1 Issue No 135 August 2009 Branch President Colonel B S T Archer GC OBE ERD Summer Edition Negotium Perseve Journal of the Royal Engineers Association – Bomb Disposal Branch. Patron Her Majesty the Queen FREEDOM OF UTTLESFORD 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD) were on parade in their home town of Saffron Walden on Sunday the 14 th of June and members of the branch joined with the general public to show their support and appreciation of the regiment on the occasion of receiving the Freedon of Uttlesford District Council in the county of Essex. Supporters and wellwishers from the public lined the route from Uttlesford civic centre to the historic town square of Saffron Walden, where they joined in with regimental family members and members of the branch. The regiment had been holding rehearsals all week and the final rehearsal was on the Sunday morning with the regimental square being marked out to resemble the market square. Branch member Kev Bryant joined this rehearsal as he was on parade with the Branch Standard. At 1pm the Corps band struck-up and the parade had begun.
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Patron Branch President Her Majesty the Queen Colonel B S ... · President Colonel B S T Archer Chairman Jeffrey Baldock BEM Honorary Secretary Gary Woodman-Simmons Honorary ... This
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Issue No 135 August 2009
Branch President
Colonel
B S T Archer GC OBE ERD
Summer Edition
Negotium Perseve
Journal of the Royal Engineers Association – Bomb Disposal Branch.
Patron
Her Majesty the Queen
FREEDOM OF UTTLESFORD
33 Engineer Regiment (EOD) were
on parade in their home town of Saffron Walden
on Sunday the 14th
of June and members of the
branch joined with the general public to show
their support and appreciation of the regiment on
the occasion of receiving the Freedon of
Uttlesford District Council in the county of Essex.
Supporters and wellwishers from the public lined
the route from Uttlesford civic centre to the
historic town square of Saffron Walden, where
they joined in with regimental family members
and members of the branch. The regiment had
been holding rehearsals all week and the final
rehearsal was on the Sunday morning with the
regimental square being marked out to resemble
the market square. Branch member
Kev Bryant joined this rehearsal as he was on
parade with the Branch Standard. At 1pm the
Corps band struck-up and the parade had begun.
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The band at the head of the parade was followed
by the regiment under the command of the CO
and branch member, Lt Col David Southall MBE
RE. Four sapper squadrons represented the
regiment.
As the parade reached the access road into the
town square the Corps band broke into the Corps
march, Wings and by this time everyone was up
on their feet clapping and cheering as the regiment
marched proudly and smartly onto the square for
the formal side of the event. The troops on parade
were then inspected by Cllr Alastair Walters
alongside Major General Mark Mans CBE. Once
the inspection was complete the Freedom of
Uttlesford was officially made to the CO.
Among the 120-strong contingent on parade were
60 soldiers from 17 Field Squadron (EOD) who
have recently returned from Afghanistan.
Part of the citation reads “That 33 Engineer
Regiment have the freedom to enter the district of
Uttlesford with the right to march through the
streets of the district with due ceremony, bayonets
fixed, colours flying and bands playing in
appreciation of the services rendered to the
country by its members in hazardous deployments
throughout the world”.
Once all the formalities were completed the
parade marched off the square to the common
where guests and branch members were
entertained in a marquee by members of the
regiment. There were also stalls and displays on
the common manned by members of 33 Engr Regt
for the local town’s folk to see and experience the
skills and crafts of the sappers. Branch members
in attendance were Kev Bryant and Cheryl
Haynes, Ollie and Carol Allerhead, David and
Trish Harrington, Hugh Marshall, Robin Bennett
and Gary Woodman-Simmons.
We would like to thank the commanding officer
and his men for an excellent day and for an
exceptional parade where the drill and turnout
could not be faulted.
Branch AGM
On Friday the 17th
of April 2009 the branch held its
Annual General Meeting at the Houses of Parliament.
The committee officers gave their annual reports
before stepping down in accordance with REA rules.
The following members of the branch were elected/re-
elected to the committee:
President Colonel B S T Archer GC OBE ERD
Chairman Jeffrey Baldock BEM
Honorary Secretary Gary Woodman-Simmons
Honorary Treasurer Michael Collarbone MBE
Deputy Treasurer Mrs Julie Collarbone
Welfare Officer Kevin Bryant
Web Master Peter Markham
Committee Member Julian Allerhead BEM
Committee Member Hugh Marshall
Committee Member John Swanborough
BIRTHDAYS We would like to wish the following members of the
branch our hearty congratulations on the occasion of
their forth coming or recent birthdays.
Major Chris Fowke, who
will be celebrating his 50th birthday on the 27
th of
October. We would also
like to wish Chris and Sue
all the best as they start
their new life in civvie
street.
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The 20th
of July saw
Reginald Saunders
celebrating his 80th
birthday. Reg is seen
in his regalia as
Chairman of the South
Humberside Branch of
the REA and is a
founding member of
that branch.
Brian Sergeant of Cleethorpes
celebrated his 80th
birthday on
the 29th
of July. Brian served
with 10 BD Company and
lives in Lincolnshire.
Douglas “Tug” Wilson of Rushden will be
celebrating his 80th
birthday on the 28th
of
September. Tug is often in touch via the email
system and helps keep an eye on our blind
member Albert Harris.
Celebrating his 90th
birthday
on the 4th
of August will be
Harry Vallance from from
Brackley, Northants. Harry
served in 103 BD Section, 8
BD Company.
Lastly celebrating his 90th
birthday on the 29th
of October
will be Albert Shields of
Haslemere in Surrey. Albert
served with 138 Section of No
3 BD Coy at Nottingham
under Major McArtney from
1940-45
New Members Peter Rowell of Epsworth, Lincolnshire joined the branch as a Life Member of the REA in April this year. Peter was a member of 3 Troop, 49 (EOD) Sqn and attached to regimental headquarters. He served with the regiment from 1980 to 1983.
Andy Brash joined the branch in May of this year. Andy was also a member of 3 Troop, 49 (EOD) Sqn, and served with EOD from 1986 to 1990.
Chris Bull joined the branch in June of this year. Chris is originally from Lincolnshire but resides in Bad Driburg in Germany (No further details available)
Robert Orr joins the branch all the way from Australia, where he has joined the Royal Australian Engineers. Chris joined the branch in June of this year. Kevin Purves, who served with 3 and 4 Troops, 49 (EOD) Sqn from 1980-82 and then with 5 Troop 58 (EOD) from 1984 – 86 joined the branch in July. Kev lives in Gillingham in Kent. Kev was marched with the branch on the cenotaph parade in November of last year.
Christopher May from Cottingham in East Yorkshire became a branch member in late July. Chris served with 6 Troop 58 (EOD) Sqn from 1986 – 91 and served a total of 13 years with the Corps.
Janet Tweedy of Amersham in Buckinghamshire was granted the honour of being made a Friend of the Branch. Janet is the widow of Tom Tweedy who died on Christmas Day 2008. As members may recall from Tom’s obituary in the Spring issue of BD News, Tom served with 49 (EOD) Sqn before being posted over to NI where he was severely injured in a terrorist shooting incident and left paralysed.
We would like to extend to the above new
members a warm welcome
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Derby Draw Once again the branch was very lucky in picking out a fair share of the horses, but unlike any year that we can remember we did not manage to have any of the winners! That said we would like to say “well done” to our membership for always supporting this drive to raise funds for the group and for all those who added an extra donation towards branch funds.
REA AGM
As mentioned in the previous issue of BD News the REA AGM will take place at the Victory Services 63-79 Seymour Place London on
Saturday the 10th
of October 2009 commencing
1600 hrs. A draft agenda has been sent to the
branch secretary and any member wishing to have
a copy should contact Gary (details at the end of
BD News).
REA Annual Dinner
Mentioned in the Spring edition of BD News the REA Annual Dinner will commence at 18:00 hrs, directly after the AGM. Dress for gentlemen will be lounge suits or blazer and flannel with Corps tie; ladies should dress accordingly (whatever that means).
The menu will be:
Smoked Salmon with Lemon and Caper served with Dressed Leaves.
Chicken Supreme with Wild Mushrooms & Tarragon Veloute.
Italian Tiramisu.
English Cheeseboard with Apple, Celery, Grapes and Savoury Biscuit Selection.
Port and Coffee and Mints.
(Special dietary requirements should be notified at the time of booking.
The cost has been confirmed at £18.00p and applications must be received at HQ by 24 September 2009. To book your place please request the booking pro-forma from the branch secretary.
Sapper Sunday-Royal Hospital Chelsea
I know we seem to be repeating ourselves but this event will be on
Sunday the 11th of October. If you are attending do let Lt Col (Ret) Neil Jordan know ASAP on 01634 822 407. Members are encouraged to attend this event.
Field of Remembrance.
The Field of Remembrance opening ceremony will be held at Westminster Abbey on Thursday the 5th of November 2009 at approximately 11:00 hrs when a short service will take place. The Corps plot is number 57, which is located close to the West Gate. Members of the Association who wish to attend the opening ceremony should assemble at the rear of the Corps plot by 10:45 hrs at the latest.