Page 148 - Mind, Body and Spirit 2015-16

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Preston Cenotaph
Lancastrian Brigade Corps of Drums led the parade, followed by the uniformed soldiers of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment and the 3rd Medical Regiment.
WO1 (SMI) Shaun Carey, as the parade commander for the other uniformed and civilian members of the British Legion, took charge. Brian Stead and I and our girls attended, but it was hard work pushing Brian around the market square full of cobbles. I nearly lost control; because our Secretary ‘beasted us’ to keep in step, but Brian hung on berating me to keep him under control.
STAFFORDSHIRE ARBORETUM
Two days after Remembrance Sunday, the Chairman and Secretary drove the 80+ mile trip to the National Memorial Arboretum, the place where the nation remembers. Amid strict security, we attended the service for Armistice Day and a parade to march past the saluting of cer, His Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex. After we had attended a short service, we stood for the two minutes to honour the sacri ces made. We then laid the wreath at the RAPTC bespoke memorial, recited the Corps Collect and our memories before attending lunch in the presence of His Royal Highness, The Earl of Wessex.
Despite the rain, it was an excellent day out, but it is hard to take in all of what the National Arboretum has to offer. The place covers 150 acres, and the Arboretum has something for everyone. For some it’s an excellent place to stroll and enjoy the trees; for others, it is an opportunity to visit over 300 dedicated memorials. The Arboretum is a living tribute that will forever acknowledge the personal sacri ces made by the Armed Forces and civil services of this country.
REMEMBERING
It’s with much sadness that four of the North West’s members have recently joined the big gym in the sky; Derrick Eatock John Travers, ‘Legs’ Carragher and Brian Stead, in which many members turned up to pay their respects. Their eulogies are duly recorded and sent to HQ APTC for publication. At big Del’s funeral, the Scottish and North West RAPTC Standards and Association members paraded for ‘Del Boy’ as we celebrated the life of a staunch RAPTC Association member. His last words to me the evening before he passed was of compassion for fellow Association members - words that will be etched into my mind forever.
‘Legs’ Carragher after a long illness, died at a home in Southport. Billy Irwin visited most days and every day towards the end. He is always pleased to see visitors irrespective how he felt, especially Shaun Carey, Brian Stead, Ced Sharp and Andy Fisher. Many of his military and family friends attended the funeral. We lined up to salute the hearse as it arrived. The Branch Association Standard, held by our Treasurer, Clem McBride, led the procession into the church with ex SMI Billy Irwin. I was honoured to do Leg’s eulogy while Major (Ret’d) Andy Fisher one of his cohorts at Chichester when serving with the RMP, addressed the congregation and said many remembrance stories.
Billy Irwin, a good friend and fellow student with him on his Probationers course frequently visited Legs from the onset of his conditions. In his inimitable style, Billy entertained Legs with his usual humorous jokes, singing (yes singing) or reminiscing. Towards the end, Billy increased his visits; a faithful friend and loyal compatriot; a star.
John Travers served with me at the ASPT in Aldershot apart from his military job he coached members of the Aldershot Athletics Club and organized extreme tness courses for them. John sneaked them into the ASPT lines to use our facilities, which took their performances to another level. Incredibly, two of the group, Christine Boxer and Barbara Inkpen, went on to represent Great Britain in no fewer than ve Olympic Games, and both won Commonwealth Gold medals in their respective disciplines.
Finally, Brian Stead passed away on this Branch’s Christmas function and AGM on 4 December 2015. As expected, there was a large gathering of ex RAPTC members, their wives and friends. Ian Dean represented the NE and held the standard with our own Clem McBride.