| The distinction of being
the first troops to set foot in British Honduras for the first time in 150
years was claimed by the
Gloucestershire Regiment. Two companies of the 1st Battalion were sent to
the colony early in 1949 under the command of the C.O., and later by Major
The Lord Seymore (The Wiltshire Regiment) when neighboring Guatemala, which had long
coveted the British Territory, threatened to invade it. The Gloster's
association with the colony was later marked by an official alliance
between the Regiment and the British Honduras Volunteer Guard, a local
force about 200 strong.
There have been citizen forces in the colony which is
about the size of Wales, since the earliest days of its settlement. They
defeated and drove out invading Spaniards in 1754 and provided the main
striking force which routed a massive sea - borne assault by the Spanish in 1798. In 1817 the Prince Regent
conferred on the local Militia the title
of 'The Prince Regents Royal Honduras Militia'
Despite Spanish and Guatemalan claims British Honduras
has been in British possession since the early Europeans settled there
nearly 300 years ago. Called Baymen, they made a hard living by cutting
and selling logwood and were given intermittent support from Jamaica against Spain which eventually
recognized the colony in the Treaty of
Paris, 1763. Timber - Mainly Mahogany and Pine, is still one of the colony's
principle exports, others being citrus fruits and sugar.
Belize built on low - lying reclaimed land, is bisected
by the river on which it stands. The first settlers there were
shipwrecked British Sailors who arrived in 1638, long after the natives,
the ancient, but culturally advanced Maya Indians, had left the area. The
settlers were joined by a Scots Corsair called Wallace or Willis, and name
which is believed to have degenerated, through the years of Spanish and
British pronunciation, into Belize.
Barracks were built in the North side area of Belize at
the end of the 18th Century to house troops sent to defend the colony
against invasion, and for a long period in the following century were
occupied by detachments of the West India Regiment. The buildings were
later used as houses, clubs and as a hospital until destroyed in the 1931
hurricane.
On the extreme east of North side stood Fort George, an
old defence work on a small island cut of at high tide by shallow tidal
water. Ninety years ago this depression was filled in and a part of it is
now a memorial for the men of British Honduras who died in the two world
wars.
The name 'Honduras', a Spanish word meaning depths, was
given to this part of central America by Columbus. On his forth and last
voyage in 1502 he ran into 40 days of gales, storms, and deep sea currants.
His sailors threatened mutiny and his ships were leaking when Columbus reached quite waters, in what is now the
neighbouring Republic of
Honduras, and with a sigh of relief uttered "Gracias a Dios que
estemos fuera de osas Honduras" (Thank god we are out of those
depths)
The 1st Bn Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment made its acquaintance
with this 'Jewel in the heart of the Caribbean basin' in Company battle
groups whilst stationed in Catterick, arriving in a country that Columbus
would have been familiar with. They were based at Airport camp, not far
from Belize City, with platoon detachments operating throughout the
country, either patrolling, training or carrying out 'Hearts and minds
exercises. 'Selected' soldiers went to Panama on Jungle training courses
from all three Companies, but most of the dangers came from the local brew
'Swampie' or the local woman.
A familiar sight to 'Farmersboys' of the late 60s What follows are a number of images as a reminder of
that time, which on reflection was the last few setting rays of the
Empire. (Most of the images are of 'C' Company, any from 'B' and 'A'
Companies would be welcome) |
