LONDON BRANCH NEWS LETTER 2017

Transcription

1 LONDON BRANCH NEWS LETTER 2017 The Branch saw out 2016 in good heart having completed a full and busy events calendar and more importantly a substantial increase in membership numbers. Total membership has now crept over the two hundred mark of active members; a number are those who have re-established their membership but a clear majority are new members which is very encouraging. This year we have also spread the word and found long lost Riflemen from years gone past. On more than one account we have had an International year. We sponsored a KRRC Cadet to visit South Africa, a member returned to Saint Helen to reestablish contract through the Island Governor with the St Helens Rifles, visited Salamanca and took in France and Belgium. The first major event was the Ladies Dinner night held at the Victory Service Club at which our guest was Brigadier Vere Hayes and his wife Penny who recently took over the helm of the Regimental Museum at Winchester. The evening began with a gathering for drinks in the newly refurbish Trafalgar Room were many old friends were reunited and few warmers into the bank taken. Dinner calls were sounded and we re-assembled in the dining hall. There was a change from the past and before dinner began the Branch made a presentation to the local KRRC Cadet Force. Each year the Cadets provide a contingent to assist with the arrangements for the evening; they are always smartly turned out, polite and very helpful and always a credit to their unit. In the past the Branch has assisted them by giving them a grant for their Road Tax, MOT and Insurance for their Mini Bus. Due to change of MOD regulations this was no longer permissible. The unit is unique in the fact that they have retained their KRRC Cap Badge due to the fact that during the Boer War they provided a contingent to accompany the Field Army and on return were awarded a Battle Honour for their service on the battlefield. The ACF had decided to organise a tour to South Africa as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. After a very arduous selection procedure, C/Sgt Miriam Fleary managed to secure a place. The only down side was the cost to those participating was two thousand, five hundred pounds. Individual cadets were required to contribute the sum of one thousand pounds. The Branch decided to contribute the sum of one thousand Pounds for this trip of a life time to C/Sgt Fleary to ensure she made the required financial target. It was also decided that to ensure she could participate in all extra activities we gave her the sum of two hundred pounds pocket money for her personal use during trip. In due course, we hope to hear from her and an account of her trip. After an excellent meal with an excess of wine and again an enjoyable rolling slide show by courtesy by our IT expert Michael Blee which revisited the events of the previous year, it was time for the formal part of the evening to take place before the hall was re-arranged for the party that always follows.

2 The Secretary addressed the gathering and thanked those which contributed to making the evening a success, these included the hotel and catering staff, and our Cadets band and Bugles, who gave an outstanding rendition of High on a Hill. This was followed by the President who gave his annual State of the Nation address. He thanked the members for not only their outstanding support at all events throughout the year but he stated that without their full participation many of the events would not take place. He also he mentioned the fact that even with the increases in the cost of living in general by due diligence of the Treasurer there has been no increase in costs for functions or annual subscriptions this year but if costs continue to rise this might change in the future. He mentioned that the increase in Membership was also due to the efforts of members who were spreading the word and bringing former members of the regiment along to meetings. He urged members to continue with their efforts as membership is the life blood of the Branch. Our guests for the evening was Brigadier Vere Hayes and his wife Penny who is currently the Curator of the Museum at Winchester. He updated the gathering on the museums activities and plans for the museum in these uncertain times of financial support. He stressed that it was important that the museum remained competitive and attractive with other attractions within the City of Winchester. He thanked the Membership for their support in the past and hoped that it would continue in the future. The President then presented a cheque for 500 in support of the drive to collect money for the medals of L/Cpl Penistone which was to be auctioned soon. The Brigadier stated that there was competition from private collectors for the medals and the outcome was uncertain. He assured the President that if the museums bid was unsuccessful he would return the cheque. His comment was trust me I am a Green Jacket, the Presidents comment was there being a first time for everything. The Branch attended the annual reunion of 4RGJ held this year at the Working Mens Club in the East End of London. This was the second year running that a Drill Hall was not available even so it was supported by a hardy few and very well organised, the availability of the West Ham Drill Hall impacted on the turnout at a location which many of those associated with 4RGJ consider as their London home. In the future, it would be a great pity if an arrangement with regards the location could not be negotiated to ensure that this reunion continues. The annual pilgrimage to Calais took place to commemorate the Kings Royal Rifle Corp, Rifle Brigade and the Queen Victoria s Rifles who took part in the attempt to stem the flow of the German Panzer Division on their advance on Dunkirk. The record of their valiant attempt is well documented with graphic and powerful descriptions available that describes their effort over the period of the battle. In the past this event has been well attended but the original numbers of those who took are now very few and Branch members make up a large proportion of those taking part. Long may this event continue and if the Branch can be of assistance they would willingly do so in the future.

3 Arrangements were made to travel to the Arboretum in early June. An early departure from London by coach and a day at the Arboretum for members and families took place. On arrival, the Branch attended the daily church service and given free time to view the improved facilities, the rebuilt reception centre and Heroes Square, where the London Branch paving stone is sited. The Branch census of opinion was that we were very pleased with the outcome of our efforts on this project. Mid morning we Boerded the Tour Train which turned out to be a well worthwhile means of viewing the whole Arboretum to see the numerous memorials that are within the boundaries of the site. If Branches are visiting this method of the touring the whole site is highly recommended and is booked prior to your visit. Before departing the Branch assembled for a short wreath laying ceremonial at the RGJ Memorial followed by a Branch photograph. On departure from the Arboretum arrangements had been made for a late lunch at the Swinfen Hall Hotel that is a former Manor House for drinks and a sit-down meal. This was an excellent way to complete a very enjoyable day, good food and wine and satisfied Riflemen. We departed for London and arrived in time for those hardy members who went on to visit a number of pubs and clubs before calling it a day. Veterans day lunch took place on 24th June at the Mark Masons Hall, St James, a very popular venue for this event. There was a marked improvement in the numbers attending that is appreciated by the Committee and makes their efforts well worthwhile. Pre-Lunch drinks set the tone of the lunch where many a story is revisited but more importantly friendships renewed. Lunch was taken in a dining room that overlooks St James Palace and is an ideal setting to continue the movement. The President addressed the gathering and the main point of the address was the future of Davis Street and the way ahead. Many of the London Branch Members have an affection for the Drill Hall and therefore were saddened to hear that Davis Street that many of them considered to be their home would no longer be available to them in the future. A fund-raising raffle took place and a word of thanks to all those who donated items must be noted. The proceeds will be used for a future Branch charity donation. After a long liquid lunch, most members dispersed for home except for the few who took the opportunity to continue in London. An excellent day with room for a few more in the future. The Regents Park Memorial Annual Service was held at the Bandstand on Sunday in July. It was extremely pleasing to see so many Riflemen attend. A total of over forty-five paraded including two of our Chelsea Pensioners. Also on Parade were two RGJ Standard Bearers from the Royal British Legion whose presence was very welcomed. On completion of the formal ceremony the parade retired for lunch and drinks at a local restaurant to complete a satisfactory event. There was a great deal of civilian interest shown by casual onlookers and this could be attributed to the fact that there was a Hyde Park rally taking place at the same time.

4 The Branches Battlefield Tour by coincidence was based on Calais and Dunkirk, part of the preparation was members making the effort to see the recently made film. A very early start from Liverpool Street Station and then onto the second pick- up- point at Ashford International Station. This is a regular procedure for our members and so we departed on time and all present. First port of call was to Dover Castle and the War Time Tunnels to view the Operation Dynamo operation rooms where the whole of the Dunkirk evacuation was planned and executed from. Since our coach was booked on a midday ferry the President had negotiated with the Castle to open an hour early before being opened to the public. This allowed us to view the tunnels in two groups with no waiting and dedicated group guides meeting again in the NAAFI. Lunch was taken on the Ferry supported by some liquid refreshments by some members. On arrival in France we made our way direct to our hotel in St Omer and met our advance party and free runners to settle in. The Branch Battlefield Tour Dinner proved to be a success at which included a selection of local wines. After dinner members retired to the bar or tasted the local town hospitality. An auction took place at the dinner which raised money in support of the Branches charity. Day two began with a short drive to Calais to paint the picture of the well know battle fought by the Rile Brigade, KRRC and the Queen Victoria s Rifles. A word of thanks to Major R Cassidy MBE who produced extracts from the Regimental journals that explained in detail the events of the heroic fight for the town. After a tour of the museum that included a display of the Green Jackets involvement in the battle it was time to move on to Dunkirk. On arrival at Dunkirk a short lunch break was taken in restaurants overlooking the evacuation beaches that set the scene for the remainder of the day. We then met a local guide whose parents were local farmers at the time of the evacuation. Our first point of interest was a location where we viewed the whole of the Mole Jetty and the dockside where the wounded were evacuated from. This site was an ideal spot to view and talk through the of the evacuation before moving on to tour the remainer of the northern beaches. We viewed the docks and the locks that the Germans constructed which allowed their E Boats to cause havoc in the Channel for the remainder of the war. After a drive through Dunkirk Town with points of interest described we then made our way to the Dunkirk Memorial on the outskirts of the town where we held a short remembrance ceremony and laid a wreath on behalf of the London Branch. The day was not complete as we then went to view the newly opened Dunkirk Museum that had recently been renovated and had only be opened in late September. A worthy museum and highly recommended if one is in the area. A late return to the hotel after a long day and for some a long night for the hardy few. An early start on the final morning with a visit to another new opened point of interest called La Coupole on the way to Calais. This site was a Museum that had been constructed by the Germans in a quarry deep underground to facilitate their final preparation of their V1 and V2s before deployment to their firing sites throughout the area. This museum had many

5 excellent exhibits and more importantly some excellent wartime films taken throughout the period of use until the RAF decided to pay them a call with devastating effect. It was then onto Calais and the ferry home. The trip from Dover to London was trouble free that allowed members to catch connections or for some a final night cap before calling it a day. The Branches major fund raising event took place in late October. This was not the most satisfactory date but the only one that we could get our Ducks in a Row with other commitments. The Union Jack Club managed to accommodate us and more than fulfilled our needs. It was decided that Andy McNab would present a short introduction talk and then conducted an open house approach with a question and answer session. We also, based on last years experience, obtained a professional interviewer who controlled the interview and auction. Prior to the evening we requested those attending to submit any question that they had to begin the evening and then progress to an open house which provided some very interesting views from the audience. As always time expired and a to allow the evening to continue time was called. In conjunction with the book signing, a highly successful auction was completed that raised a considerable sum for the Branch funds coupled with a substantial raffle that added to the coffers. A word of thanks must be said to those members who contributed items for the auction and raffle, also those too many to name who assisted in the background and especially committee members for their efforts. The Branch received an invitation to participate in the bi-annual awards ceremony at the Guildhall in London for the Rifles Regimental Awards 2016 and 2017 in the presence of HRH Prince of Wales. The Secretary attended and represented the London Branch with others attending representing the RGJ Association Committee and the Rifles Benevolence Fund. The evening turned out to be a very enjoyable and informative evening. The annual Field of Remembrance Service at Westminster took place on the Thursday before Remembrance Sunday in November, and was attended by the Secretary and four other members of the Branch. Preparation of the Roll of Honour and Poppy Crosses that members of the Association had requested to be placed on the RGJ Association plot was managed by the Secretary in time for ceremony. On the day, the Secretary, Gary Driscoll once again got face time with HRH Prince Harry which is becoming a recurring event. Maybe we should commission The Secretary to write a song When Harry met Gary. There is an open invitation to all members of the Royal Green Jackets Association that if they require a RBL memorial cross to be laid they should contact the Secretary of the London Branch RGJ Association. Remembrance Sunday as always turned out to be a major event for the Branch marred only by the fact that the newly introduced ticket application system by the RBL was unsatisfactory. It is sincerely hoped that this is reviewed before the new year. As always the Theodore Bullfrog Public House came up to expectations and opened at 0800hrs for early arrivals. Hot drinks and breakfast and of course those who required a warmer in the bank were catered for. We formed up on Whitehall at the allotted time with a full contingent of 180 which was our allocated number of tickets. We also managed to muster a few extra from strays who had obtained tickets by other means.

6 On return to the Bullfrog for drinks and lunch, we were joined by members of the Rifle Brigade bringing the numbers to more than 350. It was very pleasing to have a large number of wives and family members attend many of whom had of course over the years accompanied their husbands on postings throughout the world. Last orders were called about 1700hrs and many weary Riflemen made their way home having had an enjoyable day with friends who they had not seen for many years. The Branches final function of the year was our Ladies Christmas Lunch held at Mark Masons Hall, St James. This proved to be the Branches best effort yet at this function and the numbers exceeded all previous years by a considerable number. The banqueting hall was maxed out and due to the numbers extra tables were provided and full to capacity. A large group from 1RGJ took the occasion to meet and have a reunion. It was gratifying to see that members and guests had travelled from afar, there where members and guests from Liverpool, Devon, Oxford and other places. A traditional Christmas Lunch was severed with a great deal of wine which lead to a real Christmas party atmosphere enjoyed by everyone. General CGC Vyvyan joined us for drinks before lunch and mingled with members, which was greatly appreciated. As always on these occasions time was called and members dispersed to make their way home or other places for night caps before traveling home. This year has been a highly successful year for the Branch, a substantial increase in Membership but more pleasing a greater number of members have attended functions throughout the year. We look forward to a full and busy year and we would like to take this opportunity to all those serving with the Rifles if in harm s way take care and come home safely. Colonel (Retd) George F Smythe OBE RGJ Assn London Branch President