Royal Warwickshire 1961 queens hill camp, fanling

Submitted by T Pratt on Mon, 11/19/2018 - 02:58

Looking for men serving national service with my dad, Roland Pratt, in Hong Kong. He joined as Royal Warwicks then they amalgamated to fusiliers during 1960 to 61.

Roland Pratt in the foreground
Roland Pratt in the foreground, by T Pratt

 

He was in B company. He can remember changing his cap badge on parade. They also helped to build a path for a local school on Lamma island.

Stone listing names of those that built path on Lamma island in August 1961
Stone listing names of those that built path on Lamma island in August 1961, by T Pratt

It's worth typing out the text from the stone into a comment here - then if one of these men is searching for their name in Google there is a chance they will find this page.

Just noticed the name of Sgt Harrold on the commemorative stone. Sgt Harrold was our training sergeant in 1959 at Budbrooke Barracks, Warwick. He came out later to join the Battalion in Hong Kong.  Harrold was a brilliant drill instructor and we won Best Platoon due to his discipline. No-one who trained under Carl Harrold would forget him - he brooked no nonsense yet we all respected him. I wonder if he is still with us? Anyone know?

Here are the photos to go with the post that Moddsey mentioned:

IMG_20200126_171935826.jpg
IMG_20200126_171935826.jpg, by Leung Po Shan Anthony

 

1962-06-06_華僑_英砲兵團協助南丫興建模達村新路(圖).png
1962-06-06_華僑_英砲兵團協助南丫興建模達村新路(圖).png, by 華僑日報1962-06-06

 

The plaque in the modern tablet is different from the one in the photo shown at the top of the page, so it looks as though the Royal Warwicks did more than one project on Lamma.

As has been mentioned before, the Heading of this thread is misleading and ought to be changed  I served with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment from 1959 to 1962 and as far as I know the Regiment did not become Fusileers until 1963.  Another great Regiment that lost its name and identity due to misguided government interference.

I served in Headquarters Company at Queenshill Camp and I'm pretty sure I remember seeing your Dad around the Camp at times. I'm still in regular touch with many old friends from HQ Company but it was a big regiment and it was impossible to remember everybody.  As your Dad served under Sgt Harrold he was in very capable hands and no doubt he told you of his experiences in that wonderful posting.  Sorry I cannot be more helpful

T. Pratt:  is your father still alive?  Just to say that a friend (now living in Canada and a former Royal Warwick) went to school with your father in Coventry. He said your father was good at cross-country and swimming.  He again met your father in Hong Kong whilst they were both doing National Service but only spoke to him briefly. His name is Maurice Elcocks. If your father is still alive he may remember Mr Elcocks.

Hi there, yes, your father remembers correctly. Maurice Elcocks was in the same swimming team that won the Coventry Schools Shield back in 1954 !!  I have a photo of Maurice in 1961 drinking at a cafe at Fanling Railway Station. Your father would remember all that. It's a small world!  We keep in regular touch with a number of ex Royal Warwicks and ocasionally meet up (but not in Canada) smiley  Anyway, give our regards to your Dad!  Incidentally, following demob from the Warwicks I went back to Hong Kong and China importing Chinese Arts & Crafts. Eventually we had branches  at Derby, Glagow and London. So, the Hong Kong experience paid big dividends later in life!

Hi there T.Pratt,  a friend of your father's from school days and from army days wishes to make contact. He is Maurice Elcocks who now lives in Canada. He has an excellent photo of your father and himself in the School Swimming Team. He would love to speak by phone with your father or by email if preferred. If your father wants to make contact with Maurice please supply contact details or, if you prefer I can forward Maurice's email address. You were looking for men who did National Service with your father so now it's up to you.

Hi

My dads contact phone number is 0044 2476367239. It may be easier to ring him first, as he uses email infrequently, still dragging my parents into the 21st century, but they are getting better.

His email is roly_bedworth@yahoo.co.uk

 

Kind regards 

Tracey 

 

Hello Tracey,

Thank you for your dad's contact information. I have forwarded this to Maurice in Canada and he will be delighted to give your father a ring. I'm pleased that between us we have arranged contact between your father and Maurice and no doubt they will both enjoy reminiscing about their youth and army experiences.  Thanks again.

Regards

Bill Holmes.

Hi Tracy,  had an email from Maurice in Canada this morning. He said he rang the telephone number you gave but a lady said she had never heard of Roland and said that another person had enquired on this number !!   That's a mystery.  The number he rang was 00442476367239.  Would you please confirm that this number is correct.  Thank you.  Regards   Bill H.

Hi Bill

UK  code 0044  area code is 02476 phone number is 367239. So when dialing you have to drop the 0 of the area  code: 0044 2476367239 definitely this number.

I will ring them as well to let then know Maurice is trying to get though to them. 

Tracey 

Thank you David. I have forwarded your advice to Maurice Elcocks in Canada.    Bill Holmes

Just heard from Maurice Elcocks in Canada that he had a long and interesting chat with Roland Pratt yesterday.  So, mission accomplished for two old soldiers from the Royal Warwickshire Regiment back in 1961. Thanks to all concerned.

Are the two plaques still exist somewhere near Mot Tat? Would like to have a look during my visit for a military construction near the tip of Yuen Kok Headland.

By the way, any information about the abovementioned construction?