Page 8 - RAPTC Year of 2019

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www.raptcassociation.org.uk
which often go unseen, so I wholeheartedly congratulate Mr Jimmy Bishop from the Scottish Branch who deservedly received the Gelder Trophy for 2019.
RAPTC Museum. The Association provides an annual grant to The RAPTC Museum. Under the expert guidance and drive of our professionally qualified Curator – Mr Eli Dawson – the museum has had a very strong year. Visitor numbers have continued to rise, and with funding from the Army Museums Ogilby Trust has developed and toured a travelling exhibition on Army Sport. This was displayed at several other museums and community venues in the neighbouring counties, providing valuable publicity for the RAPTC Museum and further increasing our reach. Additionally, a new WW2 assault course diorama, displays on Special Forces, Adventurous Training and the modern Corps have all been added this year. The purchase of archival boxes to house the reserve collection and the fitting of UV resistant film to the Museum windows will also ensure the collection is protected for the future.
RAPTC Association Service of Commemoration. The biennial RAPTC Association service of commemoration was held at the RAPTC Memorial within the grounds of the National Memorial Arboretum on Saturday 14 September 2019. The service was followed with a two-course sit down meal which was funded by The Association and the presentation of The RAPTC Association annual awards by our Colonel Commandant – Lieutenant General J I Bashall CB CBE.
Remembering those who have gone before us is vitally important and gathering together to collectively commemorate also allows us to reinforce those bonds of friendship which have been forged through our shared experiences in The Corps. These bonds of friendship were clearly demonstrated at the commemoration service with an attendance of over 200 Association members.
National Remembrance Services 2019. The Association was again well represented at the Field of Remembrance at
Westminster Abbey and the Cenotaph Service and March Past in November 2019. It also makes me proud to know that without prompting, several serving and retired members of The Association also attended various remembrance services around the world on behalf of The Corps.
RAPTC Biennial Reunion. 2020 marks the 160th anniversary of The Corps. The RAPTC Association biennial reunion will be a celebration of this milestone. It will be held at the spiritual home of the RAPTC, the Army School of Physical Training in Fox Lines, on 11 and 12 September 2020. The format is being finalised and the details will be promulgated shortly.
Trustees. In the last year Lieutenant Colonel R Gilbey, Captain I Bareham, and Warrant Officer Class One M Arthur have stood down as Trustees on retirement or at the end of their tenure. On behalf of all Association members I would like to thank them for their conscientious and professional approach and for the considerable work they have undertaken as Trustees. Happily, in their place we welcome Lieutenant Colonel G Hendrickson MBE, Captain S Jackson and Warrant Officer Class One R Mckenzie to the Executive Committee. I look forward to working with them as we collectively work for the benefit of all members of The Association. Additionally, I would like to welcome Mrs Jade Davis as The Association’s Regimental Accountant.
Conclusion. The Association provides a focus for all serving and retired Association members around the world; fostering and enhancing esprit de corps and comradeship whilst providing benevolence for those in need and welfare to enhance wellbeing. This does not happen by chance and I acknowledge the hard work and commitment of The Trustees, The Regimental Secretary and his assistant and on behalf of all Association members unreservedly thank them for enabling The Association to achieve the objects of the charity thereby preserving the traditions of The Corps, the heritage of The Association and ensuring The Association remains fit for purpose.
Wow... where did that go? I can’t believe my first year in appointment is already complete!
The role of Senior Master at Arms (SMAA) is truly a privilege; I am engaged in almost every facet of RAPTC business and exposed to so many different issues. Over the next few paragraphs I’ll endeavour to canter through some of the more memorable occurrences that have shaped my tenure over the last 12-months, some of which you will see featured in this edition of MBS.
In April, the RAPTC Commandant’s Conference discussed a ‘Generational Approach to Physical Activity’. We discussed the evidence that supports ‘exercise as medicine’ and the many benefits to a physically active lifestyle; some well known and some less so! We then looked at how the different generations (X Gen, Y Gen, Z Gen, etc.) tend to be motivated and the behaviours they are more likely to adopt. Armed with this knowledge the RAPTC Instructor can target methods to help motivate and encourage exercise adherence across the Army’s broad range of age groups.
At the beginning of May, on the eve of the Army V Navy Rugby Fixture at Twickenham, we held our Annual Sports Awards and Dinner Night. It was an outstanding evening that celebrated every facet of the Corps’ sporting prowess and success – we continue to be blessed with some exceptionally committed and talented sportsmen and sportswomen. Our guest and speaker for the
evening was Professional Boxer Steve Collins (The Celtic Warrior) who gave us a personal account of the night he defeated Chris Eubank to take the WBO Super-middleweight title. Steve is now an Army Reservist in the RMP and recently attended his Army Reserve PTI Basic Course, of which he spoke extremely highly.
Later in May it was my pleasure to welcome the RAPTC’s first female Corps Sergeant Major, WO1 (Corps SM) Rachel Mckenzie, as she assumed the appointment of the Corps’ senior soldier to continue the example and excellent work set by her predecessor, WO1 Matt Arthur.
In June, outstanding achievements were recognised with State awards in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, we were proud to hear of MBEs for Capt (MAA) Lou James and WO1 (SMI) Daz Taylor (now Capt). This was complemented in the New Year’s Honours List with an MBE for Maj (MAA) Chris Deed. These well- deserved State awards were accompanied by a number of 4-, 3- and 2-Star Commendations for many other members of the Corps. These successes consistently recognise the remarkable talent that we continue to breed within the RAPTC.
In September we made our way back to the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) and our Corps Memorial. It was inspiring to see a gathering of over 200 attendees congregating together in remembrance as this firm fixture in our calendar goes from strength- to-strength. A successful day organised by the Regimental
SMAA’S FOREWORD
Lt Col (SMAA) S D Collinson RAPTC