Corps Reunion
Blandford 2006
 Some of
the highlights of the reunion weekend
Over 600 members of the RSA, plus around 300 of their
guests, attended the RSA Annual Reunion at Blandford over the weekend 1 - 2
July 2006.
The weekend kicked off
at 1030 hrs on the Saturday with the Princess Royal Day Parade by the officers
and soldiers of 11 Sig Regt. Following the parade, the SO in C(A), Master of
Signals and CO 11 Sig Regt joined RSA members for the All Ranks Lunch in the
Soldiers' Restaurant.
The
afternoon arena display consisted of; the Corps Band, the TA Band, the Corps
Pipes and Drums, the Corps Free Fall Parachute Display Team and the White
Helmets. During the display, the Master of Signals presented the trophies for
the RSA Standard Bearers Competition: Winner - Mr John Mumford Reading Branch
and Runner up Mrs Christine Doe Coventry Branch.
The Master presented Honour Membership of the RSA to
Maj Gen Tony Boyle CB, as he stood down as Chairman RSA. In thanking Gen Boyle
for his enormous contribution over the past 5 years, the Master also presented
him with a rather nice statue of a Signaller laying cable from a horse, a
blackthorn walking stick and a long handled spade to help plant a row of poplar
trees in his garden. These gifts were paid for with donations from the various
RSA branches and associations affiliated to the RSA.
Also on show throughout the day, was a display of
current communications equipment and the indoor range was open for members to
fire the SA80 rifle. Len Melling had kindly organised a fine display of vintage
vehicles.
The RSM opened the doors
of the Sgts Mess to our members in the evening, when a good time was had by
all. General Tony Boyle, and officers of 11 Sig Regt visited the Mess to enjoy
a beer and a chat with our members.
A Drumhead Service conducted by the RSA Hon Padre,
Peter Clemmet and Senior Chaplain Blandford Garrison, the Rev Andrew Cooper on
Hawk Square took place on the Sunday morning, with the new standards of the
Northern Ireland Branch and the Preston/Blackburn Branch being dedicated.
The whole weekend ended with the
Corps RSM Craig Bruce giving our members the now traditional 'hard time' as
they formed up for a final march past.
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Reception Princess Mary
Hall
Members book in at reception on arrival..
A hot cup of tea and biscuit
awaits them. |
Register of Postings
RSA Members are encouraged to record their postings on
the Royal Signals Association Database
Members can also request a list of names of members who
served in a particular unit at the same time as them.
The RSA will not give out addresses, phone numbers or
email addresses but will endeavour to help reunite old friends.
If you wish you can enter your
postings on-line by visiting the Corps Website and following the
links.
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Princess Royal Day
Parade
The Master
of Signals General Sir Sam Cowan KCB CBE inspects soldiers of 11 Signal
Regiment. |
The Master of Signals takes the Salute
The Master of
Signals General Sir Sam Cowan KCB CBE takes the Salute on Hawk Square as
Officers and Soldiers of 11 Signal Regiment give eyes right as they March Past
the dais in line.
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The White Helmets
Right lads we jumped over the Corps Band
last year perhaps if we all start flapping our arms maybe we can get these
bikes off the ground.. |
The White
Helmets
They ran
out of motorbikes so the OC gave me this thing to practice with.
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The Free Fall Parachute
Team
I hope I
make the Drop Zone this year.
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The Free Fall Parachute
Team
Phew made
it.
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Standard Bearers
Competition
Congratulations to John Mumford Reading Branch Winner of this years Standard
Bearers Competition and Runner up Christine Doe Coventry Branch.
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Standard Bearers
Competition
Finalists of the Standard Bearers Competition march off
the Square.
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Corps Pipes and Drums
The Corps Pipes
and Drums of 32 Signal Regiment (V) are always a big hit at the Corps
Reunion. |
The Band of the Royal Corps of
Signals
No matter
how often I see them perform I never tire of the sight and the sound of the
Corps Band.
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Corps Pipes and Drums
My favorite pipe
tune has to be the Slow March Highland Cathedral. |
Corps RSM receives Squadron Plaque
At the Corps
Reunion in 2005 Secretary Geoff Scott and Members of 260 Signal Squadron (SAM)
presented Corps RSM Simon Hadley with a 260 Signal Squadron Plaque for the WO
& Sgts Mess Blandford Camp.
Simon promised to have the plaque on display in time
for the 2006 Reunion.
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260 Signal Squadron
Plaque
As you can
see Corps RSM Simon Hadley was true to his word and placed the 260 Signal
Squadron Plaque in a prominent position on a beam in the centre of the WO &
Sgts Mess. |
Saturday Night in the Sergeants Mess
Only a small
contingent from 260 Signal Squadron attended the 2006 Reunion in
Blandford.
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Saturday Night in the Sergeants Mess
Overall numbers
were down due to the change in the dates of the reunion which clashed with the
World Cup.
England went out of the
World Cup 3-1 on penalties after their quarter-final with Portugal ended
0-0.
At least the members were in
the right place to drown their sorrows on all that cheap booze and with a
little luck just maybe the English fans won't have to suffer watching yet
another action replay of the 1966 game for four years.
Pictured L-R Frank Woodall, Shirley Barron. Brian
Shipton, Steve Barron, Rod Hogarth and his fiancée Lin, Geoff and Beryl
Scott flying the flag for 260 Signal Squadron. |
Saturday Night in the Sergeants Mess
Pete Thomas...
What was the final Score?
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Saturday Night in the Sergeants Mess
Steve Barron
chats with Rod Hogarth. |
Saturday Night in the Sergeants Mess
Smile Lin
someone is taking a photo.
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Saturday Night in the Sergeants Mess
Is that
Eastenders starting? Surely they are not going to show us the football
highlights AGAIN. |
Saturday Night in the Sergeants Mess
Rod Hogarth
and his fiancée Lin
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Presentation
Ceremony
Pete
Thomas reads a short speech at the presentation ceremony on Sunday 2 July prior
to the Drumhead Service.
A full
report of the presentation can be found elsewhere on this website.
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Presentation
Ceremony
Poised
for a photograph members of 260 Signal Squadron standing next to the model of
the B70.
See the bottom of this
page for a link to the full report.
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Drumhead
Service
Standard
Bearers pass Branch Standards to the Army Chaplains during the Drumhead Service
on Hawk Square. |
The Master of Signals
The Master of
Signals and President of the Royal Signals Association General Sir Sam Cowan
KCB CBE reads the lesson during the Drumhead Service on Hawk
Square.
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Auld Lang
Syne
The Band of
the Royal Corps of Signals leads the parade at the end of the 2006 Corps
Reunion. |
Begone Dull Care
The Band of the
Royal Corps of Signals strikes up the Corps March Begone Dull Care as it passes
the Saluting dais.
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Branch Standard
Bearers
The
Standard Bearers March Past |
Major General Tony Boyle CB Last Parade
Major General
Tony Boyle CB Chairman of the Royal Signals Association gives the eyes right as
he leads the Retired Officers of the Corps on his last parade as Chairman of
the RSA.
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Chelsea
Pensioner
WO1
Wally Offard
Served with 6 Airborne
Division, Normandy |
Get The
Step
The Royal
Signals Association march in step on a fine day in July
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Warm round of
Applause
The
Royal Signals Association receive a warm round of applause from the spectators
as they pass the saluting dais. |
260 Signal Squadron (SAM)
Members of 260 Signal Squadron (SAM) bring up the rear.
Pictured Geoff Scott, Alex Forbes
and Steve Barron.
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The George Bar
After the parade
members of 260 Signal Squadron head for the George Bar at Blandford Camp for
some cool refreshment before heading their separate ways.
Brian Shipton tells Steve Barron how he lost his blazer
button. |
The George Bar
Steve Barron,
Brian Shipton and Geoff Scotts Nephew Robin chat over a pint in the George
Bar.
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The George Bar
Geoff Scott toys
with his camera as Beryl, Steve Barron and his daughter all look on
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The Sports Bar
That's fixed
it!
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The George Bar
So that's
how it works
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The George Bar
Smile Shirley
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The George Bar
Rod
Hogarth |
The George Bar
That's it for
another year folks hope to see you all in Dortmund in
April.
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