January 1909

ALL RANKS OF THE Regiment heartily greet their Old Comrades, and wish that, for them, the New Year will be one of uninterrupted success and prosperity.

The good wishes cabled to us, on Christmas Day, by Lady Noreen Bass, and the following Officers, were greatly appreciated, and are gratefully acknowledged:

Colonel Kavanagh Major Sir John Millbanke

Major Wilson Mr. W. Bass

Our Adjutant – Captain Annesley Captain Cadogan

Mr C. Wilson

And by Captains Mitford and Gibbs from the jungle.

THE past quarter has been prolific of events connected with the work and sport of the Regiment, which are described fully in other parts of the Gazette and beyond congratulating the principles of their successes, we need make no further allusion to them.

AT the risk, however, of a charge of inconsistency, an exception is made in the case of the team who went to Lahore to represent the Regiment in the Punjab Polo Tournament, and we must especially complement Colonel Vaughan and his colleagues on their meritorious performance, which resulted in bringing to the Regiment for the third successive year, the Punjab Polo Cup.

No matter how many successive victories in this tournament may be obtained, the Cup cannot be won outright, but is hoped that some permanent testimony of the feats of our team in 1906, 1907 and 1908, may commemorate them hereafter.

It was most unfortunate that Mr. Palmer, after participating in the first round, should have been incapacitated from doing so in the subsequent games. His bad luck was, however, Captain Meade’s opportunity, and the selection of him as a substitute proved to be a sound one. His play elicited the commendations of all.

MR. PALMER re-joined from leave in England on the 4th October.

MR. BROCKLEHURST relieved Mr. Stewart in the command of the Lower Topa Detachment and remained until 13th November when the Detachment re-joined Headquarters; they left Topa on the 2nd, and marched, dismounted, in three stages to Headquarters.

The first portion of the band re-joined from Simla on the 17th October, the remainder on the following day.

They were heartily welcomed by the Regiment after their successful season at that summer resort.

MR. WILSON left us for nine months leave in England, on the 21st October.

MR. NEILSON re-joined from leave in England on the 25th October, and Mr. Parker from the Musketry Class at Changla Galli, on the same day.

CAPTAIN Williams re-joined from England, where he had been undergoing a course at the Cavalry School, on the 7th November.

CAPTAIN Meade re-joined the following day.

MAJOR CRICHTON re-joined from leave in England on the 29th December.

On the 31st October the local motorists were somewhat excited by a road race from Hassan Abdul to the camel lines at West Ridge. There were five entries, including two from the Regiment viz. Captain Rose, and Mr Fielden. They, unfortunately, both encountered bad luck going to the starting point, and had to withdraw from the contest. It was won by Mr. Foy, of the East Surrey Regiment on a 6 h.p. De Dion.

CHRISTMAS DAY was a sunny, genial day, with perfect weather conditions which contributed largely to the cheerfulness which is a feature of the occasion wherever the British Soldier happens to be. Of course the great desire of all is to make it, as far as possible, resemble the Christmas Day at home, and in furtherance of this desire, we decorate out bungalows and rooms with what substitutes the holly and mistletoe, that we can procure.

In spite of the fact that the Regiment only got back to Cantonments on the 20th, the rooms presented a very creditable and attractive appearance, when the Commanding Officer made his customary visit to them. The Band deserve special mention for the successful result of their efforts: their room was greatly admired.

In all the rooms the occupants testified that, although years – and in some cases many years – have elapsed since Officers have left us, the memory of them does not fade, and numerous were the good wishes conveyed to them by name, in mural decorations.

The Colonel was doing battle for the Regiment in the Polo Tournament in Lahore, and Captain Meade, who was in command, made the round of the rooms of the Squadrons, the Sergeants’’ Mess and the Band. He made well chosen addresses to all, and conveyed to them the expressions of satisfaction with the whole of the Regiment felt by Colonel Vaughan since he assumed command, which with the Season’s Greetings, he had thoughtfully conveyed by letter.

The day was passed enjoyably by all.

ON the 26th December we were strengthened by the arrival of our newest additions to the list of Officers –

2nd Lieutenants M. A. De Tuyll and G. E. Gosling. The former posted to “A” Squadron and the latter to “C”.

MR. CHAPLIN left Rawal Pindi on the 29th December for home, to join the next class of Officers at the Cavalry School at Netheravon. His departure will certainly leave a void which will be felt, not only in the Regiment, but also in the Station.

His hounds have, during the past two years, no small part in the cold weather attractions, and his readiness at all times to support all forms of sport, as well as his personal participation in them, has caused him to be ever in great request. We look forward to his return with keenness.

CAPTAIN ROSE, accompanied by Mr. Parker and Mr. Peto, started, with much intrepidity, on the 23rd December, in the car of the former, for Kashmir; after travelling about 120 miles, under most unfavourable conditions, they were effectively stopped from proceeding any further by broken roads and landslips caused by heavy falls of snow. They returned by the Abbotabad Road, arriving at Rawal Pindi on the 30th December.

We have again to record the award of medal for Long Service and Good Conduct to two of our worthy N. C. Officers.

The recipients honoured were S. S. M. R. R. Fownes, and S. S. M. Cox. They are to be heartily congratulated by the attainment of this well-merited distinction, one that marks its wearers as soldiers to be taken as patterns for emulation.

CAPTAIN KEARSEY writes that the gift of poesy, with which he was credited in our last issue, was not due to him, but to a member of the Bucks Yeomanry.

We publish Captain Kearsey’s repudiation, and, recognising the ability of the gallant Yeoman, venture to hope that his Adjutant will persuade him to contribute more of his clever rhyming to the Gazette

MR. BOUCH has been kind enough to send us a stirring description of “A Good Thing Over the Vale” which will be read with pleasure, and anticipations of a time when pleasures of similar good things will be indulged in.

TO DR. FITZGERALD-LEE our thanks are also given for his valuable contribution of an original story based on facts.

OUR old comrade, Mr. Bradshaw has organised and carried to a successful termination a second Grand Cavalry Concert. It was given under the auspices of the various “Old Comrades’ Associations of the Cavalry, of which Mr. Bradshaw was the Chairman.

Another old comrade of the Tenth, Mr. Moseley, also served on the Committee.

It was held in the Soreditch Town Hall on the 26th November. It was attended by the Mayor and an influential gathering of the Municipal Officials of the Borough.

Mr. Bradshaw hopes, as a result of the concert, to hand over a substantial sum to the fund for the Relief of Survivors of Balaklava. This fund, he as an old cavalryman, naturally considers the most laudable object for charity, and we agree with him.

IT MAY interest some who are decided to quit the Army, to be acquainted with the following particulars communicated to the Commanding Officer, by the President of the Immigration League of Australia;-

In view of the dearth of employment in England the Commanding Officer considers that the question of choosing the colony as a scene of civil life is worthy of contemplation.

The President of the League writes:

An able-bodied man who is willing to work can obtain at least 25s. a week, and his keep in the country districts ,on arrival in Australia, and there are many avenues of employment, in which he may earn considerably more.

There is a demand for navvies at 7s. a day, and during the harvest time a man can earn 6s. or 7s. a day, and his keep.

If he will learn shearing, he can make 10s. to 20s. a day, and even more during a season of five or six months; some time is necessarily lost in travelling from one place to another. Men who understand machinery are needed, and skilled artisans, such as carpenters or bricklayers can generally obtain work at from 9s. to 11s. a day, but this class of work cannot be guaranteed.

Those who wish to learn farming can be sent for two or three months to a Government farm near Sydney for free training in elementary agriculture, and any who contemplate taking up land, are recommended to take up this opportunity. They would be taught to milk, plough, look after stock and pigs, and handle an axe.

Married men with families can be assured that work is easily found for both their sons and daughters above the age of 15, the former on a farm, the latter in domestic service, and both will receive good wages.

Information on any other points can be obtained from Hon. Secretary of the League, by writing to the Office, Moore Street, Sydney.

The New South Wales Government gives a bonus of £6 to men coming from India, and taking up farm work.

Owing to the extreme paucity of competitors for the prize offered for the solution of the problem in our last issue, the Commanding Officer regrets that he is compelled to discontinue the competition and to withdraw the watch offered for Problem No. 2

It is gratifying to read in a Sussex Newspaper, of a recent gathering of members of “D” Squadron, of the Sussex Yeomanry, to do honour to an Old Comrade viz. Sergeant-Major Geering. He will be remembered by many now serving as the Squadron Sergeant-Major of the Reserve Squadron during the time the Regiment was in South Africa.

After serving with us for 24 years, he was appointed to the Permanent Staff of the Yeomanry, and became the Sergeant-Major of “D” Squadron, on its formation.

We cannot do better than publish the report of the proceedings as it appeared in the local press.

“An assembly at the Queens Hotel Hastings, on Friday evening, was the occasion of an interesting presentation, Sergeant-Major Geering being made the recipient of a sword upon his completion of 30 years service in His Majesty’s Forces.

“Major F. Freeman-Thomas M. P., made the presentation and said that during the seven years subsequent to the formation of the Squadron, the Sergeant-Major had ably done his duty. The sword bore the following inscription—

Presented by Major F. Freeman-Thomas M. P., and Officers of the “D” Squadron of the Sussex Imperial Yeomanry, to Sergeant-Major Geering, of the Tenth Royal Hussars, as a mark of their esteem, on his completing 30 years in His Majesty’s Service.”

OUR periodical concerts have now assumed such importance that a mention of them in these notes does not give them the prominence they deserve. Particulars of the entertainments during the quarter will be found in the article devoted to the subject.

In connection therewith we must however, mark our sense of the loss to the ranks of our entertainers, caused by the departure of Corporal Durkin.

Whenever the Regimental concerts are spoken of in India, then also, the name of Corporal Durkin will inevitably be associated with them.

We are indebted to him for many a cheery laugh, when the depressing effects of the climate was perhaps causing us to suspect that India was not the most delectable country to choose as a dwelling place.

His songs, and his genial appearance, have many a time helped to banish melancholy and incite mirth, and we acknowledge the debt we owe him for his ever readiness to help pass away the “long, long Indian day or night.”

SLIGHT shocks of earthquake were felt in the station on the night of the 23rd October, and at about 3 a.m. on the following Sunday. Very little damage was done, but the shocks were sufficient to drive many people from their beds, and to revive the old stories of the native telegraph operator, who, on a similar happening, wired to another operator in another place “Earth quack here now, how with you?” and of the lady who, at the Dharmsala earthquake, fled direct from her bath to the open, and was rebuked by her husband for omitting to put on a topee.

THE GOVERNOR’S CUP, won by Marquis, the property of the late captain Davis-Cook, and bequeathed by him to the Regiment, has been received by the President of the Officers’ Mess, and now forms a much valued addition to the Regimental plate.

THE SERGEANTS’ MESS Plate is also enriched by a very handsome Cup, presented to it by Colonel Kavanagh, for competition by the members of the Mess in a Point-to-Point Race.

The Cup is greatly admired, and much speculation is rife as to who will gain the honour of having his name inscribed on it, as the first winner. Colonel Vaughan has announced that the event will take place in March, and by the enthusiasm evinced, very numerous entries may be anticipated.

WE acknowledge with thanks, the receipt of the following contemporaries:-

The Black Horse Gazette, The White Lancers, The Eagle.


OBITUARY

It is with regret that we have to publish, in the Gazette, news, which have come to hand, of the death of the late F. Q. M. Sergeant E. Lewindon, who joined the Regiment on the 10th April, 1878, and was transferred to the Army Service Corps, as F. Q. M. Sergeant, in a Remount Co. In 1891.

He served in the Afghan Campaign in 1878-79, and in the Eastern Soudan in 1884.

He died on the 17th August of last year, leaving a widow and several children, who spent many years with us.

Unfortunately, for a very considerable time before his death his health had been very bad, in fact quite broken down, and his was still another case in which the “Tenth Hussars Aid Fund” was called upon to relieve the burdens imposed by necessity, upon the last days of an Old Comrade.

“D” Squadron mourns the loss of two of their men, who died on the 28th October, and 27th November respectively.

They were No. 5496, Lance Corporal George Hartley, a very good man of 3 years and 8 months service, and a useful young N. C. Officer whose loss will be felt keenly, and

No. 939, Private Edward Edwards, a well conducted young soldier of two years and four months service. He only joined the Regiment last year, but during his brief service had earned the reputation of being a steady and painstaking soldier, and was popular with his comrades.