I I P RE S E NTAT I0 N OF THE FREEDOM OF THE ro rwa ARMY PHYSICAL TRAINING CORPS 1960 a355 .34 Presentation OF THE FREEDOM OF THE BOROUGH OF ALDERSHOT TO THE ARMY PHYSICAL TRAINING CORPS ~ e,," Saturday, 18th June, 1960 fl{>, \3( 73 PRINTED BY GALE & POLDEN LTD - THE WELLINGTON PRESS * ALDERSHOT Photo: Peter Parkinson The Scroll and Casket THE SCROLL TO BE PRESENTED to the Army Physical Training Corps embodies the resolution passed at a Special Meeting of the Council on 5th January, 1960, admitting the Corps to the Honorary Freedom of the Borough. The Scroll has been written on vellum in red and black and is sealed with the Corporate Seal of the Borough. The Arms of the Borough of Aldershot and the insignia of the Army Physical Training Corps are at the head of the Scroll in full heraldic colours and raised metal. The gilding is of gold leaf. The ribbon used for tying the Scroll when rolled is of the Corps colours. The casket, to be presented to the Corps to hold the Scroll, is made of glass and sterling silver on a wooden base. Two cylinders of hand-drawn glass, made by James Powell and Sons at their Whitefriars works, are held in the centre by a silver sleeve, their ends supported by a silver cradle. The Scroll is held in the glass cylinders, one of which is removable to give access to the Scroll. The sleeve and cradle are engraved with the Arms of the Borough, the insignia of the Corps, and the inscription "Presented by the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Aldershot to the Army Physical Training Corps on the 18th day of June, 1960, when the Freedom of the Borough was conferred upon the Corps in their Centenary Year." The silver parts of the casket were made by C. J. Vander of Hatton Garden, London, and the engraving carried out by G. T. Friend, O.B.E. The Scroll was written by Paul Sharp, R.w.s., A.R.c.A., who also designed the casket. The Mayor of Aldershot with Brigadier C. A. I. Suther, o.R.c., LD.C., Inspertor of Physical Training, 1957-1960, and Brigadier A. E. C. Bredin, D.s.o., M.c., the present Inspector of Physical Training. THE FREEDOM SUB-COMMITTEE THE WORSHIPFUL THE MAYOR OF ALDERSHOT (Councillor G. A. North, J.P.). Councillor North was first elected Mayor of the Borough in May, 1959, and has been Chairman of the Freedom Sub-Committee since its inception. He moved the formal resolution conferring the Freedom of the Borough on the Army Physical Training Corps at the Special Meeting of the Council held on 5th January, 1960. COUNCILLOR S. N. CHRISMAS. Councillor Chrismas was Mayor of the Borough for the year 1958-59 and Deputy Mayor for the year 1959-60. It was during his Mayoralty that the Council first approved the suggestion that the Freedom of the Borough should be conferred on the Army Physical Training Corps during its centenary year. ALDERMAN G. ROBERTS. Alderman Roberts was Chairman of the General Purposes Committee from June, 1957, until May, 1960. He is the longest serving member of the Borough Council, and was Mayor of the Borough from November, 1947, to May, 1950. ALDERMAN F. STAY, O.B.E. Alderman Stay has been Chairman of the Finance Committee since June, 1959, and was Mayor of the Borough from 1952 to 1954, during which time Aldershot celebrated its military centenary. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in June, 1955. Roll of Honorary Freemen of the Borough of Aldershot DATE OF ADMISSION 29th April, 1931 SAMUEL FRIEND 29th April, 1931 NATHANIEL SOLOMON 29th April, 1931 11th September, 1945 26th September, 1945 25th June, 1947 6th July, 1948 25th March, 1955 18th Muy, 1957 CHARLES AUGUSTUS LEES CALVERT THE ROYAL HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT THE CANADIAN ARMY OVERSEAS DAVID LLEWELLYN GRIFFITHS, O.B.E. SIR WINSTON LEONARD SPENCER CHURCHILL, ALFRED HENRY JAMES STROUD, M.B.E., J.P. THE PARACHUTE REGIMENT K.G., O.M., C.H., M.P. .- FIELD-MARSHAL THE VISCOUNT MONTGOMERY OF ALAMEIN, K.G., G.C.B., D.S.O. Colonel Commandant, Army Physical Training Corps 2.45 3.00 3.10 3.15 ORDER OF PROCEEDINGS The Band of the 1st Battalion The Parachute Regiment will march on and play. The Colonel Commandant will answer, "I do, so help me God." Troops of the Army Physical Training Corps will march on to the Recreation Ground and form up in line. The Deputy Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors, led by the Mace-bearer, will enter the Recreation Ground, followed by the Mayor's Chaplain (Rev. T. H. Dart, M.A.) and the Corps Chaplain (Rev. H. G. Tyler, B.A.) and will take their assigned places. The Worshipful the Mayor of Aldershot (Councillor G. A. North, J.P.), preceded by the Mace and accompanied by the Town Clerk (Mr. H. B. Sales, LL.M.) will enter the Recreation Ground escorting the Colonel Commandant of the Army Physical Training Corps (Field-Marshal The Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, K.G., G.c.B., D.s.o.) who will be accompanied by the Corps Adjutant and Aide (Major L. Lambert). The parade will give a ccGeneral Salute." The Mayor and the Colonel Commandant will then review the parade. The Chaplains will say prayers. The Band will play a fanfare. The Mayor will call upon the Town Clerk to read the Scroll embodying the resolution of the Council passed at their Special Meeting on 5th January, 1960. The Mayor will then speak on the admission of the Army Physical Training Corps to the Honorary Freedom of the Borough. The Mayor will then invite the Colonel Commandant to take the customary oath on behalf of the Corps, which will be read by the Town Clerk, as follows: "You shall swear, for your Corps, that they will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth the Second, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Queen, Defender of the Faith, her heirs and successors, Kings and Queens of Great Britain, as free and franchised men of the Borough of Aldershot. They will preserve the peace and tranquillity of the said Borough so far as in them lieth, and if they know of any unlawful conventicles or assemblies against the state thereof, they will forthwith disclose the same to the Mayor of the said Borough for the time being whom they will aid bv their best counsel and advice. and thev will defend the customs and The Mayor will then invite the Colonel Commandant to sign the roll of Honorary Freemen on behalf of the Corps. The Mayor will then congratulate the Colonel Commandant, and on behalf of the Corporation will invite his acceptance of the scroll and the casket designed to contain the scroll. The Colonel Commandant will then return thanks on behalf of the Corps. (Approx.) 3.45 The parade will march past in column of route, the Mayor and the Colonel Commandant taking the salute. 3.50 The Mayor and the Colonel Commandant will review the Old Comrades of the Corps. 4.00 The Army Physical Training Corps will give a Gymnastic Display. 4.10 The parade will form up and advance in review order. 4.14 The parade will give a General Salute. THE NATIONAL ANTHEM 4.15 The Mayor, preceded by the Mace and accompanied by the Colonel Commandant, the Corps Adjutant and the Town Clerk, and followed by the Chaplains, the Deputy Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors, will leave the ground. 4.20 The parade, excluding the display team, will re-form in line. 4.25 The parade will march to Salamanca Barracks by High Street, Victoria Road, Grosvenor privileges of this Borough in every just and lawful cause." Road, Barrack Road and Wellington Avenue with drums beating and bayonets fixed. THE ARMY PHYSICAL TRAINING CORPS ON PARADE Warrant Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers Colonel Commandant FIELD-MARSHAL THE VISCOUNT MONTGOMERY OF ALAMEIN, K.G., G.c.B., D.S.O. No. 1 COMPANY S.M.I. Elliott, T. S.M.I. Blacknell, S. O.M.S.I. Thompson, N. G. Q.M.S.I. Paterson, W. G. Q.M.S.I. Stear, F. R. J. Q.M.S.I. Forbes, A. A. No. 2 COMPANY No. 3 COMPANY Q.M.S.I. Reasor, J. ,S.M.I. Toft, J. S.M.I. Carvell. E. Inspector of Physical Training and Commandant, Army Physical Training Corps BRIGADIER A. E. C. BREDIN, D.s.o., M.C. C.S.M.I. Trainor, C. C.S.M.I. Melville, C. C.S.M.I. Stuart. W. O.M.S.I. Pugsley, W. A. Q.M.S.I. Beedall, W. H. O.M.S.1. Shackleton, E. D. O.M.S.I. Brown, J. A. W. Q.M.S.I. Gurney, L. T. Y C.S.M.I. Freeman, V. K. C.S.M.I. Harrison, R. A. C.S.M.I. Mobbs, R. E. C.S.M.I. Wrenn, G. R. W. C.S.M.I. Thompson, J. C.S.M.I. Gilmour, R. G. C.S.M.I. Bolton, P. A. C.S.M.I. Spoors, A. C.S.M.I. Sankey, F. C.S.M.I. Tidman. T. T. C.S.M.I. Moon, G. L. C.S.M.I. Workman, C. C.S.M.I. Johnson, A. C.S.M.I. Allen, C. H. Chismon, J. K. Wootton, J. Turl, Watson, T. L. H. A. Chatterley, C. J. Fisher, D. C. Beech, J. E. Talkington, G. Farr, R. G. Issitt, R. Meadows, 0. S. E. Azulay, Gelder, G. D. W. D. L. Parker, K. L. C.S.M.I. C.S.M.I. C.S.M.I. C.S.M.I. C.S.M.I. C.S.M.I. C.S.M.I. Army School of Physical Training Commandant Chief Instructor Masters-at-Arms LieutXolonel P. J. A. Lucas, M.C. Major C. F. Grieve Major B. M. Consitt Captain V. S. Hugo Captain C. S. Clarke Captain J. I. McEleny Major R. H. Welsh, M.B.E. Major L. Lambert S.S.I. Godfrey, T. H. S.S.T. Hart. V. I" C.S.M.I. Jamieson, I. S. C.S.M.I. Davis, A. R. C.S.M.I. Sheedy, M. C.S.M.I. Sowden, W. C.S.M.I. Croft, W. J. M. S S.I. Carptmter, R. A. S.S.I. Murch, M. E. S.S.I. Weller, W. K. S.S.I. McWilliams. G. T. C.S.M.I. C.S.M.I. C.S.M.I. C.S.M.I. C.S.M.I. C.S.M.I. S.S.I. Lee, N. S.S.I. Gradley, R. H. S.S.I. Wills, R. S. S.S.I. Dixon, E. W. S.S.I. Pancott, J. S.S.I. O'Neill, A. S.S.I. Upton, A. S.S.I. Gray-Brown, W. S.S.I. Baker, J. S.S.I. Lawler, T. S.S.I. Ross, P. S.S.I. Burdett. L. E. W. Oficer Instructors S.S.I. Tarpley; A. W. S.S.I. Coombs, F. S.S.I. Nash, C. B. S.S.I. Proctor, F. J. S.S.I. Baker. P. M. C.S.M.I. Adjutant Quartermaster S.S.I. Smith, J. S.S.I. Welsh, G. W. S.S.I. Middleditch, R. A. S.S.I. Woollard, W. C. S.S.I. Evans, M. S.S.I. Bridgart, H. F. S.S.I. Jardine, H. S.S.I. Andrews, C. J. S.S.I. Barker, F. C. S.S.I. Hughes, D. S.S.I. Riley, J. F. S.I. Smith, C. F. S.I. Norwood, G. S.I. Rea, L. S.I. Munn, M. S.I. Jones, W. P. S.I. Hodgson, W. S.I. Poole, F. J. S.I. Coveney, R. B. S.I. Stedman, A. B. S.I. Dawson, A. S.I. Ions, J. M. S.I. Hierlehy, P. M. S.T. Foster, D. A. S.I. Hepplewhite, W. S.I. Coombe. T. A. S.I. Murrell, L. T. S.I. Bartlett, P. S.I. Charnock, F. S.I. West, P. F. S.I. Whalley, J. N. S.I. Duxbury, A. S.I. MacGrenor. D. H. On Parade Lieut.-Colonel C. W. V. Hankinson, O.B.E. Major B. J. Baggarley Captain V. S. Hugo Major S. H. Beaumont Major H. W. Harbin Major B. M. Consitt Major (retd.) T. L. Fletcher S.I. S.I. Gardiner, Donnelly, J. R. A. S.I. Barnes, B. A. J. S.I. Williams, R. S.I. Stead, B. S.I. Millar, N. S.I. Dooley, A. E. S.I. Beaty, C. D. S.I. Bullock, B. S.I. Christian, V. S.I. Cole, W. J. S.I. Abram, N. P. S.J. Carr, M. S.J. Williams, K. J. S.I. Morris, G. S.I. Tiltman, R. S.I. Twitchin, D. S.I. Vincent, A. S.I. Lugg, M. J. Oficer Commanding the Parade Second-in-Command Parade Adjutant Company Commanders S.I. Seddon,-P.'O. S.I. Owens, P. T. S.I. Harrison, P. G. S.I. Phillips, J. S.I. Hollina, D. A. S.I. LanglG, G. S. S.I. Martindale, D. J. S.I. Hurn, C. A. S.I. Trenholm, R. W. S.I. Ferguson, W. S.I. Hellicar, T. A. S.I. Wright, E. C. S.I. Mahoney, J. S.I. Kibbey, S. J. S.I. Davis, G. A. P.T.C. Association Parade Regimental Sergeant-Major S.M.I. R. A. Howard S.I. Pope, J. B. S.I. Good, R. W. T. S.I. Williams, J. 0. PROGRAMME OF MUSIC Played by the Band of the 1st Battalion The Parachute Regiment (by permission of LIEUT.-COLONEL J. AWDRY, Oficer Commanding) During Assembly of Spectators "Greensleeves" . Medley of Old Songs "Eton Boating Song" Selection of National Airs . "The Standard of St. George" March On General Salute "Cavalry Brigade" . Review "Figaro" . Fanfare "Hammersley" . March Past "Light of Foot" . The National Anthem A.P.T.C. March "The Great Little Army" . Review "Boys of the Old Brigade" . Advance in Review Order "The British Grenadiers" . General Salute "Cavalry Brigade" . March through Town "Old Comrades" . "National Emblem" "Voice of the Guns" "Officer of the Day" . Traditional . Stoddon Kaps . Traditional Alford Anon Handel , Morgan Latann Alford . Traditional Anon Tieke Bagley Alford Hall PHYSIC .\L TRAINING, 1860. Headquarters Gymnasium, Wellington Lines, Aldershot, A Short History of the ARMY PHYSICAL TRAINING CORPS 1860-1960 In 1860, one hundred years ago, here in Aldershot Major Hammersley, of the 14th Foot, and twelve specially selected N.C.Os. now affectionately referred to as "The Apostles," were assembled together and sent to Oxford University to undergo a six month course of Physical Training. On completion of the course a School of Instruc- tion was set up in Wellington Lines, Aldershot, and taken into use in 1861. It was from these simple beginnings that the Army Physical Training of Physical Training owe their origin. It is an interesting fact that the Wellington Lines Gymnasium, which was visited by H.M. Queen Victoria in 1866, is still in active use today. As a result of the hard work and enthusiasm of these early pioneers, the value of such training became at once apparent, and an order was published in 1862 for a gymnasium to he erected in every garrison, each with its officer and instruc- r and the first gymnasium in the Army was built Corps, as we know it today, and the Army School V tional staff. The building of gymnasia was later extended to include Regimental Depots, until eighty such buildings had been erected. The first regulations as to Physical Training were published in 1865, and Major Hammersley was appointed Inspector of Gymnasia in 1871, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Colonel Hammersley devoted much of his spare time to amateur athletics, and it was due to his energies that the Amateur Athletic Club, now the Amateur Athletic Association, was formed in 1866, with Colonel Hammersley as its first Chairman. In 1876 Major Gildea succeeded Colonel Hammersley as Inspector of Gymnasia. He is specially notable for having helped in founding the Royal Tournament. In 1878 he presented an C`A~~a~lt-at-Arm~'' at the Albert Hall which proved so successful that the following year it was combined with the display given by the Volunteer ,Forces on PHYSICAL TRAIXING, 1960. The Wand-Trtley Gymnasium, Aldershot. I A SHORT HISTORY-contd. Wimbledon Common. Then in 1880, in order to produce an entertain- ment an more ambitious lines, the performance was given at the Agri- cultural Hall in London, where better facilities existed. This developed into the Annual "Mili- tary" and later the "Royal Naval and Military" Tournament. It is significant that the Army Physical Train- ing Corps has continued this association right up to the present day, and this year, 1960, its gym- nastic team, which now has a number Of per- formers Of national and 1956-60" some of international repute, is appearing at the Royal Tournament in a Centenary Com- memoration Display, a preview of which is to be included in the Ceremony of presenting the Freedom of the Borough to the Corps. In July, 1885, official recognition was given to the "Army Gymnastic Staff," the members of which were grouped together in the Army List for the first time as a distinct body under the heading of Schools of Instruction. By 1890 the value of Physical Training was becoming more fully appreciated, and ever-increasing demands for vacancies on courses were being received at Headquarters, still situated in the small, but by now inadequate, Wellington Lines Gymnasium. This led to the erection of the Cranbrook Gymnasium, later renamed the Fox Gymnasium, after the Inspector of that time who was mainly responsible for the move from Wellington Lines to the present site. The rough ground to the north of the gymnasium was cleared to make an athletic ground, now the Aldershot Military Stadium, for which the original turves were grown by Colonel Fox at his home at Frimley Park. The Command Swimming Bath was added during the Inspectorship of Colonel Napier in 1900. It is gratifying to note that Colonel Fox, on his retirement from the Army, was appointed to the Board of Education as H.M. Inspector Schools, and for these and his other many valuable services he was eventually knighted. The work of the Army Gymnastic Staff and the value of its instructions were by this time becoming more generally recognised, and in 1906 H.M. King Edward VI1 marked his appreciation by bestowing the Silver Medal of the Royal Victorian Order on C.S.?l.l. \L. iTCAKI'. ilrc 1311t1~h Individual Gvmnaqtic Champion, Sergeant-Major Instructor Betts at the Head- quarters Gymnasium for his good work in connec- tion with Physical Training. A year later this warrant officer was promoted Lieutenant with the special distinction of Master- at-Arms. This was the first commission granted direct to the Army Gymnastic Staff and the first of its kind in the British Army. This remarkable soldier retired in 1924 with the substantive rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and an enviable number of decorations, among these being the Distinguished Service Order awarded to him during the 1914-18 war. Twenty-three other Masters-at-Arms have since followed in his footsteps, and the establish- ment of the Corps now allows for thirteen such commissions. In the years immediately prior to 1914 much was done to perfect the system of Physical Training. Many visits were paid by officers and instructors to a number of European countries to study the systems in use there, often at their own expense, and in 1908 the Swedish system was adopted, a change which the Army Gymnastic Staff had been advocating for over twenty-five years. Bayonet fighting, the teaching of which was the responsibility of the Army Gymnastic Staff, was completely overhauled and brought more into line with what was expected to be the battle conditions of the future. That they were more correct than the average prognostications with regard to future warfare is borne out by the fact that they were still being used at Hythe in 1931. The excellence of the work carried out by the Army Gymnastic Staff in the pre-war years was seen to bear fruit in the magnificent fitness of the "Contemptible Little Army" of the British Expeditionary Force of 1914. Bayonet fighting became the "sole responsibility of the Army Gymnastic Staff, and the methods worked out before the war were developed and perfected. Schools of Instructions were set up in all the major theatres of war, and instructors were posted S.S.I. R. H. GR4IILE1, cccond in th I3riti.h Iiicii\-i(lual Gyninastic Championships, 1956-59. to front line units, where under the inspired leadership of Major K. B. Campbell, later to become the Inspector of Physical Training, they preached and demonstrated the "spirit of the bayonet." It is recorded that Sergeant Wilcox, who afterwards became an instructor at the P.T. School at St. Pol, killed eighteen of the enemy with the bayonet at the first Battle of Ypres, for which gallant deed he was awarded the Distin- guished Conduct Medal and the Russian Order of St. Nicholas. Of this small force, many were decorated for their services, and thirty-three were killed in action or died of wounds. Between the two world wars much was done to develop and to expand the existing accommodation and training facilities at the School. The Hammersley Hutments were demolished and brick-built barracks erected in their place. "Brown" Gymnasium was added to the School buildings, and the modern-designed Wand-Tetley Gymnasium completed just before the outbreak of war in 1939. Brigadier Wand-Tetley, always a dominant force in Army Physical Training, was appointed Inspector. The strength of the Army Physical Training Staff, the title adopted in 1920, was raised from about 200 to approximately 2,000 to meet the increased commitments of war-time needs, and instructors were, as in the First World War, posted to Field Force units in every major theatre and Schools of Instruction were set up as conditions dictated. "Tough Tactics" teams were organised to operate in the front line, and instructors were posted to new formations such as the Commandos, the Parachute Regiments, and to the Special Air Service. All training was of a purposeful nature designed to fit the troops for battle, and in the process many instructors went into action with the men they had trained. The first casualty of the war was S.I. Campbell, who was killed before Dunkirk. The Army Physical Training Staff was granted Corps status as a combatant unit on 16th September, 1940. b That this distinction was fully justified is borne out by the Roll of Honour, which bears the names of twenty-six officers and instructors who gave their lives in the war. Since 1945 the Corps has continued to serve in all theatres. Fortunately, casualties have been few, two of its members being killed in Palestine and one in Malaya. By the very nature of the service the Corps renders to the Army, its members having to carry out their allotted tasks as individuals or in small groups, it has earned no battle honours; but since its inception as a Corps in 1940 this small but dependable body of men have been decorated or mentioned for their services no fewer than 136 times, many of which have been gained in action, a remarkable achievement for such a small Corps, whose strength today is fewer than 400. In this context it must be recorded that twenty-six Army Physical Training Corps instruc- tors jumped at Arnhem with the Paratroopers they had helped to train. They were all volunteers ; they need not have gone-some never returned. More recently S.M.I. Strong was awarded the British Empire Medal in Korea, where he fought with the "Glosters" throughout the Battle of the Imjin. In more peaceful pursuits the Corps has intro- duced and popularised a number of games and sporting activities into the Army for which it still accepts the sponsorship, such as boxing, swim- ming and life saving, the Modern Pentathlon, athletics, fencing, judo and, more recently, soccer. Many famous sportsmen have also served with $e Corps-World Fly-weight Boxing Champion Jimmy" Wilde, England Soccer Captain "Billy" Wright, and Olympic Miler "Jack" Lovelock (as the School M.0.)-and today the Corps still has its champions-C.S.M.I. Stuart (Gymnastics), C.S.M.I. Norman (Pentathlon), S.S.I. (now Lieut.) Howard (Fencing), and C.S.M.I. Cleaver and S.S.I. Andrews (Athletics), to mention but a few. The Corps is proud of the service it has been privileged to render to the country and to the community at large, and it looks forward with confidence to the next one hundred years. The price of this Programme is 1/-