16th JANUARY 1976

INTRODUCTION

I have been disappointed that no one has produced a truly original article for the Newsletter, I dont believe that even though there is a lack of terrorist activity no one has had ideas which would help to fill these pages and displace that rather tired subject R and R« I would encourage everyone to think about it and then try to put your thoughts on paper. If you • feel that your ability at writing is not as good as your thoughts, editorial assistance is given when the Newsletter is put together.
The government decision to deploy the SAS in South Armagh has not as yet altered the level of activity in our area and our principle tasks remain controlling entry 'to the secure areas and patrolling.
At. this stage there is no reason to expect that events elsewhere in the Province will have the same effect in Londonderry* Our part of the City is predominantly Roman Catholic and the business area.-. Many of the families are very large with different political views in the various branches which would make inter-sectarian strife unlikely However this
does not reduce the likelihood of terrorist activity, especially that directed towards the Security Forces.
This weeks Newsletter has been compiled earlier than usual as the Editor will be away and it is therefore less up to date than normal, Those of you who wonder why there is no picture page this week will remember that there were two consecutively before Christmas. This is the break to bring us back into line and there will be photographs again next week,

FORT GEORGE SCENE
During the last two months we at Echelon have discussed at length the cribs and moans from you guys in the locations. Having finally come to the conclusion that you are all right in what you say we have not got to put up with the same inconveniences that you have, we have decided to open our doors to you over the next two months for weekend Package Tours. We offer, as it is an out of peak season, the most attractive rates; free lodging and one square meal (not an oxo cube).
So here is the sales patter:

1.
The rooms in the beautiful accommodation on board the sleek lines of the Ramehead sharing with six others. The automatic portholes so brilliantly placed allow the fresh fragrance of the Foyle and daylight through, provided you bring a spanner.

2.
The outdoor facilities here are second to none; the gymnasium- is less than 100 yards from the boat and we are
sure that your trek over the MFO boxes will indeed be worth the trip when you behold the fine range of equipment including a broken down horse. Also in the grounds of Fort George there are three (free) firing ranges, alas we have no clay pigeons but there are plenty of gulls to take a pot shot at. If your life requires a more leisurely past-time, you can fish off the jetty once you have negotiated the barbed wire, but our favourite pastime- here is counting the drips of water coming through the roof of the Regimental Workshop

3.
We are very proud of our 24 hour cabaret show, starring that well known duo Captain Bob Coward and RQMS Ray Cove 11. There is no truth in the rumour that they do a turn at the British Legion Club. We then have the slimmer version
of SGT FILBY in SSGT Cyril (Trixie) Filby and of course numerous other stars.

4
Our most delightful feature is the standard of delectable culinary catastrophes; Christmas Dinner was an ideal example and would put any cook to shame. The menu read:

Tomatoe Soup - One slice or two
Roast Turkey - Rare or medium
Roast Pork - Overcooked or burnt
Creamed Potatoes - Gooey or stodgy
Roast Potatoes - Black or brown
Brussel Sprouts - Swimming or drowned
Garden Peas
Cauliflower

Xmas Pudding - Cold or freezing
Rum Sauce - One lump or two

5.
Our last and most exciting feature of the day is the 11 pm section attack on 3 LI cookhouse for egg banjoes.

Send away for our brochure for an early booking, to:
Mr I M Goinloopy
Got any Nosh
Gut Ache
Starvin
RU 2

2 SECTION C TROOP
Because the majority of 2 section were, members of A (Andy) Sub in Fallingbostel they have christened their section Andy Section. The introductions -which are necessary: Section Commander Bdr Billy Hamilton and the workers Lbdr Telly Linnell, Lbdr Bobby Harris, Gnrs Dave (Derren) Nesbitt, Ken (Tranny) Tranter, Keith (The Big Un Lurch) Passant, Ray. (Jaws) Banks, Hal.(Shep) Shepherd. .By the time you read this the sections R & R will be. well underway. Bobby Blue Eyes. Harris was the first away, and
incidentally his eyes were far from blue on his return - Please yourself how you take that!, Jaws is away at present and the section will be pleased to see him back as he is one of the moral boosters in these times of boredom.

Telly Linnell has treated himself to a new portable TV set, I wouldn't say he watches it a lot. but he has got eyes like golf balls and two buttons on his back. His early morning ritual is to switch on the TV and make sure no one has pinched the test card.

The mail for the section is regular, but Shep has so far outshone the whole battery by receiving 35 letters in 3 days. Believe it or not he has somehow found time to reply to them all.

The stags are slipping away nicely from the calendar but if the system changes much more we won't know if we are coming or going but variety is the spice of life or so they say.
I
The Big Un Lurch swears that if Wolves lose again he is going to support Stafford Rangers. He also says he is not bothered about R & .R but has been caught secretly marking off the days on a calendar since Sennelager.

R & R cannot come quick enough for "Derren Nesbitt as his bed seems to be creeping so much closer to Lurch's everyday. It could be the first double bed in Waterloo car park
.
As a budding Stirling Moss? Tranny seems to be able to find bumps in the roads that even Londonderry City Council didn't know existed. The section's black and blue posteriors can verify that

Finally last but no means least, the section would all like to express their thanks to Billy for providing the money for plants which are now brightening up .our beloved Strand Road.

OVER HEARD
Overheard on the Battery Radio net

Hello 2, this is BBC 1, Radio check over"

J TROOP JOTTINGS
Once again its time to write to the Newsletter. May I say how nice it is to have SSgt Jin McGowan back with us, from 8 & R, . and it's good to hear that his wife Jeannie is no longer bedded down. I hope her ailment was a pleasant one.

We have had Sgt Les Charlton on R & R since our last newsletter. You should have seen the state of him when he came back. He just kept mumbling, who the hell said R & R meant rest and recuperation, I would like to get my hands on him. Also just back from R & R is Sgt Sam Douglas,, who spent his in England, he looked OK but his moustache has been trimmed, he no longer looks like a walrus.

Since our last letter all has been very quiet in Londonderry. The only exciting thing was that we had snow instead of rain one day. That was apart from an event on Sunday 4th January when Sgt Charlton 12 Section and Bdr Cunliffe 9 Section G Troop
caught two men breaking into the Northwest Working Hens Club. Which goes to show that although there is competition between troops there is also a degree of co-operation and ability to work together

Cpl Wally Townsend Apprehended three youths who had stolen a car, within 10 minutes of the car being reported as stolen: well done Wally and his Section!

We would like to welcome to the Troop; Gnr Fitzgerald and Gnr Heath.
Gnr Fitzgerald we all know he has just re-enlisted and Gnr Heath has just finished his training at Woolwich.

To all wives and families - God bless you all, we think of constantly.

J Troop Commanders wife sent the following poem:

ALWAYS THINKING OF YOU

WE WAKE UP IN THE MORNINGS
TO FACE ANOTHER DREARY DAY
GOD PLEASE, PLEASE TELL US
WHY THEY'VE GONE AWAY

WE TRY TO BE SO CHEERFUL
AND PRETEND THAT .'WE DON'T CARE,
ALTHOUGH OUR HEARTS ARE BREAKING
ONLY WE ALONE CAN SHARE.

HOW CAN YOU TELL YOUR CHILDREN, THEIR DADDIES GONE TO FIGHT
A CAUSE FOR WHICH WE KNOW JUST DOES1NT SEEM QUITE RIGHT

WHY SHOULD WE HAVE TO SUFFER
FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO DONT CARE
THEY TAKE AWAY OUR LOVED ONES
WITHOUT A THOUGHT TO SPARE

I HOPE THAT THESE FEW VERSES
THAT WERE HARD TO PUT TOGETHER
SHOW JUST HOW MUCH WE LOVE YOU .
AND HOPE ITS NOT FOREVER.

A TROOP RIDE ON AND ON AND ON

Time is passing very quickly now that the halfway
stage of the tour has been reached. I even heard the BC speaking of the move back to Fallingbostel, and re- organising the Troops, altering the accommodation, cleaning the guns, preparing for courses, sending men on leave, planning exercises ....etc
see you in 1977

Another find was chalked up for the Troop :when Lbdr Steve Shaw, Gunners Jim Cox, Gilly Gillison, Big Willie Williams and Geordie Danielson, stopped and searched a lorry carrying fertilizer. It was noticed that one bag at the top of the load was different from the rest and further investigation by the ATO showed that is was illegal fertiliser. As with anyone in the Troop who makes a find the lads were rewarded with two beers each by the Troop Commander. Just steady on with the finds lads, it's costing me a mint.

Gunners Jacko Jackson and Sooty Sutcliffe have now past masters at mopping and sweeping. So much so that they have applied for a pre-release course with the Londonderry Cleansing Department, So while you are out doing your cleaning rounds, try and pick up some “int” for our severely under worked "Int Section"
No one will ever recognise you, especially Jacko with his new teeth. Lovely set of noshers . Jacko

Gunner Moggsie Moyle has just returned to the Troop. after spending a few days risking life and limb guarding the prisoners at HMP Magilligan. His task was to keep the prisoners in, but when they found out who was guarding them they formed a committee to keep him out. Anyway Moggsie reckons it was a good skive:
it would have to be with him on it.' No hard feelings though lad, just get your bloody haircut and take Linda Lovelace Waldie with you!

Everyone in the Troop is eagerly awaiting the arrival of Pat and Tony Bullocks first child. Besides being able to wet the babys head, as a celebration it will be a relief to get Tony on R & R, which has been promised him when the baby is born. The most convenient time for the Troop would have been the 31 October 1975, but as this is not now possible we will settle for the 5 February 1976, so come on Pat, see what you can do for us.

As a closing request to this issue. Would the PRO kindly bring his camera to this location soonest, as no-one has bothered to photograph the Dalzell twins for over three weeks, but would the photographer stop trying to take pictures of this Troop Commander in compromising positions; my wife would not believe it anyway.

ODE TO JOCK MACKAYS R & R

HQ what have you done?
You've mucked up our Mack's R & R,
He should have had Hogmanay at home with.his clan,
Not left out of it so far awa !
i
But some bright ..bookworm was bosseyed,
The one who can write but not read.
It's made our old Mack bloody angry,
On that we are all agreed
.
These days he speaks to no-one,
Just mumbles under his breath,
Wishing he could get hold of that ...... clerk,
And strangle him unto his death

So come then you nine to five warrior
And get some pen pushing done.
Make sure our Mack's docs are right this time,
To get him home for the 30th of Jan

BATTERY HEADQUARTERS
18 (QUEBEC) BATTERY RA
Yet again I've been asked to put pen to paper A loathsome task - a ridiculous caper:
The obligatory effort towards the newsletter
is getting me down, but 1 suppose I'd better
do something to tell of our life in Quebec,
(though mundane it is: and boring, by heck).
My wish first of all in this poetic item
is to praise Tac Headquarters - not to verbally spite em
They're a good bunch of lads worth their weight in gold,
and it's not their own fault if they have'nt been told
that the best way to gain their sub units' respect
is to ask call sign 0 to keep off the net!
And the same thing applies, to call sign two,
who are not so much Inkerman, but more Waterloo.
My intention, I warn you, is always light hearted
I'd never suggest that the senses had parted
from .a battery so ready for a really good laugh
that they even prepared their Charlie Gustav!
The battery, of course, that lives in Masonic
treat the locals with love that is only platonic.
They're a quiet old lot, but I cannot quite see1
why there's such a requirement for wild Donkey
That only leaves us, who are call sign one
Go on - say it: the "ones who are poking the fun.
The intention I outlined in line five (above)
(was'nt that military - Staff Duties I love!)
when there's just nothing happening day after day?
The funny thing is that we're still busy:
The troops to task chart is driving me dizzy
There are that many changes in the number of men
that are deemed to be needed 'tween midnight and ten!
The men at the checkpoints stand outside their sangar
to ensure there's no danger of dropping a clangour
when BC and party go round to ensure
that Ramsay, McGowan, Hardy and Moore
are doing their job in a manner discreet
and not all bickering over the next stag sheet!
The Q and BSM have just emigrated
(their old room they say they distinctly hated:)
though the BC I know was incessantly slipping
into their abode to catch the two kipping!
Int and Ops staff have dipped out this time
as they're both preoccupied with prevention of crime:
That's at least the impression of Sherlock Sibley
who says from his Int Cell that it's elementary.
The rest of the battery - well it's just too absurd
They seem to be courting each other's Watch bird.
The problems of course only really begin
when a patrol goes out and a Watch bird comes in.
That's when Bombardier Shaw comes to grief
And charges around till he finds a relief,
so his job can be changed (just let him dare)
to coincide nicely with Corporal Sinclair.
With all this amusement about which to write I seem to have lost the true, aim in sight which initially was to present the case
that it was very difficult to occupy space
in the PRO'S magazine, weekly presented.. (provided the Commanding Officer &as consented . . I
to the articles that the batteries have written). And here am I with my pride somewhat smitten . since shortly ago there was little to say . . : I
when there's nothing happening day after day! . My final hope though is - you,ll have enough face to write more yourselves: if there's enough space
QUOTE OF THE WEEK

The Operations Officer of 49 Battery after a very quiet day:

"The situation in Northern Ireland has been declared a hoax“

A Troop Commander interviewing a Gunner as part of the Internal Recruiting System:

"What would you be looking for if you signed on again, Evans.
After a little thought, Evans replied, 'A psychiatrist Sir.''

OVER HEARD
Overheard in the Officers Mess:
"If I allowed a barber loose on my hair, my hairdresser would never forgive me."

A KNEE TROOP CAPER

Well the Troop managed to get over the festive season without great incident, and although Christmas in Ireland was not the most pleasant of pastimes, I'm sure it proved more acceptable than most people thought it would.
Life in the Bogside continues with the locals remaining quiet- on the whole and well behaved. An easing of attitude towards the SF is apparent as a result of events in South Armagh, but one could not yet describe them as friendly.
Most, of the lads in the Troop have been on R & R and have returned with smiles and a strange twinkle in the eye. Now they look forward to the end of the tour, most of them having worked out to the day how long they have to do.

The recce party of 32 Engineer Regt has been and gone and during their visit they seemed impressed by the way the boys were working - keep it up right to the end.
Finally within the Troop, the change round of observation posts has meant new surroundings for the sections for their three day stint of observation post duty. Ray Evans and Pete Berridge are thought to have packed their sun-tan lotion to take with them to the Embassy. Unfortunately the sun does not always shine on 2 Section.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Sir,
We have just been reading the ninth edition of your Newsletter and yet again there has been no mention of the gallant back up Q/Cook staff at Bridge Camp.

Please would you pass a message to the wives and families of the under signed. We are all Well and happy but becoming very pale from being kept in the dark
Signed
SSgt Harold Greed, Sgt Chris Wray, Gnr 'Mitch Mitchell, Pte John Hartley
DITTY
The old RUC Victoria
Has met it's Waterloo
and Captain King's Cross

CONTINUING THE MEMORIES OF A SUBALTERN AT WATERLOO

''Gosh this is becoming a 49 Battery Magazine', is the comment I have just heard outside my office as people are anxiously reading the latest edition of the Newsletter. So in order to prevent a take over by another Battery here is the next instalment of my life ever here.
Firstly the good news; I have mended ray piglets, well temporarily, but I am still waiting for Lbdr Edwards to produce some black paint so the finishing touches can be applied. SSgt Smith and his boys in the LAD have produced some excellent iron bracelets with which the damaged chain have been repaired. Of course the design was the important part especially as it was in the form of a drawing for the LAD to work from (I have an “0” in Technical drawing). I have to blow my own trumpet but I expect having said
that the 2IC will be round soon to take away the mouthpiece.

I have had smother success as Messing Member, the Commanding Officer recently celebrated his birthday (he is well over 21) and I managed to have the correct number of candles on the cake, this after his cake at home had only had one - (one to me Mrs T). This also helped to disprove the rumour that I have problems with my counting as well as spelling.
The other happening in my life which was a 'may be when I last wrote was my visit to the Barber. Contrary to rumour I did not need an anaesthetic but I am reliably informed
I did not get my money's worth; I did try.

My latest venture was to Aldergrove Airport to meet the Recce Party of 32 Engineer Regiment. I was persuaded to do this as we were supposed to fly back in a helicopter and I naturally assumed that only the best officer was sent on missions like this. (I still believe this). Having arrived at Aldergrove to find the helicopter flight had been cancelled, due to bad weather (it was only raining) - Plan B had to be implemented. A luxury coach soon arrived, well that's what 1 told the recce party. It was only when one very astute officer scraped some white paint off to reveal an Army Green Job that the disguise was uncovered. Eventually our escorts arrived in two
Landrovers commanded by Sgt Pate Jones and Bdr Roger Hailes of the 94th. Our problems now began as they had to read a map, but on our third circuit of the airport we had gained such momentum that we were spun out of the circle and luckily headed off in the right direction. Anyway we made it back, the Recce is now complete, and we must be making progress towards the end of the tour.
As there are several people, outside my office, all waiting to go on R & R their joviality is proving too much for me and 1 will retire to my bed to gain a couple of well earned hours sleep. I will leave you all with the thought, that if you are unlucky you may be subjected to another instalment before the end of the tour.

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