BRIGADE ORDERS.
BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,
COMMANDING 102nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.
HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,
6th JUNE, 1915.
391 – Command Orders – Attention called to –
The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Northern Command Orders 953, 955 and 958 of June 5th, 1915.
T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,
Brigade-Major, 102nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.
BRIGADE ORDERS.
BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,
COMMANDING 102nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.
HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,
5th JUNE, 1915.
386 – District Court-Martial –
The District Court Martial directed to assemble in Brigade Orders 372 and 379 of which Major E.K. Purnell, 23rd (S.) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (4th Tyneside Scottish) was President, is hereby dissolved.
387 – District Court-Martial –
The detail of Officers as mentioned below will assemble at the Orderly Room, of the 20th (S.) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Battalion, Tyneside Scottish), on 8th June, at 10 a.m., for the purpose of trying by District Court-Martial the accused persons named in the Margin:-
PRESIDENT
Major P.B. Norris, 22nd (S.) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (3rd Tyneside Scottish.
MEMBERS
A Captain 20th (S.) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Tyneside Scottish.)
A Captain 21st (S.) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (2nd Tyneside Scottish.)
The accused will be warned, and all witnesses duly required to attend.
The proceedings will be forwarded to the G.O.C., 102nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade, “Alnbank” Alnwick.
Officers Commanding 20th, 21st 22nd, and 23rd (S.) Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Tyneside Scottish) will each detail three Officers to attend for instructional purposes.
In the margin. No. 1349 Pte. N. Purvis 20th (S.) Btn, Northd Fus 1st Tyneside Scottish and No. 1433 Pte. J. Gilchrist 20th (S.) Btn, Northd Fus (1st Tyneside Scottish).
388 – Notes on Musketry – Issue of –
An issue of a pamphlet “Notes on Musketry Training” is being made with to-day’s “Orders” to admit of 1 copy being handed to each Sergeant and Corporal.
389 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –
“LONDON GAZETTE” –
The following Extract from Second Supplement to the London Gazette of Tuesday the 1st June, 1915, is published for information:-
The Northumberland Fusiliers –
20th Battalion (1st Tyneside Scottish) – Frederick Nixon to be temporary Second Lieutenant. Dated 28th April, 1915.
Northern Command Order No.942.
390 – Command Orders – Attention called to –
The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Northern Command Orders 947 and 949 of 4th June, 1915.
T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,
Brigade-Major, 102nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.
BRIGADE ORDERS.
BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,
COMMANDING 102nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.
HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,
4th JUNE, 1915.
383 – Badges Cap – Officers –
With reference to the Notice in Brigade Orders 27th May, it is notified to Commanding Officers that one of the new Badges will be supplied free to Officers of their Unit who can be certified as having purchased one of the old pattern. Officers who did not purchase one of the old issue will be required to pay for a badge of the new pattern as this is considered a legitimate charge on their outfit allowance.
384 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –
REQUISITIONS FOR CASH –
Attention is invited to paragraph 44 Financial Instructions, 1910.
Requisitions for cash required by those Officers who render Imprest Accounts to the Command Paymaster should be forwarded to the Command Paymaster, Northern Command.
All other cash requisitions should be forwarded direct to the Army Cashier, Northern Command.
All other cash requisitions should be forwarded direct to the Army Cashier, Northern Command.
(C.P.) Northern Command Order No. 933.
385 – Command Orders – Attention called to –
The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Northern Command Orders 935 and 936 of June, 1915.
T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,
Brigade-Major, 102nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.
BRIGADE ORDERS.
BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,
COMMANDING 102nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.
HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,
3rd JUNE, 1915.
379 – District Court-Martial –
The District Court Martial directed to assemble in Brigade Order No. 372 of May 31st,1915, will re-assemble at the Orderly Room, 21st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (2nd Tyneside Scottish), at 10 a.m., on Friday, 4th June, 1915.
The accused will be warned, and all witnesses duly required to attend.
The proceedings will be forwarded to the G.O.C., 102nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade, “Alnbank” Alnwick.
Officers Commanding 20th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd (S.) Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Tyneside Scottish) will each detail three Officers to attend for instructional purposes.
In the margin. No. 114 Sergt. E. Fenwick 21st (S.) Battalion, Northd Fusiliers (2nd Tyneside Scottish) and No. 939 Sergt. John Welsh 21st (S.) Battalion, Northd Fusiliers (2nd Tyneside Scottish).
380 – Pack Saddlery – Indents for –
Officers Commanding Units will indent on the Chief Ordnance Officer, York, with as little delay as possible, for 4 Sets of Mule Pack Saddlery.
381 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –
SENIOR OFFICERS COURSE – SCHOOL OF MUSKETRY, STRENSALL –
The following Officers have been selected to attend the 7th Senior Officers’ Course, which will be held at the School of Musketry, Strensall, from the 7th to the 12th June, 1915:-
Colonel V.M. Stockley, Commanding 21st Northumberland Fusiliers.
Major E.K. Purnell, 23rd Northumberland Fusiliers.
382 – Command Orders – Attention called to –
The attention of Officers Commanding Units is drawn to Northern Command Order 928, of 2nd June, 1915.
T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,
Brigade-Major, 102nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.
BRIGADE ORDERS.
BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,
COMMANDING 102nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.
HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,
2nd JUNE, 1915.
377 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –
“LONDON GAZETTE” –
The following extracts are published for information:-
From the “London Gazette” of Friday, the 28th May, 1915:-
The Northumberland Fusiliers –
21st Battalion (2nd Tyneside Scottish). – Temporary Major Francis B. Lewis relinquishes his commission. Dated 29th May 1915.
From a Supplement to the “London Gazette” of Friday, the 28th May, 1915:-
21st Battalion (2nd Tyneside Scottish). – Herbert William Waller to be temporary Second Lieutenant. Dated 11th February, 1915.
21st Battalion (3rd Tyneside Scottish). – Norman Peters to be temporary Second Lieutenant. Dated 27th April, 1915.
378 – Command Orders – Attention called to –
The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Northern Command Orders 920 and 922 of 1st June, 1915.
T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,
Brigade-Major, 102nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.
BRIGADE ORDERS.
BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,
COMMANDING 102nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.
HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,
1st JUNE, 1915.
373 – His Majesty the King’s Birthday –
June 3rd being the Anniversary of His Majesty’s Birthday will, as far as the exigencies of the Service permit, be observed as a holiday.
374 – Brigade Parade – Cancellation of –
Owing to vaccination, there will be no Brigade Parade this week.
375 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –
NECESSARIES –
It was proposed to reduce stocks of necessaries not required for active service in possession of regiments, by issuing only such as are included in the active service scale. All concerned are now informed that it has been brought to notice that brushes, blacking, polishing brass, and clothes, button brasses and wax polish, cannot be dispensed with, if the men are to appear smart. The issue of these articles may, therefore, be made as heretofore.
Authority, War Office letter A.C.D./Southern/2612 (R.A.C.D.), dated 27st May, 1915.
C.R.N.C. No. 45434 (O.S.). Northern Command Order No.910.
BLANKETS –
Three blankets only are authorised for troops in Billets, Hutments, and Camps. All above this number should be returned at once to the Chief Ordnance Officer, York. This order does not apply to any blankets held by troops from Officers i/c Barracks.
C.R.N.C. No.61195 (O.S.). Northern Command Order No.905.
CLOTHING AND NECESSARIES –
Clothing and necessaries required for the outfit of all Units authorized to be raised by individuals or by Municipalities will, in future, so soon as any Contracts that have been entered into by the raisers have been completed, be issued by the Army Ordnance Department.
A list showing the initial outfit of each man is published below, and indents for clothing and necessaries should be forwarded to the Ordnance Officer, Clothing Depot, of the area in which the Unit is being raised.
The Clothing Depots and the areas which they supply are as under:-
Stirling. – Scotland and Berwick-on-Tweed.
York. – Northern Command (except Staffordshire), Westmoreland and Cumberland.
Chester. – Western Command (except Westmoreland and Cumberland)
Aldershot. – Aldershot Command.
R.A.C.D., Grosvenor Road, London, S.W. – Surrey Kent, Middlesex, and Sussex.
Weedon. – Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Huntingdonshire, Essex, Northampton, and Staffordshire.
Southampton. – Devonshire, Somersetshire, Cornwall, Hampshire, Dorsetshire, and Wiltshire.
Dublin. – Ireland.
Local arrangements should be made for the marking of clothing and necessaries, fitting of clothing and sewing on of chevrons, badges, etc., for which an inclusive sum of 3s. 1d. per mounted man and 2s. 4d. per dismounted man will be admitted as a charge against the Public.
Specifications showing the scales of fitting proportions for garments will be supplied on application to the Chief Ordnance Officer, Royal Army Clothing Department, Grosvenor Road, London, S.W.
SCALE OF CLOTHING AND NECESSARIES FOR EACH MAN.
| Article. | Number. | |
| Mounted. | Dismounted. | |
| Necessaries. Badge, cap Bag, Kit Braces, pairs Brass, button Brush, Brass “ Blacking “ Clothes “ Hair “ Polishing “ Shaving “ Tooth Cap, comforter Comb, hair Disc, identity with cord Fork Holdall Housewife Knife, Clasp, with marline spike, tin opener and lanyard “ Table Laces, leather (spare) pairs Razor Shirts, flannel Socks, worsted pairs Spoon Towels, hand, Turkish Wax, polish, tin of Clothing. Boots, ankle, pairs Cap, Service dress Drawers, cotton, pairs “ woollen, pairs Greatcoat, drab mixture Jackets, Service dress Pantaloons, cord, pairs Puttees, pairs Shoes, canvas, pairs Spurs, jack, ordinary, pairs Titles, metal, for shoulder straps, sets Trousers, Service dress, pairs Waistcoat, cardigan | 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 3 1 2 1 2 1 2 – 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 | 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 – 1 1 1 3 3 1 2 1 2 1 – 2 1 2 – 1 1 – 2 2 1 |
Authority, War Office letter 20/General Number/3838 (Q.M.G. 7), dated 24th May, 1915.
C.R.N.C. No. 38875/28 (O.S.). Northern Command Order No.912.
EMPLOYMENT OF SOLDIERS IN CIVIL OCCUPATIONS –
The following extract from Army Order 14th May, 1915, on the employment of Soldiers in Civil Occupation is published for information:-
A soldier so employed shall remain in possession of all his rights and privileges as a soldier in respect of himself, his family, and dependants, except that he shall not receive any Army pay and allowances in respect of himself unless his earnings from his civil employment are less than any such Army pay and allowances, in which case the balance shall be made good to him in the form of a special allowance paid from Army Funds.
This warrant shall have effect from the 1st January, 1915.
With reference to the above the following supplementary instructions relating to the employment of soldiers in the production of munitions of war and other similar duties, are issued for information.
The emoluments to which the soldier will be entitled are as follows:-
Authority, War Office letter No. Contracts/1268 (F. 2), dated 22nd May, 1915.
C.R.N.C. No. 60566 (A.). Northern Command Order No.913.
376 – Command Orders – Attention called to –
The attention of Officers Commanding Units is drawn to Northern Command Order No.906 of 30th May, 1915.
T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,
Brigade-Major, 102nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.
June 1945
At the Yalta Conference in February 1945 Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union discussed the occupation of post war Germany. However, the French were not involved in the Yalta Conference. On the 5th June 1945 the Allies, which now included France, agreed to occupy and administer four separate areas of Germany. Britain occupied northern Germany, the United States occupied the south, France occupied the extreme south-west and the Soviet Union occupied eastern Germany.
Berlin, as the nation’s capital, although in the Soviet sector, was also divided into four zones, as per the rest of the country (microcosm of Germany). The occupation ensured that the Nazi Party was sought out and brought to justice, it also ensured any Nazi type organisation would not be in a position to begin hostilities again. This coupled with the fact that roughly 80% of German infrastructure was in need of repair or reconstruction.
—
Ameland and Schiermonnikoog are two Dutch islands in the Waddell Sea. The Germans surrendered on the 3rd and 11th June 1945 respectively. The latter was last part of Europe liberated by Allied troops after the Germans surrendered.
One of the major challenges facing the British government was the demobilisation of the British Armed Forces back into civilian life. Prior to the end of the European War plans had been implemented for the demobilisation of the armed forces. Age and time spent in uniform determined when most servicemen and servicewomen were released from the armed forces. Priority was given to men aged fifty or more and married women. A small number of so-called “Key workers”, whose occupational skills were vital for postwar reconstruction, were also released ahead of their allotted time. Each serviceman or woman being demobilised passed through a special demobilisation centre. Demobilisation for the British Armed Forces fighting the Japanese in the Pacific did not begin until after VJ-Day in August 1945. Demobilised servicemen received a one-off grant payment and the promise for the right to return to their old jobs. They also received a set of civilian clothing which included the so-called “Demob Suit”. The demobilisation process was slow because of the numbers involved, with approximately 4.3 million men and women returning to “civvy street” by 1947. Returning to civilian life servicemen and women found conditions to be extremely bad. In the six years of war the home front had endured bombardment and blockades resulting in shortages of many basic essentials. One of the biggest challenges, after many years apart, was that husbands and wives had to adjust to living together again.
The first stage of the Borneo Campaign was the capture of Tarakan Island on the 15th June 1945. An amphibious landing on south-west Tarakan on the 1st May 1945 was launched by Australian troops and a small Netherlands East Indies contingent. Opposing the attack the Japanese defence of the island consisted of approximately 2,200 men from the Imperial Japanese Army and Japanese Imperial Navy. Prior to the Japanese occupation in January 1941, Tarakan formed part of the Netherlands East Indies (NEI). Tarakan supplied the Japanese with oil from the island’s two oil fields. During the course of 1942 Allied bombing destroyed the oil production and storage facilities. The Allies main aim for attacking Tarakan was to capture and develop the airfields, and ultimately restore the oil fields. Tarakan’s heavily forested hills needed to be cleared before the Allies could secure the island and protect the airfields. Approximately 1,700 Japanese defenders were dug into positions protected by minefields and booby traps. Australian tanks offered little support to the infantry assault owing to the thick jungle, swamps and steep hills. They did, however, provide supporting fire but air cover and artillery provided the majority of the supporting fire. On the 12th May 1945 Australian troops were slowly advancing when they were held up by three well positioned machine gun posts. Australian corporal John Mackey led his men to attack one machine gun post. He took out the post with a grenade. Moving on to a second post he killed two members of the gun crew when he was killed by machine gun fire. For this brave action he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. On the 16th May 1945 Australian troops had reached the eastern coast of the contingent island. The same day the NEI had captured the remainder of the southern end of the island meeting very little resistance. The Japanese garrison was gradually destroyed and the island was declared secure on the 21st June 1945. It took the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) engineers eight weeks to restore the damaged airfields to a usable state while the infantry was fighting the Japanese in the hills. The airfields were finally opened on the 28th June 1945. Serious damage to Tarakan’s oilfields delayed production, but on the 27th June 1945 the first oil pump was restored. Tarakan’s oilfields did not become fully operational until after the end of the war.
The island of Borneo, before the Second World War, was divided between British Borneo in the north and Dutch Borneo in the south. Both countries were in Borneo to assist in developing the oilfields. The Japanese invaded and occupied the island in late1941/early 1942. The Battle of North Borneo began on the 10th June 1945 when Australian troops were involved in a series of amphibious landings around Brunei Bay. Initially Japanese opposition was light, but by the time Brunei was captured on the 15th June 1945 Japanese resistance had been reinforced. Both sides suffered heavy casualties in the resulting battle. The Borneo Campaign ended in August 1945.
On the 15th June 1945, Japan’s second largest city of Osaka was bombed for the fourth time in the month. 300,000 houses were destroyed when 444 B-29’s bombed 2.9 sq. miles (4.9 km2) of the city. On this raid the city suffered the heaviest destruction. Further bombing raids on Osaka continued until the end of the war in August 1945.
The island of Okinawa was invaded by the United States Army and United States Marine Corps on the 1st April 1945. The 82-day battle ended on the 21st June 1945 when the last remnants of the retreating Japanese resistance ceased on Southern Okinawa. On the 22nd June 1945, to mark the end of organised resistance on Okinawa, a flag raising ceremony was held. The Battle of Okinawa was the last major battle in the Pacific, and most probably the bloodiest. The Japanese suffered casualties of over 100,000 in total including many military suicides. The Allies suffered approximately 80,000 casualties in total. The civilian population of Okinawa, who were still in residence during the fighting, suffered 40,000 to 150,000 casualties. Actual casualty figures cannot be confirmed.
(Other Theatres)
.
.
G Branch
N.B. New address HQ I Corps District
B.L.A..
Thursday 31May 45
My dearest Maz,
I didn’t write to you last night (a) because I was very late after a film and (b) because I have been awaiting confirmation of good news today. The good news ,
now confirmed, is that I have been allotted a vacancy on a 3 day course at Larkhill commencing 13 Jun finishing 16 Jun – isn’t it splendid? I am hoping to fly back on the 11th and then return here after my official 48 hours leave on the 19th – at the end of my letter I will set out my out-line programme! I was so delighted during the last week to receive your two letters of the 22nd and 25th – you really are a real sport to write so often, as you know your letters are an eagerly awaited event would that recently I had enough time to write better letters to you, but really these last 6 or 7 weeks things have been terribly hectic and they will continue so until the end of June when all being well one will be able to relax a bit and settle down to more or less peace time hours of work – not quite peace time as they never worked after lunch in the prewar days as you well remember! Yes, I saw red too when I heard the news about the flat but later careful thought on the subject has considerably reduced my anger and I’m certain it will be all for the best but we will be able to go into the position more carefully when I’m home in the near future.
My week has not been entirely uneventful and after a fortnight’s solid slogging in the office I at last got away from Rhede on Saturday. I had a job to do in Brussels in the afternoon and was only told I was to go that morning I snapped up the opportunity as it meant for me the practically novel experience of an air trip of some 120 miles. The job I had to do was put off until Sunday morning but I worked it so that I could still go on Saturday afternoon! We left Rhede at 4 ocl and I was in Brussels Airport at 5.30, after a most interesting flight all over the Goch battlefield then over the Meuse, over Helmond and if you get your glass magnifying out and draw a direct line from Rhede to Brussels you will see my route! I travelled in one of the small Air OP planes and it was most comfortable and I didn’t have to use the vomit bag! It took me just as long to get up to the Avenue Louise where I found the Hamoir’s and Maurice in great form – we had an excellent dinner and played cards, talked and drank brandy afterwards. On Sunday morning I had my job completed by mid-day when we went up to Waterloo for lunch. Germaine and Maurice had fixed to play in a competition but I luckily picked up a man named Devers whose partner failed to arrive and I marked his card. The comp was for members only. He used to be the Belgian Champ with a handicap of +1 but is slightly past it now and plays off 5. He and I finished all square but both had some bad holes (and some good ‘uns). I left the Club at 4.45 got a lift into Brussels, saw Tim Roberts in Hospital and was at the airport at 6.30. Coming back we had the wind behind and it only took us an hour. I was having dinner at 8 pm! It was a much needed break and I was very grateful to Martin Bunch for giving me the job to do. Apart from this interlude I’ve been busier than ever but last night went to the 9.30 officers’ only film show where I saw a rather absurd but quite amusing film called ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’! One hut it was shown in was very crowded and Charles and I had to sit almost in the front row and the noise was terrific, as were the figures on the screen! The news was excellent and they showed the VE day scenes in London.
Maz dear it’s almost midnight so I must close – I’m so longing to see you again in just about 12 days time – the cake which I only finished last week-end was an absolute smasher and it was very carefully eked out, yessir! The programme of my visit all being well is on the back. My love to Pari and Elli, much love to you. God bless,
Yours as ever
very affectionately
Peter
PTO.
Date.
11 June Arrive Croydon 5.30 pm. Meet Eileen dinned G.E. & then on
Colchester about 9.45
12 June Colchester
13 June Depart for Amesbury about 4 pm. Course assembles.
14 June Course
15 June Course
16 June Course ends midday – back to Colchester
17 June Up to London for dinner.
18 June London.
19 June Leave Croydon for Germany early in a.m.
In envelope headed ‘On Active Service’ addressed to Mrs Gerald C Benham, 5 Oxford Road Colchester Essex.
Not postmarked. Passed by censor No 15487 and signed P.C. Benham.
On front of envelope Written May 31st 1945 rec June 4th 1945. (21)
1
Letter from Lt. Col R.C. TARSY to HQ 404 Area IA
Letter from Col. A. USER to Lt. Col RC TARSY IB
CONFIDENTIAL IA
“G” Branch SEAC
HQ 404 L of C Area 19 May 45
Subject TTD
R.C. Tarsy
Lt. Col.
R.C. TARSY
IB
PUKHA BUNGALOW
SWETHIPORE
From Col. A. USER 15 May 45
Dear Stinker,
Just a line to let you know what a wonderful stuff your TTD is. I found that flies, mosquitos, etc curl up as soon as they saw it and a startle-de-buzz which flew into a mild concentration was immediately pranged. Stronger concentrations prove fatal to rats, mice and even cats. After my room has been sprayed thoroughly no animal will go near it for a week and I find that after half an hour in the room, I myself develop a very gay light headed feeling. The advantages of the army adopting TTD are obvious and since fair concentrations have a not dissimilar effect on humans to alcohol a considerable reduction should be able to be made in the liquor ration without hardship, with a consequent saving of shipping space.
Yours very sincerely
2
“Q” Branch
G Branch
24 May 1945 P.W. Daniell Maj.
for Lt. Col. GS.
MINUTE SHEET No. II
3
AG Branch
With ref to min No. 2 and the correspondence referred to therein, you will no doubt agree that before we proceed further with this case we should know more of Col. TARSY’s antecedents. Can you for example give us any infm. regarding his Regt. or Corps, or say what appt. he holds. A brief sketch of his military background would assist.
It has been suggested that his initials have been confused with his religious denomination and that his name should, in fact, read “Lt. Col. TARSY RC”. You may wish to ask Ch to comment on this?
E.O. Martin Maj.
25 May for AAQMG
4
G(I)
It is agreed that the two signatories of pp IA & IB require to be investigated and it is suggested that this might well be done through security channels at this stage in view of the necessity of not alarming a possible enemy agent. It occurs to us that this substance may already have been brought surreptitiously into this HQ and be the cause of the air of somnolence which has been observed in some branches of late.
It is also thought that an inspection of the list of shareholders in the firm manufacturing T.T.D. might be very revealing. At the same time an inspection of their last balance sheet might be made, and if the report were favourable this would have the happy result of enabling some officers to get in on the ground floor before placing orders for large quantities of T.T.D. to be bought by the State. Could a copy of this report please be sent to A branch? GP 25/5
5
Letter from Lt Col RC TARSY to HQ 404 Area. 5A
CONFIDENTIAL 5A
No XYZ/10/2
No 1 Special Insectological Research Section
SEAC
“G” Branch
HQ 404 L of C Area 20 May 45
Subject TTD
R.C. Tarsy
Lt. Col
Comd.
(R.C. TARSY)
6
Letter from Messrs Share Pusher & Diddle to Capt. AN Officer 6A
6A
Messrs Share Pusher & Diddle
666 Throgmorton Street
London EC 1
7 May 45
Dear Sir,
We are in receipt of your letter of 15 Apr. 45 and are pleased to note that you have a further Rs 2 lakhs which you wish us to invest for you.
We would strongly advise you to invest a large part, if not all, of this sum in British Insecticides (1944) Ltd. This company specialises in the manufacture of TTD in which the Government are interested. At the moment small contracts have been placed by the Government but large contracts from the War Department are shortly expected thanks to the good offices of the chairman’s brother Lt. Col. R.C. Tarsy.
Since this information is not at present common knowledge and last year the company paid no dividends at all, their shares stand at a ridiculously low price and are bound to show a very handsome profit.
A certain Col. A. User of Swethipore is also using his good offices to try to stir the Indian Army from its Rip Van Winkle slumbers. The Colonel recently invested a very substantial sum in the company.
We shall be pleased if in due course you will intimate your wishes in this matter.
Yours faithfully
Share Pusher & Diddle
Capt. A.N. Officer
HQ 404 L of C Area
SEAC
MINUTE SHEET No III
5
Letter from Lt Col R C TARSY to HQ 404 Area 5A
6
Letter from Messrs Share, Pusher & Diddle to Capt A N OFFICER 6A
7
“Q” Branch (thro’ A.G. Branch.)
G Branch P.W. Daniell. Major
25 May 44 For Lt. Col GS.
8
Extract from “Who’s Who” 1927 8A
8A
Extract from “WHO’S WHO” (1927)
TARSY, Major RUDOLPH CARBINE
e.s. of Capt. Hon. D’Arcy Tarsy, 5th s. of 12th Earl of UPOVER
b. 1865. Educated Eaton & Ashton-under-Lyme University.
m. 1908. MAISIE DOATS (of Daly’s). Issue 2 d.
(1) UHWATT X. TARSY (unmarried)
(2) FAN. TARSY m. 1927. –USHER (origins unknown) no issue
Commissioned Great War as Major November 1916
Resigned commission Feb 1917 (after the Bagshaw Report on Abuse of Kings Commissions)
Business:- Company Promoter, Commercial Traveller etc etc.
Author of “Get Rich Quick With Me” (500 copies) “You Too Can Sell Gold Mines” (Limited Edition) “Five Years At Government Expense” etc etc.
Recreations:- Amateur Chemistry, Selling Things, Studying Handwriting etc etc
Clubs:- Con Man’s, Bag O’Nails, 43 etc etc
MINUTE SHEET No IV
9
“G” Branch (Thro “Q”)
25 May 45 GH Burton Capt.
S.C. (Legal) A Branch
Rev***********
Minute Sheet No V
10
G. Branch Ref previous noting on this case:-
I think you will agree that the time has come when it will be in our own best interests and, incidentally, in the interest of the nation as a whole to accept Col. TARSY’s antecedents.
Subject to your agreement I propose, immediately, to raise with the services concerned the question of the adoption of T.T.D. throughout this theatre.
The shares have risen to 30/- since Tuesday.
28 May E.O. Martin Maj.
DAQMG
11
Q Branch
We are in complete agreement with your minute 10.
No 1 S I R Section is in this Area and we are at a loss to understand AG Branch’s obstructive attitude, unless it is that they are playing for time while they raise all the money they can to invest in British Insecticides (1944) Ltd.
In view of para 3 of Lt. Col TARSY’s letter at 5A it would be criminal folly to delay consulting the services any longer unless you like very high power rockets
G Branch P.W. Daniell Maj.
28 May 45 for Lt. Col. GS
12
Copy
Letter from Mr. Thaddeus Toombs to Messrs Freeman Hardy & Willis 12A
12 A
Thaddeus Toombs
Circus Proptr
Performing Animals Provided: Tame Tigers for Children’s Parties
Assorted Snakes
21 Gasworks Villas
Congleton
To Messrs Freeman Hardy & Willis Solicitor London EC
Sirs,
I want you should write to that dirty dog Kernel Tarsy about what he done with my performing fleas & cockroaches what will sham dead when they smells aniseed.
He said he wanted to borer them for a demmys deemu demmstre to show the War Offis. Tell him if I don’t get them back Tuesday I’ll have the law on him. And another thing, what’s he done to our Fanny, the world famous equestrienne? She don’t eat, can’t sleep & fell off her horse in the ring last Saterday. I’ll now draw to a close.
Yours respectfully, sirs,
Thaddeus Toombs
Minute Sheet No VI
13
ST
Could a sample of T.T.D. be obtained & submitted to analysis? I’ve always been interested in analysis & synthesis (as an amateur you understand – remind me to give you my recipe for home brewed scotch-style fire water) & it occurs to me that an analysis in this case might reveal something. Why I suggest this is because my solicitors, Freeman Hardy & Willis have sent me in strict confidence a copy of a letter they have received from Thaddeus Toombs, Circus Proprietor which seems to have a bearing on the subject. Yes? No? What do you think? (How are you fixed for gin, by the way? I can give you a recipe for distilling it from your bath-water, in the privacy of your own bedroom. Enclose 4 as in stamps to cover packing & postage.)
Q 30 May 45
BRIGADE ORDERS.
BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,
COMMANDING 102nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.
HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,
31st MAY, 1915.
371 – District Court-Martial –
The District Court-Martial directed to assemble in Brigade Order No. 350 of 22nd May, 1915, of which Major G.H. Gardner, 21st (S.) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (2nd Tyneside Scottish) was President, is hereby dissolved.
372 – District Court-Martial –
The details of Officers as mentioned below will assemble at the Orderly Room of the 22nd (S.) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (3rd Tyneside Scottish) on June 1st, 1915, at 10 a.m., for the purpose of trying by District Court-Martial the accused persons named in the margin:-
PRESIDENT
Major E.K. Purnell, 23rd (S.) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (4th Tyneside Scottish).
MEMBERS
A Captain of the 20th (S.) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Tyneside Scottish).
A Captain of the 21st (S.) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (2nd Tyneside Scottish).
.
The accused will be warned, and all witnesses duly required to attend.
The proceedings will be forwarded to the G.O.C., 102nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade, “Alnbank” Alnwick.
Officers Commanding 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd (S.) Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Tyneside Scottish).will each detail three officers to attend for instructional purposes.
In the margin. No. 462 Pte. Thomas Yarrow, 22nd Btn, Northd Fusiliers (3rd Tyneside Scottish) and No. 1558 Pte. Peter Conley 22nd Btn, North Fus (3rd Tyneside Scottish).
WALLACE MARRS, Captain,
Brigade-Major, 102nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.
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