SURREY BRANCH
Committee
| President: | TEX PEMBERTON OBE | 01428 651784 |
| Chairman: | CHARLES TIMMS MBE | 02087 730483 |
| Vice Chairman: | MIKE HALL | 07970724105 |
| Secretary: | DEBBY LOFTS | Via 02087 730483 |
| Treasurer: | KEN NEEDHAM | 02086 698406 |
| Standard Bearer: | KEN MCDONALD | 01252 651907 |
| Membership Secretary: | KEN NEEDHAM | 02086 698406 |
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Appointment of Lt Col Tex Pemberton On behalf of the Committee and members of the Surrey Branch I should like to take this opportunity to congratulate Lt Col Tex Pemberton on being appointed the National Chairman of our organisation. He has the support of all our members and we wish him well. I know that he will make a valid contribution to the NMBVA. |
Meetings
Meetings are held monthly on the
second Wednesday of each month, at the Royal British Legion Club at West Clandon.
Meetings start at 7.30pm
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Branch AGM was held on 14 April. All committee members were re-elected for a further year. The Branch finances are in a healthy state with membership standing at 88.
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PJM: Two further presentations were held in Reading and Horsham . Only a few Surrey members now await their medal.
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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2010 |
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| 11 August |
the branch are off to Sandhurst Military Academy at the invitation of the Commandant to witness the dress rehearsal of the passing out parade of the Malaya Company. If the previous visit is anything to go by this will be a most memorable day. |
| 22 August |
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| 5th September | Members are attending the Imperial War Museum at Duxford to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. This is a flying day and a number of static displays will also be out. This is one visit we are all really looking forward to attending. |
| 14 November |
Remembrance Day - the Branch will meet and parade in Guildford. A Poppy wreath will be laid in honour of the Malaya and Borneo Veterans. |
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EVENTS IN 2009 |
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| Tuesday April 7th | All members of the Surrey Branch
were invited to the full dress rehearsal of the Commandants Parade at RMA
Sandhurst. Although chilly it stayed fine and was a magnificent
spectacle in true British Military style. After the parade we were
invited by some of the Officer Cadets of the Malay Company to a pre-lunch
drink and then to lunch with them in the Cadets Mess. A truly
memorable day.
Click on photos to enlarge At the end of the Parade the horse went up the stairs and into lunch also. |
| Wednesday April 8th |
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| Sunday May 24th | An excellent day trip to Portsmouth organised by Chairman Chas. We visited Southwick House with the D Day map room and the RMP Museum. After lunch at the Florence Arms we went on to the Royal Marines Museum after hold a short commemorative wreath laying in the Memorial Gardens. Our grateful thanks to Chas for the organisation, to President Tex for arranging Southwick House and to Ken for the onboard refreshments. |
| Sunday July 19th |
Thirty eight members and family and friends spent an enjoyable day at the
WWII intelligence gathering centre at Bletchley Park. After the
first guided tour of the morning we were treated to an excellent buffet
lunch to mark the occasion of Don and Joan Mott's 46th Wedding Anniversary.
A second guided tour took place in the afternoon followed by free time.
It was a most interesting visit and we are grateful to the Mott family for
feeding us all so well.
Come to the cookhouse door!! |
| Monday August 3rd | The President, Chairman, Standard Bearer and other members attended Croydon Parish Church for the funeral of Rifleman Danny Simpson. Danny, aged 20, of the 2nd Battalion The Rifles was killed in action in Afghanistan on July 10th trying to rescue comrades injured in a previous explosion. |
| Sunday August 30th | A much more cheerful occasion was this years Merdeka lunch party. Being a free event for all members it was very well attended. Thirty-six of us enjoyed a very convivial buffet prepared by Ken and Marion, ably supported by the ladies at the RBL. The Chairman presented a cheque for £50 to the RBL in recognition of all the help they have afforded us over the last year. |
| Thursday September 11th | Another profoundly moving experience for the four NMBVA members who journeyed to Wootton Bassett for the repatriation of L/Cpl Richard Brandon, REME and Private Gavin Elliot of the Mercian Regiment. Standard Bearer Ken McDonald dipped the Branch Standard as the cortege passed slowly down the High Street. Chairman Chas laid our Wreath at the Town War Memorial. |
| Sunday September 13th | Three days later and a much happier out to the RAF Museum at Hendon. Early morning coffee and biscuits was on offer at the RBL before 31 of us set of by coach to North London. Sixty-nine years ago September 15th 1940 was acknowledged as the day the Ariel battle over South-East England turned our favour and the forefront of it all. To commemorate these momentous days a new exhibition hall was opened this weekend.. This is a superb museum but you do need a whole day to do it justice. To mark the anniversary there were numerous additional attractions both in the hangers and out on the landing field. The Barnet Orchestra gave a concert in the shadow of the Lancaster and the Polka Dot Dolls entertained with Wartime songs. Another enjoyable day organised by our hard working Chairman and Alwyn. |
| November |
Early November was very busy for the Branch Members. We again Paraded in Guildford on Remembrance Sunday and prior to that planted our cross in the Field of Remembrance at Westminster. Ours is centre left in the photo with the NMBVA logo. The second photo shows HRH Prince Philip talking to Don Mott of the North Kent/South East London Branch. Later in the month some members made a return visit to Wootton Bassett as yet more Soldiers were repatriated. There were 2 NMBVA Standards on Parade this time. The month ended much more happily with a 'Burns Night' themed Dinner at the RBL West Clandon. Ably organised by Debby and Dave Clark, everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable evening and raised more than £1,000 for Help The Heroes and the Gurkha Welfare Trust. |
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EVENTS IN 2010 |
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| 27 January 2010 |
PJM Medal At long last, there is movement on the PJM front. An investiture took place at the Malaysian High Commission on 27 January 2010 and 12 members of the Surrey Branch were among the 70 veterans who were honoured that day. The High Commissioner was retiring after more than 6 years in the post and he particularly wanted to include a group of Chelsea Pensioners in his last presentation. He apologised for the delay explaining that it was over a year since the last ceremony. It was nevertheless a very moving experience and we all came away feeling that the Malay people were most appreciative of all that we had done to enable them to become and remain an independent nation. An excellent buffet lunch was kindly provided. The noodles not only brought back fond memories of our time in the Far East but additionally enabled us to meet up with old friends and to make new ones. |
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Sunday 9th May
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The National Arboretum at Alrewas On Sunday 9th May Surrey Branch went to the National Arboretum at Alrewas for a return visit. There we met up with members of Yorkshire and Birmingham Branches as well as the National Treasurer, Graham Bamford to pay respect to the Comrades who gave their all in the Far East over many years. We were also able to pay our respects at the Basra Wall to those who gave their lives in the recent conflict. Standards from Yorkshire as well as our own were on parade. Our chair Chas said a few words at each memorial and our President laid tributes. After this we all had free time to circulate around the site. All in all a very good day.
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| Thursday 13th May |
Wootton Bassett On Thursday 13th May seven members of the Surrey and North Kent Branch attended Wootton Bassett for the home coming of Corporal Chris Harrison of 40 Commando Royal Marines. The weather held good for us and the day passed sadly but well. The street through the town was again packed with ex servicemen and civilian residents mingling together to show respect. One of our members, Ian Duncan BEM (Scots Guards), although being badly disabled insisted on standing and saluting as the Corporal passed. This showed great courage and a real example to us all. There were a large number of old servicemen on parade wearing the PJM which was pleasing to see. We laid a poppy wreath at the town memorial on behalf of ourselves and the NMBVA in general. We all stood hoping against hope that this conflict will end soon and this procedure at the town be allowed to stop. I should like to thank all those who attended and all those who sent me good wishes – I know your thoughts were with us.
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| Sunday 20th June |
On Sunday 20th June, twenty four members and friends enjoyed a coach trip to Historic Winchester the one time capital of England. There we were able to visit the Cathedral and Great hall housing what is deemed to be King Arthur’s round table. From there we visited a number of local military museums including the Gurkha museum which delighted us all - the staff on duty were very helpful and appreciated our visit. On Saturday 26th June, a number of members attended the Armed Forces Day Parade in Woking. There we met up with a number of serving and ex-service personnel. Due respects were paid at the town memorial before we marched back to the Royal Naval club where we were entertained with a buffet, numerous drinks and the chance to talk to friends new and old. On Sunday 18th July, the branch had a great day out at the Historic Dockyard, Portsmouth. We had the opportunity to visit HMS Warrior and Victory, the local naval museum and time to take a boat tour round the harbour before departure. The weather was kind and all in all, this was a great day out. |
Branch Membership
| ALDERTON | JULIAN | 45 SQD RAF | 1952 | 1955 | julianalderton@sweethaven.biz |
| AXFORD | MICHAEL | HMS ALBION 846 RN AIR SQD | 1962 | 1964 | |
| BARNES | DAVID | 1ST BATTALION DLI | 1962 | 1963 | |
| BECKINSALE | PHILLIP | RAF REGT. 16 FD SQD | 1960 | 1963 | |
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BIRD |
MAURICE |
1 LIGHT A AIRCRAFT |
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BOLTON |
DAVID |
42 COMMANDO ROYAL MARINES |
1966 |
1971 |
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| CANE | ANNE | Honorary member | |||
| CANE | MICHAEL | Honorary member | |||
| CARTER | DAVID | 42 Commando RM | 1964 | 1971 | davidcarter1@virgin.net |
| CHANDLER | DAVID | 33 SQDN RAF | 1965 | 1968 | d.chandler27@ntlworld.com |
| CHANDLER | KENNETH | ROYAL NAVY HMS BULWARK | 1961 | 1969 | |
| CHILTON | GRAHAM | REME 12 LT. AIR DEF. REGIMENT | 1963 | 1966 | |
| COLLINS | RAYMOND | 42 COMMANDO RM | 1963 | 1966 | |
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COZENS |
ANTHONY |
THE LIFE GUARDS |
1965 |
1968 |
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| CURL | ROBERT | ROYAL HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT | 1955 | 1957 | |
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CUMNER |
JOHN |
60 SQUADRON |
1956 |
1958 |
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| DENNIS | PATRICK | RAMC | 1963 | 1965 | |
| DUNCAN BEM | IAN | SCOTS GUARDS | 1949 | 1951 | |
|
EDMONDSON |
RAYMOND |
ROYAL ARMY EDUCATION CORPS |
1959 |
1962 |
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ELLIOTT |
MALCOLM |
RAF |
1957 |
1964 |
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| Farahar | DEREK | RAMC | 1962 | 1964 | derekfarahar@ntworld.com |
| Fawley | Jean Margaret |
Honorary member |
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FELIX |
KEN |
ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS |
1960 |
1962 |
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FORD |
BARBARA |
WIFE |
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| FOSTER | MICHAEL | Royal Engineers | 1958 | 1959 | fosters@haslemere.com |
| FREEMAN | EMMANUEL | 1/3 EAST ANGLIAN REGIMENT | |||
| GLANFIELD | GEORGE | ROYAL SIGNALS 17 GURKHA DIVISION | |||
| GLANFIELD | TEREZA | ASSOCIATE MEMBER | |||
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GOLDING |
PETER |
84 FIELD SURVEY SQUADRON RE |
1956 |
1958 |
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| GOSS | THOMAS | 13 INF WKSP REME | 1956 | 1959 | |
| GRANT | DEREK | REME | 1947 | 1949 | |
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GREENING |
PETER |
RAF SELETAR |
1960 |
1963 |
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GROVES |
ALAN |
RAMC |
1955 |
1956 |
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HALL |
MICHAEL |
ROYAL ARTILLERY |
01/08/64 |
01/11/86 |
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HEAD |
PETER |
1ST SINGAPORE REGIMENT ROYAL ARTILLERY |
1953 |
1955 |
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HENNINGS |
MICHAEL |
230 SQUADRON |
1965 |
1965 |
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HEPBURN |
RONALD |
230 SQUADRON |
1965 |
1965 |
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| HOSE | ALFRED | 22SAS REGT/RAOC | 1957 | 1962 | |
| HUDSON | ENID | ASSOCIATE MEMBER | |||
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HUDSON |
KENNETH |
1 BATTALION GREEN HOWARDS |
15/09/49 |
01/01/63 |
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HULBERT |
CHRISTOPHER |
HMS LONDON,ALBION/BULWARK,F'LESS,INTRPD |
1964 |
1968 |
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| HUNTER | NEVILLE | ||||
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IRVING |
JOHN |
RAF TENGAH |
1958 |
1961 |
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| IRWIN | BARRY | HMS Dido | 1964 | 1966 | baz1945@sky.com |
| JONES | PETER | 95 CDO LT REGT RA | 1965 | 1968 | |
| KEOGH | GRAHAM | ROYAL SIGNALS 208 SQUADRON | 1963 | 1966 | |
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KERSWELL |
MICHAEL |
25 FIELD REGIMENT ROYAL ARTILLERY |
1955 |
1956 |
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KING |
BRIAN |
9 & 81 SQUADRON |
1956 |
1964 |
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| LANGSMAN | STANLEY | RAOC | |||
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LOFTS |
DEBORAH |
ROYAL SIGNALS |
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| MCCONVILLE | JAMES | 1ST SINGAPORE REGIMENT ROYAL ARTILLERY | ajamesmac@mac.com | ||
| MACKIE | JAMES | MALAYAN RNVR | 1951 | 1959 | |
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MCDONALD |
KENNETH |
4TH REGIMENT ROYAL ARTILLERY |
1964 |
1965 |
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| MINES | JAMES | Gurkha Signal | 1950 | 1952 | jj.mines@btinternet.com |
| MITCHELL | GERALD | RN (F.A.A) 899 SQUADRON NAS | 1964 | 1965 | |
| MURTAGH | JOE | 3 COMMANDO BRIGADE | 1965 | 1967 | |
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NEEDHAM |
KENNETH |
BMH KLUANG ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS |
1957 |
1959 |
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| NUTBROWN | DONALD | RAF | 1965 | 1968 | |
| PARKER | HENRY | 2ND BTN THE BUFFS | 1945 | 1947 | |
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PEMBERTON OBE |
TEX |
HQ PM (ARMY) |
01/11/58 |
24/05/04 |
tex.pemberton@googlemail.com |
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PETRIE MBE |
NIGEL |
KINGS OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY |
1962 |
1969 |
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| PHILLIPS | GEORGE | RN HMS AJAX | 1965 | 1966 | |
| PHILLIPS | JOHN | ROYAL MARINES | |||
| POPE | LAWRENCE | RAF | 1963 | 1966 | |
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POWELL |
MICHAEL |
22 SAS REGIMENT |
1956 |
1967 |
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| PRICE | DEREK | ROYAL NAVY F.A.A | |||
| PRICE | ROSE | ASSOCIATE MEMBER | |||
| REDDY | ANTHONY | 1ST BTN R. WAR F | 1966 | 1966 | |
| REED | WINIFRED | ASSOCIATE MEMBER | |||
| RICHARDS | DOUGLAS | 6TH MINESWEEPER SQUADRON | 1964 | 1966 | |
| ROBINSON | GEOFFREY | RAMC | 1956 | 1959 | |
| ROGERS | HENRY | R.E | 1964 | 1965 | |
| ROSS | ANGUS | 45 Sqdn RAF | 1961 | 1963 | |
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SEBASTIAN |
ROBERT |
55 AIR DESPATCH RCT |
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SINCLAIR-LEE |
ROBIN |
97 OMP RAOC |
1966 |
1967 |
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| SMITH | ROBERT | RN HMS AJAX | 1965 | 1966 | |
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STEPHENS |
RICHARD |
12TH LIGHT REGIMENT ROYAL ARTILLERY |
1963 |
1966 |
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STUART-BAMFORD |
ERIC |
ROYAL MILITARY POLICE - ROYAL ENGINEERS - 28 COMMONWEALTH INFANTRY BRIGADE |
1956 |
1961 |
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| TEDMAN | TERENCE | 2 PARA | 1973 | ||
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THAPA |
MOTI |
QUEENS GURKHA SIGNALS |
1956 |
1967 |
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| TIDY | OWEN | RE 410 IND. PLT. TROOP | 1959 | 1960 | |
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TIMMS MBE |
CHARLES |
42 COMMANDO ROYAL MARINES |
1961 |
1979 |
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WARD |
RON |
REME |
1961 |
1964 |
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WEATHERELL |
THOMAS |
40 LIGHT REGIMENT ROYAL ARTILLERY |
1965 |
1966 |
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WEBBER |
ROBERT |
ROYAL ARTILLERY |
01/01/44 |
01/01/49 |
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WICKS |
BARRY |
2 PARA 2RTR |
01/01/56 |
01/01/78 |
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WISHART |
ROY |
RASC |
1956 |
1958 |