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The Group Photographs
were taken at Helmond Castle (2004) on a beautifully bright morning,
it was great to meet Gordon Dalton again, for many years a resident
of the town.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:
Turret `Gilly'
Oscar Thomas; Len Watson; Bill Thomas; Ben Howe;
Alan Westby; Richard Theobald; George Young; Stan
Hook; Ernie Clarke; Edwin Reetham;Bill Howlett; Ken Sadler; Gordon
Nursaw;Clive Ridge; George Turner; Bernie Higham.
Seated: Bill Rees; Gordon Dalton
Other veterans included in party but not at Helmond
— Ken Pearce; John Boyton, so I have superimposed their `heads' on
the card.
Gilly's youthful good looks fooled me — his Birthday
was in fact his 85th!!!!
Tony Mason was also at the All Hallows Service.
Hans Steenmetz will shortly be the proud possessor
of a unique hand carved `Scottish Lion' badge
supplied by Edwin Reetham, calligraphy by Clive Ridge. Thanks to
both of you.
15th
RECCE
NEWSLETTER
15th Scottish
Reconnaissance Regimental Association
Published
by Tim & Gail
Chamberlin
,
Lancaster House, The Capes, Aslockton Nottingham NG13
9AZ
___________________________ chamberlin@snc.org.uk
MAY
LUNCH
We met in what proved to be a
crowded room for drinks. Rev Ernest Clarke conducted a thoughtful
grace which was followed by an excellent lunch in the very special
atmosphere of the Army & Navy Club enjoyed by 47 members
and guests (see attached list). The loyal toast was proposed by Richard Theobald which was
followed by a toast to the regiment. The toast to absent
friends was proposed by Dr. Ernest Jellineck with a special thought
for Bert Bonner and Doug Peterson.
We were delighted to welcome
Hans and Nelly Steenmetz and
we were able to thank them again for all their help during
our visit last October to
Tilburg
. Hans
spoke movingly about events that had taken place during the war in
Holland
.
Apologies
and messages of goodwill were received from: George Blount, George
Bunn, Harry Brooks, Tony Mason, Edwin & Gwen Reetham, Bert Swann, Arthur Watkins, Alan &
Peggy Westby, Jean & Josette Wahl.
"RECCE
CORPS" LUNCH
Des Warner reminded everyone
that the "Recce Corps" lunch will be held on 15th
November. Des stated that he had enjoyed the lunch and particularly
the fact that family and friends were
involved.
EXHIBITION
George Foster informed us that
there will be an exhibition dedicated to the "Reconnaissance Corps"
to be held at the Victory Club on 9th & 10th July - opening
times 1000 - 1600: open to veterans both days and to the public on
the Sunday.
George
seeks information on Trooper Clifford Steel 14503116. He enlisted in January 1943
at the age of 18, and originated from Horwich near
Bolton
. Trade shown in paybook as
Driver/Operator. The paybook and photos have the following
signatures: Alec Brook, Alfred Little, R. Rugene(?) Bill Henderson
and Eck(?). Can you shed any light on any of these names?
TREASURER'S
REPORT
by
Bill Mincedorf
I am
pleased to report that the Association's funds are in a healthy
state. During the past year there have been 12 generous donations
from members for which many thanks.
As a result of
Tim's application to the Lottery Funding Heroes Return
Scheme, we obtained a grant for
the reunion visit to
Holland
and
once again thanks are due to Tim & Gail for
their organisational skills and commercial
dealings.
Ou
bank balance as at 4th April was X4,642 and even after making provision for today's
reunion lunch the balance should still be in excess of 13,000
which is most satisfactory and sufficient for our forseeable
requirements.
RECONNAISSANCE
REBORN
The Army's first new regiment
in more than three decades began operations on 6th April. The Special Reconnaissance Regiment is
highly trained and will operate alongside the
SAS.
The badge has a Corinthian
style helmet and sword and the scroll reads "Reconnaissance". The helmet faces forward and
suggests the viewer is being watched while the wearer behind the mask is anonymous. We wish all members of the newly formed unit every success in
pursuit of the Queen's enemies.
AMONGST
MY SOUVENIRS
Those of you who returned to "blighty"on the coach from
Holland
last year will recall that we had to vacate
the vehicle at the
customs whilst a search
was conducted.
We thought it was a bloody cheek and that their time could have been better
spent preventing the flow of illegal
immigrants.
HOWEVER............... Perhaps they had good reason.
The TIMES of 7th April carried the headline
"War
veterans' coach
had S12.5m cocaine on board"
The coach carrying veterans from a pilgrimage to
France
last October was on the same route as ouselves. The driver used the veterans as an unwitting but respectable front for his activities, placing three
holdalls of the
Class -A drug
amongst the pensioners' luggage. The 53year
old driver, Alan Turner, was jailed for
12 years. So, well done to those plucky Customs
chappies for achieving a result !!
`THE KEEPER
OF THE TREES'
Stan Hook has recently visited the National
Arboretum and
has checked up on our tree, which, as
you can see, is thriving. It has now grown
to 5'5" tall and is number 26 in Plot F13. The Regimental Plaque is stillprominently positioned in the chapel.
ANNUAL
REUNION
PORTSMOUTH
NIGHTS
OF 17th, 18th & 19th
OCTOBER
Please
find enclosed a form
with details and outline
costings for your attention. The historians
amongst you will
know that
the 21st October will
witness the j 200th anniversary of the
Battle of Trafalgar and it was my intention to include a visit to the historic
HMS Victory in our itinerary.
I have discovered that, although access to the main deck is
possible, the rest of
the vessel is difficult to
clamber around. I believe
that the planned programme is better suited to our
group and that any "powder monkeys" who are keen to see the ship could do so either
on the way down to the hotel or after the reunion.
THE LADIES FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:
Barbara Hook; Ruby Turner; Annie Howe;Peggy Westby;
Margaret Ridge; Eileen Theobald; Margaret Bennett; Gwen Reetham; Wyn Rees;
Sharron Reetham; Audrey Arnold; Gail Chamberlin; Oliver Stubbs; Rose-Marie
Sadler; Nelly Steenmetz; Dora Clarke; Rosemary Howlett; Doreen Watson;
Kath Higham; Sue Robins
George Blount Ivor Fate; Bernard Johnson; Bill Ponting;
Arthur & May Watkins; Betty White;
Had all intended to join our party but where unable to do
so for a variety of reasons – mostly of a medical nature.
ANNUAL
REUNION
TRIP 17th
-20th OCTOBER 2005
This year we are
planning a reunion trip to
Portsmouth
for three nights based
at The Royal Beach Hotel, South Parade,
Portsmouth
.
The outline cost
includes three nights bed, breakfast & evening meal with a
Regimental Dinner on the 19th October. A Coach excursion
on the 18th October around the Isle of Wight and on the
19th coach and entry to the nearby D-Day Museum and the
Royal Marine Museum at Eastleigh. No lunches either day or entrance
fees for I.O.W. activities have yet been finalised, so are not
included in the outline costs.
Cost per couple £450
Cost per single £250
To enable us to gauge
the interest for this reunion, it would be helpful if you could
complete and return this form as soon as possible
to:
Tim
Chamberlin
Lancaster House The
Capes
Aslockton
Notts NG13
9AZ
...................................................................................................................................
NAME (Please
print) .......................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................ ....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
(Please indicate all
persons in your party.)
Hotel
requirements:
Single ............................... Double....................... Twin.............................
Any dietary requirement? ...........................................................................
I have made an PDF and Word document that the
membership can print and to send in for the
trip.
Word format file, just click on the file.
PDF format file, just click on the file.
15TH SCOTTISH RECONNAISSANCE REGIMENT
ATTENDEES
FOR LUNCH, TUESDAY 10TH MAY 2005
AUDREY
ARNOLD
MARGARET BENNETT
FRANK
BERESFORD
SIR
JOHN & LADY EDITH BOYNTON
TIM
& GAIL CHAMBERLIN
ERNEST & DORA CLARKE
GRAHAM
& JULIA ELLSWORTH
GEORGE
& SUE FOSTER
ALBERT
GILLINGS
BERNIE & KATHLEEN
HIGHAM
PAUL
HIGHAM STAN HOOK
BEN
& ANNIE HOWE
BILL
& ROSEMARY HOWLETT
DR.
ERNEST JELLINEK
WALTER
KEMSLEY
DAVID
LETFORD
BILL
& BETTY MINCEDORF
KEN
PEARCE BILL & WYN REES GARETH
REES
SHEILA RICHARDSON
KEN
& ROSEMARIE SADLER
HANS
& NELLY STEENMETZ
RICHARD
& EILEEN THEOBALD
BILL
THOMAS
GEORGE
& RUBY TURNER
DES
WARNER
LEN
& DOREEN WATSON
BETTY
WHITE JEREMY WINTERSON
GEORGE
YOUNG
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