4th Regiment RA

I retired in March 2002, but I still work 4 days a week for Sandwell Council doing some computer work for them.

The job that I was doing is near completion and I am retiring for proper 31 March 2005(Geoff West) April 2005 now retired full time.

What are you doing now?

Let me know and I will put it here so that friends and colleagues can keep up to date.

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I am now doing the job of Regional Manager North East and Station Controller for the National Coastwatch Institution (Coastguard). My area of responsibility is from Whitby in the south to the Scottish Borders in the north. I am also the Northern Region Secretary for the RAA as well as being the Queens Colour Standard Bearer of the Royal Artillery. I am fortunately kept quite busy doing these activities while still having the liberty and flexibility of doing what I want and when I want to do it (Mostly).
Regards,

Tom (Tug) Wilson.
Ex-97 + 29

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Can Anyone help with the following:-

I joined (on attachment) your Regiment 2 months before embarcation to
Belfast in '76 and along with John Burns (your Royal Signals advisor), I ran
the Comcen in North Queen Street along with another "Bleep" from my regiment
(3 Div Sigs) Siggy Perkins and one of your LBDRs from Sigs Troop. I made
friends with an RA signaller STU KNIGHT and would dearly love to make contact
with him again, can any of your members help me???

Kind Regards,
Pete Line PMLINE@aol.com

FROM Fred Burden

How very nice to find 4th Web Site. Well done and I look forward to the next reunion. Being a very old age pensioner I have to spread myself around other reunions throughout the years. 4th's turn next year 2003 and also RHA Dinner, and possibly ST John's Wood. I could possibly go to more but Pete Lazell and Steve Champs drink all my savings, I'm lucky to have enough for my Christmas. Should they visit me ( I warn them) there is an alarm on my drinks cabinet.It so very good to see so many of the old folks turning up at the Reunions, I realise that quite a few have dropped off over the years, but you are making up for it with all the younger fellows coming,"Brill".Now down to something maybe you already know about, the NM&BVA (National Malaya & Borneo Veterans Association). As all us older chaps who served for out there should belong to the Association to which I just happen to be serving on the National Committee as the National Membership Secretary. I would ask you to join as soon as possible. We have close to 4000 members in the UK plus South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Canada. I am in contact with them all. If you contact me I promise an instant reply, plus you will be kept up to date with all the news. I am also the Secretary of the Colchester & District Branch, our Website is http://beehive.thisisessex.co.uk/default.asp?WCI=SiteHome&ID=6402 and alsohttp://groups.msn.com/NMDistrictBranch/home.msnw?pgmarket=en-gb , you can also write of phone me for details. We have our next AGM/Reunion in Blackpool in July 03, four days of fun and entertainment. There are 22 Branches throughout UK, am in the process of starting another 2 in Essex, Southend and Harlow. We have one main problem and that is getting one in Scotland so if anybody out there is interested in starting a Branch in Scotland please let me know and I will assist you in anyway I can. We do have 91 members in Scotland, some belong as Postal Membership to Branches but it would be nice if they could have their own Branch.Well as you can see I keep myself very busy in my retirement and enjoy every minute of it.For those of you who may want to contact me, my phone number is 01245-495238 and my address is 44 Meadgate Avenue, Great Baddow, Chelmsford, CM2 7LQYours in ComradeshipFred Burden

Fred before he started attending Reunions (Borneo 1965)

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Do the images below bring back any memories?

Who won this flight and what did he do or not do afterwards?

He has attended the reunions where he presented me with this the winning ticket.

Sorry no prizes for for the answers.

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Hi fellow 4th,

My name is Peter Grice and I served with Golf Troop HQ Bty 4th Fd Regt RA in Munster Lager until 1970.I served with 47 Regt and 3 RHA in Hong Kong.I returned to BAOR in 1975 with 40 Fd Regt RA, I was BSM of 129 Dragon Fd Bty RA.I was appointed RQMS on the Regiments return to Colchester and I retired in 1984.I was appointed RQMS in the post of NRPS to the Worcester & Sherwood Foresters based at Newark Nott's,I stayed with them until Jan 88 prior to their move to Beeston, I left them to work with the Lincolnshire County Council where I am at this time.I work with the Property Department of the LCC.I joined the Lincoln and district branch of the RAA and be came the branch secretary, most of our present branch members are from 50 Missile Regt RA.I am in reasonable good health for a man of my age (59)I spend a lot of my spare time coarse fishing, I am a member of a Pub fishing club and appointed treasurer for my sins.I enjoy fishing in Southern Ireland where I try to go twice a year.My younger brother John was also a member of 4th Fd Regt RA.

best regards Peter

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My name is Ken Sutcliffe (Bdr).

I was in 29 Bty and HQ Bty, I served in Hong Kong and Borneo and on to Germany, in 1969 I left the Regt on Posting HQ Northag where I remained until the end of my service which was March 1973. We are trying to find the whereabouts of Burt and Gladys Hodges, he left Borneo when the CO got promoted to Brigadier, we lost touch then. Can anyone help ? Thanks

If you can help get the info to me (Geoff West) and I will pass it on.

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My name is Ray Hoggart, I worked as a clerk for the Tech/Adjutant, Captain A.W.Coleman MBE RHA when 4th was at Hohne, prior to moving to Hong Kong.

I am still working, as I have a son still in education, and I need the funds. I am employed as a plastics engineer in an engineering company that makes motorway fencing etc. I will be 65 at the end of November and intend to work for 2 days a week then.

I was sent to Hohne in May 1960 to 4th RHA, although I was trained as a signaller(prior to my NS I was an Engineering Millwright) I must have looked like I needed caring for so I got a job as a clerk, I was taught to type by Capt Coleman's wife, Gwen and I have never forgotten it. Most of my colleagues in 4th RHA went to Hong Kong in 1961 but because I had little time left I stayed at Hohne with 25 Regt RA. I have never heard or seen hide nor hair of any of my colleagues from that time although I have left word on various websites catering for lost friends.

If anyone has any information about anyone who worked in the Technical Adjutants Dept in 1961, I would be glad to hear of it, just kwowing or having met someone I know would cheer me up, no end.

Many thanks for reading through this, maybe someone will hear my plea, who knows!

Ray Hoggart 23757155, ex L/Bdr

rayhoggart@yahoo.co.uk

From Stuart Eaton (Maj Retired)

I was in 4 Regt for about 12 years G Troop (1968-72) and 97 Battery (1972-78). I then went to Berlin for about 18 months and then joined Gunnery Staff. I was commissioned in 1989 and became a BC and then a SO2 in a Joint HQ. I retired as a Major in 2000. I I am now a PSAO with 101 Regiment in Newcastle upon Tyne. Someone up there liked me.

I am married with a son (27) who lives in London and a daughter (23) with lives with us, 5 miles W of the city. I have lunch with Jamie Forteath and Dave Kennedy regularly and see many former members of the Regt quite often or occasionally - Ray Kibble, Ernie Dobson, Bob Cairns, Sam McComiskey, Ken Bradley, John Tulip, Geordie Carruthers and Phil Carter. I email Mick Arden almost daily. Very best regards Stuart Eaton

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Hi Geoff,

I doubt very much that you remember me, Derek(titch) Hagger. I joined 4th RHA in 1959. I Bty (Bulls)Troop. When the Regiment went to Hong Kong I went with Trev Jemmett and a few others to do pre para training. I re-joined 4th Regt RA in Hong Kong 1961-2. I worked in the DO's Office as a clerk. The DO at the time was a Captain Grosse and the RQMS/T was a WOII Wootley. I stayed with the Regt throughout Borneo and UN Cyprus 1966. When the Regt moved to Catterick I was posted to 32 Regt RA. I stayed with 32 until my de-mob 1982. Whilst with 32 I had posting to N Ireland, Belize and the Falkland campaign. Being in the right place at the right time I retired as a WOII.

I was a supervisor at a Butyl factory until 1998, in Christchurch, Bournemouth. Having had a triple by-pass in 1997 I took early retirement in 1998 and moved to Spain. This year Annie and I decided that Spain was too boring and now live in Plymouth, one minute walk from our daughter who works at the University as a research fellow, (don't ask me where she got her brains from).

I found your web page and think it is great. Because my computer is playing me up -I cannot use outlook express for some reason, I was unable to contact anyone. Hence the reason I am e-mailing you direct. I am in contact with members of G Troop, HQ Bty, 4RA and intend to go to the reunion in May. I also intend to go to your reunion.

Through 32 Regt I also have Trev Jemmetts address, are you in contact with him?

The photo of the winning ticket in Hong Kong brought back loads of memories. I immediately phoned Ernie (Paddy) King and told him to open the web page. Unfortunately, Heather his wife said he was in bed with flu!!!!

I have loads of photos I would like to send and will get the clever one, (my daughter) to scan them and if they come out alright I will e-mail them to you.

As I said earlier I now live in Plymouth and keep myself occupied with renovating the old house we have just bought and also doing part time work when and if it comes along.

Derek (Titch) Hagger
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Hello Geoff, I don't know if you will remember me or not but we were in N Battery and I Battery at the same time. My name is Bill Stephen and I served in 4th from 1955-1964 in Germany and Hong Kong. I have over the years kept in touch (until his recent sad death) with Malcolm Langford and in fact just a month ago had Alwyn staying with us on holiday. We also, recently, had a visit from Jock Gemmell. I suppose as we get on in years your past catches up and you begin to wonder what became of people. That is the reason I decided to get in touch, having entered your web site. I would appreciate any information you have regarding membership of a 4th association, if this exists, and also how one would get on to a mailing list with a view to attending a re-union. After I left the army I joined the Scottish Prison Service and served for 30 years before retiring some 9 years ago. I now work part time with B&Q which I enjoy. My Address is 10, Sunbank Place, Lossiemouth. Morayshire. IV31 6LS. Tele~ 01343 812305 I hope this finds you well and I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely Bill

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Hi,

My name is Frank Hart and I served my National Service with the 4th regt R.H.A. at Hohne-Belsen (Germany) from 1950 to 1952.
I was in H.Q. battery and I was wireless operator for Maj. Mansell C.O.
I would be really pleased to hear from anyone who served with me at the time.
I was the fitness fanatic in charge of the boxing team at the time.

My mates :     Alan Cooper from Birmingham
                      Willy Winters from ? Grimsby
                      Izzy Cooper from London
                      Pete Horridge from Wigan

My email adress is:
1) frank.hart@telenet.be

Thank you for your cooporation.
Hart Francise

Hi.

My name is Pat Edwards.I joined the fourth in early 1959. I was in signals troop H Q Battery.I was one of the control operators. I went with the fourth to Hong Kong. A few months before we came back I was transferred across to 97 at Dodwells Ridge There I shared a room with Barry (Jonah) Jones.I came back to Bulford where I finished my service. I also remember the Winning ticket, and of winning the first prize as a tramp in a fancy dress do we had at the Half way House. I think I spent most of my ill gotten gains at the Better Hole. I just wondered if anyone might remember me?

pat@edwards2360.freeserve.co.uk

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Geoff

My name is Mick Edgar and I served in 97 Bty from 1977 until 1982 at which
point I moved to Larkhill, I then served 3 years before moving to Topcliffe
and left the army in 1986.

I now live in Seaham and have done since I left the army and I now work in
the control room at police HQ in Durham and have worked for Durham police
since since levaing the Gunners.

I served with the likes of Stu Eaton who I remember going of to the school
to do his gunnery course, and Jamie Forteath who was the BSM just as I
joined the Bty.

I would be pleased to hear from anyone who served in the Regt about that
time.

I have included my Email Address below:

michaele180@aol.com