Page 32 - Chiron Autumn 2018
P. 32

 Annual RAVC Morning Service at the Royal Hospital Chelsea
This year’s RAVC annual morning service at the Royal Hospital Chelsea was held on Sunday 1 July 2018. The Colonel Commandant, Major General Roly Walker DSO, The Association Chairman, Lt Col Chris Ham, CO DATR, Lt Col Martyn Thompson and 40 serving members, 12 Chelsea Pensioners, Association members and families attended the service which was
delivered by the Royal Hospital Chaplain, Reverend Steven Brookes. The Chapel was almost full on the occasion as the Service was shared with a Christening and as always the resident Choir to the RH Hospital make the Service a very special occasion. Lt Henry Mosey and Corps RSM Cunningham accompanied the duty Governor as the reviewing officer on parade.
Following the service, the RAVC members and guest were hosted to a pre-lunch drink by our own in-pensioner, David Hathorn, for which everyone was most grateful. This was followed by an enjoyable curry lunch which was served in the In-pensioner’s dining room. Those who attended also met our new RAVC in-pensioner, Cpl Barrie Davey who joined the hospital earlier this year.
    30 CHIRON CALLING
Mr Brian Ward – RAVC Association Melton Branch
Mr Brian Ward is a committed member of the RAVC Association Melton Branch who never fails to attend all the activities involving the Branch.
Brian joined the Army as a National Serviceman in February 1959 aged 21 years. He was deferred to complete a 6 year apprenticeship to become an engineer. He then joined the Royal Leicestershire Regiment for basic training at Glen Parva for the ensuing 10 weeks before being posted to Germany. Following 8 weeks battlefield training, Brian asked to join ‘The Corps of Drums’ and the Regimental Band. He was accepted as a Bandsman, with his secondary duty as a stretcher bearer when deployed.
In 1960 the battalion amalgamated with the Warwickshire and Sherwood Foresters to become the Foresters Brigade, and in 1970 Brian joined the 5th Leicestershire as a Territorial Army soldier.
Brian joined the Royal British Legion in 1959 and he also joined the RAVC Association 8 years ago
With the continuing threat from the cold war and escalating trouble in Northern Ireland, the Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher announced in 1982 the formation of a new Army unit to be known as the Home Service Force (H S F) to be made up predominantly from ex-serving members and by the end of 1982 all
regiments in the UK had an H S F unit attached and their purpose was to bolster the UK Home Defence. This was when Brian decided to join the 3rd Battalion Worcester and Sherwood Foresters. Soon after the peace treaty was signed in Northern Ireland and with the end of the Cold War, the battalion was disbanded in the Army review in early 1990.
Brian joined the Royal British Legion in 1959 and he also joined the RAVC Association 8 years ago. During his time at the Melton Branch, Brian has been
involved in the Poppy Appeal and he organises the Wreath for the Melton Branch at the annual Reunion Parade at the Remount Barracks, Melton Mowbray. He also provides a bugler when required, and he arranges for a piper whenever there is a dining in or out of RSM at the DATR.
Brian is a stanch member of the Branch and everyone appreciates his cheerfulness and usual high spirit.
   



















































































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