Page 134 - The Chapka 2016

132 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN)
of static and mobile displays and bands throughout the week- end, Sundays air show was very good. The police gave a figure of 250,000 people in town over the weekend. Not bad for the first non-city to hold the parade. I would like to thank the East Midlands Branch for their support with the loan of their stand- ard and all those who Marched and did all the not so nice jobs on the day.
Like other towns and cities in the UK the town fell silent on July 1st the start of the battle of the Somme July 1st 1916. On the first day of the battle many local men were killed or wounded serving with their pals in the Lincolnshire Regiment.
Remembrance Sunday came around and I am pleased to say the numbers at Grimsby and Cleethorpes for the service and wreath laying seem to be getting better each year. We laid a wreath at both services.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the committee for all the work and support they have given me over that last year and a special thanks to Beate and Barry (Nobby) Kennedy for all the work they put in for such a great raffle each year.
North West Branch (Balaclava Troop)
Welcome once again to the notes from the North West Branch. Our Annual Dinner was held on the 9th April 2016 at The Park House Hotel in Blackpool where 64 were able to attend includ- ing seven serving members led by the WO1 (RSM) Craig Borth- wick. We also had a Duty Trumpeter, Bob Crick, Ex-Royal Artil- lery, who travelled from Northampton to be with us all – never have our dinners been called in such a tuneful and loud manner! Our thanks to both for their support.
The dinner was of the quality and quantity we have come to ex- pect from the Park House and was followed by speeches from our President, Brigadier Andrew Hughes CBE, able to be with us after his adventures in Africa last year. He spoke about the Regiment’s previous year and their future programme and ‘busy` seemed to be the key word/thought when their future plans were announced. The Chairman also spoke.
The evening continued with live entertainment provided by Vocalist/Compere Diana Lee Carol, Dancing girls and Jon DJ Disco till late. The Raffle was again well supported and I would like to thank all those who donated prizes and bought tickets: your continued support is very much appreciated.
As the old adage goes, you wait for a bus forever and then two come along at once. The same could be said of two of our branch members who both celebrated their 100th Birthday last year. Jack Fell who reached that great age on the 14th October 2016 and George Husband on the 20th November 2016. As you might remember from my last Branch notes we were due to meet at the Park House Hotel in Blackpool again so as to celebrate with Jack. This we did although due to bad health which meant he was hospitalised, Jack was unable to attend. So it was with hope that he would make a speedy recovery that we met up on the 15th October 2016 at the Park House Hotel and celebrated his special day in as best a fashion you can when the person you have come to be with is sadly unable to be with you. The Branch had engraved a pair of crystal whiskey glasses with Jack’s service de- tails and they were presented by the Chairman to Jack’s daugh- ter Val who was able to accept them on his behalf.
George’s Birthday was celebrated in grand style at the Care Home in Seaforth near Liverpool where he now lives. Ned Kelly and Mick Pollard were able to be there along with family and friends including the local mayor. George joined up in 1938 at Hounslow and after training was posted to the 16/5L in India. He remained in India with the Regiment bar a short period in the UK due to injury, until 1940. The Regiment then returned to the UK to become part of the 26th Armoured Brigade in the 6th Armoured Division. They were then sent to North Africa. Before they left George was able to marry on the last 48-hour leave pass he was granted before they sailed. After the liberation of North Africa it was on to Italy, including action at the battle
for Monte Cassino and after the end of the war, Germany itself, returning to Lulworth in late 1946 when George left the Army.
The Senior Squadron Recruiting Sergeant was again busy this year with a number of friends sadly passing on. Jack Fell was one to answer the call and it was with much sorrow that we again met up, this time in Blackburn for his funeral. Jack was an original founder of the Branch and with his service with the regiment starting in 1934 with horse and lance, through mechanisation and the Second World War, he was a source of stories and adven- tures which will sadly be missed by all. To all those who have lost loved ones we extend our sympathies to their family and friends.
It just remains for me to thank the committee for all their hard work; to bid you and yours farewell and I look forward to seeing you all at Blackpool on the 14th April 2018 where a warm wel- come and a sense of fellowship is assured.
AS
CB
Mr George Husband