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So already we are into March, Sunday being the 1st and of course St
David's Day for the Welsh amongst us. For the rugby followers amongst us,
Wales lost the Rugby match against France on Friday (27th Feb), but at
least Scotland won their game which means they won't receive the wooden
spoon, hot favourites for that is currently Italy as they have lost all
their games to date.
This coming Sunday (8th March) will be the first Committee Meeting of
the year and all Members are invited to come along and join in. The
meeting is timed for 1400hrs at the Grangemouth TAC, you will be made more
than welcome.
Next month will see the Annual reunion taking place in Renfrew, so if
you are still thinking of going get in touch with the Secretary for a
form, or if you already have it, fill it in and send it off. Its a good
night , good food and you'll be in good company, so don't miss out on an
excellent event.
We've had two articles published in the Craftsman in February copies of
which are below for all to read. Both submitted by the Branch Secretary
Roger Jagger.
Service
of Thanksgiving
On Monday 27 October
2008 an Interdenominational Service of Thanksgiving was held at the Church
of the Holy Rude, Stirling.
The Service was organised by Poppyscotland
and the families of Scottish Servicemen who had lost their lives in the
current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The church was
full and the service was very moving.
Following an introduction of the origins of the Flanders Poppy by
Colonel Alasdair Hutton, members of the families represented placed a
poppy on the altar as a symbol of remembrance of their own loss.
Where the family was not present a poppy was placed on behalf of
the family by a pupil of Queen Victoria School.
All of those who have lost their lives in recent conflicts were
acknowledged and their service recognised.
It was the
younger brother and sister of LCpl James McCue who placed a poppy of
remembrance for James, a REME Soldier who was serving with 7 Bn REME in
Iraq when he lost his life. While
his mother Mary looked on, so too did other members of the Corps, both
serving and retired. Comd
ES, HQ 2 Div, Col Geoff Wright and members of his staff were present, as
were other members of the REME Association Scotland Branch, headed by
Brig(Retd) John Graham, Branch President and his wife Pat.
When the name Lt Richard Palmer SCOTS DG was announced amongst
those who had lost their lives in Iraq there was a stir amongst some of
the retired REME officers present.
Richard is the only son of Brig (Retd) John Palmer (late REME) and
his wife Sue. They were
in our thoughts and prayers at this time of remembrance.
This Service of
Thanksgiving was very poignant and while REME in Scotland were only
offered 10 places at the service initially, attendance was about 25 which
proved to be a memorable reunion for some who had not met for sometime. Following the service the REME contingent moved to the
Highland Hotel for tea, a mere 3 minute walk down the hill. It was a bit of a rush for some who had to get
back to relieve babysitters but the older fraternity could linger a little
longer over a cup of tea or a dram before heading home.
This was a very memorable occasion.
Reflecting on the day, I noticed a very moving poem that the
families who had lost a loved one wished to be printed on the last page of
the Order of Service.
It is entitled
- ‘Freedom’:
It
is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who
has given us the freedom of the press
It
is the Soldier, not the poet
Who
has given us the freedom of speech
It
is the Soldier, not the peace camp organiser
Who
has given us the freedom to demonstrate
It
is the Soldier, who serves beneath the Flag
whose coffin is draped by the Flag
who allows the protester to burn the Flag
It
is the Soldier, not the politician
Who
has given his blood
his body
his life
The Soldier, who has given
us these freedoms
.............................................................................................................................................................................
REME
GATHERING 2008
It is some time since
there has been a REME Gathering in Scotland, and the Branch Committee
thought it high time we did something about it!
The upshot of the suggestion prompted preliminary enquiries with
the manager of Douneside House in Tarland, Aberdeenshire, as all the
reports on this MacRobert Trust Leisure Centre for a weekend stay or short
holiday have always been positive.
Thirty four REME
Association members, including partners, converged on Douneside House from
all points of the compass in Scotland.
Brig(Retd) Jim Drew, Chairman REME Association also decided to risk
going North of the Border for this REME Gathering.
It has to be said that there was some risk for everyone as Scotland
experienced its first heavy snow which was somewhat unseasonal for the
time of year. Those
coming from the West of Scotland who relied on their Satnav
were to find that Glen Shee was impassable and had to follow a more
circuitous route. Although
a few missed lunch, everyone made it without mishaps.
On the plus side, they enjoyed beautiful Christmas card scenes as
they made cautious progress towards Tarland on Royal Deeside.
We filled the
country house and took over some of the cottages on the Douneside estate
for a 24 hour stay lasting from lunchtime on Saturday to midday on Sunday.
The highlight of the weekend was the formal dinner for which we
were piped in by Stan Blyth, our REME Piper.
The meal was excellent and the manager had ensured that table
decorations were subtly decked in REME colours.
After the main course the gentlemen moved places to give the ladies
the opportunity to speak with other menfolk.
Following the Loyal Toast and the Toast to our Colonel-in-Chief,
Brig Jim Drew said a few words in his inimitable way before we all moved
to the bar in high spirits. There was a roaring log fire in the bar which
made for a most snug and convivial evening.
Some may argue that this was punctuated by the results of the quiz
which Vince & Ellen Fuller won convincingly to be rewarded with some
liquid refreshment for ‘him & her’.
It was a real
reunion, I have known Vince & Ellen for some time but it was the first
time since serving in Brunei in 1980 that we were both reacquainted with
Bryan Cronie who had come up from Dumfries & Galloway with his partner
Debrah. However, Maj
Jim Doherty from Caithness and Capt Mike Law from Strathdon had been
talking together for some time before they realised they had served in
REME Wing, 22 Trials Unit in 1967 during the Swingfire
trials. Jim was excused
from not recognising Mike as he now sports a beard.
Talking of beards, it was good to see Col(Retd) Peter & Jean
McCarthy – Peter also has a beard in contrast to his time as the REME
Regimental Colonel! There
was a strong contingent of those who had served in Scotland in both
Regular and TA which made for a really good mix of personalities.
The Wintery
conditions did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of all who were there.
Despite the fact that you had to watch your footing outside, the
facilities at Douneside House were excellent, and several ventured into
the heated indoor pool. That
said, this was not an activities weekend but more one to chill out with
friends in most agreeable surroundings.
We all left on a high on Sunday morning having felt that the
weekend had been a great success and - roll on the next one!
By
popular request, Douneside House has been booked for the REME in Scotland
Gathering 2009 on the weekend of 14/15 November. There is accommodation for up to 56 on the estate so we
aim to fill it this year. If
you are interested in coming, do keep this weekend free as you won’t be
disappointed. Further
information is available from Roger Jagger, Branch Secretary, e-mail:
jaggerfam@btinternet.com.
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