bigjarofwasps

Tributes paid to British soldiers killed in Iraq By Simon Freeman and agencies Private Lee Ellis (MoD) Tributes were today paid to two British soldiers killed when a roadside bomb destroyed their armoured Land Rovers in southern Iraq. Private Lee Ellis, 23, and Captain Richard Holmes, 28, of the Second Battalion The Parachute Regimen were on a routine patrol in the town of Amarah, when an improvised device planted in an abandoned car exploded as they passed. Private Ellis, of Wythenshawe, Manchester, was described as "bright, enthusiastic and immensely popular". He leaves a fiancee Sarah and a daughter Courtney. Captain Holmes, of Winchester, Hampshire, leaves a wife Kate, who he married shortly before leaving for Iraq in October 2005. A third soldier was wounded and had to be rescued by reinforcements who came under attack from a mob of around 30 locals hurling bricks. He was taken by helicopter to the Shaibah field hospital where his injuries were described as non-life threatening. The deaths of the two men bring the total number of British personnel killed in Operation Telic, the British military campaign in Iraq, to 103. Private Ellis, was described by his commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel James Chiswell, as “an outstanding soldier”. He had been in Iraq since October 2005 with D Company and operated in Maysaan Province as part of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Battle Group. He joined the Army in September 2003 and had served with the regiment since April 2004 after completing his basic training at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick, North Yorkshire. Lieutenant Colonel Chiswell said: “Bright, enthusiastic and immensely popular, Private Ellis displayed all the qualities of a first class Paratrooper. His strength of character and dedication were reflected in his determination to overcome injury and to join his friends and comrades on operations in southern Iraq. “He was a natural team player who always looked out for others and who was always upbeat and focused. Above all else he was a total professional, dedicated to his task. He made a genuine difference in Iraq.” A Ministry of Defence spokesman said that Private Ellis had been a keen sportsman and had given up an apprenticeship with Wigan Athletic Football Club to join the Army. He was also a boxer and had been due to represent his company and battalion on its return to Colchester. The spokesman said: “Private Lee Ellis was not only a comrade but a close friend to many. He will be sorely missed by all those who were privileged to serve with and know him. Our thoughts are with his family and young daughter.” In a poignant final entry on the Friends Reunited website, Private Ellis said that he hoped to make it back from Iraq “in one piece”. The message, posted on the site on January 24, says: “Over in Iraq now and it’s very hot not much to say at the mo.” Relations between the Army and regional leaders in al-Amarah were strained by the release of film taken in 2004 showing members of the First Battalion of The Light Infantry beating local youths. Soldiers have since been targeted by an increasingly sophisticated terrorist campaign using high-tech bombs triggered by infra-red tripwires. Amarah lies on the River Tigris, close to the Iranian border. Video film taken afterwards showed locals hurling rocks at troops arriving on the scene. A blazing vehicle, thought to be that carrying the bomb, and two Land Rovers, one of which was badly damaged, were also visible. Private Lee Ellis

Thanks again Larry. Am I right in thinking that the 503 would have other types of Panzers within it, or would such tanks as the Panther, Jager Panther & Elefant be with other Regiments?

Cheers Laurence, thats great. Many thanks. 14 Kiger Tigers thats a hell of a fighting force!!!! And thats without the Tiger 1`s!!!!!

Am I right in thinking, that the Regiment would break down as follows....... Staff Company ???? Tanks 1st Company 4 Platoons each with 4 King Tigers (16 in Total) 2nd Company 4 Plattons each with 4 Tigers (16 in Total) Ditto 3rd Company

Many thanks Lawrence thats very interesting Have you any idea what the unit symbol was? Other than Tiger 1 & 2 `s did they have any other forms of armour? Did they have their own infantry support or would that come from elsewhere? Any idea, how many tanks in all would have formed the Regiment?

Rick, no idea? But I`ve found this........ The "gnome" emblem used by the 8th Company, was actually known as the "Springender Teufel" (Springing Demon). In Akira Kikuchi's article (AFV News Jan-Apr. 1994 Vol. 29, No.1) he provides some background to this strange emblem. Mr. Will Fey, a veteran of the 8th Tiger company, (and author of Armor Battles of the Waffen-SS) indicated to Mr. Kikuchi that "a tank man of 2.Pz.Regt.Das Reich found a strange metal figure in the streets of Kharkov after the battle in March 1943. He named it Springender Teufel. He was transfered to the Tiger Company, along with the figure, in April at which time the lucky emblem of the Springender Teufel was adopted by the Tiger company. "

SS Gnome, Whats all this about? Did they have King Tigers too?

I was all set to buy a copy of this book, which seemed to hold the key, until I saw the price that is!!!! Don`t even go there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Many thanks Laurence, thats very interesting & a great help. Thanks again. Anything else you come across would also be of great interest.

LAST ROUND : The Red Caps, the Paras and the Battle of Majar (Hardcover) by Mark Nicol http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/029784641...glance&n=283155

It might be of interest to know that a book has been written about this incident. Sorry but I can`t for the life of me remember what its called. I`m sure someone will be able to tell us?

Think this might be the one your after...... Honours and Awards to members of the Armed Forces for service in Northern Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan, the former Yugoslavia, Sierra Leone, The Congo and miscellaneous operations for the period 1 April to 30 September 2003, together with a list of American awards to British Personnel. Conspicuous Gallantry Cross Corporal Shaun Garry JARDINE The King's Own Scottish Borderers Sergeant Gordon ROBERTSON The Parachute Regiment Mention in Despatches Lance Corporal Marcus Damian CLARKE Corps of Royal Engineers Warrant Officer Class 2 Mark Andrew CUNLIFFE Corps of Royal Engineers Corporal John Eric DOLMAN The Parachute Regiment Lieutenant Glen ESPIE The King's Own Scottish Borderers Private David John FRAME The King's Own Scottish Borderers Corporal James Scott HASLAM The King's Own Scottish Borderers Corporal Barry JOLLY Corps of Royal Engineers Lieutenant Ross Alexander KENNEDY The Parachute Regiment Corporal Darren Alan KIMBER The King's Own Scottish Borderers Lance Corporal Philip John LAW Corps of Royal Engineers Lance Corporal Mark Thomas LAWRIE The King's Own Scottish Borderers Bombardier Jamie Daniel McMILLAN Royal Regiment of Artillery Corporal Eammon Thomas MUIRHEAD The King's Own Scottish Borderers Lieutenant Michael Peter PEEL The Queen's Lancashire Regiment Major Andrew Michael PULLAN The King's Regiment Lance Corporal Adrian Peter REDFEARN The Queen's Lancashire Regiment Private Gary Francis Edward SMITH The Lancastrian and Cumbrian Volunteers, Territorial Army Captain Charles Julian Lister SPEERS The Blues and Royals Kingsman Paul Dennis VANDEN The King's Regiment Corporal Craig WEIR The Black Watch

Vicey, is this any use? Armed Forces honours and awards This is a full list of the honours and awards given to Armed Forces members for service in Iraq, Northern Ireland, the former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone and others between 1 April, 2004 and 30 November, 2004. Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) Lieutenant John Robert Pemberton Bailey, of Harrogate, The Black Watch Lieutenant Nicholas Peter Colquhoun, of Warminster, The Black Watch Lance Corporal Andrew John Connor, of Canterbury, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Private Gary Cooper, of Paderborn, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment Private Daniel Shane Crucefix, of Paderborn, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment Private Thomas James Ferguson, of Paderborn, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment Major Martin Alexander French, of St Austell, Scots Guards Corporal Lee Stephen Gidalla, of Paderborn, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment Corporal Simon John Gower, of Andover, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment Sergeant Martin William Gregory, of Aldershot, The Royal Welch Fusiliers Lieutenant William Jeaffreson George Greswell, The Royal Welch Fusiliers Private Gary Andrew Hannah, of Greenock, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Private Joseph Dominic Hartnell, of Paderborn, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment Sergeant Stuart Alexander Henderson, of Canterbury, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Warrant Officer Class 2 Matthew Paul Hibbs of Paderborn, The Royal Regiment of Wales Captain Robin Hicks, of Hadleigh, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment Lieutenant Richard John Holmes, of Warminster, The Black Watch Lance Corporal Christopher Stuart Huxley, of Bulford, The Cheshire Regiment Lance Corporal Paul Avi Jaycock, of Dwyran, The Royal Welch Fusiliers Sergeant Benjamin Llewellyn Kelly, of Leicester, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment Sergeant Andrew Dominic Kuss, of Paderborn, The Light Infantry Private Ben Thomas Ludbrook, of Paderborn, The Light Infantry Sergeant Neil Adrian Brian Mason, of Bulford, Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Sergeant Daniel Mills, of Andover, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment Lieutenant John David McKeirnan, of Salisbury, The Cheshire Regiment Lance Corporal Josese Tunidau Natumeru, of Paderborn, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment Lance Corporal Lisa Marie Newburn, of Chaddesden, Royal Army Medical Corps Lieutenant William James Passmore, of Okehampton, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment Sergeant Andre Paul Joseph Pepper, of Paderborn, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment Lieutenant Benjamin Udo Plenge, of Folkestone, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment Sergeant Jonathan Gregg Plimley, of Aldershot, The Royal Welch Fusiliers Sergeant Peter Poole-Reeves, of Sidmouth, The Rifle Volunteers Territorial Army Major James Christopher Roddis, of Watchfield, The Black Watch Corporal Michael Alexander Ross, of Warminster, The Black Watch Sergeant Andrew Paul Stewart, of Darlington, Corps of Royal Engineers Lieutenant Adam Philip Styler, of Dunstable, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment Lieutenant Matthew Richard Thomas, of Tidworth, The Royal Regiment of Wales Major Simon Christopher Thomsett, of Tidworth, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment Major Charles Gordon Vere-Whiting, of Aldershot, The Royal Welch Fusiliers Staff Sergeant Richard Henry Ward, of Warminster, Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Corporal Anthony Michael Wilson, of Catterick, The Light Infantry Sergeant Douglas Graham Wright, Corps of Royal Engineers

Hi Guys, Can anyone tell me anything about this Division. I`m not very up to speed with my German tank formations. Am I right in thinking that different units had diffent styles of paint designs for their vehicles? I know these are only models, but I`ve been told this is the design for the 503rd, is this true?

I`m not so sure. I think they`ll stick with the OSM, but how long or how many medals they`ll issue before the cost aspect creeps into it is anyones guess? Surely they must have thought that this medal would end up being issued on mass!!!

Cheers Kevin, it appears to be very similar to our Yeomanry/TA Units.

Yes, I concur I think its safe to say he got his BS, for Iraq, as he doesn`t seem to have the OSM. I trying to narrow down the other clasp for his GSM, and can only think of the Air Ops Iraq clasp. Would the RLC/OED be deployed on this I know the RE did?

Many thanks Kevin, that was a very interesting read!!!! I was particularly interested in the 127th, involvement in the various wars. Am I right in thinking that even during these periods, they were made up of volunteers, like British Yeomanry & TA Regiments?

Well I think that confirms the NI clasp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I came across this guy, whilst surfing the net. He appears to have two bars for his General Service Medal, anyone any idea as to what they are? I`m assuming one is Northern Ireland, but the other looks newer any ideas?

Many thanks Kevin, I can see where your coming from. I suppose it also reflects on the CO of the Regiment, it can`t be too bad for him, even if he doesn`t win one, he`ll be the guy whose Regiment got 30 CIB`s for that incident at blah,blah blah. Next thing he`s a full Col, or doesn`t it work like that? Going back to our original topic, given the level of IED attacks in Iraq, surely the CIB will become so common, that it`ll loose its meaning? Become under valued, which I feel would be a shame, NOT, in anyway to under value the intensity of an IED attack, there no fun!!! Does the US army have any counter measures againest them? Don`t answer that one!!!!! I`m looking forward to hearing whether the 2nd Btn of the 127th National Guard, get any awards for their tour in Iraq. Will CIB`s be gazzetted in the same way as other awards?

Hi could the following be the purpl heart site you are thinking of? http://www.purplehearts.net/index.html Yes thats the one, Dave Danner, brought me up to speed, I thought it was about the Bronze Star, but it was in fact the Purple Heart, but it does cover BS`s too, so case closed. That was so frustrating scouring the net, I knew it was there, but didn`t know where to look, anyway all sorted now, cheers guys!!!!

One of Tom's pages on his Purple Heart site discusses engraving styles in general: http://www.purplehearts.net/id8.html Dave quality, thats the one!!!! My memory was a little blurry, I thought it was about the Bronze Star, but no this is the one, many,many thanks, I spent hours last night scouring the net, many many thanks!!!!

Hi Guys, Whilst I was overseas, I was told about and visited a really interesting website, all about collecting Bronze Stars, it had information on the various types of naming, pit falls for the unwary, just about everything you need to know about collecting these medals, but can i find it again Can anyone help?

Cheers E. The internet is a wondeful thing, but don`t you just hate it when you find/ are told about a really cool site, then can`t find it again afterwards. I was informed about a really interesting/helpful site about collecting Bronze Stars, it gave examples of fakes, the different types of naming, just about everything you`d need to know about the medal, but can i find it again