Royal Tank Regiment Association
5 RTR Reunion Newsletter Click here
Plymouth Branch
A smaller contingent than originally hoped made the journey to London on November 16th 2008 for
the march to The Cenotaph and were pleased to join other branch members, and serving members
of The Regiment for this. We hope and are confident that this number can be increased for 2009.
The branch saw an excellent turnout for our Cambrai dinner on 21st November 2008, all of whom,
along with the guest of honour Lt Col Neil Mason RTR enjoyed good food and an enjoyable and
sociable evening. After the meal Neil spoke at length on the regiment and in particular of the
challenges that they face both now and in the future, it was captivating and extremely interesting
and everyone's appreciation was apparent by the round of applause he received. If there was
anything at fault it can only be that there simply were not enough hours in the evening to get around
and speak to everybody. Along with regular faces there were some partners/wives present who
were had not previously enjoyed an event such as this, their initial fears were soon forgotten as they
came to realize what a "normal" and sociable bunch we all are, we in turn were pleased to welcome
them to the Regimental Family. Our secretary Dave Taylor was on his best behaviour, having been
seen being disciplined by "3A", his delightful wife Fiona - are ears meant to twist that far? Thanks to
the many generous donations, we had one of the longest raffles ever, but at least it meant that
many people were able to collect prizes. Pride of place in my own home is a very nice handmade
wooden bowl and fruit, produced by our chairman Graham Pearson, (Carol seems to have
overlooked the fact that it was my ticket not hers), a good enough reason to leave the dusting of
said item to her though. A mention must also go to Malcolm Cleverly who brought along a fair
selection of the various prints and other items that he produces for sale during the evening or to be
ordered afterwards. If you have access to the Green Flash website there is a further report about
the dinner on there along with several pictures. I am sure everyone will join me in thanking all those
who planned and organised a very successful and enjoyable evening.
Prior to the dinner seven sturdy members had braved the bitter cold and wind at The China Fleet
Club for a round of golf. To help them cope with such extremes of weather were unknown
quantities of wine, supplied courtesy of Appleby Westwood Group Ltd (Spar). In spite of the
conditions and lack of any Paderborner, it seems that a good game was played by all and hopefully a
few more will enjoy similar in 2009.
We hope that everybody far and wide had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year and do not face too
many challenges in the difficult times currently facing the country.
Sadly the year begins with the sad news of the passing to the green fields of another two well known
comrades, Ron Aquilina and Dennis Adams, our thoughts go out to their families.
By the time of publication our flag bearer John Ross and Jimmy Digweed will have already been busy
having attended the funeral of a Normandy Veteran on 8th January and attending the Devon and
Cornwall Branch at Kingsteinton on 15th January. For those who may not be aware, Jimmy Digweed
is himself a member of "The Normandy Veterans Association", and along with John attends a great
many events throughout the region.
Bert Hammond
Royal Tank Regiment Association
Scotland Branch
Newsletter January 2009. fresh in the minds of many. It is that
time of year when we meet to renew our association to the Regiment, meet old
friends only seen at these occasions and have a really good knees-up. Cambria
2008 was no exception.
Cambria 2008, otherwise known as the 4RTR reunion, was held in the Cairn
Hotel, near Bathgate, West Lothian, a new venue offering a larger number of
rooms and a more functional layout for the gathering. Approximately 150
attended this year, lower numbers than normal, however anticipated due to the
change of venue (good military practice, let others do the reconnaissance first and
wait for the reports). However this did not lessen the party mood.
As in previous years, among our numbers we could count serving members of the
1st and we believe the 2nd Royal Tank Regiments Warrant Officers and Sergeants
messes, mostly ex members of the Fourth still serving. Forever welcome.
We would like to thank 1RTR and in particular, Drum Major Jason Sumner for
providing us with 2 amazing Pipers. Their professionalism and the standard of
their music is of great credit to them and the Regiment. We (the Fourth) are
proud to be associated with them and their history. 1RTR should be commended
for continuing this tradition. We should make it very clear that the Pipers were
very well looked after and supplied with the best liquid refreshments we could
find, this in keeping with "ye old" Pipe band traditions "One for the Piper and
one for the Pipes".
Entering 2009, we have recently held our first committee meeting during which
our Secretary (John Keenan) has laid out his expectations for 2009. These include
Branch anticipation in many events around the country.
A number of our members will be attending the 1/4/7 Reunion in Solihull, the
4RTR Gathering in Swanage and participating with the Regiment at the National
Arboretum and the Cenotaph. Details of each can be acquired by contacting our
Secretary, contact details can be found on our web site www.4rtr.co.uk.
Click here for colour Newsletter
Reunion 2009.
As the 2008 reunion was held in the Cairn Hotel for the very first time, it was
important that the committee received feedback from the function before
committing themselves to the same venue in 2009. A large number of people
participated in the on-line survey/questionnaire and we are pleased to say the
feedback was predominately positive. To that end, we have met with the hotel
management and have confirmed our booking for 2009. Please add 21 November
2009 to your diary. Details and invitations will be published later in the year.
Please ensure that our Secretary has your postal and electronic details.
Every year we are pleasantly surprised to see long lost friends turn up at the
reunion for the very first time, in fact this is the reason many of us continually
attend these reunions.
This year was no exception, Jimmy Hyland, Klaus Dickenson, Frankie McGarrell
and Jimmy Cunning to name a few. More are making themselves known via the
internet and we look forward to seeing them this November.
A task for all of us, go out there, find our long lost comrades and drag them along
to the reunion. Once there it is guaranteed they will enjoy themselves. No one
will be turned away.
A note from the Tank Magazine, in particular from our very own George (uncle)
Forty (Editor of the Tank). There are still a number of the "Standards Souvenir"
editions of the Tank available. Should any individual or group like a copy (you
will be sorry you missed this copy in later years, probably go for a bomb on
ebay), please contact George at grgfor@aol.com.
There are also a number of souvenir pill boxes for sale from RHQ RTR. These
and many other RTR related gifts can be viewed at
www.RoyalTankRegiment.com , the new RHQ RTR website, well worth a visit.
Another interesting website some may be interested in visiting,
www.thelangboat.co.uk. This website logs Dave and Janice Lang's trips around
the canal systems of England. Dave and Janice have lived on this narrow boat
(Take Five) for some years now. Makes interesting viewing for those who knew
Dave and Janice. I have just heard that Dave Murdoch recently caught up with
Take Five on the Trent and Mersey canal. It's a small world.
Till next time. Fear Naught.
Royal Tank Regiment Association
Preston Branch
In August 2007 the branch spent an interesting day at the Imperial War Museum North, Salford. Although the museum displays some objects of war, such as an Iraqi ‘T54’ tank and a well preserved ‘T34’, its main theme, in their own words, ‘is about people and their stories, and how lives have been and still are shaped by war and conflict’. The museum clearly does this and gives much food for thought!
Remembrance Sunday and the Cambrai lunch were our next two main events. On a cold and windy Remembrance Day the Branch Standard Party, along with other associations and regular and reserve forces, marched to the Preston Cenotaph. Our Standard Bearer, Don Clough, did a sterling job in preventing the Standard taking off in the wind! After the ceremony the Mayor invited all who attended the parade to the Guild Hall for the traditional Remembrance Day lunch. There we soon thawed out with a welcome Hot Pot and fortified coffee.
The Cambrai Lunch, organised by our secretary and held at Garstang Country Club was a great success, including families and friends over 50 attended. The food was excellent and the proceeds from the raffle helped with the cost. We were pleased to see our President, Brig. Ian Rodley there. Ian brought us to date on RTR affairs.
In late November the secretary received an interesting phone call from a person who wished to carry out her families wishes regarding their father who had just passed away and were trying to get some recognition of his military service at his funeral. It turned out that her father (ex 7 RTR) named Wroe was captured at Tobruk, and then shipped to Italy from where he subsequently escaped into the mountains. There are no further details.
Various names were passed on to her but to no avail, there was no-one.
At our December meeting we discussed and agreed that four of us would attend to provide an escort. And so it was that on a bitterly cold morning in East Lancashire four of our members were present to see him off, he entered the chapel to My Boy Willie. There was a short service and that was it, but it wasn’t it! The response of the family to those of us, who attended, though not knowing him, was very moving.
You see he wore the badge!
Again at Garstang, we held a combined Xmas and surprise 90th Birthday lunch for our Vice President and oldest member Tom Milne. Tom, who served with 4RTR, is a veteran of the bitter winter conflict in the Ardennes. We all hope that when reaching 90 we are as lively as Tom is now.
From February 2009 branch meetings at the Sergeants Mess Fulwood Bk’s will begin, for a 12 month trial, at 1200 hr’s. The reason for this change, though it does not please every one, is that some of us live over 20 miles away and do not like night driving in winter. However on the plus side daytime meetings means we can have a light lunch in the mess.
Best wishes to all
Alan Rigby
Bovington Branch RTR Association Click Here
Royal Tank Regiment Association
Oxford Branch
We held our A.G.M in the Oxford University O.T.C. Officers' Mess. This January gathering will be our only evening meeting this year. Our Chairman, Colonel Bruce Duncan, continues to lead us and the Committee was elected en bloc. Special praise was given to our ex-officio members, Ron Caulcott our Standard Bearer, and Fred Smallwood our photographer. They were both thanked for their contributions to our Branch and the Regiment.
Sadly we must report the passing of Ann Collett, the widow of the late Frank Collett (ex 1RTR).
Our general health is fairly good. Bert French is having a difficult time.
It is hoped that we shall support our Regimental Sunday in Bovington on March 15th. We look forward once again to being invited by A Squadron 1RTR to the Fire Power Demonstration in Warminster. It will be good to see our family in tanks once again.
1st Armoured Regiment Association Newsletter click here