Click on the image above to see more photographs of the whole event
SATURDAY 20TH OCTOBER: EVENING
Sat 20 October 2012 Barton Marina Waterfront Quarterdeck Lounge.
1930 HRS The Quartereck lounge was set well for the Eve of the Battle of Trafalgar dinner organised by Pete Ruddock . The company of about forty Field Gunners and their wives assembled .
2000 HRS We all sang a happy birthday to all the young sixteen year olds sat close to us taking the numbers to about sixty people. The young girls had a history lesson about Nelson and Trafalgar through the narration of the saga throughout the evening well done by Rob Wyatt apart from which eye to cover.
2030 HRS The meals were well presented and slowly devoured between drinks ,speaches by the Mad Bish Mike Brotherton and Derek Cousins the chatter and intervals of The Neslon Story.
2200 HRS The meals were coming to the end, Nelson was mortally wounded and died. The birthday party of young girls began to depart wiping their eyes with tissues,waving us good-bye we all sang a pleasant clean farewell.
2230 HRS The Port was passed for the Final Toast to Nelson and a glorious day for the morrow when we will all assemble again for full English breakfast and fortified prepare for the Service of Dedication and unveiling of the Ladysmith Memorial Bench and Information Board at the National Memorial Arboretum.
SUNDAY 21ST OCTOBER; MORNING
1000 HRS .Prior to the Run-out my Enid my Wife said 'Stop prowling' so I had a hearty full Enlish and was put at ease once I saw your contingent of Green blazers and the two RM Buglers arrive, then I knew that we would be ready .
1100 HRS. We assembled in the mist and proceeded to follow The Mad Bish north allong the Mellenium Way to the Naval Section where as you put it ,The Whole Family of Field Gun paraded ready for the Dedication of the 'Ladysmith Bench and Information Board. No warm - up was needed we were 'Aye - Ready'
1130 HRS. The Bish or Sin bosun enlighten us all with his well humoured dits and led us all into the dediction service and conducted the 'Gunner's Choir' with four stirring hymns with prayers. I thought we might have had problems with 'Hearts of Oak' but that was well sung. Perhaps we should form one!!!!
1200 HRS. I had predicted that the sun would come out and burn away the mist , I am sorry about taht timing ,but I did notice the sun-beams during the singing of Hearts of Oak and the tears on the cheeks ot most people assembled including me.That Last-Post always gets me.
The Trolley Dollies did a good job in providing the 'warm and cosy glow' to the end of the proceedings with the Field - Gunner's cake washed down with the 'Rum' or two.
1230 HRS. The sun comes out to help those people who have never been to the NMA to find their way around. Speaking to many later on the all said that 'We will be back'. I in turn was proud to be in such good company and pleased it was a 'Clear-run'. Apart from the timing of the appearance of the sun. I would like to thank everyone and to the two Oggies who put the Square information board into the Round hole. It will fit !!!!
PM everyone hopefully had a safe and clean Run Home.
Notes, 21 April 2013 St Georges Day Field gun Memorial Bike ride Start/Finish Whale Island.(Sponsered)
Possible involvement with the Armed Forces Day at Portsmouth June 2013.
The Ladysmith Bench site at NMA is B-466 Naval Section near to SAMA Memorial.
Off to the allotment now for therapy and a red wine. Until the next time!!!