Page 44 - QARANC Vol 16 No 2 2018

42 QARANC THE GAZETTE
Millbank Branch
Chair: Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Lindi Kibbey Secretary: Major (Retd) Judy Cook
Millbank Branch members are particularly delighted that their colleague Colonel Commandant Jane Davis OBE QVRM TD DL RGN has been appointed as the Vice Lord- Lieutenant for Greater London. Jane has been a Deputy Lieutenant since 2008. Congratulations from your proud Millbank colleagues.
The branch has been active since the Gazette Spring
edition starting with a successful and well attended Corps Day service at the Royal Hospital Chelsea followed by a splendid curry lunch. Our guests for the occasion were Colonel Kefford and Colonel Boreham.
Major Judy Cook Secretary Millbank Branch
Millbank Branch Annual General Meeting
Millbank Branch held its AGM on Saturday 7 July at the HQ of 256 (City of London) Field Hospital.
Twenty members attended. Some members were unable to attend at the last minute due to transport issues. Those who did make it battled with folks going to the Pride March and others making their way to the Finsbury Park Festival. If that was not enough they had to contend with the extreme heat!
The meeting went well and was then followed by an
interesting and enlightening talk from Lieutenant Colonel Tony McGrath QARANC 2i/c of 256 FH about where the unit is now and what the future holds in the scheme of things. Members were most impressed with his presentation.
This was followed by a sumptuous afternoon tea and a glass of Prosecco.
Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Lindi Kibbey Chair Millbank Branch
Federation of Old Comrades
It was another glorious day of sunshine for the Federation of Old Comrades Association of London territorial and auxiliary units. Colonel Burford proclaimed it had not rained on this day for 23 years.
We arrived early to be greeted by the City of London Police and the dog team of explosive sniffer spaniels doing their ‘thing’ but having a wonderful play in between times. They keep us safe and are a service we are always very welcome to see. This time last year, of course, there was no march as police units were involved in the aftermath of the London Bridge incident. We marked this sad occasion with some sombre words during the day.
There were 14 standard bearers and a good show from the 50 old comrades. Alison Browne paraded the standard for the branch and was supported by Major Gwin Foley and Jane Parker who marched with the veterans. Wreaths were laid at the Royal Exchange and the march proceeded through the city of London to Armoury House on City Road. Due to the very hot weather, the inspection, carried out by Air Commodore David Prowse was kept brief. This was followed by a moving service conducted by Reverend (Flight Lieutenant) Mark Perry. Rev Perry, through the medium of poems by William Auden and Rupert Brooke, talked about love, and how wasteful it is.
Refreshments and a delightful summer luncheon followed. After lunch the Air Commodore gave an evocative speech highlighting the need to ensure isolated veterans did not slip through the net of comrade support, which is given so generously by the Associations belonging to the Federation of Old Comrades. He reminded us that one in four veterans over the age 75 lives alone. It was a memorable and uplifting occasion.
Major (Retd) Gwin Foley Alison Browne
Alison Browne carrying the Millbank standard at the Federation of Old Comrades parade escorted by Major Gwin Foley (L) and Jane Parker (R)