OCTOBER 2015

[aghart]

The next meeting is on Tuesday 6th October 2015. The guest speaker will be Major Simon Worth, Officer Commanding "Cyclops", our affiliated Squadron within the Regiment. As well as updating us on the Sqn he will be talking about the plans to re-establish close links with the Association branches. As most are aware it seems to getting of to a great start. I will be putting out invites to RTR Officers and Soldiers at the Armour Centre so it is highly likely that serving folk will also be present which always adds to the atmosphere. So if your within travelling distance, why not give it a go?

[aghart]

15 members present, a good turnout seeing we have two members backpacking in India, 3 were working, and three were ill. We also had four RTR badged phase II recruits come along to hear the guest speaker. The Loyal toast and toast to the regiment was followed by the Green Fields. No branch members have passed away but a minutes silence was held for Gary Somerset 3 RTR, John Dunne and Bruce Major both 1 RTR who died recently.

Minutes of the September meeting were passed. We were delighted by the presence of Mike "Tanky" Brandwood who was press-ganged into the branch during Tankfest 2015, and came all the way from Calne in Wiltshire to attend his first branch meeting. The "Not Forgotten Association" annual review and the Royal Star and Garter Homes magazine were available to view. It was agreed to provided £50 to help cover the cost of raffle prizes for both the December social and Ladies Lunch in January. Members were informed of the proposed trip to Herford in Germany during 2016 by former members of 1 RTR to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Regiment's posting there, which many state was the best cold war BAOR posting 1 RTR ever had.

With nothing further to discuss the Chairman closed the meeting and introduced the guest speaker.

We were thrilled and honoured to welcome Major Simon Worth, Officer Commanding "Cyclops" our affiliated squadron within the Regiment. Simon gave rundown on the Regiment at present telling everyone that the Regiment has had the right attitude to last years amalgamation, and that there are no 1 & 2 RTR clicks, everyone has gelled very well and they are getting along fine. The fact that they are on MBT seems to make them a bunch of happy chappies. In regards to "Falcon" the CBRN or "NBC in old money" Squadron, new recruits do not go there, they go to the Sabre Sqns first and CBRN is simply another option for soldiers who might want some variety. The fact that Falcon are in Warminster, just down the road from Tidworth, means that movement between it and the rest of the Regiment is not the major event it was when A Sqn, 1 RTR were there and the rest of the Regiment was at Honington in Norfolk. The RTR are well recruited, in fact some recruits who wanted RTR have been sent from Phase II training to the QRH &KRH who are not so well manned. Retention is however a problem, as it is for the whole army. Now that operations are over for now, it is hoped that increased adventure training and other varied offerings as well as getting back on tanks properly will help. He was happy to report that Cyclops had a very good report from their recent BATUS period when they were the armoured element of an infantry Battle-Group.

Simon explained that the Regiment was determined to continue the improved links between itself and the Association, Association branches, and Cadet units. With Individual Squadrons having geographical responsibilities it is hoped that a much more intimate relationship can be maintained and the true RTR family enhanced. Lots of questions followed and the chairman had to eventually call a halt to proceedings.

It was at this point that we sprang a surprise on Simon. The branch secretary presented to Simon for the Squadron, a framed print of a 19th century painting by the French Artist "Redon", titled "The Cyclops" (so some thought went into this) which Simon accepted on behalf of Cyclops and stated it will have pride of place in the Sqn Offices.