David McPherson 60B has sent in some photos he found at his mums house - have a look ther're not bad. Mind you as A/TCSM it looks like he nicked all the awards at the 60B Passing Out Parade!
David McPherson's photos
Arborfield Old Boys' Association
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Army Apprentice National Memorial: A Progress Report (March 2010)
With the Christmas festivities now a distant memory and a whole new year about to be faced,the projects steering committee were firmly focussed no further ahead than January the 26th. In the previous few months we had discussed several ideas and designs and finally agreed on our preferred design for the National Memorial.
Our proposed design application was submitted to the Trustees of The National Memorial Arboretum ,and the first hurdle it had to overcome was the Landscape Working Group,which was held on the 7th of January which had amongst its number a member of the NMA Trustees and the site curator,Mr Paul Kennedy. This groups function was to assess the materials to be used,the memorial size and shape,and its suitability to fit into the overall site model, and would also enable any outstanding issues to be addressed before,if all went well,it progressed forward to the full Trustees Scrutiny Committee,at its first meeting of the year on January the 26th.
We were informed on the 11th of January by Mr Kennedy that the Landscape Group had approved the design without any reservations,and that it had been recommended for acceptance. A couple of weeks later on the 27th of January,we received the result that we all wanted from the committees deliberations, that the design had been given its full approval and backing without the need for any amendments being required.
By early February,a site for our memorial had been allocated to us,and is situated alongside the pathway that leads from the R.E.M.E Corps memorial beside the River Tame,down to the “Shot st Dawn” memorial.
The exact plot has now been determined and is in a grassy glade approximately 50 metres in from the riverbank,and is shielded on two sides by wooded areas,and is in quite a pleasant spot. We are due to be flanked eventually on one side by a memorial to the “Parachute Regiment”,and on the other side by a memorial to “The Rifles”,so they will be in honoured company.
An official project Constitution based upon The Charity Commissions recommended format was submitted to HM Revenue and Customs,and on the 1st of March it was approved,so that the AANM Appeal Fund account is now accepted as a registered charity,enabling us to claim Gift Aid status,and to receive 28p extra in the pound rebate on all donations made after December the 9th 2009. Every penny will help towards reaching our final total of £30,000 plus.
At our steering committee meeting held on the 17th of February,we were fortunate enough to be joined by Mr Keith Rackham,who is the managing director of our chosen stonemasons firm of H.L.Perfitt Ltd,of Vinces Road,Diss in Norfolk,where he made an on site presentation to allow the committee to obtain a clear visual impression of how the memorial will look on completion.
Shortly into the new year our project website came on line,following some really excellent work from our webmaster Max Warwick (49B),the site is now a must for all ex boys – www.armyapprenticememorial.org.uk.
Of special interest on the site is our appeals cash progress tower,on the donations tab,which is to be updated at regular intervals from information supplied from our project treasurer Major Mike Davis(retd),this is a visual indicator to all of our fund raising efforts,which need to gain momentum over the coming year if our target for the memorial erection and dedication are to take place as planned during the summer of 2011,is to become a reality.
The fund raising and publicity campaign is now well underway,and made a steady start with a number of initiatives launched by our project secretary Major Gordon Bonner (retd) of 48B,who has already reported donations from exiled ex Arborfield apprentices in Australia chipping in with £300,and also some quite large donations from the old boys associations to sponsor the named benches on the memorial.
I am delighted to report that on the 1st of March,one of our own Arborfield ex-boys Major General Gerry Berraganof 48B,had been approached,and graciously accepted our request to become the overall Patron of the project,and is very enthusiastic about helping to get the project moving forward. You can read his own memories of his Arborfield experiences on the A.O.B.A. Website. (well worth a read)
He started his long career in September of 48,and passed out as a trained Vehicle Mechanic in Luly of 1951,to enter R.E.M.E. As a Craftsman.
In 1954 he attended and passed an Officer Selection Board and was duly posted as a R.E.M.E. 2Lt. He applied for and received a regular commission in 1956,and was transferred into the R.A.O.C. (Royal Army Ordnance Corps),in which he rose through the ranks to become its Director General (D.G.O.S.), He served for a period of 40 years,eventually retiring in 1988.
Major General Berragan was awarded the Companion of the Bath (CB),in 1988,and was the Colonel Commandant of the R.A.O.C.,and also the R.L.C (Royal Logistics Corps).
On the projects website,our patron has the following to say - “This is a splendid initiative,which will provide a fitting tribute to the 70,000 army apprentices who have served this country in every conflict since 1923 and in many cases gave their lives”. “I urge all of you,who like me,benefitted from the education,training,and comradeship we experienced during our time as Arborfield Apprentices,to support the building of this memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum”.
Across the sponsoring old boys associations,several more senior old boys have given their own messages of support for the project.
From Harrogate we have Major General John Stokoe CB,CBE (63A),who writes,- I am proud to be associated with the Army Apprentice Memorial project at the NMA.
Those of us who had the privilege of serving at Harrogate as Apprentices gained an education for life. The friendships created stand the test of time and this memorial is a fitting tribute for those friends and colleagues who gave their lives in the service of this country.
Please join me in supporting his valuable initiative and honouring that comradeship in such a magnificent and appropriate way.
Major General Peter Baldwin CBE,Arborfield 42A,states on the projects website :-
“I am delighted to be associated with the planned Army Apprentice National Memorial. Whatever indignities we suffered at the time,I'am sure we all look back with gratitude to the officers and NCO's,who shaped our character in readiness for what lay ahead.
We also value deeply the friendships we made with our colleagues and it is fitting that we should have this memorial to honour those who are no longer with us.
I hope that anyone reading this will feel motivated to join me in supporting such a worthwhile initiative”.
There will be further updates as we proceed with the project. All the latest news will be published on the projects website.
Maurice “Mo” Hope
59B,A Coy.
Army Apprentice Memorial
Arborfield Old Boys' Association
Our proposed design application was submitted to the Trustees of The National Memorial Arboretum ,and the first hurdle it had to overcome was the Landscape Working Group,which was held on the 7th of January which had amongst its number a member of the NMA Trustees and the site curator,Mr Paul Kennedy. This groups function was to assess the materials to be used,the memorial size and shape,and its suitability to fit into the overall site model, and would also enable any outstanding issues to be addressed before,if all went well,it progressed forward to the full Trustees Scrutiny Committee,at its first meeting of the year on January the 26th.
We were informed on the 11th of January by Mr Kennedy that the Landscape Group had approved the design without any reservations,and that it had been recommended for acceptance. A couple of weeks later on the 27th of January,we received the result that we all wanted from the committees deliberations, that the design had been given its full approval and backing without the need for any amendments being required.
By early February,a site for our memorial had been allocated to us,and is situated alongside the pathway that leads from the R.E.M.E Corps memorial beside the River Tame,down to the “Shot st Dawn” memorial.
The exact plot has now been determined and is in a grassy glade approximately 50 metres in from the riverbank,and is shielded on two sides by wooded areas,and is in quite a pleasant spot. We are due to be flanked eventually on one side by a memorial to the “Parachute Regiment”,and on the other side by a memorial to “The Rifles”,so they will be in honoured company.
An official project Constitution based upon The Charity Commissions recommended format was submitted to HM Revenue and Customs,and on the 1st of March it was approved,so that the AANM Appeal Fund account is now accepted as a registered charity,enabling us to claim Gift Aid status,and to receive 28p extra in the pound rebate on all donations made after December the 9th 2009. Every penny will help towards reaching our final total of £30,000 plus.
At our steering committee meeting held on the 17th of February,we were fortunate enough to be joined by Mr Keith Rackham,who is the managing director of our chosen stonemasons firm of H.L.Perfitt Ltd,of Vinces Road,Diss in Norfolk,where he made an on site presentation to allow the committee to obtain a clear visual impression of how the memorial will look on completion.
Shortly into the new year our project website came on line,following some really excellent work from our webmaster Max Warwick (49B),the site is now a must for all ex boys – www.armyapprenticememorial.org.uk.
Of special interest on the site is our appeals cash progress tower,on the donations tab,which is to be updated at regular intervals from information supplied from our project treasurer Major Mike Davis(retd),this is a visual indicator to all of our fund raising efforts,which need to gain momentum over the coming year if our target for the memorial erection and dedication are to take place as planned during the summer of 2011,is to become a reality.
The fund raising and publicity campaign is now well underway,and made a steady start with a number of initiatives launched by our project secretary Major Gordon Bonner (retd) of 48B,who has already reported donations from exiled ex Arborfield apprentices in Australia chipping in with £300,and also some quite large donations from the old boys associations to sponsor the named benches on the memorial.
He started his long career in September of 48,and passed out as a trained Vehicle Mechanic in Luly of 1951,to enter R.E.M.E. As a Craftsman.
In 1954 he attended and passed an Officer Selection Board and was duly posted as a R.E.M.E. 2Lt. He applied for and received a regular commission in 1956,and was transferred into the R.A.O.C. (Royal Army Ordnance Corps),in which he rose through the ranks to become its Director General (D.G.O.S.), He served for a period of 40 years,eventually retiring in 1988.
Major General Berragan was awarded the Companion of the Bath (CB),in 1988,and was the Colonel Commandant of the R.A.O.C.,and also the R.L.C (Royal Logistics Corps).
On the projects website,our patron has the following to say - “This is a splendid initiative,which will provide a fitting tribute to the 70,000 army apprentices who have served this country in every conflict since 1923 and in many cases gave their lives”. “I urge all of you,who like me,benefitted from the education,training,and comradeship we experienced during our time as Arborfield Apprentices,to support the building of this memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum”.
Across the sponsoring old boys associations,several more senior old boys have given their own messages of support for the project.
From Harrogate we have Major General John Stokoe CB,CBE (63A),who writes,- I am proud to be associated with the Army Apprentice Memorial project at the NMA.
Those of us who had the privilege of serving at Harrogate as Apprentices gained an education for life. The friendships created stand the test of time and this memorial is a fitting tribute for those friends and colleagues who gave their lives in the service of this country.
Please join me in supporting his valuable initiative and honouring that comradeship in such a magnificent and appropriate way.
“I am delighted to be associated with the planned Army Apprentice National Memorial. Whatever indignities we suffered at the time,I'am sure we all look back with gratitude to the officers and NCO's,who shaped our character in readiness for what lay ahead.
We also value deeply the friendships we made with our colleagues and it is fitting that we should have this memorial to honour those who are no longer with us.
I hope that anyone reading this will feel motivated to join me in supporting such a worthwhile initiative”.
There will be further updates as we proceed with the project. All the latest news will be published on the projects website.
Maurice “Mo” Hope
59B,A Coy.
Army Apprentice Memorial
Arborfield Old Boys' Association
Saturday, March 20, 2010
The Army Apprentice National Memorial Steering Committee (MSC) Fundraising and Publicity Campaign 2010
by Gordon Bonner 49B
Some 60 years ago, when, as a “snotty” nosed brat, pounding the hallowed square on my weekly hobby the “Rodeo”, I distinctly remember CSM Ron Patey (he of the Durham Light Infantry) telling me NEVER volunteer for anything except certain death.
As usual I took no notice, and for my sins, I not only volunteered as secretary of the MSC, I also found myself responsible for publicity and fundraising.
A number of initiatives have been launched, the first of which was the issue of a collective e-mail to the Editors of The Wire, The Sapper, The Sustainer, The Craftsman and Legion. The e-mail carried attachments of the AANM Progress Update and the image of the artist’s impression of the Memorial with a request that the information would be inserted into their publications.
Next Max Warwick designed a donation form and through the good offices of our association secretary, arranged for them to be distributed with the OBAN. Further, David Chapman (Chepstow) David Cooper (Carlisle) and Johnny McGahan (Harrogate) will arrange distribution to members of their association.
A letter was sent to the Regimental Colonel of the Royal Artillery, drawing attention to the fact that up to WW2, a number of ex-boys from AAS Chepstow had served with the Royal Regiment as “Tiffys RA”. Accompanying the letter was a request that our progress report and artist’s impression be published in the Gunner Magazine and the RA Association news.
Not only did the RA agree to this, I am delighted to be able to tell you that by return of post they sent a cheque for £500 towards the construction costs. Such a positive response is noted and much appreciated.
I have also written to the Chairmen of the REME Association and the Royal Signals Association requesting that they place a request for a donation to our project before the members of their associations. I am awaiting a reply and will keep you informed.
Letters to the Chairmen of the Royal Engineer Association and the RAOC Association are in hand and will be posted off shortly.
I should think by now, association members will appreciate the purchase of the commemorative tablets is the main thrust for fundraising in our aim to build the memorial. Bearing this in mind I contacted a number of friend currently resident in the Commonwealth of Australia, made them an offer they could not refuse, and raked in donations to the tune of £300. I would encourage all members who support our project to adopt a similar approach and round up as many of their mates as they can.
At the February meeting of the MSC I produced a document in the guise of a “Press Release”. The committee approved the draft, which was then shown to Mr Paul Kennedy (liaison and contact between the MSC and the NMA). His advice was to contact Mr Andrew Baud, MD of Tapla PR and the official PR firm for the MNA. After a number of telephone calls and exchange of e-mails I had a meeting with Mr Baud at the NMA, Alrewas on the16 March 2010.
As a result of the meeting I now have a much clearer idea of how feeding information of use to National TV and Press organisations operates. Timing, I now understand, is of the essence, and release of publicity information is of no value unless you have something to offer, which in our case will be the run up to dedication day of the completed memorial planned for the late summer of 2011. In so far as any national publicity benefits both the NMA and our project, Mr Baud has confirmed that he will willingly provide support to our project, so that is something to which we can look forward to. I now use the press release as a progress report on our project when I write to members of the public,
By networking the MSC Chairman David Chapman arranged for an artist’s impression of the memorial to be commissioned. A digital image of the work has now been published on the website, and I have requested that the original be given to me for framing and use with a publicity stand in public exhibitions.
Finally, local fundraising: I have received approval from the Association Committee and will being running a raffle at the July reunion. I already have a number of prizes to hand, and I will “invite” members of our committees (Association and MSC ) to produce prizes as well. Tickets will go on sale Friday evening and into Saturday Morning. The draw will be made at Saturday’s BBQ. Do raid your Grandchildren’s piggy banks so as to make sure you have plenty of change available!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In closing, the MSC believe the construction of the memorial has merit, will provide a fitting tribute to the 70,000-army apprentices who have served their country world wide in every conflict since 1923.The project deserves you full support. I look forward to seeing you all in July.
Army ApprenticeNational Memorial
Arborfield Old Boys' Association
Some 60 years ago, when, as a “snotty” nosed brat, pounding the hallowed square on my weekly hobby the “Rodeo”, I distinctly remember CSM Ron Patey (he of the Durham Light Infantry) telling me NEVER volunteer for anything except certain death.
As usual I took no notice, and for my sins, I not only volunteered as secretary of the MSC, I also found myself responsible for publicity and fundraising.
A number of initiatives have been launched, the first of which was the issue of a collective e-mail to the Editors of The Wire, The Sapper, The Sustainer, The Craftsman and Legion. The e-mail carried attachments of the AANM Progress Update and the image of the artist’s impression of the Memorial with a request that the information would be inserted into their publications.
Next Max Warwick designed a donation form and through the good offices of our association secretary, arranged for them to be distributed with the OBAN. Further, David Chapman (Chepstow) David Cooper (Carlisle) and Johnny McGahan (Harrogate) will arrange distribution to members of their association.
A letter was sent to the Regimental Colonel of the Royal Artillery, drawing attention to the fact that up to WW2, a number of ex-boys from AAS Chepstow had served with the Royal Regiment as “Tiffys RA”. Accompanying the letter was a request that our progress report and artist’s impression be published in the Gunner Magazine and the RA Association news.
Not only did the RA agree to this, I am delighted to be able to tell you that by return of post they sent a cheque for £500 towards the construction costs. Such a positive response is noted and much appreciated.
I have also written to the Chairmen of the REME Association and the Royal Signals Association requesting that they place a request for a donation to our project before the members of their associations. I am awaiting a reply and will keep you informed.
Letters to the Chairmen of the Royal Engineer Association and the RAOC Association are in hand and will be posted off shortly.
I should think by now, association members will appreciate the purchase of the commemorative tablets is the main thrust for fundraising in our aim to build the memorial. Bearing this in mind I contacted a number of friend currently resident in the Commonwealth of Australia, made them an offer they could not refuse, and raked in donations to the tune of £300. I would encourage all members who support our project to adopt a similar approach and round up as many of their mates as they can.
At the February meeting of the MSC I produced a document in the guise of a “Press Release”. The committee approved the draft, which was then shown to Mr Paul Kennedy (liaison and contact between the MSC and the NMA). His advice was to contact Mr Andrew Baud, MD of Tapla PR and the official PR firm for the MNA. After a number of telephone calls and exchange of e-mails I had a meeting with Mr Baud at the NMA, Alrewas on the16 March 2010.
As a result of the meeting I now have a much clearer idea of how feeding information of use to National TV and Press organisations operates. Timing, I now understand, is of the essence, and release of publicity information is of no value unless you have something to offer, which in our case will be the run up to dedication day of the completed memorial planned for the late summer of 2011. In so far as any national publicity benefits both the NMA and our project, Mr Baud has confirmed that he will willingly provide support to our project, so that is something to which we can look forward to. I now use the press release as a progress report on our project when I write to members of the public,
By networking the MSC Chairman David Chapman arranged for an artist’s impression of the memorial to be commissioned. A digital image of the work has now been published on the website, and I have requested that the original be given to me for framing and use with a publicity stand in public exhibitions.
Finally, local fundraising: I have received approval from the Association Committee and will being running a raffle at the July reunion. I already have a number of prizes to hand, and I will “invite” members of our committees (Association and MSC ) to produce prizes as well. Tickets will go on sale Friday evening and into Saturday Morning. The draw will be made at Saturday’s BBQ. Do raid your Grandchildren’s piggy banks so as to make sure you have plenty of change available!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In closing, the MSC believe the construction of the memorial has merit, will provide a fitting tribute to the 70,000-army apprentices who have served their country world wide in every conflict since 1923.The project deserves you full support. I look forward to seeing you all in July.
Army ApprenticeNational Memorial
Arborfield Old Boys' Association
Friday, March 12, 2010
Even more new members!
Keith Evans just sent me a list of the new members who've joined up since our last reunion. There has been a massive number - 41 to be precise - great news for the AOBA.
I do notice quite a few lads from 1960, so looks like they are working hard to get as many as they can down to Arborfield for their 50th - Wonderful news - should be a great weekend!
Have a look at the new members
Arborfield Old Boys' Association
I do notice quite a few lads from 1960, so looks like they are working hard to get as many as they can down to Arborfield for their 50th - Wonderful news - should be a great weekend!
Have a look at the new members
Arborfield Old Boys' Association
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Army Apprentices Memorial
For uptodate information surrounding the progress of this exciting initiative, please visit the website
The Army Apprentices Memorial
Arborfield Old Boys' Association
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