Milton Keynes branch update Gentlemen at Arms

“Sadly there was no Joanna Lumley but on the plus side we had plenty of a Nepalese beer called Khukuri which was almost as deadly as its namesake.”

Some of our Gurkha friends from the Signals Regiment.

members at Stoke Poges with the Gurkha Signals Regiment for what turned out to be a really good day, with Gurkha Pipers and dancers followed by a delicious curry. Sadly there was no Joanna Lumley but on the plus side we had plenty of a Nepalese beer called Khukuri which was almost as deadly as its namesake. In July we held our Quiz Night with the Royal Air was organised by Sally and Rick Barry. A good night was had by all with the fly boys winning by one point and our local Hospice gaining £100. We paid a visit to the Arboretum in August to lay a wreath on our Memorial. The Arboretum has really grown in size over the last couple of years and you now need a full day to see everything. It is very well run by the volunteer staff and you can now even get three months was that Bob Hobbs, formerly 4RGJ and Milton Keynes Branch member, died on 12 th June.

Forthcoming social events

.5 th Dec – Christmas Draw

.30 th Jan 2010 – Milton

Keynes Reunion, more details in Decembers Ezine.

Paddy Proctor

Her Majesty's Body Guard of Gentlemen at Arms Quincentennial

Her Majesty’s Body Guard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms

was founded by Henry VIII on his accession in 1509 and thus celebrated its 500 th

Anniversary this year.

Since that time, while

serving 22 Monarchs, its duties have evolved from being the Sovereign’s ‘Nearest Guard’ as a mounted, armed escort to the largely ceremonial duties which it

conducts when

escorting the Monarch on major State occasions today. Consisting of 5 Officers and 27 Gentlemen, all

of whom except the Captain (who is exofficio the Government Chief Whip in the House of Lords) are

retired Majors or above from the Army and Royal Marines, its members are eligible

for selection from their 50 th birthday. They are appointed by Her

Photograph by The School Photography Company - www.tspc.biz HER MAJESTY`S BODY GUARD QUINCENTENNIAL 4 TH JUNE 2009

Rear, left to right: Raymond Nelson, Julia Hopton, Elizabeth Gurney, Carol Gurney, Janie Strachan (formerly Cordon-Lloyd), Roger Ker.

Centre Tessa Russell, Jilly Robertson, Jean Denham, Marion Chamberlin, Henrietta St Aubyn, Sally Browne, Rosie Ker.

Front seated Jeremy Russell, Michael Robertson, Bertie Denham, Peter Chamberlin, Tommy St Aubyn, Peter Browne.

Majesty and serve until they retire at 70, when they

become Honorary Members. The Quincentennial was celebrated at St James’s Palace on 4 th June 2009, with a Thanksgiving Service in the Queen’s Chapel followed by a Parade in Colour Court at which The Queen made a unique presentation of a commemorative riband to be attached to the Standard.

This was followed by a Reception in the State

Apartments and concluded with luncheon for 200 past and present members and their families, attended by The Queen and Prince

Philip. Since there has always been significant Green Jacket representation in what might be thought to be more of a Guardsman’s

element, those with Green Jackets links attending this unique occasion as seen left were photographed led by Lord Denham (43 rd & 52 nd ), who was Captain 1979- 1991, with Tommy St Aubyn, Lieutenant 1990- 1993, and 3 other Honorary members; Peter Chamberlin, the current Clerk of the Cheque & Adjutant (who much enjoyed drilling our Guardsmen brethren!) and 3 other serving Gentlemen, as well as 8 wives and 2 widows – an impressive turnout on a most memorable day.

Peter Chamberlin