ARBORFIELD - Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th July 2005
inclusive
The
following report & photographs contributed by Trevor STUBBERFIELD (52A)
The BBQ
It was a long hike back to the SEAE where the BBQ had been set
up. A free bar quenched the initial thirst and we had just a short time
to wait for Cookhouse call.
Fired up by a glass of coke, I was minded to stroll over and tell
chef his sausages were on fire. On second thoughts, having looked at
him and realised my eyes would be looking at about his breast
pocket, I overcame that thought. This was no time to change my
lifetime habit of walking away from trouble rather than being carried away.
Lunch over I was faced with a difficult decision. Duty or
pleasure. The duty was the AGM of the association, a very important
gathering. The pleasure was down to My Manager having travelled with us
to stay with friends near Wokingham. Hard though it was, I had to
decide. Following my Arborfield tradition, honed to perfection over
three years, I bunked off to spend a few hours with the friends. I can
justify this action because it was a chance to catch up on local news, the
sort of TAT that I send to my friends, The Arborfielders.
Not only that, it was a chance to top up my tea levels, a drink which seems
strangely absent from coffee time round to afternoon tiffin.
Back to base and it was time to prepare for the dinner back
at the mess. More time to swing the lamp.
52A - John Todd, Brian
Paton and Bill Gigson
(photograph: Brian Paton
52A)
Five of “The Elite
52A”
Trevor Stubberfield, John Williams, Brian Paton, John
Todd, Bill Gibson
I'm worried about John Williams. Last year he felt my left
shoulder, this year it was the right. Next year when he gets down
to my knee it will be time to bale out. I might have to have a word
with Lady Kay, see if she has noticed any worrying tendencies in him.
The photo was taken by an Oz based 45er, over for the reunion and
to stay with his brother. Previously I had made contact with Arthur
"Lofty" Grant, a 39er, one of the ATS founding members. I put
him in touch with the association and at the same time tried to find some of
his old mates. It was by sheer chance that I came face to face with his
brother Eddie Grant the 45er, and after a chat, prevailed on him to take some
photos for us. At one time Eddie was the senior ASM in REME.
(photograph: George Fleck
51B)
(right) Chris Powell
52A
(photograph: George Fleck
51B)
(2nd left)
Trevor Trill 52A
(photograph: George Fleck
51B)
(left) Terry Reddin 52A
Eddie Grant (45er) from
Australia
The Dinner
A few photos of 52A
Bill Gibson and John Bodle by candlelight
John Bodle, Eddie Hind and John Williams
John Todd
(52A) and Jeep Derek Pullen
(52B)
The Disco
As we were called in to the 42nd Reunion Dinner one of
the 55ers, there to celebrate their 50th anniversary, was taken
ill. How devastating that he would miss such an important event. The
paramedics called in to deal with the emergency dealt with the situation very
efficiently and speedily and were able to stabilise the lad. The good
news is that he recovered well enough to be able to travel home
safely. A great relief but a reminder that we ain't
getting any younger. Rumours that he collapsed because he was presented
with the bar bill for the whole assembly were unfounded.
Dinner was served and enjoyed by all, the staff being very
accomplished and deserving of the thanks that was given to them in the after
dinner speeches.
Music to eat by was played by a small group of musicians drawn from
the REME band with the addition of a roving piper. On a previous
occasion the music was played by the whole pipe band marching around the
dining room, what a relief to have just one of them this year.
Traditional toasts were given and on our table we had an extra
one to absent friends and remembering in particular Norman Pywell and Ray Mannal who
had been back in the 52A fold for all too short a time before we lost
them again.
The celebrating intake address was given by David Naylor 55A, not
a task that many of us would willingly undertake. Unfortunately one
group, under alcohol, decided that their inane comments and childish
behaviour would be more important. Despite being told to keep quiet they
persisted with making a disturbance. Discourtesy is not just a trait of the
young, and who can blame them when faced with this sort of example from their
elders.
At the end of the evening it was the long trudge back to the
billet and a start to be made on getting ready for the journey home on the
morrow.
Published: 7th August 2005
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