The Desert
Rats Association
The Desert
Rats Association
The Desert Rat
Memorial
Thetford Forest
The Mark IV Cromwell Tank on the plinth is a replica of
"Little Audrey" 5 Able, "B" Squadron, 1st Royal Tank Regiment
THE MAIN PLAQUE
7th ARMOURED DIVISION
DESERT RATS
FROM EL ALAMEIN TO BERLIN
Via
NORTH AFRICA - ITALY - THETFORD FOREST - FRANCE -BELGIUM - HOLLAND
The 7th Armoured Division was stationed in Thetford Forest between January and May 1944 while they prepared for the invasion of Normandy. This was the only time the division was in the United Kingdom in it's entire Existence. The Division sailed from Felixstowe on the 5 June 1944 with the first tanks landing on Gold Beach on the evening of 6th June 1944
May your glory ever shine, May your laurels never fade, May the memory of this glorious pilgrimage of war you have made from Alamein, via the Baltic to Berlin never die. It is a march unsurpassed through all the story of war.
May the fathers long tell the children about this tale .
Winston Churchill
The Memorial and main plaque inaugurated on the 23rd October 1998 by Field Marshal Lord Carver is located on the A1065 two miles north of Mundford, Norfolk, England. The additional plaque commemorating the Desert Rats of the 4th & 7th Armoured Brigades from 1945 to 2003 was added to the plinth and inaugurated during the Open Day on the 27th June 2004 in the presence of Brigadier Adrian Bradshaw, commanding 7th Armoured Brigade, and other senior officers from both brigades.
The memorial is dedicated to all who served in the 7th Armoured Division (The Desert Rats), the 4th Armoured Brigade (The Black Rats) and the 7th Armoured Brigade (The Green Jerboa), throughout history.
It the 7th Armoured Brigade who are now the modern day Desert Rats, while the 4th Mechanized Brigade continues to wear the Black Rat, after since 2007.
Throughout its history the Division and the two Brigades not only consisted of Armoured units, but also Infantry, Artillery and Engineering units, plus other support units, all of whom are commemorated by this memorial.
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Shoulder Flash of 4th Armoured Brigade (1942 - 1948) |
Shoulder Flash of 7th Armoured Division (1938 - 1959) |
Shoulder Flash of 7th Armoured Brigade (1942 - 1946) |
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Badge of 7th Armoured Brigade |
Badge of 4th Mechanized Brigade |
Her Royal Highness was the guest of honour at the Commemorations for the 65th Anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein at the memorial on 24th October 2007.
It is with great pleasure we can announce that HRH The Duchess of Cornwall has agreed to extend her patronage of the Desert Rats Association for a further 5 years.
The attention HRH has paid to her patronage in the past has been greatly appreciated by us all and especially the veterans, I have sent our grateful thanks.
Rod Scott, Chairman
23rd August 2010
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Special Announcement
To reflect that alas the number of original Desert Rats is getting less as each year passes and to so recognise and support those who have worn the Desert Rat and Black Rat badges since World War Two, in the modern day 7th Armoured and 4th Mechanized (ex 4th Armoured) Brigade the Association has changed its name to the Desert Rats Association. The design of the association website will be gradually updated to reflect this change.
Museum Appeal
During 2010 and 2011 the Chairman has applied to various organisations for funding to complete the creation of a museum area on our memorial site. Despite a good response, no funding was available in these austere times.
However, the Association does need to raise funds to erect a new fence and additional Nissan hut, to complete the creation of a Desert Rat Museum. While the existing hut will continue to show living conditions for the men stationed there before Normandy in 1944, the second hut will be an educational centre for schools, military units and all interested parties, with a wealth of artifacts professionally displayed.
This is an artists impression of the Museum area, which will include a light Refreshment area and will make a first class addition to the Norfolk museum trail.
Therefore, the committee is asking all members and friends of the Desert Rat Association, plus any one elsewhere made wish to do so, if they can help by making a donation to make this possible in 2012. If anyone wishes to make a donation please contact the Treasurer or the Secretary.
Update: Our fund raising is progressing well and any more contributions will be most welcome. At present we are in the process of sourcing a suitable Nissan Hut and will update everyone as the project progresses.
Thank you.
Open Day 2013 The next Open Day will be held on Sunday 16th June 2013 at the Memorial at High Ash Camp.
Germany Visit 2013
Are you interested in a 7 day trip to Hohne & Fallingbostle from 28th July to 3rd August 2013?
We are now planning to fly from Stanstead Airport. Please note we will take a very steady journey and will be taking a minibus to the airport. There, will be plenty of rests, we can supply a carer for any veteran, you may wish to bring a friend/relative if you prefer. Independant travel is an option if you wish, but you MUST advise our chairman Mr. Rod Scott of your plans for this if you do so, otherwise you may not be allowed onto the base. The itinerary will be designed to give plenty of time to recharge for those who need or opportunities to visit sites of interest.
This is the LAST opportunity to visit British troops before all are home based. This is part of General Bradshaw's quest to get ALL Desert Rats to join us.
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The association formed to look after the Memorial has no regular income and relies on donations which can be sent via our Secretary, Tina Scott, 8 Thurston Road, Beyton, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, IP30 9AE. Telephone 01359 270490. Cheques should be made payable to The 7th Armoured Division Memorial Fund.
Please click here to bookmark this page for future reference
Below are photographs of the Memorial Erected by the Division in Berlin 1945, that now stands in the grounds of the Staff College at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
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Help support the Desert Rats Association
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Veteran's El Alamein Visit - October 2011 In October 2011, a small group of veterans accompanied by family and the Desert Rats Association Chairman, Mr. Rod Scott and his wife Tina, the Treasurer visited the El Alamein battlefield and the El Alamein War Cemetery. During the visit to the latter a wreath was laid on behalf of the Associations Patron, HRH. The Duchess of Cornwall, on 23rd October, the 69th Anniversary of the start of the battle. To see some pictures of this trip please click here. |
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A Brief History of the Desert Rats and Memorial. (Now
with video links)
Location of 7th Armoured Division (The Desert Rats) Memorial
Locations of the 7th Armoured Division and 4th Armoured Brigade before the invasion of Normandy
Take a Virtual Tour of the High Ash and Shakers Wood Camp Area
Tribute to the founder of 7th Armoured Division Memorial - Les Dinning
The History of the British 7th Armoured Division, plus the 4th and 7th Armoured Brigade, website
Visitors since 1st September 2006
