Here are some photos from the event

Many thanks to Franny Cobourn

As some of you already know the venue we usually have our reunions in, The Walls Club, is due to close. You can resy assuerd that the committee is on the hungt for a new venue for this years reunion. 

Lovely catch up on Sunday Pawlett RBL and our branch meeting, looking forward to next month Back Badge in Gloucestershire

Here are some photo's from the Glosters Regimental Association New Years Lunch at the Orchard Inn, West Huntspill. Klaus Galeitzke, Ray Margaret, Nick and Dawn were present.

Friday saw the funeral of Brian Wright take place at Torbay Crematorium, Devon, and later a celebration of his life at The Crown and Sceptre, St Marychurch, Torquay. The Regiment was extremely well represented, It was a huge challenge to get over 150 people into an 80-seater facility but using every square inch of standing room we accomplished it! I would like to thank Len Keeling for organising the minibus down from Gloucester, the four Standard Bearers: Scott McBryde, Roger Smith, Steven Tierney and the local British Legion representative. Also grateful to the six volunteer pallbearers on the day, Eddie Kenneford, Ben Casey, John Davies, Tony Jones, Allan Winchester and Dave Stone.
Chas Deacon the Celebrant held it all together nicely and the two Senior Rank musicians from The Rifles gave a great rendition of the Last Post, leaving hardly a dry eye in the building. The live service video link has been taken down for editing but will be published again shortly using the details issued previously. Feedback from the family during the day was outstanding and made all the hard work very worthwhile. I would like to thank Bob, Sadie and Clair for hosting the day's events including the most welcoming celebrations I have ever attended in a Pub. Last, but not least, a huge thank you to all the members of the Regiment who turned up and made the day such a great success, it was a great tribute to the “Glosters” family and its former members.
Should anyone have missed donating during the day, and would like to do so, the details are as follows: RGBW Association Somerset. Sort Code: 30 99 51 Acct No 00545601 and include “BW” in the description box, thank you.

Martin Talling
“by our deeds, we are known”

Somerset Poppy Train 

Several train stations in Somerset will welcome the arrival of a 'Poppy Train' to transport wreaths to London for remembrance weekend.  Six trains will work to collect over 200 wreaths from GWR stations ahead of the London service on Friday, November 10.  The Great Western Railway service will mark 70 years since the end of the Korean War, remembering particularly personnel of the Gloucestershire Regiment and the Royal Fusiliers, who were involved in some of the heaviest fighting.  Taunton Railway Station will be the first of the Somerset stops for the Poppy Train, which is expected to arrive in the town at 7:24 a.m. on Friday, November 10. 

The train will then travel north through Sedgemoor and into North Somerset before diverting towards London Paddington Station.  It will make stops to collect wreaths at the following Somerset stations:

• Bridgwater - 7:35 am
• Highbridge & Burnham - 7:42 am
• Weston-Super-Mare - 7:55 am
• Weston Milton - 7:59 am
• Worle - 8:03 am
• Yatton - 8:09 am
• Nailsea & Backwell 8:15 am

Planned engineering work preventing trains from running between Penzance and Plymouth, will be mitigated by support from a Royal Navy helicopter, and a bus to collect wreaths from stations through the region and carry them to Plymouth.  Danny Greeno, CEO of The Veterans Charity, said:  “We are very proud to have wonderful support from GWR for this Remembrance initiative which is now in its fourth year.  "Poppies To Paddington will once again be hugely poignant, paying respects to the fallen.  "Thanks to great support from the military and railway communities, wreaths are still able to complete their journey from across the South-West to Paddington to form the backdrop to the annual Remembrance service on Platform 1.  “Bringing communities, service personnel and Veterans together to remember in this special way is so important to ensure the sacrifices of the fallen are never forgotten.

The RGBW Association County Chairman for Somerset will be at Highbridge Train Station to present a Gloster Poppy Wreath to commemorate the return of our Imjin heroes from the Chinese prison camps 70 years ago.  It would be greatly appreciated if any other Association members could be in attendance at any of the stations listed at the stated time to meet/greet the train,  “By our deeds we are known”

Yours aye

Martin Talling

County Chairman

D

Dear Fellow Back Badge Wearer,

In November 1953 around 400 Prisoners of War from the Gloucestershire Regiment returned to Gloucestershire after two and a half years in captivity in North Korea after being captured at the end of the Battle of The Imjin River in Korea in April 1951.

On their return, they all attended a Service of Thanksgiving in Gloucester Cathedral during which The Carne Cross was presented to the Cathedral.

The cross was fashioned from a rock with a nail by Lt Col Carne during an extended period of solitary confinement, and used by the soldiers in church services within the prison camp and smuggled out when the prisoners were exchanged.

On the 70th Anniversary of the arrival of the prisoners back in Gloucestershire we will be holding a Service of Commemoration to honour them and their fallen comrades from both the battle and the period in the camps. This service will be held on 25th November 2023 and will be based on the original service held in the cathedral 70 years ago to the week. The service will include the ceremonial re-presentation of The Carne Cross to the Cathedral.

We would like to invite you to this service which will take place at 1630hrs on Saturday 25 November 2023 in Gloucester Cathedral. All veterans and families are welcome to attend, dress suited & booted or smart civvies (former would be a preference). All those planning to attend should RSVP to Len Keeling at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with all names, to ensure we have the appropriate seating available. No march this time, expecting a large gathering of veterans and families so get your seat reservations in early.

“By our deeds we are known”

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.

Service Reminders For This Week (4):

Stephen (Steve) Edward James Wright, 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, the funeral service will be held at St Mary the Virgin Church, Fore Street, Torquay, TQ1 4QY on Monday 30th of January 2023 at 13.45. Please wear what you are comfortable with. Family flowers only but donations, if desired, for the Rowcroft Hospice at Home team by retiring collection.

Mark Bessell, 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, the funeral service will be held at Bristol South Crematorium, on Friday 3rd February at 3 pm. No flowers please, but if you would like to show your appreciation for the impact Mark has had on your life, please donate to Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team which brought Mark home to his family.

Philip Miller, 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, the funeral service will be held at Sedgemoor Crematorium Stretcholt TA6 4SR at 1100hrs on Monday 30th January 2023. No flowers please, but should anyone wish to donate, there is a just-giving site at: Crowdfunding to In memory of Philip Allen (Dusty) Miller 1st Battalion The Gloucestershire Regiment 28th/61st on JustGiving

Richard Smith will be held at Gloucester crematorium on Friday 3rd February @ 1pm and the wake will be held at Stroud rfc , family flowers only , donations to Gloucester royal hospital intensive care unit charity