Uncle Frank stagging on for SSAFA - GLASGOW Central Station. As you can see he hasn't lost his charm - whit?
The following members helped Uncle Frank raise £1700 for SSAFA - Glasgow Branch in the station: Denis Mc Cormick, Bob Esplin, Rob Hawkins, Gordon Bonner, Bill O 'Neil and Terry Mc Court. Well done lads, you’re a credit to the branch.
An email I recieved
Read story below please:
Good afternoon Terry,
I hope you're well. My name is Linzi Murdoch and I am a Care Assistant in a residential care home just outside Glasgow ( Barrhead).
I am reaching out to you as we have an 81 year old gentleman, Tom ( Farquhar), who served in The Parachute Regiment and his service with the Armed Forces is very important to him.
Although Tom has a diagnosis of Dementia he is Charming, Witty and Fiercely proud of his service. The Parachute Regiment continues to be a huge part of his identity and he would be absolutely delighted to meet and share his stories with someone from your organisation.
Would it be at all possible that someone in your organisation may like to pay him a visit to share a cuppa and a chat , it would mean the world to him.
Many thanks and I hope to hear from you soon.
Linzi Murdoch
The Firs Care Home
Barrhead
End of Story: As you can see in the pictures we stood and delivered: "UTRINQE PARATUS"
TOM served in XV PARA and 33rd Bty - Royal Artillery as a National Serviceman. We are joined in the photos with the presence of our Uncle Frank, and John Patrick Somers who was ex Royal Engineers and Last but not least Linzi who, give her praise, took the time out to make Tom happy. Well done her as she mentioned she didn't expect reply.
The Vice Chairman (Frank Cameron) and Secretary (Terry Mc Court) met up with the CEO of reflexblue, Mr Colin Docherty, in the hope he could help have someone manage our Branch Book - keeping records as our Treasurers post has been vacant for sometime.
We are glad to report this task will in future be completed by one of his staff and the cost will be… Absolulety NOTHING!!
Colin and his workforce made both of us very welcome and Frank even got the opportunity to pose with Colin as they held a framed Glasgow Rangers FC Shirt, once worn for the first time by his Son - Greg Dochery, who is out on loan at Shrewsbury and scoring frequently for them.
Think we won a watch today, Wednesday 20th Feruary 2019.
Branch Members, including Standard Bearers are going to attend the P.R.A. - A.G.M. on Saturday 22nd June at the NMA near TAMWORTH.
Names required from interested branch members no later than the end of the next Branch meeting on Sunday 3rd March so we can collate numbers to book rooms and transport.
Note if you register then pull out you will be required to pay for any costs incurred on your behalf.
Come along to the next meeting to register if you wish
Depart Glasgow Buchanan Street Bus Station (Taxi Rank side) at 9am on Friday 21st and return Sunday 23rd, departing Tamworth at 10am.
The Branch Members at our meeting on Sunday 10th February 2019 accepted our Trustees 4 nominations of Worthy Causes to donate to this year.
1. SSAFA - The Armed Forces Charity (GLASGOW)
2. The Airborne Forces Security Fund
3. Erskine Hospital - Scotland
4. Support Our Para's
A special thanks to ALL those members of our Branch who stag on raising much needed funds for Worthy Causes like the 4 above.
Your dedication is second to none - God Bless
All,
I will be doing the Kiltwalk in April 2019 to raise funds for SSAFA - The Armed Forces Charity, the oldest Military Charity in Britain.
I will be doing the Mighty Stride which involves me walking 23 miles in 1 day.
If you could support me to raise funds for this worthy cause SSAFA, it would be much appreciated.
Please sponsor me on the link below and if you could share this I would be grateful.
https://glasgowkiltwalk2019.everydayhero.com/uk/terence
Thanks in advance
Terry McCourt (Branch Secretary) / 61 year old VETERAN
The Old and Bold with a few new volunteers put in a good shift in the Station to help raise much needed funds for Worthy Causes.
A BIG Thanks to Pat Reid, Frank Cameron, Robert Cowan, Bob Esplin, Bill O'Neil, Sammy Moynihan, Bill Degnan, Colin O'Donnell, Robert Finnie, Sandy Inglis, Denis Mc Cormick, Bill Mc Gregor and Robert Hawkins for their time and effort in raising a fantastic sum of £1976:27.
Great amount when you consider we started at 8.30am and finished at 2pm.
A special thanks to all those who contributed to our cause which included in general the Public but joined by both sets of the Old Firm (Believe it or not) and the Scottish Rugby Supporters on their way to Murrayfield to watch the game against Italy which Scotland won. ( Bonus points too)
An even bigger thanks to Mrs Catherine O' Neil for granting us permission to collect, including her Staff who always look out for us and Mark Green - Virgin Rail Glasgow manager whose staff do the same - including providing refreshments for us all.
Long may it continue!
We held the first meeting of the little steering group called to make the arrangements to mark the forty fifth anniversary of Exercise Bold Guard yesterday afternoon.
In essence, the anniversary will be marked on 07 September 2019 to help deconflict that and the ceremonies to mark the 75th anniversary of Arnhem.
There will be a service at Glasgow Cathedral, the time will be determined shortly with the Cathedral administrators but we are aiming for 1100. The CO on Ex Bold Guard, Lt Col Jim Burke, has agreed to come and to make the address
We decided not to have a march down to the city but move from the Cathedral to Barony Hall, which is reasonably close to the Cathedral, for a reception which should end by 1500. Barony Hall has yet to be booked but is much the most suitable nearby location.
Invitations will be extended to the Colonel Commandant, Lt General Sir John Lorimer, who has indicated his willingness to come, to General Sir Mike Jackson, who was Training Major on the Exercise and to various others associated with the Battalion, members of the families of those who died and their colleagues, and the great and the good in Glasgow. All help in locating the families and colleagues will be gratefully received. We did make specific reference to being sure that Pte Beach’s relatives and colleagues were informed.
We plan to hold meetings every month from now on to make sure that all the details have been thought out and I will keep you up to date as the arrangements proceed. Your help in identifying the numbers planning to attend will be a great help.
Alasdair
Alasdair Hutton
President, PRA Scotland and Northern Ireland.
NOTE: Any interested or can help with locating family and friends etc to contact Alasdair direct:
Home: 01573 224369
Mobile: 07753 625734
Email: alasdairhutton@yahoo.co.uk
Tickets are available at a cost of £15 for a Burns Supper on Friday 1st February 2019 commencing 7 for 7.30pm.
Interested? If so contact Mr. PETER Morrison on: 07966411684 or email: p.morrison@milnbank.org
From:
Secretary Lothian Branch
Dear PRA Members.
The Funeral of Richard Mitchell (Mitch) will be held at Mortonhall Crematorium on Friday 1st February at 1400hrs in The Large Chapel.
The Family have chosen to give Mitch a grand send off and The Branch will be fully involved in most aspects of this with The Standard on Parade. I have obtained the assistance of The Rev Jim Smith who was The Padre for The 15th Scottish Battalion in which Mitch served and he will perform The Service.
I have also invited other Branches within The PRA Region and hopefully some of their Members will be on parade.
The dress code on parade will be Beret and Blazer or smart suit and I would urge as many members as possible to make themselves available to bid Mitch the farewell he rightly deserves.
HELP !! If any of you have some stories about Mitch, The Padre would like to hear them, so please send them to me.
Ken Rogers.
Branch Secretary.
On Friday 4th January 2019 the Branch Standard and a GOH will form up at 10.30am at Cardross CREMATORIUM, Main Road, Cardross, Dumbarton G82 5HD. The service (11.15am) is for Veteran Jim Smith ex R.A.F who was a staunch supporter of our Branch. He was also husband to SSAFA legend AGNES (Una) Smith. Please attend if you can in usual attire and if you don't mind spread the word
The parade at the Dennistoun Memorial on Saturday 10th November is now CANCELLED.
The next parade is on Sunday the 11th.
Raffle for SSAFA Glasgow Branch raised £500. Thanks you kind people.
Local ATC pictured with Mr. JIM WATSON who came up with the idea for a War Memorial in Alexandra Park joined by young Owen Mc Guire from St Mungos Academy who God Bless him designed it. 2 Special People!!
Guard of Honour will form up on Thursday 13th Sept at 1pm - Lambhill CREMATORIUM for the service of our staunch Branch Member Maxi Morrison who sadly passed away recently. May he rest in peace.
Try and make an effort please as he was a Gem of a bloke as you all well know.
Branch Members requested to form a GOH Thursday 30th August from 11am at the Cremation of Bill Mc Niff at St Kentigerns CREMATORIUM in CADDER ((Small Chapel)
Wed 30/8/18 Vigil from 1830 at St Flannans RC church.
79 Hillhead Rd.,
Kirkintilloch,
G66 2HY
Above RC church Thurs 30/8/18 at 1000 hrs service.
The family have requested a military presence, and as many 15 Para as possible.
Mr. Mark Roberts from PONTYCYMER in South Wales kindly donated to the Branch along with his wife and the ' RAFFEL' family from Austria - Magic
Mrs Lorna Pamood, a Congressionalist from Uddingston near Glasgow had a wee chat and learned we knew her friend - a famous 15 Para Padre by the name of Jim Smith.
It's a Small World eh!
GLASGOW BURDZ ON TOUR - With the LEARNER?
On their way to cause chaos in our Great City these ladies generously donated to the Branch.
PEOPLE MAKE GLASGOW!!
Well done ALL from the Branch including family and friends who took part in the walk with Bugle to raise funds for the RHF Museum Appeal having completed a stage around Millport on foot.
A BIG mention has to be said of the young children who completed the courses with a smile on their faces and the Old Yins who kept them entertained.
Thanks to the Royal British Legion Club Millport for hosting us and the spread put on for our benifit was second to none.
HAPPY DAYS
Check out the photos here.
Nan is being cremated Clydebank Crem ( Dalnottar) Monday 30th July at 11.30am.
Please try and attend wearing branch dress as like our Wee Annie she was a Stalwart supporter of our Branch.
May she rest in peace
Regards
Terry