Page 88 - RSDG Year of 2021 CREST

94 EAGLE AND CARBINE
South West of England Branch
At last, after a miserable two years of not having events and Gatherings, we were able to have our traditional Gathering on 6 November 2021. This continued the One Regimental theme with past and present mem- bers of the Regimental Family coming together; as always many a sandbag was fetched and the younger members heard the same tales as the older members had heard so many times before!
This year’s Gathering was particularly special, not only because 80 members of the Regimental family were present but also for the talk given by Lieutenant Colonel John Sharples about Operation GRANBY when he was Commanding Officer. This was fasci- nating and brought back many memories for those who were present that night. A very big thank you to Colonel John.
As always we would like to thank The Commanding Officer of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry for letting us use the Mess, to the Adjutant, Capt Tim Carpenter SCOTS DG for making the arrangements and to WO2 Emma Walsh for running the bar. We will miss Captain Joe Toward who has run the bar for many years and who has now retired. We wish him well in the future.
We were also entertained by the Pipe Major and mini band formed from the Waterloo Pipes and Drums. Having the Pipes and Drums at the Gathering always proves to be a highlight and this year was no excep- tion. After playing two excellent sets the pipers joined the rest of the members for a well-earned pint. Finally, we thank Katarina Oliver, Fee Allan and April Phillips for providing the food for the evening.
At the Gathering our Chairman of 30 years, Lieutenant Colonel Mike Oliver, announced his retirement. We wish him the best for the future and look forward to his continued attendance at the various events for many years to come. Captain Nick Oliver has taken
over the reins as Chairman with Lieutenant Colonel Mick Lillie as Deputy Chairman. The new Secretary is still to be confirmed.
We were very pleased that a number of the Branch were able to attend the Cenotaph Parade again this year. This is always a great event and we encourage as many people as possible to come.
During the year we have done what we can to contact those we know to be alone and to rebuild our member- ship list, to make it easier to control and use in the future.
In 2022 we plan to have our Dinner at the end of the summer and the Gathering in November as usual. It is hoped we will have a Golf Tournament to coincide with the Gathering which is being organised and run by Robert Breslin. We would also like to try and hold a Family day for the wider Regiment in the South, possi- bly combining with other Armoured Corp regiments.
Finally, as an aside, on 12 December Jessica Oliver, the daughter of the new Chairman, set off with a friend to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic on the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge raising funds for Shelter and Womens’ Aid. They carried the Regimental cap badge on the Boat.