151 Regimnet RLC - WW2 - page 5
Image details
| Corps | Reserve |
|---|---|
| Material type | Articles |
| Book page | R04490004 |
| Chapter head | WW2 |
| Chapter key | R0449003 |
| Chapter number | 3 |
| Full title | 151 Regimnet RLC |
| Page number | 4 |
| Publication date | 2019 |
| Real page | 4 |
| Colour | Yes |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1794 |
| Late date | 2019 |
| Transcription |
vehicles. Casualties mounted around him, and Alpe was wounded in the head by shell splinters as he was going to the aid of one of his sergeants. After his men had dressed his wounds, Alpe insisted on moving his forward ammunition point to avoid further loss of life and equipment. Only then did he consent to going to a dressing station; and, after he had been taken to hospital, he quickly discharged himself in order to return to his unit. The citation for Alpe's immediate MC declared that "his behaviour was an excellent example to his men, who were considerably shaken, and through his coolness and courage the ammunition point continued to function". Charles Edward Graves MBE (pictured Left) was born in Carshalton Surrey in 1912, he enlisted into 508 Company, 44 Home Counties Divisional Column RASC TA, Croydon in 1936. During World War Two, he was captured at Dunkirk in May 1940. He spent three years in a Prisoner of War Camp in Selesia before being medically re-patriated through Sweden. Re-joining the TA in 1947, Charles was soon appointed Company Sergeant Major of 508 Company. Charles was awarded the MBE in 1962 and remained SSM until the formation of the RCT in 1967. Charles moved to RHQ as RQMS before finally discharging in 1971. He was soon invited back as RHQ Officers Mess Steward carrying out his duties with great efficiency until 1988. He continued to keep close links with the Regiment until his death. Affectionately known as uncle Ted he was held in high regard by all who knew him as an example of the true spirit of the Regiment. POST WAR HISTORY In 1947 the Divisional Column was reformed under the command of Lt Col R.L. Philips, with Column HQ, 508 Company & 509 Company at Croydon, 507 Company at Maidstone and a new 559 Company at Caterham. A new Divisional Flash was introduced. This was a red oval with a white border with the wartime badge of the East Kent’s depicted on it. The Division later became The Home Counties Eastern Command and took on a new flash depicting Dover Castle in a black and green foreground and the white cliffs of Dover superimposed on a scarlet oval. the influx of National Service into the TA in 1951 changed the whole aspect of TA soldiering. This meant that Officers and NCOs could be fully tested under realistic conditions. Exercise EMPEROR SCORDAR took place at St Martins Plain and Pirbright. Unfortunately, the influx changed the spirit of the volunteer ethos and affected retention. Recruiting campaigns increased as a result to help with inflow. Above: SSM Graves & OC 508 Company RASC on Exercise. Above: 559 Company Recruiting at Redhill M 1953 saw the opening of a new chapter in the Columns history when the long-standing link with Popular Walk was severed and Column HQ and 508 Company moved into a palatial new drill hall in Sydenham Road Croydon. The foundation stone of this drill hall had been laid in October 1952 by the then Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, General Sir Robert Haining and for the opening ceremony on January 31 st 1953. The Column now under the command of Lt Col K.S. Mould, was honoured by the presence of Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. In declaring the TA Centre open, the Duke who was Colonel in Chief of the RASC, described the special brand of courage needed by RASC personnel. It is rumoured that buried beneath the stones at the entrance of the drill hall |
| Book number | R0449 |