NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2017

Newsletter for Branch meeting on 15th November 2017
Please note any information for the newsletter to be passed on to Jan Bridle by the last Saturday before the next meeting; also if anyone has changed their email address or set up a new one could they please let Jan know.

Branch subs  

Thanks to all as most of this years’ subs have now been paid. 2018 subs remain at £15 and are due to be paid to the treasurer from 1^st January 2018. Please send any cheques, made out to REA Bournemouth, to the above address for John Cusack.

20^th December meeting 

This will be our Xmas Extravaganza featuring the Easy Swing Duo. Could all those intending to come to this evening  meeting please let Wendy Grover (phone no above) know by Dec 17^th so she can estimate the food for the buffet.

Last month’s meeting was bingo with fish and chips, which were delicious. Many thanks go to Olive Joiner who very kindly and generously paid for these.

Monthly Informal Lunches

As usual held on the first Tuesday, menu lists on the table at evening meetings. Contact John Cusack for any information or to book/choose from menu if not at meeting. Decembers’ lunch on the 5^th will be a Christmas menu at a cost of £15 for 2 courses or £18 for 3. Coffee and Mints are included.

Birthdays of Note  This month we wish a very happy birthday to John Friberg who will be 85 on the 19^th of November

William Mills  sadly passed away, aged 92, on the 27^th October 2017.  Our sincere condolences go to his family and friends. William served from 1942 to 1947 and joined the branch in 2003.

Annual Lunch 5^th May 2018  is at the Cumberland Hotel, Bournemouth, as usual, at a cost of £19 per person.  There will be further details to follow. We hope to see some of our New Forest colleagues joining us.

Last Post Battlefield Tour 2018

The Birmingham REA are organising a Royal Engineers Last Post Battlefield tour which takes place from 10^th to 16^th August 2018. The coach departs from Brompton Barracks in Chatham, Kent at 10am on 10^th August and costs £470 per person, B&B only, with a £45 single supplement. If anyone would like to go on this tour please contact Alan Grover for more details a.s.a.p. The coach is starting at Birmingham so may already be nearly full.

Ted Young’s trip to Holland September 2017

Ted and his family (daughter Irene and son-in-law  Paul) left the UK to travel to Holland via the Euro Tunnel on 12^th September; passing through France, Belgium and arriving at the Hotel Klein Switzerland, Helium, Holland all in one day. They were fortunate to have the Airborne and Parachute Regiments staying in the same hotel and they were a tremendous support to Ted throughout the five days. During the various events Ted travelled to and from the service in Arnhem on a golf buggy and had a tremendous reception from the Dutch people finally arriving at the bar for drinks next to the Arnhem Bridge. Ted appeared in the local papers and TV.

On the 16th September they went to the Polish Ceremony in Driel followed by a service at the Royal Engineers Monument, Driel, where Ted had been invited to lay a wreath. This was very emotional for him as he had not returned to Holland since 1945. Once again a standing ovation was given for Ted. He is the first D Day, WW2 Veteran ever to attend the service. On the 17 September they attended the beautiful service at Oosteerbeck Cemetery where all the local children laid flowers on all the graves. Very emotional once again. They then departed for the long journey home. Once home a Royal Engineers Warrant Officer, from Peterborough, travelled to their home to present Ted with an Airfield Construction Sleeve Badge, a RE shoulder strip, a Shield and the history of the Airfield Construction Groups over the years all arranged by Lt. Col Steve.

This is Ted Young receiving the presentation from the R.E. Airfield Const. based at RAF Witherington, on his return from Holland. The Warrant Officer travelled all the way to Ted’s home in Poole to make the presentation for this amazing old Sapper. Also Ted laying the wreath at Driel.

Unfortunately after all these events, Ted was admitted to hospital with double pneumonia and a urinary infection.  He is now home but he now needs a lot more care and his family has had to cancel his invitation to march pass the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday with The Not Forgotten Association.