REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION REUNION DINNER 2000
The Reunion Dinner was held on Sat 30 Sep 00 at the TA Centre, Aylsham Road, Norwich. We
stood in memory of our late President, Maj Gen Sir David
Thorne KBE CVO. Click here for the
obituary. In the absence on duty of Maj Gen John Sutherell CBE Maj Tom Eaton OBE TD DL presided. There were the
familiar faces of WO2 Pat Cole, resplendent in Mess Kit, Rick
Stehr fighting a losing battle with the bar for Regimental shop sales and
waitress Alison who has assisted us for 13
years.
We heard that Maj Gilly Banthorpe was unwell
and that Maj David Jamieson was 80 the next
day. Click for the obituaries to Maj Gilly Banthorpe
(who died in Nov 2000) and Maj David Jamieson
who died in May 2001.
Thanks had been received from Lady Thorne
and Rev Canon Jeremy Haselock, Precentor at Norwich Cathedral had been instrumental in the
Memorial Service for Sir David. "The ecclesiastical equivalent to a Drill Sgt! It is
good to have friend in Court." said Maj Eaton.
The 22 Regimental Cottages were full and the trustees under Capt Mike Cadge were
congratulated on their continued involvement. The Regimental Museum under its trustees led
by Maj Tom Eaton had received 9000 visitors between May and Aug. On the 10th
Anniversary of the opening on 22 Jul, 350 visitors enjoyed a slice of the cake cooked in
NI by 1 R ANGLIAN and air freighted to Norwich. A German Officer's diary extract relating
to the Massacre at Le Paradis had been translated. Kate Thaxton was seeking anyone who did
National Service or underwent Basic Training at Britannia Bks to contribute to the Oral
History. Tel 01603 223649 or e-mail: oliver.bone.mus@norfolk.gov.uk).
Thanks were offered to Maj William Reeve and
the Regimental Office Staff of Chris Cowell,
Liz Reeve and Rick
Stehr for the quality production of the menu which carried a copy of our
Loyal Greetings to HM The Queen and her response; The Norwich Branch for setting up the
splendid layout of the Drill Hall; Paul Boxall
for his organisation of the evening, especially the raffle which had made a profit of
£305 (donated to The Regimental Garden) and provision personally by him of the principal
prize, an engraved Rose Bowl.
The Regimental Garden at Easton College was the idea of Chris
Overton, former subaltern with A (Royal Norfolk) Coy 6 R ANGLIAN, driven
forward by Gen David's customary enthusiasm. The central sculpture is by David Holgate. It
will be dedicated by The Bishop of Norwich.
The oldest of the 156 present was honoured, Harold Walden MM, an 87 year-old who had
served in The Royal Norfolks 1932-39. Inevitably, he was recalled later in 1939 but the
bounder then served with the Black Watch! Captured with the 51st DIV at St Valery and sent
to Poland, he and a mate escaped on a forced march and ended up in Moscow. Harold now
lives in Northampton but made the journey to stay in Norwich with another BW, Alec Barr.
(The Norfolk Editor once made the mistake of addressing a 'bluey' to his former CSM from
Bosnia 'AC Barr Esq BW (Retd)'
The reprimand was swift: 'Once Black Watch always Black Watch. The only retired BW are
dead!' Ed.) |
