2006 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.

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General stuff - _{removed from Home page - 16 Nov 2006}

John Shoulder's - Pictures of the PCS Standard Dedication

Message from Secretary - The local newspaper was published today in Eastbourne and there was no mention of our event. I was expecting a mention as their photographer took a picture of our Branch Standard on Saturday outside the REA Club before the Service of Dedication.
Larry Peacock and Pete Braithwaite will be taking on the reins of Secretary and Editor of the Posthorn in March 2008 subject to being elected by our members.
Venue's for Scarborough and Bridlington are OK but you must be fair to all members in that you should alternate between the North and South/Central and take into account travel links for those who use the trains and airlines, otherwise members will not come. Some years ago we looked at a large hotel in Scarborough who could cater for us but there was a drawback in that they did not have a large enough car park. To risk your car in off street parking was not acceptable.
For those attending the Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade at PCD RLC on the 12 November have a safe journey.

Farewell to Mill Hill update - 12 Nov 06

• Gather outside - Sgts Mess at 0830hrs for parade at 0900hrs
• Dress - Blazers/suits, Black Shoes, Berets, RE Cap Badge, Branch or Corps Tie wearing medals
• Standard Bearer - Mr Ray Fenn and the escorts - Mr Gerry Cross, Mr Keith Oxer, Mr Larry Peacock and Mr Jim Steer (Escorts are required to wear white gloves)
• After the soldiers on parade have been inspected we will proceed to the chapel where the Service of Remembrance will take place and there on after we will parade the Standard on a march past.
• WO1 Kev Jessop the RSM of PCD and an ex sapper has kindly invited us to the Sgts Mess after the parade where we will be welcomed along with veterans of the Middlesex Regiment. It may be possible to purchase a curry at a small price plus refreshments from the bar.We are limited to 40 members and partners attending and I currently have 10 spare places.
• If you wish to attend let The Secretary know asap your car details and if you are bringing your wife or partner.
• All members are to carry their REA Identity Cards at all times.
• Should any other branch member decide to turn up unannounced at Inglis Barracks then I regret you will not be permitted entry.

General stuff - _{removed from Home page - 13 Sep 2006}

Annual Reunion 9-12 Mar 07 - The Secretary has received the Booking Form for next years Reunion. We have been allocated 82 Double/Twin Rooms and 16 Single Rooms. The rates are as follows:-
  £119 pp for 3nt package incl DBB
  £99 pp for 2nt package incl DBB
The Booking Forms will be sent out with The Posthorn early September. With the lack of response for the Dedication of the Branch Standard it has beeb decided not to send out forms seperately. This will save on unneccessary postage.

Service Family Life - Margaret Gardener, nee Speight, whose father served in the Corps, is looking for support for a project to publish a volume on what life was like for service families - how they coped and lived due to the lifestyle of the service personnel, usually the father. Some families suffered due to moves; others did not. Those who travelled became more aware and thus possibly more able to deal with other cultures, whilst children in boarding school gained academic qualifications but had little family life. All this social history is missing. She is starting with 1947-63 and would like recollections, photographs and memorabilia and may be contacted at 176 Risca Road Flats, Crosskeys, Gwent, NP11 7DH. email: margaret.gardener@btopenworld.com

Farewell to Mill Hill - 12 Nov 06 - The Deputy Chief Executive at BFPO London has supported our request for the Postal Courier Branch, REA, Branch Standard to be paraded at the final Remembrance Sunday to be held in Inglis Barracks on Sunday 12th November 2006. We are hoping to have a large contingent on parade on this day in addition to the escorts to the Standard. This will be one of the last chances members will have to visit Inglis Barracks before the move to RAF Northolt in August 2007. If anyone is interested in being part of this event please let Jim Steer know . The dress for this parade will be suits/blazers, RE tie and wearing medals as appropriate.

General stuff - _{removed from Home page - 13 Aug 2006}

John Shoulder's - Pictures of the PCS memorial at The National Memorial Arboretum

368 Postal Unit RE - WANTED. Series one 88" short wheel base landrover. Must be in good nic, some refurbishment accepted. Also any Far East theatre 0G's,puttee's etc for museum re-enactment.I wish to re- create 368 Postal Unit RE. Contact Reg Foulks

Alan Davies' - Pictures of the A Mill Hill Wedding 1964

General stuff - _{removed from Home page - 1 Jul 2006}

Bob Williams' - Picture of Mill Hill 1961

Lou Lister's - Picture of Les Booth & Sue Green wedding day 1973

Do You Hold A GSM With A "Malaya" Or "Malay Peninsula" Clasp? - If so, you could also be eligible for the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal. This is being awarded by the Government of Malaysia to members of the Commonwealth forces who served in the country between 31 August 1957 and 12 August 1966. HM The Queen has given permission for the medal to be accepted, but not worn. On behalf of the MOD, applications are being dealt with by the
National Malaya and Borneo Veterans Association and application forms are available from their Membership Secretary, Mr Fred Burden, 44 Meadgate Avenue, Great Baddow, Chelmsford CM2 7LQ, or they may be downloaded from: www.nmbva.co.uk (click on red box: "Application Form for PJM").

Op Grapple (Christmas Island) Reunion 2006 - This year sees the 50th anniversary of the start of Operation Grapple on Christmas Island 1956-64 and to mark it, there will be an all ranks reunion for all those involved from all three services and AWRE civilians. The function will be held at the Sand Bay Holiday Village, Weston-super-Mare, 20 - 23 Oct 2006. All enquiries to Jim Cooper (organizer) on 01903 533768, or Tony Bugbird (programme coordinator) on 01483 860816.

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General stuff - _{removed from Home page - 15 Jun 2006}

Branch Membership is 404 as at 21 Apr 06 - Life Members 353, Associate Members 41, Annual Members 10.

New Committee members - please welcome Mick Atkinson and Larry Peacock to the committee.

General stuff - _{removed from Home page - 25 Apr 2006}

Rod Norman's - Pictures of Reunion 2006

Reunion 17-19 Mar 06 - Our third visit to The Norbrecke Castle Hotel and by far the best. An excellent Cabaret which included dancing girls performing Lord of the Dance routines. Brilliant night. 193 members and guests attended with 80 full members attending the AGM on the Sunday morning. We will be at The Norbrecke Castle Hotel again next year over the weekend 9 - 12 March 2007.

John Jackett's - Picture of Reunion 2006

Branch Standard - The Dedication of the Branch Standard will take place over the weekend 27 - 29 October 2006 in Eastbourne East Sussex.
The actual dedication will be at Christchurch Seaside on Saturday 28 October commencing at 1500hrs.
A letter will be sent to all members in May and full details of the event will be published in the Posthorn in August.

Posthorn - page updated. Click here

General stuff - _{removed from Home page - 21 Mar 2006}

Veteran's Badge - Men and women who served in HM Armed Forces up to and including 31st December 1954 are entitled to a Veterans Badge - details of how to obtain one are at www.veteransagency.mod.uk/

Ted Jenkinson's - Story of 'How you lot got lumbered with me!!' - 1952

Peter Grithiffs' - Picture of 28 PCCU RE (ANZUK) 1975

Bill Bennett's - Picture of the Colonel's Review 2005

RE Museum - has a new web site at www.remuseum.org.uk. PCS is represented on the site.

Guestbook - We have gone back to an older version which doesn't look so slick, but hopefully will do the job.

Updates to Reunite page (as at 29 Jan 06)

General stuff - _{removed from Home page - 28 Jan 2006}

Follow the Sapper - an illustrated history of the Royal Engineers has been recently been published (Hardback pages 251) includes a chapter on PCS - recommended - copies can be obtained from:
RE Museum Tel: 01634 822839
Price £ 30 plus £6.50 p&p