Page 73 - RSDG Year of 2022 CREST

Glasgow and West of Scotland Branch
After consultation with the other Scottish based branches, it was agreed to hold a combined, informal weekend gathering in the central belt of Scotland. The plan was to hold the Association Golf, the bowling tournament, and a dinner night. The base venue was going to be the biggest problem to sort out, but we did finally find a hotel willing to accommodate our needs and the Best Western Hilcroft Hotel in Whitburn was chosen. Luck was on our side because the local golf course and bowling club were also available on the same weekend. Everything fell into place and the weekend gathering was arranged for 9-10 September 2022. The hotel rooms were quickly snapped up but many managed to find other hotel accommodation nearby.
We are of course all aware of what happened on the eve of our gathering - our beloved Colonel in Chief, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, sadly passed away. Out of respect, we had no alternative but to postpone the event until April 2023. The good news was that we were able to reschedule the gathering without incurring any financial losses. The bookings for hotel rooms were carried forward to the new dates and so we should be able to report on the rescheduled weekend in the next edition of the Eagle and Carbine.
The Garden of Remembrance in George Square, Glasgow was opened on Tuesday 25 October by Lieutenant General Sir Alastair Irwin KCB CBE, National President of the Royal British Legion Scotland and of Poppy Scotland. Five members of the branch attended this event.
A Remembrance Sunday Service took place in Glasgow on Sunday 13 November, with some 38 members of the Branch attending the service and taking part in the march past afterwards. Two wreaths were laid, one for the Regiment and one for the Association. A reception was laid on by Glasgow City Council in the City Chambers and we then retired to a drinking establishment for a cuppa tea.
It is always with a heavy heart that we have to say farewell to any of our members, but to honour them, a “Guard of Honour” made up of Association members was provided at most of the funerals. This year we said farewell to George (Lefty) Wright, Ian (Sparky) McIntyre, John Gerrard, Colin McKerrall, Colin
Glasgow and West of Scotland representatives at The Glasgow Garden of Remembrance Opening
(Sparky) Park, Robert (Ruby) Currie and Andrew Shankland. Some of us also paid our respect at the funeral of Carol Burke, daughter of Tam and Sadie Hobbs. Our sincere condolences go out to all their families.
Some of the Regimental Contingent on Remembrance Sunday in Glasgow
BRANCH REPORTS
EAGLE AND CARBINE 77