Post by son-of-tiny on Jun 29, 2011 20:01:34 GMT
www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/9109161.Veteran_tank_commander_s_reunion_plea_when_regiment_marches_through_Weymouth/
A TANK regiment veteran is hoping to get a reunion together to welcome the current serving ‘Tankies’ back to Weymouth when they parade through the town.
Veteran tank commander Roger Wheeler, better known as Joe, is hoping to get as many veterans to line the streets of the parade route when the Second Royal Tank Regiment march through the town on July 14.
They will march along the Esplanade to the Weymouth Pavilion with members of the now disbanded 3RTR.
2RTR has spent since last autumn serving in Afghanistan, based in Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province. Their task has been to work alongside the Afghan Security Forces to provide security for the people living in the region and to go out on patrols and check routes for improvised explosive devices or IEDs.
When they return next month they will be parading through the town as 2RTR is based near Stonehenge in Wiltshire and recruits its men from the south west and south east of England.
Mr Wheeler, 67, is hoping to get the veterans of the RTR to meet the men and woman who have come back.
He said: “I want ex-tank regiment members to get in touch with me to see if we can get all the ex-tankies in one area to meet them when they parade in and have a chat to them. I want to see how many people I can get down there to meet them.
“It’s less than a month away now and people need to book time off work.”
In 1961 Mr Wheeler joined the now disbanded 3RTR regiment at the age of 17 at Bovington. His father had been in the tank regiment and this inspired him to join up and train as a tank commander.
He said: “The best bit was getting to see the world. I served in Germany, Bahrain, Cyprus, and Northern Ireland during the troubles. We got around a bit.
“We did exercises in Denmark and Libya as well.The bit I miss the most is the comradeship, I made lots of good friends.”
He left 3RTR in 1979 and worked as a prison officer.
Mr Wheeler, from Radipole, said that it was important to show support for the tankies. He said: “I think it’s important to be there. They’re doing a good job over there.
“I’m very proud of my military background and the young ones need the support. I just hope a lot of people turn up to this and line the Esplanade. It would be nice to give them a good welcome to Weymouth.”
If you are an ex-RTR serviceman or woman and would like to get involved with the reunion call Joe Wheeler on 01305 788154.
A TANK regiment veteran is hoping to get a reunion together to welcome the current serving ‘Tankies’ back to Weymouth when they parade through the town.
Veteran tank commander Roger Wheeler, better known as Joe, is hoping to get as many veterans to line the streets of the parade route when the Second Royal Tank Regiment march through the town on July 14.
They will march along the Esplanade to the Weymouth Pavilion with members of the now disbanded 3RTR.
2RTR has spent since last autumn serving in Afghanistan, based in Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province. Their task has been to work alongside the Afghan Security Forces to provide security for the people living in the region and to go out on patrols and check routes for improvised explosive devices or IEDs.
When they return next month they will be parading through the town as 2RTR is based near Stonehenge in Wiltshire and recruits its men from the south west and south east of England.
Mr Wheeler, 67, is hoping to get the veterans of the RTR to meet the men and woman who have come back.
He said: “I want ex-tank regiment members to get in touch with me to see if we can get all the ex-tankies in one area to meet them when they parade in and have a chat to them. I want to see how many people I can get down there to meet them.
“It’s less than a month away now and people need to book time off work.”
In 1961 Mr Wheeler joined the now disbanded 3RTR regiment at the age of 17 at Bovington. His father had been in the tank regiment and this inspired him to join up and train as a tank commander.
He said: “The best bit was getting to see the world. I served in Germany, Bahrain, Cyprus, and Northern Ireland during the troubles. We got around a bit.
“We did exercises in Denmark and Libya as well.The bit I miss the most is the comradeship, I made lots of good friends.”
He left 3RTR in 1979 and worked as a prison officer.
Mr Wheeler, from Radipole, said that it was important to show support for the tankies. He said: “I think it’s important to be there. They’re doing a good job over there.
“I’m very proud of my military background and the young ones need the support. I just hope a lot of people turn up to this and line the Esplanade. It would be nice to give them a good welcome to Weymouth.”
If you are an ex-RTR serviceman or woman and would like to get involved with the reunion call Joe Wheeler on 01305 788154.
