Post by son-of-tiny on Jun 11, 2008 5:41:13 GMT
Lt-Col Berry Veale and Major John Hodges at B Squadron farewell concert, Mettingen, Westphalia, 16 June 1945
B Squadron farewell concert program, Mettingen, Germany, 16 June 1945
“AU REVOIR” B SQUADRON
B Squadron held a farewell party when the Regiment was about to be divided into two groups. The first group, which was to stay in Germany until demobilization, consisted of those people with early, or low demob numbers. These were joined by people from 4 RTR with similarly low demob numbers, the joint unit retaining the designation 9 RTR.
The remainder of 4 RTR and 9 RTR with high demob numbers became 4 RTR as regular soldiers. The plan was for 4 RTR to return to England, move to the USA, and then form up for the assault on the mainland of Japan, Operation Coronet.
This operation was cancelled when Japan surrendered after the atomic bombs were dropped, the cancellation being a matter for considerable rejoicing. The only regret was that the timing of the bomb-dropping did not allow us to get back to England and perhaps to America – although it was reported that one unit did reach England. It was promptly recalled to Germany.
The Farewell Party took the form of an “Au Revoir” concert. It was held on 16 June 1945 in the village hall of Mettingen, Westphalia. The village had one industry of great importance, a factory producing medicinal alcohol. The principal by-product was a Steinhager of unusual ferocity!
1. Cpl Reg Southern “So deep is the night”
Cpl Reg Southern had a beautiful voice and was much in demand for sing songs and parties.
2. Lieut Peter Bracewell “Sam Small”
Lieutenant Peter Bracewell commanded 6 Troop at this time. He was a Lancashire lad, and could use just the right accent to request Sam to pick up his musket.
3. Norman Hughes Drumnastics
Norman Hughes was in the Squadron Admin Troop, and beat a mean rhythm on the drums
4. The Officers and Mess Staff Sketch: “Officers’ Mess”
Seated at the table are Ernie Nightingale, Cpl Norman Fraser, Bert Walkling, and Brown
The "Officers' Mess sketch involved most of the officers and Mess staff, and made it clear that all the rest of the Squadron's suspicions about what went on the mess were true; pinching the men's cigarettes and booze, and fraternizing with local frauleins. One has to say, though, that if they could come at the frauleins Major John Hodges and Capt Roger Long in drag they must have been very drunk at the time.
The lads laugh at the officers' sketch
6. Cpl Bill Holyoake and L/Cpl John Trotter “Underneath the arches”
“Dreaming”
“Goodbye B Squadron”
Johnny Trotter (left) was one of the 3-ton truck drivers, a man of irrepressible spirit. He and Bill Holyoake, nicknamed "Holy Smoke" (right), formed a very enjoyable comedy duo. Bill Holyoake was the corporal in charge of the squadron technical stores, all those things needed to keep tanks and trucks on the road. He had a long lugubrious face, perhaps as a result of his onerous task of trying to satisfy all his customers. The lugubrious face, however, came alight when he smiled, and he had a wonderful sense of humour.
Bill Holyoake performs on his own as "The Vicar of Mirth".
Master of Ceremonies: Fred Hackett of 7 Troop was normally a quiet man but a very conscientious soldier.
By June 1945 the original squadron band had lost some of its members, but was still a good unit. Corporal Harry Wall, the squadron electrician, was the guitar, Bill Holyoake (a versatile man) the drums, Ralph Pearson the piano, and Bobby Stewart the violin.
Berry Veale signs a program for an apparently bashful Kellett
Members of the Sergeants' Mess watch the show. Seated are:- Sgt Busty Nuttall (holding program); SQMS George Rathke, and Sgt Taffy Jones. Busty was the squadron cook, and a very good one; George had been troop sergeant of 9 Troop before moving to C Squadron on promotion; and Taffy had performed well in the Hill 112 battle. Standing along the wall at the back are (from left to right): Sgt Bill Minton, SSM Tommo Tomlinson, Sgt Tom Anderson, Sgt Butch Robinson, and Sgt Ivor Dyer. AU REVOIR: PROGRAM
OPENING CHORUS “RISE AND SHINE”
1. Cpl Reg Southern “So deep is the night”
2. Lieut Peter Bracewell “Sam Small”
3. Norman Hughes Drumnastics
4. The Officers and Mess Staff Sketch: “Officers’ Mess”
5. Gordon Dobb “Because”
6. Cpl Bill Holyoake and L/Cpl John Trotter “Underneath the arches”
“Dreaming”
“Goodbye B Squadron”
7. Cpl Reg Southern “Like a Golden Dream”
8. L/ Cpl George Horsfield “Going to get lit up”
“Stuttering song”
9. Community singing with L/Cpl Ralph Pearson at the piano
10. Gordon Dobb “Farewell to dreams”
11. Cpl Bill Holyoake “The Vicar of Mirth”
12. Finale
Master of Ceremonies L/Cpl Fred Hackett
MUSIC BY
OUR OLD FRIENDS THE B SQUADRON BAND
Cpl Harry Wall Guitar
Cpl Bill Holyoake Drums
L/Cpl Ralph Pearson Piano
Bobbie Stewart Violin