Page 105 - QDG 2023

1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards 103
London and Home Counties Branch
As Secretary I am writing to report another busy year for us, although sadly we were unable to organise a gathering, members of the Branch took part in the following events.
Our year started as always with the Cav Mem weekend, where a numbers of us hold positions assisting the running of the annual parade, always a challenge!
Later in the year a good number of the Branch attended an RAC sponsored Chapel service at The Royal Hospital
Chelsea, this was a superb day which we hope to attend annually.
To quickly we were into the local Remembrance Commemorations. However, a number of the Branch attended the Field of Remembrance at Westminster followed by a rather long liquid lunch in various public houses around Whitehall and several trains were missed.
Christmas brought the delivery of the hampers to families with serving QDG
abroad and I have to thank my wife for stepping into the breach to make it happen before Christmas Eve!
Finally, throughout the year, our most important task of attending our comrade’s final parade.
Next year we hope to organise a gathering in the spring and hopefully a marching party for the cenotaph parade, more to follow.
ADB
Wessex Branch
The Branch held a small gathering of members and guests with the Coronation screened on a large screen in a marquee. Followed by a buffet and a toast to the King and Queen with QDG Le Haye Saint sparkling wine. Despite the cold and wet weather, a good time was had by all.
Once again, we heal our Tankfest BBQ, and it was good to see some new faces and some returning friends. It was great to have the RSM in attendance and to be joined by Ralph Hanning from Wolfen- büttel, Lt Col (Rtd) John Smith and guest and Martin Ord, his partner Joan Collins,
and German friends. The evening was a great success with £500 raised for branch funds. We even had a sing-along with Martin Ord, Johnny O’Brien, Dave Littlewood and Twiggy Thomas leading the choir.
Following the BBQ there was a small gathering at Glyn (Twiggy) and Jane Thomas’s home in the summer where we were joined by Chris Ions for a very pleasant evening. There was even an “O Group” with ice creams.
As the RCA Banner Carrier I attended three funerals this year, paraded at
Cavalry Memorial Weekend and at the RAC Sunday service at the Royal
Hospital Chelsea
DW