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Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
Somerset & Cornwall Light Infantry
Once a Light Infantryman - Always a Light Infantryman, there
is no finer thing to be.
by Jeremy G. French
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National Service:
I reported to the Light Infantry Training Centre (1st
Bn. Somerset Light Infantry) in October 1948; and after a short, sharp,
shock, found myself in 'X' Cadre. The Platoon Commander was Lt. A.J.Collyns,
assisted by 2/Lt. R.E. Waight. The Platoon Sgt. was Sgt. Frampton
MM.
X Cadre - October 1948
J.F. rear row 2nd from left/ Front row, 4th from
right: 2/Lt. R.E. Waight,Lt. A.J.Collyns,Sgt. Frampton MM.
From there I was posted to Mons OCTU, and whilst there
decided to apply for a regular commission.
The Regular Army:
From Mons I went to a holding company at The Royal Military
Academy, Sandhurst, and in 1949 joined Intake V1 for the 20 month
course. This was a very formative period in my life when, perhaps,
I started to grow up. Certainly, many of my most enduring friendships
were formed over this period.
The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry:
I was commissioned into the DCLI in Feb 1948 - along
with John Pedley who later transferred to the Parachute Regiment.
From the same intake, Hugo White was commissioned into the Somerset
Light Infantry.
After initial courses I joined the Battalion at Bulford
where we were part of 61st Lorried Infantry Brigade. After 6 months
as a rifle platoon commander (B Company,Major J.S. Maclaren), I was
transferred to the 3 Mortar Platoon, and in late 51/early 52 we moved
to Minden. (Support Company Commanders - Majors J.E.E. Fry MC. and
W.H. Hine-Haycock.)
In 1953 I returned to the Depot at Bodmin as a Training
Subaltern. At this time, apart from basic training for recruits, both
regular and national service, for 1 DCLI in BAOR and then the West
Indies, we sent others to 1 KOYLI in Malaya and 1 DLI in Korea. National
Service left a mark on most young men of that time, and it was an
honour to be responsible for them as they found their feet, for most
of them in a very different environment from anything they had known
before. The Commanding Officers of the Depot over this period were
Majors S.N. Floyer-Acland and J.T.C. Howard MC.
In 1955, there followed an 18week course at the Signals
Wing at Hythe and I re-joined 1 DCLI in Jamaica, then commanded by
Lt. Col. P.D. Daly, DSO, MBE. I became Assistant Adjutant and in the
latter months of the tour Acting Company Commander of B Company until
we returned to Walker Lines in Bodmin.
I later re-joined 1 DCLI in Osnabruck as the Regt. Signals
Officer, the Commanding Officer being Lt.Col. D.N.H.Tyacke.
In 1957 I was appointed OC Training Company at the Depot
at Bodmin. The Commanding Officers were Majors D. Ruttledge and G.T.G.
Williams. The Training Subaltern at that time included Messrs Harvey,
Vyvyan-Robinson, Petrie and latterly Reynolds, the Sgt. Major was
CSM Hallett. Whilst there, I was able to study and pass the exams
for entry to the Staff College at Camberley. Following the announcement
of the plans to amalgamate, I took an active part in preparing for
the merger of the two Depots.
I continued as Training Company Commander until sometime
in 1958 - I was posted to HQ Land Forces Persian Gulf Bahrain. (This
was a small staff HQ, responsible for administration of, inter alia,
the resident detachment of an infantry battalion stationed in Bahrain
and based in Kenya, an armoured car squadron in the Trucial States
but based in Aden, as well as a small liaison unit in Kuwait. The
Trucial Oman Scouts and the Sultan of Muscat's Armed Forces were also
under command. Close liaison with both the Royal Navy and the Royal
Air Force was an essential part of our role. We were also the control
base for the force that came in from all quarters to prevent Sadaam
Hussein's first attempt to invade Kuwait. This was my first time away
from Regimental duty and proved to be a fascinating part of my short
career).
The Somerset & Cornwall Light Infantry:
The amalgamation was not something that any of us would
have wished for, but the Regiment was very fortunate to have some
outstanding officers, warrant officers and NCO's amongst its members
who with great leadership, skill and determination ensured that all
went well. As we all know the Somerset & Cornwall Light Infantry
went from strength to strength.
Ready for Colours Parade - Gibraltar May 1962
I returned to the Battalion in Gibraltar, at that time
commanded by Lt. Col. W. Hine-Haycock, whilst in Gib I was the PRI
and 2i/c HQ Company (Major ANL Thom)
After a great deal of thought I decided to retire from
the army in 1961 and joined Shell-Mex and served them for 24 years,
my last appointment being Public Affairs Manager for Shell in UK.
Captain J.G. French can be seen in the background
between the Officer and C/Sgt. of the front row., on the right.
This website shows the Presentation of Colours at Europa
Parade Ground, I had the honour to command No 3 Guard on that parade,
the other Company Commanders were Messrs Collyns, Shapland and Stevens
(not shown). It was a memorable occassion, and a high note on which
to leave the army in which I had served 13 very happy years, made
some very good friends and learnt a lot about what makes the world
tick!
Retirement
We came to live in Somerset in 1991 where my close neighbours
include Lt.Col. RI. Field and Majors Bill Stevens and John Corringham.
I was delighted to be asked to join the Somerset County Committee
of the Army Benevolent Fund, and particularly enjoyed our meetings
back in the Depot at Mount Street. The members included several Light
Infantrymen - Colonel John Howard, John Mackie and Brigadier Alastair
Fyfe amongst them.
Life somehow seemed to come full circle when I was invited
to be the first President of the newly formed branch of the Light
Infantry Association here in South Somerset. It was a great honour
for me, and a joy to meet up again with many old friends. 'Once a
Light Infantryman - Always a Light Infantryman', and there is no finer
thing to be.
Copyright Text and Images: Jeremy French
Webmasters note (Keith)
My grateful thanks to Major Jeremy French for being
the first officer to contribute to this website with an article, I
remember him well from his time in Gibraltar, it was a delight to
talk to him again after so many years. I am able to keep in touch
with him and will pass any messages on.
