30 Years of Fairy Tales - Wng O

6th (V) Bn The Royal Anglian Regiment Officers' Dinner Club

President : Colonel CAF Thomas TD
Secretary: Major JL Raybould TD
Sun 25 Mar 2001

Warring Order errr ... Wng O!

Mission : 30 Years of Fairy Tales.

Tasking : All Members 6 Royal Anglian Officers' Dinner Club.

No Move Before : 01001AApr2001 - but preparatory practice sups are permitted.

Plan of Action : To mark the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of the founding of 6 R ANGLIAN on 1 Apr 1971.

Preparation : Maj David Reed has written new words to our song, sung to the tune of "Fred Karno's Army" (otherwise known as "Aurelia"). Click here for the words and music)

Detailed Tasks : At a time convenient to the members (in keeping with the traditions of the Regt, but before 2359 hrs) on 1st April 2001, Loyal Members of 6 (V) Bn The Royal Anglian Regt, wherever they are: Belgium, Bosnia, Italy, Kuwait, Macedonia, Singapore, Suffolk, UK or USA, are required to don the official 'deckchair' pattern RPJ Battalion tie, rise, and with a glass of Greene King IPA in the left hand, right hand on the heart, face towards Bury St Edmunds and, with streaming eyes and through trembling lips, sing the new song.

Dispensation One : For those without access to Greene King IPA, the Hon Sec, as we have no Constitution, Standing Orders or even a Plan of Action except for the next meeting to relive old fairy tales, grants dispensation to those out of East Anglia to sup the finest ale in their region. In case (ho!) of difficulty, contact your nearest Ale Aficionado: Col Gordon Brett in Belgium, Lt Col Doug Inch in Singapore, Maj Duncan Stewart in UK or Capt Mike Allison in USA.

Dispensation Two: For those lacking the necessary RPJ Tie (a Collector's Item) any ghastly hued necktie will suffice. (I know a good store in Tipperary and another in Niagara Falls that specialise in "Ties Awful"!)

Dispensation Three : For those no longer with us who may care to rise for the occasion, Rupert Gowing, Harry Woods, Danny Bebbington, Colin Palmer, Freddy Vigers, Tom Dean, Ian Wardle and Alastair Veitch, dispensation is granted to sup from the late Col Tom Dean's battered aluminium mug. *

Support by Comb and Paper Band : Words and music to the tune "Fred Karno's Army" follow. (Click here for the words and music.)

Here's to another 30 years of Fairy Tales!

Yours etc,

John

PS It happens that I'll be on a Battlefield Tour in France on 1 Apr 2001 with a few Royal Anglians so do join us in a toast!

Postscript: There was no need to call on Col Gordon Brett for advice ref Dispensation 2 as to the Best Ale as Col Nick Kelsey and I were already drinking it!

Ode to the 6th Bn by Maj David Reed

* Tom Dean's battered aluminium mug. Col Tom had retained his army mug for years. No one nicked it or would want to as it was so battered and stained!

The writer could have really made his number with Col Tom Dean at Oakington. Tom was the Commanding Officer 6 R Anglian and it was near the end of a long exercise which had stretched from Suffolk to Nottinghamshire. While Col Tom and I, then Battalion Intelligence Officer, had largely flown about in a Gazelle helicopter, he was very tired. We were leaning on the Battalion Command Post trailer in a hangar at Oakington discussing the next Orders Group. I didn't know ENDEX was nigh but had wondered why Col Tom was repeatedly telling me not to bother too much about his forthcoming Commanding Officer's Orders Group, ie the Intelligence, Meteorology, moon phase, sunrise and sunset, roads and routes etc on which it was my responsibility to brief the Company Commanders and other 'Heads of Sheds'.
Then he said: 'I'd give anything right now for a Scotch.'

Col Tom departed to prepare his final orders and as I followed I recalled what was in the trailer under the cover - the Officers' Mess survival box. It had been packed by me in Bury St Edmunds and contained glasses, tonic, gin, a bottle of sliced lemon, angostura bitters - Tom liked his pink gin - ginger ale and ... a bottle of Scotch whisky.
I could really have made my number with him if I'd said: 'Double Colonel? Sorry we haven't any ice!'
So the moment passed. I'd forgotten about it until now and as Col Tom is no longer with us I can't make amends
!t really is a pink gin I'm raising as this is typed, but, 'Cheers, Col Tom!'

Col Tom Dean died in Apr 1988.
B&C 100

Click picture to enlarge

6 Royal Anglian Officers' Dinner Club
Ode to the 6th Bn
Kipper Place

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