Page 120 - QDG Volume 9 No. 5

118 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
London and the Home Counties Branch
This year started with our “Pint & Chat”
event in a pub near Horse Guards,
London, we had a good turnout with
sandbags pulled up, lanterns swung and
pints flowing! We were joined by General
Simon and Brigadier Alan later in the
afternoon and the motion carried on, I
am not quite sure how I made my way
to Charing Cross Station and got home
to Kent! In the Summer the Branch were
invited to join A Squadron for a social at
Ed Barham’s stunning home, Hole Park.
A thoroughly good evening was had, we
hope to do both these events again next
year.
Branch Members representing the
Regiment also attended the 100th Cavalry
Sunday parade in Hyde Park, 80th Anni-
versary of D Day in Normandy, The Field
of Remembrance parade and took part in
the march past of the Cenotaph organ-
ised by The Royal British Legion.
London and the Home Counties get together – Basher
and Dave are told the price of a pint in Whitehall!
This year there will be a Waterloo Dinner
on or around the 18th June in the Victory
Services Club London, more to follow.
The Sandbaggers Branch
The Sandbaggers managed a few
consumed during the day by our RCA
trips out in 2024, attending and
guests, some bringing home made
supporting other branch dinners and
cakes that are always very welcome.
standalone gatherings as well.
We had planned for Derby meet
The Derby Sandbag Bash involved
up but had to postpone it due to the
lots of food, drink and chats. However,
weather. Instead, we held the Sand-
the weather was not kind to us, but
baggers Air Rifle Range Day back in
we managed to set up an indoor
Oswestry. Whilst it was expected that
social area and had our own “Round
the group would have some skills,
Table”, righting all the wrongs of the
though slightly rusty, what was more
World. The Field Kitchen also had to
surprising and slightly worrying was
be relocated indoors as Mitch Walker
the selection of air weapons owned
was the only one of us with wellington
by the Sandbagger members, An
boots suitable for cooking whilst
estimated hour or so took all after-
stood in a puddle about 6inches deep
noon and great fun was had by all,
surrounded by electric BBQ's!
including some of the ladies who went
We also attended the Oswestry
from having never fired anything to
Dinner Night, joining the Border
hitting pretty consistent groups after
Counties and Powys Branch for
a very short time shooting.
the dinner and making a weekend
The Sandbaggers already have four
of it, members helped set up and
standalone events planned for 2025
clear away and we kept the visiting
and we will also be attending many of
members from the German branch
the other Branch event
fed and watered with plenty of brews
The Sandbaggers,
targets will fall if hit!
The Wessex Branch
It has been a quieter year this year as we brought our Branch BBQ forward to May to
allow for a big family event to take place in early July. Our BBQ was held on a wet and
windy evening, but it didn’t prevent us having a great time under the marquee. Richard
Parry travelled down from South West London to join us for the evening. Richard
commented on how great it was to hear the likes of Johnny O’Brien and Brian Bell
regaling us all with tales of daring do from their days in the Regiment. As per usual
the VW factory currywurst went down a treat and seconds and thirds were enjoyed by
some (no names no pack drill).
We also had a pleasant evening at Twiggy and Jane Thomas’s BBQ where we were
also joined by Chris Ions and Reg and Mandy Bond. We will be returning to having our
Branch BBQ on Tankfest weekend in 2025 and we will also be taking the Branch on
tour meeting up in pubs across the Wessex patch over 2025, so look out on the RCA
event page on the website and the Branch Facebook page for details.