We need to make sure the Terries don’t become a forgotten regiment

Nov 6 2008 by Our Correspondent, West Lothian Courier

I WAS saddened to hear last week of the passing of Mr John Rodgers, who was described by his family as "one of the last of Monty's 'Desert Rats'".

Mr Rodgers was probably the last survivor of West Lothian's proud Territorial Regiment – the 14th Light Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery, which spent four-and-a-half-years campaigning in the Egyptian, Libyan and Italian theatres of the Second World War.

During their long period of service overseas, the Terries took part in the victorious operations in North Africa, distinguishing themselves particularly in the long and successful defence of Tobruk, where the men were cut off and under siege for nine months.

After successfully escaping from Tobruk, the West Lothian regiment, attached to the famous Eighth Army, or "Desert Rats", took part in the historic advance from Alamein to Tunis and was later engaged in the Italian campaign, in battles such as Salerno, Cassino, the Volturno and Sangro.

Mr Rodgers hailed from Bridgend and was a member of the 39th Battery, composed mostly of men from Linlithgow, Bo'ness, and the surrounding villages.

The 40th Battery recruited in Bathgate and the south of the county and the 57th was made up of men from Broxburn and South Queensferry.

John was aware that he was probably the last of the Regiment still alive and in many conversations I was privileged to have with him, he always spoke with great pride about his colleagues. He never forgot his beloved regiment.

During his regular visits to the music sessions at the Black Bitch Tavern, John always requested the ironic D-Day Dodgers, which he and his fellow soldiers in Italy sang in response to the shameful accusations of Lady Astor that they were having an easy time. He usually followed this by singing Lili Marlene in German, something he had learned from one of his officers.

With John Rodgers's passing, a chapter of West Lothian's history has closed, but we should never forget the Terries and the unstinting service they gave.

There has been much talk recently in West Lothian of "forgotten conflicts". However, there is a danger that the Terries could become West Lothian's forgotten regiment. I trust that this never happens.

Murdoch A.M.Kennedy

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