From Gordon Bonner 49B.AANM dedication Day 7 September 2011
Planning in well in hand for dedication day of the Army Apprentice memorial.
The Director of Music REME has very kindly agreed to provide musical support for the ceremony.What I am seeking is the loan of a Gezeebo(with side panels) for the day in order that I can provide shelter for five musicians should it rain on that day. I will arrange for collection and return to any kind person who can help. My contact details are on the memorial website at
www.armyapprenticememorial.org.uk .............................................................................................................Arborfield Old Boys' Association

Repatriation Report Gdsmn C Davies Irish Guards REPATRIATION REPORT Thursday 25 November, 2010 From operations in Afghanistan, the repatriation o

Over-write your message here - do not over-write the link below .........................................................

REPATRIATION REPORT

Thursday 25 November, 2010

From operations in Afghanistan, the repatriation of:

Guardsman Christopher Davies (22) 1^st Battalion, The Irish Guards

Guardsman Davies was killed in action by small arms fire, while on patrol with the Combined Force Nahr-e Saraj (North), in Helmand Province, on 17^th November, 2010.

Service veterans and members of the public turned out in the following “stations of vigil” to pay their respects to the fallen as the cortege made its way on the 47 mile route from the point of arrival at RAF Lyneham to the John Radcliffe Hospital at Oxford. .

Wootton Bassett - Town Centre (1500)

This report from Duncan Wostenholm, RMA

Townspeople and Forces veterans braved the bitter cold to join the family and friends for the repatriation. A contingent of Guardsmen were present, along with 20 riders from the Royal British Legion Bikers.

Major General Bill Cubitt, Officer Commanding the Household Division, represented the Brigade of Guards.

20 standards were paraded: Royal British Legion - Swindon, Potterne, Leyton, Dursley & Cam, Farnham and North East Glamorgan; Associations - The Irish Guards, North of England, West Midlands and Ulster; The Welsh Guards (branch standard for the Household Division); The Coldstream Guards, The Wiltshire Guards (branch standard of the Household Division), Royal Navy Pershore, Korean War Veterans, Royal Regiment of Wales, Royal Observer Corps, Aden Veterans, The Parachute Regiment, Canal Zone Veterans and RAFA Corsham.

Gable Cross Police Station - On the A420 just east of the junction with the A419 (1520)

This report from Pat Bristow RMA

Two Association standards were paraded outside the Police HQ: Royal Engineers - Swindon and the Royal Marines - Swindon. They were joined by 12 service veterans and about 20 members of the public. Additionally, 80 police officers attended, led by Chief Superintendent Mike Jones.

At the Road Bridge - B4000 over the A420 between Shrivenham and Highworth (1535)

Report by Derrick Jeans, RAFA

Seven members of the public joined Councillor Elaine Ware to pay their respects as the much delayed cortege passed by. Oncoming vehicles had already slowed down for a traffic accident that had occurred between the bridge and the College Farm roundabout.

United Kingdom Defence Academy - at the Watchfield Roundabout on the A420, adjacent to the UKDA.

Report by Patrick Hopper, RMA

On a cold but dry day, 12 Royal Marines veterans, including Major Peter Hasting RM (Retd) and his wife Diana and our regulars from the Royal Artillery and the Royal Berkshires, lined the side of the road close to the roundabout outside the UK Defence Academy. The standards of the RM Association Poole & District and Guildford branches were paraded. Additionally, there were about 10 Academy staff and members of the public .

The Academy was represented by Major Claire Heighington RMP, Squadron Leader Michelle Randall RAF and WO1 Tony West, Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment. We were delighted by a surprise visit of Captain Stu Simpson, Mercian Regiment, who not so long ago was the Academy RSM. He was due to fly off to the Falkland Islands the next day, for three months. So, we wish him bon voyage and look forward to seeing him again.

As the cortege passed by at 1545 hrs, the salute was led by the senior officer present, Major Claire Heighington, RMP and ordered by Jim Hawkins, RMA.

Folly Hill Lay-by - east of Faringdon on the A420, just north of the A417 junction

This report by Joy Blake

About 60 people attended our repatriation meeting at the Folly Hill lay-by for Guardsman Christopher Davies. Although a particularly cold day in the very open countryside at the lay-by, we endured the stay awaiting the cortege, which passed us by at 2.50 pm.

We were short of many of our regulars from Wantage, due to the fact that one of the Royal British Legion members was attending the funeral of his father at Oxford and this meant that the Wantage RBL standard and many other friends from that town were unable to attend the repatriation meeting.

As usual there were many RBL members locally as well as those travelling from as far afield as Maidenhead. Many other veterans attended, wearing the berets and medals, as well as the Faringdon Town Mayor, Mrs Margaret Barker and her escort.

The standards on parade were the Union flag, RBL Faringdon, Highworth, Shrivenham, RAFA Carterton and Brize Norton and the Wantage Royal Navy Veterans.

John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford - near Anthony Padua Parish Church, Headley Way.

This report from John Walker, RDG

We here at the Final Turn stood true and strong to honour Guardsman Chris Davies.

There were eight Royal British Legion standards: Oxford City, Marston, Islip, Chalgrove, Henley, Kidlington, Kidlington Womens Section and Bicester. Association standards included The Coldstream Guards, Canal Zone (Oxon), Royal Navy & Royal Marines (Oxford), St George Society and the banner of The Royal Dragoon Guards.

There were 50 service veterans in berets and medals and 40 other from all three services. Also in attendance were the Lord Mayor of Oxford, John Goddard and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Councillor Ann Kellard. The Thames Valley Police were out in force, not only doing their normal traffic control duties, but also standing alongside us, all under the watchful eye of Chief Inspector Cecila Agger. There was also a fire tender from Oxford City, with full crew, flying as always their huge Union flag. We also had again a crew of the St John’s Ambulance.

A huge crowd of the Oxford public attended the roadside (at least 200 at the Final Turn) and many more leading up the hill. Also the Oxford ring road was well attended at all the normal points. The hot drinks were welcome on a very cold day (2⁰C), but at least it was dry. We thank the young officers of the Thames Valley Police in helping us serve not only the hot drinks, but keeping an eye on the home made cakes! Diana brings them - they soon vanish! Also a thank you to John from the church who goes out in the early morning to half mast the Union flag for us.

It has to be said that these are very sad times, but these parades have brought many regiments and corps together, along with their families here in the Oxford area. We must also not forget that this also applies to all out fellow service personnel and their families who man those points along the route from RAF Lyneham to the John Radcliffe Hospital here in Oxford. The cortege passed us by at 1740 hrs.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

PH (Duty Scribe)

On behalf of the Royal Marines Association

....................................................Arborfield Old Boys' Association

Great Yarmouth Reunion 2011

Fred Mills sent me this info today ..................................

Ever mindful that the closure of the Arborfield Garrison may happen in the near future, we need to look for a new venue for our reunions. In my mind Warner Leisure Hotels offer the ideal solution - the cost is low and their seaside village near Great Yarmouth meets our requirements; there is room to parade and have a BBQ. The site can accommodate 380 adults in en-suite chalets. To test the suitability of this venue, Warners offer us a specical weekend for AOBA members in May 2011. The cost of about £130 per person and covers accommodation, live entertainment every evening, full english breakfast and 3 course evening meal from Friday to Monday morning. This is an oppurtunity for a lovely weekend get-together with our wives. Day trips will be availabale to Great Yarmouth and the Norfolk Broads. Please email me at f.mills125@btinternet.com if interested.

 Arborfield Old Boys' Association

Search

Search

The Repatriation of Ranger Aaron McCormick (1 Battalion) Royal Irish Regiment

will take place on –

Friday, 19th November, 2010.

Flypast over Wootton Bassett 13:00 hours - Timings provided by RAF Lyneham

RAF Lyneham (Family Service Starts) 14:00 hours - Timings provided by RAF Lyneham

Cortege expected to leave RAF Lyneham 15:15 hours +/- 30 minutes - Timings provided by RAF Lyneham

Cortege expected to leave Wootton Bassett 15:25 hours +/- 30 minutes -
- (Approximately 13 miles to GX Police Station)
Gable Cross Police Stn 15:45 hours +/- 30 minutes - Thames Valley Police estimated time to take over responsibility of Cortege
- (Approximately 3..5 miles to bridge carrying B4000)
Bridge over A420 (Carrying B4000) 15:50 hours +/- 30 minutes
- (Approximately 1..5 miles to Defence Academy)
Defence Academy UK (A420) 15:55 hours +/- 30 minutes
- (Approximately 4..5 miles to Folly Hill Lay-by)
Folly Hill Lay-by (A420) 16:00 hours +/- 30 minutes
- (Approximately 45 minutes travelling time to JRH)
St Anthony of Padua Parish Church 16:40 hours +/- 30 minutes (Situated at entrance to JRH)

John Radcliffe Hospital (Oxford) 16:45 hours +/- 30 minutes - Thames Valley Police estimated time of arrival at JRH

----------ooOoo----------

John W (RDG) hopefully, as usual, you can do the business at St Anthony of Padua Parish Church. Many thanks.

-----------ooOoo----------

Blondie

On behalf of the Royal Marines Association
not over-write the link below .............................................................................................................Arborfield Old Boys' Association

The Army Apprentice

The object of this article is to tell of the circumstances, which over a period of one hundred and fifty years, led to the development of the army apprentice scheme.

From medieval times to the present day the maintenance and repair of the Army’s equipment by soldier-tradesmen played a significant part in ensuring its fighting efficiency.

Until the end of the 19th century, the simplicity of the equipment- cavalry, horse drawn artillery, supply wagons and small arms- meant that soldiers, assisted by artisans such as regimental armourers, farriers, saddlers and carpenters were able to fulfil the Army’s needs for technical support.

However, the introduction of the “Rifled” Cannon in the 1871 Franco-Prussian war, the development of the internal combustion engine in the 1880s, and powered flight in 1908, began an evolutionary process of sophistication in military equipment that rendered many craft trades obsolescent.

To meet the demand for engineering skills to maintain and repair the Army’s increasingly complex equipment, the Army established the first dedicated apprentice school at Aldershot on the 25 September 1923. The first intake of boys, with those who joined in January 1924, then moved to Beachley Camp, Chepstow on the 28 February 1924.

For the next 30 years, the Apprentice Tradesmen were trained in various locations, until the Army Apprentice scheme reached its apogee in the latter half of the 20th century with the establishment of the four principal Army Apprentice Schools - at Arborfield, Carlise, Chepstow and Harrogate. The four benches mounted on the memorial are a reflection of the army apprentice scheme in its final form.

The facsimile Army Apprentices School Cap-badge engraved on the memorial monolith is a statement in stone that commemorates the thousands of boys who passed through the army apprentice scheme. The School Cap-badge not only gave the Apprentice Tradesman a regimental identity, but also symbolises the ethos that controlled and directed the activities of a system that turned boys in to skilled soldier –tradesmen.

Prominent and most important are the Cross and the Crown. These stand respectively for ‘Character and Loyalty’ - character based on the principles of Christianity and Loyalty to the School, the Army, the Nation and the Sovereign. The Torch stands for ‘Learning and for Training’ of both body and mind on good sound health lines. The Crossed Swords stand for the military virtues of ‘Discipline, Steadfastness, and Devotion to Duty’. Finally, the Gearwheel forms the basis and background of the whole design, denoting ‘Technical Knowledge, Skill and Co–operation’. It is only by meshing or co-operating with others that good work is done.

These are not “just words”; for the Army to be operationally effective it is required to believe in them and live by them. The standards demanded are “lawfulness, appropriate behaviour and total professionalism”, which gives rise to an institutional climate of decency and fairness.

Many of the boys who entered the army apprentice scheme came from an underprivileged and chaotic background. The shared experience of education, training and comradeship enabled a significant majority of the boys to go forward and achieve successful careers in the services, commerce and industry.

Their ability to do so is a measure of the intelligence, integrity, determination, self-discipline and courage that define the Army Apprentice.

Remember with Pride

Arborfield Old Boys' Association

Arborfield Old Boys Association Forum • View your posts

Arborfield Old Boys Association Forum • View your posts

REPATRIATION REPORT
Friday 05 November 2010
From operations in Afghanistan, the repatriation of:
Sapper William Bernard Blanchard (39), 101 (City of London) Engineer Regiment (EOD), Royal Engineers
Sapper Blanchard, a Territorial Army soldier, died from a gunshot wound while dealing with a suspect IED as part of the Counter IED Task Force, in Nahr-e Saraj (North), Helmand Province, on 30th October, 2010.
Service veterans and members of the public turned out in the following “stations of vigil” to pay their respects to the fallen as the cortege made its way on the 47 mile route from the point of arrival at RAF Lyneham to the John Radcliffe Hospital at Oxford. .
Wootton Bassett - Town Centre (1625)
This report from Duncan Wostenholm, RMA
The body of Sapper Blanchard passed through Wootton Bassett while family and friends, colleagues and townspeople paid silent tribute.
Councillor Mary Champion, Mayor of Wootton Bassett, accompanied by her consort Mr Bert Davey were present. Lieutenant Colonel Mark Budden, the Commanding Officer of his regiment, accompanied by WO1 (RSM) Gray Brook led a detachment of more than 50 uniformed personnel. 32 riders of the Royal British Legion Bikers attended and looked after the family on their arrival.
19 standards were paraded: Royal British Legion - Lambourn, Hungerford, Leyton, Dursley & Cam, Swindon, Stratton St Margaret and Merthyr Tydfil. Association standards included Royal Engineers (Bomb Disposal) Bath & West Wilts and Tonbridge Wells; RAF Corsham and Calne & District, Royal Berkshire Regiment, Parachute Regiment, Aden Veterans, Korean Veterans, Royal Regiment of Wales and the 1st Warsash Sea Scouts.
Gable Cross Police Station - On the A420 just east of the junction with the A419 (1645)
This report from Jim Semple, RAFA
The cortege pass through at 1645 hrs. In attendance were two Association standards: The Royal Engineers - Swindon and the RAF Lyneham Old Boys. 16 service veterans were with us and 36 members of the public. Also attending were 42 police officers from the Wiltshire Constabulary and the salute was ordered by Inspector Anthony Ducker.
At the Road Bridge - B4000 over the A420 between Shrivenham and Highworth (1650)
Report by Elaine Ware, on behalf of Derrick Jeans, RAFA
Ten members of the public and Don Allen, the Chairman of the Shrivenham Branch of the Royal British Legion accompanied District Councillor Elaine Ware to pay their respects to Sapper Blanchard. All traffic on the A420 came to a halt as the cortege passed slowly by.
United Kingdom Defence Academy - at the Watchfield Roundabout on the A420, adjacent to the UKDA. (1653 hrs)
Report by Jim Hawkins, RMA
Five Royal Marines veterans from Poole, Southampton and Guildford and their wives attended the roadside, plus our veteran friends from the Royal Berkshires, Royal Artillery and the Korean War. Standards of RMA Poole and Guildford were paraded.
Also attending were Air Commodore Marcus Witherow RAF Regiment (Retd), Lt Col and Mrs Donaldson, Captain Phil Burrill Royal Navy, Major Claire Heighington RMP, Wing Commander Hayler RAF and family, Sub Lieutenant Charles Barker RN, Carol and Wilf Tranter, Will and Sarah Barker, Derek Warren, Francisco Barrio, Eric Ridley, Laurie Ann Owens and Graham and Jessica Banfield.
The salute to the cortege was led by Major Ben Hawkins, Royal Engineers and ordered by WO1 Mark Hannington, The Mercian Regiment, the Academy RSM.
Many thanks to PCs Tony Turner and John Prismall of the MOD Police for their assistance in traffic control.
Folly Hill Lay-by - east of Faringdon on the A420, just north of the A417 junction (1710)
This report by Joy Blake
Our “vigil” at the Folly Hill lay-by, well attended by almost 70 people, was a “milestone” in our repatriation meetings, as this was the 86th time we had met and to receive the 200th serviceman from the Armed Forces killed in action and returned to home soil.
Despite the miserable and dark evening, it was a most moving time for us to show our respects, as the soldier passed through with the cortege at 5.10 pm. The hearse with its coffin and flowers bedecked from Wootton Bassett still holding on top of the hearse which, with the interior lights, illuminated the Union flag through the windows, all added to the reverence of such a sad occasion.
Once again, many veterans turned out, wearing their berets and medals, and we welcomed Major Malcolm Sperrin, Royal Army Medical Corps who joined with us. As well as local townspeople we were joined by many from towns and villagers surrounding Faringdon. The standards paraded were the Union flag, Royal British Legion Faringdon, Bampton, Highworth, Shrivenham and Wantage and the Association standards of RAF - Carterton and Brize Norton, and the Royal Navy Veterans, Wantage.
John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford - near Anthony Padua Parish Church, Headley Way.
This report from John Walker RDG
We here at the Final Turn stood true and strong to honour the above soldier.
There were 8 Royal British Legion standards paraded: Islip, Littlemore, Headlington, Chalgrove, Wheatley, Kidlington, Kidlington Womens Section, and Bicester. There were two Association standards: The Royal Navy & The Royal Marines (Oxon), Canal Zone (Oxon) and the banner of The Royal Dragoon Guards.
There were 45 veterans in berets and 35 others from all three services. The Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Oxford, Mr Ian Insham and the Lord Mayor of Oxford, Mr John Goddard also attended. Thames Valey police were out in force, doing their normal duties, as well as lining the route with us. David Reeves, who also puts up information for the public at various points, we thank for being with us a good while now. Many of the Oxford public were there. Over 150 were with us at the Final Turn and many more at the bottom of the hill and on the ring road. Mary from the church helped us as did John, who had put up the half-masted Union flag. We also thank them for helping to put away all the catering items, which they do on all these occasions. The weather was overcast and cold. The cortege passed us by at 174 5 hrs.
----------ooOoo----------

Compiled by PH (Duty Scribe)

On behalf of the Royal Marines Association.
ge here - do not over-write the link below .............................................................................................................Arborfield Old Boys' Association

AANM-Public brief press release

Over-write your message here - do not over-write the link below .............................................................................................................Arborfield Old Boys' Association

AANM-Public brief press relaes

Over-write your message here - do not over-write the link below .............................................................................................................Arborfield Old Boys' Association

John (Peat) Moss 55A

It is with a heavy heart I have to report the death of our dear friend John (Peat) Moss 55A who was lost to us very quickly two days ago.

Greg Peck 53B one of his good friends has written these words - frankly they say it all about our John .........

John Moss.

Many years ago, John Moss and I went to a place that in many ways stamped itself indelibly upon our lives, we became, each in our turn, Boy Soldiers and Apprentices at The Army Apprentices School at Arborfield in the UK.

This background gave us a lifelong feeling of comradeship and brotherhood, enhanced as it was by the formation of an Arborfield Old Boy’s Association that has thrived and flourished, thanks to the unstinting efforts of those such as John Moss and many others.

John was typical of the background that he shared with myself and others of our ilk, he was a bloke invariably true to his word, able and willing to make and mend as necessary and to cope with life’s vagaries with unflagging fortitude and good humour, loyal to a fault and as reliable as clockwork.

John was also a wonderful family man, devoted to his lovely wife Angie and his children and grandchildren, all of whom he doted upon and loved wholeheartedly. John was a good man, a fine friend, a man for all seasons and all the right reasons!

John spoke with a smile in his voice and his cheery bonhomie and happy nature bespoke the happiness that he enjoyed in life, it was always a pleasure to speak with John, because he always left you with a smile on your face.

John’s happy presence has been taken from us now but the joy of having known him is the bond that has drawn us all together to celebrate his life and to thank the good Lord for the privilege and blessing of his benign influence on our lives.

You will be sorely missed by many John old mate but be assured of this, you will find a welcome awaiting whence you have gone, because God will surely love you as we did, how could he not?

On behalf of all we ex-Brats of Arborfield, bless you John and thank you for being a good mate and true companion to us all.

....................................................

Information regarding arrangements will be posted when we hear ..........

Arborfield Old Boys' Association

Forums - Arborfield Old Boys

Forums - Arborfield Old Boys

Over-write your message here - do not over-write the link below .............................................................................................................Arborfield Old Boys' Association

Very sorry, only just received........................

The Repatriation of
Sapper William Blanchard (101 Engineer Regiment) Royal Engineers.
will take place on –

Friday, 5th November, 2010.

Flypast over Wootton Bassett 14:00 hours - Timings provided by RAF Lyneham

RAF Lyneham (Family Service Starts) 15:00 hours - Timings provided by RAF Lyneham

Cortege expected to leave RAF Lyneham 16:15 hours +/- 30 minutes - Timings provided by RAF Lyneham

Cortege expected to leave Wootton Bassett 16:25 hours +/- 30 minutes - Timings provided by RAF Lyneham
- (Approximately 13 miles to GX Police Station)
Gable Cross Police Stn 16:45 hours +/- 30 minutes - Thames Valley Police estimated time to take over responsibility of Cortege
- (Approximately 3..5 miles to bridge carrying B4000)
Bridge over A420 (Carrying B4000) 16:50 hours +/- 30 minutes
- (Approximately 1..5 miles to Defence Academy)
Defence Academy UK (A420) 16:55 hours +/- 30 minutes
- (Approximately 4..5 miles to Folly Hill Lay-by)
Folly Hill Lay-by (A420) 17:00 hours +/- 30 minutes
- (Approximately 45 minutes travelling time to JRH)
St Anthony of Padua Parish Church 17:40 hours +/- 30 minutes (Situated at entrance to JRH)

John Radcliffe Hospital (Oxford) 17:45 hours +/- 30 minutes - Thames Valley Police estimated time of arrival at JRH

----------ooOoo----------

John W (RDG) hopefully, as usual, you can do the business at St Anthony of Padua Parish Church. Many thanks.

-----------ooOoo----------

Blondie

On behalf of the Royal Marines Association

Search

Search

Over-write your message here REPATRIATION REPORT
Thursday 28 October, 2010
From operations in Afghanistan, the repatriation of:
Acting Corporal David Barnsdale (24), 33 Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers
Cpl Barnsdale was killed by an IED while operating with the Counter-IED Task Force, east of Gereshk, Helmand Province on 19th October, 2010.
Service veterans and members of the public turned out in the following “stations of vigil” to pay their respects to the fallen as the cortege made its way on the 47 mile route from the point of arrival at RAF Lyneham to the John Radcliffe Hospital at Oxford. .
Wootton Bassett - Town Centre (1400)
This report from Duncan Wostenholm, RMA
Among the family and friends gathered at Wootton Bassett today was a good turnout of local townspeople and veterans. Representing the military were 30 uniformed personnel, mostly from the Royal Engineers and Major General Alan Kirkland, representing both the Corps and the Chief of the General Staff.
17 standards were paraded: Royal British Legion - Tring, Swindon, Hungerford, Farnham and Dursley & Cam. Association standards - Royal Engineers Bath and West Wilts, Swindon, Thanet and Bomb Disposal; The Korean War Veterans, Royal Regiment of Wales, Royal Observer Corps, Parachute Regiment (Swindon), Canal Zone Veterans, Aden Veterans and the Royal Berkshire Regiment (Windsor).
Gable Cross Police Station - On the A420 just east of the junction with the A419 (1420)
This report from Pat Bristow RMA
There was a good turnout today for Corporal Barnsdale: 15 veterans of The Royal Marines, The Royal Air Force, The Royal Army Service Corps, The Queen’s Royal Lancers and The Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The Association standards of the Royal Marines (Swindon), Royal Engineers (Swindon), the Royal Signals and the RAF Lyneham Old Boys were paraded.
There were about 30 members of the public at the roadside with us, including an off-duty fireman who always attends these repatriations. Sorry we didn’t get his name, but next time, OK? Over 80 police officers from the adjacent police HQ joined us, and the salute to the cortege was led by Chief Superintendent Mike Jones.
At the Road Bridge - B4000 over the A420 between Shrivenham and Highworth (1425)
Report by Elaine Ware, on behalf of Derrick Jeans RAFA
District Councillor Elaine Ware and nine members of the public gathered at the B4000 bridge over the A420 to pay their respects to Cpl Barnsdale. Traffic slowed to a halt as the cortege passed by.
United Kingdom Defence Academy - at the Watchfield Roundabout on the A420, adjacent to the UKDA. (1430 pm)
Report by Patrick Hopper RMA
A good number attended today, mostly perhaps because the cortege passed us early in the afternoon, instead of much later as has been the case recently. When its about 7 pm, folks have so many other things to attend to - feeding the family, helping the kids with homework, just getting home through the rush hour after a long day, and so on. Also, a “late run” means many of those who come a long way to be with us (some quite elderly) don’t get home until after midnight.
Uniformed personnel from the Defence Academy included Major Hawkins and WO2 White, Royal Engineers, Commander Debbie Whittington RN, Major Claire Heighington RMP, six WOs and SNCOs of the Adjutant General’s Corps, Petty Officer Wilson RN and a member of the Military Provost Service Corps.
We had a healthy turnout of veterans: 12 Royal Marines from Poole, Southampton and Guildford, our old friends from the Royal Berkshire Regiment and the Royal Artillery, plus a good many wives, and about 20 civilian staff from the academy and members of the public. The standards of RMA Poole & District and Guildford were paraded.
The salute was led by Major Hawkins RE and ordered by WO1 West, Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, standing in for WO1 John Houghton RAF Regt. It was heartening to see all the heavy traffic come to a halt as the police motorcycle outrider approached ahead of the cortege. We specially like it when truck drivers hoot their horns and wave to us in support as they go past.
Folly Hill Lay-by - east of Faringdon on the A420, just north of the A417 junction
This report by Joy Blake
Members of the Faringdon & District Branch of the Royal British Legion led the respects shown for the soldier, Acting Corporal David Barnsdale RE, returned home today. The two lay-bys were full and there were over 80 people attending the Folly Hill lay-by and the opposite one. The cortege passed us by at 2.35 pm.
As well as many townspeople, there were veterans wearing their medals and berets, together with the community police and the Faringdon Town Mayor, Mrs Margaret Barker and her escort. Many people had travelled from nearby towns and villages to be with us.
The standards on parade were: the Union flag, Royal British Legion - Faringdon, Highworth, Shrivenham, Wantage, Oxfordshire Womens Section and the Association standards of the Royal Navy Veterans and the Parachute Regiment (Newbury).
John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford - near Anthony Padua Parish Church, Headley Way.
This report from John Walker RDG
We here at the Final Turn stood strong and true to honour the above soldier. There were eight Royal British Legion standards on parade: Islip, Littlemore, Chalgrove, Henley, Wheatley, Kidlington, Kidlington Womens Section and Bicester. These were joined by four Association standards: The Canal Zone (Oxon), The Royal Navy & The Royal Marines (Oxon), The Royal Marines (Windsor), The Royal Tank Regiment (Oxon) and the banner of The Royal Dragoon Guards.
There were 45 veterans wearing berets and medals and 30 others from all three services. The Oxford Lord Mayor John Gordon and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Oxford, M. McFadyen attended and the Thames Valley Police came out in force, both on their normal duties and to stand alongside us. Mary from the Church and two St John’s Ambulance personnel joined us. There were at least 200 members of the Oxford public at the Final Turn and many more at the lower part of the hill and many more all along the ring road leading up to us.
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
Compiled by PH (Duty Scribe)
On behalf of the Royal Marines Association- do not over-write the link below .............................................................................................................Arborfield Old Boys' Association