MINUTES OF THE BRANCH MEETING HELD AT THE WOs & SGTs MESS

CARVER BARRACKS, WIMBISH. ON FRIDAY 24th OF JULY 2009

Members present (Officers and Committee):

Mr J Baldock BEM - Chairman

Mr K Bryant - Welfare Officer

Mr H Marshall - Committee

Participating members Present:

Mr A D Luton and Mr I N Smith. (5 present).

Apologies:

Colonel B S T Archer GC OBE ERD, Mr G C R Woodman-Simmons, Mr J Swanborough, Mr J AAllerhead BEM, Mr R F Harris, Mr P Markham, Mr M I Collarbone MBE and Mrs J Collarbone.

Prior to the opening of the meeting the RSM, WO1 Justin Spreadborough RE, gave the committeean update on the regiment’s casualties since Jan 2009 and a brief report on the future plans forthe Regiment.

THE BRANCH CHAIRMAN MR JEFF BALDOCK BEM OFFICIALLY OPENED THE MEETING AT

13:00 HRS.

The silence for fallen and lost comrades was observed.

MINUTES:

The Branch Chairman asked whether everybody had read their copy of the minutes of the previous

Branch meeting. Members present were then given time to read through the minutes of the previous

Branch meeting held at the House of Parliament, London on Friday the 9th of April 2009. These minuteswere proposed as being a true and correct record of that meeting by Mr Hugh Marshall and the proposalwas seconded by Mr Kev Bryant.

Matters Arising:

There were no matters arising.

SECRETARY’S REPORT:

The Secretary began his report by informing members that the REA AGM will be held on Saturday the10th of October 2009 at the Victory Services Club, Seymour Place, London, commencing at 1600 hrs.

REA ANNUAL DINNER will take place directly after the REA AGM and will also be held at the Victory Services Club. The cost of the dinner will be £18.00p and applications must be received by HQ REA no later than the 24th of September.

The secretary continued by stating that the HQ REA organised event SAPPER SUNDAY will be on Sunday the 11th of October at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. A curry lunch will be provided. Those intending to go should inform the Deputy Controller ASP.

FIELD OF REMEMBRANCE opening ceremony will be held at Westminster Abbey on Thursday the 5th of November at 1100 hrs. Members intending to go should assemble by the Corps Plot 57 by 1045hrs at the latest.

Membership.

New Members:

Janet TWEEDYof Amersham (FOB)

Peter ROWELL of N Lincolnshire

Chris BULL of Bad Driburg, Germany

Robert ORR of Australia

Andy BRASH of Pulborough

Kevin PURVES of Gillingham

Deceased Members:

Robert PEARSON of Kelmscot, Australia.

Membership figures:

267 Life Members

1 Annual Member

0 Honoray Member

5 Associate Members

32 Friends of the Branch

305 TOTAL MEMBERSHIP

Secretary’s AOB.

The secretary informed members that the next issue of the BD News is now in production and will be dispatched within the next fortnight.

A list of members still in arrears with subscriptions has been sent to the Treasurer for confirmation before the individuals are written to. It should be noted that those members two or more years in arrears would normally have their membership off the branch cancelled and their membership cards returned to HQ REA, but this is a last resort.

Annual Lunch.

The admin for the lunch is all in hand, with letters of invitation having been sent to the two COs and the 2 RSMs. An invitation has also again been extended to the curator of the Britain at WarMuseum.

The menu selected for the annual lunch is as follows:

Carrot and Coriander Soup, (served with a bread roll). Rib Eye Steak, topped with cracked pepper served with red currant sauce, Berrichonne Potatoes with Garlic and Herb Potatoes, Baby Corn with Peppers along with Sauté Mange Tout.

The pudding will be Raspberry and Amaretto Charlotte followed by Cheese and Biscuits and finally Coffee and Mints.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:

The Chairman, Jeff Baldock reported on the 101 Cocktail Party and the 33 Engr Regt (EOD) Cadre along with the Freedom Parade, thanking Kev for his support in being the Standard Bearer. The Regt Open Day, Armed Forces Day at Chatham, In particular the very good display by the Corp and 101 Regt stand. Jeff then briefed the committee on the new Regt fund and suggested a donation of £500 be made from our fund to the Regt Fund, Proposed by Kev, seconded by Hugh and passed unanimously.

TREASURERS REPORT:

The Hon Treasurer gave the financial statement: from 17th April to 22nd July 2009.

This will not be available via the internet

WELFARE REPORT:

No new welfare cases.

Kev reported he may be away from Aug/Sep time for around 6 months as he may have employment in the Falkland Islands.

Discussed the possibility of members visiting Sally Oak hospital. Kev will look into it has he also has a welfare hat for BELSA.

WEBMASTERS REPORT:

The Webmasters report was given by Jeff Baldock in the absence of Peter Markham

Roll of Honour.

Four graves left to photograph in Italy, Dave Aitkin’s hopes he can do two of these shortly. One grave in Wales no headstone, just waiting conformation from the local priest. Two outstanding no details of where buried, however thanks to Noel Cashford I have addresses of relatives and have written to them. We have found the name of the civilian clearance operator who died in 1962 and hopefully I can find where he was buried soon.

Which leaves the questions I set out at the last meeting; I will remind you they are:

1. Who do we get to write the forward for the book? I believe we must get a general write up,covering the 69 years of BD-EOD.

2. Do we add a short history of BD.?

3. Are there any objections to adding the RN, Ordnance/Logistics Corp and RAF Roll of Honour asan appendices. Just the names and date of death. If we add them have we any contacts with the RN,Logistics to obtain their Rolls, the RAF Roll is already on my files.

Peter really would like your input into this, as he is beginning to feel like Billy no mates.

Committee agreed that we needed a “name” to write forward of the book, look into a former CDS that it would be good to have a short history of BD in the book

There were no problems seen in adding appendices for the RAF and Royal Navy causalities.

Website.

There is currently a technical hitch at the moment as some pages are not coming up as they should. Peter has not had time to rectify before and will rectify on returning from holidays.

Not much done in the last quarter to the site, but watch out when he returns from holidays additions will be coming thick and fast.

Offer from Martin Heyman to sponsor site ECT, Peter has e-mailed him and will chase up a date to meet.

One last thing, Peter needs feeding with news, events updates from the Regiment on a regular basis or the site gets stale.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

Kev asked if other members would be willing to help out with the Standard duties as he at times may have problems standing. The Chairman would on occasions stand in and we will need to ask for more volunteers.

Kev reported that he and Ollie had visited New Tavern Fort in Gravesend. It is a 1670’s fort that has been restored. In one of the magazines there is a WW2 BD display. Kev and Ollie are helping to improve the display and may request a small donation to help with purchasing items. Hugh agreed he could give items of interest for the display.

Mr Smith was asked by Ron about donations to the Not forgotten Association. I stated that £150 was given to them after our lunch, but all agreed that we should concentrate any donations to the Regt fund.

Mr Smith was asked by Ron to bring up the matter of having the fund fully audit. It was stated by Mr Smith that the last full audit was undertaken in 1999. The Chairman agreed to look into the rules but stated if there was no requirement to have a full audit then he would be reluctant to have to pay for it out of limited Branch funds. I then went on to outline the current system were the accounts were sent up to the REA HQ and no problems had been identified.

There being no further business, the meeting was officially closed by the Chairman at 14:00 hrs.