On 11 April 2012, Sapper Ray was involved in a search and clearance
operation in the Nad 'Ali district of central Helmand near to Checkpoint
Kahmanan. The aim of the mission was to clear a compound previously
used by insurgents, allowing the local population to safely return to
the area.
During this operation Sapper Ray was seriously injured in an IED
strike. He received immediate medical attention before being taken to
the Camp Bastion Role 3 Hospital and was later evacuated to the Queen
Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.
Our
thoughts and prayers are with his family and with his colleagues, both on Op
Herrick and back in the UK.
A message received from Maj Martin Heffer OC 579
INVITATION TO ARMED FORCES DAY PARADE AND FAMILIES DAY 30 JUNE 2012
I am writing to invite members of the 101 Regimental Association to our Armed Forces Day Inspection and Medals Parade at Southborough Common, Kent followed by our families’ afternoon at the St Johns Road TA Centre in Tunbridge Wells.
579 Field Squadron will be marking Armed Forces Day 2012 by holding a brief field service on Southborough Common at 11:30
hrs, followed by the issue of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal. As a thank you
to all the families of our soldiers and key members of the local
community we will be holding a reception and families’ afternoon at our TA Centre following the parade. I would like to invite members of the Association and their families to both events.
I very much
hope that we can use the event as an opportunity to renew old
acquaintances, forge new friendships and enjoy the companionship of old
comrades while taking the opportunity to mark the Squadron’s place in the local and broader Kent, Surrey and Sussex communities. As I think you know I have offered to host the Association’s AGM on the same day.
Can you please extend this invitation to all members of the Association and your broader network of former sappers of 579 Sqn.
It
would be very helpful if you could give me some idea by the end of May
who you think will be attending. I will pass precise details on in due
course.
Yours aye
Martin
MJ Heffer
Maj RE
OC 579 Sqn (EOD) (V)
Update 16th March 2012
I’m
not sure if you know but Joe O’Connor (a former member of101 Regiment)
has decided to take part in the Himalayan Experience in April this year.
He will be joining Walking with the Wounded to take on the challenge of
climbing Everest and also hopes to tackle the Lobuche Peak (6119m).
This unique opportunity will raise
awareness for our charity (S4V). As you know every donation will make a
difference to the lives of our injured veterans and their families and
we will be offering life changing opportunities and on-going support to
them.
I wonder if it will be possible for you
to work a bit of magic and give us a boost with our fundraising for
Everest. I enclose a sponsorship form and any help you can give us in
spreading the word and getting Joe to the top of the mountain (safely)
would be much appreciated.
Please forward on this link www.bmycharity.com/everests4v to your comrades and contacts/associates who may potentially like to sponsor Joe and S4V with his upcoming Everest Expedition.
If you require any further please do not hesitate to contact the team on info@sanctuaryforveterans.co.uk
Also, can I ask you to follow us on twitter and/or Facebook where applicable? Many thanks.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Regards
Joe O'Connor
Founder and Director
Sanctuary for Veterans
Have a BRILLIANT day!
(#HABD)
www.sanctuaryforveterans.co.uk
Update 4th February 2012
For our first members event of this year a tour of the Fullers Brewery
at Chiswick, London has been arranged for the 25th May at 3pm.
The cost is £10.00 per person, this includes a guided tour of the brewery and tastings in the cellar bar after.
We have 15 places booked for the tour, so places will be on a first come
first served basis, this will be done on receipt of a cheque.
Please make cheques payable to G. A. Plumridge, 11 Fairlight Avenue, Telscombe Cliffs, East Sussex, BN10 7BN.
Having done this tour on two other occasions I can recommend it (especially the tastings after).
Those who wish to we can RV at another watering hole before the
tour, those going straight to the brewery RV is at the Mawson Arms "the
brewery tap" 15 minutes prior the tour starting.
The nearest tube station is Turnham Green 10 mins walk from the brewery.
REgards
Graham
Update 29th January 2012
AGM - 30th June 2012 am at Tunbridge Wells TAC - Full details to be confirmed
Update 18th January 2012
London Group REA Annual Dinner
This years Dinner will be held at The Union Jack Club Gasgoine Room On Saturday 10 March 2012.
Gathering from/Bar open 17.30 for 18.00
Seated by 18.30 meal to be served at 18.45.
Bar close and disperse 23.59
Dress Lounge suits for the Gents and dress's for the ladies
The London Group Director is Col Mark Budden MBE Commanding Officer 101 Engineer Regiment (EOD)
and the Group Secretary is WO 1 (RSM) Bruce Dickson
As
we, as an association, are not members of the REA, if you are
interested in attending this event will need to obtain tickets from
your own REA branches. Members of the BD branch need to contact
Pete Markham.
Update 18th January 2012
Due to becoming old and needing to retire
from the TA, Nobby is no longer able to use the firm's email. So
all email contact will now need to be on
nigel842@btinternet.com
Update 22nd December 2011
Christmas
Message from the Committee
I hope that this message finds you
well, and enjoying the last few days before Christmas. The whole Committee
would like to wish you, your families and loved ones a Very Happy Christmas;
I hope that Santa brings all the presents that you have been hoping
for.
Although you might not have seen much
evidence of progress with the Association, we have been working away
behind the scenes, trying to ensure that the purpose of the Association
is more clearly identified and that we are in a better position to move
forwards. At the AGM earlier in the year, we discussed our Constitution
and made some amendments that, we hope, will better reflect the purpose
of the Association.
As you will know, we have had a number
of problems with our web site, not least its apparent inability to collect
membership funds. These woes may soon be behind us, as Maria Plumridge
has started an overhaul of the site. Although it is still early
days with this, things are moving forwards and the new site will be
a lot more user friendly. Thank you, Maria, please keep up the good
work!
Gatherings during the last year –
We held the AGM in Hudson House in September, and this was well supported.
I think that all those present enjoyed a pleasant lunch and a few of
us also had a pint or two. Also, we were represented at St Luke’s
Church at the Remembrance Day Service, where a wreath was laid on behalf
of the Association. And, we have raised money during the year and this
has been handed over to the Injured Soldiers’ Fund.
Looking ahead to next year, we are
planning to link the AGM to a social function. This might either take
the form of a ‘mess dinner’ in one of the TA Centres, or may be
linked to a medals presentation and family day, also at a TA Centre.
Discussions continue and we will let you know the date and details as
soon as these are known. Additionally, we will participate in the traditional
Remembrance Day Service at St Luke’s Church in Chelsea on Sunday 11th
November. We are investigating other activities, perhaps already being
organised by the Regiment, which we could link in to. Needless to say,
please let us know if you have any good ideas for meetings/social events
etc.
In the meantime, though, have a jolly
Happy Christmas and we look forward to seeing you all in the New Year.
And, thank you for your continued support.
Jem Blades (Chairman)
