Journal No 5 April 2003
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The Regimental Association of The Queen's Own Buffs (PWRR) THE JOURNAL April 2003 CONTENTS PAGE: CONTENTS Inside front cover EASTER MONDAY 1917 1 EDITOR'S PAGE 2 THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 3-7 SPECIAL EVENTS 2003 8 BRANCH NEWS 9-14 SS LANCASTRIA 15-16 AT THE GREEN DRAGON 17-18 PHOTO GALLERY 19-22 THE WARRIOR'S CHAPEL 23 CALL UP AND CONSEQUENCES 24-28 THE LAST POST 29-34 JUST A COMMON SOLDIER 35 THE BUFFS IN IRAQ 36-37 NOTICE BOARD 38-39 WRITE TO REPLY 40-43 FINAL WORD 44 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Inside back cover Front cover: Man of Kent, from a painting by Lady Butler EASTER MONDAY, APRIL 1917 1st Battalion The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment Battle of Arras, Vimy Ridge 205707 Sgt. E. J. Smith D.C.M. and Bar (arrowed) with German prisoners 1 April 2003 EDITOR'S PAGE Dear Readers, issue with examples of the cards and an order form. For a full colour card, the cost of 50 pence per card is The winter hibernation period is well and truly over more than competitive and I trust that you will support and we look forward to another year of Association this fund raising project. Orders should be placed just activities. If you can, do please try and support these as soon as possible, this will assist in making sure we events, trips and social get togethers, it so important to print, approximately, the right amount. The cards will the various organisers to see their efforts well be undated so any surplus can be used next year, so supported. don't be shy with your order. The Association Annual General Meeting has come I am also looking at the production of an Association and gone and it is important to note that we can still calender, that may have to wait until next year as we carry on with three issues a year. That depends on need to get the christmas cards and web site up and income of course. This last year we spent quite a lot running first. of money in mail shots to try and generate more subscribers, that will not be happening again as the As we go to print the second Gulf War seems to be "take up" of some 13% is just not high enough. If all reaching its final phase. Both of our forebear who are on the mailing list paid their subscriptions regiments served in Iraq. This issue contains an article then we would be more confident of the future. by John Barrel!, "The Buffs in Iraq" this will be However I have to tell you that we have a list of over followed in the next issue with an article on The 50 subscribers who have not paid, will not pay or "Queen's Own in Iraq", any volunteers out there who genuinely think they have paid, some outstanding for would like to put pen to paper. 3 years. Enough said. I am very glad to tell you the the trip to Doullens on The other factor is that we have generated no June 7th 2003, is now fully booked, in fact it was over advertising revenue at all. The Journal should be able subscribed within 7 days of the trip being advertised to enjoy at least E1,000 to £1,500 per year from this in the last issue of the Journal. Many thanks for your source. I just do not have the time myself and need the support. There will be a full report of the trip in the assistance of individuals and branches. I am hoping next issue. that some individual branches will sponsor a page of adverts and then, in turn, get advertisers from their Well, that's all for now, read on and hopefully enjoy. local area. If you can please help. If you need to contact me please note the address and NEW telephone number. I am delighted to be able to tell you that the Regimental Association will have its own official website by the end of May. The address will be 54 South Eastern Road, www.queens-own-buffs.com, with links to the many Ram sgate, Kent CT!! 9QE other sites featuring The Buffs and The Queen's Own Tel: 01843 850292 Royal West Kents, Queen's Own Buffs etc. For those email: [email protected] of you that do not subscribe to the intemet then a CD will be available for you to use on your computer. For those of you who do not have a computer then we are looking at producing a DVD that can be played The Editor through your video machine. I will keep you posted. Another source of income we can look forward to is the profit from the production and sale of a series of 8 Regt. Association Christmas Cards. These can be purchased through your local branch or direct from me. You will see samples of the cards on the back cover of this issue and there is also an insert in this April 2003 2 THE MINUTES OF THE 34th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION OF THE QUEEN'S OWN BUFFS (PWRR) HELD AT SITTINGBOURNE ON SATURDAY 5TH APRIL 2003 PRESENT Colonel C G Champion President Lieutenant Colonel P P B Critchley Chairman East Kent Major P A Gwilliam Chairman West Kent Major D Bradley BEM Secretary Mr J Ferneyhough Vice Chairman East Kent Mr P Fleming Vice Chairman West Kent Mr B Bartlett Hon Vice Chairman Association Major P White MM Journal Editor - Ramsgate Mr R Gawler Chairman - Canterbury Mr H Delo Secretary - Canterbury Mr J Read Chairman - Sittingbourne Mr A Chesson Secretary - Sittingboume Mr R Mead Sittingbourne Mr P Barker Sittingbourne Mr E White Sittingbourne Mr D Brierly Sittingbourne Mr W Whittingham Sittingbourne Rev B Foulger Sittingbourne Mr J Nankervis Chairman - Maidstone Mr J W Bushell Chairman - Bromley RWK Mrs M E Devonshire Secretary - Medway Mr G Amot Secretary - Colchester Mr C McGrath Colchester Mr B A Hitchison Colchester Mr J Burr Chairman-Colchester Mr J A Jarrett Colchester Mr R Whittington Colchester Mr L A Gittons London Buffs Mr C Roberts Maidstone L J Crouch Maidstone D Newman Bromley Mr T Hills Bromley Mr D Hobden Secretary - Sandwich APOLOGIES Mrs J Allen Secretary 62 Club Mrs D G Hall Richardson Secretary - Maidstone Mr S C McIntyre Secretary - Hythe/Folkestone Mr W Pinder Secretary-London Buffs 3 April 2003 OPENING REMARKS - ASSOCIATION social part of the reunion was to be found for 2004. PRESIDENT There was then a general discussion on this subject. 1. The President welcomed all to the meeting. ACCOUNTS FOR PERIOD ENDING 31ST 2. He thanked the members of the Sittingboume DECEMBER 2002 Branch for hosting and arranging the AGM, Darts 7. Extracts of the independently examined Competition and Social Evening. This was greeted by Regimental Association accounts were distributed loud applause from those present. amongst the representatives, salient points were 3. He further explained that we had during 2002 outlined by the Secretary. No points, comments or organised and executed two very good reunions. He observations were raised. The Chairman thanked also stated that the Association was in "good order" Major Bradley for his work on the accounts. and running well, with membership continuing to Note: Branches who did not have a representative at increase. A vote of thanks was given to Major D the AGM may obtain a copy of the accounts by Bradley BEM for his efforts throughout the last twelve months. contacting the Association Secretary. Annual Independent Examination of Accounts. 4. The President explained that now we have two chairmen - one for East Kent and one for West Kent. a. The meeting resolved to approve the following They would chair the AGM alternately. This year was accounts: the turn of Major P A Gwilliam. (1) Benevolent Fund MINUTES OF THE 33RD MEETING (2) Memorial Fund 5. The minutes of the 33rd meeting having been previously circulated were confirmed as a true record. (3) Buffs Cottage Homes Fund Proposed by H Delo (4) Regimental Association Fund Seconded by .1 Burr. Carried unanimously (5) Chairman's Fund THE WAY AHEAD (6) Entertainment Fund - 6.a. The President explained that the structure and (This fund to be closed/activities to be job descriptions of the retired officers employed at proceeded through the Chairman's Fund) Regimental Headquarters have changed with Major Bradley now being the Secretary for the Forebear b. Annual Grants. The following grants were Regiments. This meant that the Association had of approved: necessity to become more self-sufficient. He further stated that we would continue to have two reunions - ( I ) £60 each from the Memorial Fund to one at Canterbury and one at Maidstone. To the future All Saints Church, Maidstone and Canterbury Major Bradley would be responsible for the formal Cathedral. part of the reunions. i.e. booking of bands, venues, order of service, preachers, guests etc., and that the (2) 000.00 from the Chairman's Fund to social aspects would become the responsibility of the the Regimental Association- E250.00 as a two reunion committees i.e. venue, buffet, grant to each reunion. entertainment etc. Both committees are up and Proposed by B Bartlett running and now have a year's experience under their belts. Seconded by: D Hobden Passed Unanimously. BENEVOLENCE b. In the case of the Canterbury Reunion it was explained that due to manpower, accessibility of 8. Copies of the Summary of Benevolence were stores, uncertainty of co-operation from resident distributed outlining how fund had been spent.