NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2015

NEWSLETTER - January 2015. Branch Meeting Wednesday 21^st .

JOHN R.V. MASON.   VICE PRESIDENT BOURNEMOUTH BRANCH.

We sadly report the death of JOHN, who passed away suddenly at home in Billericay, on

19^th December 2014, at the age of 89.

His funeral took place on Wednesday 21^st  January ( today) at Emmanuel Church Billericay.

He will be buried in a few days time at Hastings in his parent's family grave.

A  memorial service for John is to be held on Monday 26th January 2015 at 1400 hrs at

St. Mark's Church  Highcliffe.   The Church is in Hinton Wood Avenue.BH23 5AA    Parking in Church drive, or on the roadside.   A collection will be held and donated to the Gurkha Welfare Trust.

John was born 14^th  February 1925.   He completed his secondary education in Mar 1943, at the Grammar School, Hastings.   From Apr until Sep 1943 he attended No 6 Royal Engineers University Short Course, Magdalene College, Cambridge.     Oct 43 to May 44  completed Basic and Corps training,

Jul to Sep 1944 -Sapper, 3 Troop 591 (Antrim) Para Sqn RE - Normandy.

Oct 44 to Mar 45 - Spr, 282 Fd Coy RE, Welsh Div in Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg and Germany.  On    1^st Jan 1946 he was commissioned as a 2^nd Lt RE and posted to the Survey Training  Centre for the Topographical Officers course.  On 1^st Jun 1946 promoted to Lieutenant.   In  Sep 46 posted to 3 Army Fd Svy  Depot RE, BAOR.    In  Oct 46 posted to 14 Fd Svy Coy RE as the Topo  Tp Commander.     From Mar to Sep 47 he was OIC, Bad Oeynhausen Detachment BAOR (which became the main BAOR map printing unit.)      From Oct to Nov he acted as Staff Capt (Print) at Survey Branch Rhine Army.   From Nov 47 to Nov 48 as a temporary Capt he served as 21C 14 Fd Svy Sqn RE. In November 1948 he was placed on the "W" (T) Reserve and returned to civilian life.  He was an Airborne Engineer, regularly visiting Normandy for D/Day celebrations, and commemorations. 

Having left the Royal Engineers John became a Municipal Engineer, working for various local authorities.   In 1960 he became an Associate Member Institution of Municipal Engineers

(A.M.I. Mun.E), and Registered Chartered Engineer (C. Eng.)  

His interests were,  Badminton, Computing, Church Organ, Rowing & Sailing.

He was always very committed to all the things he was involved with.    A  keen Church goer always  helping in all the different Parishes he attended.   John joined the  R.E.A as a Life Member in December 1945.    Unfortunately no record of when he moved to the Bournemouth Branch is available .   He held various posts :- Minutes Secretary,  2004 --2008,  Chairman 2008---2012,   Secretary 2009--2011,  Vice president 2012--2014.    R.E.A. SW, Group Representative 2006--2012.   Institution of Royal Engineers (Non serving Member)     Also during some of this time produced the Branch Newsletter.      

He married Jane in November 2010.  They both continued to attend Branch and group events, travelling many miles from home in Billericay.    

Our message of sympathy goes to Wife Jane and to all his family and friends.

BIRTHDAYS OF NOTE.

This month we celebrate two member's birthdays.  They are Bill Chick who will be 90  on the

2^nd  February, also Richard Doggett,  60 on the 6^th  February    We wish both Members

"Good Health and Many happy returns of the day"

ENTERTAINMENT. 

At our meeting tonight we welcome Neil Gartshore who will be telling us all  about  " The Birds of Poole Harbour".     At the February meeting on Wednesday  the 18^th we will welcome back Brian House.   His subject this visit will be "Photography".

 INFORMAL  LUNCHES.

The next lunch will be held on Tuesday 3^rd  February at FERNDOWN, ROYAL BRITISH LEGION CLUB.   As all our monthly lunches are now held at  FERNDOWN on the First Tuesday of each month the March lunch has been arranged for Tuesday 3^rd .

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  Mike Herbert 

Please let Mike know before Noon on the Sunday before the Lunch  if you need to cancel as this assists the caterers with food and seating.

AN IMPORTANT NOTICE .

It was reported in the December's Newsletter that  two important Committee members were to stand-down.   At the time of printing unfortunately no volunteers have put their names forward to take the important  positions either of TREASURER or that of SOCIAL SECRETARY.

Without these two vital Committee Members the branch will not be able to function as it is at present !    Time IS getting SHORT and posts need to be filled at the A.G.M. in March.

BRANCH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.  This will take place at the Branch meeting on

18^th  MARCH. At this Meeting the election of  officers will take place and the Branch Accounts will be presented. 

BRANCH SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR 2015

These are now due.   The cost this year is £12.00.

BRANCH ANNUAL LUNCH.   This will take place on Saturday 9^th  May 12 Noon for 1P.M. at the Cumberland Hotel, West Cliff, Bournemouth.   The cost will be £17.00 for Members

Ladies and Guests.   The menu is distributed with the Newsletter tonight.

Please provide all written names and numbered menu choices, on attached sheet.

( Please make sure that each diner has an individual Menu choice listed).

Final date for bookings and payment is  1^st April.

A NOTE OF THANKS.

The Wimborne Musical Theatre who came to entertain us in December, have sent a note of thanks to all the members who made donations to them at our party.  A total of £48.72 was collected and has been donated to Lewis Manning their charity for the year.

FORECAST OF NATIONAL EVENTS 2015   ( Full list published in last month's Newsletter)

The following events of interest for 2015 have been notified to HQ REA

30        May             Trooping the Colour - Maj Gen Review   (Applications by 17^th  February)

04       June             Royal Hospital Chelsea Founders Day Parade  (Bids by 16^th March)

Booking details available from Branch Secretary

Branch Welfare:  Please contact Welfare Member,

Peter Piggott