Page 117 - KRH Regimental Journal 2022

The Regimental Journal of The King’s Royal Hussars 115
Sergeant RC Penfold BEM
10th Royal Hussars (PWO) 1967-1969 The Royal Hussars (PWO) 1969-1989
Bob joined the Army in June 1967 aged 18, completing his basic train- ing at Catterick before joining the 10th Hussars in Munster, Germany. No sooner had he settled into regi- mental life in Germany, it was announced that the 10th and 11th Hussars were to amalgamate in October 1969 and form The Royal Hussars (PWO) based in Tidworth. During his long career Bob served in UK, W Germany, Hong Kong, Berlin, and N Ireland. He was a fine Tp Cpl and Tank commander, and an excellent Gunnery Instructor. He also served several tours on the Regimental Provost
staff, earning his lifelong nickname of ‘PC Penfold’.
In 1982 aged just 33, Bob had his first brush with cancer. Given a 50% chance of survival, he was rushed from Germany to UK for intensive treatment of radiation and chemotherapy. With a huge amount of strength, composure, and sheer determination he fought the disease and 6 months later was declared fit enough to leave hospital and to continue work as an outpatient. He was posted to HHQ in Winchester where he quickly became an inval- uable member of the team; his tact, diplomacy and caring nature was evident in his dealings with Old Comrades who were in need. He never let his considerable personal difficulties interfere with his work, nor did he lose his enthusiasm for life, or his sense of humour.
In 1985 Bob was promoted to Sgt and posted to Portsmouth Army Recruiting Office. As was his way, Bob took the job on with enthusiasm and found he had a knack for recruiting. A skilled and perceptive interviewer, he worked long hours on behalf of his applicants, signing up well over his target quota of recruits. He also spent much of his spare time visiting the TA and Cadet units in his area. In 1989 Bob was instrumental in preventing the escape of two prisoners from a coach taking them to prison; the coach happened to be passing the recruiting office at the time. He restrained one man who had become violent and held him until police arrived.
In 1988 Bob was deservedly awarded the British Empire Medal for his 22 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Army and his Regiment, his unfailing devotion to duty and in many cases beyond. It was the proudest moment of his military career.
After leaving the Army Bob settled in King’s Worthy and ran the Association reunions in Winchester for many years, always will- ing to volunteer help for others. He sadly lost his daughter Tracey to cancer in 2014, aged just 43. In his later years Bob’s cancer returned in his left leg, resulting in long periods of treatment in hospitals. Over a number of years his leg was removed in succes- sive amputations, yet throughout this time Bob’s positivity and optimism was simply incredible; he was the life and soul of every Ward he was on. Eventually the disease had spread too far, and Bob succumbed on 18 February 2022.
Bob leaves behind his son Darren and his wife Beth, and grand- children Anna and James.
Captain AH Trollope-Bellew
The Royal Hussars (PWO) 1972-1978
Anthony’s many friends were shocked to hear of his death in a vehicle accident on his Estate at the age of 69. He was born in Bristol in 1953, and grew up at his family home, Crowcombe Court, in Somerset. From the moment that he could ride, he went out with the Quantock Stag Hounds two days a week, and a further two days a week, with his father’s own pack of beagles, the Crowcombe Beagles. He was educated at Lambrook, where he won several cups for boxing, and at Radley, where he hunted the Radley College Beagles. After Radley he
attended the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, where he whipped in to both the Sandhurst Beagles and the Staff College Drag Hounds.
After Sandhurst, T-B (as he was universally known) joined the Royal Hussars in Sennelager in 1973. He was posted to C Squadron, where he rapidly proved himself to be a competent, charismatic, and popular Troop Leader. He served two tours in Northern Ireland as a Troop Leader. The first, in the Maze prison at Longkesh, when the Regiment was the guard force. During the summer of 1974 there had been increasing agitation within the prison, which exploded into violence and the arson of the prison, on the night of 15 October. The Regiment, heavily rein- forced, took part in the largest operation yet seen in the prison to restore order. During this operation T-B earned a commendation from the General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland for his quick thinking, and action, to prevent the escape of a large num- ber of prisoners. On his return to Sennelager he became Guided Weapons Troop Leader. This was followed by a second Northern Ireland tour, where he led an independent troop, in Caledon, as part of B Squadron. His last appointment at Regimental duty was as Assistant Adjutant. He played Rugby for the Regiment, and was an accomplished polo player, representing the Regiment in both the Captains and Subalterns Team and the Regimental Team.
In 1978 Anthony decided to leave the Army. He went straight to Argentina for a year, to play polo, and then to the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester for a year (the Gin and Tonic course). He subsequently ran the two estates at Crowcombe, and Carew, in Pembrokeshire, in partnership with his Father. He gradually took over the running of both Estates, including the Triscombe shoot, and the Crowcombe shoot.
Hunting was very much in his blood. After leaving the Army, T-B continued as a joint Master of the Crowcombe Beagles with his Father and brother. Subsequently he was Chairman of the Quantock Stag Hounds from 1985 until 1991, and then President from 2015 until his untimely death. In addition, he carried the gun for Walter Perry during the mid 80s. He was also a trustee of the West Somerset Foxhounds for 20 years. He continued to play polo and was a member of the Taunton Vale Polo Club. He was polo manager for about 10 years, having taken over from Fred Withers. He really encouraged the beginners, and it was largely through him, that the seeds were sown, which enabled a small club to produce two 8 goal teams for some years. He played all over the country, and he played for fun. He had a good eye for a horse, and he bought most of his ponies from Ascot sales and made them himself. Two went on to play high goal, and one was bought by Kerry Packer. He gave a lot to polo, and to the Taunton Vale Polo Club.
A true and faithful Hussar.
SP