50 YEAR GOLD BADGE AWARDS - The Green Howards Museum

Major R I Bailey
Major Roddy Bailey was born in Leeds in 1945 and attended Roundhay School. He
joined the Army in August 1963 and was commissioned into The Green Howards in
1964. With the 1st Bn. he served in Tripoli, Benghazi, Cyprus, Hong Kong,
Malaysia, Canada, British Honduras, BAOR, Northern Ireland and the UK. He was
appointed Adjutant of the 1st Bn from 1973 to 1975 and was a Company
Commander in Belfast, Catterick and Kenya from 1978 to 1980. Outside the
Battalion he commanded 11 Army Youth Team on Teeside; was GSO3 Intelligence
in HQ 39 Brigade in Belfast; and completed several postings with HQ King’s
Division. Roddy left the Army in March 1994. He continued to serve The Green
Howards as a Member of The Regimental Council and Board, a Member and
Chairman of The Regimental Management Committee, Chairman of the Green
Howards Association and since 2008 has been Obituaries Editor of ‘The Green
Howard’ magazine. Since leaving the Army Roddy has been a hunting
‘professional’, battlefield tour guide, history lecturer, and is active in several Service
charities.
He married Ronnie in 1977 and they live in the Republic of Ireland where, among
other activities, they have a stud farm.
Mr J C Wheater
John Charles Wheater was born in Middlesbrough in 1949. His first contact with
the Army was through 11 Army Youth Team in 1961, being taken by the AYT under
Major Dick Weare to the Mourne mountains and Ballykinlar ranges in Northern
Ireland. He then enlisted as a Junior Drummer at Strensall in 1964 where his
company commadners were Major Pickard and a certain Major Inge. He joined C
Company in 1966 and served in the UK, British Honduras, BAOR, Berlin and
Northern Ireland. After a period in a rifle platoon, he was attracted by the Recce
Platoon which he has described as “what a platoon, fittest in the Battalion”. He
went to Norway as part of the Telemark expedition led by then Major Powell, “the
memory of which will stay with me for a long time”. With this expericne, he was
later a member of the Battalion and Army Ski teams.
In 1974 John Wheater returned to 11 AYT as an instructor for two happy years
involving judo, fencing, trampoline, canoeing and mountain leadership. After this he
moved to interesting work in Northern Ireland. He is a keen supporter of Green
Howards events.
Mr J D Foster
Jimmy Foster was born in Hull in 1946 and worked on deep sea trawlers before
joining the Green Howards in October 1964. ) On completing his training at
Strensall he was posted to Benghazi, Libya were he joined 3 platoon A Company.
After three years in a rifle platoon, he joined the Anti Tank Platoon in Colchester.
He served in Hong Kong, Malaya, Canada, BAOR, Northern Ireland and the UK.
During his service Jimmy Foster was also Provost Sergeant, Manager of the
Sergeants Mess, in the Quartermasters Department and CQMS HQ Company until
his retirement as a Colour Sergeant in July 1989. After leaving the Army he was
Environmental Services Manager for Whitby. A very keen sportsman in his day,
Jimmy boxed an d played rugby for the Battalion. His hobbies are now less
aggressive: fishing and bowls.
Jimmy is married to Betty and they have two daughters and grandchildren.
Although now living in Spain he is a regular attender at Green Howard events.
Mr D Barr
Dennis Barr was born in Middlesbrough in 1947 and enlisted in December 1963 as
a boy soldier, serving at the Junior Tradesmen’s Regiment at Troon, in Scotland.
In May 1965 he was posted to the 1st Bn and served in Libya, Colchester, Hong
Kong, Malaya, Minden, Northern Ireland and Canada. Since leaving the 1st Bn in
June 1973 he has had several postings serving with 1st Bn The Royal Rangers and
the Royal Irish Depot; with 1st Bn Duke of Wellingtons Regiment as Chief Clerk; at
HQ Hong Kong, the School of Infantry, HQ BAOR and other units as part of the
Long Service List. Dennis Barr was discharged on 19 January 2002.
After leaving the Army, Dennis worked as support staff for Cleveland Police until he
retired again in 2009. He is a keen historian and has gained a BSc(Hons) in Social
Policy and Criminology through the Open University. He is a regular attender at
Green Howard events. Although Dennis only served with the 1st Bn for eight years
of his total 38 years, he never forgot that he was a Green Howard.
Mr K Kirkbride
Kenny Kirkbride joined the 1st Bn in April 1964 and has served in Libya; Colchester;
Hong Kong; Malaya; Canada; British Honduras; Minden; Northern Ireland. He was
a physically robust and determine individual, and was always selected for the
Battalion Cross country and Boxing teams. Probably the two most gruelling sports
to participate in, Kenny would always give 100% to his training and was doggedly
competitive. He was discharged in 1973. On leaving the Army he eventually
became the Caretaker at the Stockton Road TA Centre, where he remained until
retirement. During his time as Caretaker he was at the front of all Green Howards
activities. Since joining the Middlesbrough Branch of the GHA he has undertaken
the posts of Welfare Officer, Treasurer and is now the Secretary, a post he has
held since 1983.
Mr A Beal
Arnie Beal enlisted into the Green Howards 1st Battalion in April 1964. He has
served in Tripoli, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Singapore, British Honduras, Northern
Ireland and the United Kingdom. Arnie played football for the Battalion and scored
two goals when playing for the Army against Colchester in 1968 (Bn lost 5-3).
Arnie has been a regular attendee at Green Howard events.

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