Reunion of the 1st Royal Dragoons by Mr John Atkins, formerly The 1st Royal Dragoons
The annual reunion of the members of the 1st Royal Dragoons was held again this year at the Fradley Arms, near Lichfield on the 15th and 16 June 2013. During the weekend of the reunion, Mr Brian Allen organised a collection, amounting to £218, which was donated to the North Staffs Branch for any remedial or repair work carried out by them at The Blues and Royals
Memorial Garden, not included in the maintenance contract already in force between The Blues and Royals Association and the private contractor. This donation was at the request of the Rev Ann Taylor to be given to the Household Cavalry Association Branch instead of presenting her with a bouquet of flowers for officiating at the Service at the National Memorial Arboretum, which she kindly carried out on the
Ex Royals attending the Annual Reunion and Service at the NMA
Sunday morning. Unfortunately, this year we did not have a large turn out, but the weekend was, I believe, enjoyed by those that attended. This year we did a collection which amounted to £220 for the St Clare Hospice in memory of Pat and Derek Leese; this was added to the money raised at the funeral of Pat who sadly passed away this year.
A donation cheque is presented to the Household Cavalry Association N Staffs Branch, L-R: Mr Brian Allen, Mr Barry Lewis (Branch Chairman) Mr Ian Taylor (Branch Secretary)
Household Cavalry Association North East President Capt (Retd) P B A Townley - formerly The Blues and Royals Chairman/Secretary Mr Ken Rowe - formerly Royal Horse Guards
O
nce again the year starts with our Annual Dinner. Our guest Chairman was the Regimental Adjutant, Lt Col Harry Scott. WO1 (RCM) Danny Robson from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment also attended and provided us with two Dutymen, which is always appreciated and who are always well received by our guests. Other guests included The Right Worshipful Mayor of Sunderland and the Mayoress. Also there were the grandparents of the late LCpl Sean Russell Tansey, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2006. They were overwhelmed with the welcome from our President, Captain Peter Townley. 17th June once again saw several members visit the Mayor’s Parlour. Our Chairman presented the Mayor with a certificate making him an Honorary Member of the Association Branch, continuing our links with the City of Sunderland.
114 ■ News from the Associations
August 8th was a lovely summer day and saw several members and their wives visit Newby Hall, near Ripon, North Yorkshire. This is the workplace of Ex-SQMC’s ‘Gunner’ Mardon and Paul Thomas. ‘Gunner’ gave us a tour of the magnificent gardens and grounds. Mrs Mardon laid on a lunch Members with the Mayor and the Mayoress In the for us and tea and Mayor’s Parlour, Sunderland sandwiches before Forthcoming Events: we left. Many thanks for a really lovely Annual Dinner day. Saturday, 29th March 2014 Visit to Newby Hall - TBA Thanks again must go to Ken Wright Eden Camp and Denis Sayers for cleaning the Sunday, 7th September 2014 Household Cavalry accoutrements in Remembrance Weekend, Sunderland the Mayor’s Parlour and Geoff McIn8th and 9th November 2014 erny, our Branch Standard Bearer. We had 15 members on Remembrance Sunday who marched behind our Branch President, Captain Peter Townley. The Standard was escorted by two Dutymen, which always draws magnificent applause throughout.
Finally, I would like to express the feelings of all the Association members and thank the outgoing Regimental Secretary, Major Paul Stretton, and the outgoing Assistant Regimental Secretary, Captain Dick Hennessy-