A 50 strong contingent from your Association was present at the annual Act of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in Whitehall this year.

Members, drawn from the hat due to oversubscription, assembled in Horse Guards from 0830 on a crisp November morning.  The various contingents milled around the NAAFI wagon and Portaloos (auld age disnae come alone..) chatting and swapping news, enquiring about old friends, checking dress etc until time came to formate on President AVM Graham Howard, and process through to Whitehall to stand by to stand by…..

As the Ceremony ran its usual course, we stood fast, observed an impeccable silence, sang the National Anthem with gusto; and were flanked only once by the London Transport Contingent, stealing a march up the Bus Lane.  As the various columns set off to march past the Cenotaph, banter was evident, particularly as the Army Air Corps shambled past our impeccable Association formation. We struck out to the familiar bellow of Bob McBey, who managed to maintain all in step, save the officers, obviously.  Eyes Left at the Cenotaph and on round Parliament Square back to Horse Guards, where the Princess Royal was eagerly awaiting our arrival, her Naval salute never faltering as 10,000 veterans gave her an eyes right.  We wheeled back into Horse Guards original assembly point and fell-out about 1330hrs.  Nearly 5 hours after congregating.  Well done Ron Hindle, 90 next birthday.

Respects paid, wreaths laid, time for Tiffin…..and we descended on the Old Shades Pub, scene of the imagining of the TSW concept by Gp Capt John Craven-Griffiths, whose familiar pose graced the wall of the pub.  A hearty lunch and a few beers rounded off a special reunion—one of noble purpose, amongst kindred spirits.

I realise that everybody present made a special effort and that many more would have attended had space allowed (you will be first names on the list for next year) but in thanking you all for your presence that day, I must single out the new events bloke for a quite magnificent effort in pulling the strands together.  Wayne Shelton has shown what can be achieved with hard work, attention to detail and belief in what you are doing.  He permitted your Association to mark Remembrance Day in the Centenary year of both the Armistice and RAF, with style and humble pride.  A job well done Wayne. Thank you from us all.

There is a warming postscript to our Cenotaph pilgrimage.  None of our Servicing Commando Members was able to attend, but their wreath was laid, their name was spoken aloud and we have keepsakes for them which will be distributed in due course.  On Sunday evening, 11 Nov 18, I received an application for Membership of our Association from LAC John (Jo) Wright.  Jo, born in 1922, was a member of 3210 SC, served in Europe and the Far East and after his service, was in the vanguard of IT development as a business tool, whilst being also a National Champion shot. Welcome back Jo!

Best wishes to you all for a good Christmas and New Year and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Yours Aye

David Orr
Chairman