4 Royal Norfolk Ofiicers Dinner Apr 01 from Issue 96 Jun 01

4 ROYAL NORFOLK OFFICERS' DINNER APR 2001
80 years after the first dinner in Feb 1921, 20 members and guests met around the Chillianwallah Table in the Officers' Mess at Aylsham Road on Fri 27 April for The 4 Royal Norfolk Regt Officers' Dinner. We stood in memory of members who had died in the past year: Maj Gilly Banthorpe (who died in Nov 2000), Col Dick Flower, Canon Wynter Blathwayt and Capt Philip Hall. The new caterers, Butlers of Norwich, maintained the superb standard. Diners Fred Ayers, Oliver Ayers, Richard Boulton, Derek Burdett, Mike Cadge, Tim Chatting, Tom Eaton, Gerry Gandon, William Gaymer, Miles Green, John Housego, Frank Nichols, Chris Overton, John L Raybould, Paul Raywood, William Reeve, Ted Riddell-Smith, Jack Salter, Paul Smith and David Spalding were treated, like the 6th Bn The Royal Anglian Regt Officers’ Dinner Club in March, to Beef Wellington.
Maj Tom Eaton presided and particularly welcomed the 2 senior members present, William Gaymer, 87 and Frank Nichols, 93.
Frank joined the Regt in 1928! Another notable pair present were 2 former OCs of C Coy: Jack Salter and Paul Raywood.
Thanks were given to Maj William Reeve, retiring in Sep 01 as Area Secretary, on his last official appearance in that capacity.
The Regimental Museum, the 'jewel in our crown' had held a National Service Exhibition in Jul 00. Comment from an unknown source: 'Perhaps Maj Ron James, late of 6 RANGLIAN and F Coy HSF, would have been an admirable exhibit!'
Thanks as always go to Maj Fred Ayers TD for his masterminding of the event under the control of WO2 Pat Cole.

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