Page 125 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2019
P. 125

                                REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN)
 It has been a rather sad year for the Branch in that we have had two deaths to report, one was of WO1 Bandmaster Kevin Harrod who started as the bandmaster for the 17/21L then went on to be the only bandmaster to the QRL Regimental band, something that’s never been seen before, or likely to happen again. He died last year aged 62. Many former members of both Regi- mental bands will remember Kevin fondly as being a fair “boss” and all enjoyed serving under his command.
Lancer chapka and drum
L-R Paul Skinner, Barry Sexton, Richard Cook and Kevin Lindly
I keep a watchful eye on our senior lads and can report. For all those who may remember BSM Derrick Mathews BEM, Derrick is now 87 and in a home in Wareham. Talking to him recently, I discovered that he has just survived bowel cancer and is frail but at home. He wishes you all well. He talked about Col Rodney Bashford OBE (Grenadier Guards from 17/21L) and Col Trevor Sharp LVO OBE (Coldstream Guards and 17/21L) with great respect and fondly remembers lots of you lads from JLR RAC where he was BSM on his last posting. He also mentioned Maj Tom Griffith MBE, Conductor of Music JLR RA , and the lads from his old Regiment, 17/21L.
The second funeral in the same year was of Bdsm Eddy Johnson, 17/21L Band. Eddy died in November aged 59. Both funerals were attended by veterans and Regimental representation, HHQ made sure that Regimental wreaths were sent.
Apart from the above we have had a quiet year although the now very popular ‘band table’ at the East Midland OCA was well at- tended and seems to be growing in its band numbers, this has to be good news as it’s kept the lads who served at the same time in touch.
PS
The vast distances travelled by attendees to the Aliwal Dinner continue to be jaw dropping - veterans travelled on this oc- casion from as far away as the USA, Austria, Germany, and Spain and from throughout the entire UK and Ireland.
A traditional casual Curry Night was held on Friday 24 Janu- ary and was attended by around 115 veterans and their partners. Chicken madras and chicken korma with all the trimmings was enjoyed by all diners. The atmosphere, as in recent years, was electric, with lots of banter, laughter, and reminiscing. The Saturday morning breakfast tends to be quite a fragile affair for some and invigorating for others, with wives/partners deciding where to go for a few hours – National Memorial Arboretum (a must see visit), Dudley Living Museum or shopping at Ikea, Next or Boundary Mill or Bull Ring in Birmingham?
Whilst others headed out for their chosen pastime, the Chair- man and his small team set up the main restaurant, ready for the 230 attendees. The seating plan for such a large number
was a nightmare due to dreaded last minute hospital appoint- ments or illness and some last minute family engagements or work commitments. In all there were 20 tables, each identified by a 16/5L Battle Honours, with programmes and menus for all and Scarlet Lancers kindly provided by Maj Howard Crosse. Attendees were incredibly generous in bringing a huge volume of raffle prizes, which were grouped together to produce 12 po- tential prizes. Additional entertainment for the evening would again be provided by Steve Marks, son of Paul ‘Spud’ Yeoman, who would start by providing a rendition of “Bring Him Home” from Les Misérables before the ‘Absent Friends’ toast, before giv- ing an hour long set after the dinner.
We were pleased to be joined by Brig Ian Gibb CBE, and Col’s Charles Radford MC, David Eadie CBE and Nick Wills OBE. A further nine serving Officers attended, including the Command- ing Officer, Lt Col Adam Foden DSO MBE. The RSM, WO1 (RSM) Matthew Pook, along with WO2 (SSM) Nyambira and SSgt Davies as well as the youngest Lancer, Tpr Liles, who was
17/21L Band Branch
  Aliwal Dinner 2020
  Curry Night
Dinner
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