VJ Day Fundraising Tab

On Saturday 15th August 2020, VJ Day COL Bob, Uncle Frank and Terry tabbed 20 miles along the Forth and Clyde canal to the Vets Monument, taking 5 hours to  raise funds to help lay the foundation for the Lest We Forget bench kindly donated by Mr Bill Mc Donald (left in picture)  Normally cost £700, he gave free of charge and put it in place.

End of WWII.

Thanks to all who attended especially the Lord Provost Philip Bratt who unveiled a plaque to H.M.S. Glasgow.

A Big thanks to sisters Jackie and Jenny who travelled by car all the way from London to unveil their fathers, Sgt John Hannah V.C's plaque. 

Thanks to Ballie Malcolm Balfour for help in securing an Ward Area grant to cover some costs, Glasgow Parks Club and the Brothers in Arms M.C.C for their kind donations to our Worthy Causes fund solely for the upkeep of the Vets Monument and any future projects there.

Thanks also to Glasgow Central Station  Staff - Knightswood residents- Junior Soldier Iain Brand- 32 Signal Regt and last but not least The H.L.I. Association, Glasgow who all donated (and paid for) the plaques.

Lest We Forget

Photography by Jamie Williamson

END OF WWII - Saturday 22nd August 2020

Members,

Please note the Branch Committee are keen to rekindle the event we should have had in May this year ie: VE parade etc...no doubt most of you will be glad to get out and about after all this time in lock down.

Therefore take note that you are invited along to an “END OF WWII” Commemoration at the Vets Monument on Saturday 22nd August, details of which are posted on the Branch web for your perusal.  You will note in the instruction that other Vet organisations are limited to 2 overall to attend, we though invite all branch members as we after all foot the bill.  

Pass the message on please.

It’s very important that you let me know if you are going to attend for feeding purposes.

Stay Safe   

DOWNLOAD PDF INSTRUCTIONS



Housing Options Scotland

Dear Sirs, Ma’ams, All,

Issue: Raising awareness about support with civilian housing options. Planning for civilian housing cannot be left until resettlement. Housing Options Scotland (HOS) can help with complicated housing situations. This communication is for the attention of Serving Personnel, Families and Veterans who will/or have settled in Scotland.

‘If you need help with your housing issues in Scotland you can contact Housing Options Scotland (HOS). We offer free, confidential and expert housing advice and information. Thanks to funding from the Veterans Foundation HOS can offer its service to all members of the Armed Forces Community in Scotland through its Military Matters Project. HOS can help with advice on social and private renting, homelessness, adaptations, shared ownership and home ownership.
The easiest way to contact HOS is via the Get Help Form on their website here. Alternatively phone 0131 247 1400. Leave a message and one of the team will call you back. Let Housing Options Scotland help you find “The Right House, in the Right Place”

Timing: Routine

Background: 51X and Army HQ Scotland have been working with the charity Housing Options Scotland (HOS) for the past 7 years.  They have supported many of our people. They are experts in civilian housing options in Scotland. The laws regarding house purchasing, private renting, social housing and charity supported options are different in Scotland than the Rest of UK (RoUK).  Anyone in the Armed Forces community can ask for their assistance. We would appreciate it if you add the blurb above to any newsletters or other types of correspondence you have with Serving Personnel, Veterans and Service Families. 

Branch Collection at Central Station - 18th October 2019

Latest Glasgow and West of Scotland P.R.A. Branch collection in Glasgow Central Station Friday 18th October with staunch volunteers Pat Reid, Frank Cameron, Bill Degnan and Jim Urquhart from the H.L.I. Association Glasgow.

A magnificent £1112.74 raised so once again thanks you YOUNG blokes for the loyalty to your Branch and a big thanks to Mrs Catherine O'Neil and Network Rail Staff Glasgow for all their continued support to the VETERANS community in particular.

In the picture we are joined by 2 young ladies by the names of Evie and Laura, from the SHETLANDS.

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Brig Pearson bench

A very BIG Thank You to Mr. DANNY MAC CRAE, branch Honourary member who took it upon himself whilst visiting CAEN recently to have the bench that's dedicated to Brig Pearson saved from ruin as it was noted by some to be in some sort of disrepair.

Well it looks great now, thanks to Danny and those that made it happen.

Every Man an Emperor!

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A&SH Museum Trust Donation

Our OWN Uncle Frank T Cameron (78 years old) in his capacity as Vice Chairman presenting a cheque for 1k from the Glasgow and West of Scotland Branch P.R.A. to the CEO of the A and SH Museum Trust, Mr. Richard Hickson - Ex 4 RTR at the pit stop in Clydebank that both Colonels David and Bobby Steele had reached on their way following the same route as the Kilt Walk from Glasow Green to Balloch on Wednesday 7th August. Both identical twins. David M.B.E. slightly older though by 4 minutes - 73 years young. Big thanks to Agnes (Una) Smith B.E.M. who is in the pic for supplying scoff and to Dr Joyce Steele too for doing like wise

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Clay Pigeon Shoot - Saturday 10th August 2019

On Saturday 10th August 48 members, family and friends of the Branch took part in a Clay Pigeon Shoot at the National Shooting Centre at Slammanan near Falkirk to raise funds for the Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity.

Thanks to all that took part and a special thanks to the Neil, Staff and Coaches at the centre for the warm welcome. A very enjoyable occassion and report £320 will be donated to the Hospital very soon, watch this space. Last but not lest well done Mr Chris Mc Innes from Anniesland who came out Top Gun and to Brian our Bus driver from Swift Coaches who got the whole crew there and back in a safe manner. Your a credit to your company.

Alasdair Hutton - Important Information

Gentlemen

I have been made aware that fraudsters have gained access to my Messenger address book and that some of the members have been targeted with one or more scams. Sometimes it is an invitation from me to join Messenger or in others it is a potential financial fraud involving an agency with the initials CDFA which they claim I have used and endorsed.

Please ask your members to ignore any invitations from me to join Messenger. These invitations simply connect your address book to the fraudsters. If anyone receives an invitation from CDFA to apply for a grant delete it at once. I have not used it nor received any money from it. This is old scam misusing an agency in America. The scam started in 2016 and at the time the agency said,

"If you have been contacted by someone claiming to be from CDFA or another government agency, be advised that this is a scam. The criminals may also use the identities of one of your friends to trick you into thinking they've received money and you can too. Some potential victims are targeted through Facebook Instant Messenger; others received text messages or phone calls.CDFA, a quasi-state agency which operates only within the State of New Hampshire, does not make financial awards to individuals anywhere in the country. Nor would we ask you to send us money for any reason."


Please make sure anyone with whom I have been in touch on Messenger, maybe about the 15 Para book, is aware that they might get or have already got one of these malicious approaches.

Many thanks
Alasdair

P.R.A. - A.G.M in TAMWORTH

Friday 21st June - 18 members of the Branch headed South to attend the P.R.A. - A.G.M in TAMWORTH at the National Memorial Arboretum on Saturday 22nd travelling home on Sunday 23rd.

The pictures paint a thousand words so we will just let all know the Branch donated £1000 to Support Our Paras and £1000 to the Airborne Forces Security Fund.

Thanks to the BOSS, Major Ski and 2 PARA Provo Sgt for getting in on the act, including Big Carrie who had the honour of having the P.F.A. Standard dedicated at the service and brought into the fold of the P.R.A.

Lastly a BIG THANKS to our members for making the effort all agreed it was a great weekend in good company. Here's to next year.

Ps. Armed Forces Day in Glasgow Saturday 29th June (Next Saturday) so please come out to parade with the Branch meeting at Pitt Street 10.30am marching off 11am. Spread the word please.

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!