Post by aghart on Mar 8, 2023 11:37:28 GMT
20 people sat down with another 16 linked in via Zoom.
Minutes of the February meeting were passed. The recap of recent activity included the Memorial service for Col John Longman, and the veterans breakfast meetings in Poole & Wareham. Members were reminded that 2023 subscriptions were now due. It was announced that the RTRA sponsored Church Service & Curry Lunch due on 19th March at Bovington has been cancelled.
The branch secretary will lay a wreath at the grave of Lt AA Lawson, Tank Corps, in Bournemouth on 19th March 2023, the 105th anniversary of his death. The branch is conducting a graveside remembrance service on Saturday 15th April 2023 at Holy Trinity Church, West Lulworth. This is to remember Lt Col ASW (Sailor) Willis RTR MC & Bar on the 80th anniversary of his death. Timing to be confirmed but will be 1100-11.30hrs. We will then retire to the Castle Inn for lunch/refreshments at 12.00hrs. Anyone planning to eat is advised to book their meal on line in advance (see link), quoting "Royal Tank Regiment" this so that we all get to sit close together.
Due to the Menin Gate being refurbished the propsed trip to Ypres will not go ahead until at least 2025. We are awaiting a funding decision in regards the proposed trip to the National Memorial Arboretum in June 2023. Due to both the Chairman & Secretary being unavailable on the normal date, the July branch meeting will take place on Tuesday 18th July. We have received confirmation that the RTRA will help with the proposed cost of a new RTR flag for the branch. This is a a proper Regimental Flag, not a printed nylon type. Kevin Coughlin has generously agreed to make a donation which will cover the branch's share of the cost. Members were asked if they were interested in attending the exercise Tiger commemoration at Slapton Sands on 30th April. This with a view to staying overnight in Paignton on 29th April 2023. Numbers required by the April branch meeting.
Dates for the diary
ANZAC Day, Weymouth, 25th April 2023
Exercise Tiger, Slapton Sands, 30th April 2023
US Memorial Day Weymouth, 29th May 2023
D Day, Poole Quay 6th June 2023
Armed Forces Day Weymouth, 18th June 2023
Falklands Anniversary, Falkland square, Poole, 14th June 2023
July Branch meeting, Tuesday 18th July 2023
The meeting then closed and the guest speaker introduced.
Commander Luke Miller, Royal Australian Navy (RAN), an exchange officer in the UK, gave a very interesting presentation on the RAN, it's ships, capabilities, missions, and plans for the future. He went into detail about recruitment and diversity, and also the recent humanitarian actions in the Pacific (volcanoes and earthquakes) and the RAN role if saving people in the bushfires situation in Australia recently.
butcombe.com/the-castle-inn-dorset/. This is the link to the Castle Inn website.
Minutes of the February meeting were passed. The recap of recent activity included the Memorial service for Col John Longman, and the veterans breakfast meetings in Poole & Wareham. Members were reminded that 2023 subscriptions were now due. It was announced that the RTRA sponsored Church Service & Curry Lunch due on 19th March at Bovington has been cancelled.
The branch secretary will lay a wreath at the grave of Lt AA Lawson, Tank Corps, in Bournemouth on 19th March 2023, the 105th anniversary of his death. The branch is conducting a graveside remembrance service on Saturday 15th April 2023 at Holy Trinity Church, West Lulworth. This is to remember Lt Col ASW (Sailor) Willis RTR MC & Bar on the 80th anniversary of his death. Timing to be confirmed but will be 1100-11.30hrs. We will then retire to the Castle Inn for lunch/refreshments at 12.00hrs. Anyone planning to eat is advised to book their meal on line in advance (see link), quoting "Royal Tank Regiment" this so that we all get to sit close together.
Due to the Menin Gate being refurbished the propsed trip to Ypres will not go ahead until at least 2025. We are awaiting a funding decision in regards the proposed trip to the National Memorial Arboretum in June 2023. Due to both the Chairman & Secretary being unavailable on the normal date, the July branch meeting will take place on Tuesday 18th July. We have received confirmation that the RTRA will help with the proposed cost of a new RTR flag for the branch. This is a a proper Regimental Flag, not a printed nylon type. Kevin Coughlin has generously agreed to make a donation which will cover the branch's share of the cost. Members were asked if they were interested in attending the exercise Tiger commemoration at Slapton Sands on 30th April. This with a view to staying overnight in Paignton on 29th April 2023. Numbers required by the April branch meeting.
Dates for the diary
ANZAC Day, Weymouth, 25th April 2023
Exercise Tiger, Slapton Sands, 30th April 2023
US Memorial Day Weymouth, 29th May 2023
D Day, Poole Quay 6th June 2023
Armed Forces Day Weymouth, 18th June 2023
Falklands Anniversary, Falkland square, Poole, 14th June 2023
July Branch meeting, Tuesday 18th July 2023
The meeting then closed and the guest speaker introduced.
Commander Luke Miller, Royal Australian Navy (RAN), an exchange officer in the UK, gave a very interesting presentation on the RAN, it's ships, capabilities, missions, and plans for the future. He went into detail about recruitment and diversity, and also the recent humanitarian actions in the Pacific (volcanoes and earthquakes) and the RAN role if saving people in the bushfires situation in Australia recently.
butcombe.com/the-castle-inn-dorset/. This is the link to the Castle Inn website.