major j.c.w.williams

Al,

That was a great thread, and the way you potrayed JCW very much reminded me of my O.C on that tour, Maj Nobby Clarke (B Coy). I think Company Commanders must have been pretty much in the same mould in those days. I remember myself that Nobby was always in the Turf Lodge and the Ballymurphy when the preverbial was hitting the fan, and you are absoloutly right these guys would bring a touch of coolness and calmness to the gravest of situations. Perhaps it is these people all of us in those days have to thank for getting us all back home relatively unscathed.

Does anybody know the whereabouts of Nobby now?

and on top of all that he was a dam good rugby player

I'm sure I've got the right guy but I get confused these days between PKs - JCWs CWs etc.

JCW was 'SS' - right?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by John Turner

I'm sure I've got the right guy but I get confused these days between PKs - JCWs CWs etc.

JCW was 'SS' - right?

---

Yes John I believe he was known to some as "SS". As a newly promoted Sgt, I was posted to Alphas for "Medicine Man" with the QOH. I was aware of his reputation and I was Terrified. In fact I thought I may be the quickest Sgt to ever be busted back to Cpl. I was fortunate however that CSM Barrie Smith and C/Sgt Des Lewis were there to give me invaluable advice. " Do the job you are paid to do, and try to stay one step ahead when planning". Simple advice, but bang-on! He was a hard man to work for, but he worked hard so he expected (rightly so) that everybody else should do no less. He was/is also a Gentleman which I found (personally) to be a rare gift during my service. "SS" yes - a Sound Soldier.

We were aware of that nickname before he arrived. However it just never seemed to resonate with us, and was rarely if ever used. We called him many things(not all polite), but mostly just "JCW" ot "JC".

Lt J.C.W. was my pln Commander in the Recce in the 60s, a pln of app. 20 Men, he was known as SS but he was no worse than any other O.C., that time you had to be on the ball in the Recce anyway or you were out, he was firm but fair, I also had a Lt Clarke as O.C. Recce, I wounder if he is the same one mentioned in this thread, He had been a Police Inspector in Rhodisia, now Zimbabwe, He was OC Recce during the time Ian Smith declared UDI, in a conversation at the time I said that it was wrong for the Governor General Smith to declare indipendance in defiance of the wishes of the U.K Government, (Some of them) he reply'd that should the Country be handed over to the "natives" it will fall appart, he did add that it was our fault that it had come to this as had been reapeated in many other British Colonys through lack of education and opportunities, I dont think he or I would have thought it would come to the state it's in now.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bricoates

I also had a Lt Clarke as O.C. Recce, I wounder if he is the same one mentioned in this thread, He had been a Police Inspector in Rhodisia, now Zimbabwe, He was OC Recce during the time Ian Smith declared UDI.

---

Its sounds like the same guy Bri. Nobby Clarke and JCW were big rivals, but clearly great friends. Their rivalry was conducted through their respective companies, which of course meant that we all attained high standards. Nobby and JC were very similar in their approach, cut from the same cloth springs to mind :-)

I did not have a great deal tgo do with JCW, except on the Bobby Sands tour (Mar to Jul 81), when I was at Tac HQ with Curly Cluer, doing 'Bog Rat'.

I was aware that he gave his IO stick (RMP Officer) but in the end it all paid off .....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ap1

Its sounds like the same guy Bri. Nobby Clarke and JCW were big rivals, but clearly great friends. Their rivalry was conducted through their respective companies, which of course meant that we all attained high standards. Nobby and JC were very similar in their approach, cut from the same cloth springs to mind :-)

---

I think at times they took their rivarly a bit to far?????????

Agreed!!!!! I can remember feeling my heart sinking when Bravos's started doing weekly 10 milers in full kit.....It was only a matter of time.............:mad: