Page 107 - The KRH Year of 2023 (CREST Sharing)

for treatment, and then to a rescue centre in Greek Cyprus. All this at their own expense.
Bill Bingham was an NCO and Sergeant Major of an old-fash- ioned kind, but his strictness was relieved by a quiet sense of humour and an ability to tease, gently, both seniors and
juniors. He was firm when he had to be, but also understand- ing and sympathetic when his sense of discipline allowed it. He was greatly supported by his wife Connie, who died in the year before Bill.
JRS
Aden, Sharjah and Kuwait he took up polo. In the final of the Captains and Subalterns competition at Lippespringer in 64 he overreached and parted company from his pony breaking his wrist, in the act of hitting the winning goal.
He commanded C Sqn in 65, A Sqn in 72 (Aldergrove, Northern Ireland) having been away for 6 years in the interim and was second-in-command of the Royal Hussars in 74. He is remem- bered for his ability to get the best out of people. A talented practical trainer of men he was less interested in the intellec- tual aspects of soldiering but nevertheless attended the staff college at Quetta and later, Latimer. His staff tours were as a Staff Captain with HQ Malaya & District/17 Div, and later as a respected member of the Directing Staff of the Australian Staff College. His final posting in 78 was as CO The Royal Yeomanry, with squadrons in several southern English counties. He is remembered by the RY as a determined and forceful CO with a penchant for long speeches. At one Regimental dinner night at a camp in Thetford, the band gave up hope and slipped out of a rear window, so were absent for the RY traditional rendering of The Farmer’s Boy.
This was his last posting and he left in 1979. He and Elizabeth had been married in 1962 so she had accompanied him in all his travels from then on. Malaya was a highlight: private pilot’s licence and gliding for hours over the Himalayan foothills. In the Regiment they were wonderfully welcoming hosts, allow- ing Robert to show off the culinary skills taught him by his Mother.
Elizabeth’s Father taught them to fish in the early 70s and this became a core interest that took them all over the world. They also shared a love of Racing, and as mentioned earlier, bridge. After retirement Robert developed his antique furniture busi- ness which had been a growing interest in his latter years as a soldier. He was good with his hands and became quite an authority. After several years in Rutland including a year as High Sherrif, the dwindling attractions of “humping furniture about” led to a quieter life in Wiltshire.
The Regimental Journal of The King’s Royal Hussars 107
Lieutenant Colonel R N C Bingley
11th​Hussars​(PAO)​1956​–​1969 The​Royal​Hussars​(PWO)​1969​–​1978
As a young officer Robert was determined to make his mark. His bravery in taking on the Army Boxing Champion, his urge to experiment with explo- sive toys newly available to him, and his skill in training his soldiers, all set him apart. He survived his bout with the Army champion by accidentally breaking his opponent’s ankle in a typically muscular contest
(bout void but reputation made) and impressed the burgers of Carlisle by demonstrating demolition charges for the Assault Troop rather too enthusiastically.
Many families in Yorkshire were happy to entertain young officers at weekends, and so it happened that Robert spied an old cannon outside the front door at the home of one his weekend hosts that begged for attention. With thunderflashes as propellent and two of his hosts croquet balls as ammunition, the old piece was returned to its Wellingtonian glory days. The after-action report recorded a barrel dislodged from its mount, shattered cannon balls, a cracked window in the house and a curious host. Such was the tolerance of the Yorkshire gentry that Robert’s only penance was to buy two (expensive) croquet balls form Harrods.
Robert was born in Kent and lived with his mother till, follow- ing his father, joining the 11th Hussars via Charterhouse and Sandhurst in the late 50s. He did not enjoy his school days. His mother taught him good manners, how to cook and how to play poker. The first of these shaped his life. Although he was a noisy officer, at the bridge table, and elsewhere in the Regiment, his sallies were never unkind.
We were used to hearing this forthright language on the radio. So, at the Fire Power Demonstration after the Guidon Presentation in 65 a laggard tank commander was not surprised to be told to move in colourful Bingley style. Unfortunately, Robert had seized, not his radio, but the loudspeaker micro- phone thus sharing his views with all the spectators. The tank commander heard the broadcast too and moved!
He was a talented athlete, strong and skilful: hammer and shot in the field events, but horsemanship too. As a troop leader in
We remember Robert as a friend, ready to help and support, forthright in his views, physically and morally strong with a
staunch commitment to his family and his friends.
RJH-J