Acknowledgements

 

This website is, perhaps, the most detailed and comprehensive of any county Regiment. It tells the history, customs and traditions of Surrey's Infantry Regiments. It is hoped that you have found it both informative, a useful research tool and enjoyable.

It's production would not have been possible without many hours of hard work, commitment and dedication. It is therefore very appropriate to start by thanking David Swan, the web master, for the design and all up-loading. This has been a mammoth task over a number of years as more and more material has become available. That the site continues to receive so many "hits" from all over the World is a tribute to David's outstanding work.

Within a short space available, it would be impossible to name and thank all those who have been involved in its production and my apologies, but sincere thanks to any not mentioned by name. Special thanks must be made to Lieutenant General Jonathon Riley CB DSO for producing The Regimental Time Line - such a useful reference point and also the very full history of The Colours. General Riley also produced excellent Histories of both The Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment and its successor The Queen's Regiment. Thanks to all those whose accounts of the Regiments during the Second World War make such compelling reading: Brigadier Geoffrey Curtis OBE MC, Major Bob Johnson, Lieutenant Colonel Mike Lowry MBE MC and Brigadier Michael Perrett Young MBE. Lieutenant Colonel Geoff Mason MBE for his history of the Surreys 1945-1959, Colonel Toby Sewell, Captain Adrian Birtles, the late Lady Gibson, Phillip Haythornthwaite, Colonel Patrick Crowley, Mrs A Wilson, Hannah Capell and James Patch. Our sincere thanks.

It is also appropriate to make special mention of two organisations. The Surrey History Centre who hold all our archives. These have been perfectly catalogued. They have also been so willing to assist in research. And secondly, our own Museum at Clandon Park, our Curator and volunteer staff who have contributed so much. Special mention must be made of Ian Chatfield who has been so helpful and produced much of the material. Major Paul Gray who has trawled back through years of regimental magazines resulting in such a complete list of obituaries.

Throughout the site the reader will have been attracted to the illustrations of many soldiers of our regiment through the ages - from 1661 to 1959. These brilliant and historically accurate pictures with astonishing attention to detail have been produced by Bryan Fosten and the late Charles Stadden. All would wish to congratulate them.

As every soldier knows every operation relies for its success on leadership. Lieutenant Colonel's Les Wilson MBE vision, determination, pride in his regiment and commitment that make this website so unique and comprehensive. He has spent many years researching and writing the majority of material. Colonel "Les" is an outstanding guardian of our history and traditions ensuring that they are not forgotten in the mist of time. All with whom he has served and all that know him would wish to join with me in thanking him in masterminding a magnificent achievement. To him with his example of fierce loyalty to "his" regiment, this website is dedicated.

Pristinae Virtutis Memor

ACW