Friends of the Desert Rats

We are the Friends of the Desert Rats, and are committed to keeping the memory of the Desert Rats from 1940 to the modern day alive.

[Friends of the Desert Rats @AssnRats]

St. Andrews Church,. Honingham

An Armed Forces and Dunkirk Memorial Service is to be held to honour the sacrifices made by many for the nation at St Andrew’s Church Honingham NR9 5BT on Sunday 28th June at 1100hrs?
All are welcome to attend to pay their respects.

[Friends of the Desert Rats @AssnRats]

War Diaries of 22nd Armoured Brigade Workshops, REME (1944 - 45) are now available on our website.
@7thRats @Official_REME
https://t.co/uD6vTzUDBd

[Friends of the Desert Rats @AssnRats]

https://t.co/0lQbD4gYVc

[Friends of the Desert Rats @AssnRats]

We are pleased to announce that the War Diaries For 414 Battery (Essex Yeomanry) Royal Horse Artillery 1942 @71signalregt @royalartillery1 covering the early months of the Burma Campaign when it was part of @7thRats are available on line. https://t.co/0lQbD4gYVc

[Friends of the Desert Rats @AssnRats]

Please remember they have been there for us in the past and will be there for us in the future and if you wish please say a little prayer of thanks and especially for peace.
Floreat Gerboa!

[Friends of the Desert Rats @AssnRats]

Christmas 2025
We would like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and Peaceful New Year.

[Friends of the Desert Rats @AssnRats]

It is good to reflect that over the years since their creation the Desert Rats have found themselves all over the world during wars, other conflicts & in peace time &it is the support of their families, friends & this Country which has sustained them at this time of year.

[Friends of the Desert Rats @AssnRats]

Remembrance 2025
Today marks the start of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal for 2025.
Since the end of WW2, many who have worn the Red or Black Jerboa, have made the ultimate sacrifice or have been wounded, in both body and mind. @The_Black_Rats @7thRats

[Friends of the Desert Rats @AssnRats]

A Remembrance Sunday Service will to be held to remember the sacrifices made by many for the nation at St Andrew’s Church Honingham NR9 5BT on Sunday 9th November 2025 at 10.55 hrs.
PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT at the Memorial, and is being held at the above mentioned church/

[Friends of the Desert Rats @AssnRats]

We have received this message from the organisers of the El Alamein Service on 19 Oct.

We had a great attendance at the El Alamein Service on Sunday.
Next we have our Remembrancer Sunday Service at St Andrews Church, Honingham, NR9 5BT on 9 Nov at 10.55 hrs

[Friends of the Desert Rats @AssnRats]

El Alamein Service - 19th October 2025 at 10:55 hrs
A service is to be held to honour the sacrifices made by many for the nation at St Andrew’s Church Honingham, NR9 5BT
All are welcome to attend to pay their respects, for the 83rd Anniversary of the battle.

[Friends of the Desert Rats @AssnRats]

4th Armoured Brigade in North Africa. @The_Black_Rats
I found this on my travels, today

It is a good example of how mobile the desert war was. It is from Op Crusader November/December 1941.

The are lots of units mentioned.

[Friends of the Desert Rats @AssnRats]

Other troops from the Desert also later served in India & Burma &some men of 3rd (The King's Own) Hussars @ChurchillsOwn who were captured when Java fell in March 1942, where 54 died in the camps.
"When you go home, tell them of us and say. For your tomorrow, we gave our today!"

[Friends of the Desert Rats @AssnRats]

#OTD VJ Day 80 @7thRats
Today we commemorate and remember the long fought victory in the Far East and especially those who served then and especially those who still lay there.

[Friends of the Desert Rats @AssnRats]

The Desert Rats, were involved in the early stages of the Burman Campaign, when an understrength 7th Armoured Brigade (The Green Jerboa) helped the British, Burmese and Indian forces withdraw from Burma. Many who wore the Jerboa remain there to this day.

[Friends of the Desert Rats @AssnRats]

#OTD The Desert Rats, Berlin Victory Parade 21st July 1945 @7thRats

[Friends of the Desert Rats @AssnRats]

#OTD Berlin Victory Parade 21st July 1945

[Friends of the Desert Rats @AssnRats]

#OTD Berlin Victory Parade 21st July 1945

[Friends of the Desert Rats @AssnRats]

#OTD Churchilll's Speech, Berlin 21st July 1945 @7thRats
During the formal opening of the "Winston" Club, in Berlin, for the 7th Armoured Division Other Ranks, by Winston Churchill, his speech contained the following words;

[Friends of the Desert Rats @AssnRats]

#OTD Berlin Victory Parade 21st July 1945

[Friends of the Desert Rats @AssnRats]

The news was announced on social media by his local councillor. The Desert Rats - 7th Light Mechanised Brigade became aware of Donald 3 years ago and a representative has visited him every year on his birthday on Christmas Eve to present him with a card.

[Friends of the Desert Rats @AssnRats]

Passing of a Desert Rat Veteran

We regret to inform you of the passing this morning of Donald Rose, late Queen’s Royal Regiment and fiercely proud Desert Rat.
At 110 years of age he was the oldest surviving WW2 veteran and the UK’s oldest man.
@rhqpwrr @PwrrM