Part 1 The Blue Cockade

 

Dick's time in the Dorset Regiment:

 

Chapter 1 A Soldier on Salisbury Plain

21st June 1940 (see Joining Up) to 31st October 1940

 

Chapter 2 Guarding England - winter

1st November 1940 (see 70th Young Soldiers Battalion) to 28th February 1941

 

Chapter 3 Guarding England - spring

1st March 1941 (see Bombs in Birmingham ) to June/July 1941

 

Chapter 4 Intelligence

June/July 1941 (see The Intelligence Crew ) to April 1942, including The Missing Winter

 

See Chapter pages for further information

 

The Dorset Regiment became part of the Devon & Dorsets in 1958 and was incorporated in 1st Battalion, the Rifles in 2007.

 

'The Blue Cockade', an old insignia of the Dorset Regiment, is also a beautiful folk ballad sung by 'Show of Hands' about a young man signing up with the Dorsetshire Regiment much to his lover's dismay (trad arr: Knightley/Beer). You can find it on their CD 'Beat about the Bush' or live on 'As You Were' (personally recommended - they're so great live).

"It's true my love has 'listed
And he wears a blue cockade;
He is a handsome young man,
Likewise a roving blade;
He is a handsome young man,
He's gone to serve the king,
Whilst my very (whilst my very),
Whilst my very (whilst my very)
Heart is breaking
All for the love of him."

    Traditional

 

 

 

For further information on the Dorset Regiment visit the The Keep website or  the museum itself in Dorchester, Dorset's county town.