York Army Museum 9th of June 2018

York Army Museum 9^th June 2018

I had the Jeep pack and ready to go on Friday evening. I was looking forward to our annual display for the York Army Museum the next day. On Saturday morning I was on the road bright and early. I had arranged to pick Dale up en route and I was soon pulling in at the designated layby. Just as I got out of the Jeep Adam’s car pulled in behind me. We quickly got all Dale’s kit loaded on to the Jeep and we were back on the road. It was a lovely sunny morning and our spirits were high as the Jeep trundled along the road.

We got to York in good time and Colour Sergeant Hebden and ATS Mellor were already herding the geese of the display area. We had just finished erecting the dining shelter when Pte Dixon arrived closely followed by L/C Shellcock and Pte Dennington. We got the display sorted and the museum provided the first cup of tea of the day.

Very soon we were talking to many people from all sorts of backgrounds. At one point we were mobbed by a group of Chinese tourists who all decided to climb into the Jeep at the same time to have their photograph taken. One of them told me of his father who had fought in the Second World War and had been captured in Burma. He had survived that and after the war returned to China to be imprisoned by the Chinese state. I also met a Chinese Naval Captain retired. Cups of tea were regular but it was difficult to find the time to drink them. We took staggered lunch breaks just to keep the numbers on the stand up.

The event at York is a great event. You get to talk to people from all over the world. We had a good talk with a couple who had just come into York to buy some pillows. I also talked to a group on holiday from Lithuania, one of who was in the Lithuanian Army.

The display area, on the grass below Clifford’s Tower, is quirky but good with lots of exposure to the passing public. It is also a great opportunity to support the East Yorkshires Regimental Museum.

RAF Elvington

Colour Hebden and I arrived late Friday afternoon and between us managed to set up the dining shelter with a bit of a struggle. A little later CPL Lycett arrived with the 14 man tent and between the three of us we managed to put that up as well. A little later still PTE and ATS Clewlow arrived with their white bell tent. The NAAFI was not open which was a bit of a shame but we spent a pleasant evening nevertheless catching up on news. 

It rained quite heavily during the night but we stayed warm and dry with just three of us in the 14 man tent.

After a massive 'full English' in the NAAFI courtesy of the museum we were on duty by 10.00 performing our duties as gate guards and perimeter defence. By this time PTE Shellcock had arrived and we took in turns on duty with each of us being relieved every half hour. The weather gradually brightened up as the day wore on and the afternoon was particularly pleasant. Many photos were taken of us as we marched on and off our stints at the gate. Saturday evening turned damp pretty quickly and it rained very heavily all through the night. Fortunately the NAAFI was open and we took advantage of the bar, just to take shelter of course!

Sunday morning dawned cool and damp but again it gradually brightened up and the afternoon was very warm indeed. Our day was much the same as Saturday including another massive breakfast though CPL Lycett & PTE Shellcock had departed. They were replaced by PTE Sprague. Whilst we had not intended our little encampment to be a display and merely be our sleeping accommodation and rest area, our habit of not fencing ourselves off paid dividends in that it encouraged visitors to talk to us and ask questions. I spent most of Sunday afternoon giving lectures and demonstrations on the Lee Enfield No .4 MK I and the MKII STEN!

As things wound down towards the end of the afternoon some of us had the privilege of having a guided tour around the Halifax Bomber which had been taken out of its hanger and parked outside. Whilst it looks huge and imposing on the outside, there is very little space on the inside and I am now even more impressed with the achievements of the brave men of bomber command.

Whilst we were small in numbers there were just enough of us to manage and overall it was a very pleasant weekend. I think the museum were happy with our contribution to their event.

Private Dale Heaton.

St George's Day Parade, Morley

Report by CPL Heaton 

As PTE Heaton and I packed the car, the morning was a fresh crisp spring one, the sun was shining and it looked like it was going to be a nice day. 

We arrived in Morley to find C/SGT Hebden and CPL Lycett already waiting, with the dining shelter out. After 5 mins the shelter was up and PTE Dixon with PTE Hallett arrived. 10 mins later we were set up and waiting for the public. 

At 11.30 the Parade arrived, and brought with it, the rain! Former East York’s member Kevin Morley leading the parade as St. George on horseback. The public descended and with us being right next to the entrance we had lots of interest all day. 

Before long it was 4.pm and time for the ending battle, we packed up and watched it from our shelter. 

A very nice a local first event for us. Just what you need to blow the dust off the webbing and BD. 

Pte Heaton on tea duties

Personal Kit Display

Infantry Weapons Display

Cpl Lycetts Jeep

Early Morning Sun

Pte Dixon explaining the Bren 

Pickering 1940s

The final event of the year with the group based in the castle grounds and use of the education room. Friday saw the arrival of Sgt Hebden, Pte Cooper, Cpl Heaton, Pte Eaton and Pte Pozniak.

It was usually mild for the time of the year and a pleasant time was had in some of the water holes of the town. 

Saturday morning and still mild when Pte Roberts, ATS Mellor, Pte Etherington, Pte Sprague and Cpl Lycett turned up with ATS Dennis in support. The training scenario involved not one but two snipers with Pte Cooper's Oscar deserving casualty performance stealing the show! 

Saturday evening and those still around stepped out in various outfits conversing with familiar faces and friendly locals. 

Sunday and the temperature still in the high teens with the addition of Pte Shellcock, the group went through the same routine of welcoming visitors and reenacting and a new addition, the Key Parade for Pickering Castle. Nice to see the same young faces who make a point of visiting us every year. We must make a good impression. It was a really enjoyable and successful event that concludes the 2017 season.  

Pte Glen Cooper 

Victory Show 8-10 Sept 2017

Hi folks, it's been asked of me to write a few lines on the Victory show, so this is a Grandads point of view!

It's been on the cards for a few months that several groups would join together for this event and show British 3rd Division 44'45 in their glory. Luckily for us no re-badging involved. 

So, I arrived on Friday, all excited for my first event of the year. Some lads already in and others arriving throughout the day. Numbers were well up for the East Yorks as everyone was expecting it to be a good show. 

We all messed around with the trenches a bit and soon realised the organisers had given us only half the area needed....a great shame. It turned out we would field around 50 men between the groups. 

The atmosphere was good and moral very high. It was decided by the big wigs we would alternate sections to the pits, one hour on and two off. So on Saturday and Sunday this is what happened and it worked very well. 

The weather was only 'OK'...... On the Saturday morning the show announced cancellation of the air display due to weather conditions. This was very disappointing for us but more so for Joe Public who were, it appears, charged full whack. This affected the footfall no doubt, as much as the bad weather forecast. 

 We all thought the public were thinner on the ground this year as was armour and some other groups were missing. Made obvious by large gaps in the display field which we could have used well if we'd been given some more space. 

Many of us have attended other events with very few Brits so it was great to see this turned around at this event and have a big contingent of Brits. I felt very proud. 

I feel because we do it right more and more people see this and are coming our way, which is great. 

It was really nice to see so many old faces and with such a good turnout we were able to fill positions we often can't due to numbers. So special thanks should go to these men; Phil, Dave, Al, Bob and more - great to see you. Nice to see Chris Bell all the way from Canada and the Tigers who have been in this show since the start. 

The battle went well for us again both days. Well commanded sections working together and doing it right. I watched the battle myself on Sunday and I thought it would be rubbish but you know what, guys it was really good. Even though, the organiser had thrown in a Rambo that no one knew about! Cpl Heaton handled this very well indeed. 

Generally the feeling was that we had all enjoyed ourselves. We did a good representation. We handled the events problems well. We were pleased to work with other units. 

For us, it all worked and went well. Thanks to all concerned;
Suffolks 
Warwicks
East Yorks 
Leicesters
Middlesex 
RAMC 
DR 
Provosts 
Officers and NCOs
And if I missed anyone I'm really sorry. 

I hope we can repeat this someday 

Pte Etherington