BAHAMAS 1960
In 1960 the Royal Hampshire Regiment was serving in the Caribbean and was under strength. ‘B’ Company under the command of Major Blascheck was dispatched to Nassau in the Bahamas in June to re-enforce them.
They were based at Oakes Field, Nassau. The Company took their families with them for this deployment but the removal of ‘B’ Company meant that the remainder of the battalion were no longer part of the Strategic Reserve.
During this tour the Company was called upon to assist in the relief operation mounted to cope with the trail of disaster left in the wake of Hurricane ‘Donna’.
Four relief parties were mobilised and went to the islands of Ragged, Crooked and Acklins Islands. Their job was to asses the damage and send back technical requirements for rebuilding. They distributed relief rations, help rebuild houses, clear rubble and re-float boats.
These groups were deployed for ten days carrying out excellent work. At the end of the emergency the governor thanked all ranks of ‘B’ company for their disaster relief work. The company returned home again in December 1960.
'B' Company guard for Brigadier LISTER, the commander Caribbean Area, at Nassau
The Relief Parties
| TEAM ONE Island of Andras | TEAM TWO Ragged Island |
| 2nd Lt R.W.R. POCOCK Cpl M BROWN Pte SMITH Pte WILLIAMS Pte EARL Pte RENDLE | Capt WILSON Cpl HEAD Pte CHOULES Pte GAILES Pte KEYSE Pte LEA |
| TEAM THREE Maya Guana | TEAM FOUR Maya Guana |
| Lt GOODHART Cpl HOLMES Pte JELLICOE Pte EDWARDS Pte LARGE Pte LEE | Lt HATHAWAY Cpl HOLE L/Cpl TRENFIELD Pte TULL Pte MACKRORY Pte EDWARDS WO WATSON (A.C.C.) |
| After the relief work the Company returned to normal duties returning to Tidworth at the end of the year. On their return they received a communication from Brigadier LISTER which read ... |
| "You and the Company have had an unusual and at times very trying experience, you are all deserving of great credit for the way you have overcome difficulties, and by your conduct have upheld the reputation of your Regiment and the Army in a sensitive and critical area. Many of you will be disappointed to leave Nassau at this particular time. You will have to find consolation in handing over something better than you inherited." |
B Company 1st Bn D.E.R.R. on parade in Nassau.
Left to Right, C/Sgt BRIGGS, L/Cpl KEENE, (?) Cpl M BROWN
MEMORIES OF OAKES FIELD
Cpl Malcolm BROWN on remembrance day 1960, taken immediately after the parade in No 3 dress
Mr BROWN being caught unawares in the kitchen (??) The person hidden behind the newspaper is Cpl 'Lofty' HUNTINGTON, A.C.C. the Company cook.
Malcolm BROWN in K.D. shorts, hosetops and putees carrying Jim EARL a national serviceman in Mufti. Jim came from Chippenham
Cpl Brown in draws 'Dracula'. This gives a clear picture of the state of OAKES FIELD whilst in occupation by 'B' Coy
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The web team would like to thank Malcolm BROWN for providing material for this page.