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SCLI - Bob Bogan BEM. MSM.
(1932-2015)
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Somerset & Cornwall Light Infantry
Bogan's Heroes and a whole lot more.
Foreword by Keith (Webmaster)
This section of the website is to record the service
life of quite an extraordinary man who became a soldier in 1952
and served in at least five regiments. His service was exemplary
and generated huge respect from all who knew him and served
with him.
He has entrusted me with all his service files,
pictures and letters for me to use as I see fit, I will try
and do it all justice and very much hope the reader will be
as impressed as those who served with him.
Bobby Bogan continues as a veteran to be a very
active ambassador for not only his beloved regiment but does
all he can to keep in touch with ex SCLI around the world and
that includes Tui Lepai, you will all remember the group of
Fijians that enlisted with SCLI. See Tui/lepai.htm
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| C/Sgt.
Bob Bogan BEM. MSM. |
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Bobby Bogan was born in 1934 in
Co. Durham, he enlisted at Middlesborough on 12th September
1952 with the Durham Light Infantry.
There followed service in the Duke of Cornwall's
Light Infantry, Somerset & Cornwall Light Infantry, Kings
Shropshire Light Infantry and The 1st Light Infantry. He has
been detatched to Aden Protectorate Levies and Libya Army, Aden
Police Special Units and Small Arms School Corps.
He has seen service in many countries of the world
including, BAOR, Norway, Canada, Gibraltar, Malta, Libya, Egypt,
Kenya, Northern Ireland, Belize and The West Indies. He has
recruited at Newcastle, Hartlepool, Middlesborough and Bishop
Auckland and has represented his battalion at Football, Cross
Country, Boxing and Tug of War.
He speaks Arabic, German and he claims English,
two of his sons were in the army, one in REME and the other
in Royal Signals. He was awarded the British Empire Medal in
February 1967 for Gallantry and for his work in Aden and South
Arabian States. He holds The General Service Medal with Two
Bars for Northern Ireland and South Arabian States, also the
Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1974. He was awarded
The Meritorious Service Medal in 1985 and served a total of
32 years.
The regiment moved to Aden in April 1966, lifted
by the RAF from Lyneham. Some lucky groups got to fly in brand
new Vickers VC 10's in one hop, while those not lucky enough
had to go in Bristol Brittannias via Istanbul and Bahrain. Lovely
safe aircraft but low and slow.
The whole battalion took up this posting and were
accommodated in Radfan Camp which was a tented site on the sandy
stretch between the sea and Sheikh Othaman - Khormaksa / Crater
road. Just a small rear party was left at Gravesend to look
after the barracks.
A Mountainous terrain, brutal climate and fierce
local tribesmen, well armed and prepared to fight to the death
were a culmination of ugly characteristics facing British troops,
as the Arabs battled for the independence of Aden.
The small British protectorate on the southern
tip of Saudi Arabia, first saw conflict in 1964, when the people
of Radfan, north of Aden, became
increasingly influenced by the nationalist Arab movements surrounding
the tiny state.
Situated more than 60 miles north of Aden, the
Quteibi, lbdali and Bakri tribes traditionally supplemented
their income by looting travellers on the Dhala road which connected
Aden to the state of Yemen. Now with the support of extremists
called the Aden National Liberation Front, they were armed and
willing to join the struggle to force the British to withdraw
from the colony.
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Aden Town: Battalion sectors of responsibility
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These are the various organisations hoping to control
Aden/South Yemen when the British left
PSP - People's Liberation Party - NLF - National
Liberation Front - OLOS - Organisation for the Liberation
of the Occupied South - FLOSY - Front of the Liberation
of the South Yemen
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This map shows the various States that made up the
Aden Protectorate as it was until the British left
the area in 1967.
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Very unfortunately the regiment suffered two losses
in Aden, Cpl. Collings and Pte Oakley. Cpl. Roy Collings died
"up country" in the Radfan Mountains, there were always
a few groups away from the battalion on remote area duties in
the hills to the north and on some remote airfields guarding
RAF bases. Roy Collings died as a result of the Land Rover he
was travelling in, it hit a mine on a track in the area of Mukieras.
Barry Gunner and Chad Lobb were seriously injured in this incident,
Roy was a very popular member of the regiment and was well renowned
for his running abilities. Roy rests in Silent Valley, the British
Cemetery in Aden, at the funeral armed senties were posted around
as it was not a secure place and was subject to sniper fire
from the hills.
Private Oakley became a casualty in the Sheik
Othman or Mansoora area, he was in the first vehicle of the
usual two vehicle patrol. A grenade (probably a Mills 36) got
him with a piece of shrapnel in the head. He died a couple of
days later in the British Military Hospital Aden. |
| Bob
Bogans Work in Aden. |
| The Arab was a British Soldier
- Cloak & Dagger stuff in Aden. |
Bob Bogan arrived in Aden on March
11th 1966 and was posted to The Arabic Language School to study
Arabic, but his activities soon became widely known.
Headlines in newspapers in UK.
"Roaming Arab gets BEM" - At constant
risk to his life Sgt. Robert Bogan spent seven months in the
back streets and alleys of Aden tracking down terrorists.
He led a small group of men (Recce Platoon) whose
task it was to catch terrorists, he was so successful - colouring
of hair and skin and going out in disguise that he became a
marked man, three times he was subjected to grenade attacks.
On one occassion a terrorist was caught creeping up behind the
squad, all this took place in the filthiest parts of Aden, hiding
in the sewers and shadows, always in danger. |
Sat outside "Coffee Shop" at Grenade Corner.
Not a place for tea and toast at 4:30pm.
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Pte Thomas 49, L/Cpl Les Summers in normal ambush
positions in sewerage drain
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| We even stunk like terrorists, or oops, Local Nationals,
we did not wash our civilian/Arab gear. The dogs did not bark
at us or the camels cough and become restless, so we moved unheard,
unseen, at night in the back alleys and dirty sewers - squashing
thousands of cockroaches as we moved. |
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Special Branch Squad - Aden 1966
Back row L/ R - Cpl Lethbridge, Ptes Fleet &
Robinson, L/Cpl Cheek, L/Cpl Summers, Pte Thomas.
Front row - Pte Smith, Cpl Ovenden, Ptes Stone &
Lillington, Sgt. Bob Bogan, L/Cpl Prosser, Pte Stuckley
Not in picture, on duty or in hospital due to grenade
wounds: Cpl Hawkins, L/Cpl Ames, Ptes Pinder, Aldworth
& Coles.
Bob writes: "All these are the men who set
up "Two man ambushes" in the open sewers
and dark alleyways of Sheik Othman, all alone, no
radios, surrounded by thousands of Arabs. Most were
only 18 or 19 years of age, I was not their Sergeant
at 34years, they were my children, I was their Dad.
I worried every night about their safe keeping. I
was so privileged and honoured to have served with
them and be accepted by them. 1 - BEM 7 - CinC Commendations
to our little band"
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Sheik Othman. If I recall correctly the white building
with the tower (centre bottom half) is the Police
Station with the main street crossing left to right
and the market up the road to the left of the
police station. I should remember, Sid Ovenden and
I were banged up in there
one night. (Terry Cheek)
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Beach checkpoint search (BBogan)
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Grenade corner Sheikh Othman(BBogan
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Sgt Bob Bogan BEM.and Sgt Peter Slade ( LI Som Office)
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This message was sent to Bob Bogan from his men
on the Recce Platoon, he writes - "This is the
most important and precious letter in this book, and
more important than "The Queens" to me.
It came from my mates, my friends! We were there together.
A humble Thanks R Bogan".
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Sgt. Robert Bogan (right with Sgt. Peter Slade holding
some of the "trophies" they brought back
from Aden - grenades captured from terrorists.
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The Recce Platoon had a great job
on this posting, they were almost always in civvies and doing
their own thing, they were known as "Bogans Heroes",
he was Plt. C/Sgt. They had a couple of dubious looking civilian
vehicles that Signals had rigged up with radios, and were forever
off on some secret squirrel operations with big grins on their
faces. Of course, as with all elite forces, they came in for
a fair bit of derision and piss taking by the other 'normal
lads', but they got good results and were admired by all ranks.
Bob Bogan was known to the Arab World as "Radfan"
ARMY DEPARTMENT CENTRAL CHANCERY OF
THE ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD
St. James's Palace, London S.W.I.
28th February 1967.
The QUEEN has been graciously pleased to approve the award of
the British Empire Medal for Gallantry (Military Division),
to the undermentioned in recognition of Gallant Conduct in Aden:
22822437 Sergeant Robert BOGAN of The Somerset
and Cornwall Light Infantry
| British Empire
Medal for Gallantry (Military Division) |
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The British Empire Medal is made of silver. On
the obverse is an image of Britannia surrounded by
the motto, with the words "For Merituous Service"
at the bottom; on the reverse is George V's Imperial
and Royal Cypher, with the words "Instituted
by King George V" at the bottom. The name of
the recipient is engraved on the rim.
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Click Image for Larger
Version |
Bob Bogan's SCLI Medals
LtoR: BEM with crossed Oak Leaves, GSM 2 Bars (Northern
Ireland/South Arabia),MSM Meritious Service, LSGC Long Service
Good Conduct Medal.
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Sergeant' Bogan was the sergeant in charge
of the Special Branch Squad during the battalion's emergency
tour in -Aden. This squad was on call for the use of the
Aden Civil Police Special Branch for twenty-four hours of
every day and operated all over Aden State and across the
border in Lahej State.
Potentially very dangerous, these operations required
a high degree of military skill, leadership and team work. Due
to the personal leadership, drive and professional courage of
Sergeant Bogan this Squad was very successful in its anti-terrorist
activities. On the nights that this squad was not being used
by Special Branch, Sergeant Bogan was responsible for siting
two man ambushes in the ill-lit back alleys and sewers of Sheikh
Othman, to cover the principal throwing areas. His untiring
energy and imagination in conducting this small squad was far
in excess of that expected by a Non Commissioned Officer of
his rank and experience. In his determination to capture terrorists
he coloured his face and hair in order to be more unobtrusive
at night and frequently exposed himself to great personal danger.
He was himself the target of three grenade attacks
and became a marked man in certain areas where he operated.
On 6th September 1966, he personally captured a terrorist in
possession of a grenade. From subsequent information there was
evidence to show that this terrorist had been briefed to eliminate
Sergeant Bogan. His courage and example welded his small squad
into an enthusiastic and highly efficient band of men who during
their operations captured five terrorists in possesion of grenades
and seriously wounded one other who had actually thrown his
grenade.
The opportunities of capturing terrorists are
few and far between in operations in Aden State and
Sergeant Bogan's enthusiasm, devotion and the successes of his
small squad were an inspiration and encouragement to all ranks
of the Battalion.
The Royal Anglian Regiment that took over from
SCLI followed on with similiar set-up as they could see the
success of the unit but unfortunately had a 'blue on blue' with
a SAS patrol in their area without prior knowledge, and lost
a couple of lads.
The QUEEN has been graciously pleased to give
orders for the publication of the names shown below as having
received an expression of Commendation for Brave Conduct:
During his tour in Aden as Intelligence Sergeant
in 1966, Sergeant Slade has shown great courage, when investigating
incidents. On one occasion whilst investigating a grenade attack
in a narrow ill-lit street, four grenades were thrown into the
area in which he was working, one of which hit his vehicle.
Despite this and other grenade incidents he has
revealed uncanny calmness, which backed by an unquenchable sense
of humour has inspired confidence and raised morale in all who
have served with him.
For a period of six months in Aden Private Richardson
was the driver to the Intelligence Officer
and accompanied him to almost every incident. His military skills
as a driver and radio operator have been excellent, and his
conduct, courage and calmness in constant face of terrorism
and grenade attacks, in which his vehicle has been hit at least
once, has been magnificent. His ability and example have undoubtedly
contributed to the success of the Intelligence Section in their
operations.
Grenaded nine times:
Private Nicholas Richardson is pictured being told of his award
of the Queen's Commendation for outstanding devotion to duty.
Until he arrived at Lyneham on March 2nd after five weeks training
in Canada, he knew nothing of the award, "I'm overwhelmed
that I was singled out" he said.
SCLI Memoirs - Nicholas
Richardson - SCLI - Aden
C in C’s Commendation
23545338 Sgt Rowe J--------------------23864125
Cpl Wilkins D
22340352 Cpl Davies W (ACC)---------23547457
Cpl Ovenden S A
23982924 L/Cpl Cheek T S--------------23867730
L/Cpl Dyer R
23924381 L/Cpl Martin H J--------------23901260
L/Cpl Prosser L W
23867455 L/Cpl Summers J L------------24030961
Sig. Cummings D (R/Sigs)
23950478 Pte Morrish R A---------------23896410
Pte Stone R F
23896609 Pte Stuckey F R---------------23873447
Pte Thomas D A R |
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Daylight check for routes to be used (at later dates)
to get to ambush positions in the night-time. Weeks
would pass before we used a route once recorded, we
never used same route twice.
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Sheikh Othman - typical open sewers - our highways,
footpaths at night. Pte Stuckey and L/Cpl Summers
carry out a normal sewage drain check for grenades.
The holes in the walls are dry house toilets used
by NLF Flosy as (letter boxes) to plant grenades for
up to 24hrs.
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This cartoon was drawn by the London Evening Standard
cartoonist JAK and appeared on Februaury 27th 1967
- the original is 18+24 is framed and presented to
Bob Bogan. It hangs in his home, the caption reads:
"I say, which of you chaps is Sergeant Bogan?
(Bob Bogan tells me that the big guy centre is Ernie
Lethbridge!!)
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The Hornet July 1967
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This actual map was used by Bob
Bogan, its a bit dog-eared but used by SBS for over 6months,
at the double we could cross A to Z faster than Landrovers using
road way.
To see the detail more clearly the map is split
in four sections using these links.
Top
Left - Top
Right - Lower
Left - Lower
Right
Top
Left - Top
Right -
Lower Left - Lower
Right |
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On the front of Bob Bogan's scrapbook
there is a poem, "The Critic", it goes like this.
It is not the critic that counts, nor the man
who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer
of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man
who is actually in the arena: Whose face is marred by dust,
and sweat, and blood.
Who knows great enthusiasm, great devotion and
the triumph of achievement, and who at the worst if he fails,
at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall
never be with those sad and timid souls who know neither victory
or defeat.
You have never lived until you have almost died
with those who have had to fight for it. Life has truly a flavour,
the protected shall never know. |
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Following this poem Bob has written:
"I'd like to think that these words, have
or should have been written to honour and out of respect for
every National Serviceman who served, from all Arms. I wonder
how many NS Men were killed from 1945 to 1963"?
This was written obviously because Bob spent a
lot of time at various depots as a training Cpl or Sgt. and
had great respect for the National Serviceman, he is full of
praise for those who were in the army by goverment decree and
made the best of something they had no control over.
I can tell Bob that just over 600 NS men died
during their service, this includes Korea, Malaya, Mau Mau and
Suez. During the post-1945 period of National Service some 1,
132, 872 men were conscripted to serve in the British Army.
Of the million and one half men called up on reaching the age
of eighteen, about a hundred and twenty-five thousand, or one
in twelve, served in an active theatre of operations, for which
a campaign medal was awarded. Approximately four hundred conscripts
were killed in action, while many more were lost in tragic accidents.
(About 300) |
| Bob Bogan
- training recruits etc. |
| Bodmin - Shrewsbury |
Permanent Staff of Cpl's Regt. Depot Bodmin 1961/62.-
Picture taken just months before MOD closure 1962.
Bob Bogan was PMC of the Cpl's Mess, the committee
was, Sid Bright, Old Smudger Smith and Tim Timoney
Back row L to R. Phillips, Brian Bluett(ACC), Jose,
Paddy Flint, John Smith, Dave Varty.
Centre Row L to R. Ernie Roberts, Ray Bates, Ruscoe"H"(KSLI),
Dick Kelson, Sid Bright "Shiner" (WW"
medals) , Brian Ladd, Lawrie Hodges "H",
Roy Ward (KSLI)
Front Row L to R.- Rollings, Pat Hall, Old Smudge
Smith (WW2 medals), Major GTG "Toots" Williams,
RSM Freddie Fearless, Bob Bogan, Pete Timoney, Shepherd.
(The Commanding Officer was later to be Colonel Williams
- (The Father of Brigadier Gage Williams)
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Recent photograph of Sid "Shiner"
Bright - Sid was the Medical Sgt. during 1
SCLI tour of duty in Aden 1966/67
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SCLI 50 - Wells Sept.12th 2009 - Margaret
Baggot (nee Royffe) daughter of the late Captain
(QM) H F Royffe, with Bob Bogan BEM.
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SCLI 50 - SCLI Veterans - OOPs can you spot
my walking stick at the "Trail"
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SCLI 50 - THe Branch Standards plus Major
Ollie Reynolds in foreground.
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Old Four Corners Guardroom. SCLI were last regiment
to mount guards in it, the cross is where the new
guardroom was built. SCLI was the first regiment in
the new guardroom during its tour of Gibraltar.
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SCLI (I Platoon A Coy) working with Libyan Army
assisting evacuation during (BACI earthquake). Charlie
Eagle, Brian Smith, Sgt Harry Harrison, Bobby Bogan
were the platoon NCO's
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Libya - BACI earthquake, the plns first task was
to clear the hospital in the centre of BACI, and Casivac
to a safe tented area.
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Libya - Tobruk British War Cemetery, SCLI had companies
on detatchment in Libya from their base in Gibraltar.
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English Cemetery in Tobruk
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Libya - Tobruk, the German War Memorial, their names
are inscribed on the inside walls.
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HMS Hermes entering Malta's Grand Harbour
on 18 February 1970. - (photographs courtesy of Neil
McHart and FAN Publishing from the book HMS Hermes)
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NATO
Exercise - Refuelling from RFA Wave Baron during 'Exercise
Swordthrust' which took her north of the Arctic Circle.
The Destroyer Defender looks on. - (photographs courtesy
of Neil McHart and FAN Publishing from the book HMS
Hermes
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Sea
Vixen preparing to take off, HMS Hermes. - From the
collection of Admiral of the Fleet Lord Lewin. Supplied
by his son Mr Tim Lewin.
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Landing on HMS Hermes. Soldiers of SCLI - NATO exercise.
(Command and Logistics role)
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NATO Exercise - Soldiers of SCLI
on HMS Hermes and USS Enterprise. Hermes turns into
the wind at maximum speed - ready to launch/despatch
planes off her flight deck.
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WOW! Landing at speed on HMS Hermes,
notice the arrester wire.
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Nato Exercise- HMS Hermes and a destroyer
refuel at sea on the move! Cpl Bobby Bogan SCLI! Royal
Navy, Fleet Air Arm, Royal Marines, Truly fantastic
- God Bless them!
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L/Cpl Graham Martin SCLI NS man from
St. Austell views US plane on USS Enterprise
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USS Enterprise - 92,325 tons
loaded
(The Big E), it was massive.
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An annual Inspection Buffet Lunch
in Durham City carreers office in 1988.
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Paddy Fox 15/19th Hussars with my
shield (over 50's competition Shooting) at Gerry Johnson's
5/6th Lancers Presentation and Dinner Night, on leaving
the Regular Army.
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Ken Ovenden points out a poisoned 3 barb man or
animal trap - swing tension is lethal covering 180
degree angle!
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Johnny Brister setting up the final stages of a
jungle animal trap "Food" is important in
survival.
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Two wonderful comrades RIP - Johnny Brister and
Ken Ovenden - both ex SAS - teaching jungle survival/training
to SCLI. This is a Fish Trap from deep water upstream
to shallow water fish trap - FOOD it works!!
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Ken Ovenden!! Jungle training "Ambush"
poison arrow, man or animal trap. Arrow/Dart will
kill.
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TOBRUK WAR CEMETERY
Tobruk is a Mediterranean port with an excellent
deep water harbour. During the war it was important
to Allied and Axis forces alike, for the reception
of supplies and reinforcements. In January 1941, it
was taken from the Italians by General Wavell's forces,
and after the clearance of the demolitions in the
harbour the port was usable and proved invaluable.
When Rommel commenced his drive across Cyrenaica towards
Suez it was deemed essential that Tobruk be held,
and the resulting siege lasted from 11 April to 10
December 1941, when the Axis forces were driven back.
They recovered far more quickly than was expected
and by early February 1942, it was the Allies turn
to fall back towards a line running southwards from
Gazala to Bir Hakeim. Again orders were given to hold
Tobruk, but it fell to Rommel on 21 June. It was retaken
five months later by the Eighth Army in their final
sweep along the North African coast into Tunisia.
Tobruk War Cemetery incorporates the burial ground
used during the siege and the memorial erected there
at the time by the Australians has been replaced by
a permanent memorial of similar design. Many battlefield
graves in the desert have been brought into the cemetery.
There are now 2,282 Commonwealth servicemen of the
Second World War buried or commemorated in Tobruk
War Cemetery. 171 of the burials are unidentified
but special memorials commemorate a number of casualties
known or believed to be buried among them. The cemetery
also contains 171 war graves of other nationalities,
most of them Polish.
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| First
all regular intake KSLI/SCLI
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A
Geordie recruiting for DCLI, WO2 Jan Fidock on the far
left.
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Depot
KSLI Shrewsbury, John Brister far left with moustache,
Cpl Bogan far right at back, L/Cpl McCarthy just in
front.
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Left
side of picture
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MOD
Bodmin Closure 1962, a very young Pete Vile is in back
row.
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Right
side of picture
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Mixed
draft, KSLI/SCLI - Cpl Roy Ward KSLI,Lt R. Edwards SCLI,
Sgt Bill Bound KSLI, Cpl Bob Bogan SCLI
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Very
last NS intake, at Bodmin.
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All
regular draft, Cpl Bogan, Lt Harvey, Sgt Tune, Cpl Jury.
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| Cpl
Tootie Len Hembrow, Bob Bogan, Sgt K. Tune, Lt. Ollie
Reynolds, Roy Ward.
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KSLI
section W/T training
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Bob
Bogan being Dined Out.
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| Bob Bogan
BEM. MSM. |
| 32 years service - His regimental badges. |
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Enlisted on September 12th 1952
- Discharge on March 5th 1989 - Reason for Discharge Aged 55
Total Service - 36years 175 days.
Bob writes: The years of service with DCLI &
SCLI were the best years of my life and its because of the people/soldiers
at every rank who made up the regiments. It really was in my
opinion one big family who were "Second to None".
In everything the Regiment did, discipline, in word and deed
at all levels.
A special word regarding SCLI SBS - Like the
song says " I can soar as high as an eagle, but these bonny
lads always will be the wind beneath my wings". They really
were a fantastic bunch of young men to work with. - Bobby -
(To them Radfan)
6th March 1934 - 8th November 2015
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| Feedback |
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Les Summers writes:
He was a great leader. Did you know we used to
call him clicker. in the alleys at night to let us know it was
him coming, he would click the trigger on his SMG. we would
say watch out Radfans on the prowl, ha! ha! |
Trevor Nottingham writes:
Fantastic stuff from Bob Bogan .I really enjoyed
reading it .I knew Bob very well both in Aden and NI .He really
deserved his BEM.A truly good and honest man who I have a lot
of respect for. |
Ernie Lethbridge
writes:
Yet again I think you've done a great job, nice to see and
hear about old friends. I've got some old slides to go through,
so might be able to come up with more photo's. Please pass on
my regards to Bob Bogan. |
David Howard87 writes:
What a wonderful site to a great man. I am very proud just
to have been trained by and known Bob Bogan. He was exemplary
in every way. As it says, he claimed to speak English but so
did the other Geordies in November Squad 1961. I was surprised
to see my mug grinning back at me, from a photo in the art gallery.
The first regular intake, middle row, end right. Bob had this
wonderful voice that sounded like a very rough fog horn. At
first he did scare the hell out of all of us and it was clear
that one should not get on the wrong side of him. But once we
all got into the swing of things we found a different side to
him, a sturdy but more gentle man and yes very much a father
figure. I must admit I would have loved to have heard his Geordie
Arabic. No wonder the camels did not cough. Yes, a great man,
a great guy and a great hero, even if his advice was, "Let
the hero's go first lad". God Bless You. Howard97. |
Nobby Clark writes:
A very interesting account of your long and distinguished
career Bob. I'm sure all who knew you, would join me in congratulating
you. Trust all is well with you and the family. I changed my
Computer and lost your email address. Always pleased to
hear from you :- Regards Nobby Clark Taunton. |
Terry Cheek writes:
What can you say about Bob. He was a great boss to work for.
He looked after us well and in doing so he did not endear himself
to those above him. I remember him being quite direct and to
the point with the CO concerning units from other regiments
patrolling in our area at night, threatening to tie them to
their main gate in Little Aden if he found them in Shiek Othman
again. When he left the CO's office he noticed that one of their
officers was sat behind the door. We would usually return to
camp at about 3 or 4am, put up the sides of the tent to keep
the sunlight out and get our heads down. This did not go down
well with the OC as he did the rounds in the morning, finding
us out cold with our dirty and decaying clothing laying around.
I know Bob took a lot of flak over this but he didnt pass it
down to us. He made sure we continued to get our sleep. |
Major (Rtd) Oliver Reynolds writes:
Bob Bogan took over the Recce Platoon from me
shortly after the arrival of 1 SCLI in Aden in 1966. Under
his command, the Recce Platoon mounted frequent highly successful
ambush patrols against the terrorist opposition, gaining surprise
by blending inconspicuously with the local population.
Bob was kind enough to say that I was responsible
for the strategy behind the clandestine ambush patrols, however
he had the far more difficult task of putting the strategy
into practice. Occassionally, I joined Recce Platoon Patrols
as a "visitor", it was quite clear to me that the
Recce Platoon under Bob Bogan, was operating as an extremely
effective fighting force.
I was delighted to hear that Bob was awarded
the British Empire Medal. His decoration was in well deserved
recognition of his outstanding leadership of the Recce Platoon
during the tour of 1 SCLI in Aden.
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Copyright Text: Keith Petvin-Scudamore: - Images:
Bob Bogan BEM. MSM. - Please be aware that
Bob Bogan has given all copyright of this webpage in its entirety
to Keith Petvin-Scudamore in perpetuity, any material found
elsewhere that has been copied from these webpages will be
relentlessly pursued.
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