The Island Remembers!

Transcription

1 BRANCH SECRETARIES - PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ITEMS IN THIS NEWSLETTER SHOULD FORM PART OF YOUR REPORT September 2015 The Island Remembers! August saw both the 100 th Anniversary of Gallipoli and the 70 th Anniversary of VJ-Day. Both events were marked with various events held around the Island. Newport Parish Council arranged the unveiling and dedication of their Great War commemorative sculpture on Wednesday 12 th August The event was well attended, a fitting tribute to the servicemen from the Isle of Wight Rifles that died in Gallipoli one hundred years ago. (more pictures inside) HM Lord Lieutenant, Major General Martin White CB CBE JP arriving at St. George s Church, Arreton on 15 th August 2015 for the VJ Service held at 11am. (see full report inside) 1

2 100 th Anniversary - Gallipoli On Sunday, 9 th August, 2015 a Service was held at Newport Minster to remember the 8 th Battalion Hampshire Regiment, the Princess Beatrice s Isle of Wight Rifles. Attended by the High Sheriff and Col David Langford, Deputy Lord Lieutenant, the service was organised by Mr. Gareth Sprack, IW Rifles Living History Society. The service included the advance being sounded on the bugle by Daryll Pitcher in remembrance of the service of the Regiment and as a direct link to the first attack. The bugle, together with a serviceman s cap and the Book of Remembrance were placed on the altar during the service. The standard of the Hampshire Old Comrade s Association was supported by the RBL County Standard, carried by Peter Atkinson; RBL Branch Standards from Newport & Carisbrooke, Ryde, Seaview and Bembridge together with the Standard from the Royal Engineers Association. The Parade Marshal was Terry Clarkson. New WW1 Commemorative Sculpture Unveiled in Newport. On Wednesday, 12 th August, 2015, Newport Parish Council unveiled a commemorative sculpture remembering those who served and those who died in the Great War. Located on the far bank of the River Medina, opposite Staples, the memorial takes the form of four soldiers from the Isle of Wight Rifles. An information board is located at the side of the road opposite the memorial. Following the unveiling of the information board, the Chairman of the IW Council together with the Chairman of Newport Parish Council proceeded to the sculpture to lay flowers and a blessing was given by Revd Arkell. During the short service the Last Post was sounded by a bugler from Vectis Corps of Drums and the Exhortation was given by Cllr. Ian Ward, IW RBL County President. Also present were relatives of the four servicemen depicted in the sculpture. The RBL County Standard was carried by Peter Atkinson. Also present were RBL Branch Standards from Newport & Carisbrooke, Ryde, Bembridge,Cowes, Brighstone & District, Seaview & Nettlestone, together with Association Standards from the Royal Artillery, Royal Hampshire Old Comrades and the Royal Air Force. 2

3 "VETERANS AWARDED CARNIVAL TROPHY A group of veterans and standard bearers attended Ventnor carnival on Wednesday evening, 12th August. Organised through the Ventnor carnival committee; Town Mayor, Jason Mack; and Danny McMeechan, Chairman of Ventnor RBL Branch, this was arranged to commemorate the 70th anniversary of VJ Day. The carnival committee provided an army jeep for some veterans to travel in and prior to start of the carnival the veterans were awarded the trophy for the most "topical entry", which was a really nice surprise. Pictured left to right are: Dave Edwards (driver), Antony Rogers, Rob Parsons, Tony Marvin, Dave Wilcock (RAFA standard), Danny McMeechan (Ventnor RBL Chairman), Ernie Willis (Ventnor RBL standard), Neil Webb (RE standard) and Ray Gibson. The veterans led the carnival procession and the reception given by spectators was very generous and moving. It really was a great night enjoyed by all veterans on parade and shows that the public still appreciate those who served their country in many conflicts over many decades". Danny McMeechan Major (Retd) Chairman Ventnor RBL Branch The head of the carnival procession passing Ventnor RBL. Ron Bostwick is seated next to the driver of the jeep. We will remember them Mr. J. Brodie - Shanklin Branch Our sincere condolences go to the family and friends. Surbiton Royal British Legion Band leading the Veterans and Standard Bearers through the High Street at Ventnor Carnival. 3

4 VJ Day 70th Anniversary Service St. George s Church, Arreton On Saturday 15 th August, under a blue sky and to the sound of bells, Her Majesty s Lord Lieutenant of the IW, Major General Martin White CB CBE JP, arrived for the VJ Day 70 th Anniversary Service at St. George s Church, Arreton. He was met by Cadet Chloe Remnant and received by a guard of honour formed by Ryde Sea Cadets TS Royal George, the County Standard of the Royal British Legion (carried by Peter Atkinson), RBL Branch Standards from Newport & Carisbrooke and Ryde, together with Standards from the Royal Navy Association, Submariners Association, Fleet Air Arm Association, Royal Hampshire Old Comrades Association and the Sea Cadet Standard. Also in attendance were the High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight, Mr Ron Holland and Mrs Holland, Andrew Turner MP, Lieutenant Colonel Danny Fisher (Deputy Lord Lieutenant) and Mrs Fisher, Lieutenant Colonel Bob Sheldon, and other distinguished guests and Burma Star veterans. The ethos of the Burma Star Association formed under the guidance of Lord Louis Mountbatten and Field Marshall Slim is to continue the camaraderie forged in the heart of the campaign in the Far East, and the presence of everyone attending paying tribute to the men and women of the Association ensures that this ethos endures seven decades on. Amongst the congregation of around 180 were not only veterans of the campaign in Burma and a former Far East Prisoner of War but also veterans of Korea, Suez and Iraq campaigns and members of the Submariners Association along with many Friends of the Burma Star Association, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant Lady Pigot, the County Commissioners of IW Scouts (Mr Paul Savill accompanied by his wife) and IW Guiding (Shirley Saunders accompanied by Lesley Clifford, the Assistant Island Commissioner), Ian Ward (President of the IW Royal British Legion) and Mr Charles Chapman (Chairman of the IW Council). The service was conducted by Reverend Janice O Shaughnessy. Verses from St John s Gospel were read by Burma Star Veteran Harry Aitken who, at the age of 93, was the last member of the local branch of the Association who was well enough to attend this service. Harry was an electrician who serviced aircraft cockpit instrumentation with the Royal Navy s Fleet Air Arm, on HMS Begum, an escort carrier, off the coast of Burma, and on HMS Unicorn, part of the British Pacific Fleet, servicing aircraft which carried out bombing raids on Japan. The Lord Lieutenant gave the Address, providing a context by quoting Lord Louis Mountbatten, the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in that forgotten theatre of war and spoke of the arduous conditions that had to be endured in coping with the grain of the country, from the weather to impenetrable and hostile jungles, disease and vicious biting insects. He 4

5 spoke of how, under General Slim, the allied forces prevailed and of the Burma Star Association and the long association of St George s church wherein the Burma Star Window was installed. At the Burma Star Window, Lieutenant Colonel Danny Fisher read the Exhortation and ex-submariner and bugler Will Nixon played the Last Post. Harry Aitken read the Kohima Epitaph and he and Peggy White laid wreathes in remembrance of Burma Star veterans and Far East Prisoners of War. Following the Service, the Lord Lieutenant and the High Sherriff, their wives and other guests joined members of the Burma Star Association in Arreton Community Hall for a lunch prepared by church members and the Friends of the Association. The lunch was funded by a lottery grant identified by Harry Aitken. It was a great opportunity to make new acquaintances and renew old ones. Andrew Thompson, St. George s Church, Arreton. GALLIPOLI COMMEMORATION CEREMONY - Ventnor A ceremony to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign took place in beautiful Ventnor Park on Sunday, 16th August. Many members of the Isle of Wight Rifles died in August 1915, including three from Ventnor. A very moving ceremony, lead by Reader David Tamcken, was carried out in the presence of the HM Lord Lieutenant for the IW, Major General Martin White CB CBE JP, and other local and Island dignitaries including the High Sheriff, Island MP, the Mayor of Ventnor, RBL County President, RBL County Chairman, RBL County Vice-Chairman and veterans. Included in the ceremony was a brief history of the Gallipoli Campaign and three WWI poems. The Exhortation was spoken by Cllr Ian Ward, RBL County President and (as a tribute to the 70 th Anniversary of VJ Day) the Kohima was spoken by Bernard Cawley. Crosses were laid in remembrance of three Ventnor soldiers, Riflemen Philip Gilbert, Herbert Harvey and Clifford King. Last Post and Reveille were sounded by Bugler Will Nixon. Nine Standards were on parade including the RBL County Standard (carried by Peter Atkinson), RBL Branch Standards from Ventnor and Newport & Carisbrooke, together with standards from Royal Navy Association, Royal Artillery Association, Royal Engineers Association, Royal Hampshire Old Comrades Association, RAF Association and HM Prison Service. 5

6 The event was well attended by the public and static displays included the Isle of Wight Rifles, Ventnor Historical Society and the recruiting team from the Royal Logistic Corps. Music was provided by QuintIsle and Sandown & Shanklin Military Band and a raffle raised nearly 100. I would like to thank all those who took part in the ceremony and Ventnorians for their support over the last year. Well done also to the Ventnor WWI Commemoration Committee comprising of Frank Hunt, Derek Deacon, Adam Pratt, Phil Holland, Ed Gouge, Ernie Willis, Graham Perks and Will Nixon. The committee is committed until November 2018 to hold major WWI ceremonies annually and to honour the 113 Ventnor men recorded on Ventnor War Memorial in the month they died 100 years ago. I believe we have a duty to commemorate those men who gave their lives for their country. The entire ceremony can be viewed on the South Wight TV website at WE WILL REMEMBER THEM Danny McMeechan Major (Retd) Chairman, Ventnor WWI ( ) Commemoration Committee ( With many thanks to Mike Hardy for allowing the use of his photographs for this article) 6

7 Seaview & Nettlestone Branch Garden Party and Art Exhibition The Royal British Legion, Seaview & Nettlestone Branch, including Bembrige and St Helens, held a Garden Party and Art Exhibition at Seagrove Pavilion, Seaview on Saturday 15 th August. The event was open to everyone and a huge success, attended by both members of the public and legion members. One of the local amateur art groups, who holds weekly sessions at Seagrove Pavilion, exhibited numerous pieces of their work and several were sold. Donations from the sale of these were passed to the branch. There was also a tombola, soft toys, Bric-a -Brac and cake tables, the cakes completely sold out. The individual cakes, scones and sandwiches were made and kindly donated by members of the branch and ladies from Seaview. The weather was kind on this occasion and visitors were able to sit outside and enjoy cream teas and sandwiches. The whole event raised a total of for the Poppy Appeal. Keith Bradford Vice Chairman and Standard Bearer 7

8 Standard Bearers Open Afternoon The RBL standard bearers supported by colleagues from the Royal Naval Association, The Royal Hampshire Old Comrades Association and the Royal Engineers Association, held an open afternoon on Saturday 22 nd August at Wroxall Community Centre. An invitation had been sent to all of the island Branches of the RBL as well as the various ex-service associations and cadet units inviting anyone who would like to find out more about carrying a standard and what it entails to come along have a try and chat with the standard bearers. The event was quite well attended with two Police Cadets, Milly Price and Jack Dyer, accompanied by one of the staff, Michael Ruth, turning up to have a go with the standards and for young people with no service experience all three really did very well. Four members of the RBL Riders section also came along and tried their hands at carrying a standard and also did really well along with a colleague from the islands newly formed Royal Marine s Association. The County Parade Marshal would like to pass on his thanks to Ernie and Helen Howard (Newport & Carisbrooke) for providing refreshments, Jim Howkins (Bembridge) and Peter Atkinson (Brighstone & District) for their help on the day. It is hoped to hold another open event early in the New Year. Terry Clarkson RBL County Parade Marshal. Tony Marvin has contacted me to say that if you are looking to have medals mounted and re-ribboned it is worth contacting J.Collins Medals, 'Navarino', St Boniface Road, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, PO38 1PN

9 Membership Matters.. Information received from Stephanie Harris, our Membership Support Officer - Membership Handbook Review July 2015 Edition On the 28 th July 2015 the Membership Council approved a number of changes to the Membership Handbook. An updated version of the handbook has now been uploaded to the Membership Documents Area and a list of tracked changes is available separately. The Membership Documents Area can be accessed using the following details: Username: memhandbook Password: TRBLmem 86 The next set of amendments will be published at the end of September and will include all the changes resulting from the introduction of new membership processes Membership Renewals We have started preparations to 2015/2016 membership renewal which will be processed in the new Comradeship Database. The main change to previous years will be more payment options for members as well as membership cards being sent to the home address of the member upon receipt of their payment. All previous cash payers that did not reply to the Payment Preference Letter will receive a Renewal Notification sating which payment options are still available to them and how to proceed. Please be aware that accepting membership fees in cash from members will significantly slow the renewal process and result in members not having their membership card on time. Branch Accounts Please remember to submit your audited accounts to your Membership Support Officer by 30 September. Please don t forget to attach the relevant bank statements and signed authority to disclose information forms for each bank account held. Use of Branch/Club Premises by Political Organisations Following recent enquiries on the use of premises by political parties the Membership Council wishes to restate that the Legion is a strictly non-political organisation and therefore aims to maintain an independent voice. Endorsing, promoting or lending our support to any party, in any fashion, would directly conflict with maintaining this independence. The Membership Council requests that you do not accept bookings for the use of your branch/club facilities or services from any political party, or body affiliated to it, for any purpose, whether on a free or commercial basis. 9

10 We have three RBL Clubs on the Isle of Wight. Club membership is open to all Legion members. Please contact the club direct for more information. RYDE RBL CLUB Can be found at - 1 St. James Street, Ryde, IW. PO33 2NF For more information visit their website at: VENTNOR RBL CLUB Can be found at 35 High Street, Ventnor, IW, PO38 1LZ For more information visit their website at: Telephone: rblventnor@gmail.com The Club is currently undergoing some refurbishment but remains open for business as usual. Live Entertainment on Saturdays - 9pm to Midnight Telephone: rblclubryde@gmail.com SHANKLIN RBL CLUB Can be found at 2 Collingwood Road, Shanklin, IW, PO37 7LN Lunches available most days. Sunday roast available but must be booked in advance. Live entertainment most Saturdays. For more information please contact the club direct on On 28 th August Ventnor RBL Club held their In-House Crib Pairs Competition for the Gordon Johnson Trophy. This is an annual competition which has been running since The winners this year were John and Shiela Arnott 10

11 Blind Veterans UK is committed to supporting the Isle of Wight and Hampshire s military veterans When someone loses their sight, the effects can be devastating for the whole family, especially without the dedicated care, support and services to help them adjust. Blind Veterans UK believes that no one who has served our country should have to battle blindness alone. That is why the charity provides free and lifelong support to vision impaired veterans and those who care for them. The charity is already supporting veterans on the Isle of Wight, in Hampshire, and across the UK, but is keen for all Armed Forces and National Service veterans who may be eligible for its free, lifelong support to get in touch. Marie Thomas, Blind Veterans UK s regional welfare officer in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight area, said: I am responsible for ensuring vision-impaired ex-service men and women receive the emotional and practical support they need to live independently in their own homes. A key part of my job is to assess veterans needs for advice and information, rehabilitation and training, care support and financial advice, and provide a lifeline for those who depend on our help. Our regular social activities also prove hugely popular with the veterans I have seen. The charity even teaches veterans some surprising skills, with many veterans having learnt archery, others to paint. William Turner, a Royal Navy and SAS veteran who spent eighteen years in the military, hadn t painted since school but now with the charity s support he has produced amazing paintings of his local countryside and of Flanders Fields. William is not the only veteran supported by the charity who has shown artistic flair. Many other veterans that have passed through the charity s arts and crafts classes have gone on to paint and sculpt in their own homes. The guidance and support from Blind Veterans UK really does give them a new lease of life. Blind Veterans UK provides vital services and support to ex-service men and women who are now battling severe sight loss and their families. Regardless of how a veteran lost their sight or when they served, Blind Veterans UK can help. If you are a vision impaired ex-service man or woman, or care for someone who is, find out more at: or telephone:

12 DIARY DATES. 4 th September - Meeting of Branch Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen. Ventnor RBL Club 6.30pm 6 th September -Earl Mountbatten Memorial Service, Romsey Abbey Further details: bsoffe@britishlegion.org.uk 20 th September IW County RBL VJ70 Drumhead Service Brighstone 2pm 24 th October County Poppy Launch, St. Thomas Square, Newport 8 th November -Remembrance Sunday ALL LEGION ENQUIRIES (including Welfare Requests) SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE CONTACT CENTRE ON Membership Support Officer Mrs Stephanie Harris 104 Above Bar Street, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 7DT sharris@britishlegion.org.uk Website: Registered Charity number th November IW County Standard Bearer Competition. Church Centre, Newport at 6.45pm IT S YOUR NEWSLETTER!!! If anyone has any articles they would like to submit for publication in the monthly newsletter please e -mail the newsletter editor at rbliwcounty@outlook.com Or send to: 2 Hope Mead, Langbridge, Newchurch, IW, PO36 0NP by the 20th of each month. Anything from jokes and poems, or hints and tips to remarkable personal achievements and Branch events. Or even adverts! Everything will be considered. 12