John Hothersall of Preston Circle recently received his 60 year scroll and medallion from Grand President David Rowley at a celebration dinner recently at Bartle Hall. Bill's great friend and fellow nonagenarian Bill Cousins was also in attendance; John maintains that Bill was probably responsible for shooting him when they were travelling through Europe in February 1944. The then Sergeant Bill was in the Royal Artillery Company that managed, as they entered Germany, to wound Private Hothersall, resulting in John's repatriation.
Other highlights of John's military career include a job taking Goering's staff car to Montgomery. Goering was not in the car at the time. John also volunteered that he had experience with horses (which he hadn't), leading to the command of a mixed English/German force in 3 ton trucks, and a week carting horses from Germany to Trieste for the officers' riding school.
On his last night with the regiment before de-mob, John somehow ended up on a charge. There is a scurrilous rumour that a drop or two of alcohol was involved. The Major, on realising that John had been educated at Ampleforth, only asked "Do you hunt?" before letting him off. John was given an honourable discharge.
A good turnout of John's Brothers witnessed the 60 year scroll presentation.
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| John Hothersall (seated receiving his 60 year Membership Scroll from Grand President David Rowley (left) accompanied by Bill Cousins (right) |
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