I have always acknowledged that most of what I know about the background to my old regiment (The IVth QOH) has been researched since I served with them between March '45 and Jan '47. When I first joined them. during the closing stages of the war, I was much to busy to concern myself with learning about the regiment's history and, once the war was over, I found myself too pre-occupied with my Tech Corporal's job and looking forward returning to civvie life that I paid little attention to the regiment's past affairs. It is a different kettle of fish in todays GOOGLE inspired world and I am forever delving into the past whenever something crops up that I know little about. A case in point was the recent interest in Clive Dunn (of Dad's Army fame). I had always known that he had been in the Regiment and was an ex-POW and had also known that I could never recall having met him. I'd read conflicting reports as to where he had been taken prisoner (some articles said he was captured in North Africa) but it was fairly easy to establish that he had fallen into "the bag" in Crete. I went to Wikipedia to confirm what had transpired in Crete: Wikipedia (on the IVth Queen's Own Hussars) The regiment was posted to Middle East arriving on 31st December 1940.As part of the 1st Armoured Brigade they were attached to the 6th Australian Infantry Division and fought in the Greek Campaign. Fighting as the rearguard in the Corinth Canal Bridge action the regiment was over-run and surrendered losing all senior officers and over 400 men as prisoners of war . In June 1941 the regiment was reconstituted in Cairo and rejoined the 1st Armoured Brigade as part of the 8th Army. Badly mauled during the battles around Gazala and having lost almost an entire squadron (which was attached to the London Yeomanry) the regiment was temporarily amalgamated with the (similarly depleted) 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars to form the 4th/8th Hussars . A portent of things to come perhaps as this partnership, along with their previous association with the 8th in the Charge of the Light Brigade made them both ideal candidates for the amalgamation which would follow in 1958. As I have already said, I don't remember ever meeting Clive Dunn and my guess is that after five years in various Stalags he was allowed to return to civvie street without rejoining the regiment. He could never have been over-happy with respect to his treatment in the camps and one can therefore well believe that he derived pleasure from waving his bayonet and uttering the immortal words "They don't like it uppem !"
I'm the same, where we used to live with uncertainties and questions this Internet thing now means I'm irritated if I can't find even a basic bit of info on those small queries that crop up through life. Already taking it for granted that "there must be something out there". Don't forget your own personal contribution to the Internet record Ron, type '4th QOH' into Google and a certain Mr Goldstein crops up rather a lot . Quite a History from 1685 onwards isn't it... and one or two rather well known 'old boys': Photo Search - 4th Queen's Own Hussars - Jamd Seems like a good place to mention some sites and the war diary again: Hussars in Black and White 1939-1945 The 4th (Queen's Own) Hussars War Diaries For 4th (Queen's Own) Hussars Intrigued by the historical battle honours (I like battle honours) the closest I can find for a Colour/Guidon is this post amalgamation 'modern' one: Anyone got one showing the specifically wartime colours? There really are few things I like more than those threadbare old standards lining a church or cathedral's roof. (Even the ones that irritate me slightly as they remind me of amalgamations into more 'bland' organisations.) Cheers, Adam.
Owen Cor !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At the sight of that splendid standard I am now standing fully at attention in front of my PC By the way, I am most impressed with the photo of Churchill at the 1946 reunion. As I have previously mentioned I was there at the time and only posess a "group" picture that barely shows the great man. Many thanks for that ! Ron
Owen Cor !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ron, I can't take creit for that, it was ADAM being all Regimantal (for a change). Paul Reed & I often say how today's researchers have it easy. Back in the day we used to have to WRITE to magazines, museums, CWGC, Veterans etc and wait for a reply that could take weeks. As Adam says , people get stressed now if it takes a few hours or minutes.
It's all very well Our Ron blowing the old bugle for the fact that one Winston S. Churchill served in 4QOH - in South Africa eons ago - BUT - my old mob STILL rejoices in having HM Queen Elizabeth as Hon. Colonel in Chief and has been since for a long time - I refer of course to the 16/5th Lancers - now the Queens Royal Lancers - so there - no need to look it up anywhere - you can take it to the Bank ! You should see OUR Standard.... Cheers
With some trepidation... Lancers. Again, could only find a post-war post-amalgamation Guidon, not half bad though. http://www.webshots.com/search?query=9-12th+Royal+Lancers So... does The Queen automatically outweigh Winston S and Clive Dunn?
Von Poop - what a question - well of course she does - she's the boss ! pssst ... we don't really talk about the 9th /12th...you will note that the 16th go all the way back to 1659 - Blenhem an' all that you know .....and served in just about every campaign except the Crimean - had we been there of course we'd have none of this "Charge of the Light Brigade" stuff - we even showed the 17th / 21st how to tackle 'em at Fondouk with the 6th Armoured Div...Clive Dunn is right of course - "they don't like it upem" Cheers
Von Poop - what a question - well of course she does - she's the boss ! pssst ... we don't really talk about the 9th /12th...you will note that the 16th go all the way back to 1659 - Blenhem an' all that you know .....and served in just about every campaign except the Crimean - had we been there of course we'd have none of this "Charge of the Light Brigade" stuff - we even showed the 17th / 21st how to tackle 'em at Fondouk with the 6th Armoured Div...Clive Dunn is right of course - "they don't like it upem" Cheers Tom, Owen, Adam et al Many moons ago I belonged to a super boy's club that included, amongst its many educational facilities, a debating society. Seventy odd years ago, I learnt that one of the crucial methods of winning a debate was to take the wind out of an opponent's sails by telling the audience in your opening speech exactly what the opposition was about to tell them and then demolish the argument before it was even proposed. Which brings me to Tom Canning Esq. Tom & I go back quite a few years when we were both posting on to the BBC WW2 People's War site and it was discovered that we had inadvertently been dogging each others footprints all over Europe and the Middle East. BBC - WW2 People's War - An unlikely Post War meeting I confess that Tom & I get on like a house on fire (usually with Tom playing the role of arsonist) but I seem to remember that everytime he has the attention of the forum he brings up this Military Tattoo that he once took part in and where, according to him, the 4th QOH were reduced to borrowing lances from his mob. BBC - WW2 People's War - The Vienna Tattoo So, sorry Tom if I've spoilt your big moment and yes....... One Winston Churchill plus One "they don't like it uppem!" is worth more than one of 'er in Buck Palace. (Apologies Ma'am) Cheers & keep taking the tablets Ron
Ron - you are right I do feel deflated even after taking the tablets - good to read you are on the ball and up early once more - hope it's a nice day for your walkies - I should remind you that I have pencilled in Lunch for us on my December trip - note that well - "pencilled in " - not chipped in stone ! Oh and - I'll let er indoors at B.H. know what you say ! Cheers
After re-reading my own version of the Vienna Tattoo - kindly supplied by Ron - I came across some correspondence with the Head Tourist Guide of the Schoenbrunn Palace - one Robert Tidmarsh who is an Englishman and has been associated with the Palace since the middle 70's....in the course of this correspondence Robert asked my permission to include my account into his new brochure of the History of the Palace..of which I readily agreed - this now appears in many languages for the many tourists to Vienna....here is the introduction to the brochure - and shows that the Tattoo amongst many other acts were beneficial to the Viennese at a time of great difficulty.... The Vienna Military Tattoo in Schönbrunn 1946 The word Tattoo is derived from the Dutch words „Doe den tap toe“ (turn off the taps). The british army military signal „Tattoo“ was a drum beat late each evening which indicated that soldiers should return to the barracks in time for „last post“ and „lights out“ and that the beer taps in the taverns should be turned off. This developed slowly into a ceremonial performance of military music by massed bands which in recent years has become well known due to military tattoos like the famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an annual event held during the International Festival in Edinburgh Castle which is attended by some 200,000 people each year. The British Army has always held Tattoo's, usually in London where they could perform and show their expertise and attract large crowds of visitors. The Tattoo changed over centuries from the Fyffes and Drums in the days of Oliver Cromwell to Regimental Bands, particularly the Brigade of Guards that perform all over the world. In April 1946 a parade of British troops took place in the main courtyard of Schönbrunn Palace (Ehrenhof). This was followed up with a Searchlight Military Tattoo in the main gardens to the south of the palace (Blumenparterre) in June that was climaxed with a large firework display. The amount raised £10,000 (400.000 Austrian Schillings), was presented on the 26th October 1946 to the City of Vienna (Bürgermeister Theodor Körner) thus enabling the city of Vienna to finance a six-week holiday for 2,400 children at a holiday resort. The British continued holding similar activities for the benefit of children in following years. Mr. Tom Canning remembers:...... this gives my account almost in full........so if you are in Vienna - do drop in !...as the song goes - "Vienna mein stadt truame"
