2004 BACK ISSUES OF "WHAT'S NEW"

This page contains back issues of the Whats New! first published on the Home page. The items have been posted here so that you can catch up on news that you may have missed.

Return to current Back issue     Back issue for 2005     Back issue for 2003

General stuff - _{removed from Home page - 19 December 2004}

PCS Branch REA Standard - At a meeting held in Eastbourne on Sunday 7 November 2004 attended by our President Peter Wescott and Chairman Norman Lockwood, it was decided that no planning for a dedication service will be made until we actually have the Standard in our possession. It takes approximately 6 weeks for the Standard to be made once ordered and should it have to go back to the suppliers for any reason then delays can occur. We do not want to be in a position where we have made arrangements for the dedication service with all the requirements only to have it cancelled at the last moment due to unforeseen circumstances. We will keep you informed of any updates

JIM CAMPBELL says - I'm looking for a Postie called Jonny Stevenson (Stevenston). He origionaly comes from Saltcoats Ayrshire. We were both stationed together in Terendak camp Malaya 1967-70. We went to Penang for a holiday with another Postie -Ginge from Northern Ireland. Is there any way you could help me find him.
Telephone Number: 01294312879
Email Address: jimcampbell438@aol.com.

General stuff - _{removed from Home page - 16 November 2004}

Alan Davies - Home from Home

Peter Linney is raising £ 7,000 for SSAFA by seeking sponsorship for a trek in Nepal (22 Feb 2005). If you would like to sponsor him go to his web page at:
http://www.justgiving.com/peterlinneynepal.

PCS Branch REA Standard - As you maybe aware we have got authority to have our own standard, which will also bear a WRAC badge, before we can parade the standard we have it blessed at a dedication service. The committee would like your views on the matter - suggestions to date are:

• Barrack Chapel - Mill Hill.
• Garrison Church - Chatham.
• Hold a drum-head service at our next Annual/DinnerAGM (11-14 March 2005) to dedicate the standard.

Please post your views on the Guestbook or send email to the Secretary jimsteerpcs@yahoo.co.uk

Presentation of the 'Colvin Cover' to the Royal Engineers Museum by the Forces Postal History Society at
www.postalcensorship.com/fphs/rempres.html

General stuff - _{removed from Home page - 25 October 2004}

Heroes Return - is a UK lottery funded scheme to help WW2 veterans to return to areas in which they saw active service. For more details and application form ring the Veterans Agency on: 0800 169 2277

Photographs from the Highland Gathering organised by Mrs Pat Gray - Thanks to Margaret Grant and Alan Davies for the pictures.

The WRAC Association have a new website at: www.wracassociation.co.uk.

Hugh Jones - _{removed from Home page - 14 July 2004}

It is with sadness that I report the death of Mr Hugh Jones of Victoria Canada on 21st June 2004 after a long illness. Mr Jones a Korean War Veteran also served in Egypt in 1953. An article penned by Mr Jones appeared in our Newsletter Issue 11 titled Korean War and Egypt(1953). Our sypathies go to his wife Maureen and family at this very sad time.

General stuff - _{removed from Home page - 14 July 2004}

Mike McEwan writes please can you help me find Cpl Bill Jordan who worked with the APO at Steamer Point 1963-1966. He came from the northeast of England. Email: Mike McEwan

Reunite page updated

Bob Hutchinson - _{removed from Home page - 28 June 2004}

It is with great sadness to announce that Bob Hutchinson died on Saturday 5th June 2004 at the age of 52 after a long illness. Bob was one of the original 20 founder members of this branch when we formed in January 1998.He joined the army in April 1967 and left in December 1975. Our thoughts are with Sheila his wife and brother Frank at this very sad time.

General stuff - _{removed from Home page - 28 June 2004}

Postal and Operation Overlord 1944 There were 40 'Posties' in Normandy on D-Day read about their contribution to Operation Overlord.

The Eastbourne Branch of the Royal Engineers Association are holding their Annual Dinner Dance at the Langham Hotel, Royal Parade Eastbourne on Saturday 13 November 2004. Members of the PCS Branch who would like to attend should write to the Eastbourne Branch Secretary Mr Bill Swainsbury, 34 Brydges Close, Eastbourne BN22 8QA after 1 August enclosing a stamped addressed envelope for details. I have spoken to the owner of The Langham Hotel Mr Julian Martyr and to members of the PCS Branch he is offering £35 Bed and Breakfast per night per person. The normal rate is £55 pppn. The Langham Hotel has recently been refurbished and has been awarded 3 star status both by the RAC and AA.The RE Club will be open to PCS Branch members on the Friday night/Saturday and Sunday lunchtime. This might appeal to members living in the south.

General stuff - _{removed from Home page - 5 June 2004}

John Edward Rice was a Locally Employed Civilian who worked with the British Forces Post Office in Bielefeld. He was born on 28 Jan 51 and died at Bielefeld on 29 Nov 00. He had served in the RAF, married a German woman and subsequently lived in Germany.
His mother has no contact with Mr Rice's widow and is anxious to locate his grave. She contacted her local SSAFA Branch for help in this matter. It seems most unlikely that Mr Rice would have been buried in a Military Cemetry. Knowing the RE Postal and Courier organisation to be a fairly tight-knit group, I wonder if there is any member who might remember Mr Rice - and the circumstances of his funeral?
Contact Michael J Cartwright(SSAFA Caseworker)

Please can you help me find Cpl Bill Jordan who worked with the APO at Steamer Point 1963-1966. He came from the northeast of England. Contact Mike McEwan

General stuff - _{removed from Home page - 1 May 2004}

Secretary's Address - With effect from 12 May 2004 his address will change to:-
1 Middleton Drive
Eastbourne
BN23 6HD
Telephone number remains the same.
He will be "off - line" from Monday 10th May until Sat 15 May 2004.

Updates to RE-unite page

Upates to the In Memoriam page

Margaret Lockwood - _{removed from Home page - 21 May 2004}

It is with great sadness that we report the news that Margaret Lockwood passed away in Southampton Hospital on Friday 30 April. She was our Branch Chairman's, Norman Lockwood wife. Our thoughts are with Norman and his family at this very sad time. The funeral of Margaret Lockwood will take place at 14.15hrs on Wednesday 12th May at the Isle of Wight Crematorium

Joe Robertson - _{removed from Home page - 21 May 2004}

Joe Robertson informs us that his wife passed away in hospital on Wed 5 May after a sudden illness. The funeral will be held at Perth Crematorium at 11.30 Monday 10th May - any friends are welcome. Our thoughts are with Joe and his family at this very sad time.

John Dukes - _{removed from Home page - 21 May 2004}

John Dukes of 208 PCU RE (TA) has been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease which is getting worse. His sons Nicholas and Peter are going to walk from Cardiff to Falkirk to raise money for Parkinson's Disease Society - if you wish to sponsor them in this worthy cause please go to www.parktrek.co.uk.

General stuff - _{removed from Home page - 21 May 2004}

Reunion 2004 photos - Nick Clifton's and Dave Muckle's contributions.

Reunion 2005 will be held at the Copthorne Hotel Dudley Worcs over the weekend 11-14 March 2005. For more details on the hotel - see http://www.copthornemerryhill.activehotels.com/R4U

• Booking forms will be sent to all members very shortly. Members are requested to use the booking form only.
• All the rooms are charged at Bed and Breakfast rate which gives our members the opportunity to eat out on the Fri or Sun evenings.
• The Dinner Dance( £22.50 per person) will be charged to each guests bedroom, to be settled on departure. Full charges are on the booking form.
• The Hotel is 4 star and we have been allocated 100 rooms. More rooms will be allocated to us providing we can fill our quota by November 2004.
• We can only cater for 260 members on Saturday 14 March 2005 so to avoid disappointment book early.
• There are no single rooms and members will be charged the full amount less £10 so to keep costs down bring a friend/partner.

Eric Parry - _{removed from Home page - 8 Apr 2004}

We have just been informed that Eric Parry BEM died at 10.00am on 29 March. Eric was a WO1 Long Range Courier and a Member of the RE Association. Funeral is on Friday 02 April 2004 at the Parish Church St.Asaph North Wales. Thoughts and prayers go to his family. - Thanks to Margaret Grant for this sad news

Eve Elliot - _{removed from Home page - 31 Mar 2004}

It is our very sad duty to inform friends and members of the passing of Eve Elliot, the wife of Paddy Elliot on Sat 20th march. Bob Mckeever has been asked by Paddy to inform the membership, also at the request of the family no flowers please just donate to your favourite charity. The funeral will be held on 30 March after a 9.30am mass at the church of Our Lady of Lourdes Weston Supermare. Condolences to Paddy.

Spr Hawley - _{removed from Home page - 31 Mar 2004}

Again It is with sadness that we inform you that Spr Hawley (Malaya 1955-1957) recently died of cancer. He would have liked to have joined our association, and come to our re-unions. He was in the British Legion. Our sympathies are extended to his surviving family. - Thanks to George Cleasby for this sad news.

General Stuff - _{removed from Home page - 31 Mar 2004}

Spr Hawley APO Sek Kong in Malaya in 1955-1957 photos.

Reunion 2004 photos - John Bleasdale's contribution.

General Stuff - _{removed from Home page - 21 Mar 2004}

Branch Annual Dinner and Dance - 20 Mar 04. The Seating Plan has been completed and any latecomers who wish to attend will be seated at vacant places at tables. The total attending this year is 225 members and guests. Have a safe journey there and we look forward to having an enjoyable weekend.

Associate Members please note that if you wish to have the new style Associate Membership ID Cards then please send The Secretary a passport sized photograph with your name and service number printed on the reverse. If your going to the Reunion in March he will try to get you them by then.

Bikers & Reunion - Does anyone going to the reunion at Northampton, who still rides, fancy taking their bikes and going for a blast on the Saturday? There are some lovely roads in the area, and it will give you a break from the booze!! Let Dave Muckle know.

5 March 2004 marked the centenary of the death of our founder Colonel Du Plat Taylor, who died on this day in 1904.

Victorian Postal Display was opened by Brig Peter Maggs CBE at the RE Museum on 20 Feb 2004. The display was sponsored and researched by FoREM. For more ...

General Stuff - _{removed from Home page - 7 Mar 2004}

Dennis Lacey's photo of 11 PC Sqn RE Hannover 1984/5 - Names required.

Roger Williams BEM, article on his experiences of Op Granby Brize Norton, 1990/1

General Stuff - _{removed from Home page - 19 Feb 2004}

Aden 1964-66. Photos of Aden in 1964-66 Names required - Please could the person who sent them in email the Webmaster so that he can accredit you correctly - sorry accidentally deleted your email.

Bob Williams Sgt Mess Photo Dusseldorf 1972-4 - Names required.

Reunion 2004 Any seating requests for our Annual Dinner Dance to be held in Northampton on Saturday 20 March must be in by the 15th February 2004. Please contact the Secretary.

APS Victorian display - will be officially opened at the RE Museum, Chatham on Fri 20 Feb 04. Further details from Simon Fenwick

Membership stands at 355 see details on Membership page

Tony Belcher - _{removed from Home page - 24 Jan 2004}

It is with much sorrow that we inform you that Tony Belcher passed away on Thursday 8 January 2004. He had been suffering from cancer but spoke to Jim Steer a couple of months ago and told him how he was looking forward to seeing many old friends again in March. Sincere sympathies go to his family at this very sad time. See Guestbook for messages of condolence.
His funeral will be held on:
Tuesday the 20th Jan at 1300hrs
All Saints Parish Church, Childwall, Liverpool L25.
If anybody wishes to send cards or flowers please send them to: 10 Gateacre Park Drive, Childwall, Liverpool, L25 1PA.

General Stuff - _{removed from Home page - 24 Jan 2004}

Elaine Perrin photos of her B3 course run by Alan Yates in 1973

Peter Whitehead a former Sgt who served in Benghazi between 1954 - 1957 is trying to find a former colleague by the name of Gordon Marsh. They were both Sgts serving in Benghazi between 1954 - 1957. He has a German born wife and two children. If you can help please contact the Secretary.

Update to the Events page 2004.

General Stuff - _{removed from Home page - 3 Jan 2004}

Ronnie Stratton is trying to contact his old mates. He does not have a computer but his daughter Karina kindly relays messages through her email.

Phyllis (nee Gasson) Simpson is trying to to trace her bridesmaid and best man who attended her wedding to (WO1) Fred Simpson at Dhekelia Cyprus in 1963. Contact Phyllis Simpson
She has sent in some photos of her days in the WRAC (Postal).
She also writes to tell us that Fred sadly passed away on 28th Jan 1987 see the In Memoriam page.