had patrolled Saturday but this time with Lt Col Grant and alady trooper from Selsey. This was quite a relaxed time

with the only bit of excitement happening when it cameover the radio that a little girl had gone missing

(fortunately to be found a short while later). Once finishedwe headed back to camp, just as we arrived a call cameover the radio, apparently a group of youths had beendrinking in the beer tent and were now causing trouble. 12

of us jumped into the two ‘response’ landrovers, andheaded off across the field to where they were located.When we spotted the youths (approximately 10 girls and boys aged from 16 to 20) we all de-bussed and fanned out,

initially there was some verbal hostility, but the officer incharge handled it well and we eventually guided them off

the field without any physical confrontation.

This was the first time I had really met anyone outside of

Liverpool Troop (all of whom I knew from my martial artsanyway). I certainly came away with a lot of new friendsand also the impression that here was something worth

getting involved with. So much so that 4 months later I setup my own troop in Redhill (Currently 8 of us), and we areclosely tied with the City of London Troop.

Sergeant Richard Gillies

Forthcoming events

June 2004

Biggin Hill Air show

The legion of Frontiersmen is to provide 24-hoursecurity at the air show.

Normandy Parachute jump

There is an opportunity for a static line jump from aDakota, for appropriately qualified personnel, on the

60th

anniversary of the D-Day landings, onto some ofthe original drop zones, and then to take part in someof the re-enactments and celebrations. Authentic kitand parachutes will be used. Anyone interested shouldcontact the UK Command Adjutant Major FPLManson TD for further details.

July 2004Belgium National Day Parade

Horse Guards parade and Cenotaph, London

Belgian war memorial

Brookwood Military Cemetery

November 2004

AMICALE Service of Remembrance

Kensal Green Cemetery, North London

Executive Council Meeting

Agenda Items should be sent to Command HQ in

writing. South London

RELAIS SACRE Service of Remembrance

Westminster Abby and Belgian Embassy

Remembrance day parade

The Cenotaph, London

December 2004

Legion Annual dinner

Items wanted and for sale

Private items for sale


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Department of Intelligence, Security and Terrorism Studies

International Institute for Specialised Education and Research

Knightsbridge UniversityDenmark

International Conference on

Intelligence, Security and Terrorism Studies:

‘The Role of Intelligence in Combating Modern Terrorism’

at

Greater Manchester Police Training School

Sedgley Park

on

28th, 29th & 30th May 2004

Details from:

Prof. E. de Silva [email protected]

Prof. J. Lee-Barron [email protected]

International Institute for Specialised Education and Research (IISER) – 69 Piccadilly – Manchester – M1 2BSRegistered in England 03909302
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

jiu jutsu - ninjutsu - aiki jutsu

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