Page 18 - RADC Bulletin 2021

The AD
Corps and
RADC
Memorial
Col (Retd) P Mannering
The AD Corps and RADC memorial was originally placed at the Connaught Hospital building Duke of Connaughts Road, Aldershot which became the Depot and Training Establishment in 1948. The former hospital building closed in 1973 and the memorial moved to the new Headquarters and Training Centre in Evelyn Woods
Road, Aldershot. It remained there until its relocation to the National Memorial Arboretum (the NMA) Alrewas Staffs in 2011. The names of the fallen are recorded in a book of Remembrance held in the Corps Chapel in Church of All Saints Aldershot Garrison.
The plinths placed nearby on its relocation in 2011 have not stood the test of time and the Centenary year project removed these and placed a new plinth and surround to the Memorial itself. The surround has a small space from the front lower step filled with 20mm stone in which memorial crosses etc can be placed. The whole memorial was cleaned, the letters repainted and the cap badges retouched. The early pictures of
the new plinth were taken before the final touch of red behind the Ex Dentibus Ensis lettering/scroll on the RADC cap badge.
Most will know that there is very little centre of RADC gravity in the former Training Centre and Headquarters in Evelyn Woods Road, Aldershot. Consequently the Memorial was hardly seen or recognised by the Corps. It would have been lost to us. Now in its new location at the NMA nearly 300,000 people
a year see it. In addition as the NMA train passes by it plays an audio recording to explain it.
We hope you like the Centenary project and refurbishment.
A Grand Day Out
Mr H Callow, former WO2 in the RADC
My wife, myself and my guide dog Webster spent Wednesday 8th September at The National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffs. The event we were attending was the unveiling of the Royal Army Dental Corps Centenary Stone. The Corps I served with for 24 years from 1961 to 1985.
The unveiling was carried out by HRH The Duchess of Gloucester GCVO. After the ceremony we attended a buffet lunch and we were presented to HRH. Everything went to plan until HRH asked me my guide dogs name, without thinking I said ‘Webster‘, up to this point Webster had been laying down at my side snoozing, hearing me say ‘Webster’ he trotted across to say hello to HRH who handled the situation skilfully and with good humour.
The day was finished off with a 3 course evening banquet attended by many of the Corps members past, present and their guests.
In the words of Wallace & Grommet ‘A Grand Day Out’
HRH Duchess of Gloucester Col in Chief RADC meets Webster
16 RADC BULLETIN 2021
CENTENARY