Page 19 - Chiron Calling Autumn/Winter 2022

again there appears to be absolutely no historical whatsoever evidence to support this claim. The tradition of winding up stems from the age-old rivalry between the two-sister corps (RE and RA) founded under the Board of Ordnance when the RE and RA trained together in Woolwich. The following text is taken from WW2 Talk forum.
The battle so often referred to
in the “lanyard – cowardice” story would appear to be Colenso, which took place in December 1899, where the 14th and 66th Field Batteries RA were in support. The battle of Colenso is a story in itself and too long and involved to be recounted here, however in short, the Gunners deployed too close to the Boers’ forward trenches and came under heavy murderous fire. Many of
the Gunners were killed, others badly wounded, and yet the guns continued to be served, one of them up until the last of the detachment were killed.
Numerous attempts were made to rescue the guns, including troops of both the Devonshire Regiment and the Scots Fusiliers, but they were stopped by the Boers’ heavy fire. Finally, a mixed band of volunteers, which included a number of Gunners, made good. On horseback they stormed the gun position, and at great cost of life, they limbered up what guns they could and made for safety. General Sir Redvers Buller, the British commander in the battle, then gave the order that no more attempts were to be made to recover the remaining guns; however,
none of these were to fall into Boer hands.......6
Readers who have other evidence regarding the origins of the lanyard please do not hesitate to kindly provide to the editor. Thank you.
6 WW2 Talk Forum http://ww2talk. com/index.php?threads/r-a-white-
lanyards.18170/
NASEBY Battlefield Tour
by Sgt S Williams, Sgt R Millican & LCpl C Field
Military and Civil Service staff from all of DATR’s Squadrons, attended a Naseby Battlefield Tour, both on foot and mounted on Military Working Horses:
“On arrival at Naseby’s Prince Rupert Farm, we were greeted by two Naseby Battlefield Tour experts on horses. We unloaded our DATR horses and tacked them up.
We instantly noticed that the modern tack that we used on our horses was notably different to the traditional tack fitted to the Naseby horses. We set off and transited through a farm area with plenty of obstacles and excitable horses, before making it up to a ridge where Royalist Cavalry were positioned back in 1645.
We could appreciate the view and the terrain of the ‘battlefield’ ahead. With our horses and riders lined up knee to knee, you could understand how powerful the Cavalry charges would have been”. After this humbling experience, we crossed over to the Parliamentarian Force’s side, to the location where Oliver Cromwell’s Cavalry were positioned. We also had a demonstration of the pistols used during the battle and Sgt Andy Miles even had a chance to fire a traditional rifle.
The DATR personnel attending on foot had a bespoke tour which focused on the movement of Infantry Forces during the battle. Key aspects of the battle were drawn-out and this highlighted aspects of past warfare, that are still well utilised today. Most notably, the need for reliable battlefield recce and how this can
impact on a battle’s success.
The tour was really brought
to life, by our tour guides using replica equipment and firearms, that would have been used in 1645. This helped set the scene, as they explained the battle that took place and the command structure used by both the Royalist and Parliamentary Forces.
The tour came to a close with food and refreshments served to us. Overall, it was an interesting tour and great day out!”
Chiron Calling / 17