Page 133 - Mercian Eagle 2012

Derby WFRA Branch
by Alan Derbyshire
The Derby Branch continues to thrive and welcomes the following new members; Jake Anable, Alan (Dutch) Holland, Alistair Colquhoun, Andy Dobbie, Colin Ramshall, Gary Pearson, Johny Pyper, Ron Clarke, Anthony Clare, and Jim Manning.
In February, twenty members of the Branch attended a weekend at Chetwynd Barracks, Chilwell kindly organised by
Paul Derbyshire, which will surely be remembered for years to come! Once
we were settled into our accommodation
by Johny Pyper, Paul Derbyshire gave
us a briefing on the responsibilities of the Reinforcement Training and Mobilisation Unit and what happens when troops enter the system. We were taken to the training area where we observed troops under training and also had the opportunity to talk with them. It was especially interesting as some of them were from 4 MERCIAN. It was certainly an ‘eye opener’ to see at first hand the vast amount of
equipment that is issued
to troops proceeding on
operations. Needless
to say, the RQMS and
his staff kept a close
eye on this as it was
passed around for us
to examine to ensure
‘nothing went astray’!
Martyn Roe was seen to
have his eye on some
items but he made it far
too obvious, so failed
in his attempt to purloin anything. We then held a short parade and Ron Mills, our oldest member present, laid a wreath at the Memorial in the Barracks. Later that evening we paraded in best bib and tucker and
Derby Branch Sgts’ Mess Night
were escorted to the WOs & Sgts Mess for a Regimental Dinner, at which an equivalent number of mess members were present. An excellent dinner was enjoyed by all and to the joy of Ronnie Smith, a Piper was
present. After the meal, we retired to the bar. To save embarrassment, no names will be mentioned, but the evening that followed will go down in history as ‘very enjoyable’. On the Sunday morning, Cliff Amatt had arranged for us a couple of hours with the JCB’s. Not many managed to endure this, as heads
were sore and bodies weak. It was a good weekend and the measure of its success was such that some mess members asked when we would be coming back! To finalise, “Who offered to loan his false teeth
to another Branch member and who found he could walk without his sticks”?
Our Annual Dinner took place on 21st April and our guest this year was Aron Shelton. Aron served with 2 MERCIAN (Worcesters & Foresters) in Afghanistan where he was wounded. Eighty members and their ladies attended the dinner which was most enjoyable. Our thanks go to Gordon Carran who organised the dinner, Ronnie Smith for arranging the silver and Dennis Brown who has become our regular raffle organiser. The Branch Standard Bearers have attended a number of events and have responded to all requests, some at short notice. Thank you all for your dedication.
The Branch supported the Crich Buffet Supper with 28 persons attending. We wish to thank the staff at RHQ for organising the event. Our sponsored charities for
this year are the Army Benevolent Fund
and the British Limbless Ex Service Men’s Association.
Derby Branch at Soldiers’ Corner
To save embarrassment, no names will be mentioned, but the evening that followed will go down in history as ‘very enjoyable’.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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