From: James White Sent: 06 February 2011 09:53 To: Undisclosed-Recipient:; Subject: Grenadiers Reunited Mixed bunch this week, thanks to all who replied to request last week From D Money: 21006014 Donald Gatford who died on the 19th January at Cobh, County Cork, Eire. A great friend whom I have known for almost sixty years. Don served in the 3rd Battalion in Malaya, 2nd Battalion, 1st Battalion and finally RHQ Lest we forget From Ross Donaldson: We have to tell you of the deaths of two Norfolk Grenadiers recently. 2614428 Edwin (Ed) Mitchell. Quite a character! Served 4 years in the 2nd Bn. from January 1935 to December 1938 - Egypt. Tried to join Norfolk Police without success so on the outbreak of War re-enlisted in the Military Police and served with them - one of the very last men away from Dunkirk - then North Africa. After demob in 1946 spent remainder of his working life as the Bank Messenger for Midland Bank in Norwich. 22487975 Morris John (Johnny) Biggs. National Service 1952 - 54. Lest we forget From D Merridan: Please relay my personal thanks to all who replied to my Bruges e-mail. Every bit of response was really useful. Thank You. From Bob Goodson: MALAYA PATROL Tom Simpson (3rd Battalion 1948-53) is trying to contact anyone who may have been on the patrol in Malaya on 12 March 1949 when five Grenadiers were killed and two were wounded. If anyone can help Tom, please email him direct at tommy3112@hotmail.com and mention you heard of his request through Grenadiers Reunited and his message to the East Kent Branch of our Association. From Ray Seale: Has anyone got a photograph of The Castle and main square in Tripoli. Paul Pettifer ask: Hi Jim can you help i am looking for a grenadier gazette from 1976-1979 i am happy to pay or copy if any body can help Steve Brooks ask: Good Afternoon jim, could you kindly put a mention in your next available newsletter that I am trying to find/trace Sgt John Spencer who I last saw at Chelsea barracks in the 1st Btn in 1975. I believe he originated from the Luton/London area but I may be wrong on that one, (old age). Dick Godfrey says: Hi Jim, its me again, I am trying to trace and contact a old mate of mine, his name is Mick Fee, He was in the 2nd bn in the 60s and it was Mick and myself who left the bn in 1969 and went back to Germany. I last saw him and his wife in the late 70s, he was a police officer at Penzance,I dont know if he stayed in cornwall. Someone may know where he his now. Can you please put this in the newsletter on sunday, many thanks From B Taylor I hope you can include the following items in the next issue of Grenadiers Reunited. The first is on behalf of The Wigan, St. Helens and District branch of The Association to inform everyone that this year's St. George's Day lunch will be held on Sunday 17th April at The Robin Hood, Pennington, Leigh. Usual time of 1300hrs, dress is optional and, as usual, the branch will subsidise the cost. This is an extremely good meal at a very reasonable cost to all who attend. It's a chance to relax in a convivial atmosphere with friend old and new. Numbers are limited so book your places at the table by 'phoning either Graham Young on 01942 605401 or Barry Taylor on 01744 601663. I'll look forward to seeing you. The second item is personal. Does any one know the whereabouts of Brian (Steve) Stevens. Steve was POL storeman on The MT Platoon in Wuppertal and Munster (Buller Bks.) with 2nd Bn. He left The Regiment at Chelsea and lived in Coulsdon, Surrey. His wife was Pat and they had 2 children, Paul and Sharon. I would love to get in touch with him again or at least learn something of him. He was a good mate to me. Barry Taylor. 01744 601663 Dear James. Recollections of the 3rd battalion by Peter Johnson, Leyland. I seem to remember that every afternoon around 4.00 pm there was a parade on the square in which there was one drummer and one fifer playing "pretty Polly Perkins of Paddington Green" Was this a practice only carried out by the 3rd battalion and has this practice ceases altogether. Also what was this parade called. From Doug Best "Is there anyone who knows the whereabouts of Fox Fothergill (from Dewsbury) and Phil Little (from Birmingham, but, I believe, he became a methodist minister in Sheffield)? They were both in the Recce Troop 4th Battalion Grenadier Guards 1943-45 and members of the crew of recce tank Worksop. Any other 4th Battalion tank men out there? As a matter of interest, I recently got in touch with Major Selby-Lowndes. If anyone has any information, or would like to contact me, they can do so via email - douglas.best@btinternet.com or phone - 01472 824317. Thanks, Doug Best" I hope that you can help. Kind regards From G Griffiths: I am writing in as I would like to try and get in contact with, Sgt Terry Packer of 2nd Battalion Grenadiers, who was born or lived in Bristol. We served at the same time at Caterham, in Inkerman company 1962 and he trusted me to baby-sit for him a few times, knowing I was one of nine kids growing up, so he probley knew I could cope as at the time his baby was very small only a few months old. I do remember once when they came home and I was asleep with the Baby on my lap, I woke to hear his wife say aaaww look at these two. The reason I want to get in contact is because I am writing a book an autobiography of my life and we served as weeping centres on the Cenotaph in Bristol in 1962, He was the sergeant in charge that day, there was some great pictures taken of that day by the Bristol evening post there was one close-up of me with my rifle, “at rest on rifle reverse head bowed”. I do have an aerial shot of a press cutting of that day, which I got from their archives and I do know there was pictures taken of both of us in close-up which I did have once but they got lost in a move years ago, I was hoping he would still have copies. I would do anything to get a copy. If he see’s this or anyone knows of him could they please get in touch. My email is gjgriff@btinternet.com I do now live in Australia my address is, Gerald Griffiths 44 Stirling Cresant Aldinga Beach S/A 5173. Australia. Very Kind regards Chinny Griffiths as known then. From Dave Hoskison You might already know about but I thought I would send it anyway. BBC1 Wednesday 9pm Forgotten Heroes a programme about the ex forces who are living rough it's presented by Lt Col Tim Collins. From RBL: Greetings from the Somme branch. Below are the details for 2011 Normandy 5-6th June the Somme events 1st July and the joint RBL event in Ypres on the 2nd of July. All branches,officers, members and standards are invited to attend. All events are fully open to members of the Public It is hoped to have as many standards as possible to attend these events. You may be aware that the Normandy Branch has always organised many events in Normandy to commemorate DO DAY which they continue to do.. TRBL National in conjunction with the NVA have taken over responsibility for three key events in Normandy. Sunday 5th June 2011 1st event will be at the Caen Memorial on the 5th June at 1500hrs. Supporting 3 DIV memorial service followed by a reception and a beating retreat. Monday 6th June Bayeux cathedral 1030hrs main RBL event. Bayeux Cemetery 1200hrs main RBL cemetery service. 1st July 2011 Somme events The Friday 1st July 2011 is the 95th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme and the 90th Anniversary of the Royal British Legion. Also being a Friday leading into the weekend attendance will be high. Service at Thiepval 1st July 1030hrs, then attending the Ulster Tower at 1500hrs. Somme Dinner will be held on Friday 1st July 2011 at the Royal Picardie Hotel Albert cost £35 or € 40 includes pre dinner drinks 4 course dinner wine ( of ration) and coffee.Dress is black tie/ Mess Kit/Lounge suit/ ladies -cocktail or evening wear- medals. Please book your pre paid tickets with the branch treasurer Christine at treasurer@rblsomme.org or pay on line at www.rblsomme.org We have the Royal Picardie Hotel booked for Thurs 30th June and Friday 1st July, cost € 100 B+B per Double or single room per night; rooms are held for the RBL Somme until Feb 28th please book ASAP directly with the hotel quoting "Royal British Legion SOMME" Tel : +33 (0) 3 22 75 37 00 - Fax : +33 (0) 3 22 75 60 19 - reservation@royalpicardie.com view the hotel at www.royalpicardie.com On the Saturday 2nd July we all move up to Ypres where the Calais Somme and Ypres branch are having a joint service in St Georges Church followed by reception and then a special last post at the Menin gate to mark the 90th Anniversary of the RBL.. 1500hrs afternoon tea St Georges Church hall, 1600hrs RBL Church service at St Georges Church. 173Ohrs RBL Reception. 1930hrs Parade on the Grote Market, Standards and members march to the Menin Gate. This year has the promise of being a very memorable event, please be aware hotels will book up very quickly, you will need to pre book and pay for both Hotel and Somme dinner tickets.If you are attending any of the above events please advise re numbers, which will assist in planning and invitations or passes in required Look forward to seeing you. Rod Rod Bedford Chairman (Somme Branch BR3530) The Royal British Legion 2, Rue des Cordeliers 80560 Mailly Maillet Somme France Chairman@rblsomme.org Tel 0033 322 76 29 60 Mobile 0033 674090882 Charity No. 219279