2001 Regimental Dinner Sep - Issue 97 Dec 01

Regimental Dinner
29 Sep 2001

Norfolk Section
The Britannia and Castle

REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION REUNION DINNER 2001
Familiar bugle calls summoned 164 Old Comrades to the Reunion Dinner on Sat 29 Sep 01 at the TA Centre, Aylsham Road, Norwich. Association President Maj Gen John Sutherell CBE presided. Attending his first Reunion Dinner as President, Gen Sutherell expressed his delight at being President and in the company of so many Old Comrades.
The 1st Bn The Royal Anglian Regt were represented by a Pl Comd from A (Norfolk) Coy. He informed us that the 1st Bn were now re-roling to Mechanised Ops, the first time in 20 years. By dynamic recruiting and the inspiration of a succession of Command Teams, the Bn were one of 5 of the 40 Infantry Bns up to strength. Capt John Lincoln, author: ‘Thank God and the Infantry’ escorted A (Norfolk) Coy on a Battlefield Tour, visiting the battle sites where The Royal Norfolks had fought.

There were the familiar faces of Rick Stehr, (right, sporting an unfamiliar short haircut this year!) again fighting a losing battle with the bar for Regimental shop sales and waitress Alison, bottom left, who has assisted us for 14 years.
We heard that the East of England Regt were well established and supported the Regimental Secretary.
The Regimental Museum under its trustees led by Maj Tom Eaton had commenced reproducing all archive photographs and documents digitally for internet use. Mrs Joanna Jamieson had most generously handed to the Museum Trustees, in a private ceremony, the VC of her late husband Maj David Jamieson CVO VC. Later, the VC would be suitably displayed in the Museum and an inscribed oak panel would be dedicated in the Regimental Chapel.

On Sat 2 June 2001 the Regimental Garden at Easton College was dedicated by The Bishop of Norwich, The Right Reverend Graham James, and over 100 partook of tea in the Sports Pavilion. (See Regimental Garden Opening)

On the following day, in Norwich Cathedral, the Roll of Honour of those members of the Regiment who died on active service in Korea and Cyprus was to be dedicated. (See Roll of Honour Dedication)
Thanks were offered to:
Maj William Reeve and the Regimental Office Staff of Chris Cowell, Liz Reeve and Rick Stehr, right, 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 (see below);
Paul Boxall for his organisation of the evening, especially the raffle which had made a profit of Ł305 (donated to The Regimental Garden) and provision personally by him of the principal prize, an engraved Rose Bowl.
Maj Fred Ayers, far right, was presented with an inscribed crystal Rose Bowl in appreciation of his sterling work for the Association. Aged 81, he is Treasurer of The Regimental Garden Appeal, giving generously and selflessly of his time.

MAJ WILLIAM REEVE
Gen Sutherell concluded his address by speaking about our Area Regimental Secretary, Maj William Reeve, retiring at the end of the month after a busy and distinguished 14 years in Norwich. His Regular career had taken him from The Royal Leicesters in 1960, via The King`s African Rifles, The East Anglian and Royal Anglian Regts where he concluded his service as Trg Maj with 6 RAnglian. A worthy succession of significant events marked those 14 years: computerisation of the office, the opening of The Regtl Museum, the 1995 move from Britannia Barracks to Aylsham Rd, the publication of "History of the Royal Norfolk Regiment 1951-1969" Volume IV written by Maj Bob Godfrey, The Regimental Garden and a succession of Freedom Parades, Beating of Retreat, Cathedral and Memorial Services. Gen Sutherell acknowledged his wise advice and support and paid tribute to Mrs Mary Reeve who had been a tower of strength in her support. His deep involvement with the 3 Regiments in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire included care for veterans and their families, sustaining the spirit and traditions of the Regt.
There had been a generous response to the leaving gift appeal from individuals and Branches. Suffolk had concentrated on fishing while Norfolk covered William’s passion for gardening. To mark his retirement after 14 years in post as Area Regimental Secretary Maj William Reeve was presented by The Royal Norfolk Regiment Association with a teak garden seat, on show at the Dinner. He had previously received a stone garden urn but as it was too heavy to bring to the dinner we saw a photograph of it in his lovely garden.

Alison has assisted us for 14 years.
The Norfolk Editor, as requested, tidied her blouse.
There are some perks!

The CSM and CQMS of A (Royal Norfolk) Coy, 6 Royal Anglian, when the Norfolk Editor joined the Coy in 1973 were:
WO2 Alec Barr and CSgt Herbie Burton

Click photographs to enlarge

Click here for them on 4th Bn Operations!

WO2 Alec Barr
checks the time on his special 'Black Watch'!

10 and 12 Platoon from 1951

Left to right: Derek Dane and Ron Clarke * (both 12 Pl)
Jerry Willmott, Bill Robinson and Des Barnard (10 Pl)

Left to right: Ron Horrex, Brian Bandy, Reg Griggs, Peter Slinn and Tom Latham (all 10 Pl)
Tom wrote in B&C No 87 Dec 96 and started the reunions.

* Ron Clarke, in acknowledging that 12 Pl follow where 10 Pl leads, wishes to contact members who served with 12 Pl in Korea 1951 - 1952.
'Please contact Ron via the Norfolk Editor Major JL Raybould TD and assist Ron in his forlorn (50 year) quest to get the better of 10 Pl and me.' says Jerry Willmott!

DINNER PREPARATION
When the Members of the Association gather on the last Saturday of Sep for the Regimental Dinner at the TAC in Aylsham Road, they find that the Drill Hall has been transformed into a large dining room.
What goes into this transformation? There are 38 folding flat tables, 160 chairs, screens, the Colour Standards, Britannia and the screens which form the backing for the top table. All of these have been taken out of stores at the rear of the Drill Hall on the Friday and the hall has been prepared. When the caterers arrive on the Saturday afternoon they can lay the tables, ensuring that everything is ready when Members begin to arrive at 1830 hours.
Then, on the following Monday, the Drill Hall must be cleared and everything returned to storage.
Contrary to what many Association Members think, this task is not carried out by members of the Territorial Army but by volunteers from our own Norwich Branch of the Association. This year the fatigue party comprised, in age seniority, Gwyn Button (82, a former FEPOW and member of the Suffolk Regt TA Band), Paul Boxall (79), Alec Barr (76), Barney Taylor (74), John Slaughter (73), Alan Nichols (70), Ivor Read (70), Ray Segon (69), Paul Garman (a mere boy at 67) and last but not least, Rick Stehr (age is RAF Classified) - Regimental HQ Staff.

And see: Regimental Dinner Sep 00

Editorial Rule
To qualify for inclusion in the B&C there is only one rule - something described must have been said to have happened.
The authority is the Editor, British Army Review No 114 Dec 96, `If the facts don`t fit the legend, print the legend’.
However, the rules of good taste, respect and confidentiality are always applied.

Rule Britannia!

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Editor, Norfolk Section, The Britannia and Castle
B&C Norfolk Editor