[3]:185[2]:209 Speirs successfully took over the assault and led Easy Company to victory. 1939-1945 Star This star was awarded for service in the Second World War between 3rd September 1939 and 2nd September 1945. Speirs was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1920 and spent his first few years there. 2012-2023 Cloud Imperium Rights LLC and Cloud Imperium Rights Ltd. We do not support Internet Explorer 11 and below. This infantry unit was formed in 1994. corey and trevor, smokes lets go. This regiment was formed in 1756 and was one of the first in the British Army to be equipped with rifles. Lieutenant Speirs was the first to cross the Neder Rijn River in this vicinity, and in so doing he paved the way for other patrols to make similar reconnaissance's. In 1966, the three regiments of the Green Jackets Brigade - 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd), 2nd Green Jackets, The King's Royal Rifle Corps and 3rd Green Jackets, The Rifle Brigade - were amalgamated. Marcus Brothertons most recent book is A COMPANY OF HEROES, where he interviewed relatives of deceased E Co veterans. Speirs was reassigned to D Company of the 2nd Battalion prior to the invasion of Normandy in June 1944 and later assigned as commander of E Company during an assault on Foy, Belgium after the siege of Bastogne was broken during the Battle of the Bulge. "Celer et Audax". Todays final installment covers the life of Ron Speirs. They were dressed in green and armed with the Baker rifle. Therefore, Ambrose would have had no reason to write to Speirs in 1981. [7], The regiment was classed as a 'rifle' regiment, having its lineage in the regiments of foot that were equipped with the first Baker rifles. There is an interactive touch screen that allows the visitor to see a selection of images from the Royal Green Jackets archives; we are always delighted if visitors can add to the information we hold on each image. An order to hold position was given and relayed down the line which the sergeant refused to obey, wanting to rush forward and engage the Germans. It was here that PFC Art DiMarzio, who is also referenced in the book "Beyond Band of Brothers", was eyewitness to an event. Register of Officers effects: Died of Wounds, 7 May 1812, at Elvas. Winters concluded that in today's army, Speirs would have been court-martialed and charged with atrocities, but at the time officers like Speirs were too valuable because they were not afraid to engage the enemy. Also known as Robert Spears, Robeet Speers, Robrt Speirs, Robeet Speirs. His last years were spent quietly with family in California. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd battalions were also based in West Germany, Osnabrck (1RGJ), Minden (2RGJ) and Celle (3RGJ). Shortly afterwards the Light Brigade was re-formed and Wellesley ordered the 60th in the 3rd Division to provide a company to cover each of the other brigades of his force. [citation needed]. Simply enter your email address below to start receiving our monthly email newsletter. The original2nd and 3rd Battalions were renumbered as 1st and 2nd Battalion respectively. Lieutenant Speirs immediately reported the incident to his commanding officer, Captain Jerre S Gross. In 1966, it merged with the two other regiments of the Green Jackets Brigade to form The Royal Green Jackets. Japan surrendered before Speirs and Easy could be transferred to the Pacific Theater. After dark he voluntarily swam across to the opposite bank alone where he found himself in unknown territory. The men stayed in contact over the years. Throughout the war, Speirs was seen doing his duty, no matter the cost. The Royal Green Jackets Association Photographic Site Deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - 8th September 2022. These three British Infantry regiments share a history and tradition as pioneers and innovators. news. By 2007, at another time of manpower reduction in the Army, The Royal Green Jackets had been reduced to two battalion strength. The new 1st Battalion was in Cyprus from 1993 to 1996. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. We specialize in: We are not pirates or slavers we will actively cooperate with law enforcement first and foremost. Speirs again warned the sergeant, who now levelled his rifle at Speirs. It has since served in several conflicts, including the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The name of the regiment changed first to The Duke of Yorks Own Rifle Corps and, in 1830, to The Kings Royal Rifle Corps (KRRC), though it remained known as the 60th Rifles. Of the officers who commanded Easy Company during the war, Speirs commanded the longest. He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions during the war, in particular in October 1944 in the aftermath of Operation Market Garden, with the medal's citation reading: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Ronald C. Speirs (ASN: 0-439465), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. His three beautiful children are my pride and joy.. It is also very important that each photo is indexed with Year/Location for them to be inserted in chronological order.). Above all, they were riflemen and took pride in their reputation of being thinking, and fighting soldiers.Please don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe. La Laiterie's concert list along with photos, videos, and setlists of their past concerts & performances. The incident took place under heavy fighting when the soldiers were extremely exhausted. Letter to Stephen Ambrose written by Ronald Speirs dated 29/01/81*, Massachusetts passenger and crew list 1820 1963, UK Incoming passenger and crew list 1878 1960, Letter to Richard Winters written by Ronald Speirs dated 27/05/92, Letter to Richard Winters written by Ronald Speirs dated 07/05/99, Staement written by Ronald Speirs dated 21/06/91, Letter to Richard Winters written by Ronald Speirs dated 07/05/92, Letter to Richard Winters written by Ronad Speirs dated 27/05/92, Letter ro Richard Winters written by Ronald Speirs dated 08/05/99. Four companies of the 60th fought at the Battle of Albuera 1811. Therefore the RGJ marches at 140 paces per minute whereas other regiments march at just 120. Cold war Rifleman in NBC protective gear. Unlock this free profile to update company info and see who's viewing your profile. Our condolences to the Royal Family at this sad time. [3], In 1992, 1/RGJ was disbanded and 2/RGJ and 3/RGJ renumbered 1/RGJ and 2/RGJ respectively. There I met my English wife who was a member of the ATS, the British womens service.20 They married in the local village church of St Michaels at Aldbourne, where fellow paratroopers Lt Fredrick Heyliger and Lt Herbert Viertel acted as witnesses to the marriage.21, The girl Speirs married was a spinster and her marriage to Speirs was her first.22,23,24,25 After the war ended, she decided she could not bear to leave her close knit family to go to live in America.26 It is known that Speirs was terribly upset by this turn of events.27 It is also known that Speirs said she was the love of his life, and that he clearly always loved her.28,29, This marriage produced a son who was to be Speirs only child.30 Speirs never lost contact with his son Robert and remained a presence in his son life. He was a man who followed orders absolutely, Bethea said. been lauded as a hero, embroiled in controversy and celebrated The entire platoon also witnessed the event. Lt. Ronald Speirs was a pit-bull of a soldier, distinctively tough, exceptional and intimidating. [1] He attended military training in high school, which led to a commission as a 2nd lieutenant in the infantry of the United States Army. The following year the reconstituted Light Brigade returned to the Peninsula under Robert Craufurd, landing at Lisbon. June 30, 2022 . Captain Gross was killed in battle the next day, and the incident was never pursued. History Manifesto Charter. Many years later, Ronald Speirs would write, my father was a Scotish Engineer who emigrated to the U.S. because of the lack of employment in the UK during the depression.8. He wrote in his memoirs that Speirs had worked hard to earn a reputation as a killer and had often killed for shock value. We can reunite you with your friends who served at Royal Green Jackets and we have a wealth of information on different units, bases and ships in the site. (Note: all scanned photo's should have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi. The British Army was expanded and reduced to suit the needs of the moment. During this battle, Lt. Dike had ordered a platoon to go on a flanking mission around the rear of the town. While returning to his own lines, he was wounded by fire from an enemy machine gun. Guth wrote to Speirs a final time on June 11, 2006, exactly 61 years after Speirs first letter. This infantry regiment was formed in 1966. [6], Their motto was Celer et Audax (Latin: "Swift and Bold"). On 25 July 1992 the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions RGJ merged into two Battalions. Traditionally, rifle regiments wore rifle green tunics, an early form of camouflage, instead of the red jackets worn by line infantry. All three battalions of The Royal Green Jackets had multiple postings in West Germany and Northern Ireland between 1966 and 1992. In 1966, the three regiments of the Green Jackets Brigade - 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd), 2nd Green Jackets, The King's Royal Rifle Corps and 3rd Green Jackets, The Rifle Brigade - were amalgamated. They then joined their colleagues of the Light Brigade for Moore`s advance into Spain and provided the rearguard when the larger French army forced Moore to retreat to Corunna. Join Facebook to connect with Robert Speirs and others you may know. Deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - 8th September 2022. In 1966, it merged with the two other regiments of the Green Jackets Brigade to form The Royal Green Jackets. 3 His engineering career began as a young man when he became an apprentice engineer fitter in the Glasgow area. He was initially assigned as a platoon leader in B Company of the 1st Battalion of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He developed Alzheimers-like symptoms and slowly faded, dying in 2007. And Jim Lahey can fuck off. 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