Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
I was at the Canterbury Cathedral today with the Buffs to commemorate the Veterans day,as most of you know there is a Buffs church inside the Cathedral and each day of the year at 1100hrs they turn over one page in the Buffs Diary in this diary are all the names of the Buffs war dead in both world wars and at the same time they ring the bell.
I am told I am the last of the Buffs I was just 16years old when I joined them in 1958.And to think I could be the last member of the Wuppertal Buffs Veterans is a honour for me, my wife was with me today along with other Veterans all in their 70s and 80ths.Mywife and myself also have the honour in the morning to be going all day to the Annual Distribtion of Prizes by Rear Asmiral Simon Charlier, FRAeS at the Dover College.
Just to add to this in 1959 I had the honour to march from our camp in no1 dress
down to the Cathedral and turn the page over ,and today is the first time I had been back, I did not turn over the page today but just to be there and see it done again.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,024
That sounds like a good day Vic .Tomorrow at Dover College you will enjoy that too been there many times worn the tee shirt .Look out for my future Daughter in law in her gown I used to love that day
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Well done Vic... good post there, very interesting.
A picture of that would have been good. Didnt know it was on, but also its not possible to go to everything though either.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
Thank you for that Paul yes it was good at the Cathedral there are not many Buffs left when you think I am the youngest one at 67years coming up to 68 in a few weeks time.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
Origins of The Buffs
The 3rd Regiment received its nickname of "The Buffs" because it had been issued 'buff coats'- armour made of soft leather - first when it served abroad in Holland and later when it was a Maritime Regiment of Foot. It was later given buff-colored facings and waistcoats to distinguish itself from those of other regiments and had their leather equipment in buff rather than dyed the traditional white.
It received the title of "The Old Buffs" during the Battle of Dettingen in 1743, when the 31st (Huntingdon) Regiment marched past King George II and onto the battlefield with great spirit. Mistaking them for the 3rd due to their buff facings, the sovereign called out, "Bravo, Buffs! Bravo!". When one of his aides, an officer of the 3rd regiment, corrected His Majesty, he then cheered non-plussed, "Bravo, Young Buffs! Bravo!", thus granting the 31st the honour of being nicknamed the "Young Buffs". The 3rd Regiment then took to calling themselves the "Old Buffs" to keep themselves distinct from the 31st.
The Two Howards
The Buffs obtained the name of "The Buffs" officially in 1744 while on campaign in the Low Countries. The 3rd Regiment was then under the command of Lieutenant-General Thomas Howard. At the same time, the 19th Regiment of Foot were commanded by a colonel named The Honourable Sir Charles Howard. In order to avoid confusion (because regiments were then named after their colonels, which would have made them both Howard's Regiment of Foot), the regiments took the colours of their facings as part of their names - the 19th Foot became the Green Howards, while the 3rd Foot became Howard's Buffs, eventually being shortened to simply The Buffs.
"Steady The Buffs"
This famous cry has been rumoured by many to have been uttered on the field of battle, but it was actually born on the parade grounds of a garrison.
It comes from when the 2nd Battalion was stationed at Malta in 1858 and were quartered with the 1st Royal (North British) Fusiliers. Adjutant Cotter of The Buffs, a Scot who had formerly served in the Royal Fusiliers as a Sergeant Major, would not brook any disarray on the parade ground from his raw recruits, shouting "Steady, The Buffs! The Fusiliers are watching you!"
The Buffs ceased to exist after 1966 so hope fully Vic there are some who joined after you in '58 and are therefore able to shoulder some of the responsibilty of being 'the youngest or last Buff'.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
Sorry to tell you Mark but the buffs Joined up with the The Royal West Kents in 1961 making them the Queens own Buffs not the Buffs and I was in both and came out in 1964.So that is why I could be the last of the Buffs, there are still alot of Queens own Buffs about as we will see next year in a very big march pass in Folkestone which I will be on.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
1956 the 410th (Kent) Coast Regiment (Royal Artillery) was disbanded and converted into infantry.
It was then combined with elements of the 4th (Territorial Army) Battalion, The Buffs (Royal East Kent) Regiment to form the 5th (Territorial Army) Battalion of The Queen's Own Buffs,
The Royal Kent Regiment and was the last separate unit to bear the distinct honours of The Buffs. In 1966 it became the 5th Battalion, The Queen's Regiment and in 1967 it merged with the 4th Battalion to become the 4th/5th (East Kent TAVR) Battalion, The Queen's Regiment.
From their official website.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
I am not talking about the T.A, Mark,what is the point you are trying to put over,are you trying to say what I have put is a lie.
After 6years in in both the Buffs and the Queens own BUFFS and still in them I think I know the History by now and without looking at my PC to find out.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
No not saying that you are lying Vic but merely pointing out the history of the Buffs from their official website based in Canterbury for the less informed members amongst us.
As you have already stated that as I no longer live in Dover I should remain quiet on town affairs I thought this was a general topic to which I could contribute or would you like me to remain quiet on this (your pet ) thread as well?.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 687- Registered: 2 Jun 2009
- Posts: 513
Vic, a dear friend of Karen and me served in the Buffs during the whole of the Second World War in the .North African Desert campaign,Palestine, Italy through France. He proudly displays his medals in the entrance to his home. If you have anything he could look at with regards to this weeks celebrations ie photos or a programme, would you mind showing them to him?
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
Sorry Ken I can not help you there ,but you can take him over to the Canterbury Cathedral anyday of the week at 11.00am and he can sit there and see the page turned over but the Vetarans only do it about 4 times ayear but serving members of the Army still do it each day 7days aweek. Can you get his name for me and phone number or email and i will pass it on to the veterans club we meet about four times each year for a dinner in Canterbury we would love to meet up with him ,I can get send to him cards etc telling him all about us,we are call the Wuppertal Buffs Veterans. Thank you.
Mark it is a no to that and I have never said you should not talk about Dover or Town affairs please carry on we do not want you to stop posting,Yes just now and then I get upset but that does not last long.
By the way Ken in Folkestone next year we are going to have a big march in the town with the Queens own Buffs which again I was in up till 1964.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
Sorry Ken I can not help you there ,but you can take him over to the Canterbury Cathedral anyday of the week at 11.00am and he can sit there and see the page turned over but the Vetarans only do it about 4 times ayear but serving members of the Army still do it each day 7days aweek. Can you get his name for me and phone number or email and i will pass it on to the veterans club we meet about four times each year for a dinner in Canterbury we would love to meet up with him ,I can get send to him cards etc telling him all about us,we are call the Wuppertal Buffs Veterans. Thank you.
Mark it is a no to that and I have never said you should not talk about Dover or Town affairs please carry on we do not want you to stop posting,Yes just now and then I get upset but that does not last long.
By the way Ken in Folkestone next year we are going to have a big march in the town with the Queens own Buffs which again I was in up till 1964.
Guest 663- Registered: 20 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,136
Oh well done Vic my father served in the Queens own Buffs so it will be good to be at that march next year, as Folkestone was also were my Grandfather ended up he was Royal Artillery.
Guest 687- Registered: 2 Jun 2009
- Posts: 513
Vic, I am away for a few days but will call on my return and thanks for your kind response.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
Jan I must know your Dad then, I was in the Queens own BUFFS from day1 up to July 1964.
Ken only to glad to help we need all the members we can get hold of.
Guest 687- Registered: 2 Jun 2009
- Posts: 513
There is a service at Canterbury Cathedral for members of the Buffs at 1300hrs followed by a lunch at the Barracks. Prior to the service there will be a march past at 1230 from the precinct. I should hopefully be taking along a local gentleman of 91 who seved with the regiment 1939-46 including service in N Africa,Palestine,Italy and France.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
Ken when is that please?
Guest 687- Registered: 2 Jun 2009
- Posts: 513
This coming Sunday Vic, as we speak my friend is busily polishing his 6 medals.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
Thank you,I will do some phoning around about it.
Right I have now done that,and yes we will be there I have been told I can march if I wish to,but my legs might stop me doing that we are then going on to Canterbury Cathedral then after down to the old T.A. Bks on the Sturry Rd there going to be a band playing etc ending at 1700hrs, my wife will be with me.
Guest 687- Registered: 2 Jun 2009
- Posts: 513
Looking forward to seeing you both there.