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2002 year so far has proved to be another successful year for the Branch with Grenadier Day and the Kent Branches Family Day being enjoyed by one and all. The summer is now waning and we start to prepare for Christmas (only 14 weeks to go at the time of writing). Where do the days go?
1st Battalion
The last three months of their Northern Ireland tour were anything but quiet, the Queen's Company and Inkerman Company being involved in some of the severest rioting in recent years. On Easter Monday the Guardsmen lost count of the number of times they baton charged the crowds. Both companies received the usual array of boulders, bricks, paving slabs, bolts, paint bombs and petrol bombs.
Back in Windsor, following the death of The Queen Mother, Number Two Company having returned early from Ireland provided the Windsor Castle Guard throughout the period of Royal Mourning and two further half companies for street lining. The Queen's Company provided the final bearer party at the Castle.
The whole Battalion, back in Windsor, played its part on the Queen's Birthday Parade and then departed for Canada for six weeks of training under its new Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel George Norton MBE.
The Battalion has now returned to Windsor and, as well as carrying out its public duties role, is preparing to take the Green Goddesses from under wraps ready for the impending firemen's strike..
Nijmegen Company
The Company were recalled from Easter leave at the death of The Queen Mother and were privileged to provide the Guard of Honour outside the Palace of Westminster on both days of the funeral procession and the funeral. It is worth noting that 26 of the Guardsmen on parade were under the age of 18 - a quarter of the Guard!
They won the London District Regular Minor Unit March and Shoot Competition and Regular Minor Unit Athletics Championships before providing Number 5 Guard on the Birthday Parade. In July they provided a large Guard of Honour for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester. The Company laid up their Old Colours in Bristol Cathedral on 19th September and, like the 1st Battalion, are preparing to man Green Goddesses.
14th Company
The Company which provided the basic Phase 1 Training for adult recruits at Pirbright moved to ITC (Infantry Training Centre) Catterick and merged with 13th Company, which formerly provided Phase 2 Training, to form a Guards Company. All future training for adult recruits will take place at ITC whilst those between 16 and 17½ undergo initial training at the Army Foundation College at Harrogate before moving on to ITC.
Having enlisted just over 100 recruits this year the Regiment tops the Divisional recruiting table and is second in the infantry. Unfortunately the retention figures do not match and the 1st Battalion is currently 40 under strength.
The Branch lost its oldest member, Ernie Haines, on 10th April. He was 90 years of age and had served in the King's Company from 1930-1933. He was called up again in 1939 and was at Dunkirk in 1940. Because of his pre-war work, he was seconded to the Admiralty from 1943 until the end of the war. He and his wife were born in Wainscott and, apart from his military service, both lived and died there. Seven members of the Branch attend his funeral at Frindsbury church on 22nd April.
Please spare a thought for our poor suffering Chairman, Pat Franks. He fell down the stairs breaking his wrist in the process and it is refusing to mend. He is in great pain and worse - he can't drive. However, in true Grenadier style, he still has a big smile on his face. Get well soon, Pat.
We have welcomed no new members to the Branch in the last few months I'm afraid, so let's have a bit of recruiting done out there please. I'm sure many of you know of Grenadiers in our catchment area, roughly from Dartford to Sittingbourne and Sheppey and from the Thames to Maidstone, who are not members. You can either approach them yourselves and drag them along to a meeting or I'll drop them a line if you let me know who and where they are.
We have been pleased to see, however, a couple of faces that have turned up at meetings after a long absence. Andy Dickinson, Paul Carey and John Tassell have all been welcomed back and we look forward to seeing them on a regular basis.
Despite your Chairman (Pat Franks), Secretary and Welfare Officer (yours truly) and Treasurer (John Taylor) all saying they would not be standing for re-election, all three, plus the Vice-Chairman (Len Ross), were returned to their posts for another year at the AGM in April. Allen Simmons stood down from his appointment as Entertainments Officer and, as there were no willing volunteers to take this on, it has become a joint role for the committee. However, Pat, John and I have all said that we will be standing down in 2003 so we are looking for volunteers to fill all five posts. If there are none forthcoming then I'm afraid the future of the Branch may be in jeopardy.
Apart from that I'm happy to report that all is fine and dandy in the branch.
Regimental Remembrance Sunday - 19th May Another very good parade and service attended by many members of the Branch and their ladies.
Treasure Hunt - 30th June This year's event took the five cars taking part through Maidstone to Hollingbourne and then on to Sittingbourne and Rainham. We finished, once again, with a nice lunch at the Honourable Pilot in Gillingham where the points were totted up. As Jean and I organised and ran it, Dave and Gill Bragger were able to take part for a change and it was fitting that their car should end up in joint first place with my sister's team. After a couple of eliminator questions they finished as the winners. Thanks to all those who turned out on that Sunday.
Grenadier Day - 7th July
The following Sunday saw the Branch at Windsor Racecourse for Grenadier Day. The golf challenge was successful for the second year we have run it and we made about £100 from that and the bric-a-brac stall.
The Boyton Cup shoot was held on the Small Arms Trainer (SAT) laser range at Victoria Barracks and, after a good shoot, it emerged that the Medway Branch had tied for first place with the Lincoln Branch - the first time this has happened. The organisers suggested the teams return to the SAT for a shoot out but the two captains agreed that the prize should be shared - again, a first. So the Medway Branch now has four wins (o.k. three and a half) under its belt while we gave the Lincoln Branch a chance to taste success. Let's hope they won't be back for more. Many congratulations to John Taylor, Colin Brown, Ted Mew and Howard Sykes for this year's success.
Kent Branches Family Day - 17th August
An excellent time was had by all at Torry Hill for the fourth annual get-together and we were well looked after by our hosts, Lord and Lady Kingsdown. It was a very hot day and many made full use of the swimming pool. There was some stiff competition this year for the Bat and Trap trophy which, I'm glad to report, we won again. We provided an additional golf pitching challenge trophy which the West Kent Branch took home with them. After a great day the East Kent Branch were more than happy to go away with just smiles on their faces. Thanks go to everyone who came along and to our host, especially to Lady K who provided about 80 very welcome cups of tea at just the right moment.
Annual Dinner and Dance - 2nd November As mentioned in my last newsletter the Dinner this year takes place in the Sergeants Mess at Brompton Barracks, Gillingham at 1900 for 1930 hrs at a cost of £20. We are honoured to welcome Major J G R Frost, Officer Commanding the Inkerman Company of the 1st Battalion as Regimental Representative. Could you please complete the attached proforma and return it to me as early as possible or by 18th October at the very latest - this will give me plenty of time to prepare a table plan. Donations would be gratefully accepted for the evening's raffle (hint, hint).
Remembrance Sunday - 10th November As usual services will be held at all the local memorials and, although the Branch will be represented at Gillingham, Chatham, Borough Green, Gravesend and Sheppey, the main body will be attending the parade and service at Rochester Cathedral. The wreath will be laid at the Rochester War Memorial after this service. All are welcome to attend these ceremonies. Timings for the services will be given out at the Branch Meetings and to anyone else who requests the information.
Christmas Draw - 14th December We have been having a few problems trying to guarantee a date at the Ditton TA Centre for this year's Draw so instead we have been offered the facilities at the Medway Community College in Magpie Hall Road, Chatham. We haven't had a recce yet but I'm assured by a member of the RTR Association that it will suit us just fine. We have booked 'Split Pin' to provide the music for us once again - it was they who played at last year's Annual Dinner and Dance and went down a storm. There will be the usual £600 worth of prizes up for grabs and Jenny Randall will once again be putting her culinary skills to good use. Tickets are at the usual price of £11 per head. Family and friends are more than welcome to attend - in fact, the more the merrier. I know it's not like us but we would like to ask that there be no draw prizes donated by members this year please.
Regimental History for 2006
The Regiment is planning to publish a book in 2006 in the form of a Celebration of 350 years rather than a formal History. Its aim is to be a true Regimental family book with about 300 pages and 600 illustrations, all in colour. There will be emphasis on people and names rather than just recounting events, and will include rare photos, maps, drawings, charts, tables and timelines all in an unstuffy tone. There will be an historical outline in sections with several major battles described in detail plus profiles of up to 100 notable characters and features of Grenadier life, customs and peculiarities.
There is a special effort to include previously unpublished material and so the Regiment is looking for ideas and suggestions, memoirs, diaries, photographs, cartoons and other material plus help with research or proof-reading. The aim is to collect the material by the end of 2003 in order to begin composition in 2004 and publish in 2006. Anything submitted will be acknowledged, carefully recorded and looked after and returned in due course. If you can help with this venture please write to the Regimental Adjutant at Regimental Headquarters Grenadier Guards, Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk, London SW1E 6HQ.
Regimental Grand Reunion This spectacularly successful event took place from 8th to 12th April at Littlecote House on the Hampshire/Wiltshire Border. Eight of us represented the Branch to make up a total of nearly 400 who enjoyed a week of fun, entertainment and meeting and greeting the old and bold. The only thing that marred it was the funeral of The Queen Mother on the Tuesday which we all watched on a large screen. The following day a number of us went to Windsor to watch the guard mount at Victoria Barracks and then we were left to our own devices in the castle. Some of us visited St Georges Chapel to see the Queen Mother's last resting place. This was followed by a boat trip on the Thames. On Thursday morning two former Academy Sergeant Majors treated the men to a drill parade which, after the rustiness had worn off, was followed by a march past accompanied by the Regimental Band. In the afternoon we were honoured with a visit from HRH The Colonel who wandered around in a very relaxed mood chatting to the many ladies and gents. The evenings were very entertaining with the Charleston Chasers' providing the music and dancing on the Monday, the Joe Loss Orchestra on the Tuesday, the Regimental Band were in concert on Wednesday and the Regimental Dance Band finished the week with an excellent evening on Thursday. An excellent week which can be highly recommended. There will be another one along shortly so watch this space.
North Staffordshire Branch Dinner 2002 This will be held in Stoke-on-Trent on 30th November and tickets are £21 per person. Anyone interested in the details should give me a ring.
Blackpool Reunion 2003 Les Scholes has written about the success of this year's Regimental Reunion at Blackpool and to say that next year's will take place from 30th May to 1st June at a cost of £101 per person. Again, give me a ring if you are interested.
Military Shows Andy Baines and Mick Gear have been busy this year representing the Regiment at the War and Peace Show at Beltring Hop Farm and the Military Odyssey at the County Showground. They wear authentic Grenadier uniforms and, for those who have not seen them yet, it's worth a visit to the shows to see them in future.
Branch Web Site Webmaster Howard Sykes has been working hard on the site and it went live on the world wide web on 21st September at www.medwaygrenadiers.org. We welcome any comments and/or criticisms (constructive please) which will help to improve the site and these can come to me via an e-mail link that will be available.
War Pensions There are still people, injured or disabled in the service of this country, who are not receiving a war pension. This is due, in many cases, to the term used. War Pension has nothing to do with the war - any war. It has to do with serving our country. Anybody who feels they have incurred an injury or disablement during their service, which includes sporting injuries, should immediately apply for this recompense which is justly theirs. It is not a charity. Disabilities are assessed as a percentage and you could receive the appropriate amount which could increase a weekly income by up to £150. Further information can be gained from "Veterans Support UK" (see item below).
Medway Ex-Services Welfare Centre
The Centre, based in the Historic Dockyard at Chatham, has had an outstanding year and has now reached a major turning point. So successful has the project been, even having been praised by the Veterans Affairs Minister Dr Lewis Moonie, that we are on the verge of opening an additional branch at Dover with more around the country in the planning stages. It is therefore obvious that we can no longer continue under our existing title and the organisation has, in the past couple of weeks, been re-branded "Veterans Support UK" or "VSUK". Also, because of its successes with its large number of beneficiaries, within the next few weeks VSUK will be accepted as a registered harity.
Should any ex-service man or woman need any help or advice about any matter at all please call in to the Centre or phone the team there on 01634 842954. You might want some help resolving a problem, you may need some information regarding war pensions etc., or you may just want a chat over a cup of tea. The Centre also provides free computer courses for those who want to learn or just want to put a CV together. Other courses have been made available to VSUK so give them a ring and see if there is anything that meets your needs.
Finally, on this subject, the Centre is always looking for suitable volunteers who might have a couple of hours a week to spare and are willing to help others in some way. Give them a ring on the same number.
That's all for now folks, so it just remains to say thank you to all those who involve themselves in the branch - we wouldn't be here without you.
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