4th Regiment RA

Welcome to our Website. Here you can find information about our Re-unions and short history of the Regt.

Members can submit any written items or photos about the Reunion for publication on this site. You can also send in any relevant information you would like published

You can send your info in any form ie Email, Snailmail, CD or DVD. My email address usn@metronet.co.uk Home address: 39 Old Park Road, Wednesbury, West Midlands, WS10 9JG. .

If photos are submitted by snail mail I will scan them and return them if you so wish, please enclose stamped addressed envelope for this purpose.

WEBMASTER - Geoff West Email:- usn@metronet.co.uk

The date has now been set for the rededication of plaques at the trees for Jezz Godden and Terry Griffin. For those who don't know, these lads were heinously murdered by the IRA in 1974 while travelling back to camp after a weekend at Terry's home. In all, 12 people died in the incident, including 2 children.

At the moment, there are basic plaques on the trees. The paperwork for the new plaques, that we have raised money for over the last few months, is now in the post back to Tony Matthews to go to the NMA and on the 24th October we will place them at their respective trees. Exact timings TBC.

We will be gathering for a few drinks at the Fradley Arms where a few of us are planning to stay for the night, on Saturday 23rd October.

If you wish to book into the Fradley Arms, the number is 01283 790186 or you can find them online.

We would obviously like to see as many of Jezz and Terry's friends and family as possible but it would also be great to see Rednecks of all generations there to pay respects and remember them.

Kind Regards and Best Wishes

Taff Fitzgerald
Chairman
Arracan Veterans' Association
Mobile- 07846093904
www.88bty.com/forum
www.88bty.com

Be steadfast brothers, and do the little things.

I WISH TO CONTACT ANYONE WHO REMEMBERS ME IN 97 BATTERY 4TH REGT R A. I
WAS IN MUNSTERLAGER AND LEFT THE REGIMENT IN 1976 AT CATTERICK. MY NAME
IS DAVE SWAN AND WAS A RUGBY PLAYER AND IN THE TEAM WAS DAVE ASPREY,
JAMIE FORTEATH, JOHN SINCLAIR, PETER BIBBY, GEORGE SPENCER.
IF YOU KNOW OF ANYONE PLEASE PASS MY INFORMATION ONTO THEM. MANY THANKS
DAVE SWAN.

MY E-MAIL ADDRESS IS banddswan@hotmail.com

Hi,
Just to keep you up to date, 4th Regt RA has now deployed to Afghanistan, anyone wanting to send a parcel up to 2kg is sent free, remember there are female members of the Regt now (how lucky are they these days).
The address is as follows:_ 4th Regt RA Group Camp Bastion 2 OP Herrick 12 BFPO 792
Best Wishes
Ernie Dobson MBE

Xmas Dinner Hong Kong?

In the Jungle

On the beach

On Parade

Mr West My Name is Graeme Lazell, Pete and Sylvia's son. I live in Brisbane Australia with my wife Tina and our two kids James (13) and Elizabeth (10). I just wanted to pass my appreciation to you for maintaining the web site and let you know that its being looked at not just by the members of the Regiment but by their kids too. Each year I check out the 4th RA re union Web Site looking for names and some up to date photos of the Regimental Family that I was bought up in, ( some of which had the dubious pleasure of baby sitting my sister Anita and myself when Dad was stationed in Germany) The list of names that you have provided of the attendees this year and of past years also brings back memories of my life growing up as an Army Brat and the people which were part of the community I was brought up in. If you are in contact with some of these members can you please pass on my regards? Anne Hatton's family lived in the same street as us in Munster Lager and I think I spent more time playing with her kids than I did in our own house and getting into trouble John "Dolly" Dolphin also from my Munster Lager Memories. "Steak" who refused to Baby sit me any more because I was too much trouble. . Kenny Macdonald one of my early child hood memories is of being in the MacDonald's car and Mr. Macdonald letting me put the handbrake on in his car when we stopped at the lights I think I must have been about 5 back then and My Dad taking me round the MacDonald's house at Christmas time in the snow . Colin and Vicky Rogers and their eldest two boys especially Tony as we went to the same school in Catterick and Aldershot .I remember going to The Vickers house after the 1976-77 Army show with some gruesome make up injuries trying to convince his mum he had a compound fracture of the wrist . Steve Champs and his two lads both of which joined the Navy, Tony who served in the Falklands conflict and survived his ship being bombed invited our family on board his ship HMS Naiad when it was docked in London and we watched the Lord Mayors fireworks from the ships Deck. Mum was well into the OO's and AAhs with the fireworks and got some of the crew to join in. Dad kept his back against the wall of the ship as we were escorted around," you know what these Navy boys were like" just to wind Tony up. Alec & Lilian Livingstone who popped in and visited us in London when Dad worked for Kensington Council. Paul and Claire Martin and their two Daughters .I went to 3 schools with Jane including The Wavell School in North Camp before dad left the Army in 1982. Lots of names are familiar to me and these are but a few. I have tried to convince Dad and Mum to buy a computer ,but so far they have resisted strongly, Dad does not even own a Mobile phone as he's always said he knows how radio waves and magnetic field work and he doesn't want his brain fried. Unlike his Liver when he and I get together. Well I hope you all keep safe for another year. I have attached an image of a photo I have in my lounge of Mum and dad all dressed up for the Sergeants mess in Aldershot. (the Before Shot) .It would be lovely to see some similar photos of the members in their younger days on the web site or with the wives and kids or even Grandkids as the Regiment always made me feel welcome and I felt proud that my Dad was a Gunner in the flying 4th .

Anyone requiring Graeme's email please contact me

Dear Geoff,
I enlisted in December 1950
and after basic training at Oswestry was posted to the 4th Regiment RHA in the first week in April 1951. The Regiment was then stationed in Campbell Barracks Hohne and had been so since March 1951. Up until this time they had been stationed at Alma Barracks Blackdown and whilst there they had been engaged on internal security guard details on RAF Stations in East Anglia, These bases had been turned over to the USAF Strategic Air Command and planes were loaded and unloaded with atomic munitions behind huge screens. To those who have been to Hohne since then I will point out that in early 1951 there were only two regiments based there. The 4th RHA at one end and the 5th RTR at the other with a sort of ghost town of empty barracks in between. That is until,to honour a NATO commitment, part of the Canadian Brigade was stationed in the middle. But that is another story. Of course in 1951 RAGTE did not exist either.

I will refer to another historical connection between the 4th Regiment RHA and 33rd Para Light Regt RA. For when 4th were selected to provide the Guard of Honour for the Re-Dedication of The RA Memorial Hyde Park 33rd provided logistic support.

I served in N Bty(The Eagle Troop) RHA from 1951 to 1953 when I left to join 42nd Field Regiment RA for their tour of duty in Korea and Hong Kong. During my time with Eagles I was a TARA as OPA and CPOA, in the Battery CP. As a side line I was the Bty Pay Clerk and NCO i/c TARA Store.

Went on to be regimental survey sergeant of 42nd. But left after the debacle of Suez at Christmas 1956.

Regards

Geoffrey Ferguson

Message received from Joe Walker.

Dear Geoff, Nice to find your site, I will post my personal info on the site later, however, I am writing to inform as many ex members, of the sad demise of RICK GILL, his funeral is on 16th Jun 09 in Rotherham! The only details I have is that the cortege leaves from the home at: 66 Washington Drive Goldthorpe Rotherham Regards Joe Walker Ex 97 & 29 Bty

      NEW SITE
   For HQ Battery
     Exmembers

Please visit and help out with any Info you may have

Just click on image to be taken to the site

This is a new Site for 88 Bty members You should all have a look at this it is very interesting for Ex Arracan also Ex 4th. The site is run by Dave Fitzgerald.

Just click this banner

Thanks to Eric Needham

Here is a couple of photos sent in by Dave Gates of 97 Bty Hong Kong days

Thanks Dave.

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Geoff West,

My name is Roy Budgen and I've just had a brief look through this sight and I must admit, it’s had the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. I only spent just over two years with 4th regiment, but seeing some of the names on this sight took me back over thirty years to when I first joined up.

I went to Catterick in 1976 after attempting and failing the selection course at ‘29 Commando’s’ in Plymouth, and once there I did a tour of N.I. in Sam McComiskey’s section - three-two-bravo. After that we went to Aldershot and from there I went to the Royal School of Artillery in Larkhill, which took me to 1979 when my three year signing ended.

What brought me to this sight in the first place was that I have been writing a book for the last two-and-a-half years about my time in the army and I had been looking at the regimental history as part of my research. It was this what brought me to your site, and looking at the people I remember serving with made me want to investigate further.

Only being with the regiment for a short while probably means that many of the blokes I served with will not remember me, but I’d still like to go to the next re-union to see them.

Here is a list of some of those I remember: Jamie Forteath, BSM; Sam McComiskey, Bdr; George Spencer, Bdr; Bob Cairns, Bdr; Andy McGill (can’t remember, but he took me on my driving course); John Sinclair, L/Bdr; Stuart Eaton, (promoted to Sergeant but handed it back about two weeks later). Then the Gunners I remember are: Eaton, Crossley, Wardle, O’Neill, Garret, Tulip, Carson, Malcolm and Fleming.

I will leave it at this, but if anybody remembers me they can get in touch via my e-mail address which is: ia my e-mail address which is: roy.budgen@btinternet.com.

****************

Hi Geoff,

Just a bit info for your web site, me and the lads attended a reunion at the Roker Hotel Sunderland on Friday 29 August 08 which was held by the Regiment as they had come over for the week, they had a Freedom Parade through the City of Sunderland on Thursday 28 August 08, a reception evening with the Lord Mayor that night, and a reunion on the Friday night (photo included).

4th Regiment RA will be posted back to Topcliffe, all will be in station by November 08.

The Commanding Officer is very keen to host a reunion at Topcliffe once settled in, as well as the Sunderland visits.

There is also a 4th Reunion every year in the Companions club Sunderland about June time, Ken White now runs the club.

So there is 3 reunions people can take a pick from with the Walsal one.

Best Wishes

Ernie Dobson MBE

Left to right SNCO 4th, Ernie Dobson MBE, Ray Kibble, Geordie Reynolds

Commanding Officer 4th, Steve Sproston, Frank Dobson, Micky Backwood

Borneo Medal Info, go to Information Miscellaneous

Unlike the infantry regiments of the line, the Artillery has no Regimental Colours - its colours are the guns themselves.

Nor does the Artillery have battle honours - its single battle honour is the word UBIQUE (EVERYWHERE)

UBIQUE, = Everywhere

QUO FAS ET GLORIA DUCUNT = Where Right and Glory Lead

HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE

Evil to him who evil thinks

Added to bottom of this page: List of persons attending Re-union

Hi Geoff

Can you put onto the web page the sad loss off Johnny Lockwood who died from a Heart attack during March?

Johnny had not been ill and was active right up to the minute he died.

Eddie Cryer

*****************************************

The 23st Re-union of 4th Regiment Royal Artillery took place at the County Hotel Walsall on Saturday 24th October 2009. Being well organised by Mick Avery and Pete Lazell.

The early birds arrived on Friday the 23th and met in the bar of The County in the evening to get the latest info, tell war stories and try to drink the bar dry. Some of the more lively one's went to the local karaoke.

Saturday saw the arrival of the remainder of those attending and this then made the number sitting down to dinner 91 in total.

I understand that some people may not have been able to afford to come. If this is the case then we may be able to help those who would like to attend but are having financial problems. Please contact Mick Avery in confidence for more details

Not all those attending are in the 50 to 75 age group as there are a number of members son's and daughter's along with some younger members are now getting the message that this is the place to be.

The evening started with the usual drinks at the bar and at 7.0pm we sat down to wine and dine.

Proceeds from the raffle are used to offset the costs of the administration ie. paper, envelopes, menu cards, name cards, flowers on the table etc and a big thankyou must go out to the donators and the organisers.

*******************************************

The 24th Reunion will be on Saturday October 30th 2010 and will take place in Walsall West Midlands (just off Junction 9 M6)

Place - The County Hotel, Birmingham Road. Walsall, West Midlands WS1 2NG

Time - 6.30pm for 7pm sit down.

Cost - £?.00 per head

Please note.

The Walsall illuminations have been cancelled for the next 2 years.

Booking - Please all book early to give Mick a chance to get the organising done. ***For those that did not get a snail mail form send the following details to Mick at Jasmine Cottage, 20 Lower Street, Kingweston, Somerton, Somerset, TA11 6EB

Note:- The forms are usually sent out July/August time

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I (your name) Require (nos) Tickets @£? per ticket Total £

My Guest is(name of Lady)

Please make cheques payable to 4th Regiment RA Reunion and enclose a SAE

Name of any other Guest (name)

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Organiser

Re-union organiser is Mick Avery. Tel 01458 223177 or 07725 462573

Jasmine Cottage, 20 Lower Street, Kingweston, Somerton, Somerset,

TA11 6BA

email: mick.m.avery@btopenworld .com who is helped by Pete Lazell Tel 01623 722594

Payment

The payment covers the cost of the dinner with wine for toasts and the music only. The other costs of rooms and other drinks are not included, and you will need to make your own booking arrangements.

Hotel Locations

The County Hotel, Birmingham road, Walsall. Tel 01922 632323.

This is where the Dinner and music take place and where those that arrive on the Friday gather to tell war stories on that evening.(Not compulsory).

The Boundary Hotel, Birmingham Road, Walsall. Tel 01922 633555.

This is about another 5 minutes further down the road from The County.

The Beverley Hotel, 58 Lichfield Road, Walsall. Tel 01922 622999 / 614967.

This Hotel is a bit further out and is a Taxi or drive job.

The Bestcot, Bestcot Road, Walsall. Tel 01922 622447.

This hotel is just off the motorway junction 9.

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Evens            Neil
McComiskey    Sam           Molly
McGill            Andy
Johnson         Brian
Darby            Tony            Pat
Wilford           Barry        Maureen
Adams           Ray          Pauline
Maynard        Howard
Waite            Sid           Pam
Hatton          Anne
Kibble            Ray
Forteath        Jamie
Davin            Tony             Gina
Livingstone     Alec             Lilian
Dolphin          John             Susan
Partridge        John           Eve
Case              Sam            Irene
Handley          Ron
Deadman        Gerry
Johnson          Gary
McCue            John            Catherine
Scott              Ian             Pauline Cooper
Arden              Mick
Lazell              Peter           Sylvia
Cockerall         Tony
Lucas             Paul             Dawn                 Des & Heather
Dowling           Scottie        Alice
Maxwell           Reg
Cairns             Bob
Avery              Mick           Tania                 Family members
Sinclair            John
Flynn              John            Anne                  Brian Stephenson     Edna
Longhorn         Ralph           Paulette Coulson
Herity              Dot
Rodgers           Colin            Vicky
Melvin             George
Macdonald       Ken              Betty                  Carrie Scott
Powis              Taff
Pring               Steve
Turner             Wilf             Loretta Hughes
Spicer              Martin
Carter              Mal
MacMahon       May             Gillian Williamson
Law                Syd
West              Geoff
Vickers            Richard        Janet
Morris              Mike
Richards          Jim               Lady friend
Frost               Pete            Mary
Champs            Steve
Hatch              Bill               Mo
Fearns             Edith           Maria
Reynolds          George       Hazel

Tony & Gina Davin

John & Anne Flynn

John Sinclair

Ian Scott, Pauline Cooper

Sam & Molly McComiskey

John & Catherine McCue

Richard & Karen Gill

Sam Case, Irene Macrea

Ann Hatton

Sid & Pam Waite

Arthur Jewkes

Steve Jones

Neil Evens

Paul Lucas, Dawn George

Reg Maxwell

Mick Avery, Tania Chinnock, Mark Avery, Stephen, and Liz Avery

May McMahon, Gillian Williamson

Jamie Forteath

Barry & Maureen Wilford

Tony & Pat Darby

Derek Bender

Joe Jamison

Wilf Turner, Lorreta Hughes, Laura Turner

Steve Champs

Ralph Longhorn, Paulette Coulson

John & Susan Dolphin

Paul & Claire Martin

Eric & Beryl Needham, Mark & Donna Needham, Jason & Gillian Reay

John & Eve Partridge

Ken & Betty Macdonald

Steve Pring

Pete & Sylvia Lazell

Colin & Vicky Rodgers

Ian Gemmell

Andy McGill

Martin Spicer

Tony Cockerill

Ray Kibble

Andy & Dorothy Owen

Roy & Shelly Budgen

Brian Shaw

Jim Richards

Brian & Alice Dowling

Richard & Janet Vickers

George Reynolds

Pete & Mary Frost

List of members and guests attending Reunion 2007

Titmus Dennis.
Pring Steve.
Pugh John, Linda Hutton
Rodgers Colin, Vicky
Flight Bill.
Scott Ian, Pauline
Baynes Ron
Partridge John, Eve
Vickers Richard, Janet Vickers
McCue John, Catherine
Cairns Bob.
Maxwell Reg.
Lucas Paul, Dawn
Avery Mick, Tania, Ste & Liz,Mark
Burden Fred, Anne
Macdonald Ken, Betty
Dugdale Mike.
McGill Andy.
Martin Paul, Claire
Cockerill Tony.
Spicer Martin.
Swetnam Phil.
Rankin John.
Dowling Brian, Alice
Dolphin John, Susan
Duffield Tony, Jan
Gary Johnson.
Gerry Deadman.
Kibble Ray.
West Geoff.
Lazell Pete, Sylvia
Sinclair John.
Fearns Edie, Karren
Mackenzie Mac.
Jewkes Arthur.

List of members and guests attending

Reunion Attendance 2006

29 McGill Andy

97 Sinclair John

29 Avery Mick           Tania Mark& Debbie, Ste &Liz

HQ Burden Fred         Annie Burden

97 Case Sam             Irene MacRae

Champs Steve

88 Darby Tony           Patricia

Davies Peter

29 Davin Tony           Gina

29 Dolphin John          Susan

Edwards Pat

97 Evans Raymond

97 Flynn John             Anne Flynn

97 Forteath Jamie

88 Hatton Anne

Johnson Brian             Gary Johnson      Gerry Deadman

Jones Steve

Kibble Ray

97 Lazell Pete Sylvia

88 Longhorn Ralph       Paulette Coulson

HQ Macdonald Ken       Betty

29 Maple Phil              Christine

88 Martin Paul             Claire

97 McBride Robert

88 McComiskey Sam      Molly

29 McCue John             Catherine McCue

29 McMahon May          Gillian Williamson       Andy Crouch

88 Owen Taff              Margaret

29 Partridge John          Eve

29 Pring Stephen           Jackie

Rodgers Colin                Vicky

Scott Ian

Stephen Bill                  Margaret

29 Swetnam Phil

Vickers Richard             Janet Vickers

97 West Geoff

29 Whatley John           Carole

29 Wilford Barry            Maureen

Fearns Ede                  Karen Fearns

Baynes Ron

Maxwell Reg

29 Reynolds George

Durward Mary

29 Dowling Brian           Alice

29 Lucas Paul              Dawn George

29 Richards Jim

Gemmell Ian

Bowering Roy Sandra

Stevens Hamish

29 Cockerill Tony           Loriane Samantha & Rob Davies

19 Re-union 2005

List of members and guests attending

29Bty Mick Avery & Tania

John Birch

97Bty Douglas Buchanan

97Bty Sam Case & Irene MacRae

29Bty Tony Cockerill & Lorriane         Guests Samantha & Rob

97Bty Tony Darby & Pat

29Bty John Dolphin & Susan

29Bty Brian Dowling & Alice

97Bty John Flynn & Anne

97Bty Jamie Forteath

Ray Kibble

29Bty Ian Gemmell

97Bty Anne Hatton

97Bty Dot Herity (Allard)

HQBty Tom Huntley & Sylvia      Guests Terry & Jane Stephenson, Dusty Miller

88Bty Steve Jones

97Bty Pete Lazell & Sylvia

88Bty Alex Livingstone & Lilian

29Bty Paul Lucas & Dawn George         Guests Gavin & Sheena

29Bty Phil Maple & Christine

97Bty Paul Martin & Claire

97Bty Reg Maxwell

97Bty Sam McComiskey & Molly

29Bty John McCue

29Bty May MaMahon & Gillian Williamon

29Bty John Partridge & Eve

29Bty Jim Richards

97Bty Colin Rodgers & Vicky

Ian Scott

29Bty Brian Shaw & Russell

97Bty Bill Stephen

29Bty Wilf Turner & Loretta Hughes

29Bty Sid Waite

97Bty Geoff West

29Bty Barry Wilford & Maureen

29Bty Phil Swetnam

29Bty George Reynolds & Hazel             Guests Andrew & Joanne Reynolds

97Bty Bill Hewitt

HQBty Derek Hagger

29Bty Eady Ferns