Welcome to February's Newsletter
The Next Meeting....
The next Andover & Winchester Branch meeting will take place on Monday 22nd March 2021 at 1415hrs.
The Branch Committee Officers will be holding a committee meeting on the 22nd March 2021 at 1345hrs.
COVID-19 News....
COVID-19 RESPONSE − SPRING 2021 (publishing.service.gov.uk)
I hope that you are all well and that the majority have received the first immunisation against the dreaded Covid. It certainly looks from what I have read today the result of lockdowns and tiered restrictions will have cost us eighteen months of our lives quite a chunk to lose when you are 78 years old. I have used the time to take lots of walks and complete many DIY jobs that would have probably been put on the back burner for a few more years.
I have missed our live monthly meetings, as you are aware I have not participated in any of the successful virtual meetings which have been driven by Phil and Graham. Phil, Ray and the minutes of the meetings keep me up to date and from this I am assured that the Branch remains in good hands.
We were fortunate to have a short article on S/Sgt Wilson published in the “Sapper” magazine which was the result of laying the Branch poppy wreath on his grave in Andover cemetery. It was unfortunate the photograph was not of the standard that I would have wished but I had no power to move the direction of the sun at that time of day. A few weeks later a much longer article appeared in the Andover Advertiser which included a photograph of S/Sgt Wilson alongside the aeroplane in which he was killed. He was buried with full military honours his cortege was lead by the band of the Duke of Cornwall’s light infantry and attended by his family, five generals and many military units; the firing party was provided by the Royal Engineers.
Phil and I have discussed our annual church service which after consultation with Emma Kinchenton and the vicar of St Georges will hopefully go ahead when the situation allows, more details to follow at a later date.
We remain very much in debt to 26 Engineer Regiment who give the Branch so much support, particularly so during this difficult time. The regiment has had its own problems with the pandemic but have found time to offer assistance to the Branch I am sure that I speak not only for myself but all our member’s in saying that we are most grateful.
On behalf of Rosalie and myself I wish you good health and if we all abide by the advice given we can beat this pandemic together and I look forward to meeting again at Perham Down..
Members Messages....
If any member has any information or messages they wish to share in the monthly newsletter, please contact Graham via Email
Branch Subs....
A gentle reminder that Annual Branch Subscriptions are £10 for Life Member/Associate Member and £5 for Friends of the Branch.
Details on payment are held within the Minutes.
Ray FieldTreasurer
Vacancies within the Branch....
Standard Bearer position is currently available > Thank you to Reginald Cushion for your commitment and support to the Branch over the past 9 years!
The Standard will be held centrally at the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess, 26 Engineer Regiment.
Welfare News - Birthdays / Social / family of members / Departed Friends....
A letter from the Chairman to Mr D Borrett of the Andover Advertiser:
19 February 2021
Dear Mr Borrett,
Having read your very interesting and informative article about the funeral of Staff Sergeant Bert Wilson I thought that I would write to you to let you know that each year the Andover & Winchester Branch of the Royal Engineers lay a Poppy Wreath at the war memorial in St Mary’s church and at Bert’s grave. Although it is over 100 years since Bert died, he is not forgotten by the “Sapper” Family
I have enclosed a copy of the article that was published in “The Sapper Magazine” which is the in-house journal of the Corps of Royal Engineers and as such has a worldwide distribution.
Yours Aye
Chairman
Branch Events....
I will also look for details about possibly having speakers invited to our meetings, the first being someone from the Red Cross with details to follow.
a. I also have the following in mind to explore for future outings:
i. The Whitchurch Silk Mill
I would like to hear from any member of the branch for any ideas or suggestions including a phone number for an initial point of contact.
I would just like to also say, over the year we have been to some pretty interesting places, the tower of London including an exclusive visit to the yeoman’s warden club, as well as the sight of the operations room for D-Day landings where were given an excellent talk and tour.
Jim Bunting
REA HQ Events Diary....
EVENTS FOR 2021
The following events of interest for 2021 have been notified to HQ REA however due to COVID 19 these could change:
Chilwell and Minley Weekends* are both CANCELLED for 2021
14 – 16 May CANCELLED – Gibraltar Weekend
29 May Trooping the Colour – Major General’s Review
03 June Royal Hospital Chelsea Founder’s Day Parade
5 June Trooping the Colour – Colonel’s Review
8-10 June Beating Retreat, London
12 June Queen’s Birthday Parade
17-19 Sept Corps Memorial Weekend*
09 October REA AGM*
10 October Sapper Sunday at Royal Hospital Chelsea
11 November Field of Remembrance, Westminster Abbey
14 November Remembrance Sunday
*National Events
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