Post by aghart on Apr 10, 2011 17:22:13 GMT
12 members were present for the April meeting. The loyal toast and toast to the regiment were given, followed by the green fields. Sadly the green fields was not the usual nil return, Patrick Browne a life member, and our oldest branch member died in January. Patrick was 95 years old and was a veteran of the campaign in France in 1940. He lived in Salisbury and did not attend the monthly meetings. His last attendance was the ladies lunch in January 2009.
Minutes of the March meeting were carried; the Bristol & Bath branch newsletter was available to view, as was the first warning order from RHQ RTR ref Cambrai 2012. It was agreed to investigate the cost of a mini bus to enable members to participate in the Nottingham branch memorial service at the national Arboretum on 8th June 2011. The Burton (Dorset) veterans parade on 5th June was announced, more details should be available at the May meeting. Speaking of the May meeting, our hosts the RBL, informed us of a clash of events on the 3rd May 20011, we have agreed to hold our meeting upstairs to avoid the darts competition being held on the same evening. The Chairman informed the branch that we would be fulfilling our obligations under association rules and making a donation of £50 to central funds of the RTR association.
Dave Larcombe informed us that the branch website is receiving more and more “hits” and this is new people looking in on us not the same people re visiting the site. All good news.
The meeting closed and the chairman Barry Fellowes introduced the guest speaker, WOII Ian Westmorland of 1 RTR currently serving at the Combat Wing at Bovington. More on the combat wing in a moment. Ian joined 1 RTR in Tidworth, after the amalgamation of 1 & 4 RTR and as such is truly one of the new breed of tankies. One aspect of this new breed of tankies is the lack of time spent on tanks! Ian said its years since I actually commanded a tank!
The Combat Wing at Bovington is simply an amalgamation (is this word the most common one in the army after “cuts”)of the armoured and infantry wings. Since Bovington is no longer the Royal Armoured Corps centre but the “Armour Centre” the joining of individual wings is probably not such a surprise . Ian explained that in the current (Afghanistan) climate, with the army units multi-tasking to an extent never seen before, the old boundaries no longer exist , infantry and RAC instructors will be on the same cadres, with soldiers being trained on a multitude of vehicles. Challenger 2, (RAC only) Warrior, Bulldog (re-worked 432) Panther, Jackal, Kyote, Mastiff, even enhanced CVR/T, which is a Spartan with a Warrior turret. One aspect of training that has changed is that of AFV casevac! Gone are the days of teaching crewman to simply pull an injured crewman through the top of the turret. They have a training system similar to that the navy has used on helicopters for years. A simulator for an overturned vehicle is used (think of the overturning, sinking helicopter the RAF & RN use) to give a realistic (Afghanistan) scenario.
Phase 2 recruits on Challenger 2 or CVR/T are still coming through but on a much reduced level. Ian could not really give any more information as many decisions have still not been made. The combat wing may lose instructors due to the recent redundancy announcements, so everything is sort of fluid at the moment. One area of concern was the future of 1 RTR? The RAF are trying to get the CBRN role for themselves (so as to save the RAF Regiment from disbandment) the army want it as well, but no decision has been made. Ian emphasised how the lack of funds is affecting the army, particularly the introduction of FRES (CVR/T replacement) which although not officially cancelled, is unlikely to see the light of day.
Ian received a well-deserved round of applause from appreciative but somewhat shell shocked branch membership.
Minutes of the March meeting were carried; the Bristol & Bath branch newsletter was available to view, as was the first warning order from RHQ RTR ref Cambrai 2012. It was agreed to investigate the cost of a mini bus to enable members to participate in the Nottingham branch memorial service at the national Arboretum on 8th June 2011. The Burton (Dorset) veterans parade on 5th June was announced, more details should be available at the May meeting. Speaking of the May meeting, our hosts the RBL, informed us of a clash of events on the 3rd May 20011, we have agreed to hold our meeting upstairs to avoid the darts competition being held on the same evening. The Chairman informed the branch that we would be fulfilling our obligations under association rules and making a donation of £50 to central funds of the RTR association.
Dave Larcombe informed us that the branch website is receiving more and more “hits” and this is new people looking in on us not the same people re visiting the site. All good news.
The meeting closed and the chairman Barry Fellowes introduced the guest speaker, WOII Ian Westmorland of 1 RTR currently serving at the Combat Wing at Bovington. More on the combat wing in a moment. Ian joined 1 RTR in Tidworth, after the amalgamation of 1 & 4 RTR and as such is truly one of the new breed of tankies. One aspect of this new breed of tankies is the lack of time spent on tanks! Ian said its years since I actually commanded a tank!
The Combat Wing at Bovington is simply an amalgamation (is this word the most common one in the army after “cuts”)of the armoured and infantry wings. Since Bovington is no longer the Royal Armoured Corps centre but the “Armour Centre” the joining of individual wings is probably not such a surprise . Ian explained that in the current (Afghanistan) climate, with the army units multi-tasking to an extent never seen before, the old boundaries no longer exist , infantry and RAC instructors will be on the same cadres, with soldiers being trained on a multitude of vehicles. Challenger 2, (RAC only) Warrior, Bulldog (re-worked 432) Panther, Jackal, Kyote, Mastiff, even enhanced CVR/T, which is a Spartan with a Warrior turret. One aspect of training that has changed is that of AFV casevac! Gone are the days of teaching crewman to simply pull an injured crewman through the top of the turret. They have a training system similar to that the navy has used on helicopters for years. A simulator for an overturned vehicle is used (think of the overturning, sinking helicopter the RAF & RN use) to give a realistic (Afghanistan) scenario.
Phase 2 recruits on Challenger 2 or CVR/T are still coming through but on a much reduced level. Ian could not really give any more information as many decisions have still not been made. The combat wing may lose instructors due to the recent redundancy announcements, so everything is sort of fluid at the moment. One area of concern was the future of 1 RTR? The RAF are trying to get the CBRN role for themselves (so as to save the RAF Regiment from disbandment) the army want it as well, but no decision has been made. Ian emphasised how the lack of funds is affecting the army, particularly the introduction of FRES (CVR/T replacement) which although not officially cancelled, is unlikely to see the light of day.
Ian received a well-deserved round of applause from appreciative but somewhat shell shocked branch membership.
