NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2013

Branch Informal Lunches,   Held on  First Thursday on odd months at  Poole Ex-Servicemen’s Club, North Road, Poole, at 12.30 pm.  First Tuesday on Even Months at Ferndown R.B.L. Club, at Noon.     Quarterly – Gurkha Restaurant, Sandford Road, Wareham, BH20  7AD.

NEWSLETTER- SEPTEMBER 2013.   Branch Meeting Wednesday 18^th.

FREDERICK WILLIAM WALKLING. 'Fred'         1932--2013.

It is with sadness we announce the passing of FRED, suddenly, at home on Monday 26^th August,

at the age of 81.  The funeral took place on Monday 9^th September at St. Peters, Church. Parkstone.

Afterwards he was laid  to rest at The Harbour View Woodland Burial Ground, Lytchett Minster.

4 Members and 3 Ladies attended.  A guard of honour was formed and Bert Martin paraded the Branch Standard.   Fred led a very full life, so he was not able to attend our meetings on a regular basis.  Born in London.  Trained as a Plumber . Was in the Royal Engineers for two years, serving abroad including Germany.   On demob he emigrated to Australia. After returning to U.K. joined P&O, in their catering dept, with whom he travelled the world. During this time he met his wife June.   Married in 1971. Moved to Parkstone.    In1974,  together they commenced a Summer business in Barmouth, North Wales. returning home in the winter months. They enjoyed going on cruises and other foreign trips, again travelling all over the world.   Our message of sympathy goes to his wife June, and family.

WELFARE.

PRESIDENT GEOFF SMITH has not yet returned home from Hospital.   Our good wishes go to him and any Member or Lady who may be unwell at this time

ENTERTAINMENT.

Tonight our entertainment will be BINGO with FISH/ CHICKEN & CHIP SUPPER.  To play there, will be a charge of £2.00  to help finance the prizes.   For this you will get six games of Bingo.       Tonight, we welcome Clare,  Allan and Wendy Grover's Daughter, who has not only supplied the Bingo Machine, but will also be calling out the numbers.  

ALL MEALS MUST HAVE BEEN BOOKED AND PAID FOR IN ADVANCE.

At our meeting in October on the 16^th, we will welcome a return of Colonel Torrent who will be informing us all about " The Edinburgh Tattoo"

INFORMAL MONTHLY LUNCHES.

The next lunch will be held  on Tuesday 1^st October at the ROYAL BRITISH LEGION CLUB, FERNDOWN.   Also in October on the 22^nd, our meal at the GURKHA RESTAURANT, SANDFORD, has been arranged.     In November our lunch is booked to take place at the  POOLE EX- SERVICEMEN'S CLUB, NORTH ROAD. on Thursday 7^th.    

Lists on the table tonight. Don’t forget that if you are unable to attend meetings and would like to go to our lunches do contact Peter Piggott.  Please let Peter know if you need to cancel as

this assists the caterers with food preparation.

NEW MEMBER.  It is a pleasure to welcome LEE BURTON  (BH 20)   May he have a long association with the Branch.

LAST MONTHS COLLECTION.

A sum of £51.32  was collected and presented to last months speaker, Mike Crankshaw.       

The full title of the talk (with slides) was "Hoofing Down the Stour".  This money has now been handed to the charity "Adam's Hoofing Hut". This is to help finance the purchase and refitting of a beach hut down on Mudeford. It is to be used by service personnel and families. it is organised by Amy Brown, Widow of Royal Marine Commando, Adam Robert Brown.    On the 1st August 2010 he was tragically killed in action whilst serving in Afghanistan, he was just 25 years old.

COMBAT STRESS.

We nave been invited to join in the Annual Combat Stress Armistice Lecture entitled

'Reporting Conflict in an Age of Fear'' to be given by BBC Special correspondent Allan Little,

to be held on Thursday 7^th November 2013 at the Royal United Services Institute, Whitehall, London, at 12pm. . Included is a light buffet lunch with wine.  Tickets for this event are £27.50 each. To book your place please call 01372587148.      (letter on table tonight)

FEPOW REPATRIATION MEMORIAL DEDICATION,SOUTHAMPTON.

The memorial which takes the form of a black granite plaque, is to be unveiled on Sunday 27^th October

at Town Quay Park, French Street, following a service of dedication at The Church of St. Michael the Archangel, Southampton at 2pm.  The Church seats 250 and they have all been spoken for.

Town Quay Park is situated a stones throw from the main road opposite where the Red Funnel Ferries

land passengers from the Isle of Wight.  The park is small consisting of planted areas and ancient walls

and it is on one of the walls the Memorial is to be mounted.

Between October and December 1945 over 22,000 servicemen and internees- men women and

children -disembarked at Southampton from 22 ships from the Far East-Singapore, Thailand,

Hong Kong, Indonesian (Java) Japan and elsewhere and these are listed on the plaque.  It is

estimated that another 15,000 disembarked at  Liverpool where there is a Memorial of a similar   

design, at the Pier Head, unveiled two years ago.  

       The Researching FEPO History Group, which is responsible for this, is grateful for the donation our 

Branch of REA made, and it is hoped that on the day, or at a later date, we will take the opportunity to see the memorial.

BOB HUCKLESBY has all the details.     (letter on table tonight)

SOCIAL SECRETARY.

PETER PIGGOTT,   who has held this post since 2005, has announced his intention to stand down.

He is keen for this to happen as soon as possible. If our monthly entertainment , lunches including our Annual Lunch, are to continue as they are, it is a post that needs to be filled with some urgency.

If you are willing to volunteer, Peter is willing to see you through the initial stages.  

THIS POST MUST BE FILLED.

SETTING UP OF TABLES.

It would be appreciated if a few more members could arrive earlier at our branch Meetings to help with getting the room ready, moving chairs and tables. If you can help in this matter please see Social Secretary.

EVENTS 2013

 FORECAST OF NATIONAL EVENTS 2013

  

12       October        REA AGM and Annual Dinner* (Closing date 27 September)

13       October        Sapper Sunday at Royal Hospital Chelsea. ( Bookings not required)

  7       November    Field of Remembrance, Westminster.

10       November    Remembrance Sunday

* National Events            Booking details available from Branch Secretary..                             

               Branch Welfare:  Please contact Welfare Member