Post date: Nov 24, 2012 7:09:34 AM
Dr Peter Tobin joined other guests at the Transvaal Horse Artillery (THA) Sidi Rezegh Formal Mess Dinner, held at the Rand Club in Johannesburg on Friday 23 November 2012. This event marked the 71st anniversary of the THA's participation in the landmark battle in Operation Crusader which was launched to relieve the siege of Tobruk during World War Two. During the dinner Dr Tobin was given the honour of reciting the citation for a fellow officer of his former regiment who fell in combat. Dr Tobin also presented the "Toast to the Horses" an acknowledgement of the respect shown for the essential role played by those essential partners in the notable history of the THA.
Then titled Captain Peter Tobin, RHA, Dr Tobin served in the British Army in the 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, a unit which earned recognition for its participation in the Battle of Sidi Rezegh through the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross, the highest British military gallantry award, to 2nd Lieutenant George Ward Gunn. Later J Battery, in which both 2nd Lt Gunn and Captain Tobin served, received the award of its battle honour becoming J (Sidi Rezegh) Battery as a result of the contributions of 2nd Lt. Gunn and his comrades in the hard-fought engagement in which so many lost their lives.
Today both J (Sidi Rezegh) Battery and the THA continue to serve their respective communities in times of both peace and conflict, safeguarding security at home and on the world stage. "It is through supporting such important aspects of our modern South African society" says Dr Tobin, "that we can better understand the origins and solutions to conflict situations, whether in the distant sands of Libya or closer to home in the rocky outcrops of Marikana".