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WelcometoyourannualNewsletter!
AnnualReunionDinner-03September2016ThedinnertookplaceattheVictoryServicesClubinLondon,withatalkonthenewREMEMusuembyourguestofHonour;JenniferAllison,CuratoroftheREMEmuseum.ThetransferofalloftheexhibitsfromArborfieldandsettingupofthenewmuseumhastakenlongerthanexpectedandwearestillwaitingonanopeningdate.Weexpecttobeabletovisitthemuseumonthedayofthisannualyear’sdinner,02September.
YourCommitteePresident: Mr.C.Dennis [email protected]
VicePresident Mr.E.D.Stratford
Chairman: Mr.N.Brown [email protected]
Vice-Chairman: WO2(AQMS).B.Houghton [email protected]
Secretary: Mr.R.D.Cotter [email protected]
Vice-Secretary TBA
Issue24TheNewsletterofTHEARMOURERS’ASSOCIATION2017
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INSIDE THIS ISSUEAnnualReunionDinnerYourinvitationtoour2017annualdinnerattheMarshFarmHotel,RoyalWoottonBassett
President’sNotesAnupdatefromourPresident
Chairman’sNotesAnupdatefromourChairman
Vice-Chairman’sNotesAnupdatefromourVice-Chairman
Secretary’sNotesAnupdatefromourSecretary
VisitsVisitsarrangedforthecomingyear
FamilyHistorySomenotesonfamilyresearch
AssociationNoticeBoardDetailsofthenoticeboardatLyneham
ObituariesSadlywesayalastfarewelltosomeofourmembersStatementofAccounts2016Ouraccountsasat31stDecember2016
You are invited to attend this year’s reunion dinner: Date: Saturday02September2017AGM: 17:00hrs–MarshFarmHotel,RawlingsRoomDinner 19:00hrsfor19:30hrsVenue: MarshSuite
MarshFarmHotelRoyalWoottonBassettSwindonSN48ER
Cost: £31.00perperson
63rdANNUALREUNION
ArmsNewsIssue24 Page3
Menu ∗ ∗ ∗
STARTERS(Chooseonefromeachcourse)
ChickenSoupTomatoandMozzarellaSalad
DuckLiverPatewithHomemadeChilliPreserveChilledhoneydewMelonwithRaspberry&ApricotCoulis
MAINCOURSE
PanFriedbalsamicandhoneyglazedSalmonwithNewPotatoesRoastchickenwrappedinprosciuttohamservedwithaherbedtomatosauceand
roastpotatoesRoastbeefwithtraditionalgravyandYorkshirepudding
DESSERTS
RaspberryCrèmeBrûléeChocolateBrowniewithIceCream
Cheese&Biscuits
Coffee/Tea∗∗∗
TOASTS
“TheQueen”–MrVice“TheArmourers”–ThePresident“HonouredGuests”–TheChairman
NB:PortwillbeservedfortheLoyalToast
∗ ∗ ∗
AsaladorvegetarianoptionisavailableonrequestReplyformsforthedinneraccompanyyourissueoftheNewsLetter
Thisyears’dinnerwillrequireaseatingplan,duetothecomplexityofthemenu.Ifyouwouldprefertobeseatedneartofriends,pleaseindicatesoonyourreplyform.
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Dress Gentlemen: Regimental Blazer and Slacks or Lounge Suit not forgetting your Association tie.
Ladies: Appropriate to the occasion.
Guests Guests are limited to one per member.
Overnight Accommodation As stated in the News Flash sent out in November of last year, there is limited accommodation available at the Hotel due to a wedding taking place on the same day. If you haven’t already booked your accommodation, you may be not be able to stay at the Hotel, though there are plenty of other places to stay in the area. Their telephone number is: 01793 842800
Absent Friends If you are unable to attend the dinner but would like to pass on a message to your friends, please inform the secretary when replying. If you are able to provide up-to-date information for members who are out of touch with the Association, please do so and pass on our contact details to them.
Assisted Attendance Thanks to the generosity of our members, the Association is able to offer assistance to any member who is unable to attend the reunion for financial reasons.
All requests are treated in the strictest confidence and assessed on the merits of the individual case.
Please write to, or phone the secretary if you feel we may be of help.
Reply Form Numbers attending this year’s reunion MUST be finalised by FRIDAY 18th AUGUST 2017.
Please ensure you avoid disappointment by returning your reply to the secretary as soon as possible.
The Reply Form is attached to the newsletter and in order to save on costs replies will not be acknowledged unless specifically requested.
Return the forms to:
The Secretary The Armourers’ Association 12 Tanker Hill Rainham Kent ME8 9EX Tel: 01634 371738
The IT savvy amongst you may simply return the reply form via email to the following address:
Annual General Meeting There will be an AGM in the Rawlings Room, Marsh Farm Hotel, starting at 17:00hrs. If you have a specific item for discussion, please let any of the committee members know so that it may be included on the Agenda.
Don’t Forget If you wish to be seated close to friends at the dinner, please indicate so, with names, on the dinner reply form.
ArmsNewsIssue24 Page5
s someofyouwillhavenotedonthe
website,BobandIwerefortunateenoughtobeinvitedtoattendtheArmourers’ConferenceatLynehaminSeptemberlastyear.ItwasinterestingtohearthegripesofthecurrentWOsandSNCOs,closeyoureyesand,Isuspect,youcouldchooseanyyearinthelast50or60andhearexactlythesamecomplaintsofoverworkandlackofunderstandingfromthehierarchy.BobtooktheopportunitytoshiftsomemerchandiseintheformofAssociationtiesandlapelbadgesandIwasgiventheopportunitytosayafewwordsabouttheAssociation.AsoneofourminortriumphsIrecountedthetaleofoursuccessfulcampaignagainsttheretitlingoftheamalgamatedtradesofArmourerandGunFittertobeknownasa“WeaponsMechanic”.ShortlyafterwardsayoungSgt(aren’ttheyallthesedays)openeduphissmartphonetoshowmetheMoDrecruitingpage,https://www.army.mod.uk/rolefinder/role/7/weapons-system-engineerwheretherewasnomentionoftheArmourerasatradebutdetailsofa‘NEW’tradeofWeaponsSystemEngineer!I’mpleasedtosaythathasnowbeencorrectedandthelinknowtakesyoutotheArmourertradedetails.Yourcommitteehavefacedanunusualproblemthisyearinthatwehavehadchooseavenuefortheannualdinnerfromachoiceofthree.AsyouwillknowthefinalchoiceisTheMarshFarmHotel,RoyalWoottonBassett.LiterallyjustdowntheroadfromDSEMEatLynehamitwasthislocationthattippedthedecisioninitsfavourandwehopetosee
asurgeofyounger,servingArmourersatthedinner.IhopemanyofyouwilltaketheopportunitytovisitthenewArmourertrainingfacilityatDSEME,witha1030hrsstartitwillmeananearlymorningforsomeofyou.Followedbyasnackandatriproundthemuseumitshouldmakeforaninterestingday.Ilookforwardtomeetingasmanyaspossibleofyouatthedinnerandamsurewe’llhaveanotherentertainingandinterestingnight.Bestwishestoyouall.
Chris Dennis
elcometothenewsletterfor
2017.Iwouldliketogiveaspecialwelcometoallournewmembersespeciallytothosewhohavepassedtheirinitialcourseoverthelastyearandarenowworkingwithinthebesttradeinthearmedforces.AsI’msuremostofyouareawareIamcurrentlyoneofthetrainersattheDefenceCollegeofTechnicalTrainingatMODLyneham.ThecollegehasnowbeenopenforbusinessforeighteenmonthsandIbelievethecollegehasachievedagreatdealduringthattime.Wehaveseeneightinitialcourses,fivearmourer2-1courses,threeRAFgrounddefence,variousreservistcoursesandnumerousequipmentcoursesfromHMG,GMG,sharpshooter,RWS,105lightgun,AS90andchallenger.Alsoduringthistimeandaftermanyyearsthesmall
A
W
President’sNotes
Chairman’sNotes
Page6 ArmsNewsIssue24
armsandarmamentsdepartmentshavemergedandbecometheweaponsdepartmentsunderoneleadtrainer(DaveLeuty)thishasallowedmanyofthetrainerstocrosstraininavarietyofsubjects.TraininghasadifferentfeelatLyneham,gonearetheBordondaysalongwiththeBordonfaults.Moreisengineeredtothemodernworldofusingtechnology,studentsareseteveningwork,scenariobasedquestionsforpracticalassessmentsaresetusingtheequipmentandcomputers,thesearesubmittedforthetrainertoassessandreturnaftermarking.StudentsnolongerhavehardcopyAESP’stheyareallissuedlaptopsondayoneatLynehamandusetheinternettoaccessTDOLduringallpracticalwork.Précisarealsoonlineandhavebecomeinteractivetoassistthestudentswithrevision.Hopefullytheseimprovementshelpandpreparethestudentsforentryintotherealworld.Lynehamisconstantlychanginganddeveloping,tomaketrainingmorerealisticandbringthebestoutofthestudents.ThisyeartheannualdinnerisbeingheldwithintheLynehamarea.Saturdaymorningtheweaponsdepartmentwillopenitsdoorstowelcomeyoungandold,servingandretired,allowingalltoseethenewdepartmentandthenewfacilities.Currenttrainerswillbeonhandtowelcomeyouallandansweranyquestionsyoumayhave.FollowingthevisittotheweaponsdepartmentwhynottakethetimetovisitthenewlyopenedmuseumbythemaingatebeforetheAGManddinnerintheevening.Onafinalnote,IwouldliketoinviteandaskformemberstosupportthevisitandthedinnerthisyearinLyneham,thenewhomeoftechnicaltraining.
Nigel Brown
ycurrentroleasaCapabilityWarrant
Officerhasanumberofresponsibilities,includingidentifyingcurrentandfuturegapsintermsofequipmentcapability.Therolegivesmetheopportunitytotraveltocommercialtradeshowsandseenewtechnologiesfromaroundtheworld.Althoughnottheonlylocationintermsofweaponproduction,Americaisoneofthelargestmanufacturersoflethalityequipment.InJanuaryItravelledtotheShooting,HuntingandOutdoorTrade(SHOT)show.SHOTshowisanannualeventusuallyheldattheSandsExpoCentreinLasVegas,Nevada.Theeventisthebiggestofitskindintheworldattractingmorethan60,000attendeesoverathree-dayperiod.ExhibitsrangefromhuntingknivestoSniperweapons,fromdomestictospecialoperations.TheexhibitspaceishugeandisclassedastheMeccaforgunenthusiast.Priortotheshow,arangedaywasorganisedforattendees.Therangedaycanonlybedescribedasorganisedchaos,butwithguns.Thepublicareinvitedtovisitmanufacturersstandsandfiretheproductsontherange.Weaponsincluded9mmpistolsand.50Calbolt-actionrifles,alongwithahostofsemiandautomaticmachineguns.
MVice-Chairman’sNotes
ArmsNewsIssue24 Page7
ATACRangeDay2017
Mydaystartedbadlyafterleavingmyreactivehearingdefenceinmyhotelroom,whichwasabadmistake.UponarrivingattherangeIwasgivenasetoffoamfagbutttypeeardefence,whichturnedouttobeprettyuseless!IhadtheopportunitytofireanumberofweaponsincludingtheColtmodularcarbine.Modularitywithinweaponsystemsseemstobethenewtrendwithintheshootingindustry.Amodularweapongivesthefirertheopportunitytotakethe‘golfbag’approachtoshooting.Afirercouldeasilyconverttheirweapontomatchthecalibretothethreatortargetset.Anumberofweaponmanufacturersarenowproducingmodularweapons,whichareprovingpopular.
Oneofthemanylevels
Theactualshowitselfhadnumerousfloorsonwhichexhibitorshadstands,thelowerlevelwasprimarilyforhuntingandhadalotofweirdandwonderfulthingstooffer,lotsofknives
huntingbowsandduckwhistles.Myprimaryareaofinterestwasthemilitaryandlawenforcementlevel,whichattractedthebiggestcrowds.Thefloorspaceoccupiedstandswhichincludedlethality,personalprotectionandtargetacquisitionequipment.Therealkeytonavigatingtheshowistohavetheabilitytorootouttheusefulkitandbypasstherest.Astheshowattractsahugefollowing,italsoattractssomestrangecharacters.Itisn’tunusualtoseepullalongbasketsbeingwheeledaroundtheshow,theseareforattendeesthatwishtomakethemostofthefree-stuff.IntrueAmericanstyleeverythingisbiggerandtheshowdidnotdisappoint.Shotshowisagreatopportunitytoseenewanddevelopingweaponsystems;theshowhaseverythingagunenthusiastcouldwantandmore.IwouldrecommendvisitingSHOTshowjustoncetoexperiencetheevent,asthisissomethingthatisneverseenwithintheUK.Moreinfoontheshowcanbefoundshotshow.org.ArteetMarte
WO2 (AQMS) Ben Houghton
notheryearpassesandwecontinueto
growandthriveasanAssociation.Thepastyearhasseensomechangesinourcommitteeandthewebsite.BenandGuyhavehelpedtobringalotoftheservingcommunityintotheAssociation
ASecretary’sNotes
Page8 ArmsNewsIssue24
andyoucannowevenpayforitemsintheeShopusingPayPal.
Membership Ourmembershiphasagainincreaseddramaticallyoverthepastyearandwenowhaveover570activemembers,anincreaseofover70fromlastyear.Thisisdespitethefactthatwehavesadlylost10ofourmembersduringthepastyear.
Association Accounts Acopyofthebalancesheetfortheperiod1stJanuaryto31stDecember2016isonthelastpageofthisissue.Pleaseindicateyouracceptance,orotherwise,ofthesefiguresinthespaceprovidedonthedinnerreplyform.
Association Website Ouraddress:www.ukarmourers.org.ukWearestillreceivingthousandsofhitspermonthonthesiteanditisdoingitsjobofmakingpeopleawareofwhomweareandwhatwedo.
Current Awareness Bulletin TheRoyalArmouries,CurrentAwarenessBulletin(CAB)isavailableonthewebsite,withthelatestissuesuploadedastheybecomeavailable.Thisisanextremelyinformativebulletincoveringawiderangeofweaponsrelatedsubjects.
Association Email Address ApplyforyourownuniqueAssociationemailaddress“yourname”@ukarmourers.org.uk
Youcannowpaythe£1.00adminfeebyPayPal.
Association Shop TheshopcanbefoundonourwebsiteandsellsAssociationmemorabiliasuchasTies,Plaques,Mugs,GlassesandBadges.Don’tforgetthatyoucannowpaythroughPayPalforyouritems.
Dinner Reply Form ThedinnerreplyformalsohasdetailsifyouwishtoorderanythingfromtheeShop,andyouareabletopaybyPayPal,chequeorbanktransfer.
Bob Cotter WeaponsSection,DSEMELyneham–02September2017.Thevisitwillstartat10:00AMandwillbeatourofthecurrenttrainingfacilitiesatDSEME.Thisisachanceforthoseofyouwhohaven’tseenthenewtrainingfacilitytoreminiscefondlyaboutyourexperiencesandcomparethemwithtodaysArmourers.REMEMuseum,Lyneham–02September2017.AfterthetourofthetrainingfacilitieswewillretiretothenewREMEMuseumforalightlunchinthecafeteriaandtheninourowntimeviewthenewmuseum.Moredetailscanbefoundonthewebsite.Ifyouhaveanideaforavisitthatmaybeofinteresttoourmembers,thenpleaseletthesecretaryknow.
Visits
ArmsNewsIssue24 Page9
218A/SgtGeorgeWilliamDavis–1stBnNorthumberlandFusiliers
In2012IwroteaboutmyresearchregardingmyGrandfather,FredMinettandhisFirstWorldWarmedals.SincethenIhavecontinuedmyresearchintothoseofmyancestorswhofoughtinWW1,and
whilstwecanonlygetasnapshotintimeitcanstillbefascinatingtodiguppreviouslyunknownfacts.Speakingwithmyfatheronetime,hementionedthathisuncle’smedalshadbeenhandeddowntohim,soIimmediatelyaskedtoseethem.WhatIfoundwasalittletreasuretrove,becauseitwasn’tjustthemedals,butasmallpackagewithlotsofgoodiesinside.Inadditiontohismedals,therewassomethingIhadneverseenbefore,asilverWarBadgeandthecertificatetomatchitbynameandserialnumber;B38666.Thepackagealsocontainedhis“Soldier’sSmallBook”withhisenlistmentanddischargedetails,an“ActiveServiceTestament”withadateof21Jan1915,abooktitled“TrenchOrdersBritishSalonikaArmy”,abooktitled“AShortHistoryoftheFifthFusiliersfrom1674to1911”andabooktitled“BalkanArmyUniforms”.Plusapackofplayingcardsadvertising“ScissorsCigarettes”Additionally,thereweretwoletters,onedetailingtheformationoftheFifthFusiliersOldComradesAssociation,
dated15thNovember1913andtheotherdated30thMarch1950fromDepotFifthFusiliersthankingGeorgefordonatingitemstotheMuseum.Alsoincludedweretwopostcards,thefirstunsentisataleof“BroctonCamp”(researchtellsmethiswasinStaffordshire),whichwasusedasastagingcampduringthewar.Theotherisdated25thAugust1916withastampsaying“OnActiveService”.ThiswassenttohiswifelivinginKingsLangleyatthetime.(MyoneconcernwiththepictureofmyGreatUncleisthatthecapbadgeisRoyalSignals!I’mstillworkingonthatone!)SonowIturnedmyattentiontothemedalsandWarBadge,andwhatafascinatingcollectionitis.Fromlefttorightthereare:NorthWestFrontier1908,India;1914Starwithclasp5thAug-22ndNov1914;BritishWarMedal;VictoryMedal;DefenceMedal1939-1945.
Georgeenlistedon23rdDecember1903atWoolwich,hencethe1908medal,andwasdischargedon5thNovember1918.SotheDefenceMedalwasforserviceintheHomeGuard,andI’vestilltodothatresearch.Themedalribbonswereinaverypoorstate,soIarrangedwithmyFathertohavethemedalsremountedandplaced
FamilyHistory
Page10 ArmsNewsIssue24
inadisplaybox.Theoriginalmedalribbonswerereturnedtous,andagoodjobtoo.WhenIpealedbacktheoldribbons,Ifoundtheoriginalribbonbarunderneath.The1914Starwithclaspentitlestherecipienttowearasilverrosetteonthemedalribbonbarwhennotwearingthemedals,andtherewastherosette!
TheSilverWarBadgewasissuedintheUnitedKingdomandtheBritishEmpiretoservicepersonnelwhohadbeenhonourablydischargedduetowoundsorsicknessfrommilitaryserviceinWorldWarI.Theserialnumberisstampedonthebackofthebadgeandin
thisinstancematchesthecertificatedated29thNovember1918issuedtoGWDavies.Andthisispartoftheproblemofancestryresearch,becausehissurnameisspeltDavis.Theproblemdoesn’tstopthereeither;someofthemedalshavehisnamespeltDaviesas
well!Nowonderancestryresearchcanbesofrustrating,butIwillkeepondigging.
Bob Cotter TohelpbringtheAssociationtotheattentionoftheArmourerspassingthroughLynehamontheirvarioustradecourses,wehavesetupanoticeboardinthetrainingarea.TheboardhasrecentlyundergonerenovationundertheguidanceofourChairman,NigelBrownandapictureofthenewboardisshownbelow.
TheboardcontainsapostergivingthedetailsoftheAssociation.AshorthistoryoftheAssociation,whichhasbeenbroughtuptodateandisalsoonthewebsite.Anoldstyletietogetherwiththestorybehinditandanewstyletie.
NoticeBoard
ArmsNewsIssue24 Page11
GeneralColinPowell’sRules:1. Itain’tasbadasyouthink.Itwill
lookbetterinthemorning.2. Getmad,thengetoverit.3. Avoidhavingyouregosocloseto
yourpositionthatwhenyourpositionfalls,youregogoeswithit.
4. Itcanbedone!5. Becarefulwhatyouchoose.Youmay
getit.6. Don’tletadversefactsstandinthe
wayofagooddecision.7. Youcan’tmakesomeoneelse’s
choices.Youshouldn’tletsomeoneelsemakeyours.
8. Checksmallthings.9. Sharecredit.10. Remaincalm.Bekind.11. Haveavision.Bedemanding.12. Don’ttakecounselofyourfearsor
naysayers.13. Perpetualoptimismisaforce
multiplier.SadlywemustsayourlastfarewelltothefollowingArmourerswhohavepassedonsincethelasteditionoftheNewsLetter.PeterSmith(Arborfield51B)Letterfromwidowtosayhepassedaway17Feb2015KenJenner(Arborfield44A)LetterfromwidowtosaypassedawayinSept2015
DaveWevill(Arborfield45B)Phonecallfromwidowonreceiptofnewsletter.Passedaway5thJan2016JeffSaxton(SEME1973)EmailfromwidowtosayJeffdied15April2016.Jeff’swidowsaid,“WecelebrateJeff’slifeandhewasalwaysproudofhisarmycareer”NormanFrazer(Arborfield1944)2016newsletterreturnedmarked“Deceased”.JohnSparkes(Arborfield1941)2016newsletterreturnedmarked“G/A”(presumed:GoneAway)JohnBradshaw(Arborfield44A)Phonecallfromsontosayhepassedaway2Feb2016JohnCharlton(Carlisle67C)emailtosayhepassedaway19Jun2016IvorJames(Hilsea1935)emailtosaythathepassedawayintheearlyhoursof13Feb2017ArthurMaddock(Hilsea1937)emailtosayhepassedawayinhissleep19March2017
Secretaries Note On12thMayIreceivedaletterwithdonationstotheAssociationmadeatArthur’sfuneral.Atotalof£90wasdonatedtotheAssociation.AletterhasbeensenttoArthur’sdaughter,thankingthefamilyfortheirmostgenerousdonations.TerryMcKenzie(Arborfield45A)letterfromhisdaughtertosaythathepassedaway02April2017
Obituaries
QuoteoftheDay
Page12 ArmsNewsIssue24
TheArmourers’AssociationAccounts01January–31December2016
INCOME EXPENDITURE
Reunion Income 1,185.89£ Reunion London 2016 1,281.25£ Donations 430.00£ Reunion Lyneham 2017 290.00£ 1Raffle 265.50£ Printing of News Letter 175.00£ Bank Interest 2016 1.92£ Cfn Magazine Subscription 32.00£ PayPal Setup 0.01£ Field of Rememberance 110.50£ Post & Packing 113.13£ Raffle Prize 30.00£ Association Email Fee 7.11£ Stock Purchase 461.15£ 2Sale of Ties Old Type) 332.80£ Gifts 16.79£ 3Sale of Ties (New Type) 89.60£ PayPal Fee 30.85£ “ “ Lapel Badge 47.50£ Web Site Fee 93.52£ 4 “ “ Tie-Tac 14.50£ Postage & Packing 174.07£ “ “ Assn Plaque 102.50£ Total Expenditure 2,695.13£ “ “ Glassware 16.00£ “ “ Glass Tankard 16.00£
Total Income 2,622.46£
Cash @ Bank (B/F 2015) 3,717.18£ SUB-TOTAL: 6,339.64£ Less Expenditure 2,695.13£
Income/Expense Total 3,644.51£
ASSETSCash @ BankCurrent Account 464.08£ Deposit Account 3,180.43£
Assets Total 3,644.51£
Stock QtyTies Old 36 460.80£ Ties New 29 371.20£ Lapel Badges 60 150.00£ Tie-Tacs 8 23.20£ Plaques 19 389.50£ Glass Tankard 3 48.00£ Whiskey Tumbler 0 -£ Pewter Tankard 5 105.00£
Stock-Total 1,547.70£
President's Badge 600.00£
TOTAL ASSETS 5,792.21£
Notes1 Deposit for 2017 Dinner at Lyneham2 Purchase of Old Style Tie, Qty 513 Wine Goblet for 2016 Dinner Guest of Honour4 Two quarters only for 2016 @ £46.76 per quarter
The Armourers Association Accounts01 January - 31 December 2016
