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1st Bn Duke of Edinburgh's Royal
Regiment
(Berkshire and Wiltshire)
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| Farmersboys
on a 'Cruise' |
| REASON
FOR DEPLOYMENT |
| In 1984 the Cold
War was still a factor and as a result the Americans deployed 'CRUISE'
Missiles in the United Kingdom. One of the Missile locations was at the
Greenham Common R.A.F. Airbase, Near Newbury in Berkshire. The American
unit responsible at Greenham was the 501st Tactical Missile Wing. At that
time there was a considerable presence of so called 'Peace women' outside
the base campaigning for the removal of the Cruise Missiles. This Campaign
went on for many years but in 1984/85 it was necessary for the Army to
deploy in support of the Police to ensure that security wasn't breached.
This is where the 'Farmerboys' came in. Stationed in Canterbury preparing
for a tour in Northern Ireland they were shipped to Greenham common
deploying on the 11th November 1984. |
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A Cruise Missile launcher, a
sight that would be familiar to the 'Farmersboys' whilst deployed at
Greenham |
| A 'Farmersboy'
remembers |
| "I remember we had
just finished leave for Northern Ireland when the Company Sgt Major said
that the Company had been invited to go on a cruise, always ready for
anything we didn't expect to be deployed in our own county. To be honest
it was a pain in the neck, but we soon got sorted and into a routine.
Whilst patrolling the wire we met an Ex 'Farmersboy' who had joined the
local 'Old Bill' who was patrolling the outside of the wire. He took great
delight in telling us how much overtime he was getting and what a dry and
comfortable bed felt like. We hatched a plan to kidnap the bugger and spit
roast him but I think he got wind of the cunning plan. Mind you in his
defence he kept us well supplied with a brew. It was interesting but we
were glad to get back to our proper job" |
| An Ex 'Farmersboy'
remembers |
| "I had left the
Battalion some years before and joined the Police. At the time of the Demonstrations
at Greenham I was a Sgt on a Police Support Unit of the Thames Valley
Police. Due to the situation the powers to-be deployed army units inside
the wire to re-inforce the security. I was delighted when the 1st
Battalion D.E.R.R. deployed on the ground with many old faces still
serving who I knew, older but not wiser.
To see the Brandywine and Regimental cap badge
deployed in our own County was a good sight. I came in regular contact
with the lads on the wire patrols and had long financial discussions
relating to overtime payments. After a period of time despite our
friendship I detected they wanted to kill me, the clues being the bulging
eyes, foul oaths and attempts to rip down the fence. I countered this with
gallons of tea and wads from the Police Mobile canteen, this seemed to
calm them down.
I had the opportunity to see a number of units deploy
and I can say with out reservation the 'Old Mob' was as good as any and my
view better than most. The Para's just wanted to kill all the women, the
kill all the Police followed by all the Americans, I also saw the Gloucester's
little knowing they would become part of the Regimental Family in the
years to come. They seemed like a decent bunch once you could stop them
talking about pig farming and the latest techniques for baling
straw....Happy days. |
| Memories
of Greenham |
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| Three
of the Regiments finest discussing the merits of one mug between three |
The
look says it all !! |
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| 10
Platoon 'C' Company, 1st Bn D.E.R.R. Greenhan Common |
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| The
C.O. Lt Col Mackereth disciplines a DERR Soldier for moaning |
A
Watchtower at Greenham with some of the many miles of Barbed wire
constructed by the Battalion |
| Greenham Common
Photo Gallery
Thanks to Paddy 'Sailor' TRAPP |
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| The 'Cold War in the Royal County of Berkshire. |
A View of the Peace camp at
the Main Gate of the Greenham Common Airbase as taken by Paddy from a DERR
3 Ton truck |
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| a General View of Greenham
taken by Paddy |
Similar shot, this time of the
porta cabins used by some of the Battalions more pampered staff. |
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| Another view of the peace
demonstrators outside the gate |
A view of the conditions at
the perimeter fence. 'Another piece of mud to stag on' |
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| Another view of the perimeter
fence clearly showing the Peace protesters 'Bashas' up against the fence |
Another general view of the
area covered by the Battalion |
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| All packed up and ready to
'Foxtrot Oscar' back to Canterbury |
Wait for me, late again, our
last view of the camp |
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| END
OF PHOTO GALLERY |
| Acknowledgments |
| The Web team would like to thank 'Paddy'
TRAPP for sending in the above photos. |
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