59 Sqn Sporting Achievements

59 Indep Cdo Sqn - Sport Achievements

2010-04-04T04:28:00.000-07:00

This idea was put forward by Bryan "Killer" Carter, which I deemed worthy of including in the History.
Not being a Sports Fan myself, this section will be through contributions, from YOU.

Please send in details of all Sporting achievements, newspaper cuttings and photos can be emailed to the Editor - Ray Elliott.

This Section will also include Sporting Achievements by the Group - 24 Cdo Engr Regt, 2 Trp - 49 Sqn and 131 Indep Cdo Sqn (V).

2010-03-04T15:25:00.000-08:00

59 Indep Cdo Sqn Boxers are United Kingdom Minor
Units Team Champions.
59 Indep Cdo vs 16 Div Para Brigade & Signals
HMS Drake, Plymouth.

Brigadier Browne presents Trophy to Spr B. Cherry.

Standing L to R.
WO2 Smee, L/Cpl Page, L/Cpl Collins,Spr Cherry, Spr Gilbert,
PO (RN) Stone, Spr Martyn, L/Cpl Curran, L/Cpl Roberts, Cpl Millward.
Seated L to R
Spr Hogan, Spr Taylor, Major Hewish, Spr Johnstone, Spr McGiverson

Featherweight...............Spr T. Martyn beat Pte M. Reid
Lightweight...................L/Cpl R. Curran beat Sig G. Guy
Light Welterweight.......Spr J. Hogan beat Sig L. Liversidge
Welterweight................Spr B. Cherry beat L/Cpl S. Richards
Light Middleweight ......Spr R. Johnstone lost to Sig R. Kaye
Middleweight ...............Spr T. Taylor beat L/Cpl S. Margison
Light Heavyweight .......Spr B. Gilbert walked over.
Special Contest..............L/Cpl K. Collins beat Cpl Payet

Trophy presented by Brigadier H. Browne OBE Chief Engr UKLF
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1976 - Cyprus Squadron Inter Troop/Section Competitions

Condor Troop won the Competition.
Can anyone describe the Competitions?
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1978 - Crownhill Fort - Boxing Team

Back Row
Joe Hogan, Scouse Page, ??? , ??? ,Mick Coles, Billy Knight, Chris Lake,
Pete Neary.
Front Row
Al Pederson, Chris Cudworth, Stuart Angus, Chalky White,Major Lean-Vercoe (OC),
Phil Cameron, Taff Stokoe,
Alf Hindmarsh.
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Minor Unit Boxing Team Winners 1975/76?
HMS Drake, Plymouth

Back Row
Brian Cherry,Paul Gilbert, Ginge Johnstone
Front Row
Tom Martyn, Joe Hogan, Terry McGivern
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Minor Unit Boxing Team Winners 1975/76?

Back Row

Jeff Smee, Brian Carter, Brian Cherry, Taff Shone (Navy Boxing Coach)

Ginge Johnstone, Steve Long, Chris Lumsden

Front Row

Paul Gilbert, Tom Martyn, Major Fields (OC), Joe Hogan,

Terry McGivern, Taff Evans.

Photos to be Identified

2010-02-23T06:29:00.000-08:00

Mount Logan - Canadian Yukon Range - Date Un-known?

Mount Logan 19,850ft in Canada. Date Un-known
Mount Logan is Canadas Highest peak at 19,850ft and is also the World's largest mountain mass, with every ascent from the surrounding Glaciers, involving a vertical climb of 13,000ft, one of the greatest height gains of any climbing route in the world. It lies within the Klaune National Park, in the Canadian Yukon.
Six Royal Engineers and two Army Doctors, operating in two teams of four, were to ascend the Mountain.
The Plan was to climb the East Ridge by shuttling loads up the mountain, gradually gaining height over a number of days. Starting with the Advance Base camp at 7800ft, to the Top Camp at 17,000ft, finally to the Summit at 19,700ft in one day.

The climbing to the Advance Base camp at 7800ft and onto Camp 2 at 10,500ft was outstanding, including crossing an exposed and narrow rock & snow ridge.
At Camp 2, it was decided that this method of climbing would take too long, so the plan was altered. They would climb 'Alpine' style, with all supplies contained in one load.
Above Camp 2 and below Camp 3, there were narrow snow-knife aretes, the lower one being the "crux" of the route. As if to highlight this fact, one member of the group, fell off at this point, thus proving the ropework and reactions of the rest of his four-man team.
Above the knife-edge ridges, the difficulties and exposure eased, with endless, moderately steep and broad slopes led to Camp 4.
Everyone was starting to feel the effects of Altitude and at night the temperature dropped to minus 35C, making the striking of camp in the morning, a very chilly affair.

After a rest at Camp 5, on the Summit Plateau, with 50 mph winds battering the tents and burying them with blown snow. Those still Fit & Healthy, set off in two groups of three, for the Summit.
The altitude and exhaustion took its toll, forcing one group to return to Camp 5.
After 8 hours of climbing, the second group : Major Will Manners, Captain Leanne Callaghan and Lt. Chris Wilcock, reached the east summit of Mount Logan. The first British Service personnel to do so.
Utterly dehydrated, they descended to Camp 5 and the warm welcome from the rest of the group.

The descent from Camp 5 to the Advance Base Camp, though in good weather, was cautious, due to fresh snow and avalanche possibilities. One member of the team was suffering severe altitude effects and had not eaten or drunk for for several days. Another member was suffering from frost-bite in both hands.
The team took 4 days to descend to Camp 5.
After leaving the mountain, the team were hosted by in Vancouver by 6 Fd Engr sqn CME, for 3 days, before flying back to the UK.

The Team consisted of:

Major Will Manners ............................Lt. Chris Wilcock
Major Bill Bikess .................................WO2 Brian Spivey
Capt. Leanne Callaghan ......................Sgt Dave Bellamy
Capt. Sundeep Dhillon ........................L/Cpl Paul Southwick

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59 Indep Cdo Sqn RE

2009-11-02T06:12:00.000-08:00

Condor against 45 Cdo RM.- 3000m Steeple Chase. -- Date?
Condor Troop won the contest.
Bryan Ryder romped home, despite being slightly drunk and wearing old plimsoles and kit, compared to 45 Cdo RM top class running shoes and new kit.

Condor against 45 Cdo Rm - Cricket -- Date?
Condor Troop won contest.
Little did 45 Cdo Rm realise, but Bryan Ryder was brought up in Barnsley - home of Cricket.

Condor against 45 Cdo RM - Sports Day --- Date?
Surrey Sills won the Shot-put and Hammer swing.
Ray Palmer won the 5000m run, wearing DMS boots and denims.

Devizes/Westminster Canoe Race --- Date & Details?
Kevin Collins and Willie Williams won the race.

1st Round Malta Road Race - 41 Cdo RM against 2 Troop --- Date?
The race consisted of two - 3 man teams, running the 56 km race.
2 Troop (Malta) came in 1st & 6th.

Round Great Britain Road Race - Date & Details?
Was this 59 Indep Cdo Sqn against Royal?
10 members running 10 miles a day, with Guest appearances along the way - joining the lads for short distances.
I have a note that 5 Elderly lads ran 25 miles a day, with 1 day off in 4 days.
Full story please.

Mount Everest Disaster

An SAS man has been killed by an Avalanche on Mount Everest.

A 14 man strong team from the Elite Army Regiment, led by John "Brummie" Stokes and Michael Lane, died when tons of snow swept over and flattened their Camp at 20,150ft, up the World's highest peak. Tony Swierzy died instantly, whilst three other climbers were injured - John "Brummie" Stokes broke his neck, Andy Baxter's Collar Bone was broken, whilst Graham Cook is suffering from severe Frost bite.

The avalanche swept the teams tents more than a hundred yards down the mountain side. The Team had attempted to climb the 29,198ft Mountain by the Northern slope from Tibet.

An expert stated " It is a bad climb down from where they were, especially with casualties, it would be a very slow dangerous descent".

1986 Cambrian Patrol Competition

Recce Troop put a team in and won a Gold Medal - only two awarded.

1995 Inter-Troop Cross Country Competition

1 Troop won the competition. This took place before the Squadron left Seaton Barracks in November, to Chivenor.

131 Indep Cdo Sqn RE (V) - Sports

2002-10-09T04:45:00.000-07:00

France 1995 - Army Ski Championships
Serre Chevalier.

131 Indep Sqn entered a team for the first time and gained some outstanding results.
The Team won the 30 km Patrol Race, which is the Blue Ribbon event of the competition.

The team consisted of: an Officer, an NCO and 2 x Sappers.
Ray Palmer, Sean (the destroyer) Oakenfull, Rob Blackwell and Mutley.

Each team member must carry 10 Kilos, plus weapon, ammo and rats.

Weighing-in.

They must ski the 30 km as a patrol.

Ready for the start.

During the Patrol, there are two visits to the Range, each team member fires a total of 10 rounds (5 prone & 5 standing). A 1 min penalty is added to the teams time, for every shot missed.
The team conceded no penalties and went on to win the race....by over 2 clear minutes.

Visit to the Range.

End of the Race, totally shattered.

This was the start of 131 Sqn domination, for many years to come at the Army Ski Championships.
Written by Ray Palmer.