BFPO Veterans

In memory of deceased PCS family members who passed away in May:

Sgt John Robertson
16 June 1937 – 2 May 2002

John Bailey
17 April 1937 – 3 May 2016

Capt Mike Redshaw
1960 – 5 May 2020

Maj Mike Hucker
25 October 1937 – 6 May 2006

WO2 Jack Griffiths
7 October 1944 – 8 May 2012

Cpl Roy Stringer
June 1939 – 8 May 2017

Cpl Richard (Dick) Silsby
6 October 1941 – 9 May 2019

Spr Gordon Tait
1 July 1933 – 9 May 2021

Sgt Mick Cote
24 June 1950 – 16 May 1991

Spr Bill Parncutt (WW1)
1875 – 16 May 1918

Cpl Arthur Alexander Cutler
1907 – 19 May 1943

Eddie Hefferman
19 May 2013

Sgt Terry Haynes
1 May 1952 – 20 May 1997

WO1 (RSM) Ernie Tomlin RE
5 March 1942 – 22 May 2003

Maj Don Baker TD, ISM
November 1938 – 25 May 2013

LCpl Brenda Daley (nee Rossiter) WRAC
April 1923 – 25 May 2011

WO1 Pat Marshall
24 June 1932 – 25 May 2016

Sgt Rita Hudson (nee Gilholm) WRAC
March 1945 – 28 May 2018

Cpl Brian (Geordie) Traynor
20 April 1932 – 28 May 2019

Dianne King (nee Buckley) WRAC
1946 – 29 May 2011

Cpl Frank Walker (WW1)
1888 – 30 May 1917

Freedom of Woodbridge Parade, 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment 10 June 22.

The 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment, Freedom of Woodbridge Parade will take place on Friday 10 June 2022. Unfortunately, the Open day & all ranks function on the 11 June has had to be postponed due to other commitments . This will now take place in 2023 as part of the 23 @ 20 celebrations.

The CO & RSM have asked for an Airborne Engineer Veteran marching contingent to join the Parade. The parade will start at 1000hrs on the 10 June. Dress will be Berets, Blazer & tie & Medals.

For those who are unaware, we now have 70 Gurkha Para Sqn now part of the Regiment. They are currently still based in Maidstone but will be moving to Woodbridge in the near future and will be part of the Parade.

If anyone who like to attend and march with the Regiment, please reply to Marc Dorkings and he will pass on further details. Unfortunately, there is no accommodation on camp available.

Marc Dorkings (Hon Sec)
REA Airborne Branch
reaairbornebranch@hotmail.com

CORPS FREEDOM OF MEDWAY AND MEMORIAL PARADE 16-18 SEPTEMBER 2022

• Introduction. Previously known as The Corps Memorial and Veterans Weekend, The Corps Freedom of Medway and Memorial Parade (CFMMP) will take place over 16-18 Sep 22 in Chatham. There will be events across the weekend to promote esprit de Corpsbetween veterans and serving members. I would like to emphasise that the primary purpose of the weekend is the Memorial Parade and the subsequent service in Rochester Cathedral, held on Sun 18 Sep 22, in remembrance of those Sappers who have died on operations or otherwise.
• • 2. Planned Events. The weekend will start with a meet and greet on the Friday night in the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess. This event will be led by the REA Medway branch and will include a buffet and the Dove Cup Darts Competition. Saturday will encompass a Corps SM update, The National Standard Bearer Competition, an opportunity to visit the trade bays and take part in the Families’ Event held within the station. In addition, to mark the Queens Platinum Jubilee, the Regt will hold a street party to commemorate our Colonel-in-Chief. Transport will be available for easy access to the local area throughout the afternoon. Saturday will finish with a formal dinner in the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess. A detailed programme of timings and events will be contained within the welcome pack issued on arrival. Key events, dates and timings are as follows:

• • 1. 3. Memorial Parade. The main parade at Brompton Barracks on Sun 18 Sep 22 will again be centred at the Obelisk. The accompanying service at Rochester Cathedral will also commemorate those Sappers that have fallen in Afghanistan, with the unveiling of a plaque.
  • 1. 4. Reception. On arrival each member must book in at the Student Reception Centre in Brompton Barracks. The reception will be open from 1400-2300 on Fri 16 Sep 22 and 0800-1800 on Sat 17 Sep 22. All personnel will be escorted to their accommodation and issued a detailed programme of events. The Warrant Officers’ & Sergeants’ Mess will be open for refreshments from 1500hrs on Fri 16 Sep 22.
  • 1. 5. Accommodation. Accommodation for unaccompanied veterans will be available at zero cost within Collingwood Triangle on Friday and Saturday evening. Unfortunately, accompanied personnel cannot be accommodated. Accommodation is limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. The enclosed accommodation request proforma (Enclosure 3) should be completed and returned by 22 July 22. Any bids received after this date will be considered but not guaranteed. To ensure disabled personnel are allocated ground floor accommodation, please ensure they are identified on the return; this includes individuals who may have difficulty negotiating stairs. It should be noted that there will be no accommodation available in the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ mess.
  • 1. 6. Local Hotels. A list of hotels in the Medway area is enclosed (Enclosure 4). The list is not exhaustive and does not constitute official endorsement. Prices can be obtained by contacting the proprietor directly.
  • 1. 7. Meals. Breakfast and Lunch meals can be purchased in the Central Mess Brompton Barracks. Evening meals will be served in the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess on the Friday and Saturday evenings. Branch Secretaries are requested to complete the enclosed meals required proforma (Enclosure 5) and return it to Sgt McMulkin on the address in Para 3 by 22 July 22, annotating the total number from your branch who intend to take each meal, in order to allow sufficient food to be ordered. If individuals wish to eat prior to the events on the Friday or Saturday evening, they are welcome to eat beforehand in the Central Mess.
  • 1. 8. Dress. All attending personnel and their guests are to ensure they have the appropriate attire for both formal and informal events held with the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess and the Memorial Service.
  • 1. 9. Security. The security and integrity of Chatham station is of the utmost importance, and cars entering camp are liable to be searched. Occupants are requested to be patient and fully cooperative with the security measures in place over the weekend. REA members are to carry their REA membership cards at all times whilst within the confines of camp.
  • 1. 10. Vehicle Parking. There is only limited vehicle parking within Brompton Barracks, REA members are strongly encouraged to share cars where possible.
  • 1. 11. Returns. Branch Secretaries are requested to ensure that all returns are sent to Sgt McMulkin by 22 July 22.
  • 1. 12. Payment. CFMMP 22 personnel that are attending are asked to contribute £25pp towards the weekend. The contribution is put towards the whole weekend and not, for example, just the Friday night meet and greet. This will bring CFMMP in line with the other REA weekends in Minley, Chilwell and Gibraltar who also ask for contributions. Branch chairmen are requested to collect funds per branch and transfer to 1 RSME Regiment as a one-off payment by the return cut-off date 22 July 22. Transfers are to be referenced with your branch location; for example, ‘CFMMP22-REA Medway’ for the Medway branch ‘CFMMP22-REA Plymouth’ for the Plymouth branch, and to be made payable to:

                                             Central Bank 1 RSME
                                             Sort Code – 16-19-26
                                            Account Number – 10324912
                                 Reference – CFMMP22 REA “Branch Name” 

• • 1. 13. Cancellations. Cancellations are to be forwarded to Sgt McMulkin as soon as they occur. This will ensure REA funds are not wasted through non-attendance.
  • 1. 14. Media. Veterans wishing to draft an article for Sapper Magazine are encouraged to do so. Please send all articles including separate pictures to: HQ REA, Ravelin Building, Brompton Barracks, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4UG.
  • 1. 15. Correspondence. All correspondence regarding Corps Memorial Parade should be labelled in the top left corner of the envelope ‘CFMMP22’ (Email to contain this phrase in the subject line). Any questions regarding the weekend, or any special requirements, should be directed to WO1 (RSM) Spencer Eardley or Sgt McMulkin, Durrant Troop, 1 RSME Regt.
  • 1. 16. COVID. Is still prevalent and we must ensure that anyone entering Station are safe at all times. All those that are attending the weekend’s events are asked to undertake a lateral flow test and ensure that they are negative prior to travelling to Brompton Barracks.

CORPS FREEDOM OF MEDWAY AND MEMORIAL PARADE 2022 – LIST OF LOCAL HOTELS

The following is a list of hotels in the Medway area. Prices and bookings can be obtained by contacting the proprietor directly.

• • 1. 1. King Charles Hotel.

Brompton Road
GILLINGHAM
Kent
ME7 5QT
Tel: (01634) 830303
300 metres from Brompton Barracks

• • 1. 2. Travelodge Chatham Maritime

Chatham Historic Dockyard
Western Avenue
CHATHAM
Kent
ME4 4NT
Tel: 0871 559 1878
0.4 miles from Brompton Barracks

• • 1. 3. Premier Inn

Blake Avenue
Gillingham
Kent
ME7 1GB
Tel: 0333 321 9353
0.7 miles from Brompton Barracks

• • 1. 4. St George Hotel.

7 New Road Avenue
CHATHAM
Kent
ME4 6BB
Tel: (01634) 841012
1.5 miles from Brompton Barracks

If any member wishes to attend then please contact Larry Peacock, who will complete the required notice of attendance proforma on behalf of the branch.

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