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May I wish you all a welcome to 2003 and may it be a happy and prosperous year for all. Last year was another successful year as far as functions and events are concerned and it is hoped that this year will be even better.
1st Battalion From March 2002 the 1st Battalion was involved in some of the worst rioting seen in Northern Ireland for some years, with boulders, bricks, paving slabs, bolts, paint bombs and petrol bombs all being received by The Queens Company and the Inkerman Company.
On their return to Windsor Number Two Company provided the Windsor Castle Guard for the Queen Mother's funeral and The Queen's Company provided the final bearer party at Windsor. Throughout the Spring 159 driving licences were gained by the lads in different categories, and on the fun side of things many were able to take part in parachute training, rugby, hockey and athletics as well as eight members of Support Company running the Belfast marathon.
On the Queen's Birthday Parade The Queen's Company found Number 4 Guard, with the remainder of the Battalion street lining. The Commanding Officers changed over with Lieutenant Colonel David Madden handing over to Lieutenant Colonel George Norton OBE. Also recently Sergeant Major Vince Gaunt handed over to Sergeant Major Bernie Broad. Vince has gone to take post as Academy Sergeant Major at Sandhurst. In the Summer the Battalion was on exercise in Canada and took part in some good live firing exercises besides being able to take in some adventure training in the Rockies. From the Autumn, besides Public Duties, the Battalion has been providing fire cover across London.
Nijmegen Company The Nijmegen Company provided the Guard of Honour outside Westminster Palace for the Queen Mother's funeral and it was reported that 26 of the Guard were under 18 years of age!They then provided Number 5 Guard for the Queen's Birthday Parade and the Guard of Honour at the Commonwealth Games after which they stayed to go recruiting in the Manchester area for a week. The Company laid up its old Colours at Bristol in September with the local Branches of the Association providing a marching contingent. Like the Battalion, the Nijmegen Company is currently employed as standby firemen.
Regimental Band Lt Col Phillip Hills, Director of Music since 1992, has handed over the Regimental Band to Major Dennis Burton whose father served in the band over 50 years ago. Whilst the original female musicians have left they still have a female flautist and the standard has never been higher. The Band is currently embarked on a tour of North America for 10 weeks having previously toured Sweden and Belgium.
The recruiting side of the Regiment went well last year with the Grenadiers leading the Household Division in numbers, as well as being second overall in the Infantry. Over 100 new recruits last year. Retention is still a problem, as it will always be, but the overall picture is good.
BRANCH NEWS
It is with regret that my first piece of branch news should be to report the passing of Captain Bob Murdoch. Bob joined us at a relatively late stage in life having been invited to become a Branch Vice President in 1998. It was a pleasure to see him and Sue at our annual dinners where it was discovered that he had a ready and wicked wit. He died at home earlier this month aged 81 and his service of thanksgiving at Linton Church was attended by many branch members. Our condolences go to Sue and the family.
We have also said a sad farewell to Bob Thomas who died in September, also aged 81. Several branch members attended his funeral at Maidstone Cemetery where our condolences were passed on to Emily and family. We shall miss the sight of this couple acting like a pair of teenagers on the dance floor.
Since my last newsletter we have been pleased to welcome 24125353 Tony Love who served 1968 - 1976 as a Pioneer in the 1st Battalion. We look forward to seeing him and Pamela at many of our functions. An up to date list of branch members is attached to this newsletter.
The branch .22 shooting club is still going strong with about 10 - 12 members and their ladies attending each month. For the uninitiated, we meet at about 1930 hrs usually on the third Wednesday of each month at the TA Centre, Boxley Road Maidstone. You too could win the Members Trophy, like Colin Brown did at the end of last year, or the Ladies Trophy, like Jean West, or even the Wooden Spoon, like John Letford MM.
It was reported in November that the Medway Branch website, which can be found at www.medwaygrenadiers.org, was a winner of the Golden Web Award presented by the International Association of Web Masters and Designers. Our congratulations go to Howard Sykes, the creator and webmaster of the site.
Now that we have entered another new year its time for those dreaded words "Subs Please!". I would be grateful for your cheques as soon as possible at the usual rate of £3 for those of pensionable age and £5 for the rest of us. Also a reminder that all cheques to the branch should be made payable to GREN GDS ASSN (Medway Branch) and not to me or the treasurer by name please.
Annual Dinner and Dance The Annual Dinner was held in the Sergeants' Mess at Brompton Barracks, Gillingham on 2nd November and proved to be a very good evening. Major Johnny Frost, Officer Commanding the Inkerman Company, gave a very good report on the current state of the Regiment. The Mess provided an excellent setting for the dinner with the silver and regimentalia on show. However, the disco was set in the main bar area which left very little space for dancing and was extremely loud in that confined area. Despite that, everyone had a good time.
Christmas Draw The Draw, held at the Medway Community College on 14th December, was, for some, a disaster. Others were able to laugh at our predicament and enjoy it. The buffet, provided as usual by Jenny Randall, was excellent but, as she was not allowed to use the kitchen, there was no hot drinks and none of her marvellous curry or chilli was available. Bearing in mind that the college until recently had been a girls' school, the gents' toilets were non-existent - just one disabled loo was available. The tables were school canteen style with hard, wooden, backless stool type seats. But worst of all - there was just a hint of heating on that cold December night. The order of dress was overcoats. However, the RAFA run bar was well stocked and cheap and the excellent band 'Jet' certainly earned their money that night. Dancing was the ideal remedy for the cold and the floor was full all night. Still, I enjoyed it, and so did my Jean who not only bought all the prizes for the Draw but won about 10 per cent of them as well.
Mayor of Maidstone's Charity Quiz Night The branch entered a team of eight at this event last year which didn't disgrace itself (okay, we didn't win) and so are entering another this year on 21st February. We wish them well.
Branch Quiz Night Again, Dave and Jill Bragger have 'volunteered' to run a quiz night for us on Saturday 29th March. The Rochwood Club has been booked for this popular event and, as usual, there will be a fish or chicken and chip supper included in the exceptionally low price of £5 per head. Numbers to me as soon as possible please.
Easter Concert
The Guards Chapel Choir and the Household Division Orchestra present an Easter Choral Concert at the Guards Chapel on Wednesday 16th April at 1915 hrs. Tickets are £10 each. Details on 0207 839 5323 during working hours.
Regimental Remembrance Day This year's service and parade will be held at Wellington Barracks on Sunday 18th May. The Service of Remembrance will be held in the Guards Chapel at 1500 hrs followed by the march to the Guards Memorial at Horse Guards. Tickets for the service are not required but those who require disabled parking passes for Wellington Barracks should contact me soonest. All other cars are to be parked at Chelsea Barracks where a shuttle coach service will operate between the two barracks.
Beating Retreat The Household Division Massed Bands will be Beating Retreat on Horse Guards Parade on Tuesday 27th and Wednesday 28th May starting at 1900 hrs. Tickets, costing £10 and £7 each, may be obtained from The Treasurer, Household Division Funds at Horse Guards. Cheques should be made payable to Household Division Funds and should be accompanied by a S.A.E. Credit Card bookings may be made by calling 0207 839 5323 after 1st April but be aware there is a £1 credit card booking charge.
The Queen's Birthday Parade The 1st Battalion are finding the Escort this year. The parade and rehearsals, with ticket prices, are as follows:
Major General's Review | Saturday 31st May | Tickets are free |
The Colonel's Review | Saturday 7th June | Tickets are £8.00 each |
The Birthday Parade | Saturday 14th June | Tickets are £16.00 each |
Grenadier Day Following last year's successful day at Windsor Racecourse, this year's event is scheduled to take place there again on Sunday 20th July. We shall, of course, be manning the branch stall and entering a number of teams in the Boyton Cup shoot which will take place in Victoria Barracks.
Kent Branches Family Day This year's get-together is due to be hosted by the West Kent Branch. I haven't heard anything from their Secretary yet but as soon as I do I'll give you the details.
Annual Dinner and Dance
I'm sure you will all be pleased to hear that the Grangemoor Hotel in Maidstone has been booked for the evening of Saturday 18th October. Details will be in my Autumn newsletter.
A Diary of Events is attached to this newsletter. Please give me ring or e-mail me if you wish to attend any of the events of functions or if you have any queries.
Association General Secretary After 22 years in post Captain Barry Double retired from the appointment of General Secretary of the Association in October. All in the Medway branch are grateful for his advice and assistance over the years and we extend our thanks for a job well done. It was always known that he was irreplaceable and to date the post remains vacant. It is being covered temporarily by both the Regimental Adjutant and the RQMS, ably assisted by LSgt Peter Hales, the Association Clerk.
Grenadier Gazette This year's Gazette will be priced at £4.50, the same as last year, and should be available in early April. Postal cost from Association Headquarters is £1 for 2nd class. Alternatively you can order through me and pick up your copy at the May branch meeting.
Gifts to Her Majesty To mark Her Majesty the Queen's 60th Anniversary as a Grenadier, the Regiment commissioned a small enamel snuff box. The outside of the box contains a picture of Her Majesty in Grenadier uniform on her favourite horse, Burmese. The inside of the lid contains a picture of her Colour as Colonel and the Royal Standard of the Regiment, crossed, and a picture of an inspection of The Queen's Company at Windsor Castle on the inside base of the box. Additionally, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Her Majesty's accession to the throne, all regiments of the Household Division combined to provide a stained glass window in the chapel at Buckingham Palace.
"Once a Grenadier..." Copies of the history of the regiment from 1945 to 1995 by Colonel Oliver Lindsay CBE are available from Association HQ at a cost of £10 plus £5 p&p. Cheques to be made payable to 'Grenadier Guards Association'.
Grenadier Contacts Many of you are aware that Jim White runs an e-mail message service for all Grenadiers, past and present. If you have access to e-mail and wish to locate any of your old pals this is an excellent way of doing it. He has recently changed his address and it is now whitej@members.v21.co.uk. It was through Jim's site that Tony Love is now a member of the branch.
Veterans Support UK I am pleased to be able to report that VSUK (formerly known as the Medway Ex-Services Welfare Centre) has been granted charitable status. It continues to provide outstanding service on behalf of the ex-Service community, including dependents, from its offices in Chatham and Dover. It gives help and advice to all who need it and also provides free computer training at Chatham. If you, or someone you know, needs any help please give them a ring on 01634 842954 for further information.
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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