Page 158 - RAPTC Number 102 2018/19

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Branch Secretary’s gathering 20 Jun 18
and community engagement activities. His initiatives have seen a rise in numbers visiting the museum and again I would strongly recommend a visit.
Reunion
Following the results of a questionnaire sent to all Association members asking what they would like for the RAPTC biennial Aldershot reunion, the trustees endorsed a new format for 2018, appointed Capt (MAA) Iain Bareham as the Project Officer and provided an Association grant to offset the costs of organising a reunion with a families’ day theme.
The reunion took place over Friday 14 and Saturday 15 Sep 19 with the formal events taking place on the Friday and a families’ day on the Saturday. On the Friday, a remembrance service and the dedication of new honour boards was followed with the Association 2019 AGM. Several Corps Sports matches were played followed by an informal evening of entertainment and a buffet supper in the main Marque within Fox Lines. Saturday dawned bright and dry for the families’ day which was opened by the Band of Gurkhas. There was plenty of entertainment for all the family, adults included which flowed into the evening where again live entertainment was provided and the RAPTC Awards were presented.
A post reunion survey was conducted which confirmed the view that the reunion was great success and the format would be taken forward into 2020.
Musum hosting a local community event
Dedication of New Honour Boards
The Association Trustees endorsed a new set of honour boards to remember those members of the Corps who died in service, but whose deaths were not attributable to Action in conflict or on Operations. The boards were kindly made free of charge by the Quarter Master’s staff at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst for which we are most grateful. The boards are mounted above the Sovereigns entrance in Fox Gymnasium and were unveiled at a dedication service held in Fox Gymnasium over the reunion weekend in Sep 18.
Remembrance
Remembrance takes many forms but meeting up with like- minded people and getting together to commemorate with acts of remembrance reinforces the bond of camaraderie and refreshes old friendships in a way not achievable through social media. This camaraderie is tangible at the Field of Remembrance service and the service at the Cenotaph followed by the march past which is always well supported by the general-public in a show of support for the Armed Forces.
These events are special and the camaraderie with all those taking part makes you feel proud to have served in the Army and RAPTC. The Association was again well represented at both these national services. The Association pays for a coach from Aldershot to London and off-sets the cost of lunch for those attending. They are great days out, so I would encourage any members of the Association, serving or retired to add these memorable occasions to their bucket list of things to do.
A remembrance service is also held every year at the ASPT and this year, Sue Meadows and Liz Scrogie who work in the ASPT Training Wing created a poppy cascade for the service in Fox gymnasium. The poppy cascade held individual personal notes of remembrance from all those working in Fox Lines. Several members of the Association also took part in their local remembrance services across the world.
Lt Gen J Bashall CB CBE presenting the Gelder Trophy to Mr Clem McBride
New honour boards mounted in Fox Gymnasium