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Frontier Post
The official magazine of the Legion of Frontiersmen of the UK and Commonwealth
Frontier Post
April 2004
Volume 1
Introduction
Dear reader,
2003 has been a year of ups and downs for me, one of the
nicest ups was to be introduced to an organisation I had
never before heard of, that organisation was the Legion of
Frontiersmen. Since joining I have helped with a number
of events (Security at Biggin Hill, Belgium day parade,
and the presentation of the new colours by the Countess
Mountbatten), met a number of interesting people, and
most importantly of all had a lot of fun.
I write a newsletter for the martial arts association that I
belong to, and I was asked if I would like to produce a
newsletter for the Legion, so after 6 months of planning I
would like to welcome you to Frontier Post. We
currently aim to bring out 4 newsletters each year.
I am a person who believes in learning by your mistakes
and also knowing it is important to receive constructive
criticism. I know that there will be better ways to do
things so. So as mentioned above by Lt Col Grant please
feel free to openly air any thoughts you have with this
newsletter. Do you hate something about it or particularly
like something, this is after all your newsletter and we
would welcome any comments, articles, short stories,
letters or other correspondence from you.
Any articles that you send in must be in 2 weeks prior to
each Quarter end to ensure that they are published. All
material can be sent to the newsletter editor at the
following postal address or email address.
Legion-of-frontiersmen@ntlworld.com
For years I have hoped that I may have this privilege, but
there comes a time when you realise that the time for that
has now gone and it is (rightly) down to some smart,
young member who has the correct uniform.
Do we have any volunteers?
Lt Col P Grant
Troop news
Recruiting
To the best of my knowledge, City of London Troop are
making great headway, with many new members joining,
followed closely by Redhill and Liverpool Troops. These
include martial arts practitioners as well as ex-forces and
police personnel.
Well done to Major Paul Wilkie and sergeants Richard
Gillies and Jaimie Lee-Barron.
Where you lead, others will hopefully follow.
Lt Col P Grant
Mounted troop secondment at Cheltenham
During a discussion with members of the Royal
Gloucestershire Hussars following the Warriors Port Cups
Skill at Arms competition (the Legion of Frontiersmen
team unfortunately lost this one), it was learned that the
regiment was planning a race day at Cheltenham the
following spring.
The RGH knew that we had contacts with the Household
Cavalry Mounted Regiment and they wondered if we
could inquire as to the possibility of loaning cavalry
mounts to act as escorts for the runners and riders. This
was agreed and in due course Major Sandy Sanderson of
the Life Guards was approached and agreed to the loan of
two black trooper mounts.
Articles
To fetch a pale of water.
Once upon a time, there was a lovely little village that had
grown up quite close to a river.
Every morning the inhabitants of the village would
patiently make the trek down to the river to get their daily
water supplies.
All of these people had good, strong, reliable containers
with which to gather the water, and carry it back to their
houses. All except one person that is.
This particular individual was always looked on by
everyone as a little strange, a little bit different. Some
people said that he had been a warrior, others that he was
some kind of monk; perhaps he was both of these!
Anyway, this person always used to take an old cracked
bucket to get his water, and (off course) it always leaked.
It leaked so much that he was lucky if he even ended up
with half the water he had started out with by the time he
got home!
Why do you do this? they would ask him, day in and day
out, as he happily slopped along.
One day, when they asked him, he simply turned and
pointed, and they all let out a big sigh of understanding,
right from the river, all the way to this strange persons
doorstep, there was a pathway full of the most beautiful
flowers you could imagine.
There are several morals to this story;
- Just because you pick something up and carry it, does
not mean it belongs to you.
- You must share the good that you have with others.
- Very few of us are worthy enough to actually drink from
the cup, but all of us are able to catch the drips.
- Evan a bad tool can have a good purpose.
Sergeant Jaimie Lee-Baron
The Legion Poem (Kipling)
There's a Legion that never was listed,
That carries no colours or crest,
But split in a thousand detachments,
Is breaking the road for the rest.
Our fathers they left us their blessing,
They taught us and groomed us and crammed,
But we've shaken the Clubs and the Messes,
To go and find out and be damned (Dear boys)
To go and get shot and be damned.
So some of us chivvy the slaver,
7.
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It then became a matter, not only of personal hygiene, but
also of life and death, to have a short haircut and a cleanshaven chin. This rule has never been rescinded and is
still in force today, except in the Royal Navy.
Bedellus
Frontiersmen Management training
or How to avoid a problem
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Shooting challenge
About a year ago, Major Paul Wilkie arranged for a
shooting evening at the City of London Police training
facility and underground ranges.
During the course of the evening, twelve Frontiersmen of
assorted ranks and abilities fired a selection of different
weapons, including a Gloch automatic pistol, a sniperrifle, an under-lever Winchester (ala John Wayne) and
other interesting items. We were also shown around the
facility, including different rooms used for hostage rescue
scenarios and an incredible abseiling wall.
During the shooting, we had a mini-competition with a
few pounds in the kitty and at the end of the night. The
winner took the pot.
Some months later, Major Wilkie again arranged for a
shooting evening for Frontiersmen and once again the
same person achieved top score.
On Monday 8 December, Major Wilkie arranged for the
City of London Beadles Guild to visit this facility and to
have a competition shoot. On this occasion, we also fired a
Baton Round gun (rubber bullets) and used an incredible
laser moving target range which is the biggest play-station
in the world. At the end of the evening, the three top
scorers were also (coincidentally) Frontiersmen.
These three Musketeers now throw out a challenge:.Put
up your best shots and we will take all comers. Is there
anybody out there who dares to take us on?
Each Command to form a team of four shooters, making a
maximum of twelve competitors and we will shoot for a
trophy, to be competed for annually thereafter. The trophy
is to be paid for from entrance money in the initial
competition.
Names on a postage stamp please to: Gene Autry, Figure
11 Lodge, Foresight, Browning-on-Sea, SMG 9MM, or
contact the Editor for further details.
Event commentaries
The Field of Remembrance, Westminster Abbey.
Some weeks prior to the parade, I had ordered three large
crosses with Legion of Frontiersmen badges attached, to
be placed in our plot. These were for the Commonwealth
Command, UK Command and Welch Command and on
arrival at the Field of Remembrance for our first ever
appearance, I had expected to find the Legion of
Frontiersmen plot to be hidden away in some far corner,
unknown and unrecognised, Forgotten, as becomes a
Frontiersman
Imagine my surprise when I discovered that we were in
fact placed front and centre, and standing next to the senior
regiment of the British Army, the Life Guards. I imagine
that they were somewhat surprised, too!
When the tents had been erected I laid my kit out and was
invited over for a beer and introduced to some of the
others. I am afraid I can not remember everyones names
for which I apologise, I do remember being very well
treated and having some wonderful conversations with
both Lt Col Grant and Major Edward Watkins, whose Son
Jonathan (Military Police) I was to meet the following day.
Forthcoming events
June 2004
Biggin Hill Air show
The legion of Frontiersmen is to provide 24-hour
security at the air show.
Normandy Parachute jump
There is an opportunity for a static line jump from a
Dakota, for appropriately qualified personnel, on the
60th anniversary of the D-Day landings, onto some of
the original drop zones, and then to take part in some
of the re-enactments and celebrations. Authentic kit
and parachutes will be used. Anyone interested should
contact the UK Command Adjutant Major FPL
Manson TD for further details.
July 2004
Belgium National Day Parade
Horse Guards parade and Cenotaph, London
Belgian war memorial
Brookwood Military Cemetery
November 2004
AMICALE Service of Remembrance
Kensal Green Cemetery, North London
Executive Council Meeting
Agenda Items should be sent to Command HQ in
writing. South London
RELAIS SACRE Service of Remembrance
Westminster Abby and Belgian Embassy
Remembrance day parade
The Cenotaph, London
My final duty of the day was patrol the same area I had
patrolled Saturday but this time with Lt Col Grant and a
lady trooper from Selsey. This was quite a relaxed time
with the only bit of excitement happening when it came
over the radio that a little girl had gone missing
(fortunately to be found a short while later). Once finished
we headed back to camp, just as we arrived a call came
over the radio, apparently a group of youths had been
drinking in the beer tent and were now causing trouble. 12
December 2004
Legion Annual dinner
For Sale
Officers Service Dress cap, slightly worn but in good
condition one Size 7 and one 7 - 20.00 each
Legal Officer
Major Simon Mumford
Records Officer
Major Edward Watkins
Historian
Capt Geoff Pocock
Important Contacts
General enquires can be made to:
Legion of Frontiersmen,
PO Box 272, Aldershot, Hants GU12 5YU
Patron
Countess Mountbatten of Burma
Commandant General
General Ronald J Potter
Senior Deputy Commandant General
Richard Sturrock
UK Command Adjutant
Major Finian Manson
CO UK Command
Quiz answers
Crossword answer
Knightsbridge University
Denmark
International Conference on
Intelligence, Security and Terrorism Studies:
e.desilva@iuser.org
jelebuk@yahoo.co.uk
International Institute for Specialised Education and Research (IISER) 69 Piccadilly Manchester M1 2BS
Registered in England 03909302