The Veteran Issue 5

December 2021 - February 2022 Issue 5 

The 

Veteran 

Alicante 

The Quarterly Magazine of The Alicante Branch 

of The Royal British Legion 

New Year’s 

Honours List 2022 

Pamela 

Twissell-Cross MBE

TABLE OF 

CONTENTS 

3 'I Didn't Have a Clue' Chairman John Pratt 

5 New Members 

6 New Years Honours 

8 District Awards 

11 New Chairman District North Spain 

12 'We Served' The Irish Guards 

18 Who we Help 

21 Alicante Branch News 

25 'We Served' South Yorkshire Police 

27 'Least we Forget' The Fall of Singapore 

29 'We Served' 4 Fd Regiment Royal Artillery 

31 The Video Page 

32 Forecast of Events 

Contact us 

John pratt - Alicante Branch Chairman 

Ed Morris - Vice Chairman, Recruiting & 

Retention 

Mary Kemp - Branch Community Support 

Hamish McConnachie - Web Master & 

Publicity 

Alicante.Chairman@rbl.community 

Alicante.Vicechairman@rbl.community 

Alicante.BCS@rbl.community 

Alicante.Web@rbl.community 

2

John Pratt 

Alicante Branch 

Chairman 

'I didn't have a clue' 

B 

rought up a while after WW11, as was usual dad never spoke of it, the 

horrors, where he served, what he saw and was required to do. He was 

a ‘red beret’ paratrooper. 

Years later we found a diary he had kept; it only detailed his promotion(s) / demotion(s), usually due 

to drink, and showing his dates at home. 

I didn’t really have a clue. 

Mum and dad worked hard in hard times to give us what they could, we had little, Nan basically 

brought us four up while mum/dad worked. 

But I didn’t really have a clue. 

My memories of those times of helping dad in the garden with the veg patch and mowing the lawn, 

(and sticking a bayonet through my leg), taking handfuls of gooseberries from the garden to eat on 

the way to school. Short trousers in all weathers, new cardboard in my shoes for school every Sunday 

evening. The few caravan holidays just outside Margate. 


I was lucky on leaving school I knew what I wanted to do. I only ever wanted to be ‘a boy in blue’ and 

had that image in my mind. The reality (as usual) was different. 


I got my dream job and the girl to go with it, married, (seemed like a good idea at the time), children, 

but, as above, the reality was very different, shift work, working week-ends, Christmas, missing 

school performances and anniversaries. 


Wow, what an eye opener as to what went on in the real world at that time. Blimey, cars were for 

Senior Ranks, the boxes to make a ‘point’ were the only refuge, no radios or computers, you went to a 

job and relied on training, ‘your nose’ and good luck to keep you safe (and of course sometimes that 

didn’t work). 


Fairly oblivious to what went on outside my world, no doubt I became cynical, perhaps inevitable 

when your world is dominated by the bad in this world. 


I wore my poppy and made my donation like the good citizen I thought I was, but never really 

thought deeper about it, it was just something you did. Back in the day we stopped our patrol car and 

removed our hats in respect of those who had probably ‘served’, and given their all, although, 


My family grew up, Northern Ireland, then Iraq and Afghanistan happened, one of them did their bit 

and PTSD was prevalent, we helped but even in my own home. 


3

You don't have to be 

ex military to join 

The 

Royal British Legion 

and make a 

difference 

I was honoured to represent my Service at the Cenotaph one 

Remembrance Sunday, although an honour, it was more of a 

ceremony than really understanding what lay behind the event. 


Later in service we didn’t send a representative to Remembrance 

Sunday, appalled, I felt it was something ‘we’ (the Police Service) 

should do, rather than fully understand the why it was done. 


Branch Chairman John Pratt 

carrying out the duties of District 

Standard Bearer at the Poppy 

Appeal Launch 2020 

I survived for more than 30 years (more by luck and good fortune 

rather than skill) and took on a new career in law enforcement but 

from the other side (trying to keep them out instead of locking them 

up). 

Still, I didn’t really have a clue. 

I retired to Spain, another dream fulfilled, (I think we earned it), 

looking for sun and relaxation, and peace from my previous world. 

The RBL in Spain? 

I really didn’t have a clue. 

Accosted by a Legion stalwart, (peace was shattered and the 

relaxation disappeared), I became a member. 


A talk from District CSO, as to what the legion could offer, prison 

visits, practical / financial help, raising funds, telephone buddies. 


Being fitter, (fortunately) than most, ‘can you carry this? they said. 

Welcome the new Standard Bearer. 


I thought I might do more, so offered my (practically non-existent) Secretary skills, “thanks”, they 

said. 


Then ‘the big one, Chairman! You are having a laugh I said, but no-one else wanted the job. 


“Service not self” 

Now I know what that means 

But I still don’t really have a clue! 

But I am getting there and so could you, join the Branch, get involved even if 

You don't really have a clue 

4

T 

November-February 2022 

he Chairman, his Committee and all Members of the Alicante 

Branch would like to welcome the following new Members. 

Hugh O'Brien 

Janice O'Brien 

Debbie Routledge 

The Branch Membership now stands at 225 Members 

Become a member of the Alicante 

Branch of The Royal British Legion 

family today and take pride in supporting all 

generations of the Armed Forces community. 

Membership is only £23 a year and is open to everyone. 

Join us today 

Click here 

Or Contact John Pratt on Alicante.Chairman@rbl.community for further information on 

the Alicante Branch 

5

Pamela Twissell - Cross with the Mayor of Castalla, Don 

Antionio Bernabeu at the unveiling of the Remembrance 

Memorial in Castalla International last year 

New Years 

Honours 

Pamela Sheila Twissell-Cross, District 

Community Support Coordinator, Royal 

British Legion, Spain (District North) and 

Alicante Branch Member has been awarded an 

MBE for services to British nationals overseas. 

Pamela was named in the New Year Honours 

List, published on Saturday 1 January 2022. 

After retiring to Spain having completed a long 

career in the NHS, Pamela Twissell-Cross 

became involved with the Royal British Legion 

as a welfare volunteer caseworker in 2011, 

becoming District Community Support 

Coordinator three years later. 

Despite being voluntary, the role is almost full 

time –coordinating all the welfare work for an 

area spanning the France/Spain border right 

down to Almeria, including the Balearic Islands. 

Pamela works unstintingly to identify potential 

beneficiaries, make them aware of the support 

that the RBL can provide, 

Pamela Twissell-Cross 

District Community Support 

Coordinator, 

Royal British Legion, 

Spain (District North) 

has been awarded an MBE for 

services to British nationals 

overseas 

and ensure they get the support they need. 

In 2020, Pamela and her team assisted 569 

people, with 342 receiving advice and 

signposting, and the remaining 227 

receiving further RBL support. 

The British Ambassador to Spain, Hugh 

Elliott said: “As with most voluntary 

organisations, the COVID-19 pandemic has 

added to the RBL’s workload and, as their 

Patron in Spain, I know how busy Pamela 

has been over the past two years, 

managing and supporting an increasing 

number of calls to the helpline. This honour 

is very richly deserved.” 

On hearing of the award Pam said: "I feel 

very honoured to be nominated for this 

honour, let alone chosen. It was a complete 

surprise and probably the most wonderful 

surprise I have ever had. I do wish my 

parents were still here to see it." 

6

Awards and decorations of the United Kingdom 

Member of the Most Excellent 

Order of the British Empire 

MBE 

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a 

British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the 

arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare 

organisations, and public service outside the civil service. 

It was established on 4 June 1917 by King George V and 

comprises five classes across both civil and military 

divisions, 

Standing for Member of the Most Excellent Order of the 

British Empire, an MBE is the third highest ranking Order 

of the British Empire award (excluding a Knighthood/ 

Damehood), behind CBE and then OBE. 

The MBE is awarded for an outstanding achievement or 

service to the community which has had a long-term, 

significant impact and stands out as an example to others 

King George V wished to create an Order to honour many thousands of 

those who had served in a variety of non-combatant roles during the First 

World War. When first established, the Order had only one division. 

However, in December 1918 it was formally divided into Military and Civil 

Divisions, The Order's motto is 

For God and the Empire.

District 

Awards 

2022 

The Recruitment Kukri 

Alicante Branch Retains 

The Chairman's Bugle 

and 

The Recruitment Kukri 

For the 3rd year 

in succession 

Branch Chairman John Pratt said in a mail 

to all Branch Members: 

As a result of everyones hard work 

during the past year I am pleased to 

anounce that at this mornings District 

North Spain's Annual Conference this 

Branch was awarded the recruitment 

Kukri and the Chairman's Bugle for the 

third year in a row. 

Well done everyone. 

At the District North Spain Annual 

conference which was held on the 27th of 

January The Alicante Branch were again 

awarded the Districts two highest Awards for the 

third year in succession the Chairman's Bugle is 

the Districts top award presented annually to 

the Branch that has made the greatest advances 

in furthering the aims and objectives of the 

Legion. 

The second award The Recruitment Kukri is 

presented to the Branch that has achieved the 

best Membership percentage increase across 

District North Spain within the twelve months 

preceding the conference. 

The Chairman's Bugle 

8

District awards 2022 

Mr Jack Kemp the District 

Chairman presented both 

awards to the Alicante Branch 

chairman, Mr John Pratt at the 

Branch Monthly meeting in 

February 

District Chairman’s Certificate of Appreciation 

Jonathan and Mark Knight 

On Monday the 21st of February brothers 

Jonathan and Mark Knight were presented 

with the District Chairman’s Certificate of 

Appreciation at Castalla International by the 

District Chairman Jack Kemp. 

Jonathan completed a cycle challenge by 

cycling from Tidworth in the UK to Orihuela 

Costa in Spain covering a distance of 1300 

miles, his brother Mark accompanied 

Jonathon providing safety cover and planning 

during this gruelling challenge. 

Over £1400 was raised by the brothers for 

the 2021 Poppy Appeal. On completion of the 

event Jonathan submitted an application in 

support of the Alicante Branch for a donation 

of £2000 from the Royal Warrant Holders 

Association Charity Fund. Jonathan, the 

Director and owner of Knights Tailoring 

Limited is a holder of the Royal Warrant for 

Businesses and the award was approved. 

Both Jonathan and Mark are members of the 

Alicante Branch and the Orihuela Costa and 

District Branch of the Royal British Legion 

here in Spain.. 

I am sure that all Members of Spain District 

North will join the District Chairman on 

thanking the brothers for raising the sum of 

over £3,400 to support our Beneficiaries here 

in Spain. 

District Chairman’s Certificate of Appreciation 

being presented to Jonathan by District Chairman 

Jack Kemp 

9

District Awards 

2022 

The Chairmans Bugle 

Mark receives his Certificate of Appreciation 

Jonathon and Mark with proud family members 

10

Tchangeover in District Chairmen. 

he District North Spain annual 

conference held in January saw a 

The outgoing Chairman Mr Don Cubbon 

handed over the baton to Mr Jack Kemp 

having completed seven years on the District 

Committee, five of those as District 

Chairman. 

The incoming Chairman Mr Jack Kemp the 

former Chair of the Alicante Branch 

congratulated Don on his successful tenure 

and stated that he would be a hard act to 

follow. 

New 

Chairman for 

District North 

Mr Jack Kemp the new District Chairman with out going 

Chairman Mr Don Cubbon. 

Spain 

The new Chairman went on to congratulate 

those Branch Members that were recognised 

with a District Chairman’s Certificate of 

Appreciation. 

Christine Walden 

Maria Bryant 

Geoffrey Thomas 

Jean Heald 

Malcolm Cavendish 

Jonathan Knight 

Mark Knight 

Anthony Edmunds 

Pamela Dawes 

Pamela Wilding 

Left, Don Cubbon with his presentation from the 

Murcia Branch. 11

"We Served" 

Irish Guards 

Bob Routledge Irish Guards 

The Irish Guards were formed on 1 April 1900 

by order of Queen Victoria to commemorate 

the Irish people who fought in the Second 

Boer War 

The Irish Guards' first honorary Colonel-ofthe-Regiment 

was Field Marshal Lord 

Roberts, known to many troops as "Bobs". 

Because of this, the regiment gained the 

nickname "Bob's Own" but are now known 

affectionately as 

"The Micks" (although a generally derogatory 

term if used in society, this term is not seen as 

offensive or derogatory by the regiment.) 

Major Richard 

Joshua Cooper, 

Grenadier Guards, 

was appointed the 

first Commanding 

Officer on 2 May 

1900 and 200 

Irishmen from the 

same regiment 

were transferred as 

the nucleus of the 

new regiment. 

Selected members 

from other line infantry regiments were also 

chosen to fill out the ranks of the new 

regiment. 

The regiment's first Colours were 

presented by King Edward VII to the 1st 

Battalion on 30 May 1902 at Horse 

Guards Parade. A few Irish Guardsmen 

saw action as mounted infantry in the final 

stages of the Boer War. Otherwise, the 

Irish Guards were stationed in the United 

Kingdom for the first fourteen years of its 

existence, performing ceremonial duties in 

London during that time until the beginning 

of World War I.One of the most famous 

Officers of the Regiment was Jack Kipling, 

the only son of Rudyard Kipling, who was 

initially rejected from service due to his 

poor eyesight. His father pulled strings in 

order to allow him to join up with the 2nd 

Battalion and he was killed in September 

1915 at the Battle of Loos. His body was 

never found and his devastated father 

wrote the poem ‘My Boy Jack’ which was 

also dramatised into a play. 

During the First World War, the Irish 

Guards were deployed to France and they 

remained on the Western Front for the 

duration of the war. During the course of 

the war, the Regiment was awarded 406 

medals 4 of which were Victoria Crosses 

and lost over 2,300 officers and men. 

12

The custom of 

receiving ‘royal’ 

shamrock on St. 

Patrick’s Day began in 

1901 and has taken 

place every year except 

where prohibited by 

operations 

Upon the outbreak of World War II in 

September 1939, the Irish Guards were based 

in the UK. In April 1940, the 1st Irish Guards 

deployed to Norway as part of 24th (Guards) 

Brigade. Seeing action at Pothus, holding out 

against heavy German attacks for two days 

until they were finally forced to withdraw as 

their positions were being outflanked. The 

regiment was finally evacuated back to the 

UK with the rest of the expeditionary force in 

June. 

In March 1943 the 1st Irish Guards, who had 

been based in the UK since their return from 

Norway in 1940, landed in the North African 

country of Tunisia. The battalion fought in the 

Medjez Plain area, seeing heavy action at 

Djebel bou Aoukaz, or 'Bou'. Part of the area 

was taken on 27 April and further fighting 

continued for several days with the Irish 

Guards suffering heavy casualties. 

The battalion took part in the Anzio landings 

on 22 January 1944. The battalion saw action 

at Carroceto where they repulsed several 

German attacks. The battalion also took part 

in the attack on Campoleone, where they 

experienced heavy casualties. A German 

counterattack was launched several days 

later. The battalion inflicted heavy casualties 

on the Germans, but were surrounded the 

following day with little support against 

German armour, and were forced to fight their 

way through to Allied lines, suffering many 

casualties in the process. 

In 1941 the 2nd Irish Guards was 

reorganised as an armoured regiment, 

joining the newly formed Guards 

Armoured Division. The Holding Battalion 

was raised the same year, later becoming 

the 3rd Irish Guards. In 1943, the 3rd Irish 

Guards joined the Guards Armoured 

Division as an infantry battalion. 

In 1944 the 2nd and 3rd Irish Guards took 

part in the Normandy Campaign. The 

Irish Guards, as part of the Guards 

Armoured Division, took part in Operation 

Goodwood (18–20 July). 

The Irish Guards were part of the ground 

force of Operation Market Garden, 

'Market' being the airborne assault and 

'Garden' the ground attack. Operation 

Market Garden was the subject of the film 

A Bridge Too Far. 

Right Michael Caine as Lt Col Joe 

Vandeleur, Irish Guards in the film 

Irish Guards and the crew of an M4 Sherman tank 

Holland.18 September, 1944 

13

William and Catherine, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, 

celebrate St Patrick’s Day with the Irish Guards 

Pipers of the Irish Guards 

After the war, the regiment was reduced to a 

single battalion. In 1947, the 1st Battalion 

deployed to Palestine to perform internal security 

duties there. It was then posted to the Suez Canal 

Zone in Egypt, remaining there until the British 

withdrawal in 1956. The regiment continued to 

serve in troubled regions such as Cyprus and 

Aden throughout the 1950s and 1960s. During this 

time they were also part of the British Army of the 

Rhine (BAOR) in Germany on a number of 

occasions. They also served as the garrison of 

Hong Kong from 1970 to 1972. 

The Irish Guards were one of the few regiments in 

the British Army initially exempt from service in 

Northern Ireland during The Troubles. However, a 

Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) bomb 

blasted a bus carrying members of the regimental 

band to Chelsea Barracks in October 1981. 39 

people (23 soldiers and 16 others) were wounded 

and two civilians were killed.1992 saw the 

regiment finally carry out its first tour-of-duty in 

Northern Ireland, based in County Fermanagh. 

Left. DOMHNALL (pronounced Donal) means “world leader” in Gaelic. The 

regiment has had an Irish Wolfhound as a mascot since 1902 and he is the 

16th.Turlough Mór is the current mascot of the Irish Guards and replaces 

Domhnall who retired. 

Like the 16 mascots that preceded him, Turlough Mór is also an Irish 

Wolfhound and named after an ancient Irish King. 

However, on a day-to-day basis, he will be known by his kennel name, Séamus. 

14

Bob During his time in the Irish Guards 

The Irish Guards were involved in the Balkans 

Conflicts when they were deployed to 

Macedonia and Kosovo in 1999 and were the 

first British unit to enter the Kosovan capital 

city of Pristina on 12 June. The regiment 

played a significant role in the initial stages of 

the Iraq War as part of the 7th Armoured 

Brigade and they led the British advance into 

Basra in March 2003.The Irish Guards 

deployed to Iraq on Operation Telic 10 in 

2007. In 2010, the regiment deployed on their 

first tour of duty to Afghanistan. 

December 2019 saw the Irish Guards deploy 

on two operations concurrently. Number 1 

Company deployed to South Sudan on 

Operation Trenton and the rest of the 

Battalion deployed to Iraq on Operation 

Shader, training Iraqi Security Forces. 

The regiment takes its motto, "Quis 

Separabit", or "Who shall separate us?" 

from the Order of St Patrick 15

In 2021 the centenary year of 

THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION 

To all Branch and 

Community 

Members 

The Alicante Branch raised 

7675.52 Euros for the Poppy 

Appeal 

The Total for all Branches in 

Spain District North was 

119835.02 Euros 

And every Cent will stay in Spain 

16

Alicante Branch 

Poppy Appeal 

2021 

In this the 100th Anniversary year of the Royal 

British Legion the Alicante Branch are delighted 

to announce that their 2021 Poppy Appeal has 

raised the sum of 7675.52 Euros, this is an 

increase of 1951.66 Euros on last year. 

Fiona Dillon does her bit for the Poppy Appeal on 

Remembrance Sunday 

The final total includes monies raised by 

Jonathan and Mark Knight who carried out a 

marathon cycle ride from Tidworth in 

Hampshire to Campoverde in Spain. Jonathan, 

a former soldier with 24 years’ service 

supported by his brother Mark driving the 

support vehicle undertook this grueling 

challenge in aid of the Royal British Legion 

Poppy Appeal. The brothers reached Castalla 

on Thursday 23rd September to be greeted by 

members of the Alicante Branch and members 

of the Community. The brothers rested 

overnight before continuing their journey to 

their final destination at Campoverde. 

Jonathan's route from Tidworth to Castalla 

15th -23rd September 

John Pratt, the Chairman of the Alicante 

Branch and his Committee Members 

would like to take this opportunity to 

thank all Branch Members and Members 

of the Community for their support 

during 2021, a fantastic effort which will 

go a long way to helping our 

benefactors here in Spain. 

17

Who we Help 

The Royal British Legion is here to help members of the Royal Navy, 

British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families. Our support 

starts after one day of service and continues through life, long after service 

is over. We’re dedicated to supporting not only serving and ex-serving 

personnel but the whole of the Armed Forces community, including dependants and 

carers. This includes: 

Serving personnel, or those who have previously served, who have received one day of pay and were 

aged 16 or over at the time of service. 

Reserve or Auxiliary personnel, or those who have previously served. 

Those who have served with the Mercantile Marine afloat in hostile waters. 

Current or previous full-time members of Allied Civil Police Forces. 

Those entitled to the campaign medal issued to the Royal Navy, Army or Royal Air Force to those 

giving them direct support or under their command. 

Any member of Voluntary Aid Societies who has served full-time and in uniform in direct support of 

the United Kingdom Armed Forces. 

Any British subject (by birth or otherwise) who has served one day in the Forces of an Allied nation 

during hostilities and received one day of pay from that nation. 

Any British subject (by birth or otherwise) who served in a resistance organisation of an Allied nation 

during hostilities in which the United Kingdom Armed Forces were engaged. 

Any person who served in the Home Guard for at least six months, or in a Bomb and Mine Disposal 

Unit for at least three months. 

Any person who was awarded the Defence Medal in respect of service in the Home Guard or in a 

Bomb and Mine Disposal Unit. 

We can also provide support for Commonwealth citizens who are residents in the UK as well as past 

and present members of the Brigade of Gurkhas and their families. 

The Royal British Legion has 87 branches outside the United Kingdom. Just because 

you aren't based in the UK doesn't mean we can’t help you. You can use the Royal 

British Legion website to search for overseas branches and find one near you. 

https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/things-to-do/membership/branches/ 

overseas-branches 

18

Veterans' Gateway 

RBL is proud to be part of Veterans' Gateway, helping more people 

to get the help they need. 

This is the first time a group of charities have come together to deliver a service like 

this for the Armed Forces community. 

You can find out more about Veterans' Gateway online or you can also find them on 

Facebook and Twitter. If you're looking for support or advice, call the Veteran's 

Gateway team on (UK) 0808 802 1212. They're there for you 24 hours a day, seven days 

a week. 

Veterans' Gateway is the first point of contact for veterans seeking support. 

With many organisations supporting the Armed Forces community, Veterans’ 

Gateway makes finding the right support quicker and easier – no matter where you are 

or what you need. 

Veterans’ Gateway is made up of a consortium of Armed Forces charities including 

the Royal British Legion, SSAFA – the Armed Forces charity, Poppyscotland and 

Combat Stress. 

It's also supported by referral partners, allowing Veterans’ Gateway to refer people to 

relevant specialist organisations. 

https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk 

19

If you need the assistance of the Legion, or 

know someone who might, please contact 

your Branch Community Support (BCS) 

Member Mary Lou Kemp - 

Alicante.bcs@rbl.community 

The Alicante Branch have Caseworkers, Hospital & 

Home visitors and Telephone Buddies supporting 

our Beneficiaries here in Spain. 

Many people still don’t know that The Royal British 

Legion are here and is active and ready to offer 

help and support to any beneficiary who qualifies 

for help. 

Each case is dealt with in full confidentiality on an 

individual needs’ basis by the relevantly trained 

people, and in most cases, we can offer some help 

or support, if we can’t help at Branch level then we 

have fantastic support from District who will either 

assist or signpost you to another source of support. 

If we can’t help we will assess & consider requests 

for help for qualifying beneficiaries or family 

members, this does not always mean a financial 

payment, it could be guidance in where to get 

information or how to access social services. 

We are often asked about things such as how do 

we get a Blue badge, home help, meals on wheels 

etc and we can guide people to where they need to 

go. 

The Legion often have liaisons between the 

beneficiary and their Regiment, Ship or Unit when 

help is delivered. This can be as simple as safety 

features in a bathroom, or a mobility scooter, a red 

button alarm in the home for peace of mind, a 

walking frame or other equipment, the list of things 

requested and supplied are endless. 

If you think you may need help, then please contact 

Mary Lou using the details above. If you think 

someone you know may have served and needs 

some support encourage them to contact us as we 

cannot contact anyone directly without their 

permission, and we cannot discuss anyone’s 

individual circumstances with a third party until we 

have their express permission to do so. 

The Alicante Branch of The 

Royal British Legion are here to 

help, if we can, we will. 

Branch Community Support 

Every year we help 

thousands of people 

when they need it 

most. 

This could include food or 

clothing vouchers, funeral costs, 

mobility vehicles and aids or 

even household appliances and 

furniture. 

Whatever your situation, please 

don’t hesitate to get in touch as 

we will consider almost all 

requests. However, we are not 

able to help with repayment of 

business debts, loans, legal 

expenses or where state 

assistance or statutory services 

are available. 

Stay Safe, Stay Well. 

20

Branch 

News 

Welcome to 2022 

On the 6th of January the Alicante Branch held their first General Meeting of the year at 

Amigos in Onil where it was decided that the Branch would send Mr John Pratt, our Chairman 

as a representative to the National Conference in London in May. John will be receiving two 

major awards on behalf of the Branch, The Haig Cup (2021), The Haig Cup is awarded for 

Efficiency and Progress (Large Branch). The second award, The McCrae Shield (2021) is 

awarded to one of the 87 Overseas Branches for Efficiency and Progress, this is the second 

year in succession that the Branch have been awarded the McCrae Shield. The Alicante 

Branch are extremely proud of this achievement especily as 2021 was the 100th Anniversary of 

the Royal British Legion. 

New Branch President 

Having relinquished the post of Chairman of the 

Alicante Branch at the Annual General Meeting 

in October 2021 Mr Jack Kemp was nominated 

by the Branch Committee to the role of Branch 

President. Jack thanked the Committee and 

had much pleasure in accepting. 

Obituaries 

New Committee Member 

Janice O’Brien has kindly 

volunteered to take up the 

post of Branch Secretary. I am 

sure that Branch Members will 

welcome Janice to her new 

post and wish her well in this 

vital and demanding role. 

Mr John Wingate 

Alicante Branch Member 

It is with great sadness that we 

have to inform you that John 

Wingate passed away on 9th 

December 2021. John passed away 

in hospital after a long illness. 

Our deepest sympathy goes to his 

wife Maureen. 

Least we Forget. 

Betty Curran 

Alicante Branch Member 

We are saddened to inform you of 

the passing of one of our 

members, Betty Curran passed 

away after fighting a long illness 

on the 8th February 2022. Betty 

will always be remembered for her 

happy smile and cheerful nature. 

Least we Forget 

Kathryn Williams 

It's with sad regret that our dear 

friend Kath passed away on the 

11th February at Alcoi Hospital. 

Kath was a stalwart of the 

Community and will be sorely 

missed. Our thoughts are with 

Mick Gary Karen and Michelle. 

Least we Forget

We're dedicated 

to supporting the 

Armed Forces 

community – 

wherever they 

are. 

Community 

Support 

Presentation 

At the Alicante Branch Monthly Meeting 

on the 3rd of February Pam Twissell – 

Cross MBE the District Community 

Support Coordinator gave a very 

interesting presentation on Community 

Support and costs. Pam covered 

caseworking stating that nearly 300 

calls during the period January to 

December 2021 resulted in casework, 

visits or help over the phone. Pam also 

covered Social Services support here in 

Spain in some detail. 

Pam finished her presentation by 

covering Branch community support, 

what you can expect and signposting, 

she also emphasized the requirement 

for Telephone Buddies and Home and 

Hospital visitors. 

The Beneficiary Costs 

for the period January to 

December 2021 was 

127696.62 Euros 

helping 

227 beneficiaries here in 

Spain 

22

Alicante 

Branch 


The Branch’s primary aim is to support serving members of the Royal Navy, Royal 

Marines, British Army, Royal Air Force, Reservists,Veterans and their families, many 

Veterans and their families live within the local area, in addition we also have 

Members in the UK, France, Belgium, Germany and Cyprus. 

Branch General meetings are held monthly, on the first Thursday of the month. 

Meeting are currently held in Onil at Amigos De Onil, Calle Biar 20, 03430 Onil, Spain. 

All Branch General Meetings commence at 12:00pm and are followed by a social lunch. 

The Branch is always seeking new members, you do not need an Armed Forces 

background to become a member. Why not come and see what you can do for TRBL, 

and what TRBL could possibly do for you. 

The Alicante Branch 

recruitment area stretches 

from the Mediterranean 

coast including El Campello 

and Alicante City and inland 

to Alcoy, Villena Castalla 

and Sax. 

Branch Website: http://branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/alicante 

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/665596200880389/ 

Poppy Appeal: https://gf.me/u/yp5pru 

You don't have to be a 

resident within the Branch 

boundaries to join the 

Branch, many of our 

members live in the UK, as 

well as different regions 

within Spain. 

For more information contact either John Pratt or Eddie Morris Alicante.Chairman@rbl.community 

Alicante.Vicechairman@rbl.community 

23

Awards and decorations of the United Kingdom 

The George 

Cross 

For Gallantry 

The George Cross (GC) is the highest award bestowed by the British government 

for non-operational gallantry or gallantry not in the presence of an enemy. In 

the UK honours system, the George Cross is equal in stature to the Victoria 

Cross, the highest military gallantry award. This has been the case since the 

introduction of the award in 1940. It is awarded "for acts of the greatest heroism 

or for most conspicuous courage in circumstance of extreme danger", not in the 

presence of the enemy, to members of the British armed forces and to British 

civilians. Posthumous awards have been allowed since it was instituted. It was 

previously awarded to residents of Commonwealth countries (and in one case to 

Malta, a colony which subsequently became a Commonwealth country), most of 

which have since established their own honours systems and no longer recommend 

British honours. It may be awarded to a person of any military rank in any 

service and to civilians including police, emergency services and merchant seamen. 

Many of the awards have been personally presented by the British monarch to 

recipients or, in the case of posthumous awards, to next of kin. These investitures 

are usually held at Buckingham Palace. 

On 5 July 2021, on the 73rd anniversary of the NHS, and during the global 

COVID-19 pandemic, the Queen awarded the George Cross to the National Health 

Service staff of the United Kingdom. The Queen wrote in a personal message: "It is 

with great pleasure, on behalf of a grateful nation, that I award the George 

Cross to the National Health Services of the United Kingdom. This award 

recognises all NHS staff, past and present, across all disciplines and all four 

nations. Over more than seven decades, and especially in recent times, you have 

supported the people of our country with courage, compassion and dedication, 

demonstrating the highest standards of public service. You have our enduring 

thanks and heartfelt appreciation. Elizabeth R." 

24

'We Served' 

The force was formed in 1974, as a merger of 

the previous Sheffield and Rotherham 

Constabulary along with part of the West 

Yorkshire Constabulary area (which Barnsley 

Borough Police and Doncaster Borough Police 

had been merged into on 1 October 1968). 

The force were involved in 

the minors strike, the 

Hillsborough disaster and 

the raid on the home of Sir 

Cliff Richard. 

The force's roads policing 

unit and its helicopter, 

Sierra Yankee 99, have 

been a feature in three 

television series: Traffic 

Cops, Sky Cops and Police 

Interceptors. The helicopter 

unit was subsequently 

taken over by the National 

Police Air Service. 

Mark Stubbings 

South Yorkshire Police 

1989 - 2015 

The North East Police Training Centre, Aykley Heads, Durham 1989 

25

Mark was posted to Rawmarsh Police Station, Rotherham in 1989 and later 

transferred to Barnsley Police Station in 1996 where he saw out his service 

and retired in 2015 after 26 years as a front line officer. 

Flying the Flag in Spain 

After retiring to Spain, Mark was approached by a Spanish 

teacher friend and she asked if he was interested in giving 

some presentations in English to Spanish students about 'The 

British Bobby'. Mark approached his previous employer, South 

Yorkshire Police for some assistance regarding obsolete 

headgear unfortunately they could not help. Not giving up Mark 

purchased a Custodian helmet, a flat cap and a female officers 

hat to use in his presentation. Mark explained "The normal age 

groups were from about 8-14 years and the kids were shown 

various photos to interact with. They liked the 'panda car' and 

'jam sandwich' motorway patrol car. They were then asked to 

think of a black and white animal to describe the black and 

white vintage police car. The favourite answer was cow 

followed by penguin. We finally arrive at panda. The Spanish 

have problems in differentiating and then pronouncing correctly 

'ham' and 'jam'. We discussed this and afterwards they soon 

realised that the traffic car resembles a 'jam' sandwich' in 

profile. The highlight of the presentation for them was to have 

their photos taken wearing the hats and to bash their friends 

with my truncheon'. 

Mark with 

his potential 

new recruits

The Fall Of 

Singapore 

On February 15, 1942, Lieutenant General Arthur Percival 

surrendered unconditionally to the Japanese forces led by 

Lieutenant General Tomoyuki Yamashita. 

The fall of Singapore was one of the worst military disasters in 

modern history and heralded the demise of the British Empire. It 

came at the end of a 55 day long campaign in which Japanese 

forces swept down the Malayan peninsula, brushing aside or 

massacring the opposing British, Indian and Australian forces. 

The Battle of Singapore, also known as the Fall 

of Singapore, was fought in the South East 

Asian threatre of the Pacific War when the 

Empire of Japan captured the British stronghold 

of Singapore nicknamed the "Gibraltar of the 

East". Singapore was the foremost British 

military base and economic port in South–East 

Asia. It was the key to British interwar defence 

planning for the region. The fighting in 

Singapore lasted from 8 to 15 February 1942. 

The Japanese victory was decisive. It resulted 

in the Japanese capture of Singapore and the 

largest British surrender in history. 

General Tomoyuki Yamashita had led a force of 

about 30,000 down the Malayan Peninsula in 

the two months leading up to the battle. The 

British had considered the jungle terrain 

impassable and had prepared few defences. 

Yet the Japanese were experts in jungle 

warfare, and raced down the peninsula. Arthur 

Percival led the 85,000 British troops, although 

many units were understrength, and most units 

lacked experience. Despite this, they enjoyed a 

significant numerical and positional advantage 

on the island of Singapore. In the lead up to the 

battle the British destroyed the causeway into 

the city, forcing the Japanese to embark on a 

naval crossing. The island was so important that 

Prime Minister Winston Churchill ordered 

Percival to fight bitterly to the last man. 

Some of the British, Australian, Indian and 

Chinese forces captured by Japanese forces during 

the fall of Singapore 

The Japanese had a difficult task: the 

British outnumbered them three to one. 

But superior Japanese leadership and 

many failings on the part of the British 

allowed the Japanese to establish a 

beachhead starting on 8 February. 

Percival had grossly misallocated troops 

on the island, and the Japanese 

attacked the weakest part of the lines. 

Percival also failed to reinforce the 

attack in a timely fashion, allowing the 

Japanese to establish a beachhead. 

Communication and leadership failures 

beset the British. The poor pre-battle 

planning left few entrenchments or 

reserves near the beachhead. 

27

16 February 1942 

Japanese forces take control of the 

British 'Gibraltar of the East' 

As the week pushed on, the 

Japanese took more and more 

of the island, and the British 

supply became critical. By the 

15th, some one million 

civilians in the city had fled into the remaining 

Allied held area, a mere 1% of the island. By 

then, Japanese air attacks had bombed the 

civilian water supply non-stop; it was expected 

to fail within days if the attack did not stop. 

Unbeknownst to the British, by the 15th the 

Japanese were also at the end of their supplies, 

with only hours of shells left. General 

Yamashita feared that Percival would discover 

the Japanese numerical inferiority, and engage 

in costly house-to-house fighting. In a 

desperate bluff, Yamashita demanded 

unconditional surrender. On the afternoon of 

the 15th, Percival ignored orders and 

capitulated. About 5,000 British, Indian and 

Australian troops were killed in Singapore and 

80,000 becoming prisoners of war, joining 

50,000 taken by the Japanese in the earlier 

Malayan Campaign. Many would die performing 

forced labour. About 40,000 mostly Indian 

soldiers would join the Indian National Army and 

fight alongside the Japanese. Churchill was 

shocked, and called it the "worst disaster" in 

British military history. It greatly decreased 

confidence in the British army, and provided the 

Japanese with much needed resources, as well 

as an important strategic position. The city 

would stay in Japanese hands until the end of 

the war. 

Japanese soldiers cross a partially reconstructed 

Causeway to Singapore 

General Percival – under a flag of truce – on his 

way to the surrender ceremony 

Kranji War Cemetery & Singapore Memorial 

'Least We Forget' 

28

'We Served' A Personal Account Part 2 

The Royal Regiment 

of 

Artillery 

The Royal Regiment of Artillery 

Why? Part 2 

To continue on from my previous article where I 

covered my enlistment as a junior soldier in the 

Junior Leaders Regiment Royal Artillery 

(JLRRA) I now move on to my first experiences 

in a front line unit. 

Welcome to 

4th Field Regiment Royal 

Artillery 

As with every soldier joining the Royal Artillery 

(RA) you need to start on the Gun Line, I was 

initially sent to Gun Troop, and was introduced 

to the 105mm Lt Gun, quite a step change from 

the Howitzer 25 pounder I had trained on at the 

JLRRA. I spent my first six months in the 

Regiment on A Sub learning the drills and skills, 

most of the time moving 105mm rounds from 

the ammo dump to the Gun Line, quickly 

learning that you never walk on the Gun 

Position, many Exercises followed in the first six 

months, but then life for Gunner Kemp was 

about to change. I was ordered to report to the 

Battery Sergeant Major's (BSM) Office, of 

course my initial thought was what have I done 

wrong now, I was about to find out, 

Article by Jack Kemp 

President of the Alicante Branch 

I marched into the BSM’s Office, halted at 

his desk, the BSM looked up at me and 

said, add the following five numbers 

together. I was thinking that this was 

going to be how many extra duties I was 

about to be awarded as a punishment, 

punishment for what I thought, anyway, I 

quickly calculated the number in my head, 

and was shocked when the BSM said well 

done, report to Command Troop they are 

short of Command Post Signallers, well 

that was it, my test to see if I was suitable 

to move from Gun Troop to the Command 

Troop was adding the five numbers 

together, strange but true. 

I was soon placed on a Basic Radio Users 

Course which was quickly followed by my 

Basic Driving Course, I became the driver 

for the Signals Sgt, Sgt Robert John 

Maxwell. 

29

4th Regiment Royal Artillery 

The Fighting 

Fourth 

The next milestone was my first Operational 

Tour of three to Northern Ireland (NI), this was 

the first time I was disappointed about being 

in Command Troop, as I was a Signals 

Operator my role in NI was to man the 

Communication Centre along with other 

members of the Troop, this role kept me in 

Barracks instead of patrolling the streets, the 

six month tour soon passed and on return 

from NI I made the best and most important 

decision of my young life so far, 

and I’m happy to 

say that when I 

asked Mary to 

marry me she 

accepted. After 

the wedding on 

5th October 1981 

we moved into our 

first married 

quarter, the first of 

14 married 

quarters. 

Jack and Mary on their 

wedding day 

I would like to thank Jack 

for his second personal 

installment for the ' We 

Served ' section of the 

magazine, unfortunately I 

have cut it short on purpose as the 

next section of his Military career 

covers the Falklands War and would 

be more suited for our next edition 

in June which covers the 40th 

36 

Anniversary of the Liberation. 

28 May 1939 

The Regiment was 

formed as 4th 

Regiment Royal Horse 

Artillery (RHA) at 

Helmieh, Egypt and 

equipped with 25 

pound guns. 

I am sure that we all look forward to 

reading of his experience as well as 

celebrating this milestone 

Anniversary on the 14th of June. 

On a serious note, I was also a 

Regimental Signaller and had to 

carry out a similar entrance test 

however on ours we were not 

permitted to use our fingers.

Forecast of Events 

Alicante Branch meets at 12:00 pm on the 1st 

Thursday of the month: 

All meetings are followed by a Social Lunch within the local area. 

Our weekly casual 'Meet & Greet' takes place at the No Problem 

Bar on Thursdays at 15:00. Come along and meet some of the 

members. 

March : 

April: 

May: 

June: 

3rd March Branch Monthly Meeting, Amigos, Onil followed by lunch. 

7th April Branch Monthly Meeting, Brown's Restaurant N332 near El 

Campello, followed by lunch . 

5th May Branch Monthly Meeting, Amigos, Onil followed by lunch. 

2nd June 1:30 Branch Monthly meeting, Black Bull Castalla International. 

2nd June 15:00 The Queen's Platinum Jubilee tea party, Castalla. 

14th June 14:00 40th Anniversary of the liberation of the Falkland Islands 

Service and BBQ, Memorial Gardens Castalla International. 

25th June Armed Forces Day, location to be confirmed. 

Liberation Day is the national day of the Falkland Islands and 

commemorates the liberation of the Falkland Islanders from 

Argentine military occupation at the end of the Falklands War on 

14 June 1982.


of the 


The Alicante Branch of the Royal British Legion in conjunction with the Black Bull Bar 

will be holding a Tea Party on the occasion of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee on 2nd June 

2022. The party which will start at 15:00 is open to all Community Members. 

Tickets will be available from the Black Bull in May at a cost of 15 Euros 

Queen’s Jubilee Tea Party starting at 15:00. 

The Queen: Short speech and toast to the Queen (Cava) by the Branch 

Chairman, followed by the National Anthem 

Raffle in aid of the 2022 Poppy Appeal 

Royal British Legion Information Stand 

Menu 

Mixed Sandwiches 

Quich (V) 

Sausage Rolls 

2 Scones with Jam and Clotted Cream 

Carrot Cakes 

Fairy Cake 

Cava (To Toast the Queen) 

Unlimited Tea

Branch Christmas 

Lunch 

It seems ages ago now but the 

Alicante Branch held it's Christmas 

Lunch on the 2nd of December 2021 

at Amigos De Onil where several 

members enjoyed the traditional 

Christmas fare of turkey and all the 

trimmings.

Burns Night 

25th January 

2022 

Several Members of the Alicante Branch of the 

Royal British Legion attended a Burn's Supper at 

the Black Bull in Castalla on the anniversary of the 

bards birth. Mr Ed Morris gave the Selkirk Grace 

followed by The Master of Ceremonies Mr Hamish 

McConnachie addressing the Haggis before the 

gathering partook of the traditional fayre of Haggis, 

Neeps and Tatties as well as other choice dishes. 

The end of the meal saw the gathering being 

offered Atholl Brose a home made Scottish liqueur 

consisting of whiskey, oats, honey and cream. 

Robert Burns 1759 - 1796 

The Raffle of Scottish produce was donated by 

Hamish and Sue McConnachie and raised 85 

Euros for the 2022 Poppy Appeal. 

After a short break to 'Louse a button' the 

Immortal Memory, a brief history of the Bards life 

was given by Mrs Sue Parkes - McConnachie. 

The gathering was then treated to some 

renditions of the Bards work. The Address to the 

Lassies was given by Mr Mark Stubbings and the 

reply was given by Mrs Joan Mollins. 

Special thanks must go to the staff at the Black 

Bull for looking after us so well. 

Branch Webmaster 

and Publicity 

Member Hamish 

McConnachie 

carried out the 

duties of Master of 

Ceremonies and 

addressed the 

Haggis 

34

Burns 2022 

Branch Member Joan Mollins who gave the reply for 

the Ladies and Branch Vice Chairman Ed Morris Who 

gave the Selkirk Grace. 

Branch Member Mark Stubbings front right who gave 

the Address to the Lassies 

35

During deployment on HMS Queen Elizabeth, there was an 

inspection by a visiting admiral. 

All Navy and Marine personnel lined up in formation for the 

admiral. While walking past several Sailors asking questions 

and receiving appropriate answers, the admiral stopped in 

front of a Marine and asked, “What’s the first thing you do 

after hearing “Man Overboard?” Without hesitation, the 

Marine asked, “Officer or Enlisted?” 

MILITARY HUMOUR 

OFFICER MATERIAL 

Private Smith wasn't much good in 

the field, but he passed his written 

exams with flying colors and, 

eventually, received word he was 

qualified for officer training at 

Sandhurst His sergeant brought 

him the news. 

"Well, Smith, I hear you're going to 

Sandhurst. I'm sure you'll make a 

fine officer, and that's the way it 

should because you'll never be a 

soldier." 

THE ENEMY 

War was on and the captain was 

attempting to rally his troops on the 

eve of a big offensive. 

"Out there," said the captain, "is your 

enemy. The man who has made your 

life miserable, who is working to 

destroy you; the man who has been 

trying to kill you day after day 

throughout this war." 

Private Johnson jumped to his feet. 

"My God; the cook's working for the 

other side!" 

I just saw a Facebook status.........lonely man seeks 

wife ......... he had 256 replies, all of them saying"You 

can have mine!" 

How many Military policemen does it take to throw a 

drunk Squaddie down stairs? 

None, he fell. 

Army rules: If it moves, salute it. If it doesn’t move, 

pick it up. If you can’t pick it up, paint it. 

A sign posted on the wall of an Army 

cookhouse read: 

"Don't Waste Food -- Food Will Win the 

War." 

Beneath these words someone had scrawled: 

"That's fine, but how do we get the enemy to 

eat here?"

Barry the builder was going through a house he had just built, with the 

woman who owned it. She was telling him what colours to paint each 

room. They went into the first room and she said, "This room to be a light 

blue." The builder went to the front door and yelled out "Green side up" 

As he went back she said the next room was to be red. The builder again 

went to the front door and called out "Green side up". Once back with her, 

she said "This one to be tan." And again he went to the front door and 

yelled "Green side up." The lady, very curious, said "I keep telling you 

different colours but you always yell "Green side up”.” "What do you say 

that for?" "Oh, don't you worry about that," said the builder, "I've got a 

couple of Artillery lads laying the turf out front. 

My grandfather took down 

23 planes in WWII 

He was the worst mechanic 

in the RAF 

How do you keep a Marine 

happy in his old age? 

Tell him a joke when he’s 

young. 

Did you know that all 

blonde and Army jokes 

are interchangeable? 

Nobody tells the British Royal Navy what to do... Except the Irish. 

IRISH: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the South, to avoid a collision. 

BRITISH: Recommended you divert your course 15 degrees to the North, to avoid a 

collision. 

IRISH: Negative. You will have to divert your course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a 

collision. 

BRITISH: This is the Captain of the British navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course. 

IRISH: Negative. I say again, you will have to divert YOUR course 

BRITISH: This is the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales! The second largest ship in the 

British Atlantic fleet. We are accompanied by three destroyers, three cruisers, and 

numerous support vessels. I DEMAND that you change your course 15 degrees North, I 

say again, that is 15 degrees North, or counter-measures will be undertaken to ensure the 

safety of this ship. 

IRISH: We are a lighthouse. Your call.

Poets 

Corner 

The Mansions of the Lord 

To fallen soldiers let us sing 

Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing, 

Our broken brothers let us bring 

To the Mansions of the Lord 

No more weeping, 

No more fight, 

No friends bleeding through the night, 

Just Divine embrace, 

Eternal light, 

In the Mansions of the Lord 

Where no mothers cry 

And no children weep, 

We shall stand and guard 

Though the angels sleep, 

Oh, through the ages let us keep 

In the Mansions of the Lord 

The Call to Duty 

By Kelly Roper 

A call to duty is sent out 

And the strong and the brave reply. 

They do it for love of country, 

So there's never a need to ask why. 

They leave behind all that they love, 

Their families, their homes and their lives, 

Because to preserve these precious things 

Is the goal for which each soldier strives. 

So God bless our troops, 

The courageous women and men, 

Who fight to make sure 

The bells of freedom peal again. 

I was a soldier 

I was a soldier of the past 

And I know im not the last 

I signed up to serve my Queen 

Far off lands I have seen 

As that soldier I done my best 

Losing friends laying them to rest 

We fought for what was only right 

Giving freedom to others at night 

As bullets flew and bombs exploded 

My thoughts and mind just imploded 

I could not say I wasn't scared 

But my vision was not impaired 

The smell of cordite all around 

Waiting for the alarm to sound 

Then the order of stand fast 

Hoping this attack would not last 

They come at us with all they have 

Rpgs and a Gustav 

We hold firm and do not falter 

It's not our turn at the alter 

Be brave young man I have to shout 

As the young man does scream out 

I've been hit this is bad 

I wish I was with my mum and dad 

It's ok you will be fine 

It's a promise that is mine 

The bombardment ends and we look up 

Let's sort this out my young pup 

Gingerly we give first aid 

That is why we get paid 

We stretcher him out to the heli pad 

In a few days he's with mum and dad 

After a while I go to see 

That young soldier who layed before me 

He's up and about and full of cheer 

Winks at me we go for a beer 

For those guys that didn't survive 

We raise a glass cuddle and cry 

For all the new guys on your career 

Wish you well I got your rear 

Gordon Alexander


of the 


"Service not Self " 

Visit our website at 

http://branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/alicante

The Veteran Issue 5

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