Veterans Reunion Winchester 2019

the Church Service held in Dover Castle Church. The service was conducted by our own Padre, Sean Sheffield. This has now become an annual event.

After the service the local congregation open their doors to their reception room for coffee and biscuits. Afterwards everyone proceeded down to our HQ, the Sea Angling Club for a curry lunch.

Remembrance Day Parades

Members of the Branch joined the Dover Town Remembrance Day parade, marching through the town to the Town Hall where the service was performed. memory of our absent friends. A wreath was laid by the Branch’s President.

Christmas Party Dover Town Hall

This was a major success again with well over 200 people attending. Food, drink (a beer or two), raffle, dancing, auction and a lot of chatting. Riflemen travelled miles to come and enjoy the festive time and catch up with brothers in arms.

After this parade, approximately twenty members of the South East Kent Branch, accompanied by many wives and friends formed up at the 60th Rifles Memorial, where Reverend Sean Sheffield, the branch’s own Padre held a full service in

VETERANS REUNION 6TH JULY 2019 WAS IT A GOOD DAY?

Here I am indoors in December, not quite wearing a raincoat but almost, having just received a Warning Order from our S & B Editor ‘Hurry up with your Reunion article please’. That instruction seems to come round ever so quickly, and what can I write to make this article interesting for you as our Reunions tend to have a ‘samey’ feel about them? ‘Have a cup of tea and think damn it BoothMason’.

O.K., let’s start with my 2018 article which ended ‘was it a good day and did we achieve all that we set out to do?’ I certainly hope so, and if we did not, I am sure you will let me know’.

The immediate aftermath, I recall, was favourable with not too many grumbles. The 2019 Reunion took place as is our wont in early July and was followed in the late autumn by a general feedback questionnaire to our Branch members about their views on the structure/compositions of our future Reunions. The catalyst of the questionnaire arose from a combination of topics ranging from the cost of the day (£48,000 gross), reducing attendance and the uncertainty regarding the future of Sir John Moore Barracks. The replies were very interesting - but more of that later.

I usually set aside the Friday preceding the event for a recce of the site and to touch base with Roy Stanger, the hard working 4 Rifles work party, the bar staff, key Winchester branch personnel and a visit to the camping area which was beginning to fill up with cars and caravans. I do have to remind myself that much of the physical preparations began 4 days previously with the marquee erection, grass cutting in the camping field, the placing of signage, the gate party set up and countless other tasks to be implemented. and after a good breakfast (which was somewhat ‘different’ from what I had experienced in the 1970’s) I strolled out towards the main marquee. It promised to be a bright sunny day which was a good start. The area was a hive of activity with stands being set up and public address systems being connected together at the Information tent, Garden of Remembrance, parade ground and even in the marquee itself. All trying to be ready for ‘General’ Stanger’s risk assessment at 1130 hrs. This is always a slightly nervous period as nearly a

year’s work has gone into laying on this event and one hopes no last minute hitches suddenly occur? Thanks to the well organised team on the ground all proceeded according to plan. This year’s theme was the 50 th Anniversary of Northern Ireland’s Op

Banner which was duly recognised with a special stand which will I comment on later.

As the 1400 hrs opening deadline approached I felt confident that everything was up to scratch and on schedule and we were in for a good day. But the key question was ’how many Riflemen would turn up?’ which is one area outside our control. The Rifles Army Cadet Force (Winchester) arrived in force to direct traffic to the designated parking areas. Our Reception area under command of our RGJA Secretary (Jan-Dirk von Merveldt) and our Treasurer/Membership Secretaries (Michael Leeming & Hugh Goudge) were ready and waiting to check membership status

As the day got underway the sun continued to shine, due I am sure in no small measure to the presence of the Senior Chaplain ATR (Winchester) Padre Norman McDowell who again took our Service of Thanksgiving at the well maintained Light Division Garden of Remembrance. There was some lusty singing from the attendees, plus the usual support from the Winchester Military Wives Choir who sang their solo beautifully aided by a Rifles Band and Bugles Brass Ensemble plus our own Buglers Association. It is only proper that we hold this short service to remember some of our fallen. This year 5 names from the Roll of Honour years 1987-1996 were read out by the Deputy Chairman.

As the Romsey Old Cadet Band were unable to perform this year we asked our Buglers Association to give us a short Bugle display which was excellent. As bugling is our frontline showcase to the general public all credit must go to their President Alan Tamblyn who has ensured our Regimental bugling skills are being maintained for the future as well as encouraging cadets to become interested in bugling. The bugle display also gave our RGJA President the opportunity to present them with 6 RGJ silver bugles that the Association had restored. The accompanying photographs demonstrate how well the restoration has been undertaken.

As mid afternoon approached we all eagerly awaited our Parade Adjutant Gary Driscoll ‘s voice change from his usual singing voice to an RSM voice for Riflemen to fall in for the Battalion Parade and March Past. The Regiment was called to order for a short address by our President Maj General Jamie Gordon who informed us that the Association was in good health, some information about the 6 restored silver RGJ bugles and a little encouraging news about the future of SJMB which was safe until at least 2024. AND then that moment we all had been looking forward to, and a highlight of the day for many of us, the words of the Parade Adjutant ‘Bugle Major –Sound the Advance’. Chests out, shoulders back, loads of smiles, shouts of ‘get in step’ as we marched around the Square to the accompaniment of the combined Bands of 6 & 7 Rifles. Then finally into the finishing straight and being greeted by cheers, handclapping, and smiles from the seated spectators before the Salute and ‘Eyes right’ to our President. I was also pleased to see that the Parade dress was adhered to by most of the marching Riflemen which is as it should be.

Unfortunately the Rifles Band & Bugles were unable to join us for this year’s Reunion due to a prior commitment, so our B&B this year came from components drawn from our Reserve Bands of 6 & 7 Rifles who had travelled a long way to undertake this reunion task for us. Their performance and marching was excellent and all credit to them. Bugling is very much part of our DNA and it was both pleasing and extremely pleasurable to listen to those familiar and unique sounds together with our bands. They are to be encouraged and cherished. Following on from our parade, they together with our Association Buglers, performed Sounding Retreat, the National Anthem and Sunset as our flag went down (JMB please note!). I would also like to thank DOM Major Lawrence Sale for his contribution throughout the whole afternoon. So ended our Main Square programme.

However the Main Square events were not the only attractions. 4 Rifles, quite apart from being

stands to mark this occasion. The ‘Soldiers of the Queen’ (a 1970’s re-enactment group) set up a very good and popular stand that attracted many of us to view what they had on display. Their stand had an excellent display of arms, ammunition and equipment all so familiar to us from those years ago. A trip down memory lane as we handled again those long forgotten pieces of equipment. There should have been a 6 wheel Saladin vehicle on display but unfortunately it broke down on its inward journey –regardless of that our sincere thanks to the SOTQ. Running in parallel with our theme the RGJ and Rifles Museum with excellent help from Rocky Gates had collected many NI photos which were then cleverly displayed on a continuous loop via monitor to provide a running display for all to view. This was no mean feat and congratulations to all involved. Even I was seen in one photo in case anyone wondered if I had ever served in the Regiment! In addition, the sides of the marquee also had NI photos.

The Museum also had their own specific stand selling some of their wares which was an adjunct to the Museum itself in Peninsula Barracks who also were well supported by Riflemen and their families visiting over the weekend. For 2020 our Reunion theme will be BAOR so please send any photos to the Museum.

We usually like to have a couple of charities involved. Naturally The Rifles C4C (Care for Casualties) under Pam Perry (Assistant Regt Sec The Rifles) and Capt. Ian Foster kindly obliged. The second charity was ‘Veterans Support Agency’ under a former Rifleman John Joyce also attended. For the second year running we had the electronic clay pigeon shooting on the sports ground behind the marquee. Being very much interactive which are what people ask for –it’s not for some reason that well supported. We will continue this for 2020 and then reassess its popularity. We should not forget our ‘Compere extraordinaire’ Brig Nicholas Prideaux who tirelessly kept us informed throughout the afternoon of events taking place and details about the participants themselves.

And so after a busy and enjoyable afternoon it was time to RV at the marquee for a networking session with our old mates and a few bevvies before the evening’s entertainment started. This has for several years now been undertaken by those 3 wonderful singing ladies from ‘The Melodic Belles’. As usual they gave us all much enjoyment in 2 x 30 minute sessions. Their singing resonated inside the marquee and foot tapping and audience participation was much in evidence. To round off the evening a 2 course dinner with choices had been laid on costing only a £5. Great value!!

Lastly, while on the subject of the Reunion, I thought you would be interested in my summary feedback received from branches on future Reunions:

Summary/conclusions

1. To remain at Winchester ATR for the foreseeable future on same current basis was strongly supported with tweaks like improved camping facilities/wives area/buggy/bus service which are being incorporated for 2020.

2. Any possible move to Worthy Down requires investigation but no outright enthusiasm.