Royal British Legion: Henley & Peppard

ON April 16 local history enthusiast and Royal British Legion member Richard Pinches came to the Henley Rugby Club to give a talk on Allied special forces in North Africa between 1940 and 1943.

He came dressed in the Khaki clothes, sheepskin and Arab headwear worn by these soldiers.

Richard’s interest in this campaign principally started when he was child and his father told him stories about when he had been there as part of the 8th Army, the “Desert Rats”.

He has an award-winning desert display that he takes to history shows and enjoys talking to the public and groups on the campaign in North Africa in general but more recently his research has focused on the Long Range Desert Group.

They were the original special forces in North Africa and were started by Ralph Bagnold, who was a First World War veteran and desert explorer between the wars.

His desert travels went far into unchartered desert deep into Egypt, Libya and Sudan, travelling thousands of miles.

His desert knowledge was unique, as were his invaluable skills and knowledge in travelling hundreds of miles across huge dune fields and rocky terrain.

The LRDG began raiding deep behind enemy lines in July 1940, a year before the more famous Special Air Service started.

It was the LRDG’s skills in navigation and stealth that were invaluable in helping the SAS get to their airfield targets to destroy enemy aircraft.

Richard went through the history of Bagnold, his friends and explorers as well as the instigation of the SAS.

He also did some myth- busting as to the origins of SAS founder David Stirling, who evidently embellished his own accomplishments after the war.

Paddy Mayne was actually the accomplished leader who took over after Stirling’s capture in Tunisia.

Mayne was said to have been a violent psychopath but these are mainly stories fabricated by Stirling to discredit him after his Mayne’s death as the two men did not like each other. Richard also spoke about other aspects, including the unique rations and clothing.

The talk was met with great enthusiasm by all attendees.

Richard’s next talk will be on the history of Henley Bridge and its previous crossings. For anybody who would like to come along for lunch and the talk, all are welcome.

Our next gathering is at the Menza Café at the rugby club on Tuesday, May 21 at 11.15am when we will be given a talk by a representative of the Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire.

This is a charity which assists the police in searching for lost or vulnerable people.

Members are on call 24/7 to support the emergency services and Oxfordshire’s vital public services in extreme circumstances.

It is hoped that they will bring a couple of highly trained search and rescue dogs with them. Everyone is welcome and it is not necessary to be a member of Royal British Legion or to have any military background, so do come along.

The cost is £18 to include a two-course lunch and tea or coffee and the chance to meet and chat with other local residents.

It is essential to book beforehand by contacting Karen Grieve. Call her on 07990 833241 or email
henleyonthames.secretary@
rbl.community by Thursday, May 16.

Mollie Jeffrey