Honorary Branch President - Air Marshall Sir Christopher Coville KCB. BA. FCIPD. FRAeS. RAF, Rtd
THE SOMERSET & DORSET BRANCH NEWS A branch of the Royal Air Force Regiment Association – a Charity Incorporated Organisation Registration Number – 1157881 Registered Office – Force Protection HQ, RAF Honington, Bury St Edmund, Suffolk, IP31 1EE
Branch Meeting Place
By courtesy of the Management, the Branch members and their Ladies are invited to meet at 10:45 for 11:00hrs on Sunday 4th June 2017 in the Snug (next to Hamiltons Tea Room) at Cricket St Thomas Hotel, Nr Chard. We extend our grateful thanks to the General Manager for willingly accepting our application and giving us freedom to enjoy the hotel facilities. Members are also welcome to enjoy a bar snack at lunchtime if pre-ordered, or to use the bar and catering services that can be found elsewhere in the establishment. We are allowed to hold a bi-monthly raffle of donated prizes and the Branch 100 Club is also drawn. Cricket St Thomas Hotel is well signposted (brown signs) from all directions and may be found on the A30 Chard to Crewkerne road. Sat Nav users should enter TA20 4DD.
Somerset and Dorset Branch Honours RAF Regiment Founder Members
With the RAF Regiment celebrating its 75th Anniversary the Branch decided that this celebration should not pass without recognition to our “old and bold”. The Branch has three founder members on its books and on Sunday 9th April a special presentation was made by the Branch to these members. One member, Leslie Racher was not contactable therefore unable to attend the presentation. The two RAF Regiment founder members present were Francis Allan Perry and Ronald Morey.
Ronald and Mary Morey Allan and Maisy Perry
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Honorary Branch President - Air Marshall Sir Christopher Coville KCB. BA. FCIPD. FRAeS. RAF, Rtd
In support of this presentation the Branch was delighted that Air Cdr Andrew Neal AFC RAF (Rtd) could join us and represent the RAF Regiment and the Association.
1967 Commissioned into the RAF 1989 Posted to RAF Kinloss for 3rd tour, Regiment. Joined No 26 Sqn RAF this time as Commanding Officer of Regt at Bicester, then posted as Adjt No 120 Sqn. Following the Iraqi of No 3 Wg at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, 1970 – 72. led the Nimrod deployment to Oman to conduct surveillance sorties in the 1974 On completion of navigator training Persian Gulf. Awarded the Air Force and conversion to Nimrod Maritime Cross in the Operation Granby Patrol Aircraft, returned to Honours List, and promoted to Mediterranean and joined No 203 Group Captain. Sqn based at RAF Luqa, Malta. 1992 Attended NATO Staff College, 1977 Returned to UK for first tour at RAF Rome, Italy. Kinloss as a Nimrod captain on No 1992 Returned to RAF Kinloss for fourth 120 Sqn. tour, this time as the Station 1979 On promotion to Squadron Leader, Commander. qualified as an RN Observer flying 1995 Attended Royal College of Defence Wessex and Sea King helicopters, Studies, London. and posted to Royal Navy base at Portland on exchange and 1996 Promoted to Air Commodore and
instructional duties. appointed Air Officer Maritime Air at Joint RN/RAF Headquarters 1982 Posted to RAF Kinloss for second Northwood. tour, this time as a flight commander 1999 Appointed Director at Personnel on No 201 (Guernsey’s Own) Sqn. Management Agency Innsworth, Joined the RAF Association, at the responsible for the career planning Guernsey Branch, as a Life Member. for officers and airmen aircrew 1985 Attended Advanced Staff Course. throughout the RAF.
1986 Promoted to Wing Commander and 2001 Decided to leave the RAF on early joined Instructing Staff at RAF Staff retirement to move into the aerospace industry and joined Ultra College, Bracknell. Electronics as a Director.
2010 Retired for the second time to take up a number of non-executive director roles. 2011 Joined the Council of the RAF Benevolent Fund and represent the RAFBF on the Central Council of the RAF Association.
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Honorary Branch President - Air Marshall Sir Christopher Coville KCB. BA. FCIPD. FRAeS. RAF, Rtd
1417583 Cpl Francis Allan Perry
Cpl Perry was presented with an inscribed plate and stand plus an inscribed tumbler
Military History: Cpl Perry joined as a Ground Gunner on 28th August 1941 and then the RAF Regiment in 1942. Cpl Perry underwent training at Penarth (Wales) and Winton (Bournemouth). On completion of training Cpl Perry was posted to RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Later Cpl Perry sailed from Liverpool and joined 251 Sqn situated between Alexandria and Cairo in Egypt. During his service Cpl Perry served in Palestine, Trans Jordan, Syria, Turkish border, Italy, Greece and Austria. Cpl Perry was demobbed on 31st December 1946.
Decorations: Africa Star / Italy Star / 1939 – 1945 Star / 1939 – 1945 Defence Medal / 1939 – 1945 War Medal / 1941 – 1945 Greece Medal.
Allan joined the Catterick Branch of the RAF Regiment Association in 1991 and then later transferred to the Somerset and Dorset Branch where he and his wife Maisie are active members.
Allan and Maisie will be celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary this year
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Honorary Branch President - Air Marshall Sir Christopher Coville KCB. BA. FCIPD. FRAeS. RAF, Rtd
1701297 LAC Ronald Morey
LAC Morey was presented with an inscribed plate and stand plus an inscribed tumbler
Military History: LAC Morey joined the RAF Regiment in August 1942 and completed his training at Blackpool and the Isle of Man. Subsequently LAC Morey was posted to 2728 Sqn at Gravesend and then later to Dover on defence duties. In 1943 LAC Morey was posted to 2734 Sqn Anti-aircraft unit at Headcorn with further postings to Hunsdon, Honiley, Odiham, Old Sarum, Fareham and Gosport. On 16th June 1943 LAC Morey landed at Juno Beach, took up defensive positions at Plumetol and then progressed into Germany. LAC Morey returned to the UK in July 1945 and in November 1945 sailed to India serving at Bombay, Karachi and Calcutta. LAC Morey returned to the UK in March 1947 and was demobbed.
Decorations: 1939 – 1945 Star / France and Germany Star / 1939 – 1945 War Medal / 1939 – 1945 Defence Medal / Normandy Landings Medal / Canada and Allied Forces Medal. In May 2016 LAC Morey was decorated with the “Chevalier de l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur” presented to him by the French Consular.
Ronald and Mary will be celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary in 2018
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Honorary Branch President - Air Marshall Sir Christopher Coville KCB. BA. FCIPD. FRAeS. RAF, Rtd
On completion of the AGM the Branch members were joined by members of Ronald’s and Allan’s families for the presentation. On completion of the presentation everyone enjoyed a Buffet prepared by Warners Cricket St Thomas.
Specially made for the occasion Ronald and Allan cutting the cake
A moment to treasure for the great grandchildren
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Honorary Branch President - Air Marshall Sir Christopher Coville KCB. BA. FCIPD. FRAeS. RAF, Rtd
Moments to treasure
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Honorary Branch President - Air Marshall Sir Christopher Coville KCB. BA. FCIPD. FRAeS. RAF, Rtd
A moment to treasure for the great grandchildren
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Honorary Branch President - Air Marshall Sir Christopher Coville KCB. BA. FCIPD. FRAeS. RAF, Rtd
Moments to treasure
Issue 142 8 April 2017
Honorary Branch President - Air Marshall Sir Christopher Coville KCB. BA. FCIPD. FRAeS. RAF, Rtd
Allen Perry talking to Air Cdr Neal and Branch Chairman Alec Hunt Why is Maisy sitting to attention?
Ronald and Mary Morey talking to Air Cdr Neal
Issue 142 9 April 2017
Honorary Branch President - Air Marshall Sir Christopher Coville KCB. BA. FCIPD. FRAeS. RAF, Rtd
Family members of the Moreys
Family members of the Perrys
Master of Ceremonies – Lew Hall
Issue 142 10 April 2017
Honorary Branch President - Air Marshall Sir Christopher Coville KCB. BA. FCIPD. FRAeS. RAF, Rtd
AGM Minutes RAF Regiment Association Somerset & Dorset Branch Warners Cricket St Thomas – 9th April 2017
Dedication: Read by the Chairman.
Apologies: None
Members Present: A. Hunt - W&B Griffin - L. Hall – J&E Cossey K&J Perry – A&M Perry – G. Houghton – M&T Summers – R&T McKelvey R&M Morey.
Minutes of The Last Meeting: These were read and accepted as a true account of the meeting. Verified and signed by the Chairman.
Matters Arising: None.
Chair’s Report: This year the Corp is celebrating its 75th anniversary and this branch is especially honoured to have two founding members of the RAF regiment – Allan Perry and Ronald Morey. In appreciation of their service to the regiment and to our country the branch through Air Cdr Andrew Neil AFC RAF (Rtd) will be making a presentation to our two esteemed members after the completion of the AGM.
This year has been a steady year for the branch, however, sadly we have lost Stan Hendey and John Matthews. Recruiting new members has been an issue and through Lew Hall we have approached John Smart at the Bristol Branch asking them on their views with regards to amalgamating branches – we are waiting for their response.
The annual reunion held at Warners Bodelwydden Castle was a success and my sincere thanks to everyone who was involved with the running of the reunion – additionally over that weekend we raised more than £500 for charity – which was no mean feat.
The Christmas lunch was another success with 30 attending the lunch and 18 of us made a long weekend of it as well at Cricket St Thomas.
Without the following my chairmanship would have been quite difficult, so my heartfelt thanks to Lew Hall (whom I relied on heavily for advice on regiment matters and his contribution in helping to plan the next reunion at Littlecote). My thanks to a lady who has kept me on the straight and narrow as Branch Secretary – the indomitable Gill Houghton. Two ladies who have kept our accounts in excellent order – Betty Griffin and Liz Moore. Additionally, a big thank you to Eunice Cossey for running the successful 100 club. Furthermore, our thanks to our standard bearer Bill Griffin. Finally, a lady who epitomises everything that is good within the regiment family – Maisy Perry – always there to help and in running the raffles at our bi- monthly meetings. My sincere thanks to you all.
Secretary’s Report: This year there has been changes, our new Chairman Alec has done a great job in his first year as a “Rockape.” I am sure he found it a trial getting to know us and his efforts to bring some of us into line was a challenge. He is also doing the Newsletter which he has taken over from Jim Scott. Issue 142 11 April 2017
Honorary Branch President - Air Marshall Sir Christopher Coville KCB. BA. FCIPD. FRAeS. RAF, Rtd
We are now meeting every other month but there are times when we may need an extra meeting so we are flexible should the need arise. The reunion this year was held at Bodelwyddan Castle North Wales with the usual Warner hospitality which everyone enjoyed, it is a beautiful area to visit as I am sure some of you found out. This next reunion is at Littlecote with the 75th Anniversary of the RAF Regiment in mind.
We have lost two of our members this last year it always sad to hear of the death of a member, our sympathy goes to the wives and families of John Matthews who was an active member of the Branch for many years including Branch Secretary and the other member was Stan Hendy who lived in Hythe Southampton. Stan was a good supporter of the Branch.
I think most of you know I am moving home, it’s NOT a nursing home. I will let you know when at last I get settled I will still be a Branch member. My best wishes for the forthcoming year and hope to see some of you at Littlecote.
Re-election of Officers: There were no nominations for the committee. The current committee agreed to continue and was re-elected.
Treasurers Report:
Income Expenditure
£3,659:22 £2,409:57
The accounts were audited as a true record of income and expenditure by J.M.G Binning on 27th March 2017. A full record of the accounts is available upon request to the Treasurer.
Subscriptions were increased as follows:
National - £12:00 Branch - £8:00 Wife/Partner - £2:00
Social Member - £5:00
These increases were proposed by Betty Griffin and seconded by Lew Hall. Agreed by all members present.
The Branch has various accounts that includes the “Rocks” social element. These accounts are now being amalgamated into one account and all monies and cheques will be paid into one account. The “Social member” subscription element allows those non-members to benefit from our re-union group bookings and covers the cost of the newsletter. Branch members benefit from the group bookings, subsidised Christmas lunch and covers the cost of the newsletter. Additionally, monies from subscriptions and raffles helps the Branch fund such events as the presentation made to our two founder members of the RAF Regiment. Issue 142 12 April 2017
Honorary Branch President - Air Marshall Sir Christopher Coville KCB. BA. FCIPD. FRAeS. RAF, Rtd
Subscription requests has been delayed this year to take into account the agreed increases and a membership renewal form is attached to this newsletter.
AOB: Plaque for Littlecote – This plaque was proposed by Lew Hall seconded by Alan Perry. Passed by all present.
100 Club Draw: Thanks to Eunice - Well done to the following winners:
March ‘17
Prize Name Ticket No
£30 S Wood 31
£10 Mrs A Snowshall 34
April ‘17
Prize Name Ticket No
£30 B Griffin 47
£10 A Caswell 19 You have to be in it to win it
Raffle: The raffle on the day made £68. Thanks to everyone who donated prizes and those who bought tickets. Thanks to Maisie and Jane.
AGM closed at 11:35
THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE ON THE 4th June 2017 AT 10.45 for 11.00.
Issue 142 13 April 2017