VE Parade 2019

Annual Victory in Europe parade in Knightswood - Glagow hosted by Glasgow and West of Scotland Branch P.R.A.

Thanks to Colonel Bob Steele our President for all his guidance and work he does behind the scenes that no one who ain't in the loop is aware of. Thanks also to Rev Sandy Fraser of Knightswood ST Margarets Church for conducting a lovely service in the Church and at the VETS Monument. Thanks also to COALBURN Silver Band who were excellent, Andy Reid our Piper and Joanne Buchanan our resident Bugler, including the Managent and Staff of the Lincoln Inn who feed and watered the VETS to their hearts content. Not forgetting Peter and Gordon with their Military vehicles and the dignatories led by the Deputy Lord Provost Philip Bratt and Captain Mark Bennie and the 4 PARA contingent flying the flag.


Last but not least a BIG THANKS to our Parade Marshall Big Frank and George Sharp i/C of the Standard Bearers and the blokes who once again willingly volunteered to act as Stewards

Heartfelt thanks though to ALL those Veterans, Families and friends who turned up to make it a day to remember - God Bless you ALL!

Stagging On

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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.

The AIRBORNE BROTHERHOOD

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.


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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.

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P.R.A. - A.G.M.

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.

Worthy Causes Donations

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

Kiltwalk Appeal - April 2019

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 

Central Station Collection - February 2019

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!

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EX BOLD GUARD - 45TH ANNIVERSARY

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

Richard Mitchell Funeral

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.

Any Glasgow & West of Scotland members who plan to attend, including any Standards please contact Ken Rodgers in the first instance.

Jim Smth

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

Bill McNiff

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.