6 minute read
The REME Commando Reunion
Scribe: LCpl “Plumbers” Plumbly
Preface
Advertisement
Commando Dictionary:
Hoofin amazing, awesome great Wets beers, (Hot Wets - tea etc) Scran hog roast (in this case) sultanas, currants, raisins and nuts historically, or scran out (ask a Commando) Heads toilets Wet Lids those who have recently passed All Arms Commando Course (AACC) Icers proper cold OG1N water (drinking or sea) Run Ashore Glad rags on nights out, may be guided by a route card Dits stories told of Hoofin times, getting into the ogin when it was icers then, downing loads of wets, attempting to trap and then seeking scran. Wet lids look forward to building a lifetime of dits that they can regurgitate in Reunions future!
Reunion History
The REME Commando Reunion first took place in 2002 on the 20th Anniversary of the Falkland’s conflict where serving members of 29 Commando Wksp got together in the Spean Bridge Club at the Royal Citadel the home of 29 Commando RA.
The reunion was an instant hit, and it was decided that the next year it was to happen again, but this time including all of the REME Commando family past and present. APC Glasgow was contacted and the names of every REME Commando trained rank was released (in 2002 data protection was not a thing!), all received invites via letters and word of mouth to join together in an annual festival where dits, wets, ogin, and general hoofin antics would be plentiful.
Present Day
The Reunion has taken place every year since, currently planned and organised by Ex ASM Joe Jordan and Mrs Christine Drake the long
Former ASM (now Artillery-man!) Kev Carter dishing out the scran
Wets in hand, the guys watch Simon being presented with his watch
serving Wksp Clerk, now taking place over a full weekend at the start of July. There is an All Ranks Reunion on the Friday attended by past and present members of the Wksp, Commando trained (or not) with Saturday reserved for those who have proved their worthiness by completed the gruelling AACC.
Friday
This year the reunion was hosted within the Wksp lines, approximately 160 attended, with a vehicle and gun display including a BV202 from the Imperial War Museum, this brought up a lot of old memories and many “hoofin dits” from the Veterans which were shared with the younger “wet lid” lads.
The Armourer’s gun bay was stripped out and filled with thousands of photos showing REME Commandos in a range of settings and dresses over the years; stimulating nostalgia amongst both young and old.
A makeshift bar was assembled with plenty of “wets”, allowing those attending to raise a glass in memory of those members absent or who can no longer be with us. Post scran the “run ashore” started, fancy dress is customary with a great show this year from 16AA fan favourites.
The Saturday
A voluntary PT/Swim session is normally conducted in the morning where any Commando Trained Rank can take part; this year sticking with the Commando heritage the meeting point was in the ogin at Tinside Beach.
The rest of the day consisted of a BBQ down at the infamous Navy Inn, a strong supporter of 29 Commando over the years.
After food was served and many wets sunken a special edition Elliot Brown Holton watch was auctioned in support of Simon (Frankie) Vaughan.
The “Simon Vaughan Award for Excellence” is in honour of Cpl Vaughan which provides trade champions a coin that can be presented to tradespersons that are deemed to have provided exceptional contributions to their CEG; the key attributes are cheerfulness in the face of adversity, determination, excellence and courage.
About Simon
In 2008, Corporal Simon Vaughan was travelling through Helmand Province when the vehicle he was in was blown up by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). He hit the frame of the vehicle before being flung eight metres into the air, hitting his head on impact. His heart stopped beating at the scene of the attack, starving his brain of oxygen, whilst Medics fought to keep him alive.
This was just the start of the continued physical and emotional roller coaster that Simon and his family would now have to endure. By the time Simon arrived at Camp Bastion Hospital, ASM Joe Jordan was waiting for the medical evacuation helicopter to land.
From this moment forward Joe has been by
The Reunion reception in full swing
The brave lads save a pint from drowning
Simon’s side. His enduring support has been relentless, selfless, and vital. The last 14 years have been incredibly tough and through every twist and turn, Joe has been there for Simon and his family.
To show our continued support for Simon and to say thank you to Joe for going above and beyond over all these years, the LimitedEdition Army Commando watch was commissioned. Not only did Elliot Brown create a fantastic timepiece, but they also very generously donated three free watches and £2,745 from the 61 watches that were sold. The watches, No1 to Simon and No2 to Joe, were presented to them at the annual Army Commando Reunion by Lieutenant Colonel Lance Foster REME on behalf of all their Commando Brothers. A 3rd watch was auctioned off as part of the Commando Reunion and then all the money raised donated to Simon.
Big thank you’s
A massive thank you to Elliot Brown (elliotbrownwatches.com) they have made a huge difference, for which Simon, Joe and all British Army Commandos are hugely grateful. Elliot Brown have recently been given a Gold award as part of the Employer Recognition Scheme in support of the Armed Forces Military Covenant – one of only 5 small businesses in the UK to achieve this level of award.
Thanks to SSgt James Oke and Ex SSgt Gaz Bailey who made a very generous (£2,100) winning bid for the No29 watch.
To Kraken Clothing (krakencc.com) for providing a second prize of a jet ski ride around Plymouth Hoe, raising a further £550 in the process.
Equally, a big thank you to REME Soldier Wing for donating a further £350 from the profits from the REME Soldier Wing Chocolate and Iron Brew draw!
In total £5,745 was raised for Simon, this impressive amount will be used to help pay for a new modified trike for Simon.
Guess which ones are still in service
Why it’s great
Although the weekend events are focused around wets, scran and a tour of Plymouth’s many pubs there is a serious and very important part to the Reunion. It provides an opportunity for Veterans and serving members to come together and reaffirm their membership of the Commando family. This small and unique community have a common bond like no other. Many have shared some tough times, some have lost friends and some still carry the physical or mental impact, coming together allows likeminded Commandos to talk about their experiences “spinning dits” and provide mutual support. For the younger lads it’s a chance to glean experience from the Vets and to feel part of a wider group that extends outside of just their current workplace.
Once a REME Commando always a REME Commando.
If you are reading this and are interested becoming a Commando, 29 Cdo Wksp run at least one familiarisation package annually. Email: 3CDOX-29CDO REME CDO FAM
