Army Order 54 of 1903
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Intentionally blank Intentionally blank Intentionally blank Intentionally blank It is with great pleasure that we Foreword by the Honorary President welcome Lt Gen Sir Freddie Maj Gen Peter Currie CB Viggers, a distinguished Gunner, a soldiers’ soldier and now Black Rod, as our new Honorary If one was a pessimist one would with the Association has been President. Gen Freddie is looking no doubt be in the depths of an undiluted pleasure. I have forward to joining us at our next despair at the moment: the credit also found it inspirational, in the Reunion in Larkhill on 24th April crunch is hitting our pockets, the sense that what you have done 2010. exchange rate makes holidays in building and holding together hideously expensive, global this tight knit group of people is a Let us not forget our members warming is said to be threatening marvellous example to others of who are currently in Afghanistan our future, the sense of drift in what can be achieved in the name and other operational areas or in Afghanistan is palpable, Defence of friendship. Long may it last. training with their units to deploy in looks due for a big hit after the the next few months. We all have election, and the English press is I am delighted that my successor at one time lived together, worked already presuming the World Cup as Honorary President is to be together and sometimes fought is ‘coming home’. Yet despite all Lieutenant General Sir Freddie together while serving to defend this we have so much for which Vigges. What a good choice! Like our country from our enemies we should be thankful, and top of me, I am certain he owes a huge and preserve the freedom for all the list comes friendship. debt to the Artillery Clerks of years future generations. We have gone by who will have kept him on every reason to be proud of our The Artillery Clerks’ Association the straight and narrow in his early individual and collective service, as is a wonderful example of days at regimental duty. Ubique we look forward to welcome our lasting friendship built on shared serving members back home safe experiences. I am coming to and unharmed the end of my time as Honorary President, and I can say without I hope you enjoy the full flavour of hesitation that my association this issue of your magazine. We are indebted as usual to Andy Tibble who puts all this together Chairman’s Notes single-handedly. We are also as by Lt Col(Retd) Joe Falzon BEM ever grateful for the commitment and hard work shown by our Autumn has a habit of stealing up his family need our prayers through Committee. Please continue on me as fast as the reminders this difficult time. to support and encourage them I receive at this time of year to deliver what you need – I from Andy Tibble to put pen to I am pleased to report that encourage you to pick up the paper and complete my piece for our Association and the Royal phone when you have a moment Crossed Quills on time. Charitable Fund have jointly and just let one of us know how contributed towards a summer your are getting on. That is what This year has been a rather mixed holiday in Malta for his children comradeship is all about. one for me as Chairman. I missed – a small gesture which I know our Reunion Dinner last April in that Mel appreciated and that his I will leave with you one definition favour of a free trip to Las Vegas children much enjoyed. of the word comrade to ponder. “a to celebrate my 40th wedding person who shares one’s interests anniversary, courtesy of my two We have also just said good-bye or activities; friend; companion, or; sons. However, a guilty conscious to our Honorary President, Maj a fellow member of a group. The compelled to attend the recent Gen Peter Currie. Gen Peter origin of the word is from an Old reunion in Germany. This edition has always been there when the French word ‘camarade’ (meaning: carries reports and photographs Committee needed guidance, roommate). on both of these equally successful direction and help. He has events. agreed to remain part of us as With every best wish. an Honorary Member, but that I have been saddened by the news depends on a vote at our next from Devizes; The diagnosis is not AGM – I am confident that we encouraging and our secretary and will get that proposal through!! Secretary’s Report by Former WO1(SMAC) Mel Charlton As I start this report we appear to I had the pleasure of travelling I must mention my own special be entering into an Indian summer. to Northumberland to attend the thanks to the outgoing Honorary What a surprise, let’s see how wedding of Major Bob Cowan President General Peter Currie. long it lasts!. It has been another and Tracylee Cruickshank. The Thank you for your support reasonably quiet year on the ceremony was held at The General Peter. You have been very Secretarial front, and now time to Chapel, Albermarle Barracks on supportive of our Reunion Dinners write another report. Saturday 21 March 2009 and and you have been fun company afterwards a wonderful reception for us all. We had a most excellent Reunion was held in the Officers’ Mess Dinner at Larkhill under the 39 Regiment Officers’ Mess. A The St Barbara’s Day Church auspices of Capt Ian Constantine great time was had by all and Service will be held in the Garrison which you can read about many congratulations to Bob and Church Larkhill on Sunday 6th elsewhere in this magazine. On Tracylee. Bob sent me a couple of December 2009. Once again behalf of all attending members, a photographs which are depicted Andrew Jones our Standard big thank you Ian. Ian has kindly elsewhere in the magazine. Bearer will be representing the retained the mantle of Reunion Association at this Service. If you Secretary until a replacement is On Monday 13th April 2009 our live within reasonable travelling forthcoming. I regret not been Chairman Lt Col Joe Falzon and distance, please do support this able to attend the Germany his wife Josephine celebrated event. Reunion this year. As you can see their 40th Wedding Anniversary from WO2 Ron Holmes’ report, which I also had the pleasure of The 76th Arillery Clerks reunion will a good time was had by those in attending. A Thanksgiving Mass take place over the weekend of the attendance. A special thank you to was held at St Barbara’s Church, 23rd to 25th April 2010 at Larkhill. Marty Hester and Hauke Michelson Larkhill and afterwards at 32 Maj Gen A R Gregory, Director (Our German Honorary Battery Regiment RA Officers’ Mess for General(Personnel) has kindly Clerk) for supplying photographs of luncheon. Congratulations to Joe accepted our invitation to be the the Larkhill Reunion. and Josephine. guest of honor at this dinner. Congratulations and well done Death of Bob Day 18 May 09. An Please enjoy the festive season. to WO2(SQMS) Will Stirman on Eulogy read out at the funeral May I wish you a your loved being selected for promotion to by Brig Chris Burson, Chairman ones a very merry Christmas and WO1 and also to SSgt’s Budgie of the Enheim and Alemein RAA a Happy New Year. As usual Burgess, Mike Cottrell and Woody Branch. Our Standard Bearer please remember in your thoughts Woodford on being selected Andrew Jones represented the and prayers for those who are for promotion to WO2(SQMS) Association at the funeral and bore ill at home or are looking after in the FY 2009/2010. Also our Standard. Sadly another two someone who is ill or infirm. In congratulations to Steve Callaghan brother Artillery Clerks have died addition please remember those who has successfully attended the since my last report. Former WO2 members who may be deployed CFCB at Westbury and has been (QMS(AC)) Paddy Corbett who on operations during the festive granted a TA Group B Commission passed away on Saturday 12th season. Our thoughts and prayers in the Army cadet Force as a September 2009 and Former Sgt are with you all. Second Lieutenant. Other than IP George McKinnell who was one that the Committee has not been of our Chelsea Pensioners who Take care. informed of any other promotions passed away on Thursday 19th or awards or anything else during November 2009. the last 12 months. Thanks to Ubique WO2(SQMS) Derek Ralphs for Thank you to those members who keeping me up to speed. keep contact. A special mention to Major John Reynolds in Medicine Donations for the magazine have Hat Canada who sends regular been received from Jim Cussell & e-mails and Bill Johnson who Dennis Norris as well as our regular sends me a postcard whenever subscribers. he goes on his travels with his daughter Susan. not yet joined the Association. I Assistant Secretary’s Report am sure that there are Potential by Andy Tibble MSM (former WO1(SSM)) Members listed on the Wanted List, that you know of their The time has just flown by this year you would like to be published whereabouts. I would, therefore, and now I find myself producing in next years’ edition. These ask all Members of the Association the next edition of the Crossed articles, with photographs, to make a consolidated effort this Quills. Once again the magazine should reach me by no later than year to try and encourage them has grown in size! I would like to Monday 6th September 2010.