BACK BADGE REUNION - CALLING NOTICE  SATURDAY 22nd MARCH 2025

Introduction.  The past year has been all about the Building, launching and Unveiling of the Gloucestershire Regiment memorial. It would only seem fitting that this year's Back Badge reunion theme should celebrate this magnificent work of art standing proudly at the NMA.

The Reunion will be held in the Wos & Sgts Mess Imjin Barracks Innsworth Gloucester GL13 1HW on Saturday 22nd March 2025 Anyone who wore the Back Badge and Their Guests are most welcome to attend.

Please Note: To gain access to the barracks it is planned to have a block booking for speedy entrance.  It is therefore requested to add the details of your vehicle.

Background. Some key points for the day include:

Church Service at St Mary de Lode. The service will be conducted by Canon Nikki Arthy who will be accompanied by ex-members of the Glosters band and Standard Bearers. All are welcome to attend and please be seated by 11.15 am, the service will commence at 11.30.

March through Gloucester. Form up under the parade marshal outside the West door on Archdeacon Street and proceed up Westgate Street. A salute will be taken on the steps of the Shire Hall.  The march continues up to the cross wheeling right into Southgate Street and right into Longsmith Street where the participants will fall out.

Transport. Mr Andy Casey has kindly donated his minibus ably driven by his wife Shirley also a car for those of you who are disabled, to transport people from Archdeacon Street and Longsmith Street to Imjin Barracks. There will be a slight delay between the two, so marching Veterans requireing a lift (please annotate the proforma). Please be patient.

Reunion. The Mess caterers are arranging a three-course luncheon for £25.00 per head, the same price as 2022/23&24 this includes tea//coffee on arrival at the bar assembly point (drinks can be purchased at the bar). A bottle of red and a bottle of white wine will be on each table, the lounge bar will remain open after lunch for those wishing to partake, and a finger buffet will also be provided.

Widows. The committee wish to encourage our regimental widows to come and join us. Please try to bring one along with you, they are still part of our Regt family.

Standard Bearers.  There will be a brief rehearsal at 10.45 in the church.

Numbers. Due to last year's successful event, there is a lot of interest shown, So please get your seat booked early.

The easiest way to provide all the details and book your tickets is online at:

https://www.rgbw-association.org.uk/back-badge25

If you cannot complete it online,  then you will have to send this proforma to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.     or speak to Len on       Mobile: 07414 945062

Hi folks compliments of the season to you all.

It is my intention to lay on a free trip to the National Memorial Arboretum on Sunday 16th February 2025. For those of you who couldn’t make the unveiling of our memorial.

Details:  

1. 53 seater luxury coach departing from the Gloucester TA Centre at 09:30hrs ( free parking for your cars in TA Centre grounds)

2. Visit the Gloucestershire Regimental memorial for a viewing and photographs.

3. Free light luncheon in canteen approx 13:30 hrs

4. Free Ride by train around the whole Arboretum for photographs and interest

5. Travel back to Gloucester by coach at approximately 16:30hrs

Please note this is a free day out not to be missed and I will take the first 50 names posted to me by any means phn, email, msg, WhatsApp etc

Return asap family’s of back badge wearers most welcome

Hope you can make it.

Len

BUSES AT TA CENTRE these will be parked up at 10:00hrs and will depart promptly at 11:00 hrs.

Car parking attendants will show you where to park your vehicle inside the TA grounds prior to embarking.

Buses will be No 1&2 No 1 bus will be equipped to take disabled and wheel chair passengers.

There will be a bus monitor on each to help seat you and entertain you on the journey.

Passengers must arrive no later than 10:30hrs to allow time for loading.

The mini bus is for the band/ equipment and committee only.

Those Travelling by private vehilce, please arrive at the Aboretum no later than 13:30 for check in.

Folks we have spare seats on the coaches going to the National Memorial Arboretum on the 25sept a chance to see the unveiling of the Gloucestershire Regiment Memorial and a lovely day out for free on us.

The 300 year commemorative pin badge will also be available to you so come along to the TA Centre Eastern Avenue on Weds the 25th September at 10:00hrs and we will give you a seat on a luxury coach to take you and bring you back Cars may be left in The TA Centre grounds.

Don’t miss this folks it’s a biggie

Len

Posted on behalf of David Mulcahy

On the 30th of May I will be heading to Europe on an unsupported European cycling tour. I hope to cycle from Calais 30 May to Ypres and to finish the tour on, or about the 21st of June? I intend to visit as many locations as possible where our forefathers in the Gloucestershire Regiment served and fought bravely. On the 6th of June, I will be in the area of the Normandy beaches, so I intend camping around the area of Gold beach, where British troops landed including the 2nd Battalion the Gloucestershire Regt. I later intend to visit the Somme and Ypres and the surrounding war cemeteries.

Having proudly served in the Regiment from 1975 to 1979 I hope to raise further funds for the Gloucestershire Regiment Memorial.

A Dedication of the Gloucestershire Regiment Memorial will take place on Wednesday 25th September 2024 at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA).starting at 2.30pm.

Donations for the memorial fund are still being gratefully received, as they will enable us to continue to encourage and enable visits to our memorial in the future.

If you are willing and able to donate, please follow the just giving link below.

Thank you

https://checkout.justgiving.com/gx8kxe7f5z

Any donation no matter how large all small would be greatly appreciated. Please note ‘Just giving do not take any of your donation, however you can choose to give a voluntary donation to them or change the voluntary contributions to zero.’

THE GLOUCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT MEMORIAL

Having started fundraising in earnest in mid -2023, I am delighted to be able to let you know that we are now able to formally announce that the Dedication of the Gloucestershire Regiment Memorial will take place on Wednesday 25th September 2024 at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA).starting at 2.30pm.

https://www.thenma.org.uk

Donors

We are now approaching all those who have donated individually or collectively towards the Memorial and inviting you to the Dedication. Our funds have been accumulated from a wide variety of sources - prediminantly the "Regimental Family"- as well as related organisations. Our heartfelt thanks go out to all those who have given so generously and who have organised collective donations and events. It is heartwarming that, although it is 30 years since the Glosters marched off parade for the last time; such goodwill is still felt towards the Regiment that left its mark on us all

For those who have not yet contributed, but who wish to attend, there is still time to donate. Any additional contributions will be most gratefully received, as they will enable us to continue to encourage and enable visits to our memorial in the future. 

Dedication Service

Although the Dedication service will start at 2.30pm, please arrive earlier - no later than 1.30pm. This will give everyone time to meet up with friends and move to the Memorial which is some 500 yeards from the main NMA building. Golf carts are available for those who need a lift from the visitors centre. The service will be led by the Reverend Andy Grant, an ex-Gloster, and a band, made up  also of ex-Glosters and led by Roger Phelps, as well as standards, will be present. Seating is limited and wreaths will be laid at the end of the Dedictaion. There will be a number of VIPs attending.

After the service, those who have contributed to the Memorial fund, are invited to a "Tea Party" to be held in the Aspects Building at the NMA. this will be an opportunity to mix, reminisce and meet VIPs; the event will be ticketed with access limited to donors 

Dress

This is a formal occasion. Please wear suitable clothing and headgear, including medals and berets/bowler hats, as appropriate. Those in possession of the Gloucestershire Regiment Tercentenary medal, issued in 1994, are encouraged to wear it. 

Transport

Entry to the NMA is free, but not car parking. Those wishing to attend in their own transport are recommended to book a parking space, before the date, via the NMA web site. This will give you the discounted parking rate and pre-register your details, which will save time on the day. The NMA opens at 10am and, if you have not visited before, it is well worth coming early and touring the whole site. There are plenty of "facilities" to keep you occupied, including a restaurant. 

For those needing transport, buses to the NMA will be organised, departing from, and returning to Gloucester. Len Keeling will publish details nearer the date. Those planning to attend should bear in mind that space is limited so there will be a limit on numbers. 

Registration

Finally, you should register, by using the form below, your intention to attend the Dedication as soon as possible, as final figures are required by 19th August. Please bear in mind that, after this date there is very little scope to change. Names of all those attending need to be registered and collated for security reasons and if you are not on the list there is no guarantee of entry. The return slip for those wishing to attend is included in this EMail and details required are self-explanatory. On arrival at the NMA wrist bands will be issued at the "checking in point" near Reception to signify arrival and registration.

We now very much look forward to hearing from you all and hope that as many of you as possible will be attending what promises to be a memorable and joyful day!

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The Somerset Branch of The Rifles & RGBW Association
Invitation to our Annual Imjin Commemorative Lunch
on Sunday 21 April 2024

It only seems a few months ago since our last Imjin Commemorative Lunch and now it is time again to organise another one!
We are planning to hold the event once again at the Taunton Rugby Football Club, Veritas Park, Hyde Lane, Bath pool, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 8BU on Sunday 21 April 2024 at 1200hrs for 1245hrs.

The two-course carvery & dessert menu, including tea & coffee, is £15.00p per person, which is extremely excellent value, thanks to being generously discounted by the Association.
Online payment by bank transfer is the preferred payment option but cheques will also be
accepted, for full details and to submit the return please follow this link . 

Imjin Lunch Sunday 21 April 2024 – The Rifles & RGBW Regimental Association (rgbw-association.org.uk)

Gloster Day Parade Weekend 2023 the 15th Parade since 2009. (A Few Have Gone But Never Forgotten).
Well folks we are nearly there, only a couple of weeks away, here are a few brief notes to let you know what happens for those who are new and joining us this year.

Please have a great time as I know you will, but remember that the great people of Gloucester love their County Regiments and will be looking at us as always with great pride, please be aware of this and don't bring the Glorious name of our Regiments into disrepute.

The celebration has now developed into a weekend of getting together and on Friday, Glosters RGBW, Rifles, and Wessex Veterans and families will arrive from all over the country (the world even) I wish you all safe travels.

On the Friday 1st September as people arrive and get settled we tend to meet up at the New Inn in the early afternoon for a few drinks and a catch up with old friends.

And in keeping with our normal Friday evening tradition we have organized a talk in the museum.
This year by Nicola Nash from the War Detectives TV show.

Nicola works at the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre at ARRC.
She will specifically be talking about trying to locate the fallen members of the Gloucestershire Regiment still in the Korean War. This will be well worth attending and tickets are £10 from the Museum.

Museum Bar:- Friday Evening, Gloster Day Night Bar from 18:00 until late.
There are also plenty of bars and restaurants in and around the city centre to enjoy as I know we all like to hang out with those you served with.

Saturday 2nd September Gloucester Day.
If the hotel you are staying in does not do breakfast, some of us like to head over to the New Inn they do a very good Buffet breakfast for non guests and its also good for finding out what's happening during the day.

The GDP Family starts to gather together at around 10 -11am in Witherspoon / New Inn or the Con-club (FUP)

The GDP Parade assembles at 13.30 hrs. along Constitution walk behind Brunswick Rd Museum and along side the Con-club(FUP as before).

This year the route is a little shorter the parade makes its way to Eastgate St following the Via Sacra paving through Queens Walk then turning left into Eastgate St, making its way over Gloucester Cross down Westgate St turning right into St Johns Lane, crossing Northgate St into St Aldate St, into Kings Sq. The Mayor and Civic Party take the Salute on the main stage. The Parade makes its way along the Oxbode turning left into Northgate St making its way over Gloucester Cross along Southgate St falling out at Brunswick Baptist Church. The Veteran Contingent will form up in file outside St Mary De Crypt and form a guard of Honour for Civic Party (as we do every year) and fall out to the museum for a well-earned bevvie and a chill.

Saturday, the after the parade Gloster Museum Bar is open as usual with hot food and entertainment until late (as agreed last year, there is no official evening do this year)
I would just like to say a big thank you to Matthew and his team for their hard work and continued support of the GDP weekend, I know the feeling is mutual and support that we would have liked when we started back in 2009.

Many thanks for coming I hope you all had a great time and safe journey home, lets do it all again next year 6-7 Sept 24, god willing. Best Wishes as always, Mark.

Other Events during the day.
11.00 am The Mock Mayor of Barton’s Parade
11.10 Mayor of Gloucester and Civic party need to be on stage in Kings Sq
11.20 Mock Mayor meets the Mayor of Gloucester
11.40Parade departs to St Mary De Crypt.
12.00 Gloucester Day Thanksgiving Service St Mary De Crypt
12.45 Refreshments Brunswick Baptist Church

The Gloucester Day Committee invites you to join us on Gloucester Day for the Gloucester Day celebrations and parade. Please read carefully and respond A.S.A.P.

The event will take place in the Historic City of Gloucester, on Saturday 2nd September 2023. The first Parade, the Mock Mayor of Barton’s Parade, commences at 11 am followed by a Thanksgiving Day service at St Mary De Crypt. At 2 pm the Gloucester Day Parade will make its way through the four main gated streets and is led by the Mayor and Sheriff of Gloucester, in full Civic Regalia.

This event is designed to install and promote pride in our historic city by creating interest in its rich heritage and colourful past. The major catalyst is to reinstate the original Gloucester Day celebration, which was the lifting of the siege of Gloucester in 1643. This occasion was celebrated annually for centuries, hence Gloucester becoming known as The City saved by God.

REGIMENTAL BAND AND CORPS OF DRUMS AND FRIENDS REUNION 2024

The Reunion of the Regimental Band and Corps of Drums will take place on Saturday 5th October 2024 at Upper Lounge, Wotton Hall Club, 138 Barnwood Road, Barnwood, Gloucester, GL4 3JS (this is opposite the entrance to Walls Club) from 19:30 to 23:30 hrs. The cost of the evening is £12pp; donations in support of the less well off would be greatly appreciated.                                             

Members are requested to complete and return the booking section at the foot of this letter with payment and a stamped addressed envelope to the Treasurer. If there are any change of details, or you wish to be removed from the mailing list, please contact the Treasurer.  Notification of deaths of members would help in keeping our records up to date and prevent any possibility of distress to the relatives.  A telephone call to Treasurer would suffice.

Please check the website for Reunion updates and further information regarding reunions and details of former members: www.glosters.org  The web site also provides details of the Regimental Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum. Details of where to send donations are on the website.

Email Addresses   It is our aim to cut the cost of postage for the Reunion and we would be grateful if you could provide us with your email address, even if you are not planning on attending this year. Please Email:   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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If you are paying by Bank transfer you can use the form below

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