The growth in popularity of the two main 1DCLI websites - "A" Company 1954-1957 (Bermuda) and 1DCLI Memorabilia has resulted in the maximum number of .jpeg images allowed per site. Capacity has been reached on those pages so - these new pages are designed to accommodate the overspill from enthusiasts who forward photo memorabilia for the time period. (Kindly also note that the originally intended date limits of 1954-1957 have been widened somewhat to permit any "Old DCLI Soldier" the opportunity to contribute.) The following pages are divided into sequential random 'Sections' which are allocated to an individual Old Soldier - as follows:-
RIP Honour Roll (pictorial) opened April 2008
Site contributors listed below in received order.
STOP PRESS - Help with a photo required
Bert Angwin
Neil (Swanny) Swanson
Nobby Clarke
Donald Swanson
John (JT) Tenniswood
William (Ernie) Smith RIP - by son Bob
David Tripp
Bob Jones
Keith Mannings
Trevor Webb
1829 and all that!
Terry Simons
Rex Brain
Reg Norris
Fraser Pakes
Dick Burwood, London LI Association
Miscellaneous single photos - Rogues Gallery!
On growing old jokes!
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R.I.P. (Pictorial) Honour Roll opened April 2008.
"At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them."
William 'Ernie' Smith (Sgnt) Jamaica, died April 2008
Peter (Joe) Tippett, C.O's Bugler Jamaica, died May 2008,
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YOU HAVE REACHED THIS SITE BY A HOTLINK FROM EITHER OF THE TWO MAIN SITES REFERRED ABOVE. TO RETURN SIMPLY PRESS YOUR BROWSER BACK BUTTON.
BOTH SITES HOTLINKED BELOW
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STOP PRESS!
The photo below is taken by The Mid Ocean News and mislabelled 'Queen' when obviously it's HRH Princess Margaret inspecting "A" Company 1DCLI in winter 1955. HRH is escorted by our CO. Major AJ Marsh, DSO, OBE and The Governor in civvies. I believe 'tis 2lt Jeremy Hooper standing tall and HRH is approaching the 3rd soldier in the front rank (editor). I remember catching a whiff of her perfume and wondering at how tiny she was. The photo is doctored from a crumpled news clipping and the editor would appreciate a better original that must exist somewhere in someone's albums, or memorabilia. The MON were contacted some years ago for a copy - but that seems too hard for the Bermudian news media to handle - not even a reply! Maybe (now) in August 2008 a member of the Marsh Family, with connections on the Island, will now follow through and assist.
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THE BERT ANGWIN SECTION
(Happy Birthday Report from Swanny) Photos taken of Bert Angwin on his 90th Birthday.
He is oldest member of West Cornwall Branch DCLI Association. What a first class gentleman he is, and his wartime (medals) were for exemplary service in the DCLI and The
Leicester Regiment. Also in the photo is Frank Baxter our branch Hon. Sec.
and Treasurer who is a mere 87 years young!! Bert's daughters laid
on Birthday cake and food for all family and guests over the Saturday and Sunday
on this weekend. The photos also show Bert's Regalia, Medals, Badges and
German, Greek, European Artifacts of WW2 and Bert in his Battledress Jacket with
Stripes and good conduct stripes etc, What a lovely day for a special
man. In photo below L-R are Mary
Clarke, Doris Swanson, Bert Angwin, Neil Swanson, Frank Baxter, Michael
Clarke.
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THE LATEST NEIL (SWANNY) SWANSON SECTION - PART ONE
Above left: Congratulations on the Golden Couple. Above Centre Swanson Family 1972. Above right Swanson Family grandchildren March 2008: Below: More of the Swanson Family.
Below: Standing Guard summer 1954 with Bradshaw getting in on the act. Centre: Swanny and Gerald Thomas rowing across the Atlantic from Ports Island to get some more ladies! Right: Swanny & L/Cpl Jim Dennison below 3 Platoon billet.
Above left, 2 Platoon manoevers, Above right, Prize awards
Above left: St Johns Hall PZ, DCLI Association: Among those present, P. Mitchell, T.Joll, B. Deigon, N. Swanson, L.Sullivan RIP Standard Bearer DCLI Association. Above Centre: 1985 RBL DCLI Association. L-R Back row, P.Barnes, D Edwards, J.Brownfield RIP, T.Joll, S.Thomas, W.Mann, Nobby Clarke, J.Pender RIP, Maj.P.Mitchell, B.Ellis RIP, B.Robinson, N.Salter, B. Nicolas RIP, Sitting, L-R, Ernie Sergeant RIP, Ted Lawrie RIP, R.Eddy MM RIP, R.Thomas RIP, G.Belsom RIP, Claud Marsden RIP, R.Edwards RIP, Kneeling N.Swanson. Above right; 1981 Reunion at Queens Hotel Penzance DCLI Association - left to right , P. Mitchell, 5th in front row K.Dunn, N. Swanson. Top rhs Alan Mitchell, F.Philips, B. Lark (RIP), D. Laurence. Several other Bermudians present.
Ref: Above right: Additional comment from Jack Madron: More names - Trevelyan Richards. Cox Penlee Lifeboat. In front of dark curtain. My mate Bob Barrett in white shirt, over Swanny's right shoulder. John Mathews to left of bugler in dark blazer. John was standard bearer for Pz RBLC for a number of years. His late wife was first cousin to my wife.
Photos below received 18th June
Above left: Capt J.D.Aberdeen, Families Officer for LI in Cornwall, Ex RSM. DCLI, 1LI, 2LI, and Neil (Swanny) Swanson.1st Treasurer of DCLI Assn West Cwll Branch as Official guests at Opening of the DCLI Museum 19th April, 1985. Above centre: Princess Alexandra Visit to the Keep Bodmin, July 1996, Shaking hands with C.Marsden (RIP), in photo L-Right T.Joll, P.Mitchell, F.Baxter, M.Clarke, B.Angwin, West Cwll Branch DCLI Assn. Above right: Trafalger Parade at Madron Church 1974 RMR Detatchment to RN at Parade Sgt. N.Swanson, CSM. T. Payne, C/Sgt S. Nicholls (RIP)
Above left: Armistice Parade1996 Penzance. LtoR - R.Morris, P.Tippett (RIP), T.Simons, B.Angwin,Tony Nicholls (RIP), F.Baxter, A.Thomas (RIP). West Cwll.Branch. Above centre: Dedication of Heamoor RBL Standard 1973, Truro Standard Bearer J. Brewer (RIP), Swanny, My father in law W. Hart (RIP), Heamoor RBL Standard Bearer.Above right: Peter (Joe) Tippett at Bodmin getting down to lunch.
Salamanca Platoon - Junior Soldiers August 1975. Champions: Welsh Tug of War, Junior Bisley Athletics Team.
Rear Row: L to R - Stafford, Bennett, Cooper, Pearce, J/WL. Sawbridge, Bradley, Owen, Gale, Belnavis, Barn, Anderson, Jones. Centre Row: Rutherford, Mullan, Hall, Martin, Prosser, Swanson, Bell, Middlemass, Allen, Roberts, Walton. Front row: Booth, J/Cpl Gray, J/L/Cpl Carter, Cpl Holman, Cpl Davidson, Sgnt Powell, Lt Ottowell, Cpl Czepukojc, Cpl Morris, Cpl Ackam, J/Cpl Ayre, Tredidgo.
JOHN TENNISWOOD ON PARADE:
JT's provided captions:- Below left "Himself"- Below centre "Cape Town Exceedingly Light Infantry Band. JT posing with the Tambourine Major" - Below right 'Red Neck?"
Below: Left - Postcard from JT to the Newlyn lads! (Which one is Jack Madron?) Below right "Zulus still at it!:
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THE SGNT ERNIE SMITH (RIP) & FAMILY SECTION
"Hi my name is Robert Smith and I made contact with Derek regarding my late father William Ernest Smith. Dad and Mum were stationed at Bodmin Depot and were married there. I was born at the Barracks on the 18th Feb 1952. My older brother Bill and myself then went to Jamaica with dad and mum. Dad was a corporal at that stage in Sgt Cook's Platoon and is seated next to the Sgt to the right of centre bottom row in the group photo on your web page. I spoke to mum last night and she informed me that Sgt Cook lived next door to us in both Cornwall and Kingston. The wedding photos are dad and mum in Bodmin. The photo of the four children is myself (left) and my brother Bill with Sgt Cook’s daughters in Kingston. The shot with dad, mum, the dog and 3 kids ( baby is brother Terry, born in Jamaica ) was taken on the hill where we lived overlooking the parade ground. The parade photo I’m not sure of. The head photos are dad with the Royal Scots Fusiliers and mum with the ATS. I only have one vivid memory of Jamaica and that is the cannon with the large black and white wheels on the parade ground".
ED: I am now in contact with Bob's older brother Bill and Ernie's grand daughter (Bob's daughter) Allison. The entire family is involved in piecing to together as much of Ernie's military history as can be developed from old comrades. Neil (Swanny) Swanson and Jack Madron - both of whom had Bodmin connections directly or indirectly with Ernie - have emailed the Smith Family. Anyone else out there? - please assist. Email me (Editor) - hotlinked - and we'll see what can be done. I'm meeting up with Bob, Bill and Ernie's widow Nancy in Queensland OZ, in May 2008.
Photo of Ernie Smith left: Taken at Port Albert in Gippsland Victoria circa 1990's
(Email from Jack Madron)
Robert Smith with cannon in photo! I think you will find that the photo was taken at Port Royal, not Up Park Camp. The gateway to Fort Charles is in the background. I remember the large anchor and cannon seen in background. The same gateway can be seen in the John Goddard Memoirs, (the photo of John and mates at Port Royal). The photo of Cpl Smith and family on hill overlooking the parade ground, I believe is at Newcastle. You can see the clouds in the background. It was I think about 4000 ft up. The other photo of parade I think, could be Up Park Camp. I think the building in background with the window facing, could be Harold Royffe's office. (Check this again Jack - the back of photo reads 'Haifa'). Memories play tricks sometimes and I'm sure mine is no different from any one else. The only photo I'm fairly sure of is the one at Port Royal.
Above - 2 lines - and below: 8 photos of Ernie and Nancy Smith on the occasion of their 40th Wedding Anniversary and at son Bill's Wedding and on other occasions. Date and more accurate captions to come.
From Bob 4th May 2008: I thought I’d pass on a couple more photos and also let you know that Dad and Mum have 5 children (4 boys and 1 girl) Billy, Robert, Terry, Leslie and Nancy, 25 Grandchildren and 39 Great Grandchildren, and the numbers are still growing.
On Sunday 1st June 2008 a group of "Old DCLI'ians" and their respective families gathered for lunch at the South East Queensland rural home of Bill Smith, (eldest son of Ernie Smith RIP) and his wife Glenys. 1DCLI Guests were John (HQ Coy bugler Jamaica) and Sheila Goddard, Audrey and Derek Lovemore (editor), Mum Nancy Smith and second son Bob - both on holiday from Melbourne. RN Signalman Bob (bro' in law) of Toowoomba waved the flag for the British Navy. Tributes were made and toasted to Ernie Smith RIP. Ernie's favorite song "OLD MAN RIVER" by Frank Sinatra
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THE DAVID TRIPP SECTION
The following 3 photographs have arrived on my email address from Sara Tripp via Swanny and Terry Joll.
Let's see if they raise a reaction from the Jamaica contingent.
Above left: Sergeant George Allsop from Birmingham on left, Corporal David Tripp on the right, No. 22765070, age 19 years.
Above centre: 1st Battalion The Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry sign, Lance Corporal Len Coles on the left, Corporal David Tripp on the right. Above right: Kingston Jamaica 1954. Dispatch riding for a military exercise, the motorbike is a 350cc Matchless No.3 39YA70: - Following is a synopsis of 'Grandad's Military service' by grandson (son of Sara). Called up to do 2 years of National Service at the age of 18 in 1953. Reported to The Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, Victoria Barracks, Bodmin for 10 weeks of army training. Then joined the troopship “Empire Wansbeck” to sail to Germany. Posted to Minden, made Lance Corporal. All the Battalion, about 800 men, returned to Plymouth “Crownhill Barracks”, promoted to Corporal 2 stripes. After 6 weeks went to Liverpool to board the troopship Empire Clyde for Kingston Jamaica. Sailing took 3 weeks, the ship had a small prison on the stern. Left Jamaica in December 1954 and came home in a “B.O.A.C. Stratocruiser Speedbird. Left the army in February 1955.
Further note: Considerable effort has been undertaken by many of we "Old DCLI'ians" who served under Major AJ Marsh DSO in 1954 - 1957. This editor has written various appeals to The Bermuda Regiment, The Bermuda Travel Bureau in Hamilton and NY , and The Bermuda Maritime Museum in an attempt to discover the whereabouts of the son of our C.O. - Simon. As recently as June 2008, Keith Mannings is on another trail in Bermuda. Disappointingly our efforts thus far find a blank wall, not the least of which is the Maritime Museum that lacks the common courtesy to reply to our emails to obtain and sanction our website publication of some of the photographic memorabilia of the Marsh Family - that were gifted by Keith Mannings - somewhat remorsefully now, one might imagine - as we can appreciate 'em a damn sight more on this site than having 'em locked away to mould in the vaults of the Maritime Museum. This editor is personally affronted by the miserable attitude over 'property' that is significantly as much 1DCLI as it is the 'host' country where so many of us gave part of our youth in enthusiastic service. Additionally, we lack closure information from the Adjutant and C.O. of the Bermuda Regiment regarding our complaints last year of the parlous state of Major Marsh's grave in Devonshire Church. We were promised action - so far naught reportage. Miserable treatment Bermuda on all counts!! NB: Tony Marsh served as C.O. of The Bermuda Regiment in 1958. Photo above left courtesy of Mike Woolley. Pictured above from left: Priscilla Marsh, Simon Marsh, Tony Marsh circa 1955.
