Royal Green Jackets Association London Branch 2015 Waterloo Anniversary

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1 Royal Green Jackets Association London Branch 2015 Waterloo Anniversary The previous year had been highly satisfactory having fulfilled our pledges for the Museum and other charities. Our aim this year was to concentrate on the twentieth anniversary since the Branch was formed with a slightly lower emphasis on fundraising. It was also decided to nominate the year as our Waterloo Year (200 th Anniversary) and use the battle as a theme to our activities. The other pleasing aspect of the year was a remarkable increase in the number of members in the Branch which resulted naturally in an increase in the number attending our functions. Ladies Dinner Night We began our year s activities with the Ladies Dinner Night held in the Victory Services Club, which was very well attended with over one hundred and twenty Members and guests present. It proved to be one of our best to date with two guests of honour attending, General Sir Nick Carter, KBE, CBE, DSO and Mrs Carter, and also Lt General Sir Christopher Wallace, KBE, DL and Mrs Wallace. The evening began with a drinks reception. The Waterloo band and Bugles attended and sounded all the appropriate calls for dinner and during the evening. The band played throughout the evening and everyone present appreciated the effort they made in not only playing regimental music but also popular theme songs, although the highlight of course was 'High on the Hill'. A word of thanks must also be recorded for the KRRC ACF Detachment who assisted the Committee with the arrangements for the smooth running of the evening. The speeches were given by the Branch Secretary, Gary Driscoll, who thanked all those involved in the arrangements for the evening, followed by Colonel George Smythe, Branch President, who gave a short State of the Nation update and thanked those branch members and guests present for their tremendous fundraising efforts throughout the year. He then gave some background information on the two V.I.Ps. After introducing General Nick he added a caveat that he had no idea what he would say in his speech but reserved the right as President to reply! General Nick gave a very interest insight into the difficulties involved in everyday life in the Army today and rounded off his time by producing some early photographs of the President and himself in bygone days. The President then introduced General Christopher and also stated to members that he had been promised that they were not about to have a history lesson on the Peninsular War! The General began his address by thanking the Branch Members for their very generous contribution of ten thousand pounds for funding the commissioning of the painting commemorating the Routing of the Imperial Guard at Waterloo. General Wallace gave a very descriptive talk on the contents of the painting, which was shown on a large screen and explained in detail the actions that took place at

2 the decisive moment in the battle. He completed his time at the podium by giving a very personal and amusing background talk on our other guest claiming that he had reached the top possibly due to his influence in his younger days! The party went on to the early morning with one or two of the die-hard managing to find breakfast at a local establishment before retiring to their beds or departing for home. Waterloo Exhibition at the Royal Green Jackets Museum, Winchester The President and the Secretary with their wives were honoured to be invited to the Museum at which the president unveiled the picture on behalf of the London Branch Members in the recently renovated Waterloo display in the museum. Although the Branch had seen a screen image of the picture, without a shadow of doubt, the real Thing is far more impressive and the Branch can be justifiable proud of their fund raising achievement. The Branch had been invited to have a private tour of the Waterloo display and painting at the Museum. This visit took place on Saturday the 5th June and the Branch joined forces with one of our affiliated London Branches British Legion Clubs who ensured we had a full coach. Although we had a delayed start we managed to arrive on time to be met by Major Ken Gray who conducted the tour. It was an excellent tour which all present enjoyed the highlight, of course, was the painting of the Routing of the Imperial Guard which many of those present had contributed to in one form or the other. Once the tour was completed lunch was taken in the Guardroom restaurant and then time was spent in Winchester which had some very fond memories for one or two who had not returned to the Depot since their recruit training a long time ago. We departed for London tired but very satisfied we our day, a word of thanks to Ken Gray who drew the short straw for our visit but who was very informative and helpful throughout the morning. Veterans Lunch at 86 St James The Branches Veterans Day lunch took place at Mark Masons Hall, 86 St James, and was very well attended. We entertained two guests both of which had been very loosely affiliated to the Branch in the pass. Although both had not served with the Regiment, one in particular, Major Tom Godwin MBE was known by some of those present from their Brecon days. As always a very substantial lunch accompanied by a great deal of wine and of course many stories of past days. The President addressed those present and thanked them for their support throughout the years in particular the effort made in their contribution to the Waterloo painting. He also thanked them for their generous contribution to the raffle of which the profits will be contributed to a RGJ cause later in the year. An excellent day and always well attended. Annual Reunion, Winchester A small contingent made the trip to Winchester for the annual reunion which was lead by the Secretary, Gary Driscoll. Most of the London Branch members who attended made their own arrangements but the feedback was positive and one at which they had an enjoyable day. It is the intention of the Committee to make a major effort on behalf of the Branch to attend the 50th Anniversary in 2016.

3 Regents Park Memorial Service A large number of members and their wives paraded for the Regents Park RGJ Band Memorial remembrance service held on 19th July. The Secretary and Richard Frost laid wreaths behalf of the Band and the Regiment. After the ceremony the Branch members retired to a local pre arranged hostelry for lunch and a few drinks before departing for home. Battlefield Tour, Waterloo, Belgium This year the Branch Battlefield Tour was in line with the theme of the year and took the Branch to Waterloo, Belgium. The tour was over three full days and involved some detailed staff work to ensure pick up points and timings were met and that there were no delays as timings were critical due to disruptions on the tunnel trains. The tour got off to a good start with everyone arriving, and on time, however, on arrival at the tunnel terminus things went belly up as the saying goes! We were informed formed that there would be a four-hour delay due to difficulties with migrants on the track! Luckily, as a precaution, an advance party had been despatched the evening before and so we were able to adjust timings as the delay developed. The guides adjusted their programme and timings where changed on the move. Our aim was to complete a tour of the Battlefield ground and the Sandpit, the farm at La Haie Saint thereby setting the scene for the day of the battle and more importantly be back at the Hotel for the Dinner Night for which the timings could not be changed. As the saying goes it will be alright on the night, this eventually was the case. We were able to sit down for dinner on time. After an excellent meal with ample wine a Waterloo Quiz chaired by the President, members dispersed to savour the delights of Waterloo. An early start the next day took us first to the site of the cross roads, known as the Battle of Quatre Bras, which happened the day before the Battle of Waterloo. A very interesting tour of the area with a very informative description of the action in and around the site. We then moved on to Chateau d Hougoumont Farmhouse and toured the recently renovated site. This was an excellent tour culminating in a in an outstanding digital film show and would highly recommended if you visit Waterloo. We then made our way to the Waterloo Centre, known as the Lion s Mound, where the brave hearted walk the ridge line and assembled at the site where the French Imperial Guard was routed which was the theme of the painting which had been commissioned by the Branch. The Branch then dispersed at the Visitors Centre for lunch with plenty of time to visit the museums, including the 360 degree indoor panoramic display of the Battle of Waterloo. An early start on the Sunday morning in anticipation of delays at the Channel Crossing but to our surprise we sailed through even managing to catch and earlier train. We dispersed and the hardy stopped in London for a few last farewell drinks, An excellent weekend and well worth the effort.

4 Remembrance Sunday Cenotaph Marchpast A small contingent of members attended the Ceremony at Westminster Gardens of Remembrance for the annual Remembrance Sunday is always a land mark day for the Branch. Although the format is the same numbers increase each year, this year was no exception. A larger than expected number of Riflemen assembled at the Bullfrog for coffee and breakfast and for some a warmer or two in to the bank before the parade. A large number of families were present and remained in comfort at the Bullfrog while those participating departed for House Guards Parade. Due to the large numbers on parade there was a certain amount of confusion during the parade assembly that the Riflemen enjoyed much to the frustration of the Parade Marshalls. A total of two hundred and thirty Riflemen marched past the Cenotaph which was very satisfying and was the largest single contingent on parade. A majority returned to the Bullfrog where the numbers swelled to over three hundred during the course of the afternoon with members of RB and KRRC arriving. Lunch was available and it was pleasing to see that many families stayed the course. A word of thanks to the committee led by the Secretary Gary Driscoll who managed the whole affair and the staff of the Bullfrog who managed to cater for the Branches every need. An excellent day which was very worthwhile. Andy McNab Fundraiser, Victory Services Club Our final major fund raising event of the year was the A McNab book signing, an auction of items donated throughout the year and a giant raffle with a majority of items donated from members and supporters of the Branch. Also so this year it was decided to try something different for the evening, we changed location and hired the Victory Services Club at Mable Arch which turned out to be an a very popular venue with our members. The other major change was it was decided to broaden the scope of the evening and with the assistance of A McNab who had recently co-author a book with Dr K Dutton Called How to Be Good Psychopath we had a joint presentation. Much to a very nervous President the evening was a tremendous success, we had a larger audience than previous years with a record number of attendees. There was a very informative joint presentation followed by lively Q&A session in which it was discovered that London Branch when a joint audience survey was completed that the Branch identified all the guilty partners who had committed mass murders. Must be something in the Branches genes! The auction was a great success with a substantial amount of money raised for the Branches next charity project in A sincere word of thanks to all of those members and supporters who generously donated items and of course those who dug very deep into their pockets who we gratefully relieved them of their hard earned money. The final closing event was the grand raffle which once again was very well supported. This evening turned out to be a great success but of course the work behind the scenes involved a great deal of effort and co-ordination, our committee to say the least were in overdrive not only on the evening but in the few days before the evening. Our east end ladies stepped up to the mark and manned the Del Boy Case stand for which we thank them for.

5 Ladies Christmas Lunch, 86 St James The Ladies Christmas lunch in St James, Mark Mason Hall was very well attended supported by our ladies all of which contributed to a highly successful lunch and drinks reception. The pink and blue raffle was well supported and once again the Rifleman s blue team massively out contributed the Ladies pink team. An excellent Christmas lunch was provided accompanied by a great deal of wine. This was a fitting occasion for Branch Members and their guests to end the year s activities, everyone enjoyed themselves and departed to continue the movement or descend on the shops to indulge in some Christmas shopping. This has been a highly successful year for the Branch, we have had an increase in membership, supported the Regimental Association and more importantly had a great deal of fun. The Branch wishes all members of the Regimental family a healthy and safe coming year and for those Riflemen still serving, if in harms, way take care. Colonel (Rtd) George F Smythe London Branch President

J. David Markham. President, International Napoleonic Society. Chevalier dans l Ordre des Palmes Académiques

J. David Markham. President, International Napoleonic Society. Chevalier dans l Ordre des Palmes Académiques J. David Markham President, International Napoleonic Society Chevalier dans l Ordre des Palmes Académiques 81 Navy Wharf Court, Suite 3315 Toronto, ON M5V 3S2 CANADA Phone: (416) 342 8081 7 January 2016