The Veteran Issue 8

September 2022 - November 2022 Issue 8
The
Veteran
The Quarterly Magazine of The Alicante Branch
of The Royal British Legion
Alicante
Service for HM
Queen Elizabeth II
"They shall grow not
old, as we that are
left grow old,
Age shall not weary
them, nor the years
condemn.
At the going down
of the sun, and in
the morning, We
will remember
them."
Remembrance

TABLE OF
CONTENTS
3. Introduction - Les Dewson Branch Chairman.
5. New Members
7. 72 Standards on parade - Jack Kemp
9, The Gulf War Medal.
10 "Least we Forget" The Gulf War.
15. 'We Served' Kings Own Scottish Borderers.
19. Branch News.
25. Remembrance Sunday.
30. A Spanish Hospital Experience - Malcolm Gregory.
40. The Scottish Poppy.
42. Ready for anything - George Berridge.
43. The video page.
44. Forcast of Events.
46. Military Humour.
Contact us
Les Dewson - Alicante Branch Chairman
Sue Parkes McConnachie- Vice Chairperson
Janet Brickhill - 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

Les Dewson
Alicante Branch
Chairman
A
nd now the Veteran Magazine
has caught up with me’
I was honoured to have been
asked to take on the role of Chairman,
somewhat surprised, definitely daunted
but, a privilege indeed. Without
question an invitation and challenge I
know I would have regretted not rising
to. Reflecting on the motto ‘Service not
Self’ it was the right thing to do and as
our new committee came together it
was clear that we have built a strong
team.
I am a relative newcomer to the Royal
British Legion, not joining the branch
until 2019, when we arrived in Castalla
International. As a non-member
witnessing the camaraderie of those
attending the weekly meetings and
reading about the support offered within
the local community, during the
pandemic it was obvious, to join was
the right thing to do. A member and
neighbour invited me to do so and, join
I did.
So where did it all begin. I was born in
Hull in 1959, son of a Police Officer and
domestic goddess (Mum), the eldest
among a brother and two sisters.
Schooling was a challenge, and it is
only now that I realise that I was
probably dyslexic, in an era where
the term had probably yet to have
been properly defined. I came out the
other end relatively unscathed and
decided that a career in the Royal
Navy was for me. March 15 1977, I
boarded the train from Hull for HMS
Raleigh and there the adventure
began.
I joined at a particularly exciting time
for the submarine service, although
to be honest I had no knowledge of
this. A fleet of new hunter killer
submarines had just been ordered by
the Ministry of Defence, the budget
for this project was immense and I,
without putting my hand up or
stepping forward, had apparently just
volunteered to be part of it.
As a Radio Operator Submarines, I
joined HMS Resolution, a part of the
United Kingdom's strategic deterrent
in 1979.
3

'As our new
committee
came together
it was clear that
we have built a
strong team'
'To join The
RBL was the
right thing to
do'
It was a steep learning curve, as a
submariner you must be a ‘Jack of all
Trades’ and a master of most of them. Two
promotions later, as a young Petty Officer I
joined HMS Repulse, a sister ship of HMS
Resolution. In 1985, I joined HMS Torbay
under construction in Barrow-In-Furness.
The newest addition to UK submarine flotilla.
As the Resolution class of deterrent
submarines approached decommissioning,
HMS Torbay was like swapping a Ford
Anglia for a Ferrari.
On promotion to Chief Petty Officer, HMS
Triumph followed and became a footnote in
history by becoming the first submarine of
any nation to transit the Suez Canal. HMS
Sceptre ended an exciting and eventful 15
years in the Hunter Killer community. 2001 I
was promoted to Warrant Officer 1 and spent
the remaining 9 years of my service
predominantly in a sea training organisation,
which included periods of training and at sea
on Dutch, Polish and Pakistani submarines.
April 28, 2010, I returned my ID card and
thus ended a long and rewarding career.
Running parallel to my service life but, in
every way more significant, in 1981 I was
lucky enough to meet my wife Denise, a
fellow branch and committee member. She
served as a Wren at the Naval Base in
Faslane, Scotland. We married in 1985 and
have two amazing children. Dominic a Doctor
in the RAF currently seconded to
Portsmouth, and Callum a Police Officer in
Leicester.
'Service Not Self '
4

New Members
The following new members have
joined the Branch since the last issue
Lynn buttery
Ron Bridges
Jayne Bridges
Malcolm Elliot
Rob Wood
Lesley Wood
Branch Membership now stands at
177 Members

The Royal British Legion and
Legion Scotland say Farewell
to her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II
It is with deepest sorrow that
the Royal British Legion
marks the death of our
Sovereign and Patron, Her
Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The Queen has served as
Patron of the Royal British
Legion since February 6
1952. We are immensely
thankful for her faithful
service, and we join the
entire Armed Forces
community in mourning her
loss. Her unwavering
commitment to the Armed
Forces will be deeply missed
and our sincere condolences
are with the Royal Family at
this time.
6

72 Standards on Parade
Article by Jack Kemp, Alicante Branch President
The news that hit the United Kingdom and indeed the world on the evening of Thursday 8th
September that Queen Elizabeth II had passed was deeply upsetting to everyone. We have
been hugely privileged to have had Queen Elizabeth II serve as Patron of The Royal British
Legion since 6th February 1952.
The first rehearsal was on
Wednesday night, early hours of
Thursday morning, leaving the
accommodation at 22:00 hours
and returning at 07:00 hours the
next morning. The following days
leading up to the funeral involved
drill sessions, briefings and of
course many, many hours on
continued kit preparation,
nothing was left to chance. On
the day of Queen Elizabeth II
funeral, it was up for an early
breakfast at 05:30, then off to
central LONDON to our staging
post not far from the Cenotaph.
When the Queen passed OPERATION LONDON BRIDGE
was immediately called, the plan was created as early as the
1960s and revised many times in the years before her passing.
The Royal British Legions part in this Operation was to
provide 72 Standard Bearers from across all of the Counties
and Districts, from the Overseas Branches, Germany
represented by Helen Hefferman, Belgium represented by
France Frison, and Spain represented by Jack Kemp were all
selected to represent the Overseas Branches (Photograph on
the left)
Notification came via email from the Commemorative Events
Team on Saturday 10th September 2022, I can confirm that
Mr John Pratt the District Standard Bearer for Spain District
North was initially selected, unfortunately for John he was
unable to attend, I was then nominated by the National
Parade Marshal to represent Spain and the Overseas Branches
along with Germany and Belgium. On arrival in London on
Tuesday 13th September 2022, we all booked into our
accommodation and immediately started on equipment
preparation for the rehearsals and kit inspections that would
follow.

The hours slowly ticked away until it was time to ensure we were all looking our best,
checking each other’s dress and equipment, then formed up outside in our positions ready
to march onto Whitehall and form up each side of the Cenotaph as per the photograph on
the above.This was a moment in history that we will always remember, for the 72 Standard
Bearers that were selected in was a great honour and a privilege to represent The Royal
British Legion, our Counties, Districts, and of course all of the 85 Overseas Branches. I
would personally like to thank Philip Walden the Chair of the Ceremonial Working
Group, the Commemorative Events Team and John Thornhill the National Parade
Marshal and his team of Parade Marshals which included Norman Espie, David Brown,
Laura Hayworth, John Grimes, and Kevin Lliffe, thank you all for ensuring everything was
taken care of and the 72 Standard Bearers were able to provide the best possible final Act
of Homage to Queen Elizabeth II.
God Save The King.
72 Standard Bearers
and Parade Marshals
outside MOD Main
Building
Jack Kemp – Standard
Bearer Representing Spain
& the Overseas Branches
at the Funeral of
Queen Elizabeth II
8

Military awards, medals and decorations of the United Kingdom
Gulf War Medal Ribbon
Ribbon Bar with Rosette,
denoting entitlement to Clasp
Gulf War
Medal
Gulf War Medal with Bar
Reverse
The Gulf War Medal was a campaign medal approved in 1992, for issue to officers and
men of British forces who served in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia during Operation Granby
(the Liberation of Kuwait) in 1990–91.
Two clasps were authorised for those who served in Kuwait during the Iraqi invasion,
and for those who took part in operations to liberate Kuwait:
:2 Aug 1990
Awarded to the members of the Kuwait Liaison Team who were in Kuwait on this date,
and who were taken hostage by the invading Iraqi Army.
:Jan-28 Feb 1991
Awarded for seven days continuous service between these dates in the designated Theatre
of Operations. This clasp signifies service during the actual war.
In undress uniform, a rosette is worn on the medal ribbon to denote the award of either
clasp.
:Without clasp
Awarded for thirty days continuous service in the Middle East (in a defined area of
operations, including Cyprus) between 2 August 1990 and 7 March 1991.
There was no minimum qualifying period for those decorated for bravery (including a
mention in dispatches and a Queen’s Commendation), while the period could be reduced
for those killed, wounded or taken prisoner.
Ribbon Bar with oak leaf for Mentioned in Dispatches
9

"Least we Forget"
The Gulf War
Operation Desert Storm
Persian Gulf War, also called Gulf
War, (1990–91), international conflict
that was triggered by Iraq’s invasion of
Kuwait on August 2, 1990. Iraq’s
leader, Saddam Hussein, ordered the
invasion and occupation of Kuwait with
the apparent aim of acquiring that
nation’s large oil reserves, canceling a
large debt Iraq owed Kuwait, and
expanding Iraqi power in the region. It
was the first major international crisis of
the post-Cold War era, and the U.S.-led
response would set important
precedents for the use of military force
over subsequent decades.
The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait
Tensions in the Persian Gulf began to
build during the summer of 1990, with
Iraq adopting an increasingly
belligerent tone toward Kuwait. On July
17 Saddam launched a televised verbal
attack on Kuwait and the United Arab
Emirates for exceeding the oil export
quotas that had been set for them by
OPEC. A day later Kuwait was accused
of stealing oil from the Al-Rumaylah oil
field, which straddles the border
between Iraq and Kuwait.
As criticism mounted, talks between
the two countries in Jeddah, Saudi
Arabia, broke down on August 1.
Hours later, early on August 2, Iraqi
armoured divisions invaded Kuwait.
Active resistance to the invasion
lasted about 14 hours, during which
time an estimated 4,200 Kuwaitis
were killed in combat. Although
remnants of Kuwait’s 20,000-man
army maintained a spirited defense
over the next 36 hours, the Iraqi
takeover of Kuwait city was
completed with little difficulty.
At 11:11 AM on August 3 Kuwait
Radio fell silent with these words:
“Arabs, brothers, beloved brothers,
Muslims. Hurry to our aid.” Sheikh
Jābir, his cabinet, and senior
members of the Ṣabāḥ family fled to
Saudi Arabia to establish a
government-in-exile.
On August 10 foreign diplomats were
given a two-week deadline to close
their embassies in Kuwait and move
to Baghdad. On August 28 Saddam
declared that Kuwait was now the
19th province of Iraq.
10

During the occupation of Kuwait, Iraqi
troops began a systematic campaign of
pillage, rape, torture, murder, and theft
of Kuwait’s economic assets. The Iraqi
occupation government condoned the
removal to Baghdad of medical
equipment from hospitals, the assets of
the Kuwait Institute for Scientific
Research, treasures of Islamic art from
the Kuwait National Museum, and $1.6
billion in gold and cash from the
Central Bank of Kuwait. Amnesty
International reported that Iraqi soldiers
had carried out hundreds of
extrajudicial killings and taken several
thousand Kuwaiti civilians prisoner.
The international response to the
invasion of Kuwait.
The diplomatic response to the
invasion was swift. On August 6 the
United Nations Security Council
passed Resolution 661, which imposed
a ban on all trade with Iraq and called
on UN member countries to protect the
assets of the legitimate government of
Kuwait. A day later the first U.S. troops
were sent to Saudi Arabia.
The key supporters of Kuwait, apart
from Saudi Arabia and the Arab Gulf
states, were Egypt and Syria.
The Iraqi regime began rounding up
hundreds of Westerners and holding
some of them at strategic military and
industrial sites as “human shields” in
the event of attack.
On August 28, the same day that Iraq
declared that it had annexed Kuwait,
Saddam said that women and
children would be allowed to leave.
The plight of the remaining hostages
resulted in a procession of Western
politicians and celebrities to Baghdad.
In a sudden and dramatic move, on
December 6 Saddam announced that
all remaining hostages would be
released.
U.S. Pres. George H.W. Bush eating Thanksgiving
dinner with troops in Saudi Arabia 1990.
Operation Desert Shield
Saddam’s conquest of Kuwait had
been achieved in short order, and he
seemed poised to continue his
military push into Saudi Arabia.
Conquering Saudi Arabia would give
Saddam control of more than 40
percent of the world’s oil reserves as
well as two of the holiest sites in the
Islamic world, Mecca and Medina.
With Iraqi troops on the Saudi
border, King Fahd, in an
unprecedented move, invited
Western and Arab forces to deploy in
the kingdom in support of the Saudi
defence forces.
11

Operations Desert
Shield, Storm &
Sabre
The U.S. immediately dispatched
elements of its Rapid Deployment
Force.
Over the following months the U.S.
military carried out its largest overseas
deployment since World War II. By
mid-November the U.S. had more than
240,000 troops in the Gulf and another
200,000 on the way, and the United
Kingdom had sent more than 25,000,
Egypt 20,000, and France 5,500. Some
25 other countries, including Canada,
Syria, Bangladesh, and Morocco, had
committed troops and weapons to the
military buildup that was designated
Operation Desert Shield.
Operation Desert Storm
The two phases of Operation Desert
Storm were a coalition air operation
(January 17–February 24, 1991) and a
ground offensive dubbed Operation
Desert Sabre (February 24–28). Allied
forces had three main objectives during
the air campaign: to establish air
supremacy, to destroy strategic
targets, and to degrade Iraqi ground
forces. Coalition pilots had gained air
supremacy by January 28.
By February 11 coalition forces had
sunk the last Iraqi naval units.
On January 18 Iraq responded to the
Allied air offensive by launching Scud
missiles at the Israeli cities of Tel Aviv
and Haifa in an effort to draw Israel
into the conflict and splinter the Arab
coalition. Two days later Scuds were
fired at targets in Saudi Arabia.
Between January 18 and February 25
Iraq fired 39 missiles at Israel, killing at
least 3 Israeli civilians and injuring as
many as 200. The U.S. exerted
tremendous diplomatic pressure on
Israel to refrain from retaliating directly
against Iraq;
Medical vehicles of the 1st British Armoured Division
positioned north of the Saudi-Iraqi border
Operation Desert Sabre, the coalition
ground offensive, began on February
24, 1991, with an advance to the
Euphrates by the U.S. XVIII Airborne
Corps (82nd and 101st Airborne and
24th Infantry divisions, plus the French
Daguet Division). Meanwhile, the 1st
and 2nd Marine divisions, along with
Egyptian, Saudi, and other allied units,
attacked Kuwait to tie down Iraqi
forces.
12

The main coalition attack was launched
on February 25 The 1st and 3rd
Armored, 1st (Mechanized) Infantry,
and British Armoured divisions broke
through the defenses on the Saudi-
Iraqi border, That same day the 1st
and 2nd Marine divisions, having
cleared extensive Iraqi minefields on
the Kuwaiti frontier, sharply rebuffed a
series of Iraqi armoured counterattacks
and broke through to capture the
airport in Kuwait city. On February 26–
27 the VII Corps, along with the 1st
British Armoured and 24th U.S. Infantry
divisions, engaged and destroyed the
Iraqi armoured reserves, including
Saddam’s elite Republican Guard
divisions, near Basra. The remaining
Iraqi forces in Kuwait collapsed and
fled to Basra, suffering heavy
casualties and forcing Saddam to
accept a cease-fire on February 28.
Casualties.
Estimates of the number of Iraqi troops
in the Kuwait theatre range from
180,000 to 630,000, and estimates of
Iraqi military deaths range from 8,000 to
50,000. Allied casualties, by contrast,
were remarkably light. Just 147 U.S.
personnel and 47 British troops were
killed in action; for the duration of
Operations Desert Shield and Desert
Storm, U.S. noncombat deaths actually
exceeded combat fatalities in the
Kuwaiti theatre. Approximately 1,000
coalition troops were wounded.
Coalition troops and Kuwaiti civilians celebrating the
liberation of Kuwait
Operation Desert Sabre lasted just
100 hours. Large numbers of Iraqi
troops surrendered without fighting.
Remains of an Iraqi convoy near Kuwait city, Kuwait
Friendly Fire
There were four incidents during the
Gulf conflict in which British soldiers
were killed or injured by friendly forces.
Nine soldiers were killed and 16 injured
in these incidents. One incident when
nine soldiers were killed and 11 injured
in two Warrior vehicles belonging to the
3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of
Fusiliers Battle Group and including
three Queen's Own Highlanders was
engaged by an American A-10 aircraft.
"LEAST WE FORGET" 13

Members of the Queen's Own Highlanders Battle Group celebrate
the end of the conflict
What is Gulf
War Illness?
Royal British Legion research suggested
up to 33,000 UK Gulf War veterans could
be living with the syndrome with 1,300
claiming a war pension for conditions
connected to their service. In 2007 the
Royal British Legion produced a
comprehensive report entitled Legacy of
Suspicion, which made
recommendations about necessary
research and compensation. The Royal British Legion is still campaigning for the UK
government to properly address symptoms experienced by veterans of the Gulf War.
From 1995 to 2005, the health of combat veterans worsened in comparison with
nondeployed veterans, with the onset of more new chronic diseases, functional
impairment, repeated clinic visits and hospitalizations, chronic fatigue syndrome-like
illness, post-traumatic stress disorder, and greater persistence of adverse health incidents.
Shortly after the end of the Gulf War in 1990-91,
veterans of the conflict began to report similar
health issues when they returned home.
Initially, reports emerged from the
United States that Gulf War
veterans were developing unusual
illnesses. These were followed by
similar reports from the UK,
Denmark, Canada and Australia in
1993.
In all these cases, previously fit
veterans had developed unusual
diseases, illnesses and symptoms.
14

WE SERVED"
The
King's
Own
Scottish Borderers
he regiment was raised to protect the city of
Edinburgh at the crisis of the Glorious
TRevolution,as William of Orange laid claim to the
crown. The Scottish government issued a commission to
form a regiment of foot to David Leslie, 3rd Earl of Leven,
one of William’s right-hand men and on 18th March, going
George Mollins, KOSB
1961 - 1970
through the town ‘by beat of drum’ his recruiting parties managed to raise 800
men in just a few hours. The Regiment was blooded at the Battle of Killiecrankie
on July 27th of that year. From this disastrous encounter with Dundee’s Jacobite
rebels, only two regiments emerged with honour, one of them Leven’s, as it was
then called, after its colonel. As a result it was taken on to the permanent
strength of the army.
In 1691 the regiment was in Ireland, again engaged against the Jacobites and
fought with valour at, Ballymore, the siege of Athlone and the sieges of Galway
and Limerick.
The Regiment was in action again in 1746, but this time in Scotland, when at
the battle of Culloden in April of that year it took part in quelling the last of the
great Jacobite rebellions (indeed it was the only Scottish regiment to have
fought against the rebels in all three insurrections).
15

With the introduction of regimental numbering in 1751, the regiment became
the 25th Foot and it was as such that it took perhaps its most famous battle
honour at Minden on 1st August 1759. Here, in an allied force under Ferdinand
of Brunswick, with five other British infantry regiments, the 25th marched in line
against 10,000 French cavalry and broke the enemy centre. It was a
remarkable feat and is still celebrated every anniversary of the battle.
Following prolonged garrison duties on Minorca from 1768 to 1780, the
regiment was sent to relieve Gibraltar, and in the same year, for a number of
reasons, was retitled ‘the 25th (Sussex) Regiment of Foot’
In 1801 the Regiment was sent to
Egypt with Sir Ralph Abercromby’s
force and took part in the capture of
Alexandria, thus earning, the right to
bear the emblem of the Sphinx on its
Colours.
The 1st battalion spent the most part of
the Napoleonic Wars in the West
Indies. Martinique was taken in 1809,
and Guadeloupe in 1811. During this
campaign the Battalion lost more men
through disease than as a result of
enemy action. Also during this period,
in 1805, at the order of King George III,
25th of Foot Minorca c 1768
the regiment was retitled the ‘King’s Own Borderers’ and its facings changed to royal blue.
Having been posted to Gibraltar (1858-63) and Malta (1863-64), in 1864 the first battalion
was sent to Canada to suppress the Fenian rebellions.
The Regiment’s most active postings of the Victorian era however, were to Afghanistan and
Burma. In the former the battalion distinguished itself in the Bazar Valley in 1878 and the
Khyber Valley in 1880. In Burma, served with the Chin Lushai Expedition (1889-90). The
national origins of the Regiment were further recognised in 1887 when it acquired its lasting
title ‘The King’s Own Scottish Borderers’.
From 1900 to 1902 the 1st Battalion served
in South Africa fighting the Boers. Taking
part in the action at Paardeberg, it went on to
fight in the Traansval and at the battle of
Rustenberg in October 1900 and in May the
following year at Vlakfontein and
Lambrechtfontein. A considerable number of
decorations were awarded, not least the
regiment’s first VC to Lieutenant GHB
Coulson.
Right: KOSB Signallers Boer War
16

The Regiment has been known by several names
including:
Leven's Regiment
25th (Sussex) Regiment of Foot
The King's Own Borderers
The King's Own Scottish Borderers
World War I
At the outbreak of war in August 1914, the two
Regular Battalions and the two Territorial
Battalions (4th and 5th) were mobilized. In
addition, ‘New Army’ Battalions (6th, 7th and
8th) were raised, together with a 9th Battalion,
which provided reinforcements for the other
Battalions, and a 10th (Garrison) Battalion.
The 1st Battalion fought on the Gallipoli
Peninsula and their story is typical of that illfated
campaign.
In April 1916 the battalion was moved to Beaumont-Hamel on the Somme. Here they fought
in support of the Inniskillings on 1st July. In December they fought on the Ancre and April
1917 in the battle of Arras at Monchy. In August of that year they won two VCs in the battle of
Langemarck. In November they fought at the battle of Cambrai and in the new year in the
bloodbath of Passchendaele. In October the battalion marched into Ypres.
The 7th Battalion lost about two-thirds of its strength and the
8th over one-third at the Battle of Loos. It was here that
famously piper Daniel Laidlaw of the 7 climbed out of the
trench in the face of shellfire, machine guns and gas and,
inspiring the men to attack, for which he won the VC.
World War II
1st battalion KOSB embarked for France in 1939 as part of
the 3rd division of the BEF. They crossed the Belgian frontier
in May 1940, and like the rest of the force, out gunned by an
enemy of overwhelming numerical superiority, they were
ordered to withdraw.
Fighting their way to the coast, on the night of 31st May/1st
June they were evacuated from the beaches of Dunkirk
With the allied invasion of Europe in 1944, 1st battalion KOSB
was there at the forefront, returning to France on D-Day, 6th June. They fought through
Normandy and around Caen until the town capitulated, and then advanced north through
Belgium and Holland to the Rhine and Bremen.
Post World II
The too often neglected war against the Chinese and North Korean was hard going and
fought in extreme climatic conditions. On the night of 4th/5th November 1951 the Battalion
was holding a position on a narrow, ridge in the Kowang-San region. Throughout the day the
soldiers had been subjected to a concentrated barrage of shell and mortar fire, and, as night
fell, the Chinese infantry advanced an entire division of 6000 men. The positions of the
forward companies were overrun, but the Battalion stood its ground, and repulsed the
Chinese attack. No less than 31 Borderers were killed with 90 being wounded and 20 made
Prisoners of War. Over 1000 Chinese had been killed. Private Bill Speakman was awarded
the VC for his part in the battle, and 2nd Lieutenant. William Purves received the DSO – the
only National Service officer to have won that honour.
17

In Malaya during the similarly neglected Emergency from 1955 to 1959,
1st Battalion was in the jungle, fighting ruthless Communist terrorists of
the MRLA Malayan Races Liberation Army. The KOSB operated from
Batu Pahat and a forward base Tac HQ at Yong Peng. One of the key
roles in the jungle was that of the dog handler. There were 21 dogs in
the Malayan jungle trained to scent the enemy. The tactic was hugely
successful. By the end of their two and a half year tour 1 KOSB had
killed 8 terrorists, wounded some others. There are 22 recorded
contacts but that is not illustrative of the everyday war of nerves.
From 1962 to February 1964 the battalion was on internal security
operations in Aden and in May 1964 was fighting Yemeni insurgents
in the Radfan Mountains. In the following year the battalion was posted to Borneo, patrolling
the Malaysia-Indonesia border. Action during the 1970s, to late 1990s was principally
centred around Operation Banner, the British Army’s ongoing peacekeeping duties in
Northern Ireland.
On New Year’s Day 1991, with the
Battalion on leave and key officers
abroad, the order came to mobilise for
service in the Gulf. Three weeks later
they were deployed as part of
Operation Granby/Desert Storm and
after training in Saudi Arabia moved into
battle positions, crossing into Kuwait at
the beginning of March. Their principal
role was mopping up pockets of
resistance and the processing and
guarding of POWs and a new Battle
Honour, ‘Gulf 1991′, was awarded.
In March 2006, the Regiment became The King’s Own Scottish Borderers
Battalion of The Royal Regiment of Scotland. On the 1st August of that year, the
Royal Scots and KOSB Battalions merged to form the Royal Scots Borderers,
1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS).
George with 1 KOSB in Aden
Folkestone
Drum Major 1 Scots

Branch News
Remembrance Service for HM the Queen
The Alicante Branch of the Royal British Legion held a moving
service for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Sunday 18th
September. The Branch was joined by over 50 members of
the local community to pay homage and remember the life of
the Queen. The Service sponsored by the Alicante Branch of
the Royal British Legion left tears in many eyes, a fitting
tribute to our late queen. The Branch was joined by Mark
Benton who played the Last Post and Reveille.
The Service was started
with a prayer for the Queen
by service organiser
Hamish McConnachie.
Branch Vice Chairman Les
Dewson
gave the eulogy whilst Sue
Parkes McConnachie
recited a very moving
poem dedicated to Her
Majesty, the wreath with
the Queens Cypher was
laid by Jean Le Brock -
Smith. Bob Routledge gave
the final prayer and the
service was brought to an
end with the national
anthem and a toast to King
Charles III.
The Royal British Legion
has been honoured to have
Queen Elizabeth II as it's
Patron since 1952.
While having royal
patronage from its founding
in 1921, the Legion
received its "Royal"
appellation in 1971 on its
golden anniversary.
(left) Ed Morris (Chairman) Mark
Benton Bob Routledge, Hamish
McConnachie, Mary Kemp, Les
Dewson and Sue Parkes
McConnachie.
19
Mark Benton and Branch standard Bearer Mary Kemp during the Last Post

Annual General
Meeting
Held at Glenn's Restaurant Castalla 6th October 2022
The outgoing Chairman, Mr Ed Morris (Left) hands over the Chairmanship of the Branch to Mr Les Dewson
The Alicante Branch held their Annual General
Meeting on Thursday 6th of October 2022 at
Glenn's Restaurant in Castalla where the three
year plan and future events were discussed.
The outgoing Chairman, Ed Morris then
handed over the conduct of the Branch to our
new Chairman Les Dewson who thanked Ed
and his committee for the hard work that they
have carried out during the last year. The new
Committee for the period 2022 - 2023 was
then sworn in.
The meeting was attended by over thirty
Branch Members and guests. We wish Les
and his new Committee all the very best for
the coming year.
The Branch was also introduced to our
new volunteer Standard Bearers who will
start their training on the 13th of October
in time for the Remembrance activities at
both Branch and District level.
Denise Dewson
Deputy
Standard Bearer
Bob Routledge
Branch
Standard Bearer
Debbie Routledge
Deputy
Standard Bearer
20

New Branch Committee
At the AGM on the 6th October the following Members were selected
to serve on the Branch Committee for the period
2022 - 2023
Les Dewson
Chairman
Sue Parkes - McConnachie
Vice Chairperson
& Membership Secretary
Tony Horton
Secretary
Ron Bridges
Treasurer
Janet Brickhill
Community Support
Bob Routledge
Standard Bearer
Hamish McConnachie
Webmaster & Publicity
Ed Morris
Poppy Appeal
Organiser
Denise Dewson
Committee Member
The following positions are vacant: Membership Secretary, Recruiting &
Retention Member, Social Activities Member.
21

Poppy Appeal
Launch (PAL)
Benidorm
15th October 2022
Several members of the Alicante
Branch took part in this year’s
Poppy Appeal Launch (PAL) on the
Benidorm seafront, the Parade
Marshall, Jack Kemp the Alicante
Branch President took command of
the parade whilst Mary Kemp
carried the District Standard. The
Branch Standard was paraded by
our new Branch Standard Bearer
Bob Routledge. Several branch
members took part in the parade
and marched along with other
veterans behind the Torrevieja
Pipes and Drums . The parade was
attended by the mayor of Benidorm,
Captain Stephen McGlory, Defence
Attaché at the British Embassy in
Madrid and the National Vice Chair
of the Royal British Legion, Lynda
Atkins.
The large crowd of onlookers were
once again given a first class
display that showed that the Royal
British Legion was alive and well in
Spain.
Alicante Branch Standard Bearer Bob Routledge (Right)
Branch Members Ed Morris and George Mollins
21

Branch Monthly
Meeting
..
Held at the International Club El Campello
3rd November 2022
Ron Bridges
Branch Treasurer
·
• 1 נ-,ע\‏ 1
Alicante
The Alicante Branch held its November meeting on the
3rd of November at the International Club in El Campello.
The meeting was opened by Chairman Les Dewson, a
very good and informative and professional meeting
followed by an excellent lunch, well done to the new
Committee. The new Branch Treasurer, Ron Bridges was
introduced to the members, well done Ron for taking up
the gauntlet. Both Ron and his good lady Jayne had been
Branch Members in the past and have now rejoined
Welcome back.
Our Branch President Jack Kemp on
behalf of the Chairman presented the
Chairmans award of appreciation to
Mary Kemp for the work she carried out
as BCS, Standard Bearer and
Committee Member, Mary remains a
Branch Member and takes up a new
role as District Standard Bearer.
Also on the Chairmans 'hit list' was
former Chairman John Pratt who has
represented the Branch as
Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and
Deputy Standard Bearer. John also
represented the District as District
Standard Bearer. A real Branch
stalwart.
22

Poppy
Collection
2022
Many thanks to all our Poppy Sellers and Members who gave up their time to set
up stalls and distribute Poppy Boxes to local business's, special thanks to Fiona
Dillon, Ed Morris, Les Dewson, Bob and Debbie Routledge, Jayne Bridges and
Sue and Hamish McConnachie. The final total will be published in the next issue
Well done to Sue
McConnachie for
raising the sum of
189 Euros in her
Poppy Appeal Raffle.

Remembrance Sunday
Sunday 13th November
Garden of Remembrance, Castalla International
The Alicante Branch
had a full programme
for our Remembrance
service which took
place at the Garden of
Remembrance on
Castalla International
on Sunday 13th at
10:50.
Left: The Alicante Branch
Chairman, Les Dewson welcomes
Branch and Community Members
to the Service.
The Service was opened with a short
prayer given by Branch Webmaster and
Publicity Member Hamish
McConnachie, followed by the
Community Choir with an excellent
rendition of 'Abide with Me'. The
welcome given by Branch Chairman
Les Dewson covered the solemnity of
the occasion in that this would be the
first year for many who were unable to
see our late Queen taking part in the
Remembrance parade at the cenotaph
in London.
The Chairman's welcome was followed
by Branch Vice Chairperson Sue
Parkes McConnachie who rendered the
poem by John McCrae 'In Flanders
Fields'.
Members of the Community Choir who without
doubt brought an air of remembrance and hope
with their renditions of 'Abide with me' and
'Jerusalem'
25

The wreath laying which was done to the pipe
tune Flowers of the forest which
commemorates the defeat of the Scottish army,
and the death of James IV, at the Battle of
Flodden in September 1513. Flowers of the
forest is normally only played at funerals or
memorial services and was played at Queen
Victoria's funeral in 1901.
Wreaths were laid by the British Vice Consul
from Alicante Elizabeth Bell, an Alicante
Branch Member, Tony Horton Branch
Secretary and Joan Mollins.
The last post was played and a two minute
silence was held in all solemnity by the
attending audience, followed by Reveille. The
Branch Chairman then gave the Exhortation.
The Branch had three Standard Bearers on
parade, Debbie Routledge, Spanish National
Flag, Denise Dewson, Union Flag and Bob
Routledge the Alicante Branch Standard. All
three Standard Bearers only took up their
duties after the October AGM. Bob
Routledge, the Branch Standard Bearer has
worked hard to get himself and his deputies
ready for the Remembrance Service. Well
done all.
Wreath layers, Tony Horton, Elizabeth
Bell and Joan Mollins
Christine Pratt then gave a
rendition on the poem 'The
Poppy' followed by the choir
with Jerusalem.
The national anthems of spain
and the United Kingdom were
played and it was noticed that
the audience sang 'God save
the King' with gusto.
The closing prayer was given
by Ed Morris, Branch Poppy
Appeal Organiser and the
service was closed by Sue
Parkes - McConnachie with
the Kohima Epitaph.
"WE WILL REMEMBER THEM"
26

Branch Chairman, Les Dewson with
Elizabeth Bell
The British Vice Consul from Alicante
Christine Pratt
After the service Mr Les Dewson The Alicante
Branch Chairman said
"A total of nineteen Branch and
Community Members volunteered
to take part in this very important
service and make it a great success. It
was heartening to see so many
Branch and Community members
present from the Branch catchment
area and beyond. On behalf of my
Committee and myself I would like
to thank Branch and Community
Members for their attendance here
today"
Sue Parkes McConnachie
with
Hamish McConnachie
27

Alicante Branch Committee
Members attend District
Course
Spain District North held a very Successful
Branch Management course including Office
365 and MAP (Membership Administration
Portal) in October. The two day course was
held at the Expat Centre in Quesada which
provided first class facilities. The course was
run by Paul Franks, District Training Officer
with welcome assistance from the District
Chairman, Jack Kemp. Students attending
from the Alicante Branch included Sue
Parkes - McConnachie, Vice Chairperson, Ed
Morris, Poppy Appeal organiser, Tony
Horton, Branch Secretary and Hamish
McConnachie, Branch Webmaster and
Publicity member. Louise Franks who will
shortly be taking over the post of District
Assistant Treasurer joined us for the second
day. The general opinion of the course was
that it was well run with good content and
the facilities were ideal for a small course.
The District has very experienced trainers
who are willing to share their time and
experience so that Branch members holding
posts can be trained to the required standard.
This course is a must for any Branch Officer
or Committee Member to attend.
The Course was also attended by Members of
the Torrevieja and Hondon Valley Branches
District Training Officer Paul Franks with
Alicante Branch Vice Chairperson and
Membership secretary Sue Parkes - McConnachie
Above Hamish McConnachie and left Tony
Horton

Above Ed
Morris Branch
Poppy Appeal
Organiser
Left husband
and wife team
Paul and Louise
Franks
29

A Spanish Hospital
Experience
Branch Member Malcolm
Gregory wrote to a friend
to share his experience in a
Spanish Hospital, Malcolm has
kindly agreed to share that
experience with his fellow Branch
Members.
Subject: Hospital Visit
I thought I would be like Scott
of the Antarctic and drop you a
line whilst I reside for a
number of days in Alcoy
hospital. Unlike Scott, I know I
have an escape plan that will
work which should see me
extracted from here next
Tuesday.
Eight sleeps in total.
סח Unfortunately I have
method of getting this note to
you before I go home as there
is סח Internet connection, still it
gives me something to do to
take the boredom factor away.
AII is going well. To say it has
been "interesting" would be an
understatement. I was
admitted חס Monday evening
at six pm, more חס that later.
Malcolm Gregory
Thank you for all your goodwill
wishes, they were and are
greatly appreciated. lt is nice to
know I have a family and good
friends who care.
I share a room with a 57 year
old Spaniard called Antonio,
Tony to his friends. He speaks
less English than I speak
Spanish which is going some!
We have some very very funny
conversations. He came into
hospital at the same time as I
did but having had keyhole
prostate surgery he hopes to
leave today. Of course my
prostate has to be bigger than
everyone else's requiring open
surgery! it's either that or they
want to practice their old style
surgical skills on the
uncomplaining British.
30

You would think that Antonio's long and
typically loud renditions, during which he
tells me chapter and verse the problems
he is having would be lost meחס , but
not so, with lots of sign language and no
doubt many wrong assumptions and
bad guesses חס both our parts we get
by, we think!
ln our most recent conversation he has
been trying to explain to me the
importance of sitting down initially to pee
pee (his words) once all this tubing stuff
has been removed. He didn't do this,
admitting to me that his pee pee went in
four different directions traveling at
greater speeds than he had grown used
to. He said it would be very good for
watering the garden but not good in
public areas. ln a funny sort of way I will
miss him and his equally loud extended
family who visited him daily.
You would think that as we both have
been in some pain it's probably not such
a good idea to talk so much as laughing
pulls our stitches, in my case stitches
that look like industrial style metal
staples. Hope they don't rust! On
balance though it's best to laugh about
things.
Alcoy hospital is a modern facility with a
good reputation for patient care. The
specialist Urology ward is on the fourth
floor of the main building. AII rooms are
for two patients only each room having
en suite facilities. We have pay TV, I
note there are no adult channels,
perhaps wise considering the main
reason that we are all in here.
This linked with the fact that we all at
some stage or another have tubes
pushed up our willies.It hurts when
fart at present, wouldn't want to
make matters worse. AII the staff
which includes the Doctors, Nurses,
Auxiliaries and Cleaners are very
friendly and very conscientious.
They appear to enjoy their work and
move around with enthusiasm. Not
once have felt they resent me being
here. They are all very smartly
dressed. My bed linen, nightshirt and
towels are changed daily. Rooms
are scrupulously cleaned everyday. I
have a south facing window and a
beautiful mountain view. Visitors are
allowed at any time day or night. I
have a reclining leather chair which
gives some comfort to anyone who
wants to stay overnight. ln this
hospital it is not true that a family
member is expected to be in
attendance to take care of their
relative's mundane needs. The
morning after my operation a very
kind young auxiliary nurse gave me
a bed bath. Very nice experience!
The NHS
could probably
learn a lot
from this
hospital and
it's staff. AII in
all I guess it is
okay here !!
But not like home .
31

My Hospital experience day by day
Monday.
Having waited a long time for this operation I was pleased to get the telephone
call from Debora, our friend and interpreter advising me of the date. I had about
six days warning which gave me ample time to mentally adjust to the forthcoming
situation I knew I would have to leave my dignity and any thoughts of
embarrassment at the hospital entrance. My intent was to keep calm and just lay
back and think of England!
Once I had cleaned the Naya windows and the oven! June released me from
further duties and I drove with Debora to the hospital, a short journey on the
motorway of 30 minutes.
The admission process was very efficient and quick, within 15 minutes I found
myself in my room wearing my designer dress, problem was that I had to put it
on back to front which if you were not careful exposed one's bum, god forbid. Still
when in Rome etc. etc. and anyway I figured Debora had seen a few before in
her hospital experiences.
The real excitement came when the nurse spoke to Debora informing her of my
planned evening entertainment. Two bottles at timed intervals of a solution which
would clear and clean any blocked drain, followed by a private parts shave. Oh
Dear!
At this point I bade farewell to Debora, not wishing for her to see a grown man
cry. The nurse with the two bottles was very nice, I think she understood my
concerns for this unnatural activity. She said "Hold for as long as possible
Malcolm" waving bottle number one in her hand. Well, she had only been gone
two minutes when a desperate feeling and a hot flush came over me, I dashed at
a speed which would have seen me beat Usain Bolt, to the en suite, Not good, I
failed to reach the finishing line depositing the contents of my bowel just short of
the toilet bowl. Result dirty dress and a need for a mop. Luckily the colour was
not as expected, clearly there was more to come later in the final race of the
night.
My nice nurse returned some hours later with bottle number two. This time I had
adjusted my starting blocks and I had thought up a cunning plan. This time I was
going to win, after all l couldn't ask for a second dress! The minute she left I
intentionally false started, walking slowly to the finishing line. I waited a while and
then Alleluia. The drains were now clear.
32

Free time now to rest חס my bed contemplating "the shave", Would it be the
same nurse or the prettiest of nurses that I had seen on the ward earlier
I waited and waited but nobody came. Eventually I drifted off to slumber hoping
to avoid dreaming of the unavoidable shave to come.
I couldn't have been asleep more than ten minutes when a Phil Mitchell look
alike from East Enders woke me flashing his razor at me. His sign language
confirmed his intentions. Or was this the dream I hoped to avoid?
No it wasn't. There then followed a moment in my life that I wish to forget. It is
no laughing matter when a complete stranger grabs your todger holding a
sharp razor and plies his trade. What would the regiment say, me an ex major
and all that, not even I have twisted and bent my John Thomas in so many
directions, I wondered if it was really necessary, if they had instructed me I
would have done it myself. I guessed that the pretty nurse was off duty,
Phil departed satisfied and I drifted off to sleep again but not before
being told that I was first on the list for surgery the following
morning. Typical, not even a lie in.
Tuesday
I was awake before the scheduled time of 6.30am. Having had
nothing to eat since Monday lunch and no water since my
nightmare of the night before I was starving and gagging for a
drink. Due to my early operation there was no sympathy for me. I
carried on being hungry and thirsty. A nurse arrived with a trolley
and I thought, "Here we go again, what's next". I need not have
worried, she simply fitted a tap to my lower arm for the multitude of
liquids that I would receive in subsequent days.
They came for me at 8.15 am as they said they would. In my bed I was pushed
down corridors and via a lift to the operating theatre. I kept my wits about me
wanting to know where I was going but trying to avoid the thought of passing
the mortuary. I didn't. Things were looking up. A pun perhaps,I was lying on
my back.
Once in the operating theatre my biggest surprise of the day was being told
that I would not receive any anesthetic. What! My potential panic was quickly
cast aside when they said it was a spinal injection for me. Crikey, I hadn't
Googled this in advance and knew nothing about it. I was shortly, via a
practical demonstration to find out how effective and amazing a spinal injection
is.
33

Sat naked on the side of the bed the injection was administered by
the Doctor. It was uncomfortable. No, it hurt.
I was then transfered to the actual operating table. Within
probably a minute I could not feel my legs, a few seconds later
from the chest down I was gone !
Two doctors conducted the operation, one male and one female,
both looking very young. Was one of them in training ? I hoped
not !
Although I had been screened from seeing the actual operation I could see around me the
hive of activity taking place, there were at least six other people in attendance. I heard every
word the Doctors were saying although I understood very little. It was good however to hear
no mention of Barcelona football team or the weather so I guessed they were concentrating
on the job.
I only felt movement in my upper body when I suppose they were applying pressure. At the
stage when I began to wonder what parts of my inner body were now probably resting
outside my body I decided to relax, lay back and think of England. The gurgle of the blood
sucking machine did however fascinate me !
The operation took about 40 minutes, I knew it was over when I counted the fourteen
staples being inserted into my stomach with a noisy staple gun.
Post operation recovery was incident free, I rested for the remainder of the day having no
visitors due to the fact that we all thought I would be still sleepy due to anesthetic.I was
however quite warm.
Wednesday
Not a good nights sleep, no problems with pain from the operation which pleased me, but I
slowly got hotter and hotter developing an itchy feeling on my skin over various parts of my
body. This slowly got worse throughout the day.
My first visitors arrived mid afternoon. It was good to see June, Mike and Jan. Thank you
Mike for being the taxi driver.
It is true that "Absence makes the heart grow fonder". It surprised me how quickly I was
missing June, even though she moans at me daily when I am at home. Still I guess we are
not alone in this.
Having previously advertised the fact that I did not want or need any soppy get well cards,
fruit, chocolates and all such nonsense, but would readily accept envelopes containing
money (joke) I was pleased to get a card from Joan and Doug. To my delight it contained an
envelope with a very new 50 euro note in it. "How very generous of them, they should not
have given me so much"
On further scrutiny of my unexpected wealth all became clear. Who would have thought that
such a lovely couple were running a counterfeit money making operation in their under
build, hidden behind a front known as a Christian Fellowship Group. Being such a friendly
couple their secret is safe with me. lt was a brilliant joke which made me laugh. Thank you
to them.
34

Shortly after June, Mike and Jan had departed it was good to see Ed who
popped in to see me. Ed's ability to communicate in Spanish impressed
Antonio, who was probably coming to the conclusion that all Brits were like me
and were only good at sign language. Thanks for your company Ed.
By early evening I was so very hot, sweaty and itchy that I decided to call in
the Cavalry with a phone call to Debora. I wanted the Doctor and Nurses to
fully understand my discomfort and see how best we might relieve the
symptoms. Debora was at her Gym at the time but willingly left and joined me
at the hospital. What a good girl she is.
Although I was beginning to think that the young surgeon wearing designer
clothes must have left a scalpel inside me, which my body was trying to reject,
the prognosis from the hospital was that I might be allergic to the bedding, in
particular the white sheets which are washed with an extremely strong
detergent. One other patient currently in the hospital had the same symptoms.
For my part I was not convinced having never been allergic to anything in my
life. lnterestingly June had a condition similar to mine a week or so ago which
Dr Rosa was treating with antihistamine tablets, her problem has now gone
away.
Anyway, the outcome of all this is that I am now the "special one" who now
sleeps in green sheets (what the difference is I don't know) I am also being
pumped full of various unknown liquids and now on a course of antihistamine
tablets. Additionally I have moved my bed so that I can gain more benefit from
the cool air from the air conditioning unit. I am also using a portable electric fan
that Debora kindly brought in. I am currently sweating like a mad lunatic and
itchy all over. I think Antonio is freezing to death !
Thursday
Firstly it is our 43rd Wedding Anniversary today, luckily I remembered to buy
June a card which I will give her when she visits today. lt is not true that I
orchestrated my hospital admission to avoid the expense of taking her out for
a celebration meal.
Surprisingy, I had a reasonably good night considering how I had felt eight
hours ago. God knows what they gave me but it must be working. I still itch but
am much cooler, I am on the mend. Antonio did not die in the night having
covered himself with a blanket.
35

Progress was made today with the removal of the stomach drain, one less
Tesco bag to carry around. I am left with two saline type drips into my arm tap
and a catheter which has its own Tesco drainage bag. I am up and mobile but
not very good at steering the frame which carries the drips and bag. Question.
Why do I covertly compare the colour of my Tesco bag contents with that of the
other patients that I see on my morning and afternoon walks ? I cannot wait for
the day when my colour is almost normal, I will have bragging rights in the
corridor then.
The nice female Doctor visited and explained that she was now going to move
the catheter to where the prostate is. Now, even with my limited understanding
of the human anatomy I know this is not going to be funny ! it wasn't, it gave me
"sweaty eyes" probably like my grandson Joshua had when he watched a sad
film.
June visited late morning thanks to Brian and Rita. It was good to see them all.
Brian of course who is never without the means to take a photograph, did just
that. I am not sure what he plans to do with it but I refuse to be blackmailed.
Anyway, I think in my latest dress which has buttons down the front I look pretty
cool !
Everyone who has visited me so far has mentioned or complained about the
weather. Sitting in my room with bright sunshine shining through the window
and enjoying the benefits of cool air conditioning, it is easy for me to forget that
the temperature outside is well plus of 30 degrees on a daily basis. I hope it
lasts for the visit of brothers Ken and Albert and my sister in laws Eileen and
Linda in early to mid September. It hasn't rained here for 3 months.
The remainder of the day was uneventful other than Antonio getting excited
about the prospects of going home tomorrow. The fact that he was going home
in the morning did not stop the daily visit of his extended family who stayed
late, talked very loud and kept me from my music. His wife and daughter are
however very nice, they speak a little English and it is clear to me that they
enjoy the challenge of trying to speak English.
They both work as auxiliary staff in the hospital and promised to visit me daily
whilst I am here. How nice of them. I never thought that I would become an
English language teacher, I can't even spell.
Friday
I was woken by the muted sounds of distress coming from Antonio's bed. It was
6.30am and he was having his catheter removed prior to going home. Of
course he told me it hurt. He then spent the rest of the morning
36

visiting the toilet with varying success. First a dribble, then two dribbles, then
three dribbles etc etc. Yes, he reported back to me each and every time even
though I tried to change the subject or pretend to be asleep. It was though very
funny. I will not forget his advice on watering the garden ! He left the hospital at
lunch time with his wife and daughter. We parted as if we had know each other
for many years, I guess our common interest in Prostates bonds us together.
Progress for me today is that I need not be the "special one" any longer, as I
feel fine. My drips have been removed and the antihistamine tablets have
stopped. I still have the green luxury bedding as a precaution. Fine by me.
My main challenge is now to drink at least four litres of water daily to flush my
system out. Not easy, try it. I know already that the company who have the
bottled water vending machine business situated in the corridor must be
making a fortune.
June visited me this afternoon. Mike again, being the friend that he is drove the
taxi. June told me that my lovely granddaughter Jessica had nominated me for
the Ice Bucket Challenge. Sadly I cannot do it at present as it would upset the
cleaners and probably the Doctors too. I would have willingly done it the other
night when I was worried about the scalpel ! Perhaps Gramp will stand in for
me?
With the absence of Antonio I had a quiet night for a change reading my book,
catching up with these notes and drinking gallons of water. At least I won't
have to worry about getting up for a pee in the night.
Saturday
A fairly good nights sleep although taking no exercise means I tossed and
turned a lot. Fine, until the catheter pump which normally rests on the bed falls
off the bed taking part of my anatomy with it. Better than an alarm
clock I can tell you !
A quiet day today in solitary confinement, as ו was not expecting any visitors.
Antonio's bed remains empty awaiting the next patient.
It seems a long day, already I am talking to myself and my water bottle ! How
Terry Waite and others survived so many years in confined isolation without
going mad is beyond me.
My Saviour was the promised visit of Antonio's daughter. She stayed for
around an hour improving her English vocabulary. My Spanish failed to
improve.
37

Sunday
A good nights sleep.
A day of rest ! Very little to report other than a very welcome visit from June
and Mike. ו continue to consume gallons of water and can see the change in
the colour of my output, all is going well. Tomorrow I will walk the corridors
with bragging rights ! Fingers crossed for an escape on Tuesday.
Shortly after June had left I felt a bowel movement was imminent. Off I went
to the en suite. Parting company with the contents of my bowel was satisfying
as it is an important factor in my recovery. The seat was comfortable so I sat
awhile. Suddenly the door burst open and I was confronted by a very large
nurse wanting to take my temperature with a telephone
type device. No excuse me or oh sorry ! She just stuck
the probe in my ear and carried on as if I was in bed I
felt a bit vulnerable sitting there with my dress around
my belly button. Usually they ask if I have had a
"Caca, on this occasion she didn't, I wonder why? My
final ounce of dignity has just gone out the window, I
surrender, from now , I don't give a Caca !
I was released from solitary confinement at 6.30pm on
the arrival of Herman, another Spaniard who says he
speaks no English. I broke the ice and already he has
spoken a few words back to me in English. He is
accompanied by his friend David and his two very tall daughters who I have
chatted to. A third daughter lives in England. Thankfully this family appear not
to talk as loud as the last but there is time yet. The poor man is suffering
renal failure and a urinary track infection and is in pain ..
Antonio's daughter popped in again to say Hola which was nice.
Tomorrow I have an early start as I have an appointment at 9 pm to see an
anesthetist in readiness for my next operation. No stopping me now. Debora
will be here to accompany me.
Herman has just produced a Pay TV card and asked me if I like football. I do
now, fearing he prefers those very amateurish and loud Spanish quiz shows.
Herman's family have now gone home for the night. He now engages in
conversation with me, we will get on fine.
Monday
Up at 6.30 am for morning ablutions. I need to be ready by 8.45 am for
Debora's arrival. Yes a long time but accompanied by my Tesco bag I need it.
38

I have learnt from practical experience that if you rush around with your bag
attached sooner or later you are going to trip over a tube and have watery
eyes.
Dr Tenza Tenza who in my mind is now one of the best prostate consultants
on the planet, visited me as Debora arrived. Good timing. Fantastic
news, ו can go home today, one day earlier than planned provided that once the
catheter had been removed I could pee pee with bearable pain.
Debora sorted my anaesthetist appointment out resulting in me not having to
walk the hospital corridors in my designer dress. Debora in addition to being
a really good family friend is most certainly excellent value for money
in her professional field.
I called June on her mobile to give her the good news and cancel her visit.
No answer. I then called Brian and did the same. Thank you Brian for offering
again to bring June to visit me. I called June a second time this time she
answered.
At this very moment in time a nurse arrived with a syringe type thing, lifted
my skirt and sucked out some liquid from a connection in the catheter tube,
no problem there, she then left, I continued the conversation with June
saying I think shortly they will take the catheter out. We had a conversation
about her missing my first call due to being outside clearing Bonnie's Caca.
Suddenly the nurse reappeared, I figured that this was it and I indicated that I
would terminate my call. She said 'No No Problem' and in a flash, again lifted
my skirt and not so gently pulled my catheter out. Bugger !
I have to admit that at that moment in time I was not really concentrating on
June's conversation. I asked her if there was any anxiety in my voice, she
said "a little". Bloody right there was. This place is crazy.
Some might say, it is cool talking to your wife on the telephone whilst a nice
nurse manipulates your willy but I do not recommend it.
I am now told to drink mucho aqua, here we go then, get ready to water the
garden. Nothing happened for a while but then it started, I sat down the first
time as Antonio had suggested, he was right, I thought, June's not going to
accept this in the bathroom.
I am now well into double figures, I have my release documentation and
await Debora's return to pick me up. I have decided that I must stop drinking
water in order to have a fighting chance of getting home without an
embarrassing situation arising in the car with Debora.
It will remain a secret as to what happened next. Adios.
39

Why is the Scottish Poppy
different?
Whatever it looks like, the poppy is sold to raise money to support the
Armed Forces and veteran community.
Did you know that not all Remembrance poppies look the same?
Although the poppy is a universal symbol of remembrance, the way each country makes them
is very different.
It is not a Scottish poppy vs the rest of the UK poppy thing – they are both sold to raise money
to support the Armed Forces and veterans' community, but there is a noticeable difference
between what they look like and where the money raised by them goes.
What are the differences?
When the Edinburgh-based factory that makes the Scottish poppy was set up in 1926, the look
of the poppy was redesigned for sale north of the border.
The two-petal poppy, still sold in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to this day, has a leaf
attached, something charity Poppyscotland says is botanically incorrect.
The distinctive Scottish poppy – a four-petal poppy made from vibrant red, crimped paper –
was designed by Lady Haig.
"The myth in the Lady Haig Poppy Factory is that the Scottish poppy is botanically correct so
when you see a poppy growing wild in the field, it will have four petals," he said.
"But it doesn't matter about the myths and urban legends between the poppies, it all
symbolises the sacrifice that our Armed Forces have given over the last 100 years.
"It's about the symbolism, it's about having the opportunity to wear a poppy should you
choose."
Who is Lady Haig?
Lady Haig was the wife of Earl Haig, Commander in Chief of the British Army from 1915 until
the end of the First World War.
40

Earl Haig set up the British Legion in May 1921 to support injured ex-servicemen and their
families in the aftermath of the brutal and deadly WWI. The word Royal was added in 1971 to
celebrate the charity's 50th anniversary.
Earl Haig was keen for the poppies made in France to be sold to the people of Britain so that
much-needed money could be raised to help First World War veterans.
However, the demand for poppies outgrew the ability to supply them so very few poppies
made their way to Scotland.
Lady Haig's Poppy Factory
In 1926, Lady Haig decided to set up her own factory to supply her home country of Scotland
with poppies.
The small factory at the bottom of the Royal Mile, in the grounds of Whitefoord House, was
in a shed.
The operation was described by Major (Ret'd) Charlie Pelling, Lady Haig Poppy Factory
manager, as being: "Three or four blokes and a pair of scissors and a bit of crepe paper and by
the end of the 20s she was employing over 100 men making the Scottish poppy and making
other items that could be sold to raise money to help Scottish ex-servicemen and their
families who were in distress."
The design of the Scottish poppy has not moved far away from Lady Haig's original vision of a
four-petal, crimped flower with no leaf.
What is the difference between the Scottish
Poppy Appeal and the Royal British Legion
Poppy Appeal?
The Scottish Poppy Appeal was originally
separate from the Royal British Legion's
appeal in England, Wales and Northern
Ireland.
Poppyscotland is a separate charity within
the Royal British Legion group and merged
with RBL in June 2011 to share resources
and expand the reach of both.
41

"Utrinque Paratus"
"Ready for anything"
Submitted by
George Berridge
They say that knowledge dispels all fear, but I'd like to make it very clear, although they joke, and
laugh, and sneer, behind those laughs, there's sometimes fear.
Yet neither shirk, nor yet complain, these men who know of hardships pain, they're men who jump
out of the skies, who's only reward, is sheer surprise, their lives depend on silk and cord, for that is
all they can afford...
And death is no stranger to these men, whose friends have gone, so dear to them, for no one knows
the mental strain, that passes through the strongest brain.
When the word goes back, "PREPARE FOR ACTION". and all stand up within a fraction.
As strops fly back from hand to hand, in this routine that's been well planned, his heart pounds at
a frantic rate, but he mustn't pause, nor hesitate.
"CHECK EQUIPMENT", is the next command, as flashing hands, like lightning land, on the next
mans chute, to check his ties, before the dispatchers, the doorways pries, "ACTION STATIONS" is
the next command, as they clear their strops from hand to hand.
Now in their sticks, they gently shuffle, each man by now, his voice well muffled, now the slow
march, forward glide, and each his own fears, try to hide.
Each man his container, tightly grasps, as though life, were forever past, confidence seeking, in this
grip of steel, as the aircraft comes to an even keel.
"RED ON", "STAND IN THE DOOR", and all they hear, is the 'THUD' on the floor,
"GREEN ON", and now it's "GO", and into space, they madly flow, in the slipstream they now
career, a mad sensation, mixed with fear.
Then, in a second, "Whoosh", it's there, a beautiful canopy, filled with air, they go beneath the
hidden moon, these men with berets, Brave Maroon.
For them, there is no turning back, even those, that confidence lack, for them, it is but tiny
threads, that hold their lives above their heads.
So when you hear the angels pray, say our prayer the airborne way.
May the defence of the Most High be above and beneath, around and within us,
in our going out and in our coming in,
in our rising up and our going down,
all our days and all our nights,
until the dawn when the son of righteousness shall arise
with healing in his wings for the peoples of the world
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
'UTRINQUE PARATUS/AD UNUM OMNES'.
42

The Video Page
Our Video page is designed to complement and give further information on articles
that appear within the Veteran.
Click Here
Click Here
Kings Own Scottish Borderers
Edinburgh Tattoo
Alicante Branch Remembrance Sunday
Click Here
Click Here
The Gulf War
Royal British Legion Festival
of Remembrance 2022
43

Forecast of Events
Alicante Branch normally meets at 13:30 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.
December - No monthly meeting.
December 15th - Branch Christmas Lunch - Bernie's Restaurant El
Campello.
January 12th - Branch monthly meeting at Casa De Culture Castalla
followed by lunch at Bar Stop.
January 23rd - Burns Night - Black Bull Castalla.
February 2nd - Branch monthly meeting at The International Club,
Cami Reial de la Vila Joiosa 22 El Campello, followed by lunch.
March 2nd - Branch monthly meeting at Casa De Culture Castalla
followed by lunch.
44

Alicante Branch
Royal British Legion
Pre Christmas Lunch
Friday
16th December
Bernie's Restaurant
Calle de San Vicente,
El Campello
Contact Christine Pratt
chrispathome52@yahoo.com

During training exercises, the lieutenant who was driving down a muddy back road
encountered another car stuck in the mud with a red-faced Colonel at the wheel.
"Your jeep stuck, sir?" asked the lieutenant as he pulled alongside.
"Nope," replied the colonel, coming over and handing him the keys, "Yours is."
What Time Is It?
MILITARY HUMOUR
During the planning stages of a very
large military operation, Operations
HQ received a radio request for a
"Time Check."
The Operations HQ lackey asks,
"Who's calling?"
"What difference does that make?"
"It makes a lot of difference," says
the lackey. "If you're a Reservist
Unit, it's 3 o'clock. If you're an
Infantry Unit, it's 1500 hrs. If you're
the Navy, it's six bells. If you're the
Armoured Corps, the big hand is on
the 12 and the small hand is on the 3.
If you're the Artillery, it's Thursday
afternoon."
Emergency management: “Always
remember that if one engine fails
on a dual-engine plane, you’ll still
have enough power to safely reach
the scene of the crash.”
Painting, oil on canvas
"The arrival of the
electricity bill"
Try to look
unimportant; the
enemy may be
low on ammo and
not want to waste
a bullet on you.
Don't look
conspicuous; it
draws fire.
Never draw fire;
it irritates
everyone around
you.

Proud Parents
Branch Members Laurence and Denise Duffy's daughter Claire(2nd from left)
collecting for the poppy appeal at Waterloo station. Claire's team collected £2000 on
the day. Well done.
Jon Pratt son of Branch
Members John and
Christine Pratt. John
Joined the Royal
Anglian Regiment in
1986 and served in
Northern Ireland, Iraq
and Afghanistan he
completed 22 years
regular service in 2015
and is now serving with a Cadet Training Team as a Full
Time Reservist on an FTRS contract.

Branch Chairman Les Dewson on
Poppy Duty
"Wishing all a merry Christmas
and a successful New Year"

Poets
Corner
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
The Poppy
I am not a badge of honour,
I am not a racist smear,
I am not a fashion statement,
To be worn but once a year,
I am not glorification
Of conflict or of war.
I am not a paper ornament
A token,
I am more.
I am a loving memory,
Of a father or a son,
A permanent reminder
Of each and every one.
I'm paper or enamel
I'm old or shining new,
I'm a way of saying thank you,
To every one of you.
I am a simple poppy
A Reminder to you all,
That courage faith and honour,
Will stand where heroes fall.
John McCrae
I did not die
Do not stand
By my grave, and weep.
I am not there,
I do not sleep—
I am the thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints in snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle, autumn rain.
As you awake with morning’s hush,
I am the swift, up-flinging rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight,
I am the day transcending night.
Do not stand
By my grave, and cry—
I am not there,
I did not die.

Burns Night
Wednesday 2;th January
lnternationalClub
Cami Reial de la Vila Joiosa 22
EICampello
Pipe Major Brian Day
Torrevieja Pipes & Drums
Formally Scots Guards
In aid of the Lodge Santa Faz annual charity
First Pipes 19:00
The Elche Childrens Home
Menu
Chef : Mark Dignan
Cock - a - Leekie Soup
Or
Roast Vegetable, Pesto and Parmesan Parcel
*
Haggis,Neeps and Tatties
Or
Chicken Breast Creamy Tarragon sauce
Vegetable and Potatoes
*
Cranachan
Or
Apple Pie and Custard
Vegetarian Main available on request
25Euros
Please contact Barry Hovell on hovellbarry2@gmail.com or 722486493
for bookings and menu choices

Burns Night
Black Bull
Castalla International
Monday 23rd January
Traditional Fayre and Poems
Bookings being taken at the Black Bull or
Whispers Bar & Tapas in early January
cost 18 euros pp of which 2 euros will go to
the 2023 Poppy Appeal
There will also be a raffle of Scottish produce in aid of the
Royal British Legion Poppy
Appeal 2023

The Alicante Branch
of the
Royal British Legion
"Service not Self "
Visit our website at
http://branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/alicante