Pembroke Dock has lost one if its most loyal supporters with the death of Ron Garner-Watts. Twice mayor of the town – between 2005-2006 and again in 2008-2009, he was also a passionate supporter of many organisations in the town – not least the Pembroke Dock Museum Trust and later the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre. He was honorary curator of the Gun Tower Museum. As a very new army recruit on his first posting, Ron Garner-Watts came to Pembroke Dock to join his Royal Artillery unit – the well-remembered 22 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment - in 1957. His fascination with the military history of the town which later became his family home has led, over 60 years later, to the publication of a very detailed history of the military connections, in his aptly titled book ‘Garrison Town’.
New Reserve Force insignia still on the to-do list
Written by defenceWeb -
SA Army Reserve URTP volunteers.
All is not smooth sailing when it comes to the new names of 52 SA Army Reserve Force units, with old insignia and uniform, in some cases, declared off-limits on parade grounds and no changes yet made to cap/beret badges, shoulder flashes and other identifying insignia.
When the name changes were announced in August 2019, it was made clear established uniforms such as the Transvaal Scottish kilts would not be part of the “new order” of the landward force’s part-time component. Renamed regiments and units would have a three-year window to come up with new badging and identifiers, including unit colours. Colours and battle honours would go into regimental and unit museums.
Furdoon ‘Duck’ Mehta, flew artillery observation missions in support of the 14th Army – obituary
After the war, he played a leading part in the development of Indian Army Aviation, especially in the introduction of helicopters
‘Duck’ Mehta as a young captain
Furdoon “Duck” Mehta, who died on his 101st birthday, was believed to have been the only Indian officer to fly with a British Air Observation Post (AOP) Squadron in the Second World War.
In the early morning of March 21 1944, Mehta took off before dawn to locate Japanese gun positions in the Shan Hills, deep in the Burma jungle. He had descended to 300 feet when he heard a loud crack.
JOHN BISSET/Stuff
Margaret Younger with some of many letters written to her and family by her father during the war.
The many letters soldier Bob Riddell wrote home from places like Egypt and Italy during World War II reveal a man pining to be with his family at home. With Anzac Day approaching, Margaret Younger brings out all the letters Bob had written home to her mother Marjorie, brother Les and her. They sprawl all over a kitchen tabletop, letters written on paper given to the soldiers by the YMCA and National Patriotic Fund. Many of them have yellowed with age and the fountain pen ink has faded, but the feelings they convey remain strong.
Brigadier Jack Thomas, oversaw the Royal Military Police in Northern Ireland during the Troubles – obituary
Thomas served in Palestine, Korea and Kenya and was a tough leader with the knack of resolving problems and ruthless determination
Thomas with the Queen at the RMP Training Centre, Chichester, in 1982
Brigadier Jack Thomas, who has died aged 94, was the first Assistant Provost Marshal to be appointed in Northern Ireland.
In early 1970, on promotion to lieutenant-colonel in the Royal Military Police, Thomas oversaw the RMP in a new civil role, protecting life and property, preventing and detecting offences, and preserving public order.
After the introduction of internment without trial, there was an increase in violence and in attacks – often involving shooting or bombing – against the security forces and the RMP.