These pages have the past news
of the Royal Pioneer Corps Association and its work.
News
stories will be kept and archived and will be available
to read from here.
Hot off the press is our latest newsletter... the printed newsletter should be dropping through your letterboxes anyday now, for which I have enclosed some Christmas Draw tickets - please give the draw your fullest support as this is now the main source of income for the
Association.
Please keep your letters coming in and I hope you enjoy reading the many great stories inside this excellent issue !
Also in this Newsletter are details of the 23 Pnr Regt Medal Parade and March through Bicester on 28 November 2009.. all members of the Association have been invited to spectate at these events and I hope to see you there.
• News section with details of past and future events
• Final part of George Pringles story
• Falklands - After the Battle with photos published here for the first time
• Lancastria Fatality
• Pioneers on D-Day
• My service with 120 Company
• Life and death of Horsley Hall
• Dieppe Memories
• Blast from the Past
• Massive Photo gallery
• Your letters
• Book reviews
• Last post / Obituaries
• Lost trails
The events calendar has been updated. Listed here are items such as Past and Present Officers Dinners, WO's and SNCO's Dinner nights, Field of Remembrance, 39/93 Club, Christmas Parties and the usual Pioneer Reunion Weekend.
Facebook is an extremely powerful site to communicate with one another, to post photos and videos etc. The Association is now on facebook, feel free to join, just click on the link above...
An interesting article above written in memory of his father who served in the Pioneer Corps during World War 2.
Feb 15th 2009
2008
Remembrance Day - Sunday November 9th 2008
This coming Sunday sees us marching at the Cenotaph Parade in Whitehall, London. Last year 4,000 service veterans marched at the Cenotaph Parade. If you are not marching next weekend than keep a listen out on BBC1 to so see if the Pioneers get a mention....
They went with songs to the battle, they were young. Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow. They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted, They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.
"Death of Ilfracombe Pioneer Corps man was translator at Nuremburg trials"
ONE of the few surviving members of a Second World War "refugee corps", which had bases in North Devon, has died in the USA. An obituary has appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer for Roger Bryan, 87, a German-born translator for the prosecution at the Nuremberg war-crime trials who moved to the USA after the war.
Born Roger Britzmann in 1921 in Berlin, the son of a doctor, he studied photography. Weeks before war broke out he fled to England where he was interned as a prisoner-of-war.
In 1940 he and 2,500 other Jews and refugees were shipped to Australia on the floating concentration camp, the Dunera. He was in a prisoner-of-war camp for several months before being returned to England.
Mr Bryan wrote in a memoir that the British Army allowed him to volunteer in 1941 for the Pioneer Corps in Ilfracombe. The Pioneer Corps was made up mostly of refugees and former prisoners on the Dunera. He was then stationed in Glasgow, where he met Lore Konigshofer and they married in 1943.
In 1946, Mr Bryan was sent to the former concentration camp at Neuengamme, near Hamburg, to interrogate and document Nazi officials and soldiers. Later that year, he worked as a translator at the Nuremberg trials.
He wrote in his memoir: "I translated German terms and phrases for British prosecutors in the courtroom. To see the whole rogues' gallery of defendants, not more than 20 feet in front of me, was overwhelming. Göering, with a derisive grin most of the time, Streicher, Rudolf Hess and other Nazi criminals. Hess was either a great actor or mentally disturbed."
A few months later, Mr Bryan supervised the British Film and Documentation Unit, run by the RAF.
He said: "We had samples of tattooed human skin that had been made into lamp shades and gloves. Even more devastating was the collection of photographs taken by German soldiers. The most haunting one showed a trench the prisoners had dug before being shot at the edge of it. One of the victims looked like my mother. I had trouble sleeping for nights."
In 1954, the family moved to Philadelphia, where Mr Bryan worked as a salesman and founded a sewing thread firm. He is survived by his wife, daughter and three grandchildren.
"The day nerves crept up on our brave Victoria Cross and George Cross heroes" by Robert Hardman...
The most exalted and exclusive club in the world does not meet very often - just once every two years in fact. And when it does, everyone tries to be there, particularly when there is a new member to be welcomed into its dwindling ranks. Accompanied by their patron, the Prince of Wales, and the Duchess of Cornwall, the members of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association gathered in London yesterday to remember, to give thanks - and, above all, to enjoy each other's company.
These are, self-evidently, the boldest of the bold, but even they are not immune to nerves. 'Sure, I'm a bit nervous about meeting all these amazing people but I'm looking forward to it,' said Corporal Willie Apiata VC. A member of New Zealand's SAS, he received his medal in New Zealand last year following his jaw-dropping heroics during an Afghan ambush where he ran 70 yards through enemy fire carrying a badly-wounded comrade to safety. He is the first New Zealander to be awarded the VC since the Second World War.
While yesterday was an exciting experience for Corporal Apiata, the members of the VC and GC Association were equally pleased to see him since their numbers having been dropping with every reunion. At their last reunion, there were 12 living holders of the VC and 24 holders of the GC, all scattered around the world. Now those numbers have fallen to ten and 21 respectively (there are also two collective holders of the GC - Malta and the Royal Ulster Constabulary).
Yesterday, seven of the former and 19 of the latter managed to make it on parade at the association's spiritual home, the church of St Martin-in-the-Fields on Trafalgar Square. 'It's good to have a new boy so he can take some of the pressure off me,' joked Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry, 29, as he arrived with Coradmits-Apiata.
Lance Corporal Beharry had fame thrust upon him after winning his VC during two murderous attacks in Iraq in 2004. Despite all the attention, he remains a modest serving soldier undergoing medical treatment for his wounds. Corporal Apiata that he, too, had his worries about the publicity which goes with the mantle of VC.
'I serve in an SAS unit where we always stay undercover so I was worried about the effect of being "outed",' he said. 'But my commanding officer told me that publicity was inevitable and that you don't turn down a VC. Anyway, it doesn't affect what I do. No one knows where I am going next and, anyway, you wouldn't recognise me in my boogie mask [balaclava].' I don't think I'd want to.
So, what does he recall of that firefight in 2004? After all, his citation says that it was 'scarcely possible' for him to have saved his fellow- soldier the way he did. He shrugs and says simply: 'You look after your friends. I just thought, "Hell, my bro needs help" and I did what I did with the rest of the boys. It takes a team to get yourself out of the s***.'
Among the guests at yesterday's service were 850 relatives and descendants of all those who have received the VC and GC over the years. The Victoria Cross is awarded 'for valour' in the face of the enemy while the George Cross is for exceptional gallantry in any situation. To pick anyone at random yesterday was to be humbled by a story of epic courage.
Tony Scully, 69, had flown from Australia to attend the service in memory of his late father, Corporal James Scully GC of the Pioneer Corps. He saved several lives during the Liverpool Blitz by spending an entire night propping up a bombed-out house with his back, nearly suffocating in the process.
In the next pew, I found Kit Stephenson, 25, who had come to remember his great-grandfather, William Congreve, who won a posthumous VC at the Somme, and his great-great-grandfather, Walter Congreve, who won a VC in the Boer War. 'It's the least I could do to be here,' he explained, 'and it's a nice way to nod the head and say "Thanks".'
Despite their eminence, the members of the association are a modest lot. Yesterday, I noticed that the able-bodied VCs and GCs were serving as ushers.
Iraq hero Corporal Chris Finney GC and Australian Vietnam veteran Keith Payne VC were so busy seating everyone else that they nearly ended up without places themselves and were forced to squeeze into the back of a packed church. The congregation heard Major Peter Norton GC - horribly wounded in 2005 while on bomb disposal duty in Iraq - deliver the immortal epitaph: 'They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old . . . '
Among those reading lessons was a face very familiar to the Prince of Wales. Jim Beaton GC, chairman of the association, is a former royal protection officer who was honoured after being shot twice while thwarting a 1974 kidnap attempt on Princess Anne.
With the service over, the members of the club climbed back on their bus to continue three days of social events and low-key excursions. Next up, however, was a particularly memorable event. Having succeeded the late Queen Mother as patron, the Prince of Wales has always been extremely proud of the association. So, yesterday, he invited the whole lot back to St James's Palace for tea.
Another interesting link I found...the BBC asked the public to contribute their memories of WWII to a website - the archive contains 47,000 stories and 15,000 images. Here is a link from this archive entitled "A Dad in the Pioneer Corps - A Tale of 2 Sons" by Tracey Farrell
Here is a interesting link I found...the BBC asked the public to contribute their memories of WWII to a website - the archive contains 47,000 stories and 15,000 images. Here is a link from this archive entitled "My Life in the Royal Pioneer Corps" by Bernard Elliott.
Have added a small programme of the rebadging parade from 13th February 1985. Did you know that the original badge was not designed for the Pioneer Corps but was approved in 1918 for the Labour Corps which was formed in 1917 and disbanded in 1919. A proposal to change the badge (also known as the Blackpool Tower) of the Corps to reflect its changing role received the concurrence of the Colonel-in-Chief, His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester, who made a major contribution to the design. Following consultation with, and the agreement of, Garter King of Arms the design of the new badge was submitted to, and approved by, Her Majesty The Queen in March 1984.
The description is:- Two Pioneer axes crossed in saltire beneath their heads and surmounted of a Pioneer Sword and a laurel wreath below the same scroll inscribed Royal Pioneers and the whole ensigned by a Royal Crown all argent. By removing the pick and shovel of the badge the outdated image of labouring is eradicated; instead, the inclusion of the axes and sword is both traditional and symbolic of the skills required by members of the Corps in discharging their military role.
We now have fob watch's for sale in the shop. They are really nice and have the old pioneer badge on the case. We hope to get the watch's with the new badge shortly.
Every newsletter that I have produced since being controller of the association is now online! If you are not a member of the Association you can see what you are missing out on!
Everything from Pioneer D-Day stories, Pioneers on Anzio, Acts of Bravery during WWII by Pioneers, Monte Cassino, Pioneers in the Blitz, Pioneers at Salerno to the present day Association Reunions and 23 Pioneer Regiment... and much, much more !
The events calendar has been updated. Listed here are items such as Past and Present Officers Dinners, WO's and SNCO's Dinner nights, Field of Remembrance, 39/93 Club, Christmas Parties and the usual Pioneer Reunion Weekend.
The Royal Pioneer Corps Association forums have now been updated. There are various categories and these forums have helped to reunite many long lost pioneers.
Over 21,000 have joined the RPCA since its formation. Unfortunately only around 2,500 are currently on the Active list. When you make contact with ex Corps members or ex RLC Pioneers ask if they receive the newsletters - tell them it is FREE! If they do not please send me their address. If you would like to join the RPCA, drop me an email and I will send you details on how to join.
Aug 20th 2008
Site Update
This site is currently undergoing various updates. Various additions and amendments will be taking place over the coming months...
Aug 18th 2008
Site Update
This site is currently undergoing various updates. Various additions and amendments will be taking place over the coming months...
Following
the activities of 23 Pioneer Regiment in Iraq...
To the friends and families of
the 23 Pioneer Regiment and all the coalition troops,
our thoughts and prayers are with you and and we wish
them a speedy return home.
April
12th
April 2002
A glimpse of things to come...
We have many exciting
items to add to the site in the near future.
Some of these are a shop, where you can buy anything from
ties and shields to books etc. Also there is a vast archive
of pictures that will be going online - I have lost count
at how many now ! - but at least 1 thousand pictures !
Then we have electronic versions of some books that will be
available shortly. As you can see a lot to go online, so please
be patient.
We also have had a CD's made up of every single page of every
single Corps magazine and this will be made available shortly.
The history section will get very big next year !
If anyone has emailed us about research
into relatives etc,
we haven't forgotten you, its just that these things take
time.
We have had over 11,000 unique hits to the site so far
and over 45,000 hits on the forums !
Merry Christmas and Happy New-Year
from everyone at The Pioneer
All the known
up to minute details of future
events etc are now online in the events section !
February
1st
December 2001
new
link - 168 Pioneer Regiment, RLC
168 Pioneer Regiment
is tasked with providing Specialist Logistic Pioneer Support
primarily to the British Army - a role that calls for this
huge variety of skills and abilities. All this, as well as
being trained soldiers. In any military operation, the British
Army requires skilled personnel to carry out these vital jobs.
This task is Specialist Logistic Pioneer Support.
This link became invalid hence link is not a link anymore [August 2008]
December
29th
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !
I would like to take this opportunity
to thank everyone who has emailed me and used the forums.
The website has been online for around 7 months and we have
had thousands and thousands of people visit it. We have many
new items, stories, past events etc to go online next year.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New-Year ! All the best,
Norman Brown
Here is a great book to read over the
Christmas and New Year peiod.
It is the true story of Gerry 'Cloggy' Compton, a boy soldier
in 1942 and who retired as 521 Royal Pioneer Corps CSM in
1969. Gerry has led a life packed with more experiences than
most people would dare to imagine for themselves and this
book is a definite must have read !
I don't often get the chance to read
two good books back to back but here is another great book
to read over the holidays ! It is a
very funny account of a private soldier's soldiering.
December
13th
website update & tidyup before 2002
Have updated the website - first update
since September time.
Main items that have been changed are :-
» cosmetic makeover of majority of site
»missing buddies
section updated with new people added »forum
changes to layout etc »downloads
section updated » new books in history
section » new pictures in humour
section » new links added
and updated » new sitemap » over 200 new pictures of Pioneers scanned
in ! (online soon)
December
13th
September 2001
in memory
In memory of all who have perished
in America this week; the passengers and pilots on the United
and AA flights, the workers in the World Trade Centre and
the Pentagon, emergency personnel and all the innocent bystanders.
Our prayers go out to the friends and family of the deceased.
September 13th
Only the second newsletter to go online
and quite a big one at that.
Details on ladies dinner night, quiz, book worth reading,
mr ron harrop, minutes of last AGM, history bit and list of
members. September 2nd
The missing buddies page is now updated.
We will soon have access to a database of people in the UK
and will be available to Pioneers and ex-Pioneers to use for
a fee of a fiver - only to be paid if we are successful in
finding your buddy. August 22nd
Photo gallery is now updated with some
pictures of 23 Pioneer Regiment in action. August 22nd
editor's note
I have been getting quite a lot of requests for searches -
our historian is currently on exercise for a few months and
we will get round to them when he is back.
Have updated the forums to give details on how to go about
posting messages and obtaining passwords etc. August 21st
The first newsletter to go online and
hot off the press !
A small newsletter with an obituary
to
Ron Harrop and details of the Summer Ball etc. July 9th
Details and exploits of the 23 Pioneer
Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps are now online.
There is an interesting article on life as a UK Army 'Professional
Slaughterman'. June 15th
Just a quick reminder that when you
post into the forums you need a password for the RPC members
forum and the 23 Pioneer Regiment Forum.. All the other forums
you just need to enter a username (anything you want), and
don't enter anything for the password. When you are there
please sign the guestbook. June 12th
54 years ago today since D-Day.
Have you ever heard about Compound 219 ? June 6th
website launched
RoyalPioneerCorps.co.uk website is
finally launched ! - hope you like it.
If anyone has any articles, pictures, stories etc that they
would like to see added to this site then please get in touch.
This website will be updated on a regular basis. You can tell
when it was last updated by looking at this news page. This
site is best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer 5x.
There are 180 magazines in total dating
from 1943 to 1993.
The most prestigious occasions of the Corps will be put online
in full.
Also the war history of the Royal Pioneer Corps from 1939-1945
by
Major E. H. Rhodes-Wood will also be available for download
in electronic form to read.
This project will not be ready though for some time. June 6th
February / March / April / May
website
under construction
Work is now underway on The Royal Pioneer
Corps website and hopefully will launch sometime in May/June. February / March / April / May
A glimpse of things to come...
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !
Merry Christmas and a Happy New-Year ! 
