63/37 Regiment's Royal Artillery

36th Heavy Air Defence Regiment |

63/37 Regiment's Royal Artillery

As 36 and 37 Regiment's were so very closely related in Role, Equipment, Batteries and Personnel,

I have decided to dedicate a page on this Web site to this fine Regiment.

Dedicated to all who served in:

63rd Heavy Anti- Aircraft Regiment

37th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment

37th Guided Weapon Regiment (Anti-Aircraft)

37th Heavy Air Defence Regiment

Syrena

Maid of Warsaw

History of 37th Regiment

Royal Artillery

1900	First formed as 36 Brigade RFA	Comprising of 15 Battery in Meerut, 48 Battery in Barrackpore and 71 Battery in Mooltan, India
1902	15 Battery in Fyzabad, 48 Battery in Lucknow and 71 Battery in Bareilly, India
1904	15 Battery in Waterford, 48 Battery in Fethard and 71 Battery in Clogheen, Ireland
1905	Regiment in Kildare
1908	Regiment in Dundalk
1909	Regiment in Athlone
1911	Regiment in Sheffield
1913	Regiment in Ewshott
1914 - 1918	Service on the Western Front
1919	Regiment in Ireland
Nov 1922	Redesignated 26 Brigade RFA	Comprising of 116, 117, 118 and 141 Battery. Stationed in Jubbulpore, India
June 1924	Retitled 26th Field Brigade Royal Artillery
1929	Regiment in Bulford
1933	Regiment in Larkhill
Feb 1937	Regiment in Bulford
Oct 1938	Became 26th Anti-Tank Regiment	Comprising of 15, 40, 48 and 71 Batteries
1939	Regiment in Malta
Sept 1940	Became 13th Coast Regiment
Feb 1941	Became 17th Defence Regiment
June 1941	Became 26th Defence Regiment
Sept 1943	Became 26th Medium Regiment Home Forces	15 Bty became A Troop 40 Med Bty 48 Bty became 48/71 Med Bty
Nov 1943	Middle East Forces	North Africa
Jan 1944	9th Army	Palestine
Apr 1944	Middle East Forces	North Africa
June 1944	8th Army The Regiment was granted to use of the "Syrena" Badge, which is the badge of 2 Polish Corps. The Regiment fought under Polish Orders at the Battle of Monte Cassion and in the Adriatic Campaign.	Italy
March 1946	Became 26th Field Regiment	15 & 48 Btys restored
1.1.1947	Became 37th Field Regiment	15 & 48 Btys became 10 & 111 Btys
Oct 1948	Retitled 37th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment	Comprising 10, 111 and 171 (The Broken Wheel) Batteries
1951-1953	37 Regiment stationed at Tonfanau Camp, Tywyn, North Wales ?	Anti-Aircraft Command Tonfanau Camp Photo's
1.1.1947 1948	63rd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment Regiment moves to Horseshoe Barracks, Shoeburyness	Comprising of 91Bty (Prev 156 HAA Bty) 194 Bty (Prev 193 HAA Bty) 220 Bty (Prev 256 HAA Bty)
June 1955	Amalgamation of 63 and 37 Regiments 91 Bty to 72 LAA Regt, 194 & 220 Btys into Suspended Animation	Shoeburyness 91 Bty into Suspended Animation in March 1958 72 LAA Regt disbands March 1958
Aug 1955	Retitled 37th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment	Shoeburyness
Sept 1956	The Regiment moves to Malta during the Suez crisis	Troopship Empire Ken St Patricks Barracks
Late 1956	Regiment moves into Tigne Barracks Siliema	10 Battery at Mellieha Bay Camp
1958	10 Battery at Paradise Bay, 111 Battery at Tigne and 171 Battery at Spinola
Sept 1959	Regiment moves to UK and renamed 37th Guided Weapon (AA) Regiment	Blandford, Dorset
Oct 1959	171 Battery placed into Suspended Animation
1960	Regiment moves to Piddlehinton Camp, Dorset	Thunderbird 1
1963	111 Battery in Aden for 6 months	Falaise Camp
18.3.1964	37th Heavy Air Defence Regiment	Llanion Barracks Pembroke Dock
Feb 1967	Regiment at Shoeburyness	Commanding Officer Lt Col J A Gallie
1.4.1968	Amalgamated with 36 Heavy Air Defence Regiment at Shoeburyness
Feb 1969	36 Regiment Dine out Lt Col Gallie	New CO Lt Col A J A Brett

In 1948 63rd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment came to Horseshoe Barracks, Shoeburyness and

remained there under that title until 1955. In August of that year the Regiment was renamed

37th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment. In September 1956 37th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment

moved to Malta during the Suez crisis. A small rear party remained at Shoeburyness.

Please Click this Link to the excellent Britains Small Wars

Web site to find out about the Suez Crisis

Please try out the New

63/37 Regiment Message Forum.

Leave a Message to your old mates

Please click here for more

37 Regiment Pictures

Jack Knight

Jack served with 91 Battery, 63 HAA Regiment. He has sent me this

amusing Monologue he first heard in 1952 at Tonfanau Firing Camp.

Sam's Christmas Pudding

It was Christmas day in the trenches, in Spain in the Peninsular War, and Sam Small was

cleaning his Musket, was a thing never heard of before.

They'd had an inspection that morning, and Sam had got into disgrace, for when 'Sir'

inspected his Musket a Sparrow flew out in his face.

The Sergeant reported the matter to Lt Barrington-Smythe then and there. He said

'How very disgusting, the Duke must be told of this here'.

The Duke was amazed when he heard it, he said 'I'm astonished I am, but I must make

the most drastic example, there'll be no Christmas Pudding for Sam.

Sam was shocked when he heard of his sentance, he stood rooted to the spot, he did'nt

think it was all that serious, he thought he'd only be shot.

So Sam sat cleaning his Musket, polishing barrel and butt, the pudding his Mother had

sent him, lay on the ground in the mud at his foot.

Now the Centre that Sam's lot were holding, was a place called San Baradoz, and the Spaniards

had put up a bastion, and oh what a bastion it was.

They bombarded all Christmas morning, with grapeshot, cannister and ball, but the face

of the bastion defied them, they made no impression at all.

They started again after dinner, pounding as hard as they could, the Duke brought his own

private cannon, but that did'nt do a pennorth of good. The Duke said 'Sam-Sam, lay down that Musket

and help me to lay this gun true', Sam said 'Not blinking likely, you ask favours from them you've

given puddings to'.The Duke looked at Sam in admonishment 'Don't be like that Sam' said he,

Us Generals have got to be ruthless, it hurt me more than thee.

Sam sniffed at the words the Duke uttered, and looked at the Duke's private gun,

'We'll have put in Two charges, we'll never bust bastion with one'.

So Sam tipped the ball from the barrel, he took out the wadding and all, then he filled the barrel

full of powder, stooped down and replaced the ball. Then he took careful aim at the bastion and shouted

'Righto Duke let her fly', the Cannon shot back on her trunions, and blew the bastion sky high.

The Duke he was elated, he jumped up and down with glee, he said 'Sam for this gallant action,

you can warm up your pudding for tea'.Sam looked all around for his pudding, but nowhere could it

be found, the place where he thought he had left it, the Cannon Ball lay on the ground.

Sam saw in a flash what had happended, by an unprecedented mishap, the pudding his

Mother had sent him, had blown Baradoz off the map.

And that's why to this very moment, Artillery Officers were a badge that looks like a grenade,

but it's really a replica, of the Pudding that Sam's mother made.

Check out Jack's New Website about his

National Service Life and Times

For Crown and Country

John (Jock) Bisset

John (Jock) Bisset was stationed with 10 (Assaye) Battery, 37 Regiment in Malta 1956/59.

My thanks to John for sending the following photo's in, if you recognise yourself,

please contact me. John would also like to make contact with any of the following old

comrades from his time with the Regiment.

Lance Barber, Tony Morgan, Jack Ashworth, Alan Thrussell, Bill Baker, Danny Cousins,

Paddy Carroll, Ray Stevenson, Tony Parmentier, Johnny Hilton, John Sweet and Jock Muir.

B-Day Bash

Johnny Hilton & co

John & Pal

Mike Kendrick

Mike Kendrick was stationed with 111 (Dragon) Battery, 37 Regiment in Malta 1958/59.

Here are some photo's of Mike and his pals. Do you recognise anyone?

Mike and Yorkie who?

Happy Group

Mike and Mates

Sgt Winstanley

It's Hot

Jelly Fish

Two Dragon Bty drivers

Ray Jones

Ray Jones served with 111 (Dragon) Battery 1956/58.

Ray was stationed in Tonfanau Camp and in Malta. Here are a few photo's sent

in by Ray's son Steve. If anyone knows Ray please contact me.

Ray Jones

Ray and Mates

In the Barrack Room

Dennis Flaherty

Dennis served with 171 (Broken) Wheel Battery between April 1957

and April 1964. He served in Malta and the UK. He trained as a Signaller and finished

his service as a L/Bdr. If you remember Dennis and would like to make contact,

please contact myself or send Dennis an E-Mail via the E-Mail Contact Page.

Graham Sly

The following photos were sent in by Graham Sly,

ex 37 Guided Weapon Regiment 1960/61.

37 GW Rgt

Thunderbird 1

Graham 1960

Officers tea break

37 Regiment's Thunderbirds on exercise, November 1960

Thanks to George Stacey for the photo.

Walter Smith

My thanks to Walter for the following account of his time in

37 Regt RA March 1958 until September 1963

I joined the Regt in Malta March 1958 and was posted to 10 Assaye Bty which was up the end of the

island now called paradise Bay. There was also 111 Dragon Bty stationed at Tigne and 171

(I think that is the No) stationed at Spinola.

In 1958 10 Bty moved to Tigne Barracks 171 stayed where it was, later 171 was disbanded or at least it

did not return to the UK I think it was disbanded..it is a long time ago…Malta was a very good posting lots

to do and no real problems. A couple of times we had to do IS duties when Dom Mintoff fired up the Maltese

but it was nothing …..silly road blocks that our 6 wheelers and Matadors sent flying.

Some time in 1959 45 Commando decided to go to North Africa on a scheme and as all people in 45

were Commandos they drew from 37 drivers ,cooks ,etc. I went as a driver it was good……. on board

HMS Striker an LCT and away to Omns beach.. Benghazi and Tripoli. I was glad not to be a Commando

as they seem to run everywhere.

At about Sept 1959 we sailed for the UK on the TT Devonshire, Leaving the London Fusiliers as the

Garrison Regt. The Royal Regt of Artillery had been Garrison Regt since time immemorial so it was with

much pomp and ceremony we handed over, there was lots of aggro between the London Fusiliers and

the Commandos as to who were top dogs on the Island we kept out of it. Worth noting here that 37 was sent

to Malta at the time of the Suez crisis code name Magic, it was stamped on all the MFO boxes.

On return to the UK we were at Blandford in Dorset where we handed in our 3.7 HAA guns…we were

going to be GW in the meantime we had nothing in the way of equipment so they doubled the guard and

did a few more things to keep us occupied like running a Cadre course which I went on and became a L/Bdr.

They then mixed us all up and I was posted to 111 Dragon Bty RA at the time I was not pleased but later

came to love this fine old Bty.

In due course we received our Missiles, English Electric Thunderbird with all that goes with them, we

learn to use them………….Then 37 Regt RA goes to Piddlehinton 5 miles from Dorchester Dorset now

we are at home this is our camp we that is I…. live in married quarters at Marabout Barracks (sub standard)

at 18 shillings a week. Cant be bad….Next that happens is some of us are sent all over England and Scotland

with said Missile on a sort of recruiting drive. By now you may have seen that if it was going good or bad I

was there. This is true. We were testing Multi fuel vehicles that is can run on diesel or petrol can you

imagine the POL point fill it with petrol …….IT'S A diesel is it ? oh well fill it with petrol anyway…Panic…

funny but my job in life is the repair of cars etc I have never come across this idea but it did work very well.

Then Some of Dragon Bty me as well of course are sent to the outer Hebrides to support the firing

Regts from Germany both English and American………the range in Benbecula was for Corporal

ground to ground missiles.

Now we move to my last 6 months, 111 Bty was sent to Aden for 6 months terrible place. Our missiles

were set up and every 2 hours their temps were taken…. never less than 85 f and that is in the middle

of the night. There were over 8000 troops in Aden at that time and they all came to see the Thunderbird

Missile. We were stationed with the Royal Scots Greys a tank Regt way out at Falaise camp. The

Commandos ran up to see our missiles everyone else coming by truck…that is a fact. I must add here

that having seen and met these “boot necks” they are without doubt the best soldiers you will ever see.

We later found out that this missile system was to be sold to an Arab state and they wanted to know what

effect the heat would have on them.

I returned to UK Sept 3 and was demobbed 16 Dec 1963

My last address in the Regt…

23533206 Bdr Smith WA

HQ Troop

111 GW BTY RA

37 GW Regt RA

Piddlehinton Camp

Piddlehinton nr Dorchester

Dorset

111 (Dragon) Battery in Aden 1963

Thanks to Walter Smith for this photo.

Press Release Dated 2nd June 1963

Aden: Hot Weather Trials for Thunderbird Missile

In the hot, arid desert near Little Aden, a complete

Thunderbird Rocket unit has been installed with it's full crew and

civilian technicians. During the next months it will be closely observed

to see the effects of intense heat and humidity on the entire unit.

These heat trials are being conducted by one of the first

British Army Artillery Regiments to be trained in the tactical

use of these ground to air missiles. Later, tests will be made

on the soldiers who will work on shifts throughout the day

and night in the Radar cabins.

Tests are being made every two hours to check the effect

the heat-always about 100 degrees F-on the missiles, the electrical

components, and the explosives, three tons of high explosives are being

left in the sun to see how they stand up to the conditions.

The British made Thunderbird is a surface to air missile designed to

help protect fighting troops from high altitude attacking aircraft.

The 4,000lb solid fuelled missile has

a Radar homing system to shoot down aircraft.

Aden 1963: 18 year old Gunner Bernard Currie from

Edinburgh operating the Radar from the BCP.

Aden 1963

Falaise Camp, 1963

John (Bill) Coady

My thanks to John for the following:

Keith, Many thanks for your mail about your future Re-Union, I was reading with interest the part

of the Web site relating to 37 Regt being stationed at St Pats, this is correct, but though a former

member of that Regt as you know I was not aware in those crisis days that brought us to Malta that

part of the Regt was left behind at Shoeburyness, 37 Regt left St Pats after Xmas 1956 and moved

into Tigne after the departure for the UK of your own Regt 36.H.A.A to Shoeburyness I believe!

I for one was quite happy to have stayed there only for an individual named Nasser!

I know this is not appertaining to 36 Regt but since they (37) amalgamated into 36 it is still

a part of the history of the regts, When 37 Regt left Horseshoe Barracks they did so in the early

hours of the morning around 2:30 to 3am if my memory serves me right, on a troop train non-stop

from Shoebury Station to Southampton, where we boarded a very well known Troopship the

Empire Ken which had seen better days at least twenty years before then, as no doubt many

Squaddies will vouch for, she broke down at least twice on the way out there, so much so she had

to call at Oran, for water I believe, we arrived eventually in Grand Harbour in Sept

(the date escapes me now).

Empire Ken

We dis-embarked and proceeded to a place called Qrendi which was

a disused wartime airstrip, the runway was turned into a tented camp into which we moved ,

the tents were already erected as I recall, but we had to draw a Palliasse and fill it with straw,

which was used until we got collapsible Campbeds to sleep on,halve the Regt succumbing to

the old "Maltese Dog" anyway we moved eventually into St Pats but not before we got

flooded out and had to dig drains around each tent, happy days!

A Guards Battalion shared the same Runway as us,which one I dont know. One Battery of

37Regt were at Mellieha Bay Camp, I believe it was Elephant Battery or certainly Assaye,

as Broken Wheel were at Tigne with one of the latter Batts. I left for demob in Jan '58 I'm not

sure when 37Regt returned to the UK , perhaps you could throw some light on this for me.

It only remains for me to stop rambling on and wish you all the best, keep up the good

work on your excellent site.

Kindest Regards,

J. Bill. Coady.

John Bill Coady

I am sad to report the passing of John. He was

a great supporter of this website and sent much information and photos to me. May I extend my sympathy to all members of his family.

R.I.P.

37 HAA Regiment, 111 (Dragon) Battery March Past at Tigne Barracks in 1958.

My thanks to Leslie Pickering for this photo.

Leslie Pickering is trying to find the names of the above Squad members

from 37 HAA Regiment, Malta, Dragon Battery 1958-59.

Leslie is back row left.

Attention! - Stand by your Beds

Charlie (Jock) Stewart


Having a Break, Charlie top right	37 Regiment Football Team in either Malta or Aden? Charlie is Centre back row

Mark Stewart is trying to find out information about his late father Charlie. He served for a

total of 25 years, many in 37 Regiment RA. He played Football for the Regiment and played against

42 Regiment in the RA Cup Final 1964/65 at Barker Barracks, Paderborn. Charlie served as a

National Servicman and in Korea, Aden, Malta, Shoeburyness and Dortmund.

If you do remember him then please contact Mark by E-Mail on the link below.

Find your old Comrades

Appeal

My name is Linda Guest and my father was

23661503 Lance Bombardier Ivan Slater Royal Artillery.

I write to you as i am trying to find (if possible) someone who may remember my father.

He Enlisted into the RA at Leeds and posted to 68 regiment-10-07-58

My father ended up in 37 regiment RA.

Im trying to trace any of my dad mates who served with him,

especially Tom 'taff' Jones.

I know at least one of my dads friends were my god parents.

Dad served from 58'-66' and at one point was based in

Pembroke,Wales where i was born.

I am really trying hard to find his friends and there are

some photos on this site that show dad with 'taff' and others.

Please get in touch if your out there guys.

Details = 23661503 Lance Bombardier Ivan Slater

If you can help Linda with her request, then please contact

her on the Link below.

Malcolm Kell was ACC attached to Dragon Bty, 37 HAA Regt

from Nov 1958 until Demob at Blandford in May 1960. Malcolm

was from Leeds and known as Yorky. If you remember him please

contact him on the link below.

Ken Pegler served at Tonfanau Camp 1951-53, and at Manorbier.

He was Regimental Goalkeeper, then in 1958-59 moved to Hong Kong

on the SS Oxfordshire. Anyone who knew Ken please contact his son

Tony on the link below.

Ian McMurchy served in Malta with 171 Battery between 1957-59.

Ian would like to trace an old pal Alex Kirkpatrick who came

from Paisley in Scotland. If you have any news for Ian please

e-mail him on the link below.

Bdr William (Jock) Cannon served with 37 HAA Regiment in Malta from

1956-58. He was first stationed at Qurendi and then transferred to

Tigne Barracks in 1957. William would like to make contact with any of

his old comrades from that time, especialy George Edge (Birkenhead),

Jock Cherry (Whitecross, Linlithgow) and Paddy Malloy (Crosshouse, Fife).

If you can help William get in touch please e-mail the link below.

22431929 Albert Newell was based at Tonfanau Camp from 1950-1952 during

his National Service. Albert was a member of 171 (The Broken Wheel) Bty,

37 HAA Regt. Albert would like to hear from anyone who may remember him.

Please E-Mail Albert's Stepson Trevor if you would like to make contact with him.

Franklin Mitchell was based at Tonfanau Camp from 1947-1951 with 37 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment. He would like to make contact with his old comrades who he served with from that time. If you remember Franklin please

E-Mail me and I will put you in contact with him.

Ray Gardner served with 37 HAA Regimental Workshops at both

Shoeburyness and in Malta 1955-57. John would like to hear from any

that served at that time. You can contact Ray by going to the E-mail Contact

page and clicking on his name.

Gordon Mills who served with 10 Battery, B Troop from 1957-59.

Would like to make contact with old comrades from that time.

If you remember Gordon or would like to make contact with him,

then please E-mail me for contact infomation.

Michael Clegg served with 10 Battery, 37 Regiment from 1951-53.

Michael is keen to make contact with his old comrades.

If you remember Michael please e-mail me.

Debbie McIvor's late father Neil McIvor (also known as Jock or Mac)

served with 37 Regiment in Malta 1958-59, and also with 36 Regiment

in Dortmund 1966-67. Debbie is trying to obtain any Army photos that

her father might be on. If anyone can help, please e-mail me.

John Lewis who served in 37 HAA Regt at Horseshoe Barracks in

Shoeburyness in 1955/6 and then Malta in 1956/7 would like to get in

touch again with old pals from those days: Michael Webb, believed to have

settled in Southend, Barry Kent and Brian Fisher from Birmingham area,

Roy Turly possibly from Kidderminster, Jim Horton, Ray Fletcher from

the West Midlands. If anyone knows of their whereabouts please contact at:

63 Ashdale Lane, Pembroke, Pembrokeshire SA71 4PF or Tel: 01646 686652.

Bill Moran (Gunner) ex 37 Regiment from 1959-1961 who was stationed at Gravesend and Shoeburyness, would like to hear from any old friends out there.

Please contact me for contact information.

If you are an ex member of

63 HAA or 37 Regiment's,

please send me your photos and

memories and I will publish them here

Keith Holderness 2001-2008