SPEAKER at a recent meeting of Narberth and Probus Club was James Fleming, from the south of England. He and president Peter Morgan met in Dortmund in 1981 where both were serving in the army. They have remained friends ever since.

James served in the army for 12 years where he was a musician playing double bass and trombone. After the army he joined BT.

In an excellent address, James told his listeners about a few soldiers who had carried out extraordinary acts of bravery or had experienced unusual events during their army careers.

Lance Corporal Henry James Tandy was the second most decorated soldier in the first world war being the recipient of a VC, DCM, the MM and many more. But Tandy will be remembered for something else. After storming a German post his robust attack caused dozens of German soldiers to desert their post, and when suddenly, Tandy found himself confronting two Germans who had surrendered with hands on their heads. The obvious thing to do was to shoot them but Tandy demonstrated compassion by telling them to leave unharmed, which they did very quickly!. This act of kindness was to have worldwide repercussions 10 years later. It is alleged that one of the German soldiers was a certain Adolf Hitler!

Surgeon Captain Ric Jolly treated dozens of Argentinians during the Falklands War. He didn’t ask their nationality, as far as he was concerned, they were all patients needing his help. He was awarded the Order of Mayo by Argentina but required the Queen’s permission to accept it.

Karl Heinz Gustav Shauenberg was dragooned into the Hitler Youth where he learned to play the trumpet and cello. Late in the war he was awarded the Iron Cross. After the war he came to England and played in various dance bands until he was persuaded to join the British Grenadier Band where he served for several years. He always wore his Iron Cross, hidden away somewhere on his jacket!

Lt Colonel Billy Marychurch Morgan was awarded many medals including a Military Cross and Albert Medal. Billy was born in 1893 and will be remembered for a spectacular act of bravery. Whilst in France in 1916 during a training exercise one of his soldiers pulled the pin from a grenade which he then accidentally dropped it into the deep mud, and which disappeared. Without hesitation Billy, who was outside the danger zone, put his hands in the mud and quickly found the smoking bomb which he threw away, an act which, undoubtedly, saved the lives of his comrades. He was presented with his medals by King George V at Buckingham Palace. Billy, the son of a vicar, died in Gloucester but is buried in Churchyard of his home village, Jeffreyston.

President Peter welcomed two new members to the October meeting. Rob Mears is a farmer and lives near Yerbeston whilst Charles Clewett, a retired accountant, lives in Narberth.

The next meeting of Narberth and District Probus Club is on November 28 at 12.30pm when the speaker will be Mark Cole of Dyfed Shire Horse Farm. If you would like to join, contact Patrick Jones on 07846 660904. [email protected]