Chapter 3: 1985 to 1989
Chapter 3 - ‘A’ Squadron
The Duke of Lancaster’s Own Yeomanry
1985 - 1989
Moving To Wigan and ‘A’ Squadron
The commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel David Corbin had orchestrated the moves of Sergeant Major John Maclachlan and me to Wigan to fill a command vacuum and from our arrivals that is just what we did. I arrived on a frosty January morning in 1985 at the barracks in Powell Street, Wigan. Once I had gained access to the town centre building, I introduced myself to the various staff there. Captain Vic Colborne was the PSAO and of course we had met each other in the mess but had never worked together before. The regular PSI was Staff Sergeant Ian Proctor RTR with whom I was to share many amusing moments. Ian was a great source of support. I had known the NRPS Staff Sergeant Bob Lane from the day I joined the Regiment; we had shared many experiences in our times at ‘B’ Squadron together in the 70’s being Troopers, Lance Corporals and Corporals together. Bob had made the TAVR his career and his wife Carol was the caretaker of the Powell Street barracks. This was an old building which was to be demolished in the redesign of Wigan’s town centre road system. All the vehicles were housed indoors on the wooden drill hall floor. Our Clerical Officer was Mr Caffery – a quiet chap.
I saw the squadron leader twice for brief spells on a Tuesday drill night in the six months before summer camp so really I found myself “in the chair” and acting as squadron leader. There was much to be done and Sergeant Major John Maclachlan had made a fair assessment of the state of the squadron. It was quite hard work but I did feel I could pick the squadron up and take it forward. There were issues which I needed to tackle but no one was out to make the process difficult and I certainly had the support of the CO, Colonel David, who had sent me there.
Exercise Brave Rose – May 1985
Occasionally training was organised at a higher level and over the weekend of 18-19 May 1985 North West District arranged a Tactical Exercise Without Troops (TEWT) up in the North Lake District where we studied Key Point defences at the NATO Ammunition Depot on Broughton Moor. This was a great opportunity to get an idea of the breadth of the District’s troops and see all the different cap badges but really it also marked the last time that we would be involved in guarding key points as our focus shifted to a reconnaissance rôle.
Business of the training aside, my accommodation was in the brilliant Armathwaite Hall Hotel overlooking the Bassenthwaite Lake. This was one of 4 hotels taken over for the weekend and in terms of weekend TA accommodation must rate as the best. Saturday night saw all the district officers present in mess kit for a formal dinner. The only other time I was to see “a district dinner” was in Edinburgh when, as Acting Recce Squadron Leader for 51 Highland Brigade, I was invited by GOC Scotland to a celebration dinner to mark the end of Exercise Brave Defender in September 1985. Major Anthony Hammersley, my good friend and counterpart in 52 Lowland Brigade, was also present as between us our squadrons provided the reconnaissance capability for the whole of Scotland.
1st Garden Party - 23 July 1985
On 23rd July 1985 a small group from DLOY had the pleasure to attend a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. Diane & I had a lovely day. Back at school my absence caused a stir; a day’s leave of absence with pay to attend a party!
We were accompanied by the following:
Major & Mrs John Eastham, WO2 (RQMS) & Mrs James Myers, WO2 (SSM) & Mrs John Maclachlan, SSgt & Mrs Ian Proctor and SSgt & Mrs John Sinclair.
Exercising In Scotland: Exercises Brave Defender To Bonnie Dundee
Now with an operation rôle of providing medium reconnaissance for the home defence in the Highlands & Islands of Scotland we were soon exercising with 51 Highland Brigade whose headquarters were in Perth with boundaries far and wide.
On the 18th July 1985 I received a message from Captain Alastair Wicks, our Adjutant, which read “re Ex Brave Defender – phone COS 51 Bde Perth Mil 62.” Britain’s Largest Home Defence Exercise for 40 years was in the detailed planning stages and would cost £3million. The MOD would be looking at our ability to deal with enemy action within the UK; the word Spetznaz was about to hit the national press and the profile of the reservists was about to hit a new high.
I was eager to establish my link with 51 Highland Brigade staff and was soon off up to Perth to meet the Brigade Commander and his team. It was very much a two way learning process and they were keen to know what we could do. Whilst the troops could be deployed out on the ground in the vast area of which Northern Constabulary was just a part, SHQ was able to provide a very welcome addition to the Brigade Headquarters. I took the squadron headquarters team out and about in Scotland visiting our troops and indeed for some of the high spots of the key exercises we often played an important part in either organising the final assault or liaising with the police in dealing with a major incident. In all cases we were well received, valued and with joint planning, put to good use. Whilst it was hard work and inevitably a long journey we enjoyed the freedom and felt that we were doing a real job. This had to be my best rôle to date.
Exercise Brave Defender was proclaimed a success with many lessons learned and thank you letters flowed south in Sept 1985. In my annual report for 1985 I received an “Excellent” grading from my Commanding Officer, David Corbin.
Through Exercises such as Tartan Hero in September 1986 and First Watch in May 1988 our performance rose from strength to strength. By the late autumn of 1988 ‘A’ Squadron was well into its stride with exercising in Scotland and our relationship with HQ 51 Brigade was on a sound footing. Brigadier Ian Purves-Hume kept us busy throughout Exercise Bonnie Dundee and our troops really appreciated the parkas for which I had indented prior to our trip to the Highlands. The parkas were viewed with much envy by the resident units as indeed was the smell of the Yeomanry cooking breakfast from its vehicles on frosty mornings. We travelled widely throughout the Highlands and I had the opportunity to show Squadron Headquarters such sites as the Commando memorial at Spean Bridge having pushed through the falling snows on the Pass of Drumochter. Troops were deployed on the far west coast using OPs to monitor off coast Russian vessels.
Figure 15: Logo 51 Highland Brigade
We had the honour of leading in the ‘grand finale’ incident working closely with the civilian police and much to everyone’s delight, under the scrutiny of local television we carried off the day in fine yeomanry style, or to use the Brigade Commander’s words “The squadron met those requirements in a most professional manner.”
As well as operational trips to Scotland ‘A’ Squadron was tasked with providing communications for a charity Four Peaks event when runner, Terry Marsh was to attempt to run up four peaks in 24 hours. We were to provide radio links on the summits of Ben Nevis and Cairngorm. Richard Koss, my 2IC led a party to the summit of Cairngorm whilst I had a Lynx helicopter to position Sgt Peter Roden and Cpl “Ginger” Johnson on the summit of Ben Nevis. We established a base at the drill Hall in Fort William and rendezvoused with the AAC team there.
During the recovery flight from Ben Nevis I asked the pilot to demonstrate the flying capabilities of the Lynx, which he did. Two particular feats were displayed; first flying upside down and second the power dive where you accelerate downward faster than gravity. During the power dive I released my grip on a small camera which floated up to ceiling of the cockpit. We repeated this with Sgt Roden and Cpl Johnson on board with their rucksacks open and things floated out – amazing.
With Peter Roden and Ginger Johnson safely down at Fort William, I took them with a small team in two Land Rovers for a once-in-a-lifetime drive across the Corrieyairack Pass, one of General George Wade’s military roads, from Laggan to Fort Augustus through the Monadhliath Mountains. I drove the lead vehicle across the pass (2526 feet) followed by Trooper McNair driving the second vehicle; a drive we will all remember.
Figure 16: A Sqn DLOY crossing the Corrieyairack Pass
Queen’s Visit To Altcar
By the summer of 1986 the squadron was getting used to me and vice versa and we were in good form for the visit of HM The Queen, our Colonel in Chief.
Figure 17: Captain John Tustin is introduced to Queen Elizabeth II
Major Jim Collis appeared for camp, however soon after camp he left regimental duty and the way was clear for me officially to step into the appointment of squadron leader. My promotion to Major was effective from 15th November 1985 and appeared in the London Gazette (S) on 18th February 1986. It had been a pleasure working for Colonel David Corbin and his appreciation of my work done at Wigan was reflected in the annual report I received from him. Colonel John Woolley took over command of the regiment towards the end of 1986, commencing a new period for both the regiment and me.
Duchy Shield
Major Martin Steiger, having taken over ‘D’ Squadron in excellent order, had the pleasure of receiving the Duchy Shield for champion squadron from HM The Queen. This gave extra impetus to my efforts now at Wigan to lift the shield for my new squadron. This we duly did............
Wider Duties of a Field Officer
With my majority confirmed, other duties came my way – many of them enjoyable. As Remembrance Day approached the papers arrived detailing arrangements for the church service, the laying of wreaths, salute and march past. As Officer Commanding the Yeomanry in Wigan I had a significant part to play in the events. This was an annual event on the squadron calendar, including drinks in the Mayor’s parlour with a select group of dignitaries after the parade.
I also found myself tasked with annual Cadet Detachment inspections within the North West. Armed with a check list and dressed appropriately as requested, the evening would involve checking the paper work and accounts, security of the arms chest, issuing awards and badges and finally addressing and congratulating the company.
I was invited to inspect the Sea Cadets in Wigan which had a different slant to the evening, enjoying watching the cadets exercise their “evolutions.” Our liaison in Wigan with the Sea Cadets strengthened and I was invited to a Trafalgar Dinner, making the after dinner speech and proposing the toast to the “Immortal Memory.” I found out that my cousin, Betty, and her husband Dick Gradwell held senior positions in the management of the Sea Cadets; however, we never actually met on duty.
Figure 18: Wigan No 366 Unit T.S. Sceptre – Presentation of 1986 Efficiency Award by Maj John Tustin DLOY
My involvement in the District Assessment Boards was also requested to assess potential officer cadets for the TA. These were held by 42 Infantry Brigade at Chester and consisted of a series of physical and mental tests along with an interview with a syndicate vice president. The assessors were usually accommodated in a local hotel and this gave us a chance to network within the district. There were clearly more hoops to jump through for the aspiring potential young officer than there had been ten years earlier. My selection in 1978 had resulted from an interview at Fulwood Barracks based on my CO’s recommendation. In my case the board recommended that I should attend Sandhurst.
Stirling Castle – July 1986
On the 26th July 1986 Her Majesty The Queen arrived in Stirling by Royal train to present new colours to 3/51 Battalion The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. It was a lovely summer’s day and Diane & I had travelled up to Stirling the day before. The presentation and parade took place in Stirling Castle and this was the culmination of annual camp for 3/51 who had been rehearsing at their camp base in nearby Drip Camp. We were made welcome by the commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Eric Ostman, and his staff and after the parade we were presented to Her Majesty. Amazingly, just as Colonel Eric was about to introduce us, The Queen said “John, what are you doing here [pause] I saw you last year at Altcar – I distinctly remember the falling plates and making the HSF run with all their kit?” Diane stood amazed as I explained to Her Majesty that her Yeomanry held a reconnaissance rôle throughout Scotland and that Col Eric had kindly extended an invitation to us for this very special day.
As we walked from the parade ground into the Castle for the reception I was engaged in conversation with Lieutenant General Norman Arthur KCB CVO, GOC Scotland who was particularly interested to hear of the DLOY’s rôle in Scotland. Passing through the inner security ring I had to break off as I held Diane’s pass and we had become separated.
The Queen was accompanied by her Private Secretary, Sir Kenneth Scott. Diane and Kenneth had been friends in their early days in the Foreign Office and were able to meet up for a few moments: all-in-all a remarkable day!
Figure 19: HM the Queen with 3/51 Battalion (Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders) July 1986
TA Scap Book 20001 'A' Sqn copy.pdf
Squadron Leader’s Course – Bovington
Now, well into my appointment as Squadron Leader at Wigan, I felt it time to visit the Royal Armoured Corps Centre, Bovington. My prior training had been infantry based with a successful Company Commander’s Course at The School of Infantry in 1984 as my passport to Majority. In August/September 1986 I elected to join my second in command, Richard Koss, on the Home Defence Course for Squadron Leaders culminating in the promotion examination on the final Sunday. This could have been embarrassing for me had Richard outshone me at Bovington but I had an exceptionally good course as my report spells out doing particularly well in map reading, signals and tactics. I felt this gave credence to the training and experience I had endured in my rise to command a reconnaissance squadron. This also gave me a tick in the RAC box. The numbers on this course were small as there were only three HD Yeomanry units – The Royal Wessex, The Royal Mercian and The Duke of Lancaster’s Own and it gave us all a really good chance to network and exchange knowledge and experiences. Our course DS was Major CNP Speers, SO2 Recce at Bovington, who was great to work with and interested in the “recce” jobs we had to do. (My full report appears as a PDF in the ‘A’ Squadron folder.)
Marble Tor 1987
In the autumn of 1986 Colonel John Woolley visited me at Wigan with a special mission. The regiment was to provide a squadron for Exercise Marble Tor in May 1987 and offered me the squadron leader appointment. As junior sabre squadron leader I was sure he had offered the position to both Anthony Hammersley (‘B’ Sqn Ldr) and Martin Steiger (‘D’ Sqn Ldr) and that both must have declined, no doubt through work commitments. This would be an extra fortnight. I was delighted and relished the idea of being the boss of a composite ‘G’ Squadron drawn from the essence of the regiment. My service in the TA was always well supported by my employer, Bolton Council, who happily paid my salary for the extra weeks away.
As the orbat took shape, in December Colonel John, Captain Terry Lovell my training officer and I took a flight out to Gibraltar for a recce. Normally, three days were allowed for such a reconnaissance trip but as the winter flights were only weekly to Gibraltar we had to spend a whole week there. We stayed in the RAF mess and comfortably completed our recce with ample time for Christmas shopping and sightseeing. The weather was most agreeable and a drink before dinner, looking across to Africa with a gentle warm breeze blowing was a world away from December in Lancashire.
I took a series of slides, some from the air, which were very useful when it came to formally briefing my new squadron in the Crofton Hall at Fulwood. My experience seven years earlier gave me a real advantage but the emphasis of the tour had shifted somewhat as the Spanish frontier was now open and any perceived threat was from Colonel Gaddafi’s Libya, in the other direction.
On 5th February, with the officer appointments filled, I invited my second in command, Richard Koss, and troop leaders to a briefing. Diane kindly produced a dinner for us once the business was done and there was an air of excitement around us. The troop leaders were Ernest Ryder, Barrie Brookes, Mike Carnell and Paul Whittingham.
This time we were to occupy the old colonial barracks and relieve the Gibraltar Regiment, although the officers were still accommodated in the same house as on our previous tour. With no frontier guard duties more time was available for adventurous training which all worked as a build up towards the final exercise “Yeoman’s Scramble.” The Royal Navy were particularly supportive and as well as providing “jollies” out to sea they played a critical part of our exercise in facilitating transhipping from a fleet tender to “rigid raiders” off the coast and providing the beach landing for our troops under cover of darkness. Unfortunately, during the recovery in choppy waters the stern of the tender dashed against the quay. Fortunately the repair bill was never passed to me.
Throughout the build up to Exercise Marble Tor and the fortnight in Gibraltar I was very well supported by an excellent team – the cream of the Regiment. Sergeant Major John Cavanagh and I knew each other well and we were confident in each other. In fact having served in all three squadrons I knew many of the squadron members very well. However, despite being warned of the heavy police presence on the Rock, practically on the first night out on Main Street a report of two of our boys fighting came back to me. They were ashamed: I am sure they were tired from travel and drink and despite being pals had disagreed over a girl. A £50 fine each settled the issue and the word spread sufficiently to discourage any further misdemeanours.
The Duke of Lancaster’s Own Yeomanry was easily recognisable in sports dress on the Rock. Through the good offices of Ernest Ryder, a track suit of bright blue trousers and canary yellow top sporting our regimental badge was provided for every soldier – no escape there then. However, in the evening, there was plenty of scope for exploring the bars on Main Street. On our first night I introduced the “first tour officers “to The Spinning Wheel. Both Terry Lovell and I were well familiar with this watering hole and whilst not out of bounds to the ORs it was clear that this establishment would be frequented by the officers – just one bar out of 200+.
In good yeomanry style, we threw a party towards the end of our tour. Richard Koss took on the task of the organising but I could not resist choosing the drinks (currently holding the appointment of wines member for our mess back home). An appointment was made with a reputable wine importer. Arriving at a dusty wooden door, I was admitted and taken up some creaking wooden panelled stairs to an office. Here, following an initial discussion of our requirements some confirmatory tasting was undertaken resulting in the delivery of several cases to Lathbury mess – the venue for our party.
There were many to whom we needed to say thank you and Richard had practically a 100% take up on invitations. Parties were popular in Gibraltar and often brought reciprocations. Our party hit both of these buttons and left a warm feeling for the DLOY in this far-flung corner.
Colonel John flew out to join us on Tuesday of the second week and resided in the Rock Hotel. As always he wanted to “get stuck in” and as our final exercise “Yeoman’s Scramble” was in jeopardy with a worsening petrol strike Colonel John set about personally siphoning fuel from one tank to another to ensure our boats had sufficient fuel for our activities and allowing a successful climax to our tour.
Figure 20: Col John Woolley relaxing outside RAF mess, Gibraltar
The squadron flew back to the UK in good order, with bags of tales to tell with major recruiting potential and I was particularly grateful to Wendy Steven for helping me choose presents for Diane.
Figure 21: 'G' Squadron DLOY in Gibraltar 1987
Front Row (L to R): Capt Terry Lovell WOII(SSM) John Cavanagh Maj John Tustin (OC 'G' Sqn) Lt Col John Woolley (CO visiting) Capt Richard Koss (Sqn 2IC)
Mess Life & The Red Rose Club
I took on the position of “Wines Member” for our mess at Chorley and enjoyed taking the job seriously. This involved a trip down to Bordeaux to do some serious tasting and checking out wines at home with a few colleagues. Diane was most helpful in providing a small version of a meal planned for the mess occasions, such as a Yeomanry Ball so that we could ensure a good match between the food and the wine. In the photograph below we can see covered bottles, note-pads and pencils and a small team of assessors in our garden, busy at work. (Justin Goodbody - GOC’s ADC, Ernest Ryder, Mike Williams – Adj DLOY, Gabi – A/Adj 3 LI & fellow NW District mess member and me).
Figure 22: Wine Tasting for Yeomanry Ball 31st May 1987
The Red Rose Club, inaugurated in 1887 and open to Cavalry Officers in Lancashire, holds its annual dinner on the first Friday in March. In my early days the invitations came out under the name Lt Col NH Phillips and were generally hosted in our mess. Many distinguished guests dined with us over the years and continue to do so although the venue has moved around somewhat. Today (2011) the popular venue is the “Manchester Tennis & Racquets Club” in Salford.
Figure 23: Col Michael Birtwistle flanked by Generals at The Centenary Red Rose Dinner 1987
Major General Colin Terry Shortis CB CBE General Officer Commanding, North West District
General Sir John Bryan Akehurst, KCB, CBE Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe
Territorial Decoration
On the 29th November 1988 the London Gazette carried the following entry.
The presentation took place in the Officers’ Mess, RHQ Chorley on 14th February 1989 with Brigadier Ian McLeod handing over the award and all enjoying a glass of champagne.
Figure 24: Territorial Decoration
New Barracks For ‘A’ Squadron
Back in Wigan, there were major changes afoot. The old drill hall in Powell Street was to be demolished in an urban redevelopment plan. A new TA Centre was planned but in the interim we were to be housed in “Rattle Accommodation” on an industrial site in Woodhouse Lane just out of the town centre. This did provide us with an opportunity to have an official opening and parade with the Mayor of Wigan, Cllr John Sumner and his wife Netta kindly agreeing to be the guests of honour, taking the salute and uncovering the plaque.
Figure 25: Mayor of Wigan Opens Temporary Accommodation for 'A' Sqn
Meanwhile the new building in Canal Street was taking shape and a name was finally agreed upon –Kearsley House after Captain John Hodson Kearsley, who in 1818 had raised a Troop of Wigan Volunteer Light Horse (antecedent of DLOY). Stones from the old drill hall were incorporated in the new build and with much fanfare Kearsley House was officially opened by Lieutenant General Sir David Ramsbotham KCB, CBE, Inspector General of the Territorial Army on 21st October 1989.
Figure 26: Lieutenant General Sir David Ramsbotham KCB, CBE, Commander UK Field Army, accompanied by Major John Tustin TD and CO, Lt Col Martin Steiger TD
Three weeks later, after the remembrance parade, in November I handed over the squadron to Major Alistair McKenzie and wished ‘A’ Squadron all the best after five remarkable years. As I was away at Staff College, at short notice, Diane stood in for me at my dining out in January 1990. Diane was well-liked and looked after by the squadron and collected a leaving present on my behalf.
Figure 27: Final Day commanding 'A' Squadron DLOY
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