Guys,
Due to the move of the AOBA web site software and archives from David's pc to mine, I have had to re-do many of the photo albums that members have sent in.
If you are a contributor, please check that yours are as you would like them, and feel free to add or request any alterations that you feel are necessary.
Contact me here: http://www.arborfieldoldboys.co.uk/contacts.html
New contributions are always welcome, as are your thoughts and opinions.
All the best, Herbie.
Arborfield Old Boys' Association
Sunday, September 18, 2011
RIP Brian Conway 42A, and permanent staff.
I'm very sad to bring you the news of the loss of Brian Conway, who died on Friday after an illness, he was 84.
Brian was both an ex-boy and ex permanent staff, and well known to many who were in the Corps of Drums, which he had reformed, and was very popular in both roles.
If anybody has any anecdotes or fond memories of Brian they would like to share, please contact myself via the AOBA website: http://www.arborfieldoldboys.co.uk/contacts.html
and I will set up a page dedicated to Brian and his hard work.
Herbie
Arborfield Old Boys' Association
Brian was both an ex-boy and ex permanent staff, and well known to many who were in the Corps of Drums, which he had reformed, and was very popular in both roles.
If anybody has any anecdotes or fond memories of Brian they would like to share, please contact myself via the AOBA website: http://www.arborfieldoldboys.co.uk/contacts.html
and I will set up a page dedicated to Brian and his hard work.
Herbie
Arborfield Old Boys' Association
Monday, September 12, 2011
Repatriation Report for Sgt BJ Weston RM
From operations in Afghanistan, the repatriation of:
Sergeant Barry John Weston, K Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines
Sergeant Weston, of 30 Commando IX Group RM, assigned as a battle casualty replacement to 42 Commando RM, was fatally injured by an IED while leading a patrol near the village of Sukmanda, South Naher-e-Saraj District, Helmand Province, on 30th August, 2011.
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 from RAF Brize Norton to the John Radcliffe Hospital at Oxford. .
Chequers Inn, Brize Norton, Station Road, Brize Norton Village
This report from Patrick Hopper, RMA
With the closure of RAF Lyneham, the route of the cortege to the John Radcliffe Hospital is of course much shorter and now only sees three “vigil points” on the way. The first, outside The Chequers pub, is on the road very close to Gate 6 of RAF Brize Norton, where the cortege leaves the base. The second point is the newly built Memorial Garden at Carterton and lastly, the only survivor from the previous route, The Final Turn near the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.
At The Chequers, (not chosen just because it’s a pub, but also as it provides a safe open frontage on a quite narrow, but busy road), Royal Marines Association veterans assembled to pay their respects to Sgt Barry Weston and his family. There was a very good turnout. The RMA was represented by about 30 branch members from: RMA Central, Poole, Exeter, Swindon, Reading, Deal and Guildford. We also found a couple of ex-Royal Marines, quite a bit younger than most of us, having left the Corps only 11 years ago. They had come over from Gloucestershire and Cheshire. They were promptly relieved of £10 each and press-ganged into the RMA! Smart suits and berets. Well done, gentlemen. We were also pleased to see Major General Rose RM, who met and spoke with the members.
Uniformed serving members of the Corps were represented by 9 members of 30 Commando IX Group RM and about the same number from 42 Commando RM. This team split up, with the 42 Cdo RM contingent going over to join those at the Memorial Garden at Carterton, just up the road. There were quite a few other ex-servicemen present with us. A very substantial number of members of the public lined the route with us, at least 100.
There were eight RMA branch standards on parade: the RMA National standard, Deal, Exeter, Guildford, Poole, Reading, Swindon and The Green Beret Association.
At 1740hrs the cars bearing the family of Sergeant Weston passed by. The standards were dipped and all serving military personnel and veterans came to attention and saluted. A few minutes later the cortege passed by and the salute was repeated. We thank Jim Hawkins RMA for taking charge and ordering the salutes. We were very lucky with the weather, it being sunny and warm - quite a change from the rain and gales of the previous few days!
When we all repaired to the Chequers Inn, we were honoured to be visited shortly after by the parents of Sgt Barry Weston, his widow Joanne with baby Rose and other family members. They thanked everyone for their support and condolences.
On the way home after the parade, I was specially pleased to see members of the public standing on the two bridges over the A40 to Oxford, waiting to pay their respects to the cortege.
We say a sad “adieu” to all the previous vigil points at Wootton Bassett, Gable Cross, the B4000 Bridge, the UK Defence Academy and the Folly Hill lay-by, where folks have attended every repatriation for the past four years, lining the route to pay their respects. We specially thank those good souls who after each repatriation have sent us reports, for inclusion in the main report, which has worldwide distribution.
Memorial Garden, Carterton Village
We regret that at the time of writing, RMA Poole, who have compiled and distributed these reports for the past four years, has so far been unable to find a representative at the Memorial Garden to record those members of the family, the Royal British Legion, regimental associations, VIPs, service veterans and members of the public attending. We hope that this matter can be resolved by the time of the next repatriation.
John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford - near Anthony Padua Parish Church, Headley Way. (1855)
This report from John Walker, former RDG
We here at The Final Turn stood true and firm to honour this Royal Marine.
There were 13 Royal British Legion Standards: Bic ester, Bicester & Launton, Bodicote, Chalgrove, Headington, Hazelmere, Islip, Kidlington, Kidlington Womens Section, Peppard & District, Marston and Wheatley.
Association Standards included: The Coldstream Guards, Canal Zone (Oxon), Guards Division (Newbury), RAF Police, Royal Marines (Oxford), (Handworth) and (Windsor), The Royal Tank Regiment (Oxon) and The Banner of The Royal Dragoon Guards.
VIPs present were the Lord Mayor of Oxford, Cllr Elise Benjamin, the Very Rev Robert Wilkes, Father Aldo from St Anthony Padua Church and Colonel B. Duncan MBE, Royal Tank Regiment (Retd).
There were 55 veterans in berets and medals and 40 others from all three services and these were joined by eight Royal Marines in uniform. Thames Valley Police were out in force, doing their normal duties, as well as parading with us, under the command of Detective Chief Inspector Paul Gratian. We were also joined by Mary and John from the church (John having half-masted the Union flag that morning), four RBL Bikers - Martin, Rick and a couple of first timers, Yanto Evans and Taff Carr.
There were in excess of 400 members of the public at The Final Turn, with many more leading up the hill to us. Many hundreds were all around the ring road leading into the Marston area. Once again we thanks the veterans’ wives and partners who helped with the tea, coffee, home made cakes and biscuits.
The weather was kind, late sun at 180C. The cortege passed us by at 1835hrs.
The parade marshal was J. Lewendon (former RA). Graham Whelan (former Para) was lent as parade marshal to the new Memorial Garden at Carterton for a few repatriations, to guide them along.
Their Courage and Sacrifice Will Not Be Forgotten
Compiled by PH (The Duty Scribe)
On behalf of the Royal Marines Association
.............................................................................................................Arborfield Old Boys' Association
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Army Apprentices Memorial Dedication
plucked this message off the forum from TeeCee ........................
Having just returned from the dedication ceremony of the Memorial, I have to say that, in common with the whole of this project from it's inception, the whole operation went like clockwork, all performed flawlessly, and if there were any problems, they were not apparent.
The weather held off, apart from a few drops near the end, causing umbrellas to go up for just a couple of minutes.
All in all, a splendid and moving day in which our Rev Bev and the two other ex boy Revs did the whole ceremony great justice.
The Memorial, after being unveiled by Maj. Gen. Gerry Berragan was even more impressive than we envisaged, and, dare I say, outshone the adjacent REME memorial, a real credit to all those who had a hand in its inception.
Our Max was there with his trusty camera as always, and we can be assured of some more of his excellent pics.
As was mentioned in the earlier resumes, three or four video cameras operated by another of our ex boys was there to record the event, who tells me that after editing, the DVD will be available some time in October - watch the AANM website for details.
A rather brief description at this stage, but no doubt others will elaborate.
By the way, Mo, now that you have forgiven me for missing out the other David (Ted) from my last ode, if you look at it now, it reads, " Along with Colin, TWO DAVID's, Keith Rackham, stonemason," (Thought I got out of that rather well!)
I would also lie to take this opportunity to relate the thoughts and, if you like, the inspiration that motivated me to write this lines and was fortunate to have been accepted to grace the centre of the Memorial:
[
With the wisdom and experience of advancing years, we now appreciate how privileged we were to spend three of our most formative years in the almost exclusive company of our peers for 24 hours of every day.
This gave us a unique bonding experience which was almost certainly unparalleled even in other branches of the armed forces, or ‘man’s service’, and now, regrettably, no longer exists.
Constrained by the rigours of military discipline to which we were daily subjected, our lives were far more ordered, and we were, dare I say, better behaved (in general!) as a result.
Because we were at the most impressionable age, the highs and lows of those days are imprinted indelibly in our minds, and in our spirit of youthful optimism, it is the highs that we now recall most fondly.
So this verse is an attempt to sum up our youthful outlook on life, reflecting the comradeship and zest for living which we shared on the threshold of our military careers.
In these later years, as we now look back and reflect on those times, it is with even more clarity that we realize how very lucky we were.
As the wheel of time revolves, taking with it those friends that we considered indestructible, the verse pays tribute to those with whom we shared those memorable experiences, and also to the many others who were not of our particular time, but still very much our brothers in spirit.
Memorial Verse
They will always be there, laughing, young and full of fun,
With all their many pals around them, true friends every one.
The things that they have done together bind them closer still,
Those friendships born at youthful age endure and always will.
Through the years, some were called to pay the supreme price,
And this memorial stands to honour their self-sacrifice
To be remembered in this haven far from sounds of war,
Forever foremost in our hearts, always to endure.
TeeCee
...............................................................................................................................
Many thanks Tee Cee for this update ....
There is also a BFBS video about the dedication you can see if you visit
http://www.bfbs.com/news/media/video/51349/13881
Arborfield Old Boys' Association
Having just returned from the dedication ceremony of the Memorial, I have to say that, in common with the whole of this project from it's inception, the whole operation went like clockwork, all performed flawlessly, and if there were any problems, they were not apparent.
The weather held off, apart from a few drops near the end, causing umbrellas to go up for just a couple of minutes.
All in all, a splendid and moving day in which our Rev Bev and the two other ex boy Revs did the whole ceremony great justice.
The Memorial, after being unveiled by Maj. Gen. Gerry Berragan was even more impressive than we envisaged, and, dare I say, outshone the adjacent REME memorial, a real credit to all those who had a hand in its inception.
Our Max was there with his trusty camera as always, and we can be assured of some more of his excellent pics.
As was mentioned in the earlier resumes, three or four video cameras operated by another of our ex boys was there to record the event, who tells me that after editing, the DVD will be available some time in October - watch the AANM website for details.
A rather brief description at this stage, but no doubt others will elaborate.
By the way, Mo, now that you have forgiven me for missing out the other David (Ted) from my last ode, if you look at it now, it reads, " Along with Colin, TWO DAVID's, Keith Rackham, stonemason," (Thought I got out of that rather well!)
I would also lie to take this opportunity to relate the thoughts and, if you like, the inspiration that motivated me to write this lines and was fortunate to have been accepted to grace the centre of the Memorial:
[
With the wisdom and experience of advancing years, we now appreciate how privileged we were to spend three of our most formative years in the almost exclusive company of our peers for 24 hours of every day.
This gave us a unique bonding experience which was almost certainly unparalleled even in other branches of the armed forces, or ‘man’s service’, and now, regrettably, no longer exists.
Constrained by the rigours of military discipline to which we were daily subjected, our lives were far more ordered, and we were, dare I say, better behaved (in general!) as a result.
Because we were at the most impressionable age, the highs and lows of those days are imprinted indelibly in our minds, and in our spirit of youthful optimism, it is the highs that we now recall most fondly.
So this verse is an attempt to sum up our youthful outlook on life, reflecting the comradeship and zest for living which we shared on the threshold of our military careers.
In these later years, as we now look back and reflect on those times, it is with even more clarity that we realize how very lucky we were.
As the wheel of time revolves, taking with it those friends that we considered indestructible, the verse pays tribute to those with whom we shared those memorable experiences, and also to the many others who were not of our particular time, but still very much our brothers in spirit.
Memorial Verse
They will always be there, laughing, young and full of fun,
With all their many pals around them, true friends every one.
The things that they have done together bind them closer still,
Those friendships born at youthful age endure and always will.
Through the years, some were called to pay the supreme price,
And this memorial stands to honour their self-sacrifice
To be remembered in this haven far from sounds of war,
Forever foremost in our hearts, always to endure.
TeeCee
...............................................................................................................................
Many thanks Tee Cee for this update ....
There is also a BFBS video about the dedication you can see if you visit
http://www.bfbs.com/news/media/video/51349/13881
Arborfield Old Boys' Association
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Repatriation of Sgt BJ Weston RM
Subject: The Repatriation of Sergeant Barry John Weston (42 Commando) Royal Marines
The Repatriation of
Sergeant Barry John Weston (42 Commando) Royal Marines
will take place on –
Thursday, 8th September, 2011.
Flypast over Carterton 15:00 hours
RAF Brize Norton (Family Service Starts) 16:00 hours
Cortege expected to leave RAF Brize Norton 17:00 hours +/- 30 minutes - Estimated time of departure
- (Approximately 0.8 miles to Brize Norton
Brize Norton Village 17.05 hours +/- 30 minutes
- (Approximately 0.9 miles to Memorial
Memorial Garden (Norton Way, Carterton) 17.10 hours +/- 30 minutes
- (Approximately 40 minutes travelling time to JRH)
St Anthony of Padua Parish Church 17.45 hours +/- 30 minutes (Situated at entrance to JRH)
John Radcliffe Hospital (Oxford) 17.50 hours +/- 30 minutes - Estimated time of arrival
----------ooOoo----------
Please note that this is the first repatriation from RAF Brize Norton, so we have no past experience to call upon with regard to timings. There has been an official shift from various agencies involved issuing their own estimate of the timings, to this being done centrally through the Oxford County Council Repatriation Team.
Also, Oxford CC and the Thames Valley Police have conducted several trial runs along this new route but have not released any details to the general public on how things went, except to say that they were happy with the results.
Having calculated the timings above by extrapolating our experiences from the old route I now sincerely hope I am right.
Information I am receiving indicates a large turn out, so if attending make sure you arrive in plenty of time.
------------ooOoo----------
Blondie
On behalf of the Royal Marines Association
.............................................................................................................Arborfield Old Boys' Association
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Arborfield Old Boys Association Relocate or Die
The chance of us remaining at Arborfield for our reunion has been documented and discussed in many places as we come to realise Arborfield is as good as lost to us. So plans to ensure the future of our association plans were drawn up and debated at great length at the last AGM.
Many people shared their thoughts and passions – I think they can all be summed up by these words from Gordon Bonner 49B when he says /
“Gentlemen, There is no doubt that environs of Arborfield were the foundation of the intellectual construct that turned us from the boys we were to the men we are today. Therefore it can be said that the emotional attachment to Arborfield is a significant component of the influences from our formative years, and adds to our dilemma when considering the future of our association.
However, like it or not, the Arborfield we knew is dead, carried away by time that flows like an everlasting stream. I believe we must relocate or our association will wither away.
TeeCee with his poems has an uncanny knack of articulating ideas that often illuminate and simplify how we feel about our association and ourselves. A short while ago I asked TeeCee to compose a poem about the Army Apprentice Memorial currently under construction at the NMA.
In the second verse he had this to say: Boy’s Schools, now flown into history’s yellowing pages… yet a building alone, whether timber or stone, was an inanimate part of a fine learning place: the real soul was embraced by the youngsters who gave it heart.
I say that again: the real soul was embraced by the youngsters who gave it heart. This I believe is what our association is about, not bricks and mortar or locations, but us and the unique relationship we have each the other.
I come to the reunions to refresh old friendships and make new ones, and frankly I care not one jot where we meet. Last Remembrance Sunday I dined with a few members at the Victory Services Club in London. It was a delightful evening, the location had no bearing on the pleasure of the evening, it was the company of friends that was the true enjoyment. For this reason I believe we should relocate our reunions to the midlands and centre the real soul of our association onto the Army Apprentice National Memorial located at Alrewas, Staffordshire.
Our association is well represented in the development the memorial. Six of the ten Trustees are ex-Arborfield, the monolith carries the AAS badge, the school is immortalised in a stone bench that carries the name Arborfield and the AOBA logo. Thus the School Gates and all the symbolism it implies are engraved onto granite. It will defy the ravages of time, and tell future generations who we were and what we were about.
I would ask you to consider what I have said and join me in voting for the Midlands Hotel and AANM option.”
After these passionate words the membership of the AOBA voted almost unanimously to hold the 2012 reunion at the NMA. I hope everyone will join me in saying I truly believe this to be the very best option for the long term viability of our wonderful organisation
David (Tich) Schofield 65A
Honorary Secretary
Arborfield Old Boys’ Association
Arborfield Old Boys' Association
Many people shared their thoughts and passions – I think they can all be summed up by these words from Gordon Bonner 49B when he says /
“Gentlemen, There is no doubt that environs of Arborfield were the foundation of the intellectual construct that turned us from the boys we were to the men we are today. Therefore it can be said that the emotional attachment to Arborfield is a significant component of the influences from our formative years, and adds to our dilemma when considering the future of our association.
However, like it or not, the Arborfield we knew is dead, carried away by time that flows like an everlasting stream. I believe we must relocate or our association will wither away.
TeeCee with his poems has an uncanny knack of articulating ideas that often illuminate and simplify how we feel about our association and ourselves. A short while ago I asked TeeCee to compose a poem about the Army Apprentice Memorial currently under construction at the NMA.
In the second verse he had this to say: Boy’s Schools, now flown into history’s yellowing pages… yet a building alone, whether timber or stone, was an inanimate part of a fine learning place: the real soul was embraced by the youngsters who gave it heart.
I say that again: the real soul was embraced by the youngsters who gave it heart. This I believe is what our association is about, not bricks and mortar or locations, but us and the unique relationship we have each the other.
I come to the reunions to refresh old friendships and make new ones, and frankly I care not one jot where we meet. Last Remembrance Sunday I dined with a few members at the Victory Services Club in London. It was a delightful evening, the location had no bearing on the pleasure of the evening, it was the company of friends that was the true enjoyment. For this reason I believe we should relocate our reunions to the midlands and centre the real soul of our association onto the Army Apprentice National Memorial located at Alrewas, Staffordshire.
Our association is well represented in the development the memorial. Six of the ten Trustees are ex-Arborfield, the monolith carries the AAS badge, the school is immortalised in a stone bench that carries the name Arborfield and the AOBA logo. Thus the School Gates and all the symbolism it implies are engraved onto granite. It will defy the ravages of time, and tell future generations who we were and what we were about.
I would ask you to consider what I have said and join me in voting for the Midlands Hotel and AANM option.”
After these passionate words the membership of the AOBA voted almost unanimously to hold the 2012 reunion at the NMA. I hope everyone will join me in saying I truly believe this to be the very best option for the long term viability of our wonderful organisation
David (Tich) Schofield 65A
Honorary Secretary
Arborfield Old Boys’ Association
Arborfield Old Boys' Association
Friday, September 2, 2011
AOBA 2012 Calendar .....................
I have 13 hard copies of our 2012 Calendar left - all properly bound with the hanging spine thingie ............
They are available at £5.00 each plus what ever it costs to post to where ever you happen to be in the world.
if you'd like one contact me through the website with your address and I'll walk down to Post Office and send it to you - then let you know the cost which you can send via PayPal.
Arborfield Old Boys' Association
They are available at £5.00 each plus what ever it costs to post to where ever you happen to be in the world.
if you'd like one contact me through the website with your address and I'll walk down to Post Office and send it to you - then let you know the cost which you can send via PayPal.
Arborfield Old Boys' Association
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